Category Archives: Contributors/Press

Blog writers, press releases and contributors

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

Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Competition Report Round 5, Falsterbo

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Helena Lundback and Bukowskis Erblumme got a late call-up but provided a vital first-round clear to help Sweden to victory in the fifth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup at Falsterbo, Sweden today. Photo: Lotta Gyllensten.

SWEDES SPRING A SURPRISE IN FALSTERBO

Falsterbo (SWE), 9 July 2010 – On an afternoon of dramatically fluctuating fortunes, the host nation of Sweden sprung a big surprise as they swept to victory in the fifth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup on their home ground at Falsterbo today.  It was against all the odds, because they had previously picked up only two points in the series and seemed to be staring relegation in the face at the end of the season.  But in typically stubborn style they didn’t let the pressure overwhelm them, and three first-round clears ensured they would always be in contention while it was their Olympic silver medallist, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, who clinched it for them in the end.

The Netherlands finished a strong second, also shaking off some distressingly poor results in previous legs of this super-tough Meydan FEI season, while Spain and France divided third, Ireland and the USA shared fifth place and Great Britain had to settle for seventh this time out.  Switzerland finished eighth after only just managing to squeeze into the second round and, in another real turn-up for the books, the German team were sidelined at the end of round one along with the unfortunate Polish side that suffered elimination.

Continue reading Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Competition Report Round 5, Falsterbo →

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

Tapestry Farm to Host $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Sunday

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The strong field of competitors will include rider Kelley Farmer.

Bristol, WI – July 9, 2010 – The first ever Tapestry Farm Derby Day promises a day of hospitality and exciting competition at Tapestry Farm in Bristol, Wisconsin. On July 11th, the 120 acre facility one hour north of Chicago will host a $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, a $5,000 USHJA 3′ Derby, and a $10,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Speed Derby. A strong field of competitors is expected including Pony Lane Farm’s Bella Blue, shown by Maggie Jayne, and Nancy Amling’s Taken, shown by Kelley Farmer. All classes will utilize the farm’s outside course on grass with its natural obstacles and featuring a beautiful, brand new bank. Spectators will have the opportunity to provide support for the worthy USHJAF’s Horseman’s Assistance Fund and at the same time enjoy the highest level of hospitality by buying a ringside table. Held in conduction with the Showplace Summertime Horse Show at Ledges, Derby Day will provide the finale to a great horse show, providing a field trip for participants and offering all a “day in the country”.

Derby Day was first envisioned by Tapestry Farm’s owner Donna Struve. Watching the growing popularity of the hunter derby format, she pictured her farm as the perfect venue to host a showcase event, giving Midwest riders the opportunity to compete close to home in an international caliber event while hosting a summer outing and raising money for charity.

Continue reading Tapestry Farm to Host $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Sunday →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Three-month Suspension for US Rider Michael Morrissey

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9 July 2010 – Michael Morrissey (USA) has been suspended for three months and issued a yellow card with retroactive disqualification for excessive use of the whip in class 101 at the Wellington CSI 2* held on 27 February 2010. Mr Morrissey has also been subjected to a fine of CHF 2,000. The suspension from FEI competition will run from 5 May to 4 August, concurrent with the three-month suspension imposed on Mr Morrissey by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

“I apologise unreservedly for this incident,” Mr Morrissey said. “I overreacted when the horse stopped and that is unforgiveable. Horse welfare has to take precedence over competitive interests and I know that I was in breach of that basic principle.”

An investigation into the role of the Ground Jury in this incident showed that Mr Morrissey should have been disqualified at the time. Letters of reprimand have been sent to all members of the Ground Jury.

The full text of the decision is available here: MORRISSEY.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events

Jonny Hilberath & Amüsant Win Moorland Grand Prix Special Dressage Derby

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Jonny Hilberath and Amüsant in victory gallop after winning Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Special. © 2010 Ken Braddick

FALSTERBO, Sweden, July 9 — Germany’s Jonny Hilberath who has been competing Amüsant internationally for just four months notched their first victory Saturday by winning the inaugural €30,000 (US$37,860) Moorland Grand Prix Special Dressage Derby presented by Agria as part of the Exquis World Dressage Masters.

Jonny and the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Elisabeth Max-Theurer and competed once internationally by her daughter, Victoria, almost two years ago scored 69.292 per cent despite mistakes in both the one- and two-tempi changes. The Netherlands’ Christa Laarakkers and Divoza Horseworld Ovation finished second with 67.250 per cent and hometown favorite Charlotte Haid Bondergaard on Lydianus was third on 66.292 per cent.

For Jonny and Amüsant’s first WDM, and the first time the Falsterbo Horse Show has included the prestigious CDI5* in its competition schedule the win earned them €9,500 (US$12,000) while Christa, who competed at WDM in Palm Beach earlier this year, earned €7,000 (US$8,830) and Charlotte €5,500 (US$6,940).

Continue reading Jonny Hilberath & Amüsant Win Moorland Grand Prix Special Dressage Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events

Anky & Painted Black Win First Falsterbo World Dressage Masters Grand Prix

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Anky van Grunsven on IPS Painted Black in the Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Thursday. © 2010 Ken Braddick

FALSTERBO, Sweden, July 8 — Anky van Grunsven, the most successful rider in the Exquis World Dressage Masters, on Thursday rode a newly recovered IPS Painted Black to victory in the Grand Prix of the first €100,000 CDI5* competitions staged by the Falsterbo Horse Show.

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven, one of Sweden’s most popular dressage stars, gave the big crowd that turned out to support the event good cause to applaud even more enthusiastically than they did for all the riders when she and the 11-year-old Favourit turned in a performance that placed them second.

