Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and husband Markus with their new daughter, Brianne Victoria, who was born on 27 February. Meredith will be the first rider to benefit from the new system that allows Rolex Rankings points to be frozen for jumping riders while they are on maternity leave

Photo courtesy FEI 

 

Catching up:  The Phelps Media Group gang was in Geneva, Switzerland for the World Cup, and just in time for the volcano to shut everything down.  No worries (Ha!) they dispersed like a covey of quail in rental cars, heading off to visit friends, family and fellow horsemen in England, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy. In addition to the PMG folks, Jane Clark, George Morris, Linda Hough, Conrad Homfield, Bruce Burr, Rebecca Walton, Molly Baily, Ron Neal and Mario and Lisa Deslaurie were among the American equestrian stranded.

 

You would be surprised at what 10 Swiss Francs would buy you.  Just ask Bruce Burr.

 

There is no doubt that life at this year’s World Cup in Switzerland was less than pleasant with all the FEI issues.  All the players in the McLain Ward camp maintained their dignity throughout the entire debacle and we commend all of them during some very adverse circumstances.

 

Congratulations to Bruce Duchossois, who adopted Ron and Danny’s 2,000th rescue dog. He named it Chummy since the poor thing had been a bait dog.

 

Kenneth Vinther reminisced recently with EquestriSol’s Jackie McFarland about his trip to Korea at the Blenheim Spring Classic II.  The Danish immigrant joined riders from Germany, Sweden, Australia, Thailand, Norway and the US and competed in a three day show jumping competition at the Seoul Equestrian Park in March. “The first night we were invited out to a Karaoke bar, which is huge there. They love whiskey, and drink tons of it. Everyone was very cool and it was a great event. “The foreign guests, including USA’s Jack Hardin Towell Jr., all participated in the competition, and the karaoke, with Vinther belting out a tune by Elton John. 

 

Selma Garber and Lisa Skiffington were in Aiken with their new Skid Row Boutique....doing trunk shows, and manning a booth at horse shows.  Stop by and see their wares.

 

How about that Jamie Kraus?  She up and moved from Florida to Southern California to take a job with Archie Cox.

 

Congratulations (again) to Jennifer Alfano and John French, who have been selected to participate in the unprecedented 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) Hunter Derby Demonstration

 

New Baby Department: Out in California, Shady Lane Farm LLC added a new rider to the family on April 15, with the birth of Lindsay and Matt Archer’s first child, daughter Addison.

 

Charity:  Beginning in April, customers who bring their own shopping bags to Whole Foods Market in Wellington will receive a 10 cent refund per bag or can choose to donate the refund to one of two charities; the local Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center or the Whole Planet Foundation. This exciting opportunity to contribute to these local charities will continue through September.

 

Killian McGrath and Alicia Gasser signed away their tresses at the Blenheim Spring Classic II.  The west coast teenagers have generously agreed to donate their 10” plus long ponytails to benefit both the ASPCA and Equestrian Locks For Love, which helps to assist people undergoing treatment for cancer and other health issues.  The big “chop” was scheduled just before the Grand Prix at the Del Mar International Horse Show in May.

 

It wasn’t a horse that was galloping around the perfectly manicured grass fields during the Blenheim Spring Classic II. It was Katalina Rickard’s ultra-soft little grey chinchilla “Fluffy” in his exercise ball rolling around the grounds at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Jan Capistrano, CA.

 

Horses:  2009 ASPCA Medal Maclay Championship winner Zazou Hoffman rode Missy Clark’s equitation star Ivy to an impressive win in the medal finals at Syracuse last fall. Sadly, Ivy colicked in late April and could not be saved. Ivy will be missed by each and every student of Missy’s who was lucky enough to ride him, and especially by Zazou.

 

On the Move:  Kendra Cecieta, the new Director of Media Relations is taking the reins for the Jumper Classic, with the goal of generating increased enthusiasm in the New England area the week of September 15-19, for show jumping. Kendra has been a member of the Jumper Classic show management team for the past five years, so she’s plenty savvy.

 

Help!  Montgomery County, Maryland is facing the worst budget crisis in their history.  Many parks are in danger of being closed, many employees are facing layoffs, which drastically reduces services, including the likelihood that the Park Police are in danger of losing much (if not all) of their mounted unit. If you live in Montgomery County, or value our park system, go to this website and write or call those making these decisions as soon as possible.

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/
pdd/parksmatter/get_involved.shtm

 

Horse Show News:  The FEI is freezing the Rolex Rankings points for jumping riders on maternity leave, starting with the April rankings.  Under the new system, female riders will now lose only 50% of their Rolex Rankings points during their absence from competition while on maternity leave.  The new ruling means that former world number one Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum moves up from 31st on the March Rolex Rankings to 20th following the reinstatement of 50% of her points. (Meredith had a little girl, Brianne Victoria Beerbaum, on February 27th).

 

The unprecedented $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby venue is nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, which will serve as the perfect backdrop for the derby on September 19.  The MacLean family has owned and operated the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility for three generations, and has since evolved into a sanctuary for horses and owners of multiple disciplines.

 

News to share:  New baby, engagement, pickup truck?  On the move, having parties, falling off horses?  Share what’s happenin’ with your horse show friends by e-mailing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Be sure to put “News for Ingate” in the subject line.

 

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