Category Archives: Show Jumping

Lisa Goldman and Morocco Make It Two for Two in the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix

Lisa Goldman and Morocco with Mary Goldman, horse show chairman Craig Dobbs and competition manager Tom Blankenship. Photos © Brooke Bidgood/Circle City Equestrian.

Indianapolis, Indiana – July 24, 2011 – The spotlight was on the Pepsi Coliseum Saturday night as the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show’s main event took center stage.  Sixteen entries competed in the first round of the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix over a course designed by Guilherme Jorge.

Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorne Woods, Illinois, stole the show again aboard her speedy mount Morocco, an eight-year-old Oldenburg Thoroughbred cross by Roc USA. Going second in the jump-off, Goldman set the pace for the rest of the class; no one was able to catch her.

After winning the Welcome Stake on Friday night, Goldman had high hopes going into the Grand Prix. “I thought the course looked like a lot of fun,” beamed Goldman. “I didn’t think I could do it twice in a row, but I’m so ecstatic!”

Morocco appeared especially fresh going into the Grand Prix Saturday night. As the pair approached the first jump, a long run to a single oxer, Morocco almost bucked Goldman off before they had even gotten started. However, Goldman took that as a good sign. “Generally if he tries to buck me off on the way to the first jump, as long as I do my job we will go clear,” smiled Goldman.

The jump-off course was especially well suited to the winning duo. “There was a lot of running and turn backs, which we are really good at,” explained Goldman. “I love the long runs to the jumps.” With so many fast riders competing in the jump-off, Goldman knew she had to go for it if she wanted to win. “I left out a stride in one line, and then in the long run to the last oxer he just took over,” laughed Goldman. “He loves his job.” The duo will continue showing throughout the summer, hoping to continue their winning streak.

Continue reading Lisa Goldman and Morocco Make It Two for Two in the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix

Charleston Summer Classic Highlights 2011

Yesterday we finished the Charleston Summer Classic.  I want to thank all the sponsors and exhibitors for their support.  We all had a great time at the show this year.  We finished early each day as planned and everyone had fun at the marina, beaches and golf courses.

Grand Kahuna Pony

Small Pony – Howie Do It, Avery Morgan
Medium Pony – Swingtown, Bergen Sanderford
Large Pony – Champlain Sovereign, Paige Parker
Small Green Pony – Brownlands Boardwalk, Callie Rheinheimer
Medium Green Pony – Daisy Due Blue, Grace Gressett
Large Green Pony – Highlands Percival, Marielle Golden

Most Supreme Grand Puba – Champlain Sovereign, Paige Parker

Given a gift certificate from Essex Shirts

Continue reading Charleston Summer Classic Highlights 2011

Wilhelm Genn Heats Up $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes in Traverse City

Wilhelm Genn, Alex Rheinheimer, and Marlo. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 24, 2011 – Even mother nature took a break to catch this afternoon’s exciting Grand Prix at Horse Shows by the Bay, holding off on a rain shower until just after winner Wilhelm Genn’s victory gallop. The $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes was held today in beautiful Traverse City, MI, the third Open Jumper Grand Prix to take place at Flintfields Horse Park this month. Genn and his own gray mare, Marlo, triumphed in an extremely competitive class filled with crystal-clear rounds and lightning-fast times. Also making their mark were Charles Jacobs upon Leap of Joy, who came in second, and last week’s winner Blythe Marano on Urban, who came in third this time. Thanks to a VIP sponsor luncheon generously provided by Craig Rosenberg of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the many fans at today’s event were able to relax and refresh while watching the amazing horsemanship on display in the ring below.

Prior to the first horse on today’s course, Betsy VanDyke Foster of Maple City, MI returned with another engaging dressage demonstration. The mounted sheriffs of Leelanau County were also in the Grand Prix ring this afternoon, graciously serving as the event’s color guard. After the sizable crowd stood for the national anthem, the class kicked off with an early clear round by David Beisel on Always Cullohill, owned by Harlow Invesment Enterprises LLC. The duo earned enthusiastic applause as they finished their turn in the ring, as today’s course featured several intimidating elements. A jump resembling the Mackinac Bridge was tricky for several horses, while a combination starting with a triple bar also proved insurmountable for some.

