In Memory of Woodburn
Thursday, August 04 2011
Woodburn partnered with Phillip Dutton to finish 2nd at the 2010 Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event, the year William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Cool Mountain claimed the title. It was a great contest from the dressage test onward. Phillip and Woodburn improved from eighth after dressage to fourth after cross-country to second after their second double-clear jumping round, but they couldn’t catch the winners who also jumped faultlessly. The top two finished on their dressage scores, separated by 4.9 penalty points. Woodburn and Phillip won the Pentacle Cup as the highest placed Americans, but there is only ever one Rolex winner. Woodburn and Phillip also competed on the USA three-day team which finished fourth at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rodrigo Pessoa Teaches First-Ever U.S. Clinic in Sonoma, California
Wednesday, August 03 2011
Rodrigo Pessoa taught his first-ever jumping clinic in the United States this week, at the Sonoma Horse Park in Northern California. It was a highly anticipated event that fell between two weeks of horse shows at the venue, which is just two years old and thriving. (If you’re a regular Sidelines reader you might remember my profile of show manager Ashley Herman , pub March 2011). The facility is impressive, the scenery gorgeous, and riders in Northern California continue to flock to it for its series of excellent shows held May – September. But back to the clinic. On the Line did spend the weekend in Sonoma, but had to jet back to Florida early, regrettably taking a pass on the clinic. I was curious to know if Rodrigo took an active interest in the riders, how he dealt with the different horses, and how the riders responded to him
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
Wherin It’s Learnt Once More; The Horse is a Humbling Creature.
Tuesday, July 26 2011
I met Allison Springer over the winter, while she was spending a few weeks in Wellington to get some extra show jumping mileage with Arthur. Allison was down to earth, totally approachable, and serious about her horses and their programs. She’s worked hard to improve Arthur’s show jumping style, and held an impressive ten point lead going into Sunday’s show jumping phase for the CIC3* at Rebecca Farm
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
Thanks to New Vocations, Thoroughbreds Shine in Their Second Careers
Monday, July 25 2011
During the month of July, New Vocations is hosting horse show events that spotlight Thoroughbreds competing off the track. The first event was held Sunday July 9th and 10th where nearly 40 Thoroughbreds gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in two Thoroughbred restricted Hunter/Jumper classes. This was the second consecutive year New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program partnered with the Robert Murphy Horse Show to put on a first class event that attracted Thoroughbreds from surrounding states. Sharp Dressed Guy won the $2500 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic sponsored by Homewrecker Racing. Owned by Bridget McNeese the Devil Is Due gelding was bred by Dr. John Cummins and trained at Keeneland as a two and three year old, but never showed much speed. McNeese took him on as a show horse at age four. “I’d kept my eye on him since he was a baby and even told Cummins that he would make a great hunter,” explained McNeese. “As soon as the decision was made to retire him I got him as a show project. He has excelled ever since.” Sharp Dressed Guy competing in the New Vocations Thoroughbred Hunter Classic Sweet William who raced as Bait n Switch won the $2500 New Vocations Thoroughbred Mini Prix sponsored by Castleton Lyons for the second year in a row. Now 17 years old, the Digression gelding raced 16 times primarily at Mountaineer and Pimlico. He retired and became a very successful Eventer. Currently owned and trained by Elaine Schott from River Mountain Farm and shown by Natassia Hovey, Sweet William has excelled as a Jumper. “He continues to amaze us by his huge heart. He has always been the barn favorite,” shared Schott
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Cleanin’ Up Real Nice During the Dressage Phase at Rebecca Farm
Saturday, July 23 2011
As I write this, the cross country is well underway at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana. Yesterday was a full day for competitors, volunteers and stewards, who kept five levels of 1* through 3* dressage running smoothly.
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
A Look Back at Aachen
Friday, July 22 2011
It was a mixed bag of results for the American riders who traveled far and wide in order to attend the famed World Equestrian Festival, held annually in Aachen, Germany. But the world’s most prestigious multi-discipline, annual equestrian competition did not disappoint in awe-inspiring competition from the world’s best. Photographer John Minoprio captured these lasting images from Aachen 2011, enjoy. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum had planned to retire her great mount Shutterfly this year, but after winning the Warsteiner Prize class in the Main Stadium on July 13, she decided to move his retirement up, so that he could go out on top. In front of a packed stadium on Sunday, Shutterfly was retired in a moving ceremony. Meredith couldn't hold back her tears as she gave a speech from the back of her horse, thanking him for his many years of incredible results in international show jumping
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
83rd Annual Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show
Wednesday, June 15 2011
$25,000 Equestrian Sport Productions Grand Prix winners, Vick Russell aboard Lucky One are presented with the blue ribbon at the 83rd Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show. On hand for the presentation were Mark, Katherine and Nicole Bellissimo with ESP; Roger and Jennifer Smith, Vice President TR&HC and horse show chairwoman; Chuck Lingerfelt, TR&HC President; Lucky One owners, Lily Hahn and Ben Rosichan; trophy donor, Linda Lee Reynolds; and members of the Russell family The 83 rd Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show held the $25,000 Equestrian Sport Productions Grand Prix on Saturday June 11 th . Course designer Doug Russell presented a technical course that whittled down the field of 25 to only 2 riders, each with 2 rides in the jumpoff. A familiar sight for shows in the Southeast, it was Tryon’s own Vick Russell and Aiken’s Daniel Geitner left to duel it out for the win. Vick made it through the first round clear with Lily Hahn’s Lucky One and his own Here’s the Deal. Daniel brought Fit to Print Farm’s Camera Ready and Karen Kerby’s T/Salemon to the second round. Vick laid down the only clear round with Lucky One, who both he and owner Lily Hahn have had great success with in the Grand Prix
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Horse Radio Network Announces Fundraising Events for Victims of Extreme Weather
Sunday, May 29 2011
Horse World Gives Back to Stage HRN Radiothon and Retail Day on June 6-7, 2011 Lexington, Kentucky, USA. May 30, 2011 The Horse Radio Network (HRN) has announced the creation of Horse WorldGives Back ; a charitable initiative aimed at uniting the horse world in a fundraising drive that will benefit horses and horse owners affected by the recent flooding and tornadoes across theUnited States.HRN will host a 3 hour LIVE broadcast on June 6, 2011, 6-9 pm Eastern as a fund raising effort called the HorseWorld Gives Back Radiothon followed by a Horse World Gives BackRetail Day on June 7, 2011. Participating retailers will give back 5%of the day’s sales to the charities that will direct the funds towards helping horse owners across the country whosehorses have been affected by the devastating weather damage.This relief aid is being channeled through the Kentucky Horse Council’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund(www.kentuckyhorse.org ) and the Red Cross (www.redcross.org ). HRN and its media partners are reaching out toequestrian and equine related organizations to become involved and unite the horse world in this nationwide effort.HRN Hosts, Glenn, Jamie and Chris will be hosting the Live Broadcast on June 6th from the Red CrossHeadquarters in Lexington, Kentucky which can be heard on the Horse World Gives Back website atwww.horseworldgivesback.com and its many affiliate partners listed on the website. Guests will include horsepeople affected by the devastating weather that has displaced so many horses and their owners, Red Crossrepresentatives, prominent riders and members of the horse community. How you can get involved: ● Website Owners and Associations: Help us promote the Radiothon and Retail Day through your email lists and social media
- 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