LEG and LAEC Team Up to Install New Footing Before National Preview and LA National

Oct. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- In response to rider requests and a commitment to produce the highest quality horse shows, Langer Equestrian Group and Los Angeles Equestrian Center announced today that they will install new footing in the Equidome, the facility's indoor arena. The same footing will also be used in the warm-up arena directly outside of it.

"The safety and welfare of our horses is, and must be, paramount in our jumping sport," commented Larry Langer, CEO of LEG. "We recognize that technology will always change, and LEG is willing to embrace that change."

With the multiple disciplines showing at LAEC all year round, it is difficult to find a footing solution that suits everyone. "After much deliberation and evaluation, I am glad that the Los Angeles Equestrian Center could support Langer Equestrian Group in its desire to have state-of-the-art footing in LAEC’s Equidome and the corresponding warm-up ring," added George Chatigny, General Manager of LAEC.  "While LAEC highly values LEG’s hunter/jumper shows, we have to balance the needs of the other disciplines holding events at our facility.  I am confident that we are embarking on a solution that will be very good for show jumping for some time to come."

The new footing will be the same high-tech option used at such prestigious events as the World Cup Finals and the Olympics. Rudy Leone, who uses it at his Sacramento International Horse Show to great acclaim, has installed this footing at about 15 facilities and will oversee the installation at LAEC. "The reason I wanted it at my own facility is that there are so many benefits to this footing," Rudy shared. "It's really soft on the horses' feet but not deep, and it's totally non-slip. It also stays stable so you don't get big holes in it like you do with traditional sand footing. I do it for the sport because as a horseman I know this footing is better than anything else for keeping the horses sounder and the riders safer. Anyone who puts on a World Cup qualifier is a brave and generous horse show manager; it's a pricey thing to do. Everything about LEG's show is good except the footing, so I'm impressed they made this decision."

The riders are also impressed and happy with this development. Helen McNaught is a loyal exhibitor at LEG shows and has competed in many grands prix in America and Europe. "It can't be easy to do everything they try to do out of that facility and make everyone happy," she said. "I think this new footing is a huge step in the right direction. As riders we want the shows to keep going, but we also want the best for our horses. We feel like we're ignored a lot of the time even when we're asked for our opinion, so I have to give credit to Larry and his team for listening to us on this one. I think the reason some really good riders don't go to the LEG shows at LAEC is because of the footing, so this is great news. LEG has my favorite World Cup Qualifier, because the crowds are so good. I love the indoor arena and I'm very excited to have good footing."

The new footing will be installed just in time for LEG's National Preview and LA National horse shows. "Our sport is ever changing and the bar keeps raising," Larry added. "I am really happy to be a key part of 'stepping up' with Langer Equestrian Group and our shows at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.  I am grateful to the management of both the Horse Park at Woodside and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for making the tough decision that results in new jumping footing in each of their main arenas."

More information about the LEG shows at LAEC can be found online at http://langershows.com/laec/index.php.

Medal final season is well under way, and Gold Coast 7 (Oct. 20-23) will host the 2011 CPHA Horsemanship and CPHA Child/Adult Regional Finals, while pony riders are gearing up for West Coast Pony Finals at the National Preview Horse Show (Nov 9-13). Verdugo Hills League Preview (Oct 28-29) is up next at Hansen Dam.

# # #

LEG Up News provides public relations and marketing services to the equestrian sport, especially show jumping and dressage. LEG Up News features stories about events, riders, associations, and key competitions that have national and international championships. For more information or to obtain photos, please contact LEG UP News at marnyelanger@gmail.com. Please contact us for additional stories from this and other shows, as well as additional quotes.