Category Archives: Events

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Show Jumping

Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit Take the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix

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Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit accept the blue ribbon from Brownland Farm’s Sissy Anderton. Lili Weik Photography

FRANKLIN, TN – JULY 12, 2011 – On Sunday, July 10, Michael Tokaruk of Memphis, TN captured his second major win in less than two months aboard Roger Rabbit, the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Castle Point Farm LLC.

The team beat the heat and the competition to easily win the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix, which capped off the week at Brownland Farm in Franklin, TN.

Tokaruk, 30, who recently returned to Memphis to act as rider and trainer at Dave Pellegrini’s Spring Mill Farm, piloted the up-and-coming-gray gelding through two clean rounds to earn the top spot.

In the first round, 26 teams navigated the Tim Hott-designed course, but only six went clean.  In the jump-off, only Tokaruk and Roger turned in a fault-less performance for the blue-ribbon win. “I thought the course rode well,” said Tokaruk following the win. “Big enough without over-facing anyone, and technical enough that you had to do some riding out there.

“We were the only double clean and our time was three seconds faster that the 2nd place finisher who had four faults, “ Tokaruk continued. “We could have had a rail down and still won by a good margin. I made a nice inside turn that saved us some time. Going early in the jump-off, I knew I needed to be clean, but I also wanted to be quick enough to put pressure on the rest of the field.”

Continue reading Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit Take the Mid-South Classic $25,000 Grand Prix →

Benefits, Community/Charity, Fundraisers, Para-Equestrian, USEF

“Miracles on Manes” Benefits ACORD – Charity Honors Marjorie V. Kittredge

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Alpharetta, GA – ACORD (American Competition Opportunities for Riders with Disabilities, Inc), a national 501c3 nonprofit corporation, is kicking off their first fundraiser for the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund on Saturday, September 10, 2011. This fund will provide educational opportunities across the country for athletes with disabilities.

The “Miracles on Manes” benefit for Memories of Marj will be held at Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta, GA, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature music, refreshments, a silent auction, prize drawings and a thrilling round of equestrian entertainment. Guests of honor are riders from the Caisson Platoon Program in Washington, D.C. Tickets are $40; a table for ten may be reserved for $350. Beverages and heavy appetizers will be served, with entertainment from many equestrian disciplines, including: polo, dressage pairs to music, sidesaddle, show jumping, eventing, grand prix dressage and riders with disabilities. Drawing and silent auction items are extensive, including a hot air balloon champagne ride, luxury beach weekend and a flightseeing trip over Atlanta.

The evening will conclude with the awarding of the first two grants from the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund, followed by a special champagne toast to Marjorie V. Kittredge and ACORD’s first Memories of Marj Beneficiaries.

ACORD is organizing this scholarship and grant fund in memory of Marjorie (Marj) V. Kittredge, a Boston native who dedicated her life to equestrians with disabilities as an instructor, mentor, clinician, judge and organizer. Marj was one of ACORD’s original founders in 1992 and the first American international technical delegate. She died on June 23, 2010 at the age of 86. With Marj’s help, ACORD made a difference for people and horses.

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Competitions, Events, USEF, Vaulting

Four Top 5 Finishers at Aachen CHIO

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Aachen, Germany – Four American Vaulting Association vaulters placed in the Top 5 at the Aachen CHIO this weekend. Mary McCormick placed third in the Women’s Division; Devon Maitozo & Rosey Ross placed third in the Pas de Deux. The Woodside Team placed fifth in the Nations Cup and the Mt. Eden Sun Team took second in the Sparkasse division.

Watch Mary McCormick’s performance>

The results>

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

16-Year-Old Makes History at Spruce Meadows

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Caitlin Ziegler and Valencia (photo by Spruce Meadows Media Services).

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta – History was made at Spruce Meadows Thursday with 16-year-old Caitlin Ziegler (USA) becoming the youngest ever winner of an FEI event in the Spruce Meadows International Ring. Riding her 13-year-old mare, Valencia, Ziegler bested an international field of 32 horse/rider combinations with a convincing double clear, and a 3-second margin of victory in a seven-horse jump-off in the 1.5m AON Cup.

“This is really unbelievable, I really am speechless. Winning here against these riders is very special,” said the beaming teen from Wisconsin. With names like Madden, Spooner, Millar, Simpson and Lamaze falling behind her in the final standings, Ziegler took time to relish the moment.

“I guess I should be worried about my job,” chuckled her coach Eric Lamaze, who finished sixth in the event with four faults in the jump-off and a slower time.

Earlier this season Caitlin Ziegler was recognized at Spruce Meadows for her commitment and dedication to the sport with and RSA scholarship. Clearly that dedication is paying off with her historic win.

Continue reading 16-Year-Old Makes History at Spruce Meadows →

Awards, Benefits, Community/Charity, Conferences, Equestrian Aid Found., WHIN, Wild Horse Sources

Willie Nelson and Family Win WHINNY Awards

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Nashville, TN – July 12, 2011 – It’s become not only a mission with a passion, but one that has members of the Nelson family standing up and doing whatever they can to stop the slaughter of horses.

Willie Nelson has been an advocate against the slaughter of wild horses for years and of the almost 70 horses he owns, 25-30 were rescued directly from slaughter. He believes it’s our job to protect them and makes it a point to support many of the groups that work in this area. His passion and advocacy
is being shared by his family.

His daughter Amy and granddaughter Raelyn have joined in the fight testifying against the slaughter of horses and are making it a point to work with the State of Tennessee’s legislative branch to keep the dialog about any laws concerning these issues open.

“Here’s another great example of someone with high visibility taking the time to support this cause and who brings along not only his family but thousands of fans around the world to join him. There’s a reason why people like Willie Nelson. The man shows his dedication to horses and doing the right thing every day of his life. Willie definitely walks the talk,” states WHIA Executive Director, Catherine Masters.

The Whinnys are an awards program set up by the Women’s Horse Industry Association. The awards will be given out on October 6 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Rhythm and Hooves benefit to save horses. The event will raise funds for three equine charities: The Cloud Foundation, The Equestrian Aid Foundation and NetPosse.com. The benefit will be a part of the WHIA’s Annual conference (October 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel Opryland) where women in the horse industry will gather to exchange information and business.

For additional information on the WHIA and its upcoming conference and benefit, please visit Women’s Horse Industry or call 615-730-7833.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Sweden Soars to the Top of the Promotional League Table

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L to R - Arthur Gustavo Da Silva (La Toya), Christina Liebherr (LB Callas Sitte Z), Claudia Gisler (Touchable) and Niklaus Schurtenberger (Fifty Fifty) pictured during the prize-giving with Chef d'Equipe Urs Gruning in the foreground. Photo: FEI/Drammen Press.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 July 2011 – Sweden holds the lead in the 2011 FEI European Promotional League series following consistently good results over the past few weeks. Carrying 49 faults, they have a good advantage over the Italians and Swiss who are playing cat-and-mouse in second and third places respectively, but with only a single point separating them.  The battle for promotion to the Top League FEI Nations Cup series in 2012 is a tough one, and the Swedes are showing just how hungry they are to return to the elite level of the sport from which they were relegated at the end of last season.

It was the Swiss who held sway at the European Promotional League leg in Drammen, Norway last month, but it was a close call when they only pipped the runners-up from Turkey by a single fault.  Switzerland’s Arthur de Silva (La Toya 111), Niklaus Schurtenberger (Fifty Fifty), Claudia Gisler (Touchable) and Christina Liebherr (LB Callas Sitte Z) completed with a total of eight faults, but a double-clear from former Irish team member Gerry Flynn (SIEC Ledgepoint), who has been flying the Turkish flag in recent years, put Turkey in a strong position.

However Cagri Basel (SIEC Goldrush) followed an opening zero score with 15 faults, and when Omer Karaevli (Dadjak Ter Puttenen) added five more to his first-round time penalty and Burak Azak (SIEC Castelo Branco) lowered just one fence in the second round, then the Turkish total of nine left them frustratingly close to challenging the Swiss to a third-round jump-off.

PARTICULARLY REMARKABLE
Poland finished third with 22 faults, particularly remarkable considering they fielded only a three-man team and particularly impressive as pathfinder, Msciwaj Kiecon (Urbane) produced two flawless performances.  Sweden picked up 10.5 valuable points when slotting into joint fourth with Denmark – Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis producing the third double-clear of the competition – while Italy slotted into sixth ahead of Finland in seventh and the host nation of Norway in eighth place.

Continue reading Sweden Soars to the Top of the Promotional League Table →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Vaulting

Kevin Babington and Mark Q Capture the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

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© ESI Photography. Kevin Babington and Mark Q on course in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (July 11, 2011) — With all new footing in the Grand Prix ring and beautiful weather, the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, was well suited to highlight the Showday National. Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, could not have asked for much more, as he captured the first place honors aboard his own Mark Q.

Sunday’s course was designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. Four riders went clean, including standout junior and Grand Prix newcomer Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Florida. Donovan went third in the order, posting her clear round early aboard her own Delilah. Babington showed sixth in the order and earned the second clear round of the class to secure a jump-off.

“I thought it was a great class,” said Babington. “I really enjoyed this show. Today’s class had a nice turnout, and the new footing was fantastic. We had some rain earlier in the week that gave it a good test and it passed with flying colors.”

Babington, like so many others, has circled the Pfizer Million on his calendar this year. “The Pfizer Million is one of my main goals this year since it’s such a great opportunity to jump for that much prize money. This is a new horse that I didn’t realize would be such a strong contender for the Million but I think we’ll be ready.”

Babington plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties to help cement his spot in the Pfizer Million lineup. “I will be in Saugerties for three weeks and will hopefully get six qualifiers in then,” he said. “This was my third one so I should be in good shape after Saugerties.”

Continue reading Kevin Babington and Mark Q Capture the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper →

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Artist Jane Gaston and Lumiere Draw Up a Victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

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©ESI Photography. Jane Gaston and Lumiere in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (July 11, 2011) — Two of the leaders in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final Rider Rankings dueled it out in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix with amateur rider Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere coming out on top to highlight the Showday National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

Gaston, a well known artist, especially in the equine world, entered Saturday’s class ranked third in the current Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Rider Rankings and continues to prove that she is one of the favorites to win it all in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

“This horse is just great,” said Gaston of The Plains, Virginia. “He got his start at HITS Culpeper five years ago as a baby and has won both Devoucoux classes so far here this year, so I feel like this is his home.

“But I am looking forward to going to Saugerties! The place is just beautiful. I have been there as a spectator, but I have never shown there,” said Gaston, looking forward to making her debut at HITS-on-the-Hudson this fall.

Gaston has made it clear that qualifying for the Diamond Mills Final is one of her goals this year. “I love the concept of this class. It really levels the playing field because it eliminates things like riders having multiple rides. And yes, I would say we are one of the favorites in the Final – as long as I stay out of his way!”

Continue reading Artist Jane Gaston and Lumiere Draw Up a Victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

John Pearce Finishes First and Second in the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix

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John Pearce and Son of a Gun bested a jump-off field of seven competitors to win the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix Presented by Nutrena. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — Seven horses and riders returned for the second round over the Peter Holmes-designed course in the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix Presented by Nutrena. Twenty-five horses and riders started in the featured event on Saturday July 9, 2011 during week four of the Colorado Summer Circuit at The Colorado Horse Park. Canadian WEG riders John Pearce and Karen Cudmore each had multiple rides in the jump-off, with the two of them galloping off with the top four ribbons.

Course designer Peter Holmes, Cowichan Bay, B.C., planned to use the Park’s Derby Field to full advantage. “It’s a beautiful big arena on two levels, which is not that common. I wanted to use the slope as part of the course; it’s a balance test that we don’t often get to see.”

In his pre-ride course walk Olympian John Pearce speculated that four fences could be problematic for riders in the first round of the class: fence #3, a vertical off of an inside turn; the double combination, an oxer to a vertical; the triple combination of vertical, oxer vertical, that was set completely on its own and faced into the crowd, and the line from fence #9 to #10. And he was right. All four jumps presented problem spots for the class. The result — an excellent selection of horses that advanced to the second round. “I thought the course designer did a great job all week,” Pearce said. “He nailed it.”

In the jump-off Pearce was first to go with his eventual winner, Son of a Gun, delivering a clear round with a 36.148. This put the pressure on the rest of the class, who each faulted, until Pearce returned with Chianto. This was his partner in last year’s World Equestrian Games, where they finished in eighth place overall. The duo was clear, but finished with 36.474, leaving Son of a Gun in the lead. Cudmore was last to go with her mare Shea; the perennial favorite in Colorado didn’t disappoint her loyal fans. Cudmore put in a great run, but pulled the last rail to finish in third.

Continue reading John Pearce Finishes First and Second in the $30,000 Colorado Circuit Opener Grand Prix →

Championships, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2011

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A DOUBLE GOLD FOR BELGIUM AND ITALY AS NEXT GENERATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE by Louise Parkes

Pictured (L to R): Nicola Philippaerts (team and individual gold), Victor Kumps, Jessica Geurts and Olivier Philippaerts, (front) Chef d'Equipe Rik Deraedt. Photo: FEI/Michael Steiger.

Lausanne (SUI), 11 JULY 2011 – Rising stars, and many with familiar names, shone brightly at the FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2011 staged in Comporta (POR) over the weekend.  Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, twin sons of long-time Belgian senior team rider Ludo Philippaerts, were members of the victorious Belgian Young Rider side, and 18 year Nicola also took the individual Young Rider title.  Meanwhile Virginia Caruso confirmed the competitiveness of Italian jumping right now when helping to scoop Junior team gold before also taking the individual honours yesterday.

Ireland clinched the first gold medals on offer in Saturday’s Children’s Team decider. But it was Lisa Nooren, daughter of world-famous coach Henk Nooren who is currently managing the French senior team, who came out on top in the Children’s individual competition the result of which, like so many of the other classes at these championships, had to be decided by a jump-off.  The quality of competition was extraordinary, with the top four riders producing flawless performances over five tough rounds, but Nooren and the 10 year old Dutch-bred Ubalia produced a superior turn of foot against the clock that left them with an advantage of more than 2.5 seconds over silver medallist Paul Delforge (Kaloubet d’Toureelle) from France, while Belgium’s Maxine de Pelsmaeker (Whippersnapper) claimed the bronze. Hungary’s Zoltan Lazar Jr (Afrodite) finished just outside the medal placings when second-quickest across the line, but with a single fence on the floor this time out.

Individual Children’s Champion Nooren said her victory was a family effort.  “It is a great privilege to have a father like mine.  He cannot often be at the competitions with me, so my mother coaches me, but at home the three of us work together as a group,” she explained.

Continue reading FEI European Jumping Championships for Children, Juniors and Young Riders 2011 →