Vol. XVII, Issue 4 Official Newsletter of The American Trakehner Association July/August 2004 - A Unification of the NATA and the ATA - WINDFALL WINS KENTUCKY the ground on the cross-country course was not deep mud, it was “sticky,” according to the riders. MODIFIED**** By Kim MacMillan After two days of dressage, Windfall and Chiacchia were in second place with a penalty score The 2004 Rolex Kentucky Three–Day Event of 40, behind Natalie Bouckaert and West Farthing hosted two four-star divisions this year, the full who scored 37. Windfall’s test was a solid one, with three-day CCI**** and the Bayer Modified Four- only one uncharacteristically late flying change. Star Three-day Event, which was based on the format that will be used at the Olympic Games in Athens in August. The Modified Four-Star was offered at the request of the United States Equestrian Federation (formerly the AHSA and then USAEq) and was open to riders who are U.S. citizens or residents of North America who, with the entered horse, have already met the Olympic qualifying requirements. Two Trakehners and their riders qualified for the Modified Four-Star division, the 12-year-old approved stallion WINDFALL (by Habicht, out of Wundermädel xx by Madruzzo xx, bred by Heinz Lembke, Kaufbeuren, FRG, owned by Dr. Timothy Lester Piggott and Holly Hepp stood in a Holekamp, Columbia, MO), ridden by Darren respectable eleventh place out of 38 starters after Chiacchia, Springville, NY, and Ocala, FL, and the dressage with a score of 50.2. 13-year-old gelding LESTER PIGGOTT (by Sir Shostakovich xx, out of Louisiana II by Tizian, bred Endurance day for the Modified Four-Star by Maria Hoogen, Vogelsangshof, Kevelaer, FRG, horses consisted of a short roads and tracks phase owned by Bernardo and Marie Piskorz, Middleburg, and then the cross-country run. The Modified horses VA) ridden by Holly Hepp, Middleburg, VA. ran in the afternoon and time was hard to make, with only five incurring no time penalties by the end Rainy weather and muddy conditions marred of the afternoon. Eight horses and riders were either most days of the event this year, with rain the day eliminated, retired on course, or withdrew before before dressage and on both dressage days as well starting cross-country. At the end of the day, as on Sunday morning for the stadium jumping Bouckaert and West Farthing remained in first place phase of the Modified Four-star. The only clear day with 38.6 penalty points, with Chiacchia and was Saturday for the endurance phase and, although Windfall close behind with 41.2, both pairs having only 1.2 time faults on cross-country. Lester Piggott and Holly Hepp were ninth to go cross-country in the afternoon. They jumped clean, but were well over the time and had 23.2 penalty points added to their dressage score, leaving them in nineteenth place after cross-country. Chiacchia praised Windfall after cross- country: “I am just thrilled with this horse. People doubted whether he could jump around a course like this, but I never doubted him for a minute! He just ate it up! I am very proud of my horse.” Windfall and Chiacchia went third to last in the afternoon. Windfall’s owner, Dr. Tim Windfall passed the last horse inspection Holekamp, described his horse’s run: “He started with no problems on Sunday morning. Lester off very well, with good speed and a very calm Piggott, unfortunately, was not presented for attitude. They cruised along, with Darren in inspection and therefore did not do the stadium excellent control and ‘W’ looking completely happy jumping. It was learned later that “Lester” had a in his work, with his usual long gallop stride. The slightly sore suspensory ligament behind, and jumps were the biggest he has ever seen — four-star though Hepp said she felt he would have jogged for the first time in his life, and a REAL four star at sound during the inspection, she did not want to risk that. Maximum heights the whole way and a jumping him that day. maximum number of jumping elements (about 43 as I recall).” Chiacchia and Windfall put in their usual good show- jumping round despite the muddy, rainy Holekamp continued, “He just kept going conditions but had the last rail down. This gave a like the ‘Eveready Bunny,’ right through the little breathing room to Bouckaert and West terrifying Head of the Lake complex at the water, Farthing, who were the last to jump, but they had a with smooth riding the whole time. I could tell he refusal at the first fence and two rails down to finish was fast, it just had to be! On the third to the last, an in seventh place, giving the win to Windfall and offset maximum double house jump, complete with Chiacchia. Phillip Dutton of Australia and thatched roofs, Darren got a little out of rhythm over Hannigan, finished second, John Williams and the second element, lost his whip in the scramble Carrick were third. and decided to take the second to last complex (Editor’s note: the Lexington Bank where many problems had occurred all day) the slower, alternate way, due only to the lack of a whip. They sailed home only three seconds over the optimum time and ended the day less than three points off the lead in a very solid second place, with no nearby competition.” At the press conference following the event, coolers (or horse treat bags), saddle covers, metal Chiacchia remarked on their chances of being key chains, briefcase totes, magnetic vehicle signs selected to the US Olympic Team: “The horse has and pewter license plates – to add to the array of t- an amazing record, he’s been prepared well, and I shirts, sweats, polos, caps, saddle pads, mugs and think I’ve prepared myself well. I think Windfall magazines. All 500 copies of back issues of the has answered all of the questions, but it is still up to magazine were distributed to the relief of the office the Selectors. We’ve positioned ourselves well, and staff! A special thank you goes to Holly Hoffman of Windfall has proven that he is a horse that you can Ginger Ridge Horse Treats for donating samples count on for a world-class performance in all three (with the ATA label on them) for us to give as free phases.” handouts to visitors – a great promotion for the “horsey” set! (Editor’s note: By decision of the event organizer, the winner of the Modified Four-Star received a The best was yet to come. Tim Holekamp, measly $1,500 in prize money while Kim Severson, owner of Windfall and his family supplied us with the winner of the CCI****, took home $60,000!) T-shirts and caps to really get the crowds thinking Trakehners Rule! They also worked with our president Allen MacMillan and general manager Charee Adams to produce an ATA poster, featuring ATA BOOTH AT Windfall and Darren. And to the delight of the crowds, Darren stopped by for photos and to sign ROLEX KENTUCKY 3-DAY EVENT posters and T-shirts. And it was especially sweet By Jane Volberding, Booth Coordinator because they won! Neither rain nor wind nor sloppy turf kept ATA volunteers from their appointed rounds. We experienced it all, even some sunshine at the 2004 Rolex 3-Day Event. Excitement was running at an all-time high because we knew that Holly Hepp/Lester Piggot and Darren Chiacchia/Windfall were among the top contenders in the first running of the Bayer Modified Four-Star Event, the exact format to be used at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. I am pleased to report that the ATA booth was a resounding success – a reflection of the success of our superior Trakehners. Volunteers reported on duty as scheduled, many provided more hours than scheduled. ATA members submitted wonderful photographs of their Trakehners in action - beautiful, sweet photos of horses and their feline friends, junior competitors, professionals and As the coordinator, it was gratifying to see amateurs – young stock and mature horses. The the volunteers step up and get into the business of photos were a distinct drawing card for the crowds promotion. They were a source of first-hand knowl- that came through the main tent to avoid the edge of the wonders of our horses. The booth was weather. The booth display kit proved itself again never quiet, never empty of visitors. Sales lists and this year, surviving gale-force winds and rain – stallion information were the ace in the hole – no inside the tent! one left without something Trakehner in their hands. We grossed over $3,000 but, more important, We had a number of new items to help it seems we made a number of converts to our promote our horses – photo frames, insulated lunch horses. I want to extend a special thank you to Mae The inspection and branding will take place Jean Fichter of Mae’s Way Trakehners in at the Porter County Fairgrounds in Valparaiso, IN. Lexington. Each year she hosts a Trakehner Costs of the fairgrounds rental will be rolled into the showcase at her farm and invites the public from stall costs and split among participants. Food will Rolex to visit, providing free food and beverages be available on grounds and there are several hotels and the opportunity to see horses from newborns to and a campground nearby. The ATA booth will also champion stallions up close and personal. This year be open for people to purchase sportswear, saddle was no exception and to our surprise, Schoenfeld pads, glassware, books and other ATA promotional was shown under saddle performing like the star he items.