Tag Archives: dressage

Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Kittel Wins Out in Super-Tight Battle in Stockholm

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Patrik Kittel and Toy Story won the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series on their home turf in Stockholm, Sweden this afternoon. Photo: FEI/Roland Thunholm.

Stockholm (SWE), 27 November 2011 – Patrik Kittel headed up a Swedish one-two in the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Stockholm, Sweden today.  But it was a close-fought affair as the 35-year-old rider and his 11 year old gelding, Toy Story, only pipped Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello by 0.1 of a percentage point, while Germany’s Isabell Werth (Warum Nicht FRH) and Helen Langehanenberg (Responsible) had to settle for third and fourth places respectively.

In a weekend full of interesting twists and turns, multiple champion Werth finished well down the line in seventh place in Saturday’s Grand Prix won by Vilhelmson-Silfven. And, adding to the litany of surprises, was a very pleasant one for Norway’s Siril Helljesen who steered her lovely mare, Dorina, into Grand Prix runner-up spot.

But Kittel’s latest Freestyle victory underlines his great strength in depth.  He has 13 Grand Prix-level horses now at the base in Muenster, Germany which he has been operating for the last 15 years.  “I’m very lucky to have so many right at the moment,” he said this afternoon. “Toy Story does not have a great amount of experience but he is very talented and he really took me by surprise today!” he pointed out.

Continue reading Kittel Wins Out in Super-Tight Battle in Stockholm →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Megan Jones’ Bid for HSBC Classics Points Gets Off to Perfect Start in Adelaide

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Megan Jones (AUS) in the lead after Dressage at HSBC FEI Classics in Adelaide. Jenny Barnes Photography/FEI.

Adelaide (AUS), 18 November 2011 – Experience leads the way after the Dressage phase of the Deloitte Australian International 3 Day Event, the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 series calendar.

Crowd favourite and home town girl Megan Jones heads the leader board after the Dressage in the 4* competition riding her home-bred Kirby Park Irish Jester.

“It was exciting to be back at Adelaide with Jester,” commented Jones after her posting a winning score of 43.30. It was far from his best Dressage mark, but Jones was delighted to be in the driving seat again with her 2005 Adelaide 4* winner.

And relief it must be, as the 2006 world and 2008 Olympic team silver medalist almost died after a severe bout of travel sickness on the way to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year.

Now, with five months preparation time and two pre-Adelaide competitions, this weekend will prove the test to determine the possibility of the 18-year-old Jester having another crack at the Olympic Games. At the end of day one Jones was glad “he remembered how to do it”.

Continue reading Megan Jones’ Bid for HSBC Classics Points Gets Off to Perfect Start in Adelaide →

Awards, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

South African Rider Wins The Horse of Course High Score at GCDA Fall Fling Dressage

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Neve Myburgh rode Accent Aigu FRH to the highest score at the Gold Coast Fall Fling, earning a 75.0% in the Prix St. Georges and winning The Horse of Course High Score Award. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (November 15, 2011) – South African dressage rider Neve Myburgh, who spent many years training and competing in Italy, France and Germany, rode Accent Aigu FRH to the highest score at the Gold Coast Fall Fling, earning a 75.0% in the Prix St. Georges. The High Score Award is sponsored by The Horse of Course, Inc, one of the nation’s premier tack shops specializing in dressage tack, clothing and supplies, and Myburgh rode away with a beautiful cooler from The Horse of Course.

Myburgh, who is now a Wellington-based trainer, was pleased with Accent Aigu’s ride in the Prix St. Georges class. “I have been riding him for two years and he went really well,” she said. “He loves to do everything when competing. His changes are great and he does beautiful canter pirouettes.”

Myburgh was thrilled to win the High Score Award from The Horse of Course and said she hopes to compete Accent, a Hanoverian gelding, in several CDIs during the winter circuit. Beth Haist, CEO of The Horse of Course, congratulated Myburgh on her winning score. “Neve and Accent Aigu earned a fantastic score and should be very proud of winning the High Score Award at the Gold Coast show,” she said. “Florida is certainly the place to be in the winter and The Horse of Course is very excited to be part of the dressage season. The shows attract top competition from around the world and we are excited to meet each of the winners. I look forward to seeing Accent Aigu wearing his cooler at future shows.”

Continue reading South African Rider Wins The Horse of Course High Score at GCDA Fall Fling Dressage →

Disciplines, Dressage, Jane Savoie, Training/Clinics

How to Connect the Lazy Horse, by Jane Savoie

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This month I’ll explain how to use the “Connecting Aids” with a lazy horse to put him on the bit. Next month, I’ll talk about connecting the hot horse.

Here’s a review of the connecting aids:

(1) Close both calves to generate power from behind.

(2) Close your outside hand in a fist to capture, contain, and recycle that power back to the hind legs.

(3) Squeeze and release (vibrate) the inside rein, like squeezing water out of a sponge, to keep your horse’s neck straight.

Apply the three sets of aids for approximately three seconds. To an observer, it will appear that you’re giving the aids simultaneously, but in reality the legs slightly precede the closing of the outside hand, which is applied just before the vibrations with the inside hand.

In order to get the desired effect from these connecting aids, it’s important that your horse responds obediently to your aids. This is often overlooked, as many of us have a very lazy that seems to ignore our aids. Here are some tips to help you.

Continue reading How to Connect the Lazy Horse, by Jane Savoie →

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

Record Interest in Hosting FEI World Equestrian Games 2018

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Lausanne (SUI), 16 November 2011 – A record seven National Federations have sent in formal Expressions of Interest to host the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018.

Signed Expression of Interest documents have been received from the National Federations of Australia, Canada, Hungary, Morocco, Russia, Sweden, and the USA. The deadline for receipt of signed documentation was midnight CET last night, 15 November 2011.

“Having a record seven Expressions of Interest in hosting the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018 is the best possible endorsement of the FEI’s flagship event,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos said. “It also shows the value of the review that the FEI has commissioned of the bidding process for the FEI World Equestrian Games and FEI European Championships, which is aimed at raising the profile of these events and their associated revenues by creating a competitive, well-structured and transparent bid process.”

Continue reading Record Interest in Hosting FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 →

Awards, Breeds, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Barcida Interagro Wins Year End Lusitano High Score Award at Gold Coast Dressage Association Banquet

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Lusitano Stallion Also Wins USEF High Score of the Year for All Breeds

Barcida Interagro won the Lusitano High Score of the Year Award during the Gold Coast Dressage Association year-end banquet and also rode away with the USEF High Score of the Year for all breeds. (Photo by Marilyn Fallon)

Wellington, FL (November 10, 2011) – Barcida Interagro, a beautiful five-year-old grey Lusitano stallion owned by Cindy Barrera and ridden by Heather Bender, won the Lusitano High Score of the Year Award during the Gold Coast Dressage Association year-end banquet and also rode away with the USEF High Score of the Year for all breeds. Barcida’s score of 77.200% helped the stallion clinch the prestigious titles.

Barcida was imported from Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil, the world’s largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses, and purchased in the February 2010 Lusitano Collection auction. “Barcida has been in consistent training with me since his arrival in the United States,” said Bender, an FEI rider and trainer. “Barcida is an extremely talented, healthy and valuable stallion that has everything most competitive riders look for. His show record is off to an amazing start and he has received 9’s for his walk and 8’s for the canter! He is an extremely trainable stallion with a super temperament and is currently schooling Third Level and doing a single flying change. Barcida Interagro not only has competitive beautiful gaits against any breed, but he is unbelievably comfortable to ride. His temperament makes him well suited for an amateur in a guided professional program.”

Continue reading Barcida Interagro Wins Year End Lusitano High Score Award at Gold Coast Dressage Association Banquet →

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

United States Para-Equestrian Team Wins Gold at 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico City

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Jonathan Wentz on NTEC Richter Scale (2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion). Photos © 2011 Lindsay Y McCall

Mexico City, Mexico – November 15, 2011 – Sitting aboard a horse with unbelievable mountain views from all angles in a brand new facility was what eighteen para-equestrians experienced at the most recent CPEDI3* event. The red carpet was rolled out for United States Para-Equestrian Team at the 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico City, Mexico at Rancho San Juan.  Eighteen Para-Equestrians competed under five stringent judges for their respective country November 10-12, 2011.  The five countries represented were Mexico, United States, Venezuela, Norway, and Argentina. The United States Team included Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt, Para-Equestrian Donna Ponessa (Grade Ia), Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib), and Dale Dedrick (Grade III) who gave flawless interpretations of their tests to take home the Team Gold for the United States.

This competition was unique because they did not ride their own mounts, each of the para-equestrians rode a horse that was graciously donated by The Mexico Para-Equestrian Team.  The United States Para-Equestrian Team rode horses donated by The Baitenmanns (Erica Baitenmann is a Mexico Para-Equestrian rider).  Besides earning the Team Gold the United States Para-Equestrians excelled individually as well.  Donna Ponessa of New Windsor, NY captured gold medals in Grade Ia Freestyle, Individual, and Team competition while riding Gecko, USEF 2011 Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion Jonathan Wentz from Tyler, TX also earned three gold medals in each Grade Ib test aboard Ariello, Grade II rider, Dale Dedrick from Ann Arbor, MI earned the Silver Medal on Bruno in Mexico City rounding out a spectacular weekend for the United States.

Continue reading United States Para-Equestrian Team Wins Gold at 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico City →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Para-Equestrian

United States Para-Equestrian Team Talks 2012 on Dover’s World November 15, 2011

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Donna Ponessa on Otto. Photos © 2011 Lindsay Y McCall

Wellington, FL – November 15, 2011 – Premiering Tuesday, November 15, 2011, on Dover’s World will be the United States Para-Equestrian Team. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. two hours will be devoted to discussing the eighth international equestrian discipline, Para-Dressage. Anyone interested in calling in to the broadcast may call 561-844-6167 or 800-889-0267.

Three important Para-Equestrian organizers and one Para-Dressage rider will be on hand to answer questions and to discuss the sport of Para-Dressage.  Those four include USEF Director of Para-Equestrian Pam Lane, Chef d’Equipe of the 2010 Para-Dressage Team Missy Ransehousen, the President of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, Hope Hand, and Donna Ponessa who is a Grade Ia Para-Dressage equestrian.  Donna has had an exciting year with top results in California, New York, and recently she earned Gold in all three tests in Mexico City at the CPEDI3*.  Donna was also part of the United States Team alongside Jonathan Wentz and Dale Dedrick who recently won a Team Gold in Mexico City on November 12.

Listeners may call in around 7:20 p.m. to speak with Rober Dover, Pam, Missy, Hope, or Donna about the future of Para-Dressage.

Continue reading United States Para-Equestrian Team Talks 2012 on Dover’s World November 15, 2011 →

Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining

Appointments to FEI Technical Committees, Allocation of 2012, 2013, and 2014 Championships

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Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 11 November 2011 – The FEI Bureau confirmed the following appointments to the FEI Technical Committees at its meeting held in Rio de Janeiro today (11 November):

Members of FEI Veterinary Committee

Dr Phillipe Benoit (FRA), Dr Sergio Salinas (MEX) and Dr Stephen Schumacher (USA) appointed. The terms of office for the three new Veterinary Committee members will be determined by draw to prevent a number of outgoing members at the same time. The terms will be communicated to the General Assembly on 14 November.

Gerit Mathesen (GER), Hallvard Sommerseth (NOR) and Kent Allen (USA) outgoing

Member of FEI Jumping Committee

Mr Marco Fusté (ESP) appointed (2011-2015)

John Madden (USA) outgoing as Member of the Jumping Committee

Continue reading Appointments to FEI Technical Committees, Allocation of 2012, 2013, and 2014 Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Wellington Classic Dressage

Totilas to Make Exclusive Appearance at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

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Germany's Matthias Alexander Rath and Totilas will be competing at the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. Photo By: John Flannagan

Wellington, FL – November 10, 2011 – Totilas, the reigning Dressage World Champion and current world record holder in the Grand Prix Freestyle, is coming to the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach. His appearance at the prestigious WDM CDI5*’s only event in North America, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on January 26 to 29, 2012. This will be the ONLY public appearance of this legendary stallion during his visit to North America. The WDM Palm Beach CDI5* will run concurrently with the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*/CPEI3*. The World Dressage Masters CDI5* presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s premier dressage series, with over half a million dollars in prize money, and each show boasts over 100,000 Euros in prize money.

With his current rider, Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath, Totilas won the CHIO Aachen 2011 in July; Totilas and Rath went on to help the German Team win a silver medal at the European Dressage Championships in August. The WDM Palm Beach will launch Rath’s and Totilas 2012 competition season, which is directed towards the London 2012 Olympics. Totilas is an 11 year old KWPN stallion co-owned by renowned German Olympic Show Jumper and breeder Paul Schockemöhle and German Olympic Dressage rider Ann-Katrin Linsenhof.

Continue reading Totilas to Make Exclusive Appearance at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach →