He never finished outside of the top 10 in 2019, he placed third at the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final, he won the CCI4*-S division at Stable View, and earned 210 USEA points last year to be named the 2019 Standlee Premium Western Forage USEA Horse of the Year - Z is the January Horse of the Month! Z is an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by the Z partnership and ridden by Phillip Dutton.
A workhorse who is naturally shy and dislikes crowded arenas - learn more about the Zangersheide gelding through his longtime rider, Dutton.
About Z
“Z is a pretty easy name so that sticks.”
“Z is a good eater - he likes most food including carrots, mints, etc.”
“I would say it’s the cross-country. He certainly gets pretty excited about it, but I can tell he’s also proud of himself at the finish and the cool down.”
“He is naturally a bit shy, but as his education has increased so has his confidence and outward personality.”
“He likes to work, so that’s one of the reasons we get along. I do think he likes to compete and perform. He also likes his turnout.”
“He is not a fan of crowded arenas and warmup.”
“I feel lucky to be a part of his career and to watch him grow and mature. Plus, I think the best is ahead of him.”
About the USEA Horse of the Month
The USEA is recognizing an event horse each month on the USEA website and social media. The USEA Horse of the Month is determined based on statistics and event results and announced at the beginning of every month. The January Horse of the Month was selected based on the performance of the 2019 USEA Competition season.
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.