Category Archives: Championships

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Equinium Sports Mktg.

Gótico Interagro Augments Accolades with 2022 USDF Awards

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Photo: Gótico Interagro and Randi Joslyn.

Mashapaug, CT (November 7, 2022) – Gótico Interagro and owner Randi Joslyn of Quadrifoglio Dressage added a few more accolades to their list of awards earned during their 18-month partnership. In that short period of time, the pair has been named to multiple Championships and Reserve Championships for the United States Dressage Association (USDF) and their local GMO, and plan to move up to the Prix St. Georges Level in 2023, with their sights set on their first CDI.

Bred by Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil, Gótico came to Joslyn in the spring of 2021. After seeing something special in the beautiful mahogany bay gelding, a week later Gótico was part of the Quadrifoglio family. The pair started out at Second Level, and in less than a year they were named the 2021 USDF US Lusitano Reserve Champion in the Third Level Open division, the 2021 Connecticut Dressage Association Third Level Open Champion, the 2022 US Lusitano Champion at Fourth Level in both the Open and Adult Amateur divisions, and the USDF Fourth Level Vintage Cup Champion. Gótico has since been successfully schooling the Prix St. Georges and FEI movements, pulling from the natural athleticism, intelligence, and rideability Interagro strives for in their breeding program.

Gótico Interagro is by Profano Interagro, a stallion known for producing exceptionally versatile and athletic offspring. Gótico, before being exported to the US, was highly awarded in Working Equitation, and was beloved in Interagro’s training barns as a young horse because of his exceptional personality. The gelding’s unique character and abilities are what drew Joslyn to him to start, and have proven to be an incredibly important aspect of their training up the levels.

“He has the most amazing personality,” said Joslyn. “I describe him as an old soul because it’s like there is a wisdom about him. He is picky about who he sees as ‘his people,’ but he is kind to everyone. He’s extremely athletic and incredibly smart. He picks up on new skills quickly and then goes out of his way to make you happy. There is also a regal side to him, so much so that he has become affectionately known as ‘his lordship’ in the barn. I’m really looking forward to moving up with him and I hope to someday compete with him at Grand Prix. He truly is the most amazing horse and I feel very honoured that he let me into his enormous heart.”

For more information on Interagro Lusitanos, Interagro’s horses for sale, or the Lusitano bloodlines, visit Interagro’s website at www.lusitano-interagro.com.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI

US Para Dressage Qualifies for Paris 2024 with Their World Championship Bronze in Herning

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Roxanne Trunnell, Kate Shoemaker, Rebecca Hart, Beatrice de Lavalette, and Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline. Photo courtesy of U.S. Equestrian.

Wellington, Florida – August 24, 2022 – Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team continued to prove themselves at another world event with multiple medal wins at the Orifarm Health FEI Para Dressage World Championship held in the BB Horse Arena. The 2022 ECCO FEI World Championships were held August 6-14 in Herning, Denmark. This was the ninth edition of the Games, which are held every four years and run by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). These championships which were formerly the World Equestrian Games included jumping, dressage, para-dressage, and vaulting. Eventing, driving, and endurance will be held at a later date. The Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team included Roxanne Trunnell and Fortunato H20, owned by Lehua Custer; Kate Shoemaker and her own Quiana; Beatrice de Lavalette and Sixth Sense, owned by her parents Elizabeth and Nicolas; Rebecca Hart with El Corona Texel, owned by Rowan O’Riley; and Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline. The team had top scores earning them a team bronze, an individual silver, and an individual bronze. They have now qualified the United States for a team berth at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Kate Shoemaker of (Wellington, Fla.) and Quiana earned a fantastic score in the FEI Para Dressage Grade IV Freestyle, receiving an 80.275 percent. For Shoemaker and her 2014 Rhinelander mare, this was a personal best, winning them the FEI Para Dressage Grade IV Freestyle silver medal. Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and El Corona Texel had some new experiences, but the veteran duo secured a bronze medal in the Individual para-dressage championship test grade III. They provided excellent scores for the team helping to secure the team bronze medal. In Grade II, Beatrice de Lavalette (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Sixth Sense did quite well, placing 4th in both her Grade II Individual and Team tests. Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) rode her new mount Fortunato H20. The pair had a great showcase and Trunnell was quite proud of the six-year-old Oldenburg stallion, scoring the pair’s personal best of 76.447 after only a very short time together.

In 2018, the trio of Shoemaker, Hart, and Trunnell made history with their unprecedented four medal wins for para dressage at the World Equestrian Games held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina, United States. In 2021, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the same trio secured a team bronze medal, Trunnell earned two gold medals, and the fourth current team member in Denmark, Beatrice de Lavalette, was an individual at that 2020 games.

Trunnell noted, “I cannot believe that Fish (Fortunato H20) handled that show as well as he did. The atmosphere at a big Championship is very different from any kind of show he had ever done. It was a big question mark whether he could keep it together for the whole event. He not only kept it together, but he scored above a 75% in only his second International show. Lehua Custer, Karin Flint, Andrea Woodard, and I all took a chance on Fish, and it paid off. Fish is definitely a superstar in the making and we’ll be back for more dancing down the centerline in the future.”

President of the USPEA Tina Wentz was alongside the riders and U.S. staff while in Denmark. She remarked, “The World Championships at Denmark exceeded our expectations and was truly a team effort. Watching each athlete, horse, trainer, and groom give 110% toward producing their best performances was a joy. Beginning at training camp under the leadership of Michel Assouline the athletes showed improvement each day leading up to the first day of competition. The goal was to secure a Team spot for Paris 2024, but the cherry on top was their team bronze, and individual silver and bronze. This definitely would not have been possible without everyone pulling together to help the athletes succeed including their sponsors and horse owners Karin Flint and Rowan O’Riley, Elizabeth & Nicolas De Lavalette, Deena & Craig Shoemaker, Lehua Custer, their trainers, Andrea Woodard, Nicole Wego-Engelmeyer, Jennifer Baumert, and Shayna Simeon, grooms Lillie Durbin, Molly O’Brien, Esteban Quintero, Rafael Hernandez Carrill, along with Chef d’Mission Will Connell, Team Leader Laureen Johnson, Chef d’equipe Michel Assouline, Team Vet Meg Mullins, and team Physio Joanna Frantz. A huge thanks to these and everyone who supported and worked hard to produce this tremendous result. I can’t help but think how proud both Hope Hand and Jonathan would be with the Team’s performances.”

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony, Show Jumping, USEF

JJ Torano and FPF Favor Crowned Grand Green Pony Hunter Champions at USEF Pony Finals

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JJ Torano & FPF Favor.

Lexington, Ky. – August 12, 2022 – Day four of The 2022 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farms, welcomed blue skies, blue ribbons, and even more smiles. The Rolex Arena invited Medium and Large Green Pony Hunters for their final day of competition and the presentation of their respective division champions. At the conclusion of each division, overall scores were tallied, and the Grand Green Pony Hunter Champion was crowned under the Kentucky sunset and accompanied by proud trainers and families.

As the day wrapped up, JJ Torano and FPF Favor not only took the tri-color for the Medium Green Pony Hunters; they also led the way in the victory gallop for the Grand Green Hunter Pony Championship. In the Large Green Pony Hunters, Alexa Elle Lignelli and Higher Love rode away with the championship award, ultimately securing the Grand Green Pony Hunter Reserve Champion tri-color.

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Zone 3 Fist Pumps to Gold in the 2022 Pony Jumper National Championship Team Competition

The sun was shining in The Bluegrass State Friday afternoon as Pony Jumpers took to the Claiborne arena to contest the chance to step on top of the podium in the Pony Jumper Team Competition. At the conclusion of two thrilling days of competition, it was Aundrea Hillyard, Katie Smith, Savannah Smith, and Linen Owens for Zone 3 raising their gold medals high. Joining the Gold Medalists on the podium were Lucy Wendling, Mary Elizabeth Ryan, Ellie Kao, and Reagan Voxman of Zone 10 with the silver. Zone 8’s Ryder Richardson, Haley Honegger, Zahara Henderson, and Isabella Uhrig donned the bronze.

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For more information, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

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

Triple Gold for Ireland and Germany; French Rider Defends Eventing Title

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Mia Allegra Lohe, Tovdals Golden Future Imperial, GER. Photographer: Leszek Wójcik.

All of the medals have been decided at the 2020 FEI Pony European Championships in Strzegom. The rivalry ended in the eventing, showjumping individual final, and dressage Freestyle.

Eventing

Irish riders Ben Connors with Cornafest Fred, Josh Williamson with Ardeo Fireman, Matthew Love with Lucky for Some, and Claire O’Ryan with Carhu Melody took the lead after brilliant cross-country trials. Even three knockdowns and the added 12 penalties could not threaten their win, with the result of 104,1, and they took home the gold medal. The best one of them was Ben Connors, who was clear in the jumping trial and finished with the silver individual medal (28,9).

Team silver went to Germany, with the result of 107,6. They kept their second position through all of the trials. Team member Merle Hoffmann with Penny Lane WE finished with the bronze medal individually (31).

The French, defending their last year’s title, lost their dressage lead in the cross-country, after one of their riders had a run-out at the last combination and that knocked them down into third. They added 8 penalties to the score, but that kept them in the bronze medal position, finishing with the score of 108,9.

The best one of them was once again Mae Rinaldi aboard Boston Du Verdon. The dressage leader went over the XC clear and perfectly inside the time, and delivered yet another perfect round, to finish at 25,6. “It’s amazing. My pony was fantastic all week. Yesterday’s cross-country was long, with demanding fences and combinations, but Boston was great as always. Today we were under a lot of pressure, but my pony jumped great and I’m really happy to win the European Championships for the second time in a row!”

Dressage

Germany was unbeatable this year. Their riders took home the gold medal twice, winning both the team classification and Freestyle, and took all the spots at the podium in the individual class.

In the Freestyle, the best one of them was Mia Allegra Lohe with Tovdals Golden Future Imperial – 80,355%; the silver went to Maddy Dijkshoorn from the Netherlands with Boogie De L’Aube – 77,795%.

There was also a historic success for a Polish rider. Veronica Pawluk with D’Artagnan 187 took home the bronze medal, with the result of 77,490%.

Showjumping

Ireland took it all, both in the team and individual classifications. In the individual final, the two decisive rounds have confirmed the amazing form of the Irish, that have dominated the podium. Two riders in green jackets finished all of the 5 courses at this year’s championships on a zero-penalty score. The champion had to be determined in the jump-off. There the win belonged to James Derwin with Rincoola Babog – the same one that secured the team’s gold medal on Friday with his faultless round. Silver went to James Brennan aboard the 9-year-old MHS Glow, and bronze to Coen Williams with Saxton Freedam, who also did not make any mistakes on the jumps throughout the week, but finished the first round with three points for time.

Results: https://zawodykonne.com/zawody/6/tour/865

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

Championships, FEI, Show Jumping

Ireland Cruises in Canada

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Andrew Bourns (IRL) riding Seatop Blue (FEI/Mackenzie Clark)

As the rain began to fall on course for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Canada, the Irish felt right at home.

Langley, British Columbia’s Thunderbird Show Park hosted six teams for the final leg of the North and Central America and Caribbean division of the Nations Cup series, but none could put enough pressure on the four-man squad of Daniel Coyle (Legacy), Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz), Andrew Bourns, and Conor Swail (Count Me In). Led by Chef d’Equipe Michael Blake, the group finished on just five faults. It was a closer race for the remaining podium placings, as Mexico rallied for second (13 faults) ahead of Australia (22).

“You’ve got to be careful — for me anyway — in the Nations Cup not to get too complacent in the second round. We had a great first round, but a lot of other teams got stronger in the second round. We had to come back just as strong,” said Bourns.

Peter Holmes’ technical 1.60m track offered little breathing room, which led to rails falling throughout his winding course. As other teams struggled to crack the code to a clear round, Ireland quickly pulled ahead, finishing the first round with just four faults against them and two rails in hand. The group would only draw off in the second round, as Coyle improved upon a four-fault score to jump clear and Bourns produced one of just two double-clear efforts on the day aboard Seatop Blue. When Sweetnam added just a single time fault aboard his exciting 9-year-old James Kann Cruz, it clinched the win for the team. Team anchor and World No. 5 Swail did not even need to jump a second round with his partner from the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals, Count Me In, despite Mexico adding just 1 fault to their total in Round 2.

“Obviously we have got good depth, and I’m so lucky to have such a good bunch of people,” Blake said. “It’s very easy to drive a good car, and we’ve got one here.”

Ireland has made the podium in every Nations Cup event at the venue since 2017, including a 2018 victory. Swail and Coyle were on that squad and bookended their teammates, who delivered with meaningful mounts. James Kann Cruz excelled in the Irish Sport Horse gelding’s Nations Cup debut, while Bourns recorded his first Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ victory with a horse that his parents picked out as a foal.

“My father is here, so it’s a real family affair,” Bourns said. “I have to say, [Seatop Blue] is just as part of the family as I am.”

FULL RESULTS

By Catie Staszak

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

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

Jessica Mendoza and Play Top $50k Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*

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Jessica Mendoza and Play.

Devon, Pa. – May 31, 2022 – International show jumping competition kicked off at the 2022 Devon Horse Show Tuesday, May 31, welcoming a field of talented athletes and their mounts to the iconic Dixon Oval for the $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*. Out of the 22 starters representing six different nations, just nine navigated clear efforts to advance to the jump off. At the conclusion of the class, it was Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza and her very own mount Play who emerged victorious to take home the Devon blue.

Scott Stewart and Nick Haness Take Home Green Hunter Championships

Tuesday morning at the Devon Horse Show welcomed back top professional hunter athletes to the Dixon Oval to vie for championship honors in their respective green hunter divisions. In the Green 3’6” Hunter, sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker and Huntland Farms, it was Scott Stewart and Bikoff Equestrian’s Ever After who took home the first tri-color of the day. The pair accumulated a total of 22 points over the two days to secure The James J. Piehler Memorial Challenge Trophy.

Gail Aumiller Claims Single Horse Driving Championship Victory

Monday marked the start of Senior Week at the 2022 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair where professional hunter athletes kicked off competition in the Dixon Oval with the Green Hunter divisions. Leading the way in the Green 3’9” Hunter at the conclusion of the first two over fences classes with a total of 16 entries was Scott Stewart and Nottingham who swept over fences taking home two blue ribbons.

For more information and results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.

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

Wendy Chapot Nunn and Cashe’ Crowned Adult Amateur Jumper Champions at Devon Horse Show

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Wendy Chapot Nunn and Cashe’.

Devon, Pa. – May 30, 2022 – The week’s Adult Amateur Jumper competition at the Devon Horse Show came to a head on Monday evening, featuring the $7,500 NAL Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by Moraga Farms. 25 horse-and-rider combinations stepped foot in the Dixon Oval, hoping to take home the Devon blue ribbon up for grabs, as well as final points towards the Adult Amateur Jumper Championship and the Lawrence W Schwartz Memorial Perpetual Trophy. When the night wrapped up, it was Wendy Chapot Nunn on Cashe’ who emerged victorious with the division’s tricolor ribbon and their names added to the perpetual trophy.

Rebekah Robinson Wins Single Pair/Pony Championship

Memorial Day at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair concluded with the naming of the Single/Pair Pony Driving championship winner and the recipient of The Joseph M Pierce Challenge Trophy, donated by Holly Ventures. After accumulating 21 points throughout the division, it was Rebekah Robinson with Saltwood Kite, owned by Mr & Mrs. Collin F. McNeil, who walked away with championship honors.

Scott Stewart Leads the Way in Green 3’9″ Hunter Division

Monday marked the start of Senior Week at the 2022 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair where professional hunter athletes kicked off competition in the Dixon Oval with the Green Hunter divisions. Leading the way in the Green 3’9” Hunter at the conclusion of the first two over fences classes with a total of 16 entries were Scott Stewart and Nottingham who swept over fences taking home two blue ribbons.

For more information and results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.

Championships, Competitions, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

Sara Kozumplik Reclaims Victory in $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing

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Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’Ysieux.

Devon, Pa. – May 29, 2022 – One of the Devon Horse Show’s most popular events, the $50,000 Arena Eventing, sponsored by Malvern Bank, took center stage Sunday evening, welcoming some of the sport’s top three-day event competitors and their mounts to the iconic showgrounds. Since its inception in 2017, the special class has been highly anticipated and supported by some of eventing’s most esteemed riders. At the conclusion of two action-packed rounds of competition, it was the 2017 inaugural victor Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’Ysieux who went home with the Devon blue and the lion’s share of the prize money.

Olivia Sweetnam Captures Devon Horse Show Children’s Jumper Championship

The Children’s Jumper division concluded at the 2022 Devon Horse Show Sunday following two days of exciting competition in the Dixon Oval. A total of 20 horse-and-rider pairs put their best foot forward in three total classes hoping to accumulate points towards the division’s overall standings. At the conclusion of the third and final leg of the championship, $2,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic, sponsored by Westover Companies/Guntram Weissenberger, Jr., Olivia Sweetnam was presented with the tricolor ribbon for her stellar performances on Just Noble throughout the weekend. Sweetnam swept the division, winning all three classes and ultimately receiving the Leonard Tose Memorial Challenge Trophy with a total of 35 points.

John White Claims Carriage Pleasure Drive Championship

Carriage competitors returned to the Dixon Oval at the 2022 Devon Horse Show Sunday, eager to perform before the judges in hopes of taking home a Devon blue ribbon. At the conclusion of the final judging in the Champion Drive-Off, it was John White who took home the Carriage Pleasure Drive Championship.

For more information and results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Alexa Elle Lignelli and Billy Kiara Win Second Round of Junior Jumper Championship at Devon

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Alexa Elle Lignelli and Billy Kiara.

Devon, Pa. – May 27, 2022 – The final class of the day at the 2022 Devon Horse Show in the Dixon Oval, the $3,750 Junior Jumper, sponsored by Land Services USA, welcomed rising talents back to the iconic arena for another shot at the top prize. Following Thursday’s round one speed competition, won by Zayna Rizvi and Excellent, a field of 25 talented junior athletes and their mounts were hopeful to close out Friday’s competition with a coveted Devon blue ribbon, but it was ultimately Alexa Elle Lignelli and Billy Kiara who took home the top prize and the Wigg’s Bar Challenge Trophy.

Luke Jensen and Avery Glynn Share R. W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship Trophy

Equitation competition resumed Friday morning bright and early, welcoming three sections of ASPCA Maclay Medal exhibitors to the arena to kickstart the day. At the conclusion of the three sections, judges welcomed back both Luke Jensen and Avery Glynn into the Dixon Oval for the presentation of the R. W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship. The highly regarded R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Trophy is awarded to the junior athlete who accumulated the most points throughout the two days of equitation competition.

For more information and results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Zayna Rizvi and Excellent Win Speed Leg of Junior Jumper Championship at Devon Horse Show

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Zayna Rizvi and Excellent.

Devon, Pa. – May 26, 2022 – The final class of the opening day of the 2022 Devon Horse set in the iconic Dixon Oval, the $3,750 Junior Jumper, sponsored by Land Services USA, Inc., saw a field of 23 talented young competitors take to the ring to vie for the top honors. As the first leg of the Junior Jumper Championship, the speed class asked riders to navigate the obstacles efficiently and fault-free if they were to be in contention for the ribbons. At the conclusion of the rounds, it was Zayna Rizvi and Excellent who emerged victorious on top of the leaderboard.

Zayna Rizvi and Avery Glynn Open 2022 Devon Horse Show with Top Equitation Results

Top equitation riders from around the country convened at the Devon Horse Show’s Dixon Oval Thursday, eager to kick off the week dedicated to junior competition. The Platinum Performance / USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 3*, sponsored by Courtyard Marriott, was highlighted in the afternoon packed with a talented field of exhibitors. In Section A of the class, Zayna Rizvi emerged victorious aboard Acer K. Section B saw Avery Glynn earn the top prize with Gerardus.

For more information and results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.