The International 2014 Omaha by Omaha Magazine

Omaha

2014

the international omaha 2014

SOME AMAZING DESTINATIONS

A R E J U S T A C A N T E R , A M B L E A N D G A L L O P A W A Y. From dining to shopping to golf, the options near The International will delight you. To see what Omaha and all of Nebraska have to offer, go to VisitNebraska.com and jump into your next adventure today.

the international omaha 2014

welcome to Omaha Welcome to Omaha and

what is fast becoming one of the premiere equestrian events in North America. Whether you’re a competitor, horse aficionado, or newcomer to the world of equestrian sports, we believe the stage is set for a weekend you’ll long remember.

This year, you’ll be treated to a greatly expanded show, in large part thanks to Great Big Events. This world-renowned entertainment company is bringing that same caliber of pizazz—high-tech video shows, and even a moving medals podium —that it brought to the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in this same building in 2008 and 2012.

Grace, power, precision, and beauty. The lightness of a champion’s canter. Ultimately, The International Omaha 2014 is a celebration of one of nature’s most majestic creatures.

Speaking of Olympic-caliber events at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, one of our goals —and hopefully the goal of all those who enjoy this event—is to impress upon the international equestrian community that Omaha would be the best place on earth to host the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals for Show Jumping and Dressage.

It is a celebration, too, of the fine arts of the trainer and rider. We think you’ll agree: It’s a celebration of man and horse in perfect harmony. Beyond the arena, we invite you to soak in the charms of the great city of Omaha, increasingly one of the most celebrated mid-sized metros in America. In the last year, Omaha has been named by various magazines as a Top 10 city in more than 25 categories. Most often mentioned by those falling in love with the city — the vibrant nightlife and cultural scene you’ll find right here in Downtown Omaha.

Imagine: A likely audience of nearly 80,000 equestrian fans enjoying four days of world-class competition as well as all those amenities Omaha has to offer. This is no pipe dream: Right now, because of the success of this event, Omaha is one of four finalists in the competition to land that coveted event. Needless to say, we’re extremely excited about The International Omaha 2014 as well as the future of equestrian sports competition in this city. We truly hope we pass along to you our immense appreciation for these fine animals and athletes you’ll see this weekend.

It is no accident that the CenturyLink Center Omaha recently has played host to both the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials. It’s no accident that, for more than 50 years, you’ve had to travel “The Road to Omaha” to reach the NCAA College World Series.

Enjoy!

cover photography by bill sitzmann

the international omaha 2014

schedule competition Speed Day Competition

Classic Prix Day Competition

(No Ticket Required) 7:00 a.m. Local Day Jumper Competition sponsored by Nebraska Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show Circuit

(No Ticket Required) 9:00 a.m. RFD-TV Educational Family Fun Expo opens

9:00 a.m.

RFD-TV Educational Family Fun Expo opens

9:00 a.m.

S.E. Smith & Sons High Child/ Adult Jumper Speed Competition

11:00 a.m.

ESI & GGT Footing Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed Competition

1:00 p.m.

Ponca Hills Farm High Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed Competition

3:00 p.m.

HDR, Inc. National Open Jumper Speed Competition

9:00 a.m.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Child/Adult Jumper Classic

11:00 a.m.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic

1:00 p.m.

University of Nebraska Medical Center High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic

3:00 p.m.

Nebraska Tourism VisitNebraska.com National Open Jumper Classic

Mutual of Omaha Bank Fastest Horse Championship

Burlington Capital Group Grand Prix Evening Competition

(Ticket Required) 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies

7:20 p.m.

Featured Event: Mutual of Omaha Bank Fastest Horse Championship

7:20 p.m.

Featured Event: Burlington Capital Group Grand Prix Evening Competition

8:45 p.m.

Victory Gallop Celebration

8:45 p.m.

Victory Gallop Celebration

9:00 p.m.

Autograph Session with the winning riders sponsored by Bailey Lauerman

9:00 p.m.

Autograph Session with the winning riders sponsored by Bailey Lauerman

the international omaha 2014

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the international omaha 2014

exposition schedule The RFD-TV Educational Family Fun Expo Don’t forget that the

action at The International Omaha extends far beyond the main arena. Be sure to check out all of the free, educational, and entertaining exhibits in the RFD-TV Expo, which runs concurrent with the competitions and other events of The International Omaha. Additional RFD-TV Educational Family Fun Expo Happenings

• American Paint Association’s Interactive “Paint Horse Pete”

(No Ticket Required) 9:00 a.m. RFD-TV Educational Family Fun Expo opens 10:00 a.m.

Omaha Street Percussion Group sponsored by Woodhouse Auto Family

10:30 a.m.

Equine Physical Exam 101, presented by students of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Veterinary Technology Program

11:30 a.m.

