Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

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

Patricia Griffith Dominates the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to Highlight the Hunters at HITS-on-the-Hudson III in Saugerties, New York

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© ESI Photography. Patricia Griffith on course with Lexi Maounis' Platinum in Saturday's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 12, 2011) — Patricia Griffith made the most of her time at HITS-on-the-Hudson this week when she took first and second place against a field of 61 starters in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. She finished first aboard Platinum and second aboard Sienna, both owned by Lexi Maounis.

“I thought it was a perfect course,” said Griffith of Katonah, New York, who is a professional at Heritage Farm. “Rian [Beals] did a great job with the course. It had a perfect mix of single and bending lines that all rode very nicely.”

Griffith had two horses in the second round, which saw the top 12 with the highest scores from the first round return. She showed first aboard Sienna and took over the lead, previously held by Jenny Fischer and Stormy Good’s Freedom’s Storm. Fischer and Freedom’s Storm, the winners of last week’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, finished third in the ribbons this week.

“After I showed Sienna I thought my score would be really hard to beat,” Griffith explained. “I was surprised when I returned again last on Platinum that I was able to beat my own score. This horse has been fantastic though and I’m very proud of the win.”

Continue reading Patricia Griffith Dominates the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to Highlight the Hunters at HITS-on-the-Hudson III in Saugerties, New York →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes

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Bjorn Ikast Finishes with Top Two Placings in $10,000 Open Welcome Stake

Bjorn Ikast and Amore Claim 1st Place in the $10,000 Open Welcome at Summer in the Rockies 1. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park debuted this week with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8 – July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands from four to six weeks. With big prize money every day, the circuit is expected to attract riders from around the country.

“The Colorado Horse Park is excited to launch this new circuit,” said Helen Krieble, founder and president of CHP. “We have worked hard to improve the facility and offer our competitors a fun summer to remember.”

This year competitors will find a new show manager at the helm. Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions are bringing their exhibitor-friendly management style to Colorado. In anticipation of the expansion, CHP has been upgrading many amenities, including brand new footing in the Grand Prix ring and Grand Prix warm-up; new jumps; new gardens; the Horse Connection Paddock Club Lounge; Stable Grounds, a permanent coffee shop; tented exhibitor party zone and more.

Continue reading Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes →

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

Fieldstone Welcomes Equestrians to Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

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The beautiful show grounds at Fieldstone Equestrian feature the grass derby field. Photo courtesy Fieldstone Equestrian.

Halifax, MA – June 8, 2011 – Fieldstone Equestrian would like to welcome equestrians to their Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic, which will be held on June 21-25, 2011, at the Fieldstone Equestrian facility in Halifax, Massachusetts. The “AA” rated show will host exciting competitions for hunters and jumpers.

Highlights of the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic include the $25,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 Open 3’3” Hunter Derby, $7,500 Open Welcome Stake, $7,500 Open Speed Stake, $5,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Classic for two heights, $2,500 2’9” Hunter Derby, and $2,500 Pony Derby Classic.

Activities outside of competition will give exhibitors and spectators a chance to mingle and get to know each other. Fieldstone will host the Kingsway Farm Cookout, Grill 58 Barbecue with a “Sit-A-Twenty Challenge,” and a Chicken and Ribs Barbecue with a Canine Puissance class.

Continue reading Fieldstone Welcomes Equestrians to Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic →

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

Alltech National Horse Show Welcomes Pony Lane Farm as Sponsor of the High Performance Hunter Division

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Kelsey Thatcher on Milous De Fontaine. ©Parker/Russell - The Book LLC.

Lexington, KY – June 10, 2011 — The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, announced today that Pony Lane Farm has come on board as sponsors of this year’s High Performance Hunter Division.

The Alltech National Horse Show will be staged at the Alltech Arena at the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

In addition to the CSI-W 4* ranking from the FEI, this year’s Alltech National Horse Show will feature world-class hunter competition, including the Pony Lane Farm sponsored High Performance Hunter Division.

Pony Lane Farm, the leading USEF Hunter Owners for the 2009 and 2010 show seasons, is not only the home base for young riders Kelsey and Madeline Thatcher, but also home to popular breeding stallion Klotaire Du Moulin. Klotaire is by the legendary stallion Voltaire and is sire of many of this country’s top hunters. Klotaire competed this past summer in the Super League, winning top prizes at La Baule, Rome, Rotterdam and Dublin. Klotaire continues to compete in the U.S. at the Grand Prix level with owner Kelsey Thatcher and rider Maggie Jayne.

Continue reading Alltech National Horse Show Welcomes Pony Lane Farm as Sponsor of the High Performance Hunter Division →

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

Alltech National Horse Show Program Advertising on Sale Now

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The Kentucky Horse Park entrance. Photos courtesy of Alltech.

Lexington, Kentucky – June 8, 2011 – The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, announced today that advertising space for this year’s official horse show program is now on sale.

 

Over the years, the National Horse Show program has been one of the finest and most complete catalogs of any show in the world. Many past editions have become collector’s items. The 2011 edition for the exciting Kentucky debut will be no exception.

The Alltech National Horse Show will be held from November 2 – 6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

This CSI-W 4* event will attract the nation’s finest equestrians and large crowds are expected for every session.

Those wishing to be a part of this year’s official horse show program should contact Advertising Director Laura Reed at reed.laura@insightbb.com or call 859-321-7687.

Continue reading Alltech National Horse Show Program Advertising on Sale Now →

Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Tryon Summer Classic Wrap Up

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Christina Jason and Renoir Z. Photos by Hoofclix and Mark Lehner.

June 6th, 2011~ Tryon, NC – The 2011 Tryon Summer Classic came to a close yesterday.  The show took place at FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) in beautiful Tryon, NC June 2-5.  FENCE is an over 380 acre nature, education, and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.   Equus Events, Inc. handled the managing duties this week.

The Tryon Hounds were once again the show’s beneficiary and put on two fabulous parties during the event.  On Friday evening the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby was held under the lights along with an Exhibitors’ Party in the VIP Tent sponsored by the Tryon Hounds.  While exhibitors and spectators enjoyed cocktails and dinner, 16 horses and riders were prepping to compete in the National Hunter Derby.  Joseph Carnicom of Toledo, OH designed the course which featured 4 height options and natural obstacles such as coups, brush boxes, split rail fencing and rustic logs.  Christina Jason and Allison Mills Renoir Z came home victorious in the class with a first round score of 87 and a second round score of 85 which gave them a 189 two round total to take the win over Lisa Otto’s Duke Principe MF and rider Holli Adams.  Christina rides for DFG Stables and Daniel and Cathy Geitner out of Aiken, SC.  She handled most of the riding duties this week at the Tryon Summer Classic along with Cathy Geitner while Daniel was with clients at the Devon Horse Show.  “The hospitality at this show is fantastic, the courses were great and Renoir Z really rose to the occasion!”  Originally from Rochester, MI, the young professional now lives in Aiken, SC.  “I already owe a lot of my accomplishments to Cathy and Daniel.  They are both great horseman and I am privileged to learn from the best”.

Continue reading Tryon Summer Classic Wrap Up →

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

SBS Farms and Jersey Boy Dominate 2011 Devon Horse Show

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby of Devon for the second year in a row. Photo Credit: Jessica Nemzoff/ PhelpsSports.com.

Devon, PA – June 6, 2011 – For the second year in a row, SBS Farms’ leading duo of Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy proved unstoppable by scoring the winning title during the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby of Devon. Alfano and Jersey Boy led the competition from start to finish by scoring a 184 during the first round and a 200 during the handy round for a total of 384. Their incredible success at the 2011 Devon Horse Show also included the High Performance Working Hunter Championship, and Alfano was presented with the Leading Lady Hunter Rider award for excellent effort during the professional hunter divisions.

“When Jersey Boy wants to win, he really wants to win, and today, he intended on winning,” smiled Alfano after her winning ride in the Derby. “He was a little frisky in the first round, but he came back in the second round and he was just on. He is a great handy horse – his gallop is so loose and natural and he turns so easily, so it’s really fun to do the handy rounds on him, because he’s one of those horses that can gallop and turn at the same time, which I think is rare.”

Owner and trainer Susie Schoellkopf added, “Developing that kind of handiness isn’t something that happens overnight, but is definitely a huge part of being successful in the derbies. Rodney Jenkins always said, ‘When you’re going to do the hard options, you better do them really, really well.’ I think that is a really good point that I have always believed as a judge and a trainer and I think that you have to know how to do it and you have to be able to do it well and make the turns happen.”

Continue reading SBS Farms and Jersey Boy Dominate 2011 Devon Horse Show →

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

Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties Hands McLain Ward His Third Grand Prix Victory in a Row

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 6, 2011) — McLain Ward, aboard Oh’ D Eole, has taken HITS-on-the-Hudson by storm, capturing Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and earning his third consecutive Grand Prix victory. Ward also clinched the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I on his own Oh’ D Eole last Sunday, and Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix aboard Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino.

The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist of Brewster, New York, outshined 28 starters on Sunday’s course designed by Danny Foster of Canada.

“It’s been incredible. [Oh’ D Eole] is really gaining a lot of momentum in the Grand Prix ring and this circuit has been great for us so far,” said Ward. “Danny [Foster] has always been consistent with building good courses and proved that again today with a really nice track.”

Foster’s first-round course proved difficult as nearly half the 28-entry class fell victim to his double and triple combinations. The course did not see a clear round until the eighth go, when Ward posted a time of 87.380 seconds – 4.619 seconds faster than the time allowed. Overall, the course only produced three clear rounds. Isabelle LaPierre of Breakeyville, Quebec, Canada in the irons of La Chaudiere Farm’s Vicki Vale joined Ward and posted the second clear round after 13 unsuccessful trips. Darragh Kerins of Wellington, Florida on Miranda Fischer’s Hot Wheels joined Ward and LaPierre in the jump-off after posting the third and final clear ride in the first round.

Continue reading Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties Hands McLain Ward His Third Grand Prix Victory in a Row →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jenny Fischer and Freedom’s Storm Beat Out 70 Starters to Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties

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© ESI Photography. Jenny Fischer and Freedom's Storm on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 5, 2011) — For the second week in a row the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix has been the top draw on the schedule at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, proving once again that the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final has ignited a new level of excitement in the sport of hunters. A record high of 70 starters competed in Saturday’s feature class for hunters with Jenny Fischer of Montgomery, New York taking top honors aboard Stormy Good’s Freedom’s Storm.

“I still need a few more Devoucoux classes before I’m eligible to be on the point list,” said Fischer, who now has two of the five classes needed to become eligible for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final. “Winning today’s class with so many in it is a huge step in the right direction. HITS Saugerties is basically my home this spring and summer, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to qualify to compete for $500,000.”

Ten show rings were in action yesterday, as picture-perfect weather had exhibitors out competing in full force. Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York set a stunning course for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix which, in addition to drawing record entries, also drew a large crowd of spectators.

Continue reading Jenny Fischer and Freedom’s Storm Beat Out 70 Starters to Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties →

Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Summer Classic June 15-26

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Just a reminder that the Atlanta Summer Classic is just two weeks from today.  We have lots planned and should be a great two weeks in Conyers.

Week One –
$25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby
$35,000 Grand Prix
$2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic
USEF Emerson Burr Grant competition for Pony Riders

Tuesday between the shows – USHJA Clinics – No Charge
Pony Model Clinic – 11am – Under the covered Arena
Water Jump Clinic – 1 pm – Under the covered Arena

Week Two-
$2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic
$3,500 Gamblers Choice & Outback Steakhouse Charity Dinner
$35,000 Grand Prix
USHJA “Just Ask the Judges” Clinic – Thursday after the show.

Call with questions or for stall reservations; we still not are sure about the tent this year: 843 768 5503.

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457