All posts by Associate Editor

PanaCavallo and Cavalleria Toscana Kick Off Gold Sponsorship at 2011 Dressage at Devon

From left to right, Adrienne Lyle and Debbie McDonald with Debbie Witty measuring Wizard for a PanaCavallo bridle. (Photo courtesy of Trilogy)

Devon, PA (September 23, 2011) – Among the not-to-be-missed newcomers at Dressage at Devon this year will be PanaCavallo and partners, Cavalleria Toscana. PanaCavallo will be introducing their new line of bridles and kicking off their exciting partnership with Cavalleria Toscana, an elegant line of Italian equestrian clothing. PanaCavallo and Cavalleria Toscana will be based in the booth just behind the show office at Dressage at Devon, giving dressage enthusiasts a peak at the new PanaCavallo bridles and the hottest new looks in Italian equestrian fashions.

Michael Davis, owner of PanaCavallo, is thrilled to partner with Cavalleria Toscana and launch their debut at Devon, one of the premier equestrian events in the country. “In addition, Trilogy Saddles, a distributor of our PanaCavallo bridles will also be at Devon showcasing the bridles and building customized bridles at the show,” Davis added.

Debbie Witty, President of Trilogy, said she is excited about the PanaCavallo bridles and feels their quality of workmanship is superb. The bridles really enhance the comfort of the horse.  Best of all, Witty will offer custom fitted PanaCavallo bridles. “There are four different types of PanaCavallo bridles and they are all very horse friendly, offering great comfort for the horse in addition to being extremely functional,” Witty said.

The PanaCavallo bridles feature a double and snaffle bridle in each model, the Aristocrat, the Grandeur, the Elite and the Elite Classic. “When a bridle creates pressure on a horse’s nose or ears, it can be very uncomfortable. The PanaCavallo cavesons are nicely cushioned and gives the horse a lot of relief,” Witty said, adding that the bridles are beautiful and made of European leather. “The crownpiece of the PanaCavallo bridles are contoured, which works out great for horses with bigger ears. The contour also creates comfort around the ear for all horses, relieving any pressure or pinching.”

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The 2011 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West Is Underway

Lexington, KY – The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West continues today at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center with Phase II of the Final, the gymnastics portion. This final runs during the 2011 LA International Jumping Festival.

Yesterday’s flatwork phase was won by Carly Anthony who rode Abrakadabra in a determined performance.

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals has produced some of the country’s top jumping riders. Past winners include two-time Olympic Gold medalist McLain Ward, winner of over 100 grand prixs Richard Spooner, Pan American Gold medalist Lauren Hough and Rolex FEI World Cup Finals winner Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final is a four-phase competition which tests the fundamental skills and horsemanship in a challenging format. The competition is made up of three phases: flatwork, gymnastics, and a jumping course which consists of show jumping over grand prix styled fences (which may include natural obstacles). Using a format modeled after the World Championships’ final ride-off; the top-four competitors ride their own horses, as well as the three other competitor’s horses over a shortened course.

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals are the ultimate test of horsemanship and show jumping skill for American junior and young riders.

More information is available in the prize list: http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/jumper/TalentSearchClass/TalentSearch2011.pdf.

Information about the LA International Jumping Festival is available here: http://www.langershows.com/laec/show_details.php?show_id=190.

Italy to Lead the Way at Promotional League Final in Barcelona

CSIO Barcelona Show Director Daniel Giro (left) and FEI Jumping Director John Roche (right) at the draw for the order-of-go for the FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final 2011. Photo: FEI/Nacho Olano.

FEI TV Preview: http://youtu.be/KfqXxcm8Oks

Barcelona (ESP), 24 September 2011 – The Italian team will be pathfinders as the much-anticipated FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final gets underway at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain tomorrow afternoon.  A total of seven nations will battle it out for the last remaining qualifying spot in the 2012 FEI Nations Cup series, and the order-of-go for tomorrow’s competition is as follows:

1, Italy; 2, Ukraine; 3, Russia; 4, Canada; 5, Sweden; 6, Spain; 7, Poland.

It is expected to be a hard-fought affair, and three of the teams may comprise only three riders instead of the full complement of four, allowing them no drop-score as a result.  At today’s press conference, Canadian Chef d’Equipe, Mark Laskin, announced that his side may be only three-strong, while both Poland’s Rudiger Wassibauer and Russian team manager Aleksander Varnavskiy, both confirmed that their sides will be one rider short.

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS
FEI Jumping Director, John Roche, congratulated the Organising Committee on the significant improvements made to the showgrounds for the 2011 fixture, during which CSIO Barcelona celebrates its centenary. The Real Club de Polo was the Jumping venue during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, and has a long and strong connection with equestrian sport.

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Wellington Equestrian Partners Continues Its Investment in Wellington and Acquires Building and 18 Acre Commercial Parcel on South Shore Blvd.

Front View from South Shore Blvd.

Wellington, FL – Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, announced today that WEP has acquired the commercial building and the 18 acre commercially zoned property that lies opposite the Old Polo Stadium on South Shore Blvd.  The property currently has a 20,000 sq ft building and it is being made immediately available for the upcoming circuit.  Within golf cart distance to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) Showgrounds, the location is perfect for a local office suite or the relocation of your equestrian enterprise.  The WEP partnership would like to enhance the local economy by creating an equestrian initiative that will work collaboratively with the village, the county, and the state to provide incentives for equestrian related or complementary companies to relocate their businesses and corresponding jobs to Florida/Palm Beach County/Wellington. If you have an interest in relocating your business or in interest in an office suite please contact Paul Regal at pregal@equestriansport.com.

The WEP Partnership’s vision is to transform Wellington into the premiere Equestrian Lifestyle Destination in the world while creating an economic and philanthropic engine that integrates and enhances the local community.  This vision is centered around the appreciation and love of the Horse. The Partnership is actively targeting new equestrian disciplines and events which it believes will broaden the equestrian season and enhance the equestrian experience for all.

Wellington Equestrian Partners
14440 Pierson Road
Wellington, FL 33414

Capital Challenge Horse Show Creates an Innovative New Social Media Experience with Virtual Celebration

Upper Marlboro, MD – September 23, 2011 – Capital Challenge Horse Show is proud to announce the launch of its first annual Virtual Horse Show and Fair.  In partnership with Virtual Celebration and sponsored by Hoof Beat Media, the virtual experience will begin on September 23, 2011, and all horse lovers are invited to participate.

“As part of our overall mission to engage our loyal exhibitors and followers, we are extremely excited to extend the Capital Challenge experience in a highly innovative way to those who can attend the show in person and to those who follow us from a distance,” explained Oliver Kennedy (Co-Manager).  “Virtual Celebration has brought together their incredible knowledge of social media with their experience in the horse market to create a really fun and unique experience.”

From the early development of their website and the creation of the Daily Update, to their Facebook page and the popular EquestrianSport.TV, show management has always strived to be the best at bringing the experience of Capital Challenge to everyone. It is only natural the Capital Challenge extends its reach into the virtual world.

Register online (it’s free!) at www.virtualcelebration.com/capitalchallenge and enter the virtual show rings to be a part of the action.  In the Jumper Ring, try to guess what pony went to the Olympics; enter the “caption this photo” contest in the Equitation Ring; and in the Hunter Derby Ring watch a video of the world’s largest horse.  And there’s so much more – Share-A-Pony with other virtual exhibitors, create your own Exhibitor page by adding games, photos, videos, and other widgets, all for free.  Share your favorite memories; predict who will win classes at the “live” horse show; vote on your favorite funniest photo and give your opinions on everything from twitter to riding in the rain.  There will even be a virtual trail ride that meanders through Facebook, Twitter, MustPhoto, Virtual Celebration and more, all while on a Capital Challenge Scavenger Hunt.

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Milliren, Pettet, Cameron, and Geller Top 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships

Sarah Milliren and Terrapin win the ASPCA Maclay "Central" Regional Finals. Photo © 2011 CJM Photography

Wellington, FL – September 22, 2011 – The 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships continued this past weekend with competitors for Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 vying for the top honors in their respective regional competitions. On September 18, 2011, talented horse and rider combinations began competing to place in the top 60% of their classes, earning the top combinations an invitation to the prestigious finals held in Lexington, KY for the Alltech National Horse Show. Taking home the blue ribbon prize and winning title for their regions were Sarah Milliren, Brooke Pettet, Madison Cameron and Morgan Geller.

Competing at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show in Lake St. Louis, MO, the Region 5 “Central” Championships were judged by Linda Andrisani and Alex Jayne. The “Central” Championships were one of the few finals that did not ask for additional testing from the judges. The riders were only judged on the course and the flat phase. The Central Region includes top competitors from AR, IA, KS, LA, MO, MN, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, and WI. It was Sarah Milliren who rode Terrapin, owned by Walstib Stables LLC of Rumson, NJ, to the top honors, claiming the championship award. Megan Bifano and Urco, owned by Gabby Slome of Riverdale, NY, claimed the reserve championship honors.

Milliren was extremely pleased with the results, especially since this was her first time showing Terrapin. “Going to Regionals, I had no idea what horse I was going to compete with,” Milliren explained. “I had a couple to choose from, but I really liked Terrapin and his ride. He’s an awesome horse, pretty straightforward, although he does get a little crabby.”

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U.S. Drivers Look Strong in Slovenia as Temple and Matheson Cruise to Top Placings

The U.S. Team ready for competition in Lipica. Photo by Marie de Ronde

Lexington, KY – The U.S. drivers put in incredible performances on the first day of competition at the FEI World Pony Driving Championships. Competition got underway in Lipica, Slovenia, with the Pony Pair Championship and the first section of the Pony Singles Championship completing the driven dressage. The U.S. drivers are poised for top individual honors as they occupy first and third places in these two championship divisions.

Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, SC) led off the American effort on Thursday in the Pair Pony Championship and did not disappoint. Matheson and her pair, owned by her mother-in-law Katrina Becker, drove to a solid score of 46.08 to stand in third place heading into Saturday’s marathon.

Matheson is driving under the U.S. flag for the first time in Lipica after having represented her native Canada in the 2005 World Pony Driving Championships.

“I’m thrilled to be driving here, and I have worked hard to get to these championships. I drove for Canada in 2005 and was the alternate in 2007 and the alternate in 2009,” Matheson said. “My dressage was good. There were a few things that could have gone better, but I was really happy.”

Wendy O’Brien is making her World Championship debut this week and had a credible performance in the first phase driving her own pony pair to joint 21st place on a score of 61.82. O’Brien, who also hails from Aiken, SC, was the winner of the Southern Pines CDE in April.

Continue reading U.S. Drivers Look Strong in Slovenia as Temple and Matheson Cruise to Top Placings

FEI Announces Dressage Ground Juries for London 2012 and the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final

Stephen Clarke has officiated at five World Cup Finals, three European Championships, three World Equestrian Games, and London will be his second Olympic Games. Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 23 September 2011 – The Ground Juries for Dressage at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final 2012 have been announced following blind draws at the FEI’s headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) today (23 September).

Leif Törnblad (DEN), Maribel Alonso (MEX), Jean-Michel Roudier (FRA), Gary Rockwell (USA), Wim Ernes (NED) and Evi Eisenhardt (GER) will form the Dressage Ground Jury at the London 2012 Olympic Games alongside Stephen Clarke, who as a host country judge was already appointed President of the Ground Jury.

The Ground Jury for Paralympic Equestrian at the London 2012 Paralympics has been confirmed: Lilian Iannone (ARG), Freddy Leyman (BEL), Anne Prain (FRA), Gudrun Hofinga (GER), Sarah Rodger (GBR) and Carlos Lopes (POR) will join President of the Ground Jury Kjell Myhre (NOR).

The Ground Jury for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final 2012 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) 18-22 April 2012 will also be seven-strong: Ghislain Fouarge (NED) will serve as President of the Ground Jury with Stephen Clarke (GBR), Gary Rockwell (USA), Katrina Wüst (GER), Isabelle Judet (FRA), Susan Hoevenaars (AUS) and Leif Törnblad (DEN).

Trond Asmyr, FEI Director Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, explained:

“The international judges representing the Ground Juries for London 2012 and the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final 2012 are extremely happy about their appointments.

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Seven Nations Line Out for FEI Promotional League Final in Barcelona

FEI TV Preview: http://youtu.be/KfqXxcm8Oks

Lausanne (SUI), 22 September 2011 – The line-up for the next year’s FEI Nations Cup series will be decided on Sunday following the all-important Final of the 2011 FEI Promotional League which takes place in Barcelona, Spain.  The winning team will earn a place in the 2012 Top League alongside Germany, Great Britain, France, Ireland, The Netherlands and Belgium who all re-qualified during this season’s eight-nation tournament.  After a year’s absence, Switzerland is already assured of a return to the elite group, having claimed the 2011 FEI Promotional League title.  Next Sunday’s competition will fill the last remaining qualifying spot.

The Spanish hosts are amongst the seven nations who will battle it out, and they certainly cannot be overlooked.  They just missed out on one of the three Olympic qualifying places available at last week’s thrilling FEI European Jumping Championships on their home turf in Madrid.  Pilar Cordon was particularly impressive over the early days of the competition, eventually slotting into 23rd individually, and the 38 year old rider is joined by an experienced crew that includes Julio Arias, Sergio Alvarez Moya, Rutherford Latham and Antonio Marinas Soto.  Adding an extra dimension of excitement for the Spanish contestants is the centennial celebration of CSIO Barcelona which was first staged in 1902.

CANADIAN SELECTION
Olympic champion, Eric Lamaze, heads up the Canadian selection, and will be joined by Jill Henselwood, Chris Pratt and Jenna Thompson.  Italian Chef d’Equipe, former Swiss jumping star Markus Fuchs, has five riders to choose from, and with Juan Carlos Garcia, Emanuele Gaudiano, Giulia Martinengo Marquet, Luca Marziani and Luca Maria Moneta on call-up, has no shortage of talent and experience available to him either.  The Polish team cut their teeth in the Top League last summer and, although their presence was short-lived, they showed dramatic improvement as the season progressed.  So team manager Rudiger Wassibauer will be hoping for a good result from Msciwoj Kiecon, Andrzej Lemanski, Antoni Tomaszewski and Lukasz Walilewski on Sunday afternoon.

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Does Emotional Intelligence Cross Species? by Claire Dorotik

According to Wikipedia, Emotional intelligence (EI) is an ability, skill, or, in the case of the trait EI model, a self-perceived ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups. While much has now been written about emotional intelligence, Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, has been most closely associated with the term. Goleman[1] presents a model of EQ that defines EQ as a wide array of competencies and skills that drive leadership performance. Inherent in this model are four main EI constructs: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, and Relationship management <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpersonal_relationship>. Certainly these skills are important for the plethora of human interactions we encounter, and study of them has centered on these human interactions, however, the question remains, does emotional intelligence cross species? That is to say, would a person who exhibits a high degree of emotional intelligence with people display an equitable level of intelligence with animals like, say, horses.

Unlike IQ, which can be demonstrated verbally, EQ is much less easily displayed. Sure, a person can speak about the importance of self-understanding, emotional regulation, and interpreting and responding to the emotions of others, but this would be nothing more than lip service without the attendant nonverbal action. What this essentially means, and the reason that horses have been promoted as barometers and purveyors of a high degree of emotional intelligence is that EQ must be acted out. Attuning to the emotions one experiences, managing them, and reading and responding to the emotions of others are all actions — and primarily non-verbal ones at that. But once a person does display these behaviors with a horse and easily develops good rapport, would this person then display a high degree of EQ with a person?

Not necessarily. Take an autistic person for example. Here is a person who struggles socially, often experiencing hindered social interactions, difficulty developing and maintaining relationships, and most prominently, appropriately responding to social cues. However, autistic people do wonderfully with horses, and often even better than their non-affected counterparts. Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation, and an autistic herself, has studied animal-autistic interactions for over a century and posits that it is the fact that autistics tend to see things in “pictures” and/or to feel interactions rather than “think” them that facilitates their relationships with horses. Much can be said for this approach as it is well known that horses’ responses and behavior are dominated by their physiological responses as opposed to cognitive processes, as it is with humans.

Continue reading Does Emotional Intelligence Cross Species? by Claire Dorotik