Spokane Sport Horse Farm's Second Annual Spring event which was held from May 12-14, 2017 was very honored to host Washington residents Mary Sawyer and her longtime companion Broker's Joker, a 28-year-old black/white Paint gelding by The Stockbroker and out of Regal Rose Gold. The pair rode in the Intro division with and scored a 32.9 in dressage for seventh place, had a clear cross-country round and just an unfortunate senior moment in show jumping resulting in their first ever technical elimination. While we value all of our 200+ competitors Mary and her partner obtained a very unique status at this event. Their combined age is 100 so they therefore completed a CENTURY RIDE!
Mary and Joker score a 32.9. Cyra Carlson Photo.
Mary began riding Joker as a 3-year-old. He did some 'B' system dressage and did his first cross-country schooling at Caber Farm. They competed in USEA recognized events in 2001 with one year at Beginner Novice and three years at Novice. When Joker was 16 he developed some lameness and retired from jumping. He was a lovely sound trail horse after recovering from his lameness. He happily came out of retirement to help Mary fulfill her dream of a century ride.
Mary and Joker through the water complex. Full Stride Photography Photo.
Joker, Mary's trusted sidekick of years, doesn't look a day over 15! He was more than happy to gallop cross-country and was making easy work of a Chris Barnard designed show jump course jumping exactly where pointed – oops a senior moment! While they would have probably finished this century ride on their dressage score it wasn't meant to be.
SSHF owner Christel Carlson presented Mary with a farm logo show pad, specially designed for the event stained glass jumping horse the division winners receive, new stock tie donated by Sponsor Chubby Cov and Cindy Covington and a large championship blue ribbon as our first century ride. Cyra Carlson Photo.
Mary and Joker planned to ride in their Century Club dressage ride June 10 in Wenatchee Washington, sporting a new pad and stock tie given by Spokane Sport Horse Farm.
The horses in trainer Joe Davis’ barn at Horseshoe Indianapolis don’t just get standard hay in their nets each day. Throughout the afternoon, Davis or one of his employees opens the HayGain machine that sits at the end of his shed row and pulls out a warm, beautiful-smelling bale of freshly-steamed hay to fill their nets.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.