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Featured Articles:
The Riding Tree: Coordination Of The Aids
The Sorraia
Summer Of Miracles By: Emily Lineberger Bridges
Federation Equestre Internationale News


11th January 2003
The FEI

Federation Equestre Internationale News
FEI GANDINI WORLD JUMPING RIDERS RANKINGS
The World Rankings List No 24 includes events from 1 January to 31 December 2002.
Ludger Beerbaum (GER), is the undisputed leader of the rankings since their introduction in January 2001. The winner of the Top Ten Final last December in Geneva, has a total of 3479 points. His runner-up Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) is now more than 1000 points behind.

FEI BCM WORLD DRESSAGE RIDERS RANKINGS
Ulla Salzgeber (GER) still leads the World Dressage Rankings with 79.856, ahead of Nadine Capellmann and Lisa Wilcox. The latest increased her score from 8.208 at the end of November to 78.623, thanks to her victory in Frankfurt, where, with Relevant 5, she won the Grand Prix and the Kür with a score of 81.31%.

FEI WORLD CUP JUMPING
Pessoa leads the World Cup standings
Rodrigo Pessoa leads the World Cup standings of the Western European League with 58 points since Geneva CSI-W last December. His runner up Markus Merschformann is getting closer, with a total of 53 points further to his victory in Mechelen.

IN MEMORIAM
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11th January 2003
The Art of Long Reining.....
By Katarina Antens-Miller
In early December, Bo Jenå a world renowned expert on training horses from the ground using long reining techniques as well as training and showing sport horses "in-hand" for inspections and breed shows held a clinic at Los Alamos Dressage Center in Freehold, New Jersey.
"Long reining is a very important training component of the classical dressage discipline. It is an excellent tool to improve collection and suppleness as well as to teach horses to really accept the outside rein without interference from the weight of a rider", said Dr. Gail Hoff-Carmona, owner and director of Los Alamos Dressage Center
The weather on this December day was bone-chilling cold, which did not seem to bother Jenå, a native of Sweden and director of the dressage program at Flyinge, the National Stud of Sweden, at all. Jenå seemed right at home in the cold and most of the audience opted to wrap themselves in horse blankets in order to remain in the arena with him instead of staying in the heated observation room. They watched intently as this true master of horsemanship demonstrated the use of long reins with everything from green horses to those working in high collection.
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11th January 2003
Keeping On The Trot - Homeopathy For Horses
Think of homeopathy, and you will probably imagine a growing area of human medicine attracting a wider audience every day. While more and more people are turning to homeopaths for treatments that are a valid alternative to those supplied by their doctors, there are a growing number of horse owners who are making the homeopathic choice for their animals too.
Enter Crossgates Farm, which has set up a service whereby owners of horses and ponies can access advice and products for the homeopathic treatment of their animals - including a list of homeopathic vets. Crossgates Farm provides a wide range of homeopathic products designed to not only treat problems, but also to prevent them. In association with these products is a far-reaching network of advice and a series of publications aimed at educating horse owners about the homeopathic route.
Horse owners from across the country will be able to see how the homeopathic approach could benefit their animals at the Midlands Equine Fair to be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on 8 and 9 March 2003.
Julie Dodgson is one of the founders of Crossgates. She said: "We set the business up to create an awareness among animal owners about homeopathy as an alternative to more traditional veterinary routes - many people have found that their animals had adverse reactions to antibiotics and conventional medicines. We have been exploring and learning everyday since we began, and the number of horse owners turning to homeopathic remedies and preventions has grown rapidly in that time. Over and over we are finding that it is the homeopathic route that achieves the best effects."
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11th January 2003

The USET is Proud to Present the $25,000 Intervet/USET Reining All Star Series
Gladstone, NJ—January 10, 2003—The USET is pleased to announce a new and innovative program called the Intervet/USET Reining All Star Series showcasing the top Reining horses and riders in the country! The series was developed by the USET in an effort to promote an even greater awareness of the sport of Reining.
In 2003, two $25,000-added Intervet/USET Open Reining classes will be held as part of the All Star Series at Equus America, Houston, TX on February 9 and at Equus America in Kansas City, MO on April 27. USET Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins is looking forward to the new program.

“We are really excited about the Intervet/USET Reining All Star Series,” said Jenkins. “A whole new audience will be introduced to this exciting sport at Equus America and the $25,000 purse should attract the best reining horses and riders in the country.”
Equus America is one of the most dynamic equine events ever to be presented in this country. Equus America will highlight all aspects of the equine world with some of the most highly respected and talented clinicians, trainers and competitors along with an extensive Trade Show offering visitors, exhibitors, competitors and educators the very best of everything equine.
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11th January 2003
Equine ResearchCan-Am All Breeds Equine Emporium
The first annual Can-Am All Breeds Equine Emporium, the first of its kind ever in Canada, is fast approaching. Of interest to horse enthusiasts of all ages, the four-day show will be held from March 13-16, 2003 at the Western Fair Grounds in London, Ontario.
Panel discussions involving some of the world’s leading researchers, veterinarians and vaccine manufacturers will address major topics ranging from West Nile disease to drug testing, nutrition and lameness.
“With an estimated 300,000 horses and 50,000 farms presently in Ontario, we feel there is definitely a need for a high-quality show of this type,” said Paul Maguire, President of Cam-Am Marketing. “It is a tremendous opportunity to bring together a large number of equine experts in one venue to promote the horse industry in Canada.”
More than 90 expert speakers and 260 presentations in different disciplines are on the agenda. Hall of Fame jockey Sandy Hawley and training specialists GaWaNi Pony Boy, Clinton Anderson, and Chris Irwin are just a few of the names who will take part. Many breeds of horses will also be showcased on the grounds and in demonstrations throughout the event.
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11th January 2003

AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular Features Top Show Hunters
January 10, 2003 -- Wellington, Florida -- On February 15, 2003 the seventh annual American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) Hunter Classic Spectacular will be featured under the lights in Wellington, FL. Started in 1997, the Hunter Classic has become the class to be in for hunter riders. This event features the amateur, junior and professional champion and reserve champion show hunter horses and riders who have qualified from preliminary competitions held during the weeklong Winter Equestrian Festival, February 12-15.
The AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular is a target event for many hunter riders. “I can tell you riders scramble to get into this class,” explains Geoff Teall, AHJF President.

The event takes place at night in the large grassy International Arena and attracts a huge spectator attendance both on the grass ledges surrounding the arena and at the tented dinner, which is the AHJF’s major annual fundraiser. The arena is lower than where the spectators are seated offering viewers a great chance to see the competition. There is no charge to come through the gates. So, everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the evening.
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11th January 2003
USA Equestrian
New Jersey Court Again Nullifies USET Corporate Actions
After hearing oral argument, the Superior Court of New Jersey today granted summary judgment in favor of Alan Balch, the President of USA Equestrian, the National Equestrian Federation of the United States, declaring that the new bylaws which were adopted by the United States Equestrian Team in September and October 2001 are null and void.
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11th January 2003

USET Approves Modifications to Show Jumping Computer List
Changes Made In Determining Value of European Classes
Gladstone, NJ—January 10, 2003—As requested by U.S. show jumping riders, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) has approved modifications to its weekly Show Jumping Computer List that will include a new method for determining the value of Grand Prix classes held in Europe.
Previously, all European classes had a pre-assigned value based on the FEI computer list; class value was not affected by the caliber of competitors in the class. With the modifications, the value of all classes, regardless of location, will be based on the current ranking of horse-and-rider combinations competing in the class, with only the top 50 finishers in the class to count.
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10th January 2003
Top sire Demonstrator joins Stallion AI Services
Demonstrator, the international grand prix dressage stallion and leading sire of competition horses in all disciplines, will be standing with Tullis Matson of Stallion AI Services for the 2003 stud season.
Owned by Mrs Elizabeth Walkinshaw of the Broadstone Stud and formerly ridden by Ferdi Eilberg, Demonstrator has been ranked number one dressage sire on the prestigious British Horse Database ranking for the past three years.
Demonstrator has many notable progeny currently achieving considerable success across the spectrum of equestrian sporting disciplines.
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10th January 2003
Dressage World Cup at San Patrignano
For the second consecutive year, the only Italian qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup will take place in San Patrignano. From Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th 2003, the indoor arena of the leading community in Europe for the rehabilitation and social re-integration of drug addicts will host the Italian stage of the most important international dressage competition: the FEI World Cup.
The event, as underlined by Giacomo Muccioli, responsible of San Patrignano's sports events, will open a very important year for the rehabilitation community founded by Vincenzo Muccioli in 1978. "In 2003 San Patrignano will celebrate its 25th anniversary. It is indeed a very important goal for all of us and not only for its symbolic meaning: since 1978 we have welcomed 18.000 guests, most of them enjoying today a drug-free existence. During these years our community has become a significant cultural and methodological point of reference for all those operating in the field of drug addiction. Thanks to our horse linked activities, such as breeding and the organisation of International jumping and dressage competitions, we have been able to spread our message and let people learn about the human and social reality of San Patrignano. Furthermore, the FEI Dressage World Cup represents the first stage of a path taking us to host the 2005 European Jumping Show Championships: an unprecedented event in the history of sports."
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10th January 2003
Ekstein Ranked as the World's 38th Best Sire
According to a report just released by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH), Morningside Stud's stallion Ekstein is ranked as the world's 38th best sire for producing international Grand Prix showjumpers for 2001 - 2002. Ekstein is also the top sire standing in Ireland for producing the most offspring competing successfully in international Grand Prix classes.
Only two stallions currently standing in Ireland have made the list of the world's top 40 showjumping sires for 2001-2002: Touchdown (born 1982) is ranked 35th and Ekstein (born 1986) is ranked 38th. Whereas Touchdown has only two progeny that contributed to his ranking (Liscalgot at 18 and A Touch of Romance at 1180), Ekstein has four offspring in the exclusive list of the world's top international Grand Prix showjumpers (Joel at 56, King at 203, Kasmir at 317, and L'Unique at 1149). Another interesting fact is that the great progenitor Voltaire (born 1979 and therefore seven years older than Ekstein) is ranked 37th, just one position ahead of Ekstein.
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10th January 2003
USA Equestrian
O'Connor To Receive USA Equestrian Sportsmanship Award
David J. O'Connor of The Plains, VA, has been named as the recipient of the 2002 USA Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. The Walter B. Devereux Trophy will be presented to him at the Pegasus Dinner, January 17, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington, KY, as part of the USA Equestrian Annual Meeting.
The USA Equestrian Executive Committee and USA Equestrian Affiliated National Association Presidents and Executive Directors on the USA Equestrian Board, submit nominations for the recipient of the Devereux Award. The nominees are returned to the Executive Committee and voted on by secret ballot.
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10th January 2003
CSI* Marmande (Fra) 17- 19 January 2003
Anneliese Prag Based in Elne, FRANCE, Graham Lovegrove From Halstead, ESSEX and Alex Newsham Based in Saint Valery En Caux, FRANCE have been authorised to compete at the above-mentioned show

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10th January 2003
USA Equestrian
Jeffery Receives Fifth Course Designer Of The Year Award
Richard Jeffery of Dorsett, UK, has been selected as the recipient of the Mr. & Mrs. William C. Cox Memorial Trophy as the 2002 Show Jumping Course Designer of the Year for the fifth time. He also received this award in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 1999.
Courses designed by Jeffery included courses at the Kentucky Spring Classic (Lexington, KY), Bayer/USET Festival of Champions (Gladstone, NJ) and the Pennsylvania National (Harrisburg, PA).
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10th January 2003
Show Jumping Results: CSI* Goes Netherlands 9- 11January 2003
Table A 1m30 Classic
1) LABOR'S VDL ON LINE; JUR VRIELING (NED), 2) LUTE P; LEON THIJSSEN (NED), 3) OPTICAL ILLUSION; ALBERT ZOER (NED)
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10th January 2003
CSI-W Leipzig (Ger) 23 - 26 January 2003
Richard Davenport Based in Valkenswaard, NETHERLANDS and Michael Whitaker From Whatton, NOTTS have been authorised to compete at the above-mentioned show.
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9th January 2003
North American Gypsy Horse Convention
April 8-9, 2003 will be the first ever Gypsy Horse convention in North America. The purpose of this meeting is to establish a registry and organization for the breed, the first official registry for this kind of horse outside of Europe. The meeting is to be held just preceding the "Equine Affaire" event in Columbus, Ohio, which will proudly host the largest group of gypsy horses ever gathered before the public in the USA.
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9th January 2003

Abaco Barbary Horse Update
Dear Friends of the Abaco Barbary Horse,
We just finished spending four days 'in the field' with KC LaPierre, <http://www.the naturalequine.com> a specialist in barefoot hoof care. KC was assisted by Robyn Lord. Frank Bell, a Horse Whisperer, <http://www.horsewhisperer.com> who has helped us with the wild horses for the last two years, was also in the thick of things along with his wife and assistant Alexandra. Anthony Bostwick, President of the Friends of the Abaco Barbary Horse also spent time in the field, provided accommodations for KC and Robyn (and van parking space for Frank and Alex) and hosted some truly memorable meals for the team.
Our first problem was finding the horses. For whatever reason (and I haven't found one yet) both the two main bands and the others decided, about two months ago, to pretty much disregard the pattern of movements they have followed for nearly two years although Altair's band still stayed quite close to pattern. They are roaming to all corners of the farm, have been found back in the forest on both sides of the farm (including marching up and down what will be the main road of the preserve) and in general have made themselves scarce. So we spent many hours just roaming the farm looking for the horses, with 'spotters' in the backs of pick ups looking up and down endless rows of trees. It's amazing just how often waving banana leaves look like waving manes.
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9th January 2003

More Than 13 Countries to Compete at The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival
Wellington, Florida – January 8, 2003 -- With over $3 million in prize money at stake, The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival has attracted horses and riders from more than 13 countries. Beginning on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, over 4,000 horses and over 6,000 riders, trainers, owners and grooms will gear up for the seven-week Wellington competitions.
As the premier horse show venue in the United States, The Winter Equestrian Festival, now in its 31st year, is regarded by equestrians around the world as the place to horse show from January through March of each year. In addition to the United States, the very best horses and riders from countries such as Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, France, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, Belgium and Denmark will be in Wellington competing. This will include teams showing in the equestrian disciplines of hunters, jumpers and dressage.
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9th January 2003

2003 Brookhill Steeplechase Announces New Office, New Leadership
RALEIGH, NC- The Triangle’s only Steeplechase has a new sales office and a new Race Chairman for its eleventh season. Will Stanley was elected Race Chairman for the 2003 Brookhill Steeplechase, whose sales office has moved to the Aspen Building within the Highwoods Office Park in North Raleigh. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday May 3, 2003 on Brookhill Farm in Clayton, NC.
Stanley has been active in the marketing and site operations of the Steeplechase for the past several years and brings experience as a former Publicity Director for the Raleigh Jaycees. Partnering with sponsorship marketing firm Wisse, Hollman & Co., Stanley and the Brookhill Steeplechase are excited about the upcoming season.
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8th January 2003

DR Trophies
Darlow Rosettes launches brand new Trophy Web Site
January 2003 sees the launch of the new DR Trophies web site at www.outstanding-awards.co.uk A division of Darlow Rosettes, DR Trophies has been set up to make it even easier for new and existing customers to buy top-quality trophies on-line.
A full range of awards and trophies is available -- from small figurines and medals to the finest silver-plated sports cups. All sports are catered for, including football, golf and fishing. DR Trophies are competitively priced and an engraving service is also available.
Items can be quickly and easily ordered on-line and come with the high standards of service associated with Darlow Rosettes.
Rowan Darlow, DR Trophies Sales and Marketing Manager, says, "We sell a lot of trophies through our main business, Darlow Rosettes, and we now want to open this up to everyone who buys trophies. We offer top-quality trophies at affordable prices and with the excellent standards of service that keep our customers coming back."
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8th January 2003
USA Equestrian
USA Equestrian Issues Statement On National Indoor Finals
In response to numerous inquiries from its membership, USA Equestrian, the National Equestrian Federation, issued the following statement regarding the current promotion underway for an event known as the "National Indoor Finals," scheduled for September 17-21, 2003, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
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7th January 2003
Brooke Hospital for Animals acts to help neglected foals
Thousands of foals as young as two weeks of age may be taken from their mothers and sold at markets across India, says the British-based charity Brooke Hospital for Animals. Many of these foals, which are being sold as working animals, could be taken away only days after birth.
Joy Pritchard, veterinary advisor for the charity, has witnessed this trade first-hand at the Looniyawas equine market in Jaipur, India. She describes the devastating impact this trade has on these vulnerable animals: "Foals, some as young as 15 days old, barely able to survive without their mothers' milk, are tied up side by side in long lines waiting to be sold. They have no choice but to nibble at the piles of dried grass placed in front of them, or chew in vain at each other's manes.
“When the sun moves round, there is no respite from the heat and dust except a quick drink of water given whenever the owner remembers them. All too often they are forgotten.
While teams of vets from Brooke Hospital for Animals stand by to offer free veterinary treatment and advice on equine care, the charity, which has been working in India since 1992, has reported a growing problem in the trade of young foals in Jaipur. It now fears that if this trade is replicated at horse fairs across India, thousands of foals could suffer the same fate. “In Jaipur, we worm foals, treat wounds and put pressure on owners to offer more water,” continues Pritchard. “But there are dealers who are prepared to offer very young foals, taken abruptly from their mothers, to anyone who will pay the price.”
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7th January 2003

Mars Acquires Spillers Speciality Feeds
Mars announces that it has completed the acquisition of the whole of the share capital of Spillers Speciality Feeds Limited.
Spillers Speciality Feeds was formed as a result of a management buy out in 1998 from Dalgety and produces a range of equine nutrition products at its mill in Milton Keynes. The company is a leading supplier of equine feeds and supplements in the UK market and enjoys considerable international success, shown by the fact that the company supplied thirteen of the national equestrian teams in the Sydney Olympic Games.
Mars already operates a small but successful international equine business in the UK, Germany and Australia under the WINERGY® brand. The acquisition of the Spillers business represents a major expansion of these interests and provides a sound basis for international growth.
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7th January 2003
Horse Industry Adds Over A Half Billion Dollars Annually To Palm Beach County’s Economy
Wellington, Florida – January 6, 2003 -- The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival, now in its 31st year, will begin on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington. The Festival, which will remain in Wellington for seven weeks before moving on to Tampa for the last three weeks, brings over 4,000 horses and over 6,000 riders, trainers, owners and grooms to Palm Beach County.
Wellington has long been considered the equestrian capitol of the United States, and the Festival, the preeminent horse show. With over $3 million in prize money at stake this year, one can expect to see the best horses and riders in the world competing for a place in the winner’s circle.
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7th January 2003
PERA
The PERA Ball
The PERA Ball, featuring the 2002 World Event Rider Ranking Awards, is to be held on Saturday 22nd February 2003, at Newbury Racecourse.
The evening starts at 7.30pm with a champagne reception, generously sponsored by Bouvet Ladubay, and will also include the Grand Raffle and Auction, with many exclusive prizes to be won!
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7th January 2003


State Line Tack Teams Up with HITS as Official Sponsor of Adult Amateur Hunter Division

SAUGERTIES, NY (January 6, 2003)-Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) announced today that State Line Tack is the official sponsor of the Adult Amateur Hunter Division for all of HITS horse shows during the 2003 season. The division will be called the State Line Tack Adult Amateur Hunter Division.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, State Line Tack is the equine industry's lead supplier of tack, apparel and supplies for the horse and rider. For twenty-nine years, State Line Tack has supported countless riders as they sat on their first horse, took their first riding lesson and entered their first show. By working with HITS, the largest producer of hunter/jumper horse shows, State Line Tack hopes to address the changing needs of equestrians while helping to raise the standard of the sport.
Tom Struzzieri, owner and president of HITS, is delighted to welcome State Line Tack as an official sponsor. "State Line Tack is a strong promoter of equestrian sport on both the local and national levels, and we are particularly pleased to partner with State Line Tack to promote the Adult Amateur Hunters. By combining our different areas of expertise, we hope to further encourage and enhance the Hunter sport."
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6th January 2003
The Riding Tree: Influencing The Horse
WAVERLY, WVOnly when riders progress to the top of the riding tree are they finally capable of influencing a horse to teach it something new or to remind it about something it already knows. Their communication is clear enough and accurate enough that they can use the language of aids pressures to show the horse new shapes. They have developed an independent seat and muscle memory of the correct aids. They have developed a sense of timing. They have independent control of each body part so they can apply any aid with varying degrees of pressure. As the horse moves underneath them, they relax and follow its motion in perfect balance.
When we train horses, the first step is showing them what we want them to do. Then we can ask them to do what we've shown them. Once they fully understand what we are asking, we can tell them to do it. If we know they understand what we are telling them but they refuse to do it, we can enforce our request.
Beginning riders can only ask their horses for shapes and movements because they lack the necessary skills to demand more. At this stage, many instructors use forgiving Goldie Oldies to help riders learn to relax, find their balance, and learn to follow the horse's motion. As they progress up the riding tree and learn to both apply and coordinate their aids, riders can begin telling their horses what to do. By interpreting the horse's response, they can continue improving their coordination skills. By riding many different kinds of horses, they deepen their skills. At the lower levels on the riding tree, their horses are their teachers.
When riders become very good at coordinating the aids, they become capable of influencing the horse. Now they can show a baby green horse what to do or
enforcing the requests made of a spoiled horse to retrain it. They have the necessary skills to use artificial aids like a whip or spurs to reinforce their requests without ruining their communication with the horse. The riders have now become capable of teaching.

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6th January 2003

Show Jumping Results: CSI* Zuidbroek Netherlands 2 - 4 January 2003
Gemeente Menterwolde- Prize, 1m35 Table A against the clock
1) VS Now Or Never; Piet Raijmakers Sr. (NED), 2) Odierike; Albert Zoer (NED), 3) Leonora 3; Oliver Ross (GER), 4) Polanski; Neal Fearon (IRL)
4Noord Zee Olie-Prize, 1m35 Table A with Jump Off
1) VS Now Or Never; Piet Raijmakers Sr. (NED), 2) Polanski; Neal Fearon (IRL), 3) Odessa SB; Ann De Bie (BEL)
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5th January 2003
The Criollo horse, handiness and endurance
The chosen mount of legendary Gauchos, the Criollo horse is the symbol of equestrian cultures in Latin America. This hardy little horse is exceptionally easy-handling. To invoke its name is to fuel dreams of adventure…
The Criollo horse or breed, literally "creole", has no actual name of its own. It is the direct descendant of horses brought to the New World since the arrival of Columbus, imported by Spanish conquistadores during the XVIth century and notably by Don Pedro Mendoza, founder of Buenos Aires, in 1535. Many of these war horses escaped or were abandoned, and rapidly returned to a more primal state in an environment perfect for their development, the Pampa. For the next four centuries, the Criollo breed adapted itself to the vast South American plains through the pitiless process of natural selection. This adaptation to the rude conditions of life on the Pampa was determined by selective factors acting on wild populations, which permitted them to develop qualities of physical hardiness and resistance to diseases.
Used for working cattle by the Gauchos, the Criollo is still an element in the daily work of peones, the herders and cowboys of South America that prize the horse for its hardiness, endurance and strong physical condition.

The Criollo is also appreciated in many traditional equestrian games , including polo, a national sport in Argentina. Only in the realm of outdoor nature riding can the full pleasure of riding a Criollo be experienced. It is a horse made for the great outdoors, ideal for long voyages or trail rides, trekking or western riding. Extremely easy-handling, its training as a cattle worker or even war horse seem a part of the not-so-distant past.
Concerning its temperament, the Criollo can be fearless and independent. It is often said that the Criollo is a one-man horse; it is often very affectionate, but doesn't trust just anybody. Once trust is established, it gives all of itself with amazing courage and tenacity. It fears nothing and goes absolutely anywhere!

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