Category Archives: Competitions

Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

Steiner and Hoag. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle Photography

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set to take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Pavilion the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

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Hunter Champion Scott Stewart and Blessed Win The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division At WEF

Scott Stewart and Blessed won the Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot)

Wellington, FL (March 2, 2011) – Scott Stewart is a well-known winner on the hunter circuit, and the veteran hunter rider proved he could take a new horse and ride it into the winner’s circle when he piloted Blessed to The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The division is sponsored by The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a new world-class full horse therapy and conditioning center located on the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.

Stewart, of Flemington, New Jersey, purchased Blessed about a month ago from Derek Braun. The six-year-old gray Holsteiner mare not only took home the championship in the High Performance Working Hunters, but also proved she could handle the International Ring when she navigated the big ring to win a hunter stake class with a score of 90.

Stewart, who is a four-time World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Champion, said he thought the mare might need to stay in the pre-green division for a while, but added that after a few times it the ring he knew she was up for the challenge of competing in the high performance working hunters and the big leagues of WEF. The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division is a new division at WEF this year and is open to all riders and horses and includes fences ranging in height from 4’ to 4’6”.

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A Night in Provence at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

No stranger to dressage, IPC has hosted the highly popular Challenge of the Americas for a number of years. Photo by: Susan J. Stickle, Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2011 – As they watch top class competition at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5*, spectators will be treated to a complete Provençal experience. A five course meal inspired by the food and wine of Southern France will be served at tables around the edge of the competition arena where 18 of the globe’s most highly trained horses perform the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle to Music on the evening of March 11th, the grand finale of the 2011 World Dressage Masters presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach. Among the riders to appear at the WDM Palm Beach are a number of Olympic and World Equestrian Games veterans, including the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Freestyle bronze medalist, Steffen Peters of the USA.

Preparations are under way to transform the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach into a scene straight out of Provence, while the chefs at International Polo Club Catering finalize the dishes and wine pairings for this extravagant gala evening. “This is more than a dressage competition,” says WDM Palm Beach producer Wellington Classic Dressage’s Noreen O’Sullivan. “It is an experience. The venue is going to look outrageous. For those who know the Jim Brandon Center, they won’t recognize it.”

When the WDM Palm Beach was in danger of being cancelled for 2011, the Goodman Family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and its members stepped in to save the American leg of the world’s most prestigious dressage competition. In the kind of style that has become expected of any IPC event, no expense has been spared in making the WDM Palm Beach a unique and memorable experience for both participants and spectators.

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Kihikihi Kicks Off FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 Series

Germany’s Michael Jung, winner of the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing 2009 and 2010, could make it a series hat-trick in 2011. (Leszek Wójcik/FEI)

The FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 series kicks off at Kihikihi in New Zealand on 7-10 April, when John Nicholson’s imaginative cross-country course will test the mettle of some of the world’s most talented horse and rider combinations.

This year’s series – which takes place at eight venues across Australasia, Europe and the UK – will once again run in similar fashion to the Meydan FEI Nations Cup in Jumping, with the rider topping the points table at the end of the season claiming the prestigious title of FEI World Cup Eventing champion 2011.

The points based system has proved extremely popular with riders as it opens up the series to those not able to travel long distances with their horses. Riders will gain points based on their performance and final placings at each venue. They will have to obtain a minimum of three FEI World Cup Eventing results during the series to be eligible for the title.

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Victoria Colvin and Ariel Win Four of Five Classes for Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship

Victoria Colvin and Ariel are the Martha Jolicoeur & Illustrated Properties Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under champions during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2011 – As week 7 comes to a close here at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, looks back on another successful week of competition. The younger section of Small Junior Hunters, presented by Martha Jolicoeur and Illustrated Properties, awarded their championship early this morning in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.

Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, rode Ariel to the championship honor this weekend. Neither her, nor her mount, Ariel, are new to the championship winner’s circle. Scott Stewart, who also trains Colvin, owns Ariel, a six-year-old Brandenburg mare by Lancado.

The winning pair secured the tricolor honor this morning by winning a stunning four out of five classes in their division of nine entries. They placed fifth in the division’s remaining class.

Colvin, arguably one of the best and busiest young riders here in Wellington, keeps very busy showing everything from pony hunters to the junior equitation classes. Furthermore, she does it all successfully and stays focused throughout. Colvin will remain busy throughout the rest of circuit showing numerous horses and ponies as the weeks continue.

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Gulfport Winter III – Updates and Recaps

We had a great week in Gulfport again.  Incredible weather, giant party, and a bunch of horses for good competition.  We are setting all time records here in Gulfport.  Next week will be the biggest show we have ever produced on the Gulf Coast.

Please make sure you read the bottom paragraph if you are in Gulfport next week.  Important meetings and events.

So, this week again we hosted a USHJA National Hunter Classic.

Congrats to the winner The Admiral, Jamie Jarvis and show to the win by Will Roberts.

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Mardi Gras Fun Highlights Third Week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics

Daniel Geitner & Living Color. ©Flashpoint Photography

No Worries for Devin Ryan in the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix

Gulfport, MS — February 27, 2011 — Exhibitors at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics got a taste of Mardi Gras along with scrumptious local cuisines during week three, courtesy of the fine folks from Harrison County, who served well over 1200 pounds of crawfish (boiled right on the spot), 500 pounds of shrimp, 400 pounds of spiced blackened chicken, another 400 pounds of fried catfish, and more extras than a small army could consume. Friday evening’s party even had a mini Mardi Gras float that show co-chairman, Janet McCarroll, created with her golf cart to toss the infamous beads and special treats from. And to top the night off live music kept toes tapping. “Southern Hospitality” is this community’s heritage and one they relish sharing with exhibitors each year.

“’Tis the season!” laughed co-chairman Bob Bell, adding, “Every year this is the party we all anticipate most and every year Mike McMillan [Director of the Harrison Co grounds] just seems to outdo himself again. Great food and fun, that’s our reputation here.”  After having seconds or even thirds, many took to the dance floor swaying the night and extra calories away.

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Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 12, Gothenburg

Sweden's Angelica Augustsson, winner of the 12th leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series at Gothenburg, Sweden today is presented with her prize by Magali Dubois Vaucher, Rolex. Photo: Roland Thunholm/FEI.

A STAR IS BORN ON A SPECIAL DAY IN GOTHENBURG – AND HER NAME IS ANGELICA by Louise Parkes

Gothenburg (SWE), 27 February 2011 – Swedish hearts were bursting with pride as a bright young super-star was born in the Scandinavium Arena at Gothenburg, Sweden this afternoon where local girl Angelica Augustsson galloped to victory in the penultimate qualifying round of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series.  There was an outpouring of emotion in the aftermath, and even hardened veteran Ludger Beerbaum, who slotted into third behind runner-up Edwina Alexander from Australia, expressed his amazement at having taken part in one of the most thrilling competitions seen on the international circuit in recent history.

“For any sport it is fantastic to see very talented up-and-coming young people, and what we saw today was the cream – it doesn’t come better than this, and we will remember today for a very long time,” said the German legend.

HIGH PRAISE
Dutch course designer Louis Konickx earned high praise from riders all weekend and produced another master-piece for today’s test which saw 12 through to the second-round jump-off.  With three home runners amongst them, the Swedish interest was always going to be strong, but pathfinders 21 year old Douglas Lindelow and the mare Talina left the door open when hitting the penultimate oxer while fellow-countryman, Peder Fredricson, was eliminated with H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis when they fell at the fifth fence on the new track. This rustic oxer had been the last in the opening round and as the 38 year old rider galloped down to it, the distance just refused to come up right – Fredricson asked for a long stand-off, the grey gelding tried to chip in an extra stride and the result was a crashing fall that left a muted atmosphere around the ring despite no apparent damage to either horse or rider.

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McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve Triumph in $78,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Grand Prix

McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve won the $78,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Grand Prix during week seven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 26, 2011 – Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany. Thirty-seven entries began the class, and seven were able to jump clear in the first round. An exciting jump-off followed, as some of the best riders in the world battled for top honors. The United States took home the top three places with Olympians McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, and Margie Engle leading the class.

A father and daughter each riding for France, Marie and Michel Hecart, were the first two riders to jump clear over the first round course to advance to the jump-off. Marie rode Myself De Breve, owned by Haras De La Rogue, through the jump-off course with eight faults in 44.72 seconds to finish in sixth. Michel and Babbe Van’t Roosakker, also owned by Haras De La Rogue, immediately followed and jumped in 46.44 seconds with four faults at the last fence to place fourth.

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Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2010/2011 – Round 9, Gothenburg

Adelinde Cornelissen, pictured with Lisa Wells of Reem Acra, secured her fourth victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series today. Photo: Roland Thunholm/FEI.

CORNELISSEN MAKES IT FOUR IN GOTHENBURG by Louise Parkes

Goteborg (SWE), 26 February 2011 – Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival recorded their fourth victory of the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage season at Gothenburg, Sweden tonight and jumped to the top of the Western European League leaderboard ahead of the final qualifier on their home turf at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands in three weeks’ time.

The 32 year old rider and her 14 year old horse produced a more harmonious test than ever before, and Cornelissen declared herself delighted with the result.  Sweden’s Patrik Kittel finished a close second however with a personal-best result from his stallion Watermill Scandic HBC while Germany’s Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht FRH had to settle for third.

In a competition that was very much “a game of two halves”, many of the early riders produced low scores. Ground Jury President, The Netherlands’ Wim Ernes, said, “Tonight we saw some bad tests… but the top riders did a good job.”

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