Category Archives: Show Jumping

Record Entry for Pan-Americans 2011 in Guadalajara

Lausanne (SUI), 7 October 2011 – A record number of horse-and-rider combinations will compete in the equestrian events at the 16th Pan-American Games which kick off in Guadalajara, Mexico in just over a week’s time, on Sunday 16 October.  This is the world’s largest multi-sport event apart from the summer Olympics, and takes place on a four-year cycle leading up to each Olympic fixture.

Held in accordance with the Olympic Charter and Rules, the Pan-Americans provide Olympic qualification opportunities for athletes in FEI geographical regions D and E – North America and Central/South America. More than 5,000 athletes will take part in 46 different sports and almost 400 events during the two weeks of world-class competition and, in the three equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, a total of 157 partnerships are expected to line out.  The 2011 fixture brings together athletes from 42 countries.

ORIGINS
The first Pan-American Games took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1951, but its origins date back more than 20 years earlier. During an Olympic Congress that coincided with the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, France, the members of the International Olympic Committees of Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico proposed the creation of a regional sports event in which Central American countries would participate. This became a reality two years later when Mexico City hosted the first Central American Games.

Then, at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA, some of the Latin American delegates proposed the staging of regional Games for the Americas, and this led to the first meeting of the Pan American Sports Congress in Buenos Aires in August 1940.  Plans were made for the first Pan-American Games in 1942, but World War II got in the way of that.  However the plans were revived at a congress held in London during the 1948 Olympic Games and, at last, the Pan-Americans became a reality when, in February 1951, more than 2,500 athletes from 22 countries descended on Buenos Aires for the inaugural event.

Continue reading Record Entry for Pan-Americans 2011 in Guadalajara

Eighty-four Riders to Contest the 2011 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East

Lexington, KY – The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2011 and this year’s competition is a strong as ever. The championship style competition again hosts finals for the top up-and-coming junior and young riders on both the east and west coasts. This weekend all eyes will be on the U.S. Equestrian Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ for the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East. Two weeks ago Demi Stiegler topped a field of more than 40 riders judged by Sue Ashe and Molly Cawley-Ashe in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East will host 84 of the top young competitors from the hunter and jumper ranks. Making up the strong field that descends upon Gladstone October 7-9 are USEF National Champions, Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) medalists and highly decorated equitation stars. George Morris and Jimmy Lee will serve as the judges.

Lillie Keenan (New York, NY) heads to Gladstone on a mission after winning at nearly every turn this summer. At the beginning of August, she won both the Reserve and Grand Championship at the 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast. Three weeks later in Kentucky, Keenan brought spectators to their feet at the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals as she piloted C Coast Z to a resounding victory. Learn more about the former USEF Pony Finals champion’s win in Lexington here: http://usefnetwork.com/news/7489/2011/8/21/lillie_keenan_and_c_coast_z_win_the.aspx.

Continue reading Eighty-four Riders to Contest the 2011 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East

Local Rider Christina Kelly Qualifies for the Alltech National Horse Show

Christina Kelly competing in the Amateur Owner Jumpers in Kentucky. Photo: Rebecca Walton

Lexington, KY – October 5, 2011 – The Alltech National Horse Show’s debut at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, is just a few weeks away, and local rider Christina Kelly is quickly preparing for her own debut at the event. Kelly is based out of her family’s Diamond Edge Farm in Nicholasville, KY, and will be competing in the $25,000 Junior Jumper Division, as well as the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Championships, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, Chansonette and Deeridge Farm.

Although Kelly represents Ireland, she has been competing in the United States for a number of years and has taken the circuit by storm in 2011. She has won numerous Junior Jumper Classics aboard her three talented mounts: Camirage, Creata Van Ten Biesen, and HH Narcos Du Marais, which have all earned a spot on the qualification list for this year’s Alltech National Horse Show.

“This is my first year competing during the Alltech National Horse Show, and I love the Kentucky Horse Park so I think it’s going to be a great event,” commented Kelly. “There are a lot of European riders coming over for the other classes and I think it’s going to be a great horse show, especially because it will be in the Alltech Arena. It’s going to be focused on that main event and I think it will be amazing.”

Kelly continued, “I love the Kentucky Horse Park. We stay there for five weeks during the summer and the horses never seem to get tired of it. They jump so much better on that footing and they have the grass field to ride in, I think they really like it and they perform better there.”

Continue reading Local Rider Christina Kelly Qualifies for the Alltech National Horse Show

USEF Names Date and Location for USEF Show Jumping National Championship and Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has determined the date and location for the USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. The competition will be hosted by Equestrian Sport Productions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida from March 21-24, 2012. This competition will also serve as the 2012 USEF Show Jumping National Championship. It will consist of four rounds over three days of jumping.

“We were fortunate that we had very strong bids from both Equestrian Sport Productions and Tom Struzzieri at HITS from which to choose,” said John Long, CEO of the USEF. “We are looking forward to working with Mark Bellisimo, Michael Stone and their entire team at Equestrian Sport Productions again in 2012.”

More information about the competition will be available in January.

For more information regarding the USEF High Performance Jumping Programs, please contact Lizzy Chesson at lchesson@usef.org.

Changes to the US Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recommended to the USOC the following changes to the entry for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games Team.

Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric, currently based in Europe with his rider, U.S. Team veteran Laura Kraut, is no longer available to represent the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games due to European Union quarantine regulations, transportation and logistics issues.

“I am greatly disappointed that Cedric and I will not be able to represent the United States in the 2011 Pan American Games. After learning about the quarantine restrictions this week, we determined it was not possible to attend.  I have had the honor and privilege of representing our country throughout my career, and I regret that we will miss this important event.”

Kraut and Cedric will be replaced with the Traveling Reserve Kent Farrington (Chicago, IL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko. Mario Deslauriers (New York, NY) and Jane Forbes Clark’s Urico will now serve as the Traveling Reserve.

The Pan American Games are set to begin on October 16 in Guadalajara, Mexico. More information about the event http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/ and follow the U.S. Riders on the USEF Network here http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

2011 Atlanta Fall Classic

Just a reminder, the Atlanta Fall Classic (November 9-20) is just around the corner. The prize lists have been mailed and are posted online. The highlights of the show include the National Classic Equitation Finals sponsored by Equestrian Travel.

A list of those qualified is posted on the www.ClassicCompany.com home page. The Classic Company Horse of the Year standings sponsored by EMO are also posted on our home page. Both Atlanta fall events will add points for the standings.

The show will also have our National Hunter Jumper finals which is our double money classic, and a $25,000 Welcome along with the weekly Grand Prix class.

This year the annual $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial class will be divided into a $10,000 class and a $15,000 class. This was changed due to USEF rules and hoops.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 843-768-5503.

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

Randolph College Pledges Continued Support of USEF National Junior Jumper Championships and Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Randolph College of Lynchburg, VA, has signed on again this year as the title sponsor of the USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, as well as presenting sponsor of the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals.

“Randolph College is excited to sponsor high caliber events such as the USEF National Junior Jumper Championships and the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals,” shared Tamara Wenning, Interim Director of Riding at the school. “At Randolph College, our riding program is structured to provide the serious rider with everything they need to succeed, including access to first-rate facilities. Whether they are in the classroom or in the ring, Randolph College students receive the highest caliber instruction and individualized attention.”

The Randolph Riding Center boasts some of the best views in all of Central Virginia, located at the foothills of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains. The stable provides more than 40 spacious stalls, complete with wash stalls and six turnout paddocks for private boarders. The 100-acre facility caters to all levels of riders, as the Center features a jumping amphitheatre, 250′ x 150′ schooling ring, Hunter and cross-country jumps. The Claire Noyes Cox Indoor Arena (120′ x 300′) hosts riding competitions and sports an impressive lounge and viewing area. The Center features more than 30 quality school horses that are available to riders of all levels. The equestrian program at Randolph College offers weekly training for college credit, special coaching and clinics.

Continue reading Randolph College Pledges Continued Support of USEF National Junior Jumper Championships and Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals

Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix

©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

CULPEPER, VIRGNIA (October 3, 2011) – After posting a top-twenty finish in the 2011 Pfizer Million, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas wasted no time in preparing for next year’s $1 Million Grand Prix. On Sunday, she and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano rode to victory in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper to clinch the first qualifying opportunity for 2012’s richest day in show jumping.

HITS wrapped up a successful 2011 circuit at the Culpeper Finals last week as Olaf Petersen of Paehl, Germany set the course for the final Grand Prix of the year. Thirty-one pairs took to his first round, which offered 13 jumping efforts, including a triple combination at fence five and double combination at fence eight. The time allowed of 78 seconds proved to be trouble for several riders as ten picked up time faults, keeping two clear rounds from advancing to the jump-off.

“I knew this was going to be one of the more competitive Grand Prix I have jumped all year since Olaf was the designer – he always makes it a challenging course and it was,” said Fenney. “He left little room for error and I thought he made it smart.”

Twelve advanced to the jump-off, which saw three go double clear. It was Fenney, however, who posted a time of 40.081 seconds – well within the 48 seconds time allowed – to capture the win.

Continue reading Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix

HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season

Indoor tent from Thermal will travel east to Saugerties for both prestigious Medal Finals

© Flying Horse Photography. The indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California is home to four FEI World Cup Qualifiers and a number other special classes during World Cup weeks.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (October 4, 2011) — Looking to take next year’s season finale in Saugerties, New York to the next level, HITS, Inc. announced today that two major equitation finals will be incorporated into the competition schedule for the eighth and final week of the 2012 HITS Saugerties Show Series.

In addition to the $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, the last week of HITS Saugerties will conclude with a three-day weekend extravaganza that will now include the National Professional Horsemen’s Association’s (PHA) Medal Final on Friday night and the ever-popular Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final on Saturday night. By moving the PHA Medal and the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal up a week from the annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals, the finale of the HITS Saugerties season will now feature a major final for hunters, jumpers and equitation riders.

In keeping with the great tradition of indoor medal finals, HITS will bring the tent used for FEI World Cup Qualifiers from Thermal, California back east to Saugerties for these two Finals.

“The final ingredient to make our season finale in Saugerties complete has just been added,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “The Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal has been a cornerstone of the League for many years and I believe this move will help to draw even more 3’6” equitation riders to the classes during the year and to the Final. The indoor tent will create an electric competition atmosphere, largely elevating the importance and experience of qualifying for and showing in this Final.”

Continue reading HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season

2011 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced

Lexington, KY – October 3, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2011 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay National Championship Finals. Attached is the list of riders who have qualified to compete in the Finals on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition. The Championship Finals will be presented by C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery as one of the highlight events of the Alltech National Horse Show.

For more information, please visit www.nhs2011.org or www.nhs.org.

Qualifiers by Region

Region 1 – 38 riders
Region 2 – 48 riders
Region 3 – 19 riders
Region 4 – 36 riders
Region 5 – 21riders
Region 6 – 5 riders
Region 7 – 11 riders
Region 8 – 22 riders

Continue reading 2011 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced