Editor's Notes

Happy Mother’s Day! Sidelines contributing writer Sydney  Masters-Durieux caught up with a variety of riders to find out the “Best Advice Their Mom’s Ever Gave Them” and we are pleased to share their answers. And this is what they said:

“The one bit of advice that really stands out with my mother is that she always felt we should care for our animals as we would care for ourselves. My goal with the charity is to do just that.” – Beth Hyman, Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary

“My mom always made me believe in my dreams, be a leader not a follower and pursue my goals, no matter what anyone else thought of them. As long as I was honest in my pursuit and polite to others, there was nothing wrong with others not agreeing with my thoughts, because they were mine and no one else’s.” – BJ Erhardt, Foxhedge Farm

“The best advice my mother has ever given me is to do what ever makes me happy. Happiness is one of the most important things in life and above all else, never give up.” – Daniela Stransky, Stransky’s Mission Farm

“The best advice my mom gave me was ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. It will all work out.’ It was during a tough time of my life and it helped a lot.” Darragh Kenny, Oakland Ventures LLc

“My mother taught me never to give up on what I’m truly passionate about. After watching her successfully build two startup businesses, I was able to follow her example when I made the big decision to start my own stable.” – David Tromp, David Tromp Show Stables

“My mother is the most amazing person I know. I used to tell her she was like a self-cleaning oven; always reinventing herself! One of the best pieces of advice she ever told me was ‘Never say yes when you mean no.’” – Jenny Oz Leroy, Oz Farm

“I guess I’d have to say that one memorable bit of advice that my mother has given to me is to forget that everything is a competition. Just to enjoy the moment and enjoy my ride.” Jose F. Bonetti, Stransky’s Mission Farm

“My mom always said to me, ‘Don’t get hurt & don’t eat dirt! You are here to have a good time.” – Kimberly Tobias, Hay Fever Farm

“My mother has always told me to be a good sport no matter how bad you rode or how great you rode. Sportsmanship is key in this sport.” – Kimberly Graves, Willoughby Stables

“When I was down my mom offered to give me a suggestion to make it better and as I anxiously awaited her words of wisdom she very dryly said ‘Don’t squat with your spurs on.’ Truthfully, it did make me laugh and brighten my day.” – Kris Moyer, Legacy Farm LLc

“My mom, Flo, said ‘Don’t get married until you’re thirty.’ And I didn’t, and do believe that waiting afforded me more time to develop personally and professionally, and have some fun kissing toads before I found a prince.” – L.A. Pomeroy, Contributing Lifestyle Equinista

“The best advice I ever received from my mother was…. ‘Over, under, or through. Just kick him up in front of you and ride on.” It applies to so much in life!” – Lauren Flexon Marcinkoski, Swamp Fox Farms

“My mom gave me a card when I graduated with the best advice, ‘Continue to jump over life’s hurdles skillfully as you do in the ring.’ – Lauren Kamerer, Black Ridge Farm

“The best advice from my mom was to remember the mistakes I have made and to learn from them, let them make me stronger rather then bring me down.” – Maggie McAlary, Ecurie Francois Mathy

“My mother gave me a lot of advice as I was growing up, but the most important thing she told me is to always give the best of me.” – Mario Gamboa, Team Step by Step

By Jan Westmark-Allan

Jeanette Sassoon and Valiant
Photo by www.BarbarasVisions.com

I first heard about Valiant, a blind horse owned by Jeannette Sassoon, about 10 years ago and thought then that it was a remarkable story. I am so excited that our Sidelines staff writer Dani Moritz recently had the chance to interview Jeannette and find out about her remarkable journey with Valiant. Just a few weeks ago I was in Lexington, Kentucky at the Rolex Three-Day Event and had the chance to go to the Kentucky Reining Cup where Jeanette and Valiant did a demonstration during the show, in the giant Alltech Indoor Arena with thousands of people in the stands.

Jeanette and Valiant rode into the ring under a spotlight and gave a breathtaking performance. The crowd was thrilled and so was I. I knew the story on Valiant would be in the June issue of Sidelines and I loved the fact that I had the chance to see the amazing duo in person. The story is posted on the homepage of the Sidelines website and I hope you take the time to read it and enjoy. Jeannette and Valiant certainly have had a valiant journey – which is being made into a documentary. You can watch it at: valiantdocumentary.com.

Here’s the link to the full story: A Valiant Journey: http://sidelinesnews.com/sidelines-spotlight/a-valiant-journey.html

By Jan Westmark-Allan

Your pony can be a star in the Sidelines “Picture Perfect Pony” contest

There’s nothing cuter than a pony – whether a fluffy, adorable little creature or a sleek, show model ready version. In the new Sidelines Magazine “Picture Perfect Pony” Contest we want to see ALL of your ponies! Your pony will become a star in this contest – all ponies will be featured on the Sidelines Magazine Facebook page and selected winners will appear in the July issue of Sidelines Magazine which is our Pony and Junior issue!

It’s easy to enter – just follow the link, upload a photo and describe your adorable pony!

NO professional photos allowed and only ONE entry per person! Contest ends Saturday, May 18.

Make your pony a STAR!! Enter now: http://sidelinesnews.com/sidelines-contest-form

By Jan Westmark-Allan

The Barbaro statue at Churchill Downs

I am the first to admit that I am not a racehorse aficionado, and while I love Thoroughbreds I don’t watch too many races. Except for the Triple Crown. I think my love for the three races goes back to the days of Secretariat. I watched all three of those races live on our big console TV, shouting and jumping up and down. And later I bought a Thoroughbred with Secretariat bloodlines.

If you are a racehorse fan than you might also be a fan of show jumper turned racehorse trainer Michael Matz, the trainer of Barbaro and Union Rags. I have been a big Michael Matz fan for a long time (since his Olympic days) and love the story on his daughter Lucy Matz that we have in the May issue of Sidelines Magazine. If you haven’t read the story, written by Marissa Quigley, you can at this link:

http://sidelinesnews.com/sidelines-spotlight/growing-up-matz-horses-dont-just-run-in-the-family-they-gallop.html

Last week while I was at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky, Sidelines staff member Gigi Harris was in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs. She sent me some great photos that I will share with you. Today’s Kentucky Derby was a sloppy mess, but all of the horses stayed safe and Orb won the Run for the Roses! Yay!

Churchill Downs – the home of the Kentucky Derby

Flowers at Churchill Downs – notice the horse on the jumbotron.

Churchill Downs

Orb won the 2013 Kentucky Derby!

The track at Churchill Downs.

The track on Derby Day was very muddy.

Today was the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby

Secretariat’s halter on display at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby trophy won by Secretariat at the Kentucky Derby museum.

By Jan Westmark-Allan

Win a cross-country course walk with Karen O’Connor on May 10 at 4:30

Win A Cross-Country Course Walk with Olympian Karen O’Connor at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event!

Sidelines Magazine and the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event are teaming up to give one lucky winner the cross-country course walk of a lifetime. The winner will get a one-on-one course walk experience with United States Three-Day Eventing Olympian Karen O’Connor on May 10^th at 4:30. The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event takes place May 9-12 at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, New Jersey. (You do not need a ticket to get into the Horse Park on Friday.)

Karen O’Connor is still recovering from a serious riding accident that resulted in a broken back which has sidelined her for the spring eventing season. She underwent surgery and will take part in the cross-country course walk in a golf cart – the same golf cart that our “Sidelines-Jersey Fresh Cross-Country Winner” will ride in!

Karen O’Connor

To enter the contest, you simply need to take a photo of you and your horse on the sidelines (get it, Sidelines Magazine!) – you can be standing next to your horse, sitting on your horse, grooming, tacking up, walking, warming up – anything that happens on the sidelines at a horse show. Take the photo with an iPhone or digital camera and fill out the entry form – it’s that easy!!

Good luck everyone! All entries will have their photos posted on the Sidelines Magazine Facebook page and the winner will be picked at random. Please only enter if you will be available on Friday, May 10^th at 4:30 at Jersey Fresh.

The contest will run May 3-9. Here is the link to enter the contest. Only ONE entry per person.

http://sidelinesnews.com/sidelines-contest-form

By Jan Westmark-Allan

The de Leyer kids grew up with Snowman, who retired from the show ring in 1962.
Photo courtesy of Bill Ray.

In the May issue of Sidelines, Emily Riden wrote a story for us called “Harry de Leyer and Snowman: A Cinderella Story Becomes a Film.” It’s a great story and when I read Emily’s story I rushed out and bought the book “The Eighty Dollar Champion.” I loved the book and the story of Harry, a Dutch immigrant, and his horse Snowman. And I especially loved the photos. Who doesn’t love a photo of six little kids, happy as larks sitting on the back of a big old plow horse (who also happened to be a national show jumping champion!)

I just posted the story of Harry and Snowman, from our May issue, on the homepage of the Sidelines website – and you can click on the link below and go read the story and look at the photos! The photos will make you smile – especially because you can see the bond between Harry and Snowman and Snowman and the kids. Priceless! Enjoy the story, here’s the link:

 http://sidelinesnews.com/weekly-featured/harry-de-leyer-and-snowman-a-cinderella-story-becomes-a-film.html

By Jan Westmark-Allan

Buck Davidson is in third place after dressage and cross country at the 2013 Rolex and had the best optimum time for an American rider so he rode away with a two-year free lease on a Land Rover!
Photo by Beth Grant Photography

Day three of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event was exciting – because it’s always exciting to watch horses and riders gallop over huge obstacles and make it look like they are showing in a walk-trot crossrails class. The cross-country course was 11 miles, and I don’t know how the horses felt after galloping it, but my feet hurt after walking it. We tried to watch as many jumps as possible, so we walked the entire course. Rolex has jumbotrons set up throughout the course, so you can also watch one jump live and then turn and watch a few more on the jumbotrons.

The horses head out of the starting box every five minutes so it gives the cross-country spectators time to move from jump to jump. The crowd plays a big part in adding excitement to the event, and each time a horse and rider clears a jump or combination of jumps, the crowd will clap and cheer. That’s my favorite part because the horses are waiting and listening (even though they are busy galloping), but as soon as they clear the jump the crowd goes wild. That’s when most of the horses have a great reaction, stretching out their necks, swiveling their ears to the reaction and truly enjoying the moment. These are amazing equines and they know it.

Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo.
Photo by Beth Grant Photography

At the end of dressage and cross-country, New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson is in first and second place. Check out his jumping photos on both horses – he makes it look like a day in the park! Speaking of park, Rolex is held at the Kentucky Horse Park and the place is a top-notch facility and the entire event is organized and a delight to attend. Rolex is a 4* (four star) event which means it is the best of the best horse and rider combinations and the cross-country is the toughest in the country. If you haven’t been, put it on your bucket list for next year. Don’t forget to put a “great and comfortable pair of shoes” on your bucket list also. You will want them.

American Buck Davidson is in third place right now and had a great ride on Ballynoe Castle RM. Buck’s dad, Bruce, was one of the most successful eventers of our time (google him to see what a big deal he is) – so it was great to see Buck riding a great round and because he was the top American rider coming closest to the optimum time he was awarded the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day and rode away with a free 24 month lease of a 2013 Range Rover Evoque. Way to go Buck!! Congratulations!

Anyone of driving age who visits Rolex can take a Land Rover for a test drive. I did it!

Last night, after the cross-country we headed to the 2013 Kentucky Reining Cup – held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was a much fun as cross-country and definitely a “must-do” on your list if you attend Rolex. Last night was the freestyle competition, which meant the horses and riders wore costumes and spun and slid and performed to music! The crowd went wild, ride after ride!

I will have real photos to follow, but for now I will post a few photos from my iPhone. The celebrity reining riders included David O’Connor, a huge crowd pleaser who saluted the judges (like a dressage test) as he started his performance, and Sinead Halpin and Allison Springer (all eventers). Allison, the only rider to wear a helmet (yay Allison, way to go!!) ended up winning the celebrity division with her great ride which she performed to Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA song.

Once I get the photos from Sidelines intern Mandy Su, I will post them and tell you more about the reining – but suffice it to say the crowd went wild ride after ride. Aaron Ralston probably had the best crowd-pleasing performance when he vaulted onto the back of his horse from a trampoline and then performed a crazy and inspiring version of reining set to the tune of Gangham Style. Dance songs were a theme because the last performance of the night was reining champion Pete Kyle who performed with about 30 extras in the ring – all doing the Harlem Shuffle (a new dance craze which you can google). David O’Connor and Sinead Halpin were part of the dance troop doing the Harlem Shuffle – which was the icing on the cake for a wild and crazy night!!

Stadium jumping is today – which will crown the winner of the 2013 Rolex. Good luck riders!

Olympic eventer David O’Connor’s pit crew gets his reining horse ready during the 2013 Kentucky Reining Cup.

Eventer Allison Springer kept her helmet on and rode away as the winner of the Celebrity Reiner of the evening.

Aaron Ralston used the trampoline behind his horse to vault into the saddle during his outrageously funny performance!

David O’Connor and Sinead Halpin were part of the dance team who did the Harlem Shuffle. David has his blue USA jacket on.

By Jan Westmark-Allan

Rolex – day two!

Day two of the Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event meant the second day of dressage and at this writing William Fox-Pitt is in the lead with Chilli Morning (although another dressage rider could have taken the lead by now). The weather is beautiful, the dressage is fantastic and the Kentucky Horse Park is packed with people. We decided to take part in a few of the extra events happening at Rolex, including driving a Land Rover at the Land Rover Off-Road test drive area. Land Rover is a sponsor of Rolex and a partner of the United States Equestrian Federation.

Land Rover happens to have a wicked cool off-road test driving site at the Kentucky Horse Park, on the edge of the cross-country course. I signed up for a test drive and didn’t think too much about it until I was behind the wheel and my trusty Land Rover co-pilot Jim had me push the start button and told me to drive the $85,000 car up the very steep hill. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time (what I imagine it must be like to gallop the cross-county course at Rolex) – I will have real photos to post later. Right now all I have is my “prize” for completing the drive – a Land Rover hat with a USEF logo on it also. Nice!!

My hard-earned Land Rover hat. Yes, I had to drive up and down very steep mountains and through mud and water to get this hat. The drive was part of the Land Rover off-roads test course.

We also had time to watch the Kentucky Mounted Police demonstration, which was really wonderful. They showed some of the training that the mounted horses go through (yes, you can swing a tarp around in the air from the back of the horse and they don’t care.) The lady standing next to me during the demo said her horse would be in the next county if you tried to pull out a tarp, flap it on his back and then canter around and through it. The mounted police horses are quite special and it was great to watch.

We also caught just a small part of The Pony Club Mounted Games. We watched a cute batch of ponies and riders heading up to the ring – and hope to watch more tomorrow.

The Kentucky Mounted Police put on a demonstration during Rolex

The Kentucky Mounted Police – these horses were not scared of the tarp!

Land Rover also provided the media with a catered lunch, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Now we are headed to the Thoroughbreds For All event, thanks to an invitation from New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. Make sure you check out their blog on the Sidelines website – it’s the blog called “Beyond the Track.”

Tomorrow is cross-country day at Rolex and we are really looking forward to it! It’s going to be scary and exhilirating – sort of like driving a Land Rover through the off-road test course!! Saddle up (or put on your seat belt) – it’s going to be one heck of a ride!!

The Pony Club riders heading to the ring for the Mounted Games during Rolex

By Jan Westmark-Allan

All of the horses passed the jog yesterday, despite the fact that it was a wet, wild and windy day! Today is cold and beautiful in the BlueGrass State and at the Kentucky Horse Park! We have purchased New Vocations sweatshirts to stay warm – and just got back from watching the Friesian demonstration!

Dressage is half way through today, and is going great. Here are a few photos of yesterday’s jog. (All jog photos by Beth Harpham)

William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie. William is on the cover of the May issue of Sidelines!

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda

Mary King and Fernhill Urco

Boyd Martin and Trading Aces

Kendal Lehari and Daily Edition

William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning

By Jan Westmark-Allan 

Keeneland Track

It rained all day yesterday (Wednesday) but today has dawned bright and beautiful. Dressage kicks off this morning at 10 am at The Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event – and it should be a great day. All of the horses passed the jog yesterday and Sidelines photographer and blogger Beth Harpham was on hand and we will have photos soon.

While Beth was watching the jog, the rest of us headed to Keeneland Race Track to watch the ponies run!! What a great afternoon and what a great track. Keeneland is only opened six weeks a year – three weeks in the spring and three weeks in the fall. We were invited by the Master of the Iroquois Hunt in Lexington (friends of Sidelines Staff writer Lauren R. Giannini) to sit in the clubhouse and it was a great experience. Betting on the ponies was also fun. I won $7.60 on a horse named Fog Happens and was very excited!! Yay! Of course I place four $2 bets – so if you are a mathematician, you can figure out if I really made any money or not!!

Headed to Rolex now – will report more later!

Yay, my pony won!!

And they’re off!

The flowers in the Clubhouse at Keeneland!