Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

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

Romania’s Bogdan Takes Individual Title as Bulgaria Scoops Team Gold

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(L to R) the gold medal winning Bulgarian team of Veselin Petrov, Svetlin Ivanov and Illyan Iskarov with (on right) newly-crowned Individual Balkan Eventing Champion Milashcon Bogdan from Romania.

Romania’s Milashkon Bogdan claimed individual gold at the 2011 FEI Balkan Eventing Championships in Shumen, Bulgaria last Sunday.  The host nation’s Iliyan Iskarov slotted into silver medal position ahead of fellow-countryman Veselin Petrov in bronze while the only other finisher, Bulgaria’s Svetlin Ivanov, was fourth – thus ensuring a clear-cut victory for Bulgaria in the team championship.

A total of eight horse-and-rider partnerships started the competition, and it was Romania’s Viorel Bubau and the seven year old chestnut mare, Arctic, who held the lead after dressage when producing a test that earned 53.94 from the Ground Jury that consisted of Germany’s Carl Heinz Boess (President), Katherina Luchechi (ITA), Yuri Valev (BUL) and Peter Eck (BUL).

CLOSE BEHIND
Bogdan and his 10 year old Westphalian mare, Lady Kera, were close behind on a score of 53.91 in second place however, so when the leader, and third-placed Ozhan Sezer (Pinar) from Turkey, were eliminated on cross-country day then the score-board changed dramatically.

Continue reading Romania’s Bogdan Takes Individual Title as Bulgaria Scoops Team Gold →

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

Baldwin in the Driving Seat in FEI World Cup Eventing at Chatsworth

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Emily Baldwin (GBR) celebrates victory at Chatsworth (GBR), the third leg of FEI World Cup Eventing 2011, with by Michel Asseray (FRA). Photo: FEI/Fiona Scott-Maxwell.

Lausanne (SUI), 16 May 2011 – British riders got their chance to make an impression on the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011 leaderboard when, at the third leg, Emily Baldwin (GBR) spearheaded a one-two-three for the home side at Chatsworth (GBR).

Baldwin and the Dutch-bred Drivetime have a reputation as CIC3* specialists and won the FEI World Cup event at Haras du Pin (FRA) last year, a competition that Baldwin has signalled she will be returning to in August in her quest for further points.

Victory at Chatsworth was compensation for an unfortunate Badminton, when the pair stopped at the lake. As a result, Baldwin was seen riding strongly into Chatsworth’s imposing water fences.

“I’m relieved,” she smiled afterwards. “Drivetime has redeemed himself. He jumped into the second water, which was bigger than Badminton, absolutely fine, and his dressage and jumping were really good, so I’m pleased with him.”

Continue reading Baldwin in the Driving Seat in FEI World Cup Eventing at Chatsworth →

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

44th Annual High Hope Steeplechase Returns on Sunday, May 22

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Lexington, KY, May 13, 2011 – After a one year hiatus to make room for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, High Hope Steeplechase Day – a Lexington area fan favorite for 44 years – returns to its home at the Kentucky Horse Park on Sunday, May 22, 2011.

High Hope Steeplechase is now Lexington horse lovers’ only chance to enjoy the beauty and excitement of live Steeplechase racing combined with lots of family fun and entertainment, all in a country fair setting.

As an added special feature on High Hope Day will be the third running of the “Catch a Riding Star” race featuring student-jockeys currently enrolled in the North American Racing Academy.

Launched in 2006 by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System under the guidance of Hall of Fame and two-time Kentucky Winning jockey Chris McCarron, NARA is now part of Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

Continue reading 44th Annual High Hope Steeplechase Returns on Sunday, May 22 →

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

The Rolex One to Watch – April 2011

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Simone Coata - The Rolex One to Watch for April 2011

13 May 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for April 2011 is the Italian rider, Simone Coata. Based in Campagnano, near Rome, Italy, the 24-year-old jumped from number 281 to 179 during April – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 102 places.

The Rolex One to Watch is an initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

Simone began riding aged nine, following in his father, Piero’s, footsteps. He regularly rides with his father and his brother, Luca, and has two trainers: Giorgio Nuti – the 1972 Olympic Champion – and Gianluca Bormioli. His cousin, Stefano Brecciaroli, is a well-known Eventing rider and was a team silver medallist at the 2010 HSBC FEI European Eventing Championship in Fontainebleau, France.

As a pony rider Simone was a member of the Italian team at the FEI European Eventing Championship in Aachen, Germany, and also at the FEI European Jumping Championship in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. In 2008, he was on the senior Italian team that won the FEI Nations Cup in Athens, Greece.

Continue reading The Rolex One to Watch – April 2011 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Equestrian Assistance, JRPR

Combined Driver Chester Weber Continues Long-Running Partnership with Charles Owen, Inc.

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Combined Driver Chester Weber is sponsored by Charles Owen, Inc., and is a strong believer in the safety and comfort of Charles Owen’s helmets and body protectors. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)

Ocala, FL (May 12, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber has partnered with Charles Owen, Inc. for many years and is a strong believer in the safety and comfort of Charles Owen’s helmets and body protectors. As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving champion, Weber and his team of award-winning horses competed in the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010 and helped the U.S. team clinch the Silver Medal.

“Charles Owen has been a proud sponsor of Chester Weber and his team for several years now,” said Danielle Santos, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Charles Owen. “Charles Owen produces top quality safety helmets and body protectors with an impressive appearance that riders and drivers want to wear. Chester and his team are perfect examples of how safety can look stylish and traditional.”

Santos added that Charles Owen seeks to sponsor individuals that not only support the brand, but also give back to their sport and community. “Chester is a perfect example of this,” she said, adding that Weber is not only one of the leading drivers in the United States but is also a passionate supporter of driving as well as an active member of many USEF committees and he serves on the USET Foundation Board of Trustees.

Continue reading Combined Driver Chester Weber Continues Long-Running Partnership with Charles Owen, Inc. →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, EQUUS Foundation, USEF

USEF Equestrians in Action: New Program Encourages Youth to Volunteer, Offers $1,500 Grant

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Photo by Jeannie Blancq Putney/USEF Archives

Lexington, KY – Equestrian youth have a new opportunity to give back to the community – and a chance to win a $1,500 grant.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equestrians in Action program tracks youth volunteer hours that are aimed at improving the welfare of the horse or positively promoting equestrian sport. Sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation, the program encourages youth to give back to equestrian sport  –  at horse shows, equine promotional events, equine businesses or organizations, trade fairs, therapeutic riding clinics, horse rescue and 4-H events.

The participant with the most volunteer hours in 2011 (minimum of 150 hours) will earn a $1,500 grant for his or her education or training. All youth have the opportunity to earn one of three certificates depending on their participation level. Those who volunteer at least 50 hours will be awarded a Bronze certificate while youth who volunteer at least 100 hours will receive a Silver certificate. The highest level, the Gold certificate, will go to those who volunteer 150 or more hours. In addition, the top 10 participants will receive special “Top Ten” certificates.

Continue reading USEF Equestrians in Action: New Program Encourages Youth to Volunteer, Offers $1,500 Grant →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, FEI, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

JustWorld Ambassador Kevin Staut Named to FEI Executive Board

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JustWorld Rider Ambassador Kevin Staut is the first athlete representative named to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Executive Board. Photo credit – Sportfot

Lausanne, Switzerland – JustWorld International Ambassador and number one show jumping rider in the world, Kevin Staut of France, was named the first athlete representative to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Executive Board.

Staut, who is the reigning European Champion, will serve on the FEI Executive Board.  Other members include FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein (JOR), First Vice-President John McEwen (GBR), Second Vice-President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), Chair of Group VII Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), Chair of the Driving Committee Richard Nicoll (USA) and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos (BEL).

“We are very proud that the FEI has recognized the valuable contributions that Kevin can make to the sport by advocating for the athletes in his new role on the FEI Executive Board,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International.  “Since becoming a JustWorld Rider Ambassador, Kevin has been an exemplary model for equestrian youth, demonstrating how an athlete competing at the highest levels can still make giving back to others one of his highest priorities.  Kevin is a true leader, not only in the world rankings, but also by inspiring countless young equestrians to become socially responsible citizens.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Competitions, Disciplines, Events, Racing

Animal Kingdom Surges to Win 137th Kentucky Derby

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When they opened the gates on the 137th Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom came away cleanly from his auxiliary gate post, and settled kindly for Velazquez well behind the honest pace set by Shackleford (Forestry). That blaze-faced chestnut, who had been training up a storm under the Twin Spires, lived up to that reputation by getting his first quarter in :23.24 and :48.63, and was tracked by Comma to the Top (Bwana Charlie) and Decisive Moment (With Distinction). Meanwhile, favored Dialed In (Mineshaft) was a long way last. For a 19-horse field, there appeared to be a minimum of rough trips, and Animal Kingdom raced in the three path down the backstretch. “We were between horses and he was going well,” said his rider. As Velazquez began to gather his mount approaching the three-eighths pole, Animal Kingdom’s engine roared to life, and the chestnut avoided a potential problem by accelerating through a seam with Santiva (Giant’s Causeway) to his outside. “When we got clear, he gave me the feeling that he had it in him [to win],” said Velazquez. Guided a bit further out, the lightly raced chestnut accelerated smartly, reeling in Nehro (Mineshaft) and surging clear in the final strides. Shackleford stayed on bravely, but succumbed late to Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) to lose third.

Continue reading Animal Kingdom Surges to Win 137th Kentucky Derby →

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

Johnstone Sets the Target with Double Down Under

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Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express wins again in Sydney at the second leg of the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011. Photo: Rachel Smith/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2011 – As anticipated, Antipodean riders seized the chance to steal a march on their northern hemisphere colleagues in the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing series by targeting the second leg, at Sydney’s Weekend of Equestrian World Cups (AUS).

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone followed up his victory at Kihikihi (NZL) last month by travelling across the Tasman Sea to pick up another win aboard Orient Express, his team bronze medal-winning mount at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

Only three riders have won two FEI World Cup events in a season: Michael Jung (GER) last year, Megan Jones (AUS) in 2009, and Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) in 2007. Johnstone’s two wins, plus a third at Kihikihi, gives him an impressive tally of 119 points.

With riders’ three best results counting towards the final rankings, which carry a first prize of €28,000 the New Zealander could prove hard to beat. He has further chances to improve his tally as he sets off for Britain this month to further his ambition of selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics, USEF

Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

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George H. Morris with his Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland. Photo courtesy of EFF.

Ypäjä, Finland – U.S. show jumping legend George H. Morris received a Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland (EFF) on May 5, for his work with the Finnish show jumping athletes. Morris, who is the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team, has globally impacted the sport of show jumping.

Tom Gardin, a representative of the Scandinavian country’s Federation, awarded the Badge to Morris at the conclusion of a three-day clinic. The presentation took place in Ypäjä, a small village 80 miles northwest of Helsinki best known for horses and its equine college that hosts Finnderby, an international competition that takes place annually.

Morris has been making almost annual trips to Finland since 1984. He has been highly appreciated by the hundreds of riders and trainers, including participants from the Baltic countries, who he has taught and inspired throughout his years of training and conducting clinics.

“I like coming to Finland… I value this badge highly and feel honored,” said Morris.

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