Hunter superstar Rumba was sold soon after his historic win with John French in the Inaugural USHJA Hunter Derby Finals. Here he is with new owner Destry Spielberg (yes, that Spielberg) in the Children's at the LA International in November. Destry trains with Erin Duffy of San Diego, who was Rumba's previous trainer.

Photo by Stephanie Engle

Catching up: Sidelines staff writer Jan Westmark and Public Relations guru Johnny Robb have written a book called The Big Book of Small Horses, A Celebration of Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies (Skyhorse Publishing, $29.95 hardcover.) Small equine lovers everywhere are saying it is a wonderful look at our littlest equines. The book is available online and in bookstores. It is filled with colorful stories, as well as beautiful full-page color photographs from some of the country's most recognized equine photographers.

The New York Marathon had a few equestrians going the distance. Ruth Anne Bowers, Rusty Holzer and Melanie Smith were just a few who subjected themselves to running through the many boroughs of New York.

A fresh face is hitting the junior hunter scene. Leah Demartini is busy gearing up for next year with her new trainer, Susie Humes. The young rider will compete in the junior hunters, the jumpers and the equitation classes. Leah Demartini's horse Vida Blue was a Triple Crown winner in the hunters this fall at Harrisburg, Washington, and Syracuse. Vida Blue, who was ridden by Jennifer Waxman at indoors, was champion of the Older Small Junior Hunters at all three events.

Well-known rider and trainer Denise Dennehy Lenn has moved her Old Welbourne Farm into Springfield Stables, a brand new, state-of the art riding facility in Mettawa, IL near the North Shore, a short distance from Chicago. Denise looks forward to working closely with Springfield Stables head trainer and manager Jennifer Tirrell.

Mac Cone, Ian Millar and Jill Henselwood are no strangers to competing together, and they showed their fans and fellow riders why their Team Silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was no fluke. The trio finished one-two-three respectively, in the $100,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championships presented by Greenhawk, following three rounds of competition held over two nights at the 87th Royal Horse Show.

Congratulations to Colby Wood from Dover, New Hampshire. She won the custom boot draw provided by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS). Colby won $1000 toward a new pair of custom made boots - wow!

Who was the photog at NAYRC that was caught selling photos?

Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman have moved their Wyndmont, Inc. operation to Falkirk Farm in Central Valley, New York.

Leslie Howard pulled an all time "BEST LESLIE" at the Syracuse Invitational. Somehow during the "ride and drive" she managed to run the tractor right into the VIP seats, crashing into a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins, smashing the railing and putting the front tires of the tractor into the course designers table. Thank goodness, nobody was hurt and it was the highlight of the show.

And speaking of Leslie, she'll be joining Frank Madden and Margie Engle as a judge for The Equus Foundation's Equestrian Idol this year. Should be fun. And no tractor-driving is involved!

If you were to put to a vote - The Best Horse Show Trainer/Exhibitor - the winner after the indoor circuit would have to be Archie Cox. He donates every time he is asked and certainly gets his horses to the ring every time the gate opens. Too bad there aren't more exhibitors like Archie on the scene.

USEF named George Morris and Phillip Dutton 2009 Coaches of the Year. An honor well deserved, and frankly no surprise. Congratulations, you two!

It is nice to know that some of those freeloaders around the horse show scene will have to get a real job instead of mooching off of many of the rich and famous. The gravy train is OVER.

Dick Carvin is branching out. He is the president of a new company, Equine Escrow, which provides escrow services and protection for buyers and sellers in equine transactions

Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi bought a $10 million equestrian facility in Thousand Oaks, CA. The ranch was home to Gaby Salick's Sandstone Equestrian for many years, and hosted the US Olympic Team before the 2000 Olympics. Portia trains with Archie Cox's Brookway Stables.

Also in California, Joe Montana is selling his wine country estate for a record $49 million. Joe and his wife Jennifer rode with Macella O'Neill in Sonoma County for many years, but seem to no longer have the need for the full equestrian center, skeet shooting range, gym, pool and spa that their 500-acre property includes. If the property sells for near to its asking price, it will set a new record in the area.

So. Who got arrested at the Hampton Classic?

Seeing bay? New Market - Middletown Valley Hounds hosted an historic hunting day in November when 18 purebred and partbred Cleveland Bays gathered in the field - quite an accomplishment for a rare breed that nearly became extinct in the 1960s. Lots of bay horses with big ears!!! It was a lovely day with several views for the participants, many of whom are new to the sport. The photos are spectacular. To get a peek go to www.imagesbykc.com/clevelandbayhunt

Bull market? The answer is definitely 'yes' if you are talking to Brian Lenehan, Bill Weeks, Michael Taylor, Sue Ashe and Jane Clark. They all have investments in rodeo bulls, and it would seem that while some of them are destined for hamburgers, others are off to buck in Atlanta, New York, Las Vegas and other places.

Classic Company president Bob Bell is feeling pretty special thanks to the kind folks of the Georgia International Horse Park, City Manager Tony Lucas, and Randal Mills the Mayor of Conyers who proclaimed Friday, November 7th, "Bob Bell Day" in the city of Conyers. Pretty cool, for sure. The proclamation was an expression of appreciation to The Classic Company for 15 years of quality hunter/jumper events held at the former Olympic venue.

There are still some spots open for the Daniel Geitner clinic at Canterbury Showplace in Newberry, FL on Jan 2-3, 2010. Email Colleen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Condolences to 13 year old Haley Webster, this year's Ronnie Mutch Scholarship winner, who lost her grandmother, Irene Vesci (65) on Thanksgiving in Orangeville, CA.

New Baby Department: Rene and Colleen Budzisch welcomed a daughter into the world. Elise Gretchen was born on November 2, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 5 oz. Everyone is home and doing well. Colleen is already looking forward to pony shopping!

Molly Ashe Crawley will be sidelined again. She is expecting. Congratulations to both Molly and husband, Chris.

Horse Show News: 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival prize list is available online at www.equestriansport.com. This season's circuit promises to be the best ever with over $5.5 million dollars in prize money and awards and exciting classes every week.

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