All posts by Associate Editor

Championships, Competitions, Events, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series to Culminate with $50,000 Championship Final at the 2011 Alltech National Horse Show

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©Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com. Audrey Coulter and Rodenburghs California emerged as the winners of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Year-End Championship last year.

Lexington, KY — June 13, 2011 — The 2011 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series will culminate with a $50,000 Championship Final.  The Final — the $50,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Championship Presented by Sleepy P Ranch, Deeridge Farm and Chansonette Farm — will be held on Saturday, November 5 as part of the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, CSI-W Lexington 4*, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, November 2-6.

The Alltech National Horse Show will invite 20 Junior and 20 Amateur-Owner riders to compete in the horse show’s Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper Divisions, each of which will include two preliminary rounds of competition:

– The $10,000 Sleepy P Ranch Junior Jumper Welcome Speed Stake on Thursday, November 3 and the $15,000 Sleepy P Ranch Junior Jumper Time First Jump-Off on Friday, November 4 for Juniors;

– The $10,000 Chansonette Farm Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome Speed Stake on Thursday, November 3 and the $15,000 Chansonette Farm Amateur-Owner Time First Jump-Off on Friday, November 4 for Amateur-Owners.

Continue reading Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series to Culminate with $50,000 Championship Final at the 2011 Alltech National Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

Kessler and Springsteen Take Top Two Spots in Austrian Young Rider Grand Prix

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Lamprechtshausen, Austria – Building on their win in the Nations Cup at CSIOY Lamprechtshausen, the U.S. Young Rider Show Jumping Tour capped off a successful weekend with a one-two finish in the Young Rider Grand Prix. Reed Kessler took the top spot for the U.S. on Ligist, she jumped the only clear round in the jump-off for the win. Jessica Springsteen was second on Cincinnati La Silla, she had the fastest short-course round by more than five seconds, but had one rail to settle for second.

Catherine Pasmore and Karen Polle rounded out the top 10 in ninth and tenth respectively. Pasmore and Van David were a fraction faster in their four-fault first round effort, edging out their teammates, Polle on What Ever.

Jumped over a 1.45m track, the Young Rider Grand Prix featured 32 starters.

The European Young Rider Tour heads to CSIOY Hagen, in Germany, for the next week of competition June 15-18.

Full results are available here: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/582/582zeitplanDEU.htm.

Read Catherine Pasmore’s blog here: http://www.catherineusa2011.blogspot.com.

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

McLain Ward Claims Victory at Spruce Meadows

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Calgary, Alberta, Canada – On top of the steady rain, riders in the CN Reliability Grand Prix had to face a difficult course that saw many downed rails, eliminations and few clear rounds. Out of the 26 riders, only four survived the difficult 1.60m course, including the ever difficult black CN planks and a triple combination.

In the end, the first leg of the CN Precision Series went to McLain Ward of the USA. Although both Ward and fellow American Rich Fellers had double-clear rounds, Fellers fell just short of winning the $200,000 Grand Prix.

Ward explained that the sport is a bit like golf, in that it is really a competition between yourself and the course. Number one FEI rider Eric Lamaze did not make it into the jump off, and Ward says that that did play a part in his victory.

“Eric is the standard of the sport,” Ward said. “It is difficult competing against him, which makes this, is a great win for me.”

CN Reliability Grand Prix – Top 10
1- McLain Ward USA Antares F
2- Rich Fellers USA Flexible
3- Ian Millar CAN In Style
4- John Anderson CAN Terrific
5- Mario Deslauriers USA Urico
6- Kent Farrington USA Uceko
7- John Pearce CAN Chianto
8- Paulo Santana BRA Taloubet
9- Ellen Whitaker GBR Equimax Ocolado
10- Eric Lamaze CAN Hickstead

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Names Eventing Riders for CIC2* Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (London Test Event)

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The Greenwich Park venue.

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be represented at the CIC2* Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (London Test Event) from July 4-6, 2011 by three American eventing riders. This competition will serve as a test event for the 2012 London Olympic Games and is an important part of the preparation for this competition. Dressage, Eventing, Jumping and Para-Equestrian Dressage will all be held at the historic Greenwich Park next summer; the Olympic Games begin on July 27, 2012 and run through August 12. The Paralympic Games run from August 29 – September 9.

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) will ride Jennifer Mosing’s DHI Colour Candy
DHI Colour Candy is a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Logan Rawlings (Piedmont, CA – based in the UK) will ride her own Jaybee Star Celebrity
Jaybee Star Celebrity is a 9-year-old Australian Warmblood mare

Julian Stiller (Berkshire, UK) will ride her own Gunstone Wallstreet
Gunstone Wallstreet is an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding

The USEF may also send up to six High Performance athletes ‘on foot’ to observe the competition and learn about the venue. These athletes will be named shortly.

Please visit: http://www.london2012.com/ for more information regarding the 2012 Olympic Games. For more information about the USEF Eventing program, please contact Sara Ike at sara.ike@usef.org.

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

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

U.S. Young Riders Win Big in Austria

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Team USA Celebrates (Photo by Murray Kessler).

Lamprechtshausen, Austria – In an incredible finish, the U.S. Young Rider Show Jumping Team scored their first Nations Cup victory of their summer tour, triumphing over the Swiss with a total of five faults.

The U.S. and Switzerland were tied after the first round, each country carrying only one time fault forward to the second round. Catherine Pasmore led things off for the U.S. – she had one rail in the first round on My Boy, but bounced back to jump clear in the second round. Ricky Neal picked up one time fault in round one, but had 15 faults in the second round – eventually the drop score from that round – on Transmission. Reed Kessler jumped two flawless rounds on Onisha. Jessica Springsteen rode Vornado van den Hoendrik to a four-fault effort in round two (after a first-round clear) to bring the total to five.

The Swiss weren’t going to let Chef d’Equipe Michele Grubb’s American squad get away easily with the win. They kept the pressure on until their very last rider went in the ring. Nicole Muller picked up nine faults on Chansing Wind to bring the Swiss total to 10 and give the U.S. team the win.

After two runner-up efforts at CSIOY Bonheiden and CSIOY Reims, the Young Riders got their win.

The European Young Rider Tour heads to CSIOY Hagen, in Germany, for the next week of competition June 15-18.

Full results are available here: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/582/582zeitplanDEU.htm.

Read Catherine Pasmore’s blog here: http://www.catherineusa2011.blogspot.com.

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

Rescue/Protection Sources

URGENT eALERT: Calls Needed TODAY in Support of Keeping Federal Government Out of Horse Slaughter Business!

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June 13, 2011 – This week, the House of Representatives will decide whether or not to save taxpayer dollars and protect horses from slaughter for human consumption.

On May 30th, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that prevents your tax dollars from being used to fund inspections of horse slaughter facilities.  This bipartisan language has been included in every Agriculture Appropriations bill since 2005.  Without this important provision, foreign investors will be able to reestablish horse slaughter in the U.S. at the expense of taxpayers, our own food safety, and the welfare of horses.

At a time when Congress is dramatically cutting back federal spending and eliminating wasteful federal programs, it is disappointing that some in Congress want to allow the reestablishment of a taxpayer-subsidized federal program that existed solely to support foreign-owned horse slaughter facilities that inflicted tremendous suffering on American horses.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The full House of Representatives will vote on the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill this Wednesday, June 15.  An amendment may be offered to remove the Committee-approved language prohibiting the USDA from spending your tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities.  Maintaining the USDA language defunding inspections of horse slaughter facilities as currently included is vital to protecting our horses.  It is critical that you call TODAY and urge your legislator to strongly OPPOSE ANY amendment to restore horse slaughter.

Continue reading URGENT eALERT: Calls Needed TODAY in Support of Keeping Federal Government Out of Horse Slaughter Business! →

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

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Returns as Official Vet for Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival

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Sponsors of the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Prix

Traverse City, MI – June 13, 2011 – Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc is pleased to announce that Dr. Heather Woodruff from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will be returning this season as the official Show Veterinarian of the 2011 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is located in Lexington, KY, and has been in practice since 1876, providing the equine industry with state-of-the art service and cutting-edge technology.  Woodruff and her team will be on-site at Horse Shows by the Bay’s home, Flintfields Horse Park, from June 29th thru July 31st.

Hagyard recently launched an e-commerce site and full service compounding pharmacy. Conceived and designed by equine veterinarians, the pharmacy is staffed by licensed pharmacists and personnel with extensive knowledge of equine healthcare.

Continue reading Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Returns as Official Vet for Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival →

Breeds, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Racing Sources

AQHA: 2011 Rule Changes

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AQHA modifies rules regarding lip chains and behavior in halter horses, and the number of horses allowed to be shown by an exhibitor in individual worked classes at all of AQHA’s world shows, and adds a “shootout round” to individually scored classes.

The American Quarter Horse Journal – The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee has approved modifications to three AQHA showing rules. Here are the modifications:

* Rule 441(c): Applying excessive pressure on or excessive jerking of a halter lead shank or an allowed lip chain is prohibited.

* Rule 448(d): defines lip chains in size, dimension, length and type; explains that the lip chain is to rest under the lip and over the upper gum of the horse and not through mouth; and that effective immediately, stallions 1 year of age and older may be shown with an allowed lip chain in open and amateur divisions; effective August 1, 2011, mares 1 year of age and older and geldings 1 year of age and older may be shown with an allowed lip chain in amateur and youth divisions; effective immediately, the following horses may not be shown with an allowed lip chain: weanlings; any horse shown in a performance halter class and any horse shown in a versatility ranch horse conformation class.

Continue reading AQHA: 2011 Rule Changes →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Polo, Revolution Sports

Team Audi Victorious in Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup Sylt 2011

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New champions have been crowned at The Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup Sylt after the Audi team of Siegfried Grohs from Germany and Argentina’s Gastón Maiquez overcame Julius Baer in the final to take the title.

After two close chukkas, the Julius Baer team of Germany’s Sven Schneider and fifteen year old Lukas Sdrenka opened up a 5-3 lead in the third, but six handicap Gastón Maiquez kept his side in the match scoring three unanswered goals to lead 5-6 going into the fourth chukka.

The final chukka saw Maiquez in devastating form, scoring two more goals to take a 5-8 lead and despite a late surge from team Julius Baer, Audi held on, eventually winning 7-8.

Maiquez performance saw him named the Julius Baer Leading Scorer, and with Julius Baer contributing €200 for every goal scored by the Leading Scorer, Maiquez’s outstanding total of 14 goals over the tournament raised €2,800 towards the event’s official charity, Coastal Protection Foundation Sylt. When combined with additional donations made during the weekend, over €15,000 was handed over to the charity by Julius Baer during the prize giving ceremony.

Continue reading Team Audi Victorious in Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup Sylt 2011 →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Suzanne Dansby-Bollman and Cooper Put In Strong Grand Prix Performance at the CDI Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh

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Suzanne Dansby-Bollman and her equine partner Cooper found success in the Grand Prix ring at the 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic. (Photo courtesy of WNC Photography)

Raleigh, NC (June 1, 2011) – After a four year hiatus from the show arena, dressage rider Suzanne Dansby-Bollman and Cooper, an 18.3 hand Holsteiner gelding, are getting back in the groove as they make their way along the big tour circuit. The pair put in very competitive Grand Prix tests during the 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh, where they placed second in the Grand Prix with a score of 66.298%, only .021% behind leader Susan Dutta. “It was a compliment to place so closely with such a wonderful and elegant pair as Susie Dutta and Currency DC,” said Dansby-Bollman.

“Cooper and I are back on the international circuit again, and we returned with a mixture of brilliancy and inconsistency,” Dansby-Bollman said. “We competed at both the Allentown CDI and the Raleigh CDI. In the Grand Prix at Raleigh, our scores from all five judges were within one percentage point of each other, which indicated to me that they were really being fair and that the movements performed looked the same from all of the different angles. I loved that,” Dansby-Bollman said. “It was only our fifth Grand Prix ride this year, and I immediately felt as we were finishing the test that it was one of our best rides ever.”

Dansby-Bollman added that she is thrilled to be back in the ring with her Grand Prix partner. “We were competing and winning in the international dressage arena four years ago, before Cooper was sidelined with an injury. He has made a miraculous comeback and we returned to showing in February,” she said.

Continue reading Suzanne Dansby-Bollman and Cooper Put In Strong Grand Prix Performance at the CDI Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh →