Wellington, FL – January 10, 2014 – The Adequan Global Dressage Festival kicked off the “Friday Night Stars” series with an exciting FEI Grand Prix Freestyle competition and full spectator stands at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Leading the way was Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) on Don Auriello, who won with a score of 81.575%. Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett scored 76.925% for second place. Fellow Dane Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady placed third with a score of 74.825%.

The first week of the AGDF, sponsored by MTICA Farm and Everglades Dressage, runs through Sunday, January 12. The AGDF continues for 11 more weeks of top dressage competition through March 30.

Don Auriello and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven

Vilhelmson-Silfven started with a win in yesterday’s FEI Grand Prix class, but with the different atmosphere of the lights and spectators, she felt like Don Auriello handled the change well. “Today was a great atmosphere here. I really had a lot of fun riding in there today,” she said. “I think Don Auriello got a little bit impressed, but then he focused and was really nice to ride the whole way through. It was lovely with so many spectators, and the feeling in here is really great.”

She said of her test, “My highlight was really that he did let me ride, and I had a great feeling. He does everything without a big effort. It’s a really nice feeling when you feel the horse is so mature that you can just ride. I think I had that today. The pirouettes is one of his highlights, and the piaffes.”

Petersen said that he knows his music “in and out.” He added with a laugh, “I also knew exactly where I was in places that I should not have been! But otherwise it’s a great atmosphere to ride here; I think it’s like riding anywhere.”

Lars Petersen and Mariett

He noted that Mariett was “a little bit tense, a little spooky,” but that “overall though, it’s the first show, so I was pretty happy.” He continued, “I think the piaffe, passage was good. I normally get really good marks for my music (too).”

Gundersen has been working on her new freestyle routine for three months and had only ridden it at national shows to practice. “My Lady was unbelievable,” she related. “She was paying attention, not looking at anything outside. I’m crazy about the music. I think it suits her very well. I think I had good piaffes, good changes. I was particularly happy with the walk. She was very relaxed in the walk and did very well. It doesn’t sound interesting to be excited about the walk, but it was a bit of a highlight! I’m glad that she’s relaxed enough with the big atmosphere to show a good walk.”

Gundersen commented on the great turnout for the event. “I know there were a lot of people. I was very happy to see that because it’s the beginning of the season. I’m happy we have so many spectators for a dressage show,” she said.

Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady

Janne Rumbough of MTICA Farm, the sponsor of the class, noted, “It’s wonderful that we have this here. I’ve been here a long time and seen dressage develop. Look at these riders and these horses. This is what we worked on for so many years. I look at the spectators tonight, and I believe the freestyle is the answer to have people enjoy dressage. What these three people showed today was beautiful. I’m just so pleased and thanks to Mark Bellissimo for doing this.”

Allyn Mann of Adequan, the title sponsor of the GDF, was also on-hand to watch the first CDI of the season. “I would say year three started off beautifully. It’s really humbling to come here and to have the opportunity to support a wonderful event and to see these wonderful riders and horses really embellish the sport of dressage,” he remarked. “We’re excited, and we did exceed expectations already. If this is as good as it gets for the season, I would be gracious and humbled by it. But I think it’s going to continue to improve. As the prize money does continue to grow, I think we’ll see a continuation of wonderful riders and horses be a part of this great dressage world.”

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello with Janne Rumbough, Allyn Mann, Sandra Hotz, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, and Cora Causemann.

It was a win on home turf for Caroline Roffman (USA) and Bon Chance today during the FEI Prix St. Georges. Fellow U.S. rider Heather Mason and Zar followed in second place with a score of 69.711%, and Spanish rider Juan Matute Jr. with Don Diego Ymas rounded out the top three at 68.9974%.

Coming off a year of ‘vacation’ for the 8-year-old chestnut gelding, Roffman was very pleased with how he performed for her. “I haven’t shown him for a year, but for him, he’ll get better with each show,” she commented. “That’s what he needs.”

Caroline Roffman and Bon Chance

Bon Chance, imported from Germany, was broke by Roffman herself. With her, he competed in the four, five and six year old US championships, with great success. “He was reserve four year old champion, five year old champion, tied for six year old champion. So yeah, he has had a pretty successful career!” she said with a smile.

Although Bon Chance is a sales horse in her roster, she is more than happy to continue showing him, saying he shows a lot of promise in the ring. “He has a lot of swing, a lot of elasticity, and he’s like a metronome when he trots – it’s always the same tempo,” she described. “He’s a funny looking horse on the ground. When people see him he’s long, he has a skinny neck and he’s just a little bit weird looking. But in the ring he presents himself, I think, in a really good way.”

The gelding also offers somewhat of a challenge to Roffman. “He is a little bit of a handful, so you have to take it all in stride. It’s his first CDI ever, it’s his first international Intermediaire I, and I hope this year he continues to develop and get confident in the ring,” she said.

Caroline Roffman and Bon Chance with Natalie Lamping, Bethany Peslar, Endel Ots, and Thomas Baur.

While the Adequan Global Dressage Festival brings out the best in the world to compete, Roffman prefers to focus solely on the horses. “I find myself keeping a little bit of a goal in mind, but they’re horses,” she remarked. “They have their own feelings, their own agendas. You can want anything, you can plan 100%, but if they’re not ready or willing or able to do it? For me, I just focus on developing the horses, and that’s how you know you’re ready. (They) hopefully get better and better as the show goes on.”

AGDF 1 Dressage CDI-W continues Saturday with the FEI Intermediaire I presented by Everglades Dressage and FEI Grand Prix Special presented by MTICA Farm. For full results and more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%

1 Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven, SWE, Don Auriello: 82.000%, 82.625%, 80.750%, 82.500%, 80.000%, 81.575%

2 Lars Petersen, DEN, Mariett: 77.625%, 77.250%, 77.125%, 76.750%, 75.875%, 76.925%

3 Mikala Munter Gundersen, DEN, My Lady: 75.500%, 76.500%, 74.375%, 73.125%, 74.625%, 74.825%

4 Diane Creech, CAN, Devon L: 73.570%, 69.625%, 74.875%, 71.500%, 71.750%, 72.300%

5 Jaqueline M. Brooks, CAN, De Niro: 68.500%, 73.125%, 69.875%, 71.125%, 71.000%, 70.725%

6 Susan Dutta, USA, Currency DC: 69.500%, 70.500%, 69.375%, 70.500%, 69.250%, 69.825%

7 Kelly Layne, AUS, Udon P: 70.125%, 71.125%, 68.500%, 69.000%, 67.875%, 69.325%

Final Results: FEI Prix St. Georges

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%

1 Caroline Roffman, USA, Bon CHance: 71.597%,67.105%,69.211%,72.500%, 70.789%,70.237%

2 Heather Mason, USA, Zar: 70.000%, 68.158%, 70.000%, 69.868%, 70.562%, 69.711%

3 Juan Matute Jr., ESP, Don Diego Ymas: 72.500%, 67.105%, 67.632%, 70.000%, 67.632%, 68.974%

4 Chris Von Martels, CAN, Zilverstar: 67.105%, 69.737%, 71.842%, 67.237%, 66.447%, 68.474%

5 Gabriela Stumpf, AUT, Finally Love: 68.289%, 70.658%, 66.184%, 66.974%, 66.974%, 67.816%

6 Katharina Stumpf, AUT, Nymphenburg’s Love: 66.447%, 65.789%, 66.184%, 66.711%, 64.868%, 66.000%

7 Leida Collins-Strijk, NED, West Side: 65.000%, 64.737%, 64.211%, 69.079%, 66.184%, 65.842%

8 Jill Irving, CAN, Dio Mio: 65.132%, 65.789%, 68.289%, 63.947%, 65.789%, 65.789%

Photo Credit: Photos © SusanJStickle.com

Stephanie Twining, 240-751-3943, stwining@humanesociety.org

The Humane Society of the United States recognizes former New Mexico governor for work to block horse slaughter

(Jan. 10, 2014)—Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor, U.S. Energy Secretary and Ambassador to the United Nations, has been chosen as the 2013 Humane Horseman of the Year by The Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS recognized Richardson for his leadership in working to block horse slaughter from resuming on U.S. soil and his efforts to protect New Mexico’s wild mustang and burro population. Each year, The HSUS offers the award to an individual who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to protect America’s equines.

Richardson said: “I am truly honored to be recognized by our country’s leading animal advocacy organization and by those who are on the front lines of animal protection every day. My foundation and I are committed to continuing the fight to not only stop horse slaughterhouses from reopening, but to ban horse slaughter outright in the U.S, as well as finding humane solutions to manage our nation’s wild and unwanted horse population.”

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, said: “Governor Richardson makes an impact when he gets involved in negotiations or public policy issues, and horses are lucky he’s used his influence to protect them from people who want to kill healthy animals for profit. Since signing a bill to outlaw cockfighting in his home state, he’s amassed a remarkable record on animal welfare issues, and in 2013 he helped prevent the re-establishing of horse slaughter plants in the United States. He understands that this industry is an inhumane, predatory one, and its work is at odds with the values of the American public.”

Along with actor and director Robert Redford, Richardson formed the Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife, which made its first action to join the federal lawsuit initiated by The HSUS and Front Range Equine Rescue to block the opening of domestic horse slaughter plants. Additionally, Richardson successfully encouraged Navajo Nation president Ben Shelly to abandon his pro-slaughter stance and see the value in managing horse populations with long-term humane solutions.

Richardson’s foundation also focuses on the preservation and protection of New Mexico’s wild mustang and burro population while collaborating with other organizations to raise public awareness of the plight of horses. Richardson has also been active on other animal welfare issues, signing legislation as governor to make New Mexico the 49^th state to outlaw cockfighting and advocating that the National Institutes of Health end invasive experiments on chimps and commit to sending them to sanctuaries.

Background:

• According to a national poll conducted in 2012, 80 percent of Americans disapprove of horse slaughter.
• “Kill buyers” gather up horses from random sources and profit by selling healthy horses for slaughter that bring the best price per pound for their meat. USDA reports show that approximately 92 percent of American horses going to slaughter are healthy and would otherwise be able to go on to lead productive lives.
• The methods used to kill horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as horses often endure repeated blows to render them unconscious and sometimes remain conscious during the slaughtering process. When horse slaughter plants previously operated in the U.S., the USDA documented severe injuries to horses in the slaughter pipeline, including broken bones and eyeballs hanging from a thread of skin.
• The Safeguard American Food Exports Act, H.R. 1094 / S. 541, introduced last year by U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., is a bipartisan measure that would outlaw horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horsemeat.

For more information about horse slaughter and federal legislation to outlaw it, please visit www.humanesociety.org/issues/horse_slaughter.

RELEASE: January 9, 2014
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky.- In accordance with Bylaws amended at the USEF Board of Directors Mid-Year Meeting the Federation’s governance structure has been modified to create  a more agile and efficient organization. During the 2014 USEF Annual Meeting currently underway in Lexington Kentucky the new structure has been populated.  The Administration & Finance Working Group, FEI Affiliates Working Group, High Performance Working Group, and National Affiliates Working Group have transitioned to become the Administrative and Finance Council, International Disciplines Council, and the National Breeds and Disciplines Council respectively.

Effective January 9, 2014, the Board of Directors has been streamlined from 54 members to 19. The following individuals have been elected or appointed to the USEF Board of Directors:

Chrystine Tauber, President
Ellen Di Bella, Vice-President
Bill Hughes, Secretary/Treasurer
Lisa Deslauriers
Derek di Grazia
Elizabeth Goth
Georgie Green
S. Tucker Johnson
Valerie Kanavy
Chris Kappler
Murray Kessler
Victoria Lowell
Beezie Madden
Bill Moroney
Michael Pollard
Cynthia Richardson
Howard Simpson
Chester Weber
George Williams

(Representing Dressage is George Williams, President of USDF.  Photo Credit: Sharon Packer)

January 9, 2014 – The Dressage Foundation has announced that five young professionals will each receive a $500 Captain Jack Fritz Young Professional Grant to attend the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program on January 18-19, 2014.  The Captain Jack Fritz Grants are funded through The Dressage Foundation’s Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund.

Holly Bergay (CA), Emily Brollier (KY), Sydni Ottesen (UT), Laura Ovaitt (KY), and Mimi Stanley (ND) have each been awarded $500 to attend the Young Rider Graduate Program because they demonstrated financial need and dedication to dressage in their applications.

“Carol Lavell had a wonderful mentor in Captain Jack Fritz, and she wanted to honor his memory in this way,” said Jenny Johnson, The Dressage Foundation’s Executive Director.  “We, in turn, are proud to offer this financial support to deserving young professionals.  Their development is vital to the future success of dressage in the United States.”

Additionally, The Dressage Foundation provided a $15,000 grant directly to USDF for the Young Rider Graduate Program, in order to help keep the costs reasonable for all attendees.

For more information, visit the Captain Jack Fritz Grants page or  contact Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org.

Holly Bergay (CA) credit JM Photography

Emily Brollier (KY) credit Allison Wolff

Sydni Ottesen (UT) credit Impulsion Images

Laura Ovaitt (KY) credit Suzanne Fischer

Mimi Stanley (ND) credit Bob Tarr

Freezing temperatures and deep snow can be extremely problematic for horses with arthritic and mobility issues, according to Laurie Cerny, editor and publisher of www.good-horsekeeping.com

“If a horse is mildly arthritic during the summer it could become unsound during the winter – especially with equine seniors,” Cerny said.  “Combine cold temperatures, dampness, and deep snow or mud and a horse’s joints can quickly become sore and less flexible.”

Standing around doesn’t help the situation.  “It would be just like sitting on the couch for 8-10 hours and then trying to move,” Cerny said.

Keeping horses mobile, supplemented, and as flexible as possible are key to keeping these horses sound until spring.

Here are some other tips for keeping arthritic horses comfortable during the winter:

1.  Feed a joint supplement with MSM, Glucosamine, and HA.  Omegas are also good for keeping inflammation down.

2.  Add a pain reliever like Bute or Aspirin on really bad days.  While you want to be conservative when using these – the benefits out way the risks if you can keep the horse moving and active with a little pain reliever.

3.  Maintain flexibility.  Do stretching exercises on a regular basis.  These can be as simple as manipulating a horse’s head to the right, to the left, and in between its front legs.  Offering a treat at each point will get a horse to do these voluntarily.

4.  Groom with a rubber massager brush on a regular basis.  This will help to increase circulation to large muscle groups.

5.  Try to maintain you regular exercise schedule.  If you don’t have an indoor arena and footing is bad outdoors, try to at least hand walk horses for 10-15 minutes twice a day.  Backing, turning on the forehand, and 90-360 degree turns can also be done on the ground and will help keep a horse supple.

6.  Encourage natural movement in pens by putting hay in several piles . . . so horses have to move from one spot to another.

7.  If snow is really deep in pens, shovel a few paths to make movement easier.

8.  When turnout isn’t possible (like during a blizzard or ice storm) at least move horses from one stall to another.  The movement helps; it also helps with boredom – when stabled for long periods of time.

9.  Consider bedding with straw or old hay.  Deep bedding encourages older horses to lie down.  It’s warmer and softer to lay on straw then it is to lay on a thin layer of sawdust over a rubber mat.

10.  Keep horses hydrated by offering warm water several times during the day.  Adequate water consumption during the winter is crucial to keeping joints lubricated.

For more horsekeeping tips go to www.good-horsekeeping.com

9 January 2014

A record number of visitors attended the world’s best equine Christmas party last month; Olympia, the London International Horse Show which took place from 16 to 22 December 2013.

A total of 95,276 spectators flocked to London’s premier horse show in the famous West London venue to watch the equine extravaganza. Ticket sales were up 6% from 2012 and the additional Gala night on Monday 16 December bought an extra 6,000 people. Well known faces in attendance included HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Denise Lewis, England Rugby legends Ben Cohen and Phil Vickery, Deborah Meaden, Martin Clunes and Rory Bremner.

Highlights included FEI World Cups™ in three different disciplines; Dressage, Show Jumping and Driving, the thrilling Alltech Christmas Puissance won by Italian rider Luca Moneta and a breath-taking world record breaking Dressage performance by British superstars Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

The unique entertainment that always makes Olympia so magical, such as the Shetland Pony Grand National, the Kennel Club Dog Agility, the Services Jumping Championship, the vast shopping village and not forgetting the Christmas Finale were all back again. However, the icing on the cake undoubtedly came from Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art whose outstanding displays of horsemanship mesmerised spectators.  It was the first time that the stunning pure bred Andalusian horses from Jerez de la Frontera, south-west Spain have performed in the UK for over 40 years.

Dujardin breaks world record


Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro do a lap of honour after breaking the world record in the freestyle

The show started with a bang as sensational Dressage duo Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Valegro smashed the world record score in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle supported by Horse & Hound on the Tuesday evening performance. Spectators can claim to have experienced one of those spine tingling ‘I was there’ moments when the Olympic gold medallists performed to their famous ‘Great Escape’ music for the last time and accumulated a staggering score of 93.975%. The score beat the former world record of 92.3% set by Edward Gal and Totilas, also at Olympia, in 2009.

Charlotte, who now holds the world record for all three Grand Prix tests, said: “I can’t believe it – I am over the moon and just ecstatic. I really wanted to come here and see if I could break the record to this music and at Olympia. It has been such an incredible journey with Valegro – I have achieved so much more than I ever imagined.”

Nicola travelled to the popular Netherlands venue with her promising KWPN gelding, Zaire LH. The combination belied its low mileage to post top ten placings at small tour amongst high-class company.

Nicola and the 10-year-old son of Sir Sinclair were awarded 68.05% for eighth place in Friday’s 19-strong prix st georges, qualifying them for Saturday’s intermediate I freestyle where they came 10th on 67.77%. Both classes were won by the Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud and Zanardi on 73.36% and 75.90% respectively.

Nicola, who runs Kingswood Equestrian Centre with her husband Rob, and trains with Netherlands-based Danish Olympian, Anne van Olst, was delighted with her horse’s performance in the atmosphere of the Drachten arena: “It was absolutely fantastic to compete at such a big show. There was a very good standard of horses and some top top competitors,” Nicola Lickley said. “Zaire hasn’t a lot of experience but he reacted so well in the arena. He’s such a nice horse, and the comments from the judges were lovely. They wanted to give the good marks.”
“For the freestyle I need to get a stronger floor plan, plus we missed one line of changes. To get through to the kür though was more than I expected. I’m now going to work on a more technical programme and commission Tom Hunt to produce my music.”

Nicola has owned the attractive bay since the end of January 2013. “Anne found him for me. She’s very good at matching horses and riders and she couldn’t have found me a better horse. He’d only done four shows before I had him – three mediums, one advanced medium – but I felt straight away that he was ready to take on the work. And I now feel there’s so much more I can get out of him.”

“I plan to do some more small tour internationals before moving to grand prix.”

Photo Credit and Source:  British Dressage