Whitehaven trainer wins dressage award

BISHOPVILLE - Trisha Dingle, trainer and manager for Whitehaven Plantation, was named S.C. Dressage & Combined Training Association (SCDCTA) First Level Dressage Champion with her mare Ima Bustn Loose (Scudbuster x Ima Tiki Ku). Fancy, as the 16-hand purebred Arabian mare is nicknamed, was bred by Valour Arabians of Smyrna, Del., and is being purchased by Trisha and Dr. Jennifer Borgo of Hartsville.

Dingle and the mare won this award by having the highest median dressage score at SCDCTA recognized schooling shows throughout the state. Dressage is an Olympic sport that represents the highest level of training a horse can achieve. Fancy has been in training with Dingle for the past two years and previously had competed at the introductory and training levels. 2009 was her first year competing at First Level, and Dingle chose to show her only at schooling shows until she was more settled at this level.

In November, at her first competition at first level, Fancy earned scores high enough to qualify her for the Arabian Horse Association Region 12 Championships and East Coast Championships where she will compete in 2010.

Dingle regularly takes lessons with Jill Allard of Evergreen Farm in Blythewood. Allard, a Federation Equestrian International (FEI) dressage rider and trainer, earned her U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) gold medal and regularly competes at the upper levels of dressage. Trisha credits Jill with her success with both Fancy and other horses that she has in training.

“Jill has greatly expanded my knowledge and improved the way I ride and communicate with my horses,” Dingle said. She also thanks farrier Mike Stine of Equine Dynamics for helping Fancy make the most of her natural movement as well as co-owner Dr. Borgo, who helps with Fancy’s regular upkeep and conditioning, despite a busy schedule as a Coker College professor.

Whitehaven Horses Participate in SCHC Expo

On Feb. 6, the S.C. Horsemen’s Council held their annual expo at the newly formed S.C. Horse Park in Camden. The council represents the interests of all horsemen in the state, and in addition to their annual meeting the expo hosted clinics, a trade fair and a parade of breeds.

WH Bodacious (El Halimaar x RA Aneesa), an 18-year-old SE stallion, represented the Egyptian Arabian in the parade of breeds demonstration. “Bo” is owned and bred by David and Martha Lucas of Whitehaven Plantation in Bishopville, and was ridden by trainer Trisha Dingle.

In full native costume, Bo put on an incredible performance, galloping around the arena, demonstrating lateral movements and then standing quietly to receive his applause. During his exhibition, the announcer read a brief history of the breed and the characteristics of Egyptian Arabians. Bo was the only purebred Arabian at the expo, and he was definitely a crowd favorite. Following his demonstration, the stallion stood quietly while children came up to pet him.

Following her ride on Bo, Dingle then rode the half-Arabian/half-Andalusian gelding Serapo (Guarapo x Seradoora). The 8-year-old, owned by Ken Maginnis and bred by Derrik and Mary Anne Peake, represented the Andalusian breed in dressage attire. The beautiful bay gelding, who previously had competed in dressage competitions at third level with dressage trainer Jill Allard, beautifully demonstrated flying lead changes, half-pass, shoulder-in and haunches-in. With his elegant gaits and puppy-dog personality, Serapo was also much admired by the crowd.

Info: www.whitehavenplantation.com, www.schorsecouncil.org.