Category Archives: Disciplines

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

America’s Boyd Martin Gets London 2012 Equestrian Events Underway

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New Zealand legend Mark Todd and his horse Campino at the first horse inspection for Eventing at Greenwich Park today. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 27 July 2012 – It’s been a long four-year wait, and the tension has been building steadily all week, but Greenwich Park will burst into action at 10.00 tomorrow morning when Eventing gets the London 2012 Olympic equestrian events underway with America’s Boyd Martin first into the dressage arena.

The first horse inspection had its moments of drama this morning, with four horses sent to the Holding Box for further assessment.  And there was an audible intake of breath when Great Britain’s Zara Phillips was asked to trot her horse, High Kingdom, before the Ground Jury for a second time.  But Ground Jury President Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Nick Burton (GBR) and Gillian Rolton (AUS) passed all 74 horses in the final analysis, and with 12 full teams of five riders battling it out for the medals, along with a three-strong side from The Netherlands and 11 individuals, the next four days promise an Olympic feast of sparkling sport.

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Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, USEF

Olympic Eventing Set to Begin at Greenwich Park; Five U.S. Horses Accepted at the First Horse Inspection

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Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere at the first horse inspection (Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The first of the three Olympic Equestrian Disciplines is set to begin on Saturday, July 28 after 74 horses were presented for the first horse inspection. The team from the United States drew second (behind Ecuador’s individual) and were first to present their horses before the Ground Jury of President Anne Mette Binder, Nick Burton, and Gillian Rolton.

The stunning Greenwich arena hosted horses from 22 nations, all of which were accepted.

All five American horses looked fantastic, a testament to their grooms, the veterinarians, physio, farrier, and entire team. Dr. Brendan Furlong is serving the U.S. in his fifth Olympic Games. He is supported by farrier Steve Teichman, Dr. Wendy Leich, and physio Angie Cooney – they had the horses looking their very best.

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) will ride the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate’s Otis Barbotiere in the lead-off position for the team. The 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding looked sharp at this morning’s jog. Otis survived a fire last May and has returned to fighting form under the care of his groom Lindsey Taylor.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

USEF Names Four to U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation has named the team for the 2012 Paralympic Games. The four athletes representing the U.S. in London turned heads at the Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and Selection Trial held in Gladstone, NJ in June.

The following two U.S. team veterans and two rising stars will compose the team:

Rebecca Hart (Unionville, PA) and Jessica Ransehousen’s Lord Ludger
Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter Scale
Donna Ponessa (New Windsor, NY) and Wesley Dunham’s Western Rose
Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor , MI) and her own Bonifatius

Reigning USEF National Champion Hart makes her second trip to the Paralympic Games after having represented her country at the 2008 Games. The Grade II rider will utilize the experience that earned her national titles in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 when she competes in Greenwich Park.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Esse and Colvin Capture 2012 US Junior Hunter Championship Titles

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Overall Grand Champion Small Affair and Overall Reserve Grand Champion Illusion, both ridden by Olivia Esse, at the 2012 US Junior Hunter Championship West (Captured Moment Photography)

Lexington, KY – For the eleventh consecutive year, champions were crowned at the US Junior Hunter Championship, utilizing a three round format. On July 23-24, competitors contested the West Coast portion of the championship at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, CA. With competition for the East Coast held in Lexington, KY July 24-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Olivia Esse rode Small Affair to champion honors in Del Mar, while Victoria Colvin and Inclusive were the winners in Lexington.

West Coast

Esse put forth a dominating effort in the West Coast portion of the US Junior Hunter Championship by collecting Overall Grand Champion and Overall Reserve Grand Champion honors. A total of 47 competitors rode before the judging panel of Rob Gage, Chrystine Tauber, and Geoff Teall but none would be able to catch the Calabasas, CA native.

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

The $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series Continues This Sunday at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Louise Serio and Corvine continue to lead the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus standings as of Saturday, May 19, 2012. Photo By: Shawn McMillen

Lexington KY – July 26, 2012 – The Kentucky Summer Horse Show began on Wednesday, July 24, 2012, at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park, kicking off the Kentucky Summer Series. This Sunday, the third leg of the 2012 $45,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, sponsored by Hallway Feeds will take place in the Stonelea Arena. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events to be 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 Horse Show, held July 24-29, 2012, features the third event of the series on Sunday afternoon with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The top riders from across the nation will gather to compete over a classic hunter course and vie for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.

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

Paige Johnson Wins $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – July 26, 2012 – Thunderstorms plagued the Kentucky Horse Park as riders gathered beneath the lights of the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Paige Johnson proved to be the best of the best, controlling the jump-off with one of only seven double-clear efforts aboard Chiron S to lead the victory gallop. Shane Sweetnam and Danielle Goldstein also tackled the short course, but their times could not catch Johnson’s speed, each placed third and fourth, respectively.

Marin Zevedo designed tonight’s course, using obstacles such as a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, bending lines, an oxer-oxer double combination, a triple bar, roll backs and tight turns. The jump-off allowed 47 seconds for horse and rider to break the beam, using a serpentine path to guide them to the finish. Starting over the first oxer and making a right to a vertical, riders then took a standalone red-and-white vertical to the oxer-oxer double combination. Upon landing, they were in full gear, racing against the seconds as they maneuvered over the SSG Digital Riding Gloves vertical and finished over the final oxer.

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Para-Equestrian

United States Para-Equestrian Driving Team Prepares for 2012 World Driving Championships

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Diane Kastama

July 26, 2012 – As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30 – September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands.

The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of Burnet, Texas.

In preparation for this exciting event, the United States Driving for the Disabled (USDFD), which is the Para-Equestrian Driving National Affiliate for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), works alongside USEF, coaches, drivers, horse owners, and trainers to assist with the many aspects that will affect Para-Drivers.

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

Peter Leone and Wayfarer Earn the Win in the 1.25m at International Bromont

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Leone and Lincourt Gino Blaze to Third in the BonjourQuebec.com World Cup Qualifier

Peter Leone and Lincourt Gino at International Bromont. Photo by Debra Jamroz

Wellington – July 26, 2012 – Peter Leone and his Lionshare Farm homebred, Wayfarer, nicknamed “The Future,” earned the win out of a field of 50 international competitors in the 1.25m Open Jumpers at International Bromont. Leone and Wayfarer also placed in the Derby de Vitesse/Speed Derby.

“By Nona Garson’s Languster out of a Holsteiner mare, he was born big and handsome. From day one, he showed character, range, scope and intelligence. He is just a genuinely, lovely talent,” said Leone about Wayfarer. “Because he was born on the farm, he has been my project. We know each other’s nuances and unspoken signals, so together we have the ability to turn and jump.”

Leone and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino delivered the speed and accuracy required to put them in second place on the leader board in the 1.35m Open Jumpers. Then on Sunday, the pair was one of only six horse and rider teams to go faultless in the first round of the BonjourQuebec.com World Cup qualifying event. Leone and Gino, a big Irish Sporthorse gelding, have been in the money all spring and summer and were the second fastest of the four-faulters in the jump-off round, earning the duo third place honors.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

USEF Announces Dates and Locations for 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials. The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals will take place August 16-18, 2013 in Estes Park, Colorado, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI3*. While the Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials will be held in two locations: the Western Selection Trials at La Cañada Flintridge, California May 23-26, 2013 during the Dressage at Flintridge and the Eastern Selection Trials as part of VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage in Leesburg, VA June 7-9, 2013.

The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for junior riders. The program focuses on equitation and the development of a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Youth wishing to qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals must compete at the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals held at the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Riders placing in the top two in the Semi-Finals are invited to compete in the Finals.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, JRPR

Weber Shuffles Team at CAI Beekbergen Winning Dressage, Finishing in Top 4 Overall

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Chester Weber and his team in the marathon phase at the CAI Beekbergen. (Photo courtesy of Willem Hamer)

Beekbergen, Holland (July 26, 2012) – Combined Driver Chester Weber did a bit of reorganizing of his team during the CAI Beekbergen, a strategy that paid dividends on the scoreboard.  Weber’s team, which is made up of a combination of horses owned by Weber and by Jane Forbes Clark, drove to an impressive 4th overall position at the prestigious show.  His team’s ability to use different horses in different positions shows a great degree of depth, as he used only one horse each day from his original Aachen combination.

“I decided to use different horses in the lead and wheel positions in Beekbergen,” said Weber.  “I think it was a risk, but my horses rose to the occasion.”  Weber used Ringo, owned by Clark, in the wheel position all three days, and Splash, also owned by Clark, took the lead during the dressage and the wheel during the marathon.  Weber was pleased with Ringo and Splash’s performance at the wheel during the marathon.  “The combination of these two horses in the wheel position proved to be a boon to our team, and I think they will only continue to improve.”

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