Category Archives: Competitions

Inaugural Interscholastic Reining Championship Secures New Alliance

Layla Choate winning the inaugural NRHA Interscholastic Reining Championship aboard Kathleen Ray’s Dunit Pistol Pete (Photo by Waltenberry).

Oklahoma City, OK – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) welcomed Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) competitors to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby Show on June 30, 2011. Competitors were given an opportunity to participate the first-ever NRHA Interscholastic Reining Championship, a competition similar to the long-standing NRHA Collegiate Championship.

The new championship class brought together the top four riders from the Individual Open Reining at the IEA National Western Championship and the top four riders from the 2010 NRHA Youth 14-18 division in an exciting competition where the youth will show unfamiliar horses donated by generous supporters.

Layla Choate of Hazel, Ky. and Dunit Pistol Pete (donated by Kathleen Ray of Aubrey, Tex.), earned the first Interscholastic Championship title with a score of 217.5. Megan Foley of the Autumn Rose Equestrian Team in Powell, Ohio, rode Check This Dun It (donated by Lorrie & Terry Thrasher) and was awarded Reserve Champion with a score of 217.

Choate will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall where she will be majoring in environmental science. Choate offered advice to young riders by saying, “Work hard every day and ride as many different horses as you can.“ She said that by doing so you will improve yourself as a showman.

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Peters and Ravel Take Second in Grand Prix Freestyle; Ward and Rothchild Win Yageo Prize at Aachen CHIO

Steffen Peters and Ravel Sunday at CHIO Aachen. Photo: Ken Braddick/ dressage-news.com.

Aachen, Germany – Team USA wrapped up the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany, with more strong performances, including a second-place finish for Steffen Peters and Ravel in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO and a win for show jumper McLain Ward on Rothchild.

Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazki and Four Winds Farm, stepped up their game today and gave the best dressage horse in the world a run for his money in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO for the Deutsche Bank Prize.

The judges gave Ravel and Peters technical scores of 77.25, 77.00, 80.50, 80.50, and 76.75, along with artistic scores of 86.00, 83.00, 83.00, 89.00, and 87.00 for an overall 82.000% – just .825% off the winning score set by Matthias Rath of Germany and Totilas.

According to Dressage-news.com, Peters said, “It felt fantastic. I’m still searching for words to describe it. The icing on the cake was the reaction of the crowd. That was a huge honor. I finished fifth in the Grand Prix and the Special, so to come within fractions of Totilas and Parzival in the freestyle is amazing.”

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Charleston Summer Classics – A Vacation for Horses and Riders

Elizabeth Boyd and Marksmann Win $2500 USHJA National Hunter Classic

Liza Boyd & Marksmann ©Flashpoint Photography

Johns Island, SC — July 17, 2011 — How often during the heat of summer can an exhibitor in the Southern portions of the US say they enjoyed horse showing? While much of the equine community is experiencing uncomfortable temperatures, participants at the Charleston Summer Classics are being treated to a resort like atmosphere.

Week one at the Mullet Hall Equestrian Center welcomed riders with a vacation sensory overload – from pleasant ocean breezes billowing across the beautiful grounds – to put them in a beachy frame of mind to tropical drinks under the ringside tent each afternoon. “Exhibitors are enjoying a resort escape that just happens to include a horse show! Everyone is having a ball,” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said.  The Charleston Summer Classic is one of Bell’s Boutique Shows, which he defines as: “Boutique (boo teek)-noun- A horse show that is fashionable and unique. Always held at wonderful venues with excellent accommodations for special horses, owners, and riders. Always includes parties, trendy classes, and fun events. Always has stylish trophies and rewards for Grand Champions. Always has Mimosas on Sunday mornings.”  Bell even designed class schedules to allow exhibitors and their horses more time for fun on the multitude of white sandy beaches, a mere 10 minutes away.

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Amateur-Owner and Junior Hunters Come to Strong Close at Horse Shows by the Bay Week II

Lynn Walsh and Ocean Park. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 16, 2011 – As the weather warmed up at Horse Shows by the Bay today, so did the competition. The R. L. Polk Family Hunter Ring wrapped up the Amateur-Owner and Junior Hunter Divisions, in preparation for tomorrow’s $10,000 Horse Shows by the Bay Open Hunter Classic and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Classic. The Horse Shows by the Bay Open Hunter Classic is a two round classic, with only the top 12 riders returning for the second round. This classic is open to all riders, with 3’6″, 3’9″, and 4′ sections, including professionals, amateurs and juniors. The horse and rider must have completed at least two over fences classes in the height section in which they wish to compete. First place in this classic will receive $3,000 in prize money.

The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Classic is a member event for the 2011 USHJA National Hunter Classic Program, and horses will receive Zone Horse of the Year points for the class. The fences will be set at 3 feet, with 3’3″ to 3’5″ option fences. This classic is also open to all horses and riders and will consist of two rounds, with the first place winner receiving $1,250 in prize money. The $1,000 Adult Hunter Classic took place today, with an impressive top 11 riders returning for round two.

It was a spectacular day for Lynn Walsh today in the Older Amateur-Owner Hunter division, as she took home the champion honors in the class aboard her Ocean Park. On top of her champion title, Walsh earned the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion title, as well as the high score honors in a three way tie. “It’s great being a part of a competition like this,” noted Walsh. “Everyone is doing so well, and I’m glad to be a part of the hunter tradition.” Also tying for the high score prize was Kenzie Donovan on Flower and Caroline Gibson on Primetime, both competing in the 3’3″ Amateur-Owner division. Caroline Gibson also took home the young Amateur-Owner champion ribbon, riding Silvano. In the 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunters, Kenzie Donovan and Flower rode smoothly to the tricolor. Lynn Walsh, Caroline Gibson, and Kenzie Donovan dominated the Amateur-Owner Hunter division with confident, put-together rounds this week at Flintfields Horse Park in scenic Traverse City, MI. “I’m really proud of Silvano,” remarked Gibson. “This horse did really well out there and I appreciate the hard work so much.”

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Exell Continues Success Story in Aachen

Four times Aachen winner Boyd Exell continued his success story at Aachen © FEI/Rinaldo de Craen.

Aachen (GER), 17 July 2011 – Top driver Boyd Exell (AUS) has continued his amazing success story in Aachen. Crowned World Champion at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year and winner of the FEI World Cup Driving Final for the third consecutive time in Leipzig in April this year, the Australian has won this year’s prestigious CAIO Aachen for the fourth time in his career. Boyd first won Aachen in 2003 and was unbeatable in 2009, 2010 and now in 2011.

Five competitions
The CAIO in Aachen consisted of five competitions for all drivers this year; the first dressage test (FEI Test 8a) counted for the individual classification, the second dressage test (FEI test 6a) counted for the team classification and was also compulsory for individual drivers like Boyd Exell and Chester Weber (USA). The first cones competition counted for the individual classification, the marathon counted for both the individual and the teams and today’s final cones competition counted for the teams and was again compulsory for the individuals.

First dressage
Boyd Exell had a head start in the first dressage test, which was driven in the pouring rain in the Aachen driving stadium on Wednesday. Boyd drove his team of black geldings owned by Támas Vincze from Hungary to a winning score of 35.97 penalty points. After a great start, Exell’s left wheeler horse became very excited during the latter part of the test, but this did not prevent Exell from getting the best score of the day. First into the arena, Chester Weber the USA put down a very solid test with his two new leader horses Splash and Uniek.

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Laura Kraut Victorious in Sparkassen-Youngsters Cup, Steffen Peters Continues to Win, and Chester Weber Drives to Third Overall at CHIO Aachen

Laura Kraut on Teirra during the Warsteiner jumping competition at 2011 CHIO Aachen. Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images.

Aachen, Germany – Another American victory came Saturday at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany. Show jumper Laura Kraut rode Woodstock O, owned by Joan Kalman and The Freedom Group, to the win in the Sparkassen-Youngsters Cup. They were also awarded with the overall special prize for the best rider/horse of the three Youngsters Cup competitions.

Kraut and Woodstock O have consistently been in the ribbons this week in the Youngsters Cup, with clear rounds in the previous two speed classes. “I don’t think he rubbed a fence the whole time. I didn’t go fast the first two days, even though they were speed classes, because it doesn’t really matter. The goal is to qualify for the final and save yourself for the last class,” Kraut explained.

They did just that, as Woodstock O, an 8-year-old KWPN gelding, was clear through two rounds today and the fastest in the jump-off to take home the top prize over Philipp Weishaupt (GER) on Urmel 86 and Lars Nieberg (GER) with Coco Mademoiselle.

Kraut said, “We jumped the first round at 9:15 this morning and we didn’t have the jump-off until 2:15 in the afternoon. This morning he was actually quite fresh and strong. He was sort of a handful to ride around, but he jumped brilliantly. By the afternoon, he settled down and he was so good in the jump-off. It was his type of course with a lot of galloping. Even though he’s small, his stride is very big. He did everything he was supposed to do.”

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Dr. John Stutts Prevails at 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final

Dr. John Stutts on CF Cool Night Out. Courtesy of Howard Schatzberg Photography.

Lexington, KY – As a 6-year-old, Dr. John Stutts peeked through the fence at a Louisville, KY, riding club to watch the horses warm up. That little boy fell in love with American Saddlebreds, and today, as a grown man, he turned a childhood Saddlebred dream into reality.

Stutts and a dozen other qualified riders displayed their competitive ability within the adult amateur equitation division, trotting and cantering Friday on the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, KY. The 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final was particularly exceptional because it was the 75th anniversary of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show.

Stutts, a pediatric gastroenterologist from Louisville, KY, rode CF Cool Night Out to the title of Champion.  Reserve champion honors went to Joel Dorignac of New Orleans, LA. The bronze medal winner, Casey Morgan Tibolet of Charleston, WV, rounded out the top three.

“I am very excited,” Stutts said of his first-place win. “It sounds corny, but people talk about dreams coming true. A dream came true for me today.”

That early childhood aspiration began at Rock Creek Riding Club, where Stutts had a real seat to a show at age 7. The following year, he pleaded for riding lessons. They never came, but he did get a riding magazine, and continue to watch in amazement the Saddlebred show world.

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Laura Baginski Has Blue Ribbon Day at Horse Shows by the Bay Series II

Carson Gibson on Caden. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 15, 2011 – Clouds and a light breeze kept the temperatures cool as the Amateur Owners and Juniors took over in the R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter ring at Horse Shows by the Bay Series II. As the week continues, all points earned by riders will count toward World Champion Hunter Rider points. The points earned will give the top ten riders, those with the most points nationally at the end of the year, as well as the top six riders from each region, the chance to compete in the finals held at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. There is also the chance to win some spectacular year-end awards for professionals, emerging professionals, amateur owners, amateur adults, juniors, children and pony riders. Points can only be earned at Member Events and Horse Shows by the Bay Series II has been granted the honor of being one the only seven Member Events held in the region. The cooler weather made the Junior Hunters a bit more challenging today, with frisky horses eager to take on the challenge.

Following the 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunters was the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Classic Hunter Phase, with many impressive rides over a classic hunter course. It looked to be a tough call when it came to judging the class, as there were so many riders with talent to spare. Top honors went to Hallie Miller aboard Discovery with a very smooth and composed round; it was clear that she has a great connection with this horse. Second place went to Virginia Ingram, who seems to have been picking up equitation ribbons left and right the past two weeks. Laura Baginski, on Devout has also been riding to the top of the equitation classes, as well as in the Junior Hunters, taking home third place in the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic.

Kicking off the Junior Hunters were the older Large Junior Hunters, which had a total of 15 competitors today. Each horse and rider completed two hunter rounds and an under saddle class this afternoon, their first day of classes. The brisk breezes seemed to be part of the challenge in the hunter ring today, but these young riders proved they could handle it and continued to create some beautiful trips. The first place prize in the first hunter class went to Madison Hayes and Santiago, who also took home second place in the second course. Carson Gibson guided Caden to second place in the first class and swapped positions with Hayes in the second class, eventually taking home the blue ribbon. Devout and Laura Baginski earned third place in the first class, while Lacey Gilbertson and Condanas received the yellow ribbon in the second class.

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Derbydown and Louise Serio Dominate Brandywine Valley Summer Series

Louise Serio and Rock On won the Green Hunter Circuit Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 15, 2011 – Louise Serio and the riders at Derbydown had great success over the past two weeks during the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Showcasing their mounts in the prestigious Dixon Oval at the Devon Show Grounds, riders consistently earned top placings and tricolor awards for their efforts.  Derbydown owner and founder Louise Serio led the way, claiming the Green Hunter Circuit Championship with Rock On after earning each week’s Overall Grand Champion Professional Hunter and Leading Hunter Rider Awards.

Rock On, owned by Jennifer Burger, and Louise Serio won the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship during both weeks of competition. During the second week, the impressive duo won four of the division’s classes. “Rock On was great; he’s so consistent,” said Serio. “He’s such a mellow horse, and I think these two weeks he’s been very consistent and he’s ridden very well. He’s a little lazy, but sometimes he can take over a little bit. I am very pleased with how he went this week.”

Serio also had great success with Burger’s second mount, Phillipa. The duo earned the reserve championship in the Second Year/High Performance Hunter division during the first week and received excellent ribbons in the First Year/High Performance Hunter division during the second week. For their efforts in the ring they were presented with the High Performance Hunter Circuit Championship. In the First Year Green Working Hunter division, Serio also received the reserve championship prize aboard Lisa Scott’s Head Over Heels during the first week.

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John French Leads an Impressive Group of Hunters at the Colorado Summer Circuit

John French and Crown Affair won the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic Sponsored by Horse Connection. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — While the Grand Prix horses are always a big draw at any hunter/jumper show, the hunters are getting a lot of attention during the Colorado Summer Circuit. Show manager Pat Boyle not only has great prize money in every division, but he’s created a wonderful, lush platform for the course designers to develop classes that show off the athletic ability and beauty of some of the nation’s finest hunters.

Last week John French and Yellow Dog Farm’s Crown Affair won three of four over fences classes in the High Performance Hunter division and also took home the blue ribbon in the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic sponsored by Horse Connection. Crown Affair, a Holsteiner stallion by Cor de la Bryere out of a Capitol I mare, is always a favorite in the Derby classes. “We’re preparing for the Derby Finals in Kentucky,” French explained. “He’s on his farewell tour and will retire at the Hampton Classic.” Although his show schedule is winding down, the handsome bay stallion will continue his already successful breeding career. With Crown Affair’s incredible performances, French said, “It’s hard when he goes so well. Does he really want to retire? I was so proud of how he went this week.”

French also praised the courses. He said, “The jumps were amazing with so much greenery and brush, plus a few natural jumps. It makes the horses jump their best. I was really happy that we came.”

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