Tag Archives: featured

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Jumper Clinic with Grand Prix Rider & Trainer Carlo Graziani

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November 14th-15th, 2015

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Carlo on Centano 8 – 1.25m Power & Speed 1st Place

Numerous competitions and placing at all levels of competition, including:

  • Competed in international competitions representing the Colombian Equestrian Team in the Children’s Jumper division including Argentina in 1996, Venezuela in 1995, and Brazil in 1994
  • Took third place in the world at the FEI Samsung Competition in the Children’s division
  • Represented the Colombian National team in the South American Championships in Ecuador and Guatemala
  • Placed 4th in the $25,000 Grand Prix at Littlewood Fences in Wellington
  • Rode in the George Morris Clinic in Chicago, Illinois
  • Assistant Rider for Grand Prix Rider, Aaron Vale
  • Assistant Rider for German Camargo, Pan American finalist and Olympic qualifier for the Colombian team
  • Placed 2nd in the $25,000 Grand Prix for City League
  • Placed 1st in the Mini Prix at Central Florida Hunter Jumper Association

Click here to learn more about Carlo.

Click here for more info or to reserve your ride.

Contact MahanFarm@gmail.com or call/text Lindsay at 850-528-1267 with any questions.

Mahan Farm | 8150 Mahan Drive | Tallahassee | FL | 32309

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Chile’s Samuel Parot and Atlantis Continue Hot Streak to Win at Calgary

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Samuel Parot and Atlantis have won the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier in Calgary (CAN), and are now setting their sights on the last two East Coast qualifiers in Wellington and Ocala. (FEI/Aimee Makris)

Calgary, Alberta (CAN), 1 November 2015 – Chile’s Samuel Parot continued his recent winning streak by adding the $132,200 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier at the CSI3* Royal West in Calgary to his growing list of grand prix victories. Already with one North American League win under his belt at the Sacramento International Horse Show in September, Parot partnered again with Atlantis (Andiamo x Royal Bravour L) to deliver the fastest clear of 39.23 seconds in a three-man jump off.

Following their win in Sacramento, the successful pair also notched up a CSI4* win at the Del Mar International Horse Show before Parot and his horses made their way to Calgary. During the ten days of the Royal West, Parot on Atlantis and his two other mounts, Couscous Van Orti (Nabab de Reve x Cash) and Tailormade Anna Chacca (Chacco Blue x Andiamo), made a clean sweep of the top three places in an early speed class. Parot then won three more speed classes ahead of his win in the FEI World Cup™ qualifier.

“My horse is very fast, very careful, and I saw from the first rider in the jump off that it would be very easy for my horse to make the better time,” Parot said. “The course was very technical and for this, there were only three clears.”

“In the jump off, Atlantis is a little excited,” he added. “In the first round, he’s quiet and jumps so good. He’s very fast, and he likes the jump off.”

“It’s very important [that I do well in the North American League],” said Parot. “I jump for this league and not for the South American League and I think with this win, I have a very good position [to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final]. I think with the two wins that I have a very good chance.”

Parot and his horses will travel from Calgary to their home base in Wellington, Florida, where the horses will have time off and a few more shows before Parot competes in the last two East Coast qualifiers in Wellington and Ocala in February.

New rides

The technical and challenging course designed by Werner Deeg (GER) kept nineteen riders from faultless first rounds. But in addition to Parot, seasoned Canadian competitors, Yann Candele and Jill Henselwood, jumped two double-clear rounds to finish second and third, respectively, both aboard unfamiliar horses.

Candele’s runner-up result came aboard Granit S (Faust Z x Graf Grannus), a 10-year-old gelding on loan from John Anderson, the Royal West Chairman, and one that Candele had only ridden since Monday.

“John [Anderson] tried to bring me here for quite a while, but with my schedule it was difficult and at the end, I had an opening,” Candele said. “So I took on the offer and came at the beginning of the week and had a little ride with the horse and for whatever reason, we matched because the horse is great and really trying and that’s why we’ve had a great week.”

“You just go day by day,” he continued. “I came on Monday night, very late. I rode the horse a little bit Monday on the flat, jumped him, and it was good chemistry. It was already clear on the first day, and after you go through the process, repeat the same thing: flat him every day, and he jumped clear actually through the whole week. It’s just a sign of a fantastic horse who’s trying his heart out and accepted my riding so that’s all it is. At the end of the day, it’s the quality of the horse that makes what happened to me this week.”

Henselwood also rode a fairly new mount, Farfelu du Printemps (Action Breaker x Darco), in the Longines FEI World Cup™ qualifier after she decided that her initial choice, Quidam Blue (Quidam’s Rubin x Come On), wasn’t fully up to the task this week.

