Olympic Medalist Michele Gibson is engaged to be married! Here’s a shot of Michele and her fiancée, Nicolas Hernandez. Congrats to the happy couple!
Catching up: What fun! Jim Koford recently launched a blog for news source to help keep everyone abreast of goings on. Link is here: koforddressage.blogspot.com. Check it out.
Certified Master Saddler and Equine Ergonomist Jochen Schleese will be a guest lecturer at Jane Savoie’s Dressage Mentors Reunion weekend January 20-22!
Our pal LA Pomeroy is spreading her wings. She’s now Contributing style writer at Desert Mirage Magazine, and Arabian Horse publication.
Marc Ulanowski returns to Wellington with licenses to broker real estate in Illinois and Florida. In Florida he plans to work with Kathy Moore. He’s also has achieved his USDF Silver Medal. In his “spare time” he is the President of the Las Casitas HOA. No grass growing under his feet.
Oregonbased physical therapist, Stacey Brown, has joined forces with the South Florida based Animal Rehabilitation Institute to further her research on the biomechanics of the horse and rider. She hopes to unite specialists (for example: veterinarian, farrier and an equine therapist) in treating lameness in horses. Presently she is treating both Courtney King Dye and Nan Sexton who were critically injured in horse accidents within the same month. Both Courtney andNan are starting to ride again with her expert help and encouragement. Oregon’s loss is Wellie Worlds gain.
It seems that there is one event rider who just can’t stay out of trouble. LocalOcalapapers are reporting law suits pending over funds and horse sales. When will this guy learn to stay out of the press?
It is going to be a big line up at Jim Brandon on January 26th when the World Dressage Masters presented by International Polo Club kicks off the dressage season. The organizers have confirmed that Matthias Rath and Totilas will compete. The show will be the only public appearance for the pair while they are in North America. Also confirmed are Steffen Peters and Ravel, Anky van Grunsven and Salinero, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven and Favourit, Tina Konyot and Calecto V and Great Britain’s Carl Hester will also compete, but he hasn’t announced his mount yet.
Charities: Mary Ann Grant tells us that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Equestrian of the Year 2012 is celebrating its 10th year on January 11th, at 6:30 pm; there’ll be a fashion show at Players Club. All the best equestrian fashions will be shown on the catwalk with celebrity and professional models. Open bar, buffet and silent auction. For information contact Darby Collins at (561) 775-9954 or e-mail her at darby.collins@lls.org; Mary Ann Grant at (561) 301-5817 or Nancy Later Lavoie at (561) 714-7447. You can also find information on their website www.lls.org/pb (click on events).
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation announced that USET Foundation Trustee Bruce Duchossois and ACE Private Risk Services have made a generous donation to the organization following the tragedy at True Prospect Farm. On May 31, fire destroyed the barn rented by international event rider Boyd Martin from Phillip Dutton ofWest Grove,PA. Of the 11 horses stabled in the wood and stone bank barn, six perished in the blaze.
Horses: We were sad to learn that Cadillac 35, the 14 year old Danish Warmblood gelding owned and competed by Catherine Haddad of theUnited States, was euthanized inNew Jersey in November. Cadillac was ridden by Catherine at Grand Prix for more than four years, posting victories on both sides of theAtlantic. The pair competed at most of the major competitions inEurope. In 2009, they finished first or second atLeipzig andMunich inGermany;Göteborg,Sweden;Vidabaun,France andHickstead,England.
On a happier note, the German Federation acknowledged on November 17 that Mr. Medicott, the Olympic mount of German 2008 Olympic team gold medalist Frank Ostholt, has been sold to U.S. eventer Karen O’Connor.
Bumps and bruises: Well, that’s something of an understatement for US Para-dressage rider and “S” dressage judge Robin Brueckmann who had her right leg amputated November 2 from complications from reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Robin placed sixth individually at last year’s World Equestrian Games riding Elly Schobel’s Raison d’Etre and this year she and her own Radetzky placed third at the CPEDI*** Saugerties in September. Robin and Radetzky have earned several USDF All-Breeds awards for 2011, including Intermediaire 1 Vintage Cup. She also earned All-Breeds awards with two other horses, LordBaltimore at First Level and LordCarthage at 3 year old Materiale. The amputation will keep Robin out of the saddle for three months or so and we wish her a speedy recovery.
Passing: G. Lowell Boomer of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Sunday, November 20, 2011. Lowell’s avocation has been a lifetime love of horses and he became internationally renowned in the equestrian world. He was the founder of The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) in Lincoln in 1973, and served for sixteen years as its Chief Executive Officer. Today, USDF is headquartered in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, with over 30,000 members nationally. In 1989, he established The Dressage Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska “to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of Dressage.” The Dressage Foundation’s national headquarters is permanently anchored in Lincoln. He has won an extensive array of equestrian honors throughout his lifetime. He was the first inductee into the USDF Hall of Fame and has received the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) Lifetime Achievement award. The Chronicle of the Horse namedLowell as “one of the 50 most influential horsemen of the 20th century worldwide.”
The family suggests Memorials to The Dressage Foundation, 1314 ‘O’ Street,Suite305,Lincoln,NE68508and/or Cedars Home for Children,6601 Pioneers Blvd,Lincoln,NE,68506.
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