World Equestrian Center Magazine Volume I 2023

Bolero CXLVIII

Old Job: International Grand Prix Competitor, USEF U25 Nations Cup Team Member, Top 10 Nationally Ranked Grand Prix Horse in Spain

New Job: HGF Breeding Stallion...

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After 30 years, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is still the only FDA-Approved equine intramuscular PSGAG joint treatment available. And still the only one proven to:1, 2

Reduce inflammation

Restore synovial joint lubrication

Repair joint cartilage

Reverse the disease process

Adequan® i.m. actually treats degenerative joint disease, and not just the signs. Ask your veterinarian if Adequan® i.m. is the right choice for your horse. Learn more at adequan.com.

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BRIEF SUMMARY: Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: Adequan® i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: The safe use of Adequan® i.m. in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. For customer care, or to obtain product information, visit www.adequan.com. To report an adverse event please contact American Regent, Inc. at 1-888-354-4857 or email pv@americanregent.com.

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1 Adequan® i.m. Package Insert, Rev 1/19.

2 Burba DJ, Collier MA, DeBault LE, Hanson-Painton O, Thompson HC, Holder CL: In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. J Equine Vet Sci 1993; 13: 696-703.

All trademarks are the property of American Regent, Inc.

© 2022, American Regent, Inc.

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Photo: Melissa Fuller Photography

Cover photo provided by Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Maven Photo + Film

Photo: Q2 Photography

Gary Yeomans

Ocala & Villages

A Welcome to WEC

s we make our way into a new year, we share these collected stories of hope, of incredible kindness and selfless service to others. We meet people who are driven by a passion for horses, who uproot themselves, and with great dedication and determination, change their lives to focus on the sport they love. Be sure to read the entire issue for these stories and much, much more.

We introduce you to the extraordinary ‘Magic’ of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and learn about the important work the organization and their 23 equines do for people facing illness, trauma and adversity. Whether they are traveling to disaster sites, visiting hospitals or supporting reading and literacy in schools, the tiny horses help to bring calm, peace and healing; spreading messages of hope wherever they go.

Kerrigan Gluch was set on the path to becoming a top international-level dressage athlete thanks to a confluence of well-known names in the sport and her own determination, willingness to learn and talent. After participating in Lendon Gray’s Dressage4Kids program and the prestigious Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic where she borrowed a PRE stallion donated by Kim Van Kampen, Kerrigan earned a position as a full-time rider for Kim’s Hampton Green Farm with goals of competing on a Nations Cup team and representing the U.S. at the highest levels.

Our Stable Spotlight shines on the beautiful GEM Stables and Erin McCabe Clayton. Five years ago, Clayton purchased a small farm in Ocala. When she learned of plans to build World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Clayton and two of her clients decided to make a permanent move from Indiana to Ocala. Clayton shares the now expanded property with us and explains how becoming a judge has helped her own riding.

Our Jr. Rider Focus lands on Hannah Serfass of Webster in Sumter County, Florida. Once she discovered horses, the passionate young rider jumped in with both feet and never looked back. Through her trainer, Robin Swinderman Mitchell, and support from renowned veteran horseman,

Don Stewart, she has been navigating a steady rise through the jumper divisions ever since.

Our Equestrian Style column features Lisa Veltri, a fashion industry executive who drew on her 18 years in the fashion industry working with highend brands, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada and COACH to create The Veltri Sport Brand with her daughter Alessandra. Together, they have created a collection of unique bags and accessories that combine the synergy of fashion, function and sustainability. Since launching in 2021, the brand has taken the equestrian world by storm.

One hundred million working horses, donkeys and mules support 600 million of the world’s

poorest people. Unfortunately, a majority of these working equines are suffering from preventable chronic welfare issues leading to premature death. Learn about how Brooke USA provides funding for scientifically proven practical and sustainable welfare programs that help working equines across the globe through their United States-based 501(c)(3) fundraising organization.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

God bless, The Roberts

Family

Photo: Q2 Photography

Photo: Maven Photo + Film

Photo: Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

Photos by Winslow Photography

Ocala Ocala

SERIES FALL SHOW FALL SHOW

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Left photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Q2 Photography

Photo: Q2 Photography

Photo: Q2 Photography

We take a moment to shine the spotlight on a featured Barn or Stable to learn a bit about their business, their philosophy, and just hear their story ...

GEM Stables

by Brianna Miller

Erin McCabe Clayton

Five years ago, Erin McCabe Clayton, owner and founder of GEM Stables, purchased a seasonal abode nestled within the Horse Capital of the World. After discovering the plans to build World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Clayton and her clients, Kaitlyn Christopherson and Collen Smith, decided to make the full move from Indiana to Ocala to set permanent roots. According to Clayton, “It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Clayton began riding in preschool, “I went to a small preschool run by a mother and two daughters. It was a school that focused on education, dance and riding. I ended up being a bit disruptive during nap time, so my mom put me in riding lessons to keep me occupied,” laughed Clayton. “I have been riding ever since.”

In 2004, Clayton created GEM Stables, “I began GEM Stables while I was still an amateur. For four years, I traveled, braided and rode, to gain miles and make a name for myself, because I didn’t begin competing at the rated shows until I was a bit older,” said Clayton. “When I was 22, I turned professional and put a local ad in the paper and I got my first few clients.”

For 13 years, GEM Stables operated in Indiana, “We spent a majority showing at Brownland Farm, Kentucky and World Equestrian Center –Wilmington. We also ventured to Lamplight in Chicago and traveled to Ocala every winter.”

I love watching the horses go off and have such amazing careers. Now, I have a new group of 4 and 5-year-old horses that I hope follow in the same path.”

Photo: Q2 Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Judging Changed My Perspective as a Rider

Clayton is not only a professional rider and trainer, but she is also a recognized judge. “I got my large R about five years ago and my favorite place that I’ve judged at is World Equestrian Center – Wilmington because the atmosphere is so welcoming. I am very excited to judge at World Equestrian Center – Ocala for the first time during the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series.”

“I enjoy judging because it has made me a better sport. To understand how it feels to sit on the other side of the box – you really are cheering for every person that comes through the ingate. It’s a lot easier to score the good rounds than the bad rounds, so I always find myself rooting for each pair that steps into the arena,” explained Clayton.

“Sitting on that side of the arena, knowing how much thought I’ve put into decisions I’ve made - it makes me a better exhibitor, because if I don’t understand how something got pinned, it’s because that person has a di erent opinion than mine. Just because I may like something, doesn’t mean that another person does. It equals the playing field and the judges change out each week, so everyone has a chance. It has changed my entire perspective as a rider.”

After traveling to Ocala for the winter circuit, Clayton decided to acquire a seasonal farm, “When we purchased the farm, there were four stalls, three paddocks and an overhang that was used for the previous owner’s bus. I figured we could put up tent stalls because we were only using the property during the winter season.”

“Once the news broke about World Equestrian Center – Ocala, a couple customers and I spoke and decided it would be a good idea to pack up and leave Indiana to make Ocala our permanent home.”

“Kaitlyn Christopherson and Collen Smith and I all moved together. They wanted to live in an area where they could have a family and horse show without traveling. Their mother really helped make it possible for me to move down here. I owe the Smiths everything for pushing me to do this. Now,

I couldn’t imagine living and having my son grow up anywhere else.”

Year after year Clayton and her husband, Seth Clayton, expanded the farm. “Apart from the barn addition and building the house, we did everything ourselves. It’s been a long road, but it is all coming together,” Clayton acknowledged. “This year, we got barn doors, shutters and a sprinkler system.”

GEM Stables’ clientele grew over the past five years, “We got to the point where 12 acres with 20-something horses just wasn’t enough space. Especially with the amount of turnout I like to give the horses.”

When the land next door became available, Clayton jumped on the opportunity and purchased an additional ten acres for more turnout space. “We are adding a small grass arena, but most of the

Photo: Q2 Photography

Right photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Bottom photo: Q2 Photography

new land is just for turnout. I want our horses to be animals and enjoy themselves.”

Along with the successful training and boarding operation, Clayton also focuses on horse sales, “We have had some amazing horses pass through our farm. Just last year, I had a good friend of mine in Europe call me about a horse that she thought was going to be an exceptional hunter. He came over, I showed him three weeks later and won the big derby at World Equestrian Center –

Ocala during the inaugural Summer Series. Then, he was sold two weeks later. Just this past year, I watched him via live stream at Derby Finals, where he was incredible.”

“I love watching the horses go off and have such amazing careers. Now, I have a new group of 4 and 5-year-old horses that I hope follow in the same path,” said Clayton.

Even with a busy business, Clayton’s primary focus is family, “My son is 6 years old and has

Photo: Q2 Photography

I enjoy judging because it has made me a better sport.

To understand how it feels to sit on the other side of the box – you really are cheering for every person that comes through the ingate.”

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no interest in riding. I want him to have the opportunity to have a normal childhood in this crazy world. My husband Seth is a course designer, so with our combine schedules, life can get pretty hectic, but we always try and make sure he sees his parents every day.”

“Thankfully, I have a wonderful staff. My manager/assistant trainer, Ashley Berman is

fantastic. When we are at [World Equestrian Center – Ocala], I just have to show up in the morning and she already has my entire day laid out. Then, at the end of the day, she tells me what I am doing tomorrow. So, I get to wake my son up in the morning and spend the evening with my family every day.”

Photo: Q2 Photography

Right photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Q2 Photography

Lillemore

LillemoreOwner and Breeder, Julianna HennessySAS Photography

IN THE LIFE of GLUCH

by Jennifer Wood

JUMP MEDIA

Photos by Q2 Photography

serendipitous meeting in 2011 set young rider Kerrigan

Gluch on the path to being a top, international-level dressage athlete, thanks to a confluence of well-known names in the sport. As a 15-yearold aspiring rider from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Kerrigan was able to participate in the Dressage4Kids clinic with founder Lendon Gray when the program was just getting started in the Midwest. From there, Kerrigan was introduced to Kim Van Kampen of Hampton Green Farm (HGF), based in Fruitport, Michigan. Kim had a thriving breeding business for Pure Spanish Horses (PRE) and supported Spanish Olympic rider Jose Martin Daniel Dockx, who rode her stallion, Grandioso.

Not coming from an equestrian family, Kerrigan started in 4-H clubs and riding when she was 5 years old. With her paint pony “Powder,” she participated in a variety of disciplines, but by the time she was a teenager she knew dressage was her calling. By working with Lendon, Kerrigan started focusing more on the competitive side of the sport.

Through Lendon and Dressage4Kids, Kerrigan participated in the prestigious Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic in Wellington, Florida, in the winter of 2012, where she borrowed a PRE stallion donated by Kim.

“Kim was generous enough to allow the kids who couldn’t bring their own horse to ride one of hers in the clinic,” recalled Kerrigan. “She really liked how I rode him. That summer, when I was 15, I started at her farm in Michigan as a working student. I packed up my bags and didn't leave! That's how Kim always explains it.”

What Kim saw in Kerrigan at that clinic was determination, a willingness to learn, and talent.

“I wanted to contribute to the sport of dressage in the U.S., and the youth categories were a natural fit,” said Kim. “I also had young daughters coming up riding, and I got a real passion for supporting young riders. It came from getting to know Lendon, her influence in my life, and her influence in young people’s lives.”

Kerrigan continued as a working student at Hampton Green Farm and her role grew to earn the ride on more horses in competition. Success for Kerrigan and Hampton Green Farms horses included an individual bronze medal at the 2015 FEI North American Young Rider Championships, competing on a European tour in 2016, and riding on U25 Nations Cup teams with such horses as Vaquero HGF, Bolero CLXVII and HGF Brio.

I wanted to contribute to the sport of dressage in the U.S., and the youth categories were a natural fit,” said Kim. “I also had young daughters coming up riding, and I got a real passion for supporting young riders.”

While a working student and riding in these prestigious competitions for Hampton Green Farm, Kerrigan finished her last three years of high school online and went on to graduate from Florida Atlantic University in 2020.

Kerrigan is now a full-time rider for Hampton Green Farm and works alongside head trainer Maria Lithander, Kim’s daughters Nina (17) and Justine (15), barn staff, and a team of working students, as well as Corie Bannon, the HGF office manager and her fiancée.

The team was based in Wellington in the winter and Michigan in the summer, until 2021, when they moved to Goldmark Farm in Ocala, Florida,

“ littleround

about the Mejorano HGF

He was born at Hampton Green Farm in Michigan and is by Kim van Kampen’s Olympic horse Grandioso III.

His current rider, Kerrigan Gluch, started him as a 3 year old and was the first person to sit on him. “I basically got him to walk, trot, canter on the lunge line and that was it. I didn't get a whole lot of time with him,” said Kerrigan. “Then, he went to Europe. I felt like there was a lot of power in there. He has always had a very loud personality. That was there from day one. He's super talented and insanely athletic.”

When Mejorano returned to the U.S., he had to adjust to Kerrigan and her “short legs.” She noted, “Kim's previous rider, Danny, was pretty tall, so Mejorano was just used to longer legs. It took a moment for him to feel what I was doing and to trust me. Trusting a new person when you're used to another person your entire life takes some time.”

He has a “real talent” for piaffe and passage movements. “I think, naturally, he has a very expressive front end. To get that sort of expression with a good hind leg is really special,” said Kerrigan.

a beautiful Thoroughbred training facility that also houses hunters and jumpers during the winter.

“World Equestrian Center was a turning point in the decision process,” said Kerrigan of the move to Ocala. “The show venue is more than incredible. There are no words to describe it actually!”

He has a “playful angry face.” Kerrigan laughed, “He wants you to touch him, but his ears are pinned at the same time. But then you walk away from him, and he gets very upset when you walk away from him.”

Turnout time is his fave, “He loves to be outside, and he'll stay out there all day if you let him!” said Kerrigan.

He and Kerrigan work with Olympic team bronze medalist Charlotte Bredahl. Kim said, “Charlotte has trained Kerrigan to present and ride the horse correctly in a frame that the judges recognize as classical and correct. That picture is getting better and better all the time.”

Kerrigan and the team at Hampton Green Farm have set high goals of being on a European tour again, competing on a Nations Cup team and representing the U.S. at the highest levels. In the past two years at WEC, Kerrigan and her top mount Mejorano (see our sidebar for more information!), have had six top 3 finishes in CDI Grand Prix competition, including second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle in September 2022.

Learn more about Kerrigan Gluch’s grand prix mount, Mejorano HGF, an 11-year-old grey PRE gelding that stands 16 hands high.

2 3 4 5 6 7

World Equestrian Center was a turning point in the decision process,” said Kerrigan of the move to Ocala. “The show venue is more than incredible. There are no words to describe it actually! ”

While Kerrigan noted she’s been told she is “too serious for her age,” her sense of maturity and the responsibilities that Kim has given her have helped her advance quickly in a sport that takes total dedication.

For Kim, that mindset is something that she saw in Kerrigan from the beginning and it has translated to the show arena.

“When she goes in the ring, she’s focused, and if trouble happens – which it sometimes does when you’re riding a live animal – she keeps her head, and she holds it together,” noted Kim. “She had that from the time she was 15 years old. She’s always had the choice to do what she wants, and I’m

thrilled that she’s staying with me and showing the PRE breed as well as she does. She’s such a good spokesman for it. We need to be a farm that makes horses to the FEI level and does it correctly.”

The “super” relationship between Kim and Kerrigan extends to the rest of their barn family. “We’re very lucky that we have a very good team,” said Kim. Kerrigan added, “Everyone is very supportive of one another. We're all here for everyone’s success whether it be at Juniors, Young Riders, U25, or senior level, which I think is really special. To have the group of people and the owner, of course, being 100% behind that type of atmosphere here is one of the biggest keys to our success thus far.

