Headed to the Pony Finals and More Events at the Kentucky Horse Park.

(Louisville, Ky.) - Equine Motorcoach™ and Equine Carriage ST are headed to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky for three weeks to participate in several top hunter/jumper events. 

The Horse Park is home to the USEF Pony Finals, August 6 – 11, 2013; Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, August 14 – 18, 2013, AA Rated; and KHJA Horse Show, August 21 – 25, 2013, AA Rated.

The all in one RV and horse transport was recently featured on the Discovery Channel's Epic RV series and was widely viewed by an audiences throughout the United States. The horse transport  and RV manufacturing company also attended the FEI Junior and Young Riders Championships at the Horse Park in July.

Equine Motorcoach pictured with tandem tow dolly.

"We'll be set up and ready to show the transports and have units for sale on site," Tom Stinnett, Equine Motorcoach principal. "Our partner, Julie Calzone, is attending the Pony Finals and will be at the transports for sales and orders."

Equine Motorcoach also manufactures a tow vehicle, Equine Carriage ST, that is titled as an RV. "This unit is perfect for horse enthusiasts who love their living quarter horse trailers," said Stinnett. "It adds living accommodations at the horse shows and gives families and trainers a chance to travel in comfort while transporting their horses."

Equine Carriage ST tow transport (kitchen and living pictured below).

For more information or sales contact Julie Calzone at (337) 781-8572.

Congratulations to Margie Engle as the 2008 USEF Show Jumping Champion.

Engle Wins 2008 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship; Farrington takes $60,000 Holiday & Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier
December 7, 2008

Margie Engle and Hidden Creeks Quervo GoldWellington, FL – The second and final leg of the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach showcased some of the country’s best horses and riders. Todd Minikus won the first leg on Friday night with Pavarotti but Sunday brought a whole new challenge.

35 riders went to task in Sunday’s $60,000 Holiday & Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier which included riders from six nations and featured the final USEF National Championship of 2008. Veteran rider Margie Engle put in the most consistent performance over the two rounds to end up on top. Despite placing eighth overall on Sunday – their third place from the first leg propelled them into the winner’s spot. Riding Hidden Creek’s Quervo Gold on Sunday (and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L on Friday) she ended up on 44 points,, beating out Kirsten Coe and Starlight for the coveted Rolex watch.

“There were so many different things going on,” said Engle. “So I wasn’t sure – so it was kind of a nice surprise.”

Engle won the National Championship a decade ago on Hidden’s Creek Glory in Gladstone, NJ, and she felt this year’s course was plenty tough.

“I thought it was a good test and it was big enough and some technical parts to it,” said Engle. “The rails seemed light. I saw a couple roll off easily. It was a big enough course for what we do this time of year. I didn’t think their would be a ton clears when I walked it.”

Engle, who celebrated her 50th birthday in 2008, rode Hidden Creek Farm’s dependable campaigner, Quervo Gold to an eight fault round but her overall placing was good enough for the championship. The 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding jumped up from third for his rider, after Minikus had four down on Pavarotti and Hillary Dobbs, who was second after the first round, had 13 faults on Marengo.

Engle, who has been a cornerstone of the US show jumping programs for decades sees this season as a rebuilding year.

“I’m trying to rebuild my string a little bit,” said Engle. “I have two young horses and hopefully have one for the WEG (the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games) so this year I hope to have those young horses gain some experience here over the next few months. Going to the World Cup Final would be a bonus because I love Las Vegas.”

Coe and Starlight were crowned the Reserve Champions on their score of 42 points, they too had an eight fault performance on Sunday, and were slightly slower than Engle to slip into the runner-up spot to remain one spot behind Engle.

28-year-old Coe from Johnson, SC, and Laura King’s 9-year-old KWPN gelding recently represented the US on the winning Nations Cup Team at the CSIO Buenos Aires in November.

Anthony D’Ambrosios’s track proved difficult and only two managed clear rounds. Russia’s Ljubov Kochetov jumped the first fault-free round on Aslan, as the 12th combination in the arena. Seven horses later, the 2007 National Champions, Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui, guaranteed a jump-off by putting in one of their signature impressive clear rounds. Neither rider was in the hunt for the National Championship, but when the dust settled after the jump-off, Farrington and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood prevailed with a faster clear in the jump-off and won the World Cup Qualifier.

“I had to be a little bit careful because I had to go clear,” said Farrington, who followed Kochetov in the jump-off. “I had a light rub in the in and out and got away with that so then I just let him go. My horse is naturally faster, he’s that type of horse so I knew I had to make one or two neat turns, going last is a huge advantage.”

Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui won the Grand Prix second legFarrington’s goal for Up Chiqui is to pick up enough World Cup points to qualify with the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Vegas.

“He’s a funny horse when he hasn’t shown in a while, he felt a lot better today than he did the other night,” said Farrington of the incredibly consistent Up Chiqui. “I have a lot of confidence in that horse and I always think there is a chance I can win even when I might not have a chance.”

Farrington finished fifth in the National Championship standings after he finished 14th in the opening round.

“Of course I was disappointed, I knew after the other night that it was probably unrealistic,” said Farrington about defending his title from 2007.

Kochetov was delighted with her horse’s performance, the 8-year-old Aslan hasn’t competed since the Olympic Games, so his rider had ‘no complaints’ with her second place finish.

For more information please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org. For complete results please see www.equestriansport.com.

Written by Joanie Morris · Filed Under Hunters & Jumpers, Joanie Morris, USA, WEF

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.

Why Should You Buy An Equine Motorcoach?

For anyone who has shown horses in Europe, the answer to this question is a no-brainer. Europeans transport their horses in very comfortable motorized vehicles. They've been doing it for decades. Called horse boxes, this transport gets everyone to the show grounds easily and efficiently.

The last decade has seen the evolution of more luxurious people accommodations along with the horse box. The similarity to an RVing in the U.S. is immediately apparent. It's like a "toy-box" only you can transport your horses. Well, it's more than a toy-box. The cargo can be upwards of 9,000 pounds and it's live and moves.

That's why it's important to have a really, good manufacturer and an excellent truck. The American horsemen/women get excited when they see the European version. They get even more excited when they learn it's being built on a Volvo truck.

This Coach is everything RVing is and more. It's the comfort, security and flexibility you can have at the horse show. No more trusting your horses' care to someone else. No more commercial haulers. No more bringing 2-3 horse trailers and a motorhome so you can stay on grounds.

Custom Italian Bedding Adorns Equine Motorcoach

(Clarksville, Ind.) – Bella Casa Linens, importers of custom bedding and linens, is dressing the Equine Motorcoach for its American debut. Bella Casa Linens owner Debra Howard’s daughter competes and rides horses with Coach principal, Julie Calzone. Howard is a top interior designer and represents some of the finest bedding and linen manufacturers from Europe.

“I’ve watched Julie and her partners, Tom and Carolyn Stinnett, bring this beautiful horse transport and motorcoach to fruition for America,” said Howard. “I knew that I could add the final touches to the interior with the fine, high-quality European designers I work with in my business. When I presented my ideas to them, they were enthusiastically received. I am honored that they chose my company to outfit this first Coach.”

The interior coloring of the demo Equine Motorcoach is cream and black. The yacht-like interior finishes are upscale and unlike most American motorcoaches and RVs. The queen bed has a chocolate terrace sateen quilt and euro shams with standard 300-thread count sateen in Laguna color with chain stitch embroidery in chocolate. The Italian designer and manufacturer, N. C. Souther, furnished the bedding through Howard.

N. C. Souther Fine Linens entered the U.S. market in 1997. Its parent company Bagni Volpi Noemi is located in the rolling hills outside of Florence, and has been adorning gracious homes since 1926. Using fresh new designs combined with the traditional style, this line is produced in Italy with the utmost care, precision and eye for style. Only the finest cottons and linens are tapped and all items are cut to each order placed. Because of this, Equine Motorcoach, through Howard can customize the product to the customer’s needs.

While the line can have a more contemporary feel, the embroidery has become a key ingredient in the structure of the design. These embroideries are hand guided by machine, a Tuscan tradition. Customers can choose from more traditional embroidery to a bolder style, select the color of their choice and apply it to any of the solid fabrics we have available.

Howard chose a Bella silk aqua throw by Fino Lino on the second bed to accompany N.C. Souther. She brought the color of aqua to the ivory quilted bed to carry that color throughout the Coach. The second bed has a coverlet and euro shams in Avorio Cortina Design Euros by N. C. Souther. Two silk aqua euros by Fino Lino with the Lerici pattern complete the bed.

As presenting sponsor of the 2007 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship CSI*** in Wellington, Florida, Equine Motorcoach developers plan to debut the American version of the popular European rig December 5-9 at the National Horse show as part of their official horse transport vehicle status with the United States Equestrian Federation.

Equine Motorcoach On-Site Show Schedule Announced

(Clarksville, Indiana) – Equine Motorcoach owners released an initial schedule of where consumers at top horse shows in the United States can see the all-in-one motorized RV and horse transport.

As presenting sponsor of the 2007 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship CSI*** in Wellington, Florida, Equine Motorcoach developers plan to debut the American version of the popular European rig December 5-9 at the National Horse show as part of their official horse transport company status with the United States Equestrian Federation. American manufacturers worked with Volvo Trucks of North America to produce an EPA, DOT and road worthy truck and chassis for the Equine Motorcoach. All of the electronics and appliances are U.S. products that make the transport user-friendly for stateside customers.

“Between the Coach and everything we have planned for the debut, you won’t be able to miss us,” said Julie Calzone, one of the Equine Motorcoach principals. “The National Horse Show staff and USEF are just terrific to work with it and are so creative with their ideas for us. Let’s just say the ‘stars’ will be out!”

The Equine Motorcoach is also set to exhibit at these upcoming events with more to be announced in the near future.

• March 2008 U.S. Show Jumping Olympic Selection Trials, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

• June 2008 Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship, Lexington, Kentucky

• November 2008 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship CSI***, Wellington, Florida

About Equine Motorcoach
Equine Motorcoach, www.equinemotorcoach.com, is a new horse transport vehicle, which offers the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship, luxury fittings and the most modern vehicle technology. Equine Motorcoach combines the comfort and amenities of a top-of-the line RV with accommodations for horse transport and tack and supplies storage. Equine Motorcoach is the only motorized ground vehicle available in the United States that combines a recreation vehicle and horse trailer into one unit. There is nothing else like it in North America. Horses and their owners will travel and live in style. Equine Motorcoach is the Official Horse Transport Company of the United States Equestrian
Federation, (www.usef.org).

Training Day at Stinnett RV.

Equine Motorcoach owners Tom and Carolyn Stinnett and Julie Calzone organized a team training day at Stinnett RV with the dealerships sales team. The owners were joined by Scott Carling and Stacey Meier from the United States Equestrian Federation. Aaron Fruits conducted a workshop on the Volvo VNL truck that was engineered for Equine Motorcoach.

"It was quite a day," said Tom Stinnett. "The Stinnett RV team understood the value and the opportunity that this product provides for the RV and equestrian market. Their enthusiasm for the Equine Motorcoach and horse market was exciting for us to experience."

The volume of sales inquiries is what inspired the training day. "It's a whole new market for our team and they are a great representatives for this Coach."