News
Kelley Farmer Rides Into The Winner’s Circle In Hunter Classes Sponsored By The Sanctuary During Third Week Of FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
Hunter rider and trainer Kelley Farmer, of Virginia, won the Championship in the First Year Green Hunters with Cinema, pictured with Larry Glefke, and the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunters with Nanook during the third week of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a world-class rehab and conditioning facility located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, sponsors the hunter divisions. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com)
Wellington, FL – Hunter trainer Kelley Farmer has been in the hunter spotlight for many years, and the Virginia based rider rode into the winner’s circle during the third week of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival capturing the Championship in the First Year Green Hunters and the Regular Conformation Hunters. The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a world-class rehab and conditioning facility located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, sponsors the hunter divisions.
Farmer, who rides and trains out of Larry Glefke’s Lane Change Farm in Keswick, Virginia, piloted Cinema to the Championship in the First Year Greens and Nanook to the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship. “Kelley is a phenomenal rider and we are always thrilled when she wins classes that we sponsor,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “The Sanctuary is dedicated to supporting the equestrian community, which is why we enjoy sponsoring classes and divisions at the Winter Equestrian Festival.”
The Sanctuary’s main campus, located in Ocala, Florida, is a multi-million dollar facility dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes. “Hunters and jumpers who compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival compete in a very physically demanding sport. The Sanctuary works hard to help riders keep their horses competing at their peak, especially when competing,” McDuffee said. “At The Sanctuary in Ocala we believe in adequately preparing the horse for the show ring, which includes building muscle and stamina. We have owners and trainers who routinely use our equine swimming pool and our treadmills. Our goal is to send every horse home in the best condition possible. It truly is a sanctuary for the injured or high performance equine athlete.”
The Sanctuary has the capability of helping equine athletes stay fit, avoid injury, and recover faster and more completely from certain injuries they might experience when competing in intense and physically demanding sports. The Sanctuary also features: a Cold Saltwater Leg Spa featuring 34 degree, highly salinated water for all types of leg therapy; an Equine Swimming Pool – a 110 foot long, 14 foot deep inline pool with therapeutic water; a 5/8 mile race track; two Eurocisers with therapeutic tracking surface - one under cover and one outdoors; Solariums; Temperature-controlled veterinary inspection area with semi-surgical lighting, and rubberized surfaces in most areas.
For more information on The Sanctuary, visit their website at www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com.
Walter Zettl’s “Matter Of Trust” DVD Series From Premier Equestrian Approaches Landmark $1 Million Sales
Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl’s DVD series “A Matter of Trust” has reached a prestigious landmark that many training videos – whether exercise, self-help or educational – rarely manage to achieve. Zettl’s “A Matter of Trust” series is approaching $1 Million in sales, making the series a huge success in not only the dressage world but in video sales in general. (Photo courtesy of Premier Equestrian)
Sandy, UT – Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl’s DVD series “A Matter of Trust” has reached a prestigious landmark that many training videos – whether exercise, self-help or educational – rarely manage to achieve. Zettl’s “A Matter of Trust” series is approaching $1 Million in retail sales, making the series a huge success in not only the dressage world but in video sales in general.
In the five-volume “A Matter of Trust” series, Zettl elaborates on the theory classical masters have used for centuries. Zettl’s approach reinforces correct training methods, building a partnership with your horse, proper movements and above all gentleness in riding. The series was produced by founders Heidi Zorn and Mark Neihart of Premier Equestrian, LLC, in conjunction with Dancing Deer Productions, LLC. “I met Walter at the USDF Convention in 2000. I watched his symposium and fell in love with him. I booked a clinic with him in Salt Lake City, Utah and when he taught the clinic I knew we needed to document his information so that his classical dressage methods wouldn’t be lost,” Zorn said.
Zorn and Neihart spent three years following Zettl to clinics all over the country, documenting his teaching from Training Level to Grand Prix. “Mark filmed, edited and narrated the entire series. The series wouldn’t have been what it is if it wasn’t for Mark’s creative genius,” Zorn said, adding that Zettl was pleased to have the series produced. “Walter was concerned about people who couldn’t get to a clinic or didn’t have access to top trainers. He wanted everyone to have access to his information and we wanted to preserve his ideas. There are only a few Classical Dressage Masters left and Walter is one of them.”
Zettl, a life-long equestrian with over 57 years of experience in riding and coaching the world's finest horses and students, is a Canadian resident who travels abroad teaching his life's work to equine enthusiasts all over the world. Zettl's many successes include coaching at international level competitions such as the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as coaching at the North American Young Riders' Championship.
In addition to his “Matter of Trust” series, Zettl is the author of Dressage In Harmony and his latest book The Circle of Trust. He has written countless articles published in North America and Europe. “Walter’s knowledge of classical dressage is unsurpassed. This really is an excellent series and is very complete. Mark and I have been honored to join Walter in this venture, and the fact that the series has sold so many copies is a testament to the strength of Walter’s knowledge and this teaching,” Zorn said.
Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, footing, and stable accessories, sells the “Matter of Trust” series through their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com, as does Zettl’s website, www.walterzettl.net. “The series is also sold through Linda and Pat Parelli’s Natural Horsemanship website, http://parelli.com. Pat and Linda have a great working relationship with Walter and he has been their trainer for many years,” Zorn said, adding that Dressage Extensions at www.dressageextensions.com and Trafalgar Square Books also sell the series.
For more information on all Premier Equestrian products visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109.
NYRA ANNOUNCES NEW POLICIES TO AUGMENT INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFETY AND INTEGRITY STANDARDS
OZONE PARK , N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced two new policies that will augment the organization’s already industry-leading safety and integrity standards.
The first is a new house rule which states “The director of racing or the chief examining veterinarian has the right to refuse the entry of any horse with which they have any nature of concern.”
Additionally, once racing at Aqueduct Racetrack returns to the main track on Wednesday, April 4, NYRA will raise the bottom claiming level from its current $7,500 to $10,000. When racing shifts to Belmont Park on Friday, April 27, the lowest level claiming race will be raised to $12,500.
“I applaud NYRA for introducing these new policies,” said Rick Violette, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. “We continually have discussions on additional ways to ensure the safety and welfare of our athletes - both human and equine. Raising the bottom claiming level has been a given and it was just a matter of when we would institute the change. Making the first increase when we go to the main track at Aqueduct and expanding it at Belmont Park makes perfect sense, as we want to have a continued effort to raise the bar of quality of racing in New York.”
The two new policies augment an extensive list of safety and integrity policies and procedures already in place at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park , and Saratoga Race Course. All three NYRA tracks have earned accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety and Integrity Alliance.
A partial list of the safety and integrity policies in place at NYRA’s three tracks is as follows:
•NYRA Veterinary Staff – NYRA veterinary department consists of seven full-time veterinarians, two full-time assistants, and two part-time veterinarians, more than any other racing jurisdiction in North America .
•Drug Testing – NYRA has a comprehensive in-house drug testing program to detect illegal performance-enhancing substances in horses which employs state-of-the-art science, technology, and procedural processes. New York tests for 1,000 medications and has the highest amount of horse sampling of any jurisdiction in the United States , both pre-and post-race, with approximately four per race, on average. The program includes random out-of-competition testing designed to effectively deter the use of blood-doping agents. NYRA also has an “in-today” process that identifies all horses, in their stalls, running in a NYRA race within 24 hours. All horses entering a race must report to an assembly barn just prior to moving to the paddock for saddling. NYRA vets draw blood from all the horses in three or four randomly selected races every day for blood gas analysis (TCO2 testing), including every graded stakes race. NYRA’s robust testing regimen is supported by stiff mandatory penalties for trainers of horses testing positive for illegal drugs.
•Pre-Race Exams – NYRA vets conduct comprehensive pre-race exams during the morning on every horse entered to race that day. If the horse is not considered sound, the vet has the discretion to place the horse on either a 10-day restricted list or a 14-day vet’s list, meaning that the horse cannot race for either specified period of time. NYRA vets maintain detailed information on each horse they have examined for use in future examinations.
•Vet’s List – In order to be removed from the 14-day vet’s list, the horse will be required to work out in the presence of a NYRA vet. In assessing the horse’s soundness and
•Bleeders’ List – If a NYRA vet determines that a horse has bled during a race or a workout, the first time they are placed on the bleeder’s list and not allowed to run for 10 days, the second time 30 days, the third time 90 days, and the fourth time a year.
•Race Day Medications – According to state regulations, NYRA does not allow any race day anti-inflammatory medications or adjunct bleeder medications to be used on horses. Many racing jurisdictions allow these medications. The only race day medication allowed by NYRA is Lasix.
•Lasix Administration – NYRA vets administer Lasix to horses on race day in order to prevent private vets from entering a horse’s stall on race day. NYRA is the only jurisdiction in the United States where official racetrack vets administer Lasix.
•Paddock Supervision – A NYRA vet is present in the paddock area as the horses are being saddled, observing for injuries or to address any veterinary situation that may arise.
•Racetrack Supervision – During the races there are at least two NYRA vets on the track, one at the starting gate and one at the finish line. If a horse is scratched at the gate due to unsoundness, the horse goes on the 14-day vet’s list. The vet at the finish line watches the horses complete the race, pull up, and return to be unsaddled, checking for any horses returning sore, lame, in distress, or bleeding from the nostrils.
•Ambulances – NYRA has four equine ambulances with at least two on the track during the races, and the drivers have two-way radios in case they need to summon the vets. NYRA broadcasts a live, head-on video of all NYRA races directly into the chase ambulance that follows the horses around the track during each race.
•Claiming Drop-Down Rule – NYRA’s rule states a horse cannot start in a lower priced claiming race within 30 days of being claimed. During that 30-day period, the horse is eligible to start only for a tag at least 25 percent higher than the race from which it was most recently claimed.
•Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – NYRA has a stringent policy regarding ESWT, which is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to promote the healing of an injury. This type of treatment is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for human patients and is commonly used at racetracks on horses. All ESWT therapy machines on the NYRA grounds must be registered with the chief examining vet and the vet must be notified of all ESWT treatments, whether they occur on NYRA grounds or off the premises. Horses may not race for a minimum of 10 days after receiving ESWT treatment. All ESWT treatments on NYRA grounds must be done between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, with appointments made through the Stewards office.
•Anti-Slaughter Policy – NYRA has an anti-slaughter policy which states that any owner or trainer stabled at a NYRA track found to have knowingly sold a horse for slaughter will have his or her stalls permanently revoked from all NYRA tracks. NYRA requires its horsemen to conduct due diligence on those buying horses and encourages them to support rescue and adoption efforts and to find humane ways of dealing with horses unable to continue racing.
•Jockey Medical Advocate Program – NYRA was the first racing jurisdiction to implement a jockey advocate program, designed to assist jockeys taken to area hospitals after an accident. Under the program, a Registered Nurse serving as the jockey advocate is on-call during all NYRA races. If a rider is taken to the hospital, the jockey advocate meets the injured rider at the hospital to ensure that he or she is well cared for, and assist both jockey and family members with medical and administrative matters.
•Jockey Health Information System –NYRA adopted a system originally conceived by Keeneland and created in collaboration with InCompass that uses a secure online database to store jockeys’ updated medical histories and makes it possible for emergency medical personnel at racetracks to instantly access that information.
THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE IS LAUNCHED
New York, NY - A broad-based group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced today the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-an organization designed to serve as both the accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities.
Funded initially by seed money from Breeders' Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups.
"It is our responsibility as owners, tracks, breeders, trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents, and anyone who has a stake in the game to take responsibility for the aftercare of these great animals who are the keystone of our sport," said TAA board President and Thoroughbred owner Jack Wolf. "Securing support and funding from Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, Keeneland and so many other great organizations speaks to the credibility and importance of our effort and is so greatly appreciated."
Additional support of the TAA has been provided by Adena Springs North, CARMA, Fasig-Tipton, The Jockeys' Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, The New York Racing Association, Ocala Breeders' Sales Company and Thoroughbred Charities of America. The organization also received staff support from Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The NTRA will continue to provide that support on an ongoing basis.
The TAA will accredit aftercare facilities based on a Code of Standards covering operations, education, horse management, facility services and adoption policies. Simultaneously, the TAA will raise funds on behalf of accredited facilities via institutional contributions that are to be directed 100% to program services rather than to fundraising or general administrative costs.
"The Breeders' Cup is proud to be one of the initial funders for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and fully support the TAA goals of an industry-wide, annually funded program committed to the placement or second-career retraining of retired Thoroughbreds on a national scale," said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup, Ltd. "Through the contributions of our sport's stakeholders, we can help ensure that our horses are treated in a dignified manner throughout their lives."
"The Jockey Club's involvement and support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a natural extension of our other ongoing efforts in the area of Thoroughbred aftercare," said James L. Gagliano, The Jockey Club's President and Chief Operating Officer. "The accreditation and proper funding for aftercare facilities will greatly enhance the well-being of our equine athletes, and we encourage other groups and individuals from all segments of our sport to support this Alliance."
"Thoroughbred aftercare is something that touches us all," said Nick Nicholson, President and CEO of Keeneland. "We are proud to do our part, and I know that virtually everyone else will be equally proud to do theirs in order to make the TAA an ongoing success."
The TAA, a 501 (c) (6) non-profit organization with a 501 (c) (3) subsidiary, will fill out its staff and provide additional updates in the coming months. The TAA offices will be based in Lexington, Ky.
The Expression of Interest documents are the first step towards submitting a bid to host the FEI World Equestrian Games.
"We are very excited for the bid," said ESP President Michael Stone. "We believe it will be a great opportunity for the Village of Wellington, Palm Beach County, and the State of Florida. We believe that working on this bid will help bring ESP-produced events to the next level and will only help increase the quality of our shows and the exposure of equestrian sport."
"We look forward to working with Equestrian Sport Productions on their bid as they consider all the requirements for a successful submission," said John Long, USEF CEO. "The support of local and state government will be essential in this effort. The USEF is looking forward to sharing experiences learned from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Kentucky just last year."
The world-class equestrian and support facilities in Wellington, and the prestige that Wellington holds in the equestrian world, provide an excellent framework from which to begin a pursuit of the bid for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.
Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.
TEAM HAWKER BEECHCRAFT WINS THE 10th VALARTIS BANK SNOW POLO WORLD CUP - JANUARY 12 – 15, 2012
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Berlin, Germany – January 17, 2012
A perfect backdrop to fête this historically loved sport, snow polo returned to the Tyrolean Alps for the 10th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel. Eight teams battled for the World Cup: Valartis Bank (title sponsor), Audi (co-sponsor), Parmigiani, Tom Tailor, Hawker Beechcraft, VIP Traveller, Kitzbühel and title holder Wintertechnik.
In a thrilling final, team Hawker Beechcraft with Richard Davis (0), Tarquin Southwell (+5) and Jonny Good (+6) won the title! Most Valuable Player of the tournament awarded to Jonny Good. The phenomenal players from England continued their streak of success with a 13:9,5 victory over the Team Valartis Bank with Stefan Proietti (+1), Matthias Maiquez (+7) (who also won best playing pony – Kaitan) and Tito Gaudenzi (+2). Team Kitzbühel with Mark Hänni (0), Francisco Podesta (+4) and Pedro Fernandez Llorente (+6) were medaled 3rd place. Returning to this competition for the 8th year, German actor Heino Ferch and his wife Marie Jeanette titled 4th for Team Parmigiani.
This four day celebration of the world’s oldest – and most exciting – team sport featured 96 ponies, highly acclaimed polo players as well as international notables and celebrities Hansi and Ramona Hinterseer, Uschi Glas, Werner Baldessarini, Saskia Vester, Till Demtröder, Horst Lichter, and Falko Götz, among others. Over twelve thousand people attended this memorable Alpine winter experience to enjoy a sport steeped with tradition coupled with an unforgettable program of events – on and off the field. On Saturday the 14th, the annual Players Night featured a one-of-a-kind performance by Uwe Ochsenknecht & Band.
“The 10th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel has been a successful milestone. Once again, we were able to combined top class Polo in one of the most idyllic sceneries in the world. We were fortunate with flawless snow conditions that allowed for high action and competitive games, along with some breathtaking weather over the Alps of Kitzbühel. We want to thank all of our partners for their continuous support, as well as express thanks to all Teams and respective organizations for their talented performances. We are deeply looking forward to the next decade of Polo in Kitzbühel" - (Tito Gaudenzi, Founder and Principle of Lifestyle Events, GmbH).
More information: www.kitzbuehelpolo.com
Southern New Hampshire ski resort gets first High Speed Quad Lift
Wildwood Missouri-
Peak Resorts announces the acquisition of the high speed detachable quad chairlift formally of Ascutney Mountain, VT. The installation of the lift, along with a terrain expansion is planned at Crotched Mountain, NH for the 2012-2013 season. This 3 million dollar capital investment will happen on the 10 year anniversary of the reconstruction of the resort.
We are very excited about the prospect of adding a detachable lift at CrotchedMountain. This lift will provide quick access to the summit, ultimately providing more value and vertical to our guests. Along with the lift, the addition of 25 acres of skiable terrain will be a significant upgrade for the resort." said Jesse Boyd, VP of Operations for Peak Resorts.
While replacing the current Summit fixed grip lift, the only high speed quad lift in Southern NH will provide an uphill capacity of 2400 persons per hour, and access to an additional 25 acres of terrain in less than 4 minutes of time on the lift. The additional terrain access is accomplished by the extension of the current summit lift profile to the top of the mountain, approaching 1000 feet of vertical drop. The additional 25 acres of terrain will encompass three extra slopes and two glade areas. The new terrain will have 100 percent fan snowmaking coverage as well as being lit for night skiing.
"We at Crotched pride our self on the commitment of service to all skiing and snowboarding guests from beginners all the way to expert terrain park and racing enthusiasts. The ability for us to provide the value of even more time on the slopes is very exciting. The expansion of terrain will benefit all of our clientele with an easier route off the top of the mountain and trails that will access our progressive terrain parks, glade skiing and allow us to stay committed to the ski racing culture of New Hampshire." said Pat Terry, General Manager of Crotched Mountain.
Lift construction and trail development are scheduled to take place starting the spring of 2012 pending approval of permitting with NH State and local township regulations.
Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center Experts Share Information at PA Horse World Expo
Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25On Friday, February 24, and Saturday, February 25 veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) will share their clinical and research expertise in presentations at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo. The lectures and discussions cover a broad range of veterinary topics of interest to all horse owners. The Expo takes place at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA.
On Friday, February 24, at noon, Ashley Boyle, DVM will provide insight into Strangles, a highly infectious bacterial disease that can cause severe swelling of the lymph nodes around the throat, making it difficult for a horse to breathe. Strangles can have severe consequences for horses. Dr. Boyle is board-certified in veterinary internal medicine and is an assistant professor in the Section of Field Service at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center.
Friday, 1:00 p.m. Patricia Sertich, VMD will speak on Caring for the Foaling Mare. An associate professor of large animal reproduction at New Bolton Center, Dr. Sertich is board-certified by the American College of Theriogenologists. Her areas of interest include periparturient mares, pregnancy loss, embryo transfer, transported semen and mare management for optimal fertility. She works closely with the Graham French Neonatal Intensive Care Unit clinicians at New Bolton Center where she serves as a reproduction consultant for the high-risk pregnancy program.
Friday, 3:00 p.m. Dirk Vanderwall, DVM, PhD, reveals an intriguing look at Behind the Scenes at New Bolton Center. An associate professor of large animal reproduction at New Bolton Center, Dr. Vanderwall serves as the chief of the Section of Reproduction and Behavior. Board-certified by the American College of Theriogenologists, Dr. Vanderwall’s areas of interest include mare breeding management, mare infertility, embryo transfer and newer assisted reproductive techniques such as oocyte transfer.
On Saturday, February 25, 11:00 a.m. Dr. Vanderwall will address How to Keep Your Mare Out of Heat.
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Mary Utter, DVM, PhD presents Insights on Ophthalmology: Moon Blindness. Assistant professor of ophthalmology at Penn Vet, Dr. Utter is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Her interests include equine corneal disease, cataracts and glaucoma.
Saturday, 3:00 p.m. Janet Johnston, DVM discusses the number-one equine emergency, Colic. Clinical associate professor of critical care and anesthesia, Dr. Johnston is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Surgery. Her area of interest is large animal emergency and critical care, with a special emphasis on equine colic.
More information about equine veterinary topics, New Bolton Center and Penn Vet will be available at the New Bolton Center booth at the PA Horse Expo, Booth 1614.
University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center has one of the largest caseloads of any academic large animal hospital in the country. Members of Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center faculty are regularly invited to share their expertise internationally.
All presentations will take place in Seminar Hall B. The schedule is subject to change.
The Horse World Expo runs from February 23 through February 26. For more information about the Expo and for updated schedules, visit www.horseworldexpo.com.
About the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the world’s premier veterinary schools. Founded in 1884, the school was built on the concept of Many Species, One MedicineTM.
Penn Vet researchers currently have the most National Institutes of Health grants of all vet schools in the country, attesting to the School’s strong basic and clinical research programs in infectious diseases, immunology, neuroscience, cancer, stem cell biology and more. For more information about the research at Penn Vet, visit www.vet.upenn.edu/Research.
The School’s Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, located on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia, PA, houses classrooms, laboratories, medical care and one of the nation’s busiest urban veterinary emergency rooms. In addition, the school successfully integrates scholarship and scientific discovery with all aspects of veterinary medical education.
Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine is the only institution in the state of Pennsylvania graduating veterinarians. The large-animal facility, New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, PA, encompasses hospital facilities for the care of horses and food animals as well as diagnostic laboratories serving the agriculture industry.
For more information about Penn Vet or its hospitals, visit www.vet.upenn.edu.
ROLEX FEI WORLD CUP™ JUMPING 2011/2012 – ROUND 9 Leipzig (GER), 22 January 2012
Photo Caption: Defending series champions, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet,
won the ninth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 series in Leipzig, Germany today.
Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Frieler.
YouTube: http://youtu.be/d9kwx59_26o
Free images for editorial purposes are available from the FEI Photo Catalogue www.feiphotos.org
AHLMANN TAKES THE WIN AT LEIPZIG, BUT ECKERMANN STEALS THE SPOTLIGHT by Louise Parkes
Defending champion, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, returned to the scene of his 2010/2011 triumph to win the ninth qualifying round of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 series at Leipzig, Germany this afternoon.
Host-nation competitors filled the top-three places, but both the winner, and third-placed multiple champion Marcus Ehning, had to take a back seat in the aftermath as the spotlight shone brightly on rising star Katrin Eckermann who was pipped for pole position by only the narrowest of margins. The 21 year old from Muenster, who has just emerged at Senior level after a highly-successful career in Young Riders, produced a thrilling and polished performance to take runner-up spot and has put her name firmly on the German radar. She said afterwards that today’s competition will be her last indoor outing of the season as she has other plans for her lovely grey gelding Carlson. But everyone, including her German counterparts, agreed that this self-effacing young lady’s name will feature prominently in future years. A new German jumping star has announced her arrival.
DIDN’T HOLD BACK
Course designer, Frank Rothenberger, didn’t hold back on the challenge he set for the 37 starters today. Big, bold oxers with back bars that stretched many horses to the limit were the order of the day, and while poles fell all around the arena it was the triple combination at fence four and the double at fence eight, quickly followed by a massive oxer at nine, that took the heaviest toll.
The latter line proved tricky as, having opened horses up over a series of oxers, Rothenberger asked for maximum control over the double of tall verticals which had a tight two-stride distance inside before pushing to the next. It was here that Frenchman Olivier Guillon’s round came, literally, unstuck when the 13 year old Lord de Theize appeared to catch the falling top pole at the second element of the double between his front legs and pitched forward, firing his rider from the saddle. Three others decided to retire, but 13 jumped clear to go into the jump-off against the clock.
There were gasps of disbelief however when reigning FEI European Champion and newly-crowned No 1 rider on the Rolex Rankings, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, didn’t join them after picking up an uncharacteristic single time fault with his 2008 Olympic silver medal winning partner, Ninja la Silla. The course indeed demanded a consistent rate of speed, and somehow the Swedish rider, who has hardly put a foot wrong in recent months, had simply miscalculated that in an otherwise sublime round.
FASCINATING TEST
The jump-off track was another fascinating test, with temperament playing a big role as obedience and rideability would be key to success. Sweden’s Henrik von Eckerman, who had produced a masterful opening effort with Hans Gunther Winkler’s elegant Allerdings, set the pace with a clear run in 43.02 seconds and it always looked good enough for a strong finishing spot.
With seven of the 15 German starters through to the timed round, it was Florian Meyer zu Hartum who was next to go with Heidegirl Wichenstein CH, but three fences on the floor put paid to their chances and then Eckermann entered the arena. Her father, Karl, bought the grey gelding Carlson as a yearling, and Katrin has competed the horse throughout his career. Their absolute belief in each other was abundantly evident as the horse and rider attacked the course with courage and conviction, the wide Rolex oxer three fences from home followed by a sharp turn to the penultimate vertical before the long gallop down to the final vertical and a racing finish that broke the beam in 40.77 seconds to reset the parameters.
Two horses later however, Ahlmann squeezed ahead when the horse with which he took the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping title at the same venue last April took a slightly tighter line to the third-last to stop the clock on 40.66 seconds. And that would be as quick as it could get. Angelica Augustsson’s speedy mare, Mic Mac du Tillard, ducked out at the second fence during the Swedish rider’s tour of the track, but Marcus Ehning’s clear with Sabrina in 40.86 seconds would be good enough for third. Ireland’s Billy Twomey steered the ever-reliable Tinka’s Serenade into fourth when fault-free in 41.73 seconds but the home crowd were disappointed when their favourite, Ludger Beerbaum who was last to go, brought Gotha home in the leisurely time of 52.24 seconds after hitting the triple bar early on the course.
There were plenty of smiling German faces in the aftermath however.
UNDERSTATEMENT
“I like it here in Leipzig!” said Ahlmann in something of an understatement. His track record at the venue is a particularly pleasing one, and his performances throughout the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final last year were exemplary. Asked about his reasons for wearing the blue jacket of Zangersheide Stud today, he explained that he had been unable to do so previously because of contractual arrangements with other sponsors, but that this has now been “sorted out”.
It was Eckermann who stole the post-competition limelight however, and Ahlmann pointed out that he was not at all surprised at her success. “Katrin is well-known here in Germany and she is a very strong rider. I always knew that she could compete at the highest level - I just didn’t think she would do it so soon!” he said. Third-placed Marcus Ehning agreed - “she’s very competitive and she has a super horse”, but he joked “I would have preferred if she had stayed in Young Riders a bit longer!”.
For Eckermann it was a very special afternoon indeed. She works for former German jumping star Hendrik Snoek and is trained by former German Chef d’Equipe Kurt Gravemeier. She already has a career-record that would be the envy of many. Last year she finished second to Ludger Beerbaum in the battle for the prestigious title of German Rider of the Year, and she followed the Individual silver and team gold medal won at the Young Rider European Championships in 2010 with Individual bronze last summer. She has developed a powerful relationship with the 11 year old Carlson during their time together - “in the beginning he behaved a bit stupidly and wasn’t so good but he really began to improve when he was about six years old and at seven he was great - since then he has just continued to get better and better!” she explained.
PLAN
Asked about her plan for today’s jump-off and what she was thinking about before returning to the arena she said - “I didn’t really have one and I wasn’t thinking at all! I just wanted to take all the risks - this is the last show for Carlson before I give him a break so I just went for it!” she answered.
She now has her sights set on a strong outdoor season. “I will look at how he is feeling and talk with my trainer when he comes back into work” she explained. So with no more indoor jumping on the horizon, what is her target for the rest of the year - “just one thing” Eckermann replied when asked this question. There is a logic to her concentration on performing well outdoors over the coming months it seems. “My one target is to compete at Aachen - for me that is my biggest dream!” she said. On current form, it seems that dream may, very soon, become a reality.
For further information on the ninth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League 2011/2012 at Leipzig, German go to website www.engarde.de or contact Press Officer Andreas Kerstan at Email andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de or Tel +49 177 75 32 624. The next leg of the series takes place at Zurich, Switzerland on Sunday 29 January 2012. For all information on the Swiss fixture go to website http://www.mercedes-csi.ch/de-home.phtml or contact Press Officer Roman Gasser at Email roman.gasser@carre.ch or Tel +41 79 635 5005.
Result: 1, Taloubet Z (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 40.60; 2, Carlson (Katrin Eckermann) GER 0/0 40.77; 3, Sabrina (Marcus Ehning) GER 0/0 40.86; 4, Tinka’s Serenade (Billy Twomey) IRL 0/0 41.73; 5, Allerdings (Henrik von Eckermann) SWE 0/0 43.02; 6, Wisconsin (Sergio Alvarez Moya) ESP 0/4 42.13; 7, VDL Groep Verdi (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 0/4 44.92; 8, Gotha FRH (Ludger Beerbaum) GER 4/52.24; 9, Ulysse (Pius Schwizer) SUI 0/8 42.07; 10, D’Avignon (Mario Stevens) GER 0/8 45.25; 11, Cornet Obolensky (Marco Kutscher) GER 0/8 50.66; 12, Mic Mac du Tillard (Angelica Augustsson) SWE 0/9 57.97; 13, Heidegirl Wichenstein CH (Florian Meyer zu Hartum) GER 0/12 46.41.
Full results here
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 Western European League – Standings after Round 9 at Leipzig (GER):
1. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson SWE - 74
2. Denis Lynch IRL - 54
3. Kevin Staut FRA - 53
4. Steve Guerdat SUI - 51
5. Pius Schwizer SUI - 48
6. Nick Skelton GBR - 48
7. Scott Brash GBR - 43
8. Patrice Delaveau FRA - 41
9. Emilie Martinsen DEN - 41
10. Ludger Beerbaum GER - 39
11. Maikel van der Vleuten NED - 36
12. Harrie Smolders NED - 34
13. Marco Kutscher GER - 33
14. Marcus Ehning GER - 32
15. Dermott Lennon IRL - 30
16. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER - 28
17. Luciana Diniz POR - 26
18. Malin Baryard-Johnsson SWE - 23
19. Billy Twomey IRL - 23
20. Janika Sprunger SUI - 23
21. Angelica Augustsson SWE - 23
Facts and Figures:
37 starters, 3 retired in first round, 13 into jump-off. 1 first-round elimination - Olivier Guillon and Lord de Theize (FRA) who fell when the horse caught the second element of the double at fence 8. The oldest horse in today's ninth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping series was the 17 year old Ninja la Silla, ridden by FEI European Champions and the man who holds No. 1 spot on the Rolex World Rankings, Sweden's Rolf-Goran Bengtsson. The Swedish partnership jumped clear over the fences in the first round but missed out on the jump-off when collecting a single time penalty. The youngest horses were nine-year-olds - Cooper, ridden by Germany's Rene Tebbel and Duc du Mariposa, competed by Egypt's Abdel Kader Said. Course designer was Germany's Frank Rothenberger. A total of 15 German riders started in the competition, and 7 qualified for the second-round jump-off. German riders filled the top-three finishing places. The ninth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping series in Leipzig attracted a record attendance of 61,800 spectators.
Quotes:
Marcus Ehning - “I hadn’t planned to ride Sabrina today, but this morning Kuchengirl had some heat in her legs so I changed my plan. And I’m very happy with Sabrina taking third place”.
Katrin Eckermann - “I competed in my first Rolex FEI World Cup™ class at Stuttgart”.
Winning rider Christian Ahlmann, when asked if he will give the Rolex watch which was presented to him by Magali Dubois Vaucher from Rolex to his horse-owner or girl-friend - “No, this one is for me!”.
Press Kit – Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012. Download the Press Kit here
FEI TV – Re-live the excitement of today’s competition, and enjoy highlights, interviews and archive footage at www.feitv.org
Vote for Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping “Best Press Office” Award. Journalists and photographers are being asked to cast their votes for the “Best Press Office” of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ 2011/2012 season. All services provided by the 12 press officers covering this season’s qualifiers, including on-site facilities, internet access, press conference organization and speed of information supply will be evaluated. Forms will be provided in the press offices at each fo the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 qualifiers.
Polo Becomes Official Discipline of the U.S. Pony Club
U.S. Polo Association and U.S. Pony Club working together to get young people in the game
(Lexington, KY) – The U.S. Polo Association (USPA), polo’s national governing body, has announced that the sport will be officially recognized as a discipline of the U.S. Pony Club (USPC) during the 2012 USPC Annual Meeting and Convention next week in New Orleans. An official resource activity for the USPC since 1980, polo has built a strong foundation to support the new collaboration and its long-term objective to develop horsemanship interest in youth.
The joint venture between USPA and USPC has been years in the making and the Lexington-based entities will work closely together in a cross-promotional effort to attract young riders to both organizations. The USPA and USPC are excited about this unique collaboration and the opportunities it presents for young equine enthusiasts to play polo and take advantage of everything America’s first team sport has to offer.
