All posts by Associate Editor

Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

The Fight to Save Nevada’s Wild Horses

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The Cloud Foundation files lawsuit against BLM

Dear Friends of our Wild Horses and Burros;
I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July! In the spirit of freedom for our wild horses, the Cloud Foundation filed a lawsuit against the BLM in Nevada to prevent the removal and warehousing of over 1,700 wild horses from their vast 1.7 million acre home in northeastern Nevada (Maverick-Medicine, Triple B, Cherry Creek and Antelope Valley West Herd Management Areas).

The exhausted old mare run was nearly hit by the Sun J helicopter at Antelope in January

Taxpayer dollars paid to the infamous Sun J helicopter roundup crew alone will total approximately $600,000 and that’s just the beginning of the expenditures. The costs in short-term holding, where all the horses will go at least temporarily, will be $8,000 per day based on the target number of horses to be removed. Incarceration for life will add millions to the price tag — all funded by American taxpayers.

The cost to the horses is the permanent loss of family and freedom… what wild horses live for. Some horses will pay the ultimate price — losing their lives either during or as a result of this planned operation.

The Cloud Foundation is represented by attorneys Rachel Fazio and Julie Cavanaugh-Bill. We are the primary Plaintiffs in the case and are joined by plaintiffs Craig Downer and Lorna Moffat. In order for the judge to rule on our plea, the BLM has delayed the start of the roundup (originally scheduled to begin on July 7th) until the 16th of July, The hearing will be held at the Nevada District Court, 400 South Virginia Street in downtown Reno at 10 am on July 14th. Please come if you can to show your support of Nevada’s wild horses!

Continue reading The Fight to Save Nevada’s Wild Horses →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic Victory Goes to Bridget Mahoney and Utopia at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Bridget Mahoney and Utopia won the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photos By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 6, 2011 – It was warm and sunny as exhibitors returned to the Devon Show Grounds for the second week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. The Adult Amateurs took center stage in the Dixon Oval as they competed in their respective divisions, as well as the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic and the Ariat Adult Medal. Bridget Mahoney claimed the top prize in the Classic, while Shane Mackey scored the winning title in the Medal. In the Gold Ring, the jumper riders showcased their skills during the 1.20m Open Jumper class and the Child/Adult Jumper class.

Washington College Senior Bridget Mahoney had an excellent day on her talented mount Utopia, owned by Rob Coluccio of Wellington, FL. The duo entered the second round of the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic in the second place position with a score of 81. They laid down a beautiful trip during the final round and the judges awarded them a score of 78, bringing their total to 159, which would be good enough for the first place prize.

“The first round was good, I rode it well and I had a score of an 81, so I knew I had a good chance of coming back and being at the top,” commented Mahoney. “The second trip, I just wanted to go in and ride well and think about all my turns. I was most worried about the bending because people were doing a 9 or 10, so I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I jumped in well though and it came up nicely.”

Utopia is an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare that Mahoney is leasing from Coluccio for the summer. “I just got Utopia three weeks ago and did two weeks of Saratoga before coming here,” she explained. “She just needs a confident ride; she’s very fun and easy to get along with. After Brandywine we will go to Vermont before I return to school in August.”

Continue reading $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic Victory Goes to Bridget Mahoney and Utopia at Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Charleston Summer Classic USHJA Classic

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We have some exhibitors arriving early so they can enjoy the beach…. We are ready.  Just a few things:

1. Somehow the USHJA Hunter Classic was left off the prize list.  We offered it last year and this year it was somehow deleted.  We are offering the Hunter Classic the third day – last class of each show.  You can add this class when you arrive at the show.  Sorry for the problem.

2. Parties.  There are five parties over the two weeks.  The first week will have a party during the Hunter Classic and there is one at Red’s Ice House.  The second week will have one again during the Hunter Classic, one at Tissy’s House plus the party at the Club at Seabrook Island.

3. Fishing and boat rentals.  If anyone needs help booking fishing charters or boat rentals during the days off you can call Bohicket Marina for Charters, 843 768 1280, or speak to Robin Stoney when you get to the show and she will help guide you.

Call with questions or for stall reservations:  843 768 550.

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Fabulous French Passes the Test with Flying Colours

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HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (front) presented the medals as the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) drew to a close in London (GBR) today. Pictured on the podium: (left) Great Britain's Pippa Funnell who finished third, (centre) winner Piggy French from Great Britain, and (right) second-placed Michael Jung from Germany. Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI.

London Prepares Series (GBR), 6 July 2011 – Great Britain’s Piggy French held firm to scoop the honours in the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) today with a fabulous double-clear jumping performance from DHI Topper W. Germany’s Michael Jung (River of Joy) finished second ahead of Britain’s Pippa Funnell (Billy Shannon) in third, but all the athletes were in agreement that the real winner of the Olympic Test Event has been Greenwich Park, the fabulous London venue which will host next summer’s Olympic equestrian events.

“Of course it was special to win here – we are all competitive and it was great for a British rider to put a stamp on it – but this has really been about checking things out before next summer’s Games and from that point of view it’s been a huge success,” said French this afternoon. In the lead from the outset on Monday, she had a heart-stopping moment this morning when DHI Topper W was held over during the final horse inspection, but in the end nothing could prevent her from claiming the top step of the podium.

FIRST TIME OUT
A total of 35 riders lined out in the final jumping phase, but just 12 managed to stay clear first time out. Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt lost her grip on second spot with a single mistake from her talented young mare, the seven-year-old Mrs Medicott, and Clayton Fredericks, lying overnight fourth for Australia, slipped from contention when Bendigo did likewise. This allowed Michael Jung to move into runner-up spot, but French had a fence in hand as the closing stages were played out. Funnell, now in third with the handsome Kannan mare Billy Shannon, piled the pressure on the two ahead of her with a lovely tour of the second-round track. Jung didn’t flinch to stay clean and the pressure was all on French when last into the arena. Setting off in a quiet rhythm however the 30-year-old rider calmly held her nerve to take the win she well deserved.

“Topper has matured so well over the last few months – he could be a contender for next year,” French said afterwards. “That’s still a long way away and horses are great levellers so who knows what can happen between now and then, but I reckon he’s got what it takes. I just hope we haven’t peaked too early!”

Continue reading Fabulous French Passes the Test with Flying Colours →

Awards, Community/Charity, Competitions, Equine Assisted Therapy, FEI, Western/Reining

Actor and Horse-Lover William Shatner Endorses FEI’s Star Date in Rio

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Lausanne (SUI), 6 July 2011 – Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, author and horse-lover William Shatner is supporting the HSBC Rising Star category of the FEI Awards, the scheme organised annually by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of horse sport, to celebrate equestrian heroes.

Shatner’s role as Captain James T. Kirk in the science fiction TV series Star Trek, which was first broadcast in 1966, made him a cultural icon and earned him worldwide fame. His more recent role as Denny Crane in The Practice and Boston Legal earned him two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.

The actor breeds and shows American Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses and spearheads the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which brings together world-class Reining horses and riders to raise money for a therapeutic riding organisation that works with severely disabled children.

Speaking of the HSBC Rising Star category of the FEI Awards, which is open to equestrian athletes aged 14 to 21 who demonstrate outstanding sporting talent and commitment, Shatner commented:

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Cesar Parra and Grandioso Continue Their Winning Form in Germany

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Cesar Parra receives the congratulatory handshake from the show official at Balve, Germany. (Photo courtesy of Jose Alvarez)

Balve, Germany (July 7, 2011) – International Dressage rider and trainer Cesar Parra is one step closer to his goal of competing Grandioso, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, in the Pan Am Games thanks to last weekend’s successful show in Balve, Germany. Parra rode the ten-year-old Westphalian gelding in the Prix St. Georges class and the S3 class, winning both classes.

Parra will be in Europe throughout July, competing and training Grandioso as well as Dave and Taunia Reed’s Agastrofos. “I believe our trips to Europe are super for many reasons. I love to keep my eye sharp and think it’s critical to watch the best horses and riders in the world,” Parra said. “I believe that when you surround yourself with the best, you push yourself to be better all the time.”

Parra is staying at Arnd Erben’s stable in Iserlohn, Germany, and decided to attend the Balve dressage show in an effort to see, “where we were and what we really needed to focus on,” Parra said. “I’m super excited with the results and it was very special to represent the USA here. The people have been really wonderful.”

While Parra is hoping that Grandioso will help him achieve his dream of riding on the U.S. Dressage team, he said that it has been a “team effort” to get Grandioso to where he is today. The Davis family purchased the gelding in 2009 and Parra said that each time he competes Grandioso the horse delivers a beautiful test and shows that he has a brilliant future.

Continue reading Cesar Parra and Grandioso Continue Their Winning Form in Germany →

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI

French Stays Out in Front after Cross-Country

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Piggy French from Great Britain riding DHI Topper W leader after cross country. Photo copyright: Peter Nixon/FEI

London Prepares Series (GBR), 5 July 2011 – Great Britain’s Piggy French and DHI Topper maintained the lead they established in the dressage arena yesterday with a superb cross-country run at the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) in London (GBR) today.

They go into tomorrow’s final jumping phase with more than a fence in hand over Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Mrs Medicott, one of just five horse-and-rider partnerships to complete the 19-fence course without penalty, while Michael Jung lies close behind in third with River of Joy. Despite setting off at a ferocious gallop, the German who took the individual title at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky collected 0.40 time faults as the testing terrain took its toll.  The addition of 1.20 time penalties saw Australia’s Clayton Fredericks and Bendigo drop two places to fourth.  French is the only one with any real breathing space at the top of the order however.

BLAZING SUNSHINE
The cross-country took place in blazing sunshine over a course of 19 fences and using only part of the track that will be used in 2012.  And while riders agreed that the twists and turns were not ideal as they followed the magic carpet of specially-prepared ground through the historic city venue, the “wow” factor of competing right in the heart of London couldn’t be denied.

Continue reading French Stays Out in Front after Cross-Country →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Louise Serio and Rock On Win $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Swan Lake Stables Kickoff “AA” Show

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Louise Serio and Rock On (Pictured at Brandywine Valley Summer Series) Photo By: PMG.

Littlestown, PA – June 30, 2011 – It was an excellent week for the horses and riders of Derbydown during the Swan Lake Stables Kickoff “AA” Show, held June 21-26 at Swan Lake Stables. The talented Louise Serio took home three tricolor ribbons throughout the competition. Serio also earned the win in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Jennifer Burger’s Rock On. The talented group of riders at Derbydown earned multiple winning results after successfully competing in the show’s challenging hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions.

Serio piloted Jennifer Burger’s Rock On to the top of the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The pair took home the winning title after beating out 25 competitors. Serio also garnered championship honors with Rock On in the First Year Green Working Hunter Division. The dynamic duo swept the division earning the blue ribbon in all of the division classes topping out at 50 points.

Jennifer Burger also achieved her own success aboard her second mount, Rock Star, earning a first and third place ribbon in the 3’3 Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Division.

Serio picked up another championship, this time in the High Performance Hunter Division aboard Phillipa owned by Jennifer Burger. Serio and Phillipa earned four blue ribbons and a yellow ribbon throughout the division. They racked up an impressive 44 points to secure the championship title.

Continue reading Louise Serio and Rock On Win $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Swan Lake Stables Kickoff “AA” Show →

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Publications/Media

Equine Therapy: A Path to Authenticity, by Claire Dorotik

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Certainly we all want to be more authentic — that is to say what we mean and mean what we say. Further, although there a number of approaches, and no less written about becoming more authentic, there are not so many ways to understand how to feel authentic. Enter equine therapy. For when working with horses, very little is communicated verbally, and instead the relationship with the horse is almost exclusively conducted through feel.

Because of this felt communication that exist between horses and humans, equine therapy presents a unique opportunity for a person to experience what is authentic for him/her. However, in order to do this, it is first necessary to understand and interpret the responses of the horse correctly. The horse’s behavior must not be analyzed through our narrow lens. When this occurs, interpretations become not only our own projections, but also fall into the category of anthropomorphism.

So we must look at the horse first in his natural environment — that is, in a herd of other horses. Then we must be able to know what is meant by his behaviors in this setting. For example, when the horse circles another, raises his head, shakes his head, paws at the ground, what is he trying to say to the horses around him? However subtle all of these behaviors may seem, they all have a very distinct purpose.

Recognizing and understanding the horse’s behavior in the herd is imperative because to a horse, being around people does not dictate another language. Instead, when with people, the horse uses the same communication system that is adopted in the herd. And while watching a herd of horses, is should also become evident that again, this communication system is nonverbal. What this means is that the horse relies on what is felt — through his physiological system — to understand what is being “said” to him, and what he is “saying” in return.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: A Path to Authenticity, by Claire Dorotik →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #26, 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 #26 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

“Come again.”

We trotted back again, and I glanced at Bill’s face. So far no reaction.

He squared the oxer, and pulled the ground lines out a little.

“Canter back over.”

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #26, by Claire Dorotik →