All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week Six Wrap-up and Week Seven Upcoming Events

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Wellington, FL – February 20, 2012 – The sixth week of competition at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) has come to a close. Sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, the show hosted numerous exciting events, including the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular and the $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby. Next week’s competition, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, runs February 22-26. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Upcoming Events for FTI WEF Week 7 – What You Can Attend at PBIEC

The Lunch & Learn Series, presented by World Development Group, will continue this week on Thursday, February 23, at 11:30 a.m. at The Wellington Club. Admission is free and lunch is provided. No prior equestrian knowledge is required to attend the events. This week’s class, “Ease Your Mind: Work with Your Family to Craft Essential Family Policies,” with speaker Daisy Medici, Director of Family Governance, GenSpring Family Offices, is sponsored by GenSpring Family Offices. Every attendee at the Lunch & Learn Series will be entered to win a grand prize.

Continue reading FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week Six Wrap-up and Week Seven Upcoming Events →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI

Todd Flettrich Wins FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at Global Dressage Festival

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Todd Flettrich and Otto. Photos: SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2012 – Todd Flettrich of Wellington, FL won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, on Sunday.  Riding Otto, his 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) partner, Flettrich scored 71.422%. Ashley Holzer of Canada finished second on Breaking Dawn with 70.800% and Heather Blitz came in third on Paragon by a fraction of a percent less scoring 70.756%.

Flettrich was thrilled with the performance of the 16-year-old gelding and the score; it was their second highest in the Olympic Grand Prix Special.

“I am happy,” said Flettrich. “I can take risks. Before the WEG we were still getting to know each other. Now, I’m willing to take a chance. I could not have done it before. He’s become my horse now.”

Flettrich owes the great score to a change in attitude. “Otto is arrogant and I used to feel I had to control him, but now I just encourage him to be arrogant.”

Continue reading Todd Flettrich Wins FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at Global Dressage Festival →

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

Beezie Madden and Prima Rise to the Challenge in $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby

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Declaration and Glen Senk/Tivoli and Lyn Pederson Win Adult Hunter Classics; Pony, Children’s, and Adult Champions Are Named

Beezie Madden and Prima. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival closed out week 6 competition today with action at two parts of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. At The Stadium, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, rode Neapolitan Holding Co., LLC’s Prima over the challenging course to win the $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby for the second year in a row. In the International Arena, Glen Senk of Philadelphia, PA, and Declaration won the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic and Lyn Pedersen piloted Tivoli to the WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Classic victory.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider has concluded, and the week seven competition, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, runs February 22-26. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Beezie Madden and Prima Rise to the Challenge in $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby →

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gulf Coast Winter Classic Week II

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We finished our second week in Gulfport and all is well.  We had a giant storm come though on Saturday and had to call the show around 1pm but the worst of the storm was north of us and today the footing was great and our Grand Prix was under sunny blue sky.

I want to thank a group of exhibitors who got together and sponsored what they called the National Hunter Classic Breakfast.  Thanks to Daniel and Cathy Geitner, Allison Black and Mark Tompkins, Fox Ridge Farm, Benny’s Wash and Fold, and Gamboa Veterinary Services. It was a great ringside treat on Friday morning for all.  The exhibitors and management say THANKS.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby was won by Beleveder and Holly Shepherd.

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

David McPherson Captures Top Two Spots in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

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Junior and Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions Are Crowned

Silver Exchange II and David McPherson. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2012 – As the sixth week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival begins to wrap up, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m took place today in the Mogavero ring. David McPherson of Great Britain rode Silver Exchange II for the win and Leonitas for second place. Nicolas Pizarro (MEX) and Saskia finished in third place. Junior and Amateur-Owner hunter champions also received

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run through February 19. The $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby is the highlight event on Sunday at The Stadium at 3 p.m. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

The course designer this week in the Mogavero ring is Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. There were 7 clear rounds over his course that began with 27 entries.

Continue reading David McPherson Captures Top Two Spots in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Langehanenberg Leads German Whitewash at Neumunster

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Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW won the penultimate qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League series at Neumunster. Photo: FEI/Thomas Hellmann.

Neumunster (GER), 19 February 2012 – Helen Langehanenberg had the biggest smile of all as she headed a German whitewash at the eighth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 Western European League series at Neumunster, Germany today.  Host nation riders filled five of the top six places, led by the 29-year-old from Havixbek and her popular stallion, Damon Hill NRW, while yesterday’s Grand Prix winners, Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW, had to settle for runner-up spot this time out.

One of the biggest cheers of the morning was reserved for third-placed Uta Graf and her very handsome stallion Le Noir who really rose to the occasion in the intense atmosphere that undermined many of the other contenders, while Dorothee Schneider and the mare, Diva Royal, slotted into fourth.

Last of the 15 horse-and-rider combinations into the arena, it was Denmark’s Lone Jorgensen and FBW De Vito who broke the German stranglehold at the top end of the scoreboard when lining up fifth ahead of Germany’s double Olympic team gold medallist Nadine Capellman riding Girasol.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Reed Kessler Dominates $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6

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Laurie Stevens/Iceman, Elizabeth Faraci/Paramour Top FarmVet Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ Divisions

Reed Kessler and Cylana. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 17, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival featured events at two facilities today. At the Stadium, the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 had grand prix competition with Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, taking three of the top four spots. She scored the win with Cylana, was third on Ligist, and fourth with Pacha de Nantuel. Tina Fletcher (GBR) and Unique IX were second. In the International Arena, the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3’3″ divisions awarded age division championships to Laurie Stevens on Iceman and Elizabeth Faraci and Paramour.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run February 15-19. The week is full of exciting events, including Saturday night’s USHJA WCHR Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach, and Sunday’s $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby held at The Stadium. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Reed Kessler Dominates $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 →

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

Victoria Colvin and Way Cool Jump to the Top of the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

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Victoria Colvin and Way Cool. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2012 – The $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular was held under the lights at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday night with an exciting victory for 14-year-old Victoria Colvin riding Dr. Betsee Parker’s Way Cool. The pair edged out last year’s winners, Louise Serio and Bryan Baldwin’s Castle Rock, who finished second. Colvin also took home third place honors riding Inclusive, owned by Scott Stewart. Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello finished fourth after a win in the first round.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run through February 19. The $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby is the highlight event on Sunday at The Stadium at 3 p.m. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Victoria Colvin and Way Cool Jump to the Top of the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Wins FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the Lights at Global Dressage Festival

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Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello. Photos: SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2012 – Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden captured her second victory on Don Auriello at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, this time in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the lights on Saturday. The nighttime atmosphere at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) was filled with excitement for the world cup event that featured twelve entries from five different nations.

The electric atmosphere was great for the crowd, but it made things a little more difficult for Vilhelmson-Silfven who scored 76.350%. “I am super pleased,” said Vilhelmson-Silfven. “He was a bit more tense here in the dark, but it was good practice for me. I had a better feeling with him today than yesterday. The facility has made a huge difference. It’s very nice.”

James Koford of Wellington, FL rode Pharaoh to second place with a score of 73.450%. Koford was thrilled with his finish because he hopes to use the prize money from this competition and his victory in the freestyle at the first GDF to pay for World Cup Final expenses, should he receive an invitation.

Continue reading Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Wins FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the Lights at Global Dressage Festival →

Awards, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Wellington Classic Dressage

Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and Liebling II Win Rock Star Freestyle Award from Cunningham & Cunningham at Wellington Classic Spring Challenge

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Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and her equine partner Liebling II won the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (February 17, 2012) – With seven championship medals to her name, including the Individual Bronze Medals from the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games, Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and her equine partner Liebling II danced their way to victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Thanks to a beautiful musical performance, Losos de Muñiz and Liebling not only won the class but also won the Rock Star Award from Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock, Inc.

Losos de Muñiz, who rides for the Dominican Republic, was thrilled to ride away with the blue ribbon and the Rock Star Freestyle Award. “Our freestyle was a lot smoother and more forward than usual. We have a few glitches to iron out, but it’s coming along nicely and I was pleased with how it all went,” she said.

Continue reading Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and Liebling II Win Rock Star Freestyle Award from Cunningham & Cunningham at Wellington Classic Spring Challenge →