Tag Archives: featured

HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Andre Thieme and Contanga 3 Win $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala VI

February 21, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

(c) ESI Photography. Andre Thieme and his Contanga 3 win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala on Thursday, February 19.

David Tromp and Horse Bill Clinton Top Brook Ledge Welcome

Ocala, Florida (February 20, 2015): Million Dollar Man André Thieme from Germany and his Contanga 3 won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala on Thursday, hitting top form while continuing his quest for a repeat win in the Ocala Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. As winner of last year’s Great American Million and the 2011 Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, Thieme has made Ocala his mid-winter destination with that goal in mind.

“I competed last week in FEI week as an individual riding for Germany, and was third with my horse Conthendrix in Sunday’s $150,000 Grand Prix. I rode a slow easy trip on Contanga for sixth in the Thursday Prix. I will use the next three weeks here at HITS to get my horses in shape for the really big classes, then fly to California for the AIG Million (at HITS Desert Horse Park, March 15),” said Thieme at a celebration dinner with friend and trainer Emil Spadone, and fourth place winner Adrienne Iverson, whom Spadone also trains.

It appears that Contanga 3 is already in shape as the 11-year-old mare topped the 31 horses competing in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at the Ocala Masters. The Ocala Horse Properties Stadium was set with a course of 16 efforts at 1.5 meters which included three combinations by Course Designer Jack Robson of Coronado, California. The quality of the horses showing was evident, with 15 horses jumping clear first rounds.

Every rider took a shot to win in the jump-off, speeding through the course, resulting in rails falling throughout, and only four jumping double-clear. The first rider to clear all nine efforts in the jump-off was Iverson from Califon, New Jersey, riding Redfield Farm’s Donar R, stopping the clock at 43.628. Iverson’s trainer Spadone commended her, saying, “In a sport that has become so specialized, Adrienne is one of the few riders that can be successful in both the hunter and jumper rings. This week she was champion in the Pre-Green Hunter 2 Division on my new stallion Fandago HX and reserve in the High Performance Hunter Division with Chapman ET – and today she was fourth in the Grand Prix.”

Amanda Flint from Long Valley, New Jersey, riding the Coverboy Group’s Superbad, bested Iverson’s time and finished in 43.032. Flint said, “Thinking ahead for Sunday I really didn’t go that fast since we went early and there were so many in it.”

The next rider to jump double-clear was eventual winner Thieme, who stopped the clock at 39.812. He described the jump-off, saying, “There were two or three risky turns and an option to leave out to the last jump, which my friend Emil told me to do. I think a lot of other people tried to do the same and had the last jump down.”

One other person who was able to successfully leave out the stride to the last fence but did not quite catch Thieme’s time was David Tromp of Saugerties, New York. “With 15 in the jump-off, conservative was not really an option,” said Tromp, who finished second on Koyo Investment Group’s horse Bill Clinton, after winning the Brook Ledge Welcome on Wednesday. Tromp continued, “Wednesday’s quick round really helped prepare my horse for Thursday’s jump-off. I opened up his stride and he stayed with me every step of the way.” Tromp’s time of 40.701 earned second place in the class.

David Tromp and Bill Clinton Top Brook Ledge Welcome

A day before placing second in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, Tromp and the 9-year-old, 17.3 hand grey, Bill Clinton, topped the leaderboard in Wednesday’s Brook Ledge Open Welcome in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. Horses competed over Robson’s first round course of 14 efforts set at 1.4 meters, which included an optional water jump. Nine horses advanced to the jump-off.

Five had already gone clean in the jump-off before Bill Clinton stepped in to the ring. MTM Cravitz, owned by the MTM Farm and ridden by Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas, had stopped the clock at 37.744 seconds, and held the lead until Bill Clinton and Tromp finished with a time of 36.634 for the new Great American Time to Beat.

Tromp said, “I wasn’t really trying to win but he accelerated really well off the rollbacks. He has a huge step and there were several long gallops. He is the first horse purchased for me by the Koyo Investment Group. He’s really easy to ride and we are happy with his progress since we bought him late in the summer. He’ll be showing in both the Thursday and the Sunday Grand Prix here at HITS.”

Fenney came in second on her MTM Grand Slam at 36.893 seconds. Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida, riding Cordova, owned by Gaston Family Investments, LLC, made a bid for the lead but fell short in a time of 37.161 for third. Fenney’s other horse MTM Cravitz, who had held the early lead, ended up in fourth place. Flint, riding her own VDL Wittinger, was clear in 38.420 for fifth place.

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, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Win $34k Spy Coast Farm 1.45m Speed at 2015 WEF

February 21, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S. Photos © Sportfot.

Reilly Gogul and Neon Star Victorious in USEF Pony Medal

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2015 – Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S jumped to victory in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class on Friday afternoon at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Jumping in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Springsteen jumped the fastest clear round out of 73 entries to beat out Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Welfare (2nd) and Lillie Keenan (USA) with Balance (3rd).

Suncast® is the title sponsor of week seven at WEF. Competition runs February 18-22 featuring the $372,000 Suncast® CSI 5* Grand Prix on Saturday, February 21, which will be live streamed at http://bit.ly/1vLyjbV. The $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic will be the highlight on Sunday morning and livestreamed at http://bit.ly/181N0m0. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through March 29, 2015, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Steve Stephens (USA) set the speed track for Friday’s 1.45m competition with 23 clear rounds out of the 73 starters. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 set an early lead in 60.17 seconds, but eventually finished fifth. Springsteen and Davendy S pushed them out of the top spot with their time of 57.50 seconds. Ramsay and Shalanno Farms LLC’s Welfare jumped into second place in 58.84 seconds. Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and Nokia de Brekka took fourth in 60.16 seconds, and Lillie Keenan completed the class in third with a time of 60.10 seconds aboard Chansonette Farm LLC’s Balance.

Springsteen has jumped some of the fastest rounds in WEF’s international competition lately, but has had some mistakes that kept her out of the winner’s circle. She was happy to get the win on Friday with Davendy S or ‘Annie,’ her 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat II).

“It is definitely nice to win. I am so happy,” Springsteen smiled. “A few weeks ago we would have won the WEF (Challenge Cup), and then I had the last rail yesterday and we would have won, so I am happy to finally get it right. I was going in the ring today and Nick (Skelton) was like, ‘Do not knock the last jump down.'”

“She is so fast and competitive and consistent,” Springsteen detailed. “I know exactly how she is going to be every time I go in the ring, which is really nice. She makes it easy for you. If you tell her to go, she wants to go, and she wants to win.”

“I had a pretty clear plan today,” the rider explained. “I was able to watch most of the class go, so I knew what I needed to do and that is always helpful. She is just such a fast horse across the ground and in the air. Even the other day, I added strides in a bunch of places and I still had the leading time. She is so quick on her own, so that is obviously a very helpful advantage.”

The unusually cold weather this week has had a lot of the horses feeling fresh, and Springsteen used that to her advantage as well.

“I don’t have to do anything with her in the morning, she is always so quiet and so good, but I think the weather definitely gives them a little extra energy. She felt really good today,” Springsteen noted. “She is really sweet, and she is very calm. She is perfect always, all around.”

Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, Georgina Bloomberg (USA) and Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s South Street won Section A of the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge in a California Split, with Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot’s Shooting Star on top in Section B.

Reilly Gogul and Neon Star Victorious in USEF Pony Medal

On Friday afternoon, Reilly Gogul, riding Shaun Clark’s pony, Neon Star, topped the USEF Pony Medal. Gogul gave Neon Star lots of her favorite treats, mints, after her winning round.

Second place honors went to Natalie Jayne riding Cleverist, owned by Daisy Farish. Tessa Brown and Land’s End Lady Slipper finished in the third spot, and Gwyneth Babington and Maranatha Poet rounded out the top four.

Gogul, the nine-year-old equestrian from Chagrin Falls, OH, won first place her first time doing the pony equitation. Last year Gogul did the Short Stirrup once during WEF, but was ready to move up this year with Neon Star. “She’s [Neon Star] perfect!” exclaimed Gogul.

Despite the cold weather today, Neon Star performed like a star. “We are from the cold, so she [Neon Star] was good with the cooler weather,” Gogul explained.

When Neon Star is not in the show ring, Gogul likes to spend lots of time with her pony. “I like to ride her [Neon Star] bareback after lessons,” Gogul stated. “And in the summer I like to graze her.”

Along with competing in the pony equitation, Neon Star shows in the Small Pony Hunter division. While Gogul has had success in the equitation, she prefers the hunters.

Riding for Gogul is a family affair. Gogul trains with her parents, Jeff and Keeley Gogul, who operate Flagship, LTD, out of Maypine Farm. “Riding with my mom is the best!” Gogul smiled.

Looking ahead to the future, Gogul is planning on sticking with riding and moving up in the junior ranks during future years.

Competition continues on Saturday with the $372,000 Suncast® Grand Prix CSI 5* featured in the International Arena in the evening. Equitation competition continues with the Taylor Harris Insurance Children’s Medal 14 and Under in Ring 8 during the day. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Sharn Wordley and Popstar Lozonais Win Week 7 Wellington Turf Tour Grand Prix

February 21, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Sharn Wordley and Popstar Lozonais.

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2015 – The seventh week of the Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour kicked off in its usual fashion – with blazing speeds and top tier competition. Conor Swail and Sharn Wordley faced off on the open turf field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, each fighting a battle against the clock in an attempt to rise to the top of the ranks.

Conor Swail (IRL) was the first rider of the day to post a clear round, riding Dillinger, owned by Susan Grange, to the top of the ranks. The trailblazing team has been the talk of the 2015 Turf Tour, winning numerous classes throughout the series. The grey gelding has both scope and speed, and today he proved it once again throughout Nick Granat’s 1.40m Grand Prix track. The duo sped to the time of 31.00 seconds flat to pave the way for an exciting day at IPC.

Today, it would come down to a battle of the best with Swail and Sharn Wordley facing off. Wordley came to IPC with his mind set on beating Swail. “A few weeks ago, he [Popstar Lozonais] was the fastest but we had the last fence down. Conor Swail is always the one to try to beat. I don’t care if I win, as long as today I beat him.”

Wordley did just that, riding Popstar Lozonais to the outstanding time of 30.533 seconds. ‘Poppy’ was able to clear the course, turning quickly and covering the ground with ease as Wordley sliced the turns and even added strides from the first and second obstacles.

Wordley said, “He is really fast. He is just naturally extremely fast because he can turn. It wasn’t even as fast as he could go. I had to add a stride to the combination and I actually added a stride down the second line, and if I had left those out I would have gone faster. He is so quick at turning, so quick in the air, and so quick at moving, that if he is clean, he is generally at the top. He just lands and turns so quickly.”

“I thought the course was good,” Wordley continued. “There was a little more jump out there. It wasn’t tough; it just rode nicely. It was tough enough. It is always hard in this expansive arena; you really need a horse that concentrates a lot. It is a great education.”

Swail continued to hold the second place position throughout the rest of the day, also riding Simba de la Roque to a speedy time of 31.226 seconds to fall just shy of his earlier time and earn the third position behind his second place mount, Dillinger.

Peter Lutz and Carneyhaugh Manx finished in fourth for their time of 32.164 seconds, while Alexander Zetterman snuck into the fifth place with his quick jump off of 32.320 aboard Zidane. Beth Underhill and Viggo followed hot on his heels with a time of 32.792 seconds to round out the top six finishers of the day.

Wordley complimented The Ridge at Wellington for their Wellington Turf Tour series. “I think this is fantastic. I haven’t been to come to it the last couple of years because I didn’t have the horses, and I was aiming for the grand prix at WEF. Now, I have a few more horses that I can spare, and I love it. I will be coming back next year and the year after. It is a great show.”

Week 8 of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour will also take place at The International Polo Club, located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington, FL 33414. The show entrance will be off 120th Street between Lake Worth Road and Pierson Road. The Ridge would like to thank Dover Saddlery for their support of the 12-week series as the cooler and banner sponsor, and they would also like to announce their most recent jump sponsor, Panthera, the leaders in wild cat conservation. Panthera joins Hollow Brook Wealth Management and PJ Saddles as the series’ jump sponsors.

Show Net will be onsite for both Wednesday and Friday events posting live results, as well as videoing rounds in both rings. For results and videos, please visit www.shownet.biz.

Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times, 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.

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, Polo

Palm Beach Illustrated on the Fly to the Finals, Wins Haas Cup Semifinal over Gateway Merchants

February 20, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Matias Magrini, Mariano Obregon and Michel Dorignac. Photo: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – Palm Beach Illustrated used a balanced team strategy to run away from Gateway Merchants 11-7 in the Haas Cup Semifinals (Ylvisaker Cup 20-goal subsidiary) at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) on Wednesday. Palm Beach Illustrated will advance to the Haas Cup Final on Sunday.

Palm Beach Illustrated came into the game with a solid strategy. “We planned on rotating the ball and hitting it to open places,” said Tommy Collingwood. “The idea was to just keep hitting it forward and keep a rhythm going.”

The strategy seemed to work well for Palm Beach Illustrated, which has a very balanced roster in terms of players’ handicaps. The team frequently created mismatches on coverage and had open players going to goal.

“We knew there would always be someone open, so we just kept hitting it forward or hitting the quick backshot,” said Jared Zenni, who was recently selected for Team USPA. As the players shivered in the tent after the game, Zenni added vehemently, “That was really cold today!”

The teams were playing polo in a polar vortex, but the blasts of chilled air did not slow down the match. Mariano Obregon quickly ran to goal to start the scoring off for Gateway Merchants, adding to the automatic goal awarded the 19-goal Gateway Merchants team. His score was immediately countered by an answering run from his brother, Facundo Obregon, who followed up with an awesome neckshot from 65 yards out from goal. Michel Dorignac tallied another field goal for Palm Beach Illustrated to close out the chukker (with a lot of help from Zenni, who cleared the path to goal).

Facundo Obregon continued his scoring ways through the second and third chukkers, adding two penalty goals and a field goal off a pinpoint pass from Dorignac. Matias Magrini converted a penalty 4 in the third chukker to keep Gateway Merchants in the hunt, but Palm Beach Illustrated still held a comfortable 6-3 lead to close out the half.

In the fourth chukker Facundo Obregon made two more goals, sandwiched around a Mariano Obregon field goal, for Gateway Merchants. The brothers seemed to share a genetic affinity for the same part of the polo field, as they marked each other closely throughout the game.

Until the fifth chukker, the Dorignac-to-Facundo Obregon connection produced most of the goals for Palm Beach Illustrated. But in the fifth, Zenni and Collingwood backed one another up on close plays by goal to produce a pair of field goals, bringing Palm Beach Illustrated into the final chukker with a commanding 10-4 lead. Gateway Merchants attempted a rally behind three goals from Magrini, but Facundo Obregon put an end to the comeback attempt with a coast-to-coast run on a speedy dark brown horse. The final score was 11-7 in favor of Palm Beach Illustrated.

Palm Beach Illustrated will face off against Tonkawa in the Haas Cup Finals on Sunday at noon at IPC.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

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

Championships, Dressage, Jennifer Wood

Top European Young Riders Set to Compete at AGDF 10 Young Rider Championships

February 20, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Antonia Arl and Equestricons Ziggy.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – Four National and European Champion youth riders from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands will be making the journey across the Atlantic to compete at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival’s Week 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby and the Week 10 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships. All four riders, traveling with Jochen Arl, are set to compete in Wellington for the championships, increasing international presence in the Young Rider and Junior divisions. The Florida International Dressage Youth Championships, a highlight each year at the AGDF circuit, will be presented by Pana Cavallo, Diamante Farms, Hampton Green Farms, and Dressage for Kids.

Arl, a familiar face at the winter dressage circuit in Wellington, approached Mark Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions and Thomas Baur, AGDF Sport Director, with the idea to bring talented young equestrians from Europe to AGDF for championships. “We talked to Mark and Thomas and they really helped us find a way to make this happen. It is a great experience, and it is very exciting for these young riders to have the opportunity to come to the United States and compete,” said Arl.

“We are excited to continue giving equestrian athletes from around the world the opportunity to come to Wellington to compete,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions. “As AGDF continues to grow, it is important that riders of all ages are given the chance to compete here at Global. This is where the elite riders are competing, and young riders deserve a chance to experience that too.”

Each of the four riders applied to compete at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and Florida International Dressage Youth Championships. Their applications were then reviewed and selected based on previous scores and rankings within the Junior and Young Rider levels. This is the first time international youth riders of such notoriety will travel to AGDF to compete in championship classes.

Antonia Arl, Jochen’s daughter, will be competing in the Junior level classes aboard Equestricons Ziggy. The reigning Pony Champion of Belgium, Antonia Arl has been winning international classes in Europe since moving from the Pony level to the Juniors this past season. She recently started riding Equestricons Ziggy, who was a gold medalist at the 2012 European Junior Rider Championships with Antoinette te Riele.

Rosalie Bos will also be traveling with the Arls, bringing over Equestricons Bonita to compete in the Young Rider level classes as well. Bos, a European Junior Team Champion, earned silver and bronze medals, finishing fourth individually in the 2014 Junior Championships last season. She is also the reigning Junior Champion in Holland. She currently rides for Holland’s A-Team Young Rider squad.

Dana van Lierop and Equestricons Walküre have been partnered for three months and currently ride for Holland’s Young Riders A-Team. Van Lierop is a two-time European champion in the Pony divisions, winning once aboard Arl’s own Equestricons Lord Champion and once again aboard her own horse Equestricons Day of Diva. She was an individual and team champion in the Junior level competitions in Europe.

Vivian Niemann, a European junior gold medalist and current Young Rider from Germany, will also join the group competing at AGDF this season. Niemann, a very successful Young Rider, will look to continue her European success here in the States during her time on the AGDF circuit.

Baur, an integral part in the planning process, is excited to bring more international competition to the Young Rider and Junior divisions at AGDF. “We have seen so much growth at the show this year, and this is another step in the right direction,” said Baur. “Creating an environment that attracts international competitors of any age and level is the goal of this circuit and we will continue to ensure that is possible.”

“We want to promote the fact that it is a viable option for European Juniors and Young Riders to come west and compete here,” commented Arl. “I’ve been coming to Wellington for so long now and this show has built up incredibly. Four years ago the circuit was nothing like it is now, and it is important for European riders and their parents to know that it is a real possibility to come here and compete internationally.”

AGDF Week 10 CDI-W 3*/1* competition will host the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships where riders from across the country and around the world will compete at the AGDF venue. All riders must be under the age of 25 and four separate FEI divisions will be offered: a Pony Division, a Junior Division, a Young Rider Division, and the Under 25 Grand Prix. This is the third year the Florida International Dressage Youth Championships will be hosted by AGDF, and the competition is organized by Equestrian Sport Productions. For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships, please visit http://www.globaldressagefestival.net.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

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.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.equestriansport.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Competitions, Dressage

Gundersen and My Lady, Brock and Rosevelt, Herslow and Rosmarin Take Top Prizes at AGDF 7

February 20, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Mikala Gundersen and My Lady. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – While competition officially started on Wednesday for week 7 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), awards presentations took place today for three CDI classes. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) and My Lady topped the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*, presented by The Dutta Corporation, with a 71.600%. Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor placed second receiving a 71.080%, and Belinda Trussell (CAN) and Anton followed in third place scoring a 70.400%. AGDF 7 competition will continue tomorrow, highlighting the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyles for CDI 3*/4*. Both the CDI 3* (starting at 6:15 pm) and 4* (following with first horse at 8:45 pm) Freestyle classes will be held under the lights in The Stadium Arena at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with doors opening at 6pm.

If you can’t make it to AGDF, livestreaming will be available at this link: http://bit.ly/1zrcaRN.

“I am so thrilled to have come in first place today. I had a difficult ride with the wind; it was blowing very hard during the test, and Lady is a very sensitive horse,” explained Gundersen. “It made her very tense right in front of the judges which hurt my piaffes. When she got a little bit nervous I did lose some points, but Shelly Francis and I have been so close all season and I got lucky today.”

The atmosphere was challenging for many of the pairs, as wind gusts blustered through the AGDF grounds all day. The colder temperatures and rattling flags created trouble for riders throughout the competition. “I try to keep her very busy, but I don’t want to make her tired. I want her to mentally be fresh, but not make her body tired so I did a lot of posting trot and made her really low in the neck to try to get her to relax,” commented Gundersen when describing how she keeps “Lady” calm when surroundings start to bother her.

“I had some great highlights today. All of the extensions felt great, and I think we had a lot of nice movements in the test. I can’t wait to see them on video,” she smiled. “On days like today, I have to be very soft and giving with my hands because she is such a sensitive horse. I can’t have her strong in my hand because she will take the rein and start to pull through. I’m always moving my ring finger trying to keep her supple, supple, supple.” My Lady continues to improve with each outing, and Gundersen is looking to aim her at the first CDI 5* competition in Aachen, Germany in May just before the Danish Championships and hopefully earning a spot on the European Championship Team for Denmark.

Watch the video for the winning ride of Mikala and My Lady. Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

Shelly Francis had a great second day of competition at Week 7 of AGDF, placing near the top of the leaderboard with all three of her rides in CDI competition. “I had a very short warm-up with Doktor, but he was lit like a fire-cracker today!” she smiled. “He got a little bit tight in the rhythm in the trot work, but he was very good. The weather was very stimulating, and I’m very proud of the way all of my horses handled it, but it did keep them a little bit hotter.”

Francis has been riding Doktor for nearly six years now, and their partnership is truly starting to shine as the pair has had top place finishes at all of the CDIs they have contested this season at AGDF. “I’m going to plan on doing another World Cup qualifier and see where that gets me. I’ve done one World Cup qualifier already and I plan on doing the next CDI here at AGDF. If it gets me to the World Cup then maybe I will consider that, but my plans are really still up in the air,” commented Francis on her coming plans with the gelding.

Francis has worked diligently to fine-tune their tests and her efforts are obvious, as the duo greatly improved in specific areas that Francis focused on in the past two weeks since their last CDI competition. “I’m always working on getting everything nice and smooth. There were little moments when he would get tense in the middle of a movement, like the half-pass or the extensions. I think that was because of the wind though. I felt overall this week was smoother, and there was a better frame carriage. There are still some bobbles I would like to get rid of to make the test really smooth.”

Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt captured another win this season at AGDF, topping the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3* class, presented by Havensafe Farm, scoring a 71.600%. Lara Griffith (GBR) and Rubin Al Asad followed in second with a 71.020%, and Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo came in third receiving a 69.540%.

Brock and Rosevelt added another Grand Prix victory to their string, as the pair also captured a win in the AGDF 1 FEI Grand Prix CDI-W and placed second in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W the same week. “I felt in my own head a lot more confident. Once you get the first one out of the way, it is always easier. I knew he could handle the venue. I was really only concerned about how the weather would impact his ability to focus,” said Brock.

Click to watch video of Allison’s and Rosevelt’s winning ride. Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The duo will contest their first “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* tomorrow night under the lights, which will serve as a great learning opportunity for “Rosie.” “He’s going to have to go in there and cope with the environment, and I won’t know what I have until I get in there, but in a way today was good prep because if it is calm tomorrow night, it will feel like nothing compared to today,” she commented about Rosevelt’s hot personality. “He has to just go in and do it, and this is his year to learn how to deal with it. I don’t have expectations for tomorrow. I want him to go in feeling like he can trust me because that’s when we perform our best.”

The weather was a major factor for most riders today, especially those on sensitive horses, but Brock was pleased with the way “Rosie” handled the atmosphere and the environment considering their warm-up was more difficult than she anticipated. “The warm-up was a bit tricky for me today. The gusting winds with all of the flags flapping, it made it pretty difficult for him. I’m proud because he really went in the ring and let it go and carried on. He was really about as honest as he could have been considering the circumstance.”

Lara Griffiths and Rubin Al Asad had a wonderfully relaxed and mistake-free test to take home the second place prize in the large class. Griffiths, who competed “Rufus” at the Week 5 CDI3*, felt a drastic improvement from the pair’s tests two weeks ago. “I started riding him about four years ago, and he was coming off an injury. It’s taken a while to get his strength back, but even compared to two weeks ago he’s a completely different horse,” stated Griffiths. “That is what is great about these shows and this venue. You can keep bringing them out and showing them, and it really helps their confidence.”

Traveling to Wellington for the winter circuit with her trainer, Laura Tomlinson, has been greatly beneficial for the duo, as Griffiths plans to contest a number of CDIs in Europe after returning home to England in March. “Today was a really special day for us. It was only our second Grand Prix together, and I was pretty happy with him,” she said. “He was a little bit scared in the ring because he still is very green, but he let me really ride him and that was my main goal.”

Griffiths was pleased with the attitude “Rufus” displayed in the ring and feels that their scores will only improve as the big gelding continues to gain confidence with Griffiths in the saddle. “I wanted to get those marks to creep up and not have any mistakes, which we didn’t,” she explained. “I really couldn’t have asked more from him. The general way of going was more confident today, which is what we’ve been working on.”

The FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1* class, presented by Mission Control for the second week at AGDF, finished this afternoon after starting Wednesday morning due to the large number of more than 40 entries. Kimberly Herslow (USA) and Rosmarin scored a 72.474% to win over the rest of the field. Dawn White-O’Connor (USA) and Aristo followed in second place with 70.184%, and Kasey Perry (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet finishing in third on a 69.921%.

FEI CDI 4*/3*/1* competition will continue throughout the week, with the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle highlighting AGDF Week 7. The event will begin at 6pm with both CDI 3* and CDI 4* Grand Prix Freestyles taking place under the lights in The Stadium’s electric atmosphere. Competition will continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday, February 22, with the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Mission Control.

For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, please visit http://www.globaldressagefestival.net.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.equestriansport.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lucy Davis and Barron Top $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7

February 20, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lucy Davis and Barron. Photos © Sportfot.

Casparo and Molly Sewell Win Top Tricolor in Pre Green Hunter Level 1

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Thursday with a win for 22-year-old Lucy Davis (USA) and Old Oak Farm’s Barron in the $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7. Davis and Barron topped two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward (USA) and his ultra-fast mount, Rothchild, in an exciting jump-off round to earn top prize. Wilton Porter (USA) and Diamonte Darco finished third.

Steve Stephens (USA) set the track for 69 entries in Thursday’s WEF Challenge Cup, with 13 to advance to the jump-off and five double clear rounds. Davis and Barron raced through the course in 38.06 seconds for the win. They beat the leading time of Ward and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild in 39.29 seconds. Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Diamonte Darco stopped the clock in 40.48 seconds for third. Alise Oken (USA) and Hi Hopes Farm LLC’s Teirra finished fourth in 40.92 seconds, and Lauren Tisbo (USA) clocked in at 41.56 seconds to take the fifth place prize aboard Tequestrian Farms LLC’s Entre Nous.

“Anytime you beat McLain, you can be proud of yourself, no matter Rothchild or any horse,” Davis declared following her victory. “The wind is high and Barron is totally wild, but as he showed, he jumps amazing when he is fresh so I can’t really complain.”

The 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (For Pleasure x Nabab de Reve) arrived in Wellington one week ago, flying in from California where he and Davis jumped to victory in the World Cup qualifier in Thermal less than two weeks ago.

“We did Thermal and then before that he had about a month and a half off, so he was fresh from the wind and he is also fresh from a break. I think it is really showing because he was flying today. He was unbelievable,” Davis smiled.

“I was sort of on McLain’s time throughout, but I think in the end, my horse has a huge stride,” Davis said of her winning round in the jump-off. “As McLain has said, it is like a Sapphire stride, which is a huge compliment. I did one less stride to the last jump. The last two I did the leave outs and even an extra leave out almost to the last. I think that is probably where I made the most time because everybody in the beginning was pretty consistent.”

A student at Stanford University in California, Davis travels back and forth to show in Florida throughout the winter. She flew in this morning for the week’s CSI 5* competition and will return to school on Monday, coming back again during weeks 9, 11 and 12. While her horses stay in Florida with trainers Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Markus Beerbaum, Davis has a horse at school to keep in the saddle between shows. She is already qualified for the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas this spring and will continue to gear Barron toward that goal.

“He is fresh; he is feeling good and I hope it keeps going,” she acknowledged. “My goal for this year is World Cup Finals. We are qualified, so this may be one of our last big weekends because that has really been my focus. Since he is feeling so good I don’t want to take too much out of him before that.”

An added bonus to her win on Thursday was having Barron’s previous rider, Francois Lamontagne, in the stands cheering them on.

“When I got him, he was with a young Canadian rider named Francois Lamontagne, who is actually here at the circuit and he is super excited. He always comes to watch,” Davis detailed. “Our vet, Geoff Vernon, is also Canadian and saw Barron on the Canadian team and knew that I was looking for a really good horse. When he was coming nine we bought him. Now we really know each other, and we have been through a lot. He’s young. He is only 11, so he is only going to get better I hope.”

Also showing in the International Arena on Thursday, Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Brighton won the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class.

Casparo and Molly Sewell Win Final Two Over Fences Classes in Pre-Green Hunter Level 1

Molly Sewell piloted David Matisz LLC’s horse, Casparo, to championship honors in the Pre-Green Hunter Level 1. Casparo earned two firsts and two thirds over fences, along with a second place finish in the under saddle.

Remaining consistent over the two days of competition, Marksman and Christopher Payne finished the day as reserve champions. The pair earned a first and two seconds over fences.

Although this week was only Casparo’s fourth horse show, the six-year-old Warmblood looked like a veteran in the ring. “He [Casparo] has been champion or first and second every time we have shown him. He always rises to the occasion,” Sewell noted.

Sewell started riding Casparo in September and has enjoyed getting to know him. Talking about Casparo, Sewell commented, “My favorite part about him [Casparo] is how light he is. One barely has to touch the reins.”

While Casparo started off the division with two thirds over fences, he stepped up his game the second day when both over fences classes went in the Rost Arena. “He [Casparo] really liked the bigger ring. He jumped everything great, and it was so much fun to go in a big ring with a brave horse,” Sewell explained.

After a strong start, Sewell is looking forward to having Casparo compete in the ECHO Junior Hunter 3’3″ division with a junior rider, along with continuing to shine in the Pre-Green Hunter Level 1.

Competition continues on Friday with a $34,000 1.45m speed class in the International Arena. Pony equitation takes center stage with coverage of the Marshall & Sterling USEF Pony Medal in Ring 11. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Kursinski and Fagerstrom Ride to the Top of Wednesday’s Ranks during Wellington Turf Tour

February 19, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Anne Kursinski and MTM Motto.

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2015 – Today Anne Kursinski illustrated once again why she is one of the most successful show jumpers in the United States, claiming the top prize today aboard Hay’s Investment Corporation’s MTM Motto in the first 1.30-1.35m jumper class at The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour. The weather started out a bit less than ideal Wednesday morning, but that didn’t stop several of Wellington’s top competitors from trying their hand at Nick Granat’s courses in between the rain drops. As the afternoon progressed and the sun brightened everyone’s day, competitors flocked to the pristine polo fields of the International Polo Club (IPC) Palm Beach.

Anne Kursinski posted a very fast time of 39.071 to win the first 1.30-1.35m class with MTM Motto. Despite being only the third pair to go double clear, Kursinski and the grey gelding blazed around in a time that held for the entirety of the day against a field of 31. Nina Fagerstrom did her best to claim the top prize in both classes, but fell just short by stopping the clock at 39.173, a mere tenth of a second off of the leader. Jeffery Welles was the second double clear of the day, and finished in third with a time of 39.660 aboard Calais.

Kursinski was extremely impressed with the footing at IPC. “Going early this morning, I was hoping that it would be good, but it was perfect! It was amazing; the polo crew knows how to take care of the ground. I had the same studs in that I used in the sunshine and I didn’t even go any bigger because the footing is so good. I went quite fast and never even thought of slipping. When I first got here I thought we might just train, but it felt good so I thought let’s go fast.”

She continued, “I thought it was a very good course, nice options, and not a giveaway. The horses are definitely going to learn something. You can go good and fast or train, but either way the horses and riders will learn something. It was a wonderful morning and a great way to start the day.”

The second 1.30-1.35m class was won by Nina Fagerstrom, riding Finca Horses Inc.’s Hot Topic. She posted a time of 32.684, nearly two seconds ahead of second place Conor Swail who posted a time of 34.650 on Simba De La Roque. Paul Yanke on Chill Haze stopped the clock in 30.585, but an unfortunate rail down at fence three put him into third place.

Fagerstrom was very complementary of her partner today. “She’s 8 years old; we bought her three and a half years ago from Belgium, and she’s an extremely talented horse. I really think a lot of her. She was second last week in the 1.40m Grand Prix here. I find that she’s developing every week; she’s always learning.”

She continued, “It’s great here! The footing and the jumps are wonderful. The course is just challenging enough for her but not too difficult, and it really teaches the horses with the various turns and tracks you can take.”

The second ring saw a number of talented horse and rider pairs competing throughout the day. Competitors were developing their young horses by providing them with valuable experience on the turf. Michel Ismalun, three star level member of the course design team from World Equestrian Games 2014, a world-renowned course designer and a director for Classic Champions Inc., built the young jumper courses in the adjacent ring to the 1.30-1.35m jumpers. The course proved to be very inviting and educational for each division, allowing the younger horses to go forward and gallop while on the turf.

Martha Redman won the first 6-year-old class aboard Expresso. Peter Lutz claimed the top prize in the 6-year-old YJC Qualifier Class riding T Zero. Triumph was successful in the first 7-year-old class, ridden and owned by Gustavo Prato. Paul O’Shea rode Hayley Patmore’s Peninsula Riversong to the victory in the second 7-year-old class.

Samantha Johnson won both low jumper classes, riding Rene Johnson’s Artemis. Sarah Wayda claimed both second place ribbons in those classes with Rian Miller’s Contentus. Baer Hendrix won the first medium jumper class on Equiagrix SAS’s Tip Top Cool. Debbi White topped the leader board in the second medium jumper class on her own Basil Hayden.

Friday’s events promise to be exciting, with the $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix running from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Beginning at 8 a.m., the second ring will have Low Schooling Jumpers, with two classes running simultaneously with open cards until noon. Medium schooling jumpers will kick off at noon with two classes running with open cards until 4:30 p.m.

Show Net will be onsite for both Wednesday and Friday events posting live results, as well as videoing rounds in both rings. For results and videos, please visit www.shownet.biz.

The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts

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.

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

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/

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

Doda de Miranda and AD Amigo B Victorious in $34,000 1.45m Speed in Week 7 at WEF

February 19, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its seventh week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday with a win for Brazila’s Alvaro ‘Doda’ de Miranda and AD Amigo B in the $34,000 1.45m FEI speed class. Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Welfare finished second; Samuel Parot (CHI) and Tailormade Anna Chacca placed third.

Suncast® is the title sponsor of week seven at WEF. Competition runs February 18-22 featuring the $372,000 Suncast® CSI 5* Grand Prix on Saturday, February 21. Other highlights include the $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday afternoon and the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday morning. All three of these events will be livestreamed at www.COTH.com. Watch tomorrow’s class HERE: http://bit.ly/19y8urf. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through March 29, 2015, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Steve Stephens (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena for week seven. He set the speed track for 69 competitors in the 1.45m class and saw an even thirty clear rounds. Third to go, Doda de Miranda and AD Amigo B set the leading pace at 55.16 seconds and held on to the end for victory. Ramsay and Welfare clocked in at 56.46 seconds to finish in second place. Parot and Tailormade Anna Chacca had a time of 57.82 seconds to place third.

“He was very good today. The course was super for him because it had long lines, and he has a big stride,” De Miranda said of his round. “I was a little unsure if it would be possible to win because normally he takes more time on the jumps. He jumps very high over the oxers and I knew there were a few horses coming that are very quick on the ground and don’t lose too much time in the jump, but it was good. Going in the beginning like that I knew that I needed to go as fast as possible. It worked. We had a good plan, and I am very happy.”

De Miranda and the ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tadmus x Heartbreaker) won the same class during week four and AD Amigo B had last week off to rest. He will have a day off tomorrow and jump again in Friday’s 1.45m.

“I hope now with one day off he will be good again on Friday,” the rider expressed. “Sometimes he can get very difficult in the mouth when you go fast one day. It is good that he will have one day in between classes that he can flat a little bit and do some poles on the ground just so he’s more relaxed.”

“He is a very sweet horse,” De Miranda detailed. “He is spooky, not in the fences, but in the warm-up. I have to watch out because he sees something, and he will spin very quickly. He gets scared with noise or quick movement, like in the wind today he was like that a little bit, but when he goes in the arena he is very focused and he is 100% with the rider. Some horses are okay in the warm-up arena and then they go in the show ring and they give you trouble, but he is the other way around, which is nice. You cannot relax in the warm-up because you don’t want to fall off for a stupid reason, but when he is in (the show ring) you can press him one thousand percent and he is going to do everything to do his best for the rider.”

Also showing on Wednesday, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was held in a California Split with wins for Lisa Goldman and her own Morocco as well as Ben Maher aboard Niko Detlef’s Contigo. Goldman also won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class later in the day riding Mary Goldman’s Centurion B.

Competition continues on Thursday with the $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 featured in the International Arena and the presentation of championship honors to the Pre Green Hunter 3′ division in the Rost Arena. 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

Phelps Media Group, Polo

Valiente and Coca-Cola Secure Spots in Ylvisaker Cup Finals

February 19, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Nico Pieres, Andres Weisz, Tommy Beresford and Magoo Laprida. Photos: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.

Coca-Cola Defeats Villa del Lago 14-9; Valiente Takes Lucchese 11-8

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2015 – Valiente defeated Lucchese 11-8 and Coca-Cola bested Villa del Lago 14-9 in Wednesday’s semifinals of the Ylvisaker Cup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Valiente and Coca-Cola will face off Sunday in the finals.

Adolfo Cambiaso didn’t ride for Valiente in the Ylvisaker Cup semifinals Wednesday, but his handprint was all over the field. It was particularly visible in the second half, after his powwow with the team transformed a lackluster first half into a scoring tsunami for Valiente. Tommy Beresford said Cambiaso called a team meeting at halftime and “gave us some tips, changed a couple of players, tweaked a few things.”

Whatever wisdom Cambiaso imparted, it worked – and then some. Valiente, which was scoreless in the third chukker and trailing by one point at the half, played the rest of the game like the polo field was a bed of hot coals. Leading the attack was Sapo Caset, riding in the 10-goaler slot otherwise occupied by Cambiaso. (Earlier in the tournament Caset played in place of Cambiaso, who wanted to give a physical issue some rest. Cambiaso said he asked to play in Caset’s slot in the quarterfinals so he could “get the rhythm,” as he hadn’t played since he won the Argentine Open in December. At present the Caset/Cambiaso seat in Sunday’s finals is expected to go to Caset, but that could change.)

In stark contrast to Valiente’s push in the second half, the early part of the semifinal was deceptively tight and low-scoring, with the teams either tied or separated by a single point at any given time.

“The first half we were just kind of seeing what they were doing and adjusting ourselves to them, and then we came out in the second,” said Caset. He acknowledged that he missed a lot of goals in the first half. “In the second half I tried to make the approach from closer to the goal so I’d just have to tap it in” (quite possibly a tip from Cambiaso).

Caset went on to score three consecutive goals in the fourth, stopping Lucchese in its tracks and keeping it scoreless throughout the chukker. His first goal in the second half tied the game 4-all, and his series of follow-ups brought Valiente into a strong, sustained lead. Caset’s play in the fifth was a repeat performance of his fourth-chukker act (two goals from the field and another on a penalty). Still, he wasn’t done, blazing into the sixth to make the final goal of the game and sew it up for Valiente with a three-point spread.

That’s not to say that Lucchese didn’t try, and mightily so. Powerhouse 8-goalers Magoo Laprida and Nico Pieres gave Valiente as much grief as they could, targeting the tag-team of Caset and Santi Torres at every turn. Laprida and Pieres were in warrior mode the entire time, making all of Lucchese’s goals (except for one in the final chukker by Andres Weisz) with the instrument control and patience of a surgical team.

The Santi-Sapo squad made that as difficult as possible for Lucchese, using some exceptionally creative moves. Torres confused his defenders by slowing the ball down and letting them take turns swinging at it, all the while nonchalantly keeping it in his wingspan. He waited until the perfect moment to release the ball for Caset, who snatched it and scored. At the top of the fifth Pieres turned the ball around and tapped it solidly downfield four or five times, only to have Caset swipe it and send it to goal.

For a brief but impressive span in the sixth, it looked like Lucchese had a chance to turn the tide. A goal by Laprida tightened Valiente’s lead to one point, bringing the score to 9-8. Lucchese was looking good for another goal as Pieres and Laprida brought the ball forward, repeatedly trading it back and forth and gaining yardage. But Valiente ended that. Torres claimed the ball, dribbling until the right moment to send it to Caset, who passed it on to Beresford on a backshot. With John Muse on his hip and rapidly gaining ground, Beresford shifted into overdrive. He sent the ball downfield with a beautiful cutshot and then sliced it into goal. Caset had the final word with another goal from the field, ending the match 11-8.

Coca-Cola Takes Resounding 14-9 Win over Villa del Lago

Coca-Cola came out gunning Wednesday in the Ylvisaker Cup semifinals after the first chukker closed with a 2-2 tie. The red team snatched the lead in the second chukker and extended the gap to five points, defeating Villa del Lago 14-9.

The style of the match was polo as it is meant to be played – wide open and fast, with fewer whistles than you could count on one hand. Exceptional accuracy by both teams resulted in very few missed shots, and in Coca-Cola’s trademark team play, all four of its members scored.

That has been a recurring theme for Coca-Cola, which has succeeded repeatedly in the tournament on the combined strength of its roster. Julio Arellano and Sugar Erskine, who can always be counted on as the team’s high-scorers, each contributed five points Wednesday. Gillian Johnston continued in the super-strong play she has exhibited throughout the tournament. She pounded in three goals from the field, most of them while piloting one of her gray speed sticks.

Mason Wroe had the first goal of the match, made from the field for Coca-Cola. But Polito Pieres, a perpetual scoring machine, came back for Villa del Lago. He slammed in goals in every chukker during the first half and again in the final chukker. A major tactician, Pieres took advantage of broken plays every chance he got, turning the ball around and running it down the field to score. He also tried every defensive trick in the book to break the Coke machine, but even he couldn’t prevail.

It would have been a tall order for any team to thwart Coca-Cola’s momentum, even one powered by Pieres. Johnston set the tone in cement early on by doing what she does best -materializing in the precise place where she needs to be and then charging to score or delivering the ball to Arellano or Erskine for the goal. In the third chukker, she held up the Villa del Lago defenders long enough for Erskine to pounce on the ball and scamper away with it to score.

Johnston and Arellano also had some excellent shared plays. In the fourth chukker she ran the ball almost three-quarters of the length of the field, fooling everyone (except Arellano) when she suddenly abandoned it in the goal mouth, leaving it for Arellano to tap in. Coca-Cola made three goals in the fifth, all of which Villa del Lago answered in the sixth, ending the game 14-9 for Coca-Cola.

How did Coca-Cola spin its magic?

“Mason was super-solid at the back door, Gillian had some great goals and Sugar’s just been on fire in every game!” said Arellano.

In Erskine’s view, “We just got away. We planned on playing really hard on the man and feeding Gillian all day. We stayed on top and didn’t change our game plan, which was to play as straight out as we can but as close as we can to our man.”

Wroe attributed Coca-Cola’s win to Arellano’s guidance. “He gets us organized and prepared before the games, and we know what our assignment is,” said Wroe. “We knew this was going to be a tough game. We just kept pushing and kept to the plan, and hopefully good things would happen. Luckily today, we came out on the side of the W.”

Play continues Thursday at IPC, with Gateway Merchants facing Palm Beach Illustrated at 3 p.m. in the semifinals of the Haas Cup subsidiary. Due to the withdrawal of FlexJet, Tonkawa will advance directly to the finals of the Haas Cup on Sunday at noon.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

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

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher

Tag Archives: featured

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