The Standardbred e Connection e Dedicated to the Pleasure Standardbred
*Meet Our 4-H Standardbred Stars* * National Standardbred Horse Show* September 2016 Edition
September 2016 Edition Table of Contents 4-H Standardbred Stars by Kathleen Haak
Page 3
Thinking With Your Head About Your Helmet by Riders4 Helmets Snoop
Page 10
Foster Failure to Driving Success by Kathy Sunberg
Page 13
School Days with Lisa Wilson-Caposio
Page 14
South Western Ontario Standardbred Horse Show
Page 16
New York’s Forgotten Equine Athletes by Allie Hedges
Page 18
Adding A Touch Of Class
Page 19
National Standardbred Horse Show
Page 20
Glencoe 4-H Horse Club Visits Mac Lilley Farms by Ruleen Lilley
Page 22
Letter to the Editor
Page 23
No Tricks Here
Page 24
Page 12
The Standardbred Connection is an online magazine dedicated to pleasure Standardbreds. Story ideas can be submitted via our website at www.TheStandardbredConnection.com Cover image: Elaine van den Berg and Regal Cullen's early morning warm up at Horse of the Year. Read their story on page 23. Photos by Leonie Sandbrook Right: Sophia Agee riding C Me Shine at a 4-H show. Photo by Kim Spettel.
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ver 115 years ago A. B. Graham started a youth program in Clark County, Ohio. The first club was called “The Tomato Club” or the “Corn Growing Club.” By 1912 the clubs were known as 4-H clubs but it would be another ten years before they would be tied with state Cooperative Extension offices. Today, nearly 6 million youth participate in 4-H activities worldwide. It is difficult to determine exactly what impact Standardbreds have had on 4-H and vice versa but clearly there is a connection. Many youth have their first interaction with Standardbreds through a 4-H sponsored trip to a local track. Once at the track they enjoy special behind-the-scenes tours where they meet trainers, grooms, farriers, and other racetrack personnel. Some racetracks also offer the opportunity to take a jog around the track with an experienced race horse and driver. In Alberta, Canada they’re taking it one step further.
StB Stars It all starts in October when the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) and Century Downs Racetrack & Casino hosts a 4-H Track Day where participants not only met the horsemen and their equine athletes but are also introduced to the 4-H Standardbred Yearling project. This program creates a contract between the youths and participating Standardbred breeders which allows the youths access to a Standardbred weanling for the course of a year. Over Christmas break the foals and youths are introduced, from there ASHA holds clinics to aid them with the handling, feeding, care, progress, and training of their weanling in preparation of the ASHA Yearling Sale. Regular visits to the farms by both the breeder and the program coordinators assure questions are answered and any issues resolved. The program is a win-win for all involved – the yearling receives extra attention, the youth has the opportunity to work with an untrained young horse and the owners have young stock that is ready to be presented at the ASHA Yearling Sale.
Across the border in New York, the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund sponsors a Standardbred Management Camp for youth at Camp Wyomoco in Varysburg, New York. The 4-H Standardbred Camp is a one-week program for teenagers interested in learning about Standardbred horses and harness racing. Nearby Franklin County 4-H also sponsors a horse camp. Campers are treated to a special tour of the race horse barns which concludes with special training races. Sponsored by the New York Agricultural and Horse Breeding Development Fund, the winners of each race were presented with a special blanket.
In New Jersey, Terry Keynton and Suzanne D’Ambrose are Standardbred enthusiasts who are “hands on” with 4-H. Terry is a leader and Suzanne is a volunteer with Knight Riders 4-H club. Among their activities is the Standardbred Showcase; Terry and Suzanne do a demo with their pleasure Standardbreds Osborne’s Shy Cam and Independent Act before answering questions. The payoff for contributing to youth education through 4-H is often in smiles. The long term payoff to the horse industry, and to Standardbreds, can be priceless. As you read through this edition you’ll meet a variety of Standardbred Stars – youths and their horses who are gaining experience as well as adults who have transformed their experience into a lifelong love. after her last race. They also competed in driving classes on the 4-H county level to qualify for the NJ State Championship. They brought home reserve champion in pleasure and champion in reinsmanship and cones. The two of them ruled cones in 4-H...never beaten and never a cone down. The pair are still together, after twenty-four years, riding and driving together.
