Archive for November, 2011
- Christal Ransom “Throws Down” at 2011 Pan American Games
11/02/2011 – Team Mannatech member of more than 6 years, Christal Ransom participated as part of Team USA in the 2011 Pan American Games, and won Bronze while competing in the sport of judo. Christal, the 2010 National Champion, participated in the 2011 Pan American Games alongside 6,000 other athletes. The Pan American Games includes a schedule of sports much like the Olympics, from shooting to swimming and mat sports. Recently back from Abu Dhabi in Saudi Arabia as well as Uzbekistan, Christal has excelled in competitions nationally and internationally, reaching one of the sport’s highest levels by winning the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials.
Read more about Christal here.
- Barbara Simmons, Ace and Dexter—“Cracking the Whip” in 2011!
11/01/2011 – Barbara Simmons and her horses, Ace and Dexter, have been busy over the summer in their competitive sport of combined driving. In April, they headed to Grand Island, Nebraska, where Barbara and Ace competed in an arena driving trial, winning not only each phase of the competition—dressage, cones and obstacles—but also winning their division. The team also won Grand Champion for the entire event, beating out 30 other competitors.
In May, it was back to Grand Island with Ace once more, this time for a Morgan breed show. Barbara and Ace competed in both riding classes as well as driving classes, receiving pins in all classes—50% of which were first place ribbons!
From there, it was on to Elk River, Minnesota, where Barbara and Dexter achieved the Carriage Association of America’s Level 1 Proficiency certificate.
In June, Ace and Dexter paired up in Ames, Iowa, for their last competition as a team, at the Skunk River Horse Driving Trial’s top level offered (Intermediate). The duo beat 39 other competitors to win the Pair Horse division with the best dressage, cones and obstacles.
In August, Barbara’s granddaughter, Abigail, competed in BITS (Best of Iowa in Traces) Summer Carriage Classic, where they were Junior Champions and did well in the Open Division.
From there it was on to the Nebraska State Fair back in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Abigail and Ace were Reserve Youth Champion, riding and driving. Barbara and Ace were Grand Champion, driving winners. Of the six classes the pair participated in, they brought home six blue ribbons—a clean sweep!
Said Barbara, “2011 has been a very good competition year for my horses and me.”
Learn more about Barbara Simmons and the sport of combined driving here.