Atlanta Horse Connections Volume 22

22 ND EDITION - 2017

new treatments for EQUINE

SARCOIDS

the ROLEX

CENTRAL PARK HORSE SHOW

photo journal the AEC’s

10-GOAL PRO ADAM SNOW

POLO SPORT

u

ENTERTAINMENT

the inaugural

SOUTHEAST SCHOOLING SHOW

CHAMPIONSHIPS u

T R AV E L

u

STYLE

u

COMPETITION

u

WELLNESS

OPEN

10 6 10 15

18 19 20 22 26 28

31

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ROLEX CENTRAL PA R K H O R S E S H O W

what’s

INTERNATIONAL Whether Weather Matters

EVENTING

The Rolex Central Park Horse Show 2017 AEC’s Photo Journal

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38 40

EQ ST YLE

Chronic Chapped Lips

LOCAL

Growing to Serve On the Road Again with Sarah Griffin Southeast Schooling Show Championships

ART S & ENTERTAINMENT Avocado Caprese Skillet Chicken

DRESSAGE Ray’s Corner

WELLNESS Equine Sarcoids

Helmet Complacency Ambulatory Diaries

SHORT STIRRUPS Junior Riders Silly Gil

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INSIDE

2 017 A E C ’ S

48 50

POLO

Pony Up for a Cause Adam Snow

Heidi Caldwell Creative Director

Penny Morse Editor At the risk of sounding like a broken record, where did 2017 go?

With so much going on, obviously time has slipped by and here we are seeing the first of Christmas commercials!

Maureen Forman Lifestyle Editor

This is a very busy edition with so much going on over the past few months. Look for highlights from the Arena Eventing in New York to the Southeast Schooling Show Championships! Every event has been exciting and well received so hopefully next year the excitement will continue and we will continue to see an increase of the spectator to our events.

Contributing Writers Yvonne Barteau Debbie Burns Brady Maureen Forman Emily Fritchey Carolyn Haward

Very proud to see our very own Amber Cavalier Spiler with her third book published in her Blackwatch Stables Series. This is a great series for and horse crazy kid and a must have for Christmas!

Jenny Kepano Luda Lyse Penny Morse

I do hope you enjoy this edition, as we have fantastic pictures and great articles. Look for the next edition out in December where we will be travelling across the Atlantic!!!

Amber Spiler Erika Swales

Cheers!

Cover photo ŠDavid Lominska

Contributing Photographers Eric Bowles Liz Crawley Nevada Cunningham

Penny Morse

Erik Jacobs David Lominska Kimberly Loring

Atlanta Horse Connections Magazine is part of City Horse Connections, an equestrian network bringing the equine world together, one city at a time.

/atlantahorseconnections

All articles and pictures are owned and copyrighted by City Horse Connections, a subsidiary of JJP Group.

Reproduction of copyrighted material, without prior permission of the copyright owner, is illegal according to 17 U.S.C... Reproductions of copyright materials apply not only to traditional works such as books, photographs, drawings, etc., but also digital media such as music, movies and software. Š2017.

NATURALLY

BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINEBOTANICALS.COM

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Carolyn Haward FEI International Show Jumping Judge, Greece

WHETHER WEATHER matters

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE, the show must go on, but is this always the case? Sometimes the weather disrupts a show, in particular, but not always, the ones held outdoors.

Occasionally, it creates problems behind the scenes that the public rarely knows anything about.

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I was invited a few years ago to officiate at the 2* CSI, part of a big indoor event that takes place every year between Christmas and New Year at Mechelen in Belgium.

It’s a really big fun show... they even have a fancy dress competition where Santa Claus’s, Angels and Christmas Puddings jump fences!! There is also a 5* CSI and a 3* CSI competition as well as the 2*CSI, all running consecutively.

Apart from Foreign Judge at the 2*, I was to be a member of the ground jury in the 5* and 3* events. Immediately prior to the start of the whole event, there had been prolonged snowfalls resulting in Brussels airport being closed for a few days. Right until the day before my planned journey to the show it was touch and go whether my flight

would be cancelled and this would have necessitated some last minute frantic efforts by the organizing committee to find a replacement judge who could manage to get there in time and in such weather conditions. Under FEI rules, the ground jury must include a judge of a different nationality to those from the host country, and it must be a different person in each of the events, 2*, 3* and 5*. As it happened, the weather finally cooperated and planes were able to get into Brussels. Panic over.

Similarly, on another occasion I was finally able to fly into Belfast in Northern Ireland after several anxious days of watching the news about the volcanic cloud that had been

spewing out of the volcano with the unpronounceable name in Iceland! Many European airports were forced to close and I’ve no doubt that there were many more stressed organizers phoning the jumping department of FEI at Lausanne in Switzerland to ask what to do if the Foreign Judge was unable to make it.

Again, fortune smiled and the crisis resolved as the cloud dissolved!

Despite my own traveling troubles en route to shows, I can only imagine what tribulations truck drivers on snowed up roads, rain slicked motorways and windblown bridges must go through with their precious load of horses behind them.

you imagine how weird it was for us in the box to see rider and horse disappear into the mist, only to reappear from the gloom some ten seconds later?!!

put back but there was a limit to how long we could delay. We were starting to get just a little bothered about how we would be able to get through the very full program scheduled for the day ahead of us. Finally, the fog lifted just enough to consider starting... except for the small inconvenience of not being able to see a couple of the fences at the far end of the arena! A solution was found in that we sent one member of the ground jury out onto the field of play into the invisible unknown with a walkie-talkie in hand. She would relay to us what was happening with those two fences, thus giving those of us in the Judges’ Box a clear picture of the whole scene! Can

‘Rain Stopped Play’ is a common phrase in the U.K., where the inclement weather is a way of life. In Greece however, the problem is not only the rain but also the heat. Just at the same time as the summer outdoor jumping season kicks off in Europe, Greece winds down its equestrian events. It’s just too hot for both horse and rider. Horses can get heat stroke just like humans and it is most distressing to see a horse trembling and sweating in the hot conditions while cooling water is thrown over it to bring its temperature down. As a consequence, there are no Greek shows from midJune until the beginning of September, that is, unless the powers that be decide to hold an International event in Greece in the height of the hot summer, as was the case of the Olympics in 2004 and the World Junior Championships in 2006. The solution was naturally to avoid the extreme heat by holding all the riding early in the day and in the evening on those occasions.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Fog too, of course, can be an issue. I recall arriving early one morning at the Olympic Equestrian Center near Athens to Judge at a small International show.

It was foggy outside, very unusual for Greece, and through the large windows all around the judges’ box we could see absolutely nothing! There was no way we could start a competition like that so it was going to be a long wait for all of us.

Obviously, the start of the first class was

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

‘Rain Stopped Play’ is a common phrase in the U.K., where the inclement weather is a way of life.

7 7

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 8

Not surprisingly perhaps, another obstacle we judges have to overcome is the sun. So many well-meaning designers of Equestrian arenas fail to consider the location of the judges’ box in relation to the position of the sun. In a south facing or south west facing tribune we can almost be blinded by a bright sun as it lowers in the sky and shines directly into our eyes.

We struggle and squint through dark glasses at the obstacles, hoping not to miss a falling, or even more difficult, a dislodged pole. Think too of the temperatures inside our glass box, often devoid of windows that open or an air conditioning unit, as mentioned in one of my earlier articles about an event in Romania. So spare a thought for us, occasionally, long suffering judges trying to do our best in sometimes difficult circumstances. Ah, what we do for the love of our sport!

Contrary to what many people believe and as I alluded to in a previous paragraph, rain can often be a problem in Greece. The country isn’t always bathed in sunshine and although most winters are fairly mild, recent years have been witness to an alarming increase in rainfall ... caused probably by the global warming phenomenon, we are told. The Greek equestrian sport season is from the beginning of September until mid-June and almost all of the shows are outdoors. I’m afraid most of the riding clubs which host the competitions do not invest enough money into adapting to these new climatic conditions by constructing arenas with suitable drainage systems underneath. Money is in short supply in this financially beleaguered country, so

often a competition gets postponed or cancelled simply because the ground is too wet and muddy. The one and only indoor arena in Greece can be found at the Olympic Equestrian Center built for the 2004 Olympics, but even then the warm up areas remain outdoors and exposed to the elements. A rider and horse combination will only spend about 2 minutes actually inside the arena, compared to about 20 minutes in the warm up areas. Consequently, there too it ends up with the same result: a cancelled competition... rained off!

