Tag: Joie Gatlin

EquestriSol News: March 20, 2010

Congratulations

Although we only made it to Thermal for one weekend this year, and late at that as we fought through four hours of LA traffic, we were present to witness John French and Crown Affair win the $10,000 COTH/USHJA International Hunter Derby during Week III. Check out the video here. Waldenbrook Farm had a very successful circuit, as you will see by their multi-page ad run in development.

We would also like to congratulate Joie Gatlin and Camaron Hills Quick Dollar not only for their $50,000 HITS CSI-W Grand Prix win during Week V, but for their consistency throughout the World Cup qualifying season. Joie and Keri Potter are currently second and third to Rich Fellers in points – will they be the three West Coast riders heading to Geneva in april?

And welcome…

Although many of you have heard the news, we are excited for new parents Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Markus Beerbaum on the arrival of Brianne Victoria Beerbaum. Just over a month old, Brianne was born February 27, 2010, in Bremen, Germany. She weighed 7 lb. 9 oz (3.43 kilos) and was 20.5 inches long (52 cm). Meredith writes, “The three of us are healthy and happy and very excited about the future.”

Don’t miss out!

Newsletters abound this season, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to follow along or better yet be a part. We are going greener with our print editions, look for them at select Blenheim EquiSports shows. And we are gaining ground with our e-news edition, consistently adding new recipients.

Delving into the world of social media and the latest in web development, with our clients and sport in mind we are working on some interesting projects that will unfold this year. Contact us with your marketing goals – we have solutions.

If you’re on Facebook, view past articles, suggest topics and future interviews, and become an EquestriSol fan.

EquestriSol News: July 31, 2008

Congratulations to our west coast riders on their victories abroad – performing well on the Super League Tour, Will Simpson and El Campeon’s Carlsson Vom Dach are gearing up for the Olympic Games; winning in Monaco on Cristallo and Pako, Richard Spooner and his horses are going strong on the Global Champions Tour; after a fabulous World Cup this spring, Rich Fellers and Flexible were the only clear in the $60,000 Investors Cup at Spruce. Joie Gatlin & Morley Abey have opened up a second location in Calgary.

With Medal Finals and World Cup Qualifiers around the corner, we’ll have plenty going on here at home and will keep an eye out for our west coast medal final contenders on the east coast…

We are proud to announce the launch of the new Pegasus Show Stable website:

www.pegasusshowstable.com

Look for the launch of up to ten more websites currently in development, as well as a host of ads in your favorite equestrian publications.

We are having fun developing new ad campaigns for Freelance Show Jumping – Cam & Becky Smith, Blenheim EquiSports and Blue Ribbon Law.

Meanwhile, Chloe is almost 18 months old. Where does the time go?

Highlights 2008 Oaks Blenheim

Oaks Blenheim June Classic II Grand Prix:

Joie Gatlin rode Camaron Hills Shanroe to yet another victory in the $30,000 Oaks Blenheim June Classic II Grand Prix presented by Mary’s Tack & Feed. At the top of their game both indoors and out, this dynamic duo has collected quite a few wins and top placings this year. With only three of thirty-two starters making it to the jump-off, the course took its toll – a tight time allowed mixed with a few trouble spots including the triple bar at the top of the field and the vertical-vertical combination directly past the in-gate towards the end of the course.

In the jump-off, Peter Breakwell and Lucas left the door open for the next two riders with a tidy time and four faults. Joie shaved more than two seconds off Peter’s time, also with four faults. Along came Simon Nizri and Good Girl. With a practically flawless ride up to the last jump, this pair was a pleasure to watch as they cruised around the jump-off. Unfortunately the last jump was a heartbreaker, as he had the time but jumped the wrong obstacle and was called off course.

Oaks Blenheim June Classic III Grand Prix:

Helen McNaught and Caballo, owned by John Endicott, beat the heat and 26 other competitors to win the $30,000 Copa de Amistad (Friendship Cup) Grand Prix. With six clean, the Scott Starnes course presented a few challenges, including a rollback to a vertical from the hogsback, on to a bending line ending with an oxer-vertical combination. Technical questions asked along with a medium tight time and some unseasonably hot weather narrowed the field to six no-faulters. Second in proved best as McNaught piloted Caballo around with a solid 43.094 that the remaining four couldn’t beat. McNaught said, “I am so pleased! I’ve wanted to ride this horse for six years and finally got to prove what a star he is. This week, Caballo has been super in every class.”

More Zone X Excitement… Pony Finals!

Earlier this month Blenheim Equisports hosted the Trials for the Zone 10 NAJYRC Teams. Last week, the grass fields were covered in ponies as the top West Coast Small, Medium and Larges prepared for and competed in the Zone 10 Pony Finals. Congratulations to Hannah Von Heidegger on winning Grand Champion riding A Hoof and A Prayer and to Mitch Endicott and Buffalo Soldier on earning Reserve Grand Champion. Pony power!



My Horse Tustin

By Laura Ware

Growing up around horses, I could handle watching them get sold. I could even handle watching them get hurt, and could usually keep a stiff upper lip when the vet would say that this particular horse was not going to be able to do its job anymore, but watching them die was something I had never had to deal with. None of the horses at my mother’s barn had ever encountered any life-threatening injuries, and even the school horses were sent off to an old friend’s stable when their time loomed near. This, however, all changed on March 17th.

Laura Ware and Tustin at HITS Indio 2006. Photo © Flying Horse Photography

My horse died. My horse Tustin, whom I purchased from Europe as a five year old, who took me from borderline terrifying rounds in the Modified Junior Jumpers to wins in the High Junior Jumpers, who tolerated my mistakes like an old school master even though he was barely eight years old, who would stand stock still as four-year-old riding school students (and myself, of course!) fawned over him, who would leave the ground from any distance at any jump without question, shattered his pastern bone in the turn-out.

This simply was not supposed to happen. This is my last junior year; we were supposed to qualify for Junior Young Riders together, and Prix Des States at Harrisburg, and maybe even Washington or Devon, and then, when this beloved, amazing horse could no longer do what I asked of him, he was going to be some lucky kid’s children’s jumper until he was at least 20 years old. All I’ve ever wanted was to become a Grand Prix rider, and after finally hitting the High Junior Jumper mark, I felt so incredibly close. I had so many dreams for myself and my little horse, and, in the time it takes to pull the plunger on a syringe, watching them all float away was unbelievably hard to deal with. Unfortunately, these things happen, and I’m glad I had the pleasure of owning and riding this very special horse. We grew by leaps and bounds together, and he was, and will probably always remain, my absolute favorite.

I don’t know how to say this without sounding cheesy, but receiving everyone’s condolences was wonderfully heartwarming. Hearing all these trainers and competitors and parents say how sorry they were gave me a great sense of belonging; people really do care. I look up to these trainers, and when the ones to whom I’d never really spoken (yet always admired from afar) came over and let me know how sorry they were, it made me feel good, like I wasn’t the only one who thought my little horse was great. I really wanted to be able to keep my feet in the jumper ring (hunters and equitation are fun, but nothing compares to going fast and jumping big!), so Archie Cox was kind enough to arrange for me to ride Marnix G, a horse who used to be in training with him, but is now at Joie Gatlin and Morley Abey’s barn. I got to show Marnix in the Low Junior Jumpers at the first two Oaks horse shows, and had a blast. Tustin was the only jumper I had ever ridden over anything bigger than 3’9”, so it was nice to be able to prove to myself that I am capable of successfully piloting a different horse over a decent-sized course.

I’m young and impatient and hate having to accept the fact that my goals are being delayed, but my parents have been generous enough to purchase another young jumper prospect. Hopefully this horse will eventually be able to take me back up to where I was, and will be able to stand the inevitable comparisons to his flawless predecessor. As the wise adults have been telling me, life goes on!

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.

 

EquestriSol News: May 9, 2008

Available now in Hunter Jumper Magazine, with Pegasus client Catherine Tracy & Ghostrider on the cover, are new ads for Bay Rose and Fremont Hills and don’t miss Blue Ribbon Law, your equine law connection.

Upcoming ads include a nice series for Waldenbrook Farm as well as for Pegasus Show Stable in Show Biz Magazine. We just submitted ads for the Menlo Charity Horse Show Program, one of our top West Coast boutique shows. Look for these generous sponsors: Blue Ribbon Law, Round Meadow Farm, Pegasus Show Stable, Bay Rose and Joie Gatlin – Morley Abey Show Jumping.

And congratulations to Joie Gatlin, Kasey Ament, Laura Teodori and Mike Endicott all featured in this issue.

Good luck to the WCAR Spruce Team contenders! And it was great seeing everyone at the ROCK STAR Party at the Endicotts.

Don’t forget MOM’S DAY – the new moms at EquestriSol now have a much better understanding why moms deserve a day to be recognized. So give mom a hug and be nice to her, at least this Sunday!

EquestriSol is excited to announce the launch of two new web sites – www.karenhealeystables.com and www.lasallefarms.com.

We are working on many more exciting projects – including our own logo (did you notice it has changed?) and web site. We love to hear from you, so keep giving us your feedback. Our next EquestriSol newsletter is in the works for Memorial Day and during the June series at Oaks Blenheim. Summer is around the corner. Wow.

What can we do for you?

Young Jumper Classes

By Tammy Chipko

The Young Jumper Championships are designed to identify the horses that are the most promising young show jumping prospects competing in the United States. One of the goals is to offer opportunities for up and coming Grand Prix jumpers to compete against their peers over suitable courses.

Horses must be nominated for the Young Jumper Championships annually in order to qualify for the League Finals held in August.

Qualifying classes are hosted throughout the year at recognized USEF competitions. These classes for 5, 6, and 7/8 year olds are designed to provide exposure and invaluable experience.

A great way to bring young horses up the ranks throughout the year, each division begins with inviting courses and then advances throughout the year offering bigger and more difficult courses. Since all the horses competing are the same age, the classes help riders gauge their own horse’s talent and progress. Ideally the system is designed to help young horses along at a good pace.

I asked some of our top professionals about the YJC.

Joie Gatlin: This organization is important because we need to develop our own horses here in the United States. With the Euro being so much stronger than the dollar now, it is not cost-effective for most people to go to Europe and show horses there like we used to. It also encourages people here to develop their own breeding programs. This is vital to the growth of our sport and in doing this we can encourage owners to purchase horses here in the States.
Joie Gatlin and her husband Morley Abey run a successful program that includes trips to Europe and Canada. www.joiegatlin.com

Mandy Porter: I hope that everyone continues to support the Young Jumpers so we can continue to grow and improve the organization. I would love to see this develop like it has in Europe. This is possible if we keep our standards high and provide good challenges for our horses throughout the year.
Mandy Porter spent many years developing jumpers and showing in Nations Cups in Europe.www.mandy-porter.com

Duncan McFarlane: The Young Jumper classes are a great idea! They inspire owners to become more involved because they can show their horses all year in hopes of qualifying for the finals. I think the final could be run in a different format that would make it more exciting for the owners and spectators but hopefully, as the organization progresses, this will happen.
Duncan McFarlane and his wife Gry own Windfall Farms. Through the years, they have trained multiple young horses to the Grand Prix level. www.windfallfarminc.com

Tasha Visokay: The class allows me to show my horse in a division of horses of the same age and ability and I like that. I think the intent of the Young Jumpers is good and we need to continue to come together to help it grow as it has on the East Coast.
Tasha Visokay assists Mark Bone at Huntover Farm in Thousand Oaks, California.

Patricia Griffith: We have several horses that we enter in the different age groups – it really is a great outlet for the young horses. It provides us a chance to compete in classes with horses of the same age instead of competing in open classes that have sometimes over 100 horses, many of which are older and have much more experience than our young horses. The format promotes clean rounds which is so important for young horses. These classes also provide a very nice way to showcase young horses that are for sale. We are lucky here that we have the sponsors to support this. The eastern finals are located at the Hampton Classic and it is a beautiful venue and very exciting for all.
Patricia Griffith works for Heritage Farm located in Katonah, NY. (914) 232-2122

Highlights From HITS Grand Prix February 7, 2008

Class: $125,000 HITS Grand Prix,
presented by EMO.
Conditions: Windy, very windy.
Community: Pulled together during chaos.

Sunday morning came along blissfully and the second week of HITS Thermal was coming to a close. The $125,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by EMO, commenced at noon and as horses negotiated the Leopoldo Palacios course, the winds kicked up. Initially it was little gusts but as the class continued the wind increased. It huffed and puffed and blew the jumps down, it blew the VIP Oasis Club tables and chairs down, it blew the hunter ring fences to the ground.

It became clear that the horse show could not go on and what happened next was commendable – Grand Prix riders, VIP guests, HITS staff all teamed up to create a safer atmosphere in a matter of minutes. As the wind blew harder, the collective group removed trays and tablecloths, laid down the tables and chairs, and carefully stored the ceramic pots and glass signs.

Competitors and management waited through wind (and the Super Bowl) and the class continued in the late afternoon to an exciting finish. Joie Gatlin secured $37,500 in prize money for Camaron Hills Farm when she rode Camaron Hills Shanroe to the win. During the 2005 HITS Desert Circuit, Gatlin won the blue ribbon in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix. “I love to win the EMO class,” said Gatlin. “They are a great supporter of our sport and I am very appreciative of everything that they do.” Gatlin was sitting in the enviable last-to-ride spot in a jump-off that featured eight pairs. The pair had a fast time to beat, raced to stop the clock in 40.947 to win the class by just over half a second. Camaron Hills Shanroe is 13 and Gatlin had the ride in place of rider Molly Talla who is expecting her second child.

Jill Humphrey started the jump-off of eight on Rudy Leone’s Kaskaya. The pair negotiated a clear round and set the time to beat at 46.330. Canadian Olympian John Pearce was next to go in the jump-off aboard Allison Moore’s Chianto. They had four faults and finished in sixth place. Third to go was Ashlee Bond and her mount Tommy Gun. The pair went clear in a very fast 41.588 to take over the top spot. “I thought I was very fast but knew I had some big competition behind me,” said Bond. “Richard Spooner had already beaten my time but had a rail down, so I knew my time was reachable.”

Sure enough, Bond and her horse finished third. Fourth to go was the HITS Desert Circuit’s all-time leading money winner Richard Spooner and Cristallo. One rail down would land them in fifth place. Recent Pan Am Games Gold Medal Winner, Jill Henselwood was next aboard Callisto. Henselwood and her mount would be eliminated and finish in eighth place.

Pearce was back in the irons aboard his second ride of the jump-off. This time it was Archie Bunker and they pushed Bond and Tommy Gun off the top with a fast and clean ride in 41.582. Pearce and Archie Bunker eventually finished in second place. “Two horses in the top six is a fair chunk of change,” said a happy Pearce after the class. “The vibe is good and the people seem very happy this year.”

Pearce also has his eyes on Friday night’s $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan where he plans to show Archie Bunker and his top gun Urioso. His fellow countryman, Henselwood, was back for her second trip of the jump-off aboard Black Ice. The pair had two rails down and finished in seventh place.

Finally, it was Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shanroe’s turn. They were lightning-fast and stopped the clocks in 40.947 to win the class. “John Pearce set a fast pace,” said Gatlin. “We were slow to the first jump and then I said to her, ‘Come on. Let’s go!’ We were very fast from two to nine and we kept cruising through 10. Once we cleared 12B I heard the crowd getting behind me so I knew we had a good chance to win.”

 

 

 

Conversations With Equestrians: Joie Gatlin

Joie Gatlin just returned from spending over a month in Europe competing at some of the most prestigious horse shows in the world. We were able to spend a little while talking about her travels and experiences this summer. Her excitement and passion for the time spent in Europe is definitely worth sharing.

Tammy Chipko: What made you decide to do this tour?
Joie Gatlin: I planned it at the beginning of the year, thinking the trip would be a great experience for my horses as well as for me. I knew it would raise the bar, so to speak, for me. When you are there you are warming up with and competing against the best in the world, it certainly raises your expectations of your own riding ability. The caliber of riders that I was able to watch, and listen to, also made for an incredible experience – John Whitaker, Ludger Beerbaum to name just two I rode around with.

TC: How did your tour start?
JG: We left from Calgary and flew to Luxembourg. We then stayed at a farm in Belgium for a few days where I could ride prior to driving to Italy. The first competition was a CSI 5* in San Patrignano, Italy, ranked the biggest and most difficult of all the competitions in Europe.

TC: How were you accepted there?
JG: Everyone was incredibly friendly. The camaraderie was amazing! All the riders are competing against one another and they 100% are there to win but they still will help each other out as much as possible. I felt welcomed and respected.

TC: How did you do in Italy?
JG: I was the first to go clear and the crowd was fantastic. The stands were packed and everyone was so excited. I will never forget that moment. I ended up 9th overall. It was such a thrill to be standing in the winners circle with Christian Ahlmann, Markus Ehning, Markus Beerbaum and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum. I was so proud of Suncal’s King and so happy with our results.

TC: How did the tour continue?
JG: The second horse show was in Switzerland at a place called Ascona. Like many of the European shows, Ascona had beautiful rings, VIP tents, barns, etc. The Grand Prix was really tough competition with over 50 of the best ready to win. History repeated itself – I was the first clear round, and the crowd – you wouldn’t believe it! They were incredible. It was so exciting. I ended up 9th again and was elated.

We had a week off at this point and took the opportunity to do some sightseeing which was breathtaking. We also looked at some nice sale horses in different areas.

We then went to Jon Tops Week I Horse Show called “Valkenswaard,” another great show with again some of the top riders in the world there to compete. My young horse Twindoline was 2nd and 3rd in the young horse classes, very exciting. The Europeans really put a lot of effort into the young horse classes and strongly believe in this pattern of development. It was great to finish so well. And just as exciting was my 12th place finish in the Grand Prix. This is a beautiful show that anyone who has an interest in competing in Europe should attend.

TC: Congratulations on your success! Would you recommend that others (including Juniors or Amateurs) compete in Europe?
JG: Absolutely, it is a great opportunity. When you get a chance to watch, ride and compete with the best in the world it can only make you better. Your expectations are higher, your goals are higher, and your standards are higher. If you have the opportunity to take a horse and show at a few nice shows it can only improve your riding. Europe has so many beautiful places to see and wonderful people to meet. I would absolutely recommend it to any serious show jumper.

TC: Well, you must have a lot of catching up to do at home?
JG: I am very fortunate to have my husband Morley Abey as a partner. He really took care of everything this summer so I could have this opportunity. Not only did we have great tours in both Spruce Meadows and Europe, but Morley kept everyone at home happy and showing here. Thank you, Morley!