Peters and Legolas 92 at the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (SusanJStickle.com)
Fritzens, Austria – The U.S. continued to showcase strong form on Saturday at CDI4* Fritzens with riders securing three of the top five placings in Big Tour competition. Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, and Adrienne Lyle, all members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team and London Olympic Games veterans, helped the U.S. to monopolize the top placings in the Grand Prix for the Freestyle. Earlier in the day Peters earned his second Small Tour victory of the weekend.
“America had another great day in Fritzens today,” said U.S Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover. “I am very excited and hopeful that we will see more excellent U.S. rides and results tomorrow in the Grands Prix Special and Freestyle.”
Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 demonstrated the form that has helped them earn three National Titles as they scored 75.340% on Saturday. The 12-year-old Westphalian gelding finished in second place, 8/10s of a point behind the day’s winner.
Earning a third-place finish in the Grand Prix for the Special was Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her veteran 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V on a score of 72.600%.
Rounding out the U.S. effort on Saturday was Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Wizard, who finished in fifth place on a score of 68.640%.
Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer collected her second victory of the weekend, winning Saturday’s class on a score of 76.180% with Augustin OLD.
To start the day Peters and Konyot both represented the U.S. in Small Tour competition performing the Intermediaire I Test. Peters and Four Winds Farm’s seven-year-old Rheinlander mare Rosamunde earned their second victory of the week after scoring 76.026%. Konyot and Bruce Grivetti’s 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding Wyoming finished in 18th place on a score of 64.605%.
Competition at CDI4* Fritzens comes to a close on Sunday with Peters, Konyot, and Lyle riding in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.), Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.), Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla) will perform the Grand Prix Special.
(L to R) Eric Ranieri Volpe ITA (silver), Enrico Sciulli ITA (gold) and Gina Maria GER (bronze). Photo: FEI/Andrea Bonaga.
Givrins (SUI), 5 July 2014 – The Italians proved unbeatable for gold at the FEI European Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2014 which drew to a close at Givrins in Switzerland yesterday. Last year they scored a hat-trick on home ground in Manerbio, but this year they went one better and swept all before them.
The Championships took place at the state-of-the-art CS Ranch in Givrins which is a breeding, training and showing centre for Reining horses owned by Corinna Schumacher, wife of F1 motor-racing driver Michael Schumacher. The venue, located halfway between Geneva and Lausanne, enjoys spectacular views of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva and was highly praised by visitors and competitors alike.
Entries from six nations – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands – lined out, and from the outset it was clear the Italians would be the ones to beat. They showed extraordinary consistency when taking Thursday’s team title, and placed their stamp of authority all over yesterday’s Individual medal-deciders when scooping gold and silver in both categories.
Junior Team
There were four nations in action in the Junior Team Championship, but the Italians ensured that they secured their fourth title in a row. Enrico Ranieri Volpe produced their best score of 213.5 with Exxcalibur, and with scores of 213.0 for Francesco Pedretti (Elvis Peppy Gold), 212.5 from Linda Rebecca Martinelli (Playgirl on the Rocks) and 212.0 from Enrico Sciulli (Partree 2008) the result was beyond doubt when totalling 639.0.
Germany’s Levin Ludwig and Top Flash Cody matched Volpe’s impressive mark, but while just 1.5 points separated all four of the Italian side, there was more than 10 points of a difference between the highest and lowest German scores. Gina Maria, 2013 Individual Junior gold medallist, posted 210.0 with Big Time Rooster, Madeleine Korbus and Lena Cielo Dream posted 205.5 and Daniel Kalk and Sheza Custom Crome put 203.0 on the board for a team total of 629.0.
There were just three riders on the Dutch and Czech Republic teams and The Netherlands took the bronze when Zoey Kant and It’s Dun Time were awarded a mark of 208.0, Trudy van der Pals and Twist n Freckles posted 205.5 and Jamie Verker and Double R Whiz Kid earned a mark of 188.5 for a team total of 602.0. A final tally of 398.5 left the Czech Republic’s Karoine Karaskova (Smarty Chic Rooster), Tereza Hrdinova (Hahn Es Sweetie) and Brenda Lesniczakova (Ima Lil Pepto) outside the medals.
Riders were great
Italian coach Filippo Masi said, “Our Junior riders were great today!” Italy has great strength in depth where team selection is concerned. “What makes me happy is that the riders change but the enthusiasm and the urge to do well remain. Today these young competitors showed us all that they were responsible and focused.”
There was no disappointment in the German camp. Chef d’Equipe Nico Hoermann said, “On the team we had a few new names that had never taken part in an event like this one so I am very pleased! Last year we missed the podium by a heartbeat. Conquering the silver today is fantastic!”
Dutch coach Rieky Young said, “The first to enter the pen today, Zoey (Kant), is the rider with the most international experience and she did really well. The second, Jamie, was unlucky and incurred a few penalties. Trudy did well for us and overall I am happy and very proud of my team – they handled the pressure of this championship really well!” he pointed out.
Junior Individual
There were 18 horse-and-rider combinations in the battle for the Junior Individual title yesterday in which Enrico Sciulli and the flashy sorrel mare, Partree 2008, clinched their second gold medal of the week when closing their run with a score of 216. “Today my mare went much better than yesterday,” said the 17-year-old rider who earned team gold and Individual bronze last summer with The Gunner King. “She still needs to mature a little as far her personality is concerned and that is why sometimes she is not as consistent as she should be in the pen,” he added. Sciulli has been training with Italian coach, Masi, for the last month and has also been coached by Francesco Martinotti. “Being able to live this adventure has been great, especially here at the CS Ranch which is the perfect location for an international event. I really enjoyed the team spirit both with my team mates and with the other teams here. In the little ‘fun time’ we had available, we enjoyed ourselves a lot!” Sciulli pointed out.
Roberto Cuoghi, Chair of the Italian Equestrian Federation’s Reining Committee, was delighted with the performances of his Junior riders. “Once again the results obtained here prove that Italian Reining is going in the right direction,” he said.
Sciulli’s score was unchallenged when the other two medallists, his team-mate Eric Ranieri Volpe and Germany’s Gina Maria, both finished on a score of 212.5, and it would take a run-off to separate them. It was a thriller right to the end, with the evenly-matched pair once again finishing on a tie when they scoring 212. At this point the sum of the five scores of the judges determined who would claim the silver medal, and it was the Italian who got the nod. Volpe said afterwards: “The first time I went in the pen I was determined to do my best, the second time I was a lot more relaxed because I knew that in any case I had won a medal! My horse was fantastic and always waited for me, even second time around!”
Bronze medallist Gina Maria was delighted with the performance of her 14-year-old stallion Big Time Rooster. “He was great for me today and always listened,” she said. It was quite an exceptional result as she had only been riding the horse for 10 days before the Championships. “I really get along with him; I like him a lot and I am so happy we achieved this great result and now he will take a well-deserved rest,” she said. Just pipped for a Junior Individual medal was another German, Shawn Wagner, who scored 211 with Holly’s Electric Spark.
Young Riders Team
Italy and Germany once again claimed gold and silver respectively in the Young Riders Team Championship, but it was Austria who took the bronze here while The Netherlands missed out on the podium.
The Italian challenge was led by a great score of 217.5 from Giovanni Masi de Vargas and Remins Remedy who took double-gold at the 2013 Junior Championships. Ricardo Calascibetta and Geniune Secolo scored 212.0, Sara Ambrosini and Arc Think a Gunfire scored 210.0 while Elena Kompatscher and Dry Steps produced the drop score to leave Italy on a final tally of 639.5, a full 10 points ahead of Germany in silver medal spot.
Jennifer Luhmer and Peppys Lil Dreamer produced the best German result of 212.5 which was backed up by 209.0 from Franziska Zschau and She’s Lil Dunit and 206.0 from Isabeau Riemann and Charlys Cool Running.
Austria took the bronze when Anna Lisec and Golden Jac the Boss scored 206.0, Marina Bottoli and Whizable posted 204.5 and Nicole Riegler and It’s Golden Time Jack were awarded 200.5 while Elena Koelbl and Mr Rieta Classic were the drop score here. The final Austrian tally was 611.0,while the Dutch missed out on the medals with a team-total of 584.5. The Netherlands’ Giomani Puts (Color Me Cuervo) produced a strong score of 207.5, Sharon de Groot (Conquistador Sis) posted 202.5 and Lariss Klaassen (Brim Hat’s Benz) scored 174.5.
Italian coach Masi had plenty to be pleased about where his gold-medal-winning side was concerned. “All the riders were very good; they were a true team and were always focused. Even though we had a little bobble at the start of the competition with our first combination, the other riders solved the situation to bring home another gold,” he said.
German coach Nico Hoermann was also well-satisfied. “Considering we only had three horse/rider combinations I am twice as happy we won the silver medal!” he said while Austrian coach, Chuck Klipfel, was also upbeat. “This was the first time our riders were showing their horses in such an important competition. We had a couple of problems but they took the pressure well. I told them all to do their best and they did, so I am truly happy!” he pointed out.
Young Riders Individual
The Young Riders Individual Championship brought the FEI European Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2014 to a close yesterday, and there were big celebrations when Giovanni Masi de Vargas secured gold once again with his lovely stallion, the faithful Remins Remedy owned by Luca Zeni. Last to go, the pair racked up the winning score of 218.5 for a clear and concise victory.
“I am so happy for this result!” said the newly-crowned champion. “Remins Remedy was incredible from the beginning to the end! In the first stop I didn’t want to push him too much, mainly because I wanted to execute a pattern that just got better and better. He always listened to me and waited for me. He’s a super horse and I don’t know how to thank him enough. This is our sixth consecutive medal and I am on cloud nine!” the young Italian said.
Italy had even more to celebrate when Alessia Simoncini and Top O Spanish posted 213.0 to take the silver. “I didn’t push my horse too much in the first set of circles, but in the rest of the pattern he was great and gave me all he had,” Simoncini said. “I really want to thank my trainer, Marco Manzi, for helping me achieve this result. Without his help this wouldn’t have been possible,” she added.
Debut together
Austria’s Marina Bottoli and Whizable claimed Young Riders Individual bronze with a score of 210.5 on their debut together and team coach, Chuck Klipfel, was most impressed. “Yesterday their performance didn’t go that well but they worked hard, corrected some mistakes and today they earned this medal – I am very proud of both of them,” he said. Bottoli has only been riding Whizable for three weeks. “We haven’t really had much time to get to know each other and yesterday I wasn’t happy with our performance but today I am very happy!” she said. Fellow-Austrian, Anna Lisec, riding Golden Jac the Boss, missed by the podium by just one point.
FEI Director of Driving, Vaulting and Reining, Bettina de Rham, attended the Championships and complimented the organisation and facilities. “I witnessed a high level of competition here in Givrins over the last two days. Both the horses and riders were well prepared. The location is beautiful and the organisation was perfect. Everything was organised in detail, from the stabling of the horses to the awards presentations. I truly hope that in the future, events such as this one will take place here.”
Results: FEI European Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2014:
Junior Team Championship: GOLD – Italy 639.0: Exxcaliber (Eric Ranieri Volpe) 213.5, Elvis Peppy gold (Francesco Pedretti) 213.0, Playgirl on the Rocks (Linda Martinelli) 212.5, Partree (Enrico Sciuli) 212.0; SILVER – Germany 629.0: top Flash Cody (Levin Ludwig) 213.5, Big Time Rooster (Maria Gina) 210.0, Lena Cielo Dream (Madeleine Korbus) 205.5, Sheza Custome Crome (Daniel Kalk) 203.0; BRONZE – Netherlands 602.0: It’s Dun Time (Zoey Kant) 208.0, Twist n Freckles (Trudy van der Pals) 205.5, Double R Whiz Kid (Jamie Verker) 188.5.
Junior Individual Championship: GOLD – Partree (Enrico Sciulli) ITA 216.0; SILVER – Exxcaliber (Eric Ranieri Volpe) 212.5 (212) ITA; BRONZE – Big Time Rooster (Gina Maria) GER 212.5 (212).
Young Rider Team Championship: GOLD – Italy 639.5: Remins Remedy (Giovanni Masi de Vargas) 217.5, Geniune Secolo 9Riccardo Calascibetta) 212.0, Arc Think a Gunfire (Sara Ambrosini) 210.0, Dry Steps (Elena Kompatscher) 0; SILVER – Germany 629.5: Peppys Lil Dreamer (Jennifer Luhmer) 212.5, She’s Lil Dunit (Franziska Zschau) 209.0, Charlys Cool Running (Isabeau Riemann) 208.0; BRONZE – Austria 611.0: Golden Jac the Boss (Anna Lisec) 206.0, Whizable (Marina Bottou) 204.5, It’s Golden Time Jac (Nicole Riegler) 200.5, Mr Rietta Classic (Elena Koelbl) 0.
Young Rider Individual Championship: GOLD – Remins Remedy (Giovanni Masi de Vargas) ITA 218.5; SILVER – Top O Spanish (Alessia Simoncini) ITA 213.0; BRONZE – Whizable (Marina Bottoli) AUT 210.5.
Darragh Kenny and Wilton Porter Win 1.45m Jump-Offs
Calgary, AB, Canada – July 4, 2014 – The Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament continued with wins for two of this summer’s top riders as well as an exciting first for a young up-and-comer in the International Ring on Friday. Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Fine Lady 5 topped the $50,000 LaFarge Cup 1.50m, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Chin Quidam VDL won the $33,500 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m, and Wilton Porter (USA) and Diamonte Darco were victorious in the $33,500 Friends of the Meadows Jumper 1.45m.
The ‘North American’ Tournament continues through July 6, featuring the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday and the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic 1.50m Derby on Sunday.
Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela is the course designer in the International Ring for the week and set some challenging tracks on Friday. In the $50,000 LaFarge Cup, Palacios saw 25 entries with five clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. Eric Lamaze and Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5 got the win with the only double clear round in 53.16 seconds. Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Freestyle de Muze were clear over the jumps and finished with one time fault in 57.68 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) and his own and Susan Heller’s d’Ulien van de Smeets had the fastest jump-off time of 46.63 seconds, but incurred four faults to finish third.
Lamaze and Fine Lady 5, the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare by Forsyth x Hauptstutbuch, are already on their third international victory this summer in a brand new partnership that solidified quickly.
“I didn’t know her very much before I came here, so I really got to know her on this summer tour,” Lamaze stated. “What I found out about her is that she is absolutely 100% reliable. She really wants to stay off the fences. She gets a little excited and moves right to left very quickly sometimes, so it took me a little bit to adjust to her, but she’s a total class horse for the 1.50m division. Who knows what else is in the future for her, but at this height I feel like I’m on the very best horse I can have for this.”
Fine Lady came to Artisan Farms when Lamaze needed a horse to fill the 1.50m speed classes in his string of top mounts, and the purchase has proved to be an excellent investment. Although they have only done a few jump-off rounds together, Lamaze knew he could trust his horse completely.
“It was wide open, and she’s really careful,” he stated. “The double was the trick to jump after the long gallop from one to two. I knew if McLain was to be clear, I was going to have a harder night. He had an unfortunate four faults, so things became a little bit easier. With one time fault to beat, I felt pretty good about things, but you never know about things in this sport. You could have the first jump down, the last fence, a light rub and it comes down. It’s not because all you have to do is go clear that it works every single time. I’m very happy with the result. I felt that I was on the right horse to accomplish this mission.”
“The great thing about this mare is that she is really fast, and she goes fast, but you can always push,” Lamaze added. “That’s why she is so good. Great horses, it doesn’t matter how fast you get to the fence, if they’re asking for leg when you get there, they are very competitive horses. In the jump-off tonight, I didn’t really have to hold her back. She always asks for more leg. I just sort of maintained a rhythm that I thought would be under the time allowed, and that’s all I had to do.”
After another great win, Lamaze looks forward to jumping Fine Lady 5 in Saturday’s $85,000 TD Cup 1.50m. He will also compete in the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m with Powerplay.
Darragh Kenny and Chin Quidam VDL
Kenny Can’t Be Beat
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny continued an incredible summer at Spruce Meadows with another win on Friday afternoon, this time taking the $33,500 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m aboard Hyperion Stud LLC’s Chin Quidam VDL, an eight-year-old KWPN stallion by Chin Chin x Quidam de Revel. Including Friday’s win, Kenny has now had eight individual FEI victories over the course of four weeks at Spruce Meadows as well as a team Nations Cup win for Ireland.
In Friday’s Pepsi Challenge, course designer Leopoldo Palacios set the track for 42 entries and saw 10 advance to the jump-off with four double clear rounds. Eric Lamaze went first over the short course with Artisan Farms LLC’s Check Picobello Z in 39.78 seconds, but Kenny stole the lead with Chin Quidam VDL in 35.63 seconds a few rounds later. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) then moved into second with Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Mimosa in 36.97 seconds. Last to go, Leslie Howard (USA) went for the clear round in 40.87 seconds with Moormann, Rolf u. Paul Schockemohle’s Balboa 6 to finish fourth. Frances Land (USA) had the time in hand with Vieanne in 35.21 seconds, but had four faults at the final fence to place fifth.
“I didn’t know what exactly I was doing when I went in the ring,” Kenny admitted after his round. “He’s very quick, and he’s very careful. I didn’t know if he was going to spook on the inside turn from one to two in the jump-off, but he didn’t at all. Everybody had said to me that it was going to be very difficult to do six strides to the double (combination), but I knew that he had such a big stride that it was going to be easy for him. I just cut inside, did the six, and then I knew I was one stride ahead at that stage, so then I just kept going. I tried to do seven to the last, but I got caught wide, so I had to do eight (strides), but it turned out to be good enough.”
“I was very lucky that Frances Land hit the last jump because she could have done 11 strides to the last jump and still beaten me,” Kenny added with a laugh.
Chin Quidam VDL is a breeding stallion for Hyperion Stud in Virginia. Kenny started riding the horse in Florida over the winter and has been stepping him up this summer.
“He’s a really, really nice horse, and he only started doing the 1.45m here at Spruce,” Kenny noted. “He has really come a long way. He won a national 1.45m here also and was second in another. Today was only his second time in the big ring, and he really performed well. He is quite competitive.”
In addition to his own success throughout the summer series, Kenny has coached many of his students to top ribbons. One student, Taylor Alexander, finished ninth with her horse G&C Flash in the Pepsi Challenge. Kenny explained that it is a big job to make sure all of his horses and riders are prepared in the same classes throughout the day, but showing together also keeps him on top of his game.
“For me, I really enjoy working with students,” he acknowledged. “I really enjoy helping people get to their goals in their careers. I know from my own experience, I ask nearly all the top riders questions all the time, so I think it’s good for my students that they also have someone that’s riding in the ring and can get on the horse and feel what they feel, and have an idea of what’s going on.”
“It’s a huge balance when you’re walking the course,” Kenny pointed out. “You have to teach every person differently because of how they ride and the horse that they are on. I really try in my training to individualize the horses. I don’t try to use the same idea for every horse. I see what each horse needs to improve on and do that, whether it’s my own horses or my clients’ horses.”
Wilton Porter and Diamonte Darco
Porter Wins Big with Diamonte Darco
Twenty-year-old Wilton Porter (USA) got his first International win at Spruce Meadows Friday morning riding Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Diamonte Darco in the $33,500 Friends of the Meadows 1.45m. Porter got the nine-year-old mare, a Great Britain Sport Horse by Unbelievable Darco, this winter. The pair first showed in Florida for a few months and then traveled to Europe in May before starting up in Calgary last week. Jumping in the world-renowned International Ring, they made their first win together a big one.
Forty-three entries showed in the first competition of the day with nine clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. Porter and Diamonte Darco had the advantage of being last to go over the short course. When no one else was able to finish without fault, they only had the round of two time faults in 52.37 seconds from Christine McCrea and Candy Tribble’s Win For Life to beat. Porter explained that he thought he was almost not fast enough, but he galloped down to the final fence and jumped clear in 50.33 seconds to take top honors.
“It was a good jump-off to go last in,” the rider smiled. “I was right at the in-gate when Chris went, and I watched her round. It wasn’t super slow, but it wasn’t all out. I knew that I didn’t need to race and have a rail down because I was trying to go too fast. Actually, once I started doing the course and I was coming around to the second to last jump, I thought, ‘I’m pretty slow. I might be slower than her.’ So I had to kind of race to the last (jump), but it was a wall. Horses tend to back themselves off of that, so it worked out well.”
“It’s really exciting,” Porter said of his momentous win. “I have been coming to Spruce for four years and competing in the International Ring for three years. I have had some good placings in here, but I had not gotten that victory yet, so it is really special to have all of the hard work pay off.”
Porter was also excited to get the win with a relatively new horse in Diamonte Darco. He had a great round in the competition with his veteran partner Paloubet as well, but had one time fault to finish just out of the ribbons.
Porter explained that the mare has been gradually stepping up to bigger classes, and that although she is only nine years old and a little green at this level of competition, she handled it very well.
“She’s pretty fiery; a fiery personality, and she’s definitely very sensitive,” he said of the ride. “I have adjusted to that. She is very different from my other horse, Paloubet, who is really strong and powerful. I am just sort of trying to hold on to him, whereas with her, it is more of a finesse to it. She’s very careful. The distance at the jump is very important for her.”
With a fantastic win under his belt, Porter has big plans for the rest of the summer. Diamonte Darco will travel to Kentucky to be his mount at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships while Paloubet will fly over to Europe to give Porter the ride in his first senior Nations Cup team on the United States Under 25 tour in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The ‘North American’ Tournament continues on Saturday with the $85,000 TD Cup 1.50m and the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Laura Graves and Verdades at the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (SusanJStickle.com)
Fritzens, Austria – U.S. riders kicked off both Big Tour and Small Tour competition on Friday at CDI4* Fritzens with strong performances in the Grand Prix and Prix St. Georges Tests. Four members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team – Laura Graves, Shelly Francis, Caroline Roffman, and Lisa Wilcox – secured top results for the United States in the Grand Prix for the Special to qualify to contest Sunday’s Grand Prix Special, while Steffen Peters started the day with a win in Small Tour competition.
“It was a great day for American Dressage here at the beautiful Fritzens CDI4*,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover.
Leading the way for the Americans on Friday were The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Reserve Champions, Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood earned a mark of 73.380% to finish in second place among the field of 30.
Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) was the final U.S. entry of the day with Patricia Stempl’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Doktor. The pair scored 70.460% to finish in fifth place on Friday.
Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Her Highness O were the first U.S. combination down the centerline on Friday afternoon, scoring 68.940% to finish the Grand Prix in 11th place.
Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla.) also contested the Grand Prix for the Special with Betty Wells’ 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Denzello scoring 67.660% to earn a 16th finish.
Finishing in first place in the Grand Prix for the Special was Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer and Blind Date with a score of 74.500%.
Reigning Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Champions, Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s seven-year-old Rheinlander mare Rosamunde, proved unbeatable in the Prix St. Georges scoring 75.105% to top the field of 21. Also contesting Fritzens’ Small Tour competition are Tina Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and Bruce Grivetti’s Wyoming. On Friday the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding scored 65.289% to finish in 17th place.
Competition at CDI4* Fritzens continues on Saturday with three U.S. Big Tour combinations performing the Grand Prix Test to qualify for the Freestyle and Peters and Konyot returning with their Small Tour horses in the Intermediaire I Test. In the Grand Prix for the Freestyle, the United States will be represented by Short Listed for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team riders: Peters and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ Wizard, and Konyot with her own Calecto V.
Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.), who also is part of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team, had originally been slated to ride Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s Rafalca in Grand Prix competition at Fritzens. However, after the 2012 Olympic Games veteran sustained a minor injury it was decided it was in the best interest of the mare to withdraw her from the weekend’s competition; however, the combination still remains in contention for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team.
History was made today with a first-ever Nations Cup win for the Czech Republic at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Europe Division 2 qualifier in Budapest, Hungary. A double-clear performance from Zuzanna Zelinkova and Caleri ll cemented that victory. Photo: FEI/Krisztina Hajdu.
Budapest (HUN), 4 July 2014 – On a day full of surprises, the Czech Republic pipped Norway for pole position in the fifth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 Europe Division 2 League at Budapest in Hungary. The 13 teams in the first round were whittled down to just eight by a challenging track designed by Germany’s Werner Deeg, and the Norwegians and Czechs slogged it out when going into the second round as joint-leaders.
There was drama right to the end, with big scores for the second-line riders on both sides threatening their chances and only a single fence separating the two teams in the final analysis. And there was great joy in the Czech camp as they celebrated their first-ever Nations Cup victory. “We are so very happy!” said Czech pathfinder Zuzanna Zelinkova whose double-clear with the fabulous stallion Caleri ll was pivotal to the result. “Today was a big and special day for us; it is historic because it is the very first win for a Nations Cup team from Czech Republic and we are all very proud!” she added.
Such a winner
Today was also another great example of the success of this newly-designed series which proved such a winner in its inaugural 2013 season. Many nations were testing promising newcomers, and once again relatively unknown horse-and-rider combinations rose to the occasion in great style. Another team that demonstrated the unique spirit of determination that epitomises the sport of Nations Cup Jumping was the Slovak side who, lying joint-fifth at the halfway point, stood firm while others around them fell by the wayside and improved to finish fourth behind a good Belgian foursome.
Denmark finished fifth ahead of Germany in sixth, Argentina in seventh and Austria in eighth place.
From the 13 nations, there were seven in the hunt for points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2014 in October, but Hungary and Turkey missed their chances when failing to make the cut into the second round along with Italy, Hong Kong and Slovenia. The Turkish team, convincing winners at the previous Europe Division 2 leg in Sopot, Poland last month, were in trouble from the outset when their star partnership of Derin Demirsoy and Harry K opened with 16 faults, and despite a clear from Husnu Dinc (Chellachic Z) they couldn’t recover and finished ninth.
Uncompromising
Werner Deeg’s track was uncompromising, with many fences approached off corners and complete concentration required from start to finish. The Budapest fixture takes place in the Nemzeti Lovarda, the Hungarian National Riding School which is located in the heart of the beautiful city, and some horses seemed distracted by their surroundings, while the intense heat added to the intensity of the occasion.
The first four fences presented little difficulty in the first round but, second time out, the triple-bar at fence three saw the second-line riders for both Czech Republic and Norway both grind to a halt in front of it. It was followed by a wall and then riders took a short left-hand turn to the double at five before running left-handed again to the 3.80m wide open water.
Deeg’s questions were all about control, and the next three fences really tested that as riders had to collect their horses after another left-hand bend to tackle the 1.60m vertical at fence seven and then take a sharp right-handed turnback to the oxer at eight and vertical at nine which were complicated by their proximity to the hospitality area and entry-gate as well as by the fact that they were off-set from each other. Continuing right-handed the triple combination was next and this proved highly influential before riders turned right-handed again down the final line of a 1.60m vertical to a big 1.50m-high oxer that had a 1.80m spread.
Czech Republic’s Zelinkova described the principle challenges on the track. “Fences 7, 8 and 9 were difficult mainly because, after the water which was really wide, it was difficult to get horses back and then there was a really short turn from the vertical (fence 7) to the oxer (fence 8) which was close to the tribune and the exit – a lot of horses lost their concentration there,” she explained.
Walk in the park
Her 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion made it all look like a walk in the park however and when last-line Czech rider, Ales Opatrny, also stayed clear with VDL Fakir then only one of the eight faults collected by Ondrej Zvara (Carmen Arcus) and Emma Augier de Moussac (Danthe RDPF) had to be counted at the end of round one.
The Norwegians were also on eight faults at the halfway point, discounting the eight picked up by Margrethe Hartmann (Laeticia) and counting just single errors from both pathfinder Ole Kristoffer Meland (CC Top) and anchorman Dag Ove Kingsroed (Dimaro vd Looise Heide) when Therese Henriksen and the big bay, Alimero van’t Roth, were footperfect.
Belgium and Denmark went into round two carrying 12 faults each while Germany and Slovakia carried 16 and Austria and Argentina carried 20. But the real battle for supremacy was played out between the two leading nations, and it was a mighty one.
Zelinkova’s second clear boosted Czech chances but that was followed by 17 from Zvara whose stop at fence three was followed by a pole off the double at five and mistakes at both the vertical at nine and the penultimate vertical too. Norway opened round two with a double-error from Meland and when Hartmann then racked up a huge tally of 44 faults on a nightmare tour of the track with Laeticia it seemed their day was done.
Window of opportunity
However, one score always has to be discounted so when Czech Republic’s Augier de Moussac double-faulted the window of opportunity seemed to re-open for the Norwegians once more. If Henriksen could stay clear then they would be back on level-pegging with their rivals. She didn’t quite manage to do that, leaving the vertical at nine on the floor, but still the pressure was on Opatrny when last to go for the Czech side. If he went clear then victory was in the bag because his side would complete on 16 faults while the Norwegians were already on 20, but the second element of the double at five hit the sand to leave Czech Republic on a final total of 20.
As Norway’s Dag Ove Kingsroed returned to the ring as last man to go he knew a clear would force a jump-off, but it wasn’t to be when Dimaro vd Looise Heide hit the vertical after the water. It would the Czech Republic’s day today.
Zelinkova talked afterwards about her show-stealing ride, Caleri ll. For her today was extraordinary on many levels, as this is a horse she knew as a youngster and who found his way back into her career just a year ago.
A little bit amazing
“It’s a little bit amazing!” said the 30-year-old Czech rider who is based in Bratislavia, Slovakia and whose equestrian career began when she rode a pony at a circus when she was just five years old.
“Caleri came to Slovakia when he was two-and-a-half years old; he was bought at an auction and I rode him as a four- and five-year-old; he was in my stables but was sold. Then I was working for another owner and I got him 14 months ago when he was a 10-year-old. We started out again together, first competing in 1.30m classes and immediately we were happy together again – he was fantastic and we jumped in Herning (Denmark) last year in the 3-Star classes. He’s so scopey and so calm and quiet – it’s just like he is playing when you are riding him around the course – it’s just great fun!” she said.
Today’s impressive result will not be enough for her country to earn a place at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 Final because Czech Republic has only one further opportunity to collect points when the series visits Zelinkova’s home-town of Bratislava next month. But it has been a hugely encouraging experience for the riders and team connections.
“This is our team for the World Equestrian Games, so everyone is very happy with how things went today,” Zelinkova said. “Now we can really look forward to Normandy!”
For further information on round 14 of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 series at Budapest, Hungary, go to website www.csiobudapest.hu or contact Press Officer Nora Zajonskovsky, Email info@csiobudapest.hu, press@csiobudapest.hu or Tel +36 20 956 3737. The next leg to take place is Round 6 of the Europe Division 1 series at Falsterbo, Sweden on Friday 11 July. For all information on the Swedish fixture, go to website www.falsterbohorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Malin Fredriksson, Email press@falsterbohorseshow.com.
Budapest, Hungary presented the fifth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 Europe Division 2 League.
The event took place in the Nemzeti Lovarda, the Hungarian National Riding School, which is located in the heart of the beautiful city of Budapest and which was established in 1861.
Course designer was Germany’s Werner Deeg.
13 nations competed – Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey.
7 nations were chasing points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 Final – Austria, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Turkey.
8 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the first round.
2 double-clear rounds in the competition, from Czech Republic’s Zuzanna Zelinkova (Caleri ll) and Belgium’s Hendrik Denutte (Green Sleeps Orage).
The best 8 teams qualified for the second round.
Norway, who finished second today, have now moved into the lead in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Division 2 League.
A total of 15 nations are competing in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Europe Division 2 series which has three remaining legs – at Gijon (ESP) on 2 August, at Bratislava (SVK) on 8 August and finally at Arezzo-San Marino (ITA) on 19 September.
The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping world final will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 9 to 12 October 2014.
Quotes:
Zuzanna Zelinkova CZE, when asked why the Czech Republic team did not compete for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping points at Sopot, Poland last month – “It was bad timing two of the four riders were away in Ebreichsdorf at a 4* competition preparing for Normandy. However, it was a great competition here in Budapest; we love to ride in Budapest and love the site and city and we are happy with the victory.”
Ales Opatrny CZE – “I came here (to Budapest) first 14 years ago so I’m not all that young now! But I like to come and I have been here both in indoor and outdoor.”
For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series, check out this link.
“Furusiyya” (Arabic: فروسيه) this single Arabic word conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a horse and jockey engraved on the watch face. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva.
Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and flat racing. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.
The lights dimmed and a quiet hush fell over the 2014 American Horse Publications (AHP) Annual Awards Banquet as a movie illuminated the room. The attendees of the 2014 AHP Annual Awards Banquet were the first to witness a preview to the Valiant Documentary, but now the opportunity to share in the journey of Jeanette Sassoon and the blind dressage horse named Valiant that captured the hearts of a nation is available for you to view.
Valiant wasn’t always a champion dressage horse competing with the best of the best on a national and international level in Wellington, FL. After he went blind he ever so slowly rehabilitated his body and mind and regained his trust with the unconditional love and care of his owner. He never recovered his sight but through the eyes of his human companion he surpassed all expectations of ever reaching a normal life – he reached the impossible dream by anyone’s standards. Sassoon was invited to the 2014 American Horse Publications Annual Awards Banquet, where she presented Silke Rottermann with the Valiant Human-Animal Bond Award, sponsored by Luipold Animal Health, manufacturers of Adequan® (Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan). The preview for the feature length documentary was a success, with tear filled eyes and a standing ovation resounding as it concluded. Everyone is talking about the documentary, and Valiant’s legacy; it’s time for you to join the conversation by visiting http://valiantdocumentary.com/.
Sassoon stated, “Valiant’s message of hope and inspiration transcends all equine disciplines, all geographic locations, all people and all periods of time. His story is an example of how all types of relationships work best, without confrontation and without force and with the right intention coming from honesty. Acceptance of what life offers, and understanding there are lessons to learn from all these trials and tribulations, was an important personal awareness of our journey together.”
Valiant passed in November 2013, but he certainly will be remembered through the Valiant Human Animal Bond Award and his best buddy and stablemate ‘Cherokee,’ who is also blind. Cherokee was passed the torch and will carry on in Valiant’s memory and legacy.
PoloGear® is the exclusive supplier of the Valiant Collection. The Valiant Collection of apparel is inspired by the blind dressage horse named Valiant and designed by his loving owner Sassoon and dedicated to him and all the wonderful messages and virtues he acknowledged throughout his lifetime. The Valiant Collection is made exclusively by the prestigious company that makes clothing and equipment for all disciplines throughout the equestrian world. PoloGear® has been a staple in the Wellington equestrian community since 1993.
PoloGear’s dedication to quality and attention to detail is never lost in their production. For more information on PoloGear® USA and to order products, visit www.PoloGearusa.com.
For more information about the Valiant Feature Length Documentary, and to join the conversation, please visit http://valiantdocumentary.com/.
Lexington, Ky. – The best junior riders from across the country prepare to compete for top honors in the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championships. The championships will take place on both the East and West Coasts, with the riders separated into 15 & Under and 16-17 divisions, as well as Small Junior Hunter and Large Junior Hunter. This year the new 3’3″ Junior Hunters will also be offered as a combined division. The riders will compete in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counts for 20% of the rider’s overall score, while both the Classic Round and Handy Hunter count for 40%. Ribbons will be awarded after each phase in the various divisions, and overall winners will be named at the end of the competition. Finally, a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion will be crowned for both coasts.
The festivities kick off with the US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast in Devon, Pa., July 7-8. Riders will compete over courses designed by Skip Bailey (Wellington, Fla.) in front of judges Leo Conroy (Wellington, Fla.), Christina Schlusemeyer (Ocala, Fla.), and Bill Ellis (Ocala, Fla.). The 2014 USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic will also be held during the US Junior National Hunter Championship East Coast. The competition then moves west to the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, Calif., July 21-22. Scott Hofstetter (Ocala, Fla.), John Roper (Franklin, Tenn.), and Schlusemeyer will judge the West Coast’s riders throughout the US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast, with courses designed by Bailey.
Lexington, Ky. – A strong U.S. contingent heads to Austria this week for the CDI4* Fritzens, as all eight members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team will compete in Big Tour competition. Additionally, two American entries will head down centerline in the Small Tour at the competition, which runs July 4-7.
London Olympic Games veterans Steffen Peters, Jan Ebeling, Adrienne Lyle, and Tina Konyot will all contest the Grand Prix Test on Saturday, which serves as a qualifier for the Freestyle on Sunday. Peters (San Diego, Calif.) will ride his three-time national champion, Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, while Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) lines up with his Olympic and World Cup partner, Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s Rafalca. Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) heads to Fritzens looking to showcase the form that earned her a fourth-place finish in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with Peggy Thomas’ Wizard, while Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) will ride her 2010 National Champion Calecto V.
Laura Graves and Verdades (SusanJStickle.com)
A group of four exciting and ever-improving combinations will perform the Grand Prix Test on Friday, which will serve as a qualifier for the Grand Prix Special, to be contested on Saturday. Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades will look to replicate the form that turned heads and earned her the Reserve National Championship title three weeks ago at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) brings her own 2013 Aachen Small Tour veteran, Her Highness O, to Austria, while Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) will ride Patricia Stempel’s Doktor. Rounding out the U.S. Big Tour squad at Fritzens is Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Betty Wells’ Denzello.
In Small Tour competition, the United States will represented by Peters and Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde and Konyot with Bruce Grivetti’s Wyoming. They will perform the Prix St. Georges Test on Friday, before riding the Intermediaire I Test on Friday.
Kenny and Picolo Win $35,000 PwC Cup 1.50m; Ward and Zander Take $33,500 Suncast Cup 1.45m
Calgary, AB, Canada – July 3, 2014 – RCG Farm’s Uceko quickly returned to the winner’s circle with Kent Farrington (USA) at this week’s Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament after nearly six months out of competition for a well-deserved rest. Farrington and Uceko jumped to an impressive victory in Thursday’s $85,000 Progress Energy Cup 1.55m over McLain Ward (USA) and HH Carlos Z (second), and Pablo Barrios (VEN) with Zara Leandra (third). Ward settled for second in that class, but got a win earlier in the day in the $33,500 Suncast Cup 1.45m aboard Zander. The $35,000 PwC Cup 1.50m was also held on Thursday with a victory for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Picolo.
The ‘North American’ Tournament continues through July 6, featuring the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday and the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic 1.50m Derby on Sunday.
Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela is the course designer in the International Ring for the week and showcased another day of fantastic show jumping in Thursday’s competition. In the $85,000 Progress Energy Cup, Palacios saw 42 entries with nine in the jump-off and six double clear rounds. Kent Farrington and Uceko stopped the clock in 36.93 seconds for the win.
McLain Ward and Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z clocked in at 38.49 seconds to finish in reserve. Pablo Barrios and ZL Group Inc.’s Zara Leandra placed third in 38.57 seconds.
Thirteen-year-old Uceko, a KWPN gelding by Celano x Koriander, has had an illustrious career with Farrington including some big wins at Spruce Meadows. Following a fantastic 2013 season, Farrington decided to give Uceko a rest while he focused on some of his other horses. Uceko has not shown since December and came out for the first time this week looking immediately back on form.
“That horse has worked really hard for me for four years,” Farrington explained. “Now that I have some other horses that have stepped up to be competitive, I thought he deserved a break. I gave him six months to not even look at a jump and forget about showing for a while. This is his first week out. He feels really fresh and better than ever and really excited to be back at a show. I could not be happier with him.”
Commenting on their winning round, Farrington noted, “My horse has a very big stride, so the field really suits him. He is also quite brave, so he can kind of go on the attack at the jumps. With him, it’s really just playing to his strengths as a horse.”
Often a consistent winner at Spruce Meadows each year, Thursday’s win was actually Farrington’s first victory at the Summer Series. He has gotten a lot of good experience in with his younger horses, but was happy to finally take a round of honor.
“That’s sometimes our sport and how it goes. It’s a game of inches and half-seconds,” Farrington acknowledged. “I had a couple things not break my way so far, so it is good to get a win under our belt, so to speak. I didn’t bring as many experienced horses as in the past. I really just brought Voyeur for the bigger classes. I have a bunch of younger ones that are getting a lot of miles and they are competitive, but they aren’t really ready to win. When you have an experienced horse like Uceko, it is really nice to go in a class and know that you can put the pressure on, put the hammer down, and go to really compete and not have to hold back.”
As Uceko continues to get back in shape, Farrington will likely jump him one more time this week with the ultimate goal of competing in the final grand prix of the Summer Series, the $400,000 Pan American Cup presented by Rolex on Sunday, July 13. He plans to jump Voyeur in Saturday’s $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
“Voyeur has done more, so that was my plan,” Farrington stated. “I think he is really a great horse as well, but he doesn’t have as much experience. This is one of the best venues not just for the top horses, but also to produce a horse. If they jump here in this ring over these jumps, you can feel pretty comfortable that they can go almost anywhere in the world.”
Darragh Kenny and Picolo
Kenny and Picolo Win Again
The $35,000 PwC Cup 1.50m was held on Thursday with a win for Ireland’s Darragh Kenny aboard Oakland Ventures LLC’s Picolo. Thirty-eight entries jumped the first round track followed by a seven-horse jump-off with three double clear rounds.
Eric Lamaze (CAN) was first to go over the short course with Artisan Farms LLC’s Zigali P S and set the time to beat at a very fast 38.69 seconds, but eventually settled for second place when Kenny and Picolo took the challenge, next to go. They blazed through the course in 37.33 seconds to take the lead. Kevin Babington (IRL) and Shorapur LLC’s Shorapur completed the only other double clear round in 40.00 seconds to finish third. Quentin Judge (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Dark de la Hart had the fastest four-fault round in the jump-off in 37.96 seconds for a fourth-place finish.
Kenny and Picolo have been on quite a roll this summer, including a win in Wednesday’s $33,500 AON Cup 1.45m as well as two victories in the ‘National’ Tournament. Although Kenny has many fantastic mounts, he owns Picolo himself through his Oakland Ventures LLC, and has a special appreciation for the talented gelding.
“He’s my pet,” Kenny smiled. “He’s my favorite. He is not a 1.60m horse; he never will be a 1.60m horse, but I gave everything I had to buy him. I got him, and he has never put a foot wrong for me. He goes in the ring every day and tries harder than any horse I know. Today I turned back to the second to last jump in the jump-off and I was at no distance, no anything, and I was like, ‘Ok, here you go,’ and he was like, ‘I got it, it’s no problem.’ When you have a horse like that, it’s an incredible feeling. It is also great because he is my own. That makes it even more special.”
Kenny spoke about his winning round in Thursday’s competition, explaining that although he won, Picolo was a big help in the jump-off.
“The course was quite tough. The time allowed was very tight in the first round,” he noted. “I went very early on before the break, so he had a lot of time to rest, which seems to be working for him. It’s difficult to keep your concentration for that length of time and go back in, but the horse is an incredible horse. I don’t think today was one of my best rides in jump-off rounds, but I think he saved me a lot. I don’t think I have ever ridden something so careful that wants to win so much. I stepped him up a little bit today to 1.50m, which isn’t a huge problem for him. I have been using him in the 1.45m classes because I know he definitely wins those! He coped super today. I was a little worried about Eric. Zigali is one of his best horses. He went first and he went very fast, so I had a lot to do, but when you have a horse like that, it’s easy.”
Kenny has had a phenomenal summer and praised his great horses. “I’m very happy! I have been very lucky,” he smiled. “All of my horses have been going great. They seem to like it a lot here. Like everyone, confidence is a huge thing. It doesn’t matter who you are, from me to Eric Lamaze to somebody in the 1.20m division, it’s all about confidence. If you can believe in yourself and believe in the horse, when you win classes, you get more confident, and then you just get on a roll. When you’re winning, it’s a lot easier to put the bad rounds behind you. It is a massive advantage to have a lot of nice horses. I have eight horses that I’m showing in the FEI division here. It’s an incredible opportunity and I think that is the main key to my success, that I have super, super horses.”
McLain Ward and Zander
Ward and Zander Secure Victory in Suncast Cup
The $33,500 Suncast Cup 1.45m was the first competition of the day in the International Ring with a win for McLain Ward (USA) and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding Zander (Cantos x Saygon), owned by Ward and Grant Road Partners LLC. The pair was incredibly fast over Leopoldo Palacios’ speed track, setting the winning time of 63.61 seconds out of 78 competitors. In total, the course saw 17 clear rounds.
Ward finished almost three seconds faster than second place finisher Will Simpson (USA) aboard Monarch International’s Warrant with a time of 66.50 seconds. Nick Dello Joio (USA) and Coker Farm’s Contiki finished third in 67.38 seconds.
Ward and Zander have already had a great summer at Spruce Meadows with a win in the $33,500 Westmoreland Cup 1.50m during the ‘National’ Tournament in June as well as a second place in the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55M that same week.
Kicking off this week’s ‘North American’ Tournament, Zander jumped in Wednesday night’s 1.55m competition, but had some trouble on course that resulted in elimination. Ward chose to step down to the 1.45m track on Thursday to give his horse a positive experience.
“We went at a funny time of the day, and obviously it wasn’t a great round,” Ward acknowledged. “He was very backed off in that line on the side (of the ring). It was a different kind of test, and I would have handled some things different in my preparation. I went with a small spur; I should have had something bigger. I made a few errors in my prep, but actually, I had a feeling he would come back pretty strong today. I did decide to put him in this class because of it, to try and get him to even out a little bit. The speed class is normally pretty good for that.”
Ward had Zander revved up and flying from the start for Thursday’s 1.45m round. The first fence was set straight at the side of the ring where they had an issue the night before, but the rider was on it.
“It was going up into that same kind of slot that he struggled with yesterday,” Ward noted. “Yesterday was a little bit darker when I went, but I wanted him in front of my leg. He had a really good warm-up today. He’s the type of horse where you set the pace, and he’s careful enough to stay on it like that.”
The pair also went 35th out of 78 entries, and Ward knew that he had to set an unbeatable time to maintain the lead to the end.
“There were 40 coming behind me. Here, when you have those kind of numbers, you have to keep that in mind,” he detailed. “It’s not like a jump-off where I typically go with the philosophy, ‘beat what’s in front of me, the chips will fall where they are.’ That’s my way of thinking. This is a situation where you have to be aware of what’s coming behind you in a class. Forty entries, at this level, if you just beat what’s in front of you, you end up in the middle of the pack.”
“Zander was great,” Ward stated. “He is great at these speed competitions. He is careful, and he has a huge stride. I knew it was a big field, and I knew there were some fast ones coming behind, so I was going to try and set a pace that was a challenge for them, and fortunately it held up.”
The ‘North American’ Tournament continues on Friday with the $33,500 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m and the $50,000 LaFarge Cup 1.50m in the International Ring. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Dinner was delivered to guests by pony-drawn carriage at the ‘Dressage Soiree’ fundraising event. Photo by Mary White, Lone Oak Equine Photography.
Cedar Valley, Ontario – Close to $10,000 was raised in support of the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP) at the ‘Dressage Soiree’ fundraising event held Saturday evening, June 21, during the CDI3* Equivents competition.
Held at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy in Cedar Valley, ON, the venue was transformed through a country picnic theme expressed in the décor and menu. Guests were treated to dinner ringside during the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle competitions, showcasing dressage sport at its highest level.
Guests were seated so close to the action that their dinner was delivered via ‘pony express’, with a pony-drawn carriage distributing meals to the box seats. Guests were served fruit and cheese from Vince’s Market, ribs provided by Cobblestone Farms, and mashed potatoes and salads from Reser’s Fine Foods.
“I heard from several people that brought non-horsey friends that they fell in love with our sport and were completely smitten by the magnificence of the animals and the harmonious partnerships,” said event organizer, Kim Goodyear. “The juniors and young riders seating people and helping to deliver food was also a highlight for many, and everyone raved about the food! Overall, we were successful financially while providing our guests with a unique experience.”
As for the competition, Megan Lane of Loretto, ON wowed the audience by winning the Grand Prix Special with a score of 72.98% riding Caravella while Diane Creech of Caistor Centre, ON and the handsome chestnut Devon L performed their musical freestyle routine to win the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 72.05%.
In addition to their share of the prize money, the top-placing riders were invited to select items from the Butternut Ridge Prize Table. Prizes included Go-Pro video cameras, a 50″ Samsung Smart TV, a Nespresso coffee machine, a Breville kitchen mixer, and many more fabulous prizes.
Founded by Deborah Kinzinger, the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP) is an Equine Canada/Dressage Canada fundraising program developed to support Canadian high performance riders at all levels – senior, young rider, and junior. Last year, grants of $15,000 each were provided to Jacqueline Brooks and Jaimey Irwin to attend the 2013 World Cup Final. This year, the Dressage Canada High Performance Committee awarded five C-DAAP grants of $20,000 each to Brittany Fraser, Megan Lane, Karen Pavicic, Belinda Trussell and Chris von Martels to help off-set the costs of training and competing in Europe. Grants for junior and young riders are also expected to be awarded this year, helping to develop the pipeline of up-and-coming athletes.
About the Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP)
The Canadian Dressage Athlete Assistance Program (C-DAAP) is a donor-driven program dedicated to supporting and advancing Canada’s junior, young rider and high performance riders. The program solicits contributions and will award grants to eligible Canadian dressage riders. C-DAAP’s goal is to provide supplemental funding to Canadian dressage athletes to off-set training, competitive and educational expenses incurred during their quest for excellence, thus creating a bridge to high level national and international competition.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
