Horse & Style Magazine | June/July 2012 | Issue 5

JUN/JUL

O U T & A B O U T: D E V O N , W O O D S I D E & M O R E !

FEATURE

Susie Sweeps Sonoma!

A SoCal rider wins in the wine country ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Barn Envy

Iron Horse Equestrian Center

Equine Therapy Horses with heart make “giant” impacts

Behind the Seams

Treadstep Ireland

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34

42

SUSIE SWEEPS SONOMA

This popular SoCal rider travels north and wins inbetween her Olympic duties

BARN ENVY

Iron Horse Equestrian Center

18 | TREND REPORT

Show shirts that make a statement in and out of the show ring

30 |

NEW PRODUCT ALERT Helping repel dust and dirt from your favorite equine: CFS by Equifuse

23

FEI WORLD CUP FINALS

Rich Fellers and Flexible bring the Cup home for the US

48 |

CLINIC SPOTLIGHT

69 |

DEAR FASHIONISTA

Buck Brannaman holds a sold out clinic at Gilroy Gaits in Northern CA

Vintage Inspirations

32 | FASHION SNAPSHOT

Tara Couch keeps it cool in Florida

Find us online at www.horseandstylemag.com 'Like' us on facebook /horseandstylemag 2

JUNE | JULY

On the Cover: Susie Hutchison and SIG Excel On Susie: Charles Owen helmet, Heritage Gloves, Allon Hunt Coat, FITS breeches and show shirt, Der Dau boots. Championship cooler by Italian Equestrian Photo ©Jeannie Sucre Photography

© 2012 HORSE&STYLE MAGAZINE 2012

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF | Sarah Appel sarah@horseandstylemag.com

CONTENTS

5 | FROM THE PUBLISHER

7 | 10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW Peggy Fackrell

8 | OUT & ABOUT

Brookside Premier

10 | OUT & ABOUT

Woodside Horse Park

14 | PROFESSIONAL POP QUIZ The best advice

15 | STYLE RIDER Pricilla Trees

16 | NORCAL CORNER Equitation Classics

EDITOR | Erin Gilmore CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Ryan Anne Polli ADVERTISING | advertising@horseandstylemag.com PHOTOGRAPHERS | Cheval Photos, Jeannie Sucre Woodside Images, Deb Dawson, Tass Jones, Ryan Anne Polli, Alden Corrigan, StockImageServices.com CONTRIBUTORS

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.

17 | BETWEEN THE LINES Inside Your Ride by Tonya Jonston, M.A.

26 | BEHIND THE SEAMS Treadstep Ireland

40 | STYLE PROFILES Summer Prep

47 | HORSE CORNER

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.

Ramsey

50 | TRAINER SPOTLIGHT Rudy Leone

54 | PROEQUEST

Sapphire Retires

57 | OUT & ABOUT

Dr. Terri Lee Roberson

A licensed clinical psychologist, Terri has worked with a variety of populations including adolescents, adults, couples and families over the last twenty years. Combining her passion for horses and her clinical work, she is currently program director for Equine Mirrors, an Equine-Assisted Therapy program in Sonoma Valley. When not in the arena, she has a private practice in Sonoma.

Sonoma Horse Park

58 | EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY

Horses with heart make “giant” impacts

60 | OUT & ABOUT

The Devon Horse Show

62 | ASK DR. CARRIE

Molly W. Chappell

Horse & Style intern Molly W. Chappell was introduced to horses by her grandfather when she was three, and she has been involved with horses ever since. Molly currently attends Cal State University Sacramento where she is working on a degree in journalism, and a minor in digital media.

Get motivated!

64 | VENDOR SPOTLIGHT Voltaire Design

66 | BEHIND THE LENS

Selena Frederick of Cheval Photo

70 | BUSINESS DIRECTORY 72 | CAN YOU STAND IT Blanc de blanc 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 © 2012 Horse & Style Magazine LLC.

Ashley Cline Ashley grew up riding and competing on the East Coast A circuit with Jennifer Bieling. Competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival, National Pony Finals, and The Devon National Horse Show allowed her to accomplish many riding goals.

While attending Florida State University for her B.S. degree in Fashion Merchandising, she competed on the Intercollegiate riding team. Ashley then completed her M.B.A. at Nova Southeastern University and in 2011, founded EquestrianStylist.com to accomplish her goals in promoting equestrian style and the horse industry.

TM

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FEEDBACK (916) 804-5254

Penryn, CA

What readers are saying about Horse & Style!

Love the new issue! I read it cover to cover the day it arrived. Great work Horse & Style team!

Sara Fernandez, Hermosa Beach, CA Just a moment to congratulate you on the magazine. I absolutely love the design - it is so rich and engaging. It’s fun for me to keep up with a little of the jumper world. I especially LOVE the fashion sections. I already ordered three things - a shirt, a piece of jewelry and I’m dying for a pair of the Burberry boots.

Susan Jane Sutton, Sutton Place Farm Kentfield, CA

Just finished reading the current issue of Horse & Style, just got to say thanks for putting together a great magazine! Love it!

Mary Braly, Braly Woodworking Copperopolis, CA

From lead line to grand prix, we can accommodate your needs. www.cavallostables.com Cavallo Stables is sponsored by

OU TW OO DS OU TLA STS - THE STY LE BEH IND THE RID ERS

FEATURE

Olympic Fever!

Fellers & Flexible Make Olympic Long List

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Behind the Seams ff Equine More Stu ff Assisted with high lights Theof rap y stuff

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Allon Equestrian Stu

How horses

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Back in the Saddle The expression “back in the saddle” is used commonly to encourage people to try again, perhaps after losing a job or ending a relationship. For us riders, we use the expression literally. The first thing we learn after falling off is to brush yourself off, get the sand out of your teeth and get back on your horse.

While I’ve had my fair share of falls from my many mounts, I took the past year off from riding while I was pregnant and attending to the first few weeks of my daughter’s life.

But I could hardly wait to get back in the saddle. Exactly one month after my daughter’s birth, I rode my horse again for the first time.

After the initial soreness went away I was amazed how naturally things came back. Four months after Ella was born I was back in the show ring.

Two things surprised me: I could fit into my breeches (!), and I was more nervous then I had ever been. As I walked the 1.20m jumper course before my first class my inner voice chanted “It’s too soon”, “you’re not ready” and “you should have started in the 1.10m.”

I had to remind myself that the last class I had shown Perlano in was a grand prix, and that my trainers wouldn’t have let me enter the class if I wasn’t ready.

In the warm up ring I was excited and scared, but had faith that Perlano would take care of me. As I entered the ring and the buzzer went off a sense of familiarity came over me. Perlano perked his ears forward and off we went! While I am still a ways away from getting back in the grand prix ring, I am thankful and satisfied with my first attempt back in the saddle.

Our cover subject for this issue, Susie Hutchinson, has never had to get back in the saddle, she’s simply been in the saddle and on top of the sport for the last 30 years.

It was a thrill for NorCal riders to watch her

sweep the recent spring grand prix classes at the Sonoma Horse Park and we enjoyed catching up with her to find out about her Olympic involvement, and her excitement about her up and coming stars (page 34).

After an almost career ending fall a few years ago, trainer Hilary Johnson got back in the saddle and now has the great fortune to call the gorgeous Iron Horse Equestrian Center in the East Bay home.

Check out Barn Envy (page 42) for exclusive pictures of this newly completed facility.

One rider who’s had a highly anticipated return to the saddle is McLain Ward. After a four-month hiatus due to injury, McLain got back in the saddle with a vengeance this spring. The same night that he won the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix with Antares F at the Devon Horse Show (page 64), he retired his beloved mare Sapphire in a touching ceremony. Erin Gilmore shares her take on saying goodbye to Sapphire with some stunning photos of her first, and last, jumps with McLain (page 54).

Of course there’s lots more packed into this issue of H&S, including our style picks for this season. Enjoy!

Photos Sucre Photography photo ©Jeannie ©Deb Dawson

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WHITETHORNE RANCH 805.794.0214 | 805.479.7816 KHSTABLES.COM

LOCATION.

DEDICATION.

CULMINATION. Now accepting riders into our program at the beautiful Whitethorne Ranch in Somis, CA photos Š Paul Mason, Joe Maskrey, Shawn McMillen | EquestriSol ad design

10 things you might not know about...

Peggy Fackrell 1.

Wanted to be a policeman before she was fully involved in horses.

2.

Is a direct descendant of Susan B. Anthony.

3. She has a 19-year-old granddaughter who is currently attending Harvard.

4.

Was a member of a mounted drill team as a junior.

5.

Was President of the Loomis Corralers, the biggest horse club in California before NorCal.

Her aunt was Margie Rayburn, who was signed with Capitol Records and earned a gold record for the song “I’m Available”.

7. Loved working at the Junior Cow Palace and

was announcing there when Paul Bennett was riding at 15.

8. She once worked in a movie as an extra, but the filming was suspended the day President Kennedy was shot.

9. Loves to dance!

10. Loves to shop (which comes in handy when looking for horse show prizes!)

Peggy Fackrell has been a horse show manager in Sacramento for 40 years.

The licensed official, judge, steward and show manager of Let’s Show Horse Shows is familiar with all the nuts and bolts that keep shows big and small running smoothly.

As a member of many associations, boards and committees, including the Zone 10 Committee, Peggy’s number one interest is in making (and keeping!) the sport fun for everybody, and introducing new people to the sport of horse showing.

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OUT AND ABOUT BROOKSIDE PREMIER

1. Deanna VanValer 2. Katie Harris and a future jumper star walking the course 3. Dad videos daughter’s ride with iPad (times are a-changin) 4. Ben Chisholm and Isabelle Nolan 5. Corinne Gill and Avery Glynn 6. Kelly Van Vleck 7. Catherine Harvey 8. Debbie Stone 9. Kylie Beckham and Mercury 10. Joe and Lynn Mullins 11. Sara Knudson

Photos ©Ryan Anne Polli

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JUMPERS

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EQUITATION

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PONIES

•

SALES

P hi l o s ophy:

INTEGRITY RESPECT

POSITIVITY S A F E T Y ENJOYMENT SUCCESS Toni & Colin McIntosh Menlo Park, California www.mcintosh-stables.com 650.683.0469

OUT AND ABOUT WOODSIDE HORSE PARK

1. The tall and the short of it. 2. Zaedin Skolak-Magee 3. Amanda Teal & son Lincoln chat with Priscilla Trees & Chewy 4. Brian Brock of Paddock Cakes checks out H&S 5. A friendly face from mutville.org 6. John Bragg & Deana Bergquist of Bridgeport Farm 7. On the way to the ring. 8. Laura Owens and friend at ringside. 9. Jenny Davis and student plan out the ride 10. Kristin Hiller & Ella Appel sharing a gentle moment with Emmet

Photos ŠCheval Photos

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11. Isabella Sucre passes the time in the best of ways. 12. Just another happy reader (or two!) 13. A well deserved drink from the Avalon fountain 14. Rebecca Reyes, Peyton Warren, Hannah Von Heidegger & Madison Bradshaw 15. Teal Orlin walking the course 16. Step by step in the GP ring 17. Hurry up and wait! 18. Patience is a virtue 19. Nicole Bloom ringside with client Sarah Hansen

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OAK

HAVEN

Congratulations to Missy Froley & Ramsey owned by Bay Rose

Winner, $5,000 Chris Baker Hay Sales Hunter Derby, Horse & Hound Spring

Thank you Claudia for the chance to ride Ramsey this year. We miss you! —Wendy & Missy

Wendy Carter, Head Trainer | Missy Froley, Trainer/Rider | Jeni Emanuel, Assistant Trainer 949.683.2905

949.683.2907

OakHavenFarmllc.com

photos by Woodside Images and Deb Dawson Photography | Ad Design By EquestriSol

OAK

HAVEN

Congratulations to Missy Froley & Coltrane owned by Larry & Peggy Wohlford

Winner, $5,000 EquiPride Hunter Derby, Sonoma Equestrian Challenge

Thank you Larry & Peggy for all your support and commitment over the years. —Wendy & Missy

Wendy Carter, Head Trainer | Missy Froley, Trainer/Rider | Jeni Emanuel, Assistant Trainer 949.683.2905

949.683.2907 photos by Woodside Images | EquestriSol Ad Design

OakHavenFarmllc.com

PROFESSIONAL POP QUIZ This month’s question: “What do you

First I’ll make a quip to try to cheer them up. The first words from Duncan or myself will normally be ‘it’s okay, don’t worry.’

Typically I’ll compare their round with something similar I’ve done, to help lighten the situation.

Worrying doesn’t help. ‘We live to fight another day’ is a favorite saying.

tell a student to give them a confidence boost after they’ve just had a less than stellar round at a show?”

As a rider myself, I can guarantee at some stage I will have had a similar round, mistake, or calamity.

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

I also tell my students that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s how they handle their mistakes that is important. Letting go of the negative and moving past mistakes is a huge part of the mental game of riding.

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

Helen McNaught, Outwoods Farm

I always try to focus on the positive & talk with my students about what went right with their course. I encourage them to tell me what they did in the parts of the course that were successfulthen they can go back in and focus on duplicating that.

Mike Gretton, Marian Nelson Equestrian

STYLE RIDER

by Sarah Appel

Priscilla Trees

A familiar face on the NorCal A-circuit, freelance rider Priscilla Trees feels blessed to have had the good fortune to pair up with high quality hunters that have helped her make a name for herself in recent years.

Trees assists the barns of Northern Run and Avalon both at their home bases and at shows, keeping her calendar busy with a rotating schedule.

With several derby wins and the Timeless Hunter Award at the 2011 Menlo Charity Horse Show under her belt, Trees is on the right track to continue building her resume while competing against seasoned professionals in the hunter ring. As she relates to H&S, her style is on the right track as well; simple, elegant, and with just the right amound of flash.

Horse & Style: Describe your riding style.

Priscilla Trees: Simple, traditional and classic with a few pops of color or pattern.

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

PT: My favorite piece of riding apparel are my Casa de las Botas tall boots. I had them custom fitted in Argentina while on my honeymoon. Ariat Pro Circuits are my go-to breeches. They have a classic fit and are incredibly comfortable. I tend to lean towards traditional collared button-down shirts for my day to day riding, and I really like Essex Cool Max and Cheval shirts for the shows. They are very breathable, which is a necessity when you are showing all day. All my show coats are by Grand Prix. They have beautiful fabric options, fit great and are more traditional than a lot of other brands that I like. And of course sunscreen!

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

PT: Yes, I always wear a diamond heart necklace that my grandfather gave to my grandmother, my mother and I in Holland. It’s really special to me and always brings me luck! I also have lucky show shirts and coats.

H&S: What are your favorite equestrian brands?

PT: Ariat for their clothing, and Equisport for their horse products.

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

PT: I consider my style to be pretty classic. I tend to favor skinny jeans, ballet flats, and light weight clothing.

H&S: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a professional rider?

PT: It was a dream come true for me to be able to transition into the open hunter ring with success this last year. I was USEF reserve champion in the Green Conformation division last year on Diamond River, and I moved up into the Regular Conformation Division this year and was champion at Thermal, and champion both weeks at the Woodside Horse Show. I’m incredibly thankful to Cindy Brooks for giving me the opportunity to ride such a talented horse, and for helping me become a more polished professional.

H&S: What are your riding goals for the future?

PT: I hope to have continued success in the open hunter divisions, and I would love to do some more riding in the jumper ring as well!

H&S: If you weren’t a professional rider, what would your dream profession be?

PT: I love working on my farm in Petaluma, taking care of my livestock and producing cheeses. I also board a group of retired horses, which I really enjoy. It’s nice to continue to give them a great life after the hard work they put in for their riders. I have a huge passion for California native landscaping and have designed and planted my own garden and hedgerows, which will hopefully appear one day as part of the Sonoma Garden Tour.

Top: The stylish Trees poses with an equine friend.

Left: Trees and Diamond River compete in the hunter ring at Woodside

JUNE | JULY

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NORCAL CORNER

by NorCal board member Sue Sadlier

Equitation Classics Reward Riders & Trainers The NorCal Hunter Jumper Association is proud of the values encouraged by the annual NorCal Equitation Classics. This annual event is sponsored by the NorCal Hunter Jumper Association and the Strides & Tides Horse Show.

The Classics are a two-phase event consisting of a gymnastics phase and an over fences phase. It is divided into five age groups ranging from 11 and under, to 36 and over and also includes a pony section. NorCal trainer and equitation enthusiast Vanessa Brown states, “the Classics, with their gymnastics phase, provide to young riders the flavor of future challenges in more advanced medals like the USET should they aspire to such goals.”

2011 winners of the Equitation Classics include

11 & Under Champion Tylor Nowell Trainer: Nina & Mariano Alario

12-14 Champion Jayme Omand Trainer: Kelly Van Vleck

15-17 Champion Katie Steiner Trainer: Denize Borges

18-35 Champion Katherine Civian Trainer: Gry McFarlane

36 & Over Champion Michele Tobin Trainer: Joey Pedroni

Pony Champion Eve Jobs Trainer: Nancy Hey

The classics reward riders and trainers that have put in their time at home doing flatwork and gymnastics in the best interest of preparing the horse for his job and enhancing communication between horse and rider.

This year’s NorCal Equitation Classics will be held during the Strides and Tides Horse Show Sept 12th -16th at the Sonoma Horse Park.

All photos ©Deb Dawson

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APRIL | MAY

BETWEEN THE LINES reviewed by Sarah Appel

Inside Your Ride

S H OW YO U R COLOURS

by Tonya Johnston, MA

The horse is sound, the rider is fit and ready for the ring. Or are they? Riding is a sport, and even the world’s top riders and the best horses have off days. No matter how physically prepared a rider is, if their mental skills are not on par they are not prepared to achieve their best results.

M.A. Tonya Johnston has spent two decades as a mental skills coach. As a rider herself, she applied her knowledge and experience while writing Inside Your Ride. Within the pages of her book you’ll learn helpful mental relaxation and focus practices such as stretching, breathing, visualization and more. Inside Your Ride also gives readers the rare opportunity to get inside the heads of top riders from across the country, as they reveal how they mentally prepare for big classes such as the Olympics and the World Cup Final.

Motivation. Confidence. Visualization.

Attitude. Each chapter dials in on a mental skill that can help a rider be successful inside the ring. And with top tips at the end of each chapter that resonate with the reader, the take away value from each section is huge.

Bernie Traurig, who writes the forward to Inside Your Ride, notes that during his heyday, he taught himself about mental preparation through trial and error. The skills that Tonya teaches have always been essential for success, no matter what discipline you ride.

Not everyone can afford to have the luxury of an onsite sports psychologist ringside with them, but you can consider Inside your Ride your own personal pocket guide to successful mental skills, inside and outside the ring.

THE NEW SHOW SHIRT

Classic in the ring...

Fabulous out.

Found at these fashionable retailers:

Valencia Saddlery Santa Clarita, CA

LA Saddlery Burbank, CA

Gallops Saddlery Tigard, OR

Olson's Tack Bellevue, WA

www.chevalfashions.com

TREND REPORT Show Shirts ‘12

Buttoned Up Beauties Burberry Bliss

These classic and chic show shirts will have you looking fabulous in and out of the ring.

Off the Cuff

Cream Burberry Front Open, Cheval Fashions $179

Floral Fusion

Coolmax Victory Vent Snap, ARIAT $99

Custom Shirt, Stable Cloth $225

Bit of Blue

Nips Toledo Wrap Style, Essex Collections $129

Pretty in Pink

Cream/Pink/ Blue Plaid with Ivory Bamboo, LeFash $195

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JUNE | JULY

HUNTERS

JUMPERS

EQUITATION

PONIES

Congratulates Madison Bradshaw and Katina 12

Champion, $3,500 Paddock Cakes Jr/AO Jumper Champion, $3,500 Hyatt Place Jr/AO High Jumper Stake Champion, $3,500 Jr/AO Young Rider Qualifying Class Res. Champion, $15,000 Woodside Spring Preview Jumper Classic

Kristen Lowenthal and Solo

Gillett Brescia and Illux

Champion, Adult Amateur Hunter 36 & Over HMI Equestrian Challenge, Horse & Hound Spring Woodside Spring Preview, HITS Thermal Week V

Champion, Amateur Hunter Classic

HMI Equestrian Challenge, Horse & Hound Spring Woodside Spring Preview, HITS Thermal Weeks IV & V

Good luck to our members of the 2012 Spruce Meadows Team!

Gillett Brescia and Illux

Madison Bradshaw 1.40m Team Kristen Lowenthal 1.00m Team

Madison Bradshaw and Katina 12

Successful riders. Happy horses.

Beverly Jovais - Trainer (415) 297-4261 - Katy Candy and John Wohr, Asst. Trainers

Cotati, CA - www.ChestnutHillCA.com

J U M P E R S

•

H U N T E R S

•

E Q U I T A T I O N

Congratulations to Leah Rapapport

and agents, Buddy and Vanessa Brown of Derby Hill, on the purchase of

Lansing

We wish you many years of success!

Thank you to Lansing’s wonderful owners, Lynette Giannini and Kendall Jordan

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111 Jennifer Ln, Alamo, CA • Phone: 925.285.6361 • Fax: 925.935.1278 • ShadyLaneLLC@comcast.net Photos by Flying Horse Photo and Susan Lea

J U M P E R S

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H U N T E R S

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E Q U I T A T I O N

Whatever your goals, Call Shady Lane “Home!” w w w. s h a d y l a n e f a r m l

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ROLEX FEI WORLD

CUP FINAL

by Erin Gilmore

The crowd began screaming in anticipation as Rich Fellers and Flexible turned toward the tall, 1.62m Rolex vertical.

Photo ©StockImageServices.com

They were seven strides away from victory, and Fellers, of Wilsonville, OR, knew it. Already galloping at top speed, he pointed Flexible towards that final fence of the jumpoff, and the crowd gasped as the small Irish-bred stallion nearly brushed the top rail with his belly guard as he skimmed across it.

But of course, the rails stayed up, and when Flexible touched the ground on the other side, he had made history.

At the Rolex FEI World Cup Final, held April 19 – 23, 2012 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland, Fellers and Flexible became the first American pair to win the prestigious World Cup Final in a quarter century.

Breaking the Drought Rich Fellers and Flexible Win the 2012 Rolex FEI World Cup Final JUNE | JULY

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Their victory came at the delight of the many Americans in attendance and watching around the world. The title for this yearly individual championship has long eluded U.S. riders, including Fellers himself, who had competed at four previous World Cup Finals with Flexible.

It’s a very unique feeling, it feels good,” said Fellers of winning the Final. “I think that the course designer did a world-class job from the first day to the end. The week was quite safe; there weren’t any crashes or horses that lost their heart or their courage but at the same time it was very very difficult and top, top level jumping.

Eight Americans in total traveled to Holland to contest this year’s Final. But with four full rounds of jumping over three days to count on, clear rounds were hard to come by, and when the dust settled the second-best American rider was Richard Spooner and Cristallo in 16th place.

Coming into the final day of competition, all eyes were on Fellers, who had won Round 1 and finished Round 2 tied for second overall. The morning before the final rounds, a small crowd gathered to watch the top riders school their horses in the vast indoor Brabanthallen. Some riders worked on transitions and counter canters, while others set up difficult grid lines to tune up their mounts.

But Fellers put a soft snaffle bit in his 16-year-old stallion’s mouth, and simply walked and trotted Flexible around the busy ring for about 30 minutes. Owned by Harry and Mollie Chapman of Oregon, Flexible has known Fellers as his only rider throughout his ten-year career. With that lengthy partnership between them, Fellers knew that Flexible needed little more than to stretch his legs in preparation for the tough rounds ahead.

From top: The thirty-seven riders qualified for the Final posed together just before the start of the first round; Charlie Jayne and Rich Fellers walked every course together during the week, discussing each question in detail; there was no shortage of bling on display from event sponsor Mercedes Benz; VIP attendees wanted for nothing while they viewed the competition. Photos ©Erin Gilmore unless otherwise noted

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JUNE | JULY

Photo ©StockImageServices.com

He might as well be 14, he feels so good,” said Fellers. “He has some longevity in the sport, he’s a tough horse which is lucky for me, because he continues to improve and learn every year.

After Guerdat managed a clear jumpoff round, Fellers and Flexible entered the ring to an electric atmosphere. And when they stopped the clock 0.64 seconds faster than Guerdat, the crowd of Europeans leapt to their feet.

Fellers looked surprised when it was pointed out to him that he was the first U.S. rider in 25 years to win the World Cup Final.

Did You Know?

Photo ©StockImageServices.com

World Cups rarely end in jumpoffs, but at this final, Flexible ended up squared off in a two-horse jumpoff against Steve Guerdat and Monte Bellini of Switzerland.

The two riders had accumulated equal penalty points over the competition’s four full rounds, with both their horses pulling just one rail the entire week.

“That’s a long time with all these red coats that come to the World Cup Finals. We were due!” he joked goodnaturedly. “And whether it was me or someone else who won it, I think it’s great for our country. What a boost.”

Clockwise from top: Beezie Madden and Cortes C finished 17th overall; Rich Fellers snuck a look at his new trophy during the post-competition press conference; Richard Spooner and Cristallo were 16th, the second best placing of an American rider.

Rich Fellers followed up on his World Cup win by taking the top placing in the first two Olympic Observation events in Del Mar, California two weeks after the Final.

Both USET Chef d’Equipe George Morris and incoming Chef Robert Ridland were in attendance at the Final to provide guidance to U.S. riders.

Richard Spooner may not have had the Final he hoped for with Cristallo, but he took home several wins in daytime classes with Billy Bianca.

The 2013 Rolex FEI World Cup Final will be held in Goteburg, Sweden, April 24- 28

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BEHIND THE SEAMS

by Tanya Zilinskas Naouri Pairing innovation with timeless equestrian style, Tredstep Ireland is quickly becoming a preeminent name for riding gear. At the heart of Tredstep’s products is a constant push towards increased performance paired with an abiding respect for the traditional look of the sport. Producing some of the most comfortable and attractive riding boots and accessories on the market today, the philosophy of form following function has defined Tredstep Ireland ever since its launch nearly 20 years ago.

A Customized Fit

Tredstep was founded from necessity when founder and three-day event rider Aiden Keogh went shopping for a pair of half chaps. He was unimpressed with what he found: bulky rectangular pieces of leather outfitted with a few straps for attachment. Keogh found them so unsatisfactory for his purposes that he set about making his own pair of half chaps. The result was markedly different from what was being predominantly sold in tack stores at the time. Instead of relying on the omnipresent awkwardly fitting straps, Keogh’s half chaps utilized elasticized leather panels for a more customized fit. The design was so appealing that upon seeing them, other equestrians wanted their own pair as well.

Keogh began supplying riders with his newly designed half chaps, and he knew that there was serious business potential in his creations. His official product launch was to be at the 1993 Dublin Horse Show, but there was only one problem: he had not yet come up with a company name.

In addition to riding, Keogh had been working for his family business, a supplier of arena surfaces that utilized chopped rubber from tires. An informal competition at a bar the night before the show determined that Keogh’s new business would maintain the same name as the arena surfacing business: Tredstep. The newly minted Tredstep half chaps flew off the proverbial shelves the next day at the show.

The Reluctant Bootmaker

While half chaps were Tredstep’s initial offering, the company has more recently been defined by its similarly revolutionary boot collection. Despite his considerable experience over the past couple of decades with fitting the legs of riders, Keogh’s desire to create a Tredstep boot was tinged with some reluctance - it would be an enormous undertaking, to say the least.

Working with some of his larger key retail customers in the United States and Europe, Keogh focused on the concept

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of flexion for Tredstep’s boot line. Noting that tall boots are designed to “stand upright” rather than break down, Keogh set out to create a boot that would build flexion into the design, bypassing both the lack of longevity found in ultra-soft hides as well as the potential painful breaking in period that riders often have to endure with tougher leathers.

“It’s a boot and a boot has a job to do,” Keogh observes. “If you make it ultra soft it will disintegrate. Instead of making the leather ultra soft, we made flexion part of the design.”

Named the Renaissance collection because of the innovation-infused classic design, Tredstep boots launched in March of 2011 with the da Vinci and Donatello styles. Unlike competing brands, Tredstep boots avoid wrinkling at the ankle as the built-in flexion doesn’t force the leather to break down. Once again, the new Tredstep products were an unmitigated success upon their release, even becoming the #1 and #2 best-selling boots for some retailers.

Both styles have been equally popular, albeit for different reasons: the da Vinci offers Tredstep’s pro-flex design and is made of superior quality Italian calfskin leather that rivals much more expensive custom boots, while the Donatello is an ultra-affordable option that still offers the European styling, quality and flexibility of Tredstep.

Defying Categorization

Despite Keogh’s intense focus on functionality, the incredible performance of Tredstep’s products is still undeniably bolstered by their stylishness and visual appeal. Nowhere is this more evident than Tredstep’s newest boot style, the Raphael, which was released in March 2012. The Raphael was actually one of Tredstep’s first boot designs, but was held back from the initial launch.

Neither a field boot nor a dress boot, in Europe the Raphael would be considered to be a tall boot, but to a degree it defies categorization, particularly in the US. The sleek, tailored look and clean dressage leg of this boot has made the Raphael a “phenomenal success,” according to Keogh.

One fan of the Raphael boots is Tredstep sponsored grand prix rider Callan Solem. “I love them so much and they are so easy to break in,” says Solem. “I ride between 8 to 15 horses a day and breaking in a pair of boots can be so awful. On the other hand, boots that are easy to break in don’t always stand up to that sort of schedule. All of

Tredstep’s products are very comfortable but you can also use them – they’re not fragile.” She adds, “They really know the audience that they are producing equipment for. I think that Tredstep is a unique company in that they have such a basis in horsemanship that all of their products have a unique combination of durability and comfort.”

Indeed, Keogh’s own pedigree as a rider has undoubtedly been a major driving force in making Tredstep as rider-friendly as it is. Born into an equestrian family in Dublin, Keogh started his riding career competing in a local pony club. He was introduced to legendary trainer William Micklem, and under his tutelage began competing at the junior level.

Keogh later worked for Rodney Jenkins in the US, joining him at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. After that, Keogh rode for the Junior European Championships. His current mounts include Tredstep Bold Flyer, Master Tredstep and King Tredstep, the latter two with whom he placed 1st and 5th with respectively at the recent Burgham Horse Trials in the U.K. in March.

As Micklem recalls from their first encounter, “Aidan was riding this pony when I first met him and I remember telling his parents how talented he was. Telling parents they have a talented child is a multi-edged sword. It must always be included with a little ‘balancing sermon’ about all the talent in the world is useless without hard work and good coaching and that aiming at elite performance requires huge sacrifices.”

Micklem’s words regarding hard work and sacrifice certainly hold resonance with Keogh’s enduring dedication to the quality of Tredstep products. In addition to riding boots and gloves, Tredstep continues to produce the original half chaps in their signature colors of black, brown and tan. Of course, in true Tredstep style, these classic items will be joined by even more newly advanced products over the next few years.

Opposite page: Tredstep’s newly released Raphael boots.

Above: Aidan with his canine companion Toby.

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is being known for pushing boundaries, bringing innovation and respecting the sport,” notes Keogh. “We can bring interesting features and improved products, but still keep them beautiful and classic.”

Authentic Vintage Material, Sophisticated Modern Flair

THE FEEDBAG

by Deux Chevaux ❧

www.deuxchevauxproducts.com

NEW PRODUCT ALERT

by Ashley Cline

Clean. Finish.

Shine.

“C.F.S.” by equiFUSE Have you ever caught yourself at the store buying the biggest jugs of human shampoo you can find and blushing with embarrassment as you check out with four bottles of Pantene Pro V? Whether you are preparing

for the pony model, trying to win the hack, or looking to move up in the confirmation class, your beloved equine needs to be sparkling clean and shining in the show ring, and that often means lots (and lots) of product.

Pampering your horse is a must, especially when it comes to looking beautiful all the time. Of course, horses love to roll in as much sand as they can find, creating the ongoing problem of repeat bathing during the week. Many of us horse owners have been using a plethora of human products on our horses thinking we are doing a great job of cleaning, but bathing your horse every day is not good for the skin, and it is known that human shampoos contain fragrance that can leave horses’ skin irritated.

Enter Equifuse

Equifuse’s new horse hair care product “Clean, Finish, and Shine” (C.F.S,) is the latest horse shampoo on the market that solves the issues of repeated baths and dull coats. With a special shine additive that leaves the horse’s coat soft and shiny once dried, C.F.S. offers a feature that regular shampoos and soaps do not offer. One must remember: a dull coat in the show ring is unacceptable when competing on the A circuit.

Allyson Harrison of Equifuse rode and showed competitively in the children’s hunters, and later on the collegiate riding team while studying at Santa Clara University in San Jose, CA. While out riding one day with friend and now business partner Beki Starr, the two decided to start Equifuse.

“We envisioned a line that would solely focus on horses, and to emphasize this idea to our target market of equestrians, we started our company name with “’equi’, short for equine,” explains Harrison.

“While researching synonyms for the word inspire, we came across ‘Infuse’ meaning to introduce, seep or soak. And with that, we chose the company name EquiFUSE.” Equifuse products consist of natural ingredients that are safe for use on any equine. “I stand behind the products so truly and honestly,” Harrison adds. After all, she developed Equifuse for her very own horses. And Harrison made sure that horses of a different color would still produce a glimmering shine from C.F.S. The sweet smelling shampoo is designed to last with a concentrated-like formula that “foams like a car wash,” Harrison explains. With a foaming component, the palm made gel consistency of C.F.S. results in easier bathing and cleaning, and even getting the dreaded stains on white horses clean. It’s time to step away from the purple soap!

This product is truly revolutionary for show barns: fewer trips to the store, a sparkling shining horse, and a coat that is soft and irritationfree. Primp your horse with the proper cosmetics specifically made just for your special equine!

Before and after: Grey is beautiful, as evidenced by Equifuse model Pia. Belgian Warmblood mare Azzura shines after her bath with Equifuse CFS

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Fashion Snapshot Tara Couch

Horse & Style spotted NorCal rider Tara Couch of Saratoga, CA, looking fresh and fabulous while competing this spring in Florida.

WHAT SHE’S WEARING Eden Valley Stables logo trucker hat, priceless

Aviator glasses, Ray-Ban $145 “Rika” shirt, Alessandro Albanese $139 Breeches, Pikeur $330 Horse Bit Belt, GUCCI $485 Rolex watch (stolen from Mr. Couch) “H” Bracelet, Hermes $610

GET HER LOOK FOR LESS H&S logo trucker hat, priceless Aviator glasses, Jessica Simpson $44 Tania Polo Shirt, Pikeur $68 Bradley Knee Patch Breeches, SmartPak $99 Mini Horse Bit Cinch Belt, Sole Survivor $56.00 Michael Kors “Blair” watch $250 Changing Spots Bangle, Kate Spade $78.00

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Helen McEvoy & Chance of Flurries

Congratulations to

Helen McEvoy & Chance of Flurries Champion of the $2,500 Horse & Style Magazine Hunter Derby Pickwick Summer Tournament

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 created by Applehead Design

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

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Susie Sweeps Sonoma!

by Erin Gilmore Photos ©Jeannie Sucre Photography

It wasn’t the biggest grand prix she’d ever won, not by a long shot. But Susie Hutchison turned lots of heads and gained

a crowd of new fans when she took home the first two grands prix of the Sonoma Horse Park’s 2012 season this May.

She chose the Northern California venue to introduce two young horses to the grand prix ring, and her choice paid off well. It was the 8-year-old mare SIG Excel that stepped up in particular, handily winning both the $20,000 Equine Insurance Grand Prix, and the $25,000 County Saddlery Grand Prix.

A Timeline of Success

Hutchison is best known for her accomplishments in the early ‘90s, when she rose to fame under the eye of Jimmy Williams with such legendary horses as Samsung Woodstock and America I. The 1992 American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year and The Chronicle of the Horse Rider of the Year is also a many-times World Cup Final and World Equestrian Games veteran, and she is recognized nationwide as one of the West Coast’s most accomplished grand prix riders.

So it wasn’t so much her victory at Sonoma that was surprising, as it was her presence. The young venue is in just its third season, and the Southern California-based rider rarely ventures to the northern half of the state to compete; in fact she hadn’t shown outside of Southern CA for five years. But with good prize money and a growing reputation for a top-quality venue in the wine country, more and more far-flung riders are traveling to SHP. Opposite page: Accepting accolades with SIG Excel in the winners circle at SHP. This page, top: Hutchison brought two up and coming horses, including SIG Zuleika (pictured) to SHP to begin their grand prix careers. Bottom: Hutchison hangs in the VIP tent at the Horse Park.

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OUTWOODS FARM WISHES ITS CLIENTS THE BEST OF LUCK AT SPRUCE MEADOWS THIS YEAR. Best of luck to the 2012 NorCal Spruce Teams in the Prix de Nations tournament!

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

Helen McNaught & Duncan McFarlane, Trainers

www.helenmcnaught.com

photos by Rick Osteen | created by applehead design

561-758.1438

“Every summer there used to be a circuit in Santa Barbara, Monterey, Pebble Beach and Sacramento,” remembered Hutchison. “They faded away for different reasons; the quality wasn’t good enough anymore, the prize money fell, the footing, and there were different reasons not to go north anymore.

But thanks to show managers like Rudy Leone, Sally Hudson and others, they’re starting to put on some really nice horse shows and give people in Southern California a reason to go back up there again.

An Olympic Eye

However, it’s not as if Hutchison’s been resting on her laurels in Southern California. This spring, she was asked by the United States Equestrian Federation to serve as one of three official Olympic Selectors. She gladly agreed, and with fellow selectors Chris Kappler and Peter Leone, has played a critical part in the process of choosing the four riders and one alternate who will represent the United States at this summer’s London Olympic Games.

“It’s really interesting to look at the sport from a different side,” says Hutchison. “I’ve really enjoyed being with Chris, George (Morris), Robert (Ridland), and Peter throughout the process.”

Hutchison attended the USEF Selection Trials for the Show Jumping Team in Wellington, Florida in late March, as well as the first Olympic Observation Event held in Del Mar in early May.

through the spring and early summer, she’s confident that the U.S. is on the right track.

“I think when you read or listen to interviews with the riders, you can see that the Trials really helped horses and riders step up to the plate,” Hutchison added. “Anyone on this year’s team will have to ride their way there.”

Future Stars

At 59, there’s no indication that Hutchison is ever going to stray far from the saddle. She enjoys keeping a modest-sized string of high quality horses at her farm in Temecula, and is hands on in all aspects of the business. After the sale of her longtime grand prix partner Cantano last year to international superstar Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Hutchison turned her focus back to bringing up young jumpers with bright futures.

“I really enjoy starting young horses and bringing them along,” she says. “It motivates me to get up in the morning and get over to the barn.”

This year Hutchison will continue to aim SIG Excel and her stablemate, the equally talented SIG Zuleika, carefully toward a future in grand prix rings.

Her calendar includes a return trip to Sonoma in July, where that new crowd of Northern California fans will surely be welcoming her back.

Susie’s Style Susie Hutchison’s style in the ring is classic, strong and clean, and she chooses riding wear based on those same principles.

And of course, support from her many sponsors is a welcome luxury for this legendary rider.

1. CHARLES OWEN HELMET 2. BLUE ALLON HUNT COAT 3. FITS BREECHES AND SHOW SHIRT 4. HERITAGE GLOVES 5. DER DAU BOOTS 1 4

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After also attending the final Olympic Observation Event at Spruce Meadows in June, she helped to determine the penultimate group of riders to send to Europe for further selection, before the team is chosen in July.

Choosing an Olympic team is a subjective decision based on the performance of Olympic hopefuls. The United States is somewhat unique in its method of requiring riders to go through a rigorous selection process, but as she’s viewed the progression of the top riders

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STYLE PROFILES

by Sarah Appel

Trendy Trainer

Latticework Scarf, Kate Spade $100 Horseshoe Tee, Project Social $23 Bobbi Breeches, Equine Couture $70 Idiom Bangles, Kate Spade $32 each Eliana Ballet flats, TOMS $79

Summer Prep Can’t make it to the Hamptons this summer? Indulge your inner prep in these savvy summer styles.

Polished Pony Mom

Vintage Floral & Horse Print, HERMES $1,093 Milly for Sperry, Top-Sider Wedge $195 Horseshoe Cove Scout Bag, Kate Spade $278 Selleria Sunglasses, FENDI $200 Selleria Watch, FENDI $850

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Gorgeous Gent Boat Shoe, Sperrys $75 Sunglasses, TOMS $159 Shorts, Jack Spade $155 Stable Polo, ARIAT $40

Ambient Amateur

Madras Strapless Dress, Nantucket Brand $139 Archer Flat, DV Dolce Vita $69 Tilsim Equestrian Charm Neckalce, Tory Burch $295 (as seen on dappledgrey.com)

Orange Mini Dipped Tote, Tory Burch $225

Jovial Junior

Horse Bit Bangle, $25 Ladies Isla Espadrilles, Joules $35 Horse Tote, Sloan Ranger $38 Popped Collar Polo Key Chain, Vineyard Vines $30

JUNE | JULY

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BARN ENVY

by Erin Gilmore

I love going to work.

I don’t think I’ve ever worked for or with such generous, honest and amazing people.

Inset: Hilary with students Ali and Niki Hirt, and Peyton and Ginger Freeman.

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Iron Horse

Equestrian Center Home of Rose Hill Stables

It’s hard to believe that this used to be a flat field; now grapevines grow up terraces covering the viewing areas, that sit on a raised berm facing the outdoor jumper ring.

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“I love going to work. I don’t think I’ve ever worked for or with such generous, honest and amazing people.”

And the setting doesn’t hurt, either. Trainer Hilary Johnson has cleared some lofty hurdles during her career, but she couldn’t have asked for a better place to land than Iron Horse Equestrian Center in the East Bay’s Pleasanton.

Her Rosehill Stables finds a permanent home in the sweeping facility, purchased in July 2010 by the Hirt family, and built by design to be the answer to every horse person’s ideal wish list.

Twenty-five turnouts, four arenas (including an indoor,) a 70 foot round pen, Eurocizer and two spacious barns translate into a top class, functional facility able to support quality training for the A-circuit shows.

And with a three-bedroom clubhouse, volleyball and tennis courts, mini vineyard, terraced viewing areas, full-size castle playhouse and green manicured lawns that catch the eye at every turn, the property is a haven that was truly constructed for all. Even nonhorse members of the family willingly spend the day enjoying the facility while their family member rides.

A former training facility, the property had fallen into disrepair before the Hirts acquired it, and after two years of intense remodeling and refurbishing, the equestrian center now shines with attention to detail from Johnson and the Hirt family.

It’s a beautiful place to work and ride and just be,” says Johnson, who recovered from a serious back injury in 2003 to return to training full time. “I enjoy every minute I spend here, and

I know that the horses do, too.

This page: This three bedroom clubhouse includes the greatroom (pictured), a wraparound porch and marbletopped barbeque. Used as a gathering place for family, a meeting point to review show videos, and a place to host visiting clinicians, it sits with a clear view into the indoor arena.

