US Para-Equestrian Team Clinched the Win at Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*

Mary Jordan (USA) and Sebastian (Lindsay McCall)

Wellington, FL – United States clinched the win over Canada after earning superior scores in the Individual Test competition at the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*.  After Thursday’s Team Test results the United States forged ahead in the Team competition. After Saturday’s Individual Tests, the United States secured the win with an 8.14 percentage lead over Canada. First-class dressage is in the air at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center where top Dressage riders in the world are competing at the 2012 World Dressage Masters and top Para-Equestrians are competing at the CPEDI3*. For the Para-Equestrian Dressage riders this show is an opportunity to attain qualifying scores prior to the 2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials. This is also a chance to acquire feedback before London from F.E.I. judges Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Carlos Lopes (POR).

Representing the United States were Mary Jordan (Grade IV) of Wells, ME aboard Sebastian, Dale Dedrick (Grade II) from Ann Arbor, MI on Bonifatius, Rebecca Hart (Grade II) of Erie, PA aboard Lord Ludger, Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib) on NTEC Jabriel from Richardson, TX, and Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen.

Continue reading US Para-Equestrian Team Clinched the Win at Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*

The Women Continue Their Reign in $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes

Kessler Goes Clear for $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Victory

Michael Murphy and Ultrafox. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 28, 2012 – It was a packed house at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this evening as the women earned their fourth consecutive victory in the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The ladies swept the three phase competition with 29 points over the men’s score of 17 to win. Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, was the only clear round to win the $25,000 Suncast Championship Jumper Classic with Pacha de Nantuel. In the hunter ring, Heather Hooker took the championship in the Bainbridge Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter with Castlekeep.

Week three of the FTI WEF runs Wednesday, January 25, through Sunday, January 29, and is sponsored by Horseware Ireland. The $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, January 29. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading The Women Continue Their Reign in $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes

Steffen Peters Does It Again at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Steffen Peters and Ravel, winners of the WDM Palm Beach Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. Photo credit Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb

Wellington, FL (January 28, 2012) – Steffen Peters of the United States successfully defended his World Dressage Masters Palm Beach title on Saturday evening when he rode Ravel to his second consecutive Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle win.  But it wasn’t an easy victory. British challengers Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro came within five one hundredths of a percentage point of toppling Peters from the center of the podium.

“I had a great night with Ravel, but I watched Charlotte after our ride,” said Peters after the awards ceremony. “When she came out of the ring I went over and said to her, ‘I think you’ve won it.’ It is exciting to be that close to another of the world’s top horses and riders.” Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s 14 year old KWPN gelding had received a score of 83.7%, which kept them ahead of Dujardin and Valegro, a ten year old KWPN gelding owned by Carl Hester and Roly Luard, by the tiniest of margins; the British pair received 83.65% for their performance.

Continue reading Steffen Peters Does It Again at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Adrienne Lyle Wins Grand Prix Special in Debut Appearance at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard, winners of the WDM Palm Beach Grand Prix Special. Photos: Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb

Wellington, FL (January 28, 2012) – At the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, Adrienne Lyle of the United States bested the international field to win the Grand Prix Special at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Saturday afternoon. The 26 year old Idaho-based rider scored 73.244% riding Wizard, a 13 year old Oldenburg gelding owned by Peggy and Parry Thomas.

“My horse handled everything beautifully. I’m really excited and happy,” said Lyle, who placed fourth in Friday’s WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix, and was eligible to compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle, though she opted to ride in the Grand Prix Special instead. “As much as I would have liked to ride in the freestyle, I need a Grand Prix Special qualifying score for the Olympic Selection Trials,” she explained.

Continue reading Adrienne Lyle Wins Grand Prix Special in Debut Appearance at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Alejandro Karolyi and Vichy Are Fastest to Win Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge

Christel Weller and Kallaway Secure Tricolor in Horseware Ireland Adult Amateur 3’3 Hunters in One Day

Alejandro Karolyi and Vichy. © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 27, 2012 – The Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge had a class full of competitors going against the clock, but the fastest by almost six seconds was Alejandro Karolyi (VEN) on Vichy, owned by Torrey Pines Stable.

Week three of the FTI WEF runs Wednesday, January 25, through Sunday, January 29, and is sponsored by Horseware Ireland. The highlight jumper classes in week three are the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 28, as well as the $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix on Sunday, January 29.

Forty-five entries showed in today’s $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge over a course set by Olaf Petersen Sr. of Germany. Karolyi and Vichy went midway through the class and set a time of 63.926 seconds, which no one would come close to with a clear round. The next fastest pair was Caribe and Steve Schaefer, who posted a time of 69.044 seconds. Third place went to Lauren Hough on Clip Z, who was clear in 69.623 seconds.

