World Dressage Masters

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg showed the enthusiastic crowd in Mechelen a perfect Freestyle with her Westphalian stallion Damon Hill NRW. Soupleness, power, harmony…. the test had it all. The music fitted perfectly with the story they wanted to tell. Pure enjoyment! Worthy winners of the Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group.

Daniëlle Heijkoop and Kingsley Siro succeeded in keeping their form and even improved their score they achieved earlier in the World Cup qualifier in London. Their Freestyle showed expression, a perfect balance and control. Daniëlle took some risks and was able to make use of her horse’s energy.

Ulla Salzgeber was very happy with her performance which resulted in a third place. Her horse Herzruf’s Erbe was out of competition for more than a year because of an injury and has only been back in training since March this year. In November they competed again for the first time during a national competition. Their test did not have a high degree of difficulty but was solid and it showed more control than in yesterday’s Grand Prix.

Bruce Griffin, Griffin Sport Horses
2013 United States Equestrian Federation “Equestrian of Honor”
Winner of the Norm K. Dunn Trophy for Excellence in Halter

Louisville, KY- Saturday, January 19 2013 - The United States Equestrian Federations (USEF) said it best, when they said, “Earning the Title of “Champion Doesn’t Come Easy. It not only takes countless hours of dedication and determination, it takes a special spirit.”  A USEF Champion is an honor that will last a lifetime.

The Norman K. Dunn Trophy is presented to the equestrian competing and excelling at halter or in-hand.  Notably a true horseman, Bruce Griffin has won numerous national awards in a multitude of disciplines with a myriad of breeds, but he is a shining star when it comes to sport horse in-hand and halter.

In 2012, Griffin added to his legacy by earning many top finishes with acclaimed Friesians in halter and in-hand classes.  He was awarded five World Championships and two Reserve World Championships, three National Championships and two Reserve National Championships at the IFSHA National and World Championship Show. Additionally, he collected Regional Championships at the IFHSA Region 2 Championships, along with scores of other honors in the KWPN industry.

Bruce’s list of accolades is really a Who’s Who in the Equestrian industry. In 2012, Griffin Sport Horses claimed countless titles for pleased owners with a wide range of breeds and has a large following in the Warmblood industry and has tackled and scored big wins at prestigious shows around the country.

For his achievements this year Bruce is the proud recipient of the prestigious Norman K. Dunn award.

Quoting Bruce’s wife, Staci, “It is with great pride that I have the honor of announcing that my husband, Bruce Griffin is a “2013 USEF Equestrian of Honor” and won the “Norm K Dunn award for Excellence in Handling” a remarkable second year in a row. First, we thank the LORD! Thank you so much for all of the owners and talented horses that helped make this possible. We have an amazing Griffin Sport Horses team and loyal supporters. Thank you also to the USEF committee for choosing Bruce for this honor and for the ones responsible for nominating him for this prestigious award. WE ARE TRULY BLESSED!”

About Griffin Sport Horses

A well rounded training facility, Griffin Sport Horses has had success preparing and presenting stallions for licensing and approval in Belgian Warmbloods, Trakehners, Swedish Warmbloods, ISR Oldenburg, FPZV Friesian, and Irish Draught. Griffin Sport Horses has readied and shown mares to Elite and Model mare status.  Bruce Griffin is a member of the 2013 USEF Young Horse Steering Committee. Bruce Griffin is a Director for the International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA)

Photo Credit:  Sharon Packer

Gallant Reflection HU, 2013 North American Stallion Testing Reserve Champion, bred and owned by Horses Unlimited of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo credit: ll-foto.de.

Top-American-bred Gallant’s Reflection HU Named Reserve Champion

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma — The 2013 North American Stallion Testing will go down in the record books as one of the largest, and most challenging, since Silver Creek Farms began hosting and producing the event seven years ago at their top-notch facility outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. A collection of stallions bred in Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Canada and the United States were trained, tested and judged by a panel during their stay in the Sooner State. The winner of the 70-Day Test, Canadian-bred Fabian DSF (Freestyle x Hierarch), claimed top honors with exceptional marks for rideability. The Reserve Championship went to Horses Unlimited’s Gallant Reflection HU (Galant du Serein x Rohdiamant). The bright chestnut was the top-placed American-bred, with an impressive fourth place in the jumping index and a very close second in rideability index.

During the testing, candidates were evaluated on a series of universal criteria including gaits, jumping, rideability and character. This process allows stallions to show their versatility without emphasizing any one style or discipline. They received marks from multiple judges during both the “training phase” and “test phase” of the event. The 70-Day Test began with a veterinary inspection of a large group of eighteen stallions, ages 4-8 years, on the 27th of September.  Two ponies and a three-year-old joined the group on the 7th of November for the 30-Day Test portion of the event. The training phase commenced during the pleasant falls days of western Oklahoma. By the time the final scores were given, one of the most difficult winter storms in recent memory had taken ahold of the entire region. The Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, declared a state of emergency and traffic across many surrounding states came to a standstill.

