Category Archives: USEA

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Optical Illusion Makes Magic in USEA Preliminary Three-Day at the Virginia Horse Trials

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Hope Nicyper-Meryman and Optical Illusion lead the victory gallop as winners of the Preliminary Three-Day. Leslie Mintz/USEA Photo

What could likely be the very last Classic Preliminary Level Event at the Virginia Horse Trials concluded today in Lexington, Virginia. Seven riders entered the SmartPak Equine/USEA Preliminary Three-Day Event, five started the competition, four completed all the phases of Endurance Day, but only one took home the blue ribbon.

Seventeen-year-old Hope Nicyper-Meryman traveled with her own ten-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Optical Illusion, from Pine Plains, New York to tackle the Preliminary Three-Day. Despite being the youngest competitor by nearly ten years, Hope proved she had what it took to win by adding no jumping penalties to her dressage score of 39.8.

“I competed in the Training Three-Day competition at GMHA about four years ago and absolutely loved it,” said Hope. “So when I was thinking about a goal for this year I looked at the calendar and decided that the Preliminary Three-Day would work well with my school schedule. I have been preparing since January, and it was all worth it as there is nothing like the feeling of doing steeplechase on a fast Thoroughbred.”

Continue reading Optical Illusion Makes Magic in USEA Preliminary Three-Day at the Virginia Horse Trials →

Community/Charity, Eventing/H.T., USEA

Tragic Fire at Boyd Martin’s Barn at True Prospect Farm

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Phantom Pursuit, owned and ridden by Abbie Golden, was one of the horses who was lost in the fire last night. Phantom is pictured above competing with Boyd at Rebecca Farm. Emily Daily/USEA Photo.

At 12:30am this morning, a barn fire of unknown cause tragically destroyed Boyd Martin’s barn at True Prospect Farm.  Eleven horses were in the barn at the time.  Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman, and Ryan Wood were able to evacuate five horses. Four horses are currently in treatment at The University of Pennsylvania – New Bolton Center; they are: Neville Bardos, Otis Barbotiere, Catch a Star, and Ambassador’s Rose. Lillian, Caitlin, and Ryan were treated and released from Jennersville Hospital.  Tragically, six horses perished in the fire.

We all wish to extend our deepest condolences to all those connected to Call Me Ollie, Charla, Ariel, Phantom Pursuit, Cagney Herself, and Summer Breeze.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Boyd and his team at this time.  All other horses have been relocated to area barns.  Further information on how you can help Boyd will be released shortly.

Tax Deductible Relief Fund | Boyd and Silva Martin’s Blog

Purchase Denny Emerson’s Book, How Good Riders Get Good, and 50% of the royalties between now and Christmas will be donated to Boyd and Silva.

United States Eventing Association | 525 Old Waterford Rd, NW | Leesburg | VA | 20176

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA, USEF

Boyd Martin and Remington XXV Crowned Adequan USEA Gold Cup Winners at The Fork

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Boyd Martin and Remington XXV. Emily Daily/USEA photo.

Norwood, NC – Boyd Martin and Remington XXV, owned by Ron and Densey Juvonen, jumped clean and fast this afternoon to win the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Advanced division at The Fork.

The pair’s double-clear round boosted them from second to first, ahead of the overnight leaders Will Faudree and Andromaque, who ended their day with a third place ribbon after picking up a rail.

Heather Morris and Slate River had a flawless round to finish with second place. Nina Gardner’s Cambalda jumped his heart out for Jennie Brannigan to win the competitive CIC3*, part of the PRO Tour Series, and finish on their dressage score of 45.9. Canadian Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority picked up a second place in the division with their double-clear round, while a single rail left Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen with a third place finish.

To see all of the final scores, visit http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/14637.html.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA, USEF

Yoder Wins USEF National Pair Championship; Temple, Matheson and Stroud Win USEF Pony Championships

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Photos: Shelly Temple at Live Oak CDE. Photo credit: Ann Schurtz

Ocala, FL – Joe Yoder driving Jack Wetzel’s pair of Gelderlanders won his first USEF National Pair Championship Sunday at the CAI Live Oak. After finishing second in dressage and winning the marathon, Yoder went into the final Cones phase with a 15-point lead over Katherin Dancer. Three balls down incurred 12 penalties for the young man who just recently relocated from Bozeman, Montana, to Aiken, SC, to drive for Wetzel. Yoder squeaked in just under the 3 minute time allowed to secure his win. Alan Aulson moved into second place, driving his own pair of Morgan horses, after Dancer knocked down five balls and incurred time penalties.

Shelly Temple of Windsor, SC, went into cones with a narrow lead over Suzy Stafford, but managed to keep all the balls on the cones, incurring just 1.61 time penalties to retain the lead and win the USEF National Championship for single ponies. “It was a competitive class,” said Temple. “I was thrilled that my pony went so well. Jack Wetzel kindly lent me a four-wheel Spider Phaeton which made a huge difference from the two-wheeled road cart I usually drive, and it had a very positive effect.”

Continue reading Yoder Wins USEF National Pair Championship; Temple, Matheson and Stroud Win USEF Pony Championships →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, USEA, Western/Reining

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Named One of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011

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Lexington, KY — March 7, 2011 — The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, has been named one of the Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011 by the Kentucky Tourism Council.

The Rolex Kentucky, part of the HSBC FEI Classics and a perennial winner of this prestigious award, is set to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 28-May 1.  It was named as one of the Top 10 Events for Spring because this premier event is the only Four Star, Three-Day Event in the Western Hemisphere and because it brings international attention to Lexington and the Bluegrass State each spring.  While attracting crowds in excess of 100,000 spectators and millions of viewers on international telecasts including a 60-minute domestic broadcast on NBC, the Rolex Kentucky also features an International Sponsor Village and Trade Fair with more than 150 booths and various exciting demonstrations.

Enhancing this year’s event are several new opportunities for spectators!  For the first time, spectators may purchase reserved Tailgating spaces along portions of the famed Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park, giving them a chance to experience the action as never before.  The purchase of a Tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for up to eight people.

Continue reading Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Named One of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Allison Spring and Arthur Ascend to the Top of the Red Hills CIC3* Leaderboard

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Allison Springer and her own Arthur were the first on course during the CIC3* cross-country competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, but their comparatively quick round moved them up from third to first by the end of the day.

“You always wonder how things are going to go,” Allison said.  “It’s nice to be able ask other competitors.”  Her plan was to “just go out there and do it,” and Arthur’s scope and big stride made easy work of the course.  Springer and Arthur will have no rails in hand heading into show jumping.

Boyd Martin and his WEG mount, Neville Bardos, were sixth after dressage, but the pair moved up to second after cross-country with just 7.6 time penalties.  “It was a tough, testing course,” Martin admitted.  “Luckily the horse I was riding has been around a bit now, and he’s quite experienced so I felt like I had a pretty cruising round.”

Martin has been conservative with Neville’s speed since WEG, but allowed the Thoroughbred gelding to gallop on at his own pace today.  Martin recognizes the challenges of designing a good course on the undulating Red Hills terrain.  While course design requires finding a middle ground between challenging and safe, “you want to be competitive, but not at all costs.”

Continue reading Allison Spring and Arthur Ascend to the Top of the Red Hills CIC3* Leaderboard →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Phillip Dutton and Isabella II Take the Lead at Red Hills CIC3*

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Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Uncharacteristically strong, cold winds presented an extra challenge to competitors during the dressage phase of competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

Phillip Dutton and Susie Beale’s 14-year-old Oldenburg mare Isabella II performed a quiet, accurate test to beat out several other experienced pairs in the Adequan Gold Cup CIC3* division.  Heading into cross-country, Dutton will strive to maintain the pair’s dressage score of 43.9 to stay ahead of Karen O’Connor and Joan Goswell’s Mandiba, just two-tenths of a point behind.  Allison Springer and her own Arthur also put in a solid score of 45.3, putting them in a close third place after dressage.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series, now in its eighth year, includes seven events from across the country, giving top horse and rider combinations the chance to win prizes and cash throughout the season, as well as picking up leaderboard points. The top pair at the end of the Series takes home a check for $20,000. Learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEA

Allison Springer and Arthur Celebrate Red Hills CIC3* Victory

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Photo: Leslie Threlkeld

It’s only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious Red Hills CIC3*.

Without having a rail in hand heading into the final phase, Allison and Arthur won the event by just 1.3 points ahead of Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos. Michael Pollard and Icarus, Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo, and Leslie Law and Rehy Lux all finished third through fifth, respectively, also posting double-clear rounds.

For her win in the CIC3*, a delighted Allison earned a year-lease on a fancy new Mercedes SUV, and even took it for a victory spin around the arena. Allison also earned a bevy of prizes from the Adequan USEA Gold Cup series as well: $500 in cash, 7-dose box of Adequan, a 3-month supply of SUCCEED, and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots. Second placers Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos take home a 7-dose box of Adequan as well as a pair of the Nunn Finers boots.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13447

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., FEI, USEA, USEF

USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions

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Steffen Peters wore a helmet during the Dressage Freestyle at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF Archive

Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions.

To review the latest memo regarding the use of protective headgear for dressage, visit: http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/HelmetMemo.pdf.

To reiterate the existing guidelines, please refer to the press release below, regarding the new helmet rules for dressage and eventing. To link directly to this press release online (for inclusion in an article), visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6569&star=true.

Lexington, KY – January 25, 2011 – The Board of Directors during this year’s United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting approved new helmet rules for riders in both eventing and dressage – just two weeks after dozens of stakeholders in equestrian sport met with the goal of improving rider safety across disciplines.

Continue reading USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, JRPR, Products/Services, USEA

World Equestrian Brands, LLC Sponsors 2011 USEA American Eventing Championships

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World Equestrian Brands is pleased to announce they are a Gold Level Sponsor of the 2011 American Eventing Championships. Shown here is 2010 WEG US Team Member Buck Davidson, who is sponsored by Amerigo and Vespucci. (Photo courtesy of World Equestrian Brands, LLC)

Buena Vista, VA (January 14, 2010) – Eventers competing at the 2011 USEA American Eventing Championships will have a chance to win amazing prizes thanks to a Gold Level Sponsorship from World Equestrian Brands, LLC. Located in Buena Vista, Virginia, World Equestrian Brands is a distributor of Amerigo saddles and strap goods, Amerigo Vega saddles, Vespucci, E. A. Mattes and Equilibrium products.

“World Equestrian Brands is thrilled to be a sponsor of the 2011 American Eventing Championships,” said Robin Moore, owner of World Equestrian Brands, LLC. “We have many clients who are eventers and they all work so hard and are extremely dedicated to their horses and the sport. We look forward to setting up at the AECs and awarding some great prizes.”

During the AEC, World Equestrian Brands will be providing an assortment of prizes including Amerigo Saddles, a Mattes pad, a Vespucci bridle, and Equilibrium boots. “We are really excited because World Equestrian Brands will also be awarding a prize to the Rider of the Year,” Moore said, adding that World Equestrian Brands will also be a sponsor of the USEA Leaderboard.

Continue reading World Equestrian Brands, LLC Sponsors 2011 USEA American Eventing Championships →