Category Archives: Championships

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

Culpeper, Virginia Is the Next Stop on the Road to HITS Championship Weekend

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CULPEPER, VA (March 7, 2012) – As the countdown to HITS Championship Weekend is well underway, East Coast riders will look to HITS Culpeper for  pivotal qualifying opportunities. Weekly $40,000 Grand Prix will give High-performance riders the chance to punch their ticket for the third annual Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. In addition, HITS Culpeper will host five $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, all of which will qualify for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and five $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix as qualifiers for the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final. All three big-ticket classes will meet at HITS Championship Weekend at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York September 7-9, 2012 to crown their champions.

The HITS Culpeper Show Series will get underway when the Commonwealth National kicks of hunter/jumper competition April 18-22. Riders return on July 6, with two consecutive weeks of competition during the Showday National, July 4-8, followed by the Cavalier Classic, July 11-15. August brings two more weeks of competition with the Winston National, August 15-19, and the Constitution Classic, August 22-26. HITS will close out the 2012 season Virginia during the Culpeper Finals September 26-30 while introducing the first qualifying opportunities for the 2013 Pfizer Million.

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

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Win Reserve Honors at HITS V

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the High Performance Working Hunter Reserve Championship at HITS V Ocala Tournament. Photo By: Aly Sanderford/PMG

Ocala, FL – March 5, 2012 – The HITS V Ocala Tournament saw nothing but success from SBS Farms as Jennifer Alfano scored high ribbons and championship honors aboard horses throughout the hunter divisions. Jersey Boy came out at the top of the field in the High Performance Working Hunter division, taking home the reserve championship honors during his second week showing at HITS Ocala.

The talented duo earned the first and second place ribbons for their efforts over fences, as well as the first place finish for their picturesque handy round. Alfano is gearing up for the $10,000 USHJA International Derby in Ocala, FL, this Saturday, March 10. Shortly after their appearance in Ocala, the team will head to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, for the Winter Equestrian Festival where they will compete as the defending champions of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

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

Nick Skelton Returns to Winner’s Circle in $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

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Lyn Pedersen and Tivoli Take Tricolor in FarmVet Amateur-Owner 36 & Over 3’3″ Hunters

Nick Skelton and Big Star. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 26, 2012 – The seventh week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded today with an exciting 11 horse jump-off in the $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Nick Skelton (GBR) scored yet another big win with Big Star, owned by Beverley Widdowson. Second place went to fellow British rider Ben Maher on Quiet Easy 4, owned by Mrs. Phillips, while Darragh Kerins (IRL) and S&L Slingback, owned by S&L Farm, finished third.

While week seven has concluded, week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm, will run from February 29 – March 4. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Nick Skelton Returns to Winner’s Circle in $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic →

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

Jennifer Alfano Rides Maggie May to Top Honors at HITS III Ocala Winter Festival

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Jennifer Alfano rode Maggie May to the High Pre-Green Hunter Championship during HITS Ocala III Winter Festival. Photo: ESI Photography

Ocala, FL – February 22, 2012 – The success within the hunter rings continued this week for SBS Farms at the HITS III Ocala Winter Festival. Professional rider Jennifer Alfano guided numerous horses to the top honors this past week, including riding the young Maggie May to the High Pre-Green Hunter Championship.

Maggie May is a six-year-old Bradenberger mare owned by Billie Steffee, who Alfano showed to the championship tricolor in the High Pre-Green Hunter division. The young mare is always improving, and the pair took two blue ribbons over fences and the second place award for their efforts in the under saddle.

“She has been great; I am really excited about her this year. She keeps getting better and better every week, and she is really growing up a lot,” Alfano explained. “It’s really fun to be a part of her coming along, and being able to watch it all unfold.”

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

Katie Robinson and Rock Steady Win A-O 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF VI

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Katie Robinson and Rock Steady won the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship. Photo: Elizabeth Vieira/PMG

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – February 21, 2012 – Katie Robinson stole the show during the World Champion Hunter Week with her talented mount Rock Steady at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Earning excellent ribbons in their division, Robinson and Rock Steady won the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship to qualify for the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, where they eventually placed tenth for Deeridge Farm.

Robinson kicked off the week with a victory in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Handy Hunter round with Rock Steady. The pair then went on to place second in the stake round, and was eventually awarded the division’s championship title. “I definitely felt extra pressure when we were trying to qualifying, because I really wanted to win,” explained Robinson. “Rock Steady was great in the first rounds and just super all weekend long.”

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

David McPherson Captures Top Two Spots in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

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Junior and Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions Are Crowned

Silver Exchange II and David McPherson. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2012 – As the sixth week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival begins to wrap up, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m took place today in the Mogavero ring. David McPherson of Great Britain rode Silver Exchange II for the win and Leonitas for second place. Nicolas Pizarro (MEX) and Saskia finished in third place. Junior and Amateur-Owner hunter champions also received

Week six of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider will run through February 19. The $50,000 G&C Farm Jumper Derby is the highlight event on Sunday at The Stadium at 3 p.m. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

The course designer this week in the Mogavero ring is Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. There were 7 clear rounds over his course that began with 27 entries.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, JRPR

Kelley Farmer Rides into the Winner’s Circle in Hunter Classes Sponsored by The Sanctuary during Third Week of FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

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Kelley Farmer won the Championship in the First Year Green Hunters with Cinema, pictured with Larry Glefke, and the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunters with Nanook during the third week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com)

Wellington, FL (February 16, 2012) – Hunter trainer Kelley Farmer has been in the hunter spotlight for many years, and the Virginia based rider rode into the winner’s circle during the third week of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival capturing the Championship in the First Year Green Hunters and the Regular Conformation Hunters. The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a world-class rehab and conditioning facility located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, sponsors the hunter divisions.

Farmer, who rides and trains out of Larry Glefke’s Lane Change Farm in Keswick, Virginia, piloted Cinema to the Championship in the First Year Greens and Nanook to the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship. “Kelley is a phenomenal rider and we are always thrilled when she wins classes that we sponsor,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “The Sanctuary is dedicated to supporting the equestrian community, which is why we enjoy sponsoring classes and divisions at the Winter Equestrian Festival.”

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

McCormack Takes Over Fences, Brown Wins Flat at WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge

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Laura Chapot and Bradberry Victorious in $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge, Bruce Duchossois and Just Fred Capture the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Championship

Kimberly McCormack and Chalan. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 10, 2012 – The third annual FTI WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge was held on Friday evening in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Riders representing 16 National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) varsity teams from around the country gathered to compete in a bracket-style format. The championship trophy, presented by the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association, was awarded to University of South Carolina junior Kimberly McCormack. Laura Chapot was the fastest to win the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge with Bradberry. In the Camping World Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters, R. Bruce Duchossois and Just Fred earned the championship ribbon.

Week five of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will run February 8-12. The highlight class of the week is Saturday night’s $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

USEF Announces Dates for the 2012 National Hunter Championships

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The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. is pleased to announce the following dates and locations of the 2012 National Hunter Championships:

U.S. Junior Hunter Championship – West Coast: July 23-24, 2012; Showpark Facility, Del Mar, CA

U.S. Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast: July 24-25, 2012; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

United States Pony Finals: August 7-12, 2012; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. National Hunter Breeding Championship – West: August 29, 2012; Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament, Del Mar, CA

Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. National Hunter Breeding Championship – East: September 1, 2012; Warrenton Horse Show, Warrenton, VA

For sponsorship opportunities or questions about these events, please contact Lauren Fahey lfahey@usef.org or 859-225-6977.

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, JRPR

Scott Stewart Dominates The Sanctuary’s Sponsored Hunter Classes during First Week of FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

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Scott Stewart dominated the hunter ring during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com)

Wellington, FL (February 8, 2012) – Hunter trainer and rider Scott Stewart dominated the hunter ring during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, riding away with the Championship in the Green Working Hunter, the First Year Green Working Hunter and the Second Year Green Working Hunter divisions. Kelly Farmer won the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunter division, also sponsored by The Sanctuary at PBIEC.

“Scott’s a very accomplished hunter trainer and rider and he showed off his skill during the first week of WEF by riding into the winner’s circle countless times,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of the Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “We are thrilled that Scott won so many of the classes we sponsored and we congratulate him on his victories. We also want to congratulate Kelley. She is also an accomplished hunter rider who is also well known for being in the winner’s circle.”

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