All posts by Associate Editor

Awards, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Chris Hickey and Balissa HTF Win Horse of Course High Score Award at Welcome Back to White Fences I Show

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Chris Hickey is joined by Balissa’s owner Jane MacElree (second from right) and Beth Haist (far right), owner of The Horse of Course. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phelps)

Wellington, FL (March 11, 2012) – Dressage rider and trainer Christopher Hickey, a member of the Gold Medal Pan Am team and the Director of Training at Hilltop Farms, piloted Balissa HTF, owned by Jane MacElree of Hilltop Farm, to the high score at the Welcome Back to White Fences I Show. Hickey, who is well-known in the winner’s circle at shows across the country, earned a score of 78.103% with Balissa to take home The Horse of Course High Score Award, sponsored by The Horse of Course, Inc., one of the nation’s premier tack shops specializing in dressage tack, clothing and supplies.

Hickey was thrilled that Balissa (Bugatti x EM Contesse/Contucci) won the high score for the show. The mare has been showing great form throughout the winter dressage season in south Florida, handily winning her First Level Test 1 class at the Welcome Back to White Fences show. Hickey also showed the mare at the recent Global Dressage Festival show, where she took the big show grounds in stride and also earned the high score of the day.

Continue reading Chris Hickey and Balissa HTF Win Horse of Course High Score Award at Welcome Back to White Fences I Show →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Chris Pratt Cruises to Victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal to Kick Off Horsepower Weekend

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©Flying Horse Photography. Chris Pratt and Indigo Farms LLC's Cruise captured their first Grand Prix win of the season at HITS Thermal

THERMAL, CA (March 10, 2012) – As the final days of the 2012 HITS Desert Circuit approach, Chris Pratt of Lake View Terrace, California shifted things into high gear when he and Indigo Farms, LLC’s Cruise beat out 54 other starters to take the top prize in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Pratt’s victory is his first of the season after he and Cruise finished fourth in the $53,000 Chartis Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, last week. Friday’s win was the launch for the season finale at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California with the festivities for Horsepower Weekend officially underway.

For the third year in a row, the show grounds in Thermal have been invaded by luxury speed-machines courtesy of sponsor Lamborghini of Newport Beach. Lining the berms of the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix arena are the very best in sports car technology and design. This year’s line-up includes a couple of very sleek McLarens, the Fiskar, which pairs electric technology with the power of a sports car, and a reproduction of a late 1950s Porsche that has the eye of several exhibitors and even members of the HITS Staff.

Continue reading Chris Pratt Cruises to Victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal to Kick Off Horsepower Weekend →

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

Scott Brash and Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof Shine in $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*

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Martha Ingram Stays at the Top in THIS Children’s Medal 14 & Under

Scott Brash and Sanctos van het Gravenhof. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 10, 2012 – Great Britain’s Scott Brash guided Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof to victory in Saturday night’s $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by The Bainbridge Companies at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). In a suspenseful jump-off, Brash beat out Richard Spooner (USA) and Cristallo, and Kent Farrington (USA) and Voyeur, who finished second and third.

Sponsored by the Bainbridge Companies, week nine will conclude with the $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic tomorrow.

Forty-five entries showed in tonight’s World Cup qualifier, jumping a course set by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Eleven cleared the first round course without fault and returned for an exciting jump-off. The nations of France, Ireland, Great Britain, Russia, Canada and the United States were all represented. Nine entries cleared the jump-off course.

Continue reading Scott Brash and Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof Shine in $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4* →

Rescue/Protection Sources

Horse Slaughter Promoter Alleges Death Threats to YMCA Director

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March 10, 2012 – Mountain Grove, MO (EWA) – A bizarre chain of events has followed the contentious meeting of the Mountain Grove City Council on March 6th concerning the Unified Equine proposal to build a horse slaughter plant near the town.

Unified Equine CEO Sue Wallis claimed that the project would be a 50% partnership with Belgian company Chevideco, and that they would invest $6 to $7 million in a plant that would be designed by Dr. Temple Grandin.

But during the meeting city residents became inflamed by a presentation given by attorney Cynthia MacPherson, cataloging the pollution and crime that Chevideco’s Dallas Crown facility had brought to the town of Kaufman, Texas.

Continue reading Horse Slaughter Promoter Alleges Death Threats to YMCA Director →

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Classic Company, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

USHJA International Hunter Derby Course Designed by 13 Year Old Sarah Clifton Yandell

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Gulfport, MS – March 9, 2012 – The Gulf Coast Winter Classics recently showcased the hunters in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and Grand Bay, AL based Holly Shepherd had a “Triompf” victory for owner Sarah Patterson. However, this year’s event featured an unusual twist: the beautiful and technical Derby course was based on the design submission from 13-year-old Sarah Clifton Yandell of Memphis, TN.

Showtime Jump Company, LLC’s owner Allen Rheinheimer is best known for his intricate, often fierce course designs for hunters and jumpers alike, and he also has a big weak spot. Kids! “I find it fascinating to watch kids grow and learn from aspects of anything they are involved with and to discover what it takes to make things work,” Rheinheimer shared. By the time he arrived Gulfport for the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, Rheinheimer had developed an intriguing concept to engage and educate the younger generation of equestrians, by soliciting for course designs to be used in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Continue reading USHJA International Hunter Derby Course Designed by 13 Year Old Sarah Clifton Yandell →

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

A Banner Day for Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

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Hillary Jean and D’Amour Collect Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Championship

Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2012 – California’s Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca led the victory gallop in Friday afternoon’s $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). California native Ashlee Bond followed in a close second with her mount Apache, while Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Bon Ami finished third.

The ninth week of competition at the FTI WEF, sponsored by the Bainbridge Companies, will continue through Sunday, March 11. The week will feature the $200,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, CSI 4*-W, presented by the Bainbridge Companies on Saturday, March 10, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading A Banner Day for Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic →

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

Michael Hughes Pockets His First Grand Prix Victory in Thursday’s SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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©ESI Photography. Michael Hughes and Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Mac Arthur sailed to victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (March 9, 2012) – Michael Hughes was all smiles at the conclusion of Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Ocala. The sixteen-year-old from Allendale, New Jersey posted the only double clear round of the day to win his first-ever Grand Prix aboard Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Mac Arthur.

“My dad [Eammon Hughes] and I picked this horse to be my first Grand Prix horse because of his speed and scope,” said Hughes. The decision paid off this week as Hughes cashed a $7,500 first-place check.

Course Designer Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario challenged 30 horses and riders to 13 obstacles in Thursday’s class, which included a triple combination at fence six, a double at fence nine and a sizable final effort at fence 13.

“I designed the course to make it challenging, but not so big,” said Foster. “It was long, so the horses got a little tired.”

Continue reading Michael Hughes Pockets His First Grand Prix Victory in Thursday’s SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala →

Breeds, Dressage, Driving, Events, JRPR

Interagro Lusitanos Brave the Storm to Present Tandem Driving Exhibition at HITS Ocala for Galopando TV

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Cherri Reiber performed a tandem driving demonstration with Zerbino Interagro and Vistor Interagro at the “World of the Horse Spectacular”. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Ocala, FL (March 9, 2012) – The weather was challenging at the “World of the Horse Spectacular” demonstration held during the $50,000 Grand Prix at Horseshows in the Sun(HITS) Ocala, but the show must go on – and it did! Two magnificent Interagro Lusitanos, along with their international rider and trainer Cherri Reiber, presented a thrilling tandem demonstration at the event that showcased the magnificent Lusitano breed and their talent for performing upper level dressage movements.

“It was stormy and the weather was challenging, but just as we were about to present our tandem driving it stopped raining for about 15 minutes and we went and the audience was thrilled. We were certainly a hit,” Reiber said. “We were invited to the ‘World of the Horse Spectacular’ by Galopando TV, and the event was simulcast on their station.”

Continue reading Interagro Lusitanos Brave the Storm to Present Tandem Driving Exhibition at HITS Ocala for Galopando TV →

*Featured/Spotlights, Auctions, Benefits, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, JRPR

“Salute to Driving” Auctions Off Lessons with Chester Weber to Benefit USET Foundation

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Chester Weber and his team during the marathon phase at the 2011 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Aiken, SC (March 9, 2012) – For the second year in a row Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving National Champion, donated lessons to the “Salute to Driving” Benefit to support the USET Foundation. The fundraiser featured a dinner and live auction, as well as clinics, held over three days at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, South Carolina.

“This was a wonderful event put on in Aiken to raise money for the USET Foundation. Last year the debut event benefited the country’s High Performance Driving programs for the USET Foundation and raised over $30,000,” Weber said. “I was pleased to be part of the event last year and once again this year.”

Weber said he was also happy to donate lessons to the auction. “I will provide the lessons to the winner during the Live Oak International in March,” Weber said. “Jack Wetzel purchased the tickets for the lesson and gave them to Jacob Arnold.  I know Mr. Arnold will enjoy his driving experience at Live Oak.”

Continue reading “Salute to Driving” Auctions Off Lessons with Chester Weber to Benefit USET Foundation →

Art/Photography, Community/Charity, FEI

FEI Launches Pictogram Design Competition

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Lausanne (SUI), 9 March 2012 – The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body for horse sport, is calling on equestrian enthusiasts and designers of all ages around the world to enter its online competition to create new “pictograms” for its disciplines.

The competition, launched today on FEI Facebook and www.fei.org, is open until midnight on 19 April 2012, with no limit on the number of entries per person.

The winning designer, whose submission will inspire the FEI’s brand new pictograms, will receive a prize package including two VIP tickets to a top local FEI event, the latest iPad and an annual subscription to FEI TV, the FEI’s official video platform.

Continue reading FEI Launches Pictogram Design Competition →