Category Archives: Competitions

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Competitions, Disciplines, Events, Racing

Animal Kingdom Surges to Win 137th Kentucky Derby

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When they opened the gates on the 137th Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom came away cleanly from his auxiliary gate post, and settled kindly for Velazquez well behind the honest pace set by Shackleford (Forestry). That blaze-faced chestnut, who had been training up a storm under the Twin Spires, lived up to that reputation by getting his first quarter in :23.24 and :48.63, and was tracked by Comma to the Top (Bwana Charlie) and Decisive Moment (With Distinction). Meanwhile, favored Dialed In (Mineshaft) was a long way last. For a 19-horse field, there appeared to be a minimum of rough trips, and Animal Kingdom raced in the three path down the backstretch. “We were between horses and he was going well,” said his rider. As Velazquez began to gather his mount approaching the three-eighths pole, Animal Kingdom’s engine roared to life, and the chestnut avoided a potential problem by accelerating through a seam with Santiva (Giant’s Causeway) to his outside. “When we got clear, he gave me the feeling that he had it in him [to win],” said Velazquez. Guided a bit further out, the lightly raced chestnut accelerated smartly, reeling in Nehro (Mineshaft) and surging clear in the final strides. Shackleford stayed on bravely, but succumbed late to Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) to lose third.

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

Johnstone Sets the Target with Double Down Under

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Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express wins again in Sydney at the second leg of the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011. Photo: Rachel Smith/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2011 – As anticipated, Antipodean riders seized the chance to steal a march on their northern hemisphere colleagues in the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing series by targeting the second leg, at Sydney’s Weekend of Equestrian World Cups (AUS).

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone followed up his victory at Kihikihi (NZL) last month by travelling across the Tasman Sea to pick up another win aboard Orient Express, his team bronze medal-winning mount at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

Only three riders have won two FEI World Cup events in a season: Michael Jung (GER) last year, Megan Jones (AUS) in 2009, and Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) in 2007. Johnstone’s two wins, plus a third at Kihikihi, gives him an impressive tally of 119 points.

With riders’ three best results counting towards the final rankings, which carry a first prize of €28,000 the New Zealander could prove hard to beat. He has further chances to improve his tally as he sets off for Britain this month to further his ambition of selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Show Jumping, USEF

North Florida Summer, North Florida Fall & Maclay Regional Finals

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North Florida Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that we have again been chosen by the National Horse Show to host their Maclay Regional Final Class this summer.  This class will be held at the North Florida Fall Horse Show that runs from September 2-4.  The North Florida Summer Show will precede this event and will be held on August 26-28.  Both shows are USEF “A” rated shows and are scheduled to be held at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs, FL.

We are requesting support from our Membership, Trainers, Barns and Businesses to assist us in hosting this prestigious event.  NFHJA has become known for our exhibitor hospitality and is dedicated to making this event special for all of our exhibitors, but would like to make this an especially memorable event for our Maclay Riders and their families.

NFHJA has the following areas available for sponsorship in regards to the North Florida Fall Horse Show & Maclay Regional Finals:

·         Gifts for the Maclay riders, which is a reflection of our show to take home with them

·         Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings

·         Lasagna dinner reception on Saturday evening after the FL Governor’s Cup

·         FL Governor’s Cup Trophy – awarded to the winner of the FL Governor’s Cup

·         Monetary Donations

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Equine Assisted Therapy, Eventing/H.T., Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Luncheon at Port Mayaca’s Driving Trial to Benefit New Handicap Driving Program at VTRC

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VTRC's Skippy. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Loxahatchee, FL – May 4, 2011 – The Spring Horse Driving Trial at Port Mayaca Polo Club, Saturday and Sunday May 14th and 15th, will include a charity luncheon to benefit the new driving program at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. The Luncheon will be held Saturday the May 14th during the Dressage and Cones portion of the competition in Okeechobee, FL. The competition will begin at 9 am and the luncheon will be served from 12 until 2pm. The competition is similar to 3 day eventing, including dressage, cones which is similar to the stadium jumping portion, and a cross country portion, including obstacles that will be driven on Sunday starting at 9am.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the start up of VTRC’s new handicap driving program. The addition of a driving program will allow the center to meet the needs of people who may not be able to ride but will enjoy the camaraderie of the barn and the excitement of competition. VTRC Director of Development Susan Guinan has been committed to starting a driving program at VTRC for sometime. She began driving in the 1980s, and has competed at Gladstone and Devon and many other shows along the east coast. She continued her driving while living in England and was involved with the RDA driving program. She is pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to VTRC.

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Spring Premiere and Atlanta Spring Challenge – May, 2nd 2011

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Pictures by Shawn McMillen

The 2011 Atlanta Spring Premiere May 11-15 and Atlanta Spring Challenge May 18-22 is just under a week away.  The highly anticipated show series takes place at the renowned Georgia International Horse Park in Atlanta, Georgia with J. P. Godard and his Equus Events handling the managing duties.

Besides an attractive line up of classes including a World Champion Hunter Rider Event week I, a $25,000 Grand Prix each week, a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby week II, and over $180,000 in prize money, Equus Events will also be offering daily hospitality and weekly parties for all exhibitors, trainers, riders, sponsors, and officials.  “It is really a way for us to give back,” said Megan Godard.  “Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters for making all of it possible.” The exhibitor’s party week I will take place on the hill beside the International Arena during the $25,000 Atlanta Spring Premiere Grand Prix on Saturday, May 14th.  Week II’s annual Preakness Party will take place Saturday, May 21st during the $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix again on the hill next to the International Arena.  A big screen TV will also be provided to catch all of the action of the 136th running of the Preakness Stake.  Many thanks to DFG Stables and Daniel and Cathy Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina for sponsoring this event.

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Training/Clinics

Bill McMullin Wins Shadow Trailer Give-Away at Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge III Show

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West Palm Beach, Florida (May 2, 2011) – Many eager Florida dressage competitors awaited the announcement of the 2011 Shadow Trailer Give-Away at this past weekend Wellington Classic Dressage Show in West Palm Beach, Florida. A generous donation from Del-Raton Trailer Sales and Shadow Trailer Inc., Florida dressage competitors waited all season to see if they would be the lucky winner of the 2011 Shadow bumper-pull trailer.

FEI Dressage Rider and Trainer Bill McMullin happily accepted his new trailer. “The last group of horses just left this morning for Massachusetts and I wanted to make sure I made it to the show for the drawing. I have had a great season with my horses and clients, but it all went so fast. Winning this trailer is a great way to wrap up the Florida season!”

McMullin who resides in Wellington during the winter season and Stoughton, Massachusetts in the summer months rode Kim Quinlivan’s 9 year old mare, Rosabella, at the IHS Derby and Jim Brandon dressage shows. “What a great surprise. I want to thank the dressage show managing partners for organizing such great shows and Del-Raton Trailer Sales for making the trailer give-away possible,” McMullin added.

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Championships, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

2011 ANRC National Intercollegiate Championship

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Award presentations for ANRC National Championship (Flashpoint Photography).

Hardeeville, SC – The weather gods smiled on the American National Riding Commission (ANRC) the weekend of April 14-17 at their 34th annual National Intercollegiate Equitation Championships hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). While other areas experienced tornados and downpours, the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center just outside Savannah, GA, in Hardeeville, SC, was spared. Fifty-two riders from 10 colleges were able to enjoy the beautiful facility, meticulously groomed arenas, challenging medal courses, and imposing new hunter trials fences.

The ANRC National Championship is a member event of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Affiliate Equitation Awards Program. The championship showcases the American Forward Riding System and the sporting horse. Judged on equitation, it rewards diversified skills in a three-phase competition. Competitors complete a dressage sportif ride, an outdoor hunter trials course and a USEF Medal-type hunter seat equitation course. Riders ride the same horse throughout the competition, and jumps do not exceed 3 feet in height. They also sit for a written test on riding theory and equine science. Teams may consist of two or three riders (with the lowest of the three scores dropped in each phase). Individuals also may compete.

For the first time this year, a Novice Division with fences at 2’6” was offered in addition to the 3’ Nationals Division. Seven colleges fielded Novice teams or individuals: Goucher College, Midway College, SCAD, St. Andrews Presbyterian College (SAPC), University of Georgia (UGA), The University of the South (Sewanee), and Virginia Intermont College (VIC). Midway, competing at their first Nationals, swept the Novice Division winning the team Championship over VIC. Midway’s twin sisters, Alison and Erinn Born, were Novice Individual Champion and Reserve.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Finishes to Rave Reviews

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Low Score Winner Becky Brown and EZ Win Nikon Camera

Jim Baker and Wings. All photos by Diana De Rosa

The riders couldn’t say enough nice things about Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event in Chesterfield, SC at Southern Eighths Farm.  They loved the facility, the organization, the footing, the courses, the jumps – just everything.

When it was all over Jim Baker and Wings claimed the victory in the Beginner-Novice division (58.30).  “The format and the organization were topnotch.  I can’t say enough about it,” he readily commented.

Becky Brown and EZ dominated the Training level (32.90) and Anne Lane Maunder and Penny Lane (37.30) were the winners in the Novice division.  As the Low Score rider of the event, Brown was in awe when she was presented with a Nikon D3100 Camera Kit.  “I’m floored,” she commented.  “I can’t believe I won this camera.  We’ve all had our eye on it all weekend.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day, Show Jumping

King Reigns Supreme at Second Leg of HSBC FEI Classics in Kentucky

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Mary King (GBR) finishes first and second in the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics in Kentucky (USA). (c) Amy Dragoo/FEI

Lexington, KY (USA) – Mary King (GBR), a regular visit to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event for many years, at last goes home with a coveted Rolex watch, plus the lion’s share of the prize-money. In a superb display of cool horsemanship, she finished first and second and now has a convincing 10-point lead over Badminton winner Mark Todd (NZL) after the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

King, 49, who was third at Badminton last weekend on Imperial Cavalier, has made history as the first rider in modern times to win a CCI4* on a home-bred horse, Kings Temptress by Primitive Rising, coincidentally the sire of last year’s winner, Cool Mountain, out of King’s own mare Kings Mistress.

In addition, King joins an elite band of riders – Ian Stark (Badminton 1988), Mark Todd (Burghley 1987) and Blyth Tait (Burghley 1998) – to finish first and second at a CCI4*.

She jumped clear on both her horses, and, having ridden out of order on the Davies family’s 10-year-old Fernhill Urco, at his first CCI4*, had the luxury of knowing she was unbeatable before she entered the stadium on Derek Baden’s Kings Temptress.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Show Jumping, USEF

King Crowned Champion of 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4*

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Halpin Takes USEF National CCI4* Championship on First Try

Mary King and Kings Temptress. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF.

Lexington, KY – Mary King was not going to be stopped in her quest to take a Rolex watch back to Great Britain. Lying first and second after the cross-country at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone –  with Kings Temptress and Fernhill Urco – she did not flinch in the final show jumping phase and jumped an immaculate double-clear round on both horses.

For the first time in history, the champion and reserve champion of America’s only CCI4* was the same rider. King was confident and excited coming into the show jumping, and she rode with a professionalism that was inspiring.

Kings Temptress added nothing to her fourth-placed dressage score of 47.7, they jumped immaculately around Saturday’s cross-country course and then sealed the win over today’s jumping track. King took home top honors with her 11-year-old homebred mare, who is now owned by Derek Rostron Baden. Her closest competition was her stablemate, Fernhill Urco, who emerged from his first CCI4* with second-place honors after only adding eight time faults to his dressage score. The Portuguese-bred grey gelding owned by Sue and Edwin Davies and Janette Chinn, jumped an immaculate clear round and really proved himself at the level. His clear round, jumped out of order due to the proximity of the placings, gave King great confidence to know that whatever happened with the second horse, the top honors were going home with the British veteran.

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