Molly Sorge

• George’s soft side comes out for his two dogs, Piglet and Beagley. He’s always had canine companions, and these two elderly Beagles are his current friends. 

Just one year younger than the Chronicle, he’s graced its pages countless times and been a subscriber for more than 60 years. In addition to his major milestones, find out about his acting career, lack of abilities with the microwave and when he listens to Lady Gaga. This article appeared in the 75th Anniversary Edition of The Chronicle of the Horse, the July 9, 2012 issue. Throughout January, we will feature some of the most popular articles that appeared in print in the Chronicle in 2012.

The future looks bright for Kelley Farmer. While she might have nabbed the blue ribbon in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Lake St. Louis Hunter/Jumper show on her derby veteran Taken, he’s got competition in her new rides.

Farmer guided three young horses to ribbons in the derby as well, claiming third on Mythical, sixth on Act Of Valor, and ninth on Beyond Words. All three are first-year green horses.

The site for the upcoming Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla., has come under legal fire again. Charlie and Kim Jacobs have filed an amended complaint in Palm Beach County seeking to void the approval of two development orders for the property, stating that they are not in compliance with the Village of Wellington’s comprehensive plan.

Equestrian Sport Productions announced the first $100,000 Trump Invitational, a grand prix show jumping event to be held at noon on Jan. 6 on the grounds of Donald Trump’s historic Mar-a-Lago estate.

The Trump Invitational will kick off the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. The class will serve as a fundraiser for the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, an event that raises and distributes more than $1 million annually for Palm Beach County charities.

Look closely at Cevo Itot du Chateau, and you’ll see he has faint scars on his head and right shoulder. They’re remnants of an accident that almost took the famous show jumper out of action before he began.

When he was 3, the spunky Selle Francais gelding jumped out of his field in France and was hit by a car, suffering many injuries. His recovery was long but successful, and by the time he was 6, “Itot” was jumping successfully in 6-year-old classes with famed French rider Michel Hecart.

The release of the Summary of Main Decisions from the Federation Equestre Internationale’s general assembly on Nov. 8 created quite a stir, especially in the eventing, combined driving and dressage communities. The Chronicle’s Eventing forum hosted a thread with lengthy discussion about one particular change to the General Regulations.

Hillary Simpson has a couple of warmbloods with fancy pedigrees in her barn, but her first grand prix win came on Arkansas, an off-the-track Thoroughbred showing in his first grand prix.

Lexington, Ky.—Nov. 4

The minute they called Lillie Keenan’s name in second place at the ASPCA Maclay Finals, a wide smile spread over Jacob Pope’s face, and he started patting his mount, Uno, repeatedly. Instead of the detached pleasure that some equitation finals winners display, Pope’s demeanor was as if he couldn’t quite believe the news.

Judges George Morris and Hap Hansen have set a remarkably simple, yet testing, track for the ASPCA Maclay Finals. The ring looks quite empty with the sparse course, but as typical of a course Morris has a hand in designing, it is proving an excellent test. It’s basically two serpentines across the ring, and two runs down the center of the ring. If you click on the image at left, you can get a better picture of it.