All posts by Associate Editor

Isabell Werth & Warum Nicht Win Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix in Cannes

Isabell Werth on Warum Nicht. © 2010 Ken Braddick

CANNES, France, June 10 – Isabell Werth on Warum Nicht led a German sweep of the top three places in the Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix presented by Massa Stud Thursday, but was disappointed the horse was distracted by flowers blowing in the wind.

Riding in her third WDM this year – she came third in Palm Beach in February and at Munich last month – and her first ever competition in Cannes, Isabell and her 2007 World Cup champion mount scored 71.489 per cent, a fraction ahead of Anja Plönzke on Le Mont d’Or with 71.447 per cent and Matthias Alexander Rath on Triviant UNICEF with 70.851 per cent.

This French Riviera resort was the launching pad in 2008 for the world’s richest lineup of dressage competitions that has grown to five premier CDI5* competitions this year, each one with prize money of €100,000 (US$120,000). Falsterbo, Sweden has been added to the calendar this year and followed by the 2010 finale at Hickstead, England.

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Isabell Werth Tops Field for Exquis World Dressage Masters Cannes

Luiza Almeida of Brazil on her Lusitano stallion Samba on whom she competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. © Ken Braddick

CANNES, France, June 9 — Isabell Werth on her World Cup champion mount Warum Nicht top the field for the Exquis World Dressage Masters starting Thursday and that will include riders from Brazil for the first time, including Luiza Almeida who was the youngest ever dressage Olympian at the 2008 Beijing Games.

This glamorous French Riviera resort was the launching pad for WDM two years ago and is now the midway point in the lineup that this year has been enlarged to five premier competitions on both sides of the Atlantic each offering €100,000 (US$119,350) in prize money.

The Cannes CDI5* event kicks off Thursday with the €10,000 (US$11,935) Grand Prix presented by Exquis, Lusitano Sport/Elevage Massa. The €30,000 (US$35,800) Grand Prix Special presented by Moorlands and Massa Autopneu on Friday and the €60,000 ($71,600) Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Exquis World Dressage Masters and Groupe Massa on Saturday, will both be at night under lights.

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Fellers Goes Double Clear in First World Cup Class of the Season

Rich Fellers and Flexible won the opening World Cup Qualifier at Thunderbird Show Park. Photo By: Totem Photographics.

Unlucky number seven narrows the field at Thunderbird Show Park

Langley, BC (June 8, 2010) – Thunderbird Show Park welcomed international riders from four continents to the CSI2*-W Keg Steakhouse & Bar World Cup on Saturday. Twenty-six entries from Canada, the United States, Ireland and Venezuela challenged Peter Holmes course, but with a technical triple combination and 1.60m vertical at fence seven, just three advanced to the jump-off. Rich Fellers and Flexible were flawless through two rounds to finish with the only double clear of the day and a win in the season’s first World Cup class for the FEI North American League.

“Flexible loves this ring and he’s comfortable here, so I came in today feeling really good about letting him do his thing,” explained Fellers. “I had a little touch on that number seven fence in the first round, so in the jump-off I took it wide and gave it extra time to make sure that I didn’t take it out.”

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The United States Para-Equestrian Association Announces 501(c)(3) Status

Para-Equestrians at CDI at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. Photo ©2010 C Mike Tomlinson DVM.

Thousands Oaks, CA – June 7, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to announce that it is now a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization.  The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities.  Riders compete under the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) rules during their competitions and many of the athletes compete at the highest level of their sport. Becoming a 501(c)(3) was a momentous occasion for the USPEA. This status will encourage donors, supporters, and equestrian enthusiasts to supply funding for the United States Para-Equestrians.

The show season of 2010 is going to be exciting for the USPEA as it will be the first year that the Para-Dressage discipline will compete on the world stage at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.  As the number of Para-Equestrian participants expands and more of the public becomes aware of this unique equestrian discipline, the Para-Equestrians will continue to need more support.  The USPEA would like to see this type of benefaction continue through the World Games, the 2012 London Olympics, and beyond.

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Opening of New $10 Million Museum Expansion

WHO:  The Kentucky Horse Park

WHAT:  Opening of new $10 million, 8,000-square-foot museum expansion, presentation of the new wing to Gov. Steven L. Beshear for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, organized tours of the galleries and cocktail reception

WHEN:  Saturday, June 12, 5-7pm

WHERE:  International Museum of the Horse, Kentucky Horse Park

WHY:  After 2 ½ years of construction, the new $10 million Al-Marah wing, which was made possible by the largest donation to the Kentucky Horse Park in its 31-year history, is ready to open to the public.  The two-story permanent expansion features art and artifacts from around the world and technologically enhanced interactive exhibits geared toward youth visitors ages 8-14.  Exhibits were designed by nationally acclaimed Hilferty & Associates.

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Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 Notch Second Place Finish in $55,000 BC Open World Cup Grand Prix at Thunderbird Show Park

Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11. Photo © 2010 Totem Photographics

Langley, BC, Canada – June 8, 2010 – In another strong week of competition, Pablo Barrios of Wellington, FL, finished second in the $55,000 BC Open World Cup Grand Prix on Saturday, June 5, at the BC Open Tournament at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Barrios rode G&C Quick Star 11, owned by G&C Farm and Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, to the top placing. G&C Farm’s state-of-the-art jumper facility is based in Wellington, FL.

Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11, a 12-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus, were one of 26 entries in the World Cup qualifying grand prix.  The course designer was Peter Grant, and Barrios commented, “It was a pretty tough course. There were a few tall verticals, and the oxers had a good spread. The track was very nice, and it was good for our first World Cup qualifier (this season).”

In the jump-off, Barrios was chasing the winning time set by Rich Fellers and Flexible. “Unfortunately in the jump-off I had a rail down. I was trying to catch Rich’s time. I did it but had the second to last fence down. I ended up second because Ashlee Bond had the same rail down but wasn’t as fast,” Barrios recalled.

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Commercial Zoning Proposed for Currituck Off-Road Beaches

May 22, 2010 – A request to bring commercial development to the Currituck Off-Road Beaches will be heard once again by the Currituck County Board of Commissioners at their June 7, 2010, meeting.

Presented by Bissell Professional Group for developer Gerald Friedman of Swan Beach Corolla, LLC, the proposal — closely resembling two previous requests in 2005 and 2008 — has taken the form of a rezoning request from Residential to General Business – Conditional District.  Two parcels in Swan Beach, totaling 37.36 acres, would be rezoned from residential to commercial.  If passed, the proposed map amendment could set precedent and allow rezoning to commercial throughout Currituck Off Road beaches.

The Proposal would permit construction of a 320-unit inn and accessory uses, 19,200 square feet of neighborhood commercial, a wellness center, a fishing pier with accessory structures, and outdoor recreational facilities. A chapel, school, and fire station are also included in the request.

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Cesar Parra and the Piaffe-Performance Team Win Big at ESDCTA CDI Dressage

International dressage rider Cesar Parra and his Piaffe-Performance Team debuted their horses at the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association Memorial Day CDI with great success. (Photo by SusanJStickle.com)

Allentown, NJ (June 8, 2010)  – Cesar Parra and his Piaffe-Performance team debuted their horses in the northeast at the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association’s Memorial Day CDI with great success.  It was the team’s first show in New Jersey after returning from the winter season in Florida and collectively they spent much of the show in the winner’s circle.

Cesar Parra dominated the small tour with Lori Washton’s KWPN gelding, Olympia. Parra and Olympia won the Prix St. Georges score of 71.789 and the Intermediaire I with a score of 71.000 percent. The seasoned pair has shown at this level just over a dozen times and has always been over 70%. They are in top form as they head for the USEF/Collecting Gaits Farm Dressage Festival of Champions August 6-15 at the U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. Parra also notes that Olympia’s consistent performances will be just what it takes to represent the US at next year’s Pan American Games.

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Horse Radio Network: Tune In Tonight & Support ParaEquestrian Team

*****Please Tune In Tonight to This Live Video Event and Donate*****

Please Support These Incredible Para-Equestrians on Their Journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Date:  June 8, 2010

Time:  7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern

Where: http://www.horseradionetwork.com/para-webathon

Why:  The Horse Radio Network (HRN) and the United States Para Equestrian Association (USPEA) will host the first ever Para-Webathon on June 8, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Eastern) via multiple websites.  The purpose is to raise money and awareness for the United States Para-Equestrian athletes who are aiming to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  All monies will be channeled through the United States Para Equestrian Association to offset the costs of the 10 United States Para-Athletes and their horses.

The Para-Webathon will be a live video event streaming to websites all over the horse world using web video technology that is viewed just like on television. You can watch this event on our website at www.horseradionetwork.com.  The call-in number and website address to make donations will be on the website.

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Ryan Moore on Workforce breaks track record at Epsom Derby, England with best Derby winning performance since Generous in 1991

Three times Champion jockey Ryan Moore completed a famous Investec Derby/Oaks Classic double at the weekend, breaking the track record in the process. Saturday’s stunning 7 length victory on Workforce was also the best Derby winning performance since Generous in 1991. This talented but inexperienced colt showed great acceleration on fast ground on this notoriously difficult and undulating course. Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdulla (Juddmonte Farms), Workforce (by King’s Best – USA) carried his famous green and pink silks to a third Derby victory following Quest For Fame in 1990 and Commander In Chief, 1993. Prince Khalid has extensive breeding and racing interests in America, England and Ireland. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who is based in Newmarket, is now the most successful current trainer of the Derby with five wins.

The Investec Oaks winner Snow Fairy, owned by Cristina Patino was bought for just 1,800 euros at Tattersall’s Ireland sales in 2008. Winning in determined fashion by a neck, with the rest of the fifteen runners strung out behind, this gutsy filly by Intikhab (USA) was supplemented for the Oaks at a cost of £20,000 after winning a listed race at Goodwood last month. This was trainer Ed Dunlop’s second Oaks victory after previous success with the brilliant Ouija Board six years ago.

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