The English Equestrian Studies program hosted the fourth annual Equestrian Festival / Mini-Prix on Saturday September 25, 2010.  The festival has grown into a three - day event.  It is part of The University of Findlay's Family Weekend. 

FRIDAY

The first event was the Welcome Stake on Friday afternoon.  This jumping event was open to all, including current students and alumni.  The top eight places were awarded ribbons.
1st Place        Nicole van Dyke
2nd Place       Krystle Dahmer
3rd Place        Courtney Newby
4th Place        Katie Noonan
5th Place        Jess Ohlinger
6th Place        Bailey Coulombe
7th Place        Melissa Blades
8th Place        Lara van der Hieden

SATURDAY

The Mini-Prix Jumping competition began Saturday morning.  Twenty competitors jumped the first round.  The top nine returned for the final on Saturday afternoon. 

In order to properly welcome President and Mr. Roger Fell to our Equestrian Festival, it was decided that we needed Fell Ponies to greet them.  Michael and Beth Knott from Grass Lake, MI. were gracious enough to bring two of their Fell Ponies down to Findlay for the festival.  

Laurelhighlands Beauty (on the right) is a three year old black purebred Fell Pony bred at Laurel Highland Farm in Cogan Station, PA.  Laurelhighlands Shimmer (on the left) is a 1 1/2 year old gray (gradually changing from black) Fell Pony.  There are only approximately 450 Fell Ponies in North America.  Michael and Beth own five of them.  All of their ponies were bred at Laurel Highland Farm by Mary Jean Gould-Early, MD and Edward Early, DVM.  

Saturday afternoon was packed with entertainment.  Special recognition was given to one of our Dressage school horses - Duel.  Duel had the opportunity last spring and summer to help a para-equestrian qualify for the Para-Dressage Competition at the 2010 World Equestrian Games being held in Lexington, KY.  Jennifer Baker from Loveland, OH needed an upper level horse to compete on, after her own horse suffered an injury.  Click here to read aboutDuel's journey.  Junior dressage student - Emily Staadecker rode Duel out for his moment to shine.

Two of our Dressage students performed a Pas de Deux to the music "Tea for Two".  Senior Audrey Busby - riding Maestro and Sophomore Katherine Byrd - riding Snickers, performed a drill choreographed by our Dressage Director - Janet Harms.  

A new addition to the festival this year was our Parade of Breeds.  We showcased 13 different breeds of horses. 

Leslie Barns of Lucky Star Stables in Bluffton, OH brought her magnificent five year old Gypsy Vanner - Snow Baby. 

Katherine Byrd presented Snickers, our 14 year old Lipizzan.  Snickers is owned by The University of Findlay and is used in our Dressage Program.

Doug Barchent brought a two year old Standardbred pacer by the name of Send Cash.  Send Cash is owned by The Broken Brokers Ltd. stable.  The stable is comprised by Richard Barchent and Wayne Farthing. 

The American Quarter Horse breed was represented by Poco Jazzy Dun (aka Ronald the Reiner).  Ronald is owned and trained by Janet Harms of our Dressage Program.  Ronald was ridden by dressage student - Lizz Gust.

Navajo is a stunning Appaloosa horse.  He is owned by The University of Findlay and used in our Dressage Program.. Navajo is a 16 year old gelding.  He was ridden by dressage student - Allison McClure.

Martha Boyd brought us her 11 year old Icelandic Horse - Solbrennder fra NorthStar. 

Jeanna Haggard brought her majestic six year old Drum Horse - Killian's Irish Red.  Jeanna trains at Lucky Star Stables. 

Salty is a Pony of the Americas (aka POAs).  Salty is a 16 year old mare owned by The University of Findlay.  She is part of our Dressage Program.  Salty was shown by dressage student - Kristen Stahl. 

Megan Saylor (UF English Equestrian Studies graduate) trains at Full Spectrum Friesians in Lima, OH.  Dennis and Pam Gardner - owners of Full Spectrum Friesians and Full Spectrum Tack Shop - graciously sent Megan with their 7 year old Friesian - Luuch. 

Megan also presented Full Spectrum's 14 year old Arabian horse - Eliiah.

Xenadu da Conca (barn name Luis) is an eight year old Lusitano.  Luis is owned by The University of Findlay and is part of our Dressage program.  He was ridden by dressage student - Audrey Busby.

Linda Prouty worked the crowd with her Miniature horse - Wyatt.  Wyatt is a "Senior Therapy Horse".

And of course, we presented the Fell Ponies to the crowd.  President Fell and her husband Roger were asked to join Shimmer, Beauty, Beth Knott and senior dressage student Dina Gough in the ring. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make our first Parade of Breeds such a huge success!

The Dressage Program took center stage with a quadrille set to music from the Beach Boys.  The students participating were: Lindsay Carmack, Dylan Handy, Jillian Burkart, Diane Susdorf, Emily Staadecker, and Liz Blaum.

The Mini-Prix Jump Off capped off a great day!  UF sophomore Hunter/Jumper student Jessica Ohlinger rode away with first place.  Congratulations Jessica! 

The top eight finishers received ribbons.
1st Place           Jessica Ohlinger riding Rockstar
2nd Place          Lara van der Heiden riding Nimaway
3rd Place          Katie Noonan riding Skylar
4th Place          Tanya Truszkowski Golding riding Tallulah
5th Place          Meg McTiver riding Capone
6th Place          Haley Roshenthal riding Cartigney
7th Place          Nicole van Dyke riding Willie
8th Place          Liz Blaum riding Captain Obvious

We would like to thank everyone who came out and cheered on the riders and horses.  The Mini-Prix Jumping Competition is organized, set-up and run by our Senior Hunter/Jumper students, under the supervision of Michelle Arnold.  This event is an important part of the curriculum.  

SHOW OFFICIALS
Show Manager                Dave Duncan
Student Managers           Dana Kurrle & Melissa Blades
Mini-Prix Judge               Erika Githens
Show Secretary                Betsy Martindale
Course Designer              Sandra McCarthy
Announcers                      Josh Czapiewski & Michelle Arnold
Paddock Masters             Chelsea Magee & Chloe Magee
Veterinarian On Call       University Equine Veterinary Services
Farrier On Call               Todd Santoro
EMT                                Rex Rizor
Photographer                  Mark Coley
Sound Service                 Time Warp Mobile DJ Service

Photographs courtesy of Mark Coley and Janet Harms.

For more of Mark Coley's photographes, please click here.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Hancock County Fair Board
Rodco Excavating & Mechanical Contracting
Wyldewood Tack Shop
Full Spectrum Tack Shop
Rick Bright Farms
Garlock Brothers Construction
Beth & Michael Knott
Brinkman's Country Corner


SUNDAY

A new feature for 2010 was the Hunter Derby.  The Hunter Derby consisted of two sections.  The 2'3" - 2'6" Section was held in the sand arena. 

1st Place            Holly Stewart
2nd Place           Jessica Ohlinger
3rd Place           Kaitlyn Duncan
4th Place           Morgan Searle
5th Place           Abby Damico
6th Place           Kristen Berquist
7th Place           Melissa Morgan
8th Place           Haley Zimmerman

The 2'6" - 3'0" Section of the Hunter Derby was held in the on the
Grand Prix field.

1st Place            Leah Smaller
2nd Place           Meghan Stout
3rd Place           KT Steward
4th Place           Lara van der Heiden
5th Place           Haley Rosenthal
6th Place           Dana Kurrle
7th Place           Matt Piccolo
8th Place           Kiera Corbin

Thank you to everyone that attended our 2010 Equestrian Festival and Mini-Prix.  We appreciate your support!