All posts by Associate Editor

Mary Lisa Leffler and Gerona 92 Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala

©ESI Photography. Mary Lisa Leffler and Gerona 92 on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

OCALA, FL (February 27, 2012) – Rolling Acres Farm scored a huge victory on Sunday when professional rider Mary Lisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ Gerona 92 captured the win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at the Ocala Masters. A returning Diamond Mills Hunter Prix rider, Leffler is well on her way to qualifying for the 2012 Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

Forty-six horse-and-rider combinations prepared their Sunday best to compete over a first round course set by Ocala’s Doug Russell. After a first round score of 85 and a second round score of 84, Leffler, of Brookville, Maryland secured the win with a total of 169 points.

“This is one of the best classes offered each week in my opinion,” said Leffler, one of the most consistent and talented High-Performance riders to show in both hunters and jumpers. “It’s just a fun event for everyone – the riders, owners and the people that come and watch – everyone seems to enjoy it.”

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Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Feature US Show Jumping Team Observation Event

Kent Farrington and Uceko won the 2011 $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – February 28, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are pleased to announce that their first week of competition, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show CSI3*, May 9-13, 2012, has been designated by USEF as a 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event. The jumper highlights in the Rolex Stadium during the first week will include the $35,000 Welcome Cup on May 9th. This will be followed on Friday, May 11th by the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and on Sunday, May 13th by the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. These two major competitions are Observation Events for the US Show Jumping Team. Following the US Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in Wellington, FL in March, riders named to the long list must compete at two of the four designated observation events, one of which will be the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. In addition to the long listed riders many more top horse and rider combinations are expected to gather at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows to vie for the winning title in these challenging events.

Chef d’Equipe George Morris commented, “I think that Kentucky is a premiere facility, they have hosted trials before, they know how to do it. It’s a lovely time of year, great footing, so it has to be a hit. The whole area is very horse friendly and very natural.”

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2012 Palm Beach Dressage Derby Draws Record Number of Entries from around the World

Tinne Vilhemsen Silfan and Don Auriello were the winners of the Grand Prix during the 2011 Palm Beach Dressage Derby. (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle)

Wellington, FL (February 28, 2012) – National and International riders are gearing up for top-notch competition at the upcoming world-renowned $20,000 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDIW, which takes place March 1-4, 2012.  Riders from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Argentina will join competitors from Hollywood, California to New Hope, Pennsylvania to Gate Mills, Ohio to Corpus Christy, Texas at the International Horse Sport (IHS) Palm Beach Champions Park in the Equestrian Estates in West Palm Beach to compete at “the Derby”, a USEF High Performance Qualifying Competition for this year’s 2012 World Cup and 2012 Olympic Games in London.  “We have a record year for riders competing in the Grand Prix, and a wait-list as well,” stated Noreen O’Sullivan, Show Manager. Spectators can expect to see top competitors all weekend, including Sunday’s crowd-pleasing Musical Freestyles.  “I have had competitors tell me that the Derby is their top show for the season.”

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Combined Driver Shelly Temple February Results

February 2012 has been a busy month for Shelly Temple and her ponies at Catalyst Driving Center.  On February 17-20, Shelly participated in various events at the Salute to Driving benefit for the US Equestrian Team.  Many of Shelly’s sponsors supported the event through donations including Omega Fields, Kentucky Equine Research, Leather Therapy, and ThinLine.

She participated in a clinic with long listed USEF drivers conducted by two-time world driving champion Tjeerd Velstra of the Netherlands.  She also drove her Morgan pony, Cooper, in a pas de deux demonstration.  Capping off the event was her driving of Duralin, a German Riding Pony owned by Edward and the late Anne Bliss.  Duralin is competing in his first competitive season and Shelly is getting him out as much as possible to gain experience. Shelly’s most recent competition was February 23-26, 2012 at the Little Everglades International CDE in Dade City, Florida.  In the FEI Single Pony class, Shelly and Cooper won the dressage competition with a score of 44.16. Duralin was competed in the preliminary single pony class out of official contention.  Nonetheless, the pony had a strong showing with a 49.11 in dressage.  Based on his performance, Duralin would have won the dressage phase of the class and been fourth overall.  “I am pleased with Duralin’s performance in his young career.  It is exciting to see the daily progress Duralin is making,” remarks Shelly. Next on Duralin’s competition schedule is the Live Oak International CDE in Ocala, Florida March 22-25.

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USET Foundation Olympic Gala in Aiken to Benefit U.S. Eventing Team

Aiken, SC – February 28, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Phillip and Evie Dutton will be hosting their fourth annual Olympic Gala in Aiken, SC on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 7 pm at Bridle Creek, their winter training facility. The night will bring the Aiken community together to enjoy cocktails, a buffet, dancing, and a silent auction while supporting the U.S. Eventing High Performance programs with a portion of the proceeds going to the USET Foundation.

“We are very excited to be hosting the benefit again for the Eventing Team with the lead up to the London Olympics,” explained Evie. “It’s a great night out for the Aiken community and a lot of fun for everybody while supporting a great cause.”

The event features top event riders Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin as the Celebrity Hosts. Starting at 7 pm, guests can enjoy the open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres as they partake in the raffle and silent auction while also dancing to the music of Preston and Weston.

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Motivation from Moshi 93, by Jane Savoie

The dentist stopped by today. I hate the dentist. He scares me. But I know once he’s floated my teeth and taken off the sharp points on my back molars, I’ll be much more comfortable when I chew. It’s something all horses have to deal with, so I just “man up” and let him do it.

Are there things you have to do that you don’t like doing? Visiting the dentist is one of those things that’s at the top of almost everyone’s list of things they’d rather not do. That, and pay taxes. Oh… and cleaning the cat’s litter box. Oh yeah… also standing in line to get a new driver’s license or plates for the new car. And don’t forget shoveling snow… and… Wow… There are lots of things people have to do that aren’t much fun!

If I were to stop right there, you’d probably find your mind swimming with ideas for the next several hours pondering all the stuff in your life you’d rather not have to do. How would your day be? A mind spinning around looking for things to be negative about will always find them. And when your focus is on finding things to not like, I guarantee you will attract more things to not like!

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Urge Your Representative to Vote NO on HB 5382

A Bill to Reopen Cruel Horse Slaughter Plants in Illinois

Urgent calls are needed to protect equine welfare in the state of Illinois. Please contact your Illinois State Representative to help preserve the 2007 Illinois ban on horse slaughter, which ultimately resulted in the closure of the last remaining horse slaughter plant in the United States.

On February 9, State Representative Richard Morthland (R) reintroduced a bill to overturn the 2007 Illinois ban on horse slaughter. The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, which has not scheduled a hearing on the measure. A similar bill has been introduced every year since the original ban, only to be soundly defeated each time. It is an issue that has been discussed and voted on many times before and the facts remain the same – the slaughter process subjects horses to extreme cruelty and an inhumane death, and should remain illegal.

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DreamCatcher Horse Ranch to Host EggStravaganza and Silent Auction in South Lake

On Sunday, April 1, DreamCatcher Horse Ranch and Rescue Center will be hosting a family friendly free event. The EggStravanza and Silent Auction serves as a spring fundraiser for DreamCatcher, but also is a fun and unique Easter themed carnival with events for everyone.

This year’s activities include Pony Rides, Games, Horse Riding Demonstrations, meet the rescued horses, and tour of the facilities. Food and Drinks will be available and unique to this year’s event is the silent auction.

In addition to horse supplies and tack available to purchase, the silent auction will feature tickets and passes to Disney, Tampa Bay Rays Baseball, Orlando Grand Prix; stays and packages to Stowe Mountain Resort, Charlotte Inn, Martha’s Vineyard, Peabody Orlando, Heron Cay B&B, Alling House B&B, Lake Buena Vista Best Western Resort, Grand Lake Orlando Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriot; Majestic Orlando Balloon Rides; Kristina Grimm Photography Photo Sessions; Yuengling Golf Bags; Gift Cards to premier Central Florida Restaurants; and much, much more.

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Gulf Coast Winter Classic Week III

We finished our third week in Gulfport today and wow has time zoomed by.  As of today we are half way through our Winter Circuit in Gulfport and each week seems to be getting better and better and I know it’s because of the wonderful exhibitors we have showing this year.

Next week (week 4) is our Celebration of Hunters with our USHJA International Hunter Derby on the Grand Prix Field and we also will host the “County Party” on Friday night.  You would think after the incredible party that Domino’s Pizza hosted this week with the jungle theme and great band that nothing could be better but this one is always a favorite among exhibitors too.

This week the Gulf Coast Classic Company started with ShowNet and streaming video in  the Grand Prix Field and main hunter ring.  Watch your horse or just take a look at the wonderful Grand Prix Ring in Gulfport.

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Mason Phelps Radio Welcomes Benjamin Aillaud and Whitney Tower

Photo By: Phelps Media Group

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2012 – Mason Phelps Radio’s eighth segment will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EST on W4CY.com. Media Personality Steve Williams will be co-hosting alongside Phelps once again, and this week will feature Benjamin Aillaud and Whitney Tower as guests. Phelps and Williams, along with their esteemed guests, will discuss the up and coming Cavalia show, as well as how to get a different perspective on life from an editor of Town and Country Magazine.

Equestrian Director and Choreographer Benjamin Aillaud will be the first guest on this week’s show. Aillaud has been involved with horses ever since childhood. At the age of six, he bought his first horse and began jumping, vaulting, Western riding, learning dressage and carriage riding for pleasure. From that moment on, his objectives and philosophy began to take shape – training versatile horses that will enjoy and maintain their interest in performing. At the age of 33, his career is already impressive as twice vice-champion of the World for his efforts in four-horse carriage driving as well as four-time champion of France in four-horse carriage. Aillaud has also directed equestrian shows, and since 2009 he has acted as Equestrian Director for Cavalia’s productions, including the most recent Cavalia’s Odysseo.

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