Category Archives: Contributors/Press

Blog writers, press releases and contributors

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Tryon

Lumiere Horses’ Grand Prix Talent Alight during Tryon Fall 3, 4, 5

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Reutter and Maharees Rock.

Mill Spring, NC (November 4, 2020) – Gabriela Reutter has been carefully nurturing both her horses’ skills as well as her own at the upper echelons of the sport. In three weeks of showing weeks at Tryon International Equestrian Center, Reutter faced a set of challenges, including a particularly difficult 3-star Grand Prix that rode like a 5-star during the Fall 5 and heavy competition from over 100 horses. Reutter and her mounts stepped up to the proverbial plate to finish their time in Mill Spring on high notes. Both her FEI horses, Atticus Diamant and Maharees Rock, are poised to jump into 2021 at the top of their game.

Maharees Rock (aka Rocky), made a particularly impressive showing at Tryon. The relatively green Irish Sport Horse mare put in a single rail round in the pair’s first ever FEI Ranking class during Fall 4, and had a strong showing in a seriously challenging National Grand Prix during Fall 5. The particularly advanced qualifier left many horses and riders struggling to find their stride, even for seasoned competitors, but Rocky impressed Reutter with her poise and maturity. Rocky also put in a 4 fault round for 13th in Fall 3’s 1.40m Power & Speed, as well as two rails in the 1.45m Welcome.

Atticus Diamant (aka Monty), an 11-year-old Selle Français gelding by the famous show jumping stallion Diamant de Semilly, kicked off the Fall Series 3 FEI two-star with one down in the 1.45m Welcome, followed by an 8th place finish in the Fall Series 4 FEI 3-star 1.40m Power & Speed. During Fall 5, he was 4th in the FEI 1.40m Power & Speed.

Both horses jumped Fall 5’s challenging qualifier. The lack of shows during the middle of the year created a high demand for the Fall 5 three-star Grand Prix, and as such the technicality of the course was reflected in the qualifier. Even Olympian McLain Ward commented on the resulting level of competition as less than ideal: “It’s a tough situation. It’s a three-star event, but because of the state of the world and our sport right now, you have over 100 [competing] today,” he analyzed. “To me, that was a 5-star 1.55m track… you saw a lot of horses today who were surprised by it.”

Reutter agreed, stating that while she was impressed with how both horses handled the unexpected complexity, it was definitely a challenge. “This was an especially careful, difficult track. Monty went before Rocky and I wasn’t as aware of how much of a challenge the course would be. I was a bit more prepared after riding the track the first time, and was better able to guide Rocky. Rocky really stepped up and had an amazing go; she was super mature and I’m so impressed with how she handled the track.”

Reutter and her Lumiere mounts will head to Wellington in November, and she has her sights set on the ESP Holiday Series, including a National and 4-star week.

Reutter’s passion for equestrian sport began at a young age, and has since taken her to the upper echelons of show jumping. Combining talent, horsemanship, and dedication to her dreams, she rides with the aspiration of representing Chile at the pinnacle of show jumping sport. Born in Santiago, Chile, Gaby began riding at only four years old. At 17, she moved to the United States to pursue a professional show jumping career. Since 2014, she has ridden under the guidance of Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Chris Kappler, and is completing her undergraduate degree in Economics and Business Studies at NYU.

To date, Gaby has multiple top finishes in international FEI classes, from the U25 Grand Prix divisions to victory in an FEI 4-star event. She currently campaigns her two show jumpers, Atticus Diamant (aka Monty) and Maharees Rock (aka Rocky), at the FEI level. Both had excellent results during WEF 2020. Her international equestrian CV also includes Spruce Meadows, The Hampton Classic, and several junior/young rider South American Games. In 2018, Reutter received her certificate of capability for the Pan American Games following a top 3 finish in the FEI 3-star 1.50m Captive One Classic.

For more information on Reutter, her horses, and Lumiere, visit www.LumiereHorses.com.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com

Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group

Victory for Boyd Martin and Luke 140 in Galway Downs CCI4*-L

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Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Kim Miller.

Temecula, Ca. – Oct. 31, 2020 – CCI4*-L eventing competition wrapped up Saturday afternoon with Boyd Martin completing his first-ever victory gallop at Galway Downs. Martin and Luke 140, owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, won the event from start to finish, just adding a smidge of time to his leading dressage score following both cross-country and show jumping.

Mark Donovan’s show jumping course design which required horse and riders to come into the ring prepared as the time was tight and asked a lot from the CCI4*-L competitors. Only one horse and rider pair, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver, was able to execute Donovan’s track without time faults. Even with the addition of 1.20 seconds of time to his final score, Martin and Luke 140 secured the win on a score of 31, with Tamie Smith and Passepartout following right behind on a score of 32.40.

Despite the fact that Martin has only ever competed at the Temecula, California venue once previously with self-described less than desirable results or that this was Luke 140’s debut at the CCI4*-L level, the duo proved a formidable match all weekend long. Admittedly, Martin thought his other mount and long-time partner Long Island T would be the one leading the pack over the course of the weekend.

“I came out here thinking ‘Ludwig’ [Long Island T] might beat Luke this weekend. But it was Luke’s weekend, and I’m really glad I brought him out here,” Martin shared. He also commented that he has been preaching Luke 140’s international potential to the members of the horse’s ownership syndicate and shared that “this weekend is the first real moment that proves it.” After a successful weekend overall, Martin is excited to aim both Long Island T and Luke 140 towards the 5* stage.

Second-place finisher and California native Tamie Smith was thrilled with Passepartout’s 4* debut, telling the horse, “You almost won your first 4*!” The duo finished the weekend off, adding just .40 time faults following show jumping. Martin wrapped up the top three with Long Island T on a score of 36.40.

Phelps Sports
info@phelpssports.com

Championships, Dressage, Equinium Sports Mktg.

Amy Speck-Kern and Team Deliver Top Finishes at Region 3

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Mynanke A and Amy Speck-Kern (Photo by Gwen Poulin)

Ocala, FL (October 24, 2020) – New faces and old faces at Excel Dressage came together this October at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala. Excel’s founder and Grand Prix rider Amy Speck-Kern and her team qualified 4 horses at levels from Training to Intermediaire I for the Championships, and closed out a rollercoaster 2020 with top finishes. A number of Excel imports also made their mark at Regionals, and the final scores resulted in all of Excel’s horses and riders qualifying for the 2021 Dressage Finals.

Speck-Kern’s newest young superstar is Mynanke A (Hennessy x Ferro), aka Maya, who since her arrival from Holland in July has won each of her tests and finished 3rd out of 18 in her fourth show ever, the 2020 Regional Championships. Speck-Kern piloted Maya to a 74.569% in the Training Level Open, and one the Training Level Test 3 Open class with a 75.345%. Hand-selected by Speck-Kern earlier this year in The Netherlands, Maya has proven herself to be a focused and talented competitor despite being on the brink of turning 4 years old.

Excel’s student and business partner Katie Hoog of Stal Hoog in Loxahatchee, Florida rode the 14-year-old Zhivago (Obelisk x Fruhling) to a 6th place finish in the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle Championship with a 69.038%. A relatively new partnership, Hoog and Zhivago clicked immediately, qualifying for the Regional Championships with a Freestyle set to the music of Portugal. The Man, Justin Bieber, Kygo, and Selena Gomez. Another of Hoog’s horses, Gimmick (Oscar x Olivi), ridden by Wellington-based trainer Caleb Scroggins, danced to Reserve Champion in the First Level Freestyle with a score of 73.901%. Gimmick and Scroggins also finished 7th overall in the Training Level Open Championship with a 70.776%. Hoog’s sister, Sarah Hoog, rode her own US bred Federer (Fidertanz x Rubentein) to12th place in the First Level AA Championship with a 65.417%.

