All posts by Associate Editor

Dressage Radio Episode 112 – JJ Tate & What Makes a Competitive Dressage Horse

Chris introduces Jessica Jo Tate to the show this week as a new co-host and to discuss what makes a competitive dressage horse. And there’s another WOW moment too so tune in right here.

Dressage Radio Episode 112 – Show Notes and Links:

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Jumping Radio Episode 71 – Georgina Bloomberg and The A Circuit

U.S. Grand Prix jumper, Georgina Bloomberg, has become an author with her first title published this spring, The A Circuit, which tells a fictional story of life on the show jumping circuit. Readers young and not so young will identify with this story; listen in.

Jumping Radio Episode 71 – Show Notes and Links:

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Stable Scoop Episode 152 – Madeliene Pickens’ Mustang Monument

Listen to Jamie and Helena as they chat with Madeleine Pickens. Heartfelt. Overcoming. Passionate. Inspiring. Four words that sum up Madeleine Pickens and her efforts to change the way Americans treat one of our most beloved national symbols: the mustang. Listen in…

Stable Scoop Episode 152 – Show Notes and Links:

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Eventing Radio Episode 150 by Bit of Britain – Dream Vacation with Jimmy Wofford

Chris invites eventing coach and raconteur, Jimmy Wofford, to go on a Dream Vacation this week where he chooses four horses and three people plus books and music to take with him. Tune in right here.

Eventing Radio Episode 150 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

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Hunters, Equitation Riders, and Jumpers All Excel on First Day of Horse Shows by the Bay Series II

Virginia Ingram and Comanche. Photo credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 13, 2011 – A few clouds and a chilly morning opened up to sunny skies on the first day of week two at Horse Shows by the Bay in beautiful Traverse City, MI, yesterday. Series two is proud to have been selected to be a World Championship Hunter Rider event. Horse Shows by the Bay is one of just seven shows chosen for this great honor. The points accumulated in the hunter ring this week will go toward qualifying points for the 2011 World Champion Rider Finals, toward the 2011 Mid-West Regional and the National WCHR awards program. For more information on the WCHR program visit www.ushja.org. In the R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter ring the Green and Regular Conformation horses were the first to ride the course. In hunter ring three, the ASPCA Maclay kicked off the equitation classes with spectacular form and style. The Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal followed the ASPCA Maclay with even more great rides and a win by Virginia Ingram.

Prior to the equitation-filled afternoon, the Polk Family ring saw some great hunter performances. Kelley Farmer excelled in the High Performance Hunters aboard Clearly and Red Sky, while also winning the First Year Green classes on Habana and Straight Talk. Farmer and Straight Talk also did well in the Green Conformation section, winning the first class of the day in the main hunter ring. Sarah Young and Bel Canto was a can-do pair in the Green Conformation over fences class, with Farmer and Straight Talk also winning in the Green Conformation category over fences. Farmer continued her success in the Regular Conformation Hunters, placing in the top four in classes in that division yesterday. In the Second Year Green classes, Lisa Cudahy and Ooh La La scored winning points for their smooth approach, with Cudahy also picking up wins in the same division aboard Last Call.

After the various hunter classes drew to a close, the medal hopefuls took to the two main hunter rings. With a challenging course at hand, the ASPCA Maclay riders took it all in stride and did their best to show their form and precision. With a field of 25 riders, that was no easy feat, but Meehan Shirey was able to float through the course with ease, as well as conquer the flat phase. Maddison Hayes took home the second place ribbon, working in smooth turns and ideal form over fences. Marissa and Cara Monforton earned the third and fourth place spots, respectively, showing that it runs in the family. These talented young riders drew quite a crowd yesterday, filling the bleachers and producing an impressive show.

Continue reading Hunters, Equitation Riders, and Jumpers All Excel on First Day of Horse Shows by the Bay Series II

Steffen Peters and Weltino’s Magic Win Prix St. Georges on Small Tour at CHIO Aachen

Aachen, Germany – Team USA continued their success at the CHIO Aachen with strong performances over the past two days. Steffen Peters and Weltino’s Magic, owned by Jen Hlavacek, won the Preis der VUV-Vereinigte Unternehmerverbände Aachen.

The class was the Prix St. Georges of the small tour, and the 9-year-old Westfalen gelding received judges’ scores of 71.053, 73.553, 72.632, 75.000, and 70.658 for a total percentage of 72.579.

USEF Dressage Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons stated, “Under Steffen’s expert guidance, Weltino’s Magic made a grand debut in Europe at the small tour. Hearing our national anthem after the Prix St. Georges, which was the first class of the event, made the U.S. team feel like we are off to a good start!”

Dressage competition continues tomorrow with the Grand Prix CDIO class. The U.S. team will be:

Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) and Ravel (owned by Four Winds Farm and Akiko Yamazaki);
Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) and Rafalca (owned by Ann Romney and Amy Roberts Ebeling);
Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, CA) and UII (owned by Dick and Jane Brown);
Todd Fettrich (Royal Palm Beach, FL) and Otto (owned by Cherry Knoll Farm).

Continue reading Steffen Peters and Weltino’s Magic Win Prix St. Georges on Small Tour at CHIO Aachen

Breyer’s 22nd BreyerFest Brings Fairy Tales and Horses Together

Where Equine Fantasies and Fairy Tales Connect Kids with the Horse World

(Pequannock, NJ – July 12, 2011) – Equine fantasies and fairy tales will come true for more than 6,000 Breyer fans and horse lovers when BreyerFest, the annual horse fair and model horse collector festival hosted by Breyer Animal Creations, prances into Lexington, KY for its 22nd consecutive festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. BreyerFest will be held Fri.-Sun., July 15th-17th, rain or shine. The three-day family festival features nationally known equine entertainers, a trade show, petting zoo, free pony rides, fine Artisans’ Gallery, model horse customizing workshops, a free craft & activity tent, dog agility and more! Most importantly, BreyerFest is a place where kids and horses can connect.

Matt McLaughlin’s Pecos has claimed the coveted spot as the 2011 BreyerFest Celebration Horse, the horse whose Breyer portrait model comes with each three-day ticket. Pecos is a gorgeous Andalusian stallion descended from the Champion of Champions Legionario III of Spain (also honored as a Breyer model). They will perform their signature garrocha act daily.

Also performing daily will be the Awesome Aussie Guy McLean, dubbed the “Steve Irwin of horses.” He has brought his four Australian-bred horses out of the Outback and into America dazzling crowds with their mesmerizing performances. Mark & Dusty will prove to you that there is no limit to what you can teach your horse to do. Mark Peterson and Dusty have traveled the country showcasing Dusty’s astonishing ability to learn new tricks and skills on command! The All American Cowgirl Chicks, a team of daredevil, trick riders whose performance partners are rescue horses and rehabilitated mustangs, will dazzle audiences delivering thrills and chills as well as demonstrating the importance of equine rescue and rehabilitation.

Continue reading Breyer’s 22nd BreyerFest Brings Fairy Tales and Horses Together

Relive Southern Eighths/Nikon Three-Day on YouTube

The inaugural Southern Eighths/Nikon Three-Day Event is over but reliving all the action is now possible thanks to a creative video produced by nFocus Pictures and visible on Southern Eighths’ YouTube channel. This video showcases Long Format Eventing at the amateur level but with the finesse of a major event at one of the nicest facilities in the nation.  If you are a horse lover, have a passion for Eventing or are simply curious to get a peek behind the scenes at the 2011 Southern Eighths/Nikon Three-Day Event then settle into your seats and fasten your seatbelts for  an amazing 10-minute ride by going to http://www.youtube.com/user/So8ths.

You’ll get a chance to watch not just the competition but all the behind-the-scenes action, from the early morning walks on foot and horseback, to the care of the animals and the educational clinics.  You’ll get to see the riders testing their dressage skills.  As the competitors negotiate a cross-country course designed by FEI Course Designer Tremaine Cooper, you’ll experience the variety of jumps on the cross country course, from the water obstacle to the banks, ditches, brush and log jumps.  Then on the final day watch as horses and riders complete the last phase of the three-day by negotiating the colorful show jumping fences nestled into the Southern Eighths Farm countryside.  Combine that all in one video photographed on the amazing Southern Eighths facilities and this will be a ride you don’t want to miss.

Southern Eighths Farm is a premier Long Format equestrian training center located in Chesterfield, South Carolina – the “Heart of the Carolinas.” It is a horse lover’s playground with a steeplechase track, multiple cross country and show jumping venues, dressage rings, a derby course and miles of groomed trails. These facilities in addition to a modern guest barn and large covered arena provide all the amenities a rider needs to hone their equestrian skills. The farm hosts a USEA recognized Long Format event May 3-6, 2012 as well as two “Jump Fests” in the spring and fall. There are also equestrian get away weekends where small groups can experience a “tailored training” approach. For more information visit www.So8ths.com, call (843) 623-5005 or email info@so8ths.com. To view photos from the event go to www.tinyurl.com/southerneighths and click on the Heart of the Carolinas album.

CONTACT:  Press Link/Diana De Rosa – 516-848-4867 – dderosa1@optonline.net
PHOTOS:  www.tinyurl.com/southerneighths WEB SITE:  www.so8ths.com
FACEBOOK:  http://facebook.dj/fans_southern_eighths_farm/ (like us!)

CDI Brings the Start of the Olympic Qualifying Road for International Dressage Rider Luis Reteguiz-Denizard

Luis Reteguiz-Denizard and his KWPN gelding, Nalando, recently began the journey to reach the 2012 Olympics in London. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Palm City, Florida (July 2011) – Competing in the Capital Dressage Classic CDI 3* in Raleigh, North Carolina proved to be a successful  show for international dressage rider Luis Reteguiz-Denizard and his KWPN gelding, Nalando. The trip from Florida to the Carolinas was well worth it for Denizard and Nalando as they received the start of their FEI minimum eligibility standard (MES) scores that will be considered for the 2012 London Olympics in the FEI Grand Prix.

Representing Puerto Rico both Denizard and Nalando earned a 65.3% from Elizabeth McMullen, an FEI 5* judge, and also received an overall average score of 64.3% from a panel of five judges. The pair will look to compete in additional CDIs that will assist in sending the hopeful pair to the 2012 Olympics in London next summer. “I was really pleased with both tests. Nalando felt terrific and the scores we earned will help fulfill the FEI requirements for the Olympics. These scores are what the Puerto Rican Equestrian Federation and Olympic Selection Committee base their selections on,” said Denizard. “I have so many goals that I would like to accomplish with my horses but making the Olympics would be at the top of my list.”

Denizard, born and educated in the United States, is proud to compete in the United States for Puerto Rico. “Nalando and I competed in our first international competition at the 2007 Pan Am Games as the first dressage representative for Puerto Rico in Rio de Janeiro. That was a very exciting time for us and we are looking forward to compete again this year. I feel proud to represent Puerto Rico as an American citizen, the Puerto Rico Olympic autonomy allows me to do so. My dream is to hold both flags, representing both countries that have helped me reach my goals,” added Denizard. “Nalando is much stronger in the Grand Prix movements and has many more competitions under his ‘girth’ now.”

Continue reading CDI Brings the Start of the Olympic Qualifying Road for International Dressage Rider Luis Reteguiz-Denizard

Sutton Sisters to Represent Canada at NAJYRC

Anneka and Kristin Sutton will be the first ever sisters to both make it on a Junior/Young Rider Dressage Team, despite their mother’s early wish of never wanting to involve her daughters in riding.

The Suttons’ local paper, The Ayr News, recently reported their story and began the article noting, “When Blandford-Blenheim resident Gabriele Sutton came to Canada from Germany to marry Steve Sutton and start a family, she swore her children would never become serious horse riders.”

Now over 20+ years later they’ve done just that.  Kristin, 19, Anneka, 17 and Mariah, 15 all began the season vying to make the Canadian National Team which will compete in Lexington, KY at the annual 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships will be held July 25–31, 2011 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Mariah did her best but with a new horse and as the youngest of the sisters, she’ll be there to lend a helping hand and learn the ropes for when she accomplishes that same goal.   “I’m proud of my sisters and their horses, and hope to be in Anneka’s position next year,” said the teenager.

Continue reading Sutton Sisters to Represent Canada at NAJYRC