Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Boyd Martin Recovery Fund and Denny Emmerson's Generosity


Denny Emmerson has generously offered to donate 50% of the profits of his book How Good Riders Get Good to the Boyd Martin Recovery Fund, until December.   WEG Central is  trotting out our affiliate link to the publisher to make it easier to purchase Denny's book directly from them. WEG Central will make a cash donation of the affiliate fees generated by your purchases throughout the month of June through this link. Won't you join the us in supporting these members of the Equestrian community? After all, regardless of your discipline, it's a great read and a great cause.

Click on the box below to go directly to the appropriate page on the publisher's site. ~ ed


Eventing: Boyd Martin Fire: Boyd Martin True Prospect Recovery Fund

West Grove, PA - May 31, 2011 - This morning's barn fire has affected the lives of so many people at Boyd Martin's barn and True Prospect Farm. From horses tragically lost, to the loss of equipment and personal belongings, as well as one of True Prospect's barns and living quarters for the wonderful people who work there. Everyone at True Prospect Farm was heroic in their efforts to save the lives of horses and recover as much equipment as they could.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank everyone for their generous offers of assistance on behalf of Boyd, his staff and everyone at True Prospect Farm. There are several options available for people who would like to make donations to support Boyd, Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman, Ryan Wood, Abie Golden, and True Prospect Farm. Donations can be made online at:

The True Prospect Fire Recovery Fund -
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/True-Prospect-Fire-Recovery-Fund/212567392108821

OR  http://www.phillipdutton.com/donatenow.php

The Tax Deductible Relief Fund has been set up through Southern California Equestrian Sports (SCES) - http://boydandsilvamartin.blogspot.com/

In addition, the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) will be sponsoring an online silent auction with all proceeds to benefit the affected individuals. More details will follow soon.

Eventing: Barn Fire at Boyd Martin's Barn

Via Mythic Landing Events:
 
West Grove, PA - May 31, 2011 -At 12:30am this morning, a barn fire of unknown cause tragically destroyed Boyd Martin's barn at True Prospect Farm.  Eleven horses were in the barn at the time.  Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman and Ryan Wood were able to evacuate five horses. Four horses are currently in treatment at The University of Pennsylvania-New Bolten Center; they are: Neville Bardos, Otis Barbotiere, Catch a Star and Ambassador's Rose.  Lillian, Caitlin and Ryan were treated and released from Jennersville Hospital.  Tragically six horses perished in the fire.  The PRO wishes to extend our deepest condolences to all those connected to Call Me Ollie, Charla, Ariel, Phantom Pursuit, Cagney Herself, and Summer Breeze.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Boyd and his team at this time.  All other horses have been relocated to area barns.  Further information on how you can help Boyd will be released shortly.

Jumping: Saugerties: McLain Ward and Oh’ D Eole win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, Presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Saugerties

© ESI Photography.
McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (May 30, 2011) — Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward is on the road to the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix after a big win aboard his own Oh’ D Eole in Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to highlight HITS-on-the-Hudson I. Ward, of Brewster, New York, won the inaugural Pfizer Million last year and has his sights set on this year’s event on Sunday, September 11.

“This was a good class,” said Ward, moments after his victory gallop on Sunday afternoon. “It was difficult enough with a lot of technical questions, but it was intelligent and rode nicely. I think the weather was great and a little on the warm side, which can make a big difference.”

The course for Sunday’s $50,000 Grand Prix was designed by Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Ellenton, Florida, who made his debut this week at HITS-on-the-Hudson. “I think the footing in this ring [Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium] is the best footing I’ve ever seen anywhere,” said Gamarra. “The horses have improved all week long and the footing has played a big part in that.”

Gamarra accomplished exactly what he planned for the class. “I expect between six to eight in the jump-off,” he said prior to the start of the class, which eventually saw seven riders return after the first round. “There were a lot of young horses here so, with that in mind, it was a fair course.”

Ward was the first to return in the jump-off and right away set the Great American Time to Beat at 33.760 seconds, which would go untouched. “This mare [Oh’ D Eole] is still a bit young but she’s been doing really well lately, winning two out of her last three Grand Prix,” said Ward. “I didn’t want to do anything insane going first in the jump-off, I just wanted to put up a good fast time and I knew she could do that, she’s a very fast horse.”

Fellow U.S. Olympian Peter Leone of Greenwich, Connecticut, aboard Select, owned by Lionshare Farm and Ger Poels, posted a clear effort two trips later in 35.270 seconds, which earned him a second-place finish in the end. Germaine Edelmann of Rexford, New York was next to show and produced the last clear effort in 41.645 seconds aboard Carotino, owned by Blue River Farm Sales, which earned her third place. The duo got their start together this past winter at HITS Ocala, earning a second-place victory in the Week IV $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, as well as numerous ribbons throughout the circuit.

© ESI Photography.
Lisa Engel and Tony Hitchcock of HITS present the awards to McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole after their victory in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.


Ward made it clear that he plans on qualifying once again for the richest jumper class in the world, the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. “Winning the Pfizer Million last year was very special to me,” said Ward. “It’ll always be something that will stand out in my career and I’m excited to compete in it again this year. Today was a great day to get started on earning some prize money in order to get qualified.”

Rounding out the top five in the class were Kate Levy aboard her own Starlight in fourth, and Alexa Lowe aboard Windsor Farm Sales’ Amicello in fifth. Ward also finished eighth and ninth in Sunday’s class aboard Seth Vallhonrat and Anne Hamilton’s Coco 135 and Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino, respectively.

Show jumping will continue this week with HITS-on-the-Hudson II, as High-Performance riders will have two more opportunities to qualify for the Pfizer Million with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Friday, June 3. Then on Sunday, June 5 the stakes get even higher with the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.


For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!