“We have a solid infrastructure in place and feel polo can offer an overall great experience for the U.S. Pony Club and its members to help develop their horsemanship skills,” said USPA CEO Peter Rizzo. “We are grateful to the U.S. Pony Club for helping us make polo more accessible to young riders everywhere as our sport grows and continues to expand in popularity.”
“We are thrilled to officially include polo as one of the U.S. Pony Club equestrian disciplines,” said USPC CEO Kevin Price. “As with all riding competitions and activities supported though Pony Club, the sport of polo provides members with an opportunity to demonstrate their horsemanship and sportsmanship in a structured competitive environment.”
In celebration of this special partnership, the USPA plans to offer a free introductory membership to Pony Club members and is currently working with its member clubs and other polo entities to offer educational clinics this year for Pony Club chapters located around the country including the Lexington area. The USPC has a great track record of success in teaching riding, safety, and horsemanship skills – all important building blocks for learning to play polo.
For more information on U.S. polo, visit www.uspolo.org. For more details on the U.S. Pony Club, visit www.ponyclub.org.
About U. S. Polo Association
The U.S. Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. For more information, please visit, www.uspolo.org.
About U. S. Pony Club
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, was founded in 1954 as a non-profit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including many of our Olympic team members, have roots in Pony Club. Members range in ages from as young as 4 through age 25. There are approximately 10,000 members in 600 clubs and riding centers in 43 regions throughout the country.
Always a Gentleman
Angela Balmes on her 2011 APHA World Champion stallion, Forest Midnight Comet
S. McCormick/NE Horse Talk
When you ask Angela Balmes about her APHA 2011 World Champion stallion, Forest Midnight Comet (aka Diesel), she beams. As of this week Diesel is standing at stud at Harris Paints in Maryland and that accomplishment is for Angela and her husband, Jim, the realization of a dream. Like any dream come true, it took planning and work. I board my APHA mare at Angela’s and Jim’s Balmy Acres barn in Middleboro, MA. Even so it wasn’t easy to get time to talk to Angela. She’s a very busy lady. When I was finally able to get a few moments in her schedule to sit down with her, I asked her to tell me about Diesel and how she had found him.
“I was looking for a performance bred horse,” she told me. “It didn't (necessarily) have to be a colt. I was just looking for a horse that would have the capability down the road of doing something more than just rail work.” But Angela admits she always wanted to have a stallion. “We had bred a couple of horses in the past and we had sent them to our trainer, Joe Harper, down in Kentucky.”
Harper is the world champion trainer of reining and cutting horses who rode Diesel to his World Championship in Fort Worth, Texas this past fall. “But they (the horses sent to Harper prior to Diesel) didn't work out. They either didn't have the mind or they didn't have the athletic ability.” Diesel had both. Angela went on to tell me she has a strong interest in the old foundation bloodlines. She stumbled across Diesel while searching for progeny of the great Paint sire, Haylos Hostage. She found his grandson out in Oregon. At four months he already had points on him for halter. But what struck Angela was how “aged” he looked. “At four months he looked (so) physically mature,” she told me. “He had a natural balance to him.” At five months the colt had a new home.
As soon as Angela started to work with him, she was impressed. “He was very willing,” she told me. “He retained everything he was taught. (You would) just teach him once and he got it. He was easy to handle, good natured, always a gentleman.” Those are important qualities, especially in a stallion. I asked her what prompted her decision to train him as a reining horse. She laughed and told me it wasn’t exactly a decision. When he was ready, she sent him to Harper down in Kentucky. She has been sending horses to Joe since she first met him thirteen years ago.
“Joe broke race horses before he got into reining,” she told me. “When I first met him I thought he had the greatest seat.” She also found him to be a ‘straight up guy.’ He was always honest with her about the horses she sent him. And he wouldn’t waste her money if the horse showed no promise. He’d just call her up and tell her it was time to take the animal home. “He’s a man of very few words,” she laughed. “I respect his honesty.”
So when she sent him Diesel it was with crossed fingers and a gnawing anxiety that at any moment the phone would ring. It didn’t. And when she finally spoke with Harper, he praised the horse’s work ethic. When she heard this, Angela allowed herself to hope that this at last was ‘The Horse’. Her only concern was that Diesel kept growing. At sixteen hands she worried he’d prove too big to be a good performance horse. But last year at the Paint Worlds show, Diesel went up against many of the breed’s finest. Though he didn’t place high, Angela didn’t care. “He got beat by some top horses (but) he just missed the top ten in junior reining by half a point.” It was last year that Harper suggested the colt be worked with cows. Angela couldn’t see that at the time, but Harper went ahead with the program. This year everyone can see the result. Diesel is the 2011 APHA World Show Champion Working Cow Horse. November was a happy month at Balmy Acres but the frosting on the cake was yet to come. A few years ago when Angela first approached Harris Paints about the possibility of standing her stallion at their breeding facility in Maryland, she had only an idea that he’d produce good all-around horses.
“I’m a New Englander. Here we trail ride, do open shows, ride dressage and hunt seat. I have to look at what we have available here (to do with our horses).” Angela also brought up the growing interest in Versatility training and showing. She wanted a stud that could produce not only a good cow or reining horse, but an all-around horse those of us non-ranching folks here in the Northeast could enjoy.
So this year when she contacted Harris Paints and they jumped at the opportunity, Angela was thrilled. Cindy Harris feels Diesel will be a great asset to their program. They have nothing like him. From his impressive performance stats, his size, speed, and general elegance, to his unique coloration (he’s a rare silver roan); Diesel promises to produce some outstanding foals. There is already a $500.00 incentive to the first APHA World Champion sired by this stallion. And Angela has already bred him to her mare, BAILEYBOONEMCCUE, to produce FM Forever Grateful (aka Margarita). Now two years old and developing the same size and great movement, the filly promises to do her father proud.
What is the future for Diesel? The breeding season runs from February through June. When that’s over, Angela may send him back to Harper to get more points on him in the 2012 show season. This was his last year showing as a junior. He would compete as a Senior horse. It’s a challenge the stallion is undoubtedly capable of meeting. Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Angela and Jim, and Joe Harper and, of course, Diesel!
Some websites you might be interested in visiting:
http://www.balmyacres.com/
http://www.harrispainthorses.com/
You can also find Balmy Acres, Harris Paints and Joe Harper Training Stables on Facebook.
Generous Sponsors Make the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival a Success
Wellington, FL - December 20, 2011 - The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is 12 weeks of top hunter/jumper competition that runs from January 11 to April 1. With almost 5,000 horses and riders from 49 states and 30 countries around the world, the FTI WEF is truly a top-tier sporting event. Throughout the upcoming season, management group Equestrian Sport Productions will thank and promote the entire range of FTI WEF sponsors, as the success of this event would not be possible without their generous support.
Within our extensive group of corporate partners, there is a group of major sponsors whose support of the FTI WEF is exemplary and critical to the development of the sport. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize these major sponsors and their contributions to the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.
FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting is the title sponsor of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Along with their week 12 and $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5* title sponsorship, they are leaders in the industry by helping support the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments® and the $100,000 FTI Consulting Rider Challenge, which honors the top four show jumpers of the circuit.FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Surpass
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (Surpass) is the title sponsor for week one on January 11-15, which includes the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix. Maximum effect with minimal toxicity and at less expense - that is the goal of Surpass, which is a unique topical cream applied directly to a horse's troubled joints. Surpass is the only FDA approved veterinary product that contains diclofenac, a potent pain reducer and anti-inflammatory agent, and according to the manufacturer has been shown to improve lameness in arthritic joints. Because it is applied locally, it has the ability to greatly reduce lameness while reducing the risks of the side effects that can occur with other systemic pain relievers. Surpass is a Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica product and is available only by prescription - ask your veterinarian for more information and visit www.jointhealthmanagement.com to find out more.
Wellington Equestrian Realty
Week two of the FTI WEF, held January 18-22, is proudly sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The week features the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2*. Wellington Equestrian Realty, LLC is also a first founding sponsor of the inaugural Global Dressage Festival, which will be held February 2 through April 15.Wellington Equestrian Realty's attention to detail and their passion for outstanding client services drives them to succeed. They are demanding consumers themselves and wouldn't expect anything less when delivering their services to you. They pride themselves on responding to clients' needs immediately and are always available anytime of the day or night to take your call and to discuss your farm needs in Wellington! For more information, please visit www.wellingtonequestrianrealty.com.
Horseware Products
Horseware Products joins the weekly title sponsors during week three of the FTI WEF on January 25-29. They will be on hand for the $50,000 Horseware Products Grand Prix, CSI 2*. Horseware® Ireland is the maker of the Rambo®, Rhino® and Amigo® lines of quality stable wear. In 1985, the horse rug industry was changed forever with the establishment of Horseware® Products Ltd. by Tom and Carol MacGuinness. Tom's determination to produce a rug that didn't leak, didn't make the horse sweat, and didn't slip led to the creation of the Rambo® Original - the first fully waterproof and breathable Turnout that really worked. Visit www.horseware.com for the dealer near you.
Adequan
Adequan® joins the FTI WEF again this year as the week four (February 1-5) title sponsor and sponsor of the $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2*. Adequan is also the overall circuit sponsor of the Young Jumper divisions for Five Year Olds, Six Year Olds, and Seven/Eight Year Olds. A highlight during week two are the visiting Budweiser Clydesdales, who will give special performances.The FTI WEF and Adequan® are working together to promote Adequan's marketing campaign to distribute information regarding Adequan® and joint health on the show grounds. This concept is designed to bring the information to you in a simple, easy to read format that will offer specific messages that will change throughout the 12 week show. You can also learn more about joint health by visiting www.adequan.com.
Luitpold Animal Health, based in Shirley, N.Y., markets Adequan® i.m., Adequan® i.a. and Equiphen™ Paste for horses and Adequan® Canine for dogs. The company is committed to advancing the cause of better health for equine and canine breeds. Adequan® is a registered trademark of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Spy Coast Farm
Spy Coast Farm is the week five title sponsor on February 8-12. Along with their weekly title sponsorship, they are the presenting sponsor of the $125,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*. Spy Coast Farm, owned by Robert and Lisa Lourie, has been a major supporting sponsor at the FTI WEF and started the Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show (YHS) Series last year in partnership with the North American Studbook. There will be two YHS shows during the FTI WEF on February 7 and 28.Spy Coast Farm specializes in the breeding and development of top quality performance horses. With bases in Setauket, NY, Lexington, KY, and Wellington, FL, they attempt to take advantage of the best the U.S. has to offer by way of climate, veterinary services, show facilities, training, and riding talent. Along with owning top show jumpers and a show horse operation, the Louries have created a breeding operation in Kentucky and young horse training program in Setauket. Their show horse operation spends summers in Kentucky and winters in Wellington. It is led by trainers Ali and Shane Sweetnam of Sweet Oak Farm, and the Lourie's daughter, Julia, is a top jumper rider. Their five-star facilities feature new barns, state-of-the-art equipment, and dedicated staff. For more information, visit www.spycoastfarm.com.
Equine Couture/Tuff Rider
On February 15-19, Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will be the title sponsor for week six of the FTI WEF, which features the WCHR/USHJA Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach. Equine Couture/TuffRider is the brand for the fashion conscious equestrian who is looking for great quality and an economical price point. TuffRider has been the main line of the company for the most economical britches for the everyday rider, and the Equine Couture line bumps it up a notch with fashion but still at an affordable price for clothes in and out of the ring. Be sure to check out their full line of products at www.equinecouture.com and www.tuffrider.com.
Fidelity Investments®
Fidelity Investments joins the FTI WEF as the weekly title sponsor during week seven on February 22-26. They are the title sponsor of the $100,000 Fidelity Grand Prix, CSI 2* along with their presenting sponsorship of the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge on February 17.Fidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services, with assets under administration of $3.4 trillion, including managed assets of $1.5 trillion, as of November 30, 2011. Founded in 1946, the firm is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and many other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial intermediary firms. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit www.fidelity.com.
G&C Farm
G&C Farm is the week eight (February 29-March 4) sponsor at the FTI WEF, which encompasses the presenting sponsorship of the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday, March 3, during the CSIO week. They sponsor the $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby in week six and are also the title sponsor of the G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper division, which will host four FEI ROLEX ranking classes during the circuit.G&C Farm, which was established in Wellington in 2009, has fully embraced the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, establishing themselves as a leading sponsor who is not only promoting their own team, but all riders in North and South America, to be the best in the world. G&C Farm is dedicated to supporting the dreams and passions of their exceptional riders in the highest levels of our sport. Their state-of-the-art, full-service facility is located in Wellington, Florida.
The vision of G&C Farm is to succeed at and qualify for all high level tournaments and top competitions, including the World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games. G&C Farm sponsors top grand prix rider Pablo Barrios of Venezuela, as well as other up and coming riders. For more information on G&C Farm, please visit www.gandcfarm.com.
The Bainbridge Companies
The Bainbridge Companies brings their title sponsorship to week nine of the FTI WEF on March 7-11 and will be the presenting sponsor of the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix. As one of the most highly recognized and respected companies in the luxury rental apartment development, ownership and management industry, Bainbridge is all about building community. As an active equestrian himself, Chairman and CEO Richard Schechter became very involved in the horse show.Bainbridge is headquartered in Wellington, Florida, and Bethesda, MD, a suburb of Washington, D.C., where Schechter began the business in 1993. For more information please visit www.bainbridgecompanies.com.
Artisan Farms
The FTI WEF is proud to have Artisan Farms, LLC as its week ten title sponsor for the 2012 show circuit on March 14-18. Their week hosts the $78,000 Pennfield Grand Prix, and Artisan Farms is the motivating factor behind the creation of the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series presented by Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte. The series will have three $15,000 grand prix classes and a $20,000 team event.Based in Mequon, WI, and Wellington, FL, Artisan Farms is owned by Carlene and Andrew Ziegler and home to young rider Caitlin Ziegler. The Zieglers bought a farm in Wellington in 2006 and have been strong supporters of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival ever since. The family is invested in the horse show through Wellington Equestrian Partners, LLC and this is their second year as an official sponsor. Sixteen-year-old Caitlin is a top junior rider with high profile wins in the hunters and jumpers at the FTI WEF, Spruce Meadows, and in Europe.
Suncast®
Suncast joins the weekly sponsors as a major sponsor at the FTI WEF. They are the title sponsor of the Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, which offers a 1.50m class during every week at the FTI WEF, along with a $31,000 1.50m Final during week 12. Last year, Suncast started the $50,000 Leading Horse/Rider Combination Award. The award will be presented to the Horse/Rider combinations who gain the most points from the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series. The bonus of $50,000 will be presented during the Suncast 1.50m Jumper Championship Series Final on Sunday, April 1. The winning horse/rider combination will win $25,000; second receives $15,000, and third place will win $10,000.Suncast Corporation manufactures home and outdoor storage products in the United States. It offers resin sheds, deck boxes, hose reels, and patio accessories, as well as garden products. The company sells its products through retailers. Suncast Corporation was founded in 1984 and is based in Batavia, Illinois. For more information, please visit www.suncast.com.
Other major event sponsors include:
$55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes (January 28): www.nespresso.com$35,000 Hermès Puissance (March 3): www.hermes.com
$50,000 Vita Flex Match Race (March 3): www.vitaflex.com
$78,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix (March 18): www.pennfieldequine.com
Equestrian Sport Productions would like to extend their sincere thanks to these sponsors for their support of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are "AA" rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.KELLY WALKER NAMED AMATEUR DRIVER OF THE YEAR
by john manzi
The US Trotting Association recognizes him as Mitchell K. Walker, but in harness racing circles the 55-year-old is known by his middle name, Kelly. And to be more precise, in the amateur movement he goes by the nickname “Sky”…. and for Kelly “Sky” Walker, these are good times.
He placed well in the seven-month C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series , and in early December Walker won the premier event of the Billings Series, the $25,000 Delvin Miller Memorial Gold Cup Driving Championship at The Meadows.
And now Walker has been named National Amateur Driver of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association.
“My goodness -- I can’t say enough about how I feel about receiving this honor,” Walker said after being told of his accolade.” It’s amazing to me. I’m thrilled. I had a great year, and more than that I had a great time driving. To receive an honor like this is just the icing on the cake.”
Over the past three years Walker has won 43 races in 210 starts and has shown real ability as a harness driver. Asked if he has any aspirations of turning professional, it didn’t take him long to answer, “No… I’m not interested in becoming a professional. Not at my age now. Maybe if I was in my 20’s I’d think differently, but I’m having too much fun as an amateur.”
Back in October Walker was the selection of the North American Amateur Drivers Association to represent the U.S.A in the upcoming and most prestigious World Cup of Amateur Racing which will be staged in New Zealand in Mid-January.
When he heard the news of his international jaunt, Walker said joyously, “It’s absolutely fabulous. I’m overwhelmed and exceedingly honored to be selected to represent the United States in the World Cup. “It’s (the World Cup) the top of the game and a huge honor.”
Walker, a farmer out of Davison, MI, was introduced to the harness races by his dad when he was a youngster. He learned to read a program and handicap the races, but at age 18 his main interest was purchasing a Corvette which he had been saving for. However, his dad told him he could attract as many girls with a horse as he could with a car. So instead of buying that famed sports automobile Walker purchased his first race horse, and then shortly after he had four -- he even employed a professional trainer.
Walker was a hands-on owner and would help jog and train. But when his father passed away, the demands of their family farm and greenhouse left him with no time for the horses. Twenty years transpired before Walker purchased his next racehorse.
Finally after jogging and training his own stock for seven years under the mentoring of veteran horseman Terry Tomlin (of Nilmot Ernie trotting fame), Kelly drove his first amateur race in 2004 as a member of the Michigan Great Lakes Amateur Driving Club. During the 2009 campaign Walker was named the Michigan Amateur Driver of the Year. A few years ago Walker joined the Billings Series and as time allows he competes whenever he can.
This year was Walker’s best season to date when he finished with a lofty .391 UDRS on the strength of 15 wins, 10 seconds and four thirds in 56 starts. Thus far in just six short seasons of amateur driving, with a limited amount of starts, Walker currently has 54 victories.
Walker will receive his accolade when the U.S. Harness Writers Association presents their Dan Patch Awards Dinner at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at Sea World on International Drive in Orlando, Fla. on February 12th.
For tickets to attend the banquet, contact Steve Wolf at stevejw@bellsouth.net; to take a congratulatory ad in the Dinner Journal, for Zimmerman, in appreciation of Bergstein, or to honor any other awardwinners, contact Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com. Reservations at the DoubleTree can be made by calling 800 327 0363; mentioning “USHWA” or “DPA” should get you a discounted rate.
Polo Makes Debut at the 2011 Pony Club Festival
United States Polo Association Solidifying Sport as U.S. Pony Club Discipline
Over 350 Pony Club members rallied at the Kentucky Horse Park last week in Lexington for the 2011 Pony Club Festival where polo made its official debut with three days of activities organized by the U.S. Polo Association (USPA). The event kicked off Sunday with a polo demonstration in front of a crowd of 150 people eager to sign up for the polo clinics starting Monday.
The clinics included an interactive polo session on a mechanical horse and mounted exercises to give participants a feel for riding in the saddle, swinging a mallet and hitting the ball towards the goal. With its success and popularity among Pony Club participants at the event, the sport is poised to establish itself as an official U.S. Pony Club (USPC) discipline in the near future.
“Polo’s presence at the Pony Club Festival is a positive reinforcement that together with USPC, we can reach young riders everywhere and help them develop their horsemanship skills and teach them how to play this exciting sport, “ said USPA Executive Director Peter Rizzo. “Pony Club members will also have the opportunity to advance through the USPA’s Interscholastic and Intercollegiate programs as they grow older, allowing them to stay in the sport for years to come.”
The United States Pony Club is also optimistic about the long term potential polo has as a full discipline in Pony Club. According to USPC Activities Services Director, Wayne Quarles, “We feel certain that the cooperation between USPA and USPC will create great opportunities for our membership.”
The joint venture between USPA and USPC has been years in the making and the two organizations have reached a verbal agreement to incorporate polo into the Pony Club discipline program in a cross-promotional effort to capture the interest of young horsemen and women nationwide. The official roll out is set for January 2012 at the USPC Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
The USPA plans to offer a free introductory membership to Pony Club members across the country and is currently working with its member clubs and other polo entities to offer polo to the USPC regions in the form of educational clinics. The U.S. Pony Club has experienced resounding success in teaching riding, safety, and horsemanship skills – all important building blocks for learning to play polo.
For more information on U.S. polo, or to get in on the action and schedule a lesson, visit www.uspolo.org. For more details on the U.S. Pony Club, visit www.ponyclub.org.
About U. S. Polo Association
The U.S. Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. For more information, please visit, www.uspolo.org.
About U. S. Pony Club
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, was founded in 1954 as a non-profit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including many of our Olympic team members, have roots in Pony Club. Members range in ages from as young as 4 through age 25. There are approximately 10,000 members in 600 clubs and riding centers in 43 regions throughout the country.
IT’S ME MOM WINS $100,000 ROBERT M. O’MALLEY SPRINT STAKES AT SUFFOLK DOWNS AS TRACK HOSTS ITS FIRST-EVER FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
EAST BOSTON, MA – It's Me Mom prevailed by a nose over 6-5 favorite Nicole H in the $100,000 Robert M. O'Malley Sprint Stakes on Saturday at Suffolk Downs before an exuberant crowd of 10,103 fans who were also treated to the track’s first-ever Food Truck Festival.
It’s Me Mom, ridden to victory by Willie Martinez for trainer Lynne Scace, broke sharply and rolled through demanding early fractions of :21.17, :43.63 and :55.91 before completing the six furlongs in 1:09.67.
"Our main concern was the dirt, because she is such a synthetic freak,” said Martinez, who rode Brass Hat to victory in the 2007 Massachusetts Handicap at the East Boston oval. "We knew she was incredibly fast, and when I asked her for more, she responded. All the credit goes to her."
It's Me Mom, a three-year-old daughter of Put it Back, paid $25.80, 10.60 and 6.80. Nicole H returned $3.20 and 2.40, while Karmageddon returned $5.80.
Also on the card, Silk Spinner earned his second consecutive stakes victory with a five-and-three-quarter length triumph under Gary Wales, completing the one mile and seventy yards in 1:45.53. A homebred three-year-old son of Silk Broker trained by Adel Salim, Silk Spinner broke sharply and held off a late charge from reigning New England champion juvenile Miscoe Gray for the win.
Silk Spinner returned $3.80, 2.80 and 2.20. Miscoe Gray paid $6.40 and 3.80, while Sociano's Legacy returned $3.80.
The stakes races were the featured events on a special 10-race program conducted in conjunction with a food truck festival that included 15 gourmet food trucks serving a wide variety of specialty items.
Suffolk Downs recognized several local charitable organizations at the Food Truck Festival as part of its “Community Winner’s Circle” program. The honorees were the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, and Winthrop Charities. The “Community Winner’s Circle” program was established in 2008 in a continuation of the track’s long-standing community outreach program.
THE BALVENIE LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE JOURNEY OF RARE CRAFT DISCOVERY
The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow Embarks on Year-Long Search for the Unsung Heroes of American CraftsmanshipNEW YORK - The Balvenie, the world's most handcrafted Single Malt Scotch Whisky, announces today the launch of the Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow - a nationwide search for the craftsmen and artisans across America who maintain a dedication to the practice and preservation of traditional crafts. Part trans-American road trip and part voyage of discovery, The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow is a celebration of craftsmanship that will travel from state to state, discovering and honoring the people who share the Balvenie's commitment to craftsmanship, documenting every step in a Web series and eventual documentary film.
As a fifth-generation family owned distillery, the exceptional quality of The Balvenie stems from its commitment to retain and nurture the high level of hand craftsmanship no longer employed by other malt whisky producers. Starting this March, The Balvenie Ambassadors Andrew Weir and Nicholas Pollacchi will travel the length and breadth of the United States to seek out and honor artisans who share their enthusiasm for all things made with skill and passion. Traveling from city to city in a suitably handcrafted Morgan Car, the pair will visit the workshops, studios, and stores where rare crafts are being kept alive, learning more about the craftsmen and their respective crafts along the way.
From brewers, vintners and cheese makers, to apothecaries, tailors, bicycle makers and all points between, The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow will discover and celebrate the burgeoning community of like-minded American artisans, giving craftsmen the recognition they are due, in the form of wide exposure. In addition to being featured on a dedicated website and in a nationwide print campaign, craftsmen will also have a chance to be honored at special celebratory events and featured in the dedicated Web video series and resulting documentary, charting this unique journey and the skilled characters encountered along the way.
"We are thrilled to begin our journey in search of the best craftsmen that this nation has to offer and cannot wait to see what we uncover," commented Andrew Weir, Eastern USA Ambassador for The Balvenie. "The Balvenie is unique in that nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, malts in its own traditional malting floor, employs coopers to tend every cask, a coppersmith to maintain the stills, and a malt master to ensure that the resulting spirit is consistently excellent. We realize this approach may not be as economical or as profitable as it could be, but as a family-owned distillery, we do it because we can, and because we know it's the best way to ensure quality throughout the whisky making process. We want to recognize those who feel the same way about their respective crafts."
"We are passionate about the need to preserve and practice the art of craftsmanship, and The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow will bring this passion to life sharing it with those we meet along the way," added Nicholas Pollacchi, Western USA Ambassador for The Balvenie. "We hope that The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow will ignite the spirit of rare craft across the country, and we look forward to honoring our fellow craftsmen during this epic nationwide journey. We encourage craftsmen to begin signing up immediately."
The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow will kick-off in March 2011, when Andrew and Nicholas will launch their voyage of discovery. To follow the progress of the Road Show, learn more about scheduled stops and nominate craftsmen, interested parties can visit The Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow Web site at: http://www.balvenie.com/roadshow. The search for the best rare craftsmen in America has officially begun!
DANIELA STRANSKY TAKES GOLD FOR VENEZUELA & CHAMPIONS CHILDREN'S CHARITY DURING FEI AMERICAS JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS
FLORIDA TEEN WINS BEST INDIVIDUAL JUNIOR RIDER DURING FINAL LEG OF COMPETITION IN ECUADOR
Daniela Stransky, the 15 year old equestrian from Stransky's Mission Farm who champions the children's charity Step by Step Foundation, piloted her gelding Ikarus to the Junior Jumper Best Individual Rider Medal during the final weekend of the 2011 FEI America's Jumping Championships held in Guayaquil, Ecuador. from July 26 to 31, 2011.
More than 85 top young show jumping riders, age 12 to 21, came from over a dozen countries including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada and the United States to compete at the prestigious international competition hosted by the Ecuador Equestrian Federation from July 26 to 31, 2011. Representing her native Venezuela for the first time, Stransky competed over double courses designed by Mrs. Marina Acevedo of Brazil on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The Miami Dade County High School student took top honors aboard her big gray Warm Blood and was the only rider from her country to compete in the high Junior division. She was awarded the individual gold for her efforts.
"It is an honor to have my daughter represent her native country," stated Daniela's mother Liliane. "We are so very proud that she had such success her first time here."
Grand prix veteran Hector Florentino of the Dominican Republic trains Daniela and is also the head rider at family stables, Stransky's Mission Farm in Wellington, Florida. "Daniela kept getting better and better as the days continued. The courses were set at 1.40 meters, and the competition included a bunch of very talented young riders. We are all very excited about Daniela's performance, her results, and the future," added Florentino, who will compete in the HITS-on-the-Hudson million dollar grand prix on Stransky's Mission Farm's bay gelding Ultimo in September.
FEI officials including Doris Fihman, Anabell Simon and Cesar Hirsh of Venezuela, Michell Temple of Brazil, Julio Carrasco and Ana Luis Sandobal of Ecuador as well as Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina were also there to support the young riders during the Championship.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
The National Cowgirl Museum
and Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the
2011 Teacher’s Choice Award for content in the Best American History
Museum category for distance learning. The Museum delivered programs
to more than16, 000 students nationwide; more students than any other
participating museum or organization.
“Teachers continually search for programs that engage their
students in ways they have not experienced,” said Diana Vela, PhD,
Museum Director of Education and Exhibits. “The Museum is truly
honored to have been recognized by the educators we work to serve and
we commend the efforts of Director of School Services, Cindi Collins
for her accomplishments.”
One of the most successful programs involved collaboration between
the Museum and the Dublin, Texas, based Sierra Dairy, through a live
video conference. More than 4,000 students experienced this event,
the largest audience in the state for video conferencing. Sierra
Dairy, owned and operated by Alan and Becca Vander Horst, is a
5,000-cow operation. Sierra was originally built in the late 1980s
with 900 head in open lots and a double 14-herringbone milking parlor
barn. It was remodeled in 2008 to the current 3,500 free stalls. The
Vander Horsts have a deep commitment to education with Ms. Vander
Horst being a life-long educator.
“Partnering with Sierra Dairy was truly a once-in-a lifetime
experience for students who have never seen a dairy, and have not
known how milk and butter get from the livestock to their table,”
said Vela. “While most students are exposed to the standard lessons
surrounding American history, very few have been exposed to the real
stories and accomplishments of not only women of the West, but even
of the modern-day dairy farmer.”
Video conferencing provides live interaction between the classroom
and a remote site. Students are able to see the host site and
interrelate ? as if they were in a live classroom. The Museum offers
nearly two dozen video conferencing programs, ranging from topics
that cover social studies to courses on math and science. All courses
are aligned with the TEKS. Cindi Collins, the Museum’s Director of
School Services, content developer and deliverer for all programs
provided by the Museum noted that, “The success of this program has
been phenomenal. The Vander Horst family was very accommodating ? and
we are getting requests for another program live from the dairy.”
Through video conferencing, students get an authentic taste for the
lives of women who were the early change agents in American history.
Among the video conferences offered, students can learn about science
by sorting, classifying and discovering how the basics of science play
a role in the life of a rancher, or they can discover the story of the
women of the American West during the late 19th and early 20th
century’s who displayed extraordinary courage and pioneer spirit in
their trail blazing efforts. While they’re at it, students learn that
“cowgirl” is a word that is broadly construed and incorporates many
people who all played a role in the West?from artists to ranchers.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates
women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage,
resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West, and
fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they
inspire.
Located at 1720 Gendy Street in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the
museum includes interactive exhibit galleries, three theaters, a
retail store and a grand rotunda housing the Hall of Fame. The museum
is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is
$10 and $8 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors ages 60 and up.
Please visit www.cowgirl.net or call 817.336.4475 or 800.476.FAME
(3263) for more information.
Funny Photo Caption Helps Eventer Win Mattes Sheepskin Pad From World Equestrian Brands, LLC
Buena Vista, VA (July 18, 2011) – Three-day eventer Kelly Jeffries’ sense of humor helped her win a photo caption contest, and a brand new 100% natural sheepskin Mattes Pad, during a contest held by World Equestrian Brands. Specializing in high performance equestrian products, World Equestrian Brands offered the Mattes Pad as a prize during a photo caption contest on the Eventing Nation website. World Equestrian Brands is the United States distributor of Amerigo saddles and strap goods, Amerigo Vega saddles, Vespucci, E.A. Mattes and Equilibrium products.
Jeffries, of Cocoa, Florida, wrote the caption, “I told you I left the jump right here!” to describe a photo of Olympic three-day eventer David O’Connor standing on a cross-country course with his hands spread wide. “In the picture you can see what appears to be the end of the roped off galloping lane, but there is no jump in sight,” Jeffries said. “When I looked at the picture I simply wrote what came to mind first. I decided to enter the contest because I had admired the Mattes pads at Rolex, but I was not able to purchase a pad at the time.”
Jeffries was thrilled to win the caption contest and thanked World Equestrian Brands for sponsoring the competition. “I am excited to have a new Mattes pad to ride in, and this will be my first Mattes pad,” Jeffries said. “In the dressage arena I like a crisp white pad, dark navy coat, and a white shirt and stock tie with navy accents. And a helmet is a must.”
Jeffries evented for many years up to the Preliminary level, and currently owns an American Warmblood mare and a Thoroughbred gelding. “My new horse is just learning how to jump so we will stick to dressage for now,” she said.
Robin Moore, President of World Equestrian Brands, congratulated Jeffries on winning the Mattes Pad. “It’s always fun to see what photo Eventing Nation is going to put in for the caption contest, and we really get a lot of laughs out of the captions everyone comes up with- a very creative group, the eventers! I know Kelly will thoroughly love her Mattes Pad. They are unsurpassed in quality, function, durability and appearance, which elevates the Mattes Pad above the competition,” Moore said. “The Mattes Pad has so many great benefits including the fact that the design of the Mattes sheepskin products allow the pads to follow the contours of the horses back with no edges, ridges, or seam that can cause soreness. Most important, the patented Spine Free design, and the anatomically correct topline, provides unbeatable comfort for the horse.”
For more information on World Equestrian Brands, visit their website atwww.worldequestrianbrands.com or call 1-888-637-8463.