Hawley will continue to keep everyone on the edge of their seat during they're adventures at Badminton, so stay tuned!!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
AND THEY'RE OFF!!
The countdown is over as Ginny is loaded on the transport box to go to Amsterdam!!
Hawley will continue to keep everyone on the edge of their seat during they're adventures at Badminton, so stay tuned!!!
Hawley will continue to keep everyone on the edge of their seat during they're adventures at Badminton, so stay tuned!!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Friendly Competition!!
Score Reversal: Alexandra Slusher and Last Call win Galway
[via USEA]
After spending over an hour with Hawley Bennet and Gin & Juice winning, the Galway scores have been officially reversed, giving the victory to Alexandra Slusher and Last Call. The word from the Galway secretary office is that Ali and Last Call left the start box 2 seconds early, and they were originally given 5 seconds worth of time penalties because a false start is 2 time penalties under national competition laws. However, the FEI rules do not have the same false start penalty rule and, since it was a CIC3* division, the two penalties do not apply. I spoke with Hawley and she explained to me that under FEI rules there is no penalty for leaving the box early without the demonstrated intent to get a head start. The two penalties have been taken away, giving Ali the lead and moving Hawley and Gin & Juice into second.
[Full Galway Results]
As I mentioned earlier, Ali is a student of Hawley's so the final scores are just a formality among friends, and the important thing is that the final final scores are correct according to the rules. Hawley had a tremendous weekend and also won the CIC2* on Gin & Juice's full brother. I'm off to watch some college basketball and, unless there is another scoring reversal giving Jimmy Wofford the Galway win, Coren has EN under control until the morning. Go eventing.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Galway Downs International Horse Trials Provide A Perfect Prep For Bennett-Awad and Miles
Galway Downs International Horse Trials Provide A Perfect Prep For Bennett-Awad and Miles
Updated: 2011-03-24
From Galway Downs
Temecula, Calif., March 24, 2011— A star-studded field of 15 horses is ready to compete in the CIC3* at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials on April 1-3, which is a designated Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division. Two of the group’s leading contenders are Hawley Bennett-Awad on Gin ‘N Juice, a pair whose pivotal score helped Canada earn the team silver medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and Gina Miles, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, on her new mount Chanel.
Bennett-Awad, a 2004 Olympian who lives in Temecula, started riding Gin ‘N Juice as a young horse and has trained her to the sport’s highest levels. The Thoroughbred mare, 10, was bred by Terry and Linda Paine of Temecula and foaled across the street from the Southern California Equestrian Center, site of the Galway Downs event. Bennett-Awad is also riding the mare’s full brother, 5 O’Clock Somewhere, in the CIC2*.
Bennett-Awad’s main goal for this year is to ride Gin ‘N Juice in England’s famous Badminton Three-Day Event three weeks after Galway Downs, in preparation for the 2012 Olympics in London.
“Galway Downs is the perfect last run before we leave,” said Bennett-Awad. “Ian Stark’s courses are big and bold, and every single time I’ve ridden his courses, my horses come off them better than they were when they started. Plus, I can see the great changes Ian’s been making to the courses, and I can’t wait to ride them.”
Miles, of Atascadero, Calif., won the 2008 Galway Downs International Horse Trials on her way to earning the Olympic silver medal in Hong Kong with McKinlaigh. Miles has been searching for a successor to her great partner, and she believes she’s found one in Chanel, a Danish Warmblood mare co-owned by Liza Jane MacNaughton and previously ridden in European international events by Peter Flarup of Denmark.
Miles has already competed Chanel twice this spring and is hoping to qualify for the Pan Am Games in Mexico this summer. “She’s my hope for London 2012, and Galway Downs is an important step in our preparation. I know I can depend on Galway Downs, because it’s a first-class event with a top-notch course,” said Miles.
Amy Tryon of Duvall, Wash., a two-time Olympian who’s also earned the team gold medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and the individual bronze medal at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, will be a contender on her experienced international mount Leyland. Jil Walton, of Kalispell, Mont., the U.S. eventing team’s leading rider at the 1992 Olympics, will likely be in contention too if she has her usual faultless and fast cross-country round on My Sedona.
Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe, of Buellton, Calif., and The Good Witch, winners of the year-long USEA Gold Cup Series in 2010, have placed at Galway Downs several times and are once again strong contenders for the top prizes. The Galway Downs International Horse Trials is one of seven member events in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
A total of 51 horses are entered in the other two international divisions— 20 in the CIC2* and 31 in the CIC1*.
Friday, April 1, will feature the both the dressage and show jumping phases for the three international divisions. Then, on Saturday, April 2, the international horses and riders will gallop over Stark’s redesigned and spectator-friendly cross-country course. The excitement will build to a peak as the horses start on course in reverse order of standing, with the first-placed horse being the final starter. Awards for the international divisions will be presented at the gala party on Saturday evening.
The national advanced, intermediate and preliminary divisions will meet the cross-country course’s challenges on Saturday too, and then they’ll be featured in Sunday’s climactic show jumping phase. The training and novice divisions will tackle the cross-country course on Sunday.
Point Two Air Jackets, Professional’s Choice, Equine Comfort Products, and the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.
Other generous sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials include: CWD Saddlery, Sunsprite Warmbloods, Voltaire Design, Advanced Protection Formula by Auburn Laboratories Inc., Big Horse Feed, Equine Insurance of California, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy, Riding’s Publications Inc., Smartpak Equine, and the California Horse Trader.
General admission for the Galway Downs International Horse Trials is $8 per day in advance, $10 at the gate. VIP tickets—which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages—are also available for $55 per day in advance. For advance reservations, go online to www.galwaydowns.com.
For more information on the Galway Downs Horse Trials, visit www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s website (www.useventing.com).
Bennett-Awad, a 2004 Olympian who lives in Temecula, started riding Gin ‘N Juice as a young horse and has trained her to the sport’s highest levels. The Thoroughbred mare, 10, was bred by Terry and Linda Paine of Temecula and foaled across the street from the Southern California Equestrian Center, site of the Galway Downs event. Bennett-Awad is also riding the mare’s full brother, 5 O’Clock Somewhere, in the CIC2*.
Bennett-Awad’s main goal for this year is to ride Gin ‘N Juice in England’s famous Badminton Three-Day Event three weeks after Galway Downs, in preparation for the 2012 Olympics in London.
“Galway Downs is the perfect last run before we leave,” said Bennett-Awad. “Ian Stark’s courses are big and bold, and every single time I’ve ridden his courses, my horses come off them better than they were when they started. Plus, I can see the great changes Ian’s been making to the courses, and I can’t wait to ride them.”
Miles, of Atascadero, Calif., won the 2008 Galway Downs International Horse Trials on her way to earning the Olympic silver medal in Hong Kong with McKinlaigh. Miles has been searching for a successor to her great partner, and she believes she’s found one in Chanel, a Danish Warmblood mare co-owned by Liza Jane MacNaughton and previously ridden in European international events by Peter Flarup of Denmark.
Miles has already competed Chanel twice this spring and is hoping to qualify for the Pan Am Games in Mexico this summer. “She’s my hope for London 2012, and Galway Downs is an important step in our preparation. I know I can depend on Galway Downs, because it’s a first-class event with a top-notch course,” said Miles.
Amy Tryon of Duvall, Wash., a two-time Olympian who’s also earned the team gold medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and the individual bronze medal at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, will be a contender on her experienced international mount Leyland. Jil Walton, of Kalispell, Mont., the U.S. eventing team’s leading rider at the 1992 Olympics, will likely be in contention too if she has her usual faultless and fast cross-country round on My Sedona.
Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe, of Buellton, Calif., and The Good Witch, winners of the year-long USEA Gold Cup Series in 2010, have placed at Galway Downs several times and are once again strong contenders for the top prizes. The Galway Downs International Horse Trials is one of seven member events in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
A total of 51 horses are entered in the other two international divisions— 20 in the CIC2* and 31 in the CIC1*.
Friday, April 1, will feature the both the dressage and show jumping phases for the three international divisions. Then, on Saturday, April 2, the international horses and riders will gallop over Stark’s redesigned and spectator-friendly cross-country course. The excitement will build to a peak as the horses start on course in reverse order of standing, with the first-placed horse being the final starter. Awards for the international divisions will be presented at the gala party on Saturday evening.
The national advanced, intermediate and preliminary divisions will meet the cross-country course’s challenges on Saturday too, and then they’ll be featured in Sunday’s climactic show jumping phase. The training and novice divisions will tackle the cross-country course on Sunday.
Point Two Air Jackets, Professional’s Choice, Equine Comfort Products, and the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.
Other generous sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials include: CWD Saddlery, Sunsprite Warmbloods, Voltaire Design, Advanced Protection Formula by Auburn Laboratories Inc., Big Horse Feed, Equine Insurance of California, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy, Riding’s Publications Inc., Smartpak Equine, and the California Horse Trader.
General admission for the Galway Downs International Horse Trials is $8 per day in advance, $10 at the gate. VIP tickets—which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages—are also available for $55 per day in advance. For advance reservations, go online to www.galwaydowns.com.
For more information on the Galway Downs Horse Trials, visit www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s website (www.useventing.com).
Friday, February 18, 2011
Starting The Year with a Bang at Galway!!
Hola!!
Well, Hawley Bennett Eventing has started the year with a bang!!! In January I had my fabulous coach and friend Buck Davidson come out for an amazing clinic, and he always sets the horses and riders up for success. It was a great clinic to get the horses listening and jumping well!
Well, Hawley Bennett Eventing has started the year with a bang!!! In January I had my fabulous coach and friend Buck Davidson come out for an amazing clinic, and he always sets the horses and riders up for success. It was a great clinic to get the horses listening and jumping well!
The following week, the fab Ian Stark came to Galway for the annual fund raiser clinic. This is a very cool clinic that Robert Kellerhouse organizes by recruiting multiple trainers to donate their time to teach for the two days. In return we as trainers get to meet some new students and raise some money for one of the best events in the country!! Another bonus, we get to have 2 lessons with Ian, and I always come away from his lessons feeling like I could jump anything!! He spent some extra time working with Ginny and I on the flat which was very helpful and now I feel totally ready for the show season to begin!
I am very lucky this year to have some cool horses to ride and compete, and as always feel that the more horses I ride, the better I will become. Our first show of the year was Galway Downs, located across the street from the barn where we train. Most people think that this is an advantage.... definitely not!!! Gin and Juice has a hard time focusing in the dressage ring because all her friends are across the street!! Sometimes I feel like I should have my Point Two Air Jacket on for dressage..........it is blue and would match my helmet!!
"Ginny" actually behaved herself quite well and we were in second after dressage in the INT! I also got to compete Ginnys little brother "Five O'clocksomewhere" in his first start at INT!! He tried very hard in dressage and I made a few tiny mistakes, but those tiny mistakes add up at the upper levels!!
My plan for both horses was to have good confident go on the XC. I wanted Ginny to go slow and be relaxed, and if you have seen my little mare, that does not happen very often! The last time she ran XC was on the green grass in Kentucky for WEG!! She was very fired up and thought it was the best day ever, but after about 3 min, she took a deep breath and relaxed. I was very happy to cross the finish line for my first XC ride of the season and it was perfect (attached picture compliments of David Nydes)!
I remembered to unhook my Point Two Air Vest before hopping back on my second INT ride. "Five O'clocksomewhere" aka "Chunky" is a little different ride from his sister! He is such a talented little horse and galloped around those red numbered jumps like he had done it his whole life!! He is much more of a cool customer than his sister, as he just takes everything in stride. I am hoping to take him to the Pan Am Games this fall :)
Throughout the day I rode 6 horses and did not deploy my Air Vest once, so it was a safe and successful day!! The next day we got to SJ on grass, and for us West Coasters, Galway is the only event that jumps on grass, so it was a great opportunity. All the horses jumped great and I was very pleased, and I could not have been more pleased with ALL of my students!! Each and everyone of them were champs!!! Natalia (who grooms for me) did an awesome job keeping everything organized with the other girls and horses. It makes my life much easier when I don't have to worry, I can just ride and coach.
My plan for both horses was to have good confident go on the XC. I wanted Ginny to go slow and be relaxed, and if you have seen my little mare, that does not happen very often! The last time she ran XC was on the green grass in Kentucky for WEG!! She was very fired up and thought it was the best day ever, but after about 3 min, she took a deep breath and relaxed. I was very happy to cross the finish line for my first XC ride of the season and it was perfect (attached picture compliments of David Nydes)!
I remembered to unhook my Point Two Air Vest before hopping back on my second INT ride. "Five O'clocksomewhere" aka "Chunky" is a little different ride from his sister! He is such a talented little horse and galloped around those red numbered jumps like he had done it his whole life!! He is much more of a cool customer than his sister, as he just takes everything in stride. I am hoping to take him to the Pan Am Games this fall :)
Throughout the day I rode 6 horses and did not deploy my Air Vest once, so it was a safe and successful day!! The next day we got to SJ on grass, and for us West Coasters, Galway is the only event that jumps on grass, so it was a great opportunity. All the horses jumped great and I was very pleased, and I could not have been more pleased with ALL of my students!! Each and everyone of them were champs!!! Natalia (who grooms for me) did an awesome job keeping everything organized with the other girls and horses. It makes my life much easier when I don't have to worry, I can just ride and coach.
I've got another blog coming up shortly....so stay tuned!! ~ Hawley
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Canadian WEG Equestrian Team Honored as Equestrian of the Year!!
ECOGOLD riders Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Hawley Bennett - Up Close and Personal
By Patricia Da Silva - ECOGOLD's VP Marketing Wednesday, February 2 2011 |
ECOGOLD Saddle Pads and Horse Boots are used by the best riders in the world, but what are those top riders really like behind closed doors? We begin a new “get to know ECOGOLD riders” series and hope to bring you a few more of these in-depth interviews.
Patricia, from Ecogold, brings us the opportunity to get to know 2 of the team members at this year's Equine Canada's Annual Awards Gala!! Not only did Patricia provide wonderful coverage of the event on their company blog, but she did some extensive interviews with both these top lady riders.
Our first two riders are World Equestrian Games Silver Medalists and Canada’s Equestrian of the Year, Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Hawley Bennett. The interview took place at the Lord Elgin hotel in Ottawa on January 29, a few hours before Equine Canada’s Annual Awards Gala where Stephanie and Hawley received the Equestrian of the Year – George Jacobsen Trophy on behalf of the Canadian Eventing Team at the World Equestrian Games. Click here for our coverage of the Gala.
ECOGOLD has been sponsoring Hawley since she won Bromont in 2009 and we partnered with Stephanie since the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Turns out, the interviews came out pretty well (at least, according to their mums).
Ok, watch the videos and get to know two of the best riders in the world.
Ok, watch the videos and get to know two of the best riders in the world.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Hot Off of Eventing Nation!
Omega Alpha has some fabulous riders who use their products and one of those riders, our good friend Hawley Bennett of Team Canada, was kind enough to answer a few questions about Omega Alpha's supplements and her spring plans. Thanks for being a great friend to Eventing Nation Hawley and Omega Alpha, and thank you for reading.
Q: What are your plans for the spring and summer with your upper level horses?
Hawley: Well, that is a very loaded question!! I have been riding long enough to make plans a, b, c, and sometimes d!!! For Gin & Juice I will be starting the year Intermediate across the street at Galway Downs. She will run a few Advanced and then (here is where plans a, b, c, etc. come in to play!!) she will do the CIC*** at Galway or head East for the CIC*** at the Fork. The plans from there are still up in the air!! Ideally I would LOVE to take Gin & Juice to Badminton!!! I feel that in the last year she has been amazing at Kentucky in the spring and then the WEG in the fall. I am just waiting to see if we get a grant to help with the expense!! It costs "a little" more to come from the West!!
As for Gin & Juice's little brother Five O'Clocksomewhere, he will start the year competing against his older sister in the Intermediate at Galway Downs!! He has never jumped "red numbers" before, but will be well prepared after riding with Buck Davidson last weekend and Ian Stark this weekend at the Galway Downs Fundraiser Clinic! He will be aiming for the CIC** at Galway in March and then from there, his plans depend on what his sister is doing!! I would love to be able to stay on the West Coast and run the CCI** at Twin Rivers, but if Gin & Juice goes to Badminton it is on the same weekend. So, that means that I need to come up with some $$$ to send Five O'Clocksomewhere to the CCI** at Jersey Fresh!!! I am aiming him for the Pan Am Games this fall, so I really need to get the ** done this spring!!
Q: Please name some of your favorite OA products.
Hawley: My horses on a daily basis use the following products from Omega Alpha: Gastra-FX, Sinew-X, and Equisel-Lyte. After a jump school, gallop, or really hard dressage lesson my horse legs and backs get rubbed down with Tetda which is a fabulous natural liniment. I have also used Tetda on myself after hard work out at the gym!! :)
Q: What do you appreciate about OA as a supplement company?
Hawley: Omega Alpha has such a vast selection of natural formulations for my horses well being and performance. I am a big believer in Natural products, especially competing under FEI rules!!! I have some "picky eaters" but they all love the Omega Alpha products! I also love the fact that the staff and researchers at Omega Alpha are extremely knowledgeable and friendly!! They can be reached very easily for any question you might have about a product plan for you horse. I am a big fan of good customer service and Omega Alpha is second to none.
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