All posts by Associate Editor

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

Entries for the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast Close Today and Marks the Return of the Event to Saugerties

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©Lili Weik Photography. Danielle Cooper and Frank Madden enjoy a moment in the winner's circle after Amalfi and Cooper were named the 2009 Grand Champion.

Saugerties, NY (July 13, 2011) – Junior riders will make an anticipated return to Saugerties, New York this summer to compete in the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast. The three-day event will kick off August 1 and entries must be post-marked by today.

Young talent from all corners of the country will meet at the HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds to compete for almost $50,000 in prize money as well as a chance to earn a wild card spot in the first ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, coming to Saugerties this fall. The Champion Rider from each of the four sections of the Junior Hunter Final will be given a Wild Card berth in the inaugural Hunter Prix Final – a chance to compete for a record-breaking $150,000 winner’s purse.

The Championship features competition for Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17, and Large Juniors 16-17 in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

The Championships will also feature the prestigious USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic. Since its inception, the Hunterdon Cup has grown in importance and has become one of the most coveted titles for junior equitation riders. Equitation classes will consist of the USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Class and the WIHS Equitation Classic.

HITS will roll out the red carpet for the championships and will treat these up-and-coming equestrian stars VIP treatment with gourmet catering. Giuseppe Napoli, Executive Chef at the new Diamond Mills Hotel scheduled to open in Saugerties this fall, will spearhead the catering efforts.

Continue reading Entries for the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast Close Today and Marks the Return of the Event to Saugerties →

Competitions, Events, Jennifer Wood, USEF, Vaulting

U.S. Vaulting Team Posts Medal-Winning Results at CHIO Aachen

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Aachen, Germany – The U.S. Vaulting contingent posted fantastic results at this year’s CHIO in Aachen, Germany, with a full complement of athletes. The “developing team” was made up of a mixture of seasoned veterans and vaulters new to performing at CHIO Aachen. The squad won two medals at the world’s most competitive vaulting competition, and has had solid results through three days of classes.

Mary McCormick gave a very impressive performance through three days of competition in the Female Individual Classification. On Friday, she and Gustafsson with longeur Lars Hansen posted a score of 8.227 for fourth place in the freestyle class. She improved on Saturday in the second classification freestyle test with a score of 8.240. On Sunday, she received a final score of 7.901 for the overall Bronze medal in the Individual Female classification.

The second Bronze medal for USA Vaulting came in the new Pas de Deux class with USA Vaulting veterans Devon Maitozo and Rosalind Ross. They started out with a score of 7.805 on Friday vaulting with equine partner Flashlight and longeur Alexandra Knauf. On Saturday, they finished with a final score of 7.911 for the Bronze medal.

Craig Coburn, U.S. Chef d’Equipe, said, “As the USA Vaulting Chef d’Equipe at the 2011 CHIO Aachen, I am proud to say that the American team was extremely successful this weekend. With the support of the USEF, we were able to win two medals; Mary McCormick won the Bronze medal in the Ladies Individual event, while Devon Maitozo and Rosalind Ross won the Bronze medal, this is also the first time the U.S. has competed internationally in Pas de Deux.”

Continue reading U.S. Vaulting Team Posts Medal-Winning Results at CHIO Aachen →

Auctions, Community/Charity, Driving, FEI, JRPR

Bid on Fantastic Items in eBay Auction to Help Champion Driver Suzy Stafford Make It to the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships

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Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine. (Photo courtesy of Pics of You)

Chester County, PA (July 12, 2011) – World Champion driver Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine, but before Stafford and Josie head to Slovenia the determined driver still has a great deal of work to do. Part of that work includes raising funds for the trip, so Stafford will be hosting an eBay auction beginning Friday, July 15th, featuring a variety of fabulous items both equestrian and non-equestrian.

All proceeds from the auction will go toward funding Stafford and Josie’s World Championship trip to Slovenia.  ”I am really excited that people will have the chance to bid on so many great items, from a week’s vacation in Maine to many, many equestrian related items,” Stafford said, adding that she wants to thank her many supporters who donated items to the auction. “I am truly grateful to all my supporters! I would like to thank all the donors of these wonderful items for their on-going support and generosity 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, Unionville Saddlery, Fridays’s Horse, Jewelry by Moolenschot, Equine Journal, Larry Poulin, Stoltzfus Farm Service, Inc., and Harness by Smucker.”

Some of the items in Stafford’s eBay auction include: a one-week vacation waterfront rental house in Maine; a personal brewery tour and tasting by the owner/brewer of Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton, Pennsylvania; a new deluxe Black with Brass Harness by Smucker; a “signed” Breyer Model of Jamaica, Chester Weber’s Horse of the Year; a “signed” Breyer model of Stafford’s Gold Medal driving pony Cefnopark Bouncer; a new Charles Owen Helmet; a “signed” print from Delaware artist Shawn Faust; a one-hour photography lesson with nationally recognized photo journalist Jim Graham; training with Bronze and Silver Medal Dressage rider and trainer Stacey Parvey-Larrson; a pair of Dansko shoes of your choice; and a new bridle.

Continue reading Bid on Fantastic Items in eBay Auction to Help Champion Driver Suzy Stafford Make It to the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Show Jumping

Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit Take the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix

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Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit accept the blue ribbon from Brownland Farm’s Sissy Anderton. Lili Weik Photography

FRANKLIN, TN – JULY 12, 2011 – On Sunday, July 10, Michael Tokaruk of Memphis, TN captured his second major win in less than two months aboard Roger Rabbit, the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Castle Point Farm LLC.

The team beat the heat and the competition to easily win the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix, which capped off the week at Brownland Farm in Franklin, TN.

Tokaruk, 30, who recently returned to Memphis to act as rider and trainer at Dave Pellegrini’s Spring Mill Farm, piloted the up-and-coming-gray gelding through two clean rounds to earn the top spot.

In the first round, 26 teams navigated the Tim Hott-designed course, but only six went clean.  In the jump-off, only Tokaruk and Roger turned in a fault-less performance for the blue-ribbon win. “I thought the course rode well,” said Tokaruk following the win. “Big enough without over-facing anyone, and technical enough that you had to do some riding out there.

“We were the only double clean and our time was three seconds faster that the 2nd place finisher who had four faults, “ Tokaruk continued. “We could have had a rail down and still won by a good margin. I made a nice inside turn that saved us some time. Going early in the jump-off, I knew I needed to be clean, but I also wanted to be quick enough to put pressure on the rest of the field.”

Continue reading Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit Take the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix →

Breeds, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Wild Horse Sources

Madeleine Pickens Shares Her Story with the Horse Radio Network

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July 13, 2011. Lexington, Kentucky, USA: The Horse Radio Network’s (HRN) Jamie Jennings and Helena Bee join together as part of the Women of HOPE series to bring you an incredible interview with Madeleine Pickens. This interview will air in a two part series on Thursday, July 14, 2011 and Friday July 15, 2011 on the live HORSES IN THE MORNING show at www.horsesinthemorning.com or on a smart phone at www.horsesinthemorning.mobi. Plus, it will be played in its entirety on Friday on the recorded Stable Scoop Radio Show at www.stablescoop.com.

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. Madeleine Pickens is no stranger to challenges, and she is a role model for horse girls and women everywhere. She is the epitome of the successful businesswoman, a wife, mother and grandmother, a Thoroughbred racehorse owner, an animal welfare activist, philanthropist, and author. But above all, she is an American woman who is heartfelt, overcoming obstacles, passionate, and inspiring.

For example, Madeleine and her husband, Boone Pickens, led the fight to close the last horse slaughterhouse in the United States. Their work resulted in the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act by the United States House of Representatives. During the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the Pickens donated $7 million to the Red Cross to aid the people of the city of New Orleans.

After the Bureau of Land Management announced in 2008 that the United States government was considering euthanasia and/or selling more than 30,000 wild mustangs to slaughterhouses overseas, Madeleine Pickens announced plans to develop a one million acre (4,000 km²) sanctuary for the horses. She did exactly that. It’s called Mustang Monument, and it is beyond a dream come true for anyone who appreciates the presence of these simple, yet stunning equines.

The Horse Radio Network (HRN) – the Voice of the Horse World – is the pioneer and leader in equine related online horse radio. With a variety of different shows from the serious to the sublime, the Horse Radio Network is your entertaining and informative source for everything horse. Listen to any of the nine popular shows on the network at www.horseradionetwork.com.

Benefits, Community/Charity, Fundraisers, Para-Equestrian, USEF

“Miracles on Manes” Benefits ACORD – Charity Honors Marjorie V. Kittredge

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Alpharetta, GA – ACORD (American Competition Opportunities for Riders with Disabilities, Inc), a national 501c3 nonprofit corporation, is kicking off their first fundraiser for the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund on Saturday, September 10, 2011. This fund will provide educational opportunities across the country for athletes with disabilities.

The “Miracles on Manes” benefit for Memories of Marj will be held at Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta, GA, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature music, refreshments, a silent auction, prize drawings and a thrilling round of equestrian entertainment. Guests of honor are riders from the Caisson Platoon Program in Washington, D.C. Tickets are $40; a table for ten may be reserved for $350. Beverages and heavy appetizers will be served, with entertainment from many equestrian disciplines, including: polo, dressage pairs to music, sidesaddle, show jumping, eventing, grand prix dressage and riders with disabilities. Drawing and silent auction items are extensive, including a hot air balloon champagne ride, luxury beach weekend and a flightseeing trip over Atlanta.

The evening will conclude with the awarding of the first two grants from the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund, followed by a special champagne toast to Marjorie V. Kittredge and ACORD’s first Memories of Marj Beneficiaries.

ACORD is organizing this scholarship and grant fund in memory of Marjorie (Marj) V. Kittredge, a Boston native who dedicated her life to equestrians with disabilities as an instructor, mentor, clinician, judge and organizer. Marj was one of ACORD’s original founders in 1992 and the first American international technical delegate. She died on June 23, 2010 at the age of 86. With Marj’s help, ACORD made a difference for people and horses.

Continue reading “Miracles on Manes” Benefits ACORD – Charity Honors Marjorie V. Kittredge →

Competitions, Events, USEF, Vaulting

Four Top 5 Finishers at Aachen CHIO

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Aachen, Germany – Four American Vaulting Association vaulters placed in the Top 5 at the Aachen CHIO this weekend. Mary McCormick placed third in the Women’s Division; Devon Maitozo & Rosey Ross placed third in the Pas de Deux. The Woodside Team placed fifth in the Nations Cup and the Mt. Eden Sun Team took second in the Sparkasse division.

Watch Mary McCormick’s performance>

The results>

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

16-Year-Old Makes History at Spruce Meadows

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Caitlin Ziegler and Valencia (photo by Spruce Meadows Media Services).

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta – History was made at Spruce Meadows Thursday with 16-year-old Caitlin Ziegler (USA) becoming the youngest ever winner of an FEI event in the Spruce Meadows International Ring. Riding her 13-year-old mare, Valencia, Ziegler bested an international field of 32 horse/rider combinations with a convincing double clear, and a 3-second margin of victory in a seven-horse jump-off in the 1.5m AON Cup.

“This is really unbelievable, I really am speechless. Winning here against these riders is very special,” said the beaming teen from Wisconsin. With names like Madden, Spooner, Millar, Simpson and Lamaze falling behind her in the final standings, Ziegler took time to relish the moment.

“I guess I should be worried about my job,” chuckled her coach Eric Lamaze, who finished sixth in the event with four faults in the jump-off and a slower time.

Earlier this season Caitlin Ziegler was recognized at Spruce Meadows for her commitment and dedication to the sport with and RSA scholarship. Clearly that dedication is paying off with her historic win.

Continue reading 16-Year-Old Makes History at Spruce Meadows →

Awards, Benefits, Community/Charity, Conferences, Equestrian Aid Found., WHIN, Wild Horse Sources

Willie Nelson and Family Win WHINNY Awards

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Nashville, TN – July 12, 2011 – It’s become not only a mission with a passion, but one that has members of the Nelson family standing up and doing whatever they can to stop the slaughter of horses.

Willie Nelson has been an advocate against the slaughter of wild horses for years and of the almost 70 horses he owns, 25-30 were rescued directly from slaughter. He believes it’s our job to protect them and makes it a point to support many of the groups that work in this area. His passion and advocacy
is being shared by his family.

His daughter Amy and granddaughter Raelyn have joined in the fight testifying against the slaughter of horses and are making it a point to work with the State of Tennessee’s legislative branch to keep the dialog about any laws concerning these issues open.

“Here’s another great example of someone with high visibility taking the time to support this cause and who brings along not only his family but thousands of fans around the world to join him. There’s a reason why people like Willie Nelson. The man shows his dedication to horses and doing the right thing every day of his life. Willie definitely walks the talk,” states WHIA Executive Director, Catherine Masters.

The Whinnys are an awards program set up by the Women’s Horse Industry Association. The awards will be given out on October 6 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Rhythm and Hooves benefit to save horses. The event will raise funds for three equine charities: The Cloud Foundation, The Equestrian Aid Foundation and NetPosse.com. The benefit will be a part of the WHIA’s Annual conference (October 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel Opryland) where women in the horse industry will gather to exchange information and business.

For additional information on the WHIA and its upcoming conference and benefit, please visit Women’s Horse Industry or call 615-730-7833.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Sweden Soars to the Top of the Promotional League Table

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L to R - Arthur Gustavo Da Silva (La Toya), Christina Liebherr (LB Callas Sitte Z), Claudia Gisler (Touchable) and Niklaus Schurtenberger (Fifty Fifty) pictured during the prize-giving with Chef d'Equipe Urs Gruning in the foreground. Photo: FEI/Drammen Press.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 July 2011 – Sweden holds the lead in the 2011 FEI European Promotional League series following consistently good results over the past few weeks. Carrying 49 faults, they have a good advantage over the Italians and Swiss who are playing cat-and-mouse in second and third places respectively, but with only a single point separating them.  The battle for promotion to the Top League FEI Nations Cup series in 2012 is a tough one, and the Swedes are showing just how hungry they are to return to the elite level of the sport from which they were relegated at the end of last season.

It was the Swiss who held sway at the European Promotional League leg in Drammen, Norway last month, but it was a close call when they only pipped the runners-up from Turkey by a single fault.  Switzerland’s Arthur de Silva (La Toya 111), Niklaus Schurtenberger (Fifty Fifty), Claudia Gisler (Touchable) and Christina Liebherr (LB Callas Sitte Z) completed with a total of eight faults, but a double-clear from former Irish team member Gerry Flynn (SIEC Ledgepoint), who has been flying the Turkish flag in recent years, put Turkey in a strong position.

However Cagri Basel (SIEC Goldrush) followed an opening zero score with 15 faults, and when Omer Karaevli (Dadjak Ter Puttenen) added five more to his first-round time penalty and Burak Azak (SIEC Castelo Branco) lowered just one fence in the second round, then the Turkish total of nine left them frustratingly close to challenging the Swiss to a third-round jump-off.

PARTICULARLY REMARKABLE
Poland finished third with 22 faults, particularly remarkable considering they fielded only a three-man team and particularly impressive as pathfinder, Msciwaj Kiecon (Urbane) produced two flawless performances.  Sweden picked up 10.5 valuable points when slotting into joint fourth with Denmark – Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis producing the third double-clear of the competition – while Italy slotted into sixth ahead of Finland in seventh and the host nation of Norway in eighth place.

Continue reading Sweden Soars to the Top of the Promotional League Table →