Category Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

Team USA Wins Hollow Creek Farm FEI Young Rider Nations Cup

The top three young rider teams of USA, Canada and Colombia. Photo © Sportfot.

Brazil Sweeps Children’s and Junior Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup Classes; McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness Win $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic; Katie Dinan and Glory Days Victorious in $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic; Nolan Wein and Aaron Pick Up Victory in THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17

Wellington, FL – March 2, 2013 – The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups were featured at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Saturday, March 2, at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) in Wellington, FL. With the first round for each age group held during the day session and all three second rounds held at night under the lights, the team from USA won in the young rider’s class and the teams from Brazil won in the junior’s and children’s classes.

Week eight CSIO competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, runs February 27 – March 3, 2013. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be held on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.

The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup classes were a huge success thanks to the vision, innovation and support of the Andrade Family. Equestrian Sport Productions’ CEO Mark Bellissimo recognized Hollow Creek Farm for their dedication to the advancement of the sport.

“Thank you to the Andrade Family for their support of these fantastic classes,” Bellissimo stated. “The event exceeded expectations in its first year and we were thrilled with the enthusiasm and passion of everyone involved. We look forward to making this even bigger and better next year.”

Saturday’s Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds for each division shown over courses set by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all eligible teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.

The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Young Rider Nations Cup was a very close class with teams USA and Canada coming into round two tied at the top and the American riders taking the win. Colombia and Brazil also showed in the final round and finished third and fourth respectively.

The U.S. team, represented by Catherine Pasmore and Pasmore Stables’ Z Canta, Mattias Tromp and Beyaert Farm, Inc.’s Casey, Abigail McArdle and David McArdle’s Cosma 20, and Liza Finsness and Ormsby Hilll, was coached by Chef d’Equipe Michelle Grubb.

Grubb was thrilled with the way her team performed and stressed upon them the honor of competing for their country. “They were terrific,” Grubb smiled. “This has been a fantastic week. Our juniors and young riders really came through tonight. The only rider who has competed for the USA is Catherine, but all the other riders really stepped up. I told them that there is no greater honor then being able to represent your country in the sport that you love. I’m proud that they won, but more proud of their performance this week.”

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 put in the only double clear rounds for Team USA. Catherine Pasmore was the drop score of eight in round one, but came back strong to jump clear in the second round. Mattias Tromp had one time fault in the first round and five faults in round two. Liza Finsness had four faults in round one and then did not have to return in round two after it was determined that their team could not be beat. Team USA finished on ten faults total.

The Canadian team finished in second on a 15 point total. Their riders included Bretton Chad aboard Santa Catarina LS, owned by Stone Ridge Farms LLC, Nicole Walker riding High Yummy, Amelia Vernon on Jaime Auletto’s Udolente, and Kara Chad riding Alberto II, owned by Stone Ridge Farms, LLC.

In round one, Bretton Chad and Walker jumped clear and Vernon and Amelia Chad each had five faults with one of those scores dropped. In round two, Vernon’s score of nine was dropped, Bretton Chad had five, Walker had four, and Kara Chad incurred one time fault.

After watching their senior team jump to victory in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, the young U.S. riders were encouraged to bring their country a win and all agreed that it was a great experience.

“I’m honored to be able to represent the USA on a team for the first time,” Abigail McArdle stated. “Being on a team is a little bit of added extra pressure since you aren’t just jumping clean for yourself, but for a team. It is a great feeling to have the added pressure, especially when it pays off.”

Catherine Pasmore is the only rider on the team that has had Nations Cup experience. She jumped double clear in Hagen and jumped clear for a U.S. win in Buenos Aires. She had a rough start to the day, but had a great show in the end.

“We definitely turned it around tonight,” Pasmore proclaimed. “I’m really happy with it. It is an amazing feeling to represent your country. Whether it’s young riders or a senior team, it is an honor every time they play the National Anthem. I was happy to be a part of this great team and Michelle does a great job bringing everyone together.”

U.S. Chef d’Equipe Michelle Grubb added a thank you to Hollow Creek Farm for their support. “Thank you to the Andrade Family for this week. It has been a fabulous experience for everyone,” she acknowledged. “It has been an honor to lead these riders, be there for them, and enjoy their progress and enthusiasm. The South Americans, especially the Brazilians, are so enthusiastic and they really gained our respect with their really great performances. We applaud them.”

Nolan Wein and Aaron. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography
The top three junior teams of Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. Photo © Sportfot

The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Junior Nations Cup had six teams make it to the second round of competition with a win for Brazil. The teams of Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, USA, and Argentina all showed under the lights on Saturday night.

It was another very close class as Teams USA and Mexico each went into round two with four faults, Brazil with six and Venezuela with eight. Brazil scored the victory as three of their riders cleared the second round course and they were able to drop one four fault score to stay on six faults.

Mexico had two riders with four faults in the second round along with two clear rounds, so they added four to their first round faults to finish in second place on eight. Venezuela had two clear rounds, one time fault and one four fault score in round two. They dropped the four to add one point and finish on nine for third place honors.

The winning junior Brazilian team consisted of Carolina Drummond riding LaLa de la Hurie, owned by Madame Catherine Potin, Sofia Scheer riding Levin Z, Stoeterij Zangersheide, Giulia Scampini riding Constantino Scampini’s Keep On Fighting, and Fernando Penteado riding Petit Paul de Beaufou, owned by M. Eric Levallois Et S.A.R.L Pilou. They were coached by Chef d’Equipe Caio Sergio de Carvalho.

Giulia Scampini was the only rider from Brazil’s junior team to jump two clear rounds in the class. Drummond had four and four, Scheer had two time faults and then a clear round, and Penteado had eight and zero.

All of the riders were thrilled with the result and agreed that it was a fantastic opportunity to compete. Sixteen-year-old Penteado has had his horse, a Selle Francais gelding, for two years. “My horse is a young horse at only 8 years old,” he stated. “I bought him in Europe. He’s good, but inexperienced.”

On riding in the class, Penteado smiled, “It is great to represent our country. I feel really happy.”

Eighteen-year-old Carolina Drummond was very happy with her mare and said a special thanks to the sponsor. “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to ride here,” she stated. “We don’t get this all the time. I think we did a great job to win for our country. It’s mind blowing. Thank you to Hollow Creek for the opportunity.”

The riders spoke about what it was like showing in the impressive International Arena at PBIEC in an important night class. Drummond summed it up, noting, “Showing under the lights is very different for us as we don’t have this in Brazil, so it was very shocking when we arrived. We were really excited to be a part of this.”

Scampini, who is fifteen years old, acknowledged all of the hard work that went into making this event happen. “It’s really good to be here and win,” she said. “All of the effort to make this possible is incredible.”

Chef d’Equipe Caio Sergio de Carvalho was very proud of his team and how they pulled through the competition strongly. “Today was a very difficult day,” he admitted. “After the first round the teams were very close and the riders had to do clear rounds. Concentration was very difficult in this time and I am very pleased with the result.”

The top three children's teams from Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela. Photo © Sportfot
The top three children’s teams from Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela. Photo © Sportfot

Carvalho also coached Brazil’s children’s team to a victory in the Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s Nations Cup where four teams were eligible to return for the second round. The teams from the United States, Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina were represented. In the end, it was extremely close between Brazil and Argentina, and Brazil took top prize.

The team from Brazil had only three riders compete in the two rounds of competition after one of their riders had to withdraw from the competition, so all of their scores counted. Their competitors included Siew Chiang Cheng riding Up to You, owned by Yuri M. Guerios, Laura Ramos Rait riding LF Ponderosa, owned by Lincon Goncalves Fernandes, and Vittorio Burger riding Yves Sportiello’s Cheese Z.

In their first round, Chiang and Burger each had one time fault and Rait jumped a clear round. The team went into the second round on two faults and all cleared the course, keeping their score at two for the win.

The children’s team from Argentina was represented by Candela Oyarzabal riding La Pasion Arkansas Z, owned by Omar Gonzalez, Melina Vernengo riding Luis Vernengo’s Nero, Manuel Chechic riding Hector Chechic’s Margarita J I A, and Iara Veron riding Norit Larino, owned by Marcelo Luis Brandolino.

In round one, Oyarzabal, Vernengo and Chechic all cleared the course and Veron was the drop score of six. They went into round two on zero. The second round saw four faults for Oyarzabal, two clear rounds from Vernengo and Chechic, and a drop score of five from Veron. With just the four faults from round two for their score, the team finished in second.

The team from Venezuela had nine faults total to place third. Team USA finished on 13 faults to place fourth.

Fourteen-year-old Laura Ramos Rait and LF Ponderosa were the only pair to jump two clear rounds for team Brazil on their way to a win in the children’s class. Ponderosa is an eight-year-old Finnish mare whom Rait deemed “the best mare in the world.”

Thirteen-year-old Burger rode Cheese Z, an eight-year-old Argentinian bred gelding. Chiang’s horse Up to You is a nine-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding. All three riders were very happy to win for their country and get the opportunity to show in these classes.

“I am very happy because this is a big opportunity to represent my country, Brazil,” Rait stated. “It made a good reputation of us because we did well.”

Burger noted, “It was very interesting because we got to compete against many countries and get to see how they ride and what their strategy is.”

Chiang added, “This was my first nations cup in my life and it was really exciting. It was really hard because it was against many countries and it was a lot of pressure for our team because we had to go zero and fast.”

Although he was not able to compete today, team member Rodrigo Jadin da Rosa was happy to take part in the win with his fellow riders. “I liked it very much because it was a very good experience. I got to jump in another country and know how they do it here. Even if my horse wasn’t able to jump today, I found it very good to be here because I got to meet other people from the U.S. and other countries.”

Leading rider awards were also presented for each division for the overall performance of the riders throughout the week’s competition, including their Welcome Stakes, Classics and first round Nations Cup performance. In the children’s division, the top rider was Venezuela’s Constanza Romer. In the juniors, USA’s Katherine Strauss was the champion. Manuel Fernandez Hache of Dominican Republic topped the young rider division.

McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness. Photo © Sportfot
McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness. Photo © Sportfot

Second Win of the Week for McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness

Also showing on Saturday, McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Super Trooper de Ness were on a roll with their second big win of the week. In a class of 37 entries in the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic, ten jumped clear rounds over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s speed track and Ward and Super Trooper were fastest yet again with their time of 61.81 seconds.

Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Vornado Van Den Hoendrik held the lead for most of the class with their time of 61.98 seconds to eventually finish second. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables’ Mouse placed third in 62.03 seconds. Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) and RD Jumping Higher Ltda.’s Show Show were fourth in 62.98 seconds, and Reed Kessler (USA) stopped the clock in 65.02 second aboard Ligist to place fifth.

Ward and Super Trooper, an eleven-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Polydor, have been building their partnership since the start of the circuit and have had progressed quickly with several big wins. During week two they won a $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class and a $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. They also topped this week’s modified $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8, which was held as a speed class. Ward is gearing the horse toward the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

Katie Dinan and Glory Days Victorious in $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic

Katie Dinan and Glory Days. Photo © Sportfot
Katie Dinan and Glory Days. Photo © Sportfot

In the $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic later in the morning, Ward’s student Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partners Glory Days jumped to victory in the $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic. Sixty-one entries showed in the class and 13 advanced to the jump-off. Dinan and Glory Days won it in 36.66 seconds over Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farm’s HH Let’s Fly with their time of 37.15 seconds. Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder’s Calypso placed third in 38.78 seconds.

This was Dinan’s second big win of the circuit aboard Glory Days, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento 933 x Diamond Serpent, that her family recently purchased from rider Daniel Zetterman. Dinan and ‘Glory’ won the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix during week six and are working their way up to the bigger classes as they get to know each other.

“He felt great today. It was very exciting,” Dinan smiled after her win. “We are trying to take it slowly, but not too slowly. After the last win we decided that it would be good to do the two national 1.45m and 1.50m classes this weekend to get two more rounds under our belt that are a little bit bigger with the hope that maybe we can step up to some FEI classes by the last few weeks of WEF.”

“I couldn’t be happier with him; he felt fantastic,” Dinan said. “It was a 13-horse jump-off with some very fast riders and I went fifth, so I knew that there were going to be people going fast behind me and I tried to really set down a good pace. I felt like I was really fast in the beginning and the last few jumps felt really good.”

Dinan was rocking her pink gear this week to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society and this weekend’s Pink Party in Wellington. Glory also wore his pink saddle pad and boots for a good cause. The new pair is doing quite well together and will show again in Sunday’s 1.50m class.

“He had a pretty light beginning of the year, so we are just getting back into the groove,” Dinan noted. “I am thrilled. So far he has been great and I feel like I am really getting to know him. There have been things that we have been working on that I have been able to do in the ring. It is so nice to have these two classes here over the weekend and this is such a fun weekend.”

Nolan Wein and Aaron. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography
Nolan Wein and Aaron. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography

Nolan Wein and Aaron Pick Up Victory in THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17 at FTI WEF

Nolan Wein and her own Aaron bested a class of twenty-four aspiring equitation champions in the Taylor Harris Insurance Service (THIS) National Children’s Medal 15-17 class during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Wein, of Gladwyne, PA, and her eight-year-old Warmblood gelding topped the class with a score of 89. The top four was rounded out by Kelsey Brown and Califernia with a score of 88, Isabella McCary and Balou Grand with a score of 87, and Adam Rittenberg aboard Alchemy with a score of 86.

Wein imported Aaron from Europe six months ago and is more than pleased with her quick progress with him. “This is his first season in Florida, but so far he’s been great,” Wein commented. “He’s really sweet, very straight-forward and super nice. We love him!”

Wein has found an ideal partner in the big bay gelding and was delighted with their performance in Saturday’s class. “The course rode really well. I played to our strengths and just tried to go in there and ride very naturally. I can get him in a good rhythm and he’s very straight-forward and easy to the jumps. He’s not spooky at all,” Wein described.

“I thought the test was pretty challenging,” Wein continued. “There were definitely some decisions that had to be made [when deciding what track to take], but I made my plan and stuck to it.”

Wein’s plan clearly paid off, securing her first victory in the class with Aaron. Nolan’s trainer, Rebecca Conway, viewed today’s win as indicative of their path to qualifying for the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, held in October at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. “Every week she’s shown in the Taylor Harris she’s gotten better and better. We’ve gone from fourth to third and now she’s won it. I hope this means good things for finals and that she’ll keep improving,” Conway stated.

“Nolan has the fundamentals of being a great rider,” Conway continued. “She has a good eye and the horses like her. She’s a hard worker and [Aaron] is a good horse.”

Taylor will continue to compete in the THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17 class during the upcoming weeks of the FTI WEF to hopefully accrue more points towards her goal of qualifying for finals. She enjoys migrating south to the FTI WEF for more than just the Florida weather. “The horse show is really nice. Everything is beautiful here and obviously it’s warm, but we love the show in general because it’s run so well,” Wein concluded.

Week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm, will conclude on Sunday with the ASPCA Maclay, presented by Sidelines and Alessandro Albanese, hosted in Ring 9 of the PBIEC. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be featured in the International Arena to complete the week. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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

Team USA Wins $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

Beezie Madden and Simon. Photo © Sportfot.

$10,000 G&C Speed Stake Victory Goes to Darragh Kenny and Delilah; LDM Dramatik and Amy Smith Secure Championship Title in Low Adult 2’6″ Hunters Section A

Wellington, FL – March 1, 2013 – The powerhouse U.S. show jumping team of Kent Farrington, Reed Kessler, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden earned victory in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Teams representing seven different countries participated in the evening’s competition with a win for Team USA over Canada in second and Germany in third.

Week eight CSIO competition runs February 27 – March 3, 2013. The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups will be featured on Saturday, March 2. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be held on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.

Friday’s nights Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds shown over a challenging course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. Teams of four represented the countries of Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, USA, Colombia and Venezuela.

After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all seven teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.

Watch an interview with U.S. Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland
Watch an interview with U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland

The winning team from the United States was represented by Kent Farrington and RCG Farm’s Uceko, Reed Kessler and her Cylana, Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s Cedric, and Beezie Madden riding Abigail Wexner’s Simon under the guidance of new Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

In round one, Farrington had four faults aboard Uceko and Kessler, Kraut and Madden all jumped clear rounds to lead the way into the second phase of competition. In round two, Farrington and Kessler each jumped clear rounds, Kraut and Cedric had four faults, and when it was determined that the USA could not be beat, the team decided that Madden and Simon did not have to jump. They finished on a two round total of four faults for the victory.

Beezie Madden had a little trouble at the water in round one but still jumped clear for her team. She noted, “I probably had the most interesting round. Other than the water jump, he felt great. He was fantastic. I looked at the scoreboard afterwards; I thought he was clear of it. I knew he hit the box, but that was probably putting it mildly. I was just happy he recovered from that and he finished off with a clear.”

Reed Kessler and Cylana. Photo © Sportfot
Reed Kessler and Cylana. Photo © Sportfot

Eighteen-year-old Reed Kessler had her first win as well as her first double clear in a Nations Cup class and was very excited.

“To ride on the home team in front of the home crowd is a really big honor so I’m thrilled that it went the way it did,” Kessler smiled. “Cylana was awesome. She has shown pretty lightly all of circuit to prepare for this. It’s my favorite thing when I ride her to hear the crowd scream and she gets so animated and so wild. When she heads to the first jump, she has total focus. She could not have done better.”

Kent Farrington had a rail in round one but came back strong for the second round. He commented, “I’ve known that horse a little while and our first ride wasn’t our best. Towards the end of the round he just got too strong and he took over at the last oxer. I was actually pleased with how he came back in the second round. He performed more like himself and was more relaxed.”

Laura Kraut had a great night with Cedric and enjoyed winning on home turf.

Laura Kraut and Cedric. Photo © Sportfot
Laura Kraut and Cedric. Photo © Sportfot

“I was thrilled with Cedric tonight,” Kraut smiled. “Both rounds he was fantastic. The second round I was maybe a little overly cautious down the last line and he had such a light rub. I think he thinks he was double clear. I think he’s pleased right now. As Reed said, it was very comforting to ride tonight. Normally, I would be very tense about riding in front of the home crowd, but when you have three horse/rider combinations going with you, I felt pretty comfortable that if I did something really stupid they’d be there to back me up. I’m thrilled that we won and I’m really happy for Robert because he was really nervous. He just sort of listened to what we thought we wanted to do and supported us. We’re all getting to know each other and our new system. But I think it worked quite well.”

Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland was very happy with his team and admits to being a little nervous.

“I was told I was pacing a lot,” Ridland laughed. “What do you do? For me, this has been a long journey and great to get here. It was about a year ago that I was named coach and we went through the Olympic trials and all that. At the same time, Furusiyya and the FEI changed the Nations Cup and there are a lot of us that feel this is one of the best things that will have happened to the sport in a long time. It will revive the Nations Cup. We knew this was going to be a really big deal coming in being a qualifier for the Final and we made it a huge priority before the beginning of the year, not only to try to win this, but to be in a good position for the Final.”

Friday night’s Canadian team consisted of Eric Lamaze and Morningside Stud & Torrey Pines Stables’ Wang Chung M2S, Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farm LLC’s Victor, Mac Cone and Chadburn Holdings, Inc.’s Amor van de Rostal as well as Ian Millar and Ariel and Susan Grange’s Dixson with Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin.

In round one, Lamaze had five faults for a rail and one time fault, Foster and Millar jumped clear, and Mac Cone was eliminated for the drop score. All four riders continued on into round two where Lamaze, Foster and Millar all jumped clear. Mac Cone’s score was once again dropped to leave the team on five faults total for their second place finish.

Third place finisher, Team Germany, included Janne Friederike Meyer aboard Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie’s Cellagon Lambrasco, Johannes Ehning and Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG’s Salvador V, Andre Thieme and his Contanga 3, and Daniel Deusser aboard Stephex Stables & Pedro Veniss’s Cornet d’Amour headed by Chef d’Equipe Dietmar Gugler.

In round one, Germany dropped Ehning’s score of eight and kept Meyer’s four fault score and Theime’s one time fault with a clear round from Daniel Deusser. In round two, Deusser once again jumped clear, Meyer was clear, and Ehning and Theime each had four faults, one of which was dropped. The team finished on five faults from round one and four faults from round two for a nine point total.

The fourth place team from Ireland finished with eleven faults. Other teams included Colombia, who finished on a score of 41 to place fifth, Venezuela, who had a two round total of 48 to finish sixth, and Mexico, who finished on a score of 59 to place seventh.

All in all, there were five double clear rounds for the night, including Reed Kessler, Tiffany Foster, Ian Millar, Daniel Deusser and Cian O’Connor on Splendor. Foster was especially enthusiastic about her performance aboard Victor.

The 2013 season has seen the introduction of a new formula for the FEI Nations Cup. Following a new sponsorship deal with the Saudi Equestrian Fund, this historic series will now be known as the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup. Under the new rules, the world has been divided into six regions for the purpose of qualifying teams for a World Final. The six regions are Europe 1 and 2, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

On behalf of Furusiyya, HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan was present for the class and commented on the evening. “First of all we are very happy for the American team for their win today,” he stated. “They were amazing and they had really good horses coming in. The other teams also performed really well and it was very close.”

“To start off, Furusiyya is a single Arabic word and it is based on embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry and equestrian knowledge in general,” he added. “The term is a derivation of ‘faris,’ the horseman and the horse, so it’s a combination of both. In time, Furusiyya will become the brand name under which Saudi Arabian equestrian products will be licensed and marketed. To date, there is a perfume called Furusiyya which is a product for sale in Saudi Arabia. It is our duty in Saudi equestrian to sponsor Saudi equestrian activities for the nobility. Not only in the narrow sense of their history and heritage, but rather in the cultural and behavioral aspects that surround the sport in celebration of the horse. It has instilled chivalry, honor, value and virtue. This is the essence of our mission in the Saudi Equestrian Fund-the connection between horse and rider is universal and we are fortunate that the horse is so noble that they allow us to share their strength and passion.”

Class and weekly sponsor Gustavo Mirabal of G&C Farm also spoke about the evening. “I am very proud to again be the Nations Cup sponsor as well as many FEI classes,” Mirabal stated. “I think we have to do this in America-more FEI classes and more FEI points so we can have more riders in the top of the world. I recognize all of the American riders as amazing riders and people, and I am proud to be the sponsor.”

Also commenting on the class, John Madden, representing the FEI, noted, “I think we witnessed a little bit of history tonight. This is the first Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup here in North America. Last week we witnessed it in Abu Dhabi and we think it’s a really bright future for our sport.”

“I would like to, on behalf of the FEI, thank the USEF as our host federation and ESP, Michael (Stone) and everybody for a great job this evening,” Madden acknowledged. “I think we really have to thank Gustavo and G&C. They really bring the hemisphere together. They bring the Americas together like a family and we really have to thank His Highness Prince Faisal and Furusiyya. Thank you, on behalf of the FEI for bringing the world together.”

Equestrian Sport Productions’ CEO Mark Bellissimo added, “I’d also like to thank the sponsors and His Highness. This is an amazing start of a tradition in the United States and it is great that the U.S. team was able to prevail here. Canada and Germany also did very well and I think we’re just pleased to have top sport in Wellington.”

“I’d like to thank my friend Gustavo Mirabal, who stepped up very early in our ownership of this and has just been an amazing sponsor and supporter through all dimensions of the sport,” Bellissimo said. “It takes great sponsors to elevate the sport in the United States and we hope this is a relationship for many years to come. Again, we thank the FEI and USEF for creating the platform for this great demonstration.”

Darragh Kenny and Delilah Dash to Victory in $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake

Darragh Kenny and Delilah. Photo © Sportfot
Darragh Kenny and Delilah. Photo © Sportfot

G&C Farm’s $10,000 Speed Stake was also held on Friday with a win for Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Delilah, owned by Derbypie, LLC. In a field of 35 international starters, Kenny and Delilah completed the fastest of 9 clear rounds in 59.07 seconds. Germany’s Johannes Ehning and Cayenne 162, owned by Winley Farm LLC, finished second in 59.63 seconds. USA’s Reed Kessler and Ligist were third with a time of 61.54 seconds.

Delilah is a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Lancelot x Gracio owned by young American rider Hasbrouck Donovan, who has shown successfully in the junior jumpers. Kenny explained that he has been keeping the mare fit for her rider over the winter and asked if he could use her as a speed horse this week.

“It is a super horse,” Kenny stated. “She is so easy and brave and uncomplicated and careful. She has a huge stride and you can really gallop with her. She wants to win, so it makes my life really easy.”

Commenting on Friday’s class, Kenny noted, “It was a really nice result. I thought it was a really good course for a speed class. There were enough questions and tight turns, but also a lot of galloping. It was really interesting because in a really good speed class you have to be careful about leaving the jumps up too and a good few people at the start had faults. You just had to be a little bit careful and then you had to go pretty quick.”

Kenny is frequently one of the fastest riders in any class and explained that confidence in his horses is key. “I am lucky; I just know how to go fast,” he smiled. “At this stage I have had a lot of practice. It is a simple thing. If you can trust your horses to jump the jumps clear, then speed comes a lot easier. Delilah is so careful and she tries so hard that when I turn back to anything, even if I am not at the perfect distance or even if I am going too fast, I know she is going to try. That makes it easier; it gives you more room to go faster.”

Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, McLain Ward and Tequestrian Farm’s Coco 135 earned a victory in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge. Johannes Ehning and Appearance 2, owned by Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG, triumphed in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class.

LDM Dramatik and Amy Smith. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography
LDM Dramatik and Amy Smith. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography

LDM Dramatik and Amy Smith Secure Championship Title in Low Adult 2’6″ Hunters Section A

Amy Smith and her newly acquired mount, LDM Dramatik, topped the Low Adult 2’6″ Hunter Section A division during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Smith and her fourteen-year-old Westphalian mare were fifth and fourth over fences on day one of competition for the division. The pair was second, fourth and first over fences on day two.

Reserve championship honors went to Elizabeth Reed and her own Serenade. Reed and Serenade were third over fences day one and earned a blue ribbon over fences on day two.

Smith bought LDM Dramatik from Lynn Berg only two weeks ago, who was competing the mare in Adult Amateur divisions at the FTI WEF. While their relationship may be new, the pair is clearly a winning match.

“She’s been awesome. Last week, [during World Championship Hunter Rider Week], we were fifth in the classic out of 73 and ninth and eleventh out of 73 in the other two over fences classes,” Smith recalled.

Smith has enjoyed getting to know her new mount as the two continue their success at the FTI WEF. “My horse that I had for six years was totally different from her – it’s like night and day. She stays consistent, while he would change at every jump. If you saw a long one on him, he might go for it or you might chip. I’m adjusting to her well. She makes it easy,” Smith described.

“She’s such a good girl, she’s really right there for you,” Smith continued. “She helps you out and she never changes unless she needs to.”

Smith also praised LDM Dramatik’s way of going for making her so competitive at a high-caliber competition like the FTI WEF. “A lot of it is the way she goes across the ground. She’s just so smooth and she jumps the same style from any distance. She doesn’t stay in the air too long over jumps and she’s got just the right amount of arc. She can cover up your mistakes, also. If you get a little too deep to a fence, she’ll still jump it very well,” Smith explained.

Smith has been competing at the FTI WEF since 1990. She looks forward to her annual trip south from Nashville for more than just the Florida sunshine. “The facilities are beautiful, first of all. The competition is the toughest in the country which makes me ride better. It makes me more competitive,” Smith commented.

“And of course, who couldn’t love being in Palm Beach in the winter?” Smith added with a smile.

Week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm, will continue Saturday, March 2, 2013, with the THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17 class in Ring 8 of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups will be held in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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

FTI WEF CSIO Week 8 Begins with a Win for Daniel Deusser and Domingo

Daniel Deusser and Domingo. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2013 – Week eight of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by G&C Farm, kicked off on Wednesday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with a win for German rider Daniel Deusser and Stephex Stables’ Domingo in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class. Also showing on Wednesday, Hollow Creek Farm-sponsored Children’s, Junior and Young Rider Welcome Stake classes were held with wins for Venezuela’s Constanza Romer and American brothers Lucas and Wilton Porter.

Week eight CSIO competition runs February 27 – March 3, 2013. The week will highlight the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm on Friday, March 1. The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups will be held on Saturday, March 2. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be held on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.

Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC. On Wednesday, D’Ambrosio set the speed track for 39 competitors in the G&C Farm sponsored 1.45m class. Fourteen entries cleared the course without fault and the times were blazing as a roster of top international competitors fought for top honors.

German rider Daniel Deusser got a win right off the bat in his first class of the week upon arriving in Wellington. Deusser and Stephex Stables’ Domingo had the fastest clear round in 66.038 seconds early on in the class to hold on for the win. Irish competitor Andrew Bourns finished second aboard Double H Farm’s Ace High Mike in 67.617 seconds. Colombia’s Manuel Espinosa finished third in 68.507 second riding Luis Garcia’s Zippo CG. Andrew Bourns also took fourth place honors riding Tequestrian Farms’ Carmina through the finish in 69.491 seconds.

Class winner, Domingo, is a ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Brownboy, owned by Stephex Stables. Deusser began riding for Stephex last year in May and got the ride on Domingo there from the beginning. Over the last ten months, Deusser and Domingo have formed a great partnership.

“He used to jump two-star grand prix in Belgium and the area with a national rider and he has developed quite well since I have had him,” Deusser noted. “He won a 1.50m and has placed a few times in a few good 1.50m classes, for example in Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago. He is a really competitive horse on that level.”

Commenting on his winning round in Wednesday’s class, Deusser detailed, “I didn’t really know how to start the class; it was my first class here. When I walked the course I tried not to go too crazy. I had a good rhythm and I took all of the inside (turns to the) jumps. We had an option to the last double to go in six or in seven strides and I decided to do the six strides. I must say, in the beginning I thought that it was not enough to win, but I got a bit lucky at the end.”

Deusser has not been to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center since competing in Wellington at the Global Champions Tour event in 2007. Six years later, he sees significant changes to the facility. On the decision to return, Deusser explained, “My boss did a lot of business here the last couple of years, so it was his idea to come over and I liked it here already six years ago. In Belgium it is snowing at the moment and here the sun is shining, so it is a nice difference.”

Deusser plans to represent Germany in Friday night’s Nations Cup class with his top horse, Cornet d’Amour. The pair was a part of the winning team at Spruce Meadows this summer and he hopes to further their success.

“He is a really nice horse, so I think we have quite a good chance on the team,” Deusser stated. “The last Nations Cup I did was in Calgary last year and we won that one, so I hope we can continue that. Last year Germany won it here also with a really young group, so let’s hope we can do the same this year.”

Also showing on Wednesday, some of the best children, junior and young riders from around the world began their week with Welcome Stake classes in preparation for Saturday’s Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup competition. Brothers Wilton and Lucas Porter represented the United States well with wins in each of their divisions.

In the Hollow Creek Farm Young Rider Welcome Stake, Wilton Porter (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch, LLC’s Radio City topped the class with Gabriela Mershad (USA) and Mershad Stables, LLC’s Caprilli HSF finishing second and Manuel Fernandez (DOM) and Aristides Fernandez Zucco’s Maribel H placing third.

The Hollow Creek Farm Junior Welcome Stake followed with a win for younger brother Lucas Porter (USA) riding Sleepy P Ranch, LLC’s Mill’s Georgia. Felipe Feuntes (ARG) and Raso de los Morales’ Zalina VD Laarseheide Z placed second. Katherine Strauss (USA) and Chellando Z finished third.

The day concluded with the Hollow Creek Farm Children’s Welcome Stake and a sweep for the Venezuelan riders in all top four positions. Constanza Romer and Frederick Romer’s SF Hechicero won the class. Clarissa Chumaceiro and Patricia Cifuentes’ Medium Platiere finished second. Carlos Bechara and Adriana Romer’s Armelle’s Boy placed third, and Mariana Sade and Stransky’s Mission Farms, Inc.’s Ikarus were fourth.

Week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm, will continue on Thursday with a full schedule of hunter and jumper competition. Due to a cancellation of the CSIO Welcome Stake Class on Wednesday, the prize money for the Challenge Cup class has been increased. The $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 is scheduled to start at 4 pm (pending test results). In consultation with the ground jury and agreement with all seven international Chefs d’Equipe, the class has been changed from 1.50m jump-off to 1.50m speed format (238.2.1). The prize money has increased by $10,000 to $43,000 from Wednesday’s cancelled Welcome Classes. The First Year Green Working Hunters will be featured in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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

Katie Robinson Claims A-O Hunter Championship for World Champion Hunter Rider Week

Katie Robinson and Rock Steady. Photo By: Arianna Delin/PMG

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – February 25, 2013 – Katie Robinson of Deeridge Farms and Rock Steady were at the top of the leader board during World Champion Hunter Rider Week at the Wellington Equestrian Festival. The pair dominated the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters, clinching the championship honors, the High Score Amateur Award, and the opportunity to compete during the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights in the International Ring.

Robinson posted the third score in the 90s for the week in the International Ring during the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters on Friday. Aboard Rock Steady, Robinson had a brilliant handy round, with an average score of 91. Robinson and ‘Rocky’ also had a wonderful first round, earning a second place ribbon. “We have a great relationship and I know him really well,” remarked Robinson. “He loves the handy classes and I do too, so it was really fun. I love this ring; it’s a lot of fun.”

Robinson and the 13-year-old Warmblood have a great relationship and are a team to be reckoned with. “I love riding him at the farm as much as at the horse shows, so trail rides are fun.”

The Amateur-Owners concluded on Saturday in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring, where Robinson and Rock Steady earned the championship in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters. In addition to their placings on Friday, a second place ribbon in the stake class and the third place in the under saddle helped them claim the tricolor award.

“Rock Steady was super; he was really great in the International and he was ready to come and play in the other ring,” said Robinson. “WCHR week really is a special week. It’s so nice to be showcased and to get out in the big ring and to feel special. It makes you feel good, and it’s so much fun.”

Later that night, Robinson and Rock Steady earned the opportunity to compete WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. They were honored with the High Score Amateur Award for their score of 91 in Friday’s handy class.

Robinson and Deeridge Farms will continue to compete throughout the 12 weeks of the 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Andrew Bourns and Gatsby Win $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby in an Irish Sweep

Praise and Sheila Motley Win Big as World Championship Hunter Week Concludes at the FTI WEF

Wellington, FL – February 24, 2013 – The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded its seventh week of competition, sponsored by Hermès, with action at two parts of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Sunday. At The Stadium, Irish riders Andrew Bourns, Darragh Kenny, and Shane Sweetnam swept the top three in the $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby with a win for Bourns and his mount Gatsby. In the International Arena, Praise and Sheila Motley won the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic. Tina Allen and French Kiss were victorious in the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Classic.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, set a demanding track for Sunday’s jumper derby that featured 20 numbered obstacles, including the derby bank, table bank, open water, devil’s dyke and more. The number of challenging natural obstacles along with the length of the course and the heat of the day tested the stamina of all of the horses and riders competing. With only two clear rounds completed in the faults converted format, speed was key, and the top three riders finished with just three one-hundredths of a second separating them.

Andrew Bourns and Gatsby went third in the order and cleared the course in 138.27 seconds to take the early lead. Two rounds later, Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm, LLC’s Little Emir had the time well in hand in 134.30 seconds, but a rail cost them four faults to eventually finish third in 138.30 seconds. Luis Larrazabal (VEN) and Gustavo Mirabal’s G&C Lepanto were even faster in 131.17 seconds, but had two rails down to finish fourth with a final time of 139.17 seconds. Darragh Kenny took the second place prize with Hays Investment Corporation’s Any Given Sunday. The pair had a total time of 138.29 seconds with time taken after a refusal at the devil’s dyke.

Winning horse Gatsby is a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion by Simba x Cruise On. Andrew Bourns purchased Gatsby four months ago in Ireland and just recently brought him over to the U.S. This is the pair’s fourth week showing together and they have had consistent results.

Watch an interview with Andrew Bourns
Watch an interview with Andrew Bourns

“I am very happy for him today,” Bourns stated after the class. “It was a big ask and I think it was a big step up for him and he really answered the call. I was a little worried about the length of the track and the heat. I thought it might take its toll, but he actually held up very well. Coming to the last fence he was pulling me just as hard as he was to the first fence. I was very happy with that.”

“He has never shown on this field before,” Bourns added. “Our relationship is very new, the combination is very new, so we are still trying to figure each other out. There were a few moments on the course where it got a little bit hairy, but he stayed careful and he just kept trying right away to the end.”

Bourns did not think that his time would hold up with the horses and riders that followed in the class, but he knew that he had a great round.

“I thought it was a fantastic round and I was extremely happy with the horse,” he stated. “I was very confident in a top two or three finish. I did not realize it would be as close as it was. When Darragh was coming down the last line I really thought he had me and then he stopped. As the class went on, I realized the track was quite tough and it wasn’t riding as easy as we thought, so I got more and more confident. When you are talking hundredths of seconds, it is very hard to be confident that you are going to win a class right until the very end.”

“I am glad I was as fast everywhere because there was nothing in it,” Bourns reflected. “It was right down to the wire. For even the top four spaces, it was so close. Over a track that length, you have to be a little bit relentless. You have to keep being fast everywhere because it is so long and it is such a large amount of time to stay riding. It was a big ask, but I think a lot of the horse and everything I have done so far he has been very consistent and extremely brave.”

Second place finisher Darragh Kenny was also very happy with his mount, Any Given Sunday. Despite a stop on course the pair still had one of the fastest times.

“My horse was brilliant,” Kenny praised. “He did everything I wanted, even probably faster than I expected. I didn’t even school any of these jumps or test the waters at all, so he was really brave. I was a little bit too fast to the dyke and I probably should have showed it to him first. It shocked him a little bit the first time and I just spun right around. He was fantastic. He is a super horse and he is so easy and brave. It was really simple for him. He stayed really careful at a really fast speed and tried so hard. It makes my life easier.”

Third place finisher Shane Sweetnam has had a lot of success with his experienced mount Little Emir, including the same placing in this class last year. Sweetnam noted that he had a fast time last year as well and ironically had the same jump down, but he was very happy with his horse.

“He was a good boy and he really tried hard,” Sweetnam stated. “My speed was good enough. I thought that I might still have them with one down, but I think I might have gone a bit wider up on the bank than I did last year. I was still very happy with him. He gives you everything when he goes in there, so he doesn’t owe me much. I thought it was a good class and a good crowd.”

Bourns agreed that the class was a real crowd pleaser. “Any time a class goes down to the wire with such a tight margin, it makes it fun for everybody. It was thrilling,” he noted.

“I have to thank the sponsors as well,” Bourns added. “Thank you to Hermès. I think they did a very nice job and I hope they all had a nice time. We put on a good show for them.”

Praise and Sheila Motley Win Big Again as World Championship Hunter Week Concludes at the FTI WEF

Praise and Sheila Motley. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography
Praise and Sheila Motley. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography

World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week came to a close Sunday afternoon with the $5,000 Peggy Cone Memorial World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Hunter Classic. Praise and Sheila Motley bested a field of 56 over two rounds of competition during the fiercest week of competition for hunter divisions during the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF).

Praise, an eleven-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Garber, and Motley were the pair to beat after a high score of 85 early on in round one and secured their victory with an 87 as the final trip in round two. With an overall score of 172, the pair edged out second place finishers Arriana Boardman and Gatsby by only a quarter of a point.

Motley returned to the show ring during the 2013 FTI WEF after taking time off to have her son, Collins. Motley is happy to be back in competition, especially aboard a horse as spectacular as Praise. The pair has is currently first in the FTI WEF circuit standings for the La Mundial Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Section B division after taking home an extraordinary four championship titles.

“I have a great horse in Praise. He’s done the derbies with Kelley [Farmer] and Holly [Orlando] for a couple of years, so there’s nothing like having one of those horses under you going into the Adults. I couldn’t be more thankful to Ken and Selma Garber for letting me show him down here all circuit,” Motley stated.

Although Motley and Praise have been unstoppable in the ring every week at the FTI WEF, Sunday’s victory was especially significant. “WCHR week is the most prestigious week for hunters. Missing champion [Saturday] was a little bit of a let-down, so I couldn’t be happier,” Motley commented.

Praise and Motley led the class after round one, but were last in the arena for round two as they chased Boardman and Gatsby’s first place standing. “Arriana is a great rider and [Gatsby] is a wonderful horse, so I knew that she was going to be good. I was maybe little more nervous than I would have been ordinarily. When you have other great riders like that with you, it makes you rise to the occasion,” Motley acknowledged.

Not only is Motley managing to juggle motherhood with the demands of showing, she also runs her own event management company in Wellington. She credits the team at Lane Change Farm with enabling her to remain competitive at a high level.

“It’s all about the people you ride with. You have to be able to show up and trust that the horse has been prepared and if you have the right team with you, there’s no need to worry. I hire the right people for my business, and Kelley and Larry [Glefke] do the same,” Motley described.

While Motley’s professional life will continue in high gear, Praise will be enjoying a well-deserved slow down from showing while he continues being marketed to be bred. “Maybe he found some dates today. He’s on the market; he’s dating!” Motley joked.

Tina Allen and French Kiss. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography
Tina Allen and French Kiss. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography

The $5,000 WCHR Amateur Owner 3’3″ Classic was the final class held in the International Ring on Sunday afternoon. Tina Allen and French Kiss won the class with an overall score of 168.5. French Kiss, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding, was in third place after round one of competition with a score of 82 and came back late in the second round with an 86.5 with Allen in the irons.

“French Kiss felt great; it was his second time in the International Arena this week. He felt comfortable on Friday and again today,” Allen described. “The courses rode nicely; they felt a little ‘handy-ish.’ The turns keep his interest. The ring is beautiful and the fences are all inviting.”

French Kiss and Allen have been showing at the FTI WEF for most of the 2013 circuit, picking up reserve championship honors in the FarmVet Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ 36 and Over division just last week. “He’s been really consistent and I’m really happy with him,” Allen commented.

Like the rest of her fellow competitors, Allen takes extra pleasure in winning during the hunters’ biggest week at the FTI WEF. “It’s special for sure to win this week. I’m really happy to have won today. Everyone loves competing during Hunter Week and it draws a big crowd,” Allen concluded.

Florida Children’s and Pony Classics were the final rounds of WCHR competition during week seven. Francesca Dildabanian and Larkspur earned the top prize for the $2,500 Children’s Hunter 14 and Under Classic with a combined score of 176. Larkspur is a twelve-year-old Oldenberg gelding owned by Ashley Whitner. Gabriella Hurtadorode Dragonfly, an eight-year-old Oldenberg gelding, to a blue ribbon finish in the $2,500 Children’s Hunter 15-17 Classic with an overall score of 165.

The winner of the Large Children’s Pony Hunter was Chatsworth and Emma Kurtz. Chatsworth, a nine-year-old Dutch Riding Pony gelding owned by Victoria Press, jumped to a final score of 168 with Kurtz in the irons. Sophia Marino and her own Posh, a thirteen-year-old Welsh Pony/Connemara cross mare, emerged victorious in the $2,500 Small/Medium Children’s Pony Classic with a combined score of 163.

The $2,500 Large Pony Hunter Classic was topped by Daisy Farish and her own Beau Rivage, a seventeen-year-old Holsteiner/Welsh Pony cross gelding. The pair won the class with a total score of 174. Emma Kurtz collected another first place prize aboard Grand All Over in the $2,500 Medium Pony Hunter Classic. Kurtz rode Grand All Over, a fifteen-year-old Welsh Pony gelding owned by David Gochman, to a winning overall score of 176. Farish also championed the $2,500 Small Pony Hunter Classic aboard Further Lane Farm’s Rolling Stone with a final score of 170. Rolling Stone is a fifteen-year-old Welsh Pony gelding.

Week eight of competition for the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm, runs February 27 – March 3, 2013 at the PBIEC in Wellington, FL. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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

Victoria Colvin Secures USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Title

Cian O’Connor and Walk Tall II Win $25,000 Suncast Championship Jumper Classic

Wellington, FL – February 23, 2013 – Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Hermès , continued on Saturday with the $50,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. Fifteen-year-old Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, took home her second win in a row in the prestigious class, this year riding Dr. Betsee Parker’s Ovation to victory. Previous winners filled the second place spots; Liza Boyd and Brunello placed second, while Louise Serio and Castle Rock were third.

Hunter horses and riders have been showcased throughout week seven of the FTI WEF during WCHR competition, featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Saturday night’s Hunter Spectacular competition saw the best of the FTI WEF’s Professional, Amateur and Junior riders, who qualified for the class during competition for their respective divisions throughout the week.

Four panels of two judges each were on hand for the class, each stationed at different points around the arena. The judges for the class included: Panel 1 – Danny Robertshaw and Mary Lisa Leffler, Panel 2 – Scott Williamson and Bill Moroney, Panel 3 – Rachel Kennedy and Scott Hofstetter, Panel 4 – Julie Winkel and Patrick Rodes.

The competitors with the top twelve scores from round one advanced to the second round of the class; among them was the 2012 Hunter Spectacular winner, Victoria Colvin (who won last year with Way Cool). Colvin returned this year on another of Dr. Betsee Parker’s mounts, Ovation, and set the bar high for the night’s competition with a score of 91.5 early on. The duo finished with a second round score of 90.37 for a top score of 181.87.

Colvin was elated to win the Hunter Spectacular two years in a row, especially in such good company as Boyd and Serio.

“Winning two years in a row is amazing. It feels really great. There’s amazing riders in this class, including lots of professionals. It’s great to compete against them,” Colvin stated.

“This year, I was on a different horse. I think this was Ovation’s first or second time under the lights, so I didn’t know how he was going to be, but I felt strong going into the second round and was confident that he was going to be good,” Colvin continued.

Colvin did not put any extra pressure on herself or Ovation to repeat last year’s win. “I don’t really get nervous,” the fifteen-year-old phenom simply explained.

“Ovation is pretty straight-forward and very smooth across the ground,” Colvin described of her winning mount, a thirteen-year-old Warmblood gelding.

Brunello, a fifteen-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Janet Peterson and Boyd, was the only horse to compete at the four-foot height and was first on course for round two. The pair made their presence known in no uncertain terms, galloping to an impressive 91.5 right off the bat.  While no one caught their score, combined with their first round score of 86.5, their total score of 178 put them in second place.

“It was a little hard to go back to back,” Boyd admitted. “He actually went better the second round. He’s older now and he likes the pressure. I just went in I said, ‘We’re going for it, buddy.’ We were sitting in eighth and both of us just weren’t quite as pumped up the first round, and you have to get that way with him. You kind of have to give him blood and get him excited.”

Boyd was incredibly impressed by course designer Steve Stephens’ ingenious approach to the night’s courses. “You had to be a rider. It wasn’t just your typical outside, diagonal hunter course and I like to see that these days. I think that the hunters are going that direction and it makes them jump crisper and higher and it’s fun. It makes us better riders in the long run. I think Steve has helped that in a very good way,” Boyd stated.

Boyd likened tonight’s competition to the World Cup Finals of the hunter world, emphasizing the importance of showcasing hunter competition. “It’s a really big deal for us to have this show. It’s nice for us to get highlighted,” Boyd explained.

“All three of us wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our owners. We have great owners that believe in our program and we wouldn’t be here without them. They’re horses of a lifetime and we’re just really lucky to have them in our lives,” Boyd emphasized.

The only pair to beat Colvin and Ovation in round one was veteran competitors Louise Serio and Castle Rock, a fourteen-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Bryan Baldwin. Castle Rock and Serio also received a score of 91.5, but had a higher score from the tie-breaker judge’s panel. Serio and Castle Rock couldn’t catch Colvin and Ovation during round two, scoring an 86.18 for a total score of 177.6.

“Castle Rock was more relaxed the second round. I was a lot more nervous,” Serio admitted. “It’s hard [going last] when you’re in that hot seat. He’s just a wonderful horse and he just gives you confidence and always tries so hard.”

Serio had equally high praise as Boyd did for Stephens’ course design. “I think what’s really fantastic is that he’s done the Olympics and put as much time and thought into this for us as he did for that, or at least it feels like it,” Serio stated.

“I think that course made the class. I think our horses rose to the occasion. They weren’t taxed too much, but they were taxed enough to jump really well. The lines rode beautifully and he’s just an amazing course designer,” Serio continued.

Serio was equally complimentary of the WCHR showcase throughout week seven of the FTI WEF. “I think it’s really amazing how important it is as a rider to get into this class. I’ve been doing this a long time and I stress every year about getting into this class,” Serio emphasized. “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.”

The WCHR Calcutta, hosted in the International Club immediately prior to the class’s start, raised $28,500. Proceeds will benefit the USHJA Foundation.

The Peter Wetherill Cup was awarded to Lynn Rice, owner of Gramercy Park. The Peter Wetherill Cup was established in October of 2011 to honor the life and legacy of well-known equestrian, Peter Wetherill, and to recognize the WCHR “Hunter of the Year.” Rice was joined for the presentation by Gramercy Park’s professional rider and trainer, Tom Brennan and Tony Workman.

Several other special awards recognized the night’s top competitors following round one of competition. The Charlie Weaver Memorial award, which recognizes the conformation horse with the highest average score during round one, was awarded to Taken, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jessica Stitt.

Empire, ridden by Peter Pletcher and owned by David Gochman, was recognized as the Best Conditioned Horse of round one with the Mark Gregory Memorial Award. Empire is groomed by Gustavo Hernandez.

Amateur-Owner and Junior Hunter Division Champions

Amateur-Owner and Junior riders had qualified for the evening’s class only a few hours prior, with divisions awarding championship honors earlier on Saturday.  The Bainbridge Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division saw championship honors go to Lexi Maounis and her eleven-year-old Hanoverian mare Sienna. Sienna and Maounis were first and sixth over fences during day one and secured the championship title with a first place finish in Saturday’s stake round. Reserve champion was Humor Me and Stephanie Danhakl, who were fifth and first over fences.

Lexi Maounis and Sienna. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography
Lexi Maounis and Sienna. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography

Maounis was thrilled to secure a spot in Saturday night’s prestigious Hunter Spectacular class. “It’s so special to win during Hunter Week. She’s been champion the past few weeks here [at WEF] and I’m just so happy we could do it again.”

Maounis’s always dependable mare was unfazed by the wide open spaces of the International Arena. “She was perfect in the International Ring. The handy was just really fun, especially getting to do the tight turns with her,” Maounis commented.

Rock Steady and Katie Robinson triumphed in the Hunt Limited Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunter division. Robinson and her thirteen-year-old Warmblood gelding were first and second over fences during day one of competition and finished second over fences and third under saddle on day two. Reserve champion was Gia, ridden by Katie Gibson.

The pair was first and third over fences and seventh under saddle.

Robinson described Rock Steady as her perfect match, and credited their success to his love of the show ring. “He’s got just the right amount of sass. He gets to the jumps and has fun with it. He just enjoys showing,” stated Robinson.

This week is the highlight for many hunter competitors at the FTI WEF, and Robinson welcomes the extra attention it brings to hunter riders and horses. “Hunter Week really is a special week. It’s so nice to be showcased and to get out in the big ring.  It’s nice to feel special and it’s so much fun,” Robinson described.

Junior rider divisions also competed throughout the day on Saturday for a spot in the night class, beginning with the Antares Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division. Tori Colvin and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Inclusive were champions of the division after placing fifth under saddle and sweeping the over fences classes. Reserve champion was Kyle Owens’ Cinema, ridden by Kirklen Peterson. The pair was fourth and second over fences.

Colvin also emerged victorious with Ovation in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division. Ovation won the under saddle class and placed second, first and third over fences. Reserve champion of the division was Whatever, owned and ridden by Vivian Yowan. Yowan and Whatever were fifth under saddle and third, second and first over fences.

Colvin is already a veteran competitor in the Hunter Spectacular despite only being fifteen, and was especially pleased to have two of her mounts qualify. “Every win is significant to me, but it’s really special to win during Hunter Week. WCHR is the biggest show of WEF, and it’s an honor to win at WEF in general,” Colvin stated.

Colvin described her mounts – Inclusive, a ten-year-old Warmblood gelding, and Ovation, a thirteen-year-old Warmblood gelding – as an exceptionally talented pair.

“[Ovation] is an amazing mover, and he just sweeps across the ground. He may not jump as well as Inclusive, but he creates such a pretty picture that the judges always love him,” Colvin described.

“Inclusive just has an unreal jump,” Colvin continued. “He was great today and is an amazing horse. He’s very easy to ride; you can just let go and let him do his job. He gets up to the jump and just snaps his legs up perfectly.”

The older Junior divisions wrapped up the qualifying rounds for the Hunter Spectacular. Garfield and Alexandra Crown triumphed in the Antarés Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division after the pair jumped to first, second, and second place finishes over fences and fourth place under saddle.  Reserve champion was Chansonette Farm, LLC’s Madison, ridden by Lillie Keenan. Keenan and Madison were second, second and third over fences and third under saddle.

Crown and Garfield have accumulated an array of championship titles at the FTI WEF, but edging out the competition at Hunter Week was especially meaningful for Crown.

“A lot of people wait to come [to the FTI WEF] this week just to show during Hunter Week. The judging is a little harder, the courses are harder, but Garfield was on it today. He’s always perfect though,” Crown grinned.

Keenan and Jennifer Gates’ Parkland, another duo intimately familiar with the FTI WEF championship circle, unsurprisingly won the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Parkland, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding, and Keenan clinched this week’s title with three blue ribbon finishes and one third place round over fences in addition to another first place prize under saddle. Reserve champion of the Small Junior 16-17 division was Good Humor, owned and ridden by Madeleine Thatcher.

“This horse makes me feel pretty confident all the time,” Keenan admitted. “He was a lot of fun in the International Ring today. He has a huge stride, so to be able to go in a big ring like this and gallop around is a lot of fun for both of us.”

Cian O’Connor and Walk Tall II Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Week seven of the 2013 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continued on Saturday afternoon with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC. Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, is the course designer on the derby field for the week. On Saturday afternoon, Jeffery set the track for 31 entries in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Only three entries cleared the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and two cleared the short course. Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Darragh Kenny finished first and second.

Cian O'Connor and Walk Tall II. Photo © Sportfot
Cian O’Connor and Walk Tall II. Photo © Sportfot

Young American rider Blythe Marano was the first rider to jump-off aboard Riverview Farm, LLC’s Urban and finished with eight faults in 48.83 seconds to place third. Darragh Kenny and Cavallo Farms, LLC’s Twister jumped next and cleared the jump-off course in 45.22 seconds to finish second. Last to go, Cian O’Connor and Ronnoco Jump Ltd.’s Walk Tall II took the win with their time of 43.53 seconds.

Both of the top horse and rider combinations in Saturday’s class came in strong with wins earlier in the week. Kenny and Twister won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class on Wednesday and O’Connor and Walk Tall II topped Friday’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge. Saturday’s course on the grass tested many of the competitors on the roster, but they both mastered the track.

A new horse for Olympian Cian O’Connor, Walk Tall II is an eleven-year-old Anglo European gelding by Kannan x Farhaan. Walk Tall previously showed with Irish rider Keith Doyle and won last year’s Queen’s Cup in Hickstead. O’Connor got the horse just before Christmas but did a lot of traveling before coming to Florida, so this was their first show together.

“He is a really talented horse,” O’Connor stated after the class. “He has had good results before. He won a big class in Hickstead last year, so he likes the big open space and I think the field suited him well today.”

“He has been ridden by the same rider since he was four, so I am a different rider and it takes time to adjust,” O’Connor noted. “I just feel that we are getting to know each other a little bit better today after just a few classes. In our second week jumping he won a 1.40m yesterday and a 1.50m today, so I can’t really ask for much better than that. If I can train him to listen to me and understand me and really get all of the gears, I think I can jump any course. He is so careful and so brave.”

The rider described Walk Tall further, explaining the details that they are working out as they get to know each other. “He has a very big stride,” O’Connor said. “Ideally, you’d want a horse to have a big stride and a short stride, but he has not learned the short bit yet, so that can present problems sometimes if you are not extremely on the ball yourself when riding. You have to adjust quite quickly when landing if the distance is quiet, but he is very willing and honest and he is super careful. He is by Kannan, which is French, out of an Irish mother. He has a lot of blood. When you warm up outside he is not that impressive, and then when you go into the ring he is really careful, so it is a good attribute. He saves energy for the class.”

Last to go in the jump-off, O’Connor was warming up when the other two riders jumped, but he asked U.S. rider Kent Farrington to watch their rounds and report.

“It was a great advantage going last,” O’Connor acknowledged. “I had asked Kent to keep an eye on proceedings for me. Sometimes it is quite hard to concentrate when you are warming up. I watched Darragh Kenny go out of the corner of my eye. I thought he was neat because he did an inside turn inside the water to the double of verticals. I said to Kent, ‘I won’t beat him because I don’t want to take that turn yet’, and Kent said that I could be quicker if I kept the rhythm up and went around, so it was great to have Kent there for that bit of advice.”

O’Connor is done showing now for week seven and will be gearing up for week eight’s CSIO competition and $75,000 FEI Furusiyya Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. He hopes to help the Irish team to victory.

“We are happy with our week and we have a big week next week for the Nations Cup,” O’Connor stated. “I hope to be jumping Splendor on the team and hopefully we have a good result there. The Nations Cup is important here. We have so many Irish riders based here in Wellington and they have great sponsors and supporters, so it would be really nice to give them all something to cheer about.”

The Irish team will be named next week.

Week seven of the FTI WEF will conclude on Sunday with the highlight $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC at 3 p.m. WCHR competition will conclude in the International Arena featuring the Peggy Cone Adult Amateur Hunter Classic. The Children’s and Pony Hunter divisions will also complete their competition for the week. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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

PBIEC Hosts Annual Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games on February 23

Wellington, FL – February 22, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions is pleased to announce that they will host the annual Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games on Saturday, February 23, in coordination with Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC). Competition will be held in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Ring 6 of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The competition will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Sixty riders ranging in age from eight to 40 years old will compete for the chance to advance to the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games, which will be held March 23, 2013, at the Van Kampen Arena on the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds at The Stadium. Riders hailing from Broward, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Martin counties will all by vying for positions to qualify for the State Games in Tampa this April.

The Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games tomorrow will showcase riders as they overcome their disabilities and concentrate on their riding capabilities. Following the completion of the class, riders will participate in a parade at midday in the International Arena of the PBIEC. Exhibitors and spectators are encouraged to come support the riders throughout the competition at Ring 6 as well as during the parade in the International Arena.

In addition to local riders, five special needs riders from the Chateaublond Equestrian Center in Haiti will also be competing on Saturday. These riders, including 2009 FEI “Against All Odds” Award recipient Darlene Milord, travel to the United States annually to compete in the class as a part of the Friends of the Orphans Organization.

Riders from Chateaublond Equestrian Center competing at PBIEC
Riders from Chateaublond Equestrian Center competing at PBIEC

The program at Chateaublond enables disadvantaged special needs orphans the extraordinary opportunity to travel to the United States to compete in the Special Olympics classes. For these riders, the experience is especially memorable since many of their trips have been years in the making while paperwork is completed for their passports.

A fundraising luncheon will be hosted to benefit the riders of Chateaublond and the Friends of the Orphans organization that supports it. The luncheon will be held Sunday, February 24, at noon in The Wellington Club at the PBIEC.

Thirty volunteers from VTRC as well as a special team of horses from the center will help make Saturday’s competition possible. VTRC has been training riders for the Special Olympics since 1982 and always represents the largest contingent of riders in the county competition.

Volunteers are needed to assist with leading horses and aiding riders from Vinceremos and Haiti during the Special Olympic competition, from 8:30 am to 1 pm. To register, please call Kim at 561-792-9900 or email her at Kim@vinceremos.org.

VTRC would like to express their gratitude to all of the volunteers, horses, and to the Wellington Community as whole, whose generosity makes their program for Special Olympics competitors possible.

In addition, VTRC and Chateaublond would like to thank The Dutta Corporation, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, and Florida Community Bank, the Bellissimos, Smiths, and Tisbos for their support of this event.

For ticketing information for Sunday’s luncheon, please call Event Chair Romy Tschudi-Roy at 954-643-8678 or email romyiec@hotmail.com.

For more information on the VTRC Special Olympics program, stop by Ring 6 on Saturday or visit www.vinceremos.org or contact Vinceremos at 561-792-9900.

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

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

Kirsten Coe and Baronez Beat the Field in $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7

Fierce Competition Kicks Off World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the FTI WEF

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2013 – Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Hermès, continued on Thursday in Wellington, FL, with the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). American duo Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder’s Baronez were the winners of the class with the only double clear round in a jump-off of five starters. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Hays Investment Corporation’s Any Given Sunday finished second; Meagan Nusz (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Dynamo were third.

Week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival runs February 20-24, 2013. The week will feature World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition in the International Arena at PBIEC all week.

The highlight USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular will be featured as the “Saturday Night Lights” main event. Also on Saturday is the Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games.

Additional show jumping competition, including the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic (Saturday, 1 p.m.) and the $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby (Sunday, 3 p.m.), will also be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC.

Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, is the course designer on the derby field for the week. On Thursday afternoon, Jeffery set the track for 44 entries in the seventh edition of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series. Five jumped the first round course without fault to advance to the jump-off, and Kirsten Coe and Baronez were the only pair to also clear the short course. Their faultless jump-off round in 43.303 seconds was the winning round.

Darragh Kenny and Any Given Sunday finished second with their four-fault round in 40.469 seconds. Meagan Nusz and Dynamo had four faults in 41.658 seconds to place third. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm, LLC’s Diktator van de Boslandhoeve had one rail down in 43.648 seconds to finish fourth. Mario Gamboa (COL) placed fifth aboard Stansky’s Mission Farms, Inc.’s Unico with four faults in 44.963 seconds.

In addition to winning $9,000 in prize money for her win in Thursday’s class, Kirsten Coe was also awarded an impressive $18,000 in extra bonus money for the SSG “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. A $3,000 bonus is offered each week if the winning rider of the Challenge Cup class is wearing the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. The bonus went unclaimed for five weeks straight until Thursday, when Coe was presented with six-$3,000 checks following her win. The rider, originally from California but now a Florida resident, had not originally planned to show this week but definitely made the ride worth it.

She was very pleased with the performance of Baronez, a twelve-year-old chestnut Belgian Warmblood mare by Heartbreaker, who she has had for two years.

“She was great today,” Coe smiled. “It wasn’t my original plan to show this week, but last week she was great in the WEF and then she jumped her first night class and I thought she was a little nervous and tense. She didn’t really jump that great, so I decided to change my plan and jump again today and it worked out well.”

“I knew she is really good on the grass; that’s why it kind of benefitted me,” Coe continued. “She jumps really well at Spruce Meadows and any of the venues with grass, so I knew it would be fine for her to walk right out here and show. She is really happy on the grass and I think it is a nice change of venue. The field is wonderful and it is nice that they use it; they should use it more.”

Describing Baronez, Coe stated, “She is very sensitive for such a big mare. She is your typical chestnut mare. She is quite opinionated, she tries to kick you, but she is a real fighter and she is really talented.”

Nusz, Gamboa and Kenny went before Coe in the jump-off and all had rails down, so the strategy was obviously to jump clear, but she knew that Sweetnam was last to go and time was still a factor.

“I knew Meagan’s horse is fast,” Coe detailed. “It has a very big stride and I have seen it show a lot at Spruce, so when I went in and I saw Darragh have one rail before me, I thought, ‘Just be prompt and clean.’ At least if I went clean or Shane went clean, I was first or second.”

On the question of where this win ranks in her career, she smiled, “It’s a good one. It was a nice win and the bonus was nice. I think the promotion is amazing and I think I was lucky that no one has won it in the last six weeks.”

Also showing on Thursday, Paul Halpern and Hermine 44, owned by Kamine and Fisher Families, LLC, won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Classic in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC.

