Allison Springer & Arthur In First Place After Dressage, Stalked by Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk
Friday, April 27 2012
Allison Springer has been in the catbird seat after dressage before, but not on the last day. This is her fifth Rolex with Arthur, and she entered the arena at 11:30 a.m. with the brilliant but somewhat quirky gelding who gave her pretty much everything she asked. The judges rewarded the duo’s test with a score of 39.8 penalty points, thereby ousting Parklane Hawk and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on 41.3pp from the first place berth they had earned a couple of hours earlier
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky – New Vocations & Retired Racehorse Training Project Fundraiser & Dubarry Babies
Friday, April 27 2012
Dawn comes early, especially during Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgeston. Last night, however, we feasted very well at the Alltech Press Dinner hosted by Dr. Pearse Lyons at his Alltech Brewery, home of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex KY 3-Day Event: Early Leaders After 1st Day of Dressage
Friday, April 27 2012
Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone: okay, we’re not surprised at all by the early leaders after day one of dressage – after all, the “brand” for Rolex is that crown of excellence!!! In first place, after being next to last to go on Thursday’s dressage schedule, is Remington XXV and Boyd Martin. We’re very pleased to rely on the press release produced by chief press officer Marty Bauman and his Classic Communications staff, considering the lateness of the hour and encroaching exhaustion… Boyd Martin & Remington XXV - all three judges put this duo into first place after day one of dressage. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com All three judges placed Boyd and Remington XXV first – on a score of 45.3 penalty points. Boyd, 32, (West Grove, PA) said that Remington XXV, 16, was one of the first horses he competed when he moved from his native Australia seven years ago. The Hanoverian gelding, owned by Henley House Stables, had only foxhunted before Martin began working with him. “He’s a good old horse,” said Boyd, grinning. “He’s taken me all around the world now, and it was wonderful to ride a test on a horse who knows what he’s doing.” Boyd rode on his first U.S
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky – 57 Horses Will Start
Thursday, April 26 2012
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
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
UVA polo dominates the USPA Intercollegiate National Tournaments
Wednesday, April 25 2012
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
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION’S RENEE ISLER FUND PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TWO YOUNG RIDERS
Tuesday, April 24 2012
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
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
And the Beat Goes on For the Planning of the So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event May 3-6
Saturday, April 21 2012
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
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Atlanta Summer Classics- Something for Every Rider Nearly $300,000 in Prize Money Up for Grabs
Tuesday, April 17 2012
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
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Friends and Family
Monday, April 09 2012
This Winter, Anne Hambleton, former eventer, steeplechase rider, pony clubber and now devoted fox-hunter, published her first novel, drawing on her life-long love of horses and riding. Anne’s book, Raja, the Story of a Racehorse, begins at a stud farm where the handsome, black foal with aristocratic genes stands out among the others. With a Kentucky Derby winner as his sire, a great name is needed to seal great expectations; he is named “Raja”, meaning “hope” in Arabic, and “king” in India, by the owner’s daughter. As is the case of many modern thoroughbreds, his life is marked by changes, both minute and catastrophic, that take him from a safe, caring and respectful environment where he is “special,” to places where he is but one of many and “not so special”. Woven through this “first-horse” narrative are the voices of his dam and the Arabic princess who had named him but who is pulled from his life by the exigencies of the 911 attacks. His dam told him, “Remember this always; even when life is hard, never, ever give up.” Princess Ayesha told him, “You’re the most perfect thing in the universe and I will always love you.” He will need the strength of these memories to pull him through because, as the farm manager reminds us, “racing is a business, plain and simple. It’s a beautiful sport, but you can’t be sentimental if you want to win at the highest levels.” Anne Hambleton’s commitment to riding and horses has continued unabated throughout her varied academic and business lives. During the years that she was a steeplechase jockey she was working full-time at her home in Vermont and commuting to the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania on weekends to race horses. When she left steeplechasing, she picked up three day eventing and continued the commute. These days she is still commuting from her farm to foxhunt with Mr.
Liz Halliday begins Eventing season with victory at Tweseldown
Friday, April 06 2012
Professional dual sportswoman Liz Halliday began her 2012 Eventing season in perfect fashion last month (March 8th) with a thoroughly pleasing victory for Benny (Benaughlin Little Hero) capping an excellent day at Tweseldown. The British-based Californian attended the event with five horses of varying experience and was encouraged by their competitive performances and the strong results achieved across the classes. Most gratifying was a superb win for five-year-old Benny, who belied his lack of competition experience to triumph in the BE100 class
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs