Category Archives: Phelps Media Group

Phelps Media Group

Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Association équestre Centaure Thanks Donors and Partners

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Photo: Jonathan McCrea & Aristoteles.

Bromont, Quebec – Jan. 3, 2019 – Association équestre Centaure would like to thank its donors and partners who made organizing its 2018 season events possible.

Under Roger Deslauriers’s management, Association équestre Centaure organizes close to a dozen events and competitions every year in the hunter, jumper, dressage, three-day eventing, and driving disciplines. Events are held at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in the Eastern Townships region of Canada.

Organizers of the International Bromont CSI3*, Bromont International Driving, and the CDI Autumn Classic, notably, and the Association équestre Centaure acknowledge the support of the Quebec Government, the Town of Bromont, Assante, the National Bank of Canada, Back on Track, Volta Électrique, Soltek Agrégats, as well as everyone who contributed to the 2018 season events.

Many athletes participated in the events organized by Association équestre Centaure, and the organizing committee hopes than 2019 will be just as successful. General manager, Deslauriers, said, “We are happy with the participation in the different events over the past year, and would like to thank the athletes for their trust and support. We are already at work on our 2019 season and hope that many of them will join us.”

Association équestre Centaure will organize seven competitions in 2019, including four international jumping, dressage, and driving horse shows.

Contact: Hélène Sactouris, event co-ordinator, via email: co-oc@internationalbromont.org or by phone: 450-534-0787.

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

Lorcan Gallagher Earns 2018 Hagyard Challenge Series $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus

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Photo: Lorcan Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso II.

Lexington, Ky. – Oct. 15, 2018 – After capturing top prizes in grand prix events throughout the spring and summer, Ireland’s Lorcan Gallagher earned the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus during the 2018 Hagyard Challenge Series.

The Hagyard Challenge series consisted of seven grand prix classes held during the 2018 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. The series concluded with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, Gallagher was announced as the winner of the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus and presented with the cash prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

Gallagher calls Lexington home for part of the year at Spy Coast Farm, and being able to win in the horse capital of the world made the victory that much more exciting. “It’s so great,” he said. “I wasn’t going to totally chase it, but after getting a few early results that did become a bit of a goal. To be able to pull it off at the end was really nice. We showed basically every show here. It’s great fences, always good course designers there, and the footing is always really good. It was great to be able to show at home basically every few weeks in the summer.”

Gallagher took home both first and third place during August’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic riding Hunters Conlypso and Charlie, respectively. His consistent results throughout the rest of this year’s Hagyard Challenge Series culminated in the leading rider bonus which he received at the Kentucky National Horse Show.

“Thank you to Hagyard for their support and to Kentucky Horse Shows. They really do a great job at running the shows; they’re very hospitable. And then of course the team at Sweet Oak, Shane and Ali Sweetnam – just thank you to them for their support and the horses,” Gallagher said.

Finish just behind Gallagher was Alex Granato coming in second place, while Darragh Kenny earned the third place spot in the rankings.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group, Uncategorized

Elliot, Libby, Stutes, Smith Selected for Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants

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Sydney Conley Elliot competing at Great Meadow International. Photo: Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Gladstone, N.J. – Oct. 4, 2018 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants: Sydney Conley Elliot, Emilee Libby, Frankie Thieriot Stutes, and Tamra Smith. The grants are awarded to eventing athletes who have been identified as having an impressive record and potential to represent the United States in future international competitions. These four riders will be traveling to the East Coast to attend The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI2* and CCI3* Oct. 18-21 in Fair Hill, Maryland.

Elliot, of Bossier City, Louisiana, has been diligently training and competing with her partner of five years, Cisko A. The talented pair earned themselves a spot on the Tier 2 Training List after they performed the only double-clear cross-country round for the U.S. Nations Cup team at Great Meadow International in The Plains, Virginia, in July.

“It is such an honor that we have all the support from Mrs. Mars and the USET Foundation,” Elliot said. “It means a lot to up-and-coming riders who are trying to get where they need to go and especially for me being so far away and removed from the eventing community. It is such a huge help.”

She continued, “This is going to be our second go at Fair Hill. The last time we ran around [Fair Hill International] was leading up to Kentucky in 2016 so we’re hoping to improve upon the dressage and again have clean cross-country [rides] and hopefully no time [penalties] or rails in show jumping. That would be lovely. I feel like with the help of Phillip Dutton and Erik Duvander, we should be able to put our best foot forward. A lot of us could not do this without the help of the USET Foundation. The support they give all of us and the horses is absolutely incredible.”

Libby, of Temecula, California, made her mark on the eventing scene when she jumped around a CCI4* at just 18 years old before moving to California to source and develop top event horses.

She brought her current mount, an 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood named Jakobi, through the ranks and her dedication to his training recently paid off as he moved up to Advanced Level in May.

“I’m blown away,” said Libby. “I’m so, so happy. It kind of feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Doing what I’m doing now, I will be able to come to the East Coast and compete. I was a little bit indecisive originally a few months ago on whether to just come out for Fair Hill or come out early and run at Plantation. My gut was telling me to come out early and run on the grass and spend a few weeks conditioning back here on the East Coast before going, but it was going to be hard to do because I have a business back home and I have horses in training.”

Libby continued, “[The grant] is a huge, huge help. I would like to say a huge thank you to Jacqueline Mars and the USET Foundation for this opportunity. These grants are wonderful to have available to riders in the United States. I’ve had [Jakobi] for a few years now and we have quite the relationship. I think he is going to be more than ready.”

Stutes of Occidental, California, has had immense success at the CCI3* level with two top four finishes aboard her partner Chatwin, a 10-year-old Oldenburg by Contendro. The gelding, who Stutes has had since he was coming 6 years old, has never had a cross-country jumping penalty in 16 FEI starts.

“I feel incredibly honored to be chosen for this grant,” said Stutes. “It’s hard for me to even express my gratitude to the USET Foundation, Mrs. Mars and the US Equestrian (USEF) selection committee for their support and belief in Chatwin and me.”

She is especially looking forward to competing at Fair Hill International as it will give her an idea on whether she and Chatwin are ready for the CCI4* level.

“Having done Bromont and Rebecca Farm, I feel like Fair Hill is the next step in deciding whether or not we’re ready for a CCI4* next year or if we should stay at the CCI3* level longer since neither of us have ever contested a CCI4* and Chat is still just 10,” said Stutes. “Additionally, it’s an opportunity to compete against the best riders and horses in our country and see how we measure in terms of our competitiveness amongst them.”

Smith, of Temecula, California, also received the Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant in 2017 and is excited to see where the opportunity takes her this year with her horse, Mai Baum. The talented pair won the Fair Hill International CCI3* in 2015.

“Firstly, being able to have the opportunity to have the financial support is huge. We’re out on the West Coast so we travel all the way East and we have already been here for a month. It takes a significant amount of time, money and effort to come out here. [The grant] really enables us to financially be able to handle it a little bit easier. It is wonderful. It not only helps solidify that what you’re doing is on the right track, but it helps offset the costs of spending three months out here.”

In regard to Mai Baum, a German Sport Horse gelding, she said, “I feel like he has a really bright future and I’m super lucky to have him as a horse in my string. He won Fair Hill in 2015 and then had an injury, but he has come back even stronger and better. I’m super excited to now be able to go to Ocala and show what we’ve got.”

Having the support of the USET Foundation as well as Jacqueline Mars is also something that Smith is grateful for as she continues on her path towards representing the United States at the highest levels of eventing.

“It is tremendous. Their support not only helps you make yourself believe that there are people behind you, but it also helps as my goal is to ride on the United States Olympic team, so to have the USET Foundation and Jacqueline B. Mars support that is just one step closer to getting to where we are trying to go,” Smith expressed. “We want to try to be the best and get the U.S. team even better, so to have their support is unexplainable. I’m so grateful for it.”

Smith also expressed her gratitude for the USET Foundation’s support as she received another grant from Jacqueline B. Mars that will allow her to travel to Boekelo, The Netherlands with her mare, Fleeceworks Royal, to compete on the Nations Cup team.

“I just want to thank them not only for Mai Baum’s grant but also for the grant given to Fleeceworks Royal. I am so grateful for everything,” she said.

Make sure to follow these athletes as they compete at The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI2* and CCI3* Oct. 18-21 by visiting www.fairhillinternational.com.

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

American Gold Cup, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Molly Ashe Cawley and D’Arnita Fight to Win $204k FEI Jumping World Cup New York CSI4*-W

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Photo: Molly Ashe Cawley and D’Arnita.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 30, 2018 – The 2018 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm came to an end on Sunday as some of the world’s top international show jumping athletes competed for the coveted American Gold Cup trophy in the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W. The United States claimed the top prize for the third year in a row as Molly Ashe Cawley of Wellington, Florida secured the victory aboard the 10-year-old KWPN mare D’Arnita.

The top 37 athletes from Friday’s $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W came forward to compete on the Grand Prix Field in Sunday’s grand finale over two challenging tracks designed by Irish course builder Alan Wade.

The large first round course utilized the field’s natural slopes and hills to test athletes over a series of 13 obstacles. Athletes collected rails all over the course, but seven combinations advanced to the jump-off after producing clear efforts in the first round.

Competing at her home base as the trainer of Old Salem Farm, Lucy Davis, who rode on the U.S. silver medal team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, set the standard to beat aboard Old Oak Farm’s Caracho with the first double-clear effort in 39.30 seconds. However, her early start in the order would prove to be disadvantageous with six competitive combinations still left to come behind her. Ultimately, she would claim fourth place as the slowest double-clear finisher.

Margie Engle (USA) and her veteran partner Royce, owned by Gladewinds Partners, LLC, successfully navigated the short course next, stopping the timers in a whopping 36.85 seconds to take over the lead.

Mattias Tromp (USA) followed suit, piloting Quinta, owned by Swede Ventures LLC, to another double-clear performance in 37.95 seconds to move into second place in the standings.

It all came down to the final entry of the class: Cawley and D’Arnita. It was clear the pair came to win as they fought hard to complete the eight-fence serpentine in record time. In the end, her time of 36.76 seconds narrowly secured the victory ahead of Engle by one-tenth of a second. Sunday’s achievement at the American Gold Cup is D’Arnita’s biggest career win to date and Cawley’s first time earning the prestigious title.

Thus far this year, the pair has also claimed wins in the Kubota Cup during the ‘North American’ CSI5* Tournament at Spruce Meadows in July and at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in August in the $35,000 Great Lakes Classic CSI3*.

Once again, Engle was forced to settle for second place, after also finishing second in Saturday’s $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic with Indigo and in Thursday’s $35,000 Trelawny Farm Welcome Stake CSI4* with Dicas, while Tromp grabbed third place honors and Davis rounded out the top four.

In the lead-up to Sunday’s main event, McLain Ward’s beloved and legendary partner, Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms, was retired in a special ceremony honoring his incredible career with Ward, including winning individual gold and team bronze for Team USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

In addition, Engle was awarded the M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award for exhibiting an outstanding combination of horsemanship, skill and presentation while competing at the 2018 American Gold Cup. Ralph Caristo also received the Old Salem Farm Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, which was created by Old Salem Farm head trainer Frank Madden as a way to recognize members of the U.S. hunter/jumper community for their selfless contributions to the sport they love.

Re-live all of the action from Sunday’s grand prix at the American Gold Cup with NBC Sports Network’s broadcast of the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

American Gold Cup, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Makes Repeat Win at American Gold Cup with Tradition De La Roque

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Photo: McLain Ward and Tradition De La Roque.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 29, 2018 – Saturday hosted the $70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* at the American Gold Cup, where McLain Ward (USA) captured yet another win in the day’s highlight event, this time aboard Tradition De La Roque, owned by Kessler Show Stables Europe B.V. The pair bested a total of 51 entries with a double-clear performance in 35.84 seconds.

Held on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm, Alan Wade (IRL) built a challenging 13-obstacle first round track set at 1.50m in height, which saw 11 cross the finish line with no faults to secure their spot in the jump-off.

Canada’s Mario Deslauriers was the early double-clear pathfinder in the jump-off with Amsterdam, owned by Luja LLC and Wishing Well Farm LLC. They stopped the timers in 38.13 seconds, but would take home fourth place honors at the end of the day.

Student of Ward’s and fellow NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team gold medalist, Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), was next to jump fault-free over the shortened course with Sagamore Farms’ Fantast in 37.44 seconds to move into the lead.

However, it was Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) and his own and Christine Stiller’s Penelope Cruz who narrowly slid into the first place position two rounds later, finishing fourth-tenths of a second faster than Sternlicht in 37.05 seconds.

Next up in the order, Ward, who has been having great success with a new string of horses at this year’s American Gold Cup, blazed around the eight-fence track with the 11-year-old Selle Français mare. In only their second show together, they posted a time of 35.84 seconds to overtake Cournane with one more combination left to go.

Eighteen-year-old Caitlyn Connors (USA) and Express Blue GP Du Bois Madame, owned by Caitlyn Connors LLC, concluded Saturday’s competition on the Grand Prix Field with the last double-clear effort in 40.81 seconds, securing Ward the win, Cournane second place and Sternlicht third place.

With Deslauriers claiming fourth place, Connors finished in fifth place, while Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Freestyle De Muze rounded out the double-clear standings in sixth place in 45.98 seconds.

For ticketing and more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

American Gold Cup, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Gold Is Contagious for McLain Ward in $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W

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Photo: McLain Ward and Contagious.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 28, 2018 – Fresh off his gold medal victory with the NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) in Tryon, North Carolina exactly one week ago, McLain Ward returned to his home state of New York to claim his spot in the winner’s circle once again in the $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W with new mount Contagious.

Friday’s featured event at Old Salem Farm brought forth 44 international combinations competing to qualify for Sunday’s $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W.

A total of 14 athletes jumped clear over Ireland’s Alan Wade’s first round track in the Annex Ring, but almost half fell victim to time faults due to the tight time-allowed of 76 seconds. Only eight were able to produce fault-free rounds to move on to the jump-off.

Kicking things off in the tiebreaker was Canada’s Ali Ramsay aboard her own Hermelien VD Hooghoeve, finishing double-clear and going straight to the top of the leaderboard in 39.71 seconds.

Ward entered as third in the order riding the 9-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Beechwood Stables LLC and posted the next double-clear performance in 37.82 seconds to move into the lead.

Ward acquired the ride on Contagious just this summer, and the American Gold Cup is only the pair’s third show together. Their first victory came at the start of September in the $100,000 Hudson Valley Jumper Classic CSI5* at HITS Saugerties.

Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Imerald Van’t Voorhof, owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC, and Charlie Jacobs (USA) and CMJ Sporthorse, LLC’s Cassinja S also completed the short course with no faults, but were not quick enough to catch Ward.

O’Shea finished second best in 38.10 seconds for runner-up honors, while Ramsay claimed third place and Jacobs rounded out the top four in 41.21 seconds.

In addition, Ramsay was also awarded the Hattie Banks Leading Lady Rider Award following Friday’s competition for her top finishes thus far at the American Gold Cup.

The top 40 athletes and horses from Friday’s qualifying competition will move on to compete in Sunday’s highly anticipated grand finale, which kicks off the eastern sub-league’s 2018/2019 season of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League.

For the fourth year in a row, the American Gold Cup has been selected as one of only seven events that comprise the East Coast division of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League. Athletes compete in the league at events all across North America in order to qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, April 3-7, 2019.

For ticketing and more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

Phelps Media Group, Publications/Media, World Equestrian Games

Horse & Country TV’s Coverage of World Equestrian Games Begins on Thursday

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Left to right: Patrice Delaveau (FRA), Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) and Beezie Madden (USA) on the podium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Photo: Arnd Bronkhorst.

London, U.K. – Sept. 11, 2018 – As the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) officially kicks off, Horse & Country TV (H&C TV) is gearing up to bring exclusive, in-depth coverage of the prestigious championship straight to its viewers with its Daily Review and highlight shows.

Don’t miss a minute of the action! Cheer on your team and join H&C TV today to watch all of the competition from WEG here.

H&C TV will be showing daily one-hour recaps throughout the games in addition to coverage of all Olympic and non-Olympic events.

WEG is held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle and is one of the biggest events on the equestrian calendar. It features a total of eight equestrian disciplines: show jumping, dressage, para-dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining. It is the major global championship of 2018.

The 2018 games are being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina, Sept. 11-23.

With a new episode broadcasting each day throughout WEG, Daily Reviews will premiere at 1 p.m. EST and will replay at 5 p.m. EST and 8 p.m. EST each day they air. The first Daily Review will premiere on Thursday, Sept. 13.

In addition, viewers can watch highlights from each discipline at the following schedule (all times EST):

  • Team dressage: Thursday, Sept. 20, at 9:30 p.m.
  • Dressage Grand Prix Special: Friday, Sept. 21, at 9:30 p.m.
  • Endurance: Friday, Sept. 21, at 10:30 p.m.
  • Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle: Saturday, Sept. 22, at 9:30 p.m.
  • Reining: Saturday, Sept. 22, at 10:30 p.m.
  • Eventing: Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m.
  • Team jumping: Saturday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m.
  • Para-dressage: Monday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m.
  • Vaulting: Monday, Oct. 1, at 8:30 p.m.
  • Driving: Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
  • Individual jumping: Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m.

H&C TV broadcasts in Europe, Australia and in the United States on cable, satellite and broadband television, including Roku, and online at www.horseandcountrytv.us.

Championships, Dressage, Phelps Media Group, USEF

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo Capture USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

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Photo: Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo.

Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 26, 2018 – Competition at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, the USEF/Markel Young and Developing Horse Championships, and the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals at the Lamplight Equestrian Center concluded on Sunday, crowning champions in each of the day’s five divisions.

Competitors in the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship returned to the ring for the Grand Prix Freestyle to ride for the championship title. Following a strong freestyle performance, it was Charlotte Jorst and her own Kastel’s Nintendo who held onto their lead and took home the overall victory.

“I thought my freestyle went great. I had such a good time; it was the first time I’ve ridden to my new music and it worked out really well. It feels incredible!” – Charlotte Jorst

Dawn White-O’Connor and Bailarino Earn Tricolor in Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

To close out Sunday’s competition, Dawn White-O’Connor on Bailarino, owned by Four Winds Farm, earned the top tricolor in the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship.

“This is my first time here [at the Markel/USEF Developing Horse National Championships] and it’s been amazing. I’m very happy with my horse today. I think it was a good group of people and there was a lot of really fun horses to watch. It was a really great experience; the facility is beautiful as well.” – Dawn White-O’Connor

Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS Earn Markel/USEF Young Horse 6-Year-Old Dressage National Championship

In the Markel/USEF Young Horse 6-Year-Old Dressage National Championship, Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS (Idocus-Caliente DG, OO Seven) maintained their top position in the division to take home the win with an overall score of 8.98.

“It’s very surreal to think that I would even have the chance to have a horse good enough to achieve this. I have a picture of [Habanero CWS] as an embryo and I actually pulled him out of the mare myself so it’s been a long journey. It’s exceeded all of my expectations.” – Craig Stanley

From International Vaulter to National Champion, Miki Yang Earns Top Honors in USEF Children Dressage National Championship

From competing as the youngest member of the U.S. Vaulting Team at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy to winning a national dressage title, Miki Yang’s had quite a successful week in the USEF Children Dressage National Championship.

“I feel really proud and grateful for everybody that helped me get here, especially my mom [Akiko Yamazaki] for supporting me. It was so fun to be able to compete with her her; it was like a dream come true.” – Miki Yang

Sophia Schults Wins Gold at USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final 14-18 Championship

Youth riders battled it out in the arena for the title of national champion in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final 14-18 Championship. Following the competitive class, it was Sophia Schults of St. Joseph, Michigan riding Samour M who took home the gold medal and was named the new national champion.

“For me, it’s a huge honor to be here. I’m grateful. It’s the second time I’ve been able to do this competition and it turned out super well this year. To help prepare I have taken a lot of lunge lessons. I feel like those have really benefited how I sit and how I’m able to control the horse without just using my hands and my legs.” – Sophia Schults

For more information about the Lamplight Equestrian Center, click here.

Championships, Dressage, Phelps Media Group, USEF

Charlotte Jorst and Heather Blitz Blaze to Wins at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

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Photo: Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo.

Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 23, 2018 – Competition at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions and the USEF/Markel Young and Developing Horse Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center continued on Thursday with winners named in each of the day’s seven divisions.

Competition for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions continued on Thursday afternoon, seeing Grand Prix and Intermediate I combinations compete for top scores. Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo claimed first place in the Grand Prix for the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with a score of 70.217 percent. In the Intermediate I for the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero rode away with the win on a score of 72.853 percent.

“Nintendo has just had three months off so he is very fresh and he was really excited to be back in the ring. I think my piaffe and passage were really balanced and nice. Because he was a little fresher than usual, I had some mistakes but overall, he was on fire. We had a lot of fun and it was a great day.” –Charlotte Jorst

Codi Harrison and Ellanor Boehning Claim Blue Ribbons on Second Day of 2018 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

The USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship, presented by Dressage Today, had riders return to compete in their second class, the Grand Prix 16-25 Test. After a morning of tough competition, Codi Harrison and her own Katholt’s Bossco maintained their lead from Wednesday to walk away with the top score of 72.744 percent. In the Pony Rider Team Test for the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship, Ellanor Boehning and Kabam took first place with a score of 71.524 percent.

“I was so proud of him today and yesterday. I’m really happy with the overall feeling. He’s such a good boy. I hope he can continue this for Saturday. Today, the last piaffe took a little bit to get into it, but it was such a good feeling once I had it on the centerline.” –Codi Harrison

Emily Miles, Alice Tarjan, and Endel Ots Lead after Opening Day of Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships

Competition for the Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships began in the Dunham Ring with Emily Miles, Alice Tarjan, and Endel Ots topping the leaderboard in their respective young horse classes.

In the USEF 4-Year-Old Test, it was Miles riding Sole Mio, owned by Leslie Waterman, who impressed the judges to secure the victory with a total score of 8.42. Tarjan and Fairouz took the lead in the USEF 5-Year-Old Preliminary Test with a total score of 8.78, while Ots on Max Ots’ Lucky Strike won the Prix St. Georges for the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship with a 72.794 percent.

“I was super happy with him today. The trot work is usually his highlight and it definitely was today too. I think the judges liked how supple and fluid he can be. It’s super because he had enough energy going around but he was relaxed and focused on me so I was really proud of him.” – Emily Miles

For more information about the Lamplight Equestrian Center, click here.

Championships, Dressage, Phelps Media Group

US Dressage Festival of Champions Opens with Three Divisions at Lamplight Equestrian Center

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Photo: Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero.

Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 22, 2018 – On the opening day of competition for the 2018 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, the USEF Dressage Medal Seat Finals and the USEF/Markel Young and Developing Horse Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center, three divisions rode down centerline for their first test.

Competition on Wednesday morning kicked off with the FEI Prix St. Georges Test for the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship at 8 a.m. with a full field of 15 competitors. Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero, her 9-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, topped the class with a score of 72.853 percent.

“It’s an honor to be invited as one of the top 15 in the country. This is something that I can’t miss and I do whatever I can to be here. It’s always run so well and Lamplight Equestrian Center has great footing. As a competitor, it’s always a great experience.” – Heather Blitz

Codi Harrison and Katholt’s Bossco started off the week on the right foot, taking a victory in the FEI Intermediate II Test for the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship, presented by Dressage Today, with a 71.941 percent.

“I was really happy with Bossco today. He felt really good and really with me. I was happy with his piaffe and passage work in the ring. We haven’t shown since season so I’m thrilled that he felt so good.” – Codi Harrison

In the Young Rider Team Test for the USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, Callie Jones rode an expressive test on her 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Don Philippo, to clinch the win with a 72.255 percent.

“My horse was really reliable as always. The trot work was excellent, so I was super happy with that. He did get a little fired up in the canter work so I had to remind myself to stay relaxed and calm so I could give him the confidence. I just hope that on Friday we put out another clean test. I want it to be a positive experience and no matter the outcome, I’ll be happy.” – Callie Jones

For more information about the Lamplight Equestrian Center, click here.