Category Archives: Disciplines

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

2012 Alltech National Horse Show Set for October 31 through November 4th

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National Horse Show Association President Mason Phelps, Jr. and Dr. Pearse Lyons, President and Founder of Alltech. PHOTO CREDIT: ©Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com

Lexington, KY – December 14, 2011 – Following an amazingly successful debut this year, the second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is set for October 31 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, closed with great excitement, receiving unanimous approval from the horse show community. The Show was a great success with the thousands of attendees, in addition to nearly half a million viewers who watched the events unfold online.

More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans, competed this year, and according to Mason Phelps, Jr., the President of the National Horse Show Association, next year’s show will build on the excitement of the 2011 debut. “We couldn’t have been happier with our first year effort in Kentucky. But, that being said, we are already working on a bigger and better event for next year,” he said. “We expect bigger prize money; we’ve already added an extra competition day and the American Saddlebreds will return to the Alltech National Horse Show next year. So we are very excited about what lies ahead.”

Continue reading 2012 Alltech National Horse Show Set for October 31 through November 4th →

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

Platinum Performance to Honor Top Performers at HITS Horse Shows in 2012

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© Flying Horse Photography. Emily Smith of Platinum Performance and Tony Hitchcock of HITS present Rich Fellers and Flexible with the 2011 Platinum Performance Leading Rider Award.

OCALA, FL (December 14, 2011) — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that Platinum Performance has expanded its sponsorship with HITS Horse Shows and will present the Leading Grand Prix Rider Award at HITS Thermal, HITS Ocala and HITS Saugerties during the 2012 season.

“We are proud to be a sponsor and we have a great deal in common with the competitors at HITS – high expectations, impeccable quality and a desire to constantly improve,” said Amy Quintana of Platinum Performance.

The competition among High-Performance riders is sure to be action packed this winter as some of the top riders in the world ride for the coveted Leading Grand Prix Rider Award at HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala.

The 2012 HITS Desert Circuit will offer 16 Grand Prix events, including four FEI World Cup Qualifiers. On the East Coast, HITS Ocala will also boast 16 Grand Prix classes. In addition, every Grand Prix class at HITS Horse Shows in 2012 is a qualifier for the $1 Million Grand Prix that will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York in September.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping

Emerging Talent Showcased in 2011 Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series Year-End Championships

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Two-Year-Old Jump Chute champion Bragging Rights MF. Photos © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – December 14, 2011 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) in cooperation with The North American Studbook and Spy Coast Farm LLC hosted the finals for the 2011 Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series this weekend at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The exciting 2011 Young Horse Show Series (YHS) Year-End Championships awarded $10,000 in total prize money and was held on December 8th and 9th, 2011.

The competition began on Thursday, December 8th, featuring the first round of competition for classes in the Suitability for Sport In-Hand and Jump Chute divisions. Jos Sevriens and Jana Olof Wannius served as judges, with B. Nicho Meredith announcing. Handlers included Klaus Schengber, Phil Silva, and Brandon Curtis.

On Friday, December 9th, the finals were held for the Suitability for Sport Under Saddle, Style Jumping Under Saddle, and Schooling Dressage divisions.

Continue reading Emerging Talent Showcased in 2011 Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series Year-End Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Bechtolsheimer Leads British Whitewash at Olympia

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Laura Bechtolsheimer steered Mistral Hojris to victory as British riders dominated the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Olympia (GBR), 14 December 2011 – Laura Bechtolsheimer led the cavalry-charge, as British riders sensationally claimed the top four places in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 qualifier at Olympia in London, Great Britain tonight.  Riding Mistral Hojris, the horse with which she claimed three silver medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA last year, the 26 year old rider scored 83.975 to pip fellow-countrywoman Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, while 2011 European silver medallist, Carl Hester, slotted into third with Uthopia.  And, rounding up the host-nation whitewash, Richard Davison steered Hiscox Artemis into fourth.

“I’m thrilled,” said Bechtolsheimer. “We won the Grand Prix here last year, but we have never won the Freestyle, and this is such a special show – the home crowd are great.  It means everything to have won this competition!” she added.

Continue reading Bechtolsheimer Leads British Whitewash at Olympia →

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, USEF

USEF Report from First Pre-Olympic Games Dressage Clinic

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David Wightman on Partous with Anne Gribbons and Steffen Peters (Photo: USEF Archives)

Lexington, KY – The first of six pre-Olympic Games Dressage Clinics kicked off at beautiful Epona Farm in Thousand Oaks, CA. These clinics, a joint effort by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the USET Foundation will help prepare horses and riders for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Linda and Michael Fowler were gracious hosts at Epona Farm. Nine horses (with seven riders) worked with USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and Olympian Steffens Peters. For two days the riders focused on schooling the Grand Prix and then rode a test in front of Gribbons. Gribbons is also an FEI 5* judge.

“Going into 2012 it was useful for the riders to practice the new Olympic Grand Prix Special test,” said Jenny Van Wieren-Page USEF Director of Dressage, High Performance. “Another important aspect of these clinics is planning the 2012 competition and training schedules with Anne.”

Continue reading USEF Report from First Pre-Olympic Games Dressage Clinic →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Rolex Signs Partnership Agreement with Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014

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Geneva (SUI), 13 December 2011 – Rolex has become an official partner of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014. The agreement was signed today, 13 December, in Geneva (SUI), home town to Rolex and venue of the sixth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012.

The Swiss luxury watch maker has been involved in equestrian sport since 1957 and is a major force behind many of the sport’s finest events and riders. The brand’s association with the FEI World Equestrian Games dates back to 2002 and Rolex was the official sponsor of last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos welcomed the news of the Rolex partnership with Normandy 2014. “The FEI is delighted that Rolex, one of the world’s best brands and a dedicated partner to equestrian sport, has renewed its cooperation with the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” he said. “Rolex’s loyalty to our sport is exceptional and we are looking forward to the Games in Normandy, which are expected to stage absolutely top-class sport in an area renowned for its connection with the horse.”

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Community/Charity, Dressage, JRPR

Premier Equestrian Sponsors Young Adult Brentina Cup Winner and Dressage Trainer Caroline Roffman

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Caroline Roffman is being sponsored by Premier Equestrian. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Sandy, UT (December 12, 2011) — Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, is pleased to announce their sponsorship of Wellington-based dressage rider and trainer Caroline Roffman. The 23-year-old has set the dressage world on fire and during the fall of 2011 proved she is a rider to be reckoned with when she won the Young Adult Brentina Cup at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions and took home three Reserve National Championship titles from the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships.

“Premier is very excited to be sponsoring Caroline. She is certainly one of the brightest dressage stars of our young generation and, in addition to that, she is a lovely young woman,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “Premier is a world leader in dressage products, from arenas and letters to footing for the arenas, and we are proud that Caroline will be using and supporting our products.”

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

Hugh Kincannon Honored with USHJA’s President’s Distinguished Service Award

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Hugh Kincannon received the USHJA's President's Distinguished Service Award. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports

Lexington, KY – December 12, 2011 – On December 6, 2011, Hugh Kincannon of Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, was recognized at the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner. Kincannon received the President’s Distinguished Service Award for his management of USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, the USEF Pony Finals, and the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. The USHJA presented the award to Kincannon for his dedication to these events, and his efforts to always go above and beyond to make them a success.

In 2006, USHJA created a new award category, the USHJA President’s Distinguished Service Awards. These awards were developed by the President and staff to recognize and honor the dedication and service by members to USHJA and our sport. The staff and President reviewed the programs of USHJA, as well as the work involved in developing and implementing them, and those individuals who have gone beyond the call of duty to bring our sport to a new level and to benefit our membership.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Team USA Places Fourth at FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship

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Kelsey Kimbler on Cody Canuck and Mary Kathryn Clark on DA Al Capone walking in. Photos courtesy Kelly Kimbler

Lexington, KY – The U.S. finished fourth among 19 teams Saturday in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at the FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship despite an uphill battle that included an injured horse at the first inspection.

“What an exhilarating team effort and realistically an unexpected result – but privately hoped for,” said Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross.

Unexpected, in part, because Natalie Muzzio’s horse Khalil Asam was not able to ship, resulting in the loss of Team member Steven Hay. Then, at the first inspection on Friday, Kyle Gibbon’s horse, Misu Koran, owned by Stephen Rojek, presented with a sore shoulder and was not able to start. There are five vet checks throughout the race to check the horse’s soundness and metabolic capacity in order to be allowed to continue.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI, FEI

FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders 2011

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STAR PERFORMANCE FROM STIRLING AS URUGUAY TAKES TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL GOLD by Louise Parkes

15-year-old Martin Stirling rode the nine-year-old Vendaval to Team and Individual gold at the FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders 2011.

Abu Dhabi (UAE), 12 December 2011 – Martin Stirling was the star turn at the 2011 FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders in Abu Dhabi over the weekend when the 15-year-old schoolboy led Uruguay to Team and Individual glory.

The French stood in silver medal position on the team podium ahead of the Australians who took bronze, and it was Australia’s Allix Jones who was runner-up for the Individual title. Firming up the dominant position of the Uruguayan squad at this biennial event, Oriana Ricca claimed Individual bronze while team-mate, Maria Pereira, took the Best Condition Award after finishing individually seventh with Mi Jade.

It was a surprise result all round, with high expectations that riders from the United Arab Emirates would feature prominently. The UAE’s Hussain Ali Al Marzouqi steered his horse, Sergai, to win the last FEI World Endurance Champion for Juniors and Young Riders held in Hungary in 2009, while Ahmad Ali Al Sabri and Alizee de Marjolaine claimed the Open category gold at the European Junior and Young Rider Endurance Championships in 2010.

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