Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

McLain Ward and Rothchild Speed to Victory in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

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McLain Ward and Rothchild won the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic during week ten at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2011 – McLain Ward (USA) took the win today in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic with Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms. The class was the feature event on Friday at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which is in its tenth week of competition.

The G&C Farm 1.45m Classic is part of an initiative to increase FEI ROLEX ranking classes at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Thanks to the support of G&C Farm, owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, the FTI WEF was able to add eight new FEI ROLEX ranking classes to the schedule. There are now 27 ranking classes during the FTI WEF. G&C Farm has kindly sponsored the 1.45m Jumper division, which adds five of the additional FEI ROLEX ranking classes.

The FTI WEF’s tenth week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, continues through Sunday, March 20. On Saturday, the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic will run at 1 p.m. followed by the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races at 7 p.m. Sunday will conclude week ten at The Stadium with the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix at 10 a.m. and the $78,000 Pennfield Feeds FEI CSI 2* Grand Prix at 2 p.m., each held on the grass field at The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Continue reading McLain Ward and Rothchild Speed to Victory in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic →

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

Wild Horse Lawsuit Update

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You are invited to attend the next hearing March 24, 2 p.m., Sacramento, California

Our lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues! We won’t give up, and you’re invited to attend the next hearing in Sacramento. We want the Judges to know that there is a large contingent of people who really care about protecting wild horses and burros. And we need you to balance out the BLM people who will be in the gallery, silently willing the Court to rule in their favor.

When: March 24, 2011, 2 p.m. (Note: you should check the Court’s website listed below on March 23, or check with IDA, to confirm the hearing hasn’t been postponed, which does happen occasionally.)

What: Next hearing in the case of IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS; DREAMCATCHER WILD HORSE AND BURRO SANCTUARY; BARBARA CLARKE; CHAD HANSON; LINDA HAY, Plaintiffs, v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR; BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT; KEN SALAZAR, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior; ROBERT ABBEY, Director of the Bureau of Land Management; KEN COLLUM, Field Manager of Eagle Lake Field Office, Defendants.

Continue reading Wild Horse Lawsuit Update →

Community/Charity, Events, World Equestrian Games

Legacy Horse Statue Dedication at the Kentucky Horse Park

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March 16, 2011 — Lexington, KY — The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau (LCVB) officially dedicated a life-size statue of Big Lex to the International Museum of the Horse. This version of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “blue horse” was signed by all gold medal winning athletes during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The signed statue along with a display describing the eight disciplines featured at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is now housed as a permanent exhibit in the Sport Horse Gallery at the International Museum of the Horse. Big Lex will serve as a permanent reminder of the tremendous success of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Big Lex was inspired by Lexington, the great stallion from the late 1800s who was named in honor of the city of his birth. The greatest sire of his time, Lexington helped to solidify the title of “Horse Capital of the World” for the city. Lexington still holds the record for number of years he lead America’s sire list with 14 consecutive years and two additional years. On permanent loan from the Smithsonian, the bones of Lexington are now on display at the International Museum of the Horse.

Continue reading Legacy Horse Statue Dedication at the Kentucky Horse Park →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Is All about Amateur Riders

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Photos taken at Southern Eighths farm. © Diana De Rosa Photos

April 28 – May 1, 2011

If ever there was a place that shouts “Long Live the Long Format,” Southern Eighths is that place and on  April 28 – May 1 Classic Eventing will host its inaugural Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event on this 300-acre facility.  This Long Format Three-Day Event is the amateur rider’s “Rolex.”  It’s the event where Beginner Novice, Novice and Training level riders can negotiate their ultimate Long Format test in a USEA recognized T3D, N3D and BN3D event.  And what makes this event even more unique is that it is the only Three-Day Event that offers a Beginner-Novice division.

Southern Eighths is located in the middle of USEA Areas II and III on the North and South Carolina border.  The Farm is specially designed to accommodate and maximize the Long Format experience, from its centrally located “holds” and “starts,” two steeplechase tracks and groomed “roads and tracks” to the special derby course used for show jumping.  The site also includes a cross-country course that was created by well-known course designer Tremaine Cooper.

Southern Eighths also has a recently added 38-stall guest barn with RV hookups and has made special arrangements with the local community for those needing accommodations and other necessities.

Continue reading Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Is All about Amateur Riders →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, FEI, Show Jumping

In Memoriam: Iris Kellett (IRL), 1926-2011

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Iris Kellett riding Rusty at the 1949 Dublin Horse Show

DEATH OF AN IRISH LEGEND, By Louise Parkes

Iris Kellett, one of the most influential figures in the history of Irish equestrian sport, died last Friday aged 85. She leaves behind a long legacy of excellence as a competitor, trainer, breeder and horse producer but will be best remembered for her own hugely successful career and for her mentoring of many of Ireland’s greatest Jumping riders including Eddie Macken.

In 1935 at the age of nine, Iris walked her pony, Sparklet, from her home at Mespil Road in Ballsbridge to win her first rosette at the RDS – and she never looked back. She placed herself firmly on the map when clinching the British Ladies National Championship in 1947 and, that same year, was a member of Ireland’s very first civilian Jumping side that competed in Nations Cups at Newport and Blackpool against teams from England, Sweden and Italy. Until then the sport of Nations Cup Jumping had been restricted to members of the military. She already had 150 wins at national level under her belt.

She was always ahead of her time. At the age of 12 she was already teaching large numbers of pupils at her father, Harry Kellett’s, riding school in Mespil Road. She carried a confidence and competence into everything in which she would become involved.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Iris Kellett (IRL), 1926-2011 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, USEA, Western/Reining

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Named One of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011

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Lexington, KY — March 7, 2011 — The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, has been named one of the Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011 by the Kentucky Tourism Council.

The Rolex Kentucky, part of the HSBC FEI Classics and a perennial winner of this prestigious award, is set to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 28-May 1.  It was named as one of the Top 10 Events for Spring because this premier event is the only Four Star, Three-Day Event in the Western Hemisphere and because it brings international attention to Lexington and the Bluegrass State each spring.  While attracting crowds in excess of 100,000 spectators and millions of viewers on international telecasts including a 60-minute domestic broadcast on NBC, the Rolex Kentucky also features an International Sponsor Village and Trade Fair with more than 150 booths and various exciting demonstrations.

Enhancing this year’s event are several new opportunities for spectators!  For the first time, spectators may purchase reserved Tailgating spaces along portions of the famed Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park, giving them a chance to experience the action as never before.  The purchase of a Tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for up to eight people.

Continue reading Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Named One of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Allison Spring and Arthur Ascend to the Top of the Red Hills CIC3* Leaderboard

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Allison Springer and her own Arthur were the first on course during the CIC3* cross-country competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, but their comparatively quick round moved them up from third to first by the end of the day.

“You always wonder how things are going to go,” Allison said.  “It’s nice to be able ask other competitors.”  Her plan was to “just go out there and do it,” and Arthur’s scope and big stride made easy work of the course.  Springer and Arthur will have no rails in hand heading into show jumping.

Boyd Martin and his WEG mount, Neville Bardos, were sixth after dressage, but the pair moved up to second after cross-country with just 7.6 time penalties.  “It was a tough, testing course,” Martin admitted.  “Luckily the horse I was riding has been around a bit now, and he’s quite experienced so I felt like I had a pretty cruising round.”

Martin has been conservative with Neville’s speed since WEG, but allowed the Thoroughbred gelding to gallop on at his own pace today.  Martin recognizes the challenges of designing a good course on the undulating Red Hills terrain.  While course design requires finding a middle ground between challenging and safe, “you want to be competitive, but not at all costs.”

Continue reading Allison Spring and Arthur Ascend to the Top of the Red Hills CIC3* Leaderboard →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Phillip Dutton and Isabella II Take the Lead at Red Hills CIC3*

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Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Uncharacteristically strong, cold winds presented an extra challenge to competitors during the dressage phase of competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

Phillip Dutton and Susie Beale’s 14-year-old Oldenburg mare Isabella II performed a quiet, accurate test to beat out several other experienced pairs in the Adequan Gold Cup CIC3* division.  Heading into cross-country, Dutton will strive to maintain the pair’s dressage score of 43.9 to stay ahead of Karen O’Connor and Joan Goswell’s Mandiba, just two-tenths of a point behind.  Allison Springer and her own Arthur also put in a solid score of 45.3, putting them in a close third place after dressage.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series, now in its eighth year, includes seven events from across the country, giving top horse and rider combinations the chance to win prizes and cash throughout the season, as well as picking up leaderboard points. The top pair at the end of the Series takes home a check for $20,000. Learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

Continue reading Phillip Dutton and Isabella II Take the Lead at Red Hills CIC3* →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEA

Allison Springer and Arthur Celebrate Red Hills CIC3* Victory

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Photo: Leslie Threlkeld

It’s only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious Red Hills CIC3*.

Without having a rail in hand heading into the final phase, Allison and Arthur won the event by just 1.3 points ahead of Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos. Michael Pollard and Icarus, Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo, and Leslie Law and Rehy Lux all finished third through fifth, respectively, also posting double-clear rounds.

For her win in the CIC3*, a delighted Allison earned a year-lease on a fancy new Mercedes SUV, and even took it for a victory spin around the arena. Allison also earned a bevy of prizes from the Adequan USEA Gold Cup series as well: $500 in cash, 7-dose box of Adequan, a 3-month supply of SUCCEED, and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots. Second placers Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos take home a 7-dose box of Adequan as well as a pair of the Nunn Finers boots.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13447

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #10, by Claire Dorotik

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NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #10 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

“Hi Claire”, she said, in her bubbly, if somewhat tense voice.

Trying to disguise my shock, I replied, “Oh hi Debbie.” It was a big horse show, and as far as I knew, she had only been showing at the smaller shows.

“I heard about your mom,” she stood back and crossed her arms.

“Yeah”, I responded. This again, I thought to myself.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #10, by Claire Dorotik →

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