Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, USEF

Mountain A Wins North American Endurance Team Challenge

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Mountain Zone (Photo: Melinda Cassol)

Lexington, KY – Taking place across the rugged terrain of California’s Cascade Mountains, the 2011 North American Endurance Team Challenge drew 10 teams from the U.S. and Canada race for medals. In addition, five individuals representing four countries vied for individual honors.

Finishing in a combined time of 31:07:13, Mountain A took the Team Gold medal. Doug Swingley aboard Pal of Mine lead the team effort, riding into three of five vet checks in the lead, he finished in a time of 8:55:54. Also across the finish line for Mountain A was Suzanne Hayes with Greenbriar Al Jabal and Suzanne Hedgecock with Aireagle; teammate Christoph Schork was eliminated at gate four.

“I was riding a fairly young horse; he was only an 8-year-old and was only his second hundred (mile race),” said Hayes. “I wanted to test him a little bit – which we did. He shows a lot of promise as far as increasing his speed in the future. The Mountain Zone worked really well as a team. Everyone that was on the team worked really well together to solidify our performance as the gold medal team… The course was very well suited for us. We live in Montana – we train in the mountains; we are well suited for that.”

Taking the Team Silver was Northeast-North. The team completed the course within seconds of each other for an overall time of 33:57:29. Kyle Gibbon and Soho, Steve Rojek and Beaujolais, and Gene Limlaw and Con La Garcia were the team’s counted times as Kathy Brunjes and Frontier Random were eliminated at the finish.

The Northeast proved to be a dominate zone, as their second team, Northeast-East, captured the Bronze medal in 35:53:31. Leading the team was individual Silver medalist Meg Sleeper, who blazed to the finish in 8:17:34 with her own Syrocco Reveille. Sleeper was followed by teammates Lisa Green with LR Amana Tabi and Holly Corcoran with DJB Santanas Chief. Melody Blittersdorf was eliminated at gate three.

The Individual medals were determined by a race to the finish line as Jeremy Reynolds (Pacific South) and A Kutt Above outran Meg Sleeper and Syrocco Reveille by a mere second to take the Gold in 8:17:33. Becky Hart with No Repeat, riding as an individual for Pacific South, took the Bronze medal in 8:38:30. No Repeat also earned the coveted Best Conditioned Horse award.

More information is available here: http://patriotsdayride.com/PATRIOTS_DAY_RIDE/2011_N.A.E.T.C..html.

Awards, Community/Charity, EQUUS Foundation, USEF

Nominations Now Open for the Third Annual EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award; Deadline November 14

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Bob Cacchione (far left), recipient of the 2010 EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award at the USEF Annual Meeting. Photo: Geoff Bugbee for USEF.

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and The EQUUS Foundation will honor the hard work and dedication of equestrians with the presentation of the third annual EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award to be presented during the Pegasus Awards at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2012.

In 2009, USEF and the EQUUS Foundation united to create the industry-wide award to celebrate the humanitarian achievements of a member of the equestrian world. Specifically, this humanitarian honor spotlights and exalts the selfless dedication of one individual or a group of individuals on a regional or national scale. From improving the health and welfare of the horse to promoting and expanding the general public’s appreciation and respect of the diverse role of horses – not just in equestrian sport but to the general public – the recipient will be someone who has devoted considerable personal time to making the lives and quality of life of our equine partners paramount.

The 2010 recipient, Bob Cacchione, Executive Director of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), was selected from more than 20 nominees.  At the core of Cacchione’s own passion for riding and appreciation for the opportunities made available to him as a young horseman is his understanding of the horse’s role as a great equalizer. With the concept of a level playing field as his cornerstone, he rallied the support of like-minded individuals from educational institutions, first in his region, and ultimately, from throughout North America. Those efforts led to the formation of IHSA.

Continue reading Nominations Now Open for the Third Annual EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award; Deadline November 14 →

Competitions, Dressage, Events

Last Minute Plans Change the Course of Events at the Dressage at Devon Grand Championship

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September 28, 2011 (Devon, PA) – The world-famous Breed Division at Dressage at Devon continued today.  With some of the most stunning horses from around the world competing, it was Rheporter, Dazzle, Rabiola and Doctor Wendell MF who treated spectators to the final feast for the eyes, floating around the Dixon Oval as they competed for top honors in the Grand Championship.

It was déjà vu when Rabiola won the Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmare’s class.  The mare by Metall out of Fabiola by Zadok took home the same honor in 2010.

The Born in the U.S.A. Breeders Awards were started in 2003 to recognize and reward the achievements of American sport horse breeders.  Horses conceived and foaled in the U.S. are eligible for the fourteen different categories. The High Point winner for the Born in the U.S.A. was Sterlicht GGF owned by Rachel Ehrlich, followed by Reserve Champion Duet MF, owned by Maryanna Haymon.

Radiance HVH, a Hanoverian by Rotspon out of EM Whitney and bred and owned by High Valley Hanovarians in Suches, Georgia, claimed the USDF/Great American Insurance Group Mare Championship.  Earlier in the day she had won the USEF Materiale for 4- and 5-year-old Mares and the 4- and 5-year-old Maiden and Yeld Mare class. Innverness, by Parabol out of Parelez, who was bred by Hilltop Farm and owned by Ursula Ferrier, was the winner of the Stallions 4 Years and Older.

Continue reading Last Minute Plans Change the Course of Events at the Dressage at Devon Grand Championship →

Community/Charity, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Thunderbird Raises $11,607 for JustWorld International

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Jane, Laura, George and Laura Jane Tidball all competed in the Family Extravaganza Equitation Class to help raise $11,607 for JustWorld International. Photo Courtesy of Thunderbird Show Park

September 27, 2011 – Langley, British Columbia – Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, raised $11,607 in support of JustWorld International during its recent Summer Classic and Summer Festival tournaments.

JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.  Thunderbird Show Park identified JustWorld’s Cambodia Rice for Families Project at Stung Mein Chey in Cambodia as the project it wanted to raise funds for.  Setting a target of $9,000, Thunderbird far exceeded its fundraising goal by bringing in $11,607 from its various fundraising activities.  The money will go directly to the project, giving families in the Stung Mein Chey garbage dump a 5 kg bag of rice each month, helping to reduce the need for children to gather food scraps or to earn money by picking through trash.

Thunderbird held several fundraising and awareness events over the course of the Summer Classic tournament from August 17-21 and the Summer Festival tournament from August 24-28.  JustWorld’s signature Horseless Horse Show, which sees people compete on foot over miniature jumps, was held on Friday, August 19, much to the delight of the crowd.  A silent auction, which raised more than $4,000 in support of JustWorld, was also held the same day during the $50,000 Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix.

During the second week of competition, the fun-filled Groom’s Class took the spotlight in the grand prix ring on Thursday, August 25.  Thunderbird Show Park matched the groom’s cash donations to help raise more than $600 for JustWorld’s project sites.

Continue reading Thunderbird Raises $11,607 for JustWorld International →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, JRPR

Champion Driver Suzy Stafford and Half-Arabian Miss Josephine Cruise to Individual Bronze Medal at 2011 World Pony Driving Championships in Lipica

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Suzy Stafford and Miss Josephine during the cones phase. (Photo courtesy of Bettina Ruckelshaus)

Lipica, Slovenia (September 29, 2011) – Suzy Stafford and registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine put in a brilliant performance at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia where they were awarded with the Individual Bronze Medal, Stafford’s second consecutive Individual Bronze.  Stafford and Miss Josephine were competing as individuals for Team USA, marking the first time an Arabian competed for the United States.

“Josie and I had a great run in Lipica,” Stafford said.  “Josie has an amazing heart and loves a challenge, which makes her a great international competitor.  Arabians are a very versatile breed and they really can excel in any discipline,” Stafford said.  “After all Josie was a lead line horse for a beginner, in addition to being a competitor at the World Pony Driving Championships.  It doesn’t get much more versatile than that!”

Stafford and Josie finished fifth after the dressage and were five points off the leader going into the marathon.  “Josie was awesome in the dressage; she was the best she has ever been.  I couldn’t believe it when we went in the ring,” said Stafford.  “She knew it was a big deal and puffed herself up.  She showed off like a true pro.  We had one mistake at the end of the dressage test that lowered our score a bit, but I could not be happier with how hard Josie tried for me!  These are the moments that remind me why I have made horses my way of life.  Sometimes it’s not about winning; it’s about the partnership.”

The pair moved up to fourth after the marathon followed by a precise and fast cones round that put them in third, securing the Individual Bronze Medal.  “Josie’s strength and character overshadowed her lack of experience in the marathon,” said Stafford.  “The course required a lot of strength and speed.  I still find it amazing how powerful this little horse is!”

Continue reading Champion Driver Suzy Stafford and Half-Arabian Miss Josephine Cruise to Individual Bronze Medal at 2011 World Pony Driving Championships in Lipica →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Wins 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series’ $45,000 Leading Rider Bonus

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McLain Ward, winner of the Hagyard Challenge Series' $45,000 Leading Rider Bonus. Photo By: Shawn McMillen

Lexington, KY – September 29, 2011 – On Friday, September 23, McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, was presented with a check for $45,000 after earning the most points during the 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series. The Hagyard Challenge Series is a show jumping competition that is held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, throughout the summer months. Composed of seven grand prix events, the Hagyard Challenge Series concluded on September 23 with the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix. Ward stormed to victory during the event aboard Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve with the fastest double clear effort.

Earlier this year, Ward claimed the first and second place honors in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show riding Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve and Vocas, respectively. His stellar performances during each competition scored him the highest number of points for the Leading Rider Bonus.

“I think it is wonderful to have the Rider Bonus,” commented Ward. “It is a reward for consistency, which is something I always strive towards. Hagyard and the Kentucky Horse Shows have great events, and I think there is a lot of quality throughout the Series.”

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: presenting sponsor Pfizer Animal Health, Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra 200, Wyatt Equine Law Group, Johnson Horse Transportation, Chase, and J. P. Morgan.

Continue reading McLain Ward Wins 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series’ $45,000 Leading Rider Bonus →

Eventing/H.T., Products/Services

Allison Springer Joins Mountain Horse’s Team Rider Program

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Scranton, PA — (October 1, 2011) – Mountain Horse is pleased to announce the latest addition to their Team Rider program, Allison Springer.  A veteran four-star event rider, trainer, and coach, and one of eventing’s brightest young stars, Allison knows how demanding the eventing world can be and relies on the proven, world-famous quality that is found in every design and detail of Mountain Horse products, from their innovative outerwear to their all-season footwear.

“Mountain Horse is a tremendous line of riding apparel. Their clothes and footwear are all well designed, functional and durable. But best of all, it is also very stylish! I particularly love the Autumn and Winter collection which offers a variety of boots and clothes to keep me warm without the bulk that can prevent me from riding well. I am proud to represent Mountain Horse as they are definitely a brand that focuses on helping me to ride well while ensuring that I look good while I’m doing it!”

“All of us at Mountain Horse are really pleased to have such great, young talent represent the line. We are a company that is run by equestrians, all of whom are super passionate about riding. So it really resonates with us to have the world’s up and coming young stars recognize and embrace that passion in the design and functionality of our products. We recognize how hard these event riders work for their craft, and truly feel like partners when it comes to helping them work and compete to the best of their ability,” states Sharon Gladski, Mountain Horse USA Brand Manager.

Mountain Horse products are exclusively distributed in the U.S. by English Riding Supply. For more information on Mountain Horse Team Riders, or to see the exciting new Fall/Winter line, visit us at www.MountainHorseUSA.com.

Continue reading Allison Springer Joins Mountain Horse’s Team Rider Program →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

North American Equitation Championship Weekend Presented by Big Eq.com to Begin 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show

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Victoria Birdsall won last year's North American Equitation Championships

Upper Marlboro, MD – September 28, 2011 – The 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show kicks off this Saturday, October 1, 2011, with its North American Equitation Championship Weekend presented by BigEq.com. Running through October 9, the 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show will feature many of the nation’s best horses and riders in a week of exceptional equestrian competition held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The equitation weekend will host many exciting classes, including the finals for the 2011 Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal series.

Bigeq.com is the premier website for buying and selling hunters, jumpers, equitation horses and ponies. The website sponsors the Capital Challenge equitation weekend each year and is proud to support the show and its exhibitors. The North American Equitation Championship Weekend presented by BigEq.com will feature the North American Equitation Championships, THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, and the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships.

Also featured over the weekend will be the 17-Year-Old Equitation, 16-Year-Old Equitation, 15-Year-Old Equitation, 13 & 14-Year-Old Equitation, 12 & Under Equitation, and Open Equitation 3’ and 3’6” divisions.

The Prince George’s Equestrian Center is a fantastic facility for both horse and rider, featuring indoor and outdoor rings and excellent stabling. Manager Oliver Kennedy looks forward to welcoming horse show participants and anticipates another fantastic year at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

Kennedy stated, “Capital Challenge is a great opportunity for riders to show their horses in a fun and welcoming environment. The facility provides the experience of showing both indoors and outdoors, and there is always plenty of space to ride and school. We strive to give horses and riders the best experience available, and there is nothing better than showing at Capital Challenge in the fall.”

Continue reading North American Equitation Championship Weekend Presented by Big Eq.com to Begin 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, and Catherine Tyree Top 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships

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Michael Hughes won the 2011 ASPCA Maclay Region 1 "Northeast" Championship. Photo © 2011 Anne Gittins.

Wellington, FL – September 28, 2011 – This weekend concluded the 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships with the final competitions held for Regions 1, 2, and 4. Championship honors were awarded to Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, and Catherine Tyree for their incredible rides in each of their respective regions. The talented riders also earned an invitation to the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, to compete for the top spot among the nation’s best junior riders with the 2011 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals presented by C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery.

The Region 1 “Northeast” Championships were judged by Jimmy Torano and Jimmy Lee at the Grand Fall Classic in Westbrook, CT. Michael Hughes of Morriston, FL, caught their attention with his smooth and precise ride aboard Co Co Pop, winning top honors without entering the ring for additional testing. Hughes showed against 60 of the top juniors in the Northeast states of CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT. Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, finished in reserve for the second consecutive year.

“This weekend really went amazing,” said Hughes. “The first round went really well, the course was straightforward, and when it came to the flat phase, I know that Co Co Pop would really excel, so we were able to stay strong.”

Region 2 “East” Championship was held on Saturday, September 24 for the states of NJ, NY, and PA at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Judged by Rita Timpanaro and Chrystine Tauber, top honors were awarded to Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, aboard Catherine Cowie’s Vidarco. Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, MD rode to the reserve honors.

Continue reading Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, and Catherine Tyree Top 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships →

Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Nations Cup – Top League Statistics

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STACKING UP THE STATISTICS – NINE YEARS ON by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 28 September 2011 – From the moment the concept of a Top League Nations Cup series was first devised by the FEI at the start of the new millennium, it grabbed the imagination and enthusiastic support of all those involved in the sport of Jumping.  And now, nine years on, and having returned to its original eight-leg, eight-nation format, some new statistics tell the story of the contribution of individual riders to one of the biggest success-stories in the history of equestrian sport – the FEI Nations Cup.

Since the inaugural Samsung Super League season got underway in 2003, a total of 13 nations – Great Britain, Germany, USA, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Denmark and Poland – have battled it out for the coveted title that sets the best Jumping nation apart from the rest.  Germany holds the record for most wins, with four over the eight-year period including the 2011 title which they secured at the final leg of this year’s series in Rotterdam last month.

NO SURPRISE
It comes as no surprise then, that German riders dominate the statistical table for Riders with Most Wins between 2003 and 2011. This is headed up by Marco Kutscher who has been on 12 victorious teams.  From 25 starts, he produced 10 clear rounds and 4 double-clears and he has therefore made an exceptional contribution to his country’s success-rate.  Next in line is fellow-countryman Ludger Beerbaum with 11 wins from 26 starts, while Marcus Ehning lies third on this table with 10 wins from 30 starts and Christian Ahlmann is in fourth with nine.

Continue reading FEI Nations Cup – Top League Statistics →

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