Category Archives: Show Jumping

Elections and Allocation of FEI Championships and Finals

Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011 – Carmen Barrera (ESA) and Roberto Luiz Giugni (BRA) were elected chairs of regional groups V and VI respectively by the FEI Extraordinary General Assembly which was held on 6 May 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

The following FEI Championships and Finals were allocated by the FEI Bureau during its meeting on 5 May:

2012

JUMPING

FEI European Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children, Ebreichsdorf-Magna Racino (AUT), August (exact dates TBC)

DRESSAGE

FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, Bern (SUI), 8-15 July

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The Super-Eight Line Up for the FEI Nations Cup 2011 Season

Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011 – The FEI Nations Cup Top League series this year reverts to the eight-leg, eight-team format that was originally established in 2003, and next Friday the 2011 season is set to kick off at La Baule in France.

The most enduring of all FEI disciplines, Nations Cup jumping has stirred the hearts and souls of competitors and spectators alike for more than a century now, and the air of excitement and expectation ahead of the new season is tangible.

Visiting many of the most prestigious venues on the international equestrian circuit, the FEI Nations Cup has a cachet all of its own. It is always an honour to be selected to represent your country, and riders proudly fly their national flags in this annual battle for supremacy. But it’s not just about which country fields the strongest sides, this series is also a test of the leadership skills of the all-important Chefs d’Equipe, and a test of the character, courage and determination of the competitors who must ride the waves of the fluctuating fortunes that always accompany competitions of this calibre.

Continue reading The Super-Eight Line Up for the FEI Nations Cup 2011 Season

Charles Jacob and Secret Love Return to the Winner’s Circle Thanks to The Sanctuary at PBIEC

Equine Cold Saltwater Spa Helps Horse Recover

Charles Jacob competes Secret Love in Wellington. (Photo courtesy of Anne Gittins)

Wellington, FL (May 9, 2011) – Charles Jacob and his 16.1 Belgian warmblood, Secret Love, recently won a High Amateur/Owner Jumper class and jumped clean in a Grand Prix, a remarkable feat considering Secret Love was sidelined with an injury last year. Thanks to treatments in the Cold Saltwater Spa at The Sanctuary at PBIEC’s Wellington facility, Secret Love is back in the winner’s circle and according to his groom he is jumping like “a million bucks!”

“Charlie and Secret Love, or Snoopy as we call him, won the Grand Prix during the second week of Lake Placid in 2009. He is a proven Grand Prix horse and a formidable competitor in the High Amateur/Owner jumpers. He was sidelined with an injury last year and our vet suggested the Cold Saltwater Spa,” said Snoopy’s groom, Mindi Verzillo, adding that at first they tried buckets of ice on the horse’s legs.

Snoopy wouldn’t tolerate the ice buckets and that’s when Verzillo said they turned to The Sanctuary at PBIEC, the new world-class rehab and conditioning center located on the show grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Sanctuary also has a 30-acre facility in Ocala.

Continue reading Charles Jacob and Secret Love Return to the Winner’s Circle Thanks to The Sanctuary at PBIEC

Johnstone Sets the Target with Double Down Under

Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express wins again in Sydney at the second leg of the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011. Photo: Rachel Smith/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2011 – As anticipated, Antipodean riders seized the chance to steal a march on their northern hemisphere colleagues in the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing series by targeting the second leg, at Sydney’s Weekend of Equestrian World Cups (AUS).

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone followed up his victory at Kihikihi (NZL) last month by travelling across the Tasman Sea to pick up another win aboard Orient Express, his team bronze medal-winning mount at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

Only three riders have won two FEI World Cup events in a season: Michael Jung (GER) last year, Megan Jones (AUS) in 2009, and Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) in 2007. Johnstone’s two wins, plus a third at Kihikihi, gives him an impressive tally of 119 points.

With riders’ three best results counting towards the final rankings, which carry a first prize of €28,000 the New Zealander could prove hard to beat. He has further chances to improve his tally as he sets off for Britain this month to further his ambition of selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

George H. Morris with his Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland. Photo courtesy of EFF.

Ypäjä, Finland – U.S. show jumping legend George H. Morris received a Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland (EFF) on May 5, for his work with the Finnish show jumping athletes. Morris, who is the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team, has globally impacted the sport of show jumping.

Tom Gardin, a representative of the Scandinavian country’s Federation, awarded the Badge to Morris at the conclusion of a three-day clinic. The presentation took place in Ypäjä, a small village 80 miles northwest of Helsinki best known for horses and its equine college that hosts Finnderby, an international competition that takes place annually.

Morris has been making almost annual trips to Finland since 1984. He has been highly appreciated by the hundreds of riders and trainers, including participants from the Baltic countries, who he has taught and inspired throughout his years of training and conducting clinics.

“I like coming to Finland… I value this badge highly and feel honored,” said Morris.

Continue reading Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

Jumping Radio Episode 61 – Rolex FEI World Cup Final Winners


Louise Parkes reports on the Rolex FEI Jumping Final which took place in Leipzig, Germany and produced a home win for the German jumping camp. Tune in right here.

Jumping Radio Episode 61 – Show Notes and Links:

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Kevin Staut Becomes First Athlete Representative on FEI Executive Board

Kevin Staut (FRA)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 May 2011 – Kevin Staut, one of France’s most successful Jumping riders, has become the first athlete to be appointed to the FEI Executive Board. His appointment was ratified at today’s Extraordinary General Assembly at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI).

Staut (31), who has held the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings for Jumping since July 2010, has ridden on numerous Nations Cup teams for France and claimed individual gold at the Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships in 2009.

Staut will serve a three-year term on the Executive Board alongside First Vice President John McEwen (GBR), Second Vice President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN) Chair of Group VII, Richard Nicoll (USA) Chair of the Driving Committee and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos (BEL).

“Sports governance can so often be about politics, and the appointment of an athlete representative on the Executive Board is an historic event for the FEI. It will give us a constant reminder that sport should always be at the heart of everything we do,” explained FEI President HRH Princess Haya. “Kevin is a consummate horseman who will represent the best interests of athletes across all of our disciplines. He is widely admired by all of us and we are delighted that he joins the Executive Board.”

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North Florida Summer, North Florida Fall & Maclay Regional Finals

North Florida Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that we have again been chosen by the National Horse Show to host their Maclay Regional Final Class this summer.  This class will be held at the North Florida Fall Horse Show that runs from September 2-4.  The North Florida Summer Show will precede this event and will be held on August 26-28.  Both shows are USEF “A” rated shows and are scheduled to be held at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs, FL.

We are requesting support from our Membership, Trainers, Barns and Businesses to assist us in hosting this prestigious event.  NFHJA has become known for our exhibitor hospitality and is dedicated to making this event special for all of our exhibitors, but would like to make this an especially memorable event for our Maclay Riders and their families.

NFHJA has the following areas available for sponsorship in regards to the North Florida Fall Horse Show & Maclay Regional Finals:

·         Gifts for the Maclay riders, which is a reflection of our show to take home with them

·         Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings

·         Lasagna dinner reception on Saturday evening after the FL Governor’s Cup

·         FL Governor’s Cup Trophy – awarded to the winner of the FL Governor’s Cup

·         Monetary Donations

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Jack Hardin Towell Sr.

Jack Hardin Towell, Sr. started his own business as a hunter/jumper trainer at the age of 17. Now the owner of Finally Farm in Camden, South Carolina, and one of the leading horse trainers in the US, his accomplishments as a trainer have secured his stature in the industry. Jack has used his skills and intuition to discover and make top hunter ponies and horses. He has trained 65 champions and/or reserve champions in the best indoor shows, including The Pennsylvania National, Devon, The Washington International, Capital Challenge, and The National Horse Show.

Jack is also an R rated horse-show judge and has officiated at many prestigious horse shows including the Washington International and the ASPCA Maclay Finals.

Please join us May 7-8, 2011 at Longfield Stables located at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC for an opportunity to ride with a master. Contact Lauren Marcinkoski at SwampFoxFarms@gmail.com or (912) 484 8510 for more information.

Hunter Harrison Named Chairman of the Board of the National Horse Show Association

Patricia Hill and Eric Straus also named to Board

PHOTO CREDIT: ©Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Lexington, KY – May 4, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America Ltd. announced today that E. Hunter Harrison has been named as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Born in Tennessee, Harrison served for many years as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian National Railway before retiring in 2009, leaving an admirable record of accomplishment. Thanks to his leadership, CN became the envy of the railway industry and Harrison developed his reputation as one of the most successful railroaders in history. In a fitting tribute to Harrison, CN named their Memphis distribution center after its retiring CEO. They unveiled the Harrison Yard recently, after spending $100-million to nearly double its capacity.

Harrison’s Double H Farm, owned by Hunter and his wife Jeannie, is one of the top equestrian show stables in the industry. The farm, managed by the Harrison’s daughter, Cayce, is home to a number of world-class show jumpers, including Let’s Fly and Rufus, shown by Olympic Gold Medalist Rodrigo Pessoa.

Continue reading Hunter Harrison Named Chairman of the Board of the National Horse Show Association