Tag Archives: Colorado Horse Park

Brave Heart Claims 24th Grand Prix with Win in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix

Lindsay Gersoff Has Children’s Hunter Classic Hat Trick

Bjorn Ikast and Brave Heart win the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — Bjorn Ikast and Brave Heart, frequent Grand Prix winners, led the victory gallop during the first week of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix. This win brought Brave Heart’s career victories to 24. Riders universally praised Hector Loyola’s technical course, saying that he asked all the right questions at the right times.

“I thought this was a fantastic Grand Prix course,” Ikast said. “It has a lovely international flavor; you really had to ride this course.” Ikast was pleased with his elastic, seasoned horse over Loyola’s track that included two combinations away from the in-gate and two back-to-back liverpools. Ikast credited the course and the footing for providing spectators with quality riding throughout the class. He explained, “We saw only good show jumping. This is the best we’ve ever felt this footing. With the rain we got a good spring [from the ground].”

To keep Brave Heart fresh, this was his first and only class during the show. The strategy clearly worked; the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding bucked and played around the course. Ikast said it may have been one of Brave Heart’s best Grand Prix. “He didn’t even touch one rail; he felt really good,” he said.

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Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes

Bjorn Ikast Finishes with Top Two Placings in $10,000 Open Welcome Stake

Bjorn Ikast and Amore Claim 1st Place in the $10,000 Open Welcome at Summer in the Rockies 1. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park debuted this week with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8 – July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands from four to six weeks. With big prize money every day, the circuit is expected to attract riders from around the country.

“The Colorado Horse Park is excited to launch this new circuit,” said Helen Krieble, founder and president of CHP. “We have worked hard to improve the facility and offer our competitors a fun summer to remember.”

This year competitors will find a new show manager at the helm. Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions are bringing their exhibitor-friendly management style to Colorado. In anticipation of the expansion, CHP has been upgrading many amenities, including brand new footing in the Grand Prix ring and Grand Prix warm-up; new jumps; new gardens; the Horse Connection Paddock Club Lounge; Stable Grounds, a permanent coffee shop; tented exhibitor party zone and more.

Continue reading Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes

Colorado Horse Park Three Day Event and June High Prairie Dressage Canceled

Parker, CO — In order to add one more buffer week to ensure that there is no possibility of EHV-1 infection at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), the organization has canceled the following events scheduled for June 2-5, 2011: Colorado Horse Park Three Day Event and June High Prairie Dressage. This is merely a precautionary measure; no horse exposed to the virus has been on the property. In fact, no horses with EHV-1 symptoms have been identified in Douglas County. FEI veterinarian and CHP consultant, Terry Swanson D.V.M., stated that he believes there is very little likelihood of EHV-1 being discovered at the Park and he felt that the extra buffer week would lay the issue to rest.

“We wanted riders and owners to be absolutely confident that their horses were safe at The Colorado Horse Park,” explained Helen Krieble, founder and president of The Colorado Horse Park. “Our hearts truly go out to the competitors who were planning on showing next week. We are truly sorry for them. However, we want everyone to feel extremely certain about the remainder of the season.” Of course, riders who have already entered the CHP Three Day Event and June High Prairie Dressage Show will receive full refunds.

The remainder of CHP’s show season will run as scheduled, beginning with the first week of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit on June 8, 2011. “I am confident that with the additional buffer week, the 2011 horse show season will not only be able to continue, but will be extremely successful,” Krieble stated.

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Colorado Horse Park Responds to EHV-1 Outbreak

The Colorado Horse Park is keeping in close contact with the Colorado State Veterinarian regarding the EHV-1 outbreak in the Western United States. We are also working closely with our official veterinarian Littleton Equine Medical Center to ensure the health and safety of all horses that reside at CHP and that compete at our facility.

We will be following all recommendations from both the Colorado State Veterinarian and LEMC, and are currently developing an increased health and safety protocol for horses entering our facility.

This weekend’s horse show will continue as scheduled. Veterinarians are monitoring all horses entering the property.

The Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association show scheduled for May 27-29, 2011 at The Colorado Horse Park has been canceled. No horses in the area have displayed signs of EHV-1, but the decision was made to cancel the show until the extent of the outbreak has been determined.

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Griffis Group Joins The Colorado Horse Park for a Summer of Equestrian Sport

Mark Your Calendar for the $40,000 Griffis Apartment Funds Grand Prix on July 16

Show jumping showcases the athleticism of horse and rider, like Georgia Griffis riding "Welcome". The $40,000 Griffis Apartment Funds Grand Prix is July 16 at The Colorado Horse Park.

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) will be highlighted with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs during Summer Circuit, June 8 – July 24, 2011.

Griffis Group, a Denver-based real estate investment group, joins CHP as title sponsor for the $40,000 Griffis Apartment Funds Grand Prix on July 16. This international show jumping event is expected to attract top equestrians from around North America, and is part of a six-week circuit that brings millions of dollars into the local economy in Parker and Douglas County.

“Grand Prix show jumping is an exciting sport that we feel has a lot of potential in this area,” explains Ian Griffis, managing director of Griffis Group. “With Colorado’s central location between the coasts, Mexico and Canada, we feel the location has the potential for strong growth as a major show venue in the future.”

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The Colorado Horse Park’s Conditioning for Success Clinic a Huge Success

Parker, CO — As part of its commitment to education, The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) hosted a two-part series, Conditioning for Success, this spring. Featuring area experts such as Terry Swanson DVM, partner at Littleton Equine Medical Center, and Deeda Randle, M.S. in Animal Physiology, the event drew riders and auditors from around the region.

“The goal was to help riders and trainers do everything they can to prepare their horses for competition,” explained organizer Vivien Van Buren. “Like all sports, equestrian events have become highly competitive; the best athletes are using the latest in research and technology to help improve their performance and recover quickly after competition.”

Part one, held March 5, was a discussion forum focusing on a variety of topics including horse and rider nutrition, veterinary therapies for sport horses, physiology and the latest in conditioning programs. The sessions were designed to help riders prepare their horses and themselves for competition.

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Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs at the Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit

Colleen Acosta on Posse, winner of last year's USHJA Hunter Derby during the Colorado Summer Circuit. Photo credit: Horse and Ryder

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park will be highlighted with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8-July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands to six weeks.

Riders will find more than just bigger paychecks. Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions will offer exhibitors their trademarked five-star hospitality, while CHP is busy creating an exciting slate of new amenities. The Grand Prix ring is currently under construction and brand new footing is being installed. New jumps, new gardens, a competitor’s lounge and other facility improvements are just a few of the items receiving a makeover.

“This year riders will see a whole new Colorado Horse Park,” explains Brian Curry, General Manager of CHP. “We are working closely with Pat and his team to deliver a summer that every rider will remember.”

Continue reading Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs at the Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit