Tag Archives: Buck Davidson

World Equestrian Brands Gets Ready to Celebrate Riders at 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Bruce ‘Buck’ Davidson (photo courtesy of Mike McNally).

Buena Vista, VA (April 27, 2016) – The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, is almost upon us, and World Equestrian Brands is looking forward to celebrating many of its top sponsored riders at this highly anticipated annual event. The year 2016 is a big year at Rolex for World Equestrian Brands, the Virginia-based distributer of top brands Vespucci, Amerigo, E. A. Mattes, and Equilibrium. World Equestrian Brands’ sponsored riders Bruce ‘Buck’ Davidson Jr., Kim Severson, Allison Springer, and Alexandra Knowles are all competing in this premier North American CIC 4* Eventing competition. World Equestrian Brands will also be partnering with the fan-favorite website, Eventing Nation, for a tailgating party during the competition.

The prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CIC4* will be held April 28 – May 1, 2016. The competition is held every year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and draws record number crowds. Top international horse and rider combinations will be vying for an opportunity to win a piece of the competition’s $350,000 prize, as well a chance to prepare their horses to potentially be chosen to represent their countries at the 2016 Olympic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Buck Davidson, the alternate for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, has three horses that will compete at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event – Copper Beach, Petite Flower, and Park Trader. Davidson, whose many accomplishments include being the #1 Ranked Eventing Rider in the United States in 2011, competing in the Pan American Games in 2011, and being the #2 Ranked Eventing Rider in the United States in 2010 and 2009, runs a training and competition facility during the winters in Ocala, Florida and in the summers in Riegelsville, Pennsylvania.

Kim Severson has won the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event three times and is hoping to make 2016 a fourth. Severson has competed internationally on Olympic teams and in World Equestrian Games. This year, Severson is making the trek to the Kentucky Horse Park with her own Fernhill Fearless, a 16-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding.

Allison Springer, from Upperville, Virginia, is bringing the Team Arthur Syndicate’s 17-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding, Arthur, to Rolex for the fifth time. The pair has had a successful partnership since 2007, and has competed around the world, most recently in the Carolina Horse Trials CIC3* Advanced. There, Springer and Arthur triumphed out of a tough field of 70 competitors. They are listed as a top pair to watch in the upcoming Rolex CIC 4* competition.

Allison Knowles (photo courtesy of JRPR)
Allison Knowles (photo courtesy of JRPR)

Alexandra ‘Allie’ Knowles will be competing Sound Prospect at this year’s Rolex event. Knowles competed in her first Rolex Kentucky CIC4 * event in 2013 and has been one to watch in upper level competitions ever since. Sound Prospect is one of four Thoroughbreds in this year’s competition, and the pair seems in top form after placing second in the CCI 3* event at Galway Downs at the end of 2015.

While keeping an eye on the exciting riding that will be taking place, World Equestrian Brands will also be helping to sponsor Eventing Nation’s “Insanity in the Middle” Rolex Tailgate Party, presented by Amerigo, all day on Saturday during the Cross-Country competition. The public is invited to attend this fun-filled party that will host Jimmy Wofford and his Top Dog contest. Spectators who are interested in learning more about the cross-country portion of the event can meet at the head of the lake to participate in a course walk with Allie Knowles and Sharon White on Friday evening at 5:30.

“We are really excited to be partnering with Eventing Nation on the tailgate party at Rolex this year! I hope everyone will stop by for the opportunity to win some prizes from Vespucci and Equilibrium and catch up on all the action of the event,” says Robin Moore, CEO of World Equestrian Brands.

World Equestrian Brands distributes popular tack and equipment throughout North America from the brands Amerigo, Vespucci, Equilibrium, and E. A. Mattes. For more information about this premier distributor of high-quality equestrian brands, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com. For more information on the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event, visit www.rk3de.com.

Robin Moore
World Equestrian Brands
540-264-0154
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
www.worldequestrianbrands.com

Davidson and Hagaman Win 2015 USEF One-Star Eventing National Championships

Buck Davidson and Legion Kat (XPress Foto)

Lexington, Ky. – Bruce “Buck” Davidson Jr. and Sydney Hagaman held on to their first place positions, following the show jumping phase, to secure the USEF One-Star Eventing National Championships as part of the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge. Davidson led the victory gallop with Legion Kat as they claimed the USEF One-Star Eventing National Championship for the Richard Collins Trophy on an overall score of 41.50. Hagaman and Diablo Tejano secured the USEF One-Star Eventing Junior and Young Rider National Championship for the Harry T. Peters Trophy with an overall score of 50.30.

Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) nabbed his second CCI1* win this year with Natalie Sandler’s Legion Kat. The 2006 Thoroughbred gelding looked brilliant during Thursday’s dressage test as he gave a graceful performance, proving his reliability, for a score of 37.5. They cruised through Friday’s cross-country course without penalties to remain on their dressage score. During show jumping today, they had a rail down at fence seven, which tacked four penalties on to their score.

With a score of 44.30, Davidson and the 2008 Thoroughbred gelding Summer Sleigh Ride were named the Reserve Champions in the USEF One-Star Eventing National Championship. Although very green at the CCI1* level, Andrea Davidson’s Summer Sleigh Ride gave an excellent dressage performance for a 40.3. They breezed through the cross-country course to remain on their dressage score. However, they knocked a rail down in show jumping which added four penalties to their overall score.

“It’s always fun coming to the [Kentucky] Horse Park no matter what. They had a nice [cross-country] course yesterday. I’m really happy for Legion Kat and Summer Sleigh Ride; they were both really good. It was a good weekend for all the babies, and now we get to move forward. They’ll go to Florida and get a little rest, probably take a month off, then hopefully come back stronger and better and ready to go next year,” said Davidson.

Coming from behind to take third place was Danielle Dichting Busbee (Roswell, Ga.) and First Lyte, Meadowview Farm’s 2006 Thoroughbred mare, with a score of 45.2. Their double-clear show jumping round gave them the edge. Davidson and Escariz Du Rona, Andrea’s 2009 KWPN mare, struggled in show jumping as they had two rails down for eight penalties. This set them back to 10th place with a total score of 50.1. Busbee and First Lyte had a solid dressage test for a score of 45.2 and followed it with an error free run through the cross-country course.

Sydney Hagaman and Diablo Tejano (XPress Foto)
Sydney Hagaman and Diablo Tejano (XPress Foto)

If it were not for an outstanding dressage score, Hagaman (Danville, Ky.) and her own Diablo Tejano could have easily missed out on their first CCI1* title. The 2003 Thoroughbred gelding exhibited very fluid gaits and lovely trot work in their dressage test for a score of 38.3. They made it through the cross-country course easily, without penalties, to remain on their dressage score. However, they struggled in show jumping, knocking down three rails, giving an overall score of 50.3.

“This is so surreal; this is our first win in five years. We’ve had some show jumping issues over the years. Yeah, we took down three rails, but he was listening and jumping the best he ever jumped before. I think he was ready to come out and win it. He was great the entire weekend,” said Hagaman.

Caroline Martin (Gwynedd Valley, Pa.) was the Reserve Champion in the USEF One-Star Eventing Junior and Young Rider National Championship. The Davidson protégé had the title in her reach; however, show jumping got the best of her and her own Danger Mouse. The combination had two rails down for an overall score of 52.7. She and the 2008 Warmblood gelding performed a good dressage test, full of lovely trot and lateral movements, for a score of 44.7. They tackled the cross-country course delicately, running at a slower pace than much of the field. That decision paid off as they still came under time without any penalties.

Because of a double-clear show jumping round, Erica Jarrel (Lincoln, Mass.) and her own Uni Sprite, a 2005 Welsh Sport Horse gelding, moved back into third place after riding at a slower pace on the cross-country course. They began the competition with a dressage score of 49.7 and added 3.60 in time penalties during cross-country for a total score of 53.3. They were one of two combinations in the Junior and Young Rider division who went double-clear in show jumping.

Complete Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge results

From the USEF Communications Department

World Equestrian Brands Ambassadors Dominate Richland Park Horse Trials

Buck Davidson and Balleynoe Castle RM (photos courtesy of Leslie Mintz/USEA Photos)

Richland, MI (August 28, 2015) – World Equestrian Brands ambassadors Buck Davidson, Kim Severson, Allison Springer, and Allie Knowles left the Richland Park Horse Trials victorious this past weekend, winning three divisions and earning several other competitive placings.

