International Show Horse Magazine Year End 2015 by SilverMane Media

THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

UPHA American Royal National Championship

Lady Mandolin

Undulata’s Nutcracker x Suddenly Summer

Fine Harness Mare Champion Saddlebreds Trained by Visser Stables

Unanimous

THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

Five-Gaited Ladies Mare Champion Five-Gaited Ladies National Champion Both Unanimous

THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

Fox Grape’s The Tiger Lily (SA) Dorian Wild Temper x Callaway’s Carnation

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Fine-Harness Ladies Champion

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Here Comes The Boom! Callaway’s Northern Kiss x Madame Cost A’Lot

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ABOUT THE COVER

Santana’s Charm x Pretty Ribbons

WGCWorld’s MARC OF CHARM Grand Champion Five-Gaited Congratulates his World’s and National Champion offspring

Riverdreams’ Marc My Words

WC Riverdreams’ Remarcable

National ChampionThree-GaitedTwoYear Old

World’s ChampionASR NationalThreeYear Old Futurity Park Pleasure

WGC Marc Of Charm x (SA) Hi-ChaparalTangos Lady Madona Owned by Riverdreams LLC

WGC Marc Of Charm x ManWhat A Dream Owned byTerri Kearney

WC Exclamation Mark!

WGC Marc Of Charm x ManWhat A Dream

World’s Champion Five-GaitedTwoYear Old Owned by High Hickory Farm

WC Cupic’s Marc

WGC Marc Of Charm xWCC CHThe Attache Orchid

2014World’s Champion Fine HarnessThreeYear Old Mare Division II Owned by Steven E.Chancellor

WGC Marc Of Charm will be standing to the public in 2016 Fresh Cooled Semen, LFG Stud Fee $4000

Riverdreams LLC Cover painting by Anne Crawford Chapel Hill, North Carolina From photo by Julia Shelburne Hitti THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

Standing at Monnington Farm Georgia & Lionel Ferreira Simpsonville, Kentucky 502-655-6095

THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

CONTENTS

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96 THIS ISSUE 12 16 35 84 88 90 92 94 96 102 110 122 124 126 142 144 148

About the Cover Advertisers List Stallion Section Saddlebred Hunter Meghan von Ballmoos Cradock Show Somerset East Robertson: Western Province Championships Uniondale Saddlehorse Show The Saddlebred Dressage Horse Luci Nouwens Double Exposure LaSalle Harness: History and Hackneys Meghan von Ballmoos Subscription Spotlight on Amateur Gen Hess Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer American Royal The Rest of the Story with: Olivia Schumacher Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Show Horse Banners A Winner’s Profile on: Miss Molly “Moo Moo” Crim Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer

THE TEAM

Pieter Hugo Managing Director

Johan Blom Chief Executive Officer

Madge Bass USA Sales Manager

Marguerite le Roux Senior Designer

Marie Chin Advertising Executive

Meghan von Ballmoos Morgan Sub-Editor

Sheila Guay USA Sales & Marketing

Allyssa Baird USA Sales & Marketing

Amanda Matheis Executive Asistant

Brittany E. De Vries Sales Representative

Shannon Ella Sales Representative

Jacqueline Beck Fashion Representative

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Gasnat Jaffer Office Manager

EDITORIALS: Johan Blom johan@silvermane.co.za (0027) 83 324 3709 Pieter Hugo pieter@showhorse.co.za (001) 502 321 8305 Meghan von Ballmoos meghan@showhorse.co.za (001) 860 605 5041 Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer Shannon Ella DESIGN: Marguerite le Roux mleroux@silvermane.co.za ADVERTISING: Madge Bass bass.madge@gmail.com (001) 502 299 8523 Marie Chin marie@silvermane.co.za (0027) 82 497 4475 Allyssa Baird allyssa@internationalshowhorse.com (001) 541 840 5597 ORDERS & INVOICING: Gasnat Jaffer gasnat@showhorse.co.za 32b Whitlers Way, Hout Bay 7806, South Africa

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Copyright for all original published material is vested in SilverMane Media and may be reproduced only with the permission of the Editor. All opinions expressed in the articles appearing in SilverMane Media are those of the authors and are not necessarily subscribed to by the editorial staff of SilverMane Media. Authors of articles are compelled to acknowledge all sources of information (if any) used in the compiling of articles and are therefore liable for copyright transgressions. SilverMane Media accepts no responsibility for claims made in the advertisements and will not be held liable for any damage resulting from the use of any of the information published in SilverMane Media.

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It’s Just George and Rachael at Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge.

George as a foal and his dam.

A PARADIGM SHIFT:

IT’S JUST GEORGE AND RACHEL KELLEY

t could be argued that a small scale breeder feels the highs and lows of the endeavor more acutely than bigger operations.The hopes and dreams of planning, investment, and nearly a year of waiting, all rest solely on the wobbly legs of a single foal or two. But, as only Mother Nature can, she often reminds us of just how little control we have over the outcome. For many American Saddlebred breeders, dreams of slick five-gaited winners or marching three-gaited champions whisper in the back of their minds even before the insouciant creature takes a breath. Yet, as the law of averages dictates, each horse born cannot be the paragon of one ideal. Upon realizing this fact, many breeders lose heart, chalk it up to the unpredictable ways of genetics, and move on. Not the Kelley family. When their adorable foal grew to be a beautiful colt that clearly fell short as a show horse, instead of relegating him, daughter Rachel made a paradigm shift and found a world of possibilities.

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By Meghan von Ballmoos Nearly six years ago, Rachel and her parents Ricky and Angie welcomed a bay colt with a white snip. He would eventually become known as “It’s Just George.” Rachel described, “…it was clear from the beginning that he didn’t have the conformation for the show ring. He was a nice horse with a good heart, and a great work ethic. I wanted to find him a job that he could be good at.” Luckily for George, his owners remained open minded about the possibilities for his latent skills and Rachel’s role as a rider. “I had a close friend in college that evented with her Percheron/ Throughbred cross, and every time I watched her ride I thought ‘that looks so fun!’” When another of her friends, Karen Thompson, started eventing with her retired show horse, she took the plunge and gave it a try. She quickly fell in love with it… and so did George. As any horseman knows, finding a horse’s true job in life

George and Rachael neatly jumping during the River Glan Spring Horse Trails in April 2015. Photo by XPress Foto.

is the key to success and this unlikely team surely found it. Rachel pursued the sport wholeheartedly and has not looked back. Eventing is composed of three different parts: dressage, show jumping and cross country. It demands great preparation from both horse and rider. Considering George’s unorthodox pedigree for an eventing horse, Rachel was apprehensive about finding the right trainer. Fortunately, when Rachel asked trainer Martha Lambert of Land’s End Farm in Goshen, Kentucky about taking on a Saddlebred, Martha replied,”Sure! Bring him on over! I’ve only ever had one other Saddlebred in my career but I loved that one!” A positive start for sure. Joining up with Lambert has been critical for their growth as a pair. To compete at a three day event, Rachel and George started with the basics. “When George was younger, we took him off the farm to school

cross country quite a bit, but as he has matured he has become very confident… and does not need nearly as much cross country ‘practice,’ ” explained Rachel. She went on to describe, “In the couple weeks before Horse Trials, I try to focus on any weak areas that we have as a team. Sometimes that means I try to fit some extra dressage lessons in, sometimes we spend extra time show jumping.” Although a show horse must be in excellent condition to perform briefly with brilliance, an ‘eventer’ must have the strength to endure three days of prolonged exertion. “I also have to keep him conditioned to make sure he has enough stamina to get through the weekend!,” said Rachel. Though Saddlebreds might appear too differently geared for eventing, their innate characteristics certainly are not and make them far more suited for the task than at first glance. As a true American Saddlebred, intelligence,

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Rachel and George soaring at the may 2015 Maydaxe. The Maydaze Horse Trails bring together more than 500 horses and their riders from approximately 20 states to compete in a 3-day event competition. Photo by WNC Photography.

trainability, and courage are the linchpin of George’s success. Like the generations before him, George also possesses arguably the Saddlebred’s most extraordinary trait: willingness. “It doesn’t matter what you ask him to do, he will try to do it,” said Rachel. A testament to his suitability, most people at competitions do not know that George is Saddlebred. Rachel explained, “I get a lot of people who ask what kind of warmblood he is. When I tell them he is a saddlebred, then they ask ‘a full saddlebred?!’…what I enjoy the most about eventing George is seeing a person’s entire perception of the saddlebred breed change when they meet him.” Their proudest moments come whenever George is an ambassador for the breed. They have done demonstrations at Breyerfest for the past two years and Rachel “spends a lot of time talking to people at horse shows and telling them about Saddlebreds.” Understandably, equine enthusiasts

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outside the breed have a very narrow perception of what defines an American Saddlebred. With the help of George, Rachel loves to broaden their scope one event at a time. It is Rachel’s belief that if there were more horses out there like George, it would help to change people’s prejudices about Saddlebreds and legitimize the Saddlebred as a Sport Horse. For now, this team has only just begun. Their goal for 2016 is to qualify and compete at the American Eventing Championships, bringing the Saddlebred to the height of competition. As Saddlebred enthusiasts, we love show horses. They are brilliant, beautiful, and athletic to behold. But limited, they are not. The same reasons they thrill us in the show ring are the same reasons they can thrill us in a different arena. Rachel Kelley and It’s Just George want everyone to know that there’s a job out there for every Saddlebred… it just might not be what they were expecting.

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Cnr. Douglas and Old Pretoria Road, Midrand, South Africa, PO Box 12285, Vorna Valley, 1686, South Africa

THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

By Luci Nouwens

Images by Cola’s Photography

THE SADDLEBRED

Dressage Horse! P

urebred American Saddle Horse, Christmas Nite, was born on Christmas night out of the grey mare, Belle of San Francisco, and sired by number one ranked Saddle Horse stallion, Hell of a Nite – on top of it all he turned out to be a white horse, so he started life with a perfect name!

Owned by Luci Nouwens, he was born into a competitive American Saddle Horse stable, and by the time he was two, Andre la Conte, International and South African Dressage Trainer & Rider, showed an interest in training a Saddle Horse for dressage. Both he and Luci believed that the athletic ability and easy learning characteristics of the breed made them suitable candidates - and so Christmas Nite moved to Highborn Equestrian Centre to start his dressage career. Baby of the barn at that time, he was trained by Andre from the outset – his career took him to Europe and the UK along with Andre’s show string and he has an 100 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

unrivalled log book of training and show exposure abroad. In the meantime this horse has gained a keen fan club – his pleasant disposition, good looks and ease of handling are a tribute to his breed! He returned to South Africawith Andre as a seven year old and a couple of months ago started competing locally. At the recent Gauteng championships became reserve grand champion in his division. Next was the FEI dressage competition where 5 southern hemisphere nations compete on the same level – A team of international judges score horses on the same tests in each country and finally the top qualifying horses are grouped onto an international score card. At this show in Shongweni, Christmas Nite placed third in the championships and 6th internationally on a list of 22 horses. He is a true charmer and to date has always placed in the top three!

Christmas Nite expertly ridden by Andre la Conte - the saddlebred who is doing us proud in the dressage world. They entertained the crowds at the Parys Christmas Festival 2015 with renowned Margi Koster singing the Habanera from Carmen and a final tribute with Hallelujah. This gelding is bred by Hell of a Nite out of Belle of San Francisco and was born on Christmas Night. We are truly blessed with such a great horse and a rider who is passionate about our breed and watch with excitement as they enter the more advanced stages of dressage. We salute you Andre and Christmas Nite! THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

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Over the years we have learnt some interesting facts about training this breed for the dressage arena and Christmas Nite is only the beginning of theprogram. Luci and Andre have more exciting Saddlebred prospects lined up – and the imported Saddle Horse stallion, French Legionnaire, is the proud father of these candidates. Generally his foals are extremely athletic and have a good mind. Crucial to the success of this project is the selection of the best possible horse for the project – even if it means a career change for a potentially great saddler show horse. Ideally one would like to train a horse in a dressage frame from the outset and not have to deal with one that has already undergone traditional Saddler training.It is a long journey of passion and commitment, but very worthwhile when we see the potential of our awesome Saddle Horse breed. Our aim is firstly to produce an outstanding performer and have people ask us “what horse is that?” – Then, nothing

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could make us prouder than to say – “He’s an American Saddle Horse!” André la Conte tell us a bit about why he chose a Saddle Horse. “ Christmas Nite is the Banner Bearer of one of the most exciting projects in my Dressage career! One of the most challenging issues as a Dressage rider and trainer in SA, is to find the Ultimate Dressage Horse! Breeding for top class Dressage horses has literally just left the starting stalls in SA, therefore my eyes have always wandered, not to Europe all the time, but to one of our local breeds: The SADDLE HORSE! The SA Saddle Horse has always been in the back of mind, because surely they must have that something special that we are always looking for in a top Dressage horse!” According to Andre the characteristics that a dressage rider is looking fo in a mount is the following: Natural Cadence and Presence, Rhythm, Power, Elasticity, Temperament.The latter being the most important of them all.

Andre goes on to say, “Christmas Nite ticked all the above boxes and on top of this, he has that special colour definitely stands out in the dressage arena.” On the sport in general Andre says, “In SA, and many other countries Worldwide, we have a very broad based Amateur Dressage Sport and therefore temperament is the beginning and end to me. As a Pro Dressage rider and trainer it is also the most vital aspect.Yes, some horses may be sharper in their mind and reflex than others, but temperament determines how the horse will deal with a particular situation. At the end of the day, to be able to ride 4-6 horses per day, in competition, it is most important to have a horse who always wants to work and have the temperament to want to work with me!” About Christmas Nite and where it all started, Andre excitedly says, “Christmas Nite was born with this

wonderful attitude to life, and brought it with him when he arrived at Highborn, as a 3 year old. Of course it was way too early to start his dressage life, but he always looked over the stable door with the biggest smile at who ever passed. That was my motivation to ask owner, Luci Nouwens, if he could join us on our European venture. Christmas Nite was a pure delight from the very start, leaving very early in the dark on a float to Cape Town quarantine, then on a plane to Mauritius, another plane to Amsterdam, another float, strange weather, strange stables, new trainers, new systems, new show venues, another ferry trip, another plane trip.... back home, competing in EM, and learning the more demanding exercises of a top level dressage horse! Lastly Andre mentions, “ The most Incredible part of his journey this far, He has never said no, which has resulted in our having immense fun in our daily training. Welook forward to a bright future! A Salute to Christmas Nite”

Enquiries - Luci Nouwens 0836359459 or Andre la Conte 0761109486 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

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David with King’s Viking and Croftland Dandy at Syracuse International, 1961

CH Knolland Rock Creek started his winning career with Janine. Pictured here at Syracuse International in 1981

King’s Viking and David at Madison Square Garden, 1951

LaSaLLe HarneSS: HISTORY AND HACKNEYS

n Peep Toad Road, in a rural Rhode Island town with winding stone walls and a thick covering of trees, a small, gray farm sits inconspicuously past a bend in the serpentine way. A discreet sign tastefully trimmed in gold leaf marks the name of the establishment as “LaSalle — 219” which includes a wellkept house, a modest Hackney training barn, and a working harness shop with a whole lot of history.

By Meghan von Ballmoos

along the way. Today, one would be hard pressed to find a show horse or pony training barn that does not include at least a few leather goods with their stamp, yet many know little about this cornerstone in modern harness making and the horse lovers behind it all.

Although they successfully competed with all show horse types, Hackney ponies were the horse of choice for David and his wife, Janine, who had immeasurable influence on the breed since the fifties. Starting out at Webster Knight’s In a distinctly low-profile manner, the family business at LaSalle Greyholme Farm in West Warwick, Rhode Island, David Harness Shop has produced handmade leather goods used trained many champions. At a time when the division was by horseman across the United States for more than fifty dominated by other breeds and it was virtually unheard of to years. Among friends and visitors, it is well known that the show a Hackey Roadster, Greyholme Swell was a trailblazer LaSalle farm habitually hosts a limited selection of miniature for what has become a main attraction for advancing the schnauzers, cats (not those skittish, mangey barn cat types, breed among show enthusiasts. Reading like a lesson in horse but attractive, self-possessed little creatures that know they show history, David’s photo album is extensive with horses are highly esteemed) and, boasting a similar pertness, a goat and ponies presented in nearly every division at the nation’s or two. Owners David and Janine have quietly pursued their most historic and venerated shows such as Devon, Madison equine passion over a sixty-five year span impacting many Square Garden, and the Kentucky State Fair.

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Royal Shamrock and Janine winning the Ladies Harness Pony class at Syracuse International, 2009.

Among the hundreds of ponies he had (David estimated over 300), he and wife Janine notably pioneered the now immensely popular Hackney Pleasure division with Lucky Dean who went on to garner many titles including Reserve World’s Champion of Champions Pleasure Driving in 1989. Bred by Rodney Root of Nicholasville, Kentucky, their beloved Mr. Jack Daniels won the 1994 Reserve World’s Champion Junior Hackney Pleasure Driving Pony, while David drove their own Romeo’s Copycat LF to win a World’s Championship in 2004 then trained by Jerry Cummins. Janine also won countless victories across New England and the Midwest with Sir Gallahad in the early 2000s. Looking back, David and Janine LaSalle have avidly supported the Hackney for over 65 years. Some names include, Canterbury Convincer, Heartland Majesty, Salute, Wedding Bells, Dun-Haven Center Ring, T/O Royal Shamrock, Flyer’s Ace Hi, Heartland Regal Crown, RWC Kilbro’s Patent Leather, Double Bubble of Hopewell, Cassilis

Echo’s Heir, Merrywill’s Startime, Mark of Canterbury, High Society Precious Memory, Johnny Dollar, RWC Lucky Dean, Reedann’s Paul Revere, Polly Holly, Iview Manhattan, and Fernwood Frisco Holiday — just to name a few! There were also Saddlebreds, Morgans, Hackney horses, Welsh and Shetland ponies, like Phoebe Snow (ASB Mare by Buck N’ Wing), Dainty Prince George (Hackney Horse), CH Knolland’s Rock Creek (ASB), and many more. When asked about LaSalles’ role in the Hackney Pony world, Maureen Lydon Campbell was praiseful, “David and Janine are incredible people. I have known them since I was very young. They were always so good to me and my entire family. I watched them show many a great pony. They were a huge part of the pony world in those days — always showing nice ponies and supporting the shows in New England. My dad always said David was a great pony trainer.” If necessity is the mother of invention, then David LaSalle’s evolution from trainer to harness maker was a prime

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The family with their first pony, a Welsh in 1950.

Flyers Ace Hi with Janine at UPHA Chapter 14, 1983.

example. Working show horses and ponies allowed a clear understanding of the demands in harness construction and training devices that proved invaluable. Armed with his show horse knowledge and attention to detail, David was able to create products that are specifically geared toward the show horse breeds. One particularly game pony inspired David to invent the “Quick Hitch” training system which effectively bypassed the need for a wrap girth when hooking to a cart and eliminated minutes from the process. It remains ubiquitous in show horse barns and has undoubtedly improved the lives of impatient horses and most especially, their trainers, ever since. Hackney trainer Rodney Hicks described testified to the invention, “the ‘Quick Hitch’ is one of the best work harnesses ever made and I’ve used it for years.” Hicks went on, “ the LaSalles have been an asset to the Hackney world for as long as he can remember.” From the onset, it was a family business. David and Janine’s 116 THE INTERNATIONAL SHOW HORSE Year End Edition

Their first Hackney, a three-gaited pony, Hob Nob Rythm, 1951.

son Stephen and daughter Julie grew up working with ponies and tinkering in the harness shop. While horse shows were plenty of fun, harness making soon emerged as Stephen’s real passion while he was still a teenager in the seventies. He is reserved like his father and dedicated. He stepped into the business naturally, gradually assuming the bulk of the work as his father slowed down with the more labor intensive pieces. Stephen took on the role as primary craftsman from his father many years ago and perpetuated the LaSalle Harness standard of quality, which he succinctly summed up as, “a simply philosophy of producing the best products possible along with standing behind the product in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with it.” Even after decades of harness making, he said, “I still get a wonderful sense of accomplishment after each piece is finished.” Despite LaSalle’s decidedly understated approach to advertising and self-promotion, they have managed to maintain a hugely loyal customer base by

Sir Gallahad, the LaSalle’s beloved Harness pony in one of his many victory passes

One of artist Janet Crawford paintings commissioned by the LaSalle family. This most recently done of “Belle,” Janine’s most beloved Schnauzer.

David LaSalle with one of his handsome “shop friends.”

Heartland Regal Crown, four year old Hackney Pony and Janine.

consistently delivering a lasting product. Stephen LaSalle emphasized that it all starts with the best materials, “Our leather is carefully selected for us by skilled professionals at several different tanneries. They know that if the hide does not meet our high standards it will be rejected. It has taken years to develop and maintain the quality of leather that goes into all of our training and show products.” Harness making by nature is a classical trade, influenced by modernity but rooted in long established principles. Stephen explained that technology has affected the way they do business, but not their production processes. Moreover, the faces have changed in the industry over the years but the industry remains much the same. They strive to make “a product that has been carefully and meticulously produced. Each strap is carefully selected to make sure it will perform properly in the product that it is being used for,” explained Stephen LaSalle. With David and Janine, it is clear that at the heart of it all is love for animals. It was never about the awards or

The “Quick Hitch” system in pieces.

notoriety, they are simply passionate about animals of all kinds, horses and ponies of course, but any creature. Renowned equine artist Janet Crawford has painted many of their beloved ponies and pets. She explained, “I’m sure everyone will tell you this, but they are one of the nicest couples in the horse business. Kind, generous and talented. The LaSalles love their pets. Dogs, cats... Janine even rescued a squirrel once.” It is a remarkable achievement for any business to last over fifty years and doubly remarkable for a family of horse lovers to make a living surrounding the horses they love, yet they do it all unaffectedly. They continue to show their Hackneys and, importantly, continue to provide horsemen with the tools they need for the show horse business. LaSalles are private and professional, but anyone who knows them also knows they are genuine and faithful to their family, their ponies, and their pets as well as their friends. Integrity has led to success for Lasalle Harness.

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CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’:

By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer

SPOTLIGHT ON AMATEUR GEN HESS

enevieve Hess was born and raised in Millbrae, California. Her affinity for the Saddlebred traces back to her grandmother, Rae Hess, and aunt, Anna Stanton, who always loved the breed and owned a few Saddlebreds while she was growing up. For her tenth birthday, her aunt gifted her riding lessons at a local barn, The Menlo Circus Club, where Gen now, years later, stables her own show horses with trainer, Jennifer Dixon.

many different industries and have a growing retail presence,” she added.

Somehow, Gen manages to be at the barn every day. Her biggest challenge is finding the time to be able to do everything, as there is never enough hours in the day to do it all. Especially since she spends much of her day commuting the two hours each way to her manufacturing business that is 70 miles from where she lives on a ranch with 20 horses and a 12 acre prune orchard. At the time Gen first started riding, hunters were more “I’m usually up by 5am and on the road shortly thereafter to go prevalent in the area, so her first horse was an appendix into the business, I’ll spend several hours there and head home registered Quarter horse, Printers Ink, better known as Stinky. by 1 or 2 in the afternoon, it’s at least a 2 hour commute each “He came by his barn name honestly,” laughed Gen. “He loved way,” said Gen. “Once home, I will work horses and tend to nothing more than to buck me off and run back to the barn. I ranch duties, my evenings are spent doing paperwork, both for showed him in hunter and hunter under saddle classes when I the manufacturing company and the ranch. On days that I don’t was between 12 and 14 years old.” go into the company I will work from home and try to catch up, I’m always behind! On weekends that I’m not at a horse show It was around this time, when Gen was a teenager, that her I’ll probably be at an agility trial.” grandmother decided she wanted to raise Saddlebreds. “She built a barn on my aunt’s property in Vacaville, bought a stud Gen has had the opportunity to own and show many wonderful and some mares from Don Deardorff, and started breeding,” Saddlebred’s throughout the years, some of her favorites include; said Gen. her first Saddlebred, Doubletree Bedazzled, and her daughter, CH I’m Lucky. Another at the top of her list is Elegant Sky, and “I moved to my Aunt’s to help care for the horses while I the colt she raised out of her by Sir William Robert, Sir Frank finished high school. One of the mares that my grandmother Sinatra. “He is the first colt I raised to earn a World title,” said bought from Don was a three-year-old, Doubletrees Bedazzled, Gen. Other favorites include Supreme Heir Hf, Looky I’m Lucky, she was to be my first Saddlebred, a birthday gift from my Todaysmyluckyday, and her current show horses. grandmother. ‘Dusty’ as she was called, was my show horse for many years, we were quite successful in the show pleasure Gen currently shows Your Lucky Stars in the Country Western division. When Dusty’s show career was over, she raised three Pleasure division, Nutta You Business in Country Pleasure and of my favorite colts, all of which I trained and showed, and one Callaway’s Already Gone in the Amateur five-gaited division. of which I still have.” Both of her most memorable show ring moments come from this past show season. The first was when her trainer, Jennifer After high school, Gen attended the University of California Dixon won the World’s Championship and Reserve World’s at Davis and received her degree in Animal Science. Today Champion of Champions title with Gen’s Junior Park Pleasure she is at the helm of her family’s business, Eureka Chemical horse, Stonecroft Royal Reflection. The other top moment Company, in San Francisco. Gen’s grandfather immigrated to San was winning the ASB Western Country Pleasure National Francisco from Germany and developed a rust and corrosion Championship at the American Royal this year with one of her preventative and lubricant. He started a business manufacturing all-time favorite horses,Your Lucky Stars. his new product, Fluid Film, in San Francisco in the 1940’s. Fluid Film was used primarily in the heavy marine industry on Gen hopes to continue to breed Saddlebred mares and raise bridges, barges and oilrigs, and the U.S. Navy was his biggest nice babies that make it to the show ring. She also hopes to customer. When he passed away, Gen’s grandmother took continue to show nice horses as well as to keep her company over running the business, quite a feat for a woman of those growing. The Saddlebred industry has enabled her to meet the days. The business moved to South San Francisco in the 1960’s. people that are most important in her life. And she is grateful for In addition to Gen’s grandmother, her dad, aunt and uncle all her involvement in the horse business. worked in the family business. In 2010, when her aunt died, Gen took over running the company,“I’m the third generation owner. Her advice for others starting out in the industry is simple. We still manufacture the same product but it’s a much different “Know what your goals are, work hard towards them and have business then it was just a few years ago,” said Gen. “We sell to a good team to help you get there. And remember to have fun!”

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Gen Hess and Your Lucky Stars

Sadie is one of Gen’s Agility Dogs

QUICK FACTS: Favorite Food: Mexican Favorite band/music/singer: Luke Bryan One thing you couldn’t live without: My dog One thing you wish didn’t exist: Bay Area trafﬁc. Favorite Horse Show and why: Louisville, because there are so many fantastic horses to watch. Favorite destination: Lake Tahoe The best place you have ever travelled to: Hawaii What are your hobbies: I train and compete with agility dogs What do you do in your free time for fun: Ride, train my dogs and Stand Up Paddleboard.

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THE REST OF THE STORY WITH:

By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer

OLIVIA SCHUMACHER

livia Schumacher first started riding when she was just five-years-old while visiting her grandma. Her grandmother’s next door neighbor had two horses, named Bo and Monty that she kept at her house. She did birthday parties and pony rides and driving with the horses, and Olivia loved going over there to visit. “Then we saw an advertisement in our local paper about an open house at Revelation farms. My mom FINALLY agreed to take me. I got a free introduction ride and cried when it was over! The rest is history,” said Olivia. Now 12, Olivia is in the 7th grade at Delaware Township School in New Jersey. She hopes to be an equine vet when she grows up. An only child, she lives with her mom Lorraine, and dad, David, as well as her grandmother, Oma. Olivia currently has three show horses, Ashton (Callaway’s Good Directions) that she shows in the 13-and-under fivegaited division, Ivy (The Ivy League) in Junior Exhibitor Hackney Pleasure Driving/ AHHS Youth Medallion classes, and Diva (The Rest of the Story) in the five-gaited pony division.

am really looking forward to next season,” said Olivia. During the school year, Olivia practices five days a week.“And during the summer, I’m pretty much at the barn everyday if we are not at a horse show.” Over the years, Olivia has had the opportunity to show some great horses and ponies, including her favorites; CH Heirrison Ford, Seamair Dear Sir, and The Rest of the Story. Her most memorable moments in the show ring have been winning at the World Championship Horse Show. In 2013, she took home a World’s Championship with Seamair Dear Sir in the Junior Exhibitor Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving division. This past August, Olivia and her five-gaited pony, The Rest of the Story were crowned the World Champion of Champions.

“Riding Saddlebreds and driving Hackney Ponies have taught me so much about sportsmanship, caring for animals and life in general,” said Olivia. “I’ve got wonderful friends and mentors all over the country that I would have never met without Olivia’s Hackney Pony is in training at Majestic Oaks Hackney this sport. I’ve also had the opportunity to be involved with Farm with Rich and Maureen Campbell. “What I love about Ribbons of Service, and that means so much to me because I Rich and Mo is they always make sure that you are having Fun. had a friend who died of cancer in the first grade.” Mo always says before I go in the ring, ‘Smile in, Smile Out’,” said Olivia. Her biggest challenge has been gaining confidence in herself and her riding, and she wants to continue working hard so For the last six years, her Saddlebreds have been in training that she can represent the United States on the Five-Gaited at Kierson Farm with Mike and Jessie Richardson. Since they Young Riders team. She hopes to someday compete as a will no longer be training horses, Olivia’s family has recently member of the Five-Gaited World Cup team as well, and is moved their show string to DeVore Stables for next year. “I eagerly looking forward to the upcoming show season. QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS WITH OLIVIA:

What’s the best place to which you have traveled? Las Vegas for the convention in 2013 What is one place you would love to go? Aruba, to just hang out on the beach! What is your trainer’s favorite phrase or words of advice? Rich Campbell - “That’s fast enough!” and Mike Richardson - “There ya go!” What are your hobbies? Horses and football What do you do in your free time for fun? Hang out with my friends, and listen to music. Do you have any nicknames? My family calls me “Lou”, or “Livvy Lou”, most people call me “Livvy” but some of my friends call me “The Shoe” What is your favorite food? Sushi Favorite music, singer or band? 5 Seconds of Summer Favorite Movie? Miss Congeniality What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? The Seattle Seahawks What’s one thing you wish you didn’t exist? The New England Patriots What’s something no one knows about you? I can’t ride a bicycle Anything else you would like to say? I can’t wait for next show season to start!!!

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Schumacher Family

Olivia is devoted to Ribbons of Service

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A WINNER’S PROFILE ON:

By Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer

Miss Molly “Moo Moo” Crim

t just 10-years-old, Molly Crim is already wellknown in the Saddlebred world. She and her older brother, Blake, are the fourth generation of show riders in her family. She was born with horses in her blood, and her mom, Ashley, and dad, Penn have supported their daughter’s hobby since she was just twoyears-old, when she started showing in leadline. “I started riding with Becky Teater and Randy Cole when they were at my grandparent’s [Steve and Linda Myers] Double M Farm. I’ve also ridden with Kathryn Rodosky Taylor,” she added. Molly currently takes lessons with Julia Joyce, and her equitation mare, Bravia, is in training with Bill and Lisa Waller at Clover Leaf Stables in Tennessee. “I ride twice a week at home with Julia Joyce since I can’t get to Tennessee as often as I would like,” she stated. During her practice sessions, she works on everything you would expect a much older equitation rider to focus on. “I ride with no irons, practice pattern work and work on my form. And now I get to work on cantering,” she added excitedly. Her list of accolades could fill the page. Most recently, Molly closed out her walk-and-trot career at Kansas City, where she was unanimously named the UPHA 10-and-under Walkand-Trot National Champion. Her most memorable riding moment has been taking home the title of World’s Champion of Champions twice, both as an 8-and-under rider in 2014, and this year in the 9-and-10-year-old division. In 2014, Bravia developed an abscess at the Kentucky State Fair, after taking

Molly to a reserve world’s championship in the 8-and-under class. Multiple horses were quickly and graciously offered for Molly to show back in the championship. After only ten minutes on the gelding from Cape Cod Farm, Miraculous Odds, she was able to go in and take home the title of World’s Champion of Champions. Molly is in the fourth grade at Piney Grove Elementary, in her hometown of Belews Creek, North Carolina. When she grows up, she wants to be an anesthesiologist. In her short, but illustrious career, Molly has already had the opportunity to show many horses. Some of her favorites include; Jewels For A Lady, Lady’s A Dancin’, Miraculous Odds, and of course, her current mount, Bravia. In addition to her horses, Molly’s family also has a dog named Marley, three mini donkeys and three mini horses. She says that riding American Saddlebreds have helped her in many ways. “It’s helped me stay fit; stay focused, and try my hardest at everything I do.” Molly is excited for the future of her show career, and looking forward to cantering in the upcoming show season. Her goals for the future are simple. “I want to try my hardest and be the best that I can be. When I put my mind to something, I try my hardest to achieve it,” she added with wisdom well beyond her years.

QUICK Q&A WITH MOLLY: What’s the best place you have ever travelled to? – The Atlantis in the Bahamas! What is one place you would love to go? – I want to go to Bermuda What is your trainer’s favorite phrase or words of advice? – “Be Molly! Go out there and show who you really are!” What are your hobbies? – Soccer and dancing What do you do in your free time for fun? – Drive our Polaris Ranger around the farm Do you have any nicknames? – Molly Moo Moo What is your favorite food? – Mexican…I love Taco Tuesday! Favorite music, singer, or band? – Carrie Underwood Favorite Movie? – Secretariat What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? – Being able to ride my horse What’s one thing you wish you didn’t exist? – Mean people What’s something no one knows about you? – I can already drive a tractor Anything else you would like to say? – I want to thank my trainers for all their hard work and my family for always being there for me!

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