Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Greeks Dominate on Home Turf in Athens

Leave a comment
The Turkish team of (L to R) Husnu Dinc, Cagri Basel, Hasan Senturk and Horasan Sencer celebrate their victory in the Senior Team event at the FEI Balkan Jumping Championships. Photo: FEI/Alexis Vassilopoulos.

Athens (GRE), 11 September 2012 – Greek riders proved a formidable force at the FEI Balkan Jumping Championships when claiming three individual and three team titles on their home turf in Athens over the weekend.  The 2012 fixture took place at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre, venue for the equestrian event of the 2004 Olympic Games, and 170 riders from eight countries lined out for the event.

The Hellenic Secretary General of Sports, Mrs Kyriki Giannakidou and First Vice-President of the Hellenic Federation Mr George Lenos attended the Opening Ceremony at which the Hellenic Navy Band led the parade of nations.  With five sets of team medals and five individual titles up for grabs it was a busy schedule over the four-day fixture.

Children’s Championships

There were four nations in contention in the Children’s team competition in which the fences stood at 1.10 metres. And when Leonida Palegdas (Cenlata) and Stefania Cheinoporos (Championess) jumped double-clear, then only one of the four faults collected in each round by Dimitra Antypa (Varien) and Alexandros Kokkonis (Oleis de Chenee) had to be taken into account to give them a final total of eight.

Continue reading Greeks Dominate on Home Turf in Athens →

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

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Ride Red Hot Winning $50,000 Chicago International Hunter Derby

Leave a comment
Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy win the $50,000 Chicago International Hunter Derby. Photo By: Aullmyn Photography

Antioch, IL – September 12, 2012 – Jersey Boy and Jennifer Alfano have been red hot since their recent victory as the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals held in Kentucky last month. Their fire did not stop burning as they blazed the way to the top of the $50,000 Chicago International Hunter Derby, presented by Canadian National Railroad. Alfano and Jersey Boy not only took the first place prize, but Miss Lucy came in a close second place finish, as well.

Bobby Murphy of Lexington, KY, returned to design the vintage hunt course, utilizing the presenting sponsor’s industry as a main form of inspiration. The grassy track was set with obstacles reminiscent of locomotives and even an in-and-out that appeared to represent a railroad crossing. The course was also set with many brush obstacles, hay bales and logs. Murphy left nothing to chance as his course, especially on the second day, seemed to become the story itself.

Alfano entered the event without hesitation, using her veteran mounts to the best of her ability, taking the course with confidence and precision. It was the pace that moved Alfano into the top of the 18 returning contenders. Especially aboard Jersey Boy, she kept a good gallop throughout the course, using his strongest ability to make him shine. Both mounts definitely continued to show that SBS Farms is an unstoppable force.

Continue reading Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Ride Red Hot Winning $50,000 Chicago International Hunter Derby →

Community/Charity, FEI, Show Jumping

In Memoriam: Sven Harmsen 1961 – 2012

Leave a comment
Sven Harmsen (Photo: Jacob Melissen)

Lausanne (SUI), 12 September 2012 – Sven Harmsen (NED), the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation’s Chef d’Equipe, national coach and trainer for Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders in Jumping, has passed away at the age of 51.

He attended the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in Calgary as Chef d’Equipe with the senior Dutch team of Jur Vrieling, Leon Thijssen, Harrie Smolders and Jeroen Dubbeldam, and shared their bronze medal win in the BMO Nations’ Cup on 8 September. Later that evening at the gala dinner he suffered a severe heart attack, from which he was unable to recover.

Sven Harmsen was a successful rider before his collaboration with the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation. Silver medallist at the FEI Young Rider European Championships in 1982, he went on to compete successfully at both national and international level throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He clocked up several titles at events worldwide, including the Grand Prix in Hickstead (GBR) and Geneva (SUI) and FEI Nations Cup events in Falsterbo (SWE) and Drammen (NOR).

Continue reading In Memoriam: Sven Harmsen 1961 – 2012 →

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

Busy Week at Aiken Fall Festival Comes to a Close

Leave a comment
Contemporary and Daniel Geitner. Pictures by Shawn McMillen Photography

September 11th, 2012 – Week one of the 2012 Aiken Fall Festival Show series came to a close on Sunday and what a busy week it was. The event in its 5th year took place at Highfields in historic Aiken, SC and is managed by locally based Equus Events, Inc. and show manager J. P. Godard.

The week kicked off on Thursday with plenty of action in both the hunter and jumper rings. The featured class was the $5,000 Open Welcome Stake which took place Thursday afternoon out on the grass field. Hollow Creek Investment’s Boccaccio and rider Angel Karolyi took top honors there with a jump off time of 37.793 just edging out another Aiken based rider Daniel Geitner and Ann Ritter’s Jumbo Jet who finished clean with a time of 37.890. Boccaccio, an 11 year old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Up Chiqui, has had much success with Karolyi winning the $25,000 Equestrian Sport Productions New Year’s Grand Prix in Wellington as well as placing 9th in the $75,000 Nations Cup this winter. Carboni, owned by the Hollow Creek Farm, took home third place with rider Angel Karolyi handling the ride there as well. Following the class, the Aiken Fall Festival Welcome Party took place at The Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill. Exhibitors and sponsors were treated to food and drinks as well as live music by local artist Gavin Reily. Many thanks to The Stables Restaurant for sponsoring the Aiken Fall Festival Welcome Party for the second year in a row. The restaurant features a dining room and bar menu, live music on the patio every Friday, and a full bar all in one of Aiken’s most unique settings. Located just minutes from Highfields accommodations are also available www.rosehillestate.com.

Continue reading Busy Week at Aiken Fall Festival Comes to a Close →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Pan American Games, Show Jumping

Building towards the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Leave a comment
left to right: Craig Collins, Equestrian Management Group; MPP Sylvia Jones (Dufferin-Caledon); Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games; Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer for TO2015; Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport); MP David Tilson (Dufferin-Caledon); Regional Councillor Richard Whitehead of Town of Caledon; and Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada. Photo by ShootPhoto.ca

Palgrave, Ontario – Hundreds of competitors flock to the Caledon Equestrian Park in Ontario each September to take part in the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, but that number pales in comparison to the tens of thousands that will descend on Palgrave when the Park plays host to the equestrian events of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

Named the official Equestrian Venue of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, work will begin at the Caledon Equestrian Park following the conclusion of this year’s Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, running September 19 to 23, 2012.  Smaller upgrades and improvements are already underway, with the Caledon Equestrian Park’s major transformation scheduled for completion in time for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, which will run from July 10 to 26 and August 7 to 14, respectively.

“We host 16 events annually at the Caledon Equestrian Park, and it’s very important to us that there are no disruptions to those events during construction,” said Craig Collins, a managing partner of Equestrian Management Group (EMG), which operates the Caledon Equestrian Park.  “It’s important to the sport that these events continue, and with no other venue to move to during the building phase, we had to find a way to keep competition going.  Unfortunately, we can’t just shut down for two years.”

Continue reading Building towards the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games →

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

HITS Dishes Out $1.75 Million Dollars and Crowns New Grand Prix, Hunter and Equitation Champions

Leave a comment
©ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Antares F capped a banner year with a win in yesterday’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 10, 2012) – While the tunes of concert headliner Michael McDonald played in the background, McLain Ward soaked in another Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix victory last night. After riding to a win in the inaugural event in 2010 aboard the famed mare Sapphire, Ward returned to glory, this time in the irons of Grant Road Partners, LLC’s Antares F, who is fresh off the Olympic Games in London.

“With being injured and trying to qualify for the Olympics, our schedule was a little unpredictable this year, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of this class and it was a great thing to aim this horse to at the end of his year,” said Ward. “The jumps were beautiful and the course was hard. You needed a real Olympic caliber horse to jump a lot of those obstacles.”

Ward of Brewster, New York was one of three riders to produce clear rounds over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s intimidating track. Petersen tested riders with scope, turns, distances and everything in between. The 14-obstacle course offered several options for both approaches and striding, but specifically tested riders at a one-stride to a one-stride triple combination at fence 11. He also included a four-meter wide water element and a long two-stride double combination early in the course.

Continue reading HITS Dishes Out $1.75 Million Dollars and Crowns New Grand Prix, Hunter and Equitation Champions →

Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Southeast Medal Updates – 2 Weeks Away

Leave a comment

The Inaugural Southeast Medal Finals Show is only 2 short weeks away. We are busy making all of the final preparations and know that all of our Exhibitors are going to leave anticipating their return next year.

Pre-entries have been confirmed and if you sent in a stall prepayment, in order to receive the stall discount, your check has been deposited or your credit card has been processed.

We know how barns wait till the last minute to enter but we want this show to be very special so planning needs entries so that the plan will work.

Please remember to email alexisgnewman@gmail.com with your feed and bedding order and to confirm you arrival date.

Continue reading Southeast Medal Updates – 2 Weeks Away →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) Won the CN International Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters

Leave a comment
Photo credit Kit Houghton/Rolex

9 September 2012 – Riding Cabrio van de Heffinck, 19 year old Philippaerts won the prestigious title and prize money of CAN$335,000 / €265,000, ahead of second place Beezie Madden (USA) riding Simon, and Olivier’s father Ludo Philippaerts (BEL) riding Challenge VD Begijnakker.

On a tough track from course designer Leopoldo Palacios, Olivier Philippaerts was the only rider to jump two clear rounds, though he incurred one time penalty in each to finish on a total score of two faults. Both Beezie Madden and Ludo Philippaerts incurred four faults in the first round and went clear in the second, but Beezie was the quicker of the two in the first round and captured second place overall.

Speaking about his horse Cabrio van de Heffinck, Olivier Philippaerts said, “He has a very good character and he wants go and he wants to win, and this is very important.”

Continue reading Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) Won the CN International Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters →

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

U.S. Scores Strong Results in Spruce Meadows

Leave a comment

Three Riders Jump into Top Five in CN International Grand Prix and U.S. Team Finishes Fifth in BMO Nations Cup

Calgary, Canada – The 2012 Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament had great significance for U.S. riders, as it was their final competition under the guidance of legendary Chef d’Equipe George Morris. The prestigious competition is always a destination event for not only the best in North America but also draws top competitors from Europe. The signature classes of Spruce Meadows would once again draw a packed house of spectators, as horses and riders competed for top individual honors in Sunday’s CN International Grand Prix, while just 24 hours earlier, teams jumped for bragging rights in the BMO Nations Cup.

The U.S. got off to quick start on Wednesday with Richard Spooner (Agua Dulce, CA) riding Little Valley Farms’ Apache and Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) with Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo placing first and second respectively in the Akita Drilling Cup. While on Friday Kent Farrington (Wellington, FL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko captured top honors in the Encana Cup. Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo would also head to the winner’s circle on Saturday as they topped the field in Suncor Energy Winning Round competition.

Continue reading U.S. Scores Strong Results in Spruce Meadows →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Fundraisers, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Jumping for Dreams at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament

Leave a comment
Children’s Wish recipient Gabrielle Malouin with Canadian Olympian Ian Millar and his daughter, Amy. Photo by Cealy Tetley

Palgrave, Ontario – It’s more than just the outstanding competition that draws hundreds of competitors to the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament each year.  Running at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON, from September 19-23, 2012, the annual event also plays host to the Jumping for Dreams Celebration, in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

Held on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, the two-day celebration features a number of ways for competitors, spectators and sponsors to get involved and help raise funds for the non-profit foundation dedicated to fulfilling wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

“I think we’re one of the only shows that places such a heavy focus on a charity,” said Linda Pabst of Nobleton, ON, a long-time volunteer at the tournament who acts as Chair of the Children’s Wish Jumping for Dreams committee and the Unique Boutiques and Family Village committee.  “There are always various aspects to the fundraising we do during the tournament, but it’s a very important cause.  All of the volunteers and staff work their hearts and souls out to try and make it an amazing event year after year.  The best part is watching it all come together and making these dreams come true.”

Continue reading Jumping for Dreams at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament →