Conversations with Equestrians – Page 5

Conversations With Equestrians: Paige Dotson

By Laura Ware

Ten riders are heading to Colorado in late July to represent Zone 10 at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Congratulations to all who participated in the trials– successfully competing at 1.40 is a huge accomplishment. Young Rider Team Member Paige Dotson was generous enough to share her trials experience. Part of Zone 10’s Gold Medal winning ‘B’ Team last year in Virginia, Dotson, 17, is hoping to strike a repeat performance at Young Riders this year participating on the ‘A’ Team.

Laura: Please tell us a bit about your Young Rider horse.
Paige: I am taking Friponnier II CH (aka Flip) to the Young Riders championships. He is a 16 year old Swiss warmblood gelding, but he likes to pretend that he is still seven! Mandy Porter rode him as a young horse in Europe and brought him back with her when she returned to California. He has qualified for young riders at least three times – with me, Erica Buie, and once or twice with Kelly Fong. I cannot thank the Buies enough for selling him to me and my parents for buying him; he has done wonders for my riding! He moved me up from the low jumpers to the highs, to the opens, and I did my first (very small) Grand Prix on him in Del Mar last October. He’s a grumpy old man but he’s all bark and no bite. He will charge out of his stall ears pinned back, snarling, but all he really wants is for you to pay attention to him and play with him. And besides his strong dislike of Keri Potter’s dog, JJ, he’s a favorite at the Buie’s barn.

Laura: What did you like/dislike about the trials format?
Paige: I really like the trial format; it’s the reason I’m on the team. I was a little worried that it would be a lot of rounds for Flip but he almost bucked me off in the warm-up on the last day! Having experienced these trials and how they prepare you for the finals, I love them. It is nice to know what to expect when you get to the finals, and Linda Allen set the courses so that they are comparable to the finals, which allows us to know what we are going up against.

Laura: How much experience have you had competing at 1.45m?
Paige: I have been doing the 1.45m with Flippy since the end of last September. At HITS I competed in the Jimmy Williams future classes to get some more experience and have been doing the 1.45m at the previous trials this year.

Laura: Tell us about the trial rounds at Oaks Blenheim. How were the courses, difficulty factor, number of clean rounds, format…
Paige: The final trials were challenging and asked the riders to be consistent over a three day period:
Speed class: The first day faults were converted into time. There were some very tricky spots such as the double combination of verticals which were very tight. In order to be fast enough you had to do a forward eight to the jump, making the rails difficult to leave up. There also was a tall vertical that you had to jump on a very sharp angle. That one came down quite a bit. After a course that encouraged you to come very forward, a lot of horses got strong. Linda asked us to jump across the open water and go directly to a VERY tight one-stride. Many people had beautiful rounds until this point then had a rail at ‘B’ of this combination because they could not get their horses back after the beginning which was so forward, and then the forward water jump.
Day Two: The course was very technical, with a few wide oxers asking for scope. Once again, Linda asked if you could get across the water, this time going to it right after another jump, then get your horse back for a tall airy vertical. The last combination was a tight one stride where ‘B’ had black boxes underneath that scared some horses. The four Young Rider/horse combinations that were clean in the first round came back for a jump off. There was a very tight inside turn to the second jump that saved time, but was very risky and caused problems, as well as the last long gallop to a huge airy vertical. We had Saturday off, and then returned Sunday for a two round competition.
Final Day: The first course was very hard. The time was tight and encouraged riders to rush, causing them to have rails. The triple combination was early on and was a very quiet two to a longer one-stride at a rather wide oxer. Some people got the two done but had trouble getting across the oxer. The last line was the water jump, then a quiet seven to an airy vertical. Most of the class had a foot in the water, even while riding at it hard. After galloping hard to the water, they then had difficulty fitting in the quiet seven, in order to leave the last jump up. The second round was fairly straight-forward and much shorter, with many clean rounds. The time was tight and it seemed that the problem area on this course was the wide oxer that rocketed you into a tight two-stride of verticals. Then you had to protect your horse’s front end at the oxer that was seven strides away.

Laura: After last year, what do you expect and what do you hope for at NAYJRC?
Paige: Last year both the junior and young rider teams won gold, with Karl winning individual gold and Aurora winning bronze. It was the first time in a while that Zone 10 did that well. Our group was tightly knit and there was great team camaraderie. I expect the courses to be technical and the jumps to be big, but I think that our trials prepared us well. I’m sure that our teams this year will be just as close as last I hope that we can win some medals again – gold would be great! I hope to place in the top individually and maybe even get a medal.

Laura: Why did you choose to focus on the jumpers instead of the equitation or hunters?
Paige: I chose to concentrate on jumpers for several reasons. Ever since I was little, I have enjoyed going fast on things, whether it’s a roller coaster, a dirt bike, or a horse. After I competed in the short stirrup classes on my first horse, I got a pony jumper who was really fast and fun. From there on I did jumpers. Since I really enjoyed it and so did my parents, that’s where I ended up! A few years back, I got to watch the Olympic Trials held at Oaks Blenheim, while I was riding there in Children’s Jumpers. I got hooked on international competition and decided that I would really like to compete in the Olympic Trials someday.

Laura: What are your future riding goals?
Paige: Next year, I hope to start competing at the Grand Prix level regularly. When I graduate from high school I am going to go to college in California in order to continue riding and training with Keri Potter. Hopefully, after college I will turn professional. One day, also, if I have the horse, I would like to compete in international competitions such as the World Cup.

Thanks for your input, Paige, and good luck to you and both teams at the Championships!

Laura Listens is brought to you by Laura Ware. Winner of the 2007 LAHSA Junior Medal Finals and a recipient of the 2008 WCAR Jumper Rider Grant, Laura rides with First Field Farm and often trains with Archie Cox. She is very successful in the all three disciplines on her own mounts as well as catch riding other horses.

Conversations With Equestrians: Mavis Spencer

By Laura Ware

One of the many important classes at The Oaks Spring Tournament was the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, also the first North American Young Rider Trial. The North American Young Rider Championships is a competition consisting of two teams: an “A” team with 1.50 meter fences for riders ages 16-21, and a “B” or “junior” team with 1.40 meter fences for riders ages 14-18. Both teams consist of four riders and an alternate from each US Zone, each Canadian Province, Mexico and the Caribbean. This competition includes Eventing and Dressage along with Show Jumping, and is run under F.E.I. rules.

Making either of the teams is an honor, and is a highly sought after goal for many riders. Southern California rider Mavis Spencer, the winner of the first trial, was kind enough to speak with us.

Laura: When did you start doing the 1.40 meter classes?
Mavis: I started doing the 1.40m with my mare early last year but unfortunately she was off for a bit after. I was only able to ride her at Spruce and at the November LAEC show, in the 1.30m. At Pebble Beach last summer, though, I got to ride Paris Sellon’s junior jumper Syndication in the 1.40m and I was also given the ride aboard Francie Steinwedell’s horse Naranco. It was very helpful riding those two horses because they were both really experienced in the larger classes and it boosted my confidence a lot. I am so grateful to both those owners for allowing me to ride and show their horses.

Laura: Please tell us a bit about your horse.
Mavis: My horse’s name is Winea Van’t Vennehof. I bought her almost two years ago. and she had never shown before. We shipped her straight to Spruce, and started her in the 1.20m. As my trainer, Dick Carvin said, she was either going to crack or jump and never look back. I guess she really jumped into it! When I first bought her, she was very skittish and head-shy and also kind of point and shoot. Thanks to all the help I’ve gotten from my trainers, though, she is now awesome and really ride-able. She is very headstrong and mare-ish but she fights for me and I can always trust her to leave the ground and not have a second thought about it.

Laura: How did the course ride in the trial? What was the jump-off like?
Mavis: The course was designed by Leopoldo Palacios so there were some obvious challenges, but I thought it was a very fair. Seven in the jump-off, all good riders. Saer Coulter and Paris Sellon were both coming off of some big wins during the winter circuits, Brenna Riddel I’d seen during Spruce and she is a great rider, as is Alicia Jonsson who I had seen go in the Grand Prix the night before and in the Olympic Trials so I knew she would have experience jumping tougher tracks. Taylor Coe and Katie Gardner are both fast riders so my plan going in was to try for a clean round while leaving out strides in some places. The rounds went so quickly in the jump-off that when I went in to the ring I didn’t know what time or how many faults were leading. I saw the long galloping option to the first jump and just went with it. After the last jump I wasn’t sure where my round put me but I knew I was clean and fast. Of course, I was thrilled to hear that I was leading! My horse has just been amazing and kept improving all through Florida. We were both really confident together after having some solid rounds in the bigger classes there so it’s nice to come home and see our hard work translate here.

Laura: How do you manage riding and school work?
Mavis: My school has been wonderfully supportive of my riding. This year they allowed me to take a two month leave and ride in Florida. I also get out of school at 1:00 every day which gives me have plenty of time to ride.

