All posts by Associate Editor

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Aleksandra Lusina – Winner of the Rolex One to Watch 2011 Award

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Aleksandra Lusina holding the Rolex One to Watch 2011 Award

13 March 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch Award for 2011 has been presented to Polish rider Aleksandra Lusina. Based at the Agro-Handel Riding Club in Olsza, Poland, the 32-year-old jumped from 556th to 232nd during May 2011 – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 324 places.

According to Rolex Rankings #134, which were published at the beginning of March 2012, Lusina was the 94th ranked rider in the world.

The Award recognises the Rolex One to Watch rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings during 2011. In the months since being crowned Rolex One to Watch in May 2011, the Polish rider has recorded a string of impressive results at competitions throughout Europe, competing in the Central European League.

Continue reading Aleksandra Lusina – Winner of the Rolex One to Watch 2011 Award →

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Therapy: The Healing Is in the Relationship, by Claire Dorotik

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While there are numerous complaints clients can present with and probably an even greater abundance of ways to treat these ailments, the majority of practitioners would most likely agree that the majority of them stem from the relationships that people find themselves in. Or perhaps, these present relationships are reflections of the more formative earlier ones. In either case, there is no shortage of methods to help people better understand themselves and their relationships.

One of these methods of fostering self-awareness is equine therapy. And like many other forms of treatment, working with horses has taken many forms. While some organizations focus solely on creating and implementing exercises for clients to perform with horses, others attempt to generalize the client’s behavior with the horse to other, more fractured areas of their life. The thought in both cases in that if the client can learn how to alter his/her behavior across a multitude of situations, the outcomes will be different, and hopefully, more satisfying.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: The Healing Is in the Relationship, by Claire Dorotik →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Dressage

Iron Spring Farm Stallions’ Historic Rankings in the 2012 KWPN Breeding Values

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UB40’s Sons Impress in Holland

Apache, by Iron Spring Farm's UB40, received a 10 on his trot at the KWPN Stallion Show. Photo by Sjoert

Coatesville, PA — Over the past few decades, North American breeders have been educating themselves on the best bloodlines and crosses required to produce top international talent. As a result, these dedicated breeders have traveled extensively in Europe and imported some of the best breeding stock. While trips across the pond will undoubtedly continue, North American breeders are no longer required to leave home to produce exceptional horses. Access to high-ranking international bloodlines has never been easier. In February, the KWPN (Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook) released their 2012 Breeding Values and many of the sires and damsires are available right in the U.S.A.

The Value of Bloodlines

Each year the KWPN (Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook) collects and analyzes extensive performance and health data for each Approved stallion and their offspring. It then provides an assessment of genetic ability and statistics with rankings for both dressage and jumping. The resulting report, known as the KWPN Breeding Values, can then be used by breeders to make informed decisions about their breeding programs. This data is among the most comprehensive within the warmblood industry and has helped make the KWPN one of the consistently top-ranked WBFSH studbooks. In 2012, Iron Spring Farm stallions had historic rankings, including Contango Preferent, Sir Sinclair and UB40. In addition, their sires, grandsires and offspring were also highly rated, making a multi-generational influence on the modern sport horse.

Continue reading Iron Spring Farm Stallions’ Historic Rankings in the 2012 KWPN Breeding Values →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy took the top honors Saturday night at HITS VI Ocala Winter Finals. Photo By: Hunter Messineo

Ocala, FL – March 12, 2012 – It was an incredible night for the 2012 $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the HITS VI Ocala Winter Finals. Spectators gathered together as the anticipation continued to rise, waiting to see who would take home the victory. In the end, it was SBS Farms’ Jennifer Alfano who executed brilliant rides throughout the two-round event, rising to the top of the leaderboard with four horses. She and her veteran mount Jersey Boy took the top honors and led the victory gallop, proving unbeatable throughout the competition. Alfano also guided Miss Lucy to the second place finish, completing flawless rounds and earning top scores from the judges.

The evening began as riders were tested over a classic hunter course, with the top 12 horse and rider combinations advancing to the handy hunter course. The scores earned in the classic hunter round were combined with the handy hunter round, combining the two round totals for the event’s overall results. The course definitely proved to be no easy feat. It mimicked a picturesque hunt field, testing horse and rider alike as they navigated the course and vied for the top honors and the chance to make it into the esteemed top 12. Jersey Boy took an early lead with the high scores in the first round totaling 187 points from the panel of judges, and Miss Lucy did not fall far behind with her first-round score of 170 points.

Continue reading Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala →

Events, Phelps Media Group, Training/Clinics, Western/Reining

Chris Cox to Be Featured Clinician at 2012 Western States Horse Expo

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Chris Cox will be a featured clinician at the 2012 Western States Horse Expo. Photo By: Crystal Gibson

Sacramento, CA – March 12, 2012 – The Western States Horse Expo is pleased to announce that Chris Cox will be one of the featured clinicians during this year’s event. Cox has developed a successful partnership between horse and rider, and is an accomplished clinician and master horseman. The Western States Horse Expo is scheduled for June 8-10, 2012 at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, California.

Born into the ranching business, Cox moved with his family from Florida to an island off the coast of northeast Australia to raise cattle as a toddler. After returning to the United States at the age of 18 with unique horsemanship skills, Cox focused on training horses and providing clinics for individuals of all skill levels who were interested in developing and perfecting their abilities. He is currently the host of “Come Ride the Journey” on RFD-TV, while also competing as a team roper and conducting clinics throughout the country.

Continue reading Chris Cox to Be Featured Clinician at 2012 Western States Horse Expo →

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gulf Coast V

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We just finished another great week in Gulfport.  We are so lucky how the weather man just can’t seem to guess anything right.  Anyway, we had a great week with great weather.  On Friday, Jeanne Pitre and Jeanne Hines threw a great party… complete with tenderloin, shrimp, smoked salmon, and the like.  Fresh flowers on all the tables and another wonderful band.  Thanks Jeanne.

Today was a giant day in Gulfport.   Today we started with a wonderful brunch free for all the exhibitors.  It was sponsored by Daniel and Cathy Geitner, Vick Russell, Fox Ridge Farm, M/M Travis Lubow, Pam Hayden, Holly Adams, Oakwell Farm, Equi-Fab, Tim Patrick – Farrier, Jewel Jumps, David Q Wright and Hunters Court, Benny’s Wash n Fold, and Gamboa Veterinary Services.   The show thanks all of you, the exhibitors thank you and management thanks you.  Wonderful way to start a Sunday and end five weeks of showing.  Special thanks to Jennifer Gamboa for coordinating these events each week.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Bruce Duchossois Named to Board of Directors of National Horse Show Association of America

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PHOTO ©Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com - R. Bruce Duchossois, pictured here during the Winter Equestrian Festival

Lexington, Kentucky – March 11, 2012 – The National Horse Show Association of America announced today that R. Bruce Duchossois has been named to the Board of Directors.

Duchossois, from Aiken, South Carolina, is one of the country’s leading exhibitors in the Adult Amateur Hunter division and has been deeply involved in numerous aspects of equestrian sports, as has his family. Duchossois’ mother competed on saddlebreds, and his father owned Arlington Park near Chicago, Illinois.

Competing in the hunters, Duchossois first gained national attention when riding his famed hunter Kim’s Song to AHSA Horse of the Year and to championships at the Pennsylvania National, the Washington International and the National Horse Show in New York City.

Continue reading Bruce Duchossois Named to Board of Directors of National Horse Show Association of America →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Para-Dressage Riders Impress Judges at 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*

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Laura Goldman (USA) and VPRH Pegasus vom Nieh-HOF. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Del Mar, CA – March 10, 2012 – Day two of the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* at the Del Mar Horse Park concluded with impressive results from the Para-Dressage competition. Multiple horse and rider combinations built upon yesterday’s scores earning top results under FEI ground jury Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Marco Orsini 4* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5*. Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games participant Laura Goldman (USA) topped Grade Ia with a 64.250% aboard the Knabbstrupper stallion, VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-HOF. Sydney Collier (USA) of Ann Arbor, Michigan shared the Knabbstrupper with Goldman and earned the top spot in the Grade II competition. In Grade III, Briana Beckworth (USA) rode Mette Rosencrantz’s Basquewille increasing Friday’s score to 63.056%. Lastly, Canadian Lynne Poole led the Grade IV competition with a 64.032% aboard Vasco E.

Earning the highest score on Friday of the Para-Equestrians was Laura Goldman aboard Patrick Truxillo’s Stallion VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-HOF. “Pegasus is such a great horse,” smiled Goldman. “Friday was the first day that I rode the Individual Championship Test aboard him and he was great.  Pegasus maintained a smooth gate throughout the test, he was always responsive to my cues, and I really appreciated his perfect head carriage. I feel lucky to be able to ride this type of horse.”

Continue reading Para-Dressage Riders Impress Judges at 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* →

Awards, Events

Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Named Ag/Equine Business of the Year

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Ocala, Fla. – The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park was named “Ag/Equine Business of the Year” Thursday, March 8, at the Appleton Museum during the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Stars over Ocala Business Awards.

The award is given annually to the Marion County ag/equine-related business nominated that most exemplifies:

  • Staying Power
  • Growth in Number of Employees
  • Increase in Sales and/or Unit Volume
  • Innovation of Product or Service Offered
  • Response to Adversity
  • Evidence of Contributions to Aid Community-Oriented Projects

Continue reading Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Named Ag/Equine Business of the Year →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star Claim $15,000 SJHoF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Victory

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Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star won the $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Classic. Photo: Kenneth Kraus

Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – March 11, 2012 – Charlie Jacobs of Deeridge Farm proved himself as an all-weather rider during Week IX of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Thunderstorms approaching the International Ring caused Saturday’s $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Classic to be split into two days, but not before Charlie Jacobs and CMJ Sport Horse’s Flaming Star produced a clear effort and were named co-winner with two other riders.

“They cancelled the competition because of the rain, but declared all the riders who jumped clean to be co-winners,” explained Jacobs. “If the numbers had held true, it looked like it was going to be a six horse jump-off, and I was excited for that, but I understand why they had to cancel the rest of the class.”

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios designed the course, which featured a number of short turns where riders had to carefully steady their mounts. Jacobs expertly maneuvered Flaming Star over each obstacle and left every rail intact before crossing the finish line. “There was also a skinny G&C vertical that was late in the course, so when I made the turn I made sure I had my horse back together,” Jacobs commented. “I think a lot of horses thought they were probably done by that point in the course, so they had it down. I was really happy with how Flaming Star jumped during the first round. It’s a four-star week and the courses are a bit more challenging; Leopoldo’s course certainly reflected that.”

Continue reading Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star Claim $15,000 SJHoF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Victory →