Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

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

British Trio Have the Edge after Dressage at Badminton

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Ruth Edge (GBR) on Two Thyme takes the lead on Day 2 of Dressage at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2011 – first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 23 April 2011 – A trio of British girls head the leaderboard after the Dressage phase at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011.

Ruth Edge (GBR), in pole position with the excellent score of 33.3 penalties on the 17-year-old Two Thyme, winner at Luhmühlen in 2007, is no stranger to the limelight in this phase – indeed, she regularly wins national titles in this discipline.

“There’s always a lot of pressure on me here and I’m anxious not to let anyone down because it’s a lot of work to get this horse here,’ she said. “But he was awesome today and belied his age. As he’s older, I hadn’t done much work with him this week and, as a result, he felt physically fresh.”

Piggy French (GBR), second, had the distinction of scoring the only 10 of the competition, awarded by Ground Jury President Anne-Mette Binder (DEN) for her halt on Jakata, and it was greeted by a deafening roar of approval from the packed stands.

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

Dream Start for Young Laura Collett at Badminton – Opener for HSBC FEI Classics

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Laura Collett (GBR) on Rayef in the lead after Day 1 of Dressage at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2011 - opener for the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 22 April 2011 – Laura Collett (GBR) made a dream start to her debut at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, when heading several more experienced riders at the end of the first day of Dressage.

Collett, 21, is renowned for having a cool head and a tidy style – she was a successful rider of show ponies as a child – and she presented a neat and pleasing picture on the 12-year-old Dutch-bred Rayef, the horse on which she won Junior and Young Rider European titles in 2007 and 2009.

“That’s his best test ever,” said a delighted Collett on learning of her score of 36.5 penalties, which gives her a 3.3 lead over Germany’s Marina Köhncke. “Yogi Briesner (trainer) told me to ride as if I was at home. Rayef didn’t make any mistakes and he was soft and attentive. It was nice to sit on.

“My whole life has been about getting to Badminton, so to be here for the first time on such a good horse feels amazing.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Auctions, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, JRPR, World Equestrian Games

Chester Weber Pays It Forward (and Back!) When His WEG Winning Ribbon Is Returned to Him

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Chester Weber donated his signed winning 2010 WEG ribbon to a fund raising event and donated the proceeds to the Humane Society. (Photo courtesy of My Elizabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (April 21, 2011) – Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion who has competed for the U.S. in three World Equestrian Games, thought he was bidding farewell to his 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Silver Medal ribbon when he donated the signed ribbon to a fund raising event. Weber considered it a “pay it forward” act, knowing that the proceeds from the ribbon were going to benefit the Humane Society of Marion County, Florida, in Weber’s hometown.

Weber said he felt content knowing his winning ribbon would be auctioned off on eBay and ultimately make a difference in the lives of the shelter animals. “I figured if the ribbon could raise money for a good cause, it would be much better than having it hang in my tack room,” he said.

What Weber didn’t expect, however, was for his ribbon to come back to him. While Weber’s attempts at “paying it forward” were acknowledged by fans everywhere, one fan took it a step further and bought the ribbon and returned it to Weber.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Western/Reining

Strong Entries in Principle for Inaugural FEI Reining World Final

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Rudi Kronsteiner (AUT) aboard Smart Spook, winners of the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters. Rudi was the first non-US rider to win the prestigious event. (c) Tonya Garrison/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 21 April 2011 – The entries in principle for the inaugural FEI Reining World Final, which will be held in exactly one month’s time on 21 May 2011 at the renowned equestrian facility of Bökeberg, just outside of Malmö (SWE), are the strongest in the sport’s history. Reiners from 20 nations will be vying for the coveted title of FEI Reining World Champion and the US$ 100,000 prize pot.

The nations intending to field athletes are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA.

The definite entries will be announced on 18 May 2011.

The FEI Reining World Final is the new-look FEI World Reining Masters. It will be the first time since 2005 that this annual individual final will be held outside North America.

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

HSBC FEI Classics Opener Attracts Lucky Seven Line-Up for Badminton

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Paul Tapner (AUS), winner of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in 2010 with Inonothing, rides Kilfinnie in this year’s event and opener for the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 21 April 2011 – The HSBC FEI Classics 2011, an exciting series linking five of the world’s top level events, begins in style today (Thursday 21 April – Monday 25 April) at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR).

The first crucial qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games has attracted arguably the strongest international field for many years with representatives from 11 nations and seven former winners entered.

Oliver Townend (GBR), 28, the 2009 victor, wasn’t even born when the double Olympic champion Mark Todd (NZL), 55, made his Badminton debut – and won – 31 years ago. Both riders have been in dominant form on the British national circuit this spring. Townend rides the grey Ashdale Cruise Master, fifth at Luhmühlen last year, while Todd has Major Milestone, 11th at Burghley last time, and is last to go on the former Townend ride NZB Land Vision, guaranteeing a gripping end to Cross-Country day on Sunday.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Eric L. Straus Named to National Horse Show Association Board of Directors to Fill Term of the Late Eugene R. Mische

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Lexington, KY – April 19, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America Ltd. announced today that Eric L. Straus has been appointed to the Board of Directors to fill out the term held by the late Eugene R. Mische.

Straus brings a wealth of talent and experience to the National Horse Show Board of Directors.

