Quick tips and facts about the new Freestyle requirements!
1. There is a maximum time limit but NO minimum time. Maximum time limit for all USDF freestyles is 5 minutes. Your time begins when your horse moves off after the entry salute and ends at the final salute.
2. One point will be deducted from the total artistic score for exceeding the time limit.
3. Movements done above your level will be penalized by a four point deduction from the technical score for each “clearly forbidden” movement done.
4. The rider must enter the arena within 45 seconds of the signal from the judge and within 20 seconds of the start of the music or will be eliminated.
5. Halt and salute are now judged at the beginning and end of a freestyle. The halt with a salute must be facing “c”.
Samuel Parot and Costa Real Win Outback Steakhouse Gamblers Choice; Taylor Ann Adams Named Grand Puba Junior Champion; Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Triumphant in $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix
Conyers, GA — June 26, 2011 — The Atlanta Summer Classics wrapped up competition at the Georgia International Horse Park, awarding nearly $300,000 in prize money and raising thousands for local charities over the two week run. “We’ve had some of the best riders in our sport joining us; it’s been a remarkable series and I couldn’t be happier,” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said.
Starting off the finale week was a couple of highly anticipated clinics on Tuesday, beginning with a member of the $1 million dollar club, famed Grand Prix pro Wilhelm Genn, sharing his secrets of mastering water jumps. Sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Genn used the covered arena to set a mini course of six jumps, two with water hazards and utilized approximately ten horses to demonstrate proper and improper approaches. Speaking over a wireless microphone to riders and trainers for nearly two hours, Genn answered questions and provided helpful tips to “boost a horse’s confidence” when confronting water obstacles. Following was a very informative Pony Model Clinic with one of the foremost experts in this area, Bibby Farmer from Ocala, FL. She carefully explained to the young exhibitors not only what judges look for, but how to get the best from their ponies. Covering all the essentials from the pony’s stance to where the exhibitors’ attentions need to be when a judge is walking about them. On Thursday evening it was the judges who found themselves in the proverbial hot seats for an open forum called Just Ask the Judges, sponsored by Practical Horseman magazine. Three of the most respected names in judging, Betty Oare, Scott Fitton, and Barry Lobel, fielded questions from exhibitors and provided insight on scoring in the Hunter/Jumper disciplines. The panel also shared several of what they referred to as Judges’ Pet Peeves, which included overly short releases, especially in the Equitation divisions. All the experts agreed a restrictive release interferes with the horse’s jumping style, but pointed out that that doesn’t imply they want to see the opposite extreme with the infamous overdone throwing of the arms release. Another peeve they described was the exaggerated tour taken upon entering the ring, stating that if a rider needs to show their mount the ring and/or the fences then the rider appears unprepared. Questions were asked on a wide range of subjects and guests left the forum armed with a lot of valuable information. “The clinics were a giant success and we [Classic Company] will be introducing more of these throughout out show schedule,” Bell commented.
You may have noticed that everyone has an opinion.
You may also have noticed that others’ opinions may not be the same as yours.
I overheard Jane talking to a friend whose feelings were hurt by a conflict of opinions. Jane shared something a business associate had told her.
Understand that about 10% of the people in your life will love you no matter what you say or do. Another 10% are going to hate you, or at least not like you, no matter what you do. The other 80% are not going to care about you very much one way or another, and are going to be too focused on their own lives to worry about what you’re up to.
Do you worry about what people think of you? Maybe it’s time to realize that it’s just not that important what other people think. If you like yourself and follow your own heart, that’s really all that matters. Trying to please everyone is not only impossible, it will make you crazy. Let it go!
I’ve decided to quit worrying about whether that new mare at the barn likes me or not. She will or she won’t. I can only be my authentic self and give her the opportunity to decide.
Lexington, KY – The USEF has updated the Eventing High Performance Training Lists based on spring performances so far in 2011. Riders will be invited to participate in training sessions with USEF Technical Advisor Capt. Mark Phillips at competitions throughout the summer and fall seasons in preparation for the 2011 Pan American Games and 2012 Olympic Games.
Name/Age/Hometown
The following riders have been named to the High Performance A List:
Phillip Dutton/47/West Grove, PA
Will Faudree/29/Hoffman, NC
Sinead Halpin/29/Oldwick, NJ
Boyd Martin/31/West Grove, PA
The following riders have been named to the High Performance B List:
Jennie Brannigan/23/West Grove, PA
Hannah Sue Burnett/24/Ocala, FL
Will Coleman/28/Gordonsville, VA
Buck Davidson/35/ Riegelsville, PA
Clark Montgomery/30/Fairburn, GA
Karen O’Connor/53/The Plains, VA
Doug Payne/29/Pottersville, NJ
Michael Pollard/30/Dalton, GA
Julian Stiller/27/Berkshire, UK
Trey Young, “The American Horseman,” has been busy planning and promoting his new television series airing on HRTV Dish Network 404. While creating his schedule, the horseman has reserved many dates along the way for future clinics. Young has been hosting clinics at his 3-Y Ranch in Crawfordville, FL for nearly 4 years. His clinics range from confidence on the trail, to cow work, to basic horsemanship.
Trey’s next clinic is a basic horsemanship clinic set for June 25th-26th. This clinic is designed for all levels of horsemanship. Young will assure that you leave this clinic with renewed confidence and understanding, resulting in a stronger bond and partnership between you and your horse. Regardless of your skill level, this clinic promises something new, fun, and helpful for everyone that attends.
This basic horsemanship clinic will feature some ground work as well as more saddle time to get your horse to better understand your cues. From start to finish the rider will focus on improving everything for themselves, and their horse. Clinics are limited to small sizes to ensure each person gets the one on one time they need. If you would like to attend a clinic, but don’t have a horse, one can be provided for an additional fee.
U.S. Young Rider Team Member Reed Kessler brings us news of their recent success on tour in Europe and Jane Wallace is back to address another training topic. Plus our new segment, Words of Wisdom. Listen in…
I blew it. I mean I really blew it. I was trying to show off to the cute new mare in the barn, and I ended up tripping over my own feet and landing with a splat in the mud. I was so embarrassed I thought I’d light up the sky a bright red. Good thing I’m covered in black hair or there’d have been a rosy glow all over the gentle hills of Vermont. I wanted to shrink my bulk down to mouse size and disappear in one of Indy’s rabbit’s holes.
Don’t you just hate it when you make a public mistake? It’s bad enough when you make a mistake that only you know about. When everyone else witnesses your shame, it makes it really hard to let it go.
So, what do you do?
First, as I always say, you have to honestly feel your feelings. Don’t hold back. Resisting emotions just give them more power. FEEL them. Hold on to them as long as you can. You’ll be surprised how fast they dissipate.
Then, you can do one of two things. The most powerful is finding the humor in the situation, and laughing about it. If you can make your faux pas into a funny story, it will take so much of the sting out of it! Not everyone can do this, however, so if the humor in the situation can’t be found, you just have to forgive yourself. Recognize that you did the best you could, and move on. Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can change how you hold it in your mind. Let it go…
West Grove, PA – At 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, a fire destroyed the barn Boyd Martin was renting from Phillip Dutton Eventing at True Prospect Farm. Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman and Ryan Wood – the first on the scene as they were sleeping in the apartment above the barn – began evacuating the 11 horses who were in the barn at the time of the fire. Six horses were lost in the fire and five horses were rescued and received or are receiving treatment at The University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. USEF extends thoughts and sympathies to Martin and his team during these tragic events. If you would like to make a donation to help Martin and his team, please click here.
Eric Dierks explains his new role with the U.S. Pony Club and the opportunity for young people in the sport. Max Corcoran returns to co-host and tell us about her crusade to promote horsemanship. Plus, an update on the tragic fire at Boyd Martin’s barn and how you can help. Take a listen.
Eventing Radio Episode 144 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:
