Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Classic Company Launches the Adequan Pre Green Sweepstakes for 2012

January 21, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Classic Company and the Gulf Coast Classic Company in partnership with Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. makers of Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), announce the formation of the Adequan Pre Green Classics and year end Adequan Pre Green Sweepstakes.

Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said, “We’ve created a new series of Pre Green Hunter Classics to be held at all our events in 2012, dubbed the Adequan Pre Green Classics. They will run as normal, held each week as two round events with the second ride of the second day counting as the first round of the Classic. The Adequan Pre Green Championship Classic will be a standalone two round event.”

One of the key differences in these Pre Green Hunter Classics will be the entry fees. Bell explained, “All the entry fees will be collected just as in the past, but these monies will be set aside to build the Sweepstakes bank, which will be offered at the Atlanta Fall Classic II, November 16th.  The Classic Company will host the Adequan Pre Green Hunter Championship Sweepstakes for the top 20 horses, based on accumulated Championship points, to compete for the total Sweepstakes money.”

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HITS Kicks Off 2012 Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL with Nine Weeks of Unmatched Competition

Photo by HITS Staff. Riders and sponsors alike mingle at the start of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit at HITS Post Time Farm. From left to right: Christine Vanneck, Katie Kurtz of CWD, Dylan Thomas of Judy's Tack Shop and Shawn Mac.

Ocala, FL – January 19, 2012 – HITS Ocala competitors beat the winter blues and settled in at Post Time Farm yesterday for two pre-weeks of showing, followed by seven weeks of rated competition. Coupled with special events and awards, as well as serious prize money, HITS Ocala competitors are in the right place to get a lead on qualifying for the historic offerings at HITS’ 2012 Championship Weekend, scheduled for September 7-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

New for 2012
HITS Ocala is operating at full steam ahead in 2012 with an all-new week of A-rated competition, bringing the circuit to nine weeks of non-stop hunter/jumper action. The added week fills what used to be the off-week between the pre-circuit shows and the rated circuit. The pre-circuit, unrated weeks run through January 29 and the rated circuit runs February 1 – March 18, with the first week being A-rated, and Weeks II-VII AA-rated.

“I’m super excited to see new and familiar faces, watch great show jumping and show off my newly expanded store at HITS [Ocala],” said Ardie Hastey of Blueberry Hill out of Montreal, Canada. “I opened up my business last year at HITS Ocala, so it’s great to be back and to have an expanded presence.”

Continue reading HITS Kicks Off 2012 Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL with Nine Weeks of Unmatched Competition

Nick Skelton Scores Again in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with Carlo 273

Ken Berkley and Prestige Win Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunter Championship

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 won the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 19, 2012 – Nick Skelton (GBR) accumulated another win at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) today in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup 2, this time taking the top prize with Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273. The Irish took the next two places, with Richie Moloney on Slieveanorra, owned by Equinimity LLC/Richie Moloney in second and Cian O’Connor on Ashkirk Ltd. & Cian O’Connor’s Blue Loyd 12 in third.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week two is the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, January 21, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading Nick Skelton Scores Again in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with Carlo 273

Katie Robinson and Lady O Awarded Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship at WEF I

Katie Robinson and Lady O won the Amateur Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF I. Photo By: SportFot

Wellington, FL – January 18, 2012 – Katie Robinson was very successful during the first week of the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Riding for her family’s Deeridge Farm, Robinson took home top honors in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter division. She captured the championship tricolor aboard Lady O, and also earned two first place ribbons riding Rock Steady.

Robinson piloted Lady O to winning honors in the competitive Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter division. The duo earned two first place ribbons, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon to claim the championship cooler.

“Lady O hasn’t shown since Devon, so I am really happy that she performed so well; she hasn’t forgotten anything,” said Robinson. “She was very relaxed and happy to be in the ring, so that was great. Lady O just needs a really relaxed, calm ride; she does all the work.”

Continue reading Katie Robinson and Lady O Awarded Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship at WEF I

USEF Network Presented by Smartpak to Live Stream PRO DerbyCross in Wellington

Canadian Eventer, Kelly Plitz, Is Featured Artist for the Event

Featured artwork by Canadian Eventer Kelly Plitz

Wellington, FL – January 17, 2012 – The PRO DerbyCross Team Competition will be live streamed on the USEF Network presented by Smartpak on January 20 at 7 PM. Film production is being provided by CatchRide.

“We are very happy to team up with the USEF Network presented by Smartpak, who will be hosting the live stream broadcast,” said Samantha Lendl, Executive Director of the Professional Riders Organization. “DerbyCross is so much fun and we hope that this allows people all over the world to see what this extreme sport is all about.”

Kelly Plitz, a member of the 1984 Canadian Three-Day Event Team, is the featured artist for PRO DerbyCross and has created a unique painting, which is acrylic on board. The painting will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefitting Operation Homefront Florida. Kelly is married to Canadian Eventer Ian Roberts and with their son Eventer Waylon Roberts operate Dreamcrest Equestrian near Port Perry, Ontario.

Continue reading USEF Network Presented by Smartpak to Live Stream PRO DerbyCross in Wellington

Committed to Fostering the American Hunter Jumper Forward Riding System, Bernie Traurig Offers Free EquestrianCoach.com Memberships to Coaches at the CPI

Bernie Traurig judged the CPI on a chilly Saturday in Wellington, FL

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2012 – World-class equestrian, founder and president of EquestrianCoach.com, Bernie Traurig, judged the hunt seat divisions of the College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) along with Scott Hofstetter, Nona Garson and Linda Andrisani. Robert Dover judged the dressage competition, a new addition to the event in its second year. The CPI was held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL with the mounted competition on an uncharacteristically cool Saturday.

The goal of the CPI is to prepare junior high and high school riders for the format of college equestrian competition, encourage academics and horsemanship and to provide riders with the resources to continue equestrian learning during college.

“I really like the format of this show and collegiate competition in general. It gives young people a new opportunity after their junior years,” said Traurig.

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Jacksonville Winter Series Week 1 Recap

Photos: El Grecco & Robert Lee

The Jacksonville Winter Series is off to a great start with two spectacular Exhibitor Parties hosted by Chad & Brooke Watridge of Ridgewater Show Stables & Sweet Sensations of Green Cove Springs.  The 4-H had a great turnout for their auction and all who attended had a wonderful time.

A huge thank you to all our Barns, Trainers & Exhibitors who showed at Week 1 and a special congratulations to all of our Champions & Reserve Champions.

A-Rated Division Champions & Reserves.  The full list of results is fully searchable at Horse Shows Online.

Conformation Hunter
MJ, Owned by Kevin & Mary Euphemia
Thoughtful, Owned by Keri Guanciale

Performance Working Hunter 3’6” & 3’9”
Quincy & Sportin Life, both owned by Lindsay Wolf

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FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week One Wrap-up and Week Two Upcoming Events

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has put week one in the books. It was a week of great competition and everyone at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center can look forward to an exciting second week of competition.

The first week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Surpass. The second week of the FTI WEF runs from Wednesday, January 18, through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Upcoming Events for Week Two – Don’t Miss These Exciting and Fun Activities!

The Ride & Learn Series is composed of weekly mounted riding clinics that will be conducted by some of the most well-known and experienced professionals in the business. The cost to ride in the clinic is $125, and auditing is free. These clinics will take place every Tuesday, beginning the second week of the FTI WEF with a clinic by Patricia Griffith in the International Arena on January 17. Space to ride in the clinics is limited, so contact Rosemary Bertin at 561-371-9598 cubbybertin@comcast.net to join in.

Continue reading FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week One Wrap-up and Week Two Upcoming Events

Nick Skelton and Unique Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Debbie Kelly and Sheldon Cooper Win Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51+ Championship

Nick Skelton and Unique. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 15, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded competition for week one today. In the International Arena, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was the main event. Nick Skelton (GBR) continued his solid week of success and capped it with a win on Unique, owned by Beverley Widdowson. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Wannahave, owned by The Wannahave Group, finished second, while Alexa Pessoa (USA) on Madison was third.

The first week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Surpass. The second week of the FTI WEF runs from Wednesday, January 18, through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Unique Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Pensacola Highlights and Lots of News!

I just returned from the USEF Annual meeting in Cincinnati, so I missed the first week in Pensacola but I understand they had a great week.  The following are the highlights and at the bottom of this page is lots of BIG NEWS.

This year we made some changes to our schedules so that the Classics are held on Saturday instead of Sunday.  That made it so everyone was able to make their getaway flights since the show ended earlier.  Classic Company will continue this “Classic” schedule with all their shows this year.

The week started out with a great party hosted by Pensacola Sports Association hosted an “Iron Chef” party with the finest chefs from the area and everyone was talking about it the next day.

Continue reading Pensacola Highlights and Lots of News!