Fierce Competition Kicks Off World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the FTI WEF

The hunters have officially taken over the International Arena during week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Week seven showcases hunter competition at its finest as riders and horses go head-to-head as they battle to qualify for Saturday night’s USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

Holly Orlando and Kelley Farmer took home an astounding majority of championship titles awarded for the first half of the week. Three of the four titles among them were mounts from Larry Glefke’s Lane Change Farm. Not surprisingly, the unstoppable pairing of Quotable and Holly Orlando took home tricolor honors in both Regular Conformation and Green Conformation Hunter divisions, which are sponsored by the Sanctuary.

Quotable and Holly Orlando. Anne Gittins Photography
Quotable and Holly Orlando. Anne Gittins Photography

Orlando and Quotable, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Glefke and Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Garber, were first and second over fences and first under saddle to earn Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunter division championship honors. Reserve champion went to another Lane Change Farm pairing, Kelley Farmer and Jessica Stitt’s Taken. Farmer and Taken were second, first and first over fences and fifth under saddle.

Quotable and Orlando won every over fences round in the Sanctuary Green Conformation Hunter division before placing second under saddle. Green Conformation reserve champion was Bacardi and Havens Schatt, who placed fourth under saddle in addition to two second place finishes and a fourth place over fences.

Quotable and Orlando are no stranger to the winner’s circle at the FTI WEF, but Orlando described this week’s victory as especially significant. “It’s always nice to know you didn’t peak too early. When World Hunter Rider week comes around, you want to know you’ve still got it,” Orlando stated.

“Quotable is so consistent and we’re thrilled with him,” Orlando continued. “I get in trouble daily for spoiling him with treats, but he deserves it! He tries to win every time he goes in the ring, and it’s so nice to have a horse like that.”

Orlando also expressed excitement for Farmer’s success aboard several other Lane Change Farm horses. “Kelley and I are not competitive with each other; we’re a team,” Orlando emphasized.

Mythical and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography
Mythical and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography

Farmer, an integral part of the Lane Change team, brought home two championship titles of her own in addition to the reserve with Taken. Farmer took the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter division with Mythical, also owned by Glefke and the Garbers. Farmer and the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding were fourth, second and first over fences. Reserve champion honors went to Danielle Baran’s Say When, ridden by Christopher Payne. The pair was fifth and first over fences.

“Mythical is easily one of my favorite horses,” Glefke stated. “He jumps in perfect style. He’s got a wonderful attitude about life. He stays on one rhythm and he has a brilliant jump.”

Farmer also had nothing but praise for Mythical. “He’s not afraid of anything. The bigger, the harder, the scarier the course, the better he is. He just wants to win. He’s a fantastic animal and he was perfect today,” Farmer commented.

“This is a big, prestigious week. To be on a First Year champion this week means a lot. You have to not only have a good horse, but all the chips have to fall into place. Everything has to work,” Farmer continued.

Farmer’s victory on Mythical was her third horse to qualify for Saturday’s Hunter Spectacular competition, leaving her with the tough decision of which horse to leave in the barn Saturday night. Ultimately, she decided on her veteran ride, Taken, and Mythical.

“It’s a great class and it’s an honor to qualify. It’s a hard decision to make, but I’m lucky enough to make it. There’s a barn full of animals that we are lucky to have,” Farmer explained.

Farmer chose Taken based on his experience under the lights during previous years competing in Hunter Spectacular classes. When asked what stood out about Mythical, Farmer deadpanned: “Everything. He’s a special horse and he deserves to be in it.”

Selma Garber, part owner of both Quotable and Mythical, declared the 2013 FTI WEF the “circuit of a lifetime” thanks to her wildly successful geldings. “It’s a dream come true to have them both qualified for Saturday night. I’ve got quite a team that worked with these animals – riders, trainers, grooms, and of the course the animals themselves. It’s a very lucky formula,” Garber continued.

“Seldom does a plan come together quite like this,” Glefke echoed. “At the beginning of the week, I told [Orlando and Farmer], ‘Girls if you could get Quotable, Taken and Mythical in there [on Saturday night], it would make my week.”

At One's Word and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography
At One’s Word and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography

Farmer’s second championship ride was with At One’s Word in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Hunter division. Farmer and the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Woodland Way, Inc., were first and fourth over fences and third under saddle for the division. Reserve championship honors went to Lapis, also ridden by Orlando and owned by Missy Luczak-Smith. Lapis and Orlando were fourth under saddle and second in two over fences rounds.

At One’s Word is another Lane Change Farm alumni, and Farmer is pleased to be able to continue to ride such a competitive horse. “I’ve gotten the pleasure of still getting to ride him since he was sold. He’s lovely. He’s got a big stride, he’s scopey, and he’s a brave horse. He’s not spooky at all. He walked right into the International Ring and won his first class,” Farmer stated.

Scott Stewart also enjoyed a championship victory aboard Dedication in the Gold Coast Feeds High Performance Working Hunter division. The eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was first, sixth and second place over fences in addition to winning the under saddle class with Stewart in the irons. Liza Boyd and her own Brunello were reserve champions for the division, finishing fourth, first and first over fences.

Stewart describes Dedication as one of his most talented rides. “He’s an amazing jumper. He’s probably one of the best hunters I’ve ever had. He’s one of the few horses that is a beautiful mover and really athletic. He’s the most athletic hunter I’ve seen in a long time,” Stewart commented.

Parker echoed Stewart’s sentiments about Dedication in addition to describing Stewart as the horse’s perfect match. “You can feel that Scott genuinely loves this horse from the bottom of his heart. Dedication is as much of a perfectionist and an athlete as Scott, and we all know Scott is the consummate perfectionist,” Parker stated.

Scott Stewart and Dedication. Anne Gittins Photography
Scott Stewart and Dedication. Anne Gittins Photography

Thursday’s competition concluded with the Performance Hunter divisions, which will be included in tomorrow’s press release.

WCHR Week at the FTI WEF will continue on Friday in the International Arena with the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3’3″ divisions. Both age groups, 18-35 and Over 35, will be seen in the International Arena. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge will be featured in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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

Christopher Payne and Lucas Win Championship in 3 & 4-Year-Old Hunter Debut

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2013 – Lucas just joined the New Hope LLC family, but with Christopher Payne at the reins, he’s already a winning addition. Payne piloted Lucas to three blue ribbons and the 3 & 4-Year-Old Hunter division championship during week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Rainy weather that persisted throughout the week didn’t deter the pair as they bested the field in two out of the three over fences classes and then picked up the win in the under saddle class to clinch the division championship.

Susan Moriconi purchased the four-year-old Oldenburg gelding a little over two weeks ago with plans to continue him in the 3 & 4-Year-Old Hunters throughout the remainder of the season, and hopefully secure the circuit championship award for the division.

The championship this week added to a solid campaign for that honor. Prior to being purchased by Moriconi, Lucas had already topped the division during weeks two and three with Holly Orlando in the saddle. Payne has taken over the ride seamlessly, and the team is looking forward to the rest of WEF and beyond.

“When you’re buying a young horse you never know for sure what you’re going to get, but he’s been great right out of the box,” trainer David Belford said. “He’s very charismatic. He’s a refined young horse.”

After finishing out the circuit in the 3 & 4-Year-Old Hunters, Payne and Belford hope to move Lucas up to the Pre-Greens later this year and then on to the First Year Green Hunters division next year.

Adding to New Hope LLC and Payne’s success this week was Good Call, owned by Le Reve Farm, Inc. Payne and Good Call led the Performance Hunter 3’3″ division with two first places, including a top score of 92 in the handy class, before scratching due to torrential rain.

The team at New Hope LLC is prepared to take the reins for the World Champion Hunter Rider Week. With the new addition of Lucas, as well as their already impressive string of top hunter mounts, WEF VII is sure to be full of heavy hunter action.

Belford and Payne of New Hope LLC have trained some of the country’s top show hunters and are continuously adding numerous accolades to their already impressive record. The team has consistently earned championships at the nation’s top horse show, and their inspiring program has helped transform horses, as well as develop some of the sport’s top riders and trainers. For more information, please contact paynecl@hotmail.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Alert: Only Three Highlight Jumper Classes to Be Held at The Stadium during FTI WEF 7

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is entering its seventh week of competition, and decisions have been made to keep all jumper divisions as usual at the FTI WEF showgrounds. Three highlight classes – the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, and the $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby – will be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium this week.

Due to safety issues, only these three classes can be held at The Stadium this week. After no response from the Village of Wellington to requests to open the Pierson Road entrance to the property, it was decided to move the jumper division classes back to the FTI WEF showgrounds so that horses would not have to use South Shore Boulevard.

Equestrian Sport Productions is looking forward to hosting three top classes on the scenic derby field this week.

Additional classes that will be held there during the remainder of the FTI WEF include:

  • The Sam Edelman Equitation Championship – Saturday, March 9
  • $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix – Sunday, March 24
  • $100,000 Pennfield Grand Feeds Grand Prix, CSI 4* – Sunday, March 24
  • $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Round 2 – Sunday, March 31

Hunter competition planned for FTI WEF 9 at The Stadium will now be held at the FTI WEF showgrounds as well, but the Sam Edelman Equitation Championship will still be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium.

For more information and updated schedules, please visit www.equestriansport.com. Printed updated schedules are also available in the horse show office and Exhibitor’s Services.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

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

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