What's Happenin'

WELLINGTON, FL-May 23, 2013—A big four-goal second chukker gave Audi all the confidence it needed to defeat ELG, 7-6, on Thursday and advance into Friday’s semifinals of the Piaget Memorial Day Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club.

 

Audi will meet YP.Com at 4 p.m. in the first semifinal game followed by Longfield playing Inner-Continental in the second semifinal game.

 

The winners advance into Sunday’s season-ending championship game.

 

 

The Audi-YP.Com matchup will feature Grant Ganzi of Audi playing his mother, Melissa Potamkin-Ganzi of YP.Com.

 

“She is a pleasure to play against, she is a good player,” Ganzi said.

 

Both YP.Com (Melissa Ganzi, David Krantz, Juan Bollini, Mike Azzaro) and Inner-Continental (Gene Goldstein, Alejandro Poma, Brandon Phillips, Carlucho Arellano) are making their 2013 spring circuit debut.

 

It was Grant Ganzi, 14, a freshman at St. Andrew’s School, who scored two goals and shut out ELG, 4-0, in the second chukker for a 5-2 halftime lead.

 

 

“That was a big chukker where we went up 5-2,” Ganzi said. “My two goals helped a little bit. We played well as a team and then it seemed like we took over.”

 

Audi had a 7-2 advantage before ELG rallied and staged a comeback at the end of the fourth chukker. ELG continued to whittle away at its deficit in the fifth and sixth chukkers.

 

“In the end it got a little scary, when they came back,” Ganzi said. “Kris Kampsen played a big part. You can never give up on Kris.”

 

It was the first time Ganzi played with JJ Celis, who led scoring with three goals, and Leo Mandelbaum, who scored one goal. Lucas Lalor scored the other goal.

 

 

“It was a nice change,” Ganzi said. “It didn’t really take that long to get the chemistry going. It only took the first chukker to get used to it and I was on a new horse, too. The second chukker I was on a horse I felt confident on and the third chukker as well. The team went well and we just had the chemistry.”

 

Kampsen scored a game-high four goals for ELG including a penalty goal with 45 seconds remaining to cut Audi’s lead to one. ELG teammate and Wellington graduate Juancito Bollini, 17, added two goals.

 

“They are a strong four-man team just like us,” Kampsen said. “So when not everybody wins their play, the guy they are playing against is winning their play.

 

“They played great,” Kampsen said. “Grant came out on fire scoring two of their goals that chukker. If I made that 40-yard penalty shot with 2:30 on the clock we had a chance to turn the game around. But when I missed the 40, game over at that point. We did the best we could do.”

 

 

ELG will play Palm House (Glenn Straub, Joey Casey, Tommy Biddle, Carlos Diaz) in the first consolation game on Sunday. The semifinal game losers will play the second consolation game.

 

Six 12-goal rated teams are competing in the spring season-ending four-day tournament.

 

 

The games are free and open to the public.

 

The 2013 season has been Grand Champions most competitive with four different champions emerging: ELG/Psycho Bunny (Palm City Open), Power Horse (Polo Gear Invitational), Audi (USPA Spring Challenge and Eastern Challenge) and Pony Express (USPA Sun Cup).

 

 

GRAND CHAMPIONS SPRING SCHEDULE

 

May 22-27: The Piaget Memorial Day Cup.

 

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

 

WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.

 

INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.

May 23, 2013 – An equestrian’s focus can become isolated on their horses and competitions when at the highest level of the sport, but world-class rider Kevin Staut has never allowed his focus to falter from the good he can provide in the community as an equestrian icon. Since 2007, the French rider has been a long-term Rider Ambassador for JustWorld International, a charitable organization that raises funds within the global equestrian community to help provide education, nutrition, healthcare and vocational training programs to underprivileged children in impoverished communities around the world.

 

 

Recently, JustWorld International has become common ground for Staut and French broadcaster, Equidia TV. Both have decided to support JustWorld through a unique and unprecedented partnership. This October, Equidia will follow Staut to the JustWorld project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as he visits with nearly 830 children and their families. He hopes the trip will increase awareness for JustWorld’s efforts as he shows viewers how they can get involved and help with JustWorld’s mission.

 

 

Phnom Penh, Cambodia holds a personal connection for Staut, opening the doors for this partnership to take place. Accompanying Staut on this trip will be his half-sister, Jade. “Jade was adopted when she was 6 months old. She is from Phnom Penh but has never been back there since she first arrived to France. I am very much looking forward to living this experience with her,” Staut described.

 

For Staut, this visit parallels with his long-term involvement as a JustWorld International Ambassador. “JustWorld counts on the support of riders to help raise awareness within the equestrian world to provide a better life for children in developing countries,” Staut continued. “As an ambassador for JustWorld International, I now feel ready to do more than just give a percentage of my prize-money. Equidia, a JustWorld partner, is the ideal media to make people aware of the association and its activities.”

 

This partnership is the epitome of the activism and work JustWorld International puts into their projects, raising funds and awareness throughout the equestrian sport, as a whole. “Kevin was one of the first riders to make the decision to support us,” Founder and Executive Director of JustWorld International Jessica Newman explained. “He is a perfect flagship of JustWorld, and even now that he has become of the best riders of the world, he remains true to his word and continues to help our organization.”

 

Newman added, “The visit to our project in Cambodia this October is yet another showcase of his involvement and invaluable support.”

 

 

Staut’s desire to support JustWorld and share success is also prevalent in Equidia Life, the Equestrian Channel. “Equidia will provide us with an exceptional visibility towards the equestrian community,” Newman said. “We are proud to count on Equidia’s support and all of their crew who will accompany us to all the best events in France and Europe.”

 

Equidia is equally proud of this association with Kevin Staut and JustWorld International. “We have been thinking about this project for many months and we are proud to see it coming to life,” Executive Director of Equidia Eric Brion explained. “This is a testimony to our commitment within the International equestrian community, and the need to raise awareness about acting in a socially responsible manner. We plan to put all of our energy and the leverage of our different channels into this project. A three-year plan is currently underway for our partnership. This plan will be supported by our TV channels, as well as Equidia’s digital community, which is includes a very active presence on both the Internet and throughout social media.”

 

 

Founded in 2003 by Jessica Newman, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization, which funds life-changing nutrition, health and hygiene, education, as well as leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras and Guatemala.  There are currently more than 500 Rider and Technical Official Ambassadors representing 40 different countries, whose efforts to support JustWorld’s projects have raised in excess of $6 million to date.  For more information on JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.

 

* Equidia broadcasts its programs via Equidia Live, 100% horse racing, and Equidia Life, 100% horse, reaching more than 3.5 million television viewers each month.

 

For more information with regard to this partnership, please visit www.kevinstaut.com.

Tallahassee, FL (May 19, 2013) – What are the best-dressed horses wearing this outdoor season? ‘Haute to trot’ horse clothing is big business in the U.S. if you consider the vast array of blankets, fly sheets, coolers and accessories available to owners.

 

But, notes Sox For Horses, Inc. president, Raymond Petterson, “There’s not as much discussion about safe horse wear practices.”

 

The inventor of Summer Whinnys,™ the fly barrier and protective sock for equine legs, is also a horse ‘parent’ who understands the importance of minimizing unfamiliar or potentially dangerous situations for an animal hardwired to flight response. A twisted blanket, trailing wrap, or askew mask can invite a perfect storm of disaster.

 

It reminded him of an email from a well-intentioned, but unaware, horse owner: “She told me that she could put our Summer Whinnys™ on her horse for up to 48 hours without checking or monitoring the socks on its legs.

 

“I know Summer Whinnys are safe. I put great effort into their design to make sure a horse can’t get hurt from wearing them. They will not twist on the leg or roll to create a dangerous circulation impairing rubber band. They don’t present any other hazard either, but this awakened me to the fact that there are loving owners that don’t know ‘good’ horse wear practices.”

 

Experienced horsemen know, leave it to a horse to find its way into trouble. Manufacturers trust that horsemen know how to anticipate potential hazards, but how much does a new horse owner know about keeping a horse safe when it comes to their ‘clothing?’

 

“I applaud new owners that have rescued horses or taken horses in and made them members of their family. They represent a fair portion of my customers,” Petterson said. “I hope to encourage more manufacturers of horse clothing to address good horse wear practices on their websites and packaging. We have an opportunity to offer good information that can help owners develop safer horse management.”

 

“Horse wear comes in many shapes, sizes and configurations. After spending good money, the last thing you want to see is a horse flying down a field with a new blanket in shreds around its neck or coming off from behind. Snaps, buckles, straps, tape, can fail at any given time, even on new clothing.”

 

Since horses are rough on outer wear:

Rule 1. Twice daily inspect the condition of all straps, buckles, clips, Velcro and fabrics.

Rule 2. Inspect apparel position. Is everything in the right place?

Rule 3. If you board, ask others in your barn, including the manager, to follow Rules 1 & 2.

 

“If that costs a little extra per day and you don’t want to pay a fee, network with other owners at the barn and swap out days, mornings and evenings everyone’s horses get a good look-over,” suggests Petterson. “You can’t buy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your horse is wearing its clothing safely and that clothing is in good shape. As horsemen and women know, vigilance is the best protection you can offer your horse.”

 

Sox For Horses, Inc. is the all-American manufacturer of Summer Whinnys™, the antimicrobial fly barrier that is making huge strides in equine leg protection. Learn more about Summer Whinnys™ at www.soxforhorses.com or by calling (850) 907-5724.

Following on from the terrible tragedy in Oklahoma recently, we at Ride Alert feel as part of a disaster preparedness plan that it would be a good idea to always have a bridle tag on your horses halter, as well as on their bridle. This way if there is a tornado or other imminent disaster warning issued in your area, you can at least quickly slip the halter on your horse – which offers two-fold benefits: 1) the horse has a halter that first responders can use to catch or rescue your undoubtedly frightened animal with, and 2) the Ride Alert tag will enable them to quickly contact you, your Vet, or your Barn to help with injuries and relocation, via our 24/7 support Team.

From now, until the end of June, we are going to offer anyone who buys a Ride Alert membership with a bridle tag, an additional bridle tag (for their horse’s halter) absolutely FREE!   Not only that, but for every Bridle Tag ordered, we will give an additional Tag free, i.e. buy 3 Tags and you will get another 3 Tags absolutely FREE!

 

This offer is good until the end of June 2013, while stocks last.
Ride smart, ride safe, Ride Alert.

 

“I think Ride Alert is going to be something that we all are going to not want to be without. Being able to have access to valuable life saving information can be critical in the case of an accident. We all know how dangerous horses can be, so having the peace of mind for your kids and family that they are signed up with Ride Alert can be an incredible asset. I grew up riding some rank horses, and often found myself out in places where I was alone or with strangers. Now that I’m a father myself, I think back a lot at some of the things I did and how it bothers me to think about my own kids doing those same things. I can’t protect them from everything, but I can equip them with Ride Alert!” – Kerry Kuhn, Clinician, TV show host, and Road to the Horse Wildcard for 2013/14

 

“I really like mine and always have it on me and my horses in case we part ways on a ride. Great idea for those of us who ride alone.”  Phyllis McLarney – ACTHA and Ride Alert Member and fan of Kerry Kuhn.

About Ride-Alert

Ride Alert, is a US based partner of the AlertID Group who have been providing identification support services in the UK for over 15 years. Ride Alert provides a simple online means to identify you and your horse and to record your medical and emergency contact details for later use by anyone who may need them in the event of an accident or illness. Ride-Alert has been developed to provide peace of mind for riders and their families. As well as providing visible identification products for riders, horses and property, there is also the added comfort of having a 24/7 Emergency Support Team on call and ready to assist in any emergency situation.

 

When you register with Ride-Alert you will be asked to fill in a detailed profile about yourself, which can include your contact, next of kin and medical information as well as a crisis plan to be carried out in emergencies. This information can be accessed by the Emergency Support Team through a unique ID number on your Ride-Alert products and relayed to the emergency services if necessary. This information could prove vital if you are involved in an accident, especially if you have any medical conditions or allergies to any medication. You can also include information about your horses, your barn or boarding location, contact details and who should be informed if your horse is found, as well as valuable property which can be identified by using our Helmet & Property Gel Badges.

 

For more information take a look at our website ridealert.us and follow us on Facebook at ridealert247

WELLINGTON, FL-May 22, 2013—After being sidelined for two weeks with a rib injury, Nic Roldan returned to the playing field for the opening round of The Memorial by Piaget at Grand Champions Polo Club.

 

The eight-goaler from Wellington scored a game-high ten goals to lead Longfield to a 12-10 come-from-behind victory over Palm House on Wednesday in the tournament’s first single-elimination game.

 

 

Longfield advances into Friday’s semifinal round against Inner-Continental, which received a bye in the opening round, at 5:30 p.m. Palm House will play in the subsidiary on Sunday.

 

On Thursday, Audi Polo Team plays ELG at 3:30 p.m. in the other opening round game.

 

Still not at full speed after fracturing two ribs ten days ago, Roldan played well enough to spark Longfield’s rally late in the fourth chukker overcoming a three-goal deficit to go ahead 8-7 at the end of the chukker.

 

 

“We missed a lot of goals in the beginning,” Roldan said. “But I knew at some point we would come back. We just played it patiently, listened to each other and did what needed to be done.”

 

Roldan and Longfield teammates Hannah Buchan, 14-year-old Matias Gonzalez, substituting for Marc Ganzi and Tommy Collingwood, substituting for Carlitos Gracida, rallied again in the fifth chukker when Tommy Biddle’s goal tied the game at 8-8. Roldan scored again to regain the lead (9-8) at the end of the fifth chukker.

 

Roldan worked his scoring magic again early in the sixth chukker scoring back-to-back goals for an 11-8 lead with 5:05 and never relinquished the lead.

 

It was Roldan’s first time back on a horse after his rib injury.

 

“I have been taking all the right precautions and doing my physio twice a day,” Roldan said. “This is the first time I’ve rode in ten days. I was a little cautious and little skeptical how I would feel, but I feel fine.”

 

“I just wanted to stay as cool as possible,” Roldan said. “I didn’t want to force it, sort of do my thing and try to let my teammates play more and me sit in the back.”

 

 

Biddle robbed Gonzalez of his first goal in his Grand Champions spring debut after the Polo Park Middle School eighth grader had a nice breakaway run after the throw-in working both sides of the horse. Biddle just cleared the goal attempt away from the goal line.

 

Earlier in the game in the second chukker, Gonzalez had a scoring opportunity after a nice run but hit the goal post.

 

“This was a lot of fun playing with Nic Roldan, one of the best players,” said Gonzalez, who also plans to compete in Monday’s juniors tournament at Grand Champions. Gonzalez has been rated at 2 goals beginning June 1st.

 

“When I was with the kids I was at the back teaching them,” Gonzalez said. “These players I am playing with today are teaching me. It’s great to play with amazing horses and players. I learn a little bit more every game.”

 

Collingwood scored Longfield’s two other goals, including one off a rebound when Roldan hit the goal post late in the fourth chukker. Collingwood followed up with a shot that also hit the goal post but bounced in.

 

 

Palm House (Tommy Biddle, Joey Casey, Carlos Diaz, Glenn Straub) was led in scoring by Biddle with eight goals. Straub and Diaz each had one goal.

 

Palm House jumped out to 5-2 lead early in the third chukker but was unable to shut Roldan down.

 

“It was great to play with two young players like Matias and Tommy, I loved it, it was amazing,” said Roldan, who won the U.S. Open at age 15. “It’s great to see them progressing day-by-day. They are really good players.”

 

 

Six 12-goal rated teams are competing in the spring season-ending four-day tournament that continues on Thursday.

 

The games are free and open to the public.

 

Tournament team lineups are:

 

Audi Polo Team, 12, Grant Ganzi, Wes Finlayson, Lucas Lalor, JJ Celis.

 

ELG, 12, Avery Chapman, Martin Estrada, Juancito Bollini, Kris Kampsen.

 

Palm House, 12, Glenn Straub, Joey Casey, Tommy Biddle, Carlos Diaz.

 

Longfield, 12, Hannah Buchan, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Carlitos Gracida.

 

YP.Com, 12, Melissa Ganzi, David Krantz, Juan Bollini, Mike Azzaro.

 

Inner-Continental, 12, Gene Goldstein, Alejandro Poma, Brandon Phillips, Carlucho Arellano.

 

The 2013 season has been Grand Champions most competitive with four different champions emerging: ELG/Psycho Bunny (Palm City Open), Power Horse (Polo Gear Invitational), Audi (USPA Spring Challenge and Eastern Challenge) and Pony Express (USPA Sun Cup).

 

GRAND CHAMPIONS SPRING SCHEDULE

May 22-27: The Memorial by Piaget

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.

 

INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.

 

 

Due to popular demand the Mid-Atlantic Equitation Festival, November 16-17, 2013 will be adding a new 2’6” Pre-Children’s /Adult division on Saturday with their Finals on Sunday for riders that have shown in Zones 2 & 3.

Another new addition is a $100 cash award for the high scoring Thoroughbred Horse sponsored by the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Awards program. Be sure to register your Thoroughbred horse at their website and receive a T.I.P. number to be eligible. A beautiful bronze perpetual trophy for this award will commemorate your horse’s achievement.

Returning will be the popular team awards, collegiate rider award, as well as the $1000 scholarship competition. To be eligible for the scholarship you must register and submit your entry prior to the horse show. For further information visit the website at www.midatlanticeq.com. Friend us on Facebook to keep up with the latest news.

Nicholasville, KY — Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship has been selected as one of 26 trainers from across the US to participate in the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. The makeover begins shortly and will concluded October 5-6, 2013 at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, with a symposium demonstrating the ex-racehorse’s new abilities.  The Thoroughbred that James selects must have a race record and no secondary career training.

 

“This will be a unique opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of our training program to the Thoroughbred community as well as the potential that Off The Track Thoroughbreds possess in secondary careers,” stated James.

 

James is no stranger to work with Thoroughbreds both headed to the track and coming off the track, he has assisted Taylor Made Sales Agency in educating horses in preparation for sales at Keeneland as well as successfully working with a number of ex-racehorses whose owners have sought his assistance.

 

James and his Thoroughbred’s progress can be followed both on the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s website as well as the Double Dan Horsemanship’s Facebook page and website.

 

Dan James, an Australian native, is the Road to the Horse International 2012 Colt Starting World Champion and 2013 competitor. James travels the US with the Double Dan American Performing Horse Team, sharing and educating others in Double Dan Horsemanship’s unique Pathway to Horsemanship training program.

 

About Double Dan Horsemanship

Since their debut as “The Dan and Dan Show” in 2008, Double Dan Horsemanship is quickly becoming a household name in the equine industry.  The duo have been noted for performing at every major Royal show in Australia and many large equine events in the United States, earning championships at the “Way of the Horse” at Equitana Asia Pacific in 2008, Road to the Horse International 2012 and the Mane Event 2012 Trainer’s Challenge.  They have been crowd favorites in the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games, Australia’s Got Talent, Australian National Cutting Horse Futurities, Equine Affaire and many others. As one of the hottest-selling equine acts in the industry, they continue to expand their horizons.

 

Dan James and Dan Steers have spent their time traveling the world sharing their unique brand of horsemanship and inspiring horse owners.  Double Dan has teamed up with Taylor Made Farms in Lexington, Kentucky to invite riders of any skill level to push the boundaries of horsemanship. Dan and Dan instruct horsemanship clinics and produce training tools to simplify the training process.  Learn more about Double Dan Horsemanship at www.doubledanhorsemanship.com.

 

For more information about Retired Racehorse Training Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover please visit  http://www.retiredracehorsetraining.org/

 

 

Gordonsville, VA (May 23, 2013) – Biostar EQ and Tigger Montague will be hosting “Biotechnology in the Barn? Everything You Wanted to Know About Genetically Modified Organisms But Were Afraid To Ask,” a free webinar open to the public. The event will take place on Thursday, May 30th, at 8PM EST. Tigger will be discussing and answering questions related to what is a genetically modified organism, environmental and health concerns, biotechnology in our food, relevant scientific studies and what this all means in relation to our horses. Signup is not mandatory, and all details for the event can be found on Biostar EQ’s website. Questions will be taken during the event, but those submitted prior to the event would be most welcome. Please submit questions and any other inquiries to kat@biostareq.com.

 

Tigger Montague will be leading the discussion on GMO’s. Her background is extensive in nutrition including thirty years in the human and equine supplement industry, and a focus on Ayurvedic Medicine.   “Feeding horses doesn’t have to be difficult,” said Tigger. “My goal is to help break down the barriers of confusing labels and feeding programs so that individuals can provide better health to themselves and their horses. Not to mention, improved performance in the show ring.”

 

About Biostar EQ: Whole Food Supplements For Best in Class Health and Performance

Biostar EQ holds the belief that non-synthetically derived ingredients, aka whole food has positive effects on health and wellness. They support the whole food and organic food movement, and strive to bring products to horses and dogs alike who don’t have a lot of alternative options in terms of what they are being fed. Biostar EQ uses a unique system that dehydrates food into tasty bars that provide a tremendous amount of nutrients and vital food factors. Using this unique process, Biostar EQ dries their formulas at an extremely low heat, allowing for the nutrient levels to be as close as possible to eating the real thing. Taking this step into a brand new market with profound results that are organic, GMO (genetically modified) free, coal tar derivative free, petrochemical free and absent of artificial sweeteners and synthetic ingredients, Biostar EQ leads the way into natures best formulas. For more information on Biostar EQ, visit their website, or can also connect with them on Facebook.

Every year, hundreds of horsemen and women from around the world gather in Pagosa Springs, CO for the annual Parelli Summit. This exclusive members-only three-day event is an experience unlike any other: an intimate, educational and exciting celebration of horsemanship. The 2013 Parelli Summit will continue that tradition while also introducing a new show format designed to illustrate the incredible changes a horse can achieve in just three sessions with the Parelli program.

 

This year’s Summit presenters – Pat and Linda Parelli, Kalley Krickeberg and Nate Bowers – will cover all ends of the spectrum, from the Four Savvys to problem solving, from pre-saddle training to driving.

 

Pat Parelli’s ability to quickly and accurately identify issues in a horse & human partnership and develop positive behavior has been his forte for decades. Rather than simply “fixing” the horse, Pat chooses to empower the human, instructing and encouraging positive changes in their leadership and communication skills. Throughout the Summit, Pat will work with a horse & human pair and guide them through the steps they need to take in order to increase their communication skills and truly become partners. Additionally, Pat will be featured in two afternoon sessions on the four Parelli Savvys: On Line, FreeStyle, Liberty and Finesse.  If you want to see a master horseman at the top of his game, these sessions are a can’t-miss!

 

Throughout her years of training with dressage master Walter Zettl, Linda Parelli has gained an understanding of what it takes to convince a horse to not only accept bit contact, but to actually seek it out. She took this newfound knowledge, applied her innate ability to explain complex concepts in a user-friendly way, and ended up revolutionizing the way we think of bit contact. Her Game of Contact courses and DVDs employ a clear, step-by-step format that effortlessly translates to the arena, and that’s exactly what she’ll share throughout the weekend. Over the course of three sessions, Linda will guide a horse and student through the four progressive stages of the Game of Contact – all the while ensuring that each attendee learns just as much as the horse and student in the arena! In a special evening session, Linda will be joined by Dr. Patrick Handley – with whom she created the renowned Parelli Humanality Report – to help you understand Humanality and apply it in your own life!

 

Master young horse developer Kalley Krickeberg has quickly become a star in the horse industry, with her own series of educational DVDs, a clothing line, horsemanship equipment and more! Over the course of her multi-session Pre-Saddle Training marathon, Kalley will guide a young horse through part one of her colt starting program, which helps develop the necessary skills and physical aptitude a young horse needs for a lifetime of active and progressive horsemanship.

 

Nate Bowers, of Bowers Natural Driving, has made a name for himself by combining his love of driving with a passion for Parelli principles. His Nate Bowers Driving DVD series has only increased his popularity, and his wry humor and sharp eye for detail has made him a magnetic and engaging presenter. Throughout the weekend, Nate will lead a horse and student pair through his intuitive driving program. These sessions will illustrate that the art of driving does, in fact, apply to horsemanship as a whole.

 

Interspersed with these in-depth educational sessions will be exciting spotlights from Parelli Professionals and students from around the country. Featuring horses and students in their element – demonstrating what they’ve learned from Parelli and how they’ve applied it to their own horsemanship interests – these spotlights are sure to inspire everyone in attendance!

 

Of course, the 2013 Parelli Summit will feature much more than horsemanship. Laid out across the beautiful Parelli Colorado campus, the Summit will include countless opportunities for networking, shopping and dining with additional learning opportunities from Parelli sponsors. As usual, we will have a select number of Parelli horses on site and available for viewing and purchase.

 

Check out a detailed schedule of events at www.parelli.com. If you’re not currently a Parelli Savvy Club member, but would like to attend the 2013 Performance Summit, sign up for a FREE 30-day trial membership at www.parelliconnect.com or by calling 855-PARELLI.

 

About Parelli

Parelli Natural Horsemanship’s goal is to help raise the level of horsemanship worldwide for the benefit of horses and the people who love them. By practicing the Parelli program to gain an understanding of equine psychology and effective communication skills, horsemen of all disciplines and skill levels are able to build solid, reliable foundations with their horses. From recreational trail riders to Olympic-level dressage riders, hundreds of thousands of horse owners around the world use the Parelli method and the results speak for themselves. Founded by Pat and Linda Parelli, Parelli Natural Horsemanship is now the world’s most popular horsemanship education program, with campuses in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia and students in dozens of additional countries. For more information about Parelli Natural Horsemanship, including educational videos, articles, training tools, horsemanship diaries and more, visit the Parelli membership site www.parelliconnect.com and sign up for a FREE 30-day trial.

New Exhibitors’ Lounge Offers Cool Respite

 

This year, exhibitors’ will have even more reason to love coming to Devon; the McDevitt Exhibitors’ Lounge located under the East 3 Grandstand. Anyone displaying an exhibitors’ wrist band is welcome to grab a light snack, a cool drink and enjoy some down time in the A/C!

 

The lounge will offer coffee, decaf, OJ, water and hot and iced tea. Herr’s has donated literally thousands of single serving snack bags. There will also be tasty tidbits like donuts, fruit, cookies and brownies and chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate! Several local restaurants are also donating some specialty nibbles on several of the eleven days of Devon.

 

Amenities of the lounge include not only A/C, but WiFi, a message center, charging stations and closed circuit TVs that will allow exhibitors to keep an eye on the ring while unwinding. The exhibitors’ lounge we be open any time there is a class in the ring. When there is a break in the class schedule, the lounge will be closed for restocking and refreshing.

 

“This new exhibitors’ lounge is such an important improvement for Devon,” notes committee Chairman, Sarah Lange. “Devon prides itself on being a multi-breed show, so it’s really wonderful to have a place where exhibitors from the different disciplines can gather, exchange ideas, and really cross-educate each other.”

 

Lange also noted that the lounge is possible through the support of many people and organizations. Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Chairman and President, Wade L. McDevitt has underwritten the construction cost of the exhibitors’ lounge. An additional $20,000 was raised through sponsorship and another $10,000 worth of in-kind product and services was donated. Several non-profits are offering their support by staffing the lounge for full day, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. shifts, including Chester County SPCA, Sebastian Riding Club, West Chester University Riding Team, Thorncroft, Agnes Irwin School Equestrian Club, Easter PA United States Pony Club and Quest Therapeutic Services.

 

Phillie Phanatic Coming to Devon!

 

Guess who’s joining our Memorial Day barbecue (complete with 17′ smoker, by the way)? The Phillie Phanatic will make his first ever appearance at Devon on Memorial Day from 3 – 4 p.m. That’s right, all the madness and mayhem that the greatest mascot ever is known for, right here at Devon. Hold on to your hats folks, you never know what this guy will do!

 

Live Music to Celebrate Opening Day

By Caroline Goldstein

 

Opening Day is right around the corner, and what better way to ring in the beginning of Devon than with live music? Doug Hill, a singer-songwriter and guitar player, will be performing from 5 to 7 p.m. and Concrete Charlie Band will be performing from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 on the “Sycamore Stage” in the Picnic Grove. The Garden Café menu for the evening will feature “Philly Food” with items such as cheesesteaks, snapper soup, Italian market inspired fare and Philly brewed beer.

 

This is the first year there has been live music on Opening Day. With the Thursday night classes ending early, the music will be a great addition to the day’s events. “Devon is a nice venue for music, and the riders enjoy the music too,” said Larry Schwartz, a Chairman on multiple committees.

 

Concrete Charlie Band, which Schwartz describes as a mix of dance, pop, rock and country, performed at last year’s Devon Fall Classic. Their performance, along with others during the Fall Classic, was such a success that the idea came to incorporate more live music at Devon. “We are trying to build up the music scene at Devon across the board,” Schwartz said. In addition to the music on Opening Day, singer/songwriter Kirsten Sowers and the Bach to Rock band will be performing on Children’s Day, Sunday, June 2.

 

For the 21 and over crowd, Clydesdale Corner, under the East 3 Grandstand will offer live music every night from 7-10 p.m. Featured acts include Doug Hill, John Holt and Hey Fever, Cosmo Iacavazzi, Jeff Byrne, Tim Williams and many other musicians. There will also be an open mic on Memorial Day beginning at noon. The event is open to singers, guitar players or piano players. “We will have all the equipment there, so practice up and show up,” Schwartz said.

 

Getting Ready – Behind the Scenes

 

With less than a week until opening day, we thought we’d give you a peek at what’s happening in the Fair on this gorgeous Devon day…