Category Archives: Disciplines

Community/Charity, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Olympic Games

Andrew Nicholson Takes Over Lead in HSBC Rankings after London 2012

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New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson takes over lead in HSBC Rankings. Image: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 4 August 2012 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has taken over as world number one in the HSBC Rankings after the London 2012 Olympic Eventing competition in Greenwich Park.

Nicholson, captain of New Zealand’s bronze medal-winning team at London 2012, is now 46 points clear of William Fox-Pitt (GBR) who had led the HSBC Rankings since April. London 2012 is Andrew Nicholson’s sixth Olympic Games.

New Zealand’s Jonathan Paget (29), who began riding aged 18 and competed in his first CCI4* in 2010, has moved up to third in the HSBC Rankings, 21 points clear of fourth-placed Boyd Martin (USA).

Michael Jung (GER), who set a new record in equestrian sport at London 2012 by becoming the first-ever event rider to hold Olympic, European and World titles at the same time while celebrating his 30th birthday, is now in fifth place.

Continue reading Andrew Nicholson Takes Over Lead in HSBC Rankings after London 2012 →

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

British Maintain Team Lead as Dujardin and Valegro Shine in Olympic Dressage

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Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro produced an Olympic record-breaking score in the Dressage Grand Prix to give Great Britain a marginal advantage over Germany going into the Grand Prix Special on Tuesday which will decide the fate of the Dressage team medals. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 3 August 2012 – A fabulous performance from Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro ensured that Britain maintains the lead in the team competition after the Dressage Grand Prix concluded at the London 2012 Olympic equestrian venue at Greenwich Park today. But the advantage is a very slender one, as Germany lies only just over half a point behind going into the medal-deciding Grand Prix Special next Tuesday.

The Dutch lie third, boosted by a brilliant test from double Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival who slotted into runner-up spot ahead of Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg (Damon Hill) and Kristina Sprehe (Desperados) who claimed third and fourth places individually. There was a time when tense situations really overwhelmed the Dutch rider’s big chestnut gelding, Parzival, but he has learned to cope much better in recent years. However Cornelissen had an un-nerving moment as she rode down to the arena. “He almost stopped and said ‘Aaaagh, what are all those people doing in there?’ But when we got going he said, ‘Oh, I know this stuff’, so it was fine,” the 33-year-old rider said with a laugh afterwards.

Continue reading British Maintain Team Lead as Dujardin and Valegro Shine in Olympic Dressage →

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

US Olympic Dressage Team in Fifth Place after First Half of Team Competition

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Steffen Peters and Ravel led the U.S. team with a score of 77.705% (Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) returned to the Olympic Games with Ravel and proved that the 14-year-old KWPN gelding still has what it takes to be competitive at the highest level of the sport of dressage. Four years after they were fourth Individually in Hong Kong at the 2008 Games, Peters and Ravel scored 77.705% in Greenwich Park’s main arena to lead the U.S. Team to fifth place at the conclusion of the first half of the Team Competition.

“I can’t explain the feeling you get from Ravel when he’s on but today was one of those days,” said Peters. “I’m just thrilled that Ravel is still the same horse after all those years.”

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro set the mark and lead the British effort as they look to win their first Team Gold in dressage. Their score of 83.663% was never in danger of being touched. Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival are second for The Netherlands on 81.687% and Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill are third for Germany. The British lead by a narrow margin over the Germans in the Team score, as the top seven teams head into August 7th’s Grand Prix Special.

Continue reading US Olympic Dressage Team in Fifth Place after First Half of Team Competition →

Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

USEF Names Drivers for FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championships

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Lexington, KY – The following drivers have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in the 2012 FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championships, in Reisenbeck, Germany, August 15-19, 2012.

The United States will be represented by the following drivers:

James Fairclough (Newtown, NJ)
Chester Weber (Ocala, FL)
Joe Yoder (Zwartewaal, The Netherlands)

Ed Young will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

Follow the 2012 U.S. Driving Team here.

Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Bestselling Author Tami Hoag’s Youngest Dressage Star Wins High Score of the Show

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Highlife’s Aria, owned by Tami Hoag and ridden by Charlie Pinneo, were the high score of the Spirit Equestrian Center Dressage show in California with a 74.06%. (Photo courtesy of Mitch Weiss)

Moorpark, CA (August 3, 2012) – Mitt and Ann Romney aren’t the only celebrities with a with a winning dressage horse.  New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag’s string of upper level dressage horses are often headliners, but it is her youngest star, Highlife’s Aria, that continues to steal the spotlight in the show ring in California where she is racking up very impressive scores. At the Spirit Equestrian Center Dressage in late July, Hoag’s five-year-old Oldenburg mare strutted her stuff and took the High Score of the Show honors with a 74.06%.  Aria was shown and trained by Charlie Pinneo, a Grand Prix competitor and USDF gold, silver, and bronze medalist.

“Aria and I had a great ride this weekend at Spirit Equestrian Center,” said Pinneo.  “She’s a great young horse with an excellent mind and beautiful gaits.  Despite this being only her second show, she got down to business and proved herself to be a winner.”  Pinneo went on to say that he and Tami are aiming Aria at the 5-Year-Old Futurity classes during the California Dressage Society Championships in October.  “I’d like to thank Tami for the opportunity to train and show such a talented young horse.  I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” said Pinneo.

Continue reading Bestselling Author Tami Hoag’s Youngest Dressage Star Wins High Score of the Show →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Vivian Yowan Takes Sweeping Victory with Parker in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Vivian Yowan and Parker swept the over fences during the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2012 – The third day of the Kentucky Summer Classic welcomed Junior riders to the Stonelea Arena. The Kentucky Horse Park was alive with hunter action as the best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors during their respective divisions in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunters, Small 16-17 Junior Hunters, Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters and Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. It was Vivian Yowan who made a first day impression, sweeping the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters with Parker.

Today, Vivian Yowan did not disappoint in the Small Junior Hunter divisions, shining aboard several top mounts. She rode two mounts to the peak of the standings in the Small 15 and Under Junior Hunters, securing the day’s top scores aboard Charming and Friday Night. Atop Charming, owned by Boggs Hill of Lexington, KY, Yowan rode to the blue ribbon in the first over fences. She also showed Friday Night, owned by KAR LLC of New York, NY, to the second place award just behind Charming, as well as the fourth place award for their efforts in the second round.

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Events

A ‘Blue Eyed Dream’ Wins Big in Her First Year in FEI Competition

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Equivale’s stallion Blue Eyed Dream and his rider Charity L. Messer have, in only their second time ever competing at the Prix St. George, won both of their classes in the Surf’s Up Cup recognized dressage show on June 16-17, 2012. The pair was also awarded FEI High-Point Champion for their Prix St. George score of 66.579%! This is the first year of FEI competition ever for both horse and rider; they are an exciting pair who show the potential to continue rising through the levels in dressage!

Blue Eyed Dream is owned by Jean Thornton of Equivale where Charity has been working/training for 6 years with Jean.  Also attending the Surf’s Up Cup was another of Jean’s long time students, Dana Palmerri, aboard her Equivale bred 4 year old mare, a Blue Eyed Dream daughter, “Bakara”.  This was Bakara’s first recognized show; she and Dana won all of their classes with scores in the upper 70s and a high score of 81%!

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Louise Serio Leads 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series; Shawn Casady in Second with Recent Victory

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Shawn Casady continues to hold the second place position behind Louise Serio for the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2012 – It was a nail-biter on Sunday evening as Louise Serio and Shawn Casady vied for the top spot in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. It is professional rider Louise Serio who continues to hold the lead after the third part of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby came to a conclusion on Sunday, July 29, 2012 during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The top riders from across the nation gathered on Sunday to compete over the challenging courses and compete for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards. Shawn Casady and Without Question, owned by Palms and Ponies Show Stables of Boca Raton, FL, and leased by Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA, led the victory gallop for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby, with Louise Serio and Corvine, owned by Timothy Wicks of Unionville, PA, riding to the second place finish.

Continue reading Louise Serio Leads 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series; Shawn Casady in Second with Recent Victory →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Sanceo and Florentinus V Ready for Competition at the 2012 FEI World Dressage Championships for Young Horses

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Lexington, KY – The U.S. will be represented by two horses this week at the FEI World Dressage Championships for Young Horses held August 1-5, 2012 in Verden, Germany. Sanceo, ridden by Sabine Schut-Kery, and Florentinus V, ridden by Jennifer Hoffman, will both compete in the six-year-old championship. Both horses were deemed sound and fit to compete at today’s Horse Inspection and begin competition Friday in the Prize of Mrs. Madeleine Winter-Schulze. Friday’s test will qualify pairs to either compete in Saturday’s Small Field Final, the Prize of the company ZEDAN, or Sunday’s International Final, the Prize of Privatbrauerei Wittingen.

Sanceo (San Remo-St. Pr. Hauptstutbuch by Ramiro’s Son II) qualified to compete in Verden after an impressive showing at the Western Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trial in May. Alice Womble’s Hanoverian stallion scored an 8.652 at the Selection Trials held in conjunction with the Dressage at Flintridge CDI*Y/J. In 2011, Schut-Kery guided Sanceo to a fourth place finish in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship five-year-old division.

Continue reading Sanceo and Florentinus V Ready for Competition at the 2012 FEI World Dressage Championships for Young Horses →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, USEF

U.S. Jumping Team Jogs Up Beautifully at 2012 Olympic Games

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Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo (Joanie Morris)

Greenwich, UK – Following the completion of the first half of the dressage competition, the Jumping horses got their first glimpse of the main arena as 90 horses from 26 countries were presented before the Ground Jury at the jog. The U.S. Team looked sharp under the care of veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, farrier Dr. Todd Meister, physio Janus Marquis, and their grooms (listed below). George Morris is serving as Chef d’Equipe; he will retire at the end of 2012.

The U.S. Jumping Team is led by two-time Gold medalists Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) and McLain Ward (Brewster, NY) who claimed Team Gold in 2004 and 2008 together will ride Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo and Grant Road Partners’ Antares F respectively in both horses’ first Olympic Games.

Madden also won Individual Bronze in 2008 with Authentic. After his retirement she built a new superstar out of Coral Reef Via Volo. Together they won Team Gold and Individual Silver at the 2011 Pan American Games. They shared those Team honors with Ward and Antares F. Clark Shipley grooms for Coral Reef Via Volo, this is his third Olympic Games.

Continue reading U.S. Jumping Team Jogs Up Beautifully at 2012 Olympic Games →