All posts by Associate Editor

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

SBS Farms and Jersey Boy Dominate 2011 Devon Horse Show

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby of Devon for the second year in a row. Photo Credit: Jessica Nemzoff/ PhelpsSports.com.

Devon, PA – June 6, 2011 – For the second year in a row, SBS Farms’ leading duo of Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy proved unstoppable by scoring the winning title during the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby of Devon. Alfano and Jersey Boy led the competition from start to finish by scoring a 184 during the first round and a 200 during the handy round for a total of 384. Their incredible success at the 2011 Devon Horse Show also included the High Performance Working Hunter Championship, and Alfano was presented with the Leading Lady Hunter Rider award for excellent effort during the professional hunter divisions.

“When Jersey Boy wants to win, he really wants to win, and today, he intended on winning,” smiled Alfano after her winning ride in the Derby. “He was a little frisky in the first round, but he came back in the second round and he was just on. He is a great handy horse – his gallop is so loose and natural and he turns so easily, so it’s really fun to do the handy rounds on him, because he’s one of those horses that can gallop and turn at the same time, which I think is rare.”

Owner and trainer Susie Schoellkopf added, “Developing that kind of handiness isn’t something that happens overnight, but is definitely a huge part of being successful in the derbies. Rodney Jenkins always said, ‘When you’re going to do the hard options, you better do them really, really well.’ I think that is a really good point that I have always believed as a judge and a trainer and I think that you have to know how to do it and you have to be able to do it well and make the turns happen.”

Continue reading SBS Farms and Jersey Boy Dominate 2011 Devon Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties Hands McLain Ward His Third Grand Prix Victory in a Row

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 6, 2011) — McLain Ward, aboard Oh’ D Eole, has taken HITS-on-the-Hudson by storm, capturing Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and earning his third consecutive Grand Prix victory. Ward also clinched the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I on his own Oh’ D Eole last Sunday, and Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix aboard Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino.

The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist of Brewster, New York, outshined 28 starters on Sunday’s course designed by Danny Foster of Canada.

“It’s been incredible. [Oh’ D Eole] is really gaining a lot of momentum in the Grand Prix ring and this circuit has been great for us so far,” said Ward. “Danny [Foster] has always been consistent with building good courses and proved that again today with a really nice track.”

Foster’s first-round course proved difficult as nearly half the 28-entry class fell victim to his double and triple combinations. The course did not see a clear round until the eighth go, when Ward posted a time of 87.380 seconds – 4.619 seconds faster than the time allowed. Overall, the course only produced three clear rounds. Isabelle LaPierre of Breakeyville, Quebec, Canada in the irons of La Chaudiere Farm’s Vicki Vale joined Ward and posted the second clear round after 13 unsuccessful trips. Darragh Kerins of Wellington, Florida on Miranda Fischer’s Hot Wheels joined Ward and LaPierre in the jump-off after posting the third and final clear ride in the first round.

Continue reading Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties Hands McLain Ward His Third Grand Prix Victory in a Row →

Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Fellers and Flexible Withstand the Rain to Claim Second in the St. Gallen Grand Prix

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Rich Fellers and Flexible. Photo by Beatrice Scudo.

St. Gallen, Switzerland – Switzerland’s CSIO St. Gallen ended successfully for the show jumping riders who have been representing the United States at the first three shows of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Series. In Sunday’s Longines Grand Prix of Switzerland, Rich Fellers and Flexible defied both the tiny chestnut stallion’s size and the weather, jumping impressively to second place behind Great Britain’s Nick Skelton in a deluge of rain. Christine McCrea rounded out a successful U.S. effort with a fantastic third-place effort on Romantovich Take One.

Out of the 36 starters, 10 went forward to the jump-off. Five went clear again so the clock decided the winner. Skelton’s flashy grey Carlo outran Flexible by just over a second, but Fellers and Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Irish Sport Horse stallion’s time of 44.83 proved he was clearly in the right league with his effort in the soaking conditions.

McCrea and Candy Tribble’s Romantovich Take One closed out the top three places with a time of 46.93.

Complete results and more information can be found here: http://www.csio.ch/.

For photos and other highlights visit: http://usefnetwork.com/.

Complete FEI Nations Cup Series information is available here: www.FEI.org.

The next stop on the Nation Cup series is Falsterbo, Sweden, on July 8.

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – Healing Horses with Glandulars

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When treating chronic diseases my goal is to cure the disease. You may laugh at this point, because everyone knows certain conditions are listed as chronic diseases and there is no cure but only control of the problem with drugs/medications.

Since 1995 I have not utilized drugs in the treatment of chronic animal diseases, but only homeopathics, herbs and nutrition.

With Homeopathy, when I discovered the healing process and though I had success, the rate of cure was slow and spotty. Then I happened upon Dr. Royal Lee’s unique method of deriving extracts containing cells from specific organs and glands and I began using them in a clinical setting.  Dr. Lee believed that these cellular organ extracts supported cell regulation, maintenance and the interaction between other body tissues that support the healing process.

The three glandular type products include Protomorphogens, Cytosols and Glandular Extracts. Of the three the Protomorphens (made from the nucleus and nucleic acids) are used most successfully in chronic conditions. The Cytosols (derived from the cytoplasm of cells) are glandulars used in acute conditions when the body needs a quick boost.  The Glandular extracts (the easiest to produce and most widely used but most ineffective of the 3) are the desiccated remains of the organs.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jenny Fischer and Freedom’s Storm Beat Out 70 Starters to Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties

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© ESI Photography. Jenny Fischer and Freedom's Storm on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 5, 2011) — For the second week in a row the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix has been the top draw on the schedule at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, proving once again that the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final has ignited a new level of excitement in the sport of hunters. A record high of 70 starters competed in Saturday’s feature class for hunters with Jenny Fischer of Montgomery, New York taking top honors aboard Stormy Good’s Freedom’s Storm.

“I still need a few more Devoucoux classes before I’m eligible to be on the point list,” said Fischer, who now has two of the five classes needed to become eligible for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final. “Winning today’s class with so many in it is a huge step in the right direction. HITS Saugerties is basically my home this spring and summer, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to qualify to compete for $500,000.”

Ten show rings were in action yesterday, as picture-perfect weather had exhibitors out competing in full force. Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York set a stunning course for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix which, in addition to drawing record entries, also drew a large crowd of spectators.

Continue reading Jenny Fischer and Freedom’s Storm Beat Out 70 Starters to Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI

Weber Wins in Vecsés

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Chester Weber (USA) won the dressage and stayed in the lead throughout the competition in Vecsés to claim the first CAIO victory of his career. (c) Marie de Ronde-Oudemans.

Vecsés (HUN), 5 June 2011 – Chester Weber, the USA’s top four-in-hand driver, has won the international combined driving competition in Vecsés, Hungary this weekend. Weber took the lead in the dressage and held onto the top spot throughout the weekend. Dutch driver Koos de Ronde was runner-up, ahead of Vecsés-organizer József Dobrovitz, but it was the home side Hungary that won the nations competition, ahead of The Netherlands and Germany.

Birthday present
Chester Weber celebrated his 36th birthday on 3 June with the victory in the dressage competition at Vecsés. The five O-judges, chaired by Dr Franz-Josef Vetter from Germany, were impressed and unanimously awarded Weber’s test first place. Chester used Jane F. Clark’ s two KWPN-geldings Uniek and Splash, which previously formed the pair of US pair driver Keady Cadwell. Before the dressage, Chester had some discussions with his trainer Michael Freund about whether or not to use the new horses at Vecsés, but Chester decided he had to try them somewhere. Chester got his way; the team went beautifully and put down a fantastic performance. József Dobrovitz came second in the dressage, ahead of Zoltán Lázár.

Marathon heat
The marathon was won by Werner Ulrich of Switzerland. Ulrich drove his team of three Lusitanian horses and a Swiss-bred gelding very fast through the eight difficult obstacles, designed by Gabor Fintha from Hungary. The thermometer at the start of the marathon indicated no less than 39 degrees Celsius, but the Portuguese Lusitanian horses proved that they are used to the heat and took Ulrich into first place. Koos de Ronde had to take an extra loop in the last obstacle which cost him precious seconds and the victory in this exciting phase. Zoltán Lázár finished third in the marathon. Weber was further down the order in sixth, but still held onto the overall lead going into the cones.

Continue reading Weber Wins in Vecsés →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Racing

The Epsom Derby, England, 5th June, 2011, Won by French Colt – Pour Moi

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5th June, 2011 – Queen Elizabeth ll’s dream of finally winning the Epsom Derby with ‘Carlton House’ was crushed by an electric burst of acceleration from a French trained colt ‘Pour Moi’. Carlton House, a gift to the Queen from Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed, carried the hopes of many after widespread media coverage prior to Her Majesty’s 10th attempt to win the world’s greatest flat race.

Pour Moi, trained by Chantilly-based Andre Fabre and ridden by teenage Derby debutant Mickael Barzalona, gave a scintillating performance to stun the crowd of royal supporters, Andre having had nine previous attempts himself to win this greatest of accolades.

Sired by the great Montjeu who now stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, Pour Moi is owned by the Tabor, Magnier and Smith partnership who now not only look forward to a slice of the £1.2m prize money but riches much greater in future stud fees that a triumph in this Classic will generate.

By LYNN LAWSON

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Equestrian Assistance, Fundraisers, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Products/Services

Horse Radio Network (HRN) Announces Fundraising Events for Victims of Extreme Weather

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Horse World Gives Back to Stage HRN Radiothon and Retail Day on June 6-7, 2011

Lexington, Kentucky, USA. May 30, 2011

The Horse Radio Network (HRN) has announced the creation of Horse World Gives Back, a charitable initiative aimed at uniting the horse world in a fund raising drive that will benefit horses and horse owners affected by the recent flooding and tornadoes across the United States.

HRN will host a 3 hour LIVE broadcast on June 6, 2011, 6-9 pm Eastern as a fund raising effort called the Horse World Gives Back Radiothon followed by a Horse World Gives Back Retail Day on June 7, 2011. Participating retailers will give back 5% of the day’s sales to the charities that will direct the funds towards helping horse owners across the country whose horses have been affected by the devastating weather damage.

This relief aid is being channeled through the Kentucky Horse Council’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund and the Red Cross. HRN and its media partners are reaching out to equestrian and equine related organizations to become involved and unite the horse world in this nationwide effort.

Continue reading Horse Radio Network (HRN) Announces Fundraising Events for Victims of Extreme Weather →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Fundraisers, HITS, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Captures 2nd Grand Prix Victory in a Row in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Domino cruised to victory in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 4, 2011) — McLain Ward of Brewster, New York proved once again why he is considered one of the best riders in the world when he won his second Grand Prix in a row at HITS Saugerties. Just six days ago he captured the blue in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard his own Oh’D Eole. This time around Ward, riding Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino, edged out 35 other starters to take home the top prize in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Aside from being a coveted Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix qualifier, Friday’s class also benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Canadian Danny Foster set the course which featured 16 efforts in the first round, including a triple combination mid-way through the route that proved troublesome for 16 of the entries in the class. “This was a difficult course and the wind was definitely a factor,” explained Ward, a decorated U.S. Olympian. “But I am excited about how well we did.”

The first clear ride of the afternoon came 11 trips into the class when Jonathan McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut rode Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables, Inc.’s Colorado to a flawless first-round finish. The next two riders to show, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, Florida with South Beach Stables’ Lapacco, and Ward aboard Domino, also went clear, making it three for the jump-off with just about half of the class left to show.

Continue reading McLain Ward Captures 2nd Grand Prix Victory in a Row in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix →

Media/Radio/TV Sources, Show Jumping

Jumping Radio Episode 65 – A Profile of Vicki Roycroft

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Australian show jumping icon Vicki Roycroft is in conversation with Chris this week and we also pay tribute to Bill Roycroft, one of Australia’s finest horsemen. Tune in right here….

Jumping Radio Episode 65 – Show Notes and Links:

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