What's Happenin'

Sophie and Katherine, the sisters who own Georgetown Cupcake, have a huge order from the Washington International Horse Show to make a full-sized horse jump out of cupcakes. Horses jumping over cupcakes? Why yes! The country’s leading indoor metropolitan horse show is just a few blocks away from Sophie and Katherine’s Georgetown Cupcake shop. A special jump made from the now famous sweets was a surprise addition to an exciting evening of world-class show jumping competition. Tune in on Monday, January 16, to see if any of the horses, riders or fans got to eat one!

At the same time, the sisters attempt to break the world record for largest cupcake. With the help of Mommy and Sophie’s nuclear engineer husband Steve, they set out to bake a one ton cupcake, first finding an oven huge enough for all 2000 pounds of homemade batter, and then baking it to perfection.

Both projects push the sisters, Mommy and Steve to their limits as they challenge themselves to go big or go home.

Horses jumping over cupcakes? How delicious! Tune in this coming Monday night to see if any of the horses, riders or fans got to eat one!

Follow WIHS on Twitter for the latest news about the show and join the LIVE TWEET of DC CUPCAKES on Monday night for more photos and insider information about cupcakes, WIHS and the riders.

DC CUPCAKES shares the recipe to Sophie and Katherine’s sweet success, following their journey as they navigate the challenges and rewards of building a booming cupcake business. Each half-hour episode goes beyond the frosting to capture the behind-the-scenes drama in their fast paced, family-owned bakery. From baking and decorating thousands of gourmet cupcakes a day, to meeting tight deadlines for discerning clientele, to securing large projects such as fundraisers, festivals and weddings, there is never a dull moment with this sister duo. Mixing in their Mother (“Mommy”) — who plays a big part in running the family business — adds to the chaos and family drama.  The other staff members are as colorful as their cupcake creations–their small workspace, sprinkled with the high volume of business, leads to family bickering and staff tension that has more icing flying through the air than on the cupcakes.

> Learn more about DC CUPCAKES

> Learn more about Washington International Horse Show 

Wellington, FL- January 6, 2012- Organizers of the World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group have been informed that the stallion Totilas and his rider Matthias Rath of Germany will be unable to attend the WDM Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, which is set to take place January 26th to 28th.

“I received a call this morning from Paul Schockemöhle, one of the owners of Totilas,” said WDM Palm Beach organizer Noreen O’Sullivan of Wellington Classic Dressage. “I am very sorry to announce that Totilas will not be able to compete in this year’s World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. The owners feel the horse has just returned to light work after an injury and would not be ready for this event. We have already invited Totilas and Matthias to our 2013 WDM event. The owners and Matthias were very disappointed they would not be able to attend this year’s WDM Palm Beach but also said they look forward to accepting our invitation for next year if the horse is going well.”

Totilas, the current world record holder in the Grand Prix Freestyle and the only horse to score over 90%, is also the reigning World Champion under his previous rider, Edward Gal of the Netherlands. Rath was partnered with the 12 year old KWPN stallion in late 2010 after Totilas was purchased by renowned Olympic show jumper and breeder Paul Schockemöhle, in co-ownership with Olympic dressage rider Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff, who is Rath’s stepmother. Rath was forced to withdraw from the CDI-W Frankfurt in December 2011 after Totilas suffered a minor injury.

“Totilas twisted a joint in his leg a few weeks ago, just two days before the Frankfurt show,” Schockemöhle explained. “The horse was lame and was treated by the vet, but still lame after four weeks. The vet asked that the horse be walked again for ten days during Christmas, and is just starting back in light work. We really feel the time is too short for the horse to be in top form for the Masters. Our main focus is for the horse, and this is very important.”

Schockemöhle also pointed out that with 2012 being an Olympic year, giving Totilas the full time needed to recover is even more critically important. “We are very sorry that Totilas will not be able to compete at the Palm Beach Masters.”

“It is very unfortunate that Totilas will not be joining us in Palm Beach, but the welfare of the horse must prevail,” says WDM Managing Director John van de Laar.  “We have a special relationship with the Linsenhoff Rath Family and we wish to see Totilas in top form soon.  We are glad that Totilas will return for 2013. We also have some big news to be announced before the WDM Palm Beach regarding a special qualifier for the U 21 Grand Prix, for riders under age 21.”

The withdrawal of Totilas from the WDM Palm Beach will not affect the calibre of competition or entertainment value of this spectacular not-be-missed dressage event of the Florida season. The World Dressage Masters is the world’s richest and most prestigious dressage series; since its inception it has drawn the best of the best to its four annual competitions. The WDM Palm Beach is the only WDM competition to take place outside of Europe. Many of Europe’s best dressage horses and riders will join an impressive line up of North American pairs to vie for €100,000 (US $130,000) in prize money at the 2012 WDM Palm Beach, including defending WDM Palm Beach champions Steffen Peters and Ravel.

Peters, who is the only American to win the World Cup Dressage Final on North American soil, will face a strong rival in Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, members of the team that won a historic first gold medal for Britain at the 2011 European Dressage Championships. At the European Championships, Dujardin announced her arrival on the world stage in the Grand Prix by finishing fourth, just half a percentage point behind third placed Totilas. This will be Dujardin’s and Valegro’s first appearance in North American dressage competition. They will arrive in Florida hot off a victory at the CDI-W London in December, where they won the Grand Prix, beating the individual silver medalists from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris of Great Britain. Valegro, at only ten years of age, is already considered by many to be the next star of international dressage.

In light of Totilas’ withdrawal from the 2012 WDM Palm Beach, WDM’s organizers are already working quickly to replace him. “We are working hard on another top Athlete/Horse combination that we feel the dedicated US fans will appreciate,” said van de Laar, who has invited Dujardin’s European Championship team mate and mentor Carl Hester, who also won individual silver at the 2011 European Championships.

“We are in talks with Carl, who has expressed a keen interest in attending the WDM Palm Beach,” said O’Sullivan. “We are hoping to confirm his participation on this short notice.” The current number one ranked rider on the Nürnberger WDM Rider Rankings, Germany’s Anja Plönzke, has already confirmed that she and Le Mont D’Or will return to the WDM Palm Beach for the third consecutive year.

Press Release Courtesy of Phelps Media Group

Paige Johnson named event chairperson

[Wellington, Fl] With philanthropist and equestrian, Paige Johnson, as event chairperson, the 2^nd annualJump for HomeSafe will be entertaining hundreds of people Saturday, January 28, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during the Winter Equestrian Festival’s Nepresso $55,000 Battle of the Sexes.  Proceeds of the event will support HomeSafe, a non-profit organization helping victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Each year HomeSafe serves more than fifteen-thousand infants, children and families in Palm Beach County and South Florida.

Jump for HomeSafe is a fun, energetic cocktail party taking place inside the newly expanded Wellington Tent at the PBIEC.  Attendees will enjoy a three-hour cocktail party, including hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent auction, entertainment, special guests, reserved outdoor seating to watch Battle of the Sexes, and horseless jump competitions (with awards) for children.

“I am honored to host this charity event for HomeSafe, and hope to bring awareness to as many people as possible about the overwhelming presence of child abuse and domestic violence in this country,” said Paige Johnson, chairperson for Jump for HomeSafe. 

“We’re truly ecstatic to have Paige Johnson as the chairperson of HomeSafe’s charity equestrian event,” said Matthew Ladika, CEO of HomeSafe. “Paige is a positive role model for aspiring young women, and is genuinely concerned and committed to helping victims of domestic violence and child abuse in Palm Beach County and South Florida.  We’re proud to have Paige partner with HomeSafe to help abused kids and battered women.”

Paige Johnson is a philanthropist and avid equestrian, competing year-round in national and international horse shows at the grand prix level. Johnson began competing at the young age of seven, and has possesses a love and passion for animals ever since. She recently became an Ambassador for the ASPCA, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare and safety of animals.Some of Johnson’s career highlights include multiple wins across the globe, from the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, to the Vaalkenswaard Horse Show in the Netherlands.  Johnson is proud to support and serve as event chairperson for Jump for HomeSafe, an equestrian fundraiser at PBIEC. 

Since 1979, HomeSafe is a nationally accredited non-profit organization protecting Palm Beach County’s and South Florida’s most vulnerable residents – victims of child abuse and domestic violence.  Through its results-driven approach, HomeSafe has grown into a leading provider of prevention and intervention services, serving over fifteen thousand infants, children and families each year. Today, HomeSafe offers comprehensive programs including: LifeSkills, helping at-risk youth prepare to become self-sufficient at 18, and well into the future; Residential Group Care, providing abused children with comprehensive therapeutic services to treat severe trauma; SafetyNet, providing immediate intervention and prevention services to victims of domestic violence and their children; and Healthy Beginnings (funded by Children Services Council of Palm Beach County) helping identify and prevent child abuse and neglect, promoting healthy births, and ensuring children are ready and eager to learn by kindergarten. Learn more about HomeSafe at www.HelpHomeSafe.org.

Sponsorship and tickets can be purchased at www.HelpHomeSafe.org or emailing MeghanMayo@HelpHomeSafe.org or 561-383-9809.

[December 27, 2011] Equine Canada and Dressage Canada are taking an industry-wide leadership role by requiring all dressage riders to wear helmets in competition. Commencing in 2012, a national rule change will require all riders to wear helmets for all levels of Equine Canada sanctioned dressage competition.  The rule for January 1, 2012 is

SAFETY HEADGEAR
All riders, regardless of age or level or competition, must wear ASTM/SEI or BSI/BS EN approved protective headgear at all times when mounted at any EC-sanctioned Dressage competition at the event location.

“I am very proud of our Dressage Committee for taking this step,” said Equine Canada president Michael Gallagher. “I believe we are the first national federation in the world to introduce this rule across all levels, and I can guarantee we will not be the last.”

This change for 2012 is a modification to the rule that was put in place in May 2011 where all riders competing in Fourth Level and below, FEI Young Horse Tests, Material and equitation classes at Bronze, Silver and Gold shows had to wear helmets. This rule also included non-competing riders as well.

“Helmet use is an important step and component in the safety for all our members,” said John Harris, chair of Equine Canada Board’s Task Force on Safety. “In 2012 Equine Canada will launch a safety audit across the entire organization to examine and identify best practices for safety. The well-being of our members needs to always be the primary concern of the organization.”

“I am thrilled that Canada is promoting the use of helmets,” said Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer, who routinely wears helmets during competition. “Helmets prevent head injuries, and I feel a rule that promotes the safety of its riders is a great rule.”

“Riders4Helmets is delighted that Equine Canada is demonstrating that riders safety comes before tradition by implementing helmet rule changes in dressage shows at all level,” said Lyndsey White, co-founder www.riders4helmets.com. “Courtney King-Dye’s accident showed that safety has nothing to do with level of skill. Any rider can suffer a traumatic brain injury—even an Olympian. Equine Canada should be congratulated on taking this monumental step.”

Most of the feedback received by the Dressage Canada Rules Committee on the subject of helmet safety was in favour of riders wearing approved helmets in competition. This rule change came after an open, democratic process, in which all Canadian dressage riders had a chance to express their views to the proposal.

For the complete Equine Canada Dressage rules for 2012, please visit the rules section of the Equine Canada website at http://bit.ly/sr00gv.

Press release courtesy of Equine Canada

Lexington, KY - Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 came in second in Sunday’s B Final in the Freestyle, representing the U.S. at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Frankfurt, Germany.

Leibler (Greenwich, CT) scored 68.700 on the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding, just behind Simona Aeberhard, representing Switzerland.

Leibler and Watson 108 were invited to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Y’s during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.

The FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final was held in conjunction with the Internationales Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt December 14-18 in Frankfurt, Germany. Fourteen horse-and-rider combinations from around the world competed.

Leibler placed 10th in Friday’s Individual Test, allowing her to move on to Sunday’s B Final.

For the complete results, visit: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/648/docs/erg21.pdf.

Keep up with Leibler’s preparation and performance at the 2011 FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final regularly visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/blogs/equestrianUSA/read.aspx.

Lexington, KY - Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 performed flawlessly Friday while representing the U.S. at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final Grand Prix, and are moving forward to the B Final on Sunday in the Freestyle.

“We were mistake free and I finished the first day very proud of myself and of Watson for staying focused throughout the exciting distractions,” Leibler said. “The competition has been absolutely amazing so far. It is like nothing I have ever seen before: big, bright, and electric.”

Leibler (Greenwich, CT) and the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding were invited to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Y’s during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.

The FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final is being held in conjunction with the Internationales Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt December 14-18 in Frankfurt, Germany. Fourteen horse-and-rider combinations from around the world are competing.

At Friday’s Individual Test, Leibler placed 10th.

“Everywhere you look there are people and horses all over the place. It is truly quite something,” Leibler said. “This competition has really been one of a kind with gracious hosts and generous sponsors. It is an honor and a privilege to be here, and I hope to represent the USA well in the kur on Sunday.”

For the complete results, visit: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/648/sta_erg/19_ergDEU.htm?style=escon.

Keep up with Leibler’s preparation and performance at the 2011 FEI Young Rider World Cup    Dressage Final regularly visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/blogs/equestrianUSA/read.aspx.

-USEF Communications Department

Britain’s European Dressage gold medal trio of Laura Bechtolsheimer (Mistral Hojris), Charlotte Dujardin (Valegro) and Carl Hester (Uthopia) took the top three places in the Reem Acra FEI Grand Prix freestyle at Olympia, The London International Horse Show.

It was however a close outcome: just 0.5% divided the three and all three scored over 83% making it the highest scoring World Cup qualifier of the 2011-2012 series so far. “The result was a dream come true for British dressage,” said Stephen Clarke, President of the Ground Jury. “The riders did a fantastic job and made us, the judges, work. It was difficult to separate them and with such huge scores.”

It was also an historic win for Laura and Mistral Hojris who became the first British winners of the Olympia World Cup qualifier since its inception in 2004 and the first Briton to win a World Cup qualifier freestyle since Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Dutch Gold.

The pair was impeccable throughout the beautifully timed, foot-tapping ‘Shadows’ routine. “I had such a great ride. Alf was right on the button and to win at Olympia in-front of the home crowd at the end of a season is really special,” said Laura.

Twenty-five year-old Charlotte, riding in only her second freestyle competition, was a mere 0.275% behind with the nine-year old Dutch-bred Valegro. “He was a little bit hotter tonight and there were a few mistakes but I am still getting to grips with the freestyle. But just to compete here was last year one of my dreams.”

The focus and concentration couldn’t have been more evident from Carl and the Dutch-bred stallion Uthopia. After last night’s grand prix which Carl admitted was ring rusty, tonight’s freestyle was mistake free and polished and made the most of the black stallion’s powerful and floating extensions.

“It was the best he could have done,” said Carl. “I had a great ride with such lightness and despite really wanting to beat Laura and Charlotte I really don’t think there was much more I could have done.”

For more visit www.olympiahorseshow.com

Lexington, KY – The first of six pre-Olympic Games Dressage Clinics kicked off at beautiful Epona Farm in Thousand Oaks, CA. These clinics, a joint effort by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the USET Foundation will help prepare horses and riders for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Linda and Michael Fowler were gracious hosts at Epona Farm. Nine horses (with seven riders) worked with USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and Olympian Steffens Peters. For two days the riders focused on schooling the Grand Prix and then rode a test in front of Gribbons. Gribbons is also an FEI 5* judge.

“Going into 2012 it was useful for the riders to practice the new Olympic Grand Prix Special test,” said Jenny Van Wieren-Page USEF Director of Dressage, High Performance. “Another important aspect of these clinics is planning the 2012 competition and training schedules with Anne.”

The following riders and horses were in attendance:

Jan Ebeling with Rafalca and Rosenzauber 8

Adrienne Lyle with Wizard and Accolade

Marie Meyers with Fandango

Leslie Morse and Fleur Rouge

Alyssa Pitts with Jil Sander

Mette Rosencrantz with Finally

David Wightman with Partous

“The best part was doing the test,” said David Wightman. “I think for Pre-Olympic preparation that it is imperative to work on the test. This was exactly what both my horse and I needed. It was perfect to work on the weak points after the test. The team of Steffen and Anne worked very well together. Anne would say it from the judge’s point of view and Steffen gave very good tips for me as a rider. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to participating again.”

These clinics will continue with Gribbons and Peters in January in both Florida and California. The focus will be on potential team combinations.

Thanks to Epona Farm, Linda and Michael Fowler and Button Baker for making this first clinic a success.

For more information, please contact Jenny Van Wieren-Page at jvanwieren@usef.org.  

[Lexington, KY] The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce approval by its Board of Governors of a US national dressage championship beginning in 2013. This championship will be a head to head competition showcasing Adult Amateur and Open riders at Training Level through Grand Prix.

With invitations to be extended to competitors who have qualified through the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, the inaugural championship (exact name TBD) will take place in the fall of 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Lexington, KY.  The KHP was the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  It also hosts the annual Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships.

According to USDF President George Williams, the first formal discussions within the USDF, regarding a US national championship, started almost 20 years ago.  Williams also states, “This is indeed an exciting day for American dressage and in particular, our adult amateur competitors.”

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage.  For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org <http://www.usdf.org/>, email  usdressage@usdf.org, or call 859-971-2277.

Lexington, KY - The USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists have been revised for the upcoming 2012 season. Athlete/Horse combinations will be invited to participate in training sessions this winter with U.S. Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Capt. Mark Phillips. Preparation for and success at the 2012 Olympic Games were the Eventing Selectors and the High Performance Committee’s highest priorities in developing these lists.

 

A List

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Bruce Duchossois’ Mighty Nice

Mighty Nice is a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

 

Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) and Carriag LLC’s Manoir de Carnville

Manoir de Carnville is an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding

 

Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA) and the Neville Bardos Syndicate’s Neville Bardos

Neville Bardos is a 12-year-old Australian Thoroughbred gelding

 

Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA) and the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate’s Otis Barbotiere

Otis Barbotiere is a 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding

 

B List

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot

Harbour Pilot is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Jan Byyny (Purcellville, VA) and her own and Jo and Richard Byyny’s Inmidair

Inmidair is a 12-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding

 

Will Coleman (Gordonsville, VA) and Jim Wildasin’s Twizzel

Twizzel is a 15-year-old Westphalian gelding

 

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) and Jatial Inc.’s Ringwood Magister

Ringwood Magister is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

 

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sharon Will’s Absolute Liberty

Absolute Liberty an 8-year-old Thoroughbred x Oldenburg Mare

 

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Carl and Cassandra Segal’s BallyNoe Castle RM

BallyNoe Castle RM is an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

 

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice

The Apprentice is a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding

 

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Nina and Tim Gardner’s William Penn

William Penn is a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

 

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Team Rebecca LLC’s Ben

Ben is a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding

 

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow

Pawlow is a 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding

 

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Fernhill Gloster Rebel

Fernhill Gloster Rebel is a 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred Gelding

 

Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and Melissa and Phil Town, and Tom Holder’s Can’t Fire Me

Can’t Fire Me is a 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

 

Shannon Lilley (Gilroy, CA) and The Lilley Group’s Ballingowan Pizazz

Ballingowan Pizazz is an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

 

Marilyn Little-Meredith (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farm Inc.’s RF Rovano Rex

RF Rovano Rex is a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding

 

Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA) and Boyd Martin and Faye Woolfe’s Ying Yang Yo

Ying Yang Yo is a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

 

Clark Montgomery (Fairburn, GA) and Holly Becker, Kathryn Kraft and Jessica Montgomery’s Loughan Glen

Loughan Glen is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

 

Karen O’Connor (The Plains, VA) and The O’Connor Equestrian Syndicate’s Mr Medicott

Mr Medicott is a 12-year-old Irish Sport horse gelding

 

Julian Stiller (Thatcham, Berkshire UK) and her own and Jules Delvecchio’s Chapel Amble

Chapel Amble is a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare

 

Jolie Wentworth (Martinez, CA) and Tracy Bowman’s Good Knight

Good Knight is a 9-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding

It is anticipated that training sessions will be held in California, Florida, and South Carolina; dates will be finalized and published in December. Training sessions will be open to the public. Auditors are welcome and asked to please be respectful of lessons and the property on which they will be held.

For more information, please contact Sara Ike at sara.ike@usef.org