Equine Affaire Press Room - Equine Affaire

11 12

Nov 12, 2023

THE INAUGURAL GREAT EQUESTRIAN FITNESS CHALLENGE RESULTS, MA EDITION

W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, November 12, 2023 — Sponsored by Boot Barn, the very first annual Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge took place at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts on Saturday, November 11. Equestrians of all ages enjoyed competing in the GEFC — or cheering on for their friends and barnmates — while equestrian fitness coach, Ifa Simmonds, coached and announced the three parts of the competition.

Participants could sign up for the Barn Chores Marathon, the Bouncy Pony Race, or the Horse Nugget Relay. The Barn Chores Marathon consisted of a challenging obstacle course filled with common — but challenging — horse care tasks, like hauling hay, carrying full water buckets, tying up a full hay net, moving bags of feed, and more. The Bouncy Pony Race featured a good old fashioned race on inflatable bouncy ponies. The Horse Nugget Relay — a teams event — consisted of teams racing to pick up as many horse nuggets as possible with a manure picker and filling a wheelbarrow.

FULL 2023 COMPETITION RESULTS – THE BARN CHORES MARATHON

1. Lydia Bajus – 2:24:80
2. Amy Thompson – 2:32:90
3. Owen Gay – 2:41:83
4. Dawn Brown – 2:43:14
5. Sheila Jones – 2:43:19
6. Amanda Damour – 2:50:25
7. Tracy Wood – 2:56:74
8. Emma Gooden – 3:16:30
9. Tatyanna Warschel – 3:23:09
10. Heather Worshel – 3:46:87
11. David Lawrence – 7:01:00
12. Brandon Price – 3:21:55 (penalized for bucket spill)

FULL 2023 COMPETITION RESULTS – THE BOUNCY PONY RACE #1

1. Elsa Lately
2. Meghan Foster
3. Alexis McCauley
4. Harleigh Nealon

FULL 2023 COMPETITION RESULTS – THE BOUNCY PONY RACE #2

1. Dylan McCoskery
2. Susan Barrows
3. Aeva Snyder
4. Shyanne Thomas

FULL 2023 COMPETITION RESULTS – HORSE NUGGET RELAY #1

1. Chaos Acres: Nicole Czarnecki and Kasey Czarnecki
2. Mucking Maniacs: Dana and Steph Smolyn
3. Horse Moms: Christina Snyder and Karla Barrows
4. Thrall Farm Thunder: Dylan Sharp and Angela Lent

FULL 2023 COMPETITION RESULTS – HORSE NUGGET RELAY #2

1. Blossoms Team: Miriam Slate and Sarah Slate
2. The Paints: Nicki Pakkala and Kaija Pakkala
3. Mucking Maniacs #2: Kelly Benedeth and Ella Shattuck

Thank you all for helping to make the first Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge such a success! And start training for next year… you could be our next GEFC Champion!

11 11

Nov 11, 2023

MEET THE CHAMPIONS OF THE 2023 VERSATILE HORSE & RIDER COMPETITION, MA EDITION

W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, November 11, 2023 — Sponsored by Chewy, the 2023 Versatile Horse & Rider Competition in Massachusetts was a fabulous hit on Friday, November 10. The event took place in the US Equestrian Arena and featured 25 hopefuls who competed for $5,500 in cash and other prizes over a challenging obstacle course that featured carrying a garrocha pole, a ground tying obstacle, a narrow bridge, a counter canter, a grain scoop toss, and more. Brittany Mayer of Cumberland, Rhode Island, took first and second place with her mounts, My Sharoana’s Time to Shine and Coppy That. Congratulations to Brittany on two splendid rides! As first place finisher, Brittany won $2,500 in cash, received a Champion rosette, and is the Equine Affaire Versatile Horse & Rider Champion. As second place finisher, she also won $1,500 and received a reserve champion rosette.

Third place finisher Rob West won $1,000 and a rosette on Moonshine Lady, while fourth place rider Scott Keyes won $500 and a rosette aboard KC.

Congratulations to all our competitors! Keep reading to learn more about Brittany and to see a full list of results and scores.

Brittany Mayer

First Place Horse: My Sharoana’s Time to Shine, 19 year old grade American Quarter Horse mare

Brittany is a trainer and a riding instructor from Cumberland, Rhode Island, and has competed in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition three times. This would be her third time competing aboard “Roanie,” and her first time back with Roanie since 2017. Brittany and Roanie have been a team for more than 12 years and enjoy showing Western pleasure, ranch versatility and English pleasure. When she isn’t in the show ring with Brittany, Roanie is used as a lesson horse and as a confidence booster for young horses to be ponied.

Brittany Mayer

Second Place Horse: Coppy That, 8 year old Mustang mare

This is her second time to ride “Copper” in the event. Brittany has known Copper for three years, but has been working consistently with the horse for the last year and a half. They enjoy showing ranch classes at pinto shows, working cattle, trail riding, and jumping.

FULL 2023 VERSATILE HORSE & RIDER COMPETITION RESULTS

1. Brittany Mayer – My Sharoana’s Time to Shine – Score: 70
2. Brittany Mayer – Coppy That – Score: 60
3. Rob West – Moonshine Lady – Score: 53
4. Scott Keyes – KC – Score: 53
5. Susan Mallery – Ayel YES – Score: 50
6. Mackenzie Kunz – A Little Touch of Pine – Score: 46
7. Hilary Dorazio – One Smart Red Pine – Score: 46
8. Anya Emmons – High Stylin’ Bobcat – 45
9. Francis Veillette – YCC Sophia-Montana – 45
10. Olivia Giuffrida – Tiny – Score: 45
11. Cheyenne Vaillancourt – Just Gonna Send It – Score: 44
12. April Baronas – I Can’t Even – Score: 43
13. Christina Morin – JMF New York Windfall – Score: 40
14. Kayla O’Leary – Wildfire – Score: 37
15. Rob West – Ranger – Score: 35
16. Melanie Davidson – Willow – Score: 33
17. Amanda Malone – Turbo – Score: 33
18. Jessica Knapp – River of Dreams – Score: 31
19. Gina Lamb – Chocky – Score: 31
20. Danielle Gauvin – Put A Little Pep In Your Step – Score 28
21. Amanda Malone – Amora – Score: 20
22: Lily Germano – Super Star Express – Time Out
23. Jessica Hogan – Bandit – Time Out
24. Katie Kortright – Foxwillow’s Blue Angel – Time Out
25. Jason Wooldridge – Chili – Time Out

11 04

Nov 4, 2023

MEET THE RIDERS OF THE 2023 VERSATILE HORSE & RIDER COMPETITION, MA EDITION: PART FIVE

W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, November 4, 2023 — It’s hard to believe that the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition is happening in less than one week! Sponsored by Chewy, this exciting competition features 25 horses and riders as they race the clock and each other in pursuit of $5,500 in cash and other prizes. Over the past few weeks, we’ve introduced you to this year’s competitors, five at a time. In this press release, help us welcome the final five competitors to the class of 2023!

Jason Wooldridge

Horse: Chili, 13 year old American Quarter Horse mare

Jason grew up on a small farm in western Massachusetts. When he was sixteen, he participated in a Mustang makeover competition and enjoyed training his horse. After high school, he attended Kentucky Horseshoeing School and then moved to Montana to apprentice with a farrier. While he was there, he started cowboying on a large cattle ranch. That’s when he began working closely with Chili, who was previously his mother’s horse. Chili worked on the ranch with Jason for two years before he sent her back home to be a broodmare. After weaning the mare’s second foal in October, Jason is eager to get back to work with Chili.

“She has only been trained in real ranch work, and I look forward to showing people what a ranch horse can do,” Jason says.

Brittany Mayer

Horse: Coppy That, 8 year old Mustang mare

Brittany is a trainer and riding instructor from Cumberland, Rhode Island. She has competed in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition three times, and this is her second time to ride “Copper” in the event. Brittany has known Copper for three years, but has been working consistently with the horse for the last year and a half. They enjoy showing ranch classes at pinto shows, working cattle, trail riding, and jumping.

Rob West

Horse: Moonshine Lady, 14 year old Mustang mare

“Moonshine” and Rob have been together since 2016 when they competed in the 2016 Virginia Extreme Mustang Makeover together. Moonshine was auctioned after the competition, but escaped from her new home soon after. After eight days of searching on horseback, Rob found her. He brought her home and they’ve been together ever since. They have participated in many competitions, including the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition several times. Rob says that Moonshine’s versatility is unmatched. He often relies on Moonshine to gentle many other horses, including other mustangs. In addition, she competes in hunter paces and has performed at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.

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Rob West

Horse: Ranger, 13 year old American Quarter Horse gelding

Although he’s now safely in the hands of the Warrior Ranch Foundation, Ranger has quite the story behind him. He was originally rescued from a kill auction, then proved to be too much to handle for his original adopter. When he first arrived at WRF, he was full of fear and, it turned out, pain. Veterinarians discovered that he was in serious pain and advised a course of chiropractic work, acupuncture treatment, a period of rest, and then ground work. Once Ranger had recovered sufficiently for work, Rob West came on the scene. With Rob’s gentle ways, Ranger warmed up and Rob was able to begin riding him.

