All posts by Associate Editor

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Phelps Media Group

Robert Dover Hosts Open Forum for Listeners on Tonight’s Show

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Robert Dover. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Client

Wellington, FL – April 5, 2011 – Six-time Olympian Robert Dover will host an evening to remember on his Dover’s World radio show, discussing anything his listeners are interested in.  At 7p.m. Dover will open the listener phone lines to anyone with questions. Dover’s World airs tonight, Tuesday April 5, 2011, beginning at 6pm on WBZT (AM 1230) from Palm Beach to Miami, Florida. The program can also be found at DoversWorld.com, and will be streamed live for listeners around the world. Joining Dover in the evening’s line up is the voice of Welly World, Mason Phelps, Jr.

Phelps, another former Olympian, will update listeners on the final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival, along with other tidbits from what’s been happening in Wellington.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13543

Community/Charity, Conferences, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, FEI, USEF

Riders4Helmets Campaign to Be Promoted at IOC International Federations’ Medical Commission Chairpersons Meeting

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USEF CEO John Long with Craig Ferrell, M.D. Photo by Riders4Helmets.

Lexington, KY – U.S. Equestrian Team Physician and Chair of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Medical Council, Craig Ferrell M.D, will be attending the International Olympic Committee International Federations’ Medical Commission Chairpersons Meeting in Monaco April 6, 2011. The meeting is for international sport federation national chairmen, and is sponsored by the IOC.

Dr. Ferrell intends to provide updates during the meeting on the recent United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) helmet rule changes and progress of the riders4helmets campaign in educating equestrians on the benefits of wearing helmets. Dr Ferrell was the co-host of the Riders4Helmets Helmet Safety Symposium held January 8th, 2011 in Wellington, FL. “I think that one of the responsibilities of International Federation medical committees is to advocate for changes that make sports safer. I appreciate the website campaign of riders4helmets in the efforts to promote safety awareness. Wearing a helmet just makes good horse sense,” said Ferrell.

The IOC International Federations’ Medical Commission Chairpersons Meeting is being held in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Conference On Prevention Of Injury & Illness In Sport (April 7-9th) which will bring together scientists and practitioners to investigate and develop new concepts to enhance safety in sport through a beneficial cooperation.

Continue reading Riders4Helmets Campaign to Be Promoted at IOC International Federations’ Medical Commission Chairpersons Meeting →

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Spring Classic II and Updates

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First I want to thank you for a wonder set of winter circuits.  We started in January in Green Cove Springs, followed by a week off and then Gulfport followed by another week off and Conyers.  A great 12 weeks all over the corners of the southeast.  Thanks for making this a great winter of horse shows.

Second, I want to thank all the sponsors who help to make the circuits possible along with Equestrian Travel who make our housing simple and cost effective.

We had lots of fun this winter and we still have lots in store for you in our summer shows that are listed at the bottom of this message.  We have made some giant changes to our summer shows in Atlanta and Charleston due to requests from our exhibitors and trainers.

This week in Atlanta ends our 12 weeks together and it was a wonderful week.  I do want to thank Southern States for the donation of 500 lbs of Southern States Feed.  It was won by Leah Heithold of Denver, NC.  Congrats.  I also want to thank Southern States for the Dipin Dots they brought to the show last week too.

Continue reading Atlanta Spring Classic II and Updates →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, USEF

Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J – Day Three

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Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.

Burbank, CA – California’s Jan Ebeling and Rafalca displayed not only their difficult grand prix freestyle routine during the final day of the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J in but also their readiness for the Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Leipzig later this month. Earning a solid 73.025% and a ticket to the World Cup as one of two North American League representatives, Ebeling and the 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Argentinius x Ratine by Rubinstein I, owned by Amy Ebeling) seemed very confident. “She’s gotten so much stronger and better this year, and she’s taken it to a whole new level,” said Ebeling. “She felt awesome! She’s finally come into her own now.”

Debuting their Intermediaire I freestyle, Steffen Peters completed his sweep of the small tour with Jen Hlavacek’s Weltino’s Magic (Weltino x Diva by Diamond Boy) by scoring a huge score of 79.417%. “The first word that comes to mind is ‘fun’,” said Peters. “I rode the freestyle a bit conservatively today since it was the first time, but he was right on.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Pestana rode her own Hanoverian gelding Winzalot (Wokenstein II x Frazisco) to a freestyle victory with a score of 67.250% to close out the Young Rider division.

Complete results are available at: http://www.cornerstonedressage.com/show_results.asp.

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Mahala Rummell and Stoney Creek Win the Blue Ribbon and a New Saddle in Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal Finals

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Mahala Rummell and Stoney Creek win the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal Finals during the twelfth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 3, 2011 – In a great ending to the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal held its circuit finals in the prestigious International Field. Sixteen entries competed for the win today, with the lucky blue ribbon winner being awarded a new saddle. Mahala Rummell came out the victor in the prestigious culmination of the circuit’s adult medal class.

Rummell, who rides with Stacia Madden, was aboard her own mount Stoney Creek, a twelve-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, for the win. This being Rummell’s first season out of the juniors, she was lucky enough to still own her junior equitation horse, Stoney Creek, to ride in the class. “He’s so good at it,” beamed Rummell. “He does all the testing so well, and he’s beautiful on the flat. He’s super!”

Today’s course being in the International Arena gave riders an extra advantage with the added space and size of the ring. “I thought the course was nice,” said Rummell. “There was a lot of space to gallop, but there were also lines where you could leave out a stride or add a stride depending on your horse. There were a lot of nice single jumps too.”

Continue reading Mahala Rummell and Stoney Creek Win the Blue Ribbon and a New Saddle in Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal Finals →

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy

The Incredible Benefits of Animal Therapy

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Humans and animals share an ancient history of co-dependence, but this relationship extends far beyond domestication for food and labor purposes. The medical field, for example, utilized leeches and maggots for centuries, if not millennia. More modern times see a broader selection of animals helping their human partners through many different permanent and temporary conditions. Such admirable creatures as well as those taking the time to train them for the good of mankind rightfully deserve however many accolades people can give.

Physical Assistance
Easily the most common type of therapy animal — and probably the one that always pops into peoples’ heads — are those working as assistants to the disabled and elderly. Dogs make for especially adroit companions, and organizations such as Assistance Dogs International devote their time and resources to training these amazing animals to better serve those needing of their help. Most probably think of these venerable canines as guides for the blind, but they also assist those in wheelchairs, the elderly and individuals with other sensory or physical impairments who face down difficult times getting around. Although extremely common, dogs aren’t the only animals used to make life easier for the elderly and/or disabled. Monkeys, too, provide similar, though not identical, services. Their natural agility, dexterity and intelligence make them ideal for scrambling into out-of-reach spots for desired items. Many also learn how to feed and wash their human friends!

Continue reading The Incredible Benefits of Animal Therapy →

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – Horse Scents!

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We are bombarded daily with news and information about how the overuse of medications and chemicals are making our horses sick. There are ways to take care of your horse naturally… with no side-effects.

Horses are forage animals and are used to looking for plants that will assist in the regulation of their body systems. When these plants are distilled into high quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils, they affect all of the body’s systems. All oils have a complex of chemicals that interact with cells to promote cellular function and repair damage.  Certain oils can affect the limbic system in the brain to modify behavior.  Some oils are diffused for inhalation (aromatherapy), some are ingested, some are used topically, and some can be used all three ways.  Here are a few suggested uses.

Lavender is wonderful for wounds (antibacterial and less scarring) and other skin conditions plus it’s a natural anti-histamine and has sedative compounds useful when needing to calm your horse.

Peace & Calming is a fragrant blend of oils useful when trailering, showing or whenever more serious calming is required.  It may be rubbed on the nose and ears.

Continue reading Tip of the Week – Horse Scents! →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Horn and Lamotte Speed to Win Adult Modified and Masters Jumper Classes at The Stadium

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Susan Horn and Phenix de Coquerie. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 2, 2011 – It was an exciting day at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s derby field, The Stadium. In a rare opportunity, Modified Adult Jumper riders and Masters Jumper riders were given the chance to show on The Stadium’s derby field over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio from Red Hook, New York. Susan Horn rode the Kingsfield Farm entry Phenix De Coquerie to the win in the $1,500 Paddock Cakes Adult Modified Jumpers, and Elizabeth Lamotte rode her own mount, Katharine, to the win in the $1,500 Masters Jumpers.

Running through Sunday, April 3, the remaining feature events include the Finals for the Adequan Young Jumpers.

Besting a field of sixteen entries in the Table A Speed format class, Horn and Phenix De Coquerie flew through the timers with a clean round in 72.776 seconds. Of the sixteen entries, only five were clear, but none were fast enough to catch Horn, who hails from King City, Ontario, Canada.

Continue reading Horn and Lamotte Speed to Win Adult Modified and Masters Jumper Classes at The Stadium →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Light Up the Night in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 2, 2011 – Jennifer Alfano and SBS Farms’ Jersey Boy have led the USHJA International Hunter Derby program since its inception, winning classes all over the country in the last few years and proving their expertise in the handy rounds and finesse over the jumps. Tonight was no different, as the pair jumped their way to victory in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the twelfth and final “Saturday Night Lights” event at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.

Competition for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby began on Friday afternoon in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring where sixty of the nation’s most talented horses and riders jumped the first round course. The top twenty five were invited back to compete under the lights in the International Arena this evening, coming back in reverse order from lowest to highest returning scores.

Presented by Dietrich Insurance and Hosted by Tailored Sportsman, the class was held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The series is also generously supported by Charles Owen & Co., Dover Saddlery, The Clothes Horse, and Essex Classics.

Continue reading Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Light Up the Night in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, EQUUS Foundation, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

The Results Are In for Round 1 of America’s Favorite Equestrian!

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WELLINGTON, FL – April 1, 2011 – The results of Round 1 of America’s Favorite Equestrian are in. Six equestrians in each of the eight disciplines that participated in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games have moved onto Round 2.

America’s Favorite Equestrians Round 2:

Dressage: Todd Flettrich, Courtney King-Dye, Debbie McDonald, Leslie Morse, Steffen Peters, Guenter Seidel
Driving: Tucker Johnson, Fred Merriam, Lisa Singer, Suzy Stafford, Rochelle Temple, Chester Weber
Endurance: Garrett Ford, Becky Hart, Dave Rabe, Robert Ribley, Julie Suhr, Bill Wilson
Eventing: Tiana Coudray, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Karen O’Connor, Kimberly Severson, James C. Wofford
Jumping: Margie Engle, Joe Fargis, Laura Kraut, Anne Kursinski, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward
Para-Dressage: Jennifer Baker, Robin Brueckmann, Laura Goldman, Mary Jordan, Susan Treabess, Jonathan Wentz
Reining: Casey Deary, Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, Tom McCutcheon, Tim McQuay, Randy Paul
Vaulting: Megan Benjamin, Ali Divita, Kenny Geisler, Devon Maitozo, Mary McCormick, Katherine Wick

Continue reading The Results Are In for Round 1 of America’s Favorite Equestrian! →