Trevor Steed works a cow during the ranch horse exhibition.
Jupiter, FL – October 30, 2014 – Steed Training’s goal for their Cow Horse Extravaganza series was to put on family friendly events that brought the community out to experience the excitement of reined cow horse competition, and their success was evident at the final event of the season. Spectators, sponsors and supporters gathered on Saturday, Oct. 25, to watch the ranch horse exhibition, listen to live music and enjoy a barbeque dinner.
The exhibition was held alongside a cow horse play day, which drew riders of all experience levels out to Golden L Ranch in Jupiter, Florida, to run through reining patterns and work cows in a laidback environment. Zeus the zebra, who has been trained by Rick Steed, greeted visitors to the ranch as they arrived.
Reverend Marcia MacNeal, a non-denominational minister from the Center for Spiritual Living of the Palm Beaches, was on hand for the Blessing of the Animals. Visitors brought their horses and pets for the touching ceremony.
Erin O’Brien, a former international trick rider, barrel racer and team roper, carried the American flag out for the singing of the national anthem. She was dressed in a beautiful red, white and blue outfit.
“I think this is the greatest family event,” O’Brien said. “I was thrilled to come out and carry Old Glory. There’s so much camaraderie, and it’s so all-American. You don’t get this anymore. Rick Steed and his wife Toni are the most gracious hosts, and Rick has the patience of a saint with children.”
The series finale showed plenty of Halloween spirit, with young riders dressing in costume to perform reining freestyles. Spectators cheered on Batman and the others as they showed off spins and sliding stops.
Rick and Trevor Steed led the way in demonstrating ranch horse competition. Debbie Hall provided commentary, giving the spectators insight into the sport as she explained what the riders’ goals were in each phase and what the judge would be looking for. Hall has been involved with Horse Show by Appointment since the organization began, and she judged several of the summer exhibitions.
“These events have been really great for opening up the Western world to those who aren’t traditionally part of it,” Hall said. “They’re great family events.”
Announcer Bubba Dunn agreed.
“We had a kid today who has only been riding since March, and he did great,” Dunn said. “What makes events are the people, and the people here are wonderful. They enjoy coming out and spending time together.”
Liz Olszewski, Director and Founder of Horses Healing Hearts, was on hand to represent the charitable organization, which helps children in families suffering from substance abuse by connecting them with horses. Olszewski, a dressage rider, also had a chance to try her hand at riding a cowhorse.
“Our goal here today was just to spread the word and get exposure,” Olszewski said. “We have been in existence for five years, and we are serving 49 kids now.”
“From a rider’s perspective, this was so cool,” she added. “I was telling people, ‘Thank God I don’t have money; I’d be buying one of these horses!’ I’ve had it on my bucket list, and to be able to come out and have this experience locally was a real treat.”
Singer and guitarist Tom Blake provided musical entertainment throughout the afternoon, performing classic country tunes as well as original songs. He said he was happy to be part of the event.
“It’s nice to be a part of real Western riding, being a country music singer and loving country music,” Blake said. “It’s great to play in front of my peers. Rick is awesome – I had a polo pony in training with him, and we became friends.”
Andres Sanchez, who competes in HSBA events alongside his two young daughters, generously provided food for the exhibition series.
“My daughters are 7 and 10 and have been riding for about two years now, and my wife helps out with the cow return,” Sanchez said. “The girls love it. There are a lot of children getting involved now, and they’re having a ball.”
Sanchez’ wife, Tracy, said the family friendly atmosphere at every event put on by Steed Training and HSBA is a big draw. She feels that her daughters have learned respect and commitment from their involvement with horses, and she does her best to spread the word and introduce others to Rick Steed’s events.
“This is life for us, but our daughters’ friends know nothing about it,” she said. “So for each show, we try to bring one of their friends along so they can get a taste of it. What’s really great is the excitement of the next generation that’s coming up.”
The Cow Horse Extravaganza series has drawn a great deal of sponsorship support, and Steed Training and HSBA are grateful to all those who have stepped up and contributed to the events.
While the Cow Horse Extravaganza summer series is coming to an end, things are just heating up for Steed Training as they prepare to open an additional facility in Loxahatchee Groves, FL, less than 10 miles from the center of Wellington. Once complete, it will be a top-notch venue for reined cow horse competitors and other Western riders. The new facility, including a state-of-the-art arena complete with lighting, will open in January and allow Steed Training to build on their commitment to bringing Western riding to the Wellington area.
HSBA Reined Cow Horse Experience
If the Cow Horse Extravaganza leaves you wanting to get in the saddle yourself, Steed Training has the perfect solution: the HSBA Reined Cow Horse Experience. Rick and Trevor Steed welcome groups to their Jupiter location – and, as soon as it opens, their new Loxahatchee Groves location just minutes from Wellington – for a day of immersion in the reined cow horse discipline.
Riders of all levels, from complete beginner to seasoned professional, can learn the ropes from a well-schooled cow horse and feel the rush of working a cow under the expert guidance of the Steed Training team. Kick back and relax with a limo ride to the farm from surrounding towns. Steed Training can also bring the Reined Cow Horse Experience to your farm in the South Florida area. Contact Rick Steed at (772) 263-6830 or Tom DiRocco at (561) 371-4997 for more information.
About Horse Show by Appointment
Horse Show by Appointment’s fresh approach to reined cow horse competition was an unprecedented success in its first season, and now HSBA is back for a second year. HSBA aims to make showing “Fun, Fair, and Affordable” for competitors. To accommodate those traveling long distances to show and help busy riders fit showing in at their convenience, HSBA allows riders to reserve their own ride times in advance. This cuts down on usual travel expenses such as stall rentals and hotels and encourages competitors to make the trip and join in the fun.
Each HSBA series includes four shows. Riders who compete at three out of the four shows earn a place in the annual Championship Finals, which offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors may also qualify for the Finals in absentia by simply sending in entries and payment to each of the four shows.
Lexington, KY – October 30, 2014 – It took a rocket scientist to win the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Grand Championship at the National Horse Show – literally.
Kathryn Haefner is a graduate student at Stanford University, where she is completing a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Thursday at the Kentucky Horse Park, she and her mount Columbus rocketed to the top of the leader board to clinch the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ 18-35 Hunter Championship, sponsored by Fashion Farm and Woodland Way. The pair’s performance also ultimately earned them the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Grand Championship.
“He was champion last year at Capital Challenge, but this was actually the first time that he’s shown here,” Haefner said of Columbus. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just came from school so we were both a little bit rusty. I was basically here to have fun and just to say that I got to go to the National Horse Show.”
Haefner continued, “He’s been super this whole year. He’s really grown up a lot. He came in here, wasn’t spooky or anything. There was a lot of stuff to look at in there, and he was totally fine with it.”
Haefner purchased the 8-year-old Westphalian gelding four years ago, and he is presently one of 17 horses in her string.
“We have 17 horses that are going to Florida with us,” Haefner said. “Our barn is just me, and most of them are sale horses. I have a couple like this one that were sale horses and then I decided that they weren’t for sale anymore. We have a bunch of new Pre-Green horses, so I’m going to move my amateurs up, and we’ll see. Maybe I’ll do some of the young ones in the adults, and see how it goes.”
Balancing her horses with a challenging course of study is not easy, but both are things that Haefner is passionate about.
“It’s my dad’s fault [that I chose to study aerospace],” Haefner said. “He’s an electrical engineer, but the company that he works for produces sensors specifically for space applications, so I’ve been exposed to a lot of science and math from a young age. I got to watch rocket launches, and I thought it was the coolest thing. I wanted to be an astronaut, but I get motion sickness, so that’s probably not going to happen. This is the next best thing.”
Haefner has another year and a half before graduation, but in the meantime, she is just enjoying the opportunity to compete at top competitions like the National Horse Show.
Finishing with the reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ 18-35 Hunters were Darby Toben and Peron.
In the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ 35 and Older Hunters, the championship, sponsored by Meralex Farm & Hunt, went to Kelley Corrigan and Game Day. Finishing in the reserve championship position were Ainsley Sadlo and Balin.
What made that one-two finish special is that both Corrigan and Sadlo train with Havens Schatt. Corrigan began riding with the Lexington, Kentucky-based trainer last spring, and has enjoyed it immensely since.
“It’s a mellow barn. There are a lot of horses, but it’s not tense,” Corrigan said. “Havens’ is great. The horses are all topnotch.”
One of those topnotch horses is Corrigan’s own Game Day. “I got him a year ago in August, and I have had him for a little over a year. We’ve been doing the 3’3″ every year, and we’re hoping to move up to the 3’6″,” Corrigan said. “He’s 7, but he kind of acts like he’s 11 or 12. He’s very amateur friendly.”
Following his success Thursday, Game Day will enjoy some time off at Corrigan’s home farm in Lexington, Kentucky, before getting back into Schatt’s program and heading to Wellington, Florida, for the winter, where Corrigan will set her sights on her goals for next year.
“I really, really want to get to Devon next year. It’s my favorite show,” Corrigan said. “I would like to do Indoors. He’s a horse that gets a little bored doing the same jumps all the time so maybe the following year we’ll start doing some derbies.”
Thursday afternoon marked the conclusion of the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters, but the hunter competition continues tomorrow with the conclusion of the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter divisions.
Watch live streaming of the National Horse Show all week on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com, and find out more about the show at www.nhs.org.
About the National Horse Show
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
With $755,000 in prize money offered, this year’s National Horse Show offers an International Open Jumpers with $460,000 in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $195,000. Meanwhile, $100,000 in total is offered to the Amateur-Owner and U 25 Jumper sections.
For the fourth consecutive year, The National Horse Show received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group and was named the Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse Show of the Year in four back-to-back years.
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
Lexington, KY – October 30, 2014 – Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts guided Armstrong Van de Kapel to victory on Thursday night at the 131st National Horse Show, topping a starting field of 42 and then a massive jump-off roster of 21 to win the marathon Copernicus Stables $75,000 International Open Jumpers, presented by the Coulter Family. In the dash for cash, Philippaerts was the only rider to break the 40 second barrier as he raced home in 39.35 seconds for the win.
A star-studded roster of the best riders from around the world challenged the 1.50m course designed by popular builder Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. Tonight, the rider’s got the best of the deal with the 21 horse and rider combinations emerging from the first round. “They beat me up all day,” laughed Jorge referring also to an earlier Junior/Amateur class, one that saw a majority of the starters go clean and a huge twenty-five horse jump-off that followed. Speaking of the main event tonight, Jorge explained, “It’s a great challenge with such great riders on such terrific horses, jumping on beautiful footing and being limited to 1.50m to create a course that’s tough enough. For sure,” he admitted, “I should have dropped the Time Allowed by at least two seconds.”
Jorge’s claim was bolstered by the fact that not a single time fault was issued during any clear ride over the first round course.
Eleven of the 21 that jumped off went clean the second time around, with Philippaerts emerging as the star of the night.
“Well, in the beginning it was difficult enough, because you know with 21 in the jump-off, it’s going to be a very, very fast,” Philippaerts said. “It was a little too bad there were so many clear rounds. But I think for Saturday he will make sure there are less. For me, it worked out well. But for many people who rode horses for the World Cup as well today, it’s quite a lot to jump fast like that and then go again on Saturday,” he said.
As far as his winning strategy, the personable Belgian rider said, “I just tried to go as fast as possible. It was a little bit of a tricky jump-off. At the last fence, normally you should always go left, but we all took the risk to go to the right side. I think that made the difference in the jump-off.”
As far as his equine partner, Philippaerts said, “I got this horse in January and he had only jumped two star grand prix. He’s a little bit inexperienced, like the World Cup classes here, he never did that before. That’s why I brought him to America, to get him to this level, and hopefully he’ll go up to the highest level because I think he’s one of my best horses.”
Finishing just off the torrid 39.35 second pace set by the speedy Belgian was Jessica Springsteen of the United States on Lisona, who clocked in at 40.10 seconds, just 7/10ths off the winning time. “I don’t have that much experience going really fast with Lisona, so we just recently tried to go a little bit quicker. She was incredible tonight and I think she really enjoyed it, so I’m really happy with her,” Springsteen said.
Ireland’s Richie Maloney and Alsvid were 3/10ths of a second further back of Springsteen to finish third in 40.45 seconds. “He can be quite quick in the jump-off,” Maloney noted. “This is probably as big a class as he’s done. I normally use him for speed classes, but he does a bit of everything. He’s a little bit tense when he comes in the ring, but he tries very hard.”
Rounding out the top four was Roberto Teran of Colombia who tripped the timers in 41.01 seconds on Woklahoma. Exactly one second behind in fifth place was Beat Mandli of Switzerland piloting ZaZa Harvey to a final time of 42.01 seconds. Candice King of the United States took home sixth place honors in 43.48 seconds on Balous Day Date.
Paulo Santana, first to go on Taloubet, finished seventh and Georgina Bloomberg with Juvina was eighth.
Two in a Row! Farrington Races to $45,000 Staysail Farm International Open Speed Win
Red-hot Kent Farrington made it two in a row at the 2014 National Horse Show on Thursday, racing Waomi to her second win in as many days. The speedy pair outgunned a field of 34 to win the $45,000 Staysail Farm International Open Speed in a blazing time of 54.55 seconds, one of only two riders to break the 55 second barrier in today’s faults converted formatted class.
Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam finished a close second with Cyklon 1083, ripping across the finish line in 54.99 seconds, while Lexington’s Reed Kessler finished third aboard Ligist in 55.06 seconds.
The creatively designed Guilherme Jorge speed track allowed for a good number of fault-free performances and saw the top eight placings all finish within two seconds of Farrington’s winning time.
Farrington talked about today’s speed course. “Yeah, I think yesterday was a little bigger of a course. I think it was built typical of a fast faults-converted class, with the inside options and things like that where you could really make up time. But, with these riders that you have here and the speed that they get on this indoor footing, the classes always turn out to be very, very competitive,” he said.
Farrington did not get a chance to watch Sweetnam’s earlier leading round. “When it’s so very close like that, I think it’s really hard to say where the difference is. The rounds were probably almost neck and neck all the way around. They’re both fast horses. I probably just got a little lucky today,” he smiled.
While the top 20 or so were very competitive, a number of riders were just warming up for Saturday night’s main event, the $250,000 CP National Horse Show Grand Prix. Farrington had the advantage of having a speed specialist in the barn, in addition to Willow, who he will be riding on Saturday. “Yeah, that’s fun!” he said. “I like horses that win. I always try to pick horses that win at whatever level they’re going to do. I like horses that have a great heart and just want to win classes, and I think she’s a real winner. She was a good horse when Megan (Nusz) had her, and she’s a good horse now,” he said, and added, “And I think she’s going to continue winning.”
Finishing fourth this afternoon was Colombia’s Daniel Bluman who was first to go with Believe and came home with the speedy time of 55.29 seconds. Following up on a second place finish yesterday, Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts finished fifth with J’Espere Dream in 55.630 seconds. Sixth place went to Roberto Teran, also from Colombia, tripping the timers in 56.070 on Farina.
Rounding out the top eight were Lillie Keenan and Francois Mathy. Keenan piloted Balance to a final time of 56.760 seconds while Mathy, a third place finisher yesterday, broke the beams in 56.82 seconds on Ornellaia.
Kalvin Dobbs Wins Second Leg of U-25 Championship; Michael Hughes Takes Lead in Championship Rankings
Twenty-four contenders made their way to the short track during the Sleepy P Ranch and Deeridge Farms $65,000 Under 25 Championship. It was a race to the finish with the top three finishing only tenths of a second apart, and Kalvin Dobbs led the victory gallop aboard Woodstock O, owned by Treesdale Farm, for his blazing jump off round.
Katherine Strauss set the pace early on in the jump off, clearing the course in 35.85 seconds. Strauss used All In’s large stride to shave the seconds, and she took the opportunity to take a shot at the win. Her time proved solid as the other competitors were forced to compensate accuracy for speed.
Strauss noted, “I wasn’t very high coming back in the standings so I didn’t feel too much pressure. I just wanted to give it as good a shot as I could. I haven’t done too many jump offs with my horse, so I really wanted to practice going fast.”
Dobbs was the first to break the barrier she set. His time of 34.35 seconds proved good enough for the victory. For Dobbs, his partnership with Woodstock O has been short, but with the help of trainer Olympian Laura Kraut, he showed how far they have come. They competed in Europe during the summer months, riding against some of the world’s best. He acknowledged that ‘Woody’ is a “step-up-a-tier horse,” very different than any mount he has ridden before.
“I’ve really had to learn how to make a horse jump clear and how to think about every single detail as I’m going around the course,” Dobbs explained. “I’m not just looking for a distance and trying to get around. I’ve really had to maintain my mentality about what I’m doing. Especially in Europe, I was with Laura, and it forced me to become more aware as an individual, know what my horse is like that day and ride him to how he’s going.”
Dobbs showed no hesitation during the second round, even though his first course was less than ideal.
“For the first round, I was schooling, and it was going really well. Then I totally missed, and it was unraveling. So I made what I could out of it. I’ve learned a lot on this horse. I think a couple months ago I wouldn’t have been able to pull out a clear round, but I did,” Dobbs smiled. “I was a little hesitant going into the jump off knowing I didn’t love the first round, but Woody knows exactly what he’s doing, so I just let him go and do his thing. Everything kind of came out of stride. I love it when that happens.”
A change in the ranks is nothing unfamiliar when it comes to the World Cup format. Tonight it was Michael Hughes and Macarthur, owned by Christina Fried, who topped the positions to lead the Under 25 Championship standings after earning their second consecutive red ribbon of the championship. Hughes currently sits at the pinnacle of the standings with 56 points, while Dobbs follows close behind with 52 points. Wilton Porter, yesterday’s leader, now sits in third after an unfortunate dismount during the jump off.
“I’m a little bit nervous going into Saturday, but my horse is usually a lot better the more he jumps, so hopefully that’ll work to my advantage. He feels really good this week, so hopefully it’ll keep going like that,” Hughes said of the pressure now resting on his shoulders.
The Sleepy P Ranch and Deeridge Farms $25,000 Under 25 Championship will conclude on Saturday.
