Californians Steal Spotlight
at USEF Convention
Consummate horseman Don Burt received the United States Equestrian Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The presentation was made at the Federation’s annual convention in Louisville, KY last month during the Pegasus Awards Dinner, the convention’s marquee event. From trainer to exhibitor, judge and educator to high-level administrator, Burt’s influence has been felt for decades and in circles well beyond the Quarter Horse world that he is most familiar to.
Peter Lert, Marcia “Mousie” Williams and Elizabeth Searle were among other West Coasters to be singled out for their accomplishments and efforts on behalf of their sport during the Pegasus dinner.
Eventer Karen O’Conner received the night’s penultimate award, Equestrian of the Year, for her string of achievements during the past year. Lead among her list of accomplishments was a pair of gold medals hard-earned at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Aboard Theodore O’Connor, the 12 year old Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland cross and new star of the eventing world, she led the American contingent and helped the sport gain a new wave of fans.
“Rarely am I speechless…but this is one of the highlights of my life,” said Don Burt, after a lengthy standing ovation that welcomed the legend to the stage. “And it’s really an honor to be named with such a list of dignitaries.
”I want to say how truly blessed I am, and I have an angel on each shoulder,” he continued. “My wife really should be getting this award. She is my lifelong friend and partner.” Burt went on to mention and thank the many friends he has met along his life’s journey, some of whom were in attendance at the gala presentation.
Burt began training and showing horses across disciplines in California. He has given riding lessons to Hollywood royalty and, as a rider, accomplished the unusual feat of winning both the national hunter and jumper titles in the same year at the Cow Palace. After an injury ended his riding career, he turned to judging and lecturing, becoming a well-respected and in-demand licensed official. And then there were the years of service he spent as an administrator and past president of the American Quarter Horse Association, where his influence is felt to this day.
“I also want to thank a person that has been truly special in my heart, and that is Jimmy Williams,” said Burt of the legendary equestrian for whom the night’s pinnacle award is named.
Burt acknowledged the long hours spent in the business and with his horses, but said, “I have never ‘worked’ a day…I’ve just played cowboy all my life.”
Other Californians founds themselves in the national spotlight that night. Peter Lert earned his place on the USEF’s Honor Roll of Distinguished Officials. The dressage judge has been a key player in the California Dressage Society, dating back to its inception. The Northern Californian remains active in CDS and in the United States Dressage Federation. Fellow Northern Californian Elizabeth Searle received the Walter B. Devereux Sportsmanship Trophy. She, too, has been instrumental in California dressage and sporthorse breeding, and is also a pioneer for vaulting and quadrille. Hunter/jumper trainer Marcia “Mousie” Williams was presented with the Pegasus Medal of Honor for her many accomplishments as a rider, trainer and industry leader.
Black Sterling Friesians Wins Seven IFSHA Horse of the Year Awards
Black Sterling Friesians, based out of San Francisco, was one of a handful of California barns that made the long trek to St. Louis, MO for the 2007 IFSHA World and Grand National Championships, held at the National Equestrian Center, Oct. 4-7. Black Sterling Friesians took five Friesians to the show – they returned home with five Friesians and 10 National and World Championships.
Ron Goldman and Stormy Seas, better known as Ronald, defended their title in the Amateur Show Pleasure Driving National Championship; then followed his win by earning a reserve in the Friesian Pleasure Driving Turnout Single. Janna Goldman commanded her stallion, Ate Fan Bartlehiem, to victory in the Friesian English Show Hack Amateur National Championship and the World’s Championship title the following day.
Julia Goldman won the Drive and Ride National Championship with her Friesian, Stormy Seas, defending her title from last year. Julia ended her time as a junior exhibitor by piloting Stormy Seas to a win in the Saddle Seat Pleasure Junior Exhibitor World Championship.
Fan favorite, Ravello, switched gears and was crowned the World Champion English Show Hack Horse with Barend Schuursma from Holland in the saddle and riding for Black Sterling Friesians. Schuursma also cleaned up in the Dressage Show Hack qualifier and championship with the gelding, Caramba, in Second Level dressage. Jip, another BSF horse, fresh from competing in the Dutch Championships overseas was crowned National Champion in Intro Level Dressage.
Black Sterling ended the season by taking home seven IFSHA 2007 Horse of the Year Awards. Out of a field of 52 horses nationwide, 8 year old, Ate Fan Bartlehiem and Janna were the highpoint horse and rider comb in the Friesian Hunt Seat and Hack division for a second year in a row. Julia, now a student at Chico State, was crowned Junior All-Round Competitor Champion.
Richard Spooner Captures the $25,000
HITS Grand Prix at Thermal
Richard Spooner returned to a familiar place following Sunday’s $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS’ state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Thermal. Spooner, the HITS Desert Circuit’s all-time leading money winner made a return trip to the winners circle aboard his mount Gerry the Grey to close out the brand new DC Premiere Horse Show and collected $7,500 in prize money for C&S Partnership.
The veteran had the fastest double-clear round as he bested four pairs in Jack Robson’s jump-off course. Spooner and his 10 year old mount were sitting in the envious last-to-ride position and stopped the clocks in 44.64 seconds to capture the top prize. His lightning fast round pushed Lane Clark and his mount, David, into second place. Clark had completed the jump-off round in 45.42 seconds. Clark secured $5,500 in prize money for his second place effort.
Joining Clark and Spooner in the jump-off round was Canadian Olympian John Pearce, who brought two mounts back to shoot it out for the blue ribbon. But in the end, Pearce had four faults aboard both Chianto and Navarre, and finished in third and fourth place, respectively. Pearce, who closed out the 2007 HITS Desert Circuit with wins in the $150,000 HITS Grand Prix of the Desert and the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix was impressed with his first week at HITS Thermal.
With the victory, Spooner earned some valuable points towards the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix to be held on Sunday, March 16 during the all new Championship Week at HITS Thermal. The top 30 pairs based on prize money won on the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit will be invited to compete in the class.
With the new Premiere show done, the official Desert Circuit kicks off Jan. 22, with now seven weeks of competition that will conclude with another new competition, the Desert Championship. The finale is the March 16 Invitational Grand Prix.
The Winners Circle welcomes submissions and photos. E-mail them to rebecca@ridingmagazine.com.
|
