Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Jumper & Hunter Highlights to Be Featured at Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville)

The Classique Internationale De Blainville (Jumping Blainville) is preparing for World-Class Competition. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Blainville, Quebec – May 31, 2011 – As part of promoting the sport of show jumping for young riders, the Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville) will be hosting the FEI Children for East Canada class on Saturday July 16, with the second round Sunday July 17, in the Grand Prix Ring.

Riders born between January 1st 1997 and December 31st 1999 are eligible to compete. Each tour consists of two competitions run over different courses by a Course Designer designated by the FEI. Riders have access to the course through the FEI’s web site, and competitive equality is created by having all athletes execute a course identically built in each country.  Thirty-two athletes will be qualified to participate in the Finals, which is organised with borrowed horses.  This exciting event offers the opportunity for children to ride at the level of international competitors, while pursing their Olympic dreams.

Another highlight event at Jumping Blainville will be the Non Pro Nations Cup, sponsored by L’Oréal Canada, Ombrelle, where teams of three riders compete for $5,000 in prize money.  For the past two years, teams have named and dressed up to represent their group.  This is a crowd favourite where everyone cheers for their chosen team, while riders learn to compete and work as a group.

Continue reading Jumper & Hunter Highlights to Be Featured at Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville)

Danielle Torano and Katina Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

© ESI Photography. Danielle Torano and Katina cruise to a victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (May 28, 2011) — The road to the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix made its highly-anticipated return to HITS-on-the-Hudson on Friday with the first of 14 Grand Prix Qualifiers that will take place in Saugerties this show season. Danielle Torano of SW Ranches, Florida captured the win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard her own Katina to kick off what promises to be a fantastic weekend of show jumping at HITS Saugerties.

A night of wild thunderstorms rolled through the Hudson Valley on late Thursday night and paved the way for a beautiful day of warm weather on Friday, which set the stage for a perfect afternoon of show jumping in the beautiful Strongid C 2X Stadium. The course for the class was set by Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Ellenton, Florida. Two-time Olympic Medalist Leslie Burr Howard of Darien, Connecticut was the first rider of the class to go clear aboard The Utah Group’s Utah. Andrew Bourns of Wellington, Florida soon joined Burr-Howard in the jump-off with a clear ride of his own aboard Gowran Park. By the end of the first round nine riders advanced to the jump-off, including Torano and her relatively new horse Katina.

“The triple combination was by far the most difficult,” explained Torano of the first round. “It was heading toward the in-gate and came at a slight bend, so you really needed to focus and get your horse to focus. But Katina is the sort of horse that really gives you her all and puts her heart into the ride.”

Continue reading Danielle Torano and Katina Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

HITS to Host 2nd Annual Fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during HITS-on-the-Hudson II

© ESI Photography. Margie Engle won the 2010 $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Engle was congratulated by HITS' Lisa Engel and Tony Hitchcock as well as survivor Zack Swart and family, Karen von Bachella, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Volunteers Melissa Signor and friends.

SAUGERTIES, NY (May 26, 2011) — HITS, Inc., is pleased to once again join forces with the Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to host a second annual fundraiser to support their mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, while improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

On Friday, June 3 the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, will be a charitable class to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Similar to last year’s event, HITS will help to raise money by engaging with exhibitors and spectators to pledge a donation for every clear jump the horse and rider combination of their choice completes in Friday’s feature class. Donations raised during the class will go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which will provide funding for much-needed research and patient services. The top three riders who earn the most in donations will receive a prize.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $680 million in research funding. Last year, HITS exhibitors helped raise over $3,200 during its one-day fundraiser.

Continue reading HITS to Host 2nd Annual Fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during HITS-on-the-Hudson II

Georgina Bloomberg Launches Teen Book Series

Real Life and Equestrian Experiences of Mayor’s Daughter Inspire The A Circuit; Available Today, May 24, 2011

New York, NY – May 24, 2011 – Today, Georgina Bloomberg, an accomplished professional equestrian, philanthropist and youngest daughter of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, launches The A Circuit (Bloomsbury, original paperback, $9.99), the first in a series of teen novels set within the equestrian world she knows so well.  Co-written with Cathy Hapka, Georgina brings an authenticity and flair to the books that will entice as much as they will fascinate.  The second novel in the series, entitled My Favorite Mistake, is scheduled to be released in March 2012.

The A Circuit is the A-List meets the elite horse world, capturing the lives of three teenagers, Zara, the wild child of a famous rock star, Kate, a working student serious about riding, and Tommi, a billionaire heiress, as they navigate the life of privilege and competition and figure out how to succeed while being true to themselves. The social drama set within an elite world will have teens flocking to this series.

The A Circuit captures the pressures and struggles that riders face, and is also a great lesson that working together in any sport can bring different people together,” said Georgina when asked why she decided to write the series.

Continue reading Georgina Bloomberg Launches Teen Book Series

Cory Hardy Captures $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at the 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival

Cory Hardy and Connor won the $10,000 Fieldstone 3'3" Hunter Derby. Photos © 2011 Anne Gittins

Halifax, MA – May 22, 2011 – The 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival concluded its final day of competition on Sunday with an exciting schedule of hunter derby events all held on the Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility’s beautiful grass Grand Prix Field. The $10,000 3’3” Hunter Derby was the feature event of the day with a great win for local professional rider and trainer Cory Hardy, of Waltham, MA. Hardy guided Mary Chase’s seven-year-old German Warmblood gelding Connor to the win following two rounds of competition. A $2,500 2’9” Hunter Derby immediately followed with a victory for 17-year-old Susan Huyett, of Concord, MA, riding her ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding Huckleberry Finn.

Course designer Nathan Panetta, of Warner, NH, set the tracks for today’s hunter derby classes. The $10,000 3’3” Hunter Derby was held first on the beautiful grass field with 22 entries and the top twelve returning for round two. Class winners Cory Hardy and Connor finished round one with a score of 78 and then had a fantastic trip in round two to score an 85, tallying the highest two round total of 163.

Elizabeth Kenny and Donald Stewart’s Don Juan finished in second place, just one point behind the winning pair, with a 162 total from combined scores of 80 and 82. David Oliynyk and Generous, owned by Lori Gaudet, finished with scores of 81 and 80 for a 161 total in third place. Hardy and his second mount Le Chasseur, also owned by Mary Chase, finished in fourth with scores of 83 and 77 to total 160. Robert Lee and Shock Top scored a 76 in the first round and then earned an 83 in round two to finish with an overall score of 159 for fifth place.

Continue reading Cory Hardy Captures $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at the 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival

Hannah Goodson Earns Top Honors in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo Credit: Holly Whiteman

Lexington KY – May 21, 2011 – Today was another beautiful sunny day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park. The Stonelea Arena presented championship honors in the Junior Hunter Divisions as they wrapped up their second day of competition. Hannah Goodson-Cutt earned two tricolors with her mounts Caretano and Superman in the Junior 16-17 Hunter Divisions. Catherine Tyree also earned championship and reserve championship awards with her mounts Savant and Concetto in the Junior 16-17 Hunter Divisions.

The Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Division awarded championship honors to Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano. The duo earned three blue ribbons, and red and yellow ribbons to secure the championship honors.

“He was good in all his rounds,” noted Goodson-Cutt. “Yesterday, he was good in all his rounds. He went amazing and I was very happy with our results. Today was also good and he feels really great and feels soft and I am excited for how he will be at Devon.”

Continue reading Hannah Goodson Earns Top Honors in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

Kentucky Spring Classic Wrap Up May 18-22

Lexington, KY – May 23, 2011 – As the Kentucky Spring Classic hosted another night of show jumping, the incredible duo of Kent Farrington and Uceko continued their complete domination of the last two weeks by securing the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix victory. Tonight’s event was sponsored by Audi of Lexington and honored Mary Rena Murphy, a horsewoman whose dedication to equestrian sport was unmatched. Once again, speed proved to be the determining factor during the thirteen horse jump-off, and that is something Farrington and Uceko are proving to master. The duo was a full two seconds ahead of second place finishers Ali Wolff and Lanoo, while Christian Heineking and River of Dreams took home third for the second time this week.

“During the first round, there were more clear than I expected,” admitted Farrington. “The outside line started with a wall and then an awkward distance to an oxer-oxer combination, and then a very steady distance to a liverpool. I thought that would catch more horses than it did. I think the footing here is excellent, and these horses have been here for two weeks now, so I think they are really comfortable in the ring. I think that’s why there were more clear rounds than Richard expected. It’s under the lights, so they are a bit impressed, and I think the horses were just really going well on the ground.”

For the final test, Jeffery had riders start over a single oxer to the liverpool and make a bending line to a single oxer. They then made a sharp roll back to a vertical-oxer double combination and galloped across the ring to a wide oxer. Finally, riders made another sharp turn to a tall vertical before they galloped towards the timers over the last oxer. Of the thirteen qualifiers, seven were able to make it a perfect night and finish without any faults added to their score.

Continue reading Kentucky Spring Classic Wrap Up May 18-22

Sympa and Daniel Geitner Triumph in Final Weekend of Atlanta Spring Challenge Series

Sympa and Daniel Geitner. All photos by Shawn McMillen.

May 22nd, 2011 – Conyers, Georgia – The 2011 Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show came to a close today at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA.  Attention turned to the International Arena on Saturday evening for the $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix and “Preakness Party” which was sponsored by DFG Stables and Daniel and Cathy Geitner of Aiken, SC.  The crowd gathered early to enjoy the impressive spread of tasty Mexican fare including ground beef, chicken, and steak tacos with rice and all of the fixings and an assortment of special mini cupcakes to celebrate the occasion.  A large screen TV was set up for everyone to enjoy the 136th running of the Preakness Stake.  As Shackleford headed towards the winners circle at Pimlico, riders prepared to tackle the challenging Prix course designed by J. P. Godard.  The course set at the National Standard offered 15 jumping efforts in the first round including a double and triple combination with a time allowed of 84 seconds.  The shortened jump off course included 8 jumping efforts with numerous options and a time allowed of 48 seconds.

It was a fantastic night for Daniel Geitner and his DFG stables of Aiken, South Carolina.  Out of the original field, Geitner qualified two mounts for the jump off, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bostwick’s Sympa and CDS Stable’s Neville.  DFG’s Christina Jason also advanced to the jump off on the Booth Parker Owned entry Wonder Pomme.

Continue reading Sympa and Daniel Geitner Triumph in Final Weekend of Atlanta Spring Challenge Series

Kentucky Summer Horse Shows Prize List Now Available

The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows Prize List is now available one. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Lexington, KY – May 21, 2011 – The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows’ management company, Kentucky Horse Shows LLC, is pleased to announce that the hunter/jumper competition’s prize list is currently available online. The prize list and entry blanks are posted online at www.kentuckyhorseshows.com. Entries for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows close on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 and Wednesday, July 27, 2011 for the Bluegrass Festival and the KHJA Horse Show.

The top hunter and jumper riders will return to the Kentucky Horse Park for this world-class event. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will kick off the series and will be held from July 27-31, 2011. This event will run concurrently with the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. As the competition continues, the Kentucky Summer Classic will get underway on August 3, 2011, and run through August 7, 2011.

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will feature two exciting highlight events, including the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington, to be held on Sunday, July 31, 2011. The best jumper riders in the world will gather to compete for the title, and will also have the chance to compete during the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. This class will be the third event in the Hagyard Challenge Series. The rider who accumulates the most points throughout the seven-class series will be presented with the $45,000 Leading Rider Award.

Continue reading Kentucky Summer Horse Shows Prize List Now Available

Young Rider Rachel Crinklaw Excels at the Fieldstone Spring Festival

Rachel Crinklaw and Moulin Rouge won the Children’s Hunter Horse Classic at the 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival. Photo © 2011 Anne Gittins Photography

Halifax, MA – May 20, 2011 –The 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival featured a full day of hunter, jumper and equitation competition on Friday as the sun came out over the beautiful Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility in Halifax, MA. Continuing through Sunday, May 22, the show will host a full schedule of USEF ‘AA’ hunter and 4-star jumper competition. Today was a highlight for 15-year-old Rachel Crinklaw, of Sandown, NH, who guided Moulin Rouge to a win in the $500 NAL/M&S/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic. The pair also earned championship honors in the Children’s Hunter Horse division over its two days of competition.

The Children’s Hunter Horse division began on Thursday afternoon when Crinklaw and her mount Moulin Rouge, a Selle Francais gelding owned by Erika Fritsch, earned their first of several first place ribbons. The pair followed up Thursday’s blue ribbon win with two more over fences today. They also earned fourth place under saddle to lead the standings.

In addition to those ribbons, Crinklaw and Moulin Rouge earned top scores in both rounds of the $500 NAL/M&S/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic to earn the first place prize. Round one saw a score of 79, combined with a round two score of 80, to give the pair a total of 159 for the win. Second place was awarded to Jacqueline Snyder and her horse Optimo for their scores of 75 and 74 to total 145. Renowned trainer Karen Healey, of Westlake, CA, was the judge in the main hunter ring today and followed the rounds closely to determine the top finishers.

Continue reading Young Rider Rachel Crinklaw Excels at the Fieldstone Spring Festival