Gaitpost Magazine - August 2016

aUGUsT 2016 Rio 2016 pRevieW • paRa 101 • WeSteRn CDi ShoW RepoRt

Foals

SUe FerGUSon

THE

OF 2016 PAGE 32

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aUGUsT 2016

contents deparTmenTS 7 TidBits Baby Bits 17 Industry news Irish sport Horses

Heading to 2016 Olympic games in Rio

23 Show report Western Canadian International Dressage Competitions

40 vet’s view skin Cancers In Horses 43 discipline reports the Flying

Dutchmen Dominate On Home ground In Rotterdam

In ThIS ISSue 9 headline news 30 horse council Bc news 54 Sales catalogue

feaTureS 10 Island Babies

by Sue Ferguson

18 para 101! Para-Equestrian Explained

26 a rio 2016 preview 32 The foals of 2016 37 Saddle fit and The young horse by Jochen Schleese

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57 equestrian properties 60 BchJa news 60 Bclm pony club news 61 noticeboard 62 competition calendar

ON THE COVER: Finnley, by Freestyle, out of Tessa, a TB/ Trakehner/¼ Clyde cross, owned by alice Mackay of Vancouver Island, won our hearts and the cover spot for the august Gaitpost.

Photo by Sue Ferguson.

“I would pretend that I was standing on the podium singing the Canadian national anthem. I want to be a Canadian Paralympian more than I have ever wanted most things in my life,” commented Ashley Gowanlock, who dreamed of the Paralympics at age 6. See page 22.

SUe FerGUSon

62 advertisers’ Index

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Heads Up!

Volume 16 Issue 8

CanaDa’S GREATEST lITTlE hoRSE MaG

Publisher Gaitpost Publications Inc. 258 – 224th Street langley, BC V2Z 2V6 Editor Eleanor Klawer · eleanor@gaitpost.com Sales andrea Beaulieu · andrea@gaitpost.com Sue Ferguson · editorial@gaitpost.com Photo ad Sales Photoads@gaitpost.com

Coming soon in future editions of Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

Design & Production Post Publishers ltd. · production@gaitpost.com

SEPTEMBER 2016

Circulation liam Klawer · circulation@gaitpost.com

2016 Olympics – Rio Review!

accounting Eleanor Klawer · eleanor@gaitpost.com lori Boughton

Spruce Meadows Report Thunderbird’s Hot August Report

Contributing writers Eleanor Klawer · editorial@gaitpost.com Sue Ferguson · Dr. Michael archer, DVM

NOVEMBER 2016

Editorial Submissions editorial@gaitpost.com

The Mane Event Issue, featuring Artists & Photographers in the Gaitpost Gallery, in time for Christmas shopping!

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Disclaimer: reproduction, printed or electronic, in whole or part of any material contained in this publication, without prior written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. the information and services listed are intended to facilitate accessibility to the professionals, products and services of the horse industry. the Gaitpost has been compiled with the greatest of care, however, the publisher does not assume responsibility for errors, omissions or subsequent changes. Further, the publisher does not imply endorsement of opinions, images or services, whether solicited or unsolicited. no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person as a result of any material in this publication can be accepted by the publisher, editor or contributors. Submissions: all photographs and submissions will be handled carefully. the publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. We reserve the right to edit or refuse any material not deemed appropriate. Submission does not guarantee publication.

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by Eleanor Klawer

Ute Brinkmann, Equitop Farm

TIDBITS

baby bits

Baby Boom This was the biggest response yet to our Foal Feature casting call! What a pleasure to see so many wonderful foals presented by proud breeders. Hats off to all breeders — it’s important to remember that every good performance horse and every chill recreational horse had a good start somewhere, and were someone’s little pride and joy in the beginning.

The costs of producing a foal continue to rise, while purchase prices tend not to keep pace.

Keep in mind that, when purchasing a foal or a young horse, you are paying for the cost of keeping the dam for the year while pregnant, stud fees, vet fees, feed for the mare and foal, property costs, adequate staff to manage a pair, farrier, www.gaitpost.com

vaccinations, deworming, and also paying for part of the risk that every breeder takes of ending up with a heartbreaking nothing. The dam is as equally important as the sire, so to purchase a foal from a top mare, one must be prepared to pay for the privilege of proven genetics linked with performance.

To add the training of a youngster to the price tag ends up being quite a respectable amount, and that doesn’t include any profit for the breeder yet! A well-handled foal makes their education much easier for future trainers, and yet the experience required to handle foals and their dams properly, safely and with the best nutrition is seldom recognized or rewarded adequately.

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Tidbits continued on page 8 August 2016

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Tidbits continued from page 7 Yes, breeders do this for the love of the horses, but it has to make sense financially as well. It’s a business! Be prepared and willing to pay a fair and equitable amount for a baby of good bloodlines, in good health, and with all the advantages of a good start. Buying a foal with top potential based on breeding and performance records of the dam and sire significantly lessens the risk involved in taking the time to grow a young horse to training age, and is well worth considering when wishing for a high performance horse without the high dollar budget! Support the horse industry at the grass roots — buy young stock from reputable breeders. They know what they are doing, breed only the best available, and raise the horses in the best manner possible. It’s worth paying for…

Breeding Some Respect Please see page 26 for our Olympic Preview — the hoops that riders and owners have been put

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through, in more than one discipline, to gain a spot on Team Canada for the Rio 2016 Olympics, are incredible. Archaic and outdated processes and secrecy in selection criteria have lead to many riders going to extraordinary measures to prove their worth. An inclusive policy (inclusive to all riders, owners, spectators, fans, and members) would engender support and enthusiasm rather than cynicism. How easily all types of media could be used to promote and track positive publicity rather than only reporting the negative exclusionary “need to know” policies in place now. The ability to track the enthusiasm for the sport would be hugely advantageous in attracting sponsors, who obviously need to have their names out there as much as possible in return for the financial support of athletes.

Positive, inclusive, and enthusiastic, not jaded, exclusionary, or elitist — simplistic, yes, but sometime simple is the best answer. Support the athletes, really inform and involve the public, let everyone ride the wave, and the sponsors will beat the barn doors down.

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headlinenews Bit by Bit QMS Royals Complete Season on Top The Queen Margaret’s School Royals Equestrian Team wrapped up their school year season in Langley, BC at the scenic Thunderbird Show Park, securing championships and earning top placings.

The Thunderbird Classic and BC Open are the final two shows the QMS Royals compete in each school year. With other academic commitments and end of year pressures, taking a complete team to the shows is always a challenge. “This has been one of our busiest competition years to date,” says Cheryl Keith, QMS Head Coach. “Our riders have been riding hard all year and are tired, so it’s incredible to watch them dig deep and achieve success.” For some riders though, their riding doesn’t end in June.

For graduating rider Kassidy Keith, her achievements at Thunderbird have only flamed the passion for her sport and assisted in deciding her direction after QMS. “I’m really excited about my future,” says Keith.

“Immediately after my graduation banquet I’m going to Washington State to ride with Shelley Kerron at

Legacy Hunters & Jumpers Stables in Woodinville. This is an exciting opportunity for me to develop my riding skills.” Keith is hopeful that her wins at Thunderbird will help her to be considered for a place on the U18 North American Riders Team.

French Olympian Simon Delestre regains top spot in Longines Rankings Olympic athlete Simon Delestre is back as world number one, having leapt to the top of the Longines Rankings, the world Jumping rankings. The Frenchman took over the number one slot in March of this year from London 2012 Olympic team gold medalist Scott Brash, ending the Briton’s 11-month reign at the top of the leaderboard.

Three-time Olympian McLain Ward (USA), who held pole position in last month’s Longines rankings, now drops back to third behind Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, who is just 21 points behind Delestre.

The French superstar Delestre was recently named with two horses, Qlassic Bois Margot and Ryan des Hayettes, on the long list for the French team for the Headline News continued on page 15

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Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

August 2016

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Flora becoming independent at 1 month

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August 2016 august

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b abies d n a l si

The August issue of Gaitpost is especially fun as this is our “Foal Feature”. Readers across the country submitted photos of their beautiful babies — and let’s face it — what could possibly be cuter and more adorable than baby horses and ponies?

Story & Photos by Sue Ferguson

M

y parents bred Arabian horses so my love of foals goes back to when I was a young girl. As foaling time approached, our barn would be rearranged; wall dividers were removed, large foaling stalls were created and deeply bedded with straw. Baby monitors were set up (which were considered high tech back then!) and the “midwife” was notified that “the watch” was about to begin.

Thereafter, we spent many evenings in the barn, sitting on bales and sipping mugs of cocoa in the semi-darkness; quietly telling stories or whispering softly to the horses as they munched away on their hay.

There is something comforting and almost ethereal about being out in the night. The noise of the world fell away and all would be calm.

The sounds of horses eating hay and their gentle breathing in the darkness was soothing to my soul. I think my love of being out in the night has its roots from these experiences of my youth.

As the hours ticked by we would eventually move up to the house and sit a while at the kitchen table, the rustling sounds of the horses moving about could be heard over the monitors.

Dad would bring out the Arabian stud books, tattered and worn, and we’d study our favourite breeding lines and start putting together combinations of names for our babies. www.gaitpost.com

I can’t count how many times we’d hear the thump of a horse lying down, or one of the mares pacing in her stall, and (filled with hope) we’d sneak down to the barn, only to find everything exactly the same. Five or six pairs of eyes peering over the stall doors with questioning eyes…

“What are you doing here? And…more importantly, did you bring treats”? Oftentimes, and to our delight, in the morning, we’d find a beautiful new baby. Born in the night, without our help, and, of course mom and baby were just fine.

I was thrilled when the Gaitpost asked me to do an article about photographing some of our Island babies. I didn’t need to look far here on Southern Vancouver Island!

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Island Babies continued on page 12

Flora — 2 days old August 2016

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Finnley in the daisies

Island Babies continued from page 11 One of the first I went to see was the beautiful filly, Flora who was born on March 15th.

Flora is by the Irish stallion Flexible and out of the stunning Irish Sport Horse mare, Eadaoin. Flexible and his rider, Rich Fellers are famous in the 12

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Show Jumping world. The pair are recognized worldwide with an unparalleled win list in Grand Prix jumping, which includes winning the FEI World Cup in 2012. At 20 years old, the beautiful chestnut stallion is still showing and winning at the top. Eadaoin, who is owned by Jehan Zouak,

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is an absolutely gorgeous bay mare, and has an impressive history as well. With a royal pedigree such as this, Flora is destined for the jumping arena. She is jointly owned by Johanna Paper of Stonebridge Equestrian and Katie Hourigan of Coastal Equestrian. Both stables are located on the beautiful Saanich Peninsula.

I was able to visit Flora when she was just born. This was Eadaoin’s first baby and I did not want to disturb her, so I only took a few pictures and quietly left. A few months later, I was able to return and take many more pictures of her once she was a little older. The initial days are special bonding times between the mom and the baby so I felt it was important to be quiet and respectful of this; I work quickly, and try not to worry mom. Newborns are adorable, but both have been through a lot in the past 24 hours and they need quiet and rest.

Nicky and Norman Wiley of Whitehouse Stables are well known for their Thoroughbred racehorse breeding program. Four babies (two colts and two fillies) were born between March and early April. These babies are destined to be sold as yearlings at the annual Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Yearling Sale at Thunderbird Show Park in 2017. Nicky and Norman have won achievement awards for their contributions to the racing industry, and have bred many champions and stakes winners. Some of their thoroughbreds have gone on to have extremely successful second careers in jumping or eventing after retiring from the track.

Whitehouse babies and moms get an idyllic start. They are turned out together in a large field as soon as it is warm enough. If the weather is permitting, they stay out for the duration of the summer. Norman and Nicky’s philosophy is to provide youngsters with as much freedom as possible to grow and develop in their first year. They want them to live in as natural of an environment as possible and to be able to graze, and play and interact as a herd for their first months.

Once the babies are weaned, they are moved to another large field which has mixed footing www.gaitpost.com

Finnley at 1 month

conditions. Norman and Nicky strongly believe that from early on, youngsters need to be exposed to all kinds of terrain in order to develop muscle memory, and balance. When they are naturally exposed to a variety of footing situations, they instinctively can adapt to all kinds of racing conditions later on. With their history of raising winning racehorses, they are obviously on the right “track”. Pasture space is a luxury here on the island where there is a limited amount of land. These babies are exceptionally fortunate to have this start in life.

Our last baby in the project left us waiting for quite some time! Little Finnley came into the world on her own terms, over two weeks past her due date. It was a long, hot May for Tessa, Finnley’s mom. The days and weeks went by slowly as we waited for her to be born. A normal gestation period for a mare is 330–345 days, and Tessa finally foaled on May 26th at 351 days. Finnley is

by Freestyle. Freestyle is a 19-year-old black, Westphalian stallion, owned by Dreamscape Farm in Langley, BC. Tessa, Finnley’s mom is a 16-year-old TB/ Trakehner ¼ Clyde Cross owned by Alice MacKay of Shawnigan Lake. Alice has owned Tessa since she was four, and the team showed in Eventing over the years and more recently at the Preliminary level. Tessa is a solid, predictable mare with an excellent temperament, and Alice wanted to find similar qualities in the stallion. Freestyle is known for his sweet natured and easy going foals, and with his impressive list of accomplishments, he was a perfect match for her mare. Al-

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Some Technical Tips!

I’ve personally found that low angle shots take the best pictures of newborns and small horses. Every situation is different of course, but the key with newborns is to be mindful of your environment, the state of the mom, and to allow the opportunity to come to you. Over the next few days, everything changes and the baby starts to become quite active and mom is feeling somewhat better about people wanting to visit.

Oftentimes the mom will put herself between you and the baby since she senses your interest, so this can be a bit of a challenge.

Photographing babies can be hit and miss. They are often mischievous and will leap about when you want them to stand. They will stand still when you want them to play! You can’t force a baby to move into the right light and “pose”. Often, when you do get them into position, the mom will walk over and stand between you and the camera. It’s a bit like herding cats! They have short attention spans so one needs to work quickly (which is hard to do when you are distracted by their cuteness).

It’s always nice to have a handler for mom and baby and if possible, a third person to help with getting those ears forward. However, quite often the best shots are candid and unposed.

I often use “backlighting” and “rim lighting” when I photograph babies. The light behind gives them an ethereal glow. Early in the morning, or later in the day is a nice time to shoot as the sun is lower and the light is softer.

If the sun is too high in the sky, shadows can be hard and the contrasting light makes for a difficult natural shoot. In high light, shooting in an indoor arena with windows can provide some very dramatic use of light and shadow.

I like to use a nice wide aperture so that backgrounds can be blurred (depending on the distance anywhere from 2.8 to 4.5 is often nice) which gives a nice depth of field.

For the galloping and speed shots, the main thing to remember is to use a fast shutter speed — unless you are panning. A general rule for sharp pictures is to set your shutter speed greater than the length of your lens. But to avoid blur for any horse which is moving quickly; my settings are always in the 1/1000s range.

