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*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Central European and North American Leagues Bring 2014/2015 Jumping Qualifiers to a Close

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Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks won the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Central European League Final 2015 at Warsaw, Poland. (FEI/Karol Rzeczycki)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 March 2015 – All the qualifiers for the Longines FEI World Cup™ 2014/2015 Final have now concluded, following the Central European League Final in Warsaw, Poland 12 days ago and the last legs of the North America East and West Coast Leagues at Ocala, Florida and Thermal, California.

The excitement is building by the day, with the deadline for receipt of nominated entries coming up tomorrow, 27 March, and definite entries due to be confirmed by 6 April, just a week before the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final begins at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, USA, the 37th running of arguably the sport’s most sought-after individual title.

Central European League

Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks emerged as Central European champion at the exciting Final in Warsaw where 17 riders from eight countries – Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey – battled it out for the honours.

The Central European League is sub-divided into two regions due to the vast land-base over which it takes place, and Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy was the sole representative from the Southern Sub-League at the Final staged in Poland’s capital city.

There were 11 points-gaining events in the Northern Sub-League and four in the Southern Sub-League, and riders arrived at the Central European League Final carrying their best five results to which points earned from three further competitions would also be added.

Neretnieks didn’t get off to a great start when collecting 12 penalty seconds in the opening Table C Speed class with Casscare which left him well down the line. It was the host nation’s Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski who scored best here when runner-up with Inferno ahead of Turkey’s Demirsoy riding Harry K. The win went to Germany’s Marcel Braig, but he was not in contention for Central European League points.

And in the Table A class that followed, it was Estonia’s Gunnar Klettenberg who seized the maximum 20 points available when second with Lance S, while Aleksandr Lis from Belarus was next best in fifth place with Que Pasa. A single error with Caramsin pinned Neretnieks back into 11th position here, but in the Grand Prix his 10-year-old bay Hannoverian stallion secured victory in style.

All to play for

There was a massive 40 points up for grabs this time out, so it was all to play for. Producing one of just four double-clear rounds from the starting field of 40 horse-and-rider combinations, the 25-year-old Latvian left the rest floundering in his wake as he galloped to victory in the quickest time of 38.48 seconds. Poland’s Msciwoj Kiecon (Urbane) and Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski (Crazy Quick) slotted into third and fourth places, but it was his seventh-place finish with Rocketman that secured runner-up spot on the series table for Russia’s Vladimir Beletskiy.

Latvia’s Andis Varna finished third on the final leaderboard ahead of Ales Opatrny from the Czech Republic in fourth while Skrzyczynski, fellow-Pole Michal Kazmierczak and Turkey’s Demirsoy filled fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

Neretnieks, Beletskiy and Varna are already on the list of nominated entries for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Final in Las Vegas. Neretnieks previously competed at the 2013 Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden and at last year’s Longines Final in Lyon, France. Riding Conte Bellini, he also competed at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, France.

North American Leagues

Todd Minikus won the FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 North America East Coast League, while fellow-American and 2012 FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion Rich Fellers topped the West Coast League.

The East Coast League embraced results from 13 events staged across the USA and Canada with the opportunity to gain crossover points from the West Coast and Western European League series. A total of 114 athletes participated, with 80 collecting points and each rider counted their best five results to decide the eventual winner.

It’s going to be a star-studded East Coast line-up at Las Vegas, with Minikus joined by Beijing Olympic team gold medallist Laura Kraut and 2013 FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion Beezie Madden along with Jack Towell, Kirsten Coe and McLain Ward.

Minikus began his march to the top of the leaderboard by taking maximum points at the opening leg in Bromont, Canada last July, and again at the sixth leg in Harrisburg, USA in October. He picked up more points in Washington, and although he missed out at Lexington in Kentucky a few weeks later, he brought his tally of points to 81 when runner-up behind McLain Ward at the qualifier in Toronto, Canada in November. He then sat back and left it to the rest to catch up with him.

Kraut came with a late run, helped by a double of wins in Wellington, Florida in November and again earlier this month, while Madden also scored a double, topping the leg at Lexington and finally securing her spot when second to Ireland’s Cian O’Connor in the Grand Prix at Live Oaks Plantation in Ocala, Florida last weekend. As the Irishman was not in contention for North American East Coast League points, Madden took the maximum 20 to leave her on a final total of 76, just one behind Kraut.

Towell completed with 71 points on the board while Coe collected 66 and Ward 61 to make the cut. Also finishing on 61 points was Leslie Burr Howard who, at the age of 29, became the sixth American to be crowned FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion at the Final in Gothenburg, Sweden back in 1986. She won’t compete at this year’s Final, however, so her place goes to the next rider on the North America East Coast League table, 21-year-old Katie Dinan.

East Coast champion, Minikus, has enjoyed a great run of form with his talented 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, Quality Girl.

West Coast

There were nine chances to qualify from the North America West Coast series, with the opportunity to also gain crossover points from the East Coast and Western European Leagues. Rich Fellers, the man who brought the FEI World Cup™ Jumping title back to the USA for the first time in 25 years when coming out on top at the 2012 Final, won through ahead of Susan Artes who also finished with 65 points but who had to settle for runner-up spot due to Fellers’ higher placings. Just three qualify from this region, and Karl Cook has earned the third qualifying spot.

A total of 75 athletes competed, with 47 earning points and, again, the five best results decided the league title. Events took place across Canada and the USA, and Fellers kick-started his campaign at Langley in Canada where he collected 13 points before claiming the maximum 20 at the fourth leg in Rancho Murieta in California last October. He maintained his momentum with 17 more to add at the next leg in Del Mar, California, but it was his trip to the last qualifier at Live Oak Plantation in Florida last weekend that finally and firmly booked his ticket to Las Vegas.

