Congratulations !!!! The Winner is……
There were 4 judges. Tish Quirk of Carlsbad, California and Kathy Hickerson of Brookline, New Hampshire. They represented the American jury of Breeding Experts. The European panel consisted of Claartje Van Andel of the Amsterdam Area, Netherlands, Public Relations and Communications Expert and Maucca Karki of the Almere Stad Area, Netherlands, Breeder and Equestrian Entertainment Expert and Consultant.
The winning stories will be published simultaneously in the WEG Edition this September of the Horse Connection Magazine, published in Colorado and on-line at Dressagedirect.com
Writers sent in multi lingual submissions, stories and poems about the passion of Breeding. The judges were sent each entry without knowing the author’s name or background. Karin Reid Offield, the owner of Lingh, was the data technician who accepted and distributed the anonymous submissions to the judges. Karin was not a participant in the judging. The contest began February 19th 2010.
“It was an amazing experience for me. I can count on one hand the foals and mares I have had in my career. Now, because of this contest I have had a front row seat in all these amazing stories. Most were non fiction and all of them celebrate the world of breeding horses – what happens, how it happens, when it happens and the effect these gentle creatures and their babies have on us, our psyche, on our hearts and how we have to be, the human race as thick skinned as any animal lover is….our big big horses are so fragile, but it’s all about the adventure…the dream. This Lingh Story Contest celebrates this world ! I want to congratulate every entrant and I will be calling them all this week. I have special plans for the stories. You will have to wait until later this summer to read the winners stories, and until then I plan on showcasing all of the contestants stories each month on my website. ” Karin explains.
The Winner is Mary Bahniuk Lauritsen Her story is entitled “Entranced”
Biography: Mary Bahniuk Lauritsen is an accomplished FEI Young Rider reigning from Harvard, Massachusetts. Mary is currently balancing her riding and education while she attends Emmanuel College in Boston. Mary has been actively competing in dressage since she was nine years old and has successfully shown up to Prix St. George. Mary is active within the sport in and out of the saddle. She has been serving as the United States Dressage Federation’s Youth Executive Board President for a year and truly enjoys giving back to young riders across the nation as well as promoting the sport of dressage.
Outside of riding Mary enjoys traveling, vegetarian cuisine, social networking, and modeling.
Visit her and Cadence Farm at www.cadencefarminc.com
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Second Place Winner Ann F. Talley Her story is entitled “What If?”
Biography: “I am an adult amateur currently competing at the local level at 2nd Level dressage with my 16 yr old Appaloosa gelding. I have been with the same trainer for over 20 years and she has seen me through a variety of breeds. Her philosophy has been to take each horse to their max, whatever that might be. I’ve scribed at numerous BLM and other championship competitions and have developed a good eye for what is “correct” as far as movement, gaits etc. In 2005 I was honored to watch Lingh in what I considered a truly magnificent performance. I still get goose bumps just thinking about it.
I worked as a police officer for 25 years, but recently had to step down from being an active officer to that of a police dispatcher due to having my hip replaced. Although I am no longer able to meet the physical demands required of an officer, having my hip replaced did enable me to get back to riding – pain free. The goal this year is to move into Third Level with my Appy. My dream has been to one day have a horse that is bred for the sport of dressage, and be able to move up to at least Prix St. Georges.
The story I wrote is true. It is not fiction. The filly I speak of was indeed my hope and dream of an upper level horse. Her sire is the son of Royal Prince – who has Weyden on his dam side. I saw Weyden at the 96 Olympics – thought he was wonderful and dreamed of a foal with Weyden in the pedigree for years. But when I saw Lingh in Las Vegas, well, he simply blew me away. The filly’s dam is out of the Hanoverian G-line going back to Grande. So you can see why I would dream of a breeding to Lingh for her. Alas, it was not to be. I really did lose her to colic. But I do still dream of a Lingh foal. And I hope the day will come when I can see Lingh in person again. A truly magnificent stallion such as he, is not easily forgotten, but is indeed, fondly remembered as the all time highlight of all things Dressage.”
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According to the Breeding Story Contest rules, should the winner not be able to enter into the breeding contract with Lingh, the second place winner will take that place! Stay tuned to New News for more comments by the judges and ‘favorite picks’ , and Karin’s favorite poems!
If you have questions, please contact Karin at info@offieldfarms.com
