WESTPORT, CT – February 12, 2013 – The EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have established a new volunteer recognition scholarship program specifically for USEF members aged 21 and under who hold a current USEF Competing Equestrian membership.
The $1,500 USEF Champion of Equine Service Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate studies is part of the EQUUS Foundation’s Champions program sponsored by Ariat International, an incentive-based equine service program aimed at improving the welfare of horses and fostering the horse-human bond.
This new scholarship, replacing the original USEF Equestrians in Action sponsored by the EQUUS Foundation, expands the rewards involved with participation. All eligible applicants for the USEF scholarship are also automatically eligible for the other Champion benefits, including the EQUUS Foundation Champion of Equine Service Scholarships, the Win A Grant program, and drawings to win Ariat Gift Certificates. Additional benefits are under development.
A committee consisting of USEF and EQUUS Foundation representatives will be responsible for the evaluation of the applications. The selection of the recipient will be based on an assessment of the impact and extent of the individual’s volunteer service.
To learn more about the USEF Champion of Equine Service Scholarship, click here.
Turn Your Passion into Action!
Your Time Is Your Gift! Sign Up Here!
CHAMPIONS is the EQUUS Foundation’s incentive-based equine service volunteer program sponsored by Ariat International to recognize and reward individuals and organizations on the carrots4acause network.
To become a CHAMPION, an individual must log a minimum of 24 volunteer hours from January 1st to December 31st. The volunteer hours will be verified by the organization and The EQUUS Foundation.
Once you achieve CHAMPION status, continue to log in your volunteer hours throughout the year as there are benefits still under development that involve rewards for the quantity of service.
The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, advancing the use of horses to enrich the lives of people in need and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. What started as a local effort is now a nationwide campaign on behalf of horses. The Foundation accomplishes its mission by providing financial support to horse-related charities across the United States; connecting a network of equine organizations to equine enthusiasts; providing scholarships to reward volunteer service on behalf of horses, and conducting information outreach to educate the public about horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.
Dr. Cesar Parra and Van the Man will represent the United States during the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival’s Nations Cup CDI 3*. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)
Wellington, FL (April 9, 2013) – When the United States fields two dressage teams for the Wellington Nations Cup CIO3*, April 11-14, at the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, among its Grand Prix combinations will be Piaffe-Performance Farm’s Dr. Cesar Parra, who will ride Michael and Sarah Davis’ 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Van The Man, and join Susan Dutta of Wellington, on Tim Dutta Inc.’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Currency DC, on USA II Team at the Grand Prix level. USA II Team’s Prix St. Georges riders will be Chris Hickey with Witness Hilltop and Justin Hardin with Wyatt Star. USA I Team will constitute Heather Blitz on Paragon and Shelly Francis on Doktor for the Grand Prix, and Caroline Roffman aboard Her Highness O and Kimberly Herslow aboard Rosmarin at the Prix St Georges.
“It is always an honor to represent the United States,” said the 2011 U.S. Pan American Games Dressage Team Gold medalist, whose international resume as a rider and trainer includes more than 300 FEI wins, as well as having competed in the 2004 Olympics, 2005 Las Vegas Dressage World Cup, and 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games.
Parra, known to sport a dash of red, white and blue color on the occasional browband, is ready to ride: “Van The Man is an exceptional horse, and I always try to live up to the trust that Michael and Sarah show putting their beautiful horse in my hands. We will be proud to ride for America together.”
The 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for five international competitions, making it among the richest circuits in the world. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Adequan GDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring five CDIs, including a 5*, the first non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and nine U.S. national events.
Cesar Parra, DDS, MScD, operates Piaffe Performance in Jupiter, FL and Whitehouse Station, NJ and was born in Colombia, where he began riding cattle horses in the Andes Mountains of his grandparents’ farm. Dr. Parra has worked with the best in dressage, including Herbert Rehbein, Siegfried “Bimbo” Peilicke, Hans Rueben, Herbert Kuckluck and Hubertus Schmidt. Learn more about training and sales prospects at www.piaffe-performance.com.
McLain Ward produced a quick and tidy double-clear effort with Rothchild. Photos By: V. Valenti/The Book LLC.
Tampa, FL – April 6, 2013 – For over four decades Raymond James Stadium has been home to the jewel of show jumping, the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G&C Farm. The class has made history as a tradition and landmark of the showjumping world, and tonight was no exception. It was a cliff-hanging night as spectators looked on to the stadium turf, but it was with speed and accuracy that McLain Ward was able to emerge victorious as one of the few riders in history to ever capture three American Invitational victories.
Ward piloted Rothchild to a double-clear effort during a two-horse jump-off. They sped through the finish line in 42.10 seconds after completing a clear short course, while Reed Kessler and Mika captured the second place prize. Sharn Wordley and Derly Chin de Muze were the third place finishers for the evening, taking the honors with only one time fault added to their otherwise faultless first round effort.
2008 Olympic course designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, designed tonight’s arduous track. The 14 numbered obstacles featured an oxer-vertical double combination, a scopey vertical-oxer-vertical combination, a unique, suspended American Invitational wall, an orange skinny, a liverpool and a daunting brownstone final oxer. The most difficult obstacle proved to be the triple combination’s liverpool, resulting in 13 rails on the ground.
“Obviously Steve and the entire Stadium Jumping team have so many things that they do so well. The fences here for 30 years have been on the cutting edge and just spectacular. That’s a very easy thing over time to let up on, and they never have,” tonight’s winner Ward described. “They had four or five new fences in the course tonight, and that really is a testament to the effort and what this is – this class.”
Ward continued, “I thought this course was good. I didn’t think it was unfair. Steve had some very young and green riders in the class, as well as Olympic horses and Olympic riders, so he had to find the balance. I thought it was a good balanced test. The triple was a good test in the middle. I think two or three, but under 5 is always a good number in the jump-off for this competition.”
Lauren Hough and Quick Study, owned by Laura Mateo, were one of the horse and rider combinations to fall victim to the problematic triple combination. Hough completed the course in the fast four-fault time of 85.48 seconds. She held strong as the fastest four-fault pair, but Kirsten Coe and Baronez, owned by Ilan Ferder, Tal Milstein & Lovsta AB, blazed around the field, overtaking Hough’s time as she finished with a time of 85.24 seconds. Both horse and rider combinations found fault at the second part of the triple combination, the oxer-liverpool. Coe eventually took the fourth place honors, while Hough finished in fifth. Other four-fault riders included Laura Kraut and Cedric, Todd Minikus and Uraguay, Darragh Kerins and E Muze YEK, and Jordan Coyne and Lazaro.
Reed Kessler piloted Mika to the second place finish
Eighteen-year-old Olympian Reed Kessler and her own Mika were the fourth on the course, and the first to post a clear effort as she showed their mastership of the opening track. The crowd erupted in applause as she made it through the triple combination, and easily soared over the final daunting brownstone oxer.
“Mika is great. He’s kind of been a little bit in Cylana’s shadow – he just hasn’t had his big Olympic moment yet, but he shined tonight,” Kessler explained. “They’re totally different. She’s like the coolest customer ever, and he’s a little more of a like my special little boy that I’ve had for four years. We have a really close partnership. He started out when I first got him pretty nervous so we’re really close like that. The Olympic trials were an amazing thing for him. He’s become really confident and can walk into a huge atmosphere like the Invitational and lay down a clear round. He’s fantastic. He’s just as much quality as Cylana.”
Ten rounds later, McLain Ward guaranteed a jump-off for the 41st edition of the American Invitational. Ward guided Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farm, through the finish in 84.91 seconds, without incurring any jumping faults. With a jump-off eminent, the stakes were high as riders continued to navigate the first round course within the tight time allowed of 89 seconds. Sharn Wordley of New Zealand almost added his name to the list for the jump-off tonight; however, a single time fault on top of his clear jumping effort sealed his fate in the third position.
“Derly is a relatively new horse for me to ride, and I was just sort of taking it slowly during the winter, trying to create a partnership. Right from the beginning I’d planned to do one big class in Wellington and the Invitational. So I’ve just been slowly building her up for this class really,” Wordley explained. “I knew I was probably going to be pretty close on the time. After fence four, my horse drifted quite hard to the right, away from the stands, and I rubbed my foot against the standard – I was a little discombobulated.”
Wordley described further, “I kind of took a bit of time on that corner to get myself organized, and I knew from then on it was going to be touch and go whether I got the time or not. I tried to catch up as best I could without sort of jeopardizing having a rail. I was really happy with her. She jumped fantastic. This is my first time doing the Invitational, and I love it. It’s going to be a focus for me next year too. I think it’s a great class.”
The jump-off began over an opening single black-and-white oxer going away from home, and riders made a left turn to take on the single Land Rover vertical after making a left rollback. A quick right turn led to the opening oxer of the double combination, and then riders turned right to pilot their mounts over the orange-and-white skinny. With a left turn, they were then faced with the red-yellow-and-blue vertical, where they then made a left rollback through the now vertical-oxer combination that gave so many riders trouble as a triple combination in the first course. Upon landing, the race was on as they headed to the final obstacle-a newly introduced American Invitational oxer.
