Arenus Rider Wins 2009 World Championship in Reining

St. Louis, MO, September 2, 2009 – It was an exciting occasion at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena as Emily Winegar of Aubrey, TX took home her first AQHYA World Champion in Youth Reining. Winegar and Red Berry Wine (Gallo Del Cielo x Custom Red Berry x Custom Crome) owned by Green Valley Ranch earned the win with a score of 215.5.

Winegar, 14 who has always had a love of horses, started showing competitively in 2005 after her parents, Wallis and Jane purchased Green Valley Ranch in 2004. The ranch, which has several hundred horses pass through their gates annually, specializes in the breeding and training of reining horses. Green Valley has also been home to resident trainer Brent Loseke, for the past five years. Loseke coached Winegar, a non-pro when she first moved to the ranch and last fall began spending more time coaching her on the “little things”. Jamie Phillips, Green Valley Ranch’s manager also played a part in Winegar’s recent success. Phillips who has his own business training clients on horsemanship worked with her on specifics such as posture and quiet hands.

Winegar’s preparation for this year’s show season included riding her horses’ everyday. In addition to her finished show horses, spending time on her futurity horses that are younger and less experienced has helped her to refine her seat, composure and improve her ability to be more in tune with her horse.

Winegar calls Red Berry Wine a “special mare” who has also improved over the past year. The two debuted as a team with a strong finish at the 2008 National Reining Breeder’s Classic (NRBC) placing Reserve Limited Champion and 4th in Intermediate. Although injuries kept the mare out of last year’s NRHA Derby competition, the goal was to get her sound for AQHYA World. Winegar recently put Red Berry Wine on STEADFASTR EQUINE to provide additional joint health support.

In preparation for the AQHYA World, a bond has formed between the two with the extra time spent in the saddle. Winegar has noticed a dramatic improvement in the mare’s trainability and focus as their performances seem to improve with each go-round. The past four times Winegar has shown, Red Berry Wine has landed the team in a run-off, which requires the tied competitors to repeat the pattern. For Winegar, each time the second run has yielded in an improved run over the first. It gives the pair a chance to enhance the ride by identifying errors and adjusting techniques.

A run-off against Rebecca Murray on Gatolotto and Reed Kyle on Tejons Impy was how the finals played out at the AQHYA World show where Winegar knew that her initial run had areas that could be improved. “The second time we went in, she (Red Berry Wine) stopped huge and turned really big,” said Winegar. Those tweaks in the second ride helped to put the two on top. “It’s an honor and I am very excited to have won. As all competitors know, anything can happen during a competition and winning is usually a difference of a half point. I was so happy everything fell into place. Red Berry Wine gave me all she had and tried so hard! I am very pleased with the whole experience.”

“Arenus is proud of Emily and Red Berry Wine for this outstanding achievement,” said Celeste Mohatt, Arenus Marketing Manager. “It is great to see our sponsored riders achieving success with the help of STEADFASTR EQUINE.”

The AQHYA World show could have also been the final competitive ride for the pair. While the mare has been a great partner for Winegar, Green Valley Ranch has decided that it is the right time for her to take a shot at being a broodmare. The hope is that with a change of pace, it won’t take long for there to be Red Berry Wine foals on the ground.

“The biggest reason we are deciding to retire her is so she can relax and be able to become a broodmare,” said Winegar. “I’ll miss her determination to please. She’s a good girl. She’s consistent and gives her best, especially when I have to ask a lot from her.”

In addition to being a competitive force as a rider, Winegar has her sights set on high achievement in the academic world. She is currently homeschooled and taking high school classes through Brigham Young University (BYU) Independent Study Program. One of her favorite classes is, not surprisingly, Horse Management. Although Winegar has considered going to a college with an intercollegiate riding program, she feels that she may follow in the footsteps of her siblings by attending BYU.

“I don’t want to be limited in what horses I can ride and compete on and I really appreciate the commitment my parent’s have made in order to support my passion for horses,” said Winegar.

Look for Winegar to compete on Dun It In Ruffles at the NRHA Futurity in November.

About Arenus:

Arenus is a premier provider of innovative health and nutrition products for pets and horses. A growing division within Novus International, Inc., a global company dedicated to animal performance, health and longevity. To learn more about our products, or find an Arenus event near you, call (866) 791-3344 or visit www.arenus.com.