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The Mounted Police visit the EQUUS Film Festival for Li'l Herc Kids Fest

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The Mounted Police were a special treat for Li'l Herc Kids Fest and those attending the EQUUS Film Festival. Diana De Rosa Photo

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On Saturday morning, November 21, those attending the Li’l Herc Kids Fest free Saturday morning, had a special treat when the NYC Mounted Police paid a visit and stopped their trailer and two horses right in front of the Village East Cinema, site of the EQUUS Film Festival. The Li’l Herc Kids Fest was

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-mounted-police-visit-the-equus-film-festival-for-li-l-herc-kids-fest[12/3/2015 9:21:26 AM]

The Mounted Police visit the EQUUS Film Festival for Li'l Herc Kids Fest | Examiner.com

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sponsored by Suzanne KoppMoskow, and hosted by Li'l Herc, a charming equine character, cocreated by Kopp-Moskow and Beatrice Bulteau and based on a real-life Lusitano horse known as Hercules.

While inside the theater children, young adults and their parents had their choice to watch either Li’l Herc’s “Official Selection,” A Sunday Horse, or Cowgirls ‘n Angels, outside the Mounted Police horses waited for them to leave the theater and head over to the Pop-Up Gallery where face painting, balloon creations and caricatures were all part of this morning event. Not only did those attending EFF NYC have the treat of petting two live horses, but many who were simply out passing by the theater enjoyed the opportunity to stop and say hi to both the officers and their horses. The EQUUS Film Festival will be back the weekend before Thanksgiving again in NYC in 2016. To get complete details and to save the date, check out the EQUUS Film Festival website for more details. And take some time to look at all the wonderful people who had a chance to enjoy horses in New York City, thanks to the EQUUS Film Festival.

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THE IRISH FIELD, Saturday, December 5, 2015

Popcorn and ponies as EQUUS film festival hits New York streets

Susan Finnerty

■■ Susan Finnerty

Roll up for Connemara calendar ■■ Isabel Hurley

THE Connemara Pony Breeders Society has unveiled a new Connemara Pony calendar for 2016 with all proceeds going towards Connemara Therapeutic Riding. This year’s Clifden festival saw the hosting of the inaugural art competition which was won by equestrian artist and Connemara Pony breeder Janice Linden. Janice’s late father, Frank Latham owned Blackrath Stud, the leading National Hunt Stud which stood the great Vulgan, sire of three Aintree Grand National winners. Asides from assisting in all aspects of the stud and racing yard, Janice also hunted and evented, qualifying for Burghley as an 18-year-old. On leaving school, she studied Fine Art and for 10 years was tutored privately by the renowned portrait painter George Colley RHA.

HE film industry often conjures up images of Hollywood celebrities, red carpets and publicity stunts, yet the recent EQUUS film festival had its hooves set firmly on the New York streets. Founded by Lisa Diersen to showcase equestrian film, the event was held in a corner of Manhattan, still full of traces of its Eastern European heritage. For example, a nearby Ukranian restaurant on Second Avenue hosted the Festival’s pop-up art gallery with the same venue also hosting the ‘Winnie’ awards on the closing night. As reported in last week’s issue, a number of Irish-linked entries, including a Horseware commercial and Emma Massingale’s Connemara adventure, were amongst the winners. Manhattan Saddlery, in the nearby Flatiron District, was another of the festival locations and got into the Black Friday sales drive early by offering discounted shopping to Festival ticketholders. The opening night party was held at the premises, which once housed the iconic Millers Harness Store, before two days of films from around the globe were shown in four theatres in the landmark Village East cinema. Australia, India, Germany, France and New Zealand were some of the other countries represented amongst 150 films shown at the festival, now in its third year. The predominant theme amongst the entries was horse welfare and the equally emotive issue of horse slaughter. One much-anticipated documentary was Sharon Boeckle’s “Kill Pen”, a gritty insight into Europe’s ‘Horsegate’ scandal, which began in 2013 when horsemeat was discovered in beef products in supermarket and fast food chains.

NEWS A67

EQUESTRIAN ART

Some of the documentaries at NY’s Equus Film Festival about the horse slaughter trade were not for the faint-hearted This led to a tightening up of regulations at Irish processing plants and increased enforcement of equine passport rules and medication controls. The documentary also focused on the sales and shipment of horses from North America to slaughterhouses in Canada, Mexico and Japan, to fill orders from Europe and included scenes of mustangs being rounded up by helicopter, draught horses being loaded onto a plane for Japan and severely injured horses after their transit to the cross-border slaughterhouses. Some of the undercover

footage shown was not for faint-hearted viewers, including one scene where a slaughterhouse operative made repeated attempts to stun a horse in the chute after the stun gun malfunctioned. The hard-hitting documentary also included interviews with Congressman Patrick Meehan, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and horse slaughter advocate Rick De Los Santos, owner of Valley Meats, also in New Mexico. Another stand-out film was the heartwarming story of Harry & Snowman, courtesy of Ron Davis, the Sundance Channel award-

winning director/producer. Based on Elizabeth Letts’ New York Times bestseller The 80-Dollar Champion, it followed the twin paths of Dutch horseman Harry de Leyer, who left post-WWII Europe for America, and his Pennsylvania auction find, Snowman. The Amish plough horse was inducted into the American Hall of Show Jumping Fame at the end of a glittering career with de Leyer, whose tale of a new life and opportunities on the American show jumping circuit mirrors that of many current Irish riders there.

This film attracted one of the biggest Festival audiences and ended with de Leyer, highly rated as a horseman and individual by another American icon in George Morris, revisiting Snowman’s grave. “He made me” was the immigrant’s grateful closing line. Billed as the equestrian world’s Sundance, the Equus Festival also hosted some lively, humourous and thought-provoking panel discussions and a visit to Clinton Park Stables.

Next week: NY’s carriage horse trade

Janice now concentrates on equestrian art and paints private commissions. Along with her husband Anthony, she breeds Connemara ponies at Blackrath and has produced many very successful ponies including all-rounder Blackwood Fernando, Blackwood Dancer in dressage, and the international show jumper Blackwoodland Rock who has represented four countries. The painting Janice created for the CPBS competition covered the three main aspects of the Connemara pony, breeding, showing and performance. Priced €10, all proceeds are going to Connemara Therapeutic Riding. The calendar is available from the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society on 095 21863. The original winning painting is for sale and will be on display in Hayden’s Hotel, Ballinasloe, during the CPBS Conference next Sunday, December 13th from 12 noon. Calendars will be on sale at the conference.

BOOK REVIEW L’AnnÉe Hippique 2015

Beautifully illustrated annual is a must for equestrian lovers

S always, the latest edition of L’Année Hippique, the international equestrian yearbook, is beautifully illustrated and is a real joy to read. Superbly produced, the attractive hardback covers the 2015 season highlights from around the globe. With a foreword from FEI President Ingmar De Vos, brilliant photographs from the world’s best equestrian photographers bring wonderful colour and vibrancy to the reports and it features all the main 2015 four and five-star show highlights.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen (20) is pictured no less than eight times, reflecting his meteoric rise to equestrian stardom in the last year. The Wexford rider’s World Cup wins in Verona and Bordeaux, and his third place in the Las Vegas final are well noted; so too is his Global Champions Tour win in Paris. His part in Ireland’s wonderful home win in Dublin’s Aga Khan Trophy is also well covered and there is a fantastic photograph of the Ballsbridge arena to go with the team picture. Bertram’s superb year is also indicated through his

third placing behind Olympic champion Steve Guerdat and British star Scott Brash on the Show Jumper Rider of the Year list. Brash made history when he became the first rider ever to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Other Irish riders pictured in this edition are Conor Swail at Spruce Meadows and Denis Lynch at the Furusiyya Nations Cup final in Bordeaux, where he took the individual Longines Cup of the City. Dressage and eventing fans are well catered for with all of the top action

from both disciplines recorded from the five-star team and World Cup shows while all six of the CCI**** events at Adelaide, Badminton, Burghley, Kentucky, Luhmuhlen and Pau are included. Ireland eventing team’s Nations Cup victory at Boekelo rightfully features with a nice profile for Carlow’s Sam Watson while Ireland’s young horse successes at both Lanaken and Le Lion d’Angers, France, are well recorded. As to features, there’s plenty of top rider profiles John Lopez’s amazing Horses

of Iron sculptures is a must as is the feature on top carriage driver Boyd Exell while the listing of the year’s results provides a highly useful resource and reference point. This is a superbly produced book that will delight and thrill all equestrian lovers and is well worth the €50 price, inclusive of post and packaging within Ireland. It is available only from Cavan veterinary surgeon, Dermot Forde at dero@iol.ie or 0872344212 or 049-8546360. I.H.

ď&#x201A;ˇ June Burgess and Emma Massingale enjoying the Equus Film Festival in New York (Photo: Susan Finnerty) Winnie award for Horseware Ireland's funny commercial at New York Equus Film Festival 1

THE IRISH FIELD, Saturday, November 28, 2015

news A67

Jim Beecher – review of stallion and mare inspections to take place ■■ Brian Hennessy

HORSE Sport Ireland’s breeding sub-board have announced a full review of the stallion and mare inspection system for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Horse Studbook. Details of the consultation phase of the review were announced following a meeting of the sub board yesterday (Friday). Advertisements will be placed next week seeking submissions with a closing date of January 11th, 2016. Those who have already communicated with HSI will be welcomed to submit additional evidence in response to the questions posed in the advertisement. Speaking after the meeting, chairman of the breeding subboard Jim Beecher said: “We will take in submissions and then make proposals about what assessment process to evaluate the breeding potential of stallions and mares we put in place going forward. Whatever proposals are devised will be discussed fully with all interested parties before they are implemented. “It is clear that there are strong views on this issue, which is welcome. One of the key recommendations in Reaching New Heights is that we should have a radical re-

Susan Finnerty

Jim Beecher – review of stallion and mare inspections to take place building of our breeding infrastructure. “We are about to embark on a 10-year strategy for the industry and we need to be

sure that what we are doing is adding real value,” he said. As part of the decision to review inspections, the breeding sub-board announced the

suspension of the full round of spring inspections. However, chairman Jim Beecher confirmed, following Friday’s board meeting, that the following arrangements for spring 2016 have now been confirmed: ÔÔ Irish Sport Horse Stallions who met the requirements for Stage 1 of the Irish Sport Horse inspections will be facilitated with a Stage 2 inspection. ÔÔ New applicants will be provided with an opportunity to have their stallion undergo the studbook veterinary examination. Should they meet the requirements of this veterinary examination, they will be classified as Class 2 in the case of Irish Draught Horse Studbook and Not Approved 1 in the case of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook. Beecher concluded: “As I outlined in my previous statement, it is clear that many breeders place a lot of store on the objective veterinary examination which is part of our stallion classification process. These arrangements mean that stallion owners can bring their animals out to meet the studbook veterinary requirements before the upcoming breeding season.”

CPBS hosts busy Christmas programme THE Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society has an exciting weekend planned for early December. On Saturday, December 12th the annual Christmas show will take place in Creagh EC in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, starting at 11am there will be a colt foal class followed by a filly foal class. Each class features a prize fund of €500 and the winner will also receive a Galway Crystal trophy and perpetual plaque.

Cul Bán Mistress has achieved phenomenal success in show jumping recently with rider Mickey Pender and her owner Clive Swindell will be presented with the 2015 Connemara Pony performance award. In the afternoon, the CPBS will host its first ever show jumping competition, featuring a prize fund of €1,000. There will be three classes, a 70-80cms, a 90cms and a metre class, sponsored by Horse

Horseware the toast of New York HORSEWARE Ireland’s humorous commercial, featuring the four new Connemara pony employees at the Dundalk factory, scooped one of the ‘Winnie’ awards at the Equus Film Festival in New York last weekend. The commercial, which won the best non-broadcasting commercial category has already had over two million Youtube hits and features The Irish Field’s Brendan McArdle. Emma Massingale, who trained the clever Connemara stars, and Equine Productions were amongst the other winners at the event for the No Reins No Rules No Limits mini documentary. All the films were screened over

two days at the Village East Cinema, also the venue for the Tribeca Film Festival, in the city’s historic Lower East Side. Another of the Field’s team - Susan Finnerty - was in New York for the festival, which also featured tours of the Clinton Park Stables on Sunday afternoon. Leitrim-born Conor McHugh, co-owner of the largest of the remaining carriage horse stables in Manhattan was profiled three years ago in The Irish Field and in next week’s report on the festival events, tells of the carriage drivers efforts to keep going in the face of Mayor Bill De Blasio’s bid to close the trade down.

Sport Ireland. On Sunday, December 13th, a Connemara Pony conference will take place in Hayden’s Hotel, Ballinasloe, from 12 noon. Dr. Alan Fahey will present the findings of his study on inbreeding in the Connemara Pony population. Paul Flynn from Weatherbys will present the results of a test being carried out on hoof wall separation disease. Dr. Jack Murphy will dis-

cuss inspections and classification. Áine O’Callaghan, a known producer of performance ponies, will speak on performance Connemara Ponies. This conference will be of huge interest and benefit to all breeders and owners of Connemara Ponies. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Further details on the CPBS December weekend are on www.cpbs.ie.

Corbett is new ISA president ■■ Susan Finnerty

LAOIS farmer Pat Corbett, who has taken up the reins as president of the Irish Shows Association, has made promoting smaller agricultural shows and cracking down on abuse of judges and stewards his priority. Involved with his local show at Clonaslee since he was “knee high”, Corbett made a presentation at the ISA’s annual general meeting last weekend to outgoing president Jim Harrison from Monaghan to mark the end of his two-year term of office. According to Michael Hughes, the association’s national secretary, over 100 delegates were in attendance at the agm, held at the Tullamore Court Hotel. “Eamon Dooley, the chairman of Offaly County Council, welcomed the delegates to Tullamore and we had a a good meeting on Saturday. I’d like to wish Pat the best of luck as president and he’ll have a hard act following Jim Harrison,” commented Hughes. It was the first time that Tullamore has hosted this annual gathering of the umbrella body for the country’s 130-plus agricultural shows. Among the 200 guests at Saturday night’s dinner dance was Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall, HSI CEO Damian McDonald and Declan Kirrane, chief executive of Offaly County Council. Corbett, who keeps eight thoroughbred broodmares on his Clonaslee farm, is looking forward to the challenge ahead. “There’s a couple of issues including the abuse of judges and stewards, and I’d also like to heighten the profile of smaller shows, they are just as important as larger shows. I’ll be trying to do the best I can for shows for the next two years.”

news+ McDonald dismisses rumour

■■DAMIAN McDonald, CEO of

Horse Sport Ireland, dismissed speculation circulating at the Irish Farm Centre that his name is in the hat for the IFA secretary general job, controversially vacated by Pat Smith. “I’ve spoken to nobody and nobody has spoken to me about it either,” said McDonald when contacted yesterday.

Directory 2016

■■Pick up your FREE copy of

The Irish Field Directory with next week’s issue. The 224page book is the complete guide to Ireland’s equine sector.

Conferences boost

■■MAIREAD McGuinness MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament officially opened the 2015 Veterinary Ireland Conference and AGM at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath yesterday (Friday). Delegates heard Ireland is to host two global veterinary conferences during 2016 which collectively are expected to boost the Irish economy by approximately €12 million.

Coaching course

■■SOME 25 coaches attended the Horse Sport Ireland Level 3 national coach course last week at Cavan EC and at the national sports campus in Abbotstown. Candidates travelled from all over Ireland, Istanbul and the USA to take part. HSI will officially present all Level 1, 2 and 3 coaches who achieved their awards in 2015, with their certificates on Monday, December 7th at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Susan Finnerty

The Source Of Champions

REGISTERED CONNEMARA SALE 3rd December - Sale at 1pm

REGISTERED IRISH DRAUGHT SALE 3rd December - Sale at 2.30pm

SPORT HORSE PERFORMANCE SALE 4th December

Performance at 9.30am, Sale at 11am

MONTHLY HORSE & PONY SALE 5th December

Entries now closing

June Burgess and Emma Massingale enjoying the Equus Film Festival

Further Information From Michael Donohoe & Sons Auctioneers, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. Tel: 059 9775145 Email: info@goresbridge.com www.goresbridge.com

Okanagan artists win in New York City - Penticton Western News

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Okanagan artists win in New York City

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by Dan Walton - Penticton Western News posted Dec 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM

Two South Okanagan artists made a big splash at a film festival in New York City last month. In the lead up to the Equus Film Festival, local artist Shannon Ford’s painting of her stallion Ritmo AJ was selected as the winning artwork to be featured on the cover of the event’s program guide. Ritmo is a Mangalarga Marchador Stallion from Brazil. As a painter, Ford is able to powerfully portray the many personas that can be embodied by any horse. Before embaraking on a new creation, she takes time to gain an intimate understanding with the subject of her work. “I always go and meet the horse first so I can get to know it and paint more than just what it looks like,” she said. “I’m not painting a representational photographic image of a horse, I’m painting more about how I feel about the horse.”

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Okanagan artists win in New York City - Penticton Western News

Her work was exhibited at the Lloyd Gallery in Penticton for the first time last year, and that milestone in her career was documented by Wayne McDougall, who’s a producer with Shaw TV. Ford's exhibit also featured horses belonging to Dr. David Ward, from both the Fairview Arabian Stud in Okanagan Falls BC, and also from Saddle Rock Meadows in Summerland. In following Ford’s artistic development, McDougall’s produced a short film titled Is That a Horse in the Gallery, which appropriately features a horse that was in attendance during her show at the Lloyd, whose name is Cowboy. Cowboy was owned by Daryl Gibb of Horsemanship in Osoyoos, and now belongs to Ford's friend Nancy Schmidt. McDougall’s three-minute video was entered into the commercial equine category along with 16 other short films, and Is That a Horse in the Gallery was declared the winner. “It feels amazing that it received international attention,” McDougall said. Is That a Horse in the Gallery was produced as a typical local feature for Shaw TV, and it luckily fit well into the Equus Film Festival’s criteria. “Once we started to talk about her work we could really see that she was quite passionate, not only about art but also the horses she paints,” McDougall said. “One thing that struck me is she really wants to get to know a horse and their personality.” Besides focusing on the live horse occupying an indoor art gallery, the short film portrays the work of Ford and her love for horses, “and how her horses come alive in the paintings,” McDougall said.

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Documentary film 'NokotaHeart' features ND horses, landscape | INFORUM

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1. After bending rules on four big downtown projects, Fargo to revisit city's tax break policy 2. McFeely: NDSU has helped transform once-sleepy Fargo 3. Crews battling blaze at south Fargo townhouse more 〉 Leo Kuntz raises horses at a ranch in Emmons County homesteaded by his great-grandparents, German Russian immigrants.

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ARGO – Sean Garland fled the oppressive summer heat and crime of San Francisco for an adventure to

absorb himself in the rugged prairie landscape of North Dakota.

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Documentary film 'NokotaHeart' features ND horses, landscape | INFORUM

He and a friend mapped a route to drive halfway across the country in 2007 to Bismarck. Through mutual friends, Garland soon found himself introduced to Leo Kuntz, a rancher near Linton struggling to breed and sell Nokota horses. The result of that whimsical trip was “NokotaHeart,” a feature documentary film portraying Kuntz’s struggles. “NokotaHeart” has won awards and been shown at film festivals in the United States and Europe. Friday, the film will be shown as a selection of the Equus Film Festival, part of the Festival of the Horse and Drum, in New York City. “I was immediately intrigued by Leo, hardscrabble and humble,” Garland said. He found the Vietnam veteran “soulful” and was seduced by the landscape, which becomes almost a character as his camera lingers on the stark, sunlit prairie. “ ‘NokotaHeart’ was also a chance for me to present something of a love sonnet to the landscapes of North Dakota,” Garland said. He filmed over four seasons, and was drawn to the prairie’s “melancholia and majesty.” Kuntz and others have been involved in preserving the Nokota horse, a hybrid from North Dakota’s Theodore

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Documentary film 'NokotaHeart' features ND horses, landscape | INFORUM

Roosevelt National Park, since the 1980s. The horse, descended from Indian ponies and early ranch stock, was named the honorary North Dakota equine in 1993 and has its own breeding registry. Its owners and followers are scattered around the U.S. and Europe, including Sweden and France. “NokotaHeart,” officially released in 2011, has won recognition at film festivals and has been shown in London and other locations, but has never received a wide theatrical release. Garland’s hour-long film was chosen best feature documentary at the 2010 White Sands International Film Festival in New Mexico and in 2011 won a special jury prize for cinematography at the Arizona International Film Festival. “Audiences worldwide have reacted strongly to the film,” said Garland, who is Irish. “My intention was always to make a biopic” – biographical film – “of a great man, not simply a ‘paint by numbers’ documentary on the preservation of this unique breed of horses.” During filming, horse prices had fallen to “dirt bottom,” exacerbating Kuntz’s always challenging circumstances. He ranches on land homesteaded by his German Russian great-grandparents in Emmons County. Since then, horse prices have rebounded slightly, but colts sold at auction don’t always recoup costs, Kuntz said in an interview. “In a sense, horse people are a little crazy,” he said.

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Documentary film 'NokotaHeart' features ND horses, landscape | INFORUM

Cattle ranchers can earn $1,200 for selling a calf, he added, while a Nokota colt might bring about $100 at auction. Private sales, however, can be more lucrative. “NokotaHeart” has helped raise awareness of the Nokota breed and his ranch, Kuntz said. “I do get feedback,” he said, adding that his Facebook presence, “Kuntz Nokota Horse Ranch,” also helps raise public awareness and spark sales. He recently delivered several horses to preservation breeders in Alabama working to keep rare horse breeds viable. Before making “NokotaHeart,” Garland got his start as a crew member of Jim Sheridan’s “In the Name of the Father,” starring Daniel Day-Lewis. He also worked on other movies, including Neil Jordan’s “Interview with the Vampire.” His first turn at directing his own film was a short psychological thriller, “The Wheelhouse.” Garland now is working on a dramatic feature film, “Banshee Blacktop,” which is in postproduction. New Wave Pictures has picked up “NokotaHeart” for distribution in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Garland hopes distribution through the Vimeo Internet site, which allows streaming or downloading, will extend the documentary to a new audience. “NokotaHeart” on Vimeo can be found online at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nokotaheart/99349961. Explore related topics:

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Documentary film 'NokotaHeart' features ND horses, landscape | INFORUM

Patrick Springer Patrick Springer first joined the reporting staff of The Forum in 1985. He can be reached by calling 701-241-5522. Have a comment to share about a story? Letters to the editor should include author’s name, address and phone number. Generally, letters should be no longer than 250 words. All letters are subject to editing. Send to letters@forumcomm.com

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“MUSTANGS AT FIRST SHOULD ONLY BE HANDLED BY EXPERT MUSTANG TRAINERS, AND NOW THEY’RE HANDING OUT MUSTANGS FOR THE CONTEST TO ANYONE WHO ASKS.”

EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL 2015

BY PATRICIA N. SAFFRAN

ew Yorkers, international film makers and guests breed from the mid 1400s. These horses were originally the most were fortunate to attend the fantastic third annual prized pure bred Andalusians, hidden in a monastery by a royal paEquus Film Festival. Founded and directed by Il- tron to avoid cross breeding for military service. At one point, Nalinois horse breeder, Lisa Diersen, the festival was poleon dispersed them, as he was anti-clerical, and shut down the held on November 19-20th at the historic Village churches and monasteries during the Peninsula War, but the horses East Cinema on 12th St and 2nd Ave. A boisterous well-attended were eventually brought back to resume the breed’s valuable bloodkickoff party took place at Manhattan Saddlery, one of the sponsors. lines. I met film makers Marc Smedema and Mario Dirkx, from the The number of films was overwhelming with 145 full length fea- Netherlands, and told them, “I loved it.” They said, “We’re thrilled. tures, shorts, music videos and ads. Some of the films were partially That’s the first professional review we have.” They explained, “The funded by Kickstarter, the new megaforce in the arts. A festive atmo- film took five years to make, and this is the first time that we’re seeing sphere was provided by art, photo and book displays at the theater the finished film ourselves.” and at the Equus Pop Up Gallery at the nearby Ukrainian Village Get Your Heart Jumping, winner of the Mini-documentary, features East Banquet Hall. Many of the artists, photographers and authors a fast action ad made for The Jockey Club, UK, by Equine Producwere on hand for discussions. Equus Magazine Directors’ Panels on tions with six famous jump jockeys and their equine stars practichorse issues took place concurrently to the screenings, with top experts speakWINNER OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY, HORSE OF ing about horse health, abuse, therapy, KINGS, IS AN ODE TO THE GORGEOUS CARTHUSIAN ANDALUSIAN legal issues and much more. After each HORSES . . . ‘THE FILM TOOK FIVE YEARS TO MAKE.’ panel, in the theater lobby, it was possible to ask the experts and film makers to further explain their views. ing at Lambourn Training Grounds. The film makers made a short The Whinnie Awards, equine equivalent of the Oscars, topped off documentary following the ad, to explain how they did their remarkthe action on Saturday night. On Sunday, ticket holders visited Clin- able cinematography. Nathan Horrocks, visual director and former ton Park Carriage Horse Stables on West 52nd Street. Some festival jockey, and cameraman Sam Fleet explained during the panel dishighlights follow: cussion that the ad was made to stimulate young people to go to the Winner of the Best International Documentary, Horse of Kings, is race track. They used as a model a snowboarding video that aimed an ode to the gorgeous Carthusian Andalusian horses — a very old to raise the pulse. For some scenes, cameramen had to position them-

selves right next to the jumps, and horses flew past them with only inches to spare. In the lobby, after the panel, I told Mr. Horrocks and Mr. Fleet and a pet peeve of mine, that TV historical dramas and movies with horses very often show inept actor/riders, and the directors leave in those awkward scenes. Mr. Fleet said, “We’re well aware of that. It’s not just riding that’s a problem, other sports like soccer and grand prix car racing are amateurly represented in films.” Mr. Horrocks handed me his card and said, “Tell your actor friends to call me when they want to be filmed without riding mistakes.” Equine Productions also won in the Director Short category for Emma Massingale, No Reins, No Rules, No Limits, in which she does Roman riding and gently trains a small team of Connemara ponies. Unbranded, winner of Full Documentary, is the brainchild of Ben Masters, a graduate of Texas A&M in wildlife biology. He recruited three of his college friends, who along with two cinematographers, journeyed 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada with 16 mustangs to focus attention on the 50,000 mustangs and wild burros in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) captivity waiting for adoption. It is important to note that even though Ben Masters and his friends are experienced horsemen, they still relied upon professional mustang trainers for the first two weeks to start their chosen adopted mustangs from BLM pens. The film’s cinematography was first rate, and the professional musical score by Noah Sorota, at times with a full orchestra, sounded like a big budget Western movie. This film about how the groups’ wild bucking mustangs became wonderful riding horses by the end of the adventure won “audience favorite” in a number of film festivals, not just those focusing on horses. A burro named Donquita, who was full of personality, joined the ride, and provided entertaining moments. There are many interviews with BLM staff, scientists, ranchers, animal activists and others. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report from 2013, “Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward,” is mentioned. A panel discussion on mustangs included new information from Suzanne Roy, Director of American Wild Horse Preservation, about their efforts to get ranchers supplying Whole Continued on next page.

30 Horse Directory

January/February 2016 31

“THE SHORT DOCUMENTARY, THROUGH MY EYES: THE BIG LICK/FRANKLINVILLE, NY, GIRL SCOUT TROOP #44. PROVIDES A SHOCKING LOOK AT SORING, PURPOSEFULLY INFLICTING PAIN ON LEGS AND FEET, AND THE USE OF HEAVY WEIGHTED STACKS AND CHAINS, AND OTHER BARBARIC METHODS USED ON GAITED BREEDS TO INDUCE AN ARTIFICIALLY HIGH STEPPING ACTION.

“A SUNDAY HORSE COST $9 MILLION TO MAKE. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE WILLIAM SHATNER APPEAR IN THE FILM, AND WE’RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE IT HERE AT THE FESTIVAL BEFORE ITS OFFICIAL RELEASE.” Foods to stop asking the BLM to remove mustangs to make room for their cattle. Also on the panel was Carol J Walker, author/wild horse advocate, who photographed and wrote the beautiful large book Galloping to Freedom: Saving the Adobe Town Appaloosas. Some of these horses now reside at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Hot Springs, SD. Another panelist was Sonny Garguilo, author/horse trainer who wrote SONNYISMS: The Horse Lovers Guide to Common Sense. He said, “I used to enter the Mustang Extreme Makeover Challenge to help get BLM mustangs adopted, but now I won’t do it anymore. Mustangs at first should only be handled by expert mustang trainers, and now they’re handing out mustangs for the contest to anyone who asks. Then the horses get returned by the amateurs and they’re labeled ‘unadoptable.’ This places the mustangs in danger of being resold and possibly getting slaughtered.” I spoke to another panelist, author/trainer Mitchell Bornstein. He said, “The way the BLM is removing so many mustangs, gelding them, and preventing them from reproducing will eventually make them extinct in five years.” Mr. Bornstein’s new book is Last Chance Mustang, The Story of One Horse, One Horseman, and One Final Shot at Redemption. A lawyer from Wheel-

32 Horse Directory

ing, Illinois, Mr. Bornstein also trains problem horses and mustangs. He was called in to work with a mustang named Samson who had been severely abused by his previous owners. He found Samson to be highly intelligent, even with a sense of humor, which made the extremely difficult task of training him worthwhile. I read the book and found Samson’s story truly touching. Harry & Snowman won Peoples’ Choice Full Length. This documentary tells the story of how Dutch immigrant horseman Harry deLeyer’s chance encounter with an Amish farm horse headed to slaughter in Pennsylvania transformed both their lives. DeLeyer rescued the horse, named him Snowman, and eventually started training him where he was the riding instructor at the Knox School on LI. The horse turned out to have amazing jumping ability. The two went on to win many show jumping championships, including at Madison Square Garden. Ron Davis, director, spoke to me from Wellington, Florida. He said, “I tried to read Eighty Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts about Harry and Snowman, but couldn’t get past page 50. It wasn’t my kind of book, but I really liked the story and decided to make the film. During interviews with Harry, the most interesting part was when he was 14-16 during WWII. He helped his parents in the Dutch underground. It was very dangerous. They hid Jews in their basement waiting for a way out of the country, and they searched for downed Allied flyers.” Today, at age 86, the charming Mr. deLeyer still teaches and trains horses on his farm in Virginia. The festival featured activities for children on Saturday morning at the Ukrainian Village East Banquet Hall, and also movies for them at the theater. One book display in the banquet hall was about a fictional foal, Dinky The Nursemare Foal by Marta Moran-Bishop. The author said she wrote the book to focus on plight of the 23,000 foals that are mostly killed or discarded annually so that other foals, of champion racehorses and show jumpers, can nurse while the valuable brood mares resume breeding. Another book display featured the novels and training books of author/trainer Dutch Henry, visiting from Appomattox,Virginia. Mr. Henry sent me his It’s for the Horses. This book teaches horse owners to pay attention to what their horses find interesting, as a better way to communicate. He also describes simple effective suppling exercises using a carrot to make horses stretch their necks. Mr. Henry noticed that therapeutic riding horses were stiff and anxious from being too careful, so he devised a complete exercise program to help them. The screenings for families included the winner of Equus Film Full – A Sunday Horse. Director

