It took a village, but in the end, John Williams’ 11-year-old Canadian-bred gelding Sweepea Dean walked away with the Best Conditioned Horse Award at the Bromont International Three-Day Event earlier this month.

Williams, a member of the 2004 Olympic Team, was unable to ride Sweepea for several weeks leading up to Bromont because of extensive traveling related to his cross-country course designing business. While the Southern Pines-based Williams was away, his students and friends stepped in to help prep Sweepea for the Bromont CCI*.

Williams’ longtime student, Rachel Jurgens, galloped Sweepea before heading to her own business, Pony Espresso drive-thru coffee stop. Another student, junior rider Lizzie Snow, took Sweepea for trot sets. Advanced rider Charlie Plumb jumped Sweepea, and dressage coaches Jim Kofford and Rebecca Vick fine-tuned the gelding’s flat work.

Williams and Sweepea finished eighth at Bromont.

Antares Dressage

A warm June 19 was the first summer show for the Antares Dressage series.

The Introductory class was won by Kim Schwenkbeck, of Aberdeen, riding Fifth Avenue, which is owned by Fiona Nelson. The duo scored 60.000 percent.

In second was Margaret Moore, of Sanford, riding Skips Cinnamon Sugar with 57 percent.

The eventing tests were won by Kendt Eklund, of Vass, riding Special Delivery. The duo scored a low penalty of 29.000 percent.

The Training Level class was combined with some outstanding First and Third Level horses and riders. This class was won by Amanda King, of Sanford, riding her horse, King Midas. The pair scored 73.571 percent.

Second place went to Amy Allen, of Greensboro, riding her mare, Willamena. The duo scored 73.333 percent.

Andrea Ruting, of Ellerbe, rode her horse, Louie IV, to a score of 70.930 percent at Third Level test 3.

The next summer show at Antares Dressage will be on July 3 starting at 7:30 a.m. and running through 11 a.m.

Check the website at antaresdressage.com to enter online.

Healing Hearts Benefit

Healing Hearts Equine Rescue will hold a Benefit Fun Show and Potluck Lunch on July 10 at Cricket Lane Farm in Sanford.

Activities include a trot race, junior and senior barrel races and egg and spoon races. All proceeds go directly to Healing Hearts. For more information, call Libby at (910) 639-2482.

Helmet Day

Riders4Helmets.com is sponsoring a National Helmet Safety Day on July 10. Special discounts on helmets by selected manufacturers will be available on that day.

For a list of participating retailers, visit the website at riders4helmets.com.

Tickets Available

Fewer than 100 days away from opening ceremonies, ticket sales for the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., are 55 percent lower than anticipated.

Slightly more than 260,000 tickets have been sold to date, compared to the 600,000 organizers had expected to sell.