“Farfelu is a new acquisition for a 19-year-old Canadian that I train,” Henselwood said. “She’s in engineering at Queen’s [University] so she’s tucked in with a full course load, and I have Farfelu so that was good planning. I didn’t really know what to expect. He’s got some good results from his Swiss rider, up to 1.55 [meters] and I’ve ridden him now for a few weeks. I kept inching up the bar, and my responsibility is to make sure that I develop him more as a girl’s ride and to protect him. So to go to the World Cup, normally I would have done the stallion, but he was a little bit off form this week so I thought, ‘Yeah, Farfelu should try.’ And then actually, ‘I think Farfeleu’s going to win, a lot.’”

Clear matters

As the rails dropped through the night’s rounds, riders quickly realized the challenging course demanded precise timing and decisions at every step.

“I think the course was very technical tonight,” Henselwood said. “The jumps came up very fast. Obviously there were only three clean, but there were quite a few with four faults.”

“Werner is a fantastic course designer and we’ve used him for numerous events at our place,” said Anderson, also a competitor and 5th place finisher in the evening’s class. “And of course, he was the course designer last year at Royal West. He knows the ring and he pays attention to all the horses that compete over the ten days. He gradually builds the horses to peak and then at the final event today, he sets the bar high and challenges us all. The jumps came up very quickly; you had to be on your game all the time; you didn’t have a lot of room to rest in this particular round and it showed. The cream rose to the top.”

With a triple combination, a double combination, and tight turns in the indoor space, rounds saw a variety of rails drop. But in particular, fence 12, off a short turn, caused some heartbreaking four faults, just one jump away from the course’s end.

“Who cares about three cleans,” Werner said, in response to how he reacted as the designer to the low number in the jump off. “It was, for me, a fantastic final. You can’t always talk about how many clear rounds [in relation to a good course].”

Full results: http://bit.ly/1WqORT6

Facts and Figures

Three horses went clear in the first round, and all three were double clear in the jump off.

The course designer was Werner Deeg (GER).

The first round was contested over 13 obstacles with 16 jumping efforts. The jump-off round had eight obstacles with nine efforts. The maximum height was set at 1.60 meters.

Five nations were represented in the class: Canada (17 riders), Chile (one rider), Germany (one rider), Ireland (one rider) and the United States (two riders).

Quotes:

Jill Henselwood (CAN): “The greatest thing about having the opportunity to jump World Cup [classes] is that it gives you very good FEI points and moves you up in your own country in the standings. So what a great thing that [John Anderson has] done to bring this here. It boosts our ability nationally to come up the ranks for [Longines Rankings]. It’s very important for us to have Longines here in Calgary.”

Yann Candele (CAN): “It’s very important, the sponsorship from Longines. It prepares us for what’s next, like some bigger shows later on. It’s a great feature for Canada.”

John Anderson, Royal West Chairman (CAN): “I was happy, I was ecstatic, that it all came together. It’s been a real tough couple of months for our family with the passing of my father. This particular event helped me get through a lot of that, but more importantly, I think the event shows that Calgary can do it; Calgary can pull it off. We can put on a great event for such a fantastic sponsor as Longines. I hope to do more in the future. My goal is to please them, because if we please them it’s going to make everyone happy here because we’ll always have great, great sport.”

About Royal West

Hosted by Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, Royal West is at the heart for equestrian competition. Over ten days at the Agrium Western Events Center at Stampede Park, Royal West features both international and national events with over half-of-a-million dollars in prize money handed out throughout the tournament. The tournament hosts the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Calgary, the Spirit of the West Cup, the Royal West International Championship, Western Canadian Hunter Derbies and when applicable the CET Medal National Finals.

Official fan site – www.feiworldcup.com/NAL

The FEI has developed an official fan microsite for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, enabling fans to find all the latest information for this brand new series under one digital umbrella.

Fans can keep close tabs on the athletes competing in this exciting series as they do their utmost to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 23-26 March 2016.

Tickets can be purchased through the fan site, with event-specific information uploaded regularly by the organisers of the events in this series for fan enjoyment.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

A total of 14 athletes from the new North American League will qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico will qualify for the Final, alongside winners of the 13 other leagues from around the world.

The North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Final.

The new league was launched by Beezie Madden, the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time, American Gold Cup winner and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Jessica Springsteen, and Hannah Selleck, team and individual gold medalist at young rider level and one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars. Full launch release here: https://goo.gl/kCIsyW.

Share images, video, experiences using hashtag #FEIWorldCupNAL.

By Esther Hahn

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Competitions, Show Jumping

2015 Royal Horse Show Opens in One Week

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Yann Candele. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Toronto, Ontario – With one week to go before the opening of the 2015 Royal Horse Show, tickets are selling fast. Held as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair from November 6 to 15 at Exhibition Place, the Royal Horse Show welcomes hundreds of competitors to Toronto, ON for the final event of the Canadian competition season.

In a true celebration of the many disciplines in equestrian sport, the Royal Horse Show gets underway with the thrilling $20,000 Horseware Indoor Eventing Challenge on Friday and Saturday evenings, November 6 and 7. This innovative competition combines the exhilaration of negotiating natural cross-country obstacles as well as traditional show jumping fences in an indoor setting. Top-ranked U.S. competitor Buck Davidson will be making his Royal debut alongside TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games team bronze medalists Colleen Loach of Dunham, QC, Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON, and Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON.

The stakes are also high in the $100,000 Greenhawk Canadian Show Jumping Championships, held in a two-phase format on opening weekend, November 6 and 7. Ten-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion Ian Millar of Perth, ON will be back to defend his title with a new mount, Teddy du Bosquetiau, but faces stiff competition from the likes of Mac Cone of King City, ON, Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, and four-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion Yann Candele of Caledon, ON.

International show jumping competition is highlighted by the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto on Wednesday, November 11, held as part of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. Six nations will be represented – Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States – as riders battle for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“I always look forward to getting points at The Royal,” said Nicola Philippaerts, who will represent Belgium alongside his twin brother, Olivier, for the fourth consecutive year. “For us, it is always interesting to try and earn points in North America, in addition to riding in Europe. It has worked out well every year so far! The Royal is a very nice show with a lot of tradition, and it fits well in the program we have developed.”

The artistry of dressage will be highlighted in Thursday night’s Royal Invitational Dressage Cup, presented by Butternut Ridge. Canadian Olympians Jacqueline Brooks, Christilot Boylen, Evi Strasser, and Belinda Trussell will go head-to-head in the popular freestyle competition, which sees required movements choreographed to the music of their choice.

Friday, November 13, will showcase both sport and entertainment with the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open, as well as an exhibition by Cavallo Equestrian Arts. The product of seven generations of entertainment professionals and show producers, Cavallo Equestrian Arts has performed its theatrical celebration of the age-old relationship between horses and humans to rave reviews throughout North America.

A perennial favourite, the $75,000 Big Ben International Challenge, presented by Hudson’s Bay Company, will close out the 2015 Royal Horse Show on Saturday night, November 14.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/horse-show.

To purchase Royal Horse Show tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/venueartist/131553/986584.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Jump Media
Cell: (613) 292-5439
jward@jumpmediallc.com

Contributors/Press, Dressage

Shelly Temple Earns Her USDF Silver Medal with Cooper

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It is tough to be a champion in any FEI discipline. But what does it take to excel at two? Shelly Temple, with her 17 year old Morgan gelding LR Ami B-Line (“Cooper”), recently earned the US Dressage Federations silver medal. Shelly has concentrated on ridden dressage with Cooper since his informal retirement from the sport of combined driving in 2013. Shelly and Cooper finalized the silver medal in September at the Pumpkin Patch Dressage Show in Camden, South Carolina with coach Amy McElroy.

Although Shelly was a former dressage rider during her equestrian career, Cooper was primarily a combined driving pony. Their partnership resulted in Shelly and Cooper being crowned US National Champion Single Pony in 2006, 2010 and 2011 as well as members of the US Pony Driving team in 2007 and 2011. In the World Championships, Shelly and Cooper won silver and bronze medals in driven dressage as well as two Bronze Team medals.

Shelly’s next goal is earning her USDF gold medal with her longtime partner, Cooper.

Shelly is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, Omega Fields, Leather Therapy, Back on Track, Purina, Kombat Boots and Charles Owens.

Catalyst Driving Center is an equestrian driving facility in Windsor, South Carolina specializing in the training of all levels of drivers and horses. Please feel free to contact Shelly to learn more about her, the products she trusts, her horses, and what Catalyst Driving can offer the driving enthusiast.

Jeff Legg, Catalyst Driving

Shelly Temple
Catalyst Driving Center
Windsor, South Carolina
804-837-4888
shelly@catalystdriving.com
www.catalystdriving.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Spain’s Ferrer-Salat Steals Reem Acra Limelight in Lyon

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Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado registered a convincing victory at the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Lyon, France. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

Lyon (FRA), 30 October 2015 – Riding the crest of the wave that saw them take Freestyle bronze at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany two months ago, Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado registered a convincing victory at the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Lyon, France this afternoon. They sent a warning shot across the bows of their rivals when topping yesterday’s Grand Prix with a personal-best mark of 79.250, and today all five members of the Ground Jury were in complete agreement when awarding them the winning Freestyle score of 82.875.

However, the spectators held their breath after a spectacular performance from Patrik Kittel who was last to go in today’s thrilling contest. If there had been extra marks on offer for pure excitement, then the Swedish rider would definitely have had it in the bag because, with the willing assistance of his lovely mare Deja, he threw down a test that was nothing short of funky. The crowd couldn’t resist moving to the sound of his Stevie Wonder-themed musical score, but his final mark of 81.175 left him in second spot ahead of Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino in third. Switzerland’s Marcel Krinke Susmelj lined up fourth with Smeyers Molberg, Ireland’s Judy Reynolds finished fifth with Vancouver K and the sole French representative, Pierre Volla, claimed sixth spot with his young mare Badinda Altena.

High standard of competition

There was a high standard throughout the entire competition today. As Judge at C, Isabelle Judet from France commented afterwards, “On paper you had one group at the very top who were clearly at a high level, but even the performances of those in the second group were of a very good standard – it was a great competition to judge,” she said. The Ground Jury, which also included The Netherlands’ Ghislain Fouarge, Belgium’s Jacques van Daele, Luxembourg’s Christof Umbach, and Germany’s Katrina Wuest, had the 72.125 earned by Denmark’s Rikke Svane and the eye-catching black stallion Finckenstein TSF as their leading score at the halfway stage.

However, much to the delight of the home crowd, Pierre Volla and his charming chestnut mare, one of three hugely promising nine-year-olds competing in today’s class, bounced well into the lead with a mark of 74.150 when first into the arena after the break. But Krinke Susmelj raised the target all the way up to 78 percent when Smeyers Molberg got into the swing, and Reynolds and Vancouver K slotted in behind the Swiss pair on a mark of 77.425 for temporary runner-up spot when next into the ring. It might not have been the winning score today, but there were big smiles all round in the Irish camp, as this is a new Irish Freestyle record, Reynolds also setting the previous one at Hagen, Germany in April.

Raised the bar

With three left to go, Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino raised the bar even higher, the big chestnut’s powerful and expressive movement complemented by great lightness as they marched out in front for a mark of 79.850. But the team gold medallists from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) and the FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark were immediately relegated by the foot-perfect performance from Ferrer-Salat and Delgado.

This pair is a picture of symmetry, and as they easily worked through their floorplan in complete harmony with their music, it was clear a new lead would be established. Putting 82.875 on the board, it was now up to Kittel to dethrone the Spanish partnership when last to go. And the crowd watched with amazement as he gave it his very best shot, his 11-year-old mare, Deja, seemingly dancing with delight as the excitement built to a climax. The arena erupted when they drew to a halt, but the scoreboard showed 81.175 for second place. However, Kittel now stands at the top of the Western European League leaderboard at this early stage of the series when adding today’s 17 points to the maximum 20 he picked up when winning the Central European League qualifier at Kaposvar in Hungary two weeks ago.

First competition since Europeans

“This was only our first competition since the Europeans, so I’m very happy!” said winning rider Ferrer-Salat tonight. It has been quite a year for the 49-year-old who, during her highly-successful career with her former ride, Beauvalais, finished third at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in s’Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2002, claimed individual silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games on home turf in Jerez (ESP), and won individual bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (GRE).

Her partnership with Delgado has been beset by injury problems for the horse over the last eight years, but somehow she kept faith with to the 14-year-old gelding and that faith has being repaid handsomely over the last nine months. The pair re-emerged onto the international stage in March and had just two competitions under their belt before taking that bronze medal in Aachen in August where she also helped her country qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Together they present a beautifully balanced, forward-going picture. She said this evening, “With him it is always very harmonious; there is an understanding between us; I know how he is feeling and he knows me very well also.” When asked to compare Delgado to Beauvalais, she said, “Delgado is better in piaffe, but they are both special because they give me everything they can. What they have in common is that they are both very good in their heads and they have big hearts, always wanting to go forward, always wanting to be with me, and that’s a very wonderful feeling for any rider,” she said. Ferrer-Salat plans to compete at the next leg of the Reem Acra series in Stuttgart, Germany in three weeks’ time.

Kittel, meanwhile, recognised that this had been an afternoon of great sport, and complimented the Lyon organisers on opening the doors to the public free of charge this afternoon. “The more of the general public we have in the audience the better if we want our sport to progress. The crowd was great, they really enjoyed the competition and supported us all, and the horses were fine in the prize-giving even though the spectators were really noisy. It was a lot of fun!” he said.

For further information on the second leg of the series at Lyon, France, go to website www.equitalyon.com or contact Press Officer Daniel Koroloff, Email daniel@blizko-communications.com, Tel +33 611 021812.

The third leg will take place at Stuttgart (GER) on Saturday 21 November 2015. For details of the German fixture, visit www.stuttgart-german-masters.de or contact Press Officer Jörg Klopfer, joerg.klopfer@in.stuttgart.de, +49 71195543128.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Lyon in France staged the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League today.

15 horse-and-rider partnerships competed in the Grand Prix Freestyle won by Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Saslt and Delgado with a score of 82.875.

The Spanish pair also topped yesterday’s Grand Prix at the French fixture with a personal best score of 79.260.

Runner-up today was Sweden’s Patrik Kittel with Deja.

The sole competitor for the host nation was Pierre Volla riding the nine-year-old mare Badinda Altena

9 nations were represented – Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The panel of judges was: At E, Ghislain Fouarge (NED); At H, Jacques van Daele (BEL); At C, Isabelle Judet (FRA); At M, Christof Umbach (LUX); At B, Katrina Wuest (GER).

The next leg of the series take place in Stuttgart, Germany on Saturday 21 November 2015.

Full standings here.

Quotes:

Fabienne Lutkemeier GER (3rd) – “It was such a great atmosphere here and I’m really happy with D’Agostino. I had one mistake in the flying changes but in general I’m very happy!”

Pierre Volla FRA (6th) – “Being in front of the home crowd and in my first World Cup for me and horse there was a bit of pressure on me, so I was happy to qualify for today and happy with the performance.”

Patrik Kittel SWE (2nd) – “This is the first time I have finished in the top 3 in Lyon and it is a great honour. The organisers here are lovely people; they take great care of us and that’s why we always want to come back year after year. Lyon is one of the best shows on the circuit!”

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat ESP (1st) – “We will go to Stuttgart (in November), but after that I don’t know. Maybe we will do another World Cup show, but from Spain, the trip to Gothenburg is a very long way for the Final. We will wait and see.”

Sylvie Robert, Director GL Events – “We had great sport and a great crowd today. We opened the doors to the public today for Dressage in the afternoon and they really enjoyed it. It’s good to help people discover the discipline. And it was great to have Pierre do so well – hopefully we will have more French riders competing here next year.”

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Lyon:

Daniel Koroloff
Press Officer
daniel@blizko-communications.com
+33 611 021 812

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Competitions, Show Jumping

Day Seven at Royal West Features Dramatic Jump-Off Win for Erynn Ballard

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Erin Ballard and Appy Cara. Photo Credit Katy Whitt Photography.

October 28, 2015, Calgary, Alberta: The pulse has quickened at the Royal West in Week Two as the big names began gearing up for the weekend’s big prizes. On Wednesday Canada’s Erynn Ballard sharpened her game in the $45,000 GGT Footing/Whittling Structures Classic 1.45 m with a dramatic win in an all-Canadian 11-horse jump-off.

In what was an all-female winning podium, Ballard rode her chestnut 10-year-old gelding Appy Cara to a clear round that beat out Ali Ramsay on the bay 8-year-old mare Hermelien vd Hooghoeve by 1.82 seconds, also with a clear round. Third place in the tightly bunched field went to Vanessa Mannix on the bay 14-year-old gelding Nirvanan de Terlong) who rode clean as well.

Other riders making the jump-off were Laura Jane Tidball (Prim’ de Lairaud), John Anderson (Terrific), Jill Henselwood (Farfelu du Printemps), Keean White (For Freedom Z, Carrera van de het Westleven Z), Ben Asselin (Plume de la Roque), Chris Sorenson (Bobby), and Yann Candele (Granit S).

In the afternoon’s feature event, the $25,000 Salentein Wines Canadian Hunter Derby 3’6”, Brent Baliski riding Viogolo Z took home top honours with 106.00 points. Darcy Hayes aboard CrushIn captured second place second with 104.5 points. And in third was Ashton Belcher aboard Contifax.

In the afternoon’s $10,000 Hunter Derby 3’0”, Canada’s Rodney Tulloch took top spot aboard Glory Bound. In second was Shannon Haney on her mount Erek. Third place ribbon was won by on Michelle James Picasso.

For more information, contact Rhys Dowbiggin at Redbackpack PR redbackpackpr@gmail.com.

About Rocky Mountain Show Jumping:
RMSJ hosts its tournaments at Anderson Ranch in Calgary’s south end, a world-class facility featuring permanent stabling for 300 horses and a grass grand prix field complete with natural obstacles. For more information on Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, please visit www.rmsj.ca.

About Royal West:
Hosted by Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, Royal West is the heart for equestrian competition. Over ten days at the Agrium Western Events Center at Stampede Park, Royal West features both international and national events with over half of a million dollars in prize money handed out throughout the tournament. The tournament hosts the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Calgary, the Spirit of the West Cup, the Royal West International Championship, Western Canadian Hunter Derbies and when applicable the CET Medal National Finals.

Dressage, Revolution Sports

World Class Dressage Riders Reveal Training Tips at Olympia, the London International Horse Show

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29 October 2015 – OLYMPIA, the London International Horse Show welcomes two of the world’s top dressage riders, Kyra Kyrklund and Laura Tomlinson, to each perform a fascinating masterclass on Tuesday 15 December and Wednesday 16 December, respectively.

Fans have the rare opportunity to get up close and personal to dressage legend and six-time Olympian Kyra Kyrklund whose career spans over an impressive four decades. Kyrklund has not only competed around the world; she has also trained top international competitors across the globe from Finland, Sweden, USA, UK, Portugal, Holland and Australia. Kyrklund’s impressive portfolio of students along with her exceptional results has established her as one of the world’s most respected and admired dressage trainers. Kyrklund, who is known for her traditional techniques, will be working with an aspiring Grand Prix rider advising on the ‘dos and don’ts’ of dressage.

On Wednesday 16 December British rider, Laura Tomlinson, who retired her Olympic team gold medal winning partner – Mistral Højris – at Olympia in 2013, returns to the famous arena to treat the audience to a uniquely crafted demonstration. Taking the audience through their paces Tomlinson’s masterclass will provide the perfect insight into her training techniques, focusing in particular on how to deal with a difficult competition environment.

Living up to its reputation as one of Europe’s premier indoor equestrian events, Olympia 2015 will once again host the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage leg taking place on 15 and 16 December. Kyra Kyrklund will be performing on Tuesday 15 December, with Laura Tomlinson’s demonstration on Wednesday 16 December.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com or telephone the box office on 0871 230 5580.

Event Highlights:

• Tuesday 15 December: Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Leg – Grand Prix
• Wednesday 16 December: Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Leg – Freestyle to Music
• Thursday 17 December: Alltech Christmas Puissance
• Friday 18 December: FEI World Cup™ Driving Leg presented by Dodson & Horrell
• Saturday 19 December: FEI World Cup™ Driving Leg Final presented by Dodson & Horrell
• Sunday 20 December: Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping leg presented by H&M
• Monday 21 December: Olympia Grand Prix

TomlinsonVisit the website here for a full programme of events.

For more information, please contact Hollie Bostock, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: hollie.bostock@revolutionsports.co.uk or T: +44 (0)207 592 1207

Olympia, The London International Horse Show
The first international horse show took place in the Olympia halls in 1907. Olympia, The London International Horse Show, the event we see today, was started by Raymond Brooks-Ward in 1971. This year’s show takes place on 15-21 December 2015 in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington London. The show will play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian and is expected to welcome over 90,000 visitors. It is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equine competitions. The show mixes top class equestrian action, including FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Dressage and Driving with family entertainment, such as the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National and The Kennel Club Dog Agility.

HITS, Publications/Media, Show Jumping

Flip to Ride TV and Watch Beezie Win the CP Million

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Just when you thought Fridays couldn’t get any better – they do! This Friday, October 30, at 9 pm EST, tune in to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) to relive the highest-ranked class in U.S. show jumping this year, the Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo.

Flip to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) and reminisce that historic Sunday in September when Beezie Madden was dubbed the First Lady of the HITS Championship, winning the CP Million with her trusty mount Simon.

Cozy up and tune in to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) and enjoy an exciting evening of show jumping competition – right from your own couch! Don’t have Dish? Call 800-303-7400 to learn more about how you can sign up and watch your favorite HITS Shows on Dish.

For more information, please visit RideTv.com.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Para-Equestrian

Star Studded Line-Up for USEF Para Dressage Nat’l Championship and Katy, Texas CPEDI3*

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Rebecca Hart with Schroeter’s Romani. Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall.

Katy, Texas – October 28, 2015 – Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes from around the United States have made their way to Katy, Texas for the 2015 USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship and Katy, Texas CPEDI3* October 30 – November 1. Both events will run simultaneously and are held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Para-Dressage Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV will be included in both events. The 2015 USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship is by invitation only. The CPEDI ground jury includes President David Schmutz 4* USA, Eva Maria Bachinger 5* AUS, Gudrun Hofinga 5* GER, Sarah Leitch 5* GBR, and Kristi Wysocki 4* USA. The National judges include David Schmutz, “S”, Kristi Wysocki, “S”, and Susan Mandas, “S”. Entries include a line-up of 20 horse and rider combinations. These riders have spent this entire year preparing for these championships, competing around the country including multiple trips to Europe. Many of these athletes include World Equestrian Games riders, Paralympians, and a six-time USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. The prize list may be viewed through this link: https://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/paralympic/2015/2015DHOTCPEDIPrizelist.pdf.

Horse and Rider Combinations (with designation of CPEDI3* or CPEDI1* competition)

Grade IV:
Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 CPEDI1*

Grade III:
Eleanor Brimmer and London Swing CPEDI1*
Pamela Hardin and Quaterjack CPEDI1*
Lara Oles and Bella CPEDI1*
Angela Peavy and Lancelot Warrior CPEDI3*
Angela Peavy and Ozzy Cooper CPEDI3*
Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 CPEDI1*
Kate Shoemaker and Dachstein CPEDI1*

Grade II:
Kelly Boccia and Donauwalzer CSF CPEDI1*
Ashleigh Flores- Simmons and Binero CPEDI3*
Rebecca Hart and Schroeter’s Romani CPEDI3*
Deborah Stanitski and Biara 6 CPEDI1*

Grade Ib:
Sydney Collier and Wentworth CPEDI3*
Sydney Collier and Scampano 2 CPEDI1*
Camry Kaylor and Markgaards Donnewind CPEDI1*
Cambry Kaylor and NTEC Giovanni CPEDI1*
Laurietta Oakleaf and Nickel Fan Busenitz CPEDI1*

Grade Ia:
Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio CPEDI3*
Roxanne Trunnell and NTEC Daytona Beach CPEDI1*
Roxanne Trunnell and Royal Dancer CPEDI3*

Katy, Texas CPEDI3* and 2015 USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship Fast Facts

Schedule:
October 29, 2015 – FEI Jog Time: 5:00 pm
October 30, 2015 – Team Test
October 31, 2015 – Individual Test
November 1, 2015 – Freestyle Test

Show Manager: Ed Lavalle

Show Secretary: Susan Peacock

Licensee Contact: Leslie Rohrer

Prize List: https://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/paralympic/2015/2015DHOTCPEDIPrizelist.pdf

Location: Great Southwest Equestrian Center, 2501 South Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450
Phone: (281) 578-7669
www.gswec.com

USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship:
The 2015 USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship is by invitation only. Riders competing in the Championship High Performance Division will compete in the CPEDI3* and riders in the Championship National Division will compete in the CPEDI1*. One ride each day will count for both the CPEDI awards and the USEF National Championship awards. A separate award ceremony will be held for the 2015 USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championships each day. USEF awards will be dismounted with no horses. Participation to 6th place is mandatory.

FEI VETERINARY TROT UP INSPECTION (JOG): October 29, 2015 Time: 5:00 pm
Where: North side of Arena 2 Warm-up
SECURITY: Quarantine will begin immediately after the jog.
DRAW FOR THE ORDER OF STARTING: October 29, 2015 Time: 1/2 hour following the jog.
STARTING ORDER: There must be a separate draw for each (Grade Ia to IV) Competition, conducted in order of the Competition. For CPEDI3* and below, it is recommended that a draw is prepared in advance (a pre-draw) by the Organizer and Technical Delegate and/or the President of the Ground Jury and preferably the Athletes’ representatives. It shall be published and presented at a meeting that includes the President or a Member of the Ground Jury, the Technical Delegate the Chief Classifier, and the Chefs d’Equipe (or responsible persons). Unauthorized persons should not be admitted to this meeting.

FREESTYLES AT CPEDI 3*: Only the best one third of the Athlete/Horse combinations per Grade of the total number of Athletes are qualified to participate in the Freestyle (based on the total result of the Team and Individual tests). However, all participants must have reached a minimum score of 58% as an average of the team and individual tests. Where one third of the class is less than seven (7) Athletes, then seven (7) will be allowed to compete. Athletes may only compete with one (1) Horse in the Freestyle Competition and for those with more than one (1) Horse qualified, they must participate on the highest placed Horse (based on qualification results).

VENUE: The event will take place at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Ring Number 1 (main indoor).

For more information, please visit https://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/paralympic/2015/2015DHOTCPEDIPrizelist.pdf or go to www.houstondressagesociety.org and www.showsecretary.com.

By: Lindsay Y. McCall

To view an online version of this press release, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Driving, Training/Clinics

USEF Developing Driver Program Participants Are Excelling in the Competition Arena

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Jennifer Keeler receives instruction from Thorsten Zarembowicz during a recent USEF Developing Driver Clinic. Photo courtesy of J. Keeler.

Lexington, Ky. – Three years ago, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) launched an innovative Developing Driver Program to provide supplemental training opportunities for American combined drivers who demonstrated a commitment to the goal of competing at the USEF/FEI level and who were in pursuit of competitive excellence. The eventual goal was to increase the number of drivers and their horses/ponies competing at high performance levels, therefore developing the drivers that could become be future international competitors for Team USA.

So far, the strategy seems to be working: if the results from the recent competitions are any indication, including the CAI2* Hermitage Classic CDE held October 14-18, 2015 in Goshen, Ky., the program has proven to be wildly successful. Five drivers who competed in this year’s program, including the most recent clinic held October 9-11 at Hillcroft Farm in Paris, Ky., dominated their divisions at Hermitage, including:

* Jennifer Keeler of Paris, Ky. won Preliminary Single Pony with Amazing Grace;
* Jason Stronks of Paris, Ky. topped the Preliminary Single Horse division with Gus;
* Denise Hinder of Mount Vernon, Texas won Intermediate Single Pony with Alamo’s Ruby Red;
* Carrie Ostrowski of Georgetown, Ky. claimed the Intermediate Single Horse title with Canada King;
* Sarah Bates of Honeoye Falls, N.Y. bested the FEI 1* Single Horse division with Awesome George.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the USEF Developing Driver Program has literally changed our lives,” said Jennifer Keeler. “Before we started, my husband and I had no real idea of where we might go with competing in driving. But now, we see the possibilities, we’re passionate about the sport, and dare to dream big dreams. We are so grateful for this opportunity and hope that the program can continue so that others can share in this tremendous experience.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased to see how this program has grown,” said Misdee Wrigley Miller, whose generous support underwrites the majority of the USEF Developing Driver Program. “To watch how the progress made by each driver and horse during the training sessions translates into these kinds of results in the show ring is so exciting, and I think it bodes well for the future of high performance driving sport in this country.”

Miller hosted two of the five clinics which were held across the country in 2015 at locations in Kentucky, Florida, California, and New Jersey, all conducted by renowned experts including World Champion driver Thorsten Zarembowicz, World Equestrian Games medalist James Fairclough, and international driver Olof Larsson. “Having a program like this where we can actively identify and develop up-and-coming drivers and horses is critical to the U.S. performing well on the international stage. I can’t stress enough how vital this pipeline is in order to remain competitive with the rest of the world,” said Zarembowicz. “While we always welcome new drivers into program, it’s also important to see some of the most promising combinations come back to the clinics over and over in order to monitor their development and encourage continued growth.”

Denise Hinder traveled from Texas to participate in the USEF Developing Driver Program and then win her division at the Hermitage Classic CDE. Photo by Pics of You.
Denise Hinder traveled from Texas to participate in the USEF Developing Driver Program and then win her division at the Hermitage Classic CDE. Photo by Pics of You.

“I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Developing Driver Program, and I’m living proof that it’s successful,” said Denise Hinder, who drove 1100 miles from her home in Mount Vernon, Texas to participate in the latest Kentucky clinic and then the Hermitage Classic CDE with her pony Alamo’s Ruby Red. “This is a life-long dream of mine to get to this level, and thanks to this program I’m achieving my goals. In just six months of being a part of this program, I’ve gone from the Preliminary level to now planning the start of my FEI career. It’s been an eye-opening experience. And it’s not just the support of the coaches, it’s also from the other drivers – to work with such phenomenal people is incredible. I’m so thankful for the coaching and support so that I don’t feel like I’m making the struggle to climb the competitive ladder all by myself.”

Fellow competitor Carrie Ostrowski agreed. “Being part of this program has been a priceless opportunity for me,” she explained. “To have access to this quality of instruction as well as the encouragement and support to progress through the levels is invaluable. Our dramatic progress over the last year with King has been due largely in part to the coaching I’ve received as part of this program. Thorsten is not only so good at his trade as a driver himself, but he is also able to verbalize what he’s doing and teach students effectively. So he can drive my horse and improve him, but even more importantly he can effectively teach me how to go home and do the same thing. That makes all the difference. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and so thankful to Misdee, USEF, and the USET Foundation for making this program a reality, because many drivers like me would not otherwise be able to afford this level of instruction.”

USEF Director of Driving Lizzy Staller reports that dates and locations for the 2016 Developing Driver Program are expected to be announced by the end of the year. This program depends upon the continued support of drivers and sponsors, and tax-deductible donations are welcomed through the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation (www.uset.org). For more information regarding the USEF Developing Driver Program, visit the USEF website or contact Lizzy Staller at estaller@usef.org.

From Yellow Horse Marketing