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Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Team USA Wins FEI Young Rider Nations Cup; Brazil and Mexico Top Junior and Children’s Events

March 2, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

The top three Young Rider teams of USA, Germany and Mexico with Emanuel Andrade. Photos © Sportfot.

Brianne Goutal and Wirma Speed to Victory in $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m CSIO; McLain Ward Earns One-Two Finish in $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic; Bridget Hallman and Lulu Top Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters 3’3″

Wellington, FL – March 1, 2014 – Week eight of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Saturday with a full schedule of exciting show jumping at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior and Young Rider Nations Cup team events were all held with two rounds each in addition to a $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m CSIO Jumper Classic and the $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic each held during the day.

FTI WEF week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm, concludes on Sunday, March 2, with a $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic as well as the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The FTI WEF features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Three separate Nations Cup competitions were held for the Children, Juniors, and Young Riders on Saturday thanks to the generous sponsorship of Hollow Creek Farm and the Andrade Family. Competition consisted of two rounds for each division shown over courses set by USA’s Steve Stephens. After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all eligible teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.

The $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm FEI Young Rider Nations Cup saw a close race between the teams from USA and Germany. The United States returned to defend their title from 2013, while Germany fielded a young rider team for the first time in Wellington this year. In the end, USA earned victory for the second year in a row, finishing on a final score of four.

Germany placed second with eight faults. Mexico finished on a score of 23 in third place. Colombia finished fourth, Canada placed fifth, Ecuador placed sixth, and Brazil finished seventh.

The winning team from USA included Frances Land (19) and Vieanne, Wilton Porter (20) and Radio City, Lillie Keenan (17) and Londinium, and Michael Hughes (18) aboard Luxina under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe DiAnn Langer.

Land and Vieanne had a rail in round one, but returned to jump a clear round in the second phase. Porter and Radio City jumped clear in round one and incurred five faults in round two. Keenan and Londinium had four faults in round one and a clear round on their return trip, and Hughes and Luxina were the only pair to jump double clear to clinch the victory for their nation.

While all four riders have competed in young rider team events before, the Nations Cup was a first for Hughes and Land. Porter competed last year as an individual, and Keenan was a part of the 2013 Junior team. They all know how important it is to get team experience as their riding careers progress and appreciate the support that is given to the Nations Cup event.

“I love team competitions,” Land stated. “I think this is a really good experience for us if we have aspirations to jump on the bigger team. It is really fun because we are all friends already and this just makes us have even more fun together. I think it is just a really wonderful opportunity.”

“I really love to take advantage of any opportunity to participate in a team event because, I agree with Frances, it brings us together. It makes this individual sport more like a team event, and I really appreciate that,” Porter acknowledged.

“I really enjoy team events especially because at the highest level when you go to the Olympics, which is definitely a dream of mine and I would say it is the same for the others sitting with me, you really get a lot of pride from riding for your country,” Keenan stated. “I really feel like this is a stepping stone in that direction. It is fantastic; it is an amazing experience, and I was thrilled that we could pull it off.”

“I think team competitions are a great opportunity for us to fight with each other instead of against each other because we are always going head to head almost every week and now we are finally on the same team,” Hughes pointed out.

Hughes has been partnered with his mount Luxina for three years and explained that he accomplished the double clear rounds by just trying to duplicate his first round effort in round two. The plan paid off for his horse, but others had difficulties with the change in lighting between the two rounds.

“I think the course was a bit spookier under the lights,” Hughes stated. “Some horses dealt with it differently than others. Some rose to the occasion, and some just got a little bit greener than others, and experience in some horses came out tonight.”

“The experienced horses really were comfortable under the lights, but because we had two rounds and the atmosphere was different, I think that actually worked in the favor of some of us, at least I know it did for my horse,” Keenan said. “It can be hard to jump the exact same course twice sometimes because the horse knows where you are going, they know when you are going to turn tight, and they may not be as impressed. To have the added element of the lights, for some horses it could work against you, but I think it definitely worked in our favor tonight.”

For some of the U.S. riders, the opportunity to compete against new riders from different countries was very exciting and provided a great learning experience.

“It is a new experience at least for me,” Keenan noted. “I have never shown outside of the U.S. and until last year I really had not shown against most of the countries that had come. The young riders and really all of the teams are really strong and last year I think it was a little bit of a shell shock. Coming from the U.S., we usually have a very strong team and I think it is an amazing experience.”

“We have to thank the Andrade family for putting this together,” Keenan added. “It is an invaluable experience to be able to compete against riders that we don’t know, and just because we don’t know them does not mean that they aren’t better than us. I think tonight we really showed that we have a great program in the U.S., and we are capable of putting together awesome teams.”

It was not an easy process to put together this team of U.S. riders, as Chef d’Equipe DiAnn Langer explained. The application process takes all of the riders that apply and looks very closely at their show experience and results in order to select a talented team that can work well together. The process is the same for the young riders as well as the children’s and junior teams.

“I think we got the very best teams,” Langer stated. “I think it was exciting for all of them. The juniors almost pulled it off; it was just the water experience under the lights. It came out for all of the juniors I think across the board, that it’s different, and that is what this experience is all about. I could not be more proud of all of them, and the children, the experience that they got. They just could not believe what was going on. I think all in all this was just a positive experience for them and the sponsors were just fabulous in making this happen.”

Porter acknowledged the great effort of the selectors in putting together a great team, stating, “I think it was really special how everyone in the team contributed in some way, and I think that DiAnn and the entire USEF committee did a great job picking the team out because everyone had their strengths and contributed at some point to this victory.”

Brazil Tops $2,500 Hollow Creek Farm FEI Junior Nations Cup

The $2,500 Hollow Creek Farm FEI Junior Nations Cup ran under the lights in the International Arena at PBIEC with five of its original eight teams returning for the second round. In a very tight fight to the finish, the team from Brazil was victorious for the second year in a row, finishing on a score of 11.

The team from the United States finished second with a score of 15 overall. Mexico placed third with an 18-fault total. Venezuela finished fourth, Argentina was fifth, and the teams from Chile and Ecuador did not return for the second round and tied for sixth place.

The team from Brazil was made up of Bianca de Souza Rodrigues (17) riding Abernante, Giulia Scampini (16) aboard Keep On Fighting, Alberto Bento Sinimbu (15) with Sharpova MCJ, and Joao Victor Castro (16) riding Wamira with Chef d’Equipe Caio Sergio de Carvalho.

Scampini was the experienced rider on her team this year as the only one to return from last year’s winning Brazilian team. She helped guide her teammates to victory and enjoyed her return trip to Wellington.

“I am the only one here who could appreciate this victory of two following years,” Scampini stated. “It is a reward I think for our effort and for being here in this huge event. I would like to thank everyone, including the sponsors and everyone who worked for us to be here. We had a great team and are always united for Brazil.”

While the other riders on the team all came to Wellington just for this week’s competition, Castro has spent his winter at the FTI WEF competing and training with the legendary Nelson Pessoa. His horse, Wamira, had the advantage of more experience showing in the International Arena and was the only horse to jump double clear rounds for the team. For Castro, it was a great to have his friends from Brazil join him in the U.S. for this team event.

“It was very nice. I got to see my friends that I have been missing, and it was very fun,” Castro noted. “We have all known each other and have been jumping together for many years.”

Rodrigues and Sinimbu were the only two that were experiencing Wellington for the first time and were very impressed with the event. “It is very interesting being here,” Rodrigues stated. “This ring is very big. To represent Brazil is something very good for everyone.”

“I am here for the first time, and it was a very good experience,” Sinimbu stated. “I am very happy.”

Chef d’Equipe Carvalho explained that these riders competed throughout the year to earn their places on the team in Wellington. The riders showed in selection trials for the South American Championships in October and were then selected based on those performances. Carvalho noted that the competition was good preparation for the team to come here and that they had a very strong team returning to compete.

The riders noted that the atmosphere between showing in round one during the day and round two at night under the lights caused problems for many riders. Rodrigues in particular had trouble at the water jump with the lights reflecting. Castro added that there were a lot of people watching and taking photos, which changed the atmosphere quite a bit.

Scampini had her experience from last year to draw on, explaining that the course was a little different. “It was lower, and we needed to use more speed,” she stated. “Last year it was a bit more technical. The water was definitely a challenge, but we are challenged every time, so we need to be prepared.”

Mexico Wins Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s Nations Cup

The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s Nations Cup saw seven nations compete in its first round with six teams returning for round two. The win went to the team from Mexico, who finished on a score of zero. Brazil finished second on a four-point total, and Venezuela placed third with a score of five. The team from USA finished fourth, Argentina placed fifth, Ecuador placed sixth, and Colombia finished seventh.

Mexico’s team was made up of Franco Antonio Gama Quadrini (12) riding Good Girl, Mauricio Huesca Perez (13) aboard Adermie PP, Nicole Meyer Robredo (13) with Acatitlan RM, and Carlos Hank Gonzalez (13) riding Joker. The team was led by Chef d’Equipe Juan Manuel Cossio, who is also the President of the Mexican Equestrian Federation.

“My team did a very good job,” Cossio stated after the competition. “The riders all rode very nicely, and the horses were great. The Federation is proud of them, and we want to say thank you for this opportunity.”

In round one, Quadrini had the drop score of eight faults and Perez, Robredo, and Gonzalez all jumped clear rounds to advance faultless into round two. In the second round, Quadrini, Perez and Robredo all cleared the course without fault, and it was determined that Gonzalez did not need to return, as the team would already finish on a score of zero.

“This means a lot to me because it is my first time on a team for a Nations Cup,” said Gonzalez. “It feels great and thank you.”

“I feel relieved and excited,” Robredo noted. “It is also my first time and I think we have a very good team, so I am really happy.”

The riders all traveled to Wellington just for this week’s competition and had never been to the FTI WEF before. They described the show as “amazing” and different from anywhere they had been before. This was the first time showing on a Nations Cup team for all of the riders and a fantastic win for the emerging talent of Mexico.

“I feel very proud of our team because we won,” said Quadrini. “This is not something easy, so we did it very well.”

Perez added, “I feel very good. We have a very good team and thank you for everything and congratulations.”

Leading rider awards were also presented for each division for the overall performance of the riders throughout the week’s competition, including their Welcome Stakes, Classics and first round Nations Cup performance. In the children’s division, the top rider was Brazil’s Pedro Malucelli Egoroff. In the juniors, Mexico’s Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez was the champion. Juan Jose Zendejas Salgado of Mexico topped the young rider division.

Brianne Goutal and Wirma Speed to Victory in $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m CSIO

Hot off an appearance for Team USA in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, Brianne Goutal jumped to victory in the first class bright and early Saturday morning in the $34,000 G&C Farm CSIO 1.45m Jumper Classic. Riding Remarkable Farms LP’s Wirma, Goutal completed the fastest of five clear rounds over Steve Stephens speed track to win out of 27 entries.

Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and T&L NV’s Elky van het Indihof finished second in 63.41 seconds. Great Britain’s Tim Gredley and Unex Omega Star placed third in 63.43 seconds, and USA’s McLain Ward finished fourth with Zander in 64.05 seconds. The final clear round came from Germany’s Daniel Deusser aboard Stephex Stables’ Fyloe v/h Claeyssenhof in 71.80 seconds to place fifth.

Goutal has had Wirma, an eleven-year-old KWPN mare (Hors La Loi III x Lux), for almost two years and has seen tremendous growth in the horse’s performance.

“She was very, very green when I got her, but always a very stylish jumper,” Goutal described. “She has really come a long way. She is very small and she has a big jump, so she I think took some time to really grow into her jump and her body and everything. Now she is getting faster and faster and jumping better and better, so I am very pleased with the result.”

The pair had a very smooth speed round for Saturday’s win, and Goutal praised Steve Stephens on his track. “It all came up as planned,” the rider noted. “That is always the best when you go into the speed round and you have a plan and everything shows itself; most of the time that doesn’t happen. She was riding really well, very responsive both to my hand and leg, and from the first jump she was really on the run. She jumped great.”

“It was a nice course,” she added. “Steve is good with the speed courses. They are very American in style. They are very open and there is a lot of galloping, but then just when you have gotten flat, all of a sudden there is a tight turn or something that you have to be very careful for. My horse handled it very well.”

McLain Ward Earns One-Two Finish with HH Carlos Z and Dulien van de Smeets in $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic

A $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic was held in the DeNemethy Ring at PBIEC on Saturday with a one-two finish for two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. The class saw 53 entries with 12 to jump-off and eight double clear rounds over the Alan Wade (IRL) designed course. Ward went first with Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Dulien van de Smeets and set the leading pace at 40.03 seconds. He then beat his own time for the win aboard Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z in 39.46 seconds.

Stephan Barcha (BRA) and Quizas Diamant finished third in 40.67 seconds, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Tinkabell were fourth in 40.79 seconds, and Laura Kraut (USA) guided Stars and Stripes’ Bonito R to fifth in 41.49 seconds.

HH Carlos Z is a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Chellano Z x Voltaire that Double H Farm recently acquired for Ward to compete, and the rider is excited about the new partnership. The horse, formerly known as Carlos VHP Z, showed very successfully under Belgian rider Nicola Philippaerts before a brief partnership with Denmark’s Emilie Martinsen. He then spent a year showing under USA’s Nick Dello Joio.

“We have always known Carlos. He was a very, very good horse,” Ward stated. “We have a nice, new partnership with Hunter Harrison, and we thought it would be a nice addition to the string. He is very careful, a real winner.”

“We have high hopes for him,” Ward acknowledged. “He has won a few big grand prixs around the world. We kind of envisioned him as a bit like Goldika was for us years ago, a horse that can win any class at the show, even the grand prix.”

Ward finished second on Saturday with Dulien van de Smeets, a promising seven-year-old mare. “She is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock, which is Tom Grossman, who was the half owner of Sapphire and Goldika as well,” Ward pointed out. “That is a partnership that I have had for a long time, and this horse we have been developing here and has really done some wonderful things. She won a couple of The Ridge grand prix. She is coming along really excellent and looks to be a phenomenal horse.”

“We are developing her, and she is on the market,” Ward added. “She was bought by Tom to be resold, and I’m sure someone is going to snap her up pretty quick. I think she is jumping just as good as any horse on the circuit, but until then I am going to enjoy the ride.”

Commenting on Saturday’s class and course designer Alan Wade, Ward praised, “Alan is my favorite course builder in the world. I think he is the best in the game right now. He builds rider’s courses, which I like. They are smooth. These are two really nice national classes that you can do whether you have some new horses or some younger horses that want to step up and have a good test for good prize money. I wish there were a few more national classes like this on the circuit. Everything is going FEI and here in Florida, we bring so many horses and we have so many different facets to our operations. You have international show jumping, but you are also producing horses and you have horses for sale, so it is a nice outlet where there is some highlight, some pressure, and it gives those horses an opportunity to shine.”

Bridget Hallman and Lulu Top Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters 3’3″

Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, and her homebred mare Lulu were division champions of the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunter 3’3″ division on Saturday afternoon at the FTI WEF. Lulu, a six-year-old Warmblood mare, was fourth under saddle and third, sixth, second, and second over fences with Hallman in the irons.

Reserve champion for the division was French Kiss and Tina Allen. The pair were eighth under saddle and seventh, third, and first over fences.

Their success in the hunter ring at the FTI WEF is all the more meaningful to Hallman since she’s owned Lulu since the day she was born. Hallman took over the reins after Lulu was started by McQuay Stables in Tioga, TX, and with the help of Louise Serio, has brought the mare up through the ranks.

“It’s so great! I mean I never expected, you know, a couple of years ago starting her off and trotting little crossrails, that we would ever be doing this [and that she would turn out as well as she has]. She’s such a delight to have around; she’s so easy going. Whatever you want, she’s got a great attitude,” Hallman smiled.

Hallman keeps it pretty simple with Lulu. She stays at Hallman’s parents’ MerryLegs South Farm in Wellington before traveling north for the summer with Hallman, where the pair meet Serio at shows.

“She doesn’t have a big program. She kind of lives with me in the backyard and went to Louise here and there for a little bit of help [in the beginning of her training], but she just goes along with whatever. I’m kind of a trail rider and I jump my little jumps on her on my own, and then say ‘Okay, we’re at a horse show; we need to go!’ And she just has a great attitude!” Hallman explained.

Hallman credits the McQuays with Lulu’s great mind, which is what she most appreciates about the mare.

“It’s really nice to have her. She’s so consistent! She’s so pretty and always alert, not spooky or anything; she’s just looking for the next jump and alert,” Hallman described. “She’s just become such a delight to have around and a lot of fun to ride, because you know you can just gallop around and have fun on her. And she gives me a lot of confidence for being so young.”

Lulu may only be six, but the FTI WEF is already old hat for her. Hallman has been bringing her south for the winter with her other horses for the last three years while carefully bringing Lulu along.

“She didn’t really show [her first] year [in Florida], but [stayed] here at the farm, being ridden. Then last year and the year before she did the pre-green [hunters]. So she’s just kind of been hanging around WEF for a couple of years, just doing her thing, slowly pressing me for more and more,” Hallman explained.

Lulu’s success has been especially thrilling for Hallman’s mother, who is particularly fond of the bay mare.

“My mom is so excited about having a nice one. She loves them all no matter what, we all do, but she loves this one. [Lulu] loves my mom’s voice. She’s hanging out the stall door [or] busting out of the crossties. Only when she hears my mom’s voice! The rest of the time she’s completely laid back. She loves mom with the treats,” Hallman smiled.

Hunter competition will conclude for Week 8 of the FTI WEF, presented by G&C Farm, with the Bainbridge Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division on Sunday morning along with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic and the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

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

Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Dressage, FEI, FEI

Von Bredow-Werndl Wins Reem Acra Qualifier at Gothenburg

March 2, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB stormed to victory in style at the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League in Gothenburg. Photo: FEI/Roland Thunholm.

Gothenburg (SWE), 1 March 2014 – Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl stole the show at Gothenburg in Sweden today when producing a superb victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League 2013/2014 qualifier with Unee BB.

“I didn’t expect it!” said the 28-year-old whose winter season has been nothing short of spectacular. “This is my very first World Cup season, I had never done a World Cup competition before, but we have been steadily improving and I am so proud of Unee!” she pointed out after pinning Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Toy Story into second and Denmark’s Nanna Skodberg Merrald and Millibar into third.

Penultimate qualifying leg

A total of 13 horse-and-rider combinations lined out at this penultimate qualifying round for competitors in the Western European League region, and for many it has come to “make or break” time.

In a line-out of riders from seven nations, the host country fielded six horse-and-rider combinations and it was Sweden’s Sofie Lexner and the veteran 18-year-old Charming Boy who set the early standard when posting a score of 74.500. This left her out in front until The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud scored 77.400 with his relatively new ride, the 12-year-old bay stallion, Johnson, but that was immediately overtaken by Swedish star Patrik Kittel whose steady and precise performance with Toy Story featured fluid transitions, solid piaffe and rhythmic tempi changes for a mark of 79.025.

This was now the score to beat, and Skodberg Merrald came close when awarded 77.950 with Millibar who has emerged as a real contender this season. But, last to go, it was von Bredow-Werndl who pinned Kittel into runner-up spot with a beautifully executed and demanding floor plan that demonstrated flair, control, athleticism and accuracy, and more than a little daring. The German rider’s performance gave her a well-deserved mark of 81.350, with strong artistic marks awarded by the Ground Jury.

Swedish Ground Jury member Gustav Svalling commented afterwards, “Jessica’s horse is absolutely fantastic and is capable of doing so much, and it is such a good looking horse as well!”

Confident

Today’s winner also topped yesterday’s Grand Prix, and when asked how confident she was going into today’s Freestyle, she replied, “Yes of course I thought I might have a chance to win, but everybody wants to win and in the end it comes down to the battle on the day. I just gave it my very best; Unee did great; he listened to me and wanted to do a good job,” she explained.

The atmosphere in Gothenburg’s Scandinavium Arena is always electric, and Kittel described it today as “amazing!” He continued, “I thought yesterday was good but today was even more special. That’s the Scandinavium for you – a full house and a full crowd. They are so positive towards the riders and that’s what is so unique about it. Of course it is amazing when they all come in and they are clapping and cheering – what kind of rider doesn’t want that? If you have a sensitive horse it can get tricky, but I try to do my best every time regardless. The crowd is there to support, but they aren’t the ones driving me. I don’t think the crowd makes my performance better or worse but it definitely contributes to making me feel good,” he pointed out.

Skodborg Merrald felt she raised her game following yesterday’s class in which she also finished third. “I think I had a much better test today. My first piaffe was a little behind me but the last three were much better – I am really satisfied,” she said, adding that will not compete at the next and final qualifying round in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) because she feels she has already done enough to qualify for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final at Lyon, France in April.

Holiday planned

Today’s winner won’t be going either, as she has a long holiday planned for her handsome 13-year-old stallion after a long and busy winter campaign. Reflecting on the last six months, she said, “This season just fell into place. We started by finishing eighth in Odense (DEN), then we were seventh in Stuttgart (GER), sixth in Stockholm (SWE) and sixth in Amsterdam (NED) and at Neumunster (GER) we moved right up to third. Now today we have our first win!” she explained.

Unee BB’s natural poise and elegance really shone through today. Talking about her horse, von Bredow-Werndl said this evening, “I have been riding him for two years now and he only did his first Grand Prix after I got him. Then he did more Grand Prix last year and we decided he was ready. We are becoming more and more like real partners and that’s what makes it so good to ride him now. He has more power so that’s make it easier for him to find his self-carriage. We work together as a team.”

Coming from a family background steeped in the sporting tradition she clearly understands the benefit and necessity of training and dedication to make it to the top. “I train every day with my brother, Benjamin, and when I am at shows our coach, Jonny Hilberath, is with me. He came here to Gothenburg – we have been working together for the last three years,” she explained.

Challenge

When asked if her rapid improvement might present a challenge to defending champion , and fellow German, Helen Langehanenberg, von Bredow-Werndl laughed and said, “No, there is not really much chance of that! But Helen is a great friend of mine and she has texted me already to congratulate me on my win!”

As the qualifying leagues draw to a close the pressure is reaching boiling point. The top end of Western European League leaderboard reads like a “who’s who” of the sport right now with von Bredow-Werndl moving into third place behind fellow-German Isabell Werth in second and Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven at the head of affairs. Denmark’s Anna Kaskprzak lies fourth ahead of The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud in fifth and Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald in joint-fifth place.

It is down to the wire for those attempting to make the cut to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup 2014 Final, and they have one last chance at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in three weeks’ time.

For further information on the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League series at Gothenburg, Sweden, visit website www.gothenburghorseshow.com or contact Press Officers Matilda Hjertstrand: matilda.hjertstrand@ridsport.se Tel + 46 709 79 56 31 / Mayvor Thorin: mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se Tel +46 705 82 84 20.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

The Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden was the venue for today’s seventh qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League.

13 riders from 7 nations competed.

The host country of Sweden was represented by 6 horse-and-rider combinations.

The Ground Jury was: At H, A. Fransen Iacobeaus SWE; At E, Dr E Eisenhardt GER, At C – G Svalling SWE; at M, T Lang AUT; at B, S Baarup (DEN).

Winning rider, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, has now moved into third place on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League leader board which is headed by Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven followed by Germany’s Isabell Werth in second place.

Gothenburg presents one of the most popular fixture on the international calendar, dating back to its first horse show in 1977.

Since then 2.5m spectators have attended the event which has staged 13 FEI World Cup Jumping Finals and 7 FEI World Cup Dressage Finals.

One further qualifying opportunity remands for riders in the 2013/2014 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League – at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on Saturday 22 March.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2014 Final will take place in Lyon, France from 17-21 April.

Quotes:

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER, talking about what her winning ride, Unee BB, will do before the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in April: “We will just try to play a bit and have fun together before we start working again a few weeks before the Final.”

Patrik Kittel SWE: “On behalf of all the riders I want to thank Reem Acra for her support towards the FEI World Cup Dressage Series as without her, none of this would be possible. I also want to thank the Organisers for their tremendous organisation and for putting on such a great show.”

Tomas Torgersen, Event Director: “We have always felt that being part of a series is a very big advantage. You get a good starting field and good performances which is something really important, something that the crowd really loves. To be in a position to present top sport and being part of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Series is very important for the Gothenburg Horse Show. I am very happy with the performances of the riders today; we had some very big performances. I think the judges did very well as well.”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/fG5v2HOZ4AE

FEI World Cup Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, has entered its 28th season. The series, created in 1985, comprises four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Gothenburg:

Matilda Hjertstrand
matilda.hjertstrand@ridsport.se
Tel + 46 709 79 56 31

Mayvor Thorin
mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se
Tel +46 705 82 84 20

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

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

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Paradox Wins the Welcome and Texas Takes the Derby

March 2, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Theo Genn rides Paradox to the win yesterday in the $25,000 Welcome Prix. Flashpoint Photography.

Twenty-two horse and rider teams took to yesterday’s $25,000 Welcome Jumper Prix designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana but only three first rounds emerged clean. Theo Genn of Lebanon, Ohio secured the win with the only fault free jump off round in the irons of Thomas Bruinsma’s Paradox.

The course was challenging and heights ranged from 1.40 meters 1.50 with a first round time allowed of 95 seconds. Rheinheimer commented, “I designed the course according to the national specs and this Sunday will be a little bit tougher. The horses all jumped great and I was satisfied with the results. It was a good prelude to Sunday’s Prix.”

Although Theo posted the slowest of the three clean rounds in a time of 90.325 seconds, he pulled out the stops for the jump off. Theo Genn commented, “Paradox is really hitting his prime this year at age 14. He is really jumping with such confidence and ease.”

Theo’s father, Wilhelm Genn, also of Lebanon, Ohio, aboard Ann Anastasio’s Welcome Cor, had the fastest time in the first round of 89.603 seconds, followed by Timothy Maddrix aboard KT Cher, owned by Claudia Styslinger, who posted a time of 89.750 seconds.

Theo was first to go in the jump off and turned in a clean round well within the time allowed of 51 seconds and set the time to beat at 41.123 seconds. Maddrix attempted to beat that time and did with his 40.093 seconds, but with eight jump faults, would finish in third overall. Genn patriarch Wilhelm sat in the enviable last to go position, but his time of 47.324 seconds and four jump faults would see them finish in second place behind his son Theo and Paradox.

Matt Cyphert of Lantana, Texas was the fastest of the four fault rounds and took fourth place aboard his own Lochinvar in a time of 85.489 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey, riding Sima Mogello’s Chantilly, finished in fifth with four faults and a time of 85.915 seconds. In sixth place Wilhelm Genn and his own Happy Z finished with four jump faults and a time of 86.970 seconds. Seventh place finisher Christi Israel of Birmingham, Alabama and her own Cracky Z turned in a first round effort in 87.042 seconds with four jump faults, and in eighth place, Jay Land of Alpharetta, Georgia finished with his own Nepal in a time of 88.051 seconds and four jump faults. Wilhelm Genn returned to claim his ninth place ribbon, this time with Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti in a time of 88.267 seconds and four jump faults. His son Ryan was right behind him with Wilhelm’s Cookie Monster and turned in a first round time of 88.521 seconds and four jump faults. In eleventh place, Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia, aboard his own Classified, finished in 89.186 seconds and four jump faults, and wrapping up the class was Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia, Texas aboard his own Quattro who finished in 87.254 seconds and eight jump faults.

Jordan Gilchrist and Lavasco sail over an oxer in yesterday's $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Flashpoint Photography — *Jordan Gilchrist and Lavasco sail over an oxer in yesterday’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Flashpoint Photography*

Texas Takes It!

Texas riders and their mounts took over the winner’s circle yesterday after thirty five horse and rider teams took to the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey.

Lauren Stuller’s Lavasco ridden by Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas took home the top honors. “It was a really big class. I just loved the course,” said Gilchrist. “The handy was very fun and challenging and there were lots of intricate turns; you had to pay attention,” she added. “Lavasco is such an amazing horse. He’s 16 years old and I’ve been riding him for about 6 months. He belongs to Lauren [Stuller] who has him currently leased out to Mary Katherine Easterwood who uses him in short stirrup on the weekends.”

In reserve position was Anne Thompson’s Somerset, ridden by Will Roberts of Kingwood, Texas. Gilchrist came back for thirds this time in the irons of Shawn Hodgen’s Argentina, a warm blood mare imported from Europe that Gilchrist has been riding for about two years. “She’s another great horse,” said Gilchrist.

Fellow Texan Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia finished in fourth aboard Donna Tonahill’s Marvel. Fifth place went to Pamela Ward’s Trump Card, ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charles Town, West Virginia, and sixth place went to DS Holdings, LLC’s MTM EZ Go ridden by Whitney Owens of San Antonio, Texas. Seventh place was awarded to Look Again, owned and ridden by Rebecca Baker of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Debbie Holland’s Flamboyant, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, finished in eighth.

“We love coming to Gulfport,” said Gilchrist. “We have been coming here for about five or six years and this year we brought twenty-five horses for all six weeks,” she commented.

Free Live Web Streaming of All Welcome and Grand Prix Classes!

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic is proud to offer everyone the opportunity to watch show jumping action LIVE! Click on this link and catch the action LIVE and FOR FREE!

The remaining live streaming shapes up as follows:

Sunday March 2 at 2:00 pm $50,000 Grand Prix

Gulf Coast Sunshine Classic V
Friday March 7 at 8:00 am USHJA International Hunter Derby
Friday March 7 at 3:00 pm $25,000 Welcome
Sunday March 9 at 2:00 pm $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix

Gulf Coast Finale VI
Sunday March 16 at 2:00 pm $25,000 Grand Prix

Make sure to follow the IDK Media Group on Twitter at twitter@idkmediagroup.

What’s for Dinner?

Lookout Steak House is the Official VIP restaurant this week and patrons will be treated to the excellent cuisine that makes Lookout Steak House a favorite dining place among horse show exhibitors.

Lookout Steakhouse is a family restaurant on the corner of 13th Street and 26th Avenue in the Historic Downtown Gulfport, Mississippi. The gorgeous building was originally built in 1903 as a bank and the motif is exposed brick, beautiful stained wood beams, and a magnificent façade dating back over 100 years.

Lookout was known for spectacular steaks and seafood in Long Beach Harbor and the new location in Historic downtown will offer the same. Great Certified Angus Beef, coupled with Kobe Beef, along with the freshest seafood on the coast – Lookout has a diverse menu with affordable family pricing.

So be sure to reserve your VIP table for this Sunday’s Grand Prix and sample some of the culinary delights offered by Outlook Steakhouse. Grand prix tables are only $325 a week and not only serve the best food, but have the best ringside seats for the grand prix! Make sure to see Jonathan in the show office to secure your table today!

The Gulf Coast Classic Company and the Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. Together, they offer the best exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events each winter. Please visit them on the web at www.ClassicCompany.com or call them at 843.768.5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

Dressage, Jennifer Wood

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Returns to AGDF to Win Palm Beach Dressage Derby FEI Grand Prix

March 2, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello. Photos © SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2014 – Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven earned the first victory of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W during Week 8 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Vilhelmson-Silfven and Lövsta Stuteri’s Don Auriello, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding out of Wey o Mey x Don Davidoff, topped the FEI Grand Prix, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur and Maria Mendelsohn of Illustrated Properties. Later in the day, Silva Martin (USA) bested the FEI Prix St. Georges with her homebred Australian Warmblood mare, Rosa Cha W.

The feature event of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, the FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix Freestyle, will take place Saturday evening at The Stadium at PBIEC. The evening will also feature an exciting American Mustang exhibition as well as musical entertainment from the Frost School of Music at University of Miami. Talented young singer Kristin Sponica will perform with keyboard accompaniment from Danielle Werz.

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello finished first in the FEI Grand Prix with a score of 77.400%, while American Adrienne Lyle was second on Wizard with a score of 71.980%. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) was third with My Lady with their score of 71.660%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven was quite happy with Don Auriello’s performance after a few weeks away from the showgrounds. She had planned from the beginning to give the gelding plenty of time off. Vilhelmson-Silfven felt Don Auriello didn’t need to go in the arena for the sake of experience and has focused more on tweaking aspects of the test at home.

“He’s not impressed at all by competing. Every horse is different that way, and he just loves it. I had a good feeling, and I think it was a clear round. A little bit [of error] in the passage maybe, but those things that I’ve been trying to get working at home, trying to get him to react more quickly,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.

She continued, “It’s always a process to try and get him even better and better. For him, it’s to get more strong and more mature and really show off and use his hind legs and be in power when he goes into the arena. He’s always an on-going horse. He’s so nice to ride in there, but of course we try to make it even better.”

Instead of Saturday night’s freestyle competition, Vilhelmson-Silfven will instead contest the FEI Grand Prix Special on Sunday morning with Don Auriello as a practice run for championships later this year.

“I’m doing the Special, because I’m already [qualified for] the [Reem Acra FEI] World Cup [Dressage Finals], so I thought it was a wonderful opportunity for him to do one special since he usually only does that in championships,” Vilhelmson-Silfven explained.

Lyle admitted she may not have planned on doing two weeks of CDI competition back-to-back, but after Wizard’s performances in the Stillpoint Farm CDIO Nations Cup, she couldn’t pass up the chance to potentially qualify for the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals herself.

“I kind of was planning on doing one or the other originally, and then we ended up getting selected for the Nations Cup team and I thought that was a wonderful opportunity. And then he did so well in the freestyle, I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be stupid if I’m sitting here in Wellington and could have qualified for the World Cup but didn’t give it a shot?’” Lyle explained.

After giving Wizard four days off before trail riding for a day and returning to the AGDF showgrounds to school, Lyle was pleased to see him remain in top form during their test.

Like Vilhelmson-Silfven, Gundersen had given her horse some time off before returning for Friday’s test. Munter Gundersen was happy with My Lady, especially after having a bit of a tense warm-up session.

“When I was in the warm-up today, Lady got really nervous and didn’t really like to take the bit so much and just was sucking back a little bit. Something was making her really tense, and that made me a little bit nervous. So when I went in, I was hesitating a bit, so even though she did a pretty nice test, I wasn’t really riding. I could have pushed her much more, but I was more like ‘Whoa,’ but I didn’t need to because she was totally relaxed!” Gundersen described.

She continued, “I still don’t know her so well. She was really good. I was very pleased with her. She’s so good in the ring now, I have to trust it a little bit more and go for it. I will tomorrow!”

Of her seventh time finishing third in as many weeks, Gundersen joked, “This was my seventh yellow ribbon out of seven rides. They call me the ‘Yellow Lady.’ We’re practicing for Germany, because then it means first place!”

The FEI Prix St. Georges immediately followed FEI Grand Prix competition, with American Silva Martin coming out on top with Rosa Cha W, an eight-year-old Australian Warmblood mare out of Jasmine W by Blue Hors Romanov owned by the Rosa Cha W Syndicate.

Martin characterized their test as the best she’s had with the mare, particularly because she felt she rode better. Martin credited much of her progress over the last six weeks to coach Debbie McDonald.

“I so much enjoy working with Debbie. I’ve been working with her for a while now. She’s helped me so much, and she makes me very confident. Over the last six weeks, it’s just been getting better and better and better. I love having her at the ring!” Martin expressed.

Of her test today, Martin commented, “She can be a little bit of a tense mare. She gets a little tight sometimes, but today she was really relaxed and I let her do her job. Sometimes I override things and she does it better on her own, actually!”

Friday’s win was especially meaningful for Martin as she and husband Boyd, an Olympian eventer, bred the mare themselves.

“I was there when she was born. It’s emotional for me because she’s come such a long way, and I’ve had her all her life,” Martin smiled.

Martin’s husband was on hand to cheer her on, which Martin especially enjoyed since it was the first time he had attended one of her tests.

“Boyd is not easy to get away, so it was exciting that he came and that I won when he was here. That was awesome. He’s leaving tomorrow morning, so he won’t see tomorrow. He’s a terrible spectator, but it’s so exciting that he’s here,” Martin remarked.

Also in the crowd was American show jumping legend George H. Morris, who stopped by the AGDF to watch Martin ride after hosting a clinic with Martin’s husband in Aiken, SC.

“Wasn’t that an honor? That made me more nervous than anybody else being here! He was so nice and said, ‘I love watching you ride.’ It was exciting that he was here. He came here specifically to watch me. He was teaching Boyd last week, so it was pretty cool having him here!” Martin concluded.

Competition for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby will continue on Saturday with the FEI Intermediaire-1 in the morning, beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m. The week’s feature class, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Youth Excels for US in FEI Nations Cups at CSIO4* Wellington

March 2, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Michael Hughes and Luxina (StockImageServices.com)

Young Riders Victorious, Juniors Jump to Second Place, Child Riders Finish Fourth

Wellington, Fla. – Nations Cup action at CSIO4* Wellington continued with Young Riders, Juniors and Child Riders taking over the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s International Arena on Saturday afternoon and evening. The FEI Nations Cups presented by Hollow Creek Farm tested future stars of the sport over Steve Stephens’ 12 obstacle courses at the competition hosted as part of Week Eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Competition got underway with the afternoon session hosting the first round of all three divisions, before the top six teams came back for second rounds under the lights.

In Young Rider competition the U.S. team of Frances Land, Wilton Porter, Lillie Keenan and Michael Hughes stormed to victory for the second consecutive year, while Lucas Porter, Hayley Waters, Sophie Simpson, and Chloe Reid earned a second-place finish for the United States in Junior competition. Rounding out the show case of America’s youth riders was the Children’s team of Addison Piper, Sophie Howell, McKayla Landmeier, and Madison Goetzmann who jumped to a fourth-place finish.

Di Ann Langer was serving as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. teams for the first time and was proud of all three Americans teams. She also believes that competitions such as the FEI Nations Cups presented by Hollow Creek Farm are vital to the United States’ pipeline.

“I think we got the very best teams; I think it was exciting for all of them. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Langer. “All in all this was a positive, positive experience for everyone and thank you to all the sponsors for making this happen.”

FEI Young Riders Nation Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm

The Young Rider team kicked off the day for the U.S. with a strong start by lying in equal first place with Germany at the end of round one in the FEI Young Riders Nation Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm on four faults. Leading the way for the Americans in round one were Porter (Bartonville, Texas) and Hughes (Allendale, N.J.) who jumped immaculate clear efforts with Radio City and Luxina, respectively.

Land (Alpharetta, Ga.) with her own 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Vieanne and Keenan (New York, N.Y.) on Chansonette Farm, LLC’s 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Londinium also helped the U.S. to stand in pole position following the afternoon session by producing four-fault rounds. Both combinations appeared to be poised for clear rounds until rails late in the course, with Land faulting at 8A and Keenan lowering the penultimate oxer at 11.

The second round of the Young Riders Nations Cup closed out action in the International Arena on Saturday evening with results being determined by the final riders.

Hughes and Christina Fried’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare was the second-to-last combination to contest round two, knowing that with a fault-free effort they would seal the win for the Americans. The talented pair held their nerve to produce an efficient, immaculate round to be one of three competitors to jump double clear in Young Rider competition.

“I think these team opportunities are a great chance for us to fight together rather than against each other,” said Hughes of the importance of the FEI Nations Cups presented by Hollow Creek Farm. Heading into round two the successful Young Rider tried not change his plan from round one. “After the first round, I just tried to think what I did and tried to do that again under the lights.”

Land and Keenan also jumped spectacular clears in the second round to help secure the second consecutive victory for the home nation.

“I love these team competitions; I think this is a really good experience if we want to be on the bigger teams,” said Land. “We’re all friends and this is a really good opportunity for us to get this experience.”

Porter and Sleepy P Ranch’s 2001 Holsteiner mare, jumping second for the United States, returned under the lights trying to secure a double clear. However, a rail at fence three and a time fault resulted in a five fault trip in round two.

Finishing in second behind the U.S. was the team from Germany on a score of eight faults, while Mexico earned third-place on a total of 23.

FEI Junior Riders Nations Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm

The time allowed proved elusive to many in the first round of junior competition, with only four combinations being able to post faultless rounds, half of which belonged to Americans pairs. Jumping in the second position for the U.S., Waters (Sparr, Fla.) and Chuck and Dana Waters’ 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare Qurint posted the first clear of the day in a tidy and efficient effort. Reid (Washington, D.C.), riding in the anchor position for the United States, produced a stylish trip on Chloe D Reid LLC’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Athena to also finish round one without fault.

Porter (Bartonville, Texas) riding Phineas and Simpson (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) with Why Not were among those that were plagued by the time allowed, as both left all the rails in place in the first round but posted a single time fault.

The U.S. headed into round two holding the lead on a single fault.

The juniors returned for the second and final round of the FEI Junior Riders Nations Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm during the evening session under the lights of the International Arena. Once again the time proved challenging, in addition to some horses taking exception to the open water at fence 10.

*Chloe Reid and Athena (StockImageServices.com)*

Reid and Athena duplicated their faultless effort to be one of only three combinations to post a double clear. Not only was she pleased with this accomplishment but also was proud to represent the United States in junior competition for the second consecutive year.

“Whenever you get a chance to represent your country you do the best you absolutely can,” said Reid. “On top of that to jump double clear is amazing.”

Waters was also in contention to join the double clear list but a single time fault in round two kept her from claiming the coveted achievement.

Porter and Simpson both entered the second round on a mission to provide the American team with fault-free rounds, however both incurred 13-faults during the evening session. Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding were among the group that got caught at the open water, resulting in a refusal, the pair also incurred four faults for lowering 11B and added a further time fault. Simpson Show Jumping’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare was a bit unsettled entering round two lowering the heights of fences two, three and 5A but Simpson was able to refocus Why Not to end with 12 jumping faults and one time fault.

The team from Brazil claimed victory for the second year in the FEI Junior Riders Nations Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm on a total of 11 faults, the U.S. finished second on a two-round score of 15, with Mexico finishing third on 18 faults.

FEI Children’s Nations Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm

Saturday’s afternoon session came to a close with the first round of FEI Children’s Nations Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm competition, and saw the U.S. standing in third place on a score of four.

Once again combinations riding in the second spot and anchor position posted clear rounds for the United States in round one. Howell (Wellington, Fla.) rode Cardine to an impressive clear that never looked in doubt over the 12-obstacle track. While, Goetzmann (Skaneateles, N.Y.) and Wendalineke closed out the afternoon as the final riders to tackle round one competition with a flawless performance.

Leading off the for the U.S. in the Children’s Nations Cup were Piper (Wellington, Fla.) and Louise W. Otten and No Trump Farm, LLC’s 19-year-old Selle Francais mare Halbi D’ Ariane, who were on track for a clear in the afternoon until the rail fell at fence nine. Langmeier (East Granby, Conn.) and Missy Clark’s 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding Looping Star also incurred four faults after rolling the pole at 10 in round one.

The U.S. returned in round two looking improve upon their third-place standing but it was not meant to be for the American Child Riders. Piper kicked things off for the United States with an improved round, producing a clear effort. While, Howell and Stadium Sport Horses, LLC’s Swedish Warmblood mare were looking to add their names to the double clear list but a rail at 11A left them on a score of four in round two. Goetzmann and her own 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare also saw their effort for double clear marred by a rail late in the course and a single time fault during the evening session. Rounding out the U.S. Child Riders’ effort was Langmeier who lowered the heights of the first and sixth fences in round two.

The U.S. finished on a two-round total of 13 faults.

Mexico claimed victory in the FEI Children’s Nations Cup presented by Hollow Creek Farm on a score of zero, with Brazil claiming second on a total of four, and Venezuela finishing on five faults.

For more information about CSIO Wellington, visit: http://www.equestriansport.com/.

By Helen Murray

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Barri Platt and Don Perignon Dominate Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters

March 2, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Barri Platt and Don Perignon. Photo by Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 29, 2014 – Be it in the jumpers, the hunters or the equitation divisions, riders from Castlewood Farm have been seeing non-stop success at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival. Barri Platt kept the Wellington, FL based farm’s winning streak alive this week in the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters.

Platt rode Alan Korotkin and Castlewood Farm’s Don Perignon to two first place blue ribbons over fences and the win in the under saddle class before claiming the Week VIII championship honor.

“He was absolutely amazing. The lines were really easy on my horse,” Platt said. “He’s got a really big stride so it is easy to get down the lines.”

Platt began leasing ‘Don’ last August, but she recently fractured her foot, leaving her grounded for nine weeks. Watching them today though, one would never guess they had had any time apart, and Platt says that Castlewood Farm trainer Steven Gregorio is largely to thank for that.

Throughout Platt’s recovery, Gregorio has been keeping Don in shape and show-ready.

“I missed the first six weeks of WEF, so Steven was keeping Don ready and in work,” Platt said. “I didn’t ride for nine weeks, and he throws me in during World Championship Hunter Rider week. Steven had Don completely ready.”

Korotkin found Don for Platt when she came to Castlewood after a three-year hiatus from riding.

“He’s a great horse, naturally quiet and takes a lot of leg. However, he wakes up when he enters the show ring,” said Gregorio. “He is a great mover, which is what won him the hack today. He is really just such a solid adult hunter horse.”

When she went off to college, Platt took a break from the horse world, but after transferring to Florida Atlantic University last year, she got back in the saddle. Watching her impressive riding this week one would also never guess she had a full three years off – or that she is extremely busy balancing college with riding and competing on the weekends.

“It takes a lot of energy to do both and keep straight A’s. I want to go to law school after undergrad, but I love it so it’s worth it,” stated Platt. “I am so thankful to Alan who has found me two perfect horses. I trust his judgement completely and am learning so much.”

Now that she is back in action, Platt and her two new mounts are ready to show the world what they can do. Look for Platt throughout the remainder of the season with in the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters with Don Perignon and in the Adult Jumpers with her mount, Vicky.

About Castlewood Farm, Inc.
Castlewood Farm, Inc. is a full service riding, training and sales facility located on ten acres in the heart of Wellington, FL. Alan Korotkin and his team, including exceptional trainers Susan Tuccinardi, Steven Gregorio and Samantha Senft cater to the serious equestrian, offering instruction for the beginner, the medal finals veteran, the grand prix specialist and everything in between.

Castlewood Farm, Inc. presents a vast selection of horses for sale or lease, suitable for all divisions and in every price range. The farm also offers leasing packages, including a WEF lease specifically catered to the winter circuit competitor.

For more information, visit www.castlewoodfarmsales.com. Find Castlewood on Facebook here!

Arianna Delin for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Team Canada Wins $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

March 1, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Ian Millar and Dixson. Photos © Sportfot.

Alexander Zetterman and Canora Fly to Victory in $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake; Ali Tritschler Tops Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2014 – The Canadian team of Yann Candele, Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze, and Ian Millar earned victory in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) in Wellington, FL. Teams representing 12 different countries participated in the evening’s competition with a win for Team Canada over Great Britain in second and USA in third.

FTI WEF week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm, runs through March 2, 2014, featuring CSIO 4* show jumping and a full schedule of ‘AA’ hunter and equitation events. Saturday’s competition will feature the Hollow Creek Farm Children’s, Junior and Young Riders FEI Nations’ Cup team events as well as a $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m and a $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic. The week will conclude on Sunday with a $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic and the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty.

Friday night’s Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds shown over a demanding course set by USA’s Steve Stephens. Teams of four represented the nations of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, USA, and Venezuela. Chile, Israel, and New Zealand were also represented with three riders each.

In the second round, the top eight teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.

The winning Canadian team consisted of Yann Candele and the Watermark Group’s Showgirl, Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines’ Victor, Ian Millar aboard Ariel and Susan Grange’s Dixson, and Eric Lamaze riding Artisan Farms LLC’s Powerplay, led by Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin.

In round one, Candele, Millar and Lamaze all jumped clear rounds, dropping Foster’s score of four to head into round two on zero. In the second round, Candele jumped another clear round and Millar and Foster each had four faults. The team had secured the victory, finishing on eight faults total, and Lamaze did not have to return for a second round.

Following their victory, Canadian Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin was very happy with the evening’s result and praised his horses and riders.

“In Canada, it’s always a good team feeling!” Laskin stated. “We have a great group; we always have. Somehow they always come together to get the job done. Canada has been on a bit of a roll. First it was curling, and then women’s bobsled, then it was hockey, and now it’s show jumping!”

“I want to welcome Yann Candele back to our team. I am really happy to have him, especially tonight,” Laskin added. “I think that’s a key for Canada right now. We have four fantastic riders with four fantastic horses, and they did an incredible job tonight.”

Showgirl, a 14-year-old Selle Francais mare by Gold De Becourt x Elf III, is a new mount for Candele and he spoke about how teammate Eric Lamaze helped him get the ride.

“For me, it’s just a new group that Eric put together. We were in Barcelona for the final last year, and Eric was thinking already about WEG (World Equestrian Games). He looked at that mare and approached the owner to be able to acquire it for me because Eric is not selfish and he’s all about the team,” Candele noted. “He put a group together of Canadian and American owners to be able to have that mare compete for Canada under me. I think all the success of today is all about Eric and his team spirit as well as Captain (Millar) and Tiffany. We are solid as it can be. That is the end result we had today, and we are going to try to keep going for bigger and bigger events.”

“Captain Canada” Ian Millar is forming a great partnership with his mount Dixson, an eleven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Olisco, and was happy with his horse’s performance.

“I’ve had him for a year, and he is coming along extremely well,” Millar stated. “I am looking to include him in the next cycle for the World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games and Olympics, so it is a very long term plan for him.”

“I was very pleased with him today,” Millar continued. “His progress is great. He just gets better and better. He is the right age; he’s a young horse and he has his whole life and his whole future ahead of him, and I’m very proud to have him.”

Foster commented on the evening with Victor, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Elmshorn x Grandeur, and that she has had great success with this year. “I’m really excited about winning this tonight,” Foster said. “I thought my horse jumped really well. The first round he was a little bit unsettled. He got a little bit rushed in a few places, but the second round he came back really well and I was very happy with him.”

Powerplay, a ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Limbus, jumped a great first round with Lamaze and was rewarded with the team’s success by not having to return for a second trip. Lamaze spoke about his night as well.

“For us it is a fantastic evening,” Lamaze expressed. “My horse jumped very well, and I had the pleasure to ride with many great riders on the Canadian team. No one but this young man next to me (Millar) has ridden so much for our nation. We take it very seriously, and we pull together with results like tonight.”

The team from Great Britain finished second on Friday with rides from Ben Maher and Tatiana Korsakova’s Diva II, Tim Gredley and Unex Competition Yard’s Unex Chamberlain Z, Gemma Paternoster and her own and Julia Harrison Lee’s Osiris, and Scott Brash aboard Lord and Lady Harris/Lord and Lady Kirkham’s Hello Annie, headed by Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra.

Maher and Diva II had four faults in each round, Gredley and Unex Chamberlain Z jumped double clear rounds, Gemma Paternoster and Osiris had one time fault in round one and nine faults in round two, and Scott Brash and Hello Annie finished with nine faults in round one and jumped clear in the second round. The team finished on nine faults total.

Team USA finished third with 12 faults overall with their team made up of McLain Ward and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild, Brianne Goutal and Remarkable Farms LP’s Nice de Prissey, Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm Inc.’s Cedric, and Beezie Madden riding Abigail Wexner’s Simon, all under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

Ward and Kraut both jumped clear in round one while Goutal and Madden each had four faults. In round two, Ward finished on eight, Goutal and Kraut each incurred four faults, and Madden returned with a clear round.

Ridland spoke to the result of his team Friday night, stating, “For us, last year was probably more fun, but it is a long-standing, competitive relationship between our two countries (U.S. and Canada). I seem to remember a jump-off for a gold and silver in a pretty recent Olympics. For tonight, we had some of those Olympians with us, all of whom jumped clean rounds. We felt that we were in it until the very end. It was just a rail here and a rub there. Brianne of course was our young rider. She got a tremendous amount of experience tonight under big pressure.”

“This to me is now maturing into a real Nations Cup,” Ridland acknowledged. “You are seeing real pressure out here. This is a Nations Cup we can be very proud of in this country, and it is only going to get better. That was a tough competition, 12 countries, and it has matured.”

Beezie Madden also spoke about the evening and her rounds with Simon, stating, “I was happy with my horse today. I wish I had been clear the first round because he went beautifully, but he came back and went even better in the second round. Hats off to the Canadians. They did a great job. It was fantastic sport today, and thank you to G&C Farm, Furusiyya, and Equestrian Sport Productions. You all did a great job today.”

The other top teams included Brazil and Ireland tied for fourth, Venezuela in sixth, Colombia in seventh, and Germany in eighth. The teams from Mexico, New Zealand, Chile and Israel did not return for the second round. Mexico finished ninth, New Zealand tenth, Chile eleventh, and Israel twelfth.

In addition to Yann Candele and Showgirl for Canada, the competition saw double clear rounds from Brazil’s Alvaro de Miranda and AD Uutje as well as Great Britain’s Tim Gredley and Unex Chamberlain Z.

The 2013 season brought the introduction of a new formula for the FEI Nations Cup. Following a new sponsorship deal with the Saudi Equestrian Fund, this historic series is now known as the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup. Under the new rules, the world has been divided into six regions for the purpose of qualifying teams for a World Final. The six regions are Europe 1 and 2, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Representing the FEI, John Madden congratulated the Canadian team on their win and praised the competition as a whole. “We saw fantastic sport here today,” Madden stated. “The Nations Cup is truly a very important part of our sport. It is very important to our Olympic endeavor. It takes a lot of people to put that together, and I’d like to thank Gustavo Mirabal and G&C Farm for presenting this, and of course we have to thank Furusiyya for their wisdom and support for this Nations Cup Series throughout the world. Thank you very much to Mark Bellissimo and all of your people and staff that put on a truly excellent night.”

“I think the United States can be very proud to host part of this series,” Madden said. “On behalf of the FEI, thank you to HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Furusiyya, G&C Farm, and the state of Florida. Wellington is really a welcoming place and this is a really excellent venue.”

Alexander Zetterman and Canora Fly to Victory in $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake

G&C Farm’s $10,000 Speed Stake was held on Friday with a win for Sweden’s Alexander Zetterman and Canora. Steve Stephens set a difficult track for Friday’s competitors that yielded four clear rounds out of 22 entries. Zetterman was the first entry to clear the course with Canora in a time of 67.11 seconds that would hold on for the win. Last to go, Ian Millar (CAN) and The Baranus Group’s Baranus finished second in 68.90 seconds.

Chile’s Carlos Milthaler finished third in 71.11 seconds aboard Santana Stables LLC’s Calvano v/h Harteveld Z. Irleand’s Paul O’Shea and Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s River Dance Semilly placed fourth in 72.43 seconds.

Zetterman has had Canora, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblod mare (Baloubet du Rouet x Renville), since September of 2011. He explained that the fiery chestnut is always fast and in it to win.

“She’s a superstar,” he declared. “She has the exact right mentality. She always knows what she needs to do when she is in the ring. She is not always the best one to ride at home, but she knows exactly when she needs to be clear. She is a very fast mover; not the biggest stride, but very fast. You can go kind of normal fast and still have a very good time, so that is very good to have.”

“She doesn’t like to be patted all that much,” Zetterman described. “She likes sweets, but she doesn’t like patting and a lot of attention. She likes to do her own thing, and nobody is allowed to touch her really. When she has a bad round she is angry, so she knows exactly what it’s about. She is very much a competitor.”

Commenting on the day’s class, Zetterman noted, “I thought the course was tricky. It was not like you could go crazy galloping. You had to be careful a little bit everywhere, and if you took one risk at one place, then you kind of got it in another place in the course. I kind of figured that out when I walked the course already. Luckily I have a horse who moves really quick, so even if I stay on a steady stride, I am traveling quite a bit. It was good for me because I could do all of the technical stuff in peace and quiet, and she still covered the ground. We made a couple of turns, and then I just try not to pull too much, and she always has a very good time.”

“She is getting better and better for every year,” Zetterman added. “She is getting stronger and every now and then, I try to to do 1.45m speed classes with her. She wins most money like that and I think she is going to stay sound and healthy for a longer time if I keep her at this level where she is comfortable and try not to push her too hard. She is a good mare and she is hopefully going to be going for many years more.”

Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, Laura Chapot and Bradberry earned a victory in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge.

Ali Tritschler Tops Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search at FTI WEF

Sixteen-year-old Ali Tritschler of Southport, CT, and her own Helio Rouge bested a field of 42 riders in the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search on Friday morning at the FTI WEF. Tritschler and Helio Rouge were called back on top of the order to test on the flat before ultimately winning the class. Victoria Colvin and Stallone VDL were second and Megan MacPherson rounded out the top three with Class Action.

Tritschler acquired Helio Rouge, known as “Ranger” in the barn, last November and the pair have quickly formed a solid relationship.

“He’s a lot different than my other horse. He’s pretty straight-forward and he’s very trusting, so it wasn’t too hard [to get used to him],” Tritschler explained. “They both have a really big stride, but [Ranger’s] is slow and big, and he also carries himself really well. With my other horse, you have to create yourself a little bit more. [Ranger also] jumps really well, but he doesn’t jump hard.”

Tritschler was thrilled to win in such good company, beating out many of the country’s top equitation riders on her way to the blue ribbon finish.

“It’s exciting. I needed my win in this class to qualify, so that was exciting. It’s really cool to show against [riders] like Victoria Colvin, Megan MacPherson, and Kelli Cruciotti. They’re all really good, so it’s exciting when you win. It makes you feel like you’re doing something right!” Tritschler smiled.

Tritschler described her round Friday with Ranger as one of the best trips they’ve had after suffering from minor mistakes in several of her previous rounds. She looks forward to making a go at year-end finals for the Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search, especially with a veteran mount like Ranger.

“I qualified last year, but I didn’t end up going because I was qualified in all the other finals. We didn’t end up going because we figured this one was the lowest priority since you can show in it for so much longer and it’s just so hard. We saved my horse,” Tritschler detailed.

She continued, “I really, really, want to go this year. I was going to show my jumper in it last year, but we didn’t want to stress her out. I’m excited to go because Ranger has done it the past two years. It’s fun for him; he loves it.”

Tritschler enjoys the equitation because of its focus on each individual rider’s ability, and also welcomes the extra challenge uniquely presented by the Talent Search.

“Not only are the courses harder and the jumps are spookier, but you also have the open water. For a lot of people that’s hard and a lot of horses don’t like it, but Ranger doesn’t care. It’s kind of nice to have a horse that really doesn’t care [about the more difficult jumps], so then I can relax. It’s definitely one of the smaller classes [because it’s so much more difficult],” she commented.

Tritschler, who trains with Norfield Farms’ Molly Ashe-Cawley, Chris Cawley, and Timmy Kees, is grateful to have the opportunity to learn from quality horsemen, particularly Ashe-Cawley.

“[I look up to] Molly. She’s always so positive. It’s never the horse’s fault, and she always puts the horse first. She’s very good at never being a bad sport, and she’s a really good rider,” Tritschler concluded.

Hunter competition continues on Saturday morning with the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunter 3’3″ division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

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

Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Hermès US Show Jumping Team Jumps to Third in CSIO4* Wellington’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

March 1, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Laura Kraut and Cedric (StockImageServices.com)

Wellington, Fla. – Clear rounds were the order of the night on Friday evening as 12 teams went to task over Steve Stephen’s 12-obstacle track in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, the feature competition of CSIO4* Wellington. The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team headed into the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s International Arena for the two-round competition, held in conjunction with the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, looking to secure a top finish in America’s only Nations Cup. The team of McLain Ward, Brianne Goutal, Laura Kraut, and Beezie Madden jumped to a third-place finish on a score of 12 faults.

While the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team was looking to start their 2013 campaign with a win on home soil, Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland was pleased with his team and their resilience.

“We felt that we were in it until the very end; it was just a rail here and a rub there,” said Ridland. “This is a Nations Cup we can be proud of that was a tough competition between 12 very good teams.”

Jumping in his customary lead-off position, Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild produced an immaculate clear in round one to start the night for the United States. In round two, the two-time Olympic Team Gold medalist and 13-year-old Warmblood gelding returned with an eight-fault trip after lowering the heights of the bicycle at six and the final oxer, fence 12.

Goutal (New York, N.Y.) jumped in the second spot for the U.S. with Remarkable Farms’ 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Nice de Prissey. In the first round, the pair jumped a four-fault trip after rolling a pole jumping out of the double at nine. In their return trip to the International Arena, they appeared to be on track for a clear round but again were plagued by a rail at fence nine, faulting at the A element in round two.

Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and her Team Gold medal-winning partner from the 2008 Olympic Games, Cedric, were the third combination to head into the International Arena for the U.S., completing a faultless round in their first trip. Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding was poised to join the double clear list but barely dipped a foot in the open water at 10, resulting in a four fault effort for the second round.

Anchoring the U.S. effort on Friday night were reigning FEI World Cup Final champions, Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Simon. Abigail Wexner’s 15-year-old gelding looked on track to jump a clear, tidy round until coming a bit strong to 11 and lowering the oxer at the A element, resulting in a four-fault effort. The veteran pair returned to the International Arena for a second time and never looked in doubt of a clear round as they cruised faultlessly over Stephen’s track.

“I was happy with my horse,” said Madden. “I wish I had been clear in the first round because I thought he went fantastic, and then he was clear in the second round and went even better.”

On Friday, the U.S. also earned vital points in qualifications for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final. Among countries from the North and Central America and the Caribbean Islands regions, the U.S. earned 90 vital points towards qualifying for the Series Final in October.

To learn more about the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season, visit: http://fei.org/fei/events/fei-nations-cup-series/furusiyya.

Nations Cup competition continues Saturday with the top Young Riders, Juniors, and Child Riders contesting FEI Nations Cups presented by Hollow Creek Farm. The first round of Young Rider competition kick-off the youth showcase at 1pm ET.

For more information about CSIO Wellington, visit: http://www.equestriansport.com/.

By Helen Murray

Community/Charity, Dressage, Driving, Para-Equestrian

Horse Radio Network Features Rosalind Kinstler and Susan Guinan

March 1, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Rosalind Kinstler warming up Paralympian Dale Dedrick’s horse Bonifatius. Photo by Lindsay Yosay McCall.

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2014 – Horse Radio Network’s once-a-month Para-Equestrian Show featured dressage and para-dressage Trainer Rosalind Kinstler and Director of Development at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, Susan Guinan. Lindsay McCall from the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) hosted the show with co-host guest Regina Cristo. To view and listen to episode #248, please visit: http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/02/27/dressage-radio-episode-248-from-para-dressage-young-riders-to-therapeutic-riding-center-involvement/.

About Rosalind Kinstler: Kinstler was originally from New York City but relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan. During the winter dressage show season she makes her home in Wellington, Florida.

She has been a dressage rider and instructor for over thirty years and has been heavily involved as trainer and coach in the para-dressage discipline.

Kinstler has her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals in addition to numerous Regional Championships. Her coaching has included multiple Gold medal riders.

Kinstler also gives back to the dressage community as the USDF Youth Program’s Committee Chair, Region 2 FEI Jr/YR Coordinator and she has been involved with the NAYRC since 1997.

In 2012 Kinstler coached Grade II Paralympic dressage rider Dale Dedrick to the London Paralympics. Kinstler also works with Grade III para-dressage athlete Ellie Brimmer.

About Susan Guinan: Guinan is the Director of Development at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee, FL.

Susan grew up in Bucks County, Pa. and South Florida. She attended Rutgers University studying Agricultural Business and Marketing. Susan worked for Merrill Lynch in NYC and London. She lived in the UK for 18 years raising her two boys. Her career in finance and marketing continued in London building loyalty and affinity programs for European and Australian banks and utilities from offices in London, Paris and Sydney.

*Susan Guinan, Director of Development at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. Photo courtesy of Susan Guinan*

Susan returned to Florida full time in 2004, and now combines her passion for horses and business at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. Susan, a lifelong horsewoman, joined the staff of Vinceremos in September of 2009. No stranger to Vinceremos, Susan has been a part of the auction committee since returning to Florida. Susan’s role includes developing donors, sponsorship and fundraising for the center.

She started driving horse and carriage in the 1980s while living in Far Hills, New Jersey. During her time in England her passion for driving continued, including Driving for the Disabled, an affiliate of the Riding for the Disabled. She holds a Level 2 driving certification from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship and founded the driving program at Vinceremos. Susan continues to drive competitively and accompanies her driving students to competitions too.

Susan is on the Board of Trustees of the US Driving for the Disabled and is on the PATH Driving subcommittee.

Once a month the Dressage Radio Show becomes the Para-Equestrian Show Hosted by Lindsay McCall, of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, focusing on international FEI discipline Para-Dressage. Although Para-Dressage is the main event, listeners have the opportunity to learn more about the skillful U.S. Para-Driving Team, the Para-Reining discipline, Para-Vaulting, and the future of Para-Jumping. The para-equestrian dressage show will feature a line-up of guests including Olympians, Paralympians, trainers, coaches, professionals, amateur riders, young riders, and equine enthusiasts. The intention of the radio show is to educate, inform, and entertain listeners on the para-equestrian Dressage discipline.

To learn more about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or e-mail President Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org. You may also e-mail the host of the para-equestrian segment Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org.

To learn more about the Horse Radio Network, visit www.horseradionetwork.com; to contact Glenn the Geek, go to http://www.horseradionetwork.com/contact/ or leave a voicemail at 270-803-0025.

About the Horse Radio Network:

The Horse Radio Network is the voice of the horse world with listeners in over 40 countries. Eight different entertaining shows cover all aspects of the horse world and you can listen any time on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone.

We believe that people own horses for fun and entertainment. Why else would you put up with the early morning feedings, stall cleaning, vet bills, long trips to shows, empty bank accounts and everything else that goes with being a horse owner?

Our goal with these shows is to help your chores go a little faster and to put a smile on your face! Learn more at www.horseradionetwork.com.

HORSES IN THE MORNING live M-F at 9am Eastern at www.horsesinthemorning.com.

Fantastic weekly shows:

Driving Radio Show at www.drivingradioshow.com
Equestrian Legends at www.equestrianlegends.com
Stable Scoop Radio Show at www.stablescoop.com
Eventing Radio Show at www.eventingradio.com
Dressage Radio Show at www.Dressageradio.com
Horse Tip Daily at www.horsetipdaily.com
Western Radio Show at www.westernradioshow.com

To view an online version of this press release, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Jeffery Welles Tops Wellington Turf Tour Week 8 Leader Board with Bilion

March 1, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Jeffery Welles and Bilion. Photos by Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2014 – Jeffery Welles proved untouchable today at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Speed was the name of the game as Welles topped the Wellington Turf Tour 1.40 Grand Prix leader board with a double clear round in 35.891 seconds aboard Bilion. Sweden’s Daniel Zetterman claimed the second place falling only 4/10ths off Welles’ pace. David Blake took the third place finish in a speedy 36.700 seconds with Aischa.

Eric Hasbrouck designed Week VII’s course, utilizing a liverpool, technical lines, unrelated distances, a triple combination and a double combination. Fourteen riders found their way through the first course without fault, but only nine were able to ride to a double clear effort.

Reed Kessler and Cylana were the first to navigate the track and continue into the jump off. They had a heart breaking rail at the final fence for four faults, but Ali Wolff and Caya were right on their trail. The pair was the first to ride to a clear jump off setting the pace with their time of 36.983 seconds.

Debbie Stephens and Dryden also put in a double clear round; however, their time of 37.130 seconds would only prove good enough for the sixth place. Joe Fargis guided Lariat to the fifth place with his clean time of 37.099 seconds. It seemed as though Wolff would take the win, until the Wellington Turf Tour Series Leading Rider, Jeffery Welles, entered the ring aboard Bilion.

From the first oxer to the final vertical, Welles kept an astonishing pace. Bilion turned easily from the second fence to the third of the jump off, and continued their brilliance with a slice from the skinny to the newly introduced oxer. It was their forward pace to the final obstacle that was the key, finishing in a time of 35.891 seconds.

“He turns better to the left than the right, so he was quite good back to the third fence in the jump off,” Welles said. “After the skinny vertical he really cut to the left and it caught me off guard. He was wanting to turn quickly, so it was both a good and bad thing because I had to stuck out a little bit to get his eye on the fence. We had a nice gallop to the last jump, and it was nice that the forward distance came up so easily.”

Welles continued, “It was a nice course; I thought it was a little bit bigger than what we had been jumping, which was good. They used more of the field; it was very spread out, and I thought it was a nice track. I think these shows have definitely helped my horses. It is nice to get into a bigger field and jump with a careful horse like that. He is a little bit of an extra careful horse, so it is nice to be able to open him up and go forward. It has really helped him to level out. This has been really good to help him get to the next level.”

With 20 horses remaining, many riders still had their hopes set on surpassing Welles’ blazing effort – Daniel Zetterman (SWE) was one of them. Jolly Joker with Zetterman in the irons finessed the first round with ease, and continued into the jump off. Following a similar path to Welles, Zetterman was able to leave all of the fences intact, but 4/10ths of a second would cost him the first place finish.

“I was reunited with Jolly Joker in January, and we have been having so much fun,” Zetterman described. “He has gone clear and super-fast in all of the classes, but he is a very funny horse to ride. All I have to do is show him the fences. He just does everything. He doesn’t have a very classical style, but he finds a way to go clear.”

Zetterman continued, “Today was a lot longer than what I am used to doing. There were a lot of larger square oxers, and I liked the jump off course. It had a good rhythm to it, and there weren’t any crazy inside turns, so it was all about using the field. I tried my best, but I guess in one of the turns I came too far out; otherwise I would have been up there.”

Ireland’s David Blake also tried to catch Welles’ speed aboard Aischa. The 9-year-old mare has proven herself time and time again during the winter circuit, and Blake utilizes the Wellington Turf Tour to help her continue learning on the open grass field. Although they flew through the turns and rode to a clear effort, their time of 36.700 seconds would stand for third today.

Week VIIII of The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Get your entries in now for the 1.30m-1.35m Jumper classes, Young Jumper Championship (YJC) Qualifier Classes, and the $15,000 Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix. With Welles taking over the leading rider position, the competition is getting fierce as only three weeks remain to claim the one-year membership to the International Polo Club Palm Beach!

Riders should get their entries in to avoid post-entry fees. The stakes are increasing each week as top riders, amateur and professional, vie for their invitation into the $24,750 Invitational Grand Prix Series Finale Saturday, March 22, 2014.

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

The Wednesday and Friday events will run from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching events. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire.

For more information, call (908) 500-0996 or download information at http://www.theridgefarm.com.

Show Net is onsite for all Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour events, capturing footage and providing live results for each class. For full results and videos please visit: www.shownet.biz.

The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its second year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 22, 2014. The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 8, 2014 and running until March 19, 2014.

Young Jumper Classes, Junior/Amateur-Owner, Child/Adult and Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.

The Ridge at Wellington offers rated Equitation Shows every Tuesday from January – March 2014. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.

Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 7, 2014 and March 21, 2014.

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

Where:
International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, FL 33414

Barn & Show Phone 561-791-1471 | Barn Fax 561-791-1543

When:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, January 10, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Hours:
8:30am-5pm daily

Directions:

From the Florida Turnpike: Take the exit for LakeWorth Road West. Continue on Lake Worth Road approximately 6 miles to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Continue to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.

From Route 95: Take the exit for Forest Hill Blvd West. Continue on Forest Hill Blvd to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Once on South Shore Blvd, continue straight at light at Pierson Road and again straight through the intersection at Lake Worth Road, to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.

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

Text: (908) 500-0996

Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264?ref=ts&fref=ts.

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

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

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