Category Archives: Revolution Sports

Polo, Revolution Sports

World’s First Club Polo League to Be Launched in UK

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The first ever Polo Premier League will be launched in the UK in time for the 2013 polo season. Initially involving eight of the leading clubs, the League will be played over four months between May and August, with a final play-off between the top two clubs to decide the overall winner.

The groundbreaking League has been developed in partnership with the governing body for the sport in the UK, the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and the UK’s leading High Goal players; both will be equity stakeholders in the League and will be closely involved in its day-to-day management.

The seven clubs confirmed to date are: Guards, Beaufort, Cowdray Park, Royal County of Berkshire, Ham, Cirencester and Kirtlington. The eighth club will be announced shortly.

Continue reading World’s First Club Polo League to Be Launched in UK →

Community/Charity, Endurance Riding, Revolution Sports

Statement Regarding the Findings of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport

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11 June 2012 – The entire team at Saudi Equestrian is delighted with the findings of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport which has reduced the original eight month ban handed to Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly, to two months and, following their voluntary suspension in February, allows both riders to start competing again with immediate effect.

With Khaled Al Eid already qualified for the London Olympic Games with Presley Boy, the focus is now on Abdullah Sharbatly qualifying on Sultan V before 17th June.

We would like to draw attention to the original findings of the FEI Tribunal which acknowledged, in both cases, that neither the rider nor the team had deliberately administered Bute to their horses, and reiterate that Saudi Equestrian is an unequivocal supporter of the FEI’s Clean Sport campaign.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

George Whitaker – The Rolex One to Watch for May 2012

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George Whitaker proudly wearing his team bronze medal at the FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2011 in Comporta (POR). Photo: SPORTFOT/Rolex

9 May 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch for May 2012 is George Whitaker (GBR). Currently based in Huddersfield, Yorkshire in Northern England, the 19-year-old jumped from 354th to 231st during May – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 123 places.

George is from the most successful family in the sport of Jumping, and he forms part of the next generation of the Whitaker dynasty, along with his brother William, and cousin Ellen. His uncles, John and Michael, have been the cornerstone of the British Jumping team for the last 30 years; they both won team silver at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games as well as numerous European and World Championship medals.

George is part of the British Equestrian Federation’s UK Sport-funded World Class Development Programme, which works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success in Dressage, Eventing and Jumping. He is also currently undergoing an apprenticeship with the intention of gaining skills in horse care and management.

Continue reading George Whitaker – The Rolex One to Watch for May 2012 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

William Fox-Pitt Wins Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and 2nd Leg of Rolex Grand Slam

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) stays cool to clinch the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and complete the second stage of the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam. Photo courtesy of ROLEX

(USA, 29 April 2012) – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk, today Sunday 29 April 2012, kept his cool at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington, with just one rail down, to win the Event and the second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam. Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur was second and Boyd Martin (USA) riding Otis Barbotiere was 3rd.

Quotes from William Fox-Pitt after his winning round (links to audio of full interview below):

Q: Many congratulations – what a round: What a relief and what a fantastic horse! It is a great honour and a great pleasure to be here back at Rolex and it’s such a tremendous event – the atmosphere is second to none and it’s been an amazing week for me. A huge relief and lucky I had a fence in hand!

Q: Just tell me a bit about your round today. He’s a super jumper, I think the atmosphere was quite a big deal – he came in a bit tight and tense and yes he rolled a pole but so what – he basically jumped very well indeed. The pressure was on and the course is the Rolex four star and it’s my second leg in the Grand Slam and I’ve never got this close before, but next week is another week mind you, but to be this close is so exciting and what a great way to finish up!

Continue reading William Fox-Pitt Wins Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and 2nd Leg of Rolex Grand Slam →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Revolution Sports

William Fox-Pitt Cruises Cross-Country at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) cruises around Cross-Country to stay on target for the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo courtesy of ROLEX

(USA, 28 April 2012) – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk, today Saturday 28 April 2012, is the current leader after the Cross-country phase at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington, having ridden an immaculate clear round over the cross-country and within the optimum time. This puts William currently into 1st position going into tomorrow’s final Show Jumping phase (41.3pts). Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, who was the overnight leader after Dressage, went clear cross-country but had 2.8 time penalties, giving her a score of 42.6pts going into Show Jumping.

Quotes from William Fox-Pitt after his clear cross country (link to audio of full interview below):

Q: William, an incredible round you are only the third double clear this morning, you made it look so easy – talk us through it: “Well that’s the idea, it doesn’t always happen like that. It’s great to have a good round here at the Rolex under your belt and really stand me in good stead for the 2012 season ahead. He went very well. He’s a good horse and it was causing trouble as you said and you begin to doubt yourself, you begin to doubt your horse and that’s so dangerous – you’ve just got to really believe that you are riding a very good horse with good form, and this course should be fine – and I was right to think that. He really ate it up and came home easily in the time.”

Continue reading William Fox-Pitt Cruises Cross-Country at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Revolution Sports

2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Dressage Day 2

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) remains on target for $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo courtesy of ROLEX

(USA, 27 April 2012) Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, today Friday 27 April 2012, is the current leader after the Dressage phase, with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk in 2nd place, and Clark Montgomery (USA) riding Loughan Glen in 3rd place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

Quotes from William Fox-Pitt post media conference (link to audio of full interview below):

Q. How did the test feel, how does it feel to go into cross country tomorrow: “The pressure is on. I’m very excited about Parklane – he is a good horse, we did a good test. A few little mistakes here and there but you always do have things that don’t quite go to plan. But lying second behind Allison who did a superb test. I think at this stage it’s a good position to be in but I am going to have my work cut out with the pressure on and I am going to have to go for it tomorrow.

Q. Any tactics in particular – how are you going to attack the cross country tomorrow? “I think the course is there to be jumped. There are not a lot of options really if you are going to be competitive – you’ve got to get out there and attack it. I’m just going to set out and see how he feels, certainly at this stage I am not planning any long routes and hoping to come back nicely inside the time after a big galloping round, but you have to dream the day before don’t you because otherwise you would be running off home.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani – The Rolex One to Watch for April 2012

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Al Thani riding Dukhan at the CSI2* Big Tour in Valkenswaard (NED) in August 2011. Photo: SPORTFOT/Rolex

11 April 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch for April 2012 is awarded to Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT). Currently based in Qatar, Al Thani trains with Jan Tops during the summer months at the Dutchman’s stable – Stal Tops – in Valkenswaard (NED). The 29-year-old jumped from 348th to 197th during March – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 151 places.

Showcasing the recent rise in quality of The Gulf Cooperation Council region’s Jumping riders, Al Thani has produced numerous outstanding performances on all nine horses that he competes with. Al Thani has taken part in some of the world’s most prestigious Jumping competitions, including the FEI World Cup Jumping – Arab League, the Global Champions Tour, and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky (USA).

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin – The Rolex One to Watch for March 2012

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Francie Steinwedell-Carvin riding Taunus at the CSI2*-W Thermal in California (USA). Photo: Flying Horse Photography/ROLEX

14 March 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch for March 2012 is awarded to Francie Steinwedell-Carvin (USA). Based at Meadow Grove Farm in California, the 51-year-old jumped from 338th to 231st during February – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 107 places.

In recent years, Steinwedell-Carvin has enjoyed successes at a variety of high calibre competitions, taking part in numerous Grands Prix and FEI World Cup events with her many talented mounts, including Splitfire, Twistar and Toldine. 2011 was a successful year for the American rider, who finished third at the CSI2*-W in Burbank (USA) with the 12-year-old gelding, Taunus, in September, before going on to claim victory at the CSI2*-W in Las Vegas (USA) two months later with the same horse.

Steinwedell-Carvin has had an impressive start to 2012, finishing first with Taunus at the CSI2*-W in Thermal (USA), in January. Steinwedell-Carvin’s delight was evident. “It was so great to be the only American woman in the jump-off, and to win it was surreal,” she commented. Steinwedell-Carvin’s latest triumph saw her finish in third place at the Grand Prix Final CSI2*-W Thermal (USA) in March. We look forward to witnessing what Steinwedell-Carvin has in store for the rest of 2012.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Aleksandra Lusina – Winner of the Rolex One to Watch 2011 Award

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Aleksandra Lusina holding the Rolex One to Watch 2011 Award

13 March 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch Award for 2011 has been presented to Polish rider Aleksandra Lusina. Based at the Agro-Handel Riding Club in Olsza, Poland, the 32-year-old jumped from 556th to 232nd during May 2011 – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 324 places.

According to Rolex Rankings #134, which were published at the beginning of March 2012, Lusina was the 94th ranked rider in the world.

The Award recognises the Rolex One to Watch rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings during 2011. In the months since being crowned Rolex One to Watch in May 2011, the Polish rider has recorded a string of impressive results at competitions throughout Europe, competing in the Central European League.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Olympic Games, Products/Services, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Revolution Appointed by Saudi Equestrian for Online Role

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7 March 2012 – Revolution Sports Marketing Group has been appointed by the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Team – Saudi Equestrian – to manage its website, and to also develop its online social media accounts including Twitter and Facebook.

In what promises to be an exciting year for Saudi Equestrian, with the 2012 London Olympic Games fast approaching, it is essential that fans are kept up-to-date with the team’s results, news and developments, including new acquisitions to this highly-regarded and constantly evolving outfit.

Saudi Equestrian was founded in January 2010 with the vision of taking the team through the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky (USA), and to prepare for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Since its formation notable results include winning a team gold medal at the 2011 Pan Arab Games in Doha (QAT) and an individual silver medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA). The team comprises six riders and 12 horses, and is backed-up by a dedicated team of grooms, vets, farriers and management staff. The team is based at Haras de Wisbecq in Belgium, which is approximately 30km south west of Brussels.

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