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Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 4

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The Netherlands' Jeroen Dubbeldam steered BMC Van Grunsven Simon to victory in the fourth leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series in Verona, Italy. Photo: Kit Houghton.

DUBBELDAM DELIVERS IN VERONA by Louise Parkes

Verona (ITA), 7 November 2010 – The Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam broke the German stranglehold on the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series when delivering a sensational victory in Verona, Italy this afternoon.  German riders dominated at the first three legs at Oslo (NOR), Helsinki (FIN) and Lyon (FRA) so far this season, but the flying Dutchman set an impossible target when second to go in today’s thrilling 10-horse jump-off and couldn’t be caught despite the best efforts of the world-class field that followed him.

His winning margin was a narrow one however as Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, winner with Checkmate just a week ago in Lyon, came dangerously close to making it a back-to-back double with a superb performance from the 17 year old Shutterfly who was only fractionally slower against the clock.  And Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Casall La Silla finished third in the star-studded line-up.  Dubbeldam was crowned Olympic champion in Sydney (AUS) in 2000, Michaels-Beerbaum’s many successes include three Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping titles and, most recently, team Jumping gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA, while Bengtsson took individual silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.  Also in the top ten today were Carsten-Otto Nagel (4th) who was a member of that German gold medal winning side last month, Ireland’s Billy Twomey (5th) who finished individually 11th in Kentucky, and the man who continues to wear the Rolex armband as No. 1 Rider in the World Rankings, Kevin Staut from France (6th).  This truly was a line-up of champions.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12512

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Margie Engle and Indigo Top International Competition in $100,000 World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse

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Margie Engle and Indigo jumped to victory in the $100,000 Detwiler Fenton FEI World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse. Photo By: Reflections Photography.

Syracuse, NY – November 6, 2010 – The fast paced action continued in downtown Syracuse today.  The featured class of the night was the $100,000 Detwiler Fenton FEI World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse presented by G&C Farm.  The great US rider, Margie Engle, out rode 27 riders representing six countries to take the lionshare $100,000 purse.  As she stepped into the arena as the last of three qualifiers of the jump-off, Margie Engle knew all she had to do was to keep the rails from hitting the dirt and she would leave the ring as the winner of the $100,000 Detwiler Fenton FEI World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse presented by G & C Farm. Her Dutch warmblood horse, Indigo, helped her reach that goal as the massive grey gelding gave it his all over every fence and crossed the timers clean in 39.15 seconds. “He’s such a trier. He gives it everything he has,” said Engle after her win.

Earlier this afternoon Engle also rocked the house by winning the $30, 0000 TK99 Speed Derby.  Besting a field of 22 riders from five different countries was rider Margie Engle and her mare Pamina L. The pair dominated the class with a blistering clean round in 48.91 seconds.  The only rider to come close to taking home the blue ribbon was the young Irish rider, Darragh Kenny, who finished second aboard Looping Star, posting a clean go in 49.220 seconds.  The TK99 class is all about speed and strategy and the key to winning is having a fast, responsive horse with the ability to turn smoothly on the fly. Rails down convert to the time so riders with errors on course could still potentially win if their horse was fast. Richard Jeffery designed a challenging course that pushed riders to move forward while keeping their horses focused on the job at hand. The fifth fence on the course, a narrow white gate in shallow cups, proved to be a bogey fence, falling several times during the performance.  As the class progressed the riders pushed their horses faster and faster trying to have the best time.  Although Engle’s mare jumps big over every fence, Pamina L is still incredibly fast.  Although there were five riders to follow the pair, including hometown favorite Beezie Madden, no one was able to best Engle’s time and she earned the win and points towards a spot in Sunday’s Syracuse Sporthorse Cup.

Continue reading Margie Engle and Indigo Top International Competition in $100,000 World Cup Qualifier of Syracuse →

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Dibowski Wins First CCI4* but Fox-Pitt Takes a Second HSBC FEI Classics

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR), 2010 season's winner of the FEI HSBC Classics (c) Peter Nixon/FEI

Pau, 7 November – Andreas Dibowski (GER) finally achieved the CCI4* win he so deserves with an immaculate Jumping round in the most testing of conditions at a rain-soaked Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the final leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

But William Fox-Pitt’s (GBR) second place on Navigator, who hit three rails, was still good enough to win him a second HSBC FEI Classics title in three years and US$150,000.

Dibowski, who has endured four runner-up spots at CCI4*s, earned a rapturous reception from an excited, if damp, French crowd. “I am really happy and excited,” he said. “After my Dressage (he was 11th), I didn’t expect to win, but everyone needs a little bit of luck at this level and today it was my day.”

Fox-Pitt was generous in defeat. “If someone had told me I’d be second at the start of this week, I’d have thought it was a dream. It’s the first time I’ve had a clear Cross-Country at Pau! And I had to stay in second place to win the HSBC FEI Classics, so I’m very relieved and pleased and pleased with my horse for coping so well.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12506

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

Fox-Pitt in Line for Double Glory in HSBC FEI Classics Thriller

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Leader after the Cross Country phase, William Fox-Pitt

Pau, 6 November – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is in line for a memorable double – and a big pay cheque – having leapt into a commanding lead after Cross-Country at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the final leg of the valuable HSBC FEI Classics, in which he also holds top position.

Fox-Pitt showed just why he is one of the world’s best horsemen, his magnificent round coming at the end of a dramatic afternoon’s sport in which Pierre Michelet’s (FRA) technically demanding track and the elusive optimum time of 10 minutes 35 seconds proved hugely influential.

He was only ninth after Dressage on the long-striding chestnut thoroughbred Navigator, who produced the second fastest time of the day despite taking two long routes. However, the pair survived a dramatic moment at fence 14, when the horse jumped strongly over the first of two angled houses and had to stretch over the second.

“He’s still a bit exuberant and tends to jump out of your hand,” explained Fox-Pitt, “but he’s a wonderful galloper and a lovely genuine horse.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12504

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI

Belgium and Britain Share Dressage Honours on Pau

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Joint leader Ruth Edge at Pau

Pau, 5 November – Two of the world’s best exponents of the Dressage phase are sharing the lead at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the eagerly awaited finale to the 2010 HSBC FEI Classics.

Karin Donckers (BEL), who only just missed an individual medal at the recent Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, was the first of the field of 38 to score below 50, and about an hour later there were no surprises when Britain’s Ruth Edge equalled her score of 41.8 penalties.

Their two horses have contrasting experience: Donckers’s Lamicell Charizard, who she bought as a two-year-old from racing sales in Germany, is now 10 and contesting his first CCI4; Edge’s 17-year-old Two Thyme won Luhmühlen in 2007 and led the Dressage at Burghley this year before a Cross-Country refusal put paid to their chances.

Continue reading Belgium and Britain Share Dressage Honours on Pau →

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Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano Win $50,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic

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Hannah Goodson-Cutt rode Caretano to victory in the $50,000 NHS Hunter Classic at the 127th National Horse Show. Photo © 2010 Reflections Photography.

Lisa Williams and Sanmorino Named National Horse Show Grand Hunter Champions

Cazenovia, NY – November 4, 2010 – Hunter divisions at the 127th National Horse Show concluded on Thursday afternoon with the presentation of championship awards followed by a special $50,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic, held to honor Charlie Weaver. Hannah Goodson-Cutt rode Caretano to victory in the $50,000 Hunter Classic and was also named Best Child Rider on a Horse for her excellent success over the two days of hunter competition. Lisa Williams rode Sanmorino to the prestigious National Horse Show Grand Hunter Championship and Jennifer Alfano received the Leading Hunter Rider prize.

The $50,000 NHS Hunter Classic was held in a two round format with the top twelve horses and riders competing over a second round handy course to determine top standings. With a two round total of 177 points, junior rider Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano came out in first place, just half a point ahead of second place finishers Molly Ashe-Cawley and Back in the Game with a score of 176.5. Maggie Boylan and Poetic finished in third place, Hasbrouck Donovan and Quality Time earned the fourth place prize, and Jennifer Alfano rode Jersey Boy to fifth place.

Continue reading Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano Win $50,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic →

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

Unprecedented Sweep of the 2010 Arabian Sport Horse Nationals by Father & Daughter

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The 8th annual Arabian Horse Association Sport Horse National Show was held September 22-25th in Nampa, Idaho.  KB Omega Fahim+++// and daughter KB Jull Fahim+//, swept the open FEI dressage division.  This is the first time a father and daughter have dominated the entire open FEI dressage competition of this national championship show.  Fourteen year old KB Omega Fahim+++// won Grand Prix and Intermediate 11, while eleven year old KB Jull Fahim+// captured Intermediate 1 and Prix St. Georges.  People were on the edge of their seats for the final Grand Prix test to be performed on the last day of the championships.  Omega, under his exceptional trainer and rider, Chelsey Sibley, completed this monumental task with grace and ease.  During the evening’s special ceremony, both horses were presented and awarded as champions of each test.  Jull also achieved the open FEI high point of the show.

Approximately 400 horses displayed their athletic abilities at the Idaho Horse Park.  The Sport Horse National Championship Show featured 90 classes in several divisions that included in hand, hunter, jumper, dressage and driving, to name a few.  Horses from forty-one states and two Canadian provinces came to compete in this national event.  The prominent dressage judges were Marlene Schneider, Brian Ross, Jacqueline Lindberg and Sandra Chohany.  Sport Horse Nationals is the only single-breed sport horse event in the nation offered just for Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses registered with the Arabian Horse Association or the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry.

The breeder of Omega and Jull, Elaine Kerrigan, has devoted the past 35+ years creating these amazing Arabian sport horse athletes.  According to Chris Bailey, “Not only is Omega amazing but he also produces the perfect get; kind, smart and athletic. I have not seen one Omega offspring that I would not want.”

Arabian stallion KB Omega Fahim+++// is owned by breeder Elaine Kerrigan of Kerrigan Bloodstock in Eureka, CA and Half-Arabian KB Jull Fahim+// is owned by Chris Bailey, also of Eureka.  Both horses are trained and shown by Chelsey Sibley of Sky Ranch, in Sonora, CA.

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

Hunters Showcase Their Talent at the 127th National Horse Show

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Goosebumps and Cookie Beck earned multiple blue ribbons in Wednesday's Green Conformation Hunter division at the 127th National Horse Show. Photo © 2010 Lauren Fisher/PMG.

Cazenovia, NY – November 3, 2010 – The 2010 Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 127th National Horse Show continued with its second day of competition on Wednesday with the start of the professional, amateur-owner, and junior hunter divisions. Horses and riders showed two rounds over fences and went under saddle in the day’s competition. Horses with multiple top ribbons included Red Panda, Superman, Goosebumps, Last Call, Fabricio, and Back in the Game.

The Green Working Hunter division began the day with a win over fences for Amanda Steege and Majestic, owned by Lisa Arena. Cookie Beck rode Last Call, owned by Lisa Cudahy, to the blue ribbon in the flat class and the win in the handy hunter class.

Steege was thrilled with her excellent first round this morning and praised Majestic. “I’ve never won here before and his owners are from Fairport, NY, which is very close. They were excited just to get to show here, and for their horse to win a class, I’m sure they are over the moon,” she smiled.

Continue reading Hunters Showcase Their Talent at the 127th National Horse Show →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

2010 Washington International Horse Show Wrap-up: October 26-31, 2010

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Washington, D.C. – November 3, 2010 – The 52nd Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted the best hunter, jumper, and equitation riders in the nation competing for top prizes at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. over six days of competition, and the WIHS thanks all of the sponsors, employees, exhibitors, volunteers, and spectators for making this year’s show an incredible success.

“The WIHS was a success,” said horse show manager Robert Ridland. “We felt, and it seems to backed up by input from riders, that it was run very smoothly in terms of the unusual logistical problems it has inherently. It’s a unique challenge, and we don’t want it to disappear. We are happy to go through what it takes to keep this show going. We have the support of many riders who come to this show because they feel the same way.”

Show manager David Distler agreed, “I was happy with the way everything went. There was a lot going on at the same time in the city, with the The Daily Show and President Obama next door, to the rally, and the marathon all in the same week. A lot of issues could have been very difficult, but we overcame them in large part because we have a great staff.”

Continue reading 2010 Washington International Horse Show Wrap-up: October 26-31, 2010 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI

Thrilling Finale Guaranteed in HSBC FEI Classics at Pau

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Lausanne, 3 November – The 2010 HSBC FEI Classics are set to come to a thrilling climax this weekend (November 4-7) at Les Etoiles de Pau in south-west France.

Three out of four of this season’s CCI4* winners are entered for what promises to be the closest finale yet to the series in which the leading rider will scoop a fabulous US$150,000.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the inaugural HSBC FEI Classics winner in 2008, leads the table with a win at Kentucky (on Cool Mountain) and a second placing at Burghley (on Seacookie), but he is not invincible, and will need to achieve a high placing at Pau on Navigator if he is to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

Fellow CCI4* winners Paul Tapner (AUS) and Sharon Hunt (GBR) are both entered; only the Burghley victor, Caroline Powell (NZL), is absent, but her 21 points may well be enough to keep her in the top five money-earning places.

Continue reading Thrilling Finale Guaranteed in HSBC FEI Classics at Pau →