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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, and Catherine Tyree Top 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships

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Michael Hughes won the 2011 ASPCA Maclay Region 1 "Northeast" Championship. Photo © 2011 Anne Gittins.

Wellington, FL – September 28, 2011 – This weekend concluded the 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships with the final competitions held for Regions 1, 2, and 4. Championship honors were awarded to Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, and Catherine Tyree for their incredible rides in each of their respective regions. The talented riders also earned an invitation to the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, to compete for the top spot among the nation’s best junior riders with the 2011 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals presented by C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery.

The Region 1 “Northeast” Championships were judged by Jimmy Torano and Jimmy Lee at the Grand Fall Classic in Westbrook, CT. Michael Hughes of Morriston, FL, caught their attention with his smooth and precise ride aboard Co Co Pop, winning top honors without entering the ring for additional testing. Hughes showed against 60 of the top juniors in the Northeast states of CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT. Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, finished in reserve for the second consecutive year.

“This weekend really went amazing,” said Hughes. “The first round went really well, the course was straightforward, and when it came to the flat phase, I know that Co Co Pop would really excel, so we were able to stay strong.”

Region 2 “East” Championship was held on Saturday, September 24 for the states of NJ, NY, and PA at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Judged by Rita Timpanaro and Chrystine Tauber, top honors were awarded to Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, aboard Catherine Cowie’s Vidarco. Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, MD rode to the reserve honors.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF

Land Rover Awards $50,000 in Performance Grants to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team

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Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. Photo: www. stockimageservices. com

After a hugely successful early fall campaign for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team, six riders will receive Land Rover Performance Grants based on their performance at the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials or the 2011 Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (CCI4*) – Northampton, UK
Boyd Martin led the American effort with the Neville Bardos Syndicate’s Neville Bardos at the Burghley CCI4*. The pair finished seventh, earning a $10,000 Land Rover Performance Grant in addition to the $15,000 base grant which they received prior to their trip to the UK as part of the Land Rover Competition and Training Grant initiative. Their $10,000 Land Rover Performance Grant was based on their top 10% finish at a CCI4*.

“It was fantastic gesture for Land Rover to reward Neville with the $10,000 bonus thanks to his top finish at Burghley,” said Martin. “A huge international trip like this amounts to thousands of dollars in expenses, and this performance grant will be going directly toward offsetting a lot of the costs for Neville’s trip to England. Land Rover has absolutely made my dream of competing at Burghley a reality with their grants.”

Sinead Halpin rode Manoir de Carneville to a 15th place finish at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and will receive a $5,000 Land Rover Performance Grant for their top 20% finish at a CCI4*. Halpin’s trip to her first European CCI4* was funded by the USET Foundation’s Jacqueline Mars Grant.

2011 Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (CCI3*) – Woodstock, UK
Tiana Coudray jumped up to a second place finish with Ringwood Magister at the Blenheim CCI3*, marking a return to form for the California combination. They will receive a $10,000 Land Rover Performance Grant based on their top 10% finish. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen finished fifth and Will Faudree and Pawlow were eighth, which also marked a top 10% finish for both combinations. They will also receive an additional $10,000. Both Faudree and Montgomery received Land Rover Competition and Training Grants to fund their trip, as did Phillip Dutton, who finished 12th on Mighty Nice. Dutton and Mighty Nice finished in the top 20% at Mighty Nice’s first CCI3*, meaning that they receive a $5,000 Land Rover Performance Grant.

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, JRPR, Show Jumping

Show Jumping Mourns the Loss of Gilmore 48

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Gilmore 48 and Damian Guthrie. (Photos courtesy of MarkAstrom.com)

Reddick, FL (September 27, 2011) – This past weekend the team at Magnolia Hill Farm in Reddick, Florida lost the talented 12-year-old Westphalian show jumper, Gilmore 48.  Gilmore was euthanized late in the afternoon on Friday, September 24, 2011 after being injured in an attempt to jump out of his paddock.  Gilmore’s devastated owners include rider Damian Guthrie, his wife, Rebecca Guthrie, Chester Weber, and My Elisabeth Weber.  Damian Guthrie had recently qualified Gilmore for the 2012 London Olympics while representing Australia in 6 Nations Cup events and the pair was on the Australian Show Jumping Elite Squad.

“We are all stunned,” said Damian Guthrie.  “It happened in an instant.  Gilmore was turned out and decided to try to jump out of his paddock for no apparent reason other than that he was feeling pretty good about himself.  He landed badly after taking the fence at an angle; I knew immediately that there was no hope for recovery or rehab.  We were able to get a vet to the farm within ten minutes and Gilmore was euthanized soon after.”

For the Webers and the Guthries, the loss of their successful Grand Prix horse was not just a blow to their competition schedule, but also to their family.  “He was the most beloved horse on the farm,” said Guthrie.  “Gilmore had a great life with us.  He had the premium paddock with the best grass and shade; more importantly he had the best view of his lady friend Camilla, my wife’s retired jumper who lived next door to him.  His stable provided him with a view of the farm and all of his other buddies so Gilmore could never feel left out of anything.  My daughter Emilia even has teddy bears named after Gilmore; he was so much more than just a Grand Prix jumper.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

International Polo Club Palm Beach to Bring World Dressage Masters Back to United States in 2012

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Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven, Steffen Peters, and Tina Konyot, victorious at last year's World Dressage Masters event in Palm Beach. Photo: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – September 21, 2011 – As an exciting staple of the Wellington winter equestrian scene, International Polo Club Palm Beach will once again bring one of the world’s most elite dressage events to South Florida next year. The World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach will be sponsored by International Polo Club Palm Beach in 2012, bringing together two of the most thrilling horse sport presenters. Occurring January 26-29, 2012 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, the World Dressage Masters event is sure to entertain spectators, challenge riders, and reflect the athletic spirit of its presenting sponsor, International Polo Club Palm Beach.

As the founding force behind International Polo Club Palm Beach, John Goodman and family are pleased to be able to offer dressage enthusiasts a chance to glimpse the world’s best riders. “Last year was so successful, and proved to be a sold-out event,” said Goodman. “With more time to prepare this year, the competition for 2012 looks to be even better than ever.”

As a CDI5* event, the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach involves the highest and most difficult levels of dressage tests for riders and their horses. Featuring a Grand Prix, a Grand Prix Special, and a Grand Prix Freestyle, this show brings a new challenge for each day of competition. The World Dressage Masters circuit also awards €100,000 in prize money per show to its winning riders, making this one of the world’s most lucrative dressage contests, as well as one of the most impressive.

Noreen O’Sullivan, owner of Wellington Classic Dressage, which produces World Dressage Masters in Palm Beach, added, “The show last year was such a wonderful experience for everybody. We’re very excited to again be able to partner with International Polo Club Palm Beach and bring the top dressage riders in the world back to Wellington this winter.”

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

FEI World Jumping Championships for Young Horses 2011 – Lanaken (BEL)

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DOUBLE GOLD FOR ZANGERSHEIDE STUDBOOK, BUT BELGIAN WARMBLOOD WINS YOUNGEST CATEGORY by Louise Parkes

Jessica Kuerten steered Ayumi Kotani's Zangersheide stallion, Cor dela Rossa Z, to victory in the 7 Year Old Final at the FEI World Jumping Championships for Young Horses 2011. Photo: FEI/Peter van del Bulck.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 September 2011 – Horses from the Zangersheide Studbook claimed two of the three gold medals on offer at the 2011 FEI World Jumping Championships for Young Horses staged in Lanaken, Belgium over the weekend.  This event is long-established as the shop window for up-and-coming champions, and for the many breeding organisations who annually compare their merit throughout four days of tough competition.

It was a particularly satisfying result for the host venue at Zangersheide Stud, home to the highly influential and extremely successful Zangersheide Studbook which dates back to its earliest origins in 1992 when Leon Melchior first began to apply a scientific approach to the traditional methods of producing top-class Jumping horses.  And ensuring that all the main honours remained with the host nation, it was the Belgian Warmblood Studbook that reigned supreme in the youngest category for 5 Year Olds.

The event, staged in warm and sunny weather conditions, attracted a phenomenal 80,000 visitors who came to see over 800 jumpers in action.  A total of 206 started in the 5 Year Old category, a massive 265 in the 6 Year Olds and 240 in the 7 Year Old division.  And with €220,000 up for grabs, along with the enormous prestige that is automatically attributed to every medal-winner, the competition was razor-sharp.

