Category Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

FEI Grand Prix Show Jumping Competitors: New Rule for 2014

Competitors that are pre-qualified for Grand Prixs: you and your horse must complete an FEI class that week to be eligible for the Grand Prix.

ARTICLE 261 – NORMAL COMPETITIONS AND GRAND PRIX COMPETITIONS

1. Normal and Grand Prix Competitions (the latter must be explicitly designated in the Schedule) are those in which performance over obstacles is the principle factor although speed may be introduced to separate equality for first place by a first jump-off or by a maximum of two jump-offs.

2. These Competitions are judged under Table A against or not against the clock, but always with a time allowed.

3. The course is built primarily to test the ability of the Horse over the obstacles. The number of obstacles, their type, their height and spread, within the set forth limits, are the responsibility of OCs.

4. Qualification for Grand Prix

4.1 If qualification conditions for Athlete/Horse are scheduled for the Grand Prix at a CSIO, it is compulsory that the formula given below is referred to. The following are automatically qualified for the Grand Prix at CSIOs, if present as official team members or individual:

4.1.1 The individual medal winners (Athletes) of the last Olympic and Pan American Games, of the last World and Continental Championships and the first placed Athlete/Horse combination in the last FEI World Cup Final.

4.1.2 Eligible to participate in Grand Prix Competitions at 5* CSIO Events are the winners (Athlete/Horse combination) of the Grand Prix at any 5* CSIO Event during the previous 12 months.

4.1.3 Eligible to participate in Grand Prix Competitions at 4* CSIO Events are the winners (Athlete/Horse combinations) of the Grand Prix at any 4* or 5* CSIO Event during the previous 12 months.

4.2 If qualification conditions for Athlete/Horse are scheduled for the Grand Prix at a CSI Event, it is compulsory that the formula given below is referred to. This does not apply to CSI events that are part of a series approved by the FEI Bureau. The following Athletes (not Athlete/Horse combinations) are automatically qualified for the Grand Prix at CSI Events, if present:

4.2.1 The winner of that Event’s Grand Prix the previous year;

4.2.2 The current National Champion of the host country;

4.2.3 The individual medal winners of the last Olympic and Pan-American Games, the last World and Continental Championships and the winner of the FEI World Cup Final.

4.3 If qualification conditions for Athlete/Horse are scheduled for the Grand Prix Competition at a CSIO or a CSI, it is compulsory that all qualifying Competitions are run under Table A against the clock or under Table A with one or two jump-offs.

4.4 All Athletes qualified for the Grand Prix at a CSIO or a CSI, including those qualified under Articles 4.1 and 4.2 above, must complete, with their Grand Prix Horse, the initial round of at least one competition prior to the Grand Prix

Read the full rule on page 43 of the FEI Jumping Rules.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

The Women Can’t Be Beat in $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes at FTI WEF

Brianne Goutal and Mon Gamin had the fastest speed rounds in Phases 1 and 2. Photos © Sportfot.

Lauren Hough and Böckmanns Lazio Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic; Ashton Alexander and Lordano Top Field in Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Presented by EnTrust Capital

Wellington, FL – January 10, 2014 – The crowds were out in full force at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Saturday night to watch the women’s team earn their sixth consecutive victory in the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival’s (FTI WEF) $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes. PBIEC also hosted a full schedule of competition during the day, with a win for Lauren Hough and Böckmanns Lazio in the afternoon’s $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.

Week one of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, concludes on Sunday, January 12, with the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix. The FTI WEF, held at the PBIEC in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding close to $8 million in prize money.

Eric Hasbrouck is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week one competition and set the tracks for Saturday’s classes. In the highlight $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes, the three-phase contest included speed rounds, match races, and a six-bar competition.

The women’s team was captained by Candice King and also included riders Pippa Allen, Nicole Bellissimo, Danielle Goldstein, Brianne Goutal, Lauren Hough, Maggie Jayne, Laura Kraut, Catherine Pasmore, and Debbie Stephens.

Charlie Jayne led the men’s team, which included riders Stefano Barcho, Mark Bluman, Lorenzo de Luca, Todd Minikus, Richie Moloney, Samuel Parot, Nick Skelton, Shane Sweetnam, and Hardin Towell.

The first round of competition was the speed round, with a 6 to 4 win for the men. The match races followed, with the men and women competing side by side over identical courses. The men and women tied in that round, each winning five races, to bring the total up to 11 points for the men and nine for the women.

The final six-bar competition was the deciding factor of the evening with the men leading by two points going in. Four men and four women returned from each team with the opportunity to earn two points per clear round. The competition started at 1.60m (5’3″) in height and moved up to 1.70m (5’7″) through two rounds.

Todd Minikus was the only man to jump a clear six-bar round and earned two points for the men, bringing their total up to 13 points, but he then had a rail down in the second round. Maggie Jayne and Catherine Pasmore each cleared round one to bring the girl’s total up to 13 as well and tie the teams. The girls moved on to round two, but Jayne had rails down in her second attempt. It was all left to Catherine Pasmore, and she and Bibi Sijgje were the only pair to clear the six-bar in round two to clinch the win for the women.

Pasmore has ridden in the Battle of the Sexes for four years and was very proud to earn the final two points that put the women on top.

“It was so exciting,” Pasmore remarked. “I was a little worried that I wasn’t going to be able to pull it off, but I am really happy that I did. It is just such a great atmosphere. Everybody comes out and cheers us on. I think it is a really great class because even if somebody comes out to watch it who doesn’t know horses, it is really easy to follow along and everybody gets really into it. It is a lot of fun.”

Pasmore has had Bibi Sijgje for one year. The mare just turned eight, and Pasmore was very proud of her performance on Saturday night.

“Normally I jump her in her age division, so I have never jumped a six-bar on her and I have definitely never jumped her that big, but she has such a huge heart and she will just try anything,” the rider acknowledged. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I knew she would try and she just surprised me. She jumped it amazing.”

Speaking about the team camaraderie, Pasmore added, “It was amazing. She didn’t actually jump so well in the speed rounds, and I was thinking that I shouldn’t go in the six-bar. I said to Laura Kraut, ‘Do you think I should forfeit? I don’t want to scare her or do anything that I shouldn’t do. I don’t want to let the women down,’ and she said, ‘Don’t be ridiculous, of course you’re going!’ I am really happy that I did, and everybody in the schooling area was helping and giving advice, so it was great.”

Candice King was very excited to captain the winning team this year. She has been on the women’s Nespresso Battle of the Sexes team every year since the class began, and loves the camaraderie between the riders as well. She also thanked Nespresso for their support of the event.

“I had a lot of pressure on me tonight because we have yet to not win, and I am just glad we pulled it off and thank God for Catherine at the end,” King stated after the competition. “It is a team effort and everybody contributes. It is just a lot of fun.”

“It is a great event and the crowd loves it,” King added. “The boys against the girls is great because we don’t usually have that. It is fun because it is an individual sport, so we don’t get to do a lot of team competition. It is fun to just get all together and support one another.”

Michelle McFaul, Vice President of Community Affairs & Special Events for Nespresso USA, Inc. was happy with another exciting Nespresso Battle of the Sexes. She praised the riders for the great effort they put into it, noting that in addition to the winners, the men’s team would receive Nespresso machines as well.

Lauren Hough and Böckmanns Lazio Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

The $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was held on Saturday afternoon with 13 entries and a six-horse jump-off that yielded four double clear rounds. Canada’s Eric Lamaze qualified two horses for the jump-off and was first to go over the short course with Artisan Farms LLC’s Quelmec du Gery. The pair had the fastest jump-off time of 30.398 seconds, but finished the course with eight faults to earn sixth place honors. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Oakland Ventures LLC’s New Look de Mescam posted the first clear round in 33.233 seconds to eventually earn the third place prize.

Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Diktator van de Boslandhoeve jumped next and had a rail down at the final fence with a time of 34.583 seconds to place fifth. Gemma Paternoster (GBR) had a clear round in 44.314 seconds aboard her own and Julia Harrison Lee’s Osiris to place fourth. Up next, Lauren Hough (USA) and Karina Rotenberg’s Böckmanns Lazio cleared the course in 31.643 seconds to take the lead. Eric Lamaze was last to go with his second mount, Artisan Farms LLC’s Zigali P S, but finished just shy of the time to beat in 31.654 seconds to earn the second place prize.

Lauren Hough and Böckmanns Lazio
Lauren Hough and Böckmanns Lazio

Böckmanns Lazio is a 14-year-old Westphalian stallion by Lancer II x Cor de la Bryere. Lauren Hough just started riding the horse this fall and explained that he has experience showing under several international riders, most recently Cassio Rivetti of Ukraine and Gilles de Baranda of France. Her first show with the stallion was in the beginning of October at the Horse of the Year show in Birmingham, England. Then he flew to America, was in quarantine, and then jumped in Equestrian Sport Productions’ New Year’s Grand Prix with an unlucky rail. Yesterday they had one time faults in the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 as the first to go.

“He has had a lot of mileage, and I am lucky enough to have the ride now,” Hough stated after her win. “He does everything so easy, and he is a super competitive horse. He is obviously a beautiful horse. He is a perfect model.”

“He is very laid back at home; you can hardly make him go,” Hough described. “He doesn’t act much like a stallion. Then he is quite aggressive in the ring. He says, ‘Okay, it’s my job,’ and he really takes you to the jump in a nice way and he just suits me perfectly. I am very grateful to the owners for allowing me to ride him.”

Hough went in the jump-off knowing that she had the always fast Eric Lamaze still to follow, but managed to keep the winning edge. “I knew he was quite fast with his first horse,” she noted. “I think I did one too many strides to the second to last jump because I was going to do one less to the last. I thought I left the door open a little bit, but I think that is also a new mount to him. I think I just got lucky. Even though there were only 13 in the class, it was quite competitive and I was happy to be a part of it.”

Ashton Alexander and Lordano Top Field in Small Junior Hunter 16-17 presented by EnTrust Capital

Championship presentations continued in the Eugene R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Saturday morning, where Ashton Alexander and her 10-year-old mount Lordano, owned by Lynn Seithel, took home the championship ribbon in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, presented by EnTrust Capital.

While the FTI WEF is nothing new for Alexander, it’s a new experience being here with the big bay warmblood. “We just got him a couple months ago. This is the first time showing him in a while, so I’m glad he went well!” Alexander said.

Two firsts and two second places over fences along with a third place under saddle for Alexander topped the field, with Cloe Hymowitz and Rose Hill Farm’s Enjoy, who were first, second, third, and sixth over fences and won the under saddle, in the one reserve champion spot.

Ashton Alexander and Lordano
Ashton Alexander and Lordano

Going into the show ring with Lordano was easy for Alexander, knowing that a simple ride is what he wants most from his rider. “Just sit there and enjoy the ride I think, let him do it,” she said. “He knows what he’s doing, so stay out of the way. I think he loves that the best.”

Alexander has high hopes for the gelding after this week’s success. “I’m hoping for him to stay good, and hopefully we can go for Devon and go from there! That’s our plan,” she noted.

FTI WEF week one, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, will conclude on Sunday with the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix in the International Arena and the presentation of championship honors to the Greenspoon Marder Law Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under in the Rost Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher and Katie Macleod for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Laura Kraut and Wish Triumph in $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Jump-Off

Laura Kraut and Wish. Photos © Sportfot.

Nairobi Nights and Laura Lee Montross Top Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Section A

Wellington, FL – January 10, 2014 – U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist Laura Kraut earned victory on day three of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) competing with Stone Hill Farm’s Wish in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class on Friday, January 10. Alexander Zetterman (SWE) and Canora also got their second win of the circuit in the day’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge.

Week one of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, runs through Sunday, January 12. The week’s highlights include the $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 11, as well as the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix, which will be held on Sunday, January 12. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding close to $8 million in prize money.

In Friday’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class, course designer Eric Hasbrouck saw 61 competitors with 26 advancing to the immediate jump-off in the International Arena at PBIEC. Fourteen entries were also clear over the short course, and Laura Kraut and Wish completed the fastest clear jump-off round in 38.669 seconds for the win.

Kraut narrowly edged out fellow U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward, who finished second aboard Ramses du Lavillion in 38.885 seconds. Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) placed third aboard Nathalie de Gunzburg’s Fiego van de Zoneweide in 39.510 seconds. Emanuel Andrade (VEN) finished fourth with his time of 40.326 seconds riding Hollow Creek Farm’s Crossfire 10.

Wish, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Numero Uno x Calvados, has been a top horse for young rider Jessica Springsteen, who trains with Kraut. Kraut is keeping Wish in top form through the beginning of the FTI WEF circuit and will continue to ride the mare until Springsteen arrives from school to compete during week three.

Kraut explained, “She is a great mare that we bought for Jessie a couple of years ago, and Jessie has done a ton of winning with her. We found her in Belgium. She was jumping in the 2* in Antwerp, and Nick (Skelton) and I were sitting and watching the class, and Nick leapt out of his chair and ran down to the in-gate. We got there ahead of about three other people that were running to the gate at the same time, and we were fortunate enough to be able to buy her.”

“She is a tiny horse, but her heart is huge,” Kraut described. “She is a trier and she is really easy to ride. She is so brave. She does everything. To me she is a perfect second horse because you can run her and run her and run her, and every day she comes out and she stays careful. She is just a really nice horse.”

Commenting on Friday’s class, Kraut noted, “I didn’t actually expect that I would win. I actually added a stride in the jump-off down one line. I went quick, but I didn’t really push her and she is just very fast.”

“I really liked Eric’s course today,” she added. “I liked them last year too. I thought he did a great job last year, and so far he has done a very good job. Today’s course was different because it was a lot of long gallops, which you don’t often see. I think that was good because you had to really open them up and gallop across the ring. It’s nice. He’s doing a really good job.”

Kraut has an exciting circuit lined up for this year’s FTI WEF with some of her returning top mounts as well as a few new horses. She finished tenth in Friday’s class aboard her newest mount, Andretti S, who she described as ‘a really interesting horse,’ and has high hopes for. Nouvelle will return to the ring for the first time since an injury in June. Kraut also looks forward to competing with her veteran partners Cedric and Jubilee d’Ouilly, who continue to excel at the top of the sport at 16 and 17 years of age.

Kraut has a thriving business with a lot of great students and developing young horses as well this year, and she is excited for the season to come.

“For me, this season is great for bringing along young horses and seeing what you have and developing them,” she acknowledged. “I always love doing that anyway and it is really nice down here because you can have a plan and aim them for whatever goal you have for them. It is also nice that I am not on an airplane every week going to a new show, to a new place, to a new venue, so the horses get relaxed. I am very lucky because I have the best of both worlds. I spend five months here in one spot and then I get to go to Europe and go to a whole lot of interesting, very cool shows and do unique things, but we are always ready to get back here and not get on an airplane again for a while.”

“So far it has been very busy, but it’s good,” she smiled. “We have about 50 horses that we are in charge of here. I have such great riding students, which is really nice. They all ride well. It is a good group, and it makes my job really easy.”

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge was also held on Friday with 41 entries and a win for Alexander Zetterman (SWE) aboard Canora. The pair also won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class on Wednesday to kick off a great week of competition. They had the fastest of five clear rounds on Friday with a time of 68.352 seconds. Brittni Raflowitz (USA) and ESI Show Jumpers’ Elios placed second in 68.807 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) and Jane Clark’s Whistler finished third in 70.544 seconds.

Laura Lee Montross and Nairobi Nights
Laura Lee Montross and Nairobi Nights

Nairobi Nights and Laura Lee Montross Top Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Section A

Hunter competition for FTI WEF week one continued on Friday morning with the presentation of championship honors in the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Section A. Laura Lee Montross and Palm Meadow Farm LLC’s Nairobi Nights earned the division championship after placing first and second over fences on Thursday and earning second and third place awards over fences on Friday.

Gina Day and Premier finished in reserve. The pair earned a third place ribbon over fences on Thursday and won the under saddle as well as one class over fences on Friday to conclude the division.

Champion mount, Nairobi Nights, is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by Nairobi. Laura Lee Montross has owned the gelding for seven years and has seen him develop and mature greatly over their years together. Montross trains with Jimmy Torano, who has helped her with Nairobi Nights since the beginning of their partnership.

“Now that he is all grown up, he is just a delightful horse to ride,” Montross noted. “He is very quiet. He jumps a nice jump. He is just a gentleman. He is easy in the barn and fun to be with. I trail ride him a lot, and he loves that.”

“He is just a really nice horse, but he wasn’t always like that,” Montross admitted. “He was a little naughty when he was a baby, but he has matured a lot. He is a good boy.”

Commenting on her rounds over the two days of competition this week, Montross recalled, “Yesterday he walked right in and was just a joy, very soft and calm and easy to the jumps, and the second round also. Then I was also surprised that he was so good in the mud today. He came right out and did it again, so he was great.”

Montross, of Beford, NY, has been competing at the FTI WEF for ten years and owns a farm in Wellington where her horses live for the winter.

“I love it here,” she stated. “I have a farm here and I live at my farm, and I can just walk to the show. I hack over with my horse and it is just really relaxing. I love the grand hunter ring, and I love not having to move the horses all around and just be here the whole winter season.”

FTI WEF week one, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, will continue on Saturday with the presentation of championship honors in the EnTrust Capital Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. The International Arena will host the $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the afternoon. The $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes will be the feature “Saturday Night Lights” event at 7:00 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Wilton Porter and Paloubet Top $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1

Wilton Porter and Paloubet. Photos © Sportfot.

Truman and Christopher Payne Take First Hunter Championship of FTI WEF in Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunters

Wellington, FL – January 9, 2014 – The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, hosted its second day of competition for the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) on Thursday with a win for Wilton Porter (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Paloubet in the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1.

Week one of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, runs through Sunday, January 12. The week’s highlights include the $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 11, as well as the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix, which will be held on Sunday, January 12. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, 2014, awarding close to $8 million in prize money.

Eric Hasbrouck is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week one competition. In Thursday’s $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1, Hasbrouck set the course for 46 entries with nine clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. It was then an exciting race against the clock as six of those cleared the short course without fault.

Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Solerina, owned by Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms, set the pace to beat at 37.498 seconds to eventually finish fourth. Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Capall Zidane were next to go and upped the ante with their time of 37.222 seconds, which earned the third place prize. Paris Sellon and Heracross also cleared the course and earned fifth place honors with their time of 38.870 seconds. Up next, Wilton Porter and Paloubet raced through the course in 36.052 seconds to take the lead. Their time held up to the end as Charlie Jacobs and CMJ Sporthorse LLC’s Flaming Star were just off the mark in 36.797 seconds to finish second. Michael Dorman and Wyndmont’s Valinski S also jumped a clear round and finished sixth with their time of 39.968 seconds.

Thursday’s win was a big one for 19-year-old Wilton Porter, showing against many of the world’s top international riders to earn the third grand prix victory of his young career. Porter is in his freshman year at Vanderbilt University and began his first spring semester this week, coinciding with the first week of FTI WEF competition. He flew into Palm Beach at 1 a.m. Thursday morning, and definitely made the trip worth it with a great start to the season.

Porter, of Dallas, TX, trains with John Roche and has had his winning mount Paloubet, a 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Baloubet Du Rouet x Voltaire, for three years . The pair has moved up the ranks, winning their first grand prix together in Kentucky this summer. The WEF Challenge Cup win was significant for the rider in many ways.

“I have been doing ‘WEFs’ for about three years now and haven’t won one yet, so it is especially exciting, and there are a lot of really good riders,” Porter acknowledged. “I haven’t won a competition where there are this many top riders, so that is exciting.”

Speaking about his partnership with Paloubet, Porter noted, “Definitely it has been improving. He is a little bit of a quirky horse, and he has a funny mouth. My trainer, John, does a lot of the hard work. I have to always mention him because he does most of the hard work with the flat work and everything while I’m gone, and even when I’m here, he is the one who flats him in the morning. I think it has definitely developed. I have gotten stronger, and we have gotten him more accustomed to the way I ride. For sure it has come a long way.”

Porter showed his cool under pressure, topping the times of two very fast Irish riders in Shane Sweetnam and Ronan McGuigan, with top competitors like McLain Ward still to go. He took a chance at the end of the jump-off that earned the winning time.

“To the second to last jump, I kind of took a flier out of the turn,” he explained. “It was a little bit of a risk, but it ended up paying off, and then that made the line pretty easy. I did the same numbers of strides as everybody down the last line. I think it looked like I was flying, but I was able to slow up a little bit right before the last jump.”

“It was a great course, and I liked the jump-off because it had just the right amount of turns and galloping, so it was pretty fun,” Porter added. “I thought there were probably just about the right amount of clears to make a good jump-off.”

Paloubet also seemed to like the jump-off, handling some very tight turns and big gallops.

“He turns really fast,” Porter stated. “I have to be really soft on his mouth, but that is something he is good at. Then his stride really does open up as the course goes on, so at the end when you had to gallop down that last line, he had no trouble doing that.”

In addition to the prize money for Thursday’s class, Porter earned a special $3,000 bonus as part of the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion. Each week of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. Porter was the first bonus winner of 2014.

Also showing on Thursday, Samantha Senft (USA) kicked off the morning with a win in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m jump-off class with her ride aboard Early Morning. The class saw 27 entries with 17 advancing to the jump-off, and 12 double clear rounds. Senft and Early Morning completed the fastest jump-off round in 36.67 seconds.

Yann Candele (CAN) and Carol Sollak’s Brooklyn Blues finished second in 37.038 seconds. Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Mike Collin’s Cornetiero placed third with a time of 37.905 seconds.

The $2,500 Engel & Völkers, Sollak, Carr High Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class was also held in the International Arena on Thursday morning with a win for Jay Land and Nepal. The pair had the fastest of six clear rounds out of 20 entries with the winning time of 69.806 seconds. Robert Jornayvaz IV finished second with a time of 73.334 seconds aboard Like A Dream. Kelly Soleau and Centre Ice were third in 74.047 seconds.

Truman and Christopher Payne
Truman and Christopher Payne

Truman and Christopher Payne Take First Hunter Championship of FTI WEF in Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunters

Truman and Christopher Payne took home the first division championship of the FTI WEF on Thursday morning in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Working Hunters. Truman, owned by Maypine Farm, won the under saddle class and was fourth in the handy hunter round with Payne on Wednesday before winning the stake round and picking up another fourth place ribbon in the final over fences class on Thursday.

Reserve champion of the division was Enticement, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Glefke, Kensel LLC and Oakland Ventures, LLC. The pair was third in the handy hunter round on the first day of competition before finishing third in the stake round and winning the final over fences class on Thursday.

Payne campaigned Truman as a pre-green horse in 2013 and thought the six-year-old Westphalian gelding handled the step up to the First Year Green Working Hunter division with ease, despite the dreary weather hanging over the first two days of competition.

“This was his first time out at 3’6″. It’s not the best weather for the first time out, but he handled it great. He’s just the sweetest horse. He tries hard every time. He has a wonderful mind and wonderful talent,” Payne commented.

Payne acknowledges Truman’s soft side as one of his favorite things about him.

“He is a lover! He is so happy to see everybody. He’s so affectionate. He’s the sweetest horse every day, every moment of his life,” Payne smiled.

The first week of the FTI WEF was also Truman’s first time in the show ring since October, when he finished as reserve champion in a Future Hunter division at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD.

“For his first time showing since October, he didn’t forget too much!” Payne joked.

Truman has settled in well to the bustling atmosphere at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), and Payne looks forward to seeing where the FTI WEF circuit takes them.

“He’s a big kid. He just takes it all in! He likes the newness of everything,” Payne commented. “We’ll keep doing the first years [the rest of circuit] and keep forging ahead.”

FTI WEF week one, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, will continue on Friday with the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Jumpers featured in the International Arena and the presentation of championship honors to the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Section A, in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB Win First Class of the 2014 Winter Equestrian Festival

Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 8, 2014 – Equestrian Sport Productions hosted the first day of competition for the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) on Wednesday with a full schedule of hunter, jumper and equitation competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The day kicked off with a win in the International Arena for 20-year-old Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) of Greenwich, CT, riding Quidam MB in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m. Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze also got a win on the first day of competition in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class with Zigali P S. Alexander Zetterman (SWE) won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed round aboard Canora.

Week one of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, runs through Sunday, January 12. The week’s highlights include the $75,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 11, as well as the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix, which will be held on Sunday, January 12. The FTI WEF features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, 2014, awarding close to $8 million in prize money.

Eric Hasbrouck is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week one competition. Hasbrouck saw 20 competitors over his $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed track in the morning with seven clear rounds. Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB secured the win with their time of 66.192 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Baldev finished second with their time of 67.670 seconds. Lauren Hough (USA) and Reconnaissance, owned by Laura and Meredith Mateo, went first in the class and set the pace with their time of 68.575 seconds and eventually finished third. Jimmy Torano (USA) and Ben Maher’s Dolores MB had the fourth place time of 69.997 seconds.

Adrienne Sternlicht has owned Quidam MB, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quidam’s Rubin x Argentinus, for two years now. The pair started in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers and then moved up to the High division last year. They have now taken the next step, and started off the 2014 FTI WEF circuit with an exciting 1.45m win. They also topped the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at last week’s Holiday Finale horse show.

“I got down here last week and he showed Saturday in the Highs and won that class and then today he was fantastic,” Sternlicht noted. “It is really exciting (to win the first class). I was hurt last season, so we are really starting out on a good note. I didn’t ride that much in high school, but now I get to practice a lot. Now it is really about setting the right pace for me, so it is a great start.”

Sternlicht trains with Linda Langmeier as well as U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist Laura Kraut. She was very excited to win Wednesday’s class over many top international riders, including Kraut.

“It is fantastic,” Sternlicht smiled. “I am definitely an amateur rider. I am just starting to move up and be competitive at this level, and I have started to get a bit of experience at the grand prix level. I sit and watch everything, even when I’m not here. I can learn a lot from watching the riders in the schooling area as well.”

Sternlicht had the advantage of watching the top rounds before her on Wednesday and was able to plan her ride a little bit. She took note of what Shane Sweetnam had done, as he was leading the class before her round.

“I really just tried to think about the right pace from jump one to two so that he didn’t get too hung up at two, and then just carrying a fluid pace throughout the round,” Sternlicht explained. “I wasn’t necessarily focused on winning, but he went in and was so good at the start, so I just kind of kept going. We were wondering whether to do six or seven strides in the last line and he has such a big stride and tends to drift right, but the six really just kind of honed in on itself. That is really what I took from watching Shane’s ride.”

Speaking more about Quidam MB, Sternlicht stated, “He just turned nine, and we are finally starting to call on him, so I’m really excited. He is a really special horse. He is very careful and has a huge stride, so I tend to worry about less things on him and just kind of let him do his job.”

Sternlicht hopes to move up to some bigger classes with Quidam MB during this year’s FTI WEF circuit. She will also compete with some of her more seasoned horses, such as S&L Slingback. She will compete during the first few weeks of FTI WEF and then commute back and forth between school (she is a Sophomore at Brown University). Sternlicht began showing in Wellington at a young age and has seen the show grow a lot. She looks forward to a great season.

“I did a lot of ponies and then took a break in high school, but I have been coming here for probably about ten years and the facility keeps getting better,” the rider acknowledged. “It is really remarkable, and my horses are all really happy, so we are very happy to be here.”

Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze rode to a one-two finish in Wednesday’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class out of 64 competitors. Twenty-three entries advanced to the jump-off and there were 17 double clear rounds. Lamaze won the class aboard Artisan Farms LLC’s Zigali P S in a time of 33.628 seconds. He earned second place honors with Artisan Farms LLC’s Quelmec du Gery in 34.065 seconds. Laura Kraut and Stone Hill Farm’s Wish placed third in 34.268 seconds.

The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed was the final class of the day with a win for Sweden’s Alexander Zetterman aboard Canora. The class featured 37 horse and rider combinations with seven clear rounds. Zetterman and Canora finished in 60.181 seconds, well ahead of second place finishers Larua Chapot and Bradberry in 65.012 seconds. Hayley Barnhill and Cara Cheska’s Zephire placed third in 73.34 seconds.

FTI WEF week one, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club, will continue on Thursday with the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1. The first hunter champions of the circuit will also be named. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

ESP Announces FEI Level Rating Changes for the 2014 Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – January 3, 2014 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) announces that there have been FEI level rating changes to three of the weeks in the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) circuit. Following objections from a number of conflicting CSI 5* events, ESP has been forced to reduce the star levels of three of their events.

However, money has been reallocated to maximize the prize money available during the FTI WEF so that the two 5* events on FTI WEF 5 and 12 and the two 4* events on FTI WEF 7 and 9 will have the following prize money in FEI classes:

  • FTI WEF 5 – CSI-W 5*: $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m; $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5; $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m; $370,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix CSI-W 5*; $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
  • FTI WEF 7 – Adequan CSI 4*: $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m; $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7; $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m; $280,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 4*; $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
  • FTI WEF 9 – The Bainbridge Companies CSI-W 4*: $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m; $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9; $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m; $280,000 FEI World Cup CSI-W 4* Presented by The Bainbridge Companies; $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
  • FTI WEF 12 – FTI Consulting CSI 5*: $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m; $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m; $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 12; $100,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic Final; $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5*

ESP CEO Mark Bellissimo stated, “We are disappointed that we have been prevented from increasing the number of 5 star events. We are committed to providing the Americas with top class events and maximizing the available prize money. We believe that to grow the sport, the money available must enable riders to make a living from competing, just as happens in every other major sport. However, we have reworked our events to conform to the restrictions and have managed to maintain a significant amount of the prize money that will be offered and the consequent ranking points available for the riders.”

He continued, “We were pleased that some shows were supportive and believe as we do that increased prize money is the way forward for the sport. This will not deter us in the future as we look forward to even more growth in the years to come. We are hopeful that we can work collaboratively to continue to grow the sport in the United States.”

The relevant FEI Rule states: “FEI Art 112.7: For Late Date Application and/or modification for higher level Events as defined in the relevant Rules and received after the deadline, any NF and/or OC that may be deemed to be affected by the acceptance of such Late Date Application and/or modification shall be provided the opportunity to give its opinion and if objecting to the late addition or change of dates must explain the reasons for the objection. After an evaluation of the reasons for an objection, the Secretary General may accept the late addition or change.”

The dates of the 2014 shows affected with FEI level rating changes are: FTI WEF 3 from January 22-26, FTI WEF 7 from February 19-23, and FTI WEF 10 from March 12-16.

ESP looks forward to hosting 12 weeks of incredible show jumping competition at the FTI WEF at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The FTI WEF will run January 8 through March 30, 2014, awarding over $8 million in prize money. The prize money for the Festival has still increased by $1.3 million for 2014. Join us this year for exciting show jumping competition as we welcome the best riders in the world!

For a 2013 WEF Highlight video, see: http://vimeo.com/65534140.

For more information on the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Champion Equine Insurance Returns for Fourth Year of Sponsorship at the Winter Equestrian Festival

Woodstock O and Laura Kraut received the 2013 Jumper Circuit Champion Style Award from Laura Fetterman of Champion Equine Insurance. Photos © Sportfot.

Proud Sponsor of the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter & Jumper Style Awards

Wellington, FL – January 2, 2014 – Laura Fetterman opened her Champion Equine Insurance agency three years ago with great success and positive feedback from the equestrian community and will continue to support the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) as sponsor of the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter & Jumper Style Awards this year.

Going into their fourth year as a sponsor, Champion Equine Insurance is pleased to continue supporting the equine owners and riders by presenting style awards to both hunters and jumpers. One hunter and one jumper award will be presented each week in selected classes to be determined throughout the 12 weeks of the FTI WEF circuit.

The Hunter Style Award is to be awarded to the hunter whose style most exemplifies a show hunter based on form, movement and way of going.

The Jumper Style Award is to be awarded to the jumper whose style best exemplifies a show jumper based on scope, rideability, technique and competitive spirit.

Championship recipients will be selected from the twelve finalists per discipline and will be determined based on most consistent style demonstrated over the 12 weeks of FTI WEF competition.

2013 recipients of the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Awards were:

1. Aladin de Bornival/Cara Dodson
Low Junior Jumper

2. Castellana/Laura Chapot
YJC 7-Year-Old

3. Onira/Brianne Goutal
$50,000 Grand Prix

4. Bariano/Eugenio Garza
Junior Jumper Classic High

5. Everly Chin de la Pomme/Shane Sweetnam
1.45m Jumper

6. Woodstock O/Laura Kraut
1.40m Jumper

7. Casalita 2/Jennifer Rowland
Low Adult Classic 18-35

8. Boomerang/Kenzie Donovan
A/O Jumper Classic Medium

9. Zerly/Christine McCrea
WEF Challenge Cup

10. Slieveanorra/Richie Moloney
Suncast 1.50m

11. Atlanta 447/Daisy Johnson
A/O Jumper Classic Low

12. Wish/Jessica Springsteen
A/O Jumper Classic High

2013 Jumper Circuit Champion: (Champion Equine Insurance Style Award)
Woodstock O / Laura Kraut / Joan Kalman/Freedom Group – owner

2013 recipients of the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter Style Award were:

1. Bacardi/Havens Schatt
First Year Green

2. South Hill/Erynn Ballard
Pre-Green Hunter 3′

3. Way Cool/Victoria Colvin
Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under

4. Positano/Missy Luczak-Smith
A/O Hunter 35 & Under

5. Gia/Peter Pletcher
Performance Working Hunter 3’6″

6. MacCallan/Havens Schatt
Performance Working Hunter 3’3″

7. Taken/Kelley Farmer
Regular Conformation Hunter

8. Iceman/Laurie Stevens
A/A Hunter 51 & Over

9. Fredrick/Kelsey Thatcher
A/O Hunter 18-35

10. Bonafide/Kelly Jones
Low Adult 2’6″

11. At One’s Word/Kelley Farmer
Second Year Green Hunter

12. Amalfi/Martha Ingram
Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under

2013 Hunter Circuit Champion: (Champion Equine Insurance Style Award)
Taken / Kelley Farmer

Taken with Laura Fetterman in the 2013 Hunter Circuit Champion Style Award presentation
Taken with Laura Fetterman in the 2013 Hunter Circuit Champion Style Award presentation

In addition to the style awards, Champion Equine Insurance will also be a sponsor during the USHJA/WCHR Hunter Spectacular competition during week six at the FTI WEF. Fetterman will present The Champion Equine Insurance Perpetual Trophy to the emerging professional with the highest score from the professional hunter divisions throughout WCHR qualifying competition.

Shawn Casady was presented the award in 2013 for his ride during the week. Sarah Mechlin won in 2012.

Laura Fetterman takes great pride in helping to further the careers of young professionals and sees the award as a perfect opportunity to do so. Fetterman stated, “Champion Equine Insurance is proud to continue to grow with both national and international equine clients while retaining a personal relationship. To be a member of the client’s team and to help the riders and owners feel secure that their equine insurance is always tailor suited to meet their specific needs is very important.”

With over 18 years of professional equine insurance experience, Laura Fetterman and Champion Equine Insurance offer unparalleled knowledge, integrity and customer service to provide the best protection for your champion and the peace of mind you deserve.

Fetterman is dedicated to supporting her fellow equestrians and providing the best possible services through her company. She knows what it takes to be a successful competitor and keep your equestrian partners in top health. Fetterman has been involved with horses since she was a young girl and has been in the equestrian insurance industry since 1995.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to remain so closely involved with the equine world that I love,” Fetterman stated. “I am always thrilled to have some small part in the careers of so many top horses and riders. To be connected to the incredibly talented horse and rider combinations along with their dedicated owners is a great honor.”

Champion Equine Insurance, Inc. is excited to offer you an invitation to join the many satisfied equine owners who have placed their trust with an equine insurance provider, combining excellent cost effective coverage and competitive rates, with unparalleled personal customer service in the marketplace today.

For a quote today, to review your current policies, or to discuss any of your equine insurance needs, please contact Laura Fetterman at 561-596-5408 or email lfetterman@championequineins.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Rolex and PBIEC Sign Unprecedented 10-Year Partnership to Transform Show Jumping for the Americas

2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival to Have Five CSI 5* Events and a Record 51 FEI Ranking Classes over the Circuit

Wellington, FL – November 27, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and Rolex SA signed an unprecedented 10-year sponsorship agreement to make Rolex the “Official Timepiece” of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and of the world-renowned FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The FTI WEF serves almost 6,000 horses and 2,000 riders from 50 states and over 30 countries.

The long-term partnership will facilitate a record US $1.63 million dollar increase in prize money bringing the grand total to over US $8 million dollars at the FTI WEF, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. Three new FEI-rated CSI 5* events will be added to the schedule, which will make five of the 12 weeks during the circuit at the highest level in Show Jumping. There will also be a new US $1 million Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex bonus opportunity.

Another highlight of the association is that two of the CSI 5* Grand Prix events will be televised and many others will be distributed by Rolex through their media partnerships in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, stated, “We are honored to be partnered with one of the most respected brands in the world. Through this partnership, we will provide the resources to elevate the level of Show Jumping for the Americas and expose PBIEC to a broader international audience.”

Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communications with Rolex, said, “We are very pleased to extend and expand the scope of our long-lasting and successful partnership with this prestigious venue and the world-class, world-renowned events it hosts. Rolex and Palm Beach International Equestrian Center certainly share a common passion for excellence and perfection.”

The dates of the 2014 CSI 5* shows are: FTI WEF 3 from January 22-26, FTI WEF 5 from February 5-9, FTI WEF 7 from February 19-23, FTI WEF 10 from March 12-16, and FTI WEF 12 from March 26-30. In addition to the five CSI 5* shows, there are three CSI 4* events, a CSI 3*, and two CSI 2* shows during the circuit.

FTI WEF weeks 3, 5, 7, and 10 will feature a US $300,000 Saturday Night Grand Prix. FTI WEF 12 will feature the US $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix.

The “Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex” applies to four of the five 5* events and awards a US $1 million bonus to any horse and rider combination that wins the four consecutive CSI 5* Grand Prix events at FTI WEF 3, 5, 10, and 12. The winner of two consecutive Grand Prix will receive US $50,000 and the winner of three of four will receive a US $100,000 bonus.

Finally, Rolex offered a substantial contribution to the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge (GCC), presented by Fidelity Investments, an equestrian Show Jumping competition founded by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige. The event, which occurs on February 1, 2014, is a competition where the world’s top riders team up with equestrian sport’s most prominent families in a unique competition that awards a sliding scale of prize money to each of the 34 randomly selected charities in Palm Beach County.

About Rolex

Rolex enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches are symbols of excellence, performance, and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch since 1905, the brand is at the origin of several landmark innovations in watchmaking, including the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, exploration, sports, and the environment through sponsoring and philanthropic programmes. Rolex has been present in equestrian sports since 1957.

For more information, visit www.rolex.com.

About the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) is considered the most recognizable equestrian sporting venue in America today. It is a 160-acre “Equestrian Lifestyle Destination” nestled in the heart of an 8,000-acre equestrian paradise in Wellington, Florida, located only 20 miles west of Palm Beach.

There are 16 competition rings throughout the equestrian show complex suited for the world’s finest Show Jumping, Hunter, and Dressage events. The PBIEC show grounds offer spectators a picturesque environment in which to enjoy equestrian competitions. There are a number of hospitality and vendor pavilions dedicated to dining, shopping, and VIP areas.

For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Mark Bellissimo Is Calling All Palm Beach County Charities to Participate in 2014 Great Charity Challenge

Sets Fundraising Goal in Excess of $1.75 Million to Benefit over 30 Randomly Selected Palm Beach County Charities

In its first 4 years, the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments (FTI GCC) founded by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige has raised and distributed over $4.2 million dollars, benefitting over 93 Palm Beach County Charities.  This exciting Pro-Amateur show jumping event will be held on Saturday evening February 1st at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, in Wellington, Florida. The family oriented event is targeted to distribute over $1.75 million dollars to 34 lucky Palm Beach County Charities. Any qualified Palm Beach County charity who signs up on the ESP website (www.equestriansport.com) by November 20th has an equal chance to be selected. The FTI GCC has become a signature event of the twelve week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, showcasing top International and Olympic riders of the sport.

The main drawing to select this year’s participating charities will take place on Saturday November 30, 2013 during the Holiday and Horses CSI 2* horse show. Partnering with Wellington Chamber’s Winterfest event, thousands of members of the community are expected to attend the event again this year, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Palm Beach County charities who register will be randomly selected from the Lottery Drum to participate in the event. The number of applying charities has grown from 60 in the first year to over 250 last year, the fourth year of the event. Over 300 charities are expected to apply this year.

Following such a unique multi-charity approach with random drawings of qualified charities has allowed us to assemble a diverse portfolio of charities covering animal rescue, children’s causes, family care, public health, senior care, medical support, equestrian, education, the arts, and the environment among others.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE CHARITIES. The pool of funds translates into $150,000 for the winning charity with a sliding scale to 34th place which takes home $10,000. EVERY PARTICIPATING CHARITY is a winner!

This unparalleled event brings together over 34 equestrian families that each sponsors a team for $25,000. Each team is randomly assigned to compete for one of the 34 randomly selected charities. With additional donations from local families, businesses, sponsors, vendors, exhibitors and spectators (through ticket sales for the evening), we are on track to exceed last years $1.5 fundraising.

Equestrian Sport Productions, home of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), one of the largest and longest running horse show in the world, donates the venue, its staff and infrastructure for this charitable event.

If you would like to participate in this event, please contact Anne Caroline Valtin via email: annecaroline@equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Louise Serio and Derbydown Lead the Way during 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival

Louise Serio and Castle Rock. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Wellington, FL – April 10, 2013 – Throughout the twelve weeks of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Louise Serio and her horses and riders have been extremely successful in the show ring. Serio and her riders have earned multiple championship honors, including the Performance 3’6″ Working Hunter Reserve Circuit Championship with Bryan Baldwin’s Castle Rock.

Serio showed Castle Rock captured the division’s championship honors during Weeks Two and Week Seven, as well as the reserve championship during Week Six. During Week Seven, the pair competed in the $50,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, where they took home the third place honors after receiving a score of 91.5 during the first round.

“I think it’s really amazing how important it is as a rider to get into that class,” noted Serio. “You see everybody gearing up and working for it and trying to get in it. It’s really fun to see that and I think it’s really great to see the class go so well. Castle Rock is just a wonderful horse and he just gives you confidence and always tries so hard.”

Serio also competed with Samba, owned by Marigot Bay Farm, in the Performance 3’6″ Working Hunters. They earned the championship honors during Week Nine, and placed third in the year’s circuit standings.

The trainer from Derbydown also piloted various mounts to championships in the Performance 3’3″ Working Hunters. Serio rode Willow and Cinemagic for Byran Baldwin to top tricolors during Weeks Two and Five, respectively. Christina Serio piloted Derbydown’s Name Game and Kendall Sharkey’s 21-Gun Salute to various ribbons as well.

Serio claimed a number of championships throughout the circuit in varying divisions. In the Second Year Green Conformation Hunters, Serio and Casino, owned by Bridget Hallman, were reserve champion during Week Six and went on to be named champion during Week Eight.

In the Pre-Greens, Serio piloted Hallman’s Lulu to a championship during Week Eight, and Jennifer Burger’s Rock Harbor during Week Five, as well as the reserve championship during Week 8. Christina Serio took home the reserve championship during Week Nine riding 21-Gun Salute.

Continuing to have success in the professional divisions, Serio competed with Annette Lauer’s Bonaparte in the First Year Green Conformation Hunters, where they were awarded the championship ribbon during Week Six. Serio and Carento, rose to the top of the class during Weeks Eight and Eleven. Ashley Hotz, a student of Serio’s, attained various ribbons in the division upon her mount Entourage. Louise Serio finished off her championship earnings on Namesake in the Pre-Green 3-4 Year Olds during week Nine.

The Amateur-Owner riders of Derbydown had some success of their own in the show ring. Bridget Hallman and Casino claimed the championship in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters during the opening week of the Winter Equestrian Festival and continued to attain another top tricolor during WEF 10 aboard Constellation. Hallman also earned ribbons in the division throughout the season on Do Tell as well. Clementina Brown also had success in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, riding Isis and Dashing to top awards throughout the season.

Hallman continued her success, topping the Adult Amateur 36-50 Hunters during Week 10 with Lulu. She also rode to top ribbons in the Amateur Owner 36 & Over 3’3″ Hunters, claiming various ribbons on Hearsay. Cindy Firestone had a spectacular end to the season, attaining the reserve championship during Week 12 on Khrome.

In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Lindsay Mutschler was a name to look out for, as she and her mount Fielding, were the reserve champions during Week Nine and climbed to the top during Week 12, where they also finished in the Top 10 during the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Christina Serio had success in the jumper ring as well, showcasing the talents of World Lady and Discovery O.

Other horse and rider partnerships that earned ribbons throughout the circuit included Emma Kurtz and Jennifer Burger’s Aate in the Children’s 14 & Under Hunters, and Alanis Smith and One Love in the Low Children’s 2’6″ Hunters.

About Derbydown:

Owned and operated by top hunter trainer Louise Serio, Derbydown is nationally recognized as one of the foremost show hunter barns in the country. It is a training, boarding, showing and sales business with a multi-level horse facility providing all levels of instruction to A-quality showing in Kennett Square, PA. Serio began training at Derbydown in 1975 and she consistently trains and rides champions in every division at the most prestigious shows on the East Coast. Some of her championship mounts include Red Panda, Gray Slipper, Phillipa, Rock Star, Aate, Castle Rock, Marshall, Willow, Casino, Constellation, and Do Tell. Most recently, Serio was victorious in the 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Spectacular aboard Castle Rock at the Winter Equestrian Festival. For more information, please visit www.Derbydown.com.

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