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Archive for January, 2010Luck (and Skill) Be a Lady Tonight – Women Win the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes for a Second Year The Budweiser Clydesdales gave an exhibition before the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes. © 2010 Randi Muster The air was electric, and it wasn’t just the threatening thunderstorm, which didn’t materialize. Energized is the only way to describe the Palm Beach International Arena at the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday night for the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes. More than five thousand fans arrived for the signature Saturday Night Lights entertainment. The majestic Budweiser Clydesdales paraded in the arena with their loyal Dalmation leader Harley in an exhibition before the class. Fire blowers, chained escape artists, and knife juggling tight rope walkers from the famed Key West Sunset Carnival wowed the fans. Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said, “We had a spectacular turn-out tonight, and we are excited that people are learning about the wonderful entertainment options that we have here at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The crowds were enthusiastic, and the riders gave new meaning to team spirit.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10056 A Platinum Win for Aaron Vale in the $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix Aaron Vale & Platinum ©Flashpoint Photography Green Cove Springs, FL — January 30, 2010 — Tonight’s $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix sponsored by North Florida Hunter Jumper Association closed out Week IV of competition with one of the most successful riders in show jumping, Aaron Vale, adding another win to his illustrious career. After a week of observation, course designer Allen Rheinheimer put all he learned about today’s starting field into a lengthy and technical 13 obstacle/6 effort test with a time allowance of 96 tight seconds. “It was a little bit on the snug side for sure,” chuckled Vale about the tick tock of the clock. A vast majority of the faults in round one occurred from battling the clock, with 3 horses retiring and 6 having time issues. It wasn’t until the 6th in the field of 21, birthday girl Claire Lee, that the audience saw a clear round. Lee and partner High Roller posted a clean run of 91.786, which held as the only perfect ride until 3 rounds later when Vale and Platinum assured a jump off with a clean 94.083 seconds. Only one other horse and rider combo, Tony Font and Gardenio (owned by YZ Partners LLC) with a clean 93.776, would accompany them to the final round. Vale said, “This was surprising. When I walked the course I thought, wow – we had 9 clear last week, we’re going to have more clear this week. We only got 3 so sometimes you just can’t tell. Allen did a great job.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10050 Angie Dickinson Donates Academy Award to Old Friends! Photo by Rick Capone Celebs contribute to the retirement of Secretariat’s son GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 29, 2010 – Academy Award, one of the only surviving sons of Triple Crown winner Secretariat, has arrived at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY. Michael Blowen, Old Friends founder and president, made the announcement earlier today. Golden Globe-winning actress Angie Dickinson, a long-time supporter of Old Friends, is sponsoring the retirement of the 24-year-old stallion, along with Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery and Boston-based TV producer Barbara Bowen. “Michael and I have been friends for a long time and I adore the horses,” said Dickinson, the star of TV’s Police Woman and such films as Point Blank, Rio Bravo, and Dressed to Kill. “Now, I finally have an Academy Award, and I can’t wait to see him.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10043 Megan Young Takes 1-2 in USHJA National Hunter Classic Debut at Jacksonville Winter Series Megan Young & Levaro ©Flashpoint Photography Green Cove Springs, FL — January 29, 2010 — Week four of the Jacksonville Winter Series kicked off one of its featured events at 7PM under the lights of the covered arena with a cheering crowd and a talented field of competitors vying for bragging rights and prize money in the debut of the USHJA National Hunter Classic sponsored by Blue Gate Farm. Jacksonville, FL native Megan Young partnered with Levaro won all rights hands down in the two round event. The newly launched program has similarities to the popular International Hunter Derbies. It is a two round event, and round one – the Classic ride is set with a minimum of 10 obstacles. Fence heights are 3 foot, but there are four option fences on the course set at 3’3 and 3’5. The layout also consists of at least one In and Out, Bending Line, Line with an unrelated distance, and a long approach. Ideally the course is to simulate one reminiscent of a hunt field, offering a variety of classic jumps