Straus is a recognized USEF judge, steward and FEI show jumping steward. Recently, at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Straus served as the FEI Honorary Chief Steward General for Reining and previously officiated at the World Equestrian Games in 2002 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and again in 2006 in Aachen Germany. He was Chief Judge for Modern Pentathlon at the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1987 Pan American Games.

Straus is a Trustee and Executive Committee member of the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C., and is Secretary and Executive Committee member of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. He also served as Executive Director of the United States Equestrian Federation in 1996-1997.

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

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Final Preview

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Marcus Ehning (GER) celebrates being crowned Rolex FEI World Cup 2010 champion in Geneva (SUI) with joint runners up Pius Schwizer of Switzerland (left) and Ludger Beerbaum of Germany (right). Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI

CAN MARCUS OR MEREDITH MAKE IT A RECORD FOURTH TITLE? by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 15 April 2011 – With less than two weeks to go to the Rolex FEI World Cup 2010/2011 Jumping Final in Leipzig (GER), excitement is at fever pitch and speculation is rife about whether defending champion Marcus Ehning or his German compatriot Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, can secure a historic fourth victory.

Just four riders have been three-time winners throughout the 32 seasons of this most prestigious indoor tournament, which brings together the leading competitors from 14 leagues staged all around the globe.

Two of those won’t make it to this year’s 33rd annual grand finale as Austria’s Hugo Simon, the first man to hold the coveted trophy aloft back in 1979 and winner again in 1996 and 1997, didn’t make the cut and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, who proved unbeatable between 1998 and 2000, has already said he won’t be making the trip to Leipzig.

That leaves only Ehning and Michaels-Beerbaum, members of Germany’s gold medal winning team at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and multiple champions in their own right, in contention for a record-breaking fourth success.

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

The Rolex One to Watch – March 2011

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Kirsten Coe - March's Rolex One to Watch. Photo: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports

13 April 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for March 2011 is the American rider, Kirsten Coe. Based in Johnston, South Carolina, USA, the 30-year-old jumped from number 366 to 229 during March – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 137 places.

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

Kirsten Coe, who grew up on the West Coast, spent much of her childhood in the saddle and her skills were honed from an early age on the Desert Circuit in California.

Coe has had a great start to 2011 and was placed fourth with Vernon G in the Green Cove Springs Welcome CSI in January. During the first week in March, Coe and Tristan teamed up to win the $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic presented by Pfizer Animal Health at Thermal, and the following week, riding Kilkenny Randall Z, she was second in the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, EQUUS Foundation, JRPR

Time Is Running Out for You to Cast Your Charitable Vote for Combined Driver Chester Weber to Be Named America’s Favorite Equestrian

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Chester Weber is still in the running for America’s Favorite Equestrian. Vote now to have Weber advance in the competition. Each vote donates $5 to The EQUUS Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Live Oak Combined Driving)

Ocala, FL (April 14, 2011) – Fans of United States Combined Driver Chester Weber have the chance to keep voting for Weber by phone or online in order to keep him in the running for America’s Favorite Equestrian. Each vote costs $5 and 100% of the donations will be used to support horse and equestrian charitable causes across the country.

Weber, a member of the winning Silver Medal 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Combined Driving team and the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, has made it through the first round of America’s Favorite Equestrian. Weber was among eight drivers in the Driving category of America’s Favorite Equestrian, but as of March 31, the six drivers with the most votes continue on to Round 2.

The America’s Favorite Equestrian contest is an interactive fund raising effort presented jointly by partnership of The EQUUS Foundation and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to raise funds to advance the equestrian sport on an annual basis. The contest started with eight equestrians from each discipline: jumping, driving, dressage, eventing, reining, vaulting, endurance, and para-equestrian.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13587

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

Atlanta Spring and Tryon Summer Classic Horse Shows Right around the Corner

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Parade of Hounds at the Tryon Summer Classic. Photos by: Shawn McMillen

Beautiful spring weather has arrived here in the south and Equus Events spring and summer schedule is beginning to heat up.  The Atlanta Spring Premiere May 11-15 and the Atlanta Spring Challenge May 18-22 are just around the corner and will include two fabulous weeks of AA competition at the Georgia International Horse Park.  This show series takes place in one of the countries premiere equestrian facilities and will offer over $180,000 in prize money through out the two weeks.  Features include a $25,000 Grand Prix each week, two $5,000 Open Welcome Stakes each week, a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, a USHJA National Hunter Classic, a $7,500 JR/AO Jumper Classic each week and in addition the Atlanta Spring Premiere has been selected as a World Champion Hunter Rider Event.  These shows will offer something for everyone as nearly every hunter and jumper division will be offered a classic.  Equus Events will also offer daily hospitality for exhibitors, trainers, and riders and weekly parties.  The annual Preakness Party will take place May 21st to celebrate the 136th running of the Preakness Stake.  DFG Stables and Daniel and Cathy Geitner of Aiken, SC are graciously sponsoring this event.

The Tryon Summer Classic Horse Show will again take place June 2-5 at FENCE in beautiful Tryon, North Carolina.  FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) is a 380 acre nature, education and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The area offers many activities including numerous shops and antique stores as well as adventures whitewater rafting on the Green River.  This year’s show will again benefit the Tryon Hounds.  www.tryonhounds.com This unique event encompasses the days of old with a rich tradition but also attracts top riders and trainers in the southeast.  Many will be contending for their name to be engraved on numerous perpetual trophies.  Some of last years winners include:

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