Category Archives: Competitions

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Isabelle Caccamise Garners 2010 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals Gold Medal

1 Comment

Isabelle Caccamise and Better Than Good won Gold Medal at the 2010 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals. Photo By: Rebecca Walton.

Lexington, KY – August 15, 2010 – The last day of the 2010 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships was marked by a mix of sun and rain, but that did not slow down the exciting competition in the Covered Arena. The EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals was the last phase of the week, and after a two-horse hack-off it was Isabelle Caccamise and Better Than Good earning the Gold Medal and a $500 gift certificate from Oakcroft.

Over 180 ponies jumped the first course and the top 21 total ponies returned for the second round. The technical courses both consisted of short lines, bending lines, a hedge jump and an optional fence. Caccamise was at the top of the order for today’s second round and rode the tight turn to the stone line with ease and but chose the easier option to showcase her riding abilities. Victoria Colvin was ranked second and took the more difficult option. Both riders impressed the judges with their incredible skill and were invited back for the final test on the flat.

Continue reading Isabelle Caccamise Garners 2010 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals Gold Medal →

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

Laura Kraut Wins Again in Valkenswaard

1 Comment

Laura Kraut. Photo by Lulu Kyriacou.

Laura on the Double!

14/08/10 – There was no stopping Laura Kraut at Valkenswaard today. Having already won the warm up speed class on Unique, she proceeded to cap a memorable day by jumping three clears for the second time in two weeks to clinch her second GCT Grand Prix victory in the same period! The American who prior to Chantilly had never won a Grand Prix on the series, now has a back to back double, something that has not happened in recent GCT history, if ever. Today’s show was also especially notable as His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Monaco was among the audience.

The first round was another Uliano Vezzani masterpiece. With nearly every fence falling at some point the bogey fences were probably the combination (vertical, two strides, oxer, one stride, vertical) and the early line which included the open water with five strides to a double. But the course still produced 12 clear rounds from 50 starters, including Laura, GCT rankings leader Marco Kutscher (Cash) and former GCT Champion Jessica Kurten (Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois). With a share of the million Euro bonus at stake and only Rio left to score points towards winning it, there was a lot to play for as the second round started over a changed but slightly shorter course. Pressure was put on the leaders by the first of the four faulters from the first round, Judy Ann Melchior with Levisto Z. The grey made it all look easy although Kevin Staut matched the feat on another grey, Silvana, but it was looking for a while as if a double clear would never happen. The capacity crowd groaned as Patrick McEntee (Chivas Mury Marais), Penelope Leprevost (Topinambour), Jos Lansink (Valentina Van T’Heike), Beezie Madden (Coral Reef Via Volo), Alvaro de Miranda (AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan) and Jessica Kurten all lowered one rail each leaving all of them on a total of four over two rounds. Laura was the first to go double clear and then she was joined by Christian Alhmann and Taloubet Z, Denis Lynch with Latinus and almost inevitably, Marco Kutscher.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=11805

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship Awarded to Meredith Darst and Highlands Make Believe at 2010 USEF Pony Finals

Leave a comment

Meredith Darst and Highlands Make Believe earned the Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship at the 2010 USEF Pony Finals. Photo By: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 13, 2010 – It was another hot day at the Kentucky Horse Park but that did not slow down the exciting competition at the 2010 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships. The top ponies and riders gathered at the Walnut Ring to showcase their talent. The pony action began with the Large Pony Hunter model and under saddle phases, and was followed soon after by Medium Pony Hunter over fences phase to determine the grand championship and reserve grand championship titles. The day rounded out with the second phase of the Individual Jumping, which included the Team Competition.

Meredith Darst and Highlands Make Believe, owned by Elizabeth Wenner of Garden City, NY, had an incredible round during the Medium Pony Hunter over fences phase that earned them a total of 259 points. Their excellent score helped them win the over fences phase and also moved them from 14th in the overall standings to first place overall. Their advancement in the standings with a 1006.25 total score garnered them the Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship.

Continue reading Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship Awarded to Meredith Darst and Highlands Make Believe at 2010 USEF Pony Finals →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

GCT Valkenswaard Day One – Ben and Simon Just Quickest

Leave a comment

Ben Maher. Photo credit: Lulu Kyriacou

Ben Maher Best in 14 Horse Jump Off

13/08/11 – Ben Maher flew to Valkenswaard from a short holiday break and showed he had made the best of the rest when he snatch victory in the 1.50m class this afternoon in Valkenswaard by only three tenths of a second. Riding Oscar who belongs to Ben’s holiday hosts, Mr and Mrs Cook, he rode a superlative jump off despite losing a stirrup over the second last fence. The win was all the more outstanding because Ben has only been jumping the horse competitively for a few weeks; GCT Chantilly was one of their first international outings together. “He just gets better and better,” said a smiling rider afterwards. Fourteen horses had been presented for the jump off over Uliano Vezzani’s course so the winner was bound to be the one who was the bravest, particularly as there was a long gallop to the last. Bernardo Alves, who was the first one to really attack the jump off course on his Monaco winner Bridgit and his time of 43.67 took nearly three seconds off the previous leaders, Gerco Schroder and Eurocommerce Pennsylvania, who ended up fifth. Emilio Bicocci and Olea brought the crowd to their feet but they could only managed 41.15. Michel Robert tried the same audacious gallop to the last that had worked so well in Chantilly with Kellemoi de Pepita but failed by over a second although 45.62 did earn him 1600 Euro for fourth spot.

Continue reading GCT Valkenswaard Day One – Ben and Simon Just Quickest →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Vaulting

FEI European Junior Vaulting Championships 2010

Leave a comment

Daniela Fritz of Austria took Gold in the Junior Individual Female class at the FEI European Junior Vaulting Championships at Stadl-Paura, Austria last weekend. Photo: Michael Rzepa.

AUSTRIANS AND GERMANS REIGN SUPREME

10 August 2010 – The Open European Junior Vaulting Championships were held at the fabulous venue of Stadl Paura (AUT) from 4-8 August 2010. Only the weather was set against the Organising Committee, but not even that could spoil a terrific event.  After the parade of the 16 competing nations, the opening addresses and several show performances, the FEI Delegate Bettina de Rham officially opened the Championships.

Competition began on Friday with the individual Compulsory tests, and in the Female division 15-year-old Daniela Fritz from Austria, who began riding at the age of three and who trains five times a week, took the early lead ahead of German vaulters Jana Linicus and Jennifer Braun in second and third.  Fritz was still in front after the Freestyle but with only a fractional advantage over the surprising Silvia Stoppazzini from Italy, while Braun remained in third followed by Linicus who dropped to fourth and fellow German Gianna Meier in fifth position.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=11667

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Welcoming Waters Ceremony for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to Be Held during Betsy Gala and World Cup Qualifier

5 Comments

Mac Cone and Ole. Winners of the 2009 $50,000 Hagyard World Cup Grand Prix, CSI2*-W Lexington, KY. Photo (c) 2009 Kenneth Kraus

Lexington, KY – August 9, 2010 – With only one month until the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) the Kentucky Horse Park is already preparing for the opening day.  On August 20, 2010, the Welcoming Waters Ceremony will take place in the new Indoor Ring. During the ceremony the nine regions being represented during WEG will present water to the First Lady of Kentucky Jane Beshear.  The Welcoming Waters Ceremony will be held prior to the $50,000 CSI-W Hagyard Lexington Classic World Cup Qualifier.  During the World Cup Qualifier, spectators can purchase a table at “The Betsy Gala” to watch international riders compete for the top prize.

The Welcoming Waters Ceremony will be a chance for each region to give a gift to First Lady Jane Beshear.  This offering symbolizes the equestrians from each region giving a gift to Kentucky for hosting the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  The water will mimic the Olympic flame, which burns during the length of the Olympics.  Once the World Equestrian Games has concluded the water will be transported to Normandy, France where the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games will be taking place.

Continue reading Welcoming Waters Ceremony for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to Be Held during Betsy Gala and World Cup Qualifier →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

European Champion Takes Over Number One Slot in Rolex Rankings

1 Comment

European champion Kevin Staut (FRA) has taken over the number one slot in the Rolex Rankings for the first time in his Jumping career. (Photograph: Kit Houghton/FEI)

9 August 2010 – European champion Kevin Staut has jumped up to claim the world number one slot in the latest edition of the Rolex Rankings published by the FEI today.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who won individual gold at last year’s Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships in Windsor, has moved up from third to take over the Green and Gold armband from Olympic champion Eric Lamaze (CAN).

Lamaze, who held the world number one position last month, has now dropped down to second ahead of Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer.

Staut has been a pivotal member of the French team that last week claimed its second successive victory in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup series in Dublin. His consistent performances in the series have now been further rewarded with a first-ever world number one slot in the Rolex Rankings for the popular French star.

View the full Rolex Rankings at www.fei.org.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI

FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses 2010

Leave a comment

Denmark's Andreas Helgstrand and Uno Donna Unique took gold in the 6 year old division of the FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses at Verden, Germany. Photo: Karl-Heinz Freiler.

DANISH BREEDING AND RIDING DOMINATES

9 August 2010 – Last year’s silver medallist moved up the ranks to take gold at the FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships in Verden yesterday (Sunday).  Uno Donna Unique (s.Don Schufro), ridden by Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, was the undisputed World Champion of the 6 year old division at the German fixture in which Danish horses excelled. The new 5 year old World Champion however comes from Holland.  Astrix (s.Obelisk) helped Emmelie Scholtens to win her second consecutive title.

The points for Uno Donna Unique, awarded by Dr Wojciech Markowski, Elisabeth Max-Theurer, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Angelika Frömming were spectacular – a total of 9.46.  Equally spectacular was the way the judges had to mark down Helgstrand’s other horse, last year’s gold medallist Hönnerups Driver (s. Blue Hors Romanov). Due to ‘exaggerated movements’, ‘passage-like trot’ and problems with the contact, Driver this time only earned in 12th place with a score of 7.80.

The new World Champion Uno Donna Unique has grown stronger and more stable, showing three superb basic gaits, and the judging panel were highly impressed.

Continue reading FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses 2010 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

The Global Champions Tour 2010, Valkenswaard, Holland

Leave a comment

The Global Champions Tour Comes Home

The emerald grass arenas of Stal Tops, home to Global Champions Tour (GCT) President and Founder Jan Tops, welcome the series he created home this weekend coming. The world’s best riders and horses will descend on Holland hoping to win the Grand Prix of Holland presented by the VDL Groep but there is also a full supporting programme in Valkenswaard to keep everyone entertained before and after that class. Horse Festival Valkenswaard will run the second week of their CSI** concurrently and there is also the exciting Derby to watch on Sunday afternoon so there will always be some top class jumping for visitors to enjoy. And with general admission and parking completely free, over 30’000 people made the most of the experience in 2009. This year the show is hoping all of the world’s top five will be attending, although Eric Lamaze is waiting for final clearance from his doctor at the beginning of the week. But Puis Schwizer, Kevin Staut, Marcus Ehning and Rolf Goran Bengsston are confirmed at time of writing. In addition, the three top ranked ladies, Jessica Kurten, Edwina Alexander, and Penelope Leprevost, are confirmed. And of course, the home fans will be waiting cheer the return of their winning Nations Cup team from Dublin, especially double clear round hero, Eric Van Der Vleuten.

This is the first year that the GCT is proud to welcome Jaeger Le Coultre to Stal Tops in their role as official time keeper after a successful start to the collaboration between the two companies in Turin and Cannes. Please visit the GCT website at www.globalchampionstour.com for more details on Jaeger Le Coultre as well as the full show programme.

Lulu Kyriacou

GCT Press Agent

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI

FEI Open European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2010, Kreuth (GER)

Leave a comment

Laetizia Pegaz riding Kouleur du Parc (Arab) won the 2010 European individual title when finishing second behind the UAE's Ahmed Ali Al Sabri (Alizee de Majolaine) at the Open European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders at Kreuth, Germany last week.

TEAM FRANCE DOMINATES YET AGAIN – UAE TAKES OPEN INDIVIDUAL TITLE

The small village of Kreuth is any horse person’s dream – a complete village based entirely around equestrian sport. The venue is well established and has hosted Endurance, Eventing, Reining and Dressage International competitions, but this is the first time an FEI Championship has been hosted in Kreuth. The site, comprised of various arenas, cross country courses, a hotel and large airy barn for stabling, is nestled in the Bavarian countryside approximately two hours south of Munich (GER) on the south east edge of the Taubenbach Forest. It is a perfect venue for Endurance, with extensive vet-gate space, a flat grass trot-up area and ample parking for crew vehicles. The route is principally made up of gravel forest tracks.

Sixteen nations were entered for the FEI Open European Junior and Young Rider Championships with a total of 51 horse/rider combinations. Unfortunately three horses failed the pre-ride vetting, one horse each from Italy, Portugal and Hungary. The biggest impact of these vet-outs was for Hungary who had only brought three horses.  The loss of their third horse would mean they would no longer be able to challenge for a team position and would now only field two individual riders. The usual European nations were out in force, although some with fewer riders than normal. Teams were entered from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal. As this was an Open Championships there were some entries from further afield, namely Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and the USA, although none of these nations sent a team.

Continue reading FEI Open European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2010, Kreuth (GER) →