All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

First Time’s a Charm for Farrington and Uceko Who Win Prestigious Hickstead Grand Prix during First Trip to Europe on the U.S. Team

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Hickstead, Great Britain – U.S. Nations Cup rider Kent Farrington and the Dutch Warmblood gelding Uceko, owned by R.C.G. Farm, held their own among the best of the British in a packed jump-off on Sunday to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.

Out of the 47 starters, 10 went forward to the jump-off. Farrington – the only American – was seventh to go. Farrington won the incredibly fast jump-off with 54.36 seconds. Great Britain’s Robert Smith came in second with 54.80 and Leon Tyson of the Netherlands took third with 54.96 seconds. Among his fierce British competitors, Farrington held off defending champion Tim Stockdale to win British showjumping’s richest prize, approximately $93,000.

Uceko is proving to be a spectacular match for the 30-year-old. He made a strong start to the 2011 season, collecting second-place honors in the $100,000 Deluca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix. In April, Farrington collected one of the largest victories of his career with Uceko claiming victory among a star-studded field in the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational. This summer, the pair collected a pair of wins in Kentucky, where they topped the field in the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix and the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix.

It was Farrington’s first time riding in the Sussex sunshine, and his first time to Europe with the U.S. Team. Earlier this week, the U.S. Team took Bronze after a three-way jump-off against France and Germany at the sixth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 at Hickstead.

The U.S. was lying third, counting four faults each from Farrington and Beezie Madden (riding Coral Reef Via Volo) along with a clear from Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One that negated Laura Kraut’s 12 faults with Teirra. The Irish were next in line with 12 on the board followed by Great Britain carrying 16, Belgium with 20, The Netherlands with 24 and Denmark already trailing with 36 faults after anchor rider Tina Lund retired.

The next stop on the Nation Cup series is Dublin, Ireland, August 3-7, 2011.

For further information on the sixth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011, visit www.hickstead.co.uk.

Complete FEI Nations Cup Series information is available at www.FEI.org.

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting, Western/Reining

It’s a Wrap! The Week That Was the 2011 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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Team show jumping medals ceremony. Photo: Sportfot.

Lexington, KY – After a week of intense heat and one suspenseful afternoon of strong thunderstorms, the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North wrapped up today under sunny skies at the Kentucky Horse Park. The competition in all five disciplines – dressage, endurance, eventing, reining, and show jumping – was intense, and the approximately 250 riders from six countries showed that they had come to win.

Endurance
The first competition to wrap up this year was the inaugural North American Young Rider Endurance Championship. Friday’s 75-mile ride featured both CEI2* and CEI4* divisions. The United States brought home four Gold medals, three Silvers, and two Bronze medals in the endurance competition.

In the CEI4* divisions, Team USA took home the Gold after accruing a collective ride time of 25 hours, 25 minutes, and 31 seconds.

Individually in the CEI4*, Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold (USA) took home the Gold, Lindsay Bean and Tektonic (USA) the Silver, and Kyle Gibbon and Missu Koran (USA) the Bronze.

Also in the CEI4* division, Tektonic received the Best Conditioned Horse Award.

In the CEI2* class, the Team Gold medal was awarded to Team USA Northeast A, whose collective ride time totaled 25 hours, 40 minutes, and 57 seconds.

Continue reading It’s a Wrap! The Week That Was the 2011 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

Katherine Dinan and Samantha Schaefer Jump to Golds at the USHJA NAJYRC

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Gold medalist Young Rider Katherine Dinan. Photo: Sportfot.

Lexington, KY – Young Rider Katherine Dinan piloted the 13-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred-cross gelding, Vancouver, quickly and carefully around the Rolex Stadium on Sunday to finish with a score of 10.14 – and a Gold medal.

It was the final day of jumping at the USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championship at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

“I was a little nervous going into the first round [today],” said Dinan, from Zone 2. “Coming in on top, there was definitely some pressure. I thought my horse jumped really well today. I had two verticals down in the first round… but he jumped really well in the second round. I was proud that he pulled it together.

“It was definitely challenging with the five classes. He’s the kind of horse that will do two or three classes at a horse show, so I was expecting him to be a little less alert today, but he was really good. I have 100% faith and confidence in him. I know he can jump the world. I’m a very lucky girl.”

Finishing just behind Dinan in Silver-medal position were Zone 4’s Samantha Senft and Early Morning-a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, who amassed a total score of 10.24.

Continue reading Katherine Dinan and Samantha Schaefer Jump to Golds at the USHJA NAJYRC →

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF

Devon Brown and Dynamic Image Win Eventing Gold – Leading CCI2* from Start to Finish

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Alyssa Phillips and 19-Year-Old Sundance Bay Claim CCI*

CCI2* Gold medalist Devon Brown on Dynamic Image. Photo: Sportfot.

Lexington, KY – Sunday’s USEA North American Junior Eventing Championship closed an action-packed week of competition at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior Rider & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. The intense heat that plagued the area was a challenge for the eventers as well, but the majority of the horses and riders looked fresh and ready to complete the event.

Devon Brown and Dynamic Image (Area III) led the CCI2* from start to finish after posting a flawless show jumping round to finish on their dressage score of 50.5. The pair was awarded the Individual Gold medal after making easy work of the show jumping course.

“It’s unreal,” she said after her ride. “I came here just hoping for a good run in all three phases and to give him a good confident run. I was a little worried because he hadn’t done much all spring. It was just amazing. He just went above and beyond and just tried his heart out.

Jumping all the way from seventh to take home the Individual Silver medal was Area V & IX’s Jacob Fletcher with his flashy colored Australian Sport Horse gelding Falcon Splash. The pair jumped double clear over both the cross-country and show jumping courses to finish on their dressage score of 57.2.

In ninth after dressage, Fletcher said he didn’t foresee the leap up the scoreboard to the Silver-medal position: “My goal was to make time on cross-country and have clean show jumping. To go from ninth to second… I don’t think anyone can foresee that in such a big competition.”

Continue reading Devon Brown and Dynamic Image Win Eventing Gold – Leading CCI2* from Start to Finish →

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – Osteopathy: “Reading” Your Horse

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Does your horse travel with his head tipped to one side?  Will he bend his neck better to one direction than the other?  Is he having trouble getting his hind legs underneath him to stop, turn, or back up?  These are problems that could be diagnosed and treated using osteopathy.

We palpate and “read” the horse’s spine to tell us about problems in the horse’s body.  An example of internal inflammation would be ovaries that are restricted, resulting in decreased mobility of the hind limbs.  We could tell that the ovaries were restricted by finding a restriction at lumbar vertebrae L1 through L3.

Osteopathic manipulation of the problem ovaries will resolve the problem with the hind legs.  The autonomic nervous system must be working for the immune system to be strong. Any restriction in the organs or joints will decrease the ability of the autonomic nervous system to function properly.

A horse that is sensitive when you touch his ears or try to bridle him could have a restriction in his temporal bone, a problem in his TMJ joint, his mastoid process, or his occiput.  Once this restriction is removed, he will be much more willing to have his ears touched or his bridle put on.

A mare with a restriction of the ovary in the area of the fallopian tube may not get pregnant.  Once this restriction is removed, using internal osteopathic manipulation, the egg will move down the fallopian tube and the mare would have a much better chance of getting pregnant.  An osteopathic treatment can restore function, and therefore innervation and circulation to the body.

This tip was brought to you by Lu Ann Groves, DVM (www.thewholehorse.com) and KAM Animal Services, home of KAM’s “Equine Learning Circle” FREE webinars, which take place monthly.  These webinars are an expansion of KAM’s weekly tips.  Go to www.kamanimalservices.com to sign up for the next webinar.  The FREE webinars will conclude with a question and answer session, so be ready with your nutrition questions.

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USHJA

Bolero and Stacey Arani Steal the Show in the USHJA National Hunter Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Stacey Arani and Bolero won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Lexington, KY – July 31, 2011 – The final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show was filled with nothing but sunshine and a practically cloudless blue sky. The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic witnessed talented horse and rider combinations striving to showcase their skills and claim the winning title in the Stonelea Ring. Stacey Arani and Bolero led the class from start to finish and eventually led the victory gallop after earning a total score of 185. Olivia Herbert and Capistrano finished second falling five points behind Arani and Bolero, while Abbygale Funk directed Enough Said to the third place award.

Today’s courses were designed by Bobby Murphy and simulated riding over a hunt country with all of the fences set to 3′ with four 3’5” high options and four handy options. Stacey Arani of Dover, MA, and Bolero took an early lead as the first rider of the Classic, scoring a 90 during the first round with three bonus options for a 93 total. Although they were the last to return during the handy round, the duo did not hold back. After executing a slice during an inside turn to an optional fence, they stayed consistent and smooth, receiving scores of 88 with four bonus points for a score of 92. Their two-round total of 185 points landed the pair the blue ribbon prize.

“I had so much fun out there with him,” Arani exclaimed as she patted Bolero’s neck. “He was great in both rounds and I feel as though everything went really smooth and flowed really nicely. The handy was slightly more difficult, but Bolero was so good, he turned back for me, I did a slice I wasn’t intending, but when I was out there and turned, the option presented itself and we took it.”

Since the introduction of the National Derby in 2010, the program has continued to grow and experience success. “The National Derby is a great option for people that don’t want to do the big derby classes,” Arani explained. “I haven’t been able to compete in a classic since I was a kid.” For Arani the USHJA National Hunter Classic provided a fun class with a course that has 3′ jumps with higher options,which make it so she can relax and enjoy the ride. According to the USHJA, the popularity of the International Hunter Derby Program prompted them to develop a separate series of competitions modeled after the Derby but geared toward the up and coming horses and riders. The National Hunter Classic Program was launched in 2010 to provide both horses and riders a place to gain experience in Derby competition at a lower height and difficulty level.

Continue reading Bolero and Stacey Arani Steal the Show in the USHJA National Hunter Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

HJAM Equitation Finals Take Over Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Courtney Trott and Carlotta with trainer Greg Crolick. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 30, 2011 – Traverse City granted exhibitors and spectators another beautiful, sunny summer day at Horse Shows by the Bay today. The Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan Equitation Finals illuminated the Grand Prix Ring with skills and style. The Hunter/Jumper Association of Michigan (HJAM) Finals drew quite a crowd, eager to watch and enjoy the festivities of all three sections of the finals. Courtney Trott, Gabrielle Thornton, and Katie Nowak all earning the top call in the three prestigious medal classes offered today. In addition, the Adult Amateur Hunters and Amateur-Owner Hunters had their first day of competition in the R. L. Polk Main Hunter Ring.

The HJAM Equitation Medal Finals each consisted of at least two rounds. The riders had to complete an equitation-style course of no less than 8 fences, either 3′ or 3’3″ in height. The riders who were able to complete the first over fences phase without any major faults were invited back for a second round to be done on the flat. During the flat phase, riders were asked to show at the walk, trot, and canter going both directions, and were also asked to perform a sitting trot, lengthening of the stride, and other tests of their equestrian skills. After the flat round, the top 8 riders were required to perform a specific test given by the judges. Ribbons were awarded through eighth place, with trophies going to the winners and awards given to the winners’ trainers and grooms. “If you have a facility like this,” noted Karin Flint, owner of Flintfields Horse Park, “we’d love to have more events for our local kids. In the future we would like to be able to open it up, and to do some more things for Michigan. International, national, and Michigan, bringing it all together.”

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

Isabelle Leibler of Region 8 Awarded Freestyle Dressage Gold after Storm Temporarily Suspends Competition

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Dressage Freestyle Young Rider medalists. Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Lexington, KY – It was a stormy afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park for part of the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championship at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, but storms could not dampen the brilliance of the dressage being performed.

Competition was suspended at approximately 3:30 p.m. when a thunder and lightning storm passed through the area, knocking out electricity at the Rolex Stadium. But thanks to the quick work of the Organizing Committee and Kentucky Horse Park staff, the show soon resumed.

The Young Rider division was intensely competitive, punctuated by the last rider’s flawless freestyle. Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 representing Region 8 were rewarded for their brilliant test with a score of 74.00%, which earned the pair the Individual Gold medal.

“This is the third time we’ve performed [this freestyle] in competition, so we’re going through the ropes, trying to see how it ends up, and how the striding work,” she said after her test. “Today, he just felt like he was right there for me and he had my back. He was ready for everything. I was so excited to have a feeling that my horse was there with me… it was the most amazing feeling.”

Leibler rode the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding to music from the movie “ET.”

“It’s my favorite movie, so I tried to put something together because it’s just my favorite. I think it fits Watson, and I think we made a good piece.”

Continue reading Isabelle Leibler of Region 8 Awarded Freestyle Dressage Gold after Storm Temporarily Suspends Competition →

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEF

Brown, Giesler Lead after Cross-Country Phase of Eventing at the Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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CCI** leader Devon Brown. Brant Gamma Photography

Lexington, KY – After dressage in the CCI**, Area III’s Devon Brown and Dynamic Image sat atop the leaderboard – and Brown refused to relinquish her lead Saturday at the USEA North American Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championship at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

Brown piloted Donna Miller’s flashy grey Irish Sport Horse gelding through the cross-country course to a fault-free round with a time of 8:31, well within the time allowed. The clean trip around David O’Connor’s cross-country course left the pair with a two-day score of 50.5.

“The course was challenging,” Brown said. “The combinations kept at it. They didn’t stop.”

Brown said she was most concerned about the double corners and the angled huts, but she had no problems navigating the challenges.

Although some riders had challenges with slippery footing in some parts of the course, Brown didn’t think it impacted her ride.

“The footing was good,” she said. “The only time he slipped was in warm up. On course, it was little hard, but if you galloped in arrogated places it was good.”

Continue reading Brown, Giesler Lead after Cross-Country Phase of Eventing at the Adequan/FEI NAJYRC →

Championships, Competitions, Events, USEF, Western/Reining

Double U.S. Reining Wins at SmartPak Individual Reining Championships

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Will Letner wins Gold. Photo: Waltenberry

Lexington, KY – Will Letner knew the bar was set high when fellow U.S. rider Laura Sumrall went out first into the Alltech Arena on Saturday – and came out with an impressive score of 217.5. Sumrall pumped her fists in the air, shouting, “Yes, yes!” at her first SmartPak Individual Reining Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

Letner’s thought: “Well, where do I go from here?” And he’d have to wait for 18 more riders to go before him to find out.

As it turns out, the best was saved for last. The 20-year-old from Harris, MO, topped Sumrall by a whole point, earning 218.5 from the judges – a number that left his cowboy hat flying into the air, the crowd cheering, and Letner with a Gold medal.

“He was great,” Letner said of his 12-year-old Paint, A Genuine Diamond, owned by Dr. Larry Letner. “I couldn’t have asked for more horse today. He doesn’t really have a bad day and today was the best day he’s ever had.”

Sumrall, who won the Silver medal, knew she could do better than she did at Thursday night’s Team Reining Championships, also held at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena. Her horse, Einsteins Fancy Pine (aka “Smartie”) spooked and “I nearly fell off,” Sumrall said. Choking back tears, she walked off with a zero score.

Continue reading Double U.S. Reining Wins at SmartPak Individual Reining Championships →