Tag Archives: equitation

Margaret Collins Earns the Junior Southeast Medal Finals with Flying Changes

Margaret Collins and Samy

Jacksonville, FL – September 22, 2012 – In its second day, the first Southeast Medal Finals received accolades from sponsors, competitors, trainers, family and spectators. It was a day to remember for great fun and top competition.

Today’s highlight was the evening class of 31 juniors competing over a technical and challenging course in the Southeast Medal Finals Class. The course began on the far end of the stadium with a single oxer on the short end and continued to the right a four-stride line on the diagonal. Turning to the left the track created an “S” over fence four, a vertical by the in gate, curving around to fence five, an oxer headed in the opposite direction to a turn to the right, a two-stride pair of natural verticals. The riders then had a gallop to the right to an oxer and a bending line to another two-stride, this time, an oxer to a vertical. At this point in the course, the riders had the option of several different approaches to fence nine. Some took the short route with inside turns and some went for a long gallop around the jumps. Either way, it was a tricky fence to find the right distance and many riders lost points there. After fence nine, the course’s path wound back around to the left to the final line, an oxer to vertical.

Continue reading Margaret Collins Earns the Junior Southeast Medal Finals with Flying Changes

The Day Belongs to Geoffrey Hesslink at the First Southeast Medal Finals

Geoffrey Hesslink and Afrojack

Jacksonville, FL – September 21, 2012 – The long-awaited first-ever Southeast Medal Finals got underway today with much fanfare. Organizers Bob Bell from Classic Company and James Lala from James Lala’s Wellington Quarantine have attended to every aspect of the show to make it special and memorable.

A field of 27 talented young riders competed to kick off the show bright and early at 8:00 a.m. in the USEF Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal. The first course of the show was a challenging mix of lines and turns. Starting with a very forward outside line in six strides, the track turned to the left to a single brick oxer near the in gate to a roll back to another brick single oxer. Then, the course took a long gallop and a right turn to a two-stride combination of natural wood verticals to a left turn to another natural vertical followed by a right-hand turn to a white oxer at the far end of the ring and a bending line to the last combination, an oxer to a vertical.

“This new venue is superb,” said Course Designer, Alan Rheinheimer. “It’s huge; there’s a lot of opportunity to set the riders up for the Maclay Regionals. All the courses I’ll give them a little in each course of what I might ask of them on Sunday. The judges and I talked it over and discussed what we’d like to see. It was a good test for them.

Continue reading The Day Belongs to Geoffrey Hesslink at the First Southeast Medal Finals

The First Weekend of ASPCA Maclay Regionals Filled with Fiery Equitation Competition

Jeffrey Tolson wins Region 6 ASPCA Maclay Regionals. Brian Ryder/Horse and Ryder Photography

September 21, 2012 – It was an exciting weekend for the top equitation riders as they competed in numerous ASPCA Maclay Regionals to vie for a spot in the coveted Finals at the Alltech National Horse Show. The competition was stiff as the top junior riders go head-to-head in a battle of the best and the chance to take it all. Hunter Holloway took the Region 5 title. Jeffrey Tolson was presented with the Region 6 Championship, while Sara Nordstrom piloted her mount to the Region 7 top honors. Alexis Graves rode to the top of the ranks for Region 8.

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in the equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2010 ASPCA winner was Hayley Barnhill, and Sarah Milliren took the title during last year’s 2012 Alltech National Horse Show.

Continue reading The First Weekend of ASPCA Maclay Regionals Filled with Fiery Equitation Competition

MEDIA ALERT! First Southeast Medal Finals to Begin Friday September 21

Jacksonville, FL – September 20, 2012 – The long-awaited, first-ever Southeast Medal Finals will get underway at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center on Friday, September 21 and will run through Sunday, September 23, 2012.

Any members of the media attending and/or requiring assistance to cover the event, please contact Carrie Wirth, from Phelps Media Group at 612-209-0310.

The show is patterned after the successful and long-standing New England Medal Finals, giving riders in Zone 4 and Region 3 a chance to compete for top honors in an array of classes. The Indoor show will feature hunter, jumper and equitation classes, with highlight classes including the ASPCA Maclay Region 3 Regionals.

Continue reading MEDIA ALERT! First Southeast Medal Finals to Begin Friday September 21

Judy’s Tack Shop to Sponsor the Southeast Medal Finals!

Classic Company is proud to announce that Judy’s Tack Shop of Germantown, Tennessee will supply the championship coolers for the highly anticipated Southeast Medal Finals which will take place starting September 21st at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

Judy’s Tack Shop operates several full service mobile tack shops that provide equestrians all of the horse and rider necessities while on the road with the utmost convenience.  Quite often, riders will contact Judy’s before they attend a show in order to have their supplies ready for them when they arrive.  Judy’s can order your custom drapes, have them monogrammed and delivered to the show for a barn’s convenience.  They also carry a complete supply of liniments, fly sprays, wraps, blankets, tack and grooming supplies.  “We are so happy to provide Classic Company and the Southeast Medal Finals with the Championship Coolers.  This is an event that will only grow in magnitude and we are excited that we will be involved from the beginning!” said Judy’s Tack Shop representative Dylan Thomas.  For more information on Judy’s Tack Shop or to contact them for your next order, call (901) 755-5314 or email Dylan Thomas at Dylan_Thomas1@hotmail.com.

Continue reading Judy’s Tack Shop to Sponsor the Southeast Medal Finals!

Southeast Medal Updates – Maclay List

We are just days away from the first EVER Southeast Medal Finals. We are still accepting entries so do not miss your chance to be a part of HISTORY at this inaugural event.

Maclay Riders, please remember to make sure you are entered with Southeast Medal Finals, in addition to with National Horse Show.

Continue reading Southeast Medal Updates – Maclay List

Southeast Medal Updates – 1 Week Away

We are just a week away from the inaugural Southeast Medal Finals Show.  We could not be more excited to be working with National Horse Show as host to Regional 3 and Maclay Regional Finals as well.

We do still have stalls available, and it is not too late to enter.  Please do get your entries in as soon as possible, if you are contemplating entering the show.  Entries can be done online at Equestrian Connect.  All forms, including the entry blank are also available at www.southeastmedalfinals.com under “Documents”.

Maclay Riders, please make sure that if you have entered with National Horse Show, that you have sent an entry to us at Southeast Medal finals to reserve your stall as well.

Please contact Alexis at alexisgnewman@gmail.com or 904.993.2053 with any questions pertaining to entering or stall reservations, camper reservations or feed and bedding orders.

Continue reading Southeast Medal Updates – 1 Week Away

Only One Week until the First Annual Southeast Medal Finals!

Jacksonville, FL – September 14, 2012 – Only one week remains until the long-awaited Southeast Medal Finals will get underway at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Competitors have been in heavy preparation for the prestigious three-day show with the top medal honors set firmly in sight.

This upcoming Friday, September 21, 2012 the Southeast Medal Finals will begin at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Entries have been rolling in, and the competition promises to be both fierce and fun with a variety of classes, as well as fun activities. The show will run until Sunday, September 23, 2012, so make sure you don’t miss this prestigious event.

The show is patterned after the successful and long-standing New England Medal Finals, giving riders in Zone 4 and Region 3, a chance to compete for the top honors in an array of classes. The Indoor show will feature hunter, jumper and equitation classes over the period of three days, with highlight classes that are sure to catch the exhibitors’ attention, including the ASPCA Maclay Region 3 Regionals.

Continue reading Only One Week until the First Annual Southeast Medal Finals!

The Atlanta Fall Prize Lists Are Online!

Patricia Hennessey and Little Tom, winner of the Barry Lane Jumper Classic 2011

The Classic Company is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated Atlanta Fall Prize Lists are now on-line!  Make sure to get your entries in for one of the most popular shows on the East Coast held at the celebrated Atlanta International Olympic Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia, November 7-18.

The Classic Company is looking forward to showcasing its world class customer service, highly decorated rings, great prize money and truly, something for everyone.  “From the seasoned Olympic veteran to the first time lead-liner, we have something for everyone,” said Classic Company President Bob Bell.  “We’ve significantly increased the prize money for both of our Atlanta Grand Prix as well as our Classics and we have received favorable responses from the riders that they plan on showing with us this fall,” he added.

Week I: Money still building for the Adequan Pre-Green Hunter Championship Finals, PLUS a $65,000 Grand Prix

The prize money for the Adequan Pre-Green Hunter Championship Finals continues to build during opening week and horses still have a time to make the cut for the Finals Week II.  Other classes include the $15,000 Welcome Class, the $25,000 Barry Lane Jumper Division and as the exclamation point to the week, the $65,000 EMO Grand Prix!

Continue reading The Atlanta Fall Prize Lists Are Online!

HITS Dishes Out $1.75 Million Dollars and Crowns New Grand Prix, Hunter and Equitation Champions

©ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Antares F capped a banner year with a win in yesterday’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 10, 2012) – While the tunes of concert headliner Michael McDonald played in the background, McLain Ward soaked in another Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix victory last night. After riding to a win in the inaugural event in 2010 aboard the famed mare Sapphire, Ward returned to glory, this time in the irons of Grant Road Partners, LLC’s Antares F, who is fresh off the Olympic Games in London.

“With being injured and trying to qualify for the Olympics, our schedule was a little unpredictable this year, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of this class and it was a great thing to aim this horse to at the end of his year,” said Ward. “The jumps were beautiful and the course was hard. You needed a real Olympic caliber horse to jump a lot of those obstacles.”

Ward of Brewster, New York was one of three riders to produce clear rounds over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s intimidating track. Petersen tested riders with scope, turns, distances and everything in between. The 14-obstacle course offered several options for both approaches and striding, but specifically tested riders at a one-stride to a one-stride triple combination at fence 11. He also included a four-meter wide water element and a long two-stride double combination early in the course.

Continue reading HITS Dishes Out $1.75 Million Dollars and Crowns New Grand Prix, Hunter and Equitation Champions