All posts by Associate Editor

Allison Springer and Arthur Celebrate Red Hills CIC3* Victory

Photo: Leslie Threlkeld

It’s only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious Red Hills CIC3*.

Without having a rail in hand heading into the final phase, Allison and Arthur won the event by just 1.3 points ahead of Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos. Michael Pollard and Icarus, Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo, and Leslie Law and Rehy Lux all finished third through fifth, respectively, also posting double-clear rounds.

For her win in the CIC3*, a delighted Allison earned a year-lease on a fancy new Mercedes SUV, and even took it for a victory spin around the arena. Allison also earned a bevy of prizes from the Adequan USEA Gold Cup series as well: $500 in cash, 7-dose box of Adequan, a 3-month supply of SUCCEED, and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots. Second placers Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos take home a 7-dose box of Adequan as well as a pair of the Nunn Finers boots.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13447

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #10, by Claire Dorotik

NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #10 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

“Hi Claire”, she said, in her bubbly, if somewhat tense voice.

Trying to disguise my shock, I replied, “Oh hi Debbie.” It was a big horse show, and as far as I knew, she had only been showing at the smaller shows.

“I heard about your mom,” she stood back and crossed her arms.

“Yeah”, I responded. This again, I thought to myself.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #10, by Claire Dorotik

Can Equine Therapy Improve Sports Performance?, by Claire Dorotik M.A.

While equine therapy has many fans and many purported benefits, is it possible that this alternative form of therapy can be used to improve sports performance?

Looking to a “head guy” to help with the much sought after perfect golf shot, basketball game, or even ski run is nothing new. These mental specialists have only recently donned their breeches and boots and strode into the equine competition arena. As they have, psych strategies that have long been popular in other sports have made their way onto the back of a horse. Stress reduction strategies, such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and cognitive rehearsal, have been among these. Now, even popular riders, such as Jane Savoie (www.janesavoie.com), employ the use of visualization techniques to cement the perfect ride.

Yet with the emergence of sports psychology in the horse world, can our horses actually help us to improve our performance, and possibly ride them better?

Continue reading Can Equine Therapy Improve Sports Performance?, by Claire Dorotik M.A.

Darragh Kenny Leads the Fun & Games at Fete Cheval for The EQUUS Foundation

Fete Cheval winner Darragh Kenny riding Leia, with Visse Wedell, Clea Newman Soderlund, Jenny Belknap Kees, and Elizabeth Press. Photo By: Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2011 – This year’s Fete Cheval was a huge hit that featured fantastic riders performing games on rescue horses on Friday, March 11, 2011. The beautiful night, presented by Foundation Farm, benefitted The EQUUS Foundation, which helps equestrian and horse related charities across the United States. There was a beautiful dinner for guests, catered by White Horse Tavern Catering on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at their Special Events Tent.

The evening’s events got underway at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction, which were followed by a dinner buffet. The main event, the Gymkhana Games, got underway at 8:00 p.m., with horses provided by Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue and a group of world class riders. This year’s riders included Max Amaya, Derek Braun, Nick Dello Joio, Sandy Ferrell, Patricia Griffith, Charlie Jayne, Darragh Kenny, Kate Oliver, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano, and McLain Ward. As part of the silent auction, guests could bid to become a guest rider, which went to junior rider Alex Crown. The judges for the night were Ralph Caristo and Leo Conroy, along with special guest judge Kim Jacobs, with emcee David Distler.

Continue reading Darragh Kenny Leads the Fun & Games at Fete Cheval for The EQUUS Foundation

United States’ PRE and Lusitanos to Perform this Week at Dressage under the Stars: Iberian Challenge

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2011 – Join the crowd this Wednesday evening, March 16th, at the world famous Players Club for Dressage under the Stars, starting at 7:00pm.  In its seventh week of competition, Dressage under the Stars will feature a breed competition this week, showcasing the US PRE and Lusitano horses. Two horses of each breed will perform musical freestyles showcasing the talent and history of these incredible breeds.  Guests can enjoy delicious drinks and dinner patio side or upstairs on the balcony overlooking the dressage arena.

Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston from Sons of the Winds Farm, will represent the Lusitano breed.  Kannenstine and Winston will both perform individual freestyles and midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy, showcasing this incredible breed and its history.

Riders representing the United States PRE Association are Rachel Chowanec and Summerville Harris, will each perform cultural and fun Freestyles at the FEI level.

“The US PRE Association works solely for the promotion of the breed and education of the public about the PRE,” noted US PRE President Kimberly Boyer.  “We also strive to service breeders who are working to grow this specific breed. We are excited about Dressage under the Stars and this competition between the PREs and the Lusitanos.  We thought it was a great opportunity to celebrate the similarities these breeds share, along with their neighborhood stud books!  It should be a great evening!”

Continue reading United States’ PRE and Lusitanos to Perform this Week at Dressage under the Stars: Iberian Challenge

Andre Thieme Captures His Second Grand Prix Win of the Season in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

© ESI Photography. Andre Thieme and Coco 135 on course in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.

OCALA, FL (March 15, 2011) — On a perfectly beautiful afternoon at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida, German show-jumping icon Andre Thieme riding Seth Vallhonrat’s Coco 135 captured the victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to close out the Ocala Finals. Thieme’s win marked the first time this season that a rider captured more than one victory in a Sunday Grand Prix, his first being aboard his own Cesar three weeks ago in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the Ocala Winter Festival.

Thieme is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Rapidly making a name for himself as a top rider competing in the United States, he’s built a solid reputation at HITS shows, nationwide, in a very short time. At the 2010 Ocala Masters, he and Cesar won the $75,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Thieme also traveled west to compete at the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California, that same year and placed fifth aboard Aragon Rouet in the $300,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach, which helped to cement his spot in the top 20 of the 2010 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings. Last September, Thieme traveled back from Germany to compete in the Pfizer Million and placed ninth aboard Aragon Rouet, collecting $15,000 in prize money. This year, with six of the eight Grand Prix needed to become eligible, he is once again on a path to qualify for the 2011 Pfizer Million, a clear goal for him as his winnings continue to grow.

Continue reading Andre Thieme Captures His Second Grand Prix Win of the Season in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

Equine Anhidrosis Can Be Treated and Spring Is the Perfect Time

Horses that don’t sweat – a condition called equine anhidrosis – run a serious health risk. Managing the symptoms is difficult for owners and trainers but now there’s an effective, natural alternative that can prevent and treat anhidrosis or non-sweating: an electrolyte-balancing patch marketed under the trade name “Equiwinner”.

Mesa, AZ (Mar. 15, 2011) – Horses that don’t sweat not only perform poorly, they risk succumbing to heat stroke and dying, in extreme cases. Anhidrosis, or this inability of horses to sweat, remains largely misunderstood. Current “cures” offer such inconsistent and unreliable success rates that owners, trainers and stable managers too often have no recourse but to manage their horses’ conditions.

There is now a better, more effective alternative to hosing horses down, relocating them to a more moderate clime and withdrawing them from work or competition which are time-consuming options at best and simply impossible for many owners at worst.

Continue reading Equine Anhidrosis Can Be Treated and Spring Is the Perfect Time

Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Rodrigo Pessoa and Let's Fly won the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 4* Presented by Bainbridge Companies during week nine at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – Saturday Night Lights at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival brought a crowd of over 4,200 spectators out to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this weekend to watch Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and Let’s Fly jump to victory in the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W Presented by Bainbridge Companies. Pessoa earned the winning cut of prize money after an exciting jump-off of many of the top horses and riders in the world.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s ninth week of competition, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, will conclude with the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed tonight’s course for a field of 42 starters. Eight jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those eight were the top women riding for the United States followed up by two of the world’s best men from Great Britain and Brazil. The men were able to best the ladies tonight, taking the top two places with the only clear rounds over the short course.

Continue reading Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B

Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. ©Flashpoint Photography

GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 14, 2011 — “I want to thank the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport. Both Janet McCarroll [Co-Chair of the Winter Classics] and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended.  It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit, but all good times must come to an end… until next year,” Bob Bell of The Classic Company said Sunday evening as crews began the task of packing up.

This was the most anticipated week; exhibitors were on pins and needles awaiting the announcements for this year’s Circuit Awards. Aiken, SC based Daniel Geitner was the first recipient, taking the Grand Champion title in both the High Performance Hunters with the Robin Hughes owned Living Color and the Green Conformation Grand Hunter with Allison Mills’ Stature. Via text Geitner said he was thrilled with the news and had enjoyed the weeks of competition in the Gulf greatly. Jordan Siegel of the Flower Mound, TX based Summer Hill Farm garnered two Circuit Awards, beginning with the 1st Year Green Working Hunters partnered with Cherry Stone for owner Fallon Bock and later in the Performance Working 3’6-3’9 Hunters piloting Jetset for owner Castle Point Farm, LLC. And Memphis, TN based pro Phoebe Sheets grabbed a pair of Circuit Awards as well, first in the Baby Green Hunters with Jean Tuttle’s Ring Ling and in the Performance Working 3’3 Hunters aboard Casino for owner Cheryl Rubenstein.

Continue reading Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B

Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars

Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind Lusitanos will be performing at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Palm City, FL – March 14, 2011 – Sons of the Wind Lusitanos is pleased to announce that they will be competing at Dressage under the Stars on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The beautiful event is held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m., with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, and the Lusitano/PRE competition will begin at 8 p.m.

Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston, who will be working for Sons of the Winds, will begin by competing in a dressage competition against a group of PRE horses, showcasing the talents of the different breeds. Midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy.

The Sons of the Wind and Mr. Silva are famous for exhilarating airs above the ground and their quadrilles have been featured at the Boston Portuguese Festival, Bear Spot Freestyle, PVDA “Ride for Life”, and many other locations. The Sons of the Wind School for the Equestrian Arts, based in Merrimac, Massachusetts and now for the winter Palm City, FL, were founded by Portuguese trainer Mr. Vitor Silva. With their dedication to classical training, these unique centers provide a venue for the starting and sales of the young Lusitanos, along with instruction to all levels of students by the Lusitano school masters developed by Mr. Silva for amateur enthusiasts, instructors and competitive riders from around the world.

Continue reading Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars