Category Archives: Competitions

Awards, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, JRPR, Products/Services, Show Jumping

Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during First Week of Winter Equestrian Festival

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Ljubov Kochetova. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 26, 2012) – Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova showed off her upbeat attitude while competing a five-year-old Westphalian gelding named Corrado during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, and her positive attitude helped her take home the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Sponsored by Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, the Premier Sportsmanship Award is presented to a barn or rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show and the winner receives a gift certificate for $100 worth of Premier products.

Kochetova, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, competed in the 2008 Olympics aboard Ilion Kilen. She said she currently has her sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London. “We are still in the middle of the race to see who will compete in the Olympics,” she said.

Kochetova was pleased to win the Premier Sportsmanship Award. “I am very grateful to Premier,” she said. “Corrado is a very young and inexperienced horse so if he wins anything I am thrilled.”

Continue reading Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during First Week of Winter Equestrian Festival →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Schedule Change at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

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Wellington, FL (January 26, 2012) – Following Ashley Holzer’s winning ride with Pop Art in the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*, a qualifier for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, competition organizer Wellington Classic Dressage and the WDM management found themselves faced with a sports issue that has necessitated a decision to amend the schedule of the show.

American Heather Blitz on Paragon, second in the CDI3* Grand Prix behind Holzer and Pop Art, is one of the two riders who would have been eligible to be invited for the 5* WDM Palm Beach. Holzer, and third placed Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden on Divertimento, are already competing in the WDM Palm Beach on other horses and are not permitted to enter with a second horse. Invitations were therefore extended to Blitz, who placed second in the CDI3*, and James Koford of the US, who finished fourth on Pharaoh.

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

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 Repeat Victory in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3

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Jimmy Torano and Bentley Bring Home the Pre Green Hunter Level 1 3′ Division Championship

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2012 – For the second week in a row, Nick Skelton and Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273 led the victory gallop in the Thursday afternoon $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Grand Prix in Wellington. Today’s class was the third in the series at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 1, 2012.

Week three of the FTI WEF runs Wednesday, January 25, through Sunday, January 29, and is sponsored by Horseware Ireland. The highlight jumper classes in week three are the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 28, as well as the $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix on Sunday, January 29.

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 Repeat Victory in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Gear Up for 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* Commencing January 26

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NTEC Jabriel and Kai Handt jogging in the rain. Photos © Lindsay Y McCall

Wellington, FL – January 25, 2012 – Para-Equestrian Dressage riders returned to the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center for the 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*. On Wednesday’s schedule was a 3:00 p.m. jog where horses received their F.E.I inspection for the weekend’s CPEDI3*. Riders from Bermuda, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, and Canada were on the grounds representing their respective country. In addition to the eleven United States riders who competed at last week’s CPEDI3, were two additional riders, 2008 Paralympian Robin Brueckmann with her horse Radetzky and newcomer 14-year-old Sydney Collier of Ann Arbor, MI.

Thirty horse and rider combinations will begin Thursday’s Team Test competition at 8:30 a.m. With one championship under their belt, the Para-Equestrian team from Canada will once again face off against the United States. Representing the United States will be Mary Jordan (Grade IV) of Wells, ME aboard Sebastian, Dale Dedrick (Grade II) from Ann Arbor, MI on Bonifatius, Rebecca Hart (Grade II) of Erie, PA aboard Lord Ludger and Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib) on NTEC Jabriel from Richardson,TX.  The United States team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen.

Continue reading Gear Up for 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* Commencing January 26 →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Equestrian Assistance, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

EQUUS Foundation Announces Scholarship for Young Equestrians

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Left to Right: Heidi Lengyel, Catherine Herman, and Jeanne Rouco-Conesa. Photo courtesy of Dru Gassner, Majestic Images

WESTPORT, CT – January 25, 2012 – The EQUUS Foundation has partnered with the College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) Horse Show Scholarship Fund to establish a scholarship open to the participants at the College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show, held January 13-15, 2012, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.

The mission of the CPI is to prepare and educate student riders in grades 8 – 12 about the format of college equestrian competition, encourage academics and horsemanship, and to provide the riders with resources to create their desired college equestrian experience.

All the horses and necessary tack for the show are provided by CPI. The show is specifically geared to promote college recruitment of equestrians by providing the opportunity for coaches and potential students to meet.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Set to Begin

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2011 WDM Palm Beach Champion shares the podium with Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden and Tina Konyot of the US - photo credit Sue Stickle

Wellington, FL (January 25, 2012) – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach will be officially under way at 12:30 pm on Thursday, January 26th, when 15 of the world’s top international dressage horses are presented at the FEI horse inspection. The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is, for the second consecutive year, the venue for this unique and exciting event, which is organized by Wellington Classic Dressage.

“The International Polo Club team has come into the Jim Brandon Center and created an environment that rivals that of any international equestrian venue anywhere in the world,” said Mason Phelps Jr. of Phelps Media Group.

The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s richest dressage series and the only series that holds the highest classification of FEI dressage competition, at the five star level. In the coming days, 17 of the world’s top ranked horses and riders from Europe and North America will compete for €100,000 ($130,000) at the only WDM event to take place outside of Europe. IPC Palm Beach became the presenting sponsor just a few weeks before the 2011 WDM Palm Beach after the previous sponsor cancelled its support. The 2011 WDM Palm Beach was a spectacular, sold out event, but the 2012 WDM is expected to exceed even last year’s success.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Prepare for the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* March 8-11

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USPEA President Hope Hand (Sitting), Coach Kai Handt (Standing), and Grade Ib winner at the 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale. Photo by: Lindsay Y McCall for USPEA

Del Mar, CA – January 25, 2012 – In 2010, Kim Keenan Stordahl and the team at Keenan Productions Events Inc. added to their outstanding horse show the first CPEDI3* at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, CA. In 2012 the Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*, will once again host the international para-equestrian dressage riders March 8-11. Adding to the excitement this year for the CPEDI3* will be $1,000 divided among the top five riders in the freestyle competition in each of the five Grade divisions. Para-equestrian teams and individuals will have the opportunity to showcase their best Team Test, Individual Test, and Freestyle in front of the CPEDI3* Jury Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Kathy Amos Jacob 5* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5* (SWE). There are only two CPEDI3* events left in the in United States for riders to earn their individual 60% Certificate of Capability for the 2012 London Paralympics. This is the first horse show followed by the Houston Dressage Society CPEDI3* April 26-29. In addition to the horse show there will be a rider’s clinic with dressage trainer Mette Rosencrantz and an F.E.I Para-Equestrian Dressage judge course.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Debbie Stephens and Swagger Step It Up in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

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Debbie Stephens (USA) and Swagger won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 25, 2012 – Week three of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival started with a day full of competition, and the main class in the International Arena was the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. Debbie Stephens of Palmetto, FL, was victorious on Swagger, owned by Centennial Farm.

Week three of the FTI WEF runs Wednesday, January 25, through Sunday, January 29, and is sponsored by Horseware Ireland. The highlight jumper classes in week three are the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 28, as well as the $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix on Sunday, January 29. The 2012 FTI 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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Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

Five Americans Headline World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

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Lexington, KY – The dressage world descends upon the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL for the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach. Fifteen riders from six countries have accepted invitations to compete at the prestigious event which runs January 26-28 at the CDI5* level.

The U.S. effort is led by last year’s defending champion Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) who returns to the venue in which he swept to victory last year on Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm Ravel. Ravel, now 14, first represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games, and has gone from strength to strength since that trip. Peters was also the double-Gold medalist in October at the 2011 Pan American Games with Weltino’s Magic.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, Polo, Show Jumping

Devoucoux Sponsors Team of Riders for Pro DerbyCross Competition

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(Wellington, Florida, January 25, 2012) Devoucoux fielded a strong team of riders for the Pro DerbyCross competition held on Friday January 20, 2012 during the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington Florida.  The Professional Riders Organization produced this innovative competition, in which teams compete individually against the clock over a hybrid course of cross-country and show jumping obstacles.  All proceeds benefited Operation Homefront, an organization providing emergency financial relief for U.S. service members and their families as well as Wounded Warriors during their recovery.

Each of the 5 teams consisted of two event riders, a polo player and a showjumper. Team sponsors included Devoucoux, the premier French saddle maker, Farmvet/Cavalor, the source for animal health products and premium feeds, Guardian, a premium horse bedding, Omega Alpha, effective supplements through science, Smartpak, the innovator in equine supplements, and Windsor, a private residential sporting club.

Continue reading Devoucoux Sponsors Team of Riders for Pro DerbyCross Competition →