All posts by Associate Editor

Virginia Is Vale! Aaron Vale and Paparazzi 10 Win the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

© ESI Photography. Aaron Vale and Paparazzi win the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper.

CULPEPER, VA (July 13, 2010) — HITS Grand Prix Veteran Aaron Vale and Paparazzi 10, owned by Thinkslikeahorse and Norman Peterson, won the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

Vale, of Morriston, Florida, was one of 22 horse-and-rider teams to compete over a course designed by International Course Designer Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Paehl, Germany. Only three riders jumped clean in what turned out to be a very challenging first round which featured a double and a triple combination, as well as an open water obstacle.

“It was a tricky course,” said Vale. “You don’t come to Culpeper expecting to jump open water and Olaf [Petersen, Sr.] makes it challenging. You needed to do some real horseback riding on this course.”

Continue reading Virginia Is Vale! Aaron Vale and Paparazzi 10 Win the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

Gold Medalist Lauren Sammis Judges at Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival

Grand Prix dressage rider Lauren Sammis judged young riders recently at Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival in Saugerties, New York. (Photo by SusanJStickle.com)

Saugerties, NY (July 13, 2010) – Pan Am Gold Medalist Lauren Sammis, who is back in the Grand Prix show ring with Al Guden’s Sagacious HF, spent time with young dressage riders recently when she served as a judge at Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival at Hits-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Sammis, who worked for Gray as a working student starting in her early years, was thrilled to take part in Gray’s annual Youth Dressage Festival, an event that attracts young riders from around the world.

“I judged the 7-9 year olds and the 16-17 year olds and they were unbelievably cute and adorable,” Sammis said. “This is exactly what you want your children to be involved with because they were braiding their own horses and ponies, taking written exams and taking part in an equitation class series.”

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American Shetland Pony Club Gearing Up for 122nd Shetland Congress Show August 2-6

Photo courtesy of Washburn Photography

Free Admission – Family Fun in Ardmore, Oklahoma

Morton, IL (July 12, 2010) – Small equines and fans from throughout the nation are preparing to attend one of the biggest events in their industry. This year the 122nd Shetland Pony Congress Show will be held in Ardmore, Oklahoma on August 2-6th at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in classes for driving, halter, jumping, youth, and costume. Competitors will be looking to win not only National Championship titles and show off their versatile ponies to the world!

The Shetland Pony Congress spectators can enjoy a diverse array of Shetland Pony classes. Admission is free to everyone at the show and spectators will have the chance to learn more about the American Shetland Ponies.

“We are excited to bring the American Shetland Ponies to Ardmore. Each time we come to a new show venue we are able to share our ponies with a new local audience. Since admission is free and classes run all day and into the evening, the Shetland Pony Congress is perfect entertainment for families, horse lovers and children of all ages,” says Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing for the American Shetland Pony Club.

Continue reading American Shetland Pony Club Gearing Up for 122nd Shetland Congress Show August 2-6

A Month Long Editorial, Based on Weather & Photos of a Hawk in Our Birdbath

One of our resident hawks taking a bath in our birdbath during the heatwave.
One of our resident hawks taking a bath in our birdbath during the heatwave.

As I was going to post a new editorial back on June 15th about not having any rain and  it being 100 degrees in the shade and bam, we start getting almost daily thunderstorms!  We had been averaging 110 heat index at the first of June, which was very oppressive to go outside to do work, much less ride. I was having to water my garden twice a day which was taking up to 2 hrs or more a day, hence I got behind in web work.  My beans (or so I thought) and tomatoes are mostly done until I plant again in August, so I should have a reprieve in the harvesting soon. We have a small pool which has been invaluable to being out in this heat.

I’m in the AC a large part of the day, so my body isn’t accustomed to the heat like it is. I go out in the evening to work usually, but that is when my husband, Jerry, goes to our J-30 sailboat so I don’t have his help then… bummer.  My son is here and he is in charge of cleaning paddocks, feeding horses when Jerry isn’t around, watering other plants around house and doing horse’s feet when I haven’t, plus he is my associate editor so he is kept busy much of the day adding articles. This leaves me to the other yard work that I may want done that my husband doesn’t think is necessary (he hates it, other than mowing with the riding mower). Both of them get bothered by flies more than I do – I have darker skin and I guess it helps in repelling them.  I did have to spray myself and horses a lot at the beginning of June when the yellow flies were so bad, but they have died off or it’s because we got the fly predators and stepped up using the Natural Pet Vet Bug Check (HorsesintheSouth is an affiliate). The flies aren’t as bad now and I can deal with a couple of yellow flies landing on me as I harvest the garden.

Since the week-long rains at the end of June, I’ve had a second blooming of beans – these are the ones that weren’t doing as well as they were in a shadier area, but that is what probably helped them to reproduce being out of the blaring sun. And, I have a whole bunch of cherry tomatoes blooming and some volunteer tomato plants from last year’s cherry tomatoes that had been plowed under but came back up in different places, are producing. They are so good. I leave them in a bowl next to where I make my yerba-mate tea in the morning and I end up eating a handful while I wait for the tea to steep.

Now my website design work for the redesign for the SuncoastBedding.com site is getting in full swing, so another thing to keep me from riding or working on my own website. It never ends, does it?  Plus the grass keeps growing more from all of the rain. I use our weed-whipper and push mower which ends up ‘killing’ my arm the next day.  Even using the riding mower gets my left arm that had the shoulder replacement. If I would just do this stuff every day, my muscles wouldn’t atrophy so soon, lol.

I got some cool pictures of our resident hawk taking a bath in our birdbath, plus my husband, Jerry, did a video and put it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHVy0ov1kao (there are evidently a lot of YouTube videos of hawks taking baths…;P). These pictures were taken with my Sony digital camera with a 70-250 macro lens through my husband’s office window through the screen, but I think they still turned out really cool.

We aren’t sure if these are 2 different hawks taking a bath as in the blog gallery, you can see 1 of the hawks ‘screaming’ for the other one maybe? In the gallery you will see a hawk standing on our grapevine pole and we aren’t sure if that is a different hawk or the 1st hawk (if there is 2 of them – can anyone tell by their feathers?)

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Anyway, I will be offering a summer/July 4th birthday (mine :D) special for advertising on our website/newsletter and I have a new sales person, Linda Bourdow to assist me. You may contact her at mktg@horsesinthesouth.com.

Watch for the July newsletter – it’s coming too. We are using a new Email Service Provider (ESP), so I still have to finish designing it; I may just send out something now and let my programmer finish the design. We are using MailChimp and is isn’t as easy to use as Constant Contact (requires that you know some html and design), but it isn’t blocked by spam filters as easily as CC is. Info is on our Sales/Special page. As usual you will get a killer deal.

It’s weird, but we are actually cooler here than in the northern states with them being in the triple digits (bummer for the Queen of England’s visit to the UN since she was last here in 1957).  But, it’s starting to heat up again and will be in the usual mid-nineties this week, sigh…

If you are a Farmville addict like I have become, join me at http://www.facebook.com/TeriRehkopf.HorsesintheSouth, then request to be my neighbor on FV. Also be sure to join my Fan page at http://www.facebook.com/HorsesintheSouth. The TeriRehkopf.HorsesintheSouth FB account is a 2nd FB account. My 1st account is already almost at the 5,000 FB friends limit, so I had to start a new account to accept new friends and add new FV neighbors as this one is at the 300 neighbors limit.  Geesh, Farmville is such a ‘time-suction’, but it is also very ‘feng shui’ like. I love their graphics. If only web design was this easy!  I swear I going to write a blog about my journey to the addiction on Farmville and seeing so many horse people Facebook friends being in the same boat as me or worse!  When I get to this, I’ll post some hints on how to get leveled-up. I love the horses that FV adds for us horse fanatics. They really have recognized our market in that respect 😀

The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center Sponsors International Dressage Rider Marco Bernal

The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala is sponsoring international dressage rider Marco Bernal. (Photo courtesy of Sharon Packer/Horse Sport Photography)

Ocala, FL (July 12, 2010) – The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes, is now sponsoring international dressage rider Marco Bernal. A Colombian dressage rider and owner of Marco Bernal International Dressage in Wellington, Bernal has a long and accomplished dressage career which includes representing his country in the prestigious 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup in Las Vegas.

“I became acquainted with The Sanctuary during the Palm Beach Dressage Derby when I won a jog they were sponsoring. My farriers from Rood & Riddle also recommended them,” Bernal said. “I believe The Sanctuary has the experience and the equipment that I need for my horses.”

Continue reading The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center Sponsors International Dressage Rider Marco Bernal

Anky & Painted Black Win Falsterbo World Dressage Masters Freestyle for 5th WDM Title

Anky van Grunsven receiving the Exquis World Dressage Masters trophy from WDM CEO Anthony Kies and daughter, Renee. © 2010 Ken Braddick

FALSTERBO, Sweden, July 10 — Anky van Grunsven gave a display of her trademark Queen of the Freestyle when she rode IPS Painted Black to victory in the Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Kür presented by Axel Johnson Group for her fifth WDM CDI5* title in two years of the richest lineup of competitions on the globe.

Competing in the inaugural €100,000 (US$126,400) WDM at the Falsterbo Horse Show and her first time at this summer beach resort, Anky and the 13-year-old stallion posted a score of 82.40 per cent. The freestyle that was presented by Axel Johnson Group had total prize money of €60,000 (US$75,800) with first place earning €16,000 (US$20,200).

Germany’s Ulla Salzgeber and the 10-year-old mare Wakana showed none of the spookiness from shows earlier this year and placed second on 75.90 per cent with Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven and Favourit awarded 75.40 per cent. They were the hometown favorites of the enthusiastic Swedish crowd that numbered 3,000 paid spectators and many hundreds more who crowded every available place around the arena in sunny weather with temperatures above 80 degrees (27C).

Continue reading Anky & Painted Black Win Falsterbo World Dressage Masters Freestyle for 5th WDM Title

Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Competition Report Round 5, Falsterbo

Helena Lundback and Bukowskis Erblumme got a late call-up but provided a vital first-round clear to help Sweden to victory in the fifth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup at Falsterbo, Sweden today. Photo: Lotta Gyllensten.

SWEDES SPRING A SURPRISE IN FALSTERBO

Falsterbo (SWE), 9 July 2010 – On an afternoon of dramatically fluctuating fortunes, the host nation of Sweden sprung a big surprise as they swept to victory in the fifth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup on their home ground at Falsterbo today.  It was against all the odds, because they had previously picked up only two points in the series and seemed to be staring relegation in the face at the end of the season.  But in typically stubborn style they didn’t let the pressure overwhelm them, and three first-round clears ensured they would always be in contention while it was their Olympic silver medallist, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, who clinched it for them in the end.

The Netherlands finished a strong second, also shaking off some distressingly poor results in previous legs of this super-tough Meydan FEI season, while Spain and France divided third, Ireland and the USA shared fifth place and Great Britain had to settle for seventh this time out.  Switzerland finished eighth after only just managing to squeeze into the second round and, in another real turn-up for the books, the German team were sidelined at the end of round one along with the unfortunate Polish side that suffered elimination.

Continue reading Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Competition Report Round 5, Falsterbo

Tapestry Farm to Host $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Sunday

The strong field of competitors will include rider Kelley Farmer.

Bristol, WI – July 9, 2010 – The first ever Tapestry Farm Derby Day promises a day of hospitality and exciting competition at Tapestry Farm in Bristol, Wisconsin. On July 11th, the 120 acre facility one hour north of Chicago will host a $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, a $5,000 USHJA 3′ Derby, and a $10,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Speed Derby. A strong field of competitors is expected including Pony Lane Farm’s Bella Blue, shown by Maggie Jayne, and Nancy Amling’s Taken, shown by Kelley Farmer. All classes will utilize the farm’s outside course on grass with its natural obstacles and featuring a beautiful, brand new bank. Spectators will have the opportunity to provide support for the worthy USHJAF’s Horseman’s Assistance Fund and at the same time enjoy the highest level of hospitality by buying a ringside table. Held in conduction with the Showplace Summertime Horse Show at Ledges, Derby Day will provide the finale to a great horse show, providing a field trip for participants and offering all a “day in the country”.

Derby Day was first envisioned by Tapestry Farm’s owner Donna Struve. Watching the growing popularity of the hunter derby format, she pictured her farm as the perfect venue to host a showcase event, giving Midwest riders the opportunity to compete close to home in an international caliber event while hosting a summer outing and raising money for charity.

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Three-month Suspension for US Rider Michael Morrissey

9 July 2010 – Michael Morrissey (USA) has been suspended for three months and issued a yellow card with retroactive disqualification for excessive use of the whip in class 101 at the Wellington CSI 2* held on 27 February 2010. Mr Morrissey has also been subjected to a fine of CHF 2,000. The suspension from FEI competition will run from 5 May to 4 August, concurrent with the three-month suspension imposed on Mr Morrissey by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

“I apologise unreservedly for this incident,” Mr Morrissey said. “I overreacted when the horse stopped and that is unforgiveable. Horse welfare has to take precedence over competitive interests and I know that I was in breach of that basic principle.”

An investigation into the role of the Ground Jury in this incident showed that Mr Morrissey should have been disqualified at the time. Letters of reprimand have been sent to all members of the Ground Jury.

The full text of the decision is available here: MORRISSEY.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

Jonny Hilberath & Amüsant Win Moorland Grand Prix Special Dressage Derby

Jonny Hilberath and Amüsant in victory gallop after winning Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Special. © 2010 Ken Braddick

FALSTERBO, Sweden, July 9 — Germany’s Jonny Hilberath who has been competing Amüsant internationally for just four months notched their first victory Saturday by winning the inaugural €30,000 (US$37,860) Moorland Grand Prix Special Dressage Derby presented by Agria as part of the Exquis World Dressage Masters.

Jonny and the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Elisabeth Max-Theurer and competed once internationally by her daughter, Victoria, almost two years ago scored 69.292 per cent despite mistakes in both the one- and two-tempi changes. The Netherlands’ Christa Laarakkers and Divoza Horseworld Ovation finished second with 67.250 per cent and hometown favorite Charlotte Haid Bondergaard on Lydianus was third on 66.292 per cent.

For Jonny and Amüsant’s first WDM, and the first time the Falsterbo Horse Show has included the prestigious CDI5* in its competition schedule the win earned them €9,500 (US$12,000) while Christa, who competed at WDM in Palm Beach earlier this year, earned €7,000 (US$8,830) and Charlotte €5,500 (US$6,940).

Continue reading Jonny Hilberath & Amüsant Win Moorland Grand Prix Special Dressage Derby