Tag Archives: dressage

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Brings Home the Gold at 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* in Australia

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The Gold United States Para-Equestrian Team (Left to Right: USEF Director Pam Lane, Chef d'equipe Missy Ransehousen, Rebecca Hart, Erin Alberda, Mary Jordan, and in front is Donna Ponessa) Photos © 2011 Lindsay Y McCall

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – December 16, 2011 – When the United States Para-Equestrian Team flew Down Under for the 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* (held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Center), they were prepared to give it their all.  This competition was not just about top scores but it was an opportunity to earn team spots for the 2012 Paralympics held in London, England. With outstanding performances each day, the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team captured their third Team Gold within a four-month period. The impressive Gold Para-Equestrian Dressage Team consisted of Donna Ponessa for Grade Ia (New Windsor, NY), Rebecca Hart for Grade II (Unionville, PA), Erin Alberda for Grade III (Woodinville, WA), Mary Jordan for Grade IV (Wells, ME), and Chef d’equipe Missy Ransehousen. From December 9-11, 2011 teams from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States challenged themselves under F.E.I. international judges Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), Dr. Ulf Wilken (SWE), Ms. Jan Geary (AUS), Ms. Sue Cunningham (AUS), and Ms. Wendy Barker (AUS).

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Leibler and Watson 108 Continue on to Freestyle at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Germany

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Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 National Young Rider Dressage Championships (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 performed flawlessly Friday while representing the U.S. at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final Grand Prix, and are moving forward to the B Final on Sunday in the Freestyle.

“We were mistake free and I finished the first day very proud of myself and of Watson for staying focused throughout the exciting distractions,” Leibler said. “The competition has been absolutely amazing so far. It is like nothing I have ever seen before: big, bright, and electric.”

Leibler (Greenwich, CT) and the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding were invited to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Ys during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Truppa Tops the Line-Up in Frankfurt

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Valentina Truppa pictured with Lisa Wells from Reem Acra after her victory, riding Eremo Del Castegn. Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler.

Frankfurt (GER), 18 December 2011 – Valentina Truppa won the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Frankfurt, Germany today with a great performance from Eremo Del Castegno.  The 25 year old rider from Monferrato in Northern Italy, a prolific winner already in her career, pinned Germany’s Monica Theodorescu and Dorothee Schneider into second and third places respectively, while Sweden’s Patrik Kittel finished fourth ahead of The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud in fifth.

It was a disappointing day for German super-star Isabell Werth who threw down the gauntlet with victory in yesterday’s preliminary Grand Prix, but who had to settle for sixth place this time around in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music.  While her flamboyant nine-year-old, Don Johnson, showed flashes of brilliance, the accumulation of mistakes during their lively test proved too expensive.

Today’s result has boosted Truppa to runner-up spot on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Western European League 2011/2012 leaderboard which is now headed by Kittel, but it is very tight at the top.  Just three marks separate the three leading riders going into the next leg of the series at Mechelen in Belgium after Christmas.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Associations/Breeds, Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

USEF Announces the 2011 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Is Now Open!

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Chester Weber. Picsofyou.com

Lexington, KY – Voting is now open for the coveted 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year, which, following decades of tradition, comes at the end of the 2011 competition year and is announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards celebration in January.

Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian sport – across breed and discipline – each recently received a unique competitive trophy. These honors will be presented during the celebrated Pegasus Awards on January 14 at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, OH.

But now it is time to pick just one of these Equestrians of Honor to win the distinguished grand prize: the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Here are the nominees, and the distinctive honors they have achieved:

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*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Announces the 2011 USEF Horse of the Year Candidates; Voting Is Now Open!

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Sjoerd. Rick Osteen photo

Lexington, KY – To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport takes talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2011, six horses have shown the world those qualities and more. And on January 13, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will bestow two of them with the prestigious title of Horse of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse. This year – a change from years past – both a national and international horse will win.

The six champions have earned their place on the elite list as USEF Horses of Honor, and each will be recognized at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards gala and dinner in January – part of the USEF Annual Meeting – at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, OH.

It will be up to you to choose the two special horses, selecting from a range of talents and from across the Federation’s breeds and disciplines. Your vote will help determine the champions that join the pantheon of past winners including reining horse Gunners Special Nite (2010); dressage horse Ravel (2009); driving horse Jamaica (2008); eventer Theodore O’Connor (2007); show jumper Authentic (2006); and dressage horse Brentina (2005).

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Bechtolsheimer Leads British Whitewash at Olympia

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Laura Bechtolsheimer steered Mistral Hojris to victory as British riders dominated the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Olympia (GBR), 14 December 2011 – Laura Bechtolsheimer led the cavalry-charge, as British riders sensationally claimed the top four places in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 qualifier at Olympia in London, Great Britain tonight.  Riding Mistral Hojris, the horse with which she claimed three silver medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA last year, the 26 year old rider scored 83.975 to pip fellow-countrywoman Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, while 2011 European silver medallist, Carl Hester, slotted into third with Uthopia.  And, rounding up the host-nation whitewash, Richard Davison steered Hiscox Artemis into fourth.

“I’m thrilled,” said Bechtolsheimer. “We won the Grand Prix here last year, but we have never won the Freestyle, and this is such a special show – the home crowd are great.  It means everything to have won this competition!” she added.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, USEF

USEF Report from First Pre-Olympic Games Dressage Clinic

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David Wightman on Partous with Anne Gribbons and Steffen Peters (Photo: USEF Archives)

Lexington, KY – The first of six pre-Olympic Games Dressage Clinics kicked off at beautiful Epona Farm in Thousand Oaks, CA. These clinics, a joint effort by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the USET Foundation will help prepare horses and riders for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Linda and Michael Fowler were gracious hosts at Epona Farm. Nine horses (with seven riders) worked with USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and Olympian Steffens Peters. For two days the riders focused on schooling the Grand Prix and then rode a test in front of Gribbons. Gribbons is also an FEI 5* judge.

“Going into 2012 it was useful for the riders to practice the new Olympic Grand Prix Special test,” said Jenny Van Wieren-Page USEF Director of Dressage, High Performance. “Another important aspect of these clinics is planning the 2012 competition and training schedules with Anne.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Rolex Signs Partnership Agreement with Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014

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Geneva (SUI), 13 December 2011 – Rolex has become an official partner of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014. The agreement was signed today, 13 December, in Geneva (SUI), home town to Rolex and venue of the sixth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012.

The Swiss luxury watch maker has been involved in equestrian sport since 1957 and is a major force behind many of the sport’s finest events and riders. The brand’s association with the FEI World Equestrian Games dates back to 2002 and Rolex was the official sponsor of last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos welcomed the news of the Rolex partnership with Normandy 2014. “The FEI is delighted that Rolex, one of the world’s best brands and a dedicated partner to equestrian sport, has renewed its cooperation with the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” he said. “Rolex’s loyalty to our sport is exceptional and we are looking forward to the Games in Normandy, which are expected to stage absolutely top-class sport in an area renowned for its connection with the horse.”

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Community/Charity, Dressage, JRPR

Premier Equestrian Sponsors Young Adult Brentina Cup Winner and Dressage Trainer Caroline Roffman

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Caroline Roffman is being sponsored by Premier Equestrian. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Sandy, UT (December 12, 2011) — Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, is pleased to announce their sponsorship of Wellington-based dressage rider and trainer Caroline Roffman. The 23-year-old has set the dressage world on fire and during the fall of 2011 proved she is a rider to be reckoned with when she won the Young Adult Brentina Cup at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions and took home three Reserve National Championship titles from the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships.

“Premier is very excited to be sponsoring Caroline. She is certainly one of the brightest dressage stars of our young generation and, in addition to that, she is a lovely young woman,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “Premier is a world leader in dressage products, from arenas and letters to footing for the arenas, and we are proud that Caroline will be using and supporting our products.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

The Wellington Equestrian “Alliance”? NOT! by Robert Dover

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I woke up this morning with only thoughts of taking my Mom to the Cleveland Clinic to hear the oncologist’s report on her cancer as well as concerns with having to finally place my Dad in an Alzheimer’s facility in Texas.

Life has a way of reminding us that it goes by way too fast and how important it is to have our loved ones and the friends you trust (including our wonderful 4-legged ones) around you at all times. With the help of amazing sponsors, great horses, and a passion for the sport I love, I have had a great career including the honor of representing our great nation on the dressage team at six Olympic Games. Life, however, is full of imposters, whose posing, scheming, and distortions have the sole intention of pursuing their own agenda regardless of truth usually at a great cost to others. One of the keys in life is identifying, exposing, avoiding, and then overcoming their disruptions. We all have had our experiences and stories to share!

So while checking my morning email, I have to tell you how shocked I was to read the Newsletter that was sent to me stating that the “Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance was doing all it can to “stop controversial developer Mark Bellissimo and Wellington Equestrian Partners from destroying and ruining the equestrian preserve.” The newsletter was full of angry terms that incite. Terms like scheming, speculation, declining home values, crime, uncertainty, anxiety, insecurity, increased danger to horses, noise, traffic congestion, lack of green space, the list goes on. Then I read about the high-rise condominiums, a mall, a fairgrounds, and an RV Park. It was a negative, intentionally inaccurate, full of exaggeration, fear mongering campaign only meant to once again scare and disrupt this community that I call home and love. It was time to take a deep breath, reflect, and voice my opinions.

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