Week eleven, sponsored by Artisan Farms, will conclude on Sunday, March 24, with the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix, Don Little Masters Classic and $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix all held on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9-March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, set the course for 48 entries in Saturday night's 1.50m final, held under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Only six were able to master the track to advance to the jump-off and four went double clear in an exciting race against the clock for the tie breaker. McLain Ward and Zander, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding by Cantos x Saygon, took the win with their pace of 43.86 seconds.

Finishing in second, Janne Friederike Meyer and Cellagon Lambrasco, owned by Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie, stopped the clock in 45.12 seconds. Pablo Barrios and ZL Goup, Inc.'s Zara Leandra were close behind in 45.32 seconds, and Reed Kessler and Ligist had the fourth double clear round in 45.94 seconds. Brazil's Carlos Ribas and Ronaldo, owned by Ribas and Roberto de la Real, actually had the fastest round of the jump-off in 43.53 seconds, but had the second to last fence down for fifth place.

In a class that is usually held during the day, it was a different environment for many of the horses on Saturday night, showing under the lights with a big crowd. Some of the horses had more experience than others, and even though it was his first night class ever, Zander seemed to flourish in the impressive atmosphere.

"He's a horse I'm really excited about," Ward said after the class. "We got him at the beginning of last year with high hopes and then I got hurt and lost almost four months. He was really good last year at Spruce Meadows and he won a nice grand prix at Valkenswaard in the summer. We've done him in a bunch of WEF (Challenge Cup) classes here and he won one and he had the fastest time in two others. We hoped he would develop through this Florida and it was just a really nice way for him to end. [It was] the first time under the lights, [and there was] the water under the lights, which he was a bit a green about as a young horse. I think he's a really exciting horse and I'm lucky to have him."

"He's got a really big stride and he's a very careful horse," Ward detailed. "He's such a flamboyant jumper, he loses his parts once in a while, but through this Florida he has kind of figured that out, where you can really gallop at a fence and he really has control of his body. I think that's going to continue to get better. He's been fast from the beginning. He can do some numbers that a lot of other horses have to struggle to do a little bit, so I think the future is bright for him. We'll keep our fingers crossed."

Each new course and different atmosphere continues to cultivate Zander's knowledge and Ward counts the competition in Wellington as a great platform for development.

"We have been building his confidence and just showing him a million different experiences," Ward stated. "Florida, on one hand, is very hard when you're trying to develop a young grand prix horse because they are always a little bit over their head, but if they can make it through and come out on top at the end and they get a rest, they gain a year's worth of exposure here. It's just making sure they survive it. I think he finished much stronger than he started, so hopefully it worked well for us."

Second place finisher Janne Friederike Meyer was in Wellington for the first time this winter and has had a great experience herself.

"For me, it's a really nice time," Meyer noted. "It's pretty expensive to fly all the horses over and if you don't know everything, you have to take a little time to get in the system. Like from the warm-up to the office, until you know everything maybe you take one or two weeks and then it's like normal. But the courses are pretty nice, the money is good and for me it's kind of a little showing and a little vacation. It's a little bit in between, so it's a really nice time for me."

"The last weeks, every jump-off was really fast, so you have to learn that here," Meyer described. "I hurried up a lot, but in the end McLain was faster. What can I do? I think my horse tried his best."

"It's funny, when you work him at home he is really a lazy horse and he's relaxed and not hot at all, but when you go in the ring, then he wants to go," Meyer said of Cellagon Lambrasco. "I think that's a special thing about him. You just go in and he really wants to jump. He wants to run and is looking for the first fence. He likes it here. He likes the weather and he likes the floodlights. It's good for him. I really have had some nice rounds with him here."

Pablo Barrios finished third with Zara Leandra and was very happy with her performance. The pair won a smaller grand prix pre-circuit under the lights and has been gradually moving up to the bigger classes.

"I'm really pleased with that mare and the way she's jumping now," Barrios stated. "She won one class in the pre-circuit and then I had a little trouble in the big classes. I think she was not ready, but she grew a lot and she learned a lot. After week eight, in the Nations Cup, she started approaching the jumps in a different way. She was calmer in the ring and she has been amazing the last two weeks. She's had only one rail in the last two weeks, so I am very pleased with her."

"I know McLain is super fast, but I think the mare was ready to go fast today," Barrios said of the jump-off. "Today I really tried to go for the class, but there were good horses and good riders and I'm still very happy about it."

As the conclusion to the eleven-week Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, Saturday night's class served as the final allocation of points for the overall standings. $50,000 worth of bonus money was presented to the top three leading

horse and rider combinations that accumulated the most points throughout the eleven weeks of competition. Awarding their consistency overall, Ben Maher took home the top bonus of $25,000 with Mrs. Phillips' Quiet Easy 4, Alise Oken won $15,000 for second place with Hi Hopes Farm LLC's Teirra, and Laura Kraut finished third and was awarded $10,000 for her performance with the Evita Group's Nouvelle.

Maher and Quiet Easy finished second in the series last year, and this year the rider made it a goal to come out on top. The pair had such great results that they were well ahead of the others without even showing in all of the classes.

"He has been great," Maher said following the presentation. "We missed a few of the classes and he just proved that he was pretty consistent in all of the other classes to be so far ahead today. He loves to show here and he has been on form. He jumped well all circuit, so I am happy with how he finished up."

Also showing in the International Arena on Saturday, Peru's Michelle Navarro-Grau rode Alfi to victory in the $15,000 RCG Farm SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Victoria Colvin and Waminka, owned by Rivers Edge, were victorious in the $10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior Jumper Classic. Colvin was later honored with a special award during the night class. She was presented with the Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportmanship Trophy, in memory of Candida C. Fortsmann.

Final Results: $100,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final

1. ZANDER: 2004 KWPN gelding Cantos x Saygon
MCLAIN WARD (USA), McLain Ward: 0/0/43.86

2. CELLAGON LAMBRASCO: 1998 Holsteiner gelding by Libero x Coriolan
JANNE FRIEDERIKE MEYER (GER), Meyer, Friedrich & Anna Sophie: 0/0/45.12

3. ZARA LEANDRA: 2004 KWPN mare by Metropole x Ahorn
PABLO BARRIOS (VEN), ZL Group, Inc: 0/0/45.32

4. LIGIST: 2000 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Levantos II x Robin Z
REED KESSLER (USA), Reed Kessler: 0/0/45.94

5. RONALDO: 1998 KWPN gelding by Ahorn x Stuyvesant
CARLOS RIBAS (BRA), Roberto Villa Real Jr. & Carlos Ribas: 0/4/43.53

6. TACKERAY: 2000 KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Sandro
LAUREN HOUGH (USA), Nordic Lights Farm, LLC: 0/RT

7. CAMILLE Z: 2003 Zangersheide mare
ATHINA ONASSIS DE MIRANDA (GRE), Athina Onassis de Miranda & Victory Equestrian: 1/85.38

8. KING KOLIBRI: 2002 Hanoverian stallion by Kolibri x Achill-Libero H
LAUREN TISBO (USA), Tequestrian Farms LLC: 1/86.19

9. UNICO: 2001 KWPN gelding by Odermus R x Wuzo
MARIO GAMBOA (COL), Stransky's Mission Farms, Inc: 4/77.94

10. HH LET'S FLY: 1999 Hanoverian gelding by Lordanos x Forrest
RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), Double H Farm: 4/79.98

11. GRACE 319: 2002 SATHU mare by Armitage x Beach Boy
JANNE FRIEDERIKE MEYER (GER), Juergen Fitschen & Janne-Friederike Meyer: 4/80.74

12. G & C SONNY: 2001 KWPN gelding by Lux x Concorde
RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), Gustavo Mirabal: 4/81.84

Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian sport across breed and discipline recently received a unique competitive trophy. Just one of them will win the distinguished grand prize and be named the "2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year".

Below are the nominees and the distinctive honors they have achieved:

Rich Fellers & Flexible

© Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Rich Fellers
Sherwood, Ore.
Show Jumping

The William C. Steinkraus Trophy is presented to an equestrian competing in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing, or show jumping.

Rich Fellers enjoyed unprecedented success in 2012 both on U.S. soil and abroad. With longtime partner Flexible, he achieved what no American had been able to in 25 years- a victory at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Jumping Final. Fellers and Flexible won the opening speed leg and preceded to produce three clear efforts over four rounds. Still, they remained tied and in a jump-off performance for the ages, Fellers masterfully piloted Flexible to a clear round and stopped the timers .64 seconds faster than the competition.

Fellers then returned to North America to contest the U.S. Show Jumping Observation Events, and claimed victory in all four classes he started. In Del Mar, he and Flexible won the $50,000 Surfside Grand Prix and the $100,000 Hermes Grand Prix of Del Mar. Fellers then traveled to Spruce Meadows, where the pair jumped four clear rounds in two classes, including jump-offs, to win the $35,000 Husky Energy Cup and the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix. In August, Fellers made his Olympic debut leading the U.S. team and producing a top-ten finish with Flexible. After returning from London, Fellers travelled to the Thunderbird Equestrian Park and was victorious in the $100,000 Canacord Genuity World Cup.

This is the first time Fellers has been awarded the William C. Steinkraus Trophy.

Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the 2012 Paralympic Games

© Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Jonathan Wentz
Richardson, Texas
Para-Equestrian

The Becky Grand Hart Trophy is presented to international-level non-Olympic athletes.

Jonathan Wentz achieved a lifelong dream in 2012 by competing on the world's grandest stage at the Paralympic Games. Wentz was born with Cerebal Palsy and began his equine endeavors at age two in order to help combat symptoms of the disease. He was only 13 when he began forming that dream of riding at the Paralympic Games, and in 2008 Wentz took one step closer to it when he began riding at the North Texas Equestrian Center and forming a partnership with coach and supporter Kai Handt. Handt would pair the young man with NTEC Richter Scale. Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale went on to represent the U.S. at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games just two years later. Then, in June of 2012, Wentz saw his dream come true when he and NTEC Richter Scale earned the USEF National Para-Equestrian Reserve Championship at the 2012 Selection Trials, and were named to the U.S. Team to compete in London at the Paralympic Games.

In London, Wentz led the U.S. team's effort in their most successful Championship finish in recent years. He and NTEC Richter Scale came within minutes of standing on the Individual medal podium, only to be edged off by the final riders. They finished fourth in the Grade 1b Individual Test and fifth in the Grade 1b Freestyle Test.

Only weeks after returning from London, Wentz tragically passed away, leaving a void in the hearts of his friends, family and the sport he loved. Wentz is the first athlete to receive the Becky Grand Hart Trophy posthumously.

Gib Marcucci at the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show

© Howard Schatzberg

Gilbert "Gib" Marcucci
Monmouth, Iowa
Hackney

The Bill Robinson Trophy is presented to an equestrian competing with horses or ponies across all the breeds in harness or for driving performance in non-international competitions.

Gilbert "Gib" Marcucci has a long history of showing Hackney ponies. Marcucci opened the Gib Marcucci Stables in Monmouth, Iowa in 1960 and has been producing and training top Hackney ponies ever since. In 2012, he once again demonstrated his proficiency at training Hackneys in harness, winning the Hackney Pony Stake and the Hackney Pony World's Grand Championship at the prestigious Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show.

Marcucci's knowledge and recognition go beyond the U.S. and expand into Canada, Bermuda, Great Britain, Holland and Australia. He is a founding

member of the United Professional Horsemen's Association, past member of

the Mid-West Hackney Association Board of Directors and, a recognized USEF judge that has judged the World's Championship Horse Show four times.

This is the first time Marcucci has been awarded the Bill Robinson Trophy.

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy

© Shawn McMillen

Jennifer Alfano
Buffalo, N.Y.
Hunter

The Emerson Burr Trophy is presented to a rider in the hunter divisions in any breed over fences.

Jennifer Alfano is no stranger to prestigious wins in the hunter ring and she demonstrated again in 2012 why she is among the best in the game. Alfano has worked for Susie Schoellkopf and SBS Farms Inc. for more than twenty years and teamed up with many of the SBS horses to earn top finishes throughout the United States. With Jersey Boy, Alfano has dominated the USHJA International Hunter Derby circuit for the past four years. This year the pair earned top honors in the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals presented by Dietrich Equine Insurance, one of the few titles that had eluded them. Additionally, they won championships in Jacksonville, Ocala, Devon, at the State College Classic, and at the Skidmore College Saratoga Classic.

A two-time World Champion Hunter Rider, Alfano has been named Leading Hunter Rider at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the National Horse Show, and the Ocala HITS winter Circuit in prior years. She currently sits second in the USHJA Lifetime Rider Standings having accumulated $299,650 in International Hunter Derby earnings, $70,000 of which was earned in 2012.

This is the first year she has been awarded the Emerson Burr Trophy.

Matt Siemon

© Mike Ferrara

Matt Siemon
New Carlisle, Ohio
Arabian

The C.J. "June" Cronan Trophy is presented to those excelling in under saddle show breeds.

Matt Siemon has been awarded the C.J. "June" Cronan Trophy in recognition of his stellar performances in the Arabian & Half-Arabian English Pleasure and Park Horse divisions. Seimon was born into a third generation show horse family. With his father Chuck as a mentor and teacher, he has made his mark in the Arabian Horse show arena. Aboard Gregg & Nancy Shafer's Ronde Vu, Siemon rode into the history books winning the Purebred Arabian Park Horse Championship at both the Canadian and U.S. National Championships. This was the second year in a row for the U.S. title. Seimon's entire show string made themselves noticed in 2012, where he rode and drove four horses to four National Championship titles at the Canadian Nationals and amassed three National and two Reserve National Championship titles in addition to seven Top Ten calls at the US Arabian and Half-Arabian National Championships.

2012 is the first year Siemon has been awarded the C.J. "June" Cronan Trophy.

Joe Reser

© Mike Ferrara

Joe Reser
Wakarusa, Ind.
Arabian

The Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy is presented to an equestrian showing in a non-reining Western discipline.

Joe Reser has been renowned as a passionate and goal-driven rider and trainer for many years. The 2012 show season saw Reser earn five National Championships, one Reserve National Championship, and five National Top Ten finishes at the U.S. and Canadian Nationals, along with numerous Regional titles. He again proved his vast horsemanship skills by not only riding to top finishes, but also guiding many clients to equally lofty achievements. In 2012, Reser's amateur clients won nine National and Reserve National Championships and 10 National Top Ten finishes at the U.S., Canadian, and Youth Nationals.

At the 2012 U.S. National Championships, Reser won the Half-Arabian Western Junior Horse class unanimously on IMA Rockin Pop Star owned by Karen and Rick Niles. The Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Futurity was also Reser's aboard Kristi White's IMA Rockin. Throughout the year Reser and Setting Sun Stable's Klint Black +++/ were a force to be reckoned with. The pair scored unanimous wins at two different Regional Championships, then went on to win the Canadian National Championship title and then the 2012 U.S. Reserve National Championship title in the extremely competitive open Western Pleasure division.

2012 is the first time Reser has been awarded the Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy.

Bruce Griffin

© Mystical Photography

Bruce Griffin
Gretna, Va.
Friesian

The Norman K. Dunn Trophy is presented to the equestrian competing at halter or in-hand.

Notably a true horseman, Bruce Griffin has won numerous national awards in a myriad of breeds, but he is a shining star when it comes to sport horse in-hand and halter. In 2012, Griffin added to his legacy by earning many top finishes with acclaimed Friesians in halter and in-hand classes.

Griffin was a force in the show ring in 2012, collecting wins at every turn. He was awarded five World Championships and two Reserve World Championships, three National Championships and two Reserve National Championships at the IFSHA National and World Championship Show. Additionally, he collected Regional Championships at the IFHSA Region 2 Championships, along with scores of other honors.

For his achievements this year Bruce has been awarded the Norman K. Dunn Trophy for the first time.

Wendy Potts
Mansfield, Texas
Arabian / National Show Horse

The Vaughan Smith Trophy is presented to the best rider of any horse or pony breed shown in hunter pleasure, show hack, hunter hack, dressage hack, costume, side saddle, or Western dressage.

Wendy Potts has dominated the Arabian and Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure and Show Hack divisions for decades compiling a staggering 150 National and Reserve Champion titles. 2012 proved to be no exception to her winning ways. Aboard North By Northwest LLC's Vivienne LR, Potts was crowned the 2012 Canadian National Champion Half-Arab Hunter Pleasure Champion and was the unanimous pick for Champion at the U.S. Nationals, which she won for the second consecutive year. Potts and her students pocketed many other top honors throughout the year, culminating with major wins at the Arabian and Half Arabian Youth Nationals, Canadian Nationals, and U.S. Nationals.

A consummate competitor, Potts excels in the show arena. However, she feels her greatest accomplishment is perhaps the overwhelming and consistent success of her amateur students, many of whom have been loyal clients for more than 15 years. Her desire to see others succeed and her passion for sharing knowledge has earned her consistent recognition year after year as the leading Arabian Hunter Pleasure Trainer in the country.

2012 is the first year that Wendy Potts has been awarded the Vaughn Smith Trophy.

Voting is Now Open!

One of these eight award-winners will be honored as the overall 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Now, it is up to you - USEF members and the USEF Board of Directors - to decide who will receive the top tribute for 2012.

Simply visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/eoty/ and type in your USEF membership number to access the voting portal. Voting will end at Midnight [ET] on Monday, January 7, 2013.

For more information regarding the Equestrian of the Year program or any of the eight Equestrians of Honor, contact Trisha Watkins, USEF Awards Manager, at 859.225.6944 or tlwatkins@usef.org.

Attracting as many as 6,000 visitors throughout the course of the weekend, the event will feature a two-day USDF-licensed dressage show, the acclaimed Dancing Horse Challenge, children’s activities, boutique shopping, a black-tie optional gala, silent auction and many more opportunities for family fun, while raising funds for the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center in Baltimore.

"We are very dependent these days on the generosity of others to fulfill our mission and goals of the breast center,” said Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. “The Ride for Life event greatly supports our efforts so that more patients can become survivors of this disease, as well as receive quality of care at Hopkins, and through our training efforts, also elsewhere.”

Kathy Connelly, an international rider, trainer and one of the leading dressage coaches in the United States, will serve as the grand marshal and guest speaker at the Dancing Horse Challenge.

Dancing Horse Challenge
The weekend’s highlight is the Dancing Horse Challenge, Saturday, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:00).

As one of the premier equestrian nights on the East Coast, this lyrical blend of dance, music, lights and equestrian prowess is woven into a moving theatrical performance (http://www.pvdarideforlife.org/news/videos/).

Featuring international and national riders and Olympians, the Dancing Horse Challenge becomes a call to heal, to give and, most importantly, to celebrate life. The initial line-up of riders performing musical freestyles includes:

• Julio Mendoza (FEI international trainer known for his dramatic costuming and horsemanship),

• Silva Martin (Grand Prix rider and trainer),

• Lauren Sprieser (USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist, USEF developing listed rider and NAYRC gold medalist),

• Bent Jensen (Olympian and trainer competing in upper level dressage in both Europe and the United States.

• Corrine Ashton (USDF silver medalist and 4**** Star Event Rider competing at Rolex CCI****),

• Susanne Hassler (USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and international dressage competitor),

• Natalia Martin (USDF bronze and silver medalist who has competed internationally and a participant in the 2012 Nations Cup), and

• Jill Kemenosh (USDF bronze and silver medalist who participates in Young Rider competitions such as the USEF Festival of Champions).

Dutch Chapman, a two-time NRHA World Champion and acclaimed trainer, will perform western reining demonstrations, while Great Falls Vaulting, the oldest equestrian vaulting club in the United States, will field a team of five riders performing a demonstration. Additionally, The Maryland Horse Industry Board will present a Touch of Class award to a preeminent dressage horse sire at the Dancing Horse Challenge.

Throughout the evening, guests can purchase food and beverages on the concourse. They also can shop for Ride for Life souvenirs and visit the silent auction area to bid on such items as jewelry, artwork, crafts, memorabilia, gift certificates and riding clinics. (For auction previews, visit www.pvdarideforlife.org.)

Gala
With a “Survivor theme,” the Saturday night black-tie optional gala kicks off at 5 p.m. with a cocktail reception and strolling magic by Bill Gross. Gala guests will have special seating for the Dancing Horse Challenge and can go back and forth from the show to the auction and the reception for appetizers, and free beer and wine courtesy of Bob Hall, Inc. and Ingleside Vineyard. Dinner will be served from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. In addition to enjoying great food, guests can mingle with the riders in the gala area where the band The Unruly Blues will perform until 11:30pm.

Daytime Activities
Both days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be an exciting competition among dressage riders, many who were touched by breast cancer. Families also can enjoy boutique shopping from more than 45 merchants. Shopping hours are extended through 9 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday will feature pony rides, face painting, horse arts & crafts, stick horse building, t-shirt decorating, stick horse races, face painting and magic shows by Tony Ware.

Tickets
Daytime admission is free. Dancing Horse Challenge admission is a $25 per person donation; free for children under age 10. Discounts are also available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.pvdarideforlife.org.

Gala admission is a $100 per person donation; $50 for children under 12. All reservations must be made by June 17. Tickets can be purchased online at www.pvdarideforlife.org or by contacting Jeannette Bair at 443.691.0390 or jeannettebair@hotmail.com. Children’s gala reservations must be made by contacting Bair.

Sponsorships also are available. Lead sponsors include Dover Saddlery, Land Rover, Nutrena Feeds and County Saddlery. For more information about the event, auction, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, visit www.pvdarideforlife.org or contact Jeannette Bair at 443.691.0390 or jeannettebair@hotmail.com.

The Cause
Event proceeds all will be donated to the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Since its inception in 2004, the annual PVDA Ride for Life has raised over $400,000 for breast cancer research and improving the lives of those afflicted and their loved ones. This year, the event committee hopes to raise over $100,000.

Event History
Nine years ago, breast cancer survivor Patricia Artimovich found that her belief in the healing power of horses gave her the support to cry, to believe in her future and to gain strength through her battle and recovery. She felt that she had gained so much through her association with these “gentle giants” that she wanted to open that avenue to others and involve the dressage community.

Artimovich recommended that the Potomac Valley Dressage Association, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization), dedicate one of its one-day dressage shows and its proceeds to the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, where she had received treatment. Since then, the Ride for Life has expanded to a weekend event and become a member of the Signature Dressage Series.

May 31, 2012 -- Over four decades of attending the Devon Horse Show, I've compiled a checklist to complete annually, insuring I'm maintaining all my traditions at a competition where traditions are both numerous and cherished.

Crustless tea sandwiches? Check (though they are now $1 each, instead of four for $1, as they were a few eons ago).

Visiting the shops at the country fair? Check (I would love the sterling silver bracelet on which all the charms are replicas of riding boots, but I don't think it's in the budget.)

A stroll around the classic brown stables that block out many of the sights of suburbia along Philadelphia's tree-shaded Main Line? Check.

An evening at the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Induction Dinner? Check (and more on that later).

An interview with Leading Hunter Rider Scott Stewart? Check.

Scott has become as much of an institution here as the Devon fudge, or the ferris wheel that scares so many of the First Year Green horses.

He has won the title 10 consecutive times, though as the quality of the animals competing increases, it does get harder to insure it's his name the engravers will put on the huge silver tray, which is the permanent trophy archive of the honor.  With his record, though, I'm not sure why they just aren't engraving ditto marks at this point.

To a certain extent, the Leading Rider habit is a bit of a monkey on his back, since everyone expects him to win. Of course, he has the best chance because he has so many horses, but they still have to perform well to accumulate enough points for the title.

Scott and I talked yesterday about the Leading Rider situation.

Listen: Scott Stewart

The Grand Hunter Championship is more elusive for Scott than the rider title.  He's only won it twice in the last five years. This year, it escaped him again, and his lone divisional tri-color came in the Second Year Greens with Dedication, though he did get reserve championships in both the Green Conformation and Regular Conformation.

Leading Hunter Rider Scott Stewart will get his name engraved again on the trophy presented by Rosemary Johnson and Kent Cadwalader (photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)

The Grand honors went to a surprising newcomer, Rapunzel, ridden by Jennifer Alfano, who was the Leading Lady Rider for the second year in a row.  Jen preceded her championship by having quite an evening at the Hall of Fame dinner Tuesday night, where she was named Leading Rider (lady or otherwise) and her iconic mount, Jersey Boy, was selected as Horse of the Year. (More about that later.)

Rapunzel took the Green Conformation Championship on her way to earning enough points to take the Grand trophy. Jen only started riding her this winter, when trainer Gary Duffy brought her the horse.

"She's a beautiful horse and great jumper," said Jen.

"I love mares; if you have a good mare, it's the greatest horse you can have. She wants to do everything right," she said of the snazzy chestnut European import, who did dressage when she was overseas. (To me, that's always a good basis for jumping success, but Jen isn't planning to make it a regular part of her program.)

Jen could not have predicted Rapunzel winning any championship at Devon, let alone the Grand, because the showgrounds are always buzzing and the atmosphere is formidable.

"I was really unsure coming here," said Jen.

"She doesn't have a lot of miles under her belt at the 3-6 (3-foot, 6-inch fences) and I thought she would be a little green. But she walked in here like she owned this place. She didn't bat an eye at one thing."

Rapunzel, the Grand Hunter Champion, with Jen Alfano up (photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)

During the presentations, I kept saying to myself, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, prick up your ears," changing the fairy tale plea for Rapunzel to let down her hair. The mare's ears were always turned back when the ribbon went on her bridle, which isn't nice for a photo op.

Jen laughed when we talked about it.

"When you are on her, her ears are always up, she's so attentive," said Jen, who conceded it was funny that she just  is never ready for her close-up when the lenses point her way.

Hunt Tosh, who took the High Performance title with Rosalynn and the Regular Conformation tricolor with Cold Harbor, both owned by Betsee Parker, is a polite, soft-spoken Georgia guy with a great way about him. Rosalynn's performance was particularly important to Betsee because last year here, the horse's previous rider, Rob Coluccio, fell off and it was not a happy time. Betsee said Rob was sick, and no one knew it.

Anyway, Hunt got the horse and did her proud, so it was a great comeback. I asked him about Lone Star, another of Betsee's horses, who had also done well here. Lone Star hadn't shown since the Pennsylvania National in 2010. He had a splint operation and finally returned to the ring this month at the Kentucky Horse Park show. He'll be doing the Upperville, Va., show next week, but wasn't here because he hadn't shown and therefore couldn't qualify, as Hunt pointed out to me.

High Performance Hunter Champion Rosalynn with owner Betsee Parker and rider Hunt Tosh (photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)

Speaking of comebacks,  I laughed when I saw that Molly Ashe-Cawley was riding a hunter called Back in the Game. She didn't name him, of course, but it was so appropriate because after a six- or seven-year absence from this show (and indeed, from major competition while she had two children and less top horses) she is back in the game. She served notice at April's Gene Mische American Invitational that she was once again a force when she finished second with Carissimo, a horse who unfortunately is always for sale.

In yesterday afternoon's  $32,000 jumper class, she was the winner with Wriomf (the W is silent) and spoke approvingly of how great the footing is at Devon since a massive refurbishment of the ground, which ended this year with the same surface in the warm-up area as in both rings. She noted that some top jumper riders had stayed away from Devon in recent years because they found the surface unsatisfactory, but she predicted there will be a resurgence in jumpers as word gets around about the improvements.

We chatted about Back in the Game as a lead in to her being a part of the scene again.

Listen: Molly Ashe-Cawley

While Devon's primary function is as a horse show, over the years it has become much, much more than that. It's a community event and a family event, with lots on hand to attract folks who may not be particularly horse-oriented. One is the hat contest (another thing on my checklist) which is always a gala occasion. Many of the women, like Tiffany Arey who won last year, make their own hats and have as much fun doing that as wearing them. It's a hoot to see them around the showgrounds decked out in creations featuring feathers, (fake) fruit and flowers; some outlandish, some pretty. Carson Kressley usually is a judge, but I'm told he had to skip this year because of a Dancing with the Stars gig.

Listen: Tiffany Aery

And now I'll get back to the Show Hunter Hall of Fame dinner. There are all sorts of annual awards in each division, but the three kept secret until the dinner, held at the prestigious Merion Cricket Club, are Horse of the Year and Rider of the Year (I already told you how Jersey Boy and Jen accounted for those) and Owner of the Year (that was Glen Senk, whose string from the Fashion Farm -- he's in retail -- includes Dedication.)

Tiffany Arey and her amazing hat (photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)

Then there are inductees into the Hall of Fame. The horses this year were All the Gold and Super Flash, while the people were G. Andrew Ebelhare and his wife, Jane; Hap Hansen, best known as a jumper rider but a master with hunters, too; Carol Thompson, ditto; Louise Serio and Don Stewart. Don's induction was more like a roast, courtesy of Susie Schoellkopf and Archie Cox. If you know Don, you know that the repartee was hilarious (and some of it was unprintable!)

The occasion, hosted as always by the hall's chairman, Jimmy Lee, offered a memorable break from the pressure of competing at Devon with a chance to honor the sport's biggest names.

Tonight's $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon is drawing major attention, even with only 16 entries, because it's an observation event for the Olympic show jumping team. Robert Ridland, who will take over formally for chef d'equipe George Morris next year, is pinch-hitting for him here because George is recovering from cancer surgery.

Laura Chapot, who won last night's Hit and Hurry class with the speedy Bradberry for the third year in a row (and also was second with Quointreau un Prince), said she thought the grand prix field is so small because as an observation event, the course necessarily will be big and difficult.

I'll be back with you tomorrow morning for my report on the grand prix and the retirement of  McLain Ward's prize ride, Sapphire. which precedes it. Be sure to come back and read about a very big night.

Until then,

May 13, 2012--The second of four 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Events came to a close Sunday afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park. With 16 entries contesting the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, which served as the second class of the Observation Event held in conjunction with the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Grey skies and rain could not deter the 14 members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games from showcasing their talents over Richard Jeffrey’s 14 obstacle course.

In the first round of competition four combinations, all from the long list, were able to produce faultless efforts and qualify for the jump-off. In the jump-off, Mario Deslauriers and Urico were untouchable as they cruised to a fault free effort in a time of 35.15 seconds and claimed top honors in the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix.

In the first round Deslauriers (New York, NY) and Jane Clark’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding produced a classy clear as the final entry in the class. In the jump-off the pair, which represented the U.S. in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian at the same venue, produced another clear jumping effort utilizing efficient lines and turns.

Deslauriers was very impressed with the testing track Jeffrey built Sunday.

“When we walked the course, I thought here’s WEG again here. It rode better than I thought when I walked it.”

Sunday’s winning pair also rebounded from a nine fault effort in Friday’s $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic.

“Urico is a horse with a lot of character and a lot of motor.” Commented Deslauriers,“His mind and his body were all in gear today and he was beautiful.”

Collecting second place honors in the class were long listed pair Reed Kessler and her own Mika. Seventeen-year-old Kessler (Lexington, KY) executed a stylish clear in the first round with the 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding. In the jump-off they again left all the rails in the cups in a tidy, economical round.

Kessler who stands fifth on the long list with Mika was very pleased with his performance on Sunday.

“I don’t think he’s ever gone better than he did today.”

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) qualified both horses she brought to the Rolex Stadium Sunday afternoon for the jump-off. She collected third place honors in the class with Abigail Wexner’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Simon, after rolling the rail out of the cups jumping into the double in the jump-off. Madden and Simon were the winners of Friday’s $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic.

With Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’, Madden sliced the turn to the third vertical in the jump-off and incurred four faults, the scopey 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding finished in fourth place.

Eight pairs from the long list completed the course with a single mistake resulting in four faults. Christine McCrea (East Windsor, CT) and Windsor Show Stables’ Romantovich Take One left all the rails in the cups but a toe in the water resulted in four faults.

Kessler on her first ride of the day Cylana, Deslauriers on Clark’s Cella and Jessica Springsteen (Colts Neck, NJ) on Stone Hill Farm’s Vornado Van Den Hoendrik all faulted at the bogey fence, 7A.

Kent Farrington (Wellington, FL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko and Laura Kraut (Wellington, FL) riding Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric lowered the heights of fences two and three respectively in otherwise immaculate efforts. While Brianne Goutal (New York, NY) and Remarkable Farms’ Nice De Prissey collected four faults jumping out of the double combination at fence seven and  Charlie Jayne riding Pony Lane Farm’s Chill R Z faulted in the middle of the triple combination,9B.

Margie Engle (Wellington, FL) and Garber, Griese, Hidden Creek and Gladewinds’ Indigo completed Sunday’s course with 12 faults and Quentin Judge (Wellington, FL) was eliminated for parting company with Double HH Farm’s HH Carotino jumping fence 10.

Long list riders next head to Devon, PA in two weeks for the third 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event at the Devon Horse Show.

For live streaming, news, photos and to follow the 2012 U.S. Show Jumping Team visit; http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Jumping/

Per the USEF Selection Procedures, in order to remain in consideration for the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team, these athlete/horse combinations are required to compete at two of the following Observation Events listed below:

The Del Mar National Horse Show
Del Mar, California May 1-6, 2012
www.delmarnational.com

Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Lexington, Kentucky May 8-13, 2012
www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

The Devon Horse Show
Devon, Pennsylvania May 29-June 2, 2012
www.devonhorseshow.com

Spruce Meadows
Calgary, Alberta Canada June 13-17, 2012
www.sprucemeadows.com

Following the completion of these observation events, FEI Nominated Entries will be submitted to the FEI on June 17. Twelve athlete/horse combinations can be named to the FEI Nominated Entries.   The USOC Final Entries will be submitted no later than July 6, 2012.
The 2012 Olympic Games will take place July 27 - August 12.

In the first round, only two combinations were able to produce fault-free efforts. Two members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games, Rich Fellers and Flexible and Lauren Hough with Blue Angel, would need to return and jump-off to decide the winner of Saturday's class. Neither Fellers nor Hough were able to reproduce their clear efforts from round one with both collecting four faults. However, Fellers (Sherwood, OR) produced the quickest jump-off time for the second night in a row, to claim his second Grand Prix victory of the Observation Event.

The 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Champions looked well on their way to jumping another fault-free effort in the jump-off until they lowered the height of the penultimate fence. However, Fellers had ridden a well-executed, efficient round over the jump-off track to finish in a time of 39.76 seconds and secure another win.

Fellers was very impressed with the course Azevedo built Saturday night and believed it was a good test for the long listed combinations.

"It was a legitimate international course; right in there with the caliber of the (Selection) Trials courses."

Fellers and Flexible will next head to Spruce Meadows to compete in the final 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event. Harry and Mollie Chapman's 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion will spend the next month preparing for the classes at the prestigious Canadian competition.

"He might jump in the Grand Prix next Sunday on the grass, that's the first time he will have jumped on the grass." Said Fellers, "He'll then go home and get some turn-out and get ready to go to Spruce Meadows next month."

Rich Fellers and Flexible.

Photo by Rick Osteen Photography

Hough (Wellington, FL) and Robyn Parsky's Blue Angel were the 17th combinations to attempt the first round and produced the first fault-free round of the night. Four-faults as result of having the back rail of the third to last oxer in the jump-off meant the 10-year-old Anglo-European mare would collect second-place honors after stopping the timers at 41.81 seconds.

Collecting third place honors on Saturday night was long listed combination Saer Coulter and Copernicus Stables' Springtime. Coulter (San Francisco, CA) and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding jumped a methodical round to leave all the rails in place but two time faults meant they would not return for the jump-off.

Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, CA) and Old Oak Farm's Nemo, ranked 15th on the long list, put in a determined effort, which was only marred by faults at the first and final jumps on course resulting in eight faults.

Karl Cook (Woodside, CA) brought Signe Ostby's two horses from the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games to the feature class. JonKheer Z jumped to an eight fault total after dislodging rails at fences 10 and 12. With ASB Conquistador, Cook was the first long listed rider of the night to compete; they faulted at fences three, 5A and 10 and had one time fault for a 13 fault total.

Long listed riders head to Lexington, KY next week for the second of 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Events held at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

For video, news, photos and to follow the 2012 U.S. Show Jumping Team visit;
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Jumping/

For more information about the Del Mar National Horse Show including Order of Go and Results visit; http://delmarnational.com/hunter_jumper.php

Per the USEF Selection Procedures, in order to remain in consideration for the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team, athlete/horse combinations are required to compete at two of the following Observation Events listed below:

The Del Mar National Horse Show
Del Mar, California May 1-6, 2012
www.delmarnational.com

Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Lexington, Kentucky May 8-13, 2012
www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

The Devon Horse Show
Devon, Pennsylvania May 29-June 2, 2012
www.devonhorseshow.com

Spruce Meadows
Calgary, Alberta Canada June 13-17, 2012
www.sprucemeadows.com

Following the completion of these observation events, FEI Nominated Entries will be submitted to the FEI on June 17. Twelve athlete/horse combinations can be named to the FEI Nominated Entries. The USOC Final Entries will be submitted no later than July 6, 2012.

The 2012 Olympic Games will take place July 27 - August 12.

Reed Kessler and Margie Engle shared top honors in the USEF’s national show jumping championship

Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer

Margie Engle, the oldest rider in the trials (she'll be 54 on Saturday) and Reed Kessler, at 17 the youngest rider, finished trial number four last night tied on 12 penalties each.

The trials have not included jump-offs, they weren't organized that way, but the national championship provided for a tie-breaker if anyone had the same score at the end of the series.

Margie, on Indigo, and Reed, aboard Cylana, had come into the final trial tied on 8 penalties with Rich Fellers, who was riding his longtime partner, Flexible. Each wound up with a rail down at the end of their trips, but Rich also accumulated a time fault for exceeding the 82-second time allowed, as did six other riders in the final group of 20 who made it to the end of the trials.

That left Margie and Reed eligible for a face-off, and the crowd of 7,000 who surrounded the International Arena was eager to see the dream match. So was I; what a great story!

Then came the announcement: The riders had decided to save their horses and split the first- and second-place prize money of $60,000 and $44,000 respectively. It was anti-climax time.

If this had happened in another sport, perhaps hockey or football, you could expect to hear a chorus of booing from the crowd. But those on hand understood and applauded in a salute to the riders' choice of consideration for their animals. Still, it was a shame not to see them go for the title against the clock. That would have put a neat finish on the evening.

"I thought beforehand it was a lot of jumping the horses have done and it's been really hot all week and four rounds in basically three days was a lot," said Margie, explaining why she opted out.

"It's almost like they did an Olympics here. For the welfare of the horses it was the best idea to kind of save them a little bit and not do any more pounding. They jumped their hearts out."

Margie Engle and Indigo

Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer

Katie Monahan Prudent, Reed's trainer, agreed with Margie, an Olympian who has represented her country many times. So the veteran and the rookie shared the money, the honors and a victory gallop.

Then today, the post-trials ranking list was announced. You couldn't have predicted it a week ago: Reed stands first with Cylana and fifth with her other horse, Mika; Margie is second with Indigo.

Meanwhile, those who got byes from the trials were slotted into the ranking list. They are Laura Kraut with her 2008 Olympic team gold medal mount, Cedric, third; Beezie Madden with Coral Reef Via Volo, who stands fourth and McLain Ward with Antares F (eighth) and his 2004 and 2008 gold medal mare, Sapphire, (10th) who hasn't jumped in a year.

Mika, Urico (Mario Deslauriers) and Flexible are fifth, sixth and seventh, while Uceko (Kent Farrington) is ninth.

Reed Kessler and Cylana

Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer

The week, "the best of my life," as Reed put it, seemed like a fantasy for a high school senior who has been on junior and Young Rider teams here and abroad, but has never ridden on a senior Nations' Cup team. She is still getting used to the idea that pie in the sky suddenly was on the verge of becoming reality. I have an feeling that there a lot of weeks ahead that will replace this one as her best.

Listen: Reed Kessler

Apparently, Reed's success had some outside help. She and her family are very superstitious, so they made sure to strictly follow tradition. For every trial round, Reed wore the same red, white and blue American flag socks (unwashed) that she wore on the young riders' tour of Europe last summer. Her father, Murray, wore the same clothes for each trial, and true to form, some member of her family held their pet mini-Schnauzer, Mouse, in a tight grip during her round.

Although last night was the final selection trial, it is far from the end of the selection story for those who seek to ride on the U.S. squad in London this summer. Still to come is participation in two observation events, with riders able to choose from shows in California, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Canada.

By that time, McLain should be ready to ride. You'll recall he shattered his left kneecap in a January grand prix here, so it was good to see him walking around without crutches and only a slight limp. We had time for a short chat about his determined progress.

Listen: McLain Ward

Beezie and Laura didn't sit with McLain on the sidelines, they rode other horses in the trials. Beezie's two new horses, Simon and Cortes C, delivered uneven performances. Simon, who had 25 penalties in trial number two, was clear last night over the fences, accumulating only 1 penalty to be ranked 21st. Cortes came up with a fault-free effort, putting him 12th, just behind Laura on Teirra.

One of the most interesting things about the trials was the way they showcased up-and coming riders. In addition to Reed, the promising younger set included Saer Coulter, 14th with Springtime, followed by fellow Californian Lucy Davis, 15th on Nemo 119, who always gives fans a laugh at the way he bucks while heading toward the first jump. In 17th place is Katie Dinan (Nougat de Valet). Their performances were encouraging.

Chain of command: U.S. show jumping’s chef d’equipes, future, present and past; Robert Ridland, George Morris, Frank Chapot

Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer

"We have a future out there, and we're seeing it here," said Robert Ridland, who will take over Jan. 1 as chef d'equipe from George Morris, who is retiring. Robert and I discussed the difficulty of the trials, which has been a hot topic here, though I'm always reminded that the trials involve preparation of horses and riders for the Games, as well as being a vehicle to help decide who should compete on the squad there.

Listen: Robert Ridland

While the selection trials have been the focal point of this week, the rest of the show went on around it. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is practically a force of nature during its 12-week run, crammed with all sorts of special classes.

The foreign riders were out of the spotlight this week because the trials were only open to U.S. riders, but the folks from Europe and Latin America were back this afternoon. We went from no jump-off to a big jump-off, with 13 participants. The twist here was that no one went clean over Richard Jeffery's difficult course -- everyone in the tie-breaker was a 4-faulter!

The British consistently have been at the top of the scoreboard during WEF, and this time it was Scott Brash going in for the win with his consistent partner, Intertoy Z, in the $25,000 Suncast 1.5 meter classic during an afternoon featuring heat, sun and rain at various intervals.

"There was a lot in it, it was quite a long course, the last line was a bit tricky. I think a lot of the 4-faulters were unlucky," said Scott, who we may well see in the London Olympics.

"You get the odd class like that. But I think it still turned out to be an entertaining class for the public," he added in his great Scottish accent.

As more and more of his countrymen are doing, he preferred the Florida circuit to staying in cold, dreary Europe for the winter.

"It's been fantastic for all my horses to get up and running and going; you couldn't really get that experience with them anywhere else than here. I think I'm going home with a strong team ready for the year," he commented.

The George Morris Excellence in Equitation competition Friday evening drew many of the division's brightest stars. This is a relatively new event, and the twist here is that kids had to do the whole thing on their own, without any help from trainers (cell phones were prohibited; don't know how the poor children lived without them for three hours). Points also were given for the way the kids handled their warm-up.

The original field of 37, judged by George and the Pan American Games gold medal show jumping team, was whittled to 13 for a second round that included several tests; a trot fence, a hand-gallop fence, a flying change and a simple change. The leader after the first round, Charlotte Jacobs, was done in by the simple change.

Four came back to ride again after switching horses. Michael Hughes finished fourth; Catherine Tyree, third; USEF Medal Finals winner Schaeffer Raposa second and victory went to Tori Colvin, another teen phenom who is adding equitation to her list of conquests, which include a grand prix victory and hunter derby triumphs. She is coached in equitation not only by her usual pillars, Ken Berkley and Scott Stewart, but also Missy Clark, whose students make a habit of winning finals.

The victory made a perfect gift for her mother's birthday. But a smiling Brigid Colvin, her arms overflowing with Tori's prizes, said all she wanted was for her daughter to be well-behaved and vacuum the house.
Wellington has become a magnet for celebrities as well as foreign riders. I was told that Microsoft's Bill Gates and comedian Jerry Seinfeld were on hand Saturday night in the jam-packed International tent, but I have to admit that I didn't see them.

As always, Welly World has its share of intrigue. The municipal elections earlier this month centered around a bitter fight involving whether a hotel and stores should be built on the grounds of the new Global Dressage Festival, a half-mile from PBIEC. The initial tally delivered a majority of those in favor of the hotel to the council. But the results were reversed shortly thereafter with the announcement of a computer glitch that somehow had scrambled the numbers. A reminder: This is Palm Beach County -- remember the "hanging chad" scandal during the 2000 presidential election?

Turns out there was a software problem, that according to the supplier of the county's voting equipment, meant votes were assigned to the wrong candidates. Paper ballots, anyone?

It remains to be determined how this will be resolved. But Mark Bellissimo, the irrepressible managing partner Equestrian Sport Productions, which runs the PBIEC and GDF, has worked out the possible scenarios for what will happen and is comfortable with all of them. Put an obstacle in front of Mark and he's better than any grand prix horse in clearing it and moving on.

He hinted there soon will be an announcement of a six-figure, three-year sponsorship deal for the GDF. Mark has a five-year plan for that facility, just as he did for PBIEC. I remember he told me about that five-year concept in the days when PBIEC, then Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, had just come under his control and was a mess, from the footing to the seating. Everything he said at that time, and then some, has come true. PBIEC will be a model for development of the GDF. And he promised he will fix the things at PBIEC that have bothered so many. The list includes improving the FEI stabling, adding more room to ride and expanding parking (I'm not sure I would ever have made it to the arena if my friends Sharon and Ted Wiese hadn't been kind enough to leave their spot in the lot in a timely fashion...).

I'll be seeing the jumpers again in two weeks at the Gene Mische American Invitational in Tampa,which is always a big occasion. Check back April 8 for my postcard from there.

It’s not necessarily a rein aid you’re going to use very often, but when your horse gets too strong and fast in jumpers, a well-timed pulley rein is far more ­effective and less “combative” than hanging or seesawing. In fact, a pulley rein, done subtly, can even be a handy aid in hunters. I’ve certainly used it on a too-fresh hunter when I’ve come off a line and thought, “Wow! I have to slow down,” but I don’t want to lean back or pull left and right … which doesn’t work anyway. I very discreetly tuck one hand down, give a good pull on the other rein to tone it down a bit, and as soon as I have a response, I let go and no one’s the wiser.

Not All Pulley Reins Are Equal
There are subtle but important differences in the timing and technique for emergency stopping, slowing down and turning. In this article, I’ll explain those differences and dig into the when, why and how of all three versions.

There is one BIG similarity, however. The mechanical advantage of a pulley rein depends on you remaining in ­two-point, light in your seat with a ­slightly closed hip angle. You would think just the opposite—that you’d be stronger and more effective sitting down on your pockets and leaning back. But a pulley rein is all about leverage, and that ­depends on real depth in your heel and a hip angle closed just enough to ­increase the downward push of the hand you’re bracing in your horse’s crest. Even though you’re in two-point, he can’t pull you out of the tack and he can’t pull your arms forward until you’ve stopped him or rated his speed back down to what you want.

Got it? Great! Let’s begin with …

The Emergency ­Stopping Aid
When to use it: Self-explanatory! Whether you’re in the ring or on the trail, your horse takes off at a dead run.

Quick tip: The effectiveness and safety of this pulley rein—in which you turn or pull your horse to the outside—­depends on quickly identifying where the outside is. In the arena, the outside is the rail, which you can use as a secondary physical barrier to help slow or stop him. On the trail, the outside is the direction away from slippery or dangerous footing, a roadway with cars rushing by or the edge of a cliff or steep hill—anything you want to avoid when your horse is even slightly out of control.

Here’s the emergency stopping aid in action. Kim isn’t exactly running away with me, but if she were, I’d be using this very pulley rein. I’m up in two-point, my inside knuckles are firmly braced in her crest just ahead of her withers and I’m steadily pulling—not jerking—the outside rein back and a little up, which will turn her head just enough to the outside for my leverage and the rail to stop her.

How to do it: Stay or get into two-point with your weight deep in your heels and a slightly closed hip angle. Plant the knuckles of your inside hand in your horse’s crest just forward of the withers. Curl your hand by slightly cocking your wrist inward toward your forearm until you apply enough steady pressure on the rein to brace against it.

Now bring your outside hand back and up to between the middle and top of your rib cage to pull your horse’s head slightly to the outside. Keep your horse’s neck fairly straight, and only tip his nose to the outside. If you turn his neck too much, he may lose his balance and stumble or even fall. Maintain the firm contact on the ­inside rein and the ­up-and-back pull on the outside rein ­until he slows and stops.

The Slowing-Down Aid
When to use it: Anytime you’re on course and your horse starts to get so strong or fast that you lose control over direction and speed, and so he’s likely to put in a bad or dangerous jumping effort.

Quick tip: If you’re like most people, you are stronger and more dexterous with one hand than the other. For this aid, the inside and outside of the emergency stop are less important than the hand with which you are most comfortable and proficient.

How to do it: Again, stay in two-point with your weight deep in your heels and a slightly closed hip angle. Plant your weaker, say, in this case, left hand in your horse’s crest forward of the withers so you can lean against the rein and brace yourself. With your stronger right hand, pull back in a fairly direct rein action­—not so much of the back-and-up movement in the emergency stop, especially in the hunters, where you want to keep it discreet and no higher than your hip.

You don’t want absolutely equal ­pressure on both reins, but something pretty close to equal pressure so you keep your horse’s head straight in front of him and don’t pull it to the right. You don’t want him to pull you out of the saddle and accelerate, but you DO want to continue on your chosen track and not turn.

As soon as you feel your horse slow down to the pace you want, soften the contact on both reins to reward him and tell him to not break gait or stop. How much to lighten? That’s a judgment call depending on your horse’s general tendency to lean or stay soft.

Not necessarily. For many horses, there’s a large gray zone in which workload influences soundness. As veterinarian for two-time Olympic gold-medal event rider Phillip Dutton, and as an eventer myself, I’ve seen lots of horses that had soundness issues at the upper levels remain serviceably sound at the lower ones. In fact, such a horse can prove an ideal schoolmaster for you, should you be new to the sport and desire to be competitive or gain confidence at Novice or Training Level.

In this article, I’ll demystify this “soundness” term for you. I’ll tell you what it means, why it’s used, and how it could affect your buying decision when shopping for a horse. I’ll also help you sort through some health issues that can kick a horse into the “serviceably sound” category, and what you might expect in the way of management and cost to maintain him.

What’s in a Word?
You know what the word “sound” means when applied to horses. Tack on the adverb “serviceably” and you have this definition: The horse is sound for the service intended by the owner or rider. By sound, I mean the horse is comfortable: He’s not going lame from performing his job (barring accident or acute injury).

Wait a second, you say. That seems like the definition for plain old soundness! Yes . . . but serviceability varies from horse to horse, performance level to performance level. Galloping speeds in eventing strongly influence the soundness of many horses. For instance, at Novice level, we’re talking a cross-country galloping pace of 350 meters per minute (mpm). That speed is attainable for a large number of horses. At the Advanced level, the galloping pace shoots to 570 mpm. That’s a fairly impressive increase—more than 60 percent. (If you’ve ever galloped at Advanced speeds, you’ll know what I mean!)

Most soft-tissue, supporting-leg injuries in horses, such as a bowed tendon or suspensory desmitis (inflammation of the suspensory ligament), are brought out at the higher levels’ greater speeds. Speed is what can lead to tissue tearing.

That’s why the eventing world can be visualized as a pyramid. The pyramid’s base is widest at the bottom, representing the introductory levels of the sport, Novice and Training, where the speeds and jumps are lowest—and, as a result, attainability is the highest. The pyramid narrows as it rises, as the higher levels bring with them higher speeds and higher jumps. From a purely physical standpoint, far fewer horses can sustain the soundness necessary to compete here than at the lower levels.

The same can be said of the show ring. Many horses that jump in the 3-foot divisions can do so because it  doesn’t require the step and scope of the 4-foot divisions. Ditto with dressage: Far more horses can participate at Training Level than at Grand Prix.

That’s where the term “serviceably sound” comes into play. There are a lot of horses that may have had a supporting-leg injury or orthopedic wear and tear in a previous career, such as racing or high-level eventing. When that injury heals to its maximum point, such a horse may not remain serviceable for the upper levels. However, he may be serviceable—and consequently very useful—for the lower ones: Speeds are slower. Scope at the jumps is less demanding. Courses are shorter—there’s less pounding. The horse may be competing beneath his talent level, but it’s a level at which he can remain comfortable.

Shopping for “Serviceably Sound”
How do you know if a serviceably sound horse is right for you? If you and your trainer think he meets two key criteria—he suits you mentally and physically, and he has the athletic ability to perform the job safely—plus he’s currently performing the job you have in mind for him. That’s right: I strongly suggest you select for a horse that’s already eventing at your current level (or above)—AND is staying sound doing it.

For instance, say you find a thirteen-year-old, ex-Intermediate/Advanced horse that has been going around Training Level courses for two years. The fact that he has been and is currently doing exactly what you’ll be asking him to do is an enormous endorsement to me as a veterinarian. That’s what we call “soundness history,” and it tells you a lot about the horse.

Let’s say someone tells you, “This horse did three two-stars and never had a soundness problem. Once he moved up to Advanced, though, we started having a little trouble maintaining comfort in his hocks, and one fetlock started acting up.” Such a horse could be extremely appropriate and require little health management at lower levels. He’ll be working well under his serviceable-soundness suitability.

The horse you take the greatest risk on is the beautiful-moving, talented, super-athletic four-year-old that’s never evented. Whether that horse can move up the ranks remains to be seen. His body and mind have yet to be tested.

Naturally, you’ll put any horse you choose through a thorough prepurchase exam with an experienced performance-horse veterinarian. This will help uncover any insidious problems that could ultimately tank an athletic career; it also nets you the veterinarian’s opinion on pre-existing conditions that could ultimately affect the horse’s serviceability.

Here’s my input on a sampling of physical issues you might encounter. (For information on others you may run across, consult your veterinarian.)

Is your horse straight? I mean really straight: traveling on two tracks—each hind foot following the track of its corresponding forefoot. Does he jump the center of his fences, or does he drift to one side or the other? Does he accept equal contact on the reins or lean on one more than the other? All of these questions are critical for jumpers at any level. The straighter your horse is, the better he'll be able to push off his hind legs equally to produce bigger jumping efforts, the more correct his technique will be in the air (square shoulders, even legs, no twisting), and the easier it will be to stay on track to the next jump.

Crookedness most commonly results from natural one-sidedness. Just like humans, horses are usually stronger on one side than the other. Unfortunately, riders often perpetuate the problem by working constantly on circles and turns, sometimes even overbending their horses' bodies to the point where they grow tense and muscle sore. They also make the common mistake of approaching every schooling fence on a turn, which allows a horse to "cheat" by jumping on a slight angle. All of these habits strengthen a horse's strong side, while neglecting his weak side.

Work on lateral exercises and adjustability (asking your horse to lengthen and collect his stride) before he is straight is also counterproductive. Not only does this reinforce is strength imbalance, but it also creates evasions that require much more training to correct.

In this video, Kevin demonstrates five exercises to improve straightness.

Video and editing © Amy Katherine Dragoo

The youngest of 11 children and the son of a politician/wool merchant (the family owned an Irish-knit sweater store in his hometown), Kevin Babington began riding in his native Ireland at age 11. He foxhunted, raced in point-to-points and participated in Pony Club before training with Irish show-jumping veteran Iris Kellet and earning his British Horse Society instructor accreditation. Kevin then moved to the United States, where he worked for Frank and Mary Chapot for several years.

In 2000, one of Kevin's students, amateur jumper Saly Glassman, gave him the opportunity to ride the phenomenal Irish Sport Horse gelding Carling King. The pair went on to represent Ireland in numerous international competitions earning, among many other honors, 12 Nations Cup team wins, back-to-back grand prix wins in Wellington, Florida, victory in the King George Cup Grand Prix in Hickstead, England, and individual fourth place in the 2004 Olympics.

Now based out of Saly's Kindle Hill Farm in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, Kevin continues to train and compete top-level jumpers—including his up-and-coming 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Mark Q, with whom he earned three wins and two seconds in grands prix in 2011—while also sharing his knowledge with a long list of successful students. He is also the Irish rider ambassador for Jump for a Just World International, a nonprofit organization that benefits underprivileged children. Kevin and his wife, Dianna, have two children of their own: Gwyneth, 7, and Marielle, 5.

Read more about these exercises to improve your horse's straightness for better jumping efforts, in the article "Straightness for Jumpers" in the February 2012 issue of Practical Horseman magazine.