Island Babies continued from page 13 ice is hoping that Finnley will become her show horse as Tessa approaches her retirement years.

She hopes to focus on dressage.

Every baby is adorable, and watching them 14

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play will be captivating to the point where you may forget to actually take the picture! It may be difficult to do, but try to stay focused in the midst of the cuteness overload and you will get some amazing photos!

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Equine Supplements

Headline News continued from page 9 Rio 2016 Olympic Games, now just 31 days away. Also named for the French squad was world number four Pénélope Leprevost with horses Vagabond de la Pomme and Flora de Mariposa.

Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2016 allocated to Slovakia The Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2016 will be held in Samorin (SVK) following a decision at the recent FEI Bureau monthly teleconference meeting. A unanimous proposal from the FEI Endurance Committee recommending the Slovakian venue received the support of the full Bureau.

Three bids to host the Championships were received when the bid process was reopened in April of this year following the decision to reallocate the event.

Also bidding were Fontainebleau (FRA) and San Rossore, Pisa (ITA), but the Bureau ruled that neither of these two venues were suitable due to concerns over welfare and safety. Both venues proposed mid-October dates, meaning that the rides would start and finish in the dark, potentially putting horses and riders at risk.

There is also increased potential for heavy rain in these areas at that time of year.

Samorin Equestrian Centre, the brainchild of Slovakian businessman Mario Hoffmann, staged very successful FEI European Endurance Championships last year. The 2016 World Championships will run from September 15–18, with the qualification period ending on July 16th.

The Championships had originally been allocated to Dubai and were scheduled to be held in December of this year, but at its spring in-person meeting on April 6–7, the FEI Bureau voted to remove the Championships from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it felt that the UAE National Federation is not currently in a position to guarantee that horse welfare would be fully protected.

Additionally, the Bureau allocated the FEI World Driving Championships for Young Horses 2016 to Mezöhegyes (HUN). The Championships, which were reallocated following the withdrawal of original host venue, Conty (FRA), will run from September 8–11.

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Headline News continued from page 15 Eric Lamaze Selects Fine Lady 5 as Olympic Mount 2008 Olympic Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, has selected Fine Lady 5 as his mount for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Lamaze was considering three horses for the upcoming Olympic Games, all owned by Andy and Carlene Ziegler’s Artisan Farms in partnership with Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable. His 2015 Pan American Games team gold medal partner, Coco Bongo, and Check Picobello Z were also in contention but, following the opening week of competition at the CSI5* Spruce Meadows ‘National’ tournament in Calgary, AB, Lamaze has made his choice.

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“She is the most reliable, experienced horse that I have,” said Lamaze, of the 13-year-old bay Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II). “Every time I have asked her to step up and do a big class, she has always done it easily.”

“Ever since the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva when she jumped double clear in one of the biggest grand prix events in the world, I have thought she could be my Olympic horse,” said Lamaze, 48, of their third place performance in the b1,110,000 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix at CSI5* Geneva, Switzerland, on December 13. “I talked to (chef d’equipe) Mark Laskin then about her being the horse for Rio, and today’s performance confirms what my thoughts were in December. She proved she is the right horse for the job.”

Lamaze will continue to bring Fine Lady 5 into Olympic form throughout the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, running through to July 10. Last month at CSIO5* La Baule, France, Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 claimed victory in the b28,000 1.50m Prix FFE as well as the b25,000 1.50m Prix S.C.H. La Baule – Cap Atlantique.

FEI Tribunal publishes Final Decision in Endurance prohibited substance case The FEI Tribunal has published its Final Decision in the case against the Iranian rider Abdulla Mahmood Abdulla Darban. Samples taken from the horse Lunatica, which finished fourth at the CEI1* in Doha (QAT) on May 2, 2015, returned positive for two prohibited substances, Propranolol and Dexamethasone.

The beta blocker Propranolol, which is used to lower the heart rate, is a banned substance under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rules (EADCMRs). The corticosteroid Dexamethasone is a controlled medication.

The FEI Tribunal has imposed a two-year suspension on the athlete, effective immediately. The period of provisional suspension, which was effective from the date of notification, June 23, 2015, has been credited against the period of ineligibility. This means that the period of ineligibility will now run through to June 22, 2017. The athlete, who is based in Qatar, is also fined CHF 2,000 and ordered to contribute CHF 1,500 towards the cost of the judicial procedure.

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INDUSTRYnews Business Matters Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen

Irish Sport Horses Heading to 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Loughan Glen Named to U.S. Eventing Team with Three Other ISH Mounts Listed as Reserves

I

rish Sport Horses have been topping the leaderboards at the Olympic Games for decades and this year looks to be no exception, as Irishbred horses and their riders will be vying for medals at the 2016 Games in Rio next month.

The U.S. recently named its Eventing team for the Games with one Irish Sport Horse (ISH) on the first squad and three more named as reserves.

Clark Montgomery, based in Tetbury, England, will be representing the U.S. in Rio aboard Loughan Glen, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Holly and William Becker, Kathryn Kraft, and Jessica Montgomery.

Phillip Dutton, of West Grove, PA, has two Irish Sport Horses on the Direct Reserves list including Mighty Nice, a 12-year-old ISH gelding owned by HND Group, as well as Fernhill Fugitive, an 11-year-old ISH gelding owned by Ann Jones and Thomas Tierney Matthew Brown of Cochranville, PA and

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Blossom Creek Foundation’s Super Socks BCF, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, have been named as a Team Reserve.

In addition to the ISH mounts that will represent Team USA, there is a large contingent of Irish horses that will be representing several nations at the 2016 Games, including eleven nominated horses on Ireland’s Eventing Team.

“Irish-bred horses have demonstrated their talent in the Olympic arena countless times, including the 2012 Games in London where four of the top-ten placed riders in Eventing competed on Irish Sport Horses,” said Elaine Hatton, Director of International Marketing for Horse Sport Ireland. “We are very excited about the 2016 Games in Rio and are really looking forward to watching them compete at the most elite event in the world!”

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Industry News continued on page 30

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The Para Team at Thunderbird Show Park, June 2016

T

PARA 101!

Para-Equestrian Explained

he Para-Equestrian discipline has been growing at a rapid rate, and experiencing impressive exposure at all levels. Gold shows in Canada have been adding Para classes to their class lists, and the Para riders have been gaining well-deserved recognition for their achievements throughout the equestrian world. Canada’s Para-Equestrian athletes have had tremendous international success over the past several years, making Para-Equestrian one of Canada’s most successful international Paralympic sports.

To help everyone understand the discipline’s requirements, The Gaitpost has put together this “Para 101”. Equine Canada and the FEI websites are valuable sources, and much of what we have here is from those sites.

Currently, the only Para-Equestrian sport recognized at the Paralympic and World Equestrian Games is Para-Dressage. Para-Driving and Para-Reining are disciplines also available to athletes, and are in the development stages.

At the Grassroots level, the best place to start is for a rider to contact their local Therapeutic Rid18

August 2016

ing Centre (TRC) to see what programs they run for riders who are interested in progressing competitively. CanTRA.ca, the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association website, is a good place to find a Para-Equestrian coach in their area.

Having access to a suitable horse and effective coach is key. Riders are encouraged to participate in local test days, in-house shows and other local competitions to gain experience riding tests in a competitive atmosphere. ParaEquestrian Canada also offers video competitions which give riders an opportunity to experience competition conditions at their own stable on a familiar horse. To participate, riders simply have themselves recorded performing a specific test and upload it to the secure Equine Canada server, along with an online registration form and the appropriate entry fees.

Once a rider has gained a variety of skills and experiences, Equine Canada sanctioned competitions provide riders with an opportunity to compete in a progressive and structured environment.

At Equine Canada Bronze level, riders do not

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cara grimshaw

need to be classified to be able to compete. Once a rider is competing at Equine Canada Gold level, they must have a national classification card and submit their scores to Equine Canada to become eligible for Para-Equestrian Canada Long List Ranking. At this stage, riders can benefit from advice and monitoring from National and Development team coaches. To compete internationally, riders must have an average score of 65% or better on the Para-Equestrian Canada ranking list.

Classification Classification provides athletes with a physical disability the opportunity to compete against other athletes with similar abilities. Athletes are assessed by accredited ‘classifiers’ and are given a “Grade” based on their functional abilities in areas such as: muscle power, joint range, and coordination. There are five Grades of competitions in Para-Dressage, with Grade IA representing the more severely impaired athletes, and Grade IV representing the least severely impaired athletes.

At each Grade, athletes may receive approval to use specific compensatory aids during competition, which would be listed on the athlete’s classification card. The purpose of compensatory aids (sometimes known as adaptive tack or specialized equipment) is to level the competitive www.gaitpost.com

playing field. Examples of compensatory aids include rubber bands to stirrups, or two whips, etc.

While compensatory aids are varied and can be unique to an athlete, they should never provide an advantage to the athlete.

There are two levels of classification for Canadian riders: National (Para-Equestrian Canada) Classification, and International (FEI) Classification. National classification is provided through accredited Equine Canada Para-Equestrian classifiers and enables eligible athletes to be assigned a Grade and to compete at Equine Canada Silver and Gold competitions using adaptive aids.

International classification is required for athletes competing at the international (FEI) level and is provided and administered through the FEI International classification system and are typically conducted at an international CPEDI event. The classifier will not watch the athlete riding before or during the classification, as the classifier’s role is to assess the athlete’s physical impairment and NOT the athlete’s ability on the horse. The classification exam is referred to as a ‘Bench Test’. During the exam, the classifier(s) will evaluate either muscle strength, coordination, range of motion or a combination thereof throughout the athlete’s body, from head to toe.

Once the exam is complete, each assessment

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Para 101 continued from page 19

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is sent to the Para-Equestrian Canada Classification Committee to verify the athlete’s ‘Functional Profile’. The athlete’s Functional Profile’ determines which ‘Grade’ they are assigned for competition purposes; Grade 1a, 1b, II, III, or IV. Grades GRADE 1a: Mainly wheelchair users with impairment of all 4 limbs, may be able to walk with an unsteady gait, however trunk and balance are severely impaired.

GRADE 1b: Mainly wheelchair users with poor trunk balance and or impairment of function in all four limbs, or no trunk balance and good upper limb function, or moderate trunk balance with severe impairment of all 4 limbs.

GRADE II: Mainly wheelchair users or those with severe movement and mobility impairment involving the trunk and with good to mild limb function, those with severe arm impairment and slight leg impairment of severe unilateral impairment.

GRADE III: Usually able to walk without support. Moderate unilateral impairment or moderate impairment in four limbs or severe arm impairment. Athlete may need a wheelchair for longer distances or due to lack of stamina. Total loss of sight in both eyes. Blacked out glasses or blind fold must be worn by totally blind athletes.

GRADE IV: Athletes usually are impaired in one or two limbs, or have some visual impairment.

Tests Para-Equestrian riders may compete in ablebodied competitions and are held to the same standards and goals of dressage. The tests are designed for each grade of rider, for example • Grade IA - walk only tests • Grade IB - walk and trot (1A & 1B may be combined when there are less than 4 entries per class) • Grade II - walk and trot • Grade III - walk, trot with lateral work and canter 20

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Grade IV - walk, trot, and canter with lateral work

Rider Profiles Tristi Allwood is a Grade III rider from BC who competed very successfully at the CPEDI 3* in Langley in June. Tristi suffered a stroke at birth and was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her parents were told that she may never be able to walk or talk, and to accept this fact and focus on mobility aids and assistance for her. Neither Tristi nor her parents accepted this declaration, and Tristi took her first determined steps at 2½ years old. She began riding at two years of age when her mother introduced her to therapeutic riding programs, and from there, she joined the local pony club and riding through the levels at local fairs and open shows.

When she was 11, she focused on dressage, and went through the classification process, becoming an official Para Rider. When Tristi discovered Para-Equestrian sport, she started using compensatory aids such as loops for her left hand and arm, and elastics/straps for her left leg. She qualified for the BC Summer games in 2012, and won three gold medals! That summer, Tristi met Andrea Taylor and Mary Longden, the coaches of the Canadian Para Dressage team, and it was the start of her Olympic dream.

With borrowed horses, Trist has an impressive show record. In 2013, Tristi won the FEI Gold Freestyle against both Para and able-bodied competitors. 2014 was equally successful, with wins putting her at the top of the Para-Equestrian Canada long list ranking. Tristi found her current horse Ben D’oro (aka Button), a lovely ten year old Friesian Warmblood cross gelding, in 2014.

From Tristi Allwood: “I was first graded as Para Equestrian rider 4 years ago and I have been riding as a grade three for three years. Since I have been graded, not only has my overall confidence as a rider increased but also the confidence I have in myself as a person. The benefit of being graded allows us to use certain aids to compensate for our individual disability. The aids I use

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cara grimshaw

cara grimshaw Tristi and her coach, Andrea Taylor.

allow my left side to be secure and independent, allowing me to push myself and my horse in our day-to-day training.

As a member of the Equine Canada Para team, I receive great support from all the coaches, officials and other members of the team. This assists me in developing my training plan and working towards my international riding goals and Olympic dreams.

As a Para Equestrian rider, I am able to be a spokesperson for other people with disabilities.

I want to inspire and encourage other people to never give up on themselves and always fight for their dreams no matter what they might be. I am hoping that my journey and accomplishments give me the opportunity to educate people in the use of how equine therapy can improve participants’ mobility, confidence and improve their general function and life.

I would like to thank everybody who has stood by my side and helped me out throughout the years on my journey. I am forever grateful.

Big thanks to my wonderful coach, Andrea Taylor!”

Ashley Gowanlock is a Rio hopeful, and is one of Canada’s most experienced and successful Para Riders, as a two-time Canadian Paralympian Athlete. She is also a motivational speaker, and a Sunday School teacher and young adult leader at her church.

Ashley was born two months early and, by the age of two, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. When she didn’t want to go to conventional physical therapy as a child, her parents signed www.gaitpost.com

Tristi Allwood and Button at Thunderbird

her up for horseback riding lessons. A horse’s movements mimic the way able-bodied people walk, providing balance and coordination exercise for therapeutic purposes. However, it proved much more for Ashley. That was the beginning of her love affair with the equine world. Ashley quickly discovered a love for the competitive sport of Dressage and the challenge it presents.

In 2005, Ashley’s graduating year, she knew for sure she wanted to ride horses all over the world and go to the Paralympics one day. And that’s just what she did! Ashley rode for Canada in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and the 2012 London Paralympics. Ashley is on the Road to Rio, and has a new mount, Di Scansano, offered to her by the very generous Wendy Christoff, in aid of gaining a spot on Team Canada this year.

Disco is a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, previously ridden to Intermediaire by Wendy Ashley had a hugely successful Langley CPEDI 3*, winning the Para Team test, the Individual Championship test, and the Freestyle in a convincing manner, at their first show together.

From Ashley Gowanlock: “The feel for the

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At the international level, para riders train 4-5 days a week, usually riding more than one horse. We work out regularly as well as ride. We are constantly planning and strategizing with coaches and team managers. We have a sports physiologist, a massage therapist, and a physical therapist. Trust me, I know the meaning of sacrifice — in 2014, I left home on February 1st and did not set foot back in Canada until September 1st while preparing for WEG. I do it because I love the horse, I love the sport; it is one of the things that make me feel most alive.”

Ashley has written a book, My Opportunities Just Dress Up As Obstacles, and she is a motivational speaker, for obvious reasons.

Ashley Gowanlock and Wendy Christoff’s Di Scansano.

Para 101 continued from page 21 Paralympics never loses its luster — you can plug in whatever country name you want; it’s always amazing,” commented Ashley on her multiple Olympic bids.

“Horseback riding has always been more than just a sport for me, because on the back of a horse it is not glaringly obvious that I have a disability. I can leave my cane on the ground and go as far and as fast as I want as the horse’s legs become my own. Countless times a horse has shouldered both myself and my dreams as we have stepped into the international ring to compete. The journey has not been easy, but what journey worth taking ever is?

I remember standing in my backyard when I was six years old, wearing the track suit that my grandparents had just bought me. I would pretend that I was standing on the podium singing the Canadian National Anthem. I want to be a Canadian Paralympian more than I have ever wanted most things in my life, but make no mistake, standing at the base of the mountain marked ‘Rio Paralympics’, and absorbing the sheer magnitude of the task that lays before me, always feels like one heck of a daunting undertaking that one person could never accomplish on their own.

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Andrea Taylor, National Para Team Coach: “My ‘job’ since 2007 has been the National Team Coach for the Canadian Para Equestrian Team. I became involved with Para earlier in my life as an owner; my Grand Prix horse Dior was needing a way to do physically less but still feel mentally ‘in the game’. He loved attention and competing and so being an International level Para horse was an awesome experience for him. I was able to see what it was all about and was amazed by the level of ability these riders had. Dior ended up going to the Paralympics in Athens and later, in 2007, I became the Team coach.

The job has changed a lot since then as the depth of the sport has grown and the requirements for each athlete to be considered for the Team has greatly expanded. Now I oversee the preparation of the International level Para riders in Canada for the FEI competitions such as the World Equestrian Games or this year, the Paralympics. I work with some amazing people behind the scenes who have such a huge depth of knowledge not only in their chosen field (sport science, for example) but in a variety of different areas which really helps bring creativity to the program. The Para program has evolved vastly over the years and is, I feel, is a huge support to the riders and an example to

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showreport

Western Canadian International Dressage Competitions

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Gloria Schriever, and Minicooper S, top placed Canadian in the PSG CDI at Thunderbird.

totem photographics

CA/ADA 2016 Black Tie CDI3* & Gold Show CA/ADA 2016 Black Tie CDI3* & Gold Show was held on June 3-5 at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in Calgary, Alberta. As an Olympic qualifier and also a North American Junior Young Rider Qualifier, it was one of two CDI’s available in western Canada remaining that could be used to qualify for the Olympics.

Anderson Ranch and the CA/ADA put on a fabulous show, with an impressive list of sponsors and show supporters. The show featured CDI Prize Money, Young Rider Classes, Gold Show Awards, CA/ADA member Awards, and Special Awards & Breed Awards.

The huge task of holding a CDI3* included hiring 6 FEI Judges, who were Brenda Minor (CAN), Lee Tubman (CAN), Cesar Torrente (COL), Lois Yukins (USA), Jeanette Wolfs (NED) and Mercedes Campdera (MEX). It was an excellent opportunity for Western Canadian riders to be evaluated by some of the best FEI judges in the world.

For the first time, the Calgary CDI 3* acted as a qualifier for the Alberta Junior Young Riders as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics. AJYR used this show to help them in the journey to the North American Young Rider Championships in Colorado, and the CA/ADA and AJYR worked together and were excited to be able to offer this opportunity to the Young Riders.

On Saturday evening the AJYRs held a fun-

draiser at Goby’s Pub and Grill. The Brazilian Rio Olympic-themed event consisted of entertainment, a silent auction and Brazilian food and drink. Full results are available at www. ca-ada.com .

Thunderbird CDI 3* The competition was hot at Thunderbird for the last western Olympic qualifier [see A Rio 2016 Preview, page 26] with Karen Pavicic and Don Western CDI Reports continued on page 24

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this page: cara grimshaw

Robyn Andrews

Eleonore Elstone

Western CDI Show Reports continued from page 23 Daiquiri performing in front of the home crowd for the first time in years, and doing everyone proud. Karen achieved two personal best scores that weekend, and moved, at that time, into the remaining slot for Rio with her performance.

Another BC rider, Joni Lynn Peters, also had excellent rides, placing second in the Grand Prix behind Karen, and third in the Special. American Lauren Thornlow and Royal Konig rounded out the top 3 in both classes.

The US swept the top three in the Prix St Georges, with Gloria Schriever and Minicooper S finishing as best placed Canadian horse-rider combination in 4th place in the CDI Prix St. Georges at Thunderbird.

RESULTS THUNDERBIRD CDI 3*: (Full results can be found on Fox Village.com) Grand Prix Pavicic, Karen 71.120; Peters, Joni Lynn 68.200; Thornlow, Lauren 65.860; Church McDowall, Colleen 64.980; Christoff, Wendy 62.340; Doyle, Marcie 60.720. Grand Prix Special Thornlow, Lauren 67.31; Peters, Joni Lynn 67.13; Church McDowall, Colleen 64.980. Grand Prix Freestyle Marcie Doiron-Doyle 65.350.

Langley CPEDI 3* Hat tricks and red ribbons abounded for the Canadian Para-equestrian athletes who competed on home soil at the CPEDI 3* Touch of Class, held June 9-12 in Langley, BC. The event marked the first time a CPEDI 24

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3*-level competition had been held in Canada since 2010. Equine Canada thanks Thunderbird Show Park for hosting and Sport Canada for providing funding.

“For the first time in six years, Canada hosted a CPEDI 3* level international Para-Dressage competition,” explained Elizabeth Quigg, Chef d’Équipe for the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team. “It was the final competition for ParaDressage riders to gain qualifying scores for the 2016 Rio Paralympics. It was also the first international competition for a number of riders who travelled from across the country, either to ride their own horse or one generously loaned them.

It was a golden opportunity for riders to test their skills before an international judging panel.”

Canadian athletes rose to the challenge of the event, racking up wins across nearly all divisions. Eleonore Elstone, a veteran to the sport of Para-Dressage, achieved a “hat trick” by winning all three classes in the Grade IV division in front of her hometown crowd. Riding Silas, her eightyear-old Canadian Warmblood gelding, Elstone kicked things off in the Team class, where she earned a final score of 66.032%. She followed up with a score of 65.198% in the Individual Championship, before finishing on a high note, scoring 68.750% in the Freestyle.

Robyn Andrews of St. Johns, NL, who has been representing Canada internationally for the past four years, also earned a hat trick by winning all three classes in the Grade 1a division. With her long-time partner, Fancianna, a 15-year-old Friesian/Andalusian mare, Andrews scored 66.812% in the Team Test, 69.420% in the Individual

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Championship Test, and 70.333% in the Freestyle.

The competition marked a special occasion for Canadian Paralympian, Ashley Gowanlock from Surrey, BC, who was competing for the first time with her new equine partner, Di Scansano (De Niro x Rubenstein), a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned and previously ridden up to the Intermediate I level by Canadian Dressage rider, Wendy Christoff. The duo had a successful first weekend together, sweeping the Grade 1b division after winning the Team Test (67.867%), Individual Championship Test (67.126%) and Freestyle (70.167%).

Up-and-coming Para-Dressage rider, Sarah Cummings from Cranbrook, BC stole the show in the Grade II division with R Abba (R. Amadeus x Urymate de Ste Hermelle), a seven-year-old Warmblood mare owned by Monika Currier.

The duo won all three classes, scoring 65.490% in the Team Test followed by 66.286% in the Individual Championship, and ending on a score of 69.167% in the Freestyle.

The athletes who are declared for Rio were

supported on the ground by a full management team, including Quigg as Chef d’Équipe, Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Manager, David Hunter, as well as numerous athlete support team members. In addition, recently appointed Para-Dressage Athlete Development Coach, Mary Longden was on hand to provide support to up-and-coming athletes. results Top Canadian Results – CPEDI 3* Langley, BC FEI Para Team Test – Grade 1a 1st / Robyn Andrews / Fancianna / Robyn Andrews / 66.812%. FEI Para Individual Championship Test – Grade 1a 1st / Robyn Andrews / Fancianna / Robyn Andrews / 69.420%. FEI Para Team Test – Grade 1b 1st / Ashley Gowanlock / Di Scansano / Wendy Christoff / 67.867%; 2nd / Jason Surnoski / Daytrader / Michelle Meacher / 66.133%. FEI Para Individual Championship Test – Grade 1b 1st / Ashley Gowanlock / Di Scansano / Wendy Christoff / 67.126%; 2nd / Jason Surnoski / Daytrader / Michelle Meacher / 63.908%. FEI Para Team Test – Grade II 1st / Sarah Cummings / R Abba / / 65.490%; 2nd / Jennifer McKenzie / Lexington Star / Tammy Van Samang / 61.618%. FEI Para Individual Championship Test – Grade II 1st / Sarah Cummings / R Abba / / 66.286%; 2nd / Jennifer McKenzie / Lexington Star / Tammy Van Samang / 60.524%. FEI Para Team Test – Grade III 2nd / Tristiana Allwood / Ben D’oro / Tristiana Allwood / 62.237%; 3rd / Catherine Bridges / Santiago / Julia Ross / 48.904%. FEI Para Individual Championship Test – Grade III 2nd / Tristiana Allwood / Ben D’oro / Tristiana Allwood / 67.114%; 3rd / Catherine Bridges / Santiago / Julia Ross / 53.130%. FEI Para Freestyle Test – Grade III. 2nd / Tristiana Allwood / Ben D’oro / Tristiana Allwood / 69.667%. FEI Para Team Test – Grade IV 1st / Eleonore Elstone / Silas / Eleonore Elstone / 66.032%; 2nd / Kourteney Lappan / Beckham / Kourteney Lappan / 56.667%. FEI Para Individual Championship Test – Grade IV 1st / Eleonore Elstone / Silas / Eleonore Elstone / 65.198%; 2nd / Kourteney Lappan / Beckham / Kourteney Lappan / 58.294%. FEI Para Freestyle Test – Grade IV 1st / Eleonore Elstone / Silas / Eleonore Elstone / 68.750%.

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Cara GrimSHaW

A RIO 2016 PREVIEW

karen pavicic and Don Daiquiri in langley, bC

T

he Rio 2016 Olympic Games are fast approaching, where equestrian sport will celebrate 104 years in the Olympic Movement. A total of 200 human/equine athlete combinations will compete at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster — 75 in Jumping, 65 in

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Eventing and 60 in Dressage.

The 43 nations that have earned their Rio 2016 Olympic Games slots will now be focusing on making their final selection of teams and individual athletes from these nominated entries, and these will be submitted by the National Olympic Committees to the Rio 2016 Organiz-

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The Canadian Dressage Olympic Campaign Continues to Confuse From the beginning of the Road to Rio for Equine Canada, this campaign has been an extraordinarily stressful one for the athletes. When Equine Canada made the strange decision to keep the Olympic selection criteria top secret and only share with high performance athletes “upon request”, it set the ball rolling for a campaign of confusion, lack of transparency, and a generalized feeling of ill will and suspicion in the general public. When transparency is the buzzword in all things political, this move seemed to be contra to the interests of the athletes, the owners, and the fans. Games criteria is available to the public in every other country, and when Canada has only two spots to send riders to Rio, the pressure was magnified exponentially.

Equine Canada has been providing very little www.gaitpost.com

cara grimshaw

ing Committee by the deadline of July 18. Unfortunately, this is past our Gaitpost deadline, so not all teams will be named by press time.

The 30 nations heading to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will also be deciding on the selection of their 78 athletes, with National Paralympic Committees handing this final list by the deadline of August 15th.

The final lists of athletes heading to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be published on the FEI website.

The equestrian action gets underway with the Eventing horse inspection on August 5th, the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, after which the world’s best horses and riders will compete for six sets of medals over 12 days of intense competition.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, opening on September 7th, promise to be the largest celebration yet of high-performance sport for athletes with an impairment, with Para-Equestrian Dressage set to celebrate 20 years in the Paralympic Movement. A total of 78 Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes will compete for 11 sets of medals across four days of competition starting on 11 September.

information from the beginning; not even a list of declared riders was available for quite some time, when riders had already started to gain their qualifying scores. Many riders found out they were nominated through FEI press releases, rather than from their own national organization! By the end of the Florida season, Equine Canada did produce a declared rider list and a leaderboard.

The top four competitors for the Rio spots were tightly grouped, and Belinda Trussell and Anton had the number one slot firmly in hand, having achieved a 74.263 average. Canada secured its first individual Olympic spot due to Belinda and Anton’s strong performance at the Pan Am Games.

The battle for the second individual spot for Canada was fierce. At the CDI 3* at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, Karen Pavicic scored personal bests to move into the prized slot, ahead of Megan Lane and Caravella from Ontario. The last Olympic Qualifier in Canada was the following weekend in Ontario, the newly upgraded CDI3* in Cedar Valley. It was upgraded by financial support from a sponsor of the local stars, Megan and Caravella, giving them one last shot at claiming the top spot. Megan and Caravella did manage to bump Karen back out of the spot to Rio, but there was controversy surrounding the judging at the show. One judge was as much as 5% ahead of other judges on the same tests, and gave Megan approximately 3.5% higher than any previous score the pair had attained. A review was started, and results from the FEI review are

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lisa slade Dressage superstars Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro will look to defend their Olympic titles in Rio.

Rio 2016 Preview continued from page 27 pending. A similar situation happened recently in Russia, resulting in the scores from one particular show to be dropped as qualifying scores, due to ‘nationalistic’ judging. So the final Canadian spot to Rio is still in question at this point!

In a Herculean effort to clinch that spot definitively, Karen Pavicic and Don Daiquiri flew to attend the CDI4* in Fritzens, Austria, to catch the last qualifying CDI before the deadline. Circumstances weren’t in favour, and Karen failed to improve her score enough to catch Megan.

She missed by a heartbreaking .049%. Until the results of the FEI review are made public, our Canadian Dressage community remains in suspense.

Team Canada Show jumping Canada’s chef d’equipe Mark Laskin has used the past month at Spruce Meadows to make some final and difficult decisions on just how the five-person jumping team will shape up for Rio. “To be honest with you, it’s already been selected,” Laskin said of the Rio-bound squad, talking to Rita Mingo of the Calgary Herald.

“Our criteria stated that it needed to be selected 28

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on July 4, so it was done. Those names will be submitted to the COC (Canadian Olympic Committee) in the next couple of days for approval and they dictate the timeline for when they’ll be announced.”

“Probably two out of the five were fairly obvious, I believe, based on their performances, their experience and their results,” added Laskin, who wasn’t about to reveal names. “We certainly used the three weeks at Spruce Meadows for observation and a lot of interesting things happened in that three-week period.”

The two he alluded to, Eric Lamaze and Tiffany Foster, were certainties coming into the summer. After that, it gets a bit murky. Veteran rider Yann Candele has had some recent success with 16-year-old Showgirl, while also working with the younger First Choice 15.

Also auditioning for two other positions and the alternate spot were homegrown youngsters Ben Asselin and Kara Chad, along with Edmonton’s Elizabeth Gingras and Ontario’s Amy Millar. Ian Millar was a long-shot with his new partner Teddy Du Bosquetiau.

Eventing Canada Unofficially, the team representing Canada in Eventing at Rio consists of: • Rebecca Howard & Riddle Master • Selena O’Hanlon & Foxwood High • Colleen Loach & Qorry Blue d’Argouges • Kathryn Robinson & Let It Bee Jessica Phoenix had four qualified mounts (FOUR!) and was named reserve, but she has launched an appeal that is under review at this time. What is a Canadian selection without drama? Until the appeal is settled, the team is in limbo. This is not the first time Eventing selection has been challenged. At the 2014 WEG, Kathryn Robinson was chosen and publicly announced as a team member before it was realized that she hadn’t properly declared herself. For the 2015 Pan Games, Bromont was never published as a required selection trial, and two very well qualified riders that chose not to attend were

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passed over in selection. For the 2016 Olympics, the fact that Clayton Fredericks, the team coach, was added as a selector last fall is controversial.

History with the coach and riders is a conflict in non-biased selection.

Great Britain Announces Three Teams For Olympic Games The British Equestrian Federation announced its teams for Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing at the Rio Olympic Games on July 5.

“No sport can boast Olympic experiences quite like our equestrian team, and it’s of great credit to both the riders and the program that we welcome athletes back for their fifth, sixth or even seventh Games as part of Team GB. This is vital in a multi-sport environment and our recent Olympic record is testament to this,” said Chef de Mission Mark England.

Dressage: Fiona Bigwood with Penny Bigwood and Neils and Lis Dahl’s Atterupgaards Orthilia; Charlotte Dujardin with Rowena Luard, Anne Barrott and Carl Hester’s Valegro; Carl Hester with Jane De La Mare and his own Nip Tuck; Spencer Wilton with Jennifer Goodman and his own Super Nova II; Traveling Reserve: Lara Griffith with Wilfried and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad.

Eventing: William Fox-Pitt with Christopher Stone’s Chilli Morning; Kitty King with Diana Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor L A N; Gemma Tattersall with either Christopher Stone’s Chico Bella P or The Pebbles Syndicate’s Quicklook V; Isabelle (Izzy) Taylor with

Susan Holroyd and Frances Carter’s Allercombe Ellie; Traveling Reserve: Pippa Funnell with the late Carol Toliver’s Billy The Biz. Show Jumping: Ben Maher with Jane Forbes Clark and his own Tic Tac; Nick Skelton with Beverley Widdowson’s Big Star; John Whitaker with Team Harmony Management Co Ltd’s Ornellaia; Michael Whitaker with Beverley Widdowson’s Cassionato; Traveling reserve: Jessica Mendoza with Sarah Mendoza’s Spirit T. and others…

The USEF announced their Jumping Team for Rio 2016: Beezie Madden (John Madden Sales, Inc), Kent Farrington, Lucy Davis, and McLain Ward, Also without major drama was the introduction of the NZ Olympic Equestrian Team to Rio. Congratulations to the NZ Eventing team: Mark Todd, Clarke Johnstone, Jonelle Price, and Jonathan Paget.

In conclusion With all the emphasis on the “happy horse” in the last few years, perhaps the powers-that-be could put a little effort into balance and transparency, and work on producing happy athletes, happy sponsors, and happy fans, rather than promoting and confirming the jaded, cynical view that most hold our Olympic selection process in. Our podium record could only improve.

This is just the latest one in a long run of contentious, litigious, and scandalous selection trials over the last few decades…enough.

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HORSE COUNCIL BC NEWS

Horse Council BC Director at Large Gary patterson presented the Horse Council BC (HCBC) 2015 Horse industry professional of the Year award to noel asmar of noel asmar equestrian at thunderbird Show park in Langley, BC on June 12th.

noel asmar and presenter gary patterson at thunderbird Show park.

Cara GrimSHaW

langley Fashion Designer Wins horse Council bC’s 2015 horse industry professional of the year

HCBC’s annual awards serve to honour outstanding achievement within BC’s equestrian community. these awards acknowledge those who have stood out from the crowd over the past year and who have made a positive impact on the community as a whole. each award recipient was nominated by two or more other Horse Council BC members for an award.

HCBC is reaching out to the various equestrian communities throughout BC so that we are able to present each award at a recipient’s club, competition, or event of their choice, surrounded by their friends and the people that support them. the HCBC Horse industry professional award recognizes either a professional individual or equine business that has provided outstanding service/products to BC’s equine community on a one-on-one basis or overall. the 2015 Horse Council BC Horse industry professional of the Year award was presented to noel asmar. noel is the Founder and Ceo of noel asmar equestrian, an internationally acclaimed equestrian apparel brand based in Surrey, BC. noel’s passion to empower her fellow equestrians through fashion is evident in all that she does. noel has been involved in the development of the equestrian community in British Columbia at a variety of levels. She continues to cultivate young talent through her support of the Canadian dressage team at the naJYrC as well as the BC pony Club. noel also supported the first CDi event at thunderbird last spring, and the Fei World Cup Show Jumping qualifier last august. putting B.C. on the map of equestrian destinations, noel was a sponsor of the anky van Grunsven and Charlotte Dujardin dressage clinics, dressing all of the riders to look and feel their best in front of the world champion, and inspiring local riders to continue developing their talent.

Helping local talent to flourish, noel has partnered with a number of dressage and jumper riders to assist them in pursuing their dreams in the international ring, including WeG competitor karen pavicic and show jumper Laura Jane tidball. noel understands the consuming nature of equine sport and supports riders at all levels. Her innovative fashions continue to elevate our traditional sport through modern technology and revolutionary fabrics, and noel asmar is proud to produce more than 70% of her collection in Vancouver. as an established businesswoman, noel has been recognized for two consecutive years among Canada’s top 100 Female entrepreneurs and she continues to grow her business internationally. Her passion for the horse industry inspires her employees, her friends and acquaintances and the journey is just beginning.

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Fei

Industry News continued from page 17 aSian eQueStRian FeDeRation SignS MeMoRanDuM oF unDeRStanDing With Fei The Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FEI, the world governing body for equestrian sport. The AEF, founded in 1978 in Bangkok (THA), is headquartered in Seoul (KOR) and has 34 member National Federations.

“We are delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the FEI, reinforcing our vital bilateral collaboration,” said Mr Sang Jin Park, Asian Equestrian Federation President, Korea National Federation President and President of Samsung Electronics.

“We have today discussed practical methods to promote and develop equestrian sports in Asia, and have reaffirmed the need to strengthen the role of the AEF as a representative of its 34 National Federation members. We look forward to attracting further high profile international equestrian events to Korea and the Asian continent working closely with the FEI.” Hundreds of international equestrian events will take place across the Asian continent this

l-r: Sabrina ibáñez, Fei Secretary general and Fei president ingmar De vos are pictured with Mr Sang Jin park, asian equestrian Federation (aeF) president, and Mr Sunny hwang, Secretary general of the aeF.

year, and in 2018 in Jakarta (IND) equestrian sport will celebrate its ninth appearance at the Asian Games, also known as the Asiad, which are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic Games cycle.

“Equestrian sport has developed tremendously in Asia over the last decade, but this is just the beginning. The Asian continent represents a huge opportunity for equestrian sport to broaden its footprint, and the FEI is working hand in hand with the AEF and its National Federation members to make this happen,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

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November’s Gaitpost Gallery Feature will highlight the talent of equine photographers and artists.

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Foal by Shurg o/o Daymaker

The

FOals

Seabloom Precious Gift with her buckskin pinto colt, Seabloom Don Juan

These photos represent some of the quality foals born with the Gaitpost community in 2016.

Thank you to all of our readers and advertisers for their submissions!

L: Seabloom Lucky Dash The Stampede, 2016 buckskin Appaloosa colt Seabloom Sail Away With Me; R: 2016 AMHA Miniature Horse pinto filly.

Charlie Brown; Thoroughbred colt

by Stephanotis, o/o Honey Brown

Seabloom Beatrix Bunny, bay roan pinto filly

Seabloom Lucky Dash The Stampede with our grandson, Link Seabloom

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Haflinger foal Axl

by Al Capone o/o L’Egant Style NW

A Rosenol foal

Dennis & Karen Quilliams’ Cherish’s Champion with our great granddaughter

Footnote’s Maximus out of Lisa (Dylan)

by Mogly

A Rosenol foal

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Quintefino, known as “Q” out of Samira MB (San Ramiro x Cheenook) sire Contefino (Contender x Corofino), was born 2 weeks early, surprising everyone. His birth was attended by Genevieve Fraser of Fresh Tracks Farm, who was making an early morning inspection through the barn at 5:30am prior to leaving for her sister’s graduation at UBC. She was greeted by Samira who seemed unfazed by the impending birth of her first foal whose hooves were making their way into the world. Genevieve quickly summoned help, but before Dr. Tracy Plough could make the 10 minute drive over, Q had slipped into this world, much to everyone’s surprise! Dr. Plough was astonished at how decked out Genevieve was when she arrived. It’s not common for an equine mid-wife to be sporting pearls and couture clothing. Dr. Plough’s comment, “Do you always look this good at 5:30 in the morning?!”

Needless to say, Quintefino is unfamiliar with the concept of fashionably late, nevertheless he arrived here in style! Born June 1, 2016, photo June 3, 2016. Submitted by Lianne Dean, Fresh Tracks Farm; Photo by Tom Dean, Fresh Tracks Farm.

Tennessee Walking Horse Foal from C ‘Em Walkin Ranch

Footnote’s Solfylt out of Klosterhof’s Sole by Solfin Skova

Tennessee Walking Horse Foal from C ‘Em Walkin Ranch

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Bubbles was snapped in the photo during his halter training. As it appears, he is VERY friendly, curious, and direct! The joke I had friends asking me is, “If he got the halter on me yet,” regarding how his halter training was going.

Bubbles is the only son of Peachy Keen, a fabulous wellknown short stirrup pony on the BCHJA Circuit for years.

Sire, North Peace Sundance, owned by CSP Stables is the most amazing top of the line small, Sec. A Welsh palomino, sire of many wonderful ponies with incredible hunter movement/temperament. Peachy Keen, at the age of 19, it was decided after a 2014 Short Stirrup Pony BCHJA Championship and 2014 Res Champ Reg Short Stirrup, that she take a year off from showing & her little lesson kids for a new career direction temporarily.

Peaches was originally owned and trained by Nell and, as her daughter Emma was only 6 months old, sold her to Cathy, whose daughter,s Ali & Maegan, showed Peaches for 10 years, winning everything and accolades as the best pony ever...even the garbage bag/spooky contest at TB!! Peaches came back to her stomping grounds at CSP Stables & reunited with Emma. What an amazing circle of pony life.

So after Emma had her best year ever on Peaches, Grandmas Nell Elders & Cathy Yohimas decided...let’s see what happens. CSP Stables bought Sunny to introduce to Peaches. The thought this large pony would take.... was a surprise...and was only attempted twice, live cover.

Peaches has been the bar held so high for any child aspiring to ride and feel safe. She is the BEST pony ever.

When we look for a new pony for our students, we ask if its a “peaches-pony”. We so hope Bubbles will carry on in his mom’s footsteps & take care of the children that ride him.

Vertical Limit CSF (Vision van’t Hazelarenhoekje / Beach Boy / Eastern Ruler)

Zartina, half arabian half swedish Anglo cross filly

Tennessee Walking Horse Foal from C ‘Em Walkin Ranch

Sierra Pacific Jellybean, double registered purebred miniature filly

Shane, Tennessee Walking Horse Foal (conceived using 35 yr old frozen semen) by Go Shadow Go o/o Silver Rhythm and Blues 34

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Miniature fillies Sierra Pacific Charlotte & Zoe www.gaitpost.com

MJ IMillar foal

Tennessee Walking Horse Foal from C ‘Em Walkin Ranch

Seabloom Lucky Dash The Stampede with Seabloom Don Juan

TK Pintabians 2016 tobiano colt; o/o Pintabian mare, Rumor PJ by Pintabian stallion, Beau Bahars Dream

Tennessee Walking Horse Foal from C ‘Em Walkin Ranch

“Pickle” or “Well Dressed” (name pending) out of “All Dressed” (by Amiro) and sired by “Westporte”

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My name is Richelle McKechnie, and I’d like to share a story with you about the beautiful heart and soul that helped bring Baby Aries into this world.

Last year, roughly 82,000 horses were slaughtered in Canada, but one lucky mare beat the odds. This beautiful mare, Secret, was pregnant. My good friend Carly Cook was torn apart thinking that these two lives would be lost forever. A meat buyer was given an excessive amount of horses, most with papers and in good health. He did his best to find homes for as many as possible. My friend Carly with a heart of gold, found a way to get this beautiful, pregnant, palomino mare. When Carly purchased Secret she had a lot of things she had to cut back on: no take outs, no shopping, no weekend outtings with friends. Secret was only halter broken when she was saved from being slaughtered; she has come a huge way in such a short time. She enjoys being out on trails here in Duncan, BC. These two beautiful lives are here today thanks to one girl’s beautiful open heart. Aries was born early in the morning on May 25th 2016 at a height of 10 hands and weighing 110 lbs.

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Crystal Raine a 2016 Canadian Sport Pony o/o Crystal Moonlight by B’s Lunar Eclipse

Finn Farm’s Diamond Stud x Amorex filly

Sunny Boy colt Sogno FF aka Spider o/o Rubinus mare Radiante (Annie)

2016 Pintabian colt from TK Pintabians

Island’s Sunshine (Sagnol/Capitol II)

Merideth by Chacco’s Rubin DSF out of Rosie(by Ikoon)

Equitop’s bay colt

by Casparo

Far Quest, Nickname Farley. by the Farscape DSF, o/o a CWHBA Mare by Titan

Equitop’s dark bay colt by Casparo

Levitas (Levi) Is the first colt for our KWPN mare by 007; Levi’s sire is Diamond Stud

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Andalusian/Connemara filly “Grace” at 2 months old

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Saddle Fit and the young horse

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By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE

his is a fitting article (no pun intended!) to tie in with this issue’s theme of foals.

Too often we hear of people not wanting to spend the money on a good (i.e. adjustable) saddle for a young horse until they are actually starting to show with them — but the truth is that you may end up doing more damage to the horse’s back by using a saddle that hasn’t been (or can’t be) fitted properly from the get go! It’s almost as bad as putting shoes on your toddler that are much too big (“she’ll grow into them”) or starting the horse off with piaffe before they’re ready.

The damage may not be obvious at first, but trust me — it will manifest itself in later years!

Let’s speak to the elephant in the room for starters: horses were never meant to be ridden.

This is an artificial construct we have subjected them to over the years and really goes totally against their nature. Horses are flight animals and their instinct is to flee — especially when something is placed on their back. If you’ve ever

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watched horses being ‘broken in’ (and I truly dislike that term) then you can see their instinctive reactions the first time they have a saddle put on their backs. For them, this load on their back is like a cougar pouncing, and their instinct is to start running away.

The horse’s skeletal structure can be compared to a suspension bridge. The supporting posts are the front and hind legs and the suspension cables are the ligaments of the back and neck. The horse can support the weight of the rider when the horse brings the hind legs ‘underneath’ him and closer to the forelegs — which allows the back to come up to form an ‘arch’ between the legs. As riders we want to maintain back health to allow the horse to bring his back up and his hind legs under him in order to be able to carry our weight.

The shoulder blades on a trained and mature horse (as opposed to a younger animal) are high-

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The domestication of horses over the years has come to allow them to trust us — after the proper relationship building of trust and correct training — to ride them without significant danger to either party. However, there are situations where the instinctive behaviour Training during these years will affect the muscular conformation and as a result the 3-dimensional back of the horse will prevail — shape and the saddle support area will change. and one of these occurs when faced with a poorly Saddle Fit continued from page 37 fitting saddle. If the saddle pinches at the withers er and rotated more to the rear, which means (because the tree width is too narrow and/or the that the front of the horse’s saddle support area tree angle is too wide) this can seem like the vise has moved back. (The saddle support area usugrip of the stallion’s bite. In nature, the stallion’s ally begins behind the shoulder blade at the base bite at the base of the withers on the trapezius of the withers to the 18th thoracic vertebra). This is meant to immobilize the mare during mating maturation process actually reduces the size of (causing her to stand still, drop her back, and rothe saddle support area — which leads to a probtate her pelvis). Not what you want when you’re lem in saddle fitting. We have often fitted a beauriding, but this is the effect you can achieve with tiful, custom-made saddle to a fairly young horse a pinching saddle. The horse reflexively stands (maybe 5 or 6) taking all aspects of the equine still; the rider is on top urging him forward — the anatomy into consideration (gullet width, tree result is then “my horse is stubborn!” (But that’s length, channel width, etc.), when all of a sudden the topic of a whole other article on behavioural at age 10 the saddle is deemed too long for the ramifications of poorly fitting saddles!) horse’s back. Without recognizing exactly this A saddle that is too narrow in the gullet phenomenon of growth, it can become difficult channel or too long onto the lumbar area can to justify a recommendation made only a few cause the same effect as a predator landing on short years ago, but the fact is that the horse will the horse’s back — the reflex and the instinct is change conformation pretty radically at ages 3, 5, too run; again ‘behavioural issues’ resulting from and 8 (see diagram). poorly fitting saddles.

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Conventional equestrian wisdom states that three years is the optimum age for a horse to get started under saddle — to get accustomed to the saddle and the weight of the rider — but serious training should not really begin until age five (and don’t even get me started on race horse practices…that is practically child abuse).

At around age 8 a well-trained horse will have the necessary muscles and conformation to begin training in earnest. Which brings us back to the question of when is the right time to invest in a proper saddle. The fact is that a horse’s muscles will not develop properly if the saddle doesn’t fit well, and can even atrophy. The paradox here is that sometimes riders are unable to sit when the horse is moving completely freely under saddle.

Therefore, they don’t mind that the (badly fitting) saddle inhibits this — which can become a catch-22. The saddle doesn’t really fit the horse, which inhibits the correct and complete development of the muscles, which means that the saddle fitter doesn’t need to come out as often to adjust the saddle because the conformation hasn’t really changed. At what cost to the horse? Some people brag about ‘their saddle has never had to be adjusted’ but these basically hang on the spine like a clothespin and sit on the shoulders so that ‘fit’ is truly questionable.

The positive results of training a young horse should show a visible change in muscle conformation, which is what a well-fitting saddle will support. A horse will continue to change over the course of its entire life — due to various influences. But we need to be cognizant of

the fact that our training actually goes against what nature intended: we try to move the horse’s natural centre of gravity further back and we work against the natural asymmetry in order to allow him to carry a rider over long periods of time. An ill-fitting saddle will impact your ability to achieve shifting the horse’s weight from the forehand to the hindquarters, lifting the ribcage (which improves oxygen intake) and increasing his stamina. Correct riding as determined by the guidelines of classical dressage is the basis for horse-friendly methodology and training success. A poorly fitting saddle can impact all efforts of proper training methods as easily as poor riding itself.

Here are a couple of pointers to tell you when the horse has had enough training to be able to carry a rider in balance without damaging his back: • The horse’s shoulder blade has come up and back and is very defined and wide when viewed from the front (good pectoral muscling); • The horse has a well-muscled neck, stronger on top from the poll to the withers and less so from the jawbone to the transition into the chest; • The trapezius (wither muscle) is well developed and defined behind the shoulder blade, with visible and defined longissimus (back muscles) and lats.

So enjoy your youngsters and let them just be horses for a few years! ©2016 Saddlefit 4 Life® All Rights Reserved

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VET’SVIEW

by Dr. Michael Archer

istockphoto.com

A facial sarcoid

Skin Cancers in Horses Please don’t sit back and watch them grow.

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he three most common skin cancers in horses are sarcoids, melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Early detection and aggressive treatment while they are small is most likely to be successful and may prevent major problems in the future. To prove a small growth is a cancer the tissue has to be examined under a microscope, but these three skin cancers are common enough that the provisional diagnosis is often made from the clinical signs alone and then confirmed after surgical excision.

Sarcoids, an uncontrolled growth of cells

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similar to the ones in fibrous scar tissue, can affect horses of any age. They vary in appearance including; flat hairless areas that may not change much overtime, wart like, raw pink tissue similar to a lump of proud flesh, and even just a swelling under normal looking skin around the upper eyelid. Common locations for sarcoids include the head, around the eyes and ears, the legs, the ventral midline and groin.

Most sarcoids contain bovine papilloma virus which causes warts in young cattle. However, if you inject this virus into horse skin, although

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you get a sarcoid like lesion, it resolves within a few weeks, so sarcoids are more complicated.

There is often a history of a previous wound at the site. Sarcoids are not a cancer that spreads to distant sites throughout the body, but they are locally invasive sending fingerlike projections into the surrounding tissues as they grow.

The worst thing about sarcoids is how difficult they are to get rid of. Additionally, horses that get them seem to be more prone to getting more. These facts should be remembered especially when buying a horse — they are not something to ignore.

Poor results mean that lots of different treatments have been tried. Surgical excision alone is less than 50% effective, probably due to the invasive nature of the growth. However, results are much better if Cisplatin impregnated beads (a drug that kills cancer cells) are implanted into the surgical wound after excision. Other treatments include topical creams containing powerful anticancer drugs, freezing the tissues after excision, burning with a laser beam, and radiation. In all studies into treatment efficacy, results are worse with increasing size of the tumour and when it has been unsuccessfully treated before.

So your first chance is the best, treating them aggressively when they are small is the way to go.

Melanomas are cancers of melanocytes the pigment containing cells in skin. Melanomas are very common in grey horses from the age of six onwards so that by fifteen years of age over 80% of grey horses will have them. These dark round tumours are most often found under the tail, around the anus, around the genitals, on the head at the base of the ear just behind the jaw and along the neck in the jugular groove. They may be solitary or occur in clusters.

In people, melanomas can be one of the most dangerous types of cancer often spreading before they are diagnosed. Unlike people, in horses there is no association with exposure to sunlight and the tumours are usually slow growing and may cause no problems. However at any time they can switch from this benign form to a more aggressive cancer that spreads including to internal organs.

Melanomas on a mare’s anus and under the dock.

If they are detected early, when they are a small nodule, surgical excision is often successful. Results can be further improved by implanting Cisplatin beads into the wound. However even though a small melanoma has been successfully treated, because they spread along the lymph channels, a new tumour may start close by. If left to grow, multiple big tumours become difficult to manage. They often ulcerate, become infected and get painful which can interfere with, for example, passing manure when they are around the anus. There is a report of injecting oil of Frankincense into larger melanomas on a weekly basis for 2 months resulting in necrosis and rupture of the tumour as a way to try to slow down their growth.

Melanoma cells contain large amounts of an enzyme, tyrosinase. A vaccine targeting human tyrosinase is licensed for use in dogs. Like dogs, horse tyrosinase is similar to human tyrosinase, so the dog vaccine has been tried in horses with some, albeit limited, success. In one study, 25% of the horses had no response, in 50 % growth of the tumours stopped, and in 25% there was an obvious decrease in size of the tumours. Although this treatment has not yet stood the test of time

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Vet’s View continued from page 41 and is expensive, at the moment it may be the best option for grey horses affected with melanomas. Hopefully an improved vaccine will be developed to try to prevent this horrible condition which discourages me from buying a grey horse.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of older horses. It is most seen around the eyes and on the penis. In the eye, where the first sign maybe be a pus discharge, this tumour shows up as a small pink mass with a rough surface on either the third eyelid (found in the medial corner of the eye), on the edge of the clear part of the eye (cornea) adjacent to the white of the eye (sclera), or less often on the edge of the top or bottom eyelids. To examine the third eyelid, the most common location, it can be prolapsed, so that it is visible, by pressing down on the top of the eyeball.

Although squamous cell carcinomas do spread to the draining lymph nodes and then the lungs this usually does not happen quickly, so early detection and surgical excision is often successful. A squamous cell carcinoma on the third eyelid can be treated by removing the third eyelid, a simple surgery usually performed in sedated horses. A tumour on the cornea is more difficult but can be surgically removed by carefully cutting around and below it, leaving the deeper cornea intact. Tumour recurrence in the eye can be reduced by treating the eyes with topical drops containing Mitomicin C after surgery.

If these tumours are left longer they will invade the deeper tissues of the eye requiring complete eye removal which still may not be successful if the cancer has already spread to the lymph nodes in the throat region.

On the penis, squamous cell carcinomas start as a small pink mass or ulcer on either the shaft or end of the penis, probably only seen when the penis is dropped and clean. If left to grow these become a large rough surfaced pale mass. If treated early, a small excision combined with implantation of Cisplatin beads will have good results. If the tumour has grown sufficiently, then amputation of the end of the penis may be the only chance of saving the horse. Even then, if the 42

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tumour has already spread to the lymph nodes in the groin then a massive surgery is required to remove most of the penis and the affected nodes, resulting in the poor old horse having to urinate though a hole below his anus.

Hopefully the message that early detection and rapid aggressive treatment is the best way to manage these nasty conditions has come across.

Dr. Michael Archer has joined our practice as the new surgical specialist. Dr. Archer, a 1983 graduate of Liverpool University in England, became a board certified equine surgeon in 1988 after completing his surgical residency in Wisconsin. As an avid outdoorsman, he has traveled and worked literally all over the world with many equestrian disciplines. His work has taken him from London England, to South Africa, St. Kitts, New Zealand, the USA and Canada. He has worked in both sport horse and racetrack private referral practice as well as many teaching hospitals and research centers. He most recently worked and taught at the University of Guelph and Massey University in New Zealand. He has done surgical locum work in Oregon, Alberta, New Zealand and Australia. We are most excited as Dr. Archer brings with him a wealth of experience in all aspects of equine lameness and surgery.

Para 101 continued from page 22 other sports.

Being the Team coach involves traveling the world not only to work with our athletes and their coaches at their homes but to also attend the International competitions to help direct and focus everyone on the job at hand….. This year (which actually started right after the 2012 London Games!) we did not go to Europe as we normally do to gain exposure over there….we decided to keep our riders and horses at their homes to compete there. Our intention was to have a fresh Team, ready to go for Gold in Rio! This role has taught me so much about teamwork, about thinking outside the box (regularly!) and about how much I do love dressage and my relationship with the horses. They are big-hearted animals who not only challenge us to become better communicators and harder workers but who can also provide freedom to some in a way that still makes me cry!!”

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DISCIPLINEREPORTS What’s Happening in all the Disciplines

fei/arnd bronkhorst

The host nation won the fifth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League at Rotterdam (NED). Pictured (L to R): Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens with Jur Vrieling, Harrie Smolders, Maikel van der Vleuten and Willem Greve.

The flying Dutchmen dominate on home ground in Rotterdam

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he World and European champions from The Netherlands threw down a stunning performance to win the fifth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division 1 League in Rotterdam (NED). And it was a particularly satisfying result, because it was the first time since 2003 that they have reigned supreme on home ground. “It was thrilling!” said team-member Willem Greve after a double-clear performance with Carambole NOP that has confirmed them in the frontline for selection for the

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Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Only a few short weeks away now, the Olympics are on everyone’s minds, and there was plenty of tension in the air during the first half of the competition. But the home runners kept their cool to go out in front on a zero score and they never looked back. “We were firm and focused” said Greve afterwards, and that was exactly how it seemed as they had the luxury of watching the

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Discipline Reports continued from page 43 Swiss overcome the Germans in the battle for runner-up spot.

Brilliant rides from Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Peder Fredricson helped secure fourth spot for Sweden, while USA, Belgium, France and Great Britain filled the remaining places.

Dutch course designer, Louis Konickx, presented a clever test in the oddly-shaped Rotterdam ring which is much wider at one end. “It was more tricky than we thought when we walked it, not the biggest course we ever jumped but there were some technical lines. After the triple combination there was a long line to the difficult oxer with water under it, and the spread was wide there — it wasn’t that easy to go clear,” explained Dutch anchorman Maikel van der Vleuten.

However three of the four Dutch team-members returned fault-free at their first attempt, while pathfinders Harrie Smolders and the chestnut stallion Emerald NOP picked up only a single time fault when exceeding the 79 seconds timeallowed. In all there were 10 clears in the first

round, and with just four faults apiece the Swiss and German sides were on level pegging at the halfway stage, with the Swedes next in line with nine faults on the board.

The Swedes cemented their position with just four more to add for a final tally of 13 after single second-round errors from Henrik von Eckermann (Yajamila) and Charlotte Mordasini (Romand du Their) and brilliant clears from both Baryard-Johnsson with H&M Cue Channa and Peder Fredriscon with H&M All In. The smile on Baryard-Johnsson’s face said it all as she cleared the line for the second time knowing that she couldn’t help but have impressed her Chef d’Equipe Sylve Soderstrand with the mare who was purchased at the end of last year with the sole intention of making the Swedish Olympic team. And the effortless ease with which Fredricson’s stallion tackles the strongest courses must also make him a major contender, his secondround tour once again looking like a walk in the park. A total of seven horse-and-rider combinations jumped double-clear.

Because Janika Sprunger and Bonne Chance CW and Martin Fuchs and Clooney were both foot-perfect so, despite a pole down for Paul Estermann and Castlefield Eclipse who had endured a much more eventful first run over the course, they could rely on the reigning Olympic individual champions to keep them secure. Steve Guerdat has been taking the greatest of care with his London 2012 Olympic ride, Nino des Buissonnets, in order to have him in the best possible condition this season and the pair just sparkled, the

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Super Swiss sweep to Furusiyya victory in Falsterbo Andy Kistler’s Swiss side produced a superb performance to win the sixth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League at Falsterbo (SWE). Tied for the lead with the host nation and Brazil at the halfway stage, the winners were simply faultless while Sweden lined up second ahead of Brazil, Great Britain and The Netherlands in joint-third place.

Ireland and Germany shared sixth spot while

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15-year-old horse showing that intensity and excitement that is his trademark and never missing a beat the whole way around the track. This ensured a four-fault finish for their country, and runner-up spot with a fence in hand over Team Germany in third.

While all that was playing itself out however the Dutch were already sitting pretty. Smolders came home well within the time at his second attempt with his fabulous stallion while Jur Vrieling and VDL Zirocco Blue showed exactly why they are one of the most trusted partnerships in the sport when leaving all the fences intact once again. So when Willem Greve steered Carambole through another exhibition of jumping then the job was done, and as he cantered past his fellowcountryman and reigning world champion Jeroen Dubbeldam who was standing in the crowd, they shared a “high-five” in celebration. Maikel van der Vleuten didn’t have to go again with VDL Groep Verdi — their first-round clear had already confirmed their form.

Paul Estermann and Castlefield Eclipse produced one of the three sensational double-clears that clinched victory for Switzerland at the sixth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League in Falsterbo (SWE).

Czech Republic lined up last of the eight competing nations, and the latter now look set for relegation to Europe Division 2 at the end of the current season.

It was a fascinating competition, with 17 clears in the first round over the track created by Guilherme Jorge. “The horses jumped beautifully. Actually, there were so many clears in the first round that we had to make some adjustments for the second round and we could tell that the second round was a lot more challenging. Initially, I didn’t want to build a too-difficult course because the Olympic Games are just around the corner, but the horses were so good! We had a beautiful day of showjumping today and we can thank the horses and riders for it” said the man who will also design the courses for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games which are only a few short weeks away now.

The difference those changes made to the Discipline Reports continued on page 46

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the book llc

Kevin Babington and Shorapur

Discipline Reports continued from page 45 course during the interval between the two rounds turned out to be quite significant. However as so often happens in the sport of Nations Cup Jumping, there were some dramatic swings of fortune as the competition progressed. The Irish looked seriously compromised by a 13-fault first-round tally. But Robert Splaine’s team rallied brilliantly second time out when producing four perfect clears, and Anthony Condon produced one of the 11 double-clear performances of the day.

It looked like a very even contest as the second round began with the Brazilians, Swiss and Swedes all on a clean sheet. But luck really was not on Sweden’s side, as pathfinder Malin Baryard-Johnsson looked set for a second clear only to pick up four faults under slightly strange circumstances. Her talented new mare, the 10 year old grey H&M Cue Channa, was cruising around the track once again until a nasty stumble pitched the rider forward on the landing side of the triple bar at fence 10. Only a competitor of her calibre could have made such an immediate recovery to clear the following vertical, but the last fence fell,

and when team-mate Henrik von Eckermann’s Yajamila was one of those to hit the oxer at four, then Swedish chances were slipping away.

The Brazilians didn’t make a great start to the second round either when Rodrigo Pessoa’s Citizenguard Cadjanine Z hit fence four and the first element of the following Longines triple combination for eight faults, but Stephan de Freitas Barcha reined it back when producing a second classy clear from Landpeter do Feroleto.

When third-line rider, Paul Estermann, completed his second clear of the course the Swiss really piled on the pressure — Janika Sprunger’s fabulous double-clear from the elegant mare Bonne Chance was followed by the same from Werner Muff and Pollendr to guarantee a secondround finishing score that was still on zero. So when Brazil’s Doda de Miranda produced another clear from AD Cornetto K then it was hanging on a knife-edge — if Marlon Zanotelli could post another clear for Brazil then it would come down to a two-way jump-off against the Swiss.

Last man into the ring, the 27-year-old set off with Cash del Mar Z only to fall victim to the bogey oxer at four, and with further mistakes later on the track he decided to retire. It was all done and dusted and his side would have to settle for equal-third with the Dutch and British on a final tally of eight faults, while the Swedes were runners-up on a final total of just four.

Babington’s Wins $75,000 Devoucoux Grand Prix at 47th Annual Lake Placid Horse Show A win by Irish Olympic veteran Kevin Babington on Shorapur, the only clean round, in the

the Gaitpost barn boar d We encourage our readers to submit their favourite photos, and their own show reports or short stories — we love to hear from you, and everyone deserves a little time in the spotlight! Consider the Gaitpost your extended ‘barn family’! Please think of the Gaitpost next time you see a favourite photo of yourself, friends or family. submit photos (that you own or have permission to publish) to editorial@gaitpost.com with your text, the horse and rider names, and the photographer.

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show jumping results Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division 1 League in Rotterdam (NED) Results 1. Netherlands 0 faults: Emerald NOP (Harrie Smolders) 1/0, VDL Sirocco Blue NOP (Jur Vrieling) 0/0, Garambole NOP (Willem Greve) 0/0, VDL Groep Verdi TN NOP (Maikel van der Vleuten) 0/DNS; 2. Switzerland 4 faults: Bonne Chance CW (Janika Springer) 4/0, Clooney (Martin Fuchs) 0/0, Castlefield Eclipse (Paul Estermann) 19/4, Nino des Buissonnets (Steve Guerdat) 0/0.; 3.

Germany 8 faults: Balermo (Marco Kutcher) 4/12, Equita van T Zorgvlist (Daniel Deusser) 9/0, Funky Fred (Marcus Ehning) 0/0, Casello (Ludger Beerbaum) 0/4.; 4. Sweden 13 faults: Yajamila (Henrik Von Eckermann) 8/4, H&M Cue Channa 42 (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) 1/0, Romane du Theil (Charlotte Mordasini) 8/4, H&M All In (Peder Fredricson) 0/0.; 5. USA 16 faults: Voyeur (Kent Farrington) 4/0, VDL Wizard (Callan Solem) 9/8, Zeremonie (Laura Kraut) 4/0, Cortes C (Beezie Madden) 8/0.; 6. Belgium 21 faults: H&M Legend of Love (Olivier Philippaerts) 9/0, Gautcho da Quinta (Catherine Van Roosbroeck) 4/0, As Cold as Ice Z (Judy-Ann elchior) 8/0, Algorhythem (Gregory Wathelet) 13/DNS.; 7. France 28 faults: Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) 8/12, Reveur de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) 4/4, Orient Express HDC (Patrice Delaveau) 8/16, Flora de Mariposa (Penelope Leprevost) 0/0.; 8. Great Britain 32 faults: Tic Tac (Ben Maher) 0/4, Spirit T (Jessica Mendoza) 4/9, Catwalk IV (Robert Whitaker) 8/8, Utamaro D’Ecaussines (Joe Clee) 16/17. Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League at Falsterbo (SWE) Results 1. Switzerland 0 faults: Bonne Chance (Janika Sprunger) 0/0, Pollendr (Werner Muff) 0/0, Castlefield Eclipse (Paul Estermann) 0/0, Quorida de Treho (Romain Duguet) DNS/Ret.; 2. Sweden 4 faults: H&M Cue Channa (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) 0/4, Yajamila (Henrik von Eckermann) 0/4, Unita ASK (RolfGoran Bengtsson) 0/0, H&M All In (Peder Fredricsson) 0/0.; 3. Netherlands 8 faults: SFN Zenith NOP (Jeroen Dubbeldam) 0/4, VDL Glasgow V Merelsnest (Jur Vrieling) 9/4, Aquila SFN (Wout-Jan van der Schans) 4/0, Glock’s London NOP (Gerco Schroder) 0/0.; 3. Great Britain 8 faults: Fleur de L’Aube (Tim Stockdale) 4/0, Quelbora Merze (Tim Wilks) 0/0, HHS Figaro (Emma O’Dwyer) 4/0, Con Man JX (Joe Clayton) 4/17; 3. Brazil 8 faults: Citizenguard Cadjanine Z (Rodrigo Pessoa) 0/8, Landpeter

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$75,000 Devoucoux Grand Prix of Lake Placid proved an exciting culmination to the 47th annual Lake Placid Horse Show, presented by Sea Shore Stables LLC. Thirty horses tried to master the 15-jump course designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany and while several came close, none could until Babington, 22nd in the order, entered the ring on his 11-year-old, Hanoverian mare. Riding in his first Grand Prix since winning the Grand Prix at Devon on June 2 on his Irish Sport Horse, Mark Q, Babington turned the trick and waited to see if anyone could match his ride and force a jump-off.

“There were still some good ones after me so I was holding my breath,” he said, “and the truth is a few of them almost made it but they were a bit unlucky at the last fence.”

In fact three entries after Babington were clean until the last fence — Michael Hughes on Sans Soucis Z, Laura Chapot on ISHD Dual Star and Andrew Kocher on Ciana.

Chapot placed second on Quointreau Un Prince with the fastest four-fault ride and was third on ISHD Dual Star. She also finished seventh on Thornhill Kate. Fourth place went to Catherine Tyree on Enjoy Louis, fifth to Cormac Hanley on Captain Caruso and sixth to Michael Hughes on Sans Soucis Z.

Germany’s Sanneke Rothenberger and Deveraux OLD claimed a hat-trick of gold medals at the inaugural FEI U25 Dressage Championships 2016 in Hagen (GER).

de Feroleto (Stephan de Freitas Barcha) 0/0, AD Cornetto K (Doda de Miranda) 0/0, Cash de Mar Z (Marlon Modolo Zanotelli) 4/Ret.; 6. Germany 13 faults: Conthendrix (Andre Thieme) 0/0, BSC Cha Cha Cha (Holger Wulschner) 4/8, Brooklyn 17 (Mario Stephens) 4/12, Goja 27 (Janne Friederike Mayer) 0/1. 6. Ireland 13 faults: Chaqui Z (Shane Sweetnam) 9/0, Go Easy de Muze (Darragh Kenny) 9/0, Aristio (Anthony Condon) 0/0, Golden Hawk (Shane Breen) 4/0.; 8. Czech Republic 30 faults: Caleri ll (Suzana Zelinkova) 0/8, Charly Brown (Emma Augier de Moussac) 27/9, Cento Lano (Ondrej Zvara) 5/0, Dimaro vld Louise Heide (Ales Opatrny) 8/12.

dressage report Germany claims all gold at inaugural U25 Championships Germany’s Sanneke Rothenberger stole the show with a hat-trick of gold medals at the inaugural FEI U25 Dressage Championships in Hagen (GER). The 23-year-old rider led her country to victory in Friday’s Team competition and then returned to top both the Grand Prix and Freestyle classes with her 15-year-old Oldenburger, Deveraux.

However the real winner of the weekend was the sport itself, as rising stars from 14 nations demonstrated their formidable talent and enormous promise. These Championships are designed as a stepping-stone on the steep climb to the elite level of the sport, and the future is looking very bright indeed, with great expectations that many of those who excelled over the last few days may already be on the road to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Staged at the elegant Hof Kasselmann in Hagen (GER), the event attracted 41 horse-and-rider combinations including nine teams and eight individual competitors, and the flags of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia,

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fei/arnd bronkhorst Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando NOP’s third-place finish in the Freestyle clinched victory for The Netherlands in the fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2016 series.

Discipline Reports continued from page 47 Spain, Sweden, Switzerland were flown with pride.

There was an early indication of the quality of the competition when the German team drop score on Friday was the 72.526 posted by Nadine Husenbeth and Florida. Florine Kienbaum and Doktor Schiwago (72.632) and Juliette Piotrowski and Sir Diamond (72.658) were marginally better, but Rothenberger’s massive leading score of 76.737 percent left the result beyond doubt.

The final German tally of 222.026 left them just over four percentage points ahead of The Netherlands’ Maxime Van der Vlist (Bailey), Stephanie Kooyman (Winston), Anne Meulendijks (MDH Avanti) and Danielle Houtvast (Utah) in silver medal spot. Meulendijks posted an impressive 74.421 with the KWPN 11-year-old

to finish individually second while Kooyman’s 73.026 slotted her into third and seriously boosted her side’s final scoreline of 218.947 which left them more than six points clear of Team Sweden in bronze medal position. Bo Jena’s Swedish side consisted of Sanna Nilsson (Lennox), Josefin Gyllensward (Don Angelo), Mathilde Hannell (Della Mae) and Marina Mattsson (Beckham), and they pinned Denmark back into fourth place.

However Kooyman’s fifth place finish would be as good as it would get for the Dutch in Saturday’s Grand Prix in which Diana Porsche began to shine. Riding Di Sandro, the 20-year-old Austrian earned a mark of 72.535 from Ground Jury members Janet Lee Foy, Ghislain Fouarge, Irina Maknami, Magnus Ringmark and Dr. Evi Eidenhardt to finish close behind bronze medallist Juan Matute Guimon from Spain.

Germany ruled the roost once again, with Florine Kienbaum filling silver medal spot behind Rothenberger wearing her second gold medal of the tournament.

It is Germany’s Rothenberger who will go into the history books after grabbing a great deal of the glory and shining a bright light into the future at the first ever FEI European U25 Dressage Championships.

FEI Nations Cup Dressage: Dutch deliver on home turf in Rotterdam The Netherlands came out on top in the hotly-contested fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2016 series in Rotterdam (NED) tonight. And the home hero was 28-year-old Die-

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derik van Silfhout whose Freestyle performance with Arlando NOP helped pin Team USA into runner-up spot in the closing stages. Sweden finished third ahead of France in fourth and Great Britain in fifth place in the final analysis.

The result was decided over three classes, and a total of seven nations started in Thursday’s Grand Prix after which Germany and Belgium were left on the sidelines when only the top five countries progressed to the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle. The format worked like a dream, with the Dutch holding the lead as the Special got underway, and a fierce fight to the finish when America’s Laura Graves and Verdades came out on top in this competition.

It was touch-and-go all the way through the closing Freestyle, with Steffen Peters and Legolas posting a big score to further boost American chances and really pile on the pressure, but van Silfhout clinched it for the host country when second-last into the arena.

The Dutch got off to a great start when Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Johnson produced a personal best score of 79.420 to win Thursday’s Grand Prix in which all four riders from each team competed. Van Silfhout finished third here and Adelinde Cornelissen and the evergreen 19-year-old Jerich Parzival finished fourth to cement the home side total at 77.2017 percent with Danielle Heijkoop’s 70.780 with Siro the discard.

However the second-place finish for Laura Graves and Verdades and fifth for Steffen Peters and Legolas ensured that Team USA were breathing down the necks of the Dutch when just over 1.5 points adrift on a tally of 75.640, and the Swedes were also in hot pursuit, less than a single point further behind.

Just two riders from each team competed in the Special and Freestyle, and the judges panel of Susanne Baarup (SWE), Eddy de Wolff Van Westerrode (NED), Raphael Saleh (FRA), Thomas Lang and Peter Holler (GER) put Graves and Verdades in pole position in the Special on a mark of 77.314. Cornelissen and Parzival lined up second on 76.725 while Sweden’s Juliette Ramel and Buriel KH finished third on 73.431. www.gaitpost.com

The results of both riders from each country counted in this competition, but in the closing Freestyle the best score for each nation would be the decider, and the tension lasted to the very end of this quality class which provided highlevel sport and tremendous entertainment for the crowd.

Always the showman, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel led the way into the final five with a brilliant Freestyle performance from the 12-year-old mare Deja who swung to the strains of Stevie Wonder and raised the bar to a whole new level when rewarded with a mark of 78.675. But there was plenty more excitement to come, with America’s Peters and Legolas forging a new lead with a mark of 79.650. Karen Tebar from France steered Don Luis to a score of 78.375 with her trademark calmness and elegance, but the crowd were holding their breath when Van Silfhout followed her into the ring.

Team-mate Heijkoop had posted 73.675 with Siro, but that left the Dutch lying second after Discipline Reports continued on page 50

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fei/lottapictures Team Sweden celebrating on the podium after clinching victory in the fifth leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2016 series on home ground in Falsterbo (SWE). Jennie Larsson, Patrik Kittel and Rose Mathisen, with Chef d’Equipe Bo Jenå in relaxed mood!

finishing total up to 460.167, and the USA would have to settle for runner-up spot on 455.649.

But before the Dutch celebrations began there would be one more moment of magic, this time from Swedish star Tinne VilhelmsonSilfven. Like some others today she was testing a new Freestyle programme, and although her 14-year-old gelding Don Auriello was reluctant to halt at the start, he totally lived up to his reputation for quality of movement and pure class. To the accompaniment of The Beach Boys “Good Vibrations” the pair lifted the spirits of the crowd and threw down the winning individual score of 79.750 which rounded up the Swedish tally at 444.573 for third place.

Discipline Reports continued from page 49 Peters’ high scoring result. Van Silfhout knew he needed to deliver a solid performance to clinch it for his country, and he didn’t falter, advancing up the centre line with determination and confidence as Arlando drummed out piaffe and passage for a score that almost matched his American rival as he put 79.475 on the board. That pushed the Dutch

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FEI Nations Cup Dressage: Swedes take series lead with victory on home ground Team Sweden have made it something of a tradition to come out on top in the FEI Nations Cup Dressage leg on home ground in Falsterbo, and they did it for the third consecutive year when pinning their rivals and neighbours from Denmark into runner-up spot by a significant 18-point margin.

Falsterbo Horse Show, celebrating its 96th anniversary, presented the fifth round of this first official season of the series which previously ran as a pilot scheme. And it was the Russian team that slotted into third place ahead of Germany in fourth and The Netherlands in fifth and last spot.

The result was decided over three competitions, and wins for Patrik Kittel and Delaunay in both Friday’s Grand Prix and the Freestyle, combined with success for fellow-Swede Rose Mathisen with Zuidenwind in the Grand Prix Special and third place for Jennie Larsson and Zircoon Spring Flower in the Grand Prix and Special, sealed it. Sweden has now overtaken the USA at the top of the series leaderboard ahead of the final event in Aachen (GER).

Judges Andrew Gardner (GBR), Annette Fransen Jacobaeus (SWE), Susanne Baarup (DEN), Raphael Saleh (FRA) and Magnus Ringmark (SWE) awarded Kittel and the 10-year-old Delaunay the winning Grand Prix score of 73.300,

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Dressage results FEI U25 Dressage Championships in Hagen (GER) Results: Team Championship: Gold - Germany 222.026 - Doktor Schiwago 3 (Florine Kienbaum) 72.362, Sir Diamond (Juliette Piotrowski) 72.658, Florida 94 (Nadine Husenbeth) 72.526, Devereux OLD (Sanneke Rothenberger) 76.737; Silver - Netherlands 218.947 - Bailey (Maxime van der Vlist) 68.789, Winston (Stephanie Kooyman) 73.026, MDH Avanti (Anne Meuldndijks) 74.421, Utah (Danielle Houtvast) 71.500: Bronze - Sweden 212.711 - Lennox (Sanna Nilsson) 64.289, Don Angelo (Josefin Gyllensward) 71.895, Deela Mae (Mathilde Hannell) 69.079, Beckham (Marina Mattsson) 71.737. Grand Prix: Gold - Deveraux OLD (Sanneke Rothenberger) GER 75.977; Silver - Doctor Schiwago (Florine Kienbaum) GER 73.116; Bronze - Don Diego Ymas (Juan Matute Guidon) ESP 72.558. Freestyle: Gold - Deveraux OLD (Sanneke Rothenberger) GER 80.450; Silver - Doctor Schiwago 3 (Florine Kieinbaum) GER 77.175; Bronze - Di Sandro (Diana Porsche) AUT 76.000. FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2016 series in Rotterdam (NED) Results: 1. Netherlands - 460.167: Siro (Danielle Heijkoop), Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen), Arlando NOP (Diederik Van Silfhout), Glock’s Johnson TN NOP (Hans Peter Minderhoud).; 2. USA - 455.649: Doktor (Shelly Francis), Goerklintgaards Dublet (Kasey PerryGlass), Legolas (Steffen Peters), Verdades (Laura Graves).; 3. Sweden - 444.573: Zuidenwind (Rose Mathisen), Buriel KH (Juliette Ramel), Deja (Patrik Kittel), Don Auriello (Tinne Vilhelmson Sillven).; 4. France - 429.981: Amorak (Stephanie Brieussel), After You (Henry Ludovic), Badinda Altena (Pierre Volla), Don Luis (Karen Tebar); 5. Great Britain - 423.600: Rubin Al Asad (Lara Griffith), Woodlander Dornroschen (Michael Eilberg), Rosalie B (Laura Tomlinson), Classic Briolinca (Gareth Hughes). FEI Nations Cup Dressage Falsterbo Results: 1. Sweden 434.2: Delaunay (Patrik Kittel), Zircon Spring Flower(Jennie Larsson), Zuidenwind (Rose Mathisen); 2. Denmark 208.744: Finckenstein TSF (Rikke Svane), Goerklintgaards Fanero (Lena Leschly Aamann), Aston Martin (Helene Melsen).; 3. Russia 207.434: Volk (Marina Aframeeva), Avans (Inessa Merkulova), Flashman 4 (Ekaterina Maslova).; 4. Germany 206.485: Florida (Nadine Husenbeth), Damsey FRH (Helen

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and the Swedes were already in the driving seat when Mathisen slotted into third with a mark of 71.780 and Jennie Larsson claimed fifth spot with Zircoon Spring Flower on a score of 69.900.

Denmark’s Rikke Svane and Finckenstein TSF were runners-up (72.240) while Germany’s Nadine Husenbeth and Florida filled fourth place (71.040) in this class of 15 starters.

There were 10 contenders in the Grand Prix Special won by Mathisen and her 12-year-old horse who posted 73.510 to pin German star, Helen Langehanenberg, into second spot with Damsey FRH on 72.506 while Larsson lined up third with a mark of 71.275 this time out. , Denmark’s Helene Melsen steered the 11-yearold Trakehner, Aston Martin, into fourth ahead of Russia’s Ekaterina Maslova and Flashman in fifth place, while the Dutch partnership of Mirelle Kemenade-Witlox and Decor Vivaldo lined up sixth.

But Kittel put the icing on the Swedish cake when topping the Freestyle with a score of 74.475.

There were just five through to the Freestyle finale, and Denmark’s Svanne lined up a strong second on 74.175 while Husenbeth finished third on a mark of 72.250. It was a brilliant win for the host nation in their home leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage series, and emotions ran high after the official retirement of Kittel’s wonderful partner, the 17-year-old stallion Watermill Scandic.

Keeping the title in Germany: Andreas Dibowski and It’s Me XX win at Luhmühlen (GER), penultimate leg of the FEI Classics 2015/2016.

Langehanenberg), Zinq Cabanas FH (Marcus Hermes).; 5. Netherlands 204.666: Radetzky (Marjan van der Jagt), Decor Vivaldi (Mirelle Kemenade-Witlox), Catch Me (Margo Timmermans).

eventing report Andreas Dibowski wins Luhmühlen for the second time German rider Andreas Dibowski jumped a faultless clear round in the final Jumping phase to hold on to his overnight lead with It’s Me XX and win Luhmühlen CCI4* (GER), presented by DHL, penultimate leg of the FEI Classics 2015/2016.

There was no margin for error for the 50-yearold as second-placed Maxime Livio and Qalao Des Mers (FRA) jumped clear with less than two penalties between the top two.

But Dibowski, veteran of many medal-winning German Eventing teams, held his nerve in front of his enthusiastic home crowd on Susanne Heigel’s 12-year-old ex-racehorse, a son of the Epsom Derby winner Kahyasi.

Diboswki said “I got It’s Me after his racing career when he was four years old. When he was five and six he was ill and needed intensive care, and only came back to Eventing three years ago aged nine. He felt very well this morning before the Jumping. He loves the atmosphere in a big arena.”

It’s Me XX finished the Dressage phase in fourth place but moved up to pole position after Cross Country, adding just 0.4 pen for being one second over the optimum time. The experienced French combination of Maxime Livio and the Selle Français 12-year-old Qalao Des Mers, winners

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this page: gurr photography

Sara Sellmer and Triple Sec

Jacki Miller and Majestic Dreams

Melissa Reimche & Winchester

Black Tie II, withdrew the horse before the final horse inspection this morning, as did Australia’s Emma McDougall, seventh after Cross Country with Belcam Bear.

Discipline Reports continued from page 51 of the CCI3* at Saumur (FRA) in 2014, finished on their Dressage score of 44.9 to take second.

Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot had led the Dressage but dropped to fifth after Cross Country with 10 time-faults. However, a clear Jumping round elevated them once again to third place. New Zealand’s Tim Price, who won Luhmühlen CCI4* in 2014, dropped a place from third to fourth this time with a rail down on Ringwood Sky Boy. Another former winner, Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who took the 2013 event, finished fifth and seventh on Qwanza and Perfect Stranger.

Nicholson suffered a neck injury in August 2015 at Gatcombe Park (GBR), but returned seamlessly to the top of the sport and won Bramham CCI3* (GBR) a week previous.

There were just seven clear rounds over Heiko Wahlers’ Jumping track from the 26 competitors who reached the final phase of the CCI4*. Oliver Townend (GBR), fourth after Cross Country on 52

August 2016

TOPLINE BACK-TO-BACK HORSE TRIALS After attending the Chase Creek Back to Back in May, I could hardly wait for the Topline Back to Back from June 30th to July 3rd. We arrived on the Wednesday to high temperatures.

The Sandra Donnelly clinic had been going on, so there were already a number of trailers there when we arrived. My friends had participated in two days of cross country jumping with Sandra and had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

On Thursday, we had a beautiful sunny day, although the heat was a bit intense at times. Sonya and King had done an amazing job of preparing the facility for the competition. The arenas were beautifully groomed and watered. With both dressage arenas running we were through to the stadium jumping by early afternoon. The course set by Anthony Lothian was challenging and fun to ride. The jumps were beautifully decorated and spectators lined the arena. As soon as the horses were looked after we headed out to Canoe Beach,

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a great spot for cooling off in Shuswap Lake.

Cross country day for the first event was Friday. This year there was a brand new water complex and many newly constructed cross country fences. The terrain at Topline provides much more variety than what we have in the valley. The cross country course runs over 5 adjoining properties which provide lots of room for galloping.

The courses were all challenging but they rode well and all competitors had a great time. Everyone that events knows that feeling after you finish cross country and you just want to go out there and ride it again. Well that is exactly what we got to do!

On Saturday the second horse trials kicked off and the weather was perfect. Sonya, King and their crew of volunteers had been very busy setting the dressage arenas up again and setting up a completely different cross country course for each division. After dressage the new stadium course was set and the fun began. After another successful day, competitors were out to explore the second cross country course they would get to ride.

Sunday dawned overcast and cooler which was a perfect temperature for cross country day.

For the second time horses and riders successfully negotiated the challenging and varying terrain. Afterwards the top 8 in each division were given beautiful ribbons and embroidered prizes.

It had been 4 days of competition and it was all over so quickly!

On behalf of all the competitors I would like to thank the volunteers and Sonya and King Campbell for putting on such an amazing event!

We hope to see everyone out there again next year. — Submitted by Jenny Van Der Flier EVEnTing RESULTS ToPlINE BaCK-To-BaCK HoRSE TRIalS JUNE 30-JUly1 Preliminary: 1. Sara Sellmer/Triple Sec, 2. Madeleine Scott/Strella. Training: 1. Sara Sellmer/Midnight Tang0 11; 2. Amelia Kral/Raise My Bid; 3. Barb Nielsen/Seneschal. Pre-Training: 1. Kelly Bose/Wellington; 2. Kathleen Weare/Sadenno; 3. Kimberly Couper/Fashionably Late. Entry: 1. Jacki Miller/Majestic Dreams; 2. Bob Mason/Tiger; 3. Merrilyn Mason/Viking. Pre-Entry: 1. Emily Corrie/Solo; 2. Grace Sabo/Jasper; 3. Walt Braun/Bea. Starter: 1. Grace Cassidy/Geminie Cricket; 2. Penny Harper/Stormy; 3.

Wendy Stewart/Custer. ToPlINE BaCK-To-BaCK HoRSE TRIalS JUly 2 -3 Preliminary: 1.Sara Sellmer/Triple Sec; 2. Madeleine Scott/Strella. Training: 1. Sara Sellmer/Midnight Tango 11; 2. Emma Wallin/On Stride; 3. Jens Larsen/Fantastik.

Pre-training: 1. Kelly Bose/Wellington; 2. Sara Sellmer/Free Sala; 3. Bernard Weare/ Jethro. Entry: 1. Melissa Reimche/Winchester; 2. Emily Corrie/Solo; 3. Jenny Van Der Flier/Hot Pick. Pre-Entry: 1. Shayla Minosky/True Cosmopolitan; 2. Grace Sabo/ Jasper; 3. Alexander Andersen/Rill’s Hot Sauce. Starter 1. Sophie Cormillot/Best Kept Secret; 2. Katherine Bufton/Royal Symphony; 3. Ellen Ball/Custer.

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evenTIng

GW Tattletale: 2016 registered black Canadian Sport Horse colt. 7/8 Hanoverian-1/8 Percheron. Sire: Giacomo W (Gervantus); Dam: Something to Talk About (Samual). Suit H/J, Dressage or Eventing.

Correct conformation. He will be tall & elegant; shows very nice movement & balance. Willing disposition and will be easy to train. Expected mature height: 16.3 hh. $2,500. Transportation avail. in the fall if requested. He will be weaned, wormed, halter trained & ready for delivery by late Sept. or Oct. Contact Doug or Deb King 204-838-2328 horses@ravineranch.com, www.ravineranchsporthorses.com.

hunTer phoTo adS

new low prices every month! $39.95 · regular photo ad $79.95 · deluxe photo ad

includes online at gaitpost.com + printable PDF flyer!

A BeeBee Seabiscuit: 13 yo 15.2 hh AQHA mare. Super sweet, Hunter division champion, showing 0.90m, schooling 1.0m, scope for more. Suitable for Jr or Adult. $14,000.

Contact Maggie 403-325-5556.

Jumper

Czarra: 8 yo 16.2 hh Dutch Warmblood mare. A barn favourite – calm, respectful and sweet on the ground. Shown at Tbird, PNE, MREC and Southlands. Shown up to 1.10m, has competed 1.15 & 1.20m, with lots of room to go up. Schooled to 1.45m. Brave, careful, enthusiastic to fences, loves jumping. She is fast and agile with a lovely trot and comfy canter. She will excel to her full potential with a brave rider with soft hands and seat. More pictures and videos available upon request. $39,000. Contact 604-351-5541 or jocelyn.gould97@gmail.com. Vancouver, BC. www.gaitpost.com

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ponIeS

Mickey: 10 yo 13.1 hh POA gelding. Solid walk, trot, canter. He has been started over x-rails and 18" verticals, and has been shown. Loads and trailers well. $5,500. Contact 403-3930761.

6 yo 14 hh Welsh/QH lg pony mare. 2'3" Hunters, shown by 10 yr old. Brave & honest to the jumps. Would make a competitive event pony.

Lead changes are becoming auto. Good on roads & trails, not spooky. Excellent ground manners. 100% sound. Contact 778-385-5140.

3 yo double reg. 1/2 Welsh, 1/2 Arab mare. Has many championship wins in 1/2 Welsh and Sport pony classes. Just started under saddle.

Super Hunter/jumper and Dressage prospect.

Asking $3,750, neg, to right home. Contact 403-224-3295 or littleq@telusplanet.net.

BD Arizona Bey: 5 yo purebred Arabian mare.

Goes back to Cytosk,*Enoss, Strike and El Hilal. Very nice mover and willing to learn. Asking $2,500. Will negotiate to right home, possible transport. Contact Vanessa 403-224-3295 or littleq@telusplanet.net.

proSpecTS phoTo adS

new low prices every month!

Footnote’s Fiona: 1 yo 16 hh grey 1/4 Percheron 3/4 KWPN Mescalero (Voltaire) Riverman filly. Great bone and feet, healthy, sound, will excel in Eventing, Jumping, Dressage, Eq, etc.

Sure footed, big stride, rhythmic. Contact 778822-3276 or footnotefarm@gmail.com.

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22290 4th Avenue 13.17 Acres Premier Equestrian Parcel, 3000 sq ft home & guest cottage, tennis court, 2 barns, endless fields, & right next to bridle path to CVP.

Offered at $3,299,000 Preview video and photos at

www.langfieldgroup.ca 489 200th Street 7.9 Acres with park-like setting, 5 stall barn, pasture, oversized workshop & garage for RV or helicopter, 4,500 sq. ft. country home, steps to HP & CVP trails!

Offered at $3,388,000 Preview video and photos at

www.langfieldgroup.ca

900 232nd Street 32 Acres, 2,900 sq ft home, 22 stall Equestrian Facility.

Beautiful setting to build a new home!

SOLD

Offered at $3,075,000 Preview video and photos at

www.langfieldgroup.ca

SOLD

Richard & Nicole Langfield Personal Real Estate Corporation

www.langfieldgroup.ca 58 Each OfficeAugust Independently2016 Owned & Operated

604-626-5956 ¡ info@langfi eldgroup.ca Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

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Karen & Christina Ashby Our signature service makes the difference!

Spectacular Southlands Opportunity!

Southlands, 0.98 Acre Freehold, 7255 Blenheim Street List Price: $6,188,000 · www.karenashby.com/174

Location! Location! Location!

Fraser Hills Estate, 4 Bed, 4 Bath, 4.2 Acres, 25760 82nd Avenue List Price: $2,288,000 · www.karenashby.com/172

Exclusive Forest Glen!

Walnut Grove, 5 Bed 3 Bath 2535 sq ft home, 9248 203rd Street List Price: $1,128,000 · www.karenashby.com/175 SOLD Southlands, 0.5 Acre Freehold, 7083 Balaclava Street. List Price: $4,688,000

We are proud to be the official Sponsors & Realtors of Thunderbird Show Park DEXTER ASSOCIATES REALTY

~ Apartments to Acreages ~

.KARENASHBY .COM • 604-263-1144 @KARENASHBY.COMCanada’s • WWW Greatest Little Horse Mag August 2016

KAREN www.gaitpost.com

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BCHJA News

Newsletter of the BC Hunter Jumper Association

IMPACT BASELINE TEST

Thirty people took advantage of the Impact Concussion Baseline Test that the BCHJA offered July 5 at Thunderbird. The Impact test was developed by clinical experts who pioneered the field. ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely used and scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. It’s a tool that can help health care pros track recovery of cognitive processes following concussion, and help communicate post-concussion status to athletes, parents, coaches and clinicians. We look forward to being able to work with Lifemark’s kinesiologists in order for more members to receive this important test, which we are providing free to members. There is a $40 charge for non BCHJA members.

Regarding concussions, there is a useful online resource available. Developed by Child Health BC, the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit and the BC Health

Services Authority, the Concussion Awareness and Training Tool (CATT) is used by school professionals, parents and students. This free website will provide you with a comprehensive up-to-date collection of concussion information: www.cattonline.com.

MEMORIAL RESCHEDULED

Patti Coldicutt’s memorial gathering has been rescheduled to take place during the BCHJA Fall Finale.

Details will be announced on the website. The plan is to develop a memorial garden with seating area in Patti’s honour. Many thanks to bursary winner Sorine Winther who donated $500 to start our fund. Donations are welcome and may be sent to the BCHJA website in the upcoming month.

$750 BURSARY RECIPIENTS AT THUNDERBIRD

Cobblestone Farm Hunter Derby: Lexi Green. Open Jumper Challenge 1.25 m: Sorine Winther. Jr/Am/Pregreen Hunter Derby: Cheryl Keith.

www.bchja.com | 25232 - 80th Avenue, Check the BCHJA website for membership details, Langley, BC V1M 3M9 | Fax: 604-882-0154 show calendar and more: www.bchja.com

BCLM Pony Club News for June 2016 Looking for riding fun and excitement? Prince Philip Games are exciting, fastpaced, relay games on ponies, for members ages 7 and up. Teams of 4-5 riders and ponies compete in divisions based on age and experience, and the result is strong team friendships forged on competition days.

The PPG competition season runs from early spring until the end of June, with four Play Days held throughout the BC Lower Mainland region. From a rulebook with almost 50 PPG games, twenty are chosen at the start of the season, and teams practice the games in advance so they come to each event ready to compete. Riders train their ponies to not get spooked by the props, like a flag or a barrel, and initially train at a walk until rider and pony become more confident and their speed and accuracy increase. Every game presents its own unique challenges, such as bending and weaving between poles, bursting balloons attached to a board on the ground, wheeling around barrels, or having to drop items into containers on the ground – without them bouncing back out again.

Mishaps can happen at all levels, often leading to the inevitable laughing and good-natured ribbing from teammates.

In the midst of having fun, PPG builds transferable riding skills as the riders and ponies become more comfortable meeting game requirements, including hanging off the pony to pick up or drop items, or vaulting on and off the pony while running. PPG competitors gain confidence on their mounts, and become

proficient at all gaits and speeds when riding.

Games days, especially the Finals, have an air of excitement, with coaches and parents closely watching the running score totals. In the Lesley McGill Masters and the A Divisions, speed L: Margot Vilvang; R: Heather Kennedy is of the essence, with the former competing for pride, the latter competing to win the trophy and the opportunity to represent the BCLM Region at PPG Nationals. In addition, the 14/15 year old members may apply for a berth on the Canadian International team that travels to Australia or the UK.

PHOTOS: LINDA HANSEN

canadianponyclub.org | bclm.ponyclub.ca

The recent “Old Timers” games day proved PPG isn’t just for kids. Our adults got into the spirit, dressed in matching costumes and inventive team names.

Many felt it was a blast from the past, with lots of laughs and cheering. Even spectators felt a rush as riders raced by at light speed, leaving all inhibitions behind, just reliving the fun memories and friendships they created as children!

— Submitted by Joanie Thompson

For information, contact Tracy Carver | 778-999-7400 | bclmponyclub@gmail.com 60

August 2016

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next Deadline: august 12th, 2016 for the September 2016 issue

R & E Saddle & Tack Repair

Blanket Repairs and Custom Work

(604) 856-2350

Myles HerMan

animal structural Kinesiology equine Bodywork & riding lessons

DIAMOND H TACK Kelowna, BC · 1-877-762-5631 Find us on Facebook! www.diamondhtack.ca

ACADEMIC ART OF RIDING ClINIC & SEMINAR

Superior Supplements Naturally Driven by Purity, Research, and Passion

with Alexandra Bohl, August 26 & 27 Park lane Equestrian Centre 788 – 216th St, langley BC Contact: sylvia.baur@yahoo.com 604.761.6376

HERMEN GEERTSEMA VETERINARY SERVICES

“Desperately Seeking Susan” or John!

Phone: 604-309-4616 • Email: mylesherman29@gmail.com

Herbs for Horses www.horseherbs.com

Offering today’s technology with Digital X-ray, Prepurchase exams, Farrier consulting, Dentistry, A.I. services and regular annual health care packages for your high performance horse or back yard companion.

“Striving for excellence in veterinary care” www.geertsema.ca hermen@geertsema.ca

604-857-5432 Toll Free: 1-888-858-5432

www.gaitpost.com

Small private dressage barn (North Langley) needs part time help (afternoons). Stall/paddock cleaning, turnout, feeding and other similar jobs. Barn designed to facilitate chores.

Pay related to experience. Good work ethic, car and verifiable references required.

Contact: 604-808-1151 astow@mac.com

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COMPETITIONCALENDAR More details on Gaitpost.com!

British Columbia Events July 29 - 31

MREC Canada Cup Dressage Show, Maple Ridge, BC Ali: (778) 928-5300, alibuchanan1@gmail.com, mrec.ca July 31 - Aug 6 Equine Massage Therapy Course, Langley, BC Sidonia: (519) 562-9992, equinerehab@xplornet.com www.equinerehab.ca Aug 4 - 7 MREC Dog Days of Summer H/J Show, Maple Ridge, BC Phyllis: (604) 817-5109, mrec@shaw.ca, mrec.ca Aug 6 - 7 Senior Summer Classic of Dressage, Langley, BC Linda: (604) 534-0886, cassabyrne@shaw.ca Aug 14 Windsor Stables – Hunter Jumper Show, Aldergrove, BC Sarah: (604) 857-0098, sadws@shaw.ca, www.windsorstables.net Aug 17 - 21 Summer Fort Classic, Tbird, Langley, BC Chris: Chris@tbird.ca Aug 24 - 28 Summer Fort Festival, Tbird, Langley, BC Chris: Chris@tbird.ca Aug 19 - 21 Justine Mills Horsemanship & Yoga Camp, Kamloops, BC Justine: (250) 794-6710, justinejoycey@gmail.com www.kyleandjustinemillshorsemanship.com Aug 19 - 21 August Classic Hunter/Jumper Show, 100 Mile House, BC Krista: (250) 395-0404, 100mileoutriders@gmail.com www.100mileoutriders.com Sep 9 - 11 Autumn Leaves Dressage & Hack Show, 100 Mile House, BC Cat: (250) 644-4388, 100mileoutriders@gmail.com www.100mileoutriders.com Sep 11 Windsor Stables – Hunter Jumper Show, Aldergrove, BC Sarah: (604) 857-0098, sadws@shaw.ca www.windsorstables.net Sep 11 MREC 2 Phase Dressage & Derby Schooling Show Maple Ridge, BC, Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca www.mrec.ca

Alberta Events

Aug 8 - Sep 16 Advanced Equine Massage Therapy Course, Edmonton, AB Sidonia: (519) 562-9992, equinerehab@xplornet.com www.equinerehab.ca

washington Events Aug 27 - 28

Manuel Trigo; Piaffe & Passage, Bellingham, WA Linda: (360) 966-4407, linda@okjenfarm.com

Please confirm with event organizers before attending any events. Some events are changed or cancelled without our knowledge. Submit calendar events at www.gaitpost.com/calendar. Calendar events must be submitted by the print deadline, in order to be considered for inclusion in the next issue. The Gaitpost Calendar is a free service.

The Perfect Saddle Fit Mariette Klemm Certified Saddle Ergonomist Now based in the Lower Mainland Saddle Fit Evaluations for Horse and Rider!

Authorized Independent Schleese and Zaldi Distributor

www.theperfectsaddlefit.com 604-535-1988 62

August 2016

Forever In Peace

Pet Cremation Services

Dedicated to pets from Hamsters to Horses *Private Cremations for Horses now available* Gain Peace of mind and avoid the alternatives Unit: #2 – 33149 London Avenue, Mission, B.C. V2V 4P9

Phone: 604-820-3418 / 1-800-934-3418 Fax: 604-820-6557 · Cell: 604-761-8345 E-Mail: foreverinpeace@wcteltech.net

Dr. reeD’s

Facebook.com/drreedssupplements www.Drreeds.com

Best Possible Nutrition For growing, back yard companions to performance horses, feed TOTAL EQUINE www.geertsema.ca/equine-nutrition

IN D EX O F A D VE R TI S E R S April’s Tack Boutique.........................................................................45 Art Equidae........................................................................................44 Ashby, Karen and Christina................................................................59 Auburn Labs.........................................................................................8 Biomedica...........................................................................................3 Cloverdale Pharmasave......................................................................50 Coldwell Banker Marquise Realty.......................................................58 Country Manufacturing.......................................................................29 CWHBA Fall Classic Sale......................................................................9 Dewson, Cheryl..................................................................................57 Dexter Associates........................................................................ 57, 59 Elevate Equestrian.............................................................................39 Fletcher, Mark....................................................................................48 Greenhawk...........................................................................................5 Integrated Bio Systems......................................................................16 Langfield Group.................................................................................58 McGill, Lesley.....................................................................................25 McIntyre, Sidonia...............................................................................39 Mercedes-Benz Langley........................................................................2 Otter Co-op........................................................................................15 The Paddock Tack................................................................................9 Schleese............................................................................................64 Serenity Winds...................................................................................44 Strathcona Ventures..........................................................................63 Woodguard Canada............................................................................38 Wrayton Transport..............................................................................49

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Premium Quality Products for the Equine Industry Enrich your world.

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Microcellular therapeutic stall mats “It’s the best decision and investment we have made.

The mats were easy to lay and cut to fit” — Allison Drew, Alberta, Canada

3 interlocking sides 25 mm thick Ultra-light weight 5 mm colloidal silver to reduce bacteria and staining

Innovative stall comfort starts with us…

Also Distributor for WHOA Dust and DryGuy Waterproofing www.gaitpost.com

www.StrathconaVentures.com · 1-800-913-3150 Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

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