All posts by Associate Editor

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #31, by Claire Dorotik

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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 #31 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

I looked behind me — what the hell is spooking you? But there was nothing there. Kiaz was looking right at me. “It’s just me, pal.” I kept my hand out and stepped toward him again.

He backed up and snorted again.

I held the halter out toward him. “Come on, I just want to put the halter on. What’s wrong? It’s just me, pal!”

His eyes fixed on me, it was clear he wasn’t going to let me near him.

“Why don’t you believe me? I’m fine.” I moved toward him again.

He continued backward, and didn’t stop.

I followed him. “I’m fine, really.”

He was shaking with fear now.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #31, by Claire Dorotik →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

McLain Ward and Antares F Claim Back-to-Back Wins at HITS-on-the-Hudson VI

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward captures his second victory of the week at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Sunday's $100,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix aboard Grant Road Partners' Antares F.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 8, 2011) — McLain Ward and Grant Road Partners’ Antares F had another impressive week of show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson Week VI with back-to-back wins to dominate the competition in the Strongid C 2X Stadium. They took the blue in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Friday and closed out the summer circuit with a win in Sunday’s $100,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

Course designer Bernardo Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal designed a first round track that proved to be one of the more difficult courses of the summer series, providing for some exciting show jumping. The course bested the entire starting field of 37 competitors, which included a slew of Olympians from around the world.

“I was looking for at least three or four clear,” said Cabral, who was still pleased with the outcome. “As it turns out, nobody was able to make it clear around the first time but there were rails just about everywhere on the field. Not a single spot in particular gave anyone trouble. I thought it was a proper course for a $100,000 class as far as difficulty goes and I think any of the four fault riders could easily have won today.”

Ward, who failed to go clear in the first round aboard two separate mounts, praised Cabral for his course.

“I thought Bernardo’s course was excellent. Actually, it was pretty phenomenal,” he said with a smile. “I think we’ve had an epidemic in American show jumping to drop the level of difficulty and not raise the standards to what they should be. We jumped for $100,000 today and I thought the course was very accommodating of that. This is the level we should be competing at.”

Continue reading McLain Ward and Antares F Claim Back-to-Back Wins at HITS-on-the-Hudson VI →

Conferences, FEI

FEI Marks 250 Years of Veterinary Profession at WEVA Congress 2011

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Lausanne (SUI), 9 August 2011 – The FEI will be running a special session during the 2011 World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) Conference in Hyderabad, India on 2 November 2011 to mark World Veterinary Year.

2011 has been designated World Veterinary Year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first veterinary school in Lyons (FRA) and the birth of the modern veterinary profession.

The FEI session at the WEVA Conference will highlight the past and current contribution of the veterinary profession to equestrian sport with lectures by eminent speakers in a variety of clinical disciplines.

“FEI regulated competitions are the pinnacle of international equestrian sport,” WEVA President Dr Tim Greet (UK) said.

“We are delighted that the FEI has chosen the 2011 WEVA Conference to celebrate the very long partnership between equestrian sport and veterinary surgeons. The entire WEVA Conference promises to be a very exciting event, and offers our delegates a great opportunity to visit India as well.”

Continue reading FEI Marks 250 Years of Veterinary Profession at WEVA Congress 2011 →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Patty Stovel and Kenya Top 70 to Win Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties

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©ESI Photography. Patty Stovel and Kenya in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 8, 2011) — Patty Stovel, of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya scored another victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix as they topped a field of 70 starters in Saturday’s featured class for hunters during the NY Horse & Pony Show at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

Hunter riders are down to the wire with only three qualifiers remaining for September’s Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Two more $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix will take place August 20 and 27 as HITS moves south to Culpeper, Virginia for the Winston National and Constitution Classic at Commonwealth Park.

In Saturday’s class, Stovel and Kenya posted a score of 85, the third highest, in the first round over Rian Beals’ course. Heritage Farm’s Patricia Griffith of New York, New York set the pace in the first round scoring an 87 aboard Lyn Pedersen’s Mahalo.

Stovel and Kenya recently won the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix during the Cavalier Classic at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

“This horse is really coming into his own,” said Stovel. “We did the Hunter Prix classes last year and got some ribbons, but now he is a little more mature and seems to like them!”

Continue reading Patty Stovel and Kenya Top 70 to Win Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties →

Associations/Breeds, Awards, Community/Charity, USEF, Western/Reining

More Than $10,000 Awarded to Young Reiners

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Oklahoma City, OK – Members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) are the future of the sport of Reining. With this in mind, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) has long been committed to providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to youth members. At this time the RHSF is awarding $10,500 in academic and need based scholarships for seven youth members.

Youth members from the United States and Canada submitted applications for the RHSF Scholarships in 2011. Recipients were determined by a committee based on academic achievement, future goals, involvement in NRHyA and NRHA, and financial need.

“The RHSF scholarship program is the perfect way to contribute to the future leaders of the reining industry. NRHyA is fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of young adults, and we look forward to watching the scholarship recipients’ future successes unfold,” said Shianne Megel, Supervisor of the RHSF & Youth Programs.

Christine Gordon of Colorado, Helen Lauth of Minnesota, and Samantha Belcher of Colorado were each awarded $2,000 in RHSF scholarship monies. Gordon attends Colorado Christian University and majors in music and math. Lauth will return to South Dakota State University as a member of their equestrian team, majoring in park & recreation management. Belcher plans to attend the University of Georgia where she will continue to compete in Reining as a member of their equestrian team.

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Breeds, Championships, Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

2011 IFSHA World and Grand National Championship Horse Show

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Lexington, VA – The 2011 IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Horse Show will return this year to the East Coast and will for the second time in its history be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Hundreds of classes will fill the five days of competition, beginning with dressage on Wednesday judged by Virginian, The Honorable Elizabeth Lewis of Keswick. In addition to classes from Intro through Grand Prix, IFSHA is proud to introduce Western dressage to the schedule this year as one of the Recognized Breed Affiliates of the newly formed Western Dressage Association.

Judging the halter and performance divisions throughout the week will be a “dream team” of United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) women: The Honorable, Sue Burkman, Los Alomos, CA; Nancy Troutman, Salem, VA; and Judith Warner of Asheville, NC, respectively. This panel of three judges will rotate duties as call judge during the show, depending on their specialties and fields of expertise. Joining the talented trio in rotation on the carriage driving classes will be The Honorable ADS Judge Mickey Bowen of Unionville, PA. An open carriage driving division has been added to the show this year to take advantage of our judges skills and encourage local whips to join the fun.

USEF Steward Shirley Nowak and Dressage Technical Delegate Janice Enneking will be available for exhibitors’ questions. Master of Ceremonies Doug Shane of Penrose, CO, will add his golden voice and library of music to assure a festive mood to the event. The management team of Gareth A. Selwood and Nancy Nathanson will once again run the show with their usual flair and are excited to announce that this year the IFSHA Board of Directors has chosen “The Yellow Ribbon Fund” as the official charity to benefit from this year’s show. The Yellow Ribbon Fund was founded in 2005 to help injured service members and their families who are recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and The Navy Medical Center. A special “Yellow Ribbon” Championship class will be held during the Horse Show on Saturday Night with all entry fees collected from that class donated to the Yellow Ribbon Fund in the name of the winner of that class. It will be sure to be a highlight of the show.

Continue reading 2011 IFSHA World and Grand National Championship Horse Show →

Awards, Breeds, Competitions, USEF

Time to Cast Your Votes in the 2011 USEF My Favorite Breed Competition Contest

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Lexington, KY – Every horse show exhibitor has a competition they most look forward to each year. For some exhibitors, the anticipation is due to outstanding facilities, while for others it’s management going far beyond the call of duty to make the show a memorable and fun experience for all involved. Still others say it’s the excellent competition that draws them to a particular show. Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt about it – there are some shows that rise above the rest and become exhibitor favorites. For the second year in a row, the United States Equestrian Federation has honored two favorite competitions chosen by the exhibitors in the 2010 Favorite Breed Competition Contest. This year, top honors went to the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show in Asheville, NC, and the Penn Marydel Welsh Show in Bel Air, MD.

The contest was created in 2009, providing a competitive outlet for exhibitors to rally in support of their favorite breed competitions across the country. The top vote earners for each of 11 breeds were recognized as individual winners, earning a plaque, and bragging rights to go with it. These “favorite” competitions were then entered into a drawing to determine the Grand and Reserve Prize winners.

The Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show, voted best amongst the competitions featuring American Saddlebreds, was drawn as the Grand Prize winner for 2010, and was awarded a pizza party for the competitors at this year’s show, featuring 65 large pizzas, plates full of brownies, and iced tea and lemonade to wash it down.

“Blue Ridge Classic is very exhibitor friendly,” said one competitor who voted for the show. “It has a wonderful staff and they are very thoughtful toward the exhibitor’s needs.”

Continue reading Time to Cast Your Votes in the 2011 USEF My Favorite Breed Competition Contest →

Championships, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Lillie Keenan and Kristen Lutz Dominate 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast at HITS-on-the-Hudson

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Lillie Keenan with her overall Grand Champion award with Don Stewart's Confidentialand overall Reserve Grand Champion award with Chansonette Farm LLC's Madison. ESI Photography.

Saugerties, NY — After three rounds of competition, Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, returned to the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson to accept champion awards with not one, but two horses in the 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast. Keenan claimed the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Champion award as well as overall Grand Champion on Don Stewart’s Confidential with an overall score of 89.37. She also captured the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under title in the irons of Chansonette Farm LLC’s Madison, to post an overall Reserve Grand Champion score of 87.83.

“These horses were up to the challenge,” said Keenan. “They are a really special pair and winning both champion and reserve was unexpected and exciting.”

Adding to Keenan’s list of accolades, she also rode Madison to win the War Dress Memorial Trophy, awarded to the high score mare of the Championship.

At 14 years old, Keenan, who trains with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm, proved that age is irrelevant, beating all riders in both older divisions to take home Reserve Grand and Grand Champion honors. While age may not play an important role in success, Stewart admits that genetics do.

“This is second nature for Lillie,” said Stewart. “She comes from a family of champions, as do these horses.”

Continue reading Lillie Keenan and Kristen Lutz Dominate 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast at HITS-on-the-Hudson →

Community/Charity, Driving, FEI

Champion Driver Suzy Stafford’s Journey to the World Championships Is One Step Closer Thanks to Successful eBay Auction

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Suzy Stafford has been nominated for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine. (Photo courtesy of Meredith Fetters)

Chester County, PA (August 8, 2011) – From winning world championships to winning gold medals, champion driver Suzy Stafford has found great success in the field of combined driving. Stafford hasn’t done it alone, however, and believes it takes a “team” for real success to be achieved. Stafford, who has been nominated for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine, recently called upon her team – which includes sponsors, clients, friends, family, horse lovers and driving enthusiasts – to take part in an online eBay auction to help her raise the finances needed to travel to the World Championships in Slovenia.

“The eBay auction featured a variety of fabulous equestrian and non-equestrian items and I want to thank everyone who went online and bid,” Stafford said. “I have raised half of my budget for the trip and this was a big help in getting closer to reaching my goal.  Shipping a pony and two carriages overseas is quite expensive, as you can imagine!  There was a lot of last minute, ‘stealth’ bidding, and I am very pleased with the enthusiasm of the bidders and the outcome of the auction.”

Stafford added that she also wanted to thank all of the supporters who stood behind her and donated prizes. “There were so many fabulous items, from dressage or driving lessons with Larry Poulin to a catered three-course dinner for six to signed Breyer Model Horse statues.  The two most popular items turned out to be the Dansko shoes and quilted dog bed; they went for more than expected,” Stafford said. “All the proceeds from the auction will go toward helping Josie and I travel to the World Championships in Slovenia, a trip that will cost over $40,000 including airfare for Josie and the shipping of the carriages and equipment. Without the support of my sponsors and contributors, none of this would be possible.  Knowing that I have been helped in such a big way makes me even more thrilled to thank all of the donors, including Dover Saddlery, Shawn Faust, Jim Graham, Hidden Valley Acres, Bit of Britain, Beth and Dan Steinke, Chester Weber, Dansko, Unionville Feed, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Vita Flex, Equine Journal, Larry Poulin and Harness by Smucker.”

Continue reading Champion Driver Suzy Stafford’s Journey to the World Championships Is One Step Closer Thanks to Successful eBay Auction →

Community/Charity, Driving, FEI

US National Champion Pony Driving Heading to Europe

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August 8, 2011 – Next week, US National Champion combined driver Shelly Temple and her Morgan gelding Cooper (LR Ami B-Line) will fly to Germany to prepare for the World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia.

Prior to the Championship, “Team Catalyst” will stay in Frankfurt, Germany and train with Michael Freund, the USET driving coach and multi-time world champion. While in Germany, Shelly and Cooper will compete at Minden, the German national pony championship, along with other short-listed US drivers.

Shelly and Team Catalyst are excited about the opportunity to represent the United States and compete in their second world championship. In 2007 Shelly was a silver medalist in dressage and a member of the bronze medal US team. Shelly and Cooper have been the USEF National Champions for the past two years and have their eye on the gold medal. To follow Shelly’s progress, visit her blog at http://www.catalystdriving.blogspot.com/ or her website at http://www.catalystdriving.com/.