Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Show Jumping, USEF, USHJA

Team Show Jumpers Take the Stage at the 2011 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC

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Junior Gold Medal Jumping Team, U.S. Zone 4. Photo by Sportfot.

Lexington, KY – It was a clean sweep for the U.S. when Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Teams vied in the USHJA North American Show Jumping Championships today.

In the Junior division, the team from U.S. Zone 4 led the victory gallop with their Gold medal in tow while the U.S. Zone 2 carried the Silver, and U.S. combined Zones 1/6 took the Bronze.

Michael Hughes and Shockwave, Hayley Barnhill aboard Toucan Tango, Hasbrouck Donovan on Delilah, and Frances Land with Merlin earned the first-ever Gold for Zone 4 with a team total of only 12 faults after two grueling rounds in the Rolex stadium.

While a steady four on the outside line and a difficult water jump caused rails to come down for many, the Zone 4 team persevered. Barnhill, aboard the 9-year-old Tango, went clear for both rounds, one of only six to do so.

“It feels amazing,” said the 18-year-old Barnhill. “Zone 4 has never won a gold medal here, and it’s just awesome to be the first ones to do it.”

Team Chef Kim Land (Frances Land’s mother) could not have been more excited. “I’m really proud of them, with how they helped each other,” she said. “They’ve had their ups and downs this week and today everybody just came together and got better and better.”

Continue reading Team Show Jumpers Take the Stage at the 2011 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, USEF, Western/Reining

Team Canada Defends the Gold, Mexico’s Maiden Voyage Silver, Long Haul for Bronze

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Canada's YR Reining Gold team, l-r: Lisa Hiebert, Kylie Wasiuta, Jessica Green, Nancy Pratch. Photo: Diana De Rosa.

Lexington, KY – High-quality runs and terrific scores from a field of top-quality reining horses and the continent’s most elite junior and young rider athletes made for a spectacular night at the 2011 SmartPak Reining Team Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

Canada reclaimed the top of the podium at Thursday night’s team competition, this time with its Alberta/Manitoba team earning a score of 623. All three counting scores on the Gold medal team came in above the 200 point mark. Team members Jessica Green (201), Lisa Hiebert (206.5), Nancy Pratch (215.5), and Kylie Wasiuta (194) powered through the competition with determination and heart and their efforts paid off in a big way. Defending the Gold medal on behalf of Canada was a top priority for the team, and seasoned team veterans Pratch and Wasiuta knew just what it would take.

“The horses were great and we had very nice, consistent runs that helped us stay on top,” said Pratch. “It is a huge honor and we are super proud to represent Canada at such an important competition.”

Pratch wins her third FEI Gold medal in two years, as she was the anchor rider for the Gold medal Canadian team at the Adequan North American Junior & Young Rider Championships last year and won the Individual Gold medal in 2010. All eyes turn now to see if Pratch will also defend her Individual Gold on Saturday morning in the final round of championship FEI reining.

Continue reading Team Canada Defends the Gold, Mexico’s Maiden Voyage Silver, Long Haul for Bronze →

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

FEI Nations Cup 2011 Round 6

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GERMANY WINS THROUGH IN EXCITING THREE-WAY SHOWDOWN by Louise Parkes

(L to R): Hickstead's Daisy Bunn, German team members Holger Wulschner, Janne-Frederike Meyer, Chef d'Equipe Sonke Sonksen, Philipp Weishaupt and Marcus Ehning, FEI President HRH Princess Haya and Andrew Finding, British Equestrian Federation. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Hickstead (GBR), 29 July 2011 – Germany emerged victorious in a three-way jump-off against France and the USA at the sixth leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 at Hickstead (GBR) today.  In a competition that produced big scores as the notoriously testing British track took its toll, it was Marcus Ehning who sealed the result with the only double-clear of the competition and the quickest run against the clock.

The French lined up second ahead of the Americans in third, but for the USA the danger has not gone away.  Lying second-last on the series table going into today’s event, they failed to improve their position and must now head to Dublin, Ireland next week under even greater pressure.  The Germans, meanwhile, have overtaken the Irish to move into second place on the leaderboard and lie just a comfortable five points off the leading Dutch who, however, didn’t enjoy their best afternoon when having to settle for joint-sixth alongside the struggling Irish in today’s competition.  It was another rough day for the Danes whose fate appears to be sealed.  They look relegation-bound in this, their debut season, having picked up just eight points from the six legs of the series to date.  It will take something very special indeed to rectify that situation with just two competitions left to go.

HALFWAY STAGE
The Germans and French were joint-leaders at the halfway stage, carrying just four faults each.  Olivier Guillon (Lord de Theize) and Roger-Yves Bost (Nifrane de Kreisker) contributed clears to the French cause while Penelope Leprevost (Topinambour) and Kevin Staut (Silvana de Hus) left just one fence on the floor. Meanwhile Germany’s Janne-Friederike (Cellagon Lambrasco) and Marcus Ehning (Plot Blue) were foot-perfect, thus ensuring Philipp Weishaupt’s single error was the only addition to their scoreline as Holger Wulschner’s (Cefalo) double-error was dropped.

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup 2011 Round 6 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Western/Reining

FEI European Reining Championships 2011, Wiener Neustadt (AUT)

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IT’S ALL GOLD FOR UNTOUCHABLE ITALIANS by Louise Parkes

Giovanni Masi won Junior Team and Individual gold at the FEI European Reining Championships 2011 at Wiener Neustadt, Austria where Italy reigned supreme at all levels. Photo: FEI/Christian Kellner.

Lausanne (SUI), 29 JULY 2011 – Italian riders swept all before them at the FEI European Reining Championships 2011, which came to a close at Wiener Neustadt, Austria yesterday.  In an extraordinary run of form they claimed gold in all three team championships, and took both gold and silver in each of the individual divisions.

Competitors from 10 countries were in action throughout the week, but the remaining nine had to bow to the supremacy of the Italian performers who out-rode all others.  They began with success for their Junior Team on Tuesday, and they never looked back.

JUNIORS
A total of 30 riders lined out in the Junior Team Championship in which the combined score of 643 points provided Italy with a clear victory over Germany in silver medal position while The Netherlands took bronze.  Germany’s Alisa Muller and Sparkling Cielo produced one of the highest early scores with 211 on the board, but it was Italy’s Giovanni Masi and his American Quarter Horse stallion Remins Remedy who produced the best result of the day. Rewarded with a mark of 220 it helped secure the ultimate honour for Masi and his team-mates Sara Ambrosini (Maxplease), Lara Lorengo (BH Shot O Lon) and Nicolo Boretti (Sun Olenas Red Chicka).

“I’m so glad about our success,” said Italian coach Filippo Masi.  “I knew I had four good riders on the team but, with the exception of Giovanni, they had no experience at this level.  Also Germany had a strong team,” he added.  Trainer Kay Wienrich was happy with the achievement of the German side.  “They all did a great job and I’m especially glad as we had three young and inexperienced riders in the team – and all four have qualified for the individual final.”

Continue reading FEI European Reining Championships 2011, Wiener Neustadt (AUT) →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

G&C Farms Pablo Barrios Posts Victory at Global Champions Tour in Chantilly, France

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Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star won the Prix France Galop 1.50m speed class at the Global Champions Tour event in Chantilly, France. Photo © Cealy Tetley

Wellington, FL – July 26, 2011 – G&C Farm and rider Pablo Barrios have continued their summer tour with victory and strong performances at major CSI five star competitions across Europe, including a win at the Global Champions Tour event in Chantilly, France. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.

Barrios piloted G&C Quick Star 11 to the win in the Prix France Galop 1.50m speed class in Chantilly. The pair posted a time of 66.34 seconds for the win over Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) on AD Wilbert Z and Leopold van Asten (NED) with VDL Groep Amelie.

This was the second win for the pair on the Global Champions Tour circuit this summer. G&C Quick Star 11 is a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus. “Quick Star has been so solid and consistent this year,” Barrios said. “We are very happy with her and want to keep her strong and ready for the Pan American Games this fall.”

Barrios was very pleased to have posted another win at a five star show. “Winning never gets old,” he said with a smile. “Just being at these shows gives me a lot of knowledge and experience. I hope we can continue our success.”

Continue reading G&C Farms Pablo Barrios Posts Victory at Global Champions Tour in Chantilly, France →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, JRPR

Weber Wins Fahrderby at Riesenbeck, Moves into No. 1 Spot for FEI World Cup Standings

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Chester Weber with Kainzi the rabbit and Para, a KWPN gelding from Weber’s team. Kainzi and Para became stable mates at Altenfelden as the black rabbit’s presence keeps Para calm at competitions. (Photo courtesy of J. Schwarzl)

Riesenbeck, Germany (July 26, 2011) – If you are superstitious you might credit combined driving champion Chester Weber’s fourth winning weekend in Europe to his team’s “four lucky rabbit’s feet.”  Team Weber’s companion mascot, a hefty black rabbit named Kainzi, joined them earlier this summer at Altenfelden as a stable mate to Para to help keep the KWPN gelding calm at competitions.  It was love at first sniff for Para and Kainzi and word is that the rabbit may have “four lucky feet.”

But it takes more than luck to pull off the clean sweep in the dressage and the safe marathon round that made Team Weber impossible to beat last weekend at the Riesenbeck CAI.  It does however seem a bit lucky that for the third time in his career Weber won the prestigious German Fahrderby. And as luck would have it, the win at Riesenbeck catapulted Weber into the number one ranked position for the FEI World Cup standings.

Weber, who seems generally fond of the rabbit, is more likely to credit the support of Jane Clark and chef d’equipe Ed Young for Team Weber’s success. “The additional support of Jane Clark is playing an important role in our success,” said Weber. The Fahrderby win at Riesenbeck is a sweet victory for team Weber. “The derby is an old traditional competition with a history going back over 50 years.  There are two additional pair competitions: a pairs show ring class and a pairs dressage test.  It is a very thorough test of the quality of the horses’ training,” Weber explained after his record-breaking score of 24 penalty points for an impressive average score of 8.5.  Weber added, “It was great to be back in the heat of it in Riesenbeck. I feel that I gained added insight and was thrilled to have the opportunity to drive a course in the same venue as next year’s World Championships that was also designed by the same course designer.”

Continue reading Weber Wins Fahrderby at Riesenbeck, Moves into No. 1 Spot for FEI World Cup Standings →

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

FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2011, Broholm Castle (DEN)

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TRIUMPHANT GERMANS MAKE IT FIVE-TIME GOLD, HAT-TRICK FOR ROTHENBERGER by Louise Parkes

Young Rider Individual medallists (L to R): Cathrine Dufour DEN (silver), Sanneke Rothenberger GER (gold) and Carina Nevermann Torup DEN (bronze). Rothenberger also won Young Rider Team and Freestyle gold. Photo: FEI/Ridehesten.

Lausanne (SUI), 24 JULY 2011 – German riders had it almost all their own way when claiming both the Young Rider and Junior team titles as well as three of the individual gold medals on offer at the FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2011 at Broholm Castle in Denmark this weekend.  But the host nation did themselves proud when finishing a close second in both team events and then coming out on top in today’s Junior Freestyle Championship won by Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Millibar.

For Germany’s Sanneke Rothenberger these championships have been a particular triumph, as the 18 year old daughter of Olympians Sven and Gonnelien Rothenberger continues an ever-upward trajectory in her already impressive career.  She won team gold as a Pony rider, and in 2007 made history in the German Youth Riders Championship when clinching silver in both the Pony and Junior divisions.  She won team and individual gold at the FEI European Junior Championships in 2009 and last year claimed team gold and individual silver at Young Rider level.  This weekend, with her 10 year old Oldenburg gelding Deveraux which she has been competing for the last four years, she stepped up her game even further when taking Young Rider Team, Individual and Freestyle gold, firmly placing herself at the forefront of her sport and displaying an awesome talent in the making.

HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark, the dedicated and active patroness of the Danish Equestrian Federation, attended the event and today the FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, was also at Broholm Castle to present the medals to the winning riders. It has been a testing few days in every respect, as the weather did all it could to disrupt this year’s fixture with pouring rain and high winds creating a less-than-perfect competition environment.  But the next generation of top-class dressage competitors rode through it with determination and emerged triumphant in the end.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Para-Equestrians Get Grant Boost for London 2012

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Gold standard: Britain’s Lee Pearson (GBR), MBE OBE has become a Paralympic icon with nine Paralympic gold medals to his name (pictured at Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games)

Lausanne (SUI), 25 July 2011 – Para-Equestrians bidding to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games can now apply for funding as part of a brand new grant scheme to help with training expenses.

