The Special Olympics Equestrian County Games will be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, March 13, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The festivities will be held in Ring 7 on the show grounds, and the event will also use the lunging/schooling ring behind Ring 7.

Forty riders will compete in various disciplines from assisted riding to trail riding, dressage, and pole bending. “We strive to let them ride to the highest of their ability,” says Ruth Menor of Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

Come watch the event and cheer on the riders at this fun event where everybody wins. In addition to the competition, there will be a receptacle available at ringside to collect anyone’s show clothes that they would like to donate. Any helmets, breeches, jackets, show shirts and more that are in good condition will be very welcome.

For more information on the event, please visit www.vinceremos.com.

Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-5867 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
803-240-7488
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Heather Buchanan
Lifestyle and Local Public Relations
516-729-0196
heather@heatherbuchanan1.com

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – The 2010 Challenge of the Americas, in its ninth consecutive year as an annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, will be held this Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL.

Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), the Challenge will get underway at 5:30 p.m. with a four-bar show jumping competition, followed by musical grand prix team quadrilles, and a unique figure skating dressage exhibition held in memory of Ingred Lin, who passed away from breast cancer this year.  The exciting showcase of equestrian sport will conclude with the always popular Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing.

The 2010 Challenge will once again be showcased on Piaget Field, the main polo field at IPC. Overlooking the field, the venue features VIP Box Seats for Challenge Gala Table Holders and special Tier Seating for General Admission Ticket Holders. All seats have a panoramic view of Piaget Field where the spectacular equestrian talent will be showcased under lights at their entertaining best.

The exciting four-bar competition, sponsored by MatchnRide.com, will feature top horses and junior riders competing over a series of jumps that will gradually increase in height with each round, becoming more difficult to clear. The four-bar competition will be managed by course designer Bobby Murphy with horses and riders trained by Ashland Farm’s Ken and Emily Smith. The competitors will include their son Spencer Smith, Jennifer Waxman, Alyssa Mansfield, and Christina Kelly.

The brand new figure skating dressage performance, sponsored by Platinum Seamless, will feature a combination of dressage and figure skating unlike anything seen before. Four figure skaters will perform their graceful moves on ice set on the Polo Club’s main field, with horses and riders performing around them. Featured riders will include Mary Ann Grant and Dr. Michael Kohl on their horses, along with figure skaters Julie Mulvey, Curtis Chornopyski, Jenna Dzierzanowski, and Vinny Dispenza from ‘Incredible ICE’ in Coral Springs, FL.

The feature event of the evening will display musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. This year’s United States team, sponsored by Purina Mills, will be made up of Betsy Steiner, Pamela Goodrich, John Zopatti, James Koford, Bill Warren, and Mary Ann Grant.

Team International The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch will include Marco Bernal, Shannon Dueck, Yvonne Losos de Muniz, Lou Denizard, Kelly Layne, and Heather Bender.

SSG Glove’s Team Canada will include Stephanie Jensen, Leah Wilson, Chris Von Gartzen, Brittany Fraser, Cheryl Meisner, and Krystalann Shingler.

Following The Challenge of the Americas will be an elegant evening of dinner and dancing at the Challenge Gala. The Challenge Gala, always a sell-out, will once again be held in IPC’s spacious and decorative catering tent off Piaget Field. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

Generous sponsors include: The International Polo Club Palm Beach; SSG Gloves – Team Canada; Purina Mills – Team USA; The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch- Team International; MatchnRide.com; USDF; Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance; Platinum Seamless; Back on Track; Red Barn Feed & Supply; Palm Beach Equine Clinic; Neiman Marcus; Wellington Classic Dressage; ViaGen, Inc; Dover Saddlery; Ecogold; The Tackeria; Armand Professional Services; and Incredible Ice.  Honorary Media Members include “The Mo and Sally Morning Show” on KOOL 105.5 and Roxanne Stein from WPTV News Channel 5.

VIP COTA/Gala Tickets are available for $250 per person and general admission Challenge tickets will be $20 at the gate, $15 pre-purchase at the Palms West Chamber of Commerce.   Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, please visit the Challenge of the Americas website, www.challengeoftheamericas.com, or contact Mary Ross at 561.852.2591.

2010 CHALLENGE OF THE AMERICAS FAST FACTS

EVENT: The Ninth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

WHAT: A Grand Prix international musical freestyle and team quadrille dressage challenge featuring a special polo sweepstakes, dressage and ice dancing adagio, and four-bar show jumping exhibition. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

WHERE: The International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South
Wellington, FL 33414

WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2010, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

SPONSORS: The International Polo Club Palm Beach; SSG Gloves – Team Canada; Purina Mills – Team USA; The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch- Team International; MatchnRide.com; USDF; Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance; Platinum Seamless; Back on Track; Red Barn Feed & Supply; Palm Beach Equine Clinic; Neiman Marcus; Wellington Classic Dressage; ViaGen, Inc; Dover Saddlery; Ecogold; The Tackeria; Armand Professional Services; and Incredible Ice.

HONORARY MEDIA MEMBERS: “The Mo and Sally Morning Show” on KOOL 105.5; Roxanne Stein from WPTV News Channel 5

BENEFICIARY: Challenge of the Americas benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

ADMISSION: VIP COTA/Gala Tickets are available for $250 per person and general admission Challenge tickets will be $20 at the gate, $15 pre-purchase at the Palms West Chamber of Commerce. Children under 12 are admitted free.

CONTACT: To make reservations for the Challenge Gala & VIP Box Seating, contact Mary Ross at 561-852-2591.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Boulevard
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

“America’s Horse” to be remembered at Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2010).  One year after the death of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba, the Kentucky Horse Park will unveil a memorial statue at his grave.

The famous son of Alydar had resided at the park for only five months when he was euthanized as a result of an accidental fall in March 2009.  The 25-year-old stallion was buried at the Hall of Champions.

The public is invited to the Alysheba Memorial Statue Unveiling, Friday, April 16, 10:15am.

“During the brief time he lived at the Kentucky Horse Park, Alysheba stole the hearts of our park employees – especially those who worked with him each day and frequently commented on his loving disposition.  Now we are inviting his fans and those who revere champions to join us in the unveiling of this stunning statue to memorialize Alysheba for future generations.”

The bronze statue was commissioned by Clarence Scharbauer III of Midland, Texas, whose family owned Alysheba when he was racing.  Sculpted by renowned artist Shelley Hunter, it was conceived as a complementary piece to the John Henry memorial statue adjacent to it, which Hunter also created.  The two statues will form an impressive honor guard for the Hall of Champions.

Before coming to the Kentucky Horse Park, Alysheba spent the previous eight years of his life in the royal stables of His Majesty King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, after standing his first years at stud at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky.  Known on the track as “America’s horse,” he was sent to the Kentucky Horse Park as a gift from His Majesty to the American people in October 2008.

Bred by Preston Madden at Hamburg Place in Lexington, Alysheba (Alydar-Bel Sheba, by Lt. Stevens) was sold as a yearling to Dorothy and Pam Scharbauer who campaigned him under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer, Jack Van Berg.

Alysheba won the 1987 Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), Super Derby (G1) and an Eclipse Award as Champion three-year-old colt.  As a four-year-old, he was even better, winning six Grade 1 stakes:  the Strub Stakes, Santa Anita Handicap, Iselin Handicap, Woodward Stakes, Meadowlands Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was ridden in 17 consecutive starts by Hall of Fame Jockey, Chris McCarron.

Alysheba is listed at #42 on The Blood-Horse magazine’s list of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, one notch above another Kentucky Derby-winner, Northern Dancer.

His career highlights also included Horse of the Year honors and track records for 1 ¼ miles at Belmont and The Meadowlands.  Along the way, he defeated Risen Star, Forty Niner, Bet Twice, Seeking the Gold, and another Kentucky Derby-winner, the ill-fated Ferdinand.  Until two-time Horse of the Year Cigar came along, Alysheba was the world’s richest Thoroughbred, with earnings of $6,679,242.

Nicholson concluded, “The purpose of the Kentucky Horse Park has always been to honor the horse and to celebrate man’s relationship to it.  This new statue will accomplish both by allowing future generations to pause at his grave, pay homage to a champion, and remember the great team that worked with Alysheba to make him a star.”

For more information call 859-233-4303.  Included with park admission.

