Colleen Acosta pilots Diamond over the Dominos fence on their way to the win in yesterday’s $25,000 Dominos Grand Prix.
The final Sunday of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit saw twenty-four horse and rider teams take on the $25,000 Dominos Grand Prix. Gulf Coast Classic Company management decided to move the grand prix to Jumper 1 considering the amount of rain that fell during the week. “Since we held the Horseflight Welcome yesterday in Jumper 1 and the new KCR footing worked out beautifully, we thought it would be in the best interest of everyone and the horses to hold the prix in the same arena,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast and Classic Companies. “The KCR footing holds really well and we have received nothing but compliments from trainers, riders and the course designers on the quality of the footing regardless of the weather,” he added.
The course was designed by Allen Rheinheimer, Technical Coordinator for the World Cup scheduled in Las Vegas, Nevada next month, and he set the time to beat at 80 seconds.
Only five horse and rider teams qualified for the jump off.
Alexis Bowen of Plano, Texas and her own Oley were the first to turn in a clean first round in a time of 79.220 seconds. As first to go in the jump off, the pair had a rail at the third fence which gave them four faults in a time of 44.953 seconds, well within the 48 seconds time allowed.
Colleen Acosta of Roanoke, Texas and Anastasia Stewart’s Diamond followed Bowen in the jump off and were the first to turn in a clean jump off round in a time of 42.888 seconds. The pair took the lead and set the new time to beat.
Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and her own Sun Tzu were next to go. Brennan is known for taking the courses fast and she did not disappoint. The pair turned in the fastest jump off round in a time of 39.406 seconds, but with eight jump faults, would miss the opportunity for the win.
Tiffany Cambria of Middleburg, Virginia was next to go in the irons of Amanda Hood’s Vavoom and turned in a four fault jump off round in a time of 44.201 seconds.
While it seemed as if Acosta would win the class, Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri was slated in the enviable last to go position. Kocher won the last two grand prix at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic and looked to make it a hat trick to close out the circuit.
Kocher and Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s C’Havinia tackled the jump off course but a rail at the third fence in a time of 42.480 seconds would see the win go to Acosta and Anastia Stewart’s Diamond!
Final results saw Acosta and Diamond with the win and Alexis Bowen and her own Oley in second. Kocher and C’Havinia took third place while Tiffany Cambria and Amanda Hood’s Vavoom finished in fourth. Fifth place went to Penny Brennan and Sun Tzu and Kocher returned for sixth in the irons of Aleece Jarman’s Cantori. The pair turned in a first clear first round effort in a time of 81.455 seconds with two time faults. Seventh place went to Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson’s Triompf; Shepherd and Triompf turned in four fault first round in a time of 77.598 seconds. Eighth was awarded to Kocher and BTS Entertainment and Sales’ Ufarno after their four fault first round in a time of 78.809 seconds. Ninth went to Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana and her own Zine Dine after turning in a first round, eight fault effort in a time of 74.324 seconds.
Tenth and eleventh were awarded to Shepherd and Loretta Patterson’s Copycat and Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and her own Classified, respectively. Kocher wrapped the class up with twelfth place on Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s Zosja.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Mar 16, 2015 — As a result of this petition and the public speaking out against the “Big Lick” show at the NC State Fair, the Tennessee Walking horse “performance/Big Lick” shows have been cancelled! The NC State Fair and Department of Agriculture responded very well by quickly reviewing their policies, reviewing the public’s feedback, and banning the Big Lick classes from the fair permanently! Now, only sound, natural flat shod horses are allowed to show at the Fair. (Sound is another way of saying “humane” in the horse world, and flat shod means a horse is displaying its natural gait without the heavy weights/stacks used in Big Lick shows.)
Thank you to everyone who signed this petition and stood up for the horses! YOU made this happen!
Ocala, Florida – For the second week in a row, Angel Karolyi of Venezuela stood in the winner’s circle following the Sunday Grand Prix at HITS Ocala in Ocala, FL.
Having claimed the $50,000 Purina Animal Health Grand Prix on Sunday, March 8, riding Wings, Karolyi returned to Post Time Farm to capture the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix on Sunday, March 15, this time riding Venus. Both horses are trained by Karolyi’s business partner, Andrea King of Aiken, SC.
As a sign of good things to come, Karolyi and Venus won the $10,000 1.45m Friday Prix before topping the standings in the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix. Back-to-back Grand Prix victories do not come easily, however, and Karolyi had his work cut out for him, facing off against a 46-horse starting field. Only six entries managed to pass the tough test set by course designer Manuel Esparza of Mexico to qualify for the tie-breaker.
When Karolyi watched the first jump-off contender, David Beisel, make quick work of the shortened jump-off track with Ammeretto, he wasn’t sure he could catch him.
“I watched David Beisel; he was first to go and he is always a fast rider,” explained Karolyi. “He went around so fast I didn’t know whether or not I should try to beat him. I thought he was going to be really hard to catch. I don’t know Venus that well, but as I walked in the ring, I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to go for it!’”
“I thought I was a little slower than David at the beginning, and then I got a green light,” continued Karolyi. “I didn’t know if I was quite fast enough to beat him when I landed from the last jump, but I think I was able to catch him because the mare is just so naturally fast across the ground and over the jumps.”
Crossing the timers in 44.78 seconds, Karolyi shaved a full second off Beisel’s time, and none of the four entries that followed were able to catch the leaders. Olympian Kirk Webby of New Zealand came the closest, placing third with Brando du Rouet.
While Karolyi and Venus are a new combination, the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Julius) is no stranger to international competition. Owned by Ray and Lynne Little of Raylyn Farms, Inc., Venus was campaigned throughout the 2012 season by Kent Farrington before Marilyn Little, who competes in both show jumping and eventing, took over the reins in 2013.
“She’s been around; she’s jumped all over the world,” said Karolyi of the mare that has competed everywhere from Spruce Meadows and the Hampton Classic in North America to various international events in Europe. “She is a very careful mare with all the scope, and she’s just a fighter. You’ve got to balance her to the jumps, but other than that, she tries to leaves the jumps up for the rider. She’s a great horse with lots of experience!”
Of how he came to ride Venus, Karolyi explained, “We started helping Lynne with some young horses in Wellington last winter because Marilyn was focusing on her eventing career. Andrea and Lynne starting talking about Venus and discussed getting her back in the show ring. I started riding her about a month ago, just going slowly to build her up and to get to know her.
“Last week, she was fourth in the $10,000 1.45m Friday Prix,” continued Karolyi of the pair’s progression. “This week, I only jumped her in the $10,000 Friday Prix and she won it. Andrea and I talked about it, and decided to put her in the $100,000 Grand Prix.”
It proved to be a wise decision, and one that paid $30,000 in prize money for the win. With back-to-back Grand Prix victories, Karolyi is looking forward to showing both Venus and Wings, a 17-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lexicon x Columbus) owned by McLain Ward, in the CSI2*-W Live Oak International in Ocala, FL, from March 18 to 22.
“I’m really happy,” said Karolyi, 28, who is based in Wellington, FL. “Andrea and I have been apart for a little bit, and we started about a month ago getting the horses ready for the end of the HITS Ocala circuit and for Live Oak. Wings won a $10,000 Friday Prix and then the Grand Prix, and then Venus won the $10,000 Friday Prix and now the Grand Prix. We are happy that the plan has come together, and the horses feel in top shape for next week at Live Oak. That really brings our winter plan to conclusion.”
Karolyi was quick to acknowledge those who have made his success possible, saying, “Thank you to Andrea and the rest of the team, as well as Ray and Lynne Little of Raylyn Farms for allowing me to have such a nice horse to ride.”
In addition to partnering with King, Karolyi also rides several mounts for the Andrade family of Venezuela. Karolyi spent the majority of the 2014 season campaigning their top international mounts around the world, scoring a major victory in the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby during the Spruce Meadows Summer Series in Calgary, Canada, with Indiana 127 and representing Venezuela at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, with Amigo.
In the fall, Karolyi was again a member of the Venezuelan Show Jumping Team for its debut in the Furusiyya Nations’ Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain. He then headed to Mexico for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz where he won the Silver Medal in the Individual Final riding Indiana 127.
Karolyi’s next major goal is to compete for Venezuela at the 2015 Pan American Games, hosted in Toronto, Canada. The Pan American Games act as a qualifying event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where Venezuela hopes to be one of two teams to earn an Olympic berth.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Zoe Ganek and Bellagio Capture Championship Prize in the Coldwell Banker Children’s Hunter 14 & Under to Conclude WEF 10
Wellington, FL – March 15, 2015 – Week ten of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Horseware Ireland, concluded on Sunday with a win for Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Sienna in the $34,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, O’Shea guided the mare, owned by Skara Glen Stables, to victory in a five-horse jump-off with Laura Kraut (USA) and Deauville S in second and Lillie Keenan (USA) aboard Super Sox third.
Sixty-four entries showed over Michel Vaillancourt’s (CAN) 1.50m track on Sunday with five clear to advance to the jump-off. Laura Kraut and Julius Peter Sinnack’s Deauville S were first to jump-off, clearing the short course in 38.42 seconds. Lillie Keenan jumped next with Chansonette Farm LLC’s Super Sox with a clear round in 38.59 seconds. Ben Maher (GBR) followed with the fourth place round on Jane Clark’s Sarena in 39.11 seconds. Paris Sellon (USA) and Adare had one rail down in 46.15 seconds to place fifth. Last to go, O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Sienna cleared the course in the winning time of 37.63 seconds.
Skara Glen’s Sienna is a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Chacco Blue x Gran Corrado) that O’Shea has ridden since she was five years old. Last summer, the mare scored the biggest win of her career in the $75,000 Jumper Classic at the Upperville Horse Show, and continues to excel.
“She has always been really special,” O’Shea stated. “When she first came here, she was nice to ride and very confident. You can feel straight away that she just wants to do the right thing.”
Sunday’s course was challenging for most of the class. It was not until halfway through that Laura Kraut produced the first clear round and a few more followed. O’Shea was second to last in the order, and was able to watch and figure out a plan.
“I probably had an advantage that I was towards the end because the last line was tricky,” he admitted. “It was either an extremely short four-stride or a very long three. It was nice to have a bit of time to make up my mind on that. I decided to do the three and she did it really well, so it was an advantage. If you were earlier in (the class), it was tougher today.”
“In the jump-off, my plan was not to go wild. She is still quite young,” O’Shea explained. “I just wanted to go as quick as she could, comfortably, but naturally she is a very quick horse. Luckily it was enough today.”
“She is only nine,” O’Shea pointed out. “She did qualify for the night class last night, but we thought next year would be time enough. We definitely do not want to overdo it. She will not do any night classes this year. We just want to produce her slowly so that as a ten-year-old she is ready for most things. She has not done bigger than 1.50m yet, but she has done everything we have asked her to do very well.”
Ira Gumberg owns Sienna through his Skara Glen Stables, which O’Shea has been riding with for three and a half years.
“He has been a fantastic owner to me. He has really taken care of me,” O’Shea acknowledged. “It is a pleasure to have such a great horse and a great owner.”
O’Shea also rides a young horse named Bachelor for the Tisbo Family, the owners of Suncast®. They bred the horse themselves and have watched O’Shea bring him along for their Tequestrian Farms LLC. “It is very nice of them to sponsor this class every week,” O’Shea added.
The Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, always an exciting and competitive division throughout the 12-week WEF circuit, has a fantastic prize for the leading rider of the series this year. Suncast® will provide a pre-paid two-year lease on a beautiful new 2015 Range Rover Evoque.
During WEF 12, the Range Rover Evoque will be on display at the Spectator Entrance of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and will be on course in the International Arena during the $100,000 Suncast® 1.50m Jumper Championship Series Final (Round 2) to be held on Saturday evening, March 28, 2015, which is when the Evoque will be awarded to the series’ leading rider.
Series specifications and rankings can be found in the WEF Horse Show office. The top riders in the series will be recognized on the Suncast® 1.50m Jumper Championship Series leaderboard by the PBIEC Exhibitor Entrance and will also be included in the WEF Weekly Wire, the printed newsletter available on the show grounds and online at www.pbiec.com.
Also showing in the International Arena on Sunday, the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic began the day with a win for Brianne Link and her horse E Bay. The $10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was held in a California Split with a win for Danielle Torano aboard her own and Jimmy Torano’s Herault in Section A and Vanessa Mannix with her own HHS Cheiro in Section B.
Zoe Ganek and Bellagio Capture Championship Prize in the Coldwell Banker Children’s Hunter 14 & Under to Conclude WEF 10
To finish hunter competition for WEF 10, Zoe Ganek rode her own horse, Bellagio, to the tricolor ribbon in the Coldwell Banker Children’s Hunter 14 & Under. Ganek and Bellagio earned a first and two thirds over fences, out of 33 horse and rider combinations, on their way to the winner’s circle. “He [Bellagio] is the best!” Ganek exclaimed after having a great weekend.
Elizabeth Chung and Extraordinary ended the day as reserve champions in the Coldwell Banker Children’s Hunter 14 & Under. Extraordinary, an entry of Jennifer Bliss, was first and third over fences in the final two classes of the division.
Bellagio is a 10-year-old Warmblood who was bought by Ganek last summer. Primarily an equitation horse, Ganek shows Bellagio in the hunter ring for more practice. “He [Bellagio] is really easy,” Ganek stated. “He just stays on the same rhythm, and he saves me a lot.”
Having only been working together for less than a year, Ganek attributes her success to Bellagio’s attitude and experience. “He [Bellagio] is a really good boy and knows what he’s doing. He knows what his job is when he goes in the ring,” Ganek commented.
Based out of New York, Ganek comes down to Wellington to compete on weekends with her trainers at Heritage Farm. “This was my final week coming to WEF for 2015, so I was happy to end on a good note,” Ganek smiled.
The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its eleventh week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, on March 18-22. The highlight event of week eleven is the $127,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, March 21. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and her own Japan won Week II’s $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and were back again to win the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit’s final week’s $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome in the recently Kruse Cushion Ride resurfaced Jumper I arena.
Thirty horse and rider teams took to the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana. Rheinheimer is the Technical Coordinator for the World Cup scheduled for Las Vegas, Nevada next month.
Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Audrey Muscari’s Cartograna were first to go in the class and turned in a clean first round in a time of 68.088 seconds, well within the 77 seconds time allowed. Their second round was also clear and their time of 38.298 seconds set the new time to beat but 29 horse and rider had yet to tackle the course.
