Congratulations to the 2012 Winners!
2012 Equestrian Cover Contest
Cover Winner
The winner of Hodges Badge Company's 2012 catalog cover contest is ten year old Emilia “Emmy” Hilgers. Mary Long took this great shot of Emmy with her adorable Welsh pony, "Sir Zachary", while photographing riders at the Riverview Pony Club Show Jumping Derby in Ventura, California.
Emmy is a D-2 member of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. "Zack" was donated to the Riverview Pony Club after going through some hard times. With the help of Dr. Ellice Ruben DVM and tender loving care, "Zack" made his way back to being a solid working pony and show ring winner. He loves nothing better than to gallop around the club’s cross country jumping field.
When she's not spending time in the saddle, Emmy is singing. Emmy's big voice recently landed her the lead role of “Annie” in the Ojai Art Center musical production. She was also invited by “legendary cowboy” Cotton Rosser to sing the National Anthem at this year’s PRCA Rodeo at the Ventura County Fair. Emmy plans to continue dividing her time between "show biz" and the "show ring."
Emmy is starting a fund for her 14 year old sister Lilly, who is aspiring to qualify for Pony Club Championships West 2012. The remainder of the prize money will help Emmy buy something special for "Zack" and donate to her Pony Club and other charities.
Honorable Mention
Eight year old Breccan, is excited after receiving his first ever rosette. He won this blue ribbon in the lead line class at Circle KD Trail Riders of Sycamore, IL. Breccan is sporting his new shirt, belt, buckle, and saddle pad purchased for this very day.Breccan Berns started his show career after watching his sister show in local western pleasure, halter, and speed classes. Breccan took an interest in riding the farm's "king" of the herd, "The Dry Peppy”. "Peppy,” whose breeding includes “Doc Bar” and “Peppy San Badger”, is a 20 year old quarter horse gelding who in his previous life was a cutting horse. Now “Peppy” spends his days teaching all four of the Berns kids to ride.
Breccan is currently taking barrel racing lessons and practicing on a fast little pony. Next year he wants to run barrels like his older sister. The Berns children are currently saving for their next horse and will be adding this prize money to their savings.
Honorable Mention
Here is “Echo Falls Alert's Quiet Riot”, NJPB&O champion for Miniature (A) Pleasure Driving and “Z&R's Riot's Peach Sparkletini” with her first ever award for junior fillies. "Riot" is a 13 year old NJ bred, miniature stallion who has competed in the Devon Horse Show Pleasure Driving Marathon and CDEs at both Lord Sterling and Gladstone. "Sparkle" is a 5 month old miniature filly by “Riot” and out of Golden Peaches.The prize money will go towards winter apparel for “Sparkle” and camera accessories for Tony. Both “Riot” and “Sparkle” are owned by Susan Haydu-Bok of Pittstown, NJ. This photograph was taken and submitted by Tony Vecchiolla.
Honorable Mention
This photograph of Jodie Kelly and her Dutch Warmblood Gelding, Manhattan, was taken after the duo captured the Grand Prix Reserve Championship in the Open Division at the 2008 USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships. 13 year old Manhattan and 24 year old Jodie started their first Grand Prix season together in 2008. The pair worked their way into the top 20 USEF Grand Prix national rankings early in 2008 and finished the year in the top 250 FEI World Dressage rankings.Jodie sums up her career with Manhattan as blood, sweat, and tears. Jodie explains, "The blood describes the first few years I had Manhattan and he bucked me off nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day. The tears cover the next several years when Manhattan had a knack for being twelve different horses in one and the frustration often brought me to tears. Now, it is simply sweat. He and I are such a team. He comes out ready to give me his all every day."
Most recently, Jodie and Manhattan were the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Regional Champions in the Open Division at the 2011 USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships.
This photograph was taken by Glenn Carpenter.
Honorable Mention
This photo shows Kaylie with her 10 year old Shetland pony Tango. Tango is a part of the family at Duchess Farm Equestrian Center, in High Falls, NY.The photo was taken and submitted by, Misha Warren, Kaylie’s mother.
Tango started out as a pony ride pony. “Our friend showed up with him on one December morning and surprised us with this little guy. It was love at first sight. Right away Kaylie took Tango by the lead and started bringing him everywhere.” Tango has been with Duchess Farm for over 5 years. He is a huge part of the family and he teaches Kaylie and other children how to ride. Kaylie and Tango both participated in camp this year. They received this ribbon at the end of riding camp.
Kaylie is putting her prize money toward her first jumping saddle and some new memory cards for mom, so they can continue to capture the moments that make Kaylie and Tango best friends.
This photo was taken by Misha Warren, Kaylie’s mother at Duchess Farm Equestrian Center in High Falls, NY.
Honorable Mention
Velvet Lighting Bar, ridden by Michaela Thomas, is pictured here after winning Reserve Champion in the English pleasure class at an invitational horse show. Michaela is going to donate fifty dollars of her prize money in memory of her show director to the Lewis County NY 4-H. The other fifty dollars is going to buy Velvet a soft winter blanket.Michaela says that she has been riding her horse Velvet for three years. “When I first got her she was not the greatest horse. I rode her every day and finally a year later she began to improve a lot and so did I. My first year showing was the summer of 2010. I competed only in local shows and fairs. We did ok that year but I wanted to do better the next year. So I decided to attend lessons once a week. The summer of 2011 was great. Velvet and I did much better. I even had the chance to go to a much bigger fair, The Delaware County Fair. I won the ribbon depicted at the invitational horse show. I got Reserve Champion for the whole day (English and Western). I will be donating fifty dollars of this prize money in memory of my show director, who just passed away in October. The rest of the money will be used to buy Velvet a new blanket for the winter. I was truly surprised when I heard the phone ring saying that I had won an honorable mention. Winning the contest is a great honor.”
Honorable Mention
MH Madams Lil Giggolo, aka "Squirt", is an 11 year old registered Hackney pony gelding owned and shown by Kimberly Zelvian of Greenville, NY.“I have owned Squirt for six years, and for the past four years he has been undefeated in the Pony In Hand division at our local open horse shows, winning many championships and awards. Last year, the World Class Miniature Horse Registry had a virtual horse show. I entered him in the Show Pony division. He won the 2010 Overall High Point Champion Show Pony division, which is the ribbon he is wearing in the photo, and went on to win Supreme World Champion Show Pony.”
"Being featured in the Hodges Badge Company catalog really means a lot, because the same day I sent in his photo, Squirt developed a severe case of colic and had to have colic surgery the next day. Thankfully, he is back home, and expected to make a full recovery. I will use the money from the contest towards his medical bills and of course his favorite treats!"
The photo was taken by Kimberly Zelvian.
Honorable Mention
Wendy Ridgecrest is a 10 year old Standardbred mare owned and shown by Robyn Cuffey, founder of Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization - Maine. Together they won Open Pleasure Driving at the SPHO Endless Summer Horse Show. Wendy Ridgecrest was a pacer at the racetrack in her past life but was given a second chance when she was acquired by Robyn to retrain as a pleasure horse. She has been turning heads ever since with her flashy trot as well as showing in dressage and open riding classes.Robyn will use the prize money to help rescue another Standardbred from the racetrack.
This photo was taken by Robyn Cuffey.
Honorable Mention
Royal Highness, better known as "Buckeye”, is a 4 yr. old registered Hanoverian mare. "Buckeye" is depicted here after earning the Grand Champion title at the MODA Sporthorse show. She was handled by Bruce Griffin and is owned by Kaye Triplett.Kaye Triplett, who owns Heartfelt Farms in Galloway, Ohio, bred and raised this wonderful mare. “Buckeye” has been shown in hand since she was 2 months old. She helped her dam become a Main studbook mare for the Hanoverian Society. In her showing career “Buckeye” has won many Grand Champion titles. She was also the 2010 East Central Filly Champion and placed in the top 10 in USDF year-end results. She will begin showing under saddle in 2012.
This photo was taken by Gayla Anderson and submitted by Kaye Triplett and Jackie Sharp. The prize money will be going towards Gayla Anderson's equine photography business.
Honorable Mention
Romeo, an 11 year old Rheinlander, is pictured with his Modified Children’s Hunter Champion rosette from HITS Ocala 2011. Romeo, also known as Leo, was ridden by 14 year old Mattie Eckerstrom and is owned by Catherine Merrill.Mattie leased Romeo for two years. They came together at a time when they both needed a lot of love, patience, compassion and understanding. They found those qualities in each other.
Romeo brought Mattie from short stirrup to the 2'6" divisions. This year they have had a lot of success at the A shows including championships in several divisions in Ocala and winning many classes. Romeo is now going on to teach another young rider the ropes while Mattie continues to grow with a new mount.
The photograph was taken by Dory Tuohey.
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