Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Meg O’Mara Pockets SSG Riding Gloves Bonus

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Meg O’Mara received her bonus from Nicole Blackman in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Wellington, Florida – Meg O’Mara was awarded a $1,000 bonus by SSG Riding Gloves as part of its ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion after winning the Junior Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 29, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Riding Sinatra IV, O’Mara posted one of only two double clear rounds to take the win in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic.  Her time of 42.66 seconds gave her the win over Elizabeth Patz, who had stopped the clock in 48.01 seconds.

“The SSG Gloves are very comfortable, and are great in all weather conditions,” said O’Mara.  “I thought that having the ‘Go Clean for the Green’ program at Kentucky was a great idea to promote the gloves.  I definitely recommend them to anyone to ride in.”

SSG Riding Gloves is also offering a $2,000 bonus in each of the grand prix events at this summer’s Kentucky Horse Shows, with any bonus money not awarded being carried forward to the next event in the series.

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Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Names Riders for Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament

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Lexington, KY – The following riders have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in Nations Cup competition at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on September 9, 2012.

The United States will be represented by the following four riders who have each been entered on two horses:

Brianne Goutal (New York, NY) on Remarkable Farms’ Nice De Prissey and Onira.
Nice De Prissey is an 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion
Onira is a 16-year-old KWPN gelding

Lauren Hough (Wellington, FL) on Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel and Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Quick Study.
Blue Angel is a 10-year-old Anglo-European mare
Quick Study is a 13-year-old French Warmblood gelding

Continue reading USEF Names Riders for Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament →

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

Marshall & Sterling League National Finals Prize List Now Available

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© ESI Photography. Taylor Willever and Zedulan accept first-place honors in the Marshall & Sterling Children's Medal Final for horses and the Best Junior Rider on a Horse award

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 31, 2012) – As summer show jumping action picks up at HITS Saugerties, attention will soon turn to September for HITS Championship Weekend and the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals. The prestigious grass-roots League, now it its 22nd year, will return to HITS-on-the-Hudson September 12-16, 2012.

Highlighting the schedule at the Finals will be the popular HITS Hunter and Adequan Working Hunter Divisions, as well as the Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic. Children’s Hunter Pony and Working Hunter Horse divisions will also crown new champions. For jumpers, Child, Adult and Junior/Amateur riders will compete for top honors. Lastly, equitation riders will go head-to-head in the Marshall & Sterling Children’s Horse Medal Final, Marshall & Sterling Children’s Pony Medal and Farnam Adult Medal Final.

In addition to naming 2012 champions, leading rider awards will also be presented during the National Finals. The Best Junior Rider on a horse, Best Junior Rider on a pony, Farnam Best Adult Rider and Grand Hunter Champion will be revealed.

Continue reading Marshall & Sterling League National Finals Prize List Now Available →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena Speed to the 1.40m Victory at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Christian Heineking and NKH Selena dashed to the top of the leaderboard in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – July 31, 2012 – The first day of the Kentucky Summer Classic was filled with exciting jumper action in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. This afternoon, competitors had the opportunity to showcase their speed in the 1.40m Open Jumpers and show off their talents navigating the 1.35 Open Jumpers. Christian Heineking led the way in the 1.40m Open Jumpers with the quick NKH Selena, while Mallory Vale completed the fastest double-clear effort with MI Phone in the 1.35 Open Jumpers.

Anthony D’Ambrosio designed today’s tracks in the Rolex Stadium. For the 1.40m speed class, riders had to guide their mounts over a liverpool, water jump, oxer-vertical double combination, a standalone skinny vertical, and several technical lines. Nine horse and rider combinations were able to clear the course at a speedy pace with all rails in place, and breaking the beam with no faults.

Continue reading Christian Heineking and NKH Selena Speed to the 1.40m Victory at Kentucky Summer Classic →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

The Germans Simply Do It All Again to Clinch Double Gold at Greenwich

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(L to R) Sweden's Sara Algotsson Ostholt (silver), Germany's Michael Jung (gold) and Germany's Sandra Auffarth (bronze). Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 31 July 2012 – Team Germany repeated their 2008 Olympic medal-winning performance when claiming Eventing team and individual gold at the London 2012 Olympic equestrian venue in Greenwich Park today. Such was their supremacy that they clinched the team title even before their last rider went into the ring, and Michael Jung set a new record in equestrian sport when becoming the first-ever event rider to hold Olympic, European and World titles at the same time. What a way to celebrate his 30th birthday!

The finale brought four fabulous days of Eventing sport to the perfect conclusion. After the destination of team gold had been established, the battle for silver and bronze was waged between Great Britain, Sweden and New Zealand, and it was the host nation that was eventually rewarded with silver while the Kiwis claimed the bronze.

It seemed that Sweden might be compensated for being pushed off the team medal podium when Sara Algotsson Ostholt went into the individual final as sole leader after Germany’s Ingrid Klimke left two fences on the floor in this morning’s team medal decider. But a last-fence error saw the Swede having to settle for silver, while Jung showed his extraordinary class to clinch the gold, with his team-mate Sandra Auffarth securing individual bronze in equally convincing fashion.

Continue reading The Germans Simply Do It All Again to Clinch Double Gold at Greenwich →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

O’Connor Leads American Olympic Games Effort; Germany Sweeps Gold

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Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott (photos: Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The German Olympic Eventing Team was in a class of its own as history was made at Greenwich Park. Michael Jung led a charge that finished with him winning Team and Individual Gold in a flawless effort on Sam. They were the only combination to finish the entire competition without adding anything to their dressage score. That score of 40.6 meant that Jung is the first person ever to be the reigning European, Olympic, and World Champion simultaneously.

Sara Algotsson Ostholt led after the cross country with Wega for Sweden but her Gold medal turned to Silver when they impossibly dislodged the front rail of the last fence of the individual show jumping round. It appeared to happen in slow motion. Sandra Auffarth bookended the German effort, picking up Bronze on Opgun Louvo. Just 4.2 faults separated the top three individuals.

The German invincibility began its display in the Team competition; they finished on a three-day score of 133.7, handling everything the British could throw at them. The Brits gave it a serious effort before a hugely supportive crowd, but they finished up Silver on a score of 138.20. New Zealand rounded out the top three with class performances from all five of their riders. The U.S. Team finished seventh on a score of 208.6.

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

Peyton Warren Wins SSG Gloves Bonus Money at Sonoma Horse Park

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Peyton Warren claimed a $1,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves after winning the $5,000 Synbiont Children’s Jumper Classic. Deb Dawson Photography

Petaluma, California – 14-year-old Peyton Warren walked away with a $1,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves after winning the $5,000 Synbiont Children’s Jumper Classic during the HMI Equestrian Classic I held July 24-29 at the Sonoma Horse Park in Petaluma, CA.

As part of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, a $1,000 bonus is offered to the winning rider in designated competitions at Sonoma Horse Park if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves.  Warren was doing just that as she guided Sherry Lady, her 14-year-old Westphalian mare, to a double clear performance to win Sunday’s $5,000 Synbiont Children’s Jumper Classic.

“I have always worn SSG gloves, but these are my first pair of ‘Digitals,’” said Warren of Rancho Murietta, California, who trains with Rudy Leone.  “They are ‘good sticky’ as well as stylish and very comfortable.  I will probably be an SSG customer for life!”

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

Three in a Row for Laura Chapot at HITS-on-the-Hudson after a Win in Sunday’s $75,000 Chartis Grand Prix

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©ESI Photography. Laura Chapot and Umberto on course in the $75,000 Chartis Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 30, 2012) – HITS-on-the-Hudson has been dubbed The Chapot Show as Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, New Jersey won her third Grand Prix in a row when she produced the only double-clear ride in Sunday’s $75,000 Chartis Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Last Sunday during HITS-on-the-Hudson IV, Chapot won the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, riding Quointreau Un Prince to close out the show. She followed that up on Friday with a victory aboard Umberto in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and came back strong to claim victory for the third time on Sunday afternoon.

“I’ve had him a year and a half now,” said an ecstatic Chapot after the class. “He’s a very careful, very speedy horse. We’ve really started to come together this year. I think now he understands my rides and I understand how he rides because he’s a little bit different than some of my other horses. He doesn’t have as big of a stride, so I can’t rely on just leaving out strides to beat everyone but he’s quick.”

Continue reading Three in a Row for Laura Chapot at HITS-on-the-Hudson after a Win in Sunday’s $75,000 Chartis Grand Prix →

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

Meg O’Mara Captures SJHF High Junior Jumper Classic Victory with Sinatra IV at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Meg O'Mara and Sinatra IV were awarded the High Junior Jumper Championship for their efforts throughout the week, as well as the blue ribbon for their impressive double-clear victory in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – July 29, 2012 – The final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show was afoot with the top amateur-owner and junior riders in the country gathering to compete at the Rolex Stadium. It was a day of domination and diligence as all of the week’s hard work culminated to the final challenging course of the jumper classics. Emanuel Andrade earned the top score in the Low Junior Jumper Classic aboard Casanova Junior, while Chloe Field guided Tiranda to the top of the standings in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Paige Johnson wrapped up her week with the three of her horses nabbing the top earnings in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. It was Meg O’Mara who stood out above the rest in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic with Sinatra IV, riding to one of only two double-clear victories in a speedy time of 42.663 seconds to lead the victory gallop.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHF) Jumper Classic Series holds classes using the Grand Prix rules and specifications for amateur-owner and junior riders at approximately one hundred horse shows across the country, with the Kentucky Summer Series hosting several of the classics within its four weeks of shows. The Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.

Continue reading Meg O’Mara Captures SJHF High Junior Jumper Classic Victory with Sinatra IV at Kentucky Summer Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Sees Shawn Casady with Triumphant Win at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Shawn Casady and Without Question won the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington KY – July 29, 2012 – The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby received the top hunters from around the country to ride a course that was certain to keep horse and rider on the edge of their skills. Set in the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, the event saw 24 riders compete for the top prize. It was Shawn Casady and Without Question who rode to the top of the leader board, solidifying an overall victory with the high score of 181 points. Louise Serio and Corvine were awarded the red ribbon for posting an impressive performance, a scored total of 177 points, while Steve Heinecke excelled to the third place finish, with a score of 176 points aboard So Lucky.

Riders displayed their honed talents, completing the lengths of a classic hunter course designed by Joseph Carnicom, and sponsored by Hallway Feeds. The top 12 scores in the first round earned the right to compete in the exclusive second round to seal their placings. In both rounds participants were given the option to supplement their scores with extra points by taking any of the four higher fences. The course was adeptly set, reminiscent of a classic hunt field, made up of natural wood and birch oxers, grass roll tops, and a hay bale obstacle. Jumps were set at angles where riders had to cut through previous jump paths and lead changes and tight turns were crucial for success.

Continue reading $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Sees Shawn Casady with Triumphant Win at Kentucky Summer Horse Show →