Whitehaven horses achieve year-end awards for 2009

BISHOPVILLE - The Western Carolinas Arabian Horse Association (WCAHA) recently announced their year-end award winners for 2009, and a number of Whitehaven horses came out on top.

CINDERELLA STORY (Curundu Java x Ann Annazeh), a 10-year-old straight Egyptian Arabian mare owned by trainer Trisha Dingle, was named Champion Endurance Horse. “Daisy” completed a number of limited distance rides with amateur rider Julia Fisher during the competition year, including placing 11th in the 2008 Carolina 30, 12th in the 2008 Endure For the Cure 35 and 4th in the 2009 Gallop on the Greenway. Daisy also placed 4th with young rider Anna Caroline Chinnes in the 2009 Turkey Creek Trot. She is currently in Georgia at a dressage farm starting her new career as a beginner dressage horse for kids.

Another of Dingle’s horses, ROYAL PAIN WP (Legal Tennder x Patronna), excelled in the show arena. With Dingle riding, “Payne” was named Reserve Champion Purebred Sport Horse Under Saddle as well as Reserve Champion Hunter Pleasure. This talented young horse won impressive ribbons in a limited number of shows last season. Payne is proudly sponsored by farrier Mike Stine of Equine Dynamics.

ALI MUTAZZ (Imperial Baarez x Moniet Fernazz), a 7-year-old straight Egyptian stallion, competed a limited number of times but still placed high enough to be named 2009 Reserve Champion Purebred Halter Horse. “Ali” is owned by Tony and Christine Natelli of Maryland and is in training at Whitehaven. Among other accomplishments, this magnificent young stallion won his halter class in his age group at the 2008 WCAHA Fall Arabian Show and was named Champion sport horse stallion. While taking most of last year off to further his performance training, Ali is fit and ready and will be showing extensively this season with the Whitehaven team.

Whitehaven Plantation also hosted a successful Equine Dynamics Clinic Feb. 20-21 in Bishopville with farrier Mike Stine and German-trained dressage instructor Brett Ingram. The two warm sunny days for horses and riders were a welcome break from the abnormally cold winter.

Stine started both days off with a classroom session where he explained what he looks for when evaluating a horse's feet as well as how hoof balance plays a part in a horse's overall muscular development. Following the discussion, riders paired off for semi-private lessons in the dressage arena with Ingram, while other riders met individually with Stine to evaluate each horse. Ten horses and riders participated on Saturday with six more attending the Sunday clinic.

Stine is an internationally-known farrier who gives clinics across the country. He most recently was the Evaluating Farrier for the USEF Endurance Team East Coast training session and for riders preparing for the World Endurance Championship. To contact Stine, call (704) 619-1339 or visit www.equinedynamics.com.

Ingram is a German trained and certified riding instructor. He has achieved the Silver with Honors recognition, the second highest level of recognition in Germany (Gold, the highest level, is held by just a few Olympic level trainers). He is available to teach lessons on a regular basis at Whitehaven. To arrange either a private or semi-private lesson, contact him directly at (803) 246-1801 or dbrettingram@yahoo.com.

For more information on upcoming events, Turkey Creek Riding Academy, 4-H club or Whitehaven Plantation’s training and breeding programs, visit www.whitehavenplantation.com, or contact Dingle at (803) 428-5656 or whitehavenarabians@hotmail.com.