Category Archives: Disciplines

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

USEF Approves Nominated Entry for FEI World Endurance Championship

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation has approved the nominated entry for the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship as follows in alphabetical order.

Melody Blittersdorf on her own Synthetic
Cody Boysen on Roxi Welling’s Viktory Banner
John Crandell III on John Crandell Jr’s Heraldic
Becky Hart on her own No Repeat
Valerie Kanavy on her own Reach For The Gold
Nicki Meuten on her own Not Tonight
Ellen Olson on Jeremy Olson’s SA Belshazzar
Heather Reynolds on her own and Jeremy Reynolds’ Riverwatch
Jeremy Reynolds on his own and Heather Reynolds’ A Kutt Above
Margaret Sleeper on her own Syrocco Reveille
Kim Tilson Orr on Nicki Meuten’s FYF Dutch
Jan Worthington on her own Golden Lightening

The squad of six previously named athlete/horse combinations will travel to England to compete in the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship held on August 25, 2012. See the named traveling squad here.

Follow the U.S. Endurance Team at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Endurance/.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, USEF

US Olympic Eventing Team Rises to Fifth Place Following Cross Country

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Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper over the last fence. (Photos: Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team climbed into fifth place with three strong cross country rounds around Sue Benson’s testing cross country course against the stunning backdrop of Greenwich Park. Germany continues to lead the team effort on a score of 124.7 followed closely by Great Britain (130.2) and Sweden (131.4). New Zealand is on a score of 133.4 in fourth and the USA’s score of 155.2 has them comfortably in fifth ahead of the Australians.

The sellout crowd was incredible and cheered every horse every step of the way.

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) continues to lead the American effort with the best score of the three scores to count. Riding Jim and Arden Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper, Dutton added just 2.8 time faults to his dressage score and lies 12th individually on a score of 47.10. It is incredibly close however, Germany’s Ingrid Klimke on Butts Abraxxas and Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt on Wega lead the way, tied on a score of 39.30. New Zealand’s Mark Todd sits third, unforgiving himself for the 6/10th of a second which cost him 0.4 time penalties and the lead. A mistake at the last fence was the culprit.

Continue reading US Olympic Eventing Team Rises to Fifth Place Following Cross Country →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Olympic Games

Tight at the Top for Olympic Team and Individual Eventing Medals

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Sweden's Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Wega (pictured) share the individual lead with Germany's Ingrid Klimke and Butts Abraxxas going into the final jumping phase tomorrow. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 30 July 2012 – Olympic Eventing cross-country produced spectacular sport in Greenwich Park today where at the end of an afternoon filled with thrills, spills, dramas and excitement, team Germany maintained the advantage. But it’s only a slight one, as the host British side lies just over five penalty points behind in silver medal position going into tomorrow’s final jumping phase, while Sweden is just over a single point further in arrears.

And first-day dressage joint-leaders – Ingrid Klimke (GER) and Sara Algotsson Ostholt (SWE) – returned to the top of the individual leaderboard when Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa was one of 10 fallers on the track over which 15 of the 70 starters were eliminated. Should Klimke and Algotsson Ostholt hold firm tomorrow, the German may live to regret her speedy and seamless tour of the track with Butts Abraxxas, as it her Swedish rival who crossed the finish-line closest to the optimum time with her mare, Wega, meaning the Swede would finish ahead.

Continue reading Tight at the Top for Olympic Team and Individual Eventing Medals →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, JRPR

Columbian Junior Rider Nicolas Torres Rodriguez Recognized for His Top Scores at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships

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Cesar Parra (left) stands with Nicolas Torres Rodriguez (center) and one of the judges at the NAJYRC after Rodriguez’s winning ride. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Lexington, KY (June 30, 2012) – Colombian dressage rider Nicolas Torres Rodriguez has enjoyed a banner show season that was just topped off by being honored as the high scoring junior rider in all three days of competition at the 2012 North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). He and Silver Label, a 15-year-old Swedish warmblood gelding, earned the highest individual score in the team competition with a 70.027%.  The pair then took first place in a class of 36 riders the next day in the FEI Junior Individual Test with a score of 72.053%. They finished up the weekend strong, with a 75.50% in the freestyle, set to music from the movie Avatar. The NAJYRC is not yet open to rider teams from South America so Rodriguez was not eligible for a medal, but he was given special recognition for his first place finishes in the Team test and the Freestyle during the awards ceremony.

The 15-year-old Rodriguez was thrilled with the outcome, saying, “Competing at the Rolex Stadium is a dream come true.”  Torres is the first Colombian rider to participate in the NAJYRC, and he and Silver Label have been together for about a year, and train with 2011 Pan Am Gold Medalist Dr. Cesar Parra of Piaffe Performance Farm in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.  Rodriguez said that if he has the opportunity, he would like to return to the championships with a full team from Colombia.

Continue reading Columbian Junior Rider Nicolas Torres Rodriguez Recognized for His Top Scores at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships →

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

Meg O’Mara Captures SJHF High Junior Jumper Classic Victory with Sinatra IV at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Meg O'Mara and Sinatra IV were awarded the High Junior Jumper Championship for their efforts throughout the week, as well as the blue ribbon for their impressive double-clear victory in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – July 29, 2012 – The final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show was afoot with the top amateur-owner and junior riders in the country gathering to compete at the Rolex Stadium. It was a day of domination and diligence as all of the week’s hard work culminated to the final challenging course of the jumper classics. Emanuel Andrade earned the top score in the Low Junior Jumper Classic aboard Casanova Junior, while Chloe Field guided Tiranda to the top of the standings in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Paige Johnson wrapped up her week with the three of her horses nabbing the top earnings in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. It was Meg O’Mara who stood out above the rest in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic with Sinatra IV, riding to one of only two double-clear victories in a speedy time of 42.663 seconds to lead the victory gallop.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHF) Jumper Classic Series holds classes using the Grand Prix rules and specifications for amateur-owner and junior riders at approximately one hundred horse shows across the country, with the Kentucky Summer Series hosting several of the classics within its four weeks of shows. The Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.

Continue reading Meg O’Mara Captures SJHF High Junior Jumper Classic Victory with Sinatra IV at Kentucky Summer Horse Show →

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

$5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Sees Shawn Casady with Triumphant Win at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Shawn Casady and Without Question won the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington KY – July 29, 2012 – The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby received the top hunters from around the country to ride a course that was certain to keep horse and rider on the edge of their skills. Set in the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, the event saw 24 riders compete for the top prize. It was Shawn Casady and Without Question who rode to the top of the leader board, solidifying an overall victory with the high score of 181 points. Louise Serio and Corvine were awarded the red ribbon for posting an impressive performance, a scored total of 177 points, while Steve Heinecke excelled to the third place finish, with a score of 176 points aboard So Lucky.

Riders displayed their honed talents, completing the lengths of a classic hunter course designed by Joseph Carnicom, and sponsored by Hallway Feeds. The top 12 scores in the first round earned the right to compete in the exclusive second round to seal their placings. In both rounds participants were given the option to supplement their scores with extra points by taking any of the four higher fences. The course was adeptly set, reminiscent of a classic hunt field, made up of natural wood and birch oxers, grass roll tops, and a hay bale obstacle. Jumps were set at angles where riders had to cut through previous jump paths and lead changes and tight turns were crucial for success.

Continue reading $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Sees Shawn Casady with Triumphant Win at Kentucky Summer Horse Show →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF, USEF

USEF Dressage Developing Program Participants Excel at USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

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Caroline Roffman and Pie at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – The success of the USEF Dressage Developing Clinics was on full display in June at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions held at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ, with participants scoring top honors in Intermediaire I and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” competition. Over the past seven months the rising stars in the sport of dressage have had the opportunity to hone their skills and prepare for future success at the highest level.

Due to a generous multi-year gift to the USET Foundation from Trustee Akiko Yamazaki, the program expanded in 2012, allowing more riders from throughout the country to participate. Select individuals were invited to take part in training sessions held throughout the year in Florida, New Jersey, and California under the guidance of USEF Developing Coach, Debbie McDonald.

At the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, McDonald worked closely with riders and their trainers to produce top placings.

Continue reading USEF Dressage Developing Program Participants Excel at USEF Dressage Festival of Champions →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Katie Tyler and Megan McDermott Claim Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics

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Katie Tyler and Seattle 6 won the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Photos by David Mullinix Photography

East Dorset, Vermont – Week four of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival concluded on Sunday, July 29, with two exciting Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classics featured in the grand prix ring.  Katie Tyler, 19, of North Kingstown, RI, rode Seattle 6 to victory in the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic while Megan McDermott, 16, of New Milford, CT, topped the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic riding La Vie Este Belle.  The six-week Vermont Summer Festival equestrian competition is running at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT, from July 4 through August 12, 2012.

Course designer Ken Krome of Westminster, MD set challenging tracks for Sunday’s Classic competitions.  Just two out of 17 entries jumped off in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic while three out of 27 made it to the deciding round in the Low Classic.  A tricky rollback turn to a plank vertical seemed to make the difference in speed, as some entries chose to make the turn to the right, while others opted to turn left.

Continue reading Katie Tyler and Megan McDermott Claim Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, USEF

Dutton Leads American Olympic Eventing Team after Dressage

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Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper (photos by Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The Olympic Eventing dressage concluded today and the U.S. put in two strong performances to settle into seventh place after the first phase. The Germans have a commanding lead on a combined score of 119.10, just clear of Australia on 122.10. The home team sits third on 127. The next five teams are separated by less than 11 points, meaning that Monday’s cross country is destined to be influential.

There is an unlikely leader at the top of the leaderboard as Yoshiaki Oiwa took control for Japan with Noonday de Conde on a score of 38.1. He leads the six horses from five countries who broke the 40 mark. Stefano Brecciaroli from Italy sits second with the horse he placed second on following the dressage at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Apollo WD Wendi Kurt Hoev. Seven-time Olympian (and two-time Individual Gold medalist) Mark Todd rounds out the top three for New Zealand with Campino.

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) leads the way individually for the USA. He rode Jim and Arden Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper to an impressive performance – scoring 44.1 for the effort and into 19th place. Judged by Anne-Mette Binder, Nick Burton and Gillian Rolton, Mystery Whisper had small mistakes in each halt, the first one preempted by a spook going around the main arena, but was otherwise all class.

Continue reading Dutton Leads American Olympic Eventing Team after Dressage →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Olympic Games

The Quiet Man from Japan Steals Eventing Dressage Limelight

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Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa and Noonday de Conde produced a sensational test to take the individual lead after the dressage phase of Eventing at the London 2012 Olympic Games in Greenwich Park (GBR) today. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 29 July 2012 – Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa and Noonday de Conde produced a sensational test to take the individual lead in the closing stages of Eventing dressage at the London 2012 Olympic Games in Greenwich Park (GBR) today. The quiet-spoken 36-year-old admitted afterwards that he could hardly believe it. “I’m a bit shocked,” he said at the post-competition press conference. “Nobody expected it – as you can see there are not many Japanese media here!” On an extraordinary day, it was Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli who slotted into second place while New Zealand’s Mark Todd moved into third. Both Oiwa and Todd’s results proved pivotal for their teams, with Japan rising to fill sixth place in the team rankings behind the Kiwis, who go into tomorrow’s cross-country phase in joint-fourth along with Sweden.

As it stands tonight, the host nation lies third behind Australia in second while the defending champions from Germany are already out in front. But with just three penalty points separating the first two, and the British less than five points adrift, stalked by the Swedes and Kiwis just 1.2 points further behind, there is very little in it. As German Chef d’Equipe and Coach, Hans Melzer, said this evening, “The four top riders are just one point away from each other and the teams are so close. They might as well start tomorrow on a zero score. Psychologically today’s result is good and our team did a super job and I’m happy for that, but tomorrow is another day.”

Continue reading The Quiet Man from Japan Steals Eventing Dressage Limelight →