Rinaldi Racks Up Another Win for Second Day Amalaya Investments $10,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers
Guilherme Jorge’s first round course for the Amalaya Investments $10,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers didn’t fool the field of 31 talented riders as they traversed the opening track. Twenty-four horse and rider combinations would make it through to the jump-off, but the jump-off would prove more demanding with only 11 posting double clear efforts.
It was 14-year-old Giavanna Rinaldi, representing Illinois, who raced to the top of the ranks early in the order with G.P.S. Brilliant Disguise. The pressure was on after her win in Wednesday’s $5,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers, but she didn’t let it get to her, racing to an untouchable time of 31.822 seconds.
“I didn’t think that many horses would make it through,” Rinaldi admitted. “I have never been in a jump off that had more than 20 horses, so I got a little bit nervous. I knew I had to set the pace because I went a little bit earlier in the course.”
Rinaldi continued, “I knew the turn after the third jump was going to be a little bit hard because his left turn isn’t as smooth. I knew I had to make up time from 1 to 2, so I did that. I made sure I got down to the skinny in three strides, and then I just kind of took a chance at the last line.”
Michael Hughes and Luxina tried to catch Rinaldi’s time, but their time of 32.217 seconds was just off the pace, earning second place. The third place went to Catherine Tyree and Wetter for their jump-off time of 32.769 seconds.
The $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper Championship will take center stage tomorrow afternoon at the 131st National Horse Show.
For more information on the 131st National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs.org.
Watch live streaming of the National Horse Show all week on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com, and find out more about the show at www.nhs.org.
About the National Horse Show
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
With $755,000 in prize money offered, this year’s National Horse Show offers an International Open Jumpers with $460,000 in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $195,000. Meanwhile, $100,000 in total is offered to the Amateur-Owner and U 25 Jumper sections.
For the fourth consecutive year, The National Horse Show received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group and was named the Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse Show of the Year in four back-to-back years.
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
Fall Virginia Horse Trials Attract More Than 560 Entries
Lexington, VA – October 30, 2014 – This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of the Fall Virginia Horse Trials at the Virginia Horse Center, and the event, to be held Fri., Oct. 31 – Sun., Nov. 2, is on track to be one of the biggest competitions to date.
“We have 570 horses coming in for Beginner-Novice level through the CIC2*,” said founder and manager of the Virginia Horse Trials, Brian Ross. “We have quite an international field of riders. Phillip Dutton is coming in and a few other top riders such as Lynn Symansky.”
In addition to ushering in top competitors like Dutton, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, the Virginia Horse Trials will host the United States Eventing Association’s (USEA) Area 2 Championships for Beginner Novice through Intermediate level eventers.
Outside of the regular individual competition, the Fall Virginia Horse Trials will also be offering the Adult Rider Team Challenge and the College Team Challenge.
“The Adult Rider Team Challenge is for amateur competitors, and it should be fun. Riders are coming from Maine and Canada and lots of other places,” Ross said.
The Fall Virginia Horse Trials serve as one of the final events before the winter, and it’s an event that riders have grown to look forward to over the past 25 years.
“People want to finish their year off on a good note and Virginia has become a destination,” Ross said.
There is no cost to spectate the event, and all onlookers are welcome. For more information and event times, visit www.vahorsetrials.com.
Media interested in attending the event should contact Emily at emr@phelpsmediagroup.com or by phone at (717) 368-8102.
Fall Virginia Horse Trials Fast Facts:
What: The Fall Virginia Horse Trials
When: October 31 – November 1, 2014
Where: Virginia Horse Center
487 Maury River Rd, Lexington, VA 24450
Zenyatta and her 2014 War Front filly, courtesy of Team Zenyatta’s Instagram (@teamzenyatta)
Zenyatta’s 2014 foal, a filly by War Front, was euthanized Oct. 28 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital as the result of a paddock accident at Lane’s End Farm.
Team Zenyatta issued the following statement on their website:
Dear fans,
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Zenyatta’s filly, affectionately nicknamed Z Princess. She was a member of our family and had just begun to make her mark on the world. This is a heartbreaking loss for those who knew and loved her.
The following is a statement from Lane’s End Farm:
It is with a heavy heart that I must report the death of the 2014 War Front/Zenyatta weanling filly. She was humanely euthanized last night at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital after a paddock accident on the farm.
As caretakers of these Thoroughbreds, we collectively mourn the loss of this beautiful filly.
On behalf of the Farish family and the entire staff at Lane’s End Farm, our condolences go out to Jerry and Ann, Team Zenyatta and all the great fans who support Zenyatta.
Respectfully,
Mike Cline
General Manager of Lane’s End Farm
At this time, we ask that all messages of love and condolence be sent to the Zenyatta office. Team Z would like to lessen the load on Lane’s End Farm and their dedicated staff.
Zenyatta.com
300 E. 54th St. #27A
New York, NY 10022
Our planned 2014 Zenyatta.com Celebration will continue as scheduled this weekend. This event is about celebrating the love that we share for Zenyatta, the strength of this community, and working together to improve our sport. We invite you to join us in raising money for Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc. Details will follow.
Thank you for all of your love and support during this difficult time,
-Team Z
PaulickReport.com
Blenheim Publishing LLC
3070 Lakecrest Circle, Suite 400-292
Lexington, KY 40513
Lexington, KY – October 29, 2014 – As the National Horse Show awarded its professional hunter championships Wednesday, there was one name repeated with almost every presentation: Dr. Betsee Parker.
Parker, of Middleburg, Virginia, is the owner of Casanova, Cold Harbor, Lucador and the lessee of A Million Reasons. The four horses constituted four of the five championship winning mounts Wednesday at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Hunt Tosh kicked off the Parker-owned hot streak aboard Casanova, claiming the division championship in the First Year Green Hunters, sponsored by Goshen Hill. Finishing in reserve behind Tosh were Sloane Coles and Autumn Rhythm, owned by Nilani Trent.
Tosh’s success continued in the Regular Conformation Hunters with 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding Cold Harbor.
“[Cold Harbor] was great here,” Tosh said. “Harrisburg was a little rusty; he didn’t do Capital Challenge. He hadn’t shown in a while, so he was a little rusty [at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show]. He went beautifully today. It’s a good week for him.”
Tosh and Cold Harbor earned the championship trophy, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, while the reserve championship went to Kelley Farmer and Mindful.
In the Green Conformation Hunters, sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Selma Garber, it was Scott Stewart and Lucador who claimed the championship, with a perfect, clean sweep of the division, winning all five classes.
“[Lucador]’s been great. He’s actually gotten better at every show,” Stewart said. “I was really happy with him. This is actually the most consistent that he’s been. We usually have one class where one of us messes up. He’s only 6 years old, so he’s sort of green.”
While Lucador seemed not to take a step wrong in the show ring, his performance in the schooling area can be a bit of a different story.
“He’s a little bit girthy, and if you don’t give enough time he’ll buck and rear and try to throw me against the wall,” Stewart said. “He’s a little bit cold that way. Once he’s in the ring, he’s easier. ”
Stewart continued, “Julie Connors usually rides him for me and is always on him first and warms him up. Then I get on him, and he’s okay. I think he likes her better than me. He’s fine as long as she’s on him.”
In truth, Lucador seems more than fine with Stewart on him as well, and their winning rounds today helped Stewart clinch his eighth National Horse Show Leading Hunter Rider Challenge Trophy. Stewart previously won the award in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012 and now 2014.
Helping add to Stewart’s point tally toward the honor were A Million Reasons and Golden Rule.
A Million Reasons, a 9-year-old Holsteiner mare, claimed the blue ribbon in this morning’s $7,500 Second Year Green Hunter Stake before going on to also clinch the division championship, sponsored by Ernie and Betty Oare and Patricia Adikes-Hill.
“She’s the easiest horse I’ve ridden so far, and probably the nicest,” Stewart said of A Million Reasons, whom he just started riding following the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. “I like mares, but I haven’t had that much luck bringing them along. She’s super. There’s so much quality and scope.”
Stewart and Stephanie Danahkl’s Golden Rule finished out the day with the High Performance Hunter reserve championship, while the championship went to Kensel LLC’s Mindful.
The opportunity to compete Parker’s horses is one that neither Stewart nor Tosh take for granted.
“As a rider I think it’s great,” Tosh said. “Between the Wheelers and Betsee, to have owners that support us and just give us horses to ride that don’t do another division and are basically just for us to do is incredible. There aren’t a lot of owners out there that do that nowadays. She’s wonderful to both of us.”
Tosh continued, “For what she does, and as much as she puts into it, she wants to do it at the top level, so when you have a day like today it all pays off. Her plan and our plan and everything really worked out.”
While Wednesday marked the conclusion of the professional hunter divisions, the hunter competition continues on Thursday with the Amateur-Owner Hunters beginning at 7 a.m.
Watch live streaming of the National Horse Show all week on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com, and find out more about the show at www.nhs.org.
About the National Horse Show
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
With $755,000 in prize money offered, this year’s National Horse Show offers an International Open Jumpers with $460,000 in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $195,000. Meanwhile, $100,000 in total is offered to the Amateur-Owner and U 25 Jumper sections.
For the fourth consecutive year, The National Horse Show received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group and was named the Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse Show of the Year in four back-to-back years.
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
Lexington, KY – October 29, 2014 – Kent Farrington, one of the most successful riders on tour throughout the 2014 show season, continued his winning ways on Thursday afternoon as the Open and International Jumpers got underway at the 131st National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky.
Riding the Amalaya Investments’ Waomi, Farrington topped a large starting field of 51 in a one round speed class, racing home in 53 seconds flat to nail down the victory over a pair of Belgian riders, Nicola Philippaerts and Francois Mathy. Philippaerts, riding J’Espere Dream, clocked in just a whisper behind Farrington at 53.06 seconds. Meanwhile, Mathy piloted Ornellaia to a time of 54.56 seconds for today’s third place finish.
Veteran Course Designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, making his National Horse Show debut, created a 14 jump track with 12 numbered fences that saw 22 of the 51 starters go clean. Jorge was thrilled to be in Lexington and working at such an important and historic event. “One of the things I love most about our sport is the tradition, and I don’t think you get more traditional than at the National Horse Show,” he said. “I feel very honored to be part of it.”
Jorge, who builds his grand prix course first and then works backwards towards opening day, talked about that process. “It is nice that for the main division we have a speed class, then we have a big jump-off class and then we have the grand prix. I am sure we are going to have a very strong group of riders. I think the first class will be a nice speed competition, but the technical part will be important. The speed class is of course not as hard as the jump-off class, but I am anticipating a good group, so it will not be all about speed. It’s a table A speed class, so there is some riding and jumping involved as well,” he explained.
Kent Farrington, who arrived in Lexington fresh off a major international win in the Grand Prix of Barcelona at the FEI Nations Cup Finals and the $40,000 Big Jump at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, talked about today’s victory. “Waomi is naturally a fast horse, she anticipates the turns and it’s easy to leave strides out going around the turns,” he said. “I started off really aggressive leaving out a stride in the first line and that is probably where we scored the win.”
He then spoke of his excellent summer of success. “It’s really been a team effort. I have some great owners behind me, some really nice horses and a really great staff around me. It really comes down to putting yourself with the right people and getting the right horses underneath you,” he smiled.
“The National Horse Show has always been a staple of the famous shows in the United States, so it’s really exciting that they are making a big effort to make it special again,” he continued. “I think having it at the Horse Park makes it one of the best indoors we have. The organizers have gone to great lengths to make it feel special.”
Farrington continued the string of wins on horses borrowed from his student Meagan Nusz. In addition to the win on Naomi today, Farrington rode Nusz’ Dynamo to victory in the Trump Grand Prix in Florida two years ago. “That’s easy,” he laughed. “You get your students nice horses and then it’s easy to borrow them every now and again for a win.”
Following the two riders from Belgium, who finished second and third, Beezie Madden of the United States took home fourth place honors with her always reliable partner Cortes C, a horse who always seems ready for whatever the task at hand might be. Today, forced to go early in the ninth spot in the order, their blazing trip of 55.16 seconds looked unbeatable at the time. As it turned out, some 43 horses later, they wound up just over two seconds too slow.
Lexington based Reed Kessler finished fifth with her own Ligist. They finished 6/10ths behind Madden in 55.77 seconds. Olivier Philippaerts, the other half of the Belgian brotherhood, took home sixth place honors with Carlito C in 55.93 seconds.
Rounding out the top eight were Shane Sweetnam and Kama Godek. Sweetnam piloted the Spy Coast Farm entry of Eregast Van’t Kiezelhof to seventh and Godek was eighth on Air Force One.
The Open Jumpers continue tomorrow with the $75,000 International Open Jumpers – Time First Jump-off, the featured event at 9 p.m.
Amalaya Investments $5,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers, presented by the Nusz Family
Thirty-one horse and rider combinations tackled the tricky Amalaya Investments $5,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers course tonight, but it was Giavanna Rinaldi who came out on top of the speed class. The 14-year-old made a speedy National Horse Show debut with her own G.P.S. Brilliant Disguise, tripping the timers in 49.351 seconds. It was a nostalgic win for the young rider, who traversed pony jumper courses in the same Alltech Arena only a couple of years prior.
It seemed as though Wesley Newlands had the win in her grasp when she laid down a smooth course in 51.848 seconds with Wieminka B, owned by Weslands Farm. As only the ninth rider on course, she set a pace that her competitors would have a difficult time trying to catch. It wasn’t until Meredith Darst tackled the track 13 rounds later that Newlands would lose her grasp on the lead.
Local Kentucky rider Darst broke the beam in 50.311 seconds with Zenith Dance, owned by Page Tredennick. Rinaldi entered the ring only four horses later, making Darst’s lead a short one as she sliced the seconds. Rinaldi was the only rider to break the barrier of 50 seconds, stopping the clock in 49.351 seconds and proving uncatchable. She made up time to the skinny during the latter part of the course, and her inside turn made all the difference.
“I made a few mistakes around a couple of the turns,” Rinaldi said of her round. “I knew I was a little bit slower, but I had to make up the rest of the time everywhere else. It was a really fun course, and it works well for him because he goes right really well and there were some good turns I was excited about. I think my plan worked out well, even if it was a little spontaneous.”
Rinaldi continued, “The Alltech Arena is a fun ring to show in. I showed in the pony jumpers here when I was younger, and I have to admit that at the time I was a little star struck. It is a big ring, but returning now for my first time at the National Horse Show, it has been really fun to ride in.”
Darst finished in the second place position, while Newlands rounded out the top three. The Amalaya Investments $5,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers, presented by the Nusz Family, is only one of three classes offered for the Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers during the 131st National Horse Show. The division will continue tomorrow night with the Amalaya Investments $10,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers and will culminate on Friday with the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHF) Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper Championship.
Sleepy P Ranch and Deeridge Farms $10,000 Under 25 Championship – First Round
Young riders shined tonight at the National Horse Show as 29 horse and rider combinations put their best foot forward over the first of three $10,000 Under 25 Championship classes. Sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch and Deeridge Farm, the class allows the rare opportunity for riders ages 16 to 25 to compete in the high pressure World Cup format. Riders from across the nation have worked to qualify for the championship, which culminates at the prestigious National Horse Show.
The opening course called for speed as riders attempted to shave seconds from their time. The penalties earned during the course will convert into points, and as of this evening, Wilton Porter leads the ranks with 30 points to his name after finishing at the top of the leader board in 59.240 seconds.
“It’s great that they have this new U-25 division,” Porter noted. “My brother [Lucas] and I have the main target of jumpers, and right now we are kind of in that age range for young riders. My mom thought it would be great if there would be an opportunity for young riders to compete against each other at this horse show, and that’s why she made this possible as a sponsor. I enjoy it, and it is especially special that I won this class and my mom is sponsoring it.”
Porter raced through the course and finished as the only rider to break the beam in under 60 seconds. The course suited his mount Patriot’s large stride, and they used the lines to their advantage as they consistently opted to leave out a stride down the lines. The two have had a long partnership, but in this past year, his brother took the ride on the grey gelding.
“I’ve had Patriot for a really long time. We got him as an 8-year-old,” Porter explained. “This past year, my brother has been riding him a lot and doing really well. I was just a little bit short on horses for this competition so he loaned him back to me. After this one, I don’t know that he will be getting him back.”
Porter concluded, “I really like the format of the championship – I think it is great and it gives us good experience for possible future World Cup competitions. We planned to try and win. Sometimes we go fast and not necessarily to win, but today we were planning on winning.”
Michael Hughes and Macarthur, owned by Christina Fried, rode to the second place in 60.170 seconds, while Kaitlin Campbell and her own Rocky W finished third in 60.450 seconds.
The race to the championship will continue tomorrow evening with the second of the $15,000 Under 25 Championship, and the series will culminate Saturday night prior to the Canadian Pacific $250,000 Grand Prix.
For more information on the National Horse Show, 131st edition, please visit www.nhs.org.
About the National Horse Show
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
With $755,000 in prize money offered, this year’s National Horse Show offers an International Open Jumpers with $460,000 in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $195,000. Meanwhile, $100,000 in total is offered to the Amateur-Owner and U 25 Jumper sections.
For the fourth consecutive year, The National Horse Show received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group and was named the Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse Show of the Year in four back-to-back years.
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
Lexington, KY – October 28, 2014 – At the end of the year-long horse show circuit, there is one final destination where the nation’s top hunter and jumper riders all flock: the National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. The prestigious six-day culminating final kicked off today with five full professional hunter divisions.
In the Second Year Green Hunter division, sponsored by Ernie and Betty Oare and Patricia Adikes-Hill, it was Scott Stewart who dominated the day aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s A Million Reasons.
Stewart and the 9-year-old Holsteiner mare come to Kentucky fresh off a championship win at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) in Washington, D.C., which marked the pair’s first time competing together. Given Tuesday’s performance, Stewart and A Million Reasons are well on track for a repeat performance this week.
The duo clinched the blue ribbon in the first class of the Second Year Green Hunter division and finished second in the handy class, only relinquishing a higher spot in the standings to another of Stewart’s rides, Loyalty, owned by Fashion Farm of New York, New York.
The National Horse Show marks only Stewart and A Million Reasons’ second horse show together, but Stewart has had his eye on the mare for a while.
“The Thatcher’s [of Pony Lane Farm] own her. They showed her in the First Years, and then I think she maybe took a year off and had some babies. I know they did some embryo transfers,” Stewart said. “I’ve always liked her, and when I heard she was available I talked to them and followed up on the opportunity.”
Stewart tried the horse for Dr. Betsee Parker (Middleburg, Virginia) for the first time at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and shortly after, Parker entered into a lease agreement with the Thatchers, which has already proven to be a positive decision.
“She’s amazing. I love her,” Stewart said. “Last week was the first time that I showed her, and she was champion. She won the first class with a 92. She was awesome.”
Stewart continued, “She’s the ideal hunter. She’s a beautiful mover; she’s a great jumper, and her type is just so nice.”
Stewart’s winning ways on Tuesday stretched beyond the Second Year Green Hunter division to the Green Conformation Hunters and the High Performance Hunters.
In the Goshen Hill sponsored Green Conformation Hunters, Stewart and Lucador, another Parker entry, turned in back-to-back blue ribbon performances to lead the way in the division’s opening day.
Stewart’s success in the High Performance Hunters, sponsored by Mr. Richard L. Duchossois, came aboard Stephanie Danhakl’s Golden Rule, with whom he has been successful throughout the year.
“The courses were great today. The horses all jumped well even though it’s the end of the circuit,” Stewart said. “It’s always nice to come to the Kentucky Horse Park. They do a good job.”
Hunter competition resumes Wednesday morning beginning with the continuation of the professional hunters at 8 a.m. in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, followed by the start of the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter divisions.
Watch live streaming of the National Horse Show all week on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com, and find out more about the show at www.nhs.org.
About the National Horse Show
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
With $755,000 in prize money offered, this year’s National Horse Show offers an International Open Jumpers with $460,000 in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $195,000. Meanwhile, $100,000 in total is offered to the Amateur-Owner and U 25 Jumper sections.
For the fourth consecutive year, The National Horse Show received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group and was named the Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse Show of the Year in four back-to-back years.
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
Debbie Stephens and FYI. Photos copyright Mancini Photos.
Wellington, FL – October 27, 2014 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), management company of the world-renowned Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), hosted its Fall I, Fall II, and Fall III horse shows in October at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The Fall III horse show hosted national “AA” hunter and 3-star rated jumper competition this week on October 24-26, 2014, featuring PBIEC’s first grand prix of the fall season on Sunday. Jumping a course set by Archer “Skip” Bailey, Debbie Stephens of Palmetto, FL guided Centennial Farm’s FYI to the win in the $25,000 Fall III Grand Prix.
Twenty-four entries started in round one and just three combinations were able to jump clear to advance to the jump-off, where Stephens and FYI completed the only double clear round in 46.22 seconds for the win. Michael Morrissey and Starbit Partners LLC’s Padie Blue Cardu had four faults over the short course in 44.99 seconds to place second. Cara Cheska and Windswept Farm’s Imprimis finished third with eight faults in the jump-off in 45.41 seconds. A tight time allowed kept a few others with clear jumping efforts out of the second round.
Stephens has owned FYI, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (VIP x Zeus), since the horse was four years old. After showing him a little when he was younger and then leasing him out for a few years, she decided to finally see what the horse could do at the grand prix level.
“I bought him because he was sired by a horse that I had owned named VIP,” Stephens explained. “VIP didn’t really do a lot of breeding, but all of the horses that are by him are unbelievable. I have had other great horses such as CEO and MVP that I named with initials like him. It is a breed that I love, and they are all amazing jumpers.”
“FYI is just a horse that, because of his bloodlines, I have always thought a lot of him,” Stephens continued. “I didn’t really know how much he could do or could not do. I just got him back off of a lease and I thought that since he is coming 12 years old, he is at a perfect age, and I decided to start showing him and see if he could really be a top grand prix horse or not. This was his maiden voyage to see if he can do it, and he certainly did it.”
Stephens praised Sunday’s course for being set at a high standard and acknowledged the team at Equestrian Sport Productions for keeping all of their shows at PBIEC up to that level.
“I have to commend them because they really have a high standard, whether it be at the fall series or during the winter at WEF. When you go there and you ride in the International Ring, no matter what you are going for, they always keep that standard up,” she commented.
Detailing her jump-off round, Stephens noted, “I only saw the one ahead of me in the jump-off and as I was going in, they were saying that there was no one clear, but even with that, the strategy to me was go for it because you have to win either way. You either win by going clear and fast or you win by maybe having four and going faster than everybody else. I didn’t change my strategy. With only three, I said, ‘You know, I have to see what this horse can do.’ I think the faster he went, the higher he jumped, so it was great.”
“He is very quiet and easy, so I can’t take that much credit,” Stephens laughed. “If anything, he needs a bit of a legging ride. He is not a lot of blood, meaning he is not charging toward the jumps, but he is really careful and very easy to ride. He doesn’t spook, he doesn’t look. He is very scopey and he doesn’t want to hit the jumps, but you do have to have a lot of leg.”
Stephens plans to show FYI again next week and will then compete in a grand prix in Venice, FL the following week. The horse will then come back to compete this winter at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Andrade and Karam Win Fall Welcome Stakes
A $10,000 Open Jumper Stake Class was held on Friday, October 24, during the Fall III competition with a win for Emanuel Andrade aboard his horse Bon Jovi. The class saw 24 entries with seven clear rounds to advance to the jump-off where Andrade and Bon Jovi jumped the fastest of seven double clear rounds in 36.42 seconds. Michael Morrissey and Rae Marie Kennedy’s Torino Q finished second in 38.60 seconds. Luis Larrazabal and San Francisco Stables LLC’s G&C Up Close placed third in 40.40 seconds.
Andrade also took top honors in the $7,000 Open Jumper Stake during the Fall II competition one week prior. In that class, Andrade finished first and second with double clear rounds in a three-horse jump-off. He won with Maria Alejandra Andrade’s Tinkerbell S.C.H.Z. and placed second aboard Ecurie Michel Hecart’s Nokia de Brekka.
In the $10,000 Fall I Open Jumper Stake, Victoria Karam and Elena Couttenye’s Good Boy HM were the winners with the only clear round out of 22 entries. Claudia Billups and Platini VDL and German Cathargo and Centurio each finished with two time faults. Billups was slightly faster to take the second place prize and Cathargo placed third.
The five-week ESP fall circuit began October 10 and continues through November 16 featuring top hunter/jumper competition at PBIEC. The series will host its second grand prix competition coming up during the Fall Finale Horse Show. The $25,000 Fall Finale Grand Prix will be featured on Sunday, November 2.
The horse shows of the 2014 ESP Fall Circuit are all United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), North American League (NAL), and Marshall & Sterling League (M&S) approved. A $10,000 Open Jumper Stake class will be held at all shows as well as $500 Pony and Hunter Classics. All shows will also highlight great competition for child, junior and amateur jumpers, including Classics.
Remaining show dates include:
Fall Finale “National” and Jumper 3: October 31 – November 2, 2014 $10,000 Open Jumper Stake Class on Friday, October 31
$25,000 Fall Finale Grand Prix on Sunday, November 2
ESP November “Regional” and Jumper 3: November 8-9, 2014 $10,000 Open Jumper Stake Class on Sunday, November 9
Counts for both PBCHA & ESP Circuits
ESP “Regional” Pre-Charity and Jumper 3: November 15-16, 2014 $10,000 Open Jumper Stake Class on Sunday, November 16
Rich Fellers and Flexible. Photo by Fire and Earth Photography.
Lexington, KY – October 27, 2014 – Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital has announced that an award honoring the remarkably hardy show jumper Flexible has been added to the schedule of the Kentucky Experience on Friday, Oct. 31, during the National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The Comeback Award is being presented by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, an all-breeds organization whose mission is to fund veterinary research for the benefit of horses.
“We are pleased that one of the co-sponsors of our Kentucky Experience has stepped up to further recognize the relationships between research, veterinary practice, and sport horse competition,” said Dr. Tom Riddle of Rood and Riddle. “Our practice will donate $10,000 to Grayson to further its program of funding research projects for the betterment of the horse and we challenge Flexible’s fans to also contribute to Grayson.”
Flexible, owned by Sam and Mollie Chapman and trained and ridden by Rich Fellers, suffered three distinct and seemingly career-ending problems over a decade. They involved fracture, atrophy, and vascular blockage.
Yet, he overcame them all with expert veterinary care and Fellers’ own acumen, and this year at the age of 18 won the $55,000 Land Rover of Sacramento. Fellers has already begun making plans to try for the 2015 Longines FEI World Cup, which they won in 2012.
“The ultimate benefits of equine research require various stages,” noted Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson. “We seek the best research projects available, but the expertise of research scientists is then handed off to veterinarians who must be up to date and willing to accept new science. Of course, the owner/trainer also has to be ‘flexible’ enough, so to speak — to accept change as well.”
The Grayson Comeback Award trophy will be accompanied by a $500 check to the groom and will be presented on the evening of Oct. 31 during the Rood and Riddle Sport Horse Seminar. The seminar is part of the Kentucky Experience, which also involves visits to horse farms, social events, and free admission to all sessions of the National Horse Show. More than 400 individuals signed up to attend the second annual Kentucky Experience.
“Although we are affiliated with the Thoroughbred industry, the preponderance of the research we fund is as helpful to all other breeds and activities as it is to Thoroughbreds,” noted Bowen. “We like to call Grayson ‘The Friend You Can’t Do Without,’ and regardless of your specialized interest in horses we are there for you by funding research on laminitis, tendon and ligament issues, placentitis — the whole gamut.”
The foundation, which relies on private donations, is funding 19 projects for slightly more than $1 million this year and since 1983 has provided $20.9 million to underwrite 310 projects at 41 universities.
“I’m very proud to be a part of Flexible winning the Grayson Comeback Award. What an amazing horse he has been!” said Fellers, who was asked to elaborate on the amazing sequence of problems and expert solutions Flexible has experienced:
“The first of his three career ending issues began in the fall of 2003 (7 years old). He started going very lame on his right front about 15-20 minutes into a ride. After a few minutes of rest he would be sound again. Needless to say, there were many different diagnoses from different vets. As he lost fitness over time the issue became more severe.
“Late Summer 2004 we took Flexible up to Washington State University Vet School where Dr. Robert Schneider went to work on solving the mystery. He discovered a blockage in the main vein that drained blood out of his right front leg. After numerous practice procedures on test horses he executed angioplasty on Flexible’s vein with little hope that it would help. Afterward, Dr. Schneider advised me to take Flexible home and let him be a horse again. He would monitor his own pain while turned out by resting. We brought him home in early September and gradually started back to work.
“Next ‘career-ending’ injury occurred late summer of 2005. After a successful circuit in Calgary (Spruce Meadows), we shipped back to New York for two weeks of competition at the new HITS venue in Saugerties. During a rest week at Castle Hill farm in Brewster, Flexible had a bad accident in a grass paddock. He fractured his left scapula. We left him at Castle Hill for 5-6 weeks until he was sound enough to load on a trailer and airplane to fly home.
“A couple weeks after returning home we noticed all the muscles in his left shoulder were atrophied. Diagnostic work revealed damage to his Supra-scapular nerve. He had a condition known as ‘Sweeney Shoulder’. In rare cases the nerve repairs itself and the horse recovers. Most cases the horse is a cripple for life. You know the outcome.
“His most recent issue showed up in June 2013 (17 years old). He started going very lame on his right hind leg 5-10 minutes into a ride. After a couple minutes of rest he would be perfectly sound again. This didn’t take long for my vet, Dr. Mark Revenaugh, to diagnose as the lameness pattern was very similar to that of the vascular blockage issue he overcame 10 years prior. This time it was clotted arteries to the right hind leg. With extensive diagnostics at University of California-Davis vet hospital, Dr. Monica Aleman was able to diagram all of the clotted vessels. The treatment options were: 1) A five and a half hour surgery to clean out the arteries that were accessible, or 2) put him on a daily blood thinner to hopefully halt the clotting process so he could have a somewhat comfortable retirement.
“The experts all agreed that the existing clots would never disappear. We started Flexible on Warfarin upon his return home from UC Davis (end of August 2013). We gradually increased his exercise each week and never looked back.”
2014 National Horse Show Fast Facts
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles