US Equestrian Magazine by United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

Official Magazine of the Unit

Equestrian Federation | Spring 2018

PREPARING FOR DISASTER Your Guide to Emergency Planning For Your Horse

GAME CHANGER The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transformative Power

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Contents

FEATURES 68 GAME CHANGER

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

86 PREPARING FOR DISASTER

98 NED BONNIE A tribute to an advocate for horses

DEPARTMENTS 8 Partners 10 Sponsors 14 Marketing /Media 16 Letter from the President 18 Snapshot

22 USEF News

30 Seen & Heard 34 Learning Center Cover: Phillip Dutton & Mr. Medicott on the way to the USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship in the 2017 Kentucky ThreeDay Event. Photo: Shannon Brinkman Photo

38 Pro Tip Official Magazine of the Unit

Equestrian Federation | Spring 2018

42 Juniors’ Ring 48 My First 52 Hot Links

PREPARING FOR DISASTER

Your Guide to Emergency Planning For Your Horse

GAME CHANGER The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event’s Transformative Power

58 Trending 64 Horse Health 108 For the Record

4 SPRING ISSUE 2018

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): REDBAYSTOCK.COM, ANNE M. EBERHADRT, ADOBESTOCK/TRONGNGUYEN

Experts weigh in on what to consider

Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation

US EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE Volume LXXXII, Spring Edition PUBLISHED BY The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. CHIEF MARKETING & CONTENT OFFICER Vicki Lowell | vlowell@usef.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Glenye Cain Oakford | goakford@usef.org CREATIVE DIRECTOR | DESIGNER Candice McCown | cmccown@usef.org ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kim Russell | 859 225 6938 | krussell@usef.org DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP & SALES Lauren Carlisle | lcarlisle@usef.org DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL & VIDEO CONTENT Andrea Evans | aevans@usef.org ASSISTANT DESIGNER Kate Strom | kstrom@usef.org EDITORIAL STAFF Kathleen Landwehr, Julian McPeak, Jane Ohlert, Dana Rossmeier, Kim Russell, Ashley Swift CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ali Divita, Mari Inouye

Equestrian Magazine (ISSN 1548-873X) is published five times a year: Horse of the Year Special Edition, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, by the United States Equestrian Federation®, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511; Phone: (859) 258-2472; Fax: (859) 231-6662. (ISSN:1548-873X). NOTE: Effective Spring issue of 2018, Equestrian magazine will be published and provided electronically and only four editions will have printed copies and be provided by U.S. Mail. The Winter issue will only be provided electronically. The Horse of the Year issue will be mailed only to competing members as of the date of publication and the year immediately prior to the date of publication. USEF is not responsible for the opinions and statements expressed in signed articles and paid advertisements. These opinions are not necessarily the opinions of USEF and its staff. While the Federation makes every effort to avoid errors, we assume no liability to anyone for mistakes or omissions. It is the policy of the Federation to report factually and accurately in Equestrian and to encourage and to publish corrections whenever warranted. Kindly direct any comments or inquiries regarding corrections to Glenye Cain Oakford goakford@usef.org or by direct dial 859-225-6941. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to US Equestrian, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Canadian Publications Agreement No. 40845627. For Canadian returns, mail to Canada Express, 7686 #21 Kimble Street Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5S1E9. (905) 672-8100. Reproduction of any article, in whole or part, by written permission only of the Editor. Equestrian: Publisher, United States Equestrian Federation®, Chief Executive Officer, William J. Moroney (859) 225-6912. Director of Advertising, Kim Russell (859) 225-6938. Copyright © 2018. Equestrian is the official publication of the United States Equestrian Federation, the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport in the USA, and is an official publication of USEF.

Published at 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, Ky 40511 USequestrian.org

#JointheJoy Follow us on social media @USequestrian 6 SPRING ISSUE 2018

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

TAKE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO NEW HEIGHTS. AND BACK DOWN AGAIN.

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Model Shown: 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE LUX. European license plate shown. Professional driver on closed course. Do not attempt. *These systems are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc. Driver should not assume that these systems will correct errors of judgment in driving. †Available as part of a package on the SE and HSE and standard on the HSE Luxury. ‡Towing capacity on Si6 engine only. Towing capacity for Td6 engine is 7,716 lbs. Please consult the owner’s manual or your local Land Rover Retailer for more details. © 2018 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

PARTNERS Proud partners of US Equestrian

Official Timepiece rolex.com

Official Joint Therapy Title Sponsor of the North American Youth Championships Title Sponsor of the Open Reining Championship adequan.com

Official Blanket of the U.S. High Performance Teams horseware.com

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team and National Championships deloitte.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program platinumperformance.com

Gold Level Sponsor of the Learning Center smartpakequine.com

8 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Show Jumping Team netjets.com

Official Vehicle Title Sponsor of the U.S. Eventing Team landrover.com

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Dressage Team Official Equine Air Transportation Provider timdutta.com

Official Footwear & Apparel ariat.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final doversaddlery.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program discoverdressage.com

SPONSORS Proud sponsors of US Equestrian

Official Saddlepad

Official Liniment absorbine.com

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Official Cold Therapy Products icehorse.net

Official Sponsor deere.com

Official Performance Horse Boot and Leg Wear equifit.net

Official Footing Supplier premierequestrian.com

Official Helmet Supplier Official Safety Partner charlesowen.com

Official Horse Transportation salleehorsevans.com

Official Credit Card Supplier usbank.com

Official Automobile Rental Agency hertz.com

Official Sponsor mirimichigreen.com

Presenting Sponsor of the USEF Pony Finals collectinggaitsfarm.com

Official Awards Blanket buildyourownblanket.com

Official Ribbon Supplier hodgesbadge.com

Official Equine Feeder & Waterer and Official Horse Stallplate nelsonmfg.com

The United States Equestrian Federation does not endorse or recommend any commercial product or service. Therefore, designations as official suppliers of the USEF of any commercial product or service cannot be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by the United States Equestrian Federation.

10 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Official Therapy Plate

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W E K NO W A T HING OR T W O

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*University of Kentucky, 2015. Ohio State University, 2015.

SPONSORS Proud sponsors of US Equestrian

Title Sponsor of the USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships horseinsurance.com

Official Feed of the U.S. Eventing, U.S. Show Jumping, & U.S. Dressage Teams triplecrownfeed.com

Official Supplier pulsevet.com

Official Sponsor Title Sponsor of the Junior Jumper National Championship nsbits.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Pony Medal Championship marshallsterling.com

Official Tutoring Service upperechelonacademy.com

Official Equine Veterinary Service Provider hagyard.com

Official Equine Pharmacy hagyardpharmacy.com

Official MemberPerk choicehotels.com

Presenting Sponsor of USEF Young Adult â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brentina Cupâ&#x20AC;? Dressage Championship Sponsor of George Morris Horsemastership Clinic aimmedia.com/equine-network

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12 SPRING ISSUE 2018

STAYS COLDER. ACTS FASTER. WORKS LONGER.

MARKETING/MEDIA Proud Partnerships of US Equestrian

Official Media ridetv.com

Official Marketing equineaffaire.com

Official Media eqliving.com

heels down MAGAZINE

Official Media & Education equusmagazine.com

Official Media sidelinesnews.com

Official Media & Education practicalhorsemanmag.com

Official Media & Education horseandrider.com

Official Media nfstyle.com

Official Media puissanceamerica.com

Official Media heelsdownmag.com

Official Media & Education dressagetoday.com

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14 SPRING ISSUE 2018

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Sharing Joy and Knowledge US Equestrian is proud to bring our newly designed US Equestrian magazine to your door. We believe you will enjoy the new design, focus, and direction as we bring you up close and personal with your fellow equestrians of all levels and all breeds and disciplines. Learn about today’s superstars, the horses that carry them to the winner’s circle, the teams that support these fantastic horses and riders, and the undeniable bond between horse and human. We have been busy at US Equestrian, bringing the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. One way we are bringing joy is the partnership between US Equestrian, Land Rover, and Equestrian Events, Inc., the organizers of the Kentucky ThreeDay Event, now known as the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Our friends at Rolex are still in the game as the Official Timepiece of this competition, with Land Rover taking over as title sponsor. The partnerships with these two venerable and trusted companies make it possible for US Equestrian and EEI to bring you this thrilling week of horse sports. With annual ticket sales reaching 80,000, a lot of people from all walks of life get to witness and enjoy our magnificent sport. Whether you come for the thrill of the cross-country, the elegance of dressage, the nail-biting finale of show jumping, or the amazing shopping in vendor row, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is the place to be in April at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Horse Park will host another remarkable international competition in July: the 2018 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup, an international equitation competition, will bring teams from the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Namibia together. The U.S. team’s 12 talented riders, selected from their peers, will vie for the top titles in two divisions: three-gaited and five-gaited. Competing on borrowed horses removes any advantage for all the riders. Skill, hours of practice, and nerves of steel are all you need to be a U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Champion. We wish these fierce competitors and their coaches the best of luck. Education abounds in the US Equestrian world of resources. We are thrilled to feature new additions to our online Learning Center, including a brand-new and high-energy exercise video series by champion vaulters Ali Divita and Mari Inouye, who stop by the magazine as guest contributors in this issue with some workout extras, too. These young ladies will help you shake off the winter chill and get fit for spring with workout tips that are especially tailored for equestrians. In this magazine’s feature section, we also look at how equestrians can prepare for the unthinkable: a natural disaster like last year’s ruinous floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. We bring you tips and resources from our partners at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Markel Insurance, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, experienced horsemen and rescuers, and 16 SPRING ISSUE 2018

our own Learning Center to help you create an emergency plan before disaster strikes. Courtesy of our friends at The Chronicle of the Horse, we also have a fine tribute to the late Ned Bonnie, a true sportsman, horseman, and lifelong advocate for horse welfare and fair play in horse sports. The exchange of ideas doesn’t end with the magazine. Along with U.S. Show Jumping Team sponsor NetJets®, we have launched a new series of educational events aimed at bringing our owners together over cocktails and dinner to discuss our sport and exchange ideas on solutions to the challenges we face both internally and externally. Owners typically have a different perspective on the sport because they are not immersed in the details day in and day out. Getting fresh and different perspectives on the issues equestrian sport faces is essential to developing innovative, forward-thinking solutions. Our first event, held at my home in Wellington, Fla., featured IndyCar stars Bobby and Graham Rahal. It was amazing to hear the similarities and differences in how race car owners and drivers interact compared to horse owners and riders. All of this would not be possible without the interest and support of our members. We heard from so many of you about the importance of receiving US Equestrian magazine in print and are pleased to be able to bring it back to your homes. Even better, we are thrilled to bring you a revitalized version that will bring you valuable and meaningful information, education, and knowledge from your fellow equestrians. Enjoy the reading and thank you for being a member of US Equestrian. Sincerely,

Murray S. Kessler

PHOTO: ISABEL J KUREK PHOTOGRAPHY

Dear Fellow Members,

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18 SPRING ISSUE 2018

PHOTO: HOWARD SCHATZBERG

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USEF NEWS

US Equestrian Welcomes NetJets®

US Equestrian is pleased to announce an official partnership with NetJets as the new multi-year sponsor of the U.S. Show Jumping Team. The NetJets U.S. Show Jumping Team first appeared at the Longines FEI Nations CupTM USA at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Fla., on Sunday, February 17. In addition, the NetJets U.S. Show Jumping Team will compete at Longines FEI Nations Cups throughout the year and at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon. In addition to its sponsorship of the U.S. Show Jumping Team, NetJets also will sponsor a new cross-discipline owners’ initiative to recognize and increase participation of U.S. team horse owners with high-profile educational events throughout the year. “US Equestrian is very excited to welcome NetJets as a sponsor of the U.S. Show Jumping Team,” said US Equestrian President Murray Kessler. “NetJets flies fast and high, just 22 SPRING ISSUE 2018

like U.S. show jumpers! The partnership is a great fit. We are also thrilled they will be supporting our new U.S. team horse owners’ education series. The USA would not be able to field teams internationally without the passion and commitment of our owners.” NetJets has been an industry leader for more than a halfcentury. NetJets invented the shared aircraft ownership concept, perfecting it for a small fleet, then gradually expanding it to the approximately 700 aircraft they operate today. Their carefully managed growth has surpassed every other private operator many times over. There is literally nothing else like NetJets in the world. No other private flight provider comes close to their global reach, responsiveness, and commitment to safety. The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF NETJETS

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USEF NEWS

Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse & Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 Signed Into Law They also must comply with all reporting requirements; establish reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one interactions between athletes who are minors and an adult; offer and provide consistent training to members who are in contact with minors; and establish ways to prohibit retaliation against the victim. Importantly, under the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Code and US Equestrian’s Safe Sport Policy, members of and participants in US Equestrian-licensed competitions and sponsored programs are required to report any suspected sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, regardless of when and where the misconduct occurred. “US Equestrian, as the NGB of equestrian sport, puts the safety and welfare of our members and horses first,” said US Equestrian President Murray Kessler. “The safety of our children is of utmost importance, and US Equestrian supports the passage of this bill and sees it as an important step towards making our sport safe and enjoyable for all. We have taken many necessary steps to educate our members on the importance of Safe Sport, but the work has only begun. We value our partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and look forward to connecting our members to the resources that it has to offer.” For more information, visit the U.S. Center for SafeSport at safesport.org and US Equestrian’s Safe Sport page online at USequestrian.org. To navigate to the Safe Sport page, visit the USequestrian.org homepage and click Safe Sport in the main navigation bar. For more information about the U.S. Center for SafeSport or the Safe Sport Policy, contact Sonja S. Keating at skeating@usef.org.

PHOTO: ANDREA EVANS

Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law in February and became effective immediately. The bill imposes a duty on amateur sports organizations, including US Equestrian and its members, to report suspected sex abuse to local or federal law enforcement or to a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department, within 24 hours. Failure to report is subject to criminal penalties. The bill amends two federal statutes: the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978. Within the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, the bill extends the mandatory duty to report to US Equestrian members and participants, who must report suspected sexual abuse to authorities within 24 hours. An individual who does not report the suspected sexual abuse is subject to criminal penalties. Additionally, the bill extends the statute of limitations for victims to bring a civil lawsuit against a perpetrator and allows a claim for punitive damages. The bill also amends the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 in several ways. Firstly, it designates the U.S. Center for SafeSport to serve as the independent national safe sport organization. This designation includes the responsibility for developing policies and procedures to prevent emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of amateur athletes. The bill also modifies the obligations of amateur athletic organizations, including National Governing Bodies such as US Equestrian. These organizations must abide by all policies and procedures to prevent any type of abuse.

24 SPRING ISSUE 2018

USEF NEWS

Competition Evaluations Available for USEF Members One of the United States Equestrian Federation’s core objectives is to enforce appropriate standards of quality at all levels of competition. As the spring show season kicks off, we would like to remind competitors that confidential competition evaluations are available through the Member Dashboard of the USequestrian.org website. These evaluations can be used to provide feedback on any and all elements of a USEFlicensed competition. Whether you’d like to provide compliments on stabling or customer service, alert the Federation about unsatisfactory footing in a certain schooling area, or inform us about the quality of an official’s work during competition, these reports are read carefully and taken into account. With staffing changes and a renewed focus on compliance with enforceable competition standards, it’s more important than ever for members to get involved and provide us with detailed, constructive feedback—both positive and negative—on the overall quality of the competitions they attend. Filing a report is easy. At USequestrian.org, click My USEF in the top right-hand corner of the page to go to the Member Dashboard. There, scroll down to find the Member Tools section, which includes a tile labeled Confidential Competition and Licensed Officials Evaluation. Enter the name or USEF number of the competition you attended, which is provided in the prize list for that specific competition. Add your feedback about your experience in the text boxes, then click Submit. Please note that adding your contact information is not required, but it is strongly encouraged. Contact information will not be shared without your consent. We appreciate your efforts to help us promote quality competitions at all levels for the benefit of our human and equine athletes!

