Tag Archives: equitation

Equitation Competition Heats Up a Steamy Day at Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show

Haley Zimmerman and Zider zestfully capture the blue

Zionsville, IN – August 9, 2012 – Equitation took center stage Thursday in the Main Hunter Arena at the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show held at Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. After a series of thunderstorms dumped much-needed rain Wednesday night, the hunter classes were postponed until Friday but there was still plenty of action with the Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class and the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal.

Haley Zimmerman, 13, aboard her own 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood, Zider (barn name “Zac”), snagged the hotly contested Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal. “It was one of those courses where things come kind of fast,” she said. “It kind of had weird turns, but that, for me, is pretty OK. I mean, the course was great for him. He’s adjustable with a nice big jump. He just kind of goes with whatever I want to do.” Zimmerman and Zac have been a dynamic duo for a year and she bought him to get started on jumpers. “He’s great,” she smiled. “He likes to cuddle and he’s a dream horse.”

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Interagro Lusitanos Win at Exposição Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano

Now Focus Switches to August Auction in Brazil

Semaneiro Interagro and Viajor Interagro, owned by Mr. Alvaro Coelho da Fonseca, competed in the pairs driving category. (Photos courtesy of Interagro Lusitanos)

Itapira, Brazil (July 30, 2012) – The world-renown Interagro Lusitanos won a bevy of ribbons during the Exposição Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano – the 31st International Lusitano Show held in Brazil. Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world, was founded in 1975 by Dr. Paulo Gavião Gonzaga to preserve the Lusitano breed.  Since its founding, Interagro’s breeding program has flourished and the Interagro Lusitanos have found far-reaching success in show rings around the world.

“The International Lusitano Show was a huge success and we are so proud of all of our horses,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos. “Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga won the Best Breeder and Best Exhibitor Award, which thrills us because they are our partners for the Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction. Their horses and riders put in excellent performances, and overall it was a fantastic presentation from Rocas do Vouga.  Our own riders and horses from Interagro gave them a run for their money, with top placings in dressage and working equitation.”

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USEF Announces Dates and Locations for 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals and the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials. The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals will take place August 16-18, 2013 in Estes Park, Colorado, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI3*. While the Markel/USEF Young Horse Selection Trials will be held in two locations: the Western Selection Trials at La Cañada Flintridge, California May 23-26, 2013 during the Dressage at Flintridge and the Eastern Selection Trials as part of VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage in Leesburg, VA June 7-9, 2013.

The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for junior riders. The program focuses on equitation and the development of a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Youth wishing to qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals must compete at the USEF/USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals held at the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Riders placing in the top two in the Semi-Finals are invited to compete in the Finals.

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Genevieve Zock Rises to the Top Winning 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Genevieve Zock won the 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – July 25, 2012 – As the sun began to set on the Kentucky Horse Park, the final work-off of the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic got underway. The prestigious championship prize was only a test away from being revealed, and four riders were vying for the top honors. It came down to Meredith Darst, Lillie Keenan, Hasbrouck Donovan and Genevieve Zock as they completed the final event of the long-awaited 2012 USHJA East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. Sixty-two riders showed over the first-round course, showcasing their equitation skills with a classic flare. The riders with the top 15 scores returned for the handy round, and the top four returned to the ring aboard one another’s mounts to complete the final test. Genevieve Zock rose in the ranks, placing consistently high scores, and completing a picture-perfect final test. She took the championship prize with Confession, leading the victory gallop in the Rolex Stadium.

“I have only competed in the Hunterdon Cup once before – it was back in 2008 with my horse Caprice,” Zock recalls. “It was so fun being in the stadium; it was awesome being able to gallop around the ring.”

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Final Prize List Online and Ready to Print for First-Ever Southeast Medal Finals!

Jacksonville, FL – July 20, 2012 – The First Annual Southeast Medal Finals will take place on September 21-23, 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, FL. 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. Highlights include the Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals and the Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals, the Region Three ASPCA Maclay Regionals. 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.

The prize list for this illustrious new show is available online! To download, go to: http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/Downloads.aspx.

To request a mailed prize list please contact Susie Rindal at rindal@bellsouth.net.

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HITS Culpeper Welcomes Record-Breaking Numbers and Crowns Rachel Udelson Queen of the Grand Prix

©ESI Photography. After a successful two weeks at HITS Culpeper, Rachel Udelson and her own VDL Wardorette won the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (July 17, 2012) – HITS Culpeper capped two weeks of horse shows on Sunday with a record number of competitors spending the early part of their summer at the Cavalier Classic. It was Rachel Udelson of Middleburg, Virginia and her own VDL Wardorette who rode to top honors in Sunday’s $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Udelson was one of three to go double clear and used to last round of the day to steal the win.

“This was the perfect ending to a great two weeks,” said Udelson. “This course was nice; it asked all the right questions and was just technical enough.”

After a win in last week’s Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and a fourth-place finish in last Sunday’s Grand Prix, all the pieces fell into place for Udelson and her nine-year-old mare as they topped a field of 25. The pair bested a 13 obstacle course and was one of eight to advance to the jump-off.

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Charleston Classic Off to a Great Start!

Elizabeth Boyd in the irons aboard Roc My World on course in the $2,500 USHJA Hunter Derby

The Classic Company’s twentieth anniversary of the Charleston Classic kicked off Wednesday with the young pony classes. The Thirsty Thursday “Come as you are” party, held and sponsored by Red’s Ice House and Bohicket Marina, was a huge success! All exhibitors were treated to a night of cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Friday night, all eyes were turned toward the $2,500 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Kiara Barnet. The ringside was packed as all enjoyed complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Twenty-three riders negotiated the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer and Joe Carnicom. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, SC, rode Roc My World, owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC of Wellington, FL, to the win with a combined score of 183, just beating out her second place score of 181 aboard Marksmann, owned by Marilla Van Buerren of Middleton, RI.

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Kristen Smith Takes Top Honors at the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final

Kristen Smith, the winner of the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, riding Who Needs Mama (Howard Schatzberg)

Lexington, KY – Kristen Smith of Smithfield, KY rode Stephens College’s Who Needs Mama through heavy downpours to the championship win in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, under the tutelage of Zubrod Stables. The Final took place Friday the 13th as part of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show at the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, KY.

“It was very wet, but definitely worth it in the end,” said Smith, a member of 2012 U. S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team heading to Parys, South Africa in December. She added, “It was really important to me to do well in the class. I felt very rewarded after the hard work I put in to receive such a high honor.”

A very talented group of riders from across the country performed on the rail as a group and completed an individual pattern created by the judges. The judging panel was Lisa Waller from Heiskell, Tennessee, Bill Waller from Heiskell, Tennessee, and Paul Boone from Concord, North Carolina.

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First Annual Southeast Medal Finals Offer Spectacular Hunter and Jumper Classes for All

Jacksonville, FL – July 6, 2012 – The first annual Southeast Medal Finals is rapidly approaching this September 21-23, 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, Fla. 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.

One of the main attractions for the hunter riders will be the 2012 USHJA Zone 4 Championships. The Championships are open to children, adult and pony competitors. The competition will be fierce as the top 25 horses or ponies in the USEF Zone 4 Standings vie for the prestigious championship title. Riders will have a chance to gain bonus zone points for their efforts in the Zone 4 Championship Stake.

The 2012 USHJA Zone 4 Championships will consist of the Children’s 14 & Under Hunters, Children’s 15-17 Hunters, Adult 18-35 Hunters, Adult 36 & Over Hunters, and the Children’s Hunter Pony divisions. Medals will be awarded to first through third in all of the stake classes, with riders earning ribbons for their efforts in all other classes of the division.

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Charlotte Jacobs Wins R. W. Mutch Equitation Championship at Devon Horse Show

Charlotte Jacobs and Stallone VDL won the R. W. "Ronnie" Mutch Equitation Championship at the Devon Horse Show. Photo By: Parker/Russell - The Book LLC

East Aurora, NY – June 5, 2012 – For the second consecutive year, talented junior rider Charlotte Jacobs took home the R. W. “Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship during the prestigious Devon Horse Show. Jacobs and her leading equitation mount Stallone VDL were once again at the top of the leaderboard to claim the coveted honor. Later that weekend, Jacobs flew to HITS-On-The-Hudson, where she placed first and second in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic with Kachina and Cyrina Z, respectively.

Jacobs and Stallone VDL have been top competitors in the equitation ring throughout 2012, and during the Devon Horse Show their mastership of the discipline shone though. They earned the top call in the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal, and then won the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. At the end of the Devon Horse Show’s Junior Weekend, they were presented with the R. W. “Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship for the second year in a row.

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