Eurovestech plc, the pan-European development capital fund, has put up a €25,500 grant to support 15 equestrian athletes around the world as they prepare for London 2012.

The grants, which will be distributed by the FEI, will be available to riders who have not won medals at the Paralympics, World Championships or World Equestrian Games since 2004.

National Federations representing Para-Equestrians from smaller nations where funding is limited are urged to apply for the grants. The grants are available both to riders who compete on their own horses and those that compete on borrowed horses.

Interested riders should contact their National Federation with their competition and training plans before 15 August 2011.

“It’s great news to hear of this initiative as the IPC is keen that a great number of athletes get the opportunity to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games across all sports, including Para-Equestrian,” explained Chief Executive Officer of the International Paralympic Committee Xavier Gonzalez.

Continue reading Para-Equestrians Get Grant Boost for London 2012 →

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

Charleston Summer Classics – Hunters Rule Finale Week

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Julie Curtin and Vince Win $2500 USHJA National Hunter Classic; Paige Parker Dubbed Most Supreme Pony Kahuna Champion

Julie Curtin & Vince ©Flashpoint Photography

Johns Island, SC — July 24, 2011 — The final week of the Charleston Summer Classics held at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center was much like an adventure packed vacation itinerary. One moment you’re enjoying the sport with friendly competitive rivals, then shopping together for the social gatherings.

This was also the week where the Wee Warriors of the Pony divisions battled for the coveted titles of Grand Pony Kahuna and the glory of being named Most Supreme Pony Kahuna. “I started the Kahuna competition as a fun method for our pony riders to prepare for the USEF Pony Finals, the scoring uses the same numerical judging system with daily accumulated points moving forward to their respective division Classic rounds. We award a Supreme Grand Kahuna in each of the six divisions and an overall Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion. The prizes are nice – Essex Classic Shirts, custom Cooler, featured in an Ad – but the best reward is the knowledge and experience they can take into Pony Finals,” Classic Company president Bob Bell said.

The 2011 Most Supreme Grand Pony Kahuna is Paige Parker partnered with Champlain Sovereign, owned by The Hill Farm. This marked Paige’s second occasion as top Pony Kahuna having won the title in 2009 with Cherrybrook Skye Blue.

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

Tseliapushkina in the Driving Seat, but Faminou Moves to Third in FEI World Cup Rankings

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Alena Tseliapushkina (BLR) on her 2008 Beijing Olympic horse, Passat, puts her stamp on the fifth leg of FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 in Minsk.

Lausanne (SUI), 18 July 2011 – Alena Tseliapushkina (BLR) led from the start to put her stamp on the fifth leg of the FEI World Cup Eventing held on her home ground at Minsk (BLR).

Riding her 2008 Beijing Olympic horse, Passat, she scored the only sub-50 Dressage mark and added just 1.6 time penalties across the country to finish ahead of Russian rider Mykhailo Nastenko on Coolroy Pit.

In what Technical Delegate Andy Griffiths (GBR) described as a first-class event, attended by the Belarusian Minister for Sport, there was an impressive 30 starters from Russia and Belarus. A total of 23 finished the Cross Country, with 15 of those clear over the fences and three also inside the time. Twenty-three horses completed the competition, which was televised.

Runner-up Nastenko also gained useful extra points with an eighth place, but it was Aliaksandr Faminou (BLR) who made the biggest impact on the FEI World Cup Eventing rankings by shooting into third in the standings when scooping fourth, sixth and seventh placings.

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone is still way out in front in the rankings, having won the first two events of the season. He is now based in Britain, from where he can easily compete at the next leg in Malmö (SWE) on 05-07 August 2011 and the final event at Haras du Pin (FRA) on 18-21 August to secure his pole position.

Continue reading Tseliapushkina in the Driving Seat, but Faminou Moves to Third in FEI World Cup Rankings →