Congratulations Rich Fellers

Friday, February 1st
Rich Fellers and Flexible win the $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, presented by Adequan. Richard Spooner, Mandy Porter, Guy Thomas and Harley Brown also improved their World Cup point standings.

HITS has it covered!

HITS Thermal unveiled its new, covered EquiBase™ Arena Systems Ring on Saturday Jan. 26th when Nicoletta Von Heidegger of Chatsworth, California topped 26 competitors during the jumper phase of the Washington Equitation Classic at HITS Desert Circuit I.

On Friday evening, Feb. 1st , the innovative covered ring was the site of the first of four $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifiers, presented

by Adequan during the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit. VIP Oasis Club Members will have exclusive access to a special area set up for these four World Cup Qualifiers. VIP Oasis Club Chef Ric Orlando and his team will present the guests with a fantastic array of hors d'oeuvres.

The EquiBase Ring features completely new jumps from Olaf Petersen and unique decorations from course decorator Evie Frisque. "Evie's wonderful décor is beyond description," said HITS Thermal's Office Manager Donna Vale. "The combination of her skills and the new jumps make the ring a very elegant place to show."

Used extensively throughout Europe for a number of years, EquiBase mats are made from 100 percent recycled PVC that has been proven to be environmentally friendly. The mats have a moisture-retention system on the topside while the underside ensures highly efficient drainage of excess water. The design of the mats helps to increase the stability of the footing layer in a ring by preventing "shear stress" or movement of the footing. This feature enables horse and rider to execute quick turns at high speed, making it ideal for Grand Prix show jumping. In addition, the mats have also been shown to provide shock absorption, which helps to protect ligaments, tendons and joints.

"Footing is the critical component in the long term health and soundness of these magnificent equine athletes," said Joy Koch, Director of North American Operations for EquiBase Arena Systems International. 'By making footing a priority, HITS is helping ensure that the horses competing at their venues will be able to perform at top level over the long haul. We applaud Tom Struzzieri, Fred Bauer and the rest of the HITS management team for taking this decisive step for the well-being of our top show-jumping horses."

The EquiBase system is an integral part of HITS' comprehensive plan to improve footing at both the Thermal CA and Ocala FL venues this winter. Koch and EquiBase Chief Executive Officer, Wolfgang Bacher, have supplied more than 2000 EquiBase mats and over 10 tons of EquiBase Geotextil Fiber for use in the new HITS Thermal indoor ring. The EquiBase mats at HITS Thermal are the very same design that were installed in Rome at the 75th Concourse Piazza di Sienna for the 2007 Samsung Super League Nations Cup and at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which will host the equestrian events during the 2008 Olympics in China.

The FEI class in the new EquiBase™ Arena Systems Ring on Friday was one of three Grand Prix classes this week. First on Thursday, January 31st, was the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix. On Sunday, February 3rd some of the West Coast's most elite riders rode (through wind and dust) top international course designer Leopoldo Palacios' route in the Grand Prix presented by EMO. The Ariat and EMO classes will take place in the Grand Prix ring.

Announcing...

First we would like to congratulate Zazou Hoffman for her numerous victories Week I, including the USET and CPHA which qualify her for the RW Mutch Equitation Classic Week VII.

We are excited to unveil a brand new look for Martin McAllister Training, previously Jenni Martin Enterprises. More to come! We welcome Blue Ribbon Law offering fabulous legal services to our industry. Soon we'll be releasing a newsletter for Shockwave Therapy, Dr. Jenny Johnson. See her coupon along with GeckoPad and and an incredible real estate offer from Carol Bird in this issue. As always, we applaud Joie Gatlin-Morley Abey Show Jumping, Inc.

And finally we are thrilled to announce a strategic alliance with Central Equine. We think they do a fabulous job marketing horses - with our joint package you can market a sale horse weekly with EquestriSol in print and e-news, have a comprehensive online listing with video and 1/3 pg ad in the Central Equine eBook. All for $300! Contact Tammy for this and other magnificent marketing opportunities: (818)472-5930

BY TAMMY CHIPKO
Finding the right horse can be an exciting and rewarding experience if you are prepared. When it comes to selling a horse there are a variety of marketing options, from sale barns to online listings or a combination. I had the opportunity to speak with four very different professionals who specialize in "matchmaking for horses and owners." Whether you are buying or selling, their collective knowledge may help you.

BY ZAZOU HOFFMAN
The pony hunter ring allows the rider to get a real sense of what the judge is looking for in a hunter. Because the classes are smaller, broken into small, medium, and large pony divisions, the rider and the parents can watch every round; i.e. the whole division from beginning to end. So you can see what the judge rewards in the way of conformation and form over fences as well as in the under saddle classes. From watching and studying the same ponies over a two or three day period, you will learn various judges tastes (each day the judges rotate rings) and can begin to understand what wins. Often it seems that only the "name" ponies, which tend to be the most expensive ponies, are rewarded, but there are exceptions. And here's the thing--there is camaraderie at the pony ring that gets lost in Children's Hunters where the divisions have a ginormous number of entries. Your brain would turn to mush if you sat and watched every round, sometimes over a hundred. You never really get to see what the judge wants. Watch and learn at the pony ring as much as you can.

Don't be too quick to move out of the pony ring, but if you are getting frustrated with competing against the top ponies, try some pony equitation classes and pony medals. Use the pony ring as a place to learn. Take notes on which ponies win consistently, try to watch videos of the best pony rounds from the indoor shows. On the East Coast many of the best pony riders are in their late teens. The Green Pony division is beginning to emerge on the West Coast and there is a real need for competent riders to help train the ponies that show exceptional talent.

Having the chance to show large pony hunters is an advantage in the transition to horses. Large pony hunters actually jump the same height, 3', as Children's Hunters (horses). It is more challenging for a pony than it is for a horse to jump that height, and also to cover the longer distances between fences. So pony riders who successfully pilot a large pony around generally feel comfortable with the height and make the transition to horses more readily. After jumping a 3' course on a pony, you are ready for the next leap onto a horse.

When I rode ponies, I had a couple of difficult ones. They taught me to be a tenacious rider, which got me noticed by other trainers. I was lucky to be asked to catch-ride many wonderful and nationally known ponies. At the same time my mother had a green hunter horse, Andy Warhol, who was ready to move into the Children's Hunters. We learned together. He was Small Junior Hunter size, so as I advanced, so did he. This is where we learned about another great transition division, the Modified Hunters. At 3'3" it is an obvious transition height into the Small Juniors, which are 3'6". One consideration is that there is no prize money because it is an unrated division and there are a ton of competitors. It's a great practice division, but it's meant as a transition to the 3'6". When I moved into the Junior Hunters I can't say it was seamless, but I did it. The Modified Division helped.

Once again the Junior Hunter Divisions are smaller, as in the ponies, and I took advantage of this by watching and getting a real feel for what the judge was looking for. Here in California, especially at Thermal, we have some of the finest hunters in the country competing. It is amazing to see such great athletes, with flawless conformation and movement, beautifully presented. They are like the most amazing Breyer horse models, but you can go up and touch them and ask the rider questions about their personality and what it's like to ride them.

If you are already competing on a horse, Children's, Modified or Junior, take the time to watch the 3'6" hunters. Watching has taught me a lot over the years, not only about what the judge is looking for but also about the ride.

Zazou Hoffman is a 16-year-old from Santa Monica, CA. As a 13-year-old, having only shown locally, she decided to apply for the Ronnie Mutch Working Student Scholarship. She won, which led to working with respected East Coast trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan. Through hard work and commitment, by Jan. '07 Zazou was one of seven elite riders chosen to work with Olympic Chef d'Equipe George Morris in Wellington, FL. She has competed in the Medal Finals for the past three years. She counts her win at the Maclay Regional, her 4th in "the Medal" at Harrisburg, her 5th in the USET Talent Search East at Gladstone, and her 3rd in the WCE amongst her notable accomplishments.

If you have spent any time at horse shows on the west coast you are sure to know Janet Fall. She is a heroine of the Show Jumping World whose compassion, patience, and great sense of humor make long days, bad rounds, falls, and overall grumpiness a whole lot easier to handle.

Janet comes prepared with everything whether it's sun screen, water, tissue, or a shoulder. Her personal traditions are sure to amuse or potentially frighten: for example, when you finish your first Grand Prix round and she applies her permanent black marker to your $150.00 shirt. (Trust me, it's worth it!) Having traveled extensively, Janet can entertain you for hours with her knowledge and information. It was a great pleasure to interview her.

Tammy Chipko: What is your title?
Janet Fall: This depends on what country you're in. Titles have changed but most common are Whipper-in, Paddock Steward or Starter.

TC: How long have you been doing this?
JF: Over a quarter century!

TC: What was the reason you chose this job?
JF: I think this industry chooses you. I was shoeing horses at local shows and when work was slow I would help out with announcing. I also love the opportunity this job gives me to travel--my aunt said that I was born with roller skates on my feet! Eventually, I found myself shoeing horses at two in the morning so I could announce at horse shows. So I made my choice and I've been announcing ever since.

TC: What are your favorite things about the job?
JF: I love people and I get to watch the greatest horses in the world do their job. I don't have to pay to watch; in fact I get paid! Beats working for a living. I get paid to do what I love!

TC: What is your least favorite thing about the job?
JF: People who DO NOT PAY ATTENTION. You make announcements and they don't listen. No sooner do I make an announcement when somebody is asking me a question about what I've just clearly announced.

TC: What would you like everyone to know about you?
JF: If you are late it is a sign of rudeness. That's how I was raised. The only reason for being late is that you did not start early enough.

TC: Favorite thing to do, besides your job?
JF: Fish

TC: Favorite Horse?
JF: I have so many that I don't think I could pick one. Would you ask a mother to pick her favorite child? Fairness is BIG. I want every horse to be a champion.

TC: Something not everyone knows about you?
JF: I am a Recreation Major. I've worked on a Race Track as a groom as well as grooming Hunter/Jumpers.

TC: Do you ride?
JF: I have, but to be honest I've found more pride in grooming. It is a whole different relationship. You don't necessarily have to ride in order to find the beauty in a horse.

TC: Do you have a favorite memory?
JF: Even back 26+ years when I was handling the pony ring I would watch the kids try to learn their course. It was wonderful to watch the first course they completed (still mounted!) Now, it might be a rider's first Grand Prix or first Grand Prix win. The riders' milestones have become my milestones. I feel like a part of the team. Kids I knew in the pony ring are now making the Olympic Team. That's a big thing for me!