Artes was thoroughly consistent throughout her seven outings, missing out on points just once at the seventh leg in Las Vegas, so she will be hoping that her return visit to the entertainment capital of the world will be more productive in just over two weeks’ time. She has a legion of fans who follow her every move, partly due to her relatively unusual path to the top of her sport. Originally a hunter/jumper rider on the US circuit, the 50-year-old from Burbank in California has honed a tremendous partnership with the 11-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Zamiro which she has had since he was five. Together they collected all their points at Californian venues including Del Mar, Rancho Murieta and Thermal. Artes previously qualified for the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2007 but didn’t compete. This time around she has every intention of giving it her best shot.

Karl Cook was only 23 years old when competing at the 2013 Final at Gothenburg. He lined out at seven events in the North American West Coast League this season, and his third-place finish was boosted by maximum points at round six in Thermal last October, and 17 points at the following leg in Las Vegas.

Fellers and the 19-year-old stallion Flexible took the sport by storm when winning the coveted trophy at ‘s-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands three years ago. This horse has experienced so many come-backs from illness and injury during his career that he has long been a legend, and together with his 55-year-old rider he will have huge support when the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Final gets underway in Las Vegas on 15 April.

By Louise Parkes

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

Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Adam Prudent Rides Vasco to the Win in the 1.30-1.35m Class at Wellington Turf Tour

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Adam Prudent and Vasco.

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2015 – The final Wednesday of the Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour was incredibly successful, with both rings staying busy throughout the day. Adam Prudent topped the first 1.30-1.35m class riding Vasco for Plain Bay Sales. Prudent brought the horse over in order to prepare for the Finale Grand Prix on Friday.

“It was a great course as usual at The Ridge. I love showing here because you always get to ride on the grass. I have won a couple classes here, and it’s always a pleasure to come. This is one of my speed horses; I brought him over this week to give him a bit of a break from WEF. He loves the grass, so he’s very easy to ride on this big open field.”

Prudent posted a very fast time of 46.192 seconds to beat the early class leader Oliver McCarthy’s time of 46.235 seconds on the course designed by Nick Granat and Eric Hasbrouck.   McCarthy had the ride on Crossfire 10 for McLain Ward. Ansgar Holtgers finished in third on his own Wisconsin, and fifth on Quick Petite Folie. Darrin Dliin claimed the fourth place finish with Tennyson for Susan Grange. Rounding out the top six was Linda Sheridan, riding her own Vantina HPF.

In the second class, Lauren Hough rode Olivia Pirovano’s Spirit to the top prize with a time of 43.626 seconds. Christine McCrea, the first double clear of the day, stopping the clock at 45.861 seconds, finished in second aboard Ronaldo De La Pomme for Candy Tribble. Conor Swail clinched the third spot with Game Ready for Susan Grange. Eric Flameng saw a great deal of success with Balous Boy, who just moved up to the 1.30-1.35 class last week, with a fourth place finish. Cassandra Herman rode SCCA Ventures’ Casis to a fifth. Darrin Dliin rounded out the top six placings with another of Grange’s horses, Dillinger.

In addition to the resurgence of the traditional horse shows, a tradition of breeding and producing top caliber horses has been very evident with some of the competitors during the turf tour. One owner who has an incredible amount of time and knowledge invested into producing such top horses is Susan Grange.

Throughout the turf tour, there has been a set of names that are consistently on the top of the results chart. Grange and her team of riders of Brady Hayes, Darrin Dliin and Conor Swail have attended ten of the twelve weeks of competition during the Turf Tour, garnering significant ribbons along the way. Grange was eager to express her support for the Turf Tour.

“We love it here. It’s a great opportunity to show our young horses and get them out on a big field with nice jumps and good footing. It’s just much more inviting for the young horses. We bring a lot of them over for that reason. They can only handle so much at the other show; it’s nice to swap it out every now and then.”

Her unique custom shirts stand out, with half of the Canadian flags colors on one side and half of the Irish flags on the other, representing both her home country and that of her Irish rider’s, Swail’s. It’s quite clear that she is very proud of what her team is accomplishing through classical, correct training of very gifted young horses.

Grange produces her own horses and purchases promising young talent to bring up through the ranks with the help of her outstanding riders. She has been producing horses since she was 16.

“I do a lot of breeding; a lot of these are my homebreds. It’s the only way to go. It’s too expensive to go buying grand prix horses. Ultimately we want to get up to the grand prix with them, so we start with nice young ones, go with them, and if they look like they’ll make the very top we keep them and if not, we sell them as really nice amateur horses. I love the young horses. I love watching them and developing them, and training them at home.”

She elaborated, “To me, it’s not as much fun (to just buy a made horse). If you buy a horse, you expect it to go in the ring and be good. But the young ones, you remember them as babies and you think, ‘Wow, this horse is actually doing this now!’ and it’s a whole different level of fun for me. I like to work with them at home a lot, developing them. All of my riders don’t live anywhere near me. Darrin Dliin is from Calgary, Conor Swail of course is in Ireland, and Ian Millar lives in Perth. Between Brady Hayes and me, I set up the gymnastics and we train them all to have them ready for the riders. It makes both of us feel great when they go well for the riders.”

Dliin explained his role in the Lothlorien team. “I first started just doing the young ones and brought them along. We won several young horse finals with her horses, mostly homebred. Those are mostly grown up, so now I’ve got a whole new batch to bring along. We each them how to jump, teach them how to canter, and just how to do it on their own. That lets them develop the confidence so they know what to do without us, basically.”

The young horses have a bit of a break following the long Florida circuit. “After the winter here they have a big break, and then I go back in May to start them back up again for Spruce. They’re at Spruce for six weeks, then they have a break again. We do some local shows and get them organized for the Young Horse Finals in Toronto.”

Like Grange, Dliin was quite vocal about his praise for The Ridge. “I really want to say a big thank you to George and Nona for bringing this to Wellington. It’s such a welcome addition it’s so nice to get the horses out here, especially for us, because Spruce is such a big part of our summer. We get to get ready here so they’re ready to go when we get there. Spruce is so big and open, but after being here they’re ready for it. This is a great thing.”

Swail, The Turf Tour’s leading rider this year, has really enjoyed working with Grange and her program. “She has a great team that does a great job with the horses as young horses. I come in and ride the older ones when they’re ready to do a bit of a higher level. For me it’s great that Sue and Ariel and their family have a great interest; they’re very devoted to the sport. It’s great for me that they’re so involved.”

He has high hopes for the future, especially given the quality of the horses that are being produced. “She’s a great owner and I thought we’d be a good match and so far so good – we’re both trying to go in the same direction and we’re being quite successful in everything we’re doing. I think in the future we’ll be getting even more successful as time goes on.”

Brady Hayes is an integral part of the team with the horses at home, but he is quick to give credit where it is due. “The management of Lori Green and the grooms, and everyone involved – they really put a lot of hard work into what goes on every day at Lothlorien Farm.”

Hayes does much of the behind-the-scenes work, riding them at home and flatting the horses at shows. He flats the young ones just under saddle and spends a lot of time doing gymnastics with the horses, something Grange is a very firm believer in.

“I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I’m in; there’s a lot of great people around that I’ve learned, and am learning, a lot from. I think every day we work with the horses as individuals and try to accomplish what we can. It’s nothing but a great learning experience. I just can’t say enough about Sue and Ariel and her family. They’ve given me a very wonderful opportunity, and to work with some of these very top riders in the farm has been nothing but great for the past few years.”

Hayes was incredibly enthusiastic about his support for the Turf Tour.

“I can’t say enough about The Ridge. It’s a great atmosphere, especially for the younger horses. It’s so open. You can take all the time in the world to get ready. If you go in and have one or two fences down there’s always the second course up. You can go back in and make sure you get it done the right way, whereas other venues you can’t always do that; it’s kind of a one shot kind of deal. I think the footing is always fabulous; the fences are just enough, not overly impressive to the point of being scary, but not just poles on the ground.”

He continued, “They’ve done a super job; they let you have refreshments and food, and it’s a very nice atmosphere. The course designers and Nona and George who put it on are nothing but very generous and it’s a very well put together venue, for sure!”

Friday will be the last day of competition for the 2015 Turf Tour. IPC will be hosting a champagne brunch to celebrate the conclusion of the series. The highlight of the day will be the Grand Prix Finale, running from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. with an award presentation at 4:30 p.m. The 1.40m Grand Prix will offer just under $25,000 in prize money, the largest purse offered by The Ridge at Wellington. With some of the top names during the Tour bringing their most competitive horses, Friday’s action is sure to be nail biting. The second ring will offer low and medium schooling jumpers. At the conclusion of competition on Friday, March 27th, the Turf Tour will name the Leading Rider for the twelve-week series. Current standings have Irish rider Conor Swail at the top of the rankings.

The winner of the Leading Rider Award will receive an incredible prize of an Equestrian International Polo Club Palm Beach membership. This exclusive membership is typically available through invitation only and is highly sought after. Valued at $6,000, the membership starts January 2016 and is good through mid-April, the duration of the winter circuit.

The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its third year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 27, 2015.

The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2015 and running until March 18, 2015.

Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour, running concurrently with the 1.30-1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers.

The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January 6 – March 23, 2015. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.

Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 6, 2015 and March 20, 2015.

What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Adult Classics, Masters Jumpers, Junior/Amateur Classics, two hunter derbies and the Pre-Green Incentive Stake.

Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Text: (908) 500-0996

Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/359668144211383/

Management:
Nona Garson
14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd. East
Wellington, FL, 33414
(561) 791-1471 (show office)
(908) 839-3859 (show cell)
(561) 791-1543 (show fax)
Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park Race to Victory in $34,000 1.45m Speed to Start WEF 12

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Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its twelfth and final week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday with a win for Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Artisan Farms and Torrey Pines Stable’s Rosana du Park in the $34,000 1.45m FEI speed class. Abigail McArdle (USA) galloped to second place with Cosma 20; McLain Ward (USA) and Azibantos finished third.

WEF 12, sponsored by Rolex, runs March 25-29. The week features the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, March 28. Other highlights include the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 12 on Thursday (*now at 8 am and livestreamed at http://bit.ly/1HHlzwD) and the $10,000 Holtgers 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, $15,000 Adequan® 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, and $20,000 Adequan® 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic on Friday. The $100,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final will be held on Saturday, and the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will host its first round on Saturday and its second round on the derby field Sunday. Saturday night’s 1.50m Final Round and Rolex Grand Prix, along with Sunday’s second round of the hunter derby will be live streamed at www.COTH.com.

Steve Stephens (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena for week twelve. Stephens saw 70 entries on his 1.45m speed track with 22 clear rounds. Lamaze and Rosana du Park raced to the winning time of 58.10 seconds. McArdle and David McArdle’s Cosma 20 finished in 60.34 seconds, and Ward and Group C LLC’s Azibantos clocked in at 60.36 seconds.

Venezuela secured the remaining places in the top six. Emanuel Andrade and Walter 61 were fourth in 61.03 seconds, Andres Rodriguez and Arao Enterprises LLC’s Caballito placed fifth in 61.40 seconds, and Luis Larrazabal and San Francisco Stables LLC’s G&C Close Up finished sixth in 62.56 seconds.

For Lamaze, Rosana du Park was the right choice to kick off the final week of WEF competition. The 10-year-old Selle Francais mare (by Kannan) is fast and careful, a perfect combination for the competitive speed class.

“It is a five-star week, so we try to put some very good speed horses in these 1.45m speed classes, for the ranking points alone, along with the prize money,” Lamaze stated. “I have a few horses for this week that I could play around with, and Rosana was the choice for today. This was a good opening event for me for the week.”

On what it takes to be the winner in a class that fast, Lamaze explained, “There is no secret to these 1.45m; just go as fast as you can go. If you are last to go and for whatever reason it has not been a super fast class, then you may have a plan, but usually the plan is the fastest track that your horse can possibly jump clear and take as much risk as you can. Then you hope the rails stayed up when you finish because they are going extremely fast.”

Lamaze detailed his winning round, stating, “She is really quick, she has a big stride, and she never gets too hot. This was a shorter type course; it was not as long as some of the other 1.45m, which by week number 12 is just fine. The horses have jumped a lot. It is hard to keep repeating speed classes in the same ring over the same jumps. These horses, they get clever and they get a little bit quick, but she is a super competitor. I went early enough in the order, and I knew with the field behind me I had to be fast. I took a lot of options. There was an inside turn where you could go inside a standard to a skinny, which was very, very short. I risked that, and it worked out. I had a great distance to come out of the turn with and take. Sometimes it does not always happen that way, but it did and then it made my last line kind of nice.”

Also showing on Wednesday, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was held in a California Split with wins for Alvaro Tejada and Voltaral Palo Blanco in Section A and Andrew Ramsay with Winn Winn in Section B. The Adequan® 7-Year-Old Young Jumper division held its speed class in the International Arena in the morning with a win for David Beisel and Patrice Schreiber’s Vigilante.

WEF 12 continues on Thursday featuring the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 12 at 8 a.m. in the International Arena at PBIEC followed by another $34,000 1.45m speed class. The Loddon Stalls Pre-Green Hunter 3&4 Year Olds will award championship honors in Ring 7. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final 2015 Entries Confirmed

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The girl with the floating horse: Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) on a lap of honour with Valegro after their win in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2014 in Lyon (FRA). Dujardin and Valegro will defend their title in Las Vegas (USA) next month. FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst.

Lausanne (SUI), 24 March 2015 – The FEI has confirmed the entries for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2015 which will take place in Las Vegas, NV (USA) in three weeks’ time.

The following rider/horse combinations will be taking part in the event:

Western European League (9 slots)

Edward GAL/Glock’s Undercover (NED)
Jessica VON BREDOW-WERNDL/Unee BB (GER)
Fabienne LÜTKEMEIER/D’Agostino (GER)
Isabell WERTH /Don Johnson/El Santo (GER)
Hans Peter MINDERHOUD/Glok’s Flirt (NED)
Agnete KIRK THINGGAARD/Jojo (DEN)
Morgan BARBANCON MESTRE/Painted Black (ESP)
Paulinda FRIBERG/Di Lapponia T (SWE)
Malin HAMILTON/Fleetwood (SWE)

Central European League (2 slots)

Elena SIDNEVA/Romeo Star (RUS)
Tatiana DOROFEEVA/Kartsevo Upperville (RUS)

North American League (2 slots)

Steffen PETERS/Legolas 92 (USA)
Laura GRAVES/Verdades (USA)

Title Defender

Charlotte DUJARDIN/Valegro (GBR)

FEI extra starting places

Lars PETERSEN/Mariett (DEN)
Mikala GUNDERSEN/My Lady (DEN)
Inessa MERKULOVA/Mister X (RUS)
Terhi STEGARS/Axis TSF (FIN)

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2015 will begin on Thursday 16 April with the Grand Prix which is open to all 18 combinations. All participants who finish the Grand Prix with a score of at least 58% will continue to the Grand Prix Freestyle which will be held on Saturday 18 April.

A full preview of the event will follow.

Media contacts:

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Uncategorized

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall Commemorates Launch of Brooke USA

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Upon arrival at Churchill Downs, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall was greeted by two miniature donkeys representing Brooke USA’s programs to improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules in the developing world.

International Equine Welfare Organization Hosts Royalty in Louisville

LEXINGTON, Ky (March 24, 2015) – Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall commemorated the advancement of Brooke USA at a reception for Brooke donors and guests at Churchill Downs on Friday, March 20.

As President of the Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare organization, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall planned the visit to the newly established American division of her charity while accompanying her husband, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, to Louisville as part of a brief visit to the United States.

“I am very proud to be the president of the Brooke,” said Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall at an event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Brooke in 2014. “I love horses, and I’ve ridden all my life, so I am passionate about the work of this unique charity. Its determination to improve the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in many countries where animals are not so respected and loved as they are here is legendary.

“During the Second World War, my father was a cavalry officer stationed in Cairo, and I recollected him telling me about Dorothy Brooke and the wonderful work she was doing there,” continued Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall. “That is when my passion for the Brooke was ignited.”

Headquartered in London, England, the Brooke was founded by Dorothy Brooke in 1934. As the wife of a British Major General stationed in Cairo, Mrs. Brooke began a free veterinary clinic there after seeing the deplorable conditions of the British, Australian and American war horses who had been left behind in Egypt after WWI by the military and virtually sold into hard labor. The Brooke has expanded over the last 80 years to assist millions of working equines and the people who depend on them, and is currently working in Egypt, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal, Senegal, Jordan, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

At least 100 million working equines are the engines that power the developing world, doing the hardest jobs under the toughest conditions to support the livelihoods of 600 million people. That’s 9% of the world’s population. The Brooke is dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in communities where people often earn less than one dollar a day. Poverty and desperation often force owners to overwork their animals, resulting in a great deal suffering. Most of this suffering is preventable. The Brooke works together with local communities to bring about lasting improvements to the lives of their working animals, which also protects human livelihoods.

Brooke USA opened the American office in 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Brooke USA staff, board members, donors and guests travelled to Churchill Downs to honor Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall beginning with horses and donkeys in the saddling paddock at Churchill Downs followed by a reception. Kismet Acres brought two miniature donkeys to represent the Brooke’s global mission with working equines.

“The purpose of Brooke USA is to support the world-wide programs of the Brooke in alleviating the suffering of working horses, donkeys and mules,” said Petra Ingram, Chief Executive of the Brooke. “Americans have a close affinity with horses and are exceedingly generous to the impoverished places of the world, so we are deeply appreciative that Her Royal Highness is bringing attention to the plight of these working animals and to the Brooke’s proven solutions for long-term improvement to their welfare.”

Cindy Rullman is Fundraising Development Manager for the Brooke USA headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. She and members of the Brooke USA Board of Directors were present for the royal occasion.

“We were honored to have Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall with us,” said Ms. Rullman. “Since she began her role as President in 2006, Her Royal Highness has given the Brooke, and the animals and people whom we serve, the international awareness we need to advance the cause for the poor and suffering in our world today. She is keeping us on track to achieve our goal of reaching 2 million working equines, benefitting 12 million people, each year by 2016.”

For more information contact Cindy Rullman, 859-296-0037, cindy.rullman@brookeusa.org or go to www.brookeusa.org or www.thebrooke.org.

Brooke USA exists solely to support the overseas work of the Brooke. Brooke USA is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. Last year, the Brooke reached more than 1.4 million working horses, donkeys and mules across 11 countries in the developing world.

Contact: Cindy Rullman
Brooke USA
(859) 296-0037
Cindy.Rullman@BrookeUSA.org

HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Charlie Jayne Crowned King of the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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(C) ESI Photography. Charlie Jayne and Chill R Z.

OCALA, Florida (March 23, 2015): Despite an uncertain forecast, droves of spectators packed two VIP tents and filled the grandstands for the return of the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS Post Time Farm. With hopes for a battle of the best, onlookers received just that when Charlie Jayne, of Elgin, Illinois, aboard Chill R Z, owned by Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher, hustled his way to the win.

Forty-six of the world’s top riders, including World Cup champions, Olympic Gold Medalists and Grand Prix stars, attempted the 14 effort course set by Buddy Brown of Menlo Park, California. Many riders had a chance to talk to Brown while they were walking the course, and it was clear the track questioned riders in all the right places, with six securing a spot in the coveted jump-off.

“Many of the verticals were well over 1.60, which we don’t jump anywhere else,” said Jayne. “I thought the course designer did an excellent job with the placement of the fences. Six was the perfect number of clears for a class of this caliber.”

First to reenter the ring for the jump-off was Kirsten Coe of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, riding Baronez, owned by Ilan Ferder, Lovsa Stuteri and Tal Milstein. Hailed as a rising star in the Grand Prix arena, Coe had a rail at the fourth jump, the liverpool oxer, for four faults in a time of 46.918, ultimately leading to a fifth place finish.

Lauren Hough of Wellington, Florida, riding Ohlala, owned by The Ohlala Group, was next to take the stage. Hough approached the course with confidence as a hush fell over the crowd. All-out galloping and zipping through the turns, Hough was on a mission and despite a down rail for four faults at the last oxer, the two set the Great American Time to Beat with a time of 42.601, a full four seconds faster than Coe. Hough, who rode Ohlala in the FEI Nations Cup at HITS Ocala earlier this season, praised her partner for their job well done.

“I’ve had him for a few years but he’s just come into this level in the past year or so,” said Hough. “He’s probably the most talented horse I’ve ever ridden.”

Next to test his luck on the abbreviated course was Jonathan McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut, with Aristoteles V, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables, Inc. The crowd went silent wondering if McCrea would be the one to give them a clean go, but a rail at the second-to-last fence and a time of 49.241 would put him behind Coe on the leaderboard.

Hoping to break the four fault streak, McLain Ward of Brewster, New York, on his faithful Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farm, was next in the order and hungry for a win after a second place finish at the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, just one spot ahead of Jayne and Chill RZ, one week prior. Ward breezed through the course giving fans the first clean jump off round in a fast time of 42.903. For a moment, it looked like Ward was on his way to what would be his third $1 Million Dollar Grand Prix title.

“He has been more than a great partner. It’s remarkable what this little horse has done,” said Ward. “I’ve said it before, but he’s really my friend.

“We’ve been aiming for the World Cup Finals since the World Championship last year. When we made that plan, these two $1 Million Grand Prix were on the way there and very important markers for us,” he continued.

Jayne, who immediately followed Ward in the jump-off both in Ocala and in the AIG Million a week earlier, had the advantage of watching all but one of his challengers. The chase was on as Jayne and Chill RZ cut through the course and as they launched over the final fence, the Great American Insurance oxer, for a clean round in a time of 42.24, the crowd erupted in cheers for the new leader.

“Before the jump off I was talking to a friend who said, ‘You know Charlie, you won over a $100,000 last week, so just go for it,’ so that was basically my strategy,” said Jayne. “I think I got a little lucky at the last fence. I was a few tenths of a second behind McLain last week, and I was just about that much ahead of him this week. Luck was on my side.”

With one last entry to go, all eyes were on Callan Solem of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and VDL Wizard, owned by Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC, as they raced the clock and Jayne for the win. Clean but not quite fast enough, Solem crossed the timers in 44.116 for a third place finish.

As Solem exited, a triumphant Jayne reappeared in the ring for his well-deserved victory gallop and beamed with excitement as he waved to countless cheering fans.

“Everybody in the jump-off was quite fast but I just had the advantage today that Lauren had a rail down and I got to see McLain go,” said Jayne after the class. “I think there was a very strong caliber of horse and riders here today – probably one of the strongest Millions we’ve seen yet.”

Course designer Buddy Brown agreed adding, “To me, the jump-off is an Olympic like round. When you come here to jump for $1 Million, that is special. Tom holds three $1 Million Dollar classes a year. Riders should come ready with their A-game.”

“The two of us have won $480,000 and $570,000 in the past two weeks,” replied Ward, referring to his and Jayne’s results the past two weeks. “To see our sport come to that level is phenomenal. I tried to go a little faster this week than last – I was worried about Charlie. I just had a feeling that he was going to lay it on the line.”

It was unanimous amongst the top finishers that the prize purses offered by HITS are remarkable and HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri gave full credit to the event’s title sponsor.

“Great American Insurance is a fantastic sponsor of ours. To support us at this level is extraordinary and we’re so fortunate in that way,” said Struzzieri at the post-class press conference. “I’m fortunate to have frequent customers of mine sitting up here. I like to have people who support HITS through the year getting rewarded for doing well, and I’m happy about that.”

As ten weeks of show jumping competition at HITS Ocala came to a close with a $1 Million Grand Prix to remember, Jayne is already looking ahead to the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York later this year. Boasting the richest weekend in show jumping and with the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix debuting as an FEI CSI-5* class, riders from around the globe await another opportunity for their chance at international bragging rights and the iconic prize purse.

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!

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, Show Jumping

Live Oak International 2015: Where Tradition Meets Vision

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Cian O’Connor ended the weekend with two top wins and the CSI2*W Grand Prix. (Photos courtesy of www.picsofyou.com)

Ocala, Florida (March 23,2015) — Nowhere else in North America are combined driving and show jumping presented at a venue so world class in quality as to attract Olympic, World, and National champions before miraculously returning to a quiet, beautiful pasture for its 361 other days of the year. The 23rd edition of Live Oak International, March 18-22, rose from those misty fields to rewrite its record books once again with new and returning champions playing their part in making the show that has been called the ‘Horse Capital of America’s Favorite Equestrian Event.’

Two-time Irish Olympian Cian O’Connor, who earned Bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games, won the 2015 Live Oak International CSI2*W Grand Prix (a qualifying event for the World Cup) on Good Luck, and compared its grass stadium to those in Europe — thus offering a good foundation for up-and-coming European Championships hopefuls. O’Connor also won earlier in the week — with the intent of building grass field experience — on Quidam’s Cherie, an Oldenburg mare he rode to the win in the $10,000 Waldron Private Wealth Management 1.40m Welcome Stake. He also placed second on Chandon Blue in the $5,000 Pasmore Stables 1.35m Power & Speed.

Germany’s Andre Thieme, who won the $34,000 Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round, expressed respect for course designer Leopoldo Palacios’ balance of “gentle” lines and “crazy short” time that asked exactly the questions he was looking to answer with his 11-year-old Holsteiner, Conthendrix. “He was too wild, too forward, when we first started, but it feels like he’s turned a corner and is giving me a really good year,” Thieme said of Conthendrix.

“I see this as a serious show that has grown a lot in the four years it has offered two-star jumping,” said Palacios, whose has built a two-decade career creating courses for the largest shows in the world. Show jumping was added to the Live Oak International program in 2012.

Juliet W. Reid, who joins Chester C. Weber and Charlotte C. Weber as presidents of the Live Oak International show, said Palacios is right in predicting continued growth: “Next year we plan to be a three-star.”

Already offering the greatest prize money and titles of any combined driving event in America, the Live Oak International driving program included the USEF National Championships for Single Pony, Pair Horse, Pair Pony, and Four-in-Hand Pony.

“This is the first big win I’ve ever had,” smiled Steve Wilson of Louisville, Kentucky, after accepting the USEF National Pair Horse Driving Championship from U.S. Equestrian Federation president Chrystine Tauber. Wilson piloted a grey Lipizzan pair to his first national driving title on a final cumulative score of 164.92.

Amy Cross won the USEF Pair Pony Driving Championship.
Amy Cross won the USEF Pair Pony Driving Championship.

USEF Pair Pony Driving Champion Amy Cross, of Aiken, South Carolina, confessed she knew she “needed a good dressage score. I just kept reminding myself we were prepared and we knew what we had to do.” Cross earned her USEF title on a 134.40 final score.

USEF National Four-in-Hand Pony champion Heather Schneider of Palm City, Florida credited her Live Oak International host (and 11-time US National Four-in-Hand Horse champion) Chester Weber with advising her that it would “take six years to get a team to come together — and he was right! But I’ve also been really blessed with good ponies.”

Florida’s Triple Crown Award — for posting the lowest combined scores from the Sunshine State CDE, The Kingdom of the Sun CDE, and Live Oak International — went to Intermediate Single Pony driver Doris Leacy of Oro Valley, Arizona with her German Riding Pony, Katydid Baroness.

Chester Weber, too, continued to live up to the expectations of his fellow whips with an FEI Four-in-Hand Horse victory, posting one of the best (33.45) dressage scores of his career before continuing his lead through marathon and cones to a 147.49 win.

FEI Single Horse honors went to Suzy Stafford of Wilmington, Delaware and her Morgan, PVF Peace of Mind, who lived up to its name by turning in first-place after first-place for its whip across the phases to the final 139.46 score.

In keeping with the Live Oak International mission to encourage and promote horse sport, the driving program also offered a second consecutive Intermediate Pair Horse title for Georgian Grandes whip, Max Montoya of Hebron, Kentucky (159.68); an Intermediate Four-in-Hand Horse win for Craig Grange (238.39) of Morriston, Florida; and Intermediate Single Horse title for local favorite Ellen Epstein of Ocala and her bay KWPN, Alex.

“Every win feels as good as the first,” concluded Intermediate Pair Pony champion, Boots Wright of Ocala, who has been competing faithfully at Live Oak International since the show started 23 years ago. “It was pretty ‘rustic’ that first year,” she said with a smile. ‘Today, it is a world class venue that has done so much to better our sport as a whole.”

Presented and sponsored by Michael Freund was the Jean Keathley Memorial Award to Chester Weber as the FEI driver with the lowest dressage score; the Anne Bliss Memorial Award to Misdee Wrigley-Miller for most elegant lady driver; the Katie Williams Memorial Award (donated by friends of Katie Williams) to the best-conditioned entry; the Hanzi Award (donated by Chester Weber) to Ellen Epstein and Alex V, determined the best horse or pony of the competition in the opinion of the judge; the Omega Alpha Healthy Horse Award, donated by Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc., to G. Wilson Groves; and the HORSE GYM USA® Top Equine Athlete Award to Alison Stroud for the admirable fitness of her team.

Between spectating the daunting jumps and the fast-paced excitement of the marathon driving phase, attendees of Live Oak International enjoyed being part of the action with a kids’ horseless jumping competition, the Sleepy P Ranch Leadline Class, a Parelli Natural Horsemanship demonstration, miniature horses to pet, a pirate-themed Competitors Party, and plenty of the horse world’s favorite vendors. Premier Equestrian and Breyer Horses made Live Oak International’s first kids’ horseless jumping competition possible, and the event was a hit among the aspiring future jumpers and drivers on the show grounds. Parelli Natural Horsemanship’s impressive demonstration of working with nearly-tackless horses further added to the show’s eclectic equestrian atmosphere.

In 2016, the Live Oak International will be approaching a quarter century as the only event of its kind in the nation to bring horse lovers and families alike to an international program, featuring both combined driving and Grand Prix show jumping champions. And next year, its stellar reputation may add another “star.” For complete results and more, see www.liveoakinternational.com.

For more information contact:
Damian Guthrie
Live Oak International
www.liveoakinternational.com
info@liveoakinternational.com
786-303-2681
Press Office
Johnny Robb
561-290-9668

HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Alex Trolli Ends HITS Ocala Winter Circuit on Top

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Alex Trolli and Hey Sailor concluded HITS Ocala as the overall circuit champion title in the Low 3’3″ Junior Hunter division.

Alfano and Jersey Boy Capture Hunter Derby Win at Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

Ocala, Fla. and Katy, Tx. – March 23, 2015 – SBS Farms, Inc. concluded its successful outing at HITS Ocala and ended the circuit on top. Alex Trolli claimed multiple ribbons throughout the winter and proved her consistency by claiming both the champion and reserve champion circuit titles in the Low 3’3″ Junior Hunter Division.

Trolli took the overall circuit champion title, earning 118 points with Hey Sailor, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and captured the reserve champion circuit honors with her own horse, Del Piero.

Her stellar performance during Week IX contributed to her overall top two circuit spots, where she highlighted a champion title in the Junior Hunter Low 3’3″ division on Del Piero. Trolli captured the lead in the handy, and the second and place finish in the over fences with a third in the competitive under saddle, which led her to the overall victory. The winning didn’t stop with Del Piero, but she also took top honors in an over fence class in the same division with Hey Sailor.

SBS Farms’ winning ways didn’t end when the winter circuit in Ocala did; instead, they brought their success right to the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, where Jennifer Alfano kicked it up a notch in Katy, Tx.

Alfano brought the decorated Jersey Boy out to compete in just the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and showed he was fresh and ready to win. The dominating pair finished the first round of the Derby with an impressive score of 96, which put them in the second position heading into the handy round, right behind Peter Pletcher. Alfano navigated Jersey Boy to a slick handy round performance, earning a 96, which allowed them to surpass Pletcher and steal the overall victory.

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy captured the 2015 $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.
Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy captured the 2015 $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.

The wins continued past the first place finish for Alfano. She also collected the fourth place ribbon on Billie Steffee’s Maggie May, who was High Performance Champion earlier on in the week and good ribbons with her new 6-year-old, Miramar.

Alfano navigated Castle to many victories while in Texas including the win in the Pre-Green Incentive, the Texas Shoot Out and they ended as reserve champions in the High Pre-Green Hunter Division. She also took many respective ribbons on Heartbreaker in the Pre Green Hunter Division and captured the champion title on Candid in the competitive Second Year Green Hunter Division.

Based out of Buffalo, NY, SBS Farms’ Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation’s most prestigious horse shows. SBS Farms, Inc. continues the proud tradition of the Saddle and Bridle Club as one of the top show stables in the northeast. Schoellkopf is also the Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which houses both The Buffalo Equestrian Center as well as SBS Farms. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and gothic style architecture.

For more information on SBS Farms, please visit www.sbsfarms.com. For more information on SBS Farms and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

$25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Victory for Adrienne Iverson and Fandango HX

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(C) ESI Photography. Adrienne Iverson and Fandango HX.

OCALA, Florida (March 22, 2015): On Monday, March 23, the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium will host the iconic Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, but first, Hunters had their day in the sun for the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Spectators remained on the edge of their seats as it all came down to the last round of the day when Fandango HX, owned by Redfield Farms, piloted by Adrienne Iverson of Toronto, Canada, swooped in to dominate the class and claim a first place finish.

A field of 36, many of which were top Devoucoux Hunter Prix circuit contenders including Robert Lee, Harold Chopping, Aaron Vale and Amanda Steege, took to Buddy Brown’s course for their piece of the final hunter prize purse of the HITS Ocala season. Iverson proved to be in-it-to-win-it as she left the first round with an impressive 92 for the lead, giving full credit to her five-year-old stallion mount.

“The first round was interesting and fun, but fair for everybody,” said Iverson. “It was Fandango’s first derby and he handled it really well. He is incredibly brave and natural at this. I’m really excited for the future with him.”

Throughout Round Two, the top of the leaderboard continued to alternate. Claiming the round’s high score of 90, Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Dress Balou, owned by Donald Stewart, cruised up the standings eleven spots with scores of 80 and 90, for a combined total of 170. Vale briefly held the top spot until Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding Caroline Russell Howe’s Caramo, rode to scores of 90 and 82.5 for a total of 172 to take the lead.

It wasn’t until Iverson’s entrance was the fate of the class decided. Last to go, Iverson focused on her performance and her partner, not the pressure. Ultimately scoring a 81.5 for a combined total of 173.5, Iverson bumped Chopping to second and Vale to third.

“It didn’t matter how everyone else did. I just tried to do as well as I could,” said Iverson. “It was definitely nice to win his first hunter prix. You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first one.”

Looking ahead, Iverson has Championship Weekend dreams for Fandango HX. “We’re aiming for the Stal Hendrix Pre-Green Futurity in Saugerties,” she said, although her immediate future is equally as exciting.

“I’m really excited for tomorrow,” she added, referring to her shot at the richest purse in show jumping at the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, where she will ride Donar R.

Fourth place went to Lavish, owned by Phyllis Harlow, led by David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio, to scores of 85 and 84.5, totaling 169.5. Greg Prince of Sherborn, Massachusetts capped off fifth place with Chances R, owned by Artillery Lane LLC, and scores of 83 and 84, for a combined total of 167.

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!

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

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

France Is Unbeatable at Home to Steal Early Lead

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Gwendolen Fer (FRA) and Romantic Love scored the fastest time on Cross Country, helping France to win the first leg of FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015 at Fontainebleau, France (Eric Knoll/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 23 March 2015 – France’s Eventing riders produced an emphatic win in the first FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition of the 2015 season at the weekend in Fontainebleau (FRA).

The French team repeated their 2014 victory when they also won on home soil, and they enjoyed a comfortable winning margin of nearly 30 penalties over Australia, who finished second.

Gwendolen Fer (FRA), riding Romantic Love, was best of the team in individual second place and she had an excellent Cross Country round for just 1.2 time penalties, which was easily the fastest time of the day. Arnaud Boiteau, riding Quoriano ‘ENE HN’, was fourth and newcomer Helen Vattier on Quito de Baliere was ninth.

An all-male Australian trio opted for steadier Cross Country speeds in their first international competition of the year. Christopher Burton was the fastest, clocking 8.8 time penalties on TS Jamaimo, to finish fifth.

Last year, Burton had to withdraw the horse before Cross Country due to colic at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, so he will no doubt be delighted with TS Jamaimo’s sparkling performance to start the season.

Great Britain, who maintain a policy of fielding younger, up-and-coming riders who have yet to ride on a championship team, also fielded three riders and finished just 0.3 penalties behind Australia. Izzy Taylor, a regular on FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing teams, was the highest placed in sixth on the mare KBIS Briarlands Matilda.

Four teams contested this first of eight competitions in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing and the Netherlands finished fourth, having dropped from third place after Dressage due to Cross Country time penalties.

One remarkable result from the weekend was that all 14 team members jumped clear across country, although none of them achieved the optimum time of 6 minutes 19 seconds around Fontainebleau’s twisting forest tracks. Fer and Burton were also penalty free in the Jumping stadium.

Germany, winners of two out of the last three series, could not field a team at Fontainebleau, but their leading rider Michael Jung still led from the start to collect individual honours on his wonderful horse La Biosthetique Sam. No doubt the Germans will be out, all guns blazing, before long.

The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing next crosses the Irish Sea, to the Fell family’s hospitable event at Ballindenisk in County Cork (IRL) next month, which last year produced a win for the British team.

Full results on www.crazyhorseride.com.

For full standings, click here.

The FEI’s team Eventing series, the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, is open to all nations fielding one team composed of 3 or 4 riders at each leg, and runs under FEI Eventing rules at CICO and CCIO 3* level with riders accumulating points under a dedicated system. Visit the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing series hub here for rules, results and Organiser details.

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