Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Charlotte Jacobs Dominates St. Clements Horse Show in Saratoga

Charlotte Jacobs and Bring It On. Photo Credit: Heather Bellock for Phelps Media Group

East Aurora, NY – May 11, 2011 – Junior rider Charlotte Jacobs had an impressive weekend as she competed in Saratoga, New York during the first week of the St. Clements Horse Show.

Jacobs, who has just returned from a successful trip to the European Youngsters Cup Competition in Leipzig, Germany, had an extremely successful first show back in the United States. Throughout the week, Jacobs was awarded various winning titles, including Grand Junior Hunter Champion with Bring It On.

She also accomplished a tough feat, winning all three major equitation classes at the horse show.  This included the top call in the USEF Medal, the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search class and the Washington International Horse Show Equitation, all aboard Stallone VDL who is owned by North Star Ventures.

Jacobs was also unbeatable in the jumper ring, winning the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, this time with Karonda V. Schl’Hof CH.

Continue reading Charlotte Jacobs Dominates St. Clements Horse Show in Saratoga

High Performance Hunter Championship Goes to Louise Serio and Do Tell at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Louise Serio and Do Tell earned the High Performance Hunter Championship at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Holly Whiteman/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 12, 2011 – It was another beautiful day at the Stonelea Ring for horses and riders showing during the first week of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park.  On this summer-like day, competitors showcased their talents, leading up to the championship and reserve championship prize in the professional hunter divisions, presented later in the day.

In the High Performance Hunters, Louise Serio and Do Tell brought home the championship with two firsts and two second place finishes.  Brian Walker and Garfield garnered the reserve championship with a blue, a red and two yellows.  Serio rides Do Tell for owner/rider Bridget Hallman, who will compete in the Amateur-Owner Hunters starting tomorrow.

Hallman raved, “He’s a big sweetheart.  He really wants to try his best every time.”  Serio added, “Do Tell was really good, he hasn’t shown since Florida. He hasn’t done the working that many times anyway, so I was really happy with him. He’s such a nice horse to ride; he’s so light in his mouth, really, really nice.”

Continue reading High Performance Hunter Championship Goes to Louise Serio and Do Tell at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Perfect the Two-Point with Shane George

Balance over your horse’s center of gravity in the two-point position.

By AQHA Professional Horseman Shane George with Christine Hamilton for The American Quarter Horse Journal

The red shaded areas in this photo show common problems riders have with the half seat: hands and arms too far back, poorly positioned or swinging lower leg, and rounded shoulders and back. Journal illustration.

There are two basic seats for a hunter rider: full seat and half seat. For the hunters and jumpers, it’s important to have the ability to use both.

In a “full seat,” you have contact with your seat in the saddle. You sit on the horse’s back, riding each stride in a collected manner. It’s the seat you use in rail work.

In a “half seat,” you get up off your seat, out of the saddle and find a balance that’s a little more forward. It allows you to get your balance up and over your lower leg and over the horse’s center of gravity in his shoulder and wither. It’s a dynamic position, giving the rider more flexibility in how he moves with the horse.

How much your seat is out of the saddle depends on what you’re doing at the moment. If you’re in between jumps in a course, you might ride with your seat up but closer to the saddle, almost hovering over it. But if you’re going over a jump, your seat will be clearly up out of the saddle.

Continue reading Perfect the Two-Point with Shane George

Atlanta and Charleston Summer Classics

Just a reminder that both Summer Shows are coming up soon.  The Atlanta Summer Classic (June 15-26) prize list is online.  This show will have a new format; lots of money has been added along with a new schedule.  The show will have a $25,000 Hunter Derby and two $35,000 Grand Prix classes along with two USHJA Hunter Classics and a Gamblers Choice.  We will also have two free clinics between the shows, one for pony models and one for jumping water.

The Charleston Summer Classic (July 13-23) prize list is also online. This show has a new 5 day schedule to allow more time at the beach and to enjoy the low country.  If you need help with condo or house rentals, let us know.

To reserve stalls, call Tissy at 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

Alltech National Horse Show Unveils Huge Prize Money for Debut at Kentucky Horse Park

$250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix to be featured on Saturday Night

Alltech's Dr Pearse Lyons with Alltech National Horse Show President Mason Phelps and show jumper Kent Farrington at the Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park. © 2011 by Rebecca Walton.

Lexington, KY – May 11, 2011 – The press conference for this year’s debut of the Alltech National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park was held on Wednesday at the Farm House Restaurant, located on the grounds.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, will be staged at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The show will be held from November 2-6, 2011.

National Horse Show of America, Ltd. President Mason Phelps, Jr. welcomed the large gathering and then introduced the participants, highlighted by Dr. Pearse Lyons, the Founder and President of Alltech, the title sponsor of the Alltech National Horse Show.

Continue reading Alltech National Horse Show Unveils Huge Prize Money for Debut at Kentucky Horse Park

HITS Launches Social Networking Pages on Facebook and Twitter for the Marshall & Sterling League

© ESI Photography. Ashley Prusak and Vendelier on course in the $7,500 Children's Jumper Classic at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (May 11, 2011) — HITS is pleased to announce that it has launched social networking pages on Facebook and Twitter for the Marshall & Sterling League, the United States’ most popular grassroots equestrian league. HITS will employ the power and reach of these two social media platforms to further its kinship with the League’s more than 1,300 member shows and its members, currently numbering over 1,900 individuals.

“Although we’ve only scratched the surface of potential for social media tools, we’ve had great success utilizing these innovative platforms for our horse shows,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “We are excited to implement this form of outreach and communication for the members of the Marshall & Sterling League. The technology is evolving daily and we are excited to explore the various new ways that we can engage and interact with our members and horse show customers. In the near future, we expect to provide additional tools, applications, and resources for members through our presence in social media to help enrich their experience as League members.”

Continue reading HITS Launches Social Networking Pages on Facebook and Twitter for the Marshall & Sterling League

Charles Jacob and Secret Love Return to the Winner’s Circle Thanks to The Sanctuary at PBIEC

Equine Cold Saltwater Spa Helps Horse Recover

Charles Jacob competes Secret Love in Wellington. (Photo courtesy of Anne Gittins)

Wellington, FL (May 9, 2011) – Charles Jacob and his 16.1 Belgian warmblood, Secret Love, recently won a High Amateur/Owner Jumper class and jumped clean in a Grand Prix, a remarkable feat considering Secret Love was sidelined with an injury last year. Thanks to treatments in the Cold Saltwater Spa at The Sanctuary at PBIEC’s Wellington facility, Secret Love is back in the winner’s circle and according to his groom he is jumping like “a million bucks!”

“Charlie and Secret Love, or Snoopy as we call him, won the Grand Prix during the second week of Lake Placid in 2009. He is a proven Grand Prix horse and a formidable competitor in the High Amateur/Owner jumpers. He was sidelined with an injury last year and our vet suggested the Cold Saltwater Spa,” said Snoopy’s groom, Mindi Verzillo, adding that at first they tried buckets of ice on the horse’s legs.

Snoopy wouldn’t tolerate the ice buckets and that’s when Verzillo said they turned to The Sanctuary at PBIEC, the new world-class rehab and conditioning center located on the show grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Sanctuary also has a 30-acre facility in Ocala.

Continue reading Charles Jacob and Secret Love Return to the Winner’s Circle Thanks to The Sanctuary at PBIEC

Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

George H. Morris with his Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland. Photo courtesy of EFF.

Ypäjä, Finland – U.S. show jumping legend George H. Morris received a Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland (EFF) on May 5, for his work with the Finnish show jumping athletes. Morris, who is the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team, has globally impacted the sport of show jumping.

Tom Gardin, a representative of the Scandinavian country’s Federation, awarded the Badge to Morris at the conclusion of a three-day clinic. The presentation took place in Ypäjä, a small village 80 miles northwest of Helsinki best known for horses and its equine college that hosts Finnderby, an international competition that takes place annually.

Morris has been making almost annual trips to Finland since 1984. He has been highly appreciated by the hundreds of riders and trainers, including participants from the Baltic countries, who he has taught and inspired throughout his years of training and conducting clinics.

“I like coming to Finland… I value this badge highly and feel honored,” said Morris.

Continue reading Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

North Florida Summer, North Florida Fall & Maclay Regional Finals

North Florida Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that we have again been chosen by the National Horse Show to host their Maclay Regional Final Class this summer.  This class will be held at the North Florida Fall Horse Show that runs from September 2-4.  The North Florida Summer Show will precede this event and will be held on August 26-28.  Both shows are USEF “A” rated shows and are scheduled to be held at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs, FL.

We are requesting support from our Membership, Trainers, Barns and Businesses to assist us in hosting this prestigious event.  NFHJA has become known for our exhibitor hospitality and is dedicated to making this event special for all of our exhibitors, but would like to make this an especially memorable event for our Maclay Riders and their families.

NFHJA has the following areas available for sponsorship in regards to the North Florida Fall Horse Show & Maclay Regional Finals:

·         Gifts for the Maclay riders, which is a reflection of our show to take home with them

·         Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings

·         Lasagna dinner reception on Saturday evening after the FL Governor’s Cup

·         FL Governor’s Cup Trophy – awarded to the winner of the FL Governor’s Cup

·         Monetary Donations

Continue reading North Florida Summer, North Florida Fall & Maclay Regional Finals

Jack Hardin Towell Sr.

Jack Hardin Towell, Sr. started his own business as a hunter/jumper trainer at the age of 17. Now the owner of Finally Farm in Camden, South Carolina, and one of the leading horse trainers in the US, his accomplishments as a trainer have secured his stature in the industry. Jack has used his skills and intuition to discover and make top hunter ponies and horses. He has trained 65 champions and/or reserve champions in the best indoor shows, including The Pennsylvania National, Devon, The Washington International, Capital Challenge, and The National Horse Show.

Jack is also an R rated horse-show judge and has officiated at many prestigious horse shows including the Washington International and the ASPCA Maclay Finals.

Please join us May 7-8, 2011 at Longfield Stables located at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC for an opportunity to ride with a master. Contact Lauren Marcinkoski at SwampFoxFarms@gmail.com or (912) 484 8510 for more information.