All posts by Associate Editor

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

Nick Skelton Scores Again in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with Carlo 273

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Ken Berkley and Prestige Win Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunter Championship

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 won the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 19, 2012 – Nick Skelton (GBR) accumulated another win at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) today in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup 2, this time taking the top prize with Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273. The Irish took the next two places, with Richie Moloney on Slieveanorra, owned by Equinimity LLC/Richie Moloney in second and Cian O’Connor on Ashkirk Ltd. & Cian O’Connor’s Blue Loyd 12 in third.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI 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 highlight jumper class in week two is the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, January 21, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading Nick Skelton Scores Again in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with Carlo 273 →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach: List of Competitors and Schedule

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Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven and Favourit, second place in the freestyle at WDM Palm Beach in 2011

Wellington, FL (January 19, 2012) – Excitement is mounting for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, which gets under way in just one week. The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the richest dressage series in the world; over half a million dollars in prize money was awarded at four WDM competitions in 2011. The WDM Palm Beach is the only WDM event outside of Europe, and the only five star CDI in North America. International Polo Club Palm Beach became the presenting sponsor for the WDM Palm Beach in 2011.

An elite group of horses and riders, including several of the world’s top ten ranked pairs, will compete at the 2012 WDM Palm Beach. Six nations are represented by 14 riders who have now confirmed their participation. The 2011 WDM Palm Beach champions, Steffen Peters of the US and Akiko Yamazaki’s charismatic horse Ravel, will seek to defend their title against stiff rivals from Europe and North America. The number of Swedish competitors has now swelled to three, following the addition of Per Sandgaard and his horse Lomumba Havdal to the list of entries. Sandgaard represented his native Denmark at the 2004 Olympics in Athens before moving permanently to Sweden and changing his citizenship.

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Palm Beach: List of Competitors and Schedule →

Community/Charity, Dressage, Para-Equestrian, Training/Clinics, USEF

Phillips and Ransehousen Named 2011 USEF Coaches of the Year

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has nominated Capt. Mark Phillips and Missy Ransehousen for top coaching honors with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).  With this nomination, they have been named USEF Coach and Para-Equestrian Coach of the Year.

Capt. Phillips has had a long tenure of medal winning service to the USEF. Beginning in 1993, he has brought medals home from every championship he has coached, except for one. In 2011 his team made history.  They won Pan American Team Gold with all five athletes finishing on their dressage scores. This is the first time in history this ever happened. The U.S. Team also won Individual Silver and Bronze. Even more impressively, this was a relatively inexperienced team, only one rider had represented their country previously.  He has worked tirelessly on the developing rider program the results of which are now being utilized. He serves on four USEF Committees and is a top international course designer and technical delegate. His impact on the sport, both in 2011 and throughout his career has been profound and garnered him the Nomination of USEF Coach of the Year.

Continue reading Phillips and Ransehousen Named 2011 USEF Coaches of the Year →

Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Events, JRPR, Symposiums

Dressage Rider Lauren Sammis Wears “Role Model” Hat at Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium and Young Rider Graduate Program

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Lauren Sammis, who always wears her helmet while riding and competing, recently took part in the Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium and the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program in Wellington. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Wellington, FL (January 18, 2012) – International Dressage rider and Pan Am Gold Medalist Lauren Sammis is well known for wearing her helmet in the Grand Prix ring, and thanks to that important life decision Sammis put on her “role model” hat recently and took part in the Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium in Wellington. Sammis, who competes Sagacious HF, a KWPN gelding owned by Al Guden and Hyperion Farm, sat on a panel at the Riders4Helmets Symposium entitled “We Are All Role Models.”

In addition to being a role model for wearing her helmet while riding and competing, Sammis is also a role model for young dressage riders aspiring to have a successful dressage career. On the same weekend that Sammis appeared on the Riders4Helmet panel, she also took part in the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program.

“It was a very busy weekend but I had a great time,” Sammis said. “Both programs were very important and it was an honor to be asked to participate. I am in Wellington for the winter dressage season competing Sagacious in the Grand Prix’s, but anytime I can do something that puts me in a position where I am helping other riders, I am glad to do it.”

Continue reading Dressage Rider Lauren Sammis Wears “Role Model” Hat at Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium and Young Rider Graduate Program →

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

Katie Robinson and Lady O Awarded Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship at WEF I

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Katie Robinson and Lady O won the Amateur Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF I. Photo By: SportFot

Wellington, FL – January 18, 2012 – Katie Robinson was very successful during the first week of the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Riding for her family’s Deeridge Farm, Robinson took home top honors in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter division. She captured the championship tricolor aboard Lady O, and also earned two first place ribbons riding Rock Steady.

Robinson piloted Lady O to winning honors in the competitive Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter division. The duo earned two first place ribbons, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon to claim the championship cooler.

“Lady O hasn’t shown since Devon, so I am really happy that she performed so well; she hasn’t forgotten anything,” said Robinson. “She was very relaxed and happy to be in the ring, so that was great. Lady O just needs a really relaxed, calm ride; she does all the work.”

Continue reading Katie Robinson and Lady O Awarded Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship at WEF I →

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

FEI World Cup Dressage – Asia/Pacific and Central European League Updates

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SANNA BOOKS HER TICKET TO DEN BOSCH WHILE LOIKA LEADS CENTRAL EUROPEAN SERIES by Louise Parkes

Rachael Sanna has earned a place at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 's-Hertogenbosch following her victory at the Asia/Pacific FEI World Cup Dressage Final. Photo: Derek O'Leary.

Lausanne (SUI), 19 January 2012 – Australia’s Rachael Sanna earned a place at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 Final at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands next April with a convincing victory in the Asia/Pacific FEI World Cup Dressage League which concluded at Werribee, Australia last month.  The series embraced six rounds of competition, all on Australian soil, and kicked off at Boneo in March 2011 before moving on to Werribee and Melbourne.

Sydney hosted two legs before the Final returned to the National Equestrian Centre at Werribee, Victoria in December. A strong favourite from the outset, the Australian National Champion, Sanna, dominated throughout.

The 39 year old Sydney native steered Jaybee Alabaster to win the opening Grand Prix with a score of 71.128% and, the following day, Ground Jury judges Mary Seefried (AUS), Helen Hughes-Keen (NZL), Katrina Wuest (GER), Susan Hoevenaars (AUS) and Alison Pauline King (HKG) awarded the winning mark of 75.125% in the Grand Prix Freestyle which was the FEI World Cup qualifying class.  The pair subsequently also went on to top the Grand Prix Special with a score of 71.000% to underpin a superb weekend.

Continue reading FEI World Cup Dressage – Asia/Pacific and Central European League Updates →

Community/Charity, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Phelps Media Group

Karen O’Connor, Boyd Martin, Carol Cohen, and Bernie Traurig Join Mason Phelps Radio

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Mason Phelps will host his new radio show on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports

Wellington, FL – January 10, 2012 – The first segment of Mason Phelps Radio was a huge success last week, and as listeners gear up for the second installment on Thursday, January 19, the guests are lining up to join Phelps in studio. Karen O’Connor, Boyd Martin, Carol Cohen, and Bernie Traurig will join Phelps and co-host Steve Williams this week at 5:00 p.m. EST on W4CY.com. Phelps and his guests will be discussing the most important issues regarding the equestrian community, from exciting upcoming events, to the challenges and obstacles the sport faces.

Olympian Karen O’Connor will be a guest this week as she prepares for Friday night’s PRO DerbyCross event at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Teams are composed of three event riders, a show jumper, and a polo player. The teams compete in a relay event over a course of cross-country and stadium jumping obstacles in the International Arena. Also participating in PRO DerbyCross and joining Phelps will be eventing rider Boyd Martin.

Continue reading Karen O’Connor, Boyd Martin, Carol Cohen, and Bernie Traurig Join Mason Phelps Radio →

Community/Charity, USEF

USEF Accepting Nominations for Open International At-Large Seat on Board of Directors

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Lexington, KY – There is currently a vacant International At-Large Director seat on the United States Equestrian Federation’s Board of Directors.  Nominations for this seat are currently open through January 31, 2012. In order to be eligible for nomination, an individual must have international experience, which means one who demonstrates an understanding of and embraces the critical importance of the Federation’s role in international sport. Please see USEF Bylaw 331 for more information regarding eligibility.

The nominee should include a narrative describing his/her international experience and how their participation on the USEF Board would benefit the organization.

Please send nominations to the USEF offices to the attention of Georgie Green, Chair, USEF Nominating Committee at boardnominations@usef.org.  The Nominating Committee will meet and select its nominee by February 17, 2012. A special Board Meeting will be noticed for the week of March 19th for the purpose of conducting this election. This meeting will be held telephonically and nominations from the floor will be accepted on the call.

USEF Executive Director Lori Rawls is the staff liaison to the Nominating Committee; please feel free to contact her with any questions at lrawls@usef.org.

Community/Charity, Show Jumping, USEF

McLain Ward Breaks Leg in Fall

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McLain Ward and Oh d'Eole winning the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 1. Photo by Sportfot

It’ll be mid-May before grand prix fans might see two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward back in the ring. Ward, 36, suffered a compound fracture of his left patella, or kneecap, on the evening of Jan. 14.

Ward was riding Oh d’Eole in the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix during the first week of competition at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. Oh d’Eole, a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare, had won the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 two days before. “She was getting a little green under the lights [during the night class],” said Ward.

They ran into trouble at a one-stride combination. “She jumped so high jumping into the combination over A that I went to pull her out from the B, but she left the ground anyway. Then, I hit my kneecap on the standard.”

Continue reading McLain Ward Breaks Leg in Fall →

Awards, Community/Charity, Events, USEF

USEF Annual Meeting

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Jacob Arnold, Jim Wofford, and Steffen Peters (Geoff Bugbee)

The 2012 USEF Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, OH ended on Saturday night with a Pegasus awards show that was broadcast around the world. Steffen Peters was chosen from a fantastic group of nominees and earned the night’s top prize, Equestrian of the Year, for the third time. Opting for a slideshow rather than a speech Peters thanked in pictures Ravel, Weltino’s Magic and, among many others, his wife Shannon. James C. Wofford was honored with a lifetime achievement award (you can view a video about his life and achievements here) and Jacob Arnold accepted the award for 2011 Youth Equestrian of the Year.

On demand video of the Pegasus awards, along with pictures and video from Friday’s Horse of the Year celebration, is available here on the USEF Network.