Friends OF The Akhal Teke Award

The results are in!  I've finally gotten around to tallying them up.  Been running a little bit behind this year....

Coming in first place with 100 points and winning the grand prize is Carolyn VanDyke and her sporthorse gelding Tazym!  Tazym is a 2004 gelding sired by Gindarkh 13 and out of Tab’s Fire.  He was bred by Allegra Steck.  The list of his accomplishments for 2011 include:

1. Jan 13-15 Chagrin Valley Farms A rated H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 2, 4,1, 4 (Champion) Equitation over fences: 2 (5 points)

2. Jan 20-22 Chagrin Valley Farms A rated H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings : 1, 4, 2, 3 (Reserve Champion) Equitation over fences: 4( (5 points)

3. Feb 17-20 Chagrin Valley Farms A rated H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 5, 3, 2, 3 Equitation over fences: 1 (5 points)

4. Mar 5/6 Chagrin Valley Farms schooling H/J Show Adult Hunters: 1, 3 (5 points)

5. Mar 10-13 Chagrin Valley Farms A rated H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 1, 2, 3, 5 (Reserve Champion) Equitation over Fences: 2 (5 points)

6. Mar 17-20 Chagrin Valley Farms A rated H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 2, 2, 2, 3 (Reserve Champion) Equitation over Fences: 1 (5 points)

7. Mar 26-27 Lake Erie College Winter Series H/J (C rated) Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 3, 6. Gambler’s choice 3.6-3.9: 1 (5 points)

8. Apr 7-10 Chagrin Valley Farms A rated H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 2, 2, 4, 3 Equitation over Fences: 2 (5 points)

9. Prix de Villes, Lake Erie College (team jumper competition) Team placement: 6 (5 points)

10. April 28-May 2 Lexington Spring Premiere AA rated H/J show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 8 Equitation over Fences: 2 (5 points)

11. May 5-8 Ohio Professional Horseman Association Spring Festival H/J show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 1, 3, 6 Equitation over fences: 2 (5 points)

12. June 30-July 3 Northern Gold Classics H/J Show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 1, 2, 2, 2 (Reserve Champion) (5 points)

13. July 8-10 Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic Opening Weekend (unrated) H/J Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 6, 6 Equitation over fences: 7 (5 points)

14. July 11-17 Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic AA rated H/J show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 6, 4 (5 points)

15. July 18-24 Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic AA rated H/J show Adult Jumpers 3.6 Placings: 8, 8, 9, Equitation over Fences: 5, (5 points)

16. September 14-18 Texas Rose Classic A rated H/J Show .95 m blue ribbon (clean) Low Adult Jumpers (.95 m): 4, 6, 4 (5 points)

17. October 27-30 Texas Fall Classic AA rated H/J Show 1.05m Jumper: 1, 3, 7 Reserve Champion (5 points)

18. November 2-6 Dallas Harvest A rated H/J Show (5 points): Low Adult Amateur Jumper (1.05m): 5th. Hi Adult Amateur Jumper: 4, 4, 3. Hi Adult Amateur Jumper Classic (1.1 m): 2. (5 points)

19. November 9-13 Great Southwest Equestrian Center Autumn Classic AA rated: (5 points) 1.05m Jumper 4th.

20. November 16-20 Great Southwestern Equestrian Center Final Chase AA rated: (5 points)

Coming in second place with 40 points is Cathy Leddy and her purebred gelding Galen.  A list of Cathy's accomplishments for 2011 include:

Renegade Rendezvous endurance ride (5 points)

Volunteer crew help at Teke To Tevis (5 points)

Starting interest and articles for Teke To Tevis on the Breeder's Co-Op website (5 points)

Editor of Breeder's Co-Op website (5 points)

Fundraising for Teke To Tevis (10 points)

Co-administrator for Co-Op Facebook page (5 points)

Cascade Gold Farm Blog (5 points)

In third place with 39 points is Kerri-Jo Stewart and her purebred mare Darginka.  A list of Kerri-Jo and Darginka's accomplishments for 2011 include:

Horseshoe Lake CEI challenge endurance ride 25 mile (5 points)

Horseshoe Lake CEI challenge endurance ride 25 mile (day 2)  (5 points)

Bandit Springs endurance ride 30 mile (5 points) 

Wine Country Wrangler endurance ride 25 mile (5 points)

Skimikin Lake endurance ride 25 mile (5 points)

Royal Anarchist endurance ride 35 mile (5 points)

Westbank Rocker endurance ride 50 miles (5 points)

Friends of the Akhal Teke Art Pages photography (4 points)

In fourth place with 35 points is Monica Bretherton and Magdan.  Monica was nominated by Cathy Leddy and Jas Shearer-McMahon.  Monica's list of accomplishments for 2011 include:

Volunteer crew help at Renegade Rendevous endurance ride (5 points)

Volunteer crew help at Teke to Tevis (5 points)

Schooling show with Magdan, October 2011 (5 points)

"Foals of 2011" pdf sent to WEG Akhal Teke booth participants (5 points)

“Horsebytes” Blog (5 points)

Endurance News Tevis article that was in the January 2012 issue (5 points)

Co-editor of The AT Breeder’s Facebook page (5 points)

In fifth place with 30 points is Jas Shearer-McMahon and her purebred gelding MV Patrickhan.  Jas' list of accomplishments for 2011 include:

Mountain Mettle endurance ride 50 mile (5 points)

Shamrock endurance ride 50 mile (5 points)

Happy Jack endurance ride 50 mile (5 points)

Turkey Creek endurance ride 50 mile (5 points)

Turkey Creek endurance ride 50 mile (day 2)  (5 points)

Western States Tevis endurance ride 100 mile (5 points)

In sixth place with 25 points is Monica Bennett and her sporthorse gelding Inde.  A list of Monica's accomplishments for 2011 include:

Death Valley Warmup endurance ride 50 mile (5 points)

Death Valley Warmup endurance ride 50 mile (day 2)  (5 points)

Twenty Mule Team endurance ride 100 mile (5 points)

Los Padres endurance ride 50 mile (5 points)

Western States Tevis endurance ride 100 mile (5 points)

In seventh place is Alice Chapman, who helped volunteer crew for Jas Shearer-McMahon at the Tevis in 2011.  She was nominated by Jas.  (5 points)

Tying for eighth place are three entrants of the Friends of the Akhal Teke Art pages: Nicole Weber, Katja Contu, and Sharon Dunning. These ladies submitted photos of their beautiful models for the community to enjoy.  Thanks so much!  (4 points apiece)

Thank you to everyone who entered the program in 2011! 

A very hearty thank you to everyone who participated in the FOTATA in 2010!  There was a great turnout for the award.  Here are the rankings in the order in which they placed:

1st Place:  Jenny Rice  94 pts. total

Mounts: Pasabi, Silk Road Marauder

nominated by Amrita Ibold of Sweetwater Farm Akhal Tekes and Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes

Jenny worked her bunns off in 2010!  She published several articles in the Teke Mania, Akhal-Teke Inform, and the Horses Hoof magazines.  She also posted several interesting Teke related internet publications on her Tekes Tally-Ho blog.  She worked many long hours promoting the breed at the HOFRA China International Horse Fair and volunteered her time at the World Equestrian Games booth in Kentucky.  She also volunteered at the Spring Fling Eventing Clinic in Rainier, Washington and participated in several schooling clinics throughout the northwest on Sweetwater Farm Akhal Tekes.  Also Jenny and Amrita went on a fun Fox Hunt with their Tekes last fall!  What a great way to promote the breed!  Congratulations Jenny, for a job very well done. 

2nd Place:   Kerri-Jo Stewart  70 pts. total

Mounts: Darginka, Akpai 

nominated by Argamak Akhal Teke

Kerri-Jo's two mares were fabulous in 2010!  Darginka participated in the following endurance rides with Kerri-Jo in the saddle:  Home On The Range 25 mi., Rock Creek Round-Up 30 mi., Golden Ears 25 mi. (top ten), Ride Over the Rainbow 25 mi., Westbank Rocker 22 mi. (top ten, and earned a 1st place barefoot horse award).  Darginka also participated in the Farpoint Farms free jumping sport horse competition and came in 8th place out of 36 entries, and was shown at the Maple Ridge Country Fair with rider Erin Patterson.  She competed in English Pleasure, English Equitation, Road Hack, and Hunter Hack classes.  Kerri-Jo's other mare Akpai also participated in several endurance rides in 2010 as well, with riders Katrin Leaverman and her daughter Katya Leaverman, and also Erin Patterson.  Akpai competed at the Rock Creek Round-Up 30 mi., Owyhee Fandango II 50 mi., Ride Over the Rainbow 25 mi., and Westbank Rocker 22 mi. (top ten, second place junior rider).  Congratulations to Kerri-Jo and her wonderful mares!

3rd Place:  Amrita Ibold  69 pts. total

Mounts: Paktaly, Silk Road Maurauder, Paelka

nominated by Sweetwater Farm Akhal Tekes and Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes

Amrita is another hard worker out there promoting the breed!  She submitted an article about the birth of their new colt "The Desert Prophet" in Flying Changes magazine, spent four days manning the booth at the HOFRA China International Horse Fair, volunteered 3 hours a day at the WEG Akhal Teke breed booth in Kentucky, and spent countless hours at several northwest eventing and dressage clinics.  She managed to do quite well at competitive shows on her horses too, and participated in a great Fox Hunt with Jenny and other friends for fun.  Great job Amrita!

4th Place:  Cathy Leddy  45 pts. total

Mount: Galen

nominated by Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes and Shannon Mayfield

 Wow, what a dedicated worker Cathy is for the Akhal Teke breed!  For starters, she did the planning, fundraising, managing, directing, traveling, and 19 days worth of volunteer work at the WEG Akhal Teke breed booth in Kentucky.  She also designed the Akhal Teke Breeders Co-Op website and sent in some articles for the Equine Journal.  The events that she participated in with her gelding Galen were these endurance rides: Home on the Range 50 mi., Mt. Adams 50 mi., and Klickitat Trek 30 mi.  Cathy also participated in the Dressage Schooling Show in Gold Creek with Galen.  Our hats are off to you for your hard work Cathy!

5th Place:  Jas Schearer-McMahon  39 pts. total

Mount: MV Patrickhan

nominated by Magic Valley Akhal Tekes and Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes

Jas had a great year in 2010 for endurance!  She and Patrick participated in the Sangre Scenic Spring 55 mi. (top ten), Mountain Mettle 50 mi. (top ten), Shamrock I 55 mi., Shamrock II 50 mi. (top ten), Colorado Mountain Mettle 50 mi., Happy Jack 50 mi. (top ten), and Turkey Creek 55 mi. (top ten).  Jas also volunteered for 10 days at the WEG booth in Kentucky, and earned the coveted Best Condition award at the Turkey Creek ride with Patrick.  Way to go Jas!  (As a side note: to the best of my knowledge, Jas and Patrick have earned the first and only B.C. that has ever been awarded to an Akhal Teke in AERC.)

6th Place:  Monica Bretherton  18 pts. total

Mount: Sunnys Tazzy Teke

nominated by Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes and Shannon Mayfield

Monica designed an uber-cool brochure and convenient breed postcards for the WEG Akhal Teke booth in Kentucky.  She also volunteered for 10 days with Cathy Leddy at the booth.  Monica participated in the Home On The Range trail ride and Mt. Adams 25 mi. ride on Wendy Connell's gelding Taz.  Great job Monica!

7th Place:  Wendy Connell  15 pts. total

Mount: Alpowa

nominated by Wendy Connell and Shannon Mayfield

Wendy and Allie participated in the following endurance rides in 2010:  Home On the Range 50 mi., Mt. Adams 50 mi., and Klickitat Trek 50 mi.  Great job Wendy!

8th Place (tie):  Shelby Ness and Jeannine Duenas  5 pts. each

Mount: Paktaly

nominated by Amrita Ibold of Sweetwater Farm Akhal Tekes

Shelby Ness rode Paktaly at the Susan Derr Drake Dressage Clinic in Friday Harbor, Washington and Jeannine Duenas rode Pakataly at the Fraser Valley Hunt Club Fox Hunt near Lynden, Washington.  Congratulations to both of you ladies!

9th Place (tie):  Anne-Marie Raasch and Cindy Sither  4 pts. each

Mount: Volunteer Work at WEG

nominated by Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes

Cindy opened her home and property for 3 weeks to people traveling to and from the WEG in Kentucky, and Anne-Marie volunteered at the WEG Akhal Teke booth for 2 days.  Thanks so much for your great hard work ladies!

As the 2010 riding season gets into full swing, I'd like to give a big thank you to everyone who participated in the FOTATA in 2009.  Everybody worked so hard and was sent an award for their efforts.  Congrats folks! 

For a full list of the participants and year end standings, check out the equine journal article here:  http://www.equinejournal.com/articles/friends-of-the-akhal-teke-february-2010-news

Also, some of the riders have posted news on their blogs, which can be found here: 

http://eventingakhaltekes.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=12    (Dec. 14th 2009 entry)

http://cascadegold.blogspot.com/2010/01/our-fotata-awards.html

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the participants out on their horses this year!  Let's make 2010 a great year for competing on the Akhal Tekes! 

Wahoo!  We've gotten some more entries just under the wire of the deadline.  Way to go ladies!    I'd like to take the time to thank everyone who has participated this year.  The turnout has definitely been a success.  How wonderful!  Below are the additional entrants and their accomplishments:

In a tie for fourth place with a grand total of 10 points is Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes and her highbred gelding Galen.  Cathy has completed in these endurance events in 2009:

Milwaukee Road Rail Trail - 25 mi.

Klikitat Trek I & II - 30 mi.

Also in fourth place with a grand total of 10 points is Monica Bretherton riding the highbred gelding Arzuw of Cascade Gold Akhal Tekes. Monica has completed these endurance events in 2009:

Milwaukee Road Rail Trail - 25 mi.

Klikitat Trek I & II - 30 mi.

In fifth place with a grand total of 5 points is Wendy Connell and her Nez Perce mare Alpowa.  Wendy has competed in these endurance events in 2009:

Klikitat Trek I & II - 50 mi.

As per the September post, Lyn has graciously agreed to donate a horse book or two, (since there appears to be a tie), for the second place winners.  These books have good information pertaining to the Akhal Teke breed.  A huge thank you to Lyn for being such a good sport and donating some great runner-up prizes!   

There's only two and a half weeks to go until the deadline of the FOTATA rings in.  And, boy is there an outstanding group of ladies who put in some time and work this year!  There are four very respectable horsewomen who have done an outstanding job of promoting these horses.  Check out the photo album! 

A quick rundown of the standings:

In first place with a grand total of 55 points is Amrita Ibold and her stallion Pan Tau of Sweetwater Farm.  Amrita and Pan Tau have actively competed in 3-day eventing in 2009.

Spring Fling Schooling Show - April

Northwest Equestrian Center - May

Nick Holmes Camp - May

Aspen Farms - June

O'Connors Olympic Clinic - June

Whidbey Island - July

Rebecca Farm - July

Young Riders - August

Aspen Farms - September

Whidbey Island Schooling show -September

Whidbey Island Schooling show- October

In second place with a grand total of 50 points is Jenny Rice and Dagjeir the gelding (owned by Amrita Ibold).  Jenny and Dagjeir have actively competed in 3-day eventing in 2009.

Spring Fling Schooling Show - April

Northwest Equestrian Center - May

Aspen Farms - June

O'Connors Olympic Clinic - June

Whidbey Island - July

Rebecca Farm - July

Young Riders - August

Aspen Farms - September

Whidbey Island Schooling show -September

Whidbey Island Schooling show- October

Tied for second place with another grand total of 50 points is Jas Shearer-McMahon and her stallion MV Patrickhan.  Jas and Patrick have actively competed in many endurance races in 2009.

Urban Challenge - 25 mi.

Sangre Scenic Spring - 50 mi.

Mountain Mettle - 50 mi.

Happy Jack - 50 mi.

Turkey Creek - 50 mi.

Sangre Scenic Fall - 50 mi./60 mi.

Moab - 50 mi./55 mi./50 mi.

In third place with a grand total of 25 points is Laurence Bougault and the Iranian Akhal Teke mare Almilia.  Laurence is a long rider and has completed a trek of 7,000 km journey from Isfahan Iran to Paris France in 2009.

As of todays date, we have two entrants who are vying for this award.  Yayyyhhhh!!!!  This plate will definitely be going home with someone this year.  The two that are nominated for this award are very hardworking individuals that are getting the Tekes out into the publics eye - and it will definitely be a very tough call to see which one of them comes out ahead in the points by December.  But, then again maybe someone else out there is lurking in the shadows and hasn't come forward yet with their points to be added up.....    Ya' never know.

What do you guys think of this.......

I hate to see anybody go away empty handed after all of the hard work that they've put forth in a year.  (Yes, I'm a softy, sigh.....)  So, I was thinking that maybe we could give all of the participants some small "runner-up" prizes.  What does everybody think of that idea?  They would be very little items that would show some appreciation for participating in the program, and maybe keep the incentive going to come back and join in again the next year.  Maybe like a brush, hoofpick, haynet, medallion, or ect....?  If you like this idea or not, shoot me an e-mail and let me know what you think of it.

Well, here we are.    The 2009 FOTATA site is up and going.  Wahoo!!!  Can't wait to see who wins the award this year.  Get your nomination forms filled out and sent in folks!  It's a lovely big award, and sure to look good in any Teke lovers home.

As stated throughout most of the site - this award is open to everyone.   We are not a closed club or clique.  This is simply an award started by two Teke crazy people who would like to see it go to some deserving people who want to earn it.  There are many individuals in different countries who have worked hard to help these horses, and not recieved much recognition for their efforts.   If you would like to nominate someone in a different country that does not speak english, please feel free to do so.  They can fill out a form in their native language, and we can have it translated into english.

I think that Lyn might mention this newly developed award in her column in the Equine Journal in the future too.  Yahoo!!!  If you have any stories or news to share with her, please submit them to:  friendsoftheakhalteke@yahoo.com  Always looking for Akhal Teke related stories and tidbits.

As a side note: This free hosting site was fairly nice and easy to manage.  But, I hope that the bombardment of pop-up ads doesn't disourage people away.  I know that they are really annoying.  Maybe in the future if this award gets to rolling really well, we might change it over to a "non" pop-up ad site.  For now, all the expenses are coming out of our own pockets so we're a bit more budget minded. 

Happy trails for now!

-Shannon.