Tag Archives: Amy Millar

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Sternlicht Shines aboard Lafayette Van Overis to Win Opening CSIO4* Class at WEF 8

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Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Lafayette Van Overis © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2021 – As the week eight CSIO4* gets underway at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), it was Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Lafayette Van Overis, owned by Starlight Farms 1, LLC, who scored a victory in the $5,000 Premier Equestrian Welcome Stake CSIO4* daytime class on Wednesday, March 3, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

A total of 65 combinations challenged the 1.40m track set by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA), which featured 13 jumping efforts in a speed format. Sternlicht and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Tauber van het Kapelhof, made swift work of the course, with a double-clear effort in 58.54 seconds. The pair has only been together for five months, but the partnership is progressing well.

“Lafyette is a very competitive horse,” said Sternlicht. “Bertram Allen won a ton on him before, so I think immediately when you have a horse like that, you feel a bit of pressure for it to go well right off the bat. It has been a little bit up and down; he’s quite a different ride. Bertram has quite a different riding style than I do but I have to give credit to him; he has helped me within the past week, and everything seemed very easy today, so I was happy.”

Amy Millar and Christiano Top $5,000 Premier Equestrian Welcome Stake CSIO4* Night Class

A field of 30 top horse-and-rider combinations contested the track set in the International Arena on Wednesday evening in preparation for the upcoming $150,000 Nations Cup. Riders slated to compete in the upcoming event on Friday were given the opportunity to use the $5,000 FEI Premier Equestrian CSIO Welcome stake as an opportunity to guide their mounts around the stadium in a night-class setting. The course designed by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA) played out as a single round speed class with just less than half of the original entries making it through fault-free.

A number of competitors were seen raising their hand to signal an early retirement as a way of testing their mounts’ comfort level under the lights without over-using them. A handful of others used it as an opportunity to school difficult or unique fences that would likely once again be used in the Nations’ Cup. Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza held the leading time of 57.89 seconds for a long period of the class until Canada’s Amy Millar and Christiano, owned by Future Adventures, took over the lead.

Millar, the daughter of veteran show jumper Ian Millar, expertly guided the 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Canoso x Compliment) to the top of the podium with an efficient time of 56.78 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Amy Millar and Truman Claim First Caledon Cup Victory

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Amy Millar and Truman. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Caledon, Ontario — Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON claimed the $40,000 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase 3, presented by HEP, Aviva Insurance, and Edge Mutual Insurance, and topped the overall Caledon Cup standings on Sunday, September 22, at the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament held at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, ON.

Comprised of three phases held Thursday, Friday evening, and Sunday, Millar’s consistency with Truman put her at the top of the overall standings to win her first Caledon Cup.  She was also awarded the inaugural $10,000 Caledon Cup rider bonus, presented by RAM Equestrian, to make victory even sweeter.

“I chose the right year to win it!” smiled Millar, 42, who also won a $1,000 bonus for wearing a HEP-branded saddle pad on her way to victory.  “It’s hard to be consistent over the three days.  Truman was good the first day and got a ribbon on the second day.  I had some making up to do and came into today needing to win.  All you can do is the best you can and I also got lucky.  It’s so great to have all of the hard work rewarded with a bonus like that.”

Millar and Truman placed fifth in Thursday’s opening speed round, the $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase I, presented by RAM Equestrian, and 12th in Friday night’s $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase 2, presented by HEP, Aviva Insurance, and Edge Mutual Insurance, held in the indoor arena built when the Caledon Equestrian Park hosted the equestrian events for the 2015 Pan American Games.

On Sunday, Millar and Truman were one of six pairs to successfully negotiate the first round track set by Mexican course designer Catsy Cruz and had the advantage of being last to return for the tie-breaking jump-off.

“Going last proved to be more good luck for me,” said Millar.  “Being where I was in the jump-off order, I could see exactly what I had to do.  It was nice to know exactly what it was going to take.”

When Millar entered the ring for the jump-off, 2008 Olympic team silver medalist Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON held the lead with a time of 42.13 seconds.  Millar and Truman executed a clear round in a time of 40.72 seconds to take the win over Henselwood riding Eblesse, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Martel) owned by Juniper Farms.

Hyde Moffatt of Brantford, ON was the only other rider to go double clear, stopping the clock in 43.71 seconds for third place riding Ariel Grange’s Gisborne VDL.  Brady Hayes of Richmond Hill, ON had the time, 38.93 seconds, but a rail down for four faults cost him the victory with Ridley, a Canadian Sport Horse also owned by Grange.

When the points were tabulated for the Caledon Cup following all three phases, Millar was tied on 37 points with Ireland’s Daniel Coyle, who had won Friday night’s featured event with CHS Krooze.  As the top performer in the final phase, Millar got the nod as the 2019 Caledon Cup winner.

“These types of championship formats, whether it’s at the two-star, five-star or Olympic level, put you and your horse in the position of having to perform consistently,” noted Millar of the Caledon Cup’s three-phase format.  “It’s exciting, and every day you come out trying to win.

“I’m really pleased with my string of horses,” continued Millar, who also enjoyed a successful week in Caledon Cup competition riding Ericson, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Millar Brooke Farm Ltd. and Partners.  “Truman has been coming along fantastic; he can jump anything.  My little horse, Ericson, has really stepped up and been very consistent at 1.50m and I’m looking forward to moving him up to 1.60m next year.  You work and work and you wait and you wait and here we finally are.”

Millar discovered Truman while based in Belgium in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where she was a member of Canada’s fourth-placed team riding Heros.  She began riding the now 10-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Kolibri) at the encouragement of her Olympic teammates, Tiffany Foster and Eric Lamaze, and partnered with Lamaze to buy him.

“Truman is an interesting guy; he is a very level-headed horse,” said Millar of Truman, who is now owned by Patty and Patrick Overlund in partnership with her family’s Millar Brooke Farm Ltd.  “He’s very programmable; you teach him something and he will do it exactly the same every time.  We had to teach him a lot of stuff but once he learned something, he never forgot it and we could move on to the next lesson.  The more I ride him, and the more I get to know him, it allows for a lot of consistency in our performances.”

The CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament marked the third and final week of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) sanctioned competition held at the Caledon Equestrian Park this season.  The event is produced by Equestrian Management Group (EMG), led by Craig Collins.

“I’d like to thank Craig and his team of sponsors for this wonderful week of jumping and all of the extra bonuses and incentives,” said the newly-crowned Caledon Cup champion.

Since its inception, Hugh Graham (2009), Jill Henselwood (2010), Ian Millar (2011, 2014, and 2015), Yann Candele (2012), Conor Swail (2013), Nicole Walker (2016), Ali Ramsay (2017), and Veronica Bot (2018) have all hoisted the coveted Caledon Cup.

For more information, including full results and competition schedule, visit www.caledonequestrianpark.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Show Jumping

Amy Millar and Heros Win $10,000 Karson Open Welcome at Ottawa International Horse Show

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Amy Millar and Heros. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Ottawa, Ontario – Show jumping made its official return to the nation’s capital this week with local competitor Amy Millar of Perth, ON leading the charge. With top-level jumper competition at the Ottawa International Horse Show underway, Millar piloted Heros, owned by AMMO Investments, to the top of a 33-horse starting field to win the $10,000 Karson Open Welcome on Thursday, June 18, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

The Ottawa International, which runs June 17 to 21, is the first major show jumping tournament to be held at Wesley Clover Parks, formerly the Nepean National Equestrian Center, since 2011. Now under the management of the Wesley Clover Foundation, Wesley Clover Parks has undergone an extensive multi-million dollar transformation to bring the competition venue back up to international standards.

Ten horses jumped clean in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Elizabeth Bates of Toronto, ON returned second in the order with her own Wildfire to hold the lead until the final trip. Millar was originally seventh in the jump-off order, but returned last after Heros lost a shoe in the warm-up.

“We were two jumps from being finished when he pulled a shoe, so we tacked it back on, finished our warm-up, and away we went,” said Millar of the minor setback that was quickly redeemed. “I took some risks and he stayed with me. It was so fun!”

Millar’s fault-free effort in 39.90 seconds bumped Bates and Wildfire to second with their time of 41.39 seconds. Melissa Orlick-Zbierski of Wellington, FL, who trains with the Millar family, rode Bonzay to a third-place finish in 41.62 seconds.

Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON clinched fourth in 43.63 seconds aboard her own Viggo. American competitor Kelly Soleau, who also trains with the Millar family in Perth, ON, claimed fifth after riding Centre Ice to a double-clear performance in 43.84 seconds.

With family members from Ottawa cheering her on in the stands, Millar admitted that jumping at Wesley Clover Parks is a special experience made even more special by an amazing animal.

“I got Heros last year and the whole time I’ve had him, it just gets better and better,” said Millar of the eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Canadian River x Clinton). “I really believe in him and it’s pretty exciting that I think he’s this good at this age. Finding a horse this special is really difficult.

“And, I think it’s awesome that he’s by Canadian River, because now he is Canadian,” she added with a smile.

Purchased last year, Millar rides Heros for AMMO Investments. Despite a short-term partnership with Heros, she has already experienced great success with the young mount, winning the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix at the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournament in Orangeville, ON last summer. Millar and Heros will be looking for their next big victory in the $35,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Saturday, June 20, at the Ottawa International.

While shaving more than a full second off the leading time, Millar put her young horse to the test and it paid off.

“I trust him, he trusts me, and he’s really brave for his age,” she said. “He’s almost like a cocky teenage punk – whatever you put in front of him he thinks is fun and he loves to jump. If you turned him loose and there were jumps in a ring, he would probably jump them.”

While usually showing at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB at this time of the year, Millar stayed home to jump on the grass Grand Prix field at Wesley Clover Parks.

“I am having such a great time here and I’m so happy to be back on grass,” she said. “I spend most of my time jumping on all-weather footing. The horses jumped so well off this and they feel better the next day than they would anywhere else. All the improvements at Wesley Clover Parks are truly amazing.”

Course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil set the tracks for the $10,000 Karson Open Welcome and will continue to build at the Ottawa International as one of his stops before course designing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Earlier in the day on the Grand Prix field, Millar rode Darino for owner Charles Schneider in the 1.20m Open Jumper, while Underhill and her own Kodaline won the 1.30m Open Jumper.

Friday’s highlights at the Ottawa International include the $5,000 Jump Canada Talent Squad and the $7,500 Lynn Millar Memorial 1.20m Speed Derby, set for 4 p.m. Coming up on the weekend, the $35,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix will take center stage on Saturday at 2 p.m. The $10,000 Canadian Hunter Derby will cap off the week on Sunday.

To celebrate the inaugural Ottawa International Horse Show, the famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride will take a break from their national tour for a special performance at Wesley Clover Parks on Friday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the RCMP Musical Ride are $5 per person, with children ten and under admitted free. Tickets are available through advance purchase ONLY, and can be purchased at the main office at Wesley Clover Parks, by calling (613) 271-5452, or by visiting https://www.snapuptickets.com/events/detail/rcmp-musical-ride.

Conveniently located at the Moodie Drive exit off the 417 highway, Wesley Clover Parks brings equestrian sport to the heart of Ottawa. For more information on the Ottawa International Horse Show, please visit www.ottawahorseshow.ca or www.wesleycloverparks.com.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Canada’s Amy Millar and Heros Win Week 6 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix

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Amy Millar and Heros.

Wellington, FL – February 13, 2015 – The International Polo Club Palm Beach was alive with thrilling jumper action today as riders gathered on the polo field to compete for the $15,000 at stake for the Week 6 Wellington Turf Tour 1.40m Grand Prix Series. Although Jeffery Welles and Broken Heart, owned by Herbert Sambol, were today’s pathfinders, it would be Canada’s Amy Millar and Heros who stole his thunder to take the win with a speedy double clear in 35.135 seconds. Placing second was Hot Topic with Nina Fagerstrom in the irons, breaking the beam at 35.138 seconds.

Welles was the first to attempt Nick Granat’s course this morning, posting the first clear round of only 16 to make it onto the short track. His time of 35.404 seconds set the pace with what looked to be an unbeatable time with Broken Heart. Welles is no stranger to the Wellington Turf Tour, earning the coveted Leading Rider Award during the 2014 series for his brilliant and consistent winning rounds.

Each consecutive rider attempted to catch his pace; however, faults fell throughout the course. It wasn’t until 20 rounds later that Millar would prove that she could handle both the speed and accuracy Welles had demanded of his fellow contenders. She crossed the timers in 35.135 seconds to ride to the top of the ranks with Heros, owned by AMMO Investments.

“I think today’s course was challenging without being over facing,” Millar said. “I love this horse! I am developing a fantastic partnership with him. He loves to jump clean and he loves to win; there is nothing better than to be partnered with an animal like that. It makes my job easy. I am just working to develop him into the best horse he can possibly be.”

Millar continued, “This Turf Tour Series is a great way to do that. It gives us different experiences on great footing. It was perfect out there today. I kept it really tight, and I guess that was enough.”

Millar continued, “We are still getting to know each other, but The Ridge is the perfect opportunity to provide a place for the younger horses. They offer classes at a reasonable cost with great prize money. It is worth it to come here and get the experience without breaking the bank.”

Fagerstrom and Hot Topic, owned by Finca Horses, Inc., were only three one-thousandths of a second off of Millar’s pace for a heated jump off that would eventually earn them the second place.

As the day was coming to an end, the final exhibitors attempted to catch Millar’s time, but none would avail today. Speed demon Lisa Goldman left Ocala for the week to show in Wellington, and it would prove beneficial as she secured the fourth place with Aslan, owned by Charity Judge. They finished with a time of 35.757 seconds. Anne Kursinksi and Diva, owned by Market Street, Inc., finished fifth, while Ben Meredith and Anabelle 28 rounded out the top six for the day.

Millar concluded, “This is really helping to set him up for international competition. It is nice to have the option for both, and to not always be in the same ring. Nona and George are doing a fantastic job. It is such a lovely environment. Everyone is so friendly, the hospitality is unparalleled and you get here and don’t want to leave.”

The Ridge at Wellington’s schooling show series continues this weekend, with hunters and equitation on Saturday and jumpers on Sunday. These shows offer a wide range of classes from mini stirrup through open hunters on Saturday, and Itty Bitty through the Open Jumpers divisions on Sunday.

Week Seven of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour will take place at The International Polo Club, located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington, FL 33414. The show entrance will be off 120th Street between Lake Worth Road and Pierson Road. The Ridge would like to thank Dover Saddlery for their support of the 12-week series as the cooler and banner sponsor.

Show Net will be onsite for both Wednesday and Friday events posting live results, as well as videoing rounds in both rings. For results and videos, please visit www.shownet.biz.

Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times, 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.

The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its third year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 27, 2015.

The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2015 and running until March 18, 2015.

Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour, running concurrently with the 1.30-1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers.

The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January 6 – March 23, 2015. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.

Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 6, 2015 and March 20, 2015.

What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Adult Classics, Masters Jumpers, Junior/Amateur Classics, two hunter derbies and the Pre-Green Incentive Stake.

Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Text: (908) 500-0996

Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/359668144211383/

Management:
Nona Garson
14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd. East
Wellington, FL, 33414
(561) 791-1471 (show office)
(908) 839-3859 (show cell)
(561) 791-1543 (show fax)
Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com

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