Category Archives: Show Jumping

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Fundraisers, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

JustWorld International Brings Fun and Fundraising to Bromont

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Defending Grand Prix champion Yann Candele competing in the JustWorld Horseless Horse Show at L’International Bromont. Photo credit – Debra Jamroz

July 13, 2011 – Bromont, Quebec – JustWorld International will once again partner with the annual L’International Bromont, bringing fun and fundraising to the two-week show jumping tournament held July 20-24 and July 27-31 in Bromont, Quebec.

The humanitarian organization will kick off its first of three fundraising efforts on Saturday, July 23, with the popular JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show, scheduled to take place at 5 p.m., immediately following the Speed Derby.  Competitors will race around a course of obstacles on foot, trying to leave the jumps in place while finishing in the fastest time.  For a $10 entry fee, participants can choose to compete in the Short Stirrup Jumpers, Children’s Jumpers, Pairs Class, Team Relay Race and Puissance (High Bar) Competition.

On Monday, July 25, the JustWorld International Benefit Golf Tournament will take place at the Chateau Bromont Golf Course.  The tee-off time is 11 a.m. and games will be played in a cross-over format to minimize delays.  The inscription fee for the golf tournament is $200 per person, with a portion going to support JustWorld’s humanitarian projects.  The fee includes a golf cart rental and the JustWorld dinner at Auberge Chateau Bromont.  In addition, all participants will receive a leather golf belt courtesy of Landes Belts.

While the golfers take to the course, other family members are welcome to swim in the pool or play volleyball at Auberge Chateau Bromont.

Continue reading JustWorld International Brings Fun and Fundraising to Bromont →

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

SBS Farms Garners Multiple Tricolors at I Love New York Horse Show

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Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy. Photo Credit: James Parker/Kathy Russell, The Book LLC.

Buffalo, NY – July 11, 2011 – SBS Farms had an excellent week of competition at the I Love New York Horse Show in Lake Placid, NY from July 5-10, 2011. Trainer Susie Schoellkopf and professional rider Jennifer Alfano led all of the horses and students to top ribbons in their respective divisions. Alfano had a successful week of competition earning multiple tricolors and top ribbons with several different mounts. Alfano and Miss Lucy swept the Second Year Green Working Hunter Division, earning the championship honors and secured the Grand Hunter Championship title.

Alfano kicked off the week earning blue ribbons in all five classes of the Second Year Green Working Hunter Division with Miss Lucy. Alfano and Helen Lenahan’s Miss Lucy garnered the championship prize for their impressive rounds throughout the division and the duo was presented with the Grand Hunter Championship title. Alfano also finished in the top ten during the USHJA National Hunter Derby with Miss Lucy. Susie Schoellkopf’s Jersey Boy took home the reserve championship honors in the High Performance Working Hunter Division with Alfano in the irons. The pair picked up two blue ribbons, a red ribbon, and two yellow ribbons throughout the division.

“Miss Lucy was great. She went really well all week. She was really nice and relaxed and just went really well,” noted Alfano. “The division was huge but she went so well she would have won no matter how many were in it, I think. Jersey Boy was also really good this week and just went great.”

The success continued for Alfano, earning the championship honors in the First Year Green Working Hunter Division with her mount Michigan Avenue. The duo earned three first place ribbons, a second place ribbon, and a third place ribbon to secure the championship title. Alfano also took home a reserve championship tricolor with Billie Steffee’s Gilden in the First Green Working Hunter Division.

Continue reading SBS Farms Garners Multiple Tricolors at I Love New York Horse Show →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF, Western/Reining

Hospitality Options and More: The Clock Is Ticking toward the 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North

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Lexington, KY – With the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) set to begin in just under two weeks, excitement is in the air at the Kentucky Horse Park. These championships will host the best Juniors and Young Riders in North America as they vie for team and individual championship honors July 27-31.

The 2011 championships will once again feature junior and young riders divisions in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping.  For the first time, the sport of reining will feature two championships, with a junior championship being added. Another exciting feature this year is the introduction of the endurance championships.

Nominated Entries are in from across North America and the competition looks to be of the highest caliber.

Some sponsorship opportunities are still available; please join Adequan, Gotham North, SmartPak, Equine Canada, Platinum Performance, United States Dressage Federation, U.S. Eventing Association, United States Hunter Jumper Association, Howard Simpson, Ariat International, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, WISE Equestrian, Dever Inc., Equisure, American Quarter Horse Association, Sallee Horse Vans, Griffin Gate Marriott, Hodges Badge Company, Spy Coast Farm, EquiFit, and the rest of our sponsors, donors and friends in support of this wonderful event. Please contact Scott Carling for information regarding sponsorship (all contact information is listed below).

Continue reading Hospitality Options and More: The Clock Is Ticking toward the 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North →

Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Round 5, Draw Report

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IRISH FIRST INTO THE RING AT AACHEN by Louise Parkes

The draw for the fifth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 took place in Aachen (GER) this evening. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

Aachen (GER), 13 July 2011 – The Irish will be first to go in tomorrow’s fifth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 following the draw which took place at the German venue this afternoon.  The wet weather has failed to dampen spirits at the Soers Arena, and the draw press conference was a lively affair, although some of the team managers arrived a little late.

“I think we need a new rule – that when the Chef isn’t there we shouldn’t do the draw!” joked Ireland’s Robert Splaine whose face dropped when he realised that, in his absence, his team had been pulled out of the hat as pathfinders for tomorrow.  For once this season it seems the defending series champions from France may have fortune on their side, as they will be last to go of the eight competing nations.

The starting order is as follows: 1, Ireland; 2, Great Britain; 3, The Netherlands; 4, USA; 5, Denmark; 6, Germany; 7, Belgium; 8, France.

LESS THAN A WEEK
It is less than a week since the fourth round of the series at Falsterbo in Sweden where this week’s hosts from Germany came out on top.  The German team went to the Swedish fixture determined to improve their position on the leaderboard, and succeeded by promoting themselves to third place following a great effort from a very strong team.

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Round 5, Draw Report →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Show Jumping

Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit Take the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix

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Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit accept the blue ribbon from Brownland Farm’s Sissy Anderton. Lili Weik Photography

FRANKLIN, TN – JULY 12, 2011 – On Sunday, July 10, Michael Tokaruk of Memphis, TN captured his second major win in less than two months aboard Roger Rabbit, the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Castle Point Farm LLC.

The team beat the heat and the competition to easily win the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix, which capped off the week at Brownland Farm in Franklin, TN.

Tokaruk, 30, who recently returned to Memphis to act as rider and trainer at Dave Pellegrini’s Spring Mill Farm, piloted the up-and-coming-gray gelding through two clean rounds to earn the top spot.

In the first round, 26 teams navigated the Tim Hott-designed course, but only six went clean.  In the jump-off, only Tokaruk and Roger turned in a fault-less performance for the blue-ribbon win. “I thought the course rode well,” said Tokaruk following the win. “Big enough without over-facing anyone, and technical enough that you had to do some riding out there.

“We were the only double clean and our time was three seconds faster that the 2nd place finisher who had four faults, “ Tokaruk continued. “We could have had a rail down and still won by a good margin. I made a nice inside turn that saved us some time. Going early in the jump-off, I knew I needed to be clean, but I also wanted to be quick enough to put pressure on the rest of the field.”

Continue reading Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit Take the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix →

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

16-Year-Old Makes History at Spruce Meadows

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Caitlin Ziegler and Valencia (photo by Spruce Meadows Media Services).

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta – History was made at Spruce Meadows Thursday with 16-year-old Caitlin Ziegler (USA) becoming the youngest ever winner of an FEI event in the Spruce Meadows International Ring. Riding her 13-year-old mare, Valencia, Ziegler bested an international field of 32 horse/rider combinations with a convincing double clear, and a 3-second margin of victory in a seven-horse jump-off in the 1.5m AON Cup.

“This is really unbelievable, I really am speechless. Winning here against these riders is very special,” said the beaming teen from Wisconsin. With names like Madden, Spooner, Millar, Simpson and Lamaze falling behind her in the final standings, Ziegler took time to relish the moment.

“I guess I should be worried about my job,” chuckled her coach Eric Lamaze, who finished sixth in the event with four faults in the jump-off and a slower time.

Earlier this season Caitlin Ziegler was recognized at Spruce Meadows for her commitment and dedication to the sport with and RSA scholarship. Clearly that dedication is paying off with her historic win.

Continue reading 16-Year-Old Makes History at Spruce Meadows →

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

Sweden Soars to the Top of the Promotional League Table

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L to R - Arthur Gustavo Da Silva (La Toya), Christina Liebherr (LB Callas Sitte Z), Claudia Gisler (Touchable) and Niklaus Schurtenberger (Fifty Fifty) pictured during the prize-giving with Chef d'Equipe Urs Gruning in the foreground. Photo: FEI/Drammen Press.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 July 2011 – Sweden holds the lead in the 2011 FEI European Promotional League series following consistently good results over the past few weeks. Carrying 49 faults, they have a good advantage over the Italians and Swiss who are playing cat-and-mouse in second and third places respectively, but with only a single point separating them.  The battle for promotion to the Top League FEI Nations Cup series in 2012 is a tough one, and the Swedes are showing just how hungry they are to return to the elite level of the sport from which they were relegated at the end of last season.

It was the Swiss who held sway at the European Promotional League leg in Drammen, Norway last month, but it was a close call when they only pipped the runners-up from Turkey by a single fault.  Switzerland’s Arthur de Silva (La Toya 111), Niklaus Schurtenberger (Fifty Fifty), Claudia Gisler (Touchable) and Christina Liebherr (LB Callas Sitte Z) completed with a total of eight faults, but a double-clear from former Irish team member Gerry Flynn (SIEC Ledgepoint), who has been flying the Turkish flag in recent years, put Turkey in a strong position.

However Cagri Basel (SIEC Goldrush) followed an opening zero score with 15 faults, and when Omer Karaevli (Dadjak Ter Puttenen) added five more to his first-round time penalty and Burak Azak (SIEC Castelo Branco) lowered just one fence in the second round, then the Turkish total of nine left them frustratingly close to challenging the Swiss to a third-round jump-off.

PARTICULARLY REMARKABLE
Poland finished third with 22 faults, particularly remarkable considering they fielded only a three-man team and particularly impressive as pathfinder, Msciwaj Kiecon (Urbane) produced two flawless performances.  Sweden picked up 10.5 valuable points when slotting into joint fourth with Denmark – Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis producing the third double-clear of the competition – while Italy slotted into sixth ahead of Finland in seventh and the host nation of Norway in eighth place.

Continue reading Sweden Soars to the Top of the Promotional League Table →

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

Kevin Babington and Mark Q Capture the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

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

CULPEPER, VA (July 11, 2011) — With all new footing in the Grand Prix ring and beautiful weather, the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, was well suited to highlight the Showday National. Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, could not have asked for much more, as he captured the first place honors aboard his own Mark Q.

Sunday’s course was designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. Four riders went clean, including standout junior and Grand Prix newcomer Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Florida. Donovan went third in the order, posting her clear round early aboard her own Delilah. Babington showed sixth in the order and earned the second clear round of the class to secure a jump-off.

“I thought it was a great class,” said Babington. “I really enjoyed this show. Today’s class had a nice turnout, and the new footing was fantastic. We had some rain earlier in the week that gave it a good test and it passed with flying colors.”

Babington, like so many others, has circled the Pfizer Million on his calendar this year. “The Pfizer Million is one of my main goals this year since it’s such a great opportunity to jump for that much prize money. This is a new horse that I didn’t realize would be such a strong contender for the Million but I think we’ll be ready.”

Babington plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties to help cement his spot in the Pfizer Million lineup. “I will be in Saugerties for three weeks and will hopefully get six qualifiers in then,” he said. “This was my third one so I should be in good shape after Saugerties.”

Continue reading Kevin Babington and Mark Q Capture the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper →

FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

Ukraine and Japan Qualify for 2012 Olympic Jumping

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Lausanne (SUI), 12 July 2011 – Ukraine and Japan will both be represented in the Olympic Jumping events at London 2012, following their success at the Olympic qualification event held in Aachen (GER) on 10 July. Ukraine secured a team slot and Japan one individual place during Sunday’s qualifier for Olympic Groups C – Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia – and G – South East Asia and Oceania.

Eight teams – Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine – took part in the two-round competition. Competing over a strong track designed by Frank Rothenberger, team Ukraine were clear in the first round and finished on a score of 12 penalties to earn a team ticket to London 2012. The Ukrainians ended ahead of Turkey (25) and Poland (33) in the final standings. The complete results of the Olympic Qualification event for Groups C or G are available here.

There was a jump-off for the individual spot available for the best placed rider of Olympic Qualification Group G. Taizo Sugitani (JPN) and Jasmin Chen (TPE) were tied on nine faults after the second round and went forward to a timed decider. Both riders were clear against the clock, but the Olympic slot went to Japan when Taizo Sugitani completed the course in 53.97 seconds, almost two seconds faster than Jasmin Chen’s 55.61. The detailed individual results are available here.

Eight teams – Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, host nation Great Britain, and Ukraine – out of the 15 possible have qualified for the 2012 Olympic Jumping competition. A total of 15 teams will compete in London. Egypt, Japan and Syria have qualified individual riders. The complete qualification system for the 2012 Olympic Jumping competition can be consulted here.

Katharina Offel (UKR) was the best individual rider overall and, as a result, qualified to take part at CSIO Aachen this week (full individual results here).

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+ 41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+ 41 78 750 61 33

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

Artist Jane Gaston and Lumiere Draw Up a Victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

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©ESI Photography. Jane Gaston and Lumiere in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (July 11, 2011) — Two of the leaders in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final Rider Rankings dueled it out in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix with amateur rider Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere coming out on top to highlight the Showday National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

Gaston, a well known artist, especially in the equine world, entered Saturday’s class ranked third in the current Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Rider Rankings and continues to prove that she is one of the favorites to win it all in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

“This horse is just great,” said Gaston of The Plains, Virginia. “He got his start at HITS Culpeper five years ago as a baby and has won both Devoucoux classes so far here this year, so I feel like this is his home.

“But I am looking forward to going to Saugerties! The place is just beautiful. I have been there as a spectator, but I have never shown there,” said Gaston, looking forward to making her debut at HITS-on-the-Hudson this fall.

Gaston has made it clear that qualifying for the Diamond Mills Final is one of her goals this year. “I love the concept of this class. It really levels the playing field because it eliminates things like riders having multiple rides. And yes, I would say we are one of the favorites in the Final – as long as I stay out of his way!”

Continue reading Artist Jane Gaston and Lumiere Draw Up a Victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix →