Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

The $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series Continues This Sunday at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Louise Serio and Corvine continue to lead the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus standings as of Saturday, May 19, 2012. Photo By: Shawn McMillen

Lexington KY – July 26, 2012 – The Kentucky Summer Horse Show began on Wednesday, July 24, 2012, at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park, kicking off the Kentucky Summer Series. This Sunday, the third leg of the 2012 $45,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, sponsored by Hallway Feeds will take place in the Stonelea Arena. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show, held July 24-29, 2012, features the third event of the series on Sunday afternoon with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The top riders from across the nation will gather to compete over a classic hunter course and vie for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.

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

Paige Johnson Wins $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – July 26, 2012 – Thunderstorms plagued the Kentucky Horse Park as riders gathered beneath the lights of the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Paige Johnson proved to be the best of the best, controlling the jump-off with one of only seven double-clear efforts aboard Chiron S to lead the victory gallop. Shane Sweetnam and Danielle Goldstein also tackled the short course, but their times could not catch Johnson’s speed, each placed third and fourth, respectively.

Marin Zevedo designed tonight’s course, using obstacles such as a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, bending lines, an oxer-oxer double combination, a triple bar, roll backs and tight turns. The jump-off allowed 47 seconds for horse and rider to break the beam, using a serpentine path to guide them to the finish. Starting over the first oxer and making a right to a vertical, riders then took a standalone red-and-white vertical to the oxer-oxer double combination. Upon landing, they were in full gear, racing against the seconds as they maneuvered over the SSG Digital Riding Gloves vertical and finished over the final oxer.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Peter Leone and Wayfarer Earn the Win in the 1.25m at International Bromont

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Leone and Lincourt Gino Blaze to Third in the BonjourQuebec.com World Cup Qualifier

Peter Leone and Lincourt Gino at International Bromont. Photo by Debra Jamroz

Wellington – July 26, 2012 – Peter Leone and his Lionshare Farm homebred, Wayfarer, nicknamed “The Future,” earned the win out of a field of 50 international competitors in the 1.25m Open Jumpers at International Bromont. Leone and Wayfarer also placed in the Derby de Vitesse/Speed Derby.

“By Nona Garson’s Languster out of a Holsteiner mare, he was born big and handsome. From day one, he showed character, range, scope and intelligence. He is just a genuinely, lovely talent,” said Leone about Wayfarer. “Because he was born on the farm, he has been my project. We know each other’s nuances and unspoken signals, so together we have the ability to turn and jump.”

Leone and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino delivered the speed and accuracy required to put them in second place on the leader board in the 1.35m Open Jumpers. Then on Sunday, the pair was one of only six horse and rider teams to go faultless in the first round of the BonjourQuebec.com World Cup qualifying event. Leone and Gino, a big Irish Sporthorse gelding, have been in the money all spring and summer and were the second fastest of the four-faulters in the jump-off round, earning the duo third place honors.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

USEF Announces Dates and Locations for 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials. The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals will take place August 16-18, 2013 in Estes Park, Colorado, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI3*. While the Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials will be held in two locations: the Western Selection Trials at La Cañada Flintridge, California May 23-26, 2013 during the Dressage at Flintridge and the Eastern Selection Trials as part of VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage in Leesburg, VA June 7-9, 2013.

The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for junior riders. The program focuses on equitation and the development of a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Youth wishing to qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals must compete at the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals held at the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Riders placing in the top two in the Semi-Finals are invited to compete in the Finals.

Continue reading USEF Announces Dates and Locations for 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Genevieve Zock Rises to the Top Winning 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Genevieve Zock won the 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – July 25, 2012 – As the sun began to set on the Kentucky Horse Park, the final work-off of the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic got underway. The prestigious championship prize was only a test away from being revealed, and four riders were vying for the top honors. It came down to Meredith Darst, Lillie Keenan, Hasbrouck Donovan and Genevieve Zock as they completed the final event of the long-awaited 2012 USHJA East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. Sixty-two riders showed over the first-round course, showcasing their equitation skills with a classic flare. The riders with the top 15 scores returned for the handy round, and the top four returned to the ring aboard one another’s mounts to complete the final test. Genevieve Zock rose in the ranks, placing consistently high scores, and completing a picture-perfect final test. She took the championship prize with Confession, leading the victory gallop in the Rolex Stadium.

“I have only competed in the Hunterdon Cup once before – it was back in 2008 with my horse Caprice,” Zock recalls. “It was so fun being in the stadium; it was awesome being able to gallop around the ring.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Inclusive and Victoria Colvin Capture 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals Grand Championship

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Victoria Colvin and Inclusive won the 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals Grand Championship. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – July 25, 2012 – The sweat beaded off the competitors’ brows today at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was the final day of the USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals, and the final determinant would be the handy round. Today’s second round course determined both Champion and Reserve Champion for each division, as well as overall High Point Mare, Reserve Grand Champion and Grand Champion. It was Victoria Colvin and Inclusive who took the prestigious Grand Championship, adding their names to the perpetual trophy.

Today’s course was designed by Bobby Murphy and involved tight inside turns, bending lines, rollback combinations, an in-and-out, and a strong hand gallop over the final oxer. The course proved difficult for many, testing both horse and rider alike with natural fences, hedges and brush.

The Small 15 & Under Junior Hunters were first in the order of go, and it was 14-year-old Victoria Colvin aboard Ovation, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, who posted a clear comeback from yesterday’s Classic Round to receive scores 92, 90 and 88 for a total of 270 points and the blue ribbon in the Handy Round.

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Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Down to the Wire: With Only Six Weeks of Horse Shows Left before HITS Championship Weekend, Riders Get In on the Race to Qualify

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Tracy Fenney and her leading mount MTM Centano on their way to the top during the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, Florida. Photos ©ESI Photography.

Saugerties, NY (July 25, 2012) – As summer horse shows get underway and HITS Championship Weekend nears, riders of both hunter and jumper disciplines have one thing on their mind – qualifying. Between both summer circuits in Saugerties, New York and Culpeper, Virginia, less than two months of qualifying remain before the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final make show jumping history at HITS-on-the-Hudson September 7-9, 2012.

After 21 weeks of winter horse shows across the nation and four weeks of spring shows on the East Coast, the Preliminary Rider Rankings for all three year-end finales are beginning to take shape. Here’s a look at who’s on their way to HITS Championship Weekend:

Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix
As riders from all corners of the world ride towards the Pfizer Million, one woman commanded an early lead in the top 40 rankings. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas collected 15 Grand Prix classes during the qualifying period and rode to victory seven times during the winter circuit in Ocala, Florida. She and her leading horse MTM Centano, owned by MTM Farm, have raked in an impressive $84,500 to assert a dominant lead.

Continue reading Down to the Wire: With Only Six Weeks of Horse Shows Left before HITS Championship Weekend, Riders Get In on the Race to Qualify →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

2nd Annual Atlanta Summerfest Just a Few Weeks Away

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July 25th, 2012 – Aiken, SC based Equus Events is gearing up for its second annual Atlanta Summerfest Show series taking place August 16th-19th and 23rd-26th at beautiful Chattahoochee Hills (Bouckaert Farms) in Fairburn, GA. Well known in the eventing world, Chatt Hills will host the 2012 USEA American Eventing Championships in September and is owned by eventer Carl Bouckaert who will be competing for Belgium on the Equestrian 3 day event team at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The facility boasts an over 8000 acre equestrian paradise filled with established pastures, lakes, and woodlands with ample room to ride all located along the Chattahoochee River. “The footing is fantastic and the stabling is exceptional,” said show manager J. P. Godard. “We are looking forward to being back this year.” The show itself holds a USEF “A” rating and will feature a $10,000 Open Jumper Classic each week and a USHJA National Hunter Derby week 1. As always, Equus Events will offer up some of the South’s finest hospitality hosting exhibitor’s parties each week as well as snacks and goodies at the ring daily.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Submit Your Entries Online to Southeast Medal Finals Horse Show

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“Southeast Medal Finals is thrilled to offer online entry via Equestrian Connect for our exciting new show this September.  This fantastic service streamlines the entry process from completion to submission, and we are so thankful to be able to pass this time saving service on to our Exhibitors and Trainers.  We are looking forward to our new partnership with Equestrian Connect!”  For more information or to try it out, go to www.equestrianconnect.com.

Bob Bell & James LaLa
SEMF Producers

Equestrian Connect and Southeast Medal Finals make entries even easier by permitting exhibitors to submit entries electronically through Equestrian Connect for the Southeast Medal Finals horse show. Imagine: no printing and mailing. And you can wait until the last minute without expensive overnight delivery charges.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive Lead the Way during East Coast Junior Hunter Finals

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Victoria Colvin and Inclusive lead USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals on day one of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – July 24, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Park was filled with anticipation as the top Junior riders in the nation gathered for the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to vie for the championship honors in the 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. The entire year of competition has led to this point in their Junior careers, with some continuing their dream to ride to the top of the ranks, and others keeping their fingers crossed as this year marks their final chance for the prestigious honor. After four divisions of competition, the lead is currently held by the Victoria Colvin and Inclusive, who posted the high score during the classic round in the Small 15 and Under Junior Hunter division, as well as the under saddle.

The skies threatened rain as riders arrived to walk the classic hunter course designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, KY. The opening round started with an option consisting of two natural brushes, one with a wider track, and the other providing a more straight-forward bend to the second obstacle, a natural vertical set near the in gate. Riders then continued forward in a bending line over an oxer, and with a right turn, they approached the difficult vertical-oxer combination. Although many took the short line with trepidation, the challenged continued as they were faced with another vertical-oxer line shortly after coming off of the outside turn. Bending from the second oxer, they took approached another oxer, and then finished on a diagonal over the seven-stride vertical-oxer line.

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