All posts by Associate Editor

Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Wellington Classic Dressage

Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I and “Food Truck Frenzy” Partner for First Competition of 2012 Challenge Series

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Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge + “Food Truck Frenzy” = Fun Weekend!

Looking for something FREE and different to do this weekend?

The Palms West Community Foundation is pleased to partner with the Wellington Classic Dressage for their first competition of the 2012 Challenge Series.  This qualifying competition will be held at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, located at 7500 Forest Hill Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL.  The competition will be held on Saturday, January 7th and Sunday, January 8th from 8:30 until 5:30 on both days, and the equestrian event is FREE to spectators!

Dressage is known as “dancing” for the horses, and many people have never been able to see it live.  “Although it is a FREE event, the public doesn’t usually even know that this is available to them to enjoy,” explains Maureen Gross of the Palms West Community Foundation.  The unique combination of athletic ability, physical grace and visual pleasure makes Dressage a wonderful sport for participants and spectators, alike. The rapport that develops between horse and rider exists at all levels of Dressage, and will be demonstrated at this event.

Continue reading Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I and “Food Truck Frenzy” Partner for First Competition of 2012 Challenge Series →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Cornelissen and Parzival Are Mighty at Mechelen

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Defending series champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival from The Netherlands, were emphatic winners of the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series at Mechelen in Belgium today. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

Mechelen (BEL), 28 December 2011 – Defending series champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival from The Netherlands, scored an emphatic victory on their seasonal debut at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Mechelen, Belgium today.  With a performance that oozed class and confidence, they threw down a score of 85.325 that left them more than five points clear of the runner-up partnership of Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic.  But it was the Swedish rider who took maximum points to rocket even further ahead at the top of the leaderboard with just three more legs left to go.

As winner of the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage title, Cornelissen is already qualified for the 2011/2012 decider which will take place on her home soil at ‘s-Hertogenbosch next April, and is therefore not entitled to accumulate points in the current season.  Kittel, meanwhile, looks likely to have three horses to choose from going to the final following a highly impressive run of form in recent months.

Germany’s Nadine Capellmann slotted into third today with Elvis, while Dutchman Hans Peter Minderhoud finished fourth with Withney van het Genthof.  Best of the strong Belgian contingent was Jeroen Devroe who steered Apollo van het Vijvershof into fifth.

Continue reading Cornelissen and Parzival Are Mighty at Mechelen →

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jacksonville Winter Series, Show Jumping

Pensacola and Jacksonville Stalls Reservations

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Dear Exhibitors and Trainers,
Today our tent company will start putting up tents and stalls.  As in years past, we only put up the number of stalls that we have reserved because of the expense so please call us for your reservations for the winter shows.

Pensacola  843 768 5503

Jacksonville  904-993-2053

We look forward to hearing from you and…

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy, Events, Phelps Media Group

Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Hosts First Palm Beach School for Autism Horse Show

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Students were awarded ribbons for their efforts during the PBSFA Horse Show hosted by the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. (From left to right) Ms. Nora, Ray S., Garron M. and Stephen A. Photo by Kendall Bierer/PMG

Loxahatchee, FL – December 27, 2011 – The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) held its first Palm Beach School for Autism Horse Show on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. The students have been participating in a recently developed program by the VTRC and the Palm Beach School for Autism (PBSFA) over the last eight weeks, using the therapeutic effectiveness of the horses to assist the children with their sensory abilities.

The PBSFA Horse Show marked the first event to take place in the VTRC’s Covered Arena. Executive Director of the VTRC Ruth Menor acted as the judge and announcer for the event. Each student, with the help of a volunteer, showed what he or she had learned over the past two months, completing pole bending exercises, holding two-point over cavelettis, and posting during the trot.

“The parents are thrilled with this program,” PBSFA teacher Mary Muth said. “A lot of our parents have students who have sensory issues and are not very comfortable with animals. Our students have really opened up with the horses over the past eight weeks; they look very natural on the horses and they are totally comfortable. The horses are great at sensing the students, and knowing how to make them feel more at ease. I feel confident in saying that the staff and horses at Vinceremos are very skilled at working with children with Autism; it takes special skills to make it a success for everyone.”

Continue reading Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Hosts First Palm Beach School for Autism Horse Show →

Community/Charity, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Polo, Show Jumping

Village of Wellington Extends Domestic Partnership Benefit

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Wellington, FL – December 27, 2011 – The Wellington Village Council has completed a comprehensive policy revision to include registered domestic partners of Village employees as family members.

The action was taken at the request of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, which has been working with the Village on domestic partnership issues for the past year. The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has been the leading advocate for domestic partner benefits in Florida since 1992, when the City of West Palm Beach became Florida’s first public employer to provide domestic partnership benefits.

Domestic partners of Village employees and their children are now eligible for the same health, dental, vision and supplemental dependent life insurance coverage as employees’ spouses and their children. In addition, Village employees may now take extended medical leave to care for their domestic partners and may utilize bereavement leave to grieve for an employee’s domestic partner, as well as the partner’s children, parents, siblings and grandparents.

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Jane Savoie, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi 84, by Jane Savoie

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Honesty is an interesting concept. Most of us horses are truly honest. We don’t know how to be any other way. But people, well, not so much.

Most people believe they are honest. But often humans are simply justifying their behavior and calling it honesty. If they really looked at what was going on, they’d probably realize they were either manipulating a situation to their advantage, or ignoring the truth of their behavior.

Are you honest? I’ll bet you are, at least most of the time. Sometimes not being honest is the kindest thing… like when your grandmother asks if you like her mince pie, but you really don’t. You don’t want to hurt feelings. So, when is honesty the best policy and when is it a matter of violating values and honor? That’s a tough question that I don’t have an answer to. But perhaps just asking the question will stir the kind of thought that’s helpful.

Continue reading Motivation from Moshi 84, by Jane Savoie →

Breeds, Dressage, Driving, Events, JRPR

Fans at the Massachusetts Equine Affaire Enjoy Thrilling Performance from Two Talented Interagro Lusitanos

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Cherri Reiber performed a tandem driving demonstration with Zerbino Interagro and Vistor Interagro during the Pfizer Fantasia at Equine Affaire. (Photo courtesy of M&A Photography)

W. Springfield, MA (December 23, 2011) – Fans at the 2011 Massachusetts Equine Affaire were on their feet at the Pfizer Fantasia musical equine celebration thanks to a thrilling performance by two talented and stunning Interagro Lusitanos.  International rider and trainer Cherri Reiber presented a tandem demonstration at the Equine Affaire that showcased the magnificent Lusitano breed and their talent for performing upper level dressage movements.

Interagro Lusitanos also had a booth at the premier equestrian gathering, and thanks to Reiber’s exciting demonstration the booth was the place to be as Equine Affaire attendees swarmed it to learn more about the Interagro Lusitano. “Cherri’s demonstration was a huge crowd pleaser and certainly generated a lot of excitement that spilled over to our booth,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, Manager of Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil.

Reiber is an FEI level dressage trainer and rider who trained both horses, Zerbino Interagro and Vistor Interagro, to do the tandem driving.  Reiber, who is based out of Southwest Ranches, Florida, competes on the Wellington show circuit and in 1999 was named the State Line Tack/USET Grand Prix Champion with her horse G Tudor.  Reiber and G Tudor also attended the 2000 World Cup Dressage Final in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Continue reading Fans at the Massachusetts Equine Affaire Enjoy Thrilling Performance from Two Talented Interagro Lusitanos →

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Susan Stickle to Be Official Photographer at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

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Photos: Susan J. Stickle Photos

Wellington, FL – December 23, 2011 – Award-winning equestrian photographer Susan Stickle will be the official photographer at the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, which will take place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on January 26th to 28th 2012.

Stickle, who has photographed the world’s top horses and riders at such events as the Olympics, World Equestrian Games and World Cup Finals, was also the official photographer for the 2011 WDM Palm Beach. Her images have appeared in virtually every major equestrian publication in the English speaking world. “I’m very flattered to be back to the WDM again this year,” says Stickle. “Shooting the likes of Ravel and Totilas, and the many other top international horses that are coming to Florida to compete, is a great honor.”

The 2012 WDM Palm Beach will feature a much-anticipated show-down between the defending 2011 WDM Palm Beach Champion, Steffen Peters of the US on Akiko Yamazaki’s Ravel, and the current world-record holding World Champion Totilas with his new rider, Germany’s Matthias Rath. In addition to Totilas and Ravel, a total of 20 of the world’s top horses from across North America and Europe will compete for the biggest purse in North American dressage, €100,000 (US $130,000). The highlight of the WDM Palm Beach will be the Grand Prix Freestyle on the evening of January 28th, where the top eight pairs from the Grand Prix test the previous day will perform their custom-choreographed musical programs.

Continue reading Susan Stickle to Be Official Photographer at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Triple-Gold for Qatar, Double-Gold for Emirates, and Saudi Arabia Takes Team Jumping Title

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Saudi Arabia won the team Jumping title at the Arab Games 2011. Pictured (L to R) are team-members Kamal Bahamdan, HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan, HRH Prince Abdullah Al Saud, and Khaled Al Eid. Photo: Reuters.

Doha (QAT), 23 December 2011 – The host nation took double-gold in Dressage as well as the Individual Jumping title while the United Arab Emirates proved unbeatable in Endurance and Saudi Arabia scooped the team Jumping honours at the 12th Arab Games staged in Doha, Qatar from 6 to 23 December. This was the first time for Qatar to host the event which is staged on a four-year cycle and embraces 24 different sports. Khalifa International Stadium was the main competition venue, but the equestrian activities took place at the Al-Shaqab Arena and at the Mesaieed Endurance Course, with keen rivalry in all three disciplines.

Equestrian sport joined the Arab Games at Rabat, Malta in 1985 and subsequently visited Damascus, Syria in 1992, Beirut, Lebanon in 1997, Amman, Jordan in 1999, Algiers, Algeria in 2004 and Cairo, Egypt in 2007. Jumping has been included on the schedule since 1985, with Endurance joining the programme in 1999 and Dressage in 2007. FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, won individual Jumping bronze at Damascus in 1992.

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Community/Charity, Events, Fundraisers, Jennifer Ward

Ninth Annual Fundraising Gala for JustWorld International

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December 22, 2011 – Wellington, Florida – Join JustWorld International for a swinging 1920s-themed evening in support of its ninth annual fundraiser on Friday, January 20, 2012, in Wellington, Florida.  JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.

Held at Maria Newman’s stunning Belle Herbe Farm in Grand Prix Village, guests will spend a glorious evening in the bygone era of the flapper.  The 1920s Speakeasy theme will be reflected through food, drinks and specialty entertainment created for the evening by renowned event planners, Dazzle Creative Events.  The who’s who of the Wellington equestrian and social scene will mingle with flappers, fellas, dames, mobsters and molls and gamble the night away with Lady Luck.  This evening is sure to be the Cat’s Meow as JustWorld International celebrates its past successes and fundraises for future accomplishments.

Continue reading Ninth Annual Fundraising Gala for JustWorld International →