Category Archives: Competitions

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI

Weber Wins in Vecsés

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Chester Weber (USA) won the dressage and stayed in the lead throughout the competition in Vecsés to claim the first CAIO victory of his career. (c) Marie de Ronde-Oudemans.

Vecsés (HUN), 5 June 2011 – Chester Weber, the USA’s top four-in-hand driver, has won the international combined driving competition in Vecsés, Hungary this weekend. Weber took the lead in the dressage and held onto the top spot throughout the weekend. Dutch driver Koos de Ronde was runner-up, ahead of Vecsés-organizer József Dobrovitz, but it was the home side Hungary that won the nations competition, ahead of The Netherlands and Germany.

Birthday present
Chester Weber celebrated his 36th birthday on 3 June with the victory in the dressage competition at Vecsés. The five O-judges, chaired by Dr Franz-Josef Vetter from Germany, were impressed and unanimously awarded Weber’s test first place. Chester used Jane F. Clark’ s two KWPN-geldings Uniek and Splash, which previously formed the pair of US pair driver Keady Cadwell. Before the dressage, Chester had some discussions with his trainer Michael Freund about whether or not to use the new horses at Vecsés, but Chester decided he had to try them somewhere. Chester got his way; the team went beautifully and put down a fantastic performance. József Dobrovitz came second in the dressage, ahead of Zoltán Lázár.

Marathon heat
The marathon was won by Werner Ulrich of Switzerland. Ulrich drove his team of three Lusitanian horses and a Swiss-bred gelding very fast through the eight difficult obstacles, designed by Gabor Fintha from Hungary. The thermometer at the start of the marathon indicated no less than 39 degrees Celsius, but the Portuguese Lusitanian horses proved that they are used to the heat and took Ulrich into first place. Koos de Ronde had to take an extra loop in the last obstacle which cost him precious seconds and the victory in this exciting phase. Zoltán Lázár finished third in the marathon. Weber was further down the order in sixth, but still held onto the overall lead going into the cones.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Racing

The Epsom Derby, England, 5th June, 2011, Won by French Colt – Pour Moi

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5th June, 2011 – Queen Elizabeth ll’s dream of finally winning the Epsom Derby with ‘Carlton House’ was crushed by an electric burst of acceleration from a French trained colt ‘Pour Moi’. Carlton House, a gift to the Queen from Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed, carried the hopes of many after widespread media coverage prior to Her Majesty’s 10th attempt to win the world’s greatest flat race.

Pour Moi, trained by Chantilly-based Andre Fabre and ridden by teenage Derby debutant Mickael Barzalona, gave a scintillating performance to stun the crowd of royal supporters, Andre having had nine previous attempts himself to win this greatest of accolades.

Sired by the great Montjeu who now stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, Pour Moi is owned by the Tabor, Magnier and Smith partnership who now not only look forward to a slice of the £1.2m prize money but riches much greater in future stud fees that a triumph in this Classic will generate.

By LYNN LAWSON

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Fundraisers, HITS, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Captures 2nd Grand Prix Victory in a Row in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Domino cruised to victory in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 4, 2011) — McLain Ward of Brewster, New York proved once again why he is considered one of the best riders in the world when he won his second Grand Prix in a row at HITS Saugerties. Just six days ago he captured the blue in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard his own Oh’D Eole. This time around Ward, riding Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino, edged out 35 other starters to take home the top prize in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Aside from being a coveted Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix qualifier, Friday’s class also benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Canadian Danny Foster set the course which featured 16 efforts in the first round, including a triple combination mid-way through the route that proved troublesome for 16 of the entries in the class. “This was a difficult course and the wind was definitely a factor,” explained Ward, a decorated U.S. Olympian. “But I am excited about how well we did.”

The first clear ride of the afternoon came 11 trips into the class when Jonathan McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut rode Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables, Inc.’s Colorado to a flawless first-round finish. The next two riders to show, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, Florida with South Beach Stables’ Lapacco, and Ward aboard Domino, also went clear, making it three for the jump-off with just about half of the class left to show.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Dutch Do the Double at St. Gallen

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L to R: Peter Stoessel, CSIO St-Gallen President; John Roche, FEI Director of Jumping and Dutch team-members Eric Van Der Vleuten, Maikel Van Der Vleuten, Chef d’equipe Rob Ehrens, Piet Raymakers Jr and Jur Vrieling. Photo: FEI/Katja Stuppia.

St Gallen (SUI), 3 June 2011 – The Dutch team recorded a back-to-back double when topping the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup series at St. Gallen, Switzerland today.  Just a week after sweeping to victory in Rome (ITA), they produced another stunning performance which promoted them to the top of the leaderboard going to the next leg of the series in Falsterbo (SWE) next month.

The unpredictability of Nations Cup Jumping has rarely been more graphically illustrated than by the swings of fortune in today’s competition.  There were high expectations for the defending champions from France, but once again things did not go their way and pathfinder, Kevin Staut, was eliminated for the second time in the current series.  The German team withdrew when things fell apart for them in the second round and the Irish, heading the leaderboard, struggled to finish in front of the Danes who slotted into eighth place.

The Swiss were the surprise package of the day.  Relegated at the end of last season, they came out with all guns blazing to finish equal-second with the resilient British while the Americans started strongly, but faded in the second round to finish fourth.

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Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Draw Report, Round 3

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USA HEADS THE START-LIST FOR ROUND THREE AT ST GALLEN by Louise Parkes

L to R - Peter Stossel, President CSIO St Gallen, John Roche, FEI Jumping Director and Henk Nooren, Chef d'Equipe for the French team. Photo: FEI/Katja Stuppia.

St Gallen (SUI), 2 June 2011 – The American team will be first into the ring for tomorrow’s third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup at St Gallen, Switzerland.  A total of nine nations will compete, as the Swiss, who were relegated at the end of last season, join the eight Top League countries for a guest appearance on their home ground.

And the host nation looks strong, with Steve Guerdat (Jalisca Solier), Werner Muff (Kiamon), Jannike Sprunger (Uptown Boy) and Pius Schwizer (Carlina) ready to show that their country is still a force to be reckoned with.  The teams will start the first round of the competition in the following order:  1, USA; 2, Denmark; 3, Germany; 4, The Netherlands; 5, Ireland; 6, Belgium; 7, France; 8, Switzerland; 9, Great Britain.

BIG ATMOSPHERE
The generous dimensions of the St Gallen arena helps create a big atmosphere and tremendous competition at this popular annual fixture, and, as Dutch Chef d’Equipe, Rob Ehrens, said last week after leading his team to victory in Rome (ITA): “It will be great to be back jumping on grass again at St Gallen.  When the footing is good on grass, then there’s nothing better!”

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Draw Report, Round 3 →

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Pan American Games, Show Jumping, USEF

This Week in International Disciplines – June 1, 2011

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Dressage

Dressage preparations for the Pan American Games continued as Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I competition took place at CDIs across the country. Jan Ebeling swept the small tour at CDI Flintridge with Rosenzauber 8, scoring 70.263% in the Prix St Georges, 70.702% in the Intermediaire I and 70.292% in the Freestyle.

For complete results please visit www.cornerstonedressage.com/results/2011_7.pdf.

At the CDI Lexington, Lisa Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU dominated the Small Tour. They scored 71.008% in the Prix St. Georges and 76.624% in the Intermediaire I. Claire Darnell won the Intermediaire I Freestyle with a score 73.458%.

For more information, please visit: http://www.kentuckydressageassociation.org/.

In the small tour at CDI Allentown in New Jersey, Canadian Ashley Holzer took the top spot in the Prix St. Georges, but Cesar Parra, the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Champion, was second on Grandioso with a score of 70.395%. Holzer continued her winning ways in the Intermediaire I, where Endel Ots took second with Toscano on a score of 69.430%. Parra then went on to win the Freestyle with a score of 72.417% Holzer also won the Grand Prix on her veteran Pop Art, local rider Lauren Sammis was second with Sagacious HF with a score of 67.851%. They repeated the one-two placings in the Grand Prix Freestyle.  Melissa Taylor was third behind Sammis in the Grand Prix but led the victory celebration in the Grand Prix Special with Schumacker Solyst on a score of 65.792%.

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

Atlanta Summer Classic June 15-26

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Just a reminder that the Atlanta Summer Classic is just two weeks from today.  We have lots planned and should be a great two weeks in Conyers.

Week One –
$25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby
$35,000 Grand Prix
$2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic
USEF Emerson Burr Grant competition for Pony Riders

Tuesday between the shows – USHJA Clinics – No Charge
Pony Model Clinic – 11am – Under the covered Arena
Water Jump Clinic – 1 pm – Under the covered Arena

Week Two-
$2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic
$3,500 Gamblers Choice & Outback Steakhouse Charity Dinner
$35,000 Grand Prix
USHJA “Just Ask the Judges” Clinic – Thursday after the show.

Call with questions or for stall reservations; we still not are sure about the tent this year: 843 768 5503.

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

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

Jumper & Hunter Highlights to Be Featured at Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville)

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The Classique Internationale De Blainville (Jumping Blainville) is preparing for World-Class Competition. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Blainville, Quebec – May 31, 2011 – As part of promoting the sport of show jumping for young riders, the Classique Internationale de Blainville (Jumping Blainville) will be hosting the FEI Children for East Canada class on Saturday July 16, with the second round Sunday July 17, in the Grand Prix Ring.

Riders born between January 1st 1997 and December 31st 1999 are eligible to compete. Each tour consists of two competitions run over different courses by a Course Designer designated by the FEI. Riders have access to the course through the FEI’s web site, and competitive equality is created by having all athletes execute a course identically built in each country.  Thirty-two athletes will be qualified to participate in the Finals, which is organised with borrowed horses.  This exciting event offers the opportunity for children to ride at the level of international competitors, while pursing their Olympic dreams.

Another highlight event at Jumping Blainville will be the Non Pro Nations Cup, sponsored by L’Oréal Canada, Ombrelle, where teams of three riders compete for $5,000 in prize money.  For the past two years, teams have named and dressed up to represent their group.  This is a crowd favourite where everyone cheers for their chosen team, while riders learn to compete and work as a group.

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

Optical Illusion Makes Magic in USEA Preliminary Three-Day at the Virginia Horse Trials

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Hope Nicyper-Meryman and Optical Illusion lead the victory gallop as winners of the Preliminary Three-Day. Leslie Mintz/USEA Photo

What could likely be the very last Classic Preliminary Level Event at the Virginia Horse Trials concluded today in Lexington, Virginia. Seven riders entered the SmartPak Equine/USEA Preliminary Three-Day Event, five started the competition, four completed all the phases of Endurance Day, but only one took home the blue ribbon.

Seventeen-year-old Hope Nicyper-Meryman traveled with her own ten-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Optical Illusion, from Pine Plains, New York to tackle the Preliminary Three-Day. Despite being the youngest competitor by nearly ten years, Hope proved she had what it took to win by adding no jumping penalties to her dressage score of 39.8.

“I competed in the Training Three-Day competition at GMHA about four years ago and absolutely loved it,” said Hope. “So when I was thinking about a goal for this year I looked at the calendar and decided that the Preliminary Three-Day would work well with my school schedule. I have been preparing since January, and it was all worth it as there is nothing like the feeling of doing steeplechase on a fast Thoroughbred.”

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Pan American Games, USEF

Road to Pan American Games Runs through Raleigh’s Capital Dressage Classic

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Raleigh, NC – Some of the dressage world’s best-known horse and rider teams will be wowing spectators at the 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic, June 3-5, 2011, at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, NC.  Among just a few of the world class riders who will be competing are Michael Barisone , Jim Koford, Susan Dutta, Lars Peterson, Karen Lipp, Shannon Dueck, Caroline Roffman, Tami Batts, Chris Hickey, Arlene Page and Julio Cesar Mendoza-Loor.

Scores will be updated and available on the web within minutes of each ride throughout the competition to give enthusiasts around the world a virtual front row seat.  Along with the 2011 Pan American Games qualifying classes, the show is an official qualifying competition for the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Championship; Intermediaire I Championship; FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships; USEF “Brentina Cup” Championships; 2011 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program; and the 2011 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by the Dutta Corp & PSI).

The 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic, hosted by the NC Dressage and Combined Training Association, will be managed for the first time by Regina Antonioli of California. As the chairman of the USDF Competition committee, Antonioli believes Raleigh’s Capital Dressage Classic is an essential part of the high-performance competition calendar.

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