Category Archives: Competitions

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

Romania’s Bogdan Takes Individual Title as Bulgaria Scoops Team Gold

Leave a comment
(L to R) the gold medal winning Bulgarian team of Veselin Petrov, Svetlin Ivanov and Illyan Iskarov with (on right) newly-crowned Individual Balkan Eventing Champion Milashcon Bogdan from Romania.

Romania’s Milashkon Bogdan claimed individual gold at the 2011 FEI Balkan Eventing Championships in Shumen, Bulgaria last Sunday.  The host nation’s Iliyan Iskarov slotted into silver medal position ahead of fellow-countryman Veselin Petrov in bronze while the only other finisher, Bulgaria’s Svetlin Ivanov, was fourth – thus ensuring a clear-cut victory for Bulgaria in the team championship.

A total of eight horse-and-rider partnerships started the competition, and it was Romania’s Viorel Bubau and the seven year old chestnut mare, Arctic, who held the lead after dressage when producing a test that earned 53.94 from the Ground Jury that consisted of Germany’s Carl Heinz Boess (President), Katherina Luchechi (ITA), Yuri Valev (BUL) and Peter Eck (BUL).

CLOSE BEHIND
Bogdan and his 10 year old Westphalian mare, Lady Kera, were close behind on a score of 53.91 in second place however, so when the leader, and third-placed Ozhan Sezer (Pinar) from Turkey, were eliminated on cross-country day then the score-board changed dramatically.

Continue reading Romania’s Bogdan Takes Individual Title as Bulgaria Scoops Team Gold →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Sydney Masters-Durieux

Stransky Mission Farm’s Team Step by Step Riders Top Competition at Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

Leave a comment

Trainer & Teens Champion Children’s Charity & Take Lead in $30k Challenge & Junior Competitions

Hector Florentino piloting Ultimo to victory in the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Photo by Rebecca Walton, Phelps Media

Lexington KY – May 15, 2011 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held May 11-15, featured the exciting debut of the 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series, consisting of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2011 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $45,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series. The top riders from across the nation gathered to compete over a challenging course during the lead off event on Thursday night’s $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2*. At the end of the two round competition, it was Hector Florentino aboard Stransky Mission Farm’s Ultimo in the winner’s circle.

Florentino, the head trainer and rider at Stransky Mission Farm in Wellington, Florida, now leads in the standings. The talented rider from the Dominican Republic is not only riding for owner Liliane Stransky but is a member of “Team Step by Step,” a group of riders of different levels, ages, and countries, who compete on the Hunter & Jumper A-Circuit to help raise awareness and funds for her international children’s charity, Step by Step Foundation (www.stepbystepfoundation.com).

Continue reading Stransky Mission Farm’s Team Step by Step Riders Top Competition at Kentucky Spring Horse Shows →

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

Baldwin in the Driving Seat in FEI World Cup Eventing at Chatsworth

Leave a comment
Emily Baldwin (GBR) celebrates victory at Chatsworth (GBR), the third leg of FEI World Cup Eventing 2011, with by Michel Asseray (FRA). Photo: FEI/Fiona Scott-Maxwell.

Lausanne (SUI), 16 May 2011 – British riders got their chance to make an impression on the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 leaderboard when, at the third leg, Emily Baldwin (GBR) spearheaded a one-two-three for the home side at Chatsworth (GBR).

Baldwin and the Dutch-bred Drivetime have a reputation as CIC3* specialists and won the FEI World Cup event at Haras du Pin (FRA) last year, a competition that Baldwin has signalled she will be returning to in August in her quest for further points.

Victory at Chatsworth was compensation for an unfortunate Badminton, when the pair stopped at the lake. As a result, Baldwin was seen riding strongly into Chatsworth’s imposing water fences.

“I’m relieved,” she smiled afterwards. “Drivetime has redeemed himself. He jumped into the second water, which was bigger than Badminton, absolutely fine, and his dressage and jumping were really good, so I’m pleased with him.”

Continue reading Baldwin in the Driving Seat in FEI World Cup Eventing at Chatsworth →

Competitions, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Competition Is Under Way at the 2011 Atlanta Spring Premiere and Atlanta Spring Challenge Series

Leave a comment
Hunt Tosh and Cloud Harbor. All photos: Shawn McMillen photography

May 13th, 2011 – Competition kicked off this week to beautiful sunny skies at the 2011 Atlanta Spring Premiere Horse Show at the Georgia International Horse Park in Atlanta, Georgia.  Aiken, South Carolina resident J. P. Godard and his Equus Events manage the annual two week series which takes place May 11th-15th and 18th-22nd.

The professional hunter divisions took center stage in the hunter rings on Wednesday and Thursday while the jumpers tried their hand in the International Arena at courses designed by international jumper course designer Pierre Jolicoeur.  Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA had a stellar start to the week coming away with three tricolors on three Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler owned entries.  Tosh took home the First Year Green Hunter Championship aboard Triton Z, the Second Year Green Hunter Championship on Good Humor, and the Conformation Hunter Championship aboard Cloud Harbor.  Tosh is no stranger to the winners circle as he capped off an incredible 2010 season with a win in the coveted $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby finals in Lexington, KY on Lonestar as well as a Grand Hunter Championship and Leading Hunter Rider award at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, just to name a few.  He was also the recipient of the United Equestrian Federation’s Emerson Burr Trophy in 2010.

Continue reading Competition Is Under Way at the 2011 Atlanta Spring Premiere and Atlanta Spring Challenge Series →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Irish Clinch Victory in Thrilling Season-Opener at La Baule

Leave a comment
Irish eyes were smiling at La Baule in France today when (L to R) Billy Twomey, Cian O'Connor, Shane Sweetnam and Cameron Hanley won the opening leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup. Photo: FEI/Christophe Bricot.

La Baule, 13 May 2011 – Ireland won the opening leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup series in a nail-biting thriller at La Baule in France today. On an afternoon when the form-book was turned on its head, Robert Splaine’s side of Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco), Billy Twomey (Romanov), Cian O’Connor (Larkhill Cruiser) and Cameron Hanley (VDL Southwind) produced superb jumping to finish with a two-fault advantage over the runners-up from Belgium, while the mighty German side had to settle for third spot in the eight-nation clash.

Nations Cup jumping is never predictable, which is one of the reasons for its continuing popularity more than a century after it all began.  But few could have expected that the host country – defending series champion and winners on their home turf in 2010 – would finish second-last, followed only by the newcomers from Denmark.  On a difficult day for the Danes, already disadvantaged by the withdrawal of second-line rider Emilie Martinsen after her horse, Caballero, suffered a colic attack, they retired early in the second round.  So they go into the next leg in Rome (ITA) in two weeks’ time already trailing on the leaderboard, and with a mountain to climb if they are to survive their debut-season at the elite level of this super-tough sport.

A FEW SURPRISES
Course designer, Frederic Cottier, appeared to have been quite lenient as the competition began, but by the end of the first round there had already been a few surprises including elimination for World No. 1 Kevin Staut whose mare, Silvana de Hus, stopped twice at the penultimate combination to the dismay of the home crowd.

Continue reading Irish Clinch Victory in Thrilling Season-Opener at La Baule →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Racing, Show Jumping

44th Annual High Hope Steeplechase Returns on Sunday, May 22

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY, May 13, 2011 – After a one year hiatus to make room for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, High Hope Steeplechase Day – a Lexington area fan favorite for 44 years – returns to its home at the Kentucky Horse Park on Sunday, May 22, 2011.

High Hope Steeplechase is now Lexington horse lovers’ only chance to enjoy the beauty and excitement of live Steeplechase racing combined with lots of family fun and entertainment, all in a country fair setting.

As an added special feature on High Hope Day will be the third running of the “Catch a Riding Star” race featuring student-jockeys currently enrolled in the North American Racing Academy.

Launched in 2006 by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System under the guidance of Hall of Fame and two-time Kentucky Winning jockey Chris McCarron, NARA is now part of Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

Continue reading 44th Annual High Hope Steeplechase Returns on Sunday, May 22 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Charlotte Jacobs Dominates St. Clements Horse Show in Saratoga

Leave a comment
Charlotte Jacobs and Bring It On. Photo Credit: Heather Bellock for Phelps Media Group

East Aurora, NY – May 11, 2011 – Junior rider Charlotte Jacobs had an impressive weekend as she competed in Saratoga, New York during the first week of the St. Clements Horse Show.

Jacobs, who has just returned from a successful trip to the European Youngsters Cup Competition in Leipzig, Germany, had an extremely successful first show back in the United States. Throughout the week, Jacobs was awarded various winning titles, including Grand Junior Hunter Champion with Bring It On.

She also accomplished a tough feat, winning all three major equitation classes at the horse show.  This included the top call in the USEF Medal, the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search class and the Washington International Horse Show Equitation, all aboard Stallone VDL who is owned by North Star Ventures.

Jacobs was also unbeatable in the jumper ring, winning the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, this time with Karonda V. Schl’Hof CH.

Continue reading Charlotte Jacobs Dominates St. Clements Horse Show in Saratoga →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Germany First to Go as 2011 FEI Nations Cup Gets Underway at La Baule Tomorrow

Leave a comment

La Baule, 12 May 2011 – The German team will be first into the ring as the 2011 FEI Nations Cup gets underway at La Baule, France tomorrow afternoon when the Dutch will have the advantage of starting last of the eight competing countries.  The draw took place today, and the running order will be as follows:

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

Fabulous weather has greeted visitors to the charming seaside town this week, and riders can look forward to excellent footing for their horses as the show-ground has undergone extensive renovation to repair the serious damage caused by a massive storm last August.  More than 50 cms of rainwater swamped the area, and the repair-work which began in September took five months to complete.  As a result of the work in the intervening period however, conditions are now better than ever, so the stage is set for a great opening round to the eight-leg top-level series.

HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS
The Chefs d’Equipe talked about their expectations for tomorrow’s competition, and for the season which will conclude in Rotterdam (NED) in August.

Continue reading Germany First to Go as 2011 FEI Nations Cup Gets Underway at La Baule Tomorrow →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

High Performance Hunter Championship Goes to Louise Serio and Do Tell at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Leave a comment
Louise Serio and Do Tell earned the High Performance Hunter Championship at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Holly Whiteman/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 12, 2011 – It was another beautiful day at the Stonelea Ring for horses and riders showing during the first week of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park.  On this summer-like day, competitors showcased their talents, leading up to the championship and reserve championship prize in the professional hunter divisions, presented later in the day.

In the High Performance Hunters, Louise Serio and Do Tell brought home the championship with two firsts and two second place finishes.  Brian Walker and Garfield garnered the reserve championship with a blue, a red and two yellows.  Serio rides Do Tell for owner/rider Bridget Hallman, who will compete in the Amateur-Owner Hunters starting tomorrow.

Hallman raved, “He’s a big sweetheart.  He really wants to try his best every time.”  Serio added, “Do Tell was really good, he hasn’t shown since Florida. He hasn’t done the working that many times anyway, so I was really happy with him. He’s such a nice horse to ride; he’s so light in his mouth, really, really nice.”

Continue reading High Performance Hunter Championship Goes to Louise Serio and Do Tell at Kentucky Spring Horse Show →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI

FEI Announces Detection Times for Meloxicam

Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 12 May 2011 – The FEI has announced detection times for Meloxicam (veterinary formulation known as Metacam), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation in the equine athlete.

The findings of studies on the use of intravenously or orally administered Meloxicam show the urine and plasma (blood) detection time as 72 hours [1].

This is the first COX-2 inhibitor on the FEI List of Detection Times, which contains common medications administered out of competition and is listed on the FEI Clean Sport website.

“We are committed to providing the tools to assist our athletes to adhere to the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping Rules, and will add further medication detection times over the coming 12 months,” explains Graeme Cooke, Director of Veterinary Department at the FEI.

Meloxicam (Metacam) is developed by Boehringer-Ingelheim.

Continue reading FEI Announces Detection Times for Meloxicam →