Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd.

STROUDSBURG, PA - Allison Stitzinger of Buckingham, Pennsylvania has joined the equine realty firm, Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd. as marketing and administrative assistant.  Allison holds a B.S. in Equine Studies from Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, PA and had worked for the US Equestrian Federation, Gladstone, NJ for over three years where she actively participated in Olympic Games preparation.

“Allison’s strong background in high level horse sport and exceptional communication and organizational skills will help achieve our company’s goal of increased market share and take our customer service to an even higher level of excellence” says Broker/owner, Stys.

June 8-10, 2012 and June 13-17, 2012 will mark this year’s USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, which will be held at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ.

This year’s Festival of Champions holds a special significance. Not only is it the national championship for several divisions, from ponies up to Grand Prix, but it will also serve as the selection trial for the 2012 United States Olympic Dressage Team. Top dressage riders from across the country will gather at the historic barn in Gladstone, NJ to face off for national titles and a chance at a spot on the Olympic team.

The event’s convenient location in Gladstone makes it a perfect destination for eastern PA dressage enthusiasts! Dressage fans can witness top-notch competition within easy driving distance from home. For more information on this event, visit www.usef.org.

In just a few short years, Boyd Martin has risen to the top of the sport of eventing in the United States, and become a hometown hero for riders and horse lovers  in Chester County, PA. Boyd, a native of Australia, relocated to the U.S. in 2007 and has since become a fierce competitor at events across the nation, a well-respected trainer, and an integral part of our international-level eventing program.

The future looked bright for Boyd and his string of talented horses when disaster struck this past May, and one of the barns at True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA burst into flames. Six horses perished in the blaze, and those that survived were seriously injured. Among the survivors was Neville Bardos, the gutsy horse that had carried Boyd to a tenth-place finish at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Neville had such severe smoke damage to his lungs and windpipe that vets were unsure of whether he would live through his injuries. Boyd and his staff had also lost thousands of dollars worth of equipment in the fire, and the rider and trainer also suffered the loss of a large part of his income after the death of the horses that were not able to be rescued. And as if that wasn’t enough to deal with, soon after the fire Boyd’s father and father-in-law both passed away.

The situation seemed insurmountable, but within hours of the fire that began Boyd’s roller-coaster ride of bad luck, riders of every discipline reached out to help. Money was donated, fund-raising raffles were held, professionals offered their services for free, and thousands of people sent encouraging words to Boyd, his family, and staff. The Delaware Valley Combined Training Association raised hundreds of dollars at one of their shows to help fund the fire relief, The Plantation Field Horse Trials raised $8,000 to help Boyd rebuild, and local eventer Jane Sleeper and her students organized a bake sale which raised $2,000 to donate to the effort. The outpouring of support from Pennsylvania equestrians was astonishing, and thanks to their generosity, soon Boyd’s business was up and running at full speed. It was an unprecedented show of compassion and giving from the horse community.

Neville also bounced back more quickly than anyone could have imagined, and made an amazing comeback. The horse recovered fully, and Boyd competed him just a few short months later at the Burghley CCI**** in England, one of the toughest tracks in the world, and rode to a miraculous 7th place finish. Neville was recently recognized as the 2011 USEF International Horse of the Year, a fitting tribute to this Chester County hometown hero. Warner Brothers has even approached Boyd to discuss making a movie about Neville’s incredible story! Maybe soon we will be seeing Boyd and Neville on the silver screen as well as the cross-country course.

This past year was a trying one for Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos, but with the help and support of their fellow eastern Pennsylvania equestrians they came out on top. While their successes certainly speak to the perseverance and tenacity of the pair, things would certainly have turned out differently if not for the generosity and compassion of the unique Pennsylvania horse community.

Ann, his wife, who is a dressage rider and owner of a very talented mare by the name of Rafalca.  When I worked at the US Equestrian Federation, I had talked with Ann once or twice on the phone about entering her horse at Oldenburg and other European CDIs..  Her trainer, German born Jan Ebeling, had planned on taking the horse to Europe to give her some exposure to indoor shows in the fall. I remember it was hinging upon how Mitt did in the primaries during his Presidential run in 2008.  Gorgeous horse that has the talent to make a team I recall Klaus Balkenhol, the then US National Coach for Dressage say.  They seem to be well on their way since in 2011 they were the highest placed US combination in the World Cup Final in Leipzig (GER) and were later chosen to represent the US at prestigious CDIO Aachen (GER).

http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/dressage-makes-ann-romneys-soul-sing

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting, Leigh Robertson who owns an academy in Lambertville, NJ where she teaches Capoeira, a form of martial arts combined with music.  Capoeira was developed in Brazil by African slaves to resist oppression 400 years ago.  Her description of it intrigued me and prompted me to view the many videos posted on her website http://www.newhopecapoeira.com/live/.  I couldn’t help but think how this sport/art form could enhance fitness, balance and strength for equestrians.  It could also improve the sense of rhythm which is important for all riders. I can remember my trainer, the late Jean-Claude Racinet, giving me lessons devoted to trying to feel the beat of a correct 3 beat canter vs a 4 beat canter, something I thought was a lot easier than it actually was. 

Have a look yourself and contact Leigh if you would like more information. leigh@newhopecapoeira.com

Note that this information is outdated.

Various farms; free admission

For More Information Call: 610-746-1970

When/Where: Location: Northampton Cty. PA on October 8 & 9, 2011 (Saturday & Sunday)

Note that this information is outdated.

www.burgundyhollowfarm.com levels: Intro, Starter, BN, N free admission, spectators welcome; volunteers welcome For More Information Call: Michelle Casale, 610-417-4231

When/Where: Burgundy Hollow Farm, 3368 Church Rd., Northampton, PA on October 3, 2011 (Sunday)