Category Archives: Competitions

G&C Farm Starts European Tour with Success and Win in Cannes

Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 © Stefano Grasso

Wellington, FL – June 16, 2011 – G&C Farm has started their summer tour with success at CSI 5* shows across Europe. Olympian Pablo Barrios, currently ranked 27th in the world, was a class winner at the Global Champions Tour in Cannes, France and has been in the ribbons at major competitions. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.

Gustavo Mirabal stated, “It has been a fantastic summer tour in Europe for G&C Farm. It is important for us to jump in five-star shows and in the Global Champions Tour. It is the first time ever that a rider from Venezuela has competed at these shows, and we are very proud to represent our country with the fantastic results that we have received so far. It was such a great feeling to hear the national anthem and see the Venezuelan flag raised in Cannes!”

In their most recent show in Cannes, G&C Farm posted a victory. Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11, a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus, won the Prix Generali (1.50m). The class was a qualifier for the grand prix. Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 returned in the jump-off to go double clear in a speedy time of 36.20 seconds, almost one second faster than the next three competitors.

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The Rolex One to Watch – May 2011

Aleksandra Lusina riding Ekwador at the Sopot CSIO***. Photo by Aleksandra Szmanda

16 June 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for May 2011 is Polish rider, Aleksandra Lusina. Based at the Agro-Handel Riding Club in Olsza, Poland, the 32-year-old jumped from number 556 to 232 during May – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 324 places.

The Rolex One to Watch is an initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

Starting out in Dressage before moving onto Jumping, Lusina had a very successful young riding career, including winning individual silver at the Polish Championships for Young Riders. Moving into senior competition she was the first woman to ever win the Polish Championships in 2007, and again in 2009.

Currently competing in the Central European League, Lusina has had an outstanding 2011. She was placed first and second riding Kalinka MNM and Chiara MNM respectively at the Tbilisi CSI** at the end of May, as well as being placed fourth and fifth riding Chiara MNM and Bahar MNM respectively at the Baku CSI**** at the end of April. These results have helped her strong ascent within the Rolex Rankings.

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This Week in International Disciplines – June 16, 2011

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. (Stockimageservices .com Photo).

Eventing
The Bromont CCI drew many U.S. riders to Canada for the weekend and all three CCI divisions were won from wire-to-wire. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen picked up a big win in the CCI3* finishing on a score of 47. The pair maintained their dressage lead adding just a handful of time faults on their clean cross country round, and went in to the show jumping phase with a rail in hand. They had the fourth fence down, the only fault during their otherwise lovely round, enabling Montgomery to hold on to the win. Great Britain’s Leslie Law rode Rehy Lux to a close second while Philip Dutton and William Penn finished third. Canadian Rebecca Howard and Roquefort won the CCI2* but Americans Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot and Philip Dutton and Mighty Nice rounded out the top three. In the CCI1* Will Coleman and Zipp added just a few time cross country time penalties and a rail in stadium to their dressage score to win on a 47.80.

Please visit http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/64.html for complete results and www.bromont3dayevent.com for more information.

Jumping
Numerous jumping competitions took place around the globe this past week, but Spruce Meadows in Calgary had the majority of the U.S. entries.

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Charlotte Jacobs Scores Winning Ribbons at HITS Saugerties

Charlotte Jacobs and Bring It On won the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship at HITS Saugerties III. Photo By: James Parker/ Kathy Russell, The Book LLC.

East Aurora, NY – June 14, 2011 – Junior rider Charlotte Jacobs continued her winning ways this past weekend at HITS Saugerties during Week III of the prestigious event. After a very impressive showing at the Devon Horse Show, she scored victories in the Junior Hunters, the WIHS Equitation, and the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers with her talented string of horses.

In the hunter ring, Jacobs and her top mount Bring It On took home the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship. The duo won two classes, including the handy, and also earned two second place ribbons and a third place ribbon to secure the division’s top prize. “Bring It On had a week off between Saugerties and Devon,” explained Jacobs. “I think that helped, he felt great and he went perfectly.”

Later in the jumper ring, Jacobs scored top ribbons with three of her mounts. She was aboard Karonda V Schl’hof CH to earn the winning prize in two of the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper classes, and later placed second with a double clear effort in the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic aboard Umberto. In the Medium Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Jacobs scored a second place ribbon with Robin.

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USEF Names List of Qualified Riders for USEF Youth Reining National Championship

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the list of Youth Reining Riders who have qualified for the USEF Youth Reining National Championships to be held in conjunction with the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City on July 2, 2011. The USEF will award Youth National Championship titles in three age categories: 13 and under, 14-18, and 19-21 age divisions.  The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011.

More information regarding this event, including the prize list is available here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allreining/developingYR.aspx.

2011 USEF Youth Reining Championships Qualified Riders:

13 & Under
Stephen Timberlake
Rylee Justus
S. Alexandra Fuller
Olivia Hartman
Nick Taylor
Caroline Gute
Jordan Eddy

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The Bromont International Driving: A Unique Opportunity in Canada

Chester Weber wins the 2010 Bromont International Driving. Photo Credit: Normand St-Jacques.

Bromont, Quebec, June 15, 2011 – The Bromont International Driving celebrates its 10th anniversary and invites you to join us!

On the picturesque setting of the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in the Eastern Townships, the Bromont International Driving is getting ready for its 10th edition. The only FEI Combined Driving show in Canada, Bromont International Driving is proud to host some of the best drivers of the sports’ elite on one of the best sites in the country.

Last year’s 9th edition was particularly successful: the show allowed participating drivers a chance to qualify for the Kentucky World Games. Moreover, the International hosted a record 8 four-horse driving teams including talented American driver Chester Weber, an honor for the competition.

For its 10th edition, the Bromont International Driving is hoping to host even more driving teams. Amongst our officials this year, we are happy to count FEI Judge Marsoe Larose and returning course designer Gunnar Larsson, who was here in 2007.

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HSBC FEI Classics Leader King Heads for Luhmühlen

Mary King – leader of the HSBC Rankings - is all set for HSBC FEI Classics in Luhmühlen with Apache Sauce © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 15 June 2011 – The unstoppable Mary King (GBR), who moved to the number one spot in the HSBC Rankings at the beginning of this month, indicated at the start of the year that the HSBC FEI Classics were going to be a major goal for 2011.

The 50-year-old’s plan is certainly going splendidly so far, and she now heads to the third of the five legs, Luhmühlen presented by E.ON Avacon (GER), with a strong 10-point lead in the HSBC FEI Classics series over Mark Todd (NZL), who does not have a ride at Germany’s premier event which starts tomorrow (16-19 June).

King, who has had a storming season so far with a third place at Badminton and a record one-two at Kentucky, rides the veteran Apache Sauce. He is a white-faced chestnut with great character and a definite “sense of humour”, but several of King’s CCI4* placings in the past few seasons, including seventh at Burghley last year, have been thanks to the 15-year-old gelding by Endoli.

King’s compatriots Piggy French and William Fox-Pitt both have a strong interest in earning more HSBC FEI Classics points. Fox-Pitt, the series champion in 2008 and 2010, rides the Argentine Thoroughbred Macchiato, his winning mount here in 2008, and French, runner-up at Badminton, brings the rising star Flying Machine to his first CCI4*.

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Draper Equine Advisory Board Member Michael Tokaruk Dominates Germantown Charity Horse Show Grand Prix

Grand Prix show jumper Michael Tokaruk, a Draper Equine Therapy Advisory Board member, dominated the Germantown Charity Horse Show Grand Prix, placing first, second and fifth in the class.

Germantown, TN (June 14, 2011) – Grand Prix show jumper Michael Tokaruk, a Draper Equine Therapy Advisory Board member, dominated the Grand Prix ring at the Germantown Charity Horse Show in Germantown, Tennessee. In the $25,000 Grand Prix, Tokaruk placed first on Roger Rabbit owned by Castle Point Farm LLC, second on his own horse Lord Byron and fifth on Gama Righter Z, owned by Peggy Jones of Germantown.

“This is the second time I have won the Germantown Charity Horse Show Grand Prix,” Tokaruk said. “The first time was on Lord Byron in 2005. Germantown has always been a fun event and a highlight on the local calendar.”

Tokaruk added that the excitement of the Germantown Grand Prix was topped off by unpredictable weather. “The weather was very hot all week and severe storms rolled through just in time for the jump-off to begin,” he said. “The rain started when I was on my second jump-off horse, Roger Rabbit, and really opened up for my last horse Lord Byron. We didn’t let it faze us, however, and the weather provided a very dramatic ending. The horses were all fantastic and I am thrilled to have a nice string of mounts to show in the grand prix right now.”

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Brave Heart Claims 24th Grand Prix with Win in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix

Lindsay Gersoff Has Children’s Hunter Classic Hat Trick

Bjorn Ikast and Brave Heart win the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — Bjorn Ikast and Brave Heart, frequent Grand Prix winners, led the victory gallop during the first week of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix. This win brought Brave Heart’s career victories to 24. Riders universally praised Hector Loyola’s technical course, saying that he asked all the right questions at the right times.

“I thought this was a fantastic Grand Prix course,” Ikast said. “It has a lovely international flavor; you really had to ride this course.” Ikast was pleased with his elastic, seasoned horse over Loyola’s track that included two combinations away from the in-gate and two back-to-back liverpools. Ikast credited the course and the footing for providing spectators with quality riding throughout the class. He explained, “We saw only good show jumping. This is the best we’ve ever felt this footing. With the rain we got a good spring [from the ground].”

To keep Brave Heart fresh, this was his first and only class during the show. The strategy clearly worked; the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding bucked and played around the course. Ikast said it may have been one of Brave Heart’s best Grand Prix. “He didn’t even touch one rail; he felt really good,” he said.

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It’s Show Time at the June 21-25 Fairfield County Hunt Club Horse Show in Westport, Conn.

Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward aboard Vocas owned by Louisburg Farm, winner of 2010 Fairfield Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 14, 2011 – It’s Show Time! Experience the thrilling sport of show jumping at the Fairfield County Hunt Club Benefit Horse Show on Tuesday-Saturday, June 21-25, 2011 at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut.

This exciting five-day AA-Rated show is fun for everyone, a great family activity and offers free admission to all throughout the week. The event showcases the full range of equestrian competition, from lead line toddlers to Grand Prix Olympic Gold Medal riders. In addition, numerous fashion boutiques will be on sight throughout the week selling one of a kind clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, and household items. There will also be a display of Buick and GMC vehicles. Some additional activities include the Fashion & Art Show on Wednesday, the “Horseless Horseshow” on Thursday, and the Pet Parade on Friday. Spectators are welcome to take advantage of the full service food and beverage concession offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Amore dei Cani, Bella Tu, Charles Ancona New York, Laszlo Accessories, Preppy Player, Skid Row, The Snappy Gator, Stella Dot, True Blue, and Voltaire Design Inc. will joining us in the Paddock Boutiques this year, along with Beval Saddlery Ltd., Agriventures Agway, Official Feed & Bedding Supplier, and Reflections Photography, Official Photographer, in Vendor Row.

Continue reading It’s Show Time at the June 21-25 Fairfield County Hunt Club Horse Show in Westport, Conn.