recap of PHOTOS OF: USPC FESTIVAL, USHJA HUNTER DERBY, CHAMPAGNE RUN, AND MORE!
college & horses VOL. 1, NO. 1
AUG/SEPT 2014 • $4.99
FEATURES AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME I - ISSUE 1
PG.30 2
NAJYRC Recap & Photos
August | September 2014
LHC PG. 30
DEPARTMENTS
PG. 26
PG. 17
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2014
PG. 38
CONTRIBUTORS p. 5 • EDITOR’S LETTER p. 6 • WHAT’S ONLINE p. 7
PHOTOGRAPHY Country Heir I: p. 26 Champagne Run HT: p. 28 North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC): p. 30 United States Pony Club Championships & Festival: p. 13
LEXINGTON CENTRAL COLUMNS USPC Championships & Festival Recap Laurel Payne p. 9 Lexington: Living in the Horse Capitol Tiffany Molina p. 17
College & Horses: How to Handle One of the Biggest Changes in Your Life, With (or without) Your 4-Legged Friend Jenni Gelatt p. 23
BLUE RIBBON DIRECTORY
About the BRD p. 34 Services p. 35
Upcoming Events p. 38
ON THE COVER:
Vivian Yowan riding Vornado Van Den Hoendrik for Zone 5 in NAJYRC
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August | September 2014
CONTRIBUTORS
info@lexingtonhorseconnection.com
CONTRIBUTORS
We love our team of writers & photographers. Meet them here!
JR SPORTS PHOTO contributing photographer jrsportsphoto.com
JENRETTE ROMBERG Editor-in-Chief
Graduated from Gainesville High School, Georgia in 2012 and is currently pursuing a graphic design degree from BCTC in Lexington, KY. After riding for over 15 years, Jenrette moved to the horse capitol of the world, where she now keeps her horse, Major Alydar (an Alydar grandson) and her Bernese Mountain Dog Woodford. Jenrette currently has two photography business and is the editor and contributing photographer for LHC.
JENNI GELATT contributing writer
TIFFANY MOLINA contributing writer
INTERESTED
in writing for us? Check out our website under “Careers” or email us directly at lexhorseconnection@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS
would you like to be a photographer for LHC? Check out our website under “Careers” or email us directly at photo@lexingtonhorseconnection.com
LAUREL PAYNE contributing writer
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EDITORS LETTER As I finish up the layout for this first issue, I have to reflect on where I go for inspiration. When I need a time to reflect and when the creative side of my brain isn’t working like it should, I go to the Horse Park. I’m from a small town in Georgia, where horses are weird, and riding horses puts a target on your head for being bullied. I wanted a Breyer horse every year for my birthday and Christmas - my pretend farm had a Lexington, KY address, and I frequently visited the KHP for afternoon rides. This was my 6 year old self, having this dream. Now, as a 20-something with a Lexington address sitting at the horse park, it’s hard to believe this is a natural thing now. I live 15 minutes away from where Rolex takes place, where horses race in April and October, and where they have horse statues around town (not chicken statues or bulldogs, what a great change). I was able to move to Horse Country after finishing my senior year in high school, making the change to adulthood in a town I had always dreamed of living in. I have met people that ride for a living, and where riding horses is a “cool” thing to do. For anyone who takes living in this gorgeous place for granted, stop and breathe in the horse-filled air, take a drive out a backroad because you will find a horse farm and white board fencing, and do the tourist-y things of living in Lexington like visiting the bourbon trail or bookmarking the KHP Events page for your weekend to-do list. I look forward to bringing all you horse lovers a magazine full of photos of yourselves, not just professionals, articles that you relate to, and a Blue Ribbon quality directory that becomes your go-to when trying to find a horse-y service. Oh, and do me a favor - go give your horse a kiss on his velvet nose for me...
Enjoy!
JENRETTE ROMBERG Editor-in-chief 6
August | September 2014
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August | September 2014
USPC
Championships &Festival
U S P C C H A M P I O N S H I P S & F E S T I VA L • L E X I N G T O N , K Y
ALEXA EHLERS riding Wenatchee PHOTO BY: JR Sports Photography
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USPC CHAMPIONSHIPS & FESTIVAL by : L A U RE L P AY N E
United States Pony Club is a organization in the United States as well as internationally. The mission of United States Pony Club is to, “develop character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.” The organization focuses on Standards of Proficiency, Horse Management, and Safety when it comes to caring and competing with horses. This opportunity allows the pony clubbers to learn, do, and teach horsemanship skills with each other and others. Pony club consists of quiz, eventing, dressage, show jumping, mounted games, triathlon, and polocross rallies. Other competitive opportunities for pony clubbers to compete in are polo, hunter seat equitation, western, fox hunting, driving, distance riding, and vaulting rallies. The ratings range from D1 to A. The ratings go in the following order:
D1 » D2 » D3 » C1 » C2 » C3 » B » A
The horse management ratings consist of: HB, H-HM/H/HA
Rallies consists usually of 3 to 4 competitors and 1 horse manager. The teams can either be from the same pony club or a team of competitors from different pony clubs. Horse managers are a team member who usually does not ride, however, can under certain circumstances. Horse managers make sure riders are on time for their formals (Where competitors dress in formal attire according to their rating with their horses tacked up accordingly. The pony clubbers usually have to say their name, pony club, rating, horses name at formals.), rides, and turn-backs ( pony clubbers clean their tack and groom their horse according to their rating to be checked by a judge within an hour after their last ride that day), and make sure their team’s quarters are clean and safe for the horses and themselves. The United States Pony Club championships festival occurred this year July 14-18 and the education part of the
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U S P C C H A M P I O N S H I P S & F E S T I VA L • L E X I N G T O N , K Y
championships occurred July 19-21. The championships are at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Pony Clubbers come from all over the world to compete in dressage, eventing, games, polocross, quiz, show jumping, and triathlon. One of my friends, who I met while in Pony Club, Melody Washburn, went to the Pony Club championships at the Kentucky Horse Park this year. The following paragraph is her explaining and telling her story from an excited pony clubber’s perspective at championships. “Pony club championships in Kentucky is very pony clubber’s dream. I can’t put into words the excitement I felt when we pulled into the driveway. It only grew the further in we went - past large, green pastures, huge arenas, barns, trucks, trailers, golf carts, moms packing tack, dads packing tack, but the most exciting was all the horses... Every breed and size and color. Cow pony converts, and multi thousand dollar ones. I competed at the Novice Level in Eventing on my 13 yr old Irish Sport Horse Gelding, Benedict. I have had him since November and I really think I’m in love. Once the rallies were under way (and even before) my team and I began scrutinizing every piece of tack, polishing cleaning, labeling the whole nine yards. Doing everything we could to impress Horse management. I know HM is important but let’s face it, I came to ride. My formal went smoothly, and the HM judges were very fair “READ DRESSAGE and practical, something. I know, we all appreciated.
TEST THOROUGHLY” - Melody Washburn Red River Region
Dressage warm up was surprisingly well organized things ran smoothly and I believe most people were able to have an effective warm up. My test was decent. But a special note to all of you competitors, READ DRESSAGE TEST THOROUGHLY. It will take you out if first. anyway. The cross country phase was a blast. My whole team went clear, and what I saw everyone looked fabulous. The Show jumping course was a very nice ride, but challenging. My team went clear. But many people struggled with it.
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U S P C C H A M P I O N S H I P S & F E S T I VA L • L E X I N G T O N , K Y
The overall experience was just incredible. Horse Management was really great in the eventing barn. Respectful, encouraging, and insightful. The amount of work the HM judges, parents, volunteers, staff, and everyone put in was Just over the top! Kentucky Horse Park is a beautiful facility and I feel very honored and blessed to have competed there. My team finished third overall. There were plenty of challenges and bumps along the road but all were well worth it in the end.... For the love of the horse� - Melody Washburn, Red River Region Texas Outlaws Pony Clubber
I had the opportunity to be a part of United States Pony Club in the Red River Region. I was a part of the Thundering Hooves and Texas Outlaws Pony Club over a period of 10 years. During those 10 years I competed in quiz and show jumping rally as a rider and was a horse manager for others. I later made the decision to do just horse management instead of competing as a rider. I was so happy to see my two friends from pony club again at the championships! I loved being back around the smell of horses and the pony club festivities-- even if it was just for the day :) ! During my time as a member of pony club I learned a lot of knowledge about horses, tack, horse management, team work, responsibility, and leadership skills. These skills I have acquired I still remember and will continue to use daily.
LAUREL PAYNE is a contributing writer for LHC. 12
August | September 2014
USPC
Championships &Festival
U S P C C H A M P I O N S H I P S & F E S T I VA L • L E X I N G T O N , K Y
PHOTO GALLERY HANNAH GILHOOL riding Skye’s the Limit PHOTO BY: JR Sports Photography
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HANNAH GILHOOL riding Skye’s the Limit
SAVANNAH PALM riding Journey’s End
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PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
ALEXA EHLERS riding Wenachee
WILLIAM ZUSCHLAG riding Bay Mare PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
FLEMING TROUP riding Crimson
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HARRISON FAITH riding Rainy Day
ELAINE SANDERS riding Red Barron
HARRISON FAITH riding Rainy Day We need help! We cannot identify the riders in some of the photos! Let us know who they are!
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August | September 2014
PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
THE
HORSE
CAPITOL WORLD
OF THE
L I V I N G I N H O R S E C O U N T RY • L E X I N GTON , K Y
KEENELAND at dawn during morning workouts PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
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LIVING IN THE HORSE CAPITOL WORLD of the
by: T IFFA N Y MO L IN A
As soon as I stepped out of the plane after a tiresome trip from Honduras, I found myself smiling. An immense billboard with a couple of beautiful thoroughbred horses in a vast green field greeted me: “Welcome to Lexington.” As a horse lover and a passionate equestrian, I couldn’t help but think, “Yes! I made it to The Horse Capital of the World.” I knew that I was at the right place, and that I would no doubt find a city with an undeniable love for horses, but I was not expecting Lexington to not only live up to its name but be more than that, with everything from horse attractions, to horse racing, to small details around town that can make even the “non-horse” person become an admirer of these beautiful creatures that find paradise in Lexington. One of the most important cities of Kentucky, Lexington is literally a breath of fresh air from the busy city life. Wherever you might go, it is almost a fact that you will drive by various beautiful green pastures. And the grass is definitely greener in Lexington, where gorgeous horses are given the freedom to graze and gallop in some of the most amazing farms you’ll ever see. The city offers farm tours for those interested in learning more about horse breeding and how powerful race horses like Man O’War and Secretariat were born and raised in Kentucky. Lexington
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L I V I N G I N H O R S E C O U N T RY • L E X I N GTON , K Y
alone has over four-hundred fifty farms for those who want to visit. A must-see attraction in the city is the Kentucky Horse Park, which hosts daily presentations and offers tours around the stables and enormous park. The Horse Park has three museums and a beautiful art gallery, showing off the curious history of the horse and the equestrian sport, as well as artists’ and sportsmen’ alike admiration for the horse. Aside from this, if you are passionate about horse racing, you have the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the Hall of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Champions. The Horse Park is also privileged to say that it hosts some of the most important events of the equestrian world, from the Altech National Horse Show, to the Rolex Three-Day Event, as well as the World Equestrian Games in 2010. However, you do not have to be a serious equestrian to appreciate Lexington, in April and October especially, PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
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L I V I N G I N H O R S E C O U N T RY • L E X I N GTON , K Y
the city buzzes with bets and talk about the next big race horse. Keeneland is the place to be at this time of the year. It is an industry leader in not only promoting, but improving and innovating the world of Thoroughbred racing. A National Historic Landmark, Keeneland hosts annual auctions that welcome people not only from the United States, but around the world who want to find the perfect thoroughbred horse. If you’re not a buyer, though, you can always live one of the most exciting minutes of your life watching a live race at Keeneland’s model race track. If you’re lucky, you can come out very successful after a bet! Even if you’re not into horse racing, the timeless beauty of Keeneland’s grounds is worth the trip. It is not only the countless horse attractions that make Lexington deserving of the “Horse Capital of the World” title, it is the passion the city has for horses. All around town, the city does not let you forget where you are, displaying its love and dedication for horses with colorful, eccentric, and very artistic statues of horses. The statues were first displayed during HorseMania2000, as a public art project showing the quality work of local artists who decorated horse statues
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L I V I N G I N H O R S E C O U N T RY • L E X I N GTON , K Y
to make the city even more attractive. This artwork is definitely unique and a sight that anyone would appreciate. I cannot praise Lexington enough for showcasing one of the most welcoming cities I have ever visited, and getting anyone with a heart to acquire an adoration for horses. Surely it is one of the most interesting places to visit and to sight-see some of the most vastly green and horse-friendly landscapes in the world. For those of us who are lucky to live in the Horse Capital of the World, there is never a dull day, the city is always vibrant with activity and you can always count on the sight of either an extravagant horse statue or a young thoroughbred stallion grazing in the alluring Bluegrass state.
PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
TIFFANY MOLINA is a contributing writer for LHC. lexingtonhorseconnection.com 21
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HORSES
& COLLEGE
H A N D L I N G S C H O O L & H O R S E S • L E X I N GTON , K Y
ALEXA EHLERS after schooling her horse Regan PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
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HANDLING HORSES & COLLEGE a c o lu mn by : JE N N I G E L AT T
If you are bringing your horse to college, managing both subjects can be a lot of work. When I began my journey to college, the question wasn’t ‘should I ride or not?’ it was ‘how often, where and when can I ride?’ Finding the balance between horses and college is not an easy task. Of course, being a horse-crazy girl, I always lean toward equine activities over my studies. However, in this busy world, learning how to prioritize is essential. For many of us, this is not just a hobby; it’s a way of life. It has been my passion for sixteen years now. I am originally from Upstate New York and my trainer told me I should check out Georgetown College. It looked like a great college with an amazing Equine Scholars Program. Well, I fell in love. Not just with the college but also with the Bluegrass Region. It is every horse enthusiast’s dream to be able to drive on any road and find horse farm after horse farm. When I first came to Georgetown, I was lucky enough to be on the Equestrian Team at the college and that led me to an amazing barn and trainer. Now, here I am, going into my junior year at Georgetown College, just after I spent my first summer in Kentucky and I still have the same love for this beautiful area. Lucky enough, I now have my horse down here, where is he is a lesson horse for the barn where my team rides. Everyone says time management is very important, and it is. However,
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H A N D L I N G S C H O O L & H O R S E S • L E X I N GTON , K Y
prioritizing is what many students, including myself, struggle with. I am a Communications and Media Studies major, a peer leader for the Equine Scholars Program and the captain and president of the Georgetown College Equestrian Team. As you can see I am a busy girl, so when I sit down and start to get work done, I don’t always choose to work on my class work over team things. We all know free time is scarce, so it is important to prioritize your tasks within that often-small time frame. It is the same case with riding, you may have set enough time in your schedule for homework or chores, but the barn you ride at is having a fun lesson at the same time and it is all too easy to choose to go to the barn. This takes a lot of will power! With school starting in just one week, my goal is to prioritize my time better. I think that is what every student should do, if you are a freshman or a returning student – sit down and figure out your goals. If it is getting your horse to college with you, finding your dream horse at school, improving your riding skills, or even finding a horse-related job so you can afford all of your dreams and goals, write them down, look at them every day and don’t forget about them. College is a time in our life where we can really figure out what we want for our future and where we can make our dreams come true. Dreams are endless, especially in the equine industry. Set goals and shoot for the stars; enjoy the ride, on and off the horse. For the love of the Bluegrass, Jenni Gelatt lexingtonhorseconnection.com
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COUNTRY
HEIR I
C O U N T RY H E I R I • L E X I N GTON , K Y • J U N E 4 - 6
We need help! We cannot identify the riders in some of the photos! Let us know who they are!
