Wellington, FL (January 12, 2012) – Nan Sexton’s handsome Lusitano Batistuta V.O. rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF First/Second Level Test of Choice class with a 70.968%. Ridden by trainer Carmen Franco, the stallion’s score also helped him win the High Score Lusitano Award, sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world. The Holiday Challenge was the second show of Batistuta’s career, and the second time for the brilliant buckskin to earn the Lusitano High Score.
The High Score Lusitano Award, which is sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, recognizes the highest scoring Lusitano at select dressage shows on the Florida circuit and highlights the dynamic and competitive Lusitano breed. “I do enjoy the Lusitano breed,” said Franco, who trains for Sexton’s Southgate Farm. “This was Batistuta’s second show and there is no way to describe him except to say he is awesome. He’s a very talented and athletic horse with great gaits. He is only six years old, but he is a fun horse to ride and he has lots of positive energy. I think that the future will take him to the FEI level.”
Oklahoma City, OK – January 5, 2012 – The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) offers members an online program that rewards youth for leadership and community service activities outside of the show arena. The Varsity Reining Club (VRC) provides scholarships totaling $5,000, to be awarded to the most active participants in two age groups. In its sixth year, VRC will provide 13 youth scholarship monies, with the top-placing individual in each age group receiving special recognition as “Youths of the Year.”