Park Hours and Rates: From March 15 through Oct 31, the park is open seven days a week.  Admission is $16 for adults, $8 for children 7-12.  Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.  Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – A Smithsonian Affiliate – and the American Saddlebred Museum & Gift Shop.

Cindy Rullman

859-259-4209 ext 209

Cindy.Rullman@ky.gov

David Beisel and Y Wonder Y won the Baby Green Hunter Championship during the eighth week of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Randi Muster Photography)

Wellington, FL (March 12, 2010) – David Beisel bought Y Wonder Y, a five-year-old Dutch Warmblood, six months ago hoping to develop the young horse into an amateur owner hunter for his wife. Y Wonder Y is already headed in the right direction, thanks to winning the Baby Green Hunter Championship with Beisel during the eighth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“David’s wife Paige must be very excited about Y Wonder Y. I hope she has great success with him in the future, as he’s already off to a great start,” said Kat Wojtylak, Product Manager of Draper Equine Therapy and sponsor of the Baby Green Hunter division. “We awarded David with a Draper Therapeutic Nap Blanket, which I am sure he will find very beneficial as he travels from show to show.”

Beisel owns and operates David Beisel Stables in Goshen, Ohio. “David was really thrilled with Y Wonder Y,” said Allie McBreen, assistant trainer at David Beisel Stables. “This was Y Wonder Y’s third horse show and he did fabulous. We have only had him about six months and he’s already moving forward in the right direction.”

Beisel opened David Beisel Stables in 1999, and it has grown to include 40 client show horses as well as a public riding school program. Beisel works will all levels of horses and students, from walk-trot and short stirrup to grand prix. Prior to opening his own facility, Beisel rode professionally, trained and coached students and horses for five years under Mindy Darst.

Draper Equine Therapy, makers of therapeutic products for horses and riders, is pleased to recognize up-and-coming hunters by sponsoring the Baby Green division at WEF. “So many of the riders who have won our Draper Nap Blankets through winning the Baby Green division are already reporting back to us about how much they like them,” Wojtylak said. “The Nap Blankets are made with our smart fiber Celliant/Holofiber, and are a great all-purpose product. I’ve heard of customers using them from everything from car seat covers to miniature versions of the Snuggie blankets.”

Draper Equine Therapy products have been proven to reduce pain, increase oxygen levels and help balance overall body temperature. Draper produces products for humans, equines and canines. “Draper products help your horse work harder and recover faster from exertion and injury because Celliant/Holofiber encourages the body’s natural processes,” Wojtylak said.

The Draper Equine Therapy line includes everything from leg wraps and blankets, to quarter sheets, hock boots and anti-sweat sheets. For more information on Draper Equine Therapy, visit their website at www.draperequinetherapy.com.

For more information contact:

Draper Equine Therapy

1-800-808-7707

www.draperequinetherapy.com

info@drapertherapies.com

Jessica Springsteen placed first and second in the $25,000 Young Rider Grand Prix of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. All photos © 2010 Randi Muster

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, proved that she is one of the best young riders in the country by producing an impressive performance in the $25,000 G&C Farm Young Riders Grand Prix, which was held on Thursday evening, March 11. The eighteen-year-old Springsteen was the only rider to go double clear, and she did that twice. She placed first with Iscariote and was second on Vornado van den Hoendrik, both owned by Stone Hill Farm. Catherine Pasmore and My Boy placed third.

The ninth week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by CN and runs through Sunday, March 14. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and they will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed the course for the 36 entries in the class. All of the riders in the class were aged 16-21. Seven went clear in the first round to continue to the jump-off.

“The jumps weren’t that big, but the course was technical. The turns came up sharp and the time allowed was kind of tight,” Springsteen said. “It was a really nice course, and it was fun to show under the lights. It was really cool, and a lot of fun. I’d never shown Iscariote under the lights before. It’s nice to have a class like this where you’re in it with your friends, and being under the lights makes it more exciting.”

In the jump-off, Michael Murphy and Katina 12 went first, producing a four fault effort in 44.411 seconds for fifth place.

Jessica Springsteen and Vornado van den Hoendrik

Springsteen was up next with Vornado (right), and she put down a clean trip in 44.539 seconds to take the lead.

Springsteen is in her third year of riding Vornado van den Hoendrik, a 12-year-old BWP gelding by Darco xx Ramiro. “I really know him and he’s kind of a different ride. He has a big stride and he’s a lot smoother. You can kind of ride him like an equitation horse,” she described.

She was followed by Kirstie Dobbs and Treesdale Farms’ Eso, who also had four faults, but in a fast time of 43.083 seconds that would place her fourth. Sarah Johnstone and Leonidas, owned by Trish Crang, placed seventh when they produced an eight fault round in 52.576 seconds. Jazz Mace and Tarco had four faults in 44.678 seconds to place sixth.

Springsteen would enter the ring next on Iscariote and put down a speedy trip in 43.604 seconds and no faults to go to the lead on her second horse.

Springsteen said that having a second horse in the jump-off helped, and there was a change she made from her first ride. “I was thinking of doing eight strides to the double (combination). On my first horse, I was kind of running and then at the last minute I did nine (strides),” she explained. “On my second horse, I was able to measure that better and he was able to jump it better. Sometimes he lands and hops instead of extending, (but) he was really smooth tonight.”

She added, “I think I went the fastest to the last jump. Maybe I was tighter to the green jump as well.”

The last to go was Catherine Pasmore on My Boy, owned by Pasmore Stables. They had the fastest time of the night in 41.388 seconds, but four faults left them in third place.

Jessica Springsteen and Iscariote

Springsteen has also had Iscariote (left), a 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Calypso d’Herbiers xx Jalisco B, for two years. She described, “He’s like a little pony. He’s kind of a different ride because his head is downhill and my other jumpers are more uphill. I’ve just started getting the swing of things (with him). You kind of have to just drop him at the end and let him do his own thing. You have to let him jump instead of trying to over-control it.”

Having the $25,000 G&C Farm Young Riders Grand Prix is something that Springsteen and her fellow competitors appreciate. “I love how they have the Young Riders Grand Prix classes here,” she agreed. “It’s a really good opportunity for riders under 21 to jump bigger classes instead of going straight into the big grand prix. This will help me be less nervous for the bigger classes now.”

Friday’s competition in all rings at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival was cancelled due to inclement weather. A further release will be sent out with a revised schedule for Saturday’s and Sunday’s classes.

The highlight event of the week is the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*, presented by CN on Saturday, March 13, with festivities starting at 6 p.m.

For full results and more information, please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.

Final Results: $25,000 G&C Farm Young Rider Grand Prix

1. ISCARIOTE, JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, STONE HILL FARM: 0/0/43.604

2. VORNADO VAN DEN HOENDRIK, JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, STONE HILL FARM: 0/0/44.539

3. MY BOY, CATHERINE PASMORE, PASMORE STABLES: 0/4/41.388

4. ESO, KIRSTIE DOBBS, TREESDALE FARMS: 0/4/43.083

5. KATINA 12, MICHAEL MURPHY, MICHAEL MURPHY: 0/4/44.411

6. TARCO, JAZZ MACE, JAZZ MACE: 0/4/44.678

7. LEONIDAS, SARAH JOHNSTONE, TRISH CRANG: 0/8/52.576

8. URBI FRAVENCA, LAURA BELMONT, CHARLES DE GUNZBERG: 4/71.340

9. ESQUILINO BAY, KELSEY THATCHER, PONY LANE FARM: 4/71.571

10. KELLINE FONROY, CLEMENTINE GOUTAL, CLOVERLEAF FARM: 4/74.158

11. TORNADO R, ALEXANDRA DUVAL, GREENER PASTURES: 4/76.704

12. VATRICIA, NAVONA GALLEGOS, BAR X RANCH LLC: 4/77.228

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 13 through April 4. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.

WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment.  FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.

During the 12 weeks of WEF, “Saturday Night Lights” headlines the entertainment each Saturday night where spectators not only enjoy the Grand Prix class, but a street carnival, live music, and numerous dining options with box seats, sports bars, and the famed Tiki Hut for front row fun.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-5867 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
803-240-7488
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Heather Buchanan
Lifestyle and Local Public Relations
516-729-0196
heather@heatherbuchanan1.com

Wellington, FL – March, 12, 2010 – Week 10 of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) will welcome dressage riders from all over the world to Wellington to compete at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Dressage competition will be showcased in the International Arena on Thursday, March 18 through Saturday, March 20.

Competition will include performances from renowned 34 Grand Prix riders such as Shawna Harding (USA), Marco Bernal (COL), Arlene Page (USA), Todd Flettrich (USA), Melissa Taylor (USA), Jacqueline Brooks (CAN), Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN), Michelle Gibson (USA), Ashley Holzer (CAN), Lars Petersen (DEN), and more.

The feature event of the week is the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, in which fifteen riders will take action on Friday night under the lights at 7:00 p.m. in the International Arena.  Other significant events occurring during the week will include the FEI Grand Prix, which beings at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, as well as the FEI Grand Prix Special, which kicks off at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Other classes include: FEI Prix St. Georges, FEI Intermediaire I, FEI Intermediaire II, FEI Intermediaire Freestyle, FEI Pony Team Test, FEI Pony Individual Test, FEI Pony Freestyle, NAYRC Young Rider Individual, NAYRC FEI Young Rider Team, and NAYRC FEI Young Rider Freestyle.

General admission to the event is free and parking is $20 per carload. VIP Box Seats are available for $50 per seat, and tables for eight in the Tiki Hut are available for $600. For VIP seating options, please contact Annette Goyette at (561) 753-0596 ext. 120 or annette@equestriansport.com.

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 13 through April 4. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.

WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment.  FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.

During the 12 weeks of WEF, “Saturday Night Lights” headlines the entertainment each Saturday night where spectators not only enjoy the Grand Prix class, but a street carnival, live music, and numerous dining options with box seats, sports bars, and the famed Tiki Hut for front row fun.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-5867 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
803-240-7488
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Heather Buchanan
Lifestyle and Local Public Relations
516-729-0196
heather@heatherbuchanan1.com

Patriot by Pilox - one of the fine prospects that will be offered in the Highlife Farms Diamond Select sale on Sunday, March 28th at 2 pm at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. (Photo courtesy of SusanjStickle.com)

George Morris to Provide Commentary at Auction
West Palm Beach, FL (March 12, 2010)  – Horse enthusiasts interested in purchasing world-class sport horses will be able to find just what they are looking for at an upcoming “European style” horse auction, hosted by Highlife Farms and featuring commentary by the legendary horseman George Morris. The sale will be held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Sunday, March 28, beginning at 2 pm, and feature over 35 horses and sport ponies from Highlife Farms, the country’s most prominent breeding farm and home to spectacular world-class sport horses.

“European auctions and sales offer a party-like atmosphere with breeders selling their horses, and that is exactly what we will be doing,” said Joan Sims, who owns Highlife Farms with her husband Kenny. “Our sale will be like attending a European Sport Horse auction, without having to leave Florida.”

The evening promises to be an exciting and star-studded event, with Morris, the founding father of Hunt Seat Equitation and the current chef d’equipe for the USEF Show Jumping team, providing the commentary for a demonstration by Olympic show jumper Lauren Hough who competes Highlife’s Prezioso OLD. The opening ceremonies will feature a dressage stallion showcase with Olympians Lisa Wilcox and Robert Dover, joined by International Trainer, Ernst Hoyos. Wilcox is the head trainer for Highlife Farms and competes Highlife Farms’ Der Euro, Diamond Stud and Der Dollar.

The auction will give bidders the chance to purchase their next star from an exclusive collection of the finest sport horses and young horses, sired by Highlife’s famous stallions including Highlife, Pilox, Highlife’s Diamond Stud, Der Dollar and Connecticut. Highlife’s top quality sport horses feature exceptional European pedigrees and bloodlines from Oldenburg, Holstein, Hanoverian and Westphalian lines, many of which have earned elite status with the German Oldenburg Verband.

The party atmosphere will kick into full gear with VIP tables of six for $550, which will include admission, an open bar, delicious buffet, preferred seating and a post-sale party with Wings of Sound. General admission will also be available for $25 in advance, or $35 at the door, and will include admission and an open bar.

Riding tryouts are by appointment only, and prospective buyers can call Highlife Farms at 407-239-0110 to set up appointments. Young horse previews are also available. Tryouts and previews will be offered Thursday, March 25 from 9 am to Noon and 2 – 5 pm, Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27, from 9 am to Noon.

Plan now to attend this exciting, first-of-its-kind event for sport horses at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, while enjoying a “European style” evening you won’t soon forget. Call 407-239-0110 for tickets or visit the Highlife Farms website at www.highlifefarms.com.

Joan Sims

Highlife Farms

407-293-0110

www.highlifefarms.com

info@highlifefarms.com

Many riders are confused about how to warm up their dressage horses so they can have a productive schooling session. As a rider and trainer, your goal in the warm-up is to take the restrictions away from your dressage horse’s body. Depending on the day, your warm-up could be as short as ten minutes, or it could end up making up your entire ride.

Here are 9 tips to help you with your warm-ups:

1. Since your horse has probably been standing in the stall, spend the first five to ten minutes walking around on a loose rein.

2. After walking around “on the buckle” for several minutes, pick up a contact so you can begin your warm-up.

3. Focus on the first three ingredients in the Dressage Training Scale: rhythm, suppleness, and connection. I always start my work with those first three ingredients on a large circle. Then, if all goes well, I’ll go large around the arena.

4. Rhythm: As you walk, trot, and canter, check that the rhythm is always regular and the tempo is neither too fast nor too slow.

5. Suppleness: Spend as little or as much time as you need to supple and relax your horse both mentally and physically. Work done in tension is a waste of time. When you supple your horse, you’ll relax him physically. Once he’s physically relaxed, he’ll relax mentally.

In a nutshell, to supple your horse, bend his neck seven inches to the inside of a neutral position (neutral is when his nose is in line with the crease in the middle of his chest) while you close your leg on the same side.

Do a set of “three supples,” meaning you’ll bend and straighten him three times quickly but smoothly. Then do nothing for seven or eight strides, followed by another set of three supples. (This “suppling” technique is described in detail in Cross-Train Your Horse, Train with Jane Volume 1, and A Happy Horse Home Study Course.)

6. Connection: Use the “connecting half halt” put your horse on the bit. The connecting half halt is the version of the basic half halt (a momentary closure of seat, legs, and hands) that puts your horse on the bit.

Close your legs steadily for three seconds as if asking for a lengthening; close your outside hand in a fist to capture and recycle the energy back to the hind legs. Keep the neck straight by giving three to four little squeezes or vibrations on the inside rein. The connecting half halt lasts approximately three seconds. During those three seconds you add, add, add hind legs through your closed outside hand while maintaining flexion at the poll to the inside.

In warm-up, I connect my horse and ride him long and low; or, if he tends to be heavy on the forehand, I ride in a horizontal balance with his topline parallel to the ground.

7. When things fall apart, always go back to the beginning of the training scale. First, reestablish regular rhythm. Then, supple your horse. Finally, ask for connection.

8. While focusing on rhythm, suppleness and connection, it’s appropriate to ask the training level horse to do school figures like circles, serpentines, and shallow loops.

The first and second level horse can do school figures as well as leg-yields and rubber band exercises like gentle lengthenings. From these maneuvers, come back to the working gait.

9. Many riders do a lot of transitions from gait to gait with their dressage horses in the warm-up. Personally, I think your horse needs to be warmed up sufficiently before you can expect him to do good transitions. I save schooling the transitions until the second phase of my work, after the warm-up is complete.

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602

Tina Konyot and Calecto V won the Grand Prix Special at the 2010 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI. Classic Equine Equipment, a nationally recognized leader in quality horse stall systems and stable accessories, sponsored the class along with their South Florida distributor, Idlewild Furnishing.

West Palm Beach, FL (March 11, 2010) – Tina Konyot proved just how special her Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V was during the 2010 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI, riding away the winner of the Grand Prix Special. Konyot’s class was sponsored by Classic Equine Equipment, a nationally recognized leader in quality horse stall systems and stable accessories, and their South Florida distributors, Idlewild Furnishing.

“Tina and Calecto turned in a beautiful ride,” said Adam Busse, owner of Classic Equine, who along with John Grimes, owner of Idlewild Furnishing, presented Tina with a teak braiding stool for her win. “It is always great to see a friend win. I could not be happier for Tina and her successful ride. The Palm Beach Dressage Derby is a fantastic show, and Tina and Calecto certainly raised the performance bar.” Grimes added.

It was Calecto’s third time to compete in the Grand Prix Special, and the stallion, by Comeback II, earned a score of 71.958%. The winning score was the highest non-freestyle score to date for the 12-year-old stallion.

Konyot suffered a back injury prior to the Derby, but followed the old adage that the “show must go on” and competed, although in pain. Despite her bad back, Konyot was pleased with her stallion and gave much of the credit for the pair’s advancing success to trainer Lars Petersen.

Classic Equine Equipment has earned a reputation as the leading producer of beautiful, innovative and high-quality stalls. The company designs, develops and manufactures stall systems and stable accessories that are not only safety oriented for the horse, but easy to install as well. “At Classic Equine, we go to great lengths to make sure our passion for quality and love for horses shows in the details of the products we produce,” Busse said, adding that the company has expanded to include stall mats, eco friendly flooring, exercisers and treadmills.

Idlewild Furnishing, the number one source for equine safari chic furnishings for home and stable, is the South Florida distributor of Classic Equine Equipment, For a complete list of Classic Equine Equipment, visit their website at www.classic-equine.com. For more information on Idlewild Furnishing, visit their website at www.Idlewildfurnishings.com.

For more information contact:

Classic Equine Equipment

1-800-444-7430

info@classic-equine.com

www.classic-equine.com

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined together in a cooperative effort to prevent giant African snails (GAS) from making their way into Florida and are asking the public for help.

Giant African snails are considered a serious plant pest and potential threat to public health because of their ability to destroy plants, damage ornamental plants and spread disease.  Giant African snails are illegal to import into the United States without a permit, and currently no permits have been issued.

Because of vigilant federal and state inspections and public education efforts, Florida has been successful in keeping these dangerous mollusks from becoming established again in Florida.  Once established, this pest can create a giant swath of destruction and an alert public can prevent that from happening.

For the last several decades, there was no known giant African snail in Florida.  However, the state is no stranger to this massive mollusk.  In 1966, a boy smuggled three snails into Miami as pets and his grandmother subsequently released them into her garden.  Seven years later, more than 18,000 snails were found.  It took almost 10 years and more than $1 million to eradicate this pest from Florida.  This is the only known successful giant African snail eradication program on record.

Scientists consider the GAS to be one of the most damaging snails in the world because it is known to consume at least 500 different types of plants.  The snails can also cause structural damage to buildings; they consume plaster, stucco and other calcareous materials needed to grow their shells. In large numbers, GAS can cause extensive damage.

Public health concerns also surround this and other types of snails because they can carry parasites.  Because of these health concerns, it is recommended to use gloves when handling snails and to wash hands thoroughly afterward.

The giant African snail, Achatina fulica, is one of the largest land snails in the world growing up to 8 inches in length and 4.5 inches in diameter.  When full grown, the shell consists of seven to nine whorls (spirals), with a long and greatly swollen body whorl.  The brownish shell covers at least half the length of the snail.  Each snail can live as long as nine years and contains both female and male reproductive organs.  After a single mating session, each snail can produce 100 to 400 eggs.  In a typical year, every mated adult lays about 1,200 eggs.

Achatina fulica is originally from East Africa and has established itself throughout the Indo-Pacific Basin, including the Hawaiian Islands.  This pest has also been introduced into the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe with recent detections in Saint Lucia and Barbados.

The Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS), a USDA grant-funded program which is managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, has stepped up inspections following a recent GAS interception but no additional giant African snails were found.

Anyone who thinks they have seen a giant African snail, or may have information on illegal snail smuggling or import activity, is asked to please call the Department’s toll-free helpline at 1-888-397-1517.  Please do not release them or give them away.  The cooperation of the public in identifying any of these pests will be greatly appreciated and will help prevent the establishment of a destructive creature.

For information on invasive snail species, visit http://www.fl-dpi.com.

Nolan Lemon, USDA
(919) 855-7003
(352) 846-1391

Denise Feiber, FDACS/DPI
feiberd@doacs.state.fl.us
(352) 372-3505 x102
(352) 235-0036 cell

Mark Fagan, FDACS/DPI
faganm@doacs.state.fl.us
(954) 410-4119