Jamaica, Chester Weber’s Horse of the Year, Wraps Up Amazing Year as USEF Ambassador

Jamaica, the 2008 USEF Farnam Platform Horse of the Year, spent his year as an ambassador for the United States Equestrian Federation.

Ocala, FL (November 16, 2009) – Jamaica, Chester Weber’s combined driving horse, captured the nation’s attention last year when he won the most prestigious horse title in the country and became the 2008 USEF Farnam Platform Horse of the Year. As the Horse of the Year, Jamaica served as an ambassador for the USEF, making public appearances, promoting rescue organizations and horse adoption and taking part in a variety of charities.

Jamaica’s rags to riches story began in Belgium when he was rescued from a slaughterhouse. He then famously became part of Weber’s record-breaking international Four-In-Hand Combined Driving team. Now 18 years old, Jamaica has been a member of all seven of Weber’s National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving National Championship teams.

While Jamaica’s story captivated the nation, his role as USEF ambassador also earned him a fan following. “Jamaica’s story really meant a lot to a lot of people, and whether we were at shows or at home, fans would bring him presents and carrots and place them in front of his stall and ask to pose for photos with him,” Weber said. “His journey has been pretty unbelievable and I am certainly glad to have been part of it.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8874

Tags: Chester Weber, Driving, equestrian disciplines, Jamaica

Lisa Wilcox and Quemacho Hi Capture Grand Prix Win at Gold Coast Fall Fling Show

Olympian Lisa Wilcox and Ingred Lin’s Lusitano Quemacho Hi won the Grand Prix, sponsored by The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, at the Gold Coast Fall Fling at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

West Palm Beach, FL (November 16, 2009) – Olympian and international dressage rider Lisa Wilcox turned in an all-American ride at the Gold Coast Fall Fling show, winning the Grand Prix aboard Ingred Lin’s Lusitano Quemacho Hi. The Grand Prix was sponsored by The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center and Quemacho Hi won a beautiful Sanctuary signature orange embroidered polar fleece cooler and a $250 gift certificate for services at The Sanctuary.

Wilcox and Quemacho Hi earned a score of 64.043% in the Grand Prix class, which was judged by Marianne Ludwig. Wilcox has also found success on Lin’s Lusitano stallion Queba HM. Lin owns White Fences Equestrian Center in Loxahatchee, the original home of the Palm Beach Derby in the mid ’80s.

As one of America’s leading international competitors, Wilcox was a member of the Silver-Medal winning U.S. Dressage Team at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, where she also finished fifth individually. In 2003 she won an Individual Silver Medal at the Open European Championships and the next year was a member of America’s Bronze-Medal winning Dressage Team at the 2004 Olympic Games. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8872

Tags: dressage, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, Gold Coast Fall Fling, Grand Prix, Horse Care

Nicholas Dello Joio Takes a Second Win at Atlanta Fall Finale

Nicholas Dello Joio & Malcolm

Conyers, GA – November 16, 2009 – Mother Nature gave exhibitors a fine weather send-off for the finale week of the Atlanta Fall Classics. And what a busy week it was with NCE Championships, a $10,000 Junior Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, $10,000 Children’s and Adults Jumper Classic, and another $25,000 Grand Prix presented by EMO Insurance.

The covered arena at the Georgia International Horse Park played host on Saturday evening to the Equestrian Travel sponsored National Classic Equitation Finals [NCE] with spectators enjoying dinner ringside to all the action. From the original 125 competitors 84 qualifiers vied for top honors in their respective divisions. Both the winning riders and their trainers were awarded the coveted Classic letterman jackets. “This is just a fun event and a nice way to reward our riders and hard working trainers,” Bob Bell of Classic Company said. The 2009 National Classic Equitation Champions are:

Short Stirrup Equitation – Grace Whitlaw riding When In Rome

Pre Children/Pre Adult Equitation – Stella Styslinger riding Toccafinito

Pony Equitation – Emily Weeks riding Peterpotamus

Children’s Equitation – Grace Howard riding CR Galileo

Adult Equitation – Sherri Geddes riding Auden

Amateur Owner Equitation – Meg Keeley riding Black Tie Affair

Junior Equitation – Chase Boggio riding Nemo

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8869

Tags: Atlanta Fall Classics, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, equitation, hunter/jumper

Women’s Horse Industry Association Newsletter November 15, 2009

FROM HEADQUARTERS
Again, let me thank all of our members who attended our first annual conference and made it so successful. If you haven’t been to our website, please do so since we have a ton of great pictures from the event on it as well as some of the comments we have received about it from those in attendance. A big shout out to Rick Mock of Feed-Smart who stepped in to cover for our photographer who had a last minute family emergency. Most of the photos he took and we are very grateful for his help. If you haven’t seen Suzanne and Rick’s product, you should check it out at www.feed-smart.com. It’s a very innovative and useful product if you have a lot of horses. Our thanks again also to Jill Reading and Michelle Walkup of Churchill Downs who went out of their way to make sure our exhibitors had the time of their lives at the track. Not only did they provide us with exhibit space and named the 2nd race after our association but they had our exhibitors go to the winner’s circle! Another big shout out goes to all of our speakers who I think, did a fabulous job and who gave out a lot of very valuable information. I have to also thank our exhibitors who brought some truly great products to the event. I have been told by many of them that they brought in new customers and sold items at the event. Finally, I have to thank my good friend and business associate, Debby Lening who again, as usual, helped to make everything run smoothly and was loved by all. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8867

Tags: equestrian community, Women's Horse Industry

State Fair Park to Host Equine Event with an Estimated $340,000 in Purses

Battle in the Saddle to feature top horses competing in five western disciplines.

Oklahoma City, November 11, 2009 – The world’s most talented horses and cowboys take center stage July 6 in Oklahoma City to battle it out for top honors at the inaugural Battle in the Saddle competition. State Fair Park and the American Quarter Horse Association have teamed to present this first-of-its-kind equestrian event. Battle in the Saddle, owned by Oklahoma State Fair Inc. and managed by AQHA, will be a premier equine competition showcasing five western disciplines.

Beginning July 6 and continuing through July 10, 2010, at State Fair Park, competitors will shoot it out in five fast-paced, exciting events: reining, working cow horse, roping, cutting and ranch horse competition. Open to all breeds, horses and riders will compete for their share of more than $130,000 in added money, contributing to an estimated $340,000 in purses.

The cutting, reining, roping and working cow horse classes will be recognized as AQHA special events. All breeds are welcome but American Quarter Horses competing will receive AQHA points. The ranch horse competition is open to all ranches that meet the criteria of the AQHA-Bayer Best Remuda Award. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8865

Tags: AQHA, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, Reining, Western