Friday, January 5, 2007

DressageDaily Dish - For the First Week in 2007

Looks like we can finally start to print some positive news, regarding the EHV1 Virus: In a forum hosted Thursday by Stadium Jumping, Dr. Doug Byars, former head of Internal Medicine at Hagyard, Davis and McGee in Lexington, Kentucky, was brought in to monitor the progress and process in which the EHV-1 is being handled in Wellington. He explained that he thought the community has been doing a good job of limiting the spread of the virus and remarked, “You are within days of this disease running its course.”
Read More…..

More good news for those hoping to make it to Florida for the season: There are plenty of stalls available as a result of panic attacks and we are doing our best to help some of our friends fill their barns, as the season carefully begins to get underway. There is no safer place than at Dr. Kristi Truenback Lund's farm in Little Ranches (shown here with Reel Adventure named after her husband's popular television fishing show) She has has a full 7 stall barn, and can be reached at 561-248-6044. Cetty Weiss who boards her horses there in Little Ranches says her horses couldn't be happier. “Kristi (a vet) took care of everything, temping the horses twice daily, and making sure everyone was safe and sound.” Bent Jensen and John Zopatti also have a few stalls in their new facility in Little Ranches as well- 561-722-7555. For anyone else whose business has been affected by cancellations, send me (Mary Phelps) an e-mail, and I will create a page to help spread the word: No charge, consider it my contribution to the season.

We got word from Dressage High Performance rider Suzanne Dansby Phelps shared the same holiday break as Arnold Schwarzenegger “My children and I arrived in Austria for a ski trip and visit with friends on the 28th of December. Within the first hour of our arrival, I slipped and fell on the ice and one of my legs slipped forward, the other folded behind me, and my knee went "snap!" Landed in the emergency room to find the MRI was closed until after New Year's...four days later! The doctor said that the injury would surely require surgery.

Surgery is scheduled upon her arrival back into the States, January 5. Meanwhile, I am hobbling around on crutches, and resting with my knee propped up on pillows. I am really bored, so please, everyone, send me e-mails!" dhfdressage@aol.com

We hear from Craig Bernstein Tuny Page’s super groom that Monica Sinks and Ed Borreson were re-married last week, in an intimate ceremony in Welly World, celebrating their 30 years together. We have always adored this couple who are both incredibly talented dressage riders and trainers. Best wishes from DressageDaily, and we are sure looking forward to seeing you soon.

Our own data diva, Maggie Heroy who has been riding and training with Robert Dover the past 2 1/2 years, just returned from her family holiday in Costa Rica.

Her boyfriend for over a year, Dave Miller (photographer Terri Miller-Steiner’s brother) joined her for 10 days of hiking in the rainforest, hot springs, kayaking, surfing, going to the beach, and ziplining.

Maggie met Dave while working for us at Dressage at Devon in 2005, Dave was working there too helping Terri. Alas, we will only get to see her on an occasional weekend this winter as she heads for NYC to finally resume her college career. (We are sure Madge's Dad big Mike is pleased about this) Dave is a city boy too, so it is likely she will be dressing up in her Jimmy Choos and hitting the cool and trendy hot spots. Don't forget to study though Madge, our own Father Mack will be working hard to get you transfered to Columbia University.

Maggie who is roomates in Florida with Katherine and Carl Bateson keeps us posted on all the equidirt which is not fit to print. However, she did announce something we can safely report on: the newest addition to the Bateson household. Kiwi a "Snoodle" (schnauser/poodle X).

Another New Year message came from Heather Bender who report it is training as usual in their “bubble” at their new facility in Treasure Coast. Heather and Kaz Woniaczuk are busy in the early stages of building their new home. Kaz who is in the exotic bird business has increased his population to 300 birds. “We are hoping that our neighbors will be so happy to see us move that we will be able to take up a collection to help with our moving expenses” Heather reports.

Scott and Suzanne Hassler have returned from their well deserved vacation since it was reported they had recently resigned after over 20 years at Hilltop Farm. They have announced exciting plans for their new endeavor. "Now we take a bold step forward with the creation of Hassler Dressage, welcoming all the opportunities this will hold. We will continue to represent the sport's highest standard by offering a selection of top quality stallions destined to impact the American sporthorse market.

Scott will continue his national committee work and coaching which have been both inspiring and meaningful. He will continue to train, instruct, and will be available for clinics and symposiums." Read More....

Kudos goes to the equestrian community at Wellington and to all the vets, grooms and horse folks and organizers who rose to the occasion to head off a potentially disastrous situation. Noreen O’Sullivan Flanagan, President of Gold Coast Dressage worked hours through the holiday and together with her wonderful board came to the decision to cancel the Gold Coast Opener in January 26-28. In doing the right thing, they were able to change their schooling show date in February to a recognized show, so that the important qualifying classes for the Pan American Games can still take place. Stay tuned to DressageDaily for event updates.

On the home front Mary Phelps and JJ. Hathaway head south at last to move more furniture out of their DeLeon Springs home and back up to Kentucky. With several lookers, there is no doubt their home in central Florida will sell soon this winter. Our most serious potential buyer is a well known judge and promoter of the American Warmblood. We think it would be great if we can keep this special home we rarely get to see in our dressage family.

We plan on wintering at Janice LaPorte's tropical oasis in South Florida in our RV purchased from RV Sales of Broward. Our future landlady reports her son, former Young Rider Trae LaPorte is back in their farm in Georgia. Janice and her daughter Suzanne have stayed close to home on their Florida farm near Wellington using bio security measures. "Things could have been a lot worse had the folks in Wellington not to have acted in the professional manner which they have." We look forward to going for a ride on Janice's husband Anthony's Harley Davidson and hanging by the pool and drinking wine at the end of a long day.
PhelpsPhoto: Mary Phelps and Janice LaPorte

But it’s not down to Welly World just yet. Mary and Tracey Scharf have a few days in Richmond, Virginia next week where they will be meeting with the folks at Markel learning new technology which will help make the application process for Farm and Liability insurance painless for their clients. After the banner year they had in 2006, there is no doubt there will be some wining and dining going on as well. We are excited about the new innovations and support Markel is providing in promoting our Farm and liability packages in central US where we will be spending more time On the Scene in 2007. It’s always a treat when we visit the “home office”. It is a real family feeling at Markel, and we are looking forward to a productive two days, and some exciting new services and information for our clients.

The USEF Meeting begins next Tuesday in Louisville, and Mary Phelps will be back just in time to attend the meeting and festivities. We have a dinner date with PR super woman Johnny Robb, whose first year on her own with JRPR has her busy representing many interesting and key clients in the business. Joining us will be Tuny Page, and we will probably pick up more momentum. Stay tuned to DressageDaily for reports and photos of some equestrian luminaries all dressed up and receiving their well deserved awards.

Happy New Year to all and thank you for visiting us daily!!!!