Tag Archives: equitation

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Pony Finals Wrap-Up: August 10-14, 2011

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Sunday was the last day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships, and it began bright and early with exciting competition in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals brought the 2011 Pony Finals to an end. Leading the class from beginning to end with a solid two rounds over fences was Madison Goetzmann and Denmark to garner the championship prize.

The top 20 riders returned for the second round including nine medium ponies, four small ponies, and seven large ponies. Today’s courses were designed by Bobby Murphy and consisted of short lines, rollbacks, a halt, and a trot jump. Goetzmann was at the top of the order for today’s second round and executed another flawless trip making the lines look easy. Goetzmann of Skaneateles, NY, and Denmark proved to be unbeatable, eventually earning them the Easter Sunday Memorial Trophy donated by Ms. Catherine A. Kaiser and Ms. Jennifer T. Pesko. Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, and Sumerland were originally ranked tenth during their first course; however, with an exceptional second round they earned the reserve championship honors. Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY, and Macy Grey were ranked eighth coming into the second round and earned the third place honors after an impressive round.

The judges were confident with their decision after the second round and the riders were not asked to return for a test phase. At the end of the day, Goetzman was named the 2011 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Winner aboard Denmark, while Strauss and Sumerland earned the reserve championship honors. Taking home third place honors was Deslauriers and Macy Grey, who performed excellent rounds during both phases of Sunday’s event.

Hunter Highlights: August 10-14

It was beautiful and sunny for the first day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championship at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tuesday, the top ponies and riders from across the nation gathered at the Walnut Ring for the Green Pony Hunters Model and Under Saddle, as well as the Regular Medium Pony Hunter Model. Throughout the year riders have worked diligently to qualify for this prestigious event and compete for the winning honors.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Opening Day of USEF National Junior Hunter Championships – East Coast Crowns Winners in ASPCA Maclay, WIHS Equitation Classic and USEF/Pessoa Medals

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©ESI Photography. Kendell Adelberger and Redfield Farm’s Werner took home the top honors in Monday's ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 2, 2011) — This week, HITS-on-the-Hudson is host to some of the best junior riders in the country as it welcomes the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast to the Saugerties show grounds.

Action got underway yesterday with four equitation classes and will continue through Wednesday as Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17, and Large Juniors 16-17 will compete for the National Championship as well as a Wild Card berth in the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII this September.

“The Junior Hunter National Championships have been a highlight of the HITS-on-the-Hudson Summer Series and we are pleased to welcome the event back to Saugerties,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “We felt strongly that this year’s Champions deserve a spot in the Hunter Prix Final and we hope this will help to contribute some additional excitement and attention to the Junior Hunter Finals.”

ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal
Kendell Adelberger of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania kicked off three days of Hunter competition with a win in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal, aboard Redfield Farm’s Werner. Adelberger is trained by Emil Spadone and topped a field of 15 to capture the blue. The group faced a technical course in HITS’ Hunter Stadium and then their equitation was put to the test on the flat.

Continue reading Opening Day of USEF National Junior Hunter Championships – East Coast Crowns Winners in ASPCA Maclay, WIHS Equitation Classic and USEF/Pessoa Medals →

Awards, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USHJA

Sarah Milliren Captures the USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup at HITS-on-the-Hudson

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©ESI Photography. Sarah Milliren captured this year's prestigious USHJA/Essex Classic Hunterdon Cup at the 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championships - East Coast aboard Don Stewart's War Eagle.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 3, 2011) — Sarah Milliren of Sapula, Oklahoma was all smiles when the number 515 – her number – was announced as the winner of Tuesday’s USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup, the jewel of the equitation competition at the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast at HITS Saugerties.

Milliren, trained by Bibby Hill and Don Stewart, rode to victory in the three-round class aboard Stewart’s War Eagle. According to Milliren, her smiles were both of joy and a little bit of shock as Lillie Keenan of New York, New York was pinned second aboard Catherine Cowie’s Vidarco.

“I was so surprised when we won the class – I thought Lillie had it,” said Milliren. “I have never won anything like this before, so it is really exciting.”

She finished the first round with a score of 85 to sit sixth, and then scored an impressive 90 points in the second round, which placed her in third with a total of 175 points going in for the final test.

Milliren posted a score of 89 points in the third-round test of eight fences. Per the specifications of the class, judges Hap Hansen and Russell Frey had riders switch horses, to serve as the deciding factor for the class. Milliren, therefore, rode Scott Stewart’s Vip Z to the blue, originally ridden in the class by Victoria Colvin of Loxchatchee, Florida. Milliren, however, couldn’t deny her original mount the credit he was due.

“[War Eagle] made the course seem simple,” she added. “He was amazing and I could not have asked for a better performance from him.”

Continue reading Sarah Milliren Captures the USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup at HITS-on-the-Hudson →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

HJAM Equitation Finals Take Over Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Courtney Trott and Carlotta with trainer Greg Crolick. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 30, 2011 – Traverse City granted exhibitors and spectators another beautiful, sunny summer day at Horse Shows by the Bay today. The Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan Equitation Finals illuminated the Grand Prix Ring with skills and style. The Hunter/Jumper Association of Michigan (HJAM) Finals drew quite a crowd, eager to watch and enjoy the festivities of all three sections of the finals. Courtney Trott, Gabrielle Thornton, and Katie Nowak all earning the top call in the three prestigious medal classes offered today. In addition, the Adult Amateur Hunters and Amateur-Owner Hunters had their first day of competition in the R. L. Polk Main Hunter Ring.

The HJAM Equitation Medal Finals each consisted of at least two rounds. The riders had to complete an equitation-style course of no less than 8 fences, either 3′ or 3’3″ in height. The riders who were able to complete the first over fences phase without any major faults were invited back for a second round to be done on the flat. During the flat phase, riders were asked to show at the walk, trot, and canter going both directions, and were also asked to perform a sitting trot, lengthening of the stride, and other tests of their equestrian skills. After the flat round, the top 8 riders were required to perform a specific test given by the judges. Ribbons were awarded through eighth place, with trophies going to the winners and awards given to the winners’ trainers and grooms. “If you have a facility like this,” noted Karin Flint, owner of Flintfields Horse Park, “we’d love to have more events for our local kids. In the future we would like to be able to open it up, and to do some more things for Michigan. International, national, and Michigan, bringing it all together.”

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Meehan Shirey Wins OVATION Leading Equitation Rider Award at Horse Shows by the Bay

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Meehan Shirey with trainer Polly Howard and Comanche. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 29, 2011 – After an overcast start to Series IV, horses and riders were again soaking up rays today during the last weekend of the Horse Shows by the Bay Series. It was a day full of equitation in the R. L. Polk Main Hunter Ring, with the Junior Hunters having wrapped up yesterday and Amateur-Owner and Adult Hunter riders not starting until tomorrow. Greer Hindle, Virginia Ingram, and Meehan Shirey all took home top honors in the junior equitation classes, including the ASPCA Maclay and the Pessoa/USEF Medal. Juniors were not the only ones showing their best form and horsemanship, though. The adult riders were also eager to demonstrate good horsemanship, with Jovanna Haddad and Elizabeth Perry starring in the adult equitation classes.

The day began with the 15 to 17 Equitation on the flat, with a skilled win by Katie Nowak. Greer Hindle and her horse, Freedom, found themselves with the blue ribbon in both over fences classes. Second place in the first over fences went to Katie Nowak, followed by Abigail Kuohn in third place. In the second class, Madison Qual took home the red ribbon and Jennifer Farless the yellow. Hindle’s wins over fences earned her the 15 to 17 Equitation champion title, adding to her impressive collection of wins over the past four weeks at Horse Shows by the Bay, including a win in the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix during Series I. After all points were tallied, Katie Nowak earned reserve champion in the division.

With 18 entries in the ASPCA Maclay, riders certainly had their work cut out for them. After all rounds and the flat phase were completed, Virginia Ingram earned first place in the class, with a smooth and connected ride aboard Comanche, owned by Hillary Sapanski. Savannah Mannes followed Ingram in the results taking home second place. Third place went to Samantha Pyle, while Courtney Harker earned fourth place on her Merlin.

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Breeds, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Dr. John Stutts Prevails at 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final

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Dr. John Stutts on CF Cool Night Out. Courtesy of Howard Schatzberg Photography.

Lexington, KY – As a 6-year-old, Dr. John Stutts peeked through the fence at a Louisville, KY, riding club to watch the horses warm up. That little boy fell in love with American Saddlebreds, and today, as a grown man, he turned a childhood Saddlebred dream into reality.

Stutts and a dozen other qualified riders displayed their competitive ability within the adult amateur equitation division, trotting and cantering Friday on the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, KY. The 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final was particularly exceptional because it was the 75th anniversary of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show.

Stutts, a pediatric gastroenterologist from Louisville, KY, rode CF Cool Night Out to the title of Champion.  Reserve champion honors went to Joel Dorignac of New Orleans, LA. The bronze medal winner, Casey Morgan Tibolet of Charleston, WV, rounded out the top three.

“I am very excited,” Stutts said of his first-place win. “It sounds corny, but people talk about dreams coming true. A dream came true for me today.”

That early childhood aspiration began at Rock Creek Riding Club, where Stutts had a real seat to a show at age 7. The following year, he pleaded for riding lessons. They never came, but he did get a riding magazine, and continue to watch in amazement the Saddlebred show world.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Hunters, Equitation Riders, and Jumpers All Excel on First Day of Horse Shows by the Bay Series II

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Virginia Ingram and Comanche. Photo credit: Robyn Keyster/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 13, 2011 – A few clouds and a chilly morning opened up to sunny skies on the first day of week two at Horse Shows by the Bay in beautiful Traverse City, MI, yesterday. Series two is proud to have been selected to be a World Championship Hunter Rider event. Horse Shows by the Bay is one of just seven shows chosen for this great honor. The points accumulated in the hunter ring this week will go toward qualifying points for the 2011 World Champion Rider Finals, toward the 2011 Mid-West Regional and the National WCHR awards program. For more information on the WCHR program visit www.ushja.org. In the R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter ring the Green and Regular Conformation horses were the first to ride the course. In hunter ring three, the ASPCA Maclay kicked off the equitation classes with spectacular form and style. The Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal followed the ASPCA Maclay with even more great rides and a win by Virginia Ingram.

Prior to the equitation-filled afternoon, the Polk Family ring saw some great hunter performances. Kelley Farmer excelled in the High Performance Hunters aboard Clearly and Red Sky, while also winning the First Year Green classes on Habana and Straight Talk. Farmer and Straight Talk also did well in the Green Conformation section, winning the first class of the day in the main hunter ring. Sarah Young and Bel Canto was a can-do pair in the Green Conformation over fences class, with Farmer and Straight Talk also winning in the Green Conformation category over fences. Farmer continued her success in the Regular Conformation Hunters, placing in the top four in classes in that division yesterday. In the Second Year Green classes, Lisa Cudahy and Ooh La La scored winning points for their smooth approach, with Cudahy also picking up wins in the same division aboard Last Call.

After the various hunter classes drew to a close, the medal hopefuls took to the two main hunter rings. With a challenging course at hand, the ASPCA Maclay riders took it all in stride and did their best to show their form and precision. With a field of 25 riders, that was no easy feat, but Meehan Shirey was able to float through the course with ease, as well as conquer the flat phase. Maddison Hayes took home the second place ribbon, working in smooth turns and ideal form over fences. Marissa and Cara Monforton earned the third and fourth place spots, respectively, showing that it runs in the family. These talented young riders drew quite a crowd yesterday, filling the bleachers and producing an impressive show.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Louise Serio and Rock On Win $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Swan Lake Stables Kickoff “AA” Show

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Louise Serio and Rock On (Pictured at Brandywine Valley Summer Series) Photo By: PMG.

Littlestown, PA – June 30, 2011 – It was an excellent week for the horses and riders of Derbydown during the Swan Lake Stables Kickoff “AA” Show, held June 21-26 at Swan Lake Stables. The talented Louise Serio took home three tricolor ribbons throughout the competition. Serio also earned the win in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Jennifer Burger’s Rock On. The talented group of riders at Derbydown earned multiple winning results after successfully competing in the show’s challenging hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions.

Serio piloted Jennifer Burger’s Rock On to the top of the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The pair took home the winning title after beating out 25 competitors. Serio also garnered championship honors with Rock On in the First Year Green Working Hunter Division. The dynamic duo swept the division earning the blue ribbon in all of the division classes topping out at 50 points.

Jennifer Burger also achieved her own success aboard her second mount, Rock Star, earning a first and third place ribbon in the 3’3 Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Division.

Serio picked up another championship, this time in the High Performance Hunter Division aboard Phillipa owned by Jennifer Burger. Serio and Phillipa earned four blue ribbons and a yellow ribbon throughout the division. They racked up an impressive 44 points to secure the championship title.

Continue reading Louise Serio and Rock On Win $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Swan Lake Stables Kickoff “AA” Show →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Junior Rider Samantha Schaefer Dominates at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Samantha Schaefer won the Best Child Rider on a Horse title, the Style Award for Equitation, and the Grand Champion Junior Hunter prize with Sienna at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 3, 2011 – Cloudy skies and warm temperatures greeted exhibitors during the final day of competition for the first week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Junior rider Samantha Schaefer was today’s big winner, claiming the Best Child Rider on a Horse title, the Style Award for Equitation, and the Grand Champion Junior Hunter prize for her ride aboard Sienna. All of today’s Junior Hunter events took place in the Dixon Oval at the historic Devon Show Grounds, where Schaefer piloted her mounts to two of the three championship tricolors.

During the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division, Schaefer was aboard Sienna and Platinum for owner Lexi Maounis of Jupiter, FL. She scored two first place ribbons and three second place ribbons with Sienna to claim the division’s championship prize, and at the end of the day the impressive duo was awarded the Grand Champion Junior Hunter title. The Large Junior 16-17 Hunter Reserve Championship went to Margaret Oberkircher and Tres Bien, owned by Southfield Farm of Fort Washington, PA, after they earned two first place ribbons, two third place ribbons, and a fourth place ribbon.

“Sienna is a chestnut mare and I am not a mare person at all, so it takes a lot of calmness for me to ride her,” admitted Schaefer. “She’s pretty easy though; she’s a little downhill so you have to keep her balance up, but she really tries to win. She’s smart and brave; she just wants to win every time.”

Earlier in the day, Schaefer also claimed the Small Junior Hunter Championship, this time aboard Photo Shoot, owned by Peake Wood Pharm of Marshall, VA. Throughout the division they earned three first place ribbons, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon to garner the top honors. Porter Allen of Boerne, TX, piloted Gisele to the reserve championship after earning a first place ribbon, three second place ribbons, and a first place ribbon.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Young Rider Rachel Crinklaw Excels at the Fieldstone Spring Festival

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Rachel Crinklaw and Moulin Rouge won the Children’s Hunter Horse Classic at the 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival. Photo © 2011 Anne Gittins Photography

Halifax, MA – May 20, 2011 –The 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival featured a full day of hunter, jumper and equitation competition on Friday as the sun came out over the beautiful Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility in Halifax, MA. Continuing through Sunday, May 22, the show will host a full schedule of USEF ‘AA’ hunter and 4-star jumper competition. Today was a highlight for 15-year-old Rachel Crinklaw, of Sandown, NH, who guided Moulin Rouge to a win in the $500 NAL/M&S/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic. The pair also earned championship honors in the Children’s Hunter Horse division over its two days of competition.

The Children’s Hunter Horse division began on Thursday afternoon when Crinklaw and her mount Moulin Rouge, a Selle Francais gelding owned by Erika Fritsch, earned their first of several first place ribbons. The pair followed up Thursday’s blue ribbon win with two more over fences today. They also earned fourth place under saddle to lead the standings.

In addition to those ribbons, Crinklaw and Moulin Rouge earned top scores in both rounds of the $500 NAL/M&S/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic to earn the first place prize. Round one saw a score of 79, combined with a round two score of 80, to give the pair a total of 159 for the win. Second place was awarded to Jacqueline Snyder and her horse Optimo for their scores of 75 and 74 to total 145. Renowned trainer Karen Healey, of Westlake, CA, was the judge in the main hunter ring today and followed the rounds closely to determine the top finishers.

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