Two Excel alums also joined in the competition at Regionals. Marilyn Mannroe, a horse selected by Speck-Kern for friend Emily Kiefner, finished 8th in the First Level AA Championship with a 66.459% and 3rd in the Training Level AA Championship with a 71.982%. At the Region 2 Championships, an Excel Dressage/Stal Hoog import, Esteban (Rosseau x Naturel), won the AA Prix St. Georges Championship with a 67.353.

For more information on Amy Speck-Kern, Excel Dressage, or its services, visit www.ExcelDressage.com.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com

FEI

Equine Governing Bodies Seek to Secure Industry Future in EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement

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Proposed solutions that would secure the future of the European equine industry through safe and expedited horse movement between EU Member States and Britain following the UK’s departure from the EU have been sent to Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom (UKTF), and to Lord Frost, the British Prime Minister’s Europe Adviser and Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe.

The proposals, which cover equilibrium in equine health status between the EU and Britain, digital passports to facilitate seamless international transport of guaranteed high-health status horses, and zero tariffs for cross-border movement, are outlined in a comprehensive 14-page dossier produced by the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law, a collaboration of the key European Sport Horse and Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding industries.

The six-member task force was formed earlier this year by the IHSC, constituted jointly by the global governing bodies for equestrian sport and racing, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in 2013.

The IHSC, together with the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations, and the European Equestrian Federation, has proposed simple and workable solutions that will ensure horse welfare and safeguard both European and British interests.

High health horses in Britain have the same health status as those in EU Member States and the task force is requesting that a trade agreement between the EU and Britain should reflect this fact.

Zero tariffs are already in place, and the task force is requesting that they be maintained, with the scheme being extended to geldings. Currently only stallions and mares are eligible for tariff-free cross-border transport.

Digital passports would provide EU Competent Authorities with full traceability and sanitary guarantees, offering immediate, 24/7 access to secure fail-safe identification and ownership information, as well as real-time monitoring of a horse’s movements.

The high health status of each horse can be instantly validated through access to up-to-date vaccination and medical records, allowing for a higher level of monitoring and prevention of potential disease outbreaks in line with the biosecurity requirements of the EU Animal Health Law, thus facilitating speedy transit for these horses. The digital equine passports can also be adopted for use between EU Member States and A-listed 3rd countries.

If approved, the e-Passport would have no financial implications for the EU as costs around final development, implementation and running of the system will be met by the equine industry.

Using a two-pronged approach, the task force is seeking to have its proposals captured in the text of both the Trade Agreement and in the EU Animal Health Law, which comes into force on 21 April 2021.

Should a trade agreement with Britain not be reached, the task force is asking the EU to declare an equilibrium of health status for A-listed 3rd countries. The proposals also include regional agreements on the bio-secure traceable movement of high health horses signed between neighbouring EU Member States. A Tripartite Agreement previously existed between France, Britain, and Ireland, and there is currently an agreement between France and the Benelux countries.

“The equine industry is of crucial importance to the economic, social, sporting, and cultural fabric of both the European Union and the United Kingdom, and as representatives from all sectors of that industry, we believe that there are simple solutions that can guarantee a secure future for the European equine industry,” IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said.

“It is one of the most important animal breeding and production sectors in Europe, larger and with greater economic impact and employment than a number of other European agricultural sectors, with a net worth of over €52 billion per annum, providing 210,000 direct and more than 500,000 indirect jobs.

“Our goal is to reach an agreement that will allow for a continuation of the historical expedited movement of horses for breeding, sale, and competition between EU Member States and Britain. While there are some sectors currently under discussion that seem to remain difficult in the negotiations, we believe that there are simple solutions within the equine industry that can be readily included in a Free Trade Agreement. Indeed, they are also workable even in a no deal scenario.

“We are asking the negotiators on both sides of the table to take our proposals on board and incorporate them into the texts of the Trade Agreement, if there is one, and the EU to include them in the incoming EU Animal Health Law, which comes into effect next April.

“Without agreement on this, we estimate that the industry in Europe could shrink by as much as a third, with a potential €17 billion reduction in economic contribution, and the potential loss of 250,000 jobs in a marketplace already threatened with critical unemployment levels and a significant reduction in foreign direct investment in the European Union as the economic focus shifts to North America and Asia. So failure is not an option!”

European Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law

Chaired by FEI Veterinary Director, Dr Göran Akerström, the European Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law also includes Simon Cooper, Vice Chairman International Stud Book Committee and Director of the General Stud Book (Weatherbys); Paul-Marie Gadot, Veterinary Advisor to France Galop and the IFHA; Des Leadon, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations Veterinary Committee Chairman; Brian Kavanagh, Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive, IFHA Vice Chairman and European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation Chairman; and Ronan Murphy, European Equestrian Federation EU Committee member.

International Horse Sports Confederation

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), world governing body for horse sport, and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), joined forces in 2013 to create the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the first formal vehicle for co-operation between the world’s leading governing bodies for equestrian sport. The key mission of the IHSC is to encourage cooperation and the exchange of information on all matters of mutual interest between the IFHA and the FEI, as well as representing the collective interests of the horse industry with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other international bodies.

Media contact:

Grania Willis
Director Communications
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Championships, Driving, FEI, FEI

FEI Driving World Championships Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic

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Lausanne (SUI), 2 October 2020 — The FEI Driving World Championships, due to be held behind closed doors in Valkenswaard (NED) from 7-11 October, have been cancelled due to increased case numbers of Covid-19 in the Netherlands. The decision to cancel the Championships, which were for four-in-hand horse teams, was made by the City of Valkenswaard.

“It is devastating that the FEI Driving World Championships at Valkenswaard have had to be cancelled at the last minute, as everyone involved has put in so much effort to try and make them happen,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said, “but sadly the new Government restrictions in the Netherlands make it impossible for the Championships to go ahead next week.

“The start list for the Championships was looking very strong in such a challenging year for our sport, with 13 nations lined up to take part, including eight with full teams, but it is clear that health considerations have to take priority.

“We have done everything possible to hold these Championships, including looking at a possible alternative venue in Germany, and we are very grateful for the proposal we received, but regrettably it is simply not feasible given the short timeframe, ongoing concerns around Covid-19, and restrictions imposed by the authorities.”

The United States of America, which won gold on home ground at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Tryon (USA), was not going to be defending its team title as they had just one driver heading for Valkenswaard, but Australia’s Boyd Exell, who took the individual title on the final day in North Carolina two years ago, was aiming to defend his crown.

Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, and Poland were all due to send teams to the Championships, while Austria, Romania, Switzerland, Uruguay, and the USA were the five nations sending individuals.

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Communications
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 4

Championships, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Mathieu Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay Win 2020 EquiJet $7,500 U25 Championship

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Mathieu Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay. Photo by Ringside Media.

Ontario, Canada – Sept. 15, 2020 – The 2020 EquiJet $7,500 U25 Championship at Angelstone Tournaments has come to a close. Following three rounds of exciting competition, Mathieu Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay were named as the 2020 victors thanks to two top-three placings that pushed them to the top of the leaderboard. Split into three parts, the series classes took place July 23, August 21, and September 11, when top up-and-coming equestrians went head-to-head for a shot at the top title. After a successful 2019 partnership, EquiJet returned to Angelstone Tournaments in 2020 to continue its support of the younger generations of athletes in order to promote their budding competitive careers and offer travel opportunities that may have otherwise been prohibitive.

“This was such an exciting series! Congratulations to all participants. We are so happy to have been able to support the U25 classes this year at Angelstone Tournaments. Traveling to new, and sometimes quite far away, competitions is imperative for high-level equestrians as they kickstart their competitive careers, so we were pleased to have partnered with Angelstone to provide some equine transportation funds for our lucky winners. The future of the sport is bright, and we are proud to have a hand in supporting the next generation,” commented Bastian Schroeder, founder of EquiJet.

Laying down two rounds of quick and careful riding aboard her own Castello Z, Sammy Saunders emerged victorious as the first winner of the three-part series July 23, followed by a win for Lexi Ray and Jana Van D’Abdijhoeve on August 21. During the final installment September 11, Alexanne Thibault and Chacco Prime bested the field as the fastest of the 8-horse jump-off to capture the final class’s blue ribbon. Overall, Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay earned the championship distinction with the most cumulative points earned from a third-place finish in August and a runner-up spot in September. Thibault’s September victory pushed her into second place overall to claim the reserve championship.

Celebrating its tenth year, Angelstone has grown since its inception to showcase five competition rings that feature guaranteed perfect footing, including the Angelstone Main Stadium, a tournament ring unrivalled in Canada. Though COVID-19 forced Angelstone Tournaments to rework its schedule, its summer season still features six weeks of Gold-level competition between July and September for exhibitors of all experiences, in addition to seven weekends for its Silver Series. In 2019, nine FEI classes and more than one million dollars in prize money was offered, making the venue a true destination for competitors up and down the East Coast of North America.

Media Contact: Elaine Wessel
(561) 753-3389 | ew@phelpsmediagroup.com

Equinium Sports Mktg., Publications/Media

Babington, Garson, & Martinez: ARM’s First eQuest Podcast

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Wellington, FL (September 4, 2020) – The end of August marked the beginning of a new collaboration of equestrian minds in the form of the first recording of Athletes Risk Management’s eQuest podcast. Featuring three highly regarded international show jumpers, eQuest debuted from the living room of Olympian Kevin Babington, and discussed topics based on program’s theme, ‘classical horsemanship in modern times.’ With the support of Athletes Risk Management and sponsor Wellington Agricultural Services, eQuest will serve as a source of roundtable discussions and unfiltered conversations about the sport, horsemanship, and how the classical principles of riding can be applied to the modern competitive arena.

The August 31 recording featured Olympians Kevin Babington and Nona Garson as the focus and hosts of the podcast as they discussed the surreal feeling of a perfect ride, whether it’s under the stadium lights at Aachen or in the training arena. Geoff Wight, President of Athletes Risk Management, served as moderator and Antonio Martinez, a Venezuelan Grand Prix rider, gave unique insights on his equestrian upbringing in South America as well as his recent back to back wins in the Welcome and Wellington Agricultural Services Grand Prix just a few weeks ago at ESP. Nona Garson joined the discussion by phone from her New Jersey training and show facility, the Ridge at Riverview.

From left to right: Geoff Wight of ARM, Olympian Kevin Babington, and Antonio Martinez

“The horse is the great equalizer,” said Garson. “Some days you have an amazing ride in the Grand Prix and the next you fall off the same horse; it’s a funny sport like that.” Garson and Babington also agreed that when it all comes together in what they describe as “the best two minutes of your life,” it’s a magical experience, but that years of hard work and sweat are what get you there.

Click here to watch eQuest #1 on YouTube.

Click here to listen to eQuest #1 on Podbean.

Additional episodes of eQuest are in the works and will include guests and guest hosts from around the equestrian community. Follow ARM’s social media to get updates on each new episode’s drop date, and let us know if you have any ideas for quests or sponsors.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com

Equinium Sports Mktg., Publications/Media

Dani the Wonder Horse Headlines September 2020 Issue of Wellington the Magazine

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Wellington, FL (September 3, 2020) – Danash’s Northern Tempest, also known as Dani the Wonder Horse, logged her first ever magazine cover this September, with her spectacular coat and expressive profile gracing the front of this month’s issue of Wellington the Magazine. Accompanied by her rider, Laura Reece, the mare’s first cover in her hometown magazine also features a story on her success in the show ring and the confidence she’s inspired in Reece’s return to the saddle.

With such avant garde style and standout coat color, Dani’s alluring look has recently attracted the attention of some of the world’s top equestrian brands. From photo shoots to shows to scheduled appearances, Dani and Reece will have a bustling 2020, and are growing their exceptionally engaged Instagram following as more and more fans join the journey of Dani the Wonder Horse.

Follow Dani on Instagram (@danithewonderhorse) to keep up to date on all her shows and events, and check back on her website www.DaniTheWonderHorse.com.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com

Dressage, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Competition Schedule for 2021 Confirmed

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The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG) has confirmed the Paralympic Games Competition Schedule for 2021. For Para Dressage, the competition dates have been moved forward by one day so as to mirror the 2020 daily schedule. The Para Dressage events which were due to start on Thursday 27 August 2020 and finish on Saturday 29 August 2020 will now run from Thursday 26 August 2021 to Monday 30 August 2021. There are also some minor modifications to the starting times.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic equestrian timetable for 2021 can be viewed here on the FEI’s Paralympic hub.

Media contact:

Vanessa Martin Randin
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications
vanessa.randin@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 73

Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Moving Forward with 2020 “Hagyard Challenge Series”

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Brian Moggre, winner of the 2019 Hagyard Leading Rider Award, with MTM Los Angeles.

Lexington, Ky. – July 21, 2020 – The Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are pleased to confirm they will be moving forward with the “Hagyard Challenge Series” in 2020.  Although the spring shows typically included in the Series were canceled due to COVID-19, Hagyard is committed to “going the distance” in hosting the remaining events in the 2020 Hagyard Challenge Series.

They will be held at the following events:

  • Kentucky Summer Horse Show – Thursday, July 23rd
  • Kentucky Summer Classic – Thursday, July 30th
  • Bluegrass Festival Horse Show – Friday, August 14th
  • KHJA Horse Show – Saturday, August 22nd
  • Kentucky National Horse Show/The Betsy Gala – Sunday, September 20th

With fewer events in the Series, the “Leading Rider Award” for 2020 will be reduced from $50,000 to $25,000. “The award money is tied to our sponsors,” said Elise Jackson, Tour Experience & Event Coordinator for Hagyard. “Since there were fewer events in the series, and considering restrictions USEF has placed on sponsor attendance, it seemed necessary to reduce the Award for 2020.”

With the late start to the show season, Hagyard has also announced a slight change to the method of tabulating points to determine the Leading Rider of the Series. Previously, riders that rode multiple horses earned points based on the placings of each horse they rode in each class. While they can still enter multiple horses, only the points earned from their highest placed horse in each class in the series will count for the Leading Rider Award point tally.

Due to the restrictions and limitations to the 2020 show season COVID-19 has had on the industry, this may provide a more diverse and interesting twist to see which rider will be able to go the distance and come out on top in the Series. Each event in the Series will be available to view via live stream through Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC’s website. Details will follow on how you can view and participate in the excitement safely from a distance as the event approaches.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute has hosted the Challenge Series since 2006. The Series is held each spring and summer at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the Series is presented the Leading Rider Award during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. The Series typically feature a FEI CSI2* and a CSI3*, making riders eligible to earn points toward international show-jumping rankings.

Hagyard announced that the theme for the 2020 event would be Going the Distance. “The word ‘distance’ has been such a prominent part of our life this year, we wanted to put a more positive spin on it,” Jackson explained. “We feel like this theme truly embodies what we want to do with this event, and the Hagyard brand itself. We have worked with the Kentucky Horse Park to go the extra mile this year and find ways to put on the event in spite of some challenges. But that’s what we do for our customers every day, so it’s really inherent in who we are as an organization.”

With more than 50 veterinarians and 142 years behind it, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is the oldest and one of the largest private equine veterinary practices in the world. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the facility, located across the street from the Kentucky Horse Park, boasts superior ambulatory services, the world-renowned Davidson Surgery Center, McGee Medicine and Fertility Centers, Hagyard Laboratory, Hagyard Sports Medicine & Podiatry Center, and hyperbaric medicine facilities. For more information, visit hagyard.com.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com. To request a prize list, please e-mail prizelist@kentuckyhorseshows.com.