Horses in turnout can gaze over the fence at a fully functional mini vineyard; grapevines also line the main entrance to the facility.

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Clockwise from top left: A happy occupant gazes out of his turnout, which sits in the shadow of a brand new 70-foot covered round pen. Used for everything from free jumping to beginner lessons, the round pen is a great asset to Rose Hill’s program.

A full hunter course is bordered by this raised viewing area, which features comfortable spots for a rider’s friends and family to observe training sessions from.

Built to match the round pen, every horse on the property benefits from the six-horse Eurocizer.

Photos of Hillary line one wall of the barn, but she encourages her students to fill the frames with their own action shots.

A manicured bridle path lines the property, providing a convenient place for handwalking and hacking.

It may look life size, but this twenty-foot tall castle is actually a playhouse scaled for children. Newly constructed, it is wired for a complete entertainment center, has two floors and a spiral staircase. Could an imaginative child want for more?

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by Molly W. Chappell

Ramsey, poster pony for the 2012 Northern California Triple Crown of Hunter Derbies, is small in stature but big in personality. The bay Oldenburg gelding has racked up wins in the performance hunters, while finding his niche hunting fences in the derby divisions.

“In his stall he is quite territorial and wants you to know it’s his domain,” says his rider, Missy Froley. But 16 year-old Ramsey likes to pretend that he is much tougher than he is.

As soon as you come by with treats he will be your best friend,

she adds.

a few important requirements, including a horse with a nice jump that would help build confidence, and a good personality. They flew to Tosh’s farm on their quest, and were thrilled when they found the 15.1 hand Ramsey. He offered all qualifying characteristics, making it an easy decision to put him on a trailer West.

“Not only is he beautiful to look at with good conformation and a great jump,” says Carter. “He is pretty much a large puppy dog.”

His good looks and movement have served him well. For the past five years, Ramsey has earned top honors at numerous horse shows up and down the California coast in the children’s, performance and hunter derby divisions.

When Kelley moved to New Jersey for her freshman year at Princeton University, Froley took over the reins on Ramsey. The pair ended 2011 with two derby wins, including the $2,500 Foxtail Farms Hunter Derby in Sacramento, Calif., the first leg of the Hunter Derby Triple Crown series, and the $3,500 NorCal Hunter Challenge, again in Sacramento. This year Froley and Ramsey started the derby season with a fifth place finish in the $5,000 Brookside Welcome Hunter Derby, and most recently won the $5,000 Chris Baker Hay Sales Hunter Derby in May at the Sonoma Horse Park.

Winning the first leg of the Triple Crown series was a special moment for Missy, as it was her first derby win with Ramsey and earned them the spot on the advertisement used to promote the series.

“It was very unexpected,” stated Froley about being the poster model for the 2012 year.

Owner Claudia Kelley, whose horses compete under the name Bay Rose, LLC, purchased Ramsey after he spent time competing in the regular conformation, regular working and amateur owner hunters on the East Coast. In 2005 he was ranked nationally in the USEF regular conformation year-end standings and topped Zone 2 regular conformation standings, while earning numerous championships under the guidance of Georgia-based trainer Hunt Tosh.

At the time, Kelley was riding as a junior and her trainers, Froley and Wendy Carter, were looking for her next children’s hunter. They had

In between horse shows Ramsey spends time at Oak Haven, Froley and Carter’s training barn located at the Portola Valley Training Center in Menlo Park. He loves spending time in the large turnouts while getting a break from baths and braids.

One perk for Ramsey is that his demands are usually met. If he wants something he generally tends to get it. According to Carter,

He feels that he is well deserving of his treats and he is good at letting you know that!

Action shot: Froley and Ramsey on their way to a win in the $5,000 Chris Baker Hay Sales Hunter Derby at the Sonoma Horse Park on May 11, 2012. Photos ©Woodside Images

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CLINIC SPOTLIGHT Photos and quotes via Alden Corrigan

Over 1,200 spectators flocked to Gilroy Gaits in Hollister, CA from April 20th to 23rd to witness a two-day Colt Starting clinic with internationally respected horseman Buck Brannaman.

Figure out what you have to do to support a horse to be where he can’t stand to be without you.

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Buck’s horse, Arc.

Event organizer Bonnie Stoehn grinning from ear to ear based on the progress her colt made in 24 hours.

Weathered hands and a well worn rope.

If I was pulling on a butterfly’s wing I wouldn’t pull it off.

Have it happen because of you, not in spite of you.

The colt class in the round pen.

Always offer them the best deal first.

Homemade goodies from the Lucky Cap Ladies

Get them ready for the

unthinkable.

Rolling Hills 4H of Cupertino represents.

JUNE | JULY

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TRAINER SPOTLIGHT

by Erin Gilmore

Rudy Leone

How one NorCal trainer turned a longtime interest into an additional business “I’m a footing freak,” says Rudy Leone,

when explaining how he became the West Coast’s go-to source for ultra high tech Geo German Textile (GGT) footing. Over 35 years of running Leone Equestrians, his training, breeding, and sporthorse import business in Sacramento, he made tinkering with the footing material in his rings an ongoing hobby. But it wasn’t until the last five years that he finally found the ideal footing material he’d always been searching for.

Just six years ago, fluffy white “European footing” was a fairytale as far as West Coast riders were concerned. But in 2008, Leone became a GGT dealer, and his name is now so synonymous with the high tech riding surface that many in the state of California now refer to it as “Rudy footing.”

As his services as a GGT installer become more and more in demand, Leone continues to operate his 50 horse training and sales barn with partner Jill Humphrey, manage a series of A and B circuit hunter/ jumper shows each year, and import jumpers from Europe on a regular basis. But to him, success in all of those areas begin with what’s under those all-important hooves.

“It’s about bettering the industry,” he adds. “The fact is that I’m still an exhibitor, and if I can go to shows with better footing, I’m just as happy as everyone else.”

Horse & Style: How many facilities in California now have GGT footing installed?

Rudy Leone: It is taking off like crazy, it’s amazing now. My facility has it, and the Sacramento International, where I actually take the footing out and put mine in, was the first facility in California to have it. That’s what made the footing famous and made my footing business take off.

Now the grand prix ring and warmup at Sonoma Horse Park have it, the two jumper rings at the Woodside Horse Park, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center had it for their World Cup class last fall, and most recently we installed it at the Flintridge Riding Club in Southern California.

I’ve also done 15 – 20 private farms in California.

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H&S: What makes it “your” footing? Do you actually mix it, or just oversee it?

RL: I did not invent the footing, it’s something that was invented in Europe and branded as German Geo Textile. What I have been able to do is find the best mix possible. We put the materials in a mixer, and we actually weigh the poundage, put the same amount of sand to the same amount of textile in the mixer so it comes out 100% mixed together, and that’s why it’s so good. Other people put both parts on the ground and try to rototill it down, but that’s not as good a way to do it.

H&S: What is actually in the mix?

RL: It’s polyester fabric mixed with the correct percentage of polyester fiber. The secret is to know the right percentage of fiber to use.

And then, in order to get the fiber to connect you need to mix it with a fine sand. It’s very important to use the correct sand; there’s even a difference between a round sand and a square sand if you look at it under a microscope. Coarse sands don’t work because the fiber will separate from it.

H&S: What are the benefits for the horses that regularly compete on GGT footing?

RL: If you ride on good footing it’s unquestionably to the benefit of the horse. Because of the cushion that this footing creates, it saves you on vet bills because it keeps horses sounder.

Especially for jumping horses that can run faster and make sharper turns, there are so many benefits to it that it’s an absolute no brainer. Every horse should be ridden on it. And having a better cushion to ride on saves the rider’s back too. The shock actually translates to the rider’s body too. Not to mention – it’s more comfortable to fall off in! It helps riders, it helps horses, it helps the industry.

H&S: It is big news that the jumper field at the Menlo Charity Horse Show this August will have your footing.

Can you describe the process that will happen before, during and after that show? Is there anything different you have to do in laying the footing over the polo field grass?

RL: It’s actually pretty simple. We’re going to take the footing and put it on the grass. The footing is good enough that you can put it on anything. You could basically put it on a freeway and ride on it if you wanted to and had enough of it. When the horse show is over, we will just pick it back up, stockpile it and store it for the next year.

Previous page: Rudy Leone and Didem Treadwell of DKT Saddlery pose in front of the 4-Bar jump during the 2011 Sacramento International Horse Show.

Photo ©Ryan Anne Polli

www.CrossCreekTackShop.com

The

Extraordinary One: Sapphire Retires

by Erin Gilmore It was a summer morning in 2002, and McLain Ward only had a few hours before he had to be on a flight to California, where he would compete in the Jerez WEG Trials with Viktor 1. But before he left, he took the time to try a new mare that had just arrived at Castle Hill Farm in Brewster, New York.

