Category Archives: Championships

Associations/Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Western/Reining

IHSA Western Riders Shine at APHA World Championships

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Nigel Lancaster aboard Tinselena Spark during the run-off round. Photo by EQ Media.

Fairfield, Conn. – Oct. 01, 2020 – Twelve Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Western High-Point Open riders took to the world stage in the IHSA Invitational Class held Sept. 29, during the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship Horse Show in Fort Worth, Texas. Nigel Lancaster from Hilliard, Ohio came away as champion after showcasing his skills in both the reining and horsemanship phases.

“The IHSA High Point Rider Versatility Championship was a huge success today just because it gave us a chance to highlight the best of the best that were shortchanged during the 2020 season,” said Amanda Ellis, IHSA Western Committee chair. “Not only did we have great horses given to us by the exhibitors at the World Show, but the caliber of riding was phenomenal.”

Ellis explained that with many member schools in the country not able to compete now due to COVID-19, she hopes they were able to watch the live stream and are excited and inspired for spring.

The class began with each of the 12 riders performing the reining pattern. The judges rewarded consistent riding on two different mounts and scores were tight after the initial round of competition, with the top three spots bringing in scores above 145.00 points. Lancaster and Ashton Knerr from Plain City, Ohio secured the top two spots with a tied score.

Lancaster rode to duplicate scores of 73.5, aboard Gunnataxya, owned by Deb Oneguard, for a total first-round score of 147.00 points. Knerr piloted Tinselena Spark to scores of 75.5 and 71.5, tying Lancaster’s score of 147.00. Hart Daniels, hailing from Vaughan, Mississippi, took third place on Starlight Driver (Hydrive Cat x Starlights Lynn), owned by Kelsey Delaplaine, just one point behind with 146.00 points.

Then it was time to switch mounts for the horsemanship phase. Riders showcased their abilities on the flat at the walk, jog, and lope both with and without stirrups. Competitors then piloted their mounts through a pattern demonstrating a smooth, effortless ride.

Grand Island, Nebraska native Matthew ‘Matt’ Graves rode to the win in the horsemanship phase. His consistent and polished riding aboard the 17-year-old paint gelding He Thinks He’s Special or “Eddy,” (Special Invitation x Zippos Gold Model), owned by Ryan Urech, stood out among the field. Travis Fortune from Booneville, Indiana took the second spot with A Krymsun Legacy (One Hot Krymsun x Zippos Satin N Lace), owned by Darcie Winiewicz, and Lancaster on Sensational Effects, owned by Amanda Bennet, rounding out the top three.

Knerr and Lancaster, who grew up riding together at Ollie and Debbie Griffith’s Autumn Rose Farm in Delaware, Ohio, rode the reining pattern once more to determine the overall class champion.

“Those two riders have been riding reining horses since they were 7 years old and they’re best of friends, they live within 15 minutes of each other,” said Ollie Griffith, IHSA National Associate Steward. “They’re just amazing. One went to the University of Findlay. One went to Ohio State. And it just couldn’t be better for us.”

Aboard Tinselena Spark (Tin Tin), Lancaster rode the final pattern in beautiful style earning the high score of 148.50. Lancaster’s third-place performance in the horsemanship phase helped secure the championship title.

Lancaster’s winning mount Tin Tin, an 11-year-old Quarter Horse mare (Tinsel Nic x Smart Sparkalena) owned by John McDaniel and handled by Cathy Luse, was awarded the High Point Horse title.

“I love how the two organizations came together and collaborated on this,” said Lancaster. “It’s really nice because we had to cancel the fall season and it was a great way to come and show together.”

Knerr rode the 5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Gunnataxya (Gunnatrashya x Sannie Shine) for her run-off round. Her consistency in the saddle earned her a run-off score of 146.5 and a fourth place in horsemanship aboard Original Barbie, owned by Chris Russell, taking home the overall reserve call.

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.

Championships, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Mathieu Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay Win 2020 EquiJet $7,500 U25 Championship

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Mathieu Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay. Photo by Ringside Media.

Ontario, Canada – Sept. 15, 2020 – The 2020 EquiJet $7,500 U25 Championship at Angelstone Tournaments has come to a close. Following three rounds of exciting competition, Mathieu Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay were named as the 2020 victors thanks to two top-three placings that pushed them to the top of the leaderboard. Split into three parts, the series classes took place July 23, August 21, and September 11, when top up-and-coming equestrians went head-to-head for a shot at the top title. After a successful 2019 partnership, EquiJet returned to Angelstone Tournaments in 2020 to continue its support of the younger generations of athletes in order to promote their budding competitive careers and offer travel opportunities that may have otherwise been prohibitive.

“This was such an exciting series! Congratulations to all participants. We are so happy to have been able to support the U25 classes this year at Angelstone Tournaments. Traveling to new, and sometimes quite far away, competitions is imperative for high-level equestrians as they kickstart their competitive careers, so we were pleased to have partnered with Angelstone to provide some equine transportation funds for our lucky winners. The future of the sport is bright, and we are proud to have a hand in supporting the next generation,” commented Bastian Schroeder, founder of EquiJet.

Laying down two rounds of quick and careful riding aboard her own Castello Z, Sammy Saunders emerged victorious as the first winner of the three-part series July 23, followed by a win for Lexi Ray and Jana Van D’Abdijhoeve on August 21. During the final installment September 11, Alexanne Thibault and Chacco Prime bested the field as the fastest of the 8-horse jump-off to capture the final class’s blue ribbon. Overall, Michot and Bretzelle D’Arthenay earned the championship distinction with the most cumulative points earned from a third-place finish in August and a runner-up spot in September. Thibault’s September victory pushed her into second place overall to claim the reserve championship.

Celebrating its tenth year, Angelstone has grown since its inception to showcase five competition rings that feature guaranteed perfect footing, including the Angelstone Main Stadium, a tournament ring unrivalled in Canada. Though COVID-19 forced Angelstone Tournaments to rework its schedule, its summer season still features six weeks of Gold-level competition between July and September for exhibitors of all experiences, in addition to seven weekends for its Silver Series. In 2019, nine FEI classes and more than one million dollars in prize money was offered, making the venue a true destination for competitors up and down the East Coast of North America.

Media Contact: Elaine Wessel
(561) 753-3389 | ew@phelpsmediagroup.com

Associations/Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Western/Reining

IHSA Congratulates Western Riders Competing in APHA World Championship IHSA Invitational Class

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Photo APHA/Paint Horse Journal.

Fairfield, Conn. – Sept. 15, 2020 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) congratulates the 12 Western Regional high-point open riders competing in the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship IHSA Invitational Class to be held at the World Championship Show Sept. 29, 2020. The premier all-age breed show will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 21 – Oct. 4.

“We are so proud of our Western riders competing in the APHA World Show IHSA Invitational Class,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director. “These determined student-athletes have worked hard throughout a season cut short due to coronavirus and it will be great to see them shine on the world stage.”

The IHSA 2020 Western Regional high-point riders were invited to participate in the two-phase competition consisting of a horsemanship and reining phase. This event is the first time the IHSA will participate in the APHA event and kicks off an exciting partnership between the two organizations.

“Our association with IHSA is an honor for us,” said Billy Smith, EdD, APHA executive director. “These are opportunities that deliver benefits for the entire horse community far into the future.”

The 12 riders participating in the APHA World Show IHSA Invitational Class range from sophomores to seniors representing member colleges and universities from coast to coast.

The IHSA congratulates our 2020 APHA World Show IHSA Invitational Class participants:

  • Matthew (Matt) Graves
  • Travis Fortune
  • Mathew (Matt) Winter
  • Kendall Viel
  • Nathan Sparren
  • Ashton Kerr
  • Nigel Lancaster
  • Hart Daniels
  • Teah (Teah Mae) Taylor
  • Chloe Alhaig
  • Anna Woolsey
  • Sarah Thomson

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Notice of Cancellation of Bluegrass Festival, KHJA, USEF Jr. Hunter Nat’l Championship – East Coast

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Lexington, Ky. – August 4, 2020 – After weighing the impact of multiple positive COVID-19 cases following the Kentucky Summer Classic and the cancellation notice of USHJA’s upcoming championships, Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and US Equestrian have decided to cancel Bluegrass Festival (Aug. 11-16), KHJA (Aug. 19-23), and USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East Coast (Aug. 23-24), scheduled to take place at the Kentucky Horse Park.

We have been notified that three additional individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the Kentucky Summer Classic for a total of seven reported cases. The majority of reported cases are associated with one barn and none of the individuals have returned to the facility.

This is a decision not taken lightly and we are mindful of the negative effect this will have on exhibitors’ plans and schedules, but feel this is the only way to ensure a safe outcome for all. No fees of any kind have been charged to anyone who has entered the shows. Exhibitors do not need to take any action with regard to the show office and all entries will be canceled. We hope that moving forward our exhibitors and members will place their safety and the safety of others above all else during these trying circumstances.

If you believe you have been exposed to the virus, please follow the ten recommendations from the CDC, found here.

Information about testing for COVID-19 can be found here.

Please be reminded that if you test positive for COVID-19 within fourteen (14) days following a competition you attended, you must notify the competition organizer and USEF.

For additional information, please contact Hugh Kincannon at hak@kentuckyhorseshows.com

For additional information on USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, please contact hunterdept@usef.org.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Christopher Payne and Reign Crowned Grand Hunter Champion at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Lexington, Ky. – July 29, 2020 – Professional hunters took to the Stonelea and Claiborne Rings at the Kentucky Horse Park for the second day of hunter competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic, all contending for the Grand Hunter Championship, presented by Visse Wedell. Awarded to the competitor with the most points accumulated in the Green 3’3″ Hunter, Green 3’6″ Hunter, Green 3’9″ Hunter, Green Conformation Hunter, High Performance Conformation Hunter, or the High Performance Working Hunter divisions, it was Christopher Payne and Reign who jumped to the top of the ranks out of the six considered divisions on a total of 46 points throughout the two days of competition in the Green 3’3″ Hunter division.

David O’Brien Packs One-Two Punch in Classic Champions Developing Jumper Tour 6-Year-Old Jumpers

The Classic Champions Developing Jumper Tour 6-Year-Old Jumper class took place in the Rolex Stadium Wednesday afternoon during day two of the Kentucky Summer Classic. These special classes give riders the opportunity to expose their up-and-coming jumper prospects to horse show life in a formal setting with course design that is educational and age-appropriate. Triumphing in the 6-Year-Old Jumper class was David O’Brien who would collect the first place prize on Olivia SCF and also bring home second place honors with Out Of The Blue SCF.

For more information on Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Celso Ariani and Janari Ter Dolen Put On a Show to Win $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix

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Lexington, Ky. – July 25, 2020 – Empty stands couldn’t keep the energy down at the Kentucky Horse Park Saturday afternoon as the first horse trotted into the Rolex Stadium for the inaugural Grand Prix of the Kentucky Summer Series, the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. Competitors and their support teams have done an excellent job all week long following the mandatory COVID-19 procedures, which included pushing the Grand Prix to earlier in the afternoon to better suit the show-and-go atmosphere that the team at Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC has adopted to keep all participants safe. Celso Ariani (BRA) and Janari Ter Dolen didn’t mind the lack of audience, however, putting on a show for all of the viewers watching on the live stream provided by ShowNet.

Jeanine Cash and Freedom Are Grand to Win Grand Amateur Owner Hunter Champion

The Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park featured a full schedule of Amateur-Owner hunters Saturday morning at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, all culminating up to the coveted Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion award, sponsored by Visse Wedell. Garnering a total of 40 points in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter 36+ division, Jeanine Cash and Freedom topped the field of 33 horses entered in the four Amateur-Owner divisions to walk away with the Grand Hunter Champion tricolor.

For more information on Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Championships, Competitions, Driving, Tryon

Tryon CDE Announced for September at TIEC

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Mill Spring, NC – July 23, 2020 – The American Driving Society, Inc. (ADS) announced that Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort will host the 2020 ADS North American Preliminary and Intermediate Championships at the Tryon CDE, September 17-20. The Tryon CDE will also offer USEF Advanced classes. The Tryon CDE marks the first return of Driving to the venue since the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, following the postponement of the Katydid CDE moving to the venue in 2020.

“We are pleased to be able to host the NACs at TIEC,” said Organizer Jennifer Matheson. “This is an excellent opportunity for our driving community to compete at a world championship venue.”

Both Dressage and Cones phases will be held in a sand fiber mixture footing arena and the Marathon course will wind through the White Oak Cross-Country Course, a former golf course that was also utilized at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018.

The venue features onsite lodging in one, three, and five-bedroom log cabins, a 50-room inn, nearby golf and sports club with an Olympic-sized pool, a nearby gun club, eight onsite restaurants from sushi to Italian and local fare, shopping, and more for competitors and spectators alike to enjoy. Permanent stabling throughout property is being utilized in compliance with all state, local, USEF and ADS COVID-19 guidelines.

A “First-Time Competitor’s Guide to TIEC” can be found here.

View the Omnibus and learn more at www.Tryon.com/Driving.

Learn more at www.Tryon.com.

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Pony, Wellington Classic Dressage

Wellington Classic Dressage in the Tropics I & II

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July 25-26, 2020

Level Three Competition

TWO GREAT AMERICAN/ USDF QUALIFYING COMPETITIONS

2020 USEF Qualifying Competition for the 2020 USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship; 2020 Children Dressage National Championships; 2020 USEF Junior &Young Rider Dressage National Championships; 2020 USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship

Official Qualifying Competition for the 2020 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage Championships (Five, Six, and Seven Year Olds); Official Qualifying Competition for the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses (Five, Six & Seven Year Olds)

2020 Great American/USDF Regional Championships

Hosted At: Palm Beach Equine Clinic
13125 South Wellington FL 33414

JUDGES: Lilo Fore (S); Charlotte Trentleman (S)

Tropics I USEF No. 327592/ Tropics II USEF No. 327593 ; WCD USEF Licensee No. 4894786

Official prize list posted at: www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com.

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping

WCHR Qualification Guidelines for 2020 Capital Challenge Horse Show Announced

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Cassandra Kahle and Monday Balous, winners of the 2019 $30,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. Photo by Jump Media.

Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Horse Show will welcome the country’s top hunter horses and riders for the year-end finale of the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Program, to be held on September 28 – October 4, 2020, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic, adjustments have been made to the WCHR Program’s qualification requirements at Capital Challenge Horse Show and regional and national standings protocols for 2020 only.

As in the past, WCHR members – including Professionals, Developing Professionals, Amateur Owners, Adult Amateurs, Juniors, Children’s, and Pony riders – will continue to qualify for national and regional awards by earning points at member events held throughout the country. The top nationally and regionally ranked riders in each category will qualify and come together to compete in year-end challenge classes, which are held annually at Capital Challenge.

The changes made to these standings and qualification protocols for 2020 are as follows:

  • A WCHR member’s top two member events will count toward their regional and national standings. (Previously, a rider’s top four member events were counted toward these standings.)
  • A WCHR member may request one region change prior to August 31. Regional points are not retroactive, and no region change requests will be accepted once the final member event has begun in the member’s originally declared region.
  • The top 10 nationally ranked riders in each category, as well as the top 10 regionally ranked riders from each region and in each category, will be invited to compete in their respective WCHR challenge class at the 2020 Capital Challenge Horse Show. (In prior years, only the top six regionally ranked riders in each category qualified to compete at Capital Challenge.)
  • The top four to six riders competing in the Professional, Developing Professional, Amateur Owner, Adult Amateur, Junior, Children’s, and Pony divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show that are not already pre-qualified will additionally be accepted into their respective challenge classes.
  • Points earned at all WCHR member events are based on the WCHR increment chart and count toward the national and regional standings. This year, points earned in the WCHR challenge classes at Capital Challenge will be doubled.

The WCHR Program was founded in 1992 as a component of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), recognizing and celebrating the hunter rider. Full details, specifications, and standings can be found by visiting www.USHJA.org.

Learn more about the Capital Challenge Horse Show by visiting www.capitalchallenge.org.

Emily Randolph
Jump Media
emily@jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, FEI

Longines FEI Endurance World Championships 2020 Postponed to 2021

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The Longines FEI Endurance World Championships 2020 have been postponed until May 2021 due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on equestrian sport. The decision to postpone comes following agreement between the FEI, the Italian National Federation, and the Organisers in Pisa.

The Championships were due to be held at San Rossore, Pisa in September this year, but the pandemic and the restrictions on both travel and training of horses has meant that is was simply not possible to maintain the original date.

The FEI Executive Board and the Endurance Temporary Committee were in favour of postponement and, following consultation with the Endurance Calendar Task Force and meetings with the Italian National Federation and the Pisa Organisers, the move to May 2021 was agreed. Final approval of the postponement was given by the FEI Board at an extraordinary Board meeting held by videoconference on 19 June.

Qualification for the Championships will be under Article 836 of the FEI Endurance Rules (11th Edition), which come into effect on 1 July 2020.

The FEI Board also agreed to prolong the qualification period for these Championships in order to allow more time for horses and athletes to qualify following the disruption to this year’s FEI Calendar caused by the pandemic. Details will be defined by the Endurance Temporary Committee and FEI Headquarters and communicated later.

Two Continental Championships are already scheduled to run next year – the FEI Endurance Pan American Championships for Seniors & Young Riders in Campinas (BRA) from 28-29 July and the FEI Endurance European Championships in Ermelo (NED) from 6-11 September. The FEI last week proactively reached out to all 51 National Federations that compete in Endurance in order to understand their views on the proposed postponement of the World Championships and its potential impact on next year’s Calendar.

National Federations were asked whether they were in favour of postponing the Longines FEI Endurance World Championships to May 2021 and if they would also participate in their region’s Continental Championships if the Worlds were moved to next year.

A total of 34 National Federations responded to the questionnaire, of which 33 were positive, both to the postponement and their participation, where relevant, in one of the Continental Championships next year.

“Our Endurance community made it very clear to the FEI that they want a World Championships, particularly after losing the last edition at Tryon in 2018, but horse welfare and a level playing field could not have been guaranteed if the Championships had run in September, so it was the best solution to move the Championships to May of next year,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“Having consulted with the National Federations that compete in Endurance, we now feel that we have reached a compromise that works for everyone, but especially for our horses, as there will now be time for them to do the necessary preparation work and achieve their qualification for this major event.”

The Secretary General is in charge of the FEI Calendar and, throughout the Covid-19 crisis, has chaired the eight discipline-specific Calendar Task Forces that have been working to minimise the impact of the pandemic on the sport and the fixture list. More than 800 events have already been cancelled and numerous events have been rescheduled.

The FEI Endurance World Championships for Young Horses and the FEI Endurance European Championships for Young Riders & Juniors, which are due to be held in Vic (ESP) from 25-27 September 2020, will be discussed by the FEI Board during this week’s three-day meeting via videoconference (23-25 June).

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Communications
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 4