Laura: What do you do to keep your horse prepared for these big classes?
Mavis: To keep my horse ready I hack her and sometimes lunge her with the Pessoa rig. Dick gets up there sometimes to help make her really work and think hard. Then she also hand walks a few times throughout the day. As many people have noticed, she doesn’t have much of a tail, and while we are always trying to make it grow, I guess a certain amount of prep is just keeping her the way she is and happy.

Laura: What are your riding goals and plans for this year?
Mavis: To be honest I haven’t thought that much about riding goals. I’d like to make the Young Rider team and I’d like to do well at Spruce, but for right now I’m just concerned with learning, riding consistently and keeping my horse happy and healthy. In my eyes once you have all that, the rest will follow.

Congratulations, Mavis, and good luck at the rest of the Young Rider Trials and Spruce Meadows!

Conversations With Equestrians: Shelby Wakeman

By Laura Ware

The USHJA International Hunter Derby made its debut at the third week of HITS Thermal, and has proven to be a success every time it was held. This unique class attempts to create spectator interest in Hunters, with difficult courses consisting of bending lines, natural jumps, and four-foot fence options, all set in the main Hunter or Grand Prix arena. Other special features of this class are that it rewards bonus points for brilliant riding, and has a minimum amount of $10,000 prize money.

The most recent Hunter Derby was at the Oaks Spring Tournament in the small, intimate indoor ring, which has never before been used for a hunter class. Shelby Wakeman, a talented and successful rider in the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings, placed second in this past Hunter Derby, making her the highest placing junior rider. She was gracious enough to answer a few questions for me.

Laura: What were the classic and handy courses like?
Shelby: The classic course was more like a hunter course with a forward ride and couple of bending lines. There were natural options, including a skinny plank, multiple brush jumps, and a log under a jump, which made it different from any other hunter course. The handy course was hard, with a lot of tight inside turns that I could not get on Truly because they were more like jumper turns. It was difficult, but fun.

Laura: What was it like showing hunters in such a small arena?
Shelby: I was a little skeptical about showing a hunter in an indoor ring, but the course designer did a good job, and I really enjoyed riding it.

Laura: Tell me about the horse you rode.
Shelby: I rode Truly, who is owned by Ashley Pryde. He was a bit spooky in the Derby at Thermal, so I didn’t know how he’d be, but he ended up being really good and relaxed.

Laura: What makes this class special?
Shelby: The fact that it was in the indoor ring was fun and special, because the hunters never show in there and it is a completely different environment. It was at night and under the lights, so a lot of people came to watch it, adding to the uniqueness of this class.

Laura: Did you get any bonus points for taking risks in the handy round?
Shelby: You can get up to 8 bonus points from each judge team in the handy round, so a maximum of 16 points. This can really add to your score. I watched Jenny Karazissis (who had won the class at Thermal) go before me, and she took all the inside turns and got 7 bonus points. I didn’t know what it would take to earn 8 bonus points, so I planned on taking all the inside turns.

Once I got into the ring, however, I realized that the turns were tighter then I had thought. I ended up missing a couple, but I still ended up with 5 bonus points from one judge and 2 from the other.

Laura: How did it feel to be second in a class with famous professionals?
Shelby: It felt really good. I was honored to do well in such a prestigious class.

Laura: What are your riding goals for 2008?
Shelby: I want to do well at Devon. I’ve never been there and it’s my last junior year, so it would be really special if I did well. I’d also like to compete effectively at Indoors, and end my junior career on a good note.

We congratulate you Shelby, and wish you all the best in your last junior year.

Results of the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby:
1st   On Top    Keri Kampsen
2nd   Truly    Shelby Wakeman
3rd   Cinico    Katie Taylor
4th    Palmar     Jenny Karazissis
5th    Aragon    Jenny Karazissis
6th    Rumba    Erin Duffy
7th    Wesley    Shelby Wakeman
8th    Fiona    Elizabeth Blaisdell
9th    Norah Jones    Ali Leopold
10th    Rascal    Archibald Cox
11th    Mata Hari    Hilary Neff
12th    Chaucer    Peter Lombardo

Conversations With Equestrians: Kevin Winkel

By Zazou Hoffman

Up and coming Grand Prix rider and trainer Kevin Winkel spent two years apprenticing with legendary Olympian Joe Fargis before embarking on his professional career. Kevin trains out of family-owned Maplewood Stables, located ten miles south of Reno, Nevada and got his start through his mother Julie Winkel.

I met Julie when I admired her unique and talented jumper stallion, Osilvis, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Julie is a respected Horse Show Judge and serves on several Hunter Seat Equitation committees. Among the prestigious shows to which she has applied her judging skills is the Devon Horse Show (three times), the Hampton Classic (twice), the Capital Challenge (three times), Upperville (three times), Harrisburg, Palm Beach, and the Maclay Finals in New York.

I was curious about the impact that Joe Fargis had on Kevin’s career and training methods.

Zazou Hoffman: Kevin, please tell us how you came to work with Joe Fargis and a few of the more memorable things that you learned from him.
Kevin Winkel: I met Joe Fargis about ten years ago, when he began giving annual clinics at my mom’s stable. That was about three years before I started riding. In 2003, while my mom was back east at the Upperville Horse Show, Joe asked if I would be interested in working for him.

I’ve picked up a great many pointers from working for Joe that have helped me both on and off a horse. There was a lot to learn just by observing his attention to detail, whether it was applied to teaching, riding, or day-to-day life. Joe has accomplished so much, yet his philosophy is simple. Solid basics, common sense and good horsemanship prevail. There are no shortcuts, just doing a quality job day in and day out.

ZH: What advice do you have for an aspiring junior rider who wants to compete in the jumpers?
KW: My advice for an ambitious junior rider is:

Ride and jump a variety of different types of horses.

Think about the horse, and learn how to achieve what you want while working with instead of against your horse.

Have long and short-term goals, make the most out of each ride, and work hard at home. Watch the great riders in the ring, and in the schooling area.

ZH: Do you have any exercises that you use to improve a horse’s adjustability
KW: One exercise I like to do to improve adjustability and form is a simple trot in-canter out three-stride line continuing to a combination.

First, trot in over three raised cavalletti poles, spaced 4’ apart. Next, trot a crossrail set approx. 8’ from the cavalletti poles. After trotting the crossrail, canter straight away in 3 strides (approx. 42’), to a one stride (approx. 22’). It is simple to adjust this exercise for many different types of horses and their needs.

The cavalletti poles should get your horse’s hind end up underneath himself, the crossrail encourages straightness, and trotting magnifies your horse’s jump as well as the rider’s balance. After landing off of the crossrail, your horse needs to respond to your leg by going up into your hand. Having the distance already set up to the combination makes it easier.

With the combination, depending on your horse and its needs, you may set a vertical to vertical to back your horse up and keep its front end light, or an oxer to oxer to make your horse keep its hind end engaged. You can also change the distance of the three-stride to work on adjusting, whether you set it shorter to encourage your horse to collect, or move it out to get your horse to come off of your leg and go forward.

ZH: Is one of your goals to compete internationally and if so, what is your strategy to accomplish this from the West Coast?
KW: This year my main focus is to have a successful Spruce Meadows, as well as continuing to gain experience in the bigger Grand Prix. I want to spend the early part of the year gradually building my horses’ fitness. Our horses have had about two months off and there is no rush, I’d like my horses to peak at Spruce Meadows.
ZH: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Best of luck to you and your mother this year.

Zazou Hoffman is a 16-year-old from Santa Monica, CA. As a 13-year-old, having only shown locally, she decided to apply for the Ronnie Mutch Working Student Scholarship. She won, which led to working with respected East Coast trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan. Through hard work and commitment, by Jan. ’07 Zazou was one of seven elite riders chosen to work with Olympic Chef d’Equipe George Morris in Wellington, FL. She has competed in the Medal Finals for the past three years. She counts her win at the Maclay Regional, her 4th in “the Medal” at Harrisburg, her 5th in the USET Talent Search East at Gladstone, and her 3rd in the WCE amongst her notable accomplishments.

Conversations With Equestrians: Polly Hey Panos

By Tammy Chipko

Meet Randy Hey and Polly Hey Panos of Blue Ribbon Law…

Randy Hey is a respected trial attorney based in Redwood City, California. He has practiced law for 36 years, working much of that time as a prosecutor with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

Polly Hey Panos, Randy’s daughter, is a successful equine attorney now in business with her father in Redwood City. She has been involved with horses for 27 years and has competed on the hunter-jumper show circuit for 25 years.

I spoke with Polly Hey Panos regarding her work within the Equestrian World.

TC: How did you get involved in representing horse enthusiasts?
PHP: I have been involved with horses most of my life. My mother is a trainer and I compete in the Hunter/Jumpers. As a child my dream was to work as an attorney with my father. He was ready for a change from prosecutorial work, so we decided to work together. This allows me to practice law in an industry that I love.

TC: What does your practice cover?
PHP: We represent clients in all matters relating to horses including drafting all types of contracts; contract disputes; sales and lease disputes; mortality issue disputes; immigration law and advice; formation of partnerships, corporations, LLCs and LLPs; property liability; horse insurance and disputes; zoning and zoning disputes; disciplinary matters with the USEF; trainer/breeder liability and breeding issues.

TC: Why do you think this is so important for anyone involved in the horse industry?
PHP: Problems for horse owners arise in many ways, such as: (1) an oral agreement to buy a horse, when you should have had a written agreement, (2) assuming you have liability insurance – only to learn that you don’t, (3) failing to disclose the horse’s past medical problems when applying for insurance, (4) buying a horse without a vet check, (5) buying a horse overseas – to name a few on the list. Business owners need to understand the importance of contracts. You need to protect yourself, having programs in place that prevent unnecessary lawsuits due to, among other things: faulty tack, mismatching of horse and rider, and especially Safety Helmet issues. These are just a few examples of preventable problems. Prevention is key.

TC: How does Hey & Hey help with buying and selling of horses?
PHP: We have a lot of information on our web site regarding steps to take when trying and buying horses. We also explain the importance of protecting the owner of the horse. Among the ways a seller can protect his liability is to first require that the buyer sign a waiver, releasing the seller of all liability from the horse. Release forms in California must include specific language to be enforceable. We also can help facilitate purchases overseas. We provide a lot of useful information at our web site.

TC: How many situations could be prevented if the correct actions are taken ahead of time?
PHP: I think most problems that arise can most definitely be prevented ahead of time if the necessary contracts are in place and everyone involved understands the contracts. They protect everyone. Can I say it again? Prevention is key.

TC: Thank you for your time. I understand that you offer a free consultation.
PHP: You’re welcome, and thank you! To schedule a free consultation or if someone has questions, we can be reached at (650) 216-6012

Conversations With Equestrians: Dr. Jenny Johnson

By Tammy Chipko

So many of us have had experience using Shockwave Therapy for horses, but are perhaps unaware of why it can be so valuable in stimulating the body’s own natural healing process.

TC: What is Shockwave Therapy?
JJ: A shockwave is a pressure wave which, when diffused through or focused into soft tissue, will stimulate an increase in blood flow to the area of injury. It encourages the body’s own stem cells and numerous other healing factors to migrate to that area, thus helping the body heal itself. Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, neck and back pain, and can also help wounds to heal.

TC: Who can benefit from Shockwave Therapy?
JJ: There are many reasons to use Shockwave Therapy. It can benefit a horse that suffers from arthritis, degenerative joint disease, navicular syndrome, sore neck or back, strained or torn suspensory ligament or flexor tendon, ringbone, collateral ligament injury, sore heels, navicular pain, joint inflammation, or a large wound that is not healing properly. Shockwave Therapy has also been found to be a very effective way to stimulate healing in the case of burns. Horses that show a lot can have significant improvements in their performance by treating areas that are uncomfortable.

TC: Are there different Shockwave Machines?
JJ: Yes, one of the machines is called Focus Shockwave Machine and another is called a Radial Shockwave Machine. The Focus Shockwave Machine is a true shockwave machine and has four different probes which generate waves of energy to concentrate on specific areas. A state of the art machine that is being used in major hospitals and veterinarian clinics around the world, this machine is much more expensive than the alternative and the charge it produces is dose-dependent. The Extracorporeal Radial Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) or (RSWT) is a machine that is also used widely but I do not think it is as effective in treating areas below the skin as the Focus Machine.

TC: Why did you choose Shockwave Therapy instead of other therapies?
JJ: I researched the vast array of therapeutic options available to the horse before I decided on Shockwave Therapy. This technique has been used in Europe to treat musculoskeletal injuries in both human and veterinary medicine for many years and was brought to the US to treat horses in the late 90’s. Shockwave Therapy has very specific documented effects for use in all of these areas. It has proven to increase circulation and to build both new blood cells and stem cells, all very important factors in healing.

TC: What sets you apart from other veterinarians using Shockwave Therapy?
JJ: I specialize exclusively in Shockwave Therapy and I perform the therapy myself. If the probe is focused even slightly off the target area, the therapy is wasted. Along with my extensive research, I have attended many forums and lectures on this therapy such as the 10th Annual Congress of the International Society for Musculoskeletal Shockwave Therapy in Toronto, Canada. I have active relationships with veterinarians all over the world and work with them to determine the optimum treatment regime for each individual horse.

TC: Do you work on other animals besides horses?
JJ: I am expanding my practice to include small animals and exotic animals as well. Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat hip dysplasia and numerous other arthritic
conditions as well as to help stimulate fracture and wound healing.

TC: Where do you practice?
JJ: I am based in Calabasas, CA and travel to client sites, horse shows, events, etc. I work with veterinarians throughout CA. and will be available throughout the HITS Thermal Circuit.

To learn more about Shockwave Therapy, contact Dr. Johnson
at 818-809-7498

Conversations With Equestrians: Aurora Griffin and Mark Watring

By Zazou Hoffman

After watching her fellow Californian Aurora Griffin move to 1.50m and win Individual Bronze at Young Riders, Team Gold, Double Gold at Harrisburg, in addition to the William Steinkraus Style of Riding Award, Zazou decided it was an opportune time to ask Aurora and her trainer a few questions.

ZH: You made an exceptional debut at the North American Young Rider’s Competition last summer, earning the Individual Bronze medal. What went through your mind during the competition?
AG: Of course I put a lot of pressure on myself during Young Riders. I had prepared for months, and it all came down to those four days in Virginia. When I was leading after the first day, I just kept telling myself “It isn’t over yet” because there were so many rounds yet to do. I was a little nervous, but I knew I had a great horse in Tucker, and he was competing at the top of his game.

ZH: You’ve always been an inspiration to me since we did the FEI Children’s International Jumper Final at Hummingbird Nest Ranch. You have zoomed up the levels in record time,jumping higher and faster. What makes you so brave? Do your parents ever get nervous for you?
AG: I have always enjoyed doing things “high and fast.” I trust my horse and my trainer, and I know that both of them will keep me safe, and this allows me to take risks confidently. As for my parents getting nervous, Mark says my mom lifts up one of her legs over every fence when I show. She has been very supportive of my riding. In fact, the day I got my Bronze at Young Riders was her birthday. What a great day!

ZH: Mark you have not put Aurora in the hunters and the equitation. Is this the same approach you take with all of your students?
MW: Aurora has an equitation horse that we didn’t get to use much. His name is Milo, a few years back he came up with a mysterious lameness. He is fine now, but we never went back into the equitation ring. I think the equitation is super important in that it makes riders smooth and correct. It also teaches riders to make adjustments early.

ZH: You have first hand experience in the saddle at the Grand Prix level. Can you share a few thoughts about getting to that level?
MW: I have not had the luxury of multiple horses at the higher level. It is such an advantage to have a string of top horses. I have had great success with one, and that should inspire others that they, too, can achieve their goals with one great horse. This year I will start Thermal with three Grand Prix horses. Luckily, Aurora also has back-up mounts, so she doesn’t end up on the sidelines.

ZH: If you could each do it over, in terms of your own career, would you do anything differently?
MW: You can only learn from the path you have chosen, you rarely get another chance or do-over. So I always say: “Don’t circle.”

ZH: It looks like the Grand Prix competition might be on the horizon for you, Aurora. When do you think you will give it a try and where?
AG: I have a few horses that are capable of jumping Grand Prix height at this point, and I am planning to begin my Grand Prix career this year. I know it’s a tough game, but I have been working hard this winter, and I look forward to my debut at Thermal.

ZH: The Americans didn’t have a spectacular World Cup. Mark, you buy a lot of horses in Europe and have had a chance to study the training methods there. What, if anything, are we doing wrong in the United States?
MW: We aren’t doing anything wrong. We just hate to be cold. The Europeans spend 7 months out of every year stuck in small indoor rings and have learned to master that small space. On the other hand, after the first frost we Americans go to Florida or to the desert – we are fair-weather folk.

ZH: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. Best of luck at Thermal!

Aurora’s comments on the George Morris Horsemastership Sessions
in January, 2008:

I experienced more growth in my riding that week spent training with George Morris than any other week of my career. With regards to horsemanship, I learned more than I had ever since the time I started riding.

The program was phenomenal, and although it was a lot of work, I came to realize that the best way to learn horsemastership is hands-on grooming, feeding, mucking, and cleaning.

Among the most profound things I heard that really summed up the lesson of the week was by Melanie Smith Taylor, “You, as a rider, have to know what you are sitting on when you enter the ring.” Melanie is a true horsewoman; she went on to say that you have to know every detail about your horse from his physical condition, to stall condition, to tack condition, to conformation, to shoeing, to diet.

When I spent the day with Beezie Madden, I found out that this held true for her as well.

Conversations With Equestrians: Steve McAllister

By Tammy Chipko

I caught up with Steve McAllister of Martin McAllister Training to speak with him about their training system. Steve and Jenni have made some changes recently and are gearing up for a very exciting year.

TAMMY CHIPKO: Have you always been involved in the Hunter/Jumper industry?
Steve McAllister:No, I actually come from a Western background. I was heavily involved with the AQHA including showmanship, horsemanship, reining, and pleasure. I was also a blacksmith at the time and became increasingly fascinated with Jumpers. I wanted to bring the training system that I believed in to the Hunter/Jumper discipline and in 1984 I decided to open a barn in Connecticut to train horses.

TC: When did Jenni become part of the team?
SM: I met Jenni shortly after opening the barn. I needed a rider and we shared the same philosophy and goals. When everyone agrees, then you have the potential for success.

TC: What brought you to CA?
SM: We continued to grow, showing in Ocala, West Palm and The American Trials on the east coast, and then we decided to try showing in California. We fell in love with the west coast and never went back east.

TC: Tell me about the training system you specialize in.
SM: I was doing some research on a problem horse I had and came across this system, a German training system, which only a few trainers knew about. It is a method that promotes rhythm, looseness, and connection along with acceptance of the bit, impulsion, straightness, and collection. Each horse is unique and so we developed different exercises for different horses in order to achieve all these things. If a horse is sore in one particular area they will compensate for that in other areas. I found by doing various exercises I was able to increase muscle development using the right applications, which leads to a happy horse.

TC: How do you decide which exercises are best?
SM: When a horse first comes to us we do a physical and emotional evaluation. I take everything into consideration. Does the horse pin its ears or ring its tail? ‘Ears tell you almost everything and the tail tells you the rest’. I believe in a balanced horse and what I mean by that is that if you have good feet, good teeth, and a good rider for that particular horse, you are in balance. These three things go hand and hand. This is not something you can get overnight but may take months, especially if you have shoeing or other specific problems. Time and patience is sometimes all it takes to gain success.

TC: Do you teach this system to your clients?
SM: Absolutely. Riders are sometimes more difficult than the horses but when you watch someone learn these exercises and progress in their own riding it is very rewarding. In teaching the exercises to the rider correctly, you have both a rider who learns and a horse that learns. You put that together and you have a good combination. Our focus in the past has been to make horses, but now we are focusing on making riders as well. It gives me a chance to share my knowledge with people and promote a system that I feel strongly about.

TC: Jenni is spending time in Europe – has that helped the business?
SM: Jenni is working for M&K Equestrian outside of Brussels and it is a great experience for her. She needed someone from outside of our business who could help her select horses to further her riding career. M&K have sold a lot of good horses to the States. The approach is great for Jenni and when she comes back, she brings all that knowledge to our business. She spends approx 2/3 of her time in Europe and 1/3 of her time in the U.S. She is very committed and has given up a lot to do this.

We both believe that to gain something you have to give up something. Jenni is working on developing a string of horses in Europe as well as in the U.S. and ultimately would like to ride for the U.S. Team. It is a path of progression for both our careers. It is exciting when you think about what time spent with European trainers can offer the Americans. If you improve the industry, you improve the business for everyone. Having a trainer who rides in Europe is inspiring and we hope to put some small tours together for amateurs to share in the experience.

TC: It’s interesting to hear the details of your plan – good luck!

Conversations With Equestrians: Janet Fall

If you have spent any time at horse shows on the west coast you are sure to know Janet Fall. She is a heroine of the Show Jumping World whose compassion, patience, and great sense of humor make long days, bad rounds, falls, and overall grumpiness a whole lot easier to handle.

Janet comes prepared with everything whether it’s sun screen, water, tissue, or a shoulder. Her personal traditions are sure to amuse or potentially frighten: for example, when you finish your first Grand Prix round and she applies her permanent black marker to your $150.00 shirt. (Trust me, it’s worth it!) Having traveled extensively, Janet can entertain you for hours with her knowledge and information. It was a great pleasure to interview her.

Tammy Chipko: What is your title?
Janet Fall: This depends on what country you’re in. Titles have changed but most common are Whipper-in, Paddock Steward or Starter.

TC: How long have you been doing this?
JF: Over a quarter century!

TC: What was the reason you chose this job?
JF: I think this industry chooses you. I was shoeing horses at local shows and when work was slow I would help out with announcing. I also love the opportunity this job gives me to travel–my aunt said that I was born with roller skates on my feet! Eventually, I found myself shoeing horses at two in the morning so I could announce at horse shows. So I made my choice and I’ve been announcing ever since.

TC: What are your favorite things about the job?
JF: I love people and I get to watch the greatest horses in the world do their job. I don’t have to pay to watch; in fact I get paid! Beats working for a living. I get paid to do what I love!

TC: What is your least favorite thing about the job?
JF: People who DO NOT PAY ATTENTION. You make announcements and they don’t listen. No sooner do I make an announcement when somebody is asking me a question about what I’ve just clearly announced.

TC: What would you like everyone to know about you?
JF: If you are late it is a sign of rudeness. That’s how I was raised. The only reason for being late is that you did not start early enough.

TC: Favorite thing to do, besides your job?
JF: Fish

TC: Favorite Horse?
JF: I have so many that I don’t think I could pick one. Would you ask a mother to pick her favorite child? Fairness is BIG. I want every horse to be a champion.

TC: Something not everyone knows about you?
JF: I am a Recreation Major. I’ve worked on a Race Track as a groom as well as grooming Hunter/Jumpers.

TC: Do you ride?
JF: I have, but to be honest I’ve found more pride in grooming. It is a whole different relationship. You don’t necessarily have to ride in order to find the beauty in a horse.

TC: Do you have a favorite memory?
JF: Even back 26+ years when I was handling the pony ring I would watch the kids try to learn their course. It was wonderful to watch the first course they completed (still mounted!) Now, it might be a rider’s first Grand Prix or first Grand Prix win. The riders’ milestones have become my milestones. I feel like a part of the team. Kids I knew in the pony ring are now making the Olympic Team. That’s a big thing for me!

Conversations With Equestrians: Richard Spooner

By Tammy Chipko

Anyone who has spent any time at the Jumper Ring has certainly seen Richard Spooner, either on one of his many mounts, or helping someone from the ground. He shows up first thing in the morning with a backpack full of supplies to keep him going all day, including a full supply of horse cookies. He always has a smile on his face and something nice to say. Aware that he is one the most competitive Show Jumping riders in the world, I was interested in researching how he prepares, trains, and keeps his horses fit and happy throughout a hectic show schedule.

Tammy Chipko: After a very busy and successful year in 2007, did you get to take a little time off?
Richard Spooner: Yes, my wife Kaylen and I spent two weeks in the Cayman Islands. It was a very nice break.

TC: Do your horses get a break too?
RS: Yes, they definitely get a break and we usually start back slowly after Christmas.

TC: How do you prepare for a new season?
RS: I usually start with the three or four horses that have had a lighter year or are greener. This way they can compete in the first half of the circuit. The other horses get a couple extra weeks off then I will start them back in preparation for the middle to end of the circuit. I don’t ask too much from these horses until the end of the circuit.

TC: How do you decide which horses will compete?
RS: Each horse has its own goals so I develop a plan based on that. My top show jumpers will do much less at the beginning of the year and end up doing more towards the middle to the end of the year.

TC: How do you keep your Grand Prix horses fit and happy with such a busy schedule?
RS: Fortunately, I have a large pool of horses. I can back off with one for a while because I have other horses to fill their shoes. I am lucky that way and it certainly keeps the horses much more excited about their job.

TC: Are you going to compete in Europe this year?
RS: Yes, one of my goals is definitely to spend time in Europe. I really enjoyed it last year. I plan to compete on the Global Champions Tour (read more about this tour below), which starts in Doha, Qatar then proceeds to Hamburg, (GER) Cannes, (FRA), Monte Carlo, (MON) Estoril, (POR) Valkenswaard,(NED) and Arezzo (ITA). To top it off, the Two Million Dollar Euro Final will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

TC: What an amazing tour – how many horses will you take?
RS: Two or three, and this will be those horses’ top goal for the year.

TC: How are you able to travel so much and have your business here in CA?
RS: I am very fortunate to have a terrific staff! A great team effort is absolutely essential to facilitate this type of schedule. Chris Pratt can prepare horses and show them either on different circuits or on the same circuits as I do. He also works well with clients and is all around a tremendous asset to me.

TC: Is their anything most people don’t know about you?
RS: No – (laughing)

Maybe that would be a different interview…

Well, you are certainly starting the year off great with the first
Grand Prix win of the season aboard Gerry the Grey.
Good luck with your 100+ Grand Prix goal and be safe!