Celebrating the Versatile Standardbred
Inside This Edition: tDerby Season tBarrel Racing tMounted Police tand so much more!
u
u
The Standardbred Connection
March 2015 Edition Table of Contents Taking It To The Bank by Kathleen Haak
Page 3
National Standardbred Year End Awards
Page 6
From Rookie to Rockstar by Laura Harbour
Page 8
RUS Spotlight: Michelle Crawford by Michelle Miller
Page 12
Pacing Away in Bermuda
Page 14
Taking A Bite Out of Crime by Suzanne D’Ambrose
Page 15
FEI Endurance Update
Page 16
Parade Marshal by Elizabeth Morrow
Page 18
National Standardbred Show High Point Awards
Page 19
What Does the Judge Say? by Jane Lutz
Page 20
Derby Season in Canada by KJ Haak
Page 22
The Standardbred Connecion is an online magazine dedicated to pleasure Standardbreds who are trotting, pacing or racking though the public eye. Have a story to share? Interested in advertising with us? Visit www.TheStandardbredConnection.com for information. Cover Image: Shades of Cara and Stephanie Jacobs
Photo by Vicki Wright
Taking it to the Bank
T
he first barrel in barrel racing is known as the ‘money barrel” because the outcome of the first turn determines the fate of your barrel run. Getting a clean, sharp turn is key. Think getting that type of turn with a Standardbred is impossible? Think again!
Snuffa retired in 2014, he introduced many to the versitilty of Standardbreds. Jackets, saddles, and, cash jackpots are the tangable results of the gelding’s abilities but Scott reports that people just love watching the honest gelding doing what he loves.
One of the first things that trainer Haylie Harshbarger explains to anyone who is interested in running barrels is that a good barrel horses is a very broke horse. They have a solid foundation of training that allows for extreme acceleration, lateral bending and balance. With time and training Standardbreds of all ages can gain that much needed foundation. Harshbarger was first introduced to barrel racing Standardbreds by Snuffa. The 16.1 gelding was tearing up the Ohio International Barrel Racing Association (IBRA) Open 3 and 4-D circuit. Bought at an Amish sale as a yearling, Snuffa was originally a high school project for Christina Scott. Horse and rider grew up together, forming a part- Snuffa and Christina Scott following their Open 4-D nership that still exists 22 years later. Although win at the 2007 IRBA Ohio State Finals.
This lack of social contact may result in a horse that gets nervous when meeting new horses. It is better to acclimate your Standardbred in a relaxed situation than discover on show day that standing shoulder to shoulder with horses on the ring rail makes your horse nervous.
Cheyenne Christman (age 12) and Tony the Pony aka Make a Success give 4-H barrels a try.
Following in Christina Scott’s footsteps is Colette Warner and her Standardbred Crimson Viking (Vic). This up and coming gelding won a wildcard for the short round (which means they can skip all of the qualifiying rounds) for Open 3-D barrels at the 2015 IBRA Championships. This is a $60,000 added class.
In the case of Shades of Cara (aka WV Mountain Momma or Cara), our cover girl, she didn’t have issues with other horses but she did have trouble finding success in barrel riacing. The 14-year old mare was adopted through the Standardbred Retirement Foundation by Stephanie Jacobs as a three year old. The pair have been running barrels for years but it wasn’t until Jacobs started riding on an intercollegiate team that she was formally introduced to balance and bending. She quickly switched Cara over to english to help get that elusive frame. As both rider and horse gained experience they switched back to western riding but continued working on their foundation skills. “Cara just keeps getting better and better,’ says Jacobs, “she can make a turn so much more tighter since we built up her backend. It is like night and day.”
The work paid off as WV Mountain Momma and Jacobs were named Hogan Equine High Point Green Horse at the National Standardbred Show after winning every speed class she was entered In preparation for the big show this fall, Vic and in. Warner aren’t resting on their laurels. They continue to work on the foundation skills. They lope circles, practice moving from a walk to a lope, and turning off the hind quarters. Harshbarger, who sometimes works with Warner, says that once a horse gets about 90 days on a pattern then they move on to doing more random circles and patterns to prevent the horse from becoming bored or overly excited about the actual pattern. Trail riding is one tool that Harshbarger uses to prevent over-training on a pattern. While on the trail, a horse and rider can work on conditioning, standing still and bending, as well as working the hips. Some Standardbreds also benefit from trail riding in other ways. Many have had limited close contact with other horses, being separated Colette Warner and Crimson Viking share a quiet by sulkies, fences or walls for much of their lives. moment following a successful run.
If you decide to run barrels at the local level you may also have the opportunity to participate in other fun events like the Pantyhose Race. In this race two horses run a pattern with a pair of pantyhose between them. If the hose rips or is dropped then the riders are disqualified, fastest pattern wins. Here Melissa Gander and her 9-year-old, Canadian-bred mare, Persilie Blanco, start a run with a partner.
Interested in trying Barrel Racing? What you’ll need: • Western tack • Snaffle or hackamore - start with a simple bit until you know you need something stronger • Barrels - if you don’t have access to barrels try using a pop-up trash can • Boots - polo wraps, sports boots and/or bell boots may be needed • Helmet - not required but recommended • Patience - your Standardbred has spent most of his/her life going in a straight line. Developing balance, learning how to bend, etc will take time. • Massage/chiropractic work - your horse’s muscles are working in a new way, consider using massage or chiropractic work as a way to remove tighness in the shoulders and loosen their frame.
Royal Revenue has placed at the National and World Standardbred shows as well as a wide variety of local club events. He has been know to race on Friday and run barrels on Saturday for rider Joelene Christman. Royal Revenue and Shares of Cara photos by Vicki Wright.
National Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization Year End Awards • In Hand Division
Champion Art By Keene Stephanie Gray Reserve Champion CC Bagaluck Katie Flaherty
• Showmanship Division
Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers Reserve Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour
• Pleasure Horse Division
Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers Reserve Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour
• Dressage Division
Champion Princess Ghanima Meryl Evangelisti
• Equitation Division
Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers Reserve Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour
• Hunter Division
Champion Slip N Slide Denelle Stratton Reserve Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour
• In Harness Division
Champion CC Bagaluck Katie Flaherty Reserve Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers
• Pace, Chase, & Hunt Division
Champion Independent Act Suzanne D’Ambrose
• Demo, Expo, & Parade Division
Champion Independent Act Suzanne D’Ambrose Reserve Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers
• General Divison
Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour Reserve Champion Desquite Danielle Loonan
East Windsor, New Jersey February 15, 2015 • Clarksville Award
Champion Independent Act Suzanne D’Ambrose Reserve Champion Valiant Legacy Rob Pennington
• Versatility Award
Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers Reserve Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour
• High Point Junior Exhibitor
Champion World Class Guy Jessie Santana Reserve Champion Glissade & JB Destiny Sheard Third Glissade & JB Shyanne Sheard Fourth Independent Act Sawyer Baker Fifth Styled N Misty Nicole Bursac
• Leadline Division
Champion Independent Act Sawyer Baker
• High Point Rookie Horse
Champion Desquite Danielle Loonan
• High Point Green Horse
Champion Independent Act S. D’Ambrose / S. Baker
• High Point Senior Horse
Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour
• National SPHO High Point Standardbred Horse Champion HeavyMetalThunder Laura Harbour Reserve Champion Panzo Two Wendy Flowers Third CC Bagaluck Katie Flaherty Fourth Slip N Slide Denelle Stratton Fifth JB H. Gregory / D. & S Sheard Sixth World Class Guy Jessie Santana
N
ot all Standardbreds are destined to achieve fame and success on the racetrack. With a name like Heavymetalthunder, an image comes to mind of a successful, prodigal racehorse with a larger than life rockstar personality and throngs of eager, screaming fans. The young chestnut gelding of that name would never make it to the racetrack, but he was still destined to become a superstar in his own right.
Heavymetalthunder (Saxon) simply was not interested in pacing his way to fame and fortune like his parents. Nearly a thousand miles away in Kentucky, Laura Harbour was looking for an ex-racehorse of the harness racing variety to partner with in the show ring. Social media brought the two together. At the urging of mutual friend and lifelong Standardbred supporter Helene Gregory, Harbour connected with Chiodo and then made the 12 hour drive to New Jersey that December to pickup the young gelding.
Late in his two-year old year, it became apparent to owner and trainer Stacy Chiodo that Heavy- “Thanks to an unusually mild winter in 2012, I was metalthunder (Real Artist-Five Star Comfort-Fake able to spend a lot of time working with Saxon Left) did not bear the competitive spark for racing. during those first few months. He showed a lot of trust in me and he really picked things up quickly” she stated. He showed so much aptitude that in February, just six weeks after Saxon’s first under saddle experience, Laura and Saxon attended their first horse show together. “It was his first horse show and his first time being ridden with other horses. The show was in an indoor arena, which he’d never encountered before, so I really didn’t know how he’d handle it. I wasn’t even sure that I’d end up taking him in any classes. I thought we might just walk around and see the sights if he seemed nervous,” she confessed. As it turns out, he handled the experience like his rockstar namesake, finishing first out of eight horses in the English Green Horse Walk-Trot class. He backed that up with wins in Open Halter and Open Walk-Trot Equitation, second in Sport Horse in Hand, and thirds in Showmanship and Open “ I jogged him on the track and knew instantly that Walk-Trot Pleasure out of fully subscribed classes. he had a lot of potential.” Harbour stated. “The next day we introduced him to saddle.”
