Category Archives: Show Jumping

Remember to Cast Your Votes for the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year and Horse of the Year

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy are nominated for the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year and Horse of the Year awards. Photo By: Hunter Messineo

Buffalo, NY – December 27, 2012 – Time is running out to vote for the 2012 USEF Horse of the Year Award and the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year Award. Voting will run through midnight (EAT) January 7, 2013, with the champions claiming their crowns on January 18 during the 2013 USEF Annual Meeting as part of the 2012 USEF Awards Celebration.

To place your vote for Jennifer Alfano as the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year, please visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/eoty/. To place your vote for Jersey Boy as the 2012 USEF Horse of the Year, please visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/hoty/ and type in your email address to access the voting portal.

This is the first year that Alfano has received the coveted Emerson Burr Trophy, as well as had the honor to claim a place among the eight nominated athletes of the equestrian sport. As a two-time World Champion Hunter Rider in 1996 and 1997, Alfano has nabbed the coveted Leading Hunter Rider Award at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the National Horse Show and the Ocala HITS winter circuit. She was the Top Grossing Rider with over $400,000 in earnings in 2010, and currently sits second in the USHJA Lifetime Rider Standings with an astounding $299,650 earned in International Hunter Derby winnings, with $70,000 earned in the 2012 year alone. The National Show Hunter Hall of Fame voted Alfano 2009 and 2011 Hunter Rider of the Year.

Continue reading Remember to Cast Your Votes for the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year and Horse of the Year

Spend Christmas with Show Jumping on CBS Sports Network

CBS Sports Network Offers Special Encore of Top Show Jumping Competition from the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival on Christmas Day

Wellington, FL – December 24, 2012 – Equestrian enthusiasts have been given a special gift by the CBS Sports Network this holiday season with another chance to watch top show jumpers in action at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. CBS Sports Spectacular will offer encore viewing of their US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 and US Equestrian Festival Championships programs on Christmas day from 3:00-5:00pm ET.

In the first hour of the two hour equestrian block, viewers can marvel at top combinations from throughout the world as teams go head-to-head in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Ten nations lined up to stake their claim on coveted honors in one of the most prestigious classes held on U.S. soil. This is also a unique opportunity to see many of the best competitors in the game including the American team of Lauren Hough, Mario Deslauriers, Margie Engle and Beezie Madden, as well as international stars such as Canada’s Eric Lamaze, Germany’s Johannes Ehning, Great Britain’s Nick Skeleton, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and many more. The US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 program will air at 3:00pm ET.

Continue reading Spend Christmas with Show Jumping on CBS Sports Network

CBS Sports Network Offers Special Encore of Top Show Jumping from Wellington on Christmas Day

Lexington, KY – Equestrian enthusiasts have been given a special gift by the CBS Sports Network this holiday season with another chance to watch top show jumpers in action at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. CBS Sports Spectacular will offer encore viewing of their US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 and US Equestrian Festival Championships programs on Christmas day from 3:00-5:00pm ET.

In the first hour of the two hour equestrian block, viewers can marvel at top combinations from throughout the world as teams go head-to-head in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Ten nations lined up to stake their claim on coveted honors in one of the most prestigious classes held on U.S. soil. This is also a unique opportunity to see many of the best competitors in the game including the American team of Lauren Hough, Mario Deslauriers, Margie Engle and Beezie Madden, as well as international stars such as Canada’s Eric Lamaze, Germany’s Johannes Ehning, Great Britain’s Nick Skeleton, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and many more. The US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 program will air at 3:00pm ET.

Continue reading CBS Sports Network Offers Special Encore of Top Show Jumping from Wellington on Christmas Day

Dutch Delight as Houtzager and Tamino Take the Honours at Olympia

Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof’s Tamino galloped to victory in the seventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 22 December 2012 – Marc Houtzager brought his year to the perfect close when winning the seventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series at London, Olympia (GBR) today.  Riding Sterrehof’s Tamino, the Dutchman went fourth in the eight-horse jump-off and clinched it with the smoothest of rides.

Runner-up spot went to Malin Baryard-Johnsson with H&M Tornesch, and the Swedish star has now moved to within sight of a qualifying spot for the series Final on her home turf in Gothenburg, Sweden next April. Peter Charles slotted into third, and it was a particularly creditable performance from the man who helped clinch team gold for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Partnering a new ride, the 10 year old French-bred mare Murka’s Odie de Frevent, Charles is only just back in action after undergoing surgery in September.

Houtzager said, “It looks like London is the place to be for me!  I won team silver at the Olympic Games and now I’ve had my first World Cup win here.  It’s a great win for me, and it is especially great because it is the last show of the year!”

Continue reading Dutch Delight as Houtzager and Tamino Take the Honours at Olympia

ESP to Host Seventh Annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session

Wellington, FL – December 22, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions is pleased to host the rising stars in equestrian sport in Wellington, FL, on January 2-6, 2013 at the seventh annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by USHJA and Adequan. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will once again host 12 up-and-coming talents at the five-day training session.

The United States Hunter and Jumper Association (USHJA) and Adequan return as title sponsors in 2013, while SmartPak, Practical Horseman, and Equestrian Sport Productions have signed on as event sponsors.

Continue reading ESP to Host Seventh Annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session

Aleš Opatrný – The Rolex One to Watch for December 2012

Aleš Opatrný with his dark bay mare, Kallisto, during the 2012 CSP Horovice (CZE). Photo: Tomas Holcbecher/Rolex

18 December 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch for December 2012 is awarded to Aleš Opatrný (CZE), who trains at JS Opatrný Hořovice (CZE).  During the month of November, the 31-year-old jumped from 355th to 238th – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 117 places.

Opatrný was born on 18 September 1981 in Hořovice (CZE), where he grew up on his family’s ranch, which has a 100-stable capacity and is situated approximately 60km south west of Prague (CZE). When he was two years old, Opatrný was introduced to riding by his father, Václav, who was a successful Eventing rider and triple champion of the Czech Republic. Equestrianism is unquestionably the Opatrný family’s main focus and they have been breeding horses as far back as 1924.

Opatrný cites January 2012’s joint Rolex One to Watch winner, German rider René Tebbel, as the Jumper that he admires most and he believes Tebbel has been the greatest inspiration in his career. His drive to succeed stemmed from his memorable victory in the 2000 FEI Young Riders European Championship, Hartpury (GBR), which he won with his dark bay stallion, Kris Kentaur. Opatrný’s motivation is to one day compete for his national team at the Olympic Games and to also climb the Rolex Rankings as high as he possibly can.

Continue reading Aleš Opatrný – The Rolex One to Watch for December 2012

2013 Winter Equestrian Festival to Feature FEI Nations Cups for Children’s, Junior, and Young Riders

Wellington, FL – December 17, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the organizers of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), have announced their intention to organize three new FEI Nations Cup competitions for Children 12 to 14 years old, for Juniors 14 to 18 years old and for Young Riders 16 to 21 years old. These competitions have been made possible by the generous support of Hollow Creek Farm.

These classes will be organized during Week 8 of the FTI WEF alongside the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. As well as a team competition, there will also be an individual class for the three levels, all of which will run under full FEI rules giving the riders an early experience of top level international competition. ESP is working with USEF to determine selection procedures for the teams leading up to the competition, with more details to follow.

ESP President Michael Stone said, “ESP and the Wellington Equestrian Partners believe that it is essential that the United States start the education of riders as early as possible regarding International FEI competition. We are working closely with the USEF to get all the necessary permissions and structures in place to start the pipeline for our future teams as early as possible.”

Continue reading 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival to Feature FEI Nations Cups for Children’s, Junior, and Young Riders

Jennifer Alfano Nominated as 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year

Jersey Boy Nominated for 2012 USEF Horse of the Year

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy are nominated for the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year and Horse of the Year awards. Photo By: SportFot

Buffalo, NY – December 14, 2012 – Professional hunter rider Jennifer Alfano and the stunning Hanoverian gelding Jersey Boy have become household names in the hunter industry over the years. With their recent victory during the 2012 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals – a feat which had eluded the pair in their lengthy list of accolades – it is no wonder that the dynamic duo has been nominated for the 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year Award and the 2012 USEF Horse of the Year Award. Voting will run through midnight (EAT) January 7, 2013, with the champions claiming their crowns on January 18 during the 2013 USEF Annual Meeting as part of the 2012 USEF Awards Celebration.

This is the first year that Alfano has received the coveted Emerson Burr Trophy, as well as had the honor to claim a place among the eight nominated athletes of the equestrian sport. Alfano is no newcomer to the honor of awards in the hunter ring, consistently proving herself as the crème de la crème of the hunter industry.

Continue reading Jennifer Alfano Nominated as 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year

USEF Announces Appointments of Show Jumping Committees

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has seated two new show jumping committees. The appointment of the Show Jumping High Performance Committee and the election of the Show Jumping Eligible Athlete Committee have been finalized.

Show Jumping High Performance Committee

Will Simpson, Chair
Norman Dello Joio, Vice-Chair and Elected Athlete
Ronnie Beard
Jane Clark
Kent Farrington
Laura Kraut
Anne Kursinski
Beezie Madden, Elected Athlete
Christine McCrea, Elected Athlete
Katie Prudent
Robert Ridland, Non-Voting Advisor
Frank Chapot, Member Emeritus
George Morris, Member Emeritus

Continue reading USEF Announces Appointments of Show Jumping Committees

Old Salem Farm Welcomes Hillary Dobbs to Coaching Staff

Hillary Dobbs joins Frank Madden

Dobbs on Quincy B. Photos: AK Dragoo

North Salem, NY – December 11, 2012: Old Salem Farm is proud to announce the addition of notable Grand Prix competitor and rising star Hillary Dobbs to their prestigious coaching staff. Dobbs, a seasoned competitor, will join Frank Madden as an assistant trainer as Old Salem Farm continues to build and solidify their elite team. “I am excited to train talented equestrians on fundamentals, good horsemanship, perseverance, and hard work,” remarked Dobbs shortly after accepting the position with Old Salem Farm. The twenty-four-year-old hails from Sussex, New Jersey where she began riding at the age of four on her family farm.

Hillary Dobbs has experienced a multitude of successes in both national and international competition. Her most notable accomplishments include being the recipient of USET’s prestigious Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy and the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award, as well as winning the 2008 Hampton Classic Grand Prix/FEI World Cup Qualifier and the 2008 Swedbank Derby thereby becoming the youngest rider in history to win these classes. Dobbs finished in the top 20 at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals in 2009 and earned a spot on the USEF Show Jumping Long List for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Dobbs is also the youngest rider to win over $1,000,000 in prize money.

Continue reading Old Salem Farm Welcomes Hillary Dobbs to Coaching Staff