Sporthorse (2013)

Sport HorseEquineJournal

SUPPLEMENT TO

2013 Edition

5 Horse Show Hot Spots

What Champions Are Made OfUnderstanding Your Horse From the Inside Out

These Boots Were Made for Riding p.38

Sport Horse 2013 | equineJournal.com 1

2 equine Journal | Sport Horse 2013

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Stepping Up to the PlateNo matter what discipline you ride, you are constantly taking strides to improve the partnership between you and your horse. Making small steps forward, you slowly teach your dressage prospect to push more thoroughly from behind, show your jumper a better way to navigate bending lines, and prove to your eventer that ditches truly are just another jump.

Eventually, it requires a leap of faith and trust in your horse, letting him or her rise to the occasion and show you that the countless hours of preparation were worth it. One such test of mettle is when you move up to the next level in competition. In “A New Dimension of Competition,” Sarah Wynne Jackson tackles this topic in detail.

Is your horse ready to properly perform the job at hand? We all know that having a sound partner is important. Our own Kathryn Selinga takes a truly inside look at the sport horse and what it takes to keep it at the top of its game in “Champion in the Making.”

This special edition of the Equine Journal is all about helping you to reach the top of the ranks, as well as celebrating the riders that have already proven to be athletes of the highest caliber. So, kick up your boots and enjoy a few pages before you get back out there in the saddle.

Sport Horse 2013

Contents

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Points of InterestIn Your Words

Where Are They Now?

A New Dimension of CompetitionMove up to the next level with skill and poise.

BY SArAh WYNNE JACkSoN

Champion in the MakingUnderstand your horse from the inside out.

BY kAThrYN SELINgA

getting to know YouIn this special section, meet the farms and

businesses that contribute to the success of top equine athletes in the sport horse world.

Tradition Meets TechnologyGet a glimpse of today’s English tall boots.

BY NATALIE DEFEE MENDIk

The Fabulous Five A look at a few great

horse show towns.BY JENNIFEr roBErTS

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points of interest

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Featured Photo

Sport Horse 2013

4 EQUINE JOURNAL | Sport Horse 2013

Stop the Stink!

Check the Label!The United States

Equestrian Federation

(USEF) does not

certify, endorse, nor

approve specific equine

nutritional supplements

as safe for use during

recognized competi-

tions. As a service to

USEF Members, and

upon request, the USEF

Drug and Medication

Program office will

review product

labels to determine if

forbidden substances

are among the specific

ingredients listed.

In the unfortunate

event that a forbidden

substance is present

in a sample collected

by the USEF Drug &

Medications testing

program, the owner and

trainer will be subject

to the provisions

outlined in GR404 and

GR406 and will be held

accountable as defined

in Chapter 4 of the

USEF Rulebook.

—From the USEF

Communications

Department

the safety reviews, fit, and style, but does your helmet smell a bit worse for the wear? Here are a few tips for freshening up that “fragrant” helmet:■ A few fabric-softener sheets crumpled inside your helmet won’t kill the odor-causing bacteria, but they can provide an inexpensive, effective, and easy solution to combat stench.■ Spray-on antibacterial odor removers are made by several helmet companies and are available through many tack shops and websites. Be sure to choose one specifically made for equestrian helmets, as they

are specially formulated for the helmet materials. ■ Look for sacks with bakingsoda or other deodorizers inside; leave one in your helmet when-ever it isn’t on your head (If you’re feeling crafty, you could make one yourself).■ Wash out the inside of your helmmet with a gentle soap and a damp clooth; it may be all you need to have thee lining smelling fresh and clean again! P

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points of interest

The Ultimate Diet for Hoof HealthBy callista Gredys

It could be debated that one of the most pivotal roles of a horse’s anatomy is that of its hooves. The hoof itself is a skin-derived appendage called hoof horn, which protects the underlying corium of the foot. A wall of hoof horn surrounds the base of the limb and plays an important role in the bearing of weight and performance of the horse. If this wall is not properly main-tained, it can lead to discomfort, cracking, pain, and potentially, infection.

Biotin is a popular feed supplement used to preserve hoof health. This compound contains sulfur and vitamin B, which help maintain and grow new hoof horn. Biotin is a water-soluble mineral, which means it’s not stored in the body for very long, making a daily dose of biotin important in supporting healthy hooves. On average, a hoof can grow up to 3/8" per month, which means it could take several months to notice any benefit of the supplemental diet. This is why it is important to stay opti-mistic and continue a daily dose.

We asked: What gender of horse do you prefer?

Boys Against Girls

Want to be included in our polls? Visit us on Facebook by scanning the QR Code with your smartphone.

No Preference8%

Stallion 8%

Mare 30%

Gelding 54%

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IN YOUR WORDS

The New England AdultAmateur DressageChampionships held at theMystic Valley Hunt Club last October. I had a blast and won just about everything.-Joelle M. Conover-

A little open show! I was reunited with a mare I had shown everywhere and had to sell eight years earlier. The bond never went away. It was exciting, because I felt that they don’t forget; but now, I know that they don’t!-Kate Anderson-Starnes-

Participating in the Pony Club Nationals when I was a teenager at the Lexington Horse Park in Lexington, KY.-Natalie Monroy-Mueller-

Watching my daughter get reserve regional champion in dressage and high-point horse in a regional organization with a Half-Arabian/half mustang.-Lorretta Johnson-

My first show with my mare,but I didn’t know she belongedto me when I entered the firstclass. Two classes and two of my first blue ribbons later, my

trainer came into the ring andannounced that my parents had bought her for me. To this day, that is my greatest memory.-Heather Jade-

Winning a driving class last summer with some very competitive horses; talk about adrenaline!-Jamie Cinq-Mars-

Standing on the rail and watching my youth studenttake the championship at theThanksgiving Horse Show inTampa, FL. I was so proudof her. The look on her face was priceless.-Judy White-

My first regional win with my Half-Arabian/National Show Horse, Majic Trick; she wasstill in the Midwest beforeI moved her, and she was a very young five-year-old. I was thrilled to have even made topfive as an amateur and even more thrilled and amazedto have won. The video ishysterical, as I was sobbing with happiness. She is a testa-ment to starting a horse well,and choosing some amazing people and trainers to help me on the way.-Cynthia Reynolds

LaBrecque

Winning top honors and having my horse earn the titleof United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year.-Caren Polillio

The first time out of the start box at my first-ever horse trial!-Cassie Holm

What hasWhat hasbeen your been your most excitingmost excitingcompetitioncompetitionexperience?experience?

From Our StaffMy most exciting competition was at the United States Pony Club (USPC) Festival for dressage back in 2004! My off-the-steeplechase-track Thoroughbred and I had been struggling as a team for some time, but we started to click and understandeach other just at the right time. We still didn’t garner the most outstanding scores, but the fact that we were able to keep our cool throughout all of the tests, under a lot of pres-sure, by far made that my proudest dressage moment.-Kathryn Selinga, News Editor P

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66 EQUINE JOURNALEQUINE JOURNAL || Sport Horse 2013Sport Horse 2013

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NOW YOU KNOW


Where AreThey Now?

What happens after top riders hang up their spurs and go on to the next stage of their lives? We tracked down a few riders who have left the ring to fi nd out just what they are up to now.

Melanie Smith-Taylor

A gold medal winner in the 1984 Olympics for team show jumping, Melanie continues to

serve the horse world as a tele-vision broadcaster for events, including the Olympic Games

and world championships.

Kerry MillikinThe 1996 Olympic individual

bronze medal winner in eventing is now channeling

her passion for horses in a dif-ferent way—creating beautiful

bronze sculptures and paint-ings that portray the elegance

and grace of the horse.

RodneyJenkins

yJenkins was a world-class show jumping rider in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, before heretired with more than 70 grand prix wins; he is now known asone of the Maryland racing com-munity’s top 20 trainers.

Michael MatzAfter his highly successful show ul show jumping career, this Olymmpicgold medalist turned his ssights to the racetrack. Most nottably, he was the trainer of the 22012 Belmont Stakes winner, UUnion Rags, and the 2006 Kentuucky Derby winner, Barbaro.

John McGinty

Once a highly successful hunter/jumper trainer and Fed-eration Equestre Internationale(FEI) judge, he has now transi-tioned to an FEI-level amateur dressage competitor, who has also balanced his professional

role as a senior financial advisor for AXA Equitable.

Shown are the U.S. Team gold medal-ists at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984—left to right: Joe Fargis, Leslie Burr-Howard, Conrad Holmfeld, and Melanie Smith. P

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A New Dimension of Competition


Move Up to the Next Level With Skill and PoiseBY SARAH WYNNE JACKSON

Sport Horse 2013 | EQUINEJOURNAL.COM 11

Do you walk the Training Level cross-country course, dreaming of galloping at

those obstacles on your horse? Or, maybe you watch the 3'6" jumper classes and imagine how you would take each fence. Perhaps you pore over Second Level dressage tests, knowing in your heart you’ll ride them one day.

Being riders naturally enhances the desireto better ourselves and bring out the best in our horses. Competition in the hunters andjumpers, dressage, and eventing provides the perfect platform for achieving our personalbest. But, stepping up the levels isn’t auto-matic; it takes commitment, ability, andeducation. How do you know if you’re ready to compete at the next level? Our experts help you make that important decision.

Jumping New HeightsBefore you can think about moving up to the next divi-sion in the hunters, jumpers, or equitation, you need tobe sure you have no difficulties at your current level.If your rails come down a little too often or getting a refusal is not unlikely, you should stay at your currentlevel until you’ve solved those problems.

“You should be winning at that level first,” saysJessica Elliott, trainer at Hidden Pond Farm East inKensington, NH. You need to be fairly accurate andcomfortable the majority of the time, giving the horse a safe, confident ride.

You also need to be able to judge distances well enoughand have a secure enough seat that you could jump a little



higher and still give your horse that safe, confident ride. The higher the jumps, the more imperative it is to have a tight posi-tion and a good feel for placing your horse correctly.

Another important consideration is your resources. Do you have the time the higher division requires? Elliot says, “You definitely need more time in the saddle for the higher divi-sions. A 3'6" rider needs to be riding six days a week.”

Do you have the money for frequent lessons? “You can’tjust ride a lot; you have to practice right and avoid devel-oping bad habits,” says Elliot. A good hunter/jumper trainer is invaluable, and they aren’t cheap. Ask yourself if you canafford the higher entry fees, longer travel distances, and other costs the next division is likely to entail.

If you and your trainer agree that it’s time for you to move up to the next division, when should you make the move? Elliot advises, “You should move up when you and your horse are ready, not according to an artificial time line. In the spring, talk with your trainer about your goals for the year, and create the steps you need to take to achieve that.”

Before you send in your entry form for the higher division,

try it at home first. Set up a course that would be typical for that level and see how you do. Then, set the jumps a little higher. “You should be able to do bigger and more difficult courses at home than you plan to do at a show,” Elliot says.

When you do move up to the next divi-sion in the hunters, jumpers, or equitation, it should feel natural and exciting, but not nerve-wracking and scary. Elliot says, “You’re always going to face challenges in a new division, but there shouldn’t be a safety issue. If you’re ready, moving up won’t be a big deal.”

Happy Athletes“When we compete in dressage, fulfilling the United States Equestrian Federation’s defini-tion of dressage should be our top priority,” says Gretchen DeMone, United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Certified Instructor/Trainer, USDF Silver Medalist, and “L” Judges Graduate of Rehoboth, MA. United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Rulebook DR101 reads: “The object of dressage is the development of the horse into a happy athlete through harmo-nious education. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, loose, and flexible, but also confident, attentive, and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with the rider.” Creating that happy athlete should take precedence over ribbons, championships, and personal goals.

Because dressage is a progressive program of gymnastic training, each level of competition has its own objectives and standards. For example, the purpose of Second Level, according to USEF Rulebook DR118, is “to confirm that the horse, having achieved the thrust required in First Level, now accepts more weight on the hindquarters (collection); moves with an uphill tendency, especially in the medium paces; and is reliably on the bit. A greater degree of straightness, bending, suppleness, throughness, balance, and self-carriage is required than at First Level.” Use the rulebook definitions of each level to guide you in

evaluating you and your horse’s readiness for advancement.Dressage shows are simply a method of pinpointing where

your training is in that progressive program. “In general, a rider is considered successful at a particular level when he or she consistently earns final scores over 60%, which would equate to an average score of 6 for each movement,” DeMone says. If you regularly earn 6s, 7s, and even 8s at your current level, your next consideration is whether your horse can carry the balance required for the new level.

DeMone adds, “Is your horse properly muscled, and mentally and physically conditioned to perform at the new level with ease? Does the horse stay through in his back and supple while performing the new level? If not, take more time to properly prepare the horse for the demands of the next level.”

After spending months preparing for the new level, some riders like to come out with a bang by starting the new level at a big show. It’s usually a better idea to begin at a schooling show or a “ride, critique, ride.” Without the timecrunch of a recognized event, the judge will be able to offer

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more complete comments and constructive criticism that you can apply immediately.

DeMone shares one last bit of advice: “Every time you ride, you are either training or untraining.” A certain amount of ambition is good, but don’t push so hard that you createtension, discomfort, or sourness. She says, “Be fair to your horse at all times.”

The Secret Ingredient“Eventing is about confidence,” says Kimberly Cartier Dome of Cartier Farms in Candia, NH. “Eventers are a rare breed; we like the excitement of being on the edge, of feeling just a little scared. But, moving up too far too fast not only is dangerous, but can also rattle the confidence of horse and rider.”

At best, a mistake like that can ruin a good horse or rider, necessitating months or years of training to restore that confidence. At worst, it can result in a serious accident.

Generally, if you’re thinking of moving up to the next level in eventing, “…you should be consistently going clear in cross-country and clear in stadium. If you’re getting time faults and refusals and knocking rails, you’re not ready,” Dome says.

It’s tempting to dismiss poor dressage scores, but that’s another mistake. Dome explains, “Your dressage work reflects how flexible and adjustable your horse is. If he can’tlengthen or shorten his stride in an arena, he won’t be ableto lengthen or shorten his stride in the approach to a cross-country jump. This can lead to problems like rotational falls. If you’re repeatedly getting a 50% or higher dressage score, you’re not ready to move up.”

“In New England, it takes a bare minimum of two full

seasons to move up one level in eventing,” says Dome. You also need to take into account how much time you can spend riding each week, how many lessons you can afford, and how many events you can do.

Once you’ve moved up to the next level, don’t just assumeit was the right decision. Examine your performance. Dome says, “If your horse isn’t ready for the new level, he’ll tell youby refusing or rushing. A horse that bolts in the approach to a fence and won’t allow you to adjust him is not confidentand is heading for a rotational fall. As you move up, all of your work should become more and more consistent. Your dressage score should be getting lower and lower.”

Regardless of the level you’re at, Dome encourages riders to respect their sense of self-preservation. “If something doesn’t feel right to you, don’t do it, even if your trainer tells you to. This sport is too dangerous to do that. If you’re feeling frustrated or scared, pay attention to that. Eventing should be exciting and fun.”

Steady as She GoesWhile it’s perfectly fine to stay at the level you find most comfortable, it can be a stimulating challenge to see how good you can get at your favorite sport. Dome reminds riders of every discipline to look at the big picture and avoid putting too much emphasis on one performance.

“Anyone can have a really good event and a really bad event,” she says. “That doesn’t mean you’re ready to move upor not ready to move up. It’s very important to look at how your training is progressing over the long-term before you make the decision to move up to the next level.”

It’s important to take the time to properly prepare your horse for the demands of the next level at home before attempting it at a show.

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From the Ground UpKnowing what’s going on inside your horse’s body is notalways easy. But, just as in humans, it starts at the base. “It’s all connected,” says Hennessy. “If the feet are imbalanced, that is going to cause the rest of the body to be imbalanced. By being a massage therapist, it’s kind of up to me, when people call on me, to take a good look at the entire horse.”

Hennessy began to really understand just how substantial proper balance in the body is when Gaelic kept pulling up lame. “I wasn’t savvy enough to understand that a long toeand an underslung heel was going to cause extra pull on the tendons in the horse’s leg…and that was coming up into his shoulder and then kind of feeding through to his back and down his right side,” she says. “So, I educated myself on the hoof and how it’s all put together and how just the slightest imbalance could affect the rest of the horse and how he moves. And in figuring him out it helped me develop

the knowledge to kind of go into other situations and help clients out with that.”

Even details that would outwardly seem to be unrelated can have a major impact on a horse’s performance. “It’s very important that their teeth get done. If something is bothering the horse in the mouth, it’s not just going to affect the bit. It’s going to affect the entire horse because he’s going to move differently—he’s going to move in a way where he can try to get away from that pain. And as he is moving in a way that is not natural, it’s going to affect his neck muscles—starting at the poll, followed by the neck, and then it’s going to work its way down,” explains Hennessy.

From the Outside InThe teeth are not the only area of the head that can play a big part in your horse’s behavior. With many muscles and nerveendings in the face, it is imperative that the bit and bridle fit and are adjusted properly. “A lot of people want their nosebands super tight, and that’s not necessarily such a great idea,” notes Hennessy. “It starts to affect the horse’s breathing—it puts too much pressure on that area of the face and on those nerves.

“If they’re having that much of an issue with pulling or not dropping at the poll, tightening the noseband isn’t really aneffective way to fix that. There’s got to be something going on…a lot of times they’re not mean, they’re just trying to tell you something,” she says.

If your horse is acting abnormal and you think he may have a back issue, be sure to look into external factors first. Hennessy suggests you check your saddle fit—it is possible to be over-padding or under-padding; or perhaps your horse’smuscle tone has changed, which would influence the way it fits as well. “The first thing you should do is call a good saddle fitter and have them come and take a look at your saddle, because saddle fit is really important. Also, where you place it is very important. You can have it too far forward or too far back. Most times [people] place their saddles too far forward, and what that does is constrict the horse’s shoulder so they aren’t able to reach out with their front leg,” she says. “Putyour saddle up and then slide it down to where it stops, and that’s a pretty natural fit for where it should be going.”

To that end, your girth can play a role in the internal comfort of your horse as well. “The girth doesn’t need to bethat tight, not as tight as people have it. It just needs to be tight enough where the saddle is not going to slip. It can put additional pressure on the horse’s pectoral muscles, and that will make them sore.”

In fact, you, as a rider, can be considered as an external factor in how evenly your horse carries himself. “If you’re not in balance with your horse and you tend to ride more with your right side or more with your left side, you’re going to create a crooked horse. Your horse is not going to be balanced and straight, and it’s very important that he is.”

Then, after combining her lifelong love of horses and newfound passion for massage—and becoming certified in equine massage—tragedy struck again. She lost her young,promising horse, Gaelic, to colic. On the verge of giving up, Hennessy found inspiration inher clients and her older horse, Beane, remembering how good it felt to help improve their overall well-being, and in turn, performance.

It was Gaelic, after all, who helped kick-start Hennessy’s education toward truly under-standing that, while heart can take you a long way, having a body that is in excellentworking order is vital as well.

Kelly Hennessy gives a pre-cross-country-schooling massage to her horse, Beane, as part of his physical upkeep and well-being.

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Look to the Past to Change the FutureIt is also of utmost importance to look at your horse’s history of injuries, as former issues will impact different parts of his body. The theory of opposites will often apply: Say your horse previ-ously injured his left front leg. “He’s going to be putting less weight on the left side and more weight on the right side [while hurt]. That’s going to cause an imbalance, so when you start bringing him back, you need to work a little bit harder on the left side to strengthen that up,” notes Hennessy.

And if your horse is currently laid up, the key to keeping him as fit as possible with a good shot at a speedy recovery is by sustaining blood flow throughout the impacted area. There are multiple ways to help with this, including massage and shockwave therapy. “Even if a horse is injured and on stall rest, one of the best things you can do is get him massaged on a regular basis because that does maintain the muscle tone and also keeps the blood flowing properly,” she says. “When there is a tendon or ligament injury it takes a very long time to heal because there’s not a lot of blood flow to them to begin with…if you could help increase that blood flow, then it’s going to helpthe injury heal a little bit faster.”

Help Your Own CauseIf supplemental therapies are out of reach for you or you want to maintain your horse between visits, there are ground exercises you can do to help keep him supple on your own as well. “Get a carrot and, flexing your horse, take the carrot to his side close to the flank, and have him just turn his neck so you’re doing neck flexion,” Hennessy explains. “Do that to the right, and to the left. You can also take the carrot between his front legs and have him stretch his head down to his front legs, and that’s good for a horse as well.

“There’s also another stretch that I usually teach my clients to do—the ‘belly lift’ exercise…take your fingertips or the hard part of a grooming brush and place it in that groove in between his legs, under his belly—but be aware since horses are sensitive there. Put pressure in that groove until he raises his back up. It’s actually more of an abdominal exercise, almost like a crunch…and if horses have strong abdominal muscles, just like us, it’s going to strengthen their top line and give them better posture.”

Hennessy recommends you do each exercise twice on each side, stretching a little bit further the second time,

and holding for just a few seconds apiece. Exercises can be done before or after you ride, as long as the muscles are already warm, though she says post-stretching helps keep the muscles from becoming sore.

Education is KeyIn figuring out how to keep your horse operating at the highest level possible, Hennessy urges riders to treat their equines as the athletes that they are; and to look at things from a sports-man’s perspective. “You don’t see human athletes keep goinguntil they break. They maintain themselves. They go to massage therapists, they have chiropractors, they have physicians, they do whatever they can to maintain their body and keep it in good working order so they can perform at their best.”

Furthermore, it’s about getting to know your mount. “It’s a partnership. It’s not just the rider; it’s not just the horse. It is a complete partnership, and if you’re in tune with your horse, you’re going to be able to know when there’s something going on and you’re going to eventually be able to feel it,” she explains. “It’s all in just really getting to know your horse well, kind of like how you know your own body well.”

In the end, it is important to constantly think and educate yourself. Since your horse cannot explain how he is feeling, it is up to you to interpret his actions. If you understand the anatomy of a horse and how his body works, you can then

understand how your tack, and the way you use it, will impact his performance.

How can you do this? Be proactive: Read books, whether they are on stretching exercises, massage, or the makeup of a horse. Schedule a field trip to an equine hospital or rehabilitation facility. Go to clinics—from centered riding to examining the body structure of a live, anatomically painted horse in demonstrations like “Anatomy in Motion: The Visible Horse” or “Horses Inside Out,” the possibilities are endless. And, be sensi-tive to your horse—in conjunction with professional care, this is how you will get the most out of him, whilekeeping him happy and healthy.

“When I help a horse—that feeling—it’s incredible,” says Hennessy, holding back tears. “And that’s what makes me so passionate about what I do…I really feel a connection with these horses and I truly want to help them; and I’m constantly educating myself to try and make myself better so I can.” And that’s what champions are made of.

Doing vari-ous carrot stretches before or after riding can help keep your horse’s muscles from getting sore.

Learning about a horse’s anatomy, whether it be through a book or clinic, will help you understand different factors that affect his performance. P

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

GettingKnowToYou

In this special section, get to know the

farms and businesses that contribute to the success of

top equine athletes in the sport horse world.

EQJSH_130700_027.indd 27EQJSH_130700_027.indd 27 6/18/13 10:08:11 AM6/18/13 10:08:11 AM


Perfection is a birthright

Elite-quality horses from top European bloodlinesAll First Flight Farm youngsters are a product of good breeding. We introduce our premium mares to frozen semen from Europe’s top stallions, producing superior offspring bred for equestrian excellence.

Photo by Robbin Cresswell

Everything you want in a fine mount: A sound mind, excellent temperament, beautiful conformation and exquisite movement.

Let us help you select a strong, suitable equine partner.

First Flight Farm horses are raised in a structured, loving environment and handled from birth. We gently school each foal to lead, tie, load and stand for a farrier. From their first days, our foals are nurtured in a balanced, calm environment that supports them as they grow into their potential within an English discipline.

First Flight Farm produces foals and young horses that satisfy the most discriminating professionals. We strive to make a lasting contribution to equestrian sport through our horses – bred and raised for sheer athleticism, scope and a drive to perform at the highest levels of competition.

CUSTOM BREEDING SERVICES AVAILABLEUnder the supervision of Tricia Veley and Theriogenologist Benjamin Espy, DVM, DACT, First Flight Farm also provides breeding services and boarding for broodmares.

CASAMIRO2013 Bay Holsteiner Colt

FF QUERIDA

2013 Gray Holsteiner Filly

FLORENTINO2013 Bay Hanoverian Colt

LAGOONA PARADISE2007 Mecklenburger Bay Mare

ONEIDA2013 Black Oldenburg Filly

SAFIRA SZ2006 Dark Bay Zangersheide Mare

STEPHANO2013 Black Oldenburg Colt

TEANCE2012 GOV Premium Black

Oldenburg Filly

WELLINGTON2009 GOV Premium Dark Bay

Oldenburg Gelding

Currently for Sale

a birthright

Dutch Warmblood Oldenburg Brandenburg Holsteiner Hanoverian830-537-4150 • 210-355-3500 • For additional information visit FirstFlightFarm.com

FFF Mag ad9.indd 1 5/29/13 5:55 PM

“We don’t do average here,” says tricia veley with pride. set on 40 acres of lush fields on a historic horse farm in Boerne, tX, First Flight Farm, owned by tricia and her husband rick, is the culmina-tion of years of dreaming, planning, and hard work by this seasoned competitor and lifelong equestrian. the farm consists of two interrelated businesses. For mare owners, veley offers a wide array of breeding services, full mare care, and foaling out for horses of any breed. For competitors looking for world class warm-bloods, First Flight Farm also offers custom breeding, Frozen semen storage, Foal and young horse training, and sales of Berlin-Brandenberg, holsteiner, hanoverian, oldenburg, and dutch Warmblood sport horses for dressage and jumping.

tricia, assisted by her excellent profes-sional staff, each with four-year equine science degrees, works with board certified breeding specialist veterinarian, Benjamin espy, dvM, dipl aCt, to provide breeding services to the client mares. veley, a certi-fied ultrasound technician, does all of the scanning and inseminations for her own mares. realizing that her interest and natural gifts are in the area of mare care, foaling out, and working with young

horses, veley gives mare owners a clean, safe, professional alternative to taking their mares to a vet clinic or having their mares foal out at home.

First Flight Farm offers concierge service to clients interested in purchasing world-class warmblood horses from the finest european bloodlines. the farm offers a wide range of horses, from top caliber foals to more “made” competition horses, and with contacts with multiple breeders/trainers here and in europe, she can help clients find the perfect horse to reach their goals.

veley is proud of the horses she is producing, particularly four-year-old Wellington (by Wynton, out of Preference), a magnificent dark bay gelding, who finished third in the nation at the 2012 united states dressage Federation (usdF) Materiale horse of the year competition. she is equally proud of his half brother, Wynston, (by Wynton and out of v.Pr.st. olivia), having already qualified for the 2013 usdF young horse Finals.

this year, First Flight Farm welcomed six foals from her many approved, Premium, and special Premium status mares, with eight foals expected in 2014. if you are looking for a horse with substance, style,

and the proven bloodlines to take you to the top, First Flight Farm is ready to help you. For more information on the farm, call 830-537-4150, email [email protected], or visit firstflightfarm.com.

First Flight FarmBy susan WinsloW

Equine Journal Advertorial

028-029.indd 28 6/17/13 2:02:47 PM


Perfection is a birthright

Elite-quality horses from top European bloodlinesAll First Flight Farm youngsters are a product of good breeding. We introduce our premium mares to frozen semen from Europe’s top stallions, producing superior offspring bred for equestrian excellence.

Photo by Robbin Cresswell

Everything you want in a fine mount: A sound mind, excellent temperament, beautiful conformation and exquisite movement.

Let us help you select a strong, suitable equine partner.

First Flight Farm horses are raised in a structured, loving environment and handled from birth. We gently school each foal to lead, tie, load and stand for a farrier. From their first days, our foals are nurtured in a balanced, calm environment that supports them as they grow into their potential within an English discipline.

First Flight Farm produces foals and young horses that satisfy the most discriminating professionals. We strive to make a lasting contribution to equestrian sport through our horses – bred and raised for sheer athleticism, scope and a drive to perform at the highest levels of competition.

CUSTOM BREEDING SERVICES AVAILABLEUnder the supervision of Tricia Veley and Theriogenologist Benjamin Espy, DVM, DACT, First Flight Farm also provides breeding services and boarding for broodmares.

CASAMIRO2013 Bay Holsteiner Colt

FF QUERIDA

2013 Gray Holsteiner Filly

FLORENTINO2013 Bay Hanoverian Colt

LAGOONA PARADISE2007 Mecklenburger Bay Mare

ONEIDA2013 Black Oldenburg Filly

SAFIRA SZ2006 Dark Bay Zangersheide Mare

STEPHANO2013 Black Oldenburg Colt

TEANCE2012 GOV Premium Black

Oldenburg Filly

WELLINGTON2009 GOV Premium Dark Bay

Oldenburg Gelding

Currently for Sale

a birthright

Dutch Warmblood Oldenburg Brandenburg Holsteiner Hanoverian830-537-4150 • 210-355-3500 • For additional information visit FirstFlightFarm.com

FFF Mag ad9.indd 1 5/29/13 5:55 PM

028-029.indd 29 6/17/13 2:05:42 PM


The dicTionary defines The word “VeX” as meaning to stir up, shake up, and even to ignite. Through the efforts of VeX equine, and most especially with the $200,000 Breeders challenge program, they are an aptly named company that is poised to stir up and ignite the sport horse industry!

VeX equine was formed to create a thoughtful and well-managed plan for distribution of coconut Grove frozen semen after his death, and with it, the genetics of a stallion whose value cannot be overstated.

The role of VeX equine is to provide continuing opportunities for north american breeders to benefit by using coconut Grove in their ongoing modern-ization of warmblood breeds of all kinds, from the holsteiners to the dutch, to the irish draughts and beyond. we need the Thoroughbred in our pedigrees, and while there are certainly other accom-

plished Thoroughbred sires, there are quite few in recent times that have the record, qualities, and capabilities of coconut Grove.

with the death of coconut Grove in 2012, north american breeders lost one of their most valuable equine assets. coconut Grove was a modern-day rarity in show jumping, a Thoroughbred stallion of superb lineage that had competed at the most demanding levels of international sport with resounding success. qualifications for major show jumping events, such as the sydney olympics and the Pan am Games, where he was awarded Best south american horse, are just some of the highlights of his amazing performance record. as a specimen, coconut Grove was exqui-site, and has further proven himself over his years at stud by producing numerous site champions and premium foals, earning commendations, particu-

larly for improving both walk and canter gaits, as well as for the skilled jumping abilities of his offspring. in fact, in 2012’s nationwide Madden’s Breeders Bridge talent search, two coconut Grove offspring were selected as top ten final-ists from close to 200 entries, with one of those two making the top five.

coconut Grove offspring are out there showing right now, and they are talented and competitive in jumping, dressage, eventing, and hunters. here are just a few: Bella eTc, a six-year-old, who just had good placings at 1.20 in atlanta; cellar door, who just finished third at the Preliminary level at fair hill; and, corazon Bf, winning in both the confor-mation hunters and the junior hunters. The list goes on and on— in fact, there are many videos and photos on the VeX website.

for more information, visit Vexequine.com, or call 817-247-6125.

VEX EquineGet “Fired Up” Over this AmAzinG new ventUre

Bella etC by Coconut Grove, owned by Kirsten Coe of equine trading Company.

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intrOdUCinG the $200,000 Breeders ChALLenGer The coconut Grove $200,000 Breeders challenge is a breeder incentive that is unheard of in the sport horse industry, but its inspiration came from the cutting horse industry, which is very big in Texas. in the sport horse world, bonus pro-grams for breeders are not at all common. But, they are in a unique situation, with a stallion with no less than nine north american registry approvals. This means there is a widely eligible mare base, and ample opportunity to help the industry. The focus of the Breeders challenge is to prove to breeders what we already know about coconut Grove, and put further stock in our claims that he is truly one of the greatest Thoroughbred show jumpers of recent time.

Cellar door, bred and owned by Jane dudinsky, competing at southern pines in April 2013. with doug payne up, he was 5th in preliminary.

*Coconut Grove was the first Thoroughbred stallion in the U.S. to be granted a breeding license by the American holsteiner horse Association and the American hanoverian society.


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THE NAME PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE IS synonymous with innovative equine leg care. Michele Scott, vice president and daughter of founder Dal Scott, describes the philosophy behind the company’s enormous success, “We’ve been in business for 38 years and my father founded this company on the belief that a comfortable horse will do his job better. He was right. My daughter is an eventer, and most of the people who work here are riders. We know how important it is to take care of our horses so they can perform to the best of their ability and have a long and trouble-free career. At Professional’s Choice, we are dedicated to developing products to enhance equine perfor-mance and increase safety, and all of our products are both independently and field tested to ensure they live up to our high standards of quality and effectiveness.”

Professional’s Choice also gets input and advice on product designs from professional riders and trainers including Olympic medalists Gina Miles and Steffen Peters.

Although the company is best known for cutting edge protective products for western disciplines, such as the hugely popular Sports Medicine Boots, which reduce concussion to a horse’s leg by a full 27%, Professional’s Choice offers equine apparel and equipment for all horses and riding interests. Their protective boots, wraps, girths, cinches, and saddle pads are not only sought after by reiners and barrel racers, but also eventers, dressage riders, and hunter/jumper enthusiasts.

Dressage riders are raving about the combination of comfort, traditional appearance, and high tech design of the lightweight SMx in Steffen Peters Dressage Show Pads that include energy-absorbing UltraShock material. English riders now have many options in saddle pads—including the Professional’s Choice Quilted All-Purpose Pad, Non Slip Pad, and Hunter/Jumper Saddle Pad with an UltraShock core. Additionally, the company boasts a line of durable, finely crafted Open Front Jumping Boots and Ankle boots, as well as breathable VenTECH Leather Open Front Jumping Boots. Professional’s Choice also offers horse apparel, training DVDs, trailer accessories, and even a full line of human orthopedic products.

Scott believes that exemplary customer service is as important as turning out a quality product. It has been the company’s mantra from the earliest days when Dal Scott was knocking on doors to promote his ingenious Sports Medicine Boots. Scott explains, “My dad used to say, ‘The customer is always right.’ I still believe that to be true. Here at Professional’s Choice, we listen to our customers and we welcome feedback. In addition to offering products for every level of competitor, we want to help people who are new to the horse industry learn how to keep their horses safe and serviceable. We also know there are many people returning to this sport in their 40s and 50s, and it’s our goal to make it easier for them to enjoy their horses and the sport. At Professional’s Choice, we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the industry, always mindful that our goal is to improve and enhance the lives of horses and horse owners everywhere.”

For more information on Professional’s Choice products, visit profchoice.com.

Professional’s ChoiceBY SUSAN WINSLOW

Professional’s Choice offers products for all disciplines and all levels of riders.

Steffen Peters Dressage Show Pads are made with energy-absorbing UltraShock material.

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The more comfortable the horse, the better the performance.

FIND A DEALER 1.800.331.9421 www.ProfChoice.com

FOR THE HORSE THAT DESERVES THE BEST, CHOOSE THE MOST TRUSTED BRAND.

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The fine, TalenTed warmbloods of e2 show Jumpers have been training hard and garnering top honors and awards at the most prestigious show jumping venues in the united states. owned by Katherine and John Gallagher, in partnership with well-known east Coast trainer, m. michael meller, this successful equine enterprise joins the Gallaghers’ very successful dressage unit, elite equine imports, in residence at lovely sundance Trails in mattapoisett, ma.

e2 show Jumpers searches for talented young warmbloods of proven bloodlines in europe and the united Kingdom, then imports them into the united states.

“we bring along young horses that have the potential of going to grand prix show jumping, and foremost are tailored to the american market,” explains trainer michael meller. “we have a couple of great scouts in europe and the uK who help us make sure we are getting the right horses with

their true story. These horses have the right brain, like to do the job, and have the heart to do it. if they have these qualities, they’re going to do the job.

“we always want the best,” continues meller. we have bought a lot of quality seven and eight year olds who have competed well at Palm beach, devon, Kentucky, upperville, hiTs-saugerties, Trump invitational, live oak international and the hampton Classic horse show. we hope to do business with owners or buyers who will give them the best care, keep their education going and compete them at the top venues in the country. if you do it right like that, the horses really succeed. we work in doing it the right way and the results show.”

in 2012, Chico’s Girl placed first and second in the 8 Year old Jumper division at devon and she was also champion at upperville in the 8 Year old Jumper division. she has had good results in 2013 at wef,

and recently won the hall of fame Junior Jumper Classic in Kentucky with young rider sophie simpson!

in 2013 Carneyhough manx, piloted by schuyler riley, placed in the top ribbons in the open jumpers at devon, and in upperville had his first grand prix placing in the $25,000 class. in 2012, he highlighted his year by being champion at the finals of the Young Jumper Championships 7-8 Year olds at the hampton Classic horse show.

“schuyler riley has done an excellent job,” continues meller. “everyone is aware of her deep resume, with many, many wins at the international level, and her work ethic is extraordinary. The combination of both those attributes is the reason i chose her as our rider and co-trainer.”

adoctro, a young grand prix prospect that Katherine Gallagher has had for six months, was recently sold to Canada with ian millar as the agent. michael meller’s own horse, waterloo, has been a consis-tent ribbon winner, earning top grand prix ribbons this year at wef, hiTs-saugerties, Trump invitational, live oak international, Kentucky, atlanta, hampton Classics, and devon.

e2 show Jumpers carefully matches owners and horses to get the absolute best fit in order to continue their horses’ future success. Placing well-educated horses into the right hands is paramount to the horses’ success. while the company tries to have a selection on hand that enables them to complement the horse and rider, they also offer to run custom searches for clients if the horse they are looking for is not currently in the show stable’s line.

“The Gallaghers are great. They have been in every gamut of the horse busi-ness and have always done well,” says michael. “it’s great working with a family with such integrity. many clients return again when they are looking to purchase another horse.”

for more information, visit eliteequineimports.com.

E2 Show JumpersbY CaTherine Girard

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Shine in the

Shine & Liza Richardson

FLEUR DE LIS HUNTERDERBY 2010

C her Shine – 2010 fi lly out of Alythia (TB), yearling

Do you want to

Shineola – 2009 fi lly out of Alythia (TB) at 2 yrs.

Shimmy Shine – 2009 gelding out of Ginna (Hann) as yearling.

Time to Shine – 2005 gelding out of Savoir Faire (Old) at 5 yrs. Bred by Meg Jones Shine On – 2007 gelding out of Alone (TB)

at 3 yr. old. Bred by Hunter’s Run Farms

Sunstone – 2006 Old gelding. Bred by Robin Swinderman

~ For more information please contact Victoria Hunton ~

713-806-7108 cell • [email protected] • Oldeoaksfarm.com

hunter ring...


it was a once in a lifetime horse and a once in a lifetime opportunity that led to the inception of olde oaks farm in thomsons, tX. when Victoria hunton bred to a newly imported stallion, shine, she never imagined how much that single breeding decision would end up influ-encing her life.

in 2000, wendy davis Gerrish of october hill farm and VeX equine imported the stunning, great moving dressage stallion from Germany. upon arriving in the united states, he was intro-duced to the hunter ring where he showed great promise. he won many national, regional, and state championships in the Green hunters and conformation hunters and then moved on to the amateur owner hunters where he continued to excel. liza richardson of hunter’s run farms pointed out the incredible shine to Victoria, suggesting that he may be a stallion worth breeding to.

with the ultimate combination of temperament, conformation, ability, and beauty, Victoria couldn’t believe how incredible the resulting shine foal was. it was immediately clear that she wanted to breed back to the stallion. it took a while to track down shine, as he was not being heavily promoted at the time. only a week after finding where he was standing , Victoria saw an ad in a well respected horse magazine advertising shine as being for sale.

on a bit of a whim, Victoria called liza to see if she would be interested in having another stallion in the barn. while initially

hesitant, liza’s answer was a resounding yes when she learned that her client was looking at the one and only shine. Victoria laughs, “i never thought that i wanted to own a stallion, in fact i had really strong feelings about not owning one. But he was different, really special.”

after being purchased in 2006 by olde oaks farm, he began competing in the adult amateur hunters with owner Victoria where they were a pair to be reck-oned with. in 2007 and 2009 they were named reserve champion in the texas hunter/Jumper association, and in 2009 they were the reserve champion in Zone 7 as well.

then, in 2010, he stepped up to the plate and began competing in hunter

derbies exclusively with liza. he once again put his best foot forward, winning the estes Park hunter derby three times, the Great southwest winter series iii, and a multitude of top rankings in a number of prestigious derbies.

shine performed the job of a show horse and breeding stallion simultane-ously. Breeding about 10 mares a year, he would often leave horse shows to collect, then head back to the shows to continue competing. according to Victoria, “he is so laid back, he never really acts like a stallion. he is always ready to focus on the job at hand. nearly every year at the Pin oak classic, i would leave the show with him to breed, then come back and show with him the next day. there are not many other stallions that i believe could do that!”

in the words of Victoria, shine is just like a big teddy bear. this sweet horse passes down his temperament to his offspring. many of his progeny were started by amateurs, a testament to the smart, agreeable youngsters that he puts on the ground. “it is really a dream come true. it was always my intention to breed fabulous amateur horses. i don’t want to breed the big and complicated horses that only professionals can ride. i want to breed fancy and steadfast partners that their amateurs can enjoy.”

on march 28, 2013, olde oaks farm retired shine from the show ring at the age of 20, completely sound in both body and mind. the stallion still has an illus-trious career ahead of him in the breeding shed, as his offspring continue to shine in the show ring.

for more information, visit oldeoaks-farm.com or call Vicki at 713-806-7108.

Olde Oakes FarmSetS a Shining example

Shine retired from showing before the UShJa international hunter Derby at the pin Oak Charity horse Show.

028-029.indd 36 6/19/13 3:07:12 PM


Shine in the

Shine & Liza Richardson

FLEUR DE LIS HUNTERDERBY 2010

C her Shine – 2010 fi lly out of Alythia (TB), yearling

Do you want to

Shineola – 2009 fi lly out of Alythia (TB) at 2 yrs.

Shimmy Shine – 2009 gelding out of Ginna (Hann) as yearling.

Time to Shine – 2005 gelding out of Savoir Faire (Old) at 5 yrs. Bred by Meg Jones Shine On – 2007 gelding out of Alone (TB)

at 3 yr. old. Bred by Hunter’s Run Farms

Sunstone – 2006 Old gelding. Bred by Robin Swinderman

~ For more information please contact Victoria Hunton ~

713-806-7108 cell • [email protected] • Oldeoaksfarm.com

hunter ring...

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A Look at Today’s English Tall Boots

From classic to contempo-rary, English tall boots not only look sleek, they give an added edge to your perfor-

mance. New and exciting trends meld with traditional styling for an endless variety of options. One thing is for certain: these are not your grandmother’s boots. Tall boots on the market today are so much more technical than in thepast, with an astonishing level of quality in every price range. So,how do you choose the right bootfor you? Join us for a look at what’snew, as well as the tried-and-true, inthe realm of tall boots.

