Nona Garson, Melissa Burns, and Mary Crane celebrate Melissa’s birthday

Catching up: Horse show manager, jump crew supervisor, ingate starter and course designer, George Heston is a music lover.  Ask him about his recent six day Caribbean Jam Cruise.

Please help! Eric Caleca, the highly respected Brighton pony breeder and judge, has hit hard times and needs your help.  After suffering a stroke over a year ago, Eric has been taking care of his nine ponies single-handedly, with the use of only one arm and very little money. Your generosity means the world to Eric - we’ve been told that your kindness brings him to tears every time he goes to the post office and finds checks in the mail. He has given the horse world so much, and your support is appreciated beyond words. To help, please contact at Eric Caleca, P.O. Box 605, Andover, New Jersey, 07821, and his phone number is 862-268-0013.

Those Irish lads. Michael Kearins and his brother Nile seem to be having a hard time driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. We heard the report that Nile ran into a “few” cars leaving The Players Club  . . .  and it went downhill from there. Then, according to The Palm Beach Post,  Michael was arrested after three people were injured when he plowed into a patrol car that was parked while the officer was assisting a driver in a disabled vehicle. Lads, you’ve gotta get a handle on driving on this side of the pond!

In the news lately is Lisa Hunter and Lisa Jo Hunter, both combos of her real name, Lisa Druck, and her newer name, Rielle Hunter.  most of us remember Lisa as the owner/rider of the wonderful conformation hunter, Henry the Hawk. And yes, Senator John Edwards has ‘fessed up and admits he is the father of her child.

Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta’s Rescue 2010 calendars are in. Please make a $25 donation in exchange for a calendar and support a wonderful cause. If you don’t know what they do, they rescue dogs, lots of them! The calendars make great gifts for family, friends and coworkers. Check out www.dannyandronsrescue.com.

Jane and Andy Ebelhare checked in with us recently from Ft. Collins, Colorado and say life is good. It was nice to know that they are both happy and healthy.

We ran into Josey Kocher the other day at his laundry business on the WEF grounds. Stop by and say hello, and drop off those grimy saddle pads.

In January Madonna bought Kelly Klein’s old stable in the Hamptons for a cool $9.6mil. Here’s to her for promising to keep the 30-acre facility a working equestrian stable.

Jennifer Alfano says they a nice crop of new horses making their debut at Ocala in February. You can bet that the SBS will have some big winners in the group, as they can really pick a nice horse. Good luck guys.

Kristin Maslack is back to Vermont and is working on becoming an amateur some day again.  Best of luck to her.

Bridlewood Farm trainer John Abbott was surprised to see framed portraits of Chris Powers, Gina Salatino, and other Aiken riders in the stables at Spring Island resort near Beaufort, SC. Barn manager Melanie explained that she regularly brings her clients to hunt in Aiken.  Small world!

Horse Show News: We hear the Queen City Classic is returning bigger and better for 2010!   The staff is quite     excited about presenting The Spring Fling “AA” show in Camden, SC on April 7-11.  The South Carolina Equine Park has been completely renovated and is going to be a wonderful venue for this show.  This year’s event will offer a $25,000 Grand Prix,  $10,000 USHJA Hunter Derby and a $5000 Welcome Stakes- with new classes being added over the next few months.  The Derby is being sponsored by the The Tack Room in Camden and Queen City is thrilled to have them on board!  For more info, go to www.queencityclassic.com.

Guys, the Denver Stock Show has the right formula.  While the jumping wasn’t of the highest caliber, the 5,000 seat stadium was a complete sell out.  Standing room only!  Mason Phelps says he had the pleasure of watching the $40,000 Jack Daniel Grand Prix on Monday night.

There is buzz everywhere about the Pfizer Million Grand Prix in September. Look for Kent Farrington, Jimmy Torano, Emil Spadone, John Brennan and McLain Ward to be riding in the jumper ring. They all say they plan on getting to Ocala for a few Sunday grand prixs to meet the qualifying procedures. FYI – You have to compete in eight HITS’ grand prix to get on the qualifying list.

California News: We hear that the Northern Winter Classic in Sacramento is tempting a lot of folks out of their Thermal entries this year. Pebble Beach Equestrian Center scion Tim Postel is behind this relatively new venture, and so far he’s knocking it out of the park!

San Diego native Emily Wright moved up north at the beginning of the year to take on the role of assistant to trainer and regular face in the grand prix rings, Patrick Seaton. We wish them both the best of success on the circuit this year.

Speaking of new faces, when long time assistant Wendy Subotich moved back to Connecticut after ten faithful years as New Zealander Peter Breakwell’s assistant, second in command trainer Rueben ArcE9 capably stepped up to the plate and has been helping Peter develop his two locations in Menlo Park.

Congratulations to a group of young riders who were featured on KXTV Channel 10 in Sacramento on January 29 about riding and how it affects their lives. Trevor Smith (Burgundy Farms), Ian McFarlane (Windfall Farm) and Payton Warren (Leone Equestrians) are all future ambassadors of our sport!

Did you know that Will Simpson brought over 13 horses to WEF this season? His goal was the WEG trials and man if he’s not on a mission to get to Kentucky this fall.

September is going to be busy, for sure. The First Annual Boston Jumper Classic will be at the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts Thursday September 9, through Sunday, September 12, 2010.  Founder and Chairman Don Little, has worked tirelessly to draw world-class show jumping to the area.

The Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic will be held Sunday, September 19th, at Silver Oak Equestrian Center in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.

Michael Morrissey tells us that there will definitely be a Tampa Equestrian Festival again this year, so no worries!

On the Move: The Savannah College of Art and Design has just started a marvelous new Equestrian Studies program and Sara Hufstader has taken over the “reins” as Professor of Equestrian Studies, and is now actively accepting horse donations for the program.  Check out their new, lovely facilities on their website  www.scad.edu.

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