Daniel Bluman aboard Sancha LS La Silla, winners of the Enbridge Cup 1.50m. Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.   (SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): The 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘National’ kicked off with a cool but exciting day in the International ring. Top riders from around the world gathered to compete for their shot at victory

East Aurora , NY – June 5, 2012 – For the second consecutive year, talented junior rider Charlotte Jacobs took home the R.W. “Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship during the prestigious Devon Horse Show. Jacobs and her leading equitation mount Stallone VDL were once again at the top of the leaderboard to claim the coveted honor. Later that weekend, Jacobs flew to HITS-On-The-Hudson, where she placed first and second in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic with Kachina and Cyrina Z, respectively. Charlotte Jacobs and Stallone VDL won the R.W. "Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship at the Devon Horse Show. (Photo By: Parker/ Russell- The Book LLC)

Karen Kelley and Uncle Luc Photos by MVP Photos www.mvppics1@gmail.com June 4 th , 2012- Tryon, NC~ Blue skies shone brightly on Sunday as a week filled with exciting competition, fabulous parties and perfect weather culminated at the 2012 Tryon Summer Classic Horse Show.  The event, held at FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) in beautiful Tryon, NC took place May 31- June 3 and is managed by Aiken, SC based Equus Events.  The show again benefitted the Tryon Hounds www.tryonhounds.com   and featured a $2,500 USHJA National Derby sponsored by Reflections Farm and Brick Church Farm on Friday evening and a $10,000 Jumper Classic sponsored by The EMO Friday night belonged to Karen Kelley of Charleston, SC and Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Uncle Luc as they strode to an impressive win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Reflections Farm and Brick Church Farm.  Kelley said of her win, “I loved the course, all unrelated and off your eye.” “It felt as if we were on an outside course and that ring is so fun as all the spectators really make it feel exciting and special… Luc and I had a grand time!”  “Another A++ job by Equus Events!”  The pair brought in an 84 from round 1 as they came into the second handy hunter round in second place behind Don Sheehan and the Margaret Edge entry of chosen who scored an 87.  In the handy round Kelley’s bold ride and Luc’s handiness earned them the top score of 85 giving them the win with a two round total of 169.  Sheehan and Chosen were second with a 164 followed by Mador Du Chaufour and Glen Hartigan with a two round total of 158.  The course designed by Toledo, OH native Joseph Carnicom received rave reviews from the riders as it included many unrelated lines and options really giving the horses and riders a chance to show off their ability but also allowing young horses a chance to compete in a derby setting.   The Tryon Summer Classic is known for its hospitality and Friday night did not disappoint as the Tryon Hounds were on hand providing an Exhibitors Dinner under the VIP tent during class.   Brian Gjetley and Piks Pistelero Photo by MVP Photos www.mvppics1@gmail.com Saturday evening featured a $10,000 Jumper Classic which was sponsored by the EMO Insurance Agency and Martha Hall and the annual Parade of Tryon Hounds which took place just before the class began. The Tryon Hounds annual Benefit Dinner was also taking place under the VIP tent during the class which was catered by The Hare and Hound of Landrum, SC.  A record crowd was on hand to watch 21 horse rider teams compete over the course built by Joseph Carnicom.  With 4 riders making it to the jump off, last proved to be best as Brian Gjetley of Aiken, SC and his Piks Pistelero took home the blue.  Another Aiken based rider, C n’C Stable’s Christina Jason took home second place aboard her Tamino.  Creed and Helen Landon Terranova were third and Vick Russell and Lilly Hahn Rosichan’s Lucky One rounded out the top 4.  Riders and trainers were also treated to a special thank you reception ringside during the Jumper Classic which was graciously sponsored by Gagne International, JF Gagne and Carsten Peters, and Team Phun.   Parade of Tryon Hounds!     Sunday, the final day of the show capped of a beautiful week of horse showing as many of the Tryon Hound’s perpetual trophies were awarded to some of the show’s Grand Champion and High Point riders.  Some of the winners included: *Hoffman Van Wieren Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter- D’Artagnan owned by Ashley Hodges and ridden by Don Sheehan *Federick B Farwell Grand Champion Amateur Owner- Diplomat and Elizabeth Eubank *The Fox Creek Farm Challenge Trophy Grand Junior Hunter- James Bond and Amanda Young *The Red Frazier Memorial Grand Pony Hunter-Louis Vuitton and Libby Gordon *The George Webster High Point Short Stirrup- Savannah Smiles and Jennifer Bauer *Grand Adult Hunter-Smitten and Angela Millon *Grand Children’s Hunter-Lover Boy and Claudia Pollex Fundraising efforts for beloved braider Linda Tinkler also continued this week at the Tryon Summer Classic and as of press time had brought in over $3,000 which included a generous donation from Laura and Meredith Mateo as they kindly donated their winning prize money from the USHJA National Hunter Derby to the cause.  The Farm House of Landrum, SC also donated many items to the sale this week and on behalf of Linda and Chris Tinkler Equus Events appreciates their support as well as everyone else who has made a donation of made a purchase from the sale.

  Heather Hooker and Castlekeep Whoops and hollers were heard from the stands as Saddlebred horses claimed the Dixon Oval.  Unlike their more stoic hunter horse counterparts, these horses thrive on energy and are known as the “peacocks of the show world.”  Exhibitors clapped along to the organ music and cheered for these high stepping, tail flagging horses as they exhibited at not only the walk, trot, and canter but also two gaits specific to the breed– the “slow gait” and “rack.”  Champion in the three-gaited English show pleasure class was Kathleen Ververeli riding her own Go For Glory with second place going to Gone Platinum and third going to Ridgewood’s Lasting Love.  In the three-gaited park horse amateur class, the blue was awarded to Allyson Ehle on Ryan’s Wish with the red ribbon to Romantic Manifesto and the yellow ribbon to The Mansion.  In the ladies’ three-gaited class, Margaret Biggs bested the competition on her own Nutty By Nature.  Annika Bruggeworth settled for second on CH Callaway’s Merry-Go-Round.  In the open three-gaited saddle horse class, first place went to Jan Lukens on Tia Margarita with SJ The Smart Lady and Revel taking second and third respectively.  Then the five-gaited horses entered and riders were instructed to “let ‘em rack!”  In the ladies’ five-gaited class, Ceil Wheeler rode her own CH Callaway’s Born For This to first place.  Coming in second was Helen Robertson with The Lady Sings the Blues.  Third place was awarded to Allyson Ehle riding Blazing Sevens.  First place in the five-gaited open class went to Ceil Wheeler again, this time riding The Mighty Moe.  Settling for second place was Jason Molback on Tornaado’s Tempest.  And with that, the “shakey tails” exited the ring having suitably entertained the evening’s crowds.   John Ingram and Costar Dunkin’ Donuts for Sapphire When you visualize a world-class athlete the day of an important competition, you probably don’t imagine him signing autographs for charity.  Yet that’s exactly what McLain Ward was doing when I walked into the horse show office to interview him.  The Olympic medalist was painstakingly autographing Sapphire Breyer horse models and Sapphire retirement tee shirts.  While we chatted, Ward, looking relaxed in sweats and tee, shared his thoughts on the retirement of his horse Sapphire-one of the greatest show jumping mares in history.  He shared Sapphire’s retirement plans and when asked what she would most be looking forward to at Blue Chip Farm in Wallkill, NY, the answer came easily-eating.  As Ward explained, as a competitor at the top levels of sport, Sapphire has been on a very strict diet for her entire career to maintain the highest level of performance.  As Ward noted, she’ll now not only be able to freely graze but she’ll be able to indulge in the favorite treat on her bucket list– Dunkin’ Donuts.  No picky eater, Ward noted that any type of doughnut will do.  In addition to her leisure activities, Sapphire will be bred.  When asked what prompted the decision to retire this grand mare, Ward explained that after her injury his team had tried to rehab her in time for the Olympics.  Despite their best efforts, Ward felt that the mare was not 100%.  Rather than push her, the decision was made to retire her and allow her to enjoy a healthy and happy leisure life.  When asked to compare his current Grand Prix mount to Sapphire, Ward was quick to highlight the differences between the two.  As Ward notes, Sapphire was a calm mare and the challenge was to keep her fit enough to be sharp.  Antares F, the 11 year-old Wurtemburger gelding owned by Grant Road Partners, is a contrast in style.  The gelding is more “up” and the challenge with Antares F is to control and package his athleticism.  As Sapphire heads to retirement and Antares F hits his prime, McLain will vie for not only a win in the Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon but also a spot on the 2012 Olympic Show Jumping Team. Always a cool customer, the pressure is on McLain this year due to the unfortunate timing of a fractured knee he sustained in in Wellington this January.  Ward described the challenge of rehabbing, giving credit to his wife and stable team.  He noted the one bright side of the injury-his time away from the ring made him miss showing and made him all the more hungry for a win in the Devon Grand Prix and a bid to the olympics.  As he notes, sometimes it takes an unexpected set of circumstances to make you “realize how much you love what you do.”  We have certainly loved watching the journey.  Rodney Jenkins and Idle Dice A Farewell to Sapphire and Hello Antares F! By Veronica Finkelstein One chapter closed for McLain Ward and another opened as he retired his long-time partner Sapphire and then returned with Antares F to top the leaderboard of the 2012 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon. The field read as a who’s who of top showjumping.  Always an exciting and anticipated event, this year’s Grand Prix was especially critical for many riders because the class served as an official United States Equestrian Federation Observation Event.  As the competitors were well aware, an impressive performance in this class could lead to a recommendation that the rider and horse be named to the Olympic showjumping team for London.  Clearly, the pressure was on and many rose to the occasion.  The crowd supported their team contenders by waving American flags and donning baseball caps sold by the Souvenir Booth to commemorate the occasion.  International course designer Michele Vaillancourt set a demanding track, with maximum heights and spreads.  The bogey obstacle on course was fence number nine, a red plank vertical that served as the “out” jump of a challenging line and eliminated several competitors.  A field of sixteen was quickly whittled as five riders jumped clear in the first round.  The first rider on course, Charlie Jayne on Chill R Z showed how it was done as he made quick work of the course and posted the first clear.  After several four fault rounds, McLain Ward entered the ring on Antares F and his clear round necessitated a jump off.  The next to go clear was Laura Kraut on Cedric, blazing the small gray horse around the demanding course effortlessly.  Not to be outdone, the very next rider, experienced competitor Margie Engle, went clear on Indigo.  On her last of three mounts, Beezie Madden went clear on Coral Reef Via Volo but elected not to jump off because she was riding Via Volo only for the purpose of Olympic selection and not for placement in the Grand Prix.  Four returned for the jump off with all eyes were on the clock as Jayne entered the Dixon Oval and again showed the audience how it was done with a second clear round, stopping the clock at 39.93 seconds.  Next up was Ward, who rode the course with his smooth and effortless style, not only displaying masterful equitation but stopping the clock just a bit faster than Jayne at 34.32.  That time would stand as Kraut had an unfortunate rail on Cedric and Engle jumped clear but stopped the clock at 35.28.  In the end, the blue ribbon went to Ward who selflessly tossed it to a child in the audience.  Second place was awarded to Engle, third to Jayne, fourth to Kraut, fifth to Jessica Springsteen , and sixth to Molly Ashe-Cawley.  Less than an hour earlier, he had stood in the winner’s circle to send off Sapphire and at the end of the night he returned triumphant on Antares F.  So ends one chapter of Devon history for this seven-time Grand Prix winner, and perhaps opens his chapter to the London Olympics.