First Things First: Field Boots or Dress Boots?Tall boots provide stability, while also creating clean and graceful lines. Field boots are the go-to option for many riders taking part in jumping disciplines; this includes hunters, jumpers, three-day eventing, and field hunters, as well as many casual English riders. Whether you grace hunter under saddle classes at a breed show, or blast around a grand prix jumper course, field boots look the part while giving you the grip that you need.

Laces at the throat of the boot are the biggest things that set field boots apart from dress boots. This softer style of boot offers flexibility, which can be your friend when getting those heels down. Field boots are often decorated with a leather tab at the top outside of the boot and a punched toecap.

BY NATALIE DEFEE MENDIK


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Dress boots, formally known as dres-sage boots, are crafted from smooth, solid leather without laces, and tend to be stiffer than field boots, with less drop in the leather at the ankle. Stiffened with either a three-quarter-lining around the boot, or a stiffener up the back of the boot, dress boots create a sleek impression. Soft leather at the inside of the calf allows for feel, while a pigskin lining around the rest makes a harder, more finished product. A big range in the degrees of stiffness in dress boots is available to satisfy every rider’s different preference.

Both dress and field boots, nowadays, almost always feature a Spanish top, a style in which the outside top of the boot is cut higher in an upward swoop on the outside of leg. This visually elongates the leg for an elegant look that doesn’t impact comfort.

But Wait, There’s More!“Stereotypically, dress boots are for dres-sage, whether that’s straight dressage or the dressage phase of eventing. Field boots are for hunter and jumper disciplines,” explains Kelly Smith, marketing administrator for English Riding Supply. Times are changing, however. While the division between field and dress boots generally remains true, Smith notes there is now a lot of cross-over of dress boots into hunters, jumpers, eventing, and field hunting.

So, where does this crossover stem from? The new standard of zippers and softer leathers on nearly every boot has opened the playing field. “There’s more technology

working on the flexibility in the heel to make boots more comfortable, and I believethat’s one of the reasons why dress boots are becoming more popular,” explains Janet Nittmann, Director of Corporate Communications at Dover Saddlery. “They are now more comfortable, so you can have that very elegant look.”

“It’s hard to find a boot without zippers, nowadays,” says Smith. “They’ve come a long way from the old zippers that used to blow out all the time. They are down to a science now, where they don’t affect the profile of the boot anymore.” Zippers are the rage for two big reasons: they allow for a snug, tailored fit, along with ease of putting them on and taking them off. Boots with zippers don’t need extra room to accommodate the foot while putting them on and removing them, creating a clean, flattering line with no bulk. Many zippered boots have elasticized gussets alongside the zipper, which allows a bit more give for an optimal fit.

Dress boots produced for jumping disci-plines are less stiff than those made for dressage, as the jumping disciplines require the ability to flex the ankle and lower the heel more than in dressage; the true dress boot is always stiffer.

That said, changes can also be seen in the style of dress boots manufactured with dres-sage in mind. “Even a lot of the traditional dressage riders are moving away from the super-stiff dress boots,” remarks Smith, noting that new, softer leathers, combined with a classic dress boot styling, allow both precise leg aids and greater sensitivity in feeling the horse.

[LEFT] Field boots have laces at the throat of the boot and offer more fl exibility than dress boots.[RIGHT] Dress boots are crafted from smooth, solid leather, which creates a sleek impression.

Experts’PicksGiven carte blanche to choose what they’d like, our experts fill us in on their top picks. There is truly a boot out there for everyonethese days, with pricesranging from $100, to custom boots starting at $2,500.

BEST BUDGET BOOT: ■ Kelly Smith: Ovation Flex Field Boot, $249.95:“With this boot, you getgood quality leather, zippers with full-lengthgusset, and fine, flex-ible leather wherethe boot laces, so you can instantly put your heels down. This great,all-around field boot is comfortable and inex-pensive.”■ Janet Nittmann:Middleburg Zip Field Boot, $249.99: “Thisis a quality boot withstretch panels that make it extremelycomfortable.”

FAVORITE UPSCALE SPLURGE:■ Kelly Smith:Ovation FinesseConcours Field Boot,$399.95: “This boot isflexible at the throat and has a paddedankle. It has a great sticky inside panel that gives you a tonof grip. The Carbosanfoot bed with archsupport is like walking around in a sneaker.”■ Janet Nittmann:TredStep Raphael Boot,$489.95: “The long,refined look lengthens the leg. Don’t ask mehow they do it. It’sreally fantastic. The full flexion in the ankle is extremely comfortable.”

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Fashion-ForwardIf you’re not a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist, new fashion options probably catch your eye. “The biggest trend in fashion is choice—there’s more choice than ever before,” explains Nittmann. “People are looking for different things. On top of looking for a well-fitted boot, people can be indi-vidual and have the embellishments.”

For example, colors are hot in many circles, such as brown, sported by the likes of top jumper rider, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, and dressage rider, Heather Blitz. There are definitely more fashion options out there than in the past. “There’s a little bling here and there,” says Smith, “like a jeweled swagger tab on field boots, piping on the toecap, or lacing up the side. The changes are subtle, but enough to set boots apart.”

Down-to-Earth TechnologyGone are the days when boots served a purpose without much comfort. “Just about every manufacturer now has a very technical foot bed,” notes Smith. Think antimicrobial, antibacterial, odor-resistant, soft memory foam-like linings.

“Boots are now suitable for both when you’re in the saddle and when you’re not—when you’re walking around the barn or the show, thanks to the technology in the sole,” notes Nittmann. “Ariat® technology really changed the industry andset the standard for more comfort in the sole.”

These new features are packed into a beautiful boot that remains lightweight with no bulk. Along with comfort, new technology can lend riders a technical edge, such as a panel some boots now have on the inside of the calf for extra grip.

On the HuntDo your research before trying on boots, narrowing down the field to some top choices. Measure sitting in a chair with your feet on the floor. Have an assistant use a cloth tape measure to measure the widest part of your calf and from the bottom of your heel up to the back of your knee. These two figures, plus your standard shoe size, will make up your boot size. Be sure to measure in both centimeters and inches, as some European boots may require metric sizing.

Try on the boots with breeches and boot socks. Boots should fit snug, but not too tight; the leather will stretch a bit. New boots will hit at the back of your knee, and will drop down some once broken in. Typically, field boots will drop more than dressage boots. “Zippered boots don’t droplike they used to,” remarks Smith. “Expect around ½" of drop.” In addition, zippered boots should not be fit too snug, as this strains the zipper, causing it to break.

Give yourself some time to wear your boots around the house at first. If you find the breaking-in phase especially painful, heel lifts inside your boots help alleviate some of the chafing at the backs of your knees.

Once you’ve worn them at the barn, take care to treat your boots properly. This means wear them only when on the horse, not when hosing your horse in the wash rack or trekking into the field to catch your horse. After each ride, wipe your boots down, sparingly, using only high-quality products designed for boot care. Be sure to use boot trees, so they maintain their shape.

Zippers also do not tolerate grunge well. “Zippers are not meant to be slogged through mud,” notes Smith. “Keep them clean with a product like Hypofekt by Pharmaka, which cleans and lubricates zippers. This makes a big difference, even in the ease of the zipper going up. Maintaining the zipper keeps a grain of sand from knocking your zipper off track.”

Retail TherapyHigh quality, fully-lined, supple leather, combined with thelatest in technical foot bed styling, is the hallmark of today’s boots. “The desire to have a very elegant tall boot that fits well and is comfortable will always be there, but thanks to technology, that goal is more achievable than it used to be,” says Nittmann. “You can expect boots to be more comfort-able, last longer, and be comfortable when you’re walking.”

Vents, zipper guards, stretch mesh, high-density heel foam, durable wetsuit-grade material, sterling silver accents, treads that repel dirt and grip the stirrup irons—you name it! Whatever your budget, preference or style, the perfect boot is out there!

Natalie DeFee Mendik can be found at MendikMedia.com.

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5T o most people with the passion for horse shows, it doesn’t matter where you’re competing as long as you’re with your horse and ready to hit the ring. However, once the competition closes down for the day, it’s wonderful to be able to head out on the town,

whether it is to grab a quick bite to eat, browse the nearby shops, or hit up the local watering hole.

What show towns truly have it all? In our book, that means ample eques-trian facilities (terrific footing is a must), and a town with a passion for horses, as well as plenty, and we mean plenty, of great restaurants, delis, and bistros in the area. Here’s a listing of five great show towns, with just some of the reasons they are worth visiting.

BY JENNIFER ROBERTS

The Fabulous Five


A Look at a Few Great Horse Show Towns

» Wellington, FloridaAnyone who has ever visited Wellington will tell you that there is simplynothing like it. As a town that is completely inundated with horses each winter,the location caters to equines and equestrians. Boasting the longestrunning horse show in the world from January to March, Wellington has become a top destination for polo, dressage, and hunter/jumper riders.

Bridle paths connect key areas of the town, begging the ques-tion: why drive or walk when you can ride? “Horse Crossing” signs arecommonplace along the roads, and it is a familiar sight to see horses and riders hacking to the beautiful showgrounds from their exquisitebarns in the surrounding area.

While the city of Wellington caters to the horse show crowd, withcoffee shops and tack shops on nearly every corner, upscale West Palm Beach is just 20 minutes away. It offers everything from arelaxing day watching the waves, to a high-energy night at the clubs, all within a cab ride from the showgrounds.

One of the many beautiful equine facilities in Wellington. P

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» Lexington, KentuckyAs one might expect from the “Horse Capital of the World,” horses reign supreme, with picturesque farms and miles of fencing surrounding the incredible city.

For those involved in the equine world, the 1,200-acre Kentucky Horse Park has no equal. Home to the 2010 World Equestrian Games, the park is able to cater to every equestriandiscipline, including show jumping, eventing, and dressage.With museums, office buildings, restaurants, and a campground on the facility, there is almost no need to leave the horse park.

But, when you do, the city of Lexington has a lot to offer. Lodging is conveniently located adjacent to the horse park, and the scenic drive makes you almost wish that it was a bitmore of a commute. From fast food to indulgent cuisine from all over theglobe, Lexington feeds not only the soul of the equestrian, but also the body.

» Lexington, VirginiaA quaint city, with not only a great horse show facility, but also a rich history, Lexington is worthy of the trip. Downtown offers many tributes to the Civil War, including the Museum of Military Memorabilia, the Virginia Military Institute Museum, and even Stonewall Jackson’s house. If history isn’t your thing, perhaps you’ll appreciate the fine architecture of the city, or the culinary array that is readily available.

The Virginia Horse Park offers up all of the amenities in a compact setting that doesn’t require you to be a long-distance walker or to rent a golf cart.The sturdy, permanent barns, and the many outdoor rings, accent the air-conditioned coliseum and a large indoor arena. A tack shop, located directlyacross the street, finishes off the superb setting.

With small-town charm and a big equestrian presence, Lexington has an appeal that you truly need to experience to understand.

» Manchester, VermontJust north of Manchester is the picturesque showgrounds at Harold Beebe Farm, framed by Vermont’s Green Mountains; it has an impressive show facility, withplenty of rings for schooling. Exhibitors can expect to be warmly welcomed at any of the area’s numerous local businesses, which include a large range of lodging options, restaurants, outdoor activities, and plenty of shopping.

When you’re done competing, the surrounding towns are full of NewEngland charm: historic homes, quaint country inns and taverns, and manycomfortable, friendly places to stay and dine. This Mecca of summer recreation

runs the gamut from hiking the Appalachian Trail, togolf, tennis, canoeing, hunting, fishing, and more.

Manchester is known throughout the region as the home of world-class shopping! You’ll find everything, from couture clothing and gourmet food, to antiquesand handmade arts and crafts. You’ll find over two dozen designer outlets in Manchester, including top names like Brooks Brothers, Kate Spade, Coach, and Ralph Lauren.

The Kentucky Horse Park has been the setting for some of the mostprestigious competitions in the United States and even the world.

Washington Lee University is one of Lexington’s major draws.

The state-of-the-art coliseum at the Virginia Horse Park is just oneof the many perks the facility offers. »

Scenic mountains set the stage for a top quality horse show.

After a day of competing, the Man-chester Designer Outlets allow

you to “Shop ‘til you Drop.” »

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» Devon, PennsylvaniaAsk a number of hunter/jumper riders or dres-sage riders where their favorite show is held, and chances are you’ll hear Devon come up more thanonce. A town that once welcomed “gentlemenand their horses” is now the home of the largestoutdoor horse show in the country. In addition tothe incomparable Devon Horse Show each year, thefacility also welcomes other high-profile events,such as Dressage at Devon.

With a County Fair that runs year-round on thefairgrounds, the horse show competitor barely even needs to leave the premises. The FestivalShops offer exclusive apparel, fine arts, antiques, and collectibles from more than 65 vendors, and food from burgers to full gourmet meals. A midway, complete with a ferris wheel, provides entertainment in any downtime thatyou may have.

When you do finally leave the grounds for the day, you’ll be amazed to find that the country settingoffers fabulous shoppingbeautiful gardens to tour, and even a few museums within thesurrounding area. Make the trip to Devon for a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Since 1896, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair has promoted horsemanship

and horse breeding for conformation, speed, and performance.

« Devon is famous for its fabulous Ladies Hat Contests.

American Quarter Horse Association… 41

Angel View Cemetery ……………y Cover 3

Back on Track ……………………k 24, 25

Blue Seal Nutrition …………… Cover 4

Classic Equine Equipment …………… 5

Congelosi Trailers …………………… 2

DJ Reveal ……………………………… 16

Elite Equine Imports …………… 34, 35

Equine Colic Relief ……………………f 15

Equine Properties …………………… 16

First Flight Farm ………………… 28, 29

Foster Meadow Farm ………………… 43

Horse Shows in the Sun ……………… 48

Kerrits ………………………………… 17

King Construction ……………… Cover 2

Lady Jean Ranch ……………………… 20

Lucerne Farms ……………………… 9

NEDA ………………………………… 47

New England Equine Surgical

& Medical Center ………………………r 26

October Hill Farm ……………… 30, 31

Olde Oaks Farm ………………… 36, 37

P.Jolicoeur Collection ………………… 1

Poulin Grain ………………………… 7

Professionals Choice …………… 32, 33

Purina Mills …………………………… 13

Pyranha, Inc ………………………… 43

Tom Balding Bits & Spurs …………… 16 PH

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d to find

, We want to know! Where is your

favorite place to show? Tell us on Facebook

(facebook.com/EquineJ) or Twitter

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Documents

Sporthorse (2013)