Allison Brock Finds Success With Mount Rosevelt

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Allison Brock Finds Success With Mount Rosevelt

By Julie Unger

Top-ranked international and national dressage rider Allison Brock and her seven-year equine partner Rosevelt are looking forward to a successful 2016, perhaps even capped by a victorious appearance at the Olympics.

Now 36 years old, it all started for Brock as a horse-crazy girl from a non-equestrian family. Her grandmother bought her a package of riding lessons for her seventh birthday.

“They figured after four lessons I’d decide it was too hard, and I got too dirty, and all these things. The problem was, I did not think that,” Brock recalled. “I recognized as a small child what I was most passionate about. A lot of people don’t ever, ever get to experience what that means. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to turn my passion into my life.”

At 17, Brock left her native Hawaii to pursue her dressage dreams, working with top professionals, including Colter Slocum, Jim Eldridge, Linda Landers, Lauren Sammis and Sue Blinks.

When Brock was 22, she left the United States for the first time to discover the equestrian community in Europe, joining Blinks in 2002 for the U.S. team at the FEI World Equestrian Games.

“It was incredibly educational,” Brock said. “Here I was, going with the U.S. team and living with Klaus Balkenhol, one of the most famous German trainers still alive. He’s an incredible human being, and an incredible horseman. Here I was, living at his farm. It just was amazing being around the people I was around.”

Exploring the equestrian culture in Germany, she explained, was like being a kid in a candy store. From there, she traveled to the World Equestrian Games in Spain, where the U.S. won the silver medal.

Brock continued her dressage adventure with other professional equestrians, such as Debbie McDonald, Guenter Seidel and Christine Traurig. She met Fritz and Claudine Kundrun while working with Blinks.

“I was very fortunate with the people I worked for and the steps with how my career leapfrogged from here to there,” Brock said. “I was very fortunate to make some good choices, and it led me to the path of Sue Blinks and the Kundruns.”

The Kundruns sponsored Blinks, and own Rosevelt, a Hanoverian stallion that Brock competes with and hopes to take to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

“There are so many things that have to line up with the horse and rider, and it’s about the combination,” Brock said. “When you buy them as a young horse, you don’t know what they are going to turn out to be, or if they’re going to stay healthy. They’re athletes, too, and they’re subject to things like us — injuries, illness, accidents.”

Brock and Rosevelt won team gold at the April 2015 U.S. Nations Cup; 2014 Dressage at Devon Champion Grand Prix and 2014 Dressage at Devon Champion Grand Prix Special; 2014 USDF Hanoverian FEI Level Horse of the Year; 2014 Hanoverian Champion, Grand Prix, Open Division; 2015 CDI Alchleiten, Austria, second, Grand Prix Special; and multiple Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle wins on the Global Dressage Festival circuit.

Last year, Brock and Rosevelt were on the U.S. team traveling reserve for the 2015 Pan Am games. “It earned me my rider patch, which I’m really proud of,” she said.

This horse and rider pair are at the elite level of their sport.

“It takes years to train a horse up to the Grand Prix level, if they make it. A lot of horses aren’t physically talented enough, and they also have to be quite intelligent to do it — and they have to want to do it,” Brock said. “It’s like you’re training a gymnast or a ballerina. There are going to be certain people who have a high aptitude for it, and it’s the same with the horses.”

Dressage is complicated, she explained. When done correctly, it looks effortless, almost like the rider is doing very little and the horse is doing all of the work. However, looks are deceiving when it comes to this unique sport.

“At the end of the day, the horse is so in tune with its rider that it is beautifully harmonious, and powerful and graceful,” Brock said. “That’s what we’re striving for.”

Getting that type of perfection does not come easily.

“I’ve put my nose to the grindstone and have really worked hard to develop myself into a better rider, a better teacher, a better horseman,” she said. “And I’m very lucky. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of Fritz and Claudine Kundrun. They have enabled me to actively chase my dreams.”

The opportunities offered Brock have made her a better rider, helping her to prepare for what is coming up.

“This is my first roller coaster ride, having a horse of this quality being this highly ranked,” she said. “This is the first time that I’ve had a horse, that I’ve developed, that has been good enough. I’m also now good enough. It takes a long time. It took me years to get to this position.”

Brock was in the right place at the right time when she first started. Of the 16 or so children training together in Hawaii, six or seven of them became professional riders.

From Hawaii onward, she flourished, and she doesn’t take that for granted.

“I am incredibly, incredibly grateful to Fritz and Claudine Kundrun, and I am really pleased to say that I have great relationships with all of the past trainers and professionals that I worked with as I was coming up,” she said. “I am grateful to Sue Blinks, Jim Eldridge, Jan Brink, Kyra Kyrklund, Richard White and Michael Barisone, who is coaching me now. I really am proud of the relationships I have with those people.”

Learning to communicate with a horse, or another being, she explained, is critical to the success that she has with Rosevelt.

“He’s a really, really sweet horse. He’s a breeding stallion; he’s beautiful… He likes people, but he likes other horses. He likes dogs,” Brock said, laughing. “He would be like that good-looking jock in school who was also good in the academic part and got along with everyone, but didn’t know he was good-looking.”

When Brock isn’t at a competition, she divides her time between barns in Virginia and Wellington, calling Florida her home and offering lessons, training and clinics.

For those interested in dressage, she stressed the important of finding the right professional.

“Watch them ride their horses and train others, and see which professional speaks to them the most,” she said. “The philosophy, teaching style, and how the training works. If you want to learn, the best case is to integrate yourself into the professional’s program.”

Currently, Brock and Rosevelt are practicing and training to get ready for the Olympics. She wants to make sure that they remain among the top pairs to secure their spot in the final selection process.

“I want to be in that grouping, and come up a couple more places to make sure our lot is secure,” Brock said. “Then, we will see what happens in Europe and how the chips fall.”

To learn more about Allison Brock, visit www.allisonbrockdressage.com.

 

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Experience The Graceful Sport Of Dressage At AGDF

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Experience The Graceful Sport Of Dressage At AGDF

When the Adequan Global Dressage Festival began four years ago, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center was known for show jumping. Since 2012, the dressage festival has grown in size and stature, now rivaling its complimentary show jumping circuit, the Winter Equestrian Festival. Both are managed by Equestrian Sport Productions.

The AGDF has seven internationally rated CDI weeks, among them a CDI 5*, the highest ranking an event can have for international equestrian sports, and a CDIO 3*, which hosts an FEI Nations Cup, where teams of riders represent their countries in competition.

This year’s AGDF opened on Jan. 14 and continues until April 2 at the Stadium at PBIEC. Event organizers are thankful that the local community and equestrians alike have embraced dressage in Wellington.

“We continue to be very excited, and this venue has lived up to our expectations, but also exceeded them in terms of what we believed could occur here,” Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said. “The sponsorship is great, the prize money is great and we’re attracting riders from all over the world. We really appreciate the owners, sponsors, riders and everyone who has made this possible. It really is a breath of fresh air for dressage in this country.”

At the AGDF, some of the top horse/rider combinations in the world compete, including Olympians and championship medalists. The first two weeks of the circuit were FEI World Cup qualifiers, where riders gain valuable scores to try to book their ticket to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals in March in Gothenburg, Sweden. The CDI 5*, presented by Diamante Farms, is one week that attracts the best of the best to compete at the highest level.

In March, the AGDF will host three more of its biggest weeks: the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, on March 3-6; the CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, on March 17-20; and the CDIO3*, featuring the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup, on March 30 through April 2.

Showcasing a horse’s incredible ability to do technical and powerful movements with the slightest aids, dressage is artistic as well as athletic. At the Grand Prix level, the horse and rider must perform difficult movements, including the pirouette, passage, piaffe and flying lead changes. All of these movements and the overall feel of the test are scored by five judges, and those points are tallied for an average score.

Each year, the buzz around dressage has grown, and many spectators enjoy watching the Friday Night Stars events, which feature the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Special musical acts bookend amazing dressage performances.

In the Freestyle class, riders make up their own choreography to the music of their choice. They must still incorporate all of the movements of the Grand Prix test, and are judged on the movements plus the artistic component of how well they flow with the music.

Many people can be seen tapping their feet to the music of Adele, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other popular music, or swaying to impressive orchestral compilations. Some riders choose to use music that represents their country of origin.

At the second CDI event of the 2016 season, the numbers in the top level of the sport of dressage showed just how popular the AGDF has become. An incredible 50 pairs showed up to compete in the FEI Grand Prix. Riders from 15 nations competed for top honors, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, the Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

“We are quite excited about this season because we see a true international competition here with 15 flags already, and we’re expecting that number to grow throughout the season,” AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur said. “It’s the first time that we have seen a rider from Asia, as well as the first rider from Africa will come to join us.”

AGDF Judge Natalie Lamping has been impressed by the wonderful turnout for Friday Night Stars. “It’s wonderful for the sport,” she said. “To see the bleachers, the pavilion here, the [tent on the] end full, people were wall to wall. That’s wonderful, and it’s just going to get bigger.”

Allyn Mann of title sponsor Adequan is proud to support the growing dressage circuit. “To envision this, we’re all blessed beyond our wildest dreams. These riders here are at the top of the sport,” Mann said. “When you have an operation and a facility like this, with people dedicated to making it one of the most enjoyable experiences in the dressage world, it’s a dream come true. We’re very humbled that we can participate.”

While Friday nights garner crowds, people can enjoy dressage all day from Thursday through Sunday during CDI events in multiple arenas. Enjoy watching young riders, young horses and combinations at every level compete in the sport of dressage. Food vendors are available, and there is shopping on Vendor Row. The AGDF offers a perfect way to introduce friends and family to the sport of dressage.

For those who want to see the next generation of riders, the entertaining AGDF Leadline Series offers up the perfect opportunity. Held at 5:30 p.m. before Friday Night Stars festivities, see the littlest riders take to the ring.

Everyone is welcome at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to enjoy the spirit of the horse and to learn and embrace the sport of dressage. The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is located at 13550 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington.

For more information about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and to see a full schedule of competition, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

 

 

2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival Upcoming Schedule

 

March 3-6: AGDF 8 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/1* and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage; FEI Grand Prix & Grand Prix Special, presented by Today’s Equestrian and Diane and George Fellows; and FEI Small Tour, presented by Peacock Ridge Farm.

 

March 17-20: AGDF 10 CDI 4* and FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm; CDI 3*, presented by the Dutta Corporation; and CDI 1*, presented by Mike and Roz Collins.

 

March 30 – April 2: AGDF 12 CDIO 3* featuring the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup, and FEI Large Tour, presented by Stillpoint Farm; CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses; and CDI 1*, presented by YellowBird Farm.

 

Tentative schedule, subject to change. AGDF events are held at the Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, located at 13550 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-5867 or visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

 

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Palm Beach Equine Clinic Vets Support Vinceremos

images from the january 2016 issue of wellington the magazine. all content ©2016 wellington the magazine

Palm Beach Equine Clinic Vets Support Vinceremos

Story by Y.A. Teitelbaum

Photos by Abner Pedraza

It’s very common to see one of the Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians at the 15-acre Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center facility in Loxahatchee Groves.

Many of the 30 vets have been there, checking the health of the horses that provide equine-assisted therapies for clients with varying physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.

The visits and services are donated by Palm Beach Equine Clinic and would cost the nonprofit more than $50,000 per year for the veterinary care.

“Any care our horses need, they take care of it, whether it’s routine like vaccinations, or something serious, such as surgery,” said Ruth Menor, who founded Vinceremos in 1982 and is the chief program director. “The really special aspect of our relationship is our access. They are right there to help us with anything we need. It never seems to be too big of an ask.”

The amount of donated services doesn’t concern Dr. Scott Swerdlin, president of the Wellington-based equine clinic.

“As it increases, it makes our doctors feel even better knowing that Vinceremos is growing,” said Swerdlin, who first began donating services to Vinceremos in 2011. “We’ve been fortunate to be the veterinarians for such a great cause.”

Palm Beach Equine Clinic started out with three veterinarians in 1981 and has grown into one of the country’s largest equine hospitals, with more than 28 veterinarians using state-of-the-art equipment and innovative techniques. They are a leader in sport horse medicine, whether it’s for an Olympic dressage horse, a Grand Prix jumper, a high-goal polo pony or a trail horse and companion friend.

The practice is the longstanding official veterinarians of the Winter Equestrian Festival and have served in the same capacity for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival since its inception.

Palm Beach Equine Clinic provides 24-hour emergency coverage, complete surgical services and intensive care 365 days a year. There is an on-site pharmacy, a full laboratory and advanced diagnostic imaging equipment, including a MiE Nuclear Scintigraphy gamma ray camera and a Hallmarq standing MRI.

Community service is important to Swerdlin. “I try to instill in all the veterinarians how fortunate we are to be in an area where we have the quality of horses,” Swerdlin said. “It’s also very important to give back to the community.”

Swerdlin noted that there are many worthy organizations, and it is difficult to decide which ones to support. One of the factors he prefers is an organization that has an immediate impact on people’s lives.

“That’s Vinceremos — you see immediate results and see the joy in these kids’ eyes; it’s amazing,” said Swerdlin, who serves on the nonprofit’s board of directors.

That was evident when Swerdlin accepted an invitation to play polo with the children in the Vinceremos program. He arrived in traditional polo attire — white pants, knee pads and boots. The kids were playing in regular clothes.

“We were playing the boys against the girls; I was playing with the girls,” said Swerdlin, smiling at the memory. “We’re playing with this big old rubber ball, and I was trying to pass it downfield. I accidently hit one of these young boys in the face. I felt terrible! He had the biggest smile and all he did was come at me and try to take the ball away. When they’re on that horse, their whole personality changes. It’s remarkable!”

Swerdlin said he learned the value and importance of giving back from his mother.

“Just being in this community, seeing the growth and opportunities we have, you feel compelled to give back,” Swerdlin explained. “Everybody who has the opportunity to work with horses has that same feeling. I felt personally so compelled to be able to do something besides what we do, fixing horses, improving horses’ performance, that I wanted to see some kind of accountability for each and every veterinarian that is here. The fun thing is that they all volunteered.”

In addition to their significant contributions to Vinceremos, Palm Beach Equine Clinic also supports Just World International, which helps children who live in poverty, donating food and clothing while focusing on long-term solutions that include education. The clinic also supports the Great Charity Challenge and serves as an advisor to the county’s animal control department when it concerns horses and their welfare.

Dr. Janet Greenfield is the lead vet for Vinceremos and chairs the Horse Care Committee. She volunteers to educate young minds about veterinarians on career days at local elementary schools and 4-H clubs. Palm Beach Equine Clinic has worked closely with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue to teach protocols on the safe and proper technique of rescuing loose horses.

“We like to give back. Vinceremos is a wonderful organization,” Greenfield said. “I’ve learned a whole lot from that program. There are many different cases. As Scott always says, it’s not about the individual, it’s about the group… It gives us a sense of pride that we can help.”

Menor noted that Palm Beach Equine clinic veterinarians also make Vinceremos a priority.

“If we need them, they’re here,” she said. “Even if it’s after hours or Saturday, they fit it in. Their commitment to the horses is 110 percent.”

And that’s exactly how Swerdlin believes it should be. “We’re obligated to give back, not for ourselves, but for the horse, too,” he said.

For more information about Palm Beach Equine Clinic, visit www.equineclinic.com. To learn more about Vinceremos, visit www.vinceremos.org.

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Chiropractor Beverly Gordon, Creator Of Equi-Tape

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Chiropractor Beverly Gordon, Creator Of Equi-Tape

Story by Deborah Welky

Photos by Abner Pedraza

With a background in exercise physiology and biomechanics, Dr. Beverly Gordon had worked for years as a chiropractor when she had a startling realization — the kinesiology tape that works so well on humans could probably be adapted for use on horses.

Gordon spends seven months of the year in Wellington, the winter equestrian capital of the world, so she vowed to give it a try.

After an intense period of research and development by her company, the Horse in Motion, Equi-Tape was ready for market in early 2005. Since then, it has been increasingly embraced by horse owners and trainers.

“The tape has so much application for performance horses here,” Gordon said. “It really helps horses train harder and stay sounder. It has a lot of applications on injured backyard horses as well.”

That is something Gordon has expertise in. Her chiropractic practice includes consulting for a number of veterinary facilities regarding chiropractics and equine movement.

Equi-Tape is an elastic cotton, two-way stretch tape with advanced adhesive properties for ease of application, removal and placement longevity. The way Equi-Tape affects the body is completely different from what non-elastic athletic tape does, and is based on its ability to interact with the skin and associated neurosensory and mechanoreceptors.

Equi-Tape does not compress the tissue as do other types of taping methods. Its design characteristics and application techniques decompress tissue, allowing for increased circulation. The lifting principle behind the decompression also affects how pain receptors respond to the messages associated with swelling and inflammation.

Depending on how the tape is applied, it can decrease pain and swelling; increase circulation; support joints, ligaments and tendons; speed the recovery of injured tissue; and/or reduce spasm and tension in tight muscles.

The caveat is making sure that the tape is applied correctly. As with any health aid, a certain degree of knowledge is required to achieve optimum results. To that end, Gordon created Equi-Tape Educational Services, offered through RSB Animal Health, a company headed up by CEO James Ruder that also markets and distributes Equi-Tape.

Equi-Tape and its accompanying Continuing Education Unit-accredited educational courses are now available throughout the world. Used in conjunction with other modalities, it can give competition horses an edge.

“We’ve been using kinesiology tape for 30 years in humans,” Gordon said. “You can’t watch a tennis match, basketball game or golf tournament without seeing someone with the tape on. It became particularly popular after being seen in use by Olympians in the 2012 Summer Games.”

Equi-Tape is the first and only elastic kinesiology tape designed specifically for horses. “That’s what makes it so special,” she said. “I tape horses from every discipline at every level — polo, jumpers — it increases circulation, which increases healing and decreases recovery time. Massage, magnets and lasers are all used to bring blood to an area. If you do those modalities and then put the tape on, it makes the effects last much longer. Plus, you can leave the tape on for up to four days.”

Gordon said that while Equi-Tape is easy and safe, a certified Equi-Tape professional will come out to properly assess each horse, then show the trainer, owner and rider how to use it, so they know exactly where to place the tape to get the results they are trying to achieve.

Equi-Tape can aid the equine athlete in both training and conditioning, as well as in rehabilitation and clinical recovery.

“When they warm up, it improves the warmup,” Gordon said. “When training, it supports the joints. It helps them train with less stress. And, after they show, the horses sometimes are sore, particularly jumpers. Performance horses need to stay sound to perform better. Equi-Tape brings blood and oxygen to the muscles and takes away toxins so they stay sore for less time and recover quicker.”

Ruder, the product’s distributor, agreed.

“I have spent my entire life immersed in the equestrian industry as a trainer, master farrier and businessman,” he said. “I have partnered with many equestrian companies since the early 1980s, successfully leading their sales and marketing efforts on a global scale. Late in 2012, I was introduced to the work that Dr. Beverly Gordon was doing in the area of equine kinesiology and, in particular, the effect of kinesiology tape on the equine athlete.”

To Ruder, Equi-Tape stood out as a quality product.

