The WIHS Regional Horse Show will host a qualifier for the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series. Photo copyright Alden Corrigan.
Washington D.C. – October 9, 2015 – The highly anticipated 2015 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals will be hosted at Prince George’s Equestrian Center (PGEC) in Upper Marlboro, MD from Friday, October 16, to Sunday, October 18, offering local and regional riders a final opportunity to punch their qualifying ticket to show at the world-renowned Washington International Horse Show (WIHS).
Entries for the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals close Friday, October 9. View the prize list for more information at www.wihs.org/wihs-regional/. The Washington International Horse Show begins Tuesday, October 20, and continues through Sunday, October 25, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., offering a week of elite equestrian competition showcasing the best of the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines.
Highlights of the WIHS Regional competition hosted at PGEC include the Maryland Horse Show Association Gittings Horsemanship Finals on Friday, October 16, beginning at 6 p.m. Grand championship honors will be awarded to the Children’s and Adult Hunters alongside the Children’s Hunter Pony division. The USHJA Zone 3 Finals will be held on Sunday, October 18, with special zone points being awarded to top place finishers.
Other highlights include the MHSA Children’s Pony Medal, presented by Oldfields School, Zone 3 Adult Amateur Hunter Finals 36 & Over, presented by the Linden Group at Morgan Stanley, and Zone 3 Large Children’s Pony Hunter Division, presented by The Saddlery.
New for 2015, the WIHS Regional Horse Show will host a qualifier for the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series, presented by Charles Owen. The Shetland ponies and their mini jockeys will compete in a race to earn their spot to compete in the feature events at Verizon Center. They will run in the indoor arena at PGEC on Friday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. The top finishers will then compete in the finals at WIHS during its main week of competition on Thursday, October 22, and Saturday, October 24. An ice cream social will be held Friday night during the qualifying event. There will also be a pizza party on Saturday, open to all exhibitors, thanks to Buckeye Nutrition.
The fourth annual Laura Pickett Award for Excellence in Horsemanship will also be selected during the WIHS Regional competition, honoring and remembering local equestrian and trainer Laura Pickett, and will be presented to a rising adult or child rider alongside their respective trainer/s for exhibiting enthusiasm, dedication, commitment and a sense of style, bringing out the best of horse and rider combinations. The award, presented by WIHS President Vicki Lowell on Thursday night at Barn Night, will honor the many qualities for which Pickett is remembered. Nominees for the award will be asked to wear a pink armband and will be judged for their performances inside the ring and their conduct throughout the weekend. The winner will be notified by Monday, October 19, and will receive a pair of custom boots provided by Fabbri Boots.
Children’s and Adult hunters and jumpers will take center stage during the weekend, as final qualifying spots are up for grabs to compete in the WIHS Championship Finals as well as the Regional Hunter Finals at Verizon Center. The WIHS Championship Finals will feature the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship and the $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship on Tuesday, October 20. The $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship and the $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship will both be held on Wednesday, October 21. Regional hunter combinations who earn a qualifying spot in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals will compete at Verizon Center on Sunday, October 25.
All of the fantastic regional competition in Upper Marlboro, MD leads up to the 57th annual Washington International Horse Show, featuring many of the nation’s top horses and riders as well as some of the world’s best international competitors. For more information, please visit www.wihs.org.
About Washington International Horse Show, www.wihs.org Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the U.S. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, for the President’s Cup (Saturday night), The Boeing Company Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.
Day One of the Del Mar International Horse Show’s Welcome Week began with plenty of thrills and excitement as the 1.30m, 1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers got underway in the Del Mar International’s Del Mar Arena. These three classes boasted an impressive lineup of superstar riders, including Longines World Ranked #2 Rider Beezie Madden, Longines World Ranked #6 Rider Kent Farrington, Longines World Ranked #32 Rider Lauren Hough, Longines World Ranked #68 Jack Hardin Towel, Susan Artes, Mandy Porter, Canadian Ben Asselin, Olympian Will Simpson, Hap Hansen, Nayel Nassar, Lane Clark, Ashlee Bond, Karl Cook, and many others.
There were 67 horse and rider pairs to go in the 1.30m, 36 entries in the 1.35m and just 13 competitors to see in the 1.40m.
The 1.30 was taken by Nayel Nassar aboard his own mount Baraka, besting 66 other entries to emerge victorious. In the 1.35, Jamie Sailor rode Jodie Camberg’s Veneto DHZ to an impressive win, and in the 1.40, Will Simpson and The Dude, owned by Monarch International, took home the blue to the delight of spectators.
Today was just the beginning, as Del Mar prepares for two weeks of thrilling international competition featuring 2015’s top riders in show jumping, hunters, and hunter derbies.
Don’t miss these exciting events coming up during Welcome Week:
Friday, October 9th
$5,000 South Shore Farm Grand Prix Hunter Derby, Presented by Fleeceworks
$25,000 PCHA/Equine Insurance Children’s/Adult Hunter Championship Final
$45,500 Grand Prix of the Pacific, Presented by Copernicus Stables
Beezie Madden
Next week, the $150,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Del Mar takes place on Saturday evening, with a riders’ press conference immediately following. Please visit www.jumpdelmar.com for more information on this exclusive event.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy top international equestrian competition, with all of the thrills, excitement and breath-taking action elite show jumping has to offer. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more information! Stay up to date on all our exciting events and the 2015 show season by visiting our website and following us on Facebook.
West Palms Event Management | 2683 Via de la Valle | Suite G #717 | Del Mar | CA | 92014
Amy Speck-Kern and Amadeus. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)
Loxahatchee, Florida (October 7, 2015) – Patience, dedication, and long hours in the saddle are paying big dividends for the horses and riders of Excel Dressage, where head trainer Amy Speck-Kern has qualified a number of horses for the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships. The team at Excel Dressage will travel from their year-round base in Loxahatchee, Florida to compete at the Championships October 9-11 in Conyers, Georgia at levels ranging from 3rd to the FEI.
Amadeus, a 2005 KWPN gelding (Flemmingh x Welt Hit II) owned by Speck-Kern, competed in the FEI Prix St. Georges this winter, with qualifying scores over 68%. The exceptionally elastic chestnut was scouted by Speck-Kern and Gwen Poulin in Holland, where Amadeus’s standout rideability and athleticism prompted Speck-Kern to purchase and import him in 2008. The pair has since worked their way up the levels to the FEI, and are currently schooling the Grand Prix where the gelding has displayed international quality piaffe and passage.
Speck-Kern’s string of talented competition horses also includes Zenanta, a 2004 KWPN (Krack C x Ferro) mare who recently returned to competition with scores up to 70% in only her third outing at 3rd Level. Bred in Holland by Annemiek Raaijmakers, Zenanta is owned by the WBS Group; an investment group consisting of Excel Dressage supporters, WBS stands for ‘work before success,’ and is a reflection of Speck-Kern’s journey with Zenanta. The mare’s brilliance is paired with a high level of sensitivity, and the combination have strived to achieve trust and balance in their relationship before tapping into the mare’s natural suspension and athleticism to realize her full potential. Qualifying for the Regional Championships is a major step towards this ultimate goal, and the time, effort, and patience put into the ride by Speck-Kern has developed the mare into an exceptional FEI prospect.
“I am really thrilled with the progress Amadeus and Zenanta have made in the past few months,” said Speck-Kern. “Both are really coming into their own, and I’m looking forward to debuting Amadeus at the Grand Prix. With Zenanta, I plan on continuing to let her develop at her own pace, build confidence and muscle, and bring her out in the FEI when she is ready.”
Another talented combination at Excel Dressage is Katie Hoog and her Dutch bred mare, Taylor. The pair has been competing at 3rd Level under Speck-Kern’s guidance, earning their qualifying scores and debuting their freestyle, set to the big band music of the 1920s, all at the same show. In their next outing at the Gold Coast Summer Solstice, Hoog and Taylor scored an impressive 69.615 in 3rd Level Test 3 to win the class and seal their trip to Regionals. The bay KWPN mare (Gribaldi x Symfonie) was imported from The Netherlands to the Hoog farm in Loxahatchee, Florida and both horse and rider have been blossoming since their show debut in the late spring.
“Our goals going into Regionals are for each horse and rider to put in the best test possible,” said Speck-Kern. “If we happen to place well that is just icing on the cake. We do this because we love the horses and the sport, and having healthy, happy horses and riders is our top priority at Excel Dressage. This sport also requires the combined strength of so many team members and supporters, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the guidance and knowledge of the Poulins, our vets Dr. Robert Scott and Dr. Suzan Oakley, farrier Don Later, the owners of Tantalus Farm South Joe and Helen Sandven, my groom Domingo, my clients, husband, family, and all of the investors at the WBS Group.”
Excel Dressage was founded in 2010 by Amy Speck-Kern, and offers training, showing, and sales of top caliber dressage horses. Speck-Kern began her career as a working student for Olympic Bronze Medalist Michael Poulin and “S” Judge Sharon Poulin in Deleon Springs, Florida. A USDF Silver and Bronze medalist, Speck-Kern’s naturally quiet and effective style of riding appeals to sensitive, athletic horses as well as to students of all abilities. After overcoming leukemia at the age of 18, she was inspired to pursue her dream of international dressage success. She was recently accepted into the prestigious USEF “r” program, after graduating from the USDF L program with distinction, and offers a unique training point of view as both a judge and rider.
Washington, D.C. – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious equestrian sports events in North America, is pleased to announce dressage rider Allison Brock will be a highlight exhibition at the 57th edition of the show taking place at Verizon Center October 20-25, 2015. Fans of dressage and equestrian sport won’t want to miss this special event!
Brock, a reserve for the 2015 United States Pan American Games team this past summer, will perform a musical freestyle dressage exhibition, presented by Deloitte, on Saturday night, October 24. Commonly referred to as horse ballet, the WIHS dressage exhibition will feature a crowd-pleasing grand prix freestyle to music (Kür), where the horse and rider performs specially choreographed patterns to music.
Brock will be riding Fritz and Claudine Kundrun’s stunning 2002 Hanoverian stallion, Rosevelt. He is her top FEI-level mount, with whom she’s won a number of grand prix events this year.
“We are thrilled to welcome dressage and its fans back to WIHS,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. “We thank Deloitte for their support of dressage at the international level and in helping dressage return to WIHS. We love featuring the best of horse sports across disciplines at WIHS, and the beauty and intricacy of dressage freestyle is a can’t-miss experience.”
Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services firms, is an important sponsor of U.S. athletes aspiring to compete at the Olympic Games and has become increasingly involved with the equestrian sport of dressage. Earlier this year, Deloitte announced its sponsorship of U.S. rider Laura Graves on her quest to ride at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with her horse, Verdades.
Deloitte Tax Chief Corporate Development Officer Judith Sloan, principal, Deloitte Tax LLP, was integral in helping dressage return to WIHS. “As a premier fall indoor competition in the United States, WIHS presents a unique opportunity to showcase the sport of dressage,” she stated. “Deloitte is committed to helping raise the profile of Olympic level athletes, and we believe that collaborating with WIHS is a perfect opportunity to accomplish that with their large spectator base and local community involvement. I can’t wait to see Allison and Rosevelt show the crowds at WIHS what they can do!”
Brock, a talented figure within the U.S. dressage community, has made a name for herself as a consistent and competitive rider among the best in the world. She has earned her gold and silver United States Dressage Federation medals and has accumulated numerous wins at the grand prix level with several different mounts.
“I’m really looking forward to riding at WIHS. It will be a great opportunity to give my horse valuable experience in an impressive and energized indoor environment and at the same time showcase the sport of dressage in front of thousands of spectators,” said Brock. “I have to thank Deloitte for their continued support of dressage. What they’re doing for the sport will make a real difference, and I think it’s fantastic in terms of the growth of the sport and where it is headed.”
Buy your tickets today to see this one-of-a-kind dressage experience! Tickets are available for purchase at the Verizon Center box office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. General admission tickets for daytime performances are $15 (plus applicable service charges), Tuesday through Sunday, with children 12 and under admitted for free. VIP section seating is available for evening performances. For more information on ticket pricing and group discounts, military/seniors and students, please call 202-661-5061 or visit www.wihs.org/tickets.
About Washington International Horse Show, www.wihs.org Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the U.S. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, for the President’s Cup (Saturday night), The Boeing Company Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.
Lexington, KY (October 6, 2015) – ‘When it rains it pours,’ they say. Yet even the perfect storm predicted by local weather forecasters could not stand in the way of a historic twelfth USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship for Ocala, Florida horseman Chester Weber. Weber piloted his four matched bay KWPN geldings, co-owned by Jane F. Clark, in the Kentucky Classic CAI2* to defend Team Weber’s title.
Their performance says it all: First place (38.07) in Dressage, first place (145.92) in Marathon, and first place (3.00) in Cones.
Team Weber delivered clean and decisive victories across a spectrum of phases and weather conditions. The four-in-hand division opened under dark and rainy skies, necessitating the relocation of the tests from their traditional grass arena into the Rolex Stadium. A fresh combination of KWPN Dutch Warmblood veterans Ultra, Para, and Boris W, paired with rising star Danzer, didn’t miss a beat. The team delivered brilliant trot work and a confident rein back for the Ground Jury of Martha Hanks-Nicoli (USA), Marsoe LaRose (CAN), and Nikke Palsson (SWE). “It was exciting to have younger horses do so well,” said Weber. “Rolex Stadium had a nice feel.”
Despite a continuation of the inclement weather into Saturday’s Marathon, Team Weber performance remained unbeatable. They not only won over cross-country marathon but also posted the fastest times in their division on five of course designer Richard Nicoll’s seven obstacles. “The horses were very fresh in the cool, damp weather in Kentucky this past weekend,” Weber adds.
Team Weber added 107.85 penalty points after marathon kept them in the lead going into Sunday’s cones phase, where a single ball at cone 5 added just three penalties to an overall 148.92 score – and Weber’s unprecedented twelfth U.S. Four-in-Hand national title.
“I was pleased with the team; they worked well together,” Weber said. “I had Boris in the left wheel and Para in the right wheel. I have driven them a lot this way, but I haven’t really competed them in the cones phase; I was pleased with how they handled everything. Unfortunately, I had one down that I think Danzer kicked. He is inexperienced, so the way that the course was set up – having to drive between two cars – made him unsure. He lost his concentration, and dropped out of the contact. Besides that I was pleased. We drove to plan and it was pretty straightforward.”
After making history with his twelfth USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship, Weber continues train for future successes with his KWPN team.
Team up with Team Weber as they drive next to the 6th Annual Hermitage Classic on October 16-18 in Goshen, Kentucky. Follow news, live posts, video and photo galleries, and preferred product reviews at www.chesterweber.com.
Olympic veteran Reed Kessler earns her first Barrel Racing buckle riding for Army in Army v. Navy Celebrity Barrel Racing, presented by Washington Area Chevy Dealers, in 2014. Photo copyright Alden Corrigan Photography.
Visit a WACD Dealership and receive complimentary tickets to the show!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 5, 2015 – Washington Area Chevrolet Dealers will be center stage once again as title sponsor of the WIHS Winner’s Circle at the 57th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in North America, which will take place October 20-25 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
Washington Area Chevy Dealers (WACD) also returns to sponsor of one of the most popular events of the week, the WIHS Army vs. Navy celebrity barrel racing exhibition held on Military Night, Friday, October 23. Professional barrel racers affiliated with National Barrel Horse Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association or American Professional Rodeo Association will team up with celebrity riders representing the military to run the barrels.
WACD is offering a limited number of free ticket vouchers to dealership visitors during the month of October. WIHS fans can pick up the general admission ticket vouchers at any local Washington Area Chevy dealership, conveniently located in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. While at the dealership, Chevy encourages fans to enjoy their complete lineup of trucks. The 2015 Silverado 1500 was named the “Highest Ranking Large Light Duty Pickup in Initial Quality” by J. D. Power with class-leading V8 fuel efficiency and high-strength steel, and as the Motor Trend Truck of the Year in 2015, the all-new 2015 Colorado is reinventing the midsize pickup from frame up.
“There’s no power like horsepower! We are pleased to be a part of this exciting event representing the very best in equestrian competition in the heart of Washington, D.C., just like Chevrolet represents the highest caliber of automotive lineup in the industry and top service in the area,” said Bob Biagi, General Manager of Ourisman Chevrolet of Alexandria.
In addition to the Army v. Navy Celebrity Barrel Racing, presented by Washington Area Chevrolet Dealers, Military Night, presented by The Boeing Company, is an exciting evening of competition, exhibitions and special events in honor of the U.S. Military, with highlights including The Boeing Company Puissance, a thrilling high jump competition, and the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, a high-test race over a challenging course with jumps close to 5 feet!
“WIHS is proud to partner with Washington Area Chevy Dealers,” said WIHS Executive Director, Bridget Love Meehan. “Their standard of excellence and commitment to making a positive difference in the local community bring an important local distinction to our event.”
About Washington International Horse Show, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the U.S. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, for the President’s Cup (Saturday night), The Boeing Company Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.
Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh. Photos: McCool Photos for EEM.
Los Angeles, CA. October 4, 2015 – Four days of champion caliber show jumping action at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles culminated in Sunday afternoon’s Longines Grand Prix. Thirty-six of the world’s best riders competed in the grand finale of the American leg of the Longines Masters series for $450,000 in prize money, the largest purse in any United States indoor competition. Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh stunned the crowd with a jump-off time of 37.04 seconds to become the first ever winner of the new Longines Masters Series Trophy.
Created by renowned Belgian course designer Luc Musette, the 1.60m course was extremely technical and demanding with 13 obstacles. Seven horse and rider couples qualified for the jump-off, including 2012 Olympic individual gold medalist Steve Guerdat and Kavalier, Saturday’s two-class champion Patrice Delaveau on Lacrimoso, and more. John Whitaker and Argento entered the ring with hopes to claim the Masters Grand Slam Super Bonus following their victory in the Longines Grand Prix of Hong Kong, but were unlucky with a rail down.
World Number 1 Scott Brash’s run of dominance on the international stage looked set to continue as he and Hello M’Lady completed the jump-off with a time of 37.93 seconds. The American audience went wild when Kent Farrington and Voyeur came a mere 0.15 seconds from knocking Scott off his throne. Last to enter the ring, Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh had a masterpiece ride to claim top spot on the podium.
“I had a very good start to the jump off; the second part was maybe a little bit slower but anyway I’m super pleased with my horse because for the rest of the weekend nobody realized that I was here. So I took my chance and I’m very pleased, and very happy to go home tonight,” said Kutscher. “Last year I was here, and I think this year, the crowd, the spectators, were even more than last year; the atmosphere is great and it’s fun to ride here. I would like to come back next year to see all you guys.”
Scott Brash and Hello M’Lady
“I’m absolutely delighted with the horse,” Brash said, before hurrying off to the airport to fly to China. “I was just annoyed at myself that I didn’t do a smoother round. Marco’s horse was so smooth and it was a joy to watch really if you weren’t sitting where I was. All credit to Marco; he’s done a great round.”
Earlier in the day, Michelle Kerivan and Colin won the Écuries d’Écaussinnes Grand Prix with a time of 40.37 seconds in a five-rider jump-off. Hannah Selleck and Barla were victorious in the Canadian Pacific Grand Prix, winning a three-rider jump-off in 36.38 seconds.
Spectators for the day included Bill Gates, Kaley Cuoco, Fred Savage, Frankie Muniz, Alison Sweeney, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Michael Mann, Bo Derek, National Anthem singer Pia Toscano, and more. The heart-pounding action of the 2015/2016 Longines Masters season continues this winter with the Longines Masters of Paris, December 3-6, 2015.
Established in three of the biggest cities — Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong — the unique Longines Masters series is recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale and is one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions worldwide. Created by EEM, the concept of the Masters was born in 2009 with the first edition of the Gucci Paris Masters, now renamed the Longines Masters of Paris. Inspired by the Grand Slam tournaments in tennis, the circuit rapidly developed abroad, with the Longines Masters of Hong Kong in 2013 and the Longines Masters of Los Angeles in 2014.
The world’s best riders and horses will compete for one million dollars in prize money at each leg of the series. In addition, any rider who consecutively wins the Longines Masters Grands Prix in Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles will be rewarded with one million euros Masters Grand Slam bonus. For two successive victories, the rider will be awarded €500,000, and winners of two non-successive victories within a series of three Longines Masters Grand Prix will receive a €250,000 bonus.
These events are broadcast in more than 120 countries and reach up to 550 million households.. Every edition of the Masters is must-attend event that brings together sports enthusiasts, amateurs, celebrities and corporate decision-makers from around the world, who come to enjoy a unique experience, boasting exceptional sport, entertainment, glamour, gastronomy and contemporary art.
Longines Masters of Los Angeles October 1st to 4th 2015
Longines Masters of Paris December 3rd to 6th 2015
Longines Masters of Hong Kong February 19th to 21st 2016
Gladstone, N.J. – Victoria (Tori) Colvin of Loxahatchee, Fla. lead the 2015 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East from start to finish. With her signature grace under pressure, the young superstar revealed the innate equestrian intuition for which she is famous, besting the field of 61 to win the French Leave Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Earning the highest score in each of the four phases of competition, Colvin was crowned champion aboard Betsee Parker’s Avalanche on a total score of 434.
Finishing tenth in her debut at these finals last year, Colvin appreciated the significance of the win. “It means a lot to win this class. This competition is more of a jumper-style test; it was an amazing experience as I move forward.” Dominating all four phases was the result of raw talent and extensive preparation. “The flat class is not usually my strongest, but my horse performed well and was really elegant. The gymnastics phase we had practiced a lot with [trainer] Andre [Dignelli] to get ready over the last month, so I went in there feeling confident and the exercises went smooth. This morning’s phase was my best round; it went so smooth and my horse was great.”
The Reserve Champion title was earned by McKayla Langmeier (East Granby, Conn.) aboard Linda Langmeier’s Skyfall. Skyfall was also awarded the Grappa Trophy for best horse at the finals. Langmeier entered the Phase IV ride-off in fourth place where she showcased her catch riding talents to ascend to second-place honors. Third-place accolades went to Hunter Holloway (Topeka, Kan.) aboard Hays Investment Corp.’s Any Given Sunday. Rounding out the top four placings was T. J. O’Mara (Rumson, N.J.) on Walstrib Stables LLC’s Kaskade.
Saturday’s competition began with the Phase I flat portion of the event, where the judges watched a demanding array of exercises in cold and rainy conditions. Colvin received the high score of 96, while Langmeier had the fifth highest score of the phase with an 89, closely followed by O’Mara with a score of 88 and Holloway with an 81. Phase II was the gymnastics course, where Colvin duplicated her high score of 96. Following in close second place was O’Mara with a 95 and Langmeier with a 94 to sit in third. Holloway was in fourth place at the conclusion of Saturday.
Sunday’s competition began under beautiful fall skies at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation Headquarters with Phases III and IV. Judges Chrystine Tauber and Candice King endeavored to design a challenging Phase III course for the 61 competitors and enlisted the aid of famed Olympian and course designer, Conrad Homfeld. Said Tauber, “We thought it would be nice to have a course that was designed by one of America’s top course designers, and asked (Homfeld) to consider adapting one of his 5* courses. (He) agreed and adapted the first round Nations Cup course from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.” The judges were pleased with the track as it tested balance, straightness, and striding.
Riding with ease and accuracy, Colvin answered all of the questions asked by the course and received a competition high score of 97. Holloway earned the second highest Phase III score of 94, with O’Mara receiving a 90, and Langmeier an 84.
In Phase IV, each rider rode a shortened course on his or her own horse, and then rode the same course on the other rider’s mounts. Colvin performed smooth, accurate rounds time after time, cementing her championship berth. The order of finish changed for the other three riders as Langmeier moved up to earn Reserve Champion honors, followed by Holloway in third and O’Mara in fourth. Tauber attributed Langmeier’s ascension in placings in the final round on her own entry, Linda Langmeier’s Skyfall, which she rode as a “forward, galloping course – it was just like you would see in a Table A against the clock. The other riders had to ride to that bar she set right from the beginning.” Skyfall continued to impress with each of the other finalists in Phase IV to earn the Grappa Trophy, which is best horse of the competition.
Colvin is trained by Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm in Katonah, N.Y. Dignelli, himself a winner of the class in 1980, has trained an impressive nine winners of this final. He described Colvin as possessing “the incredible ability to be soft and at the same time effective. She is soft, but not weak. She brings out the best in horses, and they respond to her.” Colvin was foot perfect from day one, lead every phase of the competition, and never faltered under the pressure of being in the lead. As Dignelli states, “she lays it on the line,” praising her focus, organization, and discipline. He notes that the attribute setting Colvin apart is her “professionalism. She has basically been a professional rider for many years and she brings that perspective to the ring. If things don’t go perfectly in the schooling ring, she can leave it behind, walk in, and deliver.” Of her mount, Avalanche, Dignelli explained that he had never done this type of final before, and “the horse was breathtaking.”
The USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals format is designed to develop young talent for a future on the world stage of show jumping. The exceptional group that competed on the hallowed grounds of the United States Equestrian Team Headquarters in Gladstone, N.J. portends great success for the future of international show jumping for the United States.
On demand coverage of all phases of competition will be available on USEF Network.
Patrice Delaveau and Carinjo HDC. Photos: McCool Photo for EEM.
Gucci Gold Cup Premieres at the American Leg of the Longines Masters Series and Stars Ride for Cause at the Charity Pro-Am Style & Competition
Los Angeles, CA. October 3, 2015 – Saturday night at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles was the epitome of glamour, prestige, and fun with top level show jumping and entertainment at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The evening featured two renowned classes: the Gucci Gold Cup for the first time at the American leg of the series and a signature event in the Longines Masters, the Charity Pro-Am Style & Competition.
Bill Gates, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa cheered on their daughters along with Camilla Belle, Jeannie Mai, Carly Steel, Alison Sweeney, Jean Claude Van Damme and many more throughout the day.
The inaugural Gucci Gold Cup at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles showcased the power and glamour of the sport as 36 of the world’s best riders jumped the course designed by Luc Musette. Already a favorite at the Hong Kong leg of the Longines Masters series, the Gucci Gold Cup brings the best of show jumping to the American audience. World Number 1 Scott Brash, U.S. Number 1 Beezie Madden, and many more joined Longines Masters of Hong Kong Gucci Gold Cup champion John Whitaker in the ring. After a winning round of 12 competitors, French rider Patrice Delaveau and Carinjo HDC claimed top prize with a time of with 35.83 seconds, with McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z in very close second with a time of 35.85 seconds, followed by Edwina Tops-Alexander and Lintea Tequila in third in 36.30 seconds.
McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z
The Charity Pro-Am Style & Competition was a unique team class composed of one professional rider and one amateur rider, riding for charity. Each of the eight teams dressed up in costumes of their choice as they rode to a music selection complimenting their chosen theme. The team with the best style was decided by a celebrity jury composed of James Bond girl Denise Richards, actress Perrey Reeves from Entourage, and KTLA anchor Sam Rubin. Each team was judged on the number of penalties over the fences, the team’s style and elegance, as well as the horse’s style.
Kaley Cuoco and teammate Tracy Wade were crowned the Charity Pro-Am Style & Competition winners dressed as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader to benefit Ride On. Jennifer Gates and Jack Towell embodied Wizard of Oz characters for Thrive Animal Rescue, and Hannah Selleck and Jane Richard Philips were Alice in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts on behalf of Longines and Just World International.
The eight teams included:
Jack Towell and Olympe de Brecey and Jennifer Gates and Cadence for Thrive Animal Rescue
Hillary Ridland and Zilliam Rose and Mary Frances Looke and Labors Wonderboy for Park Place Foundation
Eduardo Menezes and Caruschka 2 and Jean Christophe Meily and Joel sponsored by The Jules Stewart Project and Sterckx Stables and San Pascual Stables for Wolf Connection
Jane Richard Philips and Zekina Z and Hannah Selleck and Callway Do Cabo sponsored by Longines for Just World International
Kent Farrington and Basic and Alexandra Crown and Charley for Autism Speaks
Kristin Hardin and Firestone S and Nicolette Hirt and Cascall for Compton Junior Posse
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Summertyme and Sophie St. Claire and Lady Mecklenburg sponsored by Gucci for Amade
Tracey Wade and Estano and Kaley Cuoco and Bionetty for Ride On
Earlier on Saturday, Patrice Delaveau won his first class of the day, the $34,000 Prix Emirates CSI5*. Only two riders out of a starting field of 21 managed to leave all the rails up to qualify for the jump off. Delaveau, riding 11-year-old Lacrimoso 3 HDC and Lauren Hough, on 11-year-old Cornet 39, were the two riders to jump a second time.
The Longines Masters of Los Angeles will conclude on Sunday afternoon with the much-anticipated Longines Grand Prix. John Whitaker from Great Britain has journeyed to Los Angeles for the first time since 1984 in an attempt to claim the first ever Masters Grand Slam Super Bonus.
Established in three of the biggest cities — Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong — the unique Longines Masters series is recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale and is one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions worldwide. Created by EEM, the concept of the Masters was born in 2009 with the first edition of the Gucci Paris Masters, now renamed the Longines Masters of Paris. Inspired by the Grand Slam tournaments in tennis, the circuit rapidly developed abroad, with the Longines Masters of Hong Kong in 2013 and the Longines Masters of Los Angeles in 2014.
The world’s best riders and horses will compete for one million dollars in prize money at each leg of the series. In addition, any rider who consecutively wins the Longines Masters Grands Prix in Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles will be rewarded with one million euros Masters Grand Slam bonus. For two successive victories, the rider will be awarded €500,000, and winners of two non-successive victories within a series of three Longines Masters Grand Prix will receive a €250,000 bonus.
These events are broadcast in more than 120 countries and reach up to 550 million households.. Every edition of the Masters is must-attend event that brings together sports enthusiasts, amateurs, celebrities and corporate decision-makers from around the world, who come to enjoy a unique experience, boasting exceptional sport, entertainment, glamour, gastronomy and contemporary art.
Longines Masters of Los Angeles October 1st to 4th 2015
Longines Masters of Paris December 3rd to 6th 2015
Longines Masters of Hong Kong February 19th to 21st 2016
Sunshine Sachs
Alyssa Furnari
o 323.822.9300 | c 813.732.1214 | 8409 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Rizvi Captures $2,500 WCHR Pony Challenge; Danielle Torano and Herault Rise to the Occasion in Final Round of $10,000 North American Jr./AO Jumper Challenge
Upper Marlboro, MD – Talented ponies ruled the roost today at Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) presented by Well Placed Smile, with Small, Medium, and Large pony divisions honoring their respective champion and reserve combinations for top performances. Sophie Gochman of New York, NY captured the prestigious Grand Champion Pony Hunter aboard Love Me Tender, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, while Farah Rizvi of Greenwich, CT and Trillville, owned by Peacock Ridge LLC, were victorious in the $2,500 WCHR Pony Challenge. Danielle Torano of Wellington, FL and Herault topped the final round of the $10,000 North American Jr./AO Jumper Challenge presented by Johnson Horse Transportation.
Competing in the Small Pony Hunter division aboard Love Me Tender, Sophie Gochman earned the division’s championship title, going on to collect the highest award of the day, the Grand Champion Pony Hunter for her collective rides aboard the 2004 Welsh Pony mare. Gochman, who is 12 years old, earned two first places and a second place finish, alongside a fourth and sixth place to earn overall Grand Champion Pony honors at the 2015 Capital Challenge Horse Show. She also followed herself as reserve champion in the division aboard another Dr. Betsee Parker owned mount, Bit of Love.
Gochman was awarded with the Harper Taskier Wright Memorial Trophy presented to the rider of the Small Pony Hunter Champion, as well as the VanderMoore Designs Trophy donated by VanderMoore Designs. Adding to her memorable day, Gochman also collected the Best Pony Rider Award sponsored by Archie Cox and Brookway Stables. Gochman, alongside sister Mimi Gochman, and Clare Campbell were simultaneously awarded with the EMO Trip of the Show for the Pony division presented by Sue Bopp and EMO Agency for their tied high score of 89.00. Campbell was recognized for her style throughout the week, earning the Stewart Warner Cup presented by Donald Stewart and Louise Serio.
“It’s so exciting. I never expected to win Grand Champion at Capital Challenge. It’s such a competitive show and all of the riders are so good. It feels like such an accomplishment,” Gochman remarked.
Love Me Tender, known in the barn as Princess, is quite the diva and continually lives up to her name, but according to Gochman, she will do anything you ask of her in the ring. The duo proved their talent with incredible consistency throughout the two days of pony competition, which was filled with many of the best young competitors in the country.
“She’s a little princess and can be sassy sometimes. She has a really nice long stride though and she has very solid lead changes. She’s just perfect,” smiled Gochman. “Yesterday when we got the 89 outdoors in the rain was a good moment for me because it was a little bit harder to ride in the rain but she does really well outdoors.”
The Gochman family has continued to support and sponsor Capital Challenge Horse Show throughout the years and the competition holds a special place in their hearts. Sophie related saying, “It’s a great facility here and I always think it is a challenge to go from outdoors to indoors and there are so many competitors that you always have to be on your toes.”
Gochman wished to thank her team and trainers for helping to prepare her throughout the week as they continue to make her a better rider. She said, “I’d really like to thank Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, and Amanda Derbyshire for all of their help this week and to Betsee for letting me ride Princess. I also have to thank my parents for supporting me and Princess’ groom Luis for taking such good care of her.”
Mimi Gochman, the younger sister of Sophie at eleven years old, also collected top honors today as she was crowned champion of the Large Pony Hunter division aboard Storyteller owned by Fair Play Farm. The beautiful chestnut gelding went wonderfully for Gochman throughout the week and she was excited to earn the tricolor for the division.
“It was really fun today and I’m so excited. It’s a great honor to champion a division here because it’s really competitive and it’s one of the top indoor shows, which makes it really special,” she explained. “Story is a very calm pony and he has a great stride and a fun jump. He’s very easy to turn so I think handy rounds are his forte and he loves all of the classes we do.”
The grounds at Capital Challenge have seen immense rainfall this week, but as competition continued on, so did the riding and Gochman was one of only few who may have been happy to be riding in the rain this week. She recalled, “Yesterday he got an 89 outside and I was really proud of him because he is what my dad calls a ‘mudder’ and he just loves the mud! He jumped great and he always tries his best for me.”
Both of the Gochman girls commented on the importance of the show on their schedule each year and described how it helps them to prepare for the other indoors that are approaching in the fall season.
“Capital Challenge is just challenging,” said Mimi Gochman. “There are so many great ponies here and it’s seems to be a little bit cold every time so they always seem a little fresh. It’s good to ride in the indoor ring though because there are so many lights and banners and you have to get used to that with all of the other shows too.”
Paralleling her sister, Mimi quickly thanked her team, parents, and Fair Play Farm for their support throughout the week. “I would like to thank Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, Amanda Derbyshire, Kate and Terrance for being my trainers and helping me to ride this week. I also want to thank Fair Play Farm for giving me the ride on Story for this week and Gustavo Hernandez my groom who takes care of him.”
Emma Kurtz of Hudson, OH and All My Love, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, followed Mimi Gochman with reserve honors in the Large Pony Hunter division.
The day of sisterly success continued at Capital Challenge as Zayna Rizvi took top honors in the Medium Pony Hunter aboard Swingtown, owned by Peacock Ridge LLC before her older sister Farah would ultimately be crowned in the WCHR Pony Challenge only a few classes later. Sophie Gochman collected reserve champion honors for the division aboard Truly Noble owned by Pegasus Show Stable Inc.
Rizvi Captures $2,500 WCHR Pony Challenge
Farah Rizvi rode a beautiful round in the $2,500 WCHR Pony Challenge, piloting Trillville to top honors in the class, which boasted 26 entries. Rizvi finished on a score of 87.66, while Kathryn McCarthy of New Canaan, CT and Canterbrook Prince Charming placed second with a score of 84.33, while Adam Edgar of Leesburg, VA and One More Time completed the top three with a score of 83.58.
Farah Rizvi and Trillville
“It feels really good to win this class and I’m really happy with it. I think it was fun to come down the last line and be like ‘Yay I had a good round!’” she exclaimed.
Piloting Trillville to a solid trip in her first WCHR Challenge win, Rizvi made the most of her ride on the 2004 New Forest Pony gelding, who’s lovingly known around the barn as Trill. The duo mastered the tough course and Rizvi left the ring with an ear-to-ear smile.
“He’s a really good boy and he really likes jumping. He’s usually pretty good but in the jog he always tries to bite me but I know that he doesn’t mean to,” she said as she explained the personality of the silky bay Trill. “We’ve had him for two years but we leased him last year so this is my first year riding him.”
Rizvi was another young rider who recognized the importance and competitiveness of Capital Challenge, as she pointed out that the show is an important step on the road to Harrisburg and Washington International Horse Show. “I like having the indoor and the outdoor rings and it’s a very hard show because of all of the riders. I really like the Hamptons and Washington, Harrisburg, and here. They are my favorites.”
Working throughout the year with goal of competing in the WCHR class, Rizvi commented that she set the goal early in the season. “I did want to do this class and I really like classic kind of things, you know they’re really fun, and you get to wear your shadbelly.”
Dabbling in several equestrian disciplines, Rizvi chose to forgo competing in the pony divisions last year and focused on showing her Children’s Hunter mount and her Children’s Jumper horse. She also began to follow in her mother’s footsteps and tried her hand at dressage, which she truly enjoyed.
“I did do some dressage last spring in Florida,” she confirmed. “My pony is off this week and he’s back next week so we’ll start to do more and I’m actually going to try and do the FEI Pony divisions this year in Wellington.”
Danielle Torano and Herault Rise to the Occasion in Final Round of $10,000 North American Jr./AO Jumper Challenge
Danielle Torano and Herault
Danielle Torano of Wellington, FL and Herault sped to the finish of the $10,000 North American Jr./AO Jumper Challenge presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, which attracted 26 entries, as the duo stopped the jump-off timers in 36.902 seconds for the win. Cloe Hymowitz of Bridgehampton, NY and Romance De Kerliven finished in second with a time of 37.803 seconds while Torano piloted her second mount into the top three as Callas 2 was just a few milliseconds slower than Hymowitz with a time of 37.895 seconds for third. The class saw nine entries move forward to the jump-off round.
Torano, who hadn’t initially planned to compete at Capital Challenge this year, found herself in the award ceremony with two young horses primed for the top levels of the sport. Herault, a 2007 Warmblood gelding, just recently stepped up to the big leagues, contesting a few grand prixs at the Vermont Summer Festival, while Callas 2, a 2007 Warmblood mare, has the scope and steadiness to excel in the larger classes.
“I’ve had Herault for a little over a year. We bought him as a seven-year-old and we started to move him up this year. Callas 2 is also eight but I feel like I can go faster with her because she’s so careful and scopey so I wasn’t sure how I was going to beat my own time on him, but when I talked to Jimmy [Torano] he gave me a few areas that I could possibly shave off time,” she said explaining her strategy for the jump-off. “When I looked back at the scoreboard once I finished I couldn’t believe that I had gone faster than my first ride!”
Torano has had a number of successful upper level talents throughout the years and these two young horses seem to be ready for a successful grand prix debut during the winter circuit.
“I’m really proud of him today because he proved to me that when I ask for more he’s willing to go there. I decided to do both of them here because they’re young and haven’t had much experience showing indoors with us so it was a good prep run for both of them before Harrisburg next week,” Torano said.
Riding in less than favorable weather before the class, Torano admitted that riding in the rain is her absolute least favorite thing to do and she was proud that she was able to pilot both horses to respectable finishes aside from the outdoor conditions.
“I’m soaking wet and I absolutely hate riding in the rain but it was completely worth it and paid off,” she laughed. In terms of her mental preparation for riding two very different horses so close together in the order, Torano detailed the uniqueness of each ride. “Herault is a full-brother to a horse that I used to have, Vancouver, who I did in the really big grand prix classes and he rides very similarly so I’m comfortable with him. It’s like putting on an old glove. Callas 2 is a little bit more difficult for me though because she’s so careful. In my mind I get a little ahead of myself and feel like I have to make sure we get there perfectly every time because she is so scopey and careful.”
JET Stables will head to Harrisburg next, where Torano will finish her fall campaign and give the horses a rest before the winter season. She explained, “After Harrisburg we’ll call it a day in terms of the fall schedule. I am very conservative with my horses and want to make sure that I know them as best as possible before we do any of the bigger classes, but I know Jimmy already has some plans for WEF with these two, so we’ll probably see them doing some of the bigger grand prix classes during the circuit.”
Regularly traveling to compete at Capital Challenge Horse Show, JET Stables continues to bring students and clients to The Show Place Arena, as it has been an important stop on the seasonal schedule for both Jimmy, as head trainer, and Danielle, a rider, every year. Torano noted, “It was a super week and even though the weather was a downer, it was completely worth it, especially when you do well in the ring. We had a really fun week and a lot of Jimmy’s students did very well so it was great.”
Tomorrow concludes the final day of the 2015 Capital Challenge Horse Show, showcasing Junior Hunter riders and Children’s Hunter competition. For more information on Capital Challenge Horse Show and to view a full show schedule, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org. The entire show will be live streamed via EquestrianCounsel.com CCHS Live Webcast, which can be found at www.capitalchallenge.org.
About Capital Challenge Horse Show
In its 22nd year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition. Held each autumn at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, this year’s show will take place on September 26 – October 4. In addition to several prestigious equitation events, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will once again host the World Champion Hunter Rider Finals and will assemble the country’s best horses and riders to compete in junior, amateur, and professional hunter classes.
