Category Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Eight Stand Out in Opening Day of USEF Selection Trials for U.S. Show Jumping Team

Leave a comment
Charlie Jayne and Athena. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 21, 2012 – Week eleven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival kicked off on Wednesday with the exciting first round of the USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. Eight of the USA’s top show jumping duos stood out from the pack with clear rounds in Selection Trial #1, including Reed Kessler and Cylana, Charlie Jayne and Athena, Margie Engle and Indigo, Laura Kraut and Teirra, Kirsten Coe and Baronez, Kent Farrington and Uceko, Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One, and Mario Deslauriers and Urico.

Today’s class was the first of four challenging rounds in the USEF Selection Trials. The next two rounds, similar to Nations Cup format, will be held on Thursday, March 22. The first round is at 1 p.m. and the second round starts with festivities at 7 p.m. and the first horse at 8 p.m. The final round in jump-off format is on Saturday, March 24, with festivities starting at 7 p.m. and first horse at 8 p.m.

Continue reading Eight Stand Out in Opening Day of USEF Selection Trials for U.S. Show Jumping Team →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival: Week Ten Wrap-up and Week Eleven Upcoming Events

Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – March 19, 2012 – The tenth week of competition at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded on Sunday. Sponsored by Artisan Farms, the week featured numerous exciting events, including the $80,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 3* Grand Prix and $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Final. Week eleven runs March 21-25 and features the USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

It’s a Big Week at the FTI WEF Week 11 – See What You Can Watch!

The Global Dressage Festival National Challenge is the next horse show at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival. The event takes place on Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21. Come and watch top dressage competition in the beautiful new show grounds.

Continue reading FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival: Week Ten Wrap-up and Week Eleven Upcoming Events →

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

Charlotte Jacobs Earns Position on United States Young Riders European Tour

Leave a comment
Charlotte Jacobs and Promised Land during the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – March 20, 2012 – The 2012 Artisan Farms Young Rider Series came to a close yesterday following its final event, the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix. Once again proving her consistency, Charlotte Jacobs piloted Promised Land to a second place finish, which eventually helped her tie for the second place position overall in the four-part series. As the highest placing American, Jacobs has now earned a position on the USEF Young Riders European Tour.

This year during the Series, Jacobs completed three clear rounds and two four-fault rounds with Promised Land, including the fastest four-fault effort during the final event, which earned the red ribbon. “It was a really long course,” explained Jacobs. “It was out here on the field, so everybody was expecting it to be long, but having the triple at the end of course caught a lot of people including myself. It was big and it was difficult, there were a lot of technical places, but I thought it was a good course overall.”

Continue reading Charlotte Jacobs Earns Position on United States Young Riders European Tour →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, JRPR, Show Jumping

Laura Chapot and Margie Engle Continue Winning Streak in 1.35m Jumper Classes

Leave a comment
Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L were victorious in the 1.35 Jumper series during the fourth week of the 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com)

Wellington, FL (March 20, 2012) – Veteran Grand Prix rider Laura Chapot has moved her KWPN mare Valentia up through the ranks of the Young Jumper classes, and during the fourth week of the 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival the flashy gray mare hit her stride. Valentia won two more 1.35 Jumper classes during week four, proving why she was the Circuit Champion in the division during last year’s show circuit.

World Development Group, a premier developer committed to building the Equestrian Lifestyle, sponsors the 1.35 Jumper classes. Margie Engle, another staple on the Grand Prix circuit, also cruised to victory in a 1.35 Jumper class on Hidden Creek’s Pamina L. “Laura and Margie have spent years at the top of the show jumping world and the World Development Group is proud to welcome them to the winner’s circle,” said David Zinaman, Director of Real Estate Sales and Marketing for the World Development Group.

Continue reading Laura Chapot and Margie Engle Continue Winning Streak in 1.35m Jumper Classes →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Wins $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classics

Leave a comment

Shawn Casady Sweeps Antares Large Junior 16-17 Hunter Division

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 17, 2012 – The $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was held under the lights on Saturday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a win for Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano. Twenty-six entries showed over a challenging course set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, and the pair completed the only clear round for the win.

With just one faultless round, no jump-off was necessary. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano were the winners, and nine four-fault entries ranked in order of their times to follow.

Fellow German rider David Will and Giovanni 151, owned by Paul Schockemohle, had the fastest four fault round in 69.84 seconds to place second. Great Britain’s Ben Maher took third place honors riding Mrs. Emma Phillips’ Quiet Easy 4 to four faults in 69.91 seconds and also placed fourth with Miss Louise Flower’s Rowan with four faults in 71.71 seconds. David McPherson put Great Britain in fifth place as well, earning four faults in 72.27 seconds with his own and Mr. & Mrs. Holtger’s Chamberlain Z.

Continue reading Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Wins $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classics →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Hillary Dobbs and Marengo Win $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge

Leave a comment

Stevenson and Lennox Capture Ariat National Adult Medal Victory

Hillary Dobbs and Marengo. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 16, 2012 – Hillary Dobbs, of Sussex, NJ, rode her speedy mount Marengo to victory in Friday morning’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Other top finishers for the day included Ireland’s Conor Swail and Donatello, owned by Hara de la Rogue and Normandie Connection, in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. Laura Chapot (USA) and Umberto won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class.

Sponsored by Artisan Farms, week ten features two classes on Sunday, March 18, on the grass field at The Stadium. Starting at 10:30 a.m., the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Final runs first and is followed by the $80,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix CSI 2* at 2 p.m.

Continue reading Hillary Dobbs and Marengo Win $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D’Arco Win $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 10

Leave a comment
Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D'Arco. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday with round ten of the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series and a victory for Irish rider Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm’s Amaretto D’Arco. In a twelve horse jump-off, the pair was fastest of just two clear rounds, topping Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Victor, owned by Torrey Pines Stables and Artisan Farms LLC.

Sponsored by Artisan Farms, week ten features two classes on Sunday, March 18, on the grass field at The Stadium. Starting at 10:30 a.m., the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Final runs first and is followed by the $80,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix CSI 2* at 2 p.m.

Today’s WEF Challenge Cup saw 46 entries showing over a course set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. Twelve posted clear rounds to return for the jump-off, but just two were able to clear the second round.

Continue reading Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D’Arco Win $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Pessoa and HH Palouchin Keep Winning Streak Going in $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Leave a comment

Chapot Picks Up Two Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Victories

Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 14, 2012 – There were three competitive classes in the International Arena on the opening day of week 10 of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Starting out the day was another win for Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Palouchin, owned by Double H Farm, in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. Following that, another familiar face in the winner’s circle, Laura Chapot entered again and won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class with Bradberry. In the last class, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Jump-off class, Chapot rode Quointreau Un Prince, owned by Laura Chapot and McLain Ward, to the win.

Sponsored by Artisan Farms, week ten features two classes on Sunday, March 18, on the grass field at The Stadium. Starting at 10:30 a.m., the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Final runs first and is followed by the $80,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix CSI 2* at 2 p.m.

Continue reading Pessoa and HH Palouchin Keep Winning Streak Going in $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team Event Victory Goes to Zone Two

Leave a comment
Charlotte Jacobs and Promised Land helped the Zone Two team claim their victory during the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team Event. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – March 13, 2012 – The third leg of the four-part Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series was held on Thursday of Week IX of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Amidst rough weather with rain and thunderstorms, eight teams of four gathered to compete under the looming storm clouds hanging over the International Ring for the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team Event. Team E was comprised of riders from Zone 2, which included Charlotte Jacobs with Promised Land, Lydia Ulrich riding Santos Utopia, Gabrielle Bausano showing Ubico H, and Lillie Keean aboard Vanhattan, and they outshone the competition with five clear rounds and only a four-fault total score.

Overcast skies and bouts of torrential rain plagued the two-round competition, but riders remained focused on the course that included many technical aspects. A number of riders found fault at a skinny vertical following the open water, as well as the vertical-vertical double combination at the end of the course, which was designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Only five riders from the teams produced clear efforts during the first round, but after jumping it once the rounds only improved with 12 fault-free rounds during the second half of the event.

Continue reading $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team Event Victory Goes to Zone Two →

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

Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star Claim $15,000 SJHoF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Victory

Leave a comment
Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star won the $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Classic. Photo: Kenneth Kraus

Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – March 11, 2012 – Charlie Jacobs of Deeridge Farm proved himself as an all-weather rider during Week IX of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Thunderstorms approaching the International Ring caused Saturday’s $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Classic to be split into two days, but not before Charlie Jacobs and CMJ Sport Horse’s Flaming Star produced a clear effort and were named co-winner with two other riders.

“They cancelled the competition because of the rain, but declared all the riders who jumped clean to be co-winners,” explained Jacobs. “If the numbers had held true, it looked like it was going to be a six horse jump-off, and I was excited for that, but I understand why they had to cancel the rest of the class.”

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios designed the course, which featured a number of short turns where riders had to carefully steady their mounts. Jacobs expertly maneuvered Flaming Star over each obstacle and left every rail intact before crossing the finish line. “There was also a skinny G&C vertical that was late in the course, so when I made the turn I made sure I had my horse back together,” Jacobs commented. “I think a lot of horses thought they were probably done by that point in the course, so they had it down. I was really happy with how Flaming Star jumped during the first round. It’s a four-star week and the courses are a bit more challenging; Leopoldo’s course certainly reflected that.”

Continue reading Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star Claim $15,000 SJHoF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Victory →