Tag Archives: USEF Young Horse Championships

Community/Charity, Dressage, USEF

Amy Speck-Kern Places Top in Nation at Young Horse Championships

Leave a comment

Amy Speck-Kern and Gerona at the 2016 Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, Florida (October 15, 2016) – For Amy Speck-Kern, dressage is a passion that gave her the inspiration to overcome childhood cancer. This passion, combined with cutting edge treatment protocols and the support of her family, friends, and outreach groups, allowed her to defeat Acute Myleoid Leukemia (AML) and pursue her dream of a successful FEI dressage career. Speck-Kern hit a milestone this summer, after qualifying the newly imported KWPN mare Gerona for the 2016 Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships. The pair finished as one of the top 15 ranked 5-year-old combinations in the nation, and through the generous contributions of her family, friends, and colleagues, was able to pay the success forward in the form of a donation to the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida. The 501(c)(3) non-profit charity provides hope and support to local children and families battling childhood cancer, and is a reflection of the support and guidance that was so imperative to Speck-Kern’s conquering the disease.

Following her national championship debut, Speck-Kern attended the Kids Cancer Foundation’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Celebration at Lands End Farm in Wellington, Florida. In addition to ponies and face painting, the day of equine fun also centered around raising support and awareness for the children that battle the disease. “It’s important to remember that treatment is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Speck-Kern, “and normally the only one covered by health insurance. Education, support, and resources like psychologists and the camaraderie of other children who are experiencing the same reality are priceless. I love that we can work the horses into the support programs because I know that was a huge drive for me, and to see the kids interacting with them makes it obvious how much of an impact it has.”

Wellington’s equestrian community has a long history of supporting children’s cancer research and the Kids Cancer Foundation. This past winter, the KCF’s team at the Great Charity Challenge placed 3rd overall, earning a donation of $112,500. In September, the Southeast Medal Finals auctioned off a Kids Cancer Foundation custom Wood Craft Solutions jump with all of the proceeds to benefit the KCF. And it’s not just showjumping and dressage: international polo star Nic Roldan is also one of the Kids Cancer Foundation’s Ambassadors, channeling his success on the polo fields into awareness and support for this local charity.

Mini humans and equines at the Childhood Cancer Awareness Celebration at Lands End Farm (Photo courtesy of Moonstruck Photography)
Mini humans and equines at the Childhood Cancer Awareness Celebration at Lands End Farm (Photo courtesy of Moonstruck Photography)

“The equestrian community has always been exceptionally generous and supportive of our organization, and have made a huge difference in the lives of these children and their families,” said Michelle O’Boyle, RN, CPON, founder and executive director of the Kids Cancer Foundation, Inc. “Having survivors and high profile riders like Amy and Nick involved gives the kids hope for their own futures, as they see that there is life after leukemia or childhood cancer and that its worth fighting for.”

To learn more about the Kids Cancer Foundation, visit their website at www.KidsCancersf.org. Help us help them fight!

Amy’s Story: Riding for Childhood Cancer Research

In 2003 and at the age of 18, only barely still considered a child by medical standards, Amy Speck-Kern was diagnosed with Acute Myleoid Leukemia. Known by the acronym AML, this childhood cancer attacks multiple blood cell types, including red blood cells, platelet-forming cells, and white blood cells other than lymphocytes (when leukemia attacks lymphocytes, it is known as acute lymphoblasic leukemia, or ALL). AML represents only 20% of leukemia diagnoses, so Amy and her doctors realized it would be a challenge to successfully defeat the disease.

“They told us they couldn’t guarantee her next month, next week, or even tomorrow,” says Liz Mikutowski, Amy’s mother. With high school graduation quickly approaching, Amy went onto the course of treatment, a newly devised protocol from the Children’s Oncology Group, for which she was one of the first patients. Previous treatments had a 60% survivor rate for AML, and around the time of Amy’s diagnosis, the survival rate experienced a surge up to 90% thanks to advanced research and development into cures for childhood cancer. The new protocol for Amy featured these advancements, and coupled with diet, exercise and the support of family and childhood cancer organizations, she completed the treatment at an accelerated rate. After only 6 months, Amy was cleared of AML, thanks to the tireless work of children’s oncologists, doctors, nurses, and the generous funding, grants, and donations that made the research possible.

“I know that I’m here because of the research,” said Speck-Kern. “The disease and course of treatment inspired me to pursue my passion, and find a way to give back to the cause that has made it possible.” Her passion can be found in the saddle, astride thousand-pound dressage horses she teaches to move and dance in tandem with their riders. Now a professional FEI dressage trainer in Loxahatchee, Florida, she rides, trains, shows, and competes on Wellington’s prestigious international show circuit. After learning from and working with some of the best trainers in the industry, Amy founded Excel Dressage and, leading into the 2016 show season, has begun the process of giving back to childhood cancer research.

For more information on Amy or Excel Dressage, visit www.ExcelDressage.com.

Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
holly@equinium.com
954 205 7992

Community/Charity, Dressage

Leukemia Survivor Qualifies for Young Horse Championships

Leave a comment

Amy Speck-Kern and Gerona.

In 2003 at the age of 18, only barely still considered a child by medical standards, Amy Speck-Kern was diagnosed with Acute Myleoid Leukemia. Last week, she and the five-year-old KWPN mare Gerona were officially selected to compete at the 2016 Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships, marking a major milestone in her dressage career. And now, as a tribute to the doctors, nurses, counselors, and support teams that helped her conquer the disease and have the chance to live her passion as a dressage rider and trainer, Speck-Kern has launched a Go Fund Me page to benefit the Kids Cancer Foundation and help her reach the prestigious championships.

Be sure to visit the Go Fund Me page, set up to help cover the costs of shipping horses and humans to compete at Lamplight, and where half of all the proceeds go to the Kids Cancer Foundation!

In 2003, Amy Speck-Kern was diagnosed with Acute Myleoid Leukemia.

Known by the acronym AML, this childhood cancer attacks multiple blood cell types, including red blood cells, platelet-forming cells, and white blood cells other than lymphocytes (when leukemia attacks lymphocytes, it is known as acute lymphoblasic leukemia, or ALL). AML represents only 20% of leukemia diagnoses, so Amy and her doctors realized it would be a challenge to successfully defeat the disease.

“They told us they couldn’t guarantee her next month, next week, or even tomorrow,” says Liz Mikutowski, Amy’s mother. With high school graduation quickly approaching, Amy went onto the course of treatment, a newly devised protocol from the Children’s Oncology Group, for which she was one of the first patients. Previous treatments had a 60% survivor rate for AML, and around the time of Amy’s diagnosis, the survival rate experienced a surge up to 90% thanks to advanced research and development into cures for childhood cancer. The new protocol for Amy featured these advancements, and coupled with diet, exercise and the support of family and childhood cancer organizations, she completed the treatment at an accelerated rate. After only 6 months, Amy was cleared of AML, thanks to the tireless work of children’s oncologists, doctors, nurses, and the generous funding, grants, and donations that made the research possible.

“I know that I’m here because of the research,” said Speck-Kern. “The disease and course of treatment inspired me to pursue my passion, and find a way to give back to the cause that has made it possible.” Her passion can be found in the saddle, astride thousand-pound dressage horses she teaches to move and dance in tandem with their riders. Now a professional FEI dressage trainer in Loxahatchee, Florida, she rides, trains, shows, and competes on Wellington’s prestigious international show circuit. After learning from and working with some of the best trainers in the industry, Amy founded Excel Dressage and, leading into the 2016 show season, has begun the process of giving back to childhood cancer research.

Through partnerships with organizations like the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida, Amy hopes to raise awareness and funding for the imperative research necessary to one day conquer childhood cancers. In addition, these programs offer invaluable outreach, support, and resources to children going through treatment, as well as their siblings and families. “Most people don’t realize that treatment is only one step, and normally the only one covered by health insurance,” said Speck-Kern. “Education, support, and resources like psychologists and the camaraderie of other children who are experiencing the same reality are priceless and can make all the difference in the world to these kids.”

As an accomplished dressage rider, Amy is hoping to use her knowledge and expertise in the industry to introduce the equestrian community to the plight of childhood cancer patients. From piaffe-passage clinics whose proceeds will benefit ongoing research and development, to inviting local children and families to watch the spectacular dressage and show jumping extravaganzas hosted by the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Amy believes it is her duty to pay it forward by contributing to the ongoing need for research that saved her life and hopefully by making a difference in the lives of children diagnosed with the disease.

©2016 Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC | Wellington, Florida USA

Dressage, JRPR, Products/Services, USEF

Lisa Wilcox and Gallant Reflection HU Take Victory Gallop at USEF Young Horse Championships

Leave a comment

Lisa Wilcox and Gallant Reflection HU (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle)

Wayne, IL (September 1, 2015) − When Lisa Wilcox and Gallant Reflection HU made their victory gallop in the Six-Year-Old Young Horse Finals at the 2015 Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships, Wilcox once again demonstrated why she is part of the Vita Flex Victory Team. Leading performance horse supplement company Vita Flex is proud to congratulate Wilcox’s winning performance at the Championships.

The Six-Year-Old Test is demanding, but Gallant Reflection HU, known as “Reef,” took it in stride, scoring an 82.0 percent. The competition was held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center on August 19-23. The judges gave nods for Reef’s ground-covering trot and rhythmic walk, adding that he has the potential to excel in top-level dressage.

“He’s a Grand Prix horse, and I’m very confident saying that,” Wilcox said of the Zweibrucker stallion (Galant Du Serein x Rohmanie x Rohdiament), owned by Unlimited Horses Inc. “It’s about the things that he offers. I made a mistake asking for changes once, and I got three one-tempis. I just stopped moving, and he kept going.

“He’s ahead of himself,” she continued. “He’s already a little bored with this test. At home, I school more or less the Prix St. Georges, but with these young horses there’s a level of concentration you need, too. Yes, he’s very concentrated at home, but it’s a little more difficult with the show atmosphere. You’re happy to have a horse a little above and beyond in the atmosphere.”

Wilcox is a Vita Flex Victory Team rider and swears by a variety of Vita Flex® products to keep her horses happy, healthy, and fit. As she prepares for upcoming competitions in Saugerties, New York and at Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania, she ensures Reef is in tip-top health with the help of Vita Flex.

“VISION® Focusing & Calming Supplement for Horses is a great product,” she said. “I’ve been very impressed with the results we are getting. I also love the multi-vitamin and mineral supplement Accel®,” she added. “It’s been fantastic for my horses’ overall health. They also love the new flavor of the AccuLytes™ electrolytes that Vita Flex has come up with. I’m happy to see nothing left in the buckets. With the heat we have been having, they are sweating profusely. I need to make sure they are getting all those nutrients back in their bodies before we begin the next day of sweating!

“With Lactanase® supplement, as I am working and training this summer and preparing for the shows in the fall, I’m able to support the horses and the hard work they are doing,” she continued. “It also gives back to those muscles and nurtures them throughout the training program.”

Wilcox also knows that hoof health is vital to any horse. “I love the Master’s Hoof Blend™ formulation. That’s fabulous. Our horses have exceptionally good looking feet and I’m very, very happy with the quality of the hoof they’re growing.”

Vita Flex is thrilled to help top riders like Wilcox keep their horses in prime condition. Vita Flex provides a variety of top-quality equine products, including antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, and topical solutions to help keep horses in peak health. Along with Lisa Wilcox, top equestrians like Todd Minikus, Caroline Roffman, Adrienne Lyle, Al Dunning, Jan Bynny, and Bob Avila ride on the Vita Flex Victory Team and use Vita Flex® products to cross the fine line between good and great. For more information about Vita Flex and its line of superior horse products, visit www.vitaflex.com or call (800) 848–2359.

Accel, AccuLytes, Lactanase, Master’s Hoof Blend, Vision and Vita Flex are trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc.

Contact: Katie Stevenson
kstevenson@central.com
www.vitaflex.com
(800)848-2359