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Jennifer WoodCapital Challenge Horse Show Creates an Innovative New Social Media Experience with Virtual Celebration
Upper Marlboro, MD – September 23, 2011 – Capital Challenge Horse Show is proud to announce the launch of its first annual Virtual Horse Show and Fair. In partnership with Virtual Celebration and sponsored by Hoof Beat Media, the virtual experience will begin on September 23, 2011, and all horse lovers are invited to participate. “As part of our overall mission to engage our loyal exhibitors and followers, we are extremely excited to extend the Capital Challenge experience in a highly innovative way to those who can attend the show in person and to those who follow us from a distance,” explained Oliver Kennedy (Co-Manager). “Virtual Celebration has brought together their incredible knowledge of social media with their experience in the horse market to create a really fun and unique experience.” From the early development of their website and the creation of the Daily Update, to their Facebook page and the popular EquestrianSport.TV, show management has always strived to be the best at bringing the experience of Capital Challenge to everyone. It is only natural the Capital Challenge extends its reach into the virtual world. Register online (it’s free!) at www.virtualcelebration.com/capitalchallenge and enter the virtual show rings to be a part of the action. In the Jumper Ring, try to guess what pony went to the Olympics; enter the “caption this photo” contest in the Equitation Ring; and in the Hunter Derby Ring watch a video of the world’s largest horse. And there’s so much more – Share-A-Pony with other virtual exhibitors, create your own Exhibitor page by adding games, photos, videos, and other widgets, all for free. Share your favorite memories; predict who will win classes at the “live” horse show; vote on your favorite funniest photo and give your opinions on everything from twitter to riding in the rain. There will even be a virtual trail ride that meanders through Facebook, Twitter, MustPhoto, Virtual Celebration and more, all while on a Capital Challenge Scavenger Hunt. 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show Reveals Annual Program Artwork by Michael Tang Cover artwork by Michael Tang courtesy of the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Upper Marlboro, MD – September 19, 2011 – The 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show will run from October 1-9 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center. Every year, the show’s program and official poster feature new artwork by Michael Tang. Creating the original watercolor for the annual Capital Challenge is always a challenge for Father Michael Tang. One might think that creating a photo-realist image of a horse and rider is as simple as copying a photo, but in reality, the photo is only the beginning. This year’s poster of Scott Stewart and Declaration gave Tang many things to consider. It is natural to assume that a stunning photo of a fabulous hunter could easily be recreated as a painting, but the fact is that in addition to assessing the horse and rider, Tang becomes instantly aware of everything else that goes into creating a spectacular piece of art: lighting, background, and the simple details that render emotion. When Tang begins his work he studies the photo for what he will need to alter in order to create the painting. First, changes often need to be made to finesse a horse’s jumping style; knees might need to be made tighter or squared up. Next, the rider’s equitation might need to be tweaked or garb replaced. Tang explains, “As someone who is a traditionalist (I still wear my Charles Owen when hacking at the barn), I always replace the helmet with a classically styled hunt cap.” In addition to the rider’s gear, the horse’s tack might need some work as well; for example, an elastic girth with fleece might need to be changed to one of proper leather. Amanda Steege Takes Top Two Spots in $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase Amanda Steege and Duval. All photos © Anne Gittins Photography and © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. Halifax, MA – August 26, 2011 – The Fieldstone Summer Showcase had a full day of competition in the Grand Prix Field today and it was Amanda Steege of Bedminster, NJ, who rode to a one-two finish in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final. Steege rode Duval, owned by Randi Vladimer of Malvern, PA, to victory. Majestic, owned by Tony Arena of Fairport, NY, and Steege were second. Olympian Leslie Howard of Fairfield, CT, took the top prize in the $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake on Goed Zo, owned by the 73 West Group of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA. UPDATE: Today marked the fourth day of competition for the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, which will now run through Saturday, August 27. The MHJ Finals will run at the same times and in the same rings but now on Saturday instead of Sunday. The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 27. There were 45 entries in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final, and they competed through two rounds to find the winner. The top 12 scoring horses from the first round returned for a handy round, which included a trot jump, hand gallop, and walking over a log. The courses were designed by Nathan Panetta. “I thought they were fun courses,” Steege said. “I loved that the jumps were mostly off your eye and off the gallop. It really let you show off on a horse that had a pretty canter who perked his ears and looked for the jump. I liked doing the natural jumps in the first round. The way that they used them was really appropriate for this level of a class because it definitely was somewhat challenging without feeling trappy or so different that the horses didn’t want to participate. I have to commend the course designer for that.” Amanda Steege and Bavarian Rule in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2’9″ Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase Amanda Steege and Bavarian won the $10,000 Fieldstone 2'9” Hunter Derby Final. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography Halifax, MA – August 25, 2011 – The Fieldstone Summer Showcase hosted two hunter derbies today on the beautiful grass Grand Prix Field. Amanda Steege of Bedminster, NJ, rode Bavarian, owned by Lise Revers of Weston, MA, to victory in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2’9” Hunter Derby Final. In the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Final, Jordyn Freeman of Long Meadow, MA, took the top two places on Blueberry Hill and Head’s Up. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA. Today marked the third day of competition for the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, which will now run through Saturday, August 27. The MHJ Finals will run at the same times and in the same rings but now on Saturday instead of Sunday. The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to noon on Saturday, August 27 (from 3 p.m.). The $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake has been moved to Friday, August 26, at approximately 11 a.m. (from Saturday). Professional rider Amanda Steege had a brand-new ride on Bavarian, who was only purchased three weeks ago by Revers. Revers trains with Lindsey Moore, who had Steege compete today on the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “My dad has been helping Lindsey Moore. I got lucky!” Steege said with a smile. The new pairing practiced yesterday and entered the ring together for the first time in the derby. They had a solid score of 84 in the first round, and with a handy hunter score of 86, they moved into the lead with a total of 170. Second place in the class went to Socrates, ridden by Kristen Bumpus and owned by Jackie Arakelian of Winchester, MA. Dressage Debuts at 2012 College Preparatory InvitationalEquestrian Sport Productions Announced as Presenting Sponsor  A flat class at the 2011 CPI at the beautiful show grounds of the PBIEC. Photo Credit: Rolando Conesa. Wellington, FL – August 3, 2011 – The College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) will add dressage seat classes to the 2012 edition of their event, held January 13-15. Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, this year’s CPI will be a must-attend event for aspiring hunt seat and dressage collegiate riders. You definitely can’t learn this stuff through an online class as dressage requires hands on learning and a careful teacher! The application for the dressage classes is now available online at www.collegeprepinvitational.com and is due by October 1, 2011. With new dressage seat equitation classes at this year’s competition, the CPI is also excited to welcome six-time dressage Olympian Robert Dover as the judge. Dover noted, “I was fortunate enough to ride competitively during my university years, but would have loved to have access to a program which included a CPI back then. It will most certainly be of great benefit to Dressage in the United States to have stronger grass roots programs for our young riders.” Dover believes that collegiate programs for dressage riders are beneficial, and the CPI is a wonderful way to get involved and learn more about riding at school. “The Intercollegiate Program has always been a great source of continuing training for riders who are at an age when school and riding are difficult to continue simultaneously,” he said. “The addition of a strong program for Dressage will do for our sport what it has done for the hunter/jumpers riders. Using top instructors to work with young riders who are in college will provide for ongoing progress so necessary for talented youth, whether they intend to go on as professionals in the industry or not.” Regional Maclay Finals, $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and $25,000 Grand Prix Headline St. Louis National Charity Horse Show Last year's Region 5 and Maclay National Championship winner Hayley Barnhill St. Louis, MO – July 27, 2011 – The 2011 St. Louis National Horse Show will be packed with classes guaranteed to please just about every exhibitor. Taking place from Sept. 14-18 at the National Equestrian Center in Lake Saint Louis, MO, the Show is honored to once again host the Regional Maclay Finals, Region 5, on Saturday, September 17, at 7 p.m. The Maclay Regionals will take center stage in the spacious indoor ring on Saturday evening under the watchful eyes of judges Alex Jayne and Linda Andrisani. This year, the Show is thrilled to also feature a $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will debut in the outdoor Grand Prix ring at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. “I think this will be a great Derby for both exhibitors and spectators,” said Show Manager Tom Blankenship. “The large amount of space we have in the outdoor ring will allow our course designer, Richard Jeffery, to create something really special to ride and to watch.” And jumper riders will take to the outdoor Grand Prix ring on Saturday, September 17 at 2 p.m. to tackle Jeffery’s course for the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show $25,000 Grand Prix. Adding excitement to the events, both the Derby and the Grand Prix offer ringside tailgate parking. G&C Farms Pablo Barrios Posts Victory at Global Champions Tour in Chantilly, France Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star won the Prix France Galop 1.50m speed class at the Global Champions Tour event in Chantilly, France. Photo © Cealy Tetley Wellington, FL – July 26, 2011 – G&C Farm and rider Pablo Barrios have continued their summer tour with victory and strong performances at major CSI five star competitions across Europe, including a win at the Global Champions Tour event in Chantilly, France. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington. Barrios piloted G&C Quick Star 11 to the win in the Prix France Galop 1.50m speed class in Chantilly. The pair posted a time of 66.34 seconds for the win over Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) on AD Wilbert Z and Leopold van Asten (NED) with VDL Groep Amelie. This was the second win for the pair on the Global Champions Tour circuit this summer. G&C Quick Star 11 is a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus. “Quick Star has been so solid and consistent this year,” Barrios said. “We are very happy with her and want to keep her strong and ready for the Pan American Games this fall.” Barrios was very pleased to have posted another win at a five star show. “Winning never gets old,” he said with a smile. “Just being at these shows gives me a lot of knowledge and experience. I hope we can continue our success.” Lisa Goldman and Morocco Make It Two for Two in the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix Lisa Goldman and Morocco with Mary Goldman, horse show chairman Craig Dobbs and competition manager Tom Blankenship. Photos © Brooke Bidgood/Circle City Equestrian. Indianapolis, Indiana – July 24, 2011 – The spotlight was on the Pepsi Coliseum Saturday night as the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show’s main event took center stage. Sixteen entries competed in the first round of the $40,000 Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix over a course designed by Guilherme Jorge. Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorne Woods, Illinois, stole the show again aboard her speedy mount Morocco, an eight-year-old Oldenburg Thoroughbred cross by Roc USA. Going second in the jump-off, Goldman set the pace for the rest of the class; no one was able to catch her. After winning the Welcome Stake on Friday night, Goldman had high hopes going into the Grand Prix. “I thought the course looked like a lot of fun,” beamed Goldman. “I didn’t think I could do it twice in a row, but I’m so ecstatic!” Morocco appeared especially fresh going into the Grand Prix Saturday night. As the pair approached the first jump, a long run to a single oxer, Morocco almost bucked Goldman off before they had even gotten started. However, Goldman took that as a good sign. “Generally if he tries to buck me off on the way to the first jump, as long as I do my job we will go clear,” smiled Goldman. The jump-off course was especially well suited to the winning duo. “There was a lot of running and turn backs, which we are really good at,” explained Goldman. “I love the long runs to the jumps.” With so many fast riders competing in the jump-off, Goldman knew she had to go for it if she wanted to win. “I left out a stride in one line, and then in the long run to the last oxer he just took over,” laughed Goldman. “He loves his job.” The duo will continue showing throughout the summer, hoping to continue their winning streak. $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby Announces Exciting News for 2011Antioch, IL – July 18, 2011 – Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is pleased to announce that they will host the third annual $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby in 2011 to benefit The Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago as well as the USHJA Foundation. The Chicago Hunter Derby will return to the beautiful Annali Farm in Antioch, IL, on September 11, 2011. This is a 2011-12 Member Event of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Series. Following in the footsteps of its first two events, the Chicago Hunter Derby hopes to raise even more money for Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, a philanthropic group that donates money to significant charities, including the Children’s Memorial Hospital and the USHJA Foundation. The USHJA Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance and promote the hunter and jumper disciplines by supporting the programs of the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc. The Foundation offers numerous new initiatives, including the Horsemen’s Assistance Fund which benefits horses, individuals and organization in need of emergency relief. The group looks forward to another fantastic turnout in 2011 as the unique one-day hunter derby event gets closer. The Chicago Hunter Derby is a very distinctive event that draws the very best hunters from all over the country to compete. The class is held on the beautiful grass in-field of an old steeplechase track with a stunning pond in the background, adding to the unique history and atmosphere of the setting. A new addition to the weekend this year will be a three-foot national hunter derby class on Saturday. Peters and Ravel Take Second in Grand Prix Freestyle; Ward and Rothchild Win Yageo Prize at Aachen CHIO Steffen Peters and Ravel Sunday at CHIO Aachen. Photo: Ken Braddick/ dressage-news.com. Aachen, Germany – Team USA wrapped up the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany, with more strong performances, including a second-place finish for Steffen Peters and Ravel in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO and a win for show jumper McLain Ward on Rothchild. Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazki and Four Winds Farm, stepped up their game today and gave the best dressage horse in the world a run for his money in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO for the Deutsche Bank Prize. The judges gave Ravel and Peters technical scores of 77.25, 77.00, 80.50, 80.50, and 76.75, along with artistic scores of 86.00, 83.00, 83.00, 89.00, and 87.00 for an overall 82.000% – just .825% off the winning score set by Matthias Rath of Germany and Totilas. According to Dressage-news.com, Peters said, “It felt fantastic. I’m still searching for words to describe it. The icing on the cake was the reaction of the crowd. That was a huge honor. I finished fifth in the Grand Prix and the Special, so to come within fractions of Totilas and Parzival in the freestyle is amazing.” |
