Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Kaitlyn Skog and Wilco Earn Grand Champion Performance Hunter Prize at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Kaitlyn Skog and Wilco Earn Grand Championship Honors at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Robyn Keyster/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 1, 2011 – The performance hunters excelled this afternoon at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. In the Dixon Oval of the famous Devon Show Grounds in Devon, PA, the highlight divisions included the Performance 3’3″ Hunters and a Performance 3’6″ – 3’9″ Hunters. Both included a handy round over fences, giving riders and their horses ample opportunity to show off their skills.

Kaitlyn Skog and Wilco, owned by Caren Seidle of Wayne, PA, were today’s big winners in the Performance 3’6″ – 3’9″ Hunters. The duo took home a first place ribbon, a second place ribbon, and a third place ribbon to finish the day as both the division champion and win the Grand Champion Performance Hunter title.

“The toughest part about being out there this afternoon was that my horse was a little quiet today,” said Skog. “I guess he was a little tired from yesterday, so I had to put on my extra big spurs. I’ve had Wilco since the beginning of May, and he’s so much fun; I’ve learned so much from him already. I just leased him for the summer, so he’s been awesome so far. We’ve been having a good time here at Brandywine and it’s been great to have something so close.”

Skog continued, “I want to move up and do the High Performance Hunters soon. Wilco can do it, it’s just me that needs to learn a bit. We just moved up to the 3’6″ height, and it’s important to get him out in front of me, he still sometimes goes behind my legs.” In addition to her equestrian pursuits, Skog is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University and studies biosystems engineering.

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

Jumpers Continue to Impress on Second Day of Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Amanda Hood and Boy-O-Boy won the $1500 NAL/WIHS Children's/Adult Jumper at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Robyn Keyster/PMG.

Devon, PA – June 30, 2011 – With seemingly boundless energy, the jumpers put on an exciting display of athleticism today at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Amanda Hood repeated yesterday’s success in the jumper arena, taking the blue ribbon in the $1500 North American League (NAL)/Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Children’s/Adult Jumper class aboard her longtime ride Boy-O-Boy. Janice Syphers won the 1.40m Open Jumper class, riding Cover Girl to a double-clear finish after a quick jump-off. Syphers came back in the 1.20m Open Jumper class on GK Calluci to clinch the win a second time later today.

Riders, their horses, and everyone in attendance enjoyed the warm weather at the famed Devon Show Grounds this afternoon. All of the jumper courses were designed by Jose M. Gamarra, and the tight turns and bright colors made for an action-packed second day at Brandywine. All three jumper classes took place in the Dixon Oval, whose central location made it the perfect place to catch today’s fast-paced jumper action.

In the exciting $1500 NAL/WIHS Children’s/Adult Jumper class, Hood proved that second is the best, riding second in the jump-off to ultimately finish first with a time of 28.971 seconds. Jennifer Imhoff took second place on Sand Dollar with an impressive time of 29.109 seconds. Picking up a third place ribbon was A. J. Deleyer with Figaro, who traversed the course in only 30.212 seconds. Deleyer also rode Skylark in the jump-off, and rode away with only four faults in that effort. A total of ten riders and their horses qualified for the jump-off, with half of them making clear efforts. Hannah Baumann and CR Erin Go Bragh finished in 32.717 seconds, and close behind was Isabelle Caccamise who, aboard Qrocus Landais, completed the jump-off in 33.902 seconds.

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Community/Charity, Competitions, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Double H Farm’s HH Narcos Du Marais & Christina Kelly Win the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

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HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm and ridden by Christina Kelly piloting the GMC Jump. Photos courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 30, 2011 – Christina Kelly aboard HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm emerged victorious over a field of 24 competitors at the $32,500 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25, 2011, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut.

Due to torrential rains earlier in the week, the decision was made on Friday to move Saturday’s Grand Prix from the grass Jumper Field to the Emerson Burr Ring with all weather footing.

George N. Venizelos representing Wells Fargo Advisors was on hand to present the well-earned blue ribbon, along with Laura Totten of Coca Cola and Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave and The Dressing Room, Show Co-Chairs, Alison Ashman, Catherine Herman, and Jennifer Ross, and Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation.

Thanks to the professional expertise of Show Manager William Glass and the Fairfield County Hunt Club staff led by General Manager Carla Nelson, spectators and over 400 guests at The EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon were afforded ringside views to watch these riders and horses triumph over the difficult course designed by Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens.

The show’s generous individual and corporate sponsors included: the show’s Official Vehicle Sponsors, Buick & GMC; Magazine Sponsor, Moffly Media; Gold Medal Sponsors Avenue Capital Group, Fairfield Equine Associates, and Newmark Knight Frank; Silver Medal Sponsors, Coca Cola, Corinthian Partners, LLC, D’Addario Industries, Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery and Imperial Dental Associates; and Bronze Medal Sponsors, Agriventures Agway and Margaret Bondy Interiors. These sponsors presented awards all week long to the winners of the 250 separate equestrian competitions, which culminated with the Grand Prix on Saturday.

Continue reading Double H Farm’s HH Narcos Du Marais & Christina Kelly Win the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation →

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

Grand Champion Green Hunter Title Goes to Sandy Ferrell and Showman at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Sandy Ferrell and Showman won the Grand Champion Green Hunter prize at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – June 30, 2011 – Once again, the weather was perfect as riders gathered at the Devon Show Grounds for the second day of the first annual Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Today, riders competed for top honors in the professional hunter divisions in the Dixon Oval. Sandy Ferrell and her Second Year Green Working Hunter mount Showman were the day’s big winners, claiming the Grand Champion Green Hunter title after earning the Second Year/High Performance Hunter Championship.

This morning in the Second Year/High Performance Hunter, Ferrell was presented with the championship honors for her ride aboard Showman, owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman of Sherborn, MA. The division was sponsored by Meralex Farm, and the duo earned three first place ribbons, a second place ribbon, and a third place ribbon this week. They truly showed the way during their handy class, earning a high score of 90 for their efforts. Ferrell and Showman were then presented with the Grand Champion Green Hunter award after earning the most prize money in the Green Hunter divisions. The division’s reserve championship prize went to Louise Serio and Phillipa, owned by Jennifer Burger of Buffalo, NY.

Ferrell smiled, “I am thrilled! This was our first show back after Florida, and it is nice to know that after a break Showman can come back and still be the same super star he was earlier this year. He’s a horseman’s horse, he’s a winner, and he has a huge fan club.”

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Ireland’s Louise Parkes Joins Phelps Media Group Team for Alltech National Horse Show

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Louise Parkes, pictured aboard her pony after winning the Connemara class and the Reserve Supreme title at her Riding Clubs Championships in Ireland. Louise is pictured with her husband, noted equestrian photographer, Tony Parkes.

Wellington, Florida – June 30, 2011 – Phelps Media Group announced this afternoon that they have reached an agreement with distinguished equestrian writer Louise Parkes to join the PMG team for coverage of this year’s Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, to be held from November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

“We’re bringing the entire Phelps Media Group team to Lexington for the Alltech National Horse Show,” said Phelps Media Group President Mason Phelps. “Louise Parkes has worked with PMG in the past and we felt this year’s event would be the perfect time for a reunion. To be honest, the show wouldn’t be complete without her. Her exceptional and wonderfully written reports from the equestrian world add a special international flair to our already first class coverage.”

Parkes reports on major equestrian competitions around the world, including the FEI Nations Cup series, the World Equestrian Games and the Olympic Games, for the FEI, the governing body of equestrian sports.

Married to photographer Tony Parkes, Louise inherited her passion for horses from her father who spent many of his happiest years in the hunting field. In between her busy cycle of assignments she competes at amateur level with the second-greatest love of her life – her Connemara ponies.

Having abandoned the camera for a pen back in 1994, her intuitive writing skills were quickly recognized by the FEI and she has been working on a contract basis for the governing body for equestrian sport ever since. She is also Equestrian Correspondent for the biggest-selling daily newspaper in Ireland, ‘The Irish Independent’, and her distinctive writing style has made her a much-sought-after contributor to top-selling equestrian publications. She has also worked in radio and TV and for media organizations and press rooms around the world. Last year, a book she co-wrote with author and commentator Michael Slavin, which details the history of the Irish Army Equitation School, was a big seller in the Christmas market.

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

Brandywine Valley Summer Series Kicks Off at Devon Show Grounds

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Elizabeth Lubrano and Torando were victorious in the Ariat Adult Medal at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – June 29, 2011 – The first annual Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services kicked off its first day of competition this Wednesday in the Dixon Oval at the prestigious Devon Show Grounds. The top horse and rider combinations gathered to compete at the historic venue and support this exciting new event. The sun shone brightly as riders competed during the first day of the professional hunter divisions and the Adult Amateur divisions, as well as during the Ariat Adult Medal and the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic.

The adult riders began the day by showcasing their equitation skills during the Ariat Adult Medal. Elizabeth Lubrano received the top call following the test for her ride aboard Tornado, owned by Horizon Hill Farm of Glenmoore, PA.

Today’s course was designed by Michael Rheinheimer and included a bending line, an in-and-out, and multiple inside turns. Miranda Scarpone of Kinnelon, NJ, took an early lead with a score of 82. Lubrano followed in second with a 78, while Devin Cox of Kennett Square, PA, was third with a 76, and Catherine Marcks of Lancaster, PA, was in fourth with a 75.

For the test, riders had to walk from the line-up and then canter a single vertical. They then made a left turn to a second single vertical and finally made their way to the last fence before halting and sitting the trot back to the line. Cox made a slight error at the second fence and moved to fourth, while Marcks’ smooth trip moved her into the third position. Scarpone also had a good test, but Lubrano quickly made her way to the top of the leaderboard after opting for an inside turn to the second fence. Lubrano eventually took home the winning prize, a gift certificate to Ariat International, while Scarpone placed second.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic Wrap-Up: June 21-25, 2011

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Halifax, MA – June 28, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic was held on June 21-25, 2011, at Fieldstone Equestrian in Halifax, Massachusetts.

Wednesday’s highlights were the well-attended derby classes held on the scenic grass grand prix field. There were 50 entries in the $2,500 2’9″ Hunter Derby, and it was Jennifer Tate of Bourne, MA, riding Cavallino owned by Barbara Kravetz of Sharon, MA, who took home the top prize. Ericka Koscinski and Touchdown came in first place in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic.

Professional rider Jennifer Tate has ridden Cavallino, who is called “Eagle” in the barn, many times, but their win on the grass field was special. Kravetz trains with Tate and has owned Eagle, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, since he was four years old. Kravetz expressed, “This was his first derby class. He’s mostly been doing modified Adults with me over the past few years. We knew he was capable of doing it and we thought he would enjoy it. It was exhilarating and I was moved to tears. It was very exciting.”

The winner in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic was Ericka Koscinski of Center Moriches, NY, who rode Touchdown for Salt River Farm to victory. Touchdown is a 16-year-old homebred pony from her family and she has ridden him in the pony hunters for four years. This was the first time she has competed in a derby and while she enjoyed, she also thought her pony liked it too.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

VIP Tables Now On Sale for Alltech National Horse Show

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PHOTO ©Alltech. The Entrance to the famed Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lexington, Kentucky – June 28, 2011 – The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, announced today that VIP tables for the debut event, to be held from November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, are now on sale.

This CSI-W 4* event will attract the nation’s finest equestrians and large crowds are expected for every session, and without a doubt, the best place to watch all of the action will be from a ringside table at the exclusive Taylor Harris Club at the Alltech Arena.

The club is sponsored by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, the Official Equine Insurance Agency for the Alltech National Horse Show. Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) was founded in 1987 to provide specialized insurance for all types of equine risk.

Table service includes a complimentary continental breakfast, a delicious light buffet lunch and a wonderful dinner buffet, with beverage service included. The price is all inclusive.

One of Lexington’s finest caterers and party planners, Dupree Catering and Events, will be providing the service for the Taylor Harris Club.  The company was started nearly twenty-five years ago by Harriet Dupree Bradley, a Lexington native whose love for feeding people with gracious service came from her family’s Southern roots. Eileen McCormick, another important part of the Dupree team, owned the successful restaurant, “The Inn Between,” and has also been the executive chef at the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion. Tony Yalnazov is the Dupree head chef and leads a team of fabulous cooks who produce the very best food in the Bluegrass.

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

2011 $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby to Benefit ALS of Nevada

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Reno, NV – June 27, 2011 – The 2011 $25,000 Franktown Meadows USHJA International Hunter Derby is pleased to announce that this year’s prestigious event will benefit ALS of Nevada. The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby will take place at the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility in Carson City, Nevada, on September 5, 2011. The event will showcase the best horse and rider combinations in the country as they compete for the winning title over the beautiful derby course in front of an eager crowd.

ALS of Nevada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that serves to improve the lives of those living with and fighting ALS throughout Nevada. The organization was founded in 1998, and its goal is to help patients and families live as normal a life as possible. ALS of Nevada conducts support group meetings for patients, caregivers, and family members. They also aid patients through the loan of equipment and free clinics. ALS of Nevada is an advocate and supports scientific research for the prevention, alleviation, care, treatment, and cure of ALS. ALS of Nevada works to increase awareness of ALS throughout the government in an effort to expand support of research and elicit programs that will make treatments and care accessible and affordable to all patients.

ALS is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and is always fatal. It can happen to anyone, without warning and with or without family history. ALS affects voluntary action, and patients in later stages are often totally paralyzed. The financial burden to families with ALS can be over $200,000 a year and much of the needed assistance is not covered by standard medical plans or Medicare.

Executive Director of ALS of Nevada, Megan Testa, has been working with ALS of Nevada for ten years. She has fulfilled the role as Executive Director for five years and will be attending the event for the first time this year.

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

Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival Starts This Week!

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First Horse to Trot Down Center Line This Thursday – Updated Dressage Class Schedule & Order of GO Now Online!

Hampton Green Farm's Idolo Americano. Photo Credit: Diana Hadsall

Traverse City, MI – June 27, 2011 – The first of thousands of horses are due to arrive this week for the opening leg of the five week Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival. Kicking things off this Thursday is the production of Northern Michigan’s only rated Dressage show: Dressage by the Bay Summer Series 1 and 2.  The first ride will get underway at 8 a.m.

Following the three days of what is commonly called “horse ballet” will be four weeks of action-packed hunter/jumper competition commencing Wednesday, July 6th.

Feature events of this week’s show include Friday evening’s $5,000 FEI Musical Freestyle, where ten of the event’s best horse/rider combinations are expected to individually perform their routine to choreographed music. Scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is Molon Excavating Inc’s KIDS’ DAY, which promises many fun, family-oriented activities.

The public is welcome to attend this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or close.  Admission is $10 per person per day, except on Saturday when children of all ages gain entry for free. Courtesy of Hampton Green Farm, proceeds from the gate will be donated back to local 4-H.

For more information please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com or call 231-267-3700.

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