Category Archives: Show Jumping

Olympic Champion Returns to Top of Rolex Rankings

8 July 2010 – Olympic Jumping champion Eric Lamaze (CAN) has returned to the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings.

The Canadian, who took individual gold and team silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, was ranked second in the world in February and March and was third in the April and May rankings. He is now back at the top of the rankings for the first time since February 2009.

Pius Schwizer (SUI), who has been world number one in the Rolex Rankings for the past five months, has now dropped down to second, with reigning European champion Kevin Staut (FRA) moving up one place to third. Rolex FEI World Cup champion Marcus Ehning (GER), who was in second in the May rankings, is now in fourth.

The updated Rolex Rankings, which were published today by the FEI, are available here.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

The 2010 Capital Challenge Horse Show Announces Schedule and New Classes

Showman and Sandy Ferrell won last year's Future Hunter World Championship at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Upper Marlboro, MD – July 7, 2010 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show, now in its 17th year of competition, strives every year to provide the best possible horse show for its exhibitors. This includes adding new classes that offer special opportunities for every level of rider. This year’s show will once again start with the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com, on October 2-3, and the horse show will continue on October 4-10.

Highlights of the Capital Challenge Horse Show will include the North American Equitation Championship (Oct. 3), the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals (Oct. 3), the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Pro Challenge (Oct. 6), the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup (two rounds held on Oct. 8-9), the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals (Oct. 8), and the WCHR Professional Finals (Oct. 8).

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$60,000 Showplace Leading Rider Series Standings

Maggie Jayne and Caretina III. Photos © 2010 Lauren Fisher/PMG.

Wayne, IL – July 6, 2010 – Following a very successful three weeks of competition at the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show, many of the Midwest’s best riders are currently sitting at the top of the standings for the coveted $60,000 Showplace Leading Rider Series. Returning for its fourth consecutive year, the Leading Rider Series has made an exciting addition to its lineup this year, adding six divisions of leading hunter awards along with the previous jumper honors. The 2010 Leading Rider Series will offer $32,500 in jumper money and $27,500 in hunter money.

The Showplace Leading Rider Series tracks riders through a series of nine events throughout the season and awards prizes to the top three riders in each category. Riders in the series are ranked according to the prize money won by their top placed horse in the Classic or Grand Prix for their division. The finale for the Showplace Leading Rider Series is at the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show on September 14-19, 2010. There, the top three riders in each section will win bonus money (first place- 50%, second place- 30%, and third place- 20%), and the top ten will receive awards.

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Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Falsterbo Preview

FRENCH STILL IN FRONT AS SERIES ARRIVES IN FALSTERBO

Falsterbo (SWE), 6 July 2010 – The defending champions from France still hold the whip hand as the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup series moves to Falsterbo in Sweden this Friday.  Full of flair and confidence they blazed a trail through the first-half of the season with a spectacular hat-trick of wins, and they hold an eight-point lead over Great Britain in second place going into the last four rounds of the eight-leg series.

After a superb victory from the all-girl team in Rotterdam three weeks ago the USA has improved to third with just 3.5 points separating them from the British, while Germany lies fourth, just 0.5 points further adrift.  The Spanish team, newcomers to this top level of team jumping, have shown themselves more than equal to the task and in fifth place hold a single-point advantage over the Irish in sixth.  But neither of these nations can afford to rest on their laurels.

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From the North American Riders Group: Resolution of the McLain Ward/Sapphire World Cup Elimination Dispute Is Good for Our Sport!

July 5, 2010 – The North American Riders Group believes to advance the sport of show jumping, all decisions related to its future must put the sport itself above all else. This is an example of that.

McLain, the USEF and the FEI could have continued a prolonged legal battle, but the additional gains on either side would have been for personal gain or pride. Instead, a positive resolution has been forged that publicly recognizes the decision was INCORRECT and, importantly, has resulted in a revised protocol for hypersensitivity.

Details of the revised protocol will be issued before the Aachen CHIO, but from what we understand already they will require more checks and balances which should eliminate any misuse of the protocol either by mistake or abuse of power.

Everyone in show jumping should benefit from this resolution.

We applaud those involved for this resolution while we still recognize that McLain can’t get back the World Cup he lost in Geneva!

For more information, please visit www.narg.org.

FEI Resolves Legal Dispute over World Cup Disqualification

2 July 2010 – After a full investigation into the facts surrounding the disqualification of Sapphire (McLain Ward) at the FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, the FEI has determined that the horse was incorrectly eliminated from the second round on 16 April 2010, however, Sapphire’s disqualification from the final round of the World Cup remains in place.

McLain Ward will immediately be awarded all ranking points and prize money related to his second place finish in the second round of the FEI World Cup Final. This will not affect ranking points and prize money awarded to other riders in the competition.

As a result of this investigation, the FEI has also decided to issue mandatory guidelines to be applied by the Veterinary Commissions appointed for FEI Events in order to strengthen the hypersensitivity protocol that was applied in Geneva. These guidelines will be communicated to all National Federations prior to the CHIO in Aachen (GER).

The USEF, McLain Ward and Tim Ober have stated that they do not agree with the FEI on the question of whether Sapphire displayed a level of sensitivity that justified her disqualification from the third round of the World Cup and also disagree with the process followed however, in the best interest of the sport, they have dropped their legal case against the FEI and will not challenge this disqualification.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

Southeast US “Queen of Speed” Retires from Show Jumping

Hendersonville, NC — Shakira do Jacare, the brilliant 14-year-old Brazilian bred chestnut mare owned by Sarah Owen and Muny Sunk Stables, officially retired from the sport of show jumping in an emotional ceremony during the 2010 Atlanta Summer Classics.

Dubbed the “Queen of Speed” by her competitors, Shakira’s presence alone at many a grand prix was enough to rattle the nerves of most seasoned jumpers. However, this mare’s story begins with Longwood Equestrian Center’s owner and professional rider Sergio Campos. Shakira was bred by Campos at his family’s ranch in Campo Grande, Brazil. She is the offspring of his champion stallion Primo, who died tragically in a barn accident in 1997. “She [Shakira] was very tough to break; it took a lot longer than most normal horses. I remember when she was a 3-year-old she jumped out of one of the paddocks… over 6 foot tall fencing! She always showed signs of being a Champion.” Campos shared then added with a laugh, “When we imported her to the US she had an accident loading onto the airplane and got 20 stitches in her rump. She missed that plane and arrived 2 weeks later, proving both her headstrong nature and resilience.” A handy mare, known for her speed and turn-of-hoof, Shakira helped Campos lead the victory gallop in four Grand Prixs during their debut in 2005 as well as numerous mini prixs and Welcome Stakes throughout the Southeast. Over the next few years the number of wins only grew, but fate’s crossroad lay just ahead.

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Charleston Summer Classic

July 1, 2010 – The Charleston Summer Classic starts in two weeks from today and we still have about 50 stalls for week one and about 100 for week two still available.  The temporary stalls will go up right after the July 4th weekend so if you need stalls, call our office so we put up the right number.  We will only have 450 stalls this year.

Three other things.

1. If you are interested in renting a golf cart, please call the office.  We do not have an onsite vendor and are trying to find carts in town.  843 768 5503 – speak to Tissy.

2. You are welcome to arrive on Saturday the 10th of July if you like.  We will have a VERY limited staff but if you call about shavings early, you are welcome to come. Please do not arrive without calling us.  843 768 5503.

3. There was a misprint in the prize list for the $7,500 Jumper Classic.  The specs implied that the class was only for Jr AO Jumpers.  That is not true.  It is an open jumper classic, open to all horses and riders.

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McLain Ward & Vocas Win the $25k Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm and ridden by McLain Ward, winner of the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix and the Callari Cup presented by Wells Fargo Advisors. Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 29, 2010 – McLain Ward, aboard Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm, emerged victorious over a field of 27 competitors at the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 26, 2010, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut.

Urged on by spectators and over 350 guests at The EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon, Ward and Vocas claimed victory in an exciting jump off. Ward also placed 4th aboard Esplanade 7 owned by Louisburg Farm, and 12th aboard Miel D’Amuray owned by Gabby Slome. George N. Venizelos representing Wells Fargo Advisors was on hand to present the well-earned blue ribbon, along with Jonathan Moffly of Moffly Media, Show Co-Chairs, Alison Ashman and Catherine Herman, Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of The EQUUS Foundation, and Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation.

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Jung and Townend Go Head to Head at Strzegom

24 June 2010 – Germany’s Michael Jung and Britain’s Oliver Townend, both winners of HSBC World Cup Eventing competitions this season, go head to head at Strzegom (POL) this weekend (June 24-27) as they both bid to take over the lead in the 2010 rankings from Australian Megan Jones, who has scored a win and a second place in the series so far.

Jung, who had an incredible season in 2009, winning Luhmühlen and a European bronze medal on La Biosthetique Sam, is already a winner at this Polish venue having scored at the HSBC World Cup Eventing Final here last year.

In contrast, Townend made an early exit at Strzegom last year; having led the Dressage phase, he suffered an unlucky fall on the flat across country when Flint Curtis lost a shoe.

Continue reading Jung and Townend Go Head to Head at Strzegom