Tag Archives: equestrian competitions

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

USDF Region 9 Dressage Championships Showcases Region’s Talent

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Claire Darnell and Calimar Photo (c) Susan Stickle

Houston, Texas – November 27, 2012 – The Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Region 9 Dressage Championships brought forward the highest caliber of riders November 1-4, 2012. The Houston Dressage Society proudly hosted the USDF Region 9 equestrians at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas where the weather maintained warmer than average temperatures over the weekend except for a Saturday afternoon thunderstorm that disrupted the outdoor classes. Among the top performing riders were Professional rider Claire Darnell of Georgetown, Texas, junior rider Anna Campbell of Wylie, Texas, and Elizabeth “Bit” Fingerhut of Houston, Texas. In addition to the championship presentations, multiple riders were recognized for their accomplishments in 2011-2012. Para-equestrian Jonathan Wentz, who passed away at the end of September, was also recognized for the highest Region 9 honor. Wentz was recognized for his achievements during the year and his outstanding performance at the 2012 London Paralympics.

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

World’s Top Riders Strive to Compete in World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5*

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Germany's Anja Plönzke competes against the backdrop of a sold-out house at the World Dressage Masters. Photo by Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – November 29, 2013 – The excitement is building as many of North America and Europe’s top riders are vying for highly-coveted spots in the line-up for the World Dressage Masters (WDM) Palm Beach CDI5* to be hosted January 23-26, 2013, by Wellington Classic Dressage during the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3* show weekend at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.

Always one of the Florida dressage scene’s must-see events, the WDM Palm Beach features top riders from around the globe competing for the richest prize money show series in the dressage world.

The World Dressage Masters, presented by the Axel Johnson Group, offers more than €450,000 EUR (about $580,000 USD) in total prize money over the several World Dressage Masters shows hosted worldwide, including past shows in Falsterbo, Sweden, Munich, Germany, Hickstead, England, Cannes, France and, new this year, Jumping Mechelen in Belgium.  The WDM Palm Beach CDI5* is the only WDM CDI5* competition hosted in North America, and boasts €100,000 EUR (more than $130,000 USD).  This year’s line-up is sure to feature some of the world’s elite riders.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lauren Hough and Ohlala Win $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix

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Lauren Hough and Ohlala. © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 29, 2012 – The Holiday and Horses CSI 2*-W show continued today with another big class for show jumpers, the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The grand prix is a FEI ROLEX ranking class, and the winning amount of points today went to Lauren Hough and Ohlala. They were the only double clear round to capture victory.

The Holiday and Horses show continues through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier, will be held on Saturday evening. Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s highlight classes count toward ROLEX FEI World Ranking points. The feature class on Sunday is the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

There were 49 entries in today’s grand prix, and five of them were able to find the clear path over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course to continue on to the jump-off.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

McLain Ward Kicks Off Holiday & Horses with a Win on Zhum CW

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McLain Ward and Zhum CW. © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 28, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions’ Holiday and Horses competition began on Wednesday, November 28, at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a win for McLain Ward aboard Ilan Ferder and Missy Clark’s Zhum CW in the $10,000 Welcome Stake.

The Holiday and Horses show will have top classes each day through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. On Thursday riders will compete in the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier, will be held on Saturday evening. Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s highlight classes count toward ROLEX FEI World Ranking points. The feature class on Sunday is the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

A total of 46 entries showed in Wednesday’s $10,000 Holiday & Horses Welcome Stake jumping a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Red Hook, NY. Twelve competitors were able to clear the first round course without fault, and after four of those entries opted not to jump off, eight advanced to the short course. Five jumped double clear in a race against the clock.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Equestrian Aid Found., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Daryl Portela Wins $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Recognizing EAF!

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EAF Board Members Monique Keitz and R. Bruce Duchossois present the awards to Daryl Portela and Winner. Photo: Jack Mancini

The $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Classic, sponsored by Summerfield Farm and recognizing the Equestrian Aid Foundation, featured two rounds of competition on Nov. 25 with a win for Daryl Portela and James B. Pirtle Enterprises Inc.’s Winner.

Cheering spectators filled the stands throughout the class of 43 rides in the first round and a returning 12 for the Handy class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association Charity Horse Show.

In a very close competition, Portela and Winner ended up tied with Holly Orlando and Biale’, owned by Catherine Nicholas, overall, but their second round score put them on top.

Portela and Winner, trained by Jimmy Torano, scored an 86.5 and then a 92 for their 178.5 total and the win. Orlando and Biale’ scored a 90 and 88.5 for their 178.5 and second place honors. Third went to Kelley Farmer. See all the results here.

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF, Western/Reining

Dates and Location Announced for 2013 Adequan/FEI NAJYRC Pending Final FEI Approval

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Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) will once again be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The annual competition will be held July 17-21, 2013. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has received preliminary approval for these dates and location and is awaiting final allocation from the FEI Bureau.

In 2013, the NAJYRC again hosts championship caliber competition across five disciplines. In the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping as well as the Western discipline of reining, champions will be crowned in both Junior and Young Rider divisions. Endurance, which is included as a championship for the third time, offers an FEI championship for Young Riders.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

For more information regarding the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, visit: youngriders.org.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Equestrian Aid Found., Equestrian Assistance, Events, Fundraisers, Western/Reining

Save the Date – “Who Reins Supreme?” Feb. 1

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Ashley Holzer from the 2012 Sidelines Tetrathlon

World-class dressage, show jumping, hunter, and polo teams will show off their newfound skills in the reining ring at the EAF fundraiser, Who Reins Supreme? Held on Friday, February 1, 2013, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., the evening will raise funds for EAF programs that financially assist equestrians, horsemen and equine-related professionals who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses and injuries, throughout their time of need.

The competition, which will solely focus on reining, will feature two world-class riders from each discipline: dressage, show jumping, hunters, and polo. Each will ride a custom-designed reining pattern created by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon and Sarah Willeman Richter.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

HITS-on-the-Hudson to Host 2013 Junior Hunter National Championships – East Coast

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©ESI Photography. Lillie Keenan shows off her overall Grand Champion award with Confidential and overall Reserve Grand Champion award with Madison after dominating the 2011 USEF Junior Hunter Championship - East Coast at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NY (November 27, 2012) – HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has selected HITS-on-the-Hudson as the host site for the 2013 Junior Hunter National Championships – East Coast. The 2013 Championships will mark the seventh time the event has been held at the HITS facility in Saugerties, New York and will take place July 29-31, between HITS-on-the-Hudson V and VI.

The Championships will feature competition for all four sections of Junior Hunters, including Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17 and Large Juniors 16-17. Each section will include three phases, beginning with the Classic Over Fences round and the Under Saddle phase on Tuesday, July 30. The final phase, the Handy Hunter Over Fences, will take place Wednesday, July 31 before the overall Champions are crowned.

Also scheduled to highlight the three-day competition is the popular Hunterdon Cup, which offers a prestigious equitation championship for junior riders. The Hunterdon Cup will take place following the Junior Hunter Classic rounds on Tuesday.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Join Us at the Holiday and Horses Show to See the FEI World Cup Qualifier and More!

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Last year's $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier winners, Margie Engle and Indigo. Photo © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 27, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions is excited to announce that this week’s Holiday and Horses Show will feature many great events for equestrians and the local community at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Holiday and Horses Show offers great competition, including the $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier on Saturday, December 1, at 5:30 p.m. A drawing of the charities that have registered to be selected to participate in the fourth annual FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments (FTI GCC) will take place throughout the evening’s competition. Immediately following the grand prix, everyone is welcome to stay and enjoy WinterFest, a concert featuring Vanilla Ice. General admission for World Cup Qualifier and WinterFest is free!

The Holiday and Horses show will have top classes each day on November 28 – December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. Wednesday’s feature class is the $10,000 Holiday and Horses Open Stakes, while on Thursday riders will compete in the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and everyone will gather for the biggest class of the week, the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, on Saturday. Hunters will be featured on Sunday in the International Arena with the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. A full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes will be offered this week.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Driving, Events, Hunter/Equitation, More/Other, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Western/Reining

Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit Announces 2012 Dates and Schedule

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The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit will return to the Florida State Fairgrounds on December 27, 2012. Photo Courtesy of the Client

Tampa, FL – November 26, 2012 – The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show is pleased to announce that it will be returning to the Florida State Fairgrounds’ Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL from December 27-31, 2012. In the past, the quarter horse event has been held through January, but this year the show ends on the 31st to help exhibitors take advantage of the six shows needed to accumulate points before the end of the year for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Show features five full days of events including hunters, equitation, AQHA reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship and halter classes.

The first and third day of the horse show will feature matching schedules that focus on hunters and equitation, including youth, rookie, novice, and amateur divisions. Riders will have the opportunity to showcase their mounts over fences and under saddle. On the second and fourth day of the competition, there will be additional hunter seat and equitation under saddle classes, as well as four driving classes, and western pleasure classes including walk/trot, rookie, novice, amateur, and youth divisions.

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