Our 2010 cover contest winner is Happy Feet, a 5 year old Westphalia gelding, pictured after winning first place, Training level in his first recognized show at the Midsummer Dressage Show in Lake Elmo, MN. Happy Feet, better known as “Howie” is owned and ridden by Amy Eitrheim of Menomonie, WI.

It had rained quite a bit that morning of the show making for a puddle-filled arena. So when “Howie” came to "X" for his first "halt, salute" he gracefully jumped the water hazard before halting and saluting, much to the delight of the audience. Even the judge commented on the test: "nice jump at X, but no extra points".
   
 “Howie” and Amy train with Andrea Feller of Silvermine Farm in Eau Claire, WI.  With her help, they are working on Second level movements, and hope to show this summer at First level, with a goal of qualifying for the Regionals.  Amy is a long-time member of her local dressage club, the West Wisconsin Dressage Association, serving on their board of directors.  She and “Howie” are members of the Westphalia Horse Association, as well as USDF and USEF.  The pair hopes to continue riding, training, and showing for many years to come.

This photo was photographed and submitted by Kay Geraghty of Mondovi, WI. 

“Winning this contest was really fun for me and the dressage riders here in WI. We are a small group but have a great time.  Some of the prize money will be used for the purchase of new camera equipment to take more pictures of my friends and the horses we love”.

 

Depicted is an Empire championship rosette won by Pat Aresco and Peptos Playgun Olena in a Versatility Ranch Horse Competition at Quarry Town Stables in Connecticut.
The purpose of the Versatility Ranch Horse Class is to demonstrate the performance, versatility, and conformation of a working ranch horse.  Pat, owner, trainer and rider of Peptos Playgun Olena, a five year old gelding, competed in five different categories - Ranch Conformation, Ranch Cutting, Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, and Working Ranch Horse to win this award. 

Peptos Playgun Olena is a fine example of the American Quarter Horse breed.  He has a kind and willing disposition, well-balanced conformation, and agile speed.  Pat has been competing with him for the past two years in Team Penning, Team Sorting, Cowboy Mounted Shooting, as well as at Ranch Horse events in the New England Region.

Taylor Trafican is pictured, shortly before her third birthday, proudly cherishing her blue Empire rosette won for English Lead Line Class. In addition to her rosette are her older brother Joseph's rosettes which were won at this same horse show.  Taylor and Joseph, age 7, both rode a 16+ hand Thoroughbred named Damascus.

“As photographers, it is always exciting to have our work recognized.  And of course, we couldn't have done it without Taylor”. This photo was submitted by Heather Shirley, Grey Horse Photography, Sacramento, CA.

Pictured with 15 year old Amanda Viscardi is Rosalie (Dusty Rose), a rescued nurse mare foal, after just winning the green horse division in a local show series.  Rosalie was rescued when she was only 6 days old. She was broke to saddle when she turned 4. Currently Rosalie is training to be a Hunter/Jumper horse. She has been doing quite well.  She is jumping 2’ 6” and shows potential of jumping higher. We hope that the story of Rosalie will encourage others to consider rescuing horses. With a little love these horses can accomplish great things! You can learn more information about rescuing nurse mare foals at www.lastchancecorral.org 

Chelsea is proudly pictured with her horse Dusty Rose, a six year old strawberry roan quarter horse.  The pair just won fourth place in Dusty Rose’s first show jumping event at the Poway Riding Center.

Dusty Rose has a sweet and lovable disposition.  When she arrived at this show her personality was anything but.  Dusty Rose had kicked out at the horse next to her, breaking the divider in the trailer, and leaving a gash in the horse.  Luckily, it was a small gash, and she was still able to compete.

Chelsea was a bit nervous to start with, but Dusty Rose surprised her with an outstanding ride even though she refused a jump.  The second ride was the same but Chelsea still rewarded Dusty Rose with great praise. The team ended up placing fourth out of four and felt that they got the prettiest rosette of all.  Chelsea stated “It really doesn't matter what placement you get, it only matters whether or not you had fun”.

The prize money will go towards the Parelli Cradle bridle which Chelsea has been saving for the past two years.

Katherine Chamblin, nine years old, smiles and sits proudly on Cloudy after winning her Preston rosette during the annual Rider's Horse Show at NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center in Bellingham, Washington. The pair made a great team during the past year, working together every week getting ready for their performance during this show.

The NWTRC is a small program in NW Washington that has provided hundreds of riding lessons to people with a wide range of disabilities since 1993.  To find out more about NWTRC visit them on-line at www.nwtrc.org.

Layne Lampley, 14 years old, is pictured with Kiva, a 5 year old Spanish Mustang owned by Greg & Teresa Galliher of Mustang Meadows in Bryan, Texas.  Layne began riding at the age of 4, but not competitively until the age of 10.  After Layne’s horse Painted Feather, became ill, she started competing on Kiva. Layne and Kiva have covered nearly 550 miles in competitions.  They have competed in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the 2009 season.  They finished the season as the 1st place Open Junior team in the Region 4 and in the nation with the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) and earned their National Championship. Layne and Kiva are happiest when riding the trails with their best friends, Jenna Galliher & Rambler.  Layne plans to use her prize money to purchase new tack for the 2010 ride season. Photo was taken by Kelly Galliher

Pictured showing off their blue Chatham rosette are Tucker and Pepito.  This miniature donkey duo won their rosette at the Whips and Wheels Carriage Festival last May at the Heritage Village in Farmington, MN.  During this event the pair pulled a miniature covered wagon made to just their size.  Tucker and Pepito strut right along with the big guys in the horse and carriage events they also participate in many parades across Minnesota.  Tucker and Pepito are owned by John and Mary Block of Johmar Farms located in Marine on St. Croix, MN.

Pictured with 14 year old Mary Lauren Shelton is Partly Cloudy, her Arabian pony. 
The duo finished the 2009 show year ranked #3 in the US! They competed in Texas and Oklahoma for Pony Jumpers and in Kentucky for the USEF Pony Finals and Arabian Sport Horse Nationals.

Glynhafan Hermione, a section B Welsh pony mare, is pictured wearing her 2008 USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champion Welsh Guernsey rosette. 2008 was Glynhafan Hermione’s first year of showing. In addition to winning the 2008 USEF HOTY Grand Champion Welsh, Hermione was also the 2008 USEF HOTY National and Zone 2 Champion for Welsh Pony Adult and Welsh Pony Adult Hunter. Glynhafan Hermione is owned and ridden by Kaitlin and Elizabeth Hofer.

Pictured showing off their Champion and Reserve Champion Best of Breed sashes are four-year old mare Windwood Buttercup and her filly foal Tulipkings California Poppy. These sashes were won at the 2009 Welsh Pony and Cob Association of California’s Mountain & Moorland Pony Show. Buttercup also won Novice Ridden Pony and Poppy won the Mixed M&M 3 and under class. The Dartmoor is a rare breed originating on the moors of Devon in southwest England. Although not always recognized on this side of "the pond”, the population of this athletic, dependable, and beautiful pony has been growing steadily in the United States. After purchasing a very large bag of carrots for the two "cover girls", the remainder of the prize money will be donated to the Dartmoor Pony Registry of America to further protect and promote this versatile Mountain & Moorland breed. These two Dartmoor Ponies are owned by Davidson Dales & Dartmoor Ponies in California.

Jesse Fortier, fourteen years old, of Different Drummer Farm is pictured with Gandalf after winning the Granite State Jr. Medal and Hunt Seat Equitation at the New Hampshire medal finals. It was a day to celebrate, as it was also Jesse's birthday. Jesse has been riding since he was a toddler and is a very passionate and talented young rider. He has now set his sights on the New England Medal and beyond. The photo was taken by Jodi Fortier; Mom, coach and committee member for the finals.

Pictured with eleven year old Cady van Assendelft is Conway Casstinette (Cass), her 15 year old, 12.2 hands, Welsh pony. The duo won 1st place and Champion in the Intermediate Hunter Division at the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association Horse Show at Elk Run Stables on July 4, 2009. At this show, Cass did a flying lead change that had Luanne screaming with excitement on the sidelines. Cady’s fearless determination combined with Luanne’s expertise and constant support has really paid off! Cady began her riding career at the age of 5. When she turned 5-1/2 years old Cady got Cass who lives in the backyard in a tiny little barn. He is the pony who “couldn’t do lead changes” until Cady started working with her current trainer, Luanne Leonard. Cady’s riding lessons are just about a mile away from her home. She rides her pony through a large open field, across a stream, and up a hill to get to her lessons and back. Cady currently attends school at Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Virginia as a 7th grader. In addition to her riding lessons and school, she is a member of the United States Pony Club, Glenmore Hunt Pony Club (local), Clover Grove IEA Riding Team, and Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association. Cady will donate her prize money to the Glenmore Hunt Pony Club as a special thanks to her trainer, Luanne Leonard, for all her dedication and support. Some of the money will be used to purchase something for Mini Cooper, a rescue pony that she helps to train.