All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Home Stretch to Qualify for 20th Annual Marshall and Sterling Finals

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Sponsor Mary Moeller of Marshall & Sterling Insurance presents the award to the Winners of the Children Pony Medal at the 2009 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals. Photo © Lili Weik Photography.

Saugerties, New York – June 21, 2010 – The Marshall & Sterling League is pleased to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. School is out for summer, and there has never been a better time to qualify for what will undoubtedly be the most exciting Marshall & Sterling National Finals competitors have ever seen.

Founded 20 years ago, the Marshall & Sterling League has continuously offered our nation’s diverse population of horses and riders at all levels an opportunity to qualify for and compete at the prestigious Marshall & Sterling National Finals, to be held this year September 15-19, 2010 at the exquisite HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, NY.

Marshall & Sterling League Coordinator Patti Guerriero has been with HITS since 2003 and during that time has been the League’s administrator managing membership for both equestrians and horse shows. “When the League started 20 years ago, we had 10 member horse shows. In 2003 when I started there were three hundred, today we have 1,300 member shows. We have incredible members and many wonderful show partners around the country. I think the success and longevity of this type of grassroots organization is directly tied to our commitment to this audience of riders and our continued desire to bring new and exciting divisions and offerings into the mix over the years.”

Continue reading Home Stretch to Qualify for 20th Annual Marshall and Sterling Finals →

Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Racing Sources

AQHA Launches Full Circle

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Formerly known as Greener Pastures, the program serves to reunite horses and previous owners.

America’s Horse, June 21, 2010 – American Quarter Horse owners love their horses – past, present and future – and many want to keep track of those horses even after they are sold.

The American Quarter Horse Association developed the Full Circle program to reunite breeders and previous owners with horses they remember well. Through the free Full Circle program, AQHA members will be able to indicate on a horse’s registration certificate that if the horse ever becomes unwanted, unusable or simply ready for retirement, the member will – if possible – assist in providing or finding a suitable home.

Originally dubbed Greener Pastures, the program has been renamed Full Circle and enhanced. The Full Circle name more accurately reflects goal of the program when horses that were once sold by their original owner come full circle back to them, often times after lengthy careers enriching lives of multiple riders. Even in the program’s short existence, AQHA has received success stories from customers who have been reunited with horses they once owned. To read more about Full Circle, visit http://www.aqha.com/fullcircle.

Continue reading AQHA Launches Full Circle →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

United States Para-Equestrian Association Announces Riders for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Selection Trials

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Missy Ransehousen is Chef d'Equipe for Para-Dressage at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Photo © 2010 C. Mike Tomlinson.

Thousand Oaks, CA – June 21, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association would like to announce their qualified riders for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) Selection Trials scheduled for June 24-27, 2010.  The amount of Para-Dressage participants has tripled in one year, which means more Para-Equestrians are challenging themselves to international competition.  The riders making their way to Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois for the Para-Dressage Selection Trials include equestrians that, despite their disabilities, have overcome and adapted to showcase their athletic abilities.

Fifteen United States Para-Equestrians have scores that will allow them to compete at the Selection Trials.  Out of those 15, ten of the riders will be selected for WEG.  Out of the ten riders, four will make the team, and six will ride as individuals.

Continue reading United States Para-Equestrian Association Announces Riders for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Selection Trials →

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Summer Classic One

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We had a great week in Conyers for the Atlanta Summer Classic I.  We had lots of exciting classes so I have lots to share.

To start, this week was a WCHR event and we hosted the USHJA Hunter Classic and USHJA International Hunter Derby.

The winner of the Hunter Classic was Snowday owned by Triple Creek Farm and ridden by Lindsey Chestnut.  The class was showcased and started at 10 am with lots of spectators watching.  The Classic Company plans many USHJA Hunter Classics in the future.

The winner of the International Hunter Derby was Brunello, owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Peterson and shown by Elizabeth Boyd.   The class was held in the 400 x 450 Grand Prix ring under lights and was well attended with “tailgaters”.  It was an exciting class and Allen Rheinheimer and Joe Carnicom made a challenging course.  There were also many comments among the spectators that they missed the “opening of the gate” and they hoped that the committee will see fit to allow it next year…. it was not a gimmick jump.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Events, FEI

Safety Helmets Strongly Recommended by Dressage Committee

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21 June 2010 – Following the accident in which Courtney King-Dye (USA) sustained serious head injuries in a schooling fall in Florida earlier this year, the FEI Dressage Committee has today issued a recommendation regarding the wearing of protective headgear.

The FEI Dressage Committee strongly recommends that all riders should wear properly fastened safety helmets when training and in pre-competition warm-ups at all international Dressage shows.

Riders still have the choice of wearing protective headgear in the competition arena.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Sharon Hunt Is Talk of the Town in Luhmühlen

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Sharon Hunt (GBR) claimed her first-ever CCI4* victory when winning at Luhmühlen with the Irish Sport Horse Tankerstown to move into fourth place in the HSBC FEI Classics standings after three of five events. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

20 June 2010 – Sharon Hunt (GBR) enjoyed the biggest thrill of her long partnership with Tankers Town when the fleet-footed gelding gave her a first CCI4* win, at Luhmühlen, presented by E.ON Avacon, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

“I’m shocked,” said the 32-year-old, “but I always knew he was a phenomenal horse.”

The optimum time of 90 seconds proved extremely difficult on the spacious Jumping track and only nine out of the 32 finishers avoided collecting time penalties.

Tankers Town lowered the third fence, but Hunt kept up a good speed and did not incur any other penalties, giving her the slimmest of leads – just 0.2 of a penalty – over Ingrid Klimke (GER), whose chances of a first CCI4* win disappeared when she had both parts of the double at five down.

“The course really suited my horse because he is so good at jumping fast,” explained Hunt.

Continue reading Sharon Hunt Is Talk of the Town in Luhmühlen →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Caitlin Creel Captures ASPCA Maclay at 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular II

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At the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular II, Caitlin Creel and Calvin 46 win ASPCA Maclay. Photos 2010 © Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Wayne, IL – June 18, 2010 – Today’s hunter competition at the Showplace Spring Spectacular II at the Lamplight Equestrian Center began at 8:00 a.m. in the Main Hunter Ring. Juniors brought out their top equitation horses for the morning’s competitions in the ASPCA Maclay and the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal. Winning the ASPCA Maclay was Caitlin Creel aboard Calvin 46.  Shortly after a ring drag the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal commenced. Coming from fourth place before the test and then taking home the blue was Nicki LaChapelle and Perfect Landing.

The ASPCA Maclay course and the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal were both designed by Skip Bailey of Wellington, Florida. Both courses featured a diagonal two-stride, two option verticals coming home, and a figure eight to two split rail fences.

Continue reading Caitlin Creel Captures ASPCA Maclay at 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular II →

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

Americans Reign in Rotterdam

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Rotterdam (NED), 18 June – The all-female US team stormed to victory at the fourth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup in Rotterdam today where, for the first time this season, the French did not have their way and had to settle for equal-fifth place.  There was an air of determination about the winning side from the start, and with three double-clears they proved untouchable.

Great Britain’s march back to the top end of the sport continued as they slotted into runner-up spot with a one-fault advantage over the third-place home team, and there was huge relief for Dutch Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens.  “Today was so much better,” he said as, at last, his riders managed to shake off the run of poor results that has left them lingering in the bottom-four relegation zone for the last few weeks.  They have only moved up one place on the leaderboard however and still remain extremely vulnerable along with Switzerland, Sweden and Poland.

Continue reading Americans Reign in Rotterdam →

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Charleston Tryon Updates

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June 17, 2010 – Just a few updates and reminders….

The Atlanta Summer Classic I, II are both sold out for both weeks.  We sold out so late we could not put up a tent and I am very sorry for those 70 horses that could not get in.  Please call us early this fall for the show in November.

The Charleston Summer Classic I, II (July 14-24) – The office phone has been ringing and the mail has been heavy for the shows on Johns Island.  We can only have 450 stalls this year so if you are planning to attend, please call our office.  Both stalls and campers are limited and we want all of you that are planning to come to get in so let us know.  This year we added more jumper classes and have classes that do not require membership to USEF or USHJA.

The Tryon Fall Classic (September 24-26) will celebrate 20 years this fall.  Carol Kent and I are looking forward to our show this year.  This year we will offer the Tri State Age Group Equitation Finals.  The top 15 riders in the 11 and Under, 12-14 and 15-17 from SCHJA, NCHJA, and GHJA will be invited for a special class with great awards.  Mark your calendar.

Continue reading Atlanta Charleston Tryon Updates →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Confident Klimke Retains Lead at Luhmühlen

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Ingrid Klimke (GER) and Butts Abraxxas were fast and clear round Capt Mark Phillips’ Cross Country course to retain their lead at Luhmühlen, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

19 June 2010 – Ingrid Klimke (GER) was deservedly jubilant after a superb Cross Country ride on Butts Abraxxas which kept her in the lead and still on her Dressage score at Luhmühlen (GER), presented by E.ON Avacon, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Klimke, who says her nerve has not been affected at all by the recent birth of her second child, said: “I’m really thrilled. My plan worked, my horse felt confident and fit and although I had thought I would take the long route at the corner in the arena (23), when I got there I decided I would like the challenge!”

Klimke declared herself “eager for tomorrow”, but she has no room for error in the final Jumping phase. Olympic team bronze medallists Sharon Hunt and the 16-year-old Tankers Town, who have proven ability over the coloured poles, have moved up three places to lie second and are just 3.8 penalties behind.

Continue reading Confident Klimke Retains Lead at Luhmühlen →