Tag Archives: Eventing/H.T.

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Pan American Games, USEF

USEF Names 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Pan American Games

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Pan American Games. The Pan American Games will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico October 14-30, 2011.

Held at the CCI2*, five horses will compete for both team and individual classification, with the best three scores to count for the team score.

The following horse/rider combinations have been named to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team (in alphabetical order):

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot
Harbour Pilot is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sharon Will’s Absolute Liberty
Absolute Liberty is an 8-year-old Thoroughbred x Oldenburg mare

Jonathan Holling (Ocala, FL) and Constance Holling’s Downtown Harrison
Downtown Harrison is a 7-year-old Trakehner x Thoroughbred gelding

Shannon Lilley (Gilroy, CA) and The Lilley Group’s Ballingowan Pizzaz
Ballingowan Pizzaz is a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Michael Pollard (Dalton, GA) and Nathalie Pollard’s Schoensgreen Hanni
Schoensgreen Hanni is an 8-year-old German Sport Horse mare

Continue reading USEF Names 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Pan American Games →

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

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Celebrates 50 Glorious Years

Leave a comment
Caroline Powell (NZL) and Lenamore will be defending their title at this week’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 31 August 2011 – An all-star cast heads to this week’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), second last leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 (1-4 September).

It is a particularly special year for Burghley, as it is 50 years ago that the historic Lincolnshire estate hosted its first competition by invitation of the 1928 hurdling Olympic gold medallist, the Marquess of Exeter.

Since then, Burghley has hosted eight championships, including the first ever World Championships in 1966, and riders regularly vote it their favourite venue in L’Annee Hippique, the annual review of the equestrian year.

Not only does Burghley boast the beautiful backdrop of the magnificent Elizabethan house and deer park, but it is an event that has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, with its own irrigation system for the dedicated Cross Country track and all-weather warm-up arenas.

“Burghley has such charm,” explains five-times winner Mark Todd (NZL). “It is a magical place and I always feel excited when I come in through the gates.”

Besides Todd, eight other former Burghley winners have entered for this year’s golden jubilee, including Mary King (GBR), the current runaway leader of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Continue reading Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Celebrates 50 Glorious Years →

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Richland Park CIC3* Win Boosts Davidson to Top of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Leaderboard

Leave a comment
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM. StockImageServices Photo

Mere seconds played a huge role in the final outcome of this year’s Richland Park CIC3* (Richland, Michigan), one of the final legs of the $20,000 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

Buck Davidson, riding Ballynoe Castle RM, and Jennie Brannigan, aboard Cambalda, had been neck-and-neck all weekend, jostling for a top position. The two riders began the event tied for second with 43.3, but after cross-country day, Davidson and ‘Reggie’ finished double-clear just a second under the optimum time over Ian Stark’s challenging course; Brannigan and ‘Ping’ also finished fault-free but were seven seconds under the optimum time. Both moved into a tie for the lead after overnight leader Phillip Dutton and Ben picked up a few time faults; they headed into show jumping Sunday morning knowing how incredibly close the standings were.

Final Results

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI, FEI, Olympic Games

Two More Teams Qualify for London 2012 Olympic Games Eventing

1 Comment

Lausanne (SUI), 19 August 2011 – France and Sweden qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games as a result of their placings in the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2011 team competition. France finished in silver medal position on a score of 151.10 and Sweden placed fourth (199.20). Germany, the leading nation at the Championships, had already achieved Olympic qualification. Bronze medallists Great Britain are automatically qualified as next year’s Olympic Games host nation.

Five countries had secured their Olympic participation at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky: Canada, New Zealand, USA, Germany, and Belgium. These added to the host nation and the two countries qualified this weekend bring the number of Eventing teams qualified to date for London 2012 to eight.

The next event for direct team qualification is the Asia Pacific Eventing Championship which will take place at Blenheim (GBR) from 8 to 11 September and which is open to teams from the Olympic Groups F (Africa and Middle East) and G (South East Asia and Oceania). The best placed team at this event will qualify.

The Asia Pacific Eventing Championship will be followed by the Pan American Games to be held in Guadalajara (MEX) from 14 to 29 October. The two best placed teams from Olympic Groups D (North America) and E (Central and South America), excluding the USA and Canada, will secure participation in London.

Continue reading Two More Teams Qualify for London 2012 Olympic Games Eventing →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Jubilant Germans Take Double Gold at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen

Leave a comment
Germany claimed team gold and all three individual medals at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships - (from left) Sandra Auffarth (silver), Michael Jung (gold), Frank Ostholt (bronze). Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 28 August 2011 – There were jubilant scenes as Michael Jung (GER) was crowned European Champion and his team deservedly took gold in a nail-biting finale to the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER).

Although a German victory had never been in doubt, the final score sheet was considerably re-arranged after the unfortunate Ingrid Klimke (GER), who had led the first two phases with such flamboyance, suffered the devastating experience of hitting six fences and dropping to 11th place.

The individual medals were still a German whitewash, though, as the hugely talented Sandra Auffarth jumped clear to take individual silver and Frank Ostholt moved up two places to achieve his first individual medal.

Ostholt’s wife, Sara, who was best of the fourth-placed Swedish team, also suffered a dramatic drop down the order. There had been a run of clear rounds as the higher-placed riders found the key to this technically-demanding track. Algotsson-Ostholt had her much-admired mare Wega jumping beautifully until a misunderstanding on the approach to the final double at fence 11. The mare hit the first part and then ran out at the second element. Eighteen penalties dropped her to 12th place but the team held onto fourth and, more importantly, earned their ticket to next year’s Olympics in London.

“It’s very disappointing for my wife,” Ostholt said. “I know how she’s feeling and feel very sorry for her. Most of the year she’s always been ahead of me. Normally her horse jumps so well so it was a real surprise. She’s completely devastated, but pleased that Sweden has qualified for the Olympics.”

Continue reading Jubilant Germans Take Double Gold at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen →

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEF

Hannah Sue Burnett Successfully Defends Her Lead on the Cross Country with Harbour Pilot in the Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team

Leave a comment
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot.

Richland, MI – Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot never flinched in the face of the pressure of leading the Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the Richland Park CIC and Horse Trials. They added nothing to their dressage score on the cross country and successfully defended their lead.

“It was one of my best rounds ever, on any horse,” said Burnett. “I built on my speed as I went, I didn’t have the intention to run him really hard but it was at intermediate speed. I just picked up a good rhythm at the first fence and I built on it. All of the combinations rode like gymnastics. I picked up the speed at the last two fences.”

Harbour Pilot, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse and homebred of Jacqueline Mars, continues to live up to the expectation of all that have been involved in his career. Part of David and Karen O’Connor’s program since he was a born, he has been ridden by Burnett since last spring. Burnett serves as an assistant trainer in their program, and she rode Harbour Pilot to a second-place finish in the CCI2* at the Bromont CCI in June. Their performance earned them one of 15 spots on the USEF Short List for the Land Rover Eventing Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

“He’s really grown up,” said Burnett. “After Bromont, he thought he was Superman. This is actually his first run since Bromont. He’s so good on the cross country so he doesn’t have to run a lot. I am so happy for Ms. Mars and the O’Connors as they produced him, it is nice that they can produce something of his quality.”

Continue reading Hannah Sue Burnett Successfully Defends Her Lead on the Cross Country with Harbour Pilot in the Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team →

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

German “Dream Team” Enjoys Golden Day at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

Leave a comment
Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas jump out of the HSBC water complex on their way to a superb clear that put them on top in the individual standings and Germany at the head of the teams after the Cross Country. Photo: Kate Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 27 August 2011 – An inspired German team rode like true champions across country at a rain-soaked HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER) today and, with a massive 42.3-penalty lead over Great Britain, they now have the treasured gold medal well in their sights.

France have risen to bronze medal position, thanks to superb rounds by Donatien Schauly and Nicolas Touzaint, and have overtaken the Swedes, whose Sara Algotsson-Ostholt on the lovely grey mare Wega is in individual bronze position after a faultless performance.

German team members Ingrid Klimke, Michael Jung and Sandra Auffarth flew through the testing conditions and all finished on their Dressage scores to lie in individual first, second and fourth positions.

The top three teams each had a rider eliminated, and the Germans were under immediate pressure when their pathfinder Andreas Dibowski suffered a surprise fall at the big spread at fence 22.

“A bit of pressure makes you stronger, and the crowd was a fantastic help,” said Klimke. “It has been a dream of a day. My horse kept his rhythm all the time. It was really enjoyable.”

Sandra Auffarth (GER), who has been the discovery of the championships, looked foot-perfect on her athletic Opgun Louvo, and world champion Michael Jung (GER), the last rider on course, had perhaps the class round of the day. He rides La Biosthetique Sam with the lightest of touches, and said that his practising at water jumps had paid off handsomely.

Continue reading German “Dream Team” Enjoys Golden Day at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Pan American Games, USEF

Hannah Burnett & Harbour Pilot Cruise to Lead at USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing

Leave a comment
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Photo: Stockimageservices .com)

Richland, Michigan – When Hannah Sue Burnett rode Harbour Pilot into the dressage ring as the first of the 14 riders contesting the USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team she set a mark that couldn’t be beat. The Mandatory Outing is being held as part of the Richland Park Horse Trials and CIC3*.

Riding Jacqueline Mars’ 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Burnett put in what is now becoming trademark for the 25 year old ride: a very polished effort. Burnett and Harbour Pilot scored 44.6 to leave them two points clear of Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken, whom she owns with her parents Bill and Janet. Shannon Lilly lies 1/10th of a point behind Schmolze on The Lilley Group’s Ballygowan Pizzaz.

“It was one of his best tests,” said Burnett. “It could have had a little more flash – if I had to be picky. But his trot work was good and I think his canter work was great. The turn on the haunches was good, which I was pleased about because I struggle with that.”

Burnett was sixth at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* presented by Bridgestone and was then second with Harbour Pilot in the CCI2* at Bromont in June. ‘William’ has been extremely competitive as he has risen through the levels; Burnett has ridden him since April of 2010.

Continue reading Hannah Burnett & Harbour Pilot Cruise to Lead at USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Record-breaking Germans Lead the Field at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

Leave a comment
Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas lead the individual standings at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships and Germany is on top in the teams after the Dressage. Photo: Peter Nixon/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 August 2011 – Outstanding performances by Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung have put the home side into a fabulously strong position before tomorrow’s Cross Country phase at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER).

The host nation, bidding for a first European team gold since 1973, is now more than 20 penalties ahead of defending champions Great Britain as the first team to score under 100 in the Dressage at European level. The Italians, who won silver in 2009, hold a fractional advantage in third over Sweden, who last won gold back in 1993.

Klimke is no stranger to brilliance in the Dressage arena, but even she was overwhelmed by FRH Butts Abraxxas’s mark of 30.0, which included six 10s: three for the entry and halt; two for her final halt and one, from Ground Jury member Christoph Hess, for her riding.

“Hans Melzer [German team trainer] told me I should do a 29, so he put me under pressure,” Klimke revealed.

The ever-smiling Klimke also admitted to despondency after her fall at Badminton (GBR) in April, in which she suffered a knee injury which kept her out of the saddle for 12 weeks.

“I was very depressed about it all because I just love to ride,” she said. “But then Abraxxas was in good shape at Aachen and Malmö and now I’m just thankful to be here.

Continue reading Record-breaking Germans Lead the Field at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Germany Sets Pace at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

Leave a comment
Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Opgun Louvo hold the individual lead and have put the German team out in front after the first day of Dressage.

Lausanne (SUI), 25 August 2011 – German riders gave an exhibition of Dressage-riding to fill six of the top eight individual places and take a commanding lead in the team competition at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, to the evident delight of their home crowd.

Sandra Auffarth (GER), 25, who sprang to prominence when finishing second in the HSBC FEI Classics at Luhmühlen CCI4* in June, was the big sensation on a hot sunny afternoon today, producing another exquisite picture of harmony and suppleness with the nine-year-old Opgun Louvo.

She earned a perfect 10 for her entry and halt from Ground Jury member Anne Mette-Binder (DEN) and finally wound up with the excellent score of 35.4 penalties.

“It’s the best mark I’ve had at this level,” said a delighted Auffarth, who has been riding the chestnut gelding by Shogun ll since he was six.

“At one point in the walk, I thought ‘oh no, don’t be nervous’, but he concentrated very well and was relaxed so I could ride him like I do in training. He has a very good character – he is like a pony at home.”

Auffarth added: “It was quite a surprise to be picked for the team, but perhaps in another way it wasn’t so unexpected, because we’ve had a good season as a combination.”

Continue reading Germany Sets Pace at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →