Category Archives: Championships

Awards, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Awards Circuit Championships

Leave a comment
The overall L&L series winner, Alissa Kinsey, and Jack Mitich, Director of Equestrian Sales & Services for World Development Group, title sponsor of the Series in 2012. Photo credit: Anne Gittins Photography

Wellington, FL – April 9, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to congratulate all of the Circuit Champions for the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The 2012 circuit spanned twelve weeks, running January 11 through April 1, 2012, and awarded more than $6 million in prize money.

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Champion Awards were presented to the top finishers in every division, based on prize money and points won.

The leading jumper winners from 2010 and 2011 once again continued their success in 2012. The Chapot family, of Neshanic Station, NJ, took home four circuit championships as well as two reserve championships. The Chapot’s horses Bradberry, Valentia, Star Quest, and Zealous all earned division championships with Laura Chapot in the irons, along with reserve wins for Umberto and Chado Farm’s Face Value. Mary Chapot was named the Oakcroft Overall Jumper Owner, Frank Chapot the Oakcroft Overall Jumper Trainer, and Laura Chapot the Oakcroft Overall Jumper Rider.

Continue reading The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Awards Circuit Championships →

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

Hasbrouck Donovan Garners Large and Small Junior Hunter Championships in Tampa

Leave a comment
Lyle and Hasbrouck Donovan. Photos By: Carrie Wirth/PMG

Tampa, FL – April 6, 2012 – The country’s most skilled junior riders competed in the Main Hunter Ring today, concluding the Tournament of Champions at the Tampa Equestrian Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds. High-level sportsmanship and good humor characterized the mood of the day’s divisions as families, trainers and spectators supported the young athletes. In the Small Junior Hunter Division, Hasbrouck Donovan piloted veteran hunter Lyle to the championship, winning both over fences classes. Entourage, skillfully ridden by Donovan over fences, was awarded the reserve championship. In the Large Junior Hunter Division, Fidelia, also ridden by Donovan, demonstrated her consistency by putting in another day of solid performances and was honored with the Large Junior Hunter Championship. Hanna Marco guided CR Moet to the Reserve Championship.

The high quality of the participants in the Small Junior Hunter under saddle class appeared a challenging match-up to judge. Entourage, owned by Redfield Farm and skillfully ridden by under saddle by Reily Rieker, demonstrated the attributes that caught judges’ eyes and resulted in the blue ribbon. Southern Belle and Landry Folsom were awarded the red.

Continue reading Hasbrouck Donovan Garners Large and Small Junior Hunter Championships in Tampa →

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

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy Dominate High Performance Working Hunters during WEF 12

Leave a comment
Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy earned the High Performance Hunter Championship during WEF 12. On Sunday the duo was also awarded the seventh place award for their overall score in the Palm Beach $50,000 International USHJA Hunter Derby. Photo By: SportFot

Wellington, FL – April 4, 2012 – It was an exciting week for SBS Farms, as professional rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano joined the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Although Alfano spent most of the Winter Circuit in Ocala, FL, the talented rider definitely was leaving nothing to chance as she rode Miss Lucy to the High Performance Working Hunter Championship.

On Wednesday afternoon, Alfano piloted Miss Lucy to the first and second place ribbons over fences, earning scores of 86 and 82, respectively. The pair then continued into the under saddle, receiving the third place for their efforts. Returning on Thursday, Alfano expertly guided Miss Lucy to another third place win over fences, and an incredible first place finish in the Stake class.

“We were trying to get the horses warmed up for Saturday’s Derby,” Alfano explained. “Miss Lucy really felt on, and she gave the courses her all. She is such a wonderful horse and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to ride her at all of these shows and in such prestigious events. She has really proven herself during our time together, and she only continues to get better.”

Continue reading Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy Dominate High Performance Working Hunters during WEF 12 →

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

USEF Names Long List for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship

Leave a comment
Jeremy Reynolds and A Kutt Above (Photo by Donna Shifflette)

Lexington, KY – Endurance competition heated up this weekend at the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, TX as 45 of the nation’s top horses and riders contested the 160km Selection Trial for a spot on the Long List for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship. In a close race to the finish Jeremy Reynolds guided A Kutt Above to the win in 8:16:03, narrowly beating out Wendy MacCoubrey and Reach for the Gold (8:16:05) and Becky Hart riding No Repeat (8:16:09).

Over a course designed to replicate the Championship environment, 19 of the 45 starters finished the race. The top finishers were strong all day and recovered well in the vet gates. Reynolds, of San Jose, CA and A Kutt Above (owned by wife Heather Reynolds), also earned the coveted Best Conditioned Award. A Kutt Above has been named to the Long List with both Jeremy and Heather, who finished fourth on Riverwatch. Reach for the Gold was ridden by Proxy Rider MacCoubrey and has been named to the Long List with owner Valerie Kanavy of Fort Valley, VA. Both Kanavy and Hart (San Juan Bautista, CA) will seek a chance to earn another World Endurance Championship title. Kanavy currently has two titles to her name and Hart will seek a fourth, this time with her own No Repeat.

Continue reading USEF Names Long List for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship →

*Featured/Spotlights, Associations/Breeds, Championships, Community/Charity, Events, Phelps Media Group, Western/Reining

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and NRHA Score a Plus with 2012 Partnership

Leave a comment

Fairfield, Connecticut – April 2, 2012 – The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) is proud to announce that the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) embraced its role as official sponsor for the IHSA Western Semi-Finals, leading up to the 2012 IHSA National Championships, May 3-6, at the Hunt Horse Complex of the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

“The rapidly expanding support of the Western Semi-Finals by the NRHA has enabled our riders to enjoy a greatly enhanced program,” said IHSA national treasurer, Naomi Blumenthal, who also credited Ohio State University IHSA Western team coach and IHSA Associate National Steward/Director at Large, Ollie Griffith, with negotiating the agreement.  “We hope he knows how grateful everyone is for bringing NRHA into our corporate family.”

Continue reading Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and NRHA Score a Plus with 2012 Partnership →

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

Chester Weber Breaks Record with Ninth USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship Win

Leave a comment
Chester Weber, shown here in the cones phase, won the United States Four-in-Hand National Championship at Live Oak International’s 20th Anniversary, making him the only United States Combined Driver to have won the title nine times during his career. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (April 2, 2012) – Chester Weber’s goal at the 2012 Live Oak International, the premier Combined Driving event in North America, was to bring home the USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship trophy. As one of our country’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber not only accomplished his goal but did what he likes to do best — set another record! Weber’s win puts him in uncharted territory as the only United States Combined Driver to have won the USEF Four-In-Hand Championship nine times during his career.

Heading into Live Oak, Weber faced the challenge of once again claiming the coveted four-in-hand championship. Weber held the title for eight years in a row, but during last year’s USEF Championship he placed second and handed the trophy off to another driver. Armed with a team of horses he co-owns with Jane Forbes Clark, Weber captured the Live Oak victory in style – right down to the customary kissing of the winning trophy. “I am thrilled to have the trophy back home where it belongs, where it lived for eight years,” Weber said. “The best moment of the competition was kissing the trophy!”

Continue reading Chester Weber Breaks Record with Ninth USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship Win →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

McGuigan and Capall Zidane, Rodriguez and Aberdeen, Leone and Wayfarer Win Adequan Young Jumper Finals

Leave a comment
Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 30, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival hosted the Adequan Young Jumper Finals today in the International Arena for three age groups. The $20,000 Adequan 8-Year-Old Young Jumper Final victory went to Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Capall Zidane. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Aberdeen took the top spot in the $20,000 Adequan 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Final. Riding Lionshare Farm’s Wayfarer, Peter Leone (USA) won the $15,000 Adequan 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Final. In the Rost Arena, Arriana Boardman of New York City won the Horseware Ireland Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunter championship with Red Carpet.

Sponsored by FTI Consulting, Inc., the final week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will feature the highlight grand prix of the season, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5*, on Saturday, March 31. The USHJA International Hunter Derby will host the top 25 on the grass field at The Stadium on Sunday, April 1.

Continue reading McGuigan and Capall Zidane, Rodriguez and Aberdeen, Leone and Wayfarer Win Adequan Young Jumper Finals →

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

Impressive Field Set to Contest CEI3* 160km Team Trial

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – This weekend the United States’ top endurance riders will vie for a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship. Saturday, March 31st riders will compete in the CEI3* 160km Team Trial held at the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, TX. Every attempt has been made to replicate the course and environment of the upcoming Championship at these Trials. Saturday’s race is expected to be an excellent showing of the nation’s finest endurance horses.

In accordance with the selection procedures, upon completion of the Team Trial, the top 20 horses in addition to any wild-cards granted by Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross, will be named to the Long List. The 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship will take place August 25, 2012 in Euston Park, Thetford (GBR).

Continue reading Impressive Field Set to Contest CEI3* 160km Team Trial →

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

Charlotte Jacobs Finishes WEF Circuit with High Junior Jumper Championship

Leave a comment
Charlotte Jacobs and Cyrina Z winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic. Photo By: SportFot

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – March 28, 2012 – The winter show season has come to a close for young rider Charlotte Jacobs of North Star Ventures, but during her last week of competition she captured top honors in the jumper and equitation rings. Over the past 11 weeks, Jacobs competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival aboard her talented string of mounts under the tutelage of Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run. During Week 11, Jacobs won the High Junior Jumper championship aboard her newest horse, Cyrina Z.

During Saturday’s speed class, Jacobs piloted Cyrina Z to a fault free effort that claimed the second place honors. On Sunday, the pair stepped it up for the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic. With a beautiful, clear first round they advanced to the jump-off with three other riders. They lowered the height of just one fence and their four-fault score led the way to earn the blue ribbon victory. Jacobs and Cyrina Z’s excellent performance throughout the division was eventually honored with the High Junior Jumper Championship.

Continue reading Charlotte Jacobs Finishes WEF Circuit with High Junior Jumper Championship →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, JRPR

Erynn Ballard Wins Hunter Championship during Week Eight of WEF

Leave a comment
Erynn Ballard and Timber Ridge were in the winner’s circle during the eighth week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival after being victorious in the Sanctuary hunter divisions. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com)

Wellington, FL (March 27, 2012) – Erynn Ballard, a Canadian rider and trainer, cruised to victory in the Regular Conformation Hunters aboard Timber Ridge during the eighth week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, capturing the championship in the division. The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, a world-class rehab and conditioning facility located in Ocala, Florida, sponsors the Regular Conformation Hunters as well as the First Year Green, Second Year Green and Green Conformation classes.

Ballard is one of Canada’s most talented equestrian show jumpers and trainers. She has become one of the most recognized names in the industry due to her consistent wins in the show ring as well as her exceptional training methods. Ballard trains out of her Looking Back Farm in Ontario, Canada.

Other Sanctuary sponsored champions during week eight of the Winter Equestrian Festival included: Peter Pletcher who won the First Year Green Championship on Westbrooke; Shawn Casady aboard Paul Stuart, winners of the Green Conformation Hunters: and Christa Endicott who captured the Second Year Green Championship on Come Monday.

Continue reading Erynn Ballard Wins Hunter Championship during Week Eight of WEF →