Chester Weber broke his own record, winning the United States Four-in-Hand National Championship for an eighth time in a row at the recent Live Oak International competition. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)
Ocala, FL (March 31, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber continued his title as “record-breaking champion” during the Live Oak International competition, breaking his own record by winning the USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship for a record eight years in a row. Weber’s win took place at the prestigious Live Oak event in Ocala, Florida, during a weekend filled with thousands of fans, bad weather and an incident on course that required Weber to utilize his nerves of steel and vast driving experience.
Weber and his team turned in flawless dressage and cones performances, but Weber faced an incident on the marathon that he described as the longest 45 seconds of the year. “We had a very competitive marathon, winning four of the first five hazards and finishing second in number four by tenths of a second,” Weber said. “Then came the ‘Gulch,’ a signature hazard for Live Oak. We split the two lead horses on a post and it took us 45 seconds to get them going again. It was bad luck to split them on a post but good luck to get them free without needing a navigator to get down to get them free, because that costs additional penalties. The horses remained calm the entire time awaiting the direction to move, but it was the longest 45 seconds of the last year for me, and some slight confusion for them.”
Charlotte Jacobs won the High Junior Jumper championship Week XI of WEF. Photo Courtesy of James Leslie Parker.
Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – March 29, 2010 – Charlotte Jacobs and Kartouche VD Watering were unstoppable in the High Junior Jumpers, securing the division championship for Week XI of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) March 17 – 21, 2010 in Wellington, FL.
Jacobs piloted North Star Ventures of East Aurora LLC’s Kartouche VD Watering to two wins over the course of the week. Jacobs and Kartouche VD Watering raced to victory in the High Junior Jumper Power and Speed, and then also took home the blue in the High Junior Jumper Class on Saturday. Finishing on Sunday, the pair went clear in the first round, but had four faults in the jump-off to place sixth in a field of 23.
Week Eleven was a successful week for Jacobs, who rides under the tutelage of Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run. In between her strong rounds in the jumper ring, Jacobs competed in the 3rd Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Exhibition Friday evening on Kimberly McCormack’s Sundance. She was third overall in the first round with a score of 91.16. After the two rounds of competition, Sundance and Jacobs finished in the sixth position overall for the 2010 George Morris Excellence in Equitation Exhibition.
Wellington, FL – March 29, 2010 – The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is winding down as it finished its eleventh week of competition on March 24-28. The week featured the highlight event of the season, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI5*, along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes, including the prestigious Third Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Exhibition. The week eleven title sponsor was FTI.
FTI has been a sponsor at the Winter Equestrian Festival for five years, and this is their second year as the title sponsor of the 12 week circuit. They are the sponsor of the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5*, which will run on Saturday, March 27, and were the title sponsor of the inaugural Great Charity Challenge. They also sponsor the $100,000 FTI Rider Challenge, a rider bonus series that tracks the best rider in the grand prix classes over 11 weeks of competition.
Aqueduct and Santa Anita events to support the Georgetown, KY Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
GEORGETOWN, KY – MARCH 30, 2010 – With only 32 days until Derby, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Central Kentucky, is prepping for the run-for-the roses with two super Saturday events.
On April 3, The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and leading Thoroughbred owner Mike Repole will show support for Old Friends at the 86th running of the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racecourse.
NYRA and Repole will award Old Friends with a generous $10,000 donation that will be presented to Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen in the Wood winner circle following the race.
The American Quarter Horse Journal, March 29, 2010 – Think you know “Simon Says?” How smooth is your horse’s gait? Are you and your equine partner fast on your feet — whether it’s two, four or a combined six? Are you ready to play and have fun? If so, you’ll want to participate in the line-up of playday games set to take place at QuarterFest on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, in the grass-covered arena on the grounds of the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
QuarterFest is a three-day, education-packed celebration of the American Quarter Horse, where horse enthusiasts from around the world will gather for fun, entertainment and festivities to honor the world’s most versatile horse – the American Quarter Horse.
Be sure to look for the upcoming schedule for times and events but expect each playday session to last around an hour and a half to two hours. Participants will be separated into age groups, with each group having its own competition and prize packages. Everyone is invited to play, compete and have fun!
Thomas Mickel represented Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center aboard Belle in a Western Equitation class with the help of volunteer Jamie Miller during the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games. Photo Courtesy of the VTRC.
Ft. Pierce, FL – March 29, 2010 – Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) recently traveled to Ft. Piece, FL, to compete during the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games. The event was held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, and featured 34 riders from VTRC showcasing their skills.
During the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games riders had the opportunity to compete in English and western equitation, trail ride competition, dressage and pole bending. The riders representing VTRC ranged from needing full support with a leader and two sidewalks to independent riders who walk, trot and canter on their own.
VTRC traveled to the competition with 34 students, eight horses, and 25 volunteers. The large undertaking was well worth it for the exciting opportunity the riders got to experience.
Lausanne (SUI), 29 March 2010 – The FEI is pleased to announce the launch of the online FEI Prohibited Substances Database which is now available on www.feicleansport.org. The purpose of this new database is to provide clear guidance on the substances included in the Equine Prohibited Substances List coming into effect on 5 April 2010.
Under the new Equine Anti Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations, anything prohibited in competition, no matter how the substance is classified, is called a “Prohibited Substance”. Doping substances, which have no place in equine sport, are called “Banned Substances,” while medication substances that are commonly used in equine medicine but prohibited in competition, are called “Controlled Medication Substances.”
March 29, 2010 – CHICAGO, (EWA) – March 25 will be remembered by equine advocates across the United States and the United Kingdom as the day the international cries for the wild horses and burros were raised loud and clear.
Rallies held in Washington, DC, London, England, Las Vegas, NV and Los Angeles, CA culminated with a report on CNN that exposed the propaganda being fed to the public by the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The video footage of the “starving” horses was released on a prime time report and left no doubt, the rationale given for the round-ups is pure fiction.
Mariana Tosca, Actor and Social Activist, was among the advocates attending the Los Angeles rally. Ms. Tosca delivered an impassioned speech that moved the crowd to tears. Ms. Tosca commented, “It is an honor to stand united with the citizens of our global community to bring attention to this urgent matter, which being left virtually unchecked is eroding the landscape of our national heritage.”
Wellington, FL – March 28, 2010 – McLain Ward (USA) on his own Oh’ D Eole made it a hat trick this week with his victory in today’s $20,000 Suncast 1.50m Classic. Ward also won the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 11 on Thursday with Rothchild and the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* with Sapphire last night. It was a great week of victories for the double Olympic gold medalist from Brewster, NY.
The second place honors went to Will Simpson (USA) on Archie Bunker, owned by Linda Smith. The third place victory was awarded to Federico Sztyrle (ARG) and Asgard 17 owned by The Estate of Christian Wolffer.
The eleventh week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by FTI and concluded today. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and they will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
Wellington, FL – March 28, 2010 – The Children’s Hunter divisions wrapped up competition today at the South Grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The day began in the Equine Tack and Nutritionals Arena with the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (T.H.I.S.) Children’s Medal 15-17. Emerging victorious in the T.H.I.S. Children’s Medal today was Beverly Catlett, who rode Heather Shimer’s Venlo to the victory today. Next up in the schedule was the Sentient Jet Children’s Hunter 15-17, and Chelsea Huss was victorious with Aljano Jr., owned by CME Holdings.
There were 19 entries in the T.H.I.S. Children’s Medal this morning, and Beverly Catlett improved greatly in the test to secure the win. After the first round, Catlett was called back in third place and mastered the test to move up to first place. The second place finisher was Emily Addison, and the third and fourth places were awarded to Taylor Shekels and Claire Steig, respectively.
During the test, riders were asked to walk into the ring from the in-gate and canter directly to the first fence, turn left through the middle of the ring to an oxer, then roll back to another vertical, halt, and canter directly to the last jump which was about six strides away from the halt. They were then asked to exit the ring at a walk.
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