All posts by Associate Editor

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events

Tina Konyot and Calecto V Are Victorious at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI*** at GDF

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Tina Konyot and Calecto V

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2012 – Tina Konyot and her Calecto V scored an impressive 72.644% to take the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI***, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute, held March 15-18 at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) Stadium show grounds in Wellington, FL.

Konyot’s competitive record proves she is a top athlete. She has been named to the USET Developing List, the USET Grand Prix List and short listed for the United States Olympic Equestrian Team. In 2010 Tina and Calecto V competed in the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

Steffan Peters and Anne Gribbons have been giving Elite Developing Clinic in Florida and California for the top horses and riders who may be in contention to be selected for the USA Team for the Olympics.  Konyot took advantage of the opportunity to work with these two dressage greats.

Continue reading Tina Konyot and Calecto V Are Victorious at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI*** at GDF →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Events

Cheltenham Gold Cup, England, by Lynn Lawson

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March 16th, 2012 – The Cheltenham Gold Cup was the climax of another spectacular week of National Hunt racing at this annual festival in the picturesque Cotswolds. Run over a distance of 3 miles 2 furlongs in a natural amphitheatre of rolling hills, this coveted race has a prize fund of £284,750. The two most fancied contenders were dual Gold Cup winner (2007, 2009) Kauto Star, the most popular horse in the country, and last year’s winner Long Run. In front of a 65,000 crowd, Long Run started favourite in a bid to retain his crown. Early on it became apparent to jockey Ruby Walsh that Kauto Star was not running well – a fall during training in the run up to the festival had previously poured doubt on his participation. He was pulled up and it is likely that this 12 year old superstar will now have a well-earned retirement after 7 successive festival appearances and winning earnings of over £2 million. Long Run failed to produce the sparkle of last year and turning for home with the long haul up the hill towards the finish, met the last fence in unison with Synchronised and The Giant Bolster. A battle of tenacity and stamina ensued. Former Welsh National hero Synchronised emerged the stronger of the trio to give 16 times Champion jockey A P McCoy his second victory in this prestigious race. Owned and bred by legendary Irishman J P McManus, Synchronised, who is small in stature compared to many, put up a gutsy performance for popular local trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

Continue reading Cheltenham Gold Cup, England, by Lynn Lawson →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Polo

The US Takes the All-Around Trophy at the 2nd Annual International in a Sport-Filled St Patrick’s Day at International Polo Club Palm Beach

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Wellington, FL – March 17, 2012 – The International Polo Club Palm Beach created a festive St Patrick’s Day ambience on the second day of the 2nd Annual International Weekend. International Polo Club Palm Beach has a vision to create an on-going sporting venue for a variety of traditional, international sports that may not be considered mainstream in the United States.

It was the US versus Great Britain and Ireland in Croquet, Cricket, Polo, Tennis and Rugby at International Polo Club.

Yesterday, in the completion of the first of the weekend’s sports, the US beat Great Britain/Ireland in Golf at the Wanderers Club.

Continue reading The US Takes the All-Around Trophy at the 2nd Annual International in a Sport-Filled St Patrick’s Day at International Polo Club Palm Beach →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Wellington Classic Dressage

Heather Blitz and Paragon Electrify the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI*** at GDF

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Heather Blitz and Paragon

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2012 – The last rider to enter the ring, Heather Blitz, rode Paragon to a score of 75.350% to win the Grand Prix Freestyle at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI***, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute, held March 15-18 at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF)Stadium show grounds in Wellington, FL.

Blitz had a rough day leading up to her win. With her four year old, she memorized the 4 year old FEI test, not the USEF 4 year old test. Then she managed to give the wrong freestyle music to the announcer. The jury allowed her to correct the snafu and return last to complete her test, but even that was not without trauma. Blitz could not find the correct music. Fortunately she had it on her phone, so the announcer was able to access it that way. “Yeah, I guess I learned my lesson,” she said afterward.

Continue reading Heather Blitz and Paragon Electrify the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI*** at GDF →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Wins $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classics

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Shawn Casady Sweeps Antares Large Junior 16-17 Hunter Division

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 17, 2012 – The $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was held under the lights on Saturday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a win for Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano. Twenty-six entries showed over a challenging course set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, and the pair completed the only clear round for the win.

With just one faultless round, no jump-off was necessary. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano were the winners, and nine four-fault entries ranked in order of their times to follow.

Fellow German rider David Will and Giovanni 151, owned by Paul Schockemohle, had the fastest four fault round in 69.84 seconds to place second. Great Britain’s Ben Maher took third place honors riding Mrs. Emma Phillips’ Quiet Easy 4 to four faults in 69.91 seconds and also placed fourth with Miss Louise Flower’s Rowan with four faults in 71.71 seconds. David McPherson put Great Britain in fifth place as well, earning four faults in 72.27 seconds with his own and Mr. & Mrs. Holtger’s Chamberlain Z.

Continue reading Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Wins $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classics →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events

Ashley Holzer and Pop Art Shine at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI*** at GDF

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Ashey Holzer and Pop Art. Photo: www.susanjstickle.com

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2012 – Ashley Holzer and Pop Art were the big winners of the FEI Grand Prix at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI***, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute, held March 15-18 at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF)Stadium show grounds in Wellington, FL.

Holzer and Pop Art garnered a sore of 71.447% from the five international judges, enough to hold off Tina Konyot and Calecto V, who scored 70.191% for second place.

The big chestnut gelding performed well and Holzer seemed to be enjoying the ride. This is one of a long list of wins for Pop Art and this mother of three, who does not consider herself a professional rider.

Continue reading Ashley Holzer and Pop Art Shine at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI*** at GDF →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Hillary Dobbs and Marengo Win $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge

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Stevenson and Lennox Capture Ariat National Adult Medal Victory

Hillary Dobbs and Marengo. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 16, 2012 – Hillary Dobbs, of Sussex, NJ, rode her speedy mount Marengo to victory in Friday morning’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Other top finishers for the day included Ireland’s Conor Swail and Donatello, owned by Hara de la Rogue and Normandie Connection, in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. Laura Chapot (USA) and Umberto won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class.

Sponsored by Artisan Farms, week ten features two classes on Sunday, March 18, on the grass field at The Stadium. Starting at 10:30 a.m., the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Final runs first and is followed by the $80,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix CSI 2* at 2 p.m.

Continue reading Hillary Dobbs and Marengo Win $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge →

Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Laura Kraut and Cedric, Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo Named to the USEF Show Jumping Long List for the 2012 Olympic Games

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Ad Hoc Committee on Selection has approved naming both Laura Kraut on Cedric and Beezie Madden on Coral Reef Via Volo to the Show Jumping Long List for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The USEF Selectors, in consultation with Chef d’Equipe George Morris and Team Veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, voted unanimously to name Kraut and Madden, on Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric and Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo respectively, to the Show Jumping Long List for the 2012 Olympic Games at this time.

Continue reading Laura Kraut and Cedric, Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo Named to the USEF Show Jumping Long List for the 2012 Olympic Games →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing

Top Sire Fortunate Prospect, 31, Euthanized at Old Friends

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Fortunate Prospect at Old Friends after celebrating his 31st birthday. Photo by Rick Capone.

GEORGETOWN, KY — MARCH 16, 2012 — Fortunate Prospect, a top sprinter and broodmare sire, was euthanized due to complications of old age on March 15 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY. The son of Northern Prospect out of the Lucky Debonair mare Fortunate Bid was 31.

Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends, where the stallion had been pensioned since 2006, made the announcement this morning.

According to Blowen, Old Friends veterinarian Dr. Doug Byars arrived at the farm within minutes of Fortunate Prospect showing signs of distress and advised euthanasia after a thorough examination.

Continue reading Top Sire Fortunate Prospect, 31, Euthanized at Old Friends →

Community/Charity, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Publications/Media, WHIN

Donna Barton Brothers Signs On to “Luck Be a Lady” TV Series

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Nashville, TN – Bloodlines, as many people know, are one of the most important attributes in a horse. The same could be said for the people involved in the sport of horse racing. And Donna Brothers makes that abundantly clear. Her mother was a professional jockey (one of the first few women to be licensed as such in the United States) and her father was a rough-stock rider on the rodeo circuit.

She began riding professionally in 1987 and has ridden at Birmingham Turf Club, Rockingham Park, Suffolk Downs, Canterbury Downs, Remington Park, Arlington Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Hialeah, Calder, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, Dueling Grounds (now Kentucky Downs), Monmouth Park, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, to name a few. She rode 11 1/2 years and retired in 1998 as the second leading female jockey in the country by money earned. Highlights of her career are: second in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile with Hennessey in 1995; leading stakes winning rider at Churchill Downs’ 1995 Spring/Summer meet; and retiring as the second leading female in the nation by money earned after only riding for 11 1/2 years.

Continue reading Donna Barton Brothers Signs On to “Luck Be a Lady” TV Series →