Category Archives: Awards

Kelsey Kimbler Named 2010 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year

2010 Junior Equestrian, Kelsey Kimbler. Photo by Paschal Karl.

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Kelsey Kimbler as the 2010 Junior Equestrian of the Year. This highest of honor offered to a junior equestrian comes on the heels of another big honor Kelsey earned earlier this month – the 2010 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations. This puts Kelsey in elite company, as one of only a handful of junior equestrians to accomplish both feats in the same year.

“My sister Kirsten won this award in 2007 and I’ve always looked up to her. When she won, I decided ‘That’s my next goal!'” Kimbler related. “It has been a whirlwind experience.”

The 17-year-old high school senior has shown an unwavering commitment to her sport. As a young child, she started in the show ring with walk-trot. Soon after, she continued her riding with endurance and has never looked back. Kimbler has won the AERC Junior National Hundred Mile Award twice in its four years of existence. This award is given to the junior rider who completes the most 100-mile rides in one year. Kimbler holds the record for being the only junior to complete five such endurance rides in one year. She also has represented the AHA Youth Association as her region’s delegate and through involvement in 4-H events with her Arabians. She was nominated by both the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC).

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Saddlebred Showman Don Harris Honored with 2010 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Harris and CH Imperator. Photo by Sargent/ASHA Archive.

Lexington, KY – In the American Saddlebred world, few names rise to a level of royalty in quite the way that the name of Don Harris has. During more than five decades of training and competition, his fan following has exponentially increased. Those who know him attribute it to three things: impeccable training, consummate showmanship and perhaps most importantly and most simply, sincere kindness. Now, after this lifetime as an ambassador for one of America’s few original breeds, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Harris, of Cox’s Creek, KY, has been selected to receive the organization’s highest honor – the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy.

Through the years, Harris has had a hand in the development of some of the most prominent American Saddlebreds ever known: CH Imperator, CH Giddy-Up-Go, CH Protege, CH Sultan’s Starina and CH Finisterre’s Gift of Love. Among his wins are repeat Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championships, the Three-Gaited World’s Grand Championship and numerous reserves. In addition to making a name for himself in American Saddlebred circles throughout the United States, Harris garnered international attention by sharing news of the breed abroad, helping to influence sales to enthusiasts in Germany, South Africa and Haiti.

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Champions Announcements Broadcast Live January 12

The American Quarter Horse Journal – The American Quarter Horse Association will announce the 2010 AQHA Racing Champions awards live at 6 p.m. CST on Wednesday, January 12, from Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. With an elite awards-ceremony atmosphere, this year’s event will include champagne and valet parking for attendees. If you can’t make it to the event, the show will be broadcast free of charge on Q-Racing Video.

This year’s awards are wide open, with a number of legitimate contenders in many categories.

The freshman crop saw a number of top performances throughout the year, including that of 2-year-old colt American Runaway, who won the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and was second in three other Grade 1’s while leading the AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com 2-Year-Old Poll for much of the year. The 2-year-old filly category includes 10 tough contenders that include A Snowy Cartel, the only freshman to notch two Grade 1 wins, while California starlet Flying Fig was three times the runner-up in Grade 1 races with purses of $1 million-plus.

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Nan Sexton and Xairel do Bosque Win the High Score Lusitano Award

Nan Sexton and her gorgeous Lusitano stallion, Xairel do Bosque, rode away the winner of the High Point Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. Sexton is joined by her trainer Carmen Franco. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 3, 2010) – Nan Sexton and her Lusitano stallion, Xairel do Bosque, rang in the holidays in style by winning the High Score Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. Sponsored by the Lusitano Collection, hosts of the 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction, the High Score Lusitano Award was awarded to the highest scoring Lusitano in first level through fourth level at the show.

Sexton, who rides out of Southgate Farm and trains with Carmen Franco, was thrilled with Xairel do Bosque’s win. “This was his second horse show and he hasn’t been out of the blue ribbons yet,” Sexton said, adding that she bought the seven-year-old stallion in Brazil. “I was really happy that as a young stallion he managed to handle himself with grace and he didn’t let anything disturb his focus while at the show.”

Sexton competed Xairel do Bosque in second level and said she is hoping to move him up to third level soon. “I have had some smart warmbloods in the past, but I think the Lusitanos are probably more eager to please and less headstrong than warmbloods,” she said.  Sexton has purchased three Interagro Lusitanos: Acolito Interagro, Ubrique Interagro, and Versejador Interagro, and says she is looking forward to the 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction.  While Xairel do Bosque was not bred at Interagro Farms in Brazil, he is related to Sexton’s stallion Acolito Interagro.  Acolito is sired by Farao (JHC), who is Xairel’s grandsire.  Farao (JHC) is also the grandsire of Relampago do Retiro, one of the Lusitanos to compete at the World Equestrian Games in 2010.

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Dana Fiore Wins Wellington Institute “Rider Wellness Award” at Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show

Dressage rider Dana Fiore stands with her gelding Redford at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 1, 2010) – Dana Fiore’s youthful exuberance, along with some stellar rides in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaries I classes aboard her gelding Redford, helped her clinch the “Rider Wellness Award” at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. Sponsored by The Wellington Institute, the award is given to one rider at the show based on energy level, zest for life, weight control, muscle and body mass, stress management and anxiety control.

Fiore was thrilled with the gift certificate and products she won from The Wellington Institute and said the secret to her healthy lifestyle is staying active and riding. Fiore also stays fit by working on her palm tree farm in Boynton Beach, Florida.

“We want to congratulate Dana on an excellent season. Dana is also the perfect example of fitness and wellness,” said Juan Gonzalez, Director of Marketing for The Wellington Institute, adding that The Wellington Institute benefits riders by taking a look at their hormonal system to study their aging process.

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Draper Equine Therapy to Sponsor “Put Your Best Foot Forward” Award at 2011 FTI WEF

Draper Equine Therapy will be sponsoring the “Put Your Best Foot Forward” Award at the 2011 WEF. Each winner will receive a pair of Draper Equine Therapy Recovery Wraps, an Anti-Sweat Sheet and Saddle Pad for their horse, along with a pair of Draper Body Therapy Socks and a t-shirt for themselves. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (December 30, 2010) – Riders who put their best foot forward each week during the world class 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will have the chance to ride away with the “Put Your Best Foot Forward” Award. Sponsored by Draper Equine Therapy, makers of therapeutic horse and rider products featuring the innovative “smart fiber” textile Celliant, each winner will receive a pair of Draper Equine Therapy Recovery Wraps, an Anti-Sweat Sheet and Saddle Pad for their horse, along with a pair of Draper Body Therapy Socks and a t-shirt for themselves.

“Draper is thrilled to be sponsoring the ‘Put Your Best Foot Forward’ Award at WEF. This is a wonderful opportunity to reward talent that might not be winning ribbons each week at WEF, regardless of all the determination and hard work they are putting forward,” said Kat Wojtylak, Product Manager of Draper Equine Therapy. “We want to recognize those horses and riders who are really giving it their all, because everyone deserves a shot at being the best.”

The 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival, held January 12 to April 3 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, is a world-class show circuit that attracts top horses, riders and trainers from all around the world. “The winners of the ‘Put Your Best Foot Forward’ Award are going to have the opportunity to really try the products out by feeling and watching the results,” Wojtylak said. “We have riders with feet problems that put on our socks and call us the next day to tell us their pain is gone. We have one rider who says he will never take off our socks because he is pain free for the first time in five years.”

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FEI Month in Review – December 2010

12/01/2010 Malmö to host inaugural FEI World Reining Finals in 2011

12/03/2010 Guatemala to stage FEI World Jumping Challenge Final

12/05/2010 Ultimate win for Ulrich in Budapest

12/11/2010 Swiss Jumping team presented with 2008 Olympic bronze at 50th anniversary Geneva show

12/12/2010 Journalists to vote for best press office in Rolex FEI World Cup Western European League 2010/2011 season

12/13/2010 FEI President names Executive Board members

12/16/2010 FEI and Reem Acra give Christmas treat to children from inner city London horse charity

KEY EVENTS, ITEMS AND MEETINGS – DECEMBER 2010

Clean Sport presentation and FEI Veterinarian Course, Budapest (HUN), 1-2 December

FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke presented Clean Sport to members of the Hungarian NF and gave an official FEI veterinarian course.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12844

Tine Zinglersen and Today Win Custom Saddlery “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge

Tine Zinglersen and Today won the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (December 14, 2010) – Dressage rider Tine Zinglersen and a Dutch Warmblood named Today proved it was their day to shine at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show when they rode away with the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award. Thanks to his gleaming coat and spotless appearance, Today, who is owned by Eugenia Revson of Pine Plains, New York, took home the award sponsored by Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles.

Zinglersen, who lives in New York but is originally from Denmark, was pleased with Today’s ride in the Prix St. George class. “We bought him three years ago in Holland. People always ask about his name, Today, but he came with it and we never change their name,” Zinglersen said.

Today’s beautiful dappled grey coat and pristine turnout helped him win a pair of fleece lined DSB Dressage Boots from Custom Saddlery. “Today is a gorgeous horse and I want to congratulate Tine and Eugenia on his turn out. He was positively gleaming and Tine was impeccably dressed as well. I know that Tine and Eugenia are in Wellington for the season and I want to wish them continued good luck throughout the coming shows,” said Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery, adding that he enjoys the time-honored tradition of horses being turned out in style.

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SBS Farms’ Susan Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano Honored at USHJA Convention

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy. Photo © 2010 PMG

Buffalo, NY – December 14, 2010 – Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in Buffalo, NY, was honored this past week at the USHJA Annual Meeting, which was held on December 6-9, 2011. Schoellkopf was given the President’s Distinguished Service Award at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner for the second year in a row.  SBS Farms’ Jennifer Alfano was also awarded at the dinner, as she earned The Rider Recognition Award for 2010.  This award is given for the most money won as a Hunter rider and her cash earnings were just above $400,000.

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards were developed in 2006 to acknowledge and honor the dedication and service of volunteer members to both the USHJA and the sport. 2010 marked the second year for Schoellkopf to win the USHJA’s President’s Distinguished Service Award, as she was also the recipient of this award in 2009. Schoellkopf is the chair of the Open Hunter Task Force and a member of the Hunter Restructure Committee, the Hunter Zone Council, the High Performance Hunter Committee, and the Junior Hunter Task Force. She is also on the USEF Drugs and Medication committee and serves as chair of the Zone 2 Hunter Committee.

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Eric Lamaze Named as Owner of the Year for Third Year Running

(L-R): Christian Baillet, Chairman of the JOC, presenting the Owner of the Year Award and Jean-Noel Bioul, Rolex SA, presenting a Rolex silver picture frame to Eric Lamaze

13 December 2010 – For the third year running, Eric Lamaze and John Fleischhacker, joint-owners of the 14 year old bay stallion Hickstead, have been awarded the prestigious title of “Owner of the Year” by the Jumping Owners Club. Hickstead and Canadian rider Eric Lamaze continued their superb form to maintain their position as the most successful horse and rider combination in 2010.

Christian Baillet, Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club, and Jean-Noel Bioul of Rolex SA presented the award to Eric Lamaze. The ceremony took place during the 2010 Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier at the Geneva Palexpo, Switzerland, on 11 December 2010.

Formed in 2005 and supported by Rolex, the Jumping Owners Club is an exclusive organisation of international owners which works towards growing the popularity of the sport around the world. It is the only body which represents the views and opinions of the owners, and works closely alongside the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) in building the profile and inclusiveness of Jumping.

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