“I was fascinated with the effect that this simple modality had on the wellness of the equine athlete, not only in training preparation, but in therapy and recovery from injury,” Ruder said. “This fascination has evolved into a partnership with Dr. Gordon. Bev is an industry visionary. The good work that she has done will forever change the nature and approach to equine wellness.”

Gordon urged equine professionals who have not used Equi-Tape to give it a try.

“To me, it makes no sense for people not to be using the tape,” she said. “It’s safe, inexpensive, easy to use and works great.”

To learn more about Equi-Tape, visit www.equi-tape.com.

 

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What Are They Wearing? A Look At Young Rider Style

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What Are They Wearing? A Look At Young Rider Style

Story and Photos by Emily Riden

When Sami Senft first started riding in Wellington with trainer Alan Korotkin of Castlewood Farm, she was a 4-year-old who Senft jokes fell off of her pony nearly as often as she stayed on.

“Alan will tell you to this day, I was the loosest child he has ever seen,” Senft smiled. “He kept saying, ‘Is she ever going to get tight? Is she ever going to stop flopping around on top of the pony?’”

Today, more than 20 years later, Senft has not only come a long way from flopping around on ponies, she is dressed in the latest equestrian styles and making a name for herself in the show ring as a rising young professional.

With Korotkin’s tutelage and guidance, Senft has ridden to great success, including team gold and individual silver at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, among numerous other accomplishments.

As a professional, Senft rides for Castlewood Farm, as well as running her own S&S Farm and competing her 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Azzaro Z.

“I’m so lucky. It’s my dream to have a barn in my backyard, and Alan has made this even more possible by giving me horses, entrusting me with his horses and believing in me,” Senft said. “I’ve worked my entire life for this. It’s kind of surreal that it’s happening. I’m extremely appreciative to Alan and to my parents, as well as to my grandpa.”

When it comes to clothes, Senft, like most young up-and-coming riders, needs durable breeches and shirts, suitable for riding numerous horses a day, that simultaneously look good for the show ring and don’t break the bank with their price tag.

“I am not the type of person who goes out and buys $300, $400, $900 breeches. I can’t afford it; I show almost every weekend,” Senft said. “And for me, it’s not like I show up perfectly clean, get on my horse, show and go home. I show up; I ride six or seven horses on top of showing. I’m helping tack horses up; I’m setting jumps. I get really dirty. I can’t justify spending that amount of money on pants that I’m going to get dirty in, but I still want high-quality breeches. When I came across Equine Couture, I loved the material and the price.”

Equine Couture, and sister brand TuffRider, are now two of Senft’s go-to brands when it comes to riding apparel, and she shared a few looks that showcase what she, and young riders like her, are wearing today.

 

IMAGE CAPTIONS

 

IMG 1707

For the show ring, Sami Senft is wearing new Equine Couture Ladies Beatta Breeches and an Equine Couture Ladies Stars & Stripes Show Coat.

 

IMG 1748

Sami Senft is currently competing her 8-year-old gelding, Azzaro Z, in the 1.30m-1.35m jumpers at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

 

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Under her show coat, Sami Senft is wearing the Equine Couture Ladies Fiona Show Shirt, made with super breathable tech fabric, which makes it ideal for riding numerous horses in the Florida heat and humidity.

 

IMG 1830

While Sami Senft generally elects for more conservative options, riding at home gives her the opportunity to try some of the bolder, fashion-forward looks that are very popular among young riders. At home with Azzaro Z, she is wearing the Equine Couture Schooner Breeches.

 

IMG 1974

For cooler mornings, Senft reaches for the Equine Couture Kendall Quilted Jacket. Its quilted style is extremely popular among riders. Here, she has paired it with TuffRider Sierra Denim Knee Patch Breeches.

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Marysue Jacobs Enjoys Helping Children And Horses

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Marysue Jacobs Enjoys Helping Children And Horses

By Kendall Bierer

Marysue Jacobs has been a fixture in Wellington for more than 20 years. With her love of animals and children, she is forging a path for success and positivity in the local community.

Most recently, Jacobs has shown her support for Wellington through her work with actor Quinton Aaron and the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. Drawn to Aaron’s anti-bullying message, Jacobs has donated time and money to further the goals of the Quinton Aaron Foundation, including an all-new riding camp for at-risk children.

In her day job, Jacobs is one of the region’s most sought-after real estate professionals as the broker at Destiny International Properties. For Jacobs, her passion for children, founded in her love for her daughter and her desire to help create a better future, is what guided her to the equestrian mecca of Wellington two decades ago.

In the early 1990s, Palm Beach Polo & Country Club was thriving in Wellington with such celebrities as Prince Charles, Princess Diana and Zsa Zsa Gábor making it a regular stop on their polo tours. Jacobs was hired to put on an event called the Da Vinci Horse Project during the Rolex Cup, and at that time, she fell in love with the world of Wellington, making the decision to move here from Maryland.

“We were able to bring all these different people together, and it was great,” Jacobs smiled. “I fell in love with Wellington, and I stayed. I realized that I could be so effective here with the multitude of people I could get in front of to help charities.”

Channeling her passion for nonprofits, and combining it with her love for all things equestrian, Jacobs opened her own marketing company in 1994. It was such a success that it stemmed into a national magazine, The Horseman, and two television shows, The Florida Horseman and Real Angels, which ran back-to-back on a local ABC station.

Such celebrities as Tommy Lee Jones, Julianne Hough, Dr. Ben Carson, Gregg Allman, the band Sister Hazel, Disney star Cody Linley and Amber Marshall of the hit Canadian television show Heartland have worked with Jacobs to promote charities and continue her mission to teach and encourage children that success is a result of hard work and honesty.

“We did this to encourage kids that good behavior can get good results, and that fame is not instant and neither is wealth — if you work hard for it, it comes,” Jacob said.

She lives by the practice she preaches.

“I love what I do in real estate, and I enjoy having a company that prides itself on 24-hour service,” Jacobs said. “You don’t get my assistant, you don’t get a voicemail, you get me. I like the fact that my clients become my friends, and that my business thrives on referrals.”

Jacobs has more than 30 years of experience buying and selling equestrian farms, luxury estate homes, land development, new construction, investment properties and foreclosures. With her skilled team, they have been in the top one percent of the nation in sales for nine consecutive years. She has accrued more than $900 million in sales since the company’s inception.

Destiny International Properties has donated time and money to many local organizations, including her work with Aaron, an acclaimed actor most notably known for his leading role in the 2009 film The Blind Side. He came to Wellington in November for Horses Healing Hearts’ inaugural Cowboy Up for a Cause event, as well as to visit local schools to share uplifting and inspiring speeches to children affected by bullying.

At Cowboy Up for a Cause, which Jacobs sponsored, the introduction was made between Aaron and Jacobs. It was Jacobs’ passion for the children, and her own understanding as a loving mother and generous supporter of Wellington-area nonprofits, that she made a connection with Aaron and began formulating the concept with Ruth Menor of Vinceremos for an all-new riding camp for at-risk children.

It was Aaron’s affiliation with helping children that led to him to launch the Quinton Aaron Foundation, an anti-bullying and childhood obesity prevention program that promotes positivity and teaches coping skills to children who are negatively targeted by their peers. He has helped numerous children overcome the struggles of bullying, depression and low self-worth through his talks and the time he takes to correspond and make special visits that can change the course of their lives.

With the help of Aaron and his foundation, Jacobs teamed up as a sponsor with Vinceremos to host the first-ever “Taking the Reins” summer camp for at-risk youth. It will be held for three days during the summer of 2016, and Aaron will interact with the kids as a role model for them to be able to identify and relate to.

For Jacobs, lending a helping hand to both people and animals whenever she can is simply a part of who she is. More than 200 rescue animals call her farm their home, including dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, rabbits, turtles, tortoises, peacocks and 10 different varieties of parrots.

“I’ve been here for more than 20 years, and I love this town and love what I do,” Jacobs said. “I can mix work with my dream to help people.”

Jacobs continues to improve the lives of both the people and animals of the Wellington equestrian community through her philanthropic efforts and big heart.

For more information about Marysue Jacobs and Destiny International Properties, visit www.destinyinter.com. To learn more about the Quinton Aaron Foundation, visit www.quintonaaron.org. Learn more about Vinceremos by visiting www.vinceremos.org.

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Gay Polo Attracts Global Audience To Wellington

images from the january 2016 issue of wellington the magazine. all content ©2016 wellington the magazine

Gay Polo Attracts Global Audience To Wellington

By Jamie Saults

By moving the annual International Gay Polo Tournament to the International Polo Club Palm Beach two years ago, founder Chip McKenney expanded Wellington’s global reach beyond the polo mecca of Argentina, which has made the community its seasonal base for many years.

As the popularity of the tournament and social event-packed Gay Polo Week grew, word spread to regions of the world not normally associated with polo. Recent participants have come from Russia (including the president of the Moscow Polo Club), France (including the top-rated female pro), Canada, Algeria and Australia, as well as from more than a dozen states spanning California to Maine.

The allure of the seventh annual International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by Discover the Palm Beaches and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission is its uniqueness. The week, which takes place from March 31 through April 3, melds a serious high-intensity sport with lighthearted fanfare — a combo not frequently seen.

“For me, the most fun thing was being able to play polo with different people with a fresh perspective,” said professional polo player Nic Roldan, who competed in the tournament for five years. “It’s as much fun on the field as off it. How often do you get to play a game and find yourself surrounded by drag queens at halftime?”

Organized and produced by the Gay Polo League, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the annual tournament and social events attract a widely diverse group from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender polo community and friends. The GPL began with one member in one city and now represents a worldwide network of players. It was created as a vehicle for the gay community to enjoy the challenging sport of polo.

Representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels, the GPL community shares a love for adventure, travel and fun, complemented by a passion for sport. The league is noted for its camaraderie and creating a fun and exciting environment for LGBT community members and their friends to experience the sport of polo.

“When I founded the Gay Polo League 10 years ago, I believed polo had all the ingredients to become a great sport for LBGT people to participate in,” McKenney said. “It is so exciting to be celebrating our 10th anniversary, plus I am confident we have so much more coming up in the next decade. Plans are underway for creating and producing international gay polo tournaments in other countries. In fact, we are currently planning a GPL tournament in Argentina.”

Gay Polo Week has become one of the most sensational events in Wellington. In addition to a world-class polo tournament, the event features an extraordinary tailgate competition with elaborately decorated tailgates that are months in the making.

In 2015, the Best in Show winner was “Gert’s Salon” with “Gert,” a well-known social event personality in Los Angeles, plus a bevy of “hair stylists” working their magic on customers. In previous years, there was a Titanic tailgate with a string quartet, which included the exact brunch served on the ill-fated ship the day it sank. Another winner was a local wild animal conservation organization showcasing a jungle-themed tailgate booth with a live cheetah.

This year, the tournament offers spectators the opportunity to enjoy the Cherry Knoll Farm VIP tent, which is located field side at midfield, offering an open bar and delectable gourmet selections from the official caterer, Aaron’s Catering of the Palm Beaches.

The events kick off Friday evening, April 1, with the Polotini Party, hosted by Patricia Quick at the Mallet Grille at IPC; moving on the tournament itself on Saturday, April 2; and wrapping up with the GPL Brunch on Sunday afternoon, April 3, also at the Mallet Grille. Patrons who attend the brunch have a premier location from which to watch the action of the 2016 U.S. Open Polo Championships.

The Gay Polo League welcomes everybody to participate, on and off the field, in the exciting future of the league. For more information, contact McKenney at chip@gaypolo.com or visit www.gaypolo.com.

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