All posts by Associate Editor

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

Susan Dutta and Currency DC Show Off Their Winning Skills at the Capital Dressage Classic CDI in Raleigh

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Susan Dutta rode Currency DC into the winner’s circle at the 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic. The duo won the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Raleigh, NC (June 11, 2011) – International dressage rider Susan Dutta, a member of the Gold Medal 2007 Pan American Games team, rode into the winner’s circle at the 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh. Dutta and her long-time equine partner, Currency DC, competed in the Grand Prix ring, winning the Grand Prix with a score of 66.319% and the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 71.025%.

“I was excited to win at Raleigh. It is a show I have gone to for years and I have always enjoyed it,” Dutta said. “This was the third show back for Currency DC and he is feeling fitter and more expressive than ever.”

Dutta, who splits her time between Tuny Page’s Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, Florida and training in Germany, won the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National 5-Year-Old Championships in 2005 and the 6-Year-Old Championships in 2006 on Currency DC, an Oldenburg gelding. The pair made their debut in the Grand Prix ring in 2010.

“Currency DC had some beautiful trot work, passage and pirouettes during his tests in Raleigh. I will now be working on having a mistake free test and standing in halts,” Dutta said, adding that Currency DC is a sweet horse to be around. “He loves to be kissed and cuddled. I feel blessed to have this talented horse in my life and I enjoy every ride and every show with him.”

Continue reading Susan Dutta and Currency DC Show Off Their Winning Skills at the Capital Dressage Classic CDI in Raleigh →

Competitions, Events, Polo, Revolution Sports

Julius Baer to Face Audi in the Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup Sylt 2011

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Lukas Sdrenka from Team Julius Baer competes for a high flying ball

Saturday 11 June 2011 — On the opening day of the Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup, played on the stunning island of Sylt in Northern Germany, team Julius Baer saw off strong opposition to win Pool B and will now go on to face Audi in The Final on Sunday 12th June.

The six teams in the competition were split into two Pools and under the American Tournament system, played each other in a series of two chukka matches. The Julius Baer team of fifteen year old Lukas Sdrenka (Handicap 0) and Sven Schneider (3) both from Germany came through to win Pool B, whilst their opponents in The Final will be the Audi team of Argentina’s Gaston Maiquez (6) and Germany’s Siegfried Grohs (0).

Established in 2008 and now in its fourth year, the Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup is Germany’s most popular polo event and is watched by over 10,000 spectators during the weekend. The tournament has strong links with the community of Sylt and is a leading supporter of the Coastal Protection Foundation Sylt; a charity established to protect the eroding coastline around the island.

Continue reading Julius Baer to Face Audi in the Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup Sylt 2011 →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Margie Engle Returns to HITS Saugerties and Captures the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

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© ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Ashland Farms' Lord Spezi on course in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 11, 2011) — Margie Engle made a triumphant return to HITS Saugerties this week and reignited her winning streak in the Strongid C 2X Stadium when she captured both the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard Ashland Farms’ Lord Spezi on Friday.

On Wednesday, Engle of West Palm Beach, Florida and Lord Spezi beat out 38 starters in the Brook Ledge Open Welcome, with Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida and Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables Inc.’s Sweetheart in second, followed by Richard Moloney of Wellington, Florida with Equinimity LLC’s Alsvid in third.

In Friday’s feature class, Engle, Minikus and Moloney were at it again as three of 42 starters on a course designed by International Course Designer Olaf Petersen Jr. of Muenchen, Germany. After the first round, ten horse-and-rider combinations returned to navigate the short course in an exciting jump-off.

Nicholas Dello Joio of Wellington, Florida returned first in the jump-off aboard his own Geledimar and set the Great American Time to Beat at 41.479 seconds. Dello Joio was joined in the jump-off by his father, Norman Dello Joio aboard Thelma Romero-Cloud’s Notre Star De La Nutria. Father and son finished third and fourth, respectively.

Continue reading Margie Engle Returns to HITS Saugerties and Captures the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix →

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

Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes

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Bjorn Ikast Finishes with Top Two Placings in $10,000 Open Welcome Stake

Bjorn Ikast and Amore Claim 1st Place in the $10,000 Open Welcome at Summer in the Rockies 1. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park debuted this week with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8 – July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands from four to six weeks. With big prize money every day, the circuit is expected to attract riders from around the country.

“The Colorado Horse Park is excited to launch this new circuit,” said Helen Krieble, founder and president of CHP. “We have worked hard to improve the facility and offer our competitors a fun summer to remember.”

This year competitors will find a new show manager at the helm. Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions are bringing their exhibitor-friendly management style to Colorado. In anticipation of the expansion, CHP has been upgrading many amenities, including brand new footing in the Grand Prix ring and Grand Prix warm-up; new jumps; new gardens; the Horse Connection Paddock Club Lounge; Stable Grounds, a permanent coffee shop; tented exhibitor party zone and more.

Continue reading Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes →

Awards, Community/Charity, FEI

Fashion Designer Reem Acra Encourages Equestrian Community to Celebrate Its Stars

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10 June 2011 – International fashion designer Reem Acra, sponsor of the prestigious FEI World Cup Dressage series, is supporting the Best Athlete category of the FEI Awards for the second consecutive year.

The Beirut-born designer, whose clientele includes celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Beyonce Knowles, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Eva Longoria, built her successful design business with the same drive and determination that takes equestrian athletes to the summit of the sport. Commenting on the FEI Awards, which were launched by the governing body of international horse sport in 2009 to reward talent in and out of the arena, Reem Acra said:

“I am delighted to support the Best Athlete Award again this year. I have seen equestrian sport at its best and I know from my experience in the fashion world how tough it is to succeed when there is so much talent to compete with. This FEI Award will go to an athlete who has combined focused ambition with fair play, to a horse whose outstanding character and performances have endeared it to the public or to a really remarkable human and equine partnership. I hope the entire equestrian community will seize this opportunity to nominate their heroes, as it is a way of thanking them for the pleasure their inspirational performances have given us.”

Last year’s Reem Acra Best Athlete Award went to a combination – the superstar Dutch duo Edward Gal and Totilas – for their memorable contribution to equestrian sport. Gal, whose partnership with the much-loved black stallion ended in style in 2010 with, notably, three gold medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, said that receiving the award had been “the icing on the cake”.

This year’s winners will receive their awards in November at a gala evening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the FEI General Assembly is taking place.

Nominations for the five-category FEI Awards (Reem Acra Best Athlete, HSBC Rising Star, Against All Odds, Development and Best Groom) are open until 31 July at www.feiawards.org.

Media contact:
Marianne Burkhardt
Publications Coordinator
FEI Corporate Communications
Marianne.Burkhardt@fei.org
Tel. +41 21 310 84 71
Mobile: +41 79 789 90 25

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy, Sydney Masters-Durieux

Daniela Stransky Launches Step Forward Therapeutic Riding Plan Accepted by Pepsi Refresh

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Daniela Stransky’s ‘Step Forward’ Plan for Pepsi Refresh Project to Bring Horses to Disadvantaged & Disabled Children in Florida & Beyond

Vote & Help Create Jobs & Offer New Skills to Community in Need

Stransky's Mission Farm staff working with a Step Forward child on a pony

Junior Jumper champion Daniela Stransky of Miami Beach, Florida believes horses are the key to helping disadvantaged and disabled children realize a fuller and happier life.  To help jump-start the therapy riding program at Stransky’s Mission Farm at Le Club Wellington, the 15-year-old came up with the “Step Forward” campaign and sent her idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project.  The program will start by assisting the Miami Dade County and Palm Beach communities, with the ambitious goal of expanding to serve other communities in the U.S and around the world.  To vote for ‘Step Forward,’ go to http://www.refresheverything.com/stepforward.

For the second year, Pepsi has asked people from across the United States to submit bold ideas that have the power to move communities forward, focusing on Education, Communities and Arts & Music. “I came up with this ‘Step Forward’ because I ride horses and they are a constant inspiration in my life,” explained the Miami Country Day High School student.  “I love horses, assisting others, and helping others help themselves. My ‘Step Forward’ equestrian therapy program will help kids experience horses and learn from them, feel empowered, make new friends, and dream new dreams.  I know personally, horses can become your best friend, and this program will allow kids who need a best friend to have one.”

Continue reading Daniela Stransky Launches Step Forward Therapeutic Riding Plan Accepted by Pepsi Refresh →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Fieldstone Welcomes Equestrians to Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

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The beautiful show grounds at Fieldstone Equestrian feature the grass derby field. Photo courtesy Fieldstone Equestrian.

Halifax, MA – June 8, 2011 – Fieldstone Equestrian would like to welcome equestrians to their Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic, which will be held on June 21-25, 2011, at the Fieldstone Equestrian facility in Halifax, Massachusetts. The “AA” rated show will host exciting competitions for hunters and jumpers.

Highlights of the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic include the $25,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 Open 3’3” Hunter Derby, $7,500 Open Welcome Stake, $7,500 Open Speed Stake, $5,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Classic for two heights, $2,500 2’9” Hunter Derby, and $2,500 Pony Derby Classic.

Activities outside of competition will give exhibitors and spectators a chance to mingle and get to know each other. Fieldstone will host the Kingsway Farm Cookout, Grill 58 Barbecue with a “Sit-A-Twenty Challenge,” and a Chicken and Ribs Barbecue with a Canine Puissance class.

Continue reading Fieldstone Welcomes Equestrians to Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic →

Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Names Jumping Teams for CSIO5* Falsterbo and CSIO5* Aachen

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Lexington, KY – The USEF has named the following horse/rider combinations to represent the U.S. at the next two shows of the FEI Nations Cup Series.

The following horse/rider combinations will compete in Sweden at CSIO5* Falsterbo July 7-10, 2011.

Charlie Jayne (Elgin, IL) will ride The London Group’s Athena
Athena is an 11-year-old Belgian mare

Christine McCrea (Windsor, CT) will ride Romantovich Take One
Romantovich Take One is an 11-year-old KWPN gelding

Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, CA) will ride Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119
Nemo 119 is a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding

Saer Coulter (San Francisco, CA) will ride Copernicus Stables’ Springtime
Springtime is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Schuyler Riley (Wellington, FL) will ride South Beach Stables’ Lapacco
Lapacco is a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding

Continue reading USEF Names Jumping Teams for CSIO5* Falsterbo and CSIO5* Aachen →

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, JRPR

Champion Driver Suzy Stafford Is All Smiles after Competing at the Elk Creek CDE

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Suzy Stafford competed Miss Josephine and Peace of Mind at the Elk Creek CDE in Maryland. Stafford is shown here with Peace of Mind during their winning dressage test. (Photo courtesy of Vicki Long)

Chester County, PA (June 10, 2011) – Believing in the motto “practice makes perfect,” Gold Medalist Combined Driver Suzy Stafford competed at the Elk Creek CDE, held at Fair Hill in Maryland, with the hopes of perfecting the training and skills of two of her talented ponies. Stafford drove away all smiles following the event, saying she was pleased with the progress of each of her equine partners including her registered half-Arabian mare, Miss Josephine, who is long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Europe.

“I wanted to use Elk Creek as a schooling event to prepare Josephine for her European debut at the World Pony Championships, which will be held in Slovenia in September,” Stafford said. “I was just schooling Josie so I didn’t finish the marathon, but she won the best dressage and cones in the advanced division. Josie is in a good place right now in her training program and we are improving our dressage score every time out.”

Stafford said her goal is to not have Josie peak too early, as she wants the pony’s ultimate performance to be in September. While Josephine will make her debut at the World Pony Driving Championships, Stafford is a veteran of the championships and in 2005 won an Individual Gold Medal with Cefnoakpark Bouncer, a Team Bronze with Bouncer in 2007 and an Individual Bronze with Courage To Lead in 2009. “My goal for the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships is to win medals and represent the United States to the best of our ability,” Stafford said.

Continue reading Champion Driver Suzy Stafford Is All Smiles after Competing at the Elk Creek CDE →

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI

Al Reef Endurance Festival Live Feed Follows Australasian Endurance Forum (AUS)

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Lausanne (SUI), 10 June 2011 – The 150-plus delegates representing nine different nationalities at the Australasian FEI Endurance Conference and Forum have now moved onto the Al Reef Endurance Festival, which takes place in Toorbul, Queensland (AUS) 11-14 June.

All the action from the Australasian Championship, which follows the highly successful conference, can be viewed on a live feed from http://iequine.com/events/al-reef-endurance-festival.

Footage begins on Saturday 11 June at 12.30pm with vetting and a pre-ride talk later that afternoon. Sunday morning is when the action unfolds – coverage starts at 5.00am and runs all day. On Monday 13 June there will be a live feed for a series of work-outs and presentations.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33