Through equine assisted learning, WRF provides a recreational therapeutic outlet for veterans, first responders, and their families. The veterans at WRF quickly grew attached to Ranger and could relate to some of his emotional issues. As Ranger grew and learned to trust again, he became a valuable member of the WRF herd and has helped many veterans. Rob, who is a US Army Veteran, and Ranger have developed a beautiful relationship. It will be exciting to see how they perform this year in the VHRC!

Lily Germano

Horse: Super Star Express, 21 year old American Paint Horse stallion

Lily and “Super” have been together for six years. During this time, they competed together in the summers while Lily was home from school. Pre-pandemic, they set a goal to compete at the 2020 Equine Affaire – but unfortunately, COVID hit and the event was canceled. After that, Super became injured and had to be in rehab for a year. Once he was back in working condition, they renewed their pursuit of eventually competing at Equine Affaire – only for Lily to then tear her ACL and have to undergo surgery and her own year-long period of rehabilitation. This fall, they are both finally healed – and ready to finally fulfill their long-awaited goal of riding in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition.

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If you’ve never seen the VHRC, you’re in for a treat! Here’s how it works. One at a time, a horse and rider pair races the clock as they navigate over, under, and around a series of obstacles in the coliseum arena. The obstacles are designed to test the communication between horse and rider as well as each competitor’s horsemanship skills and athletic prowess. Past obstacles have included jumps, balloon arches, pushing a salt block with a polo mallet, weaving poles, opening and closing rope gates, using a lance to spear a suspended ring, and many others. Riders receive limited information on the course until the afternoon of the competition, when they perform a walk-through and receive final instructions on how to navigate the various challenges.

An eleven-time world champion and multiple reserve world champion in ranch versatility, Greg Robinson of Valley View, Texas, will judge this year’s competition. The master of ceremonies will be Noah Rattner, the official Voice of Equine Affaire. The top five riders will win cash and rosettes, while the fifth through tenth place riders will receive rosettes. The first-place winner receives $2,500 in cash, a Champion rosette, and the title of “Equine Affaire Versatile Horse & Rider Champion.” The second-place rider wins $1,500 and a reserve champion rosette; third place earns $1,000 and a rosette; and fourth place wins $500 and a rosette.

Come to Equine Affaire on Friday, November 10, and watch the competition unfold in the coliseum. Learn more about the competitors for this exciting event by following along on our social media channels leading up to the event, and stay tuned after the event for results!

11 02

Nov 2, 2023

MEET THE RIDERS OF THE 2023 VERSATILE HORSE & RIDER COMPETITION, MA EDITION: PART FOUR

W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, November 1, 2023 — The Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, sponsored by Chewy, is happening next week! We have 25 pre-selected horses and riders who will be on site next week to take on our obstacle course, and we can’t wait. Who will become the 2023 Massachusetts Versatile Horse and Rider Champions? You’ll have to come to the event to find out!

Equine Affaire is proud to introduce you to this year’s class of 2023 VHRC Competitors. In this press release, meet the next five competitors:

Brittany Mayer

Horse: My Sharoana’s Time to Shine, 19 year old grade American Quarter Horse mare

Danielle Gauvin

Horse: Put a Little Pep In Your Step, 18 year old American Quarter Horse gelding

Danielle has been with “Peppe” for eight years now, although she has known him for longer. Peppe was previously an unfinished barrel horse. In their eight years together, they have branched out and created many memories along the way. They’ve competed in hunter/jumpers, competed in NBHA competitions in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and have competed in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition twice. Their list of accomplishments in the show pen includes qualifying for the NBHA World Championships multiple times, winning the Woodstock Fair Horse Show Barrel Classic/Challenge and the Woodstock Fair Horse Show Open Gymkhana Championships multiple times, and claiming many English show championships in hunters, jumpers, and eventing. They also recently won second place in the Woodstock Fair Horse Show Versatile Horse Challenge.

For fun, they like to cow sort, hunter pace, event, visit nursing homes, go swimming in the ocean, and learn about mounted cowboy shooting. Each year, they have improved in their standings and are hoping to come back for another chance to earn the title of Equine Affaire Versatile Horse & Rider Champions.

“Peppe is talented in many areas of training and exceeds expectations every time he competes,” Danielle says.

Katie Kortright

Horse: Foxwillow’s Blue Angel, 10 year old Foxtrotter mare

When Katie was just fourteen, her dad brought home a one-year-old “Angel.” At the time, Katie knew nothing about horses. She took lessons for a year and a half and then decided to start her training journey with Angel.

“I was very determined, since someone told me I couldn’t do it,” Katie says. “It took us a long time to learn how to work together as a team, and it wasn’t easy, but I am proud of how far we’ve come.”

The pair started out doing obstacle challenges. Now, they ride English and Western, have participated in mounted games, liberty work, and trick riding, and have even begun driving. Katie is excited for the opportunity to compete with Angel in this year’s Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, which will be their first.

“Angel has quite the personality and is a cow horse at heart. Although she is a sassy mare who has her own opinions, she tries hard for me, and that’s all I could ask for,” Angel says. “I am determined and have big dreams, and Angel and I have plenty of time to get there.”

Gina Lamb

Horse: Chocky, 14 year old American Quarter Horse gelding

Gina and Chocky have been a team for the past six years. They love competing in cowboy mounted shooting, ranch riding, hunter paces, and going trail riding, but that’s not all. Gina works for a non-profit organization called Warrior Ranch Foundation, which brings horses and people together for a greater purpose. Her horses are involved in her work there.

“My equine partners, Chocky and Chance, aren’t just horses,” Gina says. “They are therapy companions through equine assisted learning for veterans, first responders, and their families, spreading healing and joy in every interaction. As a coach and horse trainer at Warrior Ranch, I’m dedicated to sharing my knowledge and love for the horses with others.”

Gina is excited for the opportunity to tackle this year’s VHRC course with Chocky.

Anya Emmons

Horse: High Stylin’ Bobcat, 4 year old American Quarter Horse gelding

Anya and “Little Peep” may be young – she’s nineteen and he’s only four! – but they are experienced. They’ve been together for two years and this is their third Equine Affaire together. They love the excitement of the VHRC as well as the opportunity to get dressed up.

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10 26

Oct 26, 2023

MEET THE RIDERS OF THE 2023 VERSATILE HORSE & RIDER COMPETITION, MA EDITION: PART THREE

W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, October 26, 2023 — With less than two weeks to go, we’re eagerly anticipating the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, sponsored by Chewy! We’ve got 25 pre-selected horses and riders who are gearing up to tackle Equine Affaire’s famous obstacle course in pursuit of $5,500 in cash and other prizes. Who will become the 2023 Massachusetts Versatile Horse and Rider Champions? You’ll have to come to the event to find out!

Equine Affaire is proud to begin introducing you to this year’s class of 2023 VHRC Competitors. In this press release, meet the next five competitors:

Cheyenne Vaillancourt

Horse: Just Gotta Send It, 9 year old American Quarter Horse Mare

Cheyenne and “Caddy” hail from Hudson, New Hampshire. Before they came together in 2020, Caddy was a dressage and mounted shooting mount. Cheyenne has taught Caddy how to pull carts, pull logs, barrel race, pole bend, and more. Together, they’ve shown in flat classes and pleasure driving as well as competed in gymkhanas.

“Caddy is an all-around mare,” Cheyenne says.

Francis Veillette

Horse: YCC Sophia-Montana, 12 year old American Quarter Horse mare

Francis began riding at the age of six, but didn’t start competing until the last eight years when he teamed up with YCC Sophia-Montana. Together, they have won numerous extreme cowboy titles over the years, as well as a Provincial Reserve Champion title. They have also won competitions in other performance disciplines, such as ranch riding and obedience, to distinguish themselves on the show scene.

Melanie Davidson

Horse: Willow, 19 year old Haflinger mare

During their six years together, Melanie and Willow have dabbled in almost every discipline, but they especially enjoy trail riding on Long Island. Willow has held every position in the Smithtown Hunt including field master, whipper in, and fox, and has also tried dressage, reining, cow work, and gymkhanas. The pair enjoy participating in reenactments, often using swords, pistols, lances, and bows, as well as pulling equipment like cannons or wagons.

“She is a true war pony,” Melanie says. “She will jump anything in her path. If she can’t go over, she will go through. I don’t call many horses bombproof, but Willow is the exception.”

Olivia Giuffrida

Horse: Tiny, 13 year old Clydesdale cross mare

Olivia has owned Tiny for four years. When the pair first came together, they were starting from scratch. Olivia says she didn’t have a clear direction for their journey together, but it was clear that they both liked trying new things and learning together. Three years later, they’re excited to be competing in the VHRC because versatility is one of the disciplines they enjoy most. They competed this past spring in Ohio and now they’re back for another try.

Amanda Malone

Horse: Turbo, 19 year old Norwegian Fjord gelding

Amanda and Turbo have been partners for five years. Turbo loves to compete in eventing, especially in cross-country, but he’s also a fan of trail and versatility competitions. Together, they’ve participated in parades, eventing, western sports, trail competitions, expos, demonstrations, and much more. Amanda and Turbo have competed in the VHRC four times, and each time, they come away with new things to practice as well as having made new friends. Last fall, they placed in the top ten at the 2022 Massachusetts VHRC, and they competed again this past spring in Ohio.

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