The Plaid Horse - February 2018 - The Stallion Issue

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invites you to come visit us during wef!

We look forward to sharing our farm with you.

now accepting new clients and horses Always a great selection of ponies and horses to lease or purchase.

Stefanie Mazer • (561)346-4228 Forget Me Not Farm, Wellington, Florida Photo © Sportfot.

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BACK COUNTRY FARM Wishing everyone good luck at WEF

Jill & Sydney Shulman

(203) 912-9232 • (203) 278-3670 12971 Via Christina • Wellington, Florida Greenwich, Connecticut

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RISING STAR RANCH 1/2 H

PHOTO © BRYAN NIGRO.

Rising Star Ranch • Donna Perusse Breeder of Holsteiner horses in Bridgeport, Texas (817) 975-6452 • www.risingstarranch.com

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THE STALLION ISSUE

Publisher

PIPER KLEMM, Ph.D.

P. 30 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Piper Klemm, Ph.D.

Editor-in-Chief

P. 40 PONY UP! PONY APP!

TPH Editor Sissy Wickes

SISSY WICKES

P. 46 PRODUCT REVIEW: VIEW HALLOO

TPH Style Editor Bethany Lee

Art Director

LISA DALY

P. 52 FASHION: 5 ESSENTIAL PIECES

TPH Fashion Editor Bethany Lee

Web Director

P. 56 HEROISM AND HEARTBREAK

Stories of the California Wildfires

BETSY KELLEY Advertising

NANCY HALVEY LIZ DAVOLL MICHELLE DECKER RUMANES Blog Editor

LAUREN MAULDIN Digital Directors

AVERILL PESSIN JILL BELLUCCI ESTELLE KRAFT IRINA HULSE

CONTACT THE PLAID HORSE

WRITE Piper Klemm, Ph.D., 14 Mechanic St, Canton, New York 13617 CALL 541-905-0192 WEB theplaidhorse.com EMAIL piper@theplaidhorse.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/theplaidhorsemag TWITTER @PlaidHorseMag twitter.com/PlaidHorseMag INSTAGRAM @theplaidhorsemag instagram.com/theplaidhorsemag

PINTEREST pinterest.com/theplaidhorse GOOGLE + The Plaid Horse Mag TUMBLR theplaidhorsemag.tumblr.com SNAPCHAT theplaidhorse ISSUU: issuu.com/theplaidhorsemag

P. 58 COVER STORY:

PIPER KLEMM: A FORCE

TPH Editor Sissy Wickes P. 67 TPH CROSSWORD PUZZLE

TPH Editor Sissy Wickes P. 68 A CONVERSATION WITH GEOFF TEALL TPH Editor Sissy Wickes P. 72 RYAN PEDIGO’S HANOVERIANS

Lindsey Long P. 80 LONGINES MASTERS PARIS

TPH Web Director Betsy Kelley P. 84 MUSCLES NEVER LIE

Katie Hawkins

ON THE COVER: THE PLAID HORSE PUBLISHER, PIPER KLEMM, PH.D. PHOTO © ADAM HILL.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

As someone who spends most of her time at horse shows and also runs businesses in this industry, I am the first to look at the economic hardship of breeding.

When I initially jumped into the sport, I remember a trainer telling my mother that if a breeder sold a three-year-old for $10,000, they were losing money. And that was twenty years ago. It is easy to look at how expensive U.S. horse shows are, how expensive farms are to run, and to conclude with doom and gloom that we should give up domestic breeding and just go to Europe. CONTINUED ON PAGE 38...

PIPER AND EAGLE AFTER THEIR OUTING IN THE DOWNPOUR AT THE DEVON HORSE SHOW (PA.) IN 2017. PHOTO: SISSY WICKES.

The Joy of Gene Transfer

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Pony Up! PonyApp!

Stanford schoolmates Lucy Davis and Lindsay Douglass have more than an engineering major in common; they are lifelong friends and equestrians. Davis and Douglass grew up together in the horse show community in southern California. Davis went on to become a storied Grand Prix contender and a 2016 Olympic Silver Medal winner. When the young women graduated from Stanford, they decided to combine their academic prowess with their commitment to the horse community, and together they launched the PonyApp. The PonyApp is a platform with a mission that “aims to support the services surrounding daily horse care.

Manage your businesses and your horses, all in one place. Save time, save money, and stay connected!”

Available on iPhone, the PonyApp is simple and user friendly, even for the technologically clumsy. Simply download the app from the App Store and follow the directions. With minimal effort, the user can have all equestrian news, personal horse data, and financial information at her fingertips.

The PonyApp is divided into three categories of information. The first is Spotlight, an up-to-date feed for national and international equestrian news. Interesting articles, photographs, and updated FEI Results are all presented in a clear, readable format. In addition, the user can request notifications of results or events involving their favorite horses and riders. Feed your

inner fan by following your most admired horse and rider combinations. You don’t have to wait for a post on social media; be the first to know the latest in equestrian happenings all over the globe.

My Stable is the next category on the PonyApp tool bar. Users create a profile for each horse in their care with all pertinent information. Name, breed, age, owner information, as well as a personalized avatar, are included in the initial profile. Once the profile is created, stable management details, expenses, daily activity logs and schedules, vet records, and care instructions are all listed for each horse. In addition, the user can keep a current results record and money won tally for each horse.

The PonyApp also offers a scheduling option that will push notifications to specific people about upcoming appointments, routine services, or deadlines. In the “Gallery” tab, users can upload images including X-rays, passports, Coggins tests, and important documents.

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Bills and paperwork are sometimes the nemesis of horsemen. With busy competition and training schedules, it is hard to find the time for desk work. The PonyApp provides easy billing and invoicing systems.

Click on the Invoices icon, create your business profile, provide bank information and billing details, and experience the easy way to send out invoices. Clients are able to transfer money directly into your bank account, thereby minimizing time between invoicing and payment.

Leave paper trails behind as financial transactions are created, documented, and archived on the PonyApp. Olympian Lucy Davis is often asked for advice from younger, aspiring equestrians. She explains, “The one thing that I always say is go to school! We are lucky to be able to pursue this sport for our whole lives if we want to, but we can only have a high school or university experience once.” Through the creation of this visionary platform, Davis exemplifies the value of education and the possibility of bringing innovation to the equestrian industry. The PonyApp successfully combines management, business, and social aspects of the modern horse business in an easy to use platform. Pony up for the PonyApp! ◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

PHOTOS AT LEFT, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: LINDSAY AND LUCY IN BEIJING, CHINA; LUCY AND BARRON AT WEG, PHOTO © MARIA GUINAMANT/ EQUNEWS; LINDSAY AND BUTTERFLY, PHOTO © SPORTFOT; LINDSAY, BEEZIE MADDEN, AND LUCY AT THE PONYAPP LAUNCH EVENT, PHOTO © LORI RICHARDS PHOTOGRAPHY.

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Showplace Productions at Ledges Sporting Horses & Show Grounds, Roscoe, IL, December 2017.

1. Ellen Flannery. 2. Emma Lackey.

3. Alexandra Miller. 4. Wynnston Filipowski.

PHOTOS © ANDREW RYBACK PHOTOGRAPHY.

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TPH Documentary Review:

UNBRANDED

Unbranded is the story of a group of friends who in 158 days traveled from the Mexico-United States border to the Canadian border, all on the backs of Mustangs. Previously, one of the travelers, Ben Masters, had discovered the endurance of Mustangs after he bought a few cheap ones from holding pens to supplement his own Quarter Horses on long riding trips. Soon, he discovered them to outperform the Quarter Horses. Upon doing research on wild Mustangs, Masters discovered the controversial topic of government managed Mustangs living on federal land. Thousands of wild horses live in government holding pens waiting to be adopted- and some never are. Masters wanted to do something to bring awareness to the problem these amazing horses face, eventually coming up with the journey that would inspire the documentary, Unbranded.

After two years of planning a route and four months of training, Ben Masters, Thomas Glover, Ben Thamer and Jonny Fitzsimons saddle up a team of 13 Mustangs and begin riding. They travel through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montanaalmost always on public land. Throughout the

trip they experience countless dilemmas, from changing the route to a horse getting hurt to drama between the guys. The group of friends also experience lighthearted and fun moments, like taking a break and entering a rodeo on the 4th of July. Along the journey, the viewer gets a better insight into each of the guys’ personalities, along with the unique personality of each horse.

The film also informs the viewer about American Mustangs and the problems they face.

Thousands of Mustangs graze on the public land in the west, causing conflict with grazing land for livestock. To control the Mustang population and allow farmers to have grazing land for cattle, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does an annual round up of thousands of Mustangs and places them up for adoption.This leaves a number of Mustangs in government holding pens waiting for an adoption that will likely never happen. Unbranded brings these details to light and gives the opinions of several different groups of people on such a controversial situation.

With its amazing cinematography and ability to appeal to the viewers’ emotions, Unbranded captivates the audience throughout the entirety of the movie. The overall goal of this film is to explain to the audience that more Mustangs need to be adopted, and it does just that. By switching between the heartwarming story of the 3,000 mile horse ridden journey and the plight of wild Mustangs, the movie inspires others to help these wild horses. The film is outstanding and no matter how much someone knows about horses, there is something everyone can enjoy about Unbranded.

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BY TPH INTERN VYLA CARTER

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54 • THE PLAID HORSE 1. RIDING SHIRTS. ¼ zip long sleeve tech fabric tops are a must with the warmer temperatures. I also like to wear long sleeve to protect my arms from the sun… and tan lines! My favorite practice shirts are breathable, fashion-forward and comfortable. Here are three practice tops that will be going into my suitcase: Callidae’s Practice Shirt in Cinder with Vines, R.J. Classics Princeton Black Lace Polka Dot Shirt and Opal Equestrian Base Layer top in Navy.

As far as show shirts go, I always look for bright white and a comfy collar. I love R.J. Classics fun spins on classic show shirts as well as Lotus Romeo’s and Ariat’s.

2. PULLOVERS & JACKETS. No matter how hot it may be during the day, early morning sunrise rides are always chilly.

I love to wear my Plaid Horse Magazine pullovers because they are so soft and they are easy to tuck in over my show shirt for later in the day.

My absolute favorite show jackets are Lotus Romeo and R.J. Classics hunt jackets.

I always advise getting a great fitting black and navy blue, and then if you are able to buy additional colors, go with gray, hunter green and other fun colors. My main criteria is that they should be tight enough to utilize the stretchy fabric without rippling in the back or near the buttons.

3. BELTS. Probably the easiest and most cost effective way to express myself in my #rootd is with a belt. I have a ton of favorites, so I packed my favorite leather, elastic and woven belts.

My leather belt winner is easily my reversible black/brown Mane Jane leather belt with the yellow gold buckle. It just goes with absolutely everything and adds a nice finish to the look. When it comes to the elastic stable belts, the obvious front runner is Ellany Equestrian. EE has countless patterns now with a few closure options and finishes.

Also major game changer: it is essentially the only elastic belt in the equestrian market that is adjustable. Shop Hunt Club has my all time favorite woven belts in many different color combinations and patterns.

4. BREECHES. When it comes to breeches, I am a freak about keeping them clean. I may change into 2-3 pairs throughout one show day. Practice breeches to ride in the morning and maybe a tan pair and white pair later on in the day to show in. When it comes to white breeches, I have never found a more flattering pair than my Sakkara breeches. They are the perfect low-mid rise waist and are breathable without being dreadfully see through. I love the fit so much, I had to order their navy pair as well! My R.J. Classics in hunter green and navy have vintage knee patches and are just

If you are missing one of these necessities, check out the brands I listed for top-of-the-line quality and style.

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a classy warm up option. I really love my Callidae tan breeches to show in. because of the clean lines and the stretchy fabric.

5. ACCESSORIES. There are a couple things that are staples for me when it comes to non-clothing items. I always use Kleenex Cleansing System wipes to clean my face after a ride. I also carry Chap Stick and sun screen with me at all times! I am also using the View Halloo Competition Journal to track my students’ progress and winnings. The journal is bound with beautiful leather and keeps me so organized.

Finally, I put a change of clothes and these accessories into my Maelort Ring Backpack.

This backpack is a game changer. I love the waterproof outer shell, all of the inner pockets and compartments pockets and how it matches anything you’re wearing. ◼

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What’s next?

PHOTO © AMY DRAGOO.

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Piper Klemm: A Force Looking to the future of our industry

Behind the Scenes Coming home, I step into my kitchen, where I see Piper Klemm sitting at the counter rapidly typing on her computer. She is unmoved from when I left, though that was many hours ago. Not completely unmoved – no, she is now sitting on her left foot, whereas in dawn’s light, it was her right. She is surrounded by a tangle of cords, devices, screens, and a gigantic cup of black coffee that has been sipped upon all day and must be tepid by now.

I closed the door to the chill morning air and asked, “Have you moved at all?”

It’s not instinctual, she actually spends a moment considering the events of the last few hours.

“No.”

expectations of the world, as that would limit her imagination. Ever the observer, she is more receptor than instigator, more narrator than actor.

When Piper gives lectures or pep talks to young people, she always preaches the importance of saying “yes.” As a default response, say “yes” to opportunity, get into the mix, be game, and see where it takes you.

She practices this response herself in micro decisions as well as macro decisions. Most interactions take the following form: “Do you want some food?”

“Yes.” “Is there anything you don’t eat?”

“No. I like pretty much everything.”

Not only has she probably not moved, it is possible that she has not raised her eyes from the computer. She clicks through several tabs and asks if she can carry more things in from her car. Her reaction time purposefully slow, she presses both feet onto the ground for the first time in hours, stretching like a cat. She steps over a dog or two and pads out to her car.

“Would you like some wine?”

“Sure.”

In a few minutes, Piper settles back onto the chair, the chiming of the texts, emails, and other disturbances drawing her glance. She peers up to ask my opinion about something. These questions range from what Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo ate for breakfast to an equine medical question she didn’t understand to the meaning of educating people.

She never asks for anything, although there is a visible restlessness in the morning until the first cup of coffee kicks in. Her pop-up office gravitates towards outlets. As the day progresses, she has two to three more mugs surrounding her computer than seem absolutely necessary. As with most things in life, she’s quick to claim she’s gotten better. (“When I first moved in with Adam, I had to run the dishwasher with only the top shelf loaded.”) And (“I am starting to learn to cook. Kind of.”)

She arrived at dusk last night in her BMW station wagon with 250,000 miles on it. She drives the mileage of someone who lives on the edge of civilization.

Which, some might argue, is the definition of Canton, NY. Piper opened the kitchen door lugging a duffel the size of a body bag, gave hugs hello, and sat down at the island in the kitchen to work. My house is a thoroughfare for a variety of loud animals, louder children, and unannounced friends. The chaos is absorbed by Piper with amusement and the occasional funny quip. I muse about the difference in decibels and disorder between my farm and her quiet house where she does not have even a plant. But, Piper has no preset

“Red or white?”

“Whatever we’re having sounds great!”

I observe her with her messy, blonde ponytail, some sort of TPH sweatshirt, and a pair of LL Bean overfluffed slippers that she pulled out of her purse, and I am amused. She is younger than half of my four

60 • THE PLAID HORSE children and she is my boss. She is a multi-layered enigma. Let’s start with earning a PhD in Chemistry from the #1 Chemistry program in the U.S. (UC, Berkeley), and finishing first in her class. Disillusioned and burnt out with the world of science, she decided to take some time away from academia and revisit the joy of her youth – the horse world. Armed with a camera and enthusiasm, she began to freelance as a horse show photographer and journalist. With an uncanny acumen at reading systems, she identified a need in the industry for a different media platform that encompassed a broader perspective, appealed to a wider audience, and tapped the wildfire of social media. The Plaid Horse, a newspaper print, provincial magazine, was acquired in 2014 and has grown to become the largest hunter/jumper magazine in the United States. With no real experience in journalism or media, Piper answered her own questions with her default response, “Yes.” Jumping back into the horse world with both feet and eyes wide open, she is a committed activist for issues such as education, opportunity, and accessibility. Through The Plaid Horse magazine, social media presence, and podcast, she has built a formidable platform from which to support her agenda and that of those whose voices were previously too faint to be heard. Piper Klemm is a visionary and a force for the future. In her words, “I believe that we should be educating and lifting up the next generation in our sport to be better than we are.” The idea of better is not limited to riding skills, but rather horsemanship, horse welfare, education, sportsmanship, and community. The Piper Klemm long term plan is as ambitious and formidable and purposeful as is she. ■ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

The Interview TPH: One of the most unusual things about your resumé is the degree to which your pursued one career track (science), and changed course to end up in the horse industry and the media business.

What trajectory led you to go as far as you did in one field and then change tracks to end up at The Plaid Horse?

PK: I give a lot of credit to my liberal arts education and going to Trinity College.

Growing up, it was always valued that I was well-rounded. I always studied a lot of different subjects in school, I had a lot of different interests. When you have a good foundation in everything, you can do anything and pivot pretty easily. That is the aspirational goal of the liberal arts education.

TPH: Your parents are very academically oriented, both having taught in Ivy League schools at the post graduate level. Do you think that had a great influence on your pursuit of a PhD? PK: For sure. Also, my parents have changed careers and pivoted many times themselves, and are very comfortable with that. They have always been willing to start fresh and begin something new. They are not single-minded or tunnel visioned – which is a great example for me.

I give my parents a lot of credit for teaching me that life is not easy. The world doesn’t owe us anything.

This [TPH] is going to work because I don’t expect anything to come easily. We have a lot of issues to fight for, and it is going to take a long time. It’s not glamorous; it’s not immediate. It is a long haul, and I am in for it. It’s not day-to-day change, but it is day-today fulfilling.

TPH: You were very involved with horses at a young age and then took 7 or 8 years away from the equestrian world as you pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees. Most young people have a hard time pulling themselves away from this world and walking back in. Would you recommend this path to young

“When you have a good foundation in everything, you can do anything and pivot pretty easily.”

theplaidhorse.com • February 2018 • 61 women who are grappling with the end of their junior riding careers and looking ahead?

PK: It was the right move for me. You know yourself the best and should make your own call. I needed to establish my identity outside of the sport; I needed to go out and do things. I groomed and rode and did everything I could with horses, so I missed a lot. I missed every Friday night, I missed every other hobby, I missed free time activities.

For me, I needed to go to college and figure out who I was. I wanted to go to bed at four instead of getting up at four.

TPH: And, yet, you came back to equestrian sport.

PK: I kept thinking that I would find something that I liked as much as riding and horses. I tried so many different things. One time, I decided I was going to be a skateboarder. So, I bought a skateboard and learned to ride it. I just never enjoyed riding a skateboard! (She laughs)

PK: We need everyone feel valued and wanted. There is a huge part of our culture that tells people that if they don’t have enough money, they are not useful. That attitude is unnecessary to a successful sport.

I am glad that the local shows are doing so well, but I think it creates a further cultural divide. We need to bridge that gap with more opportunities for the talented kid.

Our goal should be to educate the public more broadly about the sport. If more people understood how it worked, they could find the right path for themselves. No one plan fits everyone, so we need to get information out there about what the expectations and possibilities are.

I don’t enjoy the learning process of anything else as much as I enjoy the process of riding and training and being around horses.

But, it was very important for me to know that this was my passion.

This is a hard industry and the people can be really tough. The dilemmas we face can be really tough. Dealing with a living, breathing animal complicates things, and to take on that challenge, I had to know that this is what I want to be doing.

TPH: You and I are friends and have talked about some tough experiences you had as a young teenager at the barn, things that were very injurious and damaging to you. I bring this up because I am hoping you can give advice to young people who may be going through the same thing.

PK: What it came down to is that I was bullied at the barn. The barn was always my sanctuary away from school and family and whatever else was going on in my world. So, not to really feel safe there was tough. And, we put so much of ourselves out there physically and emotionally in this sport. Being bullied doesn’t make anyone a better athlete or a better horseperson.

TPH: How do we change this culture?

PK: It starts with the trainer setting a good example. It doesn’t all sit on the trainer’s shoulders, but their attitude and behavior can make a big difference. Educating current trainers and upcoming trainers to have the tools to deal with this behavior would go a long way. What to do with a negative group dynamic, that kind of thing. Back then, sports psychology was not as popular. I really could have used someone to help teach me a variety of skills to deal with what was going on at the barn. It’s about building a better model of behavior.

TPH: That comment represents so much of what you support through The Plaid Horse: building a better model of horsemanship, of education, of sportsmanship, of business ethics. What changes would you like to see in the equestrian industry and the sport?

“I needed to go to college and figure out who I was.”

62 • THE PLAID HORSE Right now, a new non-horse family getting into equestrian sport is totally overwhelmed. It is turning people away.

TPH: So, who gets the information out there? USEF? USHJA? The Plaid Horse? Who is it?

PK: Everyone. I would love it to be USEF – but they don’t seem to be stepping up to the plate. And that hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, all of the responsibility falls on the trainers, and they may not be the ones to best handle the outreach. We all need to step up to the plate if we want to see the change that we need. I am talking about accessibility and broadening the base of the sport.

What we see are two types of successful kids in this sport. One is kids who have buckets of money and the other is kids whose parents are in the business and have found ways to create a path for them. This is a very limited group and perhaps a barrier to families coming in. If new parents could evaluate opportunities for their kids, it may encourage them to join in.

As much as I agree with programs like EAP, I do not think it is enough. I would not have earned that opportunity, because I did not show at 3'6" that much. I did not have the horses. How many other kids are in that same situation?

This is one of the reasons that I support Pony Finals so much. It is an event that is inclusive and levels the playing field. Every year some kids have the rides of their lives on ponies that did not cost the world, and they are in contention. I love to see that happening.

TPH: What are the five issues in the industry that concern you the most right now?

PK: Horse welfare. And, I am not talking only about drugs and medications, but about the hardships that we impose on the horses. Smaller stalls at shows, longer show schedules, footing issues, lunging – all of these issues. This year, Harrisburg was less than par, shows in general are more congested, risk of injury is higher. It leads us to questions the things we ask of our horses.

I worry about losing the sport. We keep catering to the top few people with more and more money, and there aren’t that many of them. If we lose one or two, it will have a devastating effect on the show world. In any sport, this is not a sustainable model. It is scary and unnecessary. Accessibility and broadening the base are essential.

Horsemanship. Pony Club was designed decades ago when kids had horses in their back yard that they needed to learn take care of. That is just not the case anymore in our industry. Most kids have horses in boarding facilities that are cared for by grooms. I get it. I have expensive ponies and wouldn’t want an eight year old wrapping their legs. And, I understand the time constraints that

go with lessoning and training. There are only so many hours. So, how do we teach horsemanship and horse care to the next generation? We need to put some thought into this because there is so much more to horses than just riding them. We have priced ourselves out of practicality.

Broad based education of riders is an important issue. I want more people in our sport to be college educated. Education produces a comprehensive, knowledgeable human being that is equipped to handle a business. The days of deciding to become a trainer and winging it are over. As a sport, we need to encourage young professionals to get an education and learn about accounting, billing, marketing, and money management. Access to mentors is key. I loved when Andy Kocher stated that on our podcast. It is so important to find a mentor and equally as important to mentor young people.

TPH: You are a prolific mentor and very involved with the 12-to-17 year old population.

PK: I sure am! A group of them often stays with me at horse shows and it’s fun. Driving to the shows in the morning, we have discussions about things like the history of the sport. They have great questions and are really interested. We need to have more people in places to help them learn and carry the sport forward.

TPH: One of the directions you have gone – other than the magazine – is that you have an undetermined number of ponies that you lease out. Explain your

“We all have to step up to the plate if we want to see the change that we need.”

theplaidhorse.com • February 2018 • 63 In today’s media world, if the plates aren’t shifting under your feet, you are standing still.

TPH: Is a magazine sustainable in the current world?

PK: Yes. People will always want to hold a print magazine in their hands. Advertisers want more options and we provide them with ideas about what will work best for their products. We share all of the information we have with them. Will the magazine take the same form that it always has? No. But, a small, quality magazine is sustainable.

business model and why it works financially and personally for you.

PK: I love being a part of the pony divisions, more so than the horse divisions. I became involved with breeding and studying bloodlines. It is so interesting, and really cool that most ponies are still bred in the U.S. I can drive from my house and look at young, furry ponies in a field and pick one out. I love to be a part of the process of bringing them along.

TPH: I find it interesting that you aim toward the middle of the market instead of the top level. Perhaps your immediate profit potential is less, but it seems to be more sustainable.

PK: With both the pony business and the magazine, I need to be practical in a hurry. I don’t have a safety net to absorb mistakes. With the magazine, I can make one big mistake a year and be fine. Some years, I make two big mistakes and end up scrambling!

With the pony business, the most important ingredient is my business partner, Emily Elek. She has as high a success rate as is possible in that business. She is fair, knowledgeable, and ethical – a great partner.

Emily always puts the pony first before the paycheck. That’s good horsemanship and good business because we like our ponies to be happy and healthy for a long time.

TPH: This is year four of owning The Plaid Horse. You have a huge social media presence and a successful podcast. What does 2018 and beyond hold for the TPH empire?

PK: 2018 is very exciting. The magazine was profitable when I bought it, but I had no idea what I was doing. So, I thought I would change nothing for one year while I learned it. Well, it took two years, and then I started to make some changes. We went from newsprint to glossy; we started to hire more people. With every step we have grown in size and quality in the level of work we are doing. At the beginning of a project, you have to say yes to everyone and everything. We are now at a place where we can make some selective no’s.

Our team has a strong foundation and everyone works well together and respects each other. Each member has learned her role role in this project that is like concept art. Things are always growing and shifting.

TPH: The podcast has been very successful. How do you forecast the future for The Plaidcast?

PK: I love podcasts. I have been listening to them since 2006, longer than most people. At the time, I was struggling with anxiety, depression and insomnia, and they really helped. I was beating myself up for not being productive, and podcasts were a great way to think. They are a super outlet, especially considering how much time we all spend in the car. I would like to grow ours and continue to build a following.

TPH: What is your vision of the future for The Plaid Horse?

PK: Bigger, better, more inclusive. We will stand up more for the people that support us. One of the problems in this industry is that people want to boil everything down to black and white, right and wrong. When I think about the people and the horses and the day-to-day decisions that we face, I realize how complex our world is. I want to provide context and information about what is going on in the grey areas.

Most people don’t think about anyone else’s perspective.

What did the course designer go through to design the courses? How did the vendors decide on this horse show? What did the judge do this morning? What does the trainer’s day look like? What is that junior going through right now?

Victory takes a lot of different forms. Let’s acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments. I had what I thought were victories for myself this year that would not have been victories for someone else. We all have different amounts of time, money, and talent to devote to this sport. All levels and all participants are valuable. I want to support, educate, include, and promote members of the horse show industry. ■

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theplaidhorse.com • February 2018 • 67 CROSSWORD BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

Crossword inspired by the

The Horsemanship Quiz Challenge encourages education and recognizes young equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge.

Learn more at ushja.org/HQC – and be sure to register for HQC 2018!

Post your completed crosswords and tag @theplaidhorsemag on Instagram for a chance to win cool prizes!

Clue for 3 down.

Photo courtesy Datamars.

Clue for 14 down. Photo ©

Andrew Ryback Photography.

ACROSS 5.

6.

7.

9.

11.

15.

16.

17.

18.

21.

22.

24.

25.

Rider age limit to compete medium pony Intercollegiate Equestrian Organization Winner of 2017 HQC Finals One of year end equitation finals Number of feet in large pony stride Founder of IHSA Winner of 2017 Maclay Final Legendary rider who died in December, 2017 President of USHJA Winner of 2017 USEF Talent Search Final Winner of 2017 Medal Finals NCAA Collegiate Equestrian organization Rider age limit to compete small pony

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

8.

10.

12.

13.

14.

19.

20.

23.

CEO of USEF Rider age limit to compete large pony 2018 identification requirement The Plaid Horse Podcast One of year end equitation finals Site of Maclay Finals Number of USHJA Zones Age for a pony to receive permanent Measurement Card World #1 Ranked showjumping rider as of December, 2017 President of USEF Number of feet in small pony stride High School Equestrian Organization

See page 82 for answers!

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Geoff Teall is a lifelong rider, trainer, and governance guru. He is an “R” rated judge, has served as President of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation, Vice President of the USHJA, and held seats on the Board of Directors of the USHJA, the AHJF, the USHJA Foundation, and the USEF. Recently, he was named the Chairman of the Maclay Equitation Committee of the CP National Horse Show.

He runs his training business, Montoga, Inc. in Wellington, Florida where he resides with his unruly dachshunds.

Sissy Wickes: Let's go right to the elephant in the room. What is your point of view concerning the discord between the USHJA Foundation Directors who resigned and the USHJA? Geoff Teall: I think that this was a lack of communication. The leadership communicated the thoughts of the USHJA Board to the Foundation and the leadership communicated the thoughts of the Foundation to the USHJA Board.

The two Boards were never allowed to sit down together. I think given this opportunity, the two groups could have worked this out in an afternoon. We were given a choice: either resign, accept the proposed bylaws as they [the USHJA BOD] had written them, or face legal action. We did not agree with the proposed bylaws for a lot of reasons that I won’t get into right now. As a result, given the situation, we (the resignees) had no choice but to resign.

A Conversation with: PHOTO © HILLARY OSWALD.

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SW: Do you think that perhaps the structure of the USHJA Foundation was weak or faulty in that the minute there was a problem, it fell apart?

GT: No, I do not. I think that we were presented an impossible set of choices.

SW: You resigned your governance positions on both USEF and USHJA. Wouldn’t it be better to stay and try to solve the issues?

GT: Well, in theory, yes. But, because I was accused of bullying and other wrongdoings, I felt it was time for me to go before I was asked to leave. The whole thing [governance] became so frustrating to me, and I did not feel like it was healthy for any of us.

It certainly was not for me. I thought, “Ok, maybe for the moment I have done enough for this sport.” I had started to remove myself from a lot of this stuff anyway, because I thought there is too much Geoff Teall. And I still believe that.

SW: You stated on our podcast (theplaidhorse. com/listen) that you believe the USHJA to be a good institution and that you plan to become involved, or should I say re-involved, in the future.

GT: I would like to help that organization be what it should be. I am not looking to get back in it, but if there is a way that I can help it as an association- not a group of individuals – I am all in.

GEOFF

TEALL

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What’s your vision for the USHJA in the next decade?

SW:

Give me your top five priorities for our sport.

GT:

Looking in on it from the outside, I have come to realize how important the Board of Directors is. The Board is the answer; it is the powerhouse. We have to populate it with people who are up to that huge job. It takes time, effort, energy, smarts, experience in the sport and putting your interests to the side.

GT:

SW:

As a member of the USHJA Board of Directors, I worry that we are missing the breadth of the job. We can run the table from the “A” show perspective, but what about the guy that doesn’t get into the VIP tent?

We need get better people involved in order to find solutions for the problems that we have just discussed.

I equate most things with riding and training. By that, I mean whomever has the best horse wins the most. If this were thrown in my lap, I would find the best people I could, just like you find the best horse you can. One of the greatest things about this sport is the resource of people it offers. They are out there, and we need help in tackling our problems.

SW:

So, when we find these people, what problems would you have them solve?

GT:

Well, certainly growth. And the relationship with USEF and how that works- because we have lost our way and we need to find it again. Our industry has become them against us, whether it is management against exhibitors or professionals against governance. No matter who you are, it seems as though it is you against somebody.

GT:

SW:

GT:

Absolutely. But, I think we need to really think about and understand the meaning of “grassroots training”.

Sometimes I feel that this has begun to be equated with “bad training”, which is not correct. There is a difference.

We need to pick people that are successful in different areas of the country and at different levels. Part of the problem is that the sport is so huge and so diffuse that it is hard to meet the needs of every part of the country. The zone idea is on the right track, but we have to have the best people at each level because they are the ones that are successful and smart.

Are we as professionals, riders, owners, members of the USHJA driving our sport? Or, are we at the mercy of our National Governing Body, the USEF?

As far as the USHJA goes, it sounds so cliché to say communication, but that is absolutely what we lack. We need to take a hard look at how the Working Groups, Task Forces, and Board of Directors interact so that people feel like their voices are heard. It has to start internally to get the structure and the players right. I believe in the Association and we need to attempt to fix it. It needs to be simplified, to have the emotion taken out of it, and to be populated by people who are strong, smart, experienced, and can take the bull by the horns.

I don’t know the answer to that question. I want to better understand the USEF-what they want, what they are doing, and who is doing it. I have lost track of that. This is why the USHJA has to have strong leadership. I feel like USEF has more strength now, while USHJA is waning.

I went to The National Horse Show partially to be around Bill [Moroney] and Murray [Kessler] to try to get a better sense of the USEF. But, Murray wasn’t there. This relationship between the organizations is a real issue. Are we [USHJA] just beating our heads against the wall?

SW:

When we started the USHJA, it was clear that it was to be our affiliate and represent us in the USEF. I am not sure that this is working right now, and we need to figure it out.

Are we in charge or aren’t we in charge? Just let us know, because if we aren’t, we can all go back to work at the USEF.

SW:

Let's talk equitation finals. This year, the two largest national finals, the Medal and Maclay, had significant logistical issues. The footing for the Medal Finals was a travesty and the time schedule for Maclay Finals bordered on the absurd. Can you comment on these situations and how to address them? Do you feel that the competitions reflect a prestigious national finals?

GT:

I do feel that the two major equitation finals have represented prestigious national finals, and more importantly that they will again. The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is committed to a major change in their footing at the very least. I am not privy to all that is on the table, but I do feel that huge efforts are being made in other areas as well to improve the situation at that show for the USEF Medal Finals.

Let’s change tracks. What is the future of this sport? Have we priced ourselves out of long term existence?

Let’s say a family makes $150-200,000 per year and their kid wants to show. Where do you start? How do we grow from the bottom up?

GT:

I don’t know the answer to that question.

SW:

Our local circuits in the northeast are burgeoning with growth. I assume it’s the same in many areas across the country.

GT:

Yes, it is here [in Florida], too. If I were smart and I had the interest, I would start a local show circuit here, open a business for people who want that kind of situation, never have to travel, and make plenty of money. I wouldn’t have to worry about any fees, associations, or governing bodies.

SW:

So, now we are pulling the bottom level away from our Association.

GT:

Right now, we are not pulling them away; we are pushing them away. We need to take care of the top of the sportthat is important. There are a lot of good programs right now that are doing that and should be left alone. But, we need to prioritize growing the sport and really focus on it.

I know that at the National Horse Show, we are making huge efforts to adjust the schedule to make the ASPCA Maclay Finals a much better experience. I can tell you that we have already worked out three very good options for the 2018 Maclay. Now we just have to speak to as many people as possible to get input and then sort out the finer points. I feel confident that we can promise a great Finals in addition to some interesting changes and improvements to the entire horse show schedule. Stay tuned…

◼

BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

theplaidhorse.com • February 2018 • 71

The Plaid Horse Magazine and Ivy Gate Farm would like to congratulate

The OCHSA Junior Masters Medal 2017 Winner

Isabella Regis

Trainers Kristen Barreto & Jackie LeFavre of Peppertree Equestrian

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Frederika has since passed away, but she has continued to stamp her great-granddaughters, even five generations out. Of course, the stallions do play a significant role, and after careful research, Pedigo acquired four Hanoverian stallions: Wolfe’s sire, Elite Stallion Wellesley PF, as well as ES Sam Steele PF, ES Magic PF, and ES Federalist PF.

AHS judge Meg Williams. “There is a huge market for hunters here in the United States. It’s hard for the Europeans to understand because there aren’t hunters there. We’ve spent a lot of time trying to educate the German inspectors in what we look for, and why it’s so important.”

“They’ve proven to mix very well with the broodmare band,” said Pedigo. “It’s really a golden combination. The resulting offspring have the high performance capability that a professional rider desires, but temperaments well-suited for junior or amateur riders.”

The American Hanoverian Society enjoys full reciprocity with its German counterpart, which now accepts stallions based on hunter performance in addition to jumper and dressage performance. “Breeding is down worldwide,” explained AHS President Edgar Schutte, “but we have programs in place to help American breeders, and we hold about 30 Hanoverian inspections per year in the United States.”

Pedigo is proud to bring traditional German Hanoverian bloodlines to southern California.

“It’s like a little piece of German history right here in California, but with a focus on the American hunter ring.”

Pedigo currently owns 26 Hanoverian mares, and he selects a handful of fillies each season that will become part of his broodmare band. Each of the nine original sisters now has daughters, granddaughters, and greatgranddaughters in the band.

EMPRESS EBONIQUE PF. PHOTO © MARIA MORGAN.

This past year he added two more established Hanoverian stallions to the lineup, ES Dubarry PF and ES Furst Impression PF, as well as coming 3-year old Hanoverian stallion Wroyal Diamond PF. Wroyal competed successfully at the Sally B. Wheeler Hunter Breeding Show in Del Mar in 2017, earning the Champion Hanoverian award and a second placing in the two-year old colt division.

Pedigo’s breeding program, with its focus on the hunter division, is an important piece of traditional Hanoverian breeding. “There is no class for hunters in Europe,” said

Twenty-one foals are expected in 2018, and Ryan Pedigo Hanoverians will once again host a Hanoverian inspection as well as a performance horse presentation and sale. Throughout the year, Ryan Pedigo Hanoverians offers in-house custom breedings and sales including embryos, foals, young prospects, and riding horses.

In addition to his breeding program, Pedigo runs a full training barn and maintains a busy show schedule each year. He teaches all levels of hunter, jumper, and equitation riders, from the complete beginner to the most serious A-circuit competitor.

“It’s especially rewarding to be a part of every aspect of the development of the hunter horse,” Pedigo said. “From selecting the mare and stallion, caring for the foals, and training the young prospects, to matching each hunter with his or her rider and helping the partnership grow. There’s nothing better.” ◼ BY LINDSEY LONG

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Muscles Never Lie

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BY KATIE HAWKINS As a certified equine acupressure and massage therapist, I enter every session ready to listen to the unique story of each of my equine clients. I use my hands and intuition to hear their story and feel the needs of each as told through their muscles. Muscles tell the truth about how a horse is using its body, where the horse has areas of tension or weakness, and even how hydrated it is. Muscles never lie. They give an unedited snapshot of the horse's overall health.

release work, trigger point therapy, kinesiology taping, therapeutic blankets, and a whole lot of sweat and love, this amazing horse has made a miraculous comeback.

When I began working with this horse, he would have his ears pinned and a defensive posture for most of the session with small glimpses of relaxation and relief.

His muscles were as hard as rocks and his demeanor was cold and defensive. After a couple of months, he returned to his caring and loving nature with ears perked and sweet nuzzles. He was slowly returned to a training regimen and is now ready to take on the dressage ring! This story is one of the many examples of a persistent and loving owner working tirelessly to find the right modality to heal her horse.

From trainers to grooms, and farriers to veterinarians, it takes a team of specialists to keep our equine athletes happy and healthy. As a part of a horse's healthcare team, I am able to utilize non-invasive, healing techniques that aid in soft tissue health and recovery.

The next time you grapple Equine massage and bodywork facilitates increased blood and with a training issue or lymph fluid movement, relaxes and repairs soft tissue, helps unresolved soundness pinpoint areas of sensitivity, and promotes overall wellbeing. The problem, try tuning in to horse's comprehensive health is foundational to how well they the horse’s story with a feel under-saddle and in the show ring. certified equine masseuse.

A recent case I cared for was a ten year old warmblood gelding that was tripping dangerously while being flatted and jumped. The owner cared immensely for this horse, and exhausted every training method and medical work up. The horse had been to numerous collegiate veterinary schools and local specialists to have neurological work ups for EPM, blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, injections, medications, supplements, chiropractic care, and the list goes on from there. The owner was almost resigned to the fact that this sweet, talented horse would need to be retired. In a final effort, she decided to give equine massage therapy a try. After a couple months of weekly sessions utilizing therapeutic and deep tissue massage, myofacial

Horses have an intense connection to their body.

Over centuries, they evolved as grazing animals that were meant to roam in groups throughout the day. Our way of managing them in modern culture has changed the dynamics of their lives.

The modern horse lives in a stall, eats at scheduled times throughout the day, has finite turnout, and is used for riding lessons and horse shows. In this environment, it is vital that we find the right team of players to help our horse partner thrive. As horse owners, riders, caretakers, or enthusiasts, it is our responsibility to advocate for the needs of our horses. Their only “voice” is through the people that love and care for them. So, the next time you grapple with a training issue or unresolved soundness problem, try tuning in to the horse’s story with a certified equine masseuse.

We can bring muscular and overall health to your horse. Happy, healthy riders and horse teams make an unstoppable combination! ◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

For more information contact Katie Hawkins katie@unbridled-equine.com • 847.987.1350 • unbridled-equine.com

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