Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Junior and Young Riders Set to Jump in Europe

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U.S. Young Riders are prepared for the 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour (USEF Archive)

Lexington, KY – The 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour gets underway this week in Belgium. Five up-and-coming Young Riders and one Junior Rider from the U.S. will compete alongside some of the best rising talent in Europe at three prestigious competitions over the next month. The first stop on the 2012 tour is this weekend’s CSIOYJ Bonheiden, which runs May 17-20.

To learn more about the 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour, and for competition dates, click here.

The five U.S. riders contesting the CSIOY this weekend have already made an impact on the American jumping scene and look to add to their resumes in Europe. Annie Cook (Woodside, CA) was the winner of the 2005 Adequan/USEF Pony Jumper Individual Championship and in 2008 she was a member of the Gold medal winning Zone 10 team at the 2008 CN FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Cook will ride Signe Ostby’s Banba and Landkorn 5 in Europe. Jennifer Goddard also brings two horses on the 2012 Show Jumping European Young Rider Tour: Stateside Farm’s Unique and Ungaro de la Hot Couture. Goddard (Fort Solanga, NY) enjoyed a successful 2011 season collecting victories at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival and the Lake Placid Horse Show.

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

HITS-on-the-Hudson Announces GRAMMY-Winning Artist Michael McDonald as Championship Weekend Headliner

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SAUGERTIES, NY (May 17, 2012) — HITS and The Bardavon have teamed up again, bringing music legend Michael McDonald to the summer stage at HITS-on-the-Hudson as the conclusion to the richest weekend in show jumping.  McDonald, a five time GRAMMY award winner will perform a live concert directly following the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, September 9, 2012 to conclude HITS Championship Weekend.

HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri proudly welcomes rock royalty Michael McDonald to center stage with excitement, noting no better way to thank exhibitors for their continued support.

“The three classes that will take place on that Sunday have always been about giving back to the customers who support the HITS product throughout the year. Pairing those with a concert of this caliber is another demonstration of our appreciation and a great tool for drawing spectators beyond the equine set to the show grounds for the competitions,” he said. “It adds a great family-friendly flavor to the weekend and helps to put folks in the bleachers, so it’s a true win-win.”

Continue reading HITS-on-the-Hudson Announces GRAMMY-Winning Artist Michael McDonald as Championship Weekend Headliner →

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

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star Make a Sweeping Comeback at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Hunt Tosh and Lone Star swept the Performance 3'6" Hunters on the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG’

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – Today marked the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic as horse and rider combinations gathered at the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The professional divisions started out the morning, seeing some of the nation’s most talented riders vie for the top honors in their respective divisions. Riders who rode to the blue today included Victoria Colvin, Scott Stewart, Havens Schatt and Hunt Tosh. The competition was fierce, but it was Tosh who came out on top in three of his divisions, including with the infamous Lone Star, who made a clean sweep during his comeback in the Performance 3’6″ Hunter division.

Although it was the Performance 3’6″ Hunters who rounded out the day, the hunter excitement was nowhere near at an end. Tosh navigated Lone Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, to a clean sweep of the division. It has been well over a year since Lone Star last showed; however, it appeared as though the horse did not miss a beat as he posted the division’s top scores of 88 in both rounds over fences. Havens Schatt guided Just Fred, owned by R. Bruce Duchossois of Aiken, SC, to scores of 87 and 85, taking the second place honors.

Continue reading Hunt Tosh and Lone Star Make a Sweeping Comeback at Kentucky Spring Classic →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Reed Kessler and Ligist Earn 1.45m Open Jumper Blue at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Reed Kessler and Ligist won the 1.45m Open Jumper class at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – Sunny skies greeted the exhibitors as they kicked off the Kentucky Spring Classic in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park. Once again it was Reed Kessler at the top of the leader board as she piloted Ligist to the only double clear effort in today’s 1.45m Open Jumper class to earn the blue ribbon prize. Earlier in the day, Andre Rodriguez and Remonta Eden sped to victory in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, just topping Kessler and Onisha, who placed second during the speed class.

Germany’s Olaf Petersen Jr. built a technical track for the 1.45m Open Jumper class that snaked through the Rolex Stadium and included a triple bar, two double combinations, and an open water option. Only two horse and rider combinations were able to master the first round and advance to the jump-off, which featured three new fences and a double combination.

Reed Kessler, of Lexington, KY, and Ligist were third on the posted order, and made the first round look easy as they made their way over each obstacle. Advancing to the short course, Kessler picked up a quick gallop, and despite a hard rub at the first part of the double combination, they left each rail intact and dashed across the finish line in 32.588 seconds.

Continue reading Reed Kessler and Ligist Earn 1.45m Open Jumper Blue at Kentucky Spring Classic →

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

Louise Serio Leads Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series

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Louise Serio and Corvine win the lead off $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows began on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, and one of the highlight events was the kick-off of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, sponsored by Hallway Feeds. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show, held May 9-13, 2012, featured the lead-off event on Saturday evening with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The top riders from across the nation gathered to compete over a challenging course and vie for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards. At the end of the night it was Louise Serio and Corvine who took led the victory gallop, giving Serio the lead in the standings. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 16-20, 2012, will host the second of the six derby events in the series, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, on Saturday, May 19, in the Stonelea Arena.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping, USEF

Deslauriers and Urico Win in the Rain, Claim Top Honors in the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix

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Mario Deslauriers and Urico (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – The second of four 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Events came to a close Sunday afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park. With 16 entries contesting the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, which served as the second class of the Observation Event held in conjunction with the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Grey skies and rain could not deter the 14 members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games from showcasing their talents over Richard Jeffrey’s 14 obstacle course.

In the first round of competition four combinations, all from the long list, were able to produce faultless efforts and qualify for the jump-off.

In the jump-off, Mario Deslauriers and Urico were untouchable as they cruised to a fault free effort in a time of 35.15 seconds and claimed top honors in the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Mario Deslauriers & Urico Win $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

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Mario Deslauriers and Urico won the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 13, 2012 – Rain plagued the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, but it did not stop the country’s top competitors as they entered the Rolex Stadium for the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. As the second U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Event during the show, today’s grand prix event featured a challenging scope test, which only three Olympic hopefuls were able to master. Mario Deslauriers piloted Urico to the fastest clear jump-off to claim the victory, while 17-year-old Reed Kessler placed second aboard Mika with the other fault free round. Beezie Madden also advanced to the short course with both Simon and Cortes ‘C’, but placed third and fourth, respectively, after earning four faults with each.

The first round of Richard Jeffery’s demanding track included to wide oxers in the first line, followed by an even larger triple bar. There was also an open water to an airy vertical-vertical double combination. Riders then headed away from home through an oxer-oxer-vertical triple combination and finished over a long line with two liverpools. Eight of today’s 16 entries managed to complete the course with just four faults to their name, attesting to the level of the competitors in the ring. Four horses left every rail in the cups and advanced to the short course.

Continue reading Mario Deslauriers & Urico Win $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show →

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

USHJA International Hunter Derby Victory Awarded to Victoria Colvin at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

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Victoria Colvin and Inclusive won the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 12, 2012 – The night was filled with anticipation and excitement as the nation’s top hunter riders gathered beneath the lights of the Rolex Stadium tonight at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The evening began with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby where renowned hunter rider Louise Serio took the championship prize aboard Corvine. The $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby turned into a nail-biter as 14-year-old Victoria Colvin went neck and neck against Jennifer Alfano, with the junior rider eventually emerging victorious.

Riders were tested over a classic hunter course designed by Bobby Murphy, and the top 12 scoring combinations advanced into the handy hunter round. The course was beautifully set, and was reminiscent of a hunt field. The two-round course included stonewalls, oxers, standalone verticals, gates, brushes and an in-and-out. Four high options were offered to the riders as a way of earning additional points on their base scores. The decision to take the higher option came down to whether or not the horse would still be able to demonstrate their style and grace with effectiveness. Additional points were also awarded to riders who demonstrated “handiness” and an elevated amount of difficulty.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Wilton Porter and Patriot Earn Second High Junior Jumper Victory at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

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Wilton Porter and Patriot win High Junior Jumpers at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 12, 2012 – For the second day in row, Wilton Porter galloped to victory aboard his talented gelding Patriot in the High Junior Jumpers at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Completing an excellent double clear effort, he managed to edge out Emanuel Andrade and La Fe Forli by just two-tenths of a second to take home top honors. Later in the day, Andrade earned his own blue ribbon, showing Mikos to the top of the leader board in the Low Junior Jumpers. The High Amateur-Owner Jumpers were also held in the Rolex Stadium today, where Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius claimed the top prize with a fault-free jump-off effort.

Andrade was the first to produce a double clear round during today’s High Junior Jumpers with La Fe Forli, setting the pace at a very quick 32.759 seconds. Porter and Patriot proved to be the only other fault-free combination over the short course, clocking in at 32.759 to take over the lead and earn the class win for the second day in a row. Abigail McArdle managed to produce the fastest jump-off track, breaking the beam at 29.968 seconds, but four faults with Cosma 20 earned the third place honors. Porter also managed to pick up the fourth place prize with his second mount Punch, and his brother Lucas Porter was fifth with Psychee D’Amour as the only other duos to show over the shortened track.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Hagyard Challenge Series Offers $50,000 Leading Rider Award, Beezie Madden Leads Standings

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Beezie Madden and Simon Lead the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series Leading Rider Standings. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 12, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows began on Wednesday, and one of the highlight events was the kick-off of the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show, held May 9-13, 2012, featured the lead-off event on Friday night with the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. The top riders from across the nation gathered to compete over a challenging course and vie for the winning title and valuable points towards the $50,000 Leading Rider Award during the U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Event. At the end of the night it was Beezie Madden and Simon in the winner’s circle, and the talented rider now leads the in the standings. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 16-20, 2012, will host the second the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2* on Thursday, May 17.

Continue reading Hagyard Challenge Series Offers $50,000 Leading Rider Award, Beezie Madden Leads Standings →