Monthly Archives: April 2012

*Featured/Spotlights, Associations/Breeds, Championships, Community/Charity, Events, Phelps Media Group, Western/Reining

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and NRHA Score a Plus with 2012 Partnership

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Fairfield, Connecticut – April 2, 2012 – The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) is proud to announce that the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) embraced its role as official sponsor for the IHSA Western Semi-Finals, leading up to the 2012 IHSA National Championships, May 3-6, at the Hunt Horse Complex of the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

“The rapidly expanding support of the Western Semi-Finals by the NRHA has enabled our riders to enjoy a greatly enhanced program,” said IHSA national treasurer, Naomi Blumenthal, who also credited Ohio State University IHSA Western team coach and IHSA Associate National Steward/Director at Large, Ollie Griffith, with negotiating the agreement.  “We hope he knows how grateful everyone is for bringing NRHA into our corporate family.”

Continue reading Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and NRHA Score a Plus with 2012 Partnership →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA, USEF

James Alliston Lays Claim to Top Two Spots in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* at Galway Downs

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James Alliston jumps the penultimate fence with Jumbo's Jake in the Galway Downs Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*. Leslie Mintz/USEA Photo

Despite being halfway across the world from his native Great Britain, James Alliston has proven that he is quite at home in California with back to back wins at Galway Downs’ premier events. Last November James rode India McEvoy’s 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Jumbo x Lakeland Princess) Jumbo’s Jake to the win at the CCI3* and he repeated the feat once again with a wire to wire lead at this weekend Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*. In addition to taking home the blue ribbon, James also claimed the red with his and Chuck and Peggy Moore’s Tivoli. The ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding who was competing in his first CIC3* added only 7.6 time penalties to his dressage score to finish 10 points behind his stablemate.

“Jake was awesome in all three phases this weekend,” said James. “This was a perfect preparation for Rolex. The time was very tight and I think I had a bit of a gap in the scores so I could have gone a bit slower and still won, but I wanted to give him a bit of a fitness work before Rolex and he finished full of running. He was pretty strong going out there which is quite unlike him, so I think that bodes well for Rolex really.”

Continue reading James Alliston Lays Claim to Top Two Spots in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* at Galway Downs →

Competitions, Events, More/Other, USEF

USEF Names 2012 US Saddle Seat World Cup Team

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The 2012 US Saddle Seat World Cup Team (Laura Elcock Photography)

Fulton, MO – The US Saddle Seat World Cup Selections Trials saw 32 of the strongest saddle seat competitors in the US vie for an opportunity to represent their country at the 2012 Saddle Seat World Cup Competition. Hosted Saturday, March 31 at William Woods University, 20 three-gaited and 12 five-gaited riders proved their mettle in front of a packed audience.

Held in two phases, each consisting of one rail ride and one pattern, riders were tested on two unfamiliar horses, a format mimicking how they will compete in Parys, South Africa in December. At the end of competition, the lowest ordinal scoring riders were named to the inaugural USA Saddle Seat team under the direction of USEF.

The following riders and alternates have been named to the US Saddle Seat World Cup Team. These riders were selected based on the criteria outlined in the Selection Procedures for the 2012 US Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Team.  The Selection Procedures can be found here.

Continue reading USEF Names 2012 US Saddle Seat World Cup Team →

Competitions, Dressage, Events

Rick Rockefeller-Silvia Earned Top Score at Global Dressage Festival National Show

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Wellington, FL – April 1, 2012 – Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, a USDF Gold Medalist, scored the highest on the final day of the West Palm Beach National Show on Sunday.  Riding Sakramenter, an Oldenburg gelding, the pair earned 79.595% in the USEF First Level Test 2 – Open at the at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival (GDF).

The reserve high score winner was Tom Dvorak of Canada with Rubinio receiving 74.615% in the USEF Third Level Test 3 – Open.  Megan Lane and Lucky Lemon scored 73.125% in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle and Aylin Corapcioglu and Ruhman earned 70.500% in the same class.  Lisa Wilcox scored 72.125% on Sandro Welt in the USEF Fourth Level Test 3 – Open and she rode Pikko del Cerro HU in the USEF Developing Grand Prix to a score of 71.000%.  Laurie Moore scored 71.667% on Rolero in the USEF Second Level Test 3 – Open, George Williams and Riccidoff received 71.486% in the USEF Fourth Level Test 2 – Open and Devon Kane scored 70.515% on Destiny in the USEF Developing Prix St. George.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Beezie Madden Secures World Cup Spot with Final Qualifier Victory at Tampa Bay Classic

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Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle were the winners of the $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 2*-W after completing a jump-off round with blazing fast speed, beating Margie Engle by only a fraction of a second. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Tampa, FL – Sunday, April 1, 2012 – It was the concluding day of the Tampa Bay Classic today at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, and competition was fierce as the nation’s top competitors strived to pave their way to the 2012 World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. The $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 2*-W was the last opportunity for riders to qualify for the impending World Cup Finals, and the battle came down to two as Beezie Madden and Margie Engle fought to the finish. Madden and Mademoiselle emerged the victors, beating Engle’s jump-off time by only six-tenths of a second.

This afternoon, riders gathered beneath the Covered Arena to compete over courses designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Canada. The first round featured an imposing opening oxer-vertical line, followed by an oxer leading to another vertical-oxer line. Riders were also challenged by a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, an oxer-vertical double combination and a daunting grey wall. The course tested horse and rider alike, with combinations finding fault in multiple places, including the triple combination, double combination and the final oxer.

Continue reading Beezie Madden Secures World Cup Spot with Final Qualifier Victory at Tampa Bay Classic →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, JRPR

Chester Weber Breaks Record with Ninth USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship Win

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Chester Weber, shown here in the cones phase, won the United States Four-in-Hand National Championship at Live Oak International’s 20th Anniversary, making him the only United States Combined Driver to have won the title nine times during his career. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (April 2, 2012) – Chester Weber’s goal at the 2012 Live Oak International, the premier Combined Driving event in North America, was to bring home the USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship trophy. As one of our country’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber not only accomplished his goal but did what he likes to do best — set another record! Weber’s win puts him in uncharted territory as the only United States Combined Driver to have won the USEF Four-In-Hand Championship nine times during his career.

Heading into Live Oak, Weber faced the challenge of once again claiming the coveted four-in-hand championship. Weber held the title for eight years in a row, but during last year’s USEF Championship he placed second and handed the trophy off to another driver. Armed with a team of horses he co-owns with Jane Forbes Clark, Weber captured the Live Oak victory in style – right down to the customary kissing of the winning trophy. “I am thrilled to have the trophy back home where it belongs, where it lived for eight years,” Weber said. “The best moment of the competition was kissing the trophy!”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day

William Fox-Pitt Leads HSBC Rankings Going into Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) pictured with Parklane Hawk at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2011, where he last wore the HSBC armband. Image: Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 2 April 2012 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) will head into the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) on 26-29 April sporting the armband reserved for the leader of the HSBC Rankings.

Fox-Pitt, who last wore the armband at the second last leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, now leads the HSBC Rankings 59 points clear of Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and 146 points ahead of Piggy French (GBR).

The HSBC Rankings are run on a rolling 12-month basis and this month’s rankings are based on results obtained between 1 May 2011 and 2 April 2012.

Mary King (GBR), who won the 50,000 USD award for the leading rider in the HSBC Rankings at the end of last season, has dropped to 10th in the rankings as she loses the huge points haul secured at last year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event where she finished first and second.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Kelley Farmer and Taken Gallop to $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Victory

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McArdle and Bravoman, Dayton and Caballero 81, Crown and Can Be Good Win in Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers; Mack-Gorin Tops Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal, MacNamara Takes Overall Title; Raposa Sweeps 16-17 Junior Hunters

Kelley Farmer and Taken. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 1, 2012 – The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival drew to a close today. The feature attraction of the day was the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at The Stadium, and Kelley Farmer rode Nancy Amling’s Taken to victory. Competition concluded in the International Arena on Sunday with the junior and amateur-owner jumpers competing in their final classics. Beginning the morning, Abigail McArdle jumped to victory in the $10,000 Griffis Group High Junior Jumper Classic aboard Bravoman. Cara Dayton and Caballero 81 earned top honors in the $10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and Alexandra Crown and Can Be Good won the $10,000 South Florida SportChassis Low Junior Jumper Classic. In the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal, Tracey Mack-Gorin won the final class, while Devon MacNamara won the circuit award. Schaefer Raposa wrapped her last week with wins in the Marley Goodman Small and Antares Large 16-17 Junior Hunters.

Continue reading Kelley Farmer and Taken Gallop to $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Victory →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Hasbrouck Donovan Dominates the Small and Large Junior Hunters on the Final Day of Tampa Bay Classic

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Hasbrouck Donovan and Lyle jogged for two winning ribbons in the over fences, ultimately setting a high standard for Sunday's remaining competitors. Photo By: Elizabeth Vieira/PMG

Tampa, FL – Sunday, April 1, 2012 – The final day of the Tampa Bay Classic has arrived, and riders worked diligently today to put in their concluding efforts for division championships. The week has seen substantial talent, and the success of the show and its exhibitors is drawing an increasingly large crowd of spectators to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Hasbrouck Donovan was the talk of the show, securing two championships on this concluding day. Donovan and Lyle took the Small Junior Hunter Championship, while Caroline Kellogg and Felicci followed closely behind, taking the reserve honors. Donovan continued her winning streak aboard Fidelia, gliding to the top of the Large Junior Hunters; while Amber Henter rode Kudos! to a well-deserved reserve championship win.

The Small Junior Hunters started off the day for the main arena, bringing forth a group of talented athletes. Donovan has been the junior to keep an eye on, as she dominated the Large and Small Junior Hunters, in both Saturday’s preliminary classes and Sunday’s championship wrap-up. Guiding Stephanie Keen’s Lyle to the Small Junior win, Donovan was thrilled to end her week on a positive note.

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Art/Photography, Contributors/Press, Events

FREE ADMISSION to See “The Horse” Blockbuster Exhibition

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Last Chance to See World-Class Exhibition before It Leaves

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2012) – The Kentucky Horse Park is pleased to invite the public to see its current blockbuster exhibition, “The Horse”, free of charge on April 5.  The last day for the public to view it will be April 6, after which it will move to San Diego.

Developed by the American Museum of Natural History, with pieces from the Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse, the exhibition has been seen in New York, Chicago, Pittsburg, and now Lexington.

From the horse’s earliest ancestors grazing on the plains of what is now Nebraska, to a magnificent contemporary Deborah Butterfield horse sculpture, the eternal bond between horses and humans is explored in the largest equestrian traveling exhibition ever assembled. The Horse graphically portrays the horse’s impact on trade, transportation, labor, warfare, culture, and sports.  It showcases spectacular fossils, models, dioramas, and cultural objects from around the world, including many from the American Museum of Natural History’s world famous collections.

Continue reading FREE ADMISSION to See “The Horse” Blockbuster Exhibition →