Category Archives: Dressage

The Discipline of Riding Dressage

Community/Charity, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Dover’s World to Showcase Hunter Industry on Upcoming Radio Show

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Robert Dover. Photo courtesy of client

Wellington, FL – June 20, 2011 – Dressage specialist and six-time Olympian Robert Dover, host of the popular Dover’s World radio program, will devote an upcoming show to current issues in the hunter industry. Airing Tuesday, June 21, 2011, on WBZT (AM1230 in the Palm Beaches) at 6pm EST, the show will hunt for the most important hunter-related issues in the ever-changing world of equestrian sport.

From pony hunters to hunter derbies, the wide range of potential topics offers listeners a great chance to call in and voice their opinion. In addition, those who tune in Tuesday night will also have the chance to hear insightful commentary from knowledgeable panelists. Peter Pletcher, Kim Stewart, Richard Slocum, and another authority (TBA) will all lend their considerable expertise to the program.

Having already devoted shows to the jumper industry and eventing, Dover’s hunter-focused session will examine the future of hunters as well as their past. “The show will raise many questions about the direction in which the industry is going,” noted Dover. “Is the sport better or worse than it was in previous years?” The use of calming agents vs. other methods of controlling a horse’s behavior, the influence of derbies, evolving expectations of horses and riders – Dover says there is no limit to the discussions that will animate the airwaves Tuesday night.

Continue reading Dover’s World to Showcase Hunter Industry on Upcoming Radio Show →

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, USEF

U.S. Qualifies Record Number of Horses for 2011 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage

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Eastern Selection Trial 5-year-old champion Lauren Chumley and Somer Hit. Photo by Pics of You.

Lexington, KY – With three horses earning qualifying scores of 8.2 or better at the 2011 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials and four earning qualifying scores in Europe, the U.S. had a competitive list of seven – more than ever before – to choose from when considering who will make up the team for the FEI World Breeding Championships held in Verden, Germany, August 3-7.

“The number of horses that qualified this year was a true testament to the Markel/USEF Young Horse Program,” said USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler. “We had impressive horses come from all areas of the country with many competing overseas and doing quite well against top quality horses. The Young Horse Program is progressing in the U.S. just the way we hoped it would.”

The U.S. is invited to field a team of four in Verden – two 5-year-olds and two 6-year-olds. This year’s U.S. team will consist of a total of three (a 5-year-old and two 6-year-olds). The final team includes the 5-year-old Westphalian stallion, Florentinus (Florestan I – Lady in Red by Londonderry), owned and ridden by Jennifer Hoffman. The duo qualified by earning a score of 8.5 in Europe. The 6-year-olds include the Austrian Warmblood stallion Ratzinger (Riccione – St. Pr. St. Inschella by Pablo), also owned and ridden by Hoffman, who qualified with an 8.5 in Europe. The second 6-year-old is the Oldenburg mare, Royal Couer 2 (Royal Hit – Riva by Le Coeur), owned and ridden by Marne Martin Tucker. The pair earned a score of 8.36 in Europe to qualify for the team.

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Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, USEF

Chester Weber Claims Second European Four-in-Hand Victory

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Altenfelden – the driving competition with heart

Chester Weber. Courtesy of HippoEvent.

Altenfelden, Austria – The 20th anniversary of the CAI Altenfelden is history. It was an event with top sport performances by competitors from 18 nations. Chester Weber, the American driving sport star and winner of the king class (the four-in-hand horse class), said, “I like the nice atmosphere of the Altenfelden competition. The people are all very friendly and try to support the competitors the best they can. During this competition I have the opportunity to meet and compete against drivers from the Eastern part of Europe – more than I usually do in the other competitions. This is a great and different experience for me.”

The marathon test is in every driving competition one of the action high points. It is also drawing the crowds. During the 2011 Altenfelden marathon the competitors had to complete eight obstacles – two of which were built new this year, the others were remodeled. Different weather conditions – from sun to heavy rain – were made the test even more dambing for the competitors, but the international top drivers mastered them without accident. Wins for Tomas Eriksson (SWE), Reinhard Burggraf (GER) and Henrik Höper (DEN) in the horse classes.

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Breeds, Community/Charity, Dressage, Phelps Media Group, Products/Services

Sons of the Wind Offers Top Lusitano Prospects for Sale

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Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts offers top quality Lusitano sport horses for sale. Photo By: Susan Grimwood.

Merrimac, MA – June 20, 2011 – The Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts is pleased to announce that it is now offering top Lusitano prospects for sale at their beautiful facility in Merrimac, Massachusetts. All of the Lusitano horses available at Sons of the Wind have received quality training in the discipline of dressage by founder Vitor Silva of Portugal. Videos of the horses can be viewed by visiting http://www.youtube.com/user/Paragrafodotop.

Algarve do Castanheiro is a six-year-old Lusitano gelding. This lovely sport Lusitano is quiet and easy going, with competitive gaits. He has been started well and handles nicely for the farrier, the vet, and trailering.

Cal HM is a four-year-old Lusitano and Dutch Warmblood cross that would make a great Adult Amateur dressage prospect with a very solid mind and lovely gaits.

Coração De Leão is an amazing young Lusitano dressage prospect. This competitive mount has wonderful, elastic gaits and a very solid temperament. He is strong and willing to work hard, and he is ready to go all the way.

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Awards, Community/Charity, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Announces Judges of FEI Awards 2011

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Lausanne (SUI), 20 June 2011 – The Fédération Equestre International (FEI), the governing body of equestrian sport, is pleased to announce the FEI Awards 2011 judging panel, which will be presided by FEI President HRH Princess Haya for the third consecutive year.

Diane Fissore-Wathelet, President of the Monaco Equestrian Federation, Zoë Kayes, Secretary General of the Malawi Equestrian Federation, and Juan Andres Sauce, International Delegate of the Venezuelan Equestrian Federation, will have the tough task of deciding which nominees will be applauded for their contribution to the sport at the FEI Awards Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November. HRH Princess Haya will attend the ceremony, which will take place at the Copacabana Palace, the famous Art Deco hotel that opened its doors in 1923 and has played host to celebrities ranging from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to Madonna, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti and the Rolling Stones.

Diane Fissore-Wathelet is a qualified lawyer and has presided the Monaco Equestrian Federation since 1995. She has also been president of Jumping International de Monte-Carlo since its creation in 1995. In parallel to her activities within the Federation, Diane Fissore heads a communications, publishing and event management company. Despite her professional commitments, Fissore, who began riding when she was very young, continues to live her passion for horses. She is a Dressage rider and owns many horses.

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Dressage, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Dressage Radio Episode 108 – The Language of Dressage, British Dressage & Birmingham CTDA

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Heather Blitz is back with a student this week to unravel the language of dressage. Horse & Hound’s Dressage Editor Alice Collins brings us up to date with British Dressage and we also hear about the equine relief efforts in Alabama. You can listen in right here.

Dressage Radio Episode 108 – Show Notes and Links:

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Ostholt Shows His Artistry to Lead Luhmühlen in HSBC FEI Classics

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Frank Ostholt (GER) and Little Paint head an international field at the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 at Luhmühlen. (Photo: Peter Nixon/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 17 June 2011 – Frank Ostholt (GER) is back in the limelight at Luhmühlen, presented by E.ON Avacon (GER), a competition he won back in 2006 on probably his best known horse, Air Jordan.

Ostholt, 35, an Olympic team gold medallist in Hong Kong in 2008, heads an international field at the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 series on Little Paint, a 13-year-old gelding by Nitron, on which he took second place at Luhmühlen three years ago.

He has just 1.9 penalties in hand over Britain’s Piggy French on Flying Machine. French, the reigning European silver medallist, is a rider with her sights firmly set on a first CCI4* win, having finished a close second recently at Badminton, and is well placed in the HSBC FEI Classics leaderboard in third.

There are five Germans in the top 10 after Dressage, including the reigning World Champion and 2009 Luhmühlen winner Michael Jung (eighth), this time riding the 12-year-old Leopin, a recent winner of Compiegne CCI2* (FRA), but Sweden, Australia, Italy and New Zealand are also represented in the 43-strong field.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Record Entries for 25th FEI European Dressage Championships

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Edward Gal and Totilas who carried off double gold in Windsor 2009, but the world famous black stallion will be representing Germany with Matthias Alexander Rath in the saddle. © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 17 June 2011 – The 25th FEI European Dressage Championships are set to be the biggest yet, with a record 21 nations aiming to compete in Rotterdam (NED) on 17-21 August. And tickets for the Freestyle-to-Music, which will decide the individual medals on 21 August, are already sold out with tickets for the other three days selling fast.

As the Rotterdam organisers celebrate the 60-day countdown to the Championships, 18 National Federations have indicated that they hope to field full teams and a further three countries plan to send individuals.

The previous European record was set in 1997 when 19 nations participated in Verden (GER), although Arnhem (NED) hosted the largest ever Open European Championships in 1999 when riders from 25 nations competed.

“It is fitting that we mark the 25th year of the FEI European Dressage Championships with such an impressive entry,” said Trond Asmyr, Director of Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage at the FEI.

“Since Freestyle-to-Music was elevated to Olympic level, the popularity of Dressage has risen dramatically and it’s no surprise that tickets for the Final at the impressive Kralingse Forest site sold out soon after they went on sale. Fans will need to be quick if they want to see their European heroes perform in August.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

The Rolex One to Watch – May 2011

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Aleksandra Lusina riding Ekwador at the Sopot CSIO***. Photo by Aleksandra Szmanda

16 June 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for May 2011 is Polish rider, Aleksandra Lusina. Based at the Agro-Handel Riding Club in Olsza, Poland, the 32-year-old jumped from number 556 to 232 during May – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 324 places.

The Rolex One to Watch is an initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

Starting out in Dressage before moving onto Jumping, Lusina had a very successful young riding career, including winning individual silver at the Polish Championships for Young Riders. Moving into senior competition she was the first woman to ever win the Polish Championships in 2007, and again in 2009.

Currently competing in the Central European League, Lusina has had an outstanding 2011. She was placed first and second riding Kalinka MNM and Chiara MNM respectively at the Tbilisi CSI** at the end of May, as well as being placed fourth and fifth riding Chiara MNM and Bahar MNM respectively at the Baku CSI**** at the end of April. These results have helped her strong ascent within the Rolex Rankings.

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Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting

This Week in International Disciplines – June 16, 2011

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Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. (Stockimageservices .com Photo).

Eventing
The Bromont CCI drew many U.S. riders to Canada for the weekend and all three CCI divisions were won from wire-to-wire. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen picked up a big win in the CCI3* finishing on a score of 47. The pair maintained their dressage lead adding just a handful of time faults on their clean cross country round, and went in to the show jumping phase with a rail in hand. They had the fourth fence down, the only fault during their otherwise lovely round, enabling Montgomery to hold on to the win. Great Britain’s Leslie Law rode Rehy Lux to a close second while Philip Dutton and William Penn finished third. Canadian Rebecca Howard and Roquefort won the CCI2* but Americans Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot and Philip Dutton and Mighty Nice rounded out the top three. In the CCI1* Will Coleman and Zipp added just a few time cross country time penalties and a rail in stadium to their dressage score to win on a 47.80.

Please visit http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/64.html for complete results and www.bromont3dayevent.com for more information.

Jumping
Numerous jumping competitions took place around the globe this past week, but Spruce Meadows in Calgary had the majority of the U.S. entries.

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