2018 Equestrian Awards Contest Winners

2018 Contest Winner - Dana Giese

Pictured is Megan Giese and “Rockin' on a Ricochet” with their champion ribbon in the JR/YR Training Level Dressage division from the Central States Dressage and Eventing Association (CSDEA) Year-End Awards. This season was their first year competing in dressage together after a career in hunter/jumpers in the Children's Hunter Pony division. Megan, a 17 year old high school senior paired with “Rockin' on a Ricochet”, a 22 year old Welsh Pony/Quarter Horse cross have created a special bond over just 5 years. Megan plans to use a portion of the prize money to further spoil her pony.

2018 Honorable Mention - Honor Bliss-Williams

Maple Williams age 9 winning at their first VCCD show on "Sylvester" owned by Riverview pony club. Maple is a proud member on the USPC and has been working with Greg Coulson for a few years and is looking forward to a competitive 2018 season.

2018 Honorable Mention - Monique Avila

Photographed are Olivia Avila and “Magic”, a miniature horse, after the Marion 4th of July Horse Show. “Magic” is a 14-year-old gelding who is Olivia’s first horse, living on her grandparent’s farm “Little Ben Farms”. Olivia had a successful horse show ranking at the 4th of July Horse Show, coming in as Champion in Show in the Miniature Horse Show division. Olivia is saving her prize money for her college fund, in hopes of enrolling as an Equine scholar. Photo was taken and submitted by Monique Avila.

2018 Honorable Mention - Kacey Kalmar

Pictured is Macrae Kalmar age 6, riding "Bart" our beloved family horse. Bart is a 26 year old Quarter Horse who has taken care of all 3 of our children, getting them started in horse showing. This is Macrae's first year riding and showing "Bart" in the West Mountain Heartbreakers Mini Riders Horse Shows. "Bart" is a one of a kind horse and we are so lucky to have him! Macrae has been working hard to graduate from lead line last summer to riding "Bart" independently this summer. He was very proud to win so many ribbons on his own at the show! Here he took 3rd place in Horsemanship! Macrae is very exciting to be chosen for the catalog and wants to spend the money he won on "Bart!" Macrae is looking forward to the Mini Riders Shows and winning many more ribbons on "Bart" next year.

2018 Honorable Mention - Joann Knapp

Just days shy of her 2nd birthday, Mary Clare Englehart rides "Roses are Red" in her Lead line debut at the Hudson Valley Show Jumping Holiday Classic. "Rosie" is a much adored 30 year old Welsh cross pony, who has helped teach hundreds of children to love riding at Crosswinds Equestrian Center in Lagrangeville, NY. Mary Clare is a 3rd generation equestrian who will hopefully earn many more blues in future show ring appearances. Photo by Penny Tomka of PLTphotography.

2018 Honorable Mention - Debbie France

Photographed are Jolene Carpenter and Freckles Dinky Doc aka "Cinch", a cutting bred Quarter horse. Cinch is a 7 year old gelding from the bloodlines of Smart Little Lena and Colonel Freckles. Cinch is also used for everyday cattle working, dragging calves for branding and has also been used as a pack horse. Jolene is 14 years old, loves riding horses and competes in barrel, pole and flag races. She also enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family and training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She plans on saving her winnings for something special. Photo was taken by Debbie France and submitted by D-R Photography.

2018 Honorable Mention - Karen Twyford

Photographed is Brittany Craker and A Time to Glow (Mikey) at the Camelot Equestrian Park Hunter/Jumper Schooling Show, August 30, 2015. Photo Taken by: Karen Twyford.

Mikey is a 17 year old Registered American Paint Horse (APHA) Gelding, and in 2015 Mikey and Brittany made their debut in the Jumper Ring, winning the Hunter/Jumper Series Championship at Camelot Equestrian Park in Oroville, CA while training at Brookhaven Farm in Chico, CA. Mikey and Brittany have gone on to compete on the USEF A Circuit in Jumpers and won the .80 meter and .90 meter Adult Amateur Division Championships at the Woodside Bay Area Summer Festival in Woodside, CA in July of 2017 while training with Riverbend Equestrian of Wilton, CA.

2018 Honorable Mention
Bonnie Mudge

Photographed are Myra Mudge and her grandhorse "Basic Etiquette" a.k.a. "Gigi Brielle", a sassy buckskin Appendix, after a late summer show at Washington County Stables in 2013.

Here, Gigi was 4 years old and just starting to participate in shows with her owner and Myra's daughter, Bonnie. This was their first show. Up until this point, Myra was hesitant of fully embracing all of the opportunities her daughter having a horse could provide for her. Once she let go of those reservations, Myra became excited at the opportunities that came for her daughter who endeavored all kinds of equestrian pursuits, starting competitively at this show.

There to support her daughter and grandhorse at their debut, was Myra proud of the family representation and all the training efforts it had taken to get Gigi to this particular event. Myra lovingly supported her daughter and her grandhorse Gigi by watching the two of them compete in the schooling and trail show, winning a Reserve Champion! Naturally, Myra wanted a proud picture moment captivated here followed by her first horseback ride on Gigi.

Throughout the next two years, Myra took a great interest in her daughters' equestrian pursuits and enjoyed a leisurely ride here and there, but became diagnosed with AML Leukemia in 2014. Optimistic in her fight and shortly before she lost her battle in 2016, Myra bought her first pair of riding boots which she sadly never got to wear.

Being chosen for this award is a Godwink from Myra (apparently still orchestrating the universe) to the rest of us to live each day to the fullest, do what you love, pursue your dreams and for sure, she's right there sending encouragement from Heaven! Prize money will go towards the pursuit of those dreams including the production of versatility events for which I have used, and will continue to use, Hodges Badge awards. Photo taken and submitted by Bonnie Mudge.

2018 Honorable Mention - Heather Rodney

Heather Rodney and Paddington McGhee, enjoying their victory lap at the First Coast Classical Dressage Society Championship Finals in Jacksonville, FL. Paddy is an 11-year-old AWS (Clyde x TB) gelding, trained and ridden in dressage. Everywhere that Paddy goes, everyone comments on his feet. Yes – they are a size 6!

Heather is the President and Co-Founder of First Coast Classical Dressage Society. She will be donating the prize money to The Society for future awards!

This moment was photographed, courtesy of Rita Howe of Palm Coast, FL.

2018 Honorable Mention - Paul Wissel

Photographed are Veda Alexopoulos and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” at End of Hunt Equestrian Center Horse Show, July 30, 2017. Veda rides at End of Hunt and competes in the Lead Line division. Veda loves riding all the magnificent ponies at End of Hunt and has won numerous blue ribbons! Photo was taken and submitted by Paul Wissel of End of Hunt Equestrian Center.

2018 Honorable Mention - Asia Joy Hunter

Photographed are twin brothers Ben (left) and Ryan Wolfgram (right) proudly wearing the awards they won at the 2017 Eagle Lake Farms Fall Horse Show in Peotone, Illinois, hosted by Marcia Moeller.

Ben, riding an experienced buckskin Quarter Horse gelding named “Cowboy”, won a first place ribbon and trophy for their excellent teamwork in Trail class as well as a champion ribbon for Overall High Point Horsemanship. Ryan, riding an athletic blue roan Quarter Horse gelding named “Beau”, won a first place trophy for their impressive speed in the Barrel Racing class as well as a champion ribbon for their Overall High Point Speed.

This year marks the 3rd year in a row that Ben and Ryan have competed at this exhibition. Each year they hope to improve their horsemanship skills and, of course, to have fun! Future high-pointers for sure! Photo was taken and submitted by Asia Joy Hunter of CowhandRockstar.com Photography. Special thanks to the owner and horse trainer of Eagle Lake Farms, John Bautz, for all his help with our fall show!

2018 Honorable Mention - Kristin von Korff

Pictured here are sixteen year old Amelia von Korff and “Hakuna Matata”, a sport horse cross, receiving their year end jumper award. “Hakuna Matata”, otherwise called Nala, is a nine year old mare who Amelia started training when we bought her two and a half years ago. Nala went from a misunderstood problem horse needing an attitude adjustment to the happy, sassy, and exuberant partner she is today. The prize money Amelia received will be put towards college. Photo was taken by and submitted by Kristin von Korff.