They Deserve Our Thanks

Dear Sir:
While your coverage of the Olympic Show Jumping Trials, held in Del Mar and the Oaks/Blenheim, in Calif., was very interesting and factual, I was very disappointed that there was no mention of the absolutely superb job done by the organizers, Robert Ridland, R.J. Brandes, and Stephanie Wheeler.

The venue itself is wonderful. We are lucky to show at the Oaks/Blenheim facility many times throughout the year, but I have never seen it look so spectacular. Mr. Brandes pulled out all the stops to create an atmosphere that Peter Wylde said could rival any show in Europe. The field, the jumps, the sold-out bleachers, the tent, combined with incredible performances from the horses and riders, all contributed to the finest show jumping production that I have ever seen in this country.

If we want our sport to have the prestige and exposure that it does in Europe, and if we want major sponsorships, we have got to get behind the organizers at events such as this and give them the credit they deserve.

Again, Robert, R.J. and Stephanie, along with major sponsors Cargill, Budweiser, HBO and Hermes, kudos and many, many thanks for an incredible event. Please keep them coming.

Karen Healey
Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Funds Repaid
Dear Sir:

I am writing to you regarding an In The Country item entitled “AHS Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement” (April 2, p.85). I should like to take this opportunity to provide an update to this story, which, to the best of my knowledge, has been published by no other magazine or newspaper in the entire country. This even includes Lexington’s own daily newspaper, the Lexington Herald-Leader.

This story was first brought to the attention of the Chronicle by an anonymous letter that was faxed to your office on March 2. It was subsequently determined that this unsigned letter originated in the offices of United States Pony Clubs, based, as is the American Hanoverian Society, at Kentucky Horse Park’s National Horse Center. Following its April meeting during Rolex weekend, the USPC Board of Directors issued a formal apology to the AHS concerning this unauthorized faxed letter.

On April 20, former AHS bookkeeper Mary Ann Sizemore pleaded guilty in U.S. District Federal Court to wire fraud. The sentence imposed included probation for a term of three years and mandatory restitution in the amount of $40,765. In order to expedite return of these funds, AHS shortly thereafter filed a claim with its insurance carrier. I am pleased to report that payment was received in full on June 21.

Hugh Bellis-Jones
AHS Executive Director
Lexington, Ky.

A Pony Club Recollection
Dear Sir:
Your Look Back column of May 28 (p. 31) brought back many fond memories of the 1974 U.S. Pony Club National Games Rally in Syracuse, N.Y. I was the coach of our Glastonbury junior team, and it was the first time we had trailered anywhere. We were going to represent the New York/Upper Connecticut Region at a National Rally!

We did have two boys on our team too. Games were a great way to interest young boys in Pony Club. Glastonbury also hosted one of the teams from the U.K., and we practiced with them on our ponies. It was a wonderful learning and social experience.

Thanks for the memories.

Beverly Willsey
Glastonbury, Conn.

Breeds Don’t Count
Dear Sir:
I agree with Lisa Wilcox that American breeders of sporthorses lack the finesse of the European breeders (“Someday, It Might Be Cool To Ride U.S.-Bred Dressage Horses,” April 9, p.26).

The problem, as I see it, is our breed organizations. In Europe, sporthorses are not breeds. Their registry reflects their place of birth–a Hanoverian is from Hanover, and an Oldenburg is from Oldenburg. American breeders believe that to have a superior horse, they have to breed within the confines of their chosen “breed”–Oldenburg to Oldenburg, or Hanoverian to Hanoverian. In Europe, the breeders are free to choose from a gene pool that includes Arabians, Thoroughbreds (they really like U.S. Thoroughbreds!), Trakehners, or any other breed that breeders believes will produce the type of horse they’re trying to develop. The resulting offspring is registered according to the place it is foaled.

All it takes for us American breeders to compete with the Europeans is for us not to buy into the “breed” sales ploy. We have access to the same gene pool as the Europeans through frozen semen and imported horses, and we have superior Thoroughbreds. With the Euro almost on par with the dollar, they may be desperate to make a sale, but we don’t have to buy their pitch.

Charlene Summers
Eatonville, Wash.