*Featured/Spotlights, Auctions, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Horses Unlimited’s Mega Reduction Sale Gives Buyers an Opportunity to Purchase Some of the Best Bloodlines with Minimum $1000 Bid

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Credit: Susan J Stickle, Caption: Leonardo's Quest HU is by the Grand Prix stallion Leonberg out of dam from the famous bloodlines of Quebec and Capitol.

Albuquerque, NM — Potential buyers will have a one-time chance to purchase horses from the heart of the herd of the nation’s leading breeder, Horses Unlimited. On Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. MDT, Horses Unlimited will sell nearly 40 homebreds via auction at their farm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rarely does an opportunity like this come along for sporthorse enthusiasts. “We have put together the best collection of horses we have ever offered for this auction,” says Anne Sparks, owner of Horses Unlimited.  Every horse that reaches the minimum reserve bid of $1000 will be sold. The collection includes a variety of hunters, jumpers and dressage horses. They represent some of the finest Hanoverian, Oldenburg, RPSI, Holsteiner and Westfalen bloodlines available anywhere in the world, including those of Donnerhall, Weltmeyer, Wolkenstein II, Sandro, Pik L, Leonberg, Hailo, Capitol and Quebec.  “After more than a decade, I’ve decided to scale back my breeding operation. I will still be involved, just with a smaller herd of breeding and performance horses,” added Sparks.

Currently ranked first on the USEF Leading Dressage Breeders list, Horses Unlimited has proven that Sparks’ breeding philosophies produce quality athletes that have successful performance careers. The Pik L son, Pikko Del Cerro HU, is the leading point earner on the list of fourteen dressage performers bred by Anne Sparks. Last week, Pikko del Cerro HU was fully licensed as a stallion by the American Hanoverian Society. Ridden by Olympian Lisa Wilcox, Cerro is currently eighth in the USDF Intermediaire I standings and thirteenth in Prix St. Georges. His sire, Pik L, is a proven producer and potential buyers can choose from ten of his offspring in Saturday’s sale.

Horses Unlimited’s top ranking was obtained from the performance of offspring by four of Sparks’ stallions. Eight of those are sired by Pik L, with Leonberg, Glorioso Noir and Galant du Serein siring the balance of performers.  Multiple offspring by these sires are also available in the herd reduction.

Continue reading Horses Unlimited’s Mega Reduction Sale Gives Buyers an Opportunity to Purchase Some of the Best Bloodlines with Minimum $1000 Bid →

Auctions, Awards, Community/Charity, Products/Services, WHIN

3rd Annual Business Networking Expo

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Hi Everyone!
As you can probably tell, we are pretty excited about our upcoming 3rd Annual Business Networking Expo. We have some great exhibitors and some super panels set up to help you through these crazy economic times.

If you haven’t made reservations to attend, please do so ASAP since we are limited with space for both attendees and exhibitors. Only five exhibit spaces are left at this point in time. You can register at www.womenshorseindustry.com.

If you really want to forget about the recession talk and DO SOME BUSINESS, this is the place to be. We are also offering room sharing to help everyone save a few dollars. Details on our website.

We are also going to have two other events including the Rhythm & Hooves Benefit silent auction and the 1st annual WHINNY awards.

This is our first year giving out these awards and we have selected a great group from those that have been nominated to receive the awards. Some of these people include Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and Templeton Thompson.

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Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF, USEF, Vaulting

This Week in International Disciplines – August 18, 2011

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Beezie Madden and Cortes 'C'. Photo by Stefano Grasso/GCT

Jumping
The U.S. show jumpers had a strong showing in the final week of the two-week Horse Festival in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. Beezie Madden and Cortes ‘C’ claimed victory in the weekend’s most prestigious class; the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard sponsored by the VDL Groep. In only their second grand prix together, Madden and Cortes ‘C’ were the fourth and last pair to go in the jump-off, storming to the win in a time of 38.38 seconds. Ireland’s Denis Lynch riding Lantinus 3 was second and Jur Vrieling and VDL Bubalu of The Netherlands claimed third place.

On Friday, Laura Kraut and Teirra were third in the Medium Tour 1m45 CSI5* against the clock class. Cortright Wetherill and Carlos were second in the Special Invitational 1m35 CSI1*.

On Saturday, Wetherill claimed a fourth-place finish with Whoops in the Special Invitational 1m25 CSI1*. Wetherill finished his competition week by riding Carlos to a second-place finish in the Special Invitational 1m35 CSI1* against the clock.

For more information and results, visit http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/2011/valkenswaard/results.

Continue reading This Week in International Disciplines – August 18, 2011 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

The Rolex One to Watch – July 2011

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Antonio Alfonso riding SNAI Boa Vista. Photo: SPORTFOT/Rolex

19 August 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for July 2011 is Italian rider, Antonio Alfonso. Based at the Castello Stables in Rome, Italy, the 33-year-old jumped from number 368 to 218 during July – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 150 places.

The Rolex One to Watch is an initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

Born in Sora – a little town near Frosinone in central Italy – on 13 January 1978, Alfonso started to ride some of his uncle’s horses when he was five-years-old. He first competed when he was 13.

Alfonso’s first trainer was Carlos Dodero, an experienced Jumping rider and trainer who has competed for Argentina in the Pan American Games and the FEI World Equestrian Games. Alfonso has also been trained by Duccio Bartalucci, silver medallist at the Mediterannean Games in Split in 1979. Currently he works very closely with Natale Chiaudani, who shares the same sponsor. Chiaudani has competed in five FEI Nations Cups and won the silver medal at the Italian Championships in 2009.

From 1 January 2011 Alfonso has ridden in 21 official Jumping competitions, both nationally and internationally. He has been in magnificent form, recording nine victories, seven second places, and nine third places.

Continue reading The Rolex One to Watch – July 2011 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

New Zealand’s Johnstone Has One Last Push in FEI World Cup Eventing

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Clarke Johnstone (NZL) - leader since first leg of FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 in Kihikihi (NZL). Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 19 August 2011 – Antipodean riders Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Chris Burton (AUS) are making absolutely sure of their FEI World Cup Eventing bonus by travelling to the last event in the 2011 series, which is underway at Haras du Pin (FRA) today.

Both riders are now based in Britain, where they are making quite an impact on the national circuit.

They will be hard to beat in the race to secure the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 champion title and for Clarke Johnstone this would be a sweet victory after his brilliant wins at the first and second legs at Kihikihi (NZL) and Sydney (AUS).

A strong field of 47 riders representing 12 nations will contest this popular event, including several leading French names and Olympians such as Mark Todd (NZL) and Clayton Fredericks (AUS), so the Antipodean influence is expected to be strong.

Emily Baldwin, who scored a one-two-three on Drivetime at FEI World Cup Eventing’s third leg at Chatsworth (GBR), and was last year’s Le Pin winner, had signalled that she would be returning to the final leg of the 2011 series in her quest for further points. She will be missed after suffering a broken collarbone at Gatcombe.

Follow the event on www.legrandcomplet.com.

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Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI, Olympic Games

Three More Teams Qualify for London 2012 Olympic Games Dressage

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Lausanne (SUI), 19 August 2011 – Sweden, Spain and Denmark qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games as a result of their placings in yesterday’s FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 team competition. Sweden finished fourth on a score of 214.437%, Spain was fifth (211.580%), and Denmark sixth (209.985%). The three leading nations at the Championships had already achieved Olympic qualification. Gold medallists Great Britain are automatically qualified as next year’s Olympic Games’ host nation. The silver medallists from Germany and the bronze medallists from The Netherlands had previously secured their spots at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

This brings the number of teams qualified to date for London 2012 to seven: Great Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, USA (who qualified at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky), Sweden, Spain and Denmark.

The next event for direct team qualification is the Pan American Games to be held in Guadalajara (MEX) from 14 to 29 October. The two best placed teams from Olympic Groups D (North America) and E (Central and South America), excluding the USA, will secure participation in London.

The Pan American Games will be followed by the two FEI-approved qualification events which will take place in Sydney (AUS) on 28 October and Ermelo (NED) on 2 November which are open to teams from the Olympic Groups F (Africa and Middle East) and G (South East Asia and Oceania). Combined standings from both competitions will be produced and the two best ranked teams, excluding the teams listed above, will qualify for London 2012.

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FEI, Show Jumping, Symposiums

Aachen Symposium “Vital Step” in Organised Growth of Jumping

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Lausanne, (SUI), 19 August 2011 – The inaugural two-day Symposium hosted by the FEI, CHIO Aachen and Aachen School of Course Design (ASCD) last month was “a vital step forward in the organised growth of national, regional, FEI 1* and 2* Jumping competitions,” according to John Madden, Acting Chair, FEI Jumping Committee.

The Symposium, entitled “How to develop, organise and sustain national and regional Jumping Events”, was held in Aachen following the World Equestrian Festival and attracted more than 50 delegates involved in event organisation from 25 countries.

“The Symposium was an exceptional opportunity for event organisers planning to hold successful Jumping competitions at national and regional level and was an ideal opportunity to connect with international specialists to share valuable insights,” he said.

“The topics covered were of huge benefit and everyone who attended has come away with vital tips on what makes a successful event and the key ingredients for competition organisation.

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Awards, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Havens Schatt and Valencia Win the Championship Tricolor in the High Performance Hunters at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Havens Schatt and Valencia win the High Performance Hunter Championship award at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo Credit: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 18, 2011 – Although thunderstorms threatened the morning classes at the Kentucky Horse Park, diligent horse and rider combinations turned out to the Stonelea Ring for the second day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Thankfully, the sun began to make its way through the clouds, and riders were blessed with beautiful weather yet again as they made their rounds. Today marked the conclusion of the professional hunters divisions, awarding top honors to riders in their respective divisions. Scott Stewart and Dedication took home the tricolor champion award in the First Year Green Working Hunters, while Hunt Tosh and Cold Harbor garnered the champion award in the Green Conformation Hunters. Patricia Griffith piloted Sienna to a strong conclusion in the Second Year Green Working Hunters earning the top honors. Elizabeth Boyd and Casallo swept the over fences and won the under saddle in the Regular Conformation Hunters. It was Havens Schatt aboard Valencia, who earned the championship prize in the High Performance Hunters, proving consistent with their past performances.

As seen by their previous performances, Havens Schatt and Valencia, owned by CH Farm, LLC of Delano, MN, seem to have the High Performance Hunters figured out. Yesterday, the talented duo claimed two second place ribbons during the over fences classes, narrowly missing the blues with scores of 84 and 86. However, Schatt and Valencia continued today with strong and consistent rounds, earning scores of 84 and 80 over fences and the first place position in the under saddle class, proving to be the Champions of the High Performance Hunters.

“I felt as though our rounds were really good today, although I did think that she was better yesterday in the Working Hunter classes,” Schatt admitted. “We are still trying to figure things out; Valencia sometimes forgets that the handy is not a jump-off. I think that some of her jumper instinct comes back to her and she gets a little worked up for that.”

Continue reading Havens Schatt and Valencia Win the Championship Tricolor in the High Performance Hunters at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show →

Community/Charity, Phelps Media Group

One Piggy Bank, One Little Girl, One Huge Heart

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Ingredients for a new life for a deserving horse

Sassy and Jenna

Sassy, a black no color paint mare, spent the majority of life as a broodmare and subsequently, through no fault of her own, this sweet mare ended up at an auction with no one bidding on her. The next place for Sassy would have been the killbuyer. At the auction in northern Florida on a Saturday in November, amongst the people was another group outside of random killbuyers, waiting for the horses that the crowd did not seem to want, Pure Thoughts Inc. Horse Rescue. Horses like Sassy were just who they came looking for to help. That day Pure Thoughts and many of their volunteers, new ones and veterans, saved 8 horses.

Jennifer Swanson commented on Sassy, “When we take in a horse like Sassy although the purchase price is low we know that we still face expenses that will grossly exceed any adoption price we can ask. Sassy needed weight, rehabilitation and then training and we knew it would be at least 6 months before she would be ready for placement, but that is why it is called rescue.”

About 7 months after Sassy’s arrival a young girl named Jenna and her mother Kelly came to Pure Thoughts; they had bought a horse property and now Jenna was looking for her horse. She had saved her money and ready to find her forever horse.  Jenna had seen Sassy online when she came out she tried many of the horses. Brad brought out Sassy and Jenna’s eyes lit up. Jenna rode Sassy and loved her immediately. Jenna’s mom Kelly said that they would go home and discuss it but Jenna said, “Nope! This is the horse for me. You told me I would know when I rode her, and I know she is the one for me. I love her already. I love her wrinkly belly.”

Continue reading One Piggy Bank, One Little Girl, One Huge Heart →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Training/Clinics

Dressage at Devon: From Horse Ballet and Horse Whisperer to Food, Foals, Fancy Hats and More

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Devon, PA (August 3, 2011) – Each year as fall approaches, preparation intensifies for the annual International Dressage at Devon Horse Show (www.dressageatdevon.org). The show combines world-class dressage competition and the largest dressage/sport horse breed show outside of Europe with international Fall Festival shops, an array of food and the Ladies’ Day Hat Contest.  Dressage at Devon will take place from September 27 – October 2, 2011 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds, located on US Route 30, in Devon, PA.

The Performance Division, which rounds out the week from September 29 to October 2, offers spectators the opportunity to see top riders from North and South America and Europe.  The horses and riders are judged on their mastery of dressage training and the classes help qualify riders for events like the Olympics, Pan American Games and the World Championships.  One of the crowd pleasers is the Musical Freestyle which is an excellent demonstration of why dressage is often called “horse ballet.”  Riders direct their horses with precise, almost imperceptible aids, including body weight, legs and hands, to move gracefully in time to the music.

Locals will have the opportunity to cheer on breeders from Philadelphia and surrounding areas.  For example, Shilhouette, a filly bred by Maurine (Mo) Swanson from Rolling Stone Farm in Slatington, PA, will compete in the breed show which runs from September 27-29.  Her sire, home-bred Shakespeare RSF, is winner of the 70-day Stallion test in 2009.   Shakespeare RSF is approved for breeding with the American Hanoverian Society and the Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society.  Her mother, Fhlora, is a Hanoverian mare in the studbook of the American Hanoverian Society and the Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society.  Translation: Shilhouette is well bred.  She’s now getting ready to face the international competition at Dressage at Devon by gracing the grounds of a couple of smaller local shows.

Continue reading Dressage at Devon: From Horse Ballet and Horse Whisperer to Food, Foals, Fancy Hats and More →

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