Category Archives: Dressage News

Riders Named to 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad

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Peters

Steffen Peters will compete on Legolas 92 (pictured) and Rosamunde in the Big Tour in the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad (Photo courtesy of JRPR).

Aiken, SC (May 12, 2015) – Custom Saddlery is proud to announce that three of the outstanding riders the company sponsors have been named to the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI

Observation Event Squad. Steffen Peters, Kathleen Raine, and Sabine Schut-Kery were chosen to compete for the chance to represent Team USA in the 2015 Pan American Games to be held from July 10-26

in Toronto, Canada. “We’re just so blessed here at Custom Saddlery to have some of the world’s best riders,” says Custom Saddlery’s saddlefitter Sarah Boothe, expressing the sentiment of the company,

which is the Official Saddle of the United States Dressage Team through the 2016 Olympics.

Olympian Steffen Peters recently earned a third place ranking in the Grand Prix at the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Las Vegas, riding in his Custom saddle. To achieve this placing,

Peters and his mount Legolas 92 scored an incredible 76.832 percent. The year so far has been flowing in Peters’ favor, as he can already boast wins in Wellington, Florida and San Juan Capistrano, California,

amongst others. Peters has been riding in Custom Saddles for a large portion of his riding career, and will once again rely on the brand during his performances in the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European

CDI Observation Event Squad. “We’re thrilled to have worked with Steffen for over a decade now,” says Boothe. Peters has been named not once but twice to the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI

Observation Event Squad – the Californian will compete in the Big Tour on both Legolas 92, a 2002 Westphalian gelding, and Rosamunde, a 2007 Rheinlander mare. Both horses are owned by Four Winds Farm.

Kathleen Raine, also hailing from California, is an influential figure in the dressage community, constantly proving herself a talented and experienced competitor in the sport. She started off 2015 strong, competing

at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Raine and Breanna – a 2001 Hanoverian mare owned by Raine, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman – received high placings in the Grand Prix and also

took home first place in the Grand Prix Special in the CDI5* competition. Raine is an accomplished trainer, co-owning Adventure Farm training facility with her husband David Wightman. Raine and Breanna have been

named to the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad to compete in the Big Tour.

Sabine Schut-Kery and Alice Womble’s Sanceo, a 2006 Hanoverian stallion Sanceo, have been named to the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad to compete in the

Small Tour. The duo has been a pair to watch this year, already winning multiple competitions at FEI Prix St. George and Intermediate levels. Schut-Kery has been riding Sanceo since he was three years old,

and their familiarity with one another shows as they continue to deliver solid performances in the ring. Schut-Kery was a part of the USDF Amateur Program in 2014, traveling around her home state of

California giving amateur clinics. “She really gives back a lot of her time to the dressage community,” explains Boothe of Schut-Kery’s dedication to the sport.

Kathleen Raine will compete Breanna in the Big Tour (Photo courtesy of Sheryl L Ross Photography).Kathleen Raine will compete Breanna in the Big Tour (Photo courtesy of Sheryl L Ross Photography)

Custom Saddlery strives to make saddles that provide both riders and their horses with comfort and the ability to perform to their full potentials. Anyone who has tried out a Custom saddle

knows that the perfect saddle can make a great difference in the show ring. “People just have to sit in a Custom saddle one time,” Boothe comments. “Once they sit in the saddle, it changes

their position and the way the horse goes. I’ve seen horses that are very short-strided fitted with a Custom saddle that opens their shoulders and gives them the freedom to move correctly.

I’ve watched countless horses evolve just by changing the saddle.” Custom Saddlery is excited to watch Peters, Raine, and Schut-Kery compete in the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European

CDI Observation Event Squad, and is proud to supply them with saddles that can help propel them toward the 2015 Pan American Games.

To learn more about Custom Saddlery and discover a saddle designed just for you and your horse, visit www.mysaddle.com or call 1-800-235-3865.

For more information contact:
Custom Saddlery, Cary Wallace
www.mysaddle.com
cary@mysaddle.com
1-800-235-3865

 

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Pasture Poisons

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Written by: Colleen Archer

From Horse Canada

Learn how to spot plants in your pasture that may be poisonous to horses.

Thumbnail for Pasture Poisons

Pam MacKenzie Photo

While there are hundreds of species of weeds toxic to horses, the following six include two of the most deadly ones, plus an added four that are widespread in Canada.

HEMLOCK

Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) is found in boggy areas throughout Canada. It has tiny green and white flowers that grow in umbels (umbrella-shaped clusters), and its

leaves look similar to those of dill. A highly toxic yellowish oil can be seen when the stem is cut.

Members of this genus are considered the most deadly of all plants. One mouthful can kill an animal within 15 minutes, and horses may go into convulsions and

die within minutes of consuming the most toxic parts of this plant – the roots, young leaves, and stems.

Almost as deadly as water hemlock is poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.), found throughout southern Canada and the United States. Poison hemlock has a fern-like

appearance, growing up to 10 feet tall. Its lacy, triangular leaves resemble those of the carrot, and it has a musky odour, like that of a parsnip, when crushed. Poison hemlock

is a biennial with small white flowers clustered in flat-topped umbels. Signs of poisoning are bloating, nervousness, trembling, pupil dilation, weakened heartbeat, cold extremities,

paralysis, coma, respiratory failure, and even death. There is no specific antidote, and supportive care (stall rest, intravenous fluids, etc.) should be given as needed.

Poison hemlock and water hemlock should be removed from all areas where horses are kept.

NIGHTSHADE

All nightshades, which are members of the genus Solanum (flowering plants that include the potato and the tomato) should be considered poisonous. Eight varieties occur in Canada,

of which only horsenettle or ball nettle, found in southern Ontario, are native.

The most familiar nightshade found across Canada is S. dulcamara (climbing nightshade or European bittersweet). Climbing nightshade is an attractive vine with purple or blue flowers

and glossy, poisonous red berries.

Common nightshade (Solanum americanum) is an annual with translucent, pointed oval leaves. It has white to purplish drooping star-shaped flowers with five petals and five stamens.

The fruits are small, shiny black berries. Common nightshade can occur along fencerows, in neglected areas and disturbed soils, and among grain crops. Horses that ingest it will show signs

of neurological and gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, muscle twitching, bloating, and congestion in the lungs, heart, and spleen. There is no treatment for nightshade poisoning other than supportive care.

ST. JOHN’S WORT

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a common agricultural weed in the eastern and western parts of Canada, but rare in the prairie regions. It is a perennial with clustered woody stems.

The leathery leaves grow opposite one another and have tiny black dots that look translucent when held to the light. Bright yellow, one-inch flowers with prominent stamens grow in clumps.

The fruit is a three-chambered capsule about ¼-inch long.

New growth is as toxic as the mature plants and is most attractive to grazing animals. The toxin can cause blindness and photosensitivity if the animal is not removed from the sun. Elevated

temperature, increased heartbeat, diarrhea and sensitivity to cold water are other symptoms of St. John’s wort poisoning. Your veterinarian may treat with corticosteroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

HOARY ALYSSUM

The invasive weed hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana (L.) DC.) is an annual, winter annual, or short-lived perennial that grows only from seed. While it doesn’t appear to be toxic to cattle and sheep,

in horses it can cause lethargy, stocking up, fever, diarrhea, intravascular haemolysis and hypovolemic shock. Mortality in horses has been associated with hay containing 30-70 per cent hoary alyssum.

Both green and dried plants can remain toxic in contaminated hay for up to nine months.

Hoary alyssum has a greyish-green “hoary” appearance caused by a mix of star-shaped and simple hairs that cover the stems, leaves, sepals and seedpods. Shoots are usually green to purplish in colour

and highly branched. The clustering flowers are small (3mm across), with four white petals, each with a deep cleft at the apex. Seedpods are stalked, having a characteristic beak-like tip.

To date, hoary alyssum has been reported in all Canadian provinces except Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. Because of its low water requirements, ability to grow in poor soils, deep taproot,

woody stem, absence of natural enemies and abundant seed production, hoary alyssum can establish quickly to outcompete native flowering plants and grasses.

Maintaining healthy stands of vegetation and reseeding after major disturbances seem to be the best ways to prevent establishment of hoary alyssum.

MILKWEED

The 36 milkweed species (Asclepias) are named for the milk-like substance they release when cut. Leaves are stiff and are arranged in whorls or in opposite pairs. Small five-petaled flowers grow in

club-like formations, forming rounded tops on thick green stems. The flowers are usually white, but can also be pink or orange. The seeds bear silky white hairs that aid in wind distribution and propagation.

Milkweed is widespread in Canada, growing in dry soils and neglected and overgrazed areas, or fields where it may be cut and baled into hay. The plant is toxic even in dried form. Symptoms of milkweed

poisoning include bloating, staggering, rapid pulse, gastroenteritis, depression, weakness, seizures, high temperature, laboured breathing, and possibly death. Veterinarians may treat for gastrointestinal

distress and cardiac glycoside intoxication.

BUTTERCUP

Buttercups (Ranunculus species) are normally avoided by horses, but as with many other toxic weeds, they may be grazed if other feed becomes scarce, with serious consequences. Buttercups are found

worldwide, especially in marshy fields and pastures, and have easily-recognizable yellow five-petaled flowers and deeply divided stem leaves.

Symptoms of buttercup poisoning include salivation, depression, blindness, blood-stained urine, diarrhea, nervousness and abdominal pain. The acrid juice from the plant may also cause ulceration of

the animal’s skin or lips. All buttercups should be removed from the horse’s diet, and supportive care should be provided.

To avoid ingestion of noxious weeds, check pastures regularly and always make sure your horses are offered a nutritionally balanced diet with lots of healthy forage to keep them occupied. Slow feeders

can help with horses that are on a diet. For more information about plants poisonous to livestock, go to www.weedscanada.ca/poisonous_weeds.htm.

 

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HER MAJESTY’S HORSES AT WINDSOR CASTLE ON THE EVE OF ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW 2015

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Photo Caption:  May 12th 2015
The Queen’s horses, of all shapes and sizes, are on parade to welcome over 50,000 visitors to the private grounds of Windsor Castle for the
UK’s largest outdoor equestrian show, Royal Windsor Horse Show, which starts this Wednesday 13 until Sunday 17 May. Her Majesty The Queen,
who has attended the show every year since it began in 1943, has several entries including her home bred
Highlands and her former racehorse, Barber’s Shop. For more information on the show please visit www.rwhs.co.uk 

Horses from left to right: Alpine, Mingulay, George (named after Her Majesty the Queen’s Father), Anson, Dawn and Emma (Her Majesty The Queen’s Riding Pony)
Grooms from left to right: Harriet White, Zoe McDonald, Christopher Allen and Sadie Henderson

 

For more information of what shops to look out for and to purchase tickets, please visit www.rwhs.co.uk

For more information please contact Hollie Bostock, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E:hollie@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 207 592 1207

 

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Judy Dierks Takes out Showcase Event at Sydney CDI 3*

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Judy Dierks – Diamond Star and owner Vicky Newham
Franz Venhaus
From The Sydney CDI

It was an extremely happy birthday for NSW rider Judy Dierks today after she secured victory in the 2015 Sydney CDI 3* showcase event, the Grand Prix Freestyle Competition (CDI), on Diamond Star.

It was standing room only as a huge crowd packed the indoor arena at Sydney International Equestrian Centre on what was the final day of the 2015 Sydney CDI competition, with no less than seven leader board changes during the two-hour Grand Prix Freestyle.

South Australia’s John Thompson proved a crowd favourite for his flamboyant passage down the centreline with Bates Antonello, while Victorian competitors Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina 4 also received considerable applause for their test, which for a time saw them take the lead with 69.30%.

But six-time Sydney CDI Grand Prix Freestyle winner Heath Ryan and his 19-year-old stallion Regardez Moi – described by emcee Gary Wilkinson as “wily veterans of the sport” – soon snatched the lead, scoring just 0.1% to take the top spot.

The tussle at the top continued with the lead swapping several more times as scores came in first for Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten (69.375), Katharine Farrell and Luxor 118 (70.250), Mary Hanna on Umbro (72.550), and finally Judy Dierks (72.775).

After a hugely successful three days of competition, Brett Parbery and DP Weltmieser (70.150) couldn’t manage a clean sweep of the Grand Prix events and finished the freestyle in fourth place.

The crowd sang a rousing “Happy Birthday to You” as Judy and Vicki Newham’s Diamond Hit gelding prepared to receive their prize, and gave them a second big cheer during their victory lap of the arena.

It was Mary Hanna who recorded victory the first win of the competition’s final day, in the HQ Insurance Intermediate II Competition (CDN). Mary rode the Jazz mare, Hamag W Strona, for a score of 66.842% to be nearly 1.5% clear of second placegetter NSW rider Suzanne Hearn on the Jive Magic gelding, Jude.

Winner of the Zilco International Intermediate Freestyle Competition (CDI) was Hawkesbury rider and Australia Olympian Rachael Downs, who put in a wonderful performance on John Potter’s impressive Sir Donnerhall gelding, Silbermond, to top the field of 15 competitors with 72.050%. It was an emotional moment at the evening’s presentation as Rachael’s groom, Helen Bray, was also awarded one of three special trophies of the Sydney CDI, the Mike O’Callahan Groom’s Award for the overall groom of the event, presented by Sandy O’Callahan.

Rachael also lifted the 2015 John Lieutenant Memorial Trophy for the individual horse and rider combination obtaining the best three official scores in the Prix St Georges, Intermediate I, and Intermediate Freestyle, or Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.

Victorian young rider Tayla Desmet reinforced yesterday’s victory in the CDI-Y with a win in the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic CDI-Y Freestyle, with a technically and artistically impressive test that saw her score her highest mark yet of the three-day competition.

With the judges at E, M and B scoring her over 70%, Tayla and the Rotspon gelding Rodrigo III finished their final test at their first Sydney CDI together on a total of 70.225%, with Queenslander Elloise Devlin and Brimstone Anakiwa in second (69.6%) and Victorian Morgan Duell on Florinzz third (69.575%).

NSW south coast rider Alycia Targa also repeated her performance in yesterday’s Advanced Tournament on the seven-year-old gelding, CP Dresden, taking out the IRT Advanced Tournament Freestyle with 70.292%.

Competition in the Advanced Freestyle was fierce, with the top three combinations – Alycia Targa, Nina Boyd on Kalimna Emblem and Mark Arthur on Show Master – all scoring in excess of 70%.

This year is the first that has featured a Medium Tour Freestyle event, and Susan Elekessy on her own Don Frederik gelding, Don Rubin, won the inaugural Wade Equine Coaches EA/FEI Medium Tour Freestyle (67.625) only just ahead of Rozzie Ryan and Jarrah R (67.292).

Shanon McKimmie and Ambassi took out the Mulawa Performance CDI Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle with 62.7%.

Three superb young horses claimed the HHSA NSW Young Horse Championships, with Andrea Beatty’s Sandro Hit gelding SPH Renaissance, ridden by Rodney Martin, winning the four-year-old title. Daniella Dierks rode Melanie Bloom’s stallion Bloomer’s Simply the Best to success in the five-year-old class, while the expressive Royal Hit gelding Saddle Up Romper Stomper took out the six-year-old championship under Victorian rider Maree Tomkinson.

French judge Raphael Saleh, who officiated in the young horse championship at the Sydney CDI, commented that the quality of horses in Australia was getting better and better.

“I think you are having more and more good horses, and your top riders are really improving,” he said. “I am talking not only about the ones I can see here in Australia, but also the ones I am used to seeing often in Europe. You can see that through the results abroad.”

It was extremely important for Australian dressage riders to overcome the tyranny of distance and continue to travel and compete in Europe so the local standard could keep rising, Raphael said.

“I think it’s absolutely important for you to go where the sport is, and to share and to compare,” he said. “Actually we can compare the sport in Australia with the sport nationally in different countries; if you stay in your own country without competing with the best, (it’s like being) alone in front of our mirror where we are all the best.

“You really need to go out and to compare and to see where you are, exactly. So I think it’s always good for the sport when we can make it but for sure it’s really difficult and expensive for Australians and you can’t only do it for one show.”

The final day of the Sydney CDI also saw showjumpers compete in the Oaks Sporthorses NSW Young Horse Showjumping Series Final, with Brooke Campbell on Tulara Colemine, current Australian senior showjumping champion David Cameron riding Ava, and Amanda Madigan riding Diamond B Velveteen tying for first place in the 4-year-old class. Stephen Dingwall riding Cavalier Durouet won the five-year-old class, George Johnson riding Dusky Farm Smoko took out the six-year-old class, and Andrew Inglis was successful in the seven-year-old class.

The jumping continued in the evening, with the exciting Equestrian NSW Jumping Accumulator Stakes held in the indoor arena prior to the Grand Prix Freestyle. The crowd cheered on talented showjumper Tom McDermott as he steered Fernhill Quintago clear to victory in a time of 47.40 seconds

 

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British Shine at Saumur

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By British Dressage

May 8, 2015

Brits shine at soggy SaumurIt was a damp affair at the busy Saumur CDI but some bright performances from British riders lifted the spirits. The facilities at the Cadre Noir felt the full force of Mother Nature in full spring flight but despite the rain, and a few classes moving inside, the show ran brilliantly.

In the senior big tour CDI, one combination was the talk of the competition; Fiona Bigwood and her own Atterupgaards Orthilia. They headed the grand prix with a score just below 75%, with two judges awarding them over 76%. The elegant Gribaldi 10 year old is Fiona’s main competition ride at present as she has full faith in ‘Tilly’ following her nasty fall last year. The duo impressed everyone with their light, harmonious way of going in only their third test at this level together. The mare has oodles of power and lots more to come. Sadly, a knock before the Special forced their withdrawal but Fiona reports that a scan showed nothing significant.

Also taking part were World Class Development Squad members Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Night (pictured), or Squeak to his friends. They were 12th on 67.7% in the grand prix with what Hayley described as ‘a few mistakes, one major’. They opted for the freestyle and really put their all into it for a fourth place finish on 69.575%. Hayley said on Facebook; “He danced his socks off! We were placed fourth with 69.5% – unfortunately just too many mistakes for over 70%. But he was fab!”

The final member of the big tour trio was Alice Oppenheimer with mum Sarah’s Headmore Delegate, with whom she’s been riding grand prix for three years. By Dimaggio, ‘Del’ was back in action after a successful trip to Vidauban in March where he finished in the top seven in all grand prix level starts. They were 16th with 67.06% in the grand prix. Alice felt he was a bit nervous following a last minute change to the indoor arena due to the weather. They opted for the special and Alice was looking for ‘a soft, relaxed test’ and that’s what she got, taking to Facebook to say; “He was fantastic. We had quite a few mistakes but he really listened and tried for me. I’m so thrilled with his attitude and to still come out with 67.4% with all the mistakes is really exciting!!! Good boy!!!!”

Alice also took her rising star, British-bred Tantoni Sir Soccrates to contest the small tour classes. The in-form pair again didn’t disappoint with two seconds and a fourth. The Georgina Pole-Carew bred and owned Sir Donnerhall eight year old is still relatively green at this level but his scores are certainly heading in the right direction. In the prix st georges they were just over 1% behind the winners on 70.5%; a great score despite Alice saying she rode ‘a very safe, underpowered test as the arena had cut up in the rain’. In the Inter I, she took advantage of the arena move to indoors and ‘went for it’ but sadly paid a heavy price for some mistakes but some equally fantastic work gave them 67.737%, enough for fourth and a place in the freestyle. It was their Inter I dancing debut and, ever eager to please, ‘Soccs’ didn’t disappoint! In a buzzy atmosphere, the duo produced a stunning 72.7% for runners up spot – 0.9% behind the winner. One judge had them to win on 77.5% and Alice said a number of spectators commented on how much they’d enjoyed the performance!

Paralympian Sophie Wells was the sole representative in the u25 classes with her ‘veteran’ partner Pinocchio, owned by Jackie Walker. Sophie and ‘Noki’ have been through a lot in their six years together…European, World and Paralympic championships, able-bodied young rider European championships and a journey to grand prix. It was Inter II for them first in a small, but strong field. A score of 64.921% left Sophie pleased, saying there were a few mistakes and a stumble before the second piaffe. In the grand prix, they scored just over 65%. Sophie was clearly proud of her partner; “Such a good boy. Noki tried so hard today, mistakes in my tempis but 65% at GP internationally, I am very happy with. Got some very positive marks and comments – all going in the right direction!” she said on Facebook.

 

The trip to Saumur proved valuable for the next generation too, as Britain’s younger riders achieved great results in the under-21s divisions.

The pony team, consisting of Clare Hole with Rembrandt DDH, Rebecca Hole with Valido’s Sunshine, Angus Corrie-Deane with Grayswood Orlando and Lara Kuropatwa with Mister Snowman, achieved silver in the CDIOP (Pony Nations Cup). The quartet scored a team total of 4081, behind Germany on 4144 and ahead of third-placed Belgium on 4052.5.

Angus and Orlando were first to go when the heavens opened. Still, the adverse weather was not enough to put the pathfinders off their stride. The Wiltshire-based 15-year-old piloted Orlando, a 14-year-old Welsh part-bred to an international personal best of 68.077%. Lara Kuropatwa (14), also from Wiltshire, and German-bred ‘Snowy’ were next to go, scoring a solid 66.462%. Clare Hole (13) and ‘Remy’ followed later with a super test for 71.333% putting Great Britain, for a time, in gold medal position.

By the time Rebecca Bell and ‘Sunny’ entered the arena, the rain had almost stopped. The pair performed a strong test for 69.872% and an individual rank of fifth. The Brits were on tenterhooks as the final German combination of Nadine Krause and Cyrill WE entered the arena. Nadine produced a superb test for 74.487%, taking the German team into the lead and relegating the Brits to an admirable silver.

“I’m so unbelievably proud of my team mates,” said Rebecca Bell via Facebook. “We put up a strong fight and we were only just pipped to the post by an ever-consistent German team. Everyone did a fantastic job and the efforts of Team GB certainly made this rainy day brighter!”

Clare Hole and Rembrandt went on to stamp their authority in the CDIO Individual Test with 73.220% for second place behind Nadine Krause and Cyrill WE for Germany. Rebecca Bell and Sunny, placed fifth with 70.293%. Both girls, and Angus, qualified through for Sunday’s freestyle. Rebecca and Sunny secured a podium finish with 73.825% for third, Clare and Rembrandt were hot on their heels in fourth with 72.600%, and Angus and Orlando took 14th with 67.350%.

Four British combinations represented their nation in the Pony CDI classes: Ottilie Bardsley with Dublin, Rebecca Bell with Valido’s Starlight, Angus Corrie-Deane with Hagelkruis Valentijn and Ruth Hole with Bernwode Brokat. Rebecca and ‘Star’ earned third place in the Pony Team Test with 68.513%, Ottilie and Dublin gained an international personal best of 68.231% for fifth, Ruth and ‘Woody’ scored 67.949% for seventh and Angus and ‘Val’ came a respectable twelfth with 66.641%.

In Saturday’s Pony Individual Test, Rebecca, Ruth and Ottilie filled eighth, ninth and tenth respectively, qualifying them for Sunday’s freestyle. In this finale, Ottilie and Dublin were best of the Brits in ninth with 70.025%, Rebecca and Star were just behind on 69.475% and Ruth and Woody took twelfth with 67.875%.

Five British pairings contested the Junior Divisions. In the CDIOJ (Junior Nations Cup), Chloe Vell with Kaja Di Valentina, Charlotte Dicker with Sabatini, Erin Williams with Waverly and Ruth Hole with Winnetou G.E.P. flew the flag, securing team bronze for Great Britain. They scored a team total of 3706.5, a hair’s breadth behind second-placed Switzerland. Belgium took top honours with a team score of 3789.

Erin and Chloe produced strong performances in the Junior Individual Test with 67.974% and 67.842% respectively. They took fourth and fifth spots, qualifying them for the freestyle where both rode their socks off to be awarded 72% and 71.575% for third and fourth.

In the Junior CDI classes both British representatives showed great promise. Erin Williams with new ride Bolsan B and Rose Hugh-Smith with Florentino were placed fourth and fifth respectively in the Team Test, tenth and sixth respectively in the Individual Test and sixth and ninth in the competitive freestyle.

Just two young riders made the trip to France but both made their mark on the CDIYR. In the team test, 21 year old Anna Lawson was fourth with her own Swedish-bred Bryan II with 66.526%, just 1% off the winner. The duo only came together last year but is building a partnership quickly. Just two places behind were World Class Development rider Rebecca Edwards and Ufano on 66.158%. Owned by Dr Margaret Cox, Ufano is a Lutsitano stallion and has been partnered by Becky since 2012. In the individual, it was Becky and ‘Uffy’ who shone to finish in runners up spot, exactly 1% behind the winner on 69.158%, one of their best scores for this test. Anna and Bryan were sixth on 67.211%. On freestyle day, sadly Anna withdrew Bryan but Becky was just shy of 70% with Ufano for fourth, a great performance to add to their case for a European Championship place.

Full results – click here

 

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Oldest Horse Show in the Nation Celebrates 162 Years

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By Vicki Bendure, APR

Upperville, Va. – The 162nd Upperville Colt & Horse Show, the oldest horse show in the country, takes place on June 1-7, 2015 in Upperville, Va. UCHS was founded in 1853 to encourage better breeding of horses.  Since that time, thousands of equestrians, horse breeders and spectators have gathered in Upperville each year to admire some of the nation’s most talented horses and riders.

What began as a one-day show, with only a few breeding classes, has grown into a week-long tradition with classes for children, adults and families. Each year, beneath the oaks at Grafton Farm, more than 1,500 horse and rider combinations compete throughout the week.  The week culminates with the $100,000 Upperville Jumper Classic that draws top riders from around the nation.

The weekend highlights begins Friday evening with the Markel & Norden Equine Insurance Amateur Owner Hunter Classic and $25,000 Welcome Stakes sponsored by Jim Thompson / Washington Fine Properties and Wiseman & Associates Wealth Management.  Saturday’s highlights include the Ladies Sidesaddle, Leadline and Family classes with the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Salamander Resort & Spa. The grand finale event is the competitive $100,000 Upperville Jumper Classic held on Sunday, June 7 at 2 pm.

This year, all of the jumper classes, including the Classic, will be held in the all-weather footing jumper ring. There will be bleacher seating and a grass area for the general public, as well as such VIP options at the 1853 Club, a Hunter Riders’ Lounge sponsored by Roger & Thomas Ltd, King Construction Co, LLC & Fenwick Equestrian, and a Jumper Riders’ Lounge sponsored by Charles Owen, Inc.

Entertaining events on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m., include the Jack Russell Terrier Races sponsored by Nutro, a Mars Petcare Brand, and other canine demonstrations.  Bring the family, for a day of great horse sport, browse and shop the food and retail vendors, and enjoy a day in some of Virginia’s most beautiful countryside.

Gates open at 8 a.m. throughout the week.  Admission is $10 per person. Children under 12 are no charge when accompanied by an adult. Bring a picnic or purchase food on the grounds. A variety of food vendors and retailers will be on site.

The Upperville Colt and Horse Show is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and raises funds for the Churches of Upperville Outreach and the Upperville Volunteer Fire Department, among other area charities.  Aside from many local families and friends, this traditional event is sponsored in part by several local area businesses including: Middleburg Bank, The Goodstone Inn & Estates, Upperville Auto Repair, The EMO Agency, Fuog / Interbuild and Tri County Feeds.

To get there, from Washington, D.C. take I-66 west to Route 50 West (Exit 57B) toward Winchester, Va. Drive approximately 25 miles to Middleburg and continue on Route 50 (John Mosby Hwy.) to Upperville and the show grounds (Route 50 passes right through the show grounds).  If you’re arriving from out of the area, the event is located just 40 minutes west from Washington Dulles International Airport. Take Route 28 from the airport to Route 50 west and follow as above. Follow signs for parking. For information, call 540-687-5740 or 540-592-3858. For complete schedules and up-to-the-minute results, visit the web site atwww.upperville.com.

 

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Olympian Cesar Parra Cleared of Charges

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Flemington, NJ (May 7, 2015)— Dr. Cesar Parra is officially cleared  — as declared by a Hunterdon County Superior Court jury— of charges of negligence. Parra, who was accused in 2009 with being at-fault for lunging injuries to a Hanoverian stallion is now cleared of alleged negligence with the formal finding of “no cause.”

During the four years of lawsuits revolving around this accident, Parra continued to be active in the dressage industry. When Parra’s eligibility to compete in the World Cup Dressage Finals last year was questioned, the United States Equestrian Federation conveyed its support of Parra, who had not been convicted of any charges.

Parra’s name has been known in the equestrian world for years, as he competed for his native Colombia in the 2004 Olympics, helped the United States team earn the gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games after becoming a U.S. citizen in 2008, and competed in two World Equestrian Games. Most recently, Parra competed in the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, where he enjoyed multiple FEI class wins with his equine partners. Parra also coached several students of Piaffe Performance to top finishes during the winter dressage circuit and supported the show as a sponsor. Parra operates his Piaffe Peformance training, showing, and sales business in both Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and Jupiter, Florida.

Now that Parra has the case behind him, he plans to double his focus on his passion for dressage. “I am so grateful that an impartial jury unanimously was able to see the truth in this matter. I am looking forward to now focusing on what I love— my family, the horses, the riding, and training,” Parra stated after the case.

“I am very grateful for all of the support I have received through the past years from friends, my clients, and even strangers from all over who contacted me in response to these allegations. None of us who work with animals are happy when any horse gets injured. For years I was told by my attorney not to comment about this case but the jury can now speak for me: They heard the evidence, they had no bias, and they found no cause.”

 

 

Photo: Cesar Parra on Van the Man (Photo courtesy of Sharon Packer)

 

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