It Was Reining in Oklahoma City!

Our first trip to the world of reining was over the top! As a presenting sponsor of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championships, we were given a first-rate welcome by all of the competitors, trainers, owners and NRHA staff and Board. We met so many people and they were very enthusiast about the Equine Motorcoach.

Congratulations to Craig C. Schmersal and Mr. Duel Ray on being crowned the USEF Open Reining Champion. He and his wife, Ginger, treated me to a private tour of their stabling area. I got to meet the horses and more importantly, their fabulous children.

The News Story

The Adequan®/USEF National Reining Championship (FEI CRI 4 Star) presented by Equine Motor Coach determined Team USA for the 2008 FEI Reining World Championship in Manerbio, Italy, September 11-14. Some of the top reiners in the country competed for $25,000 added money Friday, June 27, at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK, as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) 2008 Derby. Craig Schmersal guided Mr Dual Rey (Mister Dual Pep x Robin Red Rae) owned by Holly Casey, Mansfield, GA, to win the class and earn a $7,000 paycheck.

Placing second was Jordan Larson riding Lena Gallo (Gallo Del Cielo x Heavenly Doc) owned by Lapke Quarter Horses, Logan, IA with a score of 223.5. They earned $5,500 for their efforts.

Rounding out the team of four were Pete Kyle on A Poco Bueno Dunit (Hollywood Dun It x Champs Poco Girl) and Tom McCutcheon on Ruf Hearted Jac (Lil Ruf Peppy x Miss Jac Of Hearts), both with scores of 222 for a third-place tie. A Poco Bueno Dunit is owned by Sandi Holt of Aubrey, TX. Ruf Hearted Jac is owned by Sarah Willeman of Gloucester, MA. Each team earned $4,125 for the tie.

Adequan® continued their sponsorship of this event and was on-hand to watch the thrilling evening of reining unfold. “We are excited to continue our support of the Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motor Coach,” said Allyn Mann, Senior Manager of the Animal Health Division at Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “As the sport continues to expand its presence globally, this championship will play a vital role in qualifying the top horses and riders in the U.S. for International competitions. Who knows, one day it could be the stepping stone to the Olympics.” Equine Motor Coach is the presenting sponsor of this event.

We're in Oklahoma, City!

Oklahoma, OK – Billed as “The New Breed Of Luxury” and designated as the official horse transport vehicle of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the new Equine Motorcoach™ is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The all-in-one RV and horse transport is on display at the 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.

The NRHA Derby is the host competition USEF Reining Championships, which include the Open, USEF National CRI* Reining Championship, and the USEF National Youth Reining Championships. The Derby will showcase the nation’s best reiners at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 23-28, 2008.

“It is our first time to participate with the reining world,” said Bob Wiegand, event and sales director for Equine Motorcoach. “We are very excited to be a part of this prestigious event and cannot wait to see what the response is from this very active and mobile part of the horse competition world. “

Here's a video of Big Ben easily fitting into the Equine Motorcoach.

We're Off To Oklahoma for the USEF Reining Championship.

Bob Wiegand and family are traveling in the Equine Motorcoach to the NRHA event in Oklahoma City next week. The event features a phethora of championships and selection trials. We're the presenting sponsor for the Adequan/ National Reining Championship.

We are looking forward to our first reining event. We can't wait to see the competition, learn about the sport and meet new horse people.

CDI Raleigh Visit!

Pictured above are Bill & Belinda Wertman, who stopped by to visit the Coach at the recent CDI in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Wertman's own INSPO and Belinda rides some of the top dressage horses. Some of her horses are Watch Me and Watch Me's sire Sir Sinclair. Belinda has trained Equine Motorcoach principal, Julie Calzone, in the past as well as has imported top Dutch horses for her. Bill, besides being a blast to be around, has arranged most of the sire matches for Julie's horse breeding program.