Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

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

Darragh Kenny and Gael Force Gallop to Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3

January 28, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

DarraghKennyGaelForce — Darragh Kenny and Gael Force won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 27, 2011 – Irish rider Darragh Kenny and Gael Force, owned by Missy Clark and North Run, earned top honors in round three of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup on Thursday afternoon at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Sponsored by Nespresso, the WEF is in its third of 12 weeks of competition at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The circuit will continue through April 3, 2011.

Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Germany is designing the courses in the International Arena for week three and set a great course for the afternoon’s competition. Eight of the original 42 horse and rider combinations jumped clear to advance to the jump-off round.

Competitors were then asked to navigate a short course that displayed dynamic speed and power. Four were able to jump double clear, and it was the fastest round of Darragh Kenny and Gael Force in 43.31 seconds that earned top honors. The pair left out a stride in the last line that made the difference.

Continue reading Darragh Kenny and Gael Force Gallop to Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) Receives 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma

January 27, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

RodrigoPessoaBRAinKentucky2010 — Rodrigo Pessoa competing in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo © Dirk Caremans

Lausanne (SUI), 27 January 2011 – Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) was tonight awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma for his generous act of fair play during the Rolex Final Four to decide the individual Jumping medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last October.

The Brazilian Jumping rider, 1998 World and 2004 Olympic champion, and triple FEI World Cup winner was one of the final four fighting for the individual gold. The other challengers were 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Canada, Belgium’s Philippe Lejeune, who had taken part in four FEI World Equestrian Games and eight FEI European Championships, and the young Saudi rider Abdullah Sharbatly for whom competition at this level was a first. While Sharbatly was getting ready to ride Pessoa’s horse Rebozza, he asked the far more experienced Brazilian for some guidance. Pessoa explained at length how to ride the horse, pointed out the most difficult fences, and gave his opponent advice on how to tackle the course. The Saudi rider used Pessoa’s advice to great effect, going on to secure the silver medal, while Rodrigo finished in fourth place just out of the medals. His generous spirited gesture was acknowledged by loud applause from the spectators in Kentucky.

Pessoa is one of three 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma recipients, the other two being Bulgarian judo player Yoana Damyanova and triathlete Raquel Mafra Rocha of Portugal, both of whom competed in the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore last year. Football player Amin Motavassel Zadeh from Iran, decathlete Darius Draudvila from Lithuania and Chinese wrestler Gao Feng were awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Trophy.

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

HH Palouchin and Rodrigo Pessoa Score Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

January 27, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

RodrigoPessoaPalouchinMeter45 — Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2011 – The third week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began today. In the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper class, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and his always speedy HH Palouchin, owned by Double H Farm, brought home the win.

The third week of the FTI WEF continues through Sunday, January 30. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class is Saturday night’s $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* at 7 p.m.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Olaf Petersen of Germany. There were 31 entries in the class, and 10 of those were clear to lead the top ribbons.

Pessoa and HH Palouchin (formerly named Palouchin de Ligny, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Baloubet du Rouet x Chin Chin) have been a dynamic duo in the speed classes for many years, and this morning’s class was no different from their winning ways. They set the time to beat at 61.125 seconds.

Continue reading HH Palouchin and Rodrigo Pessoa Score Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers →

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Breeds, Events, Training/Clinics

Lusitanos on Focus – Equine Photography Workshop in Portugal

January 25, 2011 Associate Editor 1 Comment

Internationally acclaimed equestrian photographer Paula da Silva teaches international equine photography workshop in Portugal, in May 2011

The internationally acclaimed equestrian photographer Paula da Silva is going to teach an international equine photography workshop from 30th April to 4th May 2011, in Portugal.

This year’s theme will be the Lusitano horse and Portuguese equestrian traditions. The participants of the workshop will get to visit some of the most charismatic places related to the Lusitano horse, where they will be able to photograph several aspects of Lusitano horse breeding, High School work, etc.

Registrations close in the end of January. For more information, please visit the website www.lusitanosonfocus.com and the Facebook page “Lusitanos on Focus” (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lusitanos-on-Focus/100736449986516).

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing

Jade Hunter, Sire of Azeri, Euthanized

January 24, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 24, 2011 – Jade Hunter, multiple GR1 winner and sire of Horse of the Year Azeri, was humanely euthanized Sunday afternoon (January 23) at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute due to complications from colic.

The 27-year-old stallion had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, since 2009.

“Jade Hunter was a very proud and confident stallion with an intelligence that matched his beauty,” said Old Friends president and founder Michael Blowen. “It’s very hard on all his caretakers to lose him and Polish Navy [who died Jan. 6] so close together.”

Bred in Kentucky, Jade Hunter (Mr. Prospector-Jadana (IRE), by Pharly) was bought for $700,000 by Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stud at the 1985 Keeneland yearling sale and raced in both Europe and North America.

Continue reading Jade Hunter, Sire of Azeri, Euthanized →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – Get Joints

January 24, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

If the joints don’t move well, the body doesn’t move well. The ability to flex, extend and rotate the joints in the horse’s legs and spine sets the parameters for that athlete’s ability.

Many things contribute to joint problems such as nutritional imbalances, GI problems, trauma (acute or chronic), genetic pre-disposition, conformation, poor shoeing/trimming, metabolic disorders, normal “wear and tear,” and infections (systemic or in the joint).

A simple sprained fetlock as a yearling that isn’t treated appropriately can start the cartilage deterioration that will progress into arthritis and cause lameness a few years later.

Aggressive effective treatment of all joint injuries and continual preventative care are key to long term joint health, especially in the equine athlete.

Continue reading Tip of the Week – Get Joints →

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

Kelley Farmer and Rosalynn Win $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby

January 24, 2011 Associate Editor 1 Comment

Farmer_Rosalynn_USHJA-Hunter-Derby — Kelley Farmer & Rosalynn ©Flashpoint Photography

Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Take $25,000 National Grand Prix

Green Cove Springs, FL – January 23, 2010 — Kelley Farmer, who hails from Keswick, VA, partnered with Rosalynn to capture the top spot of North Florida’s Inaugural $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance, Great American Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, held Saturday under the lights of the covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL.

The evening was kicked off in the “Marques at Green Cove Springs”, the stylish and inviting VIP tent adjacent to the arena, with a delicious dinner provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and a very special Live Auction to benefit HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center. “While we raised a lot of money for HOPE, the generous bidders were big winners too. They got some outstanding deals on an array of items- like the Sea World Aquatic package and the Golf World getaway,” Tony Weight, President of North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, said.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2010/2011 – Round 7, Amsterdam

January 22, 2011 Associate Editor 1 Comment

CornelissenParzivalAmsterdam — Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival on their way to securing their third victory in the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Amsterdam today. Photo: Leanjo de Koster, Digishots/FEI.

CORNELISSEN PIPS WERTH IN A THRILLER AT AMSTERDAM by Louise Parkes

Amsterdam (NED), 22 January 2011 – In one of the toughest battles so far this season, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival held on to win the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. Winner of yesterday’s Grand Prix, the Dutch star was firm favourite going into the competition. But Germany’s Isabell Werth pushed her all the way with a great performance from Warum Nicht while Sweden’s Patrick Kittel and Watermill Scandic finished a close third.

Underlining the quality of today’s competition, just over six points separated the top seven riders and it is clearly now shaping up to a classic finale in Leipzig, Germany in three months time. Kittel showed however that the result may not necessarily be decided between the traditional protagonists from Holland and Germany. On today’s form, he will be chasing the Swedish dream of measuring up to the third-place finish of Jan Brink and Briar at the 2006 final in Amsterdam and even pushing for the ultimate accolade achieved by Louise Nathhorst and LRF Walk on Top on her home turf in Gothenburg back in 1998.

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

Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Best All-Star Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2

January 21, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

CatherinePasmoreMyBoyWEF2 — Catherine Pasmore and My Boy won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 20, 2011 – The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, continued on Thursday afternoon with the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. The second of 11 weekly WEF Challenge Cup grand prix, this afternoon’s class saw a victory for 18-year-old Catherine Pasmore (USA) and My Boy, owned by Pasmore Stables. The class was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), which will host 12 consecutive weeks of competition for the 2011 FTI WEF running through April 3, 2011.

Showing over a course set by Luc Musette of Belgium, just eight of the original 45 Challenge Cup entries were able to jump clear in the first round of competition to advance to the jump-off. Catherine Pasmore, of Charlottesville, VA, was first to qualify for the jump-off in round one and also first to return for the shortened course with her 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding My Boy. The pair set the standard with a super fast, clean round in 35.02 seconds which would hold up for the win through seven more trips.

Eric Lamaze (CAN) earned second and third place honors for the day, riding Artisan Farms’ Sidoline Van De Cantaur to second place with a jump-off time of 35.66 seconds and Derly Chin De Muze, owned by Ashland Stables, to third place in 36.03 seconds.

Continue reading Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Best All-Star Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 →

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

The Lane’s End Weekender Pedigree: Always a Princess

January 18, 2011 Associate Editor 1 Comment

By Frank Mitchell

On Sunday, Always a Princess won the Grade 2 El Encino from newly minted Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old filly Blind Luck in a scorching effort over the fast track at Santa Anita. Always a Princess pressed the cracking pace of Champagne d’Oro (by Medaglia d’Oro) and held off the divisional champ’s stretch run.

Rob Whiteley of Liberation Farm said that “It was rather ironic for me to watch a beautiful daughter of Leroidesanimaux that I did not breed crush Champagne d’Oro, whom I bred, in the El Encino, preventing Champagne d’Oro from being able to relax on the lead, which she needed to do to win the race,” eventually finishing fourth.

Click here for the rest of this The Lane’s End Weekender Pedigree

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