Kessler and Ward went head-to-head in the jump-off as the 2012 Olympic teammates competed for the coveted title of champion. This was the smallest jump-off field in the history of the American Invitational, welcoming only two riders to return to the field.
It was Kessler who entered the ring as the first to return, and hopes were high as they took each fence with a careful approach. Kessler focused on laying down a tidy and clean round for Ward to chase, but her time of 43.37 seconds would prove too conservative against the past winner, leaving the door open for Ward to take the lead should he leave the rails in their cups.
“She never makes it easy,” Ward laughed. “Reed put a good pressure round on Rothchild. I had to be on the ball. It worked out our way. I’m sure she’ll win this class many times, and she’ll be doing it long after I’ve hung it up.”
Ward elaborated, “I think she rode a very smart round, but it wasn’t all out. It’s a difficult enough jump-off, with a difficult double. If she went and had four faults it was really making it a lot easier for me, so I think she thought be neat and quick and put enough pressure that maybe I make a mistake. Rothchild’s a fast horse, and I think they probably knew the time I could get, but had to jump a clear round and that’s where they squeezed us. Luckily my horse came through beautifully.”
It had been five years since Ward had taken the victory at the 2008 American Invitational with his beloved Sapphire. Aboard Rothchild, Ward was able to mirror his win and move him through the course with a firm pace.
“For me every horse is in the shadow of Sapphire really – I miss her very much. But he’s been a great horse for me. I’ve had him since he was 7. He’s an everyday competitor-speed class, American Invitational, GCT Grand Prix, Nations Cup; he’s very quietly amassed quite a record,” Ward stated. “It’s not textbook, but he’s a fighter and in the end he’s become a very good friend of mine. He gives me everything he has to give me. He can kind of do everything, which is a rarity in today’s sport. I think it’s horses like that, that when you have a horse like Sapphire, make them even greater because it allows you to do exactly what you want, but this horse is really the blue-collar worker. But the blue-collar worker won one for the team today.”
Ward was able to shave off some time after the opening oxer as he moved toward the Land Rover vertical, opting to do 10 strides instead of Kessler’s more conservative 11. He also opted to complete the bending line from the outside oxer to the orange-and-white skinny in nine strides, pushing him into the lead without incurring any penalties over fences.
“McLain is so, so fast, on Rothchild, especially,” Kessler explained. “I tried to lay down a really competitive round, but I also knew that he’s so fast that I needed to go in my comfort zone with Mika to make sure that I put in a clear round. He’s a really fast rider, and has a really fast horse, so I tried to put enough pressure on without making a mistake.”
Ward earmarked a page in history tonight for the 2013 American Invitational, becoming the only the third rider to ever take home three victories in Tampa. Ward’s thirst for the first place was evident as he took on the short track, leaving out strides in key areas to top Kessler’s score by more than a second. It was Rothchild’s time to shine under the lights, and the pair stepped up for the challenge.
“I’ve had a couple near misses, which I’ve kicked myself for a few times. This class is an institution for this country and this sport. I really hope that people in this sport and in this industry really rally behind this and keep this going,” Ward explained. “It almost died a few years ago, and I’m so glad to see Michael Morrissey and his group of people, and the sponsors who have really made great efforts to revive it, because it’s very, very important to us as athletes. This one’s just something unique and special.”
Ward concluded, “When I grew up, this was the most important class to win. This is what we coveted. I think these are the kind of classes that our country, not only the athletes and the sponsors, but also the Federation really need to rally behind. It’s like when they grandfather a building. This should be very important because it’s special to us.”
For more information about the 2013 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm, please visit www.StadiumJumping.com.
Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Russia’s Anna Gromzina qualified for the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2013 with victory at the FEI Central European League Final staged in Warsaw (POL) last month. Photo: FEI/Ewa Imielska-Hebda.
Lausanne (SUI), 5 April 2013 – The long and winding road to the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Final is almost at an end, with all 16 qualifying leagues around the globe now completed. From Jakarta in Indonesia to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, throughout the Middle East and Australia, South Africa and China, and across the European continent – in fact in all corners of the globe – athletes and their horses have been participating in the most comprehensive of all equestrian series, providing the opportunity for ambition and improvement like none other.
The much-anticipated Final this year returns to the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the inaugural season-closer was staged back in 1979. But the experience of competing at regional level in the FEI World Cup Jumping series is always special, and for many is also an important stepping-stone on the path to future glory.
The leagues vary from the little to the large, with 145 athletes competing in the high-profile Rolex Western European series, while just six took on the challenge in the Central America and Caribbean Islands League. The scale and scope of these two tournaments are significantly different, but the achievement of Guatemala’s Alvaro Enrique Tejada Arriola and Eduardo Antonio Castillo Tejada in taking the top two places in the latter is notable, because it underlines the world-wide appeal of this series which is continually expanding its reach.
Leagues
There were 10 starters in the three-leg South America North League won by Santiago Medina who is also an experienced Eventing athlete. The 30-year-old Colombian finished ahead of Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Noel Vanososte in second and third places. In stark contrast, the six-leg South American series attracted 72 competitors and it was 29-year-old Brazilian, Daniel Chaves Anicet, who emerged as the clear winner ahead of fellow-countryman Cesar Almeida, while Carlos Milthaler from Chile finished third.
In the South-East Asian series, which attracted 11 competitors from four nations and visited Jakarta, Selangor in Malaysia and Pattaya in Thailand, it was 24-year-old Indonesian, Ferry Wanyu Hadiyanto, who came out on top ahead of Sweden’s Helen Gabrielsson, while Malaysia’s Gabil Ambak Dato Mahammad slotted into third.
Riders from Georgia and Azerbaijan competed in the six-leg Caucasian League in which 25-year-old Shalva Gachechiladze reigned supreme for Georgia. Azerbaijan’s Sayid Musayev and Kanan Novruzov claimed the next two placings and amongst the remaining eight competitors who lined out during the season was former Belgian athlete, Patrick McEntee, now flying the Azerbaijani flag.
Asian Leagues
A total of 17 contested the Central Asian League, which visited Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Astana in Kazakhstan and Bishkek in Kyrgystan. It was a close-fought affair in which 42-year-old Gairat Nazarov from Uzbekistan pipped Kazakhstan’s Alexander Tishkov by just a single point, while another Uzbeki, Vladimir Shmelyov, was next on the final leaderboard standings.
There were 24 athletes in action in the Chinese League, won by 25-year-old Raena Leung from Hong Kong. China’s Ciren Bianba finished second here ahead of Hong Kong’s Patrick Lam, and two of the three legs of the series took place at the Beijing International Equestrian Club.
A total of 26 competed in the three-leg Japan League, in which 23-year-old Koki Saito had a 10-point winning margin over Daisuke Mizuyama, with Koji Yamada in third. Meanwhile it was neck-and-neck in the race to the finish of the South African League in which both Jodi Pieters and Shaun Neill completed with 63 points. Pieters was declared champion however when they were separated on the basis of placings following the final leg in Cape Town. Jeanne Engela finished third.
Australasia
In the New Zealand League, which started out in Hastings last October and concluded in Tauranga in February, the busy Maurice Beatson headed up the 17-strong list of athletes. The 59-year-old, who represented his country at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, combines sheep and cattle-farming with horse breeding as well as an active competitive career, and he left fellow-Kiwis Bernard Denton and Ross Smith in his wake when topping the regional table.
There was a big turnout of 65 competitors in the Australian League, which concluded in Sydney last December. Alison Rowland pipped Evie Buller for the title following a great run that saw her accumulate 113 points, with victories at Gatton, Melbourne and Sale proving decisive. Third place in the Australian series went to Billy Raymont.
North American and Arab Leagues
Competition amongst US riders on the North American circuit is always sharp, but it was Egypt’s Nayel Nasser who won the West Coast League with a series of very strong performances. The impressive 22-year-old, who is a student at Stanford University in California, competed as an extra athlete and pinned defending Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping champion Rich Fellers into runner-up spot, while US team-member Ashlee Bond slotted into third. America’s Karl Cook and Lucy Davis finished fourth and fifth to earn their places on the Gothenburg start list.
At last year’s Final, Fellers cemented his place in the record books when bringing the coveted Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping title back to the USA for the first time in 25 years riding the brilliant stallion Flexible, whose toughness, courage and durability is second-to-none. Now aged 17, Flexible and his 53-year-old rider will be fighting to retain the honours when the show gets underway in Gothenburg on 24 April.
The North America East Coast champion was 32-year-old Kent Farrington, who saw off the attention of the other 92 riders who lined out in this highly-competitive series. Runner-up was 18-year-old Katie Dinan, while US-based Irishman, Shane Sweetnam – competing as an extra athlete – finished third.
There was also a big turnout in the 12-leg Arab League which kicked off in Tetouan, Morocco in October and concluded at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates in February. It was 30-year-old Abdullah Al Sharbatly, individual silver medallist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 and a member of the Saudi Arabian bronze medal team at the London 2012 Olympic Games, who topped the leaderboard, followed by Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani in second and fellow-Qatari Bassem Hassan Mohammed in third.
Central European League
There are two sub-leagues in Central Europe, and, from the 48 competing athletes, it was Turkey’s Omer Kaaevli who emerged victorious in the Southern Sub-League. The 35-year-old, who was Turkish national champion in 2012, competed at six of the eight qualifiers and completed with a 27-point lead over second-placed Rossen Raitchev from Bulgaria, while Hungary’s Laszio Toth lined up in third.
The Northern Sub-League was won by Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks ahead of Russia’s Anna Gromzina in second and Estonia’s Gunnar Klettenberg in third. But at the Central European League Final in Warsaw (POL) last month, Gromzina overwhelmed all-comers to clinch the overall regional title. Neretnieks had to settle for runner-up spot ahead of Poland’s Skrzyczynski with Klettenberg finishing fourth this time around. Central Europe will be represented by the top-three finishers in the final standings at the Rolex FEI World Cup Final 2013.
The record books show that the majority of series champions have emerged from the Western European League which, this season, was topped by Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya. Despite tying for points with Frenchman Kevin Staut, World No. 1 and 2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping champion Christian Ahlmann (GER) finished second overall on the Western European League table due to his higher placings during the season.
Excitement is building ahead of the 35th Final, and riders and horses are being prepared for the great battle that will decide who will take the most coveted crown of indoor international Jumping – the Rolex FEI World Cup.
For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2012/2013 in Gothenburg, Sweden from 24 to 28 April, check out www.gothenburghorseshow.com.
Tampa, FL – April 4, 2013 – Dreary skies and persistent heavy rain didn’t deter hunter riders from today’s classes at the Tournament of Champions. Instead, the day of bad weather simply granted riders a change of venue at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center as they moved from the traditional outdoor hunter rings, indoors to the Charlie Lykes Arena.
Under the cover of the arena, Lee Cesery bested the day’s field of Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunters aboard Swagger. The pair finished first over the initial of the two courses designed by Robert McCune and second in the handy class.
“I just bought Swagger the second or third week of HITS Ocala. I did him in the Adults one week, and then we moved him up to the 3’3″. He’s been great, and he gets better every week,” Cesery shared regarding the 9-year-old Hanoverian, known around the barn as Bentley.
Cesery also competed in the same division aboard her second mount, Marquis, finishing third in the first over fences class with him.
“You have to be a little more aggressive with Marquis than with Bentley. He can be a little looky. He’s very careful, but he’s got that little bit of a look,” Cesery mentioned. “Being in this indoor is probably good practice for the future.”
Finishing just ahead of Cesery to earn the blue ribbon in today’s Amateur-Owner 35 and Over handy class were Robin Swinderman and Inxs.
Elizabeth Degolian and Quite Simply
In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Elizabeth Degolian is leading the way in this week’s division point standings after finishing first and second in today’s classes aboard her mount, Quite Simply. Degolian has owned Quite Simply, or “Teddy,” for about a year, and the seasoned horse was unfazed by the new show ring today.
“He’s just a good horse. He’s happiest if you’re just really soft and loose. He’s really brave, and he’s been a lot of places so I thought he’d probably be pretty good in here,” Degolian explained. “I was debating whether or not to do a warm-up round, and I decided that he’d be okay and sure enough he was wonderful!”
The handy course over which Degolian and Quite Simply earned the blue, opened over a trot jump at the far end of the arena, off of which riders took a tight turn to the left around to a three fence diagonal line that finished with a vertical-oxer in-and-out. From there riders continued on the right lead down the outside line before coming to a finish over a long bending line across the opposite diagonal.
“I thought they rode really nice and everything felt good. Everything was right on, and the courses were well done and the footing was well done,” Degolian expounded. “I like this horse show because it’s really well run and really laid back.”
Also earning a blue ribbon in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter division were Alexis Silvernale and Bryant Park, finishing first in the division’s opening class. All riders in the two Amateur-Owner sections will return to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center tomorrow to compete in the three remaining classes in each of their respective divisions. The five-day Tournament of Champions is the second portion of the two week Tampa Equestrian Series. The ‘AA’ rated show includes classes for juniors, children and professionals a like.
For more information on the Tournament of Champions, the Tampa Equestrian Series and Stadium Jumping, visit www.StadiumJumping.com.
Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Cowboy Australian Style in Colorado: Adrenalin and Cow Sense Together Make for a Great Event!
Kiowa, Colorado – April 3, 2013 – The first-ever campdrafting event will be held in Kiowa, Colorado August 23-25, 2013. All are invited to come learn, watch, bring a horse or don’t and audit the clinic – it will be fun regardless with things to do for the whole family. The idea was born when a handful of local business people, involved in an informal “roundtable discussion”, were given an assignment. Their task? To discover new ways to drive visitor-traffic into beautiful and horse-loving Elbert, County Colorado.
These folks took their assignment seriously and have gone so far as creating the US Camp Draft Association and have already planned their first major event, and major it is. They have enlisted the help of two campdraft clinicians from Australia named Peter Comiskey and Steven Hart to help some American equestrians learn how to “cowboy” Australian style. Comisky also happens to be the Australian National Champion in the sport. The Aussies are thrilled to help and Elbert County is thrilled they are coming. These talented clinicians will teach a two-day clinic on August 23rd and 24th and then hold an open competition on the 25th. All the action will take place at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa.
Campdrafting, as it is known, is an event not totally unlike some of America’s stock horse and team penning events, but as Australians seem to be known for, it generates a bit more adrenaline. Under Australian Campdraft Association rules, horse and rider begin in a herd of at least six cattle, called a “mob,” in a small pen (the “camp”), connected to a large circular arena. One of the primary differences between this and the American events like it is that these cattle are not calves or young adults – they are fully matured bovines who don’t usually want to be pushed around. With two helpers minding the gate to the arena, the competitor cuts the selected cow from the herd and works it for a short, preset amount of time until the rider demonstrates to the judges’ satisfaction he or she has control of the cow. So the event combines some cutting, some penning and wait, there’s more.
Once the rider is ready, the helpers allow the cow and rider through the gate to the arena, which is known as a “draft”. There, the team has 40 seconds to guide the cow through a cloverleaf pattern of cones. The cow must be turned in a figure 8 around the first two cones and then be driven in several other directions around the cones without knocking any cones down. If cow or rider knocks one down they are disqualified — not that the cow cares. All the moves in the draft are typically performed at high speed because this is a timed event.
One reason that this campdraft event should be a success in states is that America invented the Quarter Horse although any horse can be used. In an AQHA Journal article about the upcoming Kiowa event, “The Quarter Horse adds ‘a tractability’ to the horses,” said Australian breeder Terry McKinnon, who breeds both purebred Quarter Horses and crosses with Australian Stock Horses. The horses (Quarter Horses) are every bit as smart and they have a little better mindset.”
Visionary and local feed store owner Mary Harris first came up with the idea after an Elbert County Business Roundtable meeting. Then she told two friends and they told two friends and so on; currently the US Campdraft Association meets several times a week planning the upcoming event. The event is perfectly suited for the rural but not-so-remote Elbert County. Elbert County is less than an hour’s drive from downtown Denver, an easy day-trip for the family yet a world away from the city. Recently a two-county study was conducted that concluded the horse industry in Elbert and Douglas Counties is worth an estimated $110-135,000,000 dollars. The horses are there and horses attract more horses and people. The Elbert County Campdraft committee is aggressively seeking sponsors, donors and volunteers.
Campdrafting is ideal for Colorado as it does not require a particular equestrian discipline – Colorado is filled with horses of all flavors, saddles with horns and saddles without. Campdrafting simply requires horse and rider to work together and outsmart a cow. That shouldn’t be so hard – should it?
About U.S. Campdraft Association
US National Campdraft Association is committed to bringing and promoting the sport of campdrafting to the United States and North America. Visit: www.campdraft.us.
The world’s largest single-breed monthly publication, The American Quarter Horse Journal has served the industry as the most valued resource for critical news, timely information and insightful articles for more than 60 years. Visit: http://aqha.com/journal.
About Elbert County
Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population is an estimated 23,000. The county seat is Kiowa. Despite its location on the eastern plains, Elbert County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. Visit: www.elbertcounty-co.gov.
Greg Crolick and Grey Street swept first place in all five classes of the Green Working Hunter division at the Tournament of Champions. Photo By: Emily Riden.
Tampa, FL – April 3, 2013 – Day two of Stadium Jumping’s Tournament of Champions marked the first day of the crowning of the show’s division champions. Among the first to receive tricolors today, were Greg Crolick and Grey Street who swept the Green Working Hunter division taking home all five blue ribbons.
After winning three first place ribbons yesterday morning, Crolick and Grey Street returned to the Main Hunter Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center to add two more of the top rosettes to their growing string. Grey Street was originally imported just three months ago as a jumper, but with his continued success among the top-level competition at Tampa, it’s clear that he’s found his calling in the hunter ring.
“He’s got that kind of personality to be a great hunter. He’s a lovely ride. He’s really super easy to ride, and he has kind of that old-school Thoroughbred canter. It really reminds me of an old Thoroughbred. He’s kind, no vices, and he’s really just an all-around nice horse,” Crolick articulated.
Crolick continued, “The courses were smooth today, and I thought they rode really nicely. The ring is nice – big and wide, so it makes for really nice, flowing rides.”
The division reserve championship went to Hunt Tosh and Whiskey Blue, owned by Douglas Wheeler. The two First Year horses, Grey Street and Whiskey Blue, have both been consistently strong performers – Whiskey Blue claimed the First Year Green Hunter championship in the first week of the Tampa Equestrian Series, the Tampa Bay Classic, and Grey Street earned the reserve champion award in the same division.
Adrienne Iverson and Redfield Farm’s Maximus have also seen continued success bridging the two weeks of the Tampa Equestrian Series. The defending Green Conformation Hunter champions returned to win the honor again this week.
“Max was wonderful today. He’s just been very consistent these past two weeks. I’m really proud of him. He couldn’t have been better,” Iverson expressed.
Iverson and the stallion finished first and third over today’s Robert McCune designed courses and rounded out the division with a first place in the under saddle class.
“He’s very docile. He’s well mannered, especially for a breeding stallion. We’re careful with how we manage him, but he’s very easy to deal with,” Iverson said of Maximus who is currently standing at stud at Redfield Farm.
Finishing behind Maximus in the reserve championship position were Winn Alden and Cakebread. The pair finished first and second in today’s Green Conformation Hunter classes.
The day’s competition concluded in the Main Hunter Ring with the High Performance Hunters where Caroline Kellogg’s Trendy was named champion. Kate Conover and Hunt Tosh have shared the ride on Trendy throughout the Tampa Equestrian Series, but it was Tosh who had the reins today, riding Trendy to the first and third place finishes over fences.
Alden returned to the ring on another mount, City of Angels, owned by DC Sales & Entertainment, to ride to her second reserve championship award of the day. Alden was introduced to ‘City’ just last week, but has enjoyed getting to know the horse.
“He’s my favorite kind of ride because I can just chuck the reins and let him do his job. He was great. He loves the big oxers out there, and they were perfect for him. He just picked up the rhythm and never stopped,” Alden stated.
The hunter portion of the Tournament of Champions continues tomorrow with the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions. For more information on the 2013 Tampa Equestrian Series and the Tournament of Champions, visit www.StadiumJumping.com.
Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Katie Robinson and Rock Steady won the Amateur Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF 12. Photo By: Arianna Delin/PMG.
East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – April 3, 2013 – The 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival has come to an end and the riders of Deeridge Farms had a home run during the final week. The season brought the farm various championships and multiple ribbons every week and WEF 12 was no exception. Katie Robinson and Rock Steady continued to display their talents, as they rose to the top of the class in the Amateur Owner 35 & Over Hunters.
Rock Steady, who has been on a break since week 7, entered the ring on the first day of the division as if he had never left. On day one of the Amateur Owner 35 & Over Hunters, the two claimed a second place ribbon in their over fences class, and after putting down a flawless performance, nabbed the blue ribbon in the handy round.
Robinson and her steady mount then came back, to earn a blue ribbon over fences, and finished off the division with a second place in the under saddle. These ribbons led her to the division’s championship tricolor for the final week of circuit.
“Rock Steady was really good. I went into the handy round a little nervous, because an accident just happened, but I just took it slow and made some wider turns,” explained Robinson. “We are planning on going to Old Salem and Devon, and then will probably do the Lake Placid shows.”
Robinson and Deeridge Farms will continue to compete in Wellington during the spring circuit, before the horses and riders return home to New York.
Co-Host Ellie Brimmer and Carino H at the Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*. Photos (C) Lindsay McCall.
Wellington, FL – April 3, 2013 – The Horse Radio Network provides the equestrian world with an entertaining and impressive line-up of radio shows for multiple disciplines. Executive Director of the Horse Radio Network, Glenn the Geek, makes it his goal to provide informative yet enjoyable radio shows for everyone in the equestrian industry. On March 27, 2013 the Dressage Radio Show, featuring hosts Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Philip Parks, handed the reins over to United States Para-Equestrian Association’s (USPEA) Lindsay McCall and para-dressage rider Eleanor Brimmer. The first two guests of the unprecedented show were Tina Wentz and para-dressage rider Derrick Perkins. Wentz is heavily involved in the para-equestrian discipline as a board member of the USPEA, a national para equestrian classifier and mother of Paralympian Jonathan Wentz who passed away in September 2012. She is an expert on the sport of para-dressage and knows first-hand the challenges and successes in and out of the international show ring. Derrick Perkins is a U.S. Air Force veteran who was injured in 1988 while on active duty. As a para-dressage rider, Perkins will have his international debut in the 2013 calendar year. With the expert instruction from trainer Kai Handt (who was Jonathan Wentz’s trainer and sponsor) and the talent of horse NTEC Richter Scale (Jonathan Wentz’s Paralympic horse), Perkins has the components to succeed and hopefully qualify for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and/or 2016 Paralympics.
Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the 2012 Paralympics
Once a month, the Dressage Radio Show will become the Para-Equestrian Show focusing on international FEI discipline Para-Dressage. Although Para-Dressage is the main event, listeners will get the opportunity to learn more about the skillful U.S. Para-Driving Team, the para-reining discipline, Para-Vaulting, and the future of Para-Jumping. The para-equestrian dressage show will feature a line-up of guests including Olympians, Paralympians, trainers, coaches, professionals, amateur riders, young riders, and equine enthusiasts. The intention of the new radio show is to educate, inform, and entertain listeners on the para-equestrian Dressage discipline.
To learn more about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or e-mail President Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org. You may also e-mail the host of the para-equestrian segment Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org.
The Horse Radio Network is the voice of the horse world with listeners in over 40 countries. Eight different entertaining shows cover all aspects of the horse world and you can listen any time on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone.
We believe that people own horses for fun and entertainment. Why else would you put up with the early morning feedings, stall cleaning, vet bills, long trips to shows, empty bank accounts and everything else that goes with being a horse owner?
Our goal with these shows is to help your chores go a little faster and to put a smile on your face! Learn more at www.horseradionetwork.com.
The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.
The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.
Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.
In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).
For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.
It’s hard for me to imagine Jane with another horse. She’s MY person, and I’m pretty possessive of her. I know she’s partnered with lots of horses before I came to her life, but I can’t imagine her with anyone but me.
I noticed Jane was a bit melancholy the other day, and then heard her say that her former mount, Woody, had passed away. Woody was very old and ready for his transition, but it was still sad for Jane to realize he was no longer on this planet.
Jane said she was so grateful that Woody had been cared for by a wonderful lady during his senior years. She talked about how much Woody had taught her, and how much fun they had together at shows and clinics over the years. Jane intentionally focused on the brightness he brought to her and others’ lives, not on the loss of his passing.
When someone dies or moves away there is a natural period of time when we need to grieve. Horses grieve too. It is easy to stay in that place of sadness and let grief become a habit. Sometimes it takes some conscious effort to focus on the happy memories and the joy your friend brought to your life. But doing so will not only help you feel much better, it will help you train your brain to look for the positive in everything.
Allow yourself to feel your feelings. There is nothing wrong with being sad or upset. Just remember that the negative feelings will subside. Just take it one day at a time, and make the decision to put some effort into your happier thoughts.
All will be well….
Love, Moshi
From Indy:
I was really hungry this morning. I mean REALLY hungry. I was so hungry I could have eaten a riding boot! But I remembered that I’m not supposed to do that anymore.
I wandered around the house and found Rhett in his office. I asked him for a biscuit, but he didn’t hear me. He was so intent on editing video he didn’t notice that I was at his side asking for something to eat.
Then I went to Jane and asked her for something to eat. She was focused on her computer, working on her next book, and didn’t even notice that I had come into the room. I sat at her feet feeling totally ignored. My feelings got hurt, and I felt very sad. I sighed and whimpered and felt like no one loved me anymore.
Before long, Jane stopped what she was doing, noticed that I was lying there, stood up, and asked me to follow her into the kitchen. She went to the cupboard and got a doggie biscuit and handed it to me with a smile. For a second, I considered refusing to take it, to punish her for being too busy for me. For a moment I thought I wanted her to feel bad, because I was feeling bad. But then I realized how silly that was.
Jane and Rhett both love me, and would never intentionally hurt my feelings. For me not to forgive them would only hurt me. So I decided to accept the gift of the biscuit and the love that came with it.
Forgiving someone helps the “forgive-er” even more than the “forgive-ee”. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to accept negative behavior. It’s simply acknowledging that we’re all doing the best we can at that moment. It is the mature act of letting go of the need to make the other guy wrong.
Who could use a dose of forgiveness in your life? Can you give them that gift? Give forgiveness a try and notice how good you feel.
Then I went to Jane and asked her for something to eat. She was focused on her computer, working on her next book, and didn’t even notice that I had come into the room. I sat at her feet feeling totally ignored. My feelings got hurt, and I felt very sad. I sighed and whimpered and felt like no one loved me anymore.