Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts

Monday, April 28, 2014

Rolex is over...how you can keep the excitement alive!

You can still check out some of the video footage on the USEF Network and the United States Eventing Association.

So what do the eventer fans have to look forward to for big deal events? To check out a full calendar see USEA website. Here are the big ones:

Does William Fox Pitt have a chance at the Grand Slam?! Guess we will have to see at Badminton next month!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Our Engagement Party With A Little Country Flare

My Sister and Mother put together a great Engagement Party with a little country feel to it! Not to much horse and not too much cowgirl, just right! Thanks Mom and Kritters! Countdown to the wedding, 2 months away on May 17th!

They made these cute champagne glasses with lace, roses, and twing on a burlap piece.



Cute lace place mats, gerber daisies in mason jars, and little party favors in a little brown bag.

Adorable and yummy dairy free appetizers!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Injury + Snow = Reading About Horse Shows On The Internet

I fractured my coccyx bone...ugh. Of course, I am bored out of my mind! I am not able to do much. I cannot even put on my own shoes! And guess what?! This injury is not related to horses in any shape or form. That's right, I did this all on my own by falling down the stairs. Awesome.

The good news it is miserable outside, only 20 degrees and constant snow so there is not much fun things to do anyways.

To cheer my self up I decided to see how some of the big Hunter/Jumper shows are doing right now. It would also be important to note the temperate in these places...all which are better then Colorado right now.

Temperature comparison...
Lyons, Colorado: 20 degrees with snow
Wellington, Florida: 74 degrees partially sunny
Gulf-port, Mississippi: 68 degrees and sunny
Tuscan, Arizona: 57 degrees with some rain (I still would take it!)

First show, Winter Festival and Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida. I have always wanted to go to this show. Perfect time to get away from Colorado snow and watch pretty horses in warm weather. Maybe next year. The show features your standard hunter jumper classes and some high dollar Grand Prix too! The $150,000 CWD Prix and a $200,000 World Cup both which happen tomorrow, Sunday March 2nd.

Then there is the Gulfport, Mississippi show, where my current barn is residing for the next several weeks. Over $1 million in prize money is being offered. There is at least 2 Prix per week with the biggest one being the $77,000 Week 5 Prix. The show also has some turf based classes.

We couldn't forget HITS Arizona. Everyone knows HITS; the six week show starting in January and ending next week, March 9th which includes several Grand Prix including the Strongid $50,000 Prix also a qualifier for a World Cup in France this April. The winner of the Strongid Prix was Saer Coulter and Springtime.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Rein Stops

I recently found a great deal on a bridle with rubber reins, but forgot to check to see if they had rein stops. Doh! I have to use a running martingale, so when the bridle arrived with no rein stops I debated on returning the bridle. Couldn't return it, the bridle was too nice and a great deal so I decided to place myself through the torture process of placing rubber rein stops on.

BUT WAIT I found these and was relieved! Rein stops that clip on by Koper Equine! A screw driver is all you need to place these things on AND they come in all sorts of pretty colors! I paid $28 for the clear crystal and green crystal buttons. Some of the more plain buttons are cheaper.

They are here and so pretty!!



Other options.



Monday, November 11, 2013

End of Horse Show Season...what to do with all those ribbons?

It's almost the holidays meaning the 2013 horse show season is over. I have done two schooling shows...sigh. Not exactly the big time, but it was a good test to see that my horse has started to trust people again. No spooking and no bad behavior, very happy with him and feel more ready for a few real shows next year.

Regardless, I still have too many ribbons from years before, from other horses, and need to do something with them. It's sad to have them in a box in the attic. Regardless of the level of show they are from, they are memories and deserve a little display.
 
Love this for a little girl's room or guest room. Very pretty.

Arrange and take a few black and white photos.

If you are proud to be an American, make a flag. Nice country touch.
 
Cute ribbon buttons like lollipops in a trophy cup.

Frame some of those ribbons that have a common color scheme, especially if they have the vintage look.

Special ribbons from a special horse, this picture frame helps save those memories.

 
Displayed in a classy frame.
 
The obvious, in the barn.
 
Hanging on the wall, décor around the home.

 
Really simple, just use a flat ribbon as book mark. I do this, but that is not my hand.
 
Horse show ribbon pillows...these look a little more complicated to arrange but worth a shot.

 
Cute purse.
 
In a glass display case.

 
Use for an equestrian themed party!


 
Like colors on a silk back drop. Adds nice texture to your wall.
 
And because Christmas is just around the corner, you could try ribbon wreath and Christmas tree. Would look really cute in a barn to add some holiday cheer for the horses.




 


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Colorado Girls At Maclay

Another year's Maclay has come and gone. Pretty proud of my barn buddy, Ande Sozzi for qualifying and making the journey out there. Unfortunately, she had a stop at jumps 1 and 2 and did not move into the finals. She is so young (only 13 years old), I know she will be back next year!

Another Colorado girl, Kelli Cruciotti, took second place in the finals! Kelli qualified at the Colorado Horse Park taking first place in the ASPCA Maclay Region 6 Finals over the summer. She trains and rides out of Serenity Farm in Elizabeth, Colorado. An amazing equestrian facility with rolling green turnouts, amazing jumps, and many young excellent riders. I bought my now semi-retired Irish Sporthorse, Paddy, from that stable. The trainer there, Cindy Cruciotti, has trained many young riders and has pushed them through to qualifying for the Maclay. Reviewing her show results, I would say Cindy is one of the state's best equitation trainers.

Seriously though, their stable is beautiful! I had to add these photos of Serenity Farms. How could you not want to train here everyday?! No wonder every rider is a super star here, they probably are at the barn all the time! Check out Serenity Farm on facebook.



Okay...back to talking about Maclay....Kelli all smiles with a second place win at Maclay! 

Kelli on Monterrey at Maclay. He is such a handsome guy, love his cute face over the jumps. Photo by Nancy Jaffer

After one round at Maclay, Kelli was called back at 8th place. A total of 30 riders moved into the next round, an an extensive flat class that including extension, counter canter, sitting trot, and half passes at the trot and canter. After the brutal, ab burning flat class 20 riders were invited back and Kelli was again one of them. Kelli's performance in the flat placed her in third place from there. 

The final test was three oxers in a row to a bending line over the ASPCA jump. The competitors then cantered an oxer to a trot a gate and then cantering again to another oxer, followed by a double wall combination without standards and then a counter canter to a fan jump. From there, they had another bending line and a triple bar to a vertical-oxer double combination and a final oxer. Just typing this has got me exhausted! Kelli rode her horse, Monterrey, beautifully and shined at the trot gate where her transition was smooth. and flawless. Personally, my favorite obstacle in her round.

Kelli at the double wall combination without standards int he final round at Maclay.


Kelli has now proudly added her Maclay second place onto her extensive show background and other wins in Junior Large Hunter divisions 15 and Under. It's hard to believe such a well educated rider is not over 15 years old! She is truly an experienced rider, making her visits to many east coast shows prior to Kentucky, like the Pennsylvania National Horse Show where she took 10th place in the Pessoa Medal Finals on her horse Monterrey.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Last Night: Puissance at Kentucky Alltech Nationals

I have to say these puissances are becoming quite popular or maybe it's me...I just notice them more. Either way, it is amazing how high these animals are able to jump!

Last night at Alltech Nationals, Unex Valente and Tim Gredley won the$50k LifeForce Elite Puissance clearing the 7ft obstacle and securing the win only a week after winning the Washington International Horse Show Puissance at 6'9".

Photos by Molly Sorge
 
Puissance are thrilling to watch, but then you have that one blow out. That's when I feel kind of bad for the horse, but the jump is extremely forgiving. The entire thing does come down.
 
 
More reading and photos at The Chronicle of The Horse



Friday, November 1, 2013

Watch The ASPCA Maclay This Weekend

The Maclay at the Alltech National Horse Show, Kentucky is this weekend and live streaming is available here.

The entire schedule of the show may be seen here. Key classes include the $250k Grand Prix Saturday Evening and Maclay Nationals on Sunday. I am so excited to watch the Maclay Nationals on Sunday and watch my fellow barn buddy make her rounds! Go Alessandra!

One highlight of the show so far was the 1.5m $100,000 Open Jumper presenting by Double H Farms. The class ran last night and the results are posted below. Beezie Madden took third (I am a fan)! You can find other results on http://nhs.showmanagementsystem.com/

resultentry #horse / ownerriderprize
1347POLINSKA DES ISLES
TEAM HARMONY
FRANCOIS MATHY25000.00
2339QUALITY GIRL
CHRIS BREMS
TODD MINIKUS20000.00
3249AMADORA
ABIGAIL WEXNER
BEEZIE MADDEN15000.00
4213BARONEZ
ILAN FERDER, LOUSTA STUTERI
KIRSTEN COE10000.00
5226UNEX CHAMBERLAIN Z
UNEX COMPETITION YARD LTD
TIM GREDLEY7000.00
6244JUBILEE D'OUILLY
ALEX LEBON
LAURA KRAUT5500.00
7241ASLAN
LJUBOV KOCHETOVA
LJUBOV KOCHETOVA4000.00
8270DENVER VAN T GOEMANSHOT
STAL DE KALVARIE
OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS3000.00
9330PUMPED UP KICKS
CHANSONETTE FARM LLC
LILLIE KEENAN3000.00
10307NOUGAT DU VALLET
GRANT ROAD PARTNERS LLC
KATHERINE DINAN2500.00
11253ZERLY
CANDY TRIBBLE AND WINDSOR SHOW STABLES
CHRISTINE MCCREA2500.00
12344MARK Q
KEVIN BABINGTON
KEVIN BABINGTON2500.00

Courses are available to view as well. Junior A/O Jumper Course:

Thursday, October 31, 2013

My superstar barn buddies

First of all, I board at the best barn ever! Hay and turnout all day, options of grain, organized feeding system, clean, dry, awesome people, amazing jumps, heaters in the tack up areas, and the property owners are wonderful! Nothing to complain about right now...that never happens.

All the boarders are sweet and friendly, I love them! So happy to see one of them qualify for Maclay Finals which is this weekend. Alessandra Sozzi qualified on her black gelding, Zygo, for Region 6. Mark and JJ (our trainers) were so proud to see her qualify and they busted their butts to prepare her. They are also the best trainers in the world. ;)

A girl from my previous barn, Eva, qualified on the backup list. She wasn't able to go, but so proud of her making it that far,

http://www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MACLAY-FINALISTS-REGION-66.pdf

Alessandra and Zygo in Horse And Style Magazine
 


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

WIHS Awards

Collection of awards that will be handed out to participants at the Washington International Horse Show this week.

Mythical and Kelley Farmer
© Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com
 © Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com
The H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy. © Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.comThe 
The Miss Budweiser Challenge Trophy is presented by Jennifer Glass and Helen Dillon. © Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com 
The 2nd Marlborough Hunt Club Challenge Trophy. © Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com 




Reserve Champion of the Amateur-Owner 3'3" 35 and Under Melissa Jacobs
© Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com
Stephanie Danhakl all smiles with Lifetime.
© Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com
© Alden Corrigan/EquestrianLife.com

More excellent photos may be found here.