All posts by Associate Editor

American Horse Publications Awards Excellence in Equine Publishing Media

June 18, 2011 – San Diego, CA, welcomed American Horse Publications members to “America’s Finest City” and AHP recognized their “finest” in equine publishing media during the AHP “Hoofprints in the Sand” Seminar. The three-day conference held June 16-18 was jam-packed with educational sessions and activities, but on Saturday evening, the winners in the AHP Annual Awards Competition took center stage.

Sixty-nine American Horse Publications members were named finalists in the 2011 AHP Annual Awards Contest for material published in and dated 2010. Participation in this year’s contest represented a record-breaking 118 AHP members and 839 entries, an increase of 57 over last year. Held since 1974, the AHP Annual Awards Contest provides members with an opportunity to be recognized for excellence in equine publishing as well as professional critiques for improvement.

Always an anticipated event, the awards presentations were held Saturday, June 18, 2011, during the AHP “Hoofprints in the Sand” Seminar in San Diego. The evening began with a reception co-sponsored by Dover Saddlery and Branch Smith Printing and was followed by the Awards Banquet sponsored by Publishers Press. Breyer Animal Creations sponsored the centerpieces, and one lucky attendee at each table took a Breyer “Under the Sea” model horse home. This year’s beach-themed banquet was enhanced by elegant scenic décor produced and sponsored by Red Pony Productions, LLC and If Your Horse Could Talk.

The coveted General Excellence Award is presented to publications who fulfill their statement of purpose and show excellence in editorial content and design. Honorable mention is presented in classes with over five entries. General Excellence in the Tabloid/Newspaper category went to Quarter Horse News, a biweekly tabloid covering the cutting, reining and reined cow horse industries published by Cowboy Publishing Group. Thoroughbred Times, a national newsweekly magazine of Thoroughbred racing, claimed honorable mention.

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Trey Young “The American Horseman” Horsemanship Clinic June 25-26, 2011

Trey Young, “The American Horseman,” has been busy planning and promoting his new television series airing on HRTV Dish Network 404. While creating his schedule, the horseman has reserved many dates along the way for future clinics. Young has been hosting clinics at his 3-Y Ranch in Crawfordville, FL for nearly 4 years. His clinics range from confidence on the trail, to cow work, to basic horsemanship.

Trey’s next clinic is a basic horsemanship clinic set for June 25th-26th. This clinic is designed for all levels of horsemanship. Young will assure that you leave this clinic with renewed confidence and understanding, resulting in a stronger bond and partnership between you and your horse. Regardless of your skill level, this clinic promises something new, fun, and helpful for everyone that attends.

This basic horsemanship clinic will feature some ground work as well as more saddle time to get your horse to better understand your cues. From start to finish the rider will focus on improving everything for themselves, and their horse. Clinics are limited to small sizes to ensure each person gets the one on one time they need. If you would like to attend a clinic, but don’t have a horse, one can be provided for an additional fee.

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Dover’s World to Showcase Hunter Industry on Upcoming Radio Show

Robert Dover. Photo courtesy of client

Wellington, FL – June 20, 2011 – Dressage specialist and six-time Olympian Robert Dover, host of the popular Dover’s World radio program, will devote an upcoming show to current issues in the hunter industry. Airing Tuesday, June 21, 2011, on WBZT (AM1230 in the Palm Beaches) at 6pm EST, the show will hunt for the most important hunter-related issues in the ever-changing world of equestrian sport.

From pony hunters to hunter derbies, the wide range of potential topics offers listeners a great chance to call in and voice their opinion. In addition, those who tune in Tuesday night will also have the chance to hear insightful commentary from knowledgeable panelists. Peter Pletcher, Kim Stewart, Richard Slocum, and another authority (TBA) will all lend their considerable expertise to the program.

Having already devoted shows to the jumper industry and eventing, Dover’s hunter-focused session will examine the future of hunters as well as their past. “The show will raise many questions about the direction in which the industry is going,” noted Dover. “Is the sport better or worse than it was in previous years?” The use of calming agents vs. other methods of controlling a horse’s behavior, the influence of derbies, evolving expectations of horses and riders – Dover says there is no limit to the discussions that will animate the airwaves Tuesday night.

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Halpin Enjoys New Stature Post-Rolex Kentucky

Sinead Halpin was overcome with emotion after a clean show jumping round on Manoir de Carneville that made her the highest-placing American at Rolex Kentucky. Photo by Nancy Jaffer.

Before this spring’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Sinead Halpin was just another face in the crowd of 30-and-under eventing hopefuls, far from the favorite to make the biggest mark at the USA’s only 4-star competition.

But after her impressive third-place effort as the highest-placed American, behind British eventing legend Mary King, who was first and second — and ahead of another British legend, her former mentor, William Fox-Pitt — nothing was quite the same for the 29-year-old Branchburg resident.

“It was really, really cool,” she said, reflecting on the reaction to her performance from friends, acquaintances and people she didn’t even know. Halpin was flooded with “phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, everything. I couldn’t really keep up with it all, which was exciting. It’s almost embarrassing, honestly.”

Halpin, who works out of Fieldstone Farm in Pittstown, noted that by the weekend of April 30 – May 1, when the Kentucky Horse Park was flooded with thousands of fans, “I didn’t really notice everybody else there. You are so focused on the task at hand,” she explained.

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Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Assisting with Fire Relief Efforts for Boyd Martin and True Prospect Farm

Photo courtesy Boyd Martin.

Lexington, KY – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, has joined the effort to provide financial assistance to Eventing rider Boyd Martin in the aftermath of the tragic fire on May 31, 2011, at True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA.

A fire at the farm, owned by Phillip and Evie Dutton, destroyed the barn utilized by Martin and took the lives of six horses while injuring five others. Three people living in an apartment near the barn lost all their possessions. The Eventing community has rallied with support and EEI has pledged a $1,500 donation plus 5% of all sales of merchandise sold through the Kentucky Three-Day Event Shop at http://www.rk3de.org/shop/ for the next 60 days. The Kentucky Three-Day Shop includes various Rolex Kentucky merchandise, from hats to jackets and everything between.

“The Eventing community has been shaken by this tragedy that resulted in tremendous loss for Boyd and Silva Martin in particular, and also for Phillip and Evie Dutton and others at the farm,” said Christina Gray, Director of Competition for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. “Boyd and Phillip are two of the best loved and most respected riders in our sport and all of us associated with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event want to help by providing financial assistance.”

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U.S. Qualifies Record Number of Horses for 2011 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage

Eastern Selection Trial 5-year-old champion Lauren Chumley and Somer Hit. Photo by Pics of You.

Lexington, KY – With three horses earning qualifying scores of 8.2 or better at the 2011 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials and four earning qualifying scores in Europe, the U.S. had a competitive list of seven – more than ever before – to choose from when considering who will make up the team for the FEI World Breeding Championships held in Verden, Germany, August 3-7.

“The number of horses that qualified this year was a true testament to the Markel/USEF Young Horse Program,” said USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler. “We had impressive horses come from all areas of the country with many competing overseas and doing quite well against top quality horses. The Young Horse Program is progressing in the U.S. just the way we hoped it would.”

The U.S. is invited to field a team of four in Verden – two 5-year-olds and two 6-year-olds. This year’s U.S. team will consist of a total of three (a 5-year-old and two 6-year-olds). The final team includes the 5-year-old Westphalian stallion, Florentinus (Florestan I – Lady in Red by Londonderry), owned and ridden by Jennifer Hoffman. The duo qualified by earning a score of 8.5 in Europe. The 6-year-olds include the Austrian Warmblood stallion Ratzinger (Riccione – St. Pr. St. Inschella by Pablo), also owned and ridden by Hoffman, who qualified with an 8.5 in Europe. The second 6-year-old is the Oldenburg mare, Royal Couer 2 (Royal Hit – Riva by Le Coeur), owned and ridden by Marne Martin Tucker. The pair earned a score of 8.36 in Europe to qualify for the team.

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Chester Weber Claims Second European Four-in-Hand Victory

Altenfelden – the driving competition with heart

Chester Weber. Courtesy of HippoEvent.

Altenfelden, Austria – The 20th anniversary of the CAI Altenfelden is history. It was an event with top sport performances by competitors from 18 nations. Chester Weber, the American driving sport star and winner of the king class (the four-in-hand horse class), said, “I like the nice atmosphere of the Altenfelden competition. The people are all very friendly and try to support the competitors the best they can. During this competition I have the opportunity to meet and compete against drivers from the Eastern part of Europe – more than I usually do in the other competitions. This is a great and different experience for me.”

The marathon test is in every driving competition one of the action high points. It is also drawing the crowds. During the 2011 Altenfelden marathon the competitors had to complete eight obstacles – two of which were built new this year, the others were remodeled. Different weather conditions – from sun to heavy rain – were made the test even more dambing for the competitors, but the international top drivers mastered them without accident. Wins for Tomas Eriksson (SWE), Reinhard Burggraf (GER) and Henrik Höper (DEN) in the horse classes.

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Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available for the 2011 $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby

Carson City, NV – June 20, 2011 – The 2011 $25,000 Franktown Meadows USHJA International Hunter Derby offers exceptional sponsorship opportunities for an international equestrian event. This exciting event will take place on September 5, 2011, and is the West Coast’s only standalone hunter derby. The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby will showcase the best horse and rider combinations in the country as they compete for the winning title at the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility in Carson City, NV. There are multiple levels of sponsorship with a wide range of prices for every budget and endless benefits.

The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby offers a plethora of opportunities for both local and national sponsors. Included with certain sponsorship levels are VIP tables, derby field signage, a champagne brunch, jump sponsorship, as well as pre-event, derby day, and post event advertising. The hunter derby is an ideal venue for sponsors to entertain their guests, increase networking and exposure, and become immersed in an exceptional equestrian community. Sponsors will also be showing their support for a great cause, ALS of Nevada. This event will feature many of the top- ranked equestrians in the nation and many equestrian and business community members from the Greater Reno/Tahoe area.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for all budgets, with prices ranging from $100 to the Derby Day title sponsor of $25,000. Sponsorship at every level has rewarding benefits and ample opportunities for recognition, while participating in a one of a kind, truly exceptional equestrian event. All sponsors are greatly appreciated and will find satisfaction in supporting a great cause, ALS of Northern Nevada.

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Sons of the Wind Offers Top Lusitano Prospects for Sale

Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts offers top quality Lusitano sport horses for sale. Photo By: Susan Grimwood.

Merrimac, MA – June 20, 2011 – The Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts is pleased to announce that it is now offering top Lusitano prospects for sale at their beautiful facility in Merrimac, Massachusetts. All of the Lusitano horses available at Sons of the Wind have received quality training in the discipline of dressage by founder Vitor Silva of Portugal. Videos of the horses can be viewed by visiting http://www.youtube.com/user/Paragrafodotop.

Algarve do Castanheiro is a six-year-old Lusitano gelding. This lovely sport Lusitano is quiet and easy going, with competitive gaits. He has been started well and handles nicely for the farrier, the vet, and trailering.

Cal HM is a four-year-old Lusitano and Dutch Warmblood cross that would make a great Adult Amateur dressage prospect with a very solid mind and lovely gaits.

Coração De Leão is an amazing young Lusitano dressage prospect. This competitive mount has wonderful, elastic gaits and a very solid temperament. He is strong and willing to work hard, and he is ready to go all the way.

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Atlanta Summer Classics Awards over $160,000 in First Week

Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello Win $25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby; Chasen Boggio and Hennessey Victorious in $35,000 EMO Grand Prix

Liza Boyd & Brunello © Flashpoint Photography

Conyers, GA — June 19, 2011 — There’s more than one reason exhibitors use the phrase “I’m showing in Hotlanta”; just ask Elizabeth Boyd who picked up some “hot” cash in Friday evening’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby or Chasen Boggio who’ll be depositing a big check from Sunday’s $35,000 Adequan Grand Prix.

Kicking off a huge week at the Georgia International Horse Park, the Hunter riders took center stage on Friday evening as 30 determined horses vied for the spotlight in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by the Classic Company. It had the feel of a red carpet extravaganza with competitors donning Shadbelly jackets, shiny boots, braided manes and tails – all those special touches to further impress the panel of four judges: Mike Rosser, Betsy Perry, Leo Conroy, and Mike Lowrey. Beauty aside, what the judges really wanted to see was the talent used to negotiate the 12 obstacles brought to reality from the imagination of designer Allen Rheinheimer.  Making use of the expansive Olympic arena, Rheinheimer created a track that traversed its entirety including the sizable bank along the back wall. Additionally riders encountered 4 options with height choices of 3’6 or 4’ as well as bending and broken lines throughout. Only the top 12 scores would be invited back for the handy round two. Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics Awards over $160,000 in First Week