FEROCIOUS BATTLE
A total of 58 qualified for Sunday’s 5 Year Old Final, and 35 of these went clear in the first round, so it was a ferocious battle for the medal placings as these youngsters raced against the clock.  The quality of the talent on show however was demonstrated when 15 managed to complete with double-clear performances, but the best of all was the Belgian Warmblood mare Gladys – Wandor v Mispelaere x Toulon – who scorched home quickest for Belgium’s Yves Vanderhasselt.

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

Demi Stiegler Champion of the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Final – West

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Demi Stiegler. Photo by Flying Horse Photography

Lexington, KY – On Saturday afternoon at the L.A. International Jumping Festival (Sep 21-25), a crowd gathered on LAEC’s grass Cricket Field to watch the Show Jumping phase of the demanding and prestigious Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West. When all was said and done, Demi Stiegler (Robin Stiegler and Archie Cox, trainers) led the victory gallop as champion of the 41-entry field.

“It was amazing!” Stiegler said of her win. “I was sixth coming into Phase III, and I knew from the Flat and Gymnastics Phases I just had to stay consistent. I tried to just concentrate on what would work best for my horse and myself and not worry about the pressure, and it paid off.” This was Stiegler’s second Talent Search Final, having competed in it in 2009.

The course for Phase III was fairly straightforward, with long distances between jumps to give riders a chance to think through each element – although they had to be careful not to let their horses get too fast or strung out with all that space. The two trickiest spots were the eighth jump, a skinny vertical after a sharp bending line, and the last line that started with a water jump followed by a bending line to a short one-stride combination. Stiegler sailed gracefully through the course, earning a score of 89. Scores in the multiplier for this phase was “2”, and added to the two earlier phases, and Stiegler’s overall score of 389.5 moved her from sixth into third place going into the final phase.

Sage Flynn (Hap Hansen, trainer) executed the Phase III course beautifully and earned the top score for the round of 92, which kept her in second place with 401 overall. Zoie Nagelhout (Archie Cox, trainer) went into Phase III in the lead, and her smooth and capable trip earned her a score of 88.5 and just kept her in the lead with 402. Taylor Harris (Elvenstar, trainer) joined them in the work off with a combined score of 380.5.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Three New World Champions in Pony Driving

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18-year-old Bram Chardon (NED) won the four-in-hand category at the FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies 2011. Photo © Rinaldo de Craen.

Lipica (SLO), 21-25 September 2011 – Three new world champions were crowned at the end of four wonderful days of competition at the FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies in Lipica, Slovenia. Bram Chardon from The Netherlands won gold in the four-in-hand pony class, Dieter Baackmann from Germany was declared world champion in the pony pairs class and Kristina Klindt from Denmark is the new world champion in the pony singles class. Germany was untouchable from the very beginning and took the team gold.

New generation
Young drivers took the medals this weekend just as was the case a month ago at the FEI World Pairs Driving Championships in Conty (FRA). A new generation of drivers has successfully entered combined pony Driving at the highest level. With 18-year-old Bram Chardon and 23-year-old Kristina Klindt winning the gold medals and many other young drivers taking the top placings, the future of pony Driving is looking bright indeed.

Four-in-hands
Bram Chardon (NED) is following in his father’s footsteps. This was the championship debut for the son of four-time world four-in-hand champion IJsbrand Chardon. It did not come easy for Bram though. After placing fifth in Dressage, he won the marathon by driving his team of grey Welsh ponies fast and smooth through the eight spectacular marathon obstacles. Bram took over the lead from Germany’s defending world champion Tobias Bücker who had won the Dressage. Bram had one ball in hand going into the final obstacle driving competition but proved to be a true champion and drove a magnificent double clear round, securing his first ever gold medal. Bram’s fellow team member and 2007 world champion Jan de Boer won individual silver and the 2009 world pony pair champion Daniel Schneiders (GER) made an excellent debut in the four-in-hand category by winning the bronze.

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

Sweden Wins FEI Promotional League Final in Barcelona Cliff-Hanger

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(L to R) Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Svante Johansson, Angelica Augustsson, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Chef d'Equipe Sylve Soderstrand. Photo: FEI/Nacho Olano.

FEI TV – enjoy LIVE programming, highlights, interviews and archive footage at www.feitv.org.

Barcelona (ESP), 25 September 2011 – The Swedish team came out the winners at the Promotional League Final in Barcelona, Spain this afternoon and will now rejoin the elite eight-nation FEI Nations Cup series in 2012.  But, on a roller-coaster afternoon, it took a monumental effort from last-line Swedish rider Rolf-Goran Bengtsson to seal the coveted qualifying spot.

Despite the fact that three of the opposing sides were reduced to just three team-members, and were therefore unable to discount one performance, the four-strong Swedish team relied heavily on the man who, just seven days ago, claimed the Individual gold medal at the FEI European Jumping Championships in Madrid.

The host nation of Spain finished second, with just a single-fault advantage over The Ukraine in third, while the Canadians lined up fourth ahead of the Italians who looked threatening to the very end but who had to settle for fifth in the final analysis.  The last two places in the seven-nation line-up were filled by Poland and Russia, each hampered when fielding just three riders, but showing flashes of form that would suggest their time will come in future years.

For the Swedes, today’s result was an enormous relief.  Last Sunday, Bengtsson pointed out during the final press conference in Madrid that, despite his personal triumph and the Olympic qualification earned through the fifth-place finish in the FEI European Team Championship, there was still another big job to be done this weekend in Barcelona.  So for the 49 year old newly-crowned European champion and reigning Olympic silver medallist it was a case of “mission accomplished” as, ably supported by Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Angelica Augustsson and Svante Johansson, he helped restore his country to its rightful place in the premiership of team Jumping.  “I’m very happy,” he said with his usual degree of understatement this evening.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, USEF

Day Three: FEI World Pony Driving Championships – U.S. Maintains Bronze Medal Position

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Shelly Temple and LR Ami B-Line (Photos: Marie de Ronde)

The U.S. Pony Drivers had another successful day in Lipica, Slovenia at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships. As a team they forged through difficult marathon conditions to lie third in the standings heading into Sunday’s finale. Germany leads comfortably with a combined score of 345.01, with The Netherlands sitting the Silver medal position on 360.39. On 382.08, the U.S has a wide margin over the fourth-placed British team.

Single Pony Championship

Less than 10 points separate the top nine ponies in the Single Pony Championship, three of which are Americans. Individual driver Suzy Stafford (Wilmington, DE) was the Individual Bronze medalist in 2009, will attempt to drive her way back in to the individual medals again on Sunday. She currently is fourth with Josephine. Shelly Temple, who drives LR Ami B-Line (Windsor, SC), and Miranda Cadwell, who drives Kabam (Southern Pines, NC), are in eighth and ninth respectively, with less than half a point separating the two American drivers.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group

Milliren, Pettet, Cameron, and Geller Top 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships

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Sarah Milliren and Terrapin win the ASPCA Maclay "Central" Regional Finals. Photo © 2011 CJM Photography

Wellington, FL – September 22, 2011 – The 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships continued this past weekend with competitors for Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 vying for the top honors in their respective regional competitions. On September 18, 2011, talented horse and rider combinations began competing to place in the top 60% of their classes, earning the top combinations an invitation to the prestigious finals held in Lexington, KY for the Alltech National Horse Show. Taking home the blue ribbon prize and winning title for their regions were Sarah Milliren, Brooke Pettet, Madison Cameron and Morgan Geller.

Competing at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show in Lake St. Louis, MO, the Region 5 “Central” Championships were judged by Linda Andrisani and Alex Jayne. The “Central” Championships were one of the few finals that did not ask for additional testing from the judges. The riders were only judged on the course and the flat phase. The Central Region includes top competitors from AR, IA, KS, LA, MO, MN, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, and WI. It was Sarah Milliren who rode Terrapin, owned by Walstib Stables LLC of Rumson, NJ, to the top honors, claiming the championship award. Megan Bifano and Urco, owned by Gabby Slome of Riverdale, NY, claimed the reserve championship honors.

Milliren was extremely pleased with the results, especially since this was her first time showing Terrapin. “Going to Regionals, I had no idea what horse I was going to compete with,” Milliren explained. “I had a couple to choose from, but I really liked Terrapin and his ride. He’s an awesome horse, pretty straightforward, although he does get a little crabby.”

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