by Dragon Media Group,  May 20th 2012

Calgary, Alberta – Goby’s Grill, with an incredible sport’s bar feeling, played host as spectators grabbed a look at one of the eight huge High Definition monitors for the start of the Preakness yesterday afternoon at Anderson Ranch. Onlookers were treated to an amazing race as I’ll Have Another galloped to victory and one step closer to the coveted Triple Crown. Outside the field of 20 competitors was getting set to do battle on the turf to crown the champion of the $32,000 FarmVet CSI2* Grand Prix, and not even the folks in Hollywood could have written a better ending to a great week of show jumping in the Canadian Rockies as the crowd’s shifted attention saw Kyle King race to victory in a thrilling jump off.

Hot off a Wednesday Welcome victory, Kyle King will cash an $8,000 check for his win aboard his horse, fittingly named Cash, owned by Desiree Peterson of Calgary. A field of 20 horses, with riders decked out in the FarmVet silks, were challenged as Kenny Krome of Maryland, again worked his magic, designing a course that tested both horse and rider, and yielded seven combinations mastering the first round to challenge the jump off.

Kyle’s mount was spectacular in both rounds, which left the California rider very happy with the horse he has had under his guidance for the past year. The impressive gelding was jumping amazing with his hind end and was well over the standards in the first round and proved unbeatable in the jump off. “Coming into the double in the jump off, he slipped a little as I cut hard into the turn to put pressure on, but Cash didn’t hesitate and jumped even better”, said Kyle of his horse.

It was a strong field in the jump off, with some young blood in the remaining 6 who qualified behind him. But “going first in the jump off, with a field of younger riders behind, was kind of an advantage, as I tried to put some pressure on them, which worked out”, noted the Californian. He is not the elder statesman, but certainly feels the heat from the young talented riders looking to take on the King.

Finishing a close second was local rider from Strathmore, Alberta, Tamie Phillips, who like Kyle, has had great success Internationally.  She was picture perfect with both her mounts in the first round, using her skills to guide both to clean performances.

A new mount for Phillips, acquired just two months ago, was her gelding Simba. The a nine year old Danish Warmblood  was up to the challenge with just one down in the jump off ending up 7th in this, his first Grand Prix.  Tamie’s first horse to qualify for the jump was her great partner Lerche 37, a 10 year old Holsteiner mare. “LuLu, as we call her, was so fired up today.  Normally she is calm and quiet, but today she was wild which made it difficult to catch Kyle, but we tried”, laughed Tamie.  It is always tough to go as fast as Kyle in a galloping race, but Tamie and Lerche 37 pushed him down to the wire.

The day could not have been better, the courses were amazing, the grass field green and lush and the sun was shining down on Anderson Ranch, with the views of the Rockies breathtaking.  It has been a great two weeks of competition and the FarmVet Grand Prix capped off an amazing Saturday.  “The FEI competitions have really added a flare to our tournaments.  I am so happy how all the horses have jumping for all the competitors.  Having them happy is the reason why we do this”, said John Anderson, president of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping.

Great competition, fantastic facilities, pleasant people and a lush location is what keeps people coming back to compete in these tournaments at this venue, a real jewel in the Alberta foothills, just overlooking the Rocky Mountains.  Tournaments continue again in a few weeks with the June Classics.

No Smoke and Mirrors: Joe Fargis on the Value of Simplicity and Consistency

by Pam Whitfield   American National Riding Commission

FarmVet Sponsored Rider, Joe Fargis, of Middleburg, Va. is best known for winning the 1984 Olympic individual gold medal aboard Touch of Class, but the veteran jumper rider has spent the past five decades in the horse industry putting in the long hours needed to find and develop horses with talent.

Joe began his education with Jane Dillon at the Junior Equitation School in Vienna, Va. He then rode with Frances Rowe at her Foxwood Farm in Crozier, Va. for 12 years before studying under Bert de Nemethy and riding on the US Equestrian Team. He and fellow Olympic medalist Conrad Homfeld ran the partnership Sandron for over a decade until Homfeld retired from competition. Joe currently competes Grand Prix jumpers in both the United States and Canada, and makes frequent trips to Europe in search of talented prospects.

The former Olympian finds himself sticking to his roots: the forward riding system as he learned it under Mrs. Dillon. “I couldn’t have gotten a better start,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of having met her.”

Joe rode with Mrs. Dillon “until my last junior moment in 1966, and I haven’t changed my mind since then,” he said. “Mrs. Dillon kept telling us the same things over and over, and I keep doing the same things over and over.”

According to Joe, the principles of forward riding are an indispensable part of a jumper’s education. “It’s the first step in making the jumper a complete horse,” he explained. “You keep the horse straight, ride him forward, stay off his back, get him to the point that he’s nicely stabilized, and then he’s a good student and can go on to collected work.”

Joe emphasizes stabilization because “it’s an early step in the training of a horse to let him be on his own for awhile and find his own balance and rhythm,” he stated. “Once he is stabilized, then you begin to collect him and give him more experience in the show ring. I don’t like to collect a horse until he’s a little older, perhaps six or seven.”

It sounds deceptively simple, “but it is,” Joe continued. “There’s no smoke and mirrors, no swirling cape. It has to be kept simple and I think it’s getting too complicated these days. I think people over analyze and over-do. One needs a calm, straight, well-trained horse, and if the horse has talent, then there’s not much else to do but ride it well.”

When the trainer runs into challenges with a young horse or a new one, he goes back to the basics and lets the system sort it out for him. “I just go back to the beginning and walk-trot-canter both directions, and see if the horse can do that,” he explained. “If so, then we do cavaletti, and if he can do that, then some low jumps.”

By sticking to the same progression of skills, Joe can pinpoint gaps in a horse’s education—and ensure consistency in his training. “You have to gain their trust,” said the rider. “You have to tell them the same thing every day.”

Congratulations Clint Allen on becoming Equi-Stat’s Top Rider of 2011!

We are proud to announce that Clint Allen has been named cutting’s leading rider for 2011 by Equi-Stat! Consistency was key last year for Clint, who cut to $528,750 and led by a $86,615-margin. He also led the division in the 4-Year-old competition by $220,717, earning just over $400,000 on his 4-year-olds alone. Last year put Clint over the $3 million mark, which places him in a prestigious bracket that holds less than 25 NCHA Open riders.

Clint attributes this monumental year in his career to an incredible string of horses, loyal customers and a dedicated team that stands behind him, none of which this could have been possible without.

“It’s a great honor to be named the leading rider for 2011,” he said. “But while my name is on the award, I have to stress that it wasn’t just me. I have a great support system behind me. From my help at the barn and on the road, to sponsors, customers, and numerous professionals in the business – none of it would be possible without them.”

In 2011, Clint made 65 Open finals across the nation. Through nine Open Championships, which included winning the Australian Futurity, and the 4-Year-Old Open at Tunica, West Texas and the Cotton Stakes, and 10 Reserve Championships, including one at the NCHA Super Stakes worth more than $60,000, Clint has once again proven himself in the show pen and substantiated his training program as a leading operation within the NCHA.

For questions, call/visit us at 888.837.3626, www.farmvet.com.

Congratulations Angel and good luck in 2012.

Call us at 888.837.3626 or visit us online at www.farmvet.com for questions.

Erin, after her team won the Saddleworld Dressage Festival

Erin…

1.) At the competion, What was your horse’s name, age, breed?

I borrowed a lovely mare named Southern Cross Tamarisk, owned by Adele Plumridge. She is a 13yo Holsteiner.

 What about your horse at home?

I am currently still looking for a horse in the US to campaign for London, but in the meantime, am working with a spectacular 6 year old Westfalen who I believe will be a bright star in the years ahead.

2.) How long did you have to get to know Tammy before the competion?

I literally only had 3 days to train with “Tammy” before competition!!  This type of experience is very different, and not for every competitor.  I could not have asked for a better experience with Tammy – she is a very well trained mare, and loves her job.  She was a joy to partner with!

3.) What was her favorite treat?                                                                        

“Tammy” was strictly a carrot girl…until the Americans arrived and started feeding her sugars and peppermints – terrible, I know!

4.) What was your most memorable moment at the Saddleworld Dressage Festival?

Certainly the most memorable moment was the thunderstorm that blew in just before I was scheduled to ride my Championship test on Saturday.  It was unlike anything else I have been in!  The lightening strikes were visible, the rain was sideways, and I was shaking in my boots as I waited for word that the show would be postponed.  I was very lucky to be able to ride my test in between storm cells.  Of course…the US Team winning on our highest ever average is also a pretty great memory!!

6.) What do you have in store for 2012?

2012 is a big year – the London Paralympics are on the horizon.  I have earned my qualifications, but looking for a talented equine dance partner.  Next big competitions will be the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar, and Paralympic Selection Trials!

CLICK HERE to read all about the US Para Equestrian Win at the Saddleworld Dressage Festival.

Call us at 888.837.3626 or visit us online at www.farmvet.com for questions.

Some of Kim Prince’s favorite products include:

Call/visit us online at 888.837.3626, www.farmvet.com to order.

Competitors were announced earlier this week on discoverhorses.com. Just in case you missed it, we’ve got all the information here…

October 11, 2011–The United States Equestrian Federation has named the following horse/rider combinations for the 2011 Pan American Endurance Championship being held in Santo Domingo, Chile, October 22, 2011.

The following horse/rider combinations will represent the U.S. at the Pan American Championship (listed in ranked order):

Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Breed/Age/Sex/Owner

John Crandell III/49/West River, MD/Heraldic/Arabian/13/Gelding/John Crandell JR

Meg Sleeper/43/Frenchtown, NJ/Syrocco Cadence/Arabian/8/Mare/Meg Sleeper

Deborah Reich/51/Croton on Hudson, NY/Pandor/Arabian/12/Gelding/Deborah Reich

Melody Blittersdorf/51/Jeffersonville, VT/Synthetic/Arabian/11/Gelding/Melody Blittersdorf

Valerie Kanavy/65 /Fort Valley, VA/Spectacular Gold/Arabian/9/Gelding/Valerie Kanavy

Cheryl Van Deusen/52/New Smyrna, FL/Moro Amado/Arabian/8/Gelding/Miguel Pavlovsky

Running over a 120km course, riders will race for both Team and Individual medals.

Two members of the Silver medal winning U.S. team from the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championship in Uruguay will once again represent the U.S., Kanavy and Van Deusen. Kanavy, who finished sixth individually in 2009 will ride her own Spectacular Gold, a 9-year-old Arabian gelding who has raced to top ten finishes both in the U.S. and abroad. Van Deusen will ride Moro Amado, owned by Argentinian endurance competitor Miguel Pavlovsky.

The U.S. will also be represented by two members of the U.S. team from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), Reich and Sleeper. Reich, the only U.S. rider to complete the WEG course, will ride her new partner Pandor. The 12-year-old Arabian gelding has finished in the top ten in all CEI outings in the last three years. Sleeper will ride her homebred mare, Syrocco Cadence, an 8-year-old Arabian. The pair most recently finished second at the Asheville CEI3* 160km.

Crandell and Heraldic, a 13-year-old Arabian gelding, are veteran partners having been the first pair in history to win the endurance “Triple Crown” crossing the finish line first at the Old Dominion 100, Tevis and the AERC Championship 100 in 2006. In 2010, the pair took two legs of the “Triple Crown” winning at the Old Dominion 100 and at Tevis. This will be Crandell’s second time representing the U.S., having ridden on the U.S. team at the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship in Malaysia.

Rounding out the U.S. team is Blittersdorf and Synthetic. Partners since 2003, Blittersdorf and Synthetic began competing in CEI events in 2008 and have consistently finished in the top 10.

Some of Ashlee Bond’s Favorite Products include:

Some of Candice King’s Favorite Products include:

“It’s been more than three years since the last Sidelines Triathlon and we’ve successfully brought it back to a higher level of competition by adding the all-American sport of reining,” said R. Scot Evans, president of the EAF. “With the overwhelming support from the community for the vision of Sean O’Keefe of Sean O’Keefe Events, we were given the resources to create a fun-filled evening that also successfully raised necessary funds for those in the horse world who need our help.”

Tetrathlon Competition

Master of Ceremonies Brian Lookabill added commentary to the competition, which included dressage, show jumping, polo and reining. Riders showed world-class talent as they performed in disciplines not their own.

Teams sponsors and riders:

 After the gambler’s choice jumping, each rider scored an extra 200 points for successfully clearing the joker jump positioned within a few feet of the first row of tables! The dressage highlight featured Pop Art ridden by Ashley Holzer’s teammate Candice King. 

“I thought the entire event captured not only a spirit of fun and camaraderie, but also how much all of us in the horse industry, regardless of our personal riding discipline, love and support each other,” said Jane Savoie, who shared her dressage judging duties with husband Rhett and announcing with Brian O’Connor.

The reining competition, judged by Jessica Niles, held some great rides and gave everyone a reason to whoop and holler. Polo turned out to be a participation sport for all when the inflatable indoor polo ball left the arena and landed in the audience!  

Winners for each sport

Jumping: Seth Ingram for Team MeadowView

Reining: Will Simpson for Team MeadowView

Dressage: Nick Dello Joio for Team MooreBroker Realty/Hunt Ltd.

Polo: Team FarmVet

Ultimately, all riders were successful in their newly found disciplines and created a scoring tie for Teams FarmVet and MeadowView, with the others close behind. In accordance with the rules, the tie was broken by the winner of polo – Team FarmVet!

“Everyone was a winner tonight,” said Christian Currey, owner of the winning team and presenting sponsor Farmvet. “We’re very excited about the huge turn out for EAF.  I know all the competitors had a blast and I hope we raised a lot of money to help EAF!”

The competition was managed by Premier Sport Services.

 Event sponsors included:

Sidelines, FarmVet, MeadowView, MooreBroker Realty, Hunt Ltd., Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Ingram Training Stable, Frank Madden Show Stable, Inc., Air & Power Solutions, Event Studio Productions, Wellington-WEF.com, Polo Gear USA, Panache, Wellington Equestrian Classifieds, Weigh-To-Go mobile horse weighing service, Kate Byars Photography, Sidelines Barn Book, Potions in Motion, Charles Owen, Rums of Puerto Rico, Pana Cavallo, International Polo Club-Palm Beach, Fame Dance and Performing Arts, Premier Sport Services, Nikko Entertainment and Sean O’Keefe Events.

Fun and Games

Throughout the night, guests had the opportunity to participate in games to win fabulous prizes. The night started with the Charles Owen-sponsored “No Brainer” game where participants bought raffle tickets to guess which of 10 helmets held the winning polo ball. The winner received a custom Charles Owen helmet. The Weigh To Go “Guess the Weight of the Horse” had people speculating the horse’s weight before walking him onto the Weigh To Go mobile scale. The winner received an EquiFit product basket. To win a Grill Dome barbeque smoker, participants purchased an Equestrian Aid Foundation band and played a spirited game of Simon Says. 

During the competition intermission, guests were treated to a cowboy-themed song and yodel by 9-year-old 2010 Palm Beach Idol winner Jade Master. Jade was then joined by reining horses galloping in the arena and nearly 50 dancers, including guests and EAF board members, to perform a choreographed number to Flo Rida’s Right Round. Amber of Fame Dance and Performing Arts in Wellington, choreographed the dance and held daily practices for dancers and non-dancers alike.

