Lexington, KY – Less than four months before the Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 Championships, planning is already well underway. Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) will take part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. This year the event will run July 17-22, 2012.
Schedule:
The Tentative Competition Schedule for competitors is available here: http://www.youngriders.org/Schedule.aspx, and as soon as the Draft Schedules get approved by the FEI they will be posted. We have made some changes this year to the schedule, as we are sharing the Kentucky Horse Park with Breyerfest, not with the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.
Robin Groves drives for her second National Championship title this weekend. (Picsofyou.com)
Lexington, KY – A strong field of 14 drivers is set to contest the USEF National Single Horse Championship this weekend at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC. Held in conjunction with the Southern Pines CDE, competition will run April 13-15 and will be doubly important as it also serves as a Selection Trial for the 2012 Singles World Driving Championship, which will be held in Lezirias, Portugal, September 12-16.
The National Championship competition will feature a mixture of decorated veteran drivers and rising young talent. Four previous USEF National Single Horse Champions will be contesting the 2012 edition of the event. Kim Stover (1999), Sterling Graburn (2008) and Robin Groves (2010) all look to secure their second titles, while Kelly Valdes (1996, 1998) will be in pursuit of her third USEF National Championship.
Valdes will be incredibly busy this weekend as in addition to driving she also helps to organize the Southern Pines CDE.
The overall L&L series winner, Alissa Kinsey, and Jack Mitich, Director of Equestrian Sales & Services for World Development Group, title sponsor of the Series in 2012. Photo credit: Anne Gittins Photography
Wellington, FL – April 9, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to congratulate all of the Circuit Champions for the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The 2012 circuit spanned twelve weeks, running January 11 through April 1, 2012, and awarded more than $6 million in prize money.
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Champion Awards were presented to the top finishers in every division, based on prize money and points won.
The leading jumper winners from 2010 and 2011 once again continued their success in 2012. The Chapot family, of Neshanic Station, NJ, took home four circuit championships as well as two reserve championships. The Chapot’s horses Bradberry, Valentia, Star Quest, and Zealous all earned division championships with Laura Chapot in the irons, along with reserve wins for Umberto and Chado Farm’s Face Value. Mary Chapot was named the Oakcroft Overall Jumper Owner, Frank Chapot the Oakcroft Overall Jumper Trainer, and Laura Chapot the Oakcroft Overall Jumper Rider.
Lyle and Hasbrouck Donovan. Photos By: Carrie Wirth/PMG
Tampa, FL – April 6, 2012 – The country’s most skilled junior riders competed in the Main Hunter Ring today, concluding the Tournament of Champions at the Tampa Equestrian Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds. High-level sportsmanship and good humor characterized the mood of the day’s divisions as families, trainers and spectators supported the young athletes. In the Small Junior Hunter Division, Hasbrouck Donovan piloted veteran hunter Lyle to the championship, winning both over fences classes. Entourage, skillfully ridden by Donovan over fences, was awarded the reserve championship. In the Large Junior Hunter Division, Fidelia, also ridden by Donovan, demonstrated her consistency by putting in another day of solid performances and was honored with the Large Junior Hunter Championship. Hanna Marco guided CR Moet to the Reserve Championship.
The high quality of the participants in the Small Junior Hunter under saddle class appeared a challenging match-up to judge. Entourage, owned by Redfield Farm and skillfully ridden by under saddle by Reily Rieker, demonstrated the attributes that caught judges’ eyes and resulted in the blue ribbon. Southern Belle and Landry Folsom were awarded the red.
Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy earned the High Performance Hunter Championship during WEF 12. On Sunday the duo was also awarded the seventh place award for their overall score in the Palm Beach $50,000 International USHJA Hunter Derby. Photo By: SportFot
Wellington, FL – April 4, 2012 – It was an exciting week for SBS Farms, as professional rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano joined the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Although Alfano spent most of the Winter Circuit in Ocala, FL, the talented rider definitely was leaving nothing to chance as she rode Miss Lucy to the High Performance Working Hunter Championship.
On Wednesday afternoon, Alfano piloted Miss Lucy to the first and second place ribbons over fences, earning scores of 86 and 82, respectively. The pair then continued into the under saddle, receiving the third place for their efforts. Returning on Thursday, Alfano expertly guided Miss Lucy to another third place win over fences, and an incredible first place finish in the Stake class.
“We were trying to get the horses warmed up for Saturday’s Derby,” Alfano explained. “Miss Lucy really felt on, and she gave the courses her all. She is such a wonderful horse and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to ride her at all of these shows and in such prestigious events. She has really proven herself during our time together, and she only continues to get better.”
Jeremy Reynolds and A Kutt Above (Photo by Donna Shifflette)
Lexington, KY – Endurance competition heated up this weekend at the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, TX as 45 of the nation’s top horses and riders contested the 160km Selection Trial for a spot on the Long List for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship. In a close race to the finish Jeremy Reynolds guided A Kutt Above to the win in 8:16:03, narrowly beating out Wendy MacCoubrey and Reach for the Gold (8:16:05) and Becky Hart riding No Repeat (8:16:09).
Over a course designed to replicate the Championship environment, 19 of the 45 starters finished the race. The top finishers were strong all day and recovered well in the vet gates. Reynolds, of San Jose, CA and A Kutt Above (owned by wife Heather Reynolds), also earned the coveted Best Conditioned Award. A Kutt Above has been named to the Long List with both Jeremy and Heather, who finished fourth on Riverwatch. Reach for the Gold was ridden by Proxy Rider MacCoubrey and has been named to the Long List with owner Valerie Kanavy of Fort Valley, VA. Both Kanavy and Hart (San Juan Bautista, CA) will seek a chance to earn another World Endurance Championship title. Kanavy currently has two titles to her name and Hart will seek a fourth, this time with her own No Repeat.
Fairfield, Connecticut – April 2, 2012 – The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) is proud to announce that the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) embraced its role as official sponsor for the IHSA Western Semi-Finals, leading up to the 2012 IHSA National Championships, May 3-6, at the Hunt Horse Complex of the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
“The rapidly expanding support of the Western Semi-Finals by the NRHA has enabled our riders to enjoy a greatly enhanced program,” said IHSA national treasurer, Naomi Blumenthal, who also credited Ohio State University IHSA Western team coach and IHSA Associate National Steward/Director at Large, Ollie Griffith, with negotiating the agreement. “We hope he knows how grateful everyone is for bringing NRHA into our corporate family.”
Chester Weber, shown here in the cones phase, won the United States Four-in-Hand National Championship at Live Oak International’s 20th Anniversary, making him the only United States Combined Driver to have won the title nine times during his career. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)
Ocala, FL (April 2, 2012) – Chester Weber’s goal at the 2012 Live Oak International, the premier Combined Driving event in North America, was to bring home the USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship trophy. As one of our country’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber not only accomplished his goal but did what he likes to do best — set another record! Weber’s win puts him in uncharted territory as the only United States Combined Driver to have won the USEF Four-In-Hand Championship nine times during his career.
Heading into Live Oak, Weber faced the challenge of once again claiming the coveted four-in-hand championship. Weber held the title for eight years in a row, but during last year’s USEF Championship he placed second and handed the trophy off to another driver. Armed with a team of horses he co-owns with Jane Forbes Clark, Weber captured the Live Oak victory in style – right down to the customary kissing of the winning trophy. “I am thrilled to have the trophy back home where it belongs, where it lived for eight years,” Weber said. “The best moment of the competition was kissing the trophy!”
Wellington, FL – March 30, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival hosted the Adequan Young Jumper Finals today in the International Arena for three age groups. The $20,000 Adequan 8-Year-Old Young Jumper Final victory went to Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Capall Zidane. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Aberdeen took the top spot in the $20,000 Adequan 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Final. Riding Lionshare Farm’s Wayfarer, Peter Leone (USA) won the $15,000 Adequan 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Final. In the Rost Arena, Arriana Boardman of New York City won the Horseware Ireland Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunter championship with Red Carpet.
Sponsored by FTI Consulting, Inc., the final week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will feature the highlight grand prix of the season, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5*, on Saturday, March 31. The USHJA International Hunter Derby will host the top 25 on the grass field at The Stadium on Sunday, April 1.
Lexington, KY – This weekend the United States’ top endurance riders will vie for a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship. Saturday, March 31st riders will compete in the CEI3* 160km Team Trial held at the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, TX. Every attempt has been made to replicate the course and environment of the upcoming Championship at these Trials. Saturday’s race is expected to be an excellent showing of the nation’s finest endurance horses.
In accordance with the selection procedures, upon completion of the Team Trial, the top 20 horses in addition to any wild-cards granted by Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross, will be named to the Long List. The 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship will take place August 25, 2012 in Euston Park, Thetford (GBR).
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Lexington, KY – This weekend the United States’ top endurance riders will vie for a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship. Saturday, March 31st riders will compete in the CEI3* 160km Team Trial held at the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, TX. Every attempt has been made to replicate the course and environment of the upcoming Championship at these Trials. Saturday’s race is expected to be an excellent showing of the nation’s finest endurance horses.
