Tag Archives: featured

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation

Land Rover Jacksonville Returns to Sponsor 2014 Southeast Medal Finals $25,000 Grand Prix

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Jordan Coyne and Cordova won the $25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix in 2013. Photo by Randi Muster.

Jacksonville, FL – April 28, 2014 – Land Rover Jacksonville is proud to sponsor the Third Annual Southeast Medal Finals September 18-21, 2014, at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, FL.

According to Vice President and General Manager of the dealership Richard Mustafa, “Land Rover Jacksonville is excited to support the Southeast Medal Finals’ third year. We are particularly happy that, with our help, the show was so well attended last year for the very first $25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix. Many of our clients participate in this fantastic show and it is perfectly aligned with our brand.”

This year Land Rover Jacksonville will present a fun off-road driving event during the Southeast Medal Finals on the grounds of the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Competitors and attendees will have the opportunity to try the Land Rover vehicles first hand.

“Jaguar Land Rover Jacksonville has been around for about 40 years,” shared Mustafa. “What’s special about us is the tenure of our employees. About 70 percent have been here for 10 years or longer. Everyone is very dedicated to our Jaguar and Land Rover brands. We enjoy what we do.”

“Come visit us at our booth at the show. We have some great Land Rover luxury SUVs that perfectly suit the equestrian lifestyle,” said Mustafa.

At Land Rover Jacksonville, their commitment to uphold the Land Rover standard of excellence allows customers access to their unsurpassed industry knowledge and expertise. They offer Jacksonville and the surrounding area full inventories of new premium, luxurious Jaguar automobiles and Land Rover/Range Rover SUVs as well as high quality certified pre-owned Jaguar, Land Rover/Range Rover and other pre-owned vehicles.

For more information about Land Rover Jacksonville, go to: http://www.landroverjacksonville.net.

Southeast Medal Finals is hosted by one of the premier equestrian facilities on the east coast, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. It is centrally located for USHJA Zone 4 and Region 3 competitors. The complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. Highlights include the Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals, Cedar Street Advisors Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals, the Region Three ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance Group representing Great American Insurance and for the second consecutive year, the $25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix.

Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:

WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is an indoor and outdoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders.

WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com

WHEN: September 18-21, 2014

WHERE:
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and 500 permanent stalls.
13611 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221

FEATURES

  • 4-Day “A”/Jumper Level 3 USEF Rated Horse Show
  • The Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior Medal Finals
  • The Cedar Street Advisors Southeast Adult Medal Finals
  • $25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix & $5,000 Welcome
  • Region 3 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance Group representing Great American Insurance
  • $3,500 WIHS/NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic
  • EMO Cup Championship
  • Southeast Medal Finals Children’s & Adult Hunter Finals
  • Southeast Children/Adult 2’6″ Medal Finals

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Susan Rindal – 904-655-5497 – rindal@bellsouth.net
Bob Bell – 843-768-5503 – bbell@earthlink.net
James Lala – 561-906-6668 – jdlala@aol.com

Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, Show Jumping

Fox-Pitt Is the Hero at Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero, winners of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™. (Anthony Trollope/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 28 April 2014 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) kept the cool head for which he is famous to win his third Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in five years. Fox-Pitt, already a triple winner of the FEI Classics™, now heads the 2013/2014 leaderboard by 15 points after three out of six legs.

The runner-up, Lauren Kieffer (USA), competing in only her second CCI4*, must have made American hearts beat faster with her brilliant clear Jumping round on Veronica which left Fox-Pitt no margin for error in a nail-biting finale.

But Fox-Pitt, who has now set a new record by winning the Kentucky CCI4* on three different horses, does not give away many prizes and he had Catherine Witt’s attractive bay gelding Bay My Hero jumping on springs to produce a faultless round.

“He was superb,” said Fox-Pitt breathlessly afterwards. “Lauren really put the pressure on me so I was going in there thinking I am so pleased that even if it’s not me then it’s going to be an American because the support is so amazing over here. The atmosphere in there is crazy; he jumped so well; he was magic!”

“It took a lot of focus to go in there and stay cool,” admitted 26-year-old Kieffer, who took over the ride on the 12-year-old mare from Karen O’Connor, with whom she is based in Virginia. “I tried to go in there and ride it like anything else. I think my coach will be pleased!”

New US team trainer David O’Connor had a dream weekend as home riders dominated the top placings, with Buck Davidson rising to third place with a clear round on Ballynoe Castle RM, revealing that the horse suffered pneumonia a couple of months ago. “He has been so consistent over his career and has such a great heart,” said Davidson. “You only have to tell him it’s Kentucky and he’ll go!”

Marilyn Little was fifth and sixth on RF Smoke on the Water and RF Demeter, and Jan Byyny climbed back up the order to seventh place on Inmidair.

“The Americans are looking really strong,” said Fox-Pitt. “We’ll all really have to watch our backs at the World Equestrian Games this summer.”

Fox-Pitt claimed another top-10 finish with ninth place on Seacookie TSF, last year’s runner-up, which is also owned by Catherine Witt, and Selena O’Hanlon was best of the Canadians in 10th place on Foxwood High.

Disappointingly for US supporters, Phillip Dutton (USA) withdrew Mr Medicott, with which he was lying third overnight, before the Jumping. Dutton did have the consolation of finishing eighth on the injured Boyd Martin’s ride Trading Aces and won a two-year lease on a Land Rover for having finished bang on the optimum Cross Country time the day before.

There were 11 clear Jumping rounds (one with a time fault) from the 37 finishers. Michael Pollard dropped from fifth to 14th when Mensa G hit three rails, while Andrew Nicholson (NZL) had an uncharacteristically disastrous round on Avebury, incurring 25 penalties to drop to 21st place.

Kentucky has provided an uplifting start to the 2014 international season and should whet the appetite for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (8-11 May) which takes place in a fortnight’s time. Fox-Pitt will hoping to maintain the momentum there, when he has the choice of former Kentucky winners Cool Mountain and Parklane Hawk, plus Chilli Morning.

About the winner

William Fox-Pitt, 44, has won 52 CCIs, including a record 13 CCI4*s: Badminton (2004), Burghley six times (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), Luhmühlen (2008), Kentucky three times (2010, 2012 and 2014) and Pau twice (2011 and 2013). He is the only rider to have won five out of the world’s six CCI4*s.

He has also represented Britain 17 times in championships, winning Olympic silver (2004 and 2012) and bronze (2008), world team gold and individual silver on Cool Mountain (2010) plus team silver in 2006 and team bronze in 2002. He has six European team gold medals, one team bronze, two individual silvers (1997 and 2005) and individual bronze last year on the stallion Chilli Morning.

Fox-Pitt is married to Alice, a racing commentator on television. They live near Sturminster Newton, Dorset, and have two sons, Oliver and Thomas, plus a daughter Chloe and another baby on the way.

Bay My Hero, an 11-year-old bay gelding owned by Catherine Witt, is an Irish Sport Horse by Cult Hero out of Bing Power. He was initially produced by John Marsden (GBR) and Fox-Pitt took over the ride in 2012, winning the CCI*, CCI2* and CCI3* at Tattersalls (IRL). The pair were runners-up in the Young Horse CIC3* at Blenheim (GBR) and fourth at Pau CCI4* (FRA) in 2012.

Full results on www.rk3de.org.

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEIClassics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Bauman
marty@classic-communications.com
+1 508 698 6810 ext. 10
www.rk3de.org

FEI Media Contacts:

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

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, Show Jumping

Kieffer Claims Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship, Fox-Pitt Wins at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero, 2014 Rolex Kentucky Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – The 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover came to a close Sunday afternoon with 37 horse-and-rider combinations entering the final phase of competition. Richard Jeffery’s 13 obstacle show jumping course set the stage in the Rolex Stadium for an exciting finish to Kentucky’s CCI4*. A sold-out crowd of 22,388 saw 10 pairs went double clear with five of those being the top five riders.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) held onto his lead with Bay My Hero to claim the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover win, adding nothing to his dressage score of 44.0. With Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Fox-Pitt finished with his usual winning style, jumping double clear to claim his third win in Kentucky.

