All posts by Associate Editor

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

Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) – Day 1, Dressage

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BRITAIN’S PIGGY FRENCH LEADS AFTER DRESSAGE by Louise Parkes

Piggy French and DHI Topper W head the leaderboard after the dressage phase of the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) today. Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI

London Prepares Series (GBR), 4 July 2011 – Great Britain’s Piggy French and DHI Topper W hold the lead after today’s dressage phase of the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) in London.  From a starting field of 39 runners, the 30-year-old Briton, who took individual silver at the 2009 FEI European Eventing Championships, produced a great score of 34.70 which leaves her with a six-point advantage over Australia’s Clayton Fredericks (Bendigo) in second place, while Germany’s world champion Michael Jung (River of Joy) lies third going into tomorrow’s cross-country phase which begins at 11 am local time.

Greenwich Park is alive with excitement, and the arena, built on a specially-designed platform in order to provide a level surface on this hilly site, has come in for significant praise. “Greenwich is such a unique location and there’s a huge buzz about it – it seems a very horse-friendly place!” French said this evening. Fredericks was delighted with how well his horse handled the atmosphere, especially since Bendigo may be his mount for London 2012.  “I deliberately brought him here with next year in mind,” he explained. “And this is a great opportunity to get all of our officials together and to do some team-building – we Australians don’t often get an opportunity to do that,” he pointed out.

Jung, individual gold medallist at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, is intrigued by the Cross Country terrain.  “It’s very interesting, a big part of the course goes up and down and there are many jumps but only five minutes to ride them.  We will need to quickly find a rhythm – it’s great to get the chance to compete here before next year,” he said.

Continue reading Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) – Day 1, Dressage →

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

Junior Rider Samantha Schaefer Dominates at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Samantha Schaefer won the Best Child Rider on a Horse title, the Style Award for Equitation, and the Grand Champion Junior Hunter prize with Sienna at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 3, 2011 – Cloudy skies and warm temperatures greeted exhibitors during the final day of competition for the first week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Junior rider Samantha Schaefer was today’s big winner, claiming the Best Child Rider on a Horse title, the Style Award for Equitation, and the Grand Champion Junior Hunter prize for her ride aboard Sienna. All of today’s Junior Hunter events took place in the Dixon Oval at the historic Devon Show Grounds, where Schaefer piloted her mounts to two of the three championship tricolors.

During the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division, Schaefer was aboard Sienna and Platinum for owner Lexi Maounis of Jupiter, FL. She scored two first place ribbons and three second place ribbons with Sienna to claim the division’s championship prize, and at the end of the day the impressive duo was awarded the Grand Champion Junior Hunter title. The Large Junior 16-17 Hunter Reserve Championship went to Margaret Oberkircher and Tres Bien, owned by Southfield Farm of Fort Washington, PA, after they earned two first place ribbons, two third place ribbons, and a fourth place ribbon.

“Sienna is a chestnut mare and I am not a mare person at all, so it takes a lot of calmness for me to ride her,” admitted Schaefer. “She’s pretty easy though; she’s a little downhill so you have to keep her balance up, but she really tries to win. She’s smart and brave; she just wants to win every time.”

Earlier in the day, Schaefer also claimed the Small Junior Hunter Championship, this time aboard Photo Shoot, owned by Peake Wood Pharm of Marshall, VA. Throughout the division they earned three first place ribbons, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon to garner the top honors. Porter Allen of Boerne, TX, piloted Gisele to the reserve championship after earning a first place ribbon, three second place ribbons, and a first place ribbon.

Continue reading Junior Rider Samantha Schaefer Dominates at Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jumper Classics Cap Off Colorful First Week of Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Julia Fowler aboard Presco. Fowler was High Junior Amateur-Owner Jumper Division Champion at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Robyn Keyster/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 3, 2011 – It’s not the Fourth of July yet, but fireworks were already on display this afternoon in the jumper ring at Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Countering the overcast skies, two rousing Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classics lit up the Dixon Oval of the Devon Show Grounds. Julia Fowler and Alex Matz both earned championship honors in the the Junior Amateur-Owner Jumper Division, while Fowler and Saly Glassman garnered blue ribbons in today’s highlight events.

The $3,500 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic was the first jumper event of the day, with Julia Fowler and her own horse, Presco, getting off to a promising start. The duo soared to a clear round, despite the many brightly colored jumps that stopped several horses in their tracks this afternoon. Fowler and Presco sailed smoothly to – and through – the jump-off, finishing in a brisk 33.03 seconds. “I’m definitely not the fastest rider generally,” commented Fowler after her win, “so it was a good week for me. My horse was awesome, he jumped fantastically, and he just genuinely tries really hard out there.”

After picking up her blue ribbon for her win in the Classic, Fowler returned to the ring to receive the championship tricolor for topping the division. “It feels really good to be champion,” laughed Fowler. “This is a cool horse show, and given that it’s everyone’s first time at Brandywine, it’s just been really great to be here and participate.” Fowler hails from West Hartford, CT, and trains with Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farm, located in Katonah, NY.

Continue reading Jumper Classics Cap Off Colorful First Week of Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, USEF

10 Questions with Dressage Superstar Guenter Seidel

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Guenter Seidel and Aragon (Photo by Mary Phelps)

Thank you USEF Facebook fans for your questions for Guenter Seidel. For the next “10 Questions With…” please visit www.facebook.com/USEquestrian.

Guenter Seidel
Born: September 23, 1960
Hometown: Cardiff, CA

Guenter Seidel is a native of Germany who moved to the U.S. in 1985 and has contributed significantly to U.S. dressage. Seidel helped the U.S. win the Team Bronze medal at three consecutive Olympic Games – 1996, 2000 and 2004 – with three different horses. He also was on the Silver medal team in 2002 and the Bronze medal 2006 team.

Both 2009 and 2010 brought more milestones for Seidel, but tragedy struck in June, when he was thrown from his horse U II. Seidel fractured his pelvis and could not walk without crutches for two months. In just a year, though, Seidel made an incredible recovery. After a third-place finish in the grand prix in Hamburg in June this year, he topped the field in the freestyle with a score of 73.400% – on U II. Later that month at the CDI Fritzen in Austria Seidel finished second in the Grand Prix – Consolation class on Sundayboy with a 70.390%. He finished strongly in the Grand Prix for Freestyle coming in third with U II with a score of 70.745%. To top off the weekend, he and U II took top honors in the Grand Prix Freestyle after scoring a remarkable 78.27%.

Continue reading 10 Questions with Dressage Superstar Guenter Seidel →

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – IRAP Joint Treatment for Your Horse

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Degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of lameness in horses.  DJD occurs when the joint cartilage is destroyed producing pain and inflammation.  Typically therapy involves a combination of intra-articular medications such as hyaluronic acid and/or steroids, rest, oral pain medications, shockwave therapy, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, intravenous hyaluronic acid, and oral supplements that contain glucosamine, avocado soy extracts, MSM and/or chondrotin sulfate.

Joint treatments with IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) utilize progressive gene therapy to combat osteoarthritis. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cellular protein that is secreted by many types of inflamed cells. These proteins signal the immune system to attack infected, damaged or dying cells. In the arthritic joint IL-1 plays an important role and accelerates the deterioration of tissues like joint cartilage.  IRAP blocks IL-1 from binding to tissues and inhibits the damaging consequences of IL-1.

The process begins with 60 cc of blood from your horse in a special syringe. The syringe is specially prepared with glass beads that stimulate production of the antagonist protein (Il-1a) and an anticoagulant. The process of harvesting, incubating and centrifuging the blood to separate the IRAP abundant plasma from blood takes 24 hours.  Thereafter, IRAP joint treatments are administered every 8-10 days for three treatments depending on the condition being treated.

This tip was brought to you by Chuck Maker, DVM (www.alpinehospital.com) and KAM Animal Services, home of KAM’s “Equine Learning Circle” FREE webinars, which take place monthly.  These webinars are an expansion of KAM’s weekly tips.  Go to www.kamanimalservices.com to sign up for the next webinar.  The FREE webinars will conclude with a question and answer session, so be ready with your nutrition questions.

Championships, Competitions, Events, USEF, Western/Reining

Pope, Cosper and Hartman Claim 2011 USEF National Youth Reining Championship Titles

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Oklahoma City, OK – Michael Pope’s 7-year-old horse, Whizota, “tried his heart out” and that determination edged the pair over their competitors into first place. Pope, Elizabeth Cosper and Olivia Hartman were crowned USEF National Youth Reining champions of three separate age groups at Saturday’s 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby.

The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011.

Pope, a 21-year-old from Theodore, AL, won the 19-21 age division on a score of 141 over Pilot Point, TX-rider Breanne Bertrand, who took the reserve spot on Stoned Chick on 140. Pope also claimed the third-place position, riding Whizn Freckle on a score of 139.5.

“The show is always fun and people were great,” Pope said. “I am very proud of my horse he did great.  It was a long trip to get here but it paid off big. Tim McQuay did a great job training this horse and I really enjoy showing him.”

Pope’s victory is just the latest in a long string of accomplishments that include: showing at all three NRHA Non Pro levels and leading the nation in USEF Youth 19-21 division and Adult Amateur division; 2009 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Champion Youth 14-18; 2008 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Reserve Champion Youth 14-18; 2005-2007 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Champion Youth 14-18; 2009 Year-End Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2; and 2009 Year-End Reserve Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1.

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

Meredith Lipke and The Specialist Lead the Way in the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Meredith Lipke and The Specialist won the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 2, 2011 – The Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services featured an exciting evening of competition in the Dixon Oval this Saturday. The top horse and rider combinations gathered to showcase their skills during the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby. Meredith Lipke and The Specialist led the class from start to finish and eventually garnered the winning honors after earning a total score of 357. Lexi Graham and Landmark jumped up from the 11th place position to finish second, while Devon Yacka piloted Furst Laugh to the third place award.

Tonight’s courses were designed by Michael Rheinheimer and simulated riding over a hunt country with all of the fences set to 3′ with four 3’5” options and three handy options. Meredith Lipke of Buffalo, NY, took an early lead with The Specialist, scoring an 86 and an 87 during the first round with four bonus options for a 181 total. They were the last to return during the handy round, but the duo did not hold back. After executing a beautiful inside turn to the first fence they held a big gallop throughout the course, receiving scores of 85 and 83 with four bonus points. Their two-round total of 357 points would net the winning title.

“This is my first derby, so I am very excited,” beamed Lipke after her victory gallop. “The Specialist has done quite a few of them, so he knew exactly what he was doing, which really helped me out. He had a great turn to the first fence in the handy and was really on it for every jump. He was just happy to be out there after having a month off!”

Lipke continued, “I need to have a definite plan and I wanted to make sure The Specialist knew exactly where he was going. My trainer Kristy McCormack had me do a different turn to the first fence, which allowed us to keep flowing.”

Continue reading Meredith Lipke and The Specialist Lead the Way in the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Allison Toffolon Excels in Junior Jumpers at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Allison Toffolon and Furalissa, Junior Jumpers at Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Robyn Keyster/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 2, 2011 – Timing was everything this afternoon at Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, with a speedy Low Junior Amateur-Owner Jumper class taking place today in the Dixon Oval of the scenic Devon Show Grounds. A slew of swift riders took on Jose Gamarra’s latest jumper course, giving onlookers an exciting display of genuine horsepower.

Taking first in the speed class was Allison Toffolon on her own gray mare, Furalissa. She cleared today’s colorful course in just 57.001 seconds, after quickly correcting an imprecise distance to the first jump. She and the enthusiastic Furalissa quickly recouped their time, finishing with the fastest fault-free round of the afternoon.

“All in all it was a good round,” commented Toffolon. “We went a little too deep to the first jump, which kind of slowed us down. After that we had to regroup and make some tighter turns. If we would have had a better distance to that first jump, we probably would have been able to go even faster.”

Toffolon added, “Furalissa is a really fast horse who loves to gallop around. She really wants to win, so it’s easy to have a good round with her. On Furalissa, I like the speed class better because there are more opportunities to go faster than someone else, or turn tighter than someone else. We are a good match because she has the heart to win and so do I. She will take risks that I will take, too. That’s why we got her, she really wants to win.”

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

Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**)

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New Zealand's Mark Todd pictured presenting Viscount George, the ride of his fellow-countryman Andrew Nicholson, at the first horse inspection for the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**). Photo: Peter Llewellyn/FEI.

Biographies of all competing riders can be found here: http://goo.gl/tqVqx.

EXCITING BUILD-UP TO OLYMPIC TEST EVENT by Louise Parkes

London Prepares Series (GBR), 3 July 2011 – There was a huge buzz of anticipation and excitement as the first horse inspection for the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC **) got underway in London (GBR) this afternoon at the first LOCOG test event in the build-up to London 2012.

Over the next three days, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games will test key aspects of the Greenwich logistics and operations in preparation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the field of play, timing and scoring technology, venue installation and workforce.

A total of 40 riders from 23 countries will take part in the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational, which offers the normal grading points for an international CIC**, and which will involve Dressage tomorrow (Monday 4 July), Cross-Country on Tuesday and two rounds of Jumping on Wednesday in order to reflect the Olympic format.

There will also be demonstrations of the other Olympic equestrian disciplines of Dressage and Jumping, along with Para-Dressage to further test the facilities.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Clean Sweep of Musical Freestyles for Yvonne Barteau at Dressage by the Bay

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Yvonne Barteau and GP Delano. Photo Credit: Diana Hadsall

Traverse City, MI – July 1, 2011 – For Yvonne Barteau and KYB Dressage, the journey north from Maple Park, IL proved to be quite fruitful as she and her mounts GP Raymeister and GP Delano took home both blue ribbons in this week’s feature money events.

GP Raymeister scored a 74.5% to win the $2500 FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle while GP Delano won the $1500 FEI Intermediare I Musical Freestyle with a score of 75%.  Both horses are owned by Grand Prix Equestrian/Gina Frantz, who also resides in Illinois.

Today’s two events attracted several hundred people who enjoyed a total of 10 horse and rider combinations performing their routines to carefully choreographed music. A private fundraiser, sponsored by Hampton Green Farm, was also held with donations from the party and the gate going to the local Leelanau and Grand Traverse County 4-H.

KYB Dressage attended last season’s competitions and, due to the vacation-like atmosphere, including the gaming action at the Turtle Creek Casino, they decided to return again this summer for their “family vacation”.

Local resident Betsy VanDyke also did well today, as she and crowd favorite Cantana placed second next to Barteau.

Continue reading Clean Sweep of Musical Freestyles for Yvonne Barteau at Dressage by the Bay →