Category Archives: Show Jumping

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

Home Stretch to Qualify for 20th Annual Marshall and Sterling Finals

Sponsor Mary Moeller of Marshall & Sterling Insurance presents the award to the Winners of the Children Pony Medal at the 2009 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals. Photo © Lili Weik Photography.

Saugerties, New York – June 21, 2010 – The Marshall & Sterling League is pleased to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. School is out for summer, and there has never been a better time to qualify for what will undoubtedly be the most exciting Marshall & Sterling National Finals competitors have ever seen.

Founded 20 years ago, the Marshall & Sterling League has continuously offered our nation’s diverse population of horses and riders at all levels an opportunity to qualify for and compete at the prestigious Marshall & Sterling National Finals, to be held this year September 15-19, 2010 at the exquisite HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, NY.

Marshall & Sterling League Coordinator Patti Guerriero has been with HITS since 2003 and during that time has been the League’s administrator managing membership for both equestrians and horse shows. “When the League started 20 years ago, we had 10 member horse shows. In 2003 when I started there were three hundred, today we have 1,300 member shows. We have incredible members and many wonderful show partners around the country. I think the success and longevity of this type of grassroots organization is directly tied to our commitment to this audience of riders and our continued desire to bring new and exciting divisions and offerings into the mix over the years.”

Continue reading Home Stretch to Qualify for 20th Annual Marshall and Sterling Finals

Atlanta Summer Classic One

We had a great week in Conyers for the Atlanta Summer Classic I.  We had lots of exciting classes so I have lots to share.

To start, this week was a WCHR event and we hosted the USHJA Hunter Classic and USHJA International Hunter Derby.

The winner of the Hunter Classic was Snowday owned by Triple Creek Farm and ridden by Lindsey Chestnut.  The class was showcased and started at 10 am with lots of spectators watching.  The Classic Company plans many USHJA Hunter Classics in the future.

The winner of the International Hunter Derby was Brunello, owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Peterson and shown by Elizabeth Boyd.   The class was held in the 400 x 450 Grand Prix ring under lights and was well attended with “tailgaters”.  It was an exciting class and Allen Rheinheimer and Joe Carnicom made a challenging course.  There were also many comments among the spectators that they missed the “opening of the gate” and they hoped that the committee will see fit to allow it next year…. it was not a gimmick jump.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classic One

Sharon Hunt Is Talk of the Town in Luhmühlen

Sharon Hunt (GBR) claimed her first-ever CCI4* victory when winning at Luhmühlen with the Irish Sport Horse Tankerstown to move into fourth place in the HSBC FEI Classics standings after three of five events. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

20 June 2010 – Sharon Hunt (GBR) enjoyed the biggest thrill of her long partnership with Tankers Town when the fleet-footed gelding gave her a first CCI4* win, at Luhmühlen, presented by E.ON Avacon, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

“I’m shocked,” said the 32-year-old, “but I always knew he was a phenomenal horse.”

The optimum time of 90 seconds proved extremely difficult on the spacious Jumping track and only nine out of the 32 finishers avoided collecting time penalties.

Tankers Town lowered the third fence, but Hunt kept up a good speed and did not incur any other penalties, giving her the slimmest of leads – just 0.2 of a penalty – over Ingrid Klimke (GER), whose chances of a first CCI4* win disappeared when she had both parts of the double at five down.

“The course really suited my horse because he is so good at jumping fast,” explained Hunt.

Continue reading Sharon Hunt Is Talk of the Town in Luhmühlen

Caitlin Creel Captures ASPCA Maclay at 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular II

At the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular II, Caitlin Creel and Calvin 46 win ASPCA Maclay. Photos 2010 © Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Wayne, IL – June 18, 2010 – Today’s hunter competition at the Showplace Spring Spectacular II at the Lamplight Equestrian Center began at 8:00 a.m. in the Main Hunter Ring. Juniors brought out their top equitation horses for the morning’s competitions in the ASPCA Maclay and the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal. Winning the ASPCA Maclay was Caitlin Creel aboard Calvin 46.  Shortly after a ring drag the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal commenced. Coming from fourth place before the test and then taking home the blue was Nicki LaChapelle and Perfect Landing.

The ASPCA Maclay course and the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal were both designed by Skip Bailey of Wellington, Florida. Both courses featured a diagonal two-stride, two option verticals coming home, and a figure eight to two split rail fences.

Continue reading Caitlin Creel Captures ASPCA Maclay at 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular II

Americans Reign in Rotterdam

Rotterdam (NED), 18 June – The all-female US team stormed to victory at the fourth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup in Rotterdam today where, for the first time this season, the French did not have their way and had to settle for equal-fifth place.  There was an air of determination about the winning side from the start, and with three double-clears they proved untouchable.

Great Britain’s march back to the top end of the sport continued as they slotted into runner-up spot with a one-fault advantage over the third-place home team, and there was huge relief for Dutch Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens.  “Today was so much better,” he said as, at last, his riders managed to shake off the run of poor results that has left them lingering in the bottom-four relegation zone for the last few weeks.  They have only moved up one place on the leaderboard however and still remain extremely vulnerable along with Switzerland, Sweden and Poland.

Continue reading Americans Reign in Rotterdam

Atlanta Charleston Tryon Updates

June 17, 2010 – Just a few updates and reminders….

The Atlanta Summer Classic I, II are both sold out for both weeks.  We sold out so late we could not put up a tent and I am very sorry for those 70 horses that could not get in.  Please call us early this fall for the show in November.

The Charleston Summer Classic I, II (July 14-24) – The office phone has been ringing and the mail has been heavy for the shows on Johns Island.  We can only have 450 stalls this year so if you are planning to attend, please call our office.  Both stalls and campers are limited and we want all of you that are planning to come to get in so let us know.  This year we added more jumper classes and have classes that do not require membership to USEF or USHJA.

The Tryon Fall Classic (September 24-26) will celebrate 20 years this fall.  Carol Kent and I are looking forward to our show this year.  This year we will offer the Tri State Age Group Equitation Finals.  The top 15 riders in the 11 and Under, 12-14 and 15-17 from SCHJA, NCHJA, and GHJA will be invited for a special class with great awards.  Mark your calendar.

Continue reading Atlanta Charleston Tryon Updates

Confident Klimke Retains Lead at Luhmühlen

Ingrid Klimke (GER) and Butts Abraxxas were fast and clear round Capt Mark Phillips’ Cross Country course to retain their lead at Luhmühlen, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

19 June 2010 – Ingrid Klimke (GER) was deservedly jubilant after a superb Cross Country ride on Butts Abraxxas which kept her in the lead and still on her Dressage score at Luhmühlen (GER), presented by E.ON Avacon, the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Klimke, who says her nerve has not been affected at all by the recent birth of her second child, said: “I’m really thrilled. My plan worked, my horse felt confident and fit and although I had thought I would take the long route at the corner in the arena (23), when I got there I decided I would like the challenge!”

Klimke declared herself “eager for tomorrow”, but she has no room for error in the final Jumping phase. Olympic team bronze medallists Sharon Hunt and the 16-year-old Tankers Town, who have proven ability over the coloured poles, have moved up three places to lie second and are just 3.8 penalties behind.

Continue reading Confident Klimke Retains Lead at Luhmühlen

FEI Secretary General Marks 100-day Countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

17 June 2010 – Alex McLin, FEI Secretary General, marks the 100-day countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with a specially extended video message today, expressing his confidence that the FEI’s flagship event will be an incredible celebration of equestrian sport when it opens in the 1,200 acre Kentucky Horse Park on 25 September.

“Spectators can expect to see the best equestrian sport can offer,” Alex McLin says. “The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are 100 days away so we’re in the final stretches of preparation. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since the award of the bid because everything that’s been achieved since then is absolutely incredible.

“All the infrastructure has been delivered on time, the teams are working well together on the ground and we have every reason to be confident that we’ll have a fantastic Games.”

Continue reading FEI Secretary General Marks 100-day Countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Rotterdam Preview

FEI TV – Follow the fourth leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup series in Rotterdam LIVE on FEI TV – www.feitv.org

CAN THE FRENCH MAKE IT A FABULOUS FOUR?

Rotterdam (NED), 15 June 2010 – As the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup series reaches the half-way stage at Rotterdam in The Netherlands this Friday, the big question on everyone’s lips is, “Can the runaway French be stopped in their tracks?” The defending series champions have a commanding advantage at the top of the 2010 leaderboard after their hat-trick of victories at La Baule (FRA), Rome (ITA) and St Gallen (SUI) over the last four weeks, and Chef d’Equipe Laurent Elias is taking no chances with another crack side for this latest fixture.

The French are also the defending champions at Rotterdam where Penelope Leprevost was the heroine in 2009 when clinching the honours in a thrilling third-round head-to-head against America’s McLain Ward.  The lady from Normandy has firmly established herself as a linchpin of her national side since then, and is again selected for this week’s event alongside Kevin Staut, Patrice Deleveau, Michel Robert and Marie Etter Pellegrin.

Continue reading Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Rotterdam Preview