HITS Press Release, March 24th, 2011

Susie Straus and Gretchen Lof Win Arenus Awards at HITS Tucson Show

Tucson, AZ (March 24, 2011) Thanks to the equine interior decorating abilities of Susie Straus's mother, Patty Straus, Wellspring Farm captured the Arenus Tack Room Award at the HITS Tucson Show. Gretchen Lof, of Cave Creek, Arizona, was also in the Arenus spotlight during HITS Tucson, winning the Arenus Performance and Conditioning Award.

"It was really nice that my mom was recognized for her hard work," said Straus, of Wellspring Farm in Tucson. "My mom had just finished setting up our whole tack area, which she made really comfortable, when the judges came by and gave her the award. I want to thank Arenus for the award and I want to thank my mom for everything she did."

Sponsored by Arenus, a premier provider of innovative health and nutrition products for pets and horses, the Arenus Tack Room Award is presented to one winner stabled on the show grounds. "We use the Arenus product Sore No-More and it is one of my favorite products to use at Wellspring and while at shows," Straus said, adding that she had 12 horses competing at HITS Tucson and they had a successful circuit, taking home five circuit championships and three reserve championships.

Lof, winner of the Arenus Performance and Conditioning Award, also had a successful circuit, winning the $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on her own horse Dresden. The $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix is a new addition to the HITS Arizona schedule and is a qualifier for the all-new Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final which will take place September 10th and 11th in Saugerties, New York.

Arenus Equine Sales Specialist and Nutritionist Brady Karren was on hand to select the winners and presented the awards to Straus and Lof. The HITS Tucson show was a great event and I want to congratulate Susie and Gretchen on receiving special recognition from Arenus. "They are both fans of Sore No-More and I know they will be really pleased with our other Arenus products especially designed for high performance horses including Assure, which is an innovative digestive supplement that, when fed daily, helps to support overall hindgut health," Karren said. "I am also hoping to introduce them to Steadfast Equine, a patent pending joint health supplement specifically designed to provide total structural support, including healthy joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues, specifically designed for horses with a high-demand lifestyle."

Chronicle Of The Horse, April 4th, 2011

Welcome Is Well Received

Susie Straus had her hands full during the HITS Arizona Circuit.  As a Tucson native and a young professional with a busy lesson and show barn, she found herself constantly trekking back and forth between the Pima County Showgrounds and her Wellspring Farm to keep her farm running normally during the six-week circuit and her showing customers schooled for competition.

But somewhere in the middle she managed to find time to ride Welcome to the first year green circuit championship for Ryann Thomas.

Welcome, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Indoctro---Eleine), showed three weeks on his way to the circuit award.  According to Straus, the horse stepped up to the rated divisions gracefully this season, thanks to his easygoing temperament.

“He's one of those you can pull out of the stall and just get on,” said Straus, who started riding him a year ago when he was fresh out of the baby green division.  “He's become one of the most straightforward horses to ride: you just point him to the jump, and he'll hunt right down.  He may not be the greatest mover in the world, but he jumps a 10 every time.”

Welcome kept up that same form for his owner, Ryann Thomas, in the low amateur-owner ring, claiming the junior/amateur owner classic title during Week 6.  Thomas graduated to the amateur ring after spending most of last season dominating in the adult amateur divisions.  He's also taken to the derby format, placing in several USHJA National Hunter Classics last season and Devoucoux Hunter Prix during the circuit.  Straus, 28, looks forward to continuing to hone his natural abilities in the handy classes as she promotes him this season.

The win rings especially meaningful for the young professional, who turned pro five years ago.  She also felt validated in Wellspring Farm's other accomplishments, including Betsy Checchia's adult amateur jumper circuit title on Saderma and the Arenus Tack Room Award for the farm's display.

“The hardest thing at the start of my career was just figuring out what's important,” she said.  “As a young professional you feel like people are watching you and judging you, but you just have to worry about what's best for you and figure out what you want your business to look like.  When you start to have some success, you realize you're on the right track.  Now I'm so lucky that we have nice horses and wonderful, loyal customers.  It just takes a little time and staying focused on doing things right."

Susie Straus and her horse, Ritoque, were featured on the cover of Equine Enthusiast for their first ever Hunter Jumper Edition. Susie's photo accompanies an article about the Tucson Hunter Jumper Association and the other rated hunter jumper shows in Tucson. Photo credit to Vanessa White, Blanc Inc.

Equine Enthusiast Magazine

Summer 2011