All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 Victorious in $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2*

Leave a comment
Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 won the $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* during week 3 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

G&C Farm Starts the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival with Success

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – G&C Farm started out the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival with a variety of success, including victory in the $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* during week 3 for Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.

Gustavo Mirabal said, “We were extremely pleased with the start of the WEF circuit. All of the horses have been extremely consistent, and we are happy with our younger horses that are stepping up and placing in these competitive classes. Pablo’s win in the grand prix last Saturday was fantastic!”

Mirabal added, “We look forward to competing in the upcoming weeks, especially in the CSIO week.”

G&C Farm is the title sponsor of week 8 of the FTI WEF, the CSIO week, and the presenting sponsor of the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday, March 4. Barrios, who is currently ranked number 26 in the FEI ROLEX world rankings, will be the anchor of the Venezuelan team in the Nations Cup.

Continue reading Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 Victorious in $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* →

Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Racing, Racing Sources

Party Girl Stakes to Be Run Saturday

Leave a comment

Zingleman Girls Ready for Party

The Michael Zingleman-trained and co-owned entry of Zoobilee and First Down Patriot could grab favoritism in the $40,000 Party Girl Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares over 350 yards on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

Zingleman, with Shelly Zingleman, owns First Down Patriot and they are the co-owners of Zoobilee with Curtis Crenwelge.

Zoobilee (Dashin Bye-Our Precious Secret by Streakin La Jolla) is the strong half of the entry with three wins in her latest three starts and stakes victories in her two previous starts.

The 4-year-old mare won the AQHA Members Plus Stakes over open distaffers two starts ago and then came back to defeat Louisiana-bred males and females in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG2) at Fair Grounds on December 11.

While competing primarily in high-level allowance and stakes races for the majority of her career, Zoobilee has amassed sevens wins, two seconds and a third-place effort from 14 starts.

Continue reading Party Girl Stakes to Be Run Saturday →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin Dominate Again in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

Leave a comment
Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during the fourth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its fourth week of competition on Wednesday morning with another win going to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Palouchin in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. This was the pair’s third win in a row, also winning both of week three’s 1.45m classes.

The fourth week of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Adequan, continues through Sunday, February 6. The highlight jumper classes this week are Thursday’s $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 at 1 p.m., Saturday’s $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at 2 p.m. and the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s $75,000 Adequan CSI 2* Grand Prix at 2 p.m. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Richard Jeffery of Great Britain. Beginning the week, there were 36 entries in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class, and ten of those were clear to lead the standings. Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farms’ HH Palouchin were the fastest of those clear rounds with an unbeatable time of 55.552 seconds to take the top prize.

Continue reading Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin Dominate Again in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers →

Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Phelps Media Group

USET Foundation Recognizes Loyal and Generous Supporters

Leave a comment
USET Foundation President Jane Forbes Clark with the 25 Year Award recipients from the Gold Medal Club. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL – February 3, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to recognize the generous support of their Gold Medal Club (GMC) members. The Gold Medal club is the lifeblood of the USET Foundation, accounting for nearly 80% of individual contributions each year, and is comprised of members who contribute a minimum of $1,000 or more annually. On Friday, January 28, 2011, the Board of Trustees hosted a cocktail reception recognizing GMC Members that have made the USET Foundation a priority in their charitable giving for 10, 15, 25 and 30 years.

The GMC members have been a vital and essential source of support to the U.S. equestrian teams. For the last 10 years, the following GMC members have continued to generously support the USET Foundation: The Chronicle of the Horse, Suzanne Dansby Bollman, Brendan & Wendy Furlong, Elizabeth L. Johnson, Deborah Anne Levy, Mr. & Mrs. Southwood Morcott, Mr. & Mrs. J. David Page, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Rosalie & Bethany Peslar, Frank J. Ponzio, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Segal, H. Donnan Sharp, Gretchen Wallerich and Nancy Hamill Winter.

Receiving the 15 Year Award was the California Dressage Society, Armand & Alison Leone, Robert V. Lindsay, Mr. & Mrs. Walter McPhail, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Parsky, Mr. & Mrs. Mark P. Piwowar and Mr. & Mrs. Eric L. Straus.

Continue reading USET Foundation Recognizes Loyal and Generous Supporters →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, JRPR, USEF

Combined Driver Chester Weber Wins “2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses” Title

1 Comment
Chester Weber won the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses title during the recent USEF Horse of the Year awards ceremony in Lexington. (Photo: Jennifer Thompson, DVM)

Lexington, KY (February 3, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber may be in the running for the most decorated Combined Driver in United States history, but he doesn’t just settle for winning awards. Weber is also an extremely active member of the United States Equestrian Federation and in January was elected to serve on the USEF Executive Committee at the USEF National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky.

“Combined Driving is my passion but my passion also extends to promoting and protecting all equestrian sports and serving on the governing body of the USEF,” Weber said, adding that he was thrilled when his team of horses won the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses title during the convention in Lexington. “It was great to receive recognition in front of all of our sport horse peers.”

Weber’s horses that made up the 2010 Horse of the Year winning team included Para, Boy W, Grumus and Horus du Bois. “I am very proud of all of my horses,” Weber said, adding that he wants to thank his entire team, from staff to sponsors, for helping Team Weber win the award.

Continue reading Combined Driver Chester Weber Wins “2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses” Title →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, JRPR, Western/Reining

Arenus and the National Reining Horse Association Congratulate Shawn Flarida on Winning Rider of the Year Title

Leave a comment
Arenus is pleased to announce that WEG Gold Medalist Shawn Flarida has won the Rider of the Year title. Sponsored by Arenus, in conjunction with the National Reining Horse Association, Flarida won the title aboard RC Fancy Step. (Photo courtesy of Waltenberry.com)

St. Louis, MO (February 2, 2011) – Reining champion Shawn Flarida has added another win to his long and impressive resume, riding away with the 2010 National Reining Horse Rider of the Year title. Sponsored by Arenus, a premier provider of innovative health and nutritional products for pets and horses, in conjunction with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), Flarida won the Rider of the Year title with RC Fancy Step, owned by the Plummer Family of SDP Buffalo Ranch in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We are really proud of Shawn for winning the title and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person or to a rider who is more committed to the sport of reining,” said Brady Karren, Arenus Equine Sales Specialist/Nutritionist. “Shawn has been supporting Arenus for a long time and serves as an Arenus Ambassador because he believes in our products. Arenus wants to congratulate all the Rider of the Year winners. Everyone put in a great amount of effort and dedication and Arenus is once again pleased to sponsor the Rider of the Year award.”

Continue reading Arenus and the National Reining Horse Association Congratulate Shawn Flarida on Winning Rider of the Year Title →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Dressage under the Stars Returns to Wellington Tonight to Kick Off Third Season

Leave a comment
Dressage under the Stars Logo. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – Tonight marks the opening night for Dressage under the Stars, sponsored this evening by Quantum Saddle Ltd. Held at The world famous Players Club Bar & Grille, which is the premiere venue for International caliber competition, riders will allow their equine partners to shine under the stars. The high energy and hugely popular “musical freestyles” shall take place patio-side where an audience of over 400 will sip cocktails and dine both ring side and on the second story patio.

Each Wednesday during the winter equestrian season in Palm Beach, the elegance of dressage is showcased under the magic of starlight. In only its third season, DRESSAGE UNDER THE STARS has become one of The Winter Equestrian calendar’s most anticipated events. Five horse and rider combinations perform weekly for cash prizes and the opportunity to return to for the eighth week’s Champion round where the winner takes away a grand prize consisting of lavish gifts and a very large check. This event consistently attracts the BEST international caliber riders in south Florida.

Continue reading Dressage under the Stars Returns to Wellington Tonight to Kick Off Third Season →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

USET Foundation Honors WEG Athletes and Special Award Winners

Leave a comment
Jane Forbes Clark awards Whitney Stone Cup to Tucker Johnson with Brownlee O. Currey. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Board of Trustees hosted a cocktail reception on Friday, January 28, 2011, to honor the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the recipients of the Foundations’ Gold Medal Club Anniversary Awards, the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy, and the Whitney Stone Cup. The reception was held at Player’s Club in Wellington, FL.

The reception opened with lovely remarks by Foundation President Jane Forbes Clark, recognizing the efforts of all the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during WEG, as well as their team of supporters. The United States earned a Team and Individual Gold Medal and an Individual Silver Medal in Reining, an Individual Gold Medal in Vaulting, a Team Silver and Individual Bronze Medal in Driving, and two Individual Bronze Medals in Dressage.

The party also recognized members of the Gold Medal Club, the most loyal and generous supporters of the USET Foundation. These individuals have been a vital and essential source of support to the U.S. equestrian teams. Special awards were presented to those supporters recognizing their giving at the Gold Medal Club level for 10, 15, 25 and 30 years.

Continue reading USET Foundation Honors WEG Athletes and Special Award Winners →

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

HITS Ocala Pre-Circuit Comes to a Close with Veterans Tracy Magness and Betty Oare Leading the Way

Leave a comment
© ESI Photography. Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

OCALA, FL (January 31, 2011) – The HITS Ocala Pre-Circuit came to an end on Sunday with another beautiful day in the sun, as top riders took home the victories in the two feature classes of the day. Grand Prix superstar Tracy Magness and Hunter veteran Betty Oare walked away with the top honors to close out the highly-successful Pre-Circuit at HITS Post Time Farm as now all eyes turn to the six-week, AA-rated circuit which begins on February 8.

Maryland’s Tracy Magness and her longtime sport partner Tarco Van Ter Moude, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko, won the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, as they once again embark on the road to the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

“This was a great course for the Pre-Circuit,” commented Magness, who found her way back to the winner’s circle early. “It’s just the beginning of the season and the horses are getting back into the swing of things. I thought it was inviting and fair enough to set the pace for the winter.”

Continue reading HITS Ocala Pre-Circuit Comes to a Close with Veterans Tracy Magness and Betty Oare Leading the Way →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group, Polo

Polo Patrons Join the Fight against Breast Cancer at the 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas

Leave a comment
Team International from the 2010 Challenge of the Americas Photo Credit: Susan Stickle

Wellington, FL – February 1, 2011 – Featuring more exciting equestrian performances than ever before, the Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas will return to Wellington, FL, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach. The evening will get underway at 5:00 p.m. and feature musical dressage team quadrilles and a new and exciting four on four polo challenge.  Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach the event will benefit Play for P.I.N.K (PFP), a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Play for P.I.N.K, which stands for Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, and Knowledge, is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer.  PFP does this by creating and promoting awareness of breast cancer through sporting and lifestyle events including men’s and women’s golf tournaments, tennis, swimming, card games, equestrian events, shopping benefits, spa days and wine tastings.  PFPs commitment is to contribute 100% of all funds raised to their partner The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Since 1996, PFP has donated $18,750,000 to BCRF.  Play for P.I.N.K and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation are proud to share the same vision: Find prevention and a cure in our lifetime.

Continue reading Polo Patrons Join the Fight against Breast Cancer at the 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas →