2016 Equestrian Awards Contest Winners
2016 Contest Winner - Meghan Melin
Landry is such a fun young sportswoman. She is depicted excitedly discussing all her recent placings with her Dad at the Mountain View Arabians charity show. The pony, “Arwen”, is a seasoned professional and does everything from dressage, reining and sidesaddle! Landry is excited to win the contest. As with this show, a portion of the winnings will go to an equine-related charity!
2016 Honorable Mention - Christina Baxter
Bryan Rebimbas gives therapy horse “Penny” a kiss after Riding with HEART's Annual Spring Horse Show. His companion dog “Tyak” looks on.
Bryan who has cerebral palsy and autism loves the freedom of being in the saddle while riding “Penny”. Bryan has been participating in Riding with HEART's adaptive therapeutic riding program for 9 years and is also on the Riding with HEART Special Olympic Equestrian Team. Photo was taken by Paws and Rewind Photography, LLC. and submitted by Chris Baxter, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
2016 Honorable Mention - Erin DeSantis
Photographed are Hunter Leigey and "Blue Moon", a Welsh cross pony, after a Fall Fun Show. "Blue Moon" is a 17 year old gelding who is used as a lesson pony at Let's Dance Dressage. Hunter is turning 6 in January and is very excited that his instructor Gina DeSantis let him move up from his first lead line pony to "Blue Moon". Hunter is going to use his portion of the prize money to buy "Blue Moon" a new halter and is hoping to dress him up as Toothless the Dragon next Halloween. Photo was taken by and submitted by Erin DeSantis of Reflections of Light Photography.
2016 Honorable Mention - Meghan Molin
Nicole getting congratulatory snuggles from her regular lesson horse, “The Kidd”, at the Mountain View yearly schooling show. Nicole and “The Kidd”, are regular partners for Nicole's lessons, and were excited to get to show together at the end-of-summer show at Mountain View Arabians. “The Kidd” is a senior-citizen-dressage-schoolmaster, and Nicole is excited to be learning the art of dressage from him. This was Nicole's first time dressing up for a show, and she was so excited to have success in the show ring with her favorite horse. “The Kidd” passed away shortly after this picture was taken, and will be remembered as an amazing dressage schoolmaster who touched many lives, and taught many the joy of riding.
2016 Honorable Mention - Lorrianne DeLeo
Depicted are Kaitlyn DeLeo and her 4-H project mule, named “CPF Jackson”. Kaitlyn & “Jackson” placed 2nd in the Grooming and Showmanship class at the Bucks County Round Up in Revere, Pennsylvania.
Kaitlyn leased “Jackson” from Jan Cobb and trained with Sallie Jo Reid over this past summer. Kaitlyn and “Jackson” also showed at the Regional Horse Show and won a first place ribbon in Beginner Trail. This win qualified them to move onto the State Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Kaitlyn plans to use the prize money to continue her training. Kaitlyn currently rides both English and Western. She is hoping to hone her skills in both disciplines even more. This picture was taken by her father, Nicholas DeLeo and submitted by her mother, Lorrianne DeLeo.
2016 Honorable Mention - Monique Avila
Radiating with pure joy is 7 year old, Olivia Avila with her miniature horse, “Magic”.
Olivia and “Magic” have been competing together for 2 years. This year being extraordinarily special with the win of Show Champion in the Miniature Horse Division at the Marion 4th of July Horse Show.
Olivia and “Magic” have an exclusive bond that is evident when they either show together or are merely goofing around in the corral. “Magic” has been instrumental with Olivia’s confidence, allowing her to persevere to the next level. Not to mention, “Magic” has now convinced Olivia that she is officially a "Horse Whisperer."
Olivia’s love of horses runs much deeper than getting into the saddle and having a good ride. She is in her glories with simply nurturing her horse, her absolute favorite being picking out the hooves.
Olivia will put her generous winnings into her college fund in hopes to one day further educate herself in equitation.
Lastly and most important, Olivia has outstanding respect for her grandmother, Robin Avila, who has made a fairytale come true. Olivia’s grandmother, Robin, houses “Magic” at her home, taking on all responsibility of him. Without her sacrifice, Olivia would not have the opportunity to live her dream.
2016 Honorable Mention - Melissa Foltz
“Blueboys Fairytale” a PtHA Miniature Horse, aka “Luke”, is such an awesome miniature horse. “Blueboys Fairytale” is pictured with his first Supreme Halter sash from the All State Miniature Horse & Donkey Club. “Luke” is owned by Melissa Foltz of Gettysburg, PA. Melissa has owned him for 3 years now and “Luke” has the biggest personality of all of her horses. He lives with 2 "bigger" horses, “Shawntay” and “Bubba”. “Luke” shows in showmanship, halter, in hand trail, hunter and jumper. He is also trained to drive and will be embarking on his driving career in 2016. Photo credit goes to Melissa’s niece Emily Foltz, who is 16 and working on her hobby of photography.
2016 Honorable Mention - Maggie Evans
Pictured is the Clover Grove Middle School Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Team from left to right are: Brianne Lefanowicz, Josie Elliott, Emma Evans, Lauren Daniel, Ann Ashley Daniel and Coach Britni Cash celebrating their big win at IEA Regional Finals 2015.
The Middle School IEA Team celebrated a great season in 2015. The team was either Champion or Reserve Champion at each of their regular season shows leading up to the Regional Finals. The team won Regional Finals; however, just missed moving on to National finals by a couple of points. Two Clover Grove individual riders, Mackensie Bowles and Josie Elliott, qualified for IEA national finals. They were in the ribbons in their respective divisions. We are a small barn, and very proud of our talented and hard-working team-members and are looking forward to the 2016 season!
Photo was taken and submitted by Maggie Evans, Emma’s mother.
2016 Honorable Mention - Cara R Litberg
“Ocala” and owner/rider Mara Winston Grigg won the Hunter Classic division at the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association's Showplace Summer B at Ledges Sporting Horses. This was their first horse show together.
“Ocala” is a 14 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The duo trains with Paula McKinnon at Glen Grove Equestrian Center in Morton Grove, IL. Photo submitted by Cara Litberg.
2016 Honorable Mention - Kristin Gutosky Haas
Kristin Gutosky Haas began training a 3 year old Quarter Horse mare, "Dayasis" aka "Daisy", in her junior year of high school while active in 4-H. "Daisy" now 22, was the Champion Novice Horse and Reserve Grand Champion Novice Whip at the 39th annual Lorenzo Driving Competition in Cazenovia, NY. Kristin is a 4-H leader and a certified instructor, and together she and “Daisy” have taught many students how to ride and drive.
The photo was taken by Deb Gutosky, Kristin's mother. The entire family is excited about being selected for the 2016 Equestrian catalog. The prize money will be shared and spent on something horsey, of course!
2016 Honorable Mention
Marsha Hartford - Sapp
Pictured is “Gitano”, a seven-year-old gypsy, after winning the western dressage class. “Gitano” is owned by Ivelisse Rosenstein, ridden by Marsha Sapp. Photo was taken by Kimberly Chason.
2016 Honorable Mention - Bridget Edgar
Olaf Edgar is pictured with “Nightwind's Zorro” after winning Supreme Champion at the MN Miniature Horse Club AMHA Show in Minnesota.
“Zorro” is a 17 year young mini and keeps getting better with age. He is a one in a million little horse that we are so proud to own and show. With the prize money, Olaf & Bridget will continue to keep “Zorro” in a lifetime supply of treats. Photo taken by Bridget Edgar.
