All posts by Associate Editor

Six Days Left to Nominate Equestrian Heroes for FEI Awards 2011

Lausanne (SUI), 25 July 2011 – The equestrian community has only six more days to nominate its heroes for the five categories of the FEI Awards 2011.

Nominations for Best Athlete, HSBC Rising Star, Against All Odds, Development and Best Groom have so far arrived from France, Great Britain, Australia, The Netherlands, Canada, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Germany, the USA, South Africa, Cambodia, Norway, Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Belgium and Ireland.

FEI Secretary General and CEO Ingmar De Vos said: “Anyone who loves horse sport is welcome to send nominations, but I very much hope that the 133 National Federations affiliated to the FEI will, over the next few days, seize this rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on their athletes and grooms, as well as on people and organisations that are working to take the pleasure of equestrianism to others.”

The winners of the FEI Awards will receive their awards in November at a gala evening at the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nominations are open until 31 July at www.feiawards.org.

Media contact:
Olivia Robinson
Publications Manager
FEI Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 (0) 21 310 47 23
Email: olivia.robinson@fei.org

Lisa Goldman and Morocco Make It Two for Two in the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix

Lisa Goldman and Morocco with Mary Goldman, horse show chairman Craig Dobbs and competition manager Tom Blankenship. Photos © Brooke Bidgood/Circle City Equestrian.

Indianapolis, Indiana – July 24, 2011 – The spotlight was on the Pepsi Coliseum Saturday night as the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show’s main event took center stage.  Sixteen entries competed in the first round of the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix over a course designed by Guilherme Jorge.

Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorne Woods, Illinois, stole the show again aboard her speedy mount Morocco, an eight-year-old Oldenburg Thoroughbred cross by Roc USA. Going second in the jump-off, Goldman set the pace for the rest of the class; no one was able to catch her.

After winning the Welcome Stake on Friday night, Goldman had high hopes going into the Grand Prix. “I thought the course looked like a lot of fun,” beamed Goldman. “I didn’t think I could do it twice in a row, but I’m so ecstatic!”

Morocco appeared especially fresh going into the Grand Prix Saturday night. As the pair approached the first jump, a long run to a single oxer, Morocco almost bucked Goldman off before they had even gotten started. However, Goldman took that as a good sign. “Generally if he tries to buck me off on the way to the first jump, as long as I do my job we will go clear,” smiled Goldman.

The jump-off course was especially well suited to the winning duo. “There was a lot of running and turn backs, which we are really good at,” explained Goldman. “I love the long runs to the jumps.” With so many fast riders competing in the jump-off, Goldman knew she had to go for it if she wanted to win. “I left out a stride in one line, and then in the long run to the last oxer he just took over,” laughed Goldman. “He loves his job.” The duo will continue showing throughout the summer, hoping to continue their winning streak.

Continue reading Lisa Goldman and Morocco Make It Two for Two in the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix

Charleston Summer Classic Highlights 2011

Yesterday we finished the Charleston Summer Classic.  I want to thank all the sponsors and exhibitors for their support.  We all had a great time at the show this year.  We finished early each day as planned and everyone had fun at the marina, beaches and golf courses.

Grand Kahuna Pony

Small Pony – Howie Do It, Avery Morgan
Medium Pony – Swingtown, Bergen Sanderford
Large Pony – Champlain Sovereign, Paige Parker
Small Green Pony – Brownlands Boardwalk, Callie Rheinheimer
Medium Green Pony – Daisy Due Blue, Grace Gressett
Large Green Pony – Highlands Percival, Marielle Golden

Most Supreme Grand Puba – Champlain Sovereign, Paige Parker

Given a gift certificate from Essex Shirts

Continue reading Charleston Summer Classic Highlights 2011

Hunter Classics Cap Off Radiant Week at Horse Shows by the Bay Series III

Sue Hehl and Something's Cookin'. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 24, 2011 – Clouds and humidity could not dampen the spirits of the hunter riders at Horse Shows by the Bay today, as they smoothly traversed the courses on this final day of Series III. Champion and Grand Champion honors were granted this morning and afternoon, with the adult hunters beaming despite the lack of sun. The Adult Amateur division in particular drew quite the crowd for the $1,000 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic, in which the top 12 horse and rider pairs returned for a competitive second round. Sue Hehl and her own Something’s Cookin’ cooked up a win in the classic, with Jodi Waller on Sokko, owned by Lindsey Waller, coming in second. Gabrielle Thornton and Az Is, owned by Terri Dandino, completed the top three, making for a talented trio of horse and rider combinations taking home hunter ribbons today.

The younger section of the Adult Amateur division turned out better than Lindsay Lyden and Fox Meadow Farm’s Copperfield could have imagined, with the pair winning all four over fences classes. The pair were also a solid second in the under saddle class. Terri Irrer rode Rhythmicon, owned by Debra Gross, to the Middle Adult Amateur Hunter champion title, which they accepted with a smile. Stephen Martines and one of his three mounts, Westcliffe, earned the champion ribbon and cooler in the older section of the division. The Grand Adult Hunter Champion title went to Lindsay Lyden and Copperfield, who accumulated the most points in the division. There was nothing but positivity in the Adult Amateur ring today, enough to make anyone’s day a little brighter.

The $1,000 North American League (NAL)/Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Classic began after all sections of the Adult Amateur Hunters finished up over fences, with the second round score determining the top 12 riders to return for the NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic. The competition grew, as did the crowd, when the class started with the nine fence course. A few horses seemed a bit tired after having already completed two courses, but second winds prevailed and many polished rides emerged. Sue Hehl and her own Something’s Cookin’ had the third-highest score going into the second round with 83 points. After a beautiful second round and a score of 85, the highest in round two, the duo won the class with an overall score of 168. Earning 78 points in the first round and a smooth 82.5 points in the second round, Jodi Waller and Sokko, owned by Lindsey Waller, took home second place in the classic. Rolling into third place in the classic was Born to Roll and owner/rider Alana Andrews with a final score of 155.5, just five points behind Berger and Sokko. Today’s Adult Classic was sponsored by Camping World – Ila Lemonis.

Continue reading Hunter Classics Cap Off Radiant Week at Horse Shows by the Bay Series III

Wilhelm Genn Heats Up $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes in Traverse City

Wilhelm Genn, Alex Rheinheimer, and Marlo. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 24, 2011 – Even mother nature took a break to catch this afternoon’s exciting Grand Prix at Horse Shows by the Bay, holding off on a rain shower until just after winner Wilhelm Genn’s victory gallop. The $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes was held today in beautiful Traverse City, MI, the third Open Jumper Grand Prix to take place at Flintfields Horse Park this month. Genn and his own gray mare, Marlo, triumphed in an extremely competitive class filled with crystal-clear rounds and lightning-fast times. Also making their mark were Charles Jacobs upon Leap of Joy, who came in second, and last week’s winner Blythe Marano on Urban, who came in third this time. Thanks to a VIP sponsor luncheon generously provided by Craig Rosenberg of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the many fans at today’s event were able to relax and refresh while watching the amazing horsemanship on display in the ring below.

Prior to the first horse on today’s course, Betsy VanDyke Foster of Maple City, MI returned with another engaging dressage demonstration. The mounted sheriffs of Leelanau County were also in the Grand Prix ring this afternoon, graciously serving as the event’s color guard. After the sizable crowd stood for the national anthem, the class kicked off with an early clear round by David Beisel on Always Cullohill, owned by Harlow Invesment Enterprises LLC. The duo earned enthusiastic applause as they finished their turn in the ring, as today’s course featured several intimidating elements. A jump resembling the Mackinac Bridge was tricky for several horses, while a combination starting with a triple bar also proved insurmountable for some.

These obstacles failed to thwart last week’s winner Blythe Marano, though, who repeated her success with two clear rounds on Urban and Askaban, both owned by Riverview Farm LLC. Charles Jacobs also avoided faults on two different horses in the first round. Leap of Joy, owned by Deeridge Farms, and Flaming Star, owned by CMJ Sporthorse LLC, both blazed into the jump-off with Jacobs at the helm. The suspenseful second round saw 10 out of 31 riders return for a shot at the top prize, with Genn, like Marano and Jacobs, also making it to the jump-off on two different horses. Incurring just a few faults on his own Happy Z, Genn ultimately triumphed on Marlo. The pair fired up the crowd with an excellent time of 36.9 seconds, never missing a beat but always missing the rails. The first rider in the jump-off, Beisel on Always Cullohill, also elicited applause with a clear round and a time of 39.433 seconds. Following Beisel was a cool and steady Marano, who flew past the timers on Urban in just 38.163 seconds. Charles Jacobs and Flaming Star were the last to tackle the second round, and produced an astounding time of 34.244 seconds with just one fault.

Continue reading Wilhelm Genn Heats Up $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes in Traverse City

FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2011, Broholm Castle (DEN)

TRIUMPHANT GERMANS MAKE IT FIVE-TIME GOLD, HAT-TRICK FOR ROTHENBERGER by Louise Parkes

Young Rider Individual medallists (L to R): Cathrine Dufour DEN (silver), Sanneke Rothenberger GER (gold) and Carina Nevermann Torup DEN (bronze). Rothenberger also won Young Rider Team and Freestyle gold. Photo: FEI/Ridehesten.

Lausanne (SUI), 24 JULY 2011 – German riders had it almost all their own way when claiming both the Young Rider and Junior team titles as well as three of the individual gold medals on offer at the FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2011 at Broholm Castle in Denmark this weekend.  But the host nation did themselves proud when finishing a close second in both team events and then coming out on top in today’s Junior Freestyle Championship won by Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Millibar.

For Germany’s Sanneke Rothenberger these championships have been a particular triumph, as the 18 year old daughter of Olympians Sven and Gonnelien Rothenberger continues an ever-upward trajectory in her already impressive career.  She won team gold as a Pony rider, and in 2007 made history in the German Youth Riders Championship when clinching silver in both the Pony and Junior divisions.  She won team and individual gold at the FEI European Junior Championships in 2009 and last year claimed team gold and individual silver at Young Rider level.  This weekend, with her 10 year old Oldenburg gelding Deveraux which she has been competing for the last four years, she stepped up her game even further when taking Young Rider Team, Individual and Freestyle gold, firmly placing herself at the forefront of her sport and displaying an awesome talent in the making.

HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark, the dedicated and active patroness of the Danish Equestrian Federation, attended the event and today the FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, was also at Broholm Castle to present the medals to the winning riders. It has been a testing few days in every respect, as the weather did all it could to disrupt this year’s fixture with pouring rain and high winds creating a less-than-perfect competition environment.  But the next generation of top-class dressage competitors rode through it with determination and emerged triumphant in the end.

Continue reading FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2011, Broholm Castle (DEN)

Para-Equestrians Get Grant Boost for London 2012

Gold standard: Britain’s Lee Pearson (GBR), MBE OBE has become a Paralympic icon with nine Paralympic gold medals to his name (pictured at Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games)

Lausanne (SUI), 25 July 2011 – Para-Equestrians bidding to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games can now apply for funding as part of a brand new grant scheme to help with training expenses.

Eurovestech plc, the pan-European development capital fund, has put up a €25,500 grant to support 15 equestrian athletes around the world as they prepare for London 2012.

The grants, which will be distributed by the FEI, will be available to riders who have not won medals at the Paralympics, World Championships or World Equestrian Games since 2004.

National Federations representing Para-Equestrians from smaller nations where funding is limited are urged to apply for the grants. The grants are available both to riders who compete on their own horses and those that compete on borrowed horses.

Interested riders should contact their National Federation with their competition and training plans before 15 August 2011.

“It’s great news to hear of this initiative as the IPC is keen that a great number of athletes get the opportunity to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games across all sports, including Para-Equestrian,” explained Chief Executive Officer of the International Paralympic Committee Xavier Gonzalez.

Continue reading Para-Equestrians Get Grant Boost for London 2012

Tip of the Week – A Nice Bed to Sleep In…

Horse owners have several choices when it comes to bedding. The choice of bedding material is an important aspect of horse-barn management.

Bedding can increase dust levels that can pose respiratory problems in both horses and their handlers. In addition, bedding choice will have an impact on the cost of housing horses, the labor involved with stall cleaning, manure storage capacity and, ultimately, nutrient management.

Aesthetically, bedding type is important because material that clings to a horse’s coat can make a horse appear dirty. A good bedding material must absorb urine and excess water from the feces to keep the horses dry and comfortable.

Labor considerations and a happy barn staff are essential when considering choice of bedding, but let us not forget the horse. It is, after all, the horses that will be using the bedding.  Horses seem to like straw and shavings equally, not preferring one over the other. Clean straw is preferred for mares and very young foals. Some horses will eat straw bedding – a problem if you are trying to keep your horse on a diet.

Continue reading Tip of the Week – A Nice Bed to Sleep In…

Charleston Summer Classics – Hunters Rule Finale Week

Julie Curtin and Vince Win $2500 USHJA National Hunter Classic; Paige Parker Dubbed Most Supreme Pony Kahuna Champion

Julie Curtin & Vince ©Flashpoint Photography

Johns Island, SC — July 24, 2011 — The final week of the Charleston Summer Classics held at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center was much like an adventure packed vacation itinerary. One moment you’re enjoying the sport with friendly competitive rivals, then shopping together for the social gatherings.

This was also the week where the Wee Warriors of the Pony divisions battled for the coveted titles of Grand Pony Kahuna and the glory of being named Most Supreme Pony Kahuna. “I started the Kahuna competition as a fun method for our pony riders to prepare for the USEF Pony Finals, the scoring uses the same numerical judging system with daily accumulated points moving forward to their respective division Classic rounds. We award a Supreme Grand Kahuna in each of the six divisions and an overall Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion. The prizes are nice – Essex Classic Shirts, custom Cooler, featured in an Ad – but the best reward is the knowledge and experience they can take into Pony Finals,” Classic Company president Bob Bell said.

The 2011 Most Supreme Grand Pony Kahuna is Paige Parker partnered with Champlain Sovereign, owned by The Hill Farm. This marked Paige’s second occasion as top Pony Kahuna having won the title in 2009 with Cherrybrook Skye Blue.

Continue reading Charleston Summer Classics – Hunters Rule Finale Week

Caroline Roffman to Compete Three Horses at the 2011 National Young Horse and Developing Horse Championships

At last year’s Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championship, Caroline Roffman and Bon Chance won the Five-Year-Old division. (Photo courtesy of fireandearthphoto .com)

Wellington, FL (July 21, 2011) – At last year’s Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championship in Lamplight, Illinois, Caroline Roffman and her Hanoverian gelding Bon Chance won the Five-Year-Old division. This year, Roffman will compete three horses at the National Young Horse Championships and the Developing Horse Championships. San City will compete in the Five-Year-Old division, Bon Chance will compete in the Six-Year-Old division, and her Hanoverian gelding, Pie will compete in the Developing Horse Championships.  Roffman is hoping that three is truly a charm.

“Bon Chance has developed wonderfully and has truly matured and come into his own. He has so much talent and presence and I can’t wait to show him off,” Roffman said, adding that in addition to winning the Five-Year-Old Championship, Bon Chance was Reserve Champion in the Four-Year-Old Championship in 2009.

Roffman also has the chance to defend her Five-Year-Old Championship title, this time aboard San City, a five-year-old stallion owned by Linda Crabtree. “He was shown by Linda’s daughter and successful event rider Katie Wooten last year in the Four-Year-Olds,” Roffman said. “I was given the ride on San City last fall and have trained and developed him with these championships as our goal. San City has the presence of a stallion but the rideability and character of a gelding. He is both beautiful and talented and has developed beyond what I thought he could have in a relatively short amount of time.” Roffman said she has even bred one of her mares to San City. “I like him that much!” she said. “He is San Remo x Bolero and bred by Marefield Meadows.”

Roffman, who was named the 2010 FEI Rising Star by the International Equestrian Federation and received her award at the FEI Awards ceremony in Taipei, is also looking forward to riding her horse Pie, a Hanoverian by Worldly, in the Developing Horse Championships. “Pie is very special to me, not only because I have had him for many years but because of his loving character and overachieving nature,” she said. “Pie showed as a six-year-old and qualified for the championships, but was unable to attend. He had nearly two years off and underwent a last effort surgery. To my delight he came back and has developed rapidly. This has been his first full year of showing and he has exceeded my expectations.”

Continue reading Caroline Roffman to Compete Three Horses at the 2011 National Young Horse and Developing Horse Championships