Auction

Guests had the opportunity to bid on everything from diamond jewelry to exotic vacations. Popular items included a Zulu Nyala African safari, a culinary experience with Sean O’Keefe and autographed memorabilia donated by Bruce Springsteen. Also auctioned for reining enthusiasts was a two-day stay at the ranch of USEF Horseman of the Year Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, including instruction with Tom and his team riding one of Turnabout’s horses and tours of other top training and breeding facilities.

Auction items were donated by:

Badgley Mischka, Bamboo Studio, Barnes and Noble, Beef Wellington, Bobbi Braun, Bruce Springsteen, C.M. Hadfield’s Saddlery, Campagnolo Trattoria, Charles Owen, Donovan Designs, Dover Saddlery, Elegante Polo, Emerald Valley Natural Health, EquiFit, FarmVet, Field of Greens, Finish Line, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Freedom Health/SUCCEED, GoIncentives, Gracie Street Interior Design Inc., Hunt Ltd., Grill Dome, H.E. Sutton Forwarding Company, LLC, Handsome Hands, Idlewild Furnishing, Ingram Training Stables, Iron Spring Farm, Interiors-Morgan City, Louisiana, Jae’s Gems, Kate Byars Photography, Kelly Barnes, Masterpiece Investments, McLelland’s Saddlery, Miele, Mimi’s Swan, Nicola Godfrey Tile, Oli’s, On Course Consignment and Caitlin Young, Palm Beach Equine Medical Center, Pangea Bistro, PJ Saddles, Polo Gear, Potions in Motion, Regency Fine Art, Savida Sangria, Sean O’Keefe Events, Sid Maurer, Sidelines, Susan Easton Burns, Taylor Made Café, The Dressage Connection, The Moriah Company, The Sport Horse, Tom and Mandy McCutcheon and Turnabout Farm, U Shoe Crazy, Van Dell Jewelers, Whole Foods and Zulu Nyala.

Taste of Charity dinner

Taste of Charity, a unique concept created by Sean O’Keefe Events, brings together area restaurants to offer guests a wide variety of culinary specialties. Participating area restaurants and caterers donated food and staff to deliver exceptional meals for every palette. The goal is to experience many restaurants that guests may not have tried that they can visit and enjoy long after the event is over.

Participating restaurants include: The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Field of Greens, Oli’s Fashion Cuisine & Bar, Taylor Made Cafe, Potions in Motion, Top Notch Caterers, Campagnolo Trattoria, International Polo Club Catering, Beef Wellington Steakhouse and Social Club, Miele, Grill Dome, White Horse Tavern, Potions in Motion Catering, South Florida’s Hottest Chefs, Christy’s NY Cheesecake, and www.southfloridadines.com.

The guests were greeted at the door with wine and champagne sponsored by Barefoot Wine and Bubbly. Mixed and specialty drinks were provided by Potions in Motion, Savida Sangria and the Rums of Puerto Rico. All the food was served on biodegradable, “green” bamboo plates, bowls and utensils donated by Bamboo Studio.

Sean O’Keefe Events

The tetrathlon is managed and produced by Sean O’Keefe Events, which specializes in nonprofit fundraising events to support the organization’s mission.     

About the Equestrian Aid Foundation:

In 1996 the Equestrian AIDS Foundation was established to assist those with HIV/Aids. Recognizing a broader need, the organization changed its name and mission. The Equestrian Aid Foundation’s mission is to build a membership based organization to assist anyone in the equestrian world suffering from life threatening illness, catastrophic accidents or injuries by providing financial assistance for their medical or other basic needs. It is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that provides grant recipients funding for medical, healthcare, rehabilitation and essential expenses, such as housing and food throughout their time of need. To learn more about the EAF, visit www.equestrianaidfoundation.org.