Gaitpost Magazine - Feb. 2015

FEBRUARY 2015 SADDLE SENSE 路 OCD 路 xENOPHON AND THE ART OF HORSEMANSHIP

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FEBRUARY 2015

contents features

dePartments

10 xenophon and the art of horsemanship by Carolyn Willekes

7 tidbits Loving bits 16 vet’s view OCD: What’s In a Name?

18 industry news Wef Sport Horse

auction featuring VDL Stud returns for fourth annual event

20 saddle sense 32 stallions

26 fei news belgium’s Ingmar De Vos

52 Wing & a Prayer Part 2

40 on coaching It Makes Good Sense To

elected as feI President

by Kim McDougall

be Certified

41 discipline reports Todd Minikus and

Cordonos Win $30,000 Wef 1 Grand Prix

46 exercise of the month Standing balance

48 equitation science How Horses Learn

20 in this issue

ON THE COVER: Love is in the air! Happy Valentine’s Day from everyone at the Gaitpost.

14 19 53 56 60 58 59 61 62

headline news horse council bc news sales catalogue equestrian Properties bchJa news competition calendar dear mane mare noticeboard advertisers’ index

“He is so intelligent that he never thinks he is in trouble, so he can be a little difficult in the mouth, but in his head it is never a problem. For the rider sometimes you feel like, ‘If you would just let me ride you a little bit better,’ but he is really intelligent and a great personality. He loves to compete, and all the right reactions comments on Check Picobello Canada’s Greatest Little Horse MagZ after winning in Wellington. See page 44. www.gaitpost.com 2015 of a great horse.” — Eric Lamaze 4he has february

by Eleanor Klawer

TIDbits

iSTockPhoTo.com

Loving Bits Happy Valentine’s Day! Sure, sure, chocolates and flowers are nice, but really – isn’t a nicker and a trot up to the gate way more gratifying? Be honest!

Getting home and finding you were walking around with a big slobber mark on your back at the grocery store? Catching a whiff of your barn shoes as they heat up in your friend’s new car? Desperately trying to rectify helmet-head in the washroom of the restaurant where you are meeting friends for lunch after your ride? All easily forgotten with one little display of affection by your fourlegged lover…and it isn’t just one day a year.

Love in the GAITPosT Love is in the air with this issue of the Gaitpost. The Stallions of 2015 are looking for a little loving from mares everywhere, and who wouldn’t love to have a foal on the ground next year? The breeding industry in Canada has really been coming up in the world, with much more www.gaitpost.com

access to some of the best bloodlines available.

Our saddle feature has some new models to lust after — the difference a well-fitted saddle makes to a horse’s performance cannot be overemphasized.

Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

Tidbits continued on page 7 february 2015

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Heads Up!

Volume 15 Issue 2

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 Photo Ad Sales PhotoAds@gaitpost.com

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

MARCH 2015 Real Estate Feature Highlight your equestrian property for sale!

Our readers are your buyers….

The Stallion Feature Continues

APRIL 2015 Final Month For The Stallion Feature The World Cup In Las Vegas Is On!

Design & Production Post Publishers Ltd. · production@gaitpost.com Circulation Liam Klawer · circulation@gaitpost.com Accounting Eleanor Klawer · eleanor@gaitpost.com Lori Boughton Contributing Writers Eleanor Klawer · editorial@gaitpost.com Susi Cienciala DVM · Emily Corrie · Dr. Antonio M. Cruz DVM JW Equine · Danny Kroetch · Kim McDougall · Lesley McGill Katherine Penner · Sandra Verda-Zanatta · Maureen Walters Carolyn Willekes

Editorial Submissions editorial@gaitpost.com

May 2015 This is the issue that gets huge distribution at The Mane Event in Alberta – advertise with an extra punch!

Phone: 604-534-9665 Toll-Free: 1-855-534-9665 www.gaitpost.com

Printed in Canada · Please Recycle!

Publications Agreement #42892033

june 2015 Farm And Field Feature Trucks, Trailers, Tractors, and more!

august 2015 Foal Feature Show off or advertise your cute ‘n’ fuzzies here!

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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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Chaviva’s new hairdo.

Loving the Valley Welcome to Dr. Mike Stanford, who recently joined JCS Veterinary Service! In his junior year in high school, one of his best friends taught riding lessons, and she convinced him that riding was a good idea. She must have been right as college found him at Virginia Intermont College in Virginia studying horses and photography. After graduation he managed a Hunter/Jumper stable in Mechanicsville, VA, and spent several years working at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals as a pharmacy technician and attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. He started working with Woodside Equine Clinic soon after graduation. As one of the largest private equine ambulatory practices in the state, Woodside provided a diverse view of the equine industry. He developed skills in many areas of practice, including lameness evaluation, internal medicine, and surgery; however, dentistry, preventative health care, and, especially, reproduction (Theriogenology) have been his passions.

This last summer, Dr. Stanford went on a wonderful, crazy adventure with a friend: two motorcycles, 49 US states, 3 Canadian Provinces, over 50 national parks, and 21,000 miles (33,800 kilometers) in 72 days! “It was an amazing time for us and allowed us to really explore areas of the US and Canada that neither of us had ever seen before. As we were riding along the Pacific coast on our way to Alaska we commented to each other about the beauty of the area and ‘wouldn’t it be great to move here sometime.’” A position in BC with Dr. Samper, a veterinarian he has known for a number of years through the equine reproductive industry, seemed like manna from heaven. So, here he is, loving the Fraser Valley, and all BC has to offer. He is looking forward to meeting people in the industry, and will be contributing occasionally to the Gaitpost. Welcome!

Labours of Love Shaun Rathy of Bar None Ranches in www.gaitpost.com

shaun rathy

Tidbits continued from page 5

DeWinton, Alberta, found a little time while waiting for one of 34(!!) foals to arrive to give her 8 year old barrel horse Chaviva a little haircut. Chaviva is sporting a fashionable leopard print, and is entered in the Clipping Contest for the chance to win a set of big Oster clippers, generously sponsored by Milner Feeds. We are told Shaun accomplished this with a ten dollar set of clippers, so imagine what she could do with a big fancy set of Osters! The entries are rolling in as the closing date of February 6th approaches, and we at the Gaitpost are getting itchy just looking at all the impressive clips coming in. We will have an independent group of people judge all the entries, and the winner will be announced on Facebook and Gaitpost.com later in the day on February 6th.

A Perfect “10” Gaitpost heard that Hannah Beaulieu from Maple Ridge, BC, is living the dream in Wellington, Florida. Working with Ashley Holzer, Hannah recently received the elusive “10” from judge Janet Foy, for her rider coefficient mark!

Congratulations, Hannah — well done! Those don’t come easy, no matter what Valegro says…

Another Canadian student of Ashley’s, Brittany Fraser, is also excelling in Florida, winning her first Grand Prix with nearly 70%, on All In. There will be more to come on Canadian Dressage and Jump riders in the sunny south in upcoming Gaitpost editions.

Love, Admiration, and Respect All three have to go to Katie Muller of Victo-

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7

ouTSTANDiNG STAbleS

wouldn’t be able to breathe on her own, Katie proved them wrong, and now has limited movement in her legs and arms. In fact, while still hooked to a respirator, Katie wrote a note to her mother saying she was so lucky to be alive, and was going to be a champion kayaker! Friends and family are rallying to support Katie and her family while she is recovering, and $8,000 was raised in the first 24 hours! Please go to www.gofund me.com/katiejean to help Katie and her family. It could happen to any of us, sadly.

Brittany Fraser

Tidbits continued from page 7 ria, BC, who was injured in a fall from her horse while trail riding in Elk Lake Park on November 30th. The 28 year old military wife and mother of two little boys decided dismounting was the better option when her horse bolted and was heading for dangerous territory. She didn’t lose consciousness, but knew immediately that she was paralyzed. While it was initially believed she

exPress yourseLf Gaitpost Tidbits is here for you, the readers.

Please use it to shout out a thanks or a congratulations, or whisper a condolence. We would like readers across Canada to use us as a platform to pull the equestrian community together. Send us your story to editorial@gaitpost.com. Tell us about the topic of conversation in your barn, and open up the discussion — praise or pet peeve, let’s talk about it!

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february 2015

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proud

ly Canadian Insta

All PhoToS cARolyN WillekeS

Horses in History – a Series by Carolyn Willekes, PH.D. in ancient history/archaeology

Xenophon and The Art of Horsemanship

W

hen humans finally got around to domesticating the horse around 5,500 years ago, I am not entirely sure that we knew what we were getting into. Our prehistoric ancestors probably thought that the domestication of the horse and his incorporation into daily life would be no different than any that of any other animal. After all, Equus caballus was joining a long list of previously domesticated mammals like bovines, donkeys, sheep, goats, swine etc. Little did they know (both the horses and humans) that things were about to change forever. The horse had a massively profound impact on the course of human history. He revolutionized travel, transportation, trade and warfare to an extent that would not be seen again until the creation of the internal combustion engine several thousand years later. Moreover, the horse accomplished this not as a simple tool, but as a partner and companion to the humans who worked with him.

With the growing realization that horses were pretty darn useful came a greater demand for them. The ever increasing demand was met by the emergence of skilled equine specialists — grooms, vet10

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erinarians, riders, drivers, blacksmiths, harness and chariot markers and, of course, trainers. In many ways, the horse industry of antiquity was not so different from its modern counterpart: the mechanics of breeding, raising, training and housing horses have not changed to any great degree. The trainer fulfilled a very important and visible role in the early horse industry, just as he/she does today. The trainer was responsible for producing the finished horse, and in the ancient world this meant (for the most part) a horse trained for war. Some of these trainers or horse-masters possessed what seemed to be an innate understanding of equine behaviour and physiology, making them indispensable to societies who depended on horsepower for dayto-day survival. Fortunately for later generations (including our own) some of these trainers later committed their knowledge and experience to paper/papyrus/stone/clay tablets, and many of their ideas still influence our training and riding methods today, even if you might not realize it.

I doubt these men had any idea of the influence their words would have on future generations, even thousands of years later. In fact, many riders today have little notion of where our equestrian traditions and training practices originate. We do things like mount from the left side because, well, that is the way it has always been done?

No — in case you are wondering, we mount from the left because the cavalryman wore his sword on his left hip, making it difficult to swing that leg over a horse’s back.

Although these training manuals appear as early as the 2nd millennium BCE, we are going to jump forward to the 4th century BCE to meet the author of one of the most important horse books ever written. Xenophon, the author of The Art of Horsemanship was born in Athens around 430 BCE into a well-to-do family. Xenophon’s social class meant that he was exposed to horses from a young age with the expectation that he would join the Athenian cavalry when he came of age.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Xenophon did not see the horse simply as a prerogative of www.gaitpost.com

his social status. The importance of the horse to Xenophon is evident in his Art of Horsemanship, as well as many of his other books — no matter what the subject matter, he regularly manages to allude to or discuss horses in his writing. Xenophon was clearly a keen observer of the horse — for him, the horse was not a means to an end or a mark of rank, but a partner in a very unique relationship.

The Art of Horsemanship is not a particularly long book, but it is incredibly thorough. Xenophon touches on almost every aspect of equine care: grooming, handling, stabling, exercise and schooling, as well as the selection of an appropriate animal. He places a particular emphasis on the bond between horse and rider: the importance of gaining a horse’s trust and treating him with respect is a theme that runs throughout this book.

The purpose of this book was to aid in the selection and training of the ideal cavalry horse; however, Xenophon’s advice is just as applicable

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Xenophon continued from page 11 to today’s horsemen and women. He begins the process, as anyone should, by looking at conformation. If you have ever wondered how old the phrase ‘no hoof, no horse’ is, I can tell you it has been around for at least 2400 years. Xenophon’s analysis of equine conformation begins with the hoof. He writes ‘In examining the body, we say you must first look at his feet… as a war-horse will be quite useless, even though all his other points are good, if he has bad feet…’ Xenophon’s analysis of conformation and his description of the ideal horse should seem familiar to us today — he describes the ideal horse as one with good feet, clean legs and a good measure of bone, a short and broad/well-muscled back, large, wellshaped hind quarters, a sloping shoulder with the neck set relatively high (‘rising up from the shoulder’) and a clean, well-shaped head with large, well-spaced eyes and large nostrils.

When it comes to the handling, management and training of horses, Xenophon focuses on the relationship between horse and human. The importance of gaining a horse’s trust and treating him with respect is a theme that runs throughout the text. He frequently states that the horse should be trained to move ‘under saddle’ (or under saddlecloth in this case, saddles did not appear for another couple of centuries, and stirrups came along even later) with the same ease and grace his displays while at liberty. Moreover, Xenophon advocates that this should be achieved through patience and an understanding of the animal, not force. With regards to training, Xenophon states ‘If you reward him when he 12

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behaves as you wish, and punish him when he is disobedient, he will best learn to do his duty. The rule can be stated in few words, but it applies to the whole art of horsemanship.’ He goes on to say ‘If a man wants to make a useful war-horse look more stately and showy when ridden, he must avoid pulling his mouth with the bit, and using the spur and whip, means by which most people imagine that they show off a horse. In point of fact the results that they produce are the very opposite of what they intend…But if you teach the horse to go with a slack bridle, to hold his neck up and to arch it towards the head, you will cause the horse to do the very things in which he himself delights and takes the greatest pleasure.’ Xenophon then, is a big proponent of what we now call self-carriage, and this was achieved in antiquity, just as it is today, through the training scale of rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness and collection.

For Xenophon, collection and self-carriage were achieved not just through schooling in an arena, but by exposing the horse to a variety of different environments. He particularly encourages riders to ride their horses cross-country. He recommends this for two reasons: first, to develop the rider’s seat (they had no saddles or stirrups) and to make the horse balanced and surefooted. Xenophon encourages riders to jump their horses over a variety of natural obstacles including walls and ditches, but also to take them hunting and to practice military exercises over varying terrain. Amongst all of his advice and training exercises runs one particular rule — to reward your horse and finish the session as soon as he does what you have asked.

While Xenophon’s pearls of wisdom might seem to be basic common sense today in an age where horses have become pampered pets and prized athletes, we need to remember that they were written in a very different time and place, and most certainly for a different audience. Xe-

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nophon’s readers were men much like himself — members of the aristocratic classes who were expected to serve in the cavalry. The horse was to them, at the most basic level, a tool of war. It is clear from Xenophon’s words, however, that the relationship went far deeper than this. These men depended on their horses to keep them alive in battle: they needed to have complete trust in their horses. This trust came not from a ‘man and machine’ type relationship, but one that was very personal and emotional. Moreover, the horses had to trust their riders; they needed to overcome their flight instinct and believe that the cavalryman would do everything he could to keep him alive.

This degree of trust was not something that could be created quickly or easily. It is all too easy to judge the cavalrymen of history and accuse them of seeing their horses as disposable, but this was not the case. The Art of Horsemanship makes it clear that the warhorses of antiquity were treated with both respect and affection, and they were trained not as servants or inferiors, but as equals in a very personal relationship.

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HEADLINEneWs Bit by Bit EQUINE CANADA ANNOUNCES kALIE MCkENNA AS THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL PROGRAMS January 9, 2015: equine canada is very pleased to announce that kalie mckenna has been promoted to the newly-created position of Director of Technical Programs at equine canada. mckenna’s new role was created as part of ongoing improvements being made within the administration at the national office. mckenna came to the equine canada office on july 8, 2013 as the new manager of coaching. With her extensive knowledge of sport and administration, she transformed the coaching Department into a highly productive, forward-thinking team that benefitted from the strengths and experience of the coaching committees and made advancements in the coaching programs at equine canada. capitalizing on mckenna’s many strengths, the new position of Director of Technical Programs will lead a diverse administrative portfolio, which will include competition services, coaching, long-Term equestrian Devel-

opment, national recreation initiatives, technical development of coaches and officials and equine canada’s learn to Ride programs. “kalie is a talented administrator who has the right combination of professional qualifications and personal demeanour to lead the Technical Programs department portfolio,” said eva havaris, equine canada ceo. “She has demonstrated her ability to work effectively with equine canada staff and volunteers to achieve results, and i look forward to having her as part of the leadership team at equine canada”.

SAVE THE DATE! January 8, 2015: equine canada is pleased to announce that in an effort to make the high Performance 1 coaching program accessible to busy coaches, ec will be travelling to Florida to host training modules this winter. Training modules will be offered in ocala on February 9th and 10th and in Wellington on march 9th and 10th. more information pertaining to the modules, location, facilitators and other details will be available in the new year. equine canada is looking forward to helping coaches with their professional development in 2015!

A NEW CANADIAN SPORT AND FUNDING PARTNERSHIP IS FORMED January 7, 2015: The canadian olympic committee (coc), the canadian Paralympic committee (cPc) and the canadian Sport institute Network (cSiN) announced a substantial partnership and high performance sport funding agreement. The new multi-year, $3 million direct investment will be provided by the coc and the canadian olympic Foundation (coF), along with additional funds from the cPc, to the cSiN in order to assist in its mandate of delivering worldclass, multi-sport daily training environments through enhancements being introduced in sports science, medicine and research and innovation. building on the significant support provided by the Government of canada and various provincial governments to the cSis, this new partnership will keep Team canada and athletes at the forefront of training, preparation and innovation. in an effort to improve awareness of the critical role that the cSiN plays in preparing canadian athletes, coaches and integrated Support Team members

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for participation in the olympic and Paralympic Games and Pan/Parapan American Games, the coc and cPc will extend the use of designated olympic and Paralympic marks to the cSiN to be called the “canadian olympic and Paralympic Sport institute Network.” This brand alignment will allow cSiN members to demonstrate their key contribution to the preparation of olympic and Paralympic athletes toward podium performances.

The aim of this new partnership is to strengthen and align canada’s high performance sport system through a shared vision, areas of collaboration and new funding.

This partnership initiative is anchored on the recognition that the cSiN holds the expertise in providing high performance services and programs to athletes, coaches and iST members. The new funding will be used to purchase new cutting edge equipment, hire new staff and supplement current practices in the areas of physical training, performance services enhancement and partnership servicing.

The cSiN is a key contributor to canada’s world leading olympic and Paralympic podium performances.

This new agreement will last from 2014-2016.

TBIRD PRE GREEN INCENTIVE PROGRAM January 12, 2015: New to Tbird for the 2015 Season! The Pre-Green incentive Program is an innovative program designed to encourage the development of Pre-Green horses. They will be offering this class at all A and AA shows, at both the 1st year and 2nd year Pre Green heights. A minimum of $1,000 in prize money will be offered with additional add back. horses must be registered with uSeF and uShjA, as well as being enrolled in the PR incentive Program before competing. enroll before February 1 to save!

Any horse enrolled in the program that has competed in a minimum of two uShjA Pre-Green Stake classes at competitions starting between December 1, 2013, and August 5, 2015, is eligible for the 2015 championship. A portion of the enrollment fees and entry fees collected through out the season make up prize money offered at The championship. The 2014 prize money topped $186,000!

For more information, visit www.ushja.org/ programs/pregreen/pg_home.aspx. www.gaitpost.com

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by Dr. Antonio M. Cruz, dvm, mvm, msc, drvet

courtesy paton & martin

VET’SVIEW

OCD: What’s in a name OCD or “Osteochondritis Dissecans” or Osteochondrosis is a developmental disease in horses with a clear genetic component and is characterized by the formation of abnormalities in the cartilage and underlying bone in horses’ joints.

A

s the cartilage template of bones in the fetus in the womb starts to ossify, this process is interrupted in some joints leading to retention of cartilage-bone units which we recognize as OCD. While the most commonly affected joint is the hock, then the stifle and then the fetlock, all joints can potentially be affected. Around 50% of the horses have bilateral (both legs/same joint) involvement, however, some have multi-joint involvement.

Due to its high incidence in all breeds, but particularly in Warmbloods and Standardbreds, it is appropriate to screen these horses for the presence of the disease by taking radiographs, particularly as part of a pre-purchase exam or prior to a yearling sale.

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Clinically, OCD is manifested by the presence of fragments (chips), flaps of cartilage or cysts (little cavities in the bone immediately beneath the cartilage). These joint abnormalities can lead to lameness and performance issues, although this is not the case in all horses affected by OCD. Generally speaking, OCD lesions are identified in racehorses when they are yearlings and in Warmbloods when they are 3 years of age or older. These ages coincide with the times when these horses are started into some type of work and therefore clinical signs become more obvious.

The main clinical sign that you will observe in your horse is joint swelling with absence of lameness in the vast majority of cases. These “boggy” joints without heat or pain are the most

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Consult a board-certified surgeon when surgery is an option.

OCD in a stifle joint.

common presenting complaint and should not be ignored in young horses, even when the horse is not lame or there is no heat associated with the swelling.

In non-lame horses that are younger than one year of age, conservative treatment (rest and diet control) can be effective in many cases. In addition, the radiographic appearance of OCD changes during the first year of life, and therefore caution must be exercised when deciding the best course of action at this age. Operating on horses with OCD is still controversial as the presence of this disease does not guarantee lameness. However, many times the lesions are surgically removed as it effectively eliminates future associated lameness risks, tends to preserve horse’s value, and the outcome of surgery is usually excellent.

Breeding horses that have suffered the disease is not a good idea as we should try to eliminate this disease from the gene pool of breeds. In fact many studbooks already prevent horses with OCD from being bred. This is the case of Andalusians, Dutch Warmbloods and some Standardbred registries in Northern Europe. In cases of www.gaitpost.com

foals from genetic lines where OCD occurs, it is important to adjust their energy intake while growing, as fast growth has been associated with an increase in the incidence of this disease. Consulting with your veterinarian if you observe any of the signs described above or if your foal is rapidly growing is a good idea to prevent future problems.

With rare exceptions, OCD is not a death sentence to a horse. In fact, it is a treatable disease with a high degree of success. Seeking appropriate advice and consulting a board-certified surgeon when surgery is an option is the best way to get your questions answered and set your mind at peace.

Dr. Antonio Cruz is the only board-certified equine surgeon and sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist in the Pacific Northwest. His current practice focuses on surgery and lameness and provides surgical and lameness referral services to equine veterinarians in Western Canada. He has published extensively in equine orthopaedics and has presented his work internationally. He is an accredited FEI veterinarian and currently serves in the Equine Canada Medication Control Committee.

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Business Matters

MANCINI PHOTOS

INDUSTRYnews

WEF Sport Horse Auction Featuring VDL Stud Returns For Fourth Annual Event

E

questrian Sport Productions, management company of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), is pleased to announce the date of its fourth annual WEF Sport Horse Auction in 2015. The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. Held during week eight of the 12-week WEF circuit, the WEF Sport Horse Auction will feature the next generation of premium sport horses. This year, in addition to selling some of the finest progeny of VDL Stud bloodlines from The Netherlands, the auction will also present two ‘select’ Dressage horses sponsored by the Westphalian Studbook e.V. in Germany. Presented in 18

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an exciting auction, it is a rare opportunity to view such an array of talent in one setting.

For the fourth year, Equestrian Sport Productions is thrilled to present horses from VDL Stud, 2009 KWPN Breeder of the Year and home to some of the most talented Show Jumpers around the world. VDL Stud has produced a long list of champions winning at the highest levels including the Olympic Games, World Cup Finals, and World Equestrian Games.

In 1972, Wiepke van de Lageweg bought his first horse for breeding. What started for him as a hobby with only one breeding mare expanded into an international operating family company: the VDL Stud (located in a little village in the north of Holland). The Preferent stallion Nim-

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HORSE COUNCIL BC NEWS The BC Equine Education Summit Speaker Feature 2015 SPeAkeRS each month leading up to the Summit in march we will be introducing two equine professionals that will be speaking at the 2015 bc equine education Summit and their topics of expertise.

JOCHEN SCHLEESE, CMS CSE Topic: Saddle Fitting About jochen Schleese: Former member of the German young rider’s 3 Day event team, jochen qualified for european championships in 1984, but had to retire his horse due to lameness and his riding career abruptly came to an end. After years of research jochen discovered Pirat’s lameness was caused by an ill-fitting saddle which damaged the scapular cartilage. This became the catalyst for jochen’s life-long mission to prevent this from happening to all horses.

After graduating from Passier in 1985 as the youngest certified master Saddler, jochen came to canada as the official Saddler for the 1986 World Dressage championships. As saddlery was not an established trade in North America, jochen registered the trade, and operates the only authorized training facility for saddlery in ontario. his research revealed that female riders are often plagued with pain and health issues simply from riding in saddles designed for male riders, due to the pelvic and anatomical and differences between the sexes. Schleese developed and is the leading specialist in saddles designed for women.

Schleese was selected as the official Saddler to the World cup Finals in las Vegas (2005, 2007, and 2009) and was part of the educational roster at 2010 WeG. jochen has received numerous business and trade achievement awards, most recently awarded as 2014 entrepreneur of the year (chamber of commerce) for ongoing innovation in: research and development, company growth, products and services, creative business initiatives, and community service. in 2006 jochen established Saddlefit 4 life to teach and certify equine professionals in saddle analysis around the world. As the leading clinician in saddle fitting, jochen teaches at the German Professional Trainers Association in Warendorf, Germany, trains veterinarians in brazil, and speaks regularly at clinics and equine forums worldwide.

Saddlefit 4 life has received accreditation by the united States Dressage Federation, the certified horsemanship Association and is education partner with the ontario equestrian Federation and American Riding instructor Association.

DR. ANTONIO CRUZ, DVM MVM MSC DRMEDVET DIPL.ACVS DIPL.ECVS DIPL.ACVSMR Topic: Sport conditioning & Rehabilitating your horse About Dr. cruz: Dr. cruz is the only board-certified equine surgeon and board-certified sports medicine specialist in the Pacific Northwest with extensive experience with various horse breeds and disciplines of horse sport including Quarter horses, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Show jumpers and Dressage horses. his clinical activities albeit broad have always leaned towards lameness and orthopedics and his research at the university of Guelph was focused on lameness and bone adaptation to exercise and arthritis.

Dr. cruz grew up surrounded by a family of very well accomplished veterinarians in Spain. he is a very personable and kind individual with a zest for life and a nice sense of humor which makes him very easy going and easily approachable. his extensive background as a university Professor makes him a great communicator and he is able to explain things to horse owners in a comprehensive manner. he is very well published and a sought-after international speaker. Dr. cruz qualifications are unsurpassed in the country being both a surgical and sports medicine specialist (the only one in bc and one of 3 in canada) aside of other postgraduate degrees. Dr. cruz is also fully trained and experienced in all facets of equine surgery including arthroscopy (joint/ocD surgery), laparoscopy, colic, oral/dental, foal surgery, cervical stabilization (wobbler) surgery and all aspects of soft tissue surgery.

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Saddle Sense Gaitpost’s Annual Saddle Feature

Your horse is a big investment. The old adage “No foot, no horse” could easily be altered to “No back, no horse”. When all is perfect, this sport is difficult enough! If your horse is uncomfortable under saddle resulting in lameness or behavioural issues, or you are struggling with your position, you are wasting precious time and money. Here are some suggestions for saddles and saddle fitting by some of our experts in the industry…

Tough Fit?

THE WITHER POCkET The wither pocket is an exceptionally common attribute among horses today, and it is very often misunderstood when it comes to fitting a saddle. This concave hollow behind the shoulder can make the horse appear narrower than he really is. It is common for these horses to either be put in a saddle that is too narrow, or one that has thin panels, both of which cause the saddle to fall forward into this gap. The proper way to address this shape is to add a gusseted front panel, which will mirror the shape of the shoulder and give support from behind. This allows clearance through the wither, a larger contact area for the panel, and keeps the saddle and rider in balance.

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THE ASYMMETRICAL HORSE All of us have a dominant side, and horses are no exception. Most young horses start with a preferred lead or a rein they would rather be on. It is up to us as riders to help strengthen them evenly. An important aspect of this process is addressing this tendency in our saddle fit. Some horses are drastically different side to side, whereas others will only have minor variances in angle. Either way, it is imperative to have your saddle flocked to fill in your horse’s shallow side, and allow room in the panel for where he is full. This will allow the saddle to sit straight and will help him become more symmetrical. It is important to note that the tree should never be adjusted asymmetrically.

Doing so will cause the horse to become permanently asymmetrical.

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k. PeNNeR

k. PeNNeR

Three Challenging Shapes and Three Solutions

by Katherine Penner

k. PeNNeR

THE BROAD-BACkED HORSE Broad horses can be some of the most challenging fits.

These horses are wide through ribcage and have a very flat weight bearing area. Finding a saddle that will stay stable when the horse is in motion can take some skill. They are often assumed to be wide in the gullet as well, but this is often not the case. In order to prop-

erly fit your broad horse, we must use the rule: “the broader the horse, the broader the panel”. A broad flat back needs a wide flat panel that will give the maximum amount of surface area. This allows the saddle to stay stable when the horse is in motion. Another useful tool is a Y billet, which widens the base where the billet is attached to the tree, helping to secure the saddle. katherine Penner is an independently certified Saddle Fitter, through The Saddle Fit and Re-Flocking School of South carolina. her goal is to help educate riders and owners about the benefits of a correctly fitted saddle, and how to maintain their saddle’s fit over time. For more information go to www.equine balancesaddles.ca

your saddle

Many riders and trainers ask, “How do I create symmetrical muscular development in my horse?” by Danny Kroetch Many people talk about saddles being symmetrically fitted for their horses. With research completed at a Veterinarian School in the Netherlands, they have verified that this is not necessarily the best course of action. If you put a symmetrical saddle on an asymmetrical surface (every horse, just like humans are right or left ‘handed’ therefore a strong and weak side), the saddle will not sit correctly. For example, if one is to wear a backpack with one side filled with 40lbs of weight, and the other side with 10lbs of weight, when you walk you will compensate asymmetrically through your body. After you walk for an hour and remove the backpack, you will be sore. This is how your horse feels after you have ridden with an unfitted/symmetrical saddle on his asymmetrical back.

Secondly, the tree points of the saddle must sit symmetrically over the horse’s withers, which is actually accomplished by fitting the saddle asymmetrically, to fit the horse’s asymmetric body shape. When a saddle falls to one side, the tree points put the withers into a vice grip, which hinders range of motion of the shoulders www.gaitpost.com

and negatively impacts the quality of the horse’s stride. When a saddle is not stabilized in a way to compensate for a horse’s unevenness, it is impossible to be balanced correctly over the topline of the horse. This lack of symmetry causes extreme pain and discomfort for the horse and interfering with the shoulders’ freedom to rotate forward and back.

How is this balanced muscle development attained? We must first fit the saddle asymmetrically, this allows the horse to move freely and balanced. With this fit, we have allowed the weaker side to activate and develop, and prevented the strong side from continuing to compensate by being overworked. This saddle permits the rider to sit straighter, be more effective with their aids and increase their ability to feel. When all of this is accomplished, balanced muscular development occurs.

Danny kroetch, owner of Dk Saddlery, is a world-renowned master saddle fitter and designer based in calgary, Ab. in the past 20 years, Danny has fit over 60,000 adjustable saddles in all disciplines around the world. his deep understanding of equine biomechanics enables him to fit even the most difficult horse, thus he is one of the only saddle fitters published in The Veterinarian journal.

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Saddle Sense Buyer’s Guide Buyer The SCHLEESE JETÉ incorporates features never before seen in a jumping saddle! A combination integrated/independent style panel allows full flexibility and shoulder freedom - important in jumping saddles! Patented AdapTree and rear-facing tree points allow forelegs maximum rotation to jump higher. A fully adjustable gullet plate accommodates necessary width and angle over the wither and shoulder to fit your developing horse. Wool/synthetic flocking allows complete customization. Thigh blocks are either integrated (fixed) or velcroed; available in sizes 16.5" – 18" with super soft and close contact feel. Soft black, brown or ranch (caramel), or in two-tone italian calfskin in choice of combinations. Take flight with jeté! www.schleese.com, 800-225-2242 or info@schleese.com

INTREPID GOLD DELUxE CLOSE CONTACT SADDLE: The Perfect Fit — the intrepid Gold has proven to be one of our all-time best-selling models, partly because of its ability to fit many horse/rider combinations right off the rack. The Gold Deluxe is wool-flocked, and features brushed calfskin leather and the interchangeable Gullet System. Seat Sizes: 16" to 18". Gullet plates available in: Narrow, medium, medium/Wide, Wide, extra Wide and xxWide. *Gold saddles are sold with a medium gullet plate, other sizes are available for purchase separately. Forward flap option available by special order. www.canpro-horseequipment.com

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Ask the Saddle Doctor

by Lesley McGill

DEAR SADDLE DOCTOR, I find in my saddle I cannot keep my lower leg from going back all the time; is it my bad habit or could it be my saddle?

Thank you, Lisa DEAR LISA, There could be a few factors causing this issue. Yes, it could be a bad habit — the question is why did this habit start? Saddles absolutely help or hinder your leg position. Let’s say you were riding in a saddle that was too small for you: your seat would be pushed into the front of the saddle (from the cantle) and this would cause your legs to be pushed into the knee blocks on the flap, which then would push them too far behind your seat bones. You would have a difficult time keeping your legs at the girth because there is no room for your knees. This is always worse for people with long femur bones, or larger behinds.

Another common cause of this problem is if your saddle has lost its balance and is tipping

down in the front, the effect would be the same as a saddle that is too small for you because your weight has transferred to the front of the saddle.

Not only would your position be influenced, but your horse’s way of going would be affected as well. The horse would now be carrying more weight on his shoulders, would have his scapula restricted, and may not want to move forward freely.

One other cause could be the position of the leg blocks versus the length of your leg. If you are connecting with the blocks incorrectly they will put your legs in a undesirable position. It is just as important that the saddle you ride in fits your horse as well as you!

Thank you for your question — happy riding!

The Saddle Doctor, lesley mcGill, is the only qualified international independent Saddle Fitter by the Society of master Saddlers in the uk, whereas most fitters are trained by individual saddle brands. She also attends The horses inside out annual conference held in the uk on horses’ backs, therapies, movements and conformation, as well as The Saddle Research Trust 2nd annual conference on horses, Saddles and Riders. She makes it a priority to stay well ahead on all aspects in regards to Saddle Fitting.

The SOLARE CLOSE CONTACT is the newest model from black country Saddles. Featuring a narrow twist and very sharp looks, it combines the feel of the French models for the rider with the superior fit and quality of a handmade english saddle. This model comes in a variety of panel options to accommodate the toughest of fits, while retaining a sleek and polished look. The Solare starts at just $3,500 and includes a 10 year warranty on the tree.

For more information, visit: www.equinebalancesaddles.ca or call 604-721-6346.

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A top quality close contact saddle, the MONDEGA AVIGNON reflects over 40 years of expertise and craftsmanship. Features a butter soft grain leather finish on the seat, flaps and knee rolls. built on a medium wood tree, features a narrow twist and is created with functional polyurethane panels. Well positioned knee blocks and a perfectly balanced seat allow the rider to maintain the correct position in this incredibly comfortable saddle. www.greenhawk.com

The Dk BOND II DRESSAGE SADDLE has been recognized as the “ultimate bond between horse and rider”. What other saddles talk about, the bond delivers — true freedom of the shoulder. The wide gullet prevents interference with the thoracic spine and ligaments, critical in lateral movements. The girthing system is designed not to interfere with the shoulder muscles’ scapular motion. The seat supports the pelvis and lumbar region of the rider, allowing the femur to fall into proper alignment. With the narrow twist, the inner upper thigh is able to sit in close contact, which equals a quieter lower leg allowing more effective aids. www.dksaddlery.com

NSC ANIkA DRESSAGE SADDLE. This uk-made Dressage saddle is a best seller. it has impeccable workmanship, made with high quality english buffalo hide leather, wool flocked panels, and an adjustable spring tree. The wide soft panels cater to the horse’s comfort and distribute the rider’s weight over a very broad surface. With gusseted front panels, the horses have the freedom to use their shoulders without being inhibited by tree points. Deep seated with good size knee blocks, it gives all riders the security and stability they are looking for in a Dressage saddle. Priced at $3,200. www.thesaddledoctor.ca

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Industry News continued from page 18 merdor is the founder from the VDL Stud.

Along with the incredible horses of VDL Stud, the WEF Sport Horse Auction will be presenting two talented and classically trained Dressage horses from a member of the Westphalian Studbook this year. The Westphalian Studbook e.V. has been producing outstanding German bloodstock for over 100 years, breeding champions for the international Dressage and Show Jumping arenas around the world. With over 3,000 foals bred each year, the Westphalian Studbook is one of the largest breeding associations in Germany. These horses have been hand-selected for this event and are well-suited for the U.S. market with superb talent and temperaments ideal for international competition success.

Famous Dressage stallion Damon Hill, currently ranked second in FEI World Cup standings, exemplifies the excellence of the Westphalian world-class caliber. Westphalian stallions such as Florestan I, Belissimo, Rock Forever, Sir Heinrich, and Furst Piccolo are synonymous with international Dressage success, their bloodlines being found throughout many European and American breeding programs.

one of nine restaurants, go bowling, see a movie, even gamble, all under one roof.

A new dimension was added to the WCE Medal Final just last year, creating an interesting dynamic. While two judges scored the riders under the USEF equitation standards and rules, with some unique WCE scoring details, a third judge awarded 1-5 proficiency points for the rider’s effectiveness as a Show Jumper. Similar to the Derby horses receiving bonus points for their handiness, these additional points add a new perspective that can effectively change the end result.

Originally the Barbara Worth Good Hands and Seat Medal, a class that crowned champions such as Mary Chapot, Susie Hutchison, Hap Hansen and Anne Kursinski, the WCE Medal evolved from a rich history. The CPHA Foundation-sponsored class now provides an opportunity for amateurs and juniors with both Show Jumping as well as Equitation skills to compete over a 1.10m (3'7") jumper course, with natural obstacles.

BLENHEIM EQUISPORTS IS ExCITED TO WELCOME THE 2015 WCE MEDAL FINAL TO LAS VEGAS! The CPHA Foundation’s renowned WCE Medal Final is heading to Vegas this November.

Blenheim EquiSports was officially awarded the opportunity to host the esteemed year-end event at the 2015 Las Vegas National Horse Show, November 10-15, 2015. Bringing this Jumperoriented medal final to the Las Vegas National Horse Show will allow the finalists to compete in an indoor setting alongside international show Jumpers vying for valuable World Cup qualifying points. The 2015 WCE Medal Final winner will take home a new saddle, among other prizes.

At the Las Vegas National, competitors, trainers and their families can experience the only horse show in the nation where your hotel room is above the arena and stables, room service can be delivered to the barn, you can choose to eat at

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FEINEWS

liz gregg/fei

Ingmar De Vos was surrounded by well-wishers after his landslide victory in the election for the FEI Presidency in Baku (AZE).

BELGIUM’S INGMAR DE VOS ELECTED AS FEI PRESIDENT

I

ngmar De Vos (BEL) has been elected as President of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) by an overwhelming majority in the first round of voting, earning 98 votes out of a possible 131.

De Vos, 51, Secretary General of the FEI since May 2011, was elected to take charge of the world governing body of equestrian sport during a session of the FEI General Assembly in Baku (AZE).

The result was announced by HRH Princess Haya, the outgoing President, with the simple words, “I am pleased to announce we have a new FEI President, Ingmar De Vos.” Her words were met with prolonged applause from close to 350 delegates representing 91 National Federations, stakeholders, sponsors and international media.

“I’m really very honoured and overwhelmed by this enormous support,” a clearly emotional De Vos said, “and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your confidence.

Baku will be in my memory forever. Elections are always difficult, as it splits a little bit the family, but I guarantee that I will be the President of all of you, I will serve all the members of our community and I will work very hard to keep this unity.”

He went on to thank his great friend and mentor Jacky Buchmann, who has recently been re-elected as President of the Belgian Equestrian Federation. And finally, with great emotion, he thanked outgoing President Princess Haya.

“Words cannot explain what she has done for 26

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our organization. She has shown leadership, she has guided us through difficult waters, she has innovated us, she has modernized us. She has left us with a great legacy and I believe, together with many of you, that it is our responsibility to preserve the legacy and go on with the road map she has shown us. Words are not enough to thank her. Over the years we have become good friends, and I am thankful and grateful for your support.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Shortly after his election, De Vos received a letter of congratulations from IOC President Thomas Bach. “Please accept my congratulations on your election as President of the International Equestrian Federation. The IOC enjoys a long-standing relationship with FEI, its elected members and administration. We are sure that FEI will continue its growth under your leadership. Your previous experience in different positions of the Equestrian sports will be invaluable

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INTERNATIONAL SPORTS COMMUNITY PAYS TRIBUTE TO FEI HONOURARY PRESIDENT HRH PRINCESS HAYA December 19, 2014: International sports personalities have paid homage to HRH Princess Haya, who on December 14th stepped down as the FEI President after eight years in the role. The newly elected FEI President Ingmar De Vos lead the tributes to Princess Haya, who was appointed FEI Honourary President with the unanimous approval of the FEI General Assembly.

“Princess Haya is a visionary who has transformed the FEI into a modern, transparent, agile and highly respected sports organization over the past eight years,” De Vos said. “Thanks to her energy and commitment, the FEI is a valued member of the Olympic movement.”

“The FEI Solidarity programme, based on the hugely successful Olympic Solidarity model to www.gaitpost.com

liz GReGG/Fei

for you in this new office. On behalf of the IOC and the entire Olympic Movement, I wish you every success in the new role you are undertaking.”

De Vos takes over the reins as FEI President at the conclusion of the FEI General Assembly for a four-year term, and is eligible for re-election for up to three consecutive terms. He has stated that he will resign as Secretary General as soon as he takes over the Presidency this afternoon and will appoint an interim Secretary General to take over the role until a permanent replacement is found.

Ingmar De Vos holds degrees in political science, business administration and international and European law, and started his career as an advisor to the Belgian Senate. He joined the Belgian Equestrian Federation as managing director in 1990, and held the additional role of Secretary General from 1997 to 2011.

During his time at the Belgian National Federation, De Vos was chef de mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all FEI World Equestrian Games from 1990 to 2010 and at several Olympic Games. He was also Secretary General of the European Equestrian Federation from 2010, the year the organization was formed, until 2011, when he joined the FEI.

HRH Princess Haya pictured with the newly elected FEI President Ingmar De Vos (BEL) on December 14, 2014, the day she stepped down as the FEI President after eight years in the role.

help the development of equestrian sport globally and, in particular the National Federations with the greatest need, is now fully operational.

In the last few years the FEI has signed very valuable long-term commercial partners, including the Swiss watchmaker Longines. The contribution made by Princess Haya to equestrian sport is immeasurable.”

Jacques Rogge, Honourary IOC President, FEI News continued on page 28

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FEI News continued from page 27 summed up Princess Haya’s commitment to the Olympic Movement in a special video message played during the FEI Awards Gala 2014 presented by Longines, “Your Royal Highness, may I thank and congratulate you on your great leadership at the head of the FEI. As a President and as an Olympian, you put the safety and welfare of riders and horses first, and have extensively supported emerging countries.”

“In close collaboration with the IOC, the equestrian events at the Games have contributed very much to the success of the overall Olympic programme. You creatively broke new ground with the Youth Olympic Games.”

“I want to thank you very much for the invaluable support you gave to the IOC, both as an IF President and as an IOC member. You have the elegance and wisdom to leave at the peak of your career. I know that your great passion for sport will not fade away and that you will continue your splendid humanitarian work for the United Nations. I wish you a happy life and suc-

cess in all your endeavours.”

Princess Haya has focused on building the FEI Family by bringing together the FEI’s 133 National Federations, underlining the importance of strong governance, transparency and integrity.

She introduced the FEI Athlete Representative position for the FEI’s Technical Committees, and this year for the first time in the FEI’s 93-year history the athletes themselves had the opportunity to vote for their Athlete Representatives.

German Jumping legend Ludger Beerbaum, who has won four Olympic, four world and 11 European medals, and has led the FEI World Individual Jumping Riders Rankings, now known as the Longines Rankings, said in a moving video message addressed to Princess Haya, “On behalf of the riders I would really like to thank you very, very much for what you have done in the past years for our sport and in just two terms.

We would have loved to have a third one, and we thank you so much for all you’ve done and all the best for the future.”

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DK Saddlery • 1-877-326-3487 • 403-240-3945 • dkroetch@platinum.ca • www.dksaddlery.com 28

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IN MEMORIAM: WOJTEk MARkOWSkI (POL), 1947–2015 January 7, 2015: Wojtek Markowski (POL), FEI 5-star Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate (TD) at the London 2012 Olympic Games, passed away on January 5th after a battle with cancer. He was 67 years old. He judged at his first Olympic Games in Athens (GRE) in 2004, and he viewed his TD role at London 2012 as a major career highlight. He had also been appointed as TD for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Markowski obtained his first riding instructor diploma from Poznan Academy of Physical Education in 1975 and became active as an international judge in 1982. By 1989, he had become a 5-star judge, and during his long association with the FEI he acted as Foreign Judge, Technical Delegate and Ground Jury President and member at numerous high profile FEI events, includwww.gaitpost.com

ARND bRoNkhoRST/Fei

In 2012, the first FEI Sports Forum took place, encouraging National Federations and FEI stakeholders from around the world to take part in wide-ranging debates on the progression of equestrian sport. This is now an annual event, with the next edition taking place 27-28 April 2015.

Princess Haya has also donated state-ofthe-art headquarters to the FEI in the Olympic Capital Lausanne (SUI), home to the International Olympic Committee as well as many international sports organizations. The building, named after her late father HM King Hussein I, has allowed the FEI to expand its team of professionals and improve services to the global equestrian community.

“Following in Princess Haya’s footsteps is an honour but also a great challenge,” newly elected FEI President Ingmar De Vos concluded.

“She has shown us the road to success and I am committed to advancing our sport and our organization with faith in the future, with honesty, integrity, and most importantly in unity. The FEI Family owes Princess Haya an enormous debt of gratitude and I see it as my duty to preserve her legacy.”

Wojtek Markwoski (POL), who has passed away at the age of 67, will be remembered for his many years of dedication to Dressage.

ing the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2006 and 2010, FEI European Dressage Championships and FEI World Cup Finals.

In 2012, he was appointed board member of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), where he proposed the creation of the EEF Dressage Working Group which he then chaired. He was also the Eastern & Central Europe representative for the International Dressage Officials FEI News continued on page 30

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liz gregg/fei FEI Awards 2014 winners (L-R): HRH Princess Haya, Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), Melissa Tan (SIN) chairman of equine therapy centre Equal Ark, Jackie Potts (GBR), Lambert Leclezio (MRI) with (centre) Sydney Collier (USA) and her service dog Journey.

FEI News continued from page 29 Club (IDOC).

“No words are adequate to express the sadness we feel,” Secretary General of the Polish Equestrian Federation Łukasz Jankowski said.

“Wojtek Markowski was a great person and international five-star Dressage judge, a great supporter of Dressage in Poland and around the world, and a great EEF Board member.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Wojtek Markowski’s family and many friends, to the Polish Equestrian Federation and to the global Dressage community.

EQUESTRIAN HEROES CELEBRATED AT FEI AWARDS GALA 2014 PRESENTED BY LONGINES December 14, 2014: Equestrian heroes — and a very special dog — were celebrated at the FEI Awards Gala 2014 presented by Longines. The five winners of the “Oscars of the equestrian world” 2014 were presented with their awards by outgoing FEI President HRH Princess Haya on her final day as FEI President at a dazzling ceremony in Baku’s fabulous Buta Palace.

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contributions to the growth of equestrian sport in 2014, are: • Reem Acra Best Athlete Award: World Jumping champion Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) • Longines Rising Star Award: Vaulter Lambert Leclezio (MRI) • Best Groom Award: Jackie Potts (GBR), groom to Eventing world number one William FoxPitt (GBR) • FEI Solidarity: Equine therapy centre Equal Ark (SIN) • Against All Odds: Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete Sydney Collier (USA) with her service dog Journey.

The equestrian heroes donned tuxedos and gowns for the gala dinner, which was attended by almost 350 guests from National Federations, partners, VIPs and international media. Azerbaijani TV presenter Leyla Aliyeva and retiring FEI Endurance Director Ian Williams were Masters of Ceremony for the evening.

“It is a great honour for me to be here tonight on my first official duty as FEI President,” newly elected FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “There have been a number of awards tonight, but there is someone here, a very special person, who deserves to be recognized and celebrated. Your Royal Highness, it is now my turn to surprise you with your very own special award. I hope you will wear it with pride and think of your FEI Family,” as he presented her with a beautiful diamond brooch.

“You have had a lasting effect on every single person in this room, on the organization, on the FEI Family and on the sport globally. You have led us to new frontiers. You had a vision and you took us on an incredible journey. Thank you once again for everything!”

HRH Princess Haya was joined on stage by her brother HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, FIFA Vice President: “There is one question she always asks when she meets someone that she looks up to, but it’s a question she has never actually asked me. She asks ‘If there is someone in the past you would like to see something you have done, and they would be proud of you, who is

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it?’ I would say tonight that I would love our late father and late mother to come back and see you right now. They would be so proud of you.”

Brother and sister joined hands as they watched a moving video of the key moments of Princess Haya’s family life, her sporting career and love of horses, and her eight years as FEI President.

FEI Awards 2014 winners — biographies and reactions: Reem Acra Best Athlete Award: Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) With an impressive track record including individual gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games during a career spanning 25 years, Jeroen Dubbeldam has had an exceptional 2014, scoring individual and team gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 and helping the Netherlands clinch the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final just weeks later.

“I’m very honoured to receive the Reem Acra Best Athlete Award,” said Jeroen Dubbeldam.

“I’m very proud of it! Looking back at 2014 I am full of pride for my horse, Zenith SFN, and the way he competed, as this was the first year at this top level, filling in the gap of my former horse, Utascha SFN that was sold.”

International fashion designer Reem Acra flew in specially for tonight’s gala dinner to present the Best Athlete Award to Jeroen Dubbeldam. “It is an honour to have again been asked to present the FEI’s Best Athlete Award,” she said.

“Since I started participating in the FEI World Cup Dressage series, I have come to appreciate even more the incredible level of talent required to reach the top in equestrian sport. Every recipient of this award has spent countless hours creating the amazing harmony between humans and horse that is so beautiful to watch.”

Longines Rising Star Award: Lambert Leclezio (MRI) At just 17 years of age, Lambert Leclezio became the first athlete to represent Mauritius at World Championship level when he stepped into the Vaulting arena at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy (FRA). An impressive sixth place finish in the individual www.gaitpost.com

category was the culmination of years of dedication to his sport. Coming from a country with limited training facilities and Vaulting horses, Lambert received support through the FEI’s global sport development program, FEI Solidarity, to qualify for the 2014 Games by training and competing in Europe. Training on a former racehorse in Mauritius, Lambert continues to practice and compete throughout the year, both in his home country and Europe, while completing his studies in Mauritius.

Best Groom Award: Jackie Potts (GBR) After spending the last 22 years as groom and right-hand woman in the stables of world eventing number one William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Jackie Potts is one of the most well respected grooms on the circuit. She has groomed at four Olympic Games, four FEI World Equestrian Games and eight European Championships, on top of countless Three-Day Events around the world.

Jackie is the consummate professional, managing all aspects of Fox-Pitt’s yard and horses from FEI News continued on page 36 403-948-8715

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FEI News continued from page 31 training to veterinary care. Her extensive knowledge of horse management and training means her advice is often sought by other grooms as well as Team GBR. “It is so exciting and an absolute privilege to be Richard Meade (GBR), after winning here to receive this the Badminton Horse Trials in 1982 with his horse Speculator III. award tonight,” Jackie Potts said. “I feel like I am accepting this award on behalf of all other grooms, who are so hardworking and equally deserving,” “It is a hugely deserved and very prestigious award,” William Fox-Pitt said by video message.

“Jackie has a profound empathy with horses, and horses love her. She is fantastic at motivating her team, and is generous in the sharing of her knowledge and expertise. There are few grooms in the world that rival her experience, and her dedication is proven by her 22 years as my yard manager. After all she has achieved in her profession, nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see her being rewarded tonight.”

Against All Odds: Sydney Collier (USA) with Journey Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sydney Collier was diagnosed with the rare Wyburn Mason

syndrome at the age of seven. The disease has meant that she has been faced with significant obstacles, but these have not prevented her from reaching her goals. The 17-year-old has undergone a series of operations, including three brain surgeries, is blind in one eye, and a stroke at the age of 11 led to paralysis on her left side.

Despite these challenges, she has pursued her dreams relentlessly, and after competing at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 this summer, she is determined to continue training and represent the USA at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. In between training in New York, 10 hours away from her family and friends, she also volunteers once a week to speak, motivate and encourage young people of her age who do not have the same motivation and family support that she does. Sydney Collier was also recently announced 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year by the United States Equestrian Federation.

Journey, the star service dog in Baku Sydney’s service dog, the white standard poodle Journey, who became famous during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy for being the first dog to get accreditation for a World Championship, created a buzz again tonight when he arrived on stage at the Buta Palace in Baku, complete with bow tie.

After travelling over 9,000 kilometres from New York, Journey took to the stage to receive his own FEI Award, a personalized dog bowl.

“Winning the FEI Against All Odds Award means so much to me as an individual, and as an athlete,” Sydney Collier said. “Life has routinely

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thrown speed bumps and curves on my plans, but my passion for horses and their incredible spirit has repeatedly helped me find a way around obstacles that others might have seen as insurmountable.”

“In winning this award I now have the incredible opportunity to share with so many others facing similar circumstances that their goals do not ever have to be put aside. The world out there is filled with wonderful opportunities as long as you are willing to push yourself to reach them.

I would like to thank the FEI for creating this award to help continue to inspire every athlete, regardless of challenging circumstances, to strive to be their best every day in and out of the saddle. And to my family and my trainer Wes Dunham who have been beside me every step of the way. I wouldn’t be standing here today without each one of you supporting and cheering me on through thick and thin.”

“It means even more to me to have my special service dog Journey by my side to accept this award. When Journey was granted his credentials

at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, a world of opportunity and education was opened.

Together Journey and I are now able to share with others the special working relationship and independence that service animals grant their handlers. The icing on the cake? Journey loves horses as much as I do!”

FEI Solidarity: Equal Ark (SIN) Launched in 2011, the Singapore-based Equal Ark (Equine-Assisted Learning for At Risk Kids) is a programme of horsemanship lessons for children experiencing a range of difficulties at home and at school. The initiative has already helped 800 children who have failed or dropped out of school at an early age. Equal Ark provides children with a greater chance of success in their school, work and family lives while developing a love for horses. Equal Ark will enrol 400 students annually from 2015, and is aiming to double this from 2017.

“Recognition from a prestigious international organization now puts EQUAL and our FEI News continued on page 38

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FEI News continued from page 37 island of Singapore firmly on the global equestrian map,” chairman of Equal Ark Melissa Tan said. “The FEI Award allows us to recognise and acknowledge our appreciation to the team of volunteers and staff who have contributed to its success.”

“This award affirms and cements our dedication to reach out to even more children whose lives can be inspired by the beauty and magnificence of our treasured equine partners.”

IN MEMORIAM: RICHARD MEADE (GBR), 1938-2015 Richard Meade (GBR) OBE, triple Olympic gold Eventing champion, former member of the FEI Bureau, FEI Eventing Committee and Chairman of Group II (Northern Europe), has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.

He became the first British athlete to win individual Eventing gold at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, after making his Olympic début in Tokyo eight years earlier.

In Munich, he also helped Great Britain to secure their second consecutive Olympic team gold medal following the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games where, in a tropical downpour in the Jumping phase, he clinched the team title and secured fourth individually with a clear round on Cornishman V, a horse he had never sat on before.

In total he competed in four Olympic Games, as well as the substitute event at Fontainebleau (FRA) in 1980 during the partial boycott of the Moscow Games, and also carried the British flag at the closing ceremony of the Munich Olympics.

His dedication to equestrian sport was lifelong, and after retiring as an athlete he served as President of the British Equestrian Federation, chairman of the Federation’s British Horse Foundation and on the British Horse Society’s Council. He was also focused on developing Eventing globally.

“Richard Meade was a brilliant, courageous horseman with a strong sense of team responsibility, who became a household name in Great Britain,” said Hugh Thomas, Chairman of the

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Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

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officials. The IGA will also suggest areas for improvement if required.

The two other IGAs named by the FEI are Carlos Ponferrada (ESP) and Maurizio Stecco (ITA). The three Advisors have been appointed for a period of two years. In accordance with FEI Endurance Rules, during this period they cannot accept any other FEI officiating positions.

The IGAs will be travelling to selected events throughout the year.

“The FEI is diligently proceeding with the implementation of the recommendations made by the Endurance Strategic Planning Group,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos commented. “All three Independent Governance Advisors are highly experienced officials and I am confident that their input will be extremely valuable and will be beneficial for the entire discipline.”

Board of British Eventing and Director of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Richard Meade’s wife Angela and their three children, Team GBR member Harry, James and Lucy, his many friends, the British Equestrian Federation and the global Eventing community.

FEI APPOINTS ENDURANCE INDEPENDENT GOVERNANCE ADVISORS The FEI has named three Independent Governance Advisors (IGAs), with the first due to start work this weekend.

FEI 4* judge Roderick Fisher (GBR) was the first IGA to attend an Endurance Event in this new role, travelling to the CEI 3* Dubai (UAE) on January 10th.

The IGAs were created following the recommendations of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG). The IGAs will travel to CEIs and provide a detailed report to the FEI on the organization of the competitions, the venue and the course, and the performance of the on-site

Next Issue

dEAdLInE: February 6, 2015 for the March 2015 issue To advertise, call 1.855.534.9665 or 604.534.9665

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oncoaching

by Maureen Walters

foxcroft farm

it makes good sense to be certified Find the certified coach that is right for you.

I

t makes good sense to be a certified coach, for many reasons and from various perspectives.

From a parent’s point of view, it makes sense to choose a certified Coach or Instructor. Often parents know very little about our sport and by choosing one who has gone through the process of becoming certified, the parent can rest assured that the coach has met or exceeded the standard of knowledge and coaching skills required. This also includes basic training in First Aid, a personal Emergency Action Plan, a criminal record check, completing updating hours of professional development and being accountable to our national body (Equine Canada) for actions and behaviour when coaching.

From a student (or client’s) perspective, choosing a coach who is certified usually guarantees that they are getting correct and current information. It is easy for one to become “swept away” by the new coach in the area. This coach could possibly be very competent — or not.

Sometimes the skill of the individual coach is based strictly on what they tell you they have done. Unfortunately, there have been cases where 40

february 2015

a new coach has been investigated, only to find out that their credentials are non-existent. Keeping in mind the various “contexts” (as explained in previous articles), the student and parent can be confident that the standard of the context has been met. For example, if you are using an Instructor of Beginners, you can be confident that the individual is competent to teach beginners. The IOB is NOT certified to coach at competitions. If they do, they are coaching outside of their area of expertise.

As a stable owner it is diligent to employ certified coaches, for the above reasons. It is also prudent for the stable owner to ask for documentation of coaches’ insurance.

Now, from the point of view of the Instructor or Coach themselves, it is even more important to be certified. Firstly, there is a sense of camaraderie — a pride of belonging to a group of certified professionals. The confidence that occurs from being evaluated and being successful is also a meaningful aspect of certification.

Riding and handling horses is a high risk activity! Accidents happen! The best way for coaches to protect themselves (in addition to being trained in First Aid) is to be certified. Many coaches do not think of the scenario where they have a student who has a serious accident during a lesson. The best way for the coach to protect herself in this unfortunate situation is to be certified, keep progress reports on all students and follow normal coaching procedures at all times.

Teach within the context in which you are certified.

If you are interested in becoming a certified coach or Instructor, or changing “contexts” please join us on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at HCBC office, 7 pm, for a free information evening.

Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

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What’s Happening in all the Disciplines

sportfot

DISCIPLINEREPORTS

Todd Minikus and Cordonos

Todd Minikus and Cordonos Win $30,000 WEF 1 Grand Prix

W

eek one of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) recently concluded with the $30,000 WEF 1 Grand Prix held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. In a 22-horse jump-off with some of the fastest riders in the world, USA’s Todd Minikus came out on top aboard Carl Brem’s Cordonos. Ireland’s Conor Swail and Grafton finished second and USA’s Mclain Ward and HH Ashley

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were third.

Course designer Eric Hasbrouck’s final track for week one competition yielded 22 out of 55 entries in the $30,000 WEF 1 Grand Prix. In the jump-off, nine entries were able to clear the short course without fault in a race against the clock.

Conor Swail and Ariel and Susan Grange’s Grafton took the lead in 32.67 seconds, but were

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SPoRTFoT

Conor Swail and Grafton

Discipline Reports continued from page 41 soon pushed into second place. Eirin Bruheim (NOR) and Nordic Lights Farm LLC’s NLF Favorite also jumped clear and finished ninth in 43.57 seconds. The winning round followed with Todd Minikus and Cordonos blazing through the timers in 32.22 seconds. McLain Ward and Double H Farm’s HH Ashley jumped into third place in the next clear round with a time of 33.04 seconds. The final clear came from Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Paul Tracy, with the fifth place time of 34.30 seconds.

Todd Minikus first rode class winner, Cordonos, for the first time a couple of days before competing in the Trump Invitational Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, recently. The 14-yearold Oldenburg gelding (Lordanos x Tin Rocco) had just arrived in Florida and jumped quite well, then went on to a nice four fault round in Thursday’s Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 to begin the WEF circuit. Although they are just getting to know each other, the pair was perfectly in sync for the winning jump-off round.

“Today we knew each other a little better,

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february 2015

and it all worked out,” Minikus declared following his win. “It ended up being an extremely fast class. Conor is obviously blistering fast. I didn’t see him go, but I knew what to expect. I didn’t really know how to manage the jump-off. I was stuck right in the middle of 22 horses. I kind of tapped him with my stick behind my leg and he jumped into the bridle a little bit. I thought, ‘Ok, seems like he’s ready.’ I hate trying to ride for fourth place anyway.”

Minikus has big plans for the season as the current leader in the North American East Coast League for the FEI World Cup Finals. He also has his sights set on the Pan American Games later in the year. He has some top horses to show this winter, including superstar mount Quality Girl, and looks forward to what may come with Cordonos as well.

For second place finisher, Conor Swail, the class was a great start to the circuit for his mount Grafton, a nine-year-old Selle Français stallion (Calvaro x Vondeen). Swail previously owned the horse himself in partnership with Barry O’Connor, and then Ariel and Susan Grange purchased the horse so that he could continue to show it.

ERIC LAMAZE SUCCESSFULLY OPENS FLORIDA SEASON For the second day in a row, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, stood in the winner’s circle at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The 12-week international Show Jumping competition, which runs through March 29, opened on Wednesday, January 7.

On opening day, Lamaze won the first competition, an $8,000 1.45m speed class, held in the International Arena riding Check Picobello Z. A sign of good things to come, Lamaze was once again victorious, winning the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round I riding Rosana du Park. Both horses are owned by Artisan Farms in partnership with Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.

In the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Chal-

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Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park

10-year-old bay Selle Français mare (Kannan x Quinine de Livoye), by saying, “She’s very Hunterlike. She doesn’t like to go in a frame or be held together. You just let her nose poke up a bit and give her a little balance, and she takes care of the fences. She is really, really a careful mare; she wants to over-achieve, if anything. But you just stay in balance and let her canter along. She is not a complicated ride.”

Eric Lamaze and Check Picobello Z Earn First Win of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off with its first day of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, and a win for Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze in the first class of the day. Lamaze and the nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding Check Picobello Z (Cardento x Orlando) jumped to victory in the morning’s $8,000 1.45m speed class over Adrienne Sternlicht and S&L Slingback. The 12-week WEF circuit runs through March 29, 2015, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Eric Hasbrouck (USA) is the course designer

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starting gate communications

lenge Cup, a total of nine horses made it through to the jump-off over the track set by U.S. course designer Eric Hasbrouck. Lamaze led the way, opening the jump-off with a foot perfect performance in a time of 38.18 seconds to put the pressure on those still to come. His strategy worked, as none were able to catch his time and also leave the rails in place. Coming closest was Darragh Kerins of Ireland, who stopped the clock in 38.47 riding D Elia van het Molenhof, followed by Ian Millar of Perth, ON, who placed third with a time of 39.13 seconds riding Baranus.

In addition, as Lamaze was wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves for the win, he was awarded a $3,000 rider bonus in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion.

“All of the classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival are very competitive,” said Lamaze following his victory. “I went quite fast, being first in the ring. I think my time was beatable but, as an opening WEF class, I was happy with my plan.”

Lamaze was especially pleased with the early success of Rosana du Park and Check Picobello Z, as they had been purchased with Carlene and Andy Ziegler of Artisan Farms with the intention of taking their time to develop them into future grand prix horses.

“Rosana and Check Picobello Z are both horses that we bought young with the hopes of having great horses in the future, and I think we’ve achieved that,” said Lamaze of the two mounts who are quickly earning their place in Lamaze’s top string alongside Powerplay and Zigali P S. “Rosana was ridden by Carly Anthony last year, and she has brought her along fantastically. She gave her great mileage and great confidence, and the mare is now ready to do whatever you ask of her. Check Picobello Z is an outstanding young horse. I am very fortunate at this Winter Equestrian Festival to have fresh older horses as well as up-and-coming young ones that are ready to do great things, so I am very well-mounted. It’s very exciting, and it’s great to have the support of the Ziegler family and Artisan Farms.”

Lamaze further described Rosana du Park, a

sportfot

Eric Lamaze and Check Picobello Z

Discipline Reports continued from page 43 in the International Arena at PBIEC for week one competition. He began the day with twelve entries in the 1.45m speed class with five clear rounds. Eric Lamaze set the pace with the first clear round aboard Artisan Farms LLC’s Rosana du Park in 71.56 seconds to eventually place fourth. Marie Hecart (FRA) jumped next to earn the fifth place time with Rogelio Pellerano’s Quatour de B Neville in 77.67 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) briefly took over the lead in 71.32 seconds to finish third aboard her own Moondoggie. Adrienne Sternlicht upped the pace with Starlight Farms LLC’s S&L Slingback in 71.28 seconds to place second. Last to go, Lamaze took the win

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february 2015

with Check Picobello Z in 68.88 seconds.

Owned by Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines Stable, Lamaze explained that Check Picobello Z was purchased as a six coming seven-yearold from Ilan Ferder and is moving into the next level this season after a few years of careful development.

“I was crazy about this horse from the beginning,” Lamaze stated. “When I got him he was a little bit of a difficult horse in his mouth, but his instinct and the carefulness and everything else was there, so I really took my time. I had a plan with this horse from the beginning and I stuck to it. I did the right amount of shows every year and did the right height and everything and this season he is ready to go. He will be one of my top horses this year for sure.”

“He is very intelligent,” the rider described.

“He is so intelligent that he never thinks he is in trouble, so he can be a little difficult in the mouth, but in his head it is never a problem. For the rider sometimes you feel like, ‘If you would just let me ride you a little bit better,’ but he is really intelligent and a great personality. He loves to compete, and he has all the right reactions of a great horse.”

Qlassic victory for Delestre at Longines leg in Mechelen Simon Delestre produced a devastating turn of speed from the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot to clinch victory at the eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2014 Western European League at Mechelen, Belgium. Last to go in an intriguing nine-horse jump-off, the 33-year-old Frenchman shattered the early target set by Britain’s Joe Clee to scoop maximum points and set himself firmly on the path to the series Final in Las Vegas, USA next April.

The first-round course set by Belgian course designer, Lucien Somers, presented a tough test for the 39 starters, with the double at fence seven and the triple combination at fence 12 proving particularly influential. “The triple was very difficult — the double of oxers with one stride followed by a vertical at the end of the course meant

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Simon Delestre and Qlassic Bois Margot

gested they are a pair right on form, and when the Frenchman asked for a colossal effort at the last, the horse never flinched, galloping through the timers more than two seconds faster than Clee to put the result beyond doubt. hunter/jumper results Final Results: $30,000 WEF 1 Grand Prix 1. 3454Cordonos Todd Minikus carl Brems: 0/0/ 32.220 2. 1307 Grafton Conor Swail Ariel And Susan Grange: 0/0/32.677 3. 1800 Hh Ashley Mclain Ward Double H Farm: 0/0/33.045 4. 1009 Teirra Alise Okenhi Hopes Farm Llc: 0/0/33.753 5. 75 Bijzonder Shane Sweetnam Sweet Oak Farm & Paul Tracy: 0/0/34.303 6. 4100 Zhivago Daniel Zetterman Gyllebo Farm LLC: 0/0/34.823 7. 1765 Quatour De B Neville Marie Hecart Rogelio Pellerano: 0/0/35.830 8. 1581 Shiver Liza Finsness Liza Finsness: 0/0/36.942 9. 2991 Nlf Favorite Eirin Bruheim Nordic Lights Farm Llc: 0/0/43.571 10. 1309 Martha Louise

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fei/dirk caremans

you needed a fit horse with a lot of scope today,” Delestre commented afterwards.

Clee really threw down the gauntlet when first to go in the jump-off with the 10-year-old stallion Utamaro d’Ecaussines who gave it everything he had to set a strong target in 32.42 seconds. And the 36-year-old rider who is married to the youngest daughter of the late Eric Wauters, in whose memory the popular Belgian fixture is staged, then had to stand back and watch the rest try to better that.

America’s Lucy Davis and Barron lost their chance at the very first fence, but Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow left all the timber intact when steering Casello home in 35.07, and he wouldn’t regret being a little cautious when this eventually proved good enough for third place.

The packed stadium of spectators gasped with dismay when the first of the two Belgian contenders, Judy-Ann Melchior and her grey mare Cold as Ice Z, also fell afoul of the opening vertical, but they were gripping their seats with excitement as Jos Verlooy galloped down to the last well up on the clock with the 11-year-old gelding Domino. One of the new wave of supertalented young Belgians blazing a trail on the international circuit right now, the rider who turned 19 just two weeks ago decided to take a stride out to the final oxer, however, and paid the price as it came crashing down for four faults in 34.60 seconds. He couldn’t forgive himself afterwards. “I made a terrible mistake and I’m so disappointed. I will never get the chance to win a competition like this again!” he insisted, but of course a young man of his calibre has a great future ahead of him.

He had shown that Clee’s target time could be beaten, and although French stars Kevin Staut (Qurack de Falaise HDC) and Roger Yves Bost (Nippon d’Elle) each left a fence on the floor, and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann played the percentage game with a safe but slow clear from Cornado ll which would earn them fourth place in the final analysis, Delestre and his black stallion never looked like they were ready to compromise.

The precision of their opening round sug-

exerciseOFtheMONTH

by Sandra Verda-Zanatta

FiT To RiDe

standing baLance Position 1: Stand on one foot with slightly bent knee and slightly closed hip angle.

S

Position 2: Slowly extend back leg and reach arms out in front.

tand on one foot with slightly bent knee and slightly closed hip angle. Once you can stand and maintain balance then slowly extend back leg and reach arms out in front. Keep shoulder blades flat on your back to avoid rounding shoulders. To maintain balance keep core connected by drawing your belly button in towards your spine.

You can also use a weighted ball to increase core strength and to challenge arm muscles. As your balance improves and you get stronger increase

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bend in knee and extend back leg out further.

This exercise improves balance and coordination, and strengthens hip stabilizers and quadriceps.

Sandra is a Nationally Certified High Performance (Level 3) Dressage Coach with Equine Canada, CanTra Instructor and PATH Int’l Master Instructor and Evaluator. She competes at the FEI levels in Dressage and is a declared rider for the Pan American Games.

She is also a certified STOTT Pilates instructor and has developed the Fit To Ride Pilates for Equestrians cross training program. For more information, please visit www.fit2ride.ca.

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EQUITATIONSCIENCE by Susi Cienciala (D.V.M.) and Emily Corrie, Deep Creek Veterinary Services Ltd.

How Horses Learn

emily corrie

and How Their Natural Behaviours Affect What We Teach Them

Last month we discussed in general what Equitation Science is and why it applies to you and your horse. This month we will quickly delve into the subject of how horses learn: this is the essence of Equitation Science.

The Herd Dynamic Like all animals, learning in horses is largely dependent on their natural behaviour. Horses are highly social animals with a complex organization: the herd is composed of family groups and their dominance hierarchy is dynamic. Although we often talk about “alpha mares” and “dominant” horses, there is no one alpha mare in a group: the dominant role will shift from horse to horse depending on what resource is desired at a given time. Thus, one horse will only ever be dominant for 70% of the time. The shifting dynamic of a herd suggests that the no48

february 2015

tion of “leadership” (the idea that we must be “alpha mare” to our horse to gain its respect) is not grounded in science. It is unlikely that horses see humans as part of the herd. A horse will learn to perform the behaviours its trainer asks of it simply because the trainer has rewarded certain behaviours and ignored other ones.

Within these family groups, socialization is extremely important. Mutual grooming at the wither area (allogrooming) produces a calming effect and can lower the horse’s heart rate significantly (see drawing). By understanding this natural behaviour, we can change the way we

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Fear and Flight The anatomy of a horse’s brain is distinctly different from ours in that it does not have a prefrontal cortex and therefore cannot project into the future, reflect in the past, or reason.

For survival purposes, the horse lives in the moment and reacts quickly to its surroundings.

The amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear, is very large in the horse compared to other species. When a horse experiences fear, its natural reaction is to flee. As it flees, the horse develops strong and long lasting memories about the fearful stimulus. These fear responses can be suppressed through training but unfortunately cannot be extinguished. If your horse spooks in a corner of your indoor arena because the snow fell off the roof, no doubt he will spook there again the next time he is in that corner of the arena: he is simply reacting to his survival instinct.

Memory and Training Horses have excellent and sophisticated memories. This memory can be a hindrance if the horse experiences a fearful event that leads to spooking, bucking, or rearing, but it can be an asset when training a new skill. When a response is deeply embedded in a horse’s brain, it will remember very accurately what it has learned even if it has not practiced that behaviour for a long period of time. Horses are particularly good at remembering events that occurred in specific locations; this is called Context Specific Learning.

As trainers, we can use this information to more quickly and effortlessly train our horses. For example, if we want to teach our horse a flying lead change, we should ask for the lead change in the same location of the arena every time, remembering that simply because the horse has learned a response in one location does not mean it will perform that behaviour somewhere different. www.gaitpost.com

dr. sheila white

praise our horse and instead of patting it on the neck (which might in fact raise the horse’s heart rate) we can scratch it on the wither and know that we are rewarding the horse in a calming and enjoyable way.

The reddest areas correspond to how effective the location is for lowering the horse’s heart rate.

We must be careful not to underestimate the mental capacity of the horse, and assume that it is brutish or without feeling, or overestimate its cognition and misinterpret its confusion for stubbornness, laziness, or vindictiveness. We must get away from ascribing anthropomorphic terms to the horse (“stupid,” “dull,” “keen,”) and instead recognize that everything that the horse does is a product of its natural behaviour or the behaviours we have (advertently or inadvertently) taught it. The better we understand how the horse learns, how it processes and remembers information, and how its ethogram (natural behaviour repertoire) affects it, the more effective and humane our training systems will be.

Now that we have explored briefly how horses learn, next month we will discuss the methods of positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement and how we can use these forms of reinforcement to achieve the training results we seek.

Read more in Equitation Science by Andrew McLean and Paul McGreevy.

In August 2015, the 11th International Society for Equitation Science Conference will take place in Vancouver, BC. This conference will consist of two days of fascinating research papers presented by scientists from around the world, and one day of practical demonstrations by FEI Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing coaches and riders at Southlands Riding Club in Vancouver. This event will appeal to people involved in all corners of the horse industry. For more information, visit www.ises2015vancouver.com or www.equitationscience.com

Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

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49

susan j. stickle

susan j. stickle

Lars Petersen and Mariett

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento

Discipline Reports continued from page 45 Conor Swail Ariel And Susan Grange: 0/4/32.386 11. 1684 D Elia Van Het Molenhof Darragh Kerinsjan Van Tricht: 0/4/32.494 12. 2367 Contiki Nicholas Dello Joio Coker Farm Inc: 0/4/33.581. Final Results: $8,000 1.45m Speed 1. 123 Check Picobello Z Eric Lamaze Artisan Farms Llc & Torrey Pines Stable: 0/68.886 2. 4462 S & L Slingback Adrienne Sternlicht Starlight Farms Llc: 0/71.281 3. 2141 Moondoggie Leslie Howard Leslie Howard: 0/71.324 4. 121 Rosana Du Park Eric Lamaze Artisan Farms Llc: 0/71.560 5. 1765 Quatour De B Neville Marie Hecart Rogelio Pellerano: 0/77.673 6. 1683 Backstory Darragh Kerins David Hopper: 4/72.873 7. 1009 Teirra Alise Oken Hi Hopes Farm Llc: 5/78.926 8. 2800 Zephyr Michael Dorman Wyndmont: 8/70.339 9. 705 Petrushka Iii Tom Foley Sweet Oak Farm: 8/71.071 10. 2982 Robin De Ponthual Peter Lutz Katherine Gallagher: 8/75.853 11. 411 Clever Girl Maggie Jayne Bull Run Equestrian Center: 16/71.630 12. 5028 Goodwins Loyalty Kevin Babington Kevin Babington: 17/86.778. Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2014 Western European League at Mechelen, Belgium Result: 1, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 32.42; 2, Utamaro d’Ecaussines (Joe Clee) GBR 0/0 34.93; 3, Casello (Douglas Lindelow) SWE 0/0 35.07; 4, Cornado ll (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 39.53; 5, Barron (Lucy Davis) USA 0/4 32.88; 6, Qurack de Falaise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/4 33.91; 7, Domino (Jos Verlooy) BEL 0/4 34.60; 8, Nippon d’Elle (Roger Yves Bost) FRA 0/4 34.82; 9, As Cold as Ice Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) BEL 0/4 35.64.

dressage report tinne and divertimento receive top prize Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento, a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding owned

by Lövsta Stuteri, received a 72.980% to take home the top prize in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival’s (AGDF) FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by MTICA Farms. Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt followed in second with a 71.706% and Lisa Wilcox (USA) riding Pikko del Cerro HU finished third scoring a 71.275%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven was very pleased with the 50

february 2015

duo’s performance, commenting that this week was their first competition back together in a year. “He felt really, really good today. I am very pleased with him. I managed to get the perfect amount of tension I was looking to have in the test, and that is always difficult to find,” she said.

“I was a bit more daring today, and it ended up being a lovely test so I’m very happy.”

Divertimento, who can tend to be hot, settled nicely for Vilhelmson-Silfven and is beginning to come into his own at the Grand Prix level. “He’s really learning, opening up his mind and listening to me now. He’s much more with me now,” she stated. “With a horse like this, you must have 150% focus for your entire ride. It is a matter of being in the exact same moment as him because the tiniest change from me can lead to mistakes.”

Perfecting technique has been a huge component in the formation of their partnership.

Vilhelmson-Silfven took over riding the gelding seven years ago and has been competing him ever since. “He is truly a very exciting horse to ride and compete because he forces me to focus. He asks a lot of me in regards to technique. It’s a great challenge,” she smiled.

Vilhelmson-Silfven will continue to compete Divertimento at the Grand Prix level throughout the duration of the AGDF season, aiming to improve upon the scores they received in the first week of competition. “I want more routine now.

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susan j. stickle

susan j. stickle Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady

Allison Brock and Rosevelt

I have small things that I want to work on, but you will always have those things as a rider. The difference between yesterday and today was very nice though, and it will only continue to improve,” she said.

Lars Petersen and Mariett Win First FEI Grand Prix Freestyle of the Season Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett took home the win in the first “Friday Night Stars” event of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) season. In the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by MTICA Farm, they scored an impressive 78.325% to secure the victory. Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) and My Lady followed in second receiving a 74.075% with Caroline Darcourt (SWE) riding Paridon Magi to finish third with a 72.700%.

Petersen and Mariett, veterans to the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, displayed their impressive form, a clear indication of the duo’s long-standing partnership. “I think I said this last year, but it seems like she’s actually getting younger,” he said smiling. “She’s 17 and knock-on-wood, still so fresh. I don’t work the tests with her very much, it’s more about keeping her fit. She still has a few more great years left in her.”

The pair was followed closely by fellow Danish rider Munter Gundersen and My Lady, who have also enjoyed a successful start to the 2015 season. “My Lady feels stronger and better than ever, for sure. I’ve spent the last four months since WEG working on strength and conditioning,” commented Munter Gundersen. “She’s a www.gaitpost.com

hot horse and needs to go out a lot. I have a good feeling that we will continue to improve throughout the season. I’m extremely happy with what we have accomplished this week already.”

All of the competitors shared their gratitude with title sponsor Adequan and Allyn Mann, Director of Luitpold Animal Health, as the company’s continued sponsorship has helped to grow AGDF. “I’m very proud that we are able to support this wonderful discipline. I’m really falling in love with the Dressage world,” commented Mann. “As a person, I am honoured to be in their presence and our company is honoured to do what we can to support their careers and this competition.”

Earlier in the day, Michael Klimke (GER) captured another win aboard Freeliner 2 in the FEI Intermediare I class, presented by MTICA Farm, with a 72.053% followed by Megan Lane (CAN) aboard San D’Or receiving a 70.842% and Diane Creech (CAN) riding Robbie W to third with a 70.026%.

Allison Brock and Rosevelt Win First CDI W Grand Prix of the 2015 Season Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt topped the competition in the FEI Grand Prix presented by MTICA Farm, the first of the 2015 season at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) during AGDF 1 CDI-W. The duo won the class on a 71.00%, followed closely by Tinne VilhemsonSilfven (SWE) and Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) respectively.

Brock was elated with the performance of

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51

A Wing and a Prayer:

A Happy Ending In the January issue of Gaitpost Magazine, Kim told us her story of rescuing a mare and her foal from the kill pens in Washington state. Kim wrote to us this month to let us know how things worked out in the end for “Wing” and “Prayer”.

Story & Photos by Kim McDougall

O

n December 20th, 2014, Madison and I set out to pick up Wing and Prayer from Yakima, Washington. It was meant to be a two-day trip pulling a rented trailer and crossing back into Canada the next evening. They were out of the kill pen, the quarantine, and ready to go. Unfortunately, we were delayed in Yakima several days after our arrival due to a mechanical breakdown and, on top of that, Madi’s purse was stolen, which meant a lovely visit to the Yakima jail!

After days of waiting, the truck still was not ready. Finally we had to make tracks for the border. It was time to get home. The only way to

Kim & Prayer

52

february 2015

drive a rented vehicle across the border is to get a U-Haul, which we did. Seven hours later we arrived at the border in a rented van, towing a rented trailer, with two rescues in the back! Luckily we were treated very well by customs and were quickly on our way home.

The horses were welcomed with warm and cozy stalls ready at Jan Blackhall’s farm in Fort Langley. A big thank you to Jan, and also to Gord from Sunrise Trailers in Aldergrove. He was very understanding about the late trailer return and there was no charge. Thanks also to my husband who made the long trek to Yakima and back to pick up the truck. Then it was the night of the twenty third of December, and time for me to head off to work for the airline. I spent Christmas in Australia, arriving home on Boxing Day to finally see our new horses.

It was very exciting to see the article in Gaitpost about Wing and Prayer. I had hopes they would find a perfect home. And they did! After Ellen Brown read the article, I received a call from her. She was not only willing to home the filly but would take the mare too! Jenny Collins and her husband rushed down from Kamloops to pick them up. What a dream come true! I knew they would now receive the very best of care and would be given a future, a future they deserved.

Ellen you have no idea how grateful we are. I am humbled by the support and help I received from my family, friends, and the horse community in general. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

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Photo ads Next issue: March 2015 Issue Deadline: February 6th, 2015 Submit Photo Ads on-line: www.gaitpost.com or PhotoAds@gaitpost.com

aLL around

Bennington: 2009 16.3 hh dark bay CWB gelding by Barricello, out of a very successful Thoroughbred mare. Simple, willing, brave over fences. Shown to 3'3". Jumped up to 3'9" at home. Lots of scope, lots of courage. Could go in any direction at this point. Eventer, Hunter, or Jumper. $17,500 OBO. Contact 250-301-1281 or lana-smith@live.ca. Prince George, BC.

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february 2015

53

aLL around Casall de Lioncourt: 2002 16 hh Holsteiner geld. by Caretino. Amazing pedigree. Super sweet, schooling 3rd Level, loves trail rides, beautiful jump.

Suit Jr/Am in Dressage or Hunters. No vices, sound.

Contact cherry splash@ hotmail.com.

La Corrado: Outstanding 2002 16.1 hh Holsteiner gelding, suitable for all three rings. Great jump, beautiful mover, and extremely willing.

Schooling 1.15m, with room to go much higher. $25,000. Contact robynmarjori@hotmail.ca or 604-898-5354. Garibaldi Highlands, BC.

Sedona: 8 yo 16.2 hh reg. CWHBA Warmblood mare by Silberfeil out of Brassy Treasure. Fabulous Hunter/Jumper/Event prospect.

Eligible baby green. Lots of high scoring Dressage miles. Sweet, sweet mare. Priced to sell to fabulous home only. Contact Shelly Walker at 250-896-8871.

S. Rees

Jasmine: Elegant 2003 15.2 hh blue roan AQHA mare. Quiet, nice mover and a proven brood mare. Sweet mare, would make a great English, Western Dressage or Ranch pleasure horse. Well started in Reining. $7,500. Contact 604-462-9179 or email holland2@telus.net.

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february 2015

Stokesley: 4 yo 16.1 hh registered Canadian Warmblood mare. Gentle and talented. In training with experienced Western trainer. Walk, trot, canter, counter canter, flying changes. $35,000. Contact Angela 250-967-4472 or gtayfm@telus.net. Prince George, BC.

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foaLs

Cataleya RPH: 2014 Canadian Warmblood filly by Checkmate (Dreamscape Farm) out of Urielle RPH (Silberfeil x Wodan). Big, elastic moving girl, with lots of bone. Agile and elegant, this little lady was bred to jump. Flashy prospect for any discipline. $11,500 OBO. Contact 250-301-1281 or lana-smith@live. ca. Prince George, BC.

JumPer

Ponies

Bianka: 2008 16.2 hh CWB mare. Sire: Barricello. Dam: TB. Competed to 1.10m Jumpers at Tbird. Very forward. Jumps anything from anywhere, heart of gold. $13,500 neg. for the right rider. Contact 250-301-1281 or lana-smith@ live.ca. Prince George, BC.

Cappuccino: 10 yo 13.2 hh Welsh/Arab geld.

Evented Pre-Entry, Jumpers 2'9" with more scope, bold to his fences. Always in the ribbons. Sweet, cuddly guy. Baths, clips, trailers, good with farrier, up to date. $7,900. Contact 778-886-2122 or equine_xox@hotmail.com.

ProsPects

staLLion

Cash: 5 yo 17.2 hh Thoroughbred gelding. Suitable for youth. 11 months professional training under saddle. 3 great gaits, sound, kind, good disposition. Excellent Jumper / Dressage prospect. Good home a must. $25,000. Contact Sheila 604-855-6998. Langley, BC. www.gaitpost.com

Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

LaBamba SE: 2010 RPSI branded & licensed stallion (Lacado x Frontenac).

Currently in Dressage. He has trainability, balance & presence that he is passing to his foals. Private treaty. Contact 780-722-6383 or shimmere@ live.ca. Alberta. february 2015

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COMPETITIONcaLendar Competitions • Clinics • Special Events BRITISH COLUMBIA Jan 18

MREC Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

Jan 22

Dental Health Seminar, Surrey, BC Nikko: (604) 574-7427, info@stampede.ca, www.stampede.ca

Jan 25

MREC 2 Phase and Dressage Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC, Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca www.mrec.ca

Jan 30 - Feb 1

HCBC Sport Symposium, Indoor at Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, BC. HCBC: (604) 856-4304

Feb 7 - Feb 8

Gateway Dressage Schooling Show #1, Indoor at Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, BC. Chris: (604) 888-4585

Feb 13 - Feb 15 Park Select Indoor Gateway Show #2, Indoor at Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, BC. Chris: (604) 888-4585 Feb 15

MREC Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

Mar 8

MREC 2 Phase and Dressage Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC, Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

Mar 15

MREC Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

Apr 5

MREC 2 Phase and Dressage Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC, Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

Apr 9 - 12

MREC Spring Classic H/J Show, Maple Ridge, BC Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

Apr 19

MREC Schooling Show, Maple Ridge, BC Jack: (604) 467-5616, mrec@shaw.ca, www.mrec.ca

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.

MARCH 2015 ISSuE OF

Real Estate Feature Highlight your equestrian property for sale! Our readers are your buyers….

To book your spot, call Andrea at 604-534-9665 or Email andrea@gaitpost.com

Discipline Reports continued from page 51 Rosevelt, a 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned

by Fritz and Claudine Kundrun, in the large class of 17 riders. Coming off a spectacular 2014 season, accumulating wins at Dressage at Lexington and Devon, this marks a great start to the 2015 season for the pair who will be staying in Wellington throughout the duration of AGDF. While training with Jan Brink in Sweden, Brock decided to bring Rosevelt back to the U.S. at the end of his 7-year-old season, where she competed him in the Developing Horse Tour and High Performance Prix St. Georges classes in Wellington during his first winter.

DressAGe results Final Results: Fei GRand PRix sPeCial Cdi W, PResented BY mtiCa FaRm 1. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE), Divertimento, 2. Allison Brock (USA), Rosevelt, 3. Lisa Wilcox (USA), Pikko del Cerro HU, 4. Carrie Schopf (ARM), Sancisco OLD, 5. Jill Irving (CAN), Degas 12, 6. Adrienne Pot (USA), Something Special C. Final Results: Fei GRand PRix FReestYle Cdi W, PResented BY mtiCa FaRm 1 Lars Petersen (DEN), Mariett, 17-year-old Danish Warmblood mare owned by Marcia M. Pepper, Zendi x Comeback II: 76.875%, 79.125%, 76.875%, 79.375%, 79.375%, 78.325% 2 Mikala Gundersen (DEN), My Lady, 74.075% 3 Caroline Darcourt (SWE), Paridon Magi, 72.700% 4 Catherine Haddad-Staller (USA), Mane Stream Hotmail, 72.081% 5 Karen Pavicic (CAN), Don Daiquiri, 71.675% 6 Lisa Wilcox (USA), Denzello, 71.550% 6 Kelly Layne (AUS), Udon P, 71.550% 8 Juan Matute, Jr. (ESP), Don Diego Ymas, 70.775%. Final Results: Fei GRand PRix PResented BY mtiCa FaRm 1. Alison Brock, USA, Rosevelt 71.000% 2.Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven, SWE, Divertimento 70.960% 3. Mikala Munter Gundersen, DEN, My Lady 70.320% 4. Lars Petersen, DEN, Mariett 70.320% 5. Lisa Wilcox, USA, Pikko del Cerro HU 70.220% 6. Juan Matute Jr., ESP, Don Diego Ymas 66.400% 7.

Kelly Layne, AUS, Udon P 66.080% 8. Karen Pavicic, CAN, Don Daiquiri: 65.920%

Para-eQuestrian rePort ROBYN ANDREWS’ WINNING STREAk AT CPEDI3* GLOBAL DRESSAGE FESTIVAL I During the second day of competition at CPEDI3* Global Dressage Festival I presented

by Adequan, Robyn Andrews secured a win for Canada in the Grade Ia Individual Championship test. Andrews of St. Johns, NF, rode her 2014 World Equestrian Games mare 14-year-old Fancianna, a Friesian-Andalusian cross, to a score of 66.304%.

“I felt so much more relaxed and focused in the ring today,” said Andrews. “I worked on some new techniques that really helped me improve the test and I am proud of my results.”

Finishing in third in the Individual Championship test with a score of 60.080% was Team Test winner Jody Schloss, of Toronto, ON, with Discipline Reports continued on page 60

58

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Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

www.gaitpost.com

with

DEARMANEMARE

Mane Mare

Q

Dear Mane Mare: lately my rider has been practicing the sitting trot, and my back is killing me! She simply doesn’t get it and i’m suffering the consequences. What should i do? — So Wing

A

Dear So Wing: She can’t hurt your back in the sitting trot if you never trot.

Simply remove that gait from your repertoire until your back heals or her riding improves.

Q A

Dear Mane Mare: it is obvious that she spends much more time grooming me than she does on her own grooming. Shouldn’t she take the brush to her own tresses? — Best Bud Dear Best Bud: count yourself among the fortunate. This type of person – horse before self – is the best type to keep around. Don’t discourage her; you’ve got to love it when you come first.

Q A

Dear Mane Mare: They say that they are going to do a drench. What is the definition of being drenched?

— Impact

Dear Impact: That is what happens to a human immediately after they administer mineral oil, Regumate, dewormers or any other liquid orally to a wise horse.

They get drenched.

www.gaitpost.com

Q A

Dear Mane Mare: What is a contracted foot? it is a term i hear every time the farrier comes to the barn. is it serious? — P Dall Dear P Dall: A contracted foot is what happens inside a human’s boot caused by the reflex action of curling the toes just as a horse steps on that human’s foot.

Q A

Dear Mane Mare: Why does he call me barn sour? is that a bad name?

— Herd Bound

Dear Herd Bound: barn sour is a misnomer. We are not sour about barns; we just don’t like being away from our buddies. We are herd animals and humans are constantly ignoring our basic nature. you don’t have to worry about returning to your buddies if you never leave them. The choice is always yours.

Q A

Dear Mane Mare: They say i will make a great equitation horse. What is equitation? is it a good thing?

— Daisy

Dear Daisy: oh no. it can be very boring. The riders are judged on their stiff postures and fake smiles. if you want to have some fun, see how well they maintain proper form and a grin when you buck, shy, stop, kick and squeal.

Canada’s Greatest Little Horse Mag

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SuSAN j. STickle

Discipline Reports continued from page 58

Robyn Andrews and Fancianna

her long-time partner and 2012 Paralympic mount Inspector Rebus (Sambertino x Darwin), her 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

“Today I got nervous and missed an element in my test that affected my score,” said Schloss. “Rebus was great for me, and I am really looking forward to riding again in the Freestyle tomorrow.”

Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, Canada’s double individual medalist at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, rode her 16-year-old Oldenburg mare, Ferdonia 2 (Don Gregory x Castro), and finished in second place in the Grade II Individual Championship test with a score of 70.048%.

“During the warm-up, Fergie (Ferdonia 2) started to cough from a tickle that started in her throat due to allergies, and the cough carried on through our test,” said Barwick, who generously loaned Ferdonia 2 to her Canadian teammate Ashley Gowanlock for the 2014 Games. “We did our best given the circumstances and put in a fluid test.”

BCHJA News

Newsletter of the BC Hunter Jumper Association

CONGRATS AND THANK YOU!

Congratulations to all our provincial champions and a huge thank you to the executive members and volunteers who made this year’s gala a rousing success.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES Sign up for your 2015 Membership online at BCHJA.com. Remember — owner, rider, and coach must all be members for year end points to count. Points accumulate after membership is confirmed, so sign up prior to your first show.

FIRST AID SEMINAR On Monday, January 26th, 9 am - 4 pm, attend a First aid Program offered to BCHJA members at Blenheim Stables, led by instructor Kathy Prather. Cost is $80 for non-members, free for BCHJA members. Register online at BCHJA.com. 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 60

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