Other European countries, where the outdoor arenas have been correctly built and the ground is founded on a good drainage system, are able to run their competitions with no stoppages because of the rain. For example, at the very first show at Aalst in Belgium, a 3* CSI which is now an annual event, where I had the honor of being invited to be Foreign Judge in 2011, there was an inordinate amount of rain. It hardly stopped raining all weekend! The paths all around the arena and the offices, as well as the judge’s box, were really very muddy. The arena looked more like a swimming pool better suited to a water polo match than a place for horses to jump obstacles, but in fact the water was just a thin layer sitting

on the porous surface. The ground was perfectly sound for jumping on and so the show went ahead without a hitch.

Not a single horse as much as slipped!

The only casualty on that occasion, as far I could see, was my much maligned and muddy bright pink suitcase (yes, the same one I wrote previously about that was later to be caked yet again in mud at Hickstead last year!!). On the final day of the competition one kind fellow member of the Ground Jury had transported my luridly colored but very feminine case from the hotel to the show ground and then later in the day, to avoid me walking in the pouring rain, went to collect it for me from his car and bring it to the tribune so that I could swiftly leave for the airport at the conclusion of the show. This senior Judge, and a doctor by profession, solemnly wheeled my clod laden fuchsia pink case through the VIP lounge; a dry short cut to the judges’ box. He told me afterwards that he would never live it down... the rude comments, wolf whistles and laughs he received on account of the color of ‘his’ case would follow him forever!

So as you can see, on the subject of whether weather matters... it does!

EQUINE OPHTHALMOLOGY

ADVANCING ROUTINE AND SPECIALIZED CARE Providing advanced diagnostics, routine, complex and emergency medical and surgical care to horses with a variety of ocular disorders.

The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and Ophthalmology welcome the addition of two new faculty members, Drs. Richard McMullen and Shannon Boveland. Drs. Phillip Anthony Moore, McMullen and Boveland are members of the International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium and are committed to providing the highest level of equine eye care.

With the addition of Dr. McMullen, an internationally known equine ophthalmologist, the J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital is expanding its services provided to our equine patients.

The Equine Internal Medicine Service is an integral part of the equine ophthalmology health care team.

THIS IS ADVANCED HEALTHCARE. THIS IS AUBURN.

J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital 334/844-4490 • www.vetmed.auburn.edu 2017 Equine Ophthamology AD.FINAL.indd 1

1/18/17 7:34 AM

HEY HORSE GIRLS, THIS IS FOR YOU! Who doesn’t want to wear mascara anymore? YOU! Do yourself a favor this fall and look great going to AND from the barn. We know your horse looks amazing, but now it’s your turn!

6 E a s t Wa s h i n g t o n S t r e e t , N e w n a n , G A

770.252.3033 / kateyes.com

The Fite Group Luxury Homes presented the $50,000 Eventing Relay at Central Park September 24th, which was added to the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show.

It was a superb fall evening with a crowd that was ready to be introduced to the not so well known sport of Arena Eventing, as well as enjoying the spectacular and exciting show jumping event. The eventing relay was well received by the crowds and while the $50,000 prize money was small in comparison to the jumpers, it was a tidy sum for the eventers!

EVENTING

Will we be seeing more of this type of entertainment?

I certainly hope so. Putting some of the fun back in eventing just might be what the sport needs!

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NYC

2017

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

ROLEX CENTRAL PARK HORSE SHOW

U.S. OPEN $216,000 CSI 3STAR GRAND PRIX U.S. OPEN $50,000 ARENA EVENTING P H OTO S B Y L I Z C R AW L E Y

Top: USA’s Holly Payne-Caravella and Never Outfoxed placed 2nd with Team Times Square. Above left: All smiles for 2nd place Team Times Square Boyd Martin (USA) riding Kyra and Holly Payne-Caravella (USA) riding Never Outfoxed. Above right: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Prince Renan.

Below left: 1st Place Team East Village Ryan Wood (AUS) riding Alcatraz. Below right: The U.S. Open Arena Eventing winners bust loose!

Left: 2nd place winner in the show jumping was Hardin Towell and Lucifer V. Above: Taking first place was Kent Farrington and Creedance. Below: Kent Farrington and Creedance.

Right: 3rd place winner Kristen Vanderveen and the stunning Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

TIEC was the spectacular host for this year’s AEC’s and many yet. Rising equine photographer Nevada Cunningham shares her experience with us in this photo journal featuring many riders from Georgia, the southeast and beyond. Congratulations to you all!

AEC’s

AMERICAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

2017

would agree, was the best one

TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

EVENTING 15

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

ask the

SKIN WHISPERER Emily Fritchey

chronic

CHAPPED LIPS

cause, effect & solutions

Should we be doing more than simply applying Chap Stick?

Yes! Applying Chap Stick is treating the symptoms, not addressing the underlying cause. Daily use of poorly compounded lip products can ruin a beautiful smile and create a revolving door of trial and

that aggravates the condition * Mineral Oil – coats skin and prevents skin from breathing leads to skin dehydration and compounds the problem * Camphor, phenol, menthol and salicylic acid – all feel comforting

error to treat this condition. Proper care and selecting the right

initially, but quickly dries and requires frequent re-application and

ingredients can reverse chronic conditions and create soft, beautiful

aggravates dryness.

lips. Whatever brand you buy, look for a simple list of ingredients that can include the following:

Why do some people seem to deal with dry lips each season while others do not?

What are some of ingredients should we look for in quality chap sticks/lip balms?

Overall health and nutrition, daily beauty rituals, climate and lifestyle

* Olive Oil – Omega 3 fatty acid to nourish and soothe

Chapped lips start with scaling skin and can progress to cracks,

* Comfrey – nature’s most healing botanical simulates the production

redness and bleeding, and can be compounded by the application

of healthy skin cells, heals damaged tissue and reduces inflammation

all play a part in the development of chronic chapped lip conditions.

of poorly compounded oral care and cosmetic ingredients. Lips

* Calendula - Helps soothe sunburned/wind burned lips

tend to get chapped in the winter because the air is especially dry

* Coconut Oil – Provides intense moisture – excellent to address

and cold and the lips are constantly in contact with saliva–especially

candida often associated with red, inflamed skin conditions

if you lick them. Water dries the skin and removes the layer of skin

* Aloe Vera – Powerful Wound Healer

oil that’s a skin protectant. Certain nutritional deficiencies can cause

* Evening Primrose Oil – Essential source of vital fatty acid that treat

the skin to dry out and crack. Vitamins A, C, E, as well as the B

deficiencies that can cause this condition * Bees Wax – Excellent, non-toxic skin protective balm

vitamins are known to deeply nourish the skin. Certain medications and supplements may also increase the risk of developing chapped

EQ ST YLE

lips including retinoids, lithium, chemotherapy drugs and vitamin A.

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What ingredients should you avoid?

Healthy, healing ingredients in oral care and lip products are vital to

* Alcohols (very drying – found in lip stains and colorants)

avoid or reverse chapped lip conditions.

* Fluoride in Toothpastes - Dryness, itch, pain and blistering may be experienced with daily use of this ingredient. Look for Xylitol

Emily Fritchey, Founder and CEO of Sunshine Botanicals is a clinical

based dental products instead for healing benefits

aesthetician, natural health practitioner and herbalist. Visit Sunshine

* Petroleum – Provides no healing benefits – temporary skin coating

Botanicals on Facebook and on the web at sunshinebotanicals.com

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Erika Swales food expert

Avocado Caprese Skillet Chicken Mix together garlic salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper and rub onto the chicken fillets. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 5-8 minutes. Turn the chicken over and cook the opposite side until the chicken is nearly cooked through, then reduce the heat and cook for about 5 minutes.

AVOCADO CAPRESE SKILLET CHICKEN

Add 2 slices of mozzarella, then one slice of avocado and 1-2 tomato slices on the top of each fillet. Cover the pan with a lid and allow to cook for a further 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chicken is completely cooked.

ART S & ENTERTAINMENT

For 4 people you will need: 4 boneless chicken fillets (or chicken breasts, Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil. thinned and tenderized) 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 tsp. Italian seasoning Serve with gr 1/2 tsp. black pepper salad and wa e en rm, 2 Tbsp. olive oil baguette to m crusty op up 8 slices fresh mozzarella wonderful juic the es!

4 slices avocado 2 vine ripe tomatoes, sliced 3 Tbsp. balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar Chopped basil strips for garnish

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

challenges confidenc partnership ©fireandearthphoto.com

understanding

ray’s corner

DRESSAGE

HERE WE ARE AGAIN! Welcome back to my corner of the barn! Last visit we talked a bit about temperament in horses and why it is a factor in training. I think I will stay on that topic but I am going to shift the spotlight to the human equation in the training mix. That’s right. ‘You’!

