Category Archives: Competitions

Aachen Symposium – Last Chance for Tickets

Lausanne (SUI), 11 July 2011 – The FEI, CHIO Aachen and Aachen School of Course Design (ASCD), which are collaborating for the first time on a two-day Symposium to help the growth of national, regional, FEI 1* and 2* competitions around the world, have a small number of tickets left for the 18-19 July event in Aachen (GER).

“The Symposium will be a perfect opportunity to share vital expertise and know-how to help the successful expansion of jumping competitions internationally,” said course designer Frank Rothenberger, who will be attending the Symposium with more than 50 delegates involved in event organisation from 25 countries.

Speakers from the FEI, CHIO Aachen, ASCD and specialists from 10 countries – Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the USA – will deliver invaluable insights into successful event organisation at the Symposium, entitled “How to develop, organise and sustain national and regional Jumping Events”.

The Symposium is being hosted by the FEI, ASCD and CHIO Aachen in co-operation with the Alliance of Jumping Organisers (AJO).

For tickets and further information on the Symposium, please click here.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan Win $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan won the $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 9, 2011 – The top horse and rider combinations gathered at the Devon Show Ground’s Dixon Oval this afternoon to compete for the winning title during the $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix. This afternoon’s competition was the highlight event for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, which will be continuing through July 10, 2011. At the end of the day, Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan owned by Chansonette Farm LLC of New York, NY led the victory gallop after advancing to the short course and completing a clear effort in a time of 38.082 seconds.

“I got Vanhattan in March from one of Kent Farrington’s clients,” explained Keenan. “Kent was showing him in the grand prix classes, but I started out doing the Lows a few times and then the Highs; from the beginning he was unreal. I love him, he is such a character and a lot of fun.”

Christina Gellos and Man In Black owned by Gellos of Greenwich, CT were right behind them to take second with a time of 39.446, while Clementine Goutal and Ollywood Des Horts owned by Cloverleaf Farm of New York, NY broke the beam in a clean 39.865 to score the third place prize.

“Man In Black a little bit fired up, you just sit there and steer him around,” said Gellos. “He’s an incredible jumper, so you don’t really have to worry about the fences, which is awesome.”

Continue reading Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan Win $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

Lexi Graham and Landmark Victorious in $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

Lexi Graham and Landmark won the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Ron Schwane Photography.

Devon, PA – July 9, 2011 – Following today’s exciting $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix, riders returned to the Dixon Oval in the evening for the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby. The event was one of the highlights for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, at the Devon Show Grounds. The winning combination was Lexi Graham and Landmark owned by Julie Graham of Kintnersville, PA.

Graham and Landmark had scores of 89 and 90 after the first round. They came into the second round in third place, but with a picture-perfect round including, a spectacular brush box jump, the duo scored an 89 and an 89.5, which gave them a grand total of 357.5. They jumped to the top of the leaderboard and led tonight’s victory gallop around the Dixon Oval.

“He’s great for the derbies, he really takes care of me so it makes it a lot of fun,” noted Graham. “The first round was pretty nice, it was a little rough, but the second round is usually where we have a lot of fun and are able to take some chances.”

Graham added, “The ring looks great, I’ll definitely be back next year!”

Close behind in second was Kim Zindel-Buzby and Black Jax owned by Ann Nelligan of Newtown Square, PA, with a total score of 357. After scores of 92 and 90.5, the pair came into the handy round on top. A flawless second round course earned them scores of 83.5 and 91.

Continue reading Lexi Graham and Landmark Victorious in $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

$10,000 Welcome Prix Is Fast and Furious at Horse Shows by the Bay

Greer Hindle and Viper P. Photo Credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 8, 2011 – Warm weather and warm hospitality surrounded the $10,000 Welcome Prix at Horse Shows by the Bay today, as over two dozen eager competitors convened at the Grand Prix ring to compete this afternoon. Greer Hindle jumped Viper P to the blue ribbon in this ambitious class, wherein riders and their mounts had to quickly clear the 1.40m – 1.45m obstacles adorning designer Chris Brandt’s challenging course. Sponsored by Positive Step Farm and Patrice Schreiber, the event was the first of four $10,000 Welcome Prixs that will beckon the brave this July at Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival in scenic Traverse City, MI.

The competition kicked off with an early clear turn by eventual second place finisher Denise Wilson aboard Delphine Van Het Orshof, who is owned by Blue Gate Farm of Dousman, WI. Aside from Wim Janssen on V.P.N., though, no other riders were able to clear the course in the first half of the first round. Hooves were flying but rails kept falling, with many an entrant getting edged out by just a single knockdown. After a short break, the second set of riders took their turn on top of the Grand Prix ring’s new footing. This section saw a just few more promising rides, with five horse and rider combinations attaining a clear status on this clear, sunny day.

Timing is everything, though, and an efficient jump-off whittled-down the competition to just six remaining riders. More than half found success in clearing each hurdle. Hindle and Viper P proved the fastest, however, as they boomeranged around the turns in just 38.299 seconds. In their wake was Denise Wilson and Delphine Van Het Orshof, the first of two horses that Wilson would steer clearly in today’s jump-off. Wilson and Delphine Van Het Orshof, though, came in right behind winner Hindle in 38.423 seconds. Victor Segovia and Romeo earned themselves a third place finish after the jump-off, as the duo cantered cleanly in under 40 seconds. Following this very fast round was the first ribbon ceremony to take place in the Grand Prix ring this year, where winner Hindle received both a blue ribbon and a pair of valuable Devoucoux riding boots. Devoucoux, Inc. is a Bronze Sponsor for Horse Shows by the Bay’s 2011 festival.

Continue reading $10,000 Welcome Prix Is Fast and Furious at Horse Shows by the Bay

Florida Cowboy Wins World Championship

Denny Chapman of Ocala FL won the Men’s All-Around World Championship at the Single Action Shooting Society “End of Trail” finals at Founder’s Ranch, Edgewood NM. Chapman, a professional mounted shooting competitor, horse trainer and Wild West entertainer, flew in to the event and competed on a borrowed horse. “The event consisted of multiple stages of mounted shooting combined with live-fire cowboy action shooting over several days,” Chapman said. “The Double E Ranch of Gila NM provided me with a horse and tack to compete with and Taylor’s & Company Firearms provided my shooting equipment. It was my first World Championship win and I had a great time.” Denny recently launched a Mounted Shooting talk show which can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dennychapman/2011/07/08/mounted-shooting-radio-with-denny-chapman.

www.DennyChapman.com

Mission Accomplished by Germany at Falsterbo

The German team of Carsten Otto Nagel, Thomas Voss, Marco Kutscher and Ludger Beerbaum pictured with Chef d'Equipe Heinrich Hermann Engemann after winning today's fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 at Falsterbo, Sweden. Photo: FEI/Lotta Gyllensten.

Falsterbo (SWE), 8 July 2011 – It was a case of “mission accomplished” for the German team at Falsterbo, Sweden today when they won the fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 and consequently rocketed up the series leaderboard to third place.  In a thrilling competition that saw the defending double-champions share runner-up spot with the host nation as, at last, the pendulum of good fortune began to swing back in the direction of the French, the Dutch had to settle for fourth ahead of the Irish in fifth while the USA clinched sixth place.

The withdrawal of Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Kalico Bay left the British vulnerable in the second round and in seventh at the end of the day despite otherwise consistently good performances. And while the Belgians finished eighth with a big score of 47 faults on an afternoon they will probably not care to remember, it was an even more difficult day for the Danes who finished last and are now so far behind at the bottom of the league table that it seems nothing can save them from relegation in their debut season of top-level Nations Cup jumping.  Punished in the first round by the elimination of anchorman Thomas Velin who seemed at odds with his long-time ride Godsend du Reverdy, their chances were completely crushed when Tina Lund’s Qrispy D Ive Z simply refused to take part in the second round.

LEVEL PEGGING
The Germans and Swedes were in the lead on level pegging with just four faults apiece at the end of the round one, followed closely by the Irish carrying eight and then the French with 12, the Dutch with 13, the USA with 15 and the British with 16 faults on the board.  Denmark and Belgium were already trailing the field with 25 and 27 faults respectively, the 34 faults collected by last-line-rider Jan Vinckier (Ursela) seriously compromising Belgian chances.  But to say he was unfortunate second time out would be a complete understatement.  The triple combination – vertical, oxer, vertical – at fence eight was the bogey of the day, but Ursela had lowered only the previous oxer before she slipped on landing over the second element of the treble and slid to a stop in front of the third.  Persistent rain throughout the opening round had necessitated the movement of some fences to better ground, but it still proved increasingly challenging as the competition progressed.

Continue reading Mission Accomplished by Germany at Falsterbo

Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

Laurent Beauvais, Chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Dr Pearse Lyons, President of Alltech, celebrating the announcement of Alltech as the title sponsor of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - Normandy © MC Chantrait

Lausanne (SUI), 8 July 2011 – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Alltech president Dr Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The agreement represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of EUR 10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder, Dr Pearse Lyons.

“These world championships of equestrian sport epitomise the values that we applaud; passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a long-standing history of serving the agricultural community in France and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event.”

“The FEI is delighted by the renewal of Alltech’s title sponsorship of the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos. “We are proud of the Games’ enduring appeal and are looking forward to an unforgettable seventh edition organised by Normandy 2014’s professional team and supported by an outstanding title sponsor such as Alltech.”

Continue reading Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

FEI Nations Cup Jumping Gets Back Underway at CSIO5* Falsterbo

Charlie Jayne and Athena. Photo by Sophie Durieux.

Lexington, KY – FEI Nations Cup Jumping gets back underway tomorrow at CSIO5* Falsterbo. After a month’s hiatus, the world’s top show jumping teams will return to the ring in Sweden. The U.S. has drawn the first position of the nine teams for their Chef d’Equipe George Morris.

Charlie Jayne will lead things off for the U.S. with The London Group’s Athena. This pair has jumped in the Nations Cups in La Baule, Rome, and St. Gallen making this their fourth consecutive appearance.

Two Young Riders will jump in the second and third positions. Saer Coulter and Copernicus Stables’ Springtime will follow Jayne into the ring and Lucy Davis will ride Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 in the third position. Both Team Gold medalists at the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, they contested their first Nations Cup at CSIO4* Buenos Aires last fall. They are now also taking their first step into the top level of CSIO5* jumping together.

Christine McCrea will jump in the anchor spot on Romantovich Take One for Candy Tribble. This pair has been brilliant in Europe so far, jumping two clear rounds over a tough track in St. Gallen’s Nations Cup and then jumping to third in the Grand Prix two days later.

For more information about these riders, please visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011FEINationsCup/ which will also feature footage of the American competitors once the competition is over. Live coverage is available at www.feitv.org.

Southern Eighths Welcomes Back Nikon as a Major Sponsor

Together Southern Eighths and Nikon Support the Unsung Heroes of Eventing

Southern Eighths Farm in Chesterfield, South Carolina and Nikon are working together to support Eventing’s amateur riders. “We approached Nikon about becoming a sponsor of our Southern Eighth/Nikon Three-Day Event scheduled to take place on May 3-6, 2012 because we felt it was a good fit and they agreed,” commented owner Brad Turley. “Together our goal is to focus on the amateur riders, the unsung heroes of the Eventing world. Best of all, these amateur riders have a chance to compete at a facility that is good enough to host the high profile Eventers but this place is for the rest of us. This is a place where the amateur riders can feel like the pros.”

“We here at Nikon are proud to be involved with Southern Eighths Farm’s recognized three-day event and support all the Amateur riders and their passion for Eventing. It is this same passion that drives Nikon each day. We look forward to a long relationship and wish all the competitors Good Luck!” remarked Bill Pekala, General Manager, Nikon Pro Services.

The recent Heart of the Carolinas recognized event April 28 – May 1 sponsored by Nikon was an indication of just how good this facility is and it is the riders who say it best. They love the facility, the organization, the footing, the courses, the jumps – just everything.

Becky Brown and EZ dominated the Training level (32.90) and Annie Lane Maunder and Penny Lane (37.30) were the winners in the Novice division.

Continue reading Southern Eighths Welcomes Back Nikon as a Major Sponsor

International Bromont: Clinic for Jumper Course Designer

Leopoldo Palacios - International Bromont 2010. Credit: Proaction Photo.

Bromont, July 7th – This year, International Bromont will offer a clinic presented by world-renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios while he is attending the International Bromont. The clinic is recognized by Equine Canada and can be used in maintaining or upgrading the jumper course design status.

Mr. Palacios will design the courses for FEI classes the first week of competition and stay in Bromont to run the clinic on July 27, 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Places are limited and registration will end on July 15th.

Details and inscription at: http://www.internationalbromont.org/formulaires-e.shtml.

International Bromont is a leader in Hunter/Jumper events, offering two weeks of competition from July 20th to 24th and July 27th to 31st, 2011. As for the last 36 years, this event will take place in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec, a short distance from the Vermont border. It is the biggest horse show in Eastern Canada with a total prize money over $400,000 and one of five major Canadian events on the World Cup circuit.

Continue reading International Bromont: Clinic for Jumper Course Designer