Category Archives: Competitions

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Lene Bruheim and Pristine Park Win Children’s Hunter Classic at GSEC Fall Classic

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Lene Bruheim and Pristine Park won the Children's Hunter Classic at the GSEC Fall Classic for Nordic Lights Farm. Photo Courtesy of the Client

Katy, TX – October 5, 2011 – It was a great week for the horses of Nordic Lights Farm during the GSEC Fall Classic, held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, from September 28 – October 2, 2011. Junior rider Lene Bruheim competed aboard Elisabeth Bruheim’s Pristine Park for the first time and the duo proved very successful. They were the winners of the Children’s Hunter Classic, as well as the Children’s Equitation Over Fences for Nordic Lights Farm.

After winning the first round of the Children’s Hunter Classic, Lene and Pristine Park returned to the ring and laid down a beautiful trip that received the highest score of the day and eventually garnered them the blue ribbon prize. The pair also went on to receive the top call in the Children’s Equitation Over Fences for their impressive partnership.

“Pristine Park was awesome to ride this weekend,” commented Lene. “He was a touch fresh the first day, but amazing the second day. I couldn’t ask for a more willing horse to mount, and I really started to get the hang of his ride by the Children’s Hunter Classic.”

During the GSEC Fall Classic, Lene trained with professional rider Shannon Slyfield, who has ridden Pristine Park to many excellent ribbons. This week, Slyfield and Pristine Park took home a third and fifth place award in the Performance Working 3’3″ Hunter division.

Nordic Lights Farm is a 70-acre establishment located in Tomball, TX, and was founded in 2007 by the Bruheim family to help further the equestrian goals of 18-year-old Eirin Bruheim and 16-year-old Lene Bruheim. Both girls have worked their way up through the ranks and are currently competing at the top levels in the hunter and jumper divisions aboard their incredible string of horses.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood

Eight Championships Awarded in Pro & Future Hunters at 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show

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Rosalynn and Hunt Tosh. Photos © Parker/Russell - The Book LLC and Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Upper Marlboro, MD – October 4, 2011 – Eight championships were awarded today at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, honoring the best hunters in the country. Sandy Ferrell piloted Showman, owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman, to the championship in the $9,000 Second Year Green Working Hunters. In the $10,000 High Performance Hunters, Hunt Tosh and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Rosalynn earned the top tricolor. Along with those two rated divisions, championships were given in five Future Hunter divisions and the Performance Hunters 3’6”. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, runs through Sunday, October 9.

The professional hunters will wrap up their divisions tomorrow. The highlight classes of the week for the professional hunter riders are the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge on Wednesday, October 5, and the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 7.

Ferrell and Showman won the Second Year Green Hunter championship, but they are no strangers to the winner’s circle at Capital Challenge. Two years ago, they swept the Future Hunter awards with a division tricolor, the North American Championship class victory, and the Grand Future Hunter Championship. Last year he was reserve champion in the First Year Green Hunters.

This week, Ferrell and Showman, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding by Showstar, won three out of the four over fences classes and were third in the under saddle. The reserve championship went to Taken, ridden by Kelley Farmer for Nancy Amling. They were second in the handy hunter and third, third, and fourth in the other jumping classes.

Continue reading Eight Championships Awarded in Pro & Future Hunters at 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, Pan American Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Changes to the US Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

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The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recommended to the USOC the following changes to the entry for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games Team.

Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric, currently based in Europe with his rider, U.S. Team veteran Laura Kraut, is no longer available to represent the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games due to European Union quarantine regulations, transportation and logistics issues.

“I am greatly disappointed that Cedric and I will not be able to represent the United States in the 2011 Pan American Games. After learning about the quarantine restrictions this week, we determined it was not possible to attend.  I have had the honor and privilege of representing our country throughout my career, and I regret that we will miss this important event.”

Kraut and Cedric will be replaced with the Traveling Reserve Kent Farrington (Chicago, IL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko. Mario Deslauriers (New York, NY) and Jane Forbes Clark’s Urico will now serve as the Traveling Reserve.

The Pan American Games are set to begin on October 16 in Guadalajara, Mexico. More information about the event http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/ and follow the U.S. Riders on the USEF Network here http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

2011 Atlanta Fall Classic

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Just a reminder, the Atlanta Fall Classic (November 9-20) is just around the corner. The prize lists have been mailed and are posted online. The highlights of the show include the National Classic Equitation Finals sponsored by Equestrian Travel.

A list of those qualified is posted on the www.ClassicCompany.com home page. The Classic Company Horse of the Year standings sponsored by EMO are also posted on our home page. Both Atlanta fall events will add points for the standings.

The show will also have our National Hunter Jumper finals which is our double money classic, and a $25,000 Welcome along with the weekly Grand Prix class.

This year the annual $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial class will be divided into a $10,000 class and a $15,000 class. This was changed due to USEF rules and hoops.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 843-768-5503.

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEF

Changes to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for Boekelo CCI3*

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The following changes have been made to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Boekelo CCI3* running in The Netherlands, October 5-9, 2011.

Michael Pollard (Dalton, GA) was added to the entry last week on DV8, an 11-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding owned by Carl Bouckaert, Nathalie Pollard and Michael Pollard.

In addition, Ali Slusher has withdrawn Last Call and Jules Stiller has withdrawn Charlie Weld leaving the following athlete/horse combinations contesting the CCI3*.

Boyd Martin/Otis Barbotiere
Boyd Martin/Remington XXV
Michael Pollard/ DV8
Tamra Smith/Mar de Amor

Three of these combinations will represent the U.S. in the Nations Cup – the team will be declared after Wednesday’s Horse Inspection.

Follow the event here: http://www.military-boekelo.nl/EN/Home/tabid/128/Default.aspx.

And follow the U.S. Eventers in Europe here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/EventersinEurope/.

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

Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix

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©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

CULPEPER, VIRGNIA (October 3, 2011) – After posting a top-twenty finish in the 2011 Pfizer Million, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas wasted no time in preparing for next year’s $1 Million Grand Prix. On Sunday, she and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano rode to victory in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper to clinch the first qualifying opportunity for 2012’s richest day in show jumping.

HITS wrapped up a successful 2011 circuit at the Culpeper Finals last week as Olaf Petersen of Paehl, Germany set the course for the final Grand Prix of the year. Thirty-one pairs took to his first round, which offered 13 jumping efforts, including a triple combination at fence five and double combination at fence eight. The time allowed of 78 seconds proved to be trouble for several riders as ten picked up time faults, keeping two clear rounds from advancing to the jump-off.

“I knew this was going to be one of the more competitive Grand Prix I have jumped all year since Olaf was the designer – he always makes it a challenging course and it was,” said Fenney. “He left little room for error and I thought he made it smart.”

Twelve advanced to the jump-off, which saw three go double clear. It was Fenney, however, who posted a time of 40.081 seconds – well within the 48 seconds time allowed – to capture the win.

Continue reading Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix →

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

HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season

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Indoor tent from Thermal will travel east to Saugerties for both prestigious Medal Finals

© Flying Horse Photography. The indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California is home to four FEI World Cup Qualifiers and a number other special classes during World Cup weeks.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (October 4, 2011) — Looking to take next year’s season finale in Saugerties, New York to the next level, HITS, Inc. announced today that two major equitation finals will be incorporated into the competition schedule for the eighth and final week of the 2012 HITS Saugerties Show Series.

In addition to the $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, the last week of HITS Saugerties will conclude with a three-day weekend extravaganza that will now include the National Professional Horsemen’s Association’s (PHA) Medal Final on Friday night and the ever-popular Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final on Saturday night. By moving the PHA Medal and the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal up a week from the annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals, the finale of the HITS Saugerties season will now feature a major final for hunters, jumpers and equitation riders.

In keeping with the great tradition of indoor medal finals, HITS will bring the tent used for FEI World Cup Qualifiers from Thermal, California back east to Saugerties for these two Finals.

“The final ingredient to make our season finale in Saugerties complete has just been added,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “The Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal has been a cornerstone of the League for many years and I believe this move will help to draw even more 3’6” equitation riders to the classes during the year and to the Final. The indoor tent will create an electric competition atmosphere, largely elevating the importance and experience of qualifying for and showing in this Final.”

Continue reading HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper

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©ESI Photography. Jeff Gogul and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way on their way to victory in the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic

CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (October 3, 2011) — Jeff Gogul of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way finished on top in Saturday’s $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic during the Culpeper Finals at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

“I am really pleased with [By the Way’s] performance and it was a great way to end our year,” said Gogul. “I think he is quite a special horse and I will probably show him in the Pre-Green Division again next year since we don’t want to hurry him along.”

After Gogul’s win, he is excited to look ahead to an appearance in next year’s second-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with By the Way at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

“I think it will be a lot of fun to do the $500,000 class with him next year in Saugerties, so I might look to get qualified for that. It would be a great way to finish 2012,” he added.

Kate Conover rode Redfield Farm’s Peron to a second-place finish in the feature event for hunter riders during the Culpeper Finals.

“[Peron] is a special horse,” said Conover. “Emil Spadone imported him a few years ago and he is so much fun to ride.”

Conover was Grand Circuit Champion in the Baby Green division with Peron last year at HITS Saugerties and picked up Reserve Circuit Champion honors in the Pre-Green division this year.

Continue reading Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Rescue/Protection Sources, Show Jumping

2011 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced

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Lexington, KY – October 3, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2011 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay National Championship Finals. Attached is the list of riders who have qualified to compete in the Finals on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition. The Championship Finals will be presented by C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery as one of the highlight events of the Alltech National Horse Show.

For more information, please visit www.nhs2011.org or www.nhs.org.

Qualifiers by Region

Region 1 – 38 riders
Region 2 – 48 riders
Region 3 – 19 riders
Region 4 – 36 riders
Region 5 – 21riders
Region 6 – 5 riders
Region 7 – 11 riders
Region 8 – 22 riders

Continue reading 2011 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Top Professional Hunter Riders Gear Up for the Alltech National Horse Show

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Maggie Jayne and Bella Blue Sweep Regular Working Hunters and $1,000 Open Hunter Classic at Showplace Fall Classic last year.

Lexington, KY – September 30, 2011 – The weeks are growing increasingly closer until the much anticipated Alltech National Horse Show makes its debut at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. During this prestigious competition, many of the top professional hunter riders will show against one another to earn the top honors in their respective divisions. Some of this year’s big names include professional riders such as Maggie Jayne, Archie Cox, Jennifer Alfano and many more. The Alltech National Horse Show will be held November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful Alltech Arena.

“I’m excited for the Alltech National Horse Show this year,” said Maggie Jayne. “It is a great arena, and I feel like they are really going to make it special. The location is also perfect considering that it gives everyone a fair chance to make it out there. Its central location is ideal. The great thing about the Alltech Arena is the climate control, that factor is huge!,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t realize how that can make everything that much better.”

California-based trainer, Archie Cox, will be coaching his students as they compete during the ASPCA Maclay National Finals. “I have three or four students in the Maclay Finals, and we are all looking forward to the upcoming event,” Cox described. “It is pretty exciting to get to show there, especially since I have never shown in Kentucky personally, so I’m anxious to compete at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time.”

Although Cox has never shown in Kentucky prior to the upcoming National Horse Show, many of the top professional hunter riders have competed at the Kentucky Horse Park for the spring and summer series and have an idea of what it truly offers. “I am excited and glad that the show has found a home in Kentucky,” expressed Jennifer Alfano of SBS Farms. “It is a place where we all love going and showing, and I think it is going to be great.”

Continue reading Top Professional Hunter Riders Gear Up for the Alltech National Horse Show →