American West 4D Classic Barrel Racers Recognizes Outstanding Thoroughbreds
The North American Thoroughbred Society (NATBS), announced in May that it is teaming with the American West 4D Barrel Racing Association to recognize Thoroughbreds who compete in American West 4D Classic barrel races. American West members who own or ride Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbreds can count points earned in barrel racing competitions toward NATBS’ North American Series Awards program.
“Working with the North American Thoroughbred Society allows us to offer another membership benefit,” said Randy Sellers, owner of American West 4D, LLC. “Our members who compete with Thoroughbreds can gain additional recognition for their hard work and achievements through NATBS, in addition to winning barrel racing awards. Many of today’s barrel horses carry a percentage of Thoroughbred blood, and it’s this speed and agility that helps make barrel racing such an exciting sport.”
American West 4D was established in 1998 and has over 3,000 members in the Western states and Canada. With a mission to provide safe, fun, well-run barrel races for everyone from beginner to professional levels, American West sanctioned 629 events with 37,650 entries in 2007. It paid out more than $2 million in prize money to competitors. Its American West Finals is one of the top Produced Barrel Racing Events in the country.
“We are delighted with the interest from American West 4D,” said Anita Adamski, founder and chief executive officer of NATBS. “Thoroughbreds can be found in every area of equine competition and we are thrilled to be able to support them in competitive environments that are outside of the traditional english riding disciplines. We welcome American West’s Thoroughbred members and cheer them on in their races.”
For more information visit www.hellohorse.com or e-mail aadamski@hellohorse.com.

J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center Adds New Board Members
The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center recently added two new board members to assist in their growing therapeutic horseback riding programs in San Juan Capistrano. The new members to the nonprofit organizations’ Board of Directors are Steve Howard and Renee Ritchie.
Steve Howard is a tax attorney and certified public accountant (CPA). He serves as a shareholder and president of the Irvine-based law firm, The Busch Firm, and is Vice Chair of the Democratic Foundation of Orange County. Howard also volunteers with the Trabuco Canyon Little League.
Renee Ritchie is a life-long equestrian and has previously served on the boards of the Las Vaqueras Women’s Riding Group and JSerra High School. She is on the Open Space Committee in San Juan Capistrano, the City’s Community Trails Committee and is passionate about preserving San Juan Capistrano’s natural ambiance, heritage and equestrian lifestyle.
For more information on the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center visit www.sheacenter.org.

Hanoverian Stallion, Mister A, will be Missed
The elite Hanoverian stallion, Mister A (Matcho AA x Goldieche by Gotthard) passed away on April 7 at the age of 24. A popular sire in Germany, Canada and the United States, he threw elegant, modern style dressage horses that were especially well noted for being amateur friendly.
But perhaps he will best be remembered as the show partner of junior rider, Roxanne Strahan. Their partnership began in 2005 when Roxanne was 12 years old. That year saw great success for them both, finishing with the CDS Southern California Junior Championship at Fourth Level. In 2006 Roxanne and Mister A were the USDF Hanoverian All-Breed Champions at Prix St. Georges, Junior Rider. In 2007 the pair was USDF Open Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Champions with an average score of over 71 percent. At the time Roxanne was 14 and Mister A was 23 years old!
During their three short show seasons Roxanne was able to earn her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals and her USDF Silver Freestyle Bar. A photo of Roxanne and Mister A with Olympian Debbie McDonald graced the cover of the American Hanoverian Society Magazine Fall 2005 issue and was used extensively throughout the year to promote the Society Convention in other major horse publications.
Roxanne and Mister A also appeared in Dressage Today and the Chronicle of the Horse. Mister A was truly a special, irreplaceable, once in a lifetime kind of horse and will be sorely missed.
This obituary was submitted Mister A’s owner, Suzan Strahan.

Wanda Weldy takes over the reins of Royal Oaks Stable
Royal Oak Stables, located at the Rancho Riding Club in San Diego County’s Rancho Santa Fe, is now under new ownership; but not much else is changing. In order to spend more time with her new baby, long-time owner and head trainer, Erin Rayner (Wolfe), is stepping down and her assistant trainer, Wanda Weldy, is stepping up.
Wendy was Erin’s assistant for three years, and before that she owned Shamrock Hunter and Jumpers. She officially took over the program’s reins on April 1. “We wish Erin all the best,” says Wendy. “We’ll still be seeing her around and everything else at Royal Oaks is staying the same. There will not be any other changes in the program.”
For more information on Wendy and Royal Oaks Stables visit www.royaloaksales.com.

The Quest for the Perfect Pair of Breeches
Sue Kirchoff started the year out with a bang—by buying out her long-time partner to take over the helm of European Equestrian Supply in Santa Monica. But she didn’t stop there. Sue decided to make European Equestrian Supply bigger and better then ever by expanding their hunter/jumper section and bringing in many of top english brands—Ariat, CWC, Crosby, etc.
As she developed the hunter/jumper section Sue stumbled upon another mission. “My girls and I are on a quest to find the best, affordable, hunter/jumper breeches on the market,” says Sue. “For years Tailor Sportsman have been the go-to show breeches, but there are so many people out there that they just don’t fit right. Many of the cheaper alternatives are too high in the waist, too baggie on the sides or just plain awkward. Breeches should be fun and sexy.”
Sue and her girls have been bringing in breeches from across the globe to try. Their favorite so far is the high-end Pikeur, but they are also looking into more practically priced choices such as Trainer’s Choice. Sue plans to hold an equestrian fashion show this fall to show off all their apparel finds.
For more information visit European Equestrian Supply’s new website, www.europeanequestrian.com, going online mid-June.

Flying Changes welcomes your submissions. Please tell us about what’s happening in your life and/or at your barn: births, deaths, engagements, marriages, new management and barn moves. Please send your reports to Rebecca Sparenberg at rebecca@ridingmagazine.com or fax 858-268-0397. Photos welcome!