“I’m really grateful,” Kerrigan continued. “I'm super close with Kim and her family. I think it's an incredible situation, and I'm very lucky.”

*Special thanks to Goldmark Farm for hosting our beautiful photo shoot!

To have the group of people and the owner, of course, being 100% behind that type of atmosphere here is one of the biggest keys to our success thus far.”

HANNAH

Fast Track On TheFast Track On The

One Junior rider’s natural ability and athleticism responsible for meteoric rise.

It seems as if junior rider Hannah Serfass has always had a passion horses. The 15-year-old knew at an early age what her destiny would be.

“It kind of pulled me in (horses),” said Hannah, who lives in Webster in Sumter County, Florida. “I just got into it and never wanted to stop. And now, I just want to learn everything I can about it. I want to keep going with it.”

Her maturity belies her age, and Serfass’ coachability, focus, discipline, talent and steady demeanor suggest that greater things are on the horizon for the horsewoman, who possesses a number of desirable attributes. Serfass has been working with trainer RSM Equestrian’s Robin Swinderman

older sister rode, but it was more for recreation, rather than exhibiting competitively. Hannah’s determined spirit and athleticism found her involved with another sport at a young age and she now runs cross-country and track, in addition to exhibiting at horse shows. Hannah is also homeschooled.

“She loves it,” said Janine, about Hannah’s passion for horses. “Hannah did gymnastics for a long time and decided she didn’t want to do it anymore when she reached the fourth grade. So, she said, ‘Can I please start riding horses,’ because we had a horse, and I said, ‘Yeah, sure. Let’s try it.’ It’s just taken off from there. It’s skyrocketed and she’s become really good at it.”

Gymnastics did play an important role when she made the transition to riding because of the core and leg strength and balance Hannah had developed when competing in her previous sport. However, it’s her alacrity and discipline that have helped Hannah evolve and have been critical components in her success.

“She’s up at 6:30am every morning,” said Janine. “We live on a farm and have multiple animals. She gets up to feed them, and then she’s up riding horses before she starts her schoolwork every day. I never have to wake her up.”

Mitchell and renowned veteran horseman Don Stewart, who recognized Hannah’s potential and have been helping her navigate the challenging and competitive channels as she continues to find her way as a junior rider.

Serfass has “been around horses her entire life,” said her mother, Janine Serfass. The junior rider’s

Hannah rode the entire circuit at World Equestrian Center — Ocala (WEC) during the winter of 2022, which played a part in her progression, but she had also enjoyed success prior to that time. Much of her experience as an exhibitor has been at WEC. It’s that passion and coachability that has made an impression on the trainers that she’s working with, which seems to set her apart.

by Ben Baugh

Photos by Andrew Ryback Photography

“It’s an absolute privilege to have Hannah,” said Swinderman Mitchell. “She’s going to be a top rider. She’s amazing, horses love her, she has a great work ethic, she’s talented and is an amazing student to have.”

The horses that Serfass competes live at the family farm and she’s responsible for most of their care, said Swinderman Mitchell.

“I gave her some pointers on how show horses are supposed to be taken care of, and her horses look amazing,” said Swinderman Mitchell. “She comes to me for lessons, I send her home with homework, and she has her homework mastered by the time she comes back. She’s just a great student.

“She runs track, and I say to her, ‘that track meet you’re running in on the weekend is interfering with the horse show. Can you find another one?’” said Swinderman Mitchell, laughing. “I think she’s very good at track too.”

Hannah’s parents have been extremely supportive and they’ve allowed Swinderman Mitchell the opportunity to find their daughter the

right horses so she can continue to progress and evolve as a junior rider.

“They’ve not only been financially supportive, but emotionally supportive,” said Swinderman Mitchell. “They stand behind her all the time.”

World Equestrian Center has provided a platform where Hannah can routinely exhibit and has played a large role in Serfass’ development as a rider, allowing her to start with other horses in smaller classes, so she could get some mileage underneath her, build a foundation and provide a barometer to see where she was in comparison to other riders.

“The quality of the horses and riders we’re getting at WEC is improving at every horse show,” said Swinderman Mitchell. “So, it allows her to really step up her game, see where she needs to be and to stay driven. All of the rings at WEC are amazing, and the courses are always beautiful. She’s really been able to learn a lot.”

In 2021, Serfass competed in the children’s finals class, but this year, she’ll compete in the

junior finals. She was the reserve champion in the Southeast Regionals finals in 2021, on the veteran school master Andricus, a 21-year-old, who took great care of the rider, but is more of a 3’ 3”, who helped prepare her for the next level.

She’s currently competing Apanage, a 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood in the equitation classes, who was imported in the late fall of 2021. She exhibited on Apanage this summer at The Great Lakes

Junior Rider Focus: Hannah Serfass, On the Fast Track

Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, and the combination qualified for junior hunter finals. Serfass and Apanage did the 3’ 3” during the last week of the WEC winter series.

“We tried him in February (2022),” said Hannah. “So, he’s about 16.3 (hands). He’s not the biggest eq horse, but he really makes up for it with his personality. He’s super brave for not knowing a lot. His first show in the states was competing at WEC. He’s just taking in all this new stuff so well. He has a truly great mindset. He wants to learn. If he ever gets into trouble, he’ll come right back out of it with a new learning experience. He’s a really great horse.”

Serfass and Apanage’s first encounter was in Wellington, Florida, and he possessed the attributes that the rider and her trainer, Swinderman Mitchell, felt would be a good fit.

“When I first tried him, he was a really cool horse,” said Hannah. “He didn’t look the best, but he had a little bit of a spark, and we knew he would make a really good horse. We took him to WEC and it took us a couple of weeks to figure him out. He has such a great personality and work ethic. We’re still working with him and he’s not quite where we’d like him to be yet, but he’s young and I think when he’s older, he’s going to be a cool equitation horse. I’m excited to take him to finals this year.”

Electric Socks is a 13-year-old gelding jumper Hannah is currently exhibiting and he’s a horse that she describes as super fun. The pair formed an immediate bond and are moving up the levels, competing in the low juniors.

Junior Rider Focus: Hannah Serfass

I just got into it and never wanted to stop. And now, I just want to learn everything I can about it. I want to keep going with it.”

“He was the first jumper that we tried when we were looking,” said Hannah. “We tried some other horses. We didn’t think we could find him on the first try. He tries his heart out. He’s such a cool horse.”

Hannah has also had the opportunity to work with renowned trainer, Don Stewart, who is based in Ocala, Florida, and has been taking students and turning them into national champions for more than four decades. Stewart has been working with her since this past spring.

“It’s the first national championship that she’s been in, and it exceeded our expectations,” said Stewart, about Serfass’ performance in Traverse City. She was reserve champion in the under over fences 3’3” and junior hunter finals 15. “It was my idea to try and qualify her for this particular venue. She rose to the occasion and kicked everyone’s butt. Hannah is an excellent student and very driven, which is not to mention her physical balance is icing on the cake. She has a great work ethic, isn’t afraid to sweat and she doesn’t complain

about the long hours or the tedious lessons it takes to achieve the top of the sport.”

Hannah was impressed with Apanage’s performance at hunter finals in Traverse City and how their bond has evolved since becoming a combination. The opportunity to exhibit in the hunter trials added to their already strong foundation, allowing them to build off of an already strong year.

“We kept working with him and he got nice and quiet; he was the best he’s been in a long time,” said Hannah. “It was a little bit of a surprise. The first day I went in just wanting to have a really nice round and place in the top 20, and then we placed second. It was a big shock, and then, the second day, we didn’t expect to get anything big, and we ended up being fifth, which was another surprise. We really just wanted to

do this for the experience. We never expected to get too many ribbons. We came in and surpassed all expectations.”

Swinderman Mitchell has seen the progression in Hannah’s riding over the past year. Serfass began working with RSM Equestrian at WEC during the summer shows in 2021.

