All posts by Associate Editor

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Steffen Peters – Individual Bronze – USA. Photos by Diana De Rosa

Bringing the World to Kentucky

“What a journey this continues to be,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, as he sat mesmerized by the incredible talent he was witnessing on September 25 as he watched each performer showcase their talents during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  It had been four years since Dr. Lyons had made the decision for his company, Alltech, a worldwide leader in animal nutrition, health and performance, to be the first major sponsor of this event.

This day was especially significant and he wasn’t about to miss even one beat of the evening’s performances.

“As the first performers entered the arena, I felt a great sense of relief and a sense of achievement,” commented Dr. Lyons after pausing for a moment to answer the question of how significant it was to have the Games start officially. “That relief wasn’t just for me but for our people at Alltech and for WEG.  We all planned it and our people and the WEG people came together to get the job done.  It’s been a great example of a team effort.  So, how do I feel?  I feel really delighted, especially to see our people really get into it and get involved.”

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Stable Scoop Episode 113 by Omega Alpha – Reenactment, Jousting and Cannon Fire

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Guest Co-Host Cat Bertucci brings the past to life with two interviews this week. Going back to the middle ages with with Jude Kensington of the Society of Creative Anachronism Equestrian Group and then forward in time with Captain Emmett Taylor, commander of Company C, 5th Regiment. of the MO Volunteer Cavalry, civil war reenactors. Listen in.

Stable Scoop Episode 113 – Show Notes and Links:

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Listen, Download or Subscribe:
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Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Pablo Barrios and G&C LaGran Finish in Top 30 at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Pablo Barrios and G&C LaGran finished in the top 30 in the world at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo © Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

Lexington, KY – October 13, 2010 – Pablo Barrios and G&C LaGran accomplished their goal of being in the top 30 riders in the world when they made the individual final at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY. Barrios competed through all four individual rounds in the competition on G&C LaGran, owned by Barrios and G&C Farm. Barrios was also part of the Venezuelan team, the first time that the country has fielded a team in the world championships.

G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.

Barrios and G&C LaGran started out the WEG with a bang when they finished fourth in the opening individual speed round. Their time of 69.42 seconds was the fastest in the entire class, and with four faults converted for a final time of 73.42 seconds, they finished with a top placing.

“We had a very good speed class, the fastest time in the class,” Barrios said. “Unfortunately we had a rail, but it was enough to stay fourth. He’s a very fast horse, and that’s the kind of class that I can win. I went for it, but we were a little short.”

Continue reading Pablo Barrios and G&C LaGran Finish in Top 30 at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, JRPR, World Equestrian Games

Dressage Rider and World Equestrian Games Competitor Tina Konyot Interviewed on “Horsetalk with Heather” Radio Show

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Dressage rider Tina Konyot, who represented the U.S. at the WEG on her black stallion Calecto V, was a guest on the “Horsetalk with Heather” radio show on Day 11 of the WEG. (Photo courtesy of PhelpsPhotos.com)

Lexington, KY (October 12, 2010) – Dressage rider Tina Konyot, who represented the United States on her magnificent stallion Calecto V in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, was a guest on the radio show “Horsetalk with Heather” on Day 11 of the World Equestrian Games. Radio show host Heather Roderick talked with Konyot about her WEG experience and her partnership with Calecto V.

Konyot described her WEG experience as “tremendous with tremendous electricity. It was wonderful to ride into that arena,” she said. “Calecto is not affected by crowds or lights so he was fine with it all.”

While Konyot finished out of the ribbons, she is pleased that her journey with Calecto took her to WEG. “I purchased Calecto four years ago at an auction. He came from a large farm and hadn’t had a lot of one-on-one attention and no one wanted him. When I got him home he didn’t have any personality at all and no muscling.”

Continue reading Dressage Rider and World Equestrian Games Competitor Tina Konyot Interviewed on “Horsetalk with Heather” Radio Show →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

World Class Drivers in 2010-2011 FEI World Cup Driving

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13 October 2010 – Following the success of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, the Driving world can expect more thrilling competition as the sport moves indoors for the 10th season of the FEI World Cup Driving.

Ten top class drivers, including eight from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, will battle for the Driving World Cup title in seven competitions. For the first time ever, all three FEI World Cup Finals – the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping; the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage; and the FEI World Cup Driving – will be staged together in one venue at Leipzig in Germany.

Five World Champions

The qualification season consisted of 14 competitions throughout Europe and no less than five World Champions have qualified for the 2010-2011 season.

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, World Equestrian Games

Nations Qualified for London 2012 Paralympics Announced Following Alltech FEI WEG

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13 October 2010 – The FEI has today announced the three nations that have qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games following their medal winning performances at the recently-concluded Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

A total of 11 team slots are available for the London 2012 Paralympic Dressage events, with three nations qualifying from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The three teams that have now earned their tickets to London are Great Britain, Germany and Denmark.

If Great Britain had not qualified in Kentucky, as host nation for London 2012 they would have automatically taken one of the eight further places available, leaving just seven slots to be filled. However, with Great Britain successfully qualifying last weekend, there are still another eight vacancies to be filled.

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Breeds, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Xanadu Dressage Riders and Their Warmblood Ponies to Take Part in Equine Extravaganza in Virginia

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Audrey Maschue (right) and Deanna Dye will ride their Warmblood ponies in a dressage demonstration at the Equine Extravaganza at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia, October 29-31. (Photo courtesy of Xanadu Dressage)

Loxahatchee, FL (October 12, 2010) – Warmblood ponies and riders from Xanadu Dressage Stables, in Loxahatchee, Florida, will take part in a dressage demonstration for Jose Mendez at the Equine Extravaganza in Virginia. The east coast equestrian horse expo will take place at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia, October 29-31.

“Warmblood ponies are a great option for petite riders or riders who get scared on bigger horses,” said Audrey Maschue, owner and trainer at Xanadu. “Taking part in the Equine Extravaganza is a wonderful way to promote Warmblood sport ponies. We are really excited about the opportunity to get the word out that if you are a child, a small adult or just someone who would rather ride a smaller mount, then a Warmblood sport pony is the answer.”

Maschue will ride her German Riding Pony, Rolando, in the expo, while her working student, Deanna Dye, will ride a Warmblood Pony cross named Napoleon Dynamite. “While we are the Equine Extravaganza we will also have the chance to take part in the Denim and Diamonds Clinician Meet and Greet Dinner,” Maschue said. “It will be great time and a great chance to meet all of the clinicians. There will be a wine tasting, dinner, silent auction, music by Tommy Jennings and the proceeds of the auction will benefit the Virginia Museum of the Horse.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Products/Services

SUNCOAST Pine Shavings

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In 2001, SUNCOAST® was first to manufacture and provide animal bedding made from pure pine shavings in ULTRA compressed bales, using state-of-the-art packaging technology. The result was overwhelming global approval and demand for our product. This established SUNCOAST® as the benchmark of the industry.

In effect, we have positively changed the industry, and thereby improved the habitats for countless animals. These improvements resulted in what you know as your best possible choice in bedding.

SUNCOAST® has always believed in Excellence in Animal Care™. Judging by your appreciation for our product, apparently you do too!

Ultra Compression

A great feature of SUNCOAST® Pine Shavings is the highly compressed packaging. Each bale of SUNCOAST® Large Flake contains 10 cubic feet of expanded bedding. Each bale of SUNCOAST® Mini Flake contains 8 cubic feet of expanded bedding. This means fewer bales to handle and store, fewer bales needed per stall, and more expanded cubic feet per bale, per pallet, and per truckload! All of which translates into lower labor costs and best value.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, JRPR, World Equestrian Games

Chester Weber Finds Silver Lining at WEG and Helps US Team Clinch Silver Medal

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Chester Weber and his team take a victory lap after the cones phase of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo courtesy of My Weber)

Lexington, KY (October 12, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber showed himself to be a world class competitor during the final days of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, when he brilliantly won the cones phase of the Combined Driving event with a lightning fast time of 200.42 to help the U.S. team clinch the Silver Medal. US Teammates Weber, James Fairclough and Tucker Johnson not only won the team Silver, but Johnson won the Individual Bronze as well, while the Netherlands won the team Gold and Germany the team Bronze.

On the first day of the Combined Driving competition, a standout dressage test had Weber tied for second place with IJsbrand Chardon of the Netherlands. However, things weren’t all smooth sailing for Weber; the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion experienced bad luck on the marathon phase when one of his horses put a leg over a trace and a groom had to dismount to help the horse. The groom dismounting added points to Weber’s score and put him out of the running for an individual medal.

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Jane Savoie, Training/Clinics

Are You Sitting Straight?, by Jane Savoie

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Even if you’re not a dressage rider, it’s still important to sit straight and square in the saddle. Can you tell if you’re collapsing at your waist and sitting crookedly?

Ask a ground person to stand behind you and have them answer the following questions:

1. Are your shoulders level (i.e., the same height)?

2. Is your seat in the center of the saddle so that each seatbone (the bottom of the pelvic bone; in technical terms, ischial tuberosity) is the same distance from the middle of the saddle?

If one shoulder is lower than the other, then you’re collapsed at your waist and your seat isn’t in the middle of the saddle. Let’s say you’ve collapsed the left side of your waist; in this case, your left shoulder is lower and your seat is off to the right.

Continue reading Are You Sitting Straight?, by Jane Savoie →