Category Archives: Competitions

Selection Procedures for 2011 Pan American Games Are Now Available at USEF.org

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation’s Selection Procedures for the 2011 Pan American Games have been approved by the United States Olympic Committee.

The selection procedures and application information is posted on the High Performance section of the specific discipline pages. Please see the following links for more information:

Dressage: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/2011PanAmGames.aspx.
Please contact Jenny van Wieren at jvanwieren@usef.org with questions regarding dressage.

Eventing: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alleventing/hpeventing.aspx.
Please contact Sara Ike at sara.ike@usef.org with questions regarding eventing.

Jumping: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alljumping/sjPanAmGames.aspx.
Please contact Lizzy Chesson at lchesson@usef.org with questions regarding jumping.

The 2011 Pan American Games will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico October 14-30, 2011. The official website can be found here: http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/eng/01_inicio/index.asp.

April Update: 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North

Lexington, KY – Less than four months before the Opening Ceremonies for the 2011 Championships and planning is already well underway.  With the addition of Endurance, we will be utilizing a new part of the Kentucky Horse Park; the Endurance Base Camp will set up on Walt Robertson Way, across from the Secretariat Center. The rest of the venue is looking really good, having benefited from the overhaul which corresponded with last fall’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Schedule:
The Tentative Competition Schedule for competitors is available here: http://www.youngriders.org/Schedule.aspx and as soon as the Draft Schedules get approved by the FEI they will be posted.

Resources/FAQ:
There is also a Chef’s Manual and other useful information posted on the website, please reference the Team Resources page for more information: http://www.youngriders.org/FAQ.aspx.

Qualifying is of course well underway for most disciplines. It’s a good time to make sure all your FEI numbers are up-to-date and your passport is valid. The Chef’s Manual has some guidelines and information regarding these things.

Continue reading April Update: 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North

Atlanta Spring and Tryon Summer Classic Horse Shows Right around the Corner

Parade of Hounds at the Tryon Summer Classic. Photos by: Shawn McMillen

Beautiful spring weather has arrived here in the south and Equus Events spring and summer schedule is beginning to heat up.  The Atlanta Spring Premiere May 11-15 and the Atlanta Spring Challenge May 18-22 are just around the corner and will include two fabulous weeks of AA competition at the Georgia International Horse Park.  This show series takes place in one of the countries premiere equestrian facilities and will offer over $180,000 in prize money through out the two weeks.  Features include a $25,000 Grand Prix each week, two $5,000 Open Welcome Stakes each week, a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, a USHJA National Hunter Classic, a $7,500 JR/AO Jumper Classic each week and in addition the Atlanta Spring Premiere has been selected as a World Champion Hunter Rider Event.  These shows will offer something for everyone as nearly every hunter and jumper division will be offered a classic.  Equus Events will also offer daily hospitality for exhibitors, trainers, and riders and weekly parties.  The annual Preakness Party will take place May 21st to celebrate the 136th running of the Preakness Stake.  DFG Stables and Daniel and Cathy Geitner of Aiken, SC are graciously sponsoring this event.

The Tryon Summer Classic Horse Show will again take place June 2-5 at FENCE in beautiful Tryon, North Carolina.  FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) is a 380 acre nature, education and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The area offers many activities including numerous shops and antique stores as well as adventures whitewater rafting on the Green River.  This year’s show will again benefit the Tryon Hounds.  www.tryonhounds.com This unique event encompasses the days of old with a rich tradition but also attracts top riders and trainers in the southeast.  Many will be contending for their name to be engraved on numerous perpetual trophies.  Some of last years winners include:

Continue reading Atlanta Spring and Tryon Summer Classic Horse Shows Right around the Corner

The Savannah College of Art and Design Will Host 34th Annual ANRC National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship

Savannah, GA – The 34th Annual American National Riding Commission (ANRC) National Collegiate Equitation Championship will take place at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, at the Ronald C. Warranch Equestrian Center April 14-17.

Approximately 15 college teams will showcase their most talented riders, who will be judged and scored in four phases: a dressage sportif, a program ride with United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hunter equitation tests; a hunter seat equitation medal course; a hunter trials equitation course, over natural obstacles in a field; and a written test based on riding theory and equine science. Novice division entries will compete over fences at 2’6” and national division entries will compete over fences at 3’.

Both individuals and teams will receive honors and awards from ANRC and the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). Awards will be given for each phase, along with an overall individual award and an overall team award. This year’s judges are Bobbie Reber of Langley, BC, Canada, and Caroline Jones of Calgary Alberta, Canada. The written test judge is Marion Lee from Leesburg, VA. For more information about the championship, visit the ANRC website at www.anrc.org.

The ANRC is an Affiliate of USEF and USHJA. New in 2012, the USHJA will partner with ANRC to add a competitive venue to the USHJA outreach program based on the ANRC National Collegiate Equitation Championship format. Information and specifications for the USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship Program can be found at the USHJA website or by contacting Kimberly Knotek at kknotek@ushja.org.

Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s 2011 National Championship

Newberry, FL – Riders from more than 20 colleges and universities throughout the United States will converge at the Canterbury Equestrian Show Place in Newberry, FL, to compete at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s 9th annual National Championship. More than 100 riders will compete April 30 and May 1 as part of a 4-member team or as individuals in each of the IDA’s four divisions: introductory, lower training, upper training and first level.

The IDA is comprised of 680 student riders representing 60 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, divided into 10 regions. The qualifying teams and individual riders have earned their way to the championship by earning points in IDA-sanctioned competitions held throughout the academic year within their respective regions.

University of Florida and its dressage team are hosting for the event. Along with their host duties, team members are among the early qualifiers for the competition, which include Delaware Valley College, last year’s National Champion Team, Virginia Intermont College, and Mt. Holyoke College. With three national championship titles each, Virginia Intermont and Mt. Holyoke have dominated the IDA since it began as a national organization in 2001.

Continue reading Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s 2011 National Championship

Boyd Martin and Remington XXV Crowned Adequan USEA Gold Cup Winners at The Fork

Boyd Martin and Remington XXV. Emily Daily/USEA photo.

Norwood, NC – Boyd Martin and Remington XXV, owned by Ron and Densey Juvonen, jumped clean and fast this afternoon to win the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Advanced division at The Fork.

The pair’s double-clear round boosted them from second to first, ahead of the overnight leaders Will Faudree and Andromaque, who ended their day with a third place ribbon after picking up a rail.

Heather Morris and Slate River had a flawless round to finish with second place. Nina Gardner’s Cambalda jumped his heart out for Jennie Brannigan to win the competitive CIC3*, part of the PRO Tour Series, and finish on their dressage score of 45.9. Canadian Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority picked up a second place in the division with their double-clear round, while a single rail left Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen with a third place finish.

To see all of the final scores, visit http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/14637.html.

Peters Sweeps Small Tour & Ebeling Prepares for World Cup at Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J

Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler

Burbank, CA – In sunny California, the competition for a coveted spot on the U.S. and Canadian Pan American Games teams heated up during the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J, held March 31 – April 3, 2011, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. Despite a large and talented group of international competitors, there was no stopping Steffen Peters with what the judges deemed his new “super horse”, Weltino’s Magic.

Peters and Jen Hlavacek’s nine-year-old Westfalen gelding (Weltino x Diva by Diamond Boy) swept the small tour with impressive scores of 75.395% in the Prix St. Georges and 77.237% for the Intermediaire I, and debuted their new freestyle to a score of 79.417%. “The first word that comes to mind is ‘fun’,” says Peters in describing the weekend’s rides. “He’s really a pleasure to ride, so supple and forward now, it’s like that feeling that I get from Ravel.”

On Peters’ heels throughout the competition were Guenter Seidel and Sundayboy (Dutch Warmblood gelding by Kennedy, owned by Richard and Jane Brown), who earned second-place finishes in both the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I; as well as Freestyle runner-up Jan Ebeling and Anne Romney’s Sandrina (Oldenburg mare by Sandro Hit x Stutbuch by Ganymed). “There are really nice horses here on the West Coast,” noted judge Cara Whitham (5* CAN). “While I haven’t seen every single horse out there, at this point and from what we saw this weekend it looks like it may be a U.S. team of gentlemen riders going to Guadalajara for the Pan Ams. It’s very strong out here. But it is still a long while until October. We’ll see!”

Continue reading Peters Sweeps Small Tour & Ebeling Prepares for World Cup at Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J

Jolly Mon and For Farina Take First and Second with Ryan Genn in High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show

Ryan Genn and Jolly Mon topped the leader board in the High Amateur-Owner 1.35m jumper class at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show. Photo By: Heather Bellock/PMG.

Katy TX – April 9, 2011 – Today was another great day of showing in the sunshine for competitors at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. Jumper riders competed for the top spot in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, the High Junior Jumpers, the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers, and the Low Junior Jumpers. Ryan Genn was successful in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, taking the win aboard Jolly Mon and placing second with For Farina. Earlier in the day, Jennifer Scholl and Electric Avenue prevailed in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper class.

Richard Jeffrey of Bomemouth, England designed today’s courses, which did an excellent job testing the horses and riders. The High Jumper classes followed the Table II format with 13 jumping efforts and a time allowed of 74 seconds. The Low Jumper classes followed the Table 2b format and the first round included 12 jumping efforts with a time allowed of 71 seconds. The short course consisted of seven jumping efforts and a time allowed of 38 seconds.

Ryan Genn and Jolly Mon were the first to enter the arena in today’s High Amateur-Owner Jumper class. The pair set a blazing fast pace without fault, which couldn’t be beat and earned them the win.

Continue reading Jolly Mon and For Farina Take First and Second with Ryan Genn in High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show

Hayley Barnhill Shows Safari to Victory in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show

Hayley Barnhill led the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby from start to finish aboard Safari at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Katy, TX – April 9, 2011 – The air was electric for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by the Carole and Jim Looke Family Fund, held at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show. Thirty-seven horse and riders combinations turned out to compete for the grand prize and winning title. After the top 12 showed over the handy course, the victory went to Hayley Barnhill and Safari. The pair led from start to finish with incredible scores of 92 and 96 in the first round and a solid effort in the handy round with a pair 88s. Jennifer Alfano piloted Miss Lucy to a close second, while Tracy Fenney finished third and fourth with Exposure and Inxs, respectively.

Richard Jeffery of Bomemouth, England, designed tonight’s courses. The first round included two bending lines, a two-stride vertical-oxer, and four options for bonus points at higher fences. The top twelve rides then advanced to the more technical handy round where there were many options for inside turns, a long one-stride, a trot fence, and a snake option. At the end of the course riders also had to collect a piece of mail from a mailbox at the end of the ring by the in-gate.

The one stride would prove tricky for many of the riders early on who tried to take a tight turn before and after the combination. Hayley Barnhill and her first mount, Libretto owned by Alliy Moyer, were unable to make it through the test as the rider took an fortunate fall, but it would prove to be a helpful lesson later in the evening.

Continue reading Hayley Barnhill Shows Safari to Victory in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show

Kent Farrington Rides Uceko to Victory in $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational

PHOTO © V. Valenti/James Leslie Parker - Kent Farrington and Uceko won Saturday night's $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Tampa, FL – April 9, 2011 – Kent Farrington piloted the gray warmblood Uceko to two clear rounds to win Saturday’s $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm, in Tampa, Florida.

This was the 39th year for the Invitational, which was held at Tampa’s famed Raymond James Stadium.

It is the first that was held after the death of Gene Mische last year. Mische, the founder of Stadium Jumping, Inc., was the creator of the Invitational.

This year the event attracted over 7,800 spectators.

Farrington, of Greenwich, CT, took home $60,000 for the win. It was Farrington’s first win at the Tampa event. Coming in second was Canada’s Ian Miller riding Star Power. Miller, who won the event in 1992 with Big Ben, won $44,000 for his double clear ride on Saturday night.

Both had two clear rounds, but Farrington’s faster jump off time of 36.64 seconds gave him the victory over Miller, who took 41.72 seconds to clear the eight fence tiebreaker course.

Continue reading Kent Farrington Rides Uceko to Victory in $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational