US Equestrian Magazine by United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

FIRE SAFETY

A Checklist for Barns In the Learning Center

BIOSECURITY

EVENTING FOR ALL How to Get Started

THE NEW RANGE ROVER

CAPABILITY, COMPOSURE AND ELEGANCE

LandRoverUSA.com

Because they do so much for us, we only do what’s right for them.

We’re always by your side in providing your horse with the right care.

Long Live the Horse. zoetisequine.com All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. © 2022 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. GEQ-00844

CONTENTS

FEATURES 66 EVENTING 101 Love #LRK3DE? Here’s how to try the sport

Expert advice on preventing barn fires

83 SPRING GIFTS Banish winter blues with these cheerful gifts

DEPARTMENTS 8

Partners

10 Sponsors 14

Marketing/Media

16 Letter from the President 18 Snapshot

20 USEF News

32 Seen & Heard 34 How It Works

Cover: Sharon White and Cooley On Show at the 2021 LRK3DE. Photo: Leslie Potter/ US Equestrian

40 Learning Center 44 I Am US Equestrian 50 Pro Tip BIOSECURITY

56 Juniors’ Ring

EVENTING FOR ALL

60 Trending

FIRE SAFETY

A Checklist for Barns In the Learning Center

How to Get Started

90 For the Record 4 SPRING ISSUE 2022

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) MEAGAN DELISLE/USEA, COURTESY THE MODERN HORSE, MATT PALMER/UNSPLASH

76 FIRE SAFETY

Official Magazine of the United States Equestrian Federation

US EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE Volume LXXXV, Spring 2022 PUBLISHED BY The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. CHIEF MARKETING & CONTENT OFFICER Vicki Lowell | vlowell@usef.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Glenye Cain Oakford | goakford@usef.org CREATIVE DIRECTOR Candice McCown | cmccown@usef.org ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kim Russell | 859 225 6938 | krussell@usef.org SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP & SALES Layson Griffin | lgriffin@usef.org EDITORIAL STAFF Kathleen Landwehr, Leslie Potter, Kim Russell, Ashley Swift CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Zoie Brogdon, Liza Holland Equestrian Magazine (ISSN 1548-873X) is published five times a year: Horse of the Year Special Edition, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, by the United States Equestrian Federation®, 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, KY 40511; Phone: (859) 258-2472; Fax: (859) 231-6662. (ISSN:1548-873X). NOTE: Effective Spring issue of 2018, Equestrian magazine will be published and provided electronically and only four editions will have printed copies and be provided by U.S. Mail. The Winter issue will only be provided electronically. The Horse of the Year issue will be mailed only to competing members as of the date of publication and the year immediately prior to the date of publication. USEF is not responsible for the opinions and statements expressed in signed articles and paid advertisements. These opinions are not necessarily the opinions of USEF and its staff. While the Federation makes every effort to avoid errors, we assume no liability to anyone for mistakes or omissions. It is the policy of the Federation to report factually and accurately in Equestrian and to encourage and to publish corrections whenever warranted. Kindly direct any comments or inquiries regarding corrections to Glenye Cain Oakford goakford@usef.org or by direct dial 859-225-6941. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to US Equestrian, 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, KY 40511. Canadian Publications Agreement No. 40845627. For Canadian returns, mail to Canada Express, 7686 #21 Kimble Street Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5S1E9. (905) 672-8100. Reproduction of any article, in whole or part, by written permission only of the Editor. Equestrian: Publisher, United States Equestrian Federation®, Chief Executive Officer, William J. Moroney (859) 225-6912. Director of Advertising, Kim Russell (859) 225-6938. Copyright © 20120 Equestrian is the official publication of the United States Equestrian Federation, the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport in the USA, and is an official publication of USEF.

Published at 4001 Wing Commander Way, Lexington, Ky 40511 USequestrian.org

#JointheJoy Follow us on social media @USequestrian

6 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Your barn is the setting of your horse’s story. We ensure every ride, every bath, every moment is a chapter to remember. Built Right or Not at All

717.687.0292 | BandDBuilders.com

PARTNERS Proud partners of US Equestrian

Official Timepiece rolex.com

Official Vehicle & MemberPerk Title Sponsor of the U.S. Eventing Team Title Sponsor of the U.S. Driving Team

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Show Jumping Team netjets.com

landroverusa.com

Official Blanket of the U.S. High Performance Teams horseware.com

CHARLES ANCONA N E W

Title Sponsor of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final & Official MemberPerk

Official Footwear & Apparel ariat.com

doversaddlery.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Horse of the Year Program and Official MemberPerk smartpakequine.com

Official Partner of US Equestrian Official Training Support Device of US Equestrian & Official MemberPerk shop.movensee.com

Official Partner of US Equestrian marsequestrian.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program discoverdressage.com

Official Partner of US Equestrian Title Sponsor of U.S. CPEDI Para Dressage Events perrigo.com

8 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team and Official Joint Therapy

Y O R K

adequan.com

Official Pinque Coat, Tail Coat and Show Coat of US Equestrian Teams charlesancona.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program

Official Equine Air Transportation Provider

platinumperformance.com

timdutta.com

Official Hay Steamer of US Equestrian Official Supporter of Equine Respiratory Health of US Equestrian & Official MemberPerk haygain.us

Official Helmet Supplier charlesowen.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National & Championships & Title Sponsor of the USEF Emerging Young Horse Dressage Program

horseinsurance.com

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Dressage Team

Official Partner of US Equestrian zoetis.com

RIDE MORE.

WORRY LESS. C O L I C COV E R A G E

REIMBURSEMENT UP TO $10,000 Combining Routine Wellness With the Right Nutrition. Colic is every horse owner’s fear, but with Platinum Colic Coverage®, you can enjoy your horse without worry. This complimentary program reimburses you for the cost of colic surgery up to $10,000. • No age limit to get coverage • All types of colic surgery are covered • Compatible with equine insurance • Order in buckets or Platinum PAKs® *Enrollment Required

ENROLL TODAY! IT’S COMPLIMENTARY

800-553-2400 PlatinumPerformance.com/ ColicCoverage

SPONSORS Proud sponsors of US Equestrian

Official Saddlepad & MemberPerk Toklat.com

Official Academic Sponsor upperechelonacademy.com

Official Sponsor & MemberPerk deere.com

Official Performance Horse Boot and Leg Wear equifit.net

Official Sponsor The USEF Visa Signature® Card commercebank.com

Official Equine Ground Transportation of US Equestrian salleehorsevans.com

Official Dressage Saddle of US Equestrian Official Dressage Saddle of the U.S. Dressage Team n2saddlery.com

Official Feed of US Equestrian buckeyenutrition.com

Official Ribbon Supplier hodgesbadge.com

Title Sponsor of the USEF Pony Medal Championship marshallsterling.com

Title Sponsor of the U.S. Para Dressage Training Camps Title Sponsor of USEF Junior Hunter Finals adequan.com

Official Tack Locker & MemberPerk flexiequinetack.com

Official Shock Wave Therapy Supplier of US Equestrian Team Vets pulsevet.com

Official MemberPerk bigassfans.com

Official Sponsor Title Sponsor of the Junior Jumper National Championship nsbitsusa.com

Official MemberPerk and Sponsor of US Equestrian ridley.com

The United States Equestrian Federation does not endorse or recommend any commercial product or service. Therefore, designations as official suppliers of the USEF of any commercial product or service cannot be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by the United States Equestrian Federation.

10 SPRING ISSUE 2022

First of its kind. Still one of a kind. After 30 years, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is still the only FDA-Approved 1, 2 equine intramuscular PSGAG joint treatment available. And still the only one proven to:

Reduce inflammation Restore synovial joint lubrication Repair joint cartilage Reverse the disease cycle Adequan® i.m. actually treats degenerative joint disease, and not just the signs. Ask your veterinarian if Adequan® i.m. is the right choice for your horse. Learn more at adequan.com.

www.adequan.com BRIEF SUMMARY: Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: Adequan® i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: The safe use of Adequan® i.m. in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. For customer care, or to obtain product information, visit www.adequan.com. To report an adverse event please contact American Regent, Inc. at 1-888-354-4857 or email pv@americanregent.com. Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.adequan.com. 1 Adequan® i.m. Package Insert, Rev 1/19. 2 Burba DJ, Collier MA, DeBault LE, Hanson-Painton O, Thompson HC, Holder CL: In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. J Equine Vet Sci 1993; 13: 696-703. All trademarks are the property of American Regent, Inc. © 2021, American Regent, Inc. PP-AI-US-0442 05/2021

SPONSORS Proud sponsors of US Equestrian

Official Electronic Vaccine Records & MemberPerk electronicvet.com

Official Fly Control Products & MemberPerk absorbine.com

Official Jump Company dalmanjumpco.com

Official Barn Management Software & MemberPerk barnmanager.com

Official Training Treat of US Equestrian and Official Supplier of US Equestrian Teams gumbits.com

Official Sponsor Presenting Sponsor of the USEF Pony Finals honorhillfarms.com

Title Sponsor of the Brentina Cup & Junior Dressage Championship adequan.com

Official Sponsor of USEF Pony Finals and U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions grayson-jockeyclub.org

HORSE MATCH

Official MemberPerk goodyear.com

Official Footing and Arena Company of US Equestrian equestriansurfaces.com

Official MemberPerk libertymutual.com

Official Horse Matching Service Sponsor of US Equestrian artemishorsematch.com

Preferred Greeting Card and Stationery Supplier of US Equestrian MemberPerk & Competition MemberPerk horseshoegreetings.com

Official MemberPerk usrider.org

Official MemberPerk mdhearingaid.com/usef

Official MemberPerk choicehotels.com

12 SPRING ISSUE 2022

O W N S A N D O P E R AT E S T H E L A R G E S T, M O S T D I V E R S E P R I VAT E F L E E T

GLOBAL REACH: 5,000+ AIRPORTS IN 200+ COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

GUARANTEED ACCESS TO YOUR AIRCRAFT OR BETTER

N E W WAYS T O FLY WI TH N E TJ E T S When you are ready, we want to help get you where you are needed to do what is best for your business. We are now offering new and enhanced programs, making business—and personal—travel easier and more cost-efficient than ever before. Call 1-866-JET-9930 or visit netjets.com.

MARKETING/ MEDIA Proud partnerships of US Equestrian

Official Media sidelinesnews.com

Official Media eqliving.com

Official Media puissanceamerica.com

Official Media eq-am.com

heels down MAGAZINE

Official Marketing equineaffaire.com

Official Media heelsdownmag.com

14 SPRING ISSUE 2022

The Horse That Matters to You Matters to Us

Neigh-Lox Advanced ®

Maintains a healthy digestive tract, which reduces the risk of ulcers, colic and hindgut upset.

Recommended for horses that are: • Competing • Prone to ulcers • Traveling Call 859-873-2974 or visit KPPusa.com to order today.

Simple Solutions, Scientifically Proven®

USEF SPRING 2020

KPPusa.com, 859-873-2974

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Committed to Learning Equestrians are lifelong learners and teachers by nature. That’s what we do every time we take a lesson, attend a clinic, debrief after a show: we’re learning. Even something as simple as holding a horse or watching horses play in a paddock will help you learn something about them, their personalities, and their body language. That commitment to learn and the sharing of knowledge are part of what makes the equestrian community so great. Here at US Equestrian, we’re committed to those principles, too, through interactive panels like our webinars, our online Learning Center, our licensed officials program, and more. The pages of this magazine are a good example of that commitment to sharing knowledge, too. In this issue, you’ll find opportunities to learn about other breeds and disciplines. As the eventing world gears up for the prestigious CCI5*-L Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, we introduce readers to some basics of this sport that is often described as an “equine triathlon”—and point you to resources like the United States Eventing Association to help you and your horse get involved. In Juniors’ Ring, you can explore one of the Paso Fino community’s standout events for riders aged four to 24, the biennial Youth Mundial, an international competition that takes place this year in Cali, Colombia. And in our Pro Tip section, you can learn from some of dressage’s top coaches as they offer tips from the Robert Dover USEF Horsemastership Clinic that took place earlier this year in Florida. We also tackle two important topics relating to health and safety—barn fire prevention and biosecurity—and break down steps you can take to protect your horse. For our feature on barn fire prevention, we got expert insight from the National Fire Protection Association and Markel Speciality Commercial, a leader in insurance, to offer advice on protecting life and property both from common fire hazards in the barn to external threats like wildfires. Representatives from Big Ass Fans also offer advice on fan safety in a barn setting. A recent outbreak of equine herpesvirus 1, or EHV-1, in California, has reminded many of the importance of good biosecurity in preventing disease transmission. In this issue’s 16 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Learning Center, we detail some of US Equestrian’s excellent information on that topic, including our video “Biosecurity Measures for Horses at Home and at Competitions,” USEF’s guide to biosecurity best practices, a biosecurity toolkit for equine events, and more. This issue’s information-packed stories reflect another wonderful truth about the equestrian community: we have accomplished teachers, skilled athletes, and subject matter experts with deep knowledge all around us, eager to share valuable teachings that can help us be better riders, drivers, vaulters, trainers, coaches, and more. We can learn so much from each other, and it starts with taking a pause and listening to each other and to our varying experiences. Great equestrians come from a variety of places and backgrounds, and whether they ride Western or coach hunter seat, whether they host large clinics or quietly offer a word of advice or encouragement to a fellow equestrian at the barn, they are teachers worth listening to. In 2020, we launched a new column called I Am US Equestrian for just that purpose, to share personal perspectives from throughout the equestrian community. In this issue, we hand the mic to young jumper rider Zoie Brogdon, a Black equestrian who got her start in jumping in the Compton Jr. Posse Youth Equestrian Program in California. These days, she’s racking up top scores in the jumper ring, but she says her riding is about much more than a score or a ribbon. “Mastering horse riding is about mastering self-discipline, non-verbal communication, leadership, and mutual respect for others,” she writes. “It’s about finding commonalities and bridging the gap between differences to accomplish things together. I compete to win, but I do this sport for what I win inside.” Her words remind us how much we have to learn, not only from the horse, but from the equestrians around us, and I know they will ring true to all of us.

Tom O’Mara President

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN

Dear USEF Members,

TALL BOOT

HALF CHAP

PROUD PARTNER OF THE UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION

PADDOCK

RE VOLUTIONARY DESIGN

SNAPSHOT

CHANDLER HISER

PHOTO: ASHLEY SWIFT/US EQUESTRIAN

and HF Azzys Jazz head back to the barns after competing at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale, Ariz.

18 SPRING ISSUE 2022

It’s not magic, it’s ShowSheen.® Instant detangling to transform your horse’s tail.

• Clinically proven to reduce breakage by 40% • Fuller, longer tails – guaranteed

See the proof at ShowSheen.com.

USEF NEWS

15 Community Outreach Organizations Receive Approval US Equestrian is pleased to announce it has approved 15 USEF Community Outreach Organizations as part of the USEF Community Outreach Program, after they fulfilled required background checks and U.S. Center for SafeSport training. The USE F C om mu nity Outreach Program, l au n c h e d i n 2 0 2 1 , i s dedicated to supporting organizations across the country that provide equine-based learning opportunities and support the positive impact horses can have within their local communities. These organizations will be recognized as USEF Community Outreach Organizations and are united by their standards in equity, mission, and horse and human welfare. Each organization submitted an application, which was evaluated against the standard eligibility requirements, and was approved by US

Equestrian’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Review Committee, consisting of executive staff, volunteers, and athletes. Additional information about each organization will be available at usef.org under the About Us menu tab. Click on the Diversity and Inclusion tile and scroll down for the Community Outreach Program tile for more information about the program and how to apply. Interested in becoming a COO? Applications open again in October 2022. The DEI Review Committee will review applications to assess whether all requirements have been met before organizations are recognized as COOs. Please direct any questions about the Community Outreach Program and the USEF Opportunity Fund to Ashley Swift, Affiliate and Communications Manager, at aswift@usef.org.

The approved USEF Community Outreach Organizations, listed alphabetically are: City to Saddle—Mesa Farm

Horses on the Hill, BLOC Ministries

(Rutland, Mass.)

(Cincinnati, Ohio)

Cranberry Sunset Farm (Marstons Mills, Mass.)

HorseSensing (Shelbyville, Ky.)

Detroit Horse Power

Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Mustang Troop

(Detroit, Mich.)

(Lexington, Ky.)

Ebony Horsewomen Inc. (Hartford, Conn.)

Manes for Movement (Torrance, Calif.)

Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs

Metropolitan Equestrian Team—Equine

(Aiken, S.C.)

Opportunity Program (New York, N.Y.)

Heartland Therapeutic Riding Inc.

Promise Landing Farm Inc.

(Overland Park, Kan.)

(Upper Marlboro, Md.)

Horse SenseAbility (Sherborn, Mass.)

Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship

Horses N Heroes (Ocala, Fla.)

(Chatsworth, Calif.)

20 SPRING ISSUE 2022

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 21

Applications Open for US Equestrian’s Higher Education Scholarship

USEF, Host Shows Gear Up for 2022 Emerson Burr Competitions

US Equestrian is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship, which provides five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college. Applicants must be active US Equestrian competing members or subscribers preparing to enter any college or university fulltime in fall 2022. The scholarship is open to all 28 recognized breeds and disciplines. In 2021, US Equestrian expanded the eligibility requirements for this scholarship. Previously, applicants were required to be enrolled in an equine-related degree or to participate on an intercollegiate equestrian team. Now, applicants can provide other forms of evidence that they will continue their involvement in equestrian-related experiences while in college. This can be through enrollment in an equestrian-related degree or classes, participation in an intercollegiate equestrian team or club, an equestrian-related internship, job, volunteer work, or other proven commitment to continued involvement in equestrian sport. Funds awarded by the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship will be issued directly to the recipients’ educational institutions to be applied to tuition costs. How to Apply Applicants must submit a completed application form, an essay, and at least one reference from an individual in the horse industry on or before July 31, 2022, to be considered for the scholarship. Learn more and find the application on usef.org by hovering your cursor over Learning Center on the menu, clicking Youth Programs, and then scrolling down for the Grants and Scholarships tile. Completed applications must be emailed to Emily McSweeney, National Breeds & Disciplines Program Coordinator, at emcsweeney@usef.org on or before July 31, 2022. Scholarship recipients will be announced on September 15, 2022.

The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant program, which celebrates its 20th annivers a r y i n 2022, kicks off a new round of grant c o mp e t i t i o n s this spring. The Emerson Burr competitions, hosted at shows throughout the country, offer chances for young pony riders to win $100 or $500 grants toward education- or equestrian-related expenses. At press time, six of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s 10 Zones had announced Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant competitions. Each contest takes place at a horse show. Juniors in four age groups take a written, multiple-choice exam and potentially also must answer a short essay question. A $100 grant is awarded to the winner in each group, based on the test results and, where applicable, the short essay. Winners at the Zone level are eligible for the national test, a two-phase competition—a written test and a hands-on horsemanship test—at the 2022 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms. Winners at the national level receive $500 grants. The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Fund, which provides these grants, was established in 2002 to promote teaching and spreading proper horsemanship to the equestrian youth. Visit the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant webpage at usef.org/ compete/disciplines/hunter/emerson-burr-horsemanship-grant to learn more about how to participate. The 2022 Emerson Burr competition hosts are listed below by Zone and will be updated at the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant webpage.

22 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Zone 1: TBD Zone 2: TBD Zone 3: Tryon Summer 4, July 5-10, Mill Spring, N.C. Zone 4: Aiken Spring Classic Masters, April 20-24, Aiken, S.C. Zone 5: Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic II, June 14-19, Lexington, Ky. Zone 6: TBD Zone 7: TBD Zone 8: Autumn in the Rockies I, Sept. 7-11, Parker, Colo. Zone 9: Oregon Summer Show, August 24-28, Wilsonville, Ore. Zone 10: Blenheim June Classic III, June 22-26, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. NATIONAL USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms, August 9-14, Lexington, Ky.

PHOTOS: TAYLER BICANDI/US EQUESTRIAN, COURTESY OF BLENHEIM JUNE CLASSIC III

USEF NEWS

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 23

USEF NEWS

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the hiring of Susan Edwards as Director of Endurance, as well as contractor, Art Priesz, as the first Endurance Discipline Management Advisor. Both Edwards and Priesz started in January. Chef d’Equipe Lisanne Dorion will continue in her role through the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championship, 2023 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders, and 2023 Pan American Endurance Championships. Edwards is a lifelong equestrian, having competed and trained in the hunter/ jumper disciplines since childhood. She is an avid equestrian with vast experience in multi-discipline competition environments around the U.S. Prior to joining US Equestrian, Edwards spent more than two decades in staffing and operations roles for major sporting, social, and professional events. In Edwards’s role as Director of Endurance, she will manage the high-performance program, as well as development pathways for the discipline, while supporting implementation of new endurance competition products to encourage growth in the sport from the grassroots to elite levels of the sport. “I look forward to joining in leading the discipline of endurance forward for the next generation of horses and athletes and encouraging the sport to become well-developed and suitable for all levels in the U.S. with a distinct path to grow from grassroots riders to international competitors,” said Edwards. “This will be accomplished through creating new programs, procedures, and events that will equitably develop the sport to reward the athletes, owners, trainers, and organizers.” Art Priesz will serve as a consultant for the program, advising and assisting in the development of sustainable new pathways for success at both the national and international levels. Priesz has a diverse background, having practiced law nationally and internationally in litigation and business advising, and notably has served on both the USET Foundation and USEF Board of Directors. He also has chaired the Endurance High Performance Committee and advised various other committees regarding rules, officials, and selection. He also was the former Chef d’Equipe for the team in the early 2000s. Priesz will support Edwards and US Equestrian in developing new pipelines for the program, a modernized and participant-driven selection process. The department will also focus on membership and participation growth to build bridges within the broader community and expand competition opportunities from the grassroots levels through international competition. Priesz’s responsibilities will also include recommendations and planning regarding affiliate issues. Lisanne Dorion, who served as the U.S. Endurance Team’s Chef d’Equipe at both international championships in 2021, has renewed her contract through 2023. She will lead the teams at the FEI Endurance World Championships in Verona, Italy, in October; at the FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders next year in Castelsagrat, France, in September 2023; and at the FEI Pan American Endurance Championships in Santiago, Chile, in October 2023. For more information on USA Endurance, please visit usef.org/endurance.

24 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Venues Named for 2022-2024 Adequan®/ USEF Junior Hunter National Championship East and West U S E qu e s t r i a n i s p l e a s e d t o announce the new host venues for the 2022-2024 Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships on both the East and West coasts. Traverse City Horse Shows in Williamsburg, Mich., will host the Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship–East, which takes place this year June 28-July 2. Blenheim EquiSports in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., will host the Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship–West, which takes place July 24-27 this year. A Task Force appointed by US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara reviewed bid applications and selected the host venues for the bicoastal championship for the next three years. US Equestrian will share additional details on entry deadlines and submissions in the coming weeks. The competition dates for the 2022 USHJA Gladstone Equitation Classic presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry are still pending, and once approved, will be sent in a separate communication by the USHJA. For more information or questions about the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, contact Kelsey Shanley, National Breeds and Disciplines Program Manager, at HunterDept@usef.org.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF SUSAN EDWARDS

US Equestrian Introduces New Endurance Director and Management Advisor

WHEN THE BEST IS YOUR ONLY OPTION.™ OPTION.™

Coat & Weight Gain Formula • Provides Calm Calories for Performance or Weight Gain • Adds Shine & Quickly Improves Skin Condition • 60% Fat from Stabilized Flax Meal, Rice Bran, Soy Oils, & DHA

800.231.2966 WWW.PYRANHALIFE.COM

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED MADE IN THE USA

USEF NEWS

Athletes Selected to 2022 Eventing 25 Emerging Athlete Program

26 SPRING ISSUE 2022

US Equestrian Welcomes New Combined Driving Consultants US Equestrian is pleased to announce two new consultant roles developed to support the combined driving programs and initiatives. Amber Lester is an Athlete Advisor to the Developing Athlete Program for Combined Driving, which is a new role established to provide support to athletes by helping them identify and develop achievable goals, outline educational opportunities, and direct athletes through the challenges they face on their pathway to success. Lester’s competition experience began as a junior in California where she competed in equitation and jumper classes before moving to the East Coast, where her focus changed to ridden dressage during college. Then, she found herself immersed in the world of combined driving. She learned how to drive singles and pairs while working as a groom or barn manager for top driving professionals such as Jim Fairclough (Top Brass Farm), Michael Freund (Cedar Lane Farm), Shady Oaks Combined Driving, Chester Weber (Live Oak Combined Driving), Jennifer Matheson (Katydid Farm), and most recently James and Misdee Miller (Hillcroft Farm). Her contributions to the Hillcroft Farm team were pivotal in the U.S. Driving Team’s gold medal at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. She has a unique combination of experience and education in ridden dressage training, training program development, and rehabilitation therapies. Ellen Marie Ettenger will act as an Organizer and Licensed Officials Mentorship Coordinator, focusing on identifying and supporting new organizers and licensed officials to sustain the future of the sport. This role will liaise between competitions and developing organizers or officials to outline more opportunities for growth as well as take on projects to improve the organizer experience. Ettenger has had the pleasure of working with some of the best driving officials from around the world over the past 30+ years, having served as an official and organizing combined driving events for several decades. She has held a Technical Delegate’s license with the ADS, USEF, and the FEI for many years, officiating at many national and international events both in the U.S. and abroad. As a Driving Sport Committee member for several terms, she has served on many different working groups and task forces to develop new initiatives and further the sport.

PHOTOS: TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY, LESLIE POTTER/US EQUESTRIAN

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes selected for the 2022 USEF Eventing 25 Emerging Athlete Program. Eventers age 25 and under are eligible for the program, which identifies and supports athlete/horse combinations that have shown the potential to develop into future U.S. team candidates. The following athletes are listed in alphabetical order (asterisk denotes an athlete who was talent-spotted for assessment sessions): Alex Baugh (Lexington, Ky.), Isabelle Bosley (Cochranville, Pa.), Sophie Click (Snoqualmie, Wash.), Cornelia Dorr (Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass.), Mia Farley (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Cosby Green (Lexington, Ky.), Tommy Greengard* (Malibu, Calif.), Savannah Gwin (San Clemente, Calif.), Katie Lichten (South Hamilton, Mass.), Alina Patterson (Chehalis, Wash.), Meg Pellegrini (Wayne, Pa.), Cassie Sanger* (Lakeville, Conn.), Maddy Tempkin (Sebastapol, Calif.), and Haley Turner* (Alamo, Calif.). Participants in the Emerging Athlete Program have the opportunity to work with U.S. Eventing Development and Emerging Coach Leslie Law in honing their skills in competition as well as their knowledge of the pathway to high performance. Athletes are selected for the Emerging Athlete Program based on their application, which includes their results at the CCI3*-L level. Applicants who have not yet achieved an MER at a CCI3*-L may be talent spotted into the program by the Performance Advisory Team. For this year’s program, applicants were evaluated at assessment sessions in January at Stable View in Aiken, S.C.; Caroline Martin Eventing in Ocala, Fla.; and at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, Calif. To learn more about the Eventing Pathway Program, please contact Christina Vaughn, Director of Eventing Performance and Program Support, at cvaughn@usef.org.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 27

PHOTO: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO

USEF NEWS

US Equestrian Unveils New USEF Safe Sport PSA, MAAP Policies Campaign US Equestrian has expanded its USEF Safe Sport and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies campaign with important video messages from US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara and General Counsel Sonja Keating. The new videos reinforce US Equestrian’s ongoing commitment to creating and maintaining a welcoming, safe, enjoyable, and supportive environment for all, especially children and their families. One of the videos is dedicated to creating awareness of the newly amended MAAP Policy, which took effect January 1, 2022. The video notes that the polices developed to limit one-onone interactions between adults and minors now apply both on and off competition grounds. These policies are required by federal law and have been implemented as additional measures to further US Equestrian’s efforts to protect minors from abuse. The videos will be shared on US Equestrian social media platforms and will appear in the USEF Safe Sport hub at usef.org/safe-sport and on USEF Network. They also will be provided to competition organizers via the Competition Resource Center on usef.org, offering access to share the videos with exhibitors and participants via their communication platforms. The campaign is a reminder that the equestrian community as a whole is part of the solution, and protecting participants is a shared responsibility of our community. With continued commitment, we will collectively make our sport the safest place possible for all to enjoy.

28 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Cooked to Perfection. The way horse feed should be. For over 35 years, HYGAIN® feeds have been perfected with painstaking attention to every detail. Our feed range includes a not-so-secret ingredient: the Australian Sweet Lupin, a soluble super fiber that is low in starch and sugar with high energy sources for optimal conditioning with more control. Made in an equine-only manufacturing facility for product purity with no cross-contamination, each of our feeds is formulated to deliver optimal health, enhance nutritional value, improve palatability and increase feed efficiency. HYGAIN. The Highest Standard in Horse Nutrition.

HygainFeeds.com

USEF NEWS

Board Approves Actions To Support USEF Calendar Management Process On January 15, 2021, the USEF Board of Directors approved two actions to support the USEF calendar management processes. The board approved a resolution to amend GR315 Mileage Exemptions to facilitate the collective review of all Mileage Exemption Requests for the first trimester of 2023 in the state of Florida. The board approved a similar resolution for the 2022 calendar year, which proved successful and which resulted in the approval of 29 mileage exempt competitions. The board believes a singular review of all relevant Hunter, Jumper, and Hunter/Jumper Mileage Exemption Requests taking place in Florida from December 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023, provides the USEF and its members with the most universal consideration of the competition landscape and ensures that sufficient competition opportunities exist to meet the needs of competitors. An applicant must submit the Mileage Exemption Request Form, fully completed, to the Federation by no later than June 1, 2022. This means a new or renewing license application or request to modify an existing license must be received by the USEF no later than 5:00 pm ET on May 2, 2022. The USEF will

provide a decision on all requests no later than September 1, 2022. The board also approved a resolution to conduct a contemporaneous review of all Hunter, Jumper, and Hunter/Jumper Licensed Competitions in California occurring in the 2023 competition year, in accordance with the 2023 California Hunter, Jumper, Hunter/Jumper Calendar Policies and Procedures. The 2023 California Hunter, Jumper, Hunter/Jumper comparable date competition calendar will be vacated. Competition organizers will submit a comprehensive list of events they wish to host in 2023. With a completely blank calendar, the Federation’s CEO will engage with relevant stakeholders, including athletes, trainers, and competition organizers, to discuss the complications faced in the California competition calendar and potential solutions. Over the coming months, the USEF CEO and Competitions staff will be traveling to California to tour facilities and meet with organizers and stakeholders. The USEF will provide a decision on all requests no later than April 25, 2022. Please contact Katlynn Wilbers, Director of Competition Licensing, at kwilbers@usef.org with any questions.

US Equestrian is pleased to announce that the 2022 USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship will take place at the Tryon International Three-Day Event November 10-13 in Mill Spring, N.C. The USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship will award three championship titles: CCI1*-L, CCI2*-L, and CCI3*-L. Applications and area declaration forms can be found on the Athlete Dashboard and will be accepted through May 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET. This championship will replace the Adequan®/USEF Youth Team Challenge series that took place in 2021. The USEF Youth Team Challenge Task Force took feedback from Area Coordinators and participants in evaluating the YTC program and responded by creating the new championship to serve the needs of the community. Host bids for the championship were accepted from November 20 through December 14, 2021. For more information about the Tryon International ThreeDay Event, visit tryon.com/eventing. For more information about the USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship, including selection procedures, visit usef. org; hover over the Compete tab and click Breeds & Disciplines, then Eventing. For additional information, contact Christina Vaughn, Director of Eventing Performance and Program Support, at cvaughn@usef.org. 30 SPRING ISSUE 2022

PHOTO: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO

2022 USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship Dates, Location Announced

Attwood

Equestrian Surfaces The official footing partner of the United States Equestrian Federation. Scientifically developing ,producing, and installing high performance riding arenas.

www.equestriansurfaces.com

SEEN AND HEARD

In & Around the Ring

“T

he Development list for 2022 certainly does not disappoint. This is a great group of riders with some fantastic horses. I’m very much looking forward to helping this group achieve the results they are capable of. America has much to be proud of in this program.”

Right: Para driver Dr. Dale Dedrick pilots her Morgan FVFP Regal Enforcer through a marathon obstacle at the Grand Oaks Combined Driving Event in Weirsdale, Fla.

- U.S. Eventing Development and Emerging Coach Leslie Law on the selections for the 2022 Eventing Development Athlete Program

Mia Rodier-Dawallo and Cato, winners of the FEI Para Dressage Grade II Team and Individual Tests in the Perrigo CPEDI3* at Desert Dressage III in Thermal, Calif.

32 SPRING ISSUE 2022

PHOTOS: PICSOFYOU.COM, TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY, TERRIMILLER.COM

Opposite: Madison Ward gets a boost from mom Lauren Ward to pet Baylee McKeever’s Formidable during the 2022 USEF Horsemastership Training Series in Wellington, Fla.

“W

hat’s fun about riding is the feeling; it’s not just black and white. When I’m riding, I’m carrying on a conversation with my horse by increasing and decreasing my aids. That’s how they know what you want and what you don’t want.” - Anne Kursinski during the 2022 USEF Horsemastership Training Series in Wellington, Fla.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 33

HOW IT WORKS

The USET Foundation & USEF by Leslie Potter

As the National Governing Body for equestrian sports in the United States, USEF is tasked with a wide array of responsibilities, from promoting the sport at an entry level to taking teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. US Equestrian serves the interests of the 28 breeds and disciplines that fall under its governance. The USET Foundation (formerly the United States Equestrian Team) is focused exclusively on fundraising for international competition in the seven disciplines recognized by the FEI: combined driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, and vaulting. “The USET Foundation was formed in 2003 to be 100% a fundraising organization in support of USEF’s high-performance programs and pathway,” said Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Director of the USET Foundation. “So while we are a separate organization, our mission and our purpose is exclusively to support those programs of the Federation.” Both the USET Foundation and USEF are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations, but Jenkins explains that there are advantages to keeping high-performance fundraising separate from NGB functions.

34 SPRING ISSUE 2022

“One of the advantages is that we’re very focused on our role, which is fundraising and philanthropy, and the Federation is very focused on its role, which is sport governance and programming,” she said. “It’s nice to have that independence when we’re raising money for programs so there is no perceived or real conflict. People make gifts [to the USET Foundation] because they want to support the United States and our teams. There is no influence from these gifts on team selection or anything along those lines.” USET Foundation grants make up about half of the funding for US Equestrian highperformance programs, and the programs also receive some funding from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. A significant portion of USEF revenue comes from sponsorships tied to high-performance teams

PHOTO: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO

The USET Foundation focuses exclusively on fundraising for international competition in the seven FEI disciplines, including dressage.

Central Kentucky’s Horse Farms Hill & Regan Parker 859Ǧ608Ǧ8039 WWW.LEXHORSEFARMS.COM

Real Horse People Helping Real Horse People 3025 Versailles Road, Versailles, KY A beautiful stately home on a small hill overlooking 108 acres of rolling prime land. This circa 1917 house has been lovingly restored to upgrade the historic elements, while 3 large additions have added all the features of a state-of-the art estate home. The house features a gourmet kitchen, great room with huge wood burning fireplace and gorgeous built-in cabinetry, deluxe primary suite, attached garage, floored attic storage area and lovely hardwood floors throughout. The property is located in fashionable Woodford County. The entire 108 acres could be used for a farm, cattle and/or horses, or the house and 46 acres could be split from the remaining 62 acres and sold for multiple additional large acreage home sites or developed for up to 15 lots in a cluster. $2,250,000 260 Ruddles Mill Cynthiana Road, Paris, KY Spectacular 114 ac Bourbon Co. farm located atop of one of the highest elevations in the area with beautiful views of the whole farm. Gorgeous commanding Historic 18 stall peg & beam barn renovated and updated when relocated to this site from Lexington, per a previous owner. Farm amenities boast Centurion & Diamond mesh fencing 6 fields, 6 paddocks all w/auto waterers, Grand Prix Grass arena, two homes, a lovely custom built 3bd/3ba main house, w/solid maple hardwood doors, kitchen cabinets, & trim, Granite, all SS Kitchen package, LVP floors, tiled baths. Soaring 9' ceilings, w 22' box beamed ceilings located in the open concept Great Room, flooded with natural light and completely wrapped w/oversized windows taking in the serene country side vistas, standing board & batten vinyl siding, & metal roof house built in 2016, well cared for tenant house, water front bordered by the Hinkston Creek. $1,700,000 963 Cynthiana Road, Paris, KY Gorgeous 74 acre turn-key horse farm w/gently rolling pastures & great soils. Perfect retirement home for horses or broodmare operation! Building site overlooks farm with breathtaking views of the countryside from one of highest spots in the county. This well designed farm developed in 2008 has, manager's residence & modern high-quality 4-stall steel horse barn w/insulated roof, wash stall & heated tack rm. Large tobacco barn w/room for an add 14 stalls. 4 large fields & 5 large paddocks have steel run-in sheds & 3 smaller paddocks. All fields & paddocks have heated, insulated Varnan automatic waterers. 4-board oak fence w/diamond mesh on most of perimeter. Entire farm on top-quality Maury-McAfee soils, small creek meanders through property & spring-fed artesian well. Well-located farm is near Runnymede Farm, Denali Stud, Silver Springs Farm, 5 miles from Paris, 19 miles to the Kentucky Horse Park. Appointment required! $925,000 2175 Scotts Ferry Rd, Versailles, KY A wonderful piece of land with easy access to everything. This 44 acre piece of land sports some lovely, old trees, top soils, a small creek, a pond, and gently rolling land with fabulous views. $645,000

1583 Lexington Road, Georgetown, KY A lovely gently rolling piece of land that is 2 miles from the Kentucky Horse Park. The 20 acre farm has great neighbors and super views. A 25' x 108' Run-in shed and another equipment/ storage building. Additional land available. Located on the west side of Lexington Rd just north of the Scott/Fayette County line. $400,000 USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 35

HOW IT WORKS and programs, while membership fees and investments, among other sources, make up the balance of the high-performance budget. “Of the $8.66 million that will be allocated to sport this year, some $4.89 million will come from outside the Federation, and the USET Foundation is contributing $3 million of that amount,” said Will Connell, Director of Sport at USEF. “The sport programs are not just high-performance, but also, for example, safety programs in eventing and some support to the development of licensed officials.”

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

USET Foundation grants help to fund educational opportunities for young and developing riders, such as the Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic Week and Horsemastership Training series. These clinics are also available for all USEF members to audit on USEF Network.

What is High-Performance? To put it simply, the goal of high-performance programs is to send teams to represent the U.S. in international equestrian competition and bring home medals. But reaching that goal is more than physically transporting athletes to overseas events. High-performance funding is what creates the pathway programs that help identify up-and-coming equestrian athletes in the international disciplines, provides training opportunities, and supports them through their development into world-class competitors. “The Federation dictates what high-performance is, not the USET Foundation, and that certainly has evolved over the years, because programs have expanded, which is wonderful,”

said Jenkins. “The programs have been able to expand because the funding has increased, so what once was high-performance was just the elite level, and that is no longer the case. High-performance is now the pathway, which starts at the emerging level to the development level and up to the elite level. The support that the USET Foundation provides is helping all of those opportunities along the pathway.” “High-performance includes everything from horsemastership clinics to the FEI World Championships that will take place across seven disciplines in 2022,” said Connell. “The pathway for high-performance consists of emerging, development, and elite. We also support coach development.” Examples of high-performance programs funded in part by USET Foundation grants include: • Talent scouting and evaluation of horses and athletes with high-performance potential for inclusion in the sport pathways through the emerging lists • Coaching for athletes at the emerging, developing, and pre-elite/elite levels • Travel grants for FEI competitions • E u rop e a n t o u r s fo r yo u t h a n d developing teams

36 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Say hello. Introducing our Essential® FlyMask SHOP AT EQUIFIT.NET

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 37

• •

USET Foundation grants provide a large percentage of the funding that brings teams to international competitions to represent the U.S. on the world stage.

38 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Competitions such as the North American Youth Championships, Talent Search Finals, and U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, which help prepare athletes for international competition Horsemastership Training sessions for young athletes Training and educational opportunities for coaches

The Process “Funding for USET Foundation grants comes from wonderful, generous individuals and family foundations,” said Jenkins. “The Federation handles marketing and corporate sponsorships, so we manage gifts from individuals and family foundations.” Jenkins explained that donors to the USET Foundation will often pledge a certain amount to be given incrementally over a period of years. Those multi-year commitments, along with projected funds from any benefits planned for the year ahead, help the USET Foundation plan ahead in determining the grant amounts it will be able to pledge to USEF. “We’re now able to forecast what the USET Foundation can contribute to the Federation based on historic giving results,” said Jenkins. “It does vary from year to year based on our pledge base and fundraising activity, as well as what the Federation sport program is that year. “We pledge a grant amount to the USEF at the beginning of the year, much like our donors do. Last year it was $4 million, which

was our largest grant ever. This year it will be $3 million, and we will pay that amount to the Federation over the course of the year. We don’t pay it in one lump sum because we still have a lot of that to raise when we make the pledge. It is a misconception that when we make a grant, we have $3 million sitting in a bucket here and we can hand it over. Some has been pledged already and will come in throughout the year. We have to go out and raise the balance. As we have funding available, we send it over to the Federation in increments, and by the end of the year we’ll have fulfilled our grant commitment.” Donors to the USET Foundation can opt to direct their gift to a specific discipline or they can donate an unrestricted gift to be used as needed for any sport program. “An unrestricted gift is the best gift, because if the funds are needed one place or another in a particular year, the Federation has the discretion to do that,” said Jenkins. “When we make the grant, we let the Federation know, based on donor restriction, what percentage needs to go to each discipline and what percentage is unrestricted.” The USET Foundation and its donors are committed to equestrian sports and U.S. team success on the world stage. In the previous quadrennial, the USET Foundation’s “Raising the Bar” campaign raised $42.3 million from 2017 through 2021 with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games. Of that, 71% goes to high-performance programs, 23% to the USET Foundation Endowment, and 6% as planned gifts. Along with founding contributors, there were more than 12,000 donors to the campaign, illustrating widespread support for the U.S. equestrian teams. “Now more than ever, the Federation and the USET Foundation are in lockstep, and I know the Federation appreciates what we’re doing,” said Jenkins. “Every year, we go out there and make sure that we’re supporting the programs and the teams. We are so fortunate to have an equestrian community that really believes in the pathway programs, believes in our teams, and wants to support them. It’s something that we are very committed to and excited about doing each year, and we rely on the generosity of people in the equestrian community. Without them, our work would not be possible.”

PHOTO: ADAM BRENNAN/PICTURESBYAB.COM

•

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

HOW IT WORKS

LEARNING CENTER

Get Biosecurity Resources in Learning Center

40 SPRING ISSUE 2022

US Equestrian’s digital Learning Center has video and text information that can help you protect your horse A recent equine herpesvirus-1 outbreak in California has turned attention to biosecurity measures that can help protect horses from EHV and other illnesses. US Equestrian has resources that are helping equestrians take precautionary biosecurity measures at home and at competitions, including the free video “Biosecurity Measures for Horses at Home and at Competitions,” toolkits and information about biosecurity best practices, and other links. Biosecurity practices are preventive measures that help avoid transmission of infectious disease in livestock. They’re important both for horses who travel to competitions—where they gather with other horses and are at higher risk for contracting an illness—as well as for those at boarding or training facilities who don’t regularly travel but might come into contact with horses arriving from locations where they might have been exposed to illness. Visit usef.org/learn and scroll down to the Safety and Welfare category to access the free video “Biosecurity Measures for Horses at Home and at Competitions.” You’ll also find a range of downloadable resources, including:

• USEF’s guide to biosecurity best practices •A biosecurity toolkit for equine events, developed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Animal Health Branch • A checklist of supplies to have for an isolation area or protocol • A printable vaccination record for documentation of equine influenza and equine herpesvirus vaccination • A link to USEF’s GR8 Equine Vaccination Rule • A link to the Equine Disease Communications Center, which reports real-time information about infectious and vectorborne equine diseases For more information about equine herpesvirus, be sure to check out the online Equestrian Weekly archive for the story “Equine Herpesvirus: What You Need To Know.” And for advice on traveling safely with your horse, including information about vaccination and staying up to date on disease incidents, visit the Equestrian Weekly archive for the article “Road Trip: Preparing Your Horse for Travel.”

PHOTO: LESLIE POTTER/US EQUESTRIAN

Biosecurity measures are important both at competitions and at a horse or pony’s home facility.

Farms & Estates Residential Commercial Auctions Tom Biederman, Broker

Westin Osborn, Agent

Another Record Year! Over $55 Million Sold in 2021! All Biederman Real Estate associates are involved in the equine industry and are passionate about the land and the success of our neighbors. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we are EXPERTS in Central Kentucky Real Estate. Whether you’re looking for a 1,000-acre commercial horse farm or a 10-acre hobby farm, nobody understands your needs better than our agents!

Central Kentucky’s Premier Farm & Quality Real Estate Brokerage Welcomes You To Lexington! “I first visited Lexington in 2011 for the Kentucky 3-Day Event and I’ve been in love with this city ever since. This event is the reason I moved to Lexington and it’s my passion for horses and the Bluegrass that has made it my home. Now, my passion is helping people with that same love for the Bluegrass find a place they can call home as well. Whether you’re looking for a home or a farm, I can make you one promise - We get it done!” Westin Osborn (704) 975-4195 Qualified and Experienced Sales Associate

BiedermanRealEstate.com

Lesley Ward, Agent

1076 Wellington Way | Lexington, KY 40513

(859) 277-2030 Tom Biederman, Broker/Auctioneer

(859) 312-0606

TVBiederman@gmail.com l Mark

Dixon (859) 552-5742 (859) 361-3246 l Westin Osborn (704) 975-4195 l Dawn Bozee (859) 227-4855 l Beth Ann Heiner (502) 324-7474 l Hunter McKinney (615) 618-7434 l Maziar Torabi (859) 327-5496 l Lesley Ward

l Stephanie l l l l l l

Jones-Nouvellet (859) 512-8812 Lucy Worrell (859) 983-2112 Melanie Peterson (561) 870-6587 Kyle Fannin (859) 699-1196 Missy Maclin (859) 948-0201 Chris Allen (859) 951-2051 Sophie DeSimone (843) 301-1498 USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 41

42 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Optimal THERAPY for maintaining the performance horse. 90% SUCCESS

81% IMPROVEMENT

FASTER HEALING

CLINICALLY PROVEN

in treating back pain and kissing spine

of tendon and ligament injuries

SHOCK WAVE PulseVet.com 800.245.4417 info@pulsevet.com

in horses with Navicular Syndrome

to reduce lameness associated with chronic orthopedic conditions

Ask to see the evidence! Not all shock waves are the same. Find a vet near you who offers PulseVet's shock wave therapy by going online to pulsevet.com/find-a-vet

EQUESTRIAN

Official Shock Wave Therapy Supplier of US Equestrian Team Vets

Proud Global Sponsor

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 43

I AM US EQUESTRIAN

“I Do This Sport for What I Win Inside”

by Zoie Brogdon

I have a passion for leaping barriers, gaining ground in record time, and doing so with poise and with grace. Not just because I’m a competitive equestrian, but because that’s how I aspire to live my life. Life is about pushing beyond your comfort zone into new worlds. Worlds you’ve never entered. Worlds some try to push you out of. Conquering new worlds, in order to conquer the world within. You have to have the courage to be the very first or be one of the very few. It’s about pioneering new ground. As an African-American young woman, that is not only my right, it is a cultural directive. A directive to innovate and to demonstrate excellence at every turn. My mother says, “Meet your obstacles with grit, but also with grace and poise and a persevering faith whenever faced with defeat.” Life is not about never falling down; it’s about the determination to get “back in the saddle.” So that’s what I do. I fall down. I fail forward. I get back in the saddle—and I win. Because I no longer compete just for the ribbons, but rather to gain ground in the world, and to gain ground within. This is why I ride. This is why I am an equestrian.

44 SPRING ISSUE 2022

PHOTO: COURTESY OF MUIRNEEN EQUESTRIAN PHOTO: SARA SHIER PHOTOGRAPHY

Zoie Brogdon’s equestrian life has taken her from summer camp, to Compton Jr. Posse Youth Equestrian Program in California, to top scores in the jumper ring. But she says her riding is about much more than that.

GOOSENECK HITCHES TO CONQUER ANY JOB OEM PUCK SYSTEM GOOSENECK KIT

DOUBLE LOCK EZR™ GOOSENECK HITCH

SPYDER GOOSENECK HITCH

• 2-5/16" gooseneck ball installs easily with quarter-turn latch system

• One-person installation requires no welding or truck bed removal

• Retention balls keep the shank fully locked into the hitch

• Flip-and-store ball keeps truck bed free of obstructions

• Allows pickup trucks equipped with 5th wheel rails to tow gooseneck trailers

• Simple, drop-in installation eliminates the need for tools

• Double locking pins for superior trailer and trailer ball security

• Rated for up to 30,000 lbs. gross trailer weight • Mounts to all industry-standard 5th wheel base rails

TRUST THE TOWING EXPERTS | curtmfg.com USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 45

I AM US EQUESTRIAN

My love of horses started when I was nine years old. Out of convenience, my mother enrolled me in a summer riding camp near her job. No one in my family knew anything about riding horses, let alone that horse riding was a sport. What was envisioned as a onetime camp experience turned into a passion that was recognized by others early on. When my mother picked me up from camp on the first day, the riding instructor told her, “This is Zoie’s thing.” Not knowing the curiosity and immense joy I had that first day, my mother replied, “What thing?” And so my equestrian journey began. When summer camp ended, the camp director recommended to my mother that she send me to a more structured program where I could learn how to compete. After researching what must have been so foreign to my mother at the time, she enrolled me in the Compton Jr. Posse Youth Equestrian Program. CJP was a non-profit organization founded in 1988 to “keep kids on horses and off the streets.” At CJP, we all learned how to groom, muck stalls, clean tack, and work as a team. We often rode bareback (paying homage

to our own Compton Cowboys) and we were required to ride different horses each week. My whole perspective changed when I was on a horse. I was up so high, and I could see so much farther. There was so much power and beauty of it all. I was instantly in love. And in seven years, my “passionate hobby” somehow catapulted me into a top-ranking equestrian in the jumper arena. Although CJP (now Compton Jr. Equestrians, the English riding arm of Compton Cowboys) was a program conceived primarily for disadvantaged youth of color, I see advantage in disadvantage. I think it builds character. While those I compete against in this very expensive sport often have multiple horses, grooms, and top-notch equipment and travel to different states to compete—it’s just me, my trainer, and my one beloved horse competing at local shows and the surrounding areas. When I compete, I arrive at the stables several hours before the competition starts to get my horse ready. I give my horse hay and water before the sun rises. I bathe him, clean his stall, and walk him around after he has been cooped up all night. Then I groom and tack him before I walk the course with my trainer. I also stay at

PHOTO: COURTESY OF MARC BROGDON

Zoie Brogdon began riding at age nine and then joined Compton Jr. Posse in Compton, Calif., where she emerged as a rising young jumping star.

46 SPRING ISSUE 2022

WHEN THE BEST IS YOUR ONLY OPTION.™ OPTION.™

Insecticide

SprayMaster System

Fly Mask

Strongest Ready-to-Use Product on the Market

Provides Whole Barn Insect Control

70% UV Protection

Easy to Install with Basic Tools

Acts as a Coat Conditioner

Electric Pump & Programmable Automatic Timer

Keeps Dirt & Sand Out of Eyes

100% Guaranteed Pest Control 800.231.2966 WWW.PYRANHALIFE.COM

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED MADE IN THE USA

Zoie Brogdon shares a moment with her mount, Emilion, at a competition in 2021.

48 SPRING ISSUE 2022

the stables way after my classes are over to wash my horse, ice and poultice his legs, and give him his dinner. This routine can be exhausting after four days of showing, but I don’t complain because I enter the ring deeply connected to my horse. I have an intense internal desire to win, because I’ve made personal sacrifices to be here. And just like that, “disadvantage” becomes “advantage,” because it gives me a competitive edge, to go farther, go faster, and go fearlessly. Despite honor and accolades, I will always see my greatest accomplishment as one moment: the first day I overcame fear and climbed atop of a horse. Kudos to nine-yearold Zoie. She made me who I am today. Few of my peers understand what I do or why. This sport is an obsession few have. When asked “What is an equestrian?” I say, “A sacred relationship between human and horse.” To

me, horses are majestic, even spiritual. Every creature has a consciousness and is able to produce feeling and connection. I find my soul when I tap into the soul of this noble animal and we become one. Mastering horse riding is about mastering self-discipline, non-verbal communication, leadership, and mutual respect for others. It’s about finding commonalities and bridging the gap between differences to accomplish beautiful things together. I compete to win, but I do this sport for what I win inside. I learn life lessons when I’m in this sacred saddle. This sport has given me more than I could ever give to it, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to transform my life. Zoie Brogdon is a top-ranked 17-year-old jumper rider based in California. Follow Zoie’s equestrian journey on Instagram at @iamzoienoelle.

PHOTO: SARA SHIER PHOTOGRAPHY

I AM US EQUESTRIAN

PRO TIP

Ten Tips from the Robert Dover USEF Horsemastership Clinic Clinic participants watched Lexie Kment ride Montagny Von Der Heide under the direction of Sabine Schut-Kery.

Each winter, some of the country’s top up-and-coming dressage riders are invited to learn from the pros at the Robert Dover USEF Horsemastership Clinic Week. The week begins with an introductory lecture on dressage theory from Dover himself. Here are some of the things we learned from the clinicians at this year’s event, which is available on demand on USEF Network. 1. It all begins with a breath. “How do we create an active driving seat? Take a deep breath,” said Dover. “What does that do? As you breathe in, energy through the oxygen coming into your lungs goes up into your chest, bringing your shoulders back. It’s through that deep breath that you empower your body to act.” To illustrate this concept, Dover invoked the childhood memory of swinging on a playground swing. “Remember being on a swing?” He asked. “Each time you came back, you would take a deep breath—you probably didn’t even realize you were doing it—and you’d push the seat and you’d go a little higher. It’s a great visual. It is the exact same way that we push with our seat [on the horse.]”

50 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Over the course of a horse’s training, they learn that the breath precedes a cue and will begin to respond to that, Dover said, meaning that they will require less leg or rein cue, ultimately contributing to the invisible communication that dressage riders work for. 2. There are three groups of aids that work together to create balance and rhythm in the horse. Used together, they create the half-halt. Dover’s theory lecture centers around the idea of three different types of aids: driving, bending, and opposition. Driving aids send the horse forward, bending aids keep the horse’s hind feet following the track of the front feet around a corner and on a straight line, and the aids of opposition regulate speed, tempo, and bend.

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

by Leslie Potter

PRO TIP

Sabine Schut-Kery helped rider Bianca Schmidt work with a new horse, CK Sir Shimmi, to improve his relaxation and rideability.

3. Find the rhythm. In the first mounted session, clinician George Williams gave Virginia Woodcock a warm-up exercise to work on rhythm. While working at a posting trot on a circle, Williams had Woodcock sit for three steps, then five steps, and increasing until she was sitting for a stretch of 11 strides on her horse, The Safari Party. “When we sit the trot for three steps or five steps or seven steps and so on, first, it gives you a feeling of how the horse is moving under you, that you can really distinguish the strides or the steps of the horse,” Williams explained. “And, second, I’m looking for the effect that he doesn’t change his tempo or his way of going, that he truly accepts the rider’s seat.” By establishing this rhythm early in the ride, Woodcock was better equipped to cue her horse in rhythm for clean transitions later on.

4. Focus on rideability with a hot horse. Bianca Schmidt came into her first mounted session with Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery riding CK Sir Shimmi, a new horse for her. Sir Shimmi came in hot, and Schut-Kery helped Schmidt to work through the horse’s tension in a new situation. “When I have a horse like that, I think, ‘Let’s get the horse 52 SPRING ISSUE 2022

comfortable so I get the most rideability,’” said Schut-Kery. “Just stay quiet. There’s nothing to accomplish right now other than he relaxes and through the relaxation he becomes rideable.” Schut-Kery had Schmidt work on riding long, slow leg-yields that spanned the length of the arena. She explained that she wasn’t looking for a lot of sideways motion with these leg-yields, but teaching the horse to go forward and off the inside leg in a way that he learns to relax in response to the leg. “When you have a horse that’s a little bit ahead of you, I try to ride exercises where there is leg required, but in a more calming and natural way. So, shoulder-ins, leg-yields. Shoulder-in already has bend, so that should help make him more supple. When he relaxes, you can start riding from the calf a little more—not more tempo. Think more control from back to front and the hind legs a little bit more through your legs.” 5. When your cues aren’t working, take a step back. Schut-Kery praised Devon Pomeroy for being an attentive and proactive rider with Royal Dark Chocolate. She suggested

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

“Through these three sets of aids, you give [a young horse] a sense of rhythm, a sense of tempo, a sense of balance,” Dover said. “And through that balance, the merging of those three sets of aids, they begin to go, ‘You know what? This is feeling pretty good to me.’ “This moment of the breath in, close legs, close fist, becomes the doorway through which we make every change of bend, of balance, of gait, of pace, and of movement: the half-halt. If they’re out of balance, we ride a half-halt to bring them back to a perfect state of balance and attention.” Dover describes visualizing perfect movements as part of the process of riding harmoniously. “The moment before we take in our breath, we are already seeing a movie in our mind of our horse doing this next balance from one half-halt to the next,” he said. “We half-halt and we create a shoulder-in. We half-halt and create the half-pass, then breathe out and relax the fist. We half-halt and we create the straightness to get up the centerline. We take in the breath, we close our legs, we close our fist, we canter on the spot, and within that canter, we create the halt. We’ve taken the breath, we close our legs, we close our fist, we ask the horse to trot, we breathe out, and we relax that fist, having created the trot.”

PRO TIP

6. Ride both sides of the horse. Olivia Martz is currently working up to flying changes with her horse, Norra. Schut-Kery equipped her with some tools to keep Norra supple and responsive on both sides, a necessary quality before clean changes can happen. “She gets in one position and stays there and is a little bit stiff,” Schut-Kery observed during a leg-yield exercise, adding that it’s important to ride not just the yielding aids but the receiving aids as well. “Remember how she tipped her nose to the right when you were yielding off the left leg? That means as you yield, you have to keep riding the right side of her body. “If you are in a left-lead canter and then you want to change right and she’s a little tight on the right side, that change won’t happen. You want to be able to have both sides of the horse’s body supple, regardless of what stride or canter lead she’s on. So those little yields help to get an idea for that.” 7. Stretch through the back. Lexie Kment’s horse, Montagny Von Der Heide, was just coming back from some time off before the clinic, and SchutKery helped guide a warm-up that would keep him working comfortably as he builds back strength. “In the canter, in the warm-up, lower his neck just a little bit so it’s not so tight and so that you can position his neck differently and he’s not just in one position,” said Schut-Kery. “Also so that he reaches a little bit more to the hand, especially at the beginning. He’s had a little bit of time off and it’s only your fourth ride back on him, so you relax his back. When we talk about making him stretch, it’s not always meant to be like in first level where you stretch them all the way down, but you have a few inches of stretch available to you if you want it. “Keep the neck in that place where he’s over the back,” she added. “The base of the neck in front of the withers [should be] low to the point where his back can really come up and act as a bridge between hind and front.” 8. Give a little. Schut-Kery often advocated for the riders to give a little with their hands after working on a particular skill for a while to see how the horses responded and to find out if they would be able to carry themselves. 54 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Robert Dover started the week with his lecture on dressage theory.

“It’s all about reading and understanding your horse and getting the feedback from the horse in order to make an appropriate decision on what we need to do,” she said to Kment as they worked through an exercise at the walk with Montagny Von Der Heide. “Where are the holes? How can we help him? You have to give a little bit.” 9. Focus on the individual aid. Early in Evie Olivier’s ride with clinician George Williams on the second day of the clinic, her horse, Shiloh, was not responsive to her right-lead canter cues. Rather than pile on stronger aids, Williams had her cue Shiloh to trot using just her inside leg to get her tuned in to that aid. “Sometimes you need to zero in on the leg or the aid that she’s behind and just try to get her in front of that aid,” said Williams. “I don’t want it to take all of the aids to canter. She should be able to canter from your inside leg, or a little bit from your seat, or a little bit from your outside leg, but any one of them individually in a way that you don’t always have to have all the aids so strong. Ideally, we’d have her canter from your inside seat bone, and then we could keep her quite straight. But second to that is that she has to be in front of the inside leg so that you can keep her straight. If it takes a lot of outside leg, you run a high risk of pushing the haunches to the inside.” 10. Always praise your horse. In Dover’s initial lecture, he reminded the participants that the rewards of a good ride weren’t as inherent to the horses as it is to the riders. “For a horse, doing all of these amazing things that they do for us, there’s not a huge pot of gold at the end of that rainbow for them,” Dover said. “I watch it and I think it’s beautiful. It’s also a little weird that we’re prancing around and making them do this stuff. If they were different, they would just buck us off and come back around and stomp us into the ground. But they’re such wonderful, beautiful animals that they do this stuff for us. We have to remember that with each half-halt, with each correction, the reward should be twice what the correction was.” Watch the full replay of the 2022 Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic Week on USEF Network.

PHOTO: TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

taking a step back when Pomeroy wasn’t getting the correct response to her cues. “Make sure when you ask her things that you really pay attention to if she’s answering,” said Schut-Kery. “Dressage riders—it’s our nature to control everything. Sometimes it helps to break it down and say, ‘Wait a minute. I have been repeating this 20 times and she always answers for one second but then she’s gone,’ so the answer isn’t really honest enough.” If you are repeatedly asking your horse for something and not getting the correct response, Schut-Kery said it’s okay sometimes to stop and walk to re-approach the problem with a fresh mind. “Dressage is complex,” she said. “There’s the technical aspect, but then you are working with two living beings and that has to all be incorporated in how you give your aids. You not only ride just technical movements, but ride the interior of the horse, too, and what her issues are physically and mentally.”

WWW.REMIBLOT.COM

Inspiration. Education. Competition. Ar t.

Contact: Joan Mack Cell: 616.402.2238 info@discoverdressage.com A Florida 501c3 non-profit organization

Title Sponsor of the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program through the United States Equestrian Federation Sponsor of Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida "2020 Sponsor of American Equestrians Got Talent", for the benefit of the United States Equestrian Federation.

JUNIORS’ RING

Youth Mundial Offers International Experience

by Liza Holland

Excitement is growing for the Paso Fino world’s 2022 Youth Mundial, as riders aged four to 24 from all over the United States practice for this spring’s U.S. Team tryouts and a chance to represent the United States at the prestigious biennial international competition this summer in Cali, Colombia. Youth Mundial is an equitation competition produced by the Confepaso organization, which represents nine nations: Aruba, Colombia, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Puerto Rico, the U.S., and Venezuela. The organization promotes the Paso breeds, including Paso Fino, Trote y Galope, Trocha, and Trocha y Galope. Riders are judged on their horsemanship skills, equitation, and ability to showcase their horses’ talent. The Mundial presents some unique challenges for the young equestrian. As international travel for horses is often cost-prohibitive, the rules for the event note that the host nation 56 SPRING ISSUE 2022

must provide a bank of donated horses. If you do not have a horse and aren’t able to rent a horse, fly your horse to Colombia, or purchase a horse there, then you are eligible to compete on a donated horse. Donated horses are assigned to riders through a lottery system. The rider is not able to practice or bond with that horse. Riders train intensively, often with multiple horses, so they can perform on any horse. The Paso Fino Horse Association, a US Equestrian affiliate organization, is extremely proud to support the U.S. team. “The future of our breed is the youth; we need to support them,” said PFHA Vice-President Sofia Passariello. PFHA hosted a similar international competition for adults, the Mundial Confepaso, in Miami last fall. The profits from that event allowed PFHA to dedicate $25,000 to the Youth Mundial program and an additional $25,000 to their youth program overall, a meaningful show of support that competitors appreciate.

PHOTOS: CHERI PRILL/STUNNING STEEDS PHOTO

The Paso Fino competition, which takes place this year in Colombia, helps create a new generation of leaders in horsemanship and equitation

360º ventilation with three international safety standards

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN PROTECTIVE HEADWEAR MANUFACTURERS COMFG LTD WREXHAM

Find your local stockist at www.charlesowen.com

International Opportunity Coral Rodriguez, 22, is no stranger to the international Youth Mundial. She has quite a resume. “I’ve gone to Kissimmee in 2006. I’ve gone in 2010 to Puerto Rico, 2014 to Colombia, 2016 to Puerto Rico, and 2018 in Ocala,” she explained. Rodriguez credits her family, especially her father, for her success in showing Paso Finos. “My dad is one of the pioneers in the sport and taught me everything I know.” said Rodriguez, who expressed appreciation for the support of her family and the sacrifices they have made to let her pursue her riding dreams. The Paso Fino community is known for a focus on family. When asked what keeps her coming back, Rodriguez shared that she is still striving for a gold medal. “So this is hopefully the year we take that gold medal!” She said. “Just being able to prove to myself that I know that I can do it. I’ve worked really hard for it. Maybe things haven’t gone as I wanted, but I’m hoping that this year it does. “I was able in 2014 to place as a third finalist out of 27 other riders,” she added. “That really motivated me to continue trying for that goal.” The appeal of international competition also has a lot to do with meeting fellow riders from all over. For a person like Rodriguez, this new “family” means a lot. “I absolutely love, love, love being able to meet new friends and getting reunited with old friends from all over,” she said. “It is that one time a year that everybody comes together, and I get to see my friends from Aruba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic, so it’s a really nice time.” In fact, Rodriguez met her best friend, Melanie—a five-time World Champion from Team Aruba—in 2010 at a Mundial. Now their families have grown close and celebrate holidays together. The international experience is a benefit of participating in competition at this level. “Out-of-country Mundials are a completely different experience, because you get to see new cultures, new people, and sample new foods.” Rodriguez explained. “You get to go sightseeing, see different things, and explore while being able to do what you love.” Paying it forward, Rodriguez works with other riders to help them prepare for competition, as well. “My goal has been 58 SPRING ISSUE 2022

“My goal has been to be able to share that passion with the younger riders and with the upcoming, new Paso riders,” said veteran Youth Mundial competitor Coral Rodriguez, who also helps coach U.S. team hopefuls.

to be able to share that passion with the younger riders and with the upcoming, new Paso riders,” she said, adding that she has six students who intend to try out for the 2022 U.S. team. “I’ve had little ones who have been with me since they were three years old. They’re working really, really hard just to be able to prove that they can be at that top-tier level. “My advice for them would be to not give up. I tell them this every day: you’ve got to work hard and be able to commit to train not once, not two, but three times a week. It’s a big sacrifice, but at the end of the day, it’s a sport that we love.” Positive Impact Katherine Rengifo, 17, came to competitive riding later than many of the competitors. Her first love was gymnastics. But after a fractured wrist put a pause on her gymnastics, Rengifo finally tried a few lessons at her dad’s urging. She fell completely in love with riding. She now brings her competitive spirit to the show ring. One year after she started competing, with lots of hard work and dedication, Rengifo competed in her first Mundial in 2018 in Ocala, Florida.

“Competing was something I was really looking forward to but also very nervous about,” she added. “Because everyone says that your first couple Mundials, you never make the cut because it’s so difficult. I really proposed to myself that it didn’t matter who was going to compete against me, or what experience they had, or how many Mundials they had already gone to, or how many medals they had already won, because when we go into the arena, we’re all at the same level. We all earn our spots.” Rengifo won a silver medal in her first Mundial outing. To prepare for the Mundial, Rengifo says, “You really have to lean hard into your own talents as a horse person. It really tests you to see if you actually know what you’re doing.” Rengifo is particularly excited about this year’s Mundial, as the Cali venue is also her mother’s hometown. If she makes the team, Rengifo’s family will join her. Rengifo says her mother, in particular, feels equestrian experience has had a positive impact on Rengifo. “The responsibility it takes to really be managing a horse and having that responsibility, it’s really up to you to control how you do in your competition,” Rengifo said, adding that her mom has expressed pride in being able “to watch me be admired by others and kids that are even younger than me, just to see that I’ve been able to achieve my goals and other people have that ideal to look up to.” Asked about being a role model, Rengifo responded, “I really do think it’s a great responsibility. And I think it does keep me on my toes. It ensures that I have to do everything I can and never give less than 200%. You always want to be the person that’s getting better and better, trying to make their corrections, and not the person that was good and happy that they’re good and just became mediocre.”

Learn More About Paso Finos

Paso Fino Horse Association: pfha.org US Equestrian’s Paso Fino: usef.org/compete/breeds/paso-fino

PHOTO: CHERI PRILL/STUNNING STEEDS PHOTO

JUNIORS’ RING

BUGS BITE.

IT’S HIGH TIME YOU TELL PESTS TO HIT THE ROAD.

Visit

to learn more.

Protecting your horse from pesky flying critters is easier than ever. That’s because bugs don’t fly with Farnam — they bug right off. Now you can get back to bonding with your horse, not your flyswatter. Visit Farnam.com to learn more.

BLOCK. REPEL. REDUCE.

Your Partner in Horse Care™

©2022 Farnam Companies, Inc. Endure; RepeLock; SuperMask; Built to Fit, Built to Last, Built to Stay On!; SimpliFly; LarvaStop Fly Growth Regulator with design; SWAT; and Farnam with design are trademarks of Farnam Companies. • 300532959

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 59

TRENDING

SHOW CHIC Whether you’re in the ring yourself or cheering on your friends, a polished, tailored look is always in fashion. We asked Ariat to suggest ideal show-day attire, from schooling to show ring to post-competition street clothes. The result? Pieces both sporty and sleek, with all-day performance and comfort built in. Pitch Perfect High performance really is effortless with this totally put-together ensemble. Keep your cool (literally) and make an up-to-the-minute style statement, too, with the Artico Exhale show coat, shown here in show navy. The perforated nylon/spandex mesh fabric is ultra-light and ultra-stretchy, and there’s a hidden zipper under the button placket. It’s the perfect marriage of modern cooling and convenience with a crisp, traditional profile that even the most conservative judge will appreciate. Complete the look with Tri Factor breeches—featuring compressed fabrication infused with cooling technology—and polish it off with the gorgeously crafted Kinsey field boots in premium full-grain leather. The judgment? A classic picture that’s thoroughly state of the art.

Revolutionary Comfort Talk about innovation: the groundbreaking Ascent boot is expertly crafted from high-tech synthetic leather and knit for supreme comfort and superb fit. They’re tough enough for the longest day at the barn and lightweight enough to make you feel like you could do it all again. Features include an ATS® lightweight forked shank for enhanced support, a Duratread™ sole with ridertested traction zones, and a dual-density FLX Foam™ midsole for lightweight shock absorption and cushioning. You’ll never want to take the Ascent tall boot off. But if you have to, they’re so flexible you can just fold them up to pack them for travel. 60 SPRING ISSUE 2022

PHOTOS: COURTESY ARIAT

Schooling Staples All the “backstage” preparation at a horse show can be demanding. The Ascent line from Ariat makes schooling a breeze and doesn’t let you down on the style side, either. Top-to-toe pieces include a quarter-zip baselayer with compressive mesh paneling that prompts correct riding posture and tights that use similar compression technology to deliver the benefits of athletic taping—and both pieces are designed to allow maximum range of motion. Ward off the spring’s morning chill after your ride with the sporty (and breathable!) Ascent full-zip sweatshirt.

IRIDEON

MYLER BITS

ROECKL

BUCUS

Ride in superior safety with Champion helmets and body protectors

Utilize the latest technology with T3 Saddle Pads for maximum comfort and freedom of moment

Protect and perform with high quality boots from Woof Wear

Photo by Shannon Brinkman

OFFICIAL SADDLE PAD SUPPLIER

toklat.com USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 61

TRENDING

Just Breathe The elegant Airway show shirt’s patterned mesh yoke and sleeves are pretty enough to turn heads, but it’s also part of a sophisticated cooling system, including ClimateTEK cooling technology and FreshTEK odor resistance, that keeps you refreshed even in moments of heated competition. For Spring Showers The Vernal jacket spices up any dull, gray day. Feminine and flattering, it’s both waterproof and breathable and sports a hood that zips into the collar when the sun returns. And pockets galore, so you’ll always have extra room for keys, phone, and show-time odds and ends or essentials like a hoof pick and the all-important post-round peppermint for your partner.

PHOTOS: COURTESY ARIAT

Freshen Up Once you’ve wrapped up your show day, give your look a quick refresh with this easy, clean-lined combination. Pull on your favorite Ariat denim high-rise skinny stretch jeans, and top them off with the Floret pullover in premium Supima cotton (with a touch of Spandex). Wear the Floret by itself on warmer days or layer it on those cool spring evenings. It’s a look that goes easily from table to tack room and from railside to stallside as many times as you like. With the Wexford brogue waterproof boot, you can make the trip on foot without worrying about any puddles along the way: crafted from premium leathers with Waterproof Pro® construction, they shrug off rain and mud so you can go right where you’re needed, rain or shine.

62 SPRING ISSUE 2022

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 63

Only at Dover Saddlery

USEF members save 10% off their order through the member perks program. Visit DoverSaddlery.com/ USEF for more information.

For over 45 years, our team of riders have worked hard to ensure our customers receive the most innovative world class products and service to meet the needs of all horse and rider partners. You’ll find all the traditional essentials plus new performance products this season backed by the easiest and best guarantee in the business. Thank you for riding with Dover Saddlery.

1-800-989-1500 | DoverSaddlery.com Proud partner of the United States Equestrian Federation

EVENTING FOR ALL

If you’re inspired by eventing stars like Boyd Martin and On Cue, winners of the 2021 Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian, the sport of eventing offers a lot of opportunities to get involved.

66 SPRING ISSUE 2022

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian represents the inspirational pinnacle of eventing. But the sport offers many opportunities for a wide range of riders and many equine breeds and types. It’s spring again in the Bluegrass, which means it’s time for one of the equestrian world’s most anticipated and prestigious competitions: the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian. The famed CCI5*-L eventing competition is one of only seven 5* events in the world—and one of just two in the United States—placing it at the pinnacle of international equestrian sport. Spectators from across the country gather at the Kentucky Horse Park and online at USEF Network (usef.org/network) to watch as an international field of equine and human athletes compete in the event’s three phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This competition at the highest level of the eventing discipline is thrilling and inspirational to watch. The sport also has a progressive range of levels, beginning with the introductory starter level, to help riders of all ages and horses of many breeds and types discover eventing and the fun and rewarding challenge it offers. Intrigued? Start your introduction to eventing at the United States Eventing Association’s Discover Eventing website (discovereventing.com) and at the United States Equestrian Federation’s eventing page under the Compete tab at usef.org. For many of those who try this “equestrian triathlon,” the sport of eventing is transformative. Eventing athlete Maddy Temkin kicked off her competitive career at a very young age riding ponies in the hunter ring. But after she rode over her first cross-country course as a child, she knew eventing was where her heart would always be.

PHOTO: LESLIE POTTER/US EQUESTRIAN

BY GLENYE CAIN OAKFORD

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 67

The United States Eventing Association and United States Equestrian Federation offer opportunities for young riders from the USEA’s Interscholastic Eventing League to the USEF’s programs for developing, emerging, and elite athletes. “You can progress through the levels or stay where you’re at. There’s so much to keep learning and perfecting, so that’s definitely not boring. You can go as far as you want,” said eventing athlete and instructor Bec Braitling (left).

68 SPRING ISSUE 2022

PHOTOS: LESLIE MINTZ/USEA (TOP), MEAGAN DELISLE/USEA (BOTTOM AND OPPOSITE)

Clockwise: Eventing offers levels of competition, from Beginner Novice through Advanced and on to FEI competition, for a wide range of equestrians and equine breeds.

“Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on it,” said Temkin, who runs Full Circle Training with her mother at Double B Farms in Sebastopol, Calif. Today, at age 21, she’s a member of the United States Equestrian Federation’s 2022 Eventing Emerging Athlete Program, which identifies and supports athlete/ horse combinations that have shown the potential to develop into future U.S. team candidates. What’s kept her hooked on eventing? The challenge of performing three different phases that test a range of skills and forge a strong partnership between rider and horse. “It’s the ultimate test, not only of your horse’s physical capability and your physical capability, but it’s also the ultimate test of the relationship you build with your horse and what you can accomplish together,” Temkin said. Even if your horse is currently active in another discipline, provided they can jump safely, they can probably try eventing. It might even benefit them and you, Temkin says. “The lower levels are really welcoming for kind of any horse and any rider,” she said. “I truly believe that any horse can benefit from going cross-country. And, you know, it never hurts to get your horse out in the open and out of the arena. A lot of horses actually really enjoy that.” Trainer and rider Bec Braitling, who is based at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, Calif., agrees that some experience riding and jumping cross-country can benefit horses and their riders, too. “They’re exposed to a lot of different things,” she explained. “They see terrain, water obstacles, banks, ditches. It’s real back-to-basics type riding out in the field and helpful for learning good balance. I think there’s a lot to be said for what those skills give horse and rider. Then when you do come back into an arena, all of a sudden you have some tools that maybe you didn’t know you had before.”

A Level for Everyone Eventing’s three phases test a range of skills that work together and help strengthen the horse/rider partnership. The first phase, dressage, is often compared to the compulsory phase in figure skating. The dressage phase sees horse and rider perform a prescribed series of movements in a test designed to fit their particular competition level. It’s a test of control and maneuverability that demonstrates—and readies—the pair for jumping. “At its most basic, in dressage you’re learning about line, direction, and speed control,” Braitling explained. “Then you get a little fancier as you go up the levels and add things like rhythm, balance, collection, and extension. Ultimately, you’ll be using all of

these things in your cross-country and your show jumping. “In dressage, you’re learning a specific dressage test and learning to control the horse and be accurate at the markers. That filters through to show jumping, where you will need to hold your line to the fences, and especially out on cross-country, where you’ll also need to manage your speed and pace at the same time.” The show jumping and cross-country phases that follow test the partnership’s ability to negotiate a series of obstacles both in an arena with delicate fences that can fall at the slightest rub and out on a longer course over varying terrain, with more solid obstacles that demand fitness and bravery.

“If you start small, the levels build on each other, and you also get more confident as you go,” eventing athlete and instructor Bec Braitling said of the sport.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 69

NEW EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS TO DEBUT IN 2022

This fall, The Dutta Corp. Tryon International Three-Day Event will feature an even bigger selection of eventing championships. In addition to serving as the site of The Dutta Corp./USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championship, the Mill Spring, N.C., event also will host the inaugural USEF Young Rider Eventing Championships Nov. 10-13. These championships for riders aged 14-25 will award titles for CCI1*-L, CCI2*-L, and CCI3*-L. This new event replaces the USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge and is based on feedback from Area Coordinators and participants’ evaluations of the YTC. In 2021, that concept allowed more than 60 athletes from nine areas to compete in team competitions throughout the year. “We are appreciative to have been able to offer these opportunities to the athletes, but in reviewing the program, the Youth Team Challenge Task Force and Eventing Sport Committee felt that returning to one long-format championship competition was the best way forward,” explained Christina Vaughn, USEF’s Director of Eventing Performance and Program Support. 70 SPRING ISSUE 2022

“The Young Rider Championships look to fill a void in providing a vital steppingstone on the eventing pathway, ultimately paving the way to the elite level of the sport,” said Leslie Law, USEF’s Development and Emerging Athlete Coach. “The U.S. does not currently have the opportunity to compete in multiple youth championships, like in Europe, so we continue to seek ways to offer athletes opportunities to compete in a team environment. The Young Rider Championships give athletes up to the age of 25 the opportunity to gain this valuable team experience. Gaining team experience was integral in my ability to put forward the best performances to secure medals when it mattered most.” The championships will offer the following levels, listed here with their Fédération Équestre Internationale age requirements: CCI1* for FEI ages 14-18, CCI2* for FEI ages 14-21, and CCI3* for FEI ages 16-25. “These are important pieces of education for anyone wanting to ride at the FEI levels but especially for our up-and-coming talent,” Youth Team Challenge Task Force member Rebecca Brown said. To learn more and find additional resources about the USEF Young Rider Eventing Championships and the athlete selection process, visit usef. org/compete/disciplines/eventing/ usef-young-rider-eventing-championship.

Opposite: (Clockwise) Eventing’s signature phase, cross-country, requires fitness, confidence, and the skill of balanced riding over natural terrain. The jumping phase calls for precision and accuracy in jumping a course of delicate jumps that can fall with the slightest rub. Eventing’s dressage phase tests the skills of accuracy, straightness, and control that riders and their horses will also need later in the cross-country and show jumping phases.

PHOTOS: SHANNON BRINKMAN PHOTO (INSET), LESLIE MINTZ/USEA (OPPOSITE)

The Youth Team Challenge has transitioned to become the USEF Young Rider Eventing Championships, which will take place in November.

“You definitely never get bored!” Braitling said. “It’s a constant search for knowledge in all of the phases, and the more you learn, the more you realize about what you don’t know. That’s what’s really cool. It attracts someone who really wants to prefect all those parts.” Eventing’s levels create a path along which horses and riders can progress as their skills grow. Some competitions offer a Starter level, a schooling level with very low fences and an untimed cross-country round, that can help newcomers test basic skills. The seven levels of national competition, in progression, are •B eginner Novice, for green horses and riders who have experience in schooling competitions in all three phases (jump height of 2’7”) • Novice, designed for horses and riders with lower-level experience or for experienced riders on horses new to eventing (jump height 2’11”) • Training, an elementary examination of riders and horses with more training and experience under their belts (jump height 3’3”) • Modified, for Training-level horses and rider pointing for the Preliminary level of international 1* events (jump height 3’5”) • Preliminary, a moderate examination of horses and riders training for international 2* events (jump height 3’7”) • Intermediate, a level of increased technical difficulty for riders and horses preparing for international 3* events (jump height 3’9”) • Advanced, the highest national level of horse trials, with tests of significant difficulty designed to prepare horses and riders for international 4* and 5* events (jump height 3’11”) Progressive levels help make the sport attainable, Braitling observed. They allow a rider to progress as they learn more and become ready for more technical jump combinations at a faster pace. “If you start small, the levels build on each other, and you also get more confident as you go,” Braitling said. “The more you learn, and the more you feel

that you can control, then your bravery kicks in. Something like Starter is a fun introduction, but you’re still testing the skills needed. Having that good base is really important so you have that skill set when you leave the start box.” The technical skill required to “graduate” from one level to the next is also clear, Braitling noted, which helps riders know what they need to work on and improve. “Every competition when you go to enter, there is a little description of the levels, whether it’s on the easier side or the more difficult side, so you can read that and say, ‘This is a great introduction to this level’ or ‘This would be a great move-up opportunity.’ With the specifications of what’s expected, especially on cross-country and

dressage, it creates a linear pathway in your training.” But there’s also the opportunity to stay at a given level, if that’s where a rider is most comfortable or where a horse’s skill set fits best. Whether you’re hoping to ride someday in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian or wanting to perfect your skills at Beginner Novice, there’s always something to learn and work on. “It’s definitely a sport that promotes disciplined training, even at the lower levels,” Braitling said. “You can progress through the levels or stay where you’re at. There’s so much to keep learning and perfecting, so that’s definitely not boring. You can go as far as you want.”

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 71

Eventing promotes disciplined training at all levels. “There’s so much to keep learning and perfecting.” said trainer Bec Braitling

For youth and college-age competitors, the USEA has competitive team opportunities, too, such as the Interscholastic Eventing League and the Intercollegiate Eventing Program. And eventing athletes of all ages can point for the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds, an annual fall championship for every level of the sport, from Beginner Novice to Advanced. Getting Started If the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian has inspired you to give eventing a try, the USEF and the United States Eventing Association both have good resources to get you started. Get acquainted with some of the details of the sport on USEF’s eventing page; under the Compete tab on usef.org, click Breeds & Disciplines, then click Eventing to find a brief overview of the sport and information about USEF’s eventing programs, including the Eventing Pathway programs for elite, developing, and emerging athletes. You can also learn more about eventing safety and education, as well as get information about the sport’s rules, qualifications, and tack under the Programs & Resources section of the page. The USEA’s Discover Eventing website (discovereventing.com) is a portal through which you can explore each of eventing’s three phases, find an instructor,

72 SPRING ISSUE 2022

and learn how to get involved as a competitor. It’s also a priceless resource for those heading to their first eventing competition. Click My First Event to find sections that cover entering an event, learning your dressage test, what rider and horse should wear for each phase, and what to expect at a competition. Discover Eventing also has details about participating in the sport as a volunteer, spectator, or sponsor. Interested in hosting an event or owning one of eventing’s equine athletes? They’ve got information about that, too. If you’re looking for an instructor to show you the ropes and help you start your eventing adventure, the USEA has a directory of instructors who are certified through their Instructors’ Certification Program. You can find that on the USEA website, useventing.com. From the home page, click Safety+Education, then Instructors to learn more about the Instructors’ Certification Program, as well as the link to the director of certified instructors (useventing.com/safety-education/instructors-certification-program/ directory-of-certified-eventing-instructors). The USEA’s online Safety and Education page also has an educational activities calendar. Find out more about eventing in your area at the USEA’s Affiliates page (useventing.com/about/affiliates), which provides contact information for

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF USEA, (INSET) TAYLOR PENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

Left to right: “There is a huge amount of camaraderie, right from the bottom of the sport to the top,” trainer and athlete Bec Braitling said.

LRK3DE 2022 PROVISIONAL COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Times subject to change. Visit usef.org/network for the most up-to-date schedule. See KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com for the complete event schedule, entries, and more. Times listed are Eastern Time. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 3 p.m. First Horse inspection (CCI5*-L only) — High Hope Inspection Lane Sponsored by Hagyard Pharmacy 3:30-6:30 p.m. Competitor arena familiarization — Rolex Stadium USEA-affiliated eventing organizations for various states. Team Spirit The close partnership that eventing athletes develop with their horses is one big reason eventing athlete Maddy Temkin loves the sport. But close behind that is the eventing community’s camaraderie. “That’s something that I think keeps a lot of people riding,” Temkin said. “There’s just something about the eventing world, the partnership that you develop with the other people. You get to know them as almost family or best friends. It’s like one giant family. When things don’t go to plan or you have a problem there’s always people there to look out for you, and there are always people there for you and your horse to fall back on. And I think that’s truly amazing.” “There is a huge amount of camaraderie, right from the bottom of the sport to the top,” trainer and athlete Bec Braitling said. “Everyone wants to be successful, but ultimately it’s more important that everybody goes and has a great ride and a safe ride. I think that really shines through in the sport, because you care about your friends and your fellow riders and all the horses. You want everybody to have a day where everybody finishes on the scoreboard. Ultimately, the success of your fellow competitors is sometimes just as important as your own.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 7:15 a.m. Dressage test ride—Rolex Stadium 7:40 a.m.-10:40 a.m. CCI4*-S dressage tests—Rolex Stadium 11 a.m.-5 p.m. CCI5*-L dressage tests—Rolex Stadium 5:15-7:15 p.m. Arena familiarization—Rolex Stadium FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 8 a.m.-10:40 CCI4*-S dressage tests resume—Rolex Stadium 11 a.m. Kentucky Invitational CSI3* jog 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CCI5*-L dressage tests resume—Rolex Stadium 1 p.m. Para-dressage demonstration—Rolex Stadium 1:30-4:30 p.m. Demonstrations and exhibitions (para dressage, para show jumping, Retired Racehorse Project)—Walnut Ring 2:10-4:30 p.m. Dressage tests continue 7 p.m. Kentucky Invitational CSI3* $37,000 Welcome Speed Cup 1.45m— Rolex Stadium SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 9-11:15 a.m. CCI4*-S cross-country test Noon Kentucky Invitational CSI3* course walk—Rolex Stadium 12:30-4:45 p.m. CCI5*-L cross-country test 2:30-5:30 p.m. Demonstrations and exhibitions (para dressage, para show jumping, Retired Racehorse Project) — Walnut Ring 5:45 p.m. $225,000 Kentucky Invitational CSI3* 1.60m—Rolex Stadium SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022 7:30 a.m. CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L horse inspection—High Hope Inspection Lane 9:30 a.m. CCI4*-S jumping course inspection—Rolex Stadium 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. CCI4*-S jumping test—Rolex Stadium 1:45 p.m. CCI5*-L jumping course inspection—Rolex Stadium 2:15 p.m. CCI5*-L jumping test first group—Rolex Stadium 3:45 p.m. CCI5*-L jumping test second group (awards immediately after)— Rolex Stadium 4:45 p.m. Awards presentation—Rolex Stadium USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 73

TRUSTED BY THE BEST

CHARLES ANCONA N E W

Y O R K

CUSTOM FIT & DESIGN

United States Equestrian Team Foundation Philanthropic Partner of US Equestrian

Supporting Athletes Promoting International Excellence Building for the Future

GO TEAM USA Where Olympic & Paralympic Journeys Begin

Support your team at USET.org Photos by Shannon Brinkman and Phelps Media Group

STOP BEFORE IT STARTS

PHOTO: JAY HEIKE/UNSPLASH

BY LIZA HOLLAND

76 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Barn fires are scary and can happen quickly. The best defense is an intentional and well-planned focus on prevention, starting with an assessment by your local fire department.

A continual focus on prevention strategies and a clear, well-communicated plan can help you avoid a barn fire or respond quickly if your barn is threatened by a wildfire.

There are hundreds of fires each year that involve horses and, according to the Animal Welfare Institute, 1.6 million farm animals died in barn fires in 2020 alone. Only a small fraction of these are horses, but the danger is real. The AWI notes that electrical deficiencies were the numberone cause of fires, but a growing concern is the increase in frequency, duration, and rapid spread of wildfires. Floating embers can find a rich environment around a barn, as well as in it. There are several actions owners can take to reduce the risk of fire at the farm. 1. Assess your current situation Take a tour of your barn and ask yourself questions like • How old is your barn? • Is the electrical system up to handling the load you currently put on it? • Where do you store flammables? • Are you keeping dust and cobwebs at a minimum? Inviting your local fire department to come in and do an assessment is a great way to start. They can offer an unbiased view of your situation and give you suggestions for improvement. There are multiple considerations as you develop your plan. Install smoke detectors, ideally ones that can alert you via your phone. Barns are often left alone at night, so it is important that relevant people can be alerted remotely. Install fire extinguishers in high-risk areas and also have them spaced around the barn. Shane Crockett, Senior Director, Underwriting and Production for Agriculture, at Markel Specialty Commercial, a leader in insurance, also recommends that you “utilize the services of a licensed vendor to place fire USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 77

78 78 WINTER SPRING ISSUE 2021 2022

PHOTOS: SHELLEY PAULSON PHOTOGRAPHY

extinguishers in your barn that are the appropriate type (generally ABC dry chemical type, 5 lb. to 10 lb.) and readily available.” The National Fire Protection Association (nfpa.org) recommends ABC-type fire extinguishers near every exit and within 50 feet from any point in the barn. It also recommends having a fire alarm system, sprinkler system, and carbon monoxide detection system. General farm equipment can also be a source of risk. Don’t park a hot piece of equipment, such as a tractor or gas powered landscaping equipment in a barn or near any flammable materials. 2. Show pride of ownership “Whenever we review a risk, we can quickly identify an owner with pride of ownership,” said Crockett. “This can often be to your advantage, as your underwriter may have pricing discretion that allows them to lower your insurance premiums because of superior management.” Pride of ownership can be demonstrated by good housekeeping, including keeping the shed rows and barn aisles clean, removing dust and cobwebs, and keeping things organized. Having a plan for regular barn maintenance and inspections to ensure repairs are handled in a timely manner is important. 3. Check fans and bulbs There is a difference between retrofitting an existing barn and building a new one. If you are building, you can design for the best ventilation, electrical planning, storage, and more. Higher ceilings can allow you to choose a ceiling fan that will cool in the summer and warm in the winter by pushing rising heat down. When you are choosing equipment for your barn, there are many electrical items available now that can increase your safety. If retrofitting, you want to avoid having anything needing an extension cord if at all possible. Not only are they an electrical risk, they are also a trip hazard. Alex Risen and Hunter Harris of Big Ass Fans note that fans that have motors that are encased are ideal. “With barn fans, we know that there’s dust, there’s hay, there’s all kinds of things that can be seen as combustibles. We want to prevent that from getting into that motor and causing failure or causing issues. That’s typically where you’re going to see those sparks, when that motor has to overwork itself.”

Mounting your fans in the corner or using a conduit in the back of the stall and mounting a fan would be safer. Lights where the bulbs are encased in a moisture reducing cover can save a bursting bulb from starting a fire. 4. Monitor hay and straw Hay isn’t only a potential fodder for fire that starts elsewhere; baled or stored improperly, it also can spontaneously combust. “Hay fires can occur from baling hay when it is too moist,” Markel’s Crockett said. “Hay with higher moisture levels can breed heat-producing organisms that can cause spontaneous combustion. This usually occurs within six weeks after being baled. To reduce this likelihood, ensure bedding and feed are properly dried before baling, monitor bale temperature by using specifically designed probes during the first six weeks for added security, and, whenever possible, store hay and bedding in a separate area of the barn (or, even better yet, in a separate building).” 5. Reduce exterior clutter Removing clutter from around the barn is a good plan, especially if you are at risk of wildfires. Clearing a “defensible space” around the barn can help to keep a barn from igniting and leave time to get animals out. Make sure that the area leading to the barn is also clear so firefighters can get to a fire quickly. That includes trimming hanging trees or branches and filling potholes. 6. Create an emergency plan Develop and maintain an emergency plan, and be sure to include key staffers. The fire department can often consult with you on making such a plan. People can make or break the success of any plan, as they are often the ones to implement it, so training is also important.

Training your employees and boarders on barn safety can save you from a costly and potentially deadly fire. Training drills should include exactly how to use a fire extinguisher and where to take the animals in the event of fire. Your safety plan should account for fires that start in the barn, as well as exterior threats like wildfires, including the potential evacuation of horses. Make sure that employees, boarders, and visitors are all aware of fire-prevention policies such as a ban on smoking in the barn, which can also be included in your boarding and employment agreements and reinforced with “no smoking” signs posted in stable areas. If you do offer a smoking area, provide butt cans to properly extinguish cigarettes. COMMON CAUSES OF BARN FIRES The number-one source of barn fires is the malfunctioning of heating or electrical devices and appliances. A recent report from the Animal Welfare Institute showed that malfunctioning electrical devices are the greatest risk and cause over half of reported fires. Many fires occur in cold conditions when heaters are is use. Never place portable space heaters near horses or hay, shavings, and feed where they might be knocked over. Whether in a tack room, office, or house, heaters should have a shut-off device that activates if the unit is tipped. Wiring issues are also a major source of concern for fire risk. Barn wiring needs to be inspected regularly—you never know when an industrious rodent might chew a wire. The wiring also should be housed in a conduit that is properly rated; consult with an electrician to make sure. If you can, place the electrical panel box in the driest, most dust-free area

Left to right: Do not use portable indoor fans in the barn. Look for fans that are suitable for agricultural use and that have sealed motor housings. Do not use extension cords. Showing “pride of ownership” with a tidy, well-maintained barn can be to your advantage, as your underwriter might be able to lower your insurance premiums because of your good management. Removing dust and cobwebs and keeping the barn aisle uncluttered will help prevent fire spread and also make it easier to lead horses out in case of emergency.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 79

If a barn fire does strike, how should you respond? Having an emergency plan that you and any key barn staff have practiced will help you in an emergency. Shane Crockett, Markel Specialty Commercial’s Senior Director, Underwriting and Production for Agriculture, also offered these tips: Immediately call 911 or your local emergency services. Do not enter the barn if it is already engulfed in flames. If it is safe for you to enter the barn, evacuate animals one at a time, starting with the most accessible ones. Never let animals loose in an area where they are able to return to the barn. Have a halter and lead rope on each horse when you open the stall door. Be aware that horses tend to run back into burning barns out of fear and confusion. Blindfold horses only if absolutely necessary. Many horses will balk at a blindfold, making evacuation more difficult and time-consuming. Move horses to paddocks close enough to reach quickly but far enough from the barn that they won’t be affected by the fire and smoke. Be sure to have all your horses checked by a veterinarian after the fire. Smoke inhalation can cause serious lung damage and respiratory complications in horses as well as humans. Horses also are prone to stress and may experience colic after a fire. WHAT NOT TO DO Never attempt to fight a fire if it is already large and spreading. Never fight a fire that could spread to block your escape route. Never fight a fire if you have not been trained to properly use a fire extinguisher.

80 SPRING ISSUE 2022

possible. And avoid using extension cords—use industrial grade cords if you must—and unplug and remove them when they are not in use. Lightning can cause fires by overloading a barn’s electrical system with a sudden power surge. It also can travel through a metal pipe to a propane tank, causing an explosion. Make sure your systems are grounded, including pipes, electrical systems, telephone lines, etc., and consider installing grounded lightning rods. Wildfires are increasingly a source of barn fires, too. The National Fire Protection Association suggests preparing an evacuation kit for each horse, including ownership papers, health records, a photo, and medications. A halter and lead rope, equine and human first-aid kits, any medication the horse needs, and enough feed and water for several days should be stored in airtight containers, along with some grooming and cleaning supplies. You can also “brand” each horse by writing your name and number on it with a livestock crayon or by clipping its coat to show your name and number. Braid an ID tag, including your emergency contact information, into the mane or attach it to a neck band. Trailer evacuation should be practiced periodically. Having several routes of escape that can accommodate the trailer is best, and keeping those routes clear is important. Remove potential obstacles like overgrown brush, hanging tree branches, or potholes and maintain those emergency exit paths. If your horses can’t be evacuated and must be let free, do not let them go with nylon halters attached, as these can melt and cause serious injury. Close and latch all gates and doorways behind them so they do not return to the paddock or barn.

INSURANCE IS VITAL

It is critical to have insurance, especially if you are running a business. Ask your agent about farm packages, which are flexible and can cover a home on a farm, as well, depending upon your needs. Especially now, when costs for building materials are increasing at an alarming rate, it is very important to have replacement cost built into your policy. Don’t forget to include replacement cost for everything inside the barn like tack and equipment, as well. As you consider coverage, contemplate how much potential business interruption or disruption of farming coverage you will need. The amount of coverage you need could be much higher than even a year ago, driven by factors such as the time it would take to rebuild. It might take six months or more to be able to get back to normal operation due to lack of labor and supplies. If that disruption would require you to move operations to another location for a time or board your horses in another location, factor in those potential costs, too. “Remember, each insurance policy is different and may have different coverages and exclusions and deductibles,” Markel’s Shane Crockett cautioned. “You really have to look at your policy and work with an insurance professional and agent to make sure you’ve got the right coverage in place.” Barn fires will always worry horse owners and horse businesses, but by taking some precautions, practicing proper fire prevention methods, and creating a fire emergency plan for your operation, you can reduce the risk and potential cost of a barn fire.

PHOTOS: ADAM WILSON/UNSPLASH, DERRICK TREADWELL/UNSPLASH, SHELLEY PAULSON PHOTOGRAPHY

RESPONDING SAFELY TO A BARN FIRE

Above: Keeping fire extinguishers in several places in the barn and posting “no smoking” signs for visitors are two simple ways to promote fire safety. Right: Store hay, straw, feed, and flammable liquids away from the main barn where the horses are stabled.

BARN FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST

The National Fire Protection Association offers additional educational resources at nfpa.org/education, including the following checklist that can help you reduce your barn’s fire risk: Heat lamps and space heaters are kept a safe distance from anything that can burn. Heaters are on a sturdy surface and cannot fall over. Electrical equipment is labeled for agricultural or commercial use. All wiring is free from damage. Extension cords are not used in the barn. Lightbulbs have covers to protect them from dust, moisture, and breakage. Damage is identified quickly and repairs are completed with safety in mind. Dust and cobwebs around electrical outlets and lights are removed. Oily rags are stored in a closed, metal container away from heat. Feed, hay, straw, and flammable liquids are stored away from the main barn. The barn is a smoke-free zone. Exits are clearly marked and pathways are clear. Fire drills are held frequently with everyone who uses the barn. Workers are trained to use fire extinguishers. Everyone in the barn knows personal safety is the first priority if a fire breaks out. Hazard checks take place on a set schedule. Checklist courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association. USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 81

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

Finest Equestrian Products Online

What better feeling than to wash winter’s mud and cobwebs away and start fresh in the springtime sun? Spring is a traditional season of blossoming, spring cleaning, and setting goals. In that spirit, we’ve brought together our spring short list of gifts to help you and yours kick off the season in fine style, from show ring apparel, to training aids and helpful tools for the barn, to a little spring bling—and something for the little sprouts, too.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 83

A TRUE ESSENTIAL

The Essential® FlyMask is the traditional fly mask reinvented for added protection against bacteria, bugs, and the sun. Guard and protect with moisture-wicking, anti-microbial lycra guards against irritation and bacterial growth. Low profile, lightweight, breathable, stretchy materials provide protection without the bulk of traditional fly masks. Offers sun protectionUPF 50+. $32. equifit.com

STEAM HAY CLEAN

Haygain hay steaming reduces respirable irritants and allergens in hay by up to 99%, making it a key tool in helping prevent and/ or manage equine respiratory issues and allergies. $999-$2,999. haygain.us

CHAMPION STORAGE

The Champion XL Flexi Equine Tack Locker is the biggest in the Elite range. Customize your very own tack locker with your logo, color, name, and flags. The full deluxe comes with lights, three saddle pegs, two mucky boot drawers, Bluetooth speaker, USB charging port, and many more features. Secure locking on all doors and an electronic safe for peace of mind while traveling. From $6,495. flexiequinetack.com

CAPTURE YOUR RIDE

Film professional-quality videos with PIXIO and PIXEM auto-follow robots. Great for lessons, shows, competitions, sale horses, and more. Place your camera, smartphone, or tablet on the robot and enjoy the automatic tracking, zoom, and recording features. Use the live-streaming option for distance coaching too. From $829. movensee.com

84 SPRING ISSUE 2022

QUICK REFRESHER

You know that feeling: you just finished working with your horse, you’re sweating from head to toe, and you somehow need to make yourself feel, look, and smell respectable enough to re-enter the real world. Add an ounce or so of water to one of these Equestrian Wellness Stable to City dry face and body wipes and unroll to reveal an 8” x 10” biodegradable bamboo wipe. Job done! $12. equestrianwellness.com

DIAMOND DESIGN

Aztec Diamond breeches merge fit and form and feature sweat-wicking, shaperetaining, durable qualities finished with a comfortable seamless knitted sock and reliable gripping. Developed to help the rider enhance their performance with no limits. Available in white, grey, taupe, maroon, and black. $164. aztecdiamondequestrian.com

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 85

SURPRISE YOURSELF

The Modern Horse is a seasonal subscription service which features equestrian life and style products curated for equestrians, horse owners, and equestrian lifestyle enthusiasts. Our feature product, The Bit Box, mails to subscribers every three months and contains five to seven products—including clothing, beauty, home decor, leather goods, accessories, etc.—valued at $250 or more. Available in quarterly or annual subscription. $150-500. themodernhorse.com

A BIT OF GLAMOR

With nine show-stopping designs, the Bit of LUV Collection by Karina Brez Jewelry is comprised of a bit-inspired necklace, link bracelet, and ring, each available in 18-karat yellow, rose, or white gold. $1,500-$4,000. Karinabrez.com

YOUR PERFECT FIT

SHEFIT’s Ultimate Sports Bra® is the go-to sports bra for equestrians, guaranteed to minimize bounce by 50% compared to the leading brand. Superior support and function with easy-on, easy-off, and customized adjustability for your perfect fit. Save 15% of your first purchase with discount code USEF15. $75. shefit.com

PUT YOUR STAMP ON IT

The perfect stationery to express your equestrian lifestyle. These Gait Silhouette note cards are printed on luxury linen paper and allow you to add your name. Each pack includes 20 cards measuring 7” x 5”. $28. horseshoegreetings.com

86 SPRING ISSUE 2022

STYLE POINTS PLUS

N2 Saddlery, the Official Saddle of the U.S. Dressage Team, offers this decadent chocolate brown Cardhu model featuring the finest European leather with an inviting grippy soft hide seat and thigh block, accented with whiskey mock croc patent leather, amber Swarovski crystals, and gold piping. This is just one of the thousands of stunning design combinations to make your show season a winner. Each N2 Saddle is built to allow the horse to freely use their topline and shoulder, while seating the rider in the ideal position to use their aids effectively. From just under $6,000. n2saddlery.com

YOU DESERVE A HALO

Charles Owen’s Halo helmet has 360-degree ventilation and unrivaled safety. The unique lattice harness is designed to self-adjust to give you a snug and secure fit. Halo meets three international safety standards, including PAS015. Combine it with optional MIPS technology for even more confidence when you ride or drive. From $540. charlesowen.com

YOUTHFUL SPIRIT

The Maya Delorez Young Rider Collection has sporty and functional riding apparel, like this Freddie Tech Polo, for boys and girls in sizes 4XS to XS. Designed with equestrians in mind, the products are adapted to cope with the tough, dirty, and sweaty environments that life at the barn entails. $99. mayadelorez.com/young-riders USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 87

A BIT INGENIOUS

Dalman Jump Co.’s bit tree holds more than 400 bits and is a must-have tack room accessory. Designed for maximum organization, the bit tree allows for greater accessibility and visibility of your farm’s bit collection. It boasts a powder-coated, all-aluminum exterior and swivel wheels for easy transport. Also available in custom colors. $975. dalmanjumpco.com

A YOUNG READER’S DELIGHT

Change can be difficult, especially for Savanna. When she moves to a new barn with a new trainer, she can’t help thinking about how much she’ll miss Colts & Company. More than that…she’s a little scared. What will happen when Savanna swallows her fear and takes a chance on Happenstance Farms? A fun, relatable story about a girl, her pony, and a dog. Kids will love keeping up with the adventures at Happenstance Farms. Available on Amazon & other online retailers. $5.99-$18.99. happenstancefarmsbooks.com

STOP THE GRIND

All-natural, bite-sized GumBits pieces are the perfect blend of treat and training tool. Intended for use with or without a bridle, GumBits naturally promotes chewing activity, activates salivation, and eliminates teeth-grinding. Dubbed “chewing gum for horses,” GumBits are currently used by a selection of the world’s top competitors. $40. gumbits.com

PRETTY IS AND PRETTY DOES

Not just another pretty pad, the TechQuilt Shaped Show Pad has breathable non-slip mesh under the panels and anti-friction ETC™ under the flaps keep your saddle secure so you can focus on your ride. Stay-Dry lining wicks moisture away as quickly as your horse can sweat, internal batting won’t absorb soaps, and the unique girth slot neatly contains the girth. High-profile shape, finished with a Classic Medallion® fleece rolled edge for the ultimate show ring look. $159.95. toklat.com

88 SPRING ISSUE 2022

ITALIAN CHIC

Introducing Ariat’s Italian collection, crafted in Italy from the best-in-class makers of equestrian clothing. The women’s Speranza Show Coat is poised for competition, featuring premium 360-degree stretch fabric, a beautifully tailored European fit, and elegant minimalist details. $699.95. ariat.com

TRACK YOUR TRAINING

Learn from the best with Ridely’s video library with a digital journal to plan and track your training. Ridely features hundreds of training videos in various disciplines, and the digital journal helps you plan and log daily training and more for less than the cost of a carrot a day. Subscriptions range from three months to lifetime, and US Equestrian members get a 30% discount for the full-version Ridely PRO with code USEF30. $49$220. ridely.com/pro.

THE CLASSIC BRIDLE

The GP bridle is a classic dressage bridle available in several different color combinations. The extra-soft padded drop-shaped noseband is perfect for horses that have sensitive jaws and cheekbones. It is also the ultimate bridle for horses who are used to a traditional English noseband and that may need the extra support of a flash. $329. psofsweden.com

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 89

FOR THE RECORD

Penalties for Rule Violations OFFICIAL NOTICES Contributed by the Regulation Department unless otherwise indicated. The following official notices are only intended to give penalty information for a given case and not to disclose the factual basis for each violation or penalty. For matters heard by the Hearing Committee, a Hearing Panel decides each case based on the evidence presented at the hearing and takes into account many factors that may raise or lower a given penalty. For example, the Hearing Committee takes into account such things as whether the violation was intentional or unintentional, the nature of the violation, the credibility of witnesses, Penalty Guidelines, penalties in similar cases, past violations of Federation rules by a respondent, and many other mitigating factors. US Equestrian members can access and search the United States Equestrian Federation Suspension List online at USequestrian.org. Hover over the Compete tab on the homepage. In the menu that appears, click Ineligibility List under Rules, Regulations, and Grievances. JASON BERRY o f Verona, Va., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Raleigh Indoor Spring Hunter Jumper Classic Horse Show held on March 18-21, 2021, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse AT LAST after it had been administered and/ or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that JASON BERRY be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by AT LAST at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. LESLIE BUTZER of Boca Raton, Fla., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with Equestrian Sport Productions LLC Spring 2 held on April 14-18, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse BOCA’S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that LESLIE BUTZER be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, 90 SPRING ISSUE 2022

all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by BOCA’S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. HEATHERLY DAVIS of Simi Valley, Calif., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Huntington Beach Sunshine Classic Horse Show held on July 15-18, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse MONOGRAM after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level, methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level, and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that HEATHERLY DAVIS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,250 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by MONOGRAM at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. EMILY ELEK-BURTARD of Ixonia, Wash., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Ledges Winter Classic April Horse Show held on April 8-11, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse QUICKSILVER GRACE NOTE after it had

been administered and/ or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that EMILY ELEK-BURTARD be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, G R 703 .1 a , a nd f i ned $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by QUICKSILVER GRACE NOTE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. CUST I S F E RG USO N of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., violated Chapter 4, GR410411, of this Federation, in connection with the Blenheim Spring Classic III Horse Show held on April 7-11, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse KADANCE DE LAUBRY after it had been administered and/or contained in its body lidocaine and 3-hydroxylidocaine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that CUSTIS FERGUSON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,500 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules,

I once was a water bottle

now I am a SmartPak ”

Unlike most supplement packaging, SmartPaks are made from 100% recycled PET plastic and can be recycled again. FIND A GREENER, SMARTER WAY TO FEED SUPPLEMENTS at SmartPak.com/Recycle

SmartPak.com | 1-800-461-8898

FOR THE RECORD all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by KADANCE DE LAUBRY at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. NICK HANESS of Temecula, Calif., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Desert Circuit I Horse Show held on January 19-24, 2021, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse WEST PORT after it had been administered and/or contained in its body dexamethasone in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that NICK HANESS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by WEST PORT at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. B RA N D O N H OWA R D o f Flower Mound, Texas, violated Chapter 7, GR702.1.d, of this Federation, in connection with the Show Jumping Classic Horse Show held May 19-23, 2021, in that on or about May 21, 2021,

he engaged in actions deemed unsportsmanlike through the excessive use of the whip while riding a horse by the name of CZECH PLEASE. For this violation, it was determined that BRANDON HOWARD be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. NICOLE KANE of Corona Del Mar, Calif., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Huntington Beach Sunshine Classic Horse Show held on July 15-18, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse SUTHERLAND after it had been administered and/or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that NICOLE KANE be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by SUTHERLAND at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g.

Lexington, Kentucky is what a great place to do business looks like. A city with smart, educated talent, thriving in a community with a high quality of life.

HERE’S OUR

PROOF #9 Most Diversified Metro Economies in the US –WalletHub

#10 Percentage of Population with an Advanced Degree –US Census Bureau

EQUINE UNDERWATER TREADMILL SYSTEM Through the control of warm and cold water temperature, water height (to control buoyancy and resistance), speed and duration, equine trainers and veterinarians can better treat, train and condition equine athletes:

#6 Cities with the Lowest Startup Costs –SmartAsset

#2 Best Cities for New College Grads –SmartAsset

• Improve performance • Prevent injury • Recover faster

HudsonAquatic.com

92 SPRING ISSUE 2022

Visit LocateInLexington.com for more proof why you should locate your business here.

FOR THE RECORD HOLLY KALSO of Rochester Hills, Mich., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Hunter Jumper Assn. of Michigan Horse Show held on May 19-23, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse BALTIC SOLEIL after it had been administered and/or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that HOLLY KALSO be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by BALTIC SOLEIL at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. CHAD KEENUM of Upperville, Va., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC Spring 2 Horse Show held on April 14-18, 2021, in that he, as trainer, exhibited the horse LENNOX after it had been administered and/or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin. For this violation it was determined that CHAD KEENUM be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by LENNOX at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. LAUREN KISSEL of Canton, Ga., violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with USEF Pony Finals held on August 10-15, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse CAUSE FOR APPLAUSE after it had been administered and/or contained in its body flunixin in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level. For this violation it was determined that LAUREN KISSEL be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by CAUSE FOR APPLAUSE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. O L I V E R M CC A R T H Y o f Cochranville, Pa., violated Chapter 4, GR403, GR404, GR410, 94 SPRING ISSUE 2022

GR411, and GR414, and Chapter 7, GR702.1.d, of this Federation, in connection with the Summer Kick Off Horse Show held June 23-27, 2021, in that he presented the wrong horse for drug testing, following the selection of the horse MHS CARLOS for drug testing from class 813/814 ($5,000 1.25m NAL Jr/AM Classic 2.2a). Additionally, as trainer, McCarthy exhibited the horse MHS CARLOS in class 813/814 after it had been administered and/or it contained in its body 2(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfoxide and acepromazine. The admitted administration of acepromazine was injected into the horse within 12 hours prior to competing. The Fe derat io n e ntered into an informal resolution with McCarthy to resolve this matter outside of a hearing. McCarthy fully cooperated with the Federation throughout the proceeding. In determining the proper penalty, the Federation took into account the seriousness of the violations and determined that the following penalty was appropriate. For these violations it was determined that pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, OLIVER MCCARTHY be found not in good standing, suspended from membership and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for 10 months, and is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions for that period: (1) as an exhibitor, participant, or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities; (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing, or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. The 10-month suspension shall commence on March 1, 2022, and terminate at midnight on December 31, 2022. Any horse or horses, completely or in part owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation, or stable of his, or shown in his name or for his reputation (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), shall also be suspended pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c, for the same time period. OLIVER MCCARTHY was also fined $12,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules,

SADDLE UP, WE’RE GOING MOBILE!

Vetericyn’s NEW Mobility line is a complete way to manage white line, abscesses, sore muscles, and other hoof and joint issues. So saddle up and keep your horse performance-ready with Vetericyn Mobility.

Made in the USA | vetericyn.com/mobility

/MarkelHorse Products and services are oﬀered through Markel Specialty, a business division of Markel Service Incorporated (national producer number 27585). Policies are written by one or more Markel insurance companies. Terms and conditions for rate and coverage may vary. Markel® is a registered trademark of the Markel Corporation.

USEQUESTRIAN.ORG 95

FOR THE RECORD all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by MHS CARLOS at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. ERICA ROBSON of Southwest Ranches, Fla. violated Chapter 4, GR410, of this Federation, in connection with the Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC June I Horse Show held on June 3-6, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse TREVIOT MAGIC after it had been administered and/or contained in its body methocarbamol in a plasma concentration exceeding the maximum permitted level and guaifenesin.

the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that LAUREN STEVENS be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by SVANTE at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g.

143 ACRE EQUESTRIAN FARM 143 acre Equestrian Farm located in Hopewell Township, NJ in close proximity to US Equestrian Center and Premier rated horse shows in spring, summer and fall. Fieldstone main house (5 BR/5,000 SQFT), additional residence (3 BR) set back on the property. Amenities include two professional barns totaling 51 stalls, separate office building, 85 fenced-in acres with grass fields/run-in sheds, 80 x 100 outdoor riding ring, halfmile track. You’ll have total tranquility in a very centralized location offering award winning schools. Property can be subdivided into two parcels.

Courtenay Batcha Broker Associate Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 306 Washington Street Hoboken NJ 07030 201-400-3834 (Cell) cbatcha92@gmail.com

For this violation it was determined that ERICA ROBSON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $750 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by TREVIOT MAGIC at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. GAIL SIMPSON of Lakeland, Minn., violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the Sahara Sands Spring Classic Horse Show held April 30-May 2, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse PKH TOUCH OF FAME (OZIN) after it had been administered and/ or contained in its body hydroxyzine and cetirizine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II violations outlined in the Drugs and Medications Penalty Guidelines. For this violation it was determined that GAIL SIMPSON be censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a, and fined $1,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this violation of the rules, all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and monies, if any, won by PKH TOUCH OF FAME (OZIN) at said competition must be redistributed pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g. LAUREN STEVENS of Littleton, Mass., violated Chapter 4, GR410-411, of this Federation, in connection with the Head of the Bay Classic I Horse Show held July 28-August 1, 2021, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse SVANTE after it had been administered and/or contained in its body hydroxyzine and cetirizine. The facts and mitigating factors in this case supported the following penalty even though it is below the suggested range for Category II violations outlined in 96 SPRING ISSUE 2022

5 BR Main House

Two Barns w/ 51 Stalls

Guest House

349 Pennington-Titusville Rd - Pennington NJ

Showoff Ribbon Racks

Horses . Dogs . Sports

www.merbeth.net

262 - 246 - 3500

STORE HORSE MEDICAL RECORDS

SEND DIGITAL HORSE HEALTH CERTIFICATES

Get Started www.electronicvet.com

REDUCE RISK OF HORSE OVER-VACCINATION

Peace of Mind

WITH EVERY MEMBERSHIP

(800) 844-1409

USRIDER.ORG

Peace of Mind

JOIN TODAY AND RIDE SAFELY WITH A

MEMBERSHIP THAT INCLUDES: WITH EVERY MEMBERSHIP S ave $15 Official Partner of:

EQUESTRIAN

SSAVE ave $15 $15

Official Partner of:

JOIN NOW and save $15 off your activation fee.

EQUESTRIAN

JOIN NOW and save $15 PLUS, new members receive off your activation fee. a FREE month!

UseUse Promo code: USEF19 Promo Code: USEF21

• • • • • •

JOIN NOW and save $15 off your activation fee. Use Promo code: USEF19

Up to 100 miles free towing Emergency stabling assistance Emergency veterinarian referrals Emergency farrier referrals Coverage in any vehicle Service on dual-wheeled vehicles and horse trailers

JOIN TODAY AND RIDE SAFELY WITH A MEMBERSHIP THAT INCLUDES: • Up to 100 miles free towing 24/7•NATIONWIDE ASSISTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE Emergency ROADSIDE stabling assistance Find Us On • Emergency veterinarian referrals Facebook TODAY AND RIDE SAFELY WITH A MEMBERSHIP THAT INCLUDES: JOIN • Emergency farrier referrals • Emergency farrier referrals • Up to 100 miles free towing • Coverage in any vehicle• Coverage in any vehicle • Emergency stabling assistance • Service on dual-wheeled • vehicles Service on dual-wheeled vehicles and horse trailers • Emergency veterinarian referrals and horse trailers

We have you covered.

Administered by Nation Motor Club Inc., DBA Nation Safe Drivers

We have you covered.

24/7 NATIONWIDE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE Find Us On Facebook

Administered by Nation Motor Club Inc., DBA Nation Safe Drivers

S ave $15

Official Partner of:

EQUESTRIAN

JOIN NOW and save $15 off your activation fee. Use Promo code: USEF19

JOIN TODAY AND RIDE SAFELY WITH A MEMBERSHIP THAT INCLUDES: • Up to 100 miles free towing • Emergency stabling assistance • Emergency veterinarian referrals • Emergency farrier referrals • Coverage in any vehicle • Service on dual-wheeled vehicles and horse trailers

We have you covered.

24/7 NATIONWIDE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE Find Us On Facebook

Administered by Nation Motor Club Inc., DBA Nation Safe Drivers

MCCOWNFINEART.COM

98 SPRING ISSUE 2022

ISSUE

EQ U E S TR I A N LIVING

EQLiving.com

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016

GLAMPING CAMPING WITH HORSES, S'MORES, AND LUXURY PLUS FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY: EQUESTRIANS GIVING BACK

OF REINING HORSES

OCT/NOV 2016

W IN TE R 2 0 1 3 | 2 0 1 4

DEC 2018 / JAN 2019 E Q U E S T R I A N Q U A R T E R LY

FALL 2014 | $6.95 U.S $7.95 CAN

Q U A R T E R L Y

AND THE WORLD

CARSON KRESSLEY SAYS GET A ROOM

SPECIAL GOLD LIST ISSUE

$6.95 | $7.95 CAN

LYLE LOVETT

DESIGN

WINTER 2013 | 2014

EQ GOES WEST:

THE

DISPLAY UNTIL FEB 10 2019

E Q U E S TR I A N

DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 5, 2014

DEC 2018 / JAN 2019

OF EQUES TR I A N L I F E

EQUESTRIAN LIVING

EQLiving.com

TH E P R EM I ER M AGA Z I NE

E Q U E S T R I A N Q U A R T E R LY

EQ U E S TR I A N LIVING

DISPLAY UNTIL DEC 4 2016

EQ Q U A RT E R LY

EQ GOLD LIST THE BEST OF EQUESTRIAN LIFE

MARTHA STEWART FA M I LY, F R I E N D S , AND FRIESIANS IN MAINE

FA L L 2 0 1 4

DISPLAY UNTIL DEC. 2, 2014

A E RO S M I T H ’ S J O E P E R RY AT HOME IN VERMONT

TWO EXCITING BENEFITS FOR

US EQUESTRIAN MEMBERS SAVE

50%

FREE

America’s Premier Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine Belongs on Your Coffee Table. visit: www.EQliving.com/subscribe and use discount code: usequestrian50

A Digital Subscription Equestrian Living Magazine is free for US Equestrian Members. visit: www.EQliving.com/ic

EQU E S TR I A N L I V I N G EQLiving.com

Background by Pieter Estersohn from his book, Kentucky: Historic Houses and Horse Farms. Summer 2014 issue.

STYLE | FASHION | DECOR

TR AV EL | D E SIGN | PE OPLE

Transportation Company of the USEF

OUR PELLETS STAND OUT

SO YOUR HORSE CAN STAND OUT! Cosequin® ASU Joint & Hoof Pellets contain quality ingredients to support joint and hoof health and leave out the fillers molasses and alfalfa — all while delivering the taste horses love. The colors of our ingredients shine through, for a difference you can see. ▼Source: Survey conducted among equine veterinarians who recommended oral joint health supplements. Pellets not actual size. Color may vary.

COSEQUINEQUINE.COM

010.1416.00

S e l l i n g W e l l i nM g tAoT nT ,S FE lLoLrSi d. CaO fMo r 2 3 y e a r s . New Listing

Matt Johnson Real Estate Advisor

GR AND PRIX FIELD & COVERED ARENA

WELLINGTON, FLORIDA

Buyer & Seller Representation Beautifully appointed home $&6stable, 4 , 0perfectly 0 0 , 0situated 0 0 onS8.85 o l beautifully d i n 2manicured 0 2 0 !acres & just minutes to the WEF,

Global & IPC competition venues. Ideal for any discipline with Grand Prix field, covered arena with underground ebb & flow watering system, viewing platform, plus a workout room and additional garage storage. The property also boasts an outdoor arena, 6 horse euro-walker & round pen. The private 28 stall stable offers 2 mirror image wings, 8 wash stalls, 2 tack rooms, 2 feed rooms, 2 laundry rooms, 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms & 2 storage rooms. The 4-bedroom residence with office offers an open concept great-room with center-island kitchen, professional gas range, quartz counters, stunning glass enclosed wine cellar & beautiful wood floors throughout. Offered at $15,500,000

MATT SELL S.COM 561-313-4367

Matt Johnson Engel & Volkers Florida Selling Wellington & the Palm Beaches 561-313-4367 • MattSells.com ©2022 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

US Equestrian Magazine

Articles inside

Trending

Juniors’ Ring

For the Record

Pro Tip

I Am US Equestrian

Letter from the President

Sponsors

Learning Center

How it Works

Seen & Heard

USEF News

Partners

Snapshot