Category Archives: Show Jumping

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

John Pearce Finishes First and Second in the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix

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John Pearce and Son of a Gun bested a jump-off field of seven competitors to win the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix Presented by Nutrena. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — Seven horses and riders returned for the second round over the Peter Holmes-designed course in the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix Presented by Nutrena. Twenty-five horses and riders started in the featured event on Saturday July 9, 2011 during week four of the Colorado Summer Circuit at The Colorado Horse Park. Canadian WEG riders John Pearce and Karen Cudmore each had multiple rides in the jump-off, with the two of them galloping off with the top four ribbons.

Course designer Peter Holmes, Cowichan Bay, B.C., planned to use the Park’s Derby Field to full advantage. “It’s a beautiful big arena on two levels, which is not that common. I wanted to use the slope as part of the course; it’s a balance test that we don’t often get to see.”

In his pre-ride course walk Olympian John Pearce speculated that four fences could be problematic for riders in the first round of the class: fence #3, a vertical off of an inside turn; the double combination, an oxer to a vertical; the triple combination of vertical, oxer vertical, that was set completely on its own and faced into the crowd, and the line from fence #9 to #10. And he was right. All four jumps presented problem spots for the class. The result — an excellent selection of horses that advanced to the second round. “I thought the course designer did a great job all week,” Pearce said. “He nailed it.”

In the jump-off Pearce was first to go with his eventual winner, Son of a Gun, delivering a clear round with a 36.148. This put the pressure on the rest of the class, who each faulted, until Pearce returned with Chianto. This was his partner in last year’s World Equestrian Games, where they finished in eighth place overall. The duo was clear, but finished with 36.474, leaving Son of a Gun in the lead. Cudmore was last to go with her mare Shea; the perennial favorite in Colorado didn’t disappoint her loyal fans. Cudmore put in a great run, but pulled the last rail to finish in third.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2011

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A DOUBLE GOLD FOR BELGIUM AND ITALY AS NEXT GENERATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE by Louise Parkes

Pictured (L to R): Nicola Philippaerts (team and individual gold), Victor Kumps, Jessica Geurts and Olivier Philippaerts, (front) Chef d'Equipe Rik Deraedt. Photo: FEI/Michael Steiger.

Lausanne (SUI), 11 JULY 2011 – Rising stars, and many with familiar names, shone brightly at the FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2011 staged in Comporta (POR) over the weekend.  Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, twin sons of long-time Belgian senior team rider Ludo Philippaerts, were members of the victorious Belgian Young Rider side, and 18 year Nicola also took the individual Young Rider title.  Meanwhile Virginia Caruso confirmed the competitiveness of Italian jumping right now when helping to scoop Junior team gold before also taking the individual honours yesterday.

Ireland clinched the first gold medals on offer in Saturday’s Children’s Team decider. But it was Lisa Nooren, daughter of world-famous coach Henk Nooren who is currently managing the French senior team, who came out on top in the Children’s individual competition the result of which, like so many of the other classes at these championships, had to be decided by a jump-off.  The quality of competition was extraordinary, with the top four riders producing flawless performances over five tough rounds, but Nooren and the 10 year old Dutch-bred Ubalia produced a superior turn of foot against the clock that left them with an advantage of more than 2.5 seconds over silver medallist Paul Delforge (Kaloubet d’Toureelle) from France, while Belgium’s Maxine de Pelsmaeker (Whippersnapper) claimed the bronze. Hungary’s Zoltan Lazar Jr (Afrodite) finished just outside the medal placings when second-quickest across the line, but with a single fence on the floor this time out.

Individual Children’s Champion Nooren said her victory was a family effort.  “It is a great privilege to have a father like mine.  He cannot often be at the competitions with me, so my mother coaches me, but at home the three of us work together as a group,” she explained.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$30,000 Grand Prix Is Grand Finale to Bustling First Week at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Brian Shook and Courage 68. Photo Credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 10, 2011 – Overcast skies couldn’t dull the excitement at Horse Shows by the Bay this afternoon, as the $30,000 Open Jumper Grand Prix of Traverse City ignited the Grand Prix ring. Brian Shook and Courage 68 took home the top prize, while Erynn Ballard and Robin Walker came in second and third, respectively. A suspenseful jump-off kept fans on the edge of their seats, as Shook, who rode last in the second round, was the only competitor to clear the course twice. This event was the first of four $30,000 Open Jumper Grand Prix that will take place at Flintfields Horse Park this summer.

Horse Shows by the Bay’s first 2011 Grand Prix got off to a dramatic start, as the first horse and rider both fell at a particularly challenging oxer. It wasn’t until the seventh rider, Robin Walker aboard Ilian-de-Taute, took the course that a clear round was achieved. Despite the much-appreciated lack of rain today, the rails seemed especially slippery on designer Chris Brandt’s intimidating course. Nearly all of the riders who entered today’s competition accidentally introduced a few rails to the Grand Prix ring’s new footing. Nevertheless, the challenge was met with delight by fans, whose “oohs” and “aahs” could be heard as each horse and rider bravely confronted the course.

Erynn Ballard and the appropriately-named Fun 2 Fly sure had fun this afternoon, as they were the second to go clear in the first round. They also had the fastest first round time, breezing through in under 70 seconds, the only pair to do so without incurring faults. Foreshadowing his jump-off success, Brian Shook was the third and final rider to clear the course in the initial round. He and Courage 68 teamed up to avoid the knockdowns and refusals that thwarted other participants. Of those whose rounds had only one fault, David Jennings and Nandy Fontaine turned in a great first round time of 69.534 seconds, finishing fourth overall. Denise Wilson also did well aboard Casey Jones, finishing with just four faults and a fifth place standing.

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Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, Symposiums

Aachen Symposium – Last Chance for Tickets

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Lausanne (SUI), 11 July 2011 – The FEI, CHIO Aachen and Aachen School of Course Design (ASCD), which are collaborating for the first time on a two-day Symposium to help the growth of national, regional, FEI 1* and 2* competitions around the world, have a small number of tickets left for the 18-19 July event in Aachen (GER).

“The Symposium will be a perfect opportunity to share vital expertise and know-how to help the successful expansion of jumping competitions internationally,” said course designer Frank Rothenberger, who will be attending the Symposium with more than 50 delegates involved in event organisation from 25 countries.

Speakers from the FEI, CHIO Aachen, ASCD and specialists from 10 countries – Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the USA – will deliver invaluable insights into successful event organisation at the Symposium, entitled “How to develop, organise and sustain national and regional Jumping Events”.

The Symposium is being hosted by the FEI, ASCD and CHIO Aachen in co-operation with the Alliance of Jumping Organisers (AJO).

For tickets and further information on the Symposium, please click here.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

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

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan Win $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan won the $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 9, 2011 – The top horse and rider combinations gathered at the Devon Show Ground’s Dixon Oval this afternoon to compete for the winning title during the $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix. This afternoon’s competition was the highlight event for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, which will be continuing through July 10, 2011. At the end of the day, Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan owned by Chansonette Farm LLC of New York, NY led the victory gallop after advancing to the short course and completing a clear effort in a time of 38.082 seconds.

“I got Vanhattan in March from one of Kent Farrington’s clients,” explained Keenan. “Kent was showing him in the grand prix classes, but I started out doing the Lows a few times and then the Highs; from the beginning he was unreal. I love him, he is such a character and a lot of fun.”

Christina Gellos and Man In Black owned by Gellos of Greenwich, CT were right behind them to take second with a time of 39.446, while Clementine Goutal and Ollywood Des Horts owned by Cloverleaf Farm of New York, NY broke the beam in a clean 39.865 to score the third place prize.

“Man In Black a little bit fired up, you just sit there and steer him around,” said Gellos. “He’s an incredible jumper, so you don’t really have to worry about the fences, which is awesome.”

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lexi Graham and Landmark Victorious in $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Lexi Graham and Landmark won the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Ron Schwane Photography.

Devon, PA – July 9, 2011 – Following today’s exciting $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix, riders returned to the Dixon Oval in the evening for the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby. The event was one of the highlights for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, at the Devon Show Grounds. The winning combination was Lexi Graham and Landmark owned by Julie Graham of Kintnersville, PA.

Graham and Landmark had scores of 89 and 90 after the first round. They came into the second round in third place, but with a picture-perfect round including, a spectacular brush box jump, the duo scored an 89 and an 89.5, which gave them a grand total of 357.5. They jumped to the top of the leaderboard and led tonight’s victory gallop around the Dixon Oval.

“He’s great for the derbies, he really takes care of me so it makes it a lot of fun,” noted Graham. “The first round was pretty nice, it was a little rough, but the second round is usually where we have a lot of fun and are able to take some chances.”

Graham added, “The ring looks great, I’ll definitely be back next year!”

Close behind in second was Kim Zindel-Buzby and Black Jax owned by Ann Nelligan of Newtown Square, PA, with a total score of 357. After scores of 92 and 90.5, the pair came into the handy round on top. A flawless second round course earned them scores of 83.5 and 91.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$10,000 Welcome Prix Is Fast and Furious at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Greer Hindle and Viper P. Photo Credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 8, 2011 – Warm weather and warm hospitality surrounded the $10,000 Welcome Prix at Horse Shows by the Bay today, as over two dozen eager competitors convened at the Grand Prix ring to compete this afternoon. Greer Hindle jumped Viper P to the blue ribbon in this ambitious class, wherein riders and their mounts had to quickly clear the 1.40m – 1.45m obstacles adorning designer Chris Brandt’s challenging course. Sponsored by Positive Step Farm and Patrice Schreiber, the event was the first of four $10,000 Welcome Prixs that will beckon the brave this July at Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival in scenic Traverse City, MI.

The competition kicked off with an early clear turn by eventual second place finisher Denise Wilson aboard Delphine Van Het Orshof, who is owned by Blue Gate Farm of Dousman, WI. Aside from Wim Janssen on V.P.N., though, no other riders were able to clear the course in the first half of the first round. Hooves were flying but rails kept falling, with many an entrant getting edged out by just a single knockdown. After a short break, the second set of riders took their turn on top of the Grand Prix ring’s new footing. This section saw a just few more promising rides, with five horse and rider combinations attaining a clear status on this clear, sunny day.

Timing is everything, though, and an efficient jump-off whittled-down the competition to just six remaining riders. More than half found success in clearing each hurdle. Hindle and Viper P proved the fastest, however, as they boomeranged around the turns in just 38.299 seconds. In their wake was Denise Wilson and Delphine Van Het Orshof, the first of two horses that Wilson would steer clearly in today’s jump-off. Wilson and Delphine Van Het Orshof, though, came in right behind winner Hindle in 38.423 seconds. Victor Segovia and Romeo earned themselves a third place finish after the jump-off, as the duo cantered cleanly in under 40 seconds. Following this very fast round was the first ribbon ceremony to take place in the Grand Prix ring this year, where winner Hindle received both a blue ribbon and a pair of valuable Devoucoux riding boots. Devoucoux, Inc. is a Bronze Sponsor for Horse Shows by the Bay’s 2011 festival.

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Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

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Laurent Beauvais, Chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Dr Pearse Lyons, President of Alltech, celebrating the announcement of Alltech as the title sponsor of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - Normandy © MC Chantrait

Lausanne (SUI), 8 July 2011 – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Alltech president Dr Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The agreement represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of EUR 10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder, Dr Pearse Lyons.

“These world championships of equestrian sport epitomise the values that we applaud; passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a long-standing history of serving the agricultural community in France and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event.”

“The FEI is delighted by the renewal of Alltech’s title sponsorship of the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos. “We are proud of the Games’ enduring appeal and are looking forward to an unforgettable seventh edition organised by Normandy 2014’s professional team and supported by an outstanding title sponsor such as Alltech.”

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

FEI Nations Cup Jumping Gets Back Underway at CSIO5* Falsterbo

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Charlie Jayne and Athena. Photo by Sophie Durieux.

Lexington, KY – FEI Nations Cup Jumping gets back underway tomorrow at CSIO5* Falsterbo. After a month’s hiatus, the world’s top show jumping teams will return to the ring in Sweden. The U.S. has drawn the first position of the nine teams for their Chef d’Equipe George Morris.

Charlie Jayne will lead things off for the U.S. with The London Group’s Athena. This pair has jumped in the Nations Cups in La Baule, Rome, and St. Gallen making this their fourth consecutive appearance.

Two Young Riders will jump in the second and third positions. Saer Coulter and Copernicus Stables’ Springtime will follow Jayne into the ring and Lucy Davis will ride Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 in the third position. Both Team Gold medalists at the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, they contested their first Nations Cup at CSIO4* Buenos Aires last fall. They are now also taking their first step into the top level of CSIO5* jumping together.

Christine McCrea will jump in the anchor spot on Romantovich Take One for Candy Tribble. This pair has been brilliant in Europe so far, jumping two clear rounds over a tough track in St. Gallen’s Nations Cup and then jumping to third in the Grand Prix two days later.

For more information about these riders, please visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011FEINationsCup/ which will also feature footage of the American competitors once the competition is over. Live coverage is available at www.feitv.org.

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

International Bromont: Clinic for Jumper Course Designer

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Leopoldo Palacios - International Bromont 2010. Credit: Proaction Photo.

Bromont, July 7th – This year, International Bromont will offer a clinic presented by world-renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios while he is attending the International Bromont. The clinic is recognized by Equine Canada and can be used in maintaining or upgrading the jumper course design status.

Mr. Palacios will design the courses for FEI classes the first week of competition and stay in Bromont to run the clinic on July 27, 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Places are limited and registration will end on July 15th.

Details and inscription at: http://www.internationalbromont.org/formulaires-e.shtml.

International Bromont is a leader in Hunter/Jumper events, offering two weeks of competition from July 20th to 24th and July 27th to 31st, 2011. As for the last 36 years, this event will take place in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec, a short distance from the Vermont border. It is the biggest horse show in Eastern Canada with a total prize money over $400,000 and one of five major Canadian events on the World Cup circuit.

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