4 8 E V E N T I N G U S A I S S U E S I X 2 0 0 5 Shannon Brinkman Photo.
F E AT U R E y o u n g e v e n t h o r s e Star Search The 2005 USEA/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series Championships By Leslie Wilsey T he USEA/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series could best be described as an equine talent search. The Series gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-olds, encouraging them to produce top-level event horses for the future the next Winsome Adante, Custom Made, or Primmore s Pride, perhaps. 2005 proved to be a successful sophomore year for the Series. The number of events quadrupled from its launch in 2004, for a total of 21. Extensive sponsorship support developed, from title sponsor, Spalding Laboratories; presenting sponsors: Practical Horseman and Stackhouse Saddles; contributing sponsor, Fleeceworks; and underwriting sponsor, Equine Medical Center of Ocala. Throughout the year, youngsters competed in Young Event Horse divisions all over the country, from Washington State to Texas, Montana to New York. The ultimate goal? Earn a score of 70 or higher to qualify for the Championships. And so they did. Thirty-two horses from as far as Idaho participated in the 2005 USEA/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series Championships held at Morven Park Equestrian Center September 30, in conjunction with the CCI* and Advanced Horse Trials. The four- and five-year-old event horses were judged first on conformation, followed by dressage, jumping, and then a gallop to assess suitability. Sally O Connor and Major General Jack Burton scored the dressage section, while George Mernagh, a Tattersalls Bloodstock agent and organizer of the Future Event Horse League in Ireland, presided over the remaining three sections. The jumping section took place on the Wimert schooling field an outside course consisting of a ditch, water obstacle, natural show jumps, and cross-country fences. While many youngsters gave the ditch a second glance and a big gators gonna get me jump, it was the pass-through water that they really gave the stink-eye. The afternoon Above: Four-year-old division winners Jungle Tale and Donna Smith accept the tri-color ribbon and trophy from USEA Executive Director, Jo Whitehouse. Left: Folk Lore and Allison Springer performed very well in the jumping phase, finishing the four-year-old division as reserve champion. Amy J. Daum Photo. E V E N T I N G U S A I S S U E S I X 2 0 0 5 49
sun glinting off the shallow water served as quite a distraction, causing many to put on the brakes before they came anywhere close to getting their feet wet. Eventually they all made it through after some cajoling by their riders. The day ended with an awards ceremony acknowledging the talented youngsters. The champions were presented with a certificate for a custom-made saddle from Stackhouse Saddles, a six-month supply of fly predators from Spalding Labs, and a bottle of champagne, courtesy of the Hoffman family. Taking top honors in the four-year-old division was Jungle Tale, ridden by Donna Smith, on a score of 85.6. The gray Irish Sport Horse filly is by Cougar out of Winter s Tale, and is owned by Jacqueline Badger Mars of The Plains, Virginia. The reserve champion four-year-old was Allison Springer s mount, Folk Lore, a bay Hanoverian gelding by Feiner Stern out of the Thoroughbred mare Vast N Bright. Folk Lore, also known as "Story," is owned by Kaiti Saunders of Falls Church, Virginia. Story was purchased shortly after Saunders lost her upper level event horse, Presto. Story seemed to come just at the right time for us, Saunders said. Springer described the young gelding as being very presidential in his demeanor. He is a cool and confident horse that looks every new challenge straight in the eye while always keeping his composure. Free and Clear, ridden by Phillip Dutton, took the title in the five-year-old division with a score of 85.3. The bay Irish Sport Horse Shannon Pedlar Photo. Shannon Brinkman. Left: Darren Chiacchia and his Thoroughbred stallion Mr. Dancer jump the bank, finishing fifth in the five-year-old division. Above: After a few tries Katie Wherley cajoled Kiss Me Scarlet through the water. Below: David O'Connor and Loyal Dancer finished fifth in the four-year-old division. Shannon Brinkman. 5 0 E V E N T I N G U S A I S S U E S I X 2 0 0 5
gelding by Mountain Pearl (Registered Irish Draft) out of Rare One (Thoroughbred) is better known as Flinn. He was bred by Pairadox Farm of Ontario, Canada and is owned by Colleen Hofstetter of Mars, Pennsylvania. Colleen had been looking for a new horse after the untimely passing of her international star, R.G's Renegade. When asked for her philosophy on finding the next eventing star, she replied, I don t know, but when I see it, I ll know it. When she first noticed Flinn on the Pairadox farm website, she knew that she had to take a closer look. When she did, it was love at first sight. Everything just fell into place. I liked him, my husband liked him, the pre-purchase exam was fine everything just seemed to work out. It seemed like the road to owning him was free and clear. Colleen was overjoyed by Flinn s victory. To think that my online find may have something to do with the future of eventing is really exciting and it is such an honor. I have had so many good experiences with the USEA and with teams from the U.S. it is all just a really nice honor. About the young champion, Dutton said: He s quite promising. He s sort of what you might call the type of the future. Quite expressive when he moves and takes people s eye. His jumping is getting better and better. We re quite excited about him. I think the Young Event Horse Series is something that s going to be great for the sport, and it will be interesting to follow up with these horses and see where they end up. The reserve champion five-year-old was Orujo de la Galerna, owned and ridden by Pedro Gutierrez of Mexico. Orujo is a homebred dark brown stallion born at Pedro s farm, Yeguada La Galerna, in Ixtapaluca, Mexico. He is by the Thoroughbred stallion Agamenon and is out of a racing mare, Cartelera, who is out of a Native Dancer mare. After a successful introduction to eventing in Mexico, Orujo traveled to the U.S. to begin training with Phyllis Dawson and Jineen Redd of Windchase Farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Pedro is based in Mexico, and travels to the United States only to compete Orujo. Orujo has been able to cope very well with it, something not many horse are able to do. Plans are already underway for the 2006 Series. Bids are being received from those organizers looking to host Young Event Horse divisions, and many of this year s sponsors have pledged their support. Stay tuned to the USEA website (www.useventing.com) for updates. Sterling Farms Romarios Image 1999 16 1 /2 h Black Bay Holsteiner Stallion Romarios Image possesses an outstanding pedigree with an exceptional temperament and is an absolute gentleman on the show grounds. With correct confirmation and beautiful harmonious gaits, equally suited for dressage and jumping. Lightly shown and bred in 2005 Rev. at High Prairie $250 open training level challenge with a 69%+ score Approved and Licensed in 2001 A.W.R. A.W.S. P.H.R. LFG Stud Fee: $900 Includes Booking Fee. For more information, contact Sterling Farms Nancy Vergé Phone 719-372-7161 Barn 719-429-1853 Romario Miss Mendella xx Romino Hela 2 Mendel xx Too Much Pride xx The U.S. Eventing Association would like to express appreciation to its corporate sponsors: Official Feed of the USEA and Gold Level Sponsor. Official Insurance Provider of the USEA. Official Joint Therapy of the USEA. E V E N T I N G U S A I S S U E S I X 2 0 0 5 51
Above: Phillip Dutton and Free and Clear put in an impressive performance to win the five-yearold division on a score of 85.3. Below: Four-year-old reserve champions Allison Springer and Folk Lore pose for the camera. Colleen Hofstetter. Amy Daum. 2005 USEA/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series Championships Results Four-Year-Old Championship Division 1. Jungle Tale ridden by Donna Smith, owned by Jacqueline Badger Mars Gray Irish Sport Horse (IRL) Sire: Cougar Dam: Winter s Tale Final Score: 85.6 2. Folk Lore ridden by Allison Springer, owned by Kaiti Saunders Bay Hanoverian gelding Sire: Feiner Stern Dam: Vast N Bright (TB) Final Score: 84.3 3. Abby Road owned and ridden by Darren Chiacchia Bay Trakehner mare Sire: Hailing Final Score: 83.9 4. Twister ridden by Craig Thompson, owned by Marie Treiber Bay TB Gelding Sire: Reputed Testamony Dam: Myrna s Surprise Final Score: 81.6 5. Loyal Dancer ridden by David O Connor, owned by O Connor Equestrian, Inc. Gray TB Gelding Sire: Loyal Pal Dam: Jilly Bean Final Score: 80 6. My Resolute ridden by Allison Springer, owned by Stacy Cahill Gray TB Gelding Sire: Chenin Blanc Dam: My Girl Dana Final Score: 77.6 Five-Year-Old Championship Division 1. Free and Clear ridden by Phillip Dutton, owned by Colleen Hofstetter Bay Irish Sport Horse Gelding Final Score: 85.3 2. Orujo de la Galerna owned and ridden by Pedro Gutierrez Bay TB Stallion (MEX) Sire: Agamenon Dam: Cartelera Final Score: 84.8 3. Southern Gentleman ridden by Liz Riley, owned by Dale Bowers Bay Oldenburg Gelding Sire: Belucci Dam: Miss Easy Wampum Final Score: 84.1 4. My Beau Forever owned and ridden by Katie Wherley Chestnut TB Gelding Sire: Beau Genius Dam: Bound Forever Final Score: 78 5. Mr. Dancer owned and ridden by Darren Chiacchia Bay TB Stallion Sire: Dancing Time Final Score: 77.8 6. Ballylaffin Bracken ridden by Kristin Schmolze, owned by Kristin, Janet and Bill Schmolze Bay Irish Sport Horse Gelding from Ireland Sire: Ricardo Z Dam: Ballylaffin Florence Final Score: 77.6 5 2 E V E N T I N G U S A I S S U E S I X 2 0 0 5