Horse & Style | December/January 2011 | Issue 2

2012 GUIDE TO HORSE SHOWING

FEATURE

Sacramento Rocks the House

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Holiday Gift Guide This winter’s greatest equestrian gifts

An Asian Adventure

Toni McIntosh’s World Cup catch ride

Hickstead

The Life of a Champion

[online]

Starting December 12th, Horse & Style will be giving away one of these amazing gifts each day to a different lucky Facebook fan.

Check out www.facebook.com/horseandstylemag for your chance to win. provided by

provided by

1. Necklace, Natasha Grasso 2. Heritage III - Zip Paddock Boots, Ariat 3. Red Sweater, Horseware 4. Bangle Bracelet, Deux Chevaux 5. Unbridled Passion 6. 6lb of Sundance Kisses 7. Ladies long sleeve shirt, Horseworship 8. Pikeur hat & scarf provided by Stirrup Cup 9. CWD Halter, provided

by Bay Area rep Shawn Skillman 10. Horse & Style cap 11. Equestrian tea towel, Bravura Finishes 12. West Coast Show Jumping 2011

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SACRAMENTO ROCKS THE HOUSE

The 2011 Sacramento International Horse Show drew big crowds and big riders in its 4th successful year.

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Already planning your 2012 show season?

We’ve got you covered with our guide of all the best shows in NorCal.

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BARN ENVY

An exclusive look at the dream-come-true equestrian training center of two ambitious amateurs.

| TRAINER SPOTLIGHT 56 From the big city to California country; Beverly

38 | TREND REPORT

73 | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

13 | STYLE RIDER

24 | BEHIND THE SEAMS

19 | AN INTERNATIONAL

Jovais’ journey from Philly to Petaluma, and her passion for horses that has never wavered.

Shopping for the equestrian lover in your life?

The H&S Gift Guide is full of treasures that will thrill everyone on your list.

Meet the “Levi ladies” who crafted the ultra-chic Goode Rider brand.

Nothing completes a polished winter outfit like the perfect pair of boots.

Hope Glynn didn’t just ride to new and memorable wins in the hunter ring this year, she looked stylish while doing it!

ADVENTURE - When Toni McIntosh

received an unexpected invitation to compete in China this year, she jumped at the chance.

Find us online at www.horseandstylemag.com Like us on facebook/horseandstylemag

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ON THE COVER/On Beezie Ariat Legacy hunt coat, Ariat Pro Circuit Side Zip breeches, Charles Owen Helmet, Voltaire saddle, MDC Ultimate Stirrups. Photo ©Cheval Photos

© 2011 HORSE&STYLE MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER | Sarah Appel sarah@horseandstylemag.com

CONTENTS

5 | FROM THE EDITOR 6 | OUT & ABOUT - Polo in the Park 7 | 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT... Denize Borges

8 | OUT & ABOUT - Macella’s 50th!

9 | OUT & ABOUT - NorCal Medal Finals 12 | PROFESSIONAL POP QUIZ 14 | NORCAL CORNER

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR | Erin Gilmore CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Ryan Anne Polli ADVERTISING | Molly Knott advertising@horseandstylemag.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS | Cheval Photos, Deb Dawson Photography, Flying Horse Photo Lindsay Cahill Photography, Tass Jones Photography, Tamara Torti

18 | STYLE WATCH

PK International Lands Stateside

22 | HICKSTEAD - Life of a Champion 25 | BOOK REVIEW - Unbridled Passion, West Coast Show Jumping 2011

28 | TRAINER SPOTLIGHT Buddy Brown

CONTRIBUTORS

Lauren Kardel

23 year old Lauren is a recent graduate from UC Davis. 2011 is her first year riding as a professional. She spent seven months this year working in Belgium for Axel Verlooy, returning to California to become the rider and barn manager at Sanjay Bagai’s Zeitgeist Equestrian in Petaluma.

54 | JUNIOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Tylor Nowell at THIS

55 | EQUESTRIAN BY DESIGN

Bring home the barn (not the shavings)

Molly Knott

Molly Knott is a passionate lifelong rider, currently bringing along her six year old Warmblood, Fitch. A former policy researcher and writer, she is now the author of a curated equestrian style guide called DappledGrey.

58 | HEART HEALTHY

Tracking Cardio Health

64 | OUT & ABOUT - Let’s Show Halloween 69 | ASK CARRIE

Reframing negative thoughts

71 | VENDOR SPOTLIGHT Sundance Kisses

72 | OUT & ABOUT - Sacramento International 82 | DEAR FASHIONISTA

Banquet dos and don’ts

84 | CAN YOU STAND IT? Parisian Perfection

Horse & Style Magazine is a Hunter Jumper publication published bi-monthly and distributed FREE by Horse & Style Magazine LLC at Northern California hunter jumper horse shows, large training centers and participating tack shops. The written and visual contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is legally prohibited. Copyright © 2011 Horse & Style Magazine LLC. TM

Erin Gilmore

Erin Gilmore is a freelance writer and equestrian journalist based in Wellington, Florida. She has worked in equestrian media since 2002, and is a frequent contributor to regional and national equestrian magazines. A lifelong horseperson, she trained hunter/jumpers, spent time on the international show jumping circuit, and worked in a variety of disciplines, from polo to dressage.

Tanya Zilinskas Naouri

Tanya has been working in fashion since 2005, when she launched her online womens wear boutique Maneater Threads. Tanya now divides her time between freelance writing, ecommerce consulting, and most importantly, being a mother to her new son Harris. Having grown up showing Quarter Horses at the national level, she is currently enjoying working with her green Irish-bred Thoroughbred, Luke, so that he’s ready for walk/trot classes with Harris in a few years.

Anne Polli

“When I write, I want the reader to feel something for the subject of the piece, not just the who, what, and when aspects,”says Polli, a freelance writer from Wilton, CA. Polli, who has also written for such publications as the USEF’s Equestrian magazine and ShowBiz, has always been amazed by the power of the written word to engage, entertain, terrify, delight, teach, inspire and create thought, is pleased to be a contributor to Horse and Style.

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H U N T E R S · J UM P E R S · E QU I TAT ION

Proudly announcing our move to the

Sonoma Horse Park

7 6 0 0 L A K E V I L L E D R I V E , P E TA LU M A , C A 9 4 9 5 2

• Sales and Leases Available • Children and Adults • Full service Full care • Dusty Blackwood, Trainer 707-753-0605 dustyfcf@yahoo.com • Asst. Trainer Chelsea Jones photos by Emory Winship and Ryan Anne Polli

Congratulations to all of Full Circle Farm’s clients in 2011 for their successful show year.

We look forward to another great year of training and showing.

FROM THE EDITOR Beyond hearing the phrases “Will you marry me?” and “It’s a girl!” one of the best surprises of my life was the Christmas card I received from Santa when I was 11 years old, telling me I got a horse for Christmas (thanks Mom.) As this holiday season approaches, many of us reflect on the previous year and spend time with our close friends and family. For most, our horses are just as much a part of our families as anybody else. With the very recent and tragic death of Hickstead still fresh in our minds, I think that now, more then ever, we can stop and take a moment to appreciate our fourlegged family members and the unconditional love and support they provide us every day.

Poinsettias are red, ornaments are blue, Jane the horse is my Christmas present to you.

Love, Santa

As 2011 comes to a close, we can also reflect on the amazing accomplishments of our Northern California hunter/jumper community. Our horse shows continue to improve and reach bigger and even better groundbreaking heights, bringing some of the topranked riders in the world to clinic and compete on our home turf. This year our local riders were successful all over the country and around the world, competing in prestigious competitions on the East Coast, in Europe and even all the way to Asia.

There is so much to look forward to in 2012. Horse & Style Magazine has much to look forward to as well, and I want to thank everyone who has supported and embraced our new publication. I was humbled and excited by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received for the first issue, and H&S will only continue to get bigger and better. As I look forward to 2012, I pledge to keep bringing the NorCal hunter/ jumper community the very best of equestrian sport and style. And we have lots of exciting things planned for the New Year, so stay tuned! And remember, you can always stay updated between issues by liking our facebook page at facebook.com/HorseandStyleMag and visiting our website, horseandstylemag.com.

Cheers to 2012!

Sarah

Sarah Appel - Publisher/Editor in Chief with her horse Perlano

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OUT AND ABOUT

POLO

IN

THE

PARK

On October 8th, 2011 Bay Area polo and fashion enthusiasts flocked to the wine country for the annual Polo in the Park held at the Wine Country Polo Club in Santa Rosa, CA. The event was a benefit for the Winston Churchill Foundation and The James S. Brady Therapeutic Riding Program. Dapper men and pretty woman showed up in their Sunday polo finest to watch a 6 chukker exhibition polo match and experience local wine and cuisine. The day ended with a hat promenade and the coveted prize of “Best Chapeau” (best hat.)

For more info visit www.sfpolointhepark.com

photos © Lindsay Cahill Photography and Sarah Appel

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10 THINGS in the Bellagio and he made the Secret Service take a picture of them. It is a fact

that Clinton oozes charisma!

2. Has taught blind, deaf and autistic children and adults.

3. Is addicted to buying note cards,

letterhead and stationery from all over the world.

4. Her great grandfather,

John H. Tolan was a member of The House Of Representatives from 1935 - 1947. At that time he was the first Democrat elected in 50 years.

10 things you might not know about...

5. For her 40th Birthday, she snuck into Cuba and while there was interviewed by Al Jazeera Television for a TV program.

6. Manages a band, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers. Check them out!

7. Was a season ticket holder for The Sharks for four years, and she met her husband at The Shark Tank!

8.

Loves cooking, dining out, trying new foods and is very adventurous when it comes to food and drink. Watches all the cooking shows and channels.

DenizeBorges

1. Met President Clinton at Prime Steakhouse

“Anthony Bourdain is my favorite for so many reasons.�

9. Loves to travel and would go

anywhere at least once. Is fascinated with other religions, traditions and lifestyles.

10. Was an All Star softball player with a home run record, was a basketball player with a free throw record and was a swimmer who excelled at the butterfly, but fell off every single lesson when learning how to ride.

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OUT AND ABOUT MACELLA O’NEILL TURNS 50

1. The birthday girl blows out her candles 2. Kid playing 3. David Almo and Matt Fournier enjoying a little BBQ and brew 4. Cara O’Neill, Macella’s mom, with two party guests 5. Grace Bailey, Jenifer Warren and the Cady Family of Five Oak Farm 6. Max Von Zimmerman 7. Brookside owner Bill Madden and Hilary Johnson of Rosehill Stables 8. Peter McGregor of Southern Cross Stables and Joey Pedroni of JP Training 9. Dan Madden, BBQ Extraordinaire 10.

Charlie and Macella. photos © Ryan Anne Polli and Deb Dawson

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OUT AND ABOUT NORCAL

MEDAL

FINALS

1. Patty and Laura Gill watch the NorCal Pony Medal 2. Michele Tobin in the victory gallop 3. Richard and Wendy of Paradise Embroidery 4. Hope Glynn gives Wally a kiss for a job well done 5. Sami Milo, Joey Pedroni and Denize Borges 6. Sacramento native Marnye Langer 7. Custic Woolosin at the gate 8. Lindsay and Addison Archer 9. Lindsay Ramar and Denize Borges10. Alesandra Leckie, Nicole Bloom and Sarah Mullins stand by for the start of the 3ft medal 11.

Resident Leone Equestrians trainer, Jill Humphrey 12. Riders stand by for the work off 13. Kylie Beckham and Caroline Robbins 14. Taia Greco photos Š Ryan Anne Polli and Sarah Appel

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PROFESSIONAL POP QUIZ This month’s question:

What do you like most about showing in Northern California?

I love the people! For the most part our showing community is a tight knit, supportive group that is legitimately proud of each other when we accomplish goals. It makes the showing experience so much more enjoyable when it is shared with such a great group of people!

Vanessa Brown Derby Hill

The Northern California show group is great. No matter what barn a Northern California rider hails from, we collectively cheer them on when they go on to compete in other states and countries.

And on top of that to have as many amazing facilities to show in within one Zone... there is no

better place to compete!

Sami Milo

Cavallo Stables Every issue, a new question will be answered from your Northern California professionals.

Have a question you want answered? Send it to sarah@horseandstylemag.com

The people, the horse show management, my fellow trainers and exhibitors, and everyone who is so welcoming and supportive. It makes me proud to call NorCal my home.

Nicole Bloom

Round Meadow Farm

Kiss your horse for Christmas!

Sundance Kisses make great gifts for both horse & rider!

916-673-9478

Order online! www.sundancekisses.com 12

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STYLE RIDER

by Sarah Appel

Hope Glynn Hope Glynn and her husband Ned run Sonoma Valley Stables, one of Northern California’s largest and most successful A-circuit programs, in beautiful Petaluma. Hope is a very well recognized hunter rider on both coasts, and enjoyed a banner year in 2011 competing in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals in Lexington, Kentucky and winning derbies throughout California all season long. When she is not dominating in the hunter ring, Hope spends her time with Ned and their 6-year-old daughter Avery, a budding pony rider who could very well be a potential H&S Style Rider for the future. Hope’s skill in the saddle, not to mention her tall and slender rider’s silhouette, makes her every equestrian brand’s dream rider, and this month’s H&S Style Rider!

Horse & Style: Describe your hunter style.

Hope Glynn: I love light pastel shirts and am a big fan of brown hunter coats. I am very classic, but in an old school way. I don’t wear too many newwave coats I go for lots of brown and navy with pastel pin stripes. My shadbelly is a little wild - I went with navy with a pink pinstripe and the tails are pink.

H&S: What is your head-to-toe hunter outfit?

HG: I want to look classy and sharp with a Ralph Lauren hunt field feel.

H&S: Do you wear any pieces of clothing or jewelry for good luck?

HG: I am not superstitious but I love to wear my boot socks with a skeleton on them for big classes. It makes me feel like I’m tough. Plus it goes well with that pink pinstripe!

H&S: What are your favorite equestrian brands?

HG: I love Ariat clothes. They have the best show shirts, and the new shirts for 2012 have more vents with stretch and great colors and patterns. I have to have a brand that washes well, and my Ariat shirts still look great after a ton of laundering. I wear an Antares helmet because they are super comfortable and the air vents help keep my head cool. If your head is cool your whole body stays cooler! I also wear Ariat Monaco boots, they are super easy to break in and the foot is like riding and walking in a tennis shoe. My shadbelly is by Stablecloth they do custom coats and have fantastic colors: fun pinstripes and great patterns for the points. I feel confident when I look put together and well dressed, so having a great outfit in and out of the ring is important to me.

jackets! I am tall, so I have lots of long coats and boots for the cold seasons. I don’t own very many dresses (my legs are pretty white!) so I stick with pants or cute colored tights! I always wear a hat or visor. A helmet is my best accessory. I never ever ride even at the walk without a helmet. Good for the head and good for the skin!

H&S: What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

HG: I think being Reserve National Champion in the World Champion Hunter Rider program at Capital Challenge this year and being Champion or Reserve at every East Coast show we attended was a real career accomplishment for me.

H&S: What are your goals for 2012?

HG: I want to make the top 10 of the International Hunter Derby Finals next year!

H&S: How would you describe your non-horse show style?

HG: I wish I could say I have a nonhorse show style but I’m always at a horse show! I wear a very classic look, lots of jeans with blazers. I love

Top: Hope Glynn describes her show ring look as classic with a few daring flairs. Photo ©Carol Farrow Bottom left: Avery Glynn is serious competition in the walk/trot ring.

Bottom right: Hope and Celly19 at the 2010 NorCal Medal Finals. Photo ©Ryan Anne Polli

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NORCAL CORNER

by Cindi Perez

Riders of all ages shine at the 2011

NorCal Medal Finals Each year, the NorCal Medal Finals is a goal of many riders throughout Northern California. The 2011 NorCal Medal Finals Horse Show, held October 12 - 16 at Leone Equestrians in Elk Grove, put riders, trainers and horses to the test. Over 240 horses participated in the show. Course designers Peter Holmes and Peter Grant built beautiful, inviting courses in hunter and jumper arenas to ask riders and horses many skill-testing questions.

Denize Borges, president of the NorCal Hunter Jumper Association, has a special fondness for the Medal Finals Horse Show. “Each year we strive to make this a special horse show with a few unique twists,” she says. “To place the emphasis on the medal finals classes, we close all other show rings on Sunday morning to spotlight the junior and senior medal finals. Three judges announce scores and the suspense builds throughout the classes as the riders are scheduled in reverse order of standings from Round 1. Our sponsors make additional perks possible, from Ride Of The Day awards in every ring to a trainer dinner, an order-of-go drawing dinner, week-long hospitality treats and additional prizes for hunter and jumper division champions. Our board members, led by Medal Finals Committee Chair Connie Buckley, work hard all year to make the show a highlight for competitors.”

The Finals concluded on Sunday morning with these results:

NorCal Junior Medal

The NorCal Junior Medal Finals were hotly contested. Maggie Drysch came out on top at the end of Round 1, followed closely by Katie Mahler and Addyson Cord. Emma Dawley, sitting in fourth after Round 1, won Round 2, followed by Tylor Nowell and Drysch. It all came down to the work off with Emma prevailing to claim the custom tack trunk and champion neck sash. Dawley and her mount for the finals, Achselation, train with Kara Mia Love of KMC Farm. Drysch and Addyson finished second and third overall, respectively.

NorCal Senior Medal

In the Senior division, Julia Nagler led from the outset. Nagler, trained by Benson Carroll, finished on top in both rounds, and clinched the overall title in the workoff after Sunday morning’s rounds were completed. This is Nagler’s first year as an amateur, and she was pleased to have this win in her trophy case as she continues to pursue her equitation career. Second and third places overall were awarded to Michelle Tobin and Jacqi Maida.

NorCal Pony Medal

In the Pony Medal Finals, Kathryn Kramer and Sarah Ryan battled it out. Kramer took the wins in both preliminary rounds while Ryan finished second in Round 1 and fourth in Round 2. During the workoff, Ryan rose to the occasion and had a beautiful ride to claim the overall Medal Finals win. To round out her week, Ryan was also Champion in the Small/Medium Pony Hunters, Champion Pony Equitation and won the $1,000 Pony Hunter Stake on All That. Ryan rides with Hope and Ned Glynn of Sonoma Valley Stables.

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From top: Junior Medal winner - Emma Dawley; Senior Medal winner - Julia Nagler Pony Medal winner - Sarah Ryan; 3ft Medal winner- Jayme Omand Photos ©Tass Jones

NorCal 3’ Equitation Medal

The Norcal 3’ Medal Finals once again was the largest division contested with 40 riders. The 3’ Medal pits juniors and amateurs against each other evenly. Round 1 was topped by Jayme Ormand followed by Megan Zeringue in second and Gwendolyn Mclaughlin in third. Round 2 found new riders on top of the leader board, with Ransome Rombauer in first, Katie Steiner in second and Ormand in third. The top four tested and Ormand clinched the win with Steiner finishing second overall, Rombauer finishing third and Mclaughlin in fourth. Ormand is trained by Kelly Van Vleck of Van Vleck Stables.

As the horse show year draws to a close, we start looking forward preparing for next year’s shows with the annual NorCal clinic.

This year we are thrilled to have Stacia Madden as the clinician.

Demand was high for the clinic, to be held December 1 - 4 at Leone Equestrian Center. A lottery was held to determine which NorCal members would be able to participate to the oversubscribed event.

Of course, we all look forward to the NorCal year-end awards banquet in January. The 2011 awards banquet will be held on Sunday, January 15th at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco.

Save the date and watch your mailbox for your invitation.

Above: The NorCal Board ready to present the overall awards in the Junior Medal Finals. Photo ©Ryan Anne Polli

Matt & Lindsay Archer

Sacramento International Horse Show

Overall Best Young Horse

Congratulations to owners Marissa Janopaul and Mr. and Mrs. Randall Lange

photos by Sarah Appel

Sacramento International Horse Show

Champion 4 Year Old Finals

WT Lawry Ridden by Matt Archer

Sired by Lio Caylon. Bred by Wild Turkey Farm

Sacramento International Horse Show

Champion SIHS Equit. Challenge

Jennifer Lea Lampton and Leoncavallo 111 Jennifer Ln, Alamo, CA . 925.285.6361 |

www.ShadyLaneFarmLLC.com

photos by Flying Horse Photography

Congratulations to Owner, Judy Stradan and Trainers Dick & Ruth Widger

Check out our new digs!

Chestnut Hill is now located at Alder Lane Farm

STYLE WATCH

brought to you by

Our newly renovated facility features three rings: a Grand Prix arena, a hunter ring and a well-lit indoor.

PK International Arrives in California

Alder Lane is also equipped with four barns, 22 roomy paddocks, and a large Eurocizer.

The Equestrian’s Concierge is excited to be the first Northern Californian retailer to premier the PK International Sportswear brand, a comfortable, stylish and high quality equestrian fashion line imported from the Netherlands by FAB Sportswear Intl LLC. The new transitional winter/spring PK collection is suitable for wear at horse shows, during a relaxing trail ride or when looking your best at the barn. The 2012 summer collection will be available in March 2012.

Minutes from downtown Petaluma... stop by for a visit!

Get inspired and go find your PK style with the mix-n-match various colors. Fun upper wear combined with the new design PK breeches and socks will keep you warm this season and make you stand out from the crowd.

PK International sportswear is available in store at The Equestrian’s Concierge. The 2012 summer collection will be available in March 2012. Visit the Equestrian’s Concierge at the Sonoma Horse Park for product details.

Successful riders.

Happy horses.

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(707) 792-2050 DECEMBER | JANUARY

www.ChestnutHillCA.com

by Erin Gilmore

An International Adventure This September, trainer Toni McIntosh found herself riding to the cheers of thousands as her name and nation was announced in two languages. She steered an unfamiliar horse toward an intimidating arena, where a world-class grand prix course of fences was set at 1.50m. VIP tents and sponsor logos lined the ring, and if she looked up, she could see her own image, live on a massive jumbotron.

Toni McIntosh returns to the grand prix ring – in China!

She could have pinched herself.

She wasn’t thinking about the fact that it had been three years since she’d entered a grand prix ring as a competitor, and many more than that since she’d jumped a World Cup course. But she wasn’t intimidated, or even nervous. Instead, as her horse took those first steps toward the fences, she experienced the overwhelming and certain feeling that she was finally back where she belonged.

It might have crossed her mind that this was possibly the most exciting catch ride of her life.

An Unexpected Invitation

The native New Zealander had reluctantly allowed her own grand prix career to shift to the back burner in recent years. Based in Portola Valley, CA, Toni runs McIntosh Stables with her husband, fellow trainer Colin McIntosh, and seeing the training business through

Above: Toni McIntosh and Vivaldi compete in Round 1 of the CSI-W Grand Prix at the Beijing International Riding Club.

a tough economy had been top priority. But with the business thriving throughout 2011, Toni had begun to feel the itch to get back into the grand prix ring.

So when she unexpectedly received an invitation to compete in an FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix in China, she accepted without hesitation.

You just don’t get invited to ride internationally every day of the week, she jokes. “I saw it as a great opportunity.”

Why China?

Organizers of the FEI World Cup Chinese League and Chinese Equestrian Association are bound and determined to grow and promote the sport of show jumping in its homeland. Because of a logistics glitch (there is quite literally no policy in place to allow horses to leave China once they’ve entered), the sport is effectively limited within China’s borders.

While steps are being taken to change the import/export rules, the Chinese Equestrian Association is taking big steps to showcase the sport to the Chinese public, an audience of over 1.3 billion.

Enter the FEI World Cup Jumping Chinese League, FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. Toni and 42 of her fellow competitors

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representing half a dozen nations were personally invited to the class, with the stipulation that any international riders flying in from outside China’s borders would be loaned a horse for the class, to be held at the tony Beijing International Riding Club in Beijing.

By inviting riders from foreign countries, the World Cup class took on a true international feel. A total of four riders flew in for the class, and drew the horses they would ride from a small pool.

Before relocating their business from New Zealand to the United States in 2004. Toni and Colin would often host riders from Asian nations for periods of training. And Colin, a veteran of the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Korea, was a familiar face to Asian show jumping authorities, but the invitation to travel to China for a grand prix still took the couple by surprise.

“The class was one of the first internationally recognized show jumping events ever held in mainland China,” says Colin. “We were absolutely thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to be invited and to experience international show jumping in China. It was new for both of us.”

Random Draw

Upon their arrival, Colin and Toni chauffeured to a five star hotel on the grounds of the riding club, and after a whirlwind welcome dinner and one short night to recover from their journey, they were escorted to the stables to meet Toni’s potential mounts.

“Colin and I got there early, and I ended up being able to hack all four horses before the draw,” explains Toni. “I drew a 15.2 hand 8-year-old Warmblood stallion named Vivaldi that had recently been imported. He was tiny, but

he really tried his heart out for me.

We were allowed to flat on Friday, but our first time to jump them was in the 1.35m warm up class. And we were only allowed on 25 minutes before the class. So I had a chance to jump maybe 8 jumps, and then I went straightaway into the warm up!”

The warm up class on Friday preceded the first World Cup round on Saturday. To lengthen

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the competition, the second round was held on Sunday, over a longer track with bigger jumps.

Different Standards

Standards of training and fitness were sure to vary from country to country, but as she spent time with Vivaldi, Toni began to suspect that her mount might not have ever jumped courses bigger than 1.30m. He had a rail down early on in the warm up class set at 1.35m, and Toni could feel him trying his hardest around the rest of the course. Many other riders would have doubted their riding ability, and their horse, but Toni chose to do whatever she could to bring out the best in her horse.

With such limited time to get to know Vivaldi, Toni made the effort to spend extra hours with him on the ground in hopes of forming a bond.

“I had to be super positive with him, and I spent enough time with him that by Saturday afternoon before the first big class he got to recognize me,” she says. “All the horses in the pool came from the Beijing Riding Club. It would have been fantastic to have had a more competitive horse, but I just focused on getting to know Vivaldi so that I could give him the best possible ride.”

The first World Cup round was formidable, with a triple combination and two double combinations at 1.45m. Even for the first round, the show promoters succeeded in their marketing of the competition. The stands were full of cheering fans, and as Toni cantered to the first fence, a robotic TV camera arm swooped down in front of Vivaldi, surprising them both.

“He really balked at that, and I had to really kick him on to get him to that first fence,” Toni says.

“I was glad at that moment that he was a trier!”

Toni and Vivaldi completed the course with two rails down, but their overall score had qualified for the final round on Sunday.

A Realization

“I was waiting after walking the course for the final round, and the manager of the barn came up and said that Vivaldi had never jumped so well and never looked so good,” recalled Toni.

“I hadn’t really realized how little the horse had

From top: Colin and fellow New Zealander Peter Winton caught up in Beijing Middle: Toni at the ingate to the main arena Bottom: Watching early rounds of the Grand Prix.

Left: Toni and Vivaldi after their final round.

done until that moment! And this was just before I was to go into the final round set at 1.55m and 1.60m!”

But she tried not to take that information on, and concentrated on the task in front of her. It didn’t start well – Vivaldi pulled rails at the first two fences, one of which was a 1.55m vertical.

But Toni pressed on, and Vivaldi turned to fence three and jumped above the standards.

He cleared jumps four, and five, and made a huge effort to jump through 6abc, a formidable triple combination.

“I came out of the corner after the triple combination and retired,” recalls Toni. “He had tried so hard for me, and I really felt there just wasn’t any point continuing on and breaking someone else’s horse. He was trying, but also hesitating. Between fence one and two there was quite a turn past the ingate, and he didn’t try to stop, but he did take a good look at that gate. At that height there wasn’t any room for mistakes or loss of focus.

Front Row Seats For us, it was nothing but a positive experience,” says Colin.

“It was awesome seeing the New Zealand flag flying above pavilions on the other side of the world. We felt like we could have been anywhere at a top European show, and the overall standard of riding was more than we expected.

It was also a whirlwind. Just four days after they arrived, Toni and Colin returned to their business and clients at home in Portola Valley. Along with the eye-opening experience of witnessing the growth of international show jumping in a foreign country. And Toni brought one other thing home with her: a renewed taste for jumping at the highest levels. She pledges to return to the grand prix ring stateside before long.

woodside images

“But it was interesting,” Toni continues. “I got a standing ovation from the crowd, and everyone came up afterwards and said it was the right thing to do.”

Three out of the four borrowed horses retired, and Mongolian rider Liu Tongyan won the Grand Prix and valuable World Cup points.

j e a n e t t e s inclair e q uestrian – h o r t i c u l t u r e – l i f estyle

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IN MEMORIAM

by Lauren Kardel

Hickstead Looking back on the Life of a Champion The legendary Hickstead dazzled fans with his power and talent, and was crowned champion in the most prestigious venues in the world. But on November 6th, after completing the first round of the Grand Prix at CSI-W Verona, Italy, the 15-year-old Dutch bred stallion collapsed in the ring, and suddenly died of heart failure. The tragedy sent shock waves through the entire show jumping world and caused an instant outpouring of grief and accolades from fans of equestrian sport in the world over. Hickstead had passed away after having done much more than simply visit the show jumping world. He had made an indelible impression that will never be matched.

Lamaze, who had experienced personal substance abuse problems and suspension from the sport in the past, was able to find redemption through his partnership with Hickstead. The explosive pair continued their incredible success in 2010, with a win in the prestigious in the Grand Prix of Aachen, Germany. That fall, at the Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, Hickstead helped Lamaze secure an individual bronze medal, and was named Best Horse for his unmatched performance in the show jumping Top Four final.

Hickstead excelled under pressure, and seemed to truly love his job.

“For a horse, a lot of the obstacles can be pretty scary,” commented Terrance Millar, Chef d’Equipe of the Canadian show jumping team.

“They need tremendous heart and tremendous bravery. Hickstead had ‘em all in spades.”

Canadian rider Eric Lamaze began riding Hickstead in 2004 when the stallion was just seven.

He had been overlooked by many other riders because of his small size and fiery disposition—a quality that Lamaze came to see as a will to win rather than a liability.

“I think we had a bit of the same personality,” Lamaze commented at a press conference soon after Hickstead’s passing. “We both liked to win. We had the same energy that transformed itself into incredible things.”

Hickstead’s ascent to the top of the sport began in 2007, when he won team silver and individual bronze at the Rio de Janerio Pan American Games. That was also was the first of a record four times that Hickstead and Lamaze won the $200,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in Calgart, Canada.. Continuing their success at Spruce Meadows, Hickstead and Lamaze twice won the $1 Million Dollar CN International Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters, most recently this fall, in what was to be their last international victory.

2008 was another banner year for Hickstead. He triumphed at the Olympics in Beijing, winning individual gold and team silver.

