Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Katie Dinan Victorious in $50,000 Holiday & Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier

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Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – December 1, 2012 – Nineteen-year-old Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Nougat Du Vallet earned an exciting victory in Saturday night’s $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. American riders took top four honors in the eleven horse jump-off. Dinan beat Todd Minikus and Macoemba and Margie Engle and Royce, who finished second and third respectively.

More than 4,000 spectators were at PBIEC tonight to partake in an evening full of activities, including watching the FEI World Cup Qualifier and the drawings of charities for the 2013 FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge, as well as the Wellington Chamber of Commerce WinterFest sponsored by International Polo Club Palm Beach, The Wellness Experience, Equestrian Sport Productions/PBIEC and LED Source.

Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, set the course for the 41 entries in Saturday night’s class with eleven returning for the jump-off and four of those entries completing double clear rounds.

Continue reading Katie Dinan Victorious in $50,000 Holiday & Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping

Mark Bellissimo and Donald Trump Announce First Annual $100,000 Trump Invitational to Benefit Great Charity Challenge

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Wellington, FL – November 30, 2012 – Mark Bellissimo and Donald Trump are pleased to announce that they will host the first annual $100,000 Trump Invitational to benefit the 2013 FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments (FTI GCC). A FEI-rated show jumping event, it will be held on the grounds of the stunning Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL, on Sunday, January 6, 2013, at 12 p.m.

Mar-a-Lago, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate purchased and restored by Trump in 1985, is one of the most spectacular mansions in the world and in the national register of historic places and a designated U.S National Landmark. It will be the first ever equestrian event held on Palm Beach Island and will serve as an exciting kick-off to the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the 12-week circuit that runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 9 – March 31, 2013.

Continue reading Mark Bellissimo and Donald Trump Announce First Annual $100,000 Trump Invitational to Benefit Great Charity Challenge →

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

The Race to Qualify for the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix Underway

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Rusty Stewart and Bristol on their way to one of three wins during early qualifying in the $50,000 Showpark World Cup Grand Prix. Amy McCool Photography

THERMAL, CA (November 30, 2012) – It’s on! Now that the preliminary AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix qualifiers at Blenheim EquiSports, Jump Del Mar, Sacramento International and Langer Equestrian Group shows have concluded, it is clear that the HITS Desert Circuit is in for an exciting and competitive season as final qualifying continues. After ten qualifying grand prix, which took place between August and November, Rusty Stewart and his 10-year-old gelding Bristol, owned by Grey Fox Farm, produced three wins and sit atop the preliminary AIG Thermal Million Rider Rankings with $37,000 in accumulated prize money.

Stewart pinned the AIG Thermal Million as a definite on his 2013 winter schedule with Bristol, who is Stewart’s first homebred colt and a testament to the Grey Fox Farm breeding program.

“He has been amazing during these last few shows,” said Stewart of his mount. “We brought him along from a baby with great success and he’s a great horse with a terrific personality. He was fifth in the FEI World Cup Standings for the West Coast, and I’m looking forward to continued success with him this season, right up to the [AIG] Thermal Million!”

Continue reading The Race to Qualify for the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix Underway →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Mark Bluman and G&C Blue Win $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at Holiday and Horses

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Mark Bluman and G&C Blue © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 30, 2012 – Mark Bluman (COL) and Gustavo Mirabal’s G&C Blue earned an exciting victory in Friday’s $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at Equestrian Sport Production’s Holiday and Horses competition. With their first win in a ROLEX FEI World Ranking Class, the pair beat out Lauren Hough (USA) and Ohlala with a lightning fast round. G&C Sacramento, owned by Anabel Simon and ridden by Luis Larrazabal (VEN), finished third.

The Holiday and Horses show continues through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. The highlight event will be the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier, held on Saturday evening. The class will be streamed live on the USEF Network beginning at 5:30 p.m. The feature class on Sunday is the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic featured 34 horse and rider combinations jumping a speed course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Red Hook NY. Bluman had the fastest of eight clear rounds with G&C Blue in a time of 63.13 seconds.

Continue reading Mark Bluman and G&C Blue Win $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at Holiday and Horses →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lauren Hough and Ohlala Win $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix

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Lauren Hough and Ohlala. © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 29, 2012 – The Holiday and Horses CSI 2*-W show continued today with another big class for show jumpers, the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The grand prix is a FEI ROLEX ranking class, and the winning amount of points today went to Lauren Hough and Ohlala. They were the only double clear round to capture victory.

The Holiday and Horses show continues through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier, will be held on Saturday evening. Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s highlight classes count toward ROLEX FEI World Ranking points. The feature class on Sunday is the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

There were 49 entries in today’s grand prix, and five of them were able to find the clear path over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course to continue on to the jump-off.

Continue reading Lauren Hough and Ohlala Win $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix →

Community/Charity, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gold Medalist Nick Skelton Joins in Warning against Attacks on Wellington Horse Show

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A joyous Nick Skelton providing one of the great unscripted "moments" at the 2012 Olympics in London when he jumped on to the medals podium before the jam-packed home crowd at the Greenwich Park stadium. Photos © 2012 Ken Braddick

Nick Skelton, Great Britain’s Olympic team gold medalist and one of the icons of jumping, on Friday joined American hunter, jumper and dressage riders in speaking out against attacks on equestrian events at Wellington, Florida, where he has been one of the most successful riders in recent years.

“I think people, especially those who are in the sport, want to be careful how much they try and stop the horse shows in Wellington,” he told dressage-news.com from the CSI5* Paris Masters. “Investment in recent years has made it a great facility, probably the best in the world.

“The horse show in Wellington has become an industry, big business. If the people who have invested so much decide to pull the plug, what is going to be left? An empty building site.”

The comments by Nick came after the Jacobs family, which opposes equestrian events at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s Stadium complex, filed a new lawsuit to prevent several 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival hunter and jumper competitions and wiping out the entire Global Dressage Festival.

Continue reading Gold Medalist Nick Skelton Joins in Warning against Attacks on Wellington Horse Show →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Kicks Off Holiday & Horses with a Win on Zhum CW

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McLain Ward and Zhum CW. © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 28, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions’ Holiday and Horses competition began on Wednesday, November 28, at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a win for McLain Ward aboard Ilan Ferder and Missy Clark’s Zhum CW in the $10,000 Welcome Stake.

The Holiday and Horses show will have top classes each day through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. On Thursday riders will compete in the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier, will be held on Saturday evening. Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s highlight classes count toward ROLEX FEI World Ranking points. The feature class on Sunday is the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

A total of 46 entries showed in Wednesday’s $10,000 Holiday & Horses Welcome Stake jumping a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Red Hook, NY. Twelve competitors were able to clear the first round course without fault, and after four of those entries opted not to jump off, eight advanced to the short course. Five jumped double clear in a race against the clock.

Continue reading McLain Ward Kicks Off Holiday & Horses with a Win on Zhum CW →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Equestrian Aid Found., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Daryl Portela Wins $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Recognizing EAF!

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EAF Board Members Monique Keitz and R. Bruce Duchossois present the awards to Daryl Portela and Winner. Photo: Jack Mancini

The $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Classic, sponsored by Summerfield Farm and recognizing the Equestrian Aid Foundation, featured two rounds of competition on Nov. 25 with a win for Daryl Portela and James B. Pirtle Enterprises Inc.’s Winner.

Cheering spectators filled the stands throughout the class of 43 rides in the first round and a returning 12 for the Handy class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association Charity Horse Show.

In a very close competition, Portela and Winner ended up tied with Holly Orlando and Biale’, owned by Catherine Nicholas, overall, but their second round score put them on top.

Portela and Winner, trained by Jimmy Torano, scored an 86.5 and then a 92 for their 178.5 total and the win. Orlando and Biale’ scored a 90 and 88.5 for their 178.5 and second place honors. Third went to Kelley Farmer. See all the results here.

Continue reading Daryl Portela Wins $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Recognizing EAF! →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF, Western/Reining

Dates and Location Announced for 2013 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC Pending Final FEI Approval

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Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) will once again be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The annual competition will be held July 17-21, 2013. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has received preliminary approval for these dates and location and is awaiting final allocation from the FEI Bureau.

In 2013, the NAJYRC again hosts championship caliber competition across five disciplines. In the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping as well as the Western discipline of reining, champions will be crowned in both Junior and Young Rider divisions. Endurance, which is included as a championship for the third time, offers an FEI championship for Young Riders.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

For more information regarding the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, visit: youngriders.org.

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Join Us at the Holiday and Horses Show to See the FEI World Cup Qualifier and More!

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Last year's $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier winners, Margie Engle and Indigo. Photo © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 27, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions is excited to announce that this week’s Holiday and Horses Show will feature many great events for equestrians and the local community at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Holiday and Horses Show offers great competition, including the $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier on Saturday, December 1, at 5:30 p.m. A drawing of the charities that have registered to be selected to participate in the fourth annual FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments (FTI GCC) will take place throughout the evening’s competition. Immediately following the grand prix, everyone is welcome to stay and enjoy WinterFest, a concert featuring Vanilla Ice. General admission for World Cup Qualifier and WinterFest is free!

The Holiday and Horses show will have top classes each day on November 28 – December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. Wednesday’s feature class is the $10,000 Holiday and Horses Open Stakes, while on Thursday riders will compete in the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and everyone will gather for the biggest class of the week, the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, on Saturday. Hunters will be featured on Sunday in the International Arena with the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. A full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes will be offered this week.

Continue reading Join Us at the Holiday and Horses Show to See the FEI World Cup Qualifier and More! →