Category Archives: Events

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$30,000 Grand Prix Is Grand Finale to Bustling First Week at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Brian Shook and Courage 68. Photo Credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 10, 2011 – Overcast skies couldn’t dull the excitement at Horse Shows by the Bay this afternoon, as the $30,000 Open Jumper Grand Prix of Traverse City ignited the Grand Prix ring. Brian Shook and Courage 68 took home the top prize, while Erynn Ballard and Robin Walker came in second and third, respectively. A suspenseful jump-off kept fans on the edge of their seats, as Shook, who rode last in the second round, was the only competitor to clear the course twice. This event was the first of four $30,000 Open Jumper Grand Prix that will take place at Flintfields Horse Park this summer.

Horse Shows by the Bay’s first 2011 Grand Prix got off to a dramatic start, as the first horse and rider both fell at a particularly challenging oxer. It wasn’t until the seventh rider, Robin Walker aboard Ilian-de-Taute, took the course that a clear round was achieved. Despite the much-appreciated lack of rain today, the rails seemed especially slippery on designer Chris Brandt’s intimidating course. Nearly all of the riders who entered today’s competition accidentally introduced a few rails to the Grand Prix ring’s new footing. Nevertheless, the challenge was met with delight by fans, whose “oohs” and “aahs” could be heard as each horse and rider bravely confronted the course.

Erynn Ballard and the appropriately-named Fun 2 Fly sure had fun this afternoon, as they were the second to go clear in the first round. They also had the fastest first round time, breezing through in under 70 seconds, the only pair to do so without incurring faults. Foreshadowing his jump-off success, Brian Shook was the third and final rider to clear the course in the initial round. He and Courage 68 teamed up to avoid the knockdowns and refusals that thwarted other participants. Of those whose rounds had only one fault, David Jennings and Nandy Fontaine turned in a great first round time of 69.534 seconds, finishing fourth overall. Denise Wilson also did well aboard Casey Jones, finishing with just four faults and a fifth place standing.

Continue reading $30,000 Grand Prix Is Grand Finale to Bustling First Week at Horse Shows by the Bay →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

A Blue Ribbon Day for Junior Hunters at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Jessica Blum and The Real McCoy. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 10, 2011 – An overcast morning gave way to a rather blustery but pleasant day on the final day of week one of Horse Shows by the Bay in Traverse City, MI. The R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter ring bustled with many junior riders vying for the Grand Junior Hunter Champion title. There was no stopping Jessica Blum and The Real McCoy, who topped them all when they earned first place in every Large Junior 15 and Under class this weekend. Also highlighting the day was the $2,000 Junior Hunter Classic and the $30,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City, both drawing quite impressive crowds.

The Large 16-17 Junior Hunters kicked off the Junior Hunter division today. Madison Hayes and Santiago, owned by Ilan Ferder, won the hunter round with a smooth and consistent showing of her handsome horse. Sydney Glazer and Emily Arneson’s Amika jumped with beautiful form into the second place position in the hunter round, followed by Mary Abbot aboard Devotion, who is owned by Jessica Warren. Laura Baginski and Jordan Weaver’s Devout showed off their skills in the handy hunter round, easily making the turns right into first place in the class. Hayes and Santiago grabbed the red ribbon and Sydney Glazer and Amika snagged its yellow counterpart in the handy round. After all the points were tallied-up, Hayes and Santiago accumulated the most points over the weekend – 38 total – and took home the champion prize. Laura Baginski and Devout took home reserve champion honors with 28 points.

It was the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters who stole the show today, with Blum and McCoy earning first place honors in every class of their division, including the under saddle class. Blum and her own “Mac” closed out the weekend with a total of 50 points in the section, as well as the sought-after champion ribbon. These incredible 50 points allowed the judge to announce early, before the Small Junior Hunters, that the pair could not be topped by any other pair in the Junior Hunter division, making them the Grand Junior Hunter Champions. Lauren Westerhouse and her horse, Debonaire, took home the reserve champion ribbon, with a total of 26 points. Westerhouse and Debonaire earned second place in both classes today.

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Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, Symposiums

Aachen Symposium – Last Chance for Tickets

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Lausanne (SUI), 11 July 2011 – The FEI, CHIO Aachen and Aachen School of Course Design (ASCD), which are collaborating for the first time on a two-day Symposium to help the growth of national, regional, FEI 1* and 2* competitions around the world, have a small number of tickets left for the 18-19 July event in Aachen (GER).

“The Symposium will be a perfect opportunity to share vital expertise and know-how to help the successful expansion of jumping competitions internationally,” said course designer Frank Rothenberger, who will be attending the Symposium with more than 50 delegates involved in event organisation from 25 countries.

Speakers from the FEI, CHIO Aachen, ASCD and specialists from 10 countries – Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the USA – will deliver invaluable insights into successful event organisation at the Symposium, entitled “How to develop, organise and sustain national and regional Jumping Events”.

The Symposium is being hosted by the FEI, ASCD and CHIO Aachen in co-operation with the Alliance of Jumping Organisers (AJO).

For tickets and further information on the Symposium, please click here.

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

Events, Racing

Horse Dies on First Night of Calgary Stampede

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July 10, 2011 – A horse has died on the first night of chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede in Canada. The death in the fifth race resulted despite changes to rules and standards aimed at minimising the risk to horses taking part in the famous event. The changes were brought about following sharp criticism following the deaths of six horses at the event last year. Stampede spokesman Doug Fraser said: “The leg injury was considered a catastrophic injury, so our veterinarian made the decision to euthanize the horse immediately.” The injury was not as a result of a crash, but happened between turns on the course during the race.

Read more at http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/07/063.shtml.

Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan Win $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan won the $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 9, 2011 – The top horse and rider combinations gathered at the Devon Show Ground’s Dixon Oval this afternoon to compete for the winning title during the $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix. This afternoon’s competition was the highlight event for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, which will be continuing through July 10, 2011. At the end of the day, Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan owned by Chansonette Farm LLC of New York, NY led the victory gallop after advancing to the short course and completing a clear effort in a time of 38.082 seconds.

“I got Vanhattan in March from one of Kent Farrington’s clients,” explained Keenan. “Kent was showing him in the grand prix classes, but I started out doing the Lows a few times and then the Highs; from the beginning he was unreal. I love him, he is such a character and a lot of fun.”

Christina Gellos and Man In Black owned by Gellos of Greenwich, CT were right behind them to take second with a time of 39.446, while Clementine Goutal and Ollywood Des Horts owned by Cloverleaf Farm of New York, NY broke the beam in a clean 39.865 to score the third place prize.

“Man In Black a little bit fired up, you just sit there and steer him around,” said Gellos. “He’s an incredible jumper, so you don’t really have to worry about the fences, which is awesome.”

Continue reading Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan Win $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix at Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lexi Graham and Landmark Victorious in $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Lexi Graham and Landmark won the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Ron Schwane Photography.

Devon, PA – July 9, 2011 – Following today’s exciting $10,000 Canine Partners for Life Mini Prix, riders returned to the Dixon Oval in the evening for the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby. The event was one of the highlights for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, at the Devon Show Grounds. The winning combination was Lexi Graham and Landmark owned by Julie Graham of Kintnersville, PA.

Graham and Landmark had scores of 89 and 90 after the first round. They came into the second round in third place, but with a picture-perfect round including, a spectacular brush box jump, the duo scored an 89 and an 89.5, which gave them a grand total of 357.5. They jumped to the top of the leaderboard and led tonight’s victory gallop around the Dixon Oval.

“He’s great for the derbies, he really takes care of me so it makes it a lot of fun,” noted Graham. “The first round was pretty nice, it was a little rough, but the second round is usually where we have a lot of fun and are able to take some chances.”

Graham added, “The ring looks great, I’ll definitely be back next year!”

Close behind in second was Kim Zindel-Buzby and Black Jax owned by Ann Nelligan of Newtown Square, PA, with a total score of 357. After scores of 92 and 90.5, the pair came into the handy round on top. A flawless second round course earned them scores of 83.5 and 91.

Continue reading Lexi Graham and Landmark Victorious in $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

$10,000 Welcome Prix Is Fast and Furious at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Greer Hindle and Viper P. Photo Credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 8, 2011 – Warm weather and warm hospitality surrounded the $10,000 Welcome Prix at Horse Shows by the Bay today, as over two dozen eager competitors convened at the Grand Prix ring to compete this afternoon. Greer Hindle jumped Viper P to the blue ribbon in this ambitious class, wherein riders and their mounts had to quickly clear the 1.40m – 1.45m obstacles adorning designer Chris Brandt’s challenging course. Sponsored by Positive Step Farm and Patrice Schreiber, the event was the first of four $10,000 Welcome Prixs that will beckon the brave this July at Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival in scenic Traverse City, MI.

The competition kicked off with an early clear turn by eventual second place finisher Denise Wilson aboard Delphine Van Het Orshof, who is owned by Blue Gate Farm of Dousman, WI. Aside from Wim Janssen on V.P.N., though, no other riders were able to clear the course in the first half of the first round. Hooves were flying but rails kept falling, with many an entrant getting edged out by just a single knockdown. After a short break, the second set of riders took their turn on top of the Grand Prix ring’s new footing. This section saw a just few more promising rides, with five horse and rider combinations attaining a clear status on this clear, sunny day.

Timing is everything, though, and an efficient jump-off whittled-down the competition to just six remaining riders. More than half found success in clearing each hurdle. Hindle and Viper P proved the fastest, however, as they boomeranged around the turns in just 38.299 seconds. In their wake was Denise Wilson and Delphine Van Het Orshof, the first of two horses that Wilson would steer clearly in today’s jump-off. Wilson and Delphine Van Het Orshof, though, came in right behind winner Hindle in 38.423 seconds. Victor Segovia and Romeo earned themselves a third place finish after the jump-off, as the duo cantered cleanly in under 40 seconds. Following this very fast round was the first ribbon ceremony to take place in the Grand Prix ring this year, where winner Hindle received both a blue ribbon and a pair of valuable Devoucoux riding boots. Devoucoux, Inc. is a Bronze Sponsor for Horse Shows by the Bay’s 2011 festival.

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Championships, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Western/Reining

Florida Cowboy Wins World Championship

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Denny Chapman of Ocala FL won the Men’s All-Around World Championship at the Single Action Shooting Society “End of Trail” finals at Founder’s Ranch, Edgewood NM. Chapman, a professional mounted shooting competitor, horse trainer and Wild West entertainer, flew in to the event and competed on a borrowed horse. “The event consisted of multiple stages of mounted shooting combined with live-fire cowboy action shooting over several days,” Chapman said. “The Double E Ranch of Gila NM provided me with a horse and tack to compete with and Taylor’s & Company Firearms provided my shooting equipment. It was my first World Championship win and I had a great time.” Denny recently launched a Mounted Shooting talk show which can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dennychapman/2011/07/08/mounted-shooting-radio-with-denny-chapman.

www.DennyChapman.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Mission Accomplished by Germany at Falsterbo

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The German team of Carsten Otto Nagel, Thomas Voss, Marco Kutscher and Ludger Beerbaum pictured with Chef d'Equipe Heinrich Hermann Engemann after winning today's fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 at Falsterbo, Sweden. Photo: FEI/Lotta Gyllensten.

Falsterbo (SWE), 8 July 2011 – It was a case of “mission accomplished” for the German team at Falsterbo, Sweden today when they won the fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 and consequently rocketed up the series leaderboard to third place.  In a thrilling competition that saw the defending double-champions share runner-up spot with the host nation as, at last, the pendulum of good fortune began to swing back in the direction of the French, the Dutch had to settle for fourth ahead of the Irish in fifth while the USA clinched sixth place.

The withdrawal of Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Kalico Bay left the British vulnerable in the second round and in seventh at the end of the day despite otherwise consistently good performances. And while the Belgians finished eighth with a big score of 47 faults on an afternoon they will probably not care to remember, it was an even more difficult day for the Danes who finished last and are now so far behind at the bottom of the league table that it seems nothing can save them from relegation in their debut season of top-level Nations Cup jumping.  Punished in the first round by the elimination of anchorman Thomas Velin who seemed at odds with his long-time ride Godsend du Reverdy, their chances were completely crushed when Tina Lund’s Qrispy D Ive Z simply refused to take part in the second round.

LEVEL PEGGING
The Germans and Swedes were in the lead on level pegging with just four faults apiece at the end of the round one, followed closely by the Irish carrying eight and then the French with 12, the Dutch with 13, the USA with 15 and the British with 16 faults on the board.  Denmark and Belgium were already trailing the field with 25 and 27 faults respectively, the 34 faults collected by last-line-rider Jan Vinckier (Ursela) seriously compromising Belgian chances.  But to say he was unfortunate second time out would be a complete understatement.  The triple combination – vertical, oxer, vertical – at fence eight was the bogey of the day, but Ursela had lowered only the previous oxer before she slipped on landing over the second element of the treble and slid to a stop in front of the third.  Persistent rain throughout the opening round had necessitated the movement of some fences to better ground, but it still proved increasingly challenging as the competition progressed.

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Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

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Laurent Beauvais, Chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Dr Pearse Lyons, President of Alltech, celebrating the announcement of Alltech as the title sponsor of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - Normandy © MC Chantrait

Lausanne (SUI), 8 July 2011 – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Alltech president Dr Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The agreement represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of EUR 10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder, Dr Pearse Lyons.

“These world championships of equestrian sport epitomise the values that we applaud; passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a long-standing history of serving the agricultural community in France and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event.”

“The FEI is delighted by the renewal of Alltech’s title sponsorship of the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos. “We are proud of the Games’ enduring appeal and are looking forward to an unforgettable seventh edition organised by Normandy 2014’s professional team and supported by an outstanding title sponsor such as Alltech.”

Continue reading Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy →