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 UK
PHA members visit the European Paint Horse Championships (EPHC) in
Kreuth, Germany to size up the competition. …. and the UK gets its
first European medal
Including
friends and Family, UK PHA had a group of nine at the Show in
Germany. Since 2003 the EPHC has grown to be the largest American
Paint Horse Show outside of North America. The initial intention was
to get a team together to compete at this year’s event. However,
when it was moved further south from Aachen near the Netherlands
border to Krueth near the Austrian border, they decided to get as
many as possible to take some time out and see just what the
competition would be like.
This
was the
first time, the EPHC was held in Kreuth, it is a fantastic facility!
It has all of the necessary infrastructure too support a large
international show, plus a wide variety of lodgings right on the show
ground, and plenty of space for both the exhibitor and the visitors.
It is really competitor friendly, with each stable barn having its
own warm up arena. We also spotted 3 covered round pens, plus horse
washing and solarium drying facilities!
Not
only is the impressive indoor and outdoor riding arenas of the
Ostbayernhalle inviting and convenient for warming
up and showing horses there is also some beautiful landscape to enjoy
in the surrounding area.
In
addition to all the usual individual events the show also hosts the
“Nations Cup”. This has become a special highlight of the EPHC.
Participating teams from different European countries compete for the
coveted Gist Buckle awards and their medallions. Switzerland won in
2004, Italy won the second year, and Germany took the title in 2006
and again this year in a hard fought competition.
As
well as watching the show, there was also plenty of time for the
group to socialise with other European friends and Executive members
of APHA who were also attending the show. (From
left to right: Marcus Rensing, APHA Director of European Affairs,
(top) Sue Rivers, Philippa Wolfe, Ben Fryer, Simon Eyre, Rob Painter,
(bottom) Butch Carse, APHA World Horse Show Manger, Trigg
Rentfro, APHA Director of International Affairs, Phil Parfitt, Sue
Painter, Richard Cox, APHA President, Michelle Rickard, Robyn Eyre)
It
was great to see a UK Horse take a medal at the show. Lenas Diamond
Rio, ridden by Martin Steck and owned by Sternbergs
won the Bronze medal in the Junior Reining Open.!
Having
seen this and believing
that other UK PHA member’s horses could have a good chance, the
group are fired up about attending the show next year, and has
started thinking about how the UK could get a team to the show.
It
looks like it will be in Kreuth again in 2008, but where there is a
will there is away! With new found European
friends a stop over may be easier than we first thought. You can find
video clips of the show at the official website www.ephc.info
If
you are interested in going to the EPHC in 2008 either
to compete or watch, and want to be considered for the UK team please
contact Sue Painter (email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
, Tel: 01379 674551)
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