All posts by Associate Editor

Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance, WHIN

Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Equestrians Helping Equestrians

Leave a comment

April 27th, 2011 brought devastating tornadoes to Alabama and neighboring states. The destruction is extremely wide spread and has left many areas a wasteland. Families have lost loved ones, their homes, and their basic way of life and are now faced with the daunting task of starting over completely from scratch. They have lost many beloved pets, horses, and farm animals and have no way of caring for the ones that remain. As members of the equestrian community, we feel we must do what we can to help those that are in so much pain and need.

The Birmingham Dressage & Combined Training Association is teaming up with Rhonda Johnson-Bowles from Land O’Lakes Purina Feeds, The Alabama Horse Council, Cahaba Pony Club, and the US Pony Club South Region to help the equine and pet victims of these destructive tornados.

BDCTA requests your donations of basic horse & pet supplies, such as buckets, water troughs, fencing materials, veterinary supplies, fly spray, halters and leads, shavings, dog runs, dog and cat crates, feed bowls… anything horse or pet care related. Monetary donations will also be accepted and will be used to purchase needed supplies. 100% of all donations will be distributed to those in need.

Continue reading Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Equestrians Helping Equestrians →

Awards, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Presents Pinnacle Cup to Sinead Halpin

Leave a comment
Sinead Halpin was awarded the USET Foundation's Pinnacle Cup Trophy as the highest placed American rider at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****. Photo © 2011 Amy Dragoo.

Lexington, KY – May 19, 2011 – The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Sinead Halpin of Gladstone, NJ. Halpin rode Manoir de Carneville to a third place finish at the top event and was the highest placed American rider, which earned her the trophy.

Manoir de Carneville is owned by Carrig, LLC. This was his first CCI****, and the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding showcased his skills in all three phases. They finished the difficult competition with a score of 53.1 after incurring just 4.4 time faults in the cross-country phase.

This was also Halpin’s first time competing at a CCI**** and she was thrilled with her mount’s performance. “He’s very good in all three phases, which is rare,” she explained. “I don’t think there is one that he excels at more than the others, he’s great across the page. He has an unusual jumping style, but he’s got the heart and the brains, and he’s very physically athletic. At Rolex he felt great; it didn’t feel like it was a push for him.”

Continue reading USET Foundation Presents Pinnacle Cup to Sinead Halpin →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

2011 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials Set to Get Underway in Illinois

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – The prestigious Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program kicks off this Friday at Dressage at Lamplight in Wayne, IL, with the first of three regional Selection Trials aimed at selecting the U.S. representatives for the 2011 FEI World Breeding Championships held in Verden, Germany, August 3-7, 2011.

The three selection trials include Dressage at Lamplight in Wayne, IL, May 20-22; Dressage at Flintridge in La Canada-Flintridge, CA, May 26-29; and VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage in Leesburg, VA, June 3-5.

In order to qualify for the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List, horses must have earned an overall score of 8.2 or better at one of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials or via international competitions.

The 2010 winners included: Central Champion Six-Year-Old GP Super Crusador, owned by Grand Prix Equestrian and ridden by Kassandra Barteau; Central Champion Five-Year-Old WakeUp, owned and ridden by Emily Wagner; Western Champion Six-Year-Old Selten HW, owned and ridden by Elizabeth Ball; Western Champion Five-Year-Old Bellino, owned and ridden by Mark Carter; Eastern Champion Six-Year-Old De Facto, owned by Martha Singh and ridden by Christopher Schruefer; Eastern Champion Five-Year-Old Suntreader, owned by Pamela Erdman and ridden by Inga Janke.

For more information about the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program, please visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/NatlYHProgram.aspx or contact Jeannie Blancq, USEF National Director of Dressage at jblancq@usef.org.

Uncategorized

TCEQ Restricts Junior Water Rights in the Brazos River Basin

Leave a comment

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 – Drought conditions continue to be widespread across the state. As a result, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality informed water-rights holders on April 11, 2011 that there may be a need to administer water rights on a priority basis. On April 18, 2011, TCEQ received a senior priority call in the Brazos River Basin.

In response, the executive director of the TCEQ notified certain Brazos River Basin junior water-right holders that their right to divert water is immediately suspended. Suspended water rights include those with a priority date of 1980 or later, term, and temporary water-right permits in the mid- and lower- Brazos River Basin.

In order to protect public health and welfare, water rights with municipal uses or for power generation have not been suspended. Land owners with property adjacent to the Brazos River may also continue to divert water for domestic and livestock use as part of their inherent riparian rights.

These actions are guided by the priority doctrine in Texas law. The most senior water rights are served first during times of drought with domestic and livestock uses superior to any appropriated rights. Water rights are suspended or curtailed by priority date, with the most recently issued – or “junior” – priority users suspended before senior water rights in the area.

The TCEQ has asked that all Brazos River water-right holders take steps to conserve water, implement their drought contingency plans, and prepare for additional suspensions or curtailments should drought conditions persist.

Water is a precious resource – all Texans are encouraged to conserve, especially during times of drought.

Contact:  Andrea Morrow
Phone:  512-239-5011
Pager:  512-896-3727

Awards, Community/Charity, FEI

Nominations Now Open for FEI Awards 2011

Leave a comment

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of equestrian sport, is pleased to announce that nominations for the FEI Awards 2011 are now open.

Members of the worldwide equestrian community are invited to make their nominations via the dedicated website www.feiawards.org.

The awards, which were launched in 2009, aim to acknowledge outstanding achievement in the following five categories:

* Reem Acra Best Athlete, for the athlete (equine or human) or combination that, over the past year, has demonstrated exceptional skill in the arena and taken the sport to a new level;
* HSBC Rising Star, for a rider aged 14-21 who has demonstrated significant talent and commitment;
* Development, for a development project, individual or organisation demonstrating skill, dedication and energy in expanding the sport;
* Against All Odds, to celebrate a disabled rider or an individual who has overcome extreme personal difficulties to achieve proficiency in equestrian sport;
* Best Groom, for the often uncelebrated, yet important person who works behind the scenes.

Continue reading Nominations Now Open for FEI Awards 2011 →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Scott Stewart Commands the Green Conformation Hunters aboard Empire at the Kentucky Spring Classic

Leave a comment
Scott Stewart and Empire at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo Credit: Heather Bellock

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2011 – It was a dreary first day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, but that’s not keeping the competitors from boasting the beautiful courses here at the Kentucky Horse Park. Today the Kentucky Spring Classic kicked off with the second week of the Kentucky Spring Series. This week features World Champion Hunter Rider Week. Riders will have the opportunity to earn quality points in various hunter divisions, excellent prize money, and year end awards. In the Stonelea Ring today, Green Conformation Hunters, First Year Green Working Hunters, Second Year Green Working Hunters, and Regular Conformation Hunters completed their first two courses. Tomorrow the professional hunter divisions will award champion and reserve champion honors.

Scott Stewart swept the competition in the Green Conformation with Empire owned by Becky Gochman. Stewart had an impressive score of 89 in his second round to secure his place in first for both classes. “I thought he was great because I haven’t shown him myself since the Derby in Florida. The course was really nice today; I thought it was very real. The lines were set nice. I think it’s one of the best places of the year to show,” said Stewart. Jennifer Alfano and her horse, Michigan Avenue, placed second in the first class with a score of 84 and third in the second class with a score of 84. Louise Serio earned the red ribbon in the second round with a score of 83 aboard Black Tie, owned by Blair Balmer. Maria Rasmussen took home third with San Diego.

Continue reading Scott Stewart Commands the Green Conformation Hunters aboard Empire at the Kentucky Spring Classic →

Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF, Western/Reining

McCutcheon and Schmersal to Represent U.S. at Inaugural FEI World Reining Final

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – The inaugural FEI World Reining Final gets underway in Malmo, Sweden this week as part of a four-day reining event at Bökeberg, Skåne. The United States will be represented by two of its top reining athletes, Tom McCutcheon and Craig Schmersal.

World Champion and Team Gold medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, McCutcheon heads to Malmo with the momentum of a banner year at his back. He was named 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year and his WEG horse, Gunners Special Nite, was crowned 2010 Farnam/USEF Horse of the Year. Gunners Special Nite won’t be making this trip, so McCutcheon will be relying on Darlins Not Painted, a 9-year-old American Paint Horse mare owned by Turnabout Farm.

“I always look forward to the opportunity to represent the U.S.,” said McCutcheon. “It’s always great to show in front of European reining fans; they’re loud and they love reining!”

McCutcheon will be joined by WEG Teammate and Individual Silver medalist, Craig Schmersal, who will ride Miss Lil Addy Tude in her first overseas appearance. The 9-year-old American Quarter Horse mare just finished second in the CRI5* at the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, proving she can be a formidable opponent in a big venue.

The Final in Malmo marks another important opportunity for the U.S. Reiners to prove their prowess on the world stage. Each National Federation is only invited to send two athletes (with one horse each) to contend for $100,000 in prize money. The one-round event takes place at 19:00 CEST on Saturday May 21.

FEI TV will broadcast the FEI World Reining Final on www.feitv.org.

More information is available about this event here: http://worldreiningfinal.com/.

Associations/Breeds, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, Show Jumping

North Florida Hunter Jumper Association May 28, 2011 Schooling Show

Leave a comment

North Florida Hunter Jumper Association is very excited about sharing another horse show weekend with our good friends at FCHJA. We truly hope everyone will be able to support both organizations and show both days. It is a great opportunity to get additional ring experience and extra practice!

North Florida Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that we have again been chosen by the National Horse Show to host their Maclay Regional Final Class this summer. This class will be held at the North Florida Fall Horse Show that runs from September 2-4. The North Florida Summer Show will precede this event and will be held on August 26-28. Both shows are USEF “A” rated shows and are scheduled to be held at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs, FL.

We are requesting support from our Membership, Trainers, Barns and Businesses to assist us in hosting this prestigious event. NFHJA has become known for our exhibitor hospitality and is dedicated to making this event special for all of our exhibitors, but would like to make this an especially memorable event for our Maclay Riders and their families.

Continue reading North Florida Hunter Jumper Association May 28, 2011 Schooling Show →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, FEI, FEI, JRPR

Suzy Stafford Long-Listed for 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia

Leave a comment
Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered Arabian-Morgan mare Miss Josephine. (Photo courtesy of Meredith Fetters)

Chester County, PA (May 19, 2011) – Gold medalist Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half Arabian mare Miss Josephine. Stafford operates her Stafford Carriage Driving facility out of Chester County in Pennsylvania from April to December and is stationed in Aiken, South Carolina from January through April.

“I am very excited that Josephine has been long-listed for the Pony Driving Championships,” Stafford said. “I have owned her since September of 2010 and she doesn’t have quite the show experience that many of the other ponies I have competed had, but she does have the quality and the talent to win. I am confident she will be ready for the World Championships by September.”

Although their partnership is relatively new, Stafford and Josephine have already proven they have the drive to win. The pair won the Reserve National Single Pony Championships at Live Oak International earlier this year and as the most consistent competitors in three selection trials held in Florida, Stafford and Josephine drove away as the winners of the Triple Crown of Driving sponsored by Live Oak International, the Sunshine State CDE and Little Everglades CDE.

Continue reading Suzy Stafford Long-Listed for 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Tunica, Mississippi Shows Stay High and Dry!

Leave a comment

Many of you know all too well about the flooding that has been taking place in the mid-south.  I for one as a Memphis girl at heart am saddened to see some parts of my hometown and the surrounding areas going through such a hard time.  With that said, I am excited to pass on the good news that the Tunica, MS Horse Shows~ Delta Blues June 15-19 and Tunica High Rollers June 22-26 will go on as scheduled.  Both shows offer “AA” rated hunter divisions and a $15,000 Jumper Prix each week.  In addition there will also be a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby week II.  The show series is held at the Paul Battle Jr. Arena and Exposition Center in Tunica, MS~ just a short drive away from Memphis, TN.  The facility boast a large climate controlled state of the art indoor arena that seats 4000 people and has an adjacent covered warm up ring.  The Covered annex arena is 600′ x 275′ and there is also an outdoor lunging and schooling area that is 150′ x 275′.  The facility contains 600 permanent stalls that are all indoor and 6 turnout pens.  There is an on site campground with full hookups. Next to the Arena, within walking distance is a Swim/Tennis/Fitness Center open to the Public.

There has been some flooding in the area but no water near the facility at all.  The fabulous Gold Strike Casino and Hotel is reopening today, Thursday May 19th, and other casinos plan to open in the next week. The Tunica casino scene with all of the gaming, restaurants, concerts, and more will be in full swing by June!  Please go to www.tunicatravel.com to see where all the “action” is in Tunica.  The area is also offering many discounts so it is a great time to book your accommodations. The Gold Strike Casino is offering $55 rate during the week and Microtel has a rate of $39.  HELP US HELP THIS COMMUNITY!

If you need a prize list or need help with hotels, stalls, or entries please do not hesitate to contact us or go to www.tunicahunterjumpershows.com.

Thanks for your support of these wonderful shows and the Tunica, MS community!

Suzanne Mayo tunicashows@aol.com
Carol Vos unovos@aol.com
Patrick Rodes pdrntx@aol.com

Megan Godard
Equus Events, Inc.
Meybohm Realtors
803-295-2094
www.equusevents.com
Meganvgodard@gmail.com