Throughout the grueling-yet-glamorous Wellington winter season, the focus is on the star-studded performers who grace the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival rings. Often overlooked are those who make these performances possible behind the scenes — the barn managers who put in hours upon hours of work organizing, cleaning, scheduling and perfecting every detail.
Equine supplement company Omega Alpha, devoted to producing safe, effective, all-natural remedies, seeks to correct this oversight by highlighting the work of outstanding barn managers who contributed to the success of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and Winter Equestrian Festival.
The company rewards contest winners, whose exemplary care brings out the best of their string, with generous prizes, including Omega Alpha all-natural equine health supplements ranging from probiotic digestion formula to coat conditioners.
This year, Angela Van Den Brink, of Endel Ots Dressage, and Alex Vespico, of Jet Show Stable, were selected as winners of the Omega Alpha Best Barn Manager Contest.
For Brink, who managed a 14-horse string this season, it’s all about living her passion. “I enjoy taking care of them,” she said. “I love horses; I always have.”
A happy surprise, Brink said she’s thrilled to see her work noticed. “It means the world to me,” she said. “It’s nice to be recognized for all the little things and know that people appreciate it.”
More importantly, she looks forward to adding to her arsenal of Omega Alpha products, which she already relies on to keep her horses happy and healthy.
Likewise, Vespico is honored to have received the award and to play a role in running Jet Show Stable.
To keep things running smoothly, she relies on serious organization. For example, Vespico explained that everything has a tack trunk. The bridles have a designated trunk, the saddle pads and so on, so she always knows where to find things.
It also helps that she enjoys the stable’s clientele and the stable’s owners, Jimmy and Danielle Torano. “I can’t thank the customers enough,” she said. “One of the best parts of working here is all the customers. I’ve made a lot of great friendships. I can’t thank Jimmy and Danielle enough. I love working with them, and they’re great horsemen.”
Looking ahead, Vespico looks forward to implementing Omega Alpha products into her routine, particularly as Jet Show Stable prepares to hit the road for upcoming shows like Tryon, Lake Placid and the Hampton Classic.
“I’m really excited to try out these new products from Omega Alpha,” she said. “I think it’s great that they did this to give a little bit of spotlight to those who aren’t usually in the spotlight so much.”
Omega Alpha has been developing all-natural equine products through research-based science for more than 20 years. Learn more at www.omegaalpha.ca.