Braiding for Show, presented by Cyndee Morse Cox, With A Twist LLC, and Erin Rowell

• B lue Ribbon Group Gallery of Breeds Museum • CenturyLink Horseless Mini-Jumps: Test your jumping skills over the competitive mini-jumps and win prizes. Minijumps made by Cormaci Construction, Inc.

12:00-3:00 p.m. Escape From Alcajazz 12:15 p.m.

Horse Talking Points – The Basics

12:30 p.m.

Parade of Horses

1:30 p.m.

A Star Adoption, presented by the Nebraska Humane Society

2:30 p.m.

The Art and Craft of Horse Shoeing, presented by Shane Walde, C.F., of Blinks

3:00 p.m.

Horse Talking Points – The Basics

3:30 p.m.

Parade of Horses

4:00 p.m.

Bobby Kunkle with the Omaha Conservatory of Music

4:00 p.m.

Friesian Breed, presented by Vicki Francis and Mary Anne Girard of the Friesians of Freedom Farms, LLC

5:00 p.m.

Horse Grooming Demonstration, presented by the Blue Ribbon Group

5:30 p.m.

Horse Talking Points – The Basics

• G allery of Breeds: A face-to-muzzle encounter with horses sponsored by the McGowan Family Foundation • J. Skinner Baking Company Mini-Jumps Area: Come have fun and jump over mini-jumps. Minijumps made by Cormaci Construction, Inc. • K iewit Foundation U.S. Calvary Association: The horse’s rich military tradition • M ane Street: An interactive exhibit highlighting the differences between the Western and English disciplines of riding • M illard North Mustangs: Meet Missy and Big Blue, the inflatable horse mascots of the Millard North High School Mustangs

• N ational Pony Club: Learn the basics of jumping rules, scoring, course elements and much more • N ebraska Office of Tourism: Jump on a saddle and compete in “My Horse & Me: Riding for Gold” • O riental Trading Treasure Hunt: Seek out each super-secret hunt location and get your treasure map stamped for a prize. • Touch-A-Tack: A hands-on introduction to all things equine • U nion Pacific Train Safety: All aboard for demonstrations and tips on railroad crossing safety • U niversity of NebraskaLincoln Rodeo Association: Lassoing basics for the “rope ‘em up” cowhand in us all • U niversity of Nebraska Medical Center: Kids will learn the importance of frequent hand-washing after seeing what is revealed by the ultraviolet light of “The Germ Machine”

the international omaha 2014

opening ceremonies The international omaha 2014 The International Omaha is

an equestrian event, but also a celebration of Omaha. We are proud to bring you a diverse slate of talents in our Opening Ceremonies to showcase the incredibly talented performers and artists who help define the vibrant cultural landscape of the city we love.

Opening Ceremonies sponsored by Omaha Steaks.

• Grand Entrance: Champions of Horses

• National Anthem: Performed by Anthem contest-winner Megan Jedlicka

• National Anthem: Performed by members of the Opera Omaha Chorus

• Featured Riders: Missy and Kip Fladland, La Riata Ranch

• Award-winning singer/actress Camille Metoyer Moten

• Opera Omaha Presents Guest Artist Andrew Bidlack: The tenor will play the Prince in Omaha Opera’s upcoming production of Rossini’s Cinderella

• Frontier String Ensemble: Under the direction of Ruth Meints, Omaha Conservatory of Music • Omaha Percussion Ensemble

• To Serve and Protect: City of Omaha Police Department Mounted Patrol

• Keeping America Free: U.S. Strategic Command Joint Color Guard

• Keeping America Free: U.S. Strategic Command Joint Color Guard Performers and order of appearance subject to change

the international omaha 2014

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the international omaha 2014

course design, jumps, and scoring

Designs vary, as do the types of jumps the horse and rider encounters. In some ways, riders face the same challenges as pro golfers. At each new event they confront a different course layout. Within the myriad course designs, though, are the same types of obstacles used in all competitions. The penalties for stumbles along the way also remain the same.

Every rider starts with

A diagram is supplied

to riders of the course they will be facing. The diagram displays the types of obstacles encountered (oxers, triple bars, walls, etc.). Riders are allowed to walk the course prior to jumping. However, horses are not allowed in the arena until competition. Jumps are marked with red and white flags, which communicate to the rider which direction jumps are to be approached. The rider must have the red flag on their right, and the white flag on their left.

zero faults.

•

First Refusal: Four faults are assessed when a horse won’t jump over a jump.

•

Second refusal: Elimination.

•

Knockdown: Four

•

Horse or Rider Falls: Elimination.

•

Foot in water: Four

•

Exceeding the time allowed: One

faults are assessed when any number of poles are knocked off a jump.

faults.

fault for every four seconds or part of four seconds over the time allowed in the first round. In the jump-off round, one fault for one second over the time allowed.

Riders who are tied for first place at the end of the first round advance to a jump-off. The jump-off takes place over a shortened course, and in the jump-off the best time wins. Riders prefer riding last in the jump-off primarily because they know the time they must beat.

the international omaha 2014

Brush Rails

Oxer (#5)

Vertical

Gate

Open Water (#9)

Post Rail

Triple Bars (#3)

Wall

Wall Rails

Vertical (or upright): A jump that consists of poles or planks placed one directly above another with no spread, or width, to jump.

• Fan: The rails on one side of the fence are spread out by standards, making the fence take the shape of a fan when viewed from above.

OXER: Two

• Filler: Not a type of fence but a solid part below the poles such as flower boxes or a rolltop. It also may be a gate.

verticals placed close together to make the jump wider, also called a spread. • Ascending Oxer: The furthest pole is higher than the first. Often called a Ramped Oxer.

• Liverpool: A ditch or large tray of water under a vertical or oxer.

• Combination: Usually two or three jumps in a row, with no more than two strides between each. Two jumps in a row are called double combinations, and three jumps in a row are called triple combinations. If a horse refuses the second or third element in one of these combinations, it must jump the whole combination again, not just any obstacle missed.

• Open water: A wide ditch of water. • Square Oxer: Both top poles are of an equal height. Sometimes known as a Box Oxer. • Swedish Oxer: The poles slant in opposite directions so that they appear to form an “X” when seen head-on.

• Cross rail: Not commonly used in sanctioned horse shows and sometimes called a “cross-pole.” Two poles are crossed with one end of each pole being on the ground and the other on jump standards, so that the center is lower than the sides. Used at small shows and for schooling purposes to teach the horse jump in the center of the fence.

• Triple Bar: A spread fence using three elements of graduating heights. • Wall: Usually made to resemble a brick wall, but the “bricks” are constructed of a lightweight material and fall easily when contact is made.

the international omaha 2014

glossary of terms helmet

saddle

Crop

bridle

bit

hoof

rail

Illustration by kristen hoffman

the international omaha 2014 Rhythm: The Aids: Signals

or cues by which the rider communicates instructions to the horse. Natural aids include the voice, legs, hands, and one’s weight. Artificial aids include the whip and spurs.

Canter: Three-beat

gait of the horse in which one hind leg strides first (the leading leg) followed by the opposite diagonal pair and finally the opposite foreleg. Called the lope in Western riding. Equitation: The

position of the rider on the horse.

Fault: Knocking

a rail, traveling too slowly, and refusing to jump a fence are all reasons for horses to incur faults in competition.

Gallop: Four-beated gait of the horse in which each foot touches the ground separately, as opposed to the canter, which is a three-beat gait. Half halt: An

pace and stride length of a horse.

Stride: The

on horseback that help improve balance and confidence in a rider.

Coldblood: Draft

Time Faults: One

Quadrille: Performance given by a team of four, six, eight, or more riders involving riding in an intricate pattern to music.

Colic: General term describing abdominal pain in the horse.

Show Jumping: Riders

who rides horses.

step of the horse; often used as a system of measurement between two jumps. The average horse stride is 12 feet. fault for every four seconds or part of four seconds over the time allowed in the first round. In the jump-off round, one fault for one second over the time allowed.

gait in which the horse moves from one diagonal pair of legs to the other with a period of suspension in between.

Bit: Metal mouthpiece on a bridle to which the reins attach.

Jump cup: Attaches

that fits around the horse’s head while being ridden.

Bridle: Harness

Oxer: Single

Crop or whip: Long, thick, hand-held device used to encourage a horse forward.

to the wing or standard of a jump and holds the rail in position.

Vertical: Straight

Refusal: When a horse refuses to jump a particular obstacle when asked.

sport involving gymnastic exercises done on the back of a moving horse.

placed on the ground in front of a fence to help the horse and/or rider judge the take-off point.

Jogs: When

Pace: The speed and way of going.

Vaulting: Equestrian

Ground line: Pole

side of the jump used to create height.

Lead: Term used to indicate the horse’s leading leg in canter, e.g., “right lead canter” or “left lead canter.”

and horses competing over technically difficult jumps with rails that easily fall. The emphasis is on speed and agility.

Trot: Moderate-speed

exercise, basically a “pay attention, please,” used to communicate to the horse that the rider is about to ask for some change of direction, gait, or other exercise or movement. a horse is trotted in hand free from tack to make sure it is sound for competition.

Mounted Games: Games

fence consisting of two elements which make a spread jump.

Farrier: Skilled craftsman who shoes horses.

Standard: The

Halter: Also

called a head collar, it is used in the barn to control or restrain a horse.

up-anddown fence without width creating a difficult obstacle.

Helmet: Safety headwear that must meet certain standards to be worn.

Dressage: Training,

Hoof pick: Grooming tool used to keep the hoof free of debris.

education of the horse through prescribed movements and patterns on the flat (no jumping) from level to level.

Saddle: Rider’s

seat on the back of a horse.

Eventing: Equestrian

Spur: Pointed

device attached to a rider’s boot heel and used to cue a horse.

competition held over one or three days and including the disciplines of dressage, cross country, and show jumping.

horses which are very strong and often used to pull heavy loads.

Equestrian: One Equine: Anything horse-related. Frog: The

sensitive, triangular area on the sole of the hoof that acts as a shock absorber.

Hand: How horses are measured. One hand equals four inches. Hoof: The

horse’s foot, which is hard and round like fingernail material.

Hotblood: Term describing horses of Arabian or Thoroughbred blood; they are speedy and fine-boned. Junior: A rider under the age of 18. Mare: Female

horse ages 4 and over.

Pony: A

small horse standing 14.2 hands or less.

reins: Most

often made of leather and attached to the bridle. Used to guide and signal the horse.

Stallion: An

intact male horse often used for breeding purposes.

Warmblood: A

half-bred or part-bred horse, the result of an Arabian or Thoroughbred crossed with other breeds.

the international omaha 2014

gallery of Breeds

American Saddlebred Descended

from riding horses in colonial America, this most patriotic of homegrown breeds helped birth a new nation in the Revolutionary War. The Narragansett, Morgan, Canadian Pacer, and Thoroughbred lines all trace lineage to this horse. Evolving into its contemporary type in (where else?) Kentucky, it was once known as the “Kentucky Saddler.”

Arabian Archaeological

digs reveal that this majestic, spirited animal was bred on the Arabian Peninsula as early as 2,500 B.C.E. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable—and fastest—horse breeds in the world.

Fjord Although relatively small in stature, the Fjord is mighty when it comes to muscles—an asset that made it the perfect beast to traverse the ruggedly mountainous terrain of its native Norway. One of the world’s oldest breeds, it has been used for centuries as a reliable farm horse in Norway.

Friesian This graceful and agile horse originally hailed from Friesland, Netherlands. Because of its ability to carry a rider in full armor, the Friesian was used across Europe as the sturdiest of warhorses throughout the Middle Ages. The breed today is increasingly a key player in the world of dressage.

Text by david willaims Illustrations by kristen hoffman

the international omaha 2014

Miniature Miniature

horses are generally the size of a small pony, with a height of usually less than 38 inches. This breed is known as a friendly horse and is often kept as a family pet. Because of its gregarious disposition, Miniatures have even been used as service and companion animals akin to assistance dogs.

Percheron A favorite on the show jumping circuit, the Percheron takes its name from the Perche province of northern France. Well-suited to pulling stagecoaches and other heavy loads, Arabian blood was first added at the end of the 18th century. Imports to the United States skyrocketed by late in the 19th century.

Percheron/Thoroughbred Cross The

Percheron (see above) is known for its tireless strength. So how does the breed cross over to compete in dressage, where carefully choreographed, ballet-style beauty trumps brawn? Just mix in a little Thoroughbred.

Shire Known

by its mammoth silhouette, Shires have held the world records at various times for both largest overall and tallest horse. The largest horse in recorded history is thought to be a Shire named—you guessed it—Mammoth, who was born in 1848. He stood 21.2 hands (over 86 inches) high, and his peak weight was estimated at 3,300 lbs.

the international omaha 2014

english style The distinctive riding breeches known as jodhpurs were first introduced to the West when Sir Pratap Singh, son of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, brought his polo team to England in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. A centuries-old tradition in India, jodhpurs became an instant fashion sensation with the Brits. The riding jacket can be traced to English country gentlemen and the sport of fox hunting. The jacket’s roots reach back at least to the Regency Era (circa 1795-1825) when the foppish, “English dandy” style of elaborately ornate fashions began to give way to a simpler, more tailored silhouette.

Opening Ceremonies Featured Rider Missy Fladland is pictured here in classic dressage wear alongside Sunny, a Hanoverian. Sunny is also shown on the cover. photography by bill sitzmann

the international omaha 2014

western style The clothing shown here is a head-to-toe homage to the vaquero style of the Spanish tradition first developed on the Iberian Peninsula before migrating to colonial Mexico. Armitas are a shorter, calf-length version of chaps. Fringed leather serves the utilitarian purpose of channeling rainwater away from the rider’s other garments. Bandanas offer warmth and added protection from dust. That hat with the flat brim and crown? It’s commonly known, not surprisingly, as the vaquero or buckaroo.

Opening Ceremonies Featured Rider Kip Fladland is pictured here in classic vaquero Western wear alongside Belle, a Quarter Horse. photography by bill sitzmann

the international omaha 2014

history is made in these boots The Dehner Boot Company company president Jeff Ketzler, the Dehner ethic quickly becomes apparent. Artisans cut and shape leathers with hand tools smoothed and patinaed from decades of use. Leather uppers are sewn to soles with antiquated, belt-driven, black-enameled machines. Indeed, the factory floor could just as easily be a living-history museum of the cordwainer’s art circa 1930.

Although their professions and proclivities may

differ a bit, astronauts, bikers, cops, movie stars, presidents, fighter pilots, polo aficionados, members of San Francisco’s leather subculture, tank commanders, and Teutonic toughs all seem to agree on one thing—The Dehner Boot Company of Omaha makes one fine custom leather boot.

But Dehner continues to exist precisely because most of the world has passed the company by. “We refuse to change how we do things,” Ketzler says. “We are known for craftsmanship and quality. I would close this

Walking through the factory near 36th and Martha St. with

English

Nasa

story by Robert Nelson photography by bill sitzmann text Originally published in OMAHA MAGAZINE, march/April 2014

the international omaha 2014

factory before I allow us to become just another company that cranks out junk.”

If it’s a Dehner, you will be comfortable in this timeless piece of footwear long after your other shoes have turned to scraps.

Little has changed during Dehner’s 130 years of existence. The tech revolution never happened here. The equation is simple: Determine exactly what the footwear needs to do. Take exact measurements of the feet the footwear needs to service. Once you know these details, find strong, supple leather and have men and woman, most with decades of experience, use heavy-duty materials and mostly centuries-old techniques to craft the final product.

Using this formula, Ketzler and his father and grandfather before him have built a resume unmatched among American shoe manufacturers. NASA turned to the company to build some of the first boots to go into space. General Curtis LeMay looked to Dehner to design and build the perfect boot for the quick-strike flight crews of the Strategic Air Command. Horse buff Ronald Reagan often talked up his Dehner >

Blue Angels

brad pitt FURY (2014)

the international omaha 2014

< riding boots. James Dean wore Dehner boots. Leaders throughout World War II, including Gen. George Patton, wore Dehners. The Thunderbirds. The Blue Angels. Ketzler recently shipped off a pair of militarystyle boots for Brad Pitt to wear in an upcoming movie. In time, you realize an impressive chunk of 20th century American history was made in Dehner boots. Ken Hedrick, owner of Stompers Boots in San Francisco, one of the largest retailers of Dehner Boots in the world, explains why Dehners are sought when the best is needed. “There are really only two makers of very serious custom boots left in this country—Wesco and Dehner,” he says. “With the Dehners, what you come to realize—and what a lot of people have come to realize—is that nobody anywhere makes anything as good. They have some secret sauce or something. People have tried to copy them, but nobody can pull it off.” Dehner once hovered around 40 employees in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The company has tended to employ closer to 20 in recent years, but they are doing much better than many other small custom shoe companies. “We are doing pretty well while so many other companies like us around the world have gone out of business,” he says. Still, Ketzler does have plans to explore new markets. His latest idea came to him last year after his father passed away. “It got me looking back, thinking how much he had been involved in, how much the U.S. had been involved in through that time,” he says. “It seemed like a history that should be celebrated.” So Dehner boots now has a Reenactment Line. If you or a group wants the exact boots worn by any number of historic figures, Dehner can make them for you for somewhere between $500 and $1,000 a pair.

President Ronald Regan

“We still have all the designs in our files and we still use all the same equipment and all the same leathers,” he says. “You get the exact same boot.” In the front office of the Dehner building sits the lineup of Dehner products past and present. Here, longtime company everywoman Mary Rushing provides the tour. In her 18 years

the international omaha 2014

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here, she has run done everything from finishing boots to running the shipping department and front office. Today she gives a detailed, insidethe-craft, foots-on tour of a dozen or so of Dehner’s most historic artifacts. The black and white NASA boots worn in space by astronauts such as John Glenn are, back here on earth, just about the coolest things ever. “I’m pretty proud to be a part of all this,” Rushing says. “It’s a unique company with a great history that stands for quality. You can feel like you’re doing something pretty cool here.”

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The trick moving forward, Ketzler says, will be to stay true to the company’s history while trying to grow— carefully—in a world that “may not appreciate what we do as much as in the past. “This company has a 130-year history of making a superb product,” he adds. I’m just not going to be the guy who destroys that kind of legacy.”

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the international omaha 2014

the dirt on dirt All dirt is created equal, right?

Don’t suggest that to

Brett Raflowitz. In his world—the world of top-shelf equestrian events—comments like “dirt is dirt” are dirty words.

Raflowitz is managing partner of ESI Footing, the company responsible for making the slippery concrete floor of CenturyLink Center conducive to world-class performances and safe for world-class horses and athletes.

Using common dirt for the event floor “would be awful for this level of competition,” Raflowitz says. “Creating the right surface for the horses is a science. It’s a very far cry from what you’d normally think of as ‘dirt’.”

Raflowitz isn’t a groundskeeper. He’s a master surface chef. His recipe: Two very specific types of sand.

story by Robert Nelson photography by bill sitzmann

the international omaha 2014

Then add water. Toss in some mysterious stuff called “geotextiles.” Finally, polyester fibers. The goal is fourfold, he said. Create secure footing for the horses, make sure their legs never feel the concrete, make sure the footing surface doesn’t scratch and irritate legs, and ensure there’s no dust drifting into the sinuses of the riders, the horses, or you the spectator.

in the United States, was cagey when asked the precise ingredients and technique used to prepare them for footing applications. In broad terms, the GGT footing used in top events is a mix of one-inch-long, eco-friendly textile fabrics mixed with approximately half-inch long elastic fibers. The final product looks something like goose down.

Raflowitz’s mix is now the gold standard of equestrian footing. For the last 15 years, he’s provided the surface for many of the top events around the world, including three of the four Olympic qualifying events held last year.

The material has similar properties to wet, matted beach sand. Brewster-Keating uses this analogy: Imagine running along the beach. If you run in dry sand, your feet slip and sink into the sand. You waste an immense amount of energy. So, you likely chose to run near the water where the wet, compressed sand absorbs the impact of your feet, but doesn’t cause your foot to sink or slip.

“I was fortunate to learn from the best and I believe we’re working with the very best materials,” he says. “At the end of the day, if we’re doing the job, it’s probably a great event. This surface is four times the cost of stone dust. Somebody really has to be serious about getting it right to call us.”

Essentially, then, the trick is to use science and know-how to create a synthetic surface that mimics the properties of the very best footing to be found in nature.

Raflowitz’s team moves into a city about a week before an event. The basic ingredients are dumped outside the facility where crews then thoroughly mix the ingredients into a single pile. After the final product is hauled into the area, the footing is spread evenly across the surface and, finally groomed meticulously.

“Think of it this way,” Brewster-Keating says. “In this recipe, I’m providing the eggs—just one of the ingredients. “Then there’s Brett. He travels the world acting as the master chef.” ESI, Equestrian Services International

The secret ingredient in the recipe is the special “geotextile” blend, which is manufactured by GGT Footing. Indeed, Cynthia Brewster-Keating, the representative for GGT

esifooting.com • 772-260-0747 GGT Footing

ggt-footing.com • 864-804-0011

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“i’m on it. ” Volunteering with The International Omaha Think back to your

earliest memories of the circus and the spine-tingling thrill that came when a parade of elephants, connected trunk to tail, made their grand entrance into the three-ring arena. Then picture what invariably came next. Remember? That would be the lone figure toting an obligatory pitchfork while on the lookout for…um…uh…well, “droppings.”

“I’m just a go-fer with the attention span of a newt,” Brown demurs with a wry wink. “If it needs scooping, I scoop it. If a stall needs fixing, I fix it. The words I find myself repeating most often over the course of my time here is ‘I’m on it!’” A chorus of “I’m on it” is music to the ears of Sara Weiss, who coordinates the 120 volunteers that make The International Omaha go.

Just as with the circus, the bowels (pun intended) of CenturyLink Center Omaha are now increasingly littered with a veritable minefield of when-nature-calls surprises, and volunteer Kay Brown is busy wielding a muck rake in what seems an uphill battle against…(insert here the scatological euphemism of your choice).

“Kay is right there in the trenches,” say Weiss, who is also the program manager of Take Flight Farms, a local nonprofit that incorporates horses into therapeutic and learning programs. “She has that special can-do grit that makes her a leader and role model among our already great team of tireless volunteers. Most of our people are horse people and they are passionate about these animals. Volunteering is a wonderful way for them to celebrate both the horse and the spirit of Omaha.”

“Every day is little different at The International Omaha,” says Brown, who also volunteered in each of the previous two years’ events. “Every day is a new adventure.” The eternally effervescent Brown has what might be considered a rather unconventional definition of what constitutes an “adventure.” Sure, she particularly enjoyed guiding some of the thousand or so schoolchildren on a series of field trips in the days leading up to tonight’s slate of events. And load-in day was a decidedly social—if backbreaking—affair where riders and horses were first introduced to their newest friends in our wonderful city.

Somewhere beneath your seat at this very moment, now ankle-deep in the muck and mire, Brown has spotted a fresh (and overwhelmingly pungent) target for her next cleanup. Muck rake at the ready, she quickly dispatches the offending pile using a motion that is no less practiced and precise than the swing of a champion golf pro.

Brown’s whatever-it-takes attitude, especially when it comes to horse hooey, is a common attribute among the small army of volunteers that work to ensure that The International Omaha experience is magical for you, the riders, and their magnificent beasts.

“All of the volunteers have a great time at The International,” says the ever-upbeat Brown. “It’s the hardest-working fun you’ll ever have!”

Stab. Swing. Repeat. And then it’s on to the next steamy nugget.

To learn about volunteering for next year’s event, visit The International Omaha’s website at worldclasshorseshows.com.

story by david williams photography by bill sitzmann

the international omaha 2014

volunteer kay brown

the international omaha 2014

Ballet Nebraskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bret Samson atop Vinnie. Look for the horse, an American Warmblood, to be ridden by Missy Fladland in the Opening Ceremonies.

the international omaha 2014

dressage for dummies Respect, Patience, Unity First off, yes, the name can be confusing. This is not equestrian dress-up.

Lead In

the canter, a horse begins each stride with one foreleg accompanied by the opposite hind leg. The forward leg indicates the canter lead.

It is more ballet, perhaps, a pas de duex of horse and rider.

Passage The

horse pauses rhythmically with each step in the movement.

Dressage strives for a sort of zen-like unity of man and horse—two creatures working as one. It is a sport born of Renaissanceenlightened ideas of how to train and interact with animals. Respect and great patience, not brute force and subjugation.

Piaffe While

performing the piaffe, the horse seems to trot in place.

Pirouette The

horse moves in a partial or full turn in the collected walk or canter. The animal’s hind legs remain in place as his forelegs form the arc.

As with any ancient art, classical dressage (pronounced like “massage”) comes with its own vocabulary. If you’re new to this landscape, knowing the following terms might help you better enjoy the show.

Posting This is the art of rising in the saddle each time the horse’s outside front leg and inside hind leg step forward.

Canter You’ll

hear this term often. This is a three-beat gait that is central to dressage competition. The horse leads with the inside foreleg. In counter-canter, the horse leads with the outside foreleg.

Transitions Any

gait change, upward or downward, is known as a transition in dressage.

Trot The

equine’s diagonal leg pairs move in unison in a two-beat trot.

Collected When

a horse moves with balanced grace, he is “collected.” His neck is arched and raised and his power comes from the rear of his body. He doesn’t resist the bit and carries himself with lightness.

Walk One

of the fundamentals of dressage, this gait presents four beats as the horse moves each leg individually in rhythm.

Impulsion The

best dressage horses move with great flexibility, lightness, and power. This is called impulsion.

story by Robert Nelson photography by bill sitzmann

the international omaha 2014

horses in pop culture Breyer Model Horses Generations

Diamond Is

Bullesye “Jessie

Francis Okay,

of girls have grown up collecting this iconic series of hand-painted, all-American beauties.

loves critters,” Andy explains in Toy Story 2, “but none more than her best pal, Bullseye!”

Champion There

were three “official” Champions that performed in Gene Autry films. The “original” Champion was a Sorrel whose first screen credit was in 1935’s Melody Trail.

Cisco Lieutentant

that a British accent we detect in the dignified whinny of Lady Mary’s horse in the BBC hit, Downton Abbey?

so we’re cheating a bit by introducing a lowly mule here, but who can forget the talking animal who was Donald O’Connor’s sidekick in those hilarious movies of the ‘50s?

Khartoum Mob

boss Don Vito Corleone’s (Marlon Brando) favorite horse in The Godfather ended up…well, you know.

Jack Dunbar (Kevin Costner) rode Cisco across the plains in Dances with Wolves, the film that garnered seven Oscars, including the one for best picture.

Mr. Ed A horse is a horse of course, of course…except when it came to the glib occupant of the stable in the TV sitcom that ran from 1961 to 1966.

Concorde Leave

My Little Pony A

it to the zany crew from Monty Python and the Holy Grail to depict Sir Lancelot’s horse not as a flesh-and-blood animal, but as a page banging two coconut shells together.

Diablo This

black-and-white Pinto got in on all the antics whenever The Cisco Kid was called upon to clean up the lawless West in a long-running career on radio, in film, and on TV.

new generation of little girls has now grown up under the cute-cute-cute spell of these magical creatures.

Pokey The

constant claymation companion of the title character in The Gumby Show—the one whose head was symmetrical—was the beloved (and bendy) Pokey.

breyer model horse

Silver Return

with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear as a hearty “Hi Ho Silver” launched many an action scene in the legendary The Lone Ranger series. And don’t forget Tonto’s loyal mount, Scout.

The Horse of a Different Color

One of the wonders discovered by Dorothy once her intrepid team of adventurers reach the Land of Oz is…oh, c’mon, do we really need to spell this one out for you?

The Pie A 12-year-old Elizabeth Taylor became a star atop the gelding whose name was short for “The Pirate” in 1944’s National Velvet, the film based on Enid Bagnold’s bestseller. Trigger With

95 acting credits to his name, the Palomino known as “The Smartest Horse in the Movies” galloped through countless Wild West adventures with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and her mount, Buttercup.

pokey Text by david willaims photography by bill sitzmann

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horses IN LITERATURE, MYTHOLOGY, AND HISTORY Atrax Michael

Ende’s epic childrens’ novel, The NeverEnding Story, finds protagonist Atreyu atop trusty steed Atrax as they confront the horrors of the Swamp of Sadness.

Comanche The

Black Beauty With

General Only

over 50 million copies sold, Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty is one of the top-selling books of all time. It was also made into a popular 1994 movie. The Black Stallion The

title character in author Walter Farley’s bestselling series that later found its way to the big screen in four movie adaptations. Boxer This

beast’s incredible strength, dedication, and fierce loyalty serves the collective will in George Orwell’s Animal Farm until the cart horse’s motto of “Napoleon is always right” proves to be shortsighted.

Brown Beauty Paul

Revere’s midnight ride was atop the horse named Brown Beauty.

only 7th Calvary survivor of General George Armstrong Custer’s detachment at the Battle of the Little Big Horn was a mixed breed horse named Comanche. one “General” would survive what the native peoples called The Battle of Greasy Grass Creek. Crazy Horse’s loyal steed, General, lived to fight another day, but General Custer made his last stand near the Little Big Horn river in 1876.

Gunpowder Ichabod

Crane’s horse streaks through the hauntingly spectral world of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Omaha His exact burial spot on the grounds of the former Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack is lost to history, but a plaque on the site of what is now Aksarben Village reminds us that the 1935 Triple Crown winner will forever be linked to the city’s rich racing tradition.

my little pony

Pegasus Sired by Poseidon and foaled by Medusa, this winged creature is one of the most memorable figures in Greek mythology. Rocinante Just

like his rider in Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, Rocinante is something of a clumsy, over-the-hill dreamer forever titling at windmills.

Shadowfax Dubbed

too wild to be broken in J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf succeeds where others had failed in taming Shadowfax, the horse whose silver mane renders him all but invisible at night.

Silver Blaze Sherlock Holmes must unravel the mystery in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story of the same name when a champion thoroughbred goes missing just before a big race. Elementary, my dear Watson. The Trojan Horse Treachery is afoot (make that “ahoof?”) when a colossal wooden horse is rolled to the gate of Troy in Virgil’s Aeneid.

bullseye from TOY STORY 2

the international omaha 2014

special thanks Special thanks to world-renowned artist Matthew Placzek, who created the Grand Prix trophy. Mutual of Omaha Bank is providing the Speed Derby prize.

Carmen and John Gottschalk Foundation Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation Mike and Gail Yanney

Baird Holm LLP, Attorneys at Law HDR, Inc. The Heider Foundation SilverStone Group Omaha Magazine, LTD omahamagazine.com 3M Company America First Foundation American Legacy Complex American Paint Horse Association Anne Hagstrom Photography Anonymous Antarès Custom Saddles Ariat International Bailey Lauerman Baird Holm LLP, Attorneys at Law Behlen Manufacturing Company Blooms Florist

Blue Ribbon Group Bobcat of Omaha Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts Breyer Animal Creations Brownell-Talbot Theater Arts Department Burlington Capital Group CenturyLink Chip Davis, American Gramaphone Records Chip Thompson Design Christina Ramon ConAgra Foods, Inc. Cormaci Construction, Inc. Cox Communications, Inc. Deloitte and Touche, LLP Douglas County Historical Society Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund Dr. Joel Schlessinger MD - Lovely Skin Dwyer Photography eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato Ed Wilson Trucking ESI - Equestrian Services International GGT Footing Glenn Jackson, DVM, PhD - Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture HDR, Inc. Hilton Omaha Hotel Holland Foundation International Volunteers J. Skinner Baking Company J.R. Gould KETV Kiewit Foundation La Riata Ranch, Missy and Kip Fladland Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, LLC Leigh Jenkins McGowan Family Foundation Millard North Mustangs Missouri Valley Morgans & Mighty Morgans Mr. and Mrs. Harley Schrager

Mutual of Omaha Bank Nebraska Office of Tourism Northwest Feed and Grain Company Omaha Conservatory of Music Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau Omaha Magazine Omaha Mounted Police Omaha Public Power District Omaha Sports Commission Omaha Steaks Omaha World-Herald Opera Omaha Oriental Trading Company Paul Lucht Feeds Pay-LESS Office Products, Inc. PEM Surface Creations, Inc. Ponca Hills Farm Purina Quality Living, Inc. Quail Run Horse Centre Rapid Graphics & Signs RFD-TV Robert B. Daugherty Foundation S&W Fence S.E. Smith & Sons SilverStone Group The Baer Foundation The Paddock The Winning Crown Thomas and Amy Becker Travel and Transport, Inc. Triple Crown Nutrition, Inc. UltraAir, LLC Union Pacific Railroad Company University of Nebraska Medical Center University of Nebraska - Lincoln Rodeo Association U.S. Cavalry Association U.S. Strategic Command Joint Color Guard Woodhouse Auto Family Zing Custom Rhinestone Apparel

Holen Horse n Homestay Come to the Farm

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402-556-5051 cormaci@cormaciconstruction.com

10417 Westside Rd • Overton, Nebraska 68863

worldclasshorseshows.com

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COMMITTED TO THE OMAHA COMMUNITY. EXPERIENCED IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. The Burlington Capital Group is an Omaha-based investment management firm providing diversified investment opportunities focusing on the following sectors: • REAL ESTATE • INTERNATIONAL • FINANCIAL SERVICES WWW.BU R L INGTONC G. C OM tel 402.444.1630 • Fax 402.930.3066 31 One Burlington Place, 1004 Farnam St, Ste. 400, Omaha, Ne 68102