Category Archives: Events

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13329

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

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

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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.

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

Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Phelps Media Group

Phelps Media Group Honored with Business Excellence Award by Wellington Chamber

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Wellington, FL – February 24, 2011 – Phelps Media Group, Inc., America’s most progressive and successful equestrian public relations firm, and a Wellington fixture for nearly a decade, has been awarded the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award. The award will be presented at the Chamber luncheon on March 16, 2011 at the Wanderer’s Club.

Launched in 2002 by Olympian Mason Phelps, Jr., Phelps Media Group began service to the equestrian industry with promotion of the National Horse Show, which was moved to Wellington following a one hundred year plus run at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City. The PMG promotion of that event drew such record crowds to the show grounds in Wellington, that some were quoted as calling it the “Woodstock of horse shows.”

“It was amazing,” recalled President Mason Phelps. “There were so many people that weekend that we ran out of food, ran out of portable toilets and overwhelmed the roads leading into the equestrian complex. It was like Woodstock,” he laughed. The success of that promotion prompted Phelps to continue the PMG venture for other events. Word spread rapidly throughout the industry about this new company that offered ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, lightning fast media responses, and proven results. Since that time, Phelps Media Group, Inc. has rapidly accumulated an amazing number of impressive clients in the equestrian world from coast-to-coast and internationally.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13326

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

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

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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.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13323

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

Meg O’Mara and Sinatra IV Win Second Leg of the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Series

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Meg O'Mara and Sinatra IV won the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix during week seven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. All photos © Sportfot

Enrique Gonzalez and Katina Gallop to Victory in $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

Wellington, FL – February 25, 2011 – Meg O’Mara and Sinatra IV jumped to victory in the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix on Friday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Showing under the lights in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, O’Mara and Sinatra IV were the only pair to jump double clear in the evening’s class to earn top honors over a field of 54 starters.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s seventh week of competition continues through Sunday, February 27. Week seven, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, will feature the $78,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Today’s class was the second of four qualifiers for the EY Cup Finals, held at the FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany. The top three riders at the conclusion of the series will have the opportunity to travel to Germany to compete. The third event, which is a Team Event, will be held on Thursday, March 10 in the International Arena. The final $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix will be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium on Sunday, March 20, 2011. Through their sponsorship, The Dutta Corporation & International Horse Transport will be shipping the winning horse to the Finals and covering travel expenses for the highest scoring rider in this series.

Continue reading Meg O’Mara and Sinatra IV Win Second Leg of the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Series →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group, USEF

‘Salute to Driving’ Benefit Offers Generous Support to USET Foundation

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Bev Lesher, Lisa Singer, and Wendy O'Brien at the Salute to Driving. Photo By: Vicki Long.

Aiken, SC – February 25, 2011 – The first annual ‘Salute to Driving’ event hosted a beautiful Dinner & Live Auction on Saturday, February 19, 2011, to benefit the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and, ultimately, USEF High Performance Combined Driving. The successful evening was held at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, SC. The goal of the event was to help raise funds for the USET Foundation that will be dedicated to helping fund and train the best drivers and equines to represent the USA in World Driving Championships to bring home Team and Individual Medals.

The dinner began at 6:30 pm, and during the evening’s Live Auction attendees helped raise funds for the USET Foundation. Auction items included two lessons with top driver Michael Freund at Little Everglades or Live Oak 2011, two lessons with Chester Weber during Live Oak 2011, a dinner for eight presented by Jack Wetzel at his new log cabin in Aiken, a week long vacation in a large Victorian home on the beach in Cape May, NJ, a week long vacation in Block Island, RI, a print, “Patriots Barn” by Jamie Wyeth, signed and remarqued by the artist and brunch for four at the Green Boundary Club. There were also over 20 raffle items given away through the night that ranged from a professional photo shoot to dancing lessons.

Continue reading ‘Salute to Driving’ Benefit Offers Generous Support to USET Foundation →

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

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Attracts Top International Riders

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Shannon Dueck on Ayscha. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle, Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – February 25, 2011 – With less than two weeks until the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach gets under way on March 9-11 2011, a number of the world’s top riders and their horses are preparing to travel to South Florida.  The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group will award more than 400,000 Euros over four competitions in 2011, making it the world’s richest dressage series. The first of those competitions is the WDM Palm Beach, where 18 competitors, including several Olympic and World Championship medalists, will vie for 100,000 Euros in prize money.

The WDM Palm Beach, which will be held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, is produced by Wellington Classic Dressage. Noreen O’Sullivan, a Managing Partner with Wellington Classic Dressage, is excited to welcome such an impressive international line up to South Florida. “We’re thrilled to host this competition and to have riders and horses of this caliber coming to the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. We want people to feel treated to a truly international experience.”

On February 21st, Canadian Dressage Team Technical Advisor Robert Dover named Shannon Dueck of Loxahatchee, FL as the Canadian Wild Card recipient for the WDM Palm Beach. Originally from British Columbia, Dueck made South Florida her permanent home in 2003. “I love being able to ride all year round without having to relocate my entire barn in the winter months,” she says. “The weather here in the winter is second to none, and I have the opportunity to compete with the best from all over North America.”

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Attracts Top International Riders →

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Contributors/Press, Events

The Equine Vision of Robert Vavra

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Kentucky Horse Park to Present a 60-Year Retrospective by the World’s Premier Photographer of Horses

LEXINGTON, KY (February 24, 2011) – Famed novelist James Michener once wrote, “Though equus has fired the imaginations of painters from the prehistoric hunter-artists of Altamira to Leonardo da Vinci, Velazquez, Goya and Picasso, still in the history of photography no cameraman has recorded the horse with such excitement and personal style as has Robert Vavra.  His photographs are works of art; they are interpretations of the horse as perceptive as those done by Stubbs and Remington.  They are a joy to see, because they evoke the inner nature of the horse.”

Today Vavra is universally recognized as the world’s premier photographer of equines, and his work will be the focus of the Kentucky Horse Park’s next exhibition, Vavra’s Vision: The Equine Images of Robert Vavra, Mar 19 – May 30 in the International Museum of the Horse – a Smithsonian Affiliate. The exhibition is being presented courtesy of the International Institute of Photographic Arts.

By portraying the horse in his fresh and very personal way, Vavra has become an icon in his own lifetime. He is the author of 37 books accounting for more than 3 million volumes in print, in eight languages. This retrospective exhibition will delve into the world that Vavra has created through his lens over the last 60 years while circling the globe. In photographs, in film and in print, his images capture the strength, beauty and wisdom of the horse.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13315

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

$200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational Presented by G&C Farm Remains a Tampa Tradition

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Jeffery Welles and Armani, winners of the 2010 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G&C Farm. Photo © Kenneth Kraus

Raymond James Stadium to Once Again Host America’s Premier Outdoor Show Jumping Event

Tampa, FL – February 24, 2011 – The city of Tampa, Florida will once again play host to one of the world’s premiere show jumping event, as the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G&C Farm, returns to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Once again, the stellar event bears the name of the founder of the class, Stadium Jumping’s legendary Gene Mische, who first brought the event to the Tampa Bay area in 1973. Mische died recently after a long and hard fought battle with cancer, but was thrilled to be able to witness last year’s class before he passed away.

In addition to G&C Farm, who returns for a second year as the presenting sponsor, Stadium Jumping welcomes Horsewares Ireland, Land Rover, Gold and Diamond Source, Morgan Stanley, Innisbrook Resort and Elizabeth Busch Burke, who have all generously come forward to join in the 2011 sponsorship of America’s premier show jumping event.

Continue reading $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational Presented by G&C Farm Remains a Tampa Tradition →