Category Archives: Competitions

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.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, USEF

Tucker Johnson Returns to the Dixon Oval to Claim the Devon Pleasure Carriage Drive Championship

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Tucker Johnson at Devon (Photo courtesy of Alden Corrigan and Meg Wiederseim).

Devon, PA – One of the highlights of Memorial Day weekend is the Devon Pleasure Carriage Drive from St. David’s Church through the tree-lined neighborhoods along the 4-½ mile route to the Dixon Oval. The images of majestic animals pulling magnificently maintained coaches draw crowds of spectators and tailgaters alike, both at St. David’s and along the Pleasure Carriage Drive route to the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

The event begins with competitors assembling in one of St. David’s fields surrounded by throngs of tailgaters for the initial judging by division (Horses, Ponies, Light Commercial and Farmers) before they are permitted to begin their journey to the Dixon Oval. The judges are looking to see if the vehicle has the proper appointments, if the turnout is correct, if the right horses are hooked up to the right vehicle, and if people are dressed reasonably, but not necessarily in period outfits.

Once the competitors begin their drive, they are judged on their performance by road judges placed strategically along the route. The road judges watch the competitors working on the road, and look for obvious mistakes like failing to stop at a stop sign, if horses gallop up the hill and have a problem, go too fast down a hill, or if they are crowding another carriage and don’t use their whip correctly.

Continue reading Tucker Johnson Returns to the Dixon Oval to Claim the Devon Pleasure Carriage Drive Championship →

Competitions, Events, HITS, Show Jumping

McLain Ward and Oh’ D Eole Win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (May 30, 2011) — Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward is on the road to the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix after a big win aboard his own Oh’ D Eole in Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to highlight HITS-on-the-Hudson I. Ward, of Brewster, New York, won the inaugural Pfizer Million last year and has his sights set on this year’s event on Sunday, September 11.

“This was a good class,” said Ward, moments after his victory gallop on Sunday afternoon. “It was difficult enough with a lot of technical questions, but it was intelligent and rode nicely. I think the weather was great and a little on the warm side, which can make a big difference.”

The course for Sunday’s $50,000 Grand Prix was designed by Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Ellenton, Florida, who made his debut this week at HITS-on-the-Hudson. “I think the footing in this ring [Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium] is the best footing I’ve ever seen anywhere,” said Gamarra. “The horses have improved all week long and the footing has played a big part in that.”

Continue reading McLain Ward and Oh’ D Eole Win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Danielle Torano and Katina Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

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© ESI Photography. Danielle Torano and Katina cruise to a victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (May 28, 2011) — The road to the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix made its highly-anticipated return to HITS-on-the-Hudson on Friday with the first of 14 Grand Prix Qualifiers that will take place in Saugerties this show season. Danielle Torano of SW Ranches, Florida captured the win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard her own Katina to kick off what promises to be a fantastic weekend of show jumping at HITS Saugerties.

A night of wild thunderstorms rolled through the Hudson Valley on late Thursday night and paved the way for a beautiful day of warm weather on Friday, which set the stage for a perfect afternoon of show jumping in the beautiful Strongid C 2X Stadium. The course for the class was set by Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Ellenton, Florida. Two-time Olympic Medalist Leslie Burr Howard of Darien, Connecticut was the first rider of the class to go clear aboard The Utah Group’s Utah. Andrew Bourns of Wellington, Florida soon joined Burr-Howard in the jump-off with a clear ride of his own aboard Gowran Park. By the end of the first round nine riders advanced to the jump-off, including Torano and her relatively new horse Katina.

“The triple combination was by far the most difficult,” explained Torano of the first round. “It was heading toward the in-gate and came at a slight bend, so you really needed to focus and get your horse to focus. But Katina is the sort of horse that really gives you her all and puts her heart into the ride.”

Continue reading Danielle Torano and Katina Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events

Colorado Horse Park Three Day Event and June High Prairie Dressage Canceled

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Parker, CO — In order to add one more buffer week to ensure that there is no possibility of EHV-1 infection at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), the organization has canceled the following events scheduled for June 2-5, 2011: Colorado Horse Park Three Day Event and June High Prairie Dressage. This is merely a precautionary measure; no horse exposed to the virus has been on the property. In fact, no horses with EHV-1 symptoms have been identified in Douglas County. FEI veterinarian and CHP consultant, Terry Swanson D.V.M., stated that he believes there is very little likelihood of EHV-1 being discovered at the Park and he felt that the extra buffer week would lay the issue to rest.

“We wanted riders and owners to be absolutely confident that their horses were safe at The Colorado Horse Park,” explained Helen Krieble, founder and president of The Colorado Horse Park. “Our hearts truly go out to the competitors who were planning on showing next week. We are truly sorry for them. However, we want everyone to feel extremely certain about the remainder of the season.” Of course, riders who have already entered the CHP Three Day Event and June High Prairie Dressage Show will receive full refunds.

The remainder of CHP’s show season will run as scheduled, beginning with the first week of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit on June 8, 2011. “I am confident that with the additional buffer week, the 2011 horse show season will not only be able to continue, but will be extremely successful,” Krieble stated.

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, JRPR, Para-Equestrian

Parelli Natural Horsemanship Student and Canadian Para-Equestrian Lauren Barwick Judges Special Olympics

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Lauren Barwick judged the Special Olympics Equestrian Games in Tampa, Florida, recently and said the event “put a smile on her face.” (Photo courtesy of Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center)

Tampa, FL (May 27, 2011) – Canadian Para-Equestrian Team member Lauren Barwick, a paraplegic who won Gold and Silver Medals in the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, recently spent the weekend in Tampa, Florida, serving as a judge for the Special Olympics Equestrian Games. Barwick, a Four Star Parelli Instructor and a Senior Protégé in the Mastery program at Linda and Pat Parelli’s Natural Horsemanship Program, said the weekend was not only inspiring for her but “put a big smile on my face.”

Barwick, who broke her back in an accident and is paralyzed from the waist down, said she was impressed with the talent and skills of the riders. “As a Parelli student and Instructor I was pleased with the level of horsemanship and the behavior of the horses,” Barwick said. “If only mainstream competitive horses could present themselves as well!  My favorite entry was a young man who was riding a mule. The mule was great and had such an awesome expression; I would have taken him home if I could have.”

Barwick stayed busy during the Special Olympics, judging four dressage classes on Friday, three showmanship and 23 equitation classes on Saturday. “The horses all were presented great and the riders all looked wonderful, from their shined boots, riding jackets, black helmets or cowboy hats,” she said. “I’m very grateful that there are programs and people who are committed to such a great cause.”

Continue reading Parelli Natural Horsemanship Student and Canadian Para-Equestrian Lauren Barwick Judges Special Olympics →

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

U.S. Second in Young Rider Nations Cup at CSIOY Reims

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Reims, France – The USEF European Young Rider Tour continued its successful trip through Europe with another second-place finish in the Nations Cup at CSIOY Reims. Runners-up in Belgium the previous weekend, the Young Riders continued their successful European effort.

Catherine Pasmore led off the U.S. team, rebounding from a 13-fault first round on My Boy to improve to eight faults in round two. Karen Polle rode With Wings in the second position to a six-fault effort in the first round but only picked up one time fault in round two. Reed Kessler had the best result, jumping two double clear rounds on Onisha which kept the momentum going and then Jessica Springsteen picked up a time fault in each round – but also added a rail in the second round on Vornado van den Hoendrik. The 16-fault effort left the team second behind the Netherlands who finished on nine faults.

Katie Prudent served as Chef d’Equipe.

Thursday was an extremely successful day for the U.S. riders in preparation for the Nations Cup. Catherine Pasmore won convincingly on Van David in CSIO YR PX Conseil General de la Marne over her two teammates, Karen Polle on With Wings, who was second, and Jessica Springsteen on Cincinatti La Silla who was third. Reed Kessler and Onisha finished seventh, Richard Neal on Transmission was ninth and Pasmore was 10th on her second horse My Boy.

In the CSIO Juniors 1.25m Meg O’Mara was third with Smeagle.

Jumping continues throughout the weekend.

Please see http://www.jump-results.com/OPEN/reims11.htm for more information.

Read Catherine Pasmore’s blog here: http://www.catherineusa2011.blogspot.com/.

Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Round 2

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DUTCH DOMINATE IN ROME by Louise Parkes

The Dutch team won the second leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup at the Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA) today. L to R: Eric van der Vleuten, Harrie Smolders, Chef d'Equipe Rob Ehrens, Jeroen Dubbeldam and Gerco Schroder. Photo: FEI/Bruno di Lorenzo.

Rome (ITA), 27 May 2011 – The Netherlands secured a convincing victory in the second leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup series in Rome (ITA) today where the Belgians were runners-up ahead of the Irish in third.

This was only the second time for a Dutch side to come out on top at the Piazza di Siena, and two of today’s team – Jeroen Dubbeldam and Eric van der Vleuten – were also on the winning side back in 2004.  The smoothness of their success was such that anchorman Dubbeldam did not have to return to the arena in round two because the result was already decided, and the Dutch now go to the next leg at St Gallen (SUI) next Friday lying third on the leaderboard, while the Belgians are in second and the Irish retain the driving seat.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Giovanni Bussu’s 12-fence track provided plenty of food for thought, with faults evenly spread but the open water proving the bogey of the day.

The French were in charge at the half-way stage, counting just two time faults when both Penelope Leprevost (Mylord Carthago HN) and Simon Delestre (Couletto) missed the 80-second time limit in otherwise faultless runs, and anchorman Michel Robert (Kellemoi de Pepita) went clear.  The Belgians were next in line carrying five while the USA was in third carrying eight.  The Dutch and British were lying joint-fourth with nine faults apiece but the Irish had already accumulated 13, so seemed unlikely to repeat their spectacular win at the opening leg in La Baule two weeks ago.

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Round 2 →

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

FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Draw Report, Round 2

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IT’S ALL EYES ON THE IRISH IN ROME by Louise Parkes

Larkhill Cruiser – Cian O'connor (IRL) - A member of the winning team. Copyright: Christoph Bricot/FEI

Rome, 26 May 2011 – The Irish team are hot favourites to win the second leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup series in Rome (ITA) tomorrow, but they got the worst of the draw today and so will be first into the ring as the action gets underway in the stunning surroundings of the Piazza di Siena.  A total of nine teams will line out in this leg of the elite eight-nation tournament, as the host country makes a guest appearance on home turf.

The order-of-go for tomorrow’s competition is as follows: 1, Ireland; 2, France; 3, USA; 4, The Netherlands; 5, Denmark; 6, Germany; 7, Italy; 8, Great Britain; 9, Belgium.

PROSPECTS
Discussing team prospects this evening, Belgian Chef d’Equipe, Philipp Guerdat, said that “everyone has a chance, but the Irish are very strong because they have been winning everywhere!”  Robert Splaine’s side stormed to victory in the opening leg of the FEI Nations Cup in La Baule, France two weeks ago, and then another Irish selection topped the podium at the FEI Promotional League in Copenhagen, Denmark a week later.  It seems they are the hottest team in town.

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup 2011 – Draw Report, Round 2 →

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Eventing Radio Episode 138 by Bit of Britain – Rolex Day 3 XC

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Cross Country day wrap up show done live from the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Listen as Chris reviews the day with Mary King, Clayton Fredericks, Boyd Martin, Sinead Halpin and many more. Tune in right here…

Eventing Radio Episode 138 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: Chronicle of the Horse
  • Guest: Boyd Martin
  • Guest: Clayton Fredericks
  • Guest: Mary King
  • Guest: Bobby Costello
  • Guest: Michael Pollard
  • Guest: Sinead Halpin
  • Guest: Natalie Pollard
  • Guest: Hugh Lochore
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING show will be live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011 from 4-5:30pm Eastern.

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