All posts by Associate Editor

Le Mans Welcomes over 200 Vaulters for FEI Open European Vaulting Championships 2011

Vaulting star Joanne Eccles (GBR), reigning Individual World and European Champion © Dirk Caremans/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 16 August 2011 – The 15th FEI Open European Vaulting Championships for Seniors and Juniors will see over 200 athletes from 19 nations bidding for the medals tomorrow in Le Mans, France (17-21 August).

Reigning Individual World and European Champion Joanne Eccles (GBR) will be on a mission to retain her title against competition from 33 Female Individual Vaulters.

World and FEI World Cup Vaulting Champion Patric Looser (SUI) and European Champion Nicolas Andreani (FRA) will also be going head-to-head with 14 other Senior Male Athletes in the battle for this year’s European Vaulting Champion title.

In addition, eight Senior and 10 Junior Teams of seven Vaulters will compete at the Championship, along with 12 in the Pas de Deux.

Ten vaulters from South Africa, along with Junior Individual Male Lambert Leclezio from Mauritius, are also making the journey to this year’s FEI Open European Vaulting Championships, making it a truly international affair.

“Spectators in Le Mans will see highly impressive Athletes delivering powerful and original performances as Individuals, Teams and Pas de Deux,” said Ian Williams, Director Non-Olympics Sports at the FEI.

“We will see well-known Champions vying for the top spot and witness many more international Vaulters pushing themselves to the limit to come up through the ranks – it will be an extremely exciting Championship.”

Continue reading Le Mans Welcomes over 200 Vaulters for FEI Open European Vaulting Championships 2011

Beezie Madden Breezes to Glory on New Horse

Beezie Madden and Cortes C. Photo: Stefano Grasso/GCT

She is steady, accurate and very focused.  She has a great team around her and today it all came together.  USA rider Beezie Madden romped off to an emphatic win in the VDL Groep sponsored Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. Beezie claimed the win with a new team horse Cortes “C’ that she has only had for a few months.

This is just her second Global Champions Tour start this year and although Beezie has been competing on the Global Champions Tour since 2006, this is her finest result to date.

Course designing by Italian Uliano Vezzani was a delight for the spectators and riders.  The 15,000 spectators were not kept away by the wet conditions and stood shoulder-to-shoulder ringside and the stands were packed. The VIP marquee was buzzing with activity from the 500 or so guests all involved in the spirit of the competition.

Round two presented a completely unique track with many new fences added and nothing resembled from the first round.

Of the top eighteen combinations that travelled through to the second round, 12 were clear and it looked like too many at this stage.  Three riders on one time fault also went through along with the fastest three riders with four faults.

Continue reading Beezie Madden Breezes to Glory on New Horse

Horse Shows by the Bay Raises Awareness for Several Charities

Traverse City, MI – August 15, 2011 – Besides competing for prize money, awards, and points, or enjoying the surrounding Grand Traverse region, Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival exhibitors also found time to participate in several charity fundraisers held this season.

Held at the majestic Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, MI, the five-week-long summer destination circuit provided not only a first-class venue for equestrian competition, it also served as a backdrop for philanthropy and raising awareness.

Support from Hampton Green Farm, the Jacobs Family/Deeridge Farm and MEIJER enabled three charities to receive monies raised throughout the series.

With two locations in Fruitport, MI and Wellington, FL, Hampton Green Farm was the sponsor of a special participant fundraising party held during the Dressage by the Bay FEI Freestyle event on July 1. Party proceeds plus the gate admission sales during the following Molon Excavating Kids’ Day served as a weekend of awareness for Leelanau and Grand Traverse County 4H. Children of all ages enjoyed K9 agility demos, pony rides, face painting, horseless blue ribbon jumping and activities hosted by 4H and Sunny Country 101.9 FM Radio.

Hampton Green Farm specializes in the breeding and development of the PRE horse here in America and in Spain, and also hosts various educational events for young equestrians nationwide.

Continue reading Horse Shows by the Bay Raises Awareness for Several Charities

USEF Pony Finals Wrap-Up: August 10-14, 2011

Sunday was the last day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships, and it began bright and early with exciting competition in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals brought the 2011 Pony Finals to an end. Leading the class from beginning to end with a solid two rounds over fences was Madison Goetzmann and Denmark to garner the championship prize.

The top 20 riders returned for the second round including nine medium ponies, four small ponies, and seven large ponies. Today’s courses were designed by Bobby Murphy and consisted of short lines, rollbacks, a halt, and a trot jump. Goetzmann was at the top of the order for today’s second round and executed another flawless trip making the lines look easy. Goetzmann of Skaneateles, NY, and Denmark proved to be unbeatable, eventually earning them the Easter Sunday Memorial Trophy donated by Ms. Catherine A. Kaiser and Ms. Jennifer T. Pesko. Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, and Sumerland were originally ranked tenth during their first course; however, with an exceptional second round they earned the reserve championship honors. Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY, and Macy Grey were ranked eighth coming into the second round and earned the third place honors after an impressive round.

The judges were confident with their decision after the second round and the riders were not asked to return for a test phase. At the end of the day, Goetzman was named the 2011 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Winner aboard Denmark, while Strauss and Sumerland earned the reserve championship honors. Taking home third place honors was Deslauriers and Macy Grey, who performed excellent rounds during both phases of Sunday’s event.

Hunter Highlights: August 10-14

It was beautiful and sunny for the first day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championship at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tuesday, the top ponies and riders from across the nation gathered at the Walnut Ring for the Green Pony Hunters Model and Under Saddle, as well as the Regular Medium Pony Hunter Model. Throughout the year riders have worked diligently to qualify for this prestigious event and compete for the winning honors.

Continue reading USEF Pony Finals Wrap-Up: August 10-14, 2011

Stevens, McCormick, Woodside Vaulters Victorious at USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championships

Woodside Vaulters (Courtesy of Woodside Vaulters).

Denver, CO – More than 300 top equestrian vaulters in the United States came together this weekend at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO for the USEF/AVA National Championships – and they did not disappoint.

The Woodside Vaulters of Woodside, CA, gained the top spot on the podium in the Team Championships. The A team consists of Katharine Wick, Gabe Aniello, Allysa Bonora, Tessa Divita, Kathryn Jaggers, Siddartha Kreaden, Katherine Salisbury. The team vaulted on Stanford, lunged by Julie Divita.

“Our team competition was especially good this year, at all levels, from the lowest levels to the highest level,” said Linda Bibbler, Vice President of Competitions for the American Vaulting Association (AVA). “I was happy to see such strong representation from all parts of the country. All together the quality of the individual vaulters, pas de deux, and teams was very high.”

The Woodside Vaulters continued to dominate with Patrick Stevens, the Men’s Individual National Champion, on Agado lunged by Julie Divita, and Giovanni lunged by Krista Mack. In 2007, Stevens was the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Champion in the Silver Men’s division, and in 2009 he was second. In 2010, Stevens finished sixth at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championships.

For the second year in a row, the Women’s Individual National Champion was Mary McCormick, one of America’s most decorated vaulters. McCormick, of Mt. Eden Vaulters, Saratoga, CA, vaulted on Sir Anthony Van Dyck (aka “Spike”) lunged by Carolyn Bland. McCormick was named USEF Vaulter of the Year in 2007 and 2009.

Next year, the AVA/USEF National Vaulting Championships will take place at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, August 1-5, 2012.

For more information about USEF Vaulting, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allVaulting.aspx.

FEI and OIE to Host Joint Regional Conference on International Movement of Horses in South America

Lausanne (SUI), 15 August 2011 – The FEI and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) will jointly host a conference in Guadalajara (MEX) on 24 October focusing on modernising international movement of horses in South America.

The conference will also allow participants to attend the 16th Pan American Games, which are taking place in Guadalajara on 14-30 October.

With the mandate to improve animal health and welfare worldwide, the OIE is recognised as the reference standard-setting international organisation by the World Trade Organisation.

The current use of OIE standards allows the safe movement of horses while avoiding unjustified sanitary barriers.

This unique conference will bring together a variety of experts from the OIE, the FEI, representatives from the public sector including Veterinary Services and all relevant stakeholders from the private sector.

Key areas that will be discussed include best approaches to safely moving horses internationally, in particular to competitions in compliance with international standards. An overview of the issues within the region’s growing equine horse industry will also be given.

Continue reading FEI and OIE to Host Joint Regional Conference on International Movement of Horses in South America

Madison Goetzmann and Denmark Win 2011 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals

Madison Goetzmann and Denmark. Photo by Shawn McMillen

Lexington, KY – The last day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships began bright and early with exciting competition in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals brought the 2011 Pony Finals to an end. Leading the class from beginning to end with a solid two rounds over fences was Madison Goetzmann and Denmark to garner the championship prize.

The top 20 riders returned for the second round including nine medium ponies, four small ponies, and seven large ponies. Today’s courses were designed by Bobby Murphy and consisted of short lines, rollbacks, a halt, and a trot jump. Goetzmann was at the top of the order for today’s second round and executed another flawless trip making the lines look easy. Goetzmann of Skaneateles, NY, and Denmark proved to be unbeatable, eventually earning them the Easter Sunday Memorial Trophy donated by Catherine A. Kaiser and Jennifer T. Pesko. Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, and Sumerland were originally ranked tenth during their first course; however, with an exceptional second round they earned the reserve championship honors. Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY, and Macy Grey were ranked eighth coming into the second round and earned the third place honors after an impressive round.

Eleven-year-old Goetzmann has been riding Denmark for four years and this is her fourth Pony Finals competition. “He’s amazing, I was very excited,” she smiled. “I was definitely prepared and we have been practicing a lot. Patricia [Griffith] never lets me go to shows unprepared.”

Goetzmann’s trainer, Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm, added, “The course looked easier than it rode. I knew she could do it, because she has ridden much harder courses. Whenever you need this pony, he is usually there. At Heritage Farm we really try to have no stone left unturned as far as preparation. What I do well, or I hope I do well, is try to teach them how to think for themselves and figure out how to get it done without me helping them all the time.”

Continue reading Madison Goetzmann and Denmark Win 2011 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals

Tip of the Week – What Are Our Options for Waste Management?

The early industrial age of America was an exhilarating and awe inspiring time.  However we gained much from the era.  Yet to this day we struggle with the environmental ramifications of industrial waste and contamination.

Is it really possible to wrap our minds around a contamination or waste figure in reference to the earth?  Is the truth to this question even available?  Let your thoughts consider these current industries:  Industrial & Municipal Wastewater, Petrochemical, Oil, Gas, Food Processing, Paper, Beverage & Bottling, Manufacturing, Agriculture Insecticides & Pesticides etc.

We have got to find alternative means to clean up; encompassing the day-to-day wear and tear on the environment, let alone the massive spills that have destroyed multiple ecosystems.  With this in mind, does it make sense to create another provision to eliminate the waste and contamination, yet to yield more?  In the year 2000, a three-year United Nations funded study concluded that bacterial and enzymes were the most effective biological formulas to improve water quality and reduce solid waste.

Can it be said that an answer is possible utilizing natural methods that won’t continue to destroy what must not be lost?  Studying the power of bacteria and enzymes may indeed provide us the means to a good start.  Bio Pure Products, Inc. would like to help us seize this opportunity.

This tip was brought to you by Kendra Helfter and KAM Animal Services, home of KAM’s “Equine Learning Circle” FREE webinars, which take place monthly.  These webinars are an expansion of KAM’s weekly tips.  Go to www.kamanimalservices.com to sign up for the next webinar and the weekly tips.

WHIN’s 3rd Annual Business Networking Expo

Our 3rd Annual Business Networking Expo, the 1st Annual WHINNY awards and the Rhythm & Hooves Benefit is coming along nicely. Winners of the WHINNY awards include such well-known artists as Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Lacy J. Dalton and Templeton Thompson as well as music industry notables such as Mike and Martha Borchetta and Bonnie Garner. Donations are coming in for our silent auction which will benefit the Cloud Foundation, The Equestrian Aid Foundation and NetPosse.com. Sponsorships are now available and information may be obtained by calling 615-730-7833. The events will be televised on HRTV on a delayed basis to millions of viewers.

Exhibitors who have signed up so far include:

My Girlz Clothing Company
Lisa Wysocky – Author, Clinician (new book coming out soon!)
Sciencepure Nutraceuticals, Inc.
Mountain Feather Originals
Rebecca Cagle, BS, CAPLC – Professional Equestrian Life Coach and Equestrian Book Author
Equinature, LLC
Colleen Kelly – World-Renowned Clinician/Speaker
Randi Thompson – How To Market Your Horse Business
Equestrian Aid Foundation
American Association of Riding Schools, Inc.
E3A Equine Experiential Education Association
Easy Mile Log
Canadian Natural Horsemanship Inc.
EQ Bookkeeping
Natural Solutions by Anke, LLC
Exclusive Equestrian Services
Equine Wellness Magazine

“We have some great exhibitors already signed up and since we are still two months away we expect our exhibit space to be sold out very soon. The events are really going to be fun for our attendees and we know from past experience that a lot of business will be done,” states WHIN Executive Director, Catherine Masters.

WHIN has more than 750 members in all areas of the horse industry and offers every kind of product and service you can imagine.

For additional information, please visit WOMEN’S HORSE INDUSTRY or call 615-730-7833.

Grand Pony Hunter Championship Title Goes to Meredith Darst at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

Julia Curtis and The Waterboy Win the Pony Jumper Individual Finals

Meredith Darst and Enchanted Forest. Photo by Shawn McMillen

Lexington, KY – The fifth day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals was warm and sunny as the Large Pony Hunter Over Fences kicked off the day in the Walnut Ring. For the third year in a row, For The Laughter claimed the Overall Large Pony Hunter Championship, this time with Meredith Darst in the irons. As the USEF National Hunter Pony Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans came to a close, the Grand Hunter Pony Championship title was awarded to Darst and Enchanted Forest for their efforts in the Medium Pony Hunter division earlier in the week. The final event of the day was the Individual Pony Jumper Finals where Julia Curtis and The Waterboy jumped to the championship honors.

Earlier this week, Meredith Darst and Enchanted Forest, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, had an incredible performance in the Medium Pony Hunter division. They were in the lead going into the over fences phase and with a beautiful trip they scored the blue ribbon prize and were eventually presented with the Overall Medium Pony Hunter Championship. The Large Pony Hunters were the last to compete this week, but Darst and Enchanted Forest’s excellent effort prevailed and they scored the Grand Hunter Pony Championship. The duo was awarded the International Jumping Derby Perpetual Trophy, and also has the “Trip of the Show.”

“Enchanted Forest has been really good,” smiled 13-year-old Darst. “I started to ride him at the beginning of WEF. He has a huge stride, so I can go really slowly, but you have to sit up a little bit at the jump because he likes the gap. He has easy lead changes and his canter is very comfortable. Enchanted Forest has been there and done that, so he’s pretty made, plus he’s very pretty and moves very nicely.”

Continue reading Grand Pony Hunter Championship Title Goes to Meredith Darst at 2011 USEF Pony Finals