Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd.

The Dressage Festival of Champions in Gladstone, NJ is always an exciting event, but this year’s show has the special distinction of also serving as the selection trials for the 2012 Olympic Dressage Team. Grand Prix riders will vie not only for a national championship, but also for the chance to represent the United States in London this summer. This is the first time since 2000 that Olympic selection trials have been held at Gladstone, and the show will surely be an event to remember!

Competition begins June 8-10 with National Pony Rider, National Junior, and National Young Rider championships. The National Grand Prix/Olympic Games Selection Trials Part I will also take place during this first weekend of competition. The Festival will conclude June 13-17 with National Young Adult "Brentina Cup” and National Intermediaire I championships, and Part II of the National Grand Prix/Olympic Games Selection Trials.

There is no charge for General Admission seating, and parking cost is $20 per vehicle.

For more information, or to reserve a spot in the VIP tent, visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/alldressage/dressageFestival.aspx

PA governor Tom Corbett plans to take $72 million from the Race Horse Development Fund every year for the next 3 years. This action poses a serious threat to not only the racing industry, but to the equine industry as a whole all across Pennsylvania. Trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, grooms, feed manufacturers, breeders, and other support personnel stand to lose their jobs if the governor goes through with his plan.

In a stand against the cut, the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition has produced a video featuring many racing and equine industry professionals. Cindy Stys, Broker/owner of Cindy Stys Equestrian Properties, is featured in a segment of the video, and explains how this budget cut will affect not only the racing industry, but the preservation of Pennsylvania's open space, as fewer breeders will be interested in purchasing farms in this area due to decreased purses for race winners. The video will be presented to state legislators in an effort to put a stop to the potential devastation the horse racing community is facing.

The video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=174XwqAv_M0

If you are interested in joining the effort to save Pennsylvania Horse Racing, please contact your representatives and let them know how important it is to maintain funding for the racing industry.

Amatoro, a 7 year old 16.1 hand Lusitano, is available for half lease in the Bedminster, NJ area. 

He is a beautiful mover that would do well in open dressage competition.  Good opportunity for rider who wants a quality dressage prospect to ride or show. He has had well over a year of professional training.  No vices but needs confident, sensitive rider, preferably one who is working with a trainer. If you are interested, contact Cindy at cindy@cshorseproperties.com.  Video available

• 2,373 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm colonial - MLS® $325,000

West Vincent Twp, Chester County  -  Situated in picturesque Chester Springs w/ an abundance of horse farms in the area is this beautifully maintained split level w/ an exceptional floor plan & inviting interior. Stately living room w/ brick fireplace & spacious family rm. w/ wood stove opens to stylish 2 level sunroom. Bright country kitchen w/ new appliances & center island. Hardwood floors in 4 bedrooms, dining, living room & hallway. 2nd level offers 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths including handsome remodeled master bath. Walk up attic w/ super convenient access smartly located in hallway offers abundant storage space. Enjoy private back yard on fieldstone patio overlooking the woods & rear deck. Nice set up for dogs in front of property which is fenced. Walk to the quaint village of Birchrunville & surrounding horse farms. New roof in 2006. Perfect for equestrians who want to be in the thick of horse country & board their horse at a stable w/in walking distance.

Property information

Last week a horse in Hellertown, PA was diagnosed with West Nile Virus and unfortunately had to be euthanized.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will perform further testing of the mosquito populations in the area. Because of the unseasonably warm weather, insect populations will be abnormally high this year, and this includes mosquitoes which carry West Nile Virus.

To reduce the chances of your horses contracting the virus, reduce standing water around your farm and have your horses vaccinated.

It has been almost 15 years since I had left my job at the FEI in Lausanne Switzerland.  Occasionally on a trip back to my husband’s homeland I will make it a point to visit the “Inner Sanctum of Equestrian Sport” and some of my former colleagues who still work there.  This time I had the opportunity to view the exquisite new offices that had been completely renovated last year.   The President of the FEI, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein (JOR), http://www.fei.org/about-us/governance/president had recently purchased and gifted the building that now houses the growing Federation which has tripled its size since my employment there back in the mid nineties. It is well located in a section of Lausanne called Ouchy which borders Lake Geneva and is also home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), of which the FEI President is also a member.   

The entrance is now secure and access is gained through a sliding glass door once a visitor receives approval from the receptionist.  An impressive and spacious reception area is highlighted by a vast multitude of modern lights hanging from a high ceiling.  Several pieces of chic furniture and a portrait of the late King Hussein of Jordan (the father of Princess Haya) make up the lobby area.   I was invited to see the cutting edge gallery showcasing horse sport and the FEI’s governance.  Floor to ceiling interactive flat screens contain all the facts and figures of past Olympic Games and Championships, National Federations and past FEI Presidents.   Smaller flat screens display clips from past championships of the 7 FEI disciplines and a wall with gifts given to the FEI from various national federations is also showcased.  To accentuate the overall experience the only lighting in the gallery is from the impressive technology and artistic touches of laser type equestrian theme displays on the ceiling and floor.  Did I mention the retro type background music…?

Throughout the office space, the walls and stairs are made of a handsome wood, perhaps mahogany.  The kitchen where staff members can eat their lunch resembles a swanky restaurant with metropolitan flair.  Equally impressive is the exercise room as well as a Zen room where employees can relax and meditate (likely needed in an Olympic Game year – I can speak from experience!)

The new headquarters is only one of the many ways of how the FEI President has moved horse sport forward into the new century since she has been elected in 2006.