Category Archives: Show Jumping

Richard Spooner and Cristallo Win $100,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 3* Grand Prix

Richard Spooner and Cristallo stretch over the final oxer in the jump-off to win. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 25, 2012 – California’s Richard Spooner and Show Jumping Syndications International’s 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding Cristallo (Caretino x Cicero) galloped to victory in Saturday night’s $100,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 3* Grand Prix at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The pair was the fastest by over two seconds over Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partner’s Nougat Du Vallet, who finished second, and Great Britain’s Ben Maher on Tripple-X III, who finished third.

Sponsored by Fidelity Investments, week seven will conclude with tomorrow’s $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

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Saudi Arabia’s First Female Olympian Addresses IOC Women and Sport Conference

Dalma Rushdi Malhas, Saudi Arabia’s first female Olympian, addressing the fifth IOC Women and Sport conference.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 February 2012 – Dalma Rushdi Malhas, who made history by becoming the first Saudi female athlete to compete on the Olympic stage when she rode at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, was amongst a high-profile group of speakers who addressed the recent IOC Women and Sport conference in Los Angeles (USA). The 20-year-old, who won individual bronze in Singapore, spoke of her hope of gender equality in all sports.

“I cannot yet compare myself to the riders of the Saudi First Team, but I am determined to give my best to reach their level one day, and prove that all women athletes, all over the world, should be given equal opportunities,” she said.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Malhas had received the loudest applause of the day after being invited onto the stage by IOC Executive Board member Nawal El Moutawakel of Morocco. Malhas, and then her mother, were brought on stage to demonstrate that female athletes from the Middle East can make their mark on the international sporting arena.

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Egypt’s Nayel Nassar and Lordan Win $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix

Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin Win Wire to Wire in $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic; Keenan and Jacobs Take USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Wins

Nayel Nassar and Lordan. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 24, 2012 – Egypt’s Nayel Nassar proved to be the best in Friday night’s $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix, presented by Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte. Nassar and Lordan, owned by Nayel and Sharaff Nassar, won in a jump-off of three over a challenging course for victory. Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Sandro were second, while Caitlin Ziegler (USA) and Dollar Van’t Eigenlo CH, owned by Artisan Farms LLC, finished third.

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Egypt’s Nayel Nassar and Lordan Win $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix

Tracy Fenney Wins Her Third Grand Prix at HITS Ocala to Qualify for the 2012 Pfizer Million

©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano gain momentum towards qualifying for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix with a win in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (February 24, 2012) – Tracy Fenney banked her eighth Grand Prix of the qualifying season with a win in yesterday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Centano to become eligible for her third appearance in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. No stranger to Pfizer Million glory, Fenney appeared in HITS-on-the-Hudson’s big ticket class in both 2010 and 2011 with two top twenty finishes to show for it.

Fenney, of Flower Mound, Texas leads the way in the 2012 Pfizer Million Rider Rankings with $43,500 in prize money and has her sights firmly set on September’s offering. She stole first place in the preliminary Rider Rankings from former Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood with two second place finishes in last week’s Grand Prix.

Yesterday’s win was Fenney’s third during the HITS Winter Circuit in Ocala and MTM Centano’s huge stride ate up Course Designer Ken Krome’s tracks. He presented technicality over size to both horse and rider with a water obstacle at fence number four as well as a double and triple combination in the second half of the course.

Continue reading Tracy Fenney Wins Her Third Grand Prix at HITS Ocala to Qualify for the 2012 Pfizer Million

Presidential Modification Regarding Liverpool Requirement at USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Classes

Lexington, KY – On February 22, 2012, USEF President David O’Connor issued a Presidential Modification waiving the requirement for including a Liverpool jump in USEF Show Jumping Talent Search classes at all rated competitions, with the exception of ‘AA’ rated outdoor events where a water jump of specific dimensions remains a course requirement. This Presidential Modification is granted for the first half of the 2012 qualifying period only, specifically September 1, 2011 until April 1, 2012.

The rule change requiring a Liverpool jump in Talent Search class courses held at rated competitions (EQ113.14.g) became effective September 1, 2011, at the beginning of the Talent Search qualifying year. Not all show managers and stewards were necessarily aware of this change and, as a result, certain qualifying classes may have been conducted that did not comply with this new rule. To avoid penalizing exhibitors who have already competed in these classes during this current qualifying period, the course requirement for inclusion of a Liverpool has been waived for classes (other than those held at “AA” rated outdoor events which have a specified water jump requirement) held between September 1, 2011 and April 1, 2012.

For more information please contact Assistant Director, Show Jumping HP Programs, USEF Talent Search Program Coordinator, Amy Serridge at aserridge@usef.org.

Louise Serio and Castle Rock Earn WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Second Place Honors

Louise Serio and Castle Rock claimed the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular reserve championship. Photo By: SportFot

Wellington, FL – February 24, 2012 – Defending 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Classic champions Louise Serio and Castle Rock returned to International Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, February 18, to compete during the 2012 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. Their flawless rounds were recognized with high marks from the judges, and at the end of the night they took home the second place prize.

Serio and Castle Rock, owned by Bryan Baldwin, have been an unstoppable duo for many years, willing not only the 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Spectacular, but also the 2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The veteran pair stepped into the ring ready to perform on Saturday, and once again Castle Rock stepped up to the plate with ease. They qualified for the second round with a score 88.12, and sealed the second place award with a score of 91.50, for a two-round total of 178.37.

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Kent Farrington and Voyeur Prove Victorious in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 7

Hayley Barnhill and Caliber Raise the Bar in WEF Open Hunter 3′

Kent Farrington and Voyeur won the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 7. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 23, 2012 – Kent Farrington earned a victory for the United States on Thursday with his brand new mount Voyeur, owned by Amalaya Investments, in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 in Wellington. Showing in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the pair out jumped fellow Americans Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partner’s Nougat Du Vallet, who finished second and Cara Raether and Trelawny Farm LLC’s Saskia 269, who placed third. Catherine Pasmore and Pasmore Stable’s Vandavid also earned USA the fourth place prize.

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Kent Farrington and Voyeur Prove Victorious in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 7

Ben Maher Earns One-Two Finish with Tackeray and Quiet Easy 4 in $32k G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Quiet Easy 4 and Ben Maher. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 22, 2012 – Great Britain’s Ben Maher finished first and second in today’s $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic aboard his horses Tackeray and Quiet Easy 4, both owned by Mrs. Emma Phillips. Held as a Rolex FEI world ranking competition, the class was the feature event on Wednesday as the seventh week of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) got underway.

Sponsored by Fidelity Investments, week seven will host the $100,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, February 25, at 7 p.m. Other highlights include the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix on Friday, February 24, at 7 p.m. and the $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday, February 26, at 1 p.m.

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Jennifer Alfano Rides Maggie May to Top Honors at HITS III Ocala Winter Festival

Jennifer Alfano rode Maggie May to the High Pre-Green Hunter Championship during HITS Ocala III Winter Festival. Photo: ESI Photography

Ocala, FL – February 22, 2012 – The success within the hunter rings continued this week for SBS Farms at the HITS III Ocala Winter Festival. Professional rider Jennifer Alfano guided numerous horses to the top honors this past week, including riding the young Maggie May to the High Pre-Green Hunter Championship.

Maggie May is a six-year-old Bradenberger mare owned by Billie Steffee, who Alfano showed to the championship tricolor in the High Pre-Green Hunter division. The young mare is always improving, and the pair took two blue ribbons over fences and the second place award for their efforts in the under saddle.

“She has been great; I am really excited about her this year. She keeps getting better and better every week, and she is really growing up a lot,” Alfano explained. “It’s really fun to be a part of her coming along, and being able to watch it all unfold.”

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Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts

WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals will be a new indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders from USHJA Zone 4 and beyond.

WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com

WHEN: September 21-23, 2012

WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor ring and 500 permanent stalls.

FEATURES

  • Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals
  • Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals
  • ASPCA Maclay Regionals
  • Region Three Maclay Equitation Classic
  • Florida Equitation Classic
  • Zone 4 USEF Pessoa National Hunt Seat Medal Finals
  • Zone 4 USEF Adult Medal Finals
  • Zone 4 $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship
  • Zone 4 $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship
  • Zone 4 Children’s Hunter Championship
  • Zone 4 Adult Hunter Championship
  • Zone 4 Children’s Hunter Pony Championship

Continue reading Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts