Category Archives: Competitions

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

A Full Schedule for Peter Pletcher and All Hunter Riders on Day Two of Horse Shows by the Bay

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Peter Pletcher and Copperfield. Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 7, 2011 – Sun and a light breeze set the stage for a wonderful day for the hunters at Horse Shows by the Bay today. It was very busy in the R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring, with over ninety rounds to be seen. As the professional hunter divisions came to a close this afternoon, several championship ribbons were presented, with Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA, and Erynn Ballard of Hornby, OT taking home these top honors.

Peter Pletcher took over the reins for Kelley Farmer this morning on both of her First Year Green Working Hunter horses, Coin Toss, owned by Am Free, Inc., and Straight Talk, owned by CH Farm LLC. Pletcher rode Coin Toss to the top of both over fences classes today and Straight Talk took home both of the red ribbons. Though Coin Toss was able to edge ahead of Straight Talk in the First Year Green Hunters, Straight Talk was still able to take home the Champion ribbon for the division, having won all three classes yesterday. Coin Toss’s wins today with Pletcher allowed him to take home the Reserve Champion honors for the division. After his many successful rides today, Peter commented, “I think doing the catch rides for Kelley Farmer’s horses was today’s highlight; that was pretty fun.”

In the Second Year Green Working Hunter division Cookie Beck and Erynn Ballard brought their “A” game, both riding two horses in the division. Ballard was able to secure the Championship title on Sigfried, owned by Susanne Stroh, with a blue ribbon in both the hunter and the handy hunter rounds today. Reserve Champion went to Cookie Beck aboard Last Call, owned by Lisa Cudahy.

“Sigfried is probably the best second-year horse that we have right now, and he’s won a lot for me – he won in Palm Beach, he won a class at Devon, and I have a really good relationship with him. I just meet him at the horse shows because he doesn’t live with me. We just love each other, and he always tries hard. Today he just went out and did the best that he could, the handy was great, and he just tries so hard every time.” says Ballard of her mount Sigfried.

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

FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Draw Report, Round 4

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AMERICANS IN THE HOT SEAT AS ROUND FOUR GETS UNDERWAY by Louise Parkes

The draw for the fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 series took place at Falsterbo, Sweden this evening. Photo: Falsterbo Press Office.

Falsterbo (SWE), 7 July 2011 – The American team have the unenviable task of of being first into the ring when the FEI Nations Cup 2011 resumes at Falsterbo, Sweden tomorrow afternoon.  The draw took place this evening, and the order of go for the competition which begins at 14.30 local time is as follows:

1. USA: 2, Belgium; 3, The Netherlands; 4, Germany; 5, Great Britain; 6, Sweden; 7, Ireland;  8, Denmark; 9, France.

The nine-team line-up reflects a guest appearance for the host country in the eight-leg, eight-nation tournament.  Sweden is entitled to compete despite relegation to the Promotional League last season.  They can’t take points from tomorrow’s competition, but the home runners could well pull off a big and satisfying result – they won here on their home ground last summer, and they’ve been fighting hard, and very successfully, in this year’s Promotional League series.  Chef d’Equipe, Sylve Soderstrand, is sending out his big guns – Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Malin Bayard-Johnsson and Peder Fredrickson along with Angelika Augustsson, winner of the Gothenburg leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series last season.  “We are here with our best team. And we are very pleased to compete on our homeground,” he said today. But this is not only a different league from where we have been competing recently – it is a different planet!” he added.

SUPREMELY CONFIDENT
The first three legs have been so exciting, and Dutch Chef d’Equipe, Rob Ehrens, should be feeling supremely confident after the double scored by his teams in both Rome (ITA) and St Gallen (SUI) over the previous two legs.  “I hope we keep up our form” he said in typically stoic fashion this afternoon.

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Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF

This Week in International Disciplines – July 7, 2011

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Will Faudree and DHI Colour Candy. Photo by stock image services.com

Eventing
In preparation of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the CIC2* Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational was held as the London Test Event. Piggy French of Great Britain lead from start to finish with DHI Topper W, finishing on her dressage score of 34.70 in front of the stunning backdrop of Greenwich Park. Michael Jung of Germany and River of Joy came in second, while Pippa Funnell of Great Britain and Billy Shannon finished third. Will Faudree and DHI Colour Candy were the top placed American pair, finishing in 21st place.

For complete results and more information, please visit click here.

Jumping
Numerous U.S. riders were competing at Spruce Meadows over the holiday weekend. To start things off, U.S. riders interestingly took all of the odd places in the top ten in the 1.60m Great-West Life Cup. Leslie Howard finished on top with Utah while Mario Deslauriers and Diablo came in third. In the 1.45m Cargill Cup, Rich Fellers took top honors with McGuinness, while Richard Spooner and Quirino 3 came in a close second.  McLain Ward and Rothchild came in second in the 1.50m RSA Cup. Ward then won the next class – this time in the 1.45m WESTJET Cup with Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve. Deslauriers was second with Urico. Kristen Coe and Tristan jumped clean and fast to win the 1.50m Duncan Ross Cup.

The U.S. riders dominated the top ten of the 1.50m Talisman Energy Cup, and Ward took home another win, this time aboard Vocas. Deslauriers and Vicomte D were second while Spooner finished fourth.  In the 1.60m RBC Financial Group Cup, Katherine Dinan and Vancouver were the top American pair finishing in third place. Ward continued his winning streak with Oh D’Eole in the 1.45m West Canadian Cup.  In the 1.60m ESSO Challenge World Cup Qualifier, U.S. riders dominated the top three. Rich Fellers and Flexible scored a big win with clean, lightning-fast rounds. Deslauriers and Urico were second while Farrington and Uceko finished third.

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Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Greenwich Test Event Hailed a Huge Success

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The London skyline provided the perfect backdrop to this week's Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) - the equestrian test event for the 2012 Olympic Games. Photo: FEI Photo Catalogue.

London Prepares Series (GBR), 7 July 2011 – Greenwich Park in London (GBR) is a much quieter place today as the runners and riders, supporters, officials and most of the staff who helped create a magical atmosphere during this week’s test event have departed from the site where the equestrian Olympic Games will take place in 2012.

The Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) has already been hailed a huge success, but after a week of hectic activity, and three days of intense competition, it is now time to reflect in the aftermath.

The lasting memory for those lucky enough to be there this week is the sound of the excited school-children screaming with delight as they witnessed top-class horse sport at close quarters for the very first time.  For the hardened professionals, both in the saddle and on foot performing their various essential tasks, it was a heart-warming experience.

A generation of young people, who would otherwise never be exposed to the sport, were curious, enthralled and intrigued by what they saw, and they’ve shaken the foundations of a sometimes conservative world.  They’ve reminded us all that horse sport isn’t just about equine talent and rider skills.  It’s also about fun and entertainment, about embracing the partnership between man and horse and presenting it in a whole new light to a world of people who, given the opportunity, will learn to love it.

There is a sense right now that the equestrian events at London 2012 could mark the beginning of a whole new era, and how timely that will be for equestrian sport which celebrates its centenary as part of the Olympic movement next year.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Hunters Shine in the Sun on the First Day of Horse Shows by the Bay

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Kelley Farmer and Straight Talk. Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 6, 2011 – Perfect summer weather greeted the first day of the first week of Horse Shows by the Bay in Traverse City, MI. The professional hunters took full advantage of the perfect weather and perfect footing in the R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring. Kelley Farmer of Keswick, Va., and Straight Talk, owned by CH Farm, LLC, won big today in the $2,500 First Year Green Working Hunter, sponsored by Equisport Insurance Agency-Dan and Beth Graves. Cookie Beck and Erynn Ballard split the winnings in the Second Year Green Working Hunters.

Kelley Farmer had a fantastic day on all three of her rides in the First Year Green Hunter division today, topping each class on Straight Talk. She and Straight Talk had strong, smooth, confident rides in both classes and went straight to the top of the under saddle class. Coin Toss, owned by Am Free, Inc., jumped into second in both over fences classes and the under saddle with Farmer aboard.

“My horses were great! I’m so happy with all of them, actually. It’s a beautiful place and they try to do everything, you know, last year the footing needed a little fixing and they did it and it’s beautiful now. That’s why I come back, my horses love it here, and everything you ask Alex [Rheinheimer] to do it will be done. She goes out of her way to go above and beyond to make a beautiful horse show,” Farmer exclaimed.

Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, also made quite an impression today in the Equisport Insurance Agency First Year Green Hunter division on both of his mounts. Peter and Valobra, owned by Eva Bisso, earned both a fourth and fifth place ribbon over fences and a third under saddle. Sue Copeland’s Isaiah and Pletcher won a fourth and a fifth over fences and a sixth in the under saddle class.

Continue reading Hunters Shine in the Sun on the First Day of Horse Shows by the Bay →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Sun Shines on Opening Day of Horse Shows by the Bay

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Erynn Ballard and Fun 2 Fly. Credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 6, 2011 – A few lingering clouds gave way to brilliant sunshine this morning at the Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival in beautiful Traverse City, MI. Held each year in one of the country’s premier vacation destinations, Horse Shows by the Bay will welcome thousands of equestrians over the next four weeks. Hundreds of horse and rider combinations have arrived already, with many putting on powerful performances this afternoon in the Grand Prix ring. Erynn Ballard rode two talented horses to victory in today’s 1.3m and 1.35m jumper classes, setting an upbeat example for the many upcoming jumper events to follow.

Atop brand-new footing in the main jumper ring, Ballard stole the show with two double-clear turns in the Grand Prix ring. In the 1.3m class, generously sponsored by Blue Gate Farm, Ballard showed how it’s fun to fly with Fun 2 Fly, as the two conquered the jump-off in only 40.513 seconds. Also having fun was Kimberly Seay aboard Belvedere; the two came in second with a jump-off time of 41.695 seconds. Emily Short and Grande Finale 3e snagged a third place spot, taking only 42.704 seconds to clear a jumper course that included all the elements of a Traverse City summer: carefully-manicured flowers, nautical flourishes, and of course, cherries.

In the 1.35m jumper class, Ballard was the second to clear the course but the only rider to clear the jump-off as well. She and Buttercup quickly sailed to the top of the scoreboard with a second round time of 41.928 seconds. Calmly navigating Chris Brandt’s vividly colored course, the pair smoothly avoided any rail knockdowns or refusals. David Jennings also steered clear of difficulty, making the obstacles look easy aboard Maximus, Nandy Fontaine, and Cowgirl. With Maximus, Jennings earned a second place finish.

“So far we’ve been loving it here in Traverse City,” said multiple winner Ballard. “The show has been so accommodating, and the weather has been beautiful. Plus, it’s close to home, it suits everything I brought. The town is wonderful, too, and we want to come back for the whole month next year. There’s nowhere else in the summer that I can think of where it’s similar to the experience you get here in Traverse City. I’ve been to a lot of the summer shows, and this place is just made to be a horse show.”

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic Victory Goes to Bridget Mahoney and Utopia at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Bridget Mahoney and Utopia won the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photos By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 6, 2011 – It was warm and sunny as exhibitors returned to the Devon Show Grounds for the second week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. The Adult Amateurs took center stage in the Dixon Oval as they competed in their respective divisions, as well as the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic and the Ariat Adult Medal. Bridget Mahoney claimed the top prize in the Classic, while Shane Mackey scored the winning title in the Medal. In the Gold Ring, the jumper riders showcased their skills during the 1.20m Open Jumper class and the Child/Adult Jumper class.

Washington College Senior Bridget Mahoney had an excellent day on her talented mount Utopia, owned by Rob Coluccio of Wellington, FL. The duo entered the second round of the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic in the second place position with a score of 81. They laid down a beautiful trip during the final round and the judges awarded them a score of 78, bringing their total to 159, which would be good enough for the first place prize.

“The first round was good, I rode it well and I had a score of an 81, so I knew I had a good chance of coming back and being at the top,” commented Mahoney. “The second trip, I just wanted to go in and ride well and think about all my turns. I was most worried about the bending because people were doing a 9 or 10, so I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I jumped in well though and it came up nicely.”

Utopia is an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare that Mahoney is leasing from Coluccio for the summer. “I just got Utopia three weeks ago and did two weeks of Saratoga before coming here,” she explained. “She just needs a confident ride; she’s very fun and easy to get along with. After Brandywine we will go to Vermont before I return to school in August.”

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

Charleston Summer Classic USHJA Classic

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We have some exhibitors arriving early so they can enjoy the beach…. We are ready.  Just a few things:

1. Somehow the USHJA Hunter Classic was left off the prize list.  We offered it last year and this year it was somehow deleted.  We are offering the Hunter Classic the third day – last class of each show.  You can add this class when you arrive at the show.  Sorry for the problem.

2. Parties.  There are five parties over the two weeks.  The first week will have a party during the Hunter Classic and there is one at Red’s Ice House.  The second week will have one again during the Hunter Classic, one at Tissy’s House plus the party at the Club at Seabrook Island.

3. Fishing and boat rentals.  If anyone needs help booking fishing charters or boat rentals during the days off you can call Bohicket Marina for Charters, 843 768 1280, or speak to Robin Stoney when you get to the show and she will help guide you.

Call with questions or for stall reservations:  843 768 550.

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

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

Fabulous French Passes the Test with Flying Colours

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HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (front) presented the medals as the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) drew to a close in London (GBR) today. Pictured on the podium: (left) Great Britain's Pippa Funnell who finished third, (centre) winner Piggy French from Great Britain, and (right) second-placed Michael Jung from Germany. Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI.

London Prepares Series (GBR), 6 July 2011 – Great Britain’s Piggy French held firm to scoop the honours in the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) today with a fabulous double-clear jumping performance from DHI Topper W. Germany’s Michael Jung (River of Joy) finished second ahead of Britain’s Pippa Funnell (Billy Shannon) in third, but all the athletes were in agreement that the real winner of the Olympic Test Event has been Greenwich Park, the fabulous London venue which will host next summer’s Olympic equestrian events.

“Of course it was special to win here – we are all competitive and it was great for a British rider to put a stamp on it – but this has really been about checking things out before next summer’s Games and from that point of view it’s been a huge success,” said French this afternoon. In the lead from the outset on Monday, she had a heart-stopping moment this morning when DHI Topper W was held over during the final horse inspection, but in the end nothing could prevent her from claiming the top step of the podium.

FIRST TIME OUT
A total of 35 riders lined out in the final jumping phase, but just 12 managed to stay clear first time out. Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt lost her grip on second spot with a single mistake from her talented young mare, the seven-year-old Mrs Medicott, and Clayton Fredericks, lying overnight fourth for Australia, slipped from contention when Bendigo did likewise. This allowed Michael Jung to move into runner-up spot, but French had a fence in hand as the closing stages were played out. Funnell, now in third with the handsome Kannan mare Billy Shannon, piled the pressure on the two ahead of her with a lovely tour of the second-round track. Jung didn’t flinch to stay clean and the pressure was all on French when last into the arena. Setting off in a quiet rhythm however the 30-year-old rider calmly held her nerve to take the win she well deserved.

“Topper has matured so well over the last few months – he could be a contender for next year,” French said afterwards. “That’s still a long way away and horses are great levellers so who knows what can happen between now and then, but I reckon he’s got what it takes. I just hope we haven’t peaked too early!”

Continue reading Fabulous French Passes the Test with Flying Colours →

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

Cesar Parra and Grandioso Continue Their Winning Form in Germany

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Cesar Parra receives the congratulatory handshake from the show official at Balve, Germany. (Photo courtesy of Jose Alvarez)

Balve, Germany (July 7, 2011) – International Dressage rider and trainer Cesar Parra is one step closer to his goal of competing Grandioso, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, in the Pan Am Games thanks to last weekend’s successful show in Balve, Germany. Parra rode the ten-year-old Westphalian gelding in the Prix St. Georges class and the S3 class, winning both classes.

Parra will be in Europe throughout July, competing and training Grandioso as well as Dave and Taunia Reed’s Agastrofos. “I believe our trips to Europe are super for many reasons. I love to keep my eye sharp and think it’s critical to watch the best horses and riders in the world,” Parra said. “I believe that when you surround yourself with the best, you push yourself to be better all the time.”

Parra is staying at Arnd Erben’s stable in Iserlohn, Germany, and decided to attend the Balve dressage show in an effort to see, “where we were and what we really needed to focus on,” Parra said. “I’m super excited with the results and it was very special to represent the USA here. The people have been really wonderful.”

While Parra is hoping that Grandioso will help him achieve his dream of riding on the U.S. Dressage team, he said that it has been a “team effort” to get Grandioso to where he is today. The Davis family purchased the gelding in 2009 and Parra said that each time he competes Grandioso the horse delivers a beautiful test and shows that he has a brilliant future.

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