Joshua Gale and GW Magic Fire Twenty-four years ago this pair started their show career. Together with Earthly Delights (dam), they were reserve champion mare and foal at the NJ State 4-H Horseshow. GW Magic Fire went on to race as a 3 year old but then retired at 5. Joshua was asked to join the young drivers program at Gladstone. With the help of a driving mentor, Josh and his mare were able to successfully compete in a combined driving event just two months
Payton Zelenak riding ZipSnapNDrop This gelding had 208 starts in his career. Payton showed him at fair in walk/trot classes and did some fun classes. This was Payton’s first year riding at the Franklin County Fair in Hilliard, Ohio.
Ella Moschinski with McDermott The pair competed in walk/trot pleasure and eq, fun classes, contesting and easy gaited. This year they won 1st place in easy gaited pleasure and english equitation at the Franklin County Fair in Hilliard, Ohio.
Malory Abram riding DiamondsArtForever Malory and Diamond took first in pleasure driving and driving reinsmanship and placed in the top five in all the contesting classes, at the Perry County 4-H horse show this past July. Contesting is very popular in Perry County so it was a large class in the 9 to 13 age group. They were thrilled to do so well.
Sabrina Jones and Straight Ball Sabrina has shown her 2008 Standardbred mare Straight Ball (barn name Pretty Girl) in Indiana 4-H for the past five years. They compete in english classes and jumping. “Pretty� made it obvious from the beginning that she wanted to be a kids horse not a racehorse and we are so glad she did!
Bailee Montgomery and Gypsy Artisan aka Thor Thor is a 9 year old Stb. He was adopted on Dec. 26, 2015, from Starting Gaits. He was shown in Easy Gaited Equitation and Easy Gaited pleasure at our Co. Fair in Jackson Ohio. His first time entering a show ring and he took a 3rd in the pleasure and he was the reserve champion in Easy Gaited Equitation. He is Bailee’s pride and joy!
Sophia Agee riding C Me Shine Sophia and C Me have been together for two years now. Last year they won Reserve Champion titles in Gaited English Equitation and Gaited Western Horsemanship at the Warren County Fair (Ohio). The pair also showed together at the county fair this year, and made their first trip to the Junior Horse Show of the Ohio State Fair, where they placed two top tens in large classes of Gaited English Equitation and Gaited English Pleasure.
Kora McDonald riding Exemption Exeption is an experienced 4-H mount who has done well in jumping and cross country. The pair have also done well at local shows. Kora hopes to take him to Prince Edward Island this fall for a Distance Ride. Kora says, “X has help me with my confidence and I cherish him very much.�
Let Me Check Your Helmet! Is it time for a new one?
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ou’ve seen those commercials talking about replacing your mattress after every eight years—after all, that’s a lot of dead skin cells, dirt, dust mites, etc., that gathers every night. And when it comes to your favorite pair of riding pants, you don’t think twice about replacing them when they’re starting to be worn thin, or maybe showing a little too much wear and tear. But do you even think about how old your helmet is?
As we prepare to celebrate the seventh annual Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day on Saturday September 17th, we want to applaud everyone who doesn’t think twice about putting on a helmet before swinging their leg over a horse. They are the ones that know that wearing a helmet can help reduce the chance of a lethal head injury.
“Thinking With Your Head About Your Helmet”
But if you’ve worn helmets most of your life, you might be the type to just pick up the same old helmet that has gotten you through your junior rider years and onto your adult classes because… Did you see the date? Or is it so faded you can’t well, it’s “broken in” and more comfortable. But tell if that’s a three or an eight? Can you even re- wearing a helmet that’s passed its limit of effecmember when you purchased it? It might just be tiveness might not fully protect you in the way an updated helmet can. time to buy a new helmet. Go ahead, take a moment from reading this to find your helmet and look at the tags inside. We’ll wait…
Did you know that helmet manufacturers generally recommend that you replace your helmet every four to five years? Think about all the time you spend in the saddle—the liters of sweat, the coats of dust, and drenching from the rains all take a toll on your helmet and causes the Styrofoam inside to break down, reducing its effectiveness at protection.
Also, check the manufacture date on the inside of the helmet, no matter if you’re purchasing new or used. Take caution when considering purchasing a used helmet, since the helmet may have sustained damage from a previous incident that you can’t see.
And when you do go to purchase a new helmet, take precautions when it comes to proper fit and ensuring the date of manufacture. When trying on helmets, be sure to wear your hair the way you would any time you ride—if you prefer a bun, wear a bun, if you prefer a ponytail, wear your hair in a ponytail—then go shop.
To find out more about International Helmet Awareness Day, visit Riders4Helmets.com and learn how leading helmet manufacturers around the globe are offering special discounts to help keep you safe in the saddle this year.
Don’t think that only children or novice riders should be the ones to wear an approved helmet— If you’ve had an accident while wearing your hel- there has been no statistical correlation between met, no matter how minor it was (i.e., your head skill level and the likelihood of an injury when it just barely hit the ground), that can reduce the ef- comes to equestrian sport. You can even have a fectiveness of the helmet’s protection. Damage to catastrophic injury from falling off a horse that’s the helmet might not be visible to the naked eye, standing still. so you can’t assume there is no issue after a fall. Of course, any catastrophic incident can render If you like to think with your head, take a moment a helmet useless and cause for an immediate re- to consider your head first and wearing proper protection. placement.
Photo credit: Missy Rothfuss Article reprinted with permission from Riders4 Helmets
SNoOP He may not be a rapper but Snoop brings home the bling! Recently retired, this 6-year-old gray gelding is shown by Dana MockKahrig in english and game classes. At his second show Snoop came home with a second and many thirds. He placed in six out of seven classes just a few weeks later at his third show. Dana is looking forward to big things from this gelding.
Foster Failure Leads to
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Driving Success
by Kathy Sunberg
eggy and Steve Remus have been members of the Canadian, non-profit group, Performance Standardbreds, for some years as they embarked on being caretakers for several horses awaiting placement.
Their first horse became the proverbial “foster failure,” as Peggy became more than a little attached to the very handsome gelding, Actuary. Actuary was placed for a time to become a competitive trail horse, however, he appeared to have a subtle soundness issue that ended up with Performace Standardbred’s decision to take him back. For Peggy it was clear, that Actuary was not going anywhere again! With dedication and perseverance, Actuary has been successfully reschooled under saddle and as a carriage driving competitor. Actuary is often driven as a pair with Steve’s Morgan mare, in fact they are going well in tandem too, with Actuary in the lead.
Over the long Civic Holiday weekend, Steve and Actuary participated in a driving clinic instructed by eight time USET pairs driving champion and very successful dressage rider, Lawrence Poulin. Larry commented on what a lovely horse Actuary is - no secret to Peggy and Steve. Actuary is a total gentleman and as most Standardbreds are, he will try his heart out, not to mention he is a gifted athlete with a wonderful mind.
School Days with
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Lisa Wilson-Caposio
or 12 years I’ve been taking my Standardbreds to Norwood JHS for Camp Norwood Animals, a program designed to teach students basic skills. This year Manley Stanley (pictured above), Justatrotter, Missmandabelle, Lindys Joy, and Big Redhead traveled from CalExpo to the Sacromento, CA school, host of Camp Norwood Animals. This camp gives inner-city kids that may have never seen a live horse before the opportunity to feed, groom (including lots of braiding), and lead these well-mannered Standardbreds. The horses seem to really enjoy it. In addition to the Standardbreds other animals attend Camp Norwood Animals. Featured animals friends include a variety of dogs, pot belly pigs, kittens and ponies.
South W Onta Standa Horse
Julia Clark and Chelemark Cam
Western High Point: Crimson Jiffy, Owner/
Western Reserve Hig Hugo, Owner/ Rider T
English High Point: Crimson Jiffy, Owner/
English High Point Re Chelemark Cam, Ow Photo credit to Bob Sutton
Youth High Point: Matts Warrior and Ab
Overall Racking Cham Matts Warrior and Ja
Overall Driving Cham Allamerican Legacy a Abby Kalp and Matts Warrior
Overall High Point: Crimson Jiffy and Jac
Western ario ardbred Show Jaci Payne and Crimson Jiffy
/ Rider Jaci Payne
gh Point: Tracy Coomber
/ Rider Jaci Payne
eserve: wner/ Rider Julia Clark
bby Kalp
mpion: ackie Imeson
mpion: and Michelle Bohrer
ci Payne
Jackie Imeson and Matts Warrior
New York’s Forgotten Equine Athletes
by Allie Hedges
Allie Hedges is working to spread the word about Standardbreds. We’re sharing a letter that she recently sent to the WNY Horse Council with hopes of inspiring others to reach out to their horse councils.
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’m not the first person to say that Standardbreds are the horse world’s hidden secret. For those of us blessed enough to know how amazing the breed is, we love our hidden gems. However, in 2015, the time came when I knew I had to expose the secret and educate others on the Standardbred’s versatility. Standardbreds are most commonly known for harness racing. In New York, harness racing has a huge impact on our economy, as well as, our equine community. The following 2015 statistics were provided by the United States Trotting Association (USTA): • There were seven Pari-mutuel tracks that raced (Batavia Downs, Buffalo Raceway, Monticello Raceway, Saratoga Harness, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Yonkers Raceway). • There were 10,556 purse races held at pari-mutuel tracks, with $116,663,856.00 in total purses paid at pari-mutuel tracks. • Racing was also held at 17 New York County Fairs. • These fairs hosted a total of 235 races, with purses totaling $487,255.00. • There was also racing at the Grand Circuit track at Goshen, which can be described as is stakes competition at a fair track. • Goshen hosted 41 purse races, with a total of $346,747.00 in purse money awarded! • Goshen, also called “The Cradle of the Trotter,” is home to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, as well as having year-round harness horse training.
But their story doesn’t end there. What happens to these animals when they retire from racing? Or to those who don’t even make it to the track? Their Thoroughbred cousins have a market in life under saddle. But, unfortunately, as many Standardbreds are already trained to drive, they end up in our Amish communities and eventually at unsavory auctions. Let me clarify, I don’t believe that being in an Amish home is automatically a bad thing. There are good people and there are bad people anywhere you look. It’s simply from my own personal experiences rescuing from which I draw a negative connotation. And, after losing one too many who were far too young, I was left wondering, what could I do to affect change on the front end for these horses? Chasing the back end is a losing battle. Enter my Facebook group, ROC the Standardbred, initially aimed to promote the breed in the Greater Rochester area. My focus quickly expanded, as I realized that I cannot create change alone. In the words of Mattie Stepanek, “Unity is strength… When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” I now use the platform to bring like-minded people together to educate and promote the breed, as well as, support those who support Standardbreds. So what about those Off-Track Standardbreds (OTSTB’s)? Can they do more than pace? Yes, of course they can! In fact, many pacers will choose to trot when turned out; and with a little training, they can canter, too. With their generally calm demeanor and athleticism, they have successfully
like New Jersey and Ohio, each of which have an annual dedicated Standardbred show with classes • Trail horse deluxe (including trail challeng across the board. (There is even wind of a Standardbred-specific show coming to New York!) I’m es/trials) also thrilled at the positive response to ROC the • Western Pleasure & Gaming Standardbred. This year, the group went to WNY • Hunters • Jumpers Equifest, where I had several fellow Standardbred fanatics visit our table. I am continuing to seek • Dressage • Parades opportunities to network, to share the breed publicly and to harbor positive relationships within the • Cross Country industry. I hope that all of you reading this join the • Endurance group, either to share your love you already have • Saddleseat for the breed or to learn more about the versatile • Sidesaddle • Pleasure, Combined & Marathon Driving Standardbred! • & More (You name it, they can probably do it and do it well.) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ ROCtheStandardbred/ I’m happy to say that OTSTB’s are gaining popularity as pleasure mounts in neighboring states, transitioned into the following careers:
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ennsbury Manor has adopted Touch of Class, a 22-year-old Standardbred mare, to live at their living history museum. She will meet visitors at the 17th century estate, which was once owned by William Penn. Today, Pennsbury Manor is a recreated colonial estate in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Standardbred, as a breed, did not exist during Penn’s day but the Narragansett Pacer did. The Narragansett Pacer is now extinct but was part of the foundation of the Standardbred breed. During their hayday the Pacer was quite popular, George Washington was a fan and owner. Paul Revere may have rode one during his famous ride. William Penn commented on the Pacer in his various writings. The last known Pacer died around 1880.
Adding A Touch of Class
The animals at Pennsbury Manor play an important role in the overall interpretation of William Penn and daily life in 17th century Pennsylvania. They provide a tangible link to our historic past, are an integral part of the Manor’s educational programming, and are enormously popular with visitors of all ages. Touch of Class was chosen in part due to her enjoyment of those visitors.
Top: First place in Open Down & Back went to Nicky Ratledge and Keystone Sable Right: Christie Debernardis and JB in Western Trail Bottom: Gina Fagliarone and Master Hanover winning Adult Showmanship & Grooming
20 NATIONAL STAND SH Photos by
Top: Barbara Matthews and Valiant Legacy jogged to a win in Western Pleasure W/J Left: Brianna Touzjian and Parade added some color while winning the Hunter over Fences classes. Bottom: Mandi Cool and Golden Receiver showed Saddle Seat in the Green/ Novice Pleasure Horse class.
016 DARDBRED HORSE HOW Vicki Wright
Glencoe 4-H Horse Club Visits Mac Lilley Farms
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by Ruleen Lilley
n Monday August 8, 2016, at 7:00pm, the Glencoe 4-H Horse Club came out to Mac Lilley Farms in Dutton, Ontario for a visit. Led by Linda Simpson the 14 young ladies started the meeting by going through their business portion of the meeting. They were then introduced to their hosts. Amber Mikkelsen, herself once a 4-H member, led the group out to the broodmares and foals field. She explained her job at Mac Lilley Farms and answered the 4-Her’s questions about gestation, foaling, weaning, feeding and tattooing.
We sent the girls home with a copy of the Trot magazine and a “I Love Canadian Harness Racing bracelet” courtesy of Standardbred Canada, and a customized water bottle with “Glencoe 4-H Horse Club” created by Lori Lilley. The meeting was capped off with drinks and cookies What an energetic group of girls, who’s interest for horses abounds. The Lilleys look forward to another visit with 4-H members.
Laci Lilley then led the group to the barn, where she demonstrated how to harness a race horse. The girls quizzed Laci about what the equipment was called, and it’s purpose. We made a quick stop in the breeding shed where more questions were asked. The 4-Her’s then took a tour of the racetrack and showed their athleticism by racing with the jog carts up and down the laneway.
Letter to the Editor Hi from New Zealand! You had included a photo of myself and my Standardbred Gelding Regal Cullen (aka ‘Boo’) in May 2015 article on Standardbred’s in dressage. At the time I had just started out and our goals were to compete in New Zealand’s prestigious Horse of the Year Competition. The season has finished and I thought I would give you an update of how we went. We qualified to compete at HOY (you have to gain a score of 63% or better at a Regional Championship show). Along with qualifying to compete in New Zealand’s National Dressage tournament. We went to both and displayed our brand proudly, got some good scores and so wonderful feedback from the judges. The best surprise however was once the results were announced for Equestrian Sport New Zealand’s annual high points awards. We won high points for our area, and came 5th overall in New Zealand! I have always been so proud of the work ethic Boo has shown and the amount he tries to understand what I am asking, but was blown away by what he has achieved this year. He has proved that he deserves to be out there competing in the dressage ring and we are only just getting started. We are moving up to Level 2 this season I am excited to see how far we can go. I hope that Boo’s success will help others who ride Standardbreds find the confidence to have a go, whether at training days or National level if you put the time and work in there is no reason are bar-codded babies cant be successful in what ever discipline they choose. If you are wanting more information or to follow our story I have set up a facebook page: A horse called Boo, Standardbred in dressage. Many thanks, Elaine van den Berg
Elaine and “Boo” are our cover models for September. Left: Horse of the Year Show photo.
No Tricks Here Since her birth in 1990, Tricky Deal N has traveled across the world from New Zealand to the United States. In addition to having a solid race record, Tricky produced several foals including notables Deal Em, Wastin Time and Cordealia. Her most remarkable achievement though has nothing to do with the track...she has given a child a reason to speak.
Harmony Haven Therapeutic Riding & Horse Rescue in California reports that Tricky’s young rider (name withheld for privacy) is autistic and only talks when riding Tricky. The pair have been working together for about a year. The youngster recently asked Tricky to “walk on,” small words that made everyone involved estatic as they mark significant progress in his language skills. Tricky is an experienced equine tberapy partner. She has worked with stroke victims, aided in the recovery from broken bones and other health issues. Occasionally Tricky also steps in to help do fundraising. Harmony Haven tells the 2014 story of Skyla, a young rider at the farm who decided to do a ridea-thon to raise funds for therapy horses. “Skyla’s goal was that everyone donate $2.02 for each horse she rode today. I don’t know how she came up with this amount but she’s 5 ..... So only she knows.” Skyla rode ten horses that day, including Tricky. At 26, Tricky is still going strong, continuing to change lives, one ride at a time. Left: Client trail riding Tricky as part of therapy, recovering from a broken hip. Photos provided by Harmony Haven. Top: Young autistic rider takes Tricky for a ride.