Washington, D.C. – November 3, 2010 – The 52nd Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted the best hunter, jumper, and equitation riders in the nation competing for top prizes at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. over six days of competition, and the WIHS thanks all of the sponsors, employees, exhibitors, volunteers, and spectators for making this year’s show an incredible success.
“The WIHS was a success,” said horse show manager Robert Ridland. “We felt, and it seems to backed up by input from riders, that it was run very smoothly in terms of the unusual logistical problems it has inherently. It’s a unique challenge, and we don’t want it to disappear. We are happy to go through what it takes to keep this show going. We have the support of many riders who come to this show because they feel the same way.”
Show manager David Distler agreed, “I was happy with the way everything went. There was a lot going on at the same time in the city, with the The Daily Show and President Obama next door, to the rally, and the marathon all in the same week. A lot of issues could have been very difficult, but we overcame them in large part because we have a great staff.”
Thirteen-Year-Old Lillie Keenan Victorious in WIHS Equitation Finals
Washington, D.C. – October 30, 2010 – Tonight’s $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix presented by Washington Convention and Sports Authority, CSI 3* was an exciting example of the sport of show jumping and a qualifier for the FEI World Cup Finals in April. Two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, and Sapphire, owned by Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock, came away with the win in the highlight class of the 52nd Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). Earlier in the evening, 13-year-old Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, won the WIHS Equitation Finals.
The WIHS continues through Sunday, October 31 with the best hunter, jumper, and equitation riders in the nation competing for top prizes at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C.
Sapphire and Ward repeated the success that they had in 2008 in the grand prix at the WIHS when they were the fastest clear round in a jump-off of seven. There were 24 entries in tonight’s grand prix class, which was designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC.
Conyers, GA — October 27, 2010 — Excitement is building as once again the Atlanta Fall Classics will play host to both the USHJA Zone 4 Finals and the National Hunter Jumper League Finals at the Georgia International Horse Park November 10th through 21st.
“These two big events are always a great way to end our show season, but there are so many other special classes occurring during our year end finale, such as the $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial, the Silver Cup Equitation Championship, and new classes too!” Classic Company Bob Bell shared.
Week one, November 10-14, will see some heated competition for the Zone 4 Champion titles in both the Hunter and Jumper divisions. Riders residing in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, or Tennessee will compete in a total of three classes, for the hunters two will be over fences and one under saddle with judges issuing a numeric score for not only the division, but with bonus points going to the Zone Finals total. For the jumpers all three classes will be over fences in their respective divisions. The following will offer Zone 4 Finals:
Tryon, NC — September 25, 2010 — A family type atmosphere enveloped the ring, complete with loud cheering and picnic cloths spread around as the 2010 Tri State Equitation Finals crowned champions Saturday afternoon in the spotlighted event celebrating 20 years of the Tryon Fall Classic.
Currently held at the Foothills Equestrian Center, the Fall Classic, one of the earliest USEF A rated horse shows in the tri state area, was created two decades ago by Bob Bell and Carol Kent. Both Bell and Kent recall a time when age group equitation classes were a dominate section of A rated events. “Reviving the Age Group Equitation is something I believe will help make our young riders stronger competitors when they do head to the big equitation classics and finals at shows like Washington International, Harrisburg, and even the ASPCA Maclay Championships. Given the current economic crunch many riders are feeling there are probably several who won’t be traveling to the big Indoor circuits as they did in the past, but we wanted to recognize their excellence at our Fall show in Tryon,” Bell said. He explained the focus of Classic Company’s Tri State Equitation was on top riders from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, “to honor their achievements this season and to aid those riders who will be heading to Indoors by providing a tune up opportunity.”
Upper Marlboro, MD – August 25, 2010 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again welcome the top 40 qualified riders for the 2010 Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals. The THIS Finals will be part of the Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com, held on October 2-3, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The horse show will continue on October 4-10 with competition in the outdoor ring and indoors in the Show Place Arena.
The THIS National Children’s Medal Series is the perfect stepping stone for young riders and offer a great opportunity to compete in an indoor arena with the pressure of a finals competition. Riders must compete throughout the year to qualify for the Finals, which is a great goal for aspiring equitation riders.
The Finals themselves also provide riders a chance to learn with an opening round and a test for the top riders in the class. The National Children’s Medal is a proven leg-up for riders planning to advance to the 3’6” equitation division. Many of the riders who placed well in the Finals in past years have gone on to win numerous equitation finals.
Hayley Barnhill and Red Panda won the 2010 USEF Junior Hunter Finals-East Coast Grand Championship. Photo By: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.
Lexington, KY – August 4, 2010 – High temperatures made for an intense final day of competition for the USEF Junior Hunter Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park. Today’s classic round determined both Reserve Champion and Champion for each division, as well as overall High Point Mare, Reserve Grand Champion and Grand Champion. Today’s course was designed by Bobby Murphy and involved multiple bending lines, rollback combinations, a triple combination down the diagonal towards the in-gate, and finally a strong gallop to an oxer.
Small 15 & Under Junior Hunters were first in the order of go and it was 15-year-old Caitlin Ziegler aboard Safari making a comeback from the Handy Round to receive scores 87-86-86 for a total of 259 and the blue ribbon in the Classic Round. Ziegler and Safari, an eight-year-old Hanoverian, earned an overall score 634.5 points, which was good enough to claim division championship. Shawn Casady and Scout, owned by Mattie Warsham, came out of the Classic Round in fourth and received the reserve championship prize with 629.5 points. Hanging on for third in the division was Meg O’Mara and Fernwalk, owned by Don Stewart, finishing with 622.5 points.
Saugerties, New York – June 21, 2010 – The Marshall & Sterling League is pleased to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. School is out for summer, and there has never been a better time to qualify for what will undoubtedly be the most exciting Marshall & Sterling National Finals competitors have ever seen.
Founded 20 years ago, the Marshall & Sterling League has continuously offered our nation’s diverse population of horses and riders at all levels an opportunity to qualify for and compete at the prestigious Marshall & Sterling National Finals, to be held this year September 15-19, 2010 at the exquisite HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, NY.
Marshall & Sterling League Coordinator Patti Guerriero has been with HITS since 2003 and during that time has been the League’s administrator managing membership for both equestrians and horse shows. “When the League started 20 years ago, we had 10 member horse shows. In 2003 when I started there were three hundred, today we have 1,300 member shows. We have incredible members and many wonderful show partners around the country. I think the success and longevity of this type of grassroots organization is directly tied to our commitment to this audience of riders and our continued desire to bring new and exciting divisions and offerings into the mix over the years.”
Wayne, IL – June 18, 2010 – Today’s hunter competition at the Showplace Spring Spectacular II at the Lamplight Equestrian Center began at 8:00 a.m. in the Main Hunter Ring. Juniors brought out their top equitation horses for the morning’s competitions in the ASPCA Maclay and the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal. Winning the ASPCA Maclay was Caitlin Creel aboard Calvin 46. Shortly after a ring drag the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal commenced. Coming from fourth place before the test and then taking home the blue was Nicki LaChapelle and Perfect Landing.
The ASPCA Maclay course and the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal were both designed by Skip Bailey of Wellington, Florida. Both courses featured a diagonal two-stride, two option verticals coming home, and a figure eight to two split rail fences.
Brandon Boterf and Freckles garnered a gold medal in the Western Stock Seat Equitation, as well as a silver medal in the Working Trails at the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games. Photo Courtesy of the VTRC.
Loxahatchee, FL – May 27, 2010 – The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) recently returned from the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games, held May 21-22, where 16 of their top students had the opportunity to compete. This year’s competition was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL.
VTRC took home five gold medals, nine silver medals, nine bronze medals, five fourth place ribbons, two fifth place ribbons and one sixth place ribbon. The team representing VTRC included 16 riders who participated in 19 events. The events included English and western equitation, trail ride competition, dressage, and pole bending. VTRC had numerous riders compete in the level ‘A’ classes that requires them to walk, trot, and canter unassisted. Pole Bending proved to be one of the most successful events for VTRC as all of the athletes maneuvered exceptionally well through the poles.
NFHJA (North Florida Hunter Jumper Association) and FCHJA (First Coast Hunter JumperAssociation) will be again sharing a horse show weekend in May. FCHJA will be Saturday, May 29th and NFHJA will be Sunday, May 30th. We hope everyone will do their best to exhibit at both shows. It is sure to be an affordable weekend and great practice for all before the brutal heat of the summer hits! Many exciting things are in store for exhibitors who participate in both shows this weekend: very special High Point prizes, drawings, awards and even a cookout. We are very thankful for our sponsors: The Gift Horse, the title sponsor of the weekend, The Riding Habit, Feedin’ Time, Horses in the South & Casual Creation Photography, whose combined efforts made this very special weekend possible. Please be sure to read the prize list carefully and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Both shows are NFHJA & FCHJA sanctioned. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!
THE GIFT HORSE NFHJA MAY SCHOOLING SHOW Sunday May 30, 2010
Where Every Horse & Rider Has A Special Gift
The Gift Horse
Sponsors: The Gift Horse, The Riding Habit, Feedin’ Time, Casual Creation Photography and HorsesintheSouth.com
NFHJA Also wishes to thank our friends at FCHJA, Nancy Wines & Patty Runk for their cooperation, hard work and dedication!!
The Gift Horse NFHJA May Schooling Show
Where Every Horse & Rider Has A Special Gift
Sunday, May 30, 2010
FCHJA Sanctioned
Following the FCHJA May Schooling Show
Saturday, May 29th
Clay County Agricultural Center – Green Cove Springs, Florida
PRE-ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010. ALL STALLS MUST BE PRE-PAYED OR RESERVED BY CREDIT CARD TO GUARANTEE RESERVATION. PLEASE MAIL pre-entries to NFHJA, Post Office Box 24031, Jacksonville, FL 32241. Post entries will be charged a late fee of $10.00 per entry. Entries close: FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010. A $12.00 schooling fee will be charged per entry. There is no schooling fee for Walk, Walk/Trot or Lead Line. Stalls are available for $30 & MUST BE PREPAID. STALLS RESERVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE OF ENTRIES WILL BE $40 IF AVAILABLE.
The Gift Horse High Point Awards
The Highpoint Horse/Rider of the following Divisions will be awarded on Sunday at the conclusion of the Show. Horse/Rider must have competed at both the NFHJA show on Sunday & the FCHJA show on Saturday to be eligible to win.
Saturday, May 29th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Under the Pavillion between the outdoor Hunter Rings. Come feed your horse sized appetite at a cookout with hotdogs and refreshments after showing all day!
NO NFHJA SCHOOLNG FEES!!!!
For Exhibitors that participate in the FCHJA show on Saturday, May 29th
