All posts by Associate Editor

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, USEF

Team USA Takes Double Golds in First-Ever North American Young Rider Endurance Championship

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Endurance photo finish on a hot Kentucky summer day. Photo: SusanJStickle.com.

Lexington, KY – For first time in the event’s history, the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North played host to the North American Young Rider Endurance Championship. The competition included both CEI2* and CEI4* divisions which were completed yesterday, and team medals were presented today in both divisions.

CEI4*
In the CEI4* divisions, Team USA took home the Gold medal after accruing a collective ride time of 25 hours, 25 minutes, and 31 seconds. The team was made up of Lindsay Bean and Tektonic, Devan Horn and DJB Sameill, Kyle Gibbon and Missu Koran, and Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold, who successfully negotiated the 75-mile track despite the intense heat and humidity of the Kentucky summer.

Individually in the CEI4*, Russell took home the Gold, Bean the Silver, and Gibbon the Bronze.

“I just took it slow and easy,” Florida-resident Russell said. “I tried to let the horse pace themselves because they’re good at knowing how fast they can go.

“They were really nice trails, really well marked,” she said, adding that although the grass was “a little slippery,” she used a combination of Renegade boots and mud nails to gain traction.

Continue reading Team USA Takes Double Golds in First-Ever North American Young Rider Endurance Championship →

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

Meehan Shirey Wins OVATION Leading Equitation Rider Award at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Meehan Shirey with trainer Polly Howard and Comanche. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 29, 2011 – After an overcast start to Series IV, horses and riders were again soaking up rays today during the last weekend of the Horse Shows by the Bay Series. It was a day full of equitation in the R. L. Polk Main Hunter Ring, with the Junior Hunters having wrapped up yesterday and Amateur-Owner and Adult Hunter riders not starting until tomorrow. Greer Hindle, Virginia Ingram, and Meehan Shirey all took home top honors in the junior equitation classes, including the ASPCA Maclay and the Pessoa/USEF Medal. Juniors were not the only ones showing their best form and horsemanship, though. The adult riders were also eager to demonstrate good horsemanship, with Jovanna Haddad and Elizabeth Perry starring in the adult equitation classes.

The day began with the 15 to 17 Equitation on the flat, with a skilled win by Katie Nowak. Greer Hindle and her horse, Freedom, found themselves with the blue ribbon in both over fences classes. Second place in the first over fences went to Katie Nowak, followed by Abigail Kuohn in third place. In the second class, Madison Qual took home the red ribbon and Jennifer Farless the yellow. Hindle’s wins over fences earned her the 15 to 17 Equitation champion title, adding to her impressive collection of wins over the past four weeks at Horse Shows by the Bay, including a win in the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix during Series I. After all points were tallied, Katie Nowak earned reserve champion in the division.

With 18 entries in the ASPCA Maclay, riders certainly had their work cut out for them. After all rounds and the flat phase were completed, Virginia Ingram earned first place in the class, with a smooth and connected ride aboard Comanche, owned by Hillary Sapanski. Savannah Mannes followed Ingram in the results taking home second place. Third place went to Samantha Pyle, while Courtney Harker earned fourth place on her Merlin.

Continue reading Meehan Shirey Wins OVATION Leading Equitation Rider Award at Horse Shows by the Bay →

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

Classic Company Winter Shows 2012

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The Gulf Coast Classic Company is very happy to announce that a new winter series of horse shows in Pensacola, Florida and will be held at the Escambia Country Equestrian Center during the month of January.  Three new USEF AA Rated Shows: Jan. 11-29, 2012.

Also, to put rumors to rest:  The Classic Company will continue in its management capacity, as it has for 16 years, at the Jacksonville Winter Series.  Jan. 11-29, 2012: three weeks of USEF AA Rated Hunters. Each week there will be a $25,000 Grand Prix, and on week three, NFHJA will host a $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The FEI Class will not be held this year.

More details will follow in the next few weeks about class offerings. Mark your calendar.

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Kristen Vanderveen Wraps Up the Colorado Summer Circuit with a Big Win in the $50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix

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Kristen Vanderveen earned the top prize money in the $50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix during week six of the Colorado Summer Circuit. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — Kristen Vanderveen made her trip from Wellington, FL worthwhile when she capped three weeks in Colorado with a win in the $50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix. The six-week Colorado Summer Circuit ended with a bang, complete with Military Appreciation Day, a visit from Congressman Mike Coffman and the final distribution of nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes.

“When we expanded the Colorado Summer Circuit from four to six weeks, we had high expectations,” said vice president and general manager Brian Curry. “We were excited when we sold out more than 1,000 stalls, plus the 100 horses that call CHP their permanent home.”

Added show manager Pat Boyle, “Our goal is to build fun, exciting shows so that competitors will enjoy spending their summer in Colorado. The feedback for the new classes, additional prize money and more parties was really extraordinary.”

The six-week extravaganza was highlighted by the $50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix. Featuring Olympians and World Equestrian Games-competitors, the class was part of an afternoon of entertainment that included Military Appreciation Day. “We wanted to support and recognize military families. They deserve our gratitude and thanks for their service. We are very happy to do our part by offering them the chance to relax and enjoy a pleasant afternoon with their families,” said Helen Krieble, The Colorado Horse Park’s founder and president. Veterans and their families were able to enjoy the horse show, along with activities for the kids that included bouncy houses and pony rides. Congressman Mike Coffman, a Major in the Marines, Retired, also attended.

Continue reading Kristen Vanderveen Wraps Up the Colorado Summer Circuit with a Big Win in the $50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix →

Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEF

Area VII’s Florence Miller Leads the Pack of Junior Three-day Eventers after Phase 1 Dressage

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Area VII's Florence Miller sits atop the CCI*. Photo: Diana De Rosa.

Lexington, KY – The 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North continued today at the Kentucky Horse Park with Junior competitors completing the dressage phase of the USEA North America Junior Eventing Championship.

Topping the leader board of the CCI* event is Florence Miller of Area VII who ended her dressage test with only 47.3 penalty points aboard her horse, Tuscan Sun.

Area V representative Alyssa Philips and Sundance Bay are a little more than four points behind Miller while Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin of Team Ontario are sitting comfortably in third.

“My horse is doing pretty nicely in dressage right now,” said the Montana-based Miller of her 8-year-old Thoroughbred. “It’s one of his stronger phases, and he had a really nice test today.”

For Philips, the score may have represented a personal best. “Sundance had a really nice test today, Generally he’s good all around, in each phase, but today he was very good. I think this is one of the best tests that we’ve had at the one-star level.”

The cross-country phase kicks off at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the top Juniors have already walked course.

“I think it’s really fair,” said Giesler. “It has a few tricky questions, like the corners, but it should ride well.”

If only it would rain.

Continue reading Area VII’s Florence Miller Leads the Pack of Junior Three-day Eventers after Phase 1 Dressage →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Show Jumping, USEF, USHJA

Team Show Jumpers Take the Stage at the 2011 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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Junior Gold Medal Jumping Team, U.S. Zone 4. Photo by Sportfot.

Lexington, KY – It was a clean sweep for the U.S. when Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Teams vied in the USHJA North American Show Jumping Championships today.

In the Junior division, the team from U.S. Zone 4 led the victory gallop with their Gold medal in tow while the U.S. Zone 2 carried the Silver, and U.S. combined Zones 1/6 took the Bronze.

Michael Hughes and Shockwave, Hayley Barnhill aboard Toucan Tango, Hasbrouck Donovan on Delilah, and Frances Land with Merlin earned the first-ever Gold for Zone 4 with a team total of only 12 faults after two grueling rounds in the Rolex stadium.

While a steady four on the outside line and a difficult water jump caused rails to come down for many, the Zone 4 team persevered. Barnhill, aboard the 9-year-old Tango, went clear for both rounds, one of only six to do so.

“It feels amazing,” said the 18-year-old Barnhill. “Zone 4 has never won a gold medal here, and it’s just awesome to be the first ones to do it.”

Team Chef Kim Land (Frances Land’s mother) could not have been more excited. “I’m really proud of them, with how they helped each other,” she said. “They’ve had their ups and downs this week and today everybody just came together and got better and better.”

Continue reading Team Show Jumpers Take the Stage at the 2011 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, USEF, Western/Reining

Team Canada Defends the Gold, Mexico’s Maiden Voyage Silver, Long Haul for Bronze

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Canada's YR Reining Gold team, l-r: Lisa Hiebert, Kylie Wasiuta, Jessica Green, Nancy Pratch. Photo: Diana De Rosa.

Lexington, KY – High-quality runs and terrific scores from a field of top-quality reining horses and the continent’s most elite junior and young rider athletes made for a spectacular night at the 2011 SmartPak Reining Team Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

Canada reclaimed the top of the podium at Thursday night’s team competition, this time with its Alberta/Manitoba team earning a score of 623. All three counting scores on the Gold medal team came in above the 200 point mark. Team members Jessica Green (201), Lisa Hiebert (206.5), Nancy Pratch (215.5), and Kylie Wasiuta (194) powered through the competition with determination and heart and their efforts paid off in a big way. Defending the Gold medal on behalf of Canada was a top priority for the team, and seasoned team veterans Pratch and Wasiuta knew just what it would take.

“The horses were great and we had very nice, consistent runs that helped us stay on top,” said Pratch. “It is a huge honor and we are super proud to represent Canada at such an important competition.”

Pratch wins her third FEI Gold medal in two years, as she was the anchor rider for the Gold medal Canadian team at the Adequan North American Junior & Young Rider Championships last year and won the Individual Gold medal in 2010. All eyes turn now to see if Pratch will also defend her Individual Gold on Saturday morning in the final round of championship FEI reining.

Continue reading Team Canada Defends the Gold, Mexico’s Maiden Voyage Silver, Long Haul for Bronze →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Nations Cup 2011 Round 6

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GERMANY WINS THROUGH IN EXCITING THREE-WAY SHOWDOWN by Louise Parkes

(L to R): Hickstead's Daisy Bunn, German team members Holger Wulschner, Janne-Frederike Meyer, Chef d'Equipe Sonke Sonksen, Philipp Weishaupt and Marcus Ehning, FEI President HRH Princess Haya and Andrew Finding, British Equestrian Federation. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Hickstead (GBR), 29 July 2011 – Germany emerged victorious in a three-way jump-off against France and the USA at the sixth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 at Hickstead (GBR) today.  In a competition that produced big scores as the notoriously testing British track took its toll, it was Marcus Ehning who sealed the result with the only double-clear of the competition and the quickest run against the clock.

The French lined up second ahead of the Americans in third, but for the USA the danger has not gone away.  Lying second-last on the series table going into today’s event, they failed to improve their position and must now head to Dublin, Ireland next week under even greater pressure.  The Germans, meanwhile, have overtaken the Irish to move into second place on the leaderboard and lie just a comfortable five points off the leading Dutch who, however, didn’t enjoy their best afternoon when having to settle for joint-sixth alongside the struggling Irish in today’s competition.  It was another rough day for the Danes whose fate appears to be sealed.  They look relegation-bound in this, their debut season, having picked up just eight points from the six legs of the series to date.  It will take something very special indeed to rectify that situation with just two competitions left to go.

HALFWAY STAGE
The Germans and French were joint-leaders at the halfway stage, carrying just four faults each.  Olivier Guillon (Lord de Theize) and Roger-Yves Bost (Nifrane de Kreisker) contributed clears to the French cause while Penelope Leprevost (Topinambour) and Kevin Staut (Silvana de Hus) left just one fence on the floor. Meanwhile Germany’s Janne-Friederike (Cellagon Lambrasco) and Marcus Ehning (Plot Blue) were foot-perfect, thus ensuring Philipp Weishaupt’s single error was the only addition to their scoreline as Holger Wulschner’s (Cefalo) double-error was dropped.

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup 2011 Round 6 →

Awards, Community/Charity, Products/Services, Racing, WHIN

Mike and Martha Borchetta to Receive WHINNY Awards

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Nashville, TN – July 29, 2011 – The Women’s Horse Industry Network, the largest business network in the world for women working in the equine industry, is pleased to announce that Mike and Martha Borchetta will receive WHINNY awards for their efforts and involvement in the equine industry. The WHINNY awards are given to high profile individuals who help save horses and promote the equine industry overall.

Mike Borchetta is a music industry icon and one of the most widely known and respected professionals in the music industry. His illustrious career spans over 50 years and along the way he has helped many of today’s biggest superstars get their start. He booked his first concert when he was in the 11th grade: Bo Diddley. By the time he was 19 he had moved to Los Angeles and become a record promoter. During the years that followed, Borchetta held many jobs in the music industry and it wasn’t long before he became the President of Curb Records. One of the first acts he signed to his label was Tim McGraw. He is now the president of Lofton Creek Records and working with his wife, Martha.

Martha is a former music manager and they worked together in the music industry. When the two of them married, it was a marriage made in heaven. They have seven children and all of them have worked or are working in the music industry. Racing horses started out as a hobby but understanding these two people, it wasn’t long before it became a little more than that. Martha and Mike are now, well known breeders/owners in the thoroughbred industry with some pretty impressive credentials.

Continue reading Mike and Martha Borchetta to Receive WHINNY Awards →

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

McLain Ward Places First and Second in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve won the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY – July 28, 2011 – It was a late night at the Kentucky Horse Park as riders gathered at the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. McLain Ward proved to be the best of the best, dominating the jump-off with the only two double clear efforts aboard Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve and Vocas to place first and second, respectively. Ashlee Bond and Shane Sweetnam also tackled the short course, but with four faults each they placed third and fourth, respectively.

Tonight’s class was the third of seven grand prix events that make up the Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by Hagyard Medical Institute and presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Following the final event in the series, a cash prize of $45,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series for the Leading Rider Bonus.

Twenty-seven riders competed over tonight’s first round designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, which featured an open water with a scored lath and pole, a oxer-vertical double combination, and an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination. Only three riders were able complete the technical track without fault and advance to the jump-off. The short course began over a single oxer to two single verticals, a second oxer, the first two obstacles in the triple combination, and finished with a gallop over a large oxer near the gate.

“It was a good course,” noted eventual winner McLain Ward. “Obviously it is very hot, so I am sure that was a factor. It is a great venue with great footing and good lighting. I thought it was a difficult course, but very appropriate.”

Continue reading McLain Ward Places First and Second in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show →