“Rolex Ride The Course” Media Ride Puts Journalists in the Hot Seat

O’Connor leads the group of intrepid journalists on the second annual “Rolex Ride The Course” media tour of the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** cross-country course. Sidelines representative Kim MacMillan is about twenty feet behind David on the roan gelding Comanche on the right had side of the group. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography   Looking through Comanche’s ears as we jigged up to the Rolex Head of the Lakewater complex the jumps looked even more daunting from the saddle than from the ground, if that’s possible. Comanche, a red roan Appaloosa gelding, was my trusty, albeit enthusiastic, mount on the 2012 “Rolex Ride The Course” media trail ride around cross-country at theKentucky Horse Park
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UVA polo dominates the USPA Intercollegiate National Tournaments

  UVA Men (left to right): Felipe Viana, Lou Lopez, Todd Thurston, Eduardo Lopez, Mauricio Lopez, CB Scherer, LJ Lopez UVA polo dominated the USPA Intercollegiate National Tournaments this past weekend in Ithaca, N.Y., taking home titles in both the men’s and women’s events.  The Cavalier squads faced strong competition throughout the tournaments, which featured top college programs and some of the best young players in the United States. The UVA men’s team defeated Cornell in the semifinal and went on to win the championship with a 23-17 victory against Westmont in the final. UVA Women (left to right): Lou Lopez, Isabella Wolf, Kylie Sheehan, Julia Steiner, Vicky Friedrichs, LJ Lopez   In the women’s tournament, UVA took down a solid Texas A&M team before meeting rival Cornell in the final and winning in a close 17-13 contest The National Intercollegiate Championship is part of the USPA’s Intercollegiate/Interscholastic polo program, which is committed to growing the sport of polo with players and fans.  Several players from the winning UVA teams are part of the premier Team USPA development program as well, which is also highly involved in training and teaching young polo players. With the help of programs like these, polo is experiencing a resurgence in the U.S.as depicted in the recent in-depth feature on “60 Minutes” surrounding the sport. All Star Honorees   Men Women Felipe Viana – UVA Julia Steiner – UVA CB Scherer – UVA Kailey Eldredge  – Cornell Patrick Uretz –Westmont Kylie Sheehan – UVA Wiley Uretz -Westmont Isabella Wolf – UVA      
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THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION’S RENEE ISLER FUND PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TWO YOUNG RIDERS

Katrina Hiller   April 24, 2012 – The Dressage Foundation’s Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund recently provided two scholarships to young riders to support their participation in educational clinics. Katrina Hiller (WI) was accepted by the United States Dressage Federation to participate in the Junior/Young Rider Clinic with Jeremy Steinberg on March 17-18, 2012.  However, she needed some financial help to make the trip from Wisconsin to Maryland with her horse, Toy Soldier.  Katrina received an $800 scholarship from Renee’s Fund, which enabled her to attend the clinic. “The clinic with Jeremy Steinberg was an incredible experience,” said Katrina.  “His methods were effective yet respectful to the horse, and overall made Toy much more supple, active, and rideable.  I can’t thank The Dressage Foundation enough for giving me the opportunity to ride for Jeremy!” Annie Adamcyzk   Renee’s Fund, which also provides support to young riders and professionals who participate in other educational events, awarded a $325 scholarship to Annie Adamczyk (IL).  Annie was selected to participate in the Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic with Lendon Gray.  The event will be held April 28-29 at Legacy USA Equestrian inBurr Ridge,IL.   “Receiving this scholarship to ride with Lendon Gray is such an honor.  I cannot thank Renee Isler and The Dressage Foundation more for giving me this great opportunity. I am so excited to see how well Storm, my new mare owned by Marilyn Black, and I improve because of this clinic,” said Annie. Since 2008, the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund has provided nearly $40,000 in grants/scholarships to support young riders, the USDF Jr/YR Clinic Series, and dressage professionals.  For more information about this Fund, go to www.dressagefoundation.org/Renee_Isler_Dressage_Support_Fund.htm or contact Jenny Johnson at (402)434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org
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And the Beat Goes on For the Planning of the So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event May 3-6

When an event ends you think you have so much time before the next year, but for some reason time seems to speed on by. Now we are just weeks away from the 2012 So8ths/Nikon Three Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas” to take place at Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, SC, May 3-6 . Just today I was in touch with the title sponsor, Nikon, to get the latest on the prizes the riders will be vying for. I was thrilled when they told me that the Beginner Novice, Novice and Training Three-Day division riders each have a chance to win a Nikon D3100 Outfit with an 18-55 MM VR lens . Nikon will also be giving 2 nd and 3 rd place finishers Nikon Laptop bags. I have one of those and love it
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Caroline Roffman Ties Up Season with a Gold Medal at the CDI Nations Cup

  Caroline Roffman and Pie during the victory gallop during the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup CDI. Photo by by Al Guden   Wellington, FL (April 18, 2012) – Caroline Roffman has a stellar beginning to 2012, with wins across the small tour and developing horse divisions at prestigious shows on the Florida dressage circuit and most recently a gold medal at the Nations Cup CDI.  At the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup, TeamUSA took the gold, and Roffman’s score of 70.050% on her own Pie put her in second and was a strong contribution towards the medal.  Team Europe took the silver, while TeamUSA 2 took the bronze.  Pie and Roffman also swept the Prix St Georges classes at the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup.   Roffman recently opened her own training and sales center, Lionshare Dressage, and has partnered with 2012 Pan Am Games alternate Endel Ots to bring the best dressage prospects and training to Wellington.  In the second half of 2012, Roffman has her sights set on multiple championships, including Gladstone and Lamplight, as she looks to the future with her competition horses.   Roffman kicked off her 2012 success in the small tour with Pie, a Hanoverian by Worldly, sweeping the small tour classes at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W at the Global Dressage Festival.   Roffman also debuted a new mare, Her Highness, during the circuit to great success.  Her Highness, a 9 year old by Hohenstein out of a Weltmeyer mare, is owned collectively by Roffman and Wolkentanzer Farm out ofCalifornia.  The stunning mare with floating gaits easily took top placings at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, winning the FEI Test of Choice with a 68.421% and the USEF Developing Horse Prix St Georges with a 67.868%.  Her Highness was also in the top placings during the GDF Nations Cup National Show, where they scored a 70% and 69% in the Prix St Georges.  Roffman is aiming Her Highness for the Developing Horse Championships, where Roffman and Pie were Reserve Champion in 2011.   Roffman has plans to compete at 2012 National Young Horse Championships with her own Bon Chance, the 2010 Five-Year-Old Champion and 2011 Six-Year-Old Reserve Champion, who will be headed for the Developing Horse divisions as well.   Caroline is also sure to be defending her title as 2011 Brentina Cup Champion
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The Devon Black Tie and Boots Ball

    DEVON, Pa.— The Black Tie and Boots Ball, featuring cocktails, dinner, dancing and a live auction, will be held Saturday, May 5 at Bryn Clovis, Brushwood Farm in Malvern.             The Ball benefits the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Foundation, and limited tickets are available. The evening will begin with cocktails and appetizers, including a specialty cocktail to toast Cinco de Mayo, which can be enjoyed on the lawn under centuries old oak trees, overlooking the rolling hills and paddocks filled with thoroughbreds owned by Betty Moran’s Brushwood Stable. Guests can then move into the tent for dinner and dancing, during which the live auction will be called by Samuel T. Freeman & Co.
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Asides

Catching up:  It looks like in the Fall world champion bull rider Wesley Silcox will be trying his hand at polo.  After visiting with Brent and Sherry Gibson at Rodeo Austin, polo sounded like enough fun that he’s decided to … [Read more]

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Olympic Observation Events at the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair

  DEVON, Pa.—The ticket office for the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair opens April 9, and with top Olympic hopefuls competing in two Observation Events at this year’s show, getting reservations early is very important. At least three of the eight top riders on the long list of candidates for the London Olympics show jumping team have said they will compete in the Observation classes at Devon, May 24 to June 3. Mclain Ward on Sapphire and Antares F were given a bye for the first selection trials held in Wellington, Fla., March 21-24 after Ward fractured his knee in a fall early in the season in Wellington. But as a late March Ward was already back riding on the flat and expects to be ready for competition by Devon.He will have to use the two Devon classes to convince selectors that he and his mounts, Sapphire and Antares F are fit and able to compete in London. The first is the Grand Prix at 8 p.m
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So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event to Showcase Nation’s Finest Eventing Riders and Clinicians

If you haven’t been tracking the progress of the second annual So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas,” May 3-6, 2012, then it’s time you take notice. Why? Because some of the most talented Eventing riders and trainers are doing just that. They think so highly of this event that is focused on amateur riders and training-level horses that they are donating their time. They will serve as clinicians to the first event that will showcase all three of the lower levels (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training) as recognized three-day events.  In the past Training has been recognized at the three-day level but it was only this past February that BN and N were added into the fold by the U.S. Eventing Association.
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2012 Marks 100 Years of Equestrians in the Olympics

FEI President looks forward to another 100 years of equestrian sport in Olympic Movement. The London 2012 Olympic Games marks 100 years of equestrian sport in the Olympic movement, and FEI President HRH Princess Haya is looking forward to celebrating the centenary at Greenwich Park this summer. “We are really proud to be celebrating 100 years of Olympic equestrian sport at the London 2012 Games and it’s wonderful that we will be doing that at an iconic venue like Greenwich Park right in the heart of the Games,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said today. “Greenwich Park is the second largest venue in London 2012 and tickets for the Cross Country were one of the fastest to sell out. Demand has been so high for our sport that tickets for all the equestrian disciplines were sold out in a matter of weeks, establishing us as one of the most popular sports in the Games. “This is a real milestone for our sport and is worthy of celebration as it confirms that we are really competing with the other top sports on the number of spectators we can pull in. We’re aspiring to provide one of the top quality products of the Games and we can really say to the big international federations, watch out, we’re here now! “We have worked tirelessly over the past number of years to ensure that horse sport falls in line with all the IOC requirements, that it is clean, transparent, cost effective and safe
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