Last month Sidelines featured a special section on the Rocky Mountains and as this issue went to press, wildfires were destroying homes and ranches in Colorado – and our hearts go out to all of those affected. The Colorado Horse Park, staff, show management and competitors stepped up to help nearby communities ravaged by the wildfires. The ColoradoHorsePark built extra pens for evacuated horses and volunteers with trucks and trailers helped transport horses to safety.
Congratulations to Jack Lube, of Orlando, Florida, on qualifying for the Southeast Medal Finals. Jack was the winner of the Sidelines Magazine Winter Equestrian Festival Exclusive Showing Vacation contest during the 2013 WEF circuit. Prior to winning the WEF contest, Jack hadn’t jumped higher than 2’6” at a show. Now he’s showing 3’3” and qualifying for medals. Keep on riding Jack!
The Arapahoe Hunt, in Colorado, has a new Pony Club! The new club will meet in the hunt club facilities of the Lowry Range in Arapahoe County and plans to focus on the riding, horsemanship and leadership skills of a successful foxhunter. Elizabeth Gillmor, Arapahoe Hunt member and Pony Club alumnus, is the DC of the new Pony Club.
Calling all Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) riders! IEA coach Stephanie Pair-Kavitz, who owns Revelry Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia, is offering IEA riders the chance to have a video of their riding critiqued. Riders can send a video (no longer than 4 minutes) along with a photo and description into Sidelines. To enter your video, go the home page of the Sidelines website (www.sidelinesnews.com) and click on the IEA photo.
Congratulations to Alexandra Cherubini, President of EquiFit, Inc., for her performance at The Devon Horse Show where she won the Adult Amateur Jumper Classic and was Adult Amateur Co-Champion with EquiFit Carlos. EquiFit just signed up as a new sponsor of the North American League, supporting the NAL as the presenting sponsor of the NAL’s Children’s Jumper Series. Way to go Alexandra!
Hats off to Quentin Judge who scored a major victory with HH Dark de la Hart in the $35,000 Husky Energy Cup 1.50m at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5*. Quentin and HH Dark de la Hart were fastest in a jump-off of 10 competitors when they stopped the clock in 41.20 seconds and no faults. Christine McCrea (USA) and Wannick WH were second in 41.55 seconds, while Ashlee Bond (USA) rode Cadett 7 to third in 41.67 seconds. Quentin and HH Dark de la Hart, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Kashmir van Schuttershof x Nonstop owned by Double H Farm, have been paired together for nine months.
Taking a break from the heated competition during the Kentucky Horse Show in June, grand prix rider Juan Oritz and his girlfriend Sara Bagworth decided to do something outside the show ring to help raise awareness for the Step by Step Foundation. They joined forces with charity founder Lilane Stransky to host the first Singing for Step by Step Karaoke Fundraiser under the Great Tent at the horse show. Grabbing the mikes, Juan and Sara belted out the tune “Billionaires” while duets were performed by Liliane and Perla Capriles who put in a rousing version of “I Will Survive.” Javier Guerra and David Blake hit just the right notes singing “Sweet Caroline.” It was all or nothing for Andrea King, Blaith Murano, Ivan Rocowsky and Angel and Alejandro Karolyi who held nothing back for their version of “My Way!” Donations from both the audience and the singers were secured throughout the night for the international children’s charity.
Rancho Corazon, in New Mexico, is pleased to welcome a new summer intern, Madelaine Martinez, on board from Colorado State University’s Equine Science Program. Madelaine will be assisting with the young horses, traveling to shows, and learning about the Ranch’s breeding program. Rancho Corazon is pleased to be able to offer a year round internship program.
The show must go on! Despite torrential rain, all exhibitors were able to compete in week one of the Skidmore College Saratoga Classic Horse Show. Kristy McCormack-Herrera won the USHJA Hunter Derby and Benjamin Simpkins took home the blue in the $10,000 Yaddo Open Jumper Classic.
Make sure you take part in BioStar EQ and Tigger Montague’s free webinars. They are open to the public. Signup is not mandatory, but they encourage live attendance as it offers the opportunity to ask questions and be part of the live discussions. All details for their webinars can be found on Biostar EQ’s website. Questions will be taken during the events and can be submitted to kat@biostareq.com.
Make your plans now to attend the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France! If you want to plan your trip, visit the official Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Facebook page. WEG in Normandy will feature eight disciplines over 15 days with 60 nations and 1,000 champions competing. Mark your calendars for August 23 to September 7, 2014.
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Caroline Minoprio, the much loved wife of the wonderful British photographer John Minoprio who has provided beautiful images for Sidelines in the past. Caroline was known for her elegance in the hunting field and always rode side saddle. She was also the epitome of elegance in the show ring and dressage arena.
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