I would like to thank all the competitors for choosing to come to the 25th running of the Winona Horse Trials. I hope you and your horse had an enjoyable experience. We really lucked out with the weather. Despite the rain on Fri., the gusty winds on Sat. and the cool temperatures on Sun.; I think all went well. Much of that is due to our incredible volunteers. At your next event be sure to thank a volunteer and if you’re not riding please consider becoming a volunteer.
Both photographers got many nice pictures so be sure to check them out at www.brantgamma.com and www.casualcreation.exposuremanager.com. Results can be found at http://eventingscores.com/sgf/win09/. The use of Start Box Scoring and the internet has made it possible to get results up fast and live. In fact many competitors’ stadium scores were posted before they had gotten back to their trailers or stalls!
The new Technical Merit Award was well received with 75% of the competitors signing up to have their ride evaluated and have the chance of winning a Brant Gamma photograph. The Technical Merit Award was sponsored by Joanna Rae from American National Insurance 1-877-840-4400. Complete results can be found at www.stonegatefarm.org.
The winners were:
Preliminary: Amanda Haney
Training: Carly Strohmeyer
Novice: Kim Wolf
Beginner Novice: Teneley Struhs
Photos by Casual Creations
Kevin Smith & Tin Tin, winners of the Junior Training/YR division |
Carly Stromeyer was the winner of the Training level Technical Merit Award |
It was bitter sweet knowing that it was the last time that the cross country will be running at Huffman’s beautiful farm and we can’t thank them enough for their hospitality for the last 25 years! Fortunately I was out of town over the weekend when my husband started dismantling the course. I’m not sure I would have been able to handle that! But as we end the era of cross country at Huffman’s, we look forward to using the our new land to provide a different track at Stone Gate for next spring.
I hope many of you will be able to join us for future activities at Stone Gate Farm. For those of you who live close enough; you might want to join us for our Hunter Pace on Mon. May 25th Memorial Day!
A few months ago we began a series of Pressure Proof tips dedicated to the many different choices we have when thinking about our riding potential. We labeled these choices mindsets and discovered that some lead us towards growth, grit, and gratitude while others lead us in the opposite direction, towards feeling disappointed, defeated, and discouraged.
Spring and summer are on the horizon. As rider’s calendars begin to fill with horse trial, clinic, and schooling outing dates, organizing teams are busy with preparations to ensure smooth operations and a great experience for participants, horses, and spectators.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)/US Equestrian has announced the appointment of former USEF Eventing Development Coach Leslie Law to the position of Chef d’Equipe and High Performance Manager for the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, and Karyn Shuter, who will take on the newly developed role of U.S. Eventing High Performance Advisor. Both Law and Shuter will begin in their respective roles immediately.
Last year was a big one for USEA Young Event Horse program graduate Arden Augustus. He made a successful move-up to Modified with Sharon White in the tack, followed by a smooth transition to Preliminary, then went on to win two CCI2*-S divisions and ended the year with a CCI2*-L win.