Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

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

Cesar Parra and Grandioso Continue Their Winning Form in Germany

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Cesar Parra receives the congratulatory handshake from the show official at Balve, Germany. (Photo courtesy of Jose Alvarez)

Balve, Germany (July 7, 2011) – International Dressage rider and trainer Cesar Parra is one step closer to his goal of competing Grandioso, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, in the Pan Am Games thanks to last weekend’s successful show in Balve, Germany. Parra rode the ten-year-old Westphalian gelding in the Prix St. Georges class and the S3 class, winning both classes.

Parra will be in Europe throughout July, competing and training Grandioso as well as Dave and Taunia Reed’s Agastrofos. “I believe our trips to Europe are super for many reasons. I love to keep my eye sharp and think it’s critical to watch the best horses and riders in the world,” Parra said. “I believe that when you surround yourself with the best, you push yourself to be better all the time.”

Parra is staying at Arnd Erben’s stable in Iserlohn, Germany, and decided to attend the Balve dressage show in an effort to see, “where we were and what we really needed to focus on,” Parra said. “I’m super excited with the results and it was very special to represent the USA here. The people have been really wonderful.”

While Parra is hoping that Grandioso will help him achieve his dream of riding on the U.S. Dressage team, he said that it has been a “team effort” to get Grandioso to where he is today. The Davis family purchased the gelding in 2009 and Parra said that each time he competes Grandioso the horse delivers a beautiful test and shows that he has a brilliant future.

Continue reading Cesar Parra and Grandioso Continue Their Winning Form in Germany →

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, USEF

10 Questions with Dressage Superstar Guenter Seidel

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Guenter Seidel and Aragon (Photo by Mary Phelps)

Thank you USEF Facebook fans for your questions for Guenter Seidel. For the next “10 Questions With…” please visit www.facebook.com/USEquestrian.

Guenter Seidel
Born: September 23, 1960
Hometown: Cardiff, CA

Guenter Seidel is a native of Germany who moved to the U.S. in 1985 and has contributed significantly to U.S. dressage. Seidel helped the U.S. win the Team Bronze medal at three consecutive Olympic Games – 1996, 2000 and 2004 – with three different horses. He also was on the Silver medal team in 2002 and the Bronze medal 2006 team.

Both 2009 and 2010 brought more milestones for Seidel, but tragedy struck in June, when he was thrown from his horse U II. Seidel fractured his pelvis and could not walk without crutches for two months. In just a year, though, Seidel made an incredible recovery. After a third-place finish in the grand prix in Hamburg in June this year, he topped the field in the freestyle with a score of 73.400% – on U II. Later that month at the CDI Fritzen in Austria Seidel finished second in the Grand Prix – Consolation class on Sundayboy with a 70.390%. He finished strongly in the Grand Prix for Freestyle coming in third with U II with a score of 70.745%. To top off the weekend, he and U II took top honors in the Grand Prix Freestyle after scoring a remarkable 78.27%.

Continue reading 10 Questions with Dressage Superstar Guenter Seidel →

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

Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**)

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New Zealand's Mark Todd pictured presenting Viscount George, the ride of his fellow-countryman Andrew Nicholson, at the first horse inspection for the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**). Photo: Peter Llewellyn/FEI.

Biographies of all competing riders can be found here: http://goo.gl/tqVqx.

EXCITING BUILD-UP TO OLYMPIC TEST EVENT by Louise Parkes

London Prepares Series (GBR), 3 July 2011 – There was a huge buzz of anticipation and excitement as the first horse inspection for the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC **) got underway in London (GBR) this afternoon at the first LOCOG test event in the build-up to London 2012.

Over the next three days, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games will test key aspects of the Greenwich logistics and operations in preparation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the field of play, timing and scoring technology, venue installation and workforce.

A total of 40 riders from 23 countries will take part in the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational, which offers the normal grading points for an international CIC**, and which will involve Dressage tomorrow (Monday 4 July), Cross-Country on Tuesday and two rounds of Jumping on Wednesday in order to reflect the Olympic format.

There will also be demonstrations of the other Olympic equestrian disciplines of Dressage and Jumping, along with Para-Dressage to further test the facilities.

Continue reading Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (CIC**) →

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

Clean Sweep of Musical Freestyles for Yvonne Barteau at Dressage by the Bay

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Yvonne Barteau and GP Delano. Photo Credit: Diana Hadsall

Traverse City, MI – July 1, 2011 – For Yvonne Barteau and KYB Dressage, the journey north from Maple Park, IL proved to be quite fruitful as she and her mounts GP Raymeister and GP Delano took home both blue ribbons in this week’s feature money events.

GP Raymeister scored a 74.5% to win the $2500 FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle while GP Delano won the $1500 FEI Intermediare I Musical Freestyle with a score of 75%.  Both horses are owned by Grand Prix Equestrian/Gina Frantz, who also resides in Illinois.

Today’s two events attracted several hundred people who enjoyed a total of 10 horse and rider combinations performing their routines to carefully choreographed music. A private fundraiser, sponsored by Hampton Green Farm, was also held with donations from the party and the gate going to the local Leelanau and Grand Traverse County 4-H.

KYB Dressage attended last season’s competitions and, due to the vacation-like atmosphere, including the gaming action at the Turtle Creek Casino, they decided to return again this summer for their “family vacation”.

Local resident Betsy VanDyke also did well today, as she and crowd favorite Cantana placed second next to Barteau.

Continue reading Clean Sweep of Musical Freestyles for Yvonne Barteau at Dressage by the Bay →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Reclaims the Green & Gold

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Eric Lamaze wearing the Green & Gold at Spruce Meadows. Photo: Thierry Billet of Sportfot

29 June 2011 – Canadian show jumper Eric Lamaze has regained the Green & Gold armband from French rider Kevin Staut after he was crowned the Number One rider in the world according to the latest Rolex Rankings.

Lamaze originally held the Green & Gold between July and August 2010; however, following impressive performances in Dublin and at Hickstead, France’s Kevin Staut soon staked his claim to the Number One spot.

Staut has been the No 1 ranked rider since September 2010, but Lamaze’s great run of recent form, which includes 2nd place at the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in Leipzig, plus victories at the CSIO5* in La Baule (France) and Rome (Italy), and the CSI5* in Valencia (Spain), has seen him return to the top spot in the Rolex Rankings.

First launched in December 2009 and supported by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), the Green & Gold is worn at all FEI competitions and bears the words “Number 1 Rolex Rankings”.

Since its launch, the Green & Gold has been worn by four riders: Marcus Ehning (GER), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Kevin Staut (FRA) and Eric Lamaze (CAN).

Continue reading Eric Lamaze Reclaims the Green & Gold →

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

Jung Rockets to Third Place in FEI World Cup Eventing Rankings

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Reigning World Champion Michael Jung (GER) has established his position in the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing rankings after Strzegom (POL).

Lausanne (SUI), 28 June 2011 – Reigning World Champion Michael Jung (GER) has established his position on the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing rankings after scoring an emphatic one-two at Strzegom (POL), the fourth leg of the series.

In a remarkable record, Jung, the reigning Series Champion from 2010 and winner of the 2009 FEI World Cup Eventing Final in Strzegom was winning at this leading Polish venue for the third consecutive time.

The German rider was in first and second position throughout the competition, only swapping the order of his horses in the final phase when Leopin, which had been re-routed after retiring the previous weekend in Luhmühlen CCI4*, jumped clear to take the top spot. Leopin was the only horse to achieve the optimum Cross Country time and, with his faultless Jumping round, was the only horse in the competition to complete on his Dressage score.

The Cross-Country leader, La Biosthetique Sam, the brilliant horse on which Jung won individual gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last year, as well as the Luhmühlen CCI4*, the FEI World Cup Eventing Final and a European bronze medal in 2009, faulted just once in the final phase to drop to second place.

Continue reading Jung Rockets to Third Place in FEI World Cup Eventing Rankings →

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

Atlanta Summer Classics Finale Packed with Big Awards

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Samuel Parot and Costa Real Win Outback Steakhouse Gamblers Choice; Taylor Ann Adams Named Grand Puba Junior Champion; Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Triumphant in $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix

Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. All photos © Flashpoint Photography

Conyers, GA — June 26, 2011 — The Atlanta Summer Classics wrapped up competition at the Georgia International Horse Park, awarding nearly $300,000 in prize money and raising thousands for local charities over the two week run. “We’ve had some of the best riders in our sport joining us; it’s been a remarkable series and I couldn’t be happier,” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said.

Starting off the finale week was a couple of highly anticipated clinics on Tuesday, beginning with a member of the $1 million dollar club, famed Grand Prix pro Wilhelm Genn, sharing his secrets of mastering water jumps. Sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Genn used the covered arena to set a mini course of six jumps, two with water hazards and utilized approximately ten horses to demonstrate proper and improper approaches. Speaking over a wireless microphone to riders and trainers for nearly two hours, Genn answered questions and provided helpful tips to “boost a horse’s confidence” when confronting water obstacles. Following was a very informative Pony Model Clinic with one of the foremost experts in this area, Bibby Farmer from Ocala, FL. She carefully explained to the young exhibitors not only what judges look for, but how to get the best from their ponies. Covering all the essentials from the pony’s stance to where the exhibitors’ attentions need to be when a judge is walking about them. On Thursday evening it was the judges who found themselves in the proverbial hot seats for an open forum called Just Ask the Judges, sponsored by Practical Horseman magazine. Three of the most respected names in judging, Betty Oare, Scott Fitton, and Barry Lobel, fielded questions from exhibitors and provided insight on scoring in the Hunter/Jumper disciplines. The panel also shared several of what they referred to as Judges’ Pet Peeves, which included overly short releases, especially in the Equitation divisions. All the experts agreed a restrictive release interferes with the horse’s jumping style, but pointed out that that doesn’t imply they want to see the opposite extreme with the infamous overdone throwing of the arms release.  Another peeve they described was the exaggerated tour taken upon entering the ring, stating that if a rider needs to show their mount the ring and/or the fences then the rider appears unprepared. Questions were asked on a wide range of subjects and guests left the forum armed with a lot of valuable information. “The clinics were a giant success and we [Classic Company] will be introducing more of these throughout out show schedule,” Bell commented.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics Finale Packed with Big Awards →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Driving, JRPR, Media/Radio/TV Sources

HRTV Re-Airs the Show “Holding the Reins” Showcasing Chester Weber and Combined Driving Following Weber’s Four-In-Hand Victory in Hungary

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Chester Weber is featured in an episode on HRTV called “Holding the Reins.” HRTV will re-air the show in June and July, with added commentary from Weber about his win in Hungary. (Photo courtesy of Altenfelden Hippoevent)

Ocala, FL (June 22, 2011) – Fans of USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driver Chester Weber have been lining up to congratulate the American driver following his victory at the CAIO Vecses, an international combined driving competition held recently in Vecses, Hungary. Weber won the Four-In-Hand division against a highly competitive field of international drivers.

HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, recently aired a show on Weber called “Holding the Reins,” and they also congratulated Weber on his recent victory. HRTV said they will re-air “Holding the Reins” in June and July with an added interview in which Weber discusses his victory in Hungary. The show is a 24-minute look at the exciting world of combined driving – which is considered one of the fastest growing sports in the industry – and features the story of how Weber grew up on a Thoroughbred racehorse farm to become one of our country’s leading drivers.

Weber has had great success both internationally and nationally and is currently the USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, a championship he has won a record eight years in a row. The goal-oriented Weber has his sights set on being the best in the world and during the HRTV show the United States Driving Chef d’Equipe, Ed Young, discussed Weber’s ambitions. “I think we will see Chester become the World Champion,” Young said.

“Holding the Reins” not only highlights Weber’s success, but also brings to light the intriguing and challenging sport of combined driving. The sport features speed, power, agility, grace, beauty and teamwork. “There are three phases in combined driving — dressage, the cross-country marathon and the cones. The cross-country is the real showstopper. You don’t have to like horses to appreciate the marathon,” Weber said.

Continue reading HRTV Re-Airs the Show “Holding the Reins” Showcasing Chester Weber and Combined Driving Following Weber’s Four-In-Hand Victory in Hungary →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Driving, Events, JRPR

Chester Weber Goes Two-for-Two with Four-In-Hand Win at CAI-Altenfelden

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Chester Weber won the Four-In-Hand competition at the 20th annual CAI-Altenfelden in Austria. Weber is now two-for-two in his European tour. (Photo courtesy of Marie de Ronde-Oudemans)

Altenfelden, Austria (June 22, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber is now two-for-two in his European tour, winning the Four-In-Hand competition at the 20th annual CAI-Altenfelden in Austria. Weber’s win had the foreign press praising the American driver, referring to Weber as “remarkable,” “special guest,” “the American driving sport super star” and the “dressage specialist.”

Weber proved he was the “dressage specialist” in the four-in-hand, which the Europeans call the king discipline, by decidedly winning the dressage by 12 points. “I won the dressage, was fourth in the marathon and second in the cones,” Weber said. In combined driving the winner is the driver with the lowest cumulative score, and in the end the stars and stripes were flying as Weber captured the overall win.

While Weber and his team proved they were capable of winning the entire four-in-hand class with an 8-point lead, all eyes were on the American driver during his dressage test. European news sources reported that Weber was an “American driving sport super star who was in a class of his own” following his dressage test. “I work very hard with my team on the dressage, so I am flattered to hear so many great remarks about our test,” Weber said, adding that he is pleased with the two new horses on his team, Uniek and Splash owned by Jane Forbes Clark, as they have added depth and talent to his string.

Weber, who is the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, described the Altenfelden driving competition as a great atmosphere. “I had a chance to meet and compete against drivers from the Eastern part of Europe,” he said. “I usually don’t have a chance to go up against these drivers so it was a great experience for me.”

Continue reading Chester Weber Goes Two-for-Two with Four-In-Hand Win at CAI-Altenfelden →

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

Atlanta Summer Classics Awards over $160,000 in First Week

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Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello Win $25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby; Chasen Boggio and Hennessey Victorious in $35,000 EMO Grand Prix

Liza Boyd & Brunello © Flashpoint Photography

Conyers, GA — June 19, 2011 — There’s more than one reason exhibitors use the phrase “I’m showing in Hotlanta”; just ask Elizabeth Boyd who picked up some “hot” cash in Friday evening’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby or Chasen Boggio who’ll be depositing a big check from Sunday’s $35,000 Adequan Grand Prix.

Kicking off a huge week at the Georgia International Horse Park, the Hunter riders took center stage on Friday evening as 30 determined horses vied for the spotlight in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by the Classic Company. It had the feel of a red carpet extravaganza with competitors donning Shadbelly jackets, shiny boots, braided manes and tails – all those special touches to further impress the panel of four judges: Mike Rosser, Betsy Perry, Leo Conroy, and Mike Lowrey. Beauty aside, what the judges really wanted to see was the talent used to negotiate the 12 obstacles brought to reality from the imagination of designer Allen Rheinheimer.  Making use of the expansive Olympic arena, Rheinheimer created a track that traversed its entirety including the sizable bank along the back wall. Additionally riders encountered 4 options with height choices of 3’6 or 4’ as well as bending and broken lines throughout. Only the top 12 scores would be invited back for the handy round two. Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics Awards over $160,000 in First Week →