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How does your personality reflect in your actions when you are dealing with us? Regardless of your personality type, understanding how you are different from others in your decision making and the way you view the world is important.

My trainer has everyone who rides here, take a version of the Meyers Briggs temperament sorter. Her favorite is on ‘The Personality Page’ on the internet, for those of you with fingers who are good at that!

Since she has been doing these match ups for so long, once she knows the people’s letters and once the student reads the

Yvonne Barteau

description of the type, that kind of categorizes who they are, she has a good idea of what horse might be easiest for them to ride, or learn, from.

Here is a personal example. For quite a while, my trainer’s daughter, Kassie, rode me, and she is very different from her mother, when it comes to personality. Kassie was the happiest kid around, not too serious, and she wanted everything to be fun and easy. She avoided conflict whenever possible.

Most of the time I was great with that because she was also a smart rider in the fact that she knew, back then, I had LOTS of energy I needed to get rid of every day. So even though we showed in dressage we often would gallop in the biggest spaces she could find, so I could get rid of some of my energy while at shows. She was also very relaxed in her body, and that helped me to relax as well.

g

Here is where Kassie and her mom were different. Kassie would try to work around, the possibility of an explosive behavior, by changing the subject for me.

Do a bit of this, then that, and keep me guessing about her plans until we got through our ride. I might still be tense or tight, from not galloping but she was clever about avoiding possible conflict and did not get into it with me.

Her mom, on the other hand, would make me do exercises that made me use my back, but was not as much fun, as galloping was. She might make me stay in a shoulder in until I really had to let go of my tension and use my back and hind legs properly, and sometimes that worked and sometimes it did not. When it worked we would have one of our “brilliant” rides. When it did not, I might test her authority, either in the warm up, or the show arena, and sometimes we would lose points for that.

It does not take any horse all that much time to figure out your personality in a way that we can either accept leadership from, or take advantage of.

If your horse were fearful, for example, a confident, empathetic and non-fearful rider, would best suit them. If you did not naturally possess these traits, then you would have to display them anyway, or you might not have the success you hoped for with that horse.

We can all have our own individual personalities and still get along. Training is supposed to be an equalizer of sorts.

Horses in a good training program will all start behaving in a similar fashion because their trainer will see their temperaments, intelligence and energy levels and design a program which suits them as an individual. Sure we horses need to be trained but our trainers need to be able to adapt to our individual needs and still get us to their desired

point, whatever that might be. If we are challenging we need leadership and once in a while a firm reprimand so we do not test authority, if we are fearful, we need reassurance and guidance. If we are aloof we need to be taught...to pay attention, and if we are too social we need to focus on our job and not on everything else that is more interesting in our world.

As riders and trainers understanding what personality traits that are needed in order to ride your horse successfully, is part of your learning process as a rider.

Skill and confidence as well as experience as a rider or trainer allow you many choices of horses that you will have success with. If you are new or lacking miles in the saddle, then it is important to know your own personality comfort zone and work within those boundaries.

It is important to factor all of the personalities of any equation into the training program. Horse, rider, trainer coach and owner all must understand each other and work together as a team to make the training experience the best it can be... for all involved.

My final thoughts on the subject is that we all continue to evolve, with time, and with our experiences. Young Kassie grew up and found a way to get her point across, with any horse and still stay true to herself in the process. I grew up and now feel more like rolling in the sand and getting a nice bath than galloping around for no reason at all!

I still like to buck though!

Happy Riding and be true to yourself... and your horse!

DRESSAGE

I knew the difference between Kassie and her mom, and I also knew that when I tested authority Yvonne would stay in “trainer mode” and make sure I understood, that she was the established leader in our herd of two. Kassie was pretty young back then and I think she wanted to be my friend, more than my boss, and that is how she was different than her mom. Believe me, it does not

take any horse all that much time to figure out your personality in a way that we can either accept leadership from, or take advantage of.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

ce

When we were at shows that did not allow or have space for galloping, I could be tricky to ride. Kassie had great feel, and good timing with her aids, so she still managed to get me to do my job. However, tension built up in me, you know, because of the energy, no galloping, and the ‘stallion thing’ and I would sometimes misbehave.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Rebecca Legere, DVM, MS & John Schumacher, DVM, DACVIM-LA

New Treatments for

EQUINE SARCOIDS

WELLNESS

Equine sarcoids are one of the most frustrating health issues a horse can develop and chances are, if you’ve been around horses long enough, you’ve seen your share of them. Luckily, technology is advancing quickly in new treatment options.

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EQUINE SARCOIDS are the most common skin tumor of horses. They are benign tumors but capable of causing unsightly blemishes. Sarcoids have different manifestations.

The mildest form is the flat or occult sarcoid which appears as thickened, dark, hairless skin, often as a circular lesion (Fig. 1a).

Nodular sarcoids are solid and spherical (Fig. 1b). Verrucose sarcoids have a warty appearance (Fig. 1c). Fibroblastic sarcoids have the appearance of “proud flesh” (Fig. 1d) and most often occur on the legs. Fibroblastic sarcoids often grow aggressively. They may contaminate normal granulation tissue that occurs during wound healing and are often confused with “proud flesh” in a non-healing wound.

Sarcoids are caused by a virus and can be spread from horse to horse, commonly by flies but also by tack or grooming

equipment. Flies carrying the virus are attracted to wounds where they deposit the virus. These wounds are often small such as abrasions that are not noticed by the horse owner.

Some horses appear to be genetically predisposed to develop sarcoids. For instance, the incidence of sarcoids in Quarter Horses is nearly twice that of Thoroughbreds. Diagnosis of a sarcoid can be made by examination of biopsied tissue by a histopathologist. However, because of the variations in matrix type and staining characteristics of sarcoid tissue and inexperience of the pathologist, sarcoid tissue may be erroneously identified as another type of tumor, most commonly a neurofibroma or a neurofibrosarcoma. Biopsy of a sarcoid may cause the tumor to convert to the aggressive fibroblastic form. Because of the difficulty in obtaining a proper histopathologic diagnosis and because of the possibility

1a of increasing the aggressiveness of a sarcoid, the diagnosis is often made based on the tumor’s clinical appearance and site of occurrence. For instance, a tumor occurring in skin near the eyes and on the ears is almost always a sarcoid (except on light-skinned eyelids, where squamous cell carcinoma is common).

1b skin contaminated with virus is often incomplete. Even if sufficient surrounding skin can be removed, normal skin is often contaminated with the virus during removal. Sarcoids can be removed using cryosurgery which involves rapid freezing with liquid nitrogen. Drawbacks of this treatment are death of surrounding normal tissue, the need for multiple treatments and

Sarcoids are caused by a virus and can be spread from horse to horse, commonly by flies but also by tack or grooming equipment. growth of white hair at the treatment site. Additionally, cryosurgery must be performed with great care when the sarcoid is near the eye or over a joint.

Sarcoids can be treated with immune therapy. The sarcoid is surgically removed and cut into pieces which are frozen with liquid nitrogen (to destroy the virus) and then the pieces are implanted under the skin (usually in the neck under the mane). An immune response to the virus is stimulated causing regression of the sarcoid.

This method of treatment is often

1d successful, but growth of new sarcoids at the site of implantation is a possible complication.

Immunostimulants, such as cell-wall extracts of some types of bacteria, have anti-tumoral activity and have been used to effectively treat horses for sarcoids. Imiquimod cream, a modifier of immune response with antiviral activity used to treat warts, and superficial basal cell carcinoma in people, has been used to treat sarcoids in horses. Imiquimod is a fairly expensive drug. Application of imiquimod at sites where tissue is harvested for histological examination may prevent the sarcoid from transforming into a more aggressive form.

Because sarcoids appear to be caused by a virus, treatment using antiviral creams such as acyclovir have been used for treatment of small or thin sarcoids. Most reports indicate that acyclovir is highly effective in treatment of small or debulked sarcoids. Acyclovir is inexpensive when purchased from compounding pharmacies. The cream is non-irritating to tissue but must be applied to the sarcoid daily for 2-6 months.

WELLNESS

Flat, verrucose, and nodular sarcoids are often not treated if they appear to be causing no problem to the horse and are not a too displeasing sight to the owner. Treatment of sarcoids has always been a problem. The success of cure using most treatments is very limited and treatment of a mild, non-aggressive sarcoid might change its nature to an aggressive, fast growing form.

Surgical excision alone of a sarcoid is usually unsuccessful and recurrence of the tumor is very common. This is because the horse has little excess skin and removal of surrounding

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

1c

23

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Drugs toxic to cells can be applied topically to sarcoids or they can be injected into sarcoid tissue to cause regression of the tumor. Caustic drugs such as copper sulfate or herbal extracts such as XXTERRA® may be applied to wounds of debulked sarcoids, but the efficacy of these caustic agents is low, and some have a highly destructive nature and destroy normal tissue.

Antimitotic or cytotoxic drugs such as carboplatin or cisplatin injected directly into the tumor are fairly effective treatment of sarcoids. Treatment of sarcoid becomes even more effective when the sarcoid and surrounding tissue injected with these drugs is subjected to electrical field pulses (electrochemotherapy) created with an electropulsator. The electrical pulses markedly increase the concentration of cisplatin or carboplatin within tumoral cells.

Electrochemotherapy recently was shown to be a highly effective treatment for sarcoids. To apply electrochemotherapy, the horse must

WELLNESS

A

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B

Left: Treatment of sarcoid becomes even more effective when the sarcoid and surrounding tissue injected with these drugs is subjected to electrical field pulses (electrochemotherapy) created with an electropulsator.

Above: Fibroblastic sarcoids have the appearance of “proud flesh” and most often occur on the legs be anesthetized, but the procedure can be performed in the field using a short-acting anesthetic. There are many treatments for sarcoid, many not mentioned in this short report, either because of extreme expense

C

(such as radiation therapy) or because of low efficacy. In our experience (and the experience of others) electrochemotherapy appears to be the treatment of choice when considering both expense and efficacy of treatment.

D

C ASE S TUDY

Clinical case at AULATH: A large fibroblastic sarcoid (A) was surgically debulked, and the site of attachment was treated with one injection of carboplatin and then subjected to electrochemotherapy (B).

Response to treatment was excellent (C) and at 6 months after surgery, is completely healed and smooth with the hair regrown (D). Photos courtesy of Dr. Fred Caldwell, DVM, MS, DACVS.

64 youtube videos, 2 overseas trips 13 different opinions, 1 dream come true He’s finally here and he’s all yours. You can rest easy knowing that he is protected with the company that knows horses. As experienced equine specialists, Harbin employs a full range of insurance solutions for the equestrian community. We know the horse world and we are dedicated to protecting your part of it.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

FROM BLOGGER ANNA BLAKE I’m a horse advocate, equine professional, award-winning author, and proud member of the herd at Infinity Farm, on the Colorado prairie. I train horses and riders equine communication skills and dressage, and I write parables about horses and life.

HELMETS When Complacency and Experience are Killers.

“She had a helmet on and she still got hurt,” the woman said. Well, sure. I take vitamins and I’m still getting older.

If this is logic, then I’m missing the point. I write about the importance of helmets every year; this is the eighth since Courtney King-Dye’s accident and the founding of riders4helmets. Lots of us wore helmets full-time long before that.

To be clear, I wasn’t born in a helmet. When I was a kid, we didn’t have tack, much less helmets. But I’m capable of change. Apparently, that’s a bigger deal than I think; the common reason I hear for not using a helmet is that they never wore them in the past. I didn’t use a cell phone back then either. I changed.

When I’m able to talk helmets with that helmetresistant rider quietly, they usually give the same reason.

With a self-effacing smile, they admit the reason is probably ego. An uncomfortable silence follows. Sometimes I stare, wondering if ego is usually the thing that gets in the way of us caring about our loved ones.

WELLNESS

In earlier posts, I’ve ranted about freak accidents and

26

logic. That’s silly, of course. All the statistics are undeniable. Everyone knows everything. Maybe I should be happy that kids think of helmets as part of their riding/superhero costume and just bite my tongue.

was hard and once you start, the learning never ends. But I still see

think what’s on the outside of their head is more important than

horses through the eyes of that little horse-crazy girl. The rest of

protecting what’s inside; their intellect, personality, and most impor-

me has changed as horses have asked me to. Like most of us who

tant to their horse, the ability to buy hay. What does it mean to have

have applied ourselves, I’m a better person for their equine input. It

concern for horse slaughter or the plight of the mustangs but take

took another species to teach me humanity. If nothing else, I want

your own life for granted? Why not do all you can to be there for

to be around to enjoy that, sound in mind, for as long as I can.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

I can’t because I’m a horse advocate. I disagree with riders who

your horse (if not your loved ones)?

I’ll finish this post with the usual list of important information, in I can hear their defiant anti-helmet proclamation. Well, I’m not

hopes that it might make a difference to the people who can make

afraid to die on horseback either. What I’m afraid of is NOT

a difference…

dying. I couldn’t bear living without horses.

STATS AND SOURCES: The new statistic that caught my eye this year is a study conducted by a team of Alberta researchers found that riders who reported an injury had an average of 27 years of riding experience. New riders had a relatively small incidence of injury.

It rings true for me. In my extended circle of riders, there were several injuries this past year. Some were quite serious. Some took place on the ground or at the mounting block. All the injured were experienced horse people with many years in the saddle. The beginners were just fine.

So I speculate. I see a lot of complacency in the horse world. It’s a luxury I can’t afford as a pro. I must keep my focus at all times; I need to see the world with an equine range of vision. Training horses and riders requires awareness. I’m always surprised at the number of times I witness riders unaware of obviously dangerous situations. I’d call it a passive disrespect of their horses. Sometimes they don’t know better, even after a life with horses. Sometimes it’s laziness. And sometimes we just get bull-headed as we age, set in our ways and unwilling to grow or learn. I suppose there is a certain cosmic balance to getting a head injury from not using your head.

For me, I’m trained to see patterns in horse behaviors and human behaviors. When I see a rider defend their ego, or even just close their minds toward helmets, safety, and common knowledge, how does that reflect on their training methods? How does it reflect on their horses?

have asked me to change everything about myself. I resisted; it

motorcycle rider, per hour.

• 60 – number of deaths/year due to head injury (compared with 8 for football) • 60% of riding fatalities occur from head injuries.

• 15,000 – number of ER admissions for equine-related head injuries in 2009.

• 2 feet – the number of feet at which head injury can occur.

45% of TBI (traumatic brain injuries) are horse related. Riding is considered more dangerous than motorcycling or downhill skiing.

Approximately 20% of accidents which result in head injury happen while the person is on the ground. They are just as common in professionals as amateurs.

If you have a hard impact blow while wearing your helmet, immediately replace it with a new one. There may be damage to the helmet that is not visible to the naked eye. Manufacturers generally recommend replacing your helmet every four to five years.

There is no statistical correlation between skill level and injury likelihood. Professional riders are just as at risk to sustain injury due to a fall as less frequent riders. Head injuries are cumulative.

An original head injury can be made much worse by additional concussions. Your injury risk depends on the height from which fall, as well as the speed at which you’re traveling. Even a fall from a standing horse can be catastrophic.

Follow Anna’s blog at https://annablakeblog.com

WELLNESS

I understand how difficult it is to change. Looking back, horses

• Equestrians are 20x more likely to sustain an injury than a

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Luda Lyse

tor y ambula

diar ies

It was one of those days when the doctor and I were running a smidge late to an appointment. I know what you’re thinking, shocking right? But hey, when you make appointments in the afternoon, whether or not it’s with your veterinarian, or your doctor, expect them to be running a little late. It’s just part of it. Especially, when they are ‘super vets’ like my boss.

WELLNESS

OF COURSE THE CLIENTS had turned their horses back out since we were running a little late. Usually it’s not that big of a deal, but these 2 horses in particular have the art of not being caught down to a science. The doc and I know that just as well as the owners, but they chose to ignore this fun fact about their 2 equines, and still turned them out anyway. Then they wonder why we are always running behind! Moving on!

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All that was required were the vaccinations. Maybe 5, maybe 10 minutes total, including the amount of time it takes to even draw up the vaccines. Doc and I start approaching, or at least try to approach these 2 horses.

The first horse wasn’t too awful hard to get a hold of, so we get that one knocked out. At this time, the owner, and his dog, comes out to assist. Now when I say assist, I really mean “assist.”

Just picture me, the doc, the owner, and his dog, attempting to catch this horse in a 5 or so acre field, with a round pen shoved at one end of it, creating an even more multi-dimensional obstacle course.

This horse was like a honey badger on speed. He just was not going to be caught. The man is hollering, the dog is barking, the doc and I are both trying to cut this thing off in the corners and all I can hear in my head is the theme from Benny Hill. Yes, we were on the road to

America’s Funniest Home Videos.

After about 20 minutes of running around nonstop after this extremely frustrating horse, I finally decide I’m done with this game. It clearly was not working and I was getting a bit frustrated. I decide to work smarter, not harder, and go to the barn to get some feed. Sometimes the thrill of the chase takes common sense completely out of one’s brain.

I stand on the side of the barn at the end of the stall with a feed bag, shaking it violently to get the horse’s attention.

Well wouldn’t you know it, the horse hears me and somewhat starts to come

The doc gets a little closer, the horse realizes the doc is going for him, and the horse tries to take off. But the horse slipped! He went all the way down on his side. I shouted out something, that still to this day I am not sure where it

me on the other hand; well I had tears streaming down my cheeks, and I almost fell on the ground from laughing, and I was actually laughing so hysterically hard, that I, at some point, stopped making noises, and the only sound coming out of my mouth was some sort of strange squeaking noise. I remained in this manner for a solid 15 minutes. It even got to the point later when we were back

in the truck and heading back down the road that the doc was like, “okay, that’s enough... seriously that’s enough... it’s over...” and I still couldn’t stop. It was so great. Now I’m kicking myself for not having it on video. I love my job.

Till next time!

– Ludes

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

in my direction. The doc is telling me “way to go! We’ll get him cornered now!” And then the magic happened…

The doc leaps in to the air, like a football player making the game winning tackle, and lands on the defeated horse’s neck. came from, or why it even felt so natural, “Geetttt ’em! Geetttt ’em! Doc, Get ’em!

Tackle ’em! Tackle ’em!” Apparently I have an inner self that resembles a football coach on a losing streak.

The most glorious moment then happened, as everything started to resemble the slow motion scenes from Avatar. DOC TACKLED THE HORSE! The doc leaps in to the air, like a football player making the game winning tackle, and lands on the defeated horse’s neck. It was awesome! It was a Seinfeld moment!

Except it was real life, and I knew at that moment, my life was basically complete.

I just watched my boss perform a Jeté, while tackling a horse and it was breathtaking!

Owner: - “Hey, I’m so glad you’re here. Do you want to do the health certificate first, or get the deceased foal the rest the way out of my mare?”

Me: - “Are you serious?”

Owner: - “Are you going to pull the embryo out through her intestines?”

Doc: - “Uuuummmm, no ma’am, the embryo will actually be flushed through her reproductive system” Owner: - “Well, she’s lame, so I spoke with the nutritionist, and I got her vitamins and her mineral deficiency in order, and that made her better, but she was still lame. So I had her TMJ injected. She got even better, but was still lame. I fired my farrier because the lateral to medial foot placement was all out of balance, and she got better but was still lame.

I started using a coat sheen supplement, and I think we are really on the right track now. So what’s the next step, Doc?” I am thinking: - “Ummmm, a lameness exam!”

(AFTER the lameness exam, that obviously had to happen) Doc: - “Well, she has torn her suspensory.”

WELLNESS

The horse, of course, stands right back up, with my boss’s arms around his neck.

Once the horse knew he was caught, he didn’t even try to budge, possibly due to the shock of seeing a man launching himself at him! The owner gave a good chuckle, and was pretty well impressed at the doc’s leaping skills. Doc was also pretty pleased with himself, but

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junior riders

The sweetest friendships are made on the backs of horses…

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Amber Spiler

katelyn roberts MY NAME IS KATELYN ROBERTS. I am 14 years old and I ride Hunter Jumpers in IEA. I love IEA because it gives me opportunities to learn about new horses and to grow closer to my team. I am hoping to be able to continue in IEA through my senior year in High School. My horse is Meiko and I love that she is so curious and smart. She has always been so sweet and very willing for me. She can be sassy but that’s what I love most about her. She is really a one girl horse and I think that I am her girl.

I train with Sarah Dubois and I like that she has high expectations for all of her riders and she always trains us with kindness and always helps us with our personal goals.

I love riding with my best friend because it has brought us even closer together. I like that we have chosen different disciplines because we don’t have to compete against each other.

lilianna giordano MY NAME IS LILIANNA GIORDANO. I am 14 years old and I Event my pony Gil. His show name is Better Than a Boyfriend. I like Eventing mostly because of the Cross Country and Show Jumping. The Dressage isn’t as much fun but we have to do it. Gil doesn’t like it as much either. My mom bought Gil for me on my 12th birthday and with the help of my trainer, Lauren Turner, I trained him myself. This has been the greatest experience because we grew so much together. He trusts me and I trust him and I feel like he will let me do anything with him. He is a tad on the lazy side though.

I started showing with Stefanie Lackey in Hunter Jumpers. I like riding with her because she knows all of my little quirks and helps me work through them. When I started, I was a little scared of riding but she was patient and worked through it. I compete in Eventing with Lauren Turner and I like her because she is so nice and listens to me.

If you would like to be featured in our ‘Meet our Junior Riders’ section, email a short description of yourself, your horse and two hi-res photographs to designonpenny@yahoo.com.

SHORT STIRRUPS

I like that Katelin and I compete in different disciplines because we get to help each other out at horse shows. I love riding with my best friend and hope that this is something we always do together.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Amber Spiler

Silly Gil

It's me Gil! The cutest pony in the world and I'm coming to you from a late summer horse trial.

MY GIRL ALWAYS TELLS ME that I am the cutest pony in the world but today I feel exceptionally cute. She took me for a ride in the sandbox and after we were done she was very excited and gave me lots of sugar cubes. I don’t really know why because I

know she likes to jump things and this time I didn’t feel like jumping the little, tiny white fence that surrounds the sandbox. But she was pleased with me anyways so I’m happy if she’s happy.

I’m standing in a stall with a fan blowing air in my face while munching on hay so I am currently perfectly content.

“Ruff! Ruff!” Oh no. Puck! The Jack Russell Terrier Mutt.

“Gil! Gil! Gil!”

That’s my name, don’t wear it out.

“Gil! Did you have fun in the sandbox?

It looked like fun! I wonder if there were any bones buried in there.” Bones?

I don’t understand his infatuation with bones. I tried one once when he wasn’t looking. Yuk! “Your girl is coming to get you soon and decorate you in the blue stuff!” So. I like blue.

“You know what this means! Right?”

It means I’ll be wearing blue, you silly Mutt.

SHORT STIRRUPS

“It means that you have to do the galloping thing with the jumps in between the galloping!” Oh no! I really don’t like the galloping things. It’s so... gallopy. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

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“Gil! Gil!” Why does he do that? Does he think I don’t know my name?

“I have an idea!” I’m leaving.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

“You can just gallop in between the jumping things so that you don’t get as tired! And you will finish faster and get back to your hay!” Now that’s not a bad idea. I have to hand it to the mutt, sometimes he’s really smart.

“So your girl is going to want to go right over them. Just wait until the last minute and then run around it real fast. The faster you do it the happier your girl will be with you!” Roger that Puck.

“3, 2, 1. Have a nice ride!”

“Oh, here she comes!” My girl comes to me with a big smile on her face.

“Gil. We are in first place right now! Do you know what that means?” Nope.

“That means that you are going to get extra treats for being such a good pony.”

Yes! I love treats. I can only imagine how many treats I will get when she sees how fast I can run around those jumpy things!

She walks away and comes back with the saddle and the blue stuff. She even takes the time to write “Gil” on my rump just in case she forgets my name. Last of all is the bridle with the little round paper thing on it.

I stand very still for my girl as she mounts up. I love her so much and just want to make her proud today. And I really want to get the extra treats. We amble on over to the field where there are some random jumpy things. My girl gallops me over to them while her adult lady yells at us. She’s

Off we go. I gallop as hard as I can to the first thing. I jump it. Dang, I forgot to run around. We gallop to some water.

There is no way to run around it without taking extra steps and I’m all about saving steps. Plus the water feels good and squishy on my feet.

Okay! Here we go! I see the next jumpy thing and it’s shaped like the little house that Puck stays in when he hangs out at the barn. This one is perfect! I gallop as fast as I can, I can feel my girl leaning forward a little bit. She’s going to be so surprised! I gallop harder and I’m only about one pony stride away when I dodge quickly to the right.

Now when I say quick, I mean like the speed of lightening. Maybe faster than I have ever moved in my life. She’s going to be ecstatic!

“Gil!” Oh no. She doesn’t sound ecstatic.

“Gil! Why in the world would you do that? We have practiced this jump 100 times!” Oops.

That silly mutt did it again! He always gets me into trouble. My girl takes my reins and leads me all the way back to the stall. She’s sad and I feel very bad.

She untacks me and wipes my name off of my rump and comes around to look me in the eyes.

“Silly Gil. That was very naughty.” I look away. I can’t stand it.

“But Gil.” Yes? “I will always love you no matter how naughty you are and no matter how we place at a show” She reaches in her pocket and gives me treats. Then extra treats. I love treats and I love my girl.

Next time I will be extra good! I promise this is the last time I will listen to that silly Puck!

SHORT STIRRUPS

But wait; as I’m dodging I can feel my girl slipping to the left. Oh no! always yelling “Leg, leg.” So I lift my leg “Gil!” she screams and is almost a little. I make sure and tackle the jumpy thing like usual because I am going to save completely off of me now. my surprise for the real thing.

I slam on the brakes and she makes a grab for my neck. There we are in the We walk over to the starting box and the field, my girl hanging off of my neck man counts to us.

and she’s getting very heavy. I lower my head so that she can get off. Wow, the grass is really green here. Maybe I will just take a bite.

33

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Debbie Burns Brady

GROWING TO S O U T H E R N

Serve C R E S C E N T

E Q U I N E

S E R V I C E S

Traditionally, the north Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta and surrounding areas have been the metro area’s equestrian base, but the south side and Newnan

LOCAL NEWS

in particular are growing into a hot enclave for competitive equestrians. One of the

34

keys to that growth is access to top class veterinary services. Since Southern Crescent Equine Services started in 2005, Dr. Jason McLendon has followed his vision to provide cutting edge therapies and top flight medicine to area horses.

The recession slowed growth in the area down a bit, but since the recession the horse population has been steadily increasing with new people developing farms. That growth allowed the practice to become a three vet practice nearly four years ago. The veterinary team is comprised of Dr. Jason McLendon, Dr. Matt Reynolds and Dr. Libby Reidy. Each of them handle all aspects of veterinary medicine and work together as a team. Dr. Libby Reidy just recently completed her acupuncture certification.

From Olympic hopefuls to beloved pets, Southern Crescent treats the gamut of the horse community. “Most of our clients are competition horses – eventers, dressage, hunter jumpers, foxhunters and barrel racers are our staples, but we do it all,” said Dr. McLendon.

to keep their horses healthy. I’m always impressed with his lameness exams and pre-purchase exams,” she said.

“I trust Dr. McLendon above and beyond with my horses.

He’s dealt with some serious cases with my horses and I really admire that he’ll reach out to other experts to make sure his recommendations are the best possible. Between an event horse with an extremely difficult lameness to diagnose and a two month old foal that had a severe joint infection, he’s never steered me wrong,” said Ashley Giles, a professional eventer, trainer and breeder.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

“When we started the south side was significantly underserved. There was always lots of good quality horses, but not a lot of infrastructure to support them. I felt like we had an opportunity to grow along with the community,” said McLendon.

“I’ve built a successful, albeit small, breeding program by carefully selecting individuals that fit my criteria and I feel like I’ve carved out a pretty good niche. None of it would be possible without a good repro veterinarian. If your vet can’t get mares bred, your prospects of getting foals on the ground is ZERO,” said Megan Harris, who has a small breeding program and stands an imported Connemara stallion at her farm in Luthersville, Georgia.

In addition to preventative medicine and horse wellness, the practice has developed a strong reputation for handling lameness cases and doing reproductive work.

Gigi Nutter, a dressage professional with a horse farm in Whitesburg, considers the development of Southern Crescent Equine Services a real benefit to the local horse community.

“Dr. Jason takes his time and makes sure his clients understand what is necessary “My foundation mare, Tippy, was deemed infertile by two vets before I asked Jason to give it a try. After determining that she had an infection, we did a course of hormones to increase our odds, found a fertile stallion and Jason worked his magic. She caught on the first try – she was 14,” said Harris.

LOCAL NEWS

“Our most impressive feat was getting a 19 year old maiden mare in foal with terrible semen – progressive motility was 15% at best. When he saw the black dot come into view on the ultrasound machine, he pumped his first and said, ‘YES!’,” Harris recalls.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

With the opening of their new haul in facility last year, the practice has moved to the next level.

LOCAL NEWS

With the opening of their new haul in facility last year, the practice has moved to the next level. “It was always the plan to get a facility going. It allows us to offer so many more services,” said McLendon.

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Doing artificial insemination, collecting stallions, embryo transfers are much more time efficient in a clinic setting.

Frozen semen insemination is very time sensitive and when the mare is at the clinic it makes frequent ultrasound exams more easily accessible. It saves

the client’s money by avoiding multiple farm call visits and it allows us to be more efficient with our time. Wound treatment and eye cases are other areas where being able to offer in-patient services is important to achieve a good outcome.

The new clinic also provides an optimum setting for pre-purchase and lameness exams. The horses can be better evaluated on good consistent footing and more diagnostic tools can be utilized such as the Lameness

Locator which uses multiple sensors to measure asymmetry of the gaits to detect subtle lameness. The clinic also provides a clean environment with a laboratory that can provide stem cell, IRAP, Prostride, and PRP joint and tendon therapies to horses in an effective manner. Equine gastric ulcers are a big problem in our competitive athletes. The clinic provides a great place to perform gastroscopic exams to visualize the lining of the horse’s stomach.

The clinic can also accommodate routine wellness needs and emergency cases for clients who want to haul in.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

The convenience of the clinic is a great client benefit, but it does not impact ambulatory services at all for those who prefer traditional on-farm service, as ambulatory service for clients is still available for those that live within a fifty mile radius of the clinic.

“We hope to develop the clinic into a good place for client education meetings. We are planning a continuing education session for veterinarians and the space works well for that type of thing,” said McLendon.

“We don’t have plans for a full surgical suite in the near future, but there’s room for it if we choose to go in that direction in the future.”

horses will benefit from SCES’s commitment to providing the best in veterinary medicine and client support.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Libby Reidy, Dr. Jason McLendon and Dr. Matt Reynolds

Clearly Southern Crescent Equine Services has gone all in for the Atlanta equestrian community. As more and more equestrians discover the beauty and accessibility of the south side, they can be assured that their

LOCAL NEWS

The front office staff – Laura Parker, Vicki Dice, Michelle Wright and Gwen Patterson, vet techs – Carrie Stryker and Molly Peavy, book keeper – Amanda McLendon, and facility/farm manager

- Ronnie Jones round out a very accomplished team. All of them have been around horses their whole lives and relate to the clients as fellow horse owners.

37

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Maureen Forman

On the

R OA D AGAIN

Breaking out of the security of a small town and working with some of the top equestrian talent in the world may seem out of reach for some. Sarah Griffin, from Newnan, Georgia, is living proof that spreading one’s wings is entirely possible. We sat down with Sarah when she returned from the $135,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier in Thunderbird, British Columbia and learned a bit about her world.

AHC: How does a girl from Newnan end up living on the beach in Malibu, being the right hand for Jamie Barge (one of the top up and coming Grand Prix riders in the world)?

SG: Pure luck, good connections, and lots of hard work.

Always leaving other jobs on good terms and treating the horses like they are my own. Riders at any level want their horses to have to very best care, and you have to really love this job to do it well.

AHC: Were you prepared for this crazy competition life?

SG: Was I prepared for this life? In a way, yes. In another sense, not at all. The amount of travel is insane, and you’re usually living out of a suitcase even when you are home.

I was lucky enough to have really good trainers growing up who also showed horses outside of Georgia. I’ve been taught the right way from the get go!

AHC: Are you inspired by the riders and horses?

LOCAL NEWS

SG: Inspired yes! it makes me want to go jump some crazy

38

big jumps too! The horses at this level are phenomenal.

SA R A H

AHC: Who on the circuit is super nice/kind?

SG: I’ve meet a lot of people since starting this job,

especially moving across the country by myself. I think

AHC: What special

are super nice to me–must be my southern charm! But seriously,

thing that you learned

everyone is willing to help each other. In terms of riders, Jamie Barge,

in Georgia have you

my boss is incredibly kind hearted. Eric Navet and Mavis Spencer

brought to World Cup

are also wonderful people in addition to being great horsemen.

riders? What trick of the trade/old wives

AHC: Who on the circuit isn’t so approachable?

tail?

SG: I plead the Fifth! There are some riders that aren’t the most

SG: Every good

nurturing. When you work at this level, you get to recognize who

southern woman has a stockpile of bacon

is a jerk pretty quickly.

grease! I don’t remember who taught me this first, and I was like,

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

I have it a little easier being a female groom. All the male grooms

“What!?” but after a cut or scratch has completely healed and is AHC: How could/would an aspiring young rider be able to work for someone

ready to regrow hair, use cold bacon grease on the spot. When

at the top?

used consistently it regrows hair quickly and in the same color. It

SG: Young riders have got to get to the shows! You have to have

is also great for blanket rubs!

AHC: Top 3 grooming tricks?

SG: 1. Baby oil is your best friend–for everything. 2. Plain and simple: Keep it clean! The cleaner your tools and station, the cleaner your horses are, and the easier it is to do your job. 3.

Always keep extras! This includes anything you just might need up at the ring during the big class. Braiding bands, rubber keepers, tape, vet wrap. Keep your backpack stocked with these items.

AHC: What was the biggest flub you have had so far?

SG: My biggest error was having never used a safety cup before.

I felt like such an idiot that day. I kept trying to put it in upside down, (mind you, we were warming up for an FEI Grand Prix).

It all worked out okay once my boss talked me through it, and we ended having enough time to school and get in the ring. It had my rider and I super stressed for about 3 minutes, of course.

to make the connections. Be humble and talk to everyone you can.

Starting off, it’s a long road to the top but entirely possible.

For riders who don’t quite have the exposure, luck or connections that Sarah has been blessed with, there are options. One amazing

AHC: What are the top three things you learned from this experience?

program was designed by nationally renowned rider, trainer,

SG: What are the tops three things I’ve learned? I feel like other

judge, clinician, educator and author, Julie Winkel. This

than gaining more ‘general knowledge’, I already naturally operate

innovative Horse Industry Training Program based out of Maplewood

in the mindset of someone who has the tools needed to do this

Stables in Nevada, offers a broad education in the industry. The

job. Precision, efficiency and just being a right hand to whoever

program is tuition based, and received provisional licensing from

you’re working for. In my role, we need to know what your boss

the Commission of Postsecondary Education in Nevada.

needs before they even ask us for it. Always be ahead of the game.

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I’ve learned that everyone has to ask for help sometimes. That’s The key to success in any venture is to take initiative! The rest will

be afraid to put yourself out there and take a risk.

fall into place.

GRIFFIN

LOCAL NEWS

the way I’ve made most of my friends at the horse shows. Don’t

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

LOCAL NEWS 40

Ainsley Jacobs

the inaugural

Chattahoochee Hills Eventing hosted the first-ever ‘Southeast Schooling Show Championships’ (SESSC) on Saturday, October 7, 2017, and the event was a huge hit! Designed to “promote and recognize the pursuit of excellent” and conceptualized by Penny Morse, the regional schooling show championship offered a unique, relaxed environment where top local riders could compete at a higher level without incurring the expenses (or added stresses) typically associated with a nationally-recognized event. Grass roots-level competition today is vitally important to fostering the growth and development of tomorrow’s next great riders, and the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association was proud to spearhead the new, innovative event.

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COMPETITORS AT the SESSC were able to select from multiple head-tohead divisions in dressage, eventing, or combined training, with levels suitable for a wide variety of levels and ages, while participants from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana were welcome to participate. To be eligible, though, riders must be current members of their local eventing, dressage, or combined training association, have received the two required qualifying

scores, and must have volunteered at least once at a qualifying event from December 2016 through October 2017.

The buzz leading up to the inaugural SESSC promised a day of exciting action and fun, friendly, competition. After weeks of anticipation, and despite the threat of inclement weather from the looming Hurricane Nate, nearly one hundred committed riders showed up at the stunningly beautiful and picturesque host facility. The pre-event competitors’

party on Friday night was the largest and ‘most well-attended’ in Chatt Hills’ schooling show history, and a wide variety of delicious food was provided to fuel the riders as they prepared for the following day’s event. The National Anthem sung beautifully by Faith Holt, and the American Flag carried by Anthea Shelton on her horse had everyone on their feet with a strong sense of American pride, and not a dry eye in the house. This was truly a moment of pride that continued throughout the event.

Left: Aubrey Kelei Sabatino on Shooting Star. Above left: Wendy Lowe on Pybyru. Above right: Savannah Conner on Cosmic. Below left: Charlotte Cloudsdale on Antares. Right: India Wilkinson presented 1st Place for the Training Level Adult by Holly Lewis sponsored by Pagan Gilman LSI.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Bright and early on Saturday morning, the SESSC officially kicked off with the first riders stepping into the dressage arena at 8:00 AM sharp. The honor was shared by Erin Buckner on Concrete Jungle in Ring 1, Mallory Watson on Flight’s Fancy in Ring 2, and Savannah Conner on JM Final Marq in Ring 3 – thanks for helping make history, ladies!

Although the weather was a bit gray and drizzly at first, it progressed into a perfectly warm and sunny late-summer day. The footing in the dressage arenas was the perfect balance of soft and supportive, while the stadium jumping courses were appropriately challenging while still inviting enough for both seasoned and newer riders to enjoy their rounds.

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On cross-country, riders were faced with questions designed to challenge while also fostering a positive environment.

After each successful 3-phase event rider crossed the finish to complete their course, they were rewarded with a thoughtful gift that was unique to the SESSC. Gorgeous medals, hung on eye-catching green ribbons, were draped around riders’ necks to show that they had indeed completed all three phases of their class, regardless of whether or not they would receive a ribbon or not – and that meant there were even more smiles than usual as tired but happy horses and riders headed back up to the first-class stabling areas.

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©P10 Marketing

During the course of the day, competitors got to enjoy a supportive, welcoming environment where they could ride to the best of their ability and also cheer on their friends and fellow riders. Meanwhile,

the multiple vendors that were on-site to shop for gifts and souvenirs, including special SESSC commemorative buttons and limited-edition event t-shirts!

family members and spectators got to watch some beautiful rides and explore

After a great day, the competition

eventually concluded when Carol Ogden on In Rhythm set off as the final rider on cross country at 3:12 PM. The fun didn’t stop there, though, as two separate awards ceremonies were on the schedule to honor the top riders in each division!

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©P10 Marketing

©P10 Marketing

tradition and will remain on display at Chatt Hills for others to view.

For 2018, look forward to the second annual Southeast Schooling Show Championship along with many great new additions, including 2 collegiate classes and even more sponsors!

Ainsley Jacobs is an adult amateur eventer, based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and competes with her APHA gelding, JJ Spot. Ainsley is also the creator of “Ride Heels Down” eventing-themed apparel company. You can visit her website at www.RideHeelsDown.com and check out her “Lessons Learned” blog, too!

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Huge, gorgeous ribbons with extralong streamers and impressive details were presented to the top eight riders in every category, while elegant, silver platters, glimmering trophies, and cool goodies and swag were also presented.

Additionally, generously sponsored perpetual trophies were awarded in each class, to be part of the ongoing SESSC

Opp page, top: Whitney Rowell on Kings Flashy Lassie.

Middle: Annelise Lance on Mr. Sky King. Bottom left: Jennifer Kozel on Main Attraction. Bottom right: Shelby Alexander on Smokin’ A’s Yard Chicken. This page, left: Sophie Pembleton on Xavier. Above: Olivia Moore on Sterling’s Itsy Bitsy. Below left: Kristen Suggs-Bohrer on Blu. Below: Betty Smith on Sundance Kid.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

You Want to Hold a

W H AT ?

Penny Morse

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE fleeting moment ideas, that usually leaves just as fast and 5 minutes later you cannot remember what it was you were thinking. This time it evolved into the ‘I have a dream’ mode. Nothing as profound as Martin Luther King, but as the thought swirled around in my head that is already full of magazine, volunteers, pay bills and what can you do with chicken for dinner that hasn’t already done a hundred times before, it just kept nagging at me...

‘ The Southeast Schooling Show Championships’

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I ran it past a June Brewer who ‘got it’ straight away and after presenting the idea to Hugh Lochore, General Manager of Chatt Hills Eventing, who also ‘got’ the idea straight away; well the rest is now history!

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

Opp page, top: Genisis Decker on Visionary’s Prince. This page, left: Hannah Kadum is all smiles after winning USDF Intro C Adult. Below: Olivia Watson winning Tadpole CT Junior on The Black Knght.

This is not a project to take on for the faint of heart. It is huge, and there is much involved and it takes an army with ranks to put it together. I am fortunate to know ‘really good people’! Without them, it would never have happened. June Brewer and Betty Smith; Margaret Lindsay and Megan Gosch; Vickie Dice and Ellen Taylor; Joanne Morse and Sally Raczkowski; these are some of the ladies that all played a part, some bigger than others but like everything else it takes big and small to make something work successfully.

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So what is the point of having such an event? There are several factors that make this event so important, and some of them relate totally to the direction the sport of eventing has taken. It seems to have become all about money while the passion and the accomplishment have taken a step back. There has always been big money in show jumping and dressage. They are the main attractions in Wellington, during the winter, with owners and riders enjoying the milder weather and the social environment. Yes, that lifestyle is for the rich and famous, whichever way you look at it. Only a small percent of the equestrian world can afford the luxury of avoiding cold winters and enjoying the warmth of Wellington. Eventers, however, put on their heavy duty jackets and brave the wind and the snow, or if they are lucky, head to Ocala.

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

I overheard a remark that stood out for me during the SeSSC. This person enjoyed NOT seeing fancy rigs with big sponsor names on the side, but regular trailers, with ponies and horses of all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds!

LOCAL NEWS

However, as in everything, when the disposable income of many is reduced, there is a need to cut back on certain things and unless they are in the ‘equestrian business’ many have to cut back on their ‘horse habit’. Nationally Recognized shows have become more and more difficult to hold due to increased demands from governing bodies. Entry fees are expensive, and with fewer ‘owners’ willing or able to spend thousands on one event, the entries have slowly declined. Some events have kept their number of entries during this time of cutting back, due to people’s loyalty over the years but sadly some have not. Not every facility can compete with new money coming into the sport and offering good prize money to attract riders; but that event with the large money payout demands a larger entry fee.

Without realizing the consequences, the sport is allowing itself to become an elitist’s sport, even though it has always prided itself on being the one discipline where you could still win on the $1000 Thoroughbred.

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I overheard a remark that stood out for me during the SeSSC. This person enjoyed NOT seeing fancy rigs with big sponsor names on the side, but regular trailers, with ponies and horses of all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds! Don’t get me wrong!

There were some very fancy horses, and ponies and every rider looking like a million dollars, decked out better than many riding on the recognized show circuit! The leather was polished, the boots were shining, and those horses glistened.

Every rider was excited to compete in their version of the AEC’s/US Finals. The atmosphere was pulsating, something I haven’t experienced in years and years. Those riders, from all walks of life, and all ages had earned the right to be there, AND could afford it without breaking their piggy banks.

There are two occasions on the SeSSC weekend that I will always remember. The first was Friday afternoon. Clayton Fredericks, after having taught a very successful clinic on the Wednesday and Thursday, offered to stay do a course walk with all competitor that wanted to join him. As I went down to the start box on the Friday, just to see how many showed up, I saw Clayton chatting with around twenty young riders, all awestruck by his voice (he’s from Australia) and the fact they were about to walk their course with an Olympian and a Rolex winner. Something caught my eye. I glanced to my right and instantly an image of the old Coca Cola commercial ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing’ came into my mind, as over the hill, strutting across the grass came a hoard of trainers and riders, with dogs in tow, all ready to walk the course. They were excited, young and mature, ready to take in every word! This was a surprise but what a great start! Clayton Fredericks was charming, chatting with riders who will probably never ride at his level but are just as passionate about the sport.

everyone’s backyard, and I am proud to say we are the first to celebrate that with a first class event, the SeSSC.

Opp page: Aubrey Kelei Sabatino on Shooting Star. Above: Savannah Connor on Cosmic Chestnut Mare. Below: Savannah Rhodes winning Amoeba 3 Phase Junior. Prizes were presented by Holly Lewis.

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

The grass roots of every sport is in

The second occasion was Friday evening at the Opening Ceremony. Riders were told that the Competitors party started at 6.30 pm. The Pavilion went from being quite quiet around 6.00 pm, to packed with eager competitors, instructors and family members by 6.25 pm! Most had never experienced a competitor’s party or a ceremony to start a horse show. The National Anthem was sung acappella, as a young 4H rider and her horse stood quietly in the arena holding the American flag. Everyone stood, without being asked, and everyone’s heart was covered by their hand. There was not a dry eye in the house. Young and old were so appreciative that they were there, and that it was being celebrated in such a way, that it felt bigger than we could ever have imagined. This was their Rolex; their Olympics; their moment.

So to those who are only interested in the elite, you are missing out. The grass roots of every sport is in everyone’s backyard, and I am proud to say we are the first to celebrate that with a first class event, amazing perpetual trophies sponsored by individuals and small and large businesses, big fancy ribbons and a fancy trophy to take home. As we take this event to other areas, I hope we can educate people that it is the schooling show competitors that keep the horse industry going. These are the people who spend the money in the stores and to attend events. These are the riders who pay for their lessons every week which allow their trainers to compete at the recognized events.

It started with a thought that became an idea that grew into an event.

LOCAL NEWS

I congratulate all the riders, the sponsors and everyone who worked hard to make this a success. Next year we will be adding a Collegiate Team Challenge and a collegiate award, plus a few more that will be announced at a later date!

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

©Susan Elizabeth Talbot

PONY UP for a cause PONY UP FOR A CAUSE held its 2nd annual Polo tournament benefiting the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities on September 17, 2017. Presented by Northside Hospital for a crowd of 200+ patrons, there was exciting polo and Team Audi took home the win. Everyone was treated to an incredible party-like atmosphere under a magnificent tent, with spectacular food provided by Fogo De Chao, with specialty cocktails provided by Tito’s Vodka and Wild Heaven craft beer.

Both live and silent auctions were filed with wonderful items, exotic trips and even a cute little filly named “Stow A Way”. All proceeds from this event will support the operation of the two Atlanta Ronald McDonald Houses. “We are so grateful to our wonderful sponsors who helped present such an incredible event, as well to all the patrons and fans that came out to support this tremendous cause”, said Randy Pullen, Founder of ‘Pony Up For A Cause’.

POLO

Pony Up was held at The Atlanta Regional Polo Center located in Vinings, Georgia. This venue is an incredible facility for charity events, corporate

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Best Playing Pony, ‘Pound Cake’ owned

by Buck Schott. ©Eric Bowles/Bowles Images

Jenny Kepano

outings or other social gatherings. If you are interested in coming out to watch a game or host a party or charity match with an incredible back drop of a polo match, please check out the website, www.atlantapolocenter.com

ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

©Eric Bowles/Bowles Images

©Eric Bowles/Bowles Images

©Eric Bowles/Bowles Images

©Eric Bowles/Bowles Images

Top left: MVP Award went to Heather Pullen. Top right: Food Sponsor Fogo De Chao grilling up some fabulous meat! Above left: Champagne Hostess posing for the camera. Above right: Stomping of the divots. Below: Stuart Campbell and Del Watson chasing down the ball.

POLO

©Eric Bowles/Bowles Images

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ATLANTA HORSE CONNECTIONS

SNOW comes to Atlanta

Jenny Kepano

SNOW IN ATLANTA? Well, not the kind of snow one would think. Adam Snow, a former 10 goal professional polo player came to Atlanta Regional Polo Center to be a part of Pony Up For A Cause charity event, sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House.

they really do respect each other and are a solid team. A very difficult way of life in the world of polo. While we all think of polo as this incredible lifestyle filled with glamour and wealth, Adam Snow makes sure to mention the realities behind the scene.

Adam spent the afternoon under the tent, socializing, getting his picture taken and learning about the polo community in Atlanta and most importantly promoting his book, Polo, Life, Ten and Zen. This is a must read book for anyone who loves polo or even just a love for horses. He writes in vivid detail about the world of high goal polo through the eyes of the former 10-goal, and his wife, veterinarian, Shelley Onderdonk.

Together they describe their view of the horse and human dynamics that make polo what it is today. One of my favorite sections is about a horse that is so incredible to Adam; she probably is one of the reasons why Adam Snow’s career was so amazing. He even put her on the front cover of his book.

Pony Up For a Cause was a huge success and while it might not have snowed in Atlanta, we were honored to have a great writer and professional polo player visit the Atlanta Regional Polo Center.

The most admirable part of the book is Adam’s relationship with his wife Shelley. Not just their love for one another, but their true partnership. Whether it’s with his career or her career, their children, even his book,

©Eric Bowles/Bowles

Images

ale from minus-2

POLO

sc Players are rated on a ? n a e m y ll a re e highest handicap What does ‘10 goal’ ted at 10 goals has th

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L A O G 0 1

a player ra a novice player, while s te ica o dozen in the ind s-2 inu M . to 10 ere are fewer than tw th at th p ica nd ha l oa lt to attain a 10-g s. Almost all possible. It is so difficu ted at two goals or les ra e ar ed pp ica nd ha thirds of all players world, and about twontine. ers are currently Arge the living ten-goal play

Kick on.

WE ALL KNOW, HORSES ARE HUMBLING. Things may or may not go your way, but the lessons learned are always invaluable.

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