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, who were champions of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC 3*, earned their second win in the same division at Richland Park this year. Despite competing with a few broken ribs from a fall during the competition just a few hours prior to his cross country trip, Davidson had an impressive cross country round on “Reggie,” as Ballynoe Castle RM is affectionately known. “My goal was just to get balanced and try to survive today,” laughed Davidson. “He looked after me. He is awesome, as all my horses are; I’m very proud of them.” The 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse, owned by Carl and Cassandra Segal, also jumped a clear round in the show jumping portion of the event, helping Davidson to clinch the win in the CIC 3* event.

Kim Severson faced her own challenges in the advanced cross country portion of her ride. A mistake in the posted optimum time left her expecting a few time penalties. When she finished, she learned she was actually only a second over the optimum time, earning her and her ride – Cooley Cross Border – a win in the Advanced division. The single time fault in the cross country round as well as a clear round in the advanced show jumping put Severson in the obvious lead.

Severson has been taking it “very, very slow” with Cooley Cross Border, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding who has been Severson’s equine partner since 2011. Severson said, “I’m really excited about this horse. He is a horse of the quality that we need that hopefully can go on and perform at the highest level for us.”

Kim Severson and 8 year old Irish Sport Horse Cooley Cross Border
Kim Severson and 8 year old Irish Sport Horse Cooley Cross Border

Severson also took first place in the Open Preliminary division with Hope Cove, a 2001 Zangersheide owned by Michelle Parker. Severson has been riding Hope Cove since 2013.

World Equestrian Brands also sponsors Allison Springer and Allie Knowles, who were both successful in the Richland Park Horse Trials as well. Springer took 8th place in the CIC 2* on Cascani, and 10th on Athlone Anto in the Advanced division. “I feel so blessed with both my horses this weekend; they did incredible. They both jumped beautifully and were so much fun to ride. Thank you to everyone who made these partnerships possible!”

World Equestrian Brands is thrilled with the tremendous success of its ambassadors at the Richland Park Horse Trials. The company is proud to support these athletes and their horses with the highest quality brands of tack and equipment available on the market. The company’s first-class line of products includes saddles, bridles, girths, leg wraps, saddle pads, therapeutic equipment and more by Amerigo, Vespucci, E. A. Mattes, and Equilibrium.

For more information about World Equestrian Brands and its products, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com or call 1-888-637-8463.

Robin Moore
World Equestrian Brands
540-264-0154
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
www.worldequestrianbrands.com

World Equestrian Brands Cheers on Sponsored Riders at Rebecca Farm Eventing Competition

Buck Davidson (Photo courtesy of Mike McNally)

Kalispell, MT (July 23, 2015) – World Equestrian Brands, the North American distributer of the leading brands Equilibrium, Amerigo, Vespucci, and E. A. Mattes, is happy to be attending the much-anticipated Rebecca Farm eventing competition in Kalispell, Montana this week. Robin Moore, CEO of World Equestrian Brands, is offering her popular products for sale at Gallops Saddlery’s booth and cheering on World Equestrian Brands’ sponsored riders who are competing in the CCI3*, CCI2*, and CCI1* at the event.

Show attendees can visit World Equestrian Brands at the booth of Gallops Saddlery, who World Equestrian Brands traditionally partners with at Rebecca Farm. Gallops Saddlery provides riding equipment to the eventing, hunter/jumper, dressage, and endurance disciplines within the Northwest region. “We’re happy to have maintained a long-term partnership with Gallops Saddlery,” said Moore. “We’ve set up with Gallops Saddlery at Rebecca Farm for years.” At Gallops Saddlery’s booth, Moore has World Equestrian Brands items such as saddles, bridles, girths, leg protection, saddle pads, and therapeutic equipment available for purchase.

Two of the accomplished riders that World Equestrian Brands sponsors are competing at Rebecca Farm, sporting their favorite tack from the company. World Equestrian Brands is cheering on Buck Davidson Jr. in the CCI3* division. Davidson operates out of his self-owned facility in Ocala, Florida in the winters and Riegelsville, Pennsylvania during the summer months. He has been successful coaching young riders as well as experienced professionals, and is best known for his own successes in competition. His mount at Rebecca Farm is Petite Flower, an eleven-year-old Thoroughbred mare owned by Caroline and Sherrie Martin.

In the CCI2* division, World Equestrian Brands is cheering for sponsored rider Hawley Bennett-Awad. Bennett-Awad is competing on Bodark, a 2007 Thoroughbred gelding owned by Jan and Jerry Hawthorne. Originally from Canada and currently located in Temecula, California, Bennett-Awad has represented Canada in the Olympics and also provides training services to riders of all levels. She is a strong believer in the importance of flatwork, and credits it as a secret to her success.

Bennett-Awad is also competing in the CCI1* division on High Duty, a 2009 Thoroughbred gelding also owned by the Hawthornes, as well as on Cheval de Tonnerre, a 2007 Irish Thoroughbred owned by Ina McRoy.

Of course, part of the fun of a horse show is socializing with fellow equestrians and enjoying the atmosphere of excitement. Moore is enjoying being back in Montana to show her company’s support for Rebecca Farm. “The huckleberry pie is also a big draw!” she added.

World Equestrian Brands wishes excellent rides for Davidson and Bennett-Awad, and invites everyone at Rebecca Farm to stop by Gallops Saddlery’s booth to see the World Equestrian Brands products that top eventers like Davidson and Bennett-Awad always have on hand. For more information about World Equestrian Brands and the tack and equipment it offers, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com or call 1-888-637-8463.

Robin Moore
World Equestrian Brands
540-264-0154
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
www.worldequestrianbrands.com

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM Wrap Up the Year with Top USEA Titles

Neue Schule Ambassador Buck Davidson finished 2014 as the USEA High Score Rider of the Year (Photo courtesy of Mike McNally)

Fort Worth, Texas (January 7, 2015) — Neue Schule Ambassador Buck Davidson has achieved an outstanding year of victories in 2014, and as the year drew to a close he earned recognition prestigious enough to match his eventing talents. At the 2014 United States Eventing Association (USEA) Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Davidson was named the USEA High Score Rider of the Year. Davidson’s mount Ballynoe Castle RM was named the USEA Highest-Scoring Horse of all time — breaking the record held for the past eight years by three-time Rolex Kentucky winner Winsome Adante.

Davidson, the son of back-to-back world champion eventer Bruce Davidson, has led an impressive riding career in his own right. Just in 2014, he was named the 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion and finished third on Ballynoe Castle RM at the Rolex Kentucky 4*. The pair also made their second World Championship appearance as members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2013, the impressive duo received the Pinnacle Trophy for Highest Placed U.S. Rider at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****. Davidson says that fourteen-year-old Ballynoe Castle RM, an Irish Sport Horse gelding affectionately known as Reggie, is “without a doubt” his favorite mount. “Horses don’t do what he’s done. He gives the best effort every single time you ride him. He’s the smartest horse I’ve ever been around,” the champion eventer states.

For a world-class pair like Davidson and Reggie, fluent communication between horse and rider is the key to a perfect performance. Like many top-notch riders in the industry, including U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters and eventer Kim Severson, Davidson relies on the revolutionary design and proven quality of Neue Schule bits. Mette Larsen, owner of Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery (Neue Schule’s U.S. and Canadian distributor), is proud to sponsor such successful competitors as Davidson. “We could not be more thrilled for Buck,” she said, congratulating him on his USEA High Score Rider of the Year title. “We are proud to be part of his team.”

Neue Schule offers an innovative range of high-performance bits constructed to increase comfort and rider-horse connection. The bits are ergonomically designed using the latest engineering and computer aided design (CAD) technologies. They incorporate a unique patented metal alloy called Salox Gold®, which is the most thermally conductive bit-making material on the market. This enables Neue Schule bits to reach the temperature of the horse’s mouth more rapidly, while the metal’s decreased bioactivity remains tasteless to the horse — resulting in a more relaxed acceptance of the bit. Through soft, consistent contact with the horse’s mouth, the Neue Schule design increases responsiveness to the rider and alleviates problematic issues that can occur between the horse and the contact with the bit. With a Neue Schule bit joining them, horses like Ballynoe Castle RM and riders like Buck Davidson can rise to the height of performance in their sport.

To learn more about Neue Schule Bits, the talented team of Neue Schule Ambassadors such as Davidson, and the company’s United States distributer Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery, visit www.NeueSchuleBitsUS.com or call 631-252-5574.

Contact: Doreen Kula
Metlar – Neue Schule Bits
dkula@metlar-us.com
631-252-5574

2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion: World Equestrian Brands’s Buck Davidson

Buck Davidson. (Photo courtesy of Mike McNally)

Tyler, TX (October 1, 2014) – Equipped with his favorite tack from World Equestrian Brands, Buck Davidson flew over jumps and glided across the dressage arena at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas. His outstanding performances throughout the intensive competition resulted in the title of 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion. World Equestrian Brands, the popular tack distributer that has sponsored Davidson for over 10 years, congratulates him on his latest success.

Davidson jumped double clear over the daunting course in the $40,000 2014 Adequan Advanced USEA Gold Cup Final division of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by VTO Saddlery, on Saturday, September 27. His score of 39.6 earned him first place in the championship’s most prestigious division, which the humble eventing champion credited to his mount Petite Flower (owned by Caroline Martin). “Flower did what she always does and gave me her 110% in show jumping, and I just tried to stay out of her way,” Davidson commented. Davidson’s skill in coaching riders was as apparent as his riding abilities during the Gold Cup Final division — his student Laine Ashker came in second place, scoring better than every other rider except for Davidson himself.

With several wins already under his belt this year, Davidson also gave a stellar performance on the opening day of the competition, September 25. He and Quasar, an Oldenburg owned by Ann Clements, seemed to move on air through their dressage phase of the Merial Open Intermediate division. The pair’s score of 30.4 helped bring them to second place in the division.

Virginia-based tack distributer World Equestrian Brands was cheering Davidson on throughout the weekend, and is thrilled with his final results. “Buck is a longtime supporter of World Equestrian Brands products, and he rides all his horses in our Amerigo, Vespucci, Mattes, and Equilibrium Products,” said Robin Moore, CEO of World Equestrian Brands.

Davidson is proud to ride in equipment made by the four major equitation brands that World Equestrian Brands offers: Amerigo, EA Mattes, Vespucci, and Equilibrium. “Like in every sport, the fine details always make all the difference,” Davidson explained. “I love the way Amerigo saddles fit my horses, and I always feel secure. The Equilibrium Airlite Cross-Country boots are awesome, and my horses benefit in a huge way from their Massage Pad. Hands down, when it comes to meeting the needs of my horses and me — which at this level is very demanding — the World Equestrian Brands products get it done.”

To learn more about World Equestrian Brands and its top-quality tack manufactures, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com or call 1-888-637-8463.

Robin Moore
World Equestrian Brands
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
540-264-0154

Davidson and Petite Flower Earn USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship Title

Buck Davidson and Petite Flower (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Tyler, Texas – Clear rounds were the order of the day at the Texas Rose Horse Park over Richard Jeffrey’s testing show jumping track at the 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship held as part of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery. Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team veteran Buck Davidson proved why he is regarded as one of the best in the game guiding Petite Flower to the only fault-free trip of the division to earn the 2014 National Title and have his named added to the Jack Le Goff Trophy.

Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) and Sherrie and Caroline Martin’s 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare stood fourth after the dressage on a score of 34 and maintained that position heading into the show jumping as a result of jumping clear on the cross country adding only 5.6 time faults. With their immaculate performance on Saturday afternoon the 2013 Galway Downs International Three-Day Event winners finished on an overall total of 39.6 to earn victory by one point.

Earning Reserve Champion honors were Lainey Ashker (Richmond, Va.) and her own 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Anthony Patch. The 2013 champions were the final pair of the afternoon to jump, looking to retain their title but it was not meant to be as a single rail came down meaning they finished on a score of 40.6.

Mathew Brown (Sebastopol, Calif.) and Blossom Creek Foundation’s eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Super Socks BCF, earned third-place honors as they too had a single rail down to finish on a score of 41.3.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery, visit: http://useventing.com/aec.

Kieffer Claims Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship, Fox-Pitt Wins at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero, 2014 Rolex Kentucky Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – The 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover came to a close Sunday afternoon with 37 horse-and-rider combinations entering the final phase of competition. Richard Jeffery’s 13 obstacle show jumping course set the stage in the Rolex Stadium for an exciting finish to Kentucky’s CCI4*. A sold-out crowd of 22,388 saw 10 pairs went double clear with five of those being the top five riders.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) held onto his lead with Bay My Hero to claim the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover win, adding nothing to his dressage score of 44.0. With Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Fox-Pitt finished with his usual winning style, jumping double clear to claim his third win in Kentucky.

“Each win is very special for its own merits. I think that with every one you still can’t believe that it happened,” Fox-Pitt shared. “The odds are always so stacked against you in our sport. I didn’t come here expecting to win; I came with two lovely horses hoping they would go well. To come out on top is just fantastic; it’s very special.”

Bay My Hero has been in Fox-Pitt’s yard since he was five, so he has long been part of his team and feels like a family member, making the win all the more meaningful. Their long relationship with one another paid off on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“He felt fantastic today. I think he’s a real little fighter. He came out this morning thinking he was kingpin. He enjoys every minute of it,” Fox-Pitt fondly said of Bay My Hero. “He got a little bit excited when the crowd went wild after Lauren [Kieffer] jumped a clear round and he tried to leg it back up the chute. I felt a bit the same actually. I thought ‘the two of us, let’s go home now. I will settle for second; that’s fine.’ But he was definitely on his toes today. When he has a job to do, he does it and he really enjoys it.”

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Veronica rose to the occasion and handled the pressure to finish in second place on their dressage score of 46.7. She and Team Rebecca, LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare looked like a veteran pair in Sunday’s jumping phase, putting the pressure on Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero with a double clear round. While it seemed possible that an American might win the country’s CCI4*, it wasn’t mean to be. However, Kieffer has risen to the top of the sport in the U.S., earning the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title for her efforts.

“It felt great. You know it took lot of mental focus to try and stay cool but I really tried to go in there and ride it like it was anything else,” Kieffer said of her impressive finish in only her second appearance at Rolex. “I have been working with Scott Keach show jumping all winter and it has paid off hugely. I think he would be happy with me today.”

Though Kieffer has only had the ride on Veronica for about a year, taking the majority of that time to develop their partnership, she has known the mare since she was imported as a young horse and rode her briefly at that time. With the barn name of “Troll” for her lack of appreciation for affection, Kieffer noted that her fighting spirit comes in handy when it counts.

“I’m thrilled with her this weekend. She came out of it great,” Kieffer said of Veronica. “She came into show jumping feeling like her normal self, not like she’d run a four-star so I was really excited about that.”

The pair that won last year’s Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title, Buck Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) and Ballynoe Castle RM, maintained their top form from a year ago and earned a third-place finish. Having a solid double clear round, Davison and Cassandra Segal’s 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding ended up on their dressage score of 51.7. The pair became the 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions for their strong finish.

“Reggie has been a consistent horse his whole career. I really didn’t change anything,” Davidson said of having another top finish in Kentucky with longtime partner Ballynoe Castle RM.

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Davidson had to deal with a bone bruise that Ballynoe Castle RM had last year, after the horse had no previous injury throughout his career. He gave “Reggie” the fall season off and after starting him back successfully early this year, the horse developed pneumonia but made a full recovery.

“The heart that that horse has is unbelievable,” Davidson noted. “I got some help in the show jumping from Silvio [Mazzoni] and David [O’Connor] has helped me out on the flat.”

An exciting addition to the competition this year was the Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, which awarded $20,000 in prize money while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. For their impressive performances, Team USA won with a total score 150.1. The scores of Kieffer and Veronica (46.7), Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM (51.7), and fourth-place finishers Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, N.J.) and Manoir de Carneville, Manoir de Carneville Syndicate LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (51.7), were combined to give the home country the victory. Second place went to Great Britain with a score of 163.8, while third place went to Canada with a score of 209.9.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Catch all the excitement with on-demand video on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/LandRoverUSEventingTeam/.

World Equestrian Brands Salutes Buck Davidson for Riding to Success in Amerigo Saddles

Buck Davidson was named the 2013 USEA Rider of the Year. (Photo courtesy of World Equestrian Brands)

Wellington, FL (December 16, 2013) – World Equestrian Brands (WEB), a company dedicated to providing equestrians with the finest products on the market, is excited to recognize Buck Davidson for his most recent outstanding performances.  Davidson, an international 3-day event rider, recently took home the blue ribbon by winning the CCI3* at Galway Downs on board Petite Flower, and also took a second place in the CCI3* division riding Park Trader, clinching the title of Reserve National Champion at the Dutta Corporation/USEF National 3* Eventing Championship. Davidson was also named the United States Eventing Association Rider of the Year for 2013, and is currently ranked 3rd in the FEI HSBC Rankings.  World Equestrian Brands salutes Davidson as he continues to ride to more victories in his Amerigo Saddles.

“Like in every sport, the fine details always make all the difference and that’s what I have found with riding in Amerigo saddles.”  Davidson shares these same thoughts. “I love the way Amerigo saddles fit my horses, and I always feel secure,” he stated.  In addition to Amerigo Saddles, Davidson has experienced the benefits of the EA Mattes Sheepskin products, Vespucci Bridles, and Equilibrium Leg Protection and therapy product.  “The Equilibrium Airlite Cross-Country boots are awesome,” states Davidson, “and my horses benefit in a huge way from their Massage Pad.  Hands down, when it comes to meeting the needs of my horses and me, which at this level is very demanding, the World Equestrian Brands products get it done.”

Robin Moore of World Equestrian Brands explains that they strongly support their riders, and explains that she is excited to see the success they are experiencing in their Amerigo saddles.  “We are dedicated to the equine industry and are constantly taking steps to be involved in the industry’s many facets,” she explains. WEB is the US distributor of Amerigo, EA Mattes, Vespucci and Equilibrium products.  “As riders ourselves, we are continually reaching out to other riders, competitors, organizers, and retail stores to listen to their needs and the problems they are trying to solve with their equipment.”

The high performance saddles and strap goods from Amerigo and Amerigo Vega are unrivaled worldwide. Designed by Peter Menet, Amerigo saddles are handcrafted, and are designed using a scientific approach by integrating the biomechanics of horse and rider to improve comfort and performance. Understanding the dynamics of motion and what the horse’s body needs to be capable of at the top levels of all disciples is Amerigo’s strength. All Amerigo saddles are fit using a unique measuring system to ensure the proper fit for both horse and rider. Amerigo’s goal is to provide comfort for the horse and rider and to enable them to be balanced and free to perform.

For more information about World Equestrian Brands, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com or call 1-888-637-8463.

Robin Moore (Owner)
World Equestrian Brands
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
540-264-0154

Davidson Sits atop Leaderboard at Galway Downs CCI3*

Temecula, Calif. – Competition for the CCI3* began Friday at the Galway Downs International Event and Horse Trials with the field of 17 performing their dressage tests. Buck Davidson holds the top two places on the leaderboard with The Apprentice and Absolute Liberty with scores of 48.9 and 50.6, respectively. Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) received a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant to bring Sharon Will’s Absolute Liberty to the West Coast for her first CCI3* since 2011. He and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare performed a lovely, relaxed test to sit in second place.

“She’s had 18 months off and hasn’t done much to get here. I know there’s way more in there and I’m really excited about that,” explained Davidson. “I’m just really happy to have her back.

The pair brought home Team Gold and Individual Bronze medals from the 2011 Pan American Games. They had a good prep run for the Galway Downs CCI3* at the Plantation Field Horse Trials, where they finished fifth in the Advanced A division.

“There are a lot of skinnies and corners out there,” he said of Ian Stark’s challenging cross country course. “You have to be very accurate.”

Allison Springer (Upperville, Va.) was also awarded a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant to travel across the country with Copycat Chloe. The 11-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred mare owned by Copycat Chloe Syndicate has struggled with tension during the dressage phase in the past but Springer rode a flowing, accurate test to receive a score of 55.0. The pair heads into Saturday’s cross country phase in sixth place.

Cross country for the CCI3* at 1:45pm PT. Davidson and Absolute Liberty will leave the start box at 2:18pm PT, followed by Springer and Copycat Chloe shortly after at 2:30pm PT.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Learn more about the Galway Downs International Event and Horse Trial here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.