All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEF

Changes to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for Boekelo CCI3*

Leave a comment

The following changes have been made to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Boekelo CCI3* running in The Netherlands, October 5-9, 2011.

Michael Pollard (Dalton, GA) was added to the entry last week on DV8, an 11-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding owned by Carl Bouckaert, Nathalie Pollard and Michael Pollard.

In addition, Ali Slusher has withdrawn Last Call and Jules Stiller has withdrawn Charlie Weld leaving the following athlete/horse combinations contesting the CCI3*.

Boyd Martin/Otis Barbotiere
Boyd Martin/Remington XXV
Michael Pollard/ DV8
Tamra Smith/Mar de Amor

Three of these combinations will represent the U.S. in the Nations Cup – the team will be declared after Wednesday’s Horse Inspection.

Follow the event here: http://www.military-boekelo.nl/EN/Home/tabid/128/Default.aspx.

And follow the U.S. Eventers in Europe here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/EventersinEurope/.

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

Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix

Leave a comment
©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

CULPEPER, VIRGNIA (October 3, 2011) – After posting a top-twenty finish in the 2011 Pfizer Million, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas wasted no time in preparing for next year’s $1 Million Grand Prix. On Sunday, she and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano rode to victory in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper to clinch the first qualifying opportunity for 2012’s richest day in show jumping.

HITS wrapped up a successful 2011 circuit at the Culpeper Finals last week as Olaf Petersen of Paehl, Germany set the course for the final Grand Prix of the year. Thirty-one pairs took to his first round, which offered 13 jumping efforts, including a triple combination at fence five and double combination at fence eight. The time allowed of 78 seconds proved to be trouble for several riders as ten picked up time faults, keeping two clear rounds from advancing to the jump-off.

“I knew this was going to be one of the more competitive Grand Prix I have jumped all year since Olaf was the designer – he always makes it a challenging course and it was,” said Fenney. “He left little room for error and I thought he made it smart.”

Twelve advanced to the jump-off, which saw three go double clear. It was Fenney, however, who posted a time of 40.081 seconds – well within the 48 seconds time allowed – to capture the win.

Continue reading Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix →

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Publications/Media

Equine Therapy: Treating Narcissism, by Claire Dorotik

1 Comment

While the presentation of narcissism can often be difficult to tolerate, and certainly challenging for therapists to work with, the elevated sense of self, characteristic grandiosity, and lack of empathy often disguise the underlying feelings of shame and inadequacy. Making treatment of narcissism even more dicey is the narcissist’s persistent denial of any of these feelings, or any flaws whatsoever. However, without becoming aware of what uncomfortable feelings lay under the surface, the prospects for establishing and maintaining healthy relationships remain very fractured for the narcissist. While this may be a sticking place for many therapists, and the narcissist himself, this is also where equine therapy can be helpful.

Horses, being bound by physiological reactions and nonverbal behaviors, can only respond to what the narcissist feels, and not what he consciously presents. Therefore, when the grandiose person acts on his feelings of inadequacy and overcompensates through controlling or self-absorbed behavior, the undetected raising of the heart rate, shallow breathing, and elevations of epinephrine that all go with fear become palpable to the horse.

And in such a situation, the horse will do with the narcissist what they will do with any scared herd member. They will engage in protective behaviors. Circling tightly around the self-involved person, nudging them gently, and displaying concern, their behaviors literally bring the inability to protect oneself in a healthy way to life. The narcissist’s adopted compensatory mechanisms are not viewed by the horse as “safe” by the horse, because they do not cure the inadequacy and restore feelings of confidence, connection to others, and emotional safety to the overly sensitive narcissist. So, to be safe then, the grandiose person must be protected, as he is not capable of really protecting himself emotionally, and therefore, a horse perceives him as not safe alone.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: Treating Narcissism, by Claire Dorotik →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #38, by Claire Dorotik

Leave a comment

NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #38 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

My hand reached up to rub the round patch of white hairs in the middle of Nimo’s forehead.

“You’re free,” I whispered to him.

He looked at me intently, cocking both ears forward.

“That’s right, you’re free. Do you remember what you taught me? Well, back at ya pal.”

He reached his nose forward towards my cheek, blowing softly.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #38, by Claire Dorotik →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season

Leave a comment

Indoor tent from Thermal will travel east to Saugerties for both prestigious Medal Finals

© Flying Horse Photography. The indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California is home to four FEI World Cup Qualifiers and a number other special classes during World Cup weeks.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (October 4, 2011) — Looking to take next year’s season finale in Saugerties, New York to the next level, HITS, Inc. announced today that two major equitation finals will be incorporated into the competition schedule for the eighth and final week of the 2012 HITS Saugerties Show Series.

In addition to the $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, the last week of HITS Saugerties will conclude with a three-day weekend extravaganza that will now include the National Professional Horsemen’s Association’s (PHA) Medal Final on Friday night and the ever-popular Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final on Saturday night. By moving the PHA Medal and the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal up a week from the annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals, the finale of the HITS Saugerties season will now feature a major final for hunters, jumpers and equitation riders.

In keeping with the great tradition of indoor medal finals, HITS will bring the tent used for FEI World Cup Qualifiers from Thermal, California back east to Saugerties for these two Finals.

“The final ingredient to make our season finale in Saugerties complete has just been added,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “The Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal has been a cornerstone of the League for many years and I believe this move will help to draw even more 3’6” equitation riders to the classes during the year and to the Final. The indoor tent will create an electric competition atmosphere, largely elevating the importance and experience of qualifying for and showing in this Final.”

Continue reading HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season →

Breeds, Community/Charity, Publications/Media, Rescue/Protection Sources

Willie & The Nelson Family Release “Wild Horses” Video to Help Raise Awareness for America’s Wild Horses

Leave a comment

Monday, October 3, 2011 — Washington, D.C. — Earlier this year, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) was honored to announce the exclusive release of the Rolling Stones’ classic “Wild Horses” – performed and produced by the legendary Willie Nelson and his family members. Now, Willie & The Nelson Family have followed up with the release of a video for the song featuring Willie, his daughter Paula, son Lukas and many others from the Nelson family. The video, filmed and produced by Luck Films, was shot at Willie’s ranch in Luck, Texas and features some of the over 40 horses, both wild and domestic, that Willie has helped rescue from slaughter. Willie & The Nelson Family are donating the proceeds from the sale of the song to AWI’s campaigns on behalf of wild and domestic horses. Willie and the entire Nelson family are long-time supporters of AWI and its efforts to end horse slaughter and preserve the right of wild horses to roam free.

“The BLM has been rounding them up at an alarming rate, supposedly for their own good. Sadly, there are more wild horses in holding pens than in the wild. Something is wrong with that, so we must act now before the BLM has managed these magnificent animals into extinction,” said Willie Nelson. “It’s time for the cowboys to stand up for the horses.”

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was enacted in 1971 to halt the disappearance of these iconic animals from public lands in the American West. Since then, however, over 21 million acres of land set aside by Congress for wild horses have been removed from their range, even as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – the very agency charged with their protection – claims there is not enough land to support existing herds. The BLM is unnecessarily removing horses based on spurious claims of damage to range and other adverse impacts. The BLM’s mismanagement of America’s wild horses is largely designed to benefit a livestock industry that has, for decades, exploited western public lands while profiting from massive subsidies funded by taxpayer dollars. Willie & The Nelson Family and AWI are calling on the BLM and the Obama administration to immediately halt all wild horse round-ups, restore the land provided by law to wild horses and stop warehousing horses on private lands at even greater expense to the taxpayer.

Continue reading Willie & The Nelson Family Release “Wild Horses” Video to Help Raise Awareness for America’s Wild Horses →

Community/Charity, Dressage, USEF

Through a Gift from Akiko Yamazaki and the Red Husky Foundation, the USET Foundation Provides Funding for an Expanded USEF Developing Dressage Program in 2012

Leave a comment

Gladstone, NJ and Lexington, KY – October 3, 2011 – As part of the overall USEF Dressage High Performance Program, the USEF is expanding the Dressage Developing Program, in 2012 thanks to the generous support from the USET Foundation through a gift from USET Foundation Trustee Akiko Yamazaki. The Developing Program will include seven Developing Clinics and two Developing Training Camps in 2012. Under the guidance of USEF Developing Coach Debbie McDonald, the clinics and camps aid in the development of the nation’s up-and-coming dressage horses and riders who show potential to represent the U.S. in international competition.

New in 2012, the clinic schedule is set to include Developing Training Camps in the fall. These four day sessions will include individual lessons with McDonald and group discussions on topics ranging from sports psychology to media training. Invitations to these camps will be based on rider’s performances at Developing Clinics and in CDI competitions throughout the year. There will be two camps, one held in New Jersey and one in California.

Taking place in Florida, New Jersey and California, the clinics will be by invitation only, based on the criteria set forth by the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee. Priority is given to those athlete/horse combinations that are on the Developing Rider list for training.

“Akiko’s knowledge and her passion for Dressage has been a motivating influence for this country’s high performance programs. She is not only a true leader as a horse owner but also in her charitable giving in support of our United States Equestrian Teams,” remarked Jane Forbes Clark, USET Foundation President.

Continue reading Through a Gift from Akiko Yamazaki and the Red Husky Foundation, the USET Foundation Provides Funding for an Expanded USEF Developing Dressage Program in 2012 →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper

Leave a comment
©ESI Photography. Jeff Gogul and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way on their way to victory in the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic

CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (October 3, 2011) — Jeff Gogul of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way finished on top in Saturday’s $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic during the Culpeper Finals at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

“I am really pleased with [By the Way’s] performance and it was a great way to end our year,” said Gogul. “I think he is quite a special horse and I will probably show him in the Pre-Green Division again next year since we don’t want to hurry him along.”

After Gogul’s win, he is excited to look ahead to an appearance in next year’s second-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with By the Way at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

“I think it will be a lot of fun to do the $500,000 class with him next year in Saugerties, so I might look to get qualified for that. It would be a great way to finish 2012,” he added.

Kate Conover rode Redfield Farm’s Peron to a second-place finish in the feature event for hunter riders during the Culpeper Finals.

“[Peron] is a special horse,” said Conover. “Emil Spadone imported him a few years ago and he is so much fun to ride.”

Conover was Grand Circuit Champion in the Baby Green division with Peron last year at HITS Saugerties and picked up Reserve Circuit Champion honors in the Pre-Green division this year.

Continue reading Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Rescue/Protection Sources, Show Jumping

2011 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – October 3, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2011 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay National Championship Finals. Attached is the list of riders who have qualified to compete in the Finals on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition. The Championship Finals will be presented by C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery as one of the highlight events of the Alltech National Horse Show.

For more information, please visit www.nhs2011.org or www.nhs.org.

Qualifiers by Region

Region 1 – 38 riders
Region 2 – 48 riders
Region 3 – 19 riders
Region 4 – 36 riders
Region 5 – 21riders
Region 6 – 5 riders
Region 7 – 11 riders
Region 8 – 22 riders

Continue reading 2011 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced →

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

Top Professional Hunter Riders Gear Up for the Alltech National Horse Show

Leave a comment
Maggie Jayne and Bella Blue Sweep Regular Working Hunters and $1,000 Open Hunter Classic at Showplace Fall Classic last year.

Lexington, KY – September 30, 2011 – The weeks are growing increasingly closer until the much anticipated Alltech National Horse Show makes its debut at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. During this prestigious competition, many of the top professional hunter riders will show against one another to earn the top honors in their respective divisions. Some of this year’s big names include professional riders such as Maggie Jayne, Archie Cox, Jennifer Alfano and many more. The Alltech National Horse Show will be held November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful Alltech Arena.

“I’m excited for the Alltech National Horse Show this year,” said Maggie Jayne. “It is a great arena, and I feel like they are really going to make it special. The location is also perfect considering that it gives everyone a fair chance to make it out there. Its central location is ideal. The great thing about the Alltech Arena is the climate control, that factor is huge!,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t realize how that can make everything that much better.”

California-based trainer, Archie Cox, will be coaching his students as they compete during the ASPCA Maclay National Finals. “I have three or four students in the Maclay Finals, and we are all looking forward to the upcoming event,” Cox described. “It is pretty exciting to get to show there, especially since I have never shown in Kentucky personally, so I’m anxious to compete at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time.”

Although Cox has never shown in Kentucky prior to the upcoming National Horse Show, many of the top professional hunter riders have competed at the Kentucky Horse Park for the spring and summer series and have an idea of what it truly offers. “I am excited and glad that the show has found a home in Kentucky,” expressed Jennifer Alfano of SBS Farms. “It is a place where we all love going and showing, and I think it is going to be great.”

Continue reading Top Professional Hunter Riders Gear Up for the Alltech National Horse Show →