Annual Meeting Videos Available at USEF Network If you couldn’t attend the US Equestrian Annual Meeting in January, be sure to check out videos from the event at USEF Network, USequestrian.org/network. US Equestrian members can view the complete General Session—including US Equestrian President Murray Kessler’s update on the strategic plan and presentations by the organization’s senior staff—as well as the inaugural Competition and Member Summit, the Pegasus Awards, and Pegasus Awards speech highlights, including full speeches by 2017 Equestrian of the Year McLain Ward and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Joe Dotoli. USEF Network also has additional information, such as links to slides from Kessler’s presentation and to Annual Meeting photos, including images from the Pegasus Awards reception and dinner, the USEF Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Equestrian Team Awards, and the year-end Horse of the Year Awards.

26 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Geico® Joins USEF

as Official Sponsor and Official MemberPerk US Equestrian is pleased to announce that GEICO® has committed to a partnership as an official sponsor of US Equestrian and an official US Equestrian MemberPerk. GEICO will offer discounts on auto insurance rates to active US Equestrian members. “We are excited to welcome GEICO to the US Equestrian family as an official sponsor,” says US Equestrian CEO, Bill Moroney. “As the first insurance company of its kind in the MemberPerks program, this partnership provides additional value to our members through discounts on vehicle insurance.” “US Equestrian’s commitment and focus on competition, training, coaching, and education are values we also support within our community,” says Deedre Daniel, Senior Marketing Director of GEICO. “We are thrilled to launch this partnership and look forward to many years of great success.” About GEICO GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 16 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 27 million vehicles (auto & cycle). Using GEICO’s online service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy changes, report claims, and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through GEICO Mobile, reach a representative over the phone, or visit a GEICO local agent. GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, travel trailers, and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for life, homes, and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available. For more information, go to geico.com/disc/usef. Members of US Equestrian could save even more on auto insurance with a special discount from GEICO. Go to geico.com/disc/usef or call 1-800368-2734 to see how much you could save today!

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It is inspiring to see the up-and-coming young talent and exciting to think that through the [Discover Dressage™ USEF/USDF] Emerging Athlete Program we can help these athletes develop to their fullest potential, while at the same time incentivize others to continue to push to make their dreams a reality. On behalf of all of us involved, we are very grateful for the generous support of Discover Dressage, without which this would not be possible.”

Above: Beezie Madden and Breitling LS, winners of the $205,000 Grand Prix CSIO4* presented by Lugano Diamonds, with groom Sue Schlegel during the FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Wellington, USA. Jennifer Thompson is all smiles after winning the inaugural USEF Intermediate Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship with Funnominial C.G. at Live Oak International in Ocala, Fla. Opposite: The Deloitte U.S. ParaEquestrian Dressage Team won the team competition at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* Week 0 in Wellington, Fla.: (left to right) Margaret McIntosh, Becky Reno, Ground Jury member Dr. Jan-Holger Holtschmit, Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt, Roxanne Trunnell, Allyn Mann of Adequan, Katie Jackson, Michele Bandinu, and Rowan O’Riley.

30 SPRING ISSUE 2018

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- USEF Dressage Youth Coach George Williams on the Discover Dressage USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program

Top Left: Allison Stroud and her team demonstrate the power and excitement of the combined driving marathon phase while competing at Live Oak International. Above: Kristen Vanderveen revels in winning the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League Qualifier with Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili at Live Oak International.

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USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 31

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LEARNING CENTER

GET FIT for Show Season

As show season ramps up, what better time to rejuvenate your fitness routine? We turned to two of our Learning Center experts, internationally successful vaulters and wellness professionals Ali Divita and Mari Inouye, for three of their go-to workout tips for equestrians. Divita and Inouye recently combined their passions for fitness, health, and horses into a new company, Mind Body Vault. Inouye, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, is the winner of multiple national and World Championship vaulting medals, including a gold medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Lexington, Ky. An experienced equestrian and gymnast, she is now a certified personal trainer. Divita, a two-time national champion vaulting athlete in the U.S. and WEG competitor, is a yoga instructor and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. In addition to her career as a high-level vaulter and coach, Divita also has cross-trained in gymnastics. Here’s what they had to say: Like any athlete, equestrians need to be cross-training off the horse if they’re 34 SPRING ISSUE 2018

wanting to improve their skills as riders. There are huge benefits from adding bits and pieces into your day, which is our whole concept: you’re already at the barn, so that’s where you should be doing these exercises. We want to teach people that it can be quite easy to get in a few movements as a warm-up and then take a bit of time for a cool-down after you ride. We understand that riders can be busy, so we want to teach them what they can do while standing in the barn aisle, tacking and untacking, or even just before they get in their car to leave. We have taken a lot of time to think about what equestrians would benefit the most from. We’ve chosen exercises that target certain muscle groups riders might be weak in and need to develop, focusing on areas they need to balance in terms of mobility or stability, while also doing our best to present them in a way that is accessible to those who may have never lifted a weight or taken a yoga class in their life. Riding is highly athletic, which is all the more reason to be training

our bodies to prime condition and making sure nothing is ignored or overused. In addition to the personal motivations to be fit, it’s important to know that “disbalances” in our bodies as riders can be felt by our horses. For example, if you are too tight in your lower body, it could be really uncomfortable for your horse; if your core is weak he or she will feel you bouncing around like a sack of potatoes and might miss the cues you are trying to give. At the end of the day, it’s about giving our horses the best possible experience. They do so much for us, and it is our responsibility to show up for them with a clear mind and emotionally balanced, while doing everything we can do before and after we ride to be our very best for them.

Ali Divita and Mari Inouye, champion vaulters and wellness professionals, operate the Mind Body Vault, which features exercises custom-tailored to equestrians.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MIND BODY VAULT

Vaulting champions Ali Divita and Mari Inouye show you how to make fitness tune-ups part of your regular barn routine

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LEARNING CENTER

READY TO KICK OFF YOUR SPRING FITNESS PROGRAM? Here are three simple but effective exercises to get you started.

DOWNWARD-FACING DOG From a plank pose, lift the hips high into an inverted V position. Your middle fingers and toes should be facing forward, with the outer arms firm and reaching through the shoulders. Lift the hips to lengthen through the spine while allowing the heels to drop closer towards the floor to stretch through the entire length of the back of the leg, including the calves. Make sure to keep your face and neck relaxed. Why we chose this for riders: The mobility it supports across the whole body and especially for the targeted stretch across the back of the legs and the calves. Downward-Facing Dog targets many areas of the body. You might feel this most wherever you are tightest, including the backs of the legs or the chest and shoulders.

HALF-SPLITS (WITH TWIST) Kneel on one knee, with your other leg stretched out in front of you. With your hips stacked over the bent knee, straighten your other leg. Fold forward at the hips until you feel the stretch in the back of your straightened leg. Try to keep the hips even and square and your back as straight and long as possible. Don’t over-round the back or avoid the stretch by coming too far to the side. Why we chose this for riders: The targeted stretch in the back of the legs, as well as the stretch down the outer part of the leg. For equestrians, it’s important to protect the joints of the knees, making sure the connective tissues and muscles are not tight and constantly pulling on them. This exercises targets lengthening along the body’s “shock-absorbers” in the outer leg.

SQUAT TO WALKOUT WITH MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

Start in a squat position, then walk your hands out to a plank, complete two “mountain-climber” knee drives, bringing each knee in turn up to your chest. Then walk your hands back to descend into the original squat position. Keep your core engaged! Avoid moving too fast through this movement. Really make sure you are completing each move with the complete range of motion. Why we chose this for riders: Equestrian athletes need to be mobile in their hips, hence starting in the squat position, then moving into the plank and back. This exercise also really challenges and strengthens the core.

36 SPRING ISSUE 2018

READY FOR MORE? Check out Ali Divita and Mari Inouye’s workout series for equestrians here: The Learning Center at USEquestrian.org/learn The Mind Body Vault at themindbodyvault.com

PRO TIP

Leather Tack Care and Cleaning By Ashley Swift

Equestrian sport equipment is more than a tool for success. Our equipment, our tack, provides more opportunities to connect with our equine partners safely and effectively. With a multitude of options available, the possibilities for your best ride seem endless. So we spend hours researching different saddles, bridles, reins, and more to find the perfect tack. We make the purchase. But what comes next? How do you keep these significant investments in top shape? We spoke to master saddler Claire Painter, who owns Clever with Leather, and Sara Esthus, brand manager for W.F. Young/Absorbine, for their advice on leather and its care. Before You Buy: Research, Examine, Question Good tack care starts with smart selection at the tack store. When the time comes to purchase, it is essential to be as knowledgeable as possible about what you and your horse need. And don’t be afraid to ask retailers the questions you need answered before you invest in tack. “People are more educated about their saddles and tack in general today,” Painter said. “Everyone is interested in making themselves and their horses comfortable and healthy. People want to understand every part of what it means to be an equestrian. “Don’t be afraid to question what retailers are telling you! If it was any other part of your horse you would question the provider about their recommendations. Saddlers are no exception.” There are many different leathers, and factors like tannage (the specific process of turning animal skin into leather to make it more durable) and the part of the hide that make up the piece will contribute to its overall quality and price. “Products are made from specific parts of the hide, depending on the strength,” Painter explained. “The strongest leather comes from across the animal’s back.” 38 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Cleaning your leather tack regularly also prompts you to check for worn areas that could become a safety concern.

PHOTOS: (OPPOSITE) BIANCA MCCARTY PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF SARAH ESTHUS, USEF PHOTO

Stronger leathers are used for pieces of tack that withstand significant pressure, like billets and headpieces. There’s a quick way to check softness versus strength, Painter said. “Flip over a rein,” she explained. “If it’s soft, grasp it in two hands and wiggle it rapidly. If it has wrinkles, it’s made from a softer hide. If it feels tight and firm, it’s from a strong hide.” The strength of the leather used should directly relate to how the particular piece of tack will be used—and not every part of a leather tack item has to be made from the strongest leather. “Take a look at a leather lead rope,” said Painter. “The best piece should be up near the horse’s head. When you get to the opposite end, you’ll be at the end of the hide, and that might be spongy and wrinkle up more. This is correct; you wouldn’t put this part at the point of pressure.” Have a Consistent Cleaning and Conditioning Routine Taking care of leather tack need not be complicated, but it is important to stick to a good routine of examining and cleaning it, say Esthus and Painter. “Leather can be fairly sensitive, so you want to look for a product that is not too greasy and that is pH balanced and gentle on leather,” Esthus said. Both Esthus and Painter advised regularly cleaning leather tack and pointed out that you should always clean the leather before conditioning it. Ideally, you want products that clean from the inside out, referred to as deep-penetrating formulas—but if you don’t thoroughly clean the piece, the conditioner is impeded from sinking into the leather. It is also important to be aware that some conditioners can darken lighter leathers. “It doesn’t matter how much a product costs, if that leather isn’t clean, you’re just rubbing dirt in,” Painter said.

Top to bottom: Sara Esthus of W.F. Young/Absorbine Master Saddler Claire Painter of Clever With Leather.

To clean tack, follow these three simple steps: • Apply deep-penetrating leather cleaner with a damp sponge and thoroughly clean each part to lift the dirt and grime. • Apply deep conditioner with a damp sponge to keep leather moisturized and supple. • Use a finishing product to add a protective layer to the leather. As you clean, take the opportunity to check the condition of your stitching and monitor metal accents for corrosion, mold, and mildew. If your tack has details or intricate tooling, monitor any residue build-up in those areas to prevent them from collecting dirt and becoming sticky. It’s also important to focus on areas where sweat builds up, which can attract residue and irritate your horse. Esthus recommends a quick wipe-down of your tack with leather cleaner after every ride and a deep condition twice a week. USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 39

PRO TIP

Give your saddle a quick wipe-down after every ride, Esthus and Painter recommend.

Safety First There’s another advantage to regularly examining your leather tack, says Painter. “When you check in with your tack once a week, you can closely monitor the development of any cracks or stretching,” she said. “It’s the same as grooming your horse. It’s a way of making sure you are looking at and touching every part of the horse, staying in touch with what is going on physically.” Worn leather can become a safety hazard and requires the attention of a professional leather-repair expert. “If there’s anything that’s a safety issue, such as cracked reins or dryrotted billets, I point it out,” said Painter. “If someone can’t afford repairs, delaying something else is probably better than having a wreck because your tack comes off.” But some things can be done at home to maintain worn leather. This is why regular check-ins are important: you can be proactive monitoring compromised areas. When it’s time to get a piece repaired, don’t skimp. Work with your repair professional to choose the right leather for the piece’s function, and keep in mind the amount and kind of pressure that will be put on the piece during its use. Remember, too, that some pieces can only be repaired a limited number of times. When safety becomes an issue, it’s better to move on to a new piece.

40 SPRING ISSUE 2018

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK/PETERT2 PHOTO

People are busy, so it may be unrealistic to expect a deep clean after every ride, but regular check-ins with your tack are essential. Esthus recommends giving your tack a quick wipe-down with a cleaner to remove the surface dirt and dust. “Leather is very porous, so if you don’t address it, seemingly harmless dirt and dust can settle into the leather’s inner fibers,” she said. “This leads to drying and cracking over time.” Leather care is a lot like skin care: you use a good moisturizer to keep your skin from feeling dry and the same applies to keep leather supple, Painter and Esthus said. “Staying on top of it is the key,” noted Esthus. “If you give it your attention, your tack lasts longer. It doesn’t take a lot of effort when you’re checking in regularly.”

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JUNIORS’ RING

The 2018 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team with their coaches and advisors. Front row, left to right: advisor Cindy Mugnier, coach Hilary Wilcox, Ainsley Budzinski, Nicole Rodriguez, Anne Pateman, Victoria Walz, Lauren Arquilla, Joan Benjamin, advisor Barbe Smith. Back row, left to right: Kaeley Arterburn, Reagan Upton, Matt Huke, Michael Arquilla, Haley Berget, Kaylee Atkinson, coach Jonelle Chovanec.

Opportunity Knocks

for U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Even before they enter the show ring for the 2018 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup in Lexington, Ky., this July, the 12 members of the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup team will have already accomplished a great deal. Just to make the team, these dedicated equestrians passed a rigorous process that included not only selection trials in front of a five-judge panel, but also a written application. They’ve also competed to a high standard individually, and they’ve proven a dedication to their riding that has paid off even before the World Cup competition opens at the Kentucky Horse Park on July 4. One, Reagan Upton, maintains a full practice and competition schedule in addition to her full-time job; another, Matt Huke, is a two-time member of the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team who was selected for the 2018 World Cup Team on his second attempt after missing a spot on the 2016 team by just a single point. And those are just two storylines from a team that coaches Hilary Wilcox and Jonelle Chovanec say exemplify what the Saddle Seat World Cup experience is all about. “These kids are incredibly dedicated, and that’s what you’d expect from kids who show at the level these kids show at,” said Wilcox. “The team is made of people who have accomplished 42 SPRING ISSUE 2018

really incredible things, both with performance horses and with equitation horses, and the hard work that goes into that transfers over into what they’re doing for World Cup, as well. “They’re riding a lot at home, and most of them do cross-training or compete in other sports, as well, to stay really in shape for their riding,” Wilcox added, noting that one rider—Nicole Rodriguez of Grand Blanc, Mich., also is a competitive intercollegiate polo player. “The riders really are putting themselves out there,” agreed Chovanec. “At the team trials that took place in December at William Woods University, they were out there in front of their peers and judges, as well as trainers, and they’re having to ride horses they’ve never ridden before. That is what World Cup competition is, and it takes dedication and adaptability when you’re used to only competing your own horse. It shows a lot of dedication that they’re willing to put themselves out there and try this.” In addition to Wilcox and Chovanec, the team—which includes six three-gaited riders and six five-gaited riders—also benefits from the guidance of Cindy Mugnier and Barbe Smith, who have coached prior World Cup teams and co-chair the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Committee.

PHOTO: DOUG SHIFLET

Team members, half of whom are juniors, learn life lessons on the way to the 2018 World Cup hosted by the United States.

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JUNIORS’ RING themselves and to learn from how you can get something done when things aren’t perfect or how to make the best of a situation or how to get along—and how to not let things knock you down mentally.” The exposure to equestrians from other nations is also priceless. “Getting like-minded people together from other countries can make lifelong connections,” said Chovanec, a veteran of World Cup competitions from 2000 in the United States and 2002 in South Africa. “I’ve stayed in touch with people I’ve met over the years from the World Cup, and it’s been a lifelong positive thing.” The World Cup also affords competitors a valuable chance to develop as part of a team. In addition to practicing individually at their home bases, the riders also have dedicated themselves to rigorous team training, where they’ve both sharpened their skills and knowledge and formed deeper bonds with each other. The team members come from a variety of backgrounds and have achieved individual excellence, and their intensive sessions as a group have forged strong, cohesive teamwork as they prepare for competition. “That’s what’s so cool about World Cup,” said Wilcox. “When you’re showing, you have your barn family that’s so supportive, but you still have to go in and compete against each other. So being able to compete as a team and build that camaraderie is really cool. That’s why World Cup is such a unique opportunity for these riders who compete in what is oftentimes a pretty solitary sport.” “And, hopefully, this will be meaningful to these riders to where they’ll become lifelong saddle seat participants, whether they’re riding or their kids are riding,” added Chovanec. “Hopefully, they’ll have a lifelong involvement in our breeds that do this sport.” For additional information or questions regarding the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup, please contact Lori Nelson, Senior Director of National Affiliate, Competition and Alliance Partner Relationships, by phone at (859) 225-6957 or via email at lnelson@usef.org. Like USA Saddle Seat on Facebook and find out more about Saddle Seat Equitation at the Saddle Seat page under Compete, then Breeds & Disciplines, on USequestrian.org. For more information about the 2018 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup, visit usasaddleseatworldcup.org.

PHOTO: DOUG SHIFLET

The World Cup—which is expected to bring teams from Canada, South Africa, and Namibia—features amateur athletes age 14 and up who compete for individual scores that accumulate toward a total team score. The athletes compete on horses that are supplied by the host competition and which they haven’t ridden—a true test of their riding skills. The competition consists of four segments, to be completed in two phases held on different days: rail work, where the athletes compete as a group, and then in individual workouts. The event presents a unique opportunity for riders to test their skills on a totally unfamiliar horse and to adapt on the fly. Riders are judged on equitation, but the discipline and the World Cup experience are about far more than that. “To be really good at equitation requires you to be really particular,” said Wilcox. “You have to have a strong attention to detail for yourself, and you have to have strong personal drive to want to accomplish something in a sport that is so about everything being right. You have to have enough desire and self-confidence to keep pushing even when there’s someone who is stronger than you are, in order to get where you want to be. And it requires a lot of responsibility, dedication, and time management to be really good at equitation, because of the hours you have to put in at the barn. “I think it really is a life lesson for most of those kids, because they come out of it with some skills that I think a lot of people don’t have,” she added. “It’s a level of self-confidence and self-awareness that I think a lot of people don’t have.” “And if I could say one thing to the kids, it would be: challenge yourself,” said Chovanec. “They do challenge themselves, by riding a challenging horse or doing more challenging maneuvers that maybe are a little outside of the box for that horse, so that the competition itself will seem easy. You do these things as a way of asking yourself, ‘How do I accomplish what I need to? How can I communicate this to the horse?’ Because the kids are scored not only on if they do it properly, but how they do it. “It’s about the process. Sometimes things might not go exactly how you thought, but that’s the point,” Chovanec added. “And that’s the life lesson in it. These kids can teach themselves to challenge

44 SPRING ISSUE 2018

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MY FIRST

My First Horse

by Glenye Cain Oakford

Back in the 1950s, David Burke was a horsecrazy kid growing up in Baltimore, Md. “Before I wanted to be a fireman or a policeman, I wanted to be a jockey,” Burke recalled. “I almost thought I was a horse! I remember pretending I was, playing on my hands and knees and eating Cheerios like oats out of a little bowl. In the ’50s, everything was all about cowboys: Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, all that. It was kind of a fantasy, but I wanted to live that dream.” Burke couldn’t convince or cajole his parents into buying him a pony, but he did manage to get close to horses at summer camp in West Virginia. “Over five years at camp, I rode twice a day, every day, and was even voted Best Equestrian when I was 12 years old,” Burke said. 48 SPRING ISSUE 2018

He eventually even got to work with horses, thanks to a family friend, the Hall of Fame racehorse trainer Henry S. Clark. “We would visit his farm, and he offered me a job as a hotwalker after I graduated from high school,” Burke said. “Walking hots”—handwalking racehorses to cool them down after exercise—at Belmont Park and Delaware Park gave Burke an insider’s view of the racetrack and scratched his itch for horses, but it wasn’t a permanent fix. Between his urban childhood in Baltimore and then going to college and law school, Burke never did get his own horse, “notwithstanding all my begging, praying, and trying to make deals with God and my parents,” he said. “But any chance I’d get, I’d try to be around horses.”

David Burke and his Paso Fino gelding Bongo de Torres, who has taken him from trail rides to the 2017 PFHA Grand National Championship Show in their first year together.

PHOTOS: STUNNING STEEDS

Paso Fino gelding Bongo de Torres fulfilled a childhood dream for owner David Burke, who took up riding seriously at age 71

“Bongo is the Christmas pony I never received as a little boy”

Burke went on to a successful career as an attorney. After his retirement, he and his wife Judy bought a Tiffin motorhome to travel the country. In 2015, they took a serendipitous westerly diversion off Interstate 95 to check out the horse country around Ocala, Fla. What they saw after they pulled into the Florida Horse Park was life-changing. “We saw these incredible, smallish horses dancing while getting ready for a show,” Burke recalled. The Burkes happened to arrive at the Florida Horse Park during a Paso Fino show, and they were intrigued by the horses they saw there. The Paso Fino, which ranges from 13 to 15.2 hands, is famous for its elegance, its long Spanish heritage, and its unique, rhythmic gait that provides a delightfully smooth ride. “I’d never seen anything like it in my whole life,” Burke recalled. “I found them absolutely fascinating, so I went on the internet and learned more about the breed. Then one day we were in South Florida and I noticed there was a Paso Fino show coming up in Miami, so we jumped on that.” In Miami, the Burkes were watching horses in the warm-up ring when David struck up a conversation with one of the exhibitors, Carlos Carrillo of Hacienda Venecia in Florida. “Then he said, ‘How would you like to ride one?’” Burke said. The Burkes jumped at the chance and, that evening after the show, found themselves in the saddle. “It’s incredibly smooth,” Burke said. “You look at their action and think, ‘That must be a bumpy ride,’ because it looks so active—but, in fact, it’s extremely smooth.” The following weekend they visited Hacienda Venecia for a group trail ride. They were officially hooked on Paso Finos. Suddenly, David Burke’s childhood dream was within reach. When it arrived, the dream-come-true was a flashy chestnut gelding named Bongo de Torres. Burke first saw Bongo in a sale video on trainer Michael Gascon’s website. “It was his animation and his versatility,” Burke said about what struck him immediately about Bongo. “He was pretty well desensitized, you could see that. And Michael had him not in a ring, but out in a field, in water, and things like that. He had a beautiful gait, and I thought he was such a handsome horse, with his chestnut coat, four white socks, a bit of a stripe and a star on his forehead.” In January 2017, at the age of 71, David Burke finally got his longtime wish. “Bongo is the Christmas pony I never received as a little boy,” he said with a laugh. “He’s lively but has very good barn manners. He tries to be his own man—I think maybe he still thinks there’s a little stallion in him. But he’s very good. Of course, I

David Burke on Bongo de Torres after their debut at the 2017 PFHA Grand National Championship Show in Perry, Ga.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 49

David Burke on Bongo de Torres (left) and Judy Burke on Forajido at the PFHA Grand National Championship Show.

spoil him a lot. I give him a lot of carrots and peppermints and different treats.” When Judy bought a Paso Fino gelding named Forajido, the Burkes found themselves leading a new equestrian lifestyle that they loved. “There’s such a sense of family,” explained David. “We’ve gotten to know Carlos and his family, and he has a number of young people who board with him, and they compete. It’s not a team, but it is a team effort. I enjoy my exposure to the Latin culture that goes with it, too.”

Burke started off wanting only to ride for pleasure. “That was the idea,” he said. “And then one day Carlos said, ‘You know, there’s a show coming up in a couple of weeks.’ I always tend to be a little adventurous, so I thought, ‘Oh, why not?’ Of course, as it turned out, I then got hooked on the shows!” In his first show, “I got some ribbons, but they were in very short fields, I have to be honest with you,” said Burke. “I wasn’t outof-my-mind nervous, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t do anything to embarrass myself or my wife or Carlos. I was very humbled—I wasn’t expecting much. I guess I didn’t make too much of a fool out of myself!” Last year, Bongo showed eight times—five with Burke and three times with Carlos’s 10-year-old daughter, Isabella—and then went on to the 2017 Paso Fino Horse Association

50 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Grand National Championship Show in Perry, Ga., that September. Bongo ended the season as 2017’s High Point of the Year Performance Amateur Owner Four-Year-Old Gelding, and Judy’s horse Forajido was 2017’s High Point of the Year Pleasure Amateur Owner Four-Year-Old Gelding. “It’s fun showing my horse off—I guess that’s why they call it a horse show!” Burke said of his unexpected foray into competition. “It was a challenge to know I could do it, and I’m somewhat competitive. And even if I’m not in first place, I get to define what my victories are. As a steward once said when I told him I hadn’t beaten that many competitors, ‘But you’ve never been disqualified, so that’s an accomplishment!’ “Being around hundreds of horses all day at a show, there’s nothing wrong with that!” he added. “I’ve just always been horse-crazy, so I love it. And I realize that it’s important to have the discipline of having a horse prepared for shows and then showing them. You have the potential for getting more out of your horse when you have them go through their gaits properly and execute stops and turns properly, going from another gait to a walk—it’s good discipline.” The Burkes and their horses have plenty of fun outside the show ring, too. They’ve taken their Paso Finos exploring in Florida’s horsefriendly parks and, not long after Nationals, they traveled to Pennsylvania to participate in a 50-horse trail ride. Judy’s horse, Forajido, led the ride, with Bongo right behind him. “We went up steep hills, down steep hills, and through streams,” Burke said. “It was a wonderful experience. “He’s a delight,” Burke said of Bongo. “When Bongo came, he brought me a second childhood. I really feel alive, which is good when you’re my age! Our lives have totally changed. Every morning I wake up, and I have a Christmas pony, and every day is Christmas.”

PHOTO: STUNNING STEEDS

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US Equestrian Links You Up Discover Excellence Learn more about how US Equestrian is keeping the U.S. at the forefront of equestrian sport—and helping members and teams perform to their peak abilities. Check out our “Discovering Excellence” page at USequestrian.org: hover over the Compete tab on the home page, click Team USA, then click the Sport Excellence & Education tile to learn more about Clean Sport, Safe Sport, Centers of Excellence, and more!

News You Can Use— and More

Knowledge is Power Our online Learning Center features more than 50 videos starring experts and top athletes across our 29 breeds and disciplines. Looking for horse-care tips? Riding exercises? Fitness strategies? Breed information? It’s all there at USequestrian.org/learn, and members get free access!

52 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Get news, how-to tips, veterinary topics, and great stories direct to your inbox with our email newsletter, Equestrian Weekly. It’s free! Sign up now at USequestrian.org/tune-in/ equestrian-weekly.

PHOTOS: PICSOFYOU.COM (TOP), ©ALDEN CORRIGAN MEDIA (MIDDLE)

Find a Competition Get to the show ring with USequestrian.org’s Events & Competitions Calendar and Competition Search feature, whether you’re a competitor or a spectator. It’s your one-stop shop for show details, from event websites and phone numbers to email contacts and divisions on offer.

Saddle Up for Savings You love the equestrian sport. Well, it just got better.

Members of the US Equestrian Federation could get a special discount on car insurance with GEICO.

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO contracts with various membership entities and other organizations, but these entities do not underwrite the offered insurance products. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO may not be involved in a formal relationship with each organization; however, you still may qualify for a special discount based on your membership, employment or affiliation with those organizations. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. ÂŠ 2017 GEICO

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Coming Up on USEF Network

COMING UP ON USEF NETWORK

Watch live streams and on-demand coverage at USequestrian.org/network.

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

Upperville Colt & Horse Show

April 26-29

June 4-10

Lexington, Kentucky

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$35,000 Welcome Speed Cup 1.45m

July 4-6

April 27

Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix $225,000 Kentucky Invitational CSI3* 1.60m

All broadcast times and locations are subject to change, and additions frequently are made to the calendar. Please visit USequestrian.org/network to view the most up-to-date schedule.

April 28 Lexington, Kentucky

May 24-June 3 Devon, Pennsylvania

54 SPRING ISSUE 2018

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE

Devon Horse Show & Country Fair

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Learn more at usbank.com/USEFCard There are two different US Equestrian Federation Visa cards: the US Equestrian Federation Signature Visa card and the US Equestrian Federation Select Rewards Visa card. You will first be considered for the Signature card. If you do not qualify for the Signature card, you will be considered for the Select Rewards card. These cards have different terms as set forth at usbank.com/USEFTerms. The Select Rewards card may not offer the same Signature benefits. We may change APRs, fees and other Account terms in the future based on your experience with U.S. Bank National Association and its affiliates as provided under the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law. Account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. You may not redeem Points, and you will immediately lose all of your Points, if your Account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, Program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death). Points will expire five years from the end of the calendar quarter in which they were earned. Please refer to the Rewards Program Rules you receive when you become a cardmember for additional information. 1. Subject to credit approval. Please wait 6-8 weeks for account to be credited after qualifying purchase is made. 2. Net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns. 3. Cash back is in the form of a statement credit. The creditor and issuer of the Visa Card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. ÂŠ 2018 U.S. Bank

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TRENDING

A Touch of the Divine

Ariat’s new Divino tall boot is a spring trend that does what every competitive equestrian loves best: combines superior comfort and style with serious, state-of-the-art design features. The name—Italian for “divine”—is apt. The Divino is crafted from rich Italian calf leathers that are supremely and lustrously soft, from the cap toe to the Spanish topline with its stylish cuff design. Its performance features are as uncompromising as its leather is soft: the Divino may have a timeless elegance, but it takes full advantage of modern design innovations, like Ariat’s signature ATS® Luxe Technology, which marries the company’s stability- and comfort-focused ATS® Technology with Luxe details like enhanced cushioning and breathable materials. The Divino doesn’t skimp on details that can makes a difference, like elastic laces that reduce instep pressure, a mobility curve behind the knee for optimum comfort while riding, and rider-tested traction zones for optimum grip in the stirrup. The ATS Luxe footbed also has an engineered arch support and a unique shock-absorbing heel design that provides optimal cushioning, weight relief, and rebound. All of those support maximum comfort and performance that can provide an edge when competition pressure is high and margins for error are vanishingly small. The boot also features a full-length 58 SPRING ISSUE 2018

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ARIAT

With its new Divino tall boot, Ariat has combined luxurious Italian calf leather with highperformance features.

60 SPRING ISSUE 2018

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ARIAT

elasticized panel for an outstanding fit that show jumper Lucy Davis, an Olympic silver medalist, fits as if it were made just for her. “The leather is amazingly soft, the boot is super slim through the ankle, and it fits me like a custom boot,” Davis said. If you detect a deeply equestrian sensibility in the Divino’s design, you’re right. Holly AndrewsKramer, Ariat’s senior director for global English footwear merchandising, has been riding since age seven and currently competes as an amateur hunter rider; daughter Kate, who rode as a junior with Andrews-Kramer’s main trainer, John French, now rides for the University of Georgia’s equestrian team. “As a rider, I know the ins and outs of tall boots and am lucky enough to be able to use my knowledge when building Ariat product,” said AndrewsKramer. “The Divino has a multitude of hidden features that were inspired by my own experiences (both good and bad) riding in tall boots. It’s amazing how the technology and design of tall boots has shifted throughout my riding career. I wanted to have a boot that enhances your performance as well as protects from common areas of discomfort during break-in, while obviously looking elegant and gorgeous on the leg.” Asked to describe the three most technologically advanced Divino features, Andrews-Kramer didn’t hesitate. “One, we incorporate a mobility curve at the topline behind the knee in order to prevent rubbing during the break-in time before boots have dropped,” she said. “Two, although the majority of the boot is Italian calf-skin, the inner-calf panel is made of a premium oiled full-grain leather for durability and grip. And, three, the ATS Luxe technology.” The Divino’s stability—achieved through the ATS signature forked shank and an anatomical footbed design—is one of the innovations that sets it apart. Another: perforated premium leather layered with moisture-wicking technical mesh for increased breathability. The Divino is a boot with an impressive resume, and it clearly has you covered in the heat of competition. But it may well be the style that sticks with its wearers. Andrews-Kramer gets that. She’s a fan, too. “On top of all the amazing built-in features, my favorite thing about the boot is how the combination of the luscious leather and elegant design results in a simply stunning boot that you won’t want to take off,” she said. The Divino is available in a wide variety of foot sizes, calf widths, and heights for $950 at designated Ariat retailers and online at ariat.com.

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Central Kentucky’s Horse Farms Hill & Regan Parker 859-608-8039 WWW.LEXHORSEFARMS.COM Real Horse People Helping Real Horse People 5222 Paris Pike, Lexington Sporting one of the finest homes in Kentucky! This 447 acre, historic horse farm is located on one of the best horse streets in the world. The sellers will consider division of the farm. The estate features 74 stalls in 5 barns, 5 auxiliary residences/offices, multiple equipment barns, a lake, tree-lines paved roads, gated entries, original spring house, European style walker, double fenced paddocks with stately trees, and frontage on 2 roads. The circa 1830 mansion has been lovingly restored with no expense spared. The home has the finest detailed millwork that you can find, original ash floors, coffered ceilings, intricately detailed built-ins, paneled office, tons of finely crafted wainscoting, first floor owner's suite, commercial grade electric, hand crafted shutters that retract into the walls, a 48 foot long great room, and numerous other amenities. $9,750,000

6091 Paris Road, Georgetown Located within 10 miles of The Kentucky Horse Park, this 115 acre farm is offered in its entirety or in tracts of land. First time on the market since 1948. This farm has an ideal setting & great land. There is a 4 bedroom, 2 full bath manager's house with a full unfinished basement. The back bedroom is its own living area. The farm has 2 tobacco barns, a metal equipment barn, sports a meandering creek, rolling hills with lots of level land, and is divisible. $795,000 2101 Peacock Road, Paris A gorgeous new home with old world charm. All brick ranch with 10'-11' ceilings in a quiet country setting that is less than 3 miles from town. The house features a gourmet kitchen, sun room, one floor living design, 2 car attached garage with HVAC, full basement with area for a roughed-in bath and windows. A large brick patio overlooks grazing horses in the distance. The farm has has 6 paddocks, a 60' round pen, and a 2 stall run-in with tack room. The 50 acres of land is level to gently rolling with trees on the boundary lines. Priced below appraisal!$675,000 7240 Russell Cave, Lexington 10 acre sport horse farm close to the Kentucky Horse Park. There is a wonderful 6 stall barn with large stall and large windows, wash rack, tack room, paved center aisle, lacquered wood work & equipment shed on one side. The farm has 5 paddocks, automatic Varnan waterers, and a 200’ x 70’ ring. The House features 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, large family room, hardwood floors, and a full unfinished basement. $579,000 501 College Road, Paris Perfect move-in ready horse farm. Home is strategically located on a hill in the center of your 52 acres with a 360 view of your property and horses. Gorgeous views from the huge, front and back porches. Custom house features first floor living with a 2story fireplace in the great room, gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, crown-molding through-out and attached 2 car garage. The 16 stall concrete block barn has a living space, a heated watch room for the foaling stall, rubber matting in stalls, Lucas equipment, inside and outside stall doors, and wash stall. Great soils, 2 large ponds, 4 board fencing and run-in sheds and waters in each pasture. $799,000

2399 Long Valley Lane, Lexington This 15.7 acre former portion of Spendthrift Farm sports super land with maury silt soil, a 24 stall barn with 14'x 12' stalls, covered European style walker and a 4 bedroom, 1 full bath house that has been redone into a lovely guest house. The farm is located on a quiet street just off of Russell Cave Road and is less than 10 min to the Kentucky Horse Park or New Circle Road. This farm is offered in two tracts or its entirety. Boundaries may be adjustable, up to 26.4 acres available. $499,000

HORSE HEALTH

Spring Cleaning: Disinfecting Brushes,

Buckets, and Stalls

Regular disinfecting around the barn can help prevent disease, so it’s worth making a good scrub part of your horsekeeping routine. But how often do brushes, buckets, and stalls need disinfecting? And what are the best disinfectants? We asked Dr. Nathan Slovis of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for his advice. The good news: you only need common household cleaners and a little elbow grease.

64 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Brushes To help prevent skin problems like rain rot from spreading, each horse should have his own brushes, Slovis said, and brushes should be disinfected regularly. That applies to brushes with anti-bacterial-coatings, too. “Don’t get a false sense of security with brushes that say they’re antibacterial,” Slovis cautioned. “It just means the organism might not stick to the brush, but they still need cleaning periodically.” • Tip: Wash brushes with soap and water before disinfecting This step clears out any organic debris the brushes might have collected. “Use regular household soap and water, like Ivory soap or Dawn dishwashing liquid and water, and get the dirt and debris off before disinfecting,” Slovis advised. • What to Use “Bleach is one of the best disinfectants out there: it’s cheap, and it’s easy,” Slovis said. “Use eight ounces to the gallon of water. Most offthe-shelf disinfectants will do pretty well for disinfecting brushes.” • How Often? “I would do it each season—spring, summer, fall, and winter— because different diseases can be spread in those time periods,” said Slovis. “For example, you’ll see a lot of rain rot in the fall and winter, because horses often have heavier coats and are sweating or are turned out and can’t dry themselves off like they can with a short hair coat.” • Sunlight Is Your Friend Sunlight really does have disinfectant qualities, but they have limitations. Slovis suggests letting brushes dry in sunlight after you’ve cleaned them—but don’t expect sunlight alone to disinfect them.

PHOTOS: TAYLOR PENCE

It’s cheap and effective to make disinfecting part of your barn routine. We’ve got Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s top tips.

“Sunlight is good, because a lot of bacteria can’t stand the ultraviolet rays, plus the dryness of the sun,” Slovis explained. “But to really help disinfect a surface, you’d need medical-grade ultraviolet light. And sunlight doesn’t work well on every type of bacteria. If you’re talking about clostridium spores, they can live out forever, because they’re in shells. But bacteria that has already sporulated [formed almost dormant forms of bacteria] and is in a vegetative state, those are easy to kill. So sun by itself is good, but it’s not a cure-all, because it can’t kill everything by itself.” Water Buckets and Feed Tubs • What to Use “A lot of mold and algae can grow in water buckets, and bleach is usually the best and safest way to disinfect them,” said Slovis. “Wipe the bucket down, use a good scrub brush, and rinse it out. Sometimes you don’t even need a cleaner, just a nice scrub brush to get the debris off. You don’t have to use bleach every time.” • How Often? “Cleaning out water buckets should be a weekly occurrence,” Slovis advised. • Don’t Forget Pasture Troughs “Those can develop so much algae and debris, and those do need to be cleaned out,” he said. “Sometimes people will ask me if they should put a fish or snails in there, and I would not do that. There’s nothing better than elbow grease.” • Keep the Birds Away The cleaning process for feed tubs is the same as for water buckets.“The main thing is to keep the birds out of your feed buckets,” Slovis said. “Sometimes that’s not always easy, but if the horse goes out, empty the feed bucket to get rid of any leftover bits of food. Or you can put a flake of hay over the top of the feed bucket to act like a cover. That will help prevent the birds from getting in them, because if they do, they’ll defecate in there. They can carry disease easily from place to place.” • How Often? “Cleaning out water buckets and feed tubs should be a weekly occurrence,” Slovis advised. Stalls • Decreasing the Bioburden “Ideally, any time you move in a new horse to a stall, you should disinfect the stall,” said Slovis. “If the same horse has been in that stall year after year, it doesn’t need much disinfecting, but I would recommend decreasing the bioburden.” The bioburden is the amount of bacteria living on an unsterilized surface. Your best tools for reducing it? Detergent and muscle. “Do a good scrub-down of the stall using a lot of elbow grease with the detergent of your choice in a concentration that produces suds,” Slovis said. “You want to get the dust and organic debris off the stall. Manure, urine, blood—all of those organic materials can be food sources for bacteria that you don’t want around.” • How Often? “In an ideal world, you’d scrub down a stall in spring and again in fall,” said Slovis.

Putting a flake of hay over your horse’s feed tub until your horse comes in to eat can help reduce contamination by birds.

Water buckets and feed tubs should be cleaned weekly, Slovis advises.

Want articles like this delivered to your inbox every week? Sign up to receive the Equestrian Weekly email newsletter—it’s free! Visit USequestrian.org/tune-in/ equestrian-weekly to sign up.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 65

HORSE HEALTH

We think about Safety Everyday #Safety365 BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN PROTECTIVE HEADWEAR MANUFACTURERS WREXHAM

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STORY BY GLENYE CAIN OAKFORD

PHOTO: REDBAYSTOCK.COM

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, North America’s only four-star eventing competition and the venue for the Land Rover/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship, looms large in the imagination of every North American equestrian who loves the sport of threeday eventing. Only a handful of riders each year get to take to the Kentucky Horse Park’s manicured rings and rolling grass galloping lanes, and, when they do, many describe the experience as transformative—one that helped them and their horses learn, grow, and rise to a new challenge. The equestrians and their four-star horses occupy center stage at this iconic American event, but they’re not the only ones who make the event tick: the numerous volunteers and officials behind the scenes also have an inspiring story to tell. We asked a group of the Kentucky Three-Day Event’s veterans—not just riders, but also an owner, a licensed official, and a longtime volunteer whose team decorates the event’s iconic Head of the Lake combination—to give us a glimpse behind the curtain with their first-person perspectives on the competition and on what this great sporting pageant means to them. Regardless of their roles, whether in the saddle or on the ground, all shared a common sentiment, the one that serves as the heartbeat of the Kentucky Three-Day Event: it’s all about the horse.

“It inspires you to work harder. It inspires you to be better.” –Sinead Halpin, 2011 USEF CCI4* Eventing National Champion

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville at the 2011 event.

72 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Halpin finished third in her first Kentucky ThreeDay in 2011 with Manoir de Carneville, earning the pair the USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship. “You get there on Monday, and you pull off that exit and it’s unbelievable: rolling green hills, and all the signs for Kentucky. You kind of pinch yourself. Did you really make it there? Because until the horse is loaded, you’re kind of crossing your fingers that everything’s going to hold together. “One of the really awesome things is that there are two faces to Kentucky. Behind the scenes, over the course of the seven days you’re there, everyone really becomes your family. It’s very communityoriented. There are 60- or 70-something riders, and you’re kind of living with each other, going through the same roller-coaster of events throughout the weekend. That, to me, is one of the most awesome parts: showing up and making friends and sometimes having some of my closest friends there with me and going through the experience together. “The other side of it is the magic side, right? The grandstand, the amazing cross-country field, and the people. You show up at Kentucky and there are 80,000 people! That’s kind of a plus and a negative. It kind of blows your mind, but you have to put that aside and get to work. One of the things that’s nice about being there for the week is that you have time to pinch yourself and have those ‘Oh my God!’ moments, and then you have to put it away and put on your breeches the same as you do every day. “I thought I would get to a competition like that and think, ‘Ha! I’ve made it!’ And that part doesn’t happen. You wake up on Monday after Kentucky and think, ‘Oh my God, I need to do this better, I’ve got to get back to the barn, I’ve got to sharpen up, the level is so much better than where I’m at, I’ve got to get back there next year and actually win the damn thing, I need to do x, y, z.’ Your brain starts going like crazy. But what does happen is you realize it’s attainable. When anyone starts at something as a dream and then works towards it as a goal, there’s always a question mark in your mind: is this actually possible? When you achieve that and you get there, you realize it’s attainable. It inspires you to work harder. It inspires you to be better.”

PHOTO: REDBAYSTOCK.COM

SINEAD HALPIN

Carl Segal (center) with Ballynoe Castle RM at the gelding’s 2017 retirement ceremony at Kentucky.

PHOTO: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO

CARL SEGAL, OWNER

Segal and his wife Cassandra started off as spectators at the Kentucky Three-Day Event before getting involved as event-horse owners about 15 years ago. Since then, they’ve campaigned such Kentucky competitors as My Boy Bobby, who finished third in 2009, and eventing’s all-time leading points-earner, Ballynoe Castle RM, who finished third in 2013 and fourth in 2014. Both won the Pinnacle Cup as the event’s top-placed American finisher. “Being there as an owner is an immensely different experience from going as a spectator. It’s exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking, to be honest with you. Now you’re concerned about how the horse is going to do, whether he has it in him to get around, whether he’s going to measure up, literally, to the height of the jumps and that degree of difficulty. It dawned on us that there are thousands and thousands of eventing horses in the country, and there’s only a handful that wind up at Kentucky. It’s a minute percentage that get around Kentucky. It’s really a privilege to have a horse there. “When your horse is out there going on cross-country for 10 to 12 minutes, that’s beyond belief. It feels like they’re out there for an hour. That is just so thrilling. And then when they get through the finish line, it’s exhilarating. “But then, right away, you start worrying about are they fit to get through the jog Sunday morning. It surprised me how intense that time is between crosscountry and show jumping. “I love the horse inspections. They’re very intense, but it’s beautiful to see the horses jog. It’s a spectacular sight. You get to see how beautiful they are up close, these beautiful animals, without a rider on their backs and without the tack. “It seems to my wife and me that the key is the relationship between the horse and the rider. You really appreciate that even more at the four-star level. The horse has to trust the rider, and the rider has to trust the horse. You can’t just hop on a horse and go around Kentucky. You’ve really got to have the relationship to make it work. That’s what Buck has had with the horses he’s ridden for us.”

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 75

WILL FAUDREE

PHOTO: REDBAYSTOCK.COM

International four-star eventer Faudree was a member of the gold medal-winning team at the 2001 North American Young Riders Championships in 2001. The Texan went on to team gold at the 2003 Pan American Games at Fair Hill and was on the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games™ eventing team. He also was short-listed for the 2010 WEG and the 2012 Olympic Games in London and was the traveling reserve on the 2004 Athens Olympic team. He made his Kentucky Three-Day Event debut in 2003 with Antigua and has ridden at the event numerous times since then, most recently in 2017 on Pfun. “That first year with Antigua, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was a kid who’d never been to a four-star. I hadn’t even been to Kentucky to watch. I’d done the Foxhall three-star the year before, and I’d done the Fair Hill

76 SPRING ISSUE 2018

three-star, but I didn’t know what I was going to see when I got to Kentucky. I remember walking the cross-country course and thinking it was unjumpable. That was my first memory of it: being overwhelmed at the actual magnitude of what the event is, from the dressage to the cross-country to the show jumping. “In the number of times that I’ve done Kentucky, I can’t really describe the feeling of what it’s like to gallop to the Head of the Lake. I’ve done it enough times now, I think I’ve jumped into the Head of the Lake from every direction. You walk the course so many times, and then all of a sudden you’re galloping toward it, and all you see is a sea of people. And then you gallop down into the bowl of where the Head of the Lake is, all of a sudden you see the jumps. You don’t get a long approach.

“Thinking back to last year with Pfun, there were five jumps there that happen very, very quickly. When you enter into that zone of jumps, you have to be able to think in slow motion. You have to be able to go as fast as you can to get there, then hit slow motion so you can give the horse every amount of knowledge he’s going to need—the balance, the rhythm, the speed, the direction—so that he can answer the question you’re about to present to him. And then get away from the jump as quickly as you can. “You have to have talent and skill and guts to leave the start box at a four-star. It’s a big deal. I don’t care how much you spend on a horse or how much a horse has done. You have to be able to present the jumps to the horse so that the horse can understand.”

Will Faudree and Pfun at Kentucky.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 77

PHOTO: MIKE MCNALLY, REDBAYSTOCK.COM

“It’s about staying focused.” -Leslie Law, USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach and rider

LESLIE LAW

Law, the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach, won the individual eventing gold medal and team silver at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, as well as team silver at the 2000 Sydney Games, among numerous other honors. He first competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event with Shear L’Eau in 2002. Law, who was then based in the United Kingdom, and Shear L’Eau finished seventh that year in the gelding’s first four-star. “The whole area is full of horse farms and steeped in racing history, and the whole atmosphere is a bit special. Coming from the UK, we always felt that it was a great first four-star event for horses, especially. The cross-country course, although it’s always up to size for a four-star track, it was always just slightly more inviting and encouraging, especially for the younger four-star horses. You’d get a ground line in places that you wouldn’t get one at Badminton or Burghley or places like that. If we had a good run at Kentucky, we always felt we came away feeling that our horses had grown from the event. “For first-time riders, it’s probably more of a mental game. Don’t get carried away or sidetracked. It’s about staying focused. It’s easy to do too much with your horse sometimes. That’s understandable: you want to get it just right. Especially leading up to the dressage, it’s easy to want more and more on the Tuesday and Wednesday, and then you leave it on the table before you even go in the dressage ring. Know yourself and your horse. And know your plan and stick with it.”

Leslie Law on Fleeceworks Mystere du Val at Kentucky. Inset: Leslie Law (on foot), shown with rider Caroline Martin, is the USEF’s Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 79

Woodge Fulton, 22, competed in her first Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2017 on Captain Jack. Fulton is a participant in the USEF’s Eventing Emerging Athlete Program, an age-restricted program that identifies and cultivates talented young riders with the potential to develop into future United States team candidates. “I just had to keep telling myself that it’s just another horse show. I’ve been lucky enough to compete in horse shows since I was really little, and I told myself, ‘This is just another horse show, and I know how to do this.’ Luckily, Captain is an amazing horse, and I know that if I ride somewhat decently, he’s going to take really good care of me! So it was partly appreciating where I was and what it had taken to get there and everyone who had helped me get there, but it was also just another day in the office. You have to put your head down and go to work. “The cross-country was way longer than we’d done, and I think at the end it actually made him a little easier to ride, because he settled into the course. Traditionally, we only come close to making the time at CCIs, because the courses are longer, and he takes a breath and is a bit more rideable, instead of me just sort of water-skiing behind him for the first five minutes! Going up to the second-to-last fence, I was like, ‘Please, Woodge, don’t screw this up, we’re almost done, but we’re not done yet.’ The mental tiredness was something I hadn’t really experienced before. It’s a long time to be at 110%. “It gave me a lot of confidence. Whenever I’m having a bad day and I can’t get a horse to jump a crossrail, I’m like, ‘You did that, so you can do this, too. Get over yourself!’ And it gave me a bigger appreciation for how far I need to go before we can win it. The better I get, the more I realize how far away it is to get to be among the very best. And that’s humbling and exciting all at the same time. It lights a fire under you and makes you want to work harder.”

PHOTO: REDBAYSTOCK.COM

SAVANNAH “WOODGE” FULTON

Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack in their first Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2017. “I just had to keep telling myself that it’s just another horse show,” Fulton said.

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“We’re creating beautiful little gardens.” –Robin Corr, volunteer course decorator

ROBIN CORR, VOLUNTEER

Robin Corr (third from left) and her volunteer decorating team at the Head of the Lake. .

Corr, a dressage rider and retired teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been a volunteer at the Kentucky Three-Day Event since the early 1990s and now leads the team of volunteers who decorate the cross-country obstacles at the competition’s iconic Head of the Lake. Decorating the grounds for the event takes about 950 flats of flowers, 212 hanging plants, and a small army of about 125 volunteers led by Sheila Woerth, the chief steward of course decoration, over the course of several weeks. “We’re creating beautiful little gardens. The course designer decides what he wants in terms of height and width, and Sheila and a couple of others pick the flowers that would fit that. We get a list that says how many flowers we have, what we’re supposed to do or not do, and then you’re on your own to plant it however you want to plant it. “Our first responsibility is to help the horses. We’re doing the ground lines, helping the horse focus on what it’s supposed to do and helping keep it safe. And the rest, in the words of [former course designer] Mike Etherington-Smith, is a riot of color. That’s where we get to be imaginative. But the first question is always, ‘What kind of ground line are we putting in for the horse?’ “You have to be very careful of the footing in front of where the horse is going to land. We walk as close as we can to the fence so that we aren’t impacting the take-off or landing points. We’re also very protective of the fences. When we do the mulch, we’re out there with brushes, because [course builder] Mick Costello’s crew does a beautiful job of making the wood look really beautiful after they’ve taken off the bark, and we don’t want any mulch to mar their beauty. This is somebody’s work of art.”

LAND ROVER KENTUCKY THREE-DAY EVENT ON USEF NETWORK Provisional Schedule

JANIS LINNAN, LICENSED OFFICIAL

Linnan, the Fédération Equestre Internationale Eventing Steward General for the USA, has volunteered at the Kentucky Three-Day Event since the early 1980s. She got her start as a licensed official under the famed horseman and Olympic eventer Major General Jonathan “Jack” Burton. At the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event this year, Linnan will be one of a number of stewards posted in various locations, including the barns, at warm-up locations, and with veterinarians. “The role of the FEI steward is to help the competitors and look out for the welfare of the horses and the welfare of the competitors. You observe, you help, and you intervene if necessary. We’re there when the horses come in and help the veterinarians check over the horses’ passports, we assist at the jog, and we go into the barns and always have a presence there if someone needs anything. We steward the warm-ups and check the bits and saddlery for dressage, and it’s basically the same thing for the warm-ups for cross-country and show jumping. For the dressage phase, for example, we follow the FEI dressage rules for bitting and for saddlery. We check to make sure there are no earplugs in the horses’ ears, and we check to make sure the bit matches what’s legally allowed in the dressage arena, to ensure a level playing field for everyone. The spurs can only be a particular length, so we check that they’re not a type that’s prohibited. “For the jumping phase, we have to supervise and make sure everybody follows the jumper rules. We have to follow warm-up rules for the jumpers, as far as where the poles can be and how high the jumps can be, those types of things. And usually everything is fine, because people do know the rules. “You want the competitors to understand that the officials are there to help and we have the competitors’ and the horses’ best welfare at heart. We want to help them succeed, not to eliminate them! “I think the horses at this level really do enjoy their job, and they do form a partnership with the person who’s riding them. That’s easy to see when you’re out there.”

Times subject to change. Visit USequestrian.org/network to view the most up-to-date schedule. To view the complete event schedule, visit KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 8 a.m. Dressage Test Ride Rolex Stadium 8:30 a.m.—Noon Dressage Tests Begin Rolex Stadium 1:30 p.m.—3:40 p.m. Dressage Tests Continue Rolex Stadium

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 8:30 a.m.—Noon Dressage Tests Resume Rolex Stadium 1:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Dressage Tests Continue Rolex Stadium 6 p.m. Kentucky Invitational CSI3* $35,000 Welcome Speed Cup 1.45m Rolex Stadium

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Cross-Country Test 3:30 p.m. Kentucky Invitational CSI3* Opening Ceremonies Rolex Stadium 4:30 p.m. $225,000 Kentucky Cup Invitational CSI3* 1.60m Rolex Stadium

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 1 p.m. Jumping Test Rolex Stadium 3 p.m. Presentation of Awards Rolex Stadium

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 83

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Preparing for

PHOTO: ADOBESTOCK/TOMASZ ZAJDA PHOTO

Good emergency planning can help you and your horses when natural disaster hits, say experts. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need to get started.

86 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires—these natural disasters are some of horse owners’ worst nightmares, and we’ve seen them play out to devastating effect in recent years. Horsemen are powerless to control the weather, of course, but having a good disaster preparedness plan can help horse owners and managers respond faster and more effectively if such a disaster does occur. “It’s important to think about these things on a nice, quiet day ahead of time and to discuss plans with anybody involved ahead of time,” said Dr. Ernie Martinez II of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Ky., where his practice includes emergency field medicine. Martinez is also certified in largeanimal rescue. “That way, when a situation arises, everybody can think clearly and remember the plan that’s been set up.” And that’s perhaps the single most important step: to have a plan that you’re prepared to execute in case of emergency. “Prepare early, and take into consideration what types of disaster you might have to face, depending on your location,” Martinez advised. “Also consider what kind of horses you’ll be dealing with and the mentality and temperament of those horses, as well as any special needs they may have.”

“Prepare early, and take into consideration what types of disaster you might have to face, depending on your location,” advises Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s Dr. Ernie Martinez II, a veterinarian certified in large-animal rescue.

Make a Plan—and an Emergency Kit Some of your planning will dovetail with your regular horsecare routine, like making sure your horses are up to date on their vaccines before your area’s severe weather season and that necessary documents and records (such as a negative Coggins, health certificate, and insurance information) are current and kept together in a safe and easily accessible location. Also important: a well maintained emergency supply kit. Markel Insurance’s online Risk Management Library, which features a variety of informational resources, suggests including • First-aid kits for both horses and humans. For more on building your horse’s first-aid kit, visit our online Learning Center at USequestrian.org/learn and watch Hagyard’s Dr. Liz Barrett in the video “What You Need in a Horse FirstAid Kit.” Check your supplies and any expiration dates in your kit at least once a year, Martinez advises. • A week’s supply of hay, grain, and water in case your horse needs to be evacuated. If you can stockpile feed and water, use water-tight containers, and keep in mind how much USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 87

Preparing to Volunteer If you’re an experienced horse-handler in a position to help with disaster-affected horses, you can prepare for that, too. One way to start is to let local authorities know that you have horse-handling expertise and are ready to assist. Alana Curtis of SunFire Equestrian in California also suggests including the following as part of your emergency kit: EXTRA HALTERS, LEAD SHANKS, AND A KNIFE TO CUT ROPE OR LEATHER TO MAKE ADDITIONAL LEADS. Gather as many as you can, Curtis advises. “One of the places we went didn’t have enough halters and lead ropes, so we were cutting rope to make lead ropes,” Curtis said. “Don’t assume any place you visit is going to have enough.”

•

WIRE CUTTERS. “That’s useful in case you have to cut wire fencing,” said Curtis.

•

HEAVY-DUTY WORK GLOVES.

•

RESPIRATOR MASKS. “The air was really bad, so those were essential,” Curtis said of her experience during California’s wildfires in 2017. Respirator masks or disposable particulate respirators are available online and also can be found at some hardware and home repair stores, as well as at some pharmacies. More information on respirators is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), the Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov), and through many state public health departments. These sources can provide guidance on the type of mask that is most appropriate for your purpose—such as a National Institute for Occupational Safety-certified N95 or P100 particulate respirator—and how to wear it properly.

•

BOOTS. “Nobody wants to be out there in tennis shoes,” Curtis said.

•

FLASHLIGHTS.

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“So many people had zero plan,” Alana Curtis, a volunteer rescuer who helped evacuate horses during California’s 2017 wildfires, recalled. “One lady we helped with 42 horses had a single two-horse trailer and a truck that wasn’t working.” PHOTO: ADOBESTOCK/MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS PHOTO

•

“HAVE A PLAN. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A TRAILER, KNOW SOMEBODY WHO DOES AND HAVE THAT PHONE TREE READY.”

• • • • • •

•

–ALANA CURTIS, SUNFIRE EQUESTRIAN TRAINING

each horse will need, Hagyard’s Martinez said. “Each horse needs about 12 to 24 gallons of water per day,” he said. “That’s a lot of water. Fill up all your water troughs and line trash cans with trash bags and fill them up. It’s also good to know that you can disinfect rain water with two drops of chlorine bleach per quart of water, then letting it sit for 30 minutes.” Extra buckets, ropes, and halters Flashlights A screwdriver A battery-powered radio Basic farrier tools An emergency contact list, including local authorities and potential evacuation sites in neighboring counties in case you need to evacuate your horse there. Medications and important documents, such as a signed permission statement for emergency treatment for each horse, your veterinarian’s contact information, employee contact information, and microchip numbers for each animal. Up-to-date photos (digital and paper) of the horse. Ideally, use a photo that shows horse and owner together, which helps establish ownership during the reclaiming process.

Don’t forget to consider key records or equipment that might also need evacuating in a disaster, like veterinary records or computers. Keep these organized and in a place where they can be packed quickly. And if you have time to do so, ask your veterinarian to arrange for an extra week’s worth of medication for your horses. “Even something as simple as keeping a copy of your prescriptions from your veterinarian can help you get those medications quickly and easily if you need to evacuate,” Martinez said. Three-day eventer and coach Alana Curtis of SunFire Equestrian Training in Woodland, Calif., has first-hand experience evacuating horses from disaster. In 2017, when devastating wildfires swept through California, Curtis helped organize a group of volunteers, most of them equestrians, who helped relocate nearly 200 horses in total from the state’s fire zones in October. Curtis has a keen understanding of not only what horse owners and managers should prepare for in a disaster, but also what potential volunteers should bring with them to help rescue horses during an emergency. “The biggest thing is to have a plan before you need it,” Curtis said. “So many people had zero plan. One lady we helped with USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 89

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AAEP (OPPOSITE), ADOBESTOCK/MIKE BLAKE/REPHOTO: ADOBESTOCK/MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS PHOTO PHOTO (MIDDLE), UTERS PHOTO (TOP), ADOBESTOCK/CONTADORA1999

“YOU DON’T WANT TO WASTE 30 MINUTES TRYING TO CATCH YOUR HORSE AND GET HIM IN THE TRAILER IF YOU’VE GOT A HURRICANE OR TORNADO BEARING DOWN ON YOU.”

A horse that loads willingly and safely saves precious time during an evacuation.

–DR. ERNIE MARTINEZ, HAGYARD EQUINE MEDICAL INSTITUTE

42 horses had a single two-horse trailer and a truck that wasn’t working. She didn’t know what to do. Have a plan. If you don’t have a trailer, know somebody who does and have that phone tree ready.” It’s also wise to maintain an adequate supply of halters (and make sure they fit your horses properly), as well as more than enough lead ropes or shanks. Keep these in an easy-to-reach location where they can be grabbed quickly in case of emergency. If you have a trailer and vehicle to tow it, make sure to keep them maintained and inspected regularly. Check brakes, tires, lights, and the trailer floor to be sure all are in working order, and keep your truck fueled with a full tank of gas for faster emergency evacuation. But Markel cautions against carrying full gas cans in your vehicle or trailer, as these can be dangerous during emergency situations. Finally, make sure your horse will load willingly into a trailer. “That’s so important,” Curtis emphasized. If your horse has other ground-manners problems, it’s worth working with them to solve those now, too. “You want to be able to get them in a trailer, get them off a trailer, lead them, and be able to move them around well enough that it’s an efficient, timely, safe process so that the horse doesn’t create another minor disaster of his own,” Martinez added. “And you don’t want to waste 30 minutes trying to catch your horse and get him in the trailer if you’ve got a hurricane or tornado bearing down on you.” USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 91

92 SPRING ISSUE 2018

IN YOUR PLAN, CONSIDER YOUR HORSE’S TEMPERAMENT AND ANY SPECIAL NEEDS.

PHOTOS: ADOBESTOCK/CONTADORA1999 PHOTO (ABOVE), ADOBESTOCK/GENEBLEVINS/REUTERS PHOTO (RIGHT)

Before a Storm During severe weather season, there are preparations you can make around the barn before a storm hits. In its online Hurricane Preparedness Guide, Markel outlines steps that can be useful in a number of severe-weather scenarios, including • Tidy up barn aisles and outside the barn, storing or securing items like shovels, forks, and wheelbarrows that could become dangerous flying objects in high winds. • Keep orange plastic wind or construction fencing on hand. This fencing, available at home-repair stores or hardware retailers, can be stapled across gaps in fencing to temporarily fix damaged fence lines after a storm. Keep a staple gun handy, too! • Make signs. If your horses are staying in place, Markel’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide also suggests using a single 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of wood—or a large flat sheet—to make a status sign that could become useful to local authorities and volunteers after a storm. Using large letters and a dark-colored spray paint, write HAVE ANIMALS, NEED HELP on one side and HAVE ANIMALS, OK FOR NOW on the other. Keep in mind that the letters should be large enough to be visible to authorities flying over a disaster zone or debris field after a storm. • Store emergency feed, hay, and water. A storm could destroy your regular supply of feed and water. • Turn off power to the barn if you’re worried about power lines or surges that could cause a fire. • Identify your horses. Whether your horses are staying in place or evacuating—and even if they are microchipped—give them an extra form of ID. If your horse is evacuating, use a halter tag with emergency information, including your name and contact details, plus insurance information. Even if your horse is not evacuating, it is wise to ID him. You can use latex spray paint or clippers to write your phone number

on your horse’s back. Or use a permanent marker to write your contact details on two lightweight, waterproof luggage tags and braid them into your horse’s mane and tail. If your horses are located in a flood-prone area and cannot evacuate, Markel’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide notes that “past hurricane experiences have demonstrated that horses left outside where they have the room and ability to move to higher ground are most likely to survive with minimal injury. Those left locked inside a barn or other structure are more likely to sustain serious injuries or die. “If you leave your horses in a covered area, do not close the doors or gates—you want them to be able to escape to higher ground if water begins to rise. Be certain also that they have access to plenty of safe water and food as it may take a while for you to get back to them.” Finally, let neighbors and friends know your plans. “If you’re going to leave—with or without your horse—make sure people know that,” Martinez said. Once a storm has passed, Hagyard veterinarian Martinez notes that it’s important to check the property thoroughly for less-obvious damage that might threaten your horses.

Opposite: “Past hurricane experiences have demonstrated that horses left outside where they have the room and ability to move to higher ground are most likely to survive with minimal injury,” says Markel’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide. Below: “Take time to plan when you’re not rushed, and you can think about all the little things that you need to do,” advised Hagyard’s Martinez. “That way, when a situation arises, everybody can think clearly and remember the plan that’s been set up.”

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 93

“Walk the fence line before you turn your horse back out,” he said. “Make sure the fences and gates are secure and working properly, that your automatic waterers are back online and have water or arrange a different source of water. Get rid of any wet hay or feed material to protect your horse from botulism or other problems. And make sure there aren’t any toxic tree branches, like red maple leaves or walnut, that might have fallen into the field.” As with anything else, thinking ahead can save time and stress when crunch time comes. “Take time to plan when you’re not rushed, and you can think about all the little things that you need to do,” advised Martinez. “It’s a corny saying, but you really are better safe than sorry. Think about it before a disaster, and you can help yourself and your horse survive disaster without too much disruption to your life or stress to your horse.”

Additional Resources •

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF EQUINE PRACTITIONERS Owner Emergency and Disaster Preparedness aaep.org/horse-owners/owner-guidelines/ owner-emergency-disaster-and-preparedness

•

EQUINE DISEASE COMMUNICATION CENTER DIRECTORY OF STATE VETERINARY OFFICES equinediseasecc.org/state-veterinary-offices

•

MARKEL INSURANCE RISK MANAGEMENT LIBRARY markelinsurance.com/risk-management-home/ rm-program-landing-pages/rm-horse-and-farm

•

READY.GOV Federal government site with general disaster preparedness resources

•

US EQUESTRIAN LEARNING CENTER “What You Need in a Horse First-Aid Kit,” with Dr. Liz Barrett USequestrian.org/learn

•

USEF EQUINE DISASTER RELIEF FUND usef.org/donate

PHOTO: COURTESY OF AAEP

Put your contact information inside a waterproof luggage tag and braid it into your horse’s mane or write it in latex paint on his back to help identify him in case of disaster.

94 SPRING ISSUE 2018

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Ned Bonnie Will Never Stop Advocating for the Horse BY SARA LIESER

From an early age, Ned Bonnie was fascinated by horses, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedicated most of his life to advocating for their welfare and a fair playing field for equine sport.

PHOTOS: ANNE M. EBERHARDT (LEFT), COURTESY OF THE BONNIE FAMILY (RIGHT)

In Memoriam

This article is part of The Chronicle of the Horse’s “Living Legends” series and originally appeared in the Feb. 10, 2014, issue of the Chronicle. Ned Bonnie passed away on March 17 at the age of 88, and we wanted to honor his legacy by sharing his story. Edward “Ned” Bonnie marched across the Devon showgrounds, purpose clear in every step. The horse show swirled around the young lawyer from Kentucky, the Ferris wheel turning on the midway while elegant hunters took their turn in the ring, and society’s finest hung on the rail. Bonnie was oblivious to it all, cutting across the arenas, intent on his mission. But when famed Virginia trainer A.E. “Gene” Cunningham stopped him to say hello, he paused momentarily. “He asked, ‘Ned what are you doing here?’ ” recalled Bonnie. “I said, ‘I’m going to try to get the American Horse Shows Association to write a drug rule and enforce it so there’s a level playing field.’ He said, ‘You might as well turn around and go back to Kentucky because you’re never going to get that done.’ ” Undeterred, Bonnie continued his trek toward the AHSA executive meeting on the other side of the Gold Ring. He made his presentation to Marge McDonald, who was the head of the Hunter Committee at the time, and she surprised him. “She said, ‘We know it’s happening, and we don’t think it should continue to happen. We’re going to try to sell your

“He’s been on both sides, and as a result he understands the importance of alliances and being able to talk to folks on all sides of the issue,” said Robert Bonnie (right) of his father Ned (far left), pictured here along with his other son, Shelby.

proposal at the national board meeting in New York in January,’ ” recalled Bonnie. “I was encouraged by that.” Not only did AHSA officials listen to Bonnie, they soon asked him to re-write the drug rules and hired him to enforce them. President Albert E. Hart Jr. signed off on a stringent new drug rule on May 16, 1970, and put together a Drugs and Medication Committee. To this day, Bonnie remains an active presence in horse sport governance. His most visible role has been that of tireless advocate for a fair playing field when it comes to drugging and medication. In addition to his efforts with the rules, he went on to chair the Drugs and Medication Committee in the ’90s. When the U.S. Equestrian Federation faced negative publicity after the death of a pony under suspicious circumstances at the Devon Horse Show (Pa.) made the front page of The New York Times in 2012, Bonnie was there, demanding the USEF take action. “Our drug testing system is inadequate to catch all the cheaters,” he said. “The Lance Armstrong case is a classic example of the inadequacy of drug testing. He beat the deal because they beat the labs. This is not unique to the game. How do we change that? There are additional facts that can be brought to bear that the laboratory is not capable of producing. How can we do a better job getting the information, which would then be presented to the Hearing Committee?” And after he’d asked those questions, he went to work re-writing the rules once again. USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 99

An Affinity For Animals Bonnie didn’t start with horsey roots, but as a child he made every attempt to turn his parents’ small Louisville, Kentucky, property into a working farm. “I had calves, pigeons, chickens, rabbits and horses,” he said. “By the time I was 13 or 14, I’d accumulated one pony, one work horse that cost me $30, and a Thoroughbred that cost me $20.” Bonnie’s son Robert recalled a favorite family tale of Ned’s childhood: “He was always going to the stockyards and buying a calf and bringing it home. He’d swapped it for some chickens. Then he swapped the calf for a pony, and he brought it home in the station wagon. I kid you not. He brings the pony home in the station wagon, and on the way home the pony ate the inside of the station wagon.” “My family could see the handwriting on the wall,” said Ned. “They determined to send me off to school to see if they could break my equine habit. They were unsuccessful.” Educated at the Hotchkiss School (Connecticut) and Yale University (Connecticut), Bonnie joked about spending 10 years in Connecticut to get his “educational veneer.”

But even then horses were never far out of the picture. There’s a photo of him in the Hotchkiss yearbook reading The Blood-Horse. Ned spent his summers riding and showing hunters. He returned to Louisville in 1955 after earning his law degree at Yale. He clerked for Judge Henry Brooks in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Kentucky before going to work for Brown and Eldred, a firm of 10 lawyers, which ultimately expanded to 450 lawyers in five states (today known as Frost Brown Todd LLC). But it didn’t take long for him to find a way to fit horses into his life. He began galloping race horses at Churchill Downs before work. “I saw the racing industry from the backside of the racetrack,” said Ned. “I kind of bonded with the exercise boys, the trainers, the grooms. I became familiar with what the racetracks were doing for the horsemen and to the horsemen, and how the racing commissions fit into that scenario. I took a job with my law practice as secretary treasurer of the Kentucky Horseman’s Benevolent Protection Association and as their lawyer.”

Bonnie was also a keen amateur steeplechase rider who owned and trained steeplechasers.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE BONNIE FAMILY

Growing Up Bonnie As a child, Robert Bonnie spent countless hours at equine events, and he can’t remember ever going somewhere in the horse world where his family wasn’t known. Between Ned Bonnie, prominent equine lawyer, and Nina, prominent horse trainer, plus Nina’s deep Virginia equestrian roots, it didn’t matter whether you were at the Kentucky Derby or Devon Horse Show (Pa.), you always had a lot of friends. “We grew up in Prospect, Ky.,” said Robert. “At the time, it was fairly rural. It’s still pretty rural, but now there’s a Starbucks within 15 minutes, so it’s less rural than it used to be. The family farm is still there. We’d have a couple of race horses, and Mom always had two or three horses she was showing and another couple of horses coming through that were projects to sell. My brother and I always had a pony or two. Mom would have a broodmare. Later on, she had a flat horse or two. On the other side of the farm, we always had a herd of cattle. There was a proper agricultural business. We spent a good amount of time throwing hay into the barn.” Leisure time generally included a horsey activity of some sort, whether that was watching Dad riding in a point-to-point, showing ponies alongside Mom, foxhunting with Piedmont (Va.) or taking horseback family vacations out West. But the Bonnie children, Shelby and Robert, were never pushed to become horsemen. “My dad was and still is a very hard worker,” said Robert. “He’d come home at 6:30 or 7 at night. He’d always work a half a day on Saturday. It was balanced in that he had an outside life, but his whole law practice was related to horses. My dad was in the barn in the morning and at the law firm in the afternoon, but it’s all stuff he cared deeply about. The lesson for us was that if you can find a career path that marries your interest and your career, that’s a very rewarding life.” For Robert, that meant exploring his passion for conservation. He’s currently the U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for natural resources and the environment, having first worked for the Environmental Defense Fund for 14 years and then as a senior policy advisor at the USDA. But horses remain part of his life. His wife, Julie Gomena, is a steeplechase trainer and former upper-level event rider. “I married a woman who is like the son my parents never had,” Robert joked. “My getaway on weekends, ironically enough, is to go to horse races and those sort of things. I didn’t move away from it. I’ve always loved horses, always loved racing and horse showing. The career path

For the Bonnie family, leisure time has always been spent with horses, and grandchildren Mason (top), Virginia (bottom left) and Henry can enjoy the same farm their parents grew up on in Prospect, Ky., when they visit their grandparents, Ned and Nina Bonnie.

I took [just] pulled me away from those things during the week.” And the same is true of Shelby, who is an entrepreneur, currently working as the managing director of Allen & Company. He previously founded CNET and sold it to CBS. He splits his time between San Francisco and Upperville, Va., where he’s an MFH with Piedmont, following in the footsteps of his famous grandmother, A.C. Randolph. He and wife Carol have three children: Mason, Henry and Virginia. USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 101

Along with Arthur Grafton and Stuart Lampe, Ned spent the next four years defending the colt’s owner, Peter Fuller. The story made the headlines of every major newspaper at the time and inspired a book by Milton Toby. They ultimately lost, and Dancer’s Image became the only winning horse ever disqualified from the Kentucky 102 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Derby. But that case changed drug testing and due process in racing forever. “For the first time, a chemist was no longer allowed to come in and just say, ‘Hocus pocus, it’s positive,’ ” said Ned. “He had to prove that it was positive, and there were standards that had been violated by this particular chemist [who tested Dancer’s Image’s samples]. Those standards were important to the entire industry. The techniques of announcing positives had to be changed. The hearing process had to be in accordance with constitutional state and federal due process guarantees.” From Black Hat To White While Ned initially made his name defending a horse that had tested positive, it wasn’t long before going after the cheaters became his chief mission. Nina showed regularly in the hunters in Kentucky, and Ned accompanied her on the weekends. “It became apparent to me that we had nice Thoroughbred horses,” Ned said. “We were reasonably competent trainers. We were getting beat regularly at these horse shows around Kentucky. I finally turned to [Nina] and said, ‘You know what? I don’t think we’re getting beat on the level.’ She said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘I think these horses that we’re competing with are being tranquilized.’ ” Tranquilizing was a common practice, with some of the biggest barns sending out the majority of their horses under the influence of one drug or another. So Ned went to the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association and told them he’d write a drug rule that they could enforce using testing similar to post-race testing. But once he’d written the rule, most of the show managers left the association rather than lose the business from the horse trainers. Not one to give up without a fight, Ned went to the national level, heading to Devon to speak to the leaders of the AHSA. “I’m mouthy, but that’s my role,” he said with a grin. “That’s how I practice law.” So Ned went from defense attorney to prosecutor. While many people applauded and helped with Ned’s anti-doping crusade, others were less impressed. “I made enemies of all the leading hunter/jumper and saddle horse professionals,” he said. “The saddle horse guys were hopping their horses, and the hunter/jumper trainers were tranquilizing theirs. I prosecuted George Morris twice, and his last lawyer said he was going to undress me and my law firm. Fortunately, he was wrong.” Robert remembered his family hiring a guard at shows. “We had our tack stolen one year,” he said. “There was always concern that someone might sprinkle a little something in Merlin’s feed. Merlin was a really nice horse my mother had. But I didn’t think anything, that’s just sort of the way it was. Dad was always involved in those issues.” When he was working on the Dancer’s Image case, he was threatened with disbarment twice; the horse show community was no less menacing. In the 1970s,

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE BONNIE FAMILY

He also stayed connected to the horse show world, as his wife, Cornelia or “Nina,” was accomplished in the hunter ring. Her mother was Mrs. A.C. Randolph, longtime MFH for Piedmont Fox Hounds (Virginia) and an incredible horsewoman in her own right. “The horse shows had gone from two days a week to four, five and six days a week, and that didn’t fit into my law practice at all,” said Ned. “So my wife went to the horse shows while I galloped Thoroughbreds and became a steeplechase rider, trainer and owner.” He also foxhunted, and he was a Jt.-MFH of Long Run Hounds (Kentucky) for 25 years, retiring in 2013. There weren’t really equine specialists in the legal industry at that time, but Ned decided to make a niche for himself. “I saw there was an opportunity in the horse business to represent interested parties in the business,” he said. “Owners having disputes with trainers, buyers and sellers, disputes with race tracks, disputes with racing commissions. There was an opportunity for a lawyer who was a horseman to make a living representing those interests.” And in 1968, a case arose that called for exactly Ned’s unique skill set. Dancer’s Image, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, had tested positive for phenylbutazone after the race. “In Kentucky, and maybe anywhere, I knew more about how to try a drugging case than anybody else because I had tried two or three cases representing defendants, charged parties, trainers and owners,” said Ned.

reserpine was the tranquilizer of choice because there wasn’t a test for it. But in 1978, the AHSA developed one and started testing. In 60 days, 23 positives came back, including horses belonging to some of the biggestname trainers in the business. Dick McDevitt, who was president of the AHSA at the time and a prominent attorney in Philadelphia, had helped Ned get the drug rules written and adopted. He had his barn burned down for his troubles. “They threatened to kill our horses at a show in St. Louis,” recalled Ned. “The people in Chicago, who were a rough bunch, I knew them, so I called them up and said, ‘I understand you all are going to either hurt or kill our horses when my wife shows up in St. Louis.’ This guy said, ‘Oh, Ned, you know we wouldn’t do that.’ I said, ‘Let me just tell you, if it happens, you’re going to be the first stop. I’m coming after you.’ As you might imagine nothing happened. “It wasn’t an easy road,” Ned continued. “I’m kind of a stubborn SOB. The only reason I haven’t been killed is that I’m a little too high profile.” The Rules Guru While fighting drugging in the horse show world may be part of Ned’s legacy, it certainly isn’t all of it. Together with James C. Wofford, who was AHSA president from 1988-1991, he helped change the AHSA from an association of horse shows where show managers had most of the power to an individual membership. “That was, at the time, a wrenching change and vehemently, violently disagreed with by show managers,” said Wofford. “For obvious reasons, because before [that] they were able to make rules that suited them. “The little guy, the person with one horse who wants to go to the show, have a good time, and compete on a level playing field, has no better friend than Ned Bonnie,” continued Wofford. “He’ll make sure that the rules are enforced and that the richest person in the world does not get a different set of rules applied to them than those applied to some person shipping their own horse and taking care of it.” When it came to rule changes of any sort, Ned was the man who made it happen. Kathy Meyer, the former USEF senior vice president of marketing and communications, started her journey with the national governing body as a professional Arabian horse trainer who felt the people in government were too far removed from the show ring. Don Burt, who was the vice president of the AHSA at the time, introduced her to Ned. “If you’re writing rules, he’s the man who understands showing,” Burt told Meyer. “This is the person who can help guide you in crafting positions and advancing your platform.” Meyer took her agenda from the Arabian Professional Horsemen’s Association to Ned. “You would sit with Ned, and he had a legal-sized notepad,” recalled Meyer. “He would write with a mechanical pencil. You would talk about what you were trying to accomplish, and he would write it all down. The pencil

Ned Bonnie retired as Jt.-MFH of Long Run Hounds after 25 years in the position. His mount Northcote Road (pictured) is a Thoroughbred who won multiple stakes races and more than $750,000 at the track. “He was given to me by his owners after he finished his racing career,” said Bonnie. “He has hunted in Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee. He is quiet and an old friend.”

lead would break about every 10th word. He would write on every other line, and he would write this out. Whatever the concept was, whatever the rule, the brief would be crafted to present the arguments for whatever the issue at hand was.” Then Ned would send you off with talking points to convince the people you needed to get on your side in order to achieve your objective. “He would just chart the path, the strategic path, that you needed to take in the hallways in delivering your proposal or concept,” said Meyer. “It was like going to university again as far as understanding strategic USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 103

delivery and politics. It was really taking whatever the concept was and building it out. You would be able to defend it on every level and then talk people into it and deliver it at the end.” A Defender Of The Horse And Ned hasn’t contained his rules-writing and legal involvement to sport horses. “There is not an issue that dealt with the betterment of horses, racing or non-racing, that doesn’t have Ned’s fingerprints on it in the past 50 years,” said Wofford. He and Nina were honored with the 2002 First USA Bank/USA Equestrian Lifetime Achievement Award for their uncommon devotion to the sport of horse showing. Most recently, Ned’s been very involved with legislation regarding horse soring in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and drugging in race horses. “We’ve got the USEF in reasonably good shape in terms of policy of control and penalty,” he said regarding the drugs and medication violations. “That’s not the case in racing. I’m in the middle of that war as we speak.” At 84 years old, Ned is a vocal advocate of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, a bill that would provide national oversight and penalties to curb drugging and over-medication in racing. Whereas he once thought the racing industry could solve the problem from within, he’s changed his mind. “We’re not going to straighten it out after 30 years of trying,” he said. “I’m for federal intervention. Use them as a Sword of Damocles for the 38 states that don’t have the money to have the investigatory staff they need, that don’t have the money to do the sophisticated research to find the drugs that they are using.” In the 1970s, he was tasked with prosecuting a horsesoring misconduct case for the AHSA. A good friend took him to a Tennessee Walking Horse barn to educate him. “He showed me how they wrapped the horses’ legs with oil of mustard, just terrorized these horses and hurt them, literally,” recalled Ned. “I prosecuted the case successfully, at which point the Walking Horse people resigned from the AHSA. I’ve had an abiding interest in that issue of being a horseman.”

Edward “Ned” Bonnie October 29, 1929 - March 17, 2018

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Now Ned works with the Friends Of Sound Horses group, an education and advocacy group for Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited horses, and he’s a proponent of the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act that would amend the Horse Protection Act to ban the use of devices implicated in the practice of soring, strengthen penalties, and make other reforms. And he’s not afraid to accept help, from whatever quarter, in his battles. While some horsemen eye the Humane Society of the United States as a radical animal rights organization with an anti-horse owner agenda, Ned commended them for their work to expose abuse in the TWH industry. “They sent that undercover guy to Jackie McConnell’s barn and took that video of him beating that horse with that stick, hitting him with a stock prod. That went viral,” said Ned. “I think that Senate bill is going to have success. Who’s going to vote against it, other than a guy who was bought and paid for? I don’t agree with everything HSUS does. But I’ve joined with them in the Walking Horse business. Everybody has good points and bad points. I’m prepared to take a little and give a little.” That pragmatic approach is part of what has made him such a successful advocate for the horse. “He’s been on both sides, and as a result he understands the importance of alliances and being able to

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE BONNIE FAMILY

talk to folks on all sides of the issue,” said son Robert. “On the other hand, there are issues he’s absolutely passionate about, with horse soring or drugging, where he is a very strong advocate. He’ll engage folks on it, but he’ll stand up for what he believes is right.” And when Ned gets passionate, he stands on integrity, not righteousness, to make his point. “Practically everybody sitting at that table for the board of directors of the federation is ultimately conflicted,” said Meyer. “They’re arguing for some rule that will make their life better, or their competition better, or their competitive edge sharper. That’s their motive, that’s why they’re involved. Time after time, Ned will just see right through it and will call that person out, but not in a negative or nasty way. ‘Explain to me why what you’re proposing serves not only you and your property but the whole of equestrian sport?’ He’ll just stop these people in their tracks and make them look in the mirror.” Ned is careful never to make his criticisms personal. “It is always the issues or the principles,” said Meyer. “Even though he makes you so angry, or you disagree with the position he’s taken—you can be frustrated, but you can’t be angry because he never personalizes it.” “He’s got an incredible amount of integrity and high ethical standards,” said Robert. “His personal integrity is just unparalleled. That was incredibly important growing up around him. It wasn’t something that he spent a lot of time preaching about, but it was something that you just saw and absorbed.” But if you ask Ned why he does it, why he’s worked tirelessly for the horse for his entire career, the answer is simple. “I’m a horseman,” he said. “I ride every day. I’m a horse whisperer. I’ve read all the books, and I’ve been to all the seminars. I’ve talked to Monty Roberts. I’ve listened to Buck Brannaman. I know horses. I feel for them. They’re willing, dumb animals. I’m not consciously going to let some guy do something to them because he can.” This article is part of The Chronicle of the Horse’s “Living Legends” series and originally appeared in the Feb. 10, 2014, issue of the Chronicle.

Balancing Work and Passion Ned Bonnie rises early each morning and goes for a run. (For a long time he did it in jeans and Bean boots, until he went to the doctor complaining of back problems, and upon hearing about his footgear, the doctor announced, “Alright, I think we’ve diagnosed the problem.”) Next he’ll ride a couple of horses. Then he heads into the office. Never mind that he’s 84 years old and has been retired since 1990. “My wife said to me in 1987, ‘Are you trying to practice all the horse law in the Western Hemisphere? You’re practicing law in England and France and all over the United States.’ She was tired of sharing me with my clients,” said Bonnie. “I said, ‘OK, I get it. I’ll quit in 1990 when I’m 60 years old.’ So I quit charging clients, but I didn’t quit representing interests and interest groups, both local and national. That’s what I do. I’m a horseman, and I’m a farmer.” For many lawyers today, the idea of having enough hours to exercise, ride and practice law seems inconceivable. But for Bonnie, it was a conscious choice. “I came out of a major national law school,” he said. “I could’ve gotten a job in New York or anywhere because I was a graduate of Yale Law School. But a very circumspect professor of mine had a meeting with a bunch of us in our last year of law school, and he said, ‘Boys, if you can go home, go home. People who know your family, your relatives, they’re going to be your clients in the years to come. If you go to Shearman and Sterling in New York, you’re going to work 110 hours a week, you’ll have no time to participate in community affairs, and your clients will never be yours.’” So after a clerkship, he took that advice and interviewed with Brown and Eldred in Louisville, Ky. “I said, ‘I want to practice law, but I also want to be involved in my community. I’d like you to acknowledge that that’s a part of my life,’” recalled Bonnie. “The firm I went to work for, the senior partner was making a good living as a lawyer, but he was also chairman of the board of the University of Louisville. He was on the executive committee of a bank. He knew what I was talking about. It worked out well.”

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The FEI World Equestrian Games™ Comes to North Carolina, USA

With more than 500,000 people expected to attend the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) in September, the 12-day spectacle of equestrian champions is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar and will be the largest equestrian event in North Carolina’s history. Competition action at WEG 2018 runs from September 12 through September 23, 2018, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for September 11. A variety of ticketing types and prices are available, such as an All Games Pass for each week of competition or both weeks, an All Session Day Pass, All Session Discipline Pass, as well as individual event tickets, and opening and closing ceremonies. Ticket prices vary, but include an inexpensive Day Pass that gives attendees access to event grounds and expo only. A complete list of ticketing options is available online at www.tryon2018.com or www. Ticketmaster.com. Accommodations for the 2018 WEG are being managed by Connections 106 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Housing, a full-service sourcing, housing and event management company. Held every four years alternating with the Olympic Games, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ combines the world championships for jumping, dressage and para-dressage, eventing, driving, reining, vaulting and endurance into one massive 12-day event. Prior to winning the bid to host WEG 2018, Polk County, North Carolina, dwelt as a hidden gem, tucked away in the bucolic Blue Ridge Foothills, bordering South Carolina. Surrounded by bold mountains and scenic foothills, the area is conveniently located within an hour of top cities, including Asheville and Charlotte in North Carolina and Greenville in South Carolina. The rural community now joins the league of iconic destinations around the world - like Normandy, Stockholm, Rome and Aachen - to host equestrian sport’s most distinguished championships. For more information about tickets and accommodations, visit www.tryon2018.com.

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FOR THE RECORD

Hearing Committee Rulings and Administrative Penalties OFFICIAL NOTICES Contributed by the Regulation Department unless otherwise indicated. The following official notices are only intended to give penalty information for a given case and not to disclose the factual basis for each violation or penalty. The Hearing Committee decides each case based on the evidence presented at the hearing and takes into account many factors that may raise or lower a given penalty. For example, the Hearing Committee takes into account such things as whether the violation was intentional or unintentional, the nature of the violation, the credibility of witnesses, penalties in similar cases, past violations of Federation rules by a respondent, and many other mitigating factors. US Equestrian members can access and search the United States Equestrian Federation Suspension List online at USequestrian.org. Hover over the Compete tab on the homepage. In the menu that appears, click Suspension List under Rules & Regulations.

HEARING COMMITTEE RULINGS Below are the official rulings reached by the Hearing Committee following hearings held in these matters and/or plea agreements made. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on July 12, 2017. The Committee Members present received and accepted a plea agreement tendered pursuant to Chapter 6, GR617, in connection with the Colorado Fall Classic Horse Show held on September 15-18, 2016, wherein JESSICA NORTHINGTON, of Corrales, NM, violated Chapter 4, GR411.1i, and Chapter 7, GR702.1d, of this Federation, in that she failed to timely submit a Medication Report Form to document the medications administered to her horse, CONQUISTADOR and she failed to yield the advice of the treating veterinarian and exhibited her horse following a recent injury. For these violations, it was determined that JESSICA NORTHINGTON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on September 18, 2017. The Committee Members present received and accepted a plea agreement tendered pursuant to Chapter 6, GR617, in connection with the Tryon Summer 2 TR & HC Charity Horse Show held June 6-11, 2017, wherein SUZANNA TRESKE, of Waxhaw, NC, violated Chapter 13, GR1306.4a, GR1306.4b, GR1306.4f, and GR1306.4g 108 SPRING ISSUE 2018

of this Federation, in that she maintained amateur status and competed in amateur classes; however, she has received remuneration for teaching lessons and training horses. For these violations it was determined that SUZANNA TRESKE be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a. It was further directed that for these violations of the rules, SUZANNA TRESKE must return for redistribution all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by her in amateur classes at said competition, and must pay a $300 fee to the competition in connection with this penalty pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7, GR703.1g. Furthermore, SUZANNA TRESKE shall forfeit her amateur status for the period of one year from the date of her last professional activity, at which time she may reapply for amateur status if she becomes qualified for such under Chapter 13, GR1306. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on October 13, 2017. The Committee Members present received and accepted a plea agreement tendered pursuant to Chapter 6, GR617, in connection with the Devon Horse Show held on May 25-June 4, 2017, wherein DEVON HORSE SHOW & COUNTRY FAIR, INC, as Competition Management, violated Chapter 9, GR910 and GR911, of this Federation, in that they allowed an exhibitor to substitute the horse, ENCORE K, in class #293 (Amateur Handler). For this violation it was determined that DEVON HORSE SHOW & COUNTRY FAIR, INC, be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j.

This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on October 16, 2017. The Committee Members present received and accepted a plea agreement tendered pursuant to Chapter 6, GR617, of the rules in connection with the I Love New York Horse Show held on July 5-10, 2016, wherein FIONA DOWLEY of Oyster Bay, NY, violated Chapter 4, GR410411, of this Federation, in that as trainer, she exhibited the horse CAMPARI after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin, naproxen, and 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfoxide. Accordingly, for this violation of the rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, FIONA DOWLEY be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for three months and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The three-month suspension shall commence on July 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on September 30, 2018. Any horse or horses owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation, or stable of hers, or shown in

her name or for her reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same period. FIONA DOWLEY also was fined $4,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by CAMPARI at said competition must be returned for redistribution pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on October 26, 2017. MICHELLE NARDINI of Southbury, CT, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411 of this Federation, in connection with the Old Salem Farm October Horse Show held on October 29-30, 2016, in that she, as trainer and owner, exhibited the horse CLASS ONLY after it had been administered and/or contained in its body acepromazine and 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfoxide. The Hearing Committee noted that the evidence in the record established the presence of acepromazine as charged. Ms. Nardini admitted in her written submissions that she was the trainer and that the positive likely resulted from someone on her team mistakenly feeding “ace tabs” to CLASS ONLY that were prescribed for another horse in the barn. The Hearing Committee considered in Ms. Nardini’s favor that the explanation was plausible, and was consistent with the analytical results. The Hearing Committee further noted that acepromazine is a forbidden substance and is a central nervous system depressant that has a sedative effect on

horses. Due to its obvious potential to affect the performance of competing horses, the Hearing Committee takes the presence of this drug very seriously. Based on the evidence in this case, the Hearing Committee ruled unanimously that the following penalty is appropriate for the violation. For this violation of the rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, MICHELLE NARDINI be found not in good standing, suspended from membership, and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for two months, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant, or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The two-month suspension shall commence on September 1,

2018, and terminate at midnight on October 31, 2018. Any horse or horses owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of hers, or shown in her name or for her or her reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c. The Hearing Committee also directed that MICHELLE NARDINI be fined $3,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for these violations of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by CLASS ONLY at said competition must be returned for redistribution pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on November 10, 2017. The Committee Members present received and accepted a plea agreement tendered pursuant to Chapter 6, GR617, in connection with the Summer In The Rockies VII Horse Show held July 19-23, 2017, wherein AMANDA COMLY, of Dallas, TX, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1d and GR702.1f, of this Federation, in

that she directed a horse be constrained in its stall with draw reins and then inadvertently left the horse unsupervised for an extended period of time, which prevented the horse from eating, drinking, or standing comfortably. For these violations, it was d e t e r m i n e d t h a t p u rs u a n t to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, AMANDA COMLY be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for one month, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant, or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The one-month suspension shall commence on July 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on July 31, 2018. Any horse or horses owned, leased, or of

any partnership, corporation or stable of theirs, or shown in their name or for their reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same period. It was further directed that for these violations of Federation rules, AMANDA COMLY be fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on December 4, 2017. RODNEY BROSS of Monkton, MD, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1a, GR702.1d, and GR702.1e; JP102.2; and Appendix A #5, of this Federation, in connection with the Skidmore College Saratoga Classic I Horse Show held on June 14-18, 2017, in that he failed to comply with the directions of the Schooling Supervisor to release oxer standards, and approached the Schooling Supervisor in a threatening, intimidating manner. Before reaching its decision, the Hearing Committee considered the evidence and live testimony presented at the hearing. Mr. Bross did not attend

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FOR THE RECORD the hearing but did have the rider of the horse testify at the hearing on his behalf. On balance, the Hearing Committee found that the Proponent sustained his burden of proof through his live testimony and through his evidentiary submissions, which contained several corroborative statements. At the same time, in determining the proper penalty for the violation, the Hearing Committee found that the Proponent may have had a role in prolonging the improper conduct by Mr. Bross. The Hearing Committee considered that Mr. Bross did not use profanity and did not physically touch the Schooling Supervisor during this incident. Accordingly, the Hearing Committee ruled unanimously that Mr. Bross violated Federation rules as charged and that the following penalty is appropriate for the violation. For this violation of the rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that RODNEY BROSS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and was also fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on December 4, 2017. KAYLA MACISAAC of Mount Uniacke, NS, Canada, violated Chapter 9, GR913.3, and Chapter 7, GR702.1j, of this Federation, in connection with the Ocala Winter Classic Horse Show held on February 7-12, 2017; the Ocala Winter Festival Horse Show held February 14-19, 2017; and the Ocala Tournament Horse Show held February 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 5, 2017, in that she was reported three times for making nonnegotiable payments towards entry fees and has failed to submit proper payment for the indebtedness (as a result of the aforementioned violations) to the above named competitions as well as to the Federation. Before reaching its decision, the Hearing Committee considered the written submissions received into evidence. Ms. Macisaac did not attend the hearing or submit any witnesses or evidence in order to rebut the Charge. After review of the evidentiary records, the H ea r i n g Co m m i t te e d e te rmined unanimously that Ms. Macisaac violated Federation rules as charged. In addition, the Hearing Committee noted that Ms. Macissac continues to owe money to three licensed competitions as well as the Federation with regard to her returned checks. Accordingly, the Hearing Committee ruled unanimously that the following penalty is appropriate for her violation of Federation rules. The Hearing Committee 110 SPRING ISSUE 2018

directed that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, KAYLA MACISAAC be found not in good standing, suspended from membership, and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for two months, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant, or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities, (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The two-month suspension shall commence on February 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on March 31, 2018.Â Should KAYLA MACISAAC not resolve her automatic suspension prior to the two-month suspension set forth above, her two-month suspension shall run in full from the date upon which her automatic suspension is lifted. Any horse or horses, completely or in part owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of hers, or shown in her name or for her reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same time period. Furthermore, the Hearing Committee directed that KAYLA MACISAAC be fined $2,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on December 4, 2017. MONIQUE SHEFFIELD, of Wahiawa, HI, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1d, of this Federation in that she intentionally altered the certificate of a cancelled insurance policy and misrepresented herself as an active Federation member. Before reaching its decision, the Hearing Committee considered the written submissions received into evidence. Ms. Sheffield did not attend the hearing, but she did submit several email responses on this issue. Ms. Sheffield did not contest either allegation as a factual matter; rather, she admitted that she altered the insurance policy and attempted to use them before calling to renew. Ms. Sheffield asserted that she had valid insurance at the time and apologized to the insurance company and boarding facility where she attempted to use

the false insurance certificate. The Hearing Committee did not agree that the apologies absolved her of her violation of Federation rules and was concerned with her deceptive practices. Accordingly, the Hearing Committee unanimously ruled that the following penalties are appropriate for the violation. For this violation of the rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that MONIQUE SHEFFIELD be fined $2,500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f , MONIQUE SHEFFIELD be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for one month, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant, or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The one-month suspension shall commence on June 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on June 30, 2018. Any horse or horses, completely or in part owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of hers, or shown in her name or for her reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same time period. This is official notice of actions taken by the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., Hearing Committee on December 5, 2017. ELLEN OLSON, as exhibitor, and JEREMY OLSON, as trainer, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1d, of this Federation, in connection with the Broxton Bridge: USA SE FEI Fundraisers Competition held January 26-29, 2017, in that they failed to timely submit payment for entries to the competition and misrepresented the status of nonpayment to a Competition Official. Before reaching its decision, the Hearing Committee considered the written submissions received into evidence. Ellen and Jeremy Olson did not attend the hearing or submit any witnesses in order to rebut the Charge. After review of the evidentiary records, the Hearing Committee determined unanimously that Ellen and Jeremy Olson violated Federation rules as charged. The proof demonstrated that the Olsons failed to pay entry fees despite several requests during the competition. At the end of the competition, the Olsons falsely told an official that the fees had been paid in order to retrieve their horses’ passports. Under the circumstances presented through the evidence, the Hearing Committee did not find the Olsons’ explanation to be credible, and so ruled that the following penalty is appropriate for their violation. For their violation of Federation rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that ELLEN OLSON and JEREMY OLSON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and collectively fined $1,500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j.

ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES This is official notice of the imposition of Administrative Penalties pursuant to Chapter 4, GR412, and/or Chapter 6, GR616, offered by the Federation and accepted by the following parties, and approved by the Hearing Committee in lieu of hearings. ESPIRIDION GARAY ALVAREZ of Miami, FL, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the Spectrum International Horse Show held on May 24-28, 2017, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse GALA DE DALI after it had been administered and/or contained in its body procaine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II Violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that ESPIRIDION GARAY ALVAREZ be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by GALA DE DALI at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. FREDERIC BOULAND, of Phoenix, AZ, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1d, of this Federation, in connection with the Las Cruces Horse Trials held October 14-15, 2017, in that he was aggressive towards his horse in the stall following an elimination from the competition. For this violation of Federation Rules it was determined that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, FREDERIC BOULAND be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for two months, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by, or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The two-month suspension shall commence on October 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on November 30, 2018. Any horse or horses, completely or in part owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of hers, or shown in her name or for her reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c for the same time period. It was further directed that FREDERIC BOULAND be fined $2,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. TRACY BROWN of Sophia, NC, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the NCHJA Annual Horse Show held on June 28-July 2, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse LIGHTS CAMERA KARAOKE after it had been administered and/or contained in its body isoflupredone. Prior to determining the proper penalty for this violation, it was noted that isoflupredone is a corticosteroid that is appropriate in the treatment of allergies in horses. The facts in this case demonstrated that had a

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FOR THE RECORD medication report form been filed according to the requirements of GR411, this situation would have been an acceptable use of a forbidden substance. Accordingly, based on the facts and mitigating factors in this case the following penalty was issued. For this violation it was determined that TRACY BROWN be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by LIGHTS CAMERA KARAOKE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. CENTRAL FLORIDA ARABIANS of New Smyrna Beach, FL, violated Chapter 12, GR1210.4 and GR1211.5a, of this Federation, in connection with the Central Florida Arabian Spring Classic held April 15-16, 2017, in that, as Competition Management, they failed to have the appropriate number of sharps containers, and allowed the EMT to hold other responsibilities. For this violation, it was determined that CENTRAL FLORIDA ARABIANS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a and fined $500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. SNOWDEN CLARKE of Middleburg, VA, violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with Keswick Hunt Club Horse Show held on May 16-21, 2017, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse SPARKLE after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that SNOWDEN CLARKE be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by SPARKLE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. AMANDA CONTI of Pewee Valley, KY, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with Midsouth PC Horse Trials held on June 23-25, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse GRIEGERMEISTER after it had been administered and/or contained in its body cetirizine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II Violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that AMANDA CONTI be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by GRIEGERMEISTER at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. CYNTHIA CUBBAGE of Aiken, SC, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the NCAHA/ ODAHA Dual Combined Regional Qualifying All Arabian Horse Show held on April 7-9, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse HAVE ENOUGH after it had been administered and/or contained in its body procaine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II Violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that CYNTHIA CUBBAGE be censured pursuant

to Chapter 7, GR703.1a and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by HAVE ENOUGH at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. NICHOLAS CWICK of Anniston, AL, violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Chattahoochee Hills HT held on May 20-21, 2017, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse TOP PIK after it had been administered and/or contained in its body diclofenac in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that NICHOLAS CWICK be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by TOP PIK at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. DUSTIN DURHAM of Fort Myers, FL, violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Atlanta Summer Classic II Horse Show held on June 21-25, 2017, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse MACARONI after it had been administered and/or contained in its body phenylbutazone in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that DUSTIN DURHAM be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by MACARONI at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. R. SCOT EVANS of Annapolis, MD, violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Aiken Charity Horse Show II held on May 10-14, 2017, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse CORASSINI after it had been administered and/ or contained in its body dexamethasone in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that R. SCOT EVANS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by CORASSINI at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. PATRICIA FIGUEROA of Landrum, SC, violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Piedmont Classic Horse Show held on June 15-18, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse ARTISTA DE LEGACY Q after it had been administered and/or contained in its body phenylbutazone in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that PATRICIA FIGUEROA be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by ARTISTA DE LEGACY Q at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. TREVOR GAFFNEY of Petaluma, CA, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this

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Op t ion s,

and monies, if any, won by CARLOW at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. JAZZ JOHNSON MERTON of Oldwick, NJ, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1d, of this Federation, in connection with the Hampton Classic held on August 27-September 3, 2017, in that she engaged in unsportsmanlike behavior toward her horse, JOE COOL, following a fall in the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3” – 36+ Years Division. For this violation it was determined that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, JAZZ JOHNSON MERTON be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for two months, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The two-month suspension shall commence on August 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on September 30, 2018. Any horse or horses, completely or in part owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of hers, or shown in her name or for her reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same time period. It was further directed that JAZZ JOHNSON MERTON be fined $5,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. LEIGH KENT-SCHERZER, of Vincent, AL, violated Chapter 13, GR1306.4g and GR1306.4f, of this Federation, in connection with the Poplar Place Farm April Dressage Horse Show held April 22-23, 2017, the Chattahoochee Hills Dressage May I Horse Show held May 27, 2017, the Chattahoochee Hills Dressage May II Horse Show held May 28, 2017, the Tryon Summer Dressage 5 Horse Show held August 12-13, 2017, the Labor Day Dressage Classic 1 Horse Show held September 2, 2017, the Labor Day Dressage Classic #2 Horse Show held September 3, 2017, and the Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Region 1 Dressage Championships Licensed By United States Equestrian Federation Inc., and NCDCTA Harvest Moon Dressage Horse Show held October 5-8, 2017, in that she exhibited horses for which her husband receives remuneration for training. For these violations of Federation Rules it was determined that LEIGH KENT-SCHERZER be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and must return for redistribution all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by her on the horses ENCORE CF and INIGO MONTOYA at said competitions and must pay a $300 fee to each competition in connection with this penalty pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7, GR703.1g. MATTHEW MARTINEZ of Baltimore, MD, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the MCTA Horse Trials, Inc., held on May 6-7, 2017, in that, he, as trainer, exhibited the horse

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Federation, in connection with the Blenheim Spring Classic III Horse Show held on April 5-9, 2017, in that, he, as trainer, exhibited the horse SATCHMO after it had been administered gabapentin. For this violation it was determined that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, TREVOR GAFFNEY be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for one month and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The one-month suspension shall commence on April 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on April 30, 2018. Any horse or horses owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of his, or shown in his name or for his reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same period. TREVOR GAFFNEY was fined $2,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for these violations of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by SATCHMO at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. KRISTIN HARDIN of New Cuyama, CA, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with Pin Oak Charity Horse Show held on March 28-April 2, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse FIRESTONE S after it had been administered and/or contained in its body 3-hydroxylidocaine and lidocaine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II Violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that KRISTIN HARDIN be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by FIRESTONE S at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. CHRISTIAN HEINEKING of Aledo, TX, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411 of this Federation, in connection with the Del Mar National Horse Show held on May 2-7, 2017, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse CARLOW after it had been administered and/or contained in its body hydroxyzine and cetirizine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II Violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that CHRISTIAN HEINEKING be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons,

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FOR THE RECORD

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FOR THE RECORD SEEKING DENIRO after it had been administered 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfoxide. For this violation it was determined that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, MATTHEW MARTINEZ be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for two months and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The two-month suspension shall commence on May 1, 2018, and terminate at midnight on June 30, 2018. Any horse or horses owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of his, or shown in his name or for his reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same period. MATTHEW MARTINEZ was also fined $3,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for these violations of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by SEEKING DENIRO at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. CHERYL MAYE of Fairfield, VA, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the Keswick Hunt Club Horse Show held on May 16-21, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse LYON’S CREEK ABSOLUT after it had been administered and/or contained in its body cyproheptadine N-oxide. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II Violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that CHERYL MAYE be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by LYON’S CREEK ABSOLUT at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. NEALIA MCCRACKEN of Hardwick, NJ, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with UPHA Spring Premiere Horse Show held on April 19-22, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse CH GONE PLATINUM after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin and firocoxib. For this violation it was determined that NEALIA MCCRACKEN be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by CH GONE PLATINUM at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. LILLI POWER of Crestwood, KY, violated HU107.2 of this Federation, in connection with the Robert Murphy Stable Horse Show held July 6-9, 2017, in that she competed in the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3” – 18-35 116 SPRING ISSUE 2018

Years Division; however, she also competed three horses, not owned by her, in various Hunter Sections. For this violation, it was determined that LILLI POWER be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and that she must return for redistribution all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by her at said competition in the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3” – 18-35 Years Division and must pay a $300 fee to the competition in connection with this penalty pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7, GR703.1g. DEBORAH STEPHENS of Palmetto, FL, violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Tryon Summer 7 Horse Show held on July 13-17, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse IRRESISTIBLE after it had been administered and/ or contained in its body phenylbutazone in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that DEBORAH STEPHENS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. This fine was enhanced due to the excessive concentration level of phenylbutazone detected. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by IRRESISTIBLE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. KELLIE WENDLING-BUDD of Sheridan, IN, violated Chapter 4, GR410 of this Federation, in connection with Region 13 Horse Show held on June 21-25, 2017, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse BLAZE AFIRE BF, after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that KELLIE WENDLING-BUDD be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by BLAZE AFIRE BF at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g.

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