Category Archives: Disciplines

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Double Gold for Germany, Great Britain and Ireland at Fabulous Fontainebleau

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Netherlands takes Individual Dressage Title

On the podium (left to right) - Individual Eventing silver medallist Britain’s Louisa Nesbitt, and Ireland’s gold and bronze medallists Cathal Daniels and Ana O’Brien.

Lausanne (SUI), 23 July 2012 – Germany took Dressage Team and Freestyle gold, the British once again dominated in Jumping and the Irish recorded their first-ever team success while also claiming two of the three individual medals in Eventing at the FEI European Pony Championship 2012 in Fontainebleau, France.  Sanne Vos claimed the Individual Dressage title for The Netherlands, but was pipped by Germany’s Semmeike Rothenberger in the closely fought Freestyle by the smallest of margins.

The standard of competition in all disciplines continues to astound, and the battles for the ultimate prizes were intense.  As the weekend drew to a sunny conclusion, Championship Director, Andre Bonneau announced that more than 7,000 spectators turned up to watch Eventing cross-country while 5,000 attended the final Eventing jumping phase. “It is a tribute to the participants,” he said.

Continue reading Double Gold for Germany, Great Britain and Ireland at Fabulous Fontainebleau →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Ellen Toon and Invincible Punch Their Ticket for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final

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©ESI Photography. Ellen Toon and her own Invincible sail to victory and pick up their final Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final qualifier in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 22, 2012) – With a win in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties, Ellen Toon and her own Invincible picked up their fifth qualifying class and are on their way to HITS Championship Weekend for their second appearance in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

“I was a little rusty coming into this class,” admitted Toon of South Salem, New York. “But, he [Invincible] is such a seasoned and enthusiastic competitor, he always makes me feel more confident. As soon as he picked up a canter in the ring, I knew we were going to have a good day.”

Saturday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix took place in the newly debuted Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson and featured a dynamic track built by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York.

“Jumping off the bank was really nice and made for a fun first round,” said Toon. “The footing in this new ring gets better and better each week.”

Continue reading Ellen Toon and Invincible Punch Their Ticket for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final →

Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Para-Equestrian Dressage Athlete Mary Jordan Leaves Lasting Impression at Official USA Olympic Day

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Mary Jordan speaking to campers at USOC Olympic Day. Photo courtesy Saco Parks & Recreation Department in Saco, Maine

Saco, Maine – July 22, 2012 – As the London Olympics/Paralympics approach athletes have been promoting and creating awareness of this spectacular event. On June 29, 2012, the Official USA Olympic Day occurred where hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians participated around the country in interactive and informative public speaking events. Created by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), there were more than 700 events taking place across the United States including multiple locations in Maine. U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage rider Mary Jordan of Wells, Maine traveled to Saco, Maine where over 400 campers were awaiting her arrival.

As Jordan described and showcased Olympic and Paralympic athletes around the world, the previously hot and tired campers became captivated by Jordan. “The children were fascinated when they saw a Paralympic Swimmer without legs winning the gold for their country. They asked so many wonderful questions and two hours flew by as if it were 20 minutes,” noted Jordan.

Continue reading Para-Equestrian Dressage Athlete Mary Jordan Leaves Lasting Impression at Official USA Olympic Day →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Area V Is Golden in Eventing CCI1*, Area VI, VII & IX Wins CCI2* Eventing Championships

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Victoria New and Connor Husain Top the Podium in Eventing Individual Championships

Victoria New and Fleeceworks Mystere du Val, Individual Gold medalists in Junior Eventing (Brant Gamma Photography)

Lexington, KY – The Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championship concluded competition today after an extremely successful week. Eventing was the highlight with riders completing their stadium jumping phase to determine team and individual medalists.

Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) took part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, ages 14-21.

The Area V gold medal junior team was led by individual gold medalist Victoria New (17, San Angelo, TX) on Fleeceworks Mystere du Val. They set the lowest final score of the competition at 52.5 penalties. The pair started out with the second best dressage score of 48.5, were clear through the cross country to move into the lead, and had one rail to add four faults for a total of 52.5 penalties. The Area V team had a total of 169.9 penalties.

Continue reading Area V Is Golden in Eventing CCI1*, Area VI, VII & IX Wins CCI2* Eventing Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events

Suzy Stafford Makes History Again Receiving First Driving Sport Predicate Title in the US

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Suzy Stafford securing the first ever in the United States Driving Sport Predicate Title with Sjaantje, the 7 year old Friesian Mare owned by Gail Aumiller. Photo: Linda Gallo

Chester County, PA – Gold medalist Suzy Stafford made history in 2005 when she won the first Individual Gold medal at the World Pony Championships for the United States. She has continued to medal at the World Championships in 2007, 2009 and most recently in 2010.

History was made again with Stafford holding the reins of a seven year old Friesian mare named Sjaantje owned by Gail Aumiller of Dreams Come True Farm in Carlisle, PA. Suzy has completed the qualifications and catapulted Sjaantje up the training scale in record time to receive the Driving Sport Predicate Title. This is the first completion of this title to be held by any equine in the United States. “It makes my job easier when the owner believes whole heartedly in Sjaantje and gives me all the tools I need to prepare her for success. Gail is that owner and I am truly grateful for her trust in my program and support,” Stafford says with a smile.   Stafford operates her Stafford Carriage Driving facility out of Chester County in Pennsylvania from April to December and is stationed in Aiken, South Carolina from January through April.

Continue reading Suzy Stafford Makes History Again Receiving First Driving Sport Predicate Title in the US →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF, Western/Reining

Kilian McGrath and Abigail McArdle Triumph for Show Jumping Young Rider and Junior Gold Medals

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Individual Reining Champion Golds Go to Reed Kyle and Haley Franc

Abigail McArdle (Zone 5) aboard Cosma 20 takes the Gold medal in the Junior Individual Show Jumping (Sportfot)

Lexington, KY – The show jumpers and reiners finished today by naming two new individual gold medalists each at the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC), which conclude tomorrow at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Kilian McGrath and Abigail McArdle took gold in the Young Rider and Junior Show Jumping divisions respectively. The Show Jumping was sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association. In the SmartPak Reining Individual Championship, Reed Kyle was gold in the Young Riders, while the Junior gold medal went to Haley Franc.

Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) took part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, ages 14-21.

Continue reading Kilian McGrath and Abigail McArdle Triumph for Show Jumping Young Rider and Junior Gold Medals →

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

Roenick and Tetreault Win Dressage Young Rider and Junior Freestyle Championships

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Team Canada Takes Gold, Gardner Is Individual Champion in Successful Endurance Race

Team Canada takes the Gold in Endurance (Brant Gamma Photography)

Lexington, KY – As the day continued on Saturday for the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC), more gold medalists were crowned. Brandi Roenick and Weltino’s Magic had the highest score to capture the Dressage Young Rider Freestyle Championship, while Canadian rider Laurence Blais Tetreault and Pissaro were gold medalists in the junior division. The dressage is sponsored by Platinum Performance and the United States Dressage Federation. The endurance riders were honored today in a podium presentation after they completed the first four-star endurance race in NAJYRC history yesterday. Team Canada took the gold medal, while Katherine Gardener and AF Big Bucks were the individual champions.

The NAJYRC concludes tomorrow at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) will take part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, ages 14-21.

Continue reading Roenick and Tetreault Win Dressage Young Rider and Junior Freestyle Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Brandi Roenick and Ayden Uhlir Capture Young Rider and Junior Dressage Individual Gold Medals

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Zone 2 Wins Show Jumping Gold in Junior and Young Riders

Meg O'Mara aboard Sinatra IV (Sportfot)

Lexington, KY – It was a full day of equestrian sport at the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC), and four podium presentations crowned this year’s medalists for the Dressage individuals and Show Jumping teams. The dressage competition is sponsored by Platinum Performance and the United States Dressage Federation, while the show jumping is sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association.

The NAJYRC runs through Sunday, July 22, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) will take part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, ages 14-21.

Continue reading Brandi Roenick and Ayden Uhlir Capture Young Rider and Junior Dressage Individual Gold Medals →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Final Prize List Online and Ready to Print for First-Ever Southeast Medal Finals!

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Jacksonville, FL – July 20, 2012 – The First Annual Southeast Medal Finals will take place on September 21-23, 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, FL. The show is patterned after the successful and long-standing New England Medal Finals, giving riders in Zone 4 and Region 3, a chance to compete for the top honors in an array of classes. Highlights include the Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals and the Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals, the Region Three ASPCA Maclay Regionals. The Indoor show will feature hunter, jumper and equitation classes over the period of three days, with highlight classes that are sure to catch the exhibitors’ attention.

The prize list for this illustrious new show is available online! To download, go to: http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/Downloads.aspx.

To request a mailed prize list please contact Susie Rindal at rindal@bellsouth.net.

Continue reading Final Prize List Online and Ready to Print for First-Ever Southeast Medal Finals! →

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

Schuyler Riley and Waterloo Climb to the Top in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

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©ESI Photography. Schuyler Riley and Waterloo clear an oxer on their way to victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 20, 2012) – Summer show jumping got underway at HITS Saugerties this week as Schuyler Riley and M. Michael Meller’s Waterloo clinched first place in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Riley of Wellington, Florida and Meller’s nine-year-old Warmblood topped a four-horse jump-off and posted the only double clear round of the day for the win.

Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Paehl, Germany set a first round, which offered a dynamic 13-obstacle course with several bending lines and rollbacks in between. The first of two combinations was a double at four, which proved to be a challenge for many, dashing any hope of a fault-free round for over half the field.

“This was a really nice size course and it offered a lot of different questions,” said Riley. “Once I picked a track and committed, it rode beautifully.”

Continue reading Schuyler Riley and Waterloo Climb to the Top in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix →