2006 CAI-B Shady Oaks, US National Horse Pairs Championship

The CAI-B Shady Oaks, US National Horse Pairs Championship, October 5 – 8 in Lodi, California, is fast approaching.  We will be welcoming 60 competitors bringing nearly 100 horses.  Reigning US National Horse Pairs Champion, Fritz Grupe, will be defending his title against eight additional FEI Pairs for the National Championship, including   Individual Gold Medal winner Diana Kastama. So from daily schedules and what to wear, airports and accommodations, to sponsors and directions, please read on for all the details you need to know about this great event.

Thursday, October 5^th will feature the Intermediate and FEI competitors in Dressage, allowing for an entire field of Preliminary on Friday, October 6^th, competition begins daily at 9 AM.  Spectators will be treated to singles, pairs, tandems and four in hand.  Dressage takes place on the beautiful Field of Dreams set amongst the towering oak grove along the serene lake.  Food and beverages are available at the Dressage area as well as the Show Barn and Trade Fair.  Dinner tickets for each evening are also available for $15 per person by contacting the Show Secretary.

Splash down on Saturday, October 7^th will be more exciting than ever, with seven of the eight obstacles within the inner circle.  Competition begins at 9 AM with the first competitor coming into view around 9:30 AM.  In addition to the new obstacle The Duck Blind, Don’t Fence Me In has been relocated into the spectator viewing area.  Along with those two, spectators can walk out and be nearly arms distance from the competitors as they navigate these treacherous obstacles; Apple Box, Bull Pen, Fort of No Appeals, The Big Top, Watering Hole, and the infamous Bridge.  These giant structures are permanent making no allowances for whether the competitor is driving a single pony or a team of horses, the higher level the driver, the faster they must go.  It’s a test of skill, stamina and sheer will of the equine athletes and their drivers.  Spectators are welcomed to pick a team and follow them to each of the obstacles, cheering them on as they go.  So join in the fun and enjoy a live remote with KAT Country 103.  Food and beverages are available.

Following the Marathon, a Wine and Cheese reception will be offered at the Trade Fair located at the Competitor Barn.  The Trade Fair features a wonderful variety of 14 vendors from carriages, to fine millinery ware (great place to get that hat for Sunday), fun stuff for kids, Shady Oaks logo wear, fine art, purses and accessories, European skin care and more; a complete list can be found at the bottom of the page. Saturday’s dinner and entertainment is always great fun. This year we are featuring a National Pairs Champion Celebration including a complete Luau, pig and all, Polynesian dancers, drummer and singers! A huge thank you to our sponsor Bank of Stockton. Tickets for this event are available for $30 per person through the Show Secretary.

A beautiful sunrise over the Cones course belies the fact that “The Field of Screams” sits waiting.  On Sunday morning, October 8^th, as the sun comes up over the lake, competitors in hats and full dress take to silently walking the course that will decide the victor.  Competition begins at 8:30 AM. Spectators are encouraged, but not required, to join in the “fancy dress” that marks the end of competition, hats are appropriate.  At the final whistle of the day, the new US National Horse Pairs Champion will be awarded.

An event of this magnitude is not possible without the support of our generous sponsors, listed here our Legacy’s: The Grupe Company, Bank of Stockton, H.D. Arnaiz Company, F & M Bank, Fremont Bank, and Teichert Construction.  Sponsors for the CAI Shady Oaks, US National Pairs Championship and advertisers for our show program are still needed and greatly welcomed.  All forms can be downloaded from here on our website or contact the Show Organizer.

The CAI-B Shady Oaks is the only FEI (Internationally) recognized Combined Driving Event in the western United States.  We are proud and honored to be welcoming the following officials from around the world:

• President of the Jury:  Ge Konig, Netherlands

• Ground Jury:  Diana Brownlie, Great Britain; Dr. Klaus Christ, Germany; Dr. Franz Vetter, Germany; Hardy Zantke, United States

• President of Appeals & Presentation:  Jack Pemberton, Canada

• Technical Delegate:  Ed Young, United States

• Course Designer:  Dan Henriksson, Sweden

• FEI Steward: Doug Orr, Canada

• FEI Veterinarian: Jerry Black, DVM, United States

Lastly, we must recognize the hours and hours of work that the Shady Oaks volunteers put into this event.  Over the four days of competition we will have over 250 volunteer positions to fill.  If you are interested in being a part of this great team, please contact the Show Organizer, all contact information is listed at the end of this note.  We thank you for your interest in the CAI Shady Oaks and look forward to welcoming you to Shady Oaks.

A few notes in general to those coming out to the event.  At this time events are planned to start daily at 9 AM.  Please enter the ranch only as directed below and park only in the designated parking pasture.  No private vehicles are allowed on the ranch roads.  Horses have the right of way.  Competitors receiving outside assistance will be eliminated, no matter how tempting, please do not shout out directions! Jeans and comfy clothing are appropriate attire – Sunday you may dress up – including that rarely worn hat, if you desire.  Wear comfortable closed toe walking shoes.  Children welcomed and encouraged, just watch them - these horses are fast.  No smoking and no dogs. 

To get to Shady Oaks Ranch take either Interstate 5 to Highway 12 or Highway 99 to Kettleman Lane in Lodi:

From I-5

Exit I-5, Highway 12 and go east towards Lodi.  Take the first Left on Thornton Road.  The entrance to the CDE is approximately 1/2 mile down on your right.  Watch for the signs.

From Highway 99

Exit 99 Kettleman Lane – Highway 12 West and go west towards Lodi.  Pass through Lodi, Kettleman Lane turns into Hwy 12 at Lower Sacramento Road approx. 7 miles, continue on Highway 12 to Thornton Road, another 5 miles down.  Turn Right on Thornton Road. The entrance to the CDE is approximately 1/2 mile down on your right.  Watch for the signs

PARKING

Once at ranch, park in the pasture by the “Clubhouse” and take the Trolley which will be making rounds to deliver spectators to Dressage/Cone or Barn area.  For Marathon day, simply walk out of the parking pasture and go left, you will walk right into the “main event”.

Airports:

Sacramento – approx. 45 minutes from ranch
San Francisco – approx. 2 hours from ranch

Accommodations:

Official Hotels: Best Western (209) 367-3000 & Microtel Inn (209) 367-9700, mention event for special rate.

Campers:  Full hook ups available at Flag City RV Resort (209) 339-8300

Complete Sponsor Listing:

Legacy: The Grupe Company, Bank of Stockton, H.D. Arnaiz Company, F & M Bank, Fremont Bank, Teichert Construction

Patrons:  Ace International Marketing, Bianchi Plumbing, Bromont Investments, DAVIES, DeBoer Royal Friesians, Driving Essentials, Gibbs & Associates, Kjeldson Sinnock & Neudeck, Lincoln Center, Pacific Advanced Civil Engineering, Pacific Coast Building Products, Quik Connect Nextel, Signco, Stewart Title, Wachovia Securities. 

Benefactors:  ABD insurance & Financial Services, Black Prong Equestrian Center, Bloodgood Sharp Buster, Brazil Quality Roofing, Briscoe Ivester & Bazel, Greenlaw Partners, H n’ D Stables, Interstate Truck Center, Lodi Gas Storage, Michael David Vineyards, Mike & Sigi McCormack, Neumiller & Beardslee, S & L Cleaning Services, Siegfried Engineering, St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Boosters:  Lee-Jagoe Architecture, Merit Companies, Peninsula Floors, Wallace-Kuhl & Associates, West Yost Associates, Western Building Specialties. 

Friends:  Res Com Pest Control, Robinson Sand & Gravel and Segale Travel.

Obstacle Sponsors:

• The Bridge – Bloodgood Sharp Buster

• Fort of No Appeals – Fox N’ Firkin Farms

• The Duck Blind – Stewart Title

• Watering Hole – Quik Connect Nextel

Class Sponsors:

• Preliminary Dressage – Woodside Stables

• Intermediate Dressage – Attorney’s Title Company

• FEI Dressage – L & L Travel

• Cones, All  Divisions – Reeve Knight Construction

WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION SPONSORS:

• Lange Twins & Croce & Company

COMPETITOR DINNER SPONSOR:

• Bank of Stockton

Equestrian Trade Fair - Located at the Competitor Barn

• Arbonne International - Finest in European skin care, nutrition and wellness products

• Patricia Borum - Fine Equine Art and Statuary

• Carriage Driving Essentials - Coyaltix & Milton carriages, full line of carriage driving equipment and appointments

• Carriage USA - Imported European Carriages, tack and feed supplements

• Cookie Lee Jewelry - Fabulous, fun jewelry

• Driving Essentials - Glinkowski Carriages, driving equipment, appointments, books and gifts

• Elk Grove Milling - The “Horse Feed Specialist” Certified Weed Free Back Country Ready, Complete Balanced Feed for Horses, Stable Mix, Performance Stable Mix and Senior Stable Mix.

• Horseplay Unlimited - Unique and fun items for horses, riders and their canine pals.  Scrubs, t-shirts, tote bags, quilts, books, colorful tack and “dog wear”, kids’ items and other horse-themed gifts.

• Horse Princess - For the Horse Princess in every girl, clothing, baby items, handbags, caps, mugs, jewelry and more

• Interstate International - Fine personal equestrian transportation “The Mini Semi”

• Karen’s Kreations - Carriage hats, fine millinery ware and gift items

• Running Man Morgans - Fine Morgan horse sales and stud service

• Wolfgang Studio’s - Equestrian fine-art prints old and new, framed and unframed

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Show Secretary:  Kerrie Biddle, (209) 473-6171; kbiddle@grupe.com
Show Organizer:  Bonner Murphy, (209) 462-2209; bnnrmrphy@aol.com