With the fog still burning off above the hills surrounding the outdoor ring and the sun giving horse and rider a somewhat celestial halo, he pointed Sapphire towards a jump for the very first time.

He immediately knew that she was going to be something extraordinary, and the rest is now history.

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without a backward glance. You couldn’t help but hold your breath as she cleared fence after fence in perfect form.

And while there isn’t anything at all sad about a healthy, happy horse being turned out in a field to have babies and loaf about to her hearts content, it’s a bittersweet piece of news when that horse is America’s favorite mare. On May 14th it was announced that McLain Ward’s great mare Sapphire is to be retired after an epic career spanning nearly ten years.

There’s nothing tragic about her graceful exit; she isn’t injured or unhealthy. Upon the public announcement of her retirement, she enjoyed a box of Dunkin Donuts and an extra ration of hay, photo evidence of which was jokingly posted on facebook by her longtime grooms.

Is it necessary to list her accomplishments? The short story is two Olympic gold medals, 2004 & 2008; two million dollar grand prix wins, Spruce Meadows, 2009 and the Pfizer Million, 2010; first place in The American Invitational, 2008; The President’s Cup at WIHS, 2008; The FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, 2009 & 2010; The Grand Prix of Rome, 2010; The FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix; 2009 & 2010; The Grand Prix of La Baule, France, 2010.

The Comeback That Would Have Been

That’s the short story. It was a special kind of thrill watching Sapphire walk calmly into an arena and trounce the competition

During the first week of the WEF season in early January, I scoured the entry lists until I saw that Sapphire had been entered in a warmup

But after a long rest in 2011 to recover from a minor check ligament strain, there were no donuts in sight when she was declared fit and ready to get back into the ring this past winter.

class. It was to be her first start back in the ring in over 9 months, and I wasn’t going to miss it. The class wasn’t much; a 1.40m open jumper round to allow her to stretch her legs in the ring again.

McLain took it easy with her, cantering slowly around the course in anticipation of a long grand prix season ahead.

Three days later he crashed in the Saturday night grand prix with Oh D’Ohele and everything changed. Her comeback was delayed once more. There was never any question of her being paired with another rider; she would wait and be kept fit while McLain’s broken kneecap healed. Based on past accomplishments, they were still named to the U.S. Long List for the Olympic Show Jumping Team in March.

This spring when McLain was able to ride again, the Castle Hill team began working towards the goal of showing Sapphire in mid May at Old Salem Farm. But for no one reason, she didn’t feel 110% percent in fighting form, and the decision was instead made to giver her the retirement she deserves, and has well earned.

Horsemen can tip their hats and applaud Sapphire’s team for making a decision that’s in the best interest of the horse. At 17 years old and with countless wins to her name, McLain has long said that she has nothing more to prove.

What’s Next?

In 2011, several attempts to breed Sapphire with Hickstead via embryo transplant were unsuccessful. In retirement the hope is that Sapphire will successfully be able to carry her own foal, and the top stallion choice is again Hickstead.

Poetic justice would be McLain one day riding a HicksteadSapphire foal to a World Cup win, one of the few titles that Sapphire was (quite unjustly) denied. Here’s hoping we see that day come to fruition.

It’s also worth mentioning that Sapphire has a pair of clones on the ground. Living at Blue Chip Bloodstock in New York, the two fillies have been quietly growing up these last two years, and clearly sport their mother’s head and expression. The jury is still out on whether they will inherit her talent, but in three years or so you can count on them getting their fair share of attention.

After a touching retirement ceremony at The Devon Horse Show on May 31st, “Sara” officially began her retirement, donuts, and all, at home on the farm in Brewster while McLain continued on the hunt to claim his spot on the 2012 Olympic Team with Antares F. So, here they are over the last fence in what ended up being their last competition round. Happy trails Sapphire, I’ll miss stalking you by the ingate rail, watching you dominate the competition, and holding my breath as you clear that last fence.

Opposite page: McLain Ward rides Sapphire for the first time. Photo ©Emma Williams This page: McLain & Sapphire clear their last fence in competition together, January 2012. Photo ©Erin Gilmore

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OUT AND ABOUT SONOMA HORSE PARK

1. Young horses lined up at SHP 2. Dr. Carrie and Lauren Kardel 3. Brenna on the move 4. Proudly displaying the week’s winnings 5. Jesse Holycross 6. Caitlin Azevedo and Kate Goltz horse around on the course walk 7. Kris Loewenthal 8. Patrick Seaton and Good Guinness put in a valiant effort in the jumpoff 9. Vanessa Brown chillin’ with a canine pal 10. Cover subject Susie Hutchinson flies in the grand prix 11. Viva Hallihan looking stylish 12.

Matt Sereni takes a cool down stroll along the levee 13. Christina Gray of CGD 14. Big win in the leadline class!

Photos ©Jeannie Sucre, Ryan Anne Polli and Horse & Style

JUNE | JULY

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Equine Assisted Therapies: Horses with heart make “giant” impacts The second in a three part series on equine assisted therapies

by Dr. Terri Lee Roberson

When 11-year-old Megan came to her first therapeutic riding lesson in 2010, she communicated through sign language and was considered “non-verbal.” In just about a year, after many unsuccessful attempts and more than a few frustrating tries, she declared, “I want to ride the brown horse.”

It was an accomplishment of great magnitude for someone who had been unable to successfully use her words to convey a want or a need.

Megan is one of the 100 or so riders currently receiving services at Giant Steps Therapeutic Riding Center in Petaluma, California.

Giant Steps believes that the caring for and riding of horses can be a powerful tool for healing individuals with physical, emotional and developmental challenges.

Becoming Involved

During the Giant Steps Gala last July at the Sonoma Horse Park, Ronn and Kristen Lowenthal were emotionally moved by what they saw while watching a demonstration provided by Giant Steps riders.

Ronn leaned into Kristen and whispered, “You need to be involved in this.” Kristen, a Northern California hunter jumper rider, couldn’t have agreed more. Before too long she was not just a new member of the Giant Steps board, but an enthusiastic volunteer as well.

Kristen and Megan meet every week along with other riders, volunteers and certified instructors at Giant Steps to go about the business of being with horses. For Megan, her verbal language skills improve weekly and her vocabulary has dramatically increased. “I didn’t know she knew and understood so many words,” says Beth Porter, executive director of Giant Steps.

Kristen’s eyes light up (and slightly tear up) when she recalls the moment when she realized how connected Megan was to her surroundings. After a lesson, the two of them were walking down the barn aisle when Megan suddenly began naming every horse she walked by. For Kristen, it became a moment of clarity.

I was amazed, I had no idea that she was absorbing so much information,” Kristen remembers.

“I already understood how important horse relationships are, but after that I really got how much this work matters.

Life Lessons

A typical lesson at Giant Steps can involve anything from working on riding skills in the arena to riding on the “Bothin Trail”; a sensory

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integration experiential track around the facility. The trail includes hard boards, soft footing, and a small incline to help facilitate sensitive riders to become more confident in a changing environment. Riding the trail works particularly well for autistic children who sometimes have difficulty concentrating with too much stimulation all around them. But on the trail’s changing terrain, they begin to develop new, important focusing skills.

For Kristen, being a part of Giant Steps has changed her perspective of her own riding and competing. “I’m a better rider since becoming involved with Giant Steps,” she explains. “I approach the challenges of competition as an individual one; it’s my challenge to do my best on any given day, it’s not me against everyone else.” Kristen has also noticed a change on how she views horsemanship, and has gained a greater compassion for her horses, “they are real souls,” she adds. ”The more time you spend with them developing a relationship, the better the communication in the saddle.”

Offering Solutions

Giant Steps serves riders from all over the Bay Area with more than 60 distinct disabilities, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, stroke, spinal and head injuries, as well as mental and emotional challenges. Horses share a similar rhythmic motion with the gait of the human stride. Therapeutic riding helps strengthen and tone the rider’s muscles, improve balance, flexibility, head control and eye/hand coordination. For most riders, confidence and self-esteem are also improved and riders develop empathy and responsibility toward the horses.

It is a common theme among the riders at Giant Steps to experiences changes that happen not only during their lessons but are then translated into their lives.

Not surprisingly, Giant Steps volunteers often experience the same types of changes. Kristen has seen an improvement in her riding as well as felt an increased empathy for her horses and a newfound respect for all that they do for their human counterparts. At a recent show at Sonoma Horse Park, Kristen was feeling nervous about taking her young horse into the ring.

“I decided to be in that moment with my horse and appreciate him for all he can do, not worry so much about what might go wrong,” she recalls. “That is a direct lesson from my work with the amazing riders at Giant Steps.”

