Tag Archives: Abigail McArdle

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 Win $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20. Photos © Sportfot.

Kyle Owens Sweeps Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Championship aboard Voila and Messick

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2014 – Friday’s competition at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival featured a $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class with a win for 19-year-old Abigail McArdle (USA) aboard Cosma 20. In the hunter rings, Kyle Owens swept the youngest division of the Adult Amateur Hunters with his horses Voila and Messick.

Sponsored by Adequan, FTI WEF week seven runs February 19-23, 2014. The week will feature the $280,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday night and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Take in “Saturday Night Lights” from some of the best seats in the house! Tables and individual seats are available for sale in The Wellington Club, which offers a fantastic view of the International Arena for Saturday night’s grand prix. Enjoy a full buffet courtesy of White Horse Catering while watching thrilling competition from a spectacular vantage point on Saturday, February 22. Tables are going fast, so reserve yours today! Email vip@equestriansport.com for complete information.

Fredric Cottier of France set the track for Friday’s $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m with 77 entries and 16 clear rounds, the fastest of which belonged to Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 in 58.70 seconds. The pair beat out Reed Kessler (USA) and Soraya de l’Obstination, who finished second in 59.43 seconds. Germany’s David Will and Black Jack 163 finished third in 60.68 seconds, and Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and Elky van het Indihof placed fourth in 61.31 seconds.

McArdle had a very successful 2013 season with Cosma 20 with many international wins and was excited to start her year with an FEI win on home turf. She praised her horse, an eleven-year-old Hanoverian mare by Couleur Rubin x Stakkato, on a great effort.

“She was great,” McArdle smiled. “I was really happy because this was my first world ranking class that I was able to win here in Florida. It was great because all of these classes are really difficult, and it is definitely stepping up my game to be able to compete against the best professionals in the world and really go for it.”

“It was nice to be able to watch a little bit,” McArdle noted. “I got to see Reed before I went, who was in the lead and finished second, so we saw what we had to beat on that. We had a very specific plan on numbers (of strides) between the fences. We were planning all of the long numbers and the numbers in the turn backs and everything, so we knew exactly what we had to do to win. She went really well, so I can’t say anything bad. She gave me everything.”

McArdle spoke about the confidence that Cosma 20 gives her with each consistent round and the great partnership that they have formed. Even with an open water jump that gave some riders problems, she knew that she did not have to worry.

“She is a great water jumper and it is nice because I know her really well now,” the rider acknowledged. “It is definitely a lot of confidence being able to walk into the ring and know your horse so well and be consistently clean.”

She also spoke about Cosma 20’s personality, noting, “She definitely has a lot of personality. She bites one of us at least once a day. She is definitely a feisty mare. We always say she is little, but she’s mighty. She is pretty calm outside of the ring, but no matter what, it could be on her most tired day and she still goes into the ring and is still a great speed horse, in that respect.”

McArdle has a new horse, Cade de Guldenboom, that she is aiming towards the bigger classes now and hopes to keep Cosma 20 as her speed horse this season. For the remainder of the FTI WEF circuit, she is carefully picking some important classes to compete in. She plans to do more of the 1.45m FEI World Ranking classes with the mare and will show in the $50,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Finale during week eleven.

Kyle Owens Sweeps Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Championship Aboard Voila and Messick

The Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division awarded its championship tricolors for week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival with an exciting top finish for 22-year-old Kyle Owens of Powell, OH. The rider, trained by Peter Pletcher, took home champion and reserve honors for the week with his two mounts, Voila and Messick.

Owens guided Voila to the division championship with a first place ribbon over fences on Thursday followed up by first and third place finishes over fences and a fifth place ribbon under saddle in Friday’s classes. With Messick, Owens earned the reserve title with second and third place ribbons on Thursday as well as a third over fences and second under saddle on Friday.

Voila and Kyle Owens
Voila and Kyle Owens

This is Owens’ fourth year coming to Wellington and his best finish yet with a group of talented new horses. Voila (a.k.a. Victor) is a five-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Verdi that was imported from Germany at the beginning of January. Messick (a.k.a. Scooby) is a five-year-old Westphalian gelding by Furst Grandios, imported in July. Both horses also show in the Pre-Green Hunters with Peter Pletcher, and Owens has a horse named Luxe that he competes in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division as well.

“It is awesome to do so well,” Owens said after his championship win. “I just got all three horses that I have down here within the last six months, so they are all pretty new to me and I am just figuring them out, but I love them all.”

“Voila is really green. This is only his fourth horse show,” Owens explained. “They are both pretty green, but they are really good horses. They are super brave.”

“Scooby is more of a typical hunter. He goes without a martingale, he has a great canter, and a great rhythm. He jumps really slow, and he is so brave. He will do anything,” Owens described. “Victor is very typey, but he is a great mover and a really good jumper. He is definitely the greener one of the two, but after four weeks he is already so simple compared to what he was, so he is definitely getting a lot better. I don’t know how to describe him; he kind of goes like a pony almost.”

When the FTI WEF circuit ends, the horses and their rider will continue on to show and train with Peter Pletcher throughout the year, traveling to shows in Texas, Kentucky, and Michigan. Owens hopes to move both horses up to the Amateur-Owner Hunters as they progress, explaining that Messick is a little further along. “Scooby will probably do the 3’6″ Amateurs and Victor may do the 3’3″ Amateurs. He is just more green than the other one. Scooby is so young, but he is just naturally so easy to ride, he has kind of already figured it out himself. He is so straightforward.”

Hunter competition for week seven continues on Saturday with the presentation of championship honors in the Greenspoon Marder Law Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. The $280,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 4* will be the feature “Saturday Night Lights” event in the International Arena at 7 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Young Rider Abigail McArdle Dominates International FEI Competitions

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20. Photos By: Parker/Russell – The Book LLC.

Barrington, IL – August 5, 2013 – Just one year ago, Abigail McArdle captured the 2012 North American Junior/Young Riders Championships Young Rider Show Jumping Individual Gold Medal with five clear rounds aboard her talented mare Cosma 20. This summer, the duo has moved into the Open Jumper division at international competitions, including the Dinard CSI 3* International Horse Show, the Chantilly CSI 2* Global Champions Tour and the Spruce Meadows Tournament. Producing speedy, clear rounds week after week, McArdle and Cosma 20 have continued their winning ways, claiming multiple victories against the best riders in the world.

Most recently, McArdle competed at the Dinard CSI 3* International Horse Show, held July 24-28 in France. McArdle captured two winning awards with Cosma 20. The first was during Saturday’s 1.45m Open Jumper Speed class, where they beat 42 entries with the fastest clear round by almost two seconds. They then went on to win Sunday’s 1.40m Open Jumper Speed class as well to culminate an excellent weekend.

“Everything was a little bit bigger in Dinard,” explained McArdle. “Overseas there is a lot of focus on speed classes. I’ve been trying to move up with Cosma, and that is one of the bigger 1.45m classes that I have jumped.”

Their win in Dinard came just one week after the Chantilly Global Champions Tour event where McArdle and Cosma once again led the victory gallop, this time in the 1.40m Open Jumpers. Out of 87 entries, 12 advanced to the jump-off and six riders were able to produce a second clear effort, but none would be as fast as McArdle. She shot through the timers in 36.86 seconds, almost two seconds faster than the previous leader to capture the winning honors.

To prepare to compete in Europe, McArdle traveled to Calgary, Alberta to show at the legendary Spruce Meadows. She kicked things off by winning the $5,000 Friends of the Meadow 1.45m Welcome Stake during the ‘Continental’ Tournament.

“The first week of Spruce we did the Open 1.40m division, and we won two days, so we jumped 1.45m for the rest of the weeks,” stated McArdle. “It was my first real FEI win against the professional riders. They were hard courses, and the jumps were big. It was a super experience, and it gave me a lot of confidence going to Europe.”

During the four weeks of Spruce Meadows, McArdle racked up 10 first place finishes in the FEI divisions between her two mounts Cosma 20 and Bravoman. The finale came on July 4, during the North American’ Tournament. Competing sixth in the order of 23 entries, McArdle and Cosma 20 captured and held on to an early lead during the $33,000 Zoetis Horse Health Care Cup 1.45m Speed Derby.

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20
Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20

“Cosma 20 is a great derby horse,” acknowledged McArdle. “We were lucky to be able to school all kinds of derby fences at the Kessler’s farm in Kentucky before we came, and I think that was a huge advantage. My horse had seen everything, jumped the grob and jumped off the bank. That class was lots of fun, and it was one of those courses with 20 jumps, so you have to pick where you are going to gallop between fences. We had a really wonderful Spruce Meadows!”

McArdle excelled in the High Junior Jumpers, but rather than move to the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, she pushed herself to begin competing against the professional riders. “The goal is always to push yourself,” she stated. “We did so well last year and then our test was when we got to Spruce: can we still win in the Open 1.40m, where the courses are harder and the competition is tougher, and when we did win we decided to move up.”

Over the last two years, McArdle has developed a special bond with Cosma 20 that helps her be so successful. “It has been moving up for me and it’s been moving up for Cosma,” she noted. “Every time you move up you learn more about your horse, so it’s been a great experience for me. She’s such a great horse, and she is so careful.  Anytime you have a careful horse, it’s about being able to figure out how to let them jump clean as the jumps go up. I have a lot of confidence in her to continue winning in the future.”

McArdle’s legendary trainer Katie Prudent is also confident about the pair’s future. “Cosma and Abby are a match made in heaven,” commented Prudent. “She just rides the mare so beautifully, and it wouldn’t be a horse for just anyone. Cosma is extremely careful, and Abby does a wonderful job with her because Abby has a great eye and never ever misses and never puts a horse in a position where it might not have confidence. Because of that, she gives the horse tremendous confidence. They are just a winning team.”

Prudent added, “Abby rides so well, and she has aspirations to be on the team one day. I love to give the kids an opportunity to go to a higher level. I don’t see any end in sight.”

Next week, McArdle will conclude her European tour by competing at the Valkenswaard Global Champions Tour before staring her freshman year at the University of Miami. McArdle will continue to focus on competing and advancing with Cosma 20 next winter during the 2014 Winter Equestrian Festival.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
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Lauren Tisbo Stays Clear to Win $35,000 PwC Cup 1.60m with Roundthorn Madios

Lauren Tisbo and Roundthorn Madios. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Christine McCrea Takes $35,000 Progress Energy Canada Cup Victory; McArdle Captures 1.45m Speed Win

Calgary, AB – July 4, 2013 – The ‘North American’ Tournament had three international competitions today in two rings. Riding to the top of the standings in the $35,000 PwC Cup 1.60m was Lauren Tisbo (USA) on Roundthorn Madios. Christine McCrea (USA) won the $35,000 Progress Energy Canada Cup 1.50m as the first in the jump-off with Romantovich Take One. In the All Canada ring, an early fast round by Abigail McArdle (USA) and Cosma 20 won the $33,000 Zoetis Horse Health Care Cup 1.45m.

The ‘North American’ Tournament continues through Sunday, July 7, and features the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday, July 6, and the $140,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby on Sunday, July 7.

Twenty entries went to post in the $35,000 PwC Cup 1.60m over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio of New York. Only two were able to clear the first round, and they went head to head in the jump-off.

“I thought it was going to be difficult,” Tisbo said. “Anthony usually builds courses that don’t allow for a whole lot of clears, but a nice number usually. There were plenty of questions there, and the water jump was in there. I expected there to be more than two though. You just had to know your horse really well and know what his strengths are.”

First in was Reed Kessler (USA) on Cylana. They pulled a rail at the first fence in the jump-off and finished with four faults in 39.76 seconds.

Knowing a clear round was needed to win, Lauren Tisbo went in with a steady stride, but still kept up a pace just in case. She was able to leave all of the jumps up and recorded a time of 41.20 seconds for her second international win at Spruce Meadows.

Tisbo recently moved Roundthorn Madios up to the 1.60m competitions, and she used today’s event to see if he would be ready for the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday. “From the beginning today was all about jumping clear, and if I got into the jump-off, jumping clear again. My plan just happened to work out with the rest of the circumstances,” she pointed out.

Tisbo has been riding Roundthorn Madios, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Condios x Clover Hill, for six months. He is owned by her family’s Tequestrian Farms LLC. While Tisbo felt like they clicked “for the most part,” right away, it still took some time to get to know each other. She explained, “His previous rider had him for a long time, and I think in any situation when you get a horse that someone’s been riding for multiple years, even if you match right away, it takes a little while for them to figure you out and think the way you think. That certainly started to happen after the Florida circuit. Now I think it’s going pretty well.”

Tisbo said that Roundthorn Madios has gotten “so much scopier” here at Spruce Meadows. “He doesn’t have a huge, huge stride. He’s careful, but he likes when you can gallop him up to the jumps,” she said. “He’s exceeding my expectations in the parts of the course that I think he’s going to struggle with. Those are all signs for me that make me feel very confident going into a class like the Queen’s Cup on Saturday.”

Tisbo said she was “still a little shocked” with her victory. “It does feel as special as the first win. It was not what I expected today,” she smiled. “I was hoping I would win for the first time in the International Ring here, (and) I got that goal accomplished, so the rest is gravy!”

Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One
Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One

McCrea Is Only Double Clear to Win

The $35,000 Progress Energy Canada Cup had 35 entries and five of those would advance to the jump-off, but it would be the first in the ring over the shortened course that would lead the way. Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One, 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Numero Uno x Karandasj owned by Candy Tribble, put in the all-important clear round in a time of 42.58 seconds.

McCrea said of her plan, “I obviously wanted to jump clear and go fast, but I didn’t want to go too fast because there wasn’t very many in it in the jump-off. I thought it would be more important to try to jump a clear round. I did kick myself because when I was coming around the bank, I realized I missed the inside turn to the skinny (fence). I thought I left it open a little bit there. But as it turned out, it worked out, so that was good. I thought he jumped great.”

Next in, Federico Fernandez (MEX) and Gitano, had an unfortunate 12 faults in 47.97 seconds for fifth place. Conor Swail (IRL) and Lansdowne had an early four faults and slowed down to finish the jump-off. They accumulated three time faults in 52.77 seconds for fourth place.

It came down to the final fence for the last two riders, and both of them had their heartbreaking four faults there. Lauren Tisbo (USA) and Catharina 9 were third in 45.34 seconds. Susan Artes (USA) and Zamiro were quite fast in 41.72 seconds, but the rail down left them in second place.

McCrea pointed out that by now, their relationship has advanced to where she just thinks “speed,” and Romantovich Take One does it. “You just push the button and he goes,” she smiled. “He’s faster than a normal horse. Then if you want to go a little quicker, just leg him a little bit more and off you go. He’s so seasoned that he knows exactly what I’m asking. It’s not like he’s questioning; he just knows. First gear, third gear, fourth gear, he just knows.”

This was Romantovich Take One’s third victory in the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments, and McCrea has had success on her other horses as well. “I’m very lucky. They are extremely nice horses and I’m really happy to have them,” she expressed.

McArdle and Cosma 20 Speed Past Competition

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20
Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20

The $33,000 Zoetis Horse Health Care Cup 1.45m had an early leader whose time held up to win the competition. Abigail McArdle (USA) and Cosma 20 went sixth in the order out of 23 entries and put in a very quick time of 104.82 seconds with no faults.

Going second to last, the closest clear round came from Francois Mathy (BEL) on Falco von de Clehoeve, who finished in 108.39 seconds for second place. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 were third in 108.69 seconds. Conor Swail (IRL) and Martha Louise had the time in 103.67 seconds, but a rail left them in eleventh place.

McArdle didn’t leave much room for anyone to catch her, with the exception of one inside turn. “I thought everywhere I kind of went for it. I didn’t seem to leave too many gaps,” she agreed. “The only place is where I went around (to jump 14), and Conor went inside there. He had my time, but he had that jump down. That’s what we were worried about when we walked (the course). We thought if I went inside, I would have had the same jump down. That was the one place where I thought someone could beat me, if they went inside there and left the jump up. After seeing Conor have that down, most people went around.”

Cosma 20 didn’t blink at any of the derby-style jumps on the speed course designed by Peter Holmes of Canada, including the open water, bank, and grob out of 17 numbered obstacles. “She’s super over the derby jumps,” McArdle said. “It’s funny, for being such a careful, spooky horse, she doesn’t care about the derby jumps at all. If anything, she’s going to back off of those as much as the plain oxer. The grob, the water, everything was perfect with her.”

This is the fourth win in the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments for McArdle and Cosma 20. McArdle remarked, “We’ve had a heck of a Spruce! I feel like I know her really well. It’s a good feeling in that you know what to expect out there and you know the places that are going to be difficult and where you can make up time. I just feel like I’ve really formed a wonderful partnership with her. She’s taught me how to move up to the big classes. She’s taught me how to ride in the big ring and given me an opportunity to ride well and do well at the same time.”

What Can You Do at Spruce Meadows?

Spruce Meadows includes affordable fun for the whole family. With admission starting at only $5 per person, and children (12 & under) and seniors (65 & up) free, it is the perfect venue to unwind and enjoy a day of show jumping, activities, delicious food and shopping. Limited Reserved Seating tickets are also available – for full details, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

From Friday through Sunday, there will be a number of activities for the whole family (all included in your admission to Spruce Meadows) such as Pony Rides, presented by Kozy Shack, the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, presented by RE/MAX, Wagon Rides, Face Painting, children’s games in the Garden Court Restaurant and more! Delicious food is offered throughout the grounds, featuring a healthy menu at the Garden Court Restaurant, a wide range of options at the Time Faults Public House, and International Fare in the Plaza.

Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 will feature the Royal Occasion Brunch – all are welcome to join us at the royally inspired breakfast from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Meadowgreen Building, adjacent to the Meadows on the Green Ring. Fresh berries and cream, scones, pancakes, sausages and more will be complimentary to the first 3,000 guests. In light of the recent flood in Southern Alberta, Rush Seating for Saturday and Sunday will be complimentary. Reserved Seating and Club International tickets are available on our website in advance.

Looking to test your luck? Spruce Meadows has several contest options for those wanting to win excellent prizes, including the CN/Sun Media Name the Foal contest featuring a chance to name future show jumping star and a trip to the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and the Win a Year contest, with a chance to win a year of access to all Spruce Meadows events. If you are looking for some retail therapy, vendors in the Gallery on the Green and Vendor Village offer an excellent variety of gifts and services, both equine and non-equine in nature.

For full details, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com or contact us at 403.974.4200 or information@sprucemeadows.com.

The ‘North American’ continues tomorrow with the $33,000 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m and the $50,000 LaFarge Cup 1.50m in the International Ring. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 Capture 1.45m Open Jumper Victory at Kentucky Spring Classic

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20.

Lexington, KY – May 15, 2013 – The heat was on as the Kentucky Spring Classic got underway today at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.  Five riders produced double clear rounds during the 1.45m Open Jumpers, but it was the last do so that proved to be the fastest. Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 broke the beam at 30.378 seconds for the win by 3/10ths of a second over Reed Kessler and Soraya De L’Obstination. Earlier in the day, Pablo Barrios took home his second blue ribbon in a row during the 1.40m Open Jumpers speed class with Colgate.

Today’s 1.45m Open Jumper track was created by Conrad Homfeld and featured a long bending line to begin, as well as a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination and an oxer-vertical double combination. Nine competitors advanced to the jump-off, where they began with a bending line to the double combination, before rolling back to two oxers and finishing over vertical near the gate.

The first to show without fault over the short course was Abigail McArdle’s trainer, Katie Prudent. She and V, owned by Michael Smith of Winchester, VA, were able to break the beam in 32.945 seconds, which was good enough for fourth place. The next to complete the jump-off with all the rails intact was Ramiro Quintana and Ollywood Des Horts, owned by Remarkable Farms LP of New York, NY. They increased the speed by almost two seconds, stopping the clock at 31.263 seconds and claiming the eventual third place honors. Margie Engle chose to be more conservative with Cabras, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, leaving all the fences in place, but crossing the finish line in 34.614 seconds for fifth place.

Olympian Reed Kessler of Lexington, KY, was one of the last riders to show, and she had her eye on the prize with Soraya De L’Onstination. She was able to top her trainer Katie Prudent as well as Quintana, speeding through the timers in 30.655 seconds. Unfortunately, her time would only hold up for second place, as Abigail McArdle was next to advance to the tiebreaker with Cosma 20. The reigning North American Junior Jumper individual gold medalists are well known for their speed, and today was no exception. McArdle laid on the gas, leaving out a stride through the first bending line and speeding to the final obstacles without even a rub. The duo clocked in at 30.378 seconds to take home the winning prize.

“During the first round, I wanted to see how the first bending line in the jump-off rode, and I was able to shape it and leave a stride out there,” explained McArdle. “Then we still added to the double combination but made up time after the combination and then over to the last line.”

McArdle added, “I was really happy with the way she went; she was super. This was a nice 1.45m win and then we will do the Hagyard Classic tomorrow night. This was a nice way to boost our confidence before that.”

Cosma 20, a nine-year-old chestnut mare, has been partnered with McArdle for a little over a year. “I feel like I really know her well,” she commented. “I know we having been moving up slowly, but she’s green at this level and it’s still new for me, so it’s important to build up slowly. I’m lucky to have such a wonderful horse.  After Kentucky, we will go to Spruce Meadows and then Europe to show in Chantilly, Dinard and Valkenswaard.”

Based out of Barrington, IL, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are always on McArdle’s schedule.  “I love these shows and the facility is great,” she noted. “Management is great and they have nice prize money. For us, it’s basically our backyard, and we love showing in Kentucky.”

Pablo Barrios and Colgate
Pablo Barrios and Colgate

Earlier in the day, Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios matched his effort in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class with Colgate for the second week in a row. Nine riders were able to complete the course without fault, but it was Barrios and Colgate that set the time to beat, finishing in 62.397 seconds. Emanuel Andrade stopped the clock at 66.933 with Crossfire 10, owned by Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, SC. They were almost five seconds slower for second place. Alison Robitaille was one of the first to show with Candle Light, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone of Upperville, VA, and finished the course in 67.418 seconds to round out the top three.

“I really tried to go as fast as possible,” said Barrios. “I really liked the course for her because there were a lot of lines and I could leave strides out. She has a very, very big stride. The course was the perfect for her. She’s starting to like to jump at that pace, and she’s being careful. I think she could be a speed horse.

Barrios added, “I’m going to do the Hagyard with her again tomorrow night.  I think she’s schooled enough to keep her brain quiet enough to jump tomorrow, but I’ll have to see.”

The jumper action will continue in the Rolex Stadium tomorrow afternoon with the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. It will mark the second event in the seven-part Hagyard Challenge Series featuring the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. Riders will also have the opportunity to showcase their mounts during Saturday’s evening’s $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington, and Sunday morning’s $20,000 Bluegrass Classic.

For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Abigail McArdle Wins More Money from SSG Riding Gloves

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 over the SSG Riding Gloves signature fence at the WEF. Photo - Sportfot

January 27, 2013 – Wellington, Florida – Abigail McArdle, a multi-winner in the SSG Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, added another $1,000 to her bonus money account with a win in Saturday’s $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic during week three of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Eight members of the 35-horse starting field posted a clear effort over the first round course to qualify for the jump-off.  In a blazing fast time of 32.79 seconds, McArdle knocked almost four full seconds off of the time posted by Michelle Navarro-Grau, who had stopped the timers in 36.71 seconds riding Alfi, to take the win.  In addition, McArdle won a $1,000 bonus for wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style gloves on her way to victory.

McArdle of Barrington, IL, has now won a total of $8,000 in the SSG Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.  Having claimed a $2,000 bonus during the final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival last year, McArdle then traveled to Lexington where she again won $2,000 during the first two weeks of competition at the Kentucky Horse Shows.  At the Alltech National Horse Show in November, she made a clean sweep of the Junior division, taking home $3,000 in bonus money.

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Abigail McArdle Captures $50,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Classic Victory at National Horse Show

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at the Alltech National Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 7, 2012 – Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL finished her outstanding junior year with two major victories in the High Junior Jumpers during the Alltech National Horse Show. After winning the $10,000 Deeridge Farm Junior Jumper Welcome Stake her first day out with Cosma 20, the pair returned on Saturday to lead the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

On Thursday, November 1, the top junior riders in the country gathered at the Alltech Arena to compete during the $10,000 Deeridge Farm Junior Jumper Welcome Stake.  Eighteen-year-old McArdle and her speedy mount Cosma 20 would prove to be the best of the day. Even with adding a stride in one of the lines, their smooth turns and quick track bested the competition as they stopped the timers at 62.983 seconds, three seconds faster than the second place finisher. The pair returned to the ring at the end of the class to claim their blue ribbon and lead the victory gallop.

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Emotional Victory for McLain Ward and Antares F in $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix

McLain Ward and Antares F. Photos By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 3, 2012 – It was a very emotional night at Alltech National Horse Show as McLain Ward piloted his top mount Antares F to victory during the Alltech $250,000 Grand Prix, benefitting the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The win comes just days after the passing of his father, Barney Ward, who had been Ward’s most important supporter. Ward rode through his grief to beat six others in the jump-off, as the first to compete on his speedy partner.

Christine McCrea followed in second place aboard Romantovich Take One with the only other double clear effort, while the third place award went to Candice King and Whistler with a single time fault over the speed track.

“This has been the hardest week of my life,” admitted Ward. “My dad was my world. If I was right with my father, I was right with the world. My dad certainly had some flaws in his life, but he sacrificed an unbelievable amount for my family and me to live our dreams, and this is our dream. We shared the same dream,” he said with tears welling. “I owe a career and a life to what he provided for me and taught me to do. I didn’t know we would win today, but I knew we would go on and do well, that’s what he taught us to do in life. I think everyone knows how much I loved my father, and how much I am going to miss him. I loved him very, very much. I rode with a heavy heart today, but we forge on and do his dream.”

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Abigail McArdle Leads Zone Five to USEF Prix de States Team Championship

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the USEF Prix de States Team Championship and the Individual Junior Jumper Reserve Championship. Photo By: Al Cook

Harrisburg, PA – October 16, 2012 – The best young riders in the country gathered at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show this weekend to compete during the 2012 Randolph College/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships. Leading the way was 18-year-old Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL, who helped Zone Five capture the USEF Prix de States Team Championship and later went on to earn the Individual Junior Jumper Reserve Championship aboard Cosma 20.

McArdle and Cosma 20 kicked the weekend off right with a clear first round on Thursday night, finishing in second place just shy of the leading time. Friday night highlighted the USEF Prix de States Team Championship. McArdle’s Zone Five Team members included Kalvin Dobbs of Carmel, IN riding Winde; Lillie Ross of Wheaton, IL aboard Pako; and Catherine Tyree of Chicago, IL on Wetter.

After the first round the team had 12 faults to their name, and all of the pressure came down on McArdle. As the anchor rider, she needed to lay down a clear round during the second phase to take the gold.

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Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 Claim Individual Junior Show Jumping Gold Medal at NAJYRC

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the Individual Junior Show Jumping Gold Medal at the 2012 NAJYRC. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com

Lexington, KY – July 23, 2012 – Eighteen-year-old Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL, proved to be unstoppable during the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). With her talented mount Cosma 20, the pair laid down five clear rounds in three days to capture the Individual Junior Show Jumping Gold Medal at the prestigious event. This exciting victory came just one week after finishing the Spruce Meadows Tournament with six wins to their name, showing a bright future for this duo.

“It was really great to fulfill this accomplishment; it’s such an honor and I’m beyond happy,” expressed McArdle. “I had a lot of pressure going in, everyone expected me to do well. I really had to keep a cool head and do what needed to be done.”

McArdle and Cosma 20 started off the competition with a winning round in the first speed phase, topping the second place finisher by almost five seconds with the rails intact. As they moved on to the Team Competition, McArdle and Cosma 20 helped Zone 5 win the Silver Medal with two more clear rounds. The real pressure came the next morning, where two more rounds stood between them and the Individual Gold Medal.

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Abigail McArdle Takes Two Blues at Spruce Meadows

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the $3,500 Trimac Junior/Amateur Jumpers and the $5,000 AECOM Junior/Amateur Cup at Spruce Meadows. Photo By: Parker/Russel - The Book, LLC

Calgary, Alberta – June 18, 2012 – Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 continued to take the 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumpers by storm during the second week of the Spruce Meadows Tournament. The pair claimed two victories, winning the $3,500 Trimac Junior/Amateur Jumper event on Friday and the $5,000 AECOM Junior/Amateur Cup on Sunday. They produced double-clear efforts in each class to lead the victory gallop at the prestigious horse show. McArdle also competed in the Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, winning the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search for the second week in a row with Apartico.

McArdle and Cosma 20 were in top form this weekend, ready to face the challenging courses created by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge in the All Canada ring. On Friday, seven horse and rider combinations advanced to the jump-off during the 3,500 Trimac Junior/Amateur Jumper class. As the last to go, McArdle knew she needed quick and tidy round to top the four double-clears, and that is exactly what she did. They crossed the finish line in 44.53 seconds with all the rails in place to take home the winning prize.

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