Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Atlanta Summer Classics – Something for Every Rider

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Nearly $300,000 in Prize Money Up for Grabs

JOHNS ISLAND, SC — April 15, 2012 — Still undecided on summer plans? Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, would like to tempt you: “Our summer events are bursting at the seams with great offerings! We’ve taken exhibitors’ horse show wish list and made them a reality!”

The Atlanta Summer Classics, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA, is a USEF AA rated two-week event from June 13 through June 24. This year’s event will play host to the inaugural $25,000 Pony Hunter Derby Classic.

“This will be the first of two $25,000 pony events for the summer. We have some of the country’s best talent in our pony sections and I think it’s time they get rewarded for their efforts,” Bell said.

The second Pony Hunter Classic will be held in July at the Charleston Summer Classic. Both events will be open to all ponies, even nonmembers; however, they will need a valid USEF measurement card.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics – Something for Every Rider →

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

Fellers and Flexible Record First US Victory in 25 Years at Thrilling Rolex Finale

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FEI YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/d2JtelPdJVE

On the podium at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in 's-Hertogenbosch (NED) today, (L to R), runner-up, Switzerland's Steve Guerdat, winner USA's Rich Fellers and third-placed Pius Schwizer from Switzerland. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED), 22 April 2012 – America’s Rich Fellers and the amazing Irish-bred stallion Flexible stormed to victory in a thrilling third-round jump-off at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today. Only Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and his 11-year-old gelding, Nino des Buissonnets, were left to challenge the US partnership against the clock in the closing stages, but despite a superb effort, they had to yield to the pure determination of a horse and rider who, quite simply, never give up.

Flexible was all but written off twice during his career due to severe injury, but overcame the odds to return to the top of the sport each time. For the legion of fans who have followed the 16-year-old son of Cruising and his rider from Oregon (USA) who bought the chestnut stallion in Cavan, Ireland 10 years ago, today was a dream come true. Unorthodox in his movement and jumping style, and the oldest in the competition at 16 years of age, Flexible showed the same kind of spirit as his sire, Cruising, who was runner-up at the FEI World Cup Jumping Final 13 years ago in Gothenburg (SWE). Flexible was second at the same venue himself in 2008, and has competed at all of the last five Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Finals, but today it was his turn to stand under the spotlight. And the courageous stallion and his rider fought every inch of the way, bringing the packed stadium at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to their feet in an emotional tribute after their incredible round in the jump-off, while it was Guerdat who stood second on the podium ahead of fellow-countryman Pius Schwizer in third.

Continue reading Fellers and Flexible Record First US Victory in 25 Years at Thrilling Rolex Finale →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Fellers Ends 25 Year Drought and Wins the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final for the U.S.

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Fellers and Flexible (Susan J. Stickle/PhelpsSports.com)

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – The 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final came to an exciting conclusion Sunday afternoon at the Indoor Barbant in the final competition, held over two rounds. Louis Koninck once again challenged riders over two stiff courses. However, a total of four rounds of competition were not enough to crown a winner of the 2012 Finals. Rich Fellers of the United States and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat remained tied on one fault following the conclusion of the second round. They would need to return to the ring for a final jump-off to decide a winner.

When Fellers (Sherwood, OR) and Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible entered the ring as the second combination in the jump-off the U.S. was amidst a 25 year drought of Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals winners.

No more.

Continue reading Fellers Ends 25 Year Drought and Wins the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final for the U.S. →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Weishaupt Wins Second Leg, but Schwizer Heads Rolex Leaderboard Going into Sunday’s Final

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FEI YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/WCejiOhGoIw

Philip Weishaupt on the way to victory in the second leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final. (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton)

Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt won tonight’s second leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in a thrilling three-way jump-off against the clock. But it is runner-up, Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer, who holds the advantage going into Sunday’s final competition which will decide the fate of the 2011/2012 title.

As the going got tough this evening, the cream rose to the top, and clear rounds proved very elusive indeed. Weishaupt’s fellow-countryman, Marco Kutscher, was the only other starter to find the key to the course set by Louis Konickx, but reigning Olympic champion, Canada’s Eric Lamaze, was unlucky to miss out on the final barrage when stopping the clock just 500ths of a second off the pace for a single first-round time penalty to finish fourth and is in serious contention going into the closing stages.

Continue reading Weishaupt Wins Second Leg, but Schwizer Heads Rolex Leaderboard Going into Sunday’s Final →

Awards, Contributors/Press, FEI, FEI, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Show Jumping

Jumping Verona Wins Rolex FEI World Cup Press Office Award for 2011/2012

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Left to right: Grania Willis (Director of Press Relations, FEI), Anthony Schaub (from Rolex), Caterina Vagnozzi (Jumping Verona Press Officer), Eleonora Ottaviani (Jumping Verona Event Director) and Magali Dubois Vaucher (of Rolex). Image: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 21 April 2012 – Jumping Verona has won the Best Press Office award for the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2011/2012 as voted by journalists and photographers covering the series’ 12 Western European League qualifiers.

The Best Press Office award was introduced at the start of the Rolex FEI World Cup 2010/2011 season to celebrate the hard work of the event organising teams. Press offices were judged on several key media services, including on-site and online media services, press conferences and swift information supply throughout the qualifiers.

The Jumping Verona media team numbers eight, and is led by Caterina Vagnozzi. Caterina has been press officer of Jumping Verona, which hosted the fourth qualifier of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2011/2012 series, since 2003. She has also been press officer at the Rome CSIO for the past 23 years, was Press Officer at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Rome in 1998, and at all the Pavarotti International Horse Shows at Modena.

Continue reading Jumping Verona Wins Rolex FEI World Cup Press Office Award for 2011/2012 →

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

US Qualifies Seven for Final Competition of Rolex/FEI World Cup Final; Fellers Lies Second Overall

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Rich Fellers and Flexible (Photos by SusanJStickle/ PhelpsSports.com)

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – Valuable World Cup points were at stake Friday evening in the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final as riders vied for a place in Sunday’s final competition. Louis Koninck tested the 33 riders that returned for round two over a demanding track in the Indoor Brabant. Riders within the top 25 of the placings following tonight’s round qualify to contest Sunday’s final competition, of those entries seven will be representing the U.S.

Rich Fellers, Thursday’s round one winner, guided the diminutive Flexible to a near flawless round just faulting at one fence. Fellers (Sherwood, OR) and Harry and Mollie Chapman’s 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion jumped another efficient round only adding four faults at the middle oxer of the triple at fence 11. The pair finished tonight’s class in eighth place.

Continue reading US Qualifies Seven for Final Competition of Rolex/FEI World Cup Final; Fellers Lies Second Overall →

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

Fellers Sprints to the Lead of the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final Following the Speed Leg

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Rich Fellers and Flexible jump to the lead of the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (SusanJStickle.com)

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – Competition got underway at the Indoor Brabant Thursday evening in the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final with the first leg of the four round competition. Of the 37 combinations that went to task over Louis Koninck’s 13 obstacle course, nine were representing the United States. With the faults converted format, riders needed to ride forward and efficiently while still jumping carefully. American Rich Fellers rode like a man on a mission to set a blazing pace no else could catch to head the field after day one.

Fellers (Sherwood, OR) guided Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible to a clear round to stop the timers at 60.26 seconds. The pair surged to the head of the field on the strength of tight, efficient turns and the 16-year-old stallion’s natural speed.

This is the second time the pair has won the initial round of a Finals after having lead after day one at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals in Geneva, Switzerland. Additionally, they were second overall in the 2008 edition of the competition held in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Continue reading Fellers Sprints to the Lead of the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final Following the Speed Leg →

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

Fellers and Flexible Shine in Rolex Opener

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FEI YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/CpMTmqZ_4v4

Rich Fellers and Flexible won the opening leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 Final. They are pictured being presented with a watch by Magalie Dubois Vaucher from Rolex.

The oldest horse in the competition, the 16-year-old Irish-bred Flexible, won the first leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Final 2011/2012 for America’s Rich Fellers at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands tonight.

Living up to his name, the stallion’s super-tight turn to the double of verticals at fence five on the 13-fence track set by Dutch course designer Louis Konickx proved pivotal in every sense, and none of the rest could match his pace as he broke the beam in 60.26 seconds.

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Nino des Buissonnets were over a second slower when slotting into second, while the remarkable Rik Hemeryck finished third for Belgium with Quarco de Kerambars, despite having the dubious distinction of being first into the ring.

Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Ulysse lined up fourth ahead of Kevin Staut and Silvana HDC for France in fifth, while reigning FEI European Champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden, was sixth with Casall La Silla.

Continue reading Fellers and Flexible Shine in Rolex Opener →

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

Join the List of Sponsors for the Southeast Medal Finals at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center

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Wellington, FL – April 17, 2012 – The First Annual Southeast Medal Finals will take place on September 21-23 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Sponsors are lining up to support this great new show. Highlights include the Southeast Junior and Adult 3′ Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Regionals and much more.

Current sponsors include Phelps Media Group International, Horse Shows Online, Classic Company, Geddaway Farm, Equestrian Travel, Jerry Parks Insurance Group – representing Great American Insurance Group – Land Rover Jacksonville and more.

Phelps Media Group International has committed to sponsor the First Annual Southeast Medal Finals. According to President, Mason Phelps Jr., “Some years back, I founded and created the New England Horsemen’s Association Hunt Seat Medal, and served as president of the New England Horseman’s Council. Now that I’m a Floridian, I feel it is important to support the Southeast Medal Finals.”

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Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

EquestrianCoach.com’s Bernie Traurig to Present Educational System at IEA Hunt Seat Finals in Syracuse

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Wellington, FL – April 19, 2012 – Legendary, world-class equestrian, Bernie Traurig, will present his popular EquestrianCoach.com discounted educational programs at the National Finals for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). The event will be held on April 20-22 at the Coliseum at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. Traurig recently formed a relationship with the IEA as an educational partner.

“EquestrianCoach.com is such an educational gift to all of us! As a promoter of equestrian education and horsemanship, the IEA is honored to partner with EquestrianCoach.com, and to tap into the wisdom and experience of Bernie Traurig and so many great horsemen that generously share their knowledge through this exceptional program,” said Roxane Lawrence, Executive Director and Founder of the IEA.

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