The unstoppable Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri followed Shepherd in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s C’Havinia. The pair turned in double clear rounds in times of 69.241 and 37.517 seconds, respectively, which took the lead.
Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas followed Kocher with Anna Beth Athey’s Serena and turned in clear back to back rounds in times of 68.669 and 32.527 seconds, respectively. The class was shaping up with Kocher in the lead, Gilchrist in second and Shepherd in third place.
Then Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and Cerulean Stables, LLC’s Rincoola Black Adder entered the ring and took the lead after posting double clear rounds in times of 67.472 and 36.327 seconds, respectively.
Colleen Acosta of Roanoke, Texas and Anastasia Stewart’s Diamond were the next to post double clear rounds with times of 68.039 and 37.364 seconds, and looked to finish in the ribbons.
Brennan and her own Japan were next to go and blazed through the course fault free in times of 64.285 and 31.917 seconds, taking the lead and setting the new time to beat.
Tiffany Cambria of Middleburg, Virginia and Amanda Hood’s Vavoom posted double clear rounds in times of 66.825 and 36.743 seconds, respectively, and would finish in the ribbons.
Forte was back, this time with Cerulean Stables, LLC’s Hhs Louis, and posted clear rounds in times of 71.726 and 37.255 seconds, respectively.
Acosta returned, this time in the irons of Arion Legends, LLC’s Cantu 5, and turned in double clear rounds of 67.208 and 40.455 seconds, respectively. With only nine remaining, it looked unlikely that anyone would beat Brennan and Japan’s second round time.
Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia and Oak Ledge Farm’s Egano Van Kadel were the next to turn in double clear rounds in times of 69.564 and 38.265 seconds, respectively, which would see them in the ribbons, but not in the winner’s circle.
Kocher and his own Alter Ego were next to turn in double clear rounds in times of 71.010 and 35.466 seconds, which would not be fast enough to beat Brennan and Japan.
Brennan and her own Sun Tzu were the next to turn in a clean first round in a time of 67.882 seconds. However, four faults in their second round in a time of 37.519 seconds would see her second ride out of the ribbons.
Final results shaped up with Brennan winning the class with her own Japan, followed by Andy Kocher and his own Alter Ego. Amanda Forte and Cerulean Stables LLC’s Rincoola Black Adder finished in third followed by Tiffany Cambria and Amanda Hood’s Vavoom. Forte returned for fifth place with Cerulean Stables’ HHs Louis. Jordan Gilchrist and Anna Beth Athey’s Balizo Z finished in sixth place and Colleen Acosta and Anastasia Stewart’s Diamond received seventh place honors. Kocher picked up eighth with Eagle Valley Partner’s C’Havinia and ninth went to Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia and Oak Ledge Farm’s Egano Van Kadal. Tenth place went to Holly Shepherd and Audrew Muscari’s Cartograna. Eleventh and twelfth places were awarded to Acosta and Arion Legends LLC’s Cantu 5 and Taylor Flury of Minooka, Illinois and Celine Gorcean Clancy’s Sovereign.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Olympic, World and European champion Michael Jung riding La Biosthetique Sam for Team Germany, winners of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2012 and 2014. The combination is pictured here at Strzegom (POL) in 2014. (Leszek Wójcik/FEI)
Lausanne (SUI), 16 March 2015 – Spring is in the air for the international Eventing community with the eagerly awaited launch this weekend of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015 season at the popular French venue of Fontainebleau.
This series, first piloted in 2012, was designed to aid national coaches in preparing their championship squads by providing them with the opportunity to give team experience to a wider selection of riders. Last year, the concept was enthusiastically embraced by 15 nations.
The 2015 season comprises eight FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competitions across eight countries: France, Ireland, Great Britain, Poland, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. They are all run at CIC3* level, apart from the last event of the series in Boekelo (NED), which is a CCI3*. Under the rules for 2015, there has to be a minimum of three teams starting the Dressage phase.
Germany, the reigning Olympic, World and European team Eventing champions, have topped the leaderboard of this series twice in three years, and last season enjoyed an extraordinary winning run across five events: Strzegom (POL), Aachen (GER), Malmö (SWE), Montelibretti (ITA) and Waregem (BEL).
Great Britain, the champions in 2013 and a close second last year, and France, third three years consecutively, have both been equally committed, and the French will be very hard to beat on home ground this weekend where the twisting tracks of the forest at Fontainebleau always prove a technical challenge.
The New Zealanders were so strong last year that they finished fourth on the leaderboard on the strength of only three appearances, two of which were winning ones, and Ireland, the Netherlands and Italy featured strongly as well.
“We are very encouraged by the way riders and team managers have entered into the spirit of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing,” said Catrin Norinder, FEI Director, Eventing & Olympic.
“The series has provided a chance for up-and-coming riders to attract the attention of their team selectors and for some of them it has clearly provided valuable experience before tackling their first championships.
“Every year, the final event of the series has become more and more exciting and there have been some hotly contested competitions on the way. We fully expect 2015 will be an equally competitive series.”
Four nations line up for the opener at Fontainebleau this weekend: France, Australia, with a trio including Chris Burton on his Adelaide CCI4* winner TS Jamaimo, Great Britain, whose squad includes Francis Whittington on the 2014 Blenheim CCI3* winner Easy Target, and the Netherlands, fielding some of the riders from their triumphant bronze medal effort at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014.
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.
Chase Hickok and Sagacious HF. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.
Tina Irwin and Fancy That Finish AGDF 10 with a Win in the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle
Wellington, FL – March 15, 2015 – Competition for AGDF 10 concluded on Sunday with the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships (FIDYC) as well as the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI-W 1*. The FIDYC, sponsored by Hampton Green Farm, Pana Cavallo and the Davis Family, and Dressage4Kids, showcased the talent of 35 upcoming riders from around the world. The Overall division winners included: Chase Hickok (USA) for U-25, Dana van Lierop (NED) in the Young Rider division, Juan Matute, Jr. (ESP) in the Juniors, and Amanda Mcauliffe (USA) in the Pony division. AGDF 12, with CDIO3*/CDI3*/CDI1* competition is the final week of the circuit, held March 24-27.
Chase Hickok of Wellington, FL had a spectacular week aboard Hyperion Stud LLC’s Sagacious HF. Hickok, who is a full time resident in Wellington, has been able to compete at several CDIs this season. “We took last week off to go back to training before the championships and I think it was overall much better than previous weeks, so I’m really happy with that,” she said. “It’s a great feeling to be a part of a championship weekend and it’s a great sense of camaraderie and a great opportunity to compete with so many great riders.”
With an incredible performance in the Young Rider Freestyle this morning, receiving a 77.925%, and an 80.500% from the Judge at M, it is clear that van Lierop is an incredible talent for the Dutch in dressage. “I’m thrilled and proud of everything that we accomplished this week. It’s amazing to see all of the other riders here and be able to compete in a new environment. I have to truly thank the owner, Jochen Arl. He made this all happen, and I am so incredibly thankful for him giving us the opportunity to compete here,” she expressed.
Juan Matute, Jr., a familiar face around Wellington this circuit, has continued to improve this season and had great rides with both horses competing in FIDYC this week. He mentioned, “I think this show was a big success, and it’s a great experience. I was very pleased with all of my tests and it gives me a better idea of areas to keep working in and improving on. All across the board (it was) very positive.”
This was the first CDI competition for Amanda Mcauliffe and the duo gained much needed experience in the international arena for them to continue exceling in the Pony divisions. “This was my first winter in Florida and my first CDI, and I’m really happy to be riding him and to have been able to compete here. It was really fun, and we have learned so much.”
Antonia Arl (BEL) and Equestricons Ziggy placed first in the FEI Junior Freestyle receiving a 74.325%. Alexandra Meghji (CAN) and Iliado II followed in second with a 70.075% and Ashleigh Conroy-Zugel (USA) and Ungaro in third earning a 66.650%.
Dana van Lierop (NED) and Equestricons Walküre finished atop the leaderboard in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle with a 77.925%, followed by Vivien Niemann (GER) and Don Vertino in second on a 73.450%, and Rosalie Bos (NED) and Equestricons Bolita rounding out the top three receiving a 72.725%.
Tina Irwin (CAN) and Fancy That have been knocking on the door of the winner’s circle the entire season at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and today the pair got it done with a mistake free test in the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI-W1*, presented by Michael & Roz Collins. The duo edged out Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Kastels Adventure with a 74.375% to take the win. Jorst finished in second with a 74.350% and Silva Martin (USA) came in third aboard Aesthete receiving a 72.550%.
Tina Irwin and Fancy That
Irwin and Fancy That have had an incredible season thus far at the mare’s first consistent year at Small Tour, and she has continued to impress. “This is our first CDI season and she’s green to the level, so we started our way building her up,” she said. “I felt that with every show she had been getting better and better and this is really just the icing on the cake.”
Irwin, who was selected to Canada’s second team for the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* aboard Fancy That, is looking forward to representing Canada as she pursues her ultimate goal of competing on home soil in Toronto at the Pan American Games. “That is really the long term goal for us right now. I don’t ever look at the lists because I don’t want to know where we stand, but we continue to get better with each competition and I’m confident that we can make that happen,” she remarked.
The duo have been together for quite some time, as “Fancy” was originally brought to Irwin as a sale project who ended up staying through the ownership of client Christine Faux, who also rides the horse but does not compete. “It’s a really cool relationship and partnership we have. I can’t ever give enough thank yous to Christine who has been a huge supporter of our career together, making sure that we get the best of everything. This wouldn’t be possible without her,” smiled Irwin.
Today served as an emotional first win for the pair at the CDI level as several of Irwin’s clients, including Faux, were on hand to witness the victory. “We’ve worked so hard with her, and she has so many incredible highlights. Her pirouettes are unbelievable and keep getting better,” said Irwin. “The support I have received down here is incredible, and I know there is a lot to come from her in the future.”
Charlotte Jorst (USA) capped an incredible final week at AGDF 10 for Kastel Denmark, as the team prepares to fly home to the West Coast this week. Jorst and “Adventure” nearly swept the Small Tour this week and she was delighted with their second place finish today in the Freestyle. “This whole season has been a dream. I can’t believe that we actually did it. I have learned so much and have made so many incredible new friends,” she said. “What is this sport about if you can’t say you’ve become friends with a whole new group of people who support you!”
The duo’s test today was beautiful with lovely expression and fluidity, which has helped them continue to earn marks well into the 70s. “I was so pleased with him today. I know he was tired from the past few days of competition and the heat, but he really gave me everything I asked for, which is why he’s so amazing.” With three top finishes this week in the Small Tour to end their competition season here at AGDF, Jorst is an inspiration to Adult Amateurs everywhere working to compete at the top levels of the sport.
Jorst and her string of talented mounts will head back to Reno, NV, and compete at several West Coast CDIs in the coming months before Pan American Games selections, for which she hopes to be a contender with “Adventure.” “That is the goal and I know that he needs a break from showing,” she said. “We’ve had so much great experience here and now he’s confident and consistent, which was the goal going into this season.”
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.
OCALA, Florida (March 12, 2015): Michael Hughes of Allendale, New Jersey, riding his Luxina, topped a field of 31 contenders and nine in the jump-off to win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix with one of only two clear rounds in the jump-off. The Dutch-bred Luxina is only 15.2 hands but Hughes used her big stride to his advantage for the win.
Aaron Vale and Hunter Holloway each had two horses in the jump-off but neither could match Hughes’ performance. Hughes said of the win, “The course had a lot of options. My horse doesn’t spend a lot of time in the air and she has a really big stride. She’s always better when you really keep up the pace and just keep galloping.”
Vale and Acolina R were the first to attempt the short course but had two rails down for eight faults. Hughes was up next and, knowing that there were seven more to follow, pulled out all the stops and rode clear in 38.104. Two four-fault and two eight-fault performances followed, including David Beisel and Amaretto, the winners of the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix Week VI, with four faults and a time 40.113 for fourth place.
Scott Keach and Southern Cross Equestrian’s Viriato were able to turn in the only other clear round in 40.533 to earn second. Keach has had 10-year-old Viriato for a year-and-a-half. He said, “I went at about 85 percent. There was only one place where I could have left a stride out. I wanted to go fast but leave them all up.”
The final horse to enter the jump-off was Cassevel with new owner Hunter Holloway, who posted the fastest four-fault performance in 39.467 for third place. Wednesday’s Brook Ledge Open Welcome winner Lexy Reed and Afandina had four faults for fifth place. Reed said she was happy to show in her first Grand Prix in six years and it was also her new horse’s first Grand Prix.
Lexy Reed and Afandina Return to Winner’s Circle in $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Lexy Reed from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania won the Brook Ledge Open Welcome two weeks ago, and won it again Wednesday by turning in the only double clear of the day. Reed has had 8-year-old Afandina for just six weeks and is thrilled with the repeat win.
(c) ESI Photography. Lexy Reed and her Afandina
“My horse was so good today,” she said. “The time allowed was so tight that you had to ride the first round like a jump-off. I cut inside on one of the rollbacks and just kind of ran everywhere else.”
Fourteen riders had time faults in the first round with only three clear rounds within the 83 second time allowed. The 1.4 meter course, designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico, featured long distances between the fences and turns.
Erin Haas, riding North Face Farm’s As Di Chupito, went first in the jump-off and earned second place with four faults in a time of 47.600. Reed went next and jumped clear in 47.640. Third to go was Thaisa Erwin, riding Hollberg Equestrian’s Wild Card, with four faults in 50.367 for third.
Performers at the AEGT Finale include stand-up comedian Catherine Haddad Staller, fire baton twirler Laura Ashley Killian and singer Kayden Muller-Janssen. Photos by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge.
Acts range from singing and dancing to fire baton twirling and stand-up comedy. The top four following Round I will return for Round II to determine America’s Most Talented Equestrian.
Popular vote counts for 50 percent of the result in both rounds, and the remaining 50 percent is determined by the panel of celebrity judges, who will critique each performance. The judges are Mark Bellissimo, Carmine Gialanella, Tami Hoag, P. J. Rizvi, Leslie Streeter and Chrystine Tauber.
Vote for your favorite performer via your smartphone and help support USEF High Performance Programs through the USET Foundation. Each vote costs $5.00, and voting is unlimited.
To vote, send a text to the number 41444 with the contestant’s unique keyword (listed below) in the message box. Keywords are not case sensitive. You will be sent a link to the contestant’s profile. Fill out the information, including your vote/donation amount, and then scroll to the bottom and hit “Donate”.
The winner of the Finale will receive the $5,000 top prize sponsored by Robert Ross, P.A., Luxury Equestrian Realtor for Keller Williams. Second place will receive $2,500 courtesy of Visse Wedell, and On Course Consignment is sponsoring a $1,000 prize for third place. The fourth place prize of $500 is sponsored by Oded Shimoni Dressage.
Lineup for the AEGT Finale 1. Jenna Wyatt and Bent Jensen – JENNAW
2. Teaghan James – TEAGHAN
3. Brian Lookabill – BRIANL
4. Kayden Muller-Janssen – KAYDEN
5. Andre Lussier – ANDRE
6. The Grand Prix Girls – GPGIRLS
7. Ki-Juan Minors – KIJUAN
8. Ayden Uhlir – AYDEN
9. Taylor Hughes – TAYLORH
10. Jane Savoie and Clifton Sepulveda – JANES
11. Catherine Haddad Staller – CATHERINE
12. Laura Ashley Killian – LAURA
13. Roberto Gallardo – ROBERTOG
AEGT Evening Schedule 6:00 p.m. – VIP cocktails and elegant buffet dinner
6:30 p.m. – Live music by Nicky Greed
7:00 p.m. – Show begins and livestream starts! Round I
8:30 p.m. – Live auction
9:00 p.m. – Round II
9:45 p.m. – Announce America’s Most Talented Equestrian
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Ellen Toon Wins Two in a Row, Pilots Mirror Image to Top in Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35
Wellington, FL – March 14, 2015 – Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Caballito emerged victorious in Saturday night’s $127,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* during week ten of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The pair topped a six-horse jump-off with Juan Ignacio Rojo (ARG) and Percine Dream in second and Meagan Nusz (USA) with SRI Aladdin third.
Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the course for Saturday night’s grand prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with 45 competitors and six clear rounds. In the jump-off, Rojo guided Gianni Gabrielli’s Percine Dream to the first clear round in 48.38 seconds to eventually finish second. Freddie Vazquez (PUR) and Messenger Hill’s Zippo Z followed with four faults in 52.47 seconds to place fifth. Nusz and Amalaya Investment’s SRI Aladdin were clear in 49.12 seconds to end up in third.
Ali Wolff (USA) and Blacklick Bend Farm’s Casall placed sixth after a refusal and a rail down on the short course in 57.78 seconds. Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel followed with the fastest time of 46.94 seconds, but knocked a rail at the final fence to finish fourth. Last to go, Rodriguez and Arao Enterprises LLC’s Caballito cleared the track in 48.13 seconds for the win.
“I’m very happy,” Rodriguez said of his victory. “I saw the jump-off start. Juan was pretty fast, but I knew Kent was going to go faster than him. It is a very lucky night when you have Kent in front of you in the jump-off. I was thinking something good was going to happen. He was just in front of me, so I was going to watch him from the gate and he had an unlucky rail down. I had a plan for jump three. That was a hard jump for me in the first round. I rubbed it pretty hard. I knew I needed to take a little bit there and I did. Coming in the last line there was either the seven strides or the eight and I thought I was faster than Juan already, so I went for the eight and then I looked at the clock. This is my first grand prix win at WEF and I have been here for six years, so this is a big night for me.”
Rodriguez has had a great winter in Wellington, including back to back wins in week eight’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 and $34,000 Nutrena CSIO 1.45m Classic with his mount Fifty Fifty 111. Saturday night it was Caballito’s turn, and the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Contendro x Argentinus) earned the biggest win of his career.
“My horses are really jumping great,” Rodriguez acknowledged. “This week is interesting for me because I entered in two 1.45m classes. I have always had Caballito as my main horse and this year I have had more horses coming, so I said this week I was going to use him in the two 1.45m classes and try to get some world ranking points. I entered the first class, and jump one was in the corner and he really did not want to go to it. We managed to get there and he had a rail and I was a little bit upset with him. I said, ‘Okay, I’ll put him in tomorrow in the WEF (Challenge Cup).’ Then he was fourth, qualified for the grand prix and this is the best result of his career.”
“He is very special,” Rodriguez added. “He sometimes will not like a jump and he will be funny about going to it, but most of the time he goes and gives big results. I really do not worry anymore when he does something funny because really going at him does not make a difference. You just let him be and the next time he might win you the class. The perfect example is this week.”
“I bought him at the end of his eight-year-old year and I won international classes with him four years ago, and he is still winning,” Rodriguez continued. “We always try to buy new horses and think that they are going to be way better than him, and then championships and big shows come and we look at the barn, and the one who is ready to go is him. He is the one we can count on.”
Placing second, Juan Ignacio Rojo had a great night with Percine Dream and has also done well with his mount throughout the circuit. Originally from Argentina, Rojo lived and showed in Europe for many years and then moved to Venezuela. He got Percine Dream from a horse dealer in France.
“He said he thought she was a horse that can jump any class, and he was right,” Rojo detailed of when he got Percine Dream. “The mare went to Venezuela and was national champion. Then this is the first time she got a chance to go in big sport and she is coming up with all the solutions. She was clear in a 5* grand prix already, so my hopes are very high. She keeps developing. I am really happy with my horse, and I am happy that a friend of mine won tonight.”
Third place finisher, SRI Aladdin, is a horse that Meagan Nusz bought in Wellington last year and has taken some time to get to know.
“I have kind of taken it slow with him. I think he has all the talent and all the scope to be a top horse, but he is a little bit unrideable,” Nusz stated. “He is quite strong and he likes to go very downhill, which is not ideal for adjustment in lines. He is also very straight, so he doesn’t really move with the lines. You have to be very accurate and set him up way before the fence so he can give it a good jump. He has a lot of scope and he is learning how to use his body more, which is what we want. I let him do his thing a little bit and that will never change. That is just the horse, but he is getting there and I can’t complain.”
“Every time I get on him I know that I am so lucky to have one like that in my string,” Nusz continued. “Tonight is the first of many for that one I think, and I am sure he has a win in there somewhere. He has really stepped up for me. This is only his second night class. He is really a trier, and I trust him so much. He is such a fun horse to ride.”
In addition to the night’s third place prize, Nusz was presented the award for Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider (presented by Martha Jolicoeur in memory of Dale Lawler) for her success throughout the week.
Tom MacGuinness, owner and founder of Horseware Ireland, was also on hand for the evening and detailed his company’s long-term involvement with the horse show, having first come to WEF in 1987 to visit. MacGuiness saw the huge changes at PBIEC when he returned seven years ago, which is when Horseware Ireland became directly involved at WEF.
MacGuinness recalled, “I could really see that this was going to be the number one venue in the world and that is when we got serious about sponsoring here. I don’t think we were wrong. Mark (Bellissimo) and his team are doing a hell of a job, and I think they are going to make show jumping into a spectacle like Formula 1 or the Indy 500. They have a good thing going here and we are happy to support them.”
Also showing in the International Arena on Saturday, Alexandra Crown and Von Cim won the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, Kelli Cruciotti and Serenity Equestrian Ventures’ Wallenberg won the $10,000 Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper Classic, and Hilary McNerney and Balans topped the $1,500 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class.
Ellen Toon Wins Two in a Row, Pilots Mirror Image to Top in Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35
Earlier this week, Ellen Toon admitted that she was feeling a little rusty in the tack, but it didn’t show as she won her second division championship during Week 10. After clinching the Adult Amateur 50 and Over Section A yesterday, Toon and James Toon’s Mirror Image took the top tricolor in the Hunt LTD. Amateur-Owner Over 35 Division today.
Ellen Toon and Mirror Image
Still in her first year with the Toons at JT Farm in South Salem, New York, Mirror Image – an eight-year-old Oldenburg mare – was imported at the end of the winter season in 2014 before competing in the 3’3″ Pre-Green and Amateur divisions. Toon first had a leg over Mirror Image in June and last at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show before WEF, but maintains that she just gets better and better.
“This is only my third or fourth time showing her in the Amateurs and she gets better each week – this was her best so far,” said Toon. With wins in both the handy and stake after a pair of 86s, Toon was also first and third in the two remaining over fences classes and third under saddle.
“There’s nothing complicated about riding her – she has the right amount of stride, the right jump, doesn’t spook, and I never worry about leads,” said Toon. “If I go in, keep her straight, and in the middle of the fences, she’s going to take any distance and make the jump work. I really couldn’t have asked more of her today. There are always parts that can be improved and I was maybe a little over the pace in places, but overall I felt terrific and she handled everything perfectly.”
While still a new addition to Toon’s string, Mirror Image was a sure thing from the start. She found the then seven-year-old mare in Europe and immediately noticed a resemblance to her decorated hunter mount Invincible. Matching in looks with three white legs, she caught Toon’s eye and sealed the deal with similar scope, presence and straight-forward way of going. “She reminded me so much of him, that’s why we named her Mirror Image,” added Toon.
With plans to qualify for The Devon Horse Show, Toon has a ringer of a team helping her get here. Amanda Steege rides in the professional divisions for Toon, but while Steege competes in Ocala over the winter, Havens Schatt and Liza Towell Boyd have been trading off trips. Mirror Image was also Champion in the First Year Green Hunters this week with Schatt aboard.
“I am so lucky to have Jimmy on the ground and three of the best riders on earth riding this horse,” said Toon. “Who could ask for more?”
Taking Reserve Champion honors behind Toon was Kelley Corrigan and her own 12-year-old Holsteiner stallion Macallan. They took second place in the under saddle, second in the stake and first over fences with a high score of 88.
The tenth week of WEF competition, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, concludes on Sunday with the $34,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The class will be live streamed here – http://bit.ly/1wZSYz4. The Coldwell Banker Children’s Hunter 14 & Under will be featured in Ring 8. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Lauren Fisher and Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
