News of Note

YOU ARE INVITED TO MEET ONE OF TONY STEWART’S GIRLS
Saribel Cruz, One of Tony Stewart’s girls makes her debut in her second career at the 2010 Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo

INDIANAPOLIS, IN April 2010 - In conjunction with Friends of Ferdinand Inc. and Tony Stewart Foundation, Tony Stewart initiated a program to save Indiana racehorses whose futures are uncertain because their racing careers have ended. Tony remarks that "these are animals that are all racehorses that have been retired versus being destroyed. Friends of Ferdinand is a great organization that will take these horses, rehabilitate them, fix their injuries and get them trained and adopt them to new homes. Their racing careers may have ended, but their lives don’t have to." Saribel Cruz is a thoroughbred mare who retired from racing in 2008 when she received no bids at an end of season auction for thoroughbred racehorses and is descended from two of racing’s most famous horses, Seattle Slew and Mr. Prospector. As the sport of horseracing is turning it’s attention to the upcoming Kentucky Derby, Saribel Cruz will be making her debut as a hunter/jumper sport horse at the Hoosier Horse Fair, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on April 9-11, 2010. She represents the potential of rescued racehorses.

Saribel Cruz, affectionately known as Flirt around the barn, is a fitting name for the first of Tony’s Stewart’s girls to enter Friends of Ferdinand’s adoption program. Saribel is an affectionate, kind and athletic young mare who prefers being a show-jumper rather than a racehorse. She was adopted from Friends of Ferdinand Inc one month ago by Foxton Farm (Romney, IN). Emily Lindsay, representing Foxton Farm, will be riding Saribel Cruz in a jumping clinic with the nationally recognized hunter-jumper instructor and 1992 "horseman of the year" Nick Karazissis. Saribel Cruz and Emily will be working with Nick to improve the form of both horse and rider over fences. Their session should be fast-paced and entertaining and is sponsored by the Hoosier Horse Fair and Indiana Hunter/Jumper Association in order to promote the rescued racehorse at this premier event.

Saribel will be ridden from 4pm-6pm in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavillion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Opportunities to for the media and the public to meet Saribel Cruz are available preceding the clinic 2:30-3:30pm and immediately after the session from 6pm-7pm. Representatives of Tony Stewart Foundation, Friends of Ferdinand Inc, Hoosier Horse Fair and Foxton Farms will be on location for interviews and photographs.

Friends of Ferdinand is named in memory of the magnificent Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby Champion, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 1987 Horse of the Year who earned more than $4 million during his career. In 1989 he was retired from racing and exported to Japan to stand at stud. Tragically, a few years later, Ferdinand was slaughtered for human consumption. More information about Friends of Ferdinand may be found at www.friendsofferdinand.org.

The mission of the Tony Stewart Foundation is to raise and donate funds to help care for critically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and to support other charitable organizations in the protection of various animal species. More information about the Tony Stewart Foundation may be found at www.tonystewartfoundation.org.

Team USA-North Central Secures Reining Gold

Lexington, KY—Don’t let the “Free Hugs” sign pasted on the front of the team golf cart for the Reining Team USA-North Central fool you, this team came to the SmartPak™ FEI North American Young Rider Reining Championships to win - and win big they did.

Securing the Team Gold in a very strong field, Team USA- North Central edged their rivals out for the top podium position.

Team USA – North Central is comprised of: Ian Barnard riding Got It Dun (208.0)(SPONSORED BY THE INDIANA HORSE COUNCIL!); Alex Bauwens riding Heza Bigtime Bingo (213.0); Lyndsey Jordan riding Bueno King Dude (211.0); and McKenzie Lantz riding Royalee Rowdy (213.0).

With team points totaling 637.0, Team USA- North Central bested silver medal Team USA – Southeast/South Central by only three points. With a ground jury of three judges, this thin margin had both of the teams as well as coaches and spectators holding their breath right up to the last two horses.

“All of our team members are strong. We knew we had a chance for the medals podium, but to win the gold medal is a real treat,” said Ian Barnard, Team USA – North Central member. I know I speak for all of my teammates when I say this entire experience has been terrific. To be at the NAJYRC and compete among all of these terrific athletes and horses in varied disciplines is steeped in history and so much bigger than anything I’ve ever done.”

The Silver-medal Team USA – Southeast/South Central consisted of: Maggie Jo Gratny riding Roo Fifty Two (214.5); Will Letner riding A Genuine Diamond (207.0); Jonathan Timberlake riding Ruf Maid Chic (208.0); and Laura Sumrall riding Whiz Bang Boom (208.5).

Rounding out the medals podium was the formidable Team Canada – Alberta: Sage Sapergia riding Shiners Q Chex (0); Morgan Girlitz riding Hickory Ginin Peppy (202.5); Nancy Pratch riding Mega Pay (202.0); and Amanda Antifaev riding Whats Up Doc Cody (214.0).

An unfortunate over-spin from Welcome Competition champion Sage Sapergia opened the door for the other teams, yet the strength of this Canada-Alberta Team secured their position on the medal podium, and allowed them to put the zero score behind them as the team drop-score.

Combined individual scores not only determine the outcome of this competition but are also used to qualify riders for Sunday afternoon’s Individual Competition. A seeded final, the order of starters will be in opposite order of the scores from this round; so the high-score rider from today’s Team Competition Maggie Jo Gratny of Team USA- Southeast/ South Central, gains the advantage of being final draw on Sunday.

With the quality of talent and sportsmanship presented at this year’s SmartPak™ North American Young Rider Reining Championship, it is still anyone’s game as each individual athlete seeks to gain podium position at the end of Sunday’s Individual Final.