The versatility, work ethic, and willingness of the Standardbred breed partner perfectly with Laura’s philosophy of trying a variety of disciplines and activities with her horses. By the end of their first show season together, the duo had amassed a very impressive resume for a green three yearold. They had competed successfully in open horse shows against all horses of all breeds in halter, sport horse, showmanship, English pleasure, hunter under saddle, hunter over ground poles, equitation, western horsemanship, western pleasure, trail, costume, and pattern classes. This netted them a number of national high point awards through the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey’s national award program including discipline awards in the In Hand, Showmanship, Pleasure Horse, Equitation, Hunter, Versatility, and General division categories as well as the overall high point Rookie Horse of the Year, Green Horse of the Year, and Overall High Point Standardbred of the Year titles for 2012.
the challenge in their first ever trail class, calmly Beginner’s luck seemed to be on Saxon’s side and carefully negotiating unfamiliar obstacles and during his rookie year of showing. Naturally a con- besting 6 veteran show horses in the process. servative and cautious horsewoman, Laura’s con“We worked together on a lot of different trail obfidence in the young horse often prompted her to stacles first in hand, and later under saddle” she challenge both of them in the show ring by trying explains. “I figure if a horse can trust its rider out new classes and skills on the spur of the moenough to maneuver over and around objects on ment. Their first public canter debut was also their the ground, stand patiently while its handler picks first pattern class, which they won. They had a up and drops objects from its back, and wear a solid showing in their first western pleasure class, flapping plastic shower curtain – part of the equine following that up with numerous other successful nurse’s outfit we donned for costume classes - all outings in western disciplines. Saxon also rose to without flinching, that horse will be better prepared to handle whatever new scenarios it may be faced with in the future.” In the meanwhile, Laura and Saxon progressed under saddle from the basics of stopping, starting, and steering, to working on collection, bending, and cadence at the walk, trot, and eventually canter. Still, their journey was not without its challenges. “That September he knocked me down while unloading from the trailer. We had some shows where he had melt-downs that first year, too. He started rearing once because he was frightened by a cantering Friesian. Another time, he spun around in the middle of a rail class and refused to go forwards because he was upset that it was raining. We had shows where he performed beautifully, but his placings didn’t reflect his performance.” We had others where he placed well, but I felt like we made some mistakes.
Riding and showing time was more limited the following year, as Laura was occupied by a demanding full time course load in school. “For a while that year, my riding time was limited to just a few hours on the weekends. On the weekdays, I’d occasionally do a little showmanship practice when I was leading him from the pasture to the barn at feeding time just to eke out a little ‘horse time.’ Sometimes I would catch him in the field on a Saturday morning, hose him off, and haul him to a local show for a few classes, and the only practice time we got was whatever riding we’d managed to squeeze in the previous weekend or the five minutes of warm-up before the actual class.” Harbour recalled. “It was a challenging year to be sure, but Saxon kept me grounded and helped me keep my sanity.” Even with limited training time, Heavymetalthunder retained his rockstar ways, and still earned several year-end awards including 2013 National Reserve Champion Senior Horse of the Year and third in the nation for Overall Standardbred Horse of the Year points through the SPHO-NJ national awards program. By the summer of 2014, Laura had finished her degree which allowed for more time to ride during the week in the summer and fall. Weekends, however, were split between her two big passions, horse shows and autocross, a form of amateur car racing that she and her husband compete in, and horse showing temporarily took a back seat to prepping and adjusting to a new autocross car. But with regular riding time during the week, 5 year-old Saxon continued to blossom, filling out both physically and mentally. Meltdowns became less frequent and less intense. His overall focus and responsiveness improved. He developed better balance and collection at the canter, and started schooling over small jumps. Showing was sporadic, albeit quite successful, and the pair dabbled in some driving, mounted games and contesting in addition to their usual assortment of show pen pursuits. The regular work paid off, as Harbour and Heavymetalthunder again garnered multiple honors through the SPHO-NJ national award program, including discipline awards in the Showmanship, Pleasure Horse, Equitation, Hunter, Versatility, and General Division categories as well as the
“But showing isn’t all about ribbons and trophies and how you place; to me it’s a test of how you perform together – your progress with your horse and the partnership you’re building over time. ” overall high point Senior Horse title and the 2014 National Overall High Point Standardbred title. The possibilities are seemingly limitless for this young Standardbred superstar and his owner. For 2015, the pair plans to continue to demonstrate the versatility and ability of the Standardbred in open competitions by adding even more disciplines and skills to their list of accomplishments. Among other things, they would like to try some dressage, ranch horse, and hunter-jumper shows. “The ability of Standardbreds beyond the racetrack is limited only by the imaginations and ambitions of their owners,” states Harbour. “As a breed they have such an exemplary work ethic and heart if you just give them a chance to show it to you.” Laura Harbour owns a small acreage in rural Kentucky where she lives with her two champion Standardbreds, Veruca Salt and Heavymetalthunder, her loving husband Justin, and a cadre of cats. At her modest facility she is the head trainer, barn manager, chief exercise rider, fence fixer-upper, stall mucker extraordinaire, and cat wrangler.
Afton Farrier Supply Stocking Capewell, Mustad and Delta Nails St. Croix, Kerckhaert and Grand Circuit Shoes Plus a complete line of therapy shoes for equines of all sizes.
20% Off Sale! All Inventory Discounted Spring into Action Now! Afton Farrier Supply Afton, NY
607-206-3867
RUS Spotlight:
Michelle Crawford
M
ichelle Crawford won her biggest victory at the Hambo Monte Series final at the Meadowlands aboard A Penny Earned. The horse, trained by George Ducharme, went in 1:57.2 (last quarter :28.2), just short of the north American speed race record set by Master Pine two years before in 1:57.1. Crawford also earned victories at Saratoga and Vernon Downs during the season – while also dominating the RUS New York Fair Series. Crawford rode Vassar Hall to victory in every leg of the fair series the duo participated in, which included Afton, Morris and Norwich fairs. Although Crawford and her mare did not make it to the winners circle to capture the championship, she did earn the High Point Rider Award (taking the honor by 28 points). “I’m incredibly competitive, and even though it’s a ton of fun to race and participate, I go on the track to win,” Crawford said. Crawford said she hopes that RUS will one day become more popular in the United States and eventually become a wagering event like harness and thoroughbred racing. However, she said she believes riders need to show the bettors that they are out there to do the best they can. Originally from Sweden, Crawford has raced hors-
es or ponies her entire life. She grew up on a small farm in Julmyra – a place she says she will always call home. According to Crawford, pony racing is very popular in the area where she was raised. “I drove my first race the summer of 1996. I finished fourth with my pony Jodopax, a little chestnut with a star shaped like a J on his forehead and a small heart on his nose. We were both 4 years old the first time we saw each other. My parents drove just about across the country to buy this little guy for me and my sister,” Crawford recalled. “He truly was the most amazing little horse any horse-crazy kid could ever get lucky enough to be around,” she added. “He is my best friend and he taught me everything.” According to Crawford, Jodopax was the first horse she ever raced in a bike and the first horse she raced under saddle. Together, Crawford said, they performed in about 80 starts in both disciplines and earned 24 wins. Crawford drove her last pony in August of 2008. In 2006 she got her license to drive and ride Standardbreds. However, she said she drove in about 30 races but only rode in one before coming to the United States. Crawford met her next winner in 2009, through her future husband, Brett.
According to Crawford, Vassar Hall was “never anything special” as a racehorse, but will always mean a lot to her and her husband. Brett won his first harness race with the mare and Crawford earned her first RUS victory aboard Vassar.
who I thought would beat her for fun. I still don’t know what got into her that day. She just drew off on the front and no one else even got close to her. I think its because, for once, Brett watched us race and she just wanted a win pic with the three of us in it.”
“This year she did good under saddle at the fairs” Crawford said. “She liked being the best even Crawford said she also really enjoyed her win with though she only had to trot around 2.10. She ab- Jesse Say More at Saratoga. Vassar won the year solutely loves to get her picture taken.” before with Therese Lindgren aboard because Crawford was in Sweden for a wedding. After the fair and Vernon RUS series were over the Crawfords tried to race Vassar in a bike again “It felt like we kept the win in the family,” she said. at Vernon Downs. She had little success and was “I was so overwhelmed by how many people were soon retired. there cheering. It really meant so much to me.” “Vassar was always better on a half mile track and even the lower classes go fast at Vernon. Both Brett and I said a long time ago that Vassar will retire before she becomes a cheap claimer or hurts herself,” Crawford said.
So what is the secret to Crawford’s success? Well like any rider, she must stay fit. Crawford said she does not have any specific routines for staying in shape to ride, but she did reveal that she does all the shoeing at the stable.
Vassar, a horse that earned more than $120,000, ended her racing career with 184 starts that in- “I’ve definitely noticed that it has helped me a lot,” cluded RUS. Her lifetime mark is 1.57,4 on a half she said. mile and she has a record of 20-24-26. Crawford also rides a couple of times a week if “We owe her a happy retirement, and hopefully she has time. She said: “The horses like it, and I she can give us some pretty babies,” Crawford don’t ever want to go out on the track and not feel said. “We’ll be lucky if they get half as durable as like I have everything under control. Both upper her. So now she is happy, fat and fluffy.” and lower body strength is so important. I know that it’s hard in the beginning to take the stirrups While Vassar’s racing career is over, Crawford is up and fight through the pain the legs go through, still very active in the racing scene. She current- but it’s so worth it. I definitely think it helped a lot at ly helps her husband with a stable of 19 horses. the fairs where the surface isn’t always the greatCrawford said although Vassar made the perfect est and the turns are pretty sharp. Just imagine fair series mount, she hopes to have another horse how hard it is for the horse if the rider gets tired ready for the 2015 season. too. They get no help.” “I’ve raced my whole life and thats why I absolutely love RUS,” Crawford said. “I really had a great year in 2014 and I’m so thankful to the owners and trainers who let me ride their horses.” “I can never thank George Ducharme enough for letting me ride A Penny Earned,” she said. The race that took Crawford by the most surprise was Vasar’s win at the Chenango County Fair in Norwich. She said: “There were horses in there
Crawford said she believes having raced ponies and horses almost her entire life has helped her along the way. She also said the fact that she still trains horses in her everyday life has to serve as an added benefit. Photo and article provided by the RUS NY Series, written by Michelle Miller.
Pacing Away In Bermuda
C
arriage Association of America (CAA) members traveled to Bermuda in February. Their trip included tours of several private and public carriage collections. In addition, they visited the National Equestrian Center where Trottingbred races were arranged for them by Arnold and Robin Manders of the Bermuda Driving Horse & Pony Club.
In Bermuda the race season runs from August through January. The club was nice enough to arrange a special series of races specifically for Carriage Association of America members. The CAA members greatly enjoyed watching the ponies on the small track. Some members were even allowed the opportunity to ride in the start car. Many expressed surprise that nearly all the ponies were stallions, they were very well behaved.
In the 1960s, Trottingbreds were developed by crossing Welsh, Hackney and Shetland Ponies with Standardbred horses. Trottingbreds are now half to seven-eighths Standardbreds and are officially recognized as a breed of horse by the American Horse Council. To qualify for racing, they may not measure more than 51 1/2 inches (shod) at the top of the withers. They typically can be found in the United States, Italy, Canada and Bermuda.
The track record of 1:01/4 is held by a pacer, Big Red Machine, for 5/16 of a mile. Although many Trottingbreds do trot, all of the races for the CAA’s visit were pacing races. The fastest pony of the day was awarded a special prize on behalf of the CAA. Thank you to CAA for this glimpse into racing in Bermuda and Michael Rider for the photos.
T
he first to greet me when I walk into the field is “Dodgeball,” a friendly fellow who I have grown attached to, since both Dodgeball and I are former law enforcement officers. Dodgeball is with the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, and patrolled the Cook College campus at Rutgers University for many years. Dodgeball is still young at 12 years old and looking for a third career as a pleasure horse. His first career was a harness racer. The only reason he is back at SRF, is that the Equine Studies program at Rutgers likes to swap out Standardbreds so the students can give extra training to the new horses. Standardbreds are one the most sought after breeds for mounted patrol. They are very smart and they are used to noises from being at the racetracks. They are not flighty, aim to please, and are also known to have good feet. Even though police horses will wear shoes while they patrol the streets, having strong hooves are important. Police horses must be physically fit and the Standardbred is known to be a strong, hearty breed. A large part of mounted patrol training is getting the horses used to different sights and sounds. Standardbreds are very brave, and will try to get over or through an obstacle even if they are afraid. They do not give up. Training is essential for the new police horses and the Standardbred does quite well in making the passing grade. Smoke, flares, police sirens, are just a few of the many obstacles that they must get used to. Even lines painted on a roadway can make a potential police horse snort and shy away, but the horse must be brave and learn that it is only a painted line and it
will not hurt him. All training is done at the police agency, with the police trainer that is educated in this. Austin (TX) and NYC are two of the many police departments that have many Standardbreds on their police force. The horses and their police officer riders can be seen patrolling the city streets and parks. With all the hustle bustle of the streets there, the horses take it as “just a day in the park”. The horses at Newark (NJ) Police Department Mounted Unit are from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation in NJ. Officer Luis Camacho contacts SRF when a new horse is needed. His mount is either “Chief” or “Judge”, both Standardbreds, when he is patrolling on horseback. When Whitney Houston passed away, the funeral was held in Newark. Photos around the country showed Newark Mounted Unit behind the hearse, and standing along the curb line during that sad day. The Standardbreds looked majestic doing their job at their best. Philadelphia mounted patrol horses are Standardbreds and are also from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. In 2011, five of the horses were all named in tribute to five officers who died in the line of duty in 2008 and 2009 - Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, Officer Isabel [Santiago] Nazario, Sgt. Patrick McDonald, Sgt. Timothy Simpson, and Officer John Pawlowski. The horses names are: Stephen, Santiago, Pat, Tiny Tim, and Johnny. The horse patrols are useful for crowd control on the streets and in Fairmount Park, since most of the park is inaccessible by car. In the parks, the horses see bicycles, dogs, balls, children, adults, and a whole lot more.
questions that the people may ask. He must never be a biter or a kicker. 4) Dependable A mounted patrol horse must be reliable every day and must give 100%. He must never turn around and want to go back to the barn. He must load on the trailer nicely. He must trust and listen to his rider and do whatever is asked.
Chief (Allentown) and Commander (Cunning Liar) with Officers Camacho and Schroeder prior to working the Super Bowl crowd in 2014. Both horses came to the Newark Police Dept. via the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
5) Love of Job All the training in the world will never make the perfect mounted patrol horse, if the horse does not like what he is doing. The horse must truly love patrolling the streets and park. An eager disposition is the final attribute in selecting a perfect mounted patrol horse. For fun, when I exercise Dodgeball at the SRF farm, I use my Rutgers University saddle pad under my saddle. As I ride Dodgeball around the farm, I think of the sights and sounds that he saw and heard while patrolling Rutgers University-Cook Campus. One time, I overheard someone
The following is from my book, Five Essential Attributes of a Mounted Patrol Horse, and every at- say, “There goes two cops thinking they still take a tribute can be found in the Standardbred. bite out of crime.” 1) Courageous A mounted patrol horse can sometimes see strange things on the streets or in the park. He must have a ‘brave heart’ to continue to go forward. A simple flag or street sign may scare him at any moment. He must be strong enough to obey the patrol officer and not panic in dangerous situations.
The author, Suzanne D’Ambrose, is a former special police officer with Belmar (NJ) PD, a retired law enforcement instructor with Monmouth County (NJ). She is one of the horse trainers at Standardbred Retirement Foundation and is the author of a book on mounted patrol. She currently owns a Standardred trotter, Independent Act “Indy” who she
Pictured to the right:
2) Intelligence Mounted patrol horses go through challenging training. They must learn how to walk through the crowds, keep people away, and be comfortable around many different obstacles. He must be smart enough to understand and do every one of the skills perfectly.
Flapjack Attack, or Jack, arrived at SUNY Cobleskill with an impressive set of credentials - Saratoga 2004 Horse of the Year, Aged Trotter of the Year and Trotter of the Year. After adding mounted police training to their resumes, Jack and Officer Bagdovitz hit the streets. “Jack is there to do crowd control, but a vast majority of the time it is to get people to feel good about the police presence.”
3) Friendly People love horses and a mounted patrol horse must enjoy meeting people who approach him. Adults and children will want to pet him. He needs to stand patiently when the police officer answers
At 17-years old, the Standardbred gelding shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to work student parades and sporting events in addition to his normal duties.
During the Advanced Mounted Patrol Officer Course at SUNY Cobleskill, equines and their officers learn about gun fire, traffic noise and interaction with large crowds of people. All of these circumstances can alarm a horse, which is why the course is crucial for teaching the officer horsemanship skills and building trust between the pair. Prior exposure to crowds and traffic at the racetrack often allow Standardbreds to be star pupils. Retired NY State Park Police Officer Richard Pelzer designed the Cobleskill program. Photos provided by SUNY Cobleskill.
F
ollowing the shocking death of the Australian-bred, 1/2 Standardbred endurance gelding, Splitters Creek Bundy (Bundy), the FEI has removed the two remaining international Endurance events scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March 2015 from the FEI calendar. Bundy was competing in the 120k Al Reef Cup in Abu Dhabi when he collapsed with two shattered cannon bones. The horse and his rider, Hamaid Al Falasi, completed the first loop at 28.5kph and were in contention when the injury occurred. Bundy was one of three fatalities at the race. The Al Reef Cup is a nationally run (CEN) competion, allowing competitors to compete under less stringent rules than the FEI enforces. This difference in governing bodies originally made the FEI leary of taking action. Michael Campbell, AERC chairman, said: “AERC is appalled at the Al Reef tragedy. AERC does not condone or support this type of riding or horse treatment.” In a press release following the first meeting of the new FEI Executive Board, the FEI described the cancellation as an emergency measure to protect horse welfare and to preserve the integrity of the FEI rules and regulations at FEI events. Meanwhile horses in a variety of disciplines are sporting a pale blue ribbon on their bridles to support clean sport. The initiative, tagged #endurancedurable, originates in France and is now taking off in Australia and New Zealand. The campaign’s slogan is: “I run on clean water”.
T
Parade Marshal
o me as a rider, few horse activities can compare to galloping around a cross country jump course or racing a trotter under saddle. However, marshaling at a harness race track is a pretty close second! Unlike an outrider, a post parade marshal is a ceremonial leader. I often joke that my main job on the track is to be safe, stay out of the way, and look pretty. While an outrider is responsible for the safety of the race horses and drivers, such as helping turn horses or catch a loose one, a marshal leads down the post parade of horses from the chute, stands off to the side of the track during the actual race, and then brings the winner back to the winner’s circle. Personally as a marshal, between races I will stand my horse along the fence of the race apron and chat with the crowd. People always love the opportunity to pat a horse, and it gives an opportunity to explain that I am riding a retired racer. I believe marshaling is one of the best ways to promote the breed as a riding horse besides competitions.
Since 2006, I have been a volunteer marshal at several Maine racetracks with my Standardbred, Dreamy Starlet. We were even invited to be guest marshals last summer at the Goshen Historic Track in New York as a part of the book campaign for Standardbred Old Friends. The majority of my marshaling experience has been with my friend, Shelly Topham and her horse, McKeever Hanover. We make a serious effort to dress alike and outfit our nearly matching horses with identical saddle pads and polo wraps. As a professional looking quartet, we are often requested for events, such as the Maine Sire Stakes finals held every fall. Our horses are both well behaved on the track and seem to enjoy being back to the races without having to actually race! Marshaling is also a great way to get to know drivers and trainers and show our support for the sport. They look forward to seeing Dreamy and McKeever, the “old� retirees, back at the track as much as we like bringing them there! Top Photo - Author Elizabeth Merrill and Shelly Topham Above - Elizabeth Merrill with Dreamy Starlet & friends Left - Katie Flaherty and CC Bagaluck present the colors
National Standardbred Show High Point Awards Niatross Memorial In-Hand Champion Champion The Life Boat Veronica Toth Reserve Champion Glissade Rob Pennington
Merrylegs Memorial High Point Hunter Champion Slip N Slide Denelle Stratton Reserve Champion Nanette Hall Judy Cipo
SPHO-NJ High Point Junior Exhibitor Champion Destiny Sheard Reserve Champion Jessie Santana
Back On Track High Point Rookie Horse Champion Master Builder Katherine Irace Reserve Champion Desquite Danielle Loonan
Hogan Equine High Point Green Horse
Champion WV Mountain Momma Stephanie Jacobs Reserve Champion Seize The Day S. Wiggins & A. Burger
Arden Homestead High Point Novice Horse
Champion Investor Julie Allison Reserve Champion Our Lucky Killean Jennifer Connor
SBOA of NJ High Point Senior Horse
Champion JB Helene Gregory, S. Sheard, D. Sheard, C. DeBernardis Reserve Champion Slip N Slide Denelle Stratton
USTA High Point Standardbred
Champion JB Helene Gregory, S. Sheard, D. Sheard, C. DeBernardis Reserve Champion Slip N Slide Denelle Stratton
Valley Victoria Versatility Award
Champion JB Helene Gregory, S. Sheard, D. Sheard, C. DeBernardis Reserve Champion Big Bikkies Maria Andersson
Valley High Stable Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards Jacquie Ingrassia and Molly Goldberg
Photo by Vicki Wright - Investor, Arden Homestead High Point Novice Horse
What Does The Judge Say? An interview with Jennifer Moshier and Kerrie Matesich by Jane Lutz
Jennifer Moshier (JM) and Kerrie Matesich (KM) were judges at the 2014 World Standardbred Show in Ohio. Jennifer Moshier was in the center ring judging English and Jumping while Kerrie Matesich judged Dressage. Jane Lutz learns more about them and what they are looking for in the ring. Q: For those who do not know you, tell us a bit about your career as a judge. JM: I’ve been judging since the summer of ‘91 and surpassed 700 shows as a career. I average 55 shows a year, I’ve been doing this full time since 2004. I am able to judge all year round with wintering in Florida. My meat and potatoes is 4H and Youth shows. KM: I have proudly served the United States Pony Club as a Regional Instruction Coordinator, Upper Level Camp Instructor, Dressage Rally Judge, Rally Coach and local instructor. My current focus is the 4-H, where I proudly grew my roots. I serve Ohio 4-H as a Regular, PAS and Dressage Judge and am an elected member of the State 4-H Judge’s Advisory Committee. Every year I judge shows ranging from National Championships to county fairs, and love every minute of it. I have been teaching and training horses and riders for 25 years. Q: What are the pros and cons of being a judge? JM: The pro is the effect we have on the industry. Judges have an impact. You have to be a people person, it shows you can teach and educate to help people set goals and learn. You have to have thick skin and you will always
have haters because only one person is happy about your placing. With social media, people can say “I won’t show with that judge again” and it gets around. Some of my colleagues get raked across the coals sometimes. It can get tough. KM: I judge horse shows because I can improve the lives of more horses and riders through the showpen than I ever could sitting in my own arena all day. What I have mastered is the way to reach the struggling riders; the art of complimenting the rider enough so their defenses come down enough to allow them to listen, praising their horse and advocating for all 110% that that horse continually gives that rider, and then inspiring that rider to use the few pointers I throw their way to start down a path toward better equitation, and ultimately better horsemanship. Some shows just don’t want you talking to competitors. I don’t judge for the money, I judge to help people. Giving someone a yellow ribbon as their “feedback,” just doesn’t convey the whole message to my satisfaction. Chances are, I won’t be back to that show. Q: At Open Shows, how do you compare Standardbreds versus other breeds? JM: It depends on if they are being shown trotting or gaited. I’m judging them against their breed standard, how is their gait, how well are they put together. There needs to be better national rules or guidelines on breed standards. There needs to be a better guidelines or rules so judges know the standard of the breed without having to be familiar with the breed. KM: I have owned a TWH, Arabian/QH, Trakehner and an Icelandic. If you opened a book about
American horse breeds, I have trained most of those too. I just don’t see “breeds” when I judge. Maybe this a bi-product of my dressage education, or perhaps showing Arabs in Quarter Horse country throughout my youth. For me, a good horse is a good horse is a good horse. Q: At Standardbred Breed shows, with the Standardbred having such a variety of body types, is there a type you prefer? Do you have a preference between pacers or trotters? JM: For me I like balance and athleticism, when I’m looking at them on the ground, I want good bone and good correct movement. I like a good eye and head with intelligence. KM: I watch a horse’s back. From there I follow their topline forward and back. I look for the swing through the haunches and how that energy connects into the bridle. Then I check ground cover, freedom of movement and stride. It seems that the horses I placed the highest at the 2014 World, were big boned horses, that had powerful ground covering strides at the trot AND coincidentally, could do a little gaiting as well if asked. Q: Now to concentrate on the rider, does tack or dress of the rider ever come into play when placing? JM: In a non costume class, yes, the over-all picture is important. It has nothing to do with money, it is not the most expensive, but you need to look neat and orderly in the ring. You do get only one chance to make an impression so put the effort into the dress. KM: No. I will say that it does not matter to me. But, I will also say someone who has taken great care to have well-fitted and cared for tack, will most likely also be on a fit, well cared for horse. Riders with neat hair and tidy appearance, will usually have attentive, detail oriented rides. Riders who come in with a genuine smile on their face and have fun, are most always on a horse telling me he is equally happy to be there. That shows. In fact it radiates. So, I’d say it is pretty
easy to piece together the answer. Q: What are your pet peeves in the show ring? JM: Riders that school the entire time and they are constnatly training and not showing the horse off. Inexperienced riders on the rail cutting the corners and making smaller and smaller circles so they are closer to me. Riders who get buried on the rail or riders who are circling me. Riders need to train at home, the show is to show off the horse.Get experience riding at clinics. Show off the horse’s strengths and hide their weaknesses. Q: Any tips for riders? JM: The biggest is come in and have fun, if something bad happens, and it does, keep showing. Sometimes the horse spooks, or the horse breaks, or something happens, and the rider throws the towel in when they could have won the class. Try to keep the pressure off and if something goes wrong, keep going, but look at what you can improve. Look at what went well, look at what works, and if it is patterns or a course and there is a mistake, keep trying to have fun and think about what you can do differently next time. It will allow for a better ride and better showing off of the horse. KM: Do this for the right reason. Build the partnership and the love will shine through.
Best of luck to everyone heading into the 2015 show season. The 2015 National Standardbred Horse Show will be August 9th & 10th at the Horse Park of NJ. ++ Note that this a date change due to the Hambletonian race date being changed. ++ The 2015 World Standardbred Horse Show has been set for Oct. 16-18 in Sunbury, Ohio.
Derby Derby Seas Seas
son son
In Canada
“M
y heart was in my throat just watching the horses from the rail.” This is how Andy Marcoux describes his experience with the Derby Quebec. When an experienced parachute jumper says those words, you know the event is something special. Marcoux has traveled to Quebec twice to compete in the exciting Derby, once with his own horse and once to drive a pair of Pierre Guillemette’s Standardbreds. When he speaks about the experience words like ‘awesome’ and ‘amazing’ pepper the conversation. Marcoux says the thing that “absolutely impressed him the most was the speed.” The course is a combination of cones and hazards, all of which you and your horse(s) need to maneuver through without knocking any down. Before the competition drivers and grooms carefully walk the course (similar to how you would walk a jumping course) looking for areas where they may be able to shave 1/10 of a second off their time. They also inspect the specially groomed footing. All of the horses have studs in their shoes but the tightly packed snow still needs to be evaluated for slick spots.
Marcoux stresses that having a good course walk and a solid strategy in place are keys to having a competitive run. Most of the competitors and their horses will be at full speed the entire course, including the turns. The ultra-modern sleighs are specially designed to hold a line well, eliminating much of the sliding a driver may experience with a more traditional sleigh. Because the sleighs stay with the horses so well, it is essential to plan your exit and entrance strategies. The driver must be thinking several strides ahead at all times and the horse must be willing and able to bend through a hazard. Pierre Guillemette’s Standardbreds are driven year round to keep them in conditioon. They compete in combined driving events (driven dressage, cones and marathon) as well as Derby events. As the former Standardbred Canada Chairman of the Board, Guillemette knows his Standardbreds and as a result he has consistently done well in national and international diving events. Guillemette is not shy about sharing his horses either. In the development phase of Derby competition international drivers were invited to compete using his horses - a kind of visiting driver program. In addition to Marcoux visitiing from the United States, highly regarded European drivers like Harry de Ruyter and Edwin van der Graaf have had the opportunity to compete with Guillemette’s well trained Standardbreds. Marcoux was initially surprised by the high level of skill demonstrated by horses and drivers. He is used to winning cones courses in the United States but found a winning time in the U.S. didn’t translate into enough speed for Canada. He’d love to give it another shot though. Next time he’d start training in the fall for the January-March Derby season. Previous page photo: Edwin van der Graaf , former trainer in the Royal Stables of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, driving Guillemette’s four-in-hand of STBs.
Photos: Pierre Guillemette driving Sophie (by Promessing Catch) and Maxima ( by Muscle Yankee) during competition in the St Agathe and St Hubert Derbies in pairs competition. In the red jacket is Harry de Ruyter, Netherland National coach for pair and 4-in-hand drivers including internationally know drivers Ijbrand Chardon, Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman. All photos graciously provided by Pierre Guillemette.
Three Rivers Carriage Club welcomes
Charlie Poppe May 9th Charlie Poppe has been driving single, tandem, pair, unicorn and four-in-hand for over forty years. Charlie has been an honorary director of the Carriage Association of America for 30 years. In addition to being a clinician he is a judge and carriage appraiser. • Lessons will be offered in half-hour increments • Indoor arena and heated viewing area • All breeds and driving levels are welcome • Helmets are required • Auditors are welcome Location: SydMor Stables, 330 Gilkeson Rd, Eighty-four, PA 15330 (approximently 30 miles from Pittsburgh, PA; 10 miles from Washington, PA)
To register for lessons or sign up to be an auditor please visit www.ThreeRiversCarriageClub.com