Over fifty riders competed in the international divisions at Aspen Farms Horse Trials over the weekend in Yelm, Washington, with both division winners leading from start to finish.
In addition to earning themselves a blue ribbon and other prizes, both CIC2* division winner Sophie Click aboard her own Fernhill Rising and CIC* division winner Jordan Linstedt riding Janine Jaro’s Staccato secured themselves an additional $500 in prize money as the top-placed Southern California Equestrian Sports (SCES) members in their respective divisions.
“I feel very lucky to be one of the SCES prize recipients this weekend at Aspen Farms. It’s amazing to have an organization like this that is dedicated to helping equestrians raise tax-deductible funds to compete in national and international competitions. Funds like this are what help make competing at the highest level possible. I am very grateful for SCES and their support!” remarked Jordan Lindstedt.
Sophie Click, winner of the Aspen Farms CIC* and $500 from SCES.
SCES is proud to support these two talented riders, in addition to the Aspen Farms Horse Trials, as a part of their mission to support horse sports and competitors in a variety of disciplines at the international levels.
“On behalf of SCES, we congratulate Sophie and Jordan on their accomplishments. We know the hard work and dedication required to succeed in equestrian sports and are proud to support them in achieving their goals,” stated Southern California Equestrian Sports President, David Kuhlman.
SCES is open to riders in all equestrian disciplines, from a variety of countries, competing at the international levels of competition (FEI), which proudly includes paralympic athletes, and urges any interested equestrians to apply through their website at scesports.org.
For more information about Aspen Farms, visit aspenfarmseventing.com.
About Southern California Equestrian Sports
Southern California Equestrian Sports, Inc. (SCES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping equestrian riders and organizers raise tax-deductible funds to compete in and support their national and international competitions throughout the United States.
SCES is designed to help athletes and owners expand their financial resources to train and compete by allowing supporters to receive tax-deductible benefits for contributions. SCES understands the financial commitment it takes to compete at the highest levels of equestrian sports; therefore established an organization to help foster development and competition.
SCES will consider any equestrian or competition meeting the eligibility criteria, in any discipline that is nationally or internationally recognized, for grants. The seven FEI disciplines are combined driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining, and vaulting.
SCES has been granted a tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax deductible at the maximum allowed by law and donations can be made on behalf of Southern California Equestrian Sports, Inc.
For more information about Southern California Equestrian Sports, please visit their website.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is proud to announce the first class of USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Judges have completed their certifications through the YEH New Judge Education Program, which was led by YEH faculty member, Marilyn Payne.
Nazila Hejazi and her 20-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter mare, Tessa, may have made for an unconventional pair at the USEA Area VI Championships, held in October at Galway Downs (Temecula, California) but they didn’t let that hold them back. It’s uncommon to see a horse in their twenties still competing in eventing, and even more rare for a gaited horse to compete in a jumping sport.
Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on the powerful moment in 1963 when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his vision for a better future. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech was more than just words; it was a call to action that transcended time, culture, and boundaries—a beacon of hope that continues to inspire.
We’ve all been there—on the horse who pokes his way around the warm-up ring, needs leg, leg, leg coming into the combination, or brings up the rear on every trail ride. None of us wants each and every ride to be a lower-body squeezefest, nor do we wish to do anything with our crop except maybe wave it at that annoying deerfly. In this excerpt from his book The Sport Horse Problem Solver, former international eventer Eric Smiley explains the essential quality of forwardness and how to prepare the horse to expect you to look for it in all that you do together.