with different appearances such as natural post and rail, stone walls, coops, oxers, and brush. This varied palette gave course designer Paul Jewel, of Lambertville, NJ quite the challenge in creating his work of art and judges Tucker Ericson, Claudia Rolland, and Keith Hastings the difficult task of selecting the best interpretation. Megan Young was third in the order with first ride Sundance, owned by Juliana Keaton, and the pleasing pair landed an 81 plus 4 bonus points for a total first round score of 85. Three horses later and it was Amanda Forte riding the Journey’s End Farm of Glenmore, PA entry Paramount to capture the lead with an 86 and 4 bonus points to overtake Young with a score of 90. Levaro and Young were the last duo of the initial round, laying down a solid ride which the judges rewarded with a total of 87 points. “Jump one was a little spooky and scary because it was made of hay bales with a log on top! Plus I think one of the biggest challenges was just the way the ring was set up, with the banners on the sides and then jumping the oxers off the bending line towards that wall.” Young added of the first course, “The third fence was so far away that I’m sure some people got a little anxious there too.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10041 Betsy Rebar Sell and Wonderful Walden Win Prizes and Top Honors at Top Shelf Dressage under the Stars at The Players Club The 2010 Top Shelf Dressage under the Stars Series premiered at the Players Club Bar & Restaurant in Wellington and Betsy Rebar Sell took home top honors during the highly successful star-studded evening. (Photo by Frederic Roy) Wellington, FL (January 28, 2010) – Pan Am Gold Medalist Betsy Rebar Sell, and her 22-year-old equine partner Wonderful Walden, gave a world-class performance at the 2010 Top Shelf Dressage under the Stars Series premiere at the Players Club Bar & Restaurant in Wellington, riding away with top honors and over $800 in prizes. Dressage under the Stars will run for seven more weeks each Wednesday night, giving dressage enthusiasts a chance to sit tableside at the Players Club while enjoying top competitors and their horses dancing under the stars. “It was a fabulous evening and a wonderful way to kick off the series,” said Neil Hirsch, owner of the Players Club. “Dressage under the Stars will run every Wednesday night until our grand finale on March 17th. Admission is free and everyone is invited.” Dressage rider and country singer Jenna Wyatt hosted the evening, which included a star-studded line-up of riders, celebrity judges and entertainment. The style judges included celebrity hair stylist Mary Brunetti, founder of the horse mane and tail restoration system TailRx. In addition to being a dressage rider, Brunetti is a stylist to stars such as Ricki Lake, Brooke Shields and Mariah Carey. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10038 Horse Enthusiasts Gathering in Georgetown, Kentucky during World Equestrian Games
The Georgetown Equine Expo presented by Kentucky International Equine Expo, LLC is hosting an “open to the public” expo to be held concurrently with the World Equestrian Games. Admittance to the expo is free. The expo will run from September 24, 2010 to October 10, 2010 in Georgetown, Kentucky less than five miles from the site of the WIG. “The Georgetown Equine Expo will showcase various local, regional, and international equine related businesses. By showcasing area businesses and unique local attractions, the expo will provide another economic revenue stream to the city of Georgetown, Scott County, and the State of Kentucky,” said Summer Frost, founder of Kentucky International Equine Expo, LLC. In addition to many exhibits of equine-related companies showcasing their products, the expo will also feature an outstanding array of equine industry speakers. A full list of seminars and speakers will be announced soon. Several charities will benefit from the proceeds of the expo. Those charities include the Alzheimer’s Association of Kentucky, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Home, Georgetown, KY, and Disabled Jockeys Retirement Fund of Chicago, Illinois. The Kentucky International Equine Expo, LLC is a Lexington based worldwide enterprise that is dedicated to raising awareness and promotion of the equine industry through education, art, entertainment and tourism. For additional information on the Kentucky International Equine Expo, LLC, please visit our website at www.KIEExpo.com or call Summer Frost at (859) 433-2628. Contact: Summer Frost The Death of the Calico Colt Photo: Living Images by Carol Walker An Essay by Ginger Kathrens January 2010 – He was wild and free, roaming the vast expanses of the rugged Calico Mountains with his mother and father and the other members of his family. This would be his first winter, a time when life slowed down for all the wild ones — the elegant pronghorn he watched on the distant horizon, the tiny pygmy rabbits that foraged in the sage brush undergrowth and darted into their dens when he tried to touch them, the fat sage grouse that were some of his favorites. When he was just days old, he heard their strange, booming sounds and saw the males strutting and displaying for a mate. When he wandered toward them, it was his father who gently guided him home. His mother softly nickered to him. She smelled of sweet sage and invited him to nurse. Then, one day while his mother and father and the others in his family were quietly foraging, conserving their energy in the growing cold, he saw his father jerk his head up. Ears forward, the stallion watched and listened and the colt did too, mimicking his father. The colt could hear a rumbling drone. In the distance, he could see something flying toward them. It was even bigger than the majestic golden eagles that soared over his home. It came closer and closer, dropping low over the sage. The drone grew into an ear-shattering roar. His family began to run and he followed, galloping beside his mother where he would be safe. Mile after mile the menacing, giant bird chased them. His legs ached and he wanted to rest, but he could not leave his mother. He kept running, struggling to keep up. Fear gripped the Calico colt. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10030 Eric Lamaze and Ultra Boy Beat Large Field to Win $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round Three at 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Eric Lamaze and Ultra Boy won the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round Three at the third week of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © 2010 Randi Muster Wellington, FL – January 28, 2010 – The reigning Olympic individual gold medalist, Eric Lamaze of Canada, was in top form today when he qualified all three of his mounts for the jump-off. He took home the top prize in the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round Three on Ultra Boy, owned by Ashland Stables, over a field of 18 in the jump-off. Today’s class is part of the third week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), and the week three title sponsor is Nespresso. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and the circuit will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit. There were 54 entries in today’s grand prix. The course was designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany, and it featured 13 numbered obstacles. Eighteen were clear through to the jump-off, which had two turns where riders could shave precious time off. Lamaze and his first mount, Ronaldo, also an Ashland Stables-owned entry, were the early leaders with a clear round in 38.16 seconds. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10026 Cesar Parra and Furst Fabio Prove Disco Music Isn’t Dead during Intermediaire I Freestyle at Gold Coast CDI Parra and Fabio had the crowd dancing along to their disco inspired freestyle. (Photo courtesy of SusanjStickle.com) West Palm Beach, FL (January 28, 2010) – International dressage rider Dr. Cesar Parra and his Rheinlander gelding Furst Fabio proved that disco isn’t dead when they danced their way to the win in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener. Parra and Furst Fabio showed off their moves to the disco classic “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind & Fire, and not only secured the win but had the audience dancing along to the beat. “I used this music with Olympia when we competed at Devon, but the music was composed for Fabio and this was the first time he was able to compete to it,” Parra said. “It was an emotional experience for me and a very exciting ride.” Parra said the Gold Coast show was the first time that Fabio competed at the Intermediaire I level. “I love this horse,” Parra said. “I rode him conservatively the first day and then during the freestyle I decided to push the gas pedal a little more. It was good to win in good company, especially when you have such top horses in the class. I really believe this win is nothing but a testimony to teamwork.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10010 Jones Set for Another Big Day in FloridaThe American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, January 28, 2010 – Eight-time defending national champion trainer Paul Jones is outfitted with the horses to sweep the $100,000 South Florida Derby and the $20,000 Sunshine State Stakes on Sunday afternoon at Hialeah Park. In the 440-yard Derby, Jones is represented by fastest-qualifier Mr Brimmerton and El Niño Handicap winner Shakem Blue. In the 220-yard Sunshine State Stakes, Jones is sending out the very quick One Tough Dude, the Ruidoso Downs 300-yard track record holder. Gabriela Baltierrez’s Mr Brimmerton (Brimmerton-Zip N Streak by Barrett’s Bullet (TB)) rebounded from a horrid trip in the $163,000 Hialeah Laddie Futurity to set the fastest-qualifying time to the South Florida Derby. In his trial, he raced near the lead and then drew out to the three-quarter-length win in :21.843 for the quarter mile. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10002 |
