Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy Claim High Performance Hunter Championship at Alltech National Horse Show

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Miss Lucy and Jennifer Alfano won the High Performance Hunter Championship at the Alltech National Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Buffalo, NY – November 8, 2012 – After an extended amount of time to recuperate from a busy summer season, Jennifer Alfano and top mounts Miss Lucy and Jersey Boy returned to the ring for the Indoor circuit. SBS Farms recently returned home after a great week of competition at the Washington International Horse Show and the Alltech National Horse Show. Alfano and Miss Lucy put on their game face as the scored top ribbons throughout both shows, earning the High Performance Hunter Championship at the Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition.

The Alltech National Horse Show took place at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park at the Alltech Arena, the host to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The show ran from October 30 – November 4, 2012. The event saw some of the most talented riders in the horse sport vying for the winning honors in their respective hunter divisions, but professional rider Jennifer Alfano rode to the top of the leader board with Helen Lenahan’s Miss Lucy.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Hunter/Equitation, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lauren Hough and Christine McCrea Tie for Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Title

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Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One. Photos courtesy of Rebecca Walton and Shawn McMillen Photography

Lexington, Kentucky – November 8, 2012 – As Saturday night concluded an amazing showcase of world-class talent at this year’s Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider – or should we say riders – were named. Lauren Hough and Christine McCrea tied for the coveted title. Hough also was awarded the Audi Leading Rider Award, taking home a brand new Audi Q-7 from Audi of Lexington.

The Alltech National Horse Show concluded on Sunday, November 4, after a highly successful six-day run at the Alltech Arena at the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Martha Jolicoeur’s award was presented on Saturday night, following the victory gallop for the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix. McLain Ward riding Antares F, raced to a brilliant win.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Events, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Ian Millar and Hickstead Inducted into Jump Canada Hall of Fame

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Ian Millar (right) accepts his trophy from Tom Gayford at the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala. Photos © Michelle Dunn

November 7, 2012 – Toronto, Ontario – Ten-time Olympian Ian Millar and 2008 Olympic Show Jumping Champion horse Hickstead were inducted into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.  Presented by BMO Financial Group, the seventh annual Induction Ceremony and Gala was held on Sunday, November 4, 2012, in Toronto, ON.

More than 300 members of the equestrian community filled the Liberty Grand to full capacity to celebrate the inductions of Millar, who set a world record with 10 Olympic appearances in London, and Hickstead, the horse who captured a nation’s heart with his winning style.

Millar, 65, was inducted in the Individual Builder category.  Fondly known as ‘Captain Canada’ to his legions of fans, Millar made his Olympic debut in 1972 and has been named to every Canadian Olympic Team since.  Tom Gayford, teammate and chef d’equipe for many of Millar’s Canadian Show Jumping Team appearances, presented Millar with his Jump Canada Hall of Fame trophy.

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

Abigail McArdle Captures $50,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Classic Victory at National Horse Show

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Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at the Alltech National Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 7, 2012 – Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL finished her outstanding junior year with two major victories in the High Junior Jumpers during the Alltech National Horse Show. After winning the $10,000 Deeridge Farm Junior Jumper Welcome Stake her first day out with Cosma 20, the pair returned on Saturday to lead the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

On Thursday, November 1, the top junior riders in the country gathered at the Alltech Arena to compete during the $10,000 Deeridge Farm Junior Jumper Welcome Stake.  Eighteen-year-old McArdle and her speedy mount Cosma 20 would prove to be the best of the day. Even with adding a stride in one of the lines, their smooth turns and quick track bested the competition as they stopped the timers at 62.983 seconds, three seconds faster than the second place finisher. The pair returned to the ring at the end of the class to claim their blue ribbon and lead the victory gallop.

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Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Launches Transformed FEI Nations Cup Jumping Series

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FEI President HRH Princess Haya announcing the 16 million Euro four-year sponsorship package for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

Istanbul (TUR), 6 November 2012 – The FEI Nations Cup Jumping will have a fabulous new look – and a new name – from 2013 onwards, following finalisation of a 16 million Euro four-year sponsorship package from the Saudi Equestrian Fund. The series will now be called the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup.

The sponsorship deal, worth four million Euro per annum and running through to the end of 2016, was announced at the FEI Bureau’s first meeting at the Federation’s General Assembly in Istanbul (TUR). The Bureau has given its unanimous approval for new rules for the series, completing the remodelling process initiated in April of this year.

“This is a truly historic occasion,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said in making the announcement. “We have transformed a historic series and modernised it, without losing the fabulous tradition that dates back over 100 years. Now we have a series that will really catch the imagination of sports fans and the attention of the world’s media. We’re ready to take on the top sports.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, FEI, Show Jumping

Olympic Champion Takes Over World Number One Slot on Rolex Rankings

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Steve Guerdat competing with Nino des Buissonnets at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping qualifier in Stuttgart. © Karl Heinz Frieler/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 6 November 2012 – Steve Guerdat (SUI), the newly-crowned Olympic champion, has taken over as World Number One on the Rolex Rankings list published today. With 2,525 points, Guerdat takes over from European champion Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE), who drops down to fourth place (2378).

Olympic team gold medallist Nick Skelton (GBR) is in second place, just three points ahead of Germany’s Christian Ahlmann.

It has been a historic season for Guerdat, who turned 30 in June, and for Swiss equestrianism. Guerdat became the first Swiss rider to be crowned Olympic Jumping champion since 1928 when he steered the talented 11-year old Selle Français Nino des Buissonnets to individual gold at London 2012. In the last 12 months he has picked up Rolex Ranking points in no less than 89 competitions.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Jumpers Ready for Competition at CSIO-W Buenos Aires

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Quentin Judge and HH Carotino (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – Four U.S. riders head to Argentina this week to take part in FEI Nations Cup competition at the prestigious CSIO-W Buenos Aires. The show, running November 6-11, hosts the final Nations Cup for the U.S. jumpers to compete in for 2012. American riders Charlie Jacobs, Quentin Judge, Catherine Pasmore and Alison Robitaille will be under the guidance of Norman Dello Joio as he provides veteran leadership in the role of Chef d’Equipe.

Jacobs (Boston, MA) makes a return trip to CSIO-W Buenos Aires after having made his first Nations Cup appearance for the U.S. last year. The talented amateur brings his two winning partners from 2011’s competition back to Argentina this week. With Leap of Joy, Jacobs won the featured Grand Prix, the Ericsson Grand Prix. He and Deeridge Farms’ 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding look to score a repeat victory in 2012. Jacobs will also ride CMJ Sporthorse’s 13-year-old Irish gelding Flaming Star, with whom he sped to the victory in the 2011 Nissan International Speed Derby.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jacob Pope Wins 2012 ASPCA Maclay National Championship Title

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Jacob Pope won the 2012 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Photo: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 4, 2012 – It was another fairytale day for Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, during the 2012 Maclay National Championship for the ASCPA Alfred B. Maclay Horsemanship Classes. The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th Edition, welcomed 152 riders for the prestigious event. At the end of the day, it was 18-year-old Pope whose horsemanship outshined the rest to capture the coveted winning title after four challenging rounds of competition.

“I am still in shock that I won,” smiled Pope after the victory gallop. “It is unreal, and being on the trophy with such legends such as George Morris, and everyone else that is on the trophy. I just can’t believe it.”

For the first round, riders had to compete over a technical course designed by judges George H. Morris and Hap Hansen. They began with an “S” shaped bending line with the iconic ASPCA jump to a triple bar, followed by a blind turn to a steady gymnastic line. Then riders made another “S” line with two Swedish oxers and a natural skinny jump with no wings in the middle. Finally they galloped home to a wall fence towards the in gate. While some riders had difficulties during the first round, the course was very inviting overall and gave each rider many opportunities to show off their equitation.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Super Schwizer Seizes Third Round Victory for Switzerland

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Pius Schwizer and Verdi III on their way to victory in the third leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Lyon (FRA), 4 November 2012 – Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer swept to victory with Verdi in the thrilling third leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series at Lyon, France this afternoon.  The big guns were out in force today including a heavyweight line-up of home runners, but Frank Rothenberger’s course saw just seven of the 40 starters go through to the second-round jump-off.

France and Switzerland were each represented by two riders in the race against the clock, but it was the Swiss who came off best when the ever-more-impressive partnership of Paul Estermann and Castlefield Eclipse slotted into third behind Belgium’s Ludo Philippaerts and Challenge vd Begijnakker.

“I’m very happy”, said Schwizer who has had to ask the 10 year old gelding Verdi to step up to the plate since his top ride, the mare Carlina, was sold earlier this year.  “This was a tough class; Frank (Rothenberger) didn’t make it easy for us and the competition was top level so I’m very pleased about my win today,” he pointed out.

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

Emotional Victory for McLain Ward and Antares F in $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix

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McLain Ward and Antares F. Photos By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 3, 2012 – It was a very emotional night at Alltech National Horse Show as McLain Ward piloted his top mount Antares F to victory during the Alltech $250,000 Grand Prix, benefitting the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The win comes just days after the passing of his father, Barney Ward, who had been Ward’s most important supporter. Ward rode through his grief to beat six others in the jump-off, as the first to compete on his speedy partner.

Christine McCrea followed in second place aboard Romantovich Take One with the only other double clear effort, while the third place award went to Candice King and Whistler with a single time fault over the speed track.

“This has been the hardest week of my life,” admitted Ward. “My dad was my world. If I was right with my father, I was right with the world. My dad certainly had some flaws in his life, but he sacrificed an unbelievable amount for my family and me to live our dreams, and this is our dream. We shared the same dream,” he said with tears welling. “I owe a career and a life to what he provided for me and taught me to do. I didn’t know we would win today, but I knew we would go on and do well, that’s what he taught us to do in life. I think everyone knows how much I loved my father, and how much I am going to miss him. I loved him very, very much. I rode with a heavy heart today, but we forge on and do his dream.”

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