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PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
We need help! We cannot identify the riders in some of the photos! Let us know who they are! PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
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CHAMPAGNE
RUN
HORSE TRIALS
C H A M PA G N E R U N H T • L E X I N G T O N , K Y • J U N E 11
ALLIE KNOWLES riding one of her sale horses. Allie is from Paris, KY and has gone to Rolex the last 2 years!
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PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
We need help! We cannot identify the riders in some of the photos! Let us know who they are! PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
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JUNIOR NORTH & AMERICAN YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS
N A J Y R C • L E X I N G T O N , K Y • J U LY 15 - 21
A Team Mexico show jumper walks back to the barn after a training lesson.
Two teammates take a stroll around the arena after a training session the day before the first qualifier.
Brittni Raflowitz riding Punchy Dorcel.
Alexis Bowen riding Oley
Opening Day training sessions 30
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PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
Junior & Young Rider Team Test PHOTOS BY: JR Sports Photography
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N A J Y R C • L E X I N G T O N , K Y • J U LY 15 - 21
Junior Phase One Qualifier 32
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N A J Y R C • L E X I N G T O N , K Y • J U LY 15 - 21
Young Rider Phase One Qualifier lexingtonhorseconnection.com
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We’ve turned our editorial eye to the world of equestrian vendors by reommending the best the Bluegrass has to offer our amazing readers. If you’re devoted to the client experience, produce exemplary work, and have a love for horses, you could be just the type of vendor we are looking for. Broken down by category, each listing features a detailed description, a photo gallery, contact information and social information! OUR BR DIRECTORY IS BY APPLICATION ONLY: APPLY AT LEXINGTONHORSECONNECTION.COM/BLUERIBBONDIRECTORY
$100 FOR 6 MONTHS | $175 FOR 12 MONTHS
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BLUE RIBBON DIRECTORY JR Sports Photography SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY Website: jrsportsphoto.com FB: fb.com/jrsportsphoto
JR Sports Photography is a local photography business that covers the majority of photography for LHC. They specialize in equine, high school and college athletics.
Bittersweet Beau Photo + Design PHOTOGRAPHY, WEB DESIGN, BRANDING Website: bittersweetbeau.com FB: fb.com/bbphotodesign
Bittersweet Beau Photo + Design is a local photography and design business that specializes in branding small businesses as well as photographing weddings, portraits and families. BB also does web design work.
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August | September 2014
TAKE US anywhere
w: lexingtonhorseconnection.com e: info@lexingtonhorseconnection.com Stay Connected with Us! Instagram: instagram.com/lexhorseconnect Twitter: twitter.com/lexhorseconnect Share Your Photos with Us! Flickr: flickr.com/groups/lexingtonhorseconnection
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UPCOMING events 20-24 29-31
5-7
6-7 17-21
26-28
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August Events KHJA Show, KHP Featuring the $10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake & the $30,000 Grand Prix Kentucky Classique HT, KHP From beginner novice to Advanced, the Kentucky Classique is a great event to start off the fall. September Events MSDEA Dressage at the Park, KHP MSDEA hosts a 3 day dressage show, featuring riders from Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana and Flordia with over 150 riders. Fall Classic I HJ Show, KHP 2 day hunter jumper event featuring all ages. Kentucky National Hunter Jumper Show, KHP 5 day hunter jumper show featuring the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute “The Betsy� Grand Prix, Prix de Lexington, and the famous Midwest NHS/ ASPCA Maclay Regional Equitation Championship. Jump Start HT, KHP 3 day event by the Midsouth Eventing and Dressage Association.
August | September 2014
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Thanks for reading! Be on the lookout for our next edition, featuring fall shows & events, and Keeneland!