|
There's still time to advertise in the
Sport Horse
MARKETPLACE
September issue!
|
|
|
|
Team USA Wins at Pan Am Games
Two sport horse disciplines have finished their rounds at the Pan Am Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil so far this month.
The US Dressage Team took the Team Gold on July 15. The Team included Lauren Sammis, Katherine Poulin-Neff, and Christopher Hickey, with an average score of 68.633%. Canada took Silver and Brazil took Bronze. The individual Gold went to Hilltop Farm's head trainer Christopher Hickey riding Regent (Flemmingh x Falco), a 9-year-old Dutch gelding; Lauren Sammis of New Jersey took individual Silver on Sagacious HF. The Bronze went to Yvonne Losos de Muniz riding Bernstein las Marismas of the Dominican Republic.
The US held the top four places in Eventing and swept the medals, with Karen O'Connor making pony lovers world-wide ecstatic with her Gold-Medal ride on the 14.1-hand Theodore O'Connor, a Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland cross. The entire team of O'Connor, Stephen Bradley riding From, Gina Miles and McKenlaigh, and Phillip Dutton on Tru Luck were strong, and finished with 162.8. Silver medalist Canada came in with 211.1 and the Bronze went to Brazil with 235.6.
Late News Flash! "Teddy" to be Breyer Horse! Breyer Animal Creations®, The Theodore O'Connor Syndicate, LLC, and Sportponies Unlimited are delighted to announce that Theodore O'Connor, the 14.1-hand pony that has caused a sensation in the eventing world, will be the latest international star to join the Breyer Animal Creations' stable as a Breyer portrait model in 2008!
The Show Jumping competition is now under way!
|
|
Two Wisconsinites to Compete at World Young Horse Championship in Verden, Germany
Jessica Jo Tate has qualified her 6-year-old Rheinlander gelding, Donnermuth (Don Bedo), for the FEI World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany, August 2-6. JJ, a well-known FEI dressage trainer from Wisconsin, lives and trains now at Goodness Ridge Farm in My Airy, Maryland, competing on the east coast and giving clinics throughout the US. For more about JJ, please visit her website, JessicaJoTate.com
Donnermuth was purchased as a 3-year-old when JJ was competing in Aachen, Germany in 2004. The DressageDaily report by Sue Smithson describes Donnermuth at his USEF Markel Young Horse Dressage Qualifier as "the standout. His score of 82.4 was miles ahead of the field. The big black Rheinlander gelding was a show stopper in the warm-up, leading a crowd into the coliseum like the pied piper."
Cabana Boy (above), a 5-year-old Hanoverian gelding bred by Dr. Doug and Shannon Langer of Maple run Farm, Helenville, Wisconsin, will also be representing the US in Verden, Germany. He will be ridden by Chris Hickey, the new director of training at Hilltop Farm in Maryland. The pair has been invited to represent the US in the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses and to compete in the USEF Markel Young Horse Championships. Chris explains, "I've only shown him twice, and am making sure he has good experiences." Their showing debut was at the ESDCTA Memorial Day Weekend Show in Allentown, New Jersey. Winning all of the FEI 5 year-old classes, Chris and Cabana Boy also won High Score Hanoverian with 77.632%. The following weekend Team Hilltop trekked to Raleigh, South Carolina for the Raleigh CDI and Capital Dressage Classic where they garnered the Champion title of the East Coast Young Horse Selection Trials in the Five-Year-Old Division with a score of 8.24. It was then that the United States Equestrian Federation offered the invitation for Verden, which was heartily accepted.
Cabana Boy is by Hilltop's Contucci out of Britania (Bordeaux). He was sold by the Langers to Hilltop Farm as a weanling.
Chris feels that "not only is Cabana Boy a wonderful young horse that has a lot of elasticity, range and scope in his movement, he also shows good balance and tremendous power. These qualities, along with his super temperament, not only make him a very nice young horse, but will allow him to develop into a top FEI horse."
For Hilltop Farm, visit HilltopFarmInc.com. For more about Doug and Shannon Langer's breeding program, visit MapleRunFarmLLC.com
The following horses and riders have accepted the invitation to compete for the United States:
5-year-old Division:
Horse/Breed/Sex/Breeding/Breeder/Owner/Rider/Hometown
* Lord Albert/Hanoverian/G/Londonderry - Brenda by Brentano/Dr. Albert Schmidt (Germany)/David Blake/David Blake/Westlake Village, CA
* Cabana Boy/Hanoverian/G/Contucci - Britania by Bordeaux/Doug & Shannon Langer (US)/Hilltop Farm/Christopher Hickey/Colora, MD
6-year-old Division:
* Donnermuth/Rheinlander/G/Don Bedo - Wonne by Fichte/Breeder unknown(Germany)/Candace Tate/Jessica Jo Tate/Walworth, WI
* Mix Max DVH 840/Danish Warmblood Stallion/Milan - Gitte by Bajazzo/Joergen Olsen (Denmark)/Lars Holmberg/Lars Holmberg/Sylmar, CA
|
|
Cheryl Holekamp and Hera Successful with Home-Choreographed GP Freestyle
Cheryl Holekamp, a longtime dressage rider and Trakehner breeder, has just done what many of us dream of. She scored 74.25% in Grand Prix Dressage Freestyle with a freestyle she choreographed herself, riding to music she put together without fancy equipment. Not only that, her horse was her Trakehner mare Hera, a horse she bred and trained herself. Not only that, the first time they had ever ridden a GP Freestyle was the day before, earning a first score of 66.2%. Her husband, Tim, reports, "Spectators said they had tears in their eyes." You go, Cheryl! Cheryl and Tim, of Columbia, Missouri, are the owners of Olympic event stallion Windfall, and young approved Trakehner dressage stallion Baron Verdi. Visit NewSpringFarm.com for more.
|
ES Donavan, Wendy and Marty Costello, Riverland Farm to Move to Maryland
The well-known dressage and breeding stallion ES Donavan and his owners, Wendy and Marty Costello, will soon be relocating from Wisconsin to Maryland. Donavan, a successful Grand Prix dressage competitor under Jessica Jo Tate, is an Elite Hanoverian breeding stallion who is also recognized by numerous other registries. The Costellos have associations in Maryland and will also be near JJ Tate, with whom they have collaborated for many years. For more information, and horses for sale, see their front cover ad in the July Sport Horse MARKETPLACE, "Riverland Gazette," or visit ESDonavan.com.
|
|
Eventer Amy Tryon Verdict Reached by FEI
Eventer Amy Tryon has been judged by the FEI and suspended from competition for two months. She rode her horse, Le Samurai, in the CCI**** in Lexington, Kentucky in April. According to the FEI website, "The case involved the riding of an apparently lame horse in the final moments of the [cross country phase of the]course, and the state of the horse when the last fence was jumped." The decision reached was that the competitor's actions constituted abuse, but "while Amy Tryon was negligent in not stopping the horse, the Tribunal determined that she did not understand that the horse had been injured until just as she pulled him up." If found guilty of willful abuse, she could have been barred from competition for life, but "the determination that there was no premeditation and no actual awareness by the competitor that she was riding a lame or injured horse is taken into account in imposing sanctions on the competitor." David O'Connor, member of the FEI Eventing Committee and Chairman of the FEI Eventing Safety Committee, is quoted as saying, "Premeditated abuse is an action that should, and needs to be dealt with in the most severe actions that we as a sport can take by our judiciary side. Similar cases to this [the present case] are much harder to judge and I feel should be dealt with on a whole different level. Should this be taken seriously - yes; career changing - no."
|
|
In Memoriam
In Memoriam Sue Munro
In sad news, it has been reported that Sue Munro, an "R" judge from Evansville, Indiana, passed away this month.
In Memoriam Lynn Vandenburgh
Lynn Vandenburgh, of Hemlock Hill Farm, Stillwater, Minnesota, passed away last May. Lynn was one of my favorite people even before I met her. She called me years ago about advertising in the magazine I had then, Midwest SportHorse Journal, and we have been friends ever since. She specialized in Dutch Warmblood horses and produced some excellent, prize-winning foals, and she stood her own Dutch stallion, Nantucket. Lynn was a joyous person, interesting and interested, filled with humor, perspective, and faith. She was loved by many, and loved and cared for those around her, including her animals. Her loss leaves an empty place in this world.
In Memoriam Contango
Iron Spring Farm's legendary KWPN stallion Contango passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2007. Retired from competition, the handsome dark bay stallion died peacefully in his pasture. He was 18 years old and the only Preferent stallion in North America. He leaves a lasting legacy of numerous sons and daughters reaching the Grand Prix ranks in both dressage and jumping.
"Even though he was getting older, you're never ready for something like this," said Mary Alice Malone, who rode Contango to 29 Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle wins. "Contango was the horse of a lifetime. He brought so much to the farm, the breed, and me personally. It's a very difficult loss. The only consolation is that he has left us with many exceptional offspring." |
|
David O'Connor Presented with
Equine Industry Vision Award
Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications (AHP) presented David O'Connor with this year's Equine Industry Vision Award at a ceremonial breakfast held during the AHP Fiesta Del Caballo seminar in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Established in 2002, the Equine Industry Vision Award was the first of its kind to showcase innovation and recognize ingenuity and service across the entire equine market.
O'Connor earned this honor for his outstanding achievements as an equestrian and his contributions as a role model and administrator in the industry. Best known for his Olympic accomplishments and his work as president of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), O'Connor is a true leader who is recognized and well respected throughout the equine world.
|
|
Ponies Wanted
Samantha Johnson of Miracle Welsh Ponies and Cobs in Phelps, Wisconsin, is looking for ponies to photograph for a series of upcoming books. She is specifically interested in Connemara, Chincoteague, Australian, Caspian, Dales, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Highland, New Forest, Kerry Bog, and German Riding Ponies. The photo shoot would be located in northern Wisconsin. For more information contact Samantha at foxhill@newnorth.net or visit MiracleWelsh.com. |
|
Trafalgar Square Books
Announces Three New Titles
The Rider's Pain-Free Back is by Dr. James Warson, a neurosurgeon who also happens to be a lifelong horseman. If you're a horseperson, back pain is of particular concern since everything you do on and around horses demands a supple, strong, healthy back. In this book, Dr. Warson provides all the practical information you need to understand the diagnosis and treatment of back pain. More importantly, he shows readers how to prevent back problems before they have a chance to unseat you.
In Straightening the Crooked Horse, Gabriele Rachen-Schöneich and Klaus Schöneich outline their unique system of straightness training for riders and trainers everywhere. "You'll see how, with sufficient attention to gymnastic training in hand and on the longe, 'carrying power' is increased and thus the eventual transition-or return-to work under saddle can be handled smoothly, easily, and without ever sacrificing correct locomotion."
Concise Guide to Medications, Herbs and Supplements for Your Horse by Dr. David Ramey is a "no-nonsense compendium of all you really need to know about: vitamins, minerals, sedatives, hormones, antibiotics, liniments, emollients, anesthetics, ointments, corticosteroids, oils, NSAIDs, antihistamines, dewormers, joint supplements, bronchodilators, hoof dressings, expectorants, poultices, and more!"
To find more about Trafalgar Square's equine library, visit Horseandriderbooks.com.
|
 A New Hoofpick!
A Colorado horse trainer has come up with a new angle on the oldest of tools. Frustrated for years by every hoofpick she tried, Christy Jemail of Louisville, CO decided to invent her own. The result is called The Ultimate Hoofpick, and it's superior three ways: it has a truly ergonomic, grippy handle; the steel is an unbendable 40 mm thick; and the precise angle of the pick itself is patent-pending and superbly effective. These attributes make removing even dried mud with the consistency of concrete a snap. MSRP for The Ultimate Hoofpick is $16.95, and it carries a lifetime replacement guarantee. See UltimateHoofpick.com for a list of fine retailers who carry it, or to order online. Or, you may call 303-666-6364 |
|
Nigerian Fraud Hits Horse Trailer Customers
According to a June press release, horse and trailer buyers should be alert for fake buyers working through the internet:
The Nigerian internet fraud, which has pounded US email accounts proposing to make large money transfers in exchange for fees, has taken on a new spin with internet horse trailer sales. The increasing growth of equestrian websites offering free classified ads has provided an effective catalyst for the Nigerian scam artists to test their new scheme. Horse trailers have been targeted because they are high ticket items.
"We discovered it through first hand experience," stated Tom Scheve, CEO of EquiInternational Inc./EquiSpirit Trailers. "A California horse owner, who happened to also be an investigator, called our office to warn us. She had found a brand new 2007 EquiSpirit two horse model on freehorseads.com that was offered at more than a quarter off the price. The buyer hoped there was some good reason for the low price, but there wasn't. When the seller became evasive about showing her the trailer, and wanted a substantial deposit up front, she became suspicious and called us. Since we sell EquiSpirits direct throughout the country instead of through dealers, we can keep close track of our trailers and customers. We quickly discerned that the pictures on the ad were lifted from our website, and that the seller did not exist in our files."
"I think that most horse owners will be sharp enough to detect that something's wrong" says Tom. "The people working this fraud are not horse owners so email responses to trailer questions are usually odd or evasive, sentence structure and grammar are strange, and in our case, the price was too low to be believable. But I suspect that the 'pitch' will improve if the results show promise, so buyers need to be cautious." |
|
Combined Driving Gold Medal for US
Miranda Caldwell took the gold medal at the World Pony Pairs Driving Championship in Dorthealyst, Denmark on July 22, 2007, while silver went for Germany's, Steffen Abicht and bronze for Denmark's, Lars Dau.
The pair class was led by Dau with a good margin before the cones. However, one ball down and several time penalties resulted in 15.83 points at which stage the Dane was overtaken by Caldwell, the marathon winner, who could afford only one ball down. Caldwell finished on 129.42 points total, only 0.72 points ahead of the 2005-champion Steffen Abicht.
Caldwell was taken by surprise at becoming the 2007 world champion. "I didn't believe that it was possible to catch Lars Dau. So I left the area right after my cones and did not see him drive - and had no idea what had happened before I heard on the speakers. My first thought was 'what', but it's fantastic," she said. |
|
|
|
|
