Trotting into 2012
Friday, January 13 2012
By Sarah Dodge for Sean O’Keefe Events Happy New Year to all our SOE friends out there! 2011 was surely a fabulous year for Sean O’Keefe Events, and we’re looking forward to making 2012 even more eventful and beautiful. We’re already off to a trotting start with the upcoming second annual Sidelines Tetrathlon benefiting the Equestrian Aid Foundation happening February 5th, 2012 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The event is chalk full of dressage, show jumping, reining, and a lively polo match to round out the event’s horse activities. The evening will feature enticing culinary fare from local chefs Dustin Parfitt of Oli’s, Clay Carnes of The Grille, and Darryl Moiles of the Four Seasons Resort of the Palm Beaches. Along with food from these talented and passionate chefs, the event will also include tastings from other local restaurants including the International Polo Club Catering, Field of Greens, Top Notch Catering, White Horse Tavern, Pangea Bistro, Taylor Made Café, and Christy’s New York Cheesecake. Needless to say, this event will fill your belly and engage your senses in every way possible
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
2nd annual Jump for HomeSafe set for January 28th at PBIEC
Friday, December 30 2011
Paige Johnson named event chairperson [Wellington, Fl] With philanthropist and equestrian, Paige Johnson, as event chairperson, the 2 nd annual Jump for HomeSafe will be entertaining hundreds of people Saturday, January 28, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during the Winter Equestrian Festival’s Nepresso $55,000 Battle of the Sexes. Proceeds of the event will support HomeSafe, a non-profit organization helping victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Each year HomeSafe serves more than fifteen-thousand infants, children and families in Palm Beach County and South Florida. Jump for HomeSafe is a fun, energetic cocktail party taking place inside the newly expanded Wellington Tent at the PBIEC. Attendees will enjoy a three-hour cocktail party, including hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent auction, entertainment, special guests, reserved outdoor seating to watch Battle of the Sexes, and horseless jump competitions (with awards) for children. “I am honored to host this charity event for HomeSafe, and hope to bring awareness to as many people as possible about the overwhelming presence of child abuse and domestic violence in this country,” said Paige Johnson, chairperson for Jump for HomeSafe . “We’re truly ecstatic to have Paige Johnson as the chairperson of HomeSafe’s charity equestrian event,” said Matthew Ladika, CEO of HomeSafe
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
California’s Young Horse Talent on Display During Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J
Wednesday, June 01 2011
By Yellow Horse Marketing for Cornerstone Event Management BURBANK, CA – Young dressage horses were the stars of the weekend in the historic and pastoral setting of the Flintridge Riding Club for Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J, May 26 – 29, 2011 in La Cañada-Flintridge, CA. As host of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Western Selection Trial for the FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Championships in Verden (GER) and the final Pan American Games qualifying competition for Southern California, competitors made the most of the opportunity to try to earn scores worthy of securing an invitation to represent their country on an international stage. John and Lisa Seger of Markel Insurance present the Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old Western Selection Trial championship ribbon to Sabine Schut-Kery and "Sanceo". Photo courtesy of Genia Ply. In the Five-Year-Old division of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Western Selection Trial, the standout performer was “Sanceo”, a brown Hanoverian stallion (San Remo x Rivera by Ramiro’s Son II, bred in Germany by Gerhard Dustmann) ridden by Sabine Schut-Kery of Thousand Oaks, CA for owner Alice Womble-Heitman of Hempstead, TX. Winner of last fall’s California Dressage Society (CDS) Young Horse Futurity as a four year old, “Sanceo” impressed the judges to earn 8.12 in the Preliminary Test (40%) and 8.30 in the Final Test (60%)for an overall score of 8.23, the championship ribbon, and a possible ticket to Verden. “This stallion is such an elegant and light type of horse,” noted judge Natalie Lamping (4* USA). “He’s just what we’re looking for in this division.” Reserve Champion was the U.S.-bred bay Dutch Warmblood mare “Bakara” (Sir Sinclair x Thea by Idocus). Ridden by 2007 Verden competitor Willy Arts of DG Bar Ranch, “Bakara” earned scores of 7.38 and 7.60 for an overall 7.51 for owner and breeder Janice Kissel of San Luis Obispo, CA. In the demanding six-year-old tests, Sherry Van’t Riet of Monte Nido, CA rode her own brown Oldenburg gelding “Sir Deauville” (Sir Donnerhall x Estella by De Niro, bred in Germany by Karl-Heinz Drees) to win the championship title with scores of 7.38 and 6.90 (7.09 overall), while in reserve was last year’s CDS Five-Year-Old Futurity champion “Soleil” (bay Oldenburg gelding, Sunny Boy x Ricoletta, bred in Germany by Werner Martens Achternhoff) owned and ridden by Bekki Vrono from San Dimas, CA with an overall score of 6.74
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Riders’ Quests to Earn Spots on Pan Am Teams Continue at Woodside Spring Dressage CDI*/Y/J
Tuesday, May 17 2011
By Yellow Horse Marketing for Cornerstone Event Management BURBANK, CA – Riders will continue their quest for a Pan American Games team berth at the Dressage at Woodside CDI*/Y/J in Woodside, CA, May 19 – 22, 2011. As a valuable qualifier for the Northern California region, horses and riders will compete in front of judges Axel Steiner (FEI 5* USA), Hilda Gurney (FEI 4* USA), Brenda Minor (FEI 4*CAN), and Sandra Hotz (“S” USA). In addition, this competition will serve as a qualifier for the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions (Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, and Brentina Cup divisions); NAJYRC; Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program; and the USEF Developing Horse division (sponsored by Dutta & PSI). A competitive field of U.S. and Canadian horses and riders who are already well-seasoned from early-spring West Coast competitions will once again face off for valuable qualifying scores in the beautiful setting of the Horse Park at Woodside. Situated on 272 gently rolling, oak-studded acres on the border of Menlo Park and Woodside, California, the Horse Park’s facilities, terrain and scenic setting have made it an ideal venue for equestrian activities including horse trials, Pony Club ratings, dressage, arena polo, hunter/jumper shows and western reining.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
It’s A Whole New World
Friday, May 13 2011
HorseShow.com ‘s online network opens a world of possibilities for dressage enthusiasts of all ages and abilities In today’s uncertain economy, times are tough for almost everyone, and horse enthusiasts are no exception. With increasing membership dues and entry fees, rising costs for feed and supplies, and skyrocketing fuel prices, equine budgets are stretched to the max. As a result of these increasing expenses, many riders are forced to make difficult decisions as to whether or not they can even afford to compete in horse shows; and if making the financial commitment to compete, exhibitors must be more certain than ever that they are truly ready for the level of competition they will face, and maximize that showing opportunity to gain the most points towards year-end awards, or the required qualifying score for championships. HorseShow.com , an online horse show network, offers a revolutionary way to assess a horse and rider’s readiness for competition and receive expert feedback without the expense of actually traveling to a live show. Video entries are now being accepted for HorseShow.com ‘s Spring Dressage Festival, which offers classes for Training through Fourth Level and the FEI tests, and will be judged by renowned USEF and FEI official Natalie Lamping. In addition, HorseShow.com is offering a “Focus on Dressage Equitation” division, open to all age riders. “I think this is a tremendous opportunity for dressage riders to get a judge’s feedback about where they stand,” said Lamping. “Do you feel solid at your level but want to get extra practice and feedback before your next big show? Are you thinking about moving up a level but want to be sure you’re ready? Or maybe you live in an area without many dressage shows. For all of these riders, the HorseShow.com network can be an invaluable resource.” Entering a digital horse show is easy. By visiting the HorseShow.com website, a rider can sign up for a free membership and set up a profile for her horse. As a bonus, new members receive enough online “credits” so that their first class entry is free. Competitors can then upload a video of their test of choice, filmed from the comfort of their own facility.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Spring Reveal at Spruce Meadows!
Wednesday, May 11 2011
(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): There are a few sure indications of the arrival of spring: the swelling of buds on the trees, tulips poking up through the newly thawed ground, street sweepers out gathering up all the gravel that was spread on the icy, winter roads. There are a few additional signs at Spruce Meadows that usher in spring: new foals, construction and the removal of the tarps from the grass of the International Ring.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Heart of the Carolinas Three Day Event Finishes to Rave Reviews
Monday, May 02 2011
Low Score Winner Becky Brown and EZ Win Nikon Camera The riders couldn’t say enough nice things about Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event in Chesterfield, SC at Southern Eighths Farm. They loved the facility, the organization, the footing, the courses, the jumps – just everything. When it was all over Jim Baker and Wings claimed the victory in the Beginner-Novice division (58.30). “The format and the organization were topnotch. I can’t say enough about it,” he readily commented. Becky Brown and EZ dominated the Training level (32.90) and Anne Lane Maunder and Penny Lane (37.30) were the winners in the Novice division. As the Low Score rider of the event, Brown was in awe when she was presented with a Nikon D3100 Camera Kit. “I’m floored,” she commented. “I can’t believe I won this camera. We’ve all had our eye on it all weekend.” Jim Baker and Wings are Victorious in Beginner Novice Jim couldn’t have been happier for this opportunity to check out what Southern Eighths has to offer and commented, “I feel wonderful, fantastic on top of the world. I thought the show jumping went very well. It was a typical switch back type course which I tend to like.” Jim was pleased with how Wings finished. “I think Wings grew a lot in confidence. I saw him mature over the weekend. He was nervous when he got here and now he’s calmed down. I was very pleased with the way things went over the weekend.” When asked what he thought the best part of the weekend was, Jim was quick to respond, “The facilities are amazing, simply amazing, probably the most spectacular thing is the effort they made for us as competitors. I’ve been Eventing for a long time and we have never had this done for us. For the average competitor, the lower level competitor, this was a phenomenal event. I’ve only seen this at the higher level events.” Brad Turley, owner of Southern Eighths is already talking about doing some schooling weekends in addition to next year’s event. When Jim heard that he was quickly onboard.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs