All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Pan American Games, Show Jumping, USEF

This Week in International Disciplines – June 1, 2011

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Dressage

Dressage preparations for the Pan American Games continued as Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I competition took place at CDIs across the country. Jan Ebeling swept the small tour at CDI Flintridge with Rosenzauber 8, scoring 70.263% in the Prix St Georges, 70.702% in the Intermediaire I and 70.292% in the Freestyle.

For complete results please visit www.cornerstonedressage.com/results/2011_7.pdf.

At the CDI Lexington, Lisa Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU dominated the Small Tour. They scored 71.008% in the Prix St. Georges and 76.624% in the Intermediaire I. Claire Darnell won the Intermediaire I Freestyle with a score 73.458%.

For more information, please visit: http://www.kentuckydressageassociation.org/.

In the small tour at CDI Allentown in New Jersey, Canadian Ashley Holzer took the top spot in the Prix St. Georges, but Cesar Parra, the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Champion, was second on Grandioso with a score of 70.395%. Holzer continued her winning ways in the Intermediaire I, where Endel Ots took second with Toscano on a score of 69.430%. Parra then went on to win the Freestyle with a score of 72.417% Holzer also won the Grand Prix on her veteran Pop Art, local rider Lauren Sammis was second with Sagacious HF with a score of 67.851%. They repeated the one-two placings in the Grand Prix Freestyle.  Melissa Taylor was third behind Sammis in the Grand Prix but led the victory celebration in the Grand Prix Special with Schumacker Solyst on a score of 65.792%.

Continue reading This Week in International Disciplines – June 1, 2011 →

Breeds, Racing, Racing Sources

Remington Park Victors Rewarded with Top Spots in Both Polls

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 1, 2011 – The May 28th mega-program at Remington Park produced not one, but two, new No. 1-ranked horses in the latest AQHA Racing.com-Horseplayernow.com National Top 10 polls. Heritage Place Futurity (G1) winner High Rate of Return zoomed to the top of the rankings for 2-year-olds, while Rylees Boy registered a sharp Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1) score and the top position in the poll for older horses.

Rylees Boy handled one of the strongest fields ever assembled and did it by holding off the late charge of last week’s No. 1-ranked runner Louisiana Senator, who was flying late but came up a head short in defeat. Pollsters rewarded Louisiana Senator with a No. 2 ranking this week. Third-place finisher Streakin Down earned the No. 9 national ranking for his efforts. The Invitational included four of the top seven-ranked horses in the national poll last week and lived up to its billing. Former world champions Freaky and Stolis Winner finished fourth and fifth, respectively, underscoring the race’s quality, which featured the earners of more than $7.1 million lifetime.

The rankings for older horses also got a solid jolt when last year’s All American Futurity presented by Sentient Jet (G1) runner-up and beaten favorite JLS Mr. Bigtime made his 2011 debut in the poll at No. 5. The Louisiana-bred tallied the Delta Downs Louisiana Breeders’ Derby (RG2) by a head on Saturday as the odds-on choice in his first finals appearance of the season. Another 3-year-old who debuted this week in the poll for older horses was Heritage Place Derby (G2) upsetter Capo De Capi, who knocked off stablemate Freighttrain B in Saturday’s final and was rewarded with a No. 8 national ranking.

Continue reading Remington Park Victors Rewarded with Top Spots in Both Polls →

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

Atlanta Summer Classic June 15-26

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Just a reminder that the Atlanta Summer Classic is just two weeks from today.  We have lots planned and should be a great two weeks in Conyers.

Week One –
$25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby
$35,000 Grand Prix
$2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic
USEF Emerson Burr Grant competition for Pony Riders

Tuesday between the shows – USHJA Clinics – No Charge
Pony Model Clinic – 11am – Under the covered Arena
Water Jump Clinic – 1 pm – Under the covered Arena

Week Two-
$2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic
$3,500 Gamblers Choice & Outback Steakhouse Charity Dinner
$35,000 Grand Prix
USHJA “Just Ask the Judges” Clinic – Thursday after the show.

Call with questions or for stall reservations; we still not are sure about the tent this year: 843 768 5503.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, FEI, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Celebrates Elevation to Rolex Rankings Number One Slot

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Eric Lamaze (CAN) elevated to number one in Rolex Rankings

Lausanne (SUI), 1 June 2011 – Olympic champion Eric Lamaze (CAN), 43, is celebrating after securing the world number one slot in the Rolex Rankings for the third time in his career.

The Canadian’s back-to-back Grand Prix wins at La Baule (FRA) and Rome (ITA) on his super-stallion Hickstead have put him 111 points ahead of 31-year-old Kevin Staut (FRA), who had topped the Rolex Rankings since 1 August 2010.

Lamaze first shot to the top of the Rolex Rankings on 1 January 2009 and stayed there for three months. He was back in the number one slot for a second time in July 2010, the month in which he famously won the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with a broken foot.

Lamaze, who took individual gold and team silver with Hickstead at the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, has represented Canada at five consecutive FEI World Equestrian Games – 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010 where he earned individual bronze with Hickstead – and at three Pan American Games, at which he earned team bronze in 1999 and team silver and individual bronze in 2007.

European Champion Kevin Staut is now in second place ahead of Billy Twomey (IRE), with Hong Kong individual silver medallist Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) in fourth and Twomey’s compatriot Denis Lynch in fifth.

The updated Rolex Rankings are available here.

Awards, Community/Charity, FEI

Hollywood Superstar Michael Douglas Supports FEI Awards

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1 June 2011 – Multiple award-winning actor and producer and United Nations Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas has lent his support to the FEI Awards 2011 by highlighting their significance and calling on the worldwide equestrian community to make nominations.

Commenting on the FEI awards, which reward the horses, men, women and youngsters who have contributed to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport, Douglas said:

“The FEI Awards provide a platform for the global community to applaud riders and organisations for their outstanding achievements. I am delighted to offer my support and urge you to submit your nominations for the 2011 FEI Awards. At the end of the year, in Rio de Janeiro, we will pay tribute to equestrians who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and in doing so, celebrate the very best of equestrian sport.”

Over his hugely successful career, Douglas has walked the red carpet numerous times to receive prestigious awards. These include two Oscars (Best Picture for his production of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1979) – a film that scooped Oscars in five categories – and Best Actor for his role in Wall Street (1987).

Continue reading Hollywood Superstar Michael Douglas Supports FEI Awards →

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

Jumper & Hunter Highlights to Be Featured at Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville)

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The Classique Internationale De Blainville (Jumping Blainville) is preparing for World-Class Competition. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Blainville, Quebec – May 31, 2011 – As part of promoting the sport of show jumping for young riders, the Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville) will be hosting the FEI Children for East Canada class on Saturday July 16, with the second round Sunday July 17, in the Grand Prix Ring.

Riders born between January 1st 1997 and December 31st 1999 are eligible to compete. Each tour consists of two competitions run over different courses by a Course Designer designated by the FEI. Riders have access to the course through the FEI’s web site, and competitive equality is created by having all athletes execute a course identically built in each country.  Thirty-two athletes will be qualified to participate in the Finals, which is organised with borrowed horses.  This exciting event offers the opportunity for children to ride at the level of international competitors, while pursing their Olympic dreams.

Another highlight event at Jumping Blainville will be the Non Pro Nations Cup, sponsored by L’Oréal Canada, Ombrelle, where teams of three riders compete for $5,000 in prize money.  For the past two years, teams have named and dressed up to represent their group.  This is a crowd favourite where everyone cheers for their chosen team, while riders learn to compete and work as a group.

Continue reading Jumper & Hunter Highlights to Be Featured at Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville) →

Rescue/Protection Sources

House Appropriations Committee Approves Amendment Blocking Tax Dollars from Being Used to Continue Horse Slaughter

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Washington, D.C. (May 31, 2011) — In yet another resounding victory for America’s horses, the House Appropriations Committee voted in favor of language sponsored by Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture from spending tax dollars on inspecting horse slaughter facilities. The language, originally passed into law back in 2005, has halted horse slaughter operations for years, but for some reason, was not included in the current Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations bill approved by the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee late last week.

“The Animal Welfare Institute commends Representative Jim Moran for his introduction of the amendment restoring this important language before the full Committee,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI.  “Representative Moran and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) spoke strongly about the need for this amendment while pointing out now is not the time to start spending tax dollars to prop up a foreign owned and driven industry that prays on the suffering of American horses.”

While the amendment was approved by the House Appropriations Committee, AWI will remain vigilant to ensure horse slaughter proponents do not try other tactics to have it removed as the bill makes its way to the full House for a vote or even in the Senate when the time comes.

For more information:
Chris Heyde, 202-446-2142

Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

Celebrating with Cloud on his 16th Birthday

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Dear Cloud Friends;

We were able to find Cloud this past Sunday on his 16th birthday!

May 29th was a blustery day on the Pryor Mountains as we bounced up Tillett Ridge Road in a gale force wind blowing out of the north. Icy rain fell in intermittent sheets — the polar opposite of the weather on the day of Cloud’s birth.

Sixteen years ago the sun was shining. It was warm. Light clouds floated overhead. I set up my camera and was filming a brash, young stallion who was flirting with his father’s newly acquired filly when I spotted a flash of white moving through the trees and panned the camera.  A pale colt tottered out of the forest beside his palomino mother. The rest of his family followed — Smokey and Mahogany, his sisters; Diamond, his yearling brother; and the other mares, Isabella the pale buckskin, and Grumpy Grulla. Pulling up the rear was Cloud’s stunning father, the unforgettable Raven. The foal struggled to keep up with his mother on their trek uphill to snow drifts under the canopy of Douglas firs.

Sixteen years later, here I was again, bumping up the road and emerging onto the ridges of Tillett. We spotted Cloud and his family nestled in on the south side of a cluster of firs — sheltered from the cold wind and rain. By the time we set up the camera, Cloud had raced out of the trees and disappeared over a hill. When we began filming, I could just see the top of his head bobbing up and down and I could hear the screams of the stallions. Then Cloud trotted into a clearing with a trio of bachelors, including Jasper, the nearly two-year-old son of Flint. He is the little grullo you see with the big mark on his face. The other two are Galaxy, the black, and Gringo, the bay — both five-year-olds.

Continue reading Celebrating with Cloud on his 16th Birthday →

Community/Charity, Eventing/H.T., Media/Radio/TV Sources, Training/Clinics

Eventing Radio Episode 144 by Bit of Britain – U.S. Pony Club and Boyd Update

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Eric Dierks explains his new role with the U.S. Pony Club and the opportunity for young people in the sport. Max Corcoran returns to co-host and tell us about her crusade to promote horsemanship. Plus, an update on the tragic fire at Boyd Martin’s barn and how you can help. Take a listen.

Eventing Radio Episode 144 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

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USDA Releases Second EHV-1 Situation Report

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From The American Horse Council

USDA has released the second national EHV-1 situation report.  A summary of the updated information is as follows:

•    A total of 75 confirmed EHV-1 or EHM cases have been reported in 9 states (AZ, CA, CO, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA)
•    Of the 75 confirmed EHV/EHM cases, 58 cases are horses that were at the Ogden, Utah event.
•    There are 11 horses associated with this incident that are dead or have been euthanized.
•    There are 15 newly identified premises with suspect or confirmed cases identified this reporting period.

You may view the complete USDA EHV-1 Situation Report that provides detailed information on the number of exposed, positive, dead, and euthanized horses on a state by state level here.  The AHC anticipates USDA releasing another national situation report at the end of next week. Please see the below links for additional information on EHV-1 transmission risks and disease mitigation strategies.

Continue reading USDA Releases Second EHV-1 Situation Report →