Category Archives: Jump Media

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media

Longines Masters of New York to Feature Inaugural IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational

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Michael Andrade from Centenary University at the Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search West Finals. Photo by Captured Moment Photography.

New York, NY – Athletes from the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) will showcase their equitation on an international stage at Longines Masters New York. The inaugural IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational will be held April 26 at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, New York at 3 p.m.

Established in Paris, Hong Kong, New York, and recently-added Lausanne, the Longines Masters series was inspired by the legendary tennis Grand Slam. It is considered is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. The American leg of the Longines Masters Series will feature international show jumping competition and unparalleled sport with the world’s top-ranked equestrian athletes, as well as luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment. Each Longines Masters event is broadcast in close to 100 countries and reaches up to 260 million households.

Longines Masters of New York has provided two of the most respected authorities on hunter seat equitation to judge the first-ever event. George H. Morris is widely regarded as the founding father of hunter seat equitation. At 14, he won both the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Finals and the AHSA Hunt Seat Equitation Medal Finals, the youngest rider ever to achieve the two titles. He is an Olympic silver-medalist and as the U.S. chef d’equipe, he led the team to Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008.

“I’m looking forward to judging the first Metropolitan Equestrian Invitational,” said Morris. “I was the judge at the first IHSA horse show at West Point and support the American system of Equitation. I’ll be judging on the basics of riding: heels down, eyes up, shoulders back, ride forward.”

Brianne Goutal-Marteau will join Morris in the judges’ booth. Goutal-Marteau was the first U.S. junior rider to win all four major equitation finals, including US Equestrian Federation [USEF] Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, the USEF Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay National Championships. She was awarded the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider honor and has won several grand prix competitions. Goutal-Marteau is a graduate of Brown University, where she competed in the IHSA.

“It’s a totally different kind of experience than anyone, regardless of [level], would have — to go to a show and sit on a horse that you’ve never sat on before. [The horses] come with very specific instructions: you can use a stick on this one, you can use spurs on that one, and if you do, use this size. I think that really sets you up to deal with a plethora of different types of horses,” said Goutal-Marteau, who is a New York native and resides in Manhattan. “I think, as a New Yorker, we’re always wondering, ‘Why aren’t there more shows close by home?’ I think that comes down to the atmosphere, the level of competition, the level of entertainment that the New York Masters provides. Everything is just at the top, top level, and to have it right in your own backyard, I just think it makes everyone so excited.”

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jennifer@jumpmediallc.com

FEI, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Georgina Bloomberg Qualifies for Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final

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Georgina Bloomberg and Chameur 137 at the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas. Andrew Ryback Photography.

New York, NY – Top U.S. show jumper Georgina Bloomberg is heading to Gothenburg, Sweden to compete in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final on April 3-7. Bloomberg will be one of 10 riders from the U.S. who qualified this year to compete at the prestigious individual championship.

“I’m very excited. It’s been 14 years since I last qualified for a World Cup Final. I did it in 2005 and that was my last time competing in one,” said Bloomberg.

“In between, there have been years when I’ve tried to qualify and haven’t, and years when I didn’t make it a goal because either I wasn’t there riding-wise or didn’t have the right horse to go on. This is the first year in 14 years that everything has come together. We really set it as a goal, and I had the right horse, and it paid off,” she continued.

Bloomberg, of New York, NY and Wellington, FL, earned enough points during the seven-month qualifying period of the North American Eastern Sub-League of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ standings to earn a spot in the U.S. contingent headed to the Final.

Bloomberg plans to ride Chameur 137 in Sweden. The 11-year-old Westfalian gelding (Cayetano L—Gina, Grossadmiral) will ship to Sweden on March 27.

“I think the World Cup format suits him,” Bloomberg said of Chameur. “He has tons of energy, so he’s a great championship-type horse. He can jump every day and not run out of energy.

Chameur, who had jumped to the CSI4* level in Europe with Danish rider Zascha Nygaard Andreasen, joined Bloomberg’s string in August. Their first grand prix class together was at the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI3* (NY) in early September, where they placed 11th with just four faults. Bloomberg and Chameur earned valuable World Cup-qualifying points by placing fourth in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Sacramento (CA) in October. Just two weeks later, they took third place in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Del Mar (CA). They finished the fall in November with ninth place in the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas (NV).

“He’s still a relatively new horse for me,” said Bloomberg. “I got him at the end of last summer, and while I showed him in the fall, we didn’t get a chance to get to many big indoor shows. I don’t have the experience of having done an entire circuit of indoor shows at a high level, which I wish I did have, but I’m going with lower expectations than I would if I were going on a really seasoned horse that I’d had lots of experience on. I’m going to go and do my best and wait and see what happens. I know the horse can jump whatever we put in front of him.”

During the winter season in Wellington, FL, Chameur and Bloomberg have placed seventh in the $391,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix CSI5* and in the top 12 of the $134,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 and the $71,200 Palm Beach Masters Classic.

Bloomberg, 36, helped the U.S. team earn bronze at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, ON and has jumped on multiple winning Nations Cup teams for the United States. She’s also the owner of and rides for the New York Empire team that competes on the prestigious Global Champions League around the world. With a strong string of top grand prix horses, she’s hoping to be selected for upcoming US Equestrian Federation teams.

Along with Chameur, Bloomberg has another new addition, Tulara Colmine, and grand prix veterans Crown 5, Manodie II H, and Quibelle in the barn. “To really be considered for a team, you sometimes have to have more than one good horse and I’ve got a couple really good ones right now,” she said. “The U.S. team is something that I’d like to make a priority again, and to aim for making a team or two in the next few years. If it’s the right thing to do for me and my horses, I’d definitely like to aim for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”

For more information on Georgina Bloomberg and her horses, please visit www.GeorginaBloomberg.com.

Contact: Molly Sorge
molly@jumpmediallc.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Early Spring Rankings for Washington International Horse Show Heat Up

Mae Mannis, leader of the WIHS Pony Equitation Division, riding Days of Our Lives. Photo by Jump Media.

Washington, D.C. – The first set of rankings have been released for the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), running October 22-27 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., and competition is already fierce from coast to coast.

Qualifying events for the WIHS championships are held at more than 650 horse shows in North America. Riders who earn the most points throughout the year are eligible to compete in the WIHS Championship Finals, which include the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, and WIHS Pony Equitation Finals.

New leaders for the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals include Alexandra Pielet of Highland Park, IL for the East Coast and Kaitlyn Lovingfoss of Canton Country, CA for the West Coast as anticipation heats up for this year-end equitation final. Additionally, after a championship at the 60th Anniversary WIHS in 2018, Stephanie King of St. Augustine, FL and Co-Starr are poised for another banner year with 2,082 points already in the Adult Jumper ranks.

View Complete Rankings

As the summer competition season kicks off, WIHS congratulates all of the top competitors in the WIHS rankings as of March 1, 2019.

Current leaders include:

  • Alexandra Pielet of Highland Park, IL – 2,128 points – Lindsay Maxwell Charitable WIHS Equitation East
  • Kaitlyn Lovingfoss of Canyon Country, CA – 1,134 points – Lindsay Maxwell Charitable WIHS Equitation West
  • Greatness VDK ridden by Harper Peterson of Vienna, VA – 1,638 points – Children’s Hunter
  • Glyndon ridden by Pattie Schindler of Reistertown, MD – 1,350 points – Adult Hunter
  • Miss Moneypenny ridden by Hunter Kava of Parkland, FL – 1,946 points – Children’s Jumper
  • Co-Starr ridden by Stephanie King of St. Augustine, FL – 2,082 points – Adult Jumper
  • Mae Mannis of Woodbury, CT – 617 points – WIHS Pony Equitation

With six months remaining in the qualifying period, which ends August 31, there is still plenty of time to qualify for a chance to compete at WIHS and experience an event like no other in the heart of D.C. Riders must be active WIHS members in order for points to count.

“The WIHS Finals have cemented their place on riders’ calendars as a truly unique and special culmination of a year’s hard work. The experience of showing in front of thousands of fans in a professional hockey and basketball arena is unforgettable,” said WIHS Executive Director Mary Helen Shaughnessy. “The summer qualifying season always shakes up the rankings and this year’s finals are shaping up to be a showcase of the best horses and riders across the country!”

Don’t miss the chance to qualify for the WIHS Championships! WIHS looks forward to hosting the best horses and riders from around the nation in 2019 and encourages all riders to continue their drive to qualify. The qualifying period runs from shows starting on or after September 1, 2018, through shows starting on or before August 31, 2019.

For the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, invitations will be extended to the top 40 junior riders who are eligible to compete based on their points earned during the qualifying period in the East Coast and West Coast Leagues as follows: 30 riders will be invited from the East Coast League and 10 riders will be invited from the West Coast League. Letters of invitation will be mailed in September. For the pony equitation, invitations will be extended to the top 25 junior riders who are eligible to compete based on their points earned during the qualifying period. Letters of invitation will be mailed in September. For the hunter championships, 29 horse/rider combinations will be accepted in each division, while 25 will be accepted for the jumper championships.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2019 WIHS Junior Committee

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Channel 7 visits with the Junior Committee at the WIHS Breakfast with the Mounted Police community event. Photo Alden Corrigan Media.

Washington, D.C. – Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Junior Committee & Youth Ambassador Program presented by Signature Academics. This innovative program, now in its 10th year, is an opportunity for Washington-area teens to be a part of the inner workings of one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. WIHS returns Oct. 22-27, 2019, to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

“The WIHS Junior Committee & Youth Ambassador Program represents the heart of the show,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “These motivated teens are passionate about horse sports, and that’s what brings them to us, but they’re also great students and actively involved in giving back to the local community. We appreciate their creativity and teamwork in helping make WIHS such an exciting and special event every year.”

Each year through an application process, WIHS management selects approximately 30 teens from public, charter, and private schools in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to join the WIHS Junior Committee. Working with WIHS staff, committee members participate in planning and brainstorming meetings, learn new skills, and work on youth and community activities.

Join the WIHS Junior Committee

During show week, Junior Committee members serve as tour guides and press escorts, manage the Snapchat takeover, and share equestrian knowledge to help educate show visitors about horses and horse sport. Junior Committee members also are involved in equine-related volunteer activities, culminating in the ever-popular WIHS Kids’ Day on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The WIHS Youth Ambassador holds a leadership role as chair of the Junior Committee and represents the show’s youth perspective to the media. Those wishing to be considered for the position as 2019 WIHS Youth Ambassador will need to complete an additional application to showcase strengths in leadership and management.

“We are delighted to return for the third year as sponsor of the WIHS Junior Committee,” said Wendy Salomon, Executive Director of Signature Academics, a leading provider of educational services for student athletes, including one-to-one fully accredited school in Wellington, Fla. “The WIHS Junior Committee members are an exceptional group of teens, and it’s our pleasure to support their efforts in leveraging a love of horses into fun and innovative programs, like Barn Night and Kids’ Day, for show spectators and the local community.”

Since 2014, Salomon, an avid equestrian herself, and her Signature team have been tutoring equestrian student-athletes year-round in Wellington, seasonally in Ocala, Fla., and at major national horse shows, including Washington. “We specialize in supporting equestrian student-athletes who place a high value on education,” said Salomon. “Our goal is to provide peace of mind to students and families that academic achievement remains the number one priority, even in the face of non-stop training, traveling, and competition.”

During show week, Signature Academics team members can be found working with students in the Signature Academics study center, located on the competition level at WIHS.

The deadline to submit applications is April 1, 2019. Applicants must be students between the ages of 14 and 18 enrolled at local Washington, D.C.-area schools.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Awards, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Jessica Springsteen Crowned Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider for WEF Week 7

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Jessica Springsteen and Volage du Val Henry. Photo by Jump Media.

Wellington, FL – U.S. rider Jessica Springsteen was named the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award winner on Saturday, February 23, during CSI5* week, the seventh week of competition at the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

“It’s really exciting to be named Leading Lady!” said Springsteen, who competed two different horses during Week 7, one in the Thursday qualifier and another in the “Saturday Night Lights” grand prix. “My horses jumped great all week, and winning this award is a great finish to a lovely weekend.”

Springsteen, 27, piloted Volage du Val Henry, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Stone Hill Farm, to sixth place in the $134,000 CSI5* Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 qualifier earlier in the week, sealing her fate for an appearance in Saturday evening’s big ticket event. She again earned a top-10 placing in the $391,000 CSI5* Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix, this time riding RMF Zecilie, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Rushy Marsh Farm.

In recognition of her Leading Lady title, Springsteen was presented with a bottle of champagne, bouquet of flowers, and gift certificate for a shopping spree at Hunt, Ltd.

The Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, now in its second half of the season. So far this year, Erynn Ballard, Laura Chapot, Margie Engle, Tiffany Foster, Lauren Hough, and Beezie Madden have earned the weekly honor and have set their sights on claiming the overall title.

By Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Jump Media, Show Jumping

New York Empire Team Announced for 2019 Global Champions League Season

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Georgina Bloomberg and Manodie II H competing at the 2018 Global Champions League event in Miami, FL. Photo by Stefano Grasso/GCL.

Wellington, FL – New York Empire team owner Georgina Bloomberg of New York, NY has put together an experienced and talented team of six riders for the 2019 Global Champions League (GCL) season. With a series stop in New York being added as the GCL series finale in 2019, the NYE team is excited for the season ahead.

Bloomberg, an experienced international rider who won team bronze at the 2015 Pan American Games and has represented the U.S. on many Nations Cup teams, competes for the New York Empire herself. She’ll wear the team’s distinctive red and black horsehead logo for the first time in 2019 at the Miami stop of the tour on April 18-20. Joining her on the team will be British Olympic team gold medalist Scott Brash, who jumped for the New York Empire last year as well.

The New York Empire team debuted in 2018, joining the line-up of 19 teams competing on the prestigious GCL tour. New York Empire finished in 16th in the 2018 season and qualified for the GCL Playoffs in Prague.

New additions to the team for 2019 are Denis Lynch, Hans-Dieter Dreher, Daniel Bluman, and Spencer Smith, who rides as the Under 25 member of the team. “I’m excited for the start of the GCL season with this team,” said Bloomberg. “Last year was the first season for the New York Empire team, and it ended up not going the way we’d hoped. Everybody had bad luck with horses last year; it was one thing after another with injuries and bad luck. This year we really want to get back in there and have a shot at it.”

Brash earned team gold with Great Britain in the 2012 Olympic Games and won the Global Champions Tour (GCT) series and season final in 2013. “Scott has been an amazing teammate and as long as he wanted to be on the team, he was without a doubt my first choice for a spot,” said Bloomberg.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the New York Empire team,” Brash said. “I look forward to the GCL season because we have a strong team. I’ve been teammates with Georgina on GCL teams since 2016 and 2017, when we both rode for the Miami Glory, and it’s always great to compete with her.”

Lynch, an Irish rider based in Germany, is a veteran of Olympic and World Equestrian Games and FEI World Cup Finals. He rode with Bloomberg and Brash on the 2017 Miami Glory GCL team and helped the 2018 Miami Celtics team to third place in the series standings. “Denis is someone I really trust as a friend and a horseman,” said Bloomberg. “It’s always nice to have people who you know are going to go in and produce in the ring, but also who you can trust and rely on outside the ring to help with a practice fence or walk the course with as well. Denis knows me as a rider and knows my horses, and I like him as a person.”

Lynch has a strong line-up of horses with the five-star veteran and former ride of Bertram Allen, Hector van d’Abdijhoeve, joining his string this year. He also has a new three-star horse in Chablis and two talented nine-year-olds. “We thought a lot about it and went out and bought some good horses to help the team,” Lynch said. “I’m really looking forward to the series this season and being on board with New York Empire. It looks like a really exciting and strong team. It’s quite an international team; I think it’s a good bunch and we should do well.”

Hans-Dieter Dreher, who is known as “Hansi,” has represented Germany in two FEI World Cup Finals. He has experienced horses like Berlinda, Embassy, Prinz, Twenty Clary, and Cachacco Blue to choose from when serving on NYE teams. “I am very proud to be a part of this top team this year,” Dreher said. “I have some very good horses to make some good results for the team and I am very motivated.”

Bloomberg and Bluman have been friends for many years, so she was thrilled to have him join NYE this year. Bluman, who competes for Israel but is based in North Salem, NY, and Wellington, FL, showed for the Monaco Aces on the 2016 GCL season, helping them finish third in the standings that year. “Daniel is someone I’ve known since he was a kid,” Bloomberg said. “He was responsible for me finding my first rescue dog, Hugo, and adopting him. That was the beginning of my journey with the animal activism. I consider him family. He’s wonderful and has a good string of horses.”

Bluman, a veteran of two Olympic Games and four World Equestrian Games, considers himself an honorary New Yorker. He has five-star veterans Sancha and Ladriano in his string for the GCL events and plans to also use Entano and Colestina for NYE team appearances. “New York is home for me — my wife and I have a place in North Salem — so it’s very fitting that I’m riding for the New York Empire. I’m excited to be part of it,” he said. “I think it’s a good team — when you put two of those riders together, whichever combination it is, I think it’s a strong entry. I have a few horses to pick from and I think it’s important to take it seriously and focus on getting a good result for the team at each of the shows so we can qualify for the final in a very strong position.”

Joining the New York Empire will be the first time that U25 rider Spencer Smith of the U.S. has competed on a GCL team. Smith, who won the 2014 USEF Medal Finals and now trains with Canadian individual Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze, has become a consistent competitor at the CSI5* level, including winning the CSI2* Grand Prix at the 2018 Longines GCT London aboard Happiness. “For me, it’s one of the highest honors to have been chosen for this. A big thank you to Georgina for supporting a young American rider like she always does,” said Smith. He has his two top mounts, Happiness and Theodore Manciais, as well as some younger horses to use for GCL events.

“I think we have a really strong team. It’s such a great line-up,” Smith said. “Just being able to compete side-by-side with some of these riders will be a great learning opportunity. From a competitor’s standpoint, it’s great to know you’ll always have a really strong teammate. That gives you a lot of confidence. I think the final in New York is going to be awesome, especially since that’ll be our home court. It’s going to be a really exciting event.”

Bloomberg has known Smith since he was a young rider. “Spencer has really proven himself as a young rider and he’s somebody who isn’t just coming up in the ranks and having good results, but he’s also someone I really like as a person,” she said. “He’s a really polite young man who’s getting great direction from Eric and from his parents. I wanted a younger rider on the team who wasn’t just someone who was producing results, but also someone who I thought was going to be a great part of the team not only inside the ring, but also outside it.”

The 2019 GCL season kicks off with the first event in Doha, Qatar on February 28 – March 2. Dreher, Brash, and Lynch are slated to jump for New York Empire in Doha. The series then travels to Mexico City, Mexico on April 11-13 before coming to U.S. soil on April 18-20 for the Miami event. The GCL and GCT tour visits many of the world’s most iconic cities, such as Rome, Paris, London, New York, Shanghai, Madrid, and Montreal.

The New York event, which will take place on September 27-29 on Governor’s Island in New York City’s harbor with views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, is the final event for 2019 regular season. Prague, Czech Republic will again play host to the thrilling Global Champions Playoffs on November 21-24.

“When you have a good team like the one we have and you’re riding with people that you like, it’s an exciting concept,” Bluman said of the GCL tour. “The destinations are beautiful events with great prize money. You’re riding with the best riders in the world, and that’s always what we look to do.”

See more at the Global Champions League site.

Contact: Molly Sorge
molly@jumpmediallc.com

Awards, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Beezie Madden Named Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider for WEF Week 3

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Left to right: Beezie Madden battled the weather to accept her Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title from Martha Jolicoeur and Dr. Stephen Norton. Photo by Jump Media.

Wellington, FL – Reigning FEI World Cup™ Final champion Beezie Madden was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title following Saturday Night Lights competition on January 26 during Week 3 of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) running through March 31, 2019, in Wellington, FL.

Madden, a four-time Olympian for the United States, qualified for grand prix competition with her performance in the $36,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 CSI3* on Thursday before jumping to third in the featured $134,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI3*.

“It’s always exciting to win an award like this,” said Madden, who hails from Cazenovia, NY, and piloted new mount Chic Hin D Hyrencourt, a 10-year-old SBS gelding (Taran de la Pomme x Elanville) to the podium for owner Abigail Wexner. “Martha always provides great prizes, and it’s nice that the ladies are recognized each week.”

For her WEF 3 title, Madden was presented with a bottle of champagne, bouquet of flowers, and gift certificate to a shopping spree at Hunt, Ltd. from Martha Jolicoeur.

A leading South Florida real estate broker and part of the elite Douglas Elliman Real Estate Sports and Entertainment division, Jolicoeur has supported WEF as an integral sponsor for the past nine consecutive years. Throughout WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award, given in memory of fellow realtor and horseman Dale Lawler, is presented weekly to the high-score female rider based on performances in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series and grand prix events.

During the 12th and final week of WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the 2019 season.

By Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Jump Media, Show Jumping

The Countdown to the Longines Masters of New York IS On

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Photo by Sportfot.

New York, New York – After a celebrated debut at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in 2018, the Longines Masters Series will return to the United States with the Longines Masters of New York on April 25-28, 2019.

The Longines Masters Series got underway with the 10th anniversary of the Longines Masters of Paris at the end of November 2018 and will soon make its way to Hong Kong from February 15-17, 2019, before heading across the Atlantic to New York.

Last year’s Longines Masters of New York highlights included a victory in the Longines Grand Prix of New York for 2017 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final champion and three-time U.S. Olympic medalist McLain Ward riding Clinta. The 2019 edition of the Longines Masters of New York promises to provide even more thrilling moments to delight athletes and horse sport fans alike. With top sport spanning four days, riders from all corners of the world will converge on New York.

For more information, see www.longinesmasters.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

WIHS Creates Regional Horse Show Committee, Names Beezie Madden as Int’l Show Advisor

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Beezie Madden (USA) and Breitling LS presented as winners of the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington, presented by Events DC, by WIHS President Vicki Lowell. Photo by Jump Media.

Washington, D.C. – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) announces steps to build on the success of the 60th Anniversary Show by establishing a special committee for the WIHS Regional Horse Show and naming U.S. Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden as the new WIHS International Show Advisor. WIHS is one of North America’s most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events and will celebrate 61 years on October 22-27, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.

The WIHS Regional Horse Show, also host to the USHJA Zone 3 Championships, is held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD on October 18-20, 2019. The WIHS Regional Committee will be chaired by WIHS Board Member Judy Bishop and will comprise members from the Zone 3 Committee, Zone 3 trainers, and WIHS staff members. Committee members include:

  • Judy Bishop – Chair
  • Alan Lohman – Zone 3 Committee Representative
  • Streett Moore – Zone 3 Committee Representative
  • Rachel Kennedy – Zone 3 Professional
  • Tracy Magness – Zone 3 Professional
  • Lara McPherson – WIHS Staff Representative
  • Elizabeth Mellen – WIHS Staff Representative
  • Tom Blankenship – WIHS Regional Horse Show Manager

The goal of the committee is to further elevate and enhance the overall exhibitor experience of the WIHS Regional Horse Show through sponsorship, hospitality, and other improvements. The committee will seek feedback and input from exhibitors and make recommendations to the WIHS Board of Directors.

Beezie Madden, the winner of the 2018 Longines/FEI World Cup Jumping Washington and the reigning FEI Jumping World Cup Finals champion, will review the International Jumper division schedule working closely with Show Manager David Distler and make recommendations to ensure WIHS continues to be a top event on the international jumping calendar.

“It is our collective goal to keep both the downtown event and the regional show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center as premier championship competitions on the calendar that riders of all levels aspire to compete at each year,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. “WIHS is a special event that has a storied history, which takes commitment from staff and volunteers to ensure it continues as a strong and successful event for years to come. As the last remaining U.S. indoor show in a major metropolitan sporting arena, it is critical we remain focused on creating the best experience possible for horses, competitors, and spectators. I would like to thank these important volunteers for stepping up to help us continue bringing horses to downtown D.C. and recognizing the importance of our regional competition as well.”

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Tessa Downey and Anisette Are Grand on Final Day of 60th Anniversary WIHS

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Tessa Downey and Anisette. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

October 28, 2018 – Washington, D.C. – The 60th anniversary Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) concluded on Sunday, October 28, at Capital One Arena in downtown D.C. with the naming of the 2018 Grand Pony Hunter Champion, as well as WIHS Pony Equitation Finals and WIHS Regional Hunter Finals winners.

Taking the weeklong show’s top pony hunter honor was Tessa Downey of Houston, TX riding her own Anisette.

Downey, 13, and the 12-year-old black Welsh Pony Cross mare topped two of the Medium Pony Hunter over fences classes and finished second in the handy to earn the Medium Pony Hunter Championship, for which they were presented the Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy, donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Lt.

The pair’s consistent rounds proved to be enough to then clinch the Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Novick & Rustic Woods, as the Grand Pony Hunter Champions. Downey and Anisette also received the Potomac Trophy for the High Score Junior Hunter Rider on a Pony, and Downey was named the Best Child Rider on a Pony, sponsored by Gotham North. For the Best Child Rider award, Downey received the Captain V.S. Littauer Perpetual Trophy.

“I grew up watching Maddie Schaefer and everyone who is now in the big eq win this trophy, and I’m just super excited. We came here just with our goal being to jog in every class. That was our goal at Harrisburg too; we just wanted to be consistent. Then we go and this happens, and we’re over the moon!” – Tessa Downey

Downey started riding Anisette this past year, after purchasing the mare from the Hoch family, and she has seen great success with her since, including winning the Medium Pony Hunter Championship at the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals in August.

Samantha Takacs Rides to Redemption in WIHS Pony Equitation Finals

Samantha Takacs of Oldwick, NJ scored an 88 in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals to take home top honors riding Storyteller. The win was a redeeming effort for Takacs after going off course from the first in the order in the very same class during the 2017 WIHS.

“Last year was my first time at WIHS and this year I was really hoping I did the course correctly. I was a little bit nervous because I hadn’t shown in the hunters at this show this year because I didn’t have a horse to ride so today was my first trip.” – Samantha Takacs

Thirteen-year-old Takacs borrowed the ride on Storyteller, owned by Temple Equestrian, LLC and leaded by Caroline Signorino. Despite qualifying for the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, Takacs didn’t have a mount available to compete and jumped her first fence with Storyteller the morning of the final.

“I am so thankful that my friend Caroline and Temple Equestrian were both kind enough to let me borrow him,” said Takacs of the 15-year-old German Sport Pony gelding. “I rode him this morning and I felt like he was such a good boy and we were a good match. Then in the schooling area, I got a little self-conscious and wasn’t sure how it was going to. But, once I got in the ring I knew he would do it for me.”

After the jumping phase of the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, the top ten riders were tested on the flat. Takacs pocketed the top score to best second-place finisher Kat Fuqua, who finished one point off the lead with an 87.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com