Category Archives: Competitions

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

Perfect Eventing Trifecta – World Equestrian Brands Riders Hawley Bennett-Awad, Buck Davidson and Alexandra Slusher Finish 1, 2, 3 at the Event at Rebecca Farm

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Hawley Bennett-Awad rode Gin N’ Juice to victory at The Event at Rebecca Farms, where an exciting show jumping phase resulted in a close finish between three pairs. (Photo courtesy of Kat Netzler)

Kalispell, MT (August 8, 2011) – While the Event at Rebecca Farm featured an exciting and suspenseful turn of events during the stadium jumping phase in Kalispell, Montana, in the end Hawley Bennett-Awad rode Linda Paine’s Gin N’ Juice to the victory. Buck Davidson and Carl Segal’s Ballynoecastle RM finished a mere one point behind Bennett-Awad with Alexandra Slusher and Christie Campbell’s Last Call landing in a close third.

Bennett-Awad, Davidson, and Slusher, all endorsed by World Equestrian Brands, LLC, were thrilled with the results in the CIC3* event, part of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series. In addition to sharing the common thread of World Equestrian Brands, Davidson is Bennett-Awad’s coach and Slusher is her good friend. Bennett-Awad was a member of the Silver 2003 Canadian Pam Am team, represented Canada in the 2004 Olympics, was a member of the 2005 World Cup Finals and in 2009 she won the Bromont CCI***.

“We were thrilled to see three of our riders in the top three spots at the Event at Rebecca Farm,” said Robin Moore, President of World Equestrian Brands, US distributor of Amerigo and Amerigo Vega saddles and strap goods, Vespucci, E. A. Mattes, and Equilibrium products. “It really was an unbelievable finish, because going into the stadium jumping phase Allison Springer, who had an awesome dressage and cross country go, was leading by 10 points. While Allison had some unfortunate trouble with Arthur being spooky, Hawley was fortunate and Ginny jumped like her life depended on it.  The pair really fed off the energy of the crowd and ended up in first place. What an amazing outcome and WEB is so happy for Hawley, Buck and Alexandra, and we are equally very proud of Allison and Arthur, who we also sponsor; that pair is truly dynamic.”

Continue reading Perfect Eventing Trifecta – World Equestrian Brands Riders Hawley Bennett-Awad, Buck Davidson and Alexandra Slusher Finish 1, 2, 3 at the Event at Rebecca Farm →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Piaffe-Performance Team Winning on Two Continents

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Piaffe-Performance Students Dominique Cassavetis and Chase Hickok Win Gold and Silver Medals at North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships

Chase Hickok, a student at Piaffe-Performance Farm, riding Palermo at the 2011 USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Lexington, KY (August 8, 2011) – Dominique Cassavetis and Chase Hickok, students at Cesar Parra’s Piaffe-Performance Farm, mounted the medal podium at the 2011 USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, following an intense competition that included not only brilliant performances but severe storms as well. Despite the weather, the staff, friends and family at Piaffe-Performance were all smiles as Cassavetis rode away as part of the Junior Gold Medal winning team from Region 1 and Hickok won the Individual Silver medal in the Young Rider Freestyle and the Individual Bronze in the Young Rider Team test. While his students were winning in North America, Dr. Parra was wrapping up a successful European tour.  Parra and Grandioso, owned by Sara and Michael Davis, racked up impressive wins overseas and proving that they are formidable competition at the international level.

Katie Riley, Senior Trainer at Piaffe-Performance, was thrilled with the young rider’s results. “We are all so proud of Dominique and Chase. They really rose to their fullest potential and showed that they have very bright futures ahead of them,” Riley said. “Dominique was part of the NAJYRC Junior team aboard Charming Princess, and they won the Gold Medal which was absolutely fantastic.”

Hickok piloted Palermo, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood, to Individual Bronze in the Young Rider Team test and to Individual Silver medal in the Young Rider Freestyle, earning at 70.725%. “This was our first time to do this freestyle in competition and we rode to Latin-themed music,” Hickok said. “The music is really great because it matches Palermo by having a lot of energy and personality. It also really showed off his gaits. He has the most heart of any horse I’ve known and really does his best for me every day. I also have to thank Katie Riley, for coaching me at the show, as well as Kevin Kohmann and Laura Pradels for their work on my freestyle. But mostly, my parents for their support and encouragement.”

Continue reading Piaffe-Performance Team Winning on Two Continents →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

FEI World Championships for Young Dressage Horses, Verden (GER)

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ASTRIX DOES THE DOUBLE, BUT WOODLAND FAROUCHE IS THE SHOW-STEALER by Louise Parkes

The Hannoverian mare Woodlander Farouche, with Michael Eilberg on board, produced spectacular scores to take the 5 Year Old title at the FEI World Championships for Young Dressage Horses 2011. Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler.

Lausanne (SUI), 8 August 2011 – Over 50,000 visitors descended on Verden, Germany for the FEI World Championships for Young Dressage Horses 2011 over the weekend as the KWPN stallion, Astrix, claimed his second gold medal in succession with The Netherlands’ Emelie Scholtens on board.  But the sensation of the event was the Hannoverian mare, Woodlander Farouche ridden by Great Britain’s Michael Eilberg, who took the coveted 5 Year Old title with a spectacular score of 9.72%.

Staged in the heart of Lower Saxony, these Championships have long been recognised as the cradle of the equine dressage stars of the future, and this year’s crop of youngsters were a truly exciting bunch.

TALKING POINT
The British-born Woodlander Farouche, bred by Lynne Crowden in Monmouthshire, England, became the talking point of the show when scoring 9.28 to win last Friday’s 5 Year Old Qualifier.  The judges awarded scores of 9.5, 9.2 and 9.7 for trot, canter and walk, and 25 year old Eilberg described the mare, which he has been riding since she was three years old, as “an incredible horse”.  Looking forward to Sunday’s final he added, “There is of course more pressure to come, but it is a good feeling that she has already presented such an outstanding performance. This strengthens the self-confidence of both of us,” he pointed out.

Second place went to Damon’s Divene, daughter of the double World Champion stallion Damon Hill out of a Rubin Royal dam and bred by Christian Becs.  Helen Langehannenberg steered the horse to a final score of 8.76, while two others shared third place.  Belgium’s Tom Franckx-Goen was awarded a mark of 8.64 with the Dutch-bred IPS Bon Bravour, and Germany’s Jessica Michel matched that with the Hannoverian Swing de Hus.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Retains Lead in Hagyard Challenge Series

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McLain Ward placed first and second in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to take over the lead in the Hagyard Challenge Series standings. Photo: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 7, 2011 – After claiming the first and second place honors in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during last week’s the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, McLain Ward took over the lead in the 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series. The talented rider completed double clear rounds aboard Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve and Vocas to earn valuable points towards the $45,000 Leading Rider Bonus.

Ian Millar of Canada continues to hold the second place position, having piloted Instyle and Star Power to fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively, during both of the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic competitions during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Hector Florentino from the Dominican Republic is currently in the third place ranking, having placed first and sixth aboard Ultimo earlier in the year.

The Hagyard Challenge Series features seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the series will receive a $45,000 Leading Rider Award, presented after the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier held on September 23, 2011, during the Kentucky National Horse Show.

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: presenting sponsor Pfizer Animal Health, Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra 200, Wyatt Equine Law Group, Johnson Horse Transportation, Chase, and J. P. Morgan.

Continue reading McLain Ward Retains Lead in Hagyard Challenge Series →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Catherine Tyree Earns Championship and Reserve Tricolors in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Catherine Tyree and Savant won reserve championship Award in the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 7, 2011 – The last day of the Kentucky Summer Classic began with looming clouds; however, the Kentucky Horse Park was filled with nothing but sunshine and a cool breeze as the afternoon approached. The best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors during their respective divisions in the Covered Arena and Stonelea Ring for the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, Small Junior 16-17 Hunters, Large 15 & Under Junior Hunters and Large 16-17 Junior Hunters.

Today, Catherine Tyree did not disappoint, as she brought home not only the championship award for the Small 16-17 Junior Hunter division, but also the reserve championship honors for the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. Aboard Concetto, owned by First Partners Inc. of Chicago, IL, Tyree won two first place ribbons in yesterday’s Small 16-17 Junior Hunter Division and the fourth place ribbon today. In the Large 16-17 Junior Hunter Division Tyree and Savant earned the third place ribbon and fourth place ribbon in yesterday’s classes as well as two second place ribbons and the fourth place ribbon in the under saddle class today.

Tyree has been riding Concetto for the last four years and believes that the time they have been together has really helped them to grow with one another and move into the Junior Hunters. “Sometimes he acts a bit like a stallion in the barn and when he’s schooling, but once he gets in the ring he’s all work,” explained Tyree. “He goes in, he knows his job, always jumps a ten; he’s so fantastic.”

Due to Concetto’s long stride and easy-going personality, the handy round has become his forte. “He needs a very easy ride, outside you get on a nice gallop and go down, nothing bothers him and he has a huge stride. He jumps the oxers great all the time; you just have to keep his balance up a little bit. He loves to turn and gallop. He really shines in the handy.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Lindbäck Makes It Two in a Row at Malmö

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Niklas Lindbäck (SWE) and Mister Pooh scored back-to-back victory at FEI World Cup Eventing at Malmö (SWE).

Lausanne (SUI), 8 August 2011 – Niklas Lindbäck (SWE) and Mister Pooh, the super-talented horse many international riders would love to own, scored a brilliant back-to-back victory in the FEI World Cup event at Malmö (SWE), the penultimate competition in the 2011 series.

Lindbäck, who triumphed in 2010 and went on to impress at several other international events, including a fifth place at Badminton (GBR) this year, jumped clear in the final phase to take the top spot after overnight leader Ingrid Klimke (GER) on FRH Butts Abraxxas hit three fences.

“I am very pleased with how Mister Pooh jumped,” said Lindbäck. “We had a few mistakes in the dressage, but he is on great form ready for the Europeans. I didn’t expect to win again and to do it in front of a home crowd is great.”

Third after the Cross-Country, Lindbäck finished the competition with just 0.4 of a penalty in hand over the highest-placed German rider, 22-year-old Julia Krajewski, second on After The Battle, for whom it was a best three-star placing.

Kai Rüder (GER) had an expensive two rails down on the stallion Leprince des Bois and dropped from second to third, but he joked: “I’m keeping my clear round for the Europeans!”

Lindbäck now moves into 10th place in the FEI World Cup Eventing rankings, with one more event to go, at Haras du Pin (FRA). However, the main beneficiary from Malmö was Lucy Wiegersma (GBR), the sole British rider to make the long journey. She was fourth on Simon Porloe and seventh on Woodfalls Inigo Jones and now moves into eighth place in the rankings.

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Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Lauren Hough and Quick Study Win Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland

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Lauren Hough and Quick Study celebrate (Beatrice Scudo Photo)

Dublin, Ireland – The U.S. show jumpers dominated the final day of the Royal Dublin Horse Show by picking up three wins. Highlighted by Lauren Hough’s major score in the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland with Quick Study, the U.S. rebounded from a fifth place FEI Nation’s Cup finish on Friday with a trifecta of success. Hough dominated the star-studded field of 40, and she was one of only two riders to jump two clear rounds. Her second round time was three seconds faster than French rider Michel Robert, who ended up second on Kellemoi De Pepit.

“It was a difficult course today there were only two clear in the first round,” said Hough. “My horse felt great in the first round and that gave me confidence. I had a good feeling about it and I had the advantage of going last in the jump-off.  My horse is naturally a fast horse; Michel went clear (in the jump-off) but went conservatively. I didn’t have to push too much because he is such a fast horse, so I just I just went medium.”

Quick Study, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Laura and Meredith Mateo, returned from an inconsistent Nations Cup performance on Friday to take his first CSIO5* Grand Prix win.

“He wants to do the right thing,” said Hough about her World Equestrian Games veteran. “I didn’t let him on Friday (in the Nations Cup) – he was in such good form in Florida, then I got over here and it’s been a little up and down; he hasn’t had any major mistakes, they’ve been more my mistakes. He’s a great horse and he did everything right tonight.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Top a Field of 60 to Claim Victory in Grand Prix Savelys of Chantilly

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Grand Prix win highlights a very successful week at Global Champions Tour locale

Photos: © 2011 by Chris Pasmore. Catherine Pasmore competing at Chantilly, France with My Boy

Chantilly, France – August 6, 2011 – A very busy week for Catherine Pasmore at the CSI 2* show in beautiful Chantilly, France, home of the 2011 Global Champions Tour event, was capped by a hard fought victory over a huge starting field of 60 in the highly competitive Grand Prix Savelys of Chantilly.

Pasmore, and her talented partner My Boy, were one of eighteen horse and rider combinations to go clear from that large group that started in Sunday’s main event.

Pasmore, who finished sixth in the qualifier (Prix ZEP Sport International) which reduced the number of entries from over 90 down to the 60 that eventually went to the post on Sunday, stuck to her game plan to nail down the top-notch international victory. She also used a taunt by her younger brother Will as further incentive and motivation for the win. “I went to the side of the ring to watch the first few in the jump off before getting on,” Pasmore detailed. “My little brother told me to stop stressing, because I wasn’t going to win anyway. After that I just wanted to go in and prove him wrong,” she laughed.

The undulating grand prix field offered up a number of challenges, which Pasmore and My Boy handled brilliantly. “The course didn’t seem too big when I walked it, but it certainly was technical enough,” she said. “The course designer did a brilliant job playing the hills in the ring. The way the lines rode really depended on how your horse jumped off the slope at each given jump. You really couldn’t compare it from horse to horse.”

Continue reading Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Top a Field of 60 to Claim Victory in Grand Prix Savelys of Chantilly →

Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Michael Morrissey & Vorst Dash to Victory in $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix

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Michael Morrissey and Vorst won the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Lexington, KY – August 6, 2011 – There was a huge crowd gathered at the Rolex Stadium tonight to witness the $50,000 Rood and Riddle Grand Prix during the Kentucky Summer Classic. The event was held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s “Hats Off Day,” and the audience had the opportunity to witness a very exciting grand prix event. Michael Morrissey and Vorst topped the eight-horse jump-off with a very fast double clear effort, and Morrissey took home the winning prize for the second year in a row. The duo surpassed Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z who took home second, while Rebecca Conway showed Twister to the third place honors as the only other fault free horses over the short course.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed a demanding first round track for tonight’s 20 competitors, which featured a liverpool, an open water with a pole, a vertical-oxer double combination, and a large triple bar-vertical-vertical triple combination. Eight horse and rider combinations were able to advance to the tiebreaker for a shot at the winning title. The jump-off began with a single vertical followed by a wide oxer to the vertical-vertical portion of the triple combination. Riders then made a left turn to an oxer-oxer line before galloping across the ring and past the gate to the final vertical.

Ashlee Bond was the first to make an attempt over the shortened course and she set the time to beat aboard Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farms of Hidden Hills, CA. The duo was very speedy to each obstacle and took a sharp route to the final vertical, cutting through the double combination. Their efforts paid off with a fault free score in 37.583 second, which would eventually net them the second place honors.

“Chivas Z was so good; I am so happy because he has become such a consistent horse and so reliable,” said Bond. “I think especially going first you have to go for it, but you can’t do crazy things because you want to go clear and put the pressure on the rest of the field. Sometimes if you leave a little gap it can happen that you get beat, which I did tonight with the pull up to the last jump, but I wanted to be clear. I was really happy and there is nothing I would change. My horse is performing the best he has ever been!”

Continue reading Michael Morrissey & Vorst Dash to Victory in $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Cece Williamson and Northstar Win Tricolor in Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic

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Cece Williamson and Northstar won the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Championship at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 6, 2011 – A light breeze helped keep competitors cool as the sun shone brightly over the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Kentucky Summer Classic. Today, the Amateur-Owner Hunter classes came to a close, presenting their championship and reserve championship awards after riders competed for top honors in their respective divisions.

In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Pure Abundance, ridden by Wesley Newlands of Toronto, Canada, made a strong comeback and eventually took home the top honors. Yesterday, the pair won the fourth place ribbon over fences as well as the second place ribbon in the under saddle. Combined with the duo’s third place ribbon in the over fences class and the first place ribbon in the handy today, the talented combination garnered enough points to bring home the championship tricolor.

Newlands has owned Pure Abundance for four years, and believes that a large part of their success is based on the fact that they are finally very solid together as a horse and rider combination. “My rounds today were very solid, and honestly, my horse couldn’t have been any better,” smiled Newlands as she gave her horse a pat. “I can always depend on him when I go into the ring, and he is always trying to win.”

The talented rider and Pure Abundance have had a very successful season. The duo was just named champion at Devon this past year, and Newlands is hoping to continue their success during Indoors. If her rounds today were any sign, then there may not be much hoping involved. “I went for a solid round today in the handy,” she described. “Most people attempted to go through the gap of the white and brown jumps, but I know my horse gets a little spooky, so I went around and it gave me a nice smooth trot jump and led to a solid finish.”

Continue reading Cece Williamson and Northstar Win Tricolor in Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic →