Category Archives: Contributors/Press

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Race for Individual Medals Still Wide Open at Youth Olympic Games

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Mohamed Abdalla (EGY) acknowledges the crowd’s support after jumping a clear with Buzzword in today’s individual competition for a share in the lead going into Tuesday’s Final. (Photo: IOC)

22 August 2010 – Another steamy day in Singapore greeted competitors and spectators for round 1 of the Youth Olympic Games Individual Jumping Competition, with all the riders going back to zero scores for a brand new start after the Teams medal decider.

Singaporean precision meant that the first competitor from Chile rode into the arena today at exactly 9.30am, ready to jump the course presented by international Course Designer, John Vallance (AUS). The fences were a little higher and wider, with oxers looking squarer than those for the Team Competition. This is appropriate now that the horse and rider combinations have got to know each other better and should be able to handle the elevated degree of difficulty. Distances in the course were very even and fair with a flowing line. A triple combination was also included to test the riders.

There were nine clear rounds in today’s competition, with most of them being ridden very smoothly and effectively. Competitors who went clear were Marcelo Chirico (URU), Thomas McDermott (AUS), Mohamed Abdalla (EGY), Timur Patarov (KAZ), Dominique Shone (CAN), Guilherme Foroni (BRA), Samantha McIntosh (RSA), Wojciech Dahlke (POL) and Mario Gamboa (COL).

Continue reading Race for Individual Medals Still Wide Open at Youth Olympic Games →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Tosh and Lonestar Victorious in $100,000 International Hunter Derby Finals

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2009 WCHR Pro Finals winner Hunt Tosh rode Lonestar to claim the victory in the 2010 $100,000 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. All Photos ©Diana De Rosa Photography

August 21, 2010 – Lexington, KY – Hunt Tosh waited in anticipation after his final round. He’d dominated the first round and after a powerful second round he thought there was a chance this night could be his.  It wasn’t until the scores went up that he knew he’d become the winner of the second annual 2010 $100,000 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.

It was August 21, the night everyone had been anxiously waiting for, and there were only two more rounds to go before Tosh’s victory was secured. Being held in the lovely venue of the indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park only added to the thrill and for a touch of class and tradition, black tie dress was asked.

Those who placed in the top 25 after the qualifying round, held August 20, battled it out in a Classic Hunter round to determine the top 12. Winner of the qualifier Scott Stewart, 2nd place Jennifer Alfano, and 3rd place Liza Boyd were among the few showing. The high scores these riders obtained in the previous round would not help them here.  At the start of the second round all points were erased. Everyone started with a clean slate.

Continue reading Tosh and Lonestar Victorious in $100,000 International Hunter Derby Finals →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lauren Crooks and Cincinatti La Silla Win $50,000 CSI-W Hagyard Lexington Classic at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Lauren Crooks and Cincinatti La Silla took top honors in the $50,000 CSI-W Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Whitney Campbell/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 20, 2010 – Another incredible crowd turned out at the new Indoor Ring tonight, this time to watch riders compete for the top prize during the $50,000 CSI-W Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. It proved to be an interesting night when the first four riders all completed clear rounds to start, but as the class progressed no other combinations were able to duplicate the effort and join the jump-off. Lauren Crooks and Cincinnati La Silla led the victory gallop after they laid down the fastest clear effort over the short course, continuing their winning streak after taking the top prize in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Summer Classic.

Tonight’s long and winding course was designed by Richard Jeffery. The first round course featured 16 jumping efforts and included a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, an oxer-vertical double combination, and a number of tall, single verticals. At first it looked as though the course was too simple when the first four riders to take to the track all posted clear efforts, but as the evening continued, the rails began to come down and no one else was able to advance to the short course.

The jump-off round began over a single oxer followed by a bending line to a single vertical. Riders then made a left turn to another wide oxer before jumping through the oxer-vertical double combination. Finally, the competitors made an inside turn and galloped to a tall vertical just before the finish line.

Continue reading Lauren Crooks and Cincinatti La Silla Win $50,000 CSI-W Hagyard Lexington Classic at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show →

Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Products/Services, Publications/Media

KAM Cartoon Calendar

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KAM Animals Services is creating a unique 2011 calendar for this upcoming holiday season.  Using the skill of its illustrator, KAM is creating a fun calendar for all kinds of equine businesses and services.  Each page will include a cute cartoon of the month based around a particular type of equine business or service.

Since there are only 12 months in a year, this means that will be the limit to how many companies can have a graphic designed especially for them.  Your creative cartoon would tie your business into one or more months.

Calendars can also be personalized with a business name visible on every month and you can choose a month to not only add a coupon but notification tips can be placed throughout the calendar.

“What makes this calendar different than others are the wonderful creative horse illustrations that will make anyone smile.  The focus could be for a tack shop, saddlemaker, feed company, clothier, boot company or anyone else in the horse business,” said Gabriele Sutton, owner of KAM Animal Services.

Continue reading KAM Cartoon Calendar →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Equine Assisted Therapy, FEI, Para-Equestrian

FEI Award Win Continues to Motivate Haitian Para-Equestrian

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Darlene Milord and FEI President HRH Princess Haya at the 2009 FEI Awards ceremony (photo: FEI)

19 August 2010 – As the nomination deadline approaches for the annual awards organised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the Haitian Para-Equestrian winner of last year’s FEI Against All Odds Award is calling on the equestrian community to nominate individuals whose efforts deserve acknowledgement.

The Against All Odds Award is given to an individual who has overcome personal setbacks or physical disabilities to pursue equestrian sport. It is one of five FEI Awards that reward outstanding dedication to horse sport.

Orphan Darlene Milord, who was born with the medical condition hemiplegia, has represented her country at the Special Olympics. Her passion for horses evolved from the riding therapy she received as part of a special needs programme at the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos orphanage in Haiti.

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

$25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by CN Emanates the True Meaning of Horsemanship

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the 2009 $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Chicago Hunter Derby. Photo© 2009 Jennifer Wood.

Chicago, Illinois – August 20, 2010 – Two years ago, Chicago Equestrians for a Cause embarked on a mission that would prove to not only play an integral role in betterment of the sport of show hunters, but also in the movement to have hunter derbies that are structured so as to benefit one or more charitable organizations. In August of 2009, their vision became a reality as Annali Farm in Antioch, IL, welcomed this nation’s top exhibitors for the premiere $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby (Chicago Hunter Derby) Presented by CN.

Offering a trifecta of benefits, the 2010 Chicago Hunter Derby will contribute to (1) the progression of the sport, (2) the assistance of horsemen in need, and (3) the support of children with illnesses, as it is a member event of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Series as well as a generous donor to both the USHJA Foundation and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL.

Continue reading $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by CN Emanates the True Meaning of Horsemanship →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Gold for Team Europe at Youth Olympics

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Team Europe celebrates winning gold in the Youth Olympic Games Team Jumping - back row (L-R): Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Wojciech Dahlke (POL) and front row (L-R): Carian Scudamore (GBR) and Valentina Isoardi (ITA). (Photo: IOC)

20 August 2010 – Team Europe has won the coveted team gold at the Youth Olympic Games after a nail biting jump-off between three teams in a day of unsurpassed excitement in the jumping arena.

Three teams – Europe, Australasia and Africa – were all on four penalties going into today’s second round and it proved to be a battle to the end for these continents. It looked as though Europe would clinch gold when their last rider, Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), cleared fence after fence with Gippsland Girl in what was looking like another wonderful clear for Europe. But a rail down at the last fence left Europe, Australasia and Africa tied on eight penalties, forcing a jump-off against the clock over a shortened course to determine the medal placings.

Both Europe and Australasia picked up four faults in the crowd-pleasing jump-off, but Europe’s faster overall time earned the gold, Australasia got silver and Africa bronze, to the huge delight of the riders and their supporters. After the historic presentation of medals for the first ever Youth Olympic Games equestrian competition, the riders galloped joyously around the ring on their lap of honour, elation at winning an Olympic medal evident on every smiling young face.

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, JRPR, Products/Services

Lauren Sammis and Charles Owen Team Up at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions to Raise Funds and Helmet Awareness

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Crystal Gaskell (left) was awarded her Charles Owen Helmet by (from left to right) Lauren Sammis, Danielle Santos, and Al Guden. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Gladstone, NJ (August 19, 2010) – Dressage rider Lauren Sammis, who earned a Gold Medal at the Pan American Games, awarded fellow dressage rider Crystal Gaskell with a brand new Charles Owen helmet during the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Gaskell, of Cazenovia, New York, won the helmet through a Charles Owen Helmet raffle, in support of the Riders4Helmets campaign started by SUCCEED, with all the proceeds from the raffle going to the USET Foundation.

“I always ride in a helmet and I was looking for a new helmet so this works out great,” said Gaskell, adding that she was extremely excited about winning the raffle. “I have a 23-year-old Dutch horse that I ride named Figaro. He did his first grand prix with my daughter when he was 21.”

Sammis, who competed at the Dressage Festival of Champions on Sagacious HF, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Al Guden of Hyperion Farm, was pleased to award Gaskell with her new helmet. A strong supporter of all riders wearing helmets, Sammis wore a helmet during the Dressage Festival of Champions, as did competitor Sue Blinks.

Continue reading Lauren Sammis and Charles Owen Team Up at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions to Raise Funds and Helmet Awareness →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, JRPR

Youth Wins Shetland Pony in American Shetland Pony Congress Essay Contest

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Jada Wright was the lucky winner of the ASPC's Youth Essay Contest at the Annual Shetland Pony Congress Show in Oklahoma. (Photo by Washburn Photography)

Ardmore, OK (August 19, 2010) – The annual Shetland Pony Congress Show, a competition highlighting the best small equines in the country, turned out to be a big event for one young member. Jada Wright, of Byars, Oklahoma, wrote the winning essay for the American Shetland Pony Club’s (ASPC) Youth Essay Contest, and took her own American Shetland Pony home from the show.

Jackie Tyler, of Emerald Glenn Farm in Woodville, Wisconsin, donated a two-year-old gelding named Naughty By Nature EGF to the youth essay contest and was pleased that Jada won the contest. “She was really happy about winning,” Tyler said.

Tyler, who also donated the winning pony to last year’s youth essay contest, said she decided to donate Naughty By Nature because he is a good prospect for a youth, has great brains and attitude and also has lots of color. “I enjoy giving a pony to a child who wants to really and truly work with it and show it. I think it makes children turn into better adults,” Tyler said. “A child learns to take the good with the bad when looking after a pony or horse. The pony can give you a bad time but you still have to keep going, no matter the weather or if you don’t feel good. You still have to get out there and take care of your pony.”

Continue reading Youth Wins Shetland Pony in American Shetland Pony Congress Essay Contest →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

Todd Flettrich Earns a Spot on the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Todd Flettrich and Otto competing at the Selection Trials for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo © 2010 Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – August 18, 2010 – Todd Flettrich and his grand prix mount Otto were recently named to the United States Dressage Team that will compete this fall at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Following a fantastic two weekends of competition at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, Flettrich and Otto finished in second place in the grand prix championships, which were also held as the Team’s final Selection Trials.

Competing at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ, Flettrich and Otto placed third in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special on the first weekend of competition, held August 7th and 8th. The pair performed consistently, earning an overall 71.404% in the Grand Prix and a 69.917% in the Special.

On the final weekend of competition, Flettrich and Otto stepped up the competition and moved into second place in the overall standings. The duo showed in the Grand Prix on August 13th and scored a 69.787% to finish in second place and then went on to the Freestyle on August 15th to earn an impressive 75.600% for another second place finish.

Otto is a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Margaret Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm. Flettrich and Otto have been very successful throughout the year competing in the United States, and recently had the opportunity to gain exposure on the world stage competing at CHIO Aachen in preparation for the Selection Trials.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=11918