Tag Archives: equestrian disciplines

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping

Spend Christmas with Show Jumping on CBS Sports Network

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CBS Sports Network Offers Special Encore of Top Show Jumping Competition from the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival on Christmas Day

Wellington, FL – December 24, 2012 – Equestrian enthusiasts have been given a special gift by the CBS Sports Network this holiday season with another chance to watch top show jumpers in action at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. CBS Sports Spectacular will offer encore viewing of their US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 and US Equestrian Festival Championships programs on Christmas day from 3:00-5:00pm ET.

In the first hour of the two hour equestrian block, viewers can marvel at top combinations from throughout the world as teams go head-to-head in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Ten nations lined up to stake their claim on coveted honors in one of the most prestigious classes held on U.S. soil. This is also a unique opportunity to see many of the best competitors in the game including the American team of Lauren Hough, Mario Deslauriers, Margie Engle and Beezie Madden, as well as international stars such as Canada’s Eric Lamaze, Germany’s Johannes Ehning, Great Britain’s Nick Skeleton, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and many more. The US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 program will air at 3:00pm ET.

Continue reading Spend Christmas with Show Jumping on CBS Sports Network →

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Andrew Nicholson Nets $50,000 HSBC Rankings Bonus

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Andrew Nicholson was presented with his prize by FEI First Vice President John McEwen at the London International Horse Show at Olympia. (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton)

Lausanne (SUI), 23 December 2012 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has netted the 50,000 USD bonus as the HSBC Rankings leader at the end of the 2012 season, after holding on to the world number one spot since claiming team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Nicholson, aged 51, was presented with his prize at the London International Horse Show in Olympia (GBR) today by John McEwen, First Vice President of the FEI.

The New Zealander kicked off 2012 by finishing seventh at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011/2012 series, and then secured fourth at the following leg, the Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by E.ON. He went on to captain the New Zealand bronze medal team at London 2012, his sixth Olympic Games, finishing fourth individually with Nereo.

Just one month later he rode Avebury to a third victory in 17 years at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, the final leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011/2012 season. He then won the opening leg of the new series at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), again on Libby Sellars’ Nereo, sealing his lead in the HSBC Rankings by a comfortable margin over Olympic team silver medallist, William Fox-Pitt (GBR).

Continue reading Andrew Nicholson Nets $50,000 HSBC Rankings Bonus →

Dressage, Events, JRPR, Training/Clinics

Charles de Kunffy Joins Dressage Summit Superstar Lineup

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Christoph Hess and Linda Parelli schooling Emily Wagner aboard the 6-year-old AWR stallion WakeUp. (Photo courtesy of Parelli Natural Horsemanship)

Wellington, FL (December 21, 2012) – Some of the biggest names in dressage are coming together February 9-11, 2013 in Wellington, FL for the first ever Dressage Summit – including Christoph Hess, Walter Zettl, and recently joining the superstar lineup, Charles de Kunffy.

Charles de Kunffy can best be described as “a gentleman and a scholar,” and most importantly, an indomitable ambassador for the horse. Raised in the classical tradition, Charles is a firm believer in schooling the horse in a comprehensive system of training, including cross-country, jumping and dressage. Charles has also written six books on the classical dressage tradition, and is working on two more. His experience as a dressage judge, trainer, and author make him one of the most sought-after dressage masters and clinicians today.

We are excited to welcome Charles de Kunffy as a presenter at the Dressage Summit – his deep understanding of the classical tradition, coupled with his gift for imparting the theory and true purpose of dressage, makes him the perfect addition to this groundbreaking event. To learn more about Charles, visit his website at www.charlesdekunffy.com.

Continue reading Charles de Kunffy Joins Dressage Summit Superstar Lineup →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

CBS Sports Network Offers Special Encore of Top Show Jumping from Wellington on Christmas Day

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Lexington, KY – Equestrian enthusiasts have been given a special gift by the CBS Sports Network this holiday season with another chance to watch top show jumpers in action at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. CBS Sports Spectacular will offer encore viewing of their US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 and US Equestrian Festival Championships programs on Christmas day from 3:00-5:00pm ET.

In the first hour of the two hour equestrian block, viewers can marvel at top combinations from throughout the world as teams go head-to-head in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Ten nations lined up to stake their claim on coveted honors in one of the most prestigious classes held on U.S. soil. This is also a unique opportunity to see many of the best competitors in the game including the American team of Lauren Hough, Mario Deslauriers, Margie Engle and Beezie Madden, as well as international stars such as Canada’s Eric Lamaze, Germany’s Johannes Ehning, Great Britain’s Nick Skeleton, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and many more. The US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 program will air at 3:00pm ET.

Continue reading CBS Sports Network Offers Special Encore of Top Show Jumping from Wellington on Christmas Day →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Dutch Delight as Houtzager and Tamino Take the Honours at Olympia

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Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof’s Tamino galloped to victory in the seventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 22 December 2012 – Marc Houtzager brought his year to the perfect close when winning the seventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series at London, Olympia (GBR) today.  Riding Sterrehof’s Tamino, the Dutchman went fourth in the eight-horse jump-off and clinched it with the smoothest of rides.

Runner-up spot went to Malin Baryard-Johnsson with H&M Tornesch, and the Swedish star has now moved to within sight of a qualifying spot for the series Final on her home turf in Gothenburg, Sweden next April. Peter Charles slotted into third, and it was a particularly creditable performance from the man who helped clinch team gold for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Partnering a new ride, the 10 year old French-bred mare Murka’s Odie de Frevent, Charles is only just back in action after undergoing surgery in September.

Houtzager said, “It looks like London is the place to be for me!  I won team silver at the Olympic Games and now I’ve had my first World Cup win here.  It’s a great win for me, and it is especially great because it is the last show of the year!”

Continue reading Dutch Delight as Houtzager and Tamino Take the Honours at Olympia →

Awards, Dressage, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Vote Jonathan Wentz for USEF 2012 Equestrian of the Year before January 7, 2013

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Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the London Paralympics photo (c) Lindsay McCall

Thousand Oaks, CA – December 22, 2012 – After topping the Paralympic equestrian ranks at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and earning the highest ranking among the United States Equestrian Olympic and Paralympic Team, Jonathan Wentz of Richardson, Texas was on top of the world.  The duo of Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale were synonymous with dynamic duo. Wentz was a team player, a hard worker, and someone who always put his horse first.  Tragedy would hit the equestrian community at the end of September 2012 when Wentz passed away due to unknown causes only two weeks after his Paralympic debut.  Wentz was back at college at Southern Methodist University where he was in his senior undergraduate year.  Just days before his death, Wentz gave a speech in front of his peers and spoke about what it meant to him to become a Paralympian.  Wentz was a leader in and out of the classroom and took his role as a U.S. athlete seriously. The 21-year-old 6’5″ Texan was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth and didn’t let his diagnoses define him.  He was the epitome of a champion, achieved the goals he set-forth, and truly loved his sport and his fellow teammates.

Continue reading Vote Jonathan Wentz for USEF 2012 Equestrian of the Year before January 7, 2013 →

Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

ESP to Host Seventh Annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session

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Wellington, FL – December 22, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions is pleased to host the rising stars in equestrian sport in Wellington, FL, on January 2-6, 2013 at the seventh annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by USHJA and Adequan. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will once again host 12 up-and-coming talents at the five-day training session.

The United States Hunter and Jumper Association (USHJA) and Adequan return as title sponsors in 2013, while SmartPak, Practical Horseman, and Equestrian Sport Productions have signed on as event sponsors.

Continue reading ESP to Host Seventh Annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session →

Eventing/H.T., Training/Clinics, USEF

USEF Names 2013 Eventing High Performance Spring Training Lists

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Lexington, KY – The USEF Eventing High Performance Committee has approved the following High Performance Spring Training Lists for the 2013 season. These lists have been redesigned for 2013 and this is a targeted approach to identify talented horse/rider combinations for future championship teams.

The Global Talent and World Class combinations will be participating in training sessions with Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor in Aiken, South Carolina, Gilroy and Temecula, California or Ocala, Florida. These combinations will also receive training allowances for individual coaching.

National Listed combinations will be invited to participate in training sessions when time is available. Additionally, combinations on all three lists will have continuous access to coaching by O’Connor throughout the season.

Continue reading USEF Names 2013 Eventing High Performance Spring Training Lists →

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

Boyd Exell Gallops Away with FEI World Cup Driving at London Olympia

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Boyd Exell (AUS), competing at London Olympia on a wild card, flew to victory in the FEI World Cup Driving qualifier (Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI)

London Olympia (GBR), 20 December 2012 – Boyd Exell was the man to beat at the inaugural edition of the FEI World Cup Driving in London Olympia (GBR), but the Australian had no intention of letting anyone past him. The four-time FEI World Cup champion galloped to victory in the sixth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving, the Extreme Driving Class, at Olympia with a brilliant performance from his amazing team of horses. Theo Timmerman (NED) finished in the second place, just ahead of his fellow countryman Koos de Ronde.

Dutch O-course designer Johan Jacobs had laid out a nice but difficult enough course in the tight Olympia arena, including a bridge and two marathon type obstacles with five gates each. Jacobs had adjusted his course to the size of the arena, which resulted in a fluent, speedy and safe course, very much appreciated by the competitors. The Grand Hall at Olympia was packed with enthusiastic spectators who were treated to a spectacular show by the seven competitors.

Continue reading Boyd Exell Gallops Away with FEI World Cup Driving at London Olympia →

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

Olympic Champions Dujardin and Valegro Win Through in Tense Tussle at Olympia

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Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro (GBR) topped the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League series at Olympia in London. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Olympia, London (GBR), 18 December 2012 – On a night when nerves were truly tested by the close confines of the arena, the pure class of the 2012 Olympic individual and team gold medallists shone through as Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro topped the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series at Olympia in London.  The Grand Hall at this prestigious venue is aptly named, but it is a very snug fit for the dressage ring at the Christmas fixture which attracts packed houses throughout a hectic week of great sport.

As Dujardin pointed out, “At the Olympics there were 24,000 spectators watching, but they were a long way away.  Here tonight it was very different – they were so close you could hear them breathing!” she said after claiming pole position with a score of 87.950.

Runner-up with a mark of 80.075 was double FEI World Cup Dressage champion Isabell Werth from Germany whose performance with the 11-year-old Don Johnson FRH left her well pleased. And it was Dujardin’s trainer and mentor, Carl Hester, who lined up third with a score of 79.900.  It was an emotional night for the Briton who shared the top step of the team podium at London 2012 with his 26-year-old pupil, because Hester was riding Utopia for the very last time.  “He’ll be sold in the new year,” the rider confirmed tonight.

Continue reading Olympic Champions Dujardin and Valegro Win Through in Tense Tussle at Olympia →