All posts by Associate Editor

KY Horse Council Leads Strategic Planning Session for Equine Industry

Lexington, KY, July 21, 2011 – Kentucky’s horses are often referred to as a “signature industry”, providing the Commonwealth with an identity that goes beyond state and national borders.  Horses provide Kentuckians thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue to the Commonwealth, and hours of pleasure for Kentucky horsemen and women.

Despite the size and impact of the industry, Kentucky does not engage routinely in long-term strategic planning of initiatives to benefit all breeds and equestrian disciplines.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) hosts a Kentucky Equine Strategic Planning Session on September 24, 2011.  KHC seeks the involvement of all equine associations throughout the Commonwealth for this important process.

“This planning effort to develop initiatives for the benefit of all owners, riders, and breeders is something that is a natural fit for the Kentucky Horse Council”, says Anna Zinkhon, President of the KHC Board.

“The event will not only support the industry and the Commonwealth, but will also help to unify the community, which has been known to be fragmented into different interest groups.  When we all work together and speak as one voice, we are much more effective,” Zinkhon continued.

Continue reading KY Horse Council Leads Strategic Planning Session for Equine Industry

Gold and Silver Cup at Fair Meadows

Q-Racing Journal, July 21, 2011 – Carl Pevehouse’s homebred Haulin Candy Salt tries for her first stakes win in the $385,500 Speedhorse Gold and Silver Cup Futurity (RG2) and Heritage Place Derby (G2) winner Capo De Capi shoots for a second derby victory in the $100,000 Speedhorse Gold and Silver Cup Derby (RG3) at Fair Meadows on Saturday night.

Haulin Candy Salt (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Salt Lake Spitty by Salt Lake (TB)) moves up to the stakes ranks for trainer Clinton Crawford after winning two of her three starts and one second-place finish. She won her career debut at Remington Park and then finished in a dead heat for second in a second-level
allowance race.

Those races put her in top form for the Gold and Silver Cup trials and she responded with a length win in :17.641 for the 350 yards, the fastest-qualifying mark from seven trials.

Mary Passmore’s Second Painted Sign (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Stylish Sign by Vital Sign) also comes into the futurity in winning form. After finishing off the board in his first two starts, he stepped up with a pair of wins. The Jackie Kirby-trained colt rolled to a daylight maiden score with the second-fastest qualifying time of :17.644.

Trainer Eddie Willis has the two-fastest qualifiers to the Gold and Silver Cup Derby with Capo De Capi and Blackwater Command.

James Sills’ Capo De Capi (Corona Cartel-A Shot At Glory by Strawfly Special) has already made six starts this year and is riding a four-race winning streak. Highlighting the winning streak is his neck win at 30-1 odds in the Heritage Place Derby. He substantiated that upset score in his Gold and Silver Cup Derby trial with a length win, and his time of :17.514 was the quickest from the three trials.

Mike Vaughn’s homebred Blackwater Command (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Soxolene by Whirling Fastball) also scored a stakes win at Remington Park last spring with a nose score in the Mr Master Bug Handicap (R) over Oklahoma-breds. The winner of three of four 2011 outs dominated his trial by 1 1/2 lengths with the second-fastest time of :17.573.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Ariat International Joins Combined Driver Chester Weber’s Team of Sponsors

Chester Weber is pleased to welcome Ariat International, the leading performance footwear and apparel brand for equestrian athletes around the world, to Team Weber’s list of sponsors. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (July 22, 2011) – Team Weber is currently in Europe representing the United States in the world of combined driving. As the United States’ most decorated team brings their award-winning prowess to the international stage, they will be proudly decked out in Ariat clothing. Ariat International, the leading performance footwear and apparel brand for equestrian athletes around the world, is pleased to announce they are joining combined driver Chester Weber’s team of sponsors.

“The quality and fit of the Ariat products are perfect for us,” said Weber. “We wore shirts, vests, jackets and hats from Ariat for the last championships and really liked them. We train in all-weather situations and their clothing is perfect for that.”

Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion who is based out of Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, is a driving force in the world of combined driving.  He recently proved to be unstoppable overseas, where he went two-for-two by capturing wins at CAI Altenfelden in Austria and the CAIO Vecses in Hungary.  His European tour then continued with the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany, where Team Weber put in a brilliant performance, placing third overall.  After such success in Europe, Weber is currently tied for first place in the FEI World Cup standings.  The European tour wraps up with the CAI Riesenbeck in July, a venue in which he has already found great success.

Weber has competed for the U.S. in three World Equestrian Games and was part of the U.S. Silver Medal Team at the 2010 Games in Kentucky. Weber also earned an Individual Silver Medal in the Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships in Beesd, The Netherlands, making him the first American to ever win an Individual Medal at the World Driving Championships.

Continue reading Ariat International Joins Combined Driver Chester Weber’s Team of Sponsors

Awad, Winner of the 1995 Arlington Million, Dead at 21

GEORGETOWN, KY – JULY 23, 2011 – Millionaire and four-time GR 1 winner Awad has died.  The 21-year-old stallion was discovered early this morning in his paddock at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, where he has been pensioned since 2006.

According to veterinarian Dr. Douglas Byars and Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen, the cause of death was a sudden heart attack, but a full necropsy is currently underway at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington.

The hard-knocking son of Caveat, Awad raced for seven seasons as a homebred for Maryland’s Ryehill Farm, capturing 14 of his 70 starts. His career earnings totaled $3,270,131.

Awad’s first GR1 win came in the 1993 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington International, which would prove to be a lucky course for the Maryland bred throughout his career. In 1995 he captured the GR1 Arlington Million in record time, 1:58.69, shaving one-fifth of a second off the course mark set by Perrault in 1982.

With the win he not only gave trainer David Donk and jockey Eddie Maple their first Million triumphs, he also became the first horse to ever win both of those GR1 turf events at Arlington.

Continue reading Awad, Winner of the 1995 Arlington Million, Dead at 21

Everglades Dressage Trainer and Grand Prix Rider Bethany Peslar Teaches Successful Clinic on “Seat, Position and Effectiveness of the Aids”

Bethany Peslar taught a successful clinic to an enthusiastic group of students recently at Planeta Stables in New Hope PA. (Photo courtesy of Everglades Dressage)

New Hope, PA (July 22, 2011) – Grand Prix Dressage rider and trainer Bethany Peslar taught a clinic this month at Planeta Stables in New Hope, Pennsylvania.  The focus of the clinic was “Seat, Position and Effectiveness of the Aids”. Known for giving her students 110% during a clinic or lesson, Peslar’s talent, dedication and ability to keep the concepts clear helped the riders not only enjoy the day but come away with a better seat and deeper understanding of the effectiveness of the aids.

“Everyone was very enthusiastic about learning how to improve their seat. I really enjoyed working with each rider and it was a fun day,” Peslar said, adding that she enjoyed the camaraderie with the riders including Pam Olshavsky, Alex Poggi, Eileen Ward and Roberta Weiss. “Alex rode Zoey, my lesson horse who is a nine-year-old Friesian mare. I always enjoy teaching on Zoey, and I know there are a lot of my students who can’t wait to ride her each week.”

Peslar said much of the clinic was focused on getting everyone to sit correctly. “Almost everyone spent their entire ride on the lunge so they could really concentrate on their seat without worrying about steering. Some of the issues I worked on were sitting straight and upright in the saddle, never leaning forward or backward and not collapsing to one side or the other. We also worked on keeping an invisible straight line from hip to heel as well as how to achieve a deep seat. An issue many of the riders had was gripping or pinching in with their knees and holding too much tension in their upper leg. This literally pushes them out of the saddle and prevents the rider from having a deep seat.”

Continue reading Everglades Dressage Trainer and Grand Prix Rider Bethany Peslar Teaches Successful Clinic on “Seat, Position and Effectiveness of the Aids”

HITS Culpeper July Wrap-Up

Rave reviews for new Grand Prix footing, riders use Culpeper as their stepping-stone to qualify for the Pfizer Million and Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, while sponsors Pfizer Animal Health and Purina Mills enjoy some southern hospitality

© ESI Photography. Kevin Babington and Mark Q on course in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (July 22, 2011) – HITS Culpeper enjoyed two strong weeks of competition during its July shows – the Showday National and the Cavalier Classic – with higher than expected entries as exhibitors flocked to Culpeper, Virginia from all corners of the country. An action-packed schedule, which included two more qualifiers each for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, along with new Grand Prix footing, made Culpeper a “must show” for many exhibitors looking to punch their ticket to this year’s Grand Finale in September.

The Showday National opened up the two-week series and was the first opportunity riders had to test out the newly resurfaced Grand Prix ring. “I thought the footing was excellent and the horses all jumped well,” said Ramiro Quintana of West Palm Beach, Florida who, aboard November Hill Farm’s Versace, captured the $1,000 Level 6 Morningside Training Farm Jumpers during the Showday National. “With all the improvements that are being made in Culpeper I am sure it will once again be considered one of the top destinations in American show jumping.”

Culpeper catches Pfizer Million fever
During the Showday National, Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania wasted no time at all getting comfortable with the new Grand Prix footing when he rode his own Mark Q to the blue in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and picked up his second of eight Grand Prix needed to become eligible for the Pfizer Million. Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia was all business on Sunday when he won the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during the Cavalier Classic aboard his own Remonta Habano, which propelled him into the top 10 of the Pfizer Million Rider Rankings with more than $26,000 in prize money.

Continue reading HITS Culpeper July Wrap-Up

$20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby Brings Tradition, Excitement to Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay

Kelley Farmer and Clearly. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 22, 2011 – With few clouds in the sky and a light breeze, it was a lovely afternoon for the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Horse Shows by the Bay Series III. The Flintfields Horse Park grounds were buzzing all day with excitement for the evening’s event, which challenged 21 entries with a traditional course in the Grand Prix ring. Kelley Farmer made a clean sweep of the top four spots on Clearly, Praise, Red Sky, and Bases Loaded. Amazingly, Farmer and her first three rides produced a three-way tie involving an overall high score of 387. Peter Pletcher smoothly jumped into the next three places on Copperfield, Primero, and Tell All, accumulating several highly impressive scores of his own. An enthusiastic crowd turned out for tonight’s derby, making the class a definite favorite among spectators and riders alike.

The event kicked off with an exhibitor party, generously sponsored by Outback Steakhouse of Traverse City, which featured great food, drinks, and conversation. The first horse took the course at 5:30pm, with high scores dominating the scene from the very start. Kelley Farmer and Bases Loaded hit a home run with a combined score of 180 in their first round. Bases Loaded is owned by Am Free, Inc. Peter Pletcher and Copperfield, who is owned by Jennifer Noski, also turned in a great early combined score of 171 in the first round. Carson Gibson and Caden, owned by Shadyside Farm, had a flowing first round that resulted in a solid 163 combined score. Farmer returned on Clearly, owned by Jane Gaston, to add a 185 combined score to her growing list of first round feats. Farmer’s highest first round score came on Red Sky, owned by Larry Glefke. A whopping 196 put Farmer in contention for a second derby win, but Pletcher was also a competitive presence in the Grand Prix ring tonight. On Tell All, owned by Susan Baker, Pletcher earned a 173.5, adding to the slew of stunning scores in the much-anticipated derby. Near the end of round one Farmer returned on Praise, owned by Selma Garber, and received plenty of praise for another high score of 191.

Continue reading $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby Brings Tradition, Excitement to Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay

Kyle King and Ashley Jerome Tie in $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix

Ashley Jerome of Calgary, AB, and Santa Cruz tied for the win in the $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix held during the Mid Summer Classic II in Calgary, AB

Calgary, Alberta – Kyle King of Ocala, FL, and Ashley Jerome of Calgary, AB, tied to win the $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix held July 17 during the Mid Summer Classic II produced by Rocky Mountain Show Jumping at Anderson Ranch in Calgary, AB.

Run in a unique format, the $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix sees competitors jumping the exact same course set at four different heights – 1.10m, 1.15m, 1.20m and 1.30m.  All competitors, regardless of the height they were jumping, had the same time allowed to complete the course designed by Eric Hasbrouck.  Of the 67 entries that competed over the four divisions offered, a total of 20 jumped clear.

Working backwards for the jump-off, the 1.30m division went first.  Tami Masters was again clear in the jump-off in a time of 47.24 seconds riding Aurora to move into the lead.  King then jumped clear in the 1.20m division in a time of 47.09 to move to the top of the leader board.

In the 1.15m division, last year’s defending champion, Breanne McAllister of Calgary, AB, set a blistering fast pace with Zorro, stopping the clock in 44.48 seconds.  However, a rail down along the way left the 17-year-old in eighth position overall with the day’s fastest four fault jump-off effort.

Continue reading Kyle King and Ashley Jerome Tie in $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix

Margie Engle Beats Out 40 Starters to Take the Win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV

© ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Ashland Farms' Lord Spezi on course in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (July 23, 2011) — With competition taking place in 10 different show rings and more than 1,600 horses on the premises, the opening week of the HITS-on-the-Hudson summer series is going like gangbusters, proving that Saugerties, New York is the place to be this summer.

Olympian Margie Engle picked up right where she left off upon her return to HITS-on-the-Hudson when she piloted Ashland Farms’ Lord Spezi to an exciting victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Engle and Lord Spezi had a very successful start to their season in Saugerties back in June when they won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and finished sixth together in the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix during HITS-on-the-Hudson III.

“He [Lord Spezi] had the winter off and we showed together here Week III where we did really well together,” said Engle. “We’re back for the summer and looking to qualify for the [Pfizer] Million. He’s a funny horse, he has a cocky attitude, but in a good way. He knows when he does a good job. Sometimes, after a jump he’ll let out a little buck, showing off like ‘Wow! Look what I did’. He’s not a very big horse, but he has a very big personality.”

Friday’s win did not come easy for Engle as 39 other starters stood in her way at the outset of the class, including fellow Olympians McLain Ward, Peter Leone, Todd Minikus, Kevin Babington and Manuel Torres. International Course Designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil set a challenging course in the roomy Strongid C 2X Stadium that included a double combination early in the track, a water jump mid-way through the route and a triple combination at the second-to-last fence, which proved to be the downfall of many riders on the course.

Continue reading Margie Engle Beats Out 40 Starters to Take the Win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV

Vichy & Alejandro Karolyi Victorious in $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix

Alejandro Karolyi and Vichy. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 22, 2011 – Today’s Feature Horse Shows by the Bay Jumper Event in the Grand Prix Ring wrapped up with Alejandro Karolyi emerging the victor on Vichy. Karolyi, who makes a return visit to Horse Shows by the Bay after attending the inaugural event in 2004, rode to the blue ribbon win for owner Torrey Pines Stable of Schonberg, Ontario, Canada.

The course, designed by Michel Vaillancourt, was held under Table II 2a/b which meant that once going clear, riders had the option of either jumping off immediately or coming back after the first round was held in its entirety. A total of seven went clear, with three staying in while the additional four returned after round number one.

Nick Novak, who eventually placed second, opted to stay in on Springfield Tennessee so it was this pair who jumped clear in a time of 36.783 that were the ones to beat for the riders who chose to return.

Karolyi and Vichy made quick use of the shortened track just beating out Novak to finish without fault in 35.675. “It was a nice course, Michel did a really great job,” noted Karolyi of his triumphant turn in today’s class. “There wasn’t a huge amount of clear rides, and I wish everyone had been able to make it to the jump-off, but the course still jumped super, and it was scopey enough, but with my horse everything came nicely. I think the triple combination was a little tough, but overall for us it was a nice ride. It was comfortable for my horse out there.”

Karolyi added, “It’s the first week I’m here, so it was my horse’s first turn in that ring. I’ve had her for five months now, since Florida. She started out as a bit of a speed horse, and she has come up to the grand prix level very nicely. Her biggest asset is that she is a really quick turner, so the jump-off was perfect for her because it was a turning jump-off in a lot of areas. She rolled back really fast to one jump, and then rolled back really fast to another, so we were in the clear.”

Continue reading Vichy & Alejandro Karolyi Victorious in $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix