Tag Archives: featured

Eventing/H.T., FEI, USEF

Symansky Finishes in Top 15 at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*

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Lynn Symansky and Donner (Libby Law Photography)

Stamford, England – The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* came to a close on Sunday with the show jumping phase in the main arena of the prestigious venue. Fifty combinations moved forward to the final phase over Richard Jeffery’s show jumping track. The U.S. combinations had a day of solid performances, led by USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Lynn Symansky and Donner, who finished 14th in their Burghley debut.

Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner began their week at Burghley by scoring 47.7, a personal best at the CCI4* level, in the dressage phase on Thursday. On Saturday, she and the 2003 Thoroughbred gelding made light work of the massive track, though took some time to settle into a rhythm and went the long routes at Maltings 360 and Discovery Valley, collecting 13.2 time penalties. In its show jumping round, the pair had a rail at fence three for four faults, but finished strongly, ending on a score of 64.9 in 14th place.

“I think jumping on turf is a challenge since we don’t practice on it a lot at home. He felt great this morning, but he got a little spooky in the ring and the footing is a bit holding so we had a rail,” Symansky explained. “Being the person that I am, I always want to do better, but I am thrilled with such a great finish in our first appearance at Burghley.”

Colleen Rutledge (Frederick, Md.) and her own Covert Rights, recipients of a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant through the USET Foundation, had a great showing in the horse’s second CCI4* start and first appearance at Burghley. Rutledge gave the 2006 Thoroughbred Cross gelding solid rides throughout the three phases, beginning with the dressage phase where they earned a score of 46.5. On cross-country day the pair came home with no jumping penalties and 28.4 time penalties. Their weekend came to a close with a phenomenal double-clear round in the show jumping phase, putting them in 22nd place with a score of 74.9.

Laine Ashker (Henrico, Va.) and her own Anthony Patch also made their debut at Burghley and earned valuable experience on the international stage. She and the 1999 Thoroughbred gelding had a respectable dressage test to receive a score of 48.8. The pair completed the renowned cross-country course, but had a few issues along the way, collecting 40 jump penalties after stops at fences 4B of the Lion Bridge and 20A at the Land Rover Trout Hatchery and 46.4 time penalties. They knocked three rails for a 12-fault show jumping round, ending on a score of 147.2 in 48th place.

Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW claimed top honors with a final score of 40.0. Tim Price (NZL) and Ringwood Sky Boy finished in second with a 41.5, while the only combination to finish on its dressage score, Chris Burton (AUS) and TS Jamaimo, was third with a 45.0.

Find out more about the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*.

By Kathleen Landwehr

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

Michael Jung Makes History at Burghley and Ingrid Klimke Wins Series

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One of the all-time greats: Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam, winners of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. Jung also finished second in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 September 2015 – A huge crowd rose to their feet in appreciation as Michael Jung (GER) and his wonderful horse La Biosthetique Sam jumped the perfect clear round to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung, who will be defending his European title next weekend, is the first German rider to win a British CCI4*, and he received a great reception from the crowd, who recognised a phenomenal horseman in action and had been surrounding him all weekend asking for ‘selfies’ and autographs.

“To come to Burghley is amazing; to ride the Cross Country was wonderful and to win here at an event which is such a great tradition in the sport is just fantastic. This will be one of the highlights of my life,” said Jung. “I really enjoyed it here and hope I will have horses for it next year.”

This is the 21st international event he has won with the 16-year-old Sam, which he describes as “being like a good friend – every time he gives me 100%.”

Jung also finished second in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke, who was at Burghley to receive her cheque for $US 40,000 in the main arena.

Jung was under huge pressure coming into the arena as Tim Price (NZL) had conjured a beautiful clear round from the improving Ringwood Sky Boy to finish runner-up behind the German for the second time this year, following Kentucky (USA) in April.

“Sky Boy has been improving and I hoped that would show itself on the flat,” explained Tim. “He has always been a good Cross Country horse but to be still here today, in second place, is wonderful. He is not a natural showjumper but he is learning to try hard at the right moment.”

The talented Christopher Burton (AUS), who has never previously completed Burghley, had a perfect day with two clear rounds to finish third and fourth on TS Jamaimo and Haruzac.

“I haven’t had a very good run here before – I came here as a young rider from Australia in 2004 and fell off at the third fence, so just to see the finish flags was a pretty good feeling,” he said.

Jonelle Price (NZL) slipped from third to fifth when Classic Moet hit the first part of the treble, but clear rounds elevated Sir Mark Todd to sixth on Leonidas ll, Cedric Lyard (FRA) to seventh on Cadeau du Roi, Kristina Cook (Star Witness) to eighth and best British rider, and Sam Griffiths (AUS) and Paulank Brockagh to ninth.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) had a fence down on Fernhill Pimms but still rose three places to 10th. However, for the first time since the inception of the FEI Classics™ in 2008 he missed out on a cash prize. The Badminton winner finished on the same score, 24 points, as Tim Price, but the New Zealander took precedent in fourth place on the final leaderboard as, according to the rules, he had gained his points at fewer competitions.

How the FEI Classics™ was won

Ingrid Klimke (GER) is the first German rider to win the FEI Classics™ since the series began in 2008. She won Pau in 2014 (Horseware Hale Bob) and Luhmühlen (GER) this year on FRH Escada JS, and finished second (on Horseware Hale Bob) at Badminton.

Michael Jung (GER), second, won Kentucky on FischerRocana FST, and was third at Luhmühlen and first at Burghley on La Biosthetique Sam. Jonelle Price was fourth at Pau and second at Luhmühlen (Faerie Dianimo) and fifth at Burghley (Classic Moet). Her husband Tim was second at Kentucky (Wesko) and second at Burghley (Ringwood Sky Boy).

“I didn’t plan this or expect to win it,” said a delighted Klimke after receiving her cheque. “Now it seems that Germans are able to win CCI4*s! Chris Bartle [our trainer] makes us go all over the world and that gives us confidence. It’s great to win extra money like this, which will go straight back into my horses and therefore into the sport.”

About the FEI Classics™ winner

Ingrid Klimke (GER), 47, is enjoying her most successful season in a long and distinguished international career. The daughter of the late Dr Reiner Klimke, one of the most medalled Dressage riders in history, Klimke’s “day job” is producing Dressage horses but she has been a key member of the German Eventing squad since 1999.

With her first top horse, Sleep Late, she represented Germany at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, won European team and individual bronze medals in 2005 and world team gold in 2006, and set a German record when second at Badminton in 2006.

With FRH Butts Abraxxas, she won Olympic team gold in 2008 and 2012, plus European team gold in 2011, and was fourth at Burghley in 2013. Riding FRH Escada JS, she won European team gold and individual silver medals in 2013 and world team gold in 2014.

Klimke, who is based in Münster, Germany, is married to Andreas and has two daughters, Greta and Philippa. She is in great demand as a trainer and has written books on riding.

About the Burghley winner

Michael Jung (GER), 33, was the first rider in history to hold Olympic, World and European titles simultaneously and the first to win four championship titles consecutively.

He first came to prominence in 2009, when he won the Luhmühlen CCI4*, the FEI World Cup™ Eventing final in Strzegom (POL) and an individual European bronze medal in Fontainebleau (FRA), all on La Biosthetique Sam.

The pair went on to win the world title in Kentucky (USA) in 2010, double European gold in Luhmühlen in 2011 and double Olympic gold in London (GBR) in 2012 and, in 2013, they were second at Badminton CCI4*.

Jung won a second European title, at Malmö (SWE) in 2013 on Halunke, and last year finished second at Luhmühlen and won world team gold and individual silver medals on FisherRocana FST. He lives at Horb, Germany, where his parents, Joachim and Bridgette, own a riding establishment.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

See full FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 leaderboard: http://bit.ly/1VHbi8j.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

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

HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Conor Swail and Fortis Fortuna Win Final $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix of HITS Saugerties Series

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(C) ESI Photography. Conor Swail and Fortis Fortuna.

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 6, 2015): Saturday morning’s Grand Prix Stadium competition commenced with the eighth and final $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix of the 2015 HITS Saugerties Show season. A first time visitor to HITS-on-the-Hudson, Conor Swail of County Down, Ireland, rode Fortis Fortuna, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, to a memorable finish and a blue ribbon souvenir to remember his time in Upstate New York.

Thirty-two competitors made their way through the round one course designed by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida, and Swail, along with nine others, did so without disrupting the field-of-play for a spot in the jump-off round.

First to test the abbreviated course, Swail reemerged at the in-gate and was ready to set the standard for the round. That he did, as he sailed over the seven fences, seemingly in one smooth motion, going clear and crossing the timers in 35.829. The next four entries did not have the luck of the Irish on their side and all left the ring with downed rails in their path.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, were next in the order and the next to go clear. With a time of 36.479, she wasn’t quick enough to snag the top spot, but did earn herself the second place position for the time being.

Clear rounds continued and seventh in the order, Kelli Cruciotti aboard Wallenberg, owned by Serenity Equestrian Adventures clocked in at 36.706 to place just behind VanderVeen. Julie Welles and North Run Inc.’s Virginia WZ followed, going clear in a time of 35.974 which was just enough to move up the leaderboard and find herself second to Swail.

The final clear round of the day went to Pablo Barrios riding Chaco 34. They whipped through the course chasing the clock but finished in 36.116, ultimately landing them in third place and bumping VanderVeen to fourth and Cruciotti to fifth.

$5,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome

Laura Chapot, of Neshanic Station, New Jersey, and Umberto, owned by Mary Chapot, did it again adding another HITS Saugerties win to the books. They cruised to a cool $5,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome win to start their last week of competition off on a high note.

Thirty-eight tested the 11-fence course set at 1.40m and designed by Steve Stephens. An impressive 25 went clear, including Chapot on two different entries, to move on to the jump-off and the momentum continued as riders reentered the ring.

Chapot was thirteenth in the order and ninth of the previous competitors to go clear. Her quick finish in a time of 29.296 put her in a familiar place – at the top of the leaderboard. It wasn’t until Chapot reentered the ring, this time on Shooting Star, owned by Mary Chapot, that the second place finisher was decided. Clocking in at 29.839, Chapot now stacked the leader board with first and second place standings.

The remaining six entries all went clear, but none were able to disturb Chapot. Third place was awarded to Roberto Teran with Brilliant Du Rouet, owned by Liubov Kochetova. Commissario, owned by Nuvolari Holdings, LLC, piloted by Michael Hughes received fourth place, followed by Conor Swail and Susan and Ariel Grange’s Fortis Fortuna in fifth.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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

Competitions, FEI, HITS, Show Jumping

Heather Caristo-Williams and Pablo Barrios Tie for First in $34,000 FEI HITS Jumper Classic

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(C) ESI Photography. Heather Caristo-Williams and Evening Star.

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 5, 2015): Internationally ranked competition continued at HITS Saugerties Friday with the $34,000 FEI HITS Jumper Classic, the only qualifying class of the week for Sunday’s Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*. Spectators were on the edge of their seats down to the end when Pablo Barrios of Wellington, Florida, and his own Antares, and Saugerties’ own Heather Caristo-Williams and Evening Star, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo, tied for the top spot.

A field of 71 attempted the round one course set by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida, with 23 going clean within the 80 second time allowed. Seventeen would opt to return for the jump off which proved to be a test for even the most seasoned riders.

The first three in the order had four faults, followed by 13 faults for the fourth entry. That was until Conor Swail, of County Down, Ireland, aboard CITA, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, swooped in to give fans the first clear in a time of 40.040.

“My horse is a new mare to me; this is only my second show with her, so I was very pleased with her,” said Swail. “I thought the track was tough today, first round included. It’s the first time I’ve ridden a jump-off with her. She probably didn’t know what hit her when I landed and started kicking after fence 1. She was great.”

Fifth in the order, Caristo followed in Swail’s footsteps and sailed to a quick, clean round clocking in at 39.90 for the lead.

“I thought the track was fun,” said Caristo after class. “I had a great time and my horse jumped really well.”

Next in the order, and the next to go clear, Christine McCrea rode Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables Inc.’s Win for Life to a time of 43.670 to place her just behind Swail. Katie Dinan, tenth in the order, was clean with Amaretto D’arco, owned by Grant Road Partners LLC in a time of 43.830.

(C) ESI Photography. Pablo Barrios and Antares
(C) ESI Photography. Pablo Barrios and Antares

A known speedster, Barrios reentered the ring twelfth and it was no surprise that he was ready to race the clock. With a clear course behind him, his time of 39.90 secured a tie for first with Caristo, bumping Swail to third, McCrea to fourth and Dinan to fifth.

“For my horse, this ring fits him very well,” said Barrios. “He’s a big horse with a big stride. I just did what I saw other people doing. He’s fast in this type of thing.”

“To be honest, I wanted to be in the top three. I wasn’t expecting the best time with Heather. I’m hoping to sit here on Sunday too,” added Barrios who has his eyes set on the CP Million.

Swail agreed. “It’s nice to get into the ribbons early on in the week. And hopefully we can continue the same in the Million.”

Friday wasn’t just a day of competition at HITS; it was a day of horse sport education for 600 Saugerties School Children, grades 4 through 8. McLain Ward showed off his recent Pan American Games Gold Medal as he commentated on the Jumper Classic competition happening in front of them. HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri also explained the significance of the FEI CSI-5* week happening right in their own community while the students enjoyed a complimentary ringside lunch courtesy of HITS.

FEI competition continues Saturday with the $100,000 FEI Hudson Valley Jumper Classic and Sunday for the CP $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo. Both classes will be available via live webcast at HitsShows.com.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Jung Bounces Back to Lead with Sam at Burghley

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Master at work: Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam lead after Cross Country at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 5 September, 2015 – Michael Jung (GER) showed the mark of a true champion when bouncing back from a dramatic early mishap to take the Cross Country lead on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung only got as far as fence 4 on his joint Dressage leader, FischerRocana FST, where, to gasps from the crowd, the mare tripped and fell in the water. But he was masterful aboard his Olympic, world and European champion Sam, finishing just two seconds over time to rise seven places to first.

“My first Cross Country ride at Burghley was pretty quick – about 40 seconds,” joked the world number one. “I got back to the stables and my brother said: ‘Never mind, you’ve already gone up a place on Sam!’

“I know the horse very well now; we’ve had many experiences together, and he was really fighting for me and jumping well. This event is such a great tradition, so it’s wonderful to be here.”

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the joint Dressage leader on Fernhill Pimms, suffered a rare lapse of concentration. He had the misfortune to be held on course before fence 23, a big spread on a downhill slope, while it was being repaired. Then, when taking the long route at the next obstacle, the Discovery Valley complex, he galloped past the second element and had to retrace his steps.

“It’s been good and bad,” said Fox-Pitt, who is now 13th with 20.4 time penalties. “The horse was fantastic, but I’m sad to have let him down and had a mental blank.”

New Zealander Tim Price had by far his best Burghley in five attempts and is now in second place on Ringwood Sky Boy, just 1.5 penalties behind Jung. However, his day was not without drama either, as a wasp got inside his vest halfway round the course and stung him.

“I had this strange scratchy feeling, which I was trying to adjust,” said Price, laughing. “When I got back to the finish, I lifted my shirt up and out flew a wasp. He was pretty angry, too!”

Price had one of the fastest rounds of the day for 2.8 penalties but there was an unnerving scramble over a fence in the water at the Trout Hatchery. “Sky Boy is not the most conventional jumper and he’s got a long stride for the technical elements. This was one of those courses where you have to change your plan and make decisions on the spot,” explained the rider.

It was a good day for family Price as Tim’s wife, Jonelle, is in third place, only 3.4 penalties behind him. Jonelle had a brilliant round on Classic Moet and was one of only two riders to finish inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds. “My mare was pretty faultless from start to finish,” she said.

Australian Christopher Burton was the first to achieve the time, on second ride TS Jamaimo, and he has risen 17 places to fourth; he is also in fifth place on Haruzac, previously 11th after Dressage.

Australian and New Zealand riders are to the fore, with Bill Levett (AUS) up 13 places to sixth on Improvise and Sir Mark Todd (NZL) moving up five places to seventh on Leonidas ll, despite a scary moment when the horse dived at the corner fence at 15.

“I had a couple of hairy moments because the horse was drifting left, which made the fences seem even bigger,” said the five-time Burghley winner who revealed that the German-bred gelding has missed work with an infection. “But he was so brave and I’m thrilled with him as it’s the biggest track he’s jumped, a good old-fashioned four-star course.”

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth after a good performance on Cadeau du Roi and Oliver Townend (GBR) is best of the British in ninth place, having been a brilliant trailblazer with his confident opening round on CCI4* first timer Dromgurrihy Blue.

Townend was also last on course with the experienced Armada, and had the competition at his mercy, but an uncharacteristic mistake, a run-out in the Trout Hatchery, left the rider slapping his head in frustration and dropped him from fifth after Dressage to 18th.

Kristina Cook is next best Briton, in 10th on Star Witness, having survived a near unseating at the Trout Hatchery when she was hanging right out of the saddle. “I’m really proud. It’s always great to have a ride like this with a horse you’ve produced from nothing,” she said. “He was so honest and he helped me out.”

Riders had been instructed at the competitor briefing to bear in mind the climb uphill to the huge Cottesmore Leap (fence 13) which came earlier than usual due to Course Designer Mark Phillips (GBR) reversing the direction of his track.

Pippa Funnell (GBR), 12th on the scopey Redesigned, admitted she was kicking herself after being too conservative early on. “If I have a frustration, it’s that I lost time in the first three minutes,” she said. “But this is some horse to sit on at big fences like the Cottesmore Leap and my ride was everything I hoped for. It’s why I come here!”

Seven of the top 10 riders after Dressage dropped from the reckoning. Sam Griffiths (AUS), third on Happy Times, and Rosalind Canter (GBR), 10th on Allstar B, had run-outs at the Discovery Valley; Andrew Hoy (AUS), fourth, was unseated when Rutherglen glanced off the corner at Capability’s Cutting, and Niklas Bschorer (GER) had a refusal with Tom Tom Go 3 at the right-handed bounce out of the Anniversary Splash and retired.

Overall, however, it was a highly successful day, with 42 clears from the 68 Cross Country starters and 55 completions. “This is a good ratio for a course of this size,” commented Mark Phillips. “I’m a relieved and happy man tonight!”

Tomorrow’s Jumping finale promises to be a thriller. Can Michael Jung and Sam add Burghley to their long list of accolades? Find out by following the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

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

FEI, HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Laura Chapot Takes Day One of HITS Championship FEI Competition

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(C) ESI Photography. Laura Chapot and Quointreau Un Prince.

Wins $34,000 FEI Saugerties Jumper Classic

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 4, 2015): It was a beautiful Wednesday in Saugerties, New York for the first afternoon of FEI-ranked competition. Starting the week off on the right foot, Laura Chapot, of Neshanic Station, New Jersey, and Quointreau Un Prince, co-owned with McLain Ward, swept through the $34,000 FEI Saugerties Jumper Classic course for another HITS Saugerties Series blue ribbon under her belt.

Sixty-seven competitors took a turn at the 13 effort course designed by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida. Chapot, who is no stranger to the spotlight at HITS Saugerties, having won the Week IV $50,000 Horze Grand Prix and $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix earlier this summer with her 11 year old mount, was up against some of the globe’s top athletes including McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Margie Engle.

“It was a really nice course for everyone’s first time in the ring,” said Chapot. “There were a fair number of clears and it had a few tricky spots that caught up with people but I think it gave everyone a fair chance to get in the ring and get started for the week.”

Chapot was one of 22 returning for at the jump-off and her positioning in the middle of the order gave her the opportunity to watch, and learn, from her competition.

“It’s always nice to be able to see other people go and understand how fast they are going or if there are any places to make up extra time,” added Chapot. “My strategy was to go as fast as I felt comfortable with my horse and shave off the turns as best I could, but not to go too fast where he would be flat out.”

Thirteenth in the order, Chapot sped through the course leaving it intact in a time of 37.19 for the lead. The next few entries were not as lucky, many resulting in a rail for four faults. It wasn’t until Roberto Teran and Arkos Des Rolsers Z, owned by ARK Partners LLC, navigated his way through the course that it felt like the chase was on. Clocking in at 38.21, Teran found himself finishing just behind the leading lady.

Next to go clear and twenty-first in the order, Kristen Vanderveen aboard Bull Run’s Eternal, owned by Bull Run Jumpers One LLC, sailed to a time of 37.91 to bump Teran to third and to secure her spot in second place.

Chapot closed with, “I’m thrilled to come out the first day and have a win with Quointreau Un Prince. He’s fast and in good form. I’m really excited to be in the ring.”

Fourth place went to Emanuel Andrade and his own Boy IV, followed by Catherine Tyree and Free Style VD Polderhof, owned by Joseph and Mary Tyree.

FEI competition continues at HITS Saugerties on Friday, September 4 for the $34,000 HITS Jumper Classic, which is the only qualifying opportunity for Sunday’s CP $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo. Friday’s event will be webcast live beginning at 12 noon EST on HITS TV on HitsShows.com.

All eyes will be on the Grand Prix Stadium Sunday, September 6 for the highest ranked class in US show jumping this year – the Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo.

General Admission tickets and Day VIP passes are still available for Sunday’s main event. Additionally, HITS will webcast select classes through the week and weekend LIVE.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Brazilians Pip French in Jump-Off and Czechs Clinch Division 2 Title

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Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Valetto led Brazil to victory at the last qualifying leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League at CSIO San Marino Arezzo in Italy. (FEI/Stefano Secchi)

Arezzo (ITA), 4 September 2015 – Marlon Modolo Zanotelli led the Brazilian team to victory in the last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League at CSIO San Marino Arezzo in Italy today. The competition came down to a two-way jump-off between Brazil and France, and the 27-year-old Belgian-based rider clinched it with a fast four-fault result.

Tensions were high from the outset with a great deal hanging in the balance, and there will be great celebrations in the Czech and Polish camps tonight. Because these two countries leap-frogged the Ukraine and Finland at the top of the Division 2 leaderboard and have earned their places at the much-anticipated Furusiyya 2015 Final which kicks off in Barcelona, Spain in just over two weeks’ time while, as 2015 league champions, the Czech Republic has earned promotion to the prestigious Europe Division 1 series in 2016.

It was a hard-fought affair in which the Czechs finished third ahead of Germany in fourth, Italy in fifth and Poland and Sweden in joint-sixth place ahead of Belgium. Only eight of the 12 starting nations returned for the second round, leaving Denmark, Ireland, Norway and Turkey on the sidelines. Slovenia, drawn second-last to go, didn’t even get to start, because their three-strong side dissolved when team-member, Pato Muente, broke his leg yesterday.

Already neck-and-neck

The Brazilians and French were already neck-and-neck at the halfway stage when sharing an eight-fault scoreline. Poland was next in line with 12 while Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Czech Republic were all bunched together with 16 on the scoreboard followed by the host nation’s 17-fault tally, and these were the eight teams to return in the second round.

Clear rounds were hard to get, only four horse-and-rider combinations coming up with a zero score first time out as Uliano Vezzani’s course took its toll. “It was a difficult one to jump although not a high one – a track that was more based on the technical aspects,” explained the course designer afterwards. The bogey line was the run from the water-tray vertical at fence nine to the Longines triple combination at 10, but there were plenty of other places where mistakes could be made.

Modolo Zanotelli said the water-tray vertical was very cleverly placed. “You had to gallop to the oxer before it and take a sort of 90 degree turn, so horses were losing their momentum and they often arrived flat at the vertical,” he explained. “You had to know your horse to get around, and a lot of the riders were feeling the pressure. Uliano did a good job; the course was delicate and the riders had to stay calm and keep thinking all the way,” said the only rider to jump double-clear on the day.

Two different scenarios

As the second round progressed, the gap between the leaders and the rest widened, and two different scenarios began to play themselves out. The Brazilians and French battled for the win on the day, while the Poles and Czechs played cat-and-mouse in the race for the Division 2 title, promotion to Division 1, and those coveted Furusiyya Final placings. And the latter situation was the first to be resolved, but it came right down to the wire.

Zuzana Zelinkova increased the tempo with a pathfinding second-round clear with Caleri ll but Emma Augier de Moussac (Charly Brown) racked up nine faults and Ondrej Zvara (Cento Lano) produced the round two discount of 12 before Ales Opatrny (Acovaro) clipped the first element of the double at six for four faults. The additional 13 penalties brought Czech Republic’s final tally to 29, and as last-line Polish rider, Krzysztof Ludwiczak, set off with Zoweja there was a huge weight on his shoulders.

If one of the eight-fault results picked up by team-mates Jaroslaw Skrzcycznski (Crazy Quick), Msciwoj Kiecon (Urbane) and Maksymilian Wechta (London) could be discounted then Poland would finish on a score of 28 and edge out the Czechs. But anchorman, Krzysztof Ludwiczak (Zoweja) left the tricky vertical at fence seven and the last element of the triple combination on the floor to drop Poland down to joint-sixth place in the final analysis.

Slogged it out

Meanwhile, the Brazilians and French slogged it out, each adding just four faults to their tallies to finish round two on a total of 12 and creating a third-round showdown. Both Modolo Zanotelli and Karina Johannpeter (Casper) were clear for Brazil who could discount Bernardo Alves’ (Vatson Sitte) 13 faults wen Yuri Mansur Guerios (Cornetto K) made only a single second-round error. And both Bernard Briand Chevalier (Qadillac de Heup) and Alexandra Paillot (Polias de Blondel) were foot-perfect for France whose discount score was the eight collected by Edouard Coral (Quokin du Moulin Vent) when Emeric George (Rocker d’Ysieux) lowered only the final element of the combination.

With one rider to go for each side, Modolo Zanotelli was first into the jump-off and, hitting the first of the two remaining elements of the triple combination in his fast round that broke the beam in 34.66 seconds it seemed he might have left the door open. But Frenchman, Chevalier, hit the same fence and then the new vertical that followed to settle the matter.

Well-pleased

Brazilian Chef d’Equipe, Jean Maurice Bonneau, was well-pleased with his team’s performance. “It’s impossible not to be happy today!” he said. And he was delighted to have Karina Johannpeter in his side, “because we don’t have many top females in Brazil.

“We have new horses that we need to test through competing in these competitions. I have to say thank you to Marlon as it is important to have one top rider to carry the team, and credit to him. Either way, all the riders did fantastic over the two rounds,” he said. And he’s now looking ahead to the Furusiyya Final in a few weeks’ time. “Rodrigo (Pessoa), Pedro Veniss, Marlon and Doda (de Miranda) will be with us in Barcelona. I still haven’t decided on the fifth rider yet,” said the man who has created a real team spirit in the Brazilian side in recent years.

Newly-wed Marlon Modolo Zanotelli was particularly delighted because he partnered the horse owned and often competed by his boss, Irishman Enda Carroll from Ashford Stables, where Zanotelli’s wife, Swedish rider Angelica Augustsson, also works. “It was a last-minute call up for the team and I didn’t have a ride because we already had plans for the other horses, but Enda said, ‘Take Valetto; he’ll surely do the job!’” the Brazilian rider said.

For further details of the last qualifying leg of the 2015 Europe Division 2 League in Arezzo, Italy today, visit www.csiosanmarinoarezzo.com or contact Press Officer Caterina Vagnozzi, Email c.vagnozzi@gmail.com, Tel +39 335 6107070.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

Arezzo Equestrian Centre in Tuscany, Italy presented the eighth and final leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Europe Division 2 qualifying series.

A total of 12 teams lined out, with Turkey fielding a three-man side.

8 teams returned in the second round, and Denmark, Ireland, Norway and Turkey missed the cut.

The competition was won by Brazil in a jump-off again France.

The third-placed team from Czech Republic earned the maximum 100 points on offer and, as a result, have won the Europe Division 2 League and have earned promotion to Europe Division 1 for 2016.

As the top two teams at the end of the Europe Division 2 series, both Czech Republic and Poland have earned a place at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2015 which takes place at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona from 23 to 27 September.

Poland also has the possibility of qualifying for Europe Division 1 next season if the team can finish in the top eight at the forthcoming Furusiyya 2015 Final.

Only one horse-and-rider combination jumped double-clear today – Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Valetto.

Only four clears in the first round, 7 clears in second round.

Quotes:

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli BRA: “I thought it wasn’t a bad course for me in the jump-off because Valetto has a big stride and I tried not to go crazy-fast but I wanted to put on some pressure. I was a bit too close at the double and he hit it with a hind leg but it was ok because the other boy had two down!”

Uliano Vezzani (Course Designer): “I’m happy with the course today. Jean-Maurice is doing a great job with his team and the horses were good. The team that won today is the one that was the most consistent – congratulations to them. The French brought some youngsters and performed very well which is great for them. I’m happy with everything except for the Italian team’s performance, but these things can happen.”

Jean Maurice Bonneau BRA: “With this very team we have tried to do a number of 3-Star shows in order to develop the number of riders that can actually compete at this level. For now, this is the only way for me to prepare the Olympic Games and the next generation. Despite not having Rodrigo (Pessoa) or Doda (de Miranda) here with us today, we are able to bring teams that are strong and powerful.”

Bernardo Alves BRA: “I like coming to Arezzo a lot; I always have good results here. I’m particularly happy as well because it’s my first Nations Cup win in Europe!”

Karina Johannpeter BRA: “This arena is amazing; I think it is one of the best arenas we have on the European continent.”

Yuri Mansur Guerios BRA: “For sure the competition today was difficult. Uliano is simply an amazing course designer. The Nations Cup is always quite an intense and pressurising competition in that you need to jump twice. Fortunately, the dedication from the team was there and everything was set up for us to do well. The arena and the footing were great.”

Carlo Bernardini (Event Director): “Arezzo Equestrian Centre has hosted this wonderful competition since 2013, and every year we gain more valuable experience on organising such events on an international level. This is an organisation that works very well together and it works well because we do it as a team. CSIO Arezzo is like our baby, so we are always working very hard to make sure it getting better. In 2016, Jean Maurice will want to come again most probably as he has won here already twice!”

Full standings here.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series, check out this link.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Arezzo:

Caterina Vagnozzi
Press officer
Email: c.vagnozzi@gmail.com
Tel: +39 335 6107070

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Fox-Pitt Raises the Stakes with Joint Dressage Lead at Burghley

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The race is on: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Fernhill Pimms draw level with Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 4 September 2015 – The world’s two leading event riders are sharing the top spot after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

William Fox-Pitt, a record six-time winner here, has raised the stakes with a brilliant performance on CCI4* first-timer Fernhill Pimms which equalled the Olympic champion Michael Jung’s (GER) score of 34.2 on FisherRocana FST yesterday.

Their only mistake in an attractive test was a fluffed first flying change which scored fours. “I’m delighted with Pimms; that’s the first time he’s done that test in an arena – there’s four flying changes and that’s a big step up,” said the world number two. “He’s a lovely horse to ride on the flat; he loves showing off.”

Fox-Pitt took on the ride on Fernhill Pimms, an 11-year-old by Ard VDL Douglas, in 2013. The horse was produced in Ireland by Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra for Carol Gee, who owns him with Catherine Witt. Fox-Pitt won the prestigious young horse CIC3* at Blenheim (GBR) in 2013 on the bay gelding and finished fifth at Bramham CCI3* (GBR) this year.

In contrast, Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying third on Happy Times with a score of 36.8, has the security of knowing he is on one of the most experienced horses in the sport, let alone at Burghley. The 16-year-old by Heraldik, also the damsire of Michael Jung’s La Biosthetique Sam, has been placed five times at Burghley.

“He’s always very consistent on the flat, but he really pulled out the stops today,” said Griffiths, who is also equal 14th on his 2013 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh.

Griffiths’ compatriot Andrew Hoy has now slipped a couple of places to fourth on Rutherglen, with just a 0.9 penalty ahead of another hugely experienced combination, Oliver Townend (GBR) and the 16-year-old Armada. They brought the afternoon to an exciting conclusion when scoring 38.7.

“I’ll be a stone lighter this time tomorrow,” Townend joked, a reference to his being the only rider to have three horses. “The first one [Dromgurrihy Blue, currently lying 24th] is an unknown quantity at this level and distance; the second [Samuel Thomas ll, equal 53rd] is only a baby but I love riding him; and everyone knows Armada.”

Tim Price (NZL), riding the Irish Sport Horse gelding Ringwood Sky Boy, is in sixth place; he will be aiming for a first placing at his fourth attempt at Burghley.

Michael Jung (GER) on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, is sharing seventh place with another German first-timer at Burghley, 20-year-old Niklas Bschorer on Tom Tom Go 3, on the healthy score of 38.7.

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth on Cadeau du Roi ahead of British first-timer Rosalind Canter (Allstar B), 10th, who is hanging on to her spot ahead of a cluster of experienced antipodeans including five-time Burghley winner Sir Mark Todd, equal 12th on Leonidas ll.

Riders are viewing Capt Mark Phillips’s Cross Country course, which runs in a reverse direction to usual, with plenty of respect and a bit of trepidation. “It’s tough out there,” commented Sam Griffiths. “You need a power jumper with some blood. This is a course that will find out any weaknesses.”

Fox-Pitt, who plans to take all the straight routes, added: “Mark has been very brave. Everyone will have their work cut out because we’re all starting from a blank sheet with the different direction. The first three fences are the only nice ones! I think Pimms is ready for it. I just want him to rise to the challenge and go well.”

Oliver Townend will be first out onto the course at 11am tomorrow on Dromgurrihy Blue; follow the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Michael Jung Makes Flying Start at Burghley

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Michael Jung (GER) makes his debut in style at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/201, by taking the lead after the first day of Dressage on FischerRocana FST. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 3 September, 2015 – As anticipated, the reigning Olympic and European champion Michael Jung (GER) has made quite an impression on his first visit to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, and is in the lead after the first day of Dressage.

The Ground Jury, President Nick Burton (GBR), Andrew Bennie (NZL) and Christina Klingspor (SWE), unanimously placed him out in front on his first ride, FischerRocana FST, with a mark of 34.2 for a classy test that was beautifully light, harmonious and happy.

“She was very relaxed, easy to ride and gave me a good feeling,” said Jung of the 11-year-old mare on which he won Kentucky, second leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, in which Jung is lying second in the rankings behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke (GER).

Andrew Hoy (AUS), who first won Burghley in 1979 before Jung was even born, also broke the 40-penalty barrier and is in second place with Rutherglen on a score of 37.8 after a reliably smooth and attractive test.

Hoy, 56, is due a change of luck: he fell in the water on both his rides at Badminton, although he had a good run when finishing seventh on his Burghley ride Rutherglen, a powerful Hannoverian gelding, at the recent Aachen (GER) CIC3*.

Another rider who will not remember Hoy’s first Burghley win is third-placed Niklas Bschorer (GER), who scored 39.2 in a well-ridden test on Tom Tom Go 3. At 20, he is the youngest in the field of 74 runners but his riding style is mature.

Bschorer’s Badminton debut ended abruptly when his air-jacket blew up on the Cross Country, but he was ninth at Luhmühlen (GER) in June and could easily trouble his seniors this weekend.

There were loud cheers for the diminutive Rosalind Canter and the giant 173cms Allstar B. The British pair have made an impressive start at their first CCI4* and are best of the home side in fourth place on 40.2 after a calm and accomplished performance. Canter took over the ride on the 10-year-old Allstar B, a Dutch warmblood by Ephebe For Ever, in 2012. Their best international result is seventh at Bramham CCI3* (GBR) last year.

“The Cross Country is really big!” she said. “I’m slightly terrified but really excited. I’m over the moon to have done a mistake-free Dressage test here,” she added. “The more noise and people the better for him. I’d hoped to score in the 40s, so to be nearly in the 30s is great.

“I’ve been coming to Burghley for years to watch as it’s my local event and I’ve got lots of friends here today supporting me. I had wanted to do my first four-star before I was 30 – I’m 29 and three-quarters – so I’ve just got there!”

Australians Christopher Burton (Haruzac), Sam Griffiths on his 2014 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh, and Paul Tapner (Vanir Kamira), all of whom have yet to win at Burghley, occupy the next three places. Pippa Funnell (GBR), who triumphed here 12 years ago, is eighth on Redesigned.

Funnell was, as ever, endearingly emotional as she left the arena, having scored 43.0 on the 14-year-old chestnut owned by Denise and Roger Lincoln, owners of her 2003 winner, Primmore’s Pride. Redesigned, a magnificent chestnut by Canute, promised much when fifth at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games™, but has been a difficult horse to manage.

“The greatest thing with this horse is that he’s relaxed today,” she said. “It’s all about the Cross Country with him and it’s hard to keep him focussed in the arena.”

When asked about her chances this weekend, the former dual European champion replied: “Everyone knows that I always work on negative psychology, I’m never confident. I doubt myself, but not my horse, who has all the ability in the world. I’ve just got to try to hold him!”

Cross Country course designer Mark Phillips (GBR) has set riders an intriguing test as he has reversed the direction of his track. This means that the Lion Bridge water complexes, where crowds of spectators lean over the bridge to get a bird’s eye view of the action, come up early at fences 4, 5 and 6.

Capability’s Cutting, at fences 9 and 10, has possibly the most difficult obstacle on the course, an acutely angled corner, and at 18 there is the traditional enormous white oxer at The Maltings. The famous Trout Hatchery (20-21) has five efforts, but riders will not be able to relax after that as the notorious Discovery Valley (24 and 28) and Leaf Pit drop (26, 27) are still to come.

“The course here is very different to the other four-stars; it looks tough with lots of ups and downs,” commented Michael Jung, whose past CCI4* successes include a win at Luhmühlen (GER), second place at Badminton (GBR) and third at Pau (FRA). “I will start out steadily and, hopefully, if my horses are giving me a good feeling, I will be able to go for the time. I’m very happy to be here; it’s a fantastic competition.”

Tomorrow, Jung will ride his London 2012 double Olympic gold medal partner La Biosthetique Sam. Funnell, who has withdrawn Mirage d’Elle, rides Second Supreme, Jonelle Price (NZL) who has withdrawn The Deputy, rides Classic Moet, and Christopher Burton, Sam Griffiths and Paul Tapner all have their second horses. There’s also six-times winner William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on his only ride, Fernhill Pimms, plus five-time winner Sir Mark Todd (NZL) on Leonidas ll. Last of all is the 2009 winner Oliver Townend (GBR) on the brilliant CCI4* horse Armada.

First horse is into the arena at 9.30am tomorrow. Follow the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and www.burghley.tv.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

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

Competitions, Show Jumping

Minikus Delivers at Hampton Classic and Prepares to Defend Million Dollar Title

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Todd Minikus was third with Two Swan Farm’s Babalou 41 in the $400,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows. (Photo courtesy of Spruce Meadows Media Services)

Bridgehampton, NY (September 2, 2015) – Another successful weekend in the show jumping ring has wrapped up for Todd Minikus, who is currently ranked second in the United States on the Longines $30,000 Rider’s Challenge rankings. Three strong performances on three different horses at the 40th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, New York is the most recent set of accomplishments in an incredibly successful summer for the Florida resident. The Hampton Classic also helped to strengthen Minikus’ position among the elite 50 horse and rider combinations headed for a $330,000 first place prize in the Canadian Pacific $1 Million FEI CSI5* Grand Prix on September 2-6 in HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII in Saugerties, New York.

Minikus began his week at the Hampton Classic on Tuesday, August 25, riding eleven-year-old KWPN gelding Paratrooper – owned by Lori Custer – to a second place finish in a 41-horse field in the $20,000 Royalton Farms Jumper Challenge. Paratrooper, who had two top ten finishes under Minikus the week before at Princeton Show Jumping, is also one of the horses Minikus will have in his jumping arsenal for the HITS VIII competition.

Facing an even larger field of 52 entries the next day, August 26th, in the $10,000 Wollfer Estate 1.4m Open, Minikus rode Matthew Degrande’s Oldenburg gelding Cordonos to a win – besting his runner-up by nearly three seconds in the competitive speed class. The upper level show jumping classes, held on a turf field, featured obstacles not often seen in summer East coast competitions, such as an open water and bank jump. These obstacles served as an early practice round for Minikus as he prepares to represent the United States as part of the Nations Cup team competing at the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament, to be held on September 9-13 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Sunday, August 30, at the Hampton Classic featured Minikus riding Babalou 41, Two Swans Farm’s champion mare. Minikus was the highest-placed American and one of only four clear rounds in the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix presented by Longines jump-off, finishing in 43.890 seconds for second place in the victory gallop behind Karen Polle of Japan on With Wings.

This week, Minikus is planning to show Paratrooper; Plum Creek Hollow Farm’s twelve-year-old Westphalian stallion, Con Capilot; and The Quality Group’s defending $1 Million CSI5* Grand Prix champion, Quality Girl, at the HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII. Minikus, a lifetime career winner of over 130 Grand Prix titles, and Quality Girl, his twelve-year-old Oldenburg partner of three years, will face an extremely talented field of competitors at HITS’ richest FEI show jumping division event of the summer.

When not competing, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. Follow Team Minikus on Facebook or click www.toddminikus.com to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the action with Minikus and his world-class string of show jumpers.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
amandajl16@aol.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com