Rolex Kentucky – 57 Horses Will Start

The first veterinary inspection took place at Kentucky Horse Park at 3 p.m. today under sunny, balmy skies: 57 of the 58 horses presented were passed by the jury composed of Anne-Mette Binder (Denmark), Michel Assaray (France) and Nick Burton (Great Britain). The jury did not accept Llewellyn, ridden by Brittany Kart (USA), they also held  two other horses and accepted them when they re-presented. It was a pretty parade of ponies, all things considered and the riders went all out, fashion-wise. We can’t hope to prognosticate in the same league as Jimmy Wofford, and we will admit with unabashed honesty that often sentiment and friendship drives our partisanship toward certain horses and riders. We certainly have a healthy respect for anyone who gets to the four-star level: it takes guts, determination and over the top horse craziness, but we digress. Karen O'Connor & Veronica, owned by Team Rebecca LLC © Lauren R Giannini Karen O’C looks fit and ready for Rolex
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , ,

ROLEX KENTUCKY – OMG – ALREADY!!!!

Never let it be said that we sat around, twiddling our thumbs, bored as all get-out with nothing to do – OMG, this April has been one loco, uber-crazy month! We just ran to the main house and put a huge load of laundry in the front-loader, but we need some of the items so we don’t freeze during the Fairfax Races at Morven Park – the last ever races at that wonderful course…  We have one story to finalize, but its subject, Kelse Bonham and the SCAD Equestrian Team are in the last day of the ANRC Finals, so we’re waiting to see if Savannah College of Art & Design picks up their 8th team title. Our pony is confirmed to have “something” in his hock, some heat, some arthritis, whatever – he isn’t happy so we’ve taken the advice of vet Todd Ruddick to put him on a three-week series of IV Polyglycan. Peter will have had his second injection and a couple of days to absorb the benefits before I get back from Rolex.
Tagged under: , , , , , , ,

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
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , ,

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.
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , ,

Atlanta Summer Classics- Something for Every Rider Nearly $300,000 in Prize Money Up for Grabs

  Pony Power ©Flashpoint Photography       April 15, 2012-St Johns Island, SC - Still undecided on summer plans? Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, would like to tempt you, “Our summer events are bursting at the seams with great offerings! We’ve taken exhibitors’ horse show wish list and made them a reality!” The Atlanta Summer Classics, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA, is a USEF AA rated two week event beginning June 13 through June 24. This year’s event will play host to the inaugural $25,000 Pony Hunter Derby Classic. “This will be the first of two $25,000 Pony events for the summer. We have some of the country’s best talent in our pony sections and I think it’s time they get rewarded for their efforts.”Bell said
Tagged under: , , , , , , , , , ,