Vic Armstrong, who worked on such movies as Indiana Jones and the horses. The sisters claimed that the Treaty of Ruby Valley from Temple of Doom, told me, “A Sunday Horse cost $9 million to make. We 1863 gave the Shoshone millions of acres that were never ceded to were fortunate to have William Shatner appear in the film, and we’re the Federal government. The BLM claimed that encroachment by delighted to have it here at the festival before its official release.” The whites eroded the treaty. Since 1973, the BLM brought a series of inspirational story is based on true events of how rider Deb Walden, legal actions against the sisters, ultimately winning thirty-five years played by Nikki Reed, recovers from an accident. She’s a great talent later. Throughout American history, over five hundred treaties have with no funds to buy a top horse, but she still manages to become a been broken with the Indians. championship show jumper. Paolo Boriani’s Saga, about Giovanni Lindo Ferretti and his com The winner of the Equus Film Student award was Through My pany, the Corte Transumante di Nasseta, won Equus Art Film Full Eyes: The Big Lick/Franklinville, NY, Girl Scout Troop #44. This short Length. The movie features a fusion of music, spoken word and documentary provides a shocking look at soring, purposefully inflictvisuals of Maremmano horses from Northern Italy as liberty and ing pain on legs and feet, and the use of heavy weighted stacks and mounted dressage horses. I met Mr. Boriani in the lobby who exchains, and other barbaric methods used on gaited breeds to induce plained, “I was asked to film a short promotion for the opera and an artificially high stepping action. The film focuses on Tennessee found the production, with the tall, beautiful Maremmano horses, so Walking Horses, the breed where soring, which is illegal but rarely interesting that I wound up filming much more footage than I had punished, is the most common. Their exaggerated leg motion is planned, and with only one camera.” called the “Big Lick.” It is all in a failed effort to make their egotisti Talking to the Air: Horses of the Forbidden Kingdom by Horsefly Films cal riders and owners look grand in the show ring. After the short and Rare Equine Trust won Festival Director’s Choice. Co-direcfilm, there was a panel discussion with a report from the All Ameritors/producers Jen Miller and Sophie Dia Pegrum traveled to the can Walking Horse Alliance who are targeting Congress to pass a remote kingdom of Mustang to film its colorful vanishing horse sweeping reform act called PAST, culture and festivals. This small for Prevent All Soring Tactics. HORSEFLY’S OF GODS AND KINGS, ABOUT THE high mountain area is techni Their Last Ride, a short docuRARE ANCIENT ISLAND BREED SKYROS HORSE cally in Nepal on the border of mentary by Neta Rhyne and Nepal and Tibet, but culturally IN GREECE, WAS PART OF THE FESTIVAL. Michael Aku RoDriguez, focuses they follow Tibetan Buddhist THESE SMALL, PERFECTLY PROPORTIONED on using art to educate chiland Bo beliefs. There, an arisHORSES MAY HAVE BEEN THE SAME BREED dren about the 250,000 horses tocratic/theocratic society relied MODELED IN THE PARTHENON.” and burros that are shipped for heavily on horses in the past for slaughter annually to Canada agriculture, sport and procesand Mexico. After seeing the film, which shows trucks of horses kept sions. The region is under threat more recently from a road built by in dreadful conditions as they are transported, I spoke to Michael the Communist Chinese, ostensibly for better trade, but also with the Aku RoDriguez. He told me, “No one pays attention to the huge express purpose of destroying Mustang traditions. Horsefly’s Of Gods number of horses and burros shipped for slaughter.” and Kings, about the rare ancient island breed Skyros horse in Greece, True Appaloosa is a stunning documentary by Conor Woodman, was part of the festival. These small, perfectly proportioned horses UK, about Scott Engstrom, an Appaloosa horse breeder living in may have been the same breed modeled in the Parthenon. I spoke New Zealand, who travels with the filmmaker to a remote area of to Jen Miller by telephone who said, “An EU wind farm proposal Central Asia to locate what she believes to be the original source of shown in the film that would ruin the horses’ mountainous grazing Appaloosas. The film also discusses their possible origins in Europe, area has been put on hold due to lack of funds. So, the horses are as spotted horses coming over with the Spanish. Not mentioned in safe for now.” Ms. Miller sent me another of their films, The Path to the film is a theory that Appaloosas are truly native to North AmerGlory that chronicles the Polish state and private horse owners’ long ica, and that not all horses here went extinct, as re-evaluating Equus history of breeding top Arabian horses. Another fascinating festival fossils is revealing. Mr. Woodman answered my question about leavfilm is Horsefly’s Tarpan, about reviving a breed in Eastern Europe, ing out this theory, “No, I never mentioned the native theory. Althat had been extinct since 1879, with a similar looking European though, even by the native theory I believe that Appaloosas came cave art type horse. These Tarpan-like horses learned to be wild to from Asia originally.” Another theory says that Appaloosas may have survive wolf attacks, and now successfully protect their foals. • • • been the first horses since their characteristics cannot be developed Photos: page 30:True Appaloosa, photo courtesy of Conor Woodman; page 31, top: Unbranded, courtesy of Ben Masters; middle: Skyrian horse, courtesy of Horsefly by man, but only deleted to create uniform colored horses. Films; bottom: Horse of Kings, photo courtesy of Mario Dirkx; page 32, left: Nikki American Outrage, a documentary by Beth and George Gage about Reed in A Sunday Horse, photo courtesy of AKM-GSI; right: Lisa Diersen, Diana De the Western Shoshone sisters Carrie and Mary (deceased) Dann, Rosa, LA Pomeroy, Suzanne Kopp-Moskow at the festival, photo courtesy of Janice shows their efforts to keep their land and its over 1,000 cattle and Fischer; contents (page 5): Snowman, photo courtesy of Bill Ray.

January/February 2016 33

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EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL Free Rein | December 2, 2015 | 0 comments

In November, I had the great privilege of attending this year’s third annual Equus Film Festival, in New York. It was a wonderful opportunity to see some familiar faces from last year’s festival, as well as meet many new, amazingly talented horse enthusiasts. There was a slightly more blissful feeling this time around, since last year I was sharing “Free Rein,” and this year I was just a casual movie goer with something in common with all who attended. I felt like the pressure was off, and Canada was still well represented with another beautiful documentary, directed by Stefan Morel, who also directed “Free Rein.” There were many films and projects that were a joy to watch. I felt as though I was being educated and entertained all at the same time! I was thrilled to meet Emma Massingale, whose project, “No Reins, No Rules, No Limits” won Best Mini Documentary. She does inspiring liberty work with her Connemara ponies. These little horses are obviously brave and happy to do anything for Emma, and her passion for working with them comes through clear in her film. I find it compelling how Emma considers herself an athlete, rather than an equestrian. The connection she has with her horses demonstrates teammates enjoying sport, rather than just demanding http://www.horse-canada.com/free-rein/equus-film-festival/[12/4/2015 12:41:10 PM]

Equus Film Festival | Horse Canada

performance from her horses. I am looking forward to her upcoming projects. You can watch Emma’s work here on YouTube. Then there was Elsa Sinclair. Elsa produced her own film, a documentary covering one year of a developing relationship with a wild Mustang that she adopted. In her own words, “This all started with a question. A question I found burning inside of me for an answer. What if horses were given a choice? Would they let us ride them? Without force or tools to control, and without bribes to lure them?” Elsa’s story brought tears to my eyes, as she worked tirelessly to win her mare’s trust and loyalty. In the few moments I had to speak with her I essentially felt like I was looking at a new mentor – setting the bar higher for myself to continue my life’s journey in learning better ways to connect with horses. Find out more about Elsa’s project here. Canada was well represented for the second year in a row: Last year Stefan Morel brought home the Best Television Series award for “Free Rein.” This year he was at the top again; bringing home Best International Documentary with his beautiful film “Blind Spot – Moments Unseen.” This story consisted of three blind people who were led on a voyage on horseback, crossing the Andes of Argentina during a 10-day trek. The stunning footage of breathtaking views will never be “seen” by the riders, but I really feel as though they experienced more during their trip than most sighted people can. Stefan did a wonderful job capturing blissful and meaningful moments as the riders all endured the wild landscapes. Check out Stefan’s award winner this year here. And our project winner from last year here. There were many other great films that attended the Equus Film Festival. I would strongly recommend that every horse enthusiast check out this Festival

http://www.horse-canada.com/free-rein/equus-film-festival/[12/4/2015 12:41:10 PM]

B U S I N E S S P R O FI L E

Equus Film Festival NYC

he Equus Film Festival, the first of its kind dedicated to equestrian-themed film, fine art and literature, predicts a record-setting return to New York City, November 19–22, at the historic Village East Cinema, on 12th Street in Greenwich Village. Founded in 2013 as the world’s premier showcase for domestic and international feature films, documentaries and shorts—from Brazil to Japan—that put the horse center stage, this year’s Equus Film Festival is expected to exceed 2014 figures, when 119 entries were screened across 14 Winnie Award categories (equestrian filmdom’s equivalent of the Oscars) including Best Equestrian Music Video, Series, Commercial, Documentary, Art Film, International, Director, People’s Choice and Best of Festival. Known as “home to the storytellers of the horse world,” the Equus Film Festival has added fine art and literature to that universal voice and will host five international winners from its Facebook art contest launched (“because we love horses”) February 14, 2015. Appearing in person at the festival will be Official Poster artist, Tony O Connor, of Ireland; Official Program Cover artist Shannon Ford, of Canada; Official

W W W . H O L I S T I C H O R S E . C O M

Join the Storytellers of the World

T-Shirt artist Marion Tubiana of France; Official Projection Image artist Carolle Beaudry of Canada; and Official Wild Horse Fundraiser Poster artist, Kelly Jay, of Utah, USA. Literary guests include New York equestrian, Jessica Burkhart, author of the Canterwood Crest series for youth readers; modern-day “Anna Sewell(s)” Marta Moran-Bishop, author of Dinky: The Nursemare Foal, and Jo Anne Normile, author of Saving Baby: How One Woman’s Love for a Racehorse Led to Redemption, and Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal author, Tim Hayes. Sunday, November 22, 2015, the Equus Film Festival will offer filmgoers tours of the New York City carriage horse stables. Purchase tickets and learn more at www. equusfilmfestival.net. Join nearly 10,000 fans on www. facebook.com/EquusFilmFestivalNYC.

O C T O B E R

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N O V E M B E R

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ackstage

with Equus Film Festival 2015 Official Program Cover artist Shannon Ford

Welcome to the Equus Film Festival in New York City.

by LA Pomeroy

The Equus Film Festival is the first festival oriented around equestrian themed content from all over the world. The festival empowers storytellers to show the rich history and diverse tapestry of horses in human culture through equestrian content. We have feature films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, commercials, training educational materials, art and literary. We are the home for the storytellers of the horse world. Our festival has been created to highlight and award the diverse and creative efforts of those who artistically pay homage to the horse. The festival hosted one hundred and nineteen pieces of film in 2014 at MIST Theatre in New York City. From horse related commercials to wounded warrior stories and feature length documentaries. The number of films we’ve received for our 2015 Equus Film Festival is already surpassing last year’s number and the interest is International. Our films came from Japan to Brazil and everywhere in between. This year we will be hosting the Equus Film Festival at the beautiful vintage, Village East Cinema, 181189 2nd Avenue at 12th Street New York City. https://www.facebook.com/citycinemasNYC?_rdr We are taking the winners and special select films from the Equus Film Festival on tour to places like The Kentucky Horse Park, Silver Springs International Film Festival, Mackinac Island Michigan, South Carolina, Colorado and to where ever the horse world invites us. People love the idea and we love sharing our love of horses with the world. We are a platform to educate and enlighten the world to all issues related to horses. Together, we endeavor to better the world for horses.

www.equusfilmfestival.net

She really does set a shining example: Canadian fine artist Shannon Ford paints with semi-precious minerals and real gemstone powders, uniquely capturing with every brush stroke the precious – and precocious -- essence of the horses she loves. Growing up in Calgary, Ford dreamed of painting life-size horses on her bedroom walls and now her hazel-eyed horse portrait, First Ritmo AJ, painted in real 24-karat gold and sapphire dust, has achieved a larger-than-life honor as the Official Equus Film Festival 2015 Program Cover, when the world’s only event of its kind dedicated to equestrian art, film and literature comes to the Village East Cinema, November 20-21, in New York City. “It’s hard to describe but when I paint, I think like a sculptor. Having spent 30 years as a sculptor and jeweler, I think the conceptual thought process behind three-dimensional work forms how I paint. I am fascinated by how an object’s surface can disappear by how it is painted. Reflection and physical surface texture can create that ‘indescribable feeling’ in art.”

EFF: Horse or horse-related topic you’d like to do next/someday? SF: I have been approached by a Canadian fashion designer about using my colours and images on clothing. That’s exciting as we equestrians love our horses. I am also excited about the ﬁlm festival just for equine ﬁlms. New York City has a vibrant arts scene so to share my work there is a dream come true.

Equus Film Festival 2015 went backstage with Ford as she reﬂects on art, horses and coming to New York City in November...

EFF: If you weren’t doing this, what alternative career might you have? SF: There was no other choice. My parents talk about how I wasn’t happy unless I had something in my hand to draw with. They started me in art classes very young. I attended art college right after high school and have created art professionally ever since.

EFF: Earliest horse-related memory? SF: I was three years old when I met my ﬁrst horse. It was winter in Saskatchewan, she was a black draft mare, and I remember being held up to her face and her steamy breath was all around me. After that, I went horse crazy EFF: Who or what serves as your inspiration? SF: Denis and I raise Mangalarga Marchadores, the national breed of Brazil and they inspire me every day. First Ritmo AJ is of our own Marchador stallion. He was a champion breeding stallion in Brazil before being imported to North America EFF: First big career break? SF: Changing my focus to painting. I had been creating sculpture and jewelry since graduating from Alberta College of Art in 1982, but in 2003 I moved, put my metal-smithing equipment in storage, went back to college for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (2005) and was on my way to painting full-time. Meeting my sweetheart, Denis Pelletier, was another break. Supportive and creative friends and family have made a big difference in my art career. EFF: Favorite piece of work? SF: Collectors tell me they love how accurate my anatomy is. How from a distance a painting appears very realistic but up close becomes abstract.

EFF: What lasting impact do you hope your work can have on the horse world? SF: I paint with hand-ground precious and semi-precious gemstone powders and 24K gold, white gold and palladium. I use diamond dust to give a subtle surface twinkle. The experience, of being around a horse, of connecting with another being, is ﬁlled with growth, magic and spiritual opening. The colours, gemstones, precious metals I use honour this experience. In addition to meeting Shannon Ford and seeing her work ﬁrsthand at the Equus Film Festival 2015, she is on exhibit in galleries throughout Canada. See ShannonFord.ca for a complete list.

Learn more about purchasing tickets and the Equus Film Festival schedule of artists and screenings at EquusFilmFestival.net.

EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL NYC ATTAINS RECORD NUMBERS OF SPONSORSHIPS, FILM SUBMISSIONS AND AWARDS CATEGORIES

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EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL NYC ATTAINS RECORD NUMBERS OF SPONSORSHIPS, FILM SUBMISSIONS AND AWARDS CATEGORIES

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EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL NYC ATTAINS RECORD NUMBERS OF SPONSORSHIPS, FILM SUBMISSIONS AND AWARDS CATEGORIES

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New York, NY - Like a Kentucky Derby hopeful, the EQUUS Film Festival has come into its own in its third year, returning to New York City November 19-22 with more substance to its already “good bones” thanks to record growth in sponsorships, film submissions, and award categories for its eq-equivalent of the Oscars: the Winnies. Heading that honored list of sponsors for the world's first combined film, art and literary event celebrating the horse are Presenting Sponsor Edge Brewing Barcelona and Platinum Media Partner EQUUS Magazine. Rated the 2014 Top New Brewer in the World, all profits from the Edge Equestrian Line of Beer go to equine-based charities and filmgoers will enjoy samples at Saturday night's Winnie Awards ceremony. EQUUS Magazine, The Horse Owner's Resource since 1977, provides the latest information from the world's top veterinarians, equine researchers, riders and trainers and will sponsor EQUUS Magazine Directors and Guests Panels on Friday and Saturday afternoons in the 66-seat Director's Panel room and covering such topics as the safe use of horses in film-making.

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Return sponsors Blackburn Architects, PC (appearing on the EQUUS Magazine Authors Panel) and New York State Horse Council (volunteers and liaison with Central Park Carriage Horses Stables) are joined by Cowboy Magic, Horseware Ireland, Humane Society of the United States, Mane 'n' Tail, and Trafalgar Books.

In opening opportunities to nonprofits for sponsorship visibility, EQUUS Film Festival founder and director Lisa Diersen has also welcomed the All American Walking Horse Alliance, Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Rewilding America’s Mustangs and Rangelands and the Metropolitan Equestrian Team.

Arizona rancher inducted into APHA's 2014 Hall of Fame Half-Arabian Investigation Update – Part II Happy Holidays from International Training Center Arizona Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas... Or is it?? By Justin Legler COUNTRY THUNDER ARIZONA HEATS UP THE DESERT IN 2016 Jim Parks Earns Arizona Farm Bureau Rancher of the Year Award Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center seeks critical food donations for the holidays NBHA AZ02 & GPC Rodeo Committee Results for 11/13/15 at Welcome Home Ranch Arena Arena, Gilbert, AZ

EQUUS Film Festival press and promotions organizers Diana De Rosa and LA Pomeroy confirm record coverage and advertising for this year's event, thanks to media partnerships with EQUUS Magazine, Equestrian Quarterly (naming EFF-NYC among the top eq getaways of the fall), Elite Equestrian, Holistic Horse, Modern Horseman, Southeast Equine, Horse News and The Plaid Horse.

Dobson Family Recognized with Arizona Farm Bureau Heritage Award Farm family celebrating more than a century of farming in the valley.

As home to the storytellers of the horse world, the EQUUS Film Festival and special events, November 19-22 at the Village East Cinema, is the first event of its kind dedicated to equestrian-themed film, fine art and authors, EQUUS Magazine Directors Panels, a pop-up artist, filmmaker and literary gallery, Sunday tours of the Clinton Park Carriage Horses Stable, and a Manhattan Saddlery sponsored Thursday evening VIP Party and Sunday shopping hours.

NBHA AZ02 Show Results on 11/14/15 @ South Buckeye Equestrian & Event Center, Buckeye , AZ

The EQUUS Film Festival will also include Li'l Herc™ Kids Fest sponsored by Suzanne Kopp-Moskow with free Saturday family films and fun. A special treat during the FREE kids morning will be the showing of “A Sunday Horse,” the ideal horse story for families and teens. This is the true story of Ocala show jumper Debi Connor, played by “Twilight” actress and musician Nikki Reed, who overcame hurdles bigger than any Grand Prix course – including a near-fatal accident and diagnosis of epilepsy - to prove that a horse called The Evangelist deserved to also be called a champion.

Founded in 2013 by Lisa Diersen, the 2015 EQUUS Film Festival NYC will present almost 150 films and double (32) the number of Winnie Awards presented in 2014 at the Harlem MIST Theatre, including best Eq Art Film, Director, Documentary, International, Music Video, People’s Choice and Best of Festival.

More info can be found at t www.equusfilmfestival.net and join nearly 10,000 fans on www.facebook.com/EquusFilmFestivalNYC.

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JENNIFER GURNEY CHOSE CENTRAL NEW YORK TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE STORY BEGUN BY HARRY AND SNOWMAN. … There was something about this horse. Harry turned back and the horse was still watching him intently; he was wise, an old soul, a horse whose steady demeanor seemed to cover hidden depths. Man or beast, Harry did not like to see a proud soul held in captivity. ‘Might make a lesson horse if we can fatten him up,’ Harry said.

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He handed over the eighty dollars and never looked back. From “The 80-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired a Nation” by Elizabeth Letts

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BY L.A. POMEROY

p For Discussion was a gift. The Thoroughbred – aka Jerry – was bred for racing. But as the recipient of this gift horse confirmed, Jerry wasn’t exactly built for speed. “He couldn’t outrun me,” Jennifer Dahlman Gurney recalled. Going nowhere fast where racetracks were concerned, Jerry was a good horse in need of a new start. Gurney needed something, too: “We needed to build another barn and in order to do that, we needed money, so I figured I’d better start showing Jerry to try and get him sold.” And with that, she stepped – jumped, rather – into the family legacy. NYHorseMag.com NEW YORK HORSE 23

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or the better part of two decades, Gurney’s name was firmly linked with the training and management of young Thoroughbreds at racetracks in New York state and beyond. Now, she’s returned to the hunter/ jumper rings where she started, launching the next evolution of her Green Acres stable in East Syracuse, contributing both to the renaissance of the American Thoroughbred as show horse and – much like her legendary stepfather Harry deLeyer– to second careers for horses given up for naught. DeLeyer’s story – told and retold in three best sellers and now a documentary – is one of belief and redemption. Half a century ago, he paid $80 for a horse bound for slaughter, named him Snowman and forged him into a national showjumping champion. One chance encounter at a Pennsylvania auction saved two souls that day and crafted a friendship that lasted a lifetime. “Snowman had taught him this lesson so many years ago. No obstacle is too great to overcome for a man with a dream.”

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— The Eighty-Dollar Champion

“I was solely in the Thoroughbred business for about 24 years. I grew up riding and showing nonstop,” says Gurney, 48. Her first pony was a little Welsh named Flicka. “I remember Flicka best as a dedicated stopper. My stepdad had to school her prior to shows to convince her to jump a round. That usually lasted for about three classes before she went back to refusing the first jump, and I’d have to leave the ring crying. “… She taught me, first and foremost, to have fun with your animal and to enjoy each one as an individual. She was an extremely average pony, but to me she was my world and friend. I spent every waking hour with her.”

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Jennifer Gurney unsaddles one of her top hunters, 15-year-old Gianni, after competing at the state Fairgrounds. 24 NEW YORK HORSE NYHorseMag.com

New York Horse has a copy of “The Eighty-Dollar Champion” to give away. To enter, send an email with your name and address to Editor@ nyhorsemag.com and put “Book” in the subject line. Entries must be received by Sept. 30. We will draw one winner at random from all the entries received.

Jennifer Dahlman competing in the 2015 Derby at Genesee Country Village and Museum.

Spending every waking hour with horses: It was a foundation of the work ethic DeLeyer instilled. “He was up without an alarm and at ‘em every day,” Gurney remembers. “He worked until the work was done, then worked a little more. I hated it as a teenager but it stuck with me. My first track job? It was 11 months before my first day off. Horse racing and showing are games of inches. Miss a day, miss a lot.” But deLeyer never let the pressure translate to the horses. She recalls a gentle, relaxed image of him at the kitchen table, savoring the stack of bacon, homemade bread and eggs sunny-side up her mother would make each morning. “She’d have to find him in the barn to get him his lunch, and bring him home for dinner, but he never hurried breakfast.” After breakfast, the real day began. “Harry always believed riding should be fun,” or at least adrenaline-surging, says Gurney. She tells how he made her take an off-track Thoroughbred over a cross-country course he’d made. It included a 4-foot fence up a bank, to a second 4-foot fence, with an 8-foot jump down the other side. “I can’t do that,” she told him. “Yump,” he replied, in his heavy Dutch accent. “Yust kick him in dah belly.” It was a trademark move, Gurney says: “Harry ... He’d feed you into combinations that looked like an easy 2-foot coming in and would be 6-foot jumping out, with a 4-foot bar in the middle. It was almost a high, to challenge yourself like that.” “Horses are just like people: Each one has some hidden potential. What it takes to bring out the best in a horse, or in anyone, is to believe in him 100 percent.” — Harry deLeyer

At Penn State University, Gurney was captain of the equestrian team. She graduated in 1989 with a degree in elementary education and teaching, but confessed to growing bored with youngsters of the two-legged, human variety. So she returned to New York, where her father was buying racehorses and succumbed to the siren song of the horse business. NYHorseMag.com NEW YORK HORSE 25

“I drove back to New York and got a job on the racetrack as a hot walker, making $175 a week, working seven days a week, 12 hours a day,” Gurney recalled. She worked her way up to groom and then assistant trainer, working for Mike Hushion, respected as one of New York’s top Thoroughbred trainers One of Hushion’s owners was Barry K. Schwartz, co-founder and chairman of Calvin Klein Inc., and former chairman and CEO of the New York Racing Association. Schwartz and wife, Sheryl, had purchased the largest privately-owned property in Westchester County and proceeded, as an Architectural Digest profile described, “to dedicate the farm to the glory of horses,” including breeding and racing Thoroughbreds. Enter Gurney. “Stonewall was an amazing run,” Gurney says of her 10-year tenure as trainer at the farm. “It was 760 acres, 45 minutes from New York City, and I had a boss who said, ‘Do whatever the horses need.’ I had a staff of 25 and was responsible for everything from delivering the babies and breaking the yearlings to making hay and planting the flowers that decorated the farm.” It was a different sort of baby that convinced her the time had come to move on: “After my second daughter was born at Stonewall I decided to buy my own farm, to spend more time with my kids.” She named the farm Green Acres, after her broodmare, Greening, wanting it to become – with a nod to the 1960s TV sit-com and theme song – “the place to be.” Thanks to Jerry’s second career, Green Acres found its place. The racetrack washout Barry Schwartz gave her “sold quite well,” Gurney said. “We built the barn and it snowballed from there.” Since then, Gurney has been no stranger 26 NEW YORK HORSE

to victory gallops at major shows, including wins on The Other Brother at Devon and Harrisburg, and a Zone 2 year-end title, winning the championship by 800 points more than the second-place horse and rider. Another top hunter, Gianni, competed at the National Horse show in Lexington in 2014 and The Other Brother “got good ribbons there in 2012,” Gurney says, casually adding details of an accident that injured her neck badly enough to need surgery. She had a plate and screws inserted into her neck in September 2013, sitting out the National Horse Show, even though both horses qualified. “Harry taught me to ride with no fear,” she says, but credits top trainer Gary Duffy of Ithaca with the fine-tuning. One of his lessons was how to improve her arc over fences, and Gurney shares the secret: saying “whoa” while over the fence and again on the landing side. “It makes a horse pause for a split second, and that creates a nicer arc.” “The big gray is long gone, but living on is the memory of the horse who was yoked to a plow yet wanted to soar. Snowman and Harry showed the world how extraordinary the most ordinary among us can be.” — The Eighty-Dollar Champion

Success, Gurney believes, is a recipe whose best ingredients include joy and camaraderie, and building Green Acres, she says, is the sum total of a team’s contributions. Over the summer, she made the leap to a new facility in East Syracuse and once again, there was a horse story to go with it. This time, it was a homebred Gurney foaled and raised out of Greening. A horse that raced under a name that proved more intimidating than his record: Green Monster. “They don’t come any better looking. But he

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Less than two years after being saved from slaughter, Snowman, the former Amish plow horse, won the 1958 show jumping Triple Crown.

was too big and a goofball. When the starting gate opened, he just stood there like he was saying, ‘Huh?’” she says of the now 8-year-old gelding, who made his racing debut at Gulfstream in March 2010. “I think he went through eight different trainers. But as soon as I saw him, I was pretty excited.” By then, he’d figured out his job as a racehorse. But after winning his next outing, Green Monster came up injured. Gurney was there with a second chance, ready to transform another off-track Thoroughbred into a solid working citizen. “She takes horses that don’t work out and finds them new homes,” said Dr. Jerry Bilinski, a North Chatham veterinarian who sits on the Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. “She does it more professionally than most, operates a very attractive facility, and I would highly recommend her to anyone.” Green Monster took a month off when he first arrived to put on some weight and wind down, and then it was time to start working. In midJuly he took his first show-ring baby steps at the Huck Finn Classic in Syracuse. “There was a show announcer, and other horses cantering in the warm up rings, and even some big trucks, and he didn’t miss a beat,” Gurney says. “He was fabulous.” She expects once things are settled, she’ll be back in the ring with the Green Acres string, adding a few lines to Green Monster’s résumé. “I come pretty close to being offended, when someone says I rescue Thoroughbreds,” Gurney

adds. “These aren’t horses from kill pens or auctions. I get horses that just can’t race anymore because of injury, or they’re not good enough, or have lost interest. Horses come here sound, well cared for and up-to-date on vaccinations. “These are horses in incredible condition. They just need to find a new job.” Jerry is also back home at Green Acres, enjoying semi-retirement in his new role as a lightlyridden lesson and show horse. And as Gurney and Green Acres continues the family legacy of starting good horses on great careers, she promises this: “Jerry will be with us until the end.”

HARRY & SNOWMAN AT THE EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL NYC In 1956, Dutch immigrant Harry deLeyer rescued a broken-down Amish plow horse from a slaughter truck, paying $80 for the gentle-eyed gray gelding and naming him Snowman. In less than two years, Harry and Snowman won the ultimate indoor show jumping hat trick: the top titles at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, Pennsylvania National, and Washington International, beating the nation’s purebreds and gaining instant celebrity status. Snowman had his own fan club, was twice profiled in Life magazine, and was the subject of three best-selling books, including the 2011 NY Times best seller, The Eighty-Dollar Champion. Snowman retired from competition in 1962 to Harry’s farm on Long Island, where he died in 1974. In 1992, he was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Harry, now in his 80s, and the deLeyer family share their story in a new documentary, Harry & Snowman, screening Nov. 20-22, at the Equus Film Festival NYC, at the Village East Cinema in Manhattan. Learn more at: facebook.com/EquusFilmFestivalNYC.

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