Revelation JF is the Proof of the Pudding

Tagged as one of the most successful show horses in history, English Pleasure multi-national champion Revelation JF could be described as the “proof of the pudding” for the Vicki Humphrey Training Center and Platinum Performance.

World-renowned Arabian horse trainer, Vicki Humphrey, trains and shows the 14-year-old, half-Arabian gelding, owned by Ken and Diane Hicks. With 18 national championship titles in the past 10 years, Humphrey and Revelation have proven to be a fierce team. Revelation has consistently dominated the competition with national championships in the English Pleasure 14-17 division, 18-39 division and Open division as well. Hicks’ daughter, Loren Shields rode him to all of his amateur wins. According to Humphrey, Revelation’s greatest accomplishment was in 2009 when he defeated the reigning national champion at the U.S. Nationals in the Open English Pleasure in a Five-Horse Workout. That year, he was also named USEF Horse of the Year.

Proving to be an exceptionally victorious year for the duo, Humphrey and Revelation received many prestigious awards in 2009, with a list too long to mention. Awards included Arabian Horse Times Reader’s Choice Award for Horsewoman of the year and Half-Arabian Horse of the year, respectively. Not settling for retirement yet, Revelation will get a chance to prove himself in a new class this year, as he will be shown in Harness and in the amateur division with Shields.

Revelation’s future looked promising from the beginning. His first national championship came at age four, the same year he began his career. That was also the year he was started on Platinum Performance. “He’s been on Platinum for 10 years, as the only supplement he gets,” Humphrey says. Indicative of the value she ascribes to Platinum, she proclaims that he shows with no vetting or Bute.

Humphrey attributes Revelation’s success to a variety of factors, including his innate qualities, training and health. “He’s a great minded and talented horse,” she says. She notes the aspects of being methodically trained and conditioned as being contributors, too. And, health is always top priority, as she says his success can also be credited to “having his health, feed, vetting and show schedule well managed and being on Platinum Performance.”

Located in Canton, Georgia, the Vicki Humphrey Training Center shows and trains 60 to 80 horses on average. The center also stands several stallions and operates a small breeding program of English performance prospects. Stallions include Hucks Connection V, Around of Apploz and, most recently acquired, Aftershoc.

Humphrey herself has been in business over 30 years and has garnered over 100 national titles. In 2009, she was awarded the USEF June Cronan Equestrian of Honor Trophy, an award for those excelling in under-saddle show breeds. She was also awarded Saddleseat Trainer of the Year for the ninth time.

The professionalism and longstanding success of the professional training center is facilitated through a family environment. Humphrey trains along with her daughter, Jessica Clinton, and hired trainer Ashley Roberts. Ashley’s wife, Lori Roberts, works in the office along with Humphrey’s mother, who has been the office manager for over 20 years. Another veteran at the ranch is Barn Manager Kim Victor, who has worked there for over 15 years.

Humphrey sums up what the Vicki Humphrey Training Center is all about, or what makes up more of that “pudding.” “As a team, we all enjoy the accolades in the show ring. But, our greatest pleasure comes from the accomplishments of our riders, both in and out of the ring. The self-esteem and confidence they derive from the lesson, showing process are invaluable throughout their lives.”

Hardin Wins $20,000 Grand Prix on Platinum’s Pedro

Santa Ynez Valley, California, March 24, 2010—Platinum Performance (http://www.platinumperformance.com) team member, Kristin Hardin wins $20,000 Scottsdale Spring Festival Grand Prix riding Platinum’s Pedro on Saturday, March 20, 2010.

Hardin claimed victory in the premiere class of the Arizona show, a 1.4 meter jumper class, on her aptly-named 19-year-old gelding Platinum’s Pedro. Although she is no stranger to winning, the accomplished hunter/jumper trainer and competitor doesn’t take it for granted.

“It’s very rewarding to win. I feel very happy for my horse that he gets the accolades he deserves. It’s a great feeling to have him do that well at his age,” said Hardin.

Hardin purchased “Pedro” nine years ago as a horse with the classic underdog story. He had literally been around the world and didn’t have the best reputation. She changed his feeding program, and then his name to Platinum’s Pedro, just knowing that she could make a star out of him. And, that she did; he has proved himself with a nearly perfect show record and lifetime earnings of almost $75,000.

She attributes her success to good care and a consistent training program. She explained that Platinum’s Pedro doesn’t go on any medications; he just eats his Platinum.

“He’s always healthy, sound and fit. He doesn’t feel like an old horse,” said Hardin. “I really appreciate Platinum Performance and everything it’s done for me and all my horses.”

Hardin is a 31-time national champion in Arabian hunter/jumper and sport horse division and a five-time world champion in the American Paint Horse Association hunter/jumper division.

Platinum Performance Inc. offers a full line of veterinary developed nutritional formulas for horses, companion animals and people—available exclusively through licensed veterinarians and factory direct to ensure an optimum supplement program to meet each horse’s individual needs.

For further information, visit www.platinumperformance.com, or contact Amy Quintana at 805/688-1731.

My horse Cabela is my life. She is my everything. Her and I have been through so much together from jumping 3 gates to rolling down a hill to winning pleasure classes. She is accident prone and funny. Everyone loves her. She is my best friend and number one love. I don’t know what I would do without her.

Andie Pfaff – West Chester, Ohio

My horse is a purebred arabian gelding named CA Ultimo+//(aka “Hootie”). I show him in Hunter Pleasure and he is one of the winningest Hunter horses in the country. Hootie has won 17 National Championships and numerous top ten’s. We started him on Platinum Performance in 2002 right before going to U.S. Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Two days before we were supposed to make the trip to Louisville, Hootie came up sore on one of his tendons. My vet said that if we were very careful with him and don’t overwork him, we could probably show him. He was trained and knew his job, so basically we would just work him very lightly and take him in the show ring and hope for the best. We increased his Platinum to 2 scoops in the morning and 2 at night. We knew that at shows you could increase platinum and it also helps with the healing process of certain injuries. Well, his coat looked incredible, his soreness was minimal and he won U.S. Nationals Unanimously! I coulden’t have been more thrilled. Winning at Nationals is a dream come true, but winning unanimously is just the icing on the cake. Hootie has been on Platinum ever since and has gone on to win 16 more National Championships! Hootie will be 14 years old this year and he still looks like he’s 5. Thanks Platinum for Helping Hootie looks so incredible and being a big part of his success.

Sheryl Yochum