Horsing Around - October 2016 Ranch & Coast

Grace and Elegance

Beauty and Generosity ruled the night in Rancho Santa Fe on September 13, as decorated Olympian Guenter Seidel and James and Charlotte Washburn's horse Zero Gravity gave a one-of-a-kind dressage exhibition for the benefit of Feeding America San Diego. Guenter, a native of Germany, moved to the U.S. in 1985, and has represented his adopted country in the highest level of international competition for 20 years. Guenter executed a Grand Prix Musical Freestyle, wherein the rider uses musical arrangements made from portions of several pieces of music to complement the intricate movements of the horse. But this unique presentation was ridden to one piece of music that was composed specifically for Zero Gravity by pianist and composer Marie Medosi and Josh Powell, In regular competition, the music is played from a CD and broadcast over speakers. But in this performance, the music was performed by live musicians that included both Medosi and Powell. A demonstration of true artistry, equally delicate and bold, it captivated the audience, and left them with a sense of awe long after the last notes died away.

World-Class Show Jumping Comes to Del Mar

In a not-to-be-missed event on October 17, world-class show jumpers will come from around the globe for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix, with $150,000 in prize money and valuable qualifying points towards the 2016 FEI Longines World Cup Finals in Sweden up for grabs.

Currently ranked number 5 in the world, Kent Farrington will be riding, as well as 2012 Olympian Rich Fellers, and Georgia Bloomberg. Brazilian Eduardo Menezes, coming off an overall 9th placing at the 2015 Pan Am Games, will be competing, as will SoCal hotshot Ashlee Bond and Rancho Santa Fe's Vinton Karrasch. The events begin at 6:45pm with the Charity Woof Cup Challenge. Competing for their chosen charities, Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson, international champion Richard Spooner, and actress and equestrian Kaley Cuoco will be paired with an agility dog and its handler, to complete a relay course. Competition will intensify at 7:50pm as seasoned champions and young rising stars compete head to head in the Grand Prix.