These obstacles failed to thwart last week’s winner Blythe Marano, though, who repeated her success with two clear rounds on Urban and Askaban, both owned by Riverview Farm LLC. Charles Jacobs also avoided faults on two different horses in the first round. Leap of Joy, owned by Deeridge Farms, and Flaming Star, owned by CMJ Sporthorse LLC, both blazed into the jump-off with Jacobs at the helm. The suspenseful second round saw 10 out of 31 riders return for a shot at the top prize, with Genn, like Marano and Jacobs, also making it to the jump-off on two different horses. Incurring just a few faults on his own Happy Z, Genn ultimately triumphed on Marlo. The pair fired up the crowd with an excellent time of 36.9 seconds, never missing a beat but always missing the rails. The first rider in the jump-off, Beisel on Always Cullohill, also elicited applause with a clear round and a time of 39.433 seconds. Following Beisel was a cool and steady Marano, who flew past the timers on Urban in just 38.163 seconds. Charles Jacobs and Flaming Star were the last to tackle the second round, and produced an astounding time of 34.244 seconds with just one fault.

Continue reading Wilhelm Genn Heats Up $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes in Traverse City

Charleston Summer Classics – Hunters Rule Finale Week

Julie Curtin and Vince Win $2500 USHJA National Hunter Classic; Paige Parker Dubbed Most Supreme Pony Kahuna Champion

Julie Curtin & Vince ©Flashpoint Photography

Johns Island, SC — July 24, 2011 — The final week of the Charleston Summer Classics held at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center was much like an adventure packed vacation itinerary. One moment you’re enjoying the sport with friendly competitive rivals, then shopping together for the social gatherings.

This was also the week where the Wee Warriors of the Pony divisions battled for the coveted titles of Grand Pony Kahuna and the glory of being named Most Supreme Pony Kahuna. “I started the Kahuna competition as a fun method for our pony riders to prepare for the USEF Pony Finals, the scoring uses the same numerical judging system with daily accumulated points moving forward to their respective division Classic rounds. We award a Supreme Grand Kahuna in each of the six divisions and an overall Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion. The prizes are nice – Essex Classic Shirts, custom Cooler, featured in an Ad – but the best reward is the knowledge and experience they can take into Pony Finals,” Classic Company president Bob Bell said.

The 2011 Most Supreme Grand Pony Kahuna is Paige Parker partnered with Champlain Sovereign, owned by The Hill Farm. This marked Paige’s second occasion as top Pony Kahuna having won the title in 2009 with Cherrybrook Skye Blue.

Continue reading Charleston Summer Classics – Hunters Rule Finale Week

HITS Culpeper July Wrap-Up

Rave reviews for new Grand Prix footing, riders use Culpeper as their stepping-stone to qualify for the Pfizer Million and Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, while sponsors Pfizer Animal Health and Purina Mills enjoy some southern hospitality

© ESI Photography. Kevin Babington and Mark Q on course in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (July 22, 2011) – HITS Culpeper enjoyed two strong weeks of competition during its July shows – the Showday National and the Cavalier Classic – with higher than expected entries as exhibitors flocked to Culpeper, Virginia from all corners of the country. An action-packed schedule, which included two more qualifiers each for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, along with new Grand Prix footing, made Culpeper a “must show” for many exhibitors looking to punch their ticket to this year’s Grand Finale in September.

The Showday National opened up the two-week series and was the first opportunity riders had to test out the newly resurfaced Grand Prix ring. “I thought the footing was excellent and the horses all jumped well,” said Ramiro Quintana of West Palm Beach, Florida who, aboard November Hill Farm’s Versace, captured the $1,000 Level 6 Morningside Training Farm Jumpers during the Showday National. “With all the improvements that are being made in Culpeper I am sure it will once again be considered one of the top destinations in American show jumping.”

Culpeper catches Pfizer Million fever
During the Showday National, Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania wasted no time at all getting comfortable with the new Grand Prix footing when he rode his own Mark Q to the blue in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and picked up his second of eight Grand Prix needed to become eligible for the Pfizer Million. Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia was all business on Sunday when he won the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during the Cavalier Classic aboard his own Remonta Habano, which propelled him into the top 10 of the Pfizer Million Rider Rankings with more than $26,000 in prize money.

Continue reading HITS Culpeper July Wrap-Up

$20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby Brings Tradition, Excitement to Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay

Kelley Farmer and Clearly. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 22, 2011 – With few clouds in the sky and a light breeze, it was a lovely afternoon for the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Horse Shows by the Bay Series III. The Flintfields Horse Park grounds were buzzing all day with excitement for the evening’s event, which challenged 21 entries with a traditional course in the Grand Prix ring. Kelley Farmer made a clean sweep of the top four spots on Clearly, Praise, Red Sky, and Bases Loaded. Amazingly, Farmer and her first three rides produced a three-way tie involving an overall high score of 387. Peter Pletcher smoothly jumped into the next three places on Copperfield, Primero, and Tell All, accumulating several highly impressive scores of his own. An enthusiastic crowd turned out for tonight’s derby, making the class a definite favorite among spectators and riders alike.

The event kicked off with an exhibitor party, generously sponsored by Outback Steakhouse of Traverse City, which featured great food, drinks, and conversation. The first horse took the course at 5:30pm, with high scores dominating the scene from the very start. Kelley Farmer and Bases Loaded hit a home run with a combined score of 180 in their first round. Bases Loaded is owned by Am Free, Inc. Peter Pletcher and Copperfield, who is owned by Jennifer Noski, also turned in a great early combined score of 171 in the first round. Carson Gibson and Caden, owned by Shadyside Farm, had a flowing first round that resulted in a solid 163 combined score. Farmer returned on Clearly, owned by Jane Gaston, to add a 185 combined score to her growing list of first round feats. Farmer’s highest first round score came on Red Sky, owned by Larry Glefke. A whopping 196 put Farmer in contention for a second derby win, but Pletcher was also a competitive presence in the Grand Prix ring tonight. On Tell All, owned by Susan Baker, Pletcher earned a 173.5, adding to the slew of stunning scores in the much-anticipated derby. Near the end of round one Farmer returned on Praise, owned by Selma Garber, and received plenty of praise for another high score of 191.

Continue reading $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby Brings Tradition, Excitement to Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay

Kyle King and Ashley Jerome Tie in $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix

Ashley Jerome of Calgary, AB, and Santa Cruz tied for the win in the $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix held during the Mid Summer Classic II in Calgary, AB

Calgary, Alberta – Kyle King of Ocala, FL, and Ashley Jerome of Calgary, AB, tied to win the $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix held July 17 during the Mid Summer Classic II produced by Rocky Mountain Show Jumping at Anderson Ranch in Calgary, AB.

Run in a unique format, the $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix sees competitors jumping the exact same course set at four different heights – 1.10m, 1.15m, 1.20m and 1.30m.  All competitors, regardless of the height they were jumping, had the same time allowed to complete the course designed by Eric Hasbrouck.  Of the 67 entries that competed over the four divisions offered, a total of 20 jumped clear.

Working backwards for the jump-off, the 1.30m division went first.  Tami Masters was again clear in the jump-off in a time of 47.24 seconds riding Aurora to move into the lead.  King then jumped clear in the 1.20m division in a time of 47.09 to move to the top of the leader board.

In the 1.15m division, last year’s defending champion, Breanne McAllister of Calgary, AB, set a blistering fast pace with Zorro, stopping the clock in 44.48 seconds.  However, a rail down along the way left the 17-year-old in eighth position overall with the day’s fastest four fault jump-off effort.

Continue reading Kyle King and Ashley Jerome Tie in $25,000 Full Meal Deal Grand Prix

Margie Engle Beats Out 40 Starters to Take the Win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV

© ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Ashland Farms' Lord Spezi on course in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (July 23, 2011) — With competition taking place in 10 different show rings and more than 1,600 horses on the premises, the opening week of the HITS-on-the-Hudson summer series is going like gangbusters, proving that Saugerties, New York is the place to be this summer.

Olympian Margie Engle picked up right where she left off upon her return to HITS-on-the-Hudson when she piloted Ashland Farms’ Lord Spezi to an exciting victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Engle and Lord Spezi had a very successful start to their season in Saugerties back in June when they won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and finished sixth together in the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix during HITS-on-the-Hudson III.

“He [Lord Spezi] had the winter off and we showed together here Week III where we did really well together,” said Engle. “We’re back for the summer and looking to qualify for the [Pfizer] Million. He’s a funny horse, he has a cocky attitude, but in a good way. He knows when he does a good job. Sometimes, after a jump he’ll let out a little buck, showing off like ‘Wow! Look what I did’. He’s not a very big horse, but he has a very big personality.”

Friday’s win did not come easy for Engle as 39 other starters stood in her way at the outset of the class, including fellow Olympians McLain Ward, Peter Leone, Todd Minikus, Kevin Babington and Manuel Torres. International Course Designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil set a challenging course in the roomy Strongid C 2X Stadium that included a double combination early in the track, a water jump mid-way through the route and a triple combination at the second-to-last fence, which proved to be the downfall of many riders on the course.

Continue reading Margie Engle Beats Out 40 Starters to Take the Win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV

Vichy & Alejandro Karolyi Victorious in $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix

Alejandro Karolyi and Vichy. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 22, 2011 – Today’s Feature Horse Shows by the Bay Jumper Event in the Grand Prix Ring wrapped up with Alejandro Karolyi emerging the victor on Vichy. Karolyi, who makes a return visit to Horse Shows by the Bay after attending the inaugural event in 2004, rode to the blue ribbon win for owner Torrey Pines Stable of Schonberg, Ontario, Canada.

The course, designed by Michel Vaillancourt, was held under Table II 2a/b which meant that once going clear, riders had the option of either jumping off immediately or coming back after the first round was held in its entirety. A total of seven went clear, with three staying in while the additional four returned after round number one.

Nick Novak, who eventually placed second, opted to stay in on Springfield Tennessee so it was this pair who jumped clear in a time of 36.783 that were the ones to beat for the riders who chose to return.

Karolyi and Vichy made quick use of the shortened track just beating out Novak to finish without fault in 35.675. “It was a nice course, Michel did a really great job,” noted Karolyi of his triumphant turn in today’s class. “There wasn’t a huge amount of clear rides, and I wish everyone had been able to make it to the jump-off, but the course still jumped super, and it was scopey enough, but with my horse everything came nicely. I think the triple combination was a little tough, but overall for us it was a nice ride. It was comfortable for my horse out there.”

Karolyi added, “It’s the first week I’m here, so it was my horse’s first turn in that ring. I’ve had her for five months now, since Florida. She started out as a bit of a speed horse, and she has come up to the grand prix level very nicely. Her biggest asset is that she is a really quick turner, so the jump-off was perfect for her because it was a turning jump-off in a lot of areas. She rolled back really fast to one jump, and then rolled back really fast to another, so we were in the clear.”

Continue reading Vichy & Alejandro Karolyi Victorious in $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix

Jumping Radio Episode 72 – Developing Horsemanship & European Show Reviews

Melanie Smith-Taylor makes a return to discuss developing horsemanship with Mindy Bower. Hanne Christensen from HRN affiliate World of Show Jumping reviews Aachen and Falsterbo. And we have another WOW moment; listen in.

Jumping Radio Episode 72 – Show Notes and Links:

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