Wayne DuPage 2011 Wrap Up
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While there’s little doubt that a bit of luck goes a long way in terms of having a successful horse trials, it
certainly is not by luck alone that a horse trials succeeds!
The Wayne DuPage HT was indeed lucky in terms of the weather this year. All three of its ventures were run
under sunny skies. The Lucinda Green Clinic June 12-13 led the way with moderate temperatures and bright
skies. A week later, the Schooling Day too was graced with a warm and sunny day. Three weeks later the
weather cooperated yet again by raining a bit early in the week just days before the horse trials. The rain
provided a boost to the aerovated areas in the Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve, but didn’t create any issue
for HT parking or stabling. The day of the horse trials, Sunday July 10 dawned brightly and stayed that way
until all but the Starter Division began. For a brief few minutes the sun dove behind the clouds and brought
about some cooler temperatures. Despite a somewhat humid day, no riders or horses needed assistance to deal
with the heat and the ambulance and veterinarian had a quiet, uneventful day.
It is of course redundant to say that without the help of a league of volunteers, the Wayne DuPage Horse Trials,
or any horse trials, would not survive! Wayne DuPage is indeed fortunate to have a group of people who work
tirelessly preparing the cross country course. The people who mow, paint, weed whack, flag, aerovate and
decorate the course are some the true behind the scenes people, so let’s bring them out and thank them! Take a
bow:
Christine Lies, Sue Elston, Peg Rozhon, Kathy Channell, Linn Greenman, Danny Kowalski, Matt
Winkleman, Joe Ossey, Glen Ford, Marcia Ford, Bailey Gilbert, Jamie Randa, Matt Trynoski, Kim
Sebastian, Danielle Sebastian, Sandy Sebastian, Christy Nasher, Wayne Johnson, John Kapovich,
Louie Iacovelli and Dan Kowalewski.
As one looks around the day of a horse trials, volunteers are part of the scenario! Everywhere is evidence of
people who have made a commitment to be a part of the show. Friends of Therapeutic Equine Activities,
FTEA, have long been a partner of the Wayne DuPage Horse Trials and a large part of the volunteer force.
Staff members, program volunteers and participants as well as family members of program participants are
among the first volunteers a competitor or spectator encounters as they drive into the forest preserve and are
meet by an FTEA volunteer that directs them to a stall and or a parking place. Look around the dressage, show
jumping and cross country course you’ll find FTEA. In every aspect of the day of the show, FTEA is a part of
the day’s happenings. The Wayne DuPage Horse Trials, Inc. is a large contributor to the FTEA program and
has twice been named its Corporate Sponsor of the Year.
The chairmen of the various components of the event are the guiding light of that particular phase. Leading off
the day was Elaine Krause as the Dressage chair. Meanwhile the Show Jump phase was anchored again this
year as it was last year by Jodi Gilbert. Cross Country Starter and Controller extraordinaire, Louie Iacovelli
continued his tenure keeping the cross country phase on time and running smoothly. Louie’s wife, Gigi, along
with Linn Greenman got the cross country rides off to a great start with friendly word as they counted down the
competitors in the start box. Among the horses and riders cruising around the course was Sue Elston picking up
each and every jump judge and timing sheet, without dropping or losing a single one!
The office is more than under control with Heather Jans holding the reins that keep the office on course never
missing a stride or distance. The Safety Coordinator, Vicky Kelly had a quiet day, something for which
everyone was thankful! Peg Rohzon made sure all the volunteers received their goodie basket as well as
serving as “What ever you need girl” while Peg Kinsella and Pat Johnson saw to it that all the jump judges were
assigned a jump, briefed and made it out to the jumps for an on time start of cross country. Thanks to Gabe
Murcia there were more than enough jump judges to send out to those jumps! Pat’s husband, Wayne Johnson,
kept everyone well hydrated and fed as he drove around the forest preserve handing out lots of beverages and
goodies to go with the sandwiches Audrey Kapovich had made and supplied.
A “delicious” thank you to the Kapovich Family, owners of FEATHER CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER, (a
lovely new boarding facility in Elgin, IL) for the amazing complimentary competitors’ buffet Saturday
afternoon. Everyone on the grounds was treated to an enormous buffet of sweets, treats, snacks and beverages,
most hand made by Audrey who is a student of the culinary arts!!!
Feather Creek Equestrian Center was one of several sponsors of this year’s show. Some sponsors provided
financial support while others provided in kind donations. A heartfelt thank you to Hallie and Simon Glennie,
Michael French of Staff Up America, Drs. Jonathan Ketzler and Mary McSweeney, Superior Stall Service,
Nutrena, and Lynda Clementz of Clementz Equine Insurance for their sponsorship and of course, the Forest
Preserve District of DuPage County without whose support the Wayne DuPage Horse Trials would not exist.
Lastly, a special thank you to the competitors who participated in this year’s horse trials. Entries, numbering
over 200, were up a 100% from last year. Wayne DuPage is pleased that the one day format has become so
popular in Area IV.
Stay tuned for Wayne DuPage Horse Trials 2012 plans which include the return of Lucinda Green and a
schooling show.
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