Anky and the 13-year-old stallion Painted Black was the unanimous choice by the judges for first place in the Nurnberger Versicherungsgruppe Grand Prix presented by Agria with a score of 75.234 per cent with Tinne and Favourit posting marks of 71.957 per cent. Germany’s Anja Plönzke and Le Mont d’Or, competing in their fourth WDM CDI5* event so far this year–Palm Beach in the USA, Munich, Germany and Cannes, France in addition to Falsterbo–was third on 68.723 per cent.

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Olympic Champion Returns to Top of Rolex Rankings

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8 July 2010 – Olympic Jumping champion Eric Lamaze (CAN) has returned to the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings.

The Canadian, who took individual gold and team silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, was ranked second in the world in February and March and was third in the April and May rankings. He is now back at the top of the rankings for the first time since February 2009.

Pius Schwizer (SUI), who has been world number one in the Rolex Rankings for the past five months, has now dropped down to second, with reigning European champion Kevin Staut (FRA) moving up one place to third. Rolex FEI World Cup champion Marcus Ehning (GER), who was in second in the May rankings, is now in fourth.

The updated Rolex Rankings, which were published today by the FEI, are available here.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

Contributors/Press, FEI

FEI Issues Mandatory Guidelines to Hypersensitivity Protocol

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8 July 2010 – The FEI has undertaken a review of the Protocol for Thermography and Clinical Examination (Hypersensitivity of Legs) and, in an effort to further strengthen the Protocol, has issued the following mandatory guidelines to be applied by the Veterinary Commissions appointed for FEI Events.

The new guidelines state:

(i)                  all Horses that are tested pursuant to the Protocol for Thermography and Clinical Examination will continue to undergo a thermography examination as one part of the evaluation process for hypersensitivity;

(ii)                 no horse may be retroactively eliminated from a Competition pursuant to the Protocol for Thermography and Clinical Examination;

(iii)                the Person Responsible, or his or her designee, will be presented with a written form if his or her horse is disqualified for hypersensitivity that expressly describes the examination process and the rights of the Person Responsible under the circumstances;

(iv)               if any Horse is disqualified pursuant to the Protocol more than twelve (12) hours prior to a Competition, the Person Responsible, or his or her designee, will be advised that a written request to the Ground Jury may be submitted within 30 minutes of being notified that the horse is disqualified, for the Horse to be re-examined pursuant to the Protocol. Such request must be granted and the Horse will be re-examined prior to the next Competition at a time determined by the Ground Jury on the day of the Competition. If upon re-examination it is not clear and obvious that the horse is unfit to compete due to signs of hypersensitivity, the horse shall be allowed to compete in that next Competition. However, the horse remains eligible for examination under the Protocol throughout the entire Event. This specific written request opportunity may only be exercised one (1) time during any Event for the same horse.

The new guidelines are effective immediately.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

The 2010 Capital Challenge Horse Show Announces Schedule and New Classes

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Showman and Sandy Ferrell won last year's Future Hunter World Championship at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Upper Marlboro, MD – July 7, 2010 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show, now in its 17th year of competition, strives every year to provide the best possible horse show for its exhibitors. This includes adding new classes that offer special opportunities for every level of rider. This year’s show will once again start with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com, on October 2-3, and the horse show will continue on October 4-10.

Highlights of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the North American Equitation Championship (Oct. 3), the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals (Oct. 3), the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Pro Challenge (Oct. 6), the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup (two rounds held on Oct. 8-9), the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals (Oct. 8), and the WCHR Professional Finals (Oct. 8).

Continue reading The 2010 Capital Challenge Horse Show Announces Schedule and New Classes →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Rescue/Protection Sources

Doubt Cast on Pilot Valley “Estray” Horses Rounded Up by BLM

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July 7, 2010 – CHICAGO (EWA) – On June 23, 2010, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District office buried on its website a notice that  approximately 175 “abandoned, domestic, estray” horses located within Pilot Valley, NV, were scheduled for impoundment beginning June 25. The round up was expected to take 3 – 4 days with corrals set up on nearby private land owned by Simplot Land and Livestock until the horses could be transported and placed under the jurisdiction of the State of Nevada.

According to Nevada laws, an estray is a horse that is found running loose on public lands but shows signs of domestication and the owner is unknown. A horse is considered “feral” under Nevada law if the animal was domesticated or is the offspring of domesticated horses and has become wild with no physical signs of domestication. The state of Nevada owns estray and feral horses. Wild horses and free-roaming Mustangs are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Nevada authorities plan to sell the horses rounded up by the BLM at auction on July 10. The horses will be available to all buyers and are therefore at risk of ending up at slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada.

Continue reading Doubt Cast on Pilot Valley “Estray” Horses Rounded Up by BLM →

Contributors/Press

Bronson Announces Accreditation of Ag Law Enforcement and Inspector General

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TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced the reaccreditation of his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (AgLaw) following a rigorous review by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The office first gained accreditation in 2007 and in April was re-evaluated for renewal of that status.  For the first time, the department’s Inspector General’s Office has also received accreditation following a full on-site visit.

The CFA reviews all aspects of an agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support systems to verify compliance with 276 recognized standards of excellence.  Accreditation by the CFA is voluntary but considered a significant accomplishment and this status is held in high esteem by the criminal justice community.

“This meticulous review of the facilities, personnel and programs within AgLaw measures our professionalism in a meaningful way, ensuring we meet the high standards dictated by law enforcement across the state and the nation,” Bronson said.  “The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has continued to expand its duties and responsibilities over the years in protecting our citizens and visitors and clearly our peers have determined we are meeting and exceeding expectations.”

Continue reading Bronson Announces Accreditation of Ag Law Enforcement and Inspector General →