Tryon Summer Classic Just Under a Week Away

Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) May 25 th , 2012- Aiken, SC- After a full week of competition and record attendance at the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show there is no down time for the staff at Aiken, SC based Equus Events.  The 2012 Tryon Summer Classic to benefit the Tryon Hounds is just under a week away and preparations are already underway for the event which takes place May 31-June 3 at beautiful FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center).   FENCE is an over 380 acre nature, education, and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are many activities in the area including numerous shops and antique stores as well as adventures whitewater rafting on the Green River.  This year’s show will again benefit the Tryon Hounds.  www.tryonhounds.com .  This event encompasses the days of old with a rich tradition but also attracts some of the top riders and trainers in the southeast.  Many will be competing for some of the numerous Grand Champion and perpetual trophies. Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Some of last year’s winners included; *Hoffman Van Wieren Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter- Goodman owned by Katherine Coster and ridden by Bruce Christison *Federick B Farwell Grand Champion Amateur Owner- Good Thing and Carol O’brien *The Fox Creek Farm Challenge Trophy Grand Junior Hunter- Funny Face owned by Charlotte Hoffman and ridden by Michael Kocher *The Red Frazier Memorial Grand Pony Hunter-Winter Wardrobe owned by Hannah Siegel and ridden by Elizabeth Butterworth *The George Webster High Point Short Stirrup- Savannah Smiles and Kendall Edwards *Grand Adult Hunter-Road to Time owned by Daniel Robertshaw and ridden by Grayson Schirmer *Grand Children’s Hunter-Bulls Bay owned by Ann Rice Ervin and ridden by Jessica Rooks Bruce Christison and Goodman- 2011 Grand Hunter Champions. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) The Tryon Hounds will again host an exhibitor’s party Friday June 1 st that will take place under the VIP tent during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Brick Church Farm and Reflections Farm.   The tentative start time for the derby is 6:30 and it is always a crowd favorite as some of the area’s top hunters take center stage in the main arena.  Joseph Carnicom of Toledo, Ohio will again be handling the course designing duties for the class which will consist of many natural obstacles including brush boxes, gates, coups, stone walls, and natural logs. Tryon Hounds (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Saturday evening, June 2 nd will feature the $10,000 EMO Insurance Agency Jumper Classic and Tryon Hounds Benefit dinner which will be catered by the Hare and the Hound of Landrum, SC.  The Tryon Hounds and Equus Events would like to thank Martha Hall and the EMO Agency for their continued support of this event.  The evening’s festivities will also include the annual Parade of Tryon Hounds prior to the start of the class.   The tent will open at 6PM and dinner will be served at approximately 7 PM with action in the ring starting at approximately 6:30.
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Vermont Summer Festival Announces $15,000 Hunter Derby, Presented by Oughton Limited

East Dorset, Vermont — Hunter competitors will enjoy time in the spotlight with the introduction of the $15,000 Hunter Derby, presented by Oughton Limited, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.
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World Famous Equine Artist Fred Stone Joins the Memorial Day Classic

Fred Stone, one of the best known equine artists in the world, will be at the Memorial Day Classic for the $10,000 Memorial Day USHJA International Hunter Derby, a benefit for After the Finish Line , a charity providing funds to Thoroughbred rescue organizations.  This is the second year in a row After the Finish Line has partnered with the Memorial Day Classic.  “This is a wonderful opportunity to work with the horse show people to raise awareness of transitioning off-the-track Thoroughbreds into second careers as hunters and jumpers,” said Dawn Mellen, President of After the Finish Line. On Sunday afternoon (May 27), there will be a silent auction that opens at 2:00 p.m. on the show grounds at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.  At 5:00 p.m., Fred Stone will be on hand to sign his newest commissioned work, a poster of Eric Lamaze and Hickstead.  ”This is the official poster of Equine Canada, created to raise funds to send the Canadian Equestrian Team to the 2012 London Olympics,” said Fred Stone.  “Those attending the Memorial Day Classic will be the first in all of North America to purchase this poster of Hickstead and Eric Lamaze.”  The poster bears the signature of both Fred Stone and Eric Lamaze, and Fred will personally sign posters purchased at the Memorial Day Classic. The exclusive offering is limited to 200 prints at a special price of $30 per print, half of which will be donated to After the Finish Line.  Show jumping superstars Hickstead and Eric Lamaze are well known in the hunter/jumper world, and the ability to be among the first 200 people to own a signed copy of the print is a unique opportunity
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Dr. Norton Weighs in on the Row Boat Incident

Dr. Norton, Oscar, and Marty Dr. Norton, who runs Norton Veterinary Consulting & Education Resources , has been a friend of mine since we were both riding small pony hunters and studying for spelling tests on the bus to school.  She’s a Tucker fan too, and did a great blog post today about The Umbrella Study , in response to the post I did yesterday about Tucker’s encounter with a deadly row boat .  I found this study  fascinating – go check it out.  It’s cold hard proof that our horses absolutely feed off of our emotions and our thoughts. After reading about the Umbrella Study I thought back on the ride.  I think we all know that I must have been wondering if Tucker was going to behave himself on our walk around the lake.  I was probably feeling really comfortable while we took the path we always take, but as soon as we rounded the turn, making a right instead of a left (onto unfamiliar territory), I’m willing to bet my heart rate went up, sending all kinds of early warning signals to Tucker.  It’s no coincidence he spotted the row boat/saber tooth lying in wait just after we rounded that turn.  And I bet my heart rate continued to increase with every spook and spin, and probably didn’t go back to normal until we reached the row boat itself and Tucker didn’t seem all that scared, which in turn signaled to Tucker that everything was indeed fine, cueing him in that it was okay to proceed around the lake.  In sum, I’m willing to admit that I started it.  Tucker is (once again) the brains of this operation.  Only as scary as you make it...
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Abigail McArdle Dominates High Junior Jumpers at Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

Lexington, KY – May 22, 2012 - ay 22, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows proved to be hugely successful for young rider Abigail McArdle of Barrington Hills, IL, who dominated the High Junior Jumper division with her eight-year-old mare Cosma 20. The unstoppable duo captured the division’s championship award during the competition’s two consecutive weeks, and also won each of the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classics. Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the High Junior Jumper Championship during both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG) McArdle was thrilled with her new mount’s performance and commented, “It’s one thing to win a Junior Jumper class, but I think it takes it to a whole new level to be that consistent at that level on a new horse. I am really lucky, Cosma 20 is so talented and went clear in every first round that we jumped. She’s only eight, and I have really big hopes for her in the future.” During the first week of the horse show, McArdle and Cosma 20 placed third during the first High Junior Jumper class with a four-fault effort in the jump-off
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Trust Walk

Ever noticed how a lot of things in riding follow the old “chicken or the egg” principle?  Sometimes it’s tough to know who is feeding off of whom, and who started it.  I was pretty much fully recovered physically from my fall last week by Thursday (thanks to a steady routine of Sore-No-More, Advil, and Vodka), but the mental effects lingered well into the weekend.  I’ve only been bucked off my horse once before (I’ve mentioned he’s basically a saint, right?), a few years ago, and I got pretty hurt, so it was a few weeks before I could get back on.  After that fall, I found myself terrified of him, and had to lunge him before I got on (yes, the big sweet overgrown labrador, on the lunge line, for no reason at all, looking at me like I was nuts).  This time was far less traumatic, but I still found myself feeling overly cautious when I climbed back into the tack.  When he spooked at a jump standard as we trotted past it, I couldn’t help but wonder — am I creating this, because I’m worried about it?  They read us so well, it’s entirely possible that I was giving off some weird vibes. So after the ride, we went for a long walk.  There is a beautiful pond on the farm and I wanted to go walk around it.  Tucker had never been back there, and ordinarily I would try to take him with a buddy the first time.  But I felt strongly, on this beautiful Spring morning, with the birds chirping and the sun shining and everything smelling like sunshine and flowers, that we needed some bonding time.  So we headed out alone, and Tucker marched along like a champ, enjoying the breeze, ears forward, tail swinging, until we got about 100 yards away from the pond. That’s when we spotted the Row Boat Tied to the Tree.  Not something that would scare you or me, but Tucker explained, rather calmly [picture the voice-over on a National Geographic documentary], standing stock still in his tracks, that he is a 1200-pound, juicy, tasty, lean, flight animal, and he was therefore altogether NOT in the habit of nonchalantly approaching unidentified objects that could very well turn out to be sleeping predators just waiting for a mid-morning snack.  It’s just plain common sense.  Obviously. As I asked him to move forward, he became insistent that turning and running was for my benefit as well, and made a few bids to spin, which I somehow avoided by sitting still and guiding him forward with an opening rein.  Tucker, on the other hand, was in FULL DRAMA LLAMA MODE.  He is, after all, primarily responsible for my welfare, and will bravely escort me to safety in the face of certain danger , when necessary.  So we took about ten steps at a time, stopped, threw the periscope up, and stared at the row boat/sleeping jaguar, about ten times.  I tried to reassure him that it was just a boat.  He said, “ I DON’T KNOW FROM BOATS .”  I tried to reason with him, I asked him what else would be beside a lake besides a row boat?  He sighed and explained that horses don’t have the time or energy for that kind of logic.  Spook now, think later, live to tell the tale.
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Aaron Vale and Admiral Clover take home win in $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix

May 21 st ~2012, Conyers, GA- Yesterday marked the conclusion of the 9 th annual Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show.   The event took place at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA and saw a record number of participants this year.  “We are beyond thrilled with the turnout”, said show organizer JP Godard.  Godard, based out of his hometown of Aiken, SC, and his Equus Events have produced the show for the past nine years.  “I have to thank all of our exhibitors, staff, and sponsors for their continued support of Equus Events and the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show”, it is a team effort and without that support it is tough to grow in this economy”.  “We have managed to build this event up the past 9 years and I am really looking forward to going all out for our 10 th anniversary next year!” Aaron Vale and Admiral Clover (Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography) The much anticipated $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix took place Saturday evening under the lights in the International Arena with 38 horse rider teams competing and a huge crowd set to cheer them on.  Olympic silver medalist Michel Vaillancourt designed a course that was challenging giving many riders some tricky spots to contest with.  The final jump, the Fenwick oxer #13 proved to be one of the more problematic spots as 9 riders had that final rail down in the first round.  After the initial round, 11 horses and riders graduated to the jump off including 2 entries for Ocala, FL based riders Aaron Vale and Sharn Wordley.  With only 4 clean, Aaron Vale and Carmen Rojas Admiral Clover soared to the win with a time of 40.648 just edging out Vale’s second jump off qualifier Tibor owned by Bonnie Smith.  Megan Edrick also hailing from Ocala, FL took home the third place ribbon with the Procedures, Inc. owned entry of Cadence while Sharn Wordley and his Cederick rounded out the top 4 spots. During the class, exhibitors and spectators gathered ringside of the International ring to enjoy the show’s annual Preakness Party and Exhibitors Dinner which was graciously sponsored by Daniel and Cathy Geitner and their DFG Stables.  The annual event also included a viewing of the 137 th Preakness Stakes on a big screen TV which was provided by the Kasper Family and Dr. Juan and Jennifer Gamboa.  The screams and cheers could be heard throughout the show grounds as I’ll Have Another kept his Triple Crown hopes in an unbelievable finish.  A clothing sale and raffle fundraiser for beloved horse show braider Linda Tinkler was also a part of Saturday evening’s events.  At the time of this press release over $4,500 had been raised to support Linda and her fight with breast cancer.  If you are interested in making a donation to this wonderful cause please contact Equus Events at 803-643-5698 or Megan@equusevents.com Sunday, the final showing day brought blue skies and many exciting finishes in the hunter and jumper rings.   In the jumper ring, Hayley Waters and her Tommy Bahama took home the blue in the $7,500 High Jr/Ao Jumper Classic over Meg Omara and Walstib Stable’s Aragon Rouet who finished second.  Jared Peterson and Liviticus finished up in third.  Nelson Long and ML Hartwick capped off an exciting week by winning the NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic over Dr.
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V is For Victory! Farrington Goes One-Two with Venus and Voyeur in $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at Kentucky Spring Classic

Lexington , KY – May 20, 2012 - Kent Farrington concluded the Kentucky Spring Classic on a great note, claiming first and second during this morning’s $20,000 Bluegrass Classic aboard Venus and Voyeur, respectively. With a baker’s dozen in the jump-off, Farrington completed the fastest two double-clear efforts with the talented mounts. Young rider Michael Murphy earned the third place award with his fault-free short course, following right on Farrington’s heels with Audi’s Allouette Van Het Lambroeck. Kent Farrington and Venus won the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG) For today’s first round, Olaf Petersen Jr. created a track that included a triple bar, an oxer-vertical double combination, an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, and finished with an open water option.
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Team Step by Step Victorious In Kentucky

While Hector Florentino kick-started the winning streak for the Step by Step Foundation by riding the bay gelding Ultimo to victory in the $35,000 Open Welcome at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, it was the teens who stole the spotlight for the international non-profit.  Emanuel Andrade, who trains with Angel Karolyi of Hollow Creek, was a stand-out star putting in fault-free rounds on all five of his Junior Jumpers in both the Highs and the Lows while his competitor Daniela Stransky admitted that (on Sunday) the downpour was so bad that she could barely see the fences in the Junior Jumper classic.  Another rider for “team” SBS from Stransky’s Mission Farm was Jose Fernando Bonetti, who got luckier when it came to weather and piloted Light to the Children’s Jumper Championship the first week. Team Step by Step's Hector Florentino, Daniela Stransky and Jose Fernando Bonettie celebrate at Kentucky Spring Horse Shows   Emanuel Andrade, who also rides for Steb by Step, put in fault free fast rounds on all five horses, including Mikos who won the Junior Jumper Championship   Daniela Stransky finding the fences aboard her chestnut mare Starlight during Junior Jumper downpour... All photos by Ingrid Sabater
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Victoria Colvin and Ovation Triumph in Junior Hunters for Final Day of Kentucky Spring Classic

Lexington , KY – May 20, 2012- Today marked the conclusion of the Kentucky Spring Classic, and there were nothing but blue skies to greet the Junior Hunter divisions as the morning got underway. Horse and rider combinations gathered to compete for the championship honors, as they went neck and neck for the remaining ribbons. Victoria Colvin and Ovation garnered the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship, the first division of the day. Victoria Colvin and Ovation earned the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship on the conclusion of the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Photo by Kendall Bierer/PMG) The Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters saw intense competition first thing in the morning, with junior riders returning for the second day of competition
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