Of course, Megan’s life has changed as well. Because she is able to communicate so much more effectively, her quality of life has improved, and she is doing great at home and in school. Says Kristen, “Who knew that being devoted to horses could bring someone like me and someone like Megan together, and that through that relationship with the horse, our experience of being in the world is better!”

Riders and spectators in Northern California will have an opportunity to view a riding demonstration from some of Giant Steps’ inspirational riders at this year’s 3rd annual Giant Steps Charity Classic Grand Prix Gala at Sonoma Horse Park, August 5th, 2012. For more information, check out their website, giantstepsriding.org.

Opposite page: Megan and Kristen share a smile after learning to back up.

This page, top: Giant Steps students and volunteers.

This page, bottom: Kristen gives Scarlet an appreciative kiss after the lesson Photos ©H&S and Giant Steps

OUT AND ABOUT THE DEVON HORSE SHOW - DEVON, PA

1. 2012 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Inductee Hap Hansen 2. Ante Up and Peter Lombardo compete in the Regular Conformation Hunter 3. Chuck Pinnell and his fabulous custom leather goods 4. The annual Devon Hat Contest always produces high tower hat designs 5. A sellout crowd gathered for the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon on Thursday, June 1 6. Devon vendors go all out in design and display 7. Christa Endicott and Come Monday, winners in the Second Year Green 8. Rapunzel and Jennifer Alfano, Green and Green Confirmation Hunter Champions

Photos ŠAlden Corrigan

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9. Ladies gather for the annual Devon Hat contest 10. Ringmaster extraoridinaire Bobby Drennan 11. Beach bags a la Vespa 12. McLain Ward and Erica McKeever share a hug during Sapphire’s retirement ceremony 13. Nick Haness and Stay Tuned 14. Archie Cox of Brookway Stables 15. McLain Ward and Antares F won the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon over Margie Engle and Indigo

JUNE | JULY

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ASK DR. CARRIE Q: What do I do when I am not motivated to ride? I am

especially challenged when the weather is bad and all I want to do is stay inside!

A: Showing horses is an adrenaline rush no matter what level. It is like

an addiction where you just can’t get enough! Either you are trying to repeat the high from your last great round or you are attempting to clean up mistakes from the last round to regain that feeling! For some reason, we can never get enough! But training and practice don’t always reap the same results. When a lesson goes well, both horse and rider usually end with plenty of positive endorphins in their systems. When addressing challenges, reviewing basics, or experiencing some kind of internal conflict, the body’s chemical response can be mixed.

Here are some thoughts about maintaining motivation in and out of your horse life:

Carrie Wicks, Ph.D. 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.

If you would like to meet with Carrie to develop questions and comments for this column, please call or email. I am interested in learning about how riders of all levels prepare themselves for competition as well as how they connect with their horses.

707-529-8371 carrie@carriewicks.com www.carriewicks.com Contact Carrie for individual and phone sessions.

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• If you are feeling unmotivated, think back to a meaningful accomplishment. Take some time to review the experience in your mind. Pick something you would like to improve or attempt to repeat in your upcoming ride. Get out there and give it a go!

• The law of cause and effect applies to motivation. The stronger the athlete, the easier it is to deal with challenges. Cross training to increase strength and longevity can have the added benefit of increasing mental stamina too.

• Natural inspiration can be found from reinforcement as the result of compliments, feeling pleasure from the activity, a sense of connection (with horse, trainer, or other riders), as well as a sense of belonging.

Thinking about any of these experiences can increase motivation.

• When the body is uncomfortable, biological forces can over-ride motivation. To combat this, make sure you have proper all-weather gear for each season. Also, make sure you are appropriately nourished before training or competing. Hydration is essential for muscles (the brain is a muscle) to function optimally.

• Increase motivation by focusing on the intrinsic (inner) factors that include the pleasure you experience from the activity, your desire to improve, and your excitement about the sport rather than the extrinsic (outer) factors that include pleasing others and rewards.

• Dare to dream! When you are just not in the mood or don’t have the energy, engage your strongest resource, which is your imagination. Remember your dreams and what brought you to this sport in the first place. Think about your goals and review all of your achievements. Dream up the perfect climate for you to feel motivated and the excitement you have felt when you have succeeded in an adverse situation. Get your blood sugar up, go out and give it a whirl!

News Flash: As we go to press with this issue, I am about to complete my PhD! My research focused on five equestriennes’ mindfulness practices and how their show performances changed. Soon I will be making my research into a book and seek more riders who want to share their stories.

I look forward to connecting with more riders, trainers, and parents as the horse show season ramps up.

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

by Sarah Appel

Voltaire Design & Brice Goguet

Horse & Style: When and where did Voltaire Design start?

Brice Goguet: It started in 2010 in France, but we came right away to the United States in August of that year because we had people in the company who were familiar with the North American market.

Our first U.S. client was “Lumpy” Elizabeth Kilham in Northern California. In two years, company growth has been well beyond our expectations; today, Voltaire Design sells custom saddles in more than 10 countries and is one of the top three brands in the U.S. H&S: What inspired you to create a new saddle brand?

BG: It’s the story of a group of friends that were frustrated in their jobs because they could not express their potential and thought they could do better. And as with any good business story, it started in a small garage in the South of France!

H&S: How is Voltaire different from other French saddle companies?

BG: We don’t like to compare ourselves to anyone else. We have our own strategy and we don’t look at what others do. We work everyday to create new innovative products and to improve the customer experience. We are never satisfied and are always looking for the small details that will end up making a difference. We are proud of our French roots and traditions, but we consider ourselves a multicultural company, considering that more than half our employees have a different nationality or live abroad.

H&S: What other products do you make?

BG: We have four families of products: custom saddles, custom riding boots, leather tack that includes girths and breastplates, and bags and leather goods. We also recently launched a line of dog collars and a custom leather backpack that is available in select areas. We see ourselves as a luxury company that uses its deep knowledge of leather and saddlemaking in order to make top quality products.

H&S: Voltaire saddles have a stylish edge to them and are considered very fashion forward. How does Voltaire balance fashion and function?

BG: Style is part of the core identity of Voltaire Design This page, clockwise from top: Brice Gouget; a pooch model’s Voltaire Design’s new dog collar; the Palm Beach Jumping Saddle.

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as much as it is part of Apple or Aston Martin. Style is important to us but making the right technical product is paramount, as style alone is not enough in the saddle field. Beezie Madden chose to ride in our saddle because she believes her horses perform better while wearing one. Andre Dignelli and Patricia Griffith from Heritage Farm decided to use our products because they think their students are going to have a better position and because they can ride 12 horses a day in our saddles with a high level of comfort.

H&S: Tell us some more about what makes Voltaire stand apart from other saddle companies?

BG: We make custom products by hand in our workshop in the south of France, but we run our business with a similar philosophy to a start up in the Silicon Valley of California. First, we try to hire the best people for every position (production, administration, finance, sales, service...). Second, we use a modern technology anytime it’s possible: from our phone system to our information system, we have a strong competitive edge that is invisible for the client but makes our business so much more effective. Third, we are an eco-friendly company as we plant a tree for every saddle/pair of boots we sell.

H&S: What are your goals for Voltaire in the future?

BG: Our goal is to establish Voltaire Design as the most premier brand in the equestrian industry with a flawless customer experience. We don’t want to be the

saddlemaker that sells the most saddles, but the one that provides the highest quality and the best customer experience. When we look at the future, our long-term goal is to continue to expand our line of products and compete with Hermès.

H&S: What would you say to someone who wanted to create their own equestrian brand?

BG: Go for it! It is so exciting to mix your passion and your business.

The equestrian world is specific because people are always looking for better products and I believe that when your products stand out, clients are going to come to you regardless of brand recognition.

That is the reason why we have been successful so quickly. There were some established players in our field that gravitated to us, but all riders felt a difference when they tried our products.

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BG: If your readers are the types that love comfort but are looking for a saddle that is not too bulky and that gives them a really close contact, they should have a look at our new Second Skin saddle. It is our lightest saddle ever and it gives a close feel to the horse that is truly unbelievable.

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BEHIND THE LENS

Photo ©Peter Mcmahon

Selena Frederick Selena Frederick’s love affair with horses and photography began at a young age.

The Pacific Northwest native began riding lessons at the age of nine, and continued her equestrian career throughout college.

Her love of art and photography blossomed during her junior year at the University of Washington, and in 2009, she successfully blended her two passions into a unique and fulfilling career with the creation of Cheval Photos.

The Cheval Photos watermark can now be seen on photographs of some of the top riders in the world, and Selena spends much of the competition year traveling to and shooting the most high profile equestrian events in North America.

Always armed with the ability to understand her client’s needs, as well as provide her own artistic originality, Selena is known for capturing and artistically creating images that evoke strong emotions, feeling, and mood. Her motto is “Always ride, always learn, always create!” www.ChevalPhotos.com

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Photo ŠCheval Photos