SEP Member of the Month

“Standardbred Equine Program Congratulates High Point Winners”
by Anne Chunko

2003 was a very competitive year for the USTA Standardbred Equine Program High Point Awards, with several close races between High Point and Reserve finishers. Winners receive a gift certificate to a tack supply store and a high point championship ribbon. Runners-up receive a frameable reserve high point certificate.

Diann Landau and Frani fly over a cross-country course at event.

The winner of the Standardbred Under Saddle division was Diann Landau, riding her mare Frani, with 149 points. The pair have worked hard to move up in the eventing world. For the last several years, they have done unrecognized events and combined training events. In 2004, they plan to compete in USA Equestrian recognized 3-day events.

The runner-up for the Standardbred Under Saddle division is Jody Dillon, with her gelding TangoToVegas. Dillon and “Vegas” performed well in competitive trail rides and endurance rides in Ohio.

In the Versatility Division, Jackie Pamplona and her trotter Yankee Mandate are the 2003 winners, with 178 points. Pamplona showed her bay gelding in open shows, participated in parades and led docent rides at the Irvine Land Ranch Reserve in Orange County, California.

Jackie and Yankee Mandate enjoy a mountain view.

It was a close race between Kim Earle with Guy’s Khan and Becky Pitcock with Venus for Reserve High Point in the Versatility Division. Pitcock, with 137 points, beat Earle by only 6 points, to receive the Reserve High Point Award. Pitcock showed Venus in open and Standardbred-only events in Ohio, trail rode, and participated in demonstrations to promote the breed. Earle and her brown gelding rode the trails and showed dressage, huntseat and combined driving events in the Garden State.

The Youth Division winner came down to a race between two Pony Club participants on opposite ends of the country. The winner, Cassandra Reppucci, earned 372 points with her mare Best Float Ora P. The pair competed quite successfully in open shows, 4H shows and Pony Club rallies in their home state of New Hampshire.

Katie Brewer and Barb’s Alibi, runners-up for the Youth division, earned points in Pony Club events.

The Reserve High Point Youth is Kate Brewer of Vacaville, Calif. Brewer showed her mother’s mare, Barb’s Alibi, in open shows, Pony Club rallies, and combined training events, showing off their dressage and jumping. A reprint of this article will appear in the January issue of Hoof Beats magazine, and in the upcoming issue of the SEP newsletter, Hoof Pics.

If you have enrolled your horse in the SEP Standard Activities Database, you are eligible to participate in the year end awards. For more information on enrolling a horse or getting your 2004 Point forms, please call Anne Chunko at 614-224-2291 ext. 3260, or email sep@ustrotting.com.

Congratulations to all the 2003 High Point winners and their Standardbreds! Best of luck in 2004!