Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Phelps Media Group

USET Foundation Trustees Tuny Page and Kim Boyer Host Donor Reception to Honor Riders and Thank Supporters

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Wellington, FL – January 12, 2011 – On Saturday, January 8, 2011, Tuny and David Page and Kim and Fredrick Boyer hosted a wonderful cocktail reception for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation at the Page residence in Wellington, FL.  The evening’s events were held to honor those who support the sport of Dressage through the USET Foundation and give them the opportunity to meet and mingle with the athletes who benefit from their support.

“I had no idea how much it actually costs to train, transport, coach and really make the team work,” noted 2010 World Equestrian Games Dressage U.S. rider and Olympian Steffen Peters.  “I am so very thankful to the USET Foundation and everyone who supports the Foundation.  The team could not function without their incredible generosity – so thanks again for everything you do for us!”

All four members of the United States Dressage Team who competed at the World Equestrian Games last fall were in attendance on Saturday night, along with many other distinguished Dressage riders. The team was composed of Steffen Peters, Todd Flettrich, Tina Konyot and Katherine Bateson-Chandler.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12937

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

New Schedule for Week One of the Jacksonville Winter Series

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January 10th, 2011

Exhibitors,

All is looking well for the Jacksonville Winter Series this year. We are not in snow and ice and we have a few stalls available for weeks one and three and for the most part, we are sold out for week two. I want to thank everyone for sending in thier entries this year that helped a great deal with our planning.

We do have a new schedule for week one. I have published it on this link.

http://www.classiccompany.com/zdocs/jax_sch.pdf

If you have any questions the show office number is 904 284 1579.

See you at the rings,

Bob Bell

The Classic Company, Ltd.

www.ClassicCompany.com

Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503

Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

Tucker S. Johnson Will Be Honored with the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup from USET Foundation

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Tucker S. Johnson earned the Individual Bronze Medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games during the Four-In-Hand Combined Driving competition. Photo By: Susan J. Stickle.

Gladstone, NJ – January 10, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Combined Driver Tucker S. Johnson of Hobe Sound, Florida, is the recipient of the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct while serving as an ambassador for the United States and equestrian sport. Johnson is a tremendously accomplished driver who helped lead the United States to a Team Silver Medal as well as receiving an Individual Bronze Medal during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

This is the second year that Johnson has received the Whitney Stone Cup, after being awarded the prestigious honor in 2001. Johnson now plans to retire from the competitive sport as he spent 2010 achieving many milestones. Along with other achievements, Johnson guided his Four-In-Hand team to a second place finish at the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.

After helping the United States win a Team Silver Medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, Johnson went on to a repeat performance at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. He was a member of the Silver Medal Team and after earning a 150.06 over the three phases of competition he took home the Individual Bronze Medal, achieving his personal best at a World Championship event.

Continue reading Tucker S. Johnson Will Be Honored with the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup from USET Foundation →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Training/Clinics

Premier Equestrian Congratulates Walter Zettl on Induction into Hall of Fame

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Premier Equestrian, LLC is pleased to congratulate classical dressage master Walter Zettl on his induction into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame. Zettl has been a long-time advisor to Premier Equestrian. (Photo courtesy of Walter Zettl, photo credit Christine Derksen)

Sandy, UT (January 7, 2011) – Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, and stable accessories, is pleased to congratulate classical dressage master Walter Zettl on his induction into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame. Zettl has been a long-time advisor to Premier Equestrian and is also the technical advisor for Dressage Today Magazine.

“Walter is one of the true classical dressage masters left on the planet and we are so happy that he was recognized for being a contributor to the evolution of the sport of dressage,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “Walter has lived in Canada since 1981 and has had a big impact on the Canadian dressage community. He has also had a big impact on our company and has advised and directed Premier on our products over the years.”

Zettl, who is now in his 80s, has spent years on the forefront of the dressage world, from coaching Olympic riders to teaching, training, offering clinics, writing books and producing DVDs. “It wasn’t a surprise to his family, friends or students when he was inducted into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame,” Zorn said. “Zettl’s ‘Matter of Trust’ DVD series was produced by Dancing Deer Productions and distributed by Premier.  The DVD covers classical dressage techniques from Training level to Grand Prix, and we were very pleased to have been part of it. Getting to know Walter, and understand his true passion for dressage and horses, has been a real blessing.”

Continue reading Premier Equestrian Congratulates Walter Zettl on Induction into Hall of Fame →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, JRPR

Cesar Parra Prepares for Florida Dressage Circuit with Grandioso, Lindner and Students

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Cesar Parra, shown here with Lindner and Grandioso, recently returned from Europe where he spent time training with Hubertus Schmidt. Parra looks forward to competing on the winter dressage circuit in Florida with his students and horses. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 6, 2011) – International Dressage Rider Cesar Parra has returned from a rewarding training period in Europe with a new horse in tow and his sights set on a successful winter show season with the horses and students of Piaffe-Performance Farm. Parra is looking forward to 2011 and hopes to build on a fantastic 2010 show year, which included breaking in his status as a new American citizen by winning his first National Championship at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions.

“We just returned from training with Hubertus Schmidt in Europe, and it was amazing,” Parra said. “It is great to be there at Hubertus’, to watch him ride and get his help. It is really a wonderful riding environment and exactly what I needed — to be challenged every day and do the work I needed.”

Parra said the time spent in Europe was not only beneficial for him, but also for Grandioso, a nine-year-old Westfalen gelding owned by Michael and Sarah Davis. “Grandioso is doing awesome and is constantly improving, especially after our time spent in Europe with Hubertus. He is a huge horse, so strength is very important in order to carry himself and maintain his expressive gaits. We worked a lot on Grandioso’s piaffe with Hubertus and it is improving daily,” Parra said, adding that his goal with Grandioso is to continue his training with their sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London.

Continue reading Cesar Parra Prepares for Florida Dressage Circuit with Grandioso, Lindner and Students →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., FEI

In Memoriam: Rebecca Broussard (USA)

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Lausanne (SUI), 4 January 2011 – Rebecca Broussard, one of the most loyal supporters of Eventing in the United States, passed away at her home in Montana on 24 December 2010 after losing her battle against cancer.

Born in Jeanerette, Louisiana on February 17, 1942, Becky Broussard was one of the best known “behind-the-scenes” names in US Eventing, owning top horses for Phillip Dutton, Karen O’Connor, Cathy Wieschoff, Amy Tryon and Ralph Hill, among others. She was also the founder of The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, which began in 2002 and now includes an FEI World Cup qualifier. The Event, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, attracts riders from across the US.

Becky had long talked about her love of helping riders in the West compete on the world stage and her vision also included plans to bring riders from Europe to Montana in the future. She provided financial support for US riders to travel to Strzegom (POL) for the 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup final and, last summer, helped organise a historic flight of 18 horses from the East Coast, including many Olympians, to compete at The Event at Rebecca Farm.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Rebecca Broussard (USA) →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – The ABCs of Quality Hay

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Many people grow their own hay.  If you, like most horse owners, cannot grow and harvest your own hay, how do you ensure that the hay you are buying is of good quality with the proper nutrition for your animals?

Traditionally good hay is green and leafy, smells and tastes sweet and should be without mold, dust, weeds, bugs or rain damage.

Looks can be deceiving!  A proven method of evaluating forages without an agronomy degree is to obtain the RFV number.  RFV (Relative Feed Value) measures digestibility and the amount of energy potential available to the animal.

RFV is measured in a six tiered scale with a range between zero and 150.  A value of 100 represents average good quality hay.  The tiers are as follows: Prime – over 150; Premium – 125-150; Good – 103-124; Fair – 87-102; Poor – 75-86; Reject – under 74.  The higher the RFV, the better the digestibility of whichever hay you purchase.

Continue reading Tip of the Week – The ABCs of Quality Hay →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Events, Wild Horse Sources

Don’t Forget to Watch the Saving America’s Mustangs 2011 Rose Parade Float Tomorrow!

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Dear Friends & Supporters,
Tomorrow (January 1st), our Saving America’s Mustangs 2011 Rose Parade float will be showcased to over 54 million viewers worldwide! We were at judging early this morning and we will find out if we won any of the 20 out of 23 awards that we are eligible for.

Below is a small sample of how amazing our float looks! (Just wait until you see all of the participants on it!)

I also want to thank all the volunteers (Petal Pushers) who spent tireless hours meticulously decorating our float. It looks so amazing! Phoenix Decorating and all the volunteers did an exceptional job! Thank you all so much!

This is such great exposure for the Wild Ones! Please make a point to tune into the Rose Parade on January 1st and give our mustangs the attention they deserve! This is also a great opportunity to see real, GREAT AMERICAN MUSTANGS live! Six of our very own mustangs will be walking proudly in the 5.5 mile parade, celebrating the Rose Bowl and our American heritage! One million parade goers will be lining the streets to get a glimpse at these beautiful, floral floats. We would love to have you cheer us on and wave to you as we pass by.

Also accompanying our float and equestrian unit we will be honoring many great Americans including: wounded veterans, including several from Patriot Paws, as well as our 4 legged heroes from the Military War Dogs Association, and several Native American tribes, not to mention some of our respected Saving America’s Mustangs Advisory Board Members and a HUGE fireworks display!

Continue reading Don’t Forget to Watch the Saving America’s Mustangs 2011 Rose Parade Float Tomorrow! →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Hat Trick for Koos de Ronde in Mechelen

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Koos de Ronde on his way to his hat trick victory in Mechelen. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

Koos de Ronde did it again. The Dutch golden team member of Kentucky has won the FEI World Cup Driving competition in Mechelen for the third time in a row. De Ronde beat Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz with an exciting fast and clear round to put the pressure on last-to-go and wild card driver Boyd Exell. But the World Champion from Australia was unable to stay clear and left the arena with 15 penalty points. When the scores were finally tallied, De Ronde was declared the deserved winner.

Charley is back
After wins in 2008 and 2009 in the Nekkerhal just 140 kilometres from his home in The Netherlands, Koos de Ronde was determined to be the best again in Mechelen. Koos was very pleased to be able to use his black horse Charley in the lead of his team again after having to replace him at Budapest due to injury. De Ronde put his team in the highest gear from the start and was the only driver with two clear rounds.

Too generous
Boyd Exell, who had received one of the three wild cards from the organisers, was last to go in the Winning Round after a very fast first round. Koos had asked him to be generous before he went into the fully packed arena, but Boyd explained afterwards that he had not planned to be that generous! Boyd, who had swapped his leaders around, went too fast in tight places and knocked three balls down.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12857

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 8

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Mireille Puttevils, Rolex Belgium, presents Jessica Kuerten with a Rolex watch after the Irish rider's victory with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois in today's leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series. Photo: Dirk Caremans/FEI.

KUERTEN KEEPS THE BELGIANS AT BAY ON THEIR HOME TURF AT MECHELEN by Louise Parkes

Mechelen BEL, 30 December 2010 – Ireland’s Jessica Kuerten fended off a powerful challenge from the host nation contingent to scoop maximum points in the eighth leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series at Mechelen in Belgium this afternoon.  From a starting field of 38 only four went into the second-round jump-off, and the 41 year old German-based rider snatched victory when second-last to go against the clock riding Lady Georgina Forbes’ Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois.

“It was a very special win, and I feel quite emotional,” Kuerten said afterwards.  “We really wanted to win, we were unbelievably motivated and we had to go very fast to beat Gregory Wathalet.  Winning this and the Queen’s Cup on Tuesday has made it a fairytale week!” she added.  Belgium’s Wathalet took runner-up spot with Sea Coast Cortes C while his fellow-countrymen Jos Lansink (Casper Van Spieveld) and Niels Bruynseels (NASA) filled third and fourth places respectively as the home riders put on a great show in front of their own crowd in the packed Nekkerhal Arena.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12853