May 2022 Issue

The Directory Horse & Pet Cremation Trailers Trailers Manure Removal Manure Removal kevin.bomgardner@aol.com Saddlery EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN May 2022 Page 41 By Tod Marks National Steeplechase Association Picking up where he left off last year, Leipers Fork Steeple- chasers' 2021 timber champion Tomgarrow, under new National Steeplechase Association rider Freddie Procter, led from start to finish in the $50,000 My Lady’s Manor Stakes, the first leg of the Maryland Timber Tri- ple, defeating Upland Partners' Mystic Strike by 2 1/2 lengths. Dolly Fisher's Schoodic was third. Breaking alertly under Procter, on his first NSA mount, Tomgarrow set a speedy pace. Proctor, Young Pick Up Two Wins at My Lady’s Manor Timber He was never headed, though Mystic Strike and Eric Poretz narrowed the gap through the stretch. The victory was one of two on the card for both Procter, a 23-year-old amateur rider in the UK, and trainer Leslie Young. Young now has six wins on the season to lead in the trainer standings. Her horses have also finished in the money 12 of 15 times. After 16 starts in his native Ireland, Armata Stable's seven- year-old chestnut Our Friend made his U.S. debut a winning one in the $20,000 John Rush Streett Memorial maiden. With Teddy Davies riding for his dad, trainer Joe Davies, Our Friend battled for the lead with Gill Johnston's Lost Story, ridden by Elizabeth Scully, for the entire three-mile journey. At the wire it was Our Friend by a length, with Bruton Street-US' Notjudg- injustsayin another length back in third. For Armata and Joe and Teddy Davies, it was one of two wins on the day. The day’s most impressive winner was John Greene Jr.’s Monbeg Stream, who’s defi- nitely a horse to watch. The five-year-old Irish-bred made his first career start at Virginia Fall in Middleburg in Octo- ber, finishing within a length of Four Virginia Gents' First Friday. After losing his rider in another timber maiden at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races in November, Monbeg Stream bounced back on Saturday to romp by 15 lengths under Freddie Procter, also for trainer Leslie Young. Monbeg Stream led most of the trip, was never pressured, and drew off on the final turn. Vintage Vinnie, Armata Sta- ble's record-setting 2021 Mary- land Hunt Cup winner, flashed fine form in his first start of the season, taking the $10,000 John D. Schapiro allowance under Teddy Davies, for trainer Joe Davies. But the win didn't come easy. Running in tandem with Kiplin Hall's Renegade River, himself a stakes win- ner, throughout the three miles and 16 fences, the duo dueled through the stretch with Vin- tage Vinnie prevailing by a half-length over his determined rival, piloted by another NSA newcomer, Jamie Neild. Boud- inot Farm's Elusive Exclusive, also ran well, closing stoutly in the stretch under Virginia Kor- rell, finishing just a neck behind Renegade River. Graduating high school seniors take note: US Equestrian is now accepting applications for the Higher Education Equestri- an Scholarship, which provides five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college. Applicants must be active US Equestrian competing mem- bers or subscribers preparing to enter any college or university full-time in fall 2022. The schol- arship is open to all 28 recog- nized breeds and disciplines. In 2021, US Equestrian expanded the eligibility require- ments for this scholarship. Previ- ously, applicants were required to be enrolled in an equine-related degree or to participate on an intercollegiate equestrian team. Now, applicants can provide other forms of evidence that they will continue their involvement in equestrian-related experienc- es while in college. This can be USEF Offers Scholarships to High School Seniors through enrollment in an eques- trian-related degree or classes, participation in an intercolle- giate equestrian team or club, an equestrian-related internship, job, volunteer work, or other proven commitment to continued involvement in equestrian sport. Funds awarded by the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship will be issued directly to the re- cipients’ educational institutions to be applied to tuition costs. Applicants must submit a completed application form, an essay, and at least one reference from an individual in the horse industry on or before July 31, 2022, to be considered for the scholarship. Completed applications, available at usef.org/forms, must be emailed to Emily McSwee- ney, National Breeds & Disci- plines Program Coordinator, at emcsweeney@usef.org on or before July 31, 2022. Scholarship recipients will be announced on September 15, 2022. Warm Up Strategies for the Dressage Ring By Rick Silvia Finally, we made it through the winter and spring is here. Spring clinics and summer shows are finally in sight. As students begin to trailer in more frequently and share their summer competition goals, I’m often asked for warm-up strate- gies and advice. Recently, I was delighted when French Creek Equestrian Association asked me to teach a clinic specifically per- taining to warm-up strategies. Of course, each horse is an individual and our approach must vary depending on the individu- al’s physical and mental needs. However, the below principles apply to a broad spectrum of types and levels. • Plan ahead: Days be- fore your test be mindful when warming up. Check the time as you mount and then again when you feel like your partner is warmed-up and feeling through. At that point, you may begin to touch the various “buttons” and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients to com- plete each movement within your test. The duration of time it took to get to this stage of your ride, including walk breaks, is an ideal warm-up length for your horse. Often I see riders who get on their mount far too early and warm-up way past their prime. Ideally, you want both you and your mount to be fresh when you enter the arena. Otherwise, your test may appear flat, and often riders struggle to maintain their position when they are having to remind their mount to stay in front of them. • Know your test: I insist that all of my students memorize their test before showing. If the rider is focusing on the readers' directions they are focused on riding the pattern and move- ments, not the horse. I want the rider to know exactly where they are going well in advance, so they can focus on preparing each movement in advance and feel comfortable allowing their partner to show the full scope of their ability. • Edit: A week or so before a competition I ask my students to ride through their entire test, in a regulation arena, while be- ing recorded. We’re then able to review the footage together and discuss where potential points can be gained. Knowing where your challenges lie within your test allows you to narrow your focus while training and better (Continued on page 43)