Category Archives: Awards

Art/Photography, Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Products/Services, Publications/Media

Secretariat “Voice of the People” Award to Zenyatta, by Jane Heart

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Personal Appearance, Saturday, February 5, 2011, Santa Anita Park, California

Mrs. Penny Chenery has established the Vox Populi award for the “voice of the fans to honor the horses they love”. The first award will be presented to the Zenyatta team this coming Saturday.

Mrs. Chenery will participate in a special poster signing to commemorate this historic occasion. Scheduled to join in the festivities are Zenyatta’s owners Ann and Jerry Moss, trainer John Shirreffs, and jockey Mike Smith. Kate Chenery Tweedy will also be in attendance signing copies of her newly released book “Secretariat’s Meadow.” Join Penny Chenery as she presents the inaugural Secretariat Vox Populi Award to the Zenyatta team on February 5th at Santa Anita Park.

I am delighted to be a part of this inaugural event as well as displaying my jewelry for Secretariat and Barbaro. Visit with me on Saturday and Sunday February 5 and 6 from 10:30 to 5:00 at the Champions! Santa Anita Gift Shop entrance. It will be a very special day indeed.

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Associations/Breeds, Awards, Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

ASHA High Point Awards Program to Replace ASHA Regional Championships

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Lexington, KY – The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced that the ASHA Regional Championships have been discontinued, effective in 2011.

This change allows for more focus to be placed on the new ASHA High Point Awards program being implemented in the 2011 competition year. The ASHA High Point Awards program, an initiative of the Charter Club Council, recognizes Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred achievement, not only in the traditional show ring, but also in a wide range of open breed competition including dressage, combined driving, eventing, endurance/distance/competitive trail, hunter/jumper, and other disciplines.

In order for the ASHA High Point Awards program to be as comprehensive as possible, ASHA encourages management of all competitions where Saddlebreds and Half-Saddlebreds compete, to register their competitions with ASHA and be included on the ASHA Competition Calendar. The competition registration form can be found here. All ASHA members are urged to notify ASHA if a competition in their local area is missing from the ASHA Competition Calendar.

Full details of the ASHA High Point Awards program are posted on the ASHA website, www.asha.net.

For questions about the ASHA High Point Awards program, contact Brenda Newell, Senior Program Administrator, at 859.475.1461 or b.newell@asha.net, or Susan Harris, Registry Associate/Competitions, at 864.293.2741 or s.harris@asha.net.

Awards, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

PHR Silver Stirrup Awards Kick Off the Festivities at the USEF Annual Meeting

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USEF's Trisha Watkins with Silver Stirrup recipient Ashley Guidry. Photo by Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF.

Lexington, KY – Honors for the best in U.S. sport horse owners, breeders and sires were presented at the Performance Horse Registry’s (PHR) Annual Silver Stirrup Awards during the first of many celebrations hosted at the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation’s Annual Meeting held at the Downtown Hyatt in Lexington from January 19-23. Also on Thursday, the inaugural American Performance Horse Awards and the USEF/Rood & Riddle Thoroughbred Horses in Sport Awards were also bestowed.

Attendants from across the country applauded the horse owners and breeders. Among the many awards was one presented by familiar PHR and Silver Stirrup Awards sponsors Joan Irvine Smith and The Oaks. The winner of the South Pacific Award for Leading U.S.-based Jumper Sire, Lio Calyon (Holliostro x Zoellnerin), is owned by Wild Turkey Farm in Woodside, CA.

The Performance Horse Registry came to the USEF via the Jockey Club in 2000. Today, it serves several purposes: first, it is the main source of complete pedigree data on horses at the Federation. It also serves as a registry for horses that do not fit into the typical breed registry format. Many horses enter the PHR to do both: get their horse’s entire pedigree recorded with the Federation, and obtain identification papers for their horses. Those horses competing in USEF-licensed competitions can be nominated for the Silver Stirrup Awards.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

McCutcheon Scores 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year Title; Harris Honored for a Lifetime of Excellence

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Tom McCutcheon, Don Harris and Kelsey Kimbler. Photo: Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF

Lexington, KY – In a year that equestrian sport was forever changed in the United States, an all-American horseman was honored for his golden achievement. For the second consecutive year, the voters for USEF Horse and Equestrian of the Year have crowned a horse and his rider as champions in both categories.

Tom McCutcheon, the only American double Gold medalist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had barely finished celebrating the achievements of Gunners Special Nite as 2010 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year on Friday evening at the USEF Annual Meeting, when he would find himself on stage again, this time picking up an honor all his own.

McCutcheon wrote his place in history, becoming the first reiner to be crowned USEF Equestrian of the Year.

Continue reading McCutcheon Scores 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year Title; Harris Honored for a Lifetime of Excellence →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Double Gold Medalist Gunners Special Nite Named 2010 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year

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Gunners Special Nite. Photo: Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Lexington, KY – The city of Lexington was largely defined by the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, so it proved a fitting setting to crown the 2010 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year.

And the winner couldn’t be more all-American.

The only multiple Gold medal-winning horse for Team USA, Gunners Special Nite, a six-year-old American Quarter Horse, brought the sport of reining to the forefront of the American equestrian community. People who had never heard of reining watched Gunners Special Nite put in a foot-perfect effort to cruise to victory with the Adequan U.S. Reining Team on NBC’s Broadcast. The team won a Team Gold medal by the largest margin in history.

But it was the Individual Championship where Gunners Special Nite stood out above the rest of the field. His performance with steely veteran Tom McCutcheon brought down the house in the Alltech Arena and secured Gunners Special Nite’s place in the history books.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13065

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) Receives 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma

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Rodrigo Pessoa competing in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo © Dirk Caremans

Lausanne (SUI), 27 January 2011 – Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) was tonight awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma for his generous act of fair play during the Rolex Final Four to decide the individual Jumping medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last October.

The Brazilian Jumping rider, 1998 World and 2004 Olympic champion, and triple FEI World Cup winner was one of the final four fighting for the individual gold. The other challengers were 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Canada, Belgium’s Philippe Lejeune, who had taken part in four FEI World Equestrian Games and eight FEI European Championships, and the young Saudi rider Abdullah Sharbatly for whom competition at this level was a first. While Sharbatly was getting ready to ride Pessoa’s horse Rebozza, he asked the far more experienced Brazilian for some guidance. Pessoa explained at length how to ride the horse, pointed out the most difficult fences, and gave his opponent advice on how to tackle the course. The Saudi rider used Pessoa’s advice to great effect, going on to secure the silver medal, while Rodrigo finished in fourth place just out of the medals. His generous spirited gesture was acknowledged by loud applause from the spectators in Kentucky.

Pessoa is one of three 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma recipients, the other two being Bulgarian judo player Yoana Damyanova and triathlete Raquel Mafra Rocha of Portugal, both of whom competed in the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore last year. Football player Amin Motavassel Zadeh from Iran, decathlete Darius Draudvila from Lithuania and Chinese wrestler Gao Feng were awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Trophy.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13055

Awards, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Cesar Parra’s Piaffe-Performance Students Kick Off 2011 in the Winner’s Circle at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge

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Cesar Parra with his students, left to right: Mike Davis, Bebe Davis, Katie Riley, Nadine Buberl, and Chase Hickok. (Photo courtesy of Performance Farms)

Wellington, FL (January 27, 2011) – International Dressage Rider and trainer Cesar Parra was all smiles during the recent Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge Show, as his students followed in Parra’s award-winning footsteps and rode into the winner’s circle numerous times. Parra, who owns Piaffe-Performance with locations in Florida and New Jersey, had a fantastic 2010 that included breaking in his status as a new American citizen by winning his first National Championship at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions.

“Looking back at 2010, it really was an amazing year,” Parra said. “But 2011 is already shaping up to be another fantastic experience and I am so proud of all of my students who really helped kick off the year in style at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge Show. I am so proud of each and every one of them.”

Parra’s student Michael Davis not only rode into the winner’s circle during the show, but also took home the High Point Award thanks to earning a 79.655% on Rotano in the USEF First Level Test of Choice. “I am thrilled for Michael and Rotano and they couldn’t have started off the year any better,” Parra said, adding that Michael’s wife, Sarah, and daughter, Bebe, also ride at Piaffe-Performance. “The Davis family is very special to me as they not only ride with me but I also show their horse Grandioso, who has a very bright future in the show ring. Our goal with Grandioso is to continue his training with our sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London.”

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Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Products/Services

Katherine Poulin’s Brilliant Too Wins TailRx “Best Tail Award” at Gold Coast Dressage Opener Festival CDI

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Katherine Poulin and Brilliant Too won the TailRx “Best Tail Award” at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener Festival CDI. Judges Charlotte Bredahl and Lorrain Stubbs presented Poulin the award. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 26, 2011) – Katherine Poulin’s Dutch/Thoroughbred gelding Brilliant Too showed he was brilliant during the Gold Coast Dressage Opener Festival CDI, when he not only rode away with a ribbon in the Intermediaire I class but also won the TailRx “Best Tail Award.” Sponsored by TailRx, the mane and tail restoration system for horses that can also be used on horse owners, Brilliant Too’s long and luxurious tail helped him win the highly-sought after award.

“I’m super excited that he won the Tail Rx Award because I think my horse has a great tail and I’m glad it’s getting recognized,” Poulin said, adding that her goal is to make the Pan American team with Brilliant Too.

Poulin, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, rode Brilliant Too to third place in the large FEI Intermediaire I class. “I want to congratulate Katherine and Brilliant Too on their ride in the Intermediaire class. It was a really large class and the competition was extremely stiff,” said Mary Brunetti, founder of TailRx. “I also agree with Katherine that her horse has an amazing tail. While many horses are born with tails like that, horses everywhere can now have tails like Brilliant Too’s thanks to TailRx.”

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Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, JRPR

Peter Leone’s Lionshare Farm Wins Classic Equine Stall and Tack Room Award at 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival

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Wellington, FL (January 25, 2011) – Thanks to a “classic” look of green draperies, tiled floors, potted plants and framed photos – as well as a few extras such as snaffle bits holding back the curtains – Peter Leone’s Lionshare Farm took home the Classic Equine Stall and Tack Room Award during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Sponsored by Classic Equine Equipment, a nationally recognized leader in quality horse stall systems and stable accessories, Lionshare won a teak braiding stool from Classic Equine Equipment and Idlewild Furnishing, Classic Equine’s South Florida distributor.

Leone was thrilled to win the Classic Equine Stall and Tack Room Award and said he was proud of his team that helped make it possible. “Our stabling area at WEF is the same location that George Morris had with his famed Hunterdon when they competed in Wellington, so we are very proud to have this spot,” Leone said. “Another interesting thing about our stabling area is that our colors are green, burgundy and yellow and some of our actual equipment is from the original Still Meadows Farm. They owned the Gold Medal Olympic horse, Calypso, ridden by Melanie Smith.”

Lionshare, a full horse show and sale facility, hails from Greenwich, Connecticut, but Leone said they look forward to their time in Florida every year. “The Winter Equestrian Festival is the best competition of the year,” he said. “The best riders from North and South America and Europe come here to compete.”

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Awards, Contributors/Press, JRPR

The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center to Sponsor Peak Performance Award at 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

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The Sanctuary is opening a new Sanctuary Conditioning and Performance Center on the show grounds in Wellington. The new center will include advanced conditioning and rehabilitation equipment such as the above ground water treadmill. (Photo courtesy of Equine Chronicle)

Wellington, FL (January 12, 2011)  – The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, one of the most comprehensive facilities of its kind in the world, will be sponsoring the Peak Performance Award at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington. The Sanctuary, dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes, has a world-class facility in Ocala and is opening a new Sanctuary Conditioning and Performance Center on the grounds of WEF, in conjunction with Wellington Equestrian Partners.

“The Sanctuary is proud to sponsor the Peak Performance Award at six of the shows during WEF. The award is in line with The Sanctuary’s goals, which is to contribute to the successful performance of horses through our conditioning and rehabilitation equipment,” said Tom Grabe, The Sanctuary’s Managing Partner. “Our goal at The Sanctuary is to help horses perform at their peak through safe and effective conditioning.”

The Peak Performance Award will be presented to horses with successful performances due to their conditioning and fitness levels. The Sanctuary will also be sponsoring the weekly High Performance Hunter Division Award throughout the prestigious show circuit.

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