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In 2011 Hickstead continued to show his heart and bravery, finishing second in the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany in April and winning the Grands Prix at Rome and La Baule. After their triumph in the Grand Prix of Rome Lamaze commented, “What can I say about Hickstead - he’s not really a horse, he’s a machine!”

When Hickstead won the $1 Million Dollar CN International Grand Prix in September, Lamaze commented that his win was possible because “when you’re riding the best horse in the world, it makes a big difference!”

Hickstead was the horse of a lifetime, not just for Eric Lamaze, but for the entire sport of show jumping. Riders all over the world chimed in with their thoughts and condolences immediately after his passing, but the words of German rider Marco Kutscher may have summed up the enormity of losing Hickstead best: “This horse was in the past few years the measure of all things.”

Above: Hickstead and Eric Lamaze at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Photo ©Cheval Photos

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BEHIND THE SEAMS

by Tanya Zilinskas Naouri

Created for women who live busy lives

divided between riding, family, school and work obligations, Goode Rider is a lifestyle brand meant to “take you from the barn and beyond.” Goode Rider’s items are designed to be functional and appropriate for stable use, yet stylish enough for post-barn wear.

Goode Rider founders Lorna Goode and Kristin Calandra met while working for Levi Strauss and Co; Lorna serving in the design department and Kristin in merchandising and sales. Both equestrians, Lorna and Kristin launched Goode Rider in 2004 to fill what they perceived as a lack of fashionable, well-fitting riding clothes.

The Perfect Jean

Given their shared history at Levi Strauss, it’s no surprise that Goode and Calandra consider Goode Rider’s signature item to be their riding jeans. While passionate about denim, they found that most materials didn’t actually stretch enough to be comfortable for riding. Rather than deterring the team, this fact only served as an impetus for creating the perfect equestrian jean. As Goode points out, “who else could design the perfect riding jean other than the Levi girls?”

Goode Rider’s Fall 2011 collection centers around classic sophistication with an urban twist, or as Goode calls it, “city sleek on the British countryside.” This current collection is chock-full of wool plaid and yarn dyes, cozy hand knit cashmere cardigans, shearling bomber jackets, figure-flattering down parkas and vests, and of course, Goode Rider’s signature denim, this time in a new cocoa brown hue that is already proving popular with customers.

On the horizon for Spring 2012 is even more of Goode Rider’s fresh take on traditional looks. This “Jackie O goes to the jungle” collection includes classic shades of black, white and silver interspersed with brighter splashes of melon and aqua, with some daring leopard prints thrown in for good measure. The Jackie O collection also includes waterproof trench coats, technical hoodies and polo-inspired white riding jeans.

Despite the constant demands of creating and maintaining their line, the Goode Rider girls have not strayed from their horsey roots.

When not bringing style to the equestrian masses, Lorna competes in dressage and does quadrille events with her Andalusian stallion, while Kristin focuses on pleasure riding for a little relaxation away from the office.

In designing this “perfect” jean, Goode Rider worked with their fabric mills to develop a bistretch denim fabric. Difficult to control in sewing and shrinkage, each fabric roll of this special denim must be tested prior to any cutting. The end result? A riding jean that pairs a comfortable, custom fit with a high fashion appearance.

Other technologies employed in the construction of Goode Rider garments include the Stretch Ultra suede seat for increased contact in the saddle with freedom of movement, the Stretch Custom Fit Waistband for a comfortable, contoured breech fit that eliminates gapping, and Stain Stopper, a “Teflon-like” fabric coating that contains a soil release to allow breeches to come clean, even after hard stains. “All the technologies came about because of our frustration of a fit or getting dirty,” explains Goode.

The Best of All Worlds Beyond tailoring, technology and function, Goode Rider is at its heart a line for equestrian fashionistas. “We like to infuse the latest trends into our riding collection,” notes Goode.

Making clothes

that are feminine, sexy and actually fit women is what we strive to do.

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Top: Spring 2012’s Jean Rider in polo-inspired white Botom: Trench coat in melon from Spring 2012 collection

BETWEEN THE LINES Unbridled Passion: Show Jumping’s Greatest Horses and Riders, North America

by Jeff Papows Acanthus Publishing, 2011. 385 pp. $29.95 (Paperback) Reviewed by Molly Knott If there were any silver lining at all to the sudden and tragic passing of super horse Hickstead last month, it would have to be the collective refocusing of the sport on the remarkable magic that exists between show jumping’s top horse and rider pairs.

Published and released in the summer of 2011, the new book Unbridled Passion comes at no better time. Author Jeff Papows explores the partnerships between over 20 of the most famous horses and riders in North America, from current superstars like McLain and Sapphire to historic matchups like Joe Fargis and Touch of Class.

Papows’ focus is an honest view into show jumping’s backstory – the “backstage” support staff, gut-wrenching setbacks, and acts of faith and courage by both horse and rider - that is the reality behind every champion team.

The author treats each pair with respect and admiration and delivers an inspiring portrait of our sport that will be felt by fans and riders alike.

West Coast Show Jumping 2011. 210 pp. $50 (Hardcover)

A coffee table-sized book, West Coast Show Jumping 2011 is a wide-ranging look at show jumping on the West Coast.

The detailed book delves into the history of show jumping, especially as it relates to the Rolex FEI World Cup series, and looks at the many moving parts that make the sport of show jumping tick in the West. Breeding, hunter derbies, and Young Riders are all touched upon in this 200+ page volume. Attention is also given to the top 30 grand prix riders in the West with fun profiles and glossy photos. Created in part to support the future of Northern California’s only FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix at the Sacramento International Horse Show, WCSJ is a perfect Christmas gift for the show jumping fanatic in your family. Limited copies are available online at www.westcoastshowjumping.com.

In 2011 we were 2nd in the Pfizer Million Dollar Grand Prix Champion of the Del Mar $50,000 Grand Prix Champion of the $25,000 Prix de Pickwick Childrens Jumper Champions Adult Amateur Champions Modified Jr/Am Champions

Actions speak louder then words Where do you want to be in 2012?

Helen McNaught & Duncan McFarlane, Trainers

www.helenmcnaught.com

561-758.1438

More than just Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation

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TRAINER SPOTLIGHT

by Sarah Appel

Buddy Brown

Judging Medal Finals at WIHS In late October, trainer Buddy Brown traveled East to the prestigious Washington International Horse Show, held at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. The popular trainer based in Menlo Park, CA is also an “R” rated judge, and enjoys a light schedule of judging at shows around the country. Brown, a veteran of medal finals and the equitation divisions from his own junior days, judged this year’s WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, and fills Horse & Style Magazine in on the ups, downs, and how Northern California’s own medal circuit compares.

Horse & Style: What was the format of the WIHS Finals?

Buddy Brown: There were two phases Round 1was a hunter course, and Round 2 was a jumper course. Both phases were scored by three panels of two judges each, and there was one hunter judge and one jumper judge per panel.

In the final phase after 2 rounds, the top scores of the top 10 riders were tallied, and the top 5 riders all had to complete a course with one of the other horses.

H&S: How many competitors were there, and were any of them from Northern California?

BB: There were around 35 riders, many of them were West Coast riders and a few were from NorCal. H&S: How would you compare the WIHS final to a NorCal medal finals?

BB: At WIHS it was a National final, there was a very strong field, and as as a group 20 of the 35 were solidly capable of winning the finals. Whereas in a NorCal medal final it’s usually a group of 5-10 riders that are going to be your winner. So, there was a larger group of competitive riders.

H&S: As a judge, what do you look for in a medal finals winner?

BB: From my point of view, a rider’s personal style matters, but I don’t want to see them get hung up in that style, either. I look for a rider who is riding the course the way it’s designed to be ridden on the horse of their own. The hunter phase is a straightforward smooth flowing hunter type course and meant to be an opportunity for the rider to show off their style. For the jumper phase I like to see a rider riding the course on the horse they’re on properly.

In terms of the horse, it’s not totally fair, not all the kids are riding the same level of horse. This year some were very well mounted and had mistakes covered up, others were not as well mounted and the mistakes were more obvious. Bonus points were awarded to the kid that rode better on a horse that was not the most desirable, which proved itself when they had to swap horses.

H&S: What do you enjoy most about judging?

BB: Since I’m not a full time judge, I enjoy judging specialized events where there’s pressure on the line and every step makes a difference.

I enjoy seeing the quality at the top, where just one bad step or an awkward jump is enough to change a placing from 1st to 5th place.

H&S: How can some of the Northern California medal finals step up to better prepare riders for National Finals?

BB: Our medal finals have great course designing and they always challenge the kids, but where NorCal suffers is that on a week-toweek basis we’re not always filling the classes, so that limits what we can offer our riders and horses. But the NorCal and Pickwick Finals are good stepping-stones to the West Coast USET Finals.

I’d say the pressure is on trainers to always strive to prepare their riders to think for themselves. When it came to the jumper phase at WIHS this year, the trend was to not ride the course as to how it was presented, but rather where and how often they could leave strides out. One rider may leave strides out, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only way to ride the course.

Between jumps one and two, seven strides was the better option, but one of the first riders in the order ran for 6 on a big horse. When others tried it on a smaller horse it did not go as well. Two-thirds of the class lost the class from jump one to two. Then around the 15th rider, someone came in the ring, did 7 strides correctly, and was rewarded with a good score from all the judges. A few changed their plan after that. Trainers need to address the fact that a jumper course is not always designed to be ridden with strides left out.

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Above left: In 1973 at the age of 17, Buddy Brown won the AHSA Medal Finals on his horse Sandsablaze.

I would like to congratulate all of the BTH Equestrian team on a successful 2011 and wish them the best of luck for the 2012 show season!

I would also like to thank all of my wonderful clients for their unyielding support over the past year, I will be forever grateful.

-Brittany

4761 Hillcrest Ave . Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-844-9714 . www.bthequestrians.com

5. Flicka

6. Dark Horse

1. The Man

from Snowy River

7. Buck

8. The

Horse Boy

3. Black Beauty 2. Dreamer

Movies we love 4. National Velvet

Cold winter nights are the perfect time to cuddle up and watch one of your favorite movies. From classics to remakes, nothing enlightens our equestrian souls like these 16 films.

by Sarah Appel

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Movies YOU love

9. The Horse

Taken from our readers from our Facebook page, here’s what you had to say!

Whisperer

13. Seabiscuit

Ali Gardner Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, and The Black Stallion!

Lindsay Ramar Man From Snowy River! (1 & 2) Jim is/was such a hottie!

14. The

10. International Velvet

Cassandra Buckley My horse is named after Wild Heart’s Can’t Be Broken :)

Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit

Editor’s Pick

Amy Jungk The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit and Danny. The one from the 70’s. Girl gets a pony and beats the mean girl with her new horse at a show...

Love that movie!!

11. Secretariat

Karrie Rufer I’m with Lindsay - Jim was my childhood (and, if I must admit, adult) crush! That accent gets me every time.

15.

Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken

Molly Knott Phar Lap and more recently, I was mesmerized by The Horse Boy

12. Spirit

16.

Hidalgo

Editor’s Pick

DECEMBER | JANUARY

31

Show Jumping Rocks the House

at Sacramento

The crowd began streaming in hours before the scheduled start time.

The vendor tents bustled along one side of the ring as dinner was served at the overflowing VIP tables. Starry-eyed children gazed at their idols walking the course, and spectators packed into bleachers stacked ten rows high on two sides of the ring. And when that first horse entered the arena, 800 pairs of eyes stilled, focusing on the first jump on course.

by Erin Gilmore

It was a scene that could easily have been plucked from a European show jumping event, but this horse show took place along a country road in Northern California during the first two weeks in November. In its fourth consecutive year, the Sacramento International Horse Show knocked one out of the park – again!

In under five years, the Sacramento International has become a well-established favorite for exhibitors and show jumping fans alike. Show co-manager Rudy Leone’s longtime dream to bring a true European Indoor to the West Coast was successfully realized in partnership with comanager Dale Harvey, course designer Heiko Wahlers, and scores of dedicated staff, from the ring crew to the show office team. With the distinction of being the home of Northern California’s only FEI-approved World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, the Sacramento International has become a draw for the big players who otherwise wouldn’t make an appearance in the region.

Celebrity Sightings

Star appearances hit a new high note this year, as two-time Olympic gold medalist and

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Top: Rich Fellers and Flexible won the World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix.

Photo ©Cheval Photos Bottom: Jill Humphrey earned the win by clearing 6’3” in the Swiss-Up Open Jumper Four Bar. Photo ©Ryan Anne Polli

NorCal Shines

Northern CA-based riders topped several of the Sacramento International’s heavy roster of moneyed classes. Congratulations to the following riders on their big wins: $3,000 ShowBiz Magazine High Jr/Am Jumper Classic Alec Lawler

$5,000 CWD Hunter Derby Hope Glynn international superstar Beezie Madden traveled to Sacramento with Coral Reef Via Violo, her incredible 13 year old Belgian Warmblood mare. Fresh off their individual silver and team gold medal-winning performance at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Madden chose Sacramento as her next stop, hoping to pick up needed World Cup points.

It was the first time that the 48–year-old rider, who calls Cazenovia, New York her home base, had ever competed in Northern CA. Madden won the $31,000 ShowBiz Magazine Welcome Grand Prix on Thursday, November 10th with Via Violo, but 4 faults kept her out of the jumpoff in Saturday’s World Cup Grand Prix.

After four months of time off to rest a minor injury, Flexible was on his game over course designer Wahlers’ tough 1.60m track.

“Flexible’s last class was the Queen’s Cup at Spruce Meadows in the summer, and I wasn’t totally sure that he’d come back on top here,” said Fellers. “He felt great though, he felt as good as ever. I feel really confident in jumpoffs with Flexible. We just don’t go slow!”

I’d heard that Sacramento is a really nice show, and it fit into our schedule well this year, so we made the trip, said Madden. “I thought Via Violo

“The course was really a tough World Cup class, but at the end we got a good result,” commented Wahlers. “For me it’s a good class if we have a lot of four faulters and clears, it makes for a flowing competition without overdoing it for the riders.

The lines were for a World Cup, and all the riders were prepared for it.”

went beautifully during the Welcome Rich (Fellers, who finished in 2nd place with McGuinness) had more footspeed, but I was a little more efficient in the turns.”

All About Rich

An international veteran in his own right, Rich Fellers traveled to Sacramento from his homebase of Sherwood, Oregon with McGuinness and the indelible 15-year-old Irish bred stallion, Flexible.

Fellers is no stranger to Sacramento, and has traded places with Australian rider Harley Brown for the top spot in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sacramento CSI-W since 2008. But 2011 was Fellers’ year, as he cruised to the win after a tough first round and jumpoff of just three.

Set on a tight indoor track with many technical questions, spectators were awed by the efforts of the riders, all of whom gamely tackled the course with their best horses. The twenty-seven entries racked up nine four-fault and five eight-fault rounds.

Saer Coulter of San Francisco showed off a smooth and solid riding style to place in 2nd behind Fellers her choice to take a faster track cost her four faults with Springtime. Michelle Spadone placed third with Uwwalon.

A Refreshing Sight

It was thrilling to look out across a World Cupcaliber course to a sea of enthusiastic faces during the Grand Prix. A full house can be hard to come by during a show jumping event anywhere in the United States, but Sacramento pulls it off, year after year. Mark your calendars now for 2012!

Top: Saer Coulter,. Markus Beerbaum and Beezie Madden walk the course for the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sacramento Photo ©Cheval Photos

DECEMBER | JANUARY

$20,000 SIHS Young Horse Suitability Championship, Best Young Horse Marissa Janopaul’s Clicqout, rider Matt Archer $2,500 Land Rover Ride & Drive Karl Cook

$4,000 Swiss Up Open Jumper Four Bar Jill Humphrey

$10,000 Phelps Sports High Jr/Am Jumper Grand Prix Lindsay Ramar

33

Photo by Stefan Parker | Design by Dezraye Choi

A beautiful place to ride The perfect facility for you and your horse

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Los Lagos offers a full range of horse care services... and you can’t beat our direct access to miles of trails and beaches around beautiful Folsom Lake.

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Specializing in the Sales & Development of High Performance Show Jumpers

ZEITGEIST EQUESTRIAN HAS ESTABLISHED A YOUNG HORSE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE AMERICAN BRED WARMBLOODS...Our young horse program

scours the U.S. for its top talents, and produces them at our state of the art facility. Zeitgeist Equestrian gives young American sport horses the opportunity to succeed. Please contact us if you feel your young horse should be considered for the program.

~ Proudly Welcoming Lauren Kardel to the Zeitgeist Equestrian Team ~ Sanjay Bagai 510.599.5272 | Phoebe Lang 415.601.5547 |

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Holsteiner Warmblood Stallion x Cassini I Cardoso spent 2011 competing with Dutch rider Harrie Smolders, who rides for Axel Verlooy. His scope and reliability earned him an invitation to compete with Harrie for the Dutch Nation’s Cup team in Wellington, Florida this winter.

CAYAK DH

Holsteiner Gelding x Calido He has proven his heart, scope and quality again and again. He competed with Japanese rider Eiken Sato in the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, and was clear in the first round of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

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2011 was the first year in Grand Prix competition for this incredible talent.

Among other finishes in the ribbons Candeloro was 4th in the $30,000 Strongid C2X Grand Prix at the Showday National Horse Show in Virginia.

He has proven to be an incredibly reliable Grand Prix partner for his rider across Europe, and this summer he competed in the Aachen Olympic Trials with Seyid Musayev, an amateur from Azerbaijan.

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Ad Design by Working Lens Productions

TREND REPORT Winter ‘11

by Sarah Appel

These boots are made for riding...

Whether you’re mucking out stalls at the barn or strutting your stuff on the sidewalk, nothing completes a polished winter outfit like the perfect pair of boots.

Lucky for us, each year designers create their rendition of the equestrian boot. From quilted Wellies to classic leather, slipping into your favorite boots for the winter will make you feel and look fabulous!

Modern Monogram $

ZouBaby 98

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Classic Noir

Ralph Lauren Leather Riding Boot $1,100

Countryside Couture

Barbour Town & Country Tartan Wellington $149

Rouge-tastic Hunter Regent Savoy $175

Sleek Sophistication Chloe Cog-Heel Flat Knee boot $ 1,055

English Elegance Rustic Chic

Burberry Smoked Check Rain Boot $375

Duberry Galway Boot $479

DECEMBER | JANUARY

39

Pickwick Equestrians, Inc. & Leone Equestrians, Inc present

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Guy Thomas Willow Tree Farm Grand Prix April 11 - 15

Jennifer Marlborough Memorial Grand Prix May 23 - 27 Golden State Horse Show

Capital City Spring Classic Tournament

Welcome Grand Prix Oct. 31 - Nov. 13 Sacramento International Horse Show

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Missy Froley & Ramsey

bonus to rider with highest money total from all 3 events

additional bonus to same rider winning all 3 events

Duncan McFarlane & Mr. Whoopy

Held on the Grand Prix Field at Leone Equestrians and the Grand Prix Arena at Murieta Equestrian Center The 2012 Northern California Triple Crown Is Sponsored By

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Clay Station Ranch Hunter Derby

Sonoma Valley Stables Hunter Derby

Capital City Spring Classic Tournament April 11 - 15

Golden State Horse Show May 23 - 27

Horse & Style Magazine Hunter Derby

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Pickwick Summer Classic Tournament May 31 - June 3

to the highest total score after all 3 events $2,500 bonus sponsored by Pickwick Equestrians

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41

A JUNIOR’S PERSPECTIVE

THIS Full Page Ad

1/25/11

12:43 PM

Page 1

by Tylor Knowell

THE CHALLENGE OF One rider’s first-time experience at a national medal final

I had not planned on riding in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals. I was extended the invitation only about two weeks before I found myself boarding a plane to Washington D.C, on the way to the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held this year in the first week of October. Thanks to my mom’s and my relationship with East Coast trainer Kim Stewart, I was able to find a horse that I could ride for the weekend. Going to Capital Challenge was a breathtaking experience, but it was different than I had expected it to be.

The day after we arrived, my mom and I went to Kim’s farm to meet the horse that I was going to ride for the weekend. My mom and I made bets on what color he was going to be. When we got to the farm, we met the welcoming committee, two Jack Russell Terriers and an old black lab. Then we saw Kim, who introduced us to Larry, her assistant. After that, it was time to meet Carlos (aka Cole), my horse for the weekend. My mom won our little bet, he was a chestnut.

I rode Cole, and he was superb. Kim had me doing hard courses and the jumps were big. Then, Kim let me ride one of her horses for extra practice. Later, my mom and I went to lunch with Kim and Larry, after lunch Larry trailered Cole over to the Capital Challenge Horse show, where I hacked him in the indoor.

I got up at what seemed like the crack of dawn on Saturday. I got to the show early and hacked Cole. Then we went in the outdoor ring. My round was a little rough around the edges, but I made it around and had some good jumps. During my break in the day I was back at the barn, and I looked at the rest of the row of stalls and saw that I was stabled next to three ponies that I considered to be living legends. I was stabled next to For The Laughter, Enchanted Forest, and Elation, top ponies in each of their divisions. Looking at them made me feel like a small fish in a big pond.

Later, I got to do a round in the indoor. I had no expectations whatsoever. I just went in the ring and tried to pretend I was at home,

having a lesson with Nina Alario, my trainer at home, no pressure. I came out of the ring and the smiles I received from Kim and Larry confirmed my feelings about my round. I placed sixth out of seventeen.

Now on to the eq flat. I went in the ring, again with no expectations and was third! That meant I had to go in to the eq flat championship with all the other age groups. I went in and was excused first, but I was so proud that I had made it at all that I didn’t really care. I did the THIS warm up class at the end of the afternoon and had an ok round.

Then it was time to find out our order of go for tomorrow. All day long I had heard rumors that every competitor in the finals had to go up and introduce themselves using a microphone. I didn’t believe any of it until I sat down in the room where the ‘get together’ was being held and a man started calling names. I panicked. I hate public speaking. When my name was called, I walked up to the podium very slowly. I stood up there, mumbled a few words about myself, thanked Kim, who wasn’t there, got the backpack that they were handing out (nice), and sat down. They decided the order of go in reverse order of points, so I went fifth, my lucky number. That was the scariest part of the whole weekend.

It started raining on Sunday. I was not happy. When we got to the show I went up to go watch in the indoor and bought a rain jacket. I walked the course with Kim and it seemed tricky. I went and got on Cole. I had an excellent warm up and went up to the gate. I had an ok round but it wasn’t anything special. I think I got low seventies across the board. I sat and watched the rest of the competitors. So it goes.

Though I didn’t make it to the second round, I was so glad that I was able to go and compete in such a prestigious final at such a young age. It was a truly great experience. I would like to give one more thank you to Kim and Larry for training me that weekend, Cole for packing me around, my mom for being there the whole time and for supporting me through it all, and my trainer at home, Nina Alario for helping me be as prepared as I could have possibly been. Going to THIS Finals was a memory that I will forever remember and cherish.

Twelve-year-old Tylor Knowell is from Sonoma, CA and has been riding since the age of 5. She trains with Nina and Mariano Alario’s Estancia Farm in Petaluma, and this was her first experience at an Indoors Final.

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Top: Tylor riding Carlos Bottom: 2011 THIS Medal Finalists

Equestrian Chair Kyle Bunting

Geneve Concours Hippique Poster Ross Vintage poster Gallery $1,400

Vintage Fornasetti Ice Bucket, priceless Avalon Blanket Hermes $1,125

Derbyshire Stirrup Bookends Ralph Lauren $395

Equestrian

by Design

Horse Head Z GALLERIE $99

Bridle Leather Table, Ralph Lauren $4,635

When you can’t make it to the barn, these items will bring the barn to you

DECEMBER | JANUARY

55

TRAINER SPOTLIGHT

by Anne Polli

Beverly Jovais Creates a

Stable Environment Chestnut Hill is home for Jovais and her students

For some, making a career in horses can be like trying to trap smoke. But in a world where uncertainty is a daily partner, Beverly Jovais of Chestnut Hill has shaped a barn where students that came to her for their first updown lessons at 7 or 8 head off to college a decade later, having always been under the Chestnut Hill umbrella. To horse show staff Jovais is hard working and professional, and to exhibitors she is always encouraging, and her ready smile and “wicked” sense of humor is ever present.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Bev began riding around age 8. She rode at local barns, often pedaling her bike there to have her time with the horses. Early on, she began teaching lessons at those same barns, earning $1 per lesson. She was ecstatic to return home with $16 for a good day of teaching!

Much of Beverly’s early horse experience took place under the tutelage of trainer Jack Trainor. She says Jack was hard on her, and at the time it seemed extreme, but there have been many times since that seemingly out of the blue, the thought “hh, this is what Jack was talking about” has come to mind.

Bev began working for Trainor as a teenager and continued while she attended St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. On Tuesdays and Saturdays the barn would take young prospects foxhunting to “see if they could hunt,” as Jack said. At the barn she worked 12+ hour days mucking stalls, riding, and teaching but in the summer Bev always managed to lease a horse to ride.

A New Coast

Pennsylvania is also the place Bev met her husband, Christopher. They were, in fact, high school sweethearts, soon after the pair married in 1983 they had three girls, Alicia, Olivia, and Emily. Christopher worked in the radiology department at the University of Pennsylvania and in 1994 he was offered an opportunity to work at UCSF. Leaving the East Coast made the decision a hard one, but eventually a safer environment for their children and the California climate swung the pendulum to a change in their life.

Beverly knew no one when she arrived in California, but saw in the Chronicle of the Horse that trainer Bitsy Shields was looking for someone to teach lessons. She also gave a clinic at Rancho Marin for Marian Nelson and soon was freelancing, giving lessons on given days at both barns. This scenario gave Bev time to be a mom and raise her girls.

Jovais also worked with Marian after her move to Riverside Equestrian Center in Sonoma, and then with Dusty Blackwood at Valhalla and Willowbrook. She then moved by herself back to Riverside, bringing a bit of Pennsylvania with her by naming her barn Chestnut Hill, after the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. After two years at Riverside, in 2005, client Bridget Twomey invited Beverly and Chestnut Hill to her Beaumont Farm and until the middle of November 2011 that was home base.

Just recently, Twomey decided to turn her farm into a non-profit horse sanctuary benefiting underprivileged and abused children. She is calling it the White Barn Project.

Recent Changes – For the Better

While Jovais is totally supportive of the decision, it meant Chestnut Hill had to find a new home. That new home is Marc Cohodes’ Alder Lane Farm. “We are very lucky that Alder Lane was available,” says Jovais.

As Chestnut Hill begins a new chapter, Beverly has nothing but praise for her assistants. With thirty horses in training, she says assistant and unofficial barn manager, Katy Hull, is her rock. “She makes the retired horses just as high on the priority list as those still working,” says Jovais. “She’s just great.

“And with the addition of John Wohr to the program, Chestnut Hill is in the jumper ring now,” adds Jovais. “I am big on basics, and John is such a great rider, his position is just so correct.”

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thank you.

Farm

Jem Stables

A Stable Influence

Los Lagos

Equestrian, Inc

Jovais has led Chestnut Hill to countless championships and wins on the California A-circuit, and credits the many wonderful families and students she has had the opportunity to work with. “I am so proud of my students,” she says. “They aren’t just good riders, they are great kids.

“They have wonderful families, but I like to think I had a little to do with making them who they are today. Blue ribbons aside, I think as they go off to college the lessons of sportsmanship, dealing with setbacks and the like have helped shape them as well. I’ve tried to be a stable influence, so no matter what was happening in their lives, they knew what to expect every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday when they came for a lesson.”

Kelly

Willow Tree Farm

Opposite left: Jovais with her 3 daughters, Alicia, Olivia, Emily and husband Chris Opposite right: Jovais gives a beginner pony lesson to rider Alexandra Polidora.

This page top: Jovais makes last-minute adjustments with rider Emma Price This page bottom: Jovais and team in the winners circle

Ho

t’s Show

rse Shows

NorCal Hunter Jumper Assoc.

WESTHAVEN FARM

horse sh

ow

at

Pheasant

Grove

But unquestionably, Jovais is most proud of her children. “They are wonderful, well adjusted, educated adults,” she says. Alicia, now 25, is in law school, Olivia, 23, is working in San Francisco, and Emily, 20, is having a semester abroad in Argentina.

Beverly and Christopher have been married for 28 years. He is currently the director of information systems in the Radiology Dept at UCSF. “Thank god for my husband, I know whatever happens, he’s here for me.

I couldn’t do what I do without him. I’ll always be OK as long as I know I have my husband and my girls. The one thing I can always count on is my family, as long as I have them I can dedicate myself to making my clients and their horses as happy as I possibly can.”

Le

Training, Inc.

Farm

we love our clients.

www.appleheaddesign.com

916 ) 247-1787 DECEMBER | (JANUARY

57

HEART HEALTHY

by Lindsay Ramar

One rider’s plan for cardiovascular f itness As trainers, owners and riders we maintain an intense focus on the health and fitness of our horses. Regimented workouts can become extremely disciplined as our horses are rehabilitating or are preparing for competition. While overall equine fitness is important, how can we, as riders, make sure we are also at peak physical fitness, to be in sync with our equine partners?

There’s a simple answer: spend as much time in the saddle as possible!

Sometimes, It’s Not so Simple I have been competing in the show jumping arena since the age of 16. Until age 24 I was riding 5 or 6 days a week, most of the time riding multiple horses. At the same time I was playing competitive volleyball in both high school and college. Fitness both on and off the horse came very naturally.

And then I got a desk job.

Ever since, I have been pursuing the answer to this question. While yoga, running and strength training are helpful for overall fitness, cardiovascular health is central to maintaining riding fitness, especially for those riders who are unable to ride every day.

To figure out how to train for cardiovascular fitness while unmounted, I first had to figure out my exact heart rate while mounted - on different horses at every gait.

Using a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor ($90.00 at REI), along with the assistance of my horses Puma, Watson, and Dance & Jump, I trotted continuously for 10 minutes and then cantered continuously for 5 minutes on each horse, with a break in between.

Here is what I learned: 10 minutes Trot

5 minutes Canter

Puma (“hot” Thoroughbred type)

Average HR: 150bpm Calories burned: 100

Average HR: 154bpm Calories burned: 55

Watson (Medium energy Warmblood)

Average HR: 154bpm Calories burned: 105

Average HR: 167bpm Calories burned: 60

Dance & Jump (Colder blooded Warmblood)

Average HR: 158bpm Calories burned: 110

Average HR: 174bpm Calories burned: 65

(At the walk, my heart rate fluctuated between 75-95bpm: which is not considered to be within the cardiovascular training zone.)

Building cardiovascular endurance off the horse:

When we step into the show ring, as riders we are faced with the challenge of balancing emotions and adrenaline with competitive pressure and physical exertion. While we can’t always prepare for, or control the emotional response and psychology of competing, we can prepare our bodies for the physical exertion required in our sport.

For me, cardiovascular fitness is the #1 building block for not only physical health and fitness, but for physical preparedness to compete in the jumper ring. In order to build and maintain my cardiovascular fitness off the horse, to prepare for my time on the horse, I am diligent about completing at least 30-45 minutes of cardio, 3-5 times per week, maintaining an average heart rate of 150-160 on the eliptical machine, treadmill, bike, or stair-master in order to establish and maintain my cardiovascular fitness for endurance at the trot. I also complete 15-30 minutes of “cardio” maintaining an average heart rate of 160-175 to mimic my heart rate maintained while at the canter*.

Maintaining peak physical fitness in line with that of our equine partners is not easy, as the tasks of life, jobs, and family get in the way of riding every day. However, it is possible! Some of my greatest success in the show jumping ring has come in the last 5 years - since I got that desk job! Establishing a routine is key. And my motivation is simple: My horses each exercised for at least 45 minutes today (thanks to my trainers) - what have I done? *Please consult your physician before beginning any exercise routine.

Lindsay Ramar A Northern California native and fitness enthusiast. Lindsay spends as much time as possible riding her three show jumpers: Puma, Watson, and Dance & Jump.

When not competing in the grand prix ring, Lindsay spends her time practicing yoga and traveling. Lindsay works in finance and lives in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood. She received her BA in Economics from Occidental College and her MBA from Pepperdine University.

BARN ENVY

by Sarah Appel

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Above: A well cared for Zeitgeist horse spending time in the luxury turnouts Right: Zeitgeist’s world-class grand prix ring overlooks the beautiful Sonoma County landscape

Zeitgeist Equestrian On a warm November day I visited Zeitgeist Equestrian in Petaluma,

California, the private farm of husband and wife team Sanjay Bagai and Phoebe Lang. Zeitgeist is the productof a decade of research by the two amateur riders and successful entrepreneurs, who share a deep passion for equestrian sport.

Not far off beautiful Highway 101, I came to a custom wooden gate and was instantly taken aback by the beautiful scenery. The gate opened to reveal a winding driveway lined by lavender bushes and green pastures and up ahead, I could see a gorgeous barn in earth tones. Zeitgeist Farm was not built on a whim or from a sudden desire to own horse property, but rather out of a lifetime of passion for equestrian sport, and Lang and Bagai’s shared childhood dream.

Newly completed this year, every detail of the 16-horse facility was strategically thought out from blueprints to move-in. For the past 10 years Bagai and Lang visited hundreds of barns in Europe and on both coasts of the United States. They maintained a diary in which they recorded aspects of these barns that impressed them, which they would incorporate into their dream equestrian facility.

During my visit, I was able to see their dream turned into a reality. From the meticulously designed grand prix ring, to the calorie enriched grass growing in the 2.5 acres of turnouts, their horses’ well being is always their top priority, and not a single detail was missed.

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61

We practice in our ring at home at the same pace as we would at a horse show. Because of this when we show up to ride the first day at a show, we don’t have to recalibrate cadence or speed.

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Show Ready

Surrounding the international sized sand arena is a twoand-a-half mile track. A grass grand prix field with a regulation-sized grob, bank and table top gives Bagai and Lang an additional arena to school their 13 horses.

Both amateur riders, Bagai and Lang compete up and down the West Coast all year at the grand prix levels, with stops that include the competitive Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments and the HITS Thermal Winter Circuit. But with the schooling they can log at home, they never arrive at a show feeling underprepared.

“As amateur riders, we wanted to create a ring that is as big and rideable as one you would find at a horse show,” says Bagai. “We practice in our ring at home at the same pace as we would at a horse show. Because of this when we show up to ride the first day at a show, we don’t have to recalibrate cadence or speed.”

Locally Built, Locally Supported

Zeitgeist’s barn is immaculate and well designed, with roomy wood-paneled 22 x 24 stalls built for their horse’s comfort. The farm was built with locally produced materials, down to the stones used to build the pillars and courtyard. Surrounding the entire farm are native grasses and local plants that provide a truly remarkable landscape.

The Zeitgeist staff caters to each horse’s specific needs and isconstantly on top of their diet, exercise and overall health, and the farm hums with a high level of organization.

Bagai and Lang did not just build a well-oiled training and sales operation they built a home for both their family and their horses. As I gazed at the terraced viewing area next to the arena, the low stone walls outlining the footprint of the property, and the many stylish couches arranged in outdoor meeting areas, it was difficult not to ask if I could move in, too. Zeitgeist Equestrian is a sure source of barn envy!

Many thanks to Phoebe Lang and Sanjay Bagai for allowing Horse & Style readers a peek at their gorgeous new facility.

Opposite page, clockwise from left: Teak lounge chairs provide a comfortable viewingarea next to the grand prix ring; Sanjay Bagai and Pheobe Lang made their equestrian dream a reality; Details such as the custom wood shelf next to the tack cleaning hook make Zeitgeist functional and stylish; Native California foliage provides a harmonious landscape; A waterfall and stone firepit make this gathering spot the perfect place to relax and enjoy company after a day of riding; Roomy 22x24 stalls with open fronts provide the horses with an open and social living environment.

Right: A riding path winds through a eucalyptus grove on the Zeitgeist property.

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OUT AND ABOUT LET’S SHOW HALLOWEEN

1. Bailey Campbell, Grace Mathias and Joelle Hylton of Lightacres as the Ghostbusters 2. Wild costumes abound! 3. Dani Conway of Heather Whitney Training pokes a little fun at her trainer 4. Paul Bennett monkeys around 5. Emma and Jan Hainze of Jem Stables hosting a wine and cheese party in the barns 6. A canine gets airborne during the Pup Pup High Jump class 7. Hugh White as Little Red Riding Hood 8. Gumby and Pokey make an appearance 9. Julie Keville and rider discuss the course 10. Patty Ball is a happy Angry Bird 11. Brooke McCloude rides as Color Guard prior to the Mini Prix.

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12. Katie Aoki (mounted) and Megan Hainze 13. Three young riders watch their barnmate complete a course 14. Tristan Barrier gets a little love 15. An epic battle during the dog costume class 16. Stephanie Simmonds has a little Halloween fun in the Mini Prix with Brady Seaton 17. Lesanne LeClaire and daughter Lydia 18. Hilary Johnson 19. Robbie Skaafgard, Jumper 2 judge 20. Sierra Little, Savannah Little and Leslie Wright watch the costume classes 21. Susan Barrett, Carole O’Brien, James Zulia and Sharon Stewart-Wells 22. Kelley LaFonde 23. Trevor Smith 24. Ruben & Sonee Arce

photos ŠDeb Dawson and Ryan Anne Polli DECEMBER | JANUARY

65

photos by Deb Dawson

Thank you to all of our clients, friends and team at Willowbrook for an incredibly successful 2011.

Looking forward to another great year in 2012!

Petaluma, CA

Visit us at

www.EstanciaFarms.com

Mariano Alario 714.234.7444

Nina Herrera-Alario 805.451.2310

Watson

Winner of the $15,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix HMI June Classic

Winner of the $10,000 Phelps Sports High Junior/Amateur Jumper Grand Prix

Puma

Sacramento International Horse Show

Congratulations

Lindsay Ramar

photos by Flying Horse Photo

Dance and Jump

Winner of the

$2,500 1.45M Open Welcome Stake 2011 Woodside Spring Classic

Thank you to Nina, Mariano and Kari for sharing this very special horse.

Madison Jarrell & Quo Vadis

photos by Flying Horse Photo

ASK CARRIE Q: You talked about a rider’s ability to put challenging thoughts into the positive. How do you re-frame a negative thought? I tend to think I have problems with the single oxer.

A: Anytime you tell yourself that you can’t do something or that you think a

problem might arise at a certain point in the course, your mind fixates on that thought. If you walk a course and tell yourself that the problem will be at the single oxer, then the problem most likely will be at that jump. What you think is what will happen. So you can re-frame the thought into: I need to pay attention to my rhythm as I approach the single oxer or, I will stay connected to my breath at the oxer. Remember, negative thoughts are your mind telling you to pay attention, rather than prescriptions for the future.

Here are some other examples of reframed thoughts: • I always miss the lead change going to the right. I will give balanced signals with my body, leg, and hand when I ask for lead changes.

Carrie Wicks,

M.A., Ph.D. Candidate As a sport psychology consultant, I assist equestrian athletes to optimize their performance at all levels of competition. My varied background as an A-circuit Junior and Amateur competitor as well as mother of two daughters—a jumper rider and elite gymnast—has deepened my understanding of what a rider needs to grow and thrive. From medal finals to the grand prix ring, I support athletes to attain their goals while developing a mental practice that is useful both on and off the field.

Contact Carrie for individual and phone sessions.

707-529-8371 carrie@carriewicks.com www.carriewicks.com

• This horse hates me. I need to be sensitive and clear when I ride this horse in order to feel more connected.

• I always miss at the water jump. I will ride the water with confidence and purposeful rhythm.

• The course looks too hard and I am scared. I will increase my focus and attention in order to take on this challenge!

Q: How do I use my breath to be more in sync with my horse on course?

A: Start by observing your horse’s breath in the stall or cross ties. Stand by him and try to breathe with him. Pay attention to how and if the horse changes or notices what you are doing.

Before getting on your horse, take a second to address him from the front and take a breath with him. This is how horses connect.

When you are walking to the ring, experiment with feeling the horse’s breath as he walks and see if you can take a breath with him or if you take two breaths from his one. Practice this a bit while flatting as well.

When you begin jumping, take a deep breath in and out through your nose before you pick up the canter. As you become more comfortable with synchronized breathing or this kind of breath conversation with your horse, practice taking a breath in the corners of your courses. This signals your horse to take a breath too and oxygenates your brain and muscles as well so that you can maintain both physical and mental focus throughout. Play with this and customize a breathing plan to fit the needs of your horse and you!

DECEMBER | JANUARY

69

see you in

2012!

the FLamingos

Thank you The Let’s Show Beach Party was voted

2011 Zone 10 - USHJA Member’s Choice Award

BEST ‘B’ SHOW

We appreciate your continuing support of the Beach Party and all of

the Let’s Show Horse Shows!

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Sundance Kisses & Julie Vance H&S: What is your most popular cookie?

JV: The Goody Gum Drop.

Horse & Style: When and where did Sundance Kisses start?

Julie Vance: On December 1st, 2009 I was sitting at my kitchen table thinking about how much I’d been spending on horse treats and started fiddling around with recipes. I took the first batch to the barn and fed them to my horses. They loved them, so I went home and made more.

H&S: What has been the most rewarding part of your experience with Sundance Kisses?

JV: Attending the shows, getting to know the riders and having them come back and tell me how much their horses love the cookies. Also, creating personal relationships with the riders and their horses.

H&S: What has changed about the business since you started?

JV: It has grown rapidly, and even though it continues to grow I want to maintain the homemade quality of the cookies. I’m currently looking for a bakery to help growth, but I always want Sundance Cookies to stay homemade.

Next, I talked with my vet and had him test the cookies. He loved them and ordered 35 pounds. Shortly after that, I took some to the local feed store, they placed a $300.00 order at wholesale, and I’ve been at it ever since!

H&S: How far have you traveled with Sundance Cookies?

JV: We went to the Hampton Classic in New York this year. While we were there, we announced our partnership with Just World International. It was very exciting!

H&S: What was your next step after that?

JV: I attended a horse expo in 2010, and everyone I met was so enthusiastic about the product and my booth. I met Susan Nelson from Sonoma Horse Park, and she wanted to know if I was interested in being a vendor at Sonoma. After meeting with show manager Ashley Herman and Susan, I was so excited about having it be my first show. It was a huge success.

H&S: What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment so far?

JV: Having USEF call and ask if they could feature Sundance Kisses in their magazine! Of course, that was before I was asked about being featured in HORSE&style!

H&S: Were you a baker before you started Sundance Kisses?

JV: Nope, just a mom who baked muffins and cookies for my kids.

H&S: What inspired you to start Sundance Kisses?

JV: I wanted to show my love and appreciation for all the horses for what they have done for me. I wanted to create something that is a special treat for them.

H&S: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own company in the equestrian market?

JV: Do something that you love and that you’re passionate about.

Have no fear and just jump.

H&S: What are your future and current goals for Sundance Kisses?

JV: To maintain our practice of producing a quality product, and to continue to work with trainers and barns in creating custom signature cookies for individual barns.

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OUT AND ABOUT S A C R A M E N T O I N T E R N AT I O N A L

1. Show Manager Rudy Leone and Beezie Madden 2. Animo Rep and Rich Fellers 3. Mandy Porter tries her hand at cutting 4. Ali Nilforushan, Karl Cook and Sacramento International awards presenters Ashley Iverson and Amy Balsley 5. Nico, Nina and Mariano Alario 6. Jill Humphrey wins the 4 Bar High Jump with this attempt at 6’6” 7. Lane Clarke tears up some ground in the Land Rover Ride & Drive 8. Hope and Ned Glynn of Sonoma Valley Stables 9. Will SImpson 10. Guy Thomas took an impromptu ride aboard a Painted Ladies Rodeo Performer horse 11. Chris Pratt of Epic Stables runs to the win in the Ride & Drive 12. Mia Beckham, Kathy Jarrell & Terri Roberson watching the Welcome Grand Prix 13. Show Manager Dale Harvey takes a few pictures of the High Bar competition. photos © Sarah Appel and Ryan Anne Polli

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Equestrian Santa Neimann Marcus, $135

by Sarah Appel

Pretty & Posh The winter season’s cold chill is no reason to eschew equestrian stye, in fact, wintertime brings out the best in riders with a stylish f lair. From warm outwear to cool accents, H&S Style Prof iles will keep you cozy and cute all winter long.

Trendy Trainer:

Bracelet, Deux Chevaux, $150 Hat/Scarf, Goode Rider, $49-69 Down Jacket, B Vertigo, $458

Ambient Amateur

Legacy Plaid Cashmere scarf, Coach, $168 Stainless steel Queen II watch, Dimacci, $379 Brea fleece zip jacket, Ariat, $59

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Pampered Pooch:

Dog collars, Rebecca Ray Designs, $82 Holiday Treats, Three Dog Bakery, $12

Polished Pony Mom:

Equestrian bucket bag, Bravura Finishes, $95 Leather gloves, Prada, $325 Letter medallion custom necklace, Roberto Coin, $620

Jovial Junior:

Giant stuffed horse, Melissa & Doug, $97 The Pony Belt, Deux Chevaux, $230 Custom bows, Fiona’s Bows, $35-60

DECEMBER | JANUARY

75

The eco-friendly ride of his dreams: Tesla Roadster, the coolest zero-emission, instant torque, 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds-vehicle on the market Base model $57,400 www.teslamotors.com

The horse she’s always wished for: Swingtime, 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood, champion high performance hunter - Offered for sale via ProEquest, the Professional Equestrian Community www.proequest.com

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

1. Horse bit cocktail ring, GUCCI, $3,795 2. Equestrian charm bracelet, Heather Moore jewelry, $12,495 3. Gold bit of luck, Natash Grasso, $38

1. Equestrian tea towel, Bravura Finishes, $18 2. Austen Horse bit corner frame, Ralph Lauren, $495 3. Horse pillow, Thomas Paul, $70 available at DKT Saddlery 4. Snaffle bit stone coaster, Hockwear, $19

DECEMBER | JANUARY

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1. Newmarket original dress sheet, Rambo, $118 2. Sundance Kisses, $24 3. Fancy stiched halter, Vespucci, $150 4. Uncle Jimmy’s Licky Thing, $5

1. Luk men’s jacket, Pikuer, $218 2. Pattern scarf, GUCCI, $285 3. Logan overnight bag, Frye, $598

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Dressing for the Northern California winter is tricky – it can be warm, cold, wet, windy, damp or dry… sometimes all in the same day! The key to comfort is to layer pieces that retain heat, wick moisture and remain breathable. Dressing sensibly doesn’t have to be boring. The Equestrian’s Concierge can style your winter ride in clothes that look great and feel even better.

You can choose to splurge for something extra special – or not. Winter performance wear doesn’t have to be an extravagance and you don’t have to sacrifice style or quality to save.

Waterproof Boots

SPLURGE Ariat Windermere Leather/Primaloft boots in ever-stylish Baker Plaid $240

SAVE Goode Rider Rubber Wellies are a high-fashion way to stay dry $108

NorCal Winter weight down

SPLURGE The Goode Rider Ultimate Down Jacket is beautifully tailored to the feminine figure $230

SAVE The Ariat Vasa Down Coat is extra-long for extra warmth $150

all items available at

Water-Resistant Vest

SPLURGE Joules Milham Quilted Vest $115

SAVE Ariat Vada Vest $50

Both vests have high-style linings for an extra flash of fashion.

Extra bonus for your buck: the Ariat vest is completely reversible!

Comfort-wicking riding socks

SPLURGE Cavallo Padded Boot Sock gives you cushioned comfort $20

SAVE TuffRider EcoGreen Bamboo Boot Socks are super soft $8

Custom and

handmade bows for the young equestrian.

Fiona’s

y r o t c a F w o B available at

find us on facebook at

‘fionas bow factory’

Stirrup Cup Tack & Capital Equestrian

For custom orders call Lauren at 916.834.9186

PIKEUR . GRAND PRIX . MARIGOLD . ESSEX

Capitol Equestrian Everyday wear

and

accessories

10% off

ALL 2011 MERCHANDISE

(530) 277-6256 | WWW.CAPITOLEQUESTRIAN.COM

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

www.orindavillagehorseshop.com

With unbeatable service, and a large selection of Riding Apparel, Horse Supplies, English Tack and Equestrian Gifts, you are sure to find something for the equestrian on your list.

Ph (925) 254-1421

find us on facebook

stirrup cup tack stirrupcup@gmail.com

206.409.8284 www.stirrupcuptack.com

DECEMBER | JANUARY

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DEAR FASHIONISTA Dear Horse & Style Fashionista,

I am an assistant trainer for a large hunter/jumper barn in Northern California, and I will be attending several year-end banquets this January. Most of my clients only ever see me in riding clothes, with a hat and no makeup. I want to look good at the banquets, but I also want to look professional. What should I wear? ~Born in Breeches

Banquet Do's and Dont's DO'S Show your personal style

Wear something fitted and flattering

Accessorize with a piece of equestrian style jewelry

Have fun and enjoy yourself.

DON'T Overdo your personal style

Wear anything too short or too revealing.

Wear a head-to-toe “equestrian outfit.”

Drink too many Bloody Mary’s

and get tipsy in front of your clients and colleagues.

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Dear Born in Breeches, First of all, it’s very important you recognize that you need to look professional.

My fashionista rule is it’s always better to be overdressed then underdressed.

That said, this is not the night to bring out your spiked heels and skin-tight glittery tube top. Remember that you’re a role model for all of those pony kids you instruct, and you want them to look up to you outside of a barn setting, too.

A nice fitted skirt with a pretty blouse and pair of heels would be perfect. If you are more comfortable in pants, then a nice pair of slacks, a fitted blouse and flats would also be acceptable. It’s ok to show some personal style, but always remember to dress for the occasion. You wouldn’t show up at a horse show in a cocktail dress and heels, so don’t show up at a nice event in denim and your paddock boots.

Two Outfit Options:

1. Vintage blouse, Vivienne Westwood, 1. Cream blouse, High Street $25 price not available 2. Black slacks, H&M $35 2. Skirt, Valentino, $620 3. Prescot ballet flats, Tory Burch, $150 3. BEVV, Steve Madden, $99

Do you have an equestrian fashion question for the H&S Fashionista?

Send your questions to Fashionista@horseandstylemag.com

BUSINESS LISTINGS

at

Impeccable Care for your Competition Horse Amazing Beginnings for your Broodmares and Foals

DEB DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY

www.JazCreek.com . 415.716.8905

DAPPLEDGREY.COM

GREY.COM The curated guide to equestrian style.

DECEMBER | JANUARY

83

CAN YOU STAND IT?

If you’re lucky enough to be attending the Gucci Masters this December in Paris, France, you just might have a chance to purchase one of these 80 limited edition Gucci scarves made specifically for the Gucci Masters. $388

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DECEMBER | JANUARY

Parisan Perfection

s y a d i l o Happy H les! from

e l b a t S e y l l a Sonoma V

Join us for Thermal 2012!

Ned & Hope Glynn, Trainers

Hope’s Cell (707) 249-1518 Ned’s Cell (707) 249-1637

Tracy Mirabelli, Heather Roades & Amber Levine - Assistants

1075 Jacobsen Lane - Petaluma, CA 94954

Barn Phone (707) 769-0180 www.sonomavalleystables.com