Gladstone, NJ – November 10, 2014 -As the end of year draws near, The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage has raised $615,000 towards its $800,000 goal, however in order to have the funding needed to implement the Para Dressage High Performance program, it needs more support from those in the equestrian community that want to see our Para Dressage riders have the opportunity to achieve competitive excellence in international competition.

The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge is an exciting fundraising initiative that was launched in April thanks to the incredible generosity of Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation have each pledged up to $200,000, matching dollar for dollar, gift commitments of $4,000 and above, payable over a four-year period made by April 1, 2015. Just as an example, a gift of $5,000 will provide $15,000 in funding with the match. “The opportunity that we have right now, to literally triple the amount of funding, is something people need to recognize and understand what a tremendous impact they can make for these most deserving athletes”, said Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation Executive Director.

“The Para athletes in the United States work very hard and deserve our unwavering support,” commented Duprey. “I became involved with The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage because there were no grants that these riders could apply for and I recognized the need to do something that could make a meaningful difference. The Para riders are just as important as the able-bodied riders and they deserve the same treatment and funding. I hope that everyone will take the time to support this effort, so that we can help these riders bring home medals.”

Roxanne Trunnell and Nice Touch. Photo By: Susan J. Stickle

The purpose of this Challenge is to establish a base of funding for each of the next four years, which will provide for a High Performance program that will include training sessions, coaching and international competition opportunities leading up to and including the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“Having the support for the Para discipline is awesome,” said 2014 World Equestrian Games Para Athlete Roxanne Trunnell. “There are a lot of very talented Para riders in the United States and knowing that this country is behind us gives encouragement to strive to succeed.”

The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage will require extraordinary commitment and the support of those in the equestrian community who love the sport and desire to see our athletes, both equine and human, compete and win at the highest levels of international competition.

For more information on the USET Foundation and The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage, please call Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director or Sara Ike, Major Gifts Officer at (908) 234-1251 or visit .

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

by: Equine Canada

Para-Equestrian Canada is now accepting nominations to fill three vacant positions on the Canadian Para-Equestrian Committee (CPEC). The positions on the committee are not specific in task and each position is for a two-year term beginning in February 2015.

The Committee is seeking candidates who possess the passion and drive to work with other committed volunteer members to oversee the strategic direction of programs for riders with a disability.

Once the Committee has been populated, a chairperson will be elected from amongst the Committee members.

To be eligible to nominate or vote for a CPEC candidate, individuals must be Para-Equestrian Canada members as of November 1st, 2014 and over the age of 18 years old.

Nomination forms are available on the Para-Equestrian Canada website and must be submitted to the Equine Canada office by November 28th, 2014.

All interested individuals are invited to visit the Para-Equestrian Canada website at www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian for additional information.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Para-Equestrian department at Equine Canada by e-mail ( para-equestrian@equinecanada.ca), by fax (613-248-3484), or by mail (Equine Canada, 308 Leggett Drive, Suite 100, Kanata, Ont., K2K 1Y6) by the nomination deadline.

Thousand Oaks, CA-November 11, 2014- We salute our veterans

this Veterans Day. Thank you for protecting our freedoms. On this day we ask you to take a moment to think about those that have served our country. We would like to salute our disabled veterans who are part of not only the equestrian sport but all Paralympic sports.

Thank you,
-USPEA

Derrick Perkins U.S Air Force Veteran. Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

History of Veterans Day

-From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday-a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages Para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the Para-Equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage Para-Equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the Para-Equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Paralympic Games, the USPEA provides Para-Equestrians the knowledge and resources needed to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), USA Reining, and USEF which provide Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).

For more information about the USPEA please visit here or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

By Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Intense head-to-head dressage competition across 30 championship divisions concluded on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Surrounded by friends and family, emotions ran high for competitors as they rode their way into history and celebrated their success with joyous victory laps before packing for their long journeys back to homes across the country.

The appropriately-named Dutch Warmblood Eye Candy (Weltmeyer x UB40) was one of the day’s big winners. In the largest class of the Finals, the lovely five-year-old mare owned by Heather Mason was the final ride of the class but made the biggest impression with the judges as she carried rider Amy Gimbel of Lebanon, N.J. (Region to victory in the hotly-contested Training Level Adult Amateur Championship with a score of 75.800%. “I started riding Eye Candy about nine months ago,” said Gimbel. “The horse I had been riding before her was sold, so I was looking for something to catch ride and Heather offered her to me. She’s been a super horse to show – even though this was only her fifth competition and it has a huge atmosphere, she handled it all so well. I feel so lucky to ride her and I have a lot to be thankful for.” First to go down centerline at 8am was Carolyn Desnoyer of Mosinee, Wis. (qualified in Region 4) aboard her warmblood mare Fresca (Festrausch x Rising Star by GP Raymeister). They posted a score of 73.533% that stood atop the leaderboard for the duration of the class until Gimbel’s final ride, but ultimately was still good enough Reserve Championship honors. “She came out of her stall ready to work and two minutes after we got to the warm-up I thought ‘hey, they could ring that bell any time, we’re ready to go,’” said Desnoyer of her mount. “She went in and did her job and gave me everything she had. I was so proud of her. I feel like Cinderella – it’s been an amazing experience here at the Finals.”

A particularly heartwarming moment of the day came during the presentation of the Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy (presented by USDF) to the new Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Champion, Adrienne Bessey of Region 7. Bessey and her Danish Warmblood mare Dido ran away with the title on an impressive score of 71.491%, more than six points better than the next-placed competitor. With this score, Dido (by Royal Hit) also earned the Lloyd Landkamer Perpetual Trophy for FEI Highest Scoring Mare, presented by Janet Foy. It was an emotional win for Bessey, a family practice physician in Thousand Oaks, Cal. “My test felt great, she was perfect for me and did everything I asked,” she explained. “I hadn’t ever thought of traveling this far for a show, but some of my friends in California were coming and asked if I wanted to go, so I said ‘sure, why not’. I can’t believe how well organized and fun this show is. The atmosphere is almost indescribable, it feels very big but at the same time everyone is so supportive of each other. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to come here.” Earning Reserve Champion honors was Jennifer Van de Loo (Holly Springs, Miss., qualified in Region 2) who rode her Oldenburg gelding Lanzelot 99 (by Lord Sinclair I) to 65.000%. “He is my schoolmaster, and this is just my second year at the FEI level,” said Van de Loo. “He’s the best horse ever and I’m so thankful for him. It’s an honor to be here and I’ve enjoyed it so much.”

The morning’s Prix St. Georges Open Championship became a clash of the titans as incredibly talented horses and riders battled for the win. Saturday night’s Intermediate I Open Freestyle Champions Angela Jackson and Allure S (Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Kerrin Dunn) returned to the ring no worse for wear to once again post a top score of 71.491% and lead another victory lap. “She was still asleep this morning when I had to get her ready, but she got up and felt great! It felt like the best Prix St. Georges test I’ve done with her all year,” said an elated Jackson of her partner. “Now we’re going to go home, take a little time off, and then start preparing for a move up to the Developing Horse Grand Prix.” Reserve Champions Mette Rosencrantz (Topanga, Cal., Region 7) also has big plans for Anne Solbraekke’s Hanoverian gelding De Noir 3 (De Niro x Maharani by Matcho) as she is considering the pursuit of a U.S. Team berth for next year’s Pan American Games in Toronto. The elegant pair followed up their Intermediate I Open Championship on Friday by finishing a close second today with a score of 71.009%. “I had a good ride, he’s a great show horse, and I enjoy riding him,” Rosencrantz said. “There were so many talented riders and horses in this class, it was amazing. “Everyone was breathing down each other’s necks because we’re all here for the same reason – to win.”

Amy Stuhr Paterson (Lee’s Summit, Mo., Region 4) thought she might be in trouble as she prepared for her Intermediate B Adult Amateur Championship performance with Greenwood Sporthorses’ Dutch Warmblood mare Wies V/D Klumpert (by Future x Sarina V/D Klumpert by Havidoff). “My horse was incredibly wild in that ring yesterday when we were just hand walking around the perimeter,” she explained. “She was literally passaging in-hand, so I was a little bit worried about what today might bring.” But the lovely Dutch Warmblood mare rewarded Paterson’s trust by earning a score of 68.690%, good enough for a narrow victory. “She ended up using all that energy for good and not evil, so I was thrilled with our ride,” said Paterson, who missed last year’s inaugural Finals due to battling breast cancer. “It’s a tricky test, but she was honest and with me the entire time. It meant a lot to me to be here, and I definitely want to show at Grand Prix next year and come back.” Friday’s Grand Prix Adult Amateur Champions Alice Tarjan (Frenchtown, N.J. Region and her young Oldenburg mare Elfenfeuer returned to claim Reserve Championship honors today with 68.333%. “She handled being outside really well today. We had some mistakes but we’re green at this level and we have plenty of work to do and room for improvement,” said Tarjan.

Heather Mason of Lebanon, N.J. (Region found great success at last year’s inaugural Finals, and she returned to Kentucky to claim yet another title with her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Zar by topping the Intermediate B Open Championship on a score of 69.286%. “This is a great show and so well-run. I love it, and my clients all love it. I think it’s just a fun show to go to, and it’s a lot bigger this year,” said Mason. “As for Zar, I think he’s actually going to be a better Grand Prix horse than a small tour horse, just because his piaffe/passage work is pretty special. He’s kind of a hot horse who is very honest but incredibly scared of everything, so I had a lot of horse under me today! But he was really good and he held it together.” Also returning to the Finals was Eva Oldenbroek Tabor of Medina, Texas (Region 9) who earned the Reserve Championship with her flashy Dutch Warmblood gelding Uberlinus (by Metall) with 66.865%. “I’ve have him since he was three years old and he’s 13 now, so I know him inside and out,” said Tabor. “I’ve been through some ups and downs with him because he’s sensitive and he’s not easy. But we’ve worked our way up from the young horse classes and here we are! Today was a wonderful day – he was flawless. I was here at the Finals last year and it made me want to come back. The arena is amazing and the footing is amazing. It’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever competed in.”

Morgan Barrows of Monroe, Wash. (Region 6) and Janice Davis’ six-year-old Oldenburg gelding San Corazon have proven to be unbeatable at Open Second Level at these Finals, following up on Saturday’s freestyle win by claiming today’s Second Level Open Championship with 72.063%. “He’s been such a ‘steady Eddie’ at every horse show from the minute you take him off the trailer,” said Barrows. “He’s already showing talent for the Prix St. Georges, so if he’s ready we’ll think about Developing Horse next year. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe we’ll even be able to come back here – we certainly had a great time this year.” Also enjoying the Finals experience was Reserve Champion Tena Frieling of Holland, Mich. (qualified in Region 2) who earned a score of 70.159% with her Oldenburg gelding Royal Heir, which she has developed since he was a three-year-old. “I can’t believe that we’ve done this,” said Frieling as she blinked back tears. “It’s completely unexpected. Today my ride was as good as it could have been. It’s been a long road for us, but I’m just so happy to be here. It’s been a fantastic experience.”

Music once again rang out across the Kentucky Horse Park as a second full day of freestyles got underway with 24 entries in the First Level Open Freestyle in the electric atmosphere of the Alltech Arena. Emerging victorious was Megan McIsaac of Oregon, Wis. (Region 2) who rode the Trakehner gelding Kingsley (owned by Wisconsin Kid LLC) to a top score of 73.722%, good enough for a narrow win over Stacey Hastings (Mooresville, N.C., Region 1) riding Karen Guerra’s Friesian mare Trijntje v.d. Bokkefarm (by Beart 411) with 73.167%. “It was so awesome to be here and be a part of this event,” said McIsaac, who was attending the Finals for the first time. “Kingsley is so talented and he always brings that to the table. He’s a really special horse and I have some exciting goals for him for the future.”

Cariann Wlosinski (Lexington, Ky., Region 2) and her own Oldenburg mare Rhiannon (by Rousseau) had already added Saturday’s Second Level Adult Amateur Freestyle title to their resume, but returned on Sunday to claim one more victory in the First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle on a score of 73.700%. “It’s been a fun weekend!,” she exclaimed. “We rode this freestyle last year and finished third, so it meant a lot to come back and win with it this year. I thought she’d be tired today, but she actually was even better. I also would like to thank those who made the decision to separate the open and adult amateur freestyle championship classes. Everyone loves freestyles but they are a lot of work, and it means a lot to have our own division.” Amy Gimbel and Heather Mason’s young Dutch Warmblood mare Eye Candy had already earned the Training Level Adult Amateur title earlier in the morning, but the pair also added a second championship honor to their roster by earning the First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Reserve Championship. “She was a little distracted in this test, but she’s still such a good girl and I couldn’t be happier with our experience.”

Nancy Szakacs’ smile was infectious as she rode a Ricky Martin-themed freestyle aboard her own Westfalen gelding Rudi Regali to top the Third Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship with 69.056%. “This music suits his movement and personality, and today we were so ‘on’ with the music, it really was like we were dancing,” said Szakacs, who works in clinical research for a biopharmaceutical company back home in Hollister, Cal. (Region 7). “It felt like so much fun just being in the Alltech Arena and having that electric experience. I remember at one moment I looked up to see my name on the huge scoreboard at the end of arena and just thought ‘wow!’. It’s been wonderful.” Reserve Champion Taryn Hochstatter (St. Charles, Ill. qualified in Region 4) was equally thrilled after scoring 67.500% aboard Ginna Frantz’s Oldenburg mare Bella Luna GP. “She’s a sassy chestnut mare, so we love to show off that attitude in her freestyle,” said Hochstatter, who came to the Finals for the first time with her mother, who she called her “number one fan”. “Of course there’s pressure to do well, but when we halted at the end of the test I almost cried because my horse did so well today. It was unreal.”

Stacey Hastings brought five horses to the Finals from Mooresville, N.C. (Region 1) and now returns home a national champion after claiming the Fourth Level Open Freestyle title with 72.278% aboard Coves Darden Farm’s striking black PRE stallion Police. “This is a brand new freestyle with music by Peter Gabriel which suits him well,” Hastings explained. “The downside is that it’s so new, I just learned the music last week and didn’t have time to actually practice it more than about three times. But I had it on video so I just watched it over and over and over and hoped for the best. We lucked out! I’m so glad I came this year, the show ran well and everyone’s been so friendly.” Fellow Region 1 competitor Dawn Weniger of Apex, N.C. and her Dutch gelding Don Derrick (by Don Ruto) didn’t let a few bobbles keep them from claiming Reserve honors with 69.333% for their medieval-themed performance. “He was afraid of some patches of light shining on the floor of the arena so he jumped over them a few times, but he was lovely and forward and light, and I’m pretty darn happy,” Weniger said. “I’ve never done a national championship before, and I was having so much fun with my horse. He makes me smile every day. He’s so kind and fun and talented, but still a regular guy.”

More information including final results, photo galleries, and news archives from the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® are available on the official event website www.usdressagefinals.com. Video on-demand from select championship performances is also available on the USEF Network (www.usefnetwork.com). A complete archive of each competition day’s results is listed at this direct link: http://www.usdf.org/usdressagefinals/competitors/results.asp.

PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT: Amy Gimbel of New Jersey rode Eye Candy to Championship and Reserve Championship titles on the final day of the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.

Jennifer M. Keeler

Phone: (859) 806-1557
jennifer@yellowhorsemarketing.com

November 9, 2014
Yellow Horse Marketing

Lexington, Ky. – Kentucky women seemed to claim home field advantage as they swept the top spots in the Satuday evening’s Intermediate I Open Freestyle Championship. Angela Jackson earned her second national title of the day, this time aboard Kerrin Dunn’s lovely Dutch Warmblood Allure S. Even though the mare wasn’t feeling quite like her normal self on Thursday, when she entered the arena as the first combination down centerline for the class, “she rebounded and put her game face on today,” said Jackson. “The feeling you get from her in the arena is just amazing. The crowd was really into it, and she loved it. I just love a good mare.” Linda Strine from nearby Versailles, Ky. also had high praise for her mount, Julie Roche’s Friesian mare Inke FCF (Erik x Nynke Marije by Nikolaas 310) who improved upon a fourth-place finish in this division at last year’s Finals to earn tonight’s Reserve Championship with 67.292%. “The best horses I’ve had have been mares,” said Strine. “She was fired up – she’s very expressive but also so reliable. I can always count on her, and she knew she was there to show off.”

It may have taken North Forks Cardi four days to travel across the country from Battle Ground, Wash. (Region 6) to attend the Finals with owner/rider Jessica Wisdom, but it only took a matter of minutes for the charismatic Welsh Cob stallion to become the fan favorite on his way to winning the finale class of the night, the Grand Prix Open Freestyle Championship. “Freestyle is where he really shines – he hears that music and he becomes a big horse. Nobody told him that he’s only 14.3 hands!,” said Wisdom. “All he has to do is go out there and be the rock star that he knows he is. And you saw what happens! He has an ego the size of Texas. He seemingly becomes three hands taller and says, ‘watch this.” The Reserve title went to Region 4′s Emily Miles of La Cygne, Kan. (69.833%), who today found success aboard her Hanoverian gelding Weltdorff, a horse she’s had since he was a youngster and has risen up to the Grand Prix level together. “It’s always seemed that he’s played the role of bridesmaid to my other horse WakeUp, so I’m happy for him to earn this,” said Miles. “I have to admit I don’t particularly like my music, but I trusted my freestyle designer who insisted that it works for my horse. Obviously she was right! The best moment was coming down centerline as we did 25 one-tempi’s one-handed and the crowd started clapping. And turns out my husband was watching our ride from home on the USEF Network! So it’s been a really fun night.”

Click Here to watch Jessica and North Fork’s Cardi!

Opportunity to Express Interest to Host the FEI European Showjumping, Dressage and Para Dressage Championships in August 2019

British Showjumping and British Dressage are pleased to announce our intention to bid to host the FEI European Showjumping, Dressage and Para Dressage Championships in 2019. The European Championships is a high profile event in the Equestrian international calendar that acts as a qualifier for the FEI World Equestrian Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
There will be five competition days for Showjumping, five competitions days for Dressage and five competition days for Para Dressage. There would be a total of ten competition days, with Dressage and Para Dressage running alongside each other. This is an established event which was held in Herning (Denmark) in 2013. Britain has held the Showjumping and Dressage European Championships before in Windsor in 2009, with the European Dressage Championships also held at Hickstead in 2003. There are approximately 100-120 horses expected for Showjumping, 50-70 for Dressage and 70-80 for Para Dressage therefore approximately 220-270 horses all together. In 2009 at Windsor there were 193 horses and 130 riders, over 40 nations were represented, with over 40,000 spectators therefore with Para Dressage also being included even more spectators are expected to attend.
British Showjumping and British Dressage believe that hosting this event in the UK will bring significant benefits to the host venue, the sport and the UK’s profile as a leading host nation for major international sporting events. The key attributes of this event are a cumulative television audience of 48 million, from a broadcast reach of over 25 countries. There is an international spotlight on the city for hosting the pinnacle of European Equestrian events. There are significant direct and indirect economic impacts for the host nation totalling up to 27 million Euro’s across the three disciplines, from areas including international and domestic tourism, trade stands, clinics and retail parks. Following the Olympics there was a significant increase in participation of all sports including within equestrian. Hosting the European Championships would create another boost in participation for the equestrian world.
In order to ensure that the best possible bid can be presented to the International Federation; FÉDÉRATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE (FEI), British Showjumping and British Dressage seek to engage all appropriate cities and venues in a formal venue selection process.
Venues wishing to express interest should do so by emailing Anna Garside at Anna.Garside@britishshowjumping.co.uk in order to obtain the relevant information and documentation for completion. Please note that the Expression of Interest Letter and Venue Shortlisting Response Form must be received before 12pm on Friday 21st November.
Please include ‘Expression of Interest’ in the subject line of your email. You will then receive a reply to acknowledge safe receipt of your email and further information on the Venue Requirement Checklist and Venue Shortlisting Response will be provided at that point. Any questions should also be directed to Anna either via the email address above or you can contact her on 02476 698810 or 07721 249160.

NOVEMBER 8, 2014

By Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Music filled the concourse of the Alltech Arena to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd of spectators and VIP’s on Saturday as some of the country’s best dressage horses and riders did their best to captivate the judges and earn national championship honors for their carefully-choreographed musical freestyles at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, being held November 6 – 9, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of the new Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy (by artist Olva Stewart Pharo) to the very first US Dressage Finals Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Champion, Janne Rumbough of Palm Beach, Fla. (Region 3). The crowd went wild and clapped to the beat of Rumbough’s Mary Poppins-themed music as her gray PRE gelding Junior (by Gaucho III x La Nina by Brioso VI) seemed to relish the electric atmosphere of Alltech Arena, earning a winning score of 70.708% over fellow Region 3 competitor Aileen Daly (Aiken, S.C.) who rode her Hanoverian gelding Windsong (Weltmeyer x Lara by Laurie’s Crusader) to second place with 65.250%. During the awards ceremony and subsequent press conference, Rumbough was emotional about her win. “I’m just speechless. I am so honored to be the first one to have my name on this beautiful trophy, and to finally win a championship title like this,” she explained. Rumbough also finished as Reserve Champion in the Grand Prix Adult Amateur division yesterday, as well as at the inaugural Finals in 2013. “It gives me chills to talk about it, I’m so grateful and honored. This has been a goal of mine for years, and now I can check it off the bucket list. But I still want to come back next year and win the Grand Prix test too!”

Starting off the day were competitors showing off their Second Level Freestyles, and in the Adult Amateur division, crowd favorite and hometown girl Cariann Wlosinski (Lexington, Ky., Region 2) earned the unanimous win with 70.567%. A full-time middle school teacher who “teaches by day and rides by night,” Wlosinski attended the inaugural Finals last November and was “determined to try to get back here this year.” She danced to a Beatles medley aboard her own Oldenburg mare Rhiannon (by Rousseau), a horse she bred and raised herself. “I had her dam, so I was there when she was born. We’ve been together six years now,” said Wlosinski. “She loves it here in the Alltech Arena because she loves to come in here and have the ring to herself. We had a great ride, and it was awesome to have all my friends and family here to cheer me on.” Finishing second was Camilla Van Liew (Charleston, S.C., qualified in Region 1) riding her Dutch Warmblood Dartesch (Special D x Sedesch by Jazz) with 68.322%. As a small animal veterinarian, Van Liew explained she often has to make time to ride during pre-dawn hours before going to work, but her efforts paid off today. “I was a little worried about riding in the Alltech today since it’s only the fourth time we’ve ever ridden a freestyle and my horse is young,” she said of her six-year-old gelding, whose sire is also competing at the Finals. “But he really kept it together, I was awfully proud of him. He’s such a good guy, and it’s been a dream to be here.”

Perhaps no competitor had more fun with her performance than the Second Level Open Freestyle Champion Morgan Barrows (Monroe, Wash., Region 6) riding Janice Davis’ Oldenburg gelding San Corazon. Their Billy Idol-themed freestyle was rewarded with a top score of 74.678%. “I had a blast! I want to go out there again,” said Barrows, who has been partnered with her mount for less than a year. “I originally saw him at a friend’s farm in Sweden when he was three. Later when he came up for sale, I knew we had to get him. It’s been fun to bring him up, and the longer I ride him the more fun he gets. He’s a great horse and I’m excited to see where he’s going to go.” Delighted to also be accepting national honors with a score 72.022% was Reserve Champion Claudia Novick riding her Friesian gelding Marco von Laar (by Onne 376 x Wydana von Laar by Sjaard 320). This pair returned to Kentucky after attending the 2013 Finals, where they went home to Gastonia, N.C. (Region 1) as Reserve Champions in the First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle. “The cold weather actually helps us!,” Novick laughed. “My horse is such a character. He was formerly a driving horse, so he had to change his body and mindset from pulling to pushing. I think this year he’s really ‘gotten it.’”

Retired small animal veterinarian Jeanne Van Nuys-Hitt of Harrisburg, Pa. (Region rode her Oldenburg gelding Sirtaki to victory in the Intermediate I Adult Amateur Championship, where their Enya-themed performance earned a top score of 68.792%. “I am thrilled. You put a lot of time, money, and blood, sweat and tears into getting here, so any time you end up on top of a great field of riders, it’s the ultimate thrill,” said Van Nuys-Hitt. Finishing just a point behind the leader to earn their second Reserve Championship of the weekend on a score of 67.792% was Lauren Thornlow of Monroe, Wash. (Region 6) and her Oldenburg gelding Royal Konig (by Rubin Royale), a horse which Thornlow has had since he was just three years old and has now become her first FEI-level mount. “It’s been a great journey to bring him along,” Thornlow noted. “He’s a great guy with a terrific personality, and his favorite thing to do is to go out there and show off.”

Region 2 riders claimed top placings in the afternoon’s Third Level Open Freestyle Championship. Earning the unanimous win under all three judges was Angela Jackson of Henderson, Ky. riding Theresa Schnell’s impressive Oldenburg stallion Hemmingway (Hofrat x Alsonara by Archipel) with 73.878%. “It’s so beautiful in there, people are cheering, and I just had a fantastic time,” said Jackson of her Pirates of the Caribbean-themed freestyle performance. “My horse was energetic and right with me every step of the way. He’s had a fantastic year already, and to top it off by being champion here is just great.” Finishing in the reserve spot was Laurie Moore of Ada, Mich. riding Christine Miller’s Holsteiner gelding Lyric PT, who were rewarded with 71.367% for their Beatles-themed musical performance. “I had a super warm-up getting him nice and forward, and we went in the arena and he was just free and happy,” said Moore. “The music is fun and up-tempo, and it suits him perfectly.”

Former jumper rider Anna Jaffe of Concord, Mass. (Region has made a successful switch to the dressage ring as she rode Jane Karol’s Westfalen gelding Moonshine (by Lamerto H) to victory in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship on a score of 68.822%. “This is the first horse I’ve ever done dressage on, and it’s been an extraordinary opportunity to learn from him,” explained Jaffe. “We don’t have any indoor shows like this in New England, and my horse is naturally very spooky. But he loved the Alltech Arena! This was the best show of his life, and I’m so happy to be here.” Region 6′s Jacquelyn McMaster of Sherwood, Ore. drew confidence from her Dutch Warmblood gelding Paviano to overcome her show nerves and ride for a score of 68.156%. “I was quite nervous, but about two minutes before show time he felt so good,” she said. “So I just took a deep breath and let it all sink in, and it was just amazing being in there in that atmosphere. It ended up being a lot of fun.”

In the outdoor championship rings, competition was fierce across all levels. Topping a huge field of 35 competitors in the First Level Adult Amateur division was Julie McCrady of Raymore, Mo. (Region 4) riding her five-year-old Remanessa. Even though the pair had to wait all day to compete as they were scheduled last to go in the class, their patience paid off as they earned the winning score of 71.290%. Making the win even more meaningful was the fact that McCrady bred the Hanoverian mare (Rousseau x Leonessa by Louis Heslegard) with her husband, and they were making a return trip to the Finals after competing at Training and First Level last year. “I think the people are so friendly here, everyone bends over backwards to help you. I encouraged one of my friends to come here to ride in the open show just so she could be part of the experience,” McCrady said. “It’s just been wonderful, and so special to have bred Remanessa ourselves. She was a handful on the ground until we started her under saddle where she seemed to find her purpose in life. Now she’s a great mare.” Another competitor who was delighted to find success at the Finals was Viki Meyers of Russellville, Ark. (Region 9) who rode her Hanoverian gelding Gold Flash (by Gold Luck) to the Reserve Championship with 70.753%. “I had the time of my life today. Each of my rides has gotten a little bit better, and I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here,” said Meyers. “We don’t have any licensed dressage shows in Arkansas, so I have to travel extensively just to train and compete. This was my first year to even go to Regionals, and now I find myself at the Finals and I’m just amazed. My friends drove all the way to Kentucky just to watch me compete in one test! I feel really special to be here, and it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but I do hope to be back here next year.”

In the First Level Open division, Gwyneth McPherson will now make the 20-hour drive home to New Gloucester, Maine (Region with a Championship title in hand after guiding Pineland Farms Inc.’s five-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Eskandar (Zhivago x Ostara by Caritas) to victory with 75.538%. McPherson was impressed with how her mount (which she found in 2012 as a young stallion in Belgium) handled the conditions. “I was delighted with my ride,” she said. “He can be spooky but even with the wind and cold, he stuck with me for the whole test.” Yesterday’s Training Level Champions Patricia Becker from Wadsworth, Ill. (qualified in Region 2) and Joan Pecora’s five-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Edward (by United) moved up to First Level today and claimed Reserve honors (73.333%). “He has such a super temperament, and he couldn’t have been better,” she noted.

Rachael Hicks of Prospect, Ky. (Region 2) has already had a successful Finals with both a Championship and Reserve title to her credit for Fourth Level, but today she added yet another honor to her resume by earning a decisive victory in the Third Level Adult Amateur division with 70.342% aboard her lovely Rheinlander stallion Don Cartier (Don Schufro x Carmina by Cartier). “It was a little chilly out there today,” laughed Hicks. “He was a bit tired today so I decided not to push for a ’10′, but it was steady and consistent test and he gave me a great feeling throughout.” Back home in Santa Monica, Cal. (Region 7), Christine Ekstrand is an orthopedic surgeon and the mother of seven children. But today she celebrated earning Reserve Championship honors with her Hanoverian gelding Braxxton (Baroncelli x Rosana by Rotspon) on a score of 67.479% “He was tired from the trip at first, but he perked right up and I was really pleased with how he did today,” Ekstrand said of her mount.

Melissa Beardsley’s Hanoverian gelding Louis Vuitton lived up to his name in giving Shauntel Bryant of Seattle, Wash. a fashionable ride in the Stonelea Arena which was good enough to ultimately win the Fourth Level Open Championship on a score of 69.417%. “He’s an ‘on’ or ‘off’ kind of horse, but he was really ‘on’ today and gave it his all,” noted Bryant. “It was the kind of ride where you just say to yourself, ‘this is lovely’. He definitely woke up on the right side of the stall today, and the brisk weather actually works to his advantage. I almost didn’t bring him to the Finals because he’s not a super consistent horse, but now I’m glad I did because he pulled it off!” Debbie Hill of Gurley, Ala. (qualified in Region 2) earned her second Reserve Championship title in as many days with Boccaccio IOF (Hanoverian gelding [Bugatti Hilltop x Roxette by Rubinstein], owned by Marchella Richardson) with 69.167%. “Bo was ready to go again today,” Hill said. “He always aims to please and works hard. He put in a great effort out there and of course I was thrilled. There’s so many fantastic horses and riders here which makes for great company and competition, so I’m just glad to be a part of it and I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

Kentucky women seemed to claim home field advantage as they swept the top spots in the evening’s Intermediate I Open Freestyle Championship. Angela Jackson earned her second national title of the day, this time aboard Kerrin Dunn’s lovely Dutch Warmblood Allure S. Even though the mare wasn’t feeling quite like her normal self on Thursday, when she entered the arena as the first combination down centerline for the class, “she rebounded and put her game face on today,” said Jackson. “The feeling you get from her in the arena is just amazing. The crowd was really into it, and she loved it. I just love a good mare.” Linda Strine from nearby Versailles, Ky. also had high praise for her mount, Julie Roche’s Friesian mare Inke FCF (Erik x Nynke Marije by Nikolaas 310) who improved upon a fourth-place finish in this division at last year’s Finals to earn tonight’s Reserve Championship with 67.292%. “The best horses I’ve had have been mares,” said Strine. “She was fired up – she’s very expressive but also so reliable. I can always count on her, and she knew she was there to show off.”

It may have taken North Forks Cardi four days to travel across the country from Battle Ground, Wash. (Region 6) to attend the Finals with owner/rider Jessica Wisdom, but it only took a matter of minutes for the charismatic Welsh Cob stallion to become the fan favorite on his way to winning the finale class of the night, the Grand Prix Open Freestyle Championship. “Freestyle is where he really shines – he hears that music and he becomes a big horse. Nobody told him that he’s only 14.3 hands!,” said Wisdom. “All he has to do is go out there and be the rock star that he knows he is. And you saw what happens! He has an ego the size of Texas. He seemingly becomes three hands taller and says, ‘watch this.” The Reserve title went to Region 4′s Emily Miles of La Cygne, Kan. (69.833%), who today found success aboard her Hanoverian gelding Weltdorff, a horse she’s had since he was a youngster and has risen up to the Grand Prix level together. “It’s always seemed that he’s played the role of bridesmaid to my other horse WakeUp, so I’m happy for him to earn this,” said Miles. “I have to admit I don’t particularly like my music, but I trusted my freestyle designer who insisted that it works for my horse. Obviously she was right! The best moment was coming down centerline as we did 25 one-tempi’s one-handed and the crowd started clapping. And turns out my husband was watching our ride from home on the USEF Network! So it’s been a really fun night.”

The US Dressage Finals will conclude on Sunday as the last group of 10 champions for 2014 are crowned. Follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming of Sunday’s classes from the Alltech Arena on the popular USEF Network (www.usefnetwork.com). To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review day sheets and results, and read daily news releases, visit the official event website at www.usdressagefinals.com.

PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT: Janne Rumbough and Junior danced to a Grand Prix Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship victory during today’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Jennifer M. Keeler

Phone: (859) 806-1557

jennifer@yellowhorsemarketing.com