A major storm, rider injuries, or a series of other challenges would not deter the team from completing their goal and awarding final marks to the twenty-one contestants. “This is the first time we had a perfect finish. All of the stallions that were presented completed their testing,” explained Summer Stoffel, owner of Silver Creek Farms. She credits not only the tenacious equines, but also a dedicated staff, guest riders and judges, Barbara Sikkink and training director Harald Hoffmann for achieving this milestone. Stoffel, herself a breeder of a 70-Day Test winner, is passionate about giving stallion owners in North America a path to evaluate their horses. Anne Sparks, owner and breeder of Gallant Reflection HU, was very complementary of the level of commitment Stoffel’s team brought to the testing. “Summer was there for us as owners during the entire process and was willing to do whatever was needed to help our horses be successful,” explained Sparks.

Education and mentorship in the industry is a priority for both Stoffel and Sparks. Both women are quick to share their experience with others seeking to test and license stallions in North America. “I sent another homebred through the 70-Day Test in 2009. Galante HU (Galant du Serein x Landor S) is now fully licensed and a grand prix showjumper. That experience taught me the importance of correct preparation of your stallion for testing.” Building on the knowledge gained several years ago, Sparks decided to send her Zweibrucker colt to Christian Baier of Southern Blues Equestrian in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally from Tranås in southern Sweden, Baier is a well-seasoned stallion handler and trainer. He and Sparks partnered successfully on other occasions making the choice easy for Gallant Reflection’s breeder. Baier was the handler of Pikko del Cerro HU during his 2009 Dressage at Devon Stallion Championship, as well as his 2011 American Hanoverian Society East Coast Licensing Championship.

“Reefer”, as he is affectionately called, arrived at the Tennessee Farm in February. During the following months the colt would learn the basics and prepare for the rigors of a 70-Day Test. Mr. Baier spent the first three months focused on rhythm in all three gaits. “Reefer has huge gaits so I had to be patient as he gained the strength and balance needed to carry himself.” An emphasis on these principles is key to developing a horse’s natural movement. “Once he had the strength, all the work was very easy for him. He is extremely straightforward and an absolute gentleman around other horses,” remarked Baier. During the fourth month, the training emphasis became suppleness and an introduction to light jumping. The remainder of preparation time was spent building more rhythm, suppleness and strength. Baier fondly recalls Reefer’s positive attitude and cooperative nature both under saddle and in the stable. “I delivered him to Oklahoma and was looking for a positive outcome based on what he showed to me during his time at my farm. I’m so happy Reefer was named Reserve Champion, he is an excellent horse.”

Good basics and admirable character were also key qualities in the winner. Fabian DSF was bred in Canada by Jennifer and Armin Arnoldt, and prepared for the test by his owner Martha Diaz at her Red Wind Farm in El Paso, Texas. Diaz has a small training business and breeds two of her own mares each year. She also trains and shows the Horses Unlimited mare Gitana HU, half-sister to Gallant Reflection HU. Diaz is experienced with young horses and was considering a new project when she purchased him on-line as a yearling. “I wanted a horse to bring up the levels. I was also looking for something I could use to live cover my own mares without having to travel several hours to do artificial insemination,” explained Diaz.  When asked about her expectations for the 70-Day Test, Diaz was hopeful and pragmatic. “I knew early on that Fabian was so smart, smart as a whip,” she described. “During the breaking process he was very kind and I hoped he would do well in rideability.” Fabian DSF did her proud by besting the field with the highest overall score in that category.

Fabian DSF will return to Diaz’s farm and begin his career as her dressage mount. “My plans for him are primarily focused on performance. He’s a blast to ride. He’s always looking for you to tell him what you want him to do.” Diaz also plans to breed her mares, and offer some breedings to outside mares. “Winning was a complete surprise. My only hope was that he would score a 90 or higher so that he was licensed for my mares.” Diaz has two weanlings by Fabian DSF and is expecting two more foals next spring.

Anne Sparks, owner of Horses Unlimited, is equally as enthusiastic about her four-year-old stallion and talks about him with much veneration. “Since Reefer was young, I knew he was special. When I decide to leave a colt intact, I have to have great confidence that they will be as good or better than their father.” The versatile New Mexican-bred colt certainly has a high standard to live up to. His sire, Galant du Serein, was a successful dressage mount for Hubertus Schmidt before being bought by Horses Unlimited and eventually making appearances in the Olympics, World Equestrian Games and FEI World Cup Finals.  “Gallant Reflection has always been a quick learner and his movement very natural. He has “schwung” and even though he isn’t the tallest horse, his gaits are very powerful. His has presence and exceptional elasticity and hang time in the air,” remarked Sparks. Gallant Reflection HU received the top mark of 10 for character as well as 9’s for temperament, constitution and willingness to work. “Reefer will now move on to the next stage in his life. He is licensed with several registries, including the RPSI and AHS and will be available for limited breedings to outside mares. “We will balance both his career as a breeding and competition stallion going forward,” explained Sparks.

Gallant Reflection HU will make the voyage to Wellington, Florida at the beginning of 2014. He will be partnered with Olympian Lisa Wilcox and begin his dressage career. Sparks and Wilcox successfully brought the Horses Unlimited-bred stallion Pikko del Cerro HU from National Young Horse Champion to Grand Prix winner. They are both enthusiastic about their next collaboration. When asked about her plans for her newest equine partner, Wilcox commented, “I’m thrilled to see him come to my program in Florida. He is quite talented and feels like a second Cerro to me. I’m looking forward to riding him in the Young Horse Program this year and climbing the dressage ladder.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
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Year round part-time position available at small private barn.  Available hours 8am to 2pm and 6/7pm for an hour and a half Sunday and Monday.

Must have prior experience and references are required.  Owner is very particular!!  Individual will be in charge of grooming, turnout, feeding and cleaning stalls.  Must be trust worthy, punctual, detail oriented, patient and able to take instruction.  No riding is required.  Must be legal with verifiable employment references.  Housing is not provided.  This is a permanent year round position.  Serious applicants only.

Call 561-289-5868

Silvia Rizzo at the World Dressage Masters, Palm Beach, 2013/Photo Credit: Sharon Packer/Wellington, FL – December 13, 2013 – Italian Grand Prix rider Silvia Rizzo and her partner, the former Italian Olympic eventing coach Michele Betti, are packing everything from bridles and bathing suits to saddles and shorts to spend the 2014 show season in Wellington, FL.

The two fell in love with the weather, the level of competition and the friendly atmosphere in South Florida after Rizzo rode in the 2013 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* last January. The pair lives in Germany at their training center, Hof Marabunta, and they are eager to trade snow for sand.

Rizzo plans to enter shows at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival with one of her horses but will leave her World Dressage Masters mount, Donnerbube 2, who is affectionately known as Bubi, at home in Germany. Bubi captured the hearts of fans last season with his tall, dark and handsome good looks and his penchant for bananas, while Rizzo’s fashion flair caused quite a stir.

“I was asked for my autograph while at the mall in Wellington,” she laughed.

Rizzo and Betti also plan to give lessons and clinics while in Florida. Rizzo began her international Grand Prix career in 2009 and was short-listed for the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and the European Championships in 2011. She has achieved outstanding results in CDI competition in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S.

Betti currently gives dressage, jumping and eventing lessons in Germany. He was the chef d’equipe and team trainer for the Italian eventing team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the 2006 Olympic Games in Aachen and the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. He was awarded the title of “Master of Excellence” for his achievements.

“I am looking forward to the training and competition first,” Rizzo said. “And I am also looking forward to visiting a bit more of Florida.”

In between the competitions, she has a full dance card of fun planned for the season.

“I will visit the part of Disney World that I hadn’t time to visit last year,” she said. “I want to kiss Mickey Mouse again!” She also hopes to visit the beach and of course, the fashionista intends to hit the shops. A photo shoot in Palm Beach with one of her sponsors, the Italian equestrian sportswear line Accademia Italiana, is already in the works.

She brings a full cadre of sponsors with her, including her U.S. sponsors MDC stirrups, Wellington Dressage Boots for her horses’ boots, and Bondbers.com, which provides her saddle pads, SSG gloves, Cur-ost natural supplements and Triple Crown Feed.

“For the second year, Craig Bernstein will provide Triple Crown Feed during my stay in Florida,” she said. “I found the feed perfect for my horses last year, so I am very pleased that he renewed our sponsorship.”

Her European sponsors include saddle and tack purveyors Selleria Pariani and she wouldn’t be a fashion trendsetter without her sportswear and jewelry sponsors.

“Accademia Italiana provides me wonderful and trendy clothes,” she said. “Kep Italia provides for my safety with their helmets but, of course, they will keep me trendy too. Also, Stivaleria Secchiari provides all my training and competition riding boots. I just got a new pair which they created especially for my trip for Florida!”

In addition, My Secret Sparkle keeps her blingy and flashy with their bracelets. They will even keep her dachshund, ZigZag, fashion forward for his trip across the ocean.

“The only sponsor that I must leave at home is Motorrad Center Wessmann because my wonderful quad has to stay at Hof Marabunta!” she lamented.

“Above all, the equestrian part is the most important reason for my trip,” she added. “And you will discover more about my competition schedule in January!”

Rizzo and Betti are looking forward to helping U.S. riders with lessons, training and clinics and will be happy to travel around the South Florida area to give individualized instruction. Contact them via email at info@hofmarabunta.com for more information. To learn more about Rizzo and Betti, go towww.hofmarabunta.com.

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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