“Each win is very special for its own merits. I think that with every one you still can’t believe that it happened,” Fox-Pitt shared. “The odds are always so stacked against you in our sport. I didn’t come here expecting to win; I came with two lovely horses hoping they would go well. To come out on top is just fantastic; it’s very special.”

Bay My Hero has been in Fox-Pitt’s yard since he was five, so he has long been part of his team and feels like a family member, making the win all the more meaningful. Their long relationship with one another paid off on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“He felt fantastic today. I think he’s a real little fighter. He came out this morning thinking he was kingpin. He enjoys every minute of it,” Fox-Pitt fondly said of Bay My Hero. “He got a little bit excited when the crowd went wild after Lauren [Kieffer] jumped a clear round and he tried to leg it back up the chute. I felt a bit the same actually. I thought ‘the two of us, let’s go home now. I will settle for second; that’s fine.’ But he was definitely on his toes today. When he has a job to do, he does it and he really enjoys it.”

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Veronica rose to the occasion and handled the pressure to finish in second place on their dressage score of 46.7. She and Team Rebecca, LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare looked like a veteran pair in Sunday’s jumping phase, putting the pressure on Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero with a double clear round. While it seemed possible that an American might win the country’s CCI4*, it wasn’t mean to be. However, Kieffer has risen to the top of the sport in the U.S., earning the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title for her efforts.

“It felt great. You know it took lot of mental focus to try and stay cool but I really tried to go in there and ride it like it was anything else,” Kieffer said of her impressive finish in only her second appearance at Rolex. “I have been working with Scott Keach show jumping all winter and it has paid off hugely. I think he would be happy with me today.”

Though Kieffer has only had the ride on Veronica for about a year, taking the majority of that time to develop their partnership, she has known the mare since she was imported as a young horse and rode her briefly at that time. With the barn name of “Troll” for her lack of appreciation for affection, Kieffer noted that her fighting spirit comes in handy when it counts.

“I’m thrilled with her this weekend. She came out of it great,” Kieffer said of Veronica. “She came into show jumping feeling like her normal self, not like she’d run a four-star so I was really excited about that.”

The pair that won last year’s Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title, Buck Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) and Ballynoe Castle RM, maintained their top form from a year ago and earned a third-place finish. Having a solid double clear round, Davison and Cassandra Segal’s 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding ended up on their dressage score of 51.7. The pair became the 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions for their strong finish.

“Reggie has been a consistent horse his whole career. I really didn’t change anything,” Davidson said of having another top finish in Kentucky with longtime partner Ballynoe Castle RM.

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Davidson had to deal with a bone bruise that Ballynoe Castle RM had last year, after the horse had no previous injury throughout his career. He gave “Reggie” the fall season off and after starting him back successfully early this year, the horse developed pneumonia but made a full recovery.

“The heart that that horse has is unbelievable,” Davidson noted. “I got some help in the show jumping from Silvio [Mazzoni] and David [O’Connor] has helped me out on the flat.”

An exciting addition to the competition this year was the Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, which awarded $20,000 in prize money while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. For their impressive performances, Team USA won with a total score 150.1. The scores of Kieffer and Veronica (46.7), Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM (51.7), and fourth-place finishers Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, N.J.) and Manoir de Carneville, Manoir de Carneville Syndicate LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (51.7), were combined to give the home country the victory. Second place went to Great Britain with a score of 163.8, while third place went to Canada with a score of 209.9.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Catch all the excitement with on-demand video on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/LandRoverUSEventingTeam/.

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, Show Jumping

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Wins the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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1st – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero.

(USA, 27 April 2014) William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero, today Sunday 27 April 2014, wins the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 2nd place and Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. (USA) riding Ballynoe Castle RM in 3rd place, in Lexington.

William Fox-Pitt won the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after a dramatic day’s show jumping in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. Having earlier completed another superb clear round on his first ride of the day aboard Seacookie, Fox-Pitt kept his nerve riding the beautiful Bay My Hero to complete a perfect clear round of show jumping in front of the packed stadium. Lauren Kieffer (USA) finished in second place after a superb clear round finishing on her dressage score and the leading USA rider. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. finished in third place after fellow Americans Michael Pollard and Marilyn Little dropped down the leaderboard after hitting rails.

Sinead Halpin (USA) riding Manoir De Carneville, finished on the same score as Buck Davidson, but as Buck was nearest to the optimum time on the Cross Country phase, he took third place. Marilyn Little (USA) finished with two in the top 10, and William Fox-Pitt also finished on Seacookie in ninth place too, to complete another great Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event for the Fox-Pitt Eventing team.

Final Results after the Show Jumping Phase:

1. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
2. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
3. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7
4. Sinead Halpin/Manoir De Carneville (USA) 51.7
5. Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5
6. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 55.3
7. Jan Byyny/Inmidair (USA) 56.7
8. Phillip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5
9. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie (GBR) 59.1
10. Selena O’Hanlon/Foxwood High (CAN) 59.4

2nd - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
2nd – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contender

As the winner of the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, William Fox-Pitt now becomes the new live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize and will go to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in two weeks in search of victory and the second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam events.

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – that was a nail-biting finish – but your horse was brilliant.

He was superb. Lauren really put the pressure on so I was going in there thinking I am so pleased that even if it’s not me then it’s going to be an American because the support is so amazing over here. The atmosphere in there was crazy – he jumped so well – he was magic! It’s very, very exciting and so good to have an American second as well is great for the sport and USA is looking in great shape for WEG, but I am so pleased with my chap. I’ve had some huge fun here and this is another bit of it.

Quote from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – were you as cool as you looked?

It took a lot of mental focus to stay cool, but I really tried to go in there and ride it like anything else – I think my coach will be pleased with me!

Quote from Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

3rd - Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. and Ballynoe
3rd – Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. and Ballynoe

Q. Buck – great horse and great ride.

Reg (Ballynoe Castle RM) has been a consistent horse his whole career. It was only a couple of months ago that he was in hospital with pneumonia – the heart that that horse has is unbelievable – basically if you tell him it’s Kentucky and he’ll go!

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following links for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after the final Show Jumping Day with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/R0cu6p

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Championships, USEF, Western/Reining

Flarida Wins USEF Open Reining Nat’l Championship & Selection Trial for WEG U.S. Reining Squad

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Shawn Flarida & Spooks Gotta Whiz (Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo)

Lexington, Ky. – Sixteen combinations entered the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena Sunday morning with National Championship honors and selection for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on their minds for the second and final round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. And in a repeat of Friday’s initial round at the Kentucky Reining Cup, Shawn Flarida posted the top score of the day to claim the National Title and punch his ticket to Normandy, France for the World Championship in August. Additionally, five other riders earned their place on the squad with strong performances over the week.

Flarida (Springfield, Ohio) and Michell Kimball’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Spooks Gotta Whiz posted a score of 225 in Friday’s first round and bested that by 2.5 points scoring 227.5 Sunday morning. They finished on an overall score of 452.5 to top the field by 3.5 points.

The multiple-time National Champion and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalist was pleased with his horse throughout their time in Lexington and knows that there were some points left on the table.

“Friday night seems like a month ago,” said Flarida. “I had a few bobbles in each pattern but he’s just a nice horse; he’s fun to show and just a great horse.”

Flarida looks forward to getting to Normandy and retaining the title he helped to earn four years ago and believes the U.S. riders are poised for greatness in France.

“They’re all super talented and hardworking,” said Flarida of his squad-mates. “When you get there it’s just time to put your hand down and get to work.”

Mandy McCutcheon & Yellow Jersey (Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo)
Mandy McCutcheon & Yellow Jersey (Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo)

Earning Reserve Champion honors and her spot on the U.S. squad was Mandy McCutcheon with an overall score of 449. She rode father Tim McQuay’s 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Yellow Jersey to scores of 224 and 225 on Friday and Sunday, respectively, to help her become the first women to ever represent the United States at a Reining World Championship.

“The next part is the fun part; this was the nerve-wracking part. I’ll still be nervous but just to get to say you get to go is so fun,” said McCutcheon who will ride alongside her husband, Tom, in Normandy. “For me to be on a team with my husband on a horse my parents own is just so fun.”

Jordan Larson (Whitesboro, Texas) and Heritage Farms’ HF Mobster slid to third place overall by earning 223 and 225 in the two rounds. The six-year-old Quarter Horse stallion finished on an overall score of 448.

Andrea Fappani (Scottsdale, A.Z.) had an extremely successful weekend at the Kentucky Reining Cup qualifying two of Silver Spurs Equine’s horses for the U.S. World Equestrian Games squad. With the seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Smoking Whiz he finished in fourth on a total of 446.5 and then piloted the eight-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Custom Cash Advance to a weekend total of 445.

Finishing in sixth place and earning a place on the squad were Troy Heikes (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Denise Bixler’s eight-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Lil Gun Dunit with a score of 442.

Rounding out the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad after finishing in seventh place are Tom McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and Jennifer Marley’s six-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Dun Git a Nicadual after finishing the weekend on a total of 440.5.

By Helen Murray

Watch on-demand video from the Kentucky Reining Cup on USEF Network presented by SmartPak at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014KRC/.

Learn more about the 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup here.

Follow the U.S. Reining Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Fox-Pitt Moves into Lead with Kieffer a Close Second on Cross Country Day of Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – An exciting day unfolded at the Kentucky Horse Park for the cross country phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. A crowd of 35,471 turned out to see the influential phase that caused a change-up to the leaderboard. Fifty-five horse-and-rider combinations began the trek across Derek di Grazia’s substantial course made up of 45 jumping efforts with 19 pairs going double clear, six retiring on course, and 10 being eliminated.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero moved up into first place after overnight leader Allison Springer (Middleburg, Va.) and Arthur had an unfortunate runout at 21c, the curvy brush of the Normandy Bank complex. Fox-Pitt rode Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding to a double clear round to remain on his dressage score of 44.0 heading into the final phase of competition. Despite a sticky ride through 19abc, the second part of the Rolex Head of the Lake complex, the pair put together a solid round over the track covering 6,430 meters.

“I think that the course really encouraged forward riding and as you saw a lot of horses did go well for that. I was delighted with how the course rode,” Fox-Pitt shared. “I knew for my two horses that it was a decent track and a big test. There were certain things on the course here that do throw out surprises, you never quite know how the coffin is going to ride and some of the waters… it just shows how you have to have confidence in the course designer and you have to ride how he would hope you would ride and the horses will respond.”

Commenting further on his two rides, Fox-Pitt said, “I was thrilled with both my horses but particularly Bay My Hero who is much less experienced. It’s actually the first time he has done a three-day up and down hills like that. A lot of his three-days in the past have been rather flat… I’m very happy with him. He was a little bit surprised by the Head of the Lake but in the end I know if he can see where to go he is going to go there. He is as clever as a cat and super genuine. He carried his tubby little body inside the time as well.”

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Moving up one place into second with a score of 46.7 were Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Veronica on the strength of a double clear round. Kieffer and Team Rebecca, LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare were having a great round when they were held shortly before the Rolex Head of the Lake. The pair found their rhythm again after the complex and to finish the course strongly. As the top U.S. pair, Kieffer and Veronica are currently in contention for the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title.

“I was thrilled with my mare; she really fought for it,” Kieffer said of her round. “You know I went out knowing I had to ride every combination, there were a lot of big questions. Especially after the hold we had to fight for it through the Head of the Lake. We had to get back in a rhythm and everything… you had to really focus on being accurate.”

Lying in third after a great round over the demanding track were Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Mr. Medicott. He and Mr. Medicott Syndicate’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding never looked in doubt of anything but an excellent go over the beautiful cross country course.

“I think the conditions were ideal for the running today. My first horse [Trading Aces] really learned a lot today. I tried to ride him forward and aggressively but still give him time to look at jumps and I think he went better and better. Mr. Medicott has been around so many courses throughout the world I was just hanging on and letting him do it. It was a pretty easy ride for me.”

Dutton finished exactly on the optimum time of 11:12 with Trading Aces, the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Trading Aces LLC. As the top U.S. rider to finish closest to the optimum time without penalty, Dutton was deemed to have the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day, resulting in a two-year lease on 2014 Range Rover Evoque.

Looking towards the final phase on Sunday, the riders hope to have jumping rounds as good as their cross country rounds. Kieffer noted that all spring the horse trials and CICs have mostly had show jumping before the cross country so it will be a different ride with horses who have just completed a CCI4* cross country course. Dutton added that it is a long competition for the horses and that it should be an interesting day.

“Hopefully the horses will come out and hopefully Bay My Hero will feel good,” Fox-Pitt said. “He can jump very well; he’s a real tryer. He will also find it quite exciting in there. He will be peaking at everything. If he’s concentrating he should jump well.”

The final horse inspection takes place at 9:00am ET with the jumping phase getting underway at 12:30pm ET.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Watch the live stream on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/LandRoverUSEventingTeam/.

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after Cross Country

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1st place – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero.

(USA, 26 April 2014) William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero, today Saturday 26 April 2014, is the current leader after the Cross Country phase, with Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 2nd place and Phillip Dutton (USA) in 3rd place, at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington.

William Fox-Pitt leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after a thrilling day’s cross country at the Kentucky Horse Park. Having completed another superb clear round on his second ride of the day, Fox-Pitt judged the time perfectly and sits in pole position going into the final show jumping day tomorrow. The overnight leader after the Dressage, Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, came unstuck at the Normandy Bank with a run-out, which cost her a hefty 20 penalty points. Phillip Dutton has two rides in the top 10, where he is lying in third and ninth place. Marilyn Little (USA) also has two in the top 10 with her rides lying in fourth and tenth position.

After a great clear round by Andrew Nicholson (NZL) on Avebury in today’s Cross Country phase, the pressure is now on Nicholson to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2013, by winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD$ 350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize. Nicholson is currently lying in 7th place after Cross Country on a score of 51.7.

Results after the Cross Country Phase

1. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
2. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
3. Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott (USA) 49.5
4. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3
5. Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 51.5
6. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7
7. Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 51.7
8. Sinead Halpin/Manoir De Carneville (USA) 51.7
9. Philip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5
10. Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5

2nd place - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
2nd place – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Current Contender

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event defending champion. This follows the news announced on 23 April 2014 that last year’s winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Jonathan Paget (NZL), has officially been disqualified following a “partial decision” by the sport’s governing body Tribunal. As a result of Paget’s disqualification Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have now been promoted and are the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2013 winners.

Quote from Phillip Dutton (USA) (link to audio of full post-event press conference below):

Q. Phillip – the course for you?

I thought the conditions were ideal for the running today and my first horse really learned a lot today and Mr Medicott has been around so many courses throughout the world I was just hanging on and letting him do it so it was a pretty easy trip for him!

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – how was the course for you?

I think the course really encouraged forward riding and as your saw a lot of horses did go well – I was delighted with how the course ride. I knew for my two horses that it was a decent track and a big test. I was thrilled with both my horses but particularly Bay My Hero, who’s much less experienced. He was a little bit surprised by the Head of the Lake but it didn’t seem to matter; I know that with him when he can see where he has to go he will go there. He is as clever as a cat and super genuine and I was delighted with him and he carried his tubby little body around in the time as well so that was a bonus!

Quote from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – any surprises out there today?

I was thrilled with my mare; she really fought for it. We knew we had to ride every combination and it had big questions. Everything rode the way I expected it to – I knew going out I was going to have to fight and focus on being accurate and so I was quite happy with him.

Quotes from Andrew Nicholson (NZL), currently live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing:

Q. Andrew – how was that ride and what happened at the water park?

It was a bit my fault there. Avebury when he lands he always lands after a jump on his left lead which means a turn to the right you lack a bit of distance so I thought when I walked the course if I just took my time and do four strides where it should be three, but I jumped in too big and I should have kept going on the three but I tried for the four and the fourth was very deep – but he’s experienced and that’s what he’s fed for!

3rd place - Philip Dutton and Mr Medicott
3rd place – Philip Dutton and Mr Medicott

Q. So you are currently lying in around fifth?

Yes, it’s a big day tomorrow, we hope. We’ll go back may sure the horse is all good – he’ll get washed off now a few times, cool him off and try and freshen him up for tomorrow and it will be pretty much the same for me!

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following link for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Cross Country Day with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/BUJiXw

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Eventing/H.T., FEI, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day

Fox-Pitt Produces Another Cross Country Hero at Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero hold the overnight lead at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014, but have no margin for error over newcomer Lauren Kieffer (USA) and the Dutch warmblood mare Veronica in tomorrow’s Jumping phase. (Anthony Trollope/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 April 2014 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is poised to win a third watch at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014, after a Cross Country day full of suspense and excitement.

Dressage leaders Allison Springer and Arthur had an unfortunate run-out at the angled brush fence after the Normandy Bank at fence 21 and this left Fox-Pitt in the lead after his superb round on Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Bay My Hero.

But Fox-Pitt does not have a Jumping fence in hand over newcomer Lauren Kieffer (USA), who had a great clear round on the Dutch warmblood mare Veronica to rise a place to second.

It was a good day for the American selectors. Philip Dutton (USA) is third on Mr Medicott and ninth on Trading Aces, on which he is deputising for an injured Boyd Martin (USA). Jumping specialist Marilyn Little (USA) also has two horses in the top 10 with RF Demeter in fourth and RF Smoke on the Water in 10th.

Buck Davidson (USA), the last rider on course, was visibly elated with his round inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds on Ballynoe Castle RM. He is now in sixth place, on the same score as Sinead Halpin (USA) with Manoir de Carney and Rolex Grand Slam contender Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who had a foot-perfect round on Avebury apart from a sticky moment when the grey gelding left a leg at the first water complex.

Fox-Pitt, the winner in 2010 and 2012, admitted he is feeling nervous already about tomorrow’s Jumping. “I’ll still be feeling pretty sick as there are a lot of riders close to me and the arena at Kentucky is one of the most famous in the world for atmosphere.”

Commenting on a thrilling performance from Bay My Hero, he said: “He went superbly. He’s not that experienced at this level but he gave me a confident ride. I was worried that he was a little chubby and would be lacking in fitness, but he felt fantastic. We may have looked a bit messy in the first water complex, but it didn’t feel as bad as it may have looked!”

Fox-Pitt is also in 16th place on last year’s runner-up, Seacookie, after adding 7.2 time penalties. He reported that the German-bred gelding tends to be a deliberate jumper and added in some strides; they also took the long route at the angled double of hedges.

Jan Byyny slipped out of the top 10 to 11th place with 3.2 time penalties on Inmidair, while Will Faudree (USA) was one of six riders to retire, pulling up Pawlow at fence 12, having had an earlier run-out.

Doug Payne, eighth after Dressage on Crown Tsunami, had always intended to re-route to Saumur CCI3* in France next month because he has a travel grant to go to Europe; Sir Mark Todd was another to pull out, following a disappointing Dressage mark on Oloa – they are likely to go to Luhmühlen CCI4* (GER) in June.

In contrast to the previous day’s windy conditions, spectators enjoyed a sunny Cross Country day in which faults were evenly spread around the track and horses returned looking happy.

The new keyhole combination at fence 14 produced a few awkward moments but jumped neatly for those who kept a steady rhythm through it. Among those to execute it to perfection were Andrew Nicholson on Avebury and Canadian rider Hawley Bennett on the veteran Gin and Juice, now lying 15th.

There were 29 clear rounds, 19 inside the optimum time, from the 39 horses to complete; 10 were eliminated.

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a vintage final phase with the scores perilously close – one Jumping fence covers third to 11th places. The Jumping phase starts at 13.15pm (US time).

Follow what is sure to be a fascinating competition with live coverage of the entire event on the FEI’s official video platform FEI TV and see live results on www.rk3de.org.

Results after Cross Country

1 William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0 + 0 = 44.0
2 Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7 + 0 = 46.7
3 Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott (USA) 49.5 + 0 = 49.5
4 Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3 + 0 = 51.3
5 Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5 + 2 = 51.5
6 Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
7 Sinead Halpin/Manoir de Carney (USA) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
8 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
9 Phillip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5 + 0 = 52.5
10 Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5 + 0 = 52.5

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEIClassics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Bauman
marty@classic-communications.com
+1 508 698 6810 ext. 10
www.rk3de.org

FEI Media Contacts:

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

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

Championships, Competitions, Western/Reining

Flarida Captures Early Lead in USEF Open Reining Nat’l Championship & Selection Trial for WEG U.S. Reining Squad

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Shawn Flarida & Spooks Gotta Whiz (Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – The 2014 Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad kicked off Friday evening at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena with the first of two rounds of competition. A field of 35 international veterans went to task in the CRI3* competition which is being held in conjunction with the Kentucky Reining Cup.

Leading the way in National Championship and Selection Trial competition is former National Champion and U.S. Team Gold medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Shawn Flarida. Riding Michell Kimball’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Spooks Gotta Whiz, Flarida (Springfield, Ohio) executed a polished performance that was highlighted by solid transitions to score 225.

“He warmed up really well, and showed really sweet,” said Flarida, who looks for another solid round from Spooks Gotta Whiz on Sunday. “I hope he shows as pure again and I’ll let things fall where they do.”

Lying in second place after round one on Friday is Mandy McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and her father Tim McQuay’s Yellow Jersey. The 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion demonstrated why he is so highly regarded in the U.S. by scoring 224; just a single point separates him and McCutcheon from first place.

Andrea Fappani (Scottsdale, A.Z.) and Silver Spurs Equine’s seven-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Smoking Whiz stand third heading into Sunday’s final round on a score of 223.5.

Following the second and final round of competition for the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad, the top six combinations will be named to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad.

By Helen Murray

Watch the Kentucky Reining Cup live on USEF Network presented by SmartPak at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014KRC/.

Learn more about the 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup here.

Follow the U.S. Rening Team here.

Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, Revolution Sports

Allison Springer (USA) Leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after Dressage

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1st – Allison Springer and Arthur.

(USA, 25 April 2014) Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, today Friday 25 April 2014, is the current leader after the Dressage phase, with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero in 2nd place, and Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 3rd place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

Results after Dressage Phase:

1. Allison Springer/Arthur (USA) 39.5
2. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
3. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
4=. Jan Byyny/Inmidair (USA) 49.5
4=. Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott 49.5
4=. Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5
7. Will Faudree/Pawlow (USA) 49.8
8. Doug Payne/Crown Talisman (USA) 51.2
9. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3
10. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 51.5

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Current Contender

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event defending champion. This follows the news announced on 23 April 2014 that last year’s winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Jonathan Paget (NZL), has officially been disqualified following a “partial decision” by the sport’s governing body Tribunal. As a result of Paget’s disqualification, Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have now been promoted and are the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2013 winners.

All eyes are now on Nicholson to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2013, by winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize. Nicholson is competing in Kentucky on his grey gelding Avebury and is currently lying in joint 11th place after the Dressage phase on a score of 51.7.

Quote from Allison Springer (USA) (link to audio of full post-event press conference below):

Q. Allison – how does it feel to be back with Arthur?

We know each other well. As a competitor he has given me most of my mileage so I have learned to be a little bit more relaxed and understanding with him and he was pretty wild when I rode him at lunchtime – I thought, uh oh, I’m in a little bit of trouble here, but you just have to do the best job you can. It’s emotional; it’s been a big year and it’s emotional to have my horse back and strong and feeling great.

2nd - William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero
2nd – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – what a lovely horse – thoughts on that test?

He is a cool horse; he’s such a fun horse to ride and one that’s always on your side. You go in there and that atmosphere and that crowd in there was fantastic – you need a horse that’s good and he really tried.

It was a huge relief to get a 44 (as the scores have all been so high) and delighted with how he went. There were a couple of rusty moments as he hasn’t had a big day out for a while – I’m really excited.

Quotes from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – competing in just your second Rolex – how does it feel this time?

I’ve been riding Veronica for about a year now and it’s definitely a different mind-set this time around – I came to give a shot at it and there is a lot to do tomorrow – it certainly won’t be a dressage show, but I’m happy with how it went today.

Quotes from Andrew Nicholson (NZL), currently live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing:

Q. Andrew – how did you feel the test went for you?

It wasn’t as good as he is on grass – I thought he might be a bit like this on this surface [all weather] – grass gives him a little bit more balance. I was having to ride him a bit more strongly in there to keep him looking half active. But he’s good. I know he can do better than that.

Q. So you are currently within five points of the leaders?

If they stay scoring that for the last few and if I can finish on that, then I think I can probably win!

3rd - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
3rd – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following links for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Dressage Day Two with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/0n8oIY

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk