Category Archives: Community/Charity

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Phelps Media Group

Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars

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Marsha Kulak and last week's judges at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Credit: Top Shelf Dressage

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – Tonight marks the sixth week for the exciting Dressage under the Stars, held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida.  Festivities begin tonight 7:00pm, with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, upstairs on the porch and as always inside the Players Club.  The beautiful event will continue for two more weeks and is held each Wednesday at the luxurious venue. This week’s performances will feature top international judge Anne Gribbons and choreographer Ruth Hogan-Poulsen.

Last week’s Dressage under the Stars was great event featuring three Eventing riders performing musical freestyles. Eventing riders do not usually perform freestyles, but their incredible efforts did not disappoint.  Last week’s Dressage under the Stars, sponsored by PRO aligned with the Derby Cross event held Saturday night, March 5, during Nations Cup week.  Riders from last week included Marsha Kulak, Sara Kozumplik and Ronald Zabala-Goetschel. Olympian Karen O’Connor served as one of the judges for the evening, alongside Mason Phelps, Jr.

“Tonight was a great event for our event riders,” noted O’Connor.  “The evening was very interesting, exciting and enthusiastic.  They do a wonderful job presenting different disciplines to the public and the music is just so much fun.”

Continue reading Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Products/Services

International Dressage Rider Betsy Steiner Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Palm Beach Dressage Derby

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Betsy Steiner, who competed Joli Burrell’s Fino at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, rode away as the winner of the Premier Sportsmanship Award during the show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (March 9, 2011) – Dressage rider and trainer Betsy Steiner, who represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Sweden, competed Joli Burrell’s Fino at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby at White Fences in Wellington and said the secret to each and every ride she takes is the simple fact the she loves her horses and competing. In addition to enjoying her ride, Steiner was awarded the Premier Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories.

The Premier Sportsmanship Award is awarded to a rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show and Steiner thanked Premier for the award. “The award really encourages riders and it makes you feel good about coming to the show and doing well,” she said.

Steiner added that she was really pleased with Fino’s performance at the show. “He was a great boy and I was really happy with him. It was the first time I’ve had him in the ring since June and he really came through for me,” she said, adding that she competed Fino in the FEI Test of Choice Prix St. Georges class.

When asked how she maintains a great level of sportsmanship, Steiner said she loves competing. “I love all of the horses I compete and Fino just happens to be one of the best,” Steiner said.

Continue reading International Dressage Rider Betsy Steiner Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Palm Beach Dressage Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Polo

Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club

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Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set for this Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Lodge, the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

Continue reading Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #9, by Claire Dorotik

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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 #9 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

Just then, the comforting sound of horses rustling in their stalls was broken by Alex’s voice. “Claire what are you doing up here?”

I didn’t bother to turn my head. “Feeding the horses.” I pulled the first pieces off of the bale and tossed them in the cart.

“Well, we need you to help make fliers.” He positioned himself between me and  the hay cart, more or less blocking me as I tried to work.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #9, by Claire Dorotik →

Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Racing Sources

2010 Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year

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The American Quarter Horse Journal — The Most Valuable Professional and the Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year awards were presented tonight during the 2011 AQHA Convention Awards Banquet. The awards were presented by AQHA Corporate Partner Professional’s Choice.

Wanda Lounder

The Most Valuable Professional or “MVP” of 2010 is Wanda Lounder. Wanda serves as the Maine Quarter Horse Association second vice president as well as the youth co-adviser. She leads with the goals of “bringing the youth in, not as competitors, but as an organization.” Under her leadership, local youth involvement has grown. In a traditionally individualistic sport, Wanda encourages teamwork, saying she wants “the youth not only to compete and grow as competitors, but to grow as a team, as well.”

When financial uncertainty jeopardized the local futurities, Wanda stepped up again. Her business, Double L Equestrian Center, sponsored several events, such as the hunter under saddle futurity and non-pro green horse trail futurity, and also small-fry classes. Wanda always makes sure the small-fries are recognized with ribbons and even high-point small-fry trophies.

Continue reading 2010 Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Charlie Jacobs Named Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for February

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Charlie Jacobs and Leap of Joy during the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Photo Credit: The Book LLC

Lexington, KY – March 7, 2011 – Charlie Jacobs has been named the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for February.

Jacobs competes in the East Conference Amateur-Owner division of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series aboard Leap of Joy. The month of February was a huge success for the pair, as they earned first place honors in Series classes held during the fourth and sixth weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, earning 320 points.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series honors one rider each month as the Rider of the Month. The honor goes to the one rider who earns the most points on one horse in Series competition that month.

“Charlie is a dedicated competitor in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series,” said George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. “We are very excited to recognize his hard work and success with our Rider of the Month Award, and wish him the best of luck as the Series continues.”

Continue reading Charlie Jacobs Named Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for February →

Auctions, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Fundraisers, More/Other, Phelps Media Group

Come Prepared to Ride at the Fete Cheval to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

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Rodrigo Pessoa at the 2010 Fete Cheval to benefit The EQUUS Foundation. Photo courtesy of The EQUUS Foundation.

WELLINGTON, FL – March 7, 2011 – It’s a sell out for dinner, but performance seating is still available for the Fete Cheval to benefit The EQUUS Foundation and presented by Foundation Farm, which will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. Performance seats are $100 per person and include an open bar and great entertainment!

One lucky winner of the Fete Cheval Rider Raffle will have the opportunity to ride with professional riders, Max Amaya, Pablo Barrios, Derek Braun, Molly Ashe Cawley, Nick Dellojoio, Mario Deslauriers, Hillary Dobbs, Sandy Ferrell, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Charlie Jayne, Darragh Kenny, Laura Kraut, Kate Oliver, Rodrigo Pessoa, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano and McLain Ward. Raffle tickets at $100 per ticket will be on sale at the event. The winner must be a guest at the event, and wear appropriate riding attire for the games, including a riding helmet.

The International Club will be closed for the evening to focus all the festivities in the Special Events Tent, where, prior to the games, a cocktail reception, auction, and dinner will be held starting at 6:00 p.m.

Continue reading Come Prepared to Ride at the Fete Cheval to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, EQUUS Foundation, Fundraisers, USEF

USEF and The EQUUS Foundation Team Up to Play Favorites; Can You Help?

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February 25 2011 – Lexington, KY – Who is the most beloved equestrian athlete in America? The clock is ticking. The buzzer sounds. Can you prove it? Actually, you can. All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation and you’ll be able to “play favorites” in the nationwide fundraising effort “America’s Favorite Equestrian.” The EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) jointly launched the charitable mobile texting game in celebration of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the eight international disciplines represented on the field of play.

Today, both organizations announce the expansion of the inaugural program through 2011, including multiple rounds and eliminations. These rounds will add suspense to the game, as the crowd favorites move forward and those with fewer votes are eliminated. The EQUUS Foundation has also pledged to award a minimum of $10,000 in grants in support of USEF programs within these eight international equestrian disciplines. The discipline generating the greatest number of votes will receive an additional $5,000 grant award for its USEF-affiliated association.

How to Vote:

Visit the link at http://www.equusfoundation.org/vote. For a $5 contribution, you can select your favorite equestrian (listed by discipline) and follow the instructions provided to use mobile texting to vote. After texting your vote, you must reply YES to confirm your vote and $5 donation.

Continue reading USEF and The EQUUS Foundation Team Up to Play Favorites; Can You Help? →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., USEF

10 Questions with… Boyd Martin!

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Boyd Martin. Photo by Mike McNally.

March 04 2011 – Lexington, KY – Welcome to the first of many features profiling various people in equestrian sport – athletes, trainers and more. The profiles will be published regularly in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Week in Review e-newsletter. Is there someone you would like to know more about? Email “10 Questions With” editor Stephanie Doyle at news@usef.org. Then, stay tuned to USEF’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/usequestrianfederation) where you can submit your questions.

Up first – meet superstar eventer Boyd Martin. This Australian native relocated to the United States in 2007 to pursue his dreams of international eventing competition. He and his wife Silva, a Grand Prix dressage rider originally from Germany who now rides for the U.S., operate Windurra USA out of Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm. Now riding for the U.S., Boyd, who has dual citizenship, was the top-finishing American individual and a member of the 4th-placed Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

Continue reading 10 Questions with… Boyd Martin! →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Polo, USDF

Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

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Steiner and Hoag. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle Photography

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set to take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Pavilion the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

Continue reading Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala →