Category Archives: Show Jumping

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Equestrian Assistance, Hunter/Equitation, More/Other, Show Jumping

USA Equestrian Trust Opens First Round of 2013 Grants Program for Equine Non-Profits

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The gold medal-winning Five-Gaited U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup team. Photo by Ross Millin

 Applications due Monday, May 6

February 13, 2013 — Lexington, KY — USA Equestrian Trust is pleased to announce IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations will have two opportunities to apply for funding in 2013 as part of the foundation’s grants program. The Trust’s board expanded the grants program to two periods in 2012 and awarded nearly $335,000 in grants, an increase of almost 70 percent compared to 2011.

To apply for funding, visit the Trust’s newly revamped website at trusthorses.org. The site includes an extensive guide of frequently asked questions to assist applicants, as well as profiles of the work being done by selected past recipients.

“The Trust is pleased to make our simple online application process even easier,” said USA Equestrian Trust President Alan F. Balch. “The Trust’s leadership continues to be impressed by the many worthy projects seeking to further the rich legacy of horses and equestrian sport.”

Continue reading USA Equestrian Trust Opens First Round of 2013 Grants Program for Equine Non-Profits →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Save the Dates! The Southeast Medal Finals September 19-23

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Margaret Collins won the first Southeast Medal Finals in 2012. Hannah Huntington was second and Jordyn Katz was third.

Jacksonville, FL – Feb 13, 2013 – The Second Annual Southeast Medal Finals will be held September 19-23, 2013 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, FL. Following the overwhelming success of the first show in 2012, this year the show is A-rated, will be expanded and will offer a $25,000 Grand Prix Sponsored by Land Rover Jacksonville.

Southeast Medal Finals is hosted by one of the premier equestrian facilities on the east coast, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. It is centrally located for USHJA Zone 4 and Region 3 competitors. The complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. Highlights include the Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals, Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals, the Region Three ASPCA Maclay Regionals and new this year the $25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix.

Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:

WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is an A-Rated indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders from USHJA Zone 4 and beyond.

Continue reading Save the Dates! The Southeast Medal Finals September 19-23 →

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

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Master $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at FTI WEF 6

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Todd Minikus and Quality Girl. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 13, 2013 – The sixth week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began on Wednesday, February 13, with a full schedule of world-class jumper competition in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). In the highlight class of the day, an impressive roster of top riders vied for Longines FEI world ranking points in the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Classic with a win for Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, and Quality Girl.

Week six, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will run February 13-17. The week will feature three more world ranking classes, including the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Round 6 on Thursday, February 14, the highlight $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 3*-W Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, on Saturday, February 16, and the $33,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday, February 17.

Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge set the speed track for 48 entries in Wednesday’s 1.45m class. Ten entries completed successful rounds without fault in the race against the clock, and Minikus and Quality Girl came out on top with their time of 54.51 seconds.

Continue reading Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Master $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at FTI WEF 6 →

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

Spy Coast Farm Presents Week Six CSI 3*-W at the 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival

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Lisa Lourie (left) helped present awards to the winners at the 2012 YHS Finals. Photo © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – February 13, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions welcomes Spy Coast Farm as the title sponsor of week six at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Spy Coast Farm CSI 3*-W competition will run February 13-17 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The week will feature a $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 3*-W Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, on Saturday, February 16.

Week six competition will also host three other FEI World Ranking classes besides the grand prix, including the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Wednesday, February 13, the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Round 6 on Thursday, February 14, and the $33,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday, February 17.

Spy Coast Farm owners Robert and Lisa Lourie are proud to return as a major sponsor of FTI WEF competition in 2013. In addition to their week six title sponsorship, Spy Coast Farm presents four $6,000 1.40m Jumper classes each week throughout the twelve weeks of competition.

Continue reading Spy Coast Farm Presents Week Six CSI 3*-W at the 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival →

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

Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Capture Performance Working Hunter Tricolor

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Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare's Rhythm. Photo By: Kerri Salter/PMG

Wellington, FL – February 12, 2013 – Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm made their 2013 debut in style during Week V of the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival for Nordic Lights Farm. With smooth and flowing rounds, Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm topped the leader board in the CWD Performance Working 3’6″ Hunter division, and eventually nabbed the reserve championship honors. Meanwhile, Lauren Hough represented Nordic Lights Farm aboard Tackeray in the FEI Open Jumper events.

Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm closed out the 2012 season with a victory in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Final Chase Horse Show. During WEF V, the pair showcased their winning ways once again in the CWD Performance Working 3’6″ Hunter. After placing third over fences and in the handy, they went on to place second over fences the next day and win the stake class. Their top results led to the division’s reserve championship honors.

“It was good to have NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm showing again,” noted Pletcher. “He was super, and really good in the handy as always. I decided to do the 3’6″ Performance Hunters to keep him in shape. I’m going to show him during Hunter Week, because I would love to get him into the Hunter Spectacular. He does so well in those types of classes. After that we will be preparing for the derby at the end of season.”

Continue reading Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Capture Performance Working Hunter Tricolor →

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

Maggie May Takes First Year Championship for Second Consecutive Week at HITS Ocala

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Jen Alfano and Maggie May. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography

Buffalo, NY and Ocala, FL – February 11, 2013 – The bay Brandenberger mare, Maggie May, has made a name for herself through the varying Florida horse shows this Winter circuit. With professional rider Jennifer Alfano’s careful guidance, Maggie May took top call throughout the First Year Green Working Hunter division, nabbing the championship at HITS IV Ocala Winter Classic. SBS Farms, Inc. has shown great success throughout Jacksonville and Ocala in both the hunter and jumper rings.

It was a crisp morning as Maggie May, owned by Billie Steffee, took her turn at the beautifully designed hunter course at the HITS IV Ocala Winter Classic. After stealing the show last week in Jacksonville, all eyes were on the bay mare as she showcased her talent with Alfano in the irons. They were awarded the first and third place ribbons in the over fences, as well as taking the third place finish in the handy class. It was Maggie May’s beautiful rhythm that earned the pair the third place in the under saddle, sealing the championship.

Continue reading Maggie May Takes First Year Championship for Second Consecutive Week at HITS Ocala →

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

Shachine Belle and INXS Make It Two at HITS Ocala

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©ESI Photography. Shachine Belle and INXS on their way to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

OCALA, FL (February 11, 2013) – Shachine Belle and INXS are quickly climbing the ranks of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final preliminary riding standings with another win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this weekend at HITS Ocala. Belle of Old Lyme, Connecticut and INXS, owned by her best friend Robin Swinderman of Morriston, Florida bested 45 over a course designed by Tucker Williams of Houston Texas.

After the popularity of his courses in last week’s HITS and Devoucoux Hunter Prix on the all-new Outside Course at HITS Ocala, Williams again incorporated the use of the versatile bank into his course plan. “This week I used the elements in an entirely different fashion,” he said. “We jumped up the bank from the side table.”  Williams will be designing at HITS Ocala and HITS Thermal this winter while showcasing his inventory of CCI Jumps at both shows.

“We have seen great success so far with the newly constructed parts of the Outside Course. I included the bank ramps in both hunter prix this weekend and the competitors continue to rave about it,” added Williams. “You could see the confidence level of all 200 rounds being boosted as they achieved success over the new parts of the course.”

Continue reading Shachine Belle and INXS Make It Two at HITS Ocala →

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

Cherry Knoll Farm’s Sandlot Takes Control at the Gulf Coast Premier with Katie Cooper

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Katie Cooper and Sandlot took home the Pre-Green Championship during the Gulf Coast Premier I Horse Show

Wellington, FL – February 11, 2013 – The city of Gulfport, MS, was alive with hunter action as the Gulf Coast Premier I Horse Show got underway last week, but it was the chestnut Warmblood owned by Margaret Duprey’s Cherry Knoll Farm that stole the limelight. With Katie Cooper in the irons, Sandlot caught the judges’ eyes and was awarded the Pre-Green Hunter Championship.

Wednesday morning welcomed riders to the opening day with a brisk chill, as Katie Cooper entered the hunter arena at the Gulf Coast Premier I with Duprey’s talented 6-year-old mount. The pair has been working together since spring of 2012, with Cooper training out of Caves Farm in Owings Mills, MD. They captured the rosette tricolor at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series in 2012 in the Pre-Greens, falling just a few points behind professional hunter rider Louise Serio.

The Gulf Coast Premier may have been a change of scenery, but the new venue only upped the game for Cooper and Sandlot. They dominated the Pre-Green Hunter division riding to two first place ribbons and two second place ribbons over fences. After earning the fourth place finish in the under saddle, Cooper clinched the winning title in the Adequan Pre-Green Hunter Classic. Sandlot stood center ring as the duo posed for the presentation shot.

Continue reading Cherry Knoll Farm’s Sandlot Takes Control at the Gulf Coast Premier with Katie Cooper →

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

Alltech National Horse Show Is Again One of NARG’s Top Ranked American Events

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©2012 Shawn McMillen Photography. McLain Ward and Antares F captured last year's $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix

Lexington, KY – February 11, 2013 – The second year production of the Alltech National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park once again received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group. The show was staged at the beautiful Alltech Arena on October 31 through November 4, 2012.

The North American Riders Group (NARG), representing the riders and owners in North America, is comprised of the top horsemen from the United States, Canada and Mexico and was formed with the goal of improving the sport of show jumping. The NARG Top 25 initiative is a prime example. NARG, in their report, stated, “This effort has created a mirror in which top equestrian events can reflect on what is important to us, how to improve and whether they truly seek to be a Top 25 event. And this year is proof that those who aspire to be great are willing to look, listen and improve.”

The Alltech National Horse Show was one of those events that listened and accordingly, improved on their score from last year. “We take the NARG rankings very seriously,” said Mason Phelps, Jr., the President of the National Horse Show Association. “There were a number of items that last year’s report brought to our attention and our manager Hugh Kincannon and the entire Alltech National Horse Show team worked diligently to improve in those areas.”

Continue reading Alltech National Horse Show Is Again One of NARG’s Top Ranked American Events →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Maher and Quiet Easy 4 Top $25k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at FTI WEF 5

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Kalvin Dobbs and Winde Win Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix; Blueberry Hill and Coco Fath Jump to Second Championship in Florida Community Bank Small Pony Hunters

Ben Maher and Quiet Easy 4. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 10, 2013 – Week five of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Adequan, concluded on Sunday afternoon with a win for Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain aboard his young mount Quiet Easy 4 in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Maher has been a dominant force in Wellington over the last two weeks with back to back grand prix wins, including last night’s $82,000 Adequan CSI 2* Grand Prix. He can now add a 1.50m victory to his tally for the winter.

Olympic course designer from Great Britain, Bob Ellis, set the track for forty-two entries to show in Sunday’s 1.50m classic with just four entries advancing to the jump-off. Alongside Maher, U.S. Olympic gold medalists Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut joined the jump-off roster as well as Argentinean rider Max Amaya.

Continue reading Maher and Quiet Easy 4 Top $25k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at FTI WEF 5 →