GO SHOW IN DEL MAR IN OCTOBER!
Announcing two new ‘A’ rated shows well worth considering:

October 17 – 21: Del Mar Festival I
October 24 – 28: Del Mar Festival II

BOTH shows have:
- $25,000 Grand Prix (1.45m)
- $2,000 Jumper Classics (1.35-1.40m)
- $2,500 Young Jumper Classics presented by Mary’s Tack & Feed
- $3,500 Junior / Amateur Owner Jumper Classic (1.35m - 1.40m) ENTRIES CLOSE: September 28th

Visit www.jumpdelmar.com for more details.

EQUESTRISOL WELCOMES
Harley Brown Equestrian, located at Oak Park Equestrian Center in San Luis Obispo, to our list of clients. We will be developing a new campaign for Harley, so stay tuned! Congratulations to Harley and Cassiato, owned by the Oak Park Group, on winning the $30,000 Pebble Beach Grand Prix earlier this month.

WEST COAST ACTIVE RIDERS
The summer season is coming to a close with a fantastic West Coast Active Riders report - from Richard Spooner & Joie Gatlin traveling to and winning in Europe to our successful Spruce Meadow Teams as well as fabulous individual results at Spruce from a number of west coasters, AND hats off to Zone 10 for bringing home the GOLD in both the Team and Individual competitions at Young Riders! WOW, now that’s a GREAT SUMMER!

Congratulations to everyone – the west coast is so proud of how beautifully you have represented us and we hope to continue to expand in the ways WCAR can support your efforts. We envision a bright future.

Who will go to Göteborg, Sweden in April ’08? September means the start of the World Cup qualifying season, best of luck to everyone. All the World Cup Qualifier dates can be found at www.westcoastactiveriders.com.

Are you ready to develop a fabulous ad or design a web site? We are ready to create a look that perfectly fits your marketing goals. Contact us for more details.

DEL MAR INTERNATIONAL: September 26th - 30th, 2007
Prize list, vendor information and application available online at jumpdelmar.com. Entries closed August 31, 2007.

SHOWMOM.COM
With ads and editorial from USHJA’s In Stride to California’s Hunter Jumper Magazine and also on the web, ShowMom.com is the new community for show moms (and dads) everywhere. Click here to take the survey and sign up for the free Savvy ShowMom e-newsletter.

TAMMY CHIPKO TALKS WITH TOP TRAINERS: ARCHIE COX

The USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals took place on August 20th & 21st at Showpark. The Finals consist of a handy class, hack class, and then a classic type round. Showcasing some of our top hunters, it was a great opportunity to catch up with one of the West Coast's top hunter trainers, Archie Cox.

Tammy Chipko: What do you think about the Finals happening at Showpark this year?
Archie Cox: Holding it in the Grand Prix field is an outstanding place for both horse and rider. It is nice to see hunters on a large grass field. It gives you the feel of the horse and rider combination in a hunt field. It's beautiful.

TC: The Juniors had to prepare their own horses and are not allowed to have anyone else ride them prior or during the competition. How do you feel about this?
AC: I think it's great. What everyone learns with this format is that the junior riders are very capable of preparing their own horses. It gives the kids a better understanding of their horse and how much work their horse needs or does not need. I think sometimes we as trainers do too much. I think it also gives the kids a sense of accomplishment. It's great for their confidence when they finish and they know that they did everything from the preparation to the ride in the show ring themselves.

TC: The first round was a handy round. What do you like to see in a handy round?
AC: The best description I have ever heard of a handy round came from Frank Chapot. He said, "The handy course is to be ridden in a ground-saving manner." This means tight turns, efficient use of the ring, forward pace. I like to see a long gallop to either the first or last jump. This depends on the course as well as the course will dictate the length of stride and pace of the horse. If the handy course is ridden well it should show a lot of expression in a forward hunting pace. Remembering the whole time it still is a hunter round.

TC: How do you like to see the course designed?
AC: The course should resemble what you would find in a hunt field. I like to see a range of solid jumps as well as airy jumps. You want to design the course so that it shows off the classic style of the horse allowing for good gallops, and jumps that really show off the expression and quality of each horse. I think if it is designed this way the horse and rider combinations are able to show in a more natural state and should be rewarded for it.

TC: Can you comment on the turnout of horse and rider?
AC: I am a very detail oriented person. The turnout of both horse and rider is extremely important and both should look their absolute best.

TC: How do you feel about the Jr. Hunter Finals?
AC: I love it! The Hunter Finals have grown significantly over the past five years. We have some of the top juniors and horses from all over competing at this event. Because this is a stand-alone competition I think it creates a great group atmosphere for the kids. They get to meet other junior riders that they might not usually see, and because it's all about the juniors it builds a strong comradery amongst them. It's just a great opportunity for the junior riders to really shine and know that it truly is all about them!

TAMMY CHIPKO TALKS WITH TOP TRAINERS: JOIE GATLIN

Joie Gatlin just returned from spending over a month in Europe competing at some of the most prestigious horse shows in the world. We were able to spend a little while talking about her travels and experiences this summer. Her excitement and passion for the time spent in Europe is definitely worth sharing.

Tammy Chipko: What made you decide to do this tour?
Joie Gatlin: I planned it at the beginning of the year, thinking the trip would be a great experience for my horses as well as for me. I knew it would raise the bar, so to speak, for me. When you are there you are warming up with and competing against the best in the world, it certainly raises your expectations of your own riding ability. The caliber of riders that I was able to watch, and listen to, also made for an incredible experience – John Whitaker, Ludger Beerbaum to name just two I rode around with.

TC: How did your tour start?
JG: We left from Calgary and flew to Luxembourg. We then stayed at a farm in Belgium for a few days where I could ride prior to driving to Italy. The first competition was a CSI 5* in San Patrignano, Italy, ranked the biggest and most difficult of all the competitions in Europe.

TC: How were you accepted there?
JG: Everyone was incredibly friendly. The camaraderie was amazing! All the riders are competing against one another and they 100% are there to win but they still will help each other out as much as possible. I felt welcomed and respected.

TC: How did you do in Italy?
JG: I was the first to go clear and the crowd was fantastic. The stands were packed and everyone was so excited. I will never forget that moment. I ended up 9th overall. It was such a thrill to be standing in the winners circle with Christian Ahlmann, Markus Ehning, Markus Beerbaum and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum. I was so proud of Suncal’s King and so happy with our results.

TC: How did the tour continue?
JG: The second horse show was in Switzerland at a place called Ascona. Like many of the European shows, Ascona had beautiful rings, VIP tents, barns, etc. The Grand Prix was really tough competition with over 50 of the best ready to win. History repeated itself - I was the first clear round, and the crowd – you wouldn’t believe it! They were incredible. It was so exciting. I ended up 9th again and was elated.

We had a week off at this point and took the opportunity to do some sightseeing which was breathtaking. We also looked at some nice sale horses in different areas.

We then went to Jon Tops Week I Horse Show called “Valkenswaard,” another great show with again some of the top riders in the world there to compete. My young horse Twindoline was 2nd and 3rd in the young horse classes, very exciting. The Europeans really put a lot of effort into the young horse classes and strongly believe in this pattern of development. It was great to finish so well. And just as exciting was my 12th place finish in the Grand Prix. This is a beautiful show that anyone who has an interest in competing in Europe should attend.

TC: Congratulations on your success! Would you recommend that others (including Juniors or Amateurs) compete in Europe?
JG: Absolutely, it is a great opportunity. When you get a chance to watch, ride and compete with the best in the world it can only make you better. Your expectations are higher, your goals are higher, and your standards are higher. If you have the opportunity to take a horse and show at a few nice shows it can only improve your riding. Europe has so many beautiful places to see and wonderful people to meet. I would absolutely recommend it to any serious show jumper.

TC: Well, you must have a lot of catching up to do at home?
JG: I am very fortunate to have my husband Morley Abey as a partner. He really took care of everything this summer so I could have this opportunity. Not only did we have great tours in both Spruce Meadows and Europe, but Morley kept everyone at home happy and showing here. Thank you, Morley!

UMA THURMAN & U-PRINCESS
3 Year Old Bay Holsteiner Fillies
Imported from Germany, very attractive & great movers. Excellent ground manners.
Ready to start. Each priced at $25,000
Contact: plaidranch@earthlink.net or Hap Hansen at (619) 540-2622

WINIFRED & WYANOTTE
Dark Bay Yearling Holsteiner Fillies
Imported from Germany, very attractive with great bloodlines.
Each priced at $18,000.
Contact: plaidranch@earthlink.net or Hap Hansen at (619) 540-2622

We are always excited to hear how well our clients are doing, and try our best to include results and names accurately. Any error or omission is unintended, and we will be happy to correct it in the next newsletter with your feedback. Though we don't have room to include everyone in each newsletter, please keep contacting us with your results and news so that we can sing your praises every chance that we get!

Congratulations to everyone and thank you!

BLUE HILL FARM, LLC - visit website
Still out on the east coast, Rebecca Hofmann exhibited at HITS-On-the-Hudson after Spruce Meadows. Keeping up with her winning ways, she and Corona finsihed 3rd in the $75,000 In the Woods Grand Prix, and 8th in the $25,000 ARIAT Grand Prix.

BROOKWAY STABLES - visit website
Show Biz California wrote a beautiful article on Peter Lombardo in their last issue – take a look. We also want to thank Archie for taking the time for an EquestriSol interview.

The daughter of Kathy Keeley (ShowMom.com) rode in Archie’s clinic recently and Kathy contacted us with this comment: “Strong on the fundamentals on equitation and jumping. I was especially impressed with how he remembered each rider’s name and spoke to each one directly. Megan said that it was the best technical training she’d had in over three years.” Archie and his clients continue to reign supreme from show to show and we tip our hats to their success.

JENNI MARTIN ENTERPRISES - visit website
Here at home Steve and Chris coached Steve Borders on Exupery to an A/O Championship at Showpark last week. Hallie Caracciolo ribboned on her debut back in the ring affer a broken elbow. Jenni is off to the Young Horse Championships in Aachen - good luck Jen!

JOIE GATLIN-MORLEY ABEY - visit website
Check for Joie's interview in this newsletter, and visit her Spotlight page for the team's latest results.

PEGASUS SHOW STABLE - website coming soon!
So much happening at Pegasus – congratulations to Tina Dilandri on earning a Jr. Hunter Championship her first time out on Rockwell. Rave reviews for Valerie Cooper and Broadway Bound in the Amateur Hunters bringing home a win in the A/A/ Classic and a tri-color from Showpark this summer. Eggplant has been very consistent this season in the Schooling Hunters. Good luck to Kelly Francis on Dillon and congratulations to Jake Endicott on his leadline blue ribbon at Menlo!

PLAID RANCH, LLC - website coming soon!
The ads from Plaid Ranch in this newsletter speak volumes. With Hap Hansen riding and training and Natalie Rae Medlock exhibiting Plaid Ranch’s beautiful, talented and successful Holsteiners, we are certain to see more gorgeous pictures to fill those ad pages!

ROUNDMEADOW FARM, LLC - visit website
Nicole was busy at the Pebble Beach shows – she had a long list of clients exhibiting, Everybody ribboned, some notable wins include Tattinger garnering blues in a slew of Amateur Owner Hunter classes including the A/O Hunter classic. Peggy Munkdale won a jumper class on Toetsie and Shelia McGraw won the ASPCA. Jessica Tali won in the 12 & under eq over fences and Roark Luskin won the Children’s Jumper Derby and the Pickwick Medal. Katherine James won the WCE – so we’ll be seeing Nicole at the medal finals.