Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

International Reining and World Championship Freestyle to Be Held during 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone

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Lexington, Kentucky, USA – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have announced that the Kentucky Reining Cup, which includes international Reining and the first-ever World Championship Freestyle, will be held in addition to this year’s event at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 28 – May 1.

One of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and the only CCI**** in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, annually attracts 50-100,000 spectators and millions of viewers on international telecasts including a 60-minute domestic broadcast on NBC.

The Kentucky Reining Cup competition, currently pending final approval by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation), will be managed by HorsePower, Inc., Reining’s leading event production firm, and will include a Five Star Reining competition, known as a CRI5* (Concours de Reining International), the sport’s highest level, as well as the first-ever World Championship Freestyle.  The CRI5* will offer $50,000US in prize money and will be the only Five Star Reining event in the western hemisphere in 2011.

Continue reading International Reining and World Championship Freestyle to Be Held during 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Jane Savoie, Training/Clinics

Ride from Half Halt to Half Halt, by Jane Savoie

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The secret to riding your dressage horse like a professional is to ride from half halt to half halt rather than from movement to movement. The half halt is your connective tissue between the dressage movements. They’re what make your daily ride or dressage test look like it flows seamlessly like a dance.

I rode with Olympian Robert Dover for many years. One of Robert’s favorite sayings is, “Amateurs ride from movement to movement. Professionals ride from half halt to half halt.” I think those are words to live by.

So when you think about your ride or start memorizing a dressage test for a horse show, don’t focus on the individual dressage movements such as, “I do a 10 meter circle here, and then I do a leg-yield there. After that, I do a lengthening across the diagonal.” If that’s what you do, your ride will look choppy and amateurish.

Instead, think, “Do a half halt to prepare for the turn from the centerline to the circle. Give another one to balance my horse before I start the leg yield. And give another one to coil the spring of the hind legs so my horse can “boing” into the lengthening.”

Continue reading Ride from Half Halt to Half Halt, by Jane Savoie →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Ben Maher and Oscar Score Week 5 Opening Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

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Ben Maher and Oscar won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during week five at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2011 – Ben Maher (GBR) scored a win this morning in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on the opening day of week 5 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Maher and Oscar put down a winning time of 60.806 seconds for the win over Peter Wylde (USA) on Lipton De L’Othain (62.987 seconds) and McLain Ward (USA) on Domino (64.050 seconds).

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s fifth week of competition continues through Sunday, February 13. Week five, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will feature the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday afternoon, the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, on Saturday at 7 p.m., the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix on Sunday morning, and the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Today’s $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper class had 41 entries, and they competed over a course designed by Alan Wade of Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Maher stated, “It’s good that they have different course designers here every week.”

Seventeen found the way to a clear round, but it was Maher and Oscar who had the most speed. “He’s naturally a fast horse, so if you’re clear, he’s always near the top end without even trying,” Maher pointed out.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13235

Community/Charity, Conferences, Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Events, Phelps Media Group

Third and Final Buck Is Thursday, Hosted by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center

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Member of Team Florida Community Bank rides the Bull. Photo Courtesy of the Client

Loxahatchee, FL – February 10, 2011 – Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center is hosting its final “Buck Off” Event this Thursday night February 10, 2011. The event is sponsored by Vetericyn and is held at the Players Club. The evening’s winning team will join the two other teams from the other two Buck Offs as qualifiers to compete at the VTRC Annual Dinner held on Friday, February 18, 2011.

Guests can perfect their bull riding techniques before the competition from 7-8pm for $10 per ride. Starting at 8p.m. the competition begins with three hours of action packed bull riding fun. Teams of four can ride for $100 and individuals can ride for $30. All participants receive a BUCK OFF t-shirt. The winning team receives a ticket to VTRC Benefit Auction Dinner and a spot to compete in the finals, held at the International Polo Club February 18, 2011 during the VTRC Benefit Auction Dinner. This year’s winning teams will compete against The Bad Boy Vets last year’s “Buck Off” champions.

Floridian Community Bank secured their spot in the first week of competition. Winners of the second “Buck Off” were Team Bobbi’s Boys which included Jimmy Fairclough, Turea Wilson, Trevor Ritter, and Kevin McCarthy. Only one more round to go so don’t miss it!

Continue reading Third and Final Buck Is Thursday, Hosted by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Bureau Member Sven Holmberg Resigns

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Lausanne (SUI), 10 February 2011 – Sven Holmberg, FEI Bureau Member and Chair of the Jumping Committee, has resigned from both positions with immediate effect.

Mr Holmberg, who became an FEI Bureau Member when he was elected as Chair of the Jumping Committee in 2005, became FEI First Vice-President the following year. He was re-elected as Chair of the Jumping Committee at the 2009 FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen (DEN) and was one of the three candidates that stood for the FEI Presidency last year, when HRH Princess Haya was re-elected to the post for a second and final four-year term.

“Sven has dedicated an enormous amount of time to the FEI in a number of different roles over the past six years and I would like to thank him sincerely for his devotion to horse sport and particularly to Jumping”, FEI President HRH Princess Haya commented. “His deep knowledge and understanding of the sport have benefitted the FEI enormously. I wish him well for the future.”

John Madden (USA), Deputy Chair of the Jumping Committee, takes over as Acting Chair with immediate effect. The position will be filled on a permanent basis at the General Assembly in November.

“I have spoken to John Madden today and look forward to working closely with him”, Princess Haya said. “He is a well respected member of the equestrian community and is well placed to lead the sport of Jumping going forward.”

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gulfport TV and Other Updates

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Just some updates and FYIs.

The Gulf Coast Winter Series started today and WLOX, the local television station, came out and was live at our event.  If you would like to watch the short video please click here: http://www.wlox.com/global/Category.asp?c=194069. We are the third video on the left.

We have posted a new schedule on our webpage for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic I.  The changes were minor but because we produce our prize list in the fall and then the annual meetings of USHJA and USEF are in December and January we sometimes must make adjustments to new rules.

Just a second reminder for some other changes…

1. We will offer a non restricted 1.0m Children’s Adult Jumper section because of the new zone specs.

2. We will offer a Walk, Walk Trot, and Crossrails classes that will follow the short stirrup in the schedule.

If you still have not reserved your stalls please call us ASAP because we are putting up more stalls on Monday and I am sure that will be the last visit from our tent man.  Call 228.832.9255 for reservations.

Continue reading Gulfport TV and Other Updates →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Driving, JRPR

Champion Combined Driver Chester Weber Named to USET Foundation Board of Trustees

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Combined Driver Chester Weber has been named to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) Board of Trustees. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (February 9, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF Foundation National Four-In-Hand Driving Champion, has been named to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) Board of Trustees. The USET Foundation supports equestrian athletes, promotes international excellence and builds for the future of equestrian sports.

The eight High Performance equestrian disciplines supported by the USET Foundation are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining, para-equestrian and vaulting. As one of the leading drivers in the United States, Weber’s experience — as well as his passion for promoting his sport — will serve as a benefit to the USET Foundation Board of Trustees.

“Chester and our other Trustees are people that have shown their leadership with the United States Equestrian Team through their involvement as ambassadors in International High Performance activities, and for their charitable support of our United States Equestrian Teams,” said Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Director of the USET Foundation. “We expect that Chester will continue to help us achieve our mission of supporting athletes, promoting international excellence and building for the future.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13232

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Phelps Media Group

Susan J. Stickle Named 2011 Photographer for Challenge of the Americas & World Dressage Masters

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Steiner and Hoag from the 2010 Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2011 – Noted and distinguished photographer Susan J. Stickle has been announced as the professional photographer for two exciting events that are coming to Wellington the week of March 10-13.  The World Dressage Masters returns to Wellington March 9-11, 2011, for the third year on its international tour, with three different competitions for dressage enthusiasts and the public alike held at the Jim Brandon Center.  The weekend events wrap up with the tenth annual Challenge of the Americas March 12, 2011, which includes a Grand Prix team dressage quadrille and musical freestyle competition.  This year, the Challenge will also feature a four-on-four polo match featuring patron level players.  The Challenge is held at International Polo Club Palm Beach and benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stickle, originally from Maplewood, New Jersey, has been shooting professionally since 1995, covering local, regional and National Dressage championships. She bought her first camera at age 17 with her very first paycheck after always having an interest in photography.  She began riding western at age 20, and then moved to a dressage barn where she fell in love with the sport.

“At that time, there were no real professional photographers shooting the actual classes, only the awards,” noted Stickle.  “We just shot each other and our friends, and never looked back.”  Stickle started her business, Susan J. Stickle Photography, with longtime partner Jonna Koellhoffer and the two continue working together today. Susan rode dressage competitively with her chestnut Thoroughbred mare, Bonnie. The pair were high score champions at training level and went on to compete thru the lower levels. Her love of horses and her knowledge of dressage have given her a wonderfully keen eye that shows in her work.

Continue reading Susan J. Stickle Named 2011 Photographer for Challenge of the Americas & World Dressage Masters →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Phelps Media Group

Robert Orthwein Named 2011 Equestrian Idol Winner

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Catherine Herman, Robert Orthwein, Patricia Keenan, and Rebecca Brewer Photo Credit: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.

WELLINGTON, FL – February 7, 2011 – Equestrians from all disciplines gathered on Friday, February 4, 2011, to enjoy the Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show presented by Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens where the top prize of the evening was awarded to Robert Orthwein. Six talented performers vied for the crown, but Orthwein’s unique and incredible performance won over the judges to earn him the 2011 title. Equestrian Idol, co-chaired by Catherine Herman and Patricia Keenan, was the first event to be held in the “new” Grande Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy cutting edge culinary catering trends and the latest in food styling by the newly formed International Polo Club Catering Company.

The EQUUS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that seeks to educate the public on the significant impact of horses in our everyday lives and award grants to charities that use the horse for the benefit of the public, promote horse welfare, and advance the equestrian sport.  The Foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in grants, thanks almost entirely to events like Equestrian Idol.

Mason Phelps, Jr. emceed the 5th year of the event, kicking things off by thanking everyone for attending and acknowledging the many wonderful sponsors. In addition to title sponsor Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens, other generous sponsors include Buick and GMC, the Official Vehicle Sponsor of The EQUUS Foundation. Gold Medal sponsors include: Mr. & Mrs. Michael Carpenter, the Ann T. D’Addario Family Foundation, Equestrian Sport Productions, Britta Lippert and Caroline Moran. Silver Medal sponsors include: Jennifer Burger & Meredith Lipke, and Visse Wedell. Bronze Medal sponsors include: the Adikes-Hill Family Foundation, Patricia Adikes-Hill & Rosalind Schaefer, Bobbie & Derek Braun & Split Rock Farm, Jane Forbes Clark, Louisburg Farm, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Orthwein, Chris & Jessica Pasmore, Quiet Corner Farm, the Steeple Chase Farm Foundation, and Jenny Wren Sutton.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13230

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach

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Wellington, FL – February 7, 2011 – Dressage is the oldest of equestrian disciplines and the basis for true harmony between rider and horse. The Greek philosopher Xenophon wrote the first recorded book on horsemanship in 350 BC. At that time and long after, horses were trained for warfare. During the Renaissance the riding schools of Vienna and Saumur contributed a lot in sophisticating dressage.

However only in the 20th century the public discovered the beauty of the ‘dancing horses’. The 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm were the first to stage dressage on an Olympic level. Dressage has never left the Olympic podium since and with the introduction of the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music in 1996 in Atlanta, dressage quickly gained popularity all over the world. Grand Prix Dressage, the highest expression of horse training, is considered to be the art of equestrian sport.

To compliment this fantastic sport and to contribute to its further internationalization and growth, sports marketing agency SportBizz, equestrian innovator Exquis have launched the World Dressage Masters (WDM) initiative in 2008. In 2011 the World Dressage Masters will feature four top class CDI5* shows:

9-11 March, Palm Beach, Florida USA

2-5 June, Munich, GER (final Nürnberger WDM Rider Ranking)

7-9 July, Flasterbo, SWE

29-31 July, Hickstead, GBR

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach →

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