Category Archives: Competitions

Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Rodrigo Pessoa and Let's Fly won the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 4* Presented by Bainbridge Companies during week nine at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – Saturday Night Lights at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival brought a crowd of over 4,200 spectators out to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this weekend to watch Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and Let’s Fly jump to victory in the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W Presented by Bainbridge Companies. Pessoa earned the winning cut of prize money after an exciting jump-off of many of the top horses and riders in the world.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s ninth week of competition, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, will conclude with the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed tonight’s course for a field of 42 starters. Eight jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those eight were the top women riding for the United States followed up by two of the world’s best men from Great Britain and Brazil. The men were able to best the ladies tonight, taking the top two places with the only clear rounds over the short course.

Continue reading Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B

Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. ©Flashpoint Photography

GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 14, 2011 — “I want to thank the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport. Both Janet McCarroll [Co-Chair of the Winter Classics] and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended.  It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit, but all good times must come to an end… until next year,” Bob Bell of The Classic Company said Sunday evening as crews began the task of packing up.

This was the most anticipated week; exhibitors were on pins and needles awaiting the announcements for this year’s Circuit Awards. Aiken, SC based Daniel Geitner was the first recipient, taking the Grand Champion title in both the High Performance Hunters with the Robin Hughes owned Living Color and the Green Conformation Grand Hunter with Allison Mills’ Stature. Via text Geitner said he was thrilled with the news and had enjoyed the weeks of competition in the Gulf greatly. Jordan Siegel of the Flower Mound, TX based Summer Hill Farm garnered two Circuit Awards, beginning with the 1st Year Green Working Hunters partnered with Cherry Stone for owner Fallon Bock and later in the Performance Working 3’6-3’9 Hunters piloting Jetset for owner Castle Point Farm, LLC. And Memphis, TN based pro Phoebe Sheets grabbed a pair of Circuit Awards as well, first in the Baby Green Hunters with Jean Tuttle’s Ring Ling and in the Performance Working 3’3 Hunters aboard Casino for owner Cheryl Rubenstein.

Continue reading Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B

Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars

Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind Lusitanos will be performing at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Palm City, FL – March 14, 2011 – Sons of the Wind Lusitanos is pleased to announce that they will be competing at Dressage under the Stars on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The beautiful event is held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m., with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, and the Lusitano/PRE competition will begin at 8 p.m.

Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston, who will be working for Sons of the Winds, will begin by competing in a dressage competition against a group of PRE horses, showcasing the talents of the different breeds. Midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy.

The Sons of the Wind and Mr. Silva are famous for exhilarating airs above the ground and their quadrilles have been featured at the Boston Portuguese Festival, Bear Spot Freestyle, PVDA “Ride for Life”, and many other locations. The Sons of the Wind School for the Equestrian Arts, based in Merrimac, Massachusetts and now for the winter Palm City, FL, were founded by Portuguese trainer Mr. Vitor Silva. With their dedication to classical training, these unique centers provide a venue for the starting and sales of the young Lusitanos, along with instruction to all levels of students by the Lusitano school masters developed by Mr. Silva for amateur enthusiasts, instructors and competitive riders from around the world.

Continue reading Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars

Eventing Radio Episode 125 by Bit of Britain – Red Hills Horse Trials Final Day

The final of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the final day with many of the winners. Take a listen….

Eventing Radio Episode 125 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: USEventing.com
  • Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live and taking such good care of us.
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011

_________________________________________

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Gulf Coast Finale – Updates and Reminders

I want to thank all the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport.   Both Janet McCarroll and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended.  It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit but all good times must come to an end.   We look forward to six weeks of fun on the Gulf next year.  The Harrison County Equestrian Center will start building the 500 new permanent stalls around April 1st.  I will keep you all up on the progress.

We had a great circuit and I would love to list the 45 Grand Champions but I am afraid it would make for such a long message, that no one would read the whole thing.  They will be listed in an ad we are making for the Chronicle of the Horse along with some great pictures of our five winners our Grand Prix events.  I will say that Lincoln Case was selected by the staff as the winner of the 2011 Gulf Coast Sportsmanship Award.  Congrats to Lincoln and thanks for the support for 13 years.

Today we also had a tribute to Continental B, a wonderful horse who was a great supporter of our events.  It was a great few minutes between rounds of our Grand Prix to remember the history of CB.  He looked great covered in all his champion ribbons and everyone ringside took the moment to remember all the classes he won.  We were proud to have the tribute at our show in Gulfport and that he will be taking it easy from now on in a pasture.

Continue reading Gulf Coast Finale – Updates and Reminders

Team USA – Purina Mills Wins Dressage Quadrille, Team Vanderbilt-Ingram Victorious in Polo Match at 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas

Team USA. All photos: Susan J. Stickle Photography

March 12, 2011 – Tonight was a gorgeous evening, where Team Purina USA performed a stunning quadrille under the lights at this year’s Challenge of the Americas. In its tenth year, the Challenge of the Americas is an annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Play for P.I.N.K., and is sponsored by the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Team USA beat Team International and Team Can/America by earning the evening’s highest score of 93.95, marking their first ever win during the Challenge.  It was not an easy fight, however, as Team International scored a very close 91.95.  Throughout the performance, the teams were judged on impact on the audience, spacing and alignment, choreography interpretation, and harmony.

This year’s United States Team featured Betsy Steiner, aboard Domingo, owned by TAH Enterprises and Trisha Hessinger, George Williams riding Sandro Simian, owned by Mitzi Presnell and Holly Shook, Pamela Goodrich showing Karateka III owned by Judy Sprieser, Bill Warren with Romantic, owned by Team Romantic LLC, Jim Koford riding Liberty, owned by Barbara Marks, and John Zopatti aboard Fabio, owned by Christina Hewitt and sponsored by Blue Marlin Farms. Terry Ciotti-Gallo handled the team’s choreography, music and coaching.

The winning team completed passages, tempi changes, half passes and pirouettes, all in perfect harmony with one another. They performed to an original melody of music featuring the theme of New York, honoring the Twin Towers. The team opened with “Two Yankees”, followed by Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes’ “New York” and ended their performance with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”.

Continue reading Team USA – Purina Mills Wins Dressage Quadrille, Team Vanderbilt-Ingram Victorious in Polo Match at 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas

Eventing Radio Episode 124 by Bit of Britain – Red Hills Horse Trials Cross Country Day

Three days of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the Cross Country with the top name competitors. Take a listen….

Eventing Radio Episode 124 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: US Eventing
  • Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live. Tune in live on Sunday from 5 – 6 pm Eastern.
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011

_________________________________________

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Eventing Radio Episode 123 by Bit of Britain – Red Hills Horse Trials Dressage Day

Three days of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the Dressage with the top name competitors. Take a listen….

Eventing Radio Episode 123 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: USEA
  • Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live. Tune in live on Saturday and Sunday from 5 – 6 pm Eastern.
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011

_________________________________________

Listen Now
iTunes Subscribe Subscribe to Zune

Michelle Parker and Gretchen Lof Headline at the HITS Arizona Winter Festival

© Horseinsport.com. Michelle Parker and Lassila De Moyon soar over the course in Sunday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at the HITS Arizona Winter Circuit.

TUCSON, AZ (March 11, 2011) — Competition at the HITS Arizona Winter Festival at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona was highlighted by big wins for Michelle Parker in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and Gretchen Lof in the $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

Maryland’s Ken Krome set a twisting course which had 16 efforts, including a triple combination and a liverpool mid-way through the track, with a time allowed of 90 seconds for Sunday’s $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

The first of the two clear rides came three trips in when Janine Weatherby of Bellevue, Nebraska rode flawlessly through the course aboard Laurel Lachowiez’s Allegro. Parker, who had two mounts in the class, followed immediately with a clean round aboard her own Lassila De Moyon to ensure a jump-off. The rest of the class was unable to follow suit, which kept it a head-to-head jump-off battle between Weatherby and Parker.

Continue reading Michelle Parker and Gretchen Lof Headline at the HITS Arizona Winter Festival

Kent Farrington and Valhalla Speed to Victory in $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Kent Farrington and Valhalla won the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during week nine at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2011 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Valhalla were the fastest today in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. The class was the feature event on Friday at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which is in its ninth week of competition.

The G&C Farm 1.45m Classic is part of an initiative to increase FEI ROLEX ranking classes at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Thanks to the support of G&C Farm, owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, the FTI WEF was able to add eight new FEI ROLEX ranking classes to the schedule. There are now 27 ranking classes during the FTI WEF. G&C Farm has kindly sponsored the 1.45m Jumper division, which adds five of the additional FEI ROLEX ranking classes.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s ninth week of competition continues through Sunday, March 13. Sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, the week will feature the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix presented by Bainbridge Companies on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Continue reading Kent Farrington and Valhalla Speed to Victory in $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic