Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation | Summer 2020
PONY PARADISE USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm
BACK AT THE RANCH
Ariat’s Western Flair
WE’RE BACK! Post-Shutdown Horse Fitness Tips
NO FLY
ZONE
Winning n g the war on the Pesky k a Outlaws. Farnam’s hard-hitting arsenal of pest-fighting weapons has the Pesky Outlaws on the run. Those nasty flies, mosquitoes and ticks are losing their irritating, disease-spreading mission. They put up a good fight, but the battle is lost. Victory is in your hands, horse owners. The Pesky Outlaws are no match for Farnam’s powerful 3-step No Fly Zone approach.
BLOCK, REPEL, RE “My legs and wings carry loads of bacteria picked up when I land in gross places. You really don’t want me crawling around your horse’s eyes or any cuts.” — Freda McFly
40 TO 80
“I admit it, I’m a weak flye air turbulence makes it —
The number of eggs laid per batch by a female stable fly.
!
KNOW THE FACTS
{
A physical barrier keeps bloodsucking, biting flies and pests off your horse’s face and ears.
}
Ticks are found in every U.S. state – including Alaska and Hawaii. Some are even active during cold weather, so you need to protect your horse and yourself year-round.
“Even when I don’t transmit a disease, I can still cause inflammation, swelling and itching.” — Sticky Stan
BLOCK
Trusted by millions of horse owners since 1986! SuperMask® II Horse Fly Mask protects against insects, glaring sunlight, dust and debris. Available in five sizes to fit any horse, and the customizable Double-Latch Closure keeps it in place. For extra protection, use SuperMask® with mesh ears.
Powerful defense for hardworking horses. Tri-Tec 14™ Fly Repellent provides quick knockdown to kill and repel flies, mosquitoes, ticks and more. Water-based formula works up to 14 days. Refill your quart sprayer with large easy pour bottles. Non-aerosol 360° continuous spray cans are perfect for on-the-go use.
© 2020 Farnam Companies, Inc. Built to fit, Built to last, Built to stay on!, Equisect, Farnam with design, Grand Champion, LarvaStop, LarvaStop Fly Growth Regulator with design, Repel-X, SimpliFly, SuperMask and Tri-Tec 14 are trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc. MM#300529724
Concentrate on saving. Repel-X®Pe Emulsifiable Fly Spray is an economical multiuse solution that protects against multiple pests. One pint of concentrate makes a gallon of finished spray! Rely on the Repel-X® family for continued protection of horses, dogs and premises.
EDUCE — 3 STEPS TO A SUC Horses can be protected from mosquito-borne viruses, like WNV, EEE and WEE, with a routine vaccination program. Vaccines are very effective when given correctly.
er. When you use fans in the barn, the hard for me to land on your horse.” — Blanche Buzz
!
Protect against mosquitoes:
KNOW THE FACTS
{
• Eliminate standing water and damp vegetation
House flies don’t bite, but stable flies do. Both male and female stable flies depend on blood meals.
• Dump and clean water troughs routinely • Avoid turnout when mosquitoes are at peak activity • Use on-horse repellent products
Use products that repel/kill flies and pests on your horse and also in his environment.
}
“I can attach and start bloodfeeding in many places on your horse, but some of my favorite spots are the chest, underbelly, inside the flank and the base of his mane and tail.” — Sticky Stan
REPEL
THE
P WER
OF
FLOWER Harness the Power of Flower. Equisect™ Fly Repellent contains the botanical repellent PyGanic® sourced from organically grown chrysanthemums. Water-based, alcohol-free formula won’t irritate sensitive skin, but offers powerful pest protection, also killing fleas and ticks on dogs and cats. Use the botanical fly repellent that gets results!
{
Even sprays upside down!
Effective fly control with built-in shine. Grand Champion® Fly Repellent tackles two tasks at once to simplify grooming and fly control. Condition your horse’s coat and create gleaming shine while protecting against a variety of flies, mosquitoes and gnats. Fly control and grooming aid in one bottle.
It’s time to finish the mission once and for all. Visit Farnam.com/noflyzone to learn more about creating an effective 3-step No Fly Zone and send the Pesky Outlaws packing for good.
}
CCESSFUL NO FLY ZONE
&
BUILD YOUR
“I love a messy barn because I lay my eggs in manure, dirty bedding and damp hay piles.” — Freda McFly
NO FLY ZONE
SAVE!
!
KNOW THE FACTS
When your veterinarian pulls blood for a “Coggins” test, they’re testing for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a viral disease spread by flies after biting an infected horse. There is no vaccine for EIA.
The battle is not over yet, horse owners, so don’t let your guard down. Trust Farnam’s multi-zone approach.
BLOCK REDUCE
{
Decrease the fly population in the barn and on the whole farm by using feed-through fly control.
}
+ REPEL
+ REDUCE
Break the fly life cycle. SimpliFly® Feed-Thru Fly Control with LarvaStop™ Fly Growth Regulator prevents larvae from developing into mature adults. When horses are continually treated, stable and house fly larvae can’t develop in their manure, so you’ll see a significant reduction in the fly population.
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Where Do You Ocala, Florida
HAMPTON LANE FARM
WHISPERING OAKS FARM
Exquisite 29+ acre equine estate located adjacent to the new World Equestrian Center! This rare find has access to miles of trails, and is quiet and secluded. The home features special architectural designs at every turn; all finishings are of the highest quality. Also featured is a 6-stall, center aisle barn with 1 BR/1BA apartment. Offered at $6,300,000.
BLUE SHUTTER FARM
Beautifully maintained 6+ acre farm is located in Central NW Ocala’s horse country, is divided into 2 pastures and 1 paddock surrounded by beautifully maintained 4-board fencing and plenty of handsome granddaddy oaks. There’s a 3-stall barn and adorable home with wood floors, 2 fireplaces, screened lanai and saltwater pool with paver deck. Offered at $799,000.
DALWHINNIE FARM
This newly renovated French Normandy style home sits on 10 acres; it’s a short hack to the new World Equestrian Center! Renovations include kitchen upgrades and new HVAC. The home is open and airy, and flows out to the screened pool area, that includes gorgeous landscaping. A new 5 stall barn completes the package. Offered at $1,395,000.
20+ acre farm nestled in a private secluded setting and yet close to main roads and the new World Equestrian Center! Featured is a center-aisle, CB 4-stall 2018 barn, and 2018 fencing. The custom home is reminiscent of a classic New England style home. It’s energy efficient and boasts spacious downstairs master and breathtaking chef’s kitchen. Offered at $2,450,000.
Call or text anytime, day or night: (352) 615-8890 Chris & Rob Desino & Matt Varney
www.OcalaHorseProperties.com
Want to Be? Wellington, Florida
14740 GRAND PRIX VILLAGE DR.
13900 53RD RD. SOUTH
This exquisite Grand Prix Village South farm features a 20-stall barn with 2 tack & feed rooms, 4 wash stalls, laundry room, kitchen area and more. There is a magnificent second floor 1 bedroom owner’s apartment overlooking the 210’ x 120’ riding arena and 5 paddocks. There is also a 2 bedroom groom’s apartment. Offered at $7,950,000.
13285 SOUTHFIELDS RD.
This property has first class riding facilities and amenities for your equine athletes. Featuring a 12-stall courtyard style barn with 2 tack & feed rooms and a large storage building, an 80’ x 220’ covered riding arena, 3 grooming stalls and 8 paddocks. Property also has a luxurious 2 bedroom owner’s apartment & 3 full sized grooms quarters. Offered at $7,750,000.
14289 EQUESTRIAN WAY
This stunning Southfields equestrian facility, “Hampton Green”, has a total of 50 stalls, 17 paddocks, features 3 professional arenas and comes with an elegant 4 bedroom owner’s apartment, all on nearly 10 acres. Luxury living, convenience to showgrounds, fantastic footing and stall income is what sets this farm apart from the rest. Offered at $6,950,000.
One of a kind equestrian property in Saddle Trail on a double lot totaling 3.92 acres! This unique two-story traditional style estate has 5 bedrooms, 4-1/2 bathrooms and a pool. There are 2 barns with a total of 17 stalls, 2 grooms apartments, a fully irrigated 200’ x 130’ riding arena and 10 paddocks. Truly the discriminating equestrian’s dream! Offered at $5,275,000.
(561) 818-4299 Chris & Rob Desino & Craig Martin
We l l i n g t o n E q u e s t r i a n R e a lt y . c o m
U.S.
FEATURING USEF Grand Prix & Intermediaire I National Championships USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Championship USEF Young Rider & Junior National Championships USEF Pony Rider & Children National Championships Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse National Championships USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals
August 18-23, 2020 HITS Chicago at Lamplight Equestrian Center Wayne, IL
FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS
CONTENTS FEATURES 64 RETURN TO FITNESS
As the shutdown eases, get your horse fit safely
74 USEF PONY FINALS
64
It’s a priceless life experience, participants say
Good looks meet durability in Ariat’s Western wear
DEPARTMENTS 10 Partners 12 Sponsors 16 Marketing/Media 18 Letter from the President
74
20 Snapshot
84
22 USEF News 34 Seen & Heard Cover: American Saddlebred Oh Night Divine and Reagan Upton epitomize showring success. Photo: Sarah Bennett/ Howard Schatzberg Photography
36 Learning Center Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation | Summer 2020
PONY PARADISE USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm
BACK AT THE RANCH
Ariat’s Western Flair
WE’RE BACK! Post-Shutdown Horse Fitness Tips
40 Pro Tip 46 Juniors’ Ring 50 My First 54 Trending 58 Horse Health 95 For the Record
6 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTOS: SARAH BENNETT FOR OSTEEN/SCHATZBERG, TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN, ARIAT
84 ARIAT GOES WEST
Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation
US EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE Volume LXXXIV, Summer 2020 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 Candice McCown | cmccown@usef.org ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kim Russell | 859 225 6938 | krussell@usef.org DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP & SALES Layson Griffin | lgriffin@usef.org ASSISTANT DESIGNER Kate Strom | kstrom@usef.org EDITORIAL STAFF Kathleen Landwehr, Jane Ohlert, Leslie Potter Kim Russell, Ashley Swift 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®, 4001 Wing Commander Way, 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, 4001 Wing Commander Way, 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 © 20120 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 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, Ky 40511 USequestrian.org
#JointheJoy Follow us on social media @USequestrian
8 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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Š2020 Farnam Companies, Inc. Farnam with design, Vetrolin and Your Partner in Horse Care are trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc. 20-10307
PARTNERS Proud partners of US Equestrian
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10 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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SPONSORS Proud sponsors of US Equestrian
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Official Academic Sponsor upperechelonacademy.com
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Official Performance Horse Boot and Leg Wear equifit.net
Presenting Sponsor of the USEF Pony Finals collectinggaitsfarm.com
Official Helmet Supplier Learning Center Content Partner charlesowen.com
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Official Ribbon Supplier hodgesbadge.com
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Title Sponsor of Junior Hunter Finals Title Sponsor of the Eventing Futures Team Challenge Title Sponsor of the Brentina Cup and Junior Dressage National Championship at Festival of Champions
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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.
12 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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SPONSORS Proud sponsors of US Equestrian
Official Sponsor Title Sponsor of the Junior Jumper National Championship nsbitsusa.com
Title Sponsor of the USEF Pony Medal Championship marshallsterling.com
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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.
14 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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NetJets is a Berkshire Hathaway company. Aircraft are managed and operated by NetJets Aviation, Inc. NetJets is a registered service mark. ©2020 NetJets IP, LLC. All rights reserved.
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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.
16 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
A New Normal for Competing The past few months have been challenging for all of us as we adjust to life in the “new normal.” As USEF-licensed equestrian competitions are back underway, it is important that we all continue to practice the behaviors we have learned during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as those best practices will serve to safeguard us, our families, and our friends and keep our industry open. Throughout the competition suspension period, US Equestrian has continued to provide support for our members, organizers, and licensed officials. We have remained flexible and nimble to ensure we could and still can continue to be able to meet the needs of our members and sport as states open and competitions resume operations under new protocols. To facilitate this, we have processed hundreds of modifications to rules that govern competitions, officiating, and class procedures of the different breeds and disciplines under the US Equestrian banner. No easy task. Additionally, the US Equestrian team has worked to keep you up to date about amendments to qualifying and selection criteria for the many USEF National Championships, as well as location changes when governmental restrictions have impeded competition operations in some states. We have also been able to assist many organizers in rescheduling competitions to dates later in the year, while maintaining their original calendar dates for 2021. It has been disappointing that some major events ultimately had to be canceled. But we are encouraged that a number are still intact. For example, we look forward to soon be hosting the USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, Adequan® USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, and the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. These events bring together competitors of all ages, and their support teams, to experience the joy of horse sports. The level of competition will be exemplary, even though some amenities may be different this year as we continue to practice our COVID-19 protocols. While we know that part of the experience of these events is related to the atmosphere created by the fantastic amenities usually present, we also know that the sacrifices we make today will help ensure we can continue to have competitions in the future. Being responsible for others is an inherent part of our lives. We take care of our horses, and we take care of each other. When we are at competitions, we must keep in mind that our actions can directly affect the lives of others. Public health authorities continue to state that the use of face masks or face coverings and the practice of social distancing are two of the most important ways to help prevent the transmission of the virus. Wearing your face mask or face covering and consistently practicing social distancing are critical not only to your safety, but to the safety of others. Thank you for stepping up to support these requirements and for being part of our community effort to maintain equestrian sport, today and into the future. So many of you have taken time to call or write to me in support of our work, and our entire team appreciates your support. We are all in this together, and we will all come through this together. Thank you for being a member of US Equestrian and for being part of an inclusive community of equestrians who care about each other and our horses. Be safe and see you soon,
Murray S. Kessler President 18 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTO: ISABEL J KUREK PHOTOGRAPHY
Dear USEF Members,
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20 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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1
USEF NEWS
A Letter from CEO Bill Moroney:
Black Lives Matter to US Equestrian Dear Equestrian Community,
Educating ourselves is the first step. Going forward, every employee will be required to take diversity and inclusion training, as well as unconscious bias training, each year. As we work to schedule this training, there are many resources immediately available to our entire equestrian community. We are asking our employees and encouraging our members to take some time and use the resources listed in the sidebar to educate themselves on the history and importance of these issues.
22 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
Board approval and implementation of a US Equestrian Diversity and Inclusion Commitment Statement and Action Plan. Over the past several months, Ashley Swift, a dedicated member of our communications department, has been leading this work, and her recommendations were presented to the Board of Directors at their mid-year meeting. There will be opportunities for members and staff of US Equestrian to engage with and contribute to this program. Increased communication to members on US Equestrian’s commitment to do its part to fight racism. This includes providing members with educational resources—including training on diversity, inclusion, and unconscious bias—and ways to work to end racism. We know we cannot do this alone, but we can—and will—do our part. We understand this is an emotional and difficult time for many. Remember, US Equestrian paid-fan and competing members have access 24/7 to a mental health first-aid hotline at 1-800-633-3353. Please do not hesitate to reach out and take advantage of these free services. Thank you all for your efforts to spread the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible and for advancing our goal of increasing diversity in equestrian sport through an educated and open equestrian community. Respectfully,
Bill Moroney Chief Executive Officer US Equestrian
PHOTOS: LINDSEY LONG
The protests and political unrest ignited by the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis have dominated the news throughout the world and motivated hundreds of thousands–including many of our employees–to protest peacefully against racial injustice. This has been a difficult and emotional time, and we wanted to share with you the steps US Equestrian is taking to listen, learn, and do more. On June 2, US Equestrian participated in #BlackoutTuesday on social media and issued the following statement: We pause in solidarity and support of the black members of our community. We are committed to listening and learning from you. We hear you. We stand with you. We can and will do better. Black lives matter. #BlackoutTuesday We are energized by the overwhelming amount of support from this community for Black equestrians and your desire for us to do more. We believe it is important to be very clear: Black lives matter to US Equestrian. We stand firmly against racism and discrimination of any kind and are taking steps to further educate our staff and create a more inclusive and diverse community for all staff and participants.
RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCE GUIDE WATCH Film, television, and webinars Webinar series: The Inclusion Playbook is a Sports Impact project led by a civil-rights advocate and former Division 1 athlete with the goal of empowering social change agents to transform communities in and through sports. The Inclusion Playbook is hosting a series of free webinars this summer, beginning with “Olympic Impact: Emerging Issues in Sports Diversity & Inclusion,” which took place June 11. Learn more at inclusionplaybook.com/webinar.
LISTEN Podcasts, listed alphabetically. 1619 (New York Times) Code Switch (National Public Radio) Young Black Equestrians
LEARN A sampling of organizations who are leading the discussion, listed alphabetically. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
13th (Netflix)
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise (buy/rent on YouTube or Prime)
Black Lives Matter
I Am Not Your Negro (Prime) Owned: A Tale of Two Americas (stream free on Tubi; buy/rent on YouTube or Prime)
Fair Fight NAACP National Urban League
Systemic Racism Explained (YouTube)
Read 2 Succeed
Teach Us All (Netflix)
Showing Up for Racial Justice
READ Books, listed alphabetically. Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
ACT What you can do to drive change. Contact your state and federal representatives (find out who they are via Common Cause) Contact your local government officials and representatives (city councils, mayors, superintendents, etc.) Talk to your kids about racism (resources are available at National Geographic and New York Times) Vote! Check your voter registration status at usa.gov/ confirm-voter-registration#item-214522
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Opposite Top: A scene from the Compton Cowboys Peace Ride from Los Angeles to Compton, Calif., on June 7. Opposite Below (Left to Right): Equestrians (left to right) Courtney Allegra, hunter jumper trainer Bethany Unwin, Lauren Farmer Wilson, and grand prix jumper Mavis Spencer at the Compton Cowboys Peace Ride. Cowboy Tre Hosley and grand prix jumper Mavis Spencer were among those who joined the Compton Cowboys Peace Ride in support of Black Lives Matter. Pernilla Nathan showed her support for Black citizens at the Compton Cowboys Peace Ride.
USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 23
USEF NEWS
Updated COVID-19 Resources, Webinars Available at USEF.org As competitions begin to reopen in a number of areas, US Equestrian continues to provide a wealth of resources and updates at usef.org. For COVID-19 resources—including the COVID-19 Action Plan for USEF-licensed competitions, USEF COVID-19 rule modifications, a state-by-state summary of COVID19 restrictions and regulations, and more—visit usef.org/ media/coronavirus-resources. The COVID-19 resources page also has links to updates from US Equestrian’s recognized affiliates, to CARES Act relief information and resources for individuals and small businesses, and to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. US Equestrian also has conducted a series of interactive webinars about returning to competition safely, tailored to specific disciplines and to licensed officials, as well as a webinar for competition management titled “Insurance and Liability: Managing a Safe Return to Competition.” These are available on demand on USEF Network and include a town hall hosted jointly with the United States Hunter Jumper Association, the United States Dressage Federation, and the United States Eventing Association.
24 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
During the USEF’s mid-year Board of Directors’ meeting, which took place virtually June 22-23, the board elected Tom O’Mara President of the organization. O’Mara, who currently serves as the board’s Secretary/ Treasurer, will take office in January 2021. Current President Murray Kessler will continue to serve in the role until then. O’Mara has served on the USEF board for four years, Tom O’Mara during which time he led the Drugs and Medications/Lab Review Task Force that recommended to transfer the USEF drug-testing lab to the University of Kentucky. He also was an active contributor on the Competitions Task Force. Tom built a successful career in the world of investment banking over a 30-year period but, importantly, has a demonstrated passion and commitment to equestrian sport in many capacities. He spent years as an active and supportive parent and husband with five O’Mara riders: his wife, Liz, and their four children, Casey, Abby, Meg, and T.J. He also took his commitment to the next level through his volunteer board roles at USEF and the National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Advisory Board, of which he was the Co-Chair and now remains an active member. He prepared a thorough and convincing expression of interest for the Nominating Committee, indicating that he would continue to carry forward the vision to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. "Tom is passionate about equestrian sport, is deeply experienced on USEF committees and the board, has unique experience with intercollegiate equestrian sports, and understands the importance of each of our 29 breeds and disciplines,” said current President Kessler. “He also brings real-world business experience to the position, which I found incredibly important over the past four years.” For more news from the mid-year board meeting, visit usef. org/media/press-releases.
PHOTOS: ©PETERSCHREIBER.MEDIA/ADOBESTOCK, ADAM BRENNAN - WWW.PICTURESBYAB.COM
Tom O’Mara Elected USEF President
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USEF NEWS
Meghan Benge and Zoey in the CPEDI3* FEI Grade III Para Team Test in the Adequan/USEF Para-Dressage National Championships at Tryon CPEDI3*
American Regent Animal Health Continues Commitment to Horse Sport
American Regent Animal Health, a division of American Regent, Inc. and the manufacturer of Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), has been a longstanding supporter of US Equestrian and will continue sponsorship of major equestrian events and initiatives throughout the 2020 season. Adequan provides essential support to US Equestrian as the title sponsor of the Adequan U.S. Para-Dressage Team and for the Adequan/USEF Para-Dressage National Championship. This year’s championship is scheduled for October 22-25 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. “Partnering with the US Equestrian Federation provides the unique opportunity for Adequan to champion sports at all levels and disciplines,” said Allyn Mann, Director of Strategic Partnerships, American Regent Animal Health. “It’s a privilege to support dedicated riders, and we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the sporting community created through US Equestrian.” In addition to its generous competition and team sponsorships, Adequan also promotes and advocates for equestrian sport as the Official Joint Therapy Product of US Equestrian and an Official Partner of US Equestrian. It also is the title sponsor of the US Equestrian Annual Meeting Pegasus Dinner presented by Adequan. 26 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
“Our valued and longstanding partnership with Adequan has been a tremendous asset to the diverse disciplines, affiliates, and breeds recognized by US Equestrian,” said Bill Moroney, US Equestrian’s Chief Executive Officer. “Through their expansive team and event sponsorships, Adequan has committed to ensuring the future success of our athletes and equestrian sport. We are deeply grateful for their continued support.” American Regent Animal Health is committed to advancing animal health with proven FDA-approved products like Adequan. The company’s portfolio is anchored by the only FDA-approved polysulfated glycosaminoglycan products for horses and dogs, which have been relied on for nearly three decades by veterinarians. American Regent, Inc., a Daiichi Sankyo Group Company, manufactures and distributes human and veterinary pharmaceutical products and is committed to providing the ever-changing U.S. healthcare marketplace with a growing and diversified portfolio under the American Regent brand. For more information on American Regent Animal Health, visit ARAnimalHealth.com or call 800-458-0163. For more information on becoming a USEF sponsor, please contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org or (859) 225-6942.
PHOTO: ANDREA EVANS/US EQUESTRIAN
Manufacturer of Adequan® i.m. is title sponsor of Adequan U.S. Para-Dressage Team and Adequan/USEF Para-Dressage National Championship
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USEF NEWS Emma Fletcher, 2019 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final champion, riding Bournedale.
US Equestrian is pleased to announce Dover Saddlery’s continued sponsorship of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. The 2020 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final will be held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show from October 8-17, 2020. As part of this continuing partnership, all US Equestrian members receive a 10% discount on Dover Saddlery purchases through the MemberPerks program (certain exclusions apply). In addition, the Dover Saddlery Junior Rider Incentive program provides further discounts for competitors participating in the USEF Medal, Junior Hunter, and Junior Jumper classes. “We are excited to have Dover Saddlery’s continued title sponsorship of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “The USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final is one of the oldest and most prestigious championships for junior riders, and Dover Saddlery’s partnership is invaluable in continuing this long tradition of excellence. We’re thrilled that all of our members are able to take advantage of a MemberPerks discount on Dover’s wide range of quality equestrian products.” At Dover Saddlery, English riders will find a large selection of riding apparel for schooling and show, tack, horse clothing, horse health, and stable supplies they need to spend more time in the saddle. Dover is proud to provide top quality products, which have been selected and 28 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
tested by their team of knowledgeable equestrians, to ensure the best quality. “We are pleased to support the MemberPerks program by offering all USEF members 10% off their Dover Saddlery order both on-line and at each of our retail store locations,” said Dover Saddlery CEO Brad Wolansky. “We understand the commitment and dedication these riders have made to their horses and sport and embrace their passion. We are proud to be returning as the title sponsor of the USEF Dover Saddlery Hunter Seat Medal Final for the fourth year this year.” The USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final event comprises multiple rounds and is judged on equitation over a course set at 3’6”. All riders compete in the first round of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. Judges select the top riders from round one to move on to compete in round two. The judges then have the option to select a smaller group of riders for further testing to determine the champion. Dover Saddlery, Inc. is a leading multichannel retailer of equestrian products in the United States. Founded in 1975 in Wellesley, Massachusetts by United States Equestrian team members, Dover Saddlery has grown to offer a broad and distinctive selection of competitively priced, brand name products for horse and rider through catalogs, the Internet and company-owned retail stores nationwide. Visit doversaddlery.com for more information.
USEF Offers Discounted Lifetime Recordings for Yearlings and Two-Year-Olds The USEF is pleased to offer a discount on lifetime recordings for yearling and two-year old horses and ponies. This discounted rate is available from July 1-Aug. 31, 2020. Horses and ponies must be recorded with USEF in order to be eligible to participate in the USEF Awards and Championship Programs. A horse recording is also required to compete in USEF Computer Ranking List classes and USEF/United States Dressage Federation qualifying and championship classes. The following requirements are necessary to receive the discount: • Owner must be a USEF Active Member as of the date of application. • Only online applications are accepted. To apply, log in to your USEF Member Account and select the Add Horse tile to complete your request. • Proof of age must be provided (i.e., breed registry papers). • Discount rate is available from July 1-Aug. 31, 2020. • Yearling — $85 • Two-year-old — $160 For more information, please contact Ken Ball at kball@usef.org.
PHOTO: ©AL COOK - WWW.ALCOOKPHOTO.COM
Dover Saddlery Continues Partnership with USEF
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USEF NEWS
Dalman Jump Co. Partners as Official Jump Company US Equestrian is pleased to announce a new partnership with Dalman Jump Co., the Official Jump Company of US Equestrian. Established in 2012, Dalman Jump Co. has grown to become the largest jump company in the United States, building custom jumps that have been seen in arenas around the country, from some of the nation’s most prestigious competitions to home schooling arenas. Dalman Jump Co. truly builds jumps for all, from pony hunters to the grand prix ring and everything in between. “I am proud Dalman Jump Co. is the Official Jump Company of US Equestrian,” said Javan Dalman, owner and founder of Dalman Jump Co. “Our jumps light up the ring at many USEF events, and I look forward to showcasing our jumps at more venues and farms across the country. At Dalman Jump Co., we believe in turning dreams into reality, just as USEF does.” “We’re excited to welcome Dalman Jump Co. as a new partner and the Official Jump Company of US Equestrian,” says
US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “Dalman’s high-quality products make every course a unique and memorable experience for competitors. We’re pleased to begin this partnership and introduce more competition organizers to the world-class products and services that Dalman offers.” In addition to custom theme and sponsor jumps, Dalman Jump Co. offers a large inventory of in-stock jumps, course rentals for horse shows, and seasonal rentals for home; jump accessories such as jump wagons, cavaletti, liverpools, and water jumps; and restoration services. Find out more at dalmanjumpco.com. Dalman products are proudly made in the USA, manufactured in house with the highest quality materials, and shipped worldwide. From the horse show to the home barn and any jumping discipline, Dalman Jump Co. designs and builds jumps for everyone. Visit DalmanJumpCo.com to start your dream jump or reserve a seasonal course rental.
Protequus® Partners with US Equestrian US Equestrian is pleased to announce a new partnership with Protequus, the company behind the NIGHTWATCH® smart halter™. Equestrian Jeffrey R. Schab founded Protequus in 2013 after losing a horse to colic. The NIGHTWATCH smart halter is a patented equine distress and wellness monitor that provides horse owners and caretakers with early warning alerts to reduce the potentially devastating impact of colic and other equine health emergencies. The smart halter works by monitoring a horse’s vital signs and behavior, looking for changes that correlate with pain and distress. When an alert threshold is breached, owners and any number of caretakers will receive a text, call, and/or email notification so they can get to their horse sooner. “We believe the NIGHTWATCH smart halter not only has the potential to save the lives of many horses through early referral and intervention, but also transform the animal health industry through data science and predictive analytics,” said Schab. “We are excited and honored to partner with US Equestrian, as we believe our shared vision to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all animals participating in equestrian sports is paramount.”
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As part of US Equestrian’s partnership with Protequus, members will save $50 on their purchase of a smart halter when they use an exclusive promo code through US Equestrian’s MemberPerks program. “The NIGHTWATCH smart halter has the potential to save equine lives, and we’re so happy to be able to introduce this technology to our members,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “There is nothing more important to equestrians than the health and safety of their horses, and the NIGHTWATCH monitoring system provides invaluable peace of mind.” Learn more at smarthalter.com/usef.
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SEEN AND HEARD
In & Around the Ring
“M
y favorite Kentucky memory is 2015. I was lucky enough to have two horses in the competition that year. I was first out on cross-country on Shiraz, I was toward the end on Covert Rights, and they both put in performances that just left me grinning from ear to ear.� - Colleen Rutledge on her favorite Kentucky Three-Day Event memory
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Above: Jaime Rafael Suarez and Conquistador del Conde perform a Paso Fino exhibition at the 2020 Live Oak International in March in Ocala, Fla. Opposite Top: Anna Marek is all smiles aboard Dee Clair in her senior team debut in the Stillpoint Farm FEI Dressage Nations Cup USA CDIO3* in March, where The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team won gold. Opposite Below: Ava Grant shared her #HomeWithHorses photo on Instagram to show her and her horse Palermo, or Elmo in the barn, enjoying their time together.
We are busy
working hard at Fired Up Ranch – lots of babies getting started, mares getting bred, and everyone’s ready for shows to start!”
PHOTOS: STUNNING STEEDS (OPPOSITE), TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN (TOP), SUNNIE HEERS PHOTOGRAPHY (BELOW)
- Cassie Krahenbuhl shared on the Arabian Horse Association Facebook page what Fired Up Ranch has been up to this spring
USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 35
LEARNING CENTER
KNOWLEDGE on Demand
US Equestrian’s online Learning Center can help you fine-tune everything from feeding to grooming to flying changes. Competitions are underway again, and US Equestrian’s online Learning Center video library is here to help you and your horse get tuned up again. Good competition results don’t start in the ring or on course. The factors that contribute to success start in your horse’s feed tub, involve the hours of preparation and training both you and your horse put in, and also include the extra finesse you can add, whether you’re polishing up your horse’s flying changes or seeking strategies to visualize a test or course. Get handy tips, detailed advice, new ideas, and inspiration on demand now at usef.org/learn before you reach the in-gate, show pen, or startbox. Join US Equestrian now to access the complete library of more than 80 Learning Center videos and supplementary materials. Not a member yet? You can still access some of the Learning Center content for free—look for videos labeled “free” in the upper left corner.
Laura Kraut is just one of the many world-class athletes, coaches, veterinarians, grooms, and other experts providing advice and tips in US Equestrian’s online Learning Center.
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Training Tips Our discipline-specific videos offer pro tips that can help take you from your horse or pony’s early training all the way to the competition. There are videos and other resources for using a jump chute, developing young horses, teaching flying lead changes, riding a successful shoulder-in, improving straightness, cross-training the event horse for fitness, riding cross-country courses, finding the perfect distance, and much more, with such expert hosts as Beezie Madden, Laura Graves, Boyd Martin, Anne Kursinski, David O’Brien, and others.
PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN
The Basics Are you new to horse sports, the parent of a young equestrian, or someone who is looking for a refresher after a time away from equestrian sport? Check out our Getting Started series of videos, including Your First Horse Show, Basic Horse Grooming, How to Lease or Buy a Horse, and Getting to Know a New Horse.
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LEARNING CENTER Prepare to Compete Good preparation starts with proper nutrition and care for your horse or pony. In the Learning Center’s Horse Care section, you’ll find videos and other resources about feeding the competition horse, as well as advice on body-clipping, mane and tail care, and show-horse management. Before you pack your trunk and head to a competition, check out our Preparing for an Event video. Eventers can also get advice from Phillip Dutton on walking a cross-country course. For jumpers, our series including how to walk a jumping course, exercises for quick horses, riding a winning jump-off, and gaining control after a fence are must-sees. They feature instruction by McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, and Beezie Madden. Visual learners in the hunter world will especially appreciate Hunters: What Makes a Winning Round and Hunter Rounds: What Can Go Wrong with Danny Robertshaw. And if you’re interested in what to look for in an American Saddlebred show, watch American Saddlebred: What Makes a Winner with Smith Lilly. Do you struggle with pre-show nerves? Try Managing Competition Anxiety with Lucy Davis. Want to learn how to visualize your performance? Check out Tips on Visualizing Your Dressage Test with Allison Brock, featuring strategies that can help a competitor in any discipline settle nerves and improve performance. We’ve also got tips for a good, five-step post-competition care routine from pro groom Lee McKeever.
Explore New Breeds and Disciplines Thinking of trying a new breed or disicpline? The online Learning Center's 80-plus videos and vast library of resources include a lot of information about US Equestrian’s 29 breeds and disciplines, from Arabians to Western dressage and many breeds and disciplines in between.
Above: Professional groom Lee McKeever is one of the Learning Center experts, discussing his fivestep post-competition routine for equine athletes. Below: The Friesian is one of many US Equestrianrecognized breeds and disciplines featured in the online Learning Center at usef.org/learn. 38 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTOS: ANDREA EVANS/US EQUESTRIAN
Focus on Fitness Fitness can give you an edge in competition. Spice up your fitness routine with Jennifer Arntsen’s Vaulting Exercises to Improve Riding or with vaulting athletes Mari Inouye and Ali Divita’s workout series, featuring lower-body and upper-body exercises, as well as pre- and post-ride exercise and stretching routines.
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Spells Success with a B by Nancy Jaffer
J. Tucker Ericson and his cousin, trainer Michael Dowling, took a major risk in 2015 when they bought the license of the Monmouth County Horse Show—the oldest show in New Jersey--and moved it an hour’s drive north to the Somerset County home of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone. They had been hoping to run it as a National (A-rated) show, but the change in venue put it in conflict with the Fairfield County Hunt Club’s show in Connecticut, the priority date-holder with that rating on similar August dates. The United States Equestrian Federation’s mileage rule meant the A rating wasn’t available, since Fairfield wasn’t going to give Monmouth an exemption because the show was closer to Connecticut than when it had been at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown. “Michael and I were devastated when we couldn’t have the A rating. We were depressed for a few days,” recalled Ericson, a USEF ‘R’ judge who also runs the Country Heir shows in Kentucky and works in the insurance business. But after a little bit of thought, Ericson and Dowling, who also coaches Centenary University’s American National Riding Commission and Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association teams, knew just how to make the situation work. “It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to us,” said Ericson. Recalling that for two years they had run a well-attended unrecognized show in the foundation’s historic ring, the cousins realized an A show wouldn’t be the best choice after all for their new venture. “We would have lost a lot of money to pay out for certain divisions that weren’t going to fill and weren’t realistic for that time of year,” Ericson said. Their show, named Monmouth at the Team in a nod to the historic USET-related venue, typically runs in August, just after the USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm and while the Platinum Performance/U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Green Hunter Incentive Championships and United States Hunter Jumper Association International Hunter Derby Championship are going on in Kentucky. Ericson said the riders who enter those competitions aren’t Monmouth’s constituency, anyway. Monmouth at the Team’s venue, the historic United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., are a draw for competitors, says show co-owner and organizer J. Tucker Ericson. The show features both hunters and jumpers like Orientales, ridden here by Sima Morgello. Michael Dowling (left) and his cousin J. Tucker Ericson, shown against the backdrop of the USET Foundation stables during the Monmouth at the Team show, have found a winning formula for attracting a devoted base of grassroots exhibitors and sponsors.
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PHOTOS: NANCY JAFFER
MONMOUTH AT THE TEAM
Co-owner J. Tucker Ericson explains how this historic, B-rated show has built a devoted base of “grassroots, high-quality” exhibitors and long-term sponsors
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Ribbons from the first Monmouth show in 1895 are on display in the popular hospitality tent.
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they have bad A shows.” Her advice is “don’t do a bad A show, do a good B show.” She changed the marketing approach for shows she puts on in Oregon and “structured them around a B-circuit idea. Instantly, people that haven’t been showing came to that horse show. So I asked them why.” They told her that they appreciated having a circuit of their own. As USHJA President Mary Babick observed, “Tucker does a really good job producing a product that people want to go to. I don’t think it would make any difference if it was B, C, or unrecognized. He’s found a way that makes people want to go to that show.” Monmouth at the Team is geared to exhibitors who aren’t concerned about the show’s rating. “Those people are more interested in the experience, what that show’s about, and how much fun they can have than they are about the rating. That percentage of those people is much higher than the percentage of people going to A shows,” Ericson said. The numbers bear that out. For instance, there were 26 in the Pre-Children’s Equitation last year and 21 in the USHJA National Hunter Derby. On the unrecognized day, Monmouth creates awareness for the Nature Conservancy by presenting the Bobcat Derby, where the 2’/2’6” section drew 50 competitors and the 3’ section had 25, many of whom wore tufted bobcat-ear headbands over their helmets. The derbies are a fundraiser for Bobcat Alley, an area where the Conservancy is buying more land for the endangered cats to roam. The cousins were inspired by larger horse shows “that go above and beyond.” Ericson cited Virginia’s Keswick, Menlo in California, and the Hampton Classic in New York. “We stole the poster concept from the Hampton Classic,” Ericson revealed, “and the kids just love to see what the new poster is going to be each year. We’ve taken little things from each horse show that work great and built it into what we’ve done.” Charity, a component of many of the bigger shows, also is not forgotten, with Monmouth making a donation to the Equestrian Aid Foundation.
PHOTO: NANCY JAFFER
“We’re going after the Medal/Maclay kids who want to show in that (USET Foundation) ring. We’re going after the 2’6” and 3’ divisions that are paying for the sport.” The show has made a success out of four Regional II (B-rated) days, three Level 3 jumper days, and one unrated day. There was a point when these kinds of shows were an endangered species. “There got to be less and less of them. It was almost to the point they had gone extinct,” said Ericson, noting that just a few were left in New Jersey. “For a long time, people had the feeling the B shows had lost their purpose.” But, as he observed, “It’s interesting now there are some different mindsets going on in the industry that may bring them back.” Ericson believes a show’s rating is less important to exhibitors than it used to be. “Now they’re more interested in the location, the facility, the footing, the courses, the prizes, the hospitality,” all items on which Monmouth at the Team prides itself. College student Evelyn Smith, who was a winner at Monmouth last year on the Zangersheide mare C’est A Dire, didn’t enter the show counting on a blue ribbon. “I just came here to put in a good round and have fun. I love coming here every year; it’s such an incredible venue and they run it so well. Being in this ring, you feel like a million dollars,” she noted. Set in the scenic Somerset Hills, a horse-oriented area, Monmouth has a lot going for it. “This is such a great area with lots of grassroots, high-quality people,” said Ericson, noting it’s a perfect time for a show because people are returning from vacation. For the kids, “it’s their last hurrah before they go back to school,” said Ericson. “It’s a time for them to feel special because they’re going to a horse show that has an annual poster and live music in the tent and prizes (gift certificates, leather halters, a bridle, a custom hat) that are second to none; it makes them feel special. They want to feel the camaraderie with their friends in their barn and other barns.” A lot of effort goes into it. Ericson does everything from tending bar to throwing dirt in the air to get horses’ attention when the photographer is taking winner’s circle pictures. He encourages other organizers to go the extra mile as well. “If you have the right location and the right date, you could make any rated show special,” he advised. One of the key elements in achieving that is hospitality. For those who subscribe, Monmouth offers breakfast with items from a high-end local bakery, snacks, an ice cream party, a full bar, and themed dinners every evening. They all are part of the popular package offered in the tent that runs alongside the arena, so there’s always something to watch at the one-ring show. Shelley Campf, chair of the USEF Member Services Council, noted, “Organizers often think they want A shows, and then
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PRO TIP A key to running shows like Monmouth involves how sponsors are handled. “We try to give sponsors a lot for their money. We don’t try to pressure them for big dollars,” said Ericson, who instead is looking for long-term commitment. Monmouth keeps in touch with sponsors throughout the year. “We sent out a Thanksgiving card with next year’s schedule,” he said, explaining that that sparks sponsors to set up a conference call to discuss next year. A couple of Monmouth sponsors are in the $5,000 range, but most are in the $1,000-$2,500 range. “That seems to be the price point,” said Ericson, adding, “We try to get a lot of first-place and championship prizes donated or at a significant cost reduction in exchange for sponsorship. “If you’re giving sponsors a lot of press and you’re giving them a lot of things that make them feel good and include them at the parties, I think that’s the price point where you’ll keep them year after year. Once you pressure someone and you give them all these promises and you want $10,000 or more, that’s a number they’re going to have to justify. It’s hard to quantify the benefits.” For shows that aren’t at a prestigious location, like the USET Foundation, “you have to make a more compelling argument,” Ericson said. “You might have to work a little harder to get them to a different venue; I think it can be done. You just have to prove it can work.” One fun feature at Monmouth at the Team is the Bobcat Hunter Derby, when riders like 2019 winner Madison Myro on Rock A Feller sport bobcat headbands on their helmets.
Tips for Building AN AUDIENCE If you’re a show organizer looking for ways to grow your audience—and potential sponsorship, too—the American Saddlebred Horse Association has a resource for you, regardless of your show’s breed or discipline focus. The ASHA’s 19-page online playbook “Fill the Stands: How to Grow Your Horse Show Attendance” offers strategies, insights, practical examples, and valuable checklists from veterans of horse-show management and marketing. Here are some of their top tips: Grow attendance with community connections. Work with the local tourism department, and identify top community leaders and potential ties between those leaders and horses, your show venue, or agriculture. They can promote the positive impact your show brings—and might help open doors for community events tied to your show. Assess and know your positive economic impact. How many hotel bookings does your competition bring in? How many people travel in to attend? How many restaurants do attendees support? Knowing the demographics of your breed or discipline, too, can help you promote the show’s potential benefits to local businesses and restaurants. Provide opportunities for the community to connect. Do you require goods or services that can be handled locally? Work with tourism and commerce officials to find local printers, trophy makers, and stores for show supplies. And create opportunities for groups to participate or volunteer. “The more volunteer groups you can engage and invite to participate, be featured, or benefit in your show, the more other local traffic you will attract to your event,” the playbook notes. Create diverse sponsorship opportunities. “Look at the areas of your venue where you could add hospitality or additional aspects like better trophies or giveaways for exhibitors and spectators that could be adapted to a sponsorship program or value,” the playbook suggests. “Work with local businesses and organizations to see what they have interest in supporting at your show. Also, increase their involvement by inviting them out to the show.” “Combining the improved community engagement with more entertainment activities is crucial for expanding your attendance,” the playbook notes. “The more your show can be a social gathering and showcase for the community, the more media and attendance interest a show will generate.” There are hospitality or educational opportunities leading up to and around your show, too, like a coffee-and-doughnuts reception to watch horses train or “meet a horse” events at other local events.
For more, download “Fill the Stands: How to Grow Your Horse Show Attendance” at asha. net/media/679707/fill-the-stands-report.pdf. 44 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTO: NANCY JAFFER
Enhance hospitality.
JUNIORS’ RING
AN INSIDER’S VIEW:
Licensed Officials Share Advice & Thoughts by Margaret Buranen Four officials from several disciplines on show tips, the challenges of being an official, and how to get the most out of your show experience.
Danny Robertshaw has been judging hunter, hunter breeding, and hunter/jumping seat equitation classes for more than 30 years. Lisa Gorretta is a technical delegate in dressage, officiating at both FEI and USEF competitions. She has been a licensed official for more than 30 years. Donna Pettry-Smith has been a licensed judge for more than 15 years. She judges American Saddlebred, Roadster, Hackney, and saddle seat equitation classes. Cindy Mugnier started judging saddle seat equitation and Morgan classes in the early 1990s. Later, she earned her American Saddlebred, Roadster, and Hackney licenses and has judged at these shows. 46 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
What is more difficult about judging or officiating than competitors and spectators think? Robertshaw: You have to be on top of your game the whole time you are doing it. Sometimes it’s just minuscule differences [between competitors]. Gorretta: Staying focused while staying outwardly approachable in cold, heat, rain. Days can be 10, 12, 14 hours long, so you have to have stamina and be able to multitask. Pettry-Smith: The hardest thing about judging is managing your time, transcribing all of your numbers on a card while running a class, the efficiency of getting [competitors’] numbers quickly and correctly. The second part that’s difficult is that a lot of spectators are not familiar with the specific requirements of different classes. In saddle seat, for example, in amateur classes performance is second to manners. You can have a lively horse that’s exciting to watch, but you have to count that horse down in an amateur class for what would be a plus—showmanship—in other classes. Then the crowd gets upset. But a really good judge goes by the criteria in the order it is listed. Mugnier: How different things look from the center of the ring—the spectators aren’t seeing what the judges see. Spectators don’t pay attention to individual specifications of the different classes. They don’t understand that ladies’ classes are not the same as open or juvenile classes. What do you enjoy about judging or officiating? Robertshaw: Getting to see horses from different areas and going to different areas to see what competitors are into there. Gorretta: I like to be in the background, around the horses and stables, talking to competitors, show officials, and volunteers. After being involved more than 40 years, I still enjoy the sport and I still enjoy the horses.
PHOTOS: (INSET) SHAWN MCMILLEN PHOTOGRAPHY, SUSANJSTICKLE.COM, HOWARD SCHATZBERG, TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN, ANDREA EVANS/US EQUESTRIAN
What are licensed officials at horse shows really thinking? We asked four to share their wisdom on a range of topics: tips for competitors, insights into their jobs, and more. Danny Robertshaw, Lisa Gorretta, Donna Pettry-Smith, and Cindy Mugnier all graciously agreed to discuss their work in different areas of equine sport. The joy of competing in their respective disciplines, and the desire to give back to those disciplines or their particular breeds, drew them into officiating. They all urge competitors to learn about officiating in their disciplines, because they know from personal experience how much that understanding helps a competitor improve.
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JUNIORS’ RING
Pettry-Smith: I get to work with the same announcers, ringmasters, and photographers, so we’ve become friends. I enjoy the traveling and working with nice new people, like the volunteers. I like multi-judge panels, getting other judges’ opinions on things—I like to pick people’s brains. I like to see horses in other parts of the country. Mugnier: I very much enjoy working with other officials, building camaraderie with fellow judges, and the wonderful combinations of riders and horses that are in the ring today. I see young professional trainers I judged when they rode in their first walk-trot-canter competitions. How can competitors get the most out of participating in a show or competition? Robertshaw: By watching other competitors, standing by schooling rings, and listening to trainers. Kids don’t pay attention to other riders. They’re on their cell phones, not involved [in the show] in the way they used to be. Gorretta: There is an old saying about leaving your best [dressage] test in the warm-up ring. Try not to put so much pressure on yourself that you do not allow your horse to shine or that you don’t enjoy yourself. At some point, sit down and read the rules of your division. Strive for perfection, but don’t try to accomplish it at the outer edge of your horse’s experience or your experience. That’s the most favorable thing you can do for yourself and your horse. Spend time training at higher levels, but go show where you and your horse as partners are comfortable. A horse and rider are two hearts, two bodies, two independent thinkers that have to work together as a team. It’s the rider’s responsibility to see that things go well, not the horse’s. Being an equestrian is a responsibility. That’s what’s so cool about it and what’s so difficult about it.
Being a licensed official requires a deep understanding of the rules and eagle-eyed attention to detail.
Pettry-Smith: Get your class videotaped and watch it with your trainer. Go into the stands when you’re not competing and watch classes. Watch how people use the ring and watch the horses you notice. You can learn so much from doing this and from watching lessons. In saddle seat in the Midwest, we offer a junior judging program that is not quite [as advanced] as apprentice judging. Riders in the program are allowed to go into the ring, stand with the judges for two classes, and fill out scorecards. This program is for riders aged 18 and under, but we also allow adults to do it. You learn a lot talking to the judges about why they scored the riders as they did. Mugnier: Be prepared. Understand that it’s a horse show and the horse’s performance comes first. It’s never about the rider unless it’s an equitation class. Work on your horsemanship, showmanship, and sportsmanship. Put these three together, and you’ll have a successful time in the ring. What do you wish you could say to competitors before they enter the ring? Robertshaw: This is when you make your first impression—make it a good one! This is a big moment. It shows how much you care about what you’re doing—your demeanor, your attitude. Don’t enter the ring with dirty boots or a dirty horse.
Pettry-Smith: Use the [entire] ring. Don’t just show off of the rail or down the center. If you’re way off of the rail, a judge can’t always see the horse—you’re too close. And if all the riders start doing the same thing [close together] you really can’t see clearly. Plan it out, get in front or in [a part of] the ring without a lot of competitors. Good riders get by themselves so they can be seen clearly. That shows good thinking. Mugnier: Take control. Make me have to look at you, make me want to look at you. Show me you want to win. 48 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTO: SARAH BENNETT
Gorretta: Inhale, exhale, and enjoy the ride. I see so many amateurs take one breath before they go into the ring and then don’t breathe again. Our sport is eight minutes long.
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MY FIRST
My First PONY FINALS MEDAL by Glenye Cain Oakford
Any competitors at the 2020 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm who are dreaming of professional equestrian careers can take inspiration from Cooper Dean. A three-time Pony Finals participant, Dean parlayed his early experiences into individual and team gold at the 2013 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships—and then into a pro riding career. In the years since Dean rode American Hero to Pony Jumpers gold, he went on to win the 2016 HITS Equitation Championship in Ocala, Fla., and finish second in the 2017 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Today, at age 21, he rides for Wolver Hollow Farm in Wellington, Fla., and Chester, N.Y. “It didn’t take me to a different place, but it gave me the opportunity to go to the next step,” Dean said of his 2013 Pony Jumper Championships. “Not only did it give me that opportunity, but it was also just fun!” Golden Opportunities Dean’s first trip to Pony Finals as a competitor in 2010 “was for experience,” he explained. “I wasn’t as good as all the other kids, but it was an experience to go there. I spent the whole week there, hung out with my friends, and had a good time. I showed the next year in the pony hunters and the Pony Medal, and I did a little better.” By the time Dean arrived at Pony Finals in 2013 off a year’s break to catch-ride for such trainers as Gary Young and the late Mindy Darst, he’d built a wealth of experience, skills, and contacts. That helped set him up for a strong performance, but there was also another ingredient Dean cites as key to the Zone 4 team’s success: the team camaraderie that coach Katie Maxwell fostered. “Before we went to Pony Finals, she asked us to come to her farm for what was sort of a clinic,” Dean said of Maxwell. “All the teammates came and spent a few days together, and that gave us some chemistry before we got to Pony Finals. So we had that friendship bond when we arrived, and we all had campers, so we camped out and barbecued together every night.” That chemistry contributed to what turned out to be a remarkable performance in competition. “It was very special, because we were the only team that went double-clear in the team rounds,” Dean recalled. “At the time, I think no one had ever done that before. I went on to win individual gold, and I won the style award. Cooper Dean (center) collects top honors alongside (left) “From that moment on, it took me to my next silver medalist Christina Rodriguez and (right) bronze stage. If those results hadn’t happened for me, there medalist Carly Williams. 50 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTOS: SHAWN MCMILLEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Cooper Dean and American Hero sail over a fence en route to individual and team golds at the 2013 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships.
Cooper Dean’s win in the 2013 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships helped the Zone 4 team secure gold and launched his professional equestrian career
USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 51
MY FIRST wouldn’t have been what came next. Katie Maxwell asked me if she could find a job for me, and she found me a job at Aaron Vale’s.” That opened up even more opportunities, and rest isn’t just history; it’s also a bright outlook for Dean’s future. “It wasn’t just that you learn while you’re at Pony Finals,” Dean said. “It’s also the preparation you put in at home to get yourself ready for it. When you go there and see the best of the best competing, you do learn from them. You also learn at every horse show, and you have to have that mentality of wanting to do that. But you learn the most by preparing for Pony Finals at home, competing, and then going to the competition and not letting your nerves get the best of you.” A Pony Hero Cooper Dean grew up in Fayette, Ala., where he participated in Alabama Hunter Jumper Association shows. “I didn’t have the means everybody else had; it was all we could do to keep up with the showing,” he said. “My dad was an announcer at most of the shows to kind of equal things out—he would announce and I’d get to show. When I went to Pony Finals, I didn’t have a groom to get my pony ready for me or muck the stall or feed or wrap it at night. I learned all of that at such a young age, and it kind of put that extra foundation in me. You can’t do this kind of sport without that sense of responsibility, because these are living animals.” Dean’s first Pony Finals mount, Smooch’n On Me, was a mare he’d owned since she was three. “I did walk-trot all the way up to Pony Finals with her,” he said. “Once it was time to take the next step, I wanted to do the jumpers, because it looked fun, so my mom—who was my trainer at the time—found American Hero. I had to sell Smooch’n On Me in order to be able to lease American Hero.” American Hero was a good candidate for Dean to point for the 2013 Pony Finals; in 2012, ridden by Breanna Holmes, he had been part of Zone 4’s gold medal-winning team at the Pony Jumper Championships. “He was actually very easy to ride,” Dean said of American Hero, a medium pony who stood 13.2 hands. “You never had to worry about the jumping, because he was so careful and so scopey. You never never had to worry about the jumps, and your flat work didn’t have to be perfect. He had so much ability. You just kicked him to the base, and he went. He was the greatest. “I jumped him in a little puissance one time at a local show,” he added. “It went up to about five feet, and he cleared it. My trainer friends always said if he’d been a horse, he’d have been an Olympic horse.” Like Dean, American Hero went on to more success, too, and retired with an outstanding Pony Finals record. “He was such a good pony,” Dean said. “What’s neat is that he has two gold medals with me and another two different team golds with two other riders.” Today, the pony Dean rode to his Pony Jumper Championships gold is about 22 years old and is retired at Dean’s farm in Alabama. The Pony Finals experience, from intensive preparation to riding as part of a team, can help a rider improve their horsemanship and build a strong platform for future amateur or professional success. But it also can create lasting relationships, said Dean. “I didn’t really have any big championship success, so this was the breakout thing for me,” he said. “And I think our relationship as a team is kind of a life bond, too, for all of us. Katie tried so hard to make it that way, and it worked. We were almost like a family. We had dinner together every night. And that made it more special.” His advice for Pony Finals first-timers this year? “I always tell people to ride strong,” Dean said. “If you have a bad fence, keep going to the next jump. If there’s a bump in the road, you keep driving. You can’t really control what the results do, but it’s about having a good time.” Cooper Dean on Braavos at the 2018 Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - East. 52 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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TRENDING
AIR VESTS
What you need to know by Leslie Potter
Inflatable air vests aren’t just for eventers anymore. As their popularity extends into other disciplines, we talked to USEF Team Physician Dr. Mark Hart and Charles Owen’s Danielle Santos to find out more. While most equestrians are well aware of the potential for head injuries that comes with riding, riders run the risk of other types of injuries when involved in a fall. Eventers have been wearing body protectors on the cross-country course for decades to mitigate some of that risk, and in recent years, self-inflating air vests have become a common item of supplemental safety gear. Riders in other disciplines have taken note, and air vests are starting to show up in the show ring as well as on the cross-country course. Like all safety gear, air vests are only effective when used correctly and cared for properly. We spoke with Danielle Santos, Director of Sales and Partnerships for Charles Owen, and Dr. Mark Hart, USEF’s Team Physician and Chair of the Fédération Équestre Internationale Medical Committee, to find out what equestrians need to know about air vests. How They Work There are several manufacturers offering equestrian air vests today, and while the designs vary somewhat, the principle of how they work is the same. The vests have a lanyard that attaches to the saddle. When a rider parts ways with the saddle, the lanyard triggers 54 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
the activation device, which punctures an air canister, instantly inflating the vest before the rider hits the ground. “Airowear air vests (AyrPS) have unique circulation systems that allow them to inflate when the rider detaches from the saddle and activates the gas canister,” said Santos. The inflated areas are designed to add a greater stopping distance for the rider’s body in a fall. “This protection zone includes chambers around the jaw to stabilize the head and neck, a protective tent around the thorax and torso, and a trampoline effect across the chest to protect the sternum and ribs.” Air Vests vs. Traditional Body Protectors Body protectors are made of a lightweight foam that helps dissipate the impact in a fall. “Body protectors have been shown by research to reduce penetrating injuries to the torso and reduce the frequency of rib fractures,” said Hart, adding that the effectiveness is seen mostly in cross-country riding and less so in stadium jumping or on the flat. “Air vests were specifically designed with the thought to reduce ‘crush’ injuries to the chest when riders hit the ground hard or when a horse lands on top of them during a fall.”
PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN
An air vest should be worn with a traditional body protector.
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TRENDING Eventers have been wearing air vests for years on cross-country, but they are now beginning to appear in other disciplines.
“Traditional body protectors are designed to protect the abdomen, internal organs, chest, and ribs,” said Santos, adding that they also offer some protection from bruising, cuts, and abrasions. “What body protectors do not do is to offer direct spinal protection, protect from crushing the body, or protect against injuries involving severe torsion, flexion, or extension.” Currently, traditional body protectors are required for eventers during the crosscountry phase, and they are allowed—but not required—in most other disciplines. There is no requirement for air vests in any discipline, and even if riders opt to use them for cross-country, they must still wear a traditional body protector underneath the air vest. In other words, an air vest is not meant to be a replacement for a body protector. “Air jackets can be added on top of any BETA Level 3 or SEI-certified body protector, but integrated body protectors that allow you to anchor the air jacket to the body protector below will prevent the air jacket from slipping or moving around the body,” said Santos. Caring for Your Air Vest To keep your air vest functioning properly for the maximum life of the product, Charles Owen recommends storing it in a dry, climate-controlled tack room, if available, or inside your house. Any dirt can be safely removed with a dry brush followed by a wipe down with a damp cloth. 56 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
“After a fall and deployment of the canister, the air vest should be thoroughly inspected for any tears or marks,” said Santos. “After a significant fall or visible mark/tear, it’s recommended that riders send their air vest in for servicing to ensure the mechanisms are working properly.” Santos also suggests sending your vest to the manufacturer for servicing annually, after six inflations, or after a significant fall, even if there’s no visible tear in the material. The service should include an inspection and re-test of the triggering and inflation mechanism to ensure they’re still working properly. The air canisters are replaceable, so in most cases, you’ll be able to simply replace the canister and continue to use your air vest after a fall. Should You Wear an Air Vest? Air vest technology is still relatively new in the equestrian world, which means we don’t yet have the same level of conclusive data about their benefits that we do for helmets or even traditional body protectors. “The Transport Research Lab worked with British Eventing in 2015, evaluating the effectiveness of air vests by using lab models to simulate horses landing on riders and measuring compressive forces,” said Hart. “This study did show evidence of probable reduction of seriousness of crushing forces, but these studies had limitations.” In a study conducted by the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne in
Australia, researchers reviewed crosscountry falls that occurred at FEI events from 2015 through 2017 and compared the rate of injury between riders who wore an air vest and riders who did not. Statistical analysis showed that riders with air vests in fact had increased odds of sustaining a serious injury. However, this study did not show that the air vests caused the injury, and other factors may be at play. “This study raised several unanswered questions and clearly points to the need for additional research,” said Hart. Anecdotally, many riders do attest to the safety benefits of their air vests, and we’ll continue to see them in the upper levels of eventing. For riders of any level or discipline, Santos emphasizes the importance of choosing the right one and using it correctly, in concert with a traditional body protector. “If you are interested in the additional protection that an air jacket provides on top of a foundation body protector, look for one that has been tested to the SATRA M38:Issue 3 February 2015 air vest standard,” she said, referring to UK-based independent testing organization, SATRA Technology. “The air activation device is tested prior to being inserted into the air tube to ensure it triggers and punctures the air canister, which in turn inflates the tube when a rider falls. Each tube is inflated to ensure it does so, before dispatching to the customer.”
PHOTOS: AMY DRAGOO
Have your air vest serviced by the manufacturer annually, after six inflations, or after a significant fall, even if there’s no visible damage.
HORSE HEALTH
SIX for Protecting Your TIPS Horse’s Joints
by Glenye Cain Oakford
Joint health is key to any horse’s performance. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s Dr. Laura Werner offers six management strategies that can help protect the equine joint.
An appropriate calcium/ phosphorus balance in your horse’s diet can aid joint health.
58 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
1. Start with balanced nutrition. Good joint health starts with good nutrition, especially when the horse is young, when the cartilage in his joints is forming. And throughout a horse’s life, maintaining a proper calcium/phosphorus balance (no more than 1:1 to 2:1 calcium to phosphorus, ideally, says Werner) in your horse’s diet can help support joint health. “It doesn’t hurt to have your horse on a joint supplement like chondroitin and glucosamine,” Werner added. “There’s less data on the oral absorption of hyaluronic acid and whether it’s helpful or not, but we know hyaluronic acid is a key component of joint fluid and is key to joint health.” A recent study at Texas A & M University also suggested that resveratrol—a compound found in red grape skins and red wine—might help improve hock lameness in performance horses. “There are new developments all the time,” said Werner, so it’s worth asking your vet about current research. And don’t forget to consult your vet and make sure you know the ingredients of any supplement you administer; even “natural” supplements can sometimes result in a positive drug test
at competitions (for a list of forbidden substances, see US Equestrian’s Guidelines for Drugs and Medications). 2. Consider your horse’s age when setting a training regimen. Particularly for young horses in training or already showing, it’s also helpful to avoid a performance regimen that might be suitable for an older horse but could add excess trauma to younger joints. “It’s helpful not to have too much repetitive trauma on the joints at an early age,” said Dr. Werner. “Sometimes we see more problems with early repetitive trauma in horses that are working at two, for example. Don’t work a horse harder than he really needs to be working. As they say, every horse only has so many jumps in him, and you want to avoid excess wear and tear.” 3. Look for low-impact exercises. “Uphill work versus trotting on the flat puts less stress and strain on the front limbs, for example, and things like underwater treadmills or swimming can help prevent stress and strain on the joints,” Werner said. “Walking is great exercise that also doesn’t add a lot of impact. That can add to their conditioning and their top line without pounding on their joints a lot.” 4. Watch those hooves. “Proper shoeing and hoof care are important,” said Werner. Poor trimming and shoeing can lead to extra stress on joints, so
PHOTO: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO
A number of factors can contribute to arthritic changes in the equine joint, and that can affect performance. The good news is that there are some things you can do to promote your horse’s joint health, according to Dr. Laura Werner at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Ky.
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www.adequan.com BRIEF SUMMARY: Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: Adequan® i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: The safe use of Adequan® i.m. in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. For customer care, or to obtain product information, visit www.adequan.com. To report an adverse event please contact American Regent, Inc. at (800) 734-9236 or email pv@americanregent.com. Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.adequan.com. 1 Adequan® i.m. Package Insert, Rev 1/19. 2 Burba DJ, Collier MA, DeBault LE, Hanson-Painton O, Thompson HC, Holder CL: In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. J Equine Vet Sci 1993; 13: 696-703. All trademarks are the property of American Regent, Inc. © 2020, American Regent, Inc. PP-AI-US-0373 03/2020
HORSE HEALTH
be sure to work with your farrier to maintain your horses’ hooves well. And be aware of the footing your horse is working on, too—excessively hard footing, for example, can mean more trauma on joints during work. 5. Keep them fit and moving. “Low-impact activity is always good for horses, as it is in people,” Werner said. “It’s good to keep moving, to keep the muscles fit to support the joints, and it’s good for them not to be overweight. That’s good advice across species!” Proper shoeing and good footing also play a role in maintaining a horse’s joint health. Lower-impact exercise like hill work, underwater treadmills, and swimming can help reduce stress and strain on joints.
PHOTOS: FRANK SORGE/ARND.NL, ARND BRONKHORST/ARND.NL
6. Ask your veterinarian if your horse is a candidate for injections. Therapeutic options for certain joint issues can include polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG). “It’s one of the building-blocks of cartilage,” explained Werner. “It’s indicated if there’s a joint injury. For example, in young horses who have an infected joint as a youngster or who have a chip or OCD [osteochondritis dissecans] lesion taken out, it can help that cartilage heal. It’s also used in older horses if there’s joint damage.” Treatment typically would involve a series of intramuscular injections every four days for a total of seven treatments once or twice a year. “There’s no withdrawal time, because it’s a normal constituent of joints, so it’s an option if you’re in the midst of show season, and it treats more than one joint,” Werner added. “It’s not a steroid but it has anti-inflammatory effects, even though it’s a normal constituent of cartilage.” Learn more about PSGAG in US Equestrian’s online Learning Center at usef.org/learning-center/videos/keep-joints-moving-with-adequan-im. If the horse is lame and your vet finds signs of joint inflammation or osteoarthritis via radiographs or ultrasound, joint injections might be another option. A number of different products are available, including some like stem cell therapy and IRAP® [interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein] that are derived from the horse’s blood; hyaluronic acid, which is a component of joint fluid; and steroids. “There are a number of treatment options, and it’s important to go over them with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your horse and your situation,” Werner said.
60 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
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PHOTO: PALADA SILVER
64 64 SUMMER SUMMER ISSUE ISSUE 2020 2020
RETURN TO
FITNESS BY KATHLEEN LANDWEHR
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected barn activities across the country. For equestrians who have been unable to ride or drive due to stay-at-home orders or to protect the health of barn workers, getting back to horse sports under eased restrictions is a welcome change. However, if your horse has
been enjoying a vacation for an extended period of time, he may need some help getting back into shape before he is ready for full work. Dr. Laura Werner of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute shared some helpful tips to get your equine partner ready for your next outing.
USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 65
Above: Light longeing in each direction can help a horse maintain or build fitness without a rider.
PHOTOS: ARND BRONKHORST/ARND.NL
Right: Cavaletti can also be a useful tool for developing fitness, fine-tuning footwork, and spicing up a training routine to keep a horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind engaged.
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Horses who take a break from working don’t immediately lose their fitness. “If the horse is relatively fit, and obviously without injury, they can hold their fitness, especially with adequate turnout, if they have a month off,” Werner said. She added that horses coming back from an injury or those who don’t have access to plenty of turnout will require more time to get back into shape. PLAN A GRADUAL RETURN Bringing horses back into work gradually is important for their well-being and soundness. Werner recommended that horses with no fitness do at least 30 days of flat work before doing more difficult work or starting over fences. Rushing to get a horse fit can result in injury and create major setbacks. “Some injuries occur with serious work or speed work if the horse is not cardiovascularly or musculoskeletally fit,” Werner explained. “A lot of times the musculoskeletal fitness or impact training comes back before the cardiovascular fitness, so if they are not cardiovascularly fit enough and they take a bad step, they can certainly injure themselves.” Long, slow distance work, such as hacking, is an excellent way to improve horses’ fitness. “A lot of times coming back into fitness, we will start the horses with hacking before we start some serious flat work, then obviously before jumping work,” Werner said. She suggested adding a 30- to 60-minute walk after exercise on the flat to increase horses’ fitness levels without adding excessive concussion on their legs. For those who have the option, using hills is the next step in boosting horses’ fitness levels. “Add hill work instead of your long, slow distance work to add some cardio,” Werner said. “Some disciplines need more of that in interval training than others, though it is good for all disciplines.”
TECH AND TOOLS TO HELP Werner shared that there are a variety of tools that equestrians can use to help get their horses into shape, such as equine (and sometimes rider) heart-rate monitoring apps or systems. “The horses’ heart rates are a great way to monitor fitness,” Werner noted. “How fast the horse’s heart rate is getting up and how fast they recover is a great gauge to help access your horse’s fitness with numbers.” She added that a target heart-rate range for a horse in full work is 120 to 150 beats per minute, from which they should recover to below 70 b.p.m. within five to 10 minutes as they are cooling out (most horses’ normal resting heart rates are between 32 and 40 b.p.m.). “You can use [the apps or systems] to see how long it takes you to get your horse up to that heart rate or whether it comes back down fast enough after you have done sustained work for a time,” Werner said. Werner also suggested swimming and underwater treadmills as other tools to help with horses’ fitness levels. “They can bring your horse back into cardiovascular fitness, especially for ones coming back from injury; you can add cardiovascular fitness without pounding on their legs,” Werner said. She pointed out that swimming and exercise on underwater treadmills are helpful in the summertime, when the ground in various regions can become hard in dry weather. Underwater treadmills or swimming, as well as regular treadmills or walkers, also can help build up fitness levels in horses who are returning post-injury. But, for horses coming back into work after sustaining an injury, a different overall approach to fitness is necessary. “It is obviously up to the veterinarians to help advise on horses with injuries and how to bring them back,” Werner said. “Generally, we do intervals of long, slow distance work back through walking, then trotting, then cantering, as recommended by your veterinarian according to what the injury is.” Longeing can also be beneficial to bringing a horse back into work. “Another thing I am a huge fan of is light work on a longe line with a Pessoa system to build up their topline without a rider. Depending on the horse, some can be worked two to four times a week for 20 to 30 minutes. That can help as well, injury or not,” Werner said. Another variable that plays into a horse’s fitness level: the rider. “Rider fitness is big, too,” Werner explained. “You are helping your horse out when you are fit enough, rather than possibly injuring your horse by being unbalanced and unfit.”
USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 67
Above: Active downtime from more strenuous exercise— like spending some time on an automatic walker, in the round pen, or handwalking—can give horses a lighter day while keeping them moving.
BE FLEXIBLE When lessons and competitions were put on hold during the shutdown, trainers had to adjust their plans to maintain their horses’ baseline fitness and keep them mentally and physically engaged during their break. And they stressed the importance of knowing their horses’ individual needs to create a plan that works for them. Katie Case is the owner and trainer at ShowCase at Reiser Stables and runs a small saddle seat lesson program in Simpsonville, Ky. While her horses were on a break from giving lessons, she needed to maintain their fitness to be ready once lessons, and eventually shows, started up again. Case used turnout, longeing, and a jog cart to keep her horses fit and engaged during their break. For turnout, three of Case’s horses live outside and get plenty of activity, while her other two horses can stretch their legs in a small paddock. “Also, when I bring them in they are a little more docile, and I teach a lot of kids as well,” said Case. Case’s lessons and training normally would start in the afternoon, but during the shutdown, she has done most of the training in the morning with her adjusted schedule. She typically worked her horses five days a week during the shutdown, giving them two days off. Case made a goal at the beginning of the shutdown to capitalize on the extra time to work with her horses. “I am a huge podcast fan, and one of the podcasts that I listen to gave you a hashtag, and he had a whole theory behind it, but it was to #WinTheWait,” shared Case. “This is an opportunity for my horses to get a little extra of me and hopefully improve so when we can go back to work they will be ready to go.” Case started longeing one of her horses for four minutes each direction and gradually increased the time to eight minutes each direction throughout the shutdown. “I have totally seen his fitness level double over the break,” added Case. As restrictions eased, Case started driving a jog cart with one horse to increase his fitness even more. “It will help him to not only to get stronger physically, but it will allow me to get him a little softer and more supple in the bridle without necessarily having to put the weight of a rider on his back, whether the rider be me or one of my customers,” explained Case. “Even just being in the jog cart and walking is good for 68 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTOS: FRANK SORGE/ARND.NL, ARND BRONKHORST/ARND.NL
Right: Long hacks can aid fitness and also keep horses mentally stimulated and interested in their work.
them because you are getting them exercise, a mouth on them, and muscling through shoulder and hip by pulling that cart, which is good.” Case began with a few minutes in each direction and increased a minute at a time, depending on what her horse was telling her. She aims to have him compete in country pleasure classes this summer and practiced necessary skills for those classes, such as stopping and standing quietly along the rail “to make sure we have that capacity so when it is time to get into the show ring he is trained for that work.” Case takes her students’ abilities into account when getting her horses fit for horse shows. If the rider is capable of handling a fresh horse, Case gets the horse very fit for the show ring. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Case doesn’t focus on getting a horse very fit for a more timid rider. She added, “For me, everything is a little different because I primarily run a riding lesson program, so my job is just to make sure that every time I have someone walk in the door I educate them a little bit more to stay safe and they have fun.”
Dressage and flat work promote fitness, suppleness, and responsiveness that can help a horse tune up for competition. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s Dr. Laura Werner recommends that horses with no fitness do at least 30 days of flat work before doing more difficult exercises or starting over fences.
PROMOTE MENTAL FITNESS, TOO For endurance trainer Celena Pentrack, who owns On Track Training in Prineville, Ore., not much changed with her horses’ routines until she found out their first race wouldn’t be until July. Before the shutdown, Pentrack trained horses between four and five days a week for Ron Sproat and Carol Giles at their Sabiq Arabian Ranch, doing two riding days, two days on a walker, and one day of arena work. She also incorporated longeing with back-strengthening equipment or working over cavaletti or obstacles. After the shutdown, she transitioned to one riding day, one to two days on a walker, and either a trail ride or arena work day. “We want to keep them fit, we don’t want to lay them off completely, but we also want to stay safe on these very fit athletes who are ready to race 50-100 miles,” said Pentrack. Pentrack used the shutdown to work on basic skills out on the trail. “We decided to take some of our conditioning rides and lower the intensity and tried to work on the competitive brains of the horses, taking this unique opportunity and work on what we call ‘good citizen work’ out on the trail,” Pentrack said. “We worked on things like separation and slow work, getting them to focus on stopping and grazing, working on being left by other horses, increasing distance in between horses riding together in bigger groups—really focusing on slower, mental work instead of the fast, physical work.” USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 69
Above: While competitions were shut down, endurance trainer Celena Pentrack shifted her regimen to maintain horses’ fitness and “focusing on slower, mental work instead of the fast, physical work,” she said. Top right: It’s important to remember that a horse needs both musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fitness, says Dr. Laura Werner, shown here at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.
70 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
plans for the specific race and a variety of factors to assess the horse’s fitness. “We work on progressively increasing distance first and then speed second,” Pentrack said. “We are very careful not to increase distance and speed in the same workout.” Pentrack values variation in her horses’ training and having a plan to accomplish goals and avoid injury. “It is not just about going out and riding my horse as hard as I can twice a week, and then giving them the rest of the days off,” said Pentrack. “It’s having a plan and really thinking about increasing distance and speed separately and then bringing those together for a race.” Pentrack also stressed the importance of “active rest,” using light movement—such as handwalking, round-pen work, or the walker—the day after a hard training session to help flush the lactic acid out of her horses’ bodies. Putting together all of these pieces, physical and mental, in a thoughtful and individualized plan can help get equine athletes and their human partners ready for their next steps into the show ring or out on a scenic trail.
PHOTOS: JALA NEUFELD, J.J. SILLMAN
Pentrack normally works on increasing her horses’ softness and suppleness and continued to do so during the shutdown. “The horses are competitive, strong, and fit, but they are not always moving in the most relaxed, beneficial, efficient manner down the trail,” explained Pentrack. “We get strong, fit horses and we lose the suppleness and softness both physically and mentally during this time normally, because our focus gets going on the ‘go, go, go get them ready.’” Her riderless work includes working over obstacle courses containing poles, bridges, and teeter-totters. “Things like that stimulate them during down time but also work on mental softness, acceptance, and getting them to build confidence in their riders on a slower and lower level,” said Pentrack. For Pentrack’s first race back after the shutdown, she is planning to give those horses with a solid baseline fitness level at least two weeks of increased work ahead of the race. If an endurance horse is coming off a complete layoff, Pentrack noted, he would need two to three months to get fit, depending on the rider’s
GET GET SHOW-READY SHOW-READY With US Equestrian’s website, usef.org, it’s fast and easy to
You should submit the papers/passport, along with the
take care of pre-show business, so you can avoid last-minute
horse or pony’s name and USEF or USHJA number, to US
headaches. Check these things off your list now and enjoy your
Equestrian before competing. You can upload your papers or
show season!
passport easily at usef.org by visiting the Horse Options area
Join or renew your US Equestrian membership (and take required SafeSport training). Doing this at least a week before a show saves time and paperwork when you get to a competition. Joining as a competing member makes good financial sense if you plan to show
of your Member Dashboard. You can also mail or fax a copy of the papers or passport, along with the horse or pony’s name and number, to US Equestrian. Our address is 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, Ky., 40511. Our fax number is (859) 231-6662. Have questions? Contact US Equestrian’s Customer
more than once this year. Start at usef.org/join-usef. Remember:
Care Center at (859) 258-2472.
all USEF Competing Members age 18 or older must also com-
COVID-19: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SHOW
plete SafeSport training in order to be eligible for US Equestrian activities, including competitions. For FAQs and more about the SafeSport training, visit US Equestrian’s Safe Sport page. You can access the training via your Member Dashboard. Check the Competition Prize List and Website. Before you head to the show it’s important to make sure you are up to date on the latest show requirements and updates. With many new protocols in place, the prize list and website are great resources to answer questions, view stabling requirements and see how the competition management will be keeping everybody safe. Some competitions may even allow you to submit electronic entry documents in advance, which can save you time at the show. Be aware that details can often change, be sure to check back often so you can stay informed. Keep your documents handy. If you’re headed to a USEF competition and your horse or pony is recorded, you’ll need to present your proof of horse recording to the competition secretary to ensure your show points count. You can print out your proof of horse recording from your Member Dashboard at usef.org or show the online card to the secretary on your phone. Showing at a USHJA show? You’ll also need to show either the print-out or online version of your USHJA Horse Registration. That also is available in your Member Dashboard at usef.org. Get ready now and save time at the show! Pack your proof of measurement. If you’ll be showing in height-restricted classes and have a measurement card, put your proof of measurement somewhere where you’ll be sure to take it with you to a competition, too. Remember that you also can get your horse’s proof
USEF has issued the following requirements for participants in USEF-licensed competitions. These requirements are effective immediately and until further notice, but be aware that they might be modified as government and public health guidance change. Comply with federal, state, and local requirements; your competition organizer’s requirements; and recommendations from the World Health Organization at who.int and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov. For a comprehensive list of resources, USEF communications, links to COVID-19 updates from USEF recognized affiliates, and more, visit USEF’s online coronavirus research page at usef. org/media/coronavirus-resources. You can also access USEF’s COVID-19 Action Plan for competition organizers and participants and read common FAQs. Sign an updated Waiver and Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement. Competition organizers will include this form in their prize lists. You can also find it online at usef.org/media/covid19-toolkit under the heading Additional Resources. Follow social-distancing requirements, including restricting the number of people attending the competition, in the barns, and at the ring. Wear a face mask or similar face covering when you are not mounted and any time there is a possibility you will be within six feet of another person. Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer, and comply with disinfection and sanitization requirements and guidelines. DON’T GO IF YOU HAVE… •
a temperature of 99.5°F or higher (be aware that state, local, or competition requirements may vary)
of measurement at usef.org. Go to your Member Dashboard, scroll down to My Horses, and click the ruler symbol immedi-
•
symptoms of COVID-19
ately beside the horse’s name.
•
tested positive for COVID-19 within the last two weeks
Get your hunter or jumper’s age verified.
•
been in contact with someone who has tested positive for
Planning to enter a Young Hunter or age-restricted jumper
COVID-19 within the last two weeks
class? You’ll need to have your horse or pony’s age verified with
For additional requirements, recommendations, and guide-
US Equestrian. To do this, you will need registration papers or
lines, please scan the QR code or see the COVID-19 Action Plan at
a passport issued by a breed registry recognized by USEF.
usef.org/media/coronavirus-resources. USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 71
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74 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN
PONY PARADISE USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, set for Aug. 3-9, combines celebration, education, and camaraderie, even under COVID-19 guidelines
STORY BY GLENYE CAIN OAKFORD
For the kids who ride pony hunters and pony jumpers, the arrival of August means one thing above all: it’s Pony Finals time! Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, USEF Pony Finals is a championship competition like none other, one that not only celebrates junior equestrians and ponies, but also offers educational opportunities and a chance to meet other young riders from around the nation. “At this time, barring any significant changes from the state due to COVID-19, our plan is to move forward with the 2020 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm during the regularly scheduled dates of August 3-9 at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said US Equestrian’s Championship Program Manager, Natalie Norwood. “Safety is a big priority. As we are working to implement policies that adhere to all of the Kentucky state and USEF’s social-distancing guidelines, some things at Pony Finals will be noticeably different from previous years.” In the era of COVID-19, the 2020 show—like all USEF competitions—will operate under new health-related guidelines, including required social distancing and wearing face masks or face coverings when you’re not on horseback. Some other things will look a bit different, too. The Hunter Championship will take place in the Rolex Arena, while the Jumper and Pony Medal events are still tentatively set to occur in the Alltech Arena. The United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Horseless Horse Show has been canceled and there will be no VIP tables (see sidebar “Stay Up To Date on 2020 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm” for other changes and important resources). This year, the show’s prize list and additional information, including the 2020 rules and clinic schedule, will only be available electronically. You can find both—and stay up to date on changes and guidelines—at the Pony Finals web page at ponyfinals.org. We’re all living in a new era, but the best things about Pony Finals never change. The championship competition will still be world-class, and your friends and family back home will still be able to catch it live on USEF Network. USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 75
Trainer Robin Greenwood (left) with 2017 Marshall & Sterling USEF Pony Medal Final champion Ada Catherine Hays on Greenwood’s pony, Center Field. 76 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
A LIFE EXPERIENCE Pony Finals isn’t your average horse show, veteran competitors, parents, and coaches say. Young riders there gain experience at a big-time competition with a heady atmosphere, but they also get exposure to other top young athletes in the hunter jumper world; insights into how others train, ride, and care for their ponies; an introduction to the wider hunter jumper community; and the opportunity to take clinics and make contacts. The experience can be priceless. “As a rider, any time you attend a competition where the riding is at such a high level, your riding gets better,” said trainer Robin Greenwood, who breeds, raises, and trains ponies at her GC Ponies in Southern Pines, N.C., and has been coming to Pony Finals since the 1980s. “It kicks up your interest, and it motivates you to go home and try some of the things you’ve seen. In my experience, rarely do kids come away from Pony Finals without a lot of new friends. They get the experience of getting really excited to watch their new friends go in the ring. They really learn to be supportive of the kids they came with and the friends they make there, and they learn to be great sports, even when things don’t go well.” When things do go well, that success can quickly elevate a young rider’s skills and career. “In 2017, I took a young girl named Ada Catherine Hays to Pony Finals who had never been to a national championship of any sort,” Greenwood recalled. “She’d never been to an A horse show in South Carolina or North Carolina. She was a really good rider who had foxhunted all her life, but there wasn’t the money for a show pony, and she was riding one of my homebred ponies.” Hays qualified for Pony Finals and for the Marshall & Sterling USEF Pony Medal Final Championship on Center Field, who had won the 2012 Pony Medal Final before with Lucy Deslauriers, and expertly piloted the gray Welsh/Thoroughbred gelding to his second Pony Medal title. “It was really exciting, because she’d never even been to something like that,” Greenwood said. “When she was leading after the first round, I told her, ‘The most fun thing about this is that everyone is looking up at that leaderboard going, ‘Who the heck is Ada Catherine Hays?’ She said after she won that her friend requests and her Instagram follows really blew up. It was just a really cool thing. “At Pony Finals, there are so many things kids can do with their friends and with their ponies that they can’t do anywhere else, like go ride their ponies around on the cross-country course,” Greenwood added. “Just being at the Kentucky Horse Park and going to the museums there—there’s just so much to do that you can’t do anywhere else.”
PHOTOS: SHAWN MCMILLEN PHOTOGRAPHY (LEFT), TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN (RIGHT, TOP), NANCY RICHARDSON (RIGHT, BOTTOM)
There also will still be a 2020 Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm Yearbook. Don’t forget to submit your photo and questionnaire responses on the yearbook application at ponyfinals.org by July 14. US Equestrian will also present the annual Buttons N’ Bows Sportsmanship Award, too. Do you know a pony rider with a great attitude, someone who helps their friends and barn mates all year? Let US Equestrian know! Nominations and supporting letters must be received by July 31. Submit by email to Natalie Norwood at ponyfinals@usef.org or by mail at US Equestrian, 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, Ky., 40511. And the hugely popular USHJA free clinic series, which takes place in the Covered Arena, will offer a full slate of fun, educational activities for kids and adults alike. In addition to three model clinics, there are classes on such topics as the judge’s perspective, sports psychology, acupuncture and chiropractic for ponies, a course walk, and dressing to impress. And don’t forget Pony Trivia on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6. Get the full schedule in the Pony Finals additional information at usef.org/ forms-pubs/VSMsQn6joxI. There will still be plenty of joy to go around, from competing to learning new things to meeting fellow competitors. And, as always, the valuable equestrian and life skills riders take away from Pony Finals will last forever. “While we recognize things will feel a little different, Pony Finals will still be a national championship event that gives junior riders and their ponies the opportunity to compete and perform on the national stage, and to enjoy camaraderie even while social-distancing,” Norwood said. “This year, the overall social aspect of Pony Finals may not be a highlight of the event, but at the end of the day we want to do the best we can to help every exhibitor enjoy the accomplishment and walk away feeling that they have learned new things and had valuable competition experience that will stick with them in the years to come.”
“THERE’S JUST SO MUCH TO DO THAT YOU CAN’T DO ANYWHERE ELSE.”
The 2019 Gochman Grant recipients (left to right): Sophia McCoy, Eddyn Molden, and Ryder Richardson.
USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 77
LIFE LESSONS AND HORSEMANSHIP Programs like the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation Gochman Grant can help talented, dedicated young equestrians experience Pony Finals without breaking the bank. The Gochman Grant, which is available to three riders each year, doesn’t only give recipients the opportunity to compete at Pony Finals. It also provides access to professionals for training, entry into available clinics, and exposure to other educational experiences during Pony Finals week. “It was amazing, like everything I ever dreamed of,” Ryder Richardson of Parker, Colo., said of his first Pony Finals in 2018, when, at age 12, he received a Gochman Grant and showed Nominee in the large pony hunter section. “When I first started riding, doing Pony Finals was one of my goals,” Richardson said. “I needed to go there and do it for myself. I was blown away by it: all the kids, all the ponies, and everybody was so happy. It was like being in paradise.” Richardson returned in 2019 to earn team bronze in the USEF Pony Jumper Team Championship on RR Cool Play as part of the combined team from Zones 3, 5, 7, and 8. “I’ve gained a lot of friendships and a lot of new connections at Pony Finals,” Richardson said, “and it’s a lot of fun, too. It means a lot to be able to ride with other kids and compete at the same level, and it’s a good confidence-booster. The competition helps my riding a lot and pushes me to become the best rider I can. And there are many other really good riders and fancy ponies, so you have to really prove yourself out there. I was honestly really scared!” The Pony Jumper Team Championship also gave Richardson a taste of team competition, with its camaraderie and added weight of responsibility to other riders. “I’d never done anything like that, but it was incredible, and I loved every second of it,” he said. “The format for the Pony Jumper Championship was a Nations Cup format,” Ryder’s mom, Kelle Richardson, added. “He felt almost like he was riding for the U.S. Equestrian Team. He hopes to further his riding career, and getting to start out and be treated the way those kids were treated was just the neatest experience. They had matching shirts and saddle pads, and they were all so excited for each other. It was beautiful to watch as a parent. “The life lesson is having a goal and persevering to get there,” she noted. “Having that goal and reaching that goal was profound for him as a person. How he felt after going and competing against and meeting some of the best riders in the country, knowing that he was on the same playing field as they were, that increased his confidence as a rider and as a person. I still get goosebumps remembering that first year when he went on the Gochman Grant. He was so nervous! But he had the support of the United States Hunter Jumper Association and the United States Equestrian Federation, and everyone was cheering him on. He felt like a million dollars.” 78 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
“I’ve gained a lot of friendships and a lot of new connections at Pony Finals,” said Ryder Richardson, here on RR Cool Play en route to a team bronze in the 2019 USEF Pony Jumper Team Championship.
FIRST TIME AT USEF PONY FINALS
PRESENTED BY COLLECTING GAITS FARM?
PHOTOS: SHAWN MCMILLEN PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT), TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN (BELOW)
If you’re a first-time rider, parent, or trainer at Pony Finals this year, trainer Robin Greenwood has some good advice to help you make the most of the experience. Greenwood, who operates GC Ponies in Southern Pines, N.C., has been coming to Pony Finals since the 1980s. Her first piece of advice: stay calm and stay organized. “I tell first-time Pony Finals kids, parents, and trainers that the biggest thing is being prepared,” she said. For the Rider “Be prepared,” Greenwood advises kids. “If you need an hour to get your pony ready for the model section, give yourself 90 minutes. “A good thing to do is to have a list, have a specific show bag that you don’t carry a lot of junk around in, and have everything in it that you need for a horse show. And make sure everything is in it the night before, so you don’t wake up 10 minutes late the next morning thinking, ‘Oh, no, where are my spurs?!’ Have everything on your list in that bag, and the night before you go anywhere, make sure everything on the list is there. That way, what you don’t want to have to worry about the next day is already taken care of. Those are good organizational skills to have. “If you haven’t modeled before and you don’t know how to model, the one thing you can do before you come and before you do the model clinic is to teach your pony to stand for as long as you want him to stand. It just means practicing every day. Go out either before or after you ride—after is probably better because he’ll be more tired—and make your pony stand still. Once your pony will stand still, it’s a lot easier to learn how to model it. You’ll learn more about that in the model clinic. But make sure before you come that he’ll stand still and that he’ll jog.
“Be sure to go watch the more experienced kids compete their ponies. Watch the model sections, if you can, and see how the kids handle their ponies. Watch the trainers. Watch the grooms. Watch the riders. And listen. Sit on the rail when people are teaching. Listen to what they have to say, and watch the kids’ responses. Go down to the schooling ring. And don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people and ask questions. “Enjoy the ride,” she added. “Have fun. It’s a very special experience, especially the first time you go.” For the Trainer “Stay calm,” said Greenwood. “If it’s your first time going to Pony Finals, talk to another trainer or a friend who has gone about what to expect. The show moves really slowly—it crawls—until that moment, and then it goes at warp speed. Say you’re in the 23rd section of the day to model. The models only take about eight minutes. You’re required to be on the hill lined up to go in the model when the section before you is in the ring, and the barns are really far away. Be prepared, be early.” For the Parent “Understand what’s happening as much as you can, try to speak with someone who’s been before, and do a little research about how things run,” Greenwood said. “Stay calm and enjoy the adventure! Make a friend. And don’t hover over your kid; let them make their choices, right or wrong. It’s their moment.” For Everyone “The rules for the competition are pretty simple, but one of the biggest is that there is no outside help—you cannot speak to a child once they’re inside that ring or they can be eliminated,” Greenwood cautioned. “The rules are online on the Pony Finals section of the USEF website. Read the rules and know the rules.”
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Tabitha Okitsu enjoying her time in the jumper ring at the 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm.
The model clinics are among the most popular activities at USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm. 80 SUMMER ISSUE 2020
“The camaraderie is amazing,” said parent Lisa Kaufman of Cleveland, Ohio. “All these kids that get there have worked so hard, and I love that they all get a swag bag and a blue ribbon that says Pony Finals.” The path to Pony Finals involves a lot of hard work, most parents and trainers will attest, and that also helps a rider build skills and character. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune, says Kaufman, whose younger daughter Isabelle first competed at Pony Finals in 2018, finishing in the top third of competitors with her own pony, Cavalier’s Hugs-N-Kisses. Today she rides with Margaret Kruse at Royal Point Stables. “We had some amazing trainers, Jeff and Keeley Gogul, who gave her a lot of opportunities at the start,” explained Kaufman. Those opportunities included schooling both green and made ponies for a trainer’s clients and showing ponies that are for sale. “Isabelle got experience with a lot of different kinds of rides, and she’d get on anything she was given,” Kaufman said. “Because of our price point, we’d lease a pony that was still for sale and take it to a show, and a week later it might get sold. Several people in our circle used to call Isabelle ‘the good luck charm’ because she’d take it to a show and it would sell. “When we bought her a pony, we bought one out of a field in the back woods of Michigan, because that was the price point we could afford. And she did quite well with him; they were in the rankings nationally. She didn’t just ride. She learned how to train, because with a green pony, everything you do is teaching them either how to do it right or how to do it wrong, as her trainer used to tell her.” The horsemanship skills she learned over time enabled Isabelle to find even more opportunities on a trip to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla., including riding a pony for prominent rider Taylor St. Jacques. “It’s really about putting yourself out there, being in the right place, being available, putting the hours in, and not being afraid to be up front about what your budget allows,” Kaufman said. “And it was worth the money to pay for good training, because that’s what set Isabelle up to be good enough to take on the more challenging ponies that fit our budget.”
The social experience at Pony Finals is important, Kaufman says. “My daughter is pretty much the only equestrian at her school, so to come to Pony Finals reminds her that she’s not ‘that weird horse girl,’” she said. But the educational opportunities mean at least as much, too. “My daughter learned so much from the judge’s clinic,” she said. “The first two years we came to Pony Finals, when she wasn’t showing, we just went and watched her friends do the judge’s clinic and the model clinics. She learned so much just from watching and seeing the different mistakes people make. And they did a psychology session that taught the kids of how to do deep-breathing and get into the right frame of mind. So the next time she went into the ring, she could think, ‘Okay, I’m going to take a deep breath and focus so I don’t go off course.’ It gave her more poise.” The more challenging aspects of competing ponies are also valuable. “You’re a kid, and they’re still so many pounds of pony,” Kaufman said. “If your pony decides that it really doesn’t want to do something that day, you can’t really make it. Sometimes there are lessons in learning that some things are out of our control. The question is, how do you handle that? Are you as gracious a winner as you are a loser? “It also can be about being in there and knowing it’s okay not to be the top, that you still have accomplished something,” she added. Last year, riding with Rande Mellen at Fox Den Farm, Isabelle came home from Pony Finals last year with a 12th-place ribbon in the flat, she said, “and that means a lot more than a first-place ribbon against three people at a local show.” Those kinds of Pony Finals experiences and friendships, Kaufman observed, will serve her daughter both in and out of the competition ring. “We’ve made some tremendous friendships in the competition world,” Kaufman said. “The kids are competing against each other, but there are a lot of hours at a horse show when they’re not riding, so for the kids I think there’s a lot of time when they feel they are fitting in and getting to be themselves. Kids like to be kids together, and I think in the horse-show world they feel like, ‘These people get me.’ “At Pony Finals there’s such a big sense of that, that there are so many other people who also do this sport. It’s literally horse heaven.”
PHOTOS: ANDREA EVANS/US EQUESTRIAN (TOP), KAITLYN KARSSEN/USHJA (BOTTOM)
“THESE PEOPLE GET ME.”
STAY UP TO DATE ON 2020 USEF PONY FINALS PRESENTED BY COLLECTING GAITS FARM
The safety of our members, their families, support teams, ponies, and all of the individuals involved with conducting this competition is a top priority. This year’s event will follow the most up-to-date USEF COVID-19 Action Plan for USEFlicensed competitions released by USEF at the time of the event. You can access that information by visiting our COVID-19 resource page. We will continue to monitor the environment and update you with any changes to our plans as warranted. Stay up to date with developments relating to the 2020 Pony Finals at USEF’s Pony Finals page at usef.org/compete/ disciplines/hunter/usef-pony-finals.
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The prize list is now available online, and the entry deadline is July 12, 2020. The prize list and additional information will only be available electronically this year and can be found on the Pony Finals website. Entries and stall reservations may be secured online via credit card or by mail with a check. No credit cards will be charged and no checks deposited, however, until we are certain that the event can be held safely. At that time, individuals entered will be notified, all entries will be considered definite entries, and they will become subject to the show policy regarding scratches as outlined in the prize list.
Pony Finals will feel different this year as we alter or forego some of the typical event experiences. These changes include: •
The Hunter Championship will be moved into the Rolex Arena, while the Jumper and Pony Medal events are still tentatively scheduled to occur in the Alltech Arena.
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There will not be any VIP tables.
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Social events/activities may be limited or canceled.
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USHJA Horseless Horse Show has been canceled.
As we continue to follow the guidelines published by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Federation, additional changes may be seen within the following areas: •
Restrictions on golf cart usage and parking.
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Limited or restricted access to the stabling areas, show office, and competition areas.
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Modifications to any food services.
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Modifications to the exhibitor bag handout and USHJA clinic sign-ups.
Other key information to remember about this event: •
The qualification criteria has been amended. Those amendments can be found here.
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The deadline for entries is July 21, 2020.
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Notifications as to whether those entered are accepted to compete will likely be available shortly after the July 21 deadline. As noted in the amended criteria, preference will be given to those qualified under the traditional method of winning a champion or reserve.
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Only owners of hunter ponies that have qualified via that traditional method of winning a champion or reserve will receive a qualified letter from USEF.
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If you do not receive a qualification letter for your pony and believe you should, please review the competition results for that pony, as it may have received “bad points” at the competition in question, thus preventing it from being considered qualified.
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Owners of hunter ponies looking to compete in the event based on the National Horse of the Year (HOTY) points must submit an entry in order to be considered. We will not contact individuals based on the pony’s National HOTY ranking.
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Please refer to the prize list for the refund policy. If you have questions after reviewing the prize list, please reach out to Kentucky Horse Shows management for clarifications.
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Entries may be submitted online through the Show Management System. USEF does not manage this site, so please contact Show Management System directly with questions regarding the use of that site. A link to their website is available at ponyfinals.org.
Additional information can be found at ponyfinals.org. Questions? Please email ponyfinals@usef.org.
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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 rulings and findings online at USequestrian.org. Hover over the Compete tab on the homepage. In the menu that appears, click Rulings & Findings 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 April 9, 2019. The Committee Members present received and accepted a plea agreement tendered pursuant to Chapter 6, GR617, in connection with the Bill Russell Memorial Horse Show held on August 30-September 2, 2018, wherein BILL RUSSELL MEMORIAL HORSE SHOW and CHARLES RUSSELL, of Winston, Ga., violated JP150.10a of this Federation, in that as Competition Management, they failed to properly publish the Standard for the $25,000 Grand Prix. For this violation, it was determined that BILL RUSSELL MEMORIAL HORSE SHOW be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 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. LISA ANDERSON of Watkinsville, Ga., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Showplace Fall Final Horse Show held on September 19-22, 2019, and the Jump Start Horse Trials held on September 27-29, 2019, in that she officiated as the Hunter/Jumper and Eventing Judge, respectively, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation, it was determined that LISA ANDERSON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. BETSY BOONE of Concord, N.C., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation,
in connection with the ASHAV Horse Show held on September 26-28, 2019, in that she officiated as the Friesian Judge, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. The facts and mitigating circumstances in this case, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 virus, which has created significant challenges for our members, supported the following penalty, although it is lower than typical first-offense violations. For this violation, it was determined that BETSY BOONE be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $250 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. PAUL BOONE of Concord, N.C., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Kentucky Fall Classic Horse Show held on October 2-5, 2019, in that he officiated as the Judge for Saddlebred, Roadster, Hackney, and Harness Pony divisions, although he was ineligible to serve due to his failure to refresh his Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. The facts and mitigating circumstances in this case, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 virus, which has created significant challenges for our members, supported the following penalty, although it is lower than typical first-offense violations. For this violation, it was determined that PAUL BOONE be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $250 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. KATHLEEN CASEY of Canby, Ore., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Caber Farm Horse Trials held on August 23-25, 2019, in that she officiated as the Dressage Judge, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. The facts and mitigating circumstances in this case, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 virus, which has created significant challenges for our members, supported the following penalty, although it is lower than
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FOR THE RECORD typical first-offense violations. For this violation, it was determined that KATHLEEN CASEY be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $250 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. MINDY CORETZ of Tulsa, Okla., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Brownland Farm Autumn Country Horse Show held on October 16-20, 2019, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse RISE ABOVE after it had been administered and/or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that MINDY CORETZ 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 RISE ABOVE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. REBECCA COWHER-DUPUIS of West Brookfield, Mass., violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with Fieldstone Summer Showcase & NEHJA Derby Finals held on August 20-24, 2019, in that, she, as trainer, exhibited the horse ROOSEVELT after it had
been administered and/or contained in its body acepromazine and 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfoxide. For this violation it was determined that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, REBECCA COWHER-DUPUIS 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 July 1, 2020, and terminate at midnight on August 31, 2020. 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
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the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c for the same period. REBECCA COWHER-DUPUIS was also fined $3,000 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 ROOSEVELT at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. LIZA DENNEHY o f D e n ver, Colo., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Woodbine Farm Hunter Jumper Horse Show held on August 14-18, 2019, in that she officiated as the Hunter “R,”Hunter/Jumping “R,” and Jumper “R” Judge although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation, it was determined that LIZA DENNEHY be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. BARBARA EBNER of Howell, N.J., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in
connection with the Dressage at Red Tail Farm August held on August 6, 2019, in that she officiated as the Dressage Judge, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation, it was determined that BARBARA EBNER be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. SHELLEY FISHER of Huber Heights, Ohio, violated Chapter 4, GR411, of this Federation, in connection with Mid-America Mane Event Horse Show held on October 17-20, 2019, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse CH-EQ MADEIRA’S FAME after it had been administered and/ or contained in its body pentoxifylline. 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 SHELLEY FISHER 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,
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prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by CH-EQ MADEIRA’S FAME at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. DUBLIN HART of Minden, Nev., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Broxton Bridge Plantation: USA SE Fall Fundraisers Horse Show held on November 13-19, 2019, in that she officiated as the FEI Endurance Judge, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. The facts and mitigating circumstances in this case, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 virus, which has created significant challenges for our members, supported the following penalty, although it is lower than typical first-offense violations. For this violation, it was determined that DUBLIN HART be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $250 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. JANINE PREECE MCCLAIN of Bethel, Vt., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the GMHA June Horse Trials held on June 1-2, 2019, the Groton House Farm
Horse Trials held on June 28-30, 2019, and the GMHA Festival of Eventing August Horse Trials held on August 9-11, 2019, in that she officiated as the Eventing Course Designer, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation, it was determined that JANINE PREECE MCCLAIN be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. LESLIE NELSON of Petaluma, Calif., violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the Sacramento International World Cup Week Horse Show held October 2-6, 2019, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse LAST HURRAH 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 LESLIE NELSON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000
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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 LAST HURRAH at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. KATHY PINERA of Emerson, N.J., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Zephyr Farm July Horse Show held on July 11, 2019, and the Swan Lake Stables July II Horse Show held on July 14, 2019, in that she officiated as the competition’s Steward, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation, it was determined that KATHY PINERA be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. BOBBIE REBER of Schomberg, Ontario, violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Strides & Tides Horse Show held on September 11-15, 2019; the Kentucky National Horse Show held on September 18-22, 2019; the Capital Challenge Equitation Horse Show held on September 27-29, 2019;
the Del Mar International Welcome Week Horse Show held on October 9-13, 2019; and the Tryon Fall 6 Horse Show held on October 22-27, 2019, in that she officiated as the Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judge and Hunter Judge, although she was ineligible to serve due to her failure to refresh her Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federation’s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation, it was determined that BOBBIE REBER be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. SHAWN RUSSELL of Apopka, Fla., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the CFHJA Fall Horse Show held on September 27-29, 2019, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse E BERLIN PEARL after it had been administered and/or contained in its body phenylbutazone and flunixin. For this violation it was determined that SHAWN RUSSELL 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 E BERLIN PEARL at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g.
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PEGGY STEVENS of Maitland, Fla., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with Southeast Medal Finals Horse Show held on August 30-September 1, 2019, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse HAMLET after it had been administered and/or contained in its body diclofenac in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and phenylbutazone. For this violation it was determined that PEGGY STEVENS 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 HAMLET at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. PETER STOECKL of Oakville, Ontario, violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with the Oregon Summer Horse Show held on August 22-25, 2019, in that he officiated as a Judge, although he was ineligible to serve due to his failure to refresh his Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Safe Sport Policy. For this violation it was determined that PETER STOECKL be censured pursuant to Chapter 7,
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GR703.1a, and fined $500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k. ALEXANDRA VERNON of Jamestown, N.C., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the North Carolina State Fair Hunter Jumper Show held on October 2-6, 2019, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse SPARTICUS 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 ALEXANDRA VERNON 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 SPARTICUS at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. ULF WADEBORN of Sylmar, Calif., violated Chapter 10, GR1004.20a, and Chapter 7, GR702.1n, of this Federation, in connection with Dressage at the Bucks County Horse Park III Horse Show held on June 30, 2019, and Dressage at the Park Horse Show held on July 6-7, 2019, in that he officiated as the Dressage Judge although he was ineligible to serve due to his failure to refresh his
Criminal Background Check in accordance with the Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Safe Sport Policy. The facts and mitigating circumstances in this case, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 virus, which has created significant challenges for our members, supported the following penalty, although it is lower than typical first-offense violations. For this violation, it was determined that ULF WADEBORN be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $250 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1k.
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