Category Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

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

Katie Robinson and Rock Steady Win A-O 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF VI

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Katie Robinson and Rock Steady won the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship. Photo: Elizabeth Vieira/PMG

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – February 21, 2012 – Katie Robinson stole the show during the World Champion Hunter Week with her talented mount Rock Steady at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Earning excellent ribbons in their division, Robinson and Rock Steady won the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship to qualify for the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, where they eventually placed tenth for Deeridge Farm.

Robinson kicked off the week with a victory in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Handy Hunter round with Rock Steady. The pair then went on to place second in the stake round, and was eventually awarded the division’s championship title. “I definitely felt extra pressure when we were trying to qualifying, because I really wanted to win,” explained Robinson. “Rock Steady was great in the first rounds and just super all weekend long.”

Continue reading Katie Robinson and Rock Steady Win A-O 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF VI →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week Six Wrap-up and Week Seven Upcoming Events

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Wellington, FL – February 20, 2012 – The sixth week of competition at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) has come to a close. Sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, the show hosted numerous exciting events, including the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular and the $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby. Next week’s competition, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, runs February 22-26. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Upcoming Events for FTI WEF Week 7 – What You Can Attend at PBIEC

The Lunch & Learn Series, presented by World Development Group, will continue this week on Thursday, February 23, at 11:30 a.m. at The Wellington Club. Admission is free and lunch is provided. No prior equestrian knowledge is required to attend the events. This week’s class, “Ease Your Mind: Work with Your Family to Craft Essential Family Policies,” with speaker Daisy Medici, Director of Family Governance, GenSpring Family Offices, is sponsored by GenSpring Family Offices. Every attendee at the Lunch & Learn Series will be entered to win a grand prize.

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

Beezie Madden and Prima Rise to the Challenge in $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby

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Declaration and Glen Senk/Tivoli and Lyn Pederson Win Adult Hunter Classics; Pony, Children’s, and Adult Champions Are Named

Beezie Madden and Prima. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival closed out week 6 competition today with action at two parts of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. At The Stadium, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, rode Neapolitan Holding Co., LLC’s Prima over the challenging course to win the $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby for the second year in a row. In the International Arena, Glen Senk of Philadelphia, PA, and Declaration won the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic and Lyn Pedersen piloted Tivoli to the WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Classic victory.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider has concluded, and the week seven competition, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, runs February 22-26. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Beezie Madden and Prima Rise to the Challenge in $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby →

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

David McPherson Captures Top Two Spots in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

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Junior and Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions Are Crowned

Silver Exchange II and David McPherson. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2012 – As the sixth week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival begins to wrap up, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m took place today in the Mogavero ring. David McPherson of Great Britain rode Silver Exchange II for the win and Leonitas for second place. Nicolas Pizarro (MEX) and Saskia finished in third place. Junior and Amateur-Owner hunter champions also received

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run through February 19. The $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby is the highlight event on Sunday at The Stadium at 3 p.m. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

The course designer this week in the Mogavero ring is Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. There were 7 clear rounds over his course that began with 27 entries.

Continue reading David McPherson Captures Top Two Spots in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Reed Kessler Dominates $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6

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Laurie Stevens/Iceman, Elizabeth Faraci/Paramour Top FarmVet Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ Divisions

Reed Kessler and Cylana. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 17, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival featured events at two facilities today. At the Stadium, the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 had grand prix competition with Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, taking three of the top four spots. She scored the win with Cylana, was third on Ligist, and fourth with Pacha de Nantuel. Tina Fletcher (GBR) and Unique IX were second. In the International Arena, the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3’3″ divisions awarded age division championships to Laurie Stevens on Iceman and Elizabeth Faraci and Paramour.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run February 15-19. The week is full of exciting events, including Saturday night’s USHJA WCHR Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach, and Sunday’s $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby held at The Stadium. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Reed Kessler Dominates $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 →

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

Victoria Colvin and Way Cool Jump to the Top of the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

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Victoria Colvin and Way Cool. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2012 – The $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular was held under the lights at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday night with an exciting victory for 14-year-old Victoria Colvin riding Dr. Betsee Parker’s Way Cool. The pair edged out last year’s winners, Louise Serio and Bryan Baldwin’s Castle Rock, who finished second. Colvin also took home third place honors riding Inclusive, owned by Scott Stewart. Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello finished fourth after a win in the first round.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run through February 19. The $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby is the highlight event on Sunday at The Stadium at 3 p.m. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Victoria Colvin and Way Cool Jump to the Top of the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular →

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

Competitive Hunters Emerge Victorious during World Champion Hunter Rider Week

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Elizabeth Boyd with Brunello. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 16, 2012 – The sixth week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued this week with the hunters in the International Arena. World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition is fierce as hunters try to qualify for Saturday night’s USHJA WCHR Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach.

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, will run February 15-19. The week is full of exciting events, including Friday night’s FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments, Saturday night’s USHJA WCHR Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach, and Sunday’s $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby held at The Stadium. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Competitive Hunters Emerge Victorious during World Champion Hunter Rider Week →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, JRPR

Kelley Farmer Rides into the Winner’s Circle in Hunter Classes Sponsored by The Sanctuary during Third Week of FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

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Kelley Farmer won the Championship in the First Year Green Hunters with Cinema, pictured with Larry Glefke, and the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunters with Nanook during the third week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com)

Wellington, FL (February 16, 2012) – Hunter trainer Kelley Farmer has been in the hunter spotlight for many years, and the Virginia based rider rode into the winner’s circle during the third week of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival capturing the Championship in the First Year Green Hunters and the Regular Conformation Hunters. The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a world-class rehab and conditioning facility located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, sponsors the hunter divisions.

Farmer, who rides and trains out of Larry Glefke’s Lane Change Farm in Keswick, Virginia, piloted Cinema to the Championship in the First Year Greens and Nanook to the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship. “Kelley is a phenomenal rider and we are always thrilled when she wins classes that we sponsor,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “The Sanctuary is dedicated to supporting the equestrian community, which is why we enjoy sponsoring classes and divisions at the Winter Equestrian Festival.”

Continue reading Kelley Farmer Rides into the Winner’s Circle in Hunter Classes Sponsored by The Sanctuary during Third Week of FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival →

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

Charlotte Jacobs Claims WIHS Equitation Victory during WEF V

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Charlotte Jacobs and Stallone VDL won the WIHS Equitation Overall during Week V of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo By: James Parker/Kathy Russell

Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – February 14, 2012 – Week V of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival proved to be very successful for junior rider Charlotte Jacobs of North Star Ventures, who earned top finishes in the jumpers and equitation divisions. Jacobs dominated the WIHS Equitation, winning both the hunter and jumper phases to take home the overall blue ribbon aboard Stallone VDL.

“I feel great about the WIHS win, especially because I’m relieved to earn Washington points so early in the year,” expressed Jacobs. “It was pretty gross out on Friday and we weren’t certain that we would show, so being a bit last minute, he handled it really well. I thought my jumper phase was great, and I assumed that our hunter phase would be a bit easier because he is naturally more of a hunter. I was pleased to do so well in both phases.”

Jacobs winning ways began on Thursday, when she produced the fastest clear effort in the $1,500 High Junior Jumper speed class with Karonda V. Schl’Hof CH. The pair tripped the timers at 61.00 seconds, almost three seconds faster than the runner up.

Continue reading Charlotte Jacobs Claims WIHS Equitation Victory during WEF V →

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

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Tops $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

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Jordan MacPherson and Piccobello Du Val De Geer Top $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix, Erica Felder Guides Thumbs Up to Pine Hollow Short Stirrup Hunter Championship

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Checkmate 4. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 12, 2012 – A large field came to compete on Sunday in the $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, and it was Olympian Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) on Octavia Farms LLC’s Checkmate 4 who came away with the win. Cian O’Connor (IRL) and Everything, owned by Abdulla Humaid Al Muhairi, were second, while Kirsten Coe (USA) rode Ilan Ferder’s Baronez to third.

In the morning, Canada’s Jordan MacPherson rode to the top of the standings in the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series (presented by Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte), when she and Piccobello Du Val De Geer won the first $15,000 class. Little competitors also took to the ring, and Erica Felder rode Thumbs Up to the tricolor in the Pine Hollow Short Stirrup Hunters.

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