“She had a Hanoverian that she bought from somebody in Virginia, and she was trying to do the 2’ 6” hunters on him," said Swinderman Mitchell. “She wanted to get some equitation in on him. She learns so fast and is a hard worker.”

That initial horse that Hannah rode, Swinderman Mitchell, sold in December 2021, with Serfass’ riding ability evolving to the point where the horse was no longer a good fit. She began riding Andricus, the school master, during the summer of 2021, a horse

Junior Rider Focus: Hannah Serfass

She has a great work ethic, isn’t afraid to sweat and she doesn’t complain about the long hours or the tedious lessons it takes to achieve the top of the sport.”

that possessed more ability than her previous horse, allowing her the opportunity to ride in some of the bigger equitation classes.

“She did her first equitation final on him, the Southeast Medal Finals, and she ended up second in her very first equitation finals,” said Swinderman Mitchell.

Andricus was the first real equitation horse that Hannah had ever rode and her experience with the gelding yielded great dividends.

“Andy’s such a great horse,” said Hannah. “I had just a little 3-foot horse, and when I got him, he had so much ability…we just really clicked when I first rode him. When I started to ride him more, we started to learn so much.”

Apanage presented the challenge of going from a larger horse to a smaller one, but Hannah and the horse, who is known to those at WEC as Mr. T., have formed an inseparable bond.

“He (Apanage) has a lot more scope and is younger,” said Hannah. “It’s been a learning curve for both of us working with each other. He really

didn’t know a lot of stuff, but he’s been taking it in great.”

Apanage received his sobriquet as a result of having his mane cut while he was overseas, leading to a moniker that was bestowed on actor Lawrence Tureaud.

“We gave him the nickname Mr. T.,” said Janine. “The stewards at WEC only knew him as Mr. T. because they thought he looked so cool. And we as English people were waiting for his mane to grow out, so we could braid it. We actually got to the point where we could braid it, and the stewards didn’t recognize him. They were like, ‘What horse are you on?’ and we said, ‘It’s Apanage. You know who this is, it’s Mr. T.’”

Both Swinderman Mitchell and Stewart have played significant roles in Hannah’s evolution and education process, deriving the benefits from their programs as she works diligently to progress up the levels.

“When we first talked to Robin, she was so nice and sweet about everything,” said Hannah. “She

made me feel really welcome. I learned so much when I started showing with her. I kept taking in all the information, and she decided that she was going to put me with Don (Stewart) when we came to Great Lakes Equestrian. I learned so much working with Don too, taking in all the information, and it’s been really cool being up here with a really big-name equitation trainer in Traverse City. It’s a lot more work than what I expected, but it’s been rewarding, and I can really see the difference in the way that I’m riding.”

However, it’s Hannah’s passion that’s palpable, and her love of all things horses serves as the impetus to spend as much time in the environment that she’s most comfortable in.

“If it’s something that I really care about, I really want to succeed and do well,” said Hannah. “When I’m here at the barn, I try to help as much as I can. It’s what I love and want to do for the rest of my life.”

Junior Rider Focus: Hannah Serfass, On the Fast Track

The Art of Horsemanship

• World-class equestrian center

• Exceptional equestrian studies program

• National championship team

Your future is bright at SCAD.

To learn more about SCAD equestrian or explore other award-winning programs, visit scad.edu or email admission@scad.edu.

®

Photo by Rachel Sowinski

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Right, left & bottom left photos: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Q2 Photography

Photo: Q2 Photography

by

A boy and his horse in India

Photo: Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys

Horses at India’s Equine Fairs.

Photo: Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys

Amanda Picciotto Feitosa Jump Media

Unfortunately, a majority of these working equines are suffering from preventable, chronic welfare issues leading to premature death. That is where Brooke USA, a United States-based 501(c)(3) fundraising organization, steps in. Through grants, they provide funding for scientifically proven practical and sustainable welfare programs that help working equines across the globe.

Brooke USA collaborates closely with sister organization Brooke, the largest equine welfare charity in the world, which reaches more than two million working equines annually, benefiting 12 million people. Their worldwide projects have recently centered around education for equines owners, highlighting in 2022 the need to assist horses sold at more than 300 equine fairs in India.

This has included business management training, so as not to overburden working equines, as well as on-site care and informational booths at equine fairs where horses are bought and sold.

“Healthy equines lead to flourishing people and communities, and without a healthy equine, these people are at risk of falling deeper into poverty,” explained Emily Marquez-Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA.

Left: Horses enjoying fodder at India’s Equine Fairs

Right: A hardworking mule in India’s brick kilns hauling the day’s labors.

Photos: Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys

In the developing world, it is the unsung equine hero that is often the sole source of income for their families through back-breaking labor. One hundred million working horses, donkeys and mules support 600 million of the world’s poorest people.

“Their ability to earn money, grow food, access water and send children to school is all connected to these equines, so by supporting the horses, donkeys and mules that perform these crucial services, we are in turn improving the lives of the people and communities.”

While Brooke USA aims to help working equines on a global scale, they also recognize the needs of equines and people closer to home in the United States. That need became particularly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Equines were suffering a higher rate of abandonment compared to smaller domestic animals as many people across the country had fallen into more dire conditions and were unable to properly take care of their

four-legged family members. Compounding the issue, numerous small organizations that typically assist in these critical situations had a significant decrease in donations. With much more limited means to fund the important work they do, more equines were in jeopardy. That’s when Brooke USA intervened and started the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

“Our work abroad is so important, but we couldn’t ignore the animals in our own country who were

Inspiration: Brooke USA

Horses being rescued in flooded Sarasota County by the Sheriff’s Office.

Photo: Courtesy of Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

American Humane Director of Rescue Josh Cary helps a horse in DeSoto County.

Photo: American Humane

Healthy equines lead to flourishing people and communities, and without a healthy equine these people are at risk of falling deeper into poverty,” explained Emily MarquezDulin, CEO of Brooke USA.”

Improper loading of a horse at India’s Equine Fair.

Photo: Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys

suffering,” shared Marquez-Dulin. “Brooke USA is a relatively small organization, but what that means is that we can flexibly attend to crisis situations and direct our aid toward where it is most needed at any given time. That’s what we knew we had to do with the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.”

Brooke USA was able to provide aid to more than 40 groups in the form of microgrants ranging from $500-$2,000. Now, two years into this program,

Brooke USA has realized the need for ongoing support of nationally based organizations and is transitioning the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund into a long-term program. Most recently, they were able to leverage this initiative to direct microgrants to four organizations affected by Hurricane Ian and will continue to support local communities as needs arise.

Brooke USA relies on supporters to make a difference. With numerous ways to get involved and donate, it is easier to assist such an important cause. To learn more about how you can contribute to Brooke USA, please visit brookeusa.org/donate.

AYEAR with BROOKE USA

Equines Helped: 82,174

People Helped:

97,649

U.S. - Based Non-Profits Supported: 30

Countries Served:

11

Pounds of Fodder Distributed:

141,292

Funds Awarded: $449,763

Advocates Confirmed: 40,000+

To donate, please visit: brookeusa.org/donate

®

Inspiration: Brooke USA Speaks Up for Equines Around the World

A miniature horse being rescued from flooding in Sarasota County.

Photo: Courtesy of Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

“Brooke USA is a relatively small organization, but what that means is that we can flexibly attend to crisis situations and direct our aid toward where it is most needed at any given time.”

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Behind

the Glass:

A Serendipitous Path

to Master Sommelier for WEC’s

Roland Micu by

lea brayton

Photos by Maven Photo + Film

t 28 years old, Roland Micu became the youngest Master Sommelier in the world. It was 2012, and four years earlier, Micu had never before heard the term “sommelier,” in fact, he had to Google it on a trip to Napa Valley with a friend. That fateful internet search would eventually open many doors for Romanian-born, California-raised Micu, who now guides the beverage programming at World Equestrian Center – Ocala as the property’s Master Sommelier and Beverage Director. In just four short years, Micu would go from zero wine knowledge to holding one of the most prestigious titles in the beverage industry.

Becoming a Master Sommelier

A sommelier is a trained professional who advises and guides guests on wine selections and pairings. In Micu’s words, his job is to “make wine an experience.” As a Master Sommelier, Micu’s impressive title is the highest distinction in fine wine and beverage service. The title is awarded sparingly at the discretion of the esteemed Court of Master Sommeliers and only after intense scrutiny across four certification levels. Candidates seeking the Master Sommelier title and diploma must pass a series of theoretical and practical exams focused on wine knowledge and the rituals of service. The most rigorous of these is a blind deductive tasting that claims a sub 10% pass rate.

According to the Court, candidates have 25 minutes to identify the grape variety, origin country, district and appellation, and vintage for six wines—Micu passed the tasting on his first attempt, but he wasn’t as successful with the service exam, which he failed by a margin of just two points. A decidedly driven man, Micu acknowledges that it took incredible discipline, memorization, focus and a year of study to ultimately earn his passing result: “If I have a goal, I just focus on that and I don’t focus on anything else. I don’t accept anything else. To me, I had no choice – whatever goal I had, I reached it.”

Since the inception of the program in 1969, only 273 individuals worldwide have been granted the honor of the diploma – but Micu isn’t quick

to take himself too seriously. He wraps up the accomplishment with a side-of-mouth smile as “something to brag to your mom about,” a comment that lands quite fittingly, given Micu’s selfproclaimed sarcastic nature. But despite his obvious talent and relentless pursuit of his goal, Micu’s path to the Master Sommelier title wasn’t always clear. It might surprise you to learn that someone with a breadth of wine knowledge as deep as Micu’s has not been a lifelong “oenophile,” (wine fanatic). “I was never really interested in wine,” Micu admits, “but I drank a bottle of Merlot on my 18th birthday, so I guess there was always the inkling of something there.” Having never been engaged enough to find traditional success in school, Micu turned to the restaurant industry as a viable career option after completing the California GED equivalent. Despite growing up in a European family, wine was not a facet of daily life. Micu was born in Romania, but his family fled to the United States as

If I have a goal, I just focus on that and I don’t focus on anything else. I don’t accept anything else. To me, I had no choice – whatever goal I had, I reached it.

Roland Micu, his son George and wife Berenice enjoy the open-air terrace as a family.

refugees in August of 1984 when he was just six months old; his family was stripped of their Romanian citizenship after escaping the communist regime. Micu’s father ran a woodworking business and his mother worked alongside him—wine was on the table only for holidays, a couple times a year. “I had no prior exposure to wine. I’m a proud American and I thank God to be here, because there’s no way that I would have had this life [in Romania].”

After spending some time working in restaurants and searching for a way to break into fine dining, Micu enrolled in an intensive 10-week sommelier training course. It took less than a week for Micu to realize he was discovering a new passion. “I didn’t think I was anything special” he said, “but I enjoyed it deeply.” His connections through the course were able to help him land positions at Alexander’s Steakhouse and La Toque, two of the San Francisco Bay Area’s top restaurants, where he continued to hone his wine knowledge.

At Alexander’s, he was quickly given the opportunity to stretch into other roles: helping as a part-time sommelier, doing inventory and always learning from his team. In this space, he became a selfproclaimed “foodie,” and during his tenure at Alexander’s, the restaurant earned a Michelin star. “It was an opportunity to learn what it takes as far as standards, food,

Chef's Corner: Behind the Glass

The wine cellar at Stirrups holds more than 1,500 bottles of wine, including some of the rarest and most coveted bottles in the world. Photo: Ethan Tweedie Photography

service, quality of linen, everything – what it takes to obtain that goal as a team. It was an invaluable experience.”

For a chef and a restaurant to earn a Michelin star, Micu says they need to develop the right culture. At Alexander’s, “It was like the Beatles of restaurant culture” he recalls, “It just churned out professionals, a couple Master Sommeliers, several advanced sommeliers, just professionals all over the board who made each other better, pushed each other.” At his now-homebase at Stirrups Restaurant, Micu’s energy is invested in fostering a similar wine culture. His vision is “a bottle on every table,” and he mentors staff to take an interest in wine programming. As we spoke, some of his team had gathered for a tasting group, an important way of improving wine knowledge and making wine accessible. He notes that you don’t have to sample expensive wine to hone your tasting skills – “But I don’t recommend anything that retails under fifteen dollars,” he adds, explaining: “Generally, there’s too much added to it: sugar, acid, things like that.”

Curating a List

Micu’s expertise surrounding wine in particular drives the ongoing curation of the extensive list of offerings available at Stirrups, where guests can order top-shelf

Micu, master of etiquette, serves a bottle to a guest dining in Stirrups.

An Impossible Question

Eager to exploit the mind of a Master Sommelier on his go-to glass of red or white, I asked Micu to spill about his favorite bottle of wine. His elegant response is indicative of the passion and attention to detail he shows his craft.

What’s your favorite bottle of wine?

Asking what’s your favorite wine is like asking what’s your favorite song. It depends. Is it before work? After work? Are you laying in bed? Getting ready for church? With wine, it will change. It needs context. You love them all in different ways.

It’s winter. It’s after work. You’ve had a long day. What’s in your hand?

A big, rich, juicy Napa Cab to settle me down and warm me up.

Where do I start if I want to learn more about wine?

If interested in wine, I would say go to Guildsomm.com first as a place to start honing your knowledge. en speak to your local sommeliers and wine professionals to find out what they’re excited about.

When you walk in here [at The Equestrian], the furniture, the paintings–everything is of the utmost quality, and your beverage offerings must match that…we’re compelled to offer something world class that you could get at a restaurant in London, or New York City or Napa Valley.

selections, like the Domaine Ponsot’s Clos de Roche vertical collection from 1997-2002. The 25-page wine list casts a wide net, but Micu is focused on high-caliber acquisitions from California, and the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions of France. The cellar at Stirrups currently boasts more than 1,500 bottles, including many that are quite rare or available only through allocation. However, it’s not the diversity, but the edits and continual movement of the wine list that most excites Micu: “When you walk in here [at The Equestrian], the furniture, the paintings–everything is of the utmost quality, and your beverage offerings must match that…we’re compelled to offer something world class that you could get at a restaurant in London, or New York City or Napa Valley.” Micu aims to bring to the wine program at WEC what he terms “benchmark producers,” or labels that have a reputation as the greatest in the world. His quarterly (or perhaps, more aptly, weekly) edits serve to make the most recognizable and most respected bottles worldwide available to guests dining right here in Ocala, Florida.

Micu and his wife, Berenice, and son, George, moved to Ocala from Colorado in the beginning of 2022, after Micu spent five years as the Area Manager and Master Sommelier with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), the state’s largest wine and beverage distributor. Prior to his role with RNDC, Micu developed curriculum and

wine education programs for students attempting Master Sommelier certification. As a soon-to-be father of two, Micu enjoys the slow pace of things in Ocala and appreciates the quiet life he’s created spending quality time with his family. They look forward to welcoming a second son, a beautiful little boy called Paul, in the new year.

Appraisals

Chef's Corner: Behind the Glass: A Serendipitous Path to Master Sommelier for WEC’s Roland Micu

Micu assists a table during The Grand Prix Dining Experience on the terrace of The Equestrian Hotel.

I had no prior exposure to wine. I’m a proud American and I thank God to be here, because there’s no way that I would have had this life [in Romania].

AND EQUESTRIAN ART GALLERY

TOUCHING TOUCHING

GENTLE CAROUSEL MINIATURE THERAPY HORSES: A POWERFUL IMPACT MAKES

MEMORIES AND A DIFFERENCE

by Ben Baugh

Photos provided by Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

LIVES LIVES

WHEN IT’S Most Needed

WHEN IT’S Most Needed

A A

child courageously facing a terminal illness at the Ronald McDonald House of North Central Florida in Gainesville, traumatized survivors and first responders from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the Pulse Night Club in Orlando and tornado victims from Moore, Oklahoma are just some of those who were touched by the calming effects of the team of superstars that compose the roster of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.

And although Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses has received nationwide exposure, the preponderance of their impact has been felt locally in Marion County and the surrounding area.

For more than a quarter of a century, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has been touching the lives of others, through their compassionate approach.

“I was a school principal, and I believe when we initially started, we were the first program in the world that started using miniature horses, taking miniature horses to people,” said Debbie GarciaBengochea, Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses education director. “There were programs where people could go to horses, but for people who couldn’t go to horses, there really wasn’t an alternative, except for bringing horses to people.”

The program began working with children in high crime neighborhoods and has since evolved from its nascent stages to what is in place currently. horses that compose the roster go through a two-year basic training program that includes an in-hospital training program, and are continuously adding to their existing skillset.

“They learn all the basic skills, from being house trained, which is our number one question from everyone,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “They learn

to walk up and down stairs, ride in elevators and move around in tight areas. Those are the things people will say, like a therapy dog, but horses are nothing like dogs. Dogs are a prey animal and horses are herd animals. They’re vision is very different. So, to be able to get a horse to be safe and happy indoors, working around people in difficult situations, it’s the whole thing. It takes a lot of time and practice, but it’s worth it.”

It's an incredible experience, even more so for the staff and volunteers, when the therapy horses go into a hospital, and the elevator doors open, and they see the expression on the people’ faces, when a horse appears, and makes its way off the lift and into their hearts.

There were programs where people could go to horses, but for people who couldn’t go to horses, there really wasn’t an alternative, except for bringing horses to people.”

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Touching Lives When It's Most Needed

“It makes patients happy and the staff happy,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “If a horse is your hospital room, you’re not thinking about what kind of treatment you’re having. You’re just thinking there’s a horse in my room. It gives everyone that moment of peace and encouragement.”

However, it’s the satisfaction derived by everyone involved with the process that’s palpable that gives purpose and meaning to a program that continues to create a scintilla of joy that’s powerful and emotive.

“When we’re visiting children, people are looking at the child, and I always look at the parents, because when you see the face of a parent who sees their child smiling and happy in a difficult situation, it makes it so worthwhile,” said GarciaBengochea. “You wish you could fix everything for someone, but you can’t. But just to give them that time, those moments of happiness.”

A request was made by the parents of a little boy who had spent the preponderance of his life in the hospital, and was near the end of his journey, for a visit from the most celebrated of all the miniature horses on the organization’s roster, “The Little Horse Hero,” the mare Magic.

“He was so happy, he was smiling and hugging the horse,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “We always do photos for the parents. The doctors hooked him up to the oxygen and did everything he needed, so he would be able to have that time with the horse. When we were ready to leave, his mother came up to me, and she said, ‘We want you to know that we’ve never had a happy day. And now we’ll always have a happy day.’ And I thought, well you know, if you can give someone a happy day, it’s something that they’ll remember.”

Another common question that people often ask is what therapy horses do, and each situation is different. The versatile animals find themselves

visiting rehab hospitals, working with speech, occupational and physical therapists.

“They’ve actually been with people who’ve stood for the first time since their accident,” said Garcia-Bengochea.

The impact of the horses has been nothing short of miraculous. One visit to an assisted living facility, found three of the horses making an appearance, including Magic who had quite an affect on a woman, who was in a wheelchair.

“She started laughing and said, ‘it’s a horse, it’s beautiful,’” said Garcia-Bengochea. “We didn’t think anything of it, but then we looked up and the staff was crying. It was the first time they had heard her speak in the years she had been in the assisted living program. They told her that they loved her, and she told them that she loved them too. And she continued talking after that time to her family and the people there. Magic seems to be able to pick out the person in the room that needs him the most.

It makes patients happy and the staff happy, .... If a horse is in your hospital room, you’re not thinking about what kind of treatment you’re having. You’re just thinking there’s a horse in my room. It gives everyone that moment of peace and encouragement.”

Garcia-Bengochea. We don’t know how she does that. It’s been amazing through the years.”

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses has worked with the Ronald McDonald House of North Central Florida for 17 years.

“They were talking about Magic and what she means to children,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “There was a little boy who had a brain tumor, and the doctors told him he was going to lose his eyesight. He wanted to be with Magic. He said, ‘I don’t want to forget what she looks like. It’s like she could see inside my soul.’ The picture that his parents have is of her forehead on his forehead.”

Another little girl, who was 8 years old and was need in of a heart transplant and would later be afflicted with leukemia, loved Magic.

“She told the doctors she would only get out of bed for Magic,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “They would spend that time together and she would go and knock on the door of the other children to make sure they didn’t miss seeing Magic. She had a really special relationship with Magic. For a lot of the children, there are different horses that they feel are like their horse. That’s the horse that comes and visits them.”

In Ocala and Marion County, the therapy horses have worked with survivors of human trafficking, in children’s hospitals, veteran’s hospitals, hospices and assisted living facilities.

“It’s such a great conversation for people because it’s so unexpected to see a horse indoors,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “It’s sort of out of context. We

were at one of the assisted living facility programs in Ocala, and there was one woman who hadn’t been out of her room in six months, and when she heard the horses were coming, the staff said she was in the lobby at 6 a.m. waiting for the horses. We got there around noon, but she wanted to make sure that we didn’t miss her.”

The organization’s connection with the Marion County school system is long standing, one that spans nearly two decades. The reading program has been widely successful, reaching students on multiple levels and exposing others to horses as a result of their efforts.

“This is our 25th year doing this, but in Marion County it’s about 17 years,” said Debbie. “The reading program is a well-oiled machine, and in

the summertime, and with the reading programs at the schools, our volunteers for those programs are all educators. They’re all retired teachers, speech therapists and different people that had worked in the school system. The one’s that are helping with those reading programs are all educators, and I think that makes a big difference as well. They volunteer their time and that’s amazing.”

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses only goes to a community if they’re asked to, as in the case of Sandy Hook, they were contacted the day following the tragedy.

“We did all that we needed to do to transport the horses and it was the wintertime,” said GarciaBengochea. “We had a horse ambulance that met

us there, so the horses could stay warm, while they were making their appearances at places.”

Having a plan in place is a critical component, especially when the horses are going out of town, and the protocol and process is well thought out. The logistics is imperative, finding a place for the horses to stay and exercise and have their needs met. People in the communities volunteer their places, and Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses has that organized prior to their visit.

When the horses made their way to Sandy Hook after the tragedy, the Newtown Police Station and Newtown Library both played a role in accommodating the process, so the survivors and their families would be able to have their privacy, and there would be a place to conduct the memorial service allowing the public to pay their respects.

“We had volunteers who were staying at a hotel, and the USA Today came out, and you know how you get the free ones at the hotels, and there was a picture, and it was one of the only public pictures, a picture at the memorial service of the horses, and it was talking about the library and what the librarian said about it,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “She felt it was the beginning of their healing, being with horses. You don’t always hear what happens after, we just happened to be there. They just heal a lot of people in different ways.”

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World, yet there are many people within the community that have never had the opportunity to interact with horses, and not even touched one. Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses is able to reach a broader audience with their programs, allowing people to have that experience, where they’re connected to the horses in a practical sense.

“We were at a couple of places with the people who volunteer with horses, and they were so surprised when I asked a group of about 100 people, how many of them had ever touched a horse before,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “Only one person raised their hand out of all of the parents and children.”

The reading program also plays a large role in providing children the opportunity to interact with live horses. Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy

You get people falling in love with horses that didn’t think they would,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “Each of the horses is their own character (in the book series).”

Touching Lives When It's Most Needed

Horses has programs that are more universal, exposing more people to horses and generating greater interest.

“You get people falling in love with horses that didn’t think they would,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “Each of the horses is their own character (in the book series). If we’re doing a reading program, an actual published book that has that horse as a character, is read to the children, and then the actual character from that book comes out to meet them. It’s that whole idea of bringing that book to life with the children and encouraging them to read. But now they also feel like they know that horse. It’s not just any horse, it’s Mercury, Sweetheart, Moonshadow, whoever happens to be in the book that week.”

The horses are very much an integral part of people’s therapy, said Garcia-Bengochea. In rehab hospitals where people are recovering from burn injuries, they actually work with the horses as part of the treatment for stretching their muscles.

“If there’s a mobility garden where people learn to take steps, and learn to use wheelchairs, the horses do it all along with them, up and down steps and walking next to the wheelchairs, said Garcia Bengochea. “In those situations’ we do a lot of work with hospice programs, and as an example of that, people think of older people in hospice, but there are children in hospice as well.”

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses boasts a roster of 23 strong, with Magic being the most renowned of all the horses, and she even has her own Breyer Portrait Model Horse. She’s representative of what all of the horses in the program are, the stories, the little miracles and larger than life experiences that have taken place, when helping people through the healing process, easing the suffering that’s come from trauma and untoward and adverse situations.

“These are little horses,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “You see a lot of miniature horses, and ours tend to be on the small side of miniature horses, but they’re very proportional. They don’t look like chunky little ponies. They look like horses in miniature. When we go into a hospital or a similar setting, there’s a whole grooming protocol that they have to go through, their feet are disinfected,

they’re clipped and groomed. It’s like going to a horse show, every day. And when they go into a hospital, they have sparkles in their mane and tail, and we tell the children it’s fairy dust, so they all want to get some fairy dust, so they’ll all have a good day at the hospital.”

For the past two years, Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses has conducted a weekly reading program at the downtown marketplace in Ocala, which drew good-sized crowds, which has included the horses and an excellent story, with the program featuring a different horse for eight weeks, encouraging children to read.

The program has routinely found itself consoling survivors at the site of some of the nation’s most untoward events, but the one variable that has been universal in even the worst of times, is that the adversity brings out the best in people.

The universal appeal of horses has banded people together despite their disparate differences, even on Capitol Hill.

“Magic visited congress in Washington D.C. It was probably the only thing they agreed on all year,” said Garcia-Bengochea. “They really like her. Their heads were popping out. You could hear the click, click, click of the little hooves, and all of

the offices of the senators and congressman were opening because of the little horse.”

The horses were able to interact with the children they had previously visited via facetime during the pandemic, allowing them to stay in touch when they weren’t able to visit them in person.

Senator Marco Rubio office is flying a fag over the U.S. Capitol in Magic’s honor, and it was presented to Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in Ocala on Sept. 27, as part of an Ocala/ Marion County CEP event.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses presence can now be found in Europe with a team the organization trained now residing in Greece. The horses are the only animals of any kind that are allowed in hospitals within the country. The horses are heavily involved with working at children’s hospitals, with special needs people, institutions and orphanages.

There are 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules helping around 600 million people in the developing world to earn a living, put food on their tables and send their children to school.

Many of these animals are in pain, living under deplorable conditions. They are suffering from the lack of food and water, easily preventable injuries and diseases, as well as harsh living conditions. Women depend on their donkeys to walk miles to fetch water for their families. Farmers use their mules to travel to crowded, hot markets to sell their goods. Children need help from their horses to complete morning chores.

Equines owners want to know how to care for their animals. Brooke USA funds programs to help owners and caregivers to improve animal welfare by teaching first aid and showing people how to compassionately handle their animals. Brooke USA also funds programs that train and mentor farriers and vets.

YOU CAN HELP WORKING HORSES, DONKEYS & MULES AND THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THEM TO SURVIVE.

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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

Horses thrill us as athletes, inspire and empower us, grace our lives as companions and perform miracles for people with special needs, but tens of thousands of horses are victims of abuse and neglect and shipped across our borders for slaughter each year.

NO HORSE should be subjected to this inhumane fate – especially because there are solutions within our reach.

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Tops the Podium

by Juliana Chapman

n the basketball world, they call them ‘bracket breakers’ – a team that comes in and against the odds upsets a top pick to become a Cinderella story – in the show jumping world, we see the similarity of that phenomenon with daily fantasy horse gaming platform: BetHorseSports. com in what we are dubbing: ‘category creator.’ The Tech Equestrian had the chance to spend time with Michael Cruciotti, founder and CEO of Jump Clear Inc., the company that owns BetHorseSports.com to understand the motivation and goals behind his gaming solution that is transforming the horse sport world.

A Horse Performance Family

Michael is not a stranger to horses, given that his mother has been a horse trainer for more than 40 years and his sister is a successful, international grand prix rider. “I got my start in the industry when I was in college and it was my mom who recommended I start a sports agency in the horse world.” This wise advice gave him the business experience of recruiting sponsors for his equestrian sister to help offset the demands of an expensive sport. “My business gave me exposure to creating websites, overall promotion tactics and learning the lay of the land of the sponsor world,” shared Michael.

A Business Need Opens the Starting Gate

As Michael’s business grew, he looked at ways to attract consumer favorites, such as Coca-Cola to be a sponsor in the horse world. “As I was brainstorming ideas to attract more high-end consumer logos to the business, I set up a meeting with one of my mentors.” Michael scheduled the meeting to take place in New York City and made sure to wear a suit. “Right after I was greeted by my mentor, he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘your business sucks.’ I was taken aback since my business was paying the bills. He said you are never going to get these big-time sponsors because show jumping lacks one critical detail: that there is no gambling.” After this jolt of reality, Michael realized his mentor was right. “I started to hear this from friends of riders who referred to

a show jumping class as a race.” This reinforced the fact that most non-equestrians looked at show jumping as horse racing.

Shifting the Gaming Component on Clear Rounds

“A traditional bet in horse racing is first, second or third and you wait for the race to be done to see who wins the bet. The equivalent in show jumping is waiting till the end of the class to see which one of fifty horse and rider combinations wins – plus waiting, in some cases, three and half hours, is a long time,” said Michael. To determine the right solution, and to keep the interest of the person placing the bet, Michael created a platform that focused on betting on a clear round, which is easy to understand. The resulting practice enables participants to see new action every minute and a half a new horse/rider takes on the course. “I created a parimutuel algorithm that allows you to place bets on clear rounds and that is when Jump Clear, Inc. started,” he said.

Daily Fantasy vs. Sports Book

“As I investigated options of running the gaming platform, I first looked at starting a sports book business but that soon became a complicated and costly endeavor,” shared Michael. In the gaming world, it is extremely difficult to launch a sports book, so what some companies have done – think of Draft Kings – is they go the daily fantasy route. This concept started back in 2012 and has become

I created the parimutuel algorithm that allows you to place bets on clear rounds.

The Tech Equestrian: BETHORSESPORTS.COM: Daily Fantasy Gaming Tops the Podium

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widely popular in creating more gaming platforms and options for consumers. “Although it is easier, it is still incredibly regulated, but not as strict as a sports book business and the bonus is that it is offered in more states.”

A Game of Skill vs Chance

“In gaming – there are two designations – a game of chance versus a game of skill. A game of chance is putting a bet on an NFL team to win or lose – there is only one outcome. A game of skill has multiple inputs where you can gain an advantage by having more knowledge,” explained Michael.

Your knowledge base can help your odds of winning and that is the fundamental concept of a fantasy site. “In our platform, you are given several picks – you can pick which riders you think will jump clear and which riders you think will have a podium finish. Based off your picks, you get points – if you have the most points at the end of the class; you win,” Michael outlined. The ‘pay to play’ system for BetHorseSports.com is a true daily fantasy game. “As a small company, our biggest hurdle is that we had to ensure our users cash deposits were secure and regulated. You deposit cash into a platform – it goes to a real bank account, it is monitored and regulated by a real bank, and we also do user verification to make sure

you are ‘of age’ to play and that you aren’t on a ‘bad’ list,” said Michael. As Michael explored creating this new platform, he discovered only three US banks support online gambling. “We spent a lot of time working on the back-end paperwork and auditing to create a fully-functioning and compliant, regulated platform,” he shared. The business plan development took three years which consisted mainly of trying to figure out the gaming industry. Knowing the ins and outs of the game of compliance and regulation is paramount to be successful. “You don’t want a state regulator coming to you saying you have an illegal operation and slapping you with a hefty fine.”

The Biggest Attribute

“What differentiates us from everyone else is that we have a fantasy gaming license. It was a huge hurdle we had to overcome, but it is our biggest asset,” Michael highlighted. The platform launched in March 2022. “It was a very stressful few months getting ready for launch,” Michael shared. “Initially, we were only available in two states and we were taking all these deposits and making sure the games worked. It’s gotten easier as the months have gone by, especially now that we operate in 24 states.”

What differentiates us from everyone else is that we have a fantasy gaming license. It was a huge hurdle but it is our biggest asset.

The Tech Equestrian: BETHORSESPORTS.COM: Daily Fantasy Gaming Tops the Podium

“There is also a whole tax system built into the platform. If you win over $600, we must send you a 1099. It is based on the net amount – how much you deposited versus how much you won.”

Michael cited a few main areas of focus that includes looking to better understand how the consumer wants to play; managing the user verification process; keeping the instructions simple to follow; and adding features that make it fun. “We’ve recently added three features that allow our platform to be everywhere. The first is ‘pay to play’ in which you need to be the legal age and in the right state; second is ‘free to play’ which is available worldwide and no money is exchanged; and third is a mini-game called ‘clear round challenge’ that has the user pick which rider they think has a higher clear round percentage and you get entered into monthly giveaway for $500,” said Michael. It’s not surprising, given show jumping and horses in general tends to be a female-oriented sport, that Michael is seeing 70% of the users on

the platform are women. “We let the sport dictate what to focus on and this helps with updating our gameplay. It is important to make sure our audience who plays doesn’t get discouraged – and one of the changes we implemented was eliminating odds – so it is easier to understand. Our female audience loves it – they want to be a part of it,” he said.

Reminders Please

For the busy equestrian and horse enthusiast, the platform does send out push notifications when start lists go live. They also send a reminder at the hour call and a 15-minute reminder to get your picks in. When the class officially starts, you will get an update

and you have access to a live user leaderboard – so while the class is happening, you can see who is going in the class, who is jumping clear and you can monitor how many points you’ve accumulated compared to all the other people who have entered that class. And most importantly, is shows you in real-time how much you can win. Every contest has an entry fee, and it ranges from $5-$250.

Free to play or paid daily contests

Pick clear rounds, pick podium finishers, win cash prizes

We let the sport dictate what to focus on and this helps with updating our game play.

Partnerships To Grow With

In today’s business world, many organizations know the importance of partnerships to expand their capabilities and brand recognition. Michael is currently working with Egyptian Olympian and grand prix rider Nayel Nassar’s JUMPR app to build out the robust statistics needed to create a full-featured platform with real-time stats and background data on the horse and riders in each competition.

“We also work with Pablo Jimenez Godoy, cofounder of Staller, an Airbnb inspired site for horses – he is our developer.” Michael shared that he uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) and MongoDB for the platform which allows them to scale when they are ready to handle nationwide or global demands.

Short-term Goals

Closing in on his first year in the gaming business, Michael has set some short-term goals that include working closely with partners to make for a robust platform and getting more people comfortable with the idea that there is now gaming in the show jumping world. “In order to take advantage of the viral effect of gaming, we embedded a friends feature in the app and this came from a very simple question – if you were going to Las Vegas, would you go alone? Most likely not – you would go with friends; so, in the app, there is a share feature that allows users to share with friends via text, along with a built-in incentive to the user – send 5 invites and get $5 in bonus cash,” shared Michael.

“Working with the overall team has helped immensely in navigating the legality and business dealings with creating this type of digital experience,” said Michael. “I might be the fortunate face of this, but it’s not just me, it’s everyone who has worked with me to make this a reality.”

Juliana is a technology marketing professional and lifelong equestrian who grew up in Rhode Island and showed in the pony and children’s hunter divisions and later rode adult hunter in the Bahamas. She is the founder of The Tech Equestrian, a technology and lifestyle blog that is designed to provide insights on the latest technology solutions in the horse world. Juliana has written articles for Horse & Style, EQ Living and other top industry publications.

Tech Equestrian: Title of Article The Tech Equestrian: BETHORSESPORTS.COM: Daily Fantasy Gaming Tops the Podium

SPORT

Photo: Farm & Fir Co.

by Karla Campbell

SPORT

The Synergy of Fashion, Function, & Sustainability

he Synergy of Fashion, Function and Sustainability" is the catchphrase of the Veltri Sport brand. Although the brand is still young after only launching in August 2021 on the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Veltri Sport has taken the equestrian world by storm. The Veltri Sport Brand, founded by Lisa Veltri and her daughter Alessandra, was developed to fill the market's lack of stylish, environmentally friendly products.

Lisa had a successful career working within the fashion industry for 18 years. Originally working as a buyer and eventually moving into the development side of the industry – but she always had a knack for accessories working for recognized brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada and COACH. Although Lisa loved the career and name she created, she couldn’t help but feel the pressure of finding a real balance between her job and being a mother. “I'm like a little OCD and a perfectionist,

Photo: Melissa Fuller Photography

having three children and then this big job in the city." I realized I couldn't do both well. "So, I retired and I became a stay-at-home mom,” Lisa shared

Lisa embraced her new role in the family and became Alessandra's "horse mom." This meant going to horse shows all along the East Coast, from Ohio to Ocala to the Hamptons. First, Lisa had to learn the difference between a halter and a bridle. It was during this time traveling, Lisa discovered the real need for a fashionable bag that didn’t scream “horse girl” but was also functionable. “We would go to these nice places, and I would tell her [Alessandra] to grab her bag and she would be like ‘I am not taking THAT into the restaurant’; she never wanted to carry her belongings with her because she didn’t think they looked good,” Lisa explained.

It was during COVID that Lisa started to get frustrated with her inability to find a product that checked all the boxes she was looking for. The bag needed to be able to fit her helmet and carry all her riding gear but also look chic and pretty, and most importantly be easy to clean. Lisa needed a bit of coaxing to take on this project –but decided to reach out to some old contacts she had within the fashion industry and started sketching. Inspired by her time working for Prada, Lisa knew she wanted to use nylon fabric because of its durability and easy to clean.

Lisa was determined to take it one step further by acquiring the perfect fabric – She wanted it to be a recycled version of the nylon quality she was accustomed to. “My father was a first-generation Italian; we never threw anything out - from shoestrings or even the strings used on boxes from the bakery. Everything was able to be reused and the mind-set has really stuck with me,” Lisa explained.

Veltri Sport's signature fabrics are produced from a mill that breaks down recycled plastics and turns them into nylon and polyester fibers then used to make their fabrics. The top handle, the exterior fabric, the interior lining, all the trim, even the zipper and tape the zippers, everything is made from recycled water bottles.

Photo: Melissa Fuller Photography

Photo: Farm & Fir Co.

Photo: Farm & Fir Co.

The equestrian community of women run smallbusiness owners, are so eager to help each other.

Photo: Farm & Fir Co.

Each aspect of the backpack was created with the equestrian in mind. One thing Lisa couldn’t s stand noticing with riding backpacks was the helmet mesh pouch was so exposed – she wanted a helmet compartment that was padded and could protect the helmet from getting scratched through the daily travels of the bag. Whether the bag was being thrown onto the ground or falling off the golf cart, keeping the helmet clean and scratch free was priority. She also included the seat belt harness to the front, not only for extra security when running

from ring to ring, but also to be able to attach the golf cart, eliminating fear of the bag falling from the cart.

Lisa’s favorite part of growing the Veltri brand over the past year? Getting to meet other women entrepreneurs within the equestrian space. “The equestrian community of women run smallbusiness owners, are so eager to help each other. I've made so many close connections with people that I talk to regularly, like the girls from Mane and Tail, Botori and Redingote to name a few.”

Photo: Farm & Fir Co.

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