United States Eventing Association

The future is bright for Wise Master Rubelk, a yearling who was crowned the 2015 USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) East Coast Champion. This young colt is owned, bred and handled by FEH enthusiast Ronald Zabala-Goetschel. He definitely impressed the judges clinching the highest score of the day, an 83.68, in the overall yearling division before going on to win the overall championship class. Rubelk is by Shamelk (Anglo-Arab) and out of Master Ruby (Irish Sport Horse). The colt also received the Born in America award which is given to the highest placing horse who was born domestically.

Rubelk was one of 13 future Event horses that Zabala-Goetschel brought to compete at the 2015 USEA FEH Championships presented by Priefert. Of his impressive herd, the yearling was an unexpected winner. “I always thought [Wise Pirello] would win the class,” explained Zabala-Goetschel, “I didn’t expect a yearling to win the best score on the East Coast. For that I’m very happy.” Zabala-Goetschel enjoyed the fruits of his labor watching so many of his young horses win top honors. Many of these young horses share bloodlines to achieve his high standard of Event horse including the two yearlings represented in the championships who share the sire Shamelk. “They are the fifth generation of horses. It’s not that I bred the last two years to get these, I have been getting to this for 20 years,” Zabala-Goetschel elaborated, “The results are proving already. I have been working for many years to get the best bloodlines.” Zabala-Goetschel expects to return next year with these young horses as well as his crop of current weanlings.

Also represented in the final championship judging were two other young horses owned and bred by Laurie Cameron. Her three-year-old colt Maks Mojo C finished fifth overall and her two-year-old filly Maybe Magic C was pinned reserve champion. Both Hanoverians are full siblings by Mighty Magic (Holsteiner) and out of Winter Morning (Oldenburg). Cameron, who strives to perfect her breeding program, uses FEH qualifiers and championships to this effort. “Today was an amazing day to feel as a breeder who’s been trying to do it on a small scale for a long time. We do try to listen and actually use the information that we get to work with the horses and then come back. There’s such an amazing investment in the program that we’ve tried to take advantage of every opportunity,” Cameron explained.

This year’s competiton featured an optional class to send horses through a jump chute to be evaluated for a score. Although not counted toward championship placings, this class acted as a test for future years to allow horses, handlers and judges to familiarize themselves with the process. It is the hope of the USEA that this class will be fully incorporated into championships in the following years. Both Zabala-Goetschel and Cameron had high hopes for their young horses in this free jumping class. Zabala-Goetschel observed that, “You see a lot of what you can expect later. If [the horses] athletic, if they are brave, if they are powerful. You see all those things.” Cameron participated in the chute clinic this summer, which was organized to prepare competitors for this experience offered at the East Coast Championships and her three-year-old finished second in today's test class.

Final Standings:

Grand Champion – Wise Master Rubelk (Shamelk out of Master Ruby), Thoroughbred/Arabian, Yearling, Bred and owned by Ronald Zabala-Goetschel

Reserve Champion – Maybe Magic C (Mighty Magic out of Winter Morning), Hanoverian, Filly, 2 years old, Bred and Owned by Laurie Cameron

3rd - Wise Pirello (Jolie out of Pirella de Belle), Thoroughbred/Selle Francais, 3 years old, Bred and owned by Ronald Zabala-Goetschel

4th – Wise Master Bonelk (Mighty Magic out of Master Bonnie), Thoroughbred/Arabian, Yearling, Bred and owned by Ronald Zabala-Goetschel

5th – Maks Mojo C (Mighty Magic out of Winter Morning), Hanoverian, Colt, 2 years old, Bred and Owned by Laurie Cameron

6th – Wise Quick Silver (Chocolate Z out of Rye Grass Fetiche), Thoroughbred/Warmblood, Filly, 2 years old, Bred and owned by Ronald Zabala-Goetschel.

About the USEA Future Event Horse Series presented by Priefert

The USEA Future Event Horse Series (FEH) was introduced in 2007 as a precursor to the already popular USEA Young Event Horse Series. The FEH program evaluates the potential of yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds to become successful upper level event horses. Each age group is judged separately, and genders within the age group are judged separately when the number of entries allows.

Horses must earn a minimum qualifying score of 68% to be eligible to compete in the FEH Championships. The West Coast Championship will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Woodside International (CA), and the East Coast Championship is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Loch Moy Farm (MD).

The USEA would also like to thank all of the generous FEH Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Priefert; Standlee Hay, Merck Animal Health, SmartPak, Pyranha Fly and Insect Control, and Professional’s Choice.