Continue reading Alejandro Karolyi and Vichy Are Fastest to Win Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge

Ravel Repeats at 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Steffen Peters and Ravel celebrate (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

West Palm Beach, FL – Before a packed house at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, defending champions Steffen Peters and Ravel scored the first victory of the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI4* presented by the International Polo Club Palm 81.383% in the process.

The marquis event brought some of the very best from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and Charlotte Dujardin, from Great Britain, made a hard charge at the victory with Valegro scoring 78.468 %. But Peters never flinched in the pressure of being the final rider in the ring. He impressed the judges (and gave the crowd what they came for).

“Sometimes it’s a little hard to put it into words,” said Peters after his ride. “First I have to give a big thank you to my buddy Ravel; it’s a personal best for us. It’s amazing to think he keeps getting better after all these years.”

Continue reading Ravel Repeats at 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Steffen Peters Sets New Grand Prix Record at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

Steffen Peters and Ravel, Grand Prix winners at the 2012 WDM Palm Beach. Photo credit Sue Stickle

Wellington, FL (January 27, 2012) – American Steffen Peters took a step toward defending his 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach title by winning the WDM Palm Beach Nürnberger Grand Prix test with a record-shattering score of 81.383%. Not only is that a personal best result in a CDI Grand Prix for Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s 14 year old KWPN gelding, it is also the highest score ever attained in a WDM Palm Beach Grand Prix.

“I started to have the feeling I got from Ravel tonight in the last couple of weeks,” said Peters after his decisive victory over the international field of 16 competitors. “I had this feeling at a show two weeks ago in California, but I had to risk it a bit more here. Ravel feels even stronger than last year and more supple. It was a blast to ride.”

Continue reading Steffen Peters Sets New Grand Prix Record at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Grand Prix Order of Go

Wellington, FL (January 27, 2012) – Following the draw for order of go at the WDM Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, the competition for Friday afternoon’s Nürnberger Grand Prix is as follows:

2:00 PM Carl Hester (GBR) Wie Atlantico De Ymas
2:09 PM Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (DOM) Liebling II
2:18 PM Heather Blitz (USA) Paragon
2:27 PM Pierre St Jacques (USA) Lucky Tiger
2:36 PM Ashley Holzer (CAN) Breaking Dawn
2:45 PM James Koford (USA) Pharaoh
2:54 PM ***Break*** ***Break***

3:10 PM Minna Telde (SWE) Deinhardt
3:19 PM Todd Flettrich (USA) Otto
3:28 PM Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) Gran Gesto
3:37 PM Adrienne Lyle (USA) Wizard
3:46 PM Per Sandgaard (SWE) Lomumba Havdal
3:55 PM Victoria Winter (CAN) Proton

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Grand Prix Order of Go

United States Takes Early Lead in Team Competition at 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*

Grade Ib Jonathan Wentz (USA) and NTEC Jabriel. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2012 – Week two at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center began for Para-Equestrian Dressage riders Thursday, January 26, at the 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3. Canada and the United States of America went head to head in the team competition resulting in an early lead for the United States. With top scores reaching the 70% mark, the United States showcased their determination and progression over the past year. In addition to the U.S.A. and Canada, other countries represented were Bermuda, Finland, Ireland, Japan, and Mexico making up a total of 29 horse and rider combinations to display their top Team Tests. Representing the ground jury was Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Carlos Lopes (POR). The Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* is an opportunity for riders to increase their world ranking and to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials.

Representing the United States was Mary Jordan (Grade IV) of Wells, ME aboard Sebastian, Dale Dedrick (Grade II) from Ann Arbor, MI on Bonifatius, Rebecca Hart (Grade II) of Erie, PA aboard Lord Ludger and Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib) on NTEC Jabriel from Richardson,TX.  At the helm of United States team is Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen.

Continue reading United States Takes Early Lead in Team Competition at 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*

Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during First Week of Winter Equestrian Festival

Ljubov Kochetova. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 26, 2012) – Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova showed off her upbeat attitude while competing a five-year-old Westphalian gelding named Corrado during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, and her positive attitude helped her take home the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Sponsored by Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, the Premier Sportsmanship Award is presented to a barn or rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show and the winner receives a gift certificate for $100 worth of Premier products.

Kochetova, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, competed in the 2008 Olympics aboard Ilion Kilen. She said she currently has her sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London. “We are still in the middle of the race to see who will compete in the Olympics,” she said.

Kochetova was pleased to win the Premier Sportsmanship Award. “I am very grateful to Premier,” she said. “Corrado is a very young and inexperienced horse so if he wins anything I am thrilled.”

Continue reading Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during First Week of Winter Equestrian Festival

Your Southern Source for Everything Horse

Share via
Copy link