07 February 2014 – Wellington, Florida – Rolex Testimonee and 2004 Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil welcomed media and special guests to his stable to discuss plans for the upcoming season on Friday, 7 February, on the eve of the $370,000 CSI5* World Cup Grand Prix presented by Rolex, to be held at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
Pessoa, whose family name is synonymous with excellence and achievement in Show Jumping, first traveled to the Wellington area in 1984 with his father, the legendary Nelson Pessoa. Two decades later, he returned to south Florida to discover that the competition scene had exploded. In 2006, Pessoa gave up the nomadic lifestyle of indoor competition in Europe in favour of spending his winters sleeping in the same bed every night while competing in warm temperatures under sunny skies.
“It is an ideal place to prepare our younger horses and prepare our Grand Prix horses as well for the main events of the year,” said Pessoa, 41, of his winter base. “These three months here in Florida really help me to carry on for the rest of the year. When I leave here, I look forward to coming back.”
This season, Pessoa is focused on two events: the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which kicks off in Aachen, Germany, in July, and the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, in the first week of September. His two top mounts are Citizenguard Cadjanine Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide mare (Canabis Z x Feinschnitt I Z) that he has been riding since July of 2013, and the recently acquired Status, a 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding (Satisfaction x Sao Paulo).
“After 26 years in the sport, the big events are what keep my engine going now,” said Pessoa, whose young age belies his long list of accomplishments. “The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is something that really appeals to me, along with the World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games. I am very fortunate to get up in the morning and get to do what I love to do.”
Introduced in 2013, the Rolex Grand Slam initiative brings together three of the most prestigious events in the world of Show Jumping – CHIO Aachen, CSIO Calgary and CHI Geneva. Pessoa will be among the world’s best seeking to become the first rider to claim the Rolex Grand Slam and its lucrative prize of 1 million euros for any rider who can win all three Grand Prix events in succession.
“It’s achievable, but it’s not going to be done every year. It’s not meant to be easy!” said Pessoa. “There can only be one winner, and everyone wants to win it. It’s similar to winning a Major like Wimbledon or the U.S. Open or The Masters. As an athlete, it is what you wake up for, to win one of those events. It takes a special horse and rider to achieve it, it’s very tough, but I think it’s possible. I hope one day we see it done. It would be great publicity for the sport world-wide.”
In the meantime, Pessoa will hone his skills at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, which recently announced a 10-year partnership with Rolex. Competing alongside Pessoa this winter are fellow Rolex Testimonees Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum of Germany and 2008 Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze.
“We have all been good friends for a long time,” explained Pessoa, who is the longest serving Rolex Testimonee, having come on board in 1997. “We are happy when one of the other Rolex Testimonees win, and it’s good for the team. We are good sportsmen, of course, but we like for Rolex Testimonees to win the big events.”
“It’s been an unbelievable sponsorship,” continued Pessoa, whose timepiece of choice after 17 years remains the Rolex Daytona. “For me, it’s an unbelievable honour to represent a brand like Rolex. More than a partner, more than a sponsorship, it’s really a family.”
Wellington, FL – February 7, 2014 – The top riders from across the nation gather at the Ridge at Wellington today for the inaugural Hunter Derby Days, part of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour. Under sunny skies and beautiful conditions the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby commenced this afternoon, featuring derby sensation Jersey Boy with Jennifer Alfano in the saddle riding to the top of the ranks. Besting a field of top-tier competitors, Alfano and Jersey Boy led the field from start to finish. Havens Schatt and Just Fred took the second place, while Kelley Farmer and Unspoken captured third. Earlier in the day Keri Kampsen and Silhouette took home the victory in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Kenneth Krome of the United States captured the essence of a traditional hunt field as he transformed the sand arena at the Ridge at Wellington into a beautifully set course. He utilized natural objects such as logs, brush and birch to set the scene, while challenging riders with a serpentine of obstacles. Riders had to use the entire expanse of the large arena. Riders had the option to earn valuable handy points and high option points throughout the course, adding crucial tallies to their already impressive score.
Twelve horse and rider combinations would find their way into the challenging handy course, but it was Alfano and Jersey Boy, owned by SBS Farms, Inc. of Buffalo, NY, who were the class pathfinders with their score combined score of 179 points from the first round.
“He jumped great in the first round, and he hadn’t been in the ring or anything, so it was all pretty new to him. He was in it to win it today,” Alfano explained.
Havens Schatt came back in the third position, but her seemingly flawless handy round earned them the top marks with scores of dual scores of 87 awarded from both judges. Their points for handiness and utilization of the high options led to a total of 191 points. Kelley Farmer and Unspoken also rode to a beautiful handy round with a beautiful transition to the trot fence, and smooth inside turns for a second-round score of 185.5 points.
Alfano and Jersey Boy returned to the ring with a first round total of 179 points, and Jersey Boy once again rose to the handy challenge. They navigated the inside turns with ease while keeping a forward pace. They earned a score of 191.25 points, to keep the lead and claim the winning honors with an overall score of 370.25.
“It’s great; he is a little older now, so he has gotten easier and easier,” Alfano said. “It is nice because he hasn’t shown since Harrisburg, and he went to Jacksonville and went right in the derby, and then came here and went right in the derby. These are the only two classes he has done this year, and he has won both. I am thrilled with him; he feels better than ever.”
Keri Kampsen and Silhouette
Earlier today, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby welcomed 23 riders to the ring. In the end it was Keri Kampsen and Lyn Pedersen’s Silhouette that wowed the judges with their consistency and to take home the winning prize, earning the overall score of 350.5 points. Hannah Isop and Red Ryder, owned by Tracy Freels, rode to the second place finish with a score of 346 points, while Jennifer Bauersachs ranked third.
“I just started riding Silhouette the second week of WEF; John French normally rides her, but since he is at Thermal, I get to show her,” Kampsen said. “She is a blast to ride. She just likes confidence, and consistency. She is a really great mare. She tries 110% all the time.”
Kampsen concluded, “The courses were very nice. It was a friendly way to do her first derby in Wellington. It was enough course, and it had enough jump. There were some great options in the handy course, and although I couldn’t pull off the inside turn that Jennifer [Bauersachs] did for the inside turn to the double, I think it was our consistency that put us ahead. It was a conservative round, but she really did well. We are already planning to return for the March derby.”
The Ridge at Wellington Hunter Derby Days will return March 21, 2014 with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, as well as the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The Ridge at Wellington is a premiere state-of-the-art facility offers the best of the equestrian sports with varying competition levels. Their shows offer a wide array of classes, as well as generous prize money and sponsorship opportunities. Located only two miles from the prestigious Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the Ridge at Wellington offers one of the most centrally located horse shows in Wellington.
Tiffany Foster guided Victor to victory in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round V – Section B. Photo by Sportfot.
Wellington, Florida – Vancouver’s Tiffany Foster and Victor claimed victory in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round V – Section B held Thursday, February 6, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Two weeks earlier, the pair enjoyed the exact same placing, winning the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round III – Section B on January 23.
In what was the largest starting field in the history of the WEF Challenge Cup, 116 horses attempted the first round track set by 2012 London Olympic course designer Bob Ellis. A total of 30 were successful, including the three Canadian entries of Foster riding Victor, Eric Lamaze aboard Zigali P S and Yann Candele with Showgirl.
All three would repeat their faultless form in the jump-off, but Foster showed the men how it was done, putting the pedal to the metal and slicing all the turns to stop the clock in 44.04 seconds. Twelve more horses would follow, with only 2012 Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain posting a faster time of 43.44 to win Section A with Urico, and putting Foster in the top spot in Section B.
“He is really confident and comfortable here,” said Foster of Victor, her partner of the past four seasons and her 2012 Olympic mount. “He’s really fast, and now it’s getting fun because I know him so well and I can go really fast with him! Once you get on a roll, it seems like you gain confidence and you’re prepared to take some risks and the horses rise to the occasion.”
Victor is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Elmshorn x Grandeur) owned by the Ziegler family’s Artisan Farms. Artisan Farms also owns Lamaze’s mount, Zigali P S, who placed third in Section A, and are part of the Watermark Group that owns Candele’s mount, Showgirl, who was fourth in Section B.
“I have to give all the credit to Eric,” explained Foster, 29, following her victory. “Since last September, I don’t jump Victor at home anymore; only Eric rides him. He does all the work and I get all the glory!”
Foster has also been enjoying incredible success with her entire string of competition mounts, including the up-and-coming horses Melody des Hayettes Z and Brighton, all owned by Artisan Farms.
“I have a super group of horses and I have to thank Andy and Carlene Ziegler and Artisan Farms,” said Foster, who is based with Artisan Farms in Wellington, Florida, and Vrasene, Belgium. “They are unbelievable owners, and I am really happy that their support is paying off!”
Based on their success in the $125,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round V, Foster, Lamaze and Candele are all qualified for Saturday night’s $370,000 CSI5*-W World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
OCALA, FL (February 7, 2014) – In front of a dedicated crowd of onlookers at the HITS Ocala Winter Classic, professional rider David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee and Nandy Fontaine won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, for owner Emily Reiney on Thursday. The blue was their first grand prix victory of the circuit.
The course, designed by Dave Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario, Canada, challenged twenty-nine riders with oxers, verticals, combinations, rollbacks and a time allowed of 74 seconds. Many riders appeared cautious in the first round, resulting in time penalties and rails down. The triple combination at fence 11 proved to be troublesome, with the most rails down.
The dash for cash began when thirteen returned to jump off, with 42 seconds as the time allowed. The top five were double clear with Kelley Robinson and Enzo, riding for Cimarron Farm of Russell, Ontario, were the first to go, setting the Great American Tim to Beat at 38.28 seconds. This would eventually give them fifth place. A crowd favorite, Ammeretto – the little guy with the big jump – and David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio threw caution to the wind with a blistering all-out-effort and time of 33.57 seconds, taking second place for Equine Holdings LLC.
Third went to Titus 2:11 with a seemingly effortless jumping style, ridden by Jared Petersen for Derek Petersen, both from Archer, Florida, with a time of 34.03 seconds. The extremely versatile Coco and professional Scott Keach took fourth for Southern Cross Equestrian of Reddick, Florida with a time of 34.57 seconds.
“Nandy Fontaine is rusty after an extended lay-off,” stated David Jennings. “He is a high-energy horse with a lot of talent. He loves to train and he loves to jump.”
Having ridden him to past wins for owner Emily Reiney, she called Jennings to show him as a sale horse. “As we saw today, this horse can rise to the occasion,” added Jennings.
There will be more grand prix action on Sunday as the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continues with the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The show-down will return to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium as excitement builds for the first-ever Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The Great American Million will debut as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.
About SmartPak SmartPak powers healthy horses and happy riders. The patented SmartPak Supplement Feeding System makes it easy for riders across the country to take the best care of their horses. Founded in 1999, with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses, the system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly.
About Zoetis Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives.
Callan Solem and Cortender Win $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome Callan Solem of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and Cortender emerged as winners of the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday. They bested a difficult course set by designer Ballard with the time allowed of 74 seconds.
In their first appearance of the circuit, Solem rode the entry of Horseshoe Trail Farm to a clean first round to face six clean in the jump-off with a time allowed of 45 seconds. The pair jumped clean in the jump-off with a time of 38.06 seconds to take the win. Solem also had a clean first round on her mare Magic Cruise. In the jump-off, they had the time of 36.78 seconds, but four faults moved them to third.
Second place went to rider/trainer Brandie Holloway of Topeka, Kansas on Any Given Sunday for owner Hays Investment Corp. with a time of 35.59 seconds and four jumping faults. Fourth went to Adare, ridden by Rebecca Conway of Wellington, Florida, owned by Blue Hill Farm LLC, while fifth went to Visette, entered by Redfield Farm and trained/ridden by Adrienne Iverson of Califon, New Jersey.
Callan Solem is glad to be back at HITS Ocala. “I feel like I’ve come home – this is where I grew up,” she stated. “I can’t wait to jump in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium this weekend.”
When asked about her horse, Cortender, the 9 year old Dutch Warmblood, she beamed. “I am crazy about him – he’s such a fun horse to ride,” she said. “I have only had him since last year, and this is his first trip to Ocala.”
As far as Solem is concerned, she’s set her goal high and plans to qualify for the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on March 24 and hopes to have a good showing in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix this Sunday.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.
Jimmy Torano and Scott Stewart Ride to the Top of Loddon Stalls Pre-Green Hunters Level 1
Wellington, FL – February 6, 2014 – Week five of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday afternoon with a shared victory for Ben Maher (GBR) aboard Urico and Tiffany Foster (CAN) riding Victor in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5. Held in a “California Split” due to the large number of entries, the competition awarded two sets of placings, each with $125,000 distributed.
FTI WEF week five, sponsored by Rolex, runs February 5-9, 2014. The week will feature the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $370,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix CSI-W 5* presented by Rolex on Saturday night, and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.
Great Britain’s Robert Ellis set the course for the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday in the International Arena at PBIEC. The class saw a record total of 116 entries in round one with 30 clear trips to narrow the field down for an impressive tie breaking jump-off. Twelve entries jumped clear over the short course, and Ben Maher had the fastest time of 43.44 seconds overall for the win in Section A of the class riding Jane Clark’s Urico. Tiffany Foster and Victor, owned by Artisan Farms and Torrey Pines, finished in 44.04 seconds for the win in Section B.
The top three finishers in Section A included Maher and Urico, Reed Kessler (USA) and Kessler Show Stables’ Ligist in second with a time of 44.11 seconds, and Eric Lamaze (CAN) with Artisan Farms’ Zigali P S in third in 44.93 seconds.
Section B saw a top finish for Foster and Victor, with Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ in second with a time of 44.79 seconds, and Wilton Porter (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Paloubet in third in 44.96 seconds.
Jane Clark’s horses had a fantastic day on Thursday with Urico and Cella both qualifying for the jump-off and having great rounds. Urico got the win and Cella had one rail over the short course and finished seventh in Section B. To add to the success, Clark’s dressage horse, Wellnetta, earned an FEI Grand Prix 3* victory across the street at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival with U.S. rider Katherine Bateson Chandler earlier in the day.
Although Clark could not be in Wellington for the day’s top finishes, Ben Maher was happy to be a part of the winning team. He explained that he has made some adjustments to how he rides and prepares Urico since last year, and the changes seem to be working for the best.
“Urico was fantastic today,” Maher stated. “We spent a long time building him up since this time last year. I had a couple of accidents on him and now we really pinpoint him for certain classes. We don’t use him as much, but if we do it the right way, he is a great horse. It is looking like it pays off. He jumped a good first round, and I was lucky enough to have two in the jump-off. Cella jumped phenomenally in the jump-off and I just sliced the liverpool way too much. I thought she was a machine, not a horse I guess, so it reminded me I have to pay attention a bit more. On Urico, I had to ride a little bit wider there knowing that sometimes he gets a little afraid. He is naturally such a fast horse, so as soon as that was out of the way, I ran him to the end and luckily he was just a lot quicker.”
“Whatever I was doing this time last year, I am doing the opposite now pretty much,” Maher said. “He wanted to run quite close to the jumps and sometimes that caused him to panic a little bit, so I have worked him much differently. He gets a lot more work now in the mornings for preparation for the afternoon so that he is a bit quieter. I also tend to ride him with a little more space to the jumps so he does not have that moment of freezing up at the end. He is a very sensitive horse, so when he is confident, I am confident, and then hopefully the results come. That is the plan.”
Maher commented on the course for Thursday’s class, noting that it was one of the most challenging that he has seen yet at this year’s competition.
“I thought Bob Ellis did an amazing job,” he stated. “Where do you begin to start to build a course for 116 riders? It wasn’t perhaps the biggest we’ve ever seen, but Bob is clever. He places jumps on angles and rollbacks. He catches people out everywhere. That is probably what we haven’t seen yet here this season. There has been a lot of galloping, but not actually many real turnbacks and opportunities to cut across the fences. It was definitely the most testing course we have had here this year.”
In addition to the prize money in Thursday’s class, Maher earned a special $3,000 bonus as part of the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion for wearing his SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves. Each week of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible.
Tiffany Foster and Victor
Tiffany Foster and Victor continued their successful FTI WEF circuit with their second big win after also topping Section B of the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup during week three. Foster was very happy with her rounds on Thursday and explained that she has gained confidence with their accomplishments.
“He was awesome,” Foster noted. “The course obviously was difficult enough with so many entries in it, and I thought he jumped really well. He is really confident and comfortable here. He is really fast and now it is getting really fun because I can go really fast with him. I have to give all of the credit to Eric (Lamaze) though because since Barcelona last year, I don’t jump Victor at home anymore, only Eric rides him. He does all the work and I get all the credit, but it’s working so I’m going to make him keep doing it!”
In addition to Victor, Foster has many great horses to show this year thanks to the support of Artisan Farms, and she is having a lot of fun with them as well.
“I am always having fun, but I am especially having fun jumping like this when you can go fast,” she stated. “Once you get on a roll it seems like you get some confidence, and then you are really prepared to take some risks. Then when the horses rise to you, it is really awesome. I have a super group of horses, and I have to thank the Zieglers and Artisan Farms because they are unbelievable owners. I am really happy that I am able to now have it all start to pay off.”
Also on Thursday, an $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m jump-off class was held in the morning with a win for Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez aboard Darlon van Groenhove. Abigail McArdle (USA) and David McArdle’s Cosma 20 won the Engel & Völkers High Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class.
Jimmy Torano and Scott Stewart Ride to the Top of Loddon Stalls Pre-Green Hunters Level 1
The Loddon Stalls Pre-Green Hunter Level 1 division was split into two sections on Thursday afternoon at the FTI WEF to accommodate the division’s large amount of entries. Jimmy Torano piloted Kyle Owen’s Messick to top honors in Section A and also finished as reserve champion with Pearl Street, owned by Jamie Jarvis. In Section B, Scott Stewart was awarded the division champion title with Wish, owned by Stewart’s Rivers Edge Farm and Annette and Leslie Pierce. The reserve champion for Section B was Palani K, ridden by Jeff Gogul and owned by Fred White.
Messick and Jimmy Torano
Torano and Messick won three over fences classes in addition to jumping to a fourth place finish. Stewart and Wish were second, sixth, and first over fences and won the under saddle class.
Torano and his two mounts were matched up at the last minute after their usual rider, Peter Pletcher, had to take the week off following a minor injury. Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, asked Torano to step in and Torano and was pleased with how the seven-year old Westphalian gelding performed in the ring Thursday.
“It’s a horse [owner Kyle Owens] bought off the internet that doesn’t have a lot of experience, but the horse went fantastically this week and won three classes. It really looks like a nice horse for the future,” Torano, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, noted.
Coincidentally, Torano helped Pletcher with Messick a few weeks before temporarily taking the reins over on Messick, so he didn’t have to go into Thursday’s division completely blind.
“I watched [Messick] go a little bit. He’s a typical hunter. He goes without a martingale; he goes in his own frame with nice balance. He’s got a great way of going. Luckily I got to watch him go with Peter and Kyle two weeks ago,” Torano explained.
Torano’s first impression of the horse proved to be true. He described Messick as an even-tempered and simple ride, relatively unaffected by the busy show atmosphere.
“He’s very, very easy-going. He’s not spooky. He’s very careful and has a perfect lead change,” Torano remarked. “A golf cart was coming by the side [of the ring day on day one of competition for the division] and he maybe shied away a little bit, but he was third in that class and he won the other one. Today, he went in there and was solid and won them both.”
Wish and Scott Stewart
While Torano and Messick were freshly matched, Stewart and his champion mount have a much closer history. Stewart and partner Ken Berkley own Wish with Annette Leslie Pierce and bred the four-year-old Warmblood gelding themselves.
“He’s is the first one that’s old enough that we bred. He’s out of a mare we had called Hush and he’s by a stallion I used to show, Be Cool,” Stewart detailed.
When asked what it’s been like to bring along a homebred mount, Stewart replied with a smile, “It’s been fun. He’s a lot like his mother and his father combined. He’s sort of like a 50/50 mix. He’s really brave and easy. He has a really good lead change, and he’s just simple.”
The first time Stewart got on Wish, he fell in love with his natural way of going and admitted he didn’t have to do much on the flat training-wise.
“He’s a beautiful mover and a beautiful horse. The way he canters in between the jumps, he just carries himself like a natural hunter and he wants to carry himself in that frame,” Stewart described.
Wish has also remained cool and collected despite the fifth week of the FTI WEF only being his third show. For that, Stewart credited his incredibly easy-going personality. That doesn’t mean the gelding is immune to any “green” moments, which Stewart simply laughed off.
“Putting the ribbon on his bridle scared him a little bit!” Stewart commented of the pair’s division championship presentation.
While Wish will take the next few weeks off before returning for the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program classes to be held Week 7 of the FTI WEF, hunter competition continues on Friday with the WEF Collegiate Equitation Championships. The $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m will be featured in the International Arena. 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.
Ulrich Kirchhoff and Chaccland, anchor partnership for the Ukrainian team that won the opening leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2014 series. Photo: FEI/Neville Hopwood.
Al Ain (UAE), 6 February 2014 – On a day that was filled with many surprising twists and turns, the Ukrainian team won the opening leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2014 series at Al Ain (UAE) this evening. But it was no simple triumph, as they had to battle to the bitter end against a powerful challenge from Qatar that forced a two-way jump-off against the clock.
The Qatari side lost the top step of the podium by the narrowest of margins at the end of the day, but are on the road to the Furusiyya 2014 Final in Barcelona (ESP) in October along with the third-place side from Saudi Arabia, so for both these countries it is already “mission accomplished”.
The London 2012 Olympic bronze medal winning team from Saudi Arabia looked the ones to beat as the competition got underway, and seemed set to cruise home with one of the two available spots for the series Final on offer at this single qualifying event for countries in the Middle East region. But the uncharacteristic elimination of pathfinder Ramzy Al Duhami got things off to a shaky start, and their 21-fault finishing score left them vulnerable.
A total of six nations started in this season-opener, but only four completed. Syria slotted into fourth place with 34 faults while the UAE, already lying fifth after the first round, retired from round two. Meanwhile it was all over for Jordan by the halfway stage after elimination for two of their four riders. Only three countries – Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates – were chasing the two qualifying spots.
Difficult task
Many of the riders were making their 5-Star Nations Cup debut today so course designer, Frenchman Frederic Cottier, had the difficult task of creating a track that would suit both first-timers and others with immense experience. He found the key in a track that didn’t prove easy for either, long distances to big oxers leading to numerous mistakes, and problems for some at the water jumps despite the helpful addition of poles on top.
The water-ditch at four led to a wide oxer at five on a long distance, and this proved the undoing of many. That was followed by the one-strided triple combination – vertical, oxer, vertical – at six, and another wide oxer at seven. There was another long run from the water at eight to the oxer at nine and then a left-handed swing to the vertical three from home which was followed by the tricky penultimate double and finally a vertical to bring them home.
The biggest surprise of the opening round however was the error made by the hugely experienced Al Duhami who, having cleared the oxer at five, turned left-handed to fence 10 instead of swinging wider and running down to the triple combination at six. There was a gasp of disbelief when he jumped the last three fences only to hear the bell ring for elimination – not the start that the country whose Equestrian Fund is so generously sponsoring this hugely successful new series was expecting. And when HRH Prince Abdullah Al Saud and the lovely grey, Davos, left the oxer at fence two on the floor and Kamal Bahamdam’s Noblesse des Tess met the oxer at nine on a very long stride to have that down, then the five faults collected by anchorman, Abdullah Al Sharbatly and Unique brought the Saudi first-round total to 13.
Three clears
The Ukrainians got off to the perfect start with three clears, so anchorman, Ulrich Kirchhoff, retired his grey gelding Chaccland first time out. But the Qatari team was stalking them closely, carrying just the single time fault collected by Khalid Al Emadi and Tamira after both Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani and the lovely Vienna Olympic and Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi and the brilliant Palloubet D’Halong, former ride of Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger, each went clear.
Despite 25 faults for the opening partnership of Chadi Gharib and United King, the Syrian team was lying just five faults behind Saudi Arabia with 18 at the halfway point thanks to a clear from Amre Hamcho (Little Pezi) and just one time fault from his older brother Ahmed Saber Hamcho (Quintus). The UAE racked up 22 when having to add 12 from Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi (Ulme de Feugeres) and 10 from Mohammed Ghanem Al Hajri (Quote Zavaan) after Nadia Abdul Aziz Taryam’s elimination at fence four. Last-line rider, Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, was foot-perfect from start to finish with Peanuts du Beaufour, but the team declined to go forward to the second round.
Meanwhile it was all over for Jordan after second-line rider, 23-year-old Ra’ad Naser took a fall when Caballero lll stopped at fence nine and then Sunny Morka, ridden by Maysam Bisharat, stopped at fence five and again in front of the first element of the triple combination at six.
Walk in the park
As round two got underway it seemed it really should be a walk in the park for the Ukrainians even though they had only a one-point advantage, but Rivetti’s Vivant lowered the third element of the combination and the oxer at nine before Onishchenko returned with 15 on the board. The fabulous mare, Carlina, that was so successful for Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer before being sold to the man who has created the new-look Ukrainian side, had been superb on her first tour of the track, but this time had two down before Onischenko decided to circle before fence nine which added a further five faults to his tally. So when Ferenc Szentirmai and Quickdiamond followed their opening clear with a mistake at the bogey fence nine and then Kirchhoff concluded with a single time penalty, the scoreboard showed a total of 13 faults after two rounds. Exactly the same as the Qataris who piled 12 further faults onto their scoreline despite another wonderful clear from Al Thani and his bay mare.
It was a real surprise when Al Rumaihi provided seven of those faults with Palloubet D’Halong who initially seemed to have established a very nice relationship with his new rider. Al Ajami had lowered two fences while Al Emadi collected five faults before Al Rumaihi set off for the second time, knowing that another clear would now clinch it for his side. But the lines of communication between horse and rider suddenly broke down on the turn to the vertical at fence 10 where the chestnut gelding fell into a trot and then, completely disorganised, couldn’t jump the fence which was now right under his neck.
With Ukraine and Qatar on level pegging after two rounds, the addition of eight more faults would see Saudi Arabia already settled into third place as the jump-off began. Rivetti was chosen to take on Sheikh Al Thani against the clock and, first to go, the Qatari rider produced a brilliant turn from the oxer at five to the vertical at ten to stop the clock on 27.24 seconds in a super-cool and typically beautifully-ridden round. But Rivetti is a master at speed, and although the 16-year-old Vivant had made a double-error in the previous round, there would be no mistake this time out as they scorched home 0.72 seconds quicker.
The start we were looking for
“It is just the start we were looking for,” said Ukrainian team manager, Najib Chami, afterwards. “This is our first show for the year and we’re glad to have made it. We are building our team ahead of our Division 1 shows,” he explained. Ukraine will take no points from today’s competition because they compete in Europe Division 1, the most high-profile of the four Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping leagues that will be staged across the globe over the coming months.
Former Hungarian rider, Ferenc Szentirmai, is looking forward to the start of the European season. “The team plans to go to La Baule (FRA) and Rome (ITA) and this is a very big year for us,” he said. He has been with the Ukrainian team for four years now, but pointed out today: “I had to wait two years before I could compete in Nations Cup and World Cup competitions so this was a big day for me!” He was delighted with the performance of his horse, Quickdiamond. “Something happened to my other horse so I had to ride Quickdiamond today even though he has never competed at this level. I was very happy with him,” the rider said.
Bit of a risk
Team anchorman, Ulrich Kirchhoff, who claimed individual gold for Germany at the Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA) in 1996, said, “We took a bit of a risk today but we were able to deal with it as we have the experience. In the end we pulled it off and it was very good.”
And the result was a delight for the businessman who has brought riders from a wide variety of countries together to create the Ukrainian side. “For me this show has been a big success. It is my first FEI Nations Cup competition at 5-Stars. We had a great result in the first round and I’m very happy for this. It’s a great way to start (the year). We have the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this year, and the qualifiers for the Olympic Games, and we have a strong team,” said Oleksandr Onishchenko with a definite hint of ambition.
For further information on the first leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2014 series at Al Ain (UAE), go to website http://www.adcsio5.com/. The next leg of the series will take place in Wellington, Flordia (USA) on Friday 28 February, website www.equestriansport.com.
Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates presented the opening leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2014 series.
The competition was won by the team from Ukraine following a thrilling two-way jump-off against Qatar.
This was the sole qualifying round for the Middle East region, and both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who finished third, have qualified for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2014 Final.
A total of six nations – Jordan, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar and United Arab Emirates – started in today class, with only four returning for the second round.
The Jordanian team was eliminated when two team members were eliminated in the first round.
The team from the United Arab Emirates, lying fifth after the first round, decided to retire at the end of round 1.
Just one double-clear in the competition – Shk Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani who was pathfinder for Qatar with the nine-year-old mare Vienna Olympic.
3 of the four Ukrainian team members jumped clear in the first round.
Course designer was Frederic Cottier (FRA).
There were four eliminations during the competition including that of Saudi Arabian pathfinder, Ramzy Al Duhami (Al Capone), who made an error of course in the first round when omitting fences 6 to 9.
Watchmakers, Longines, are the official timekeepers for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series.
Furusiyya is the brand name for the commercial arm of the Saudi Equestrian Fund which finalised a 16 million Euro five-year sponsorship package with the FEI in November 2012.
Quotes:
Ferenc Szentirmai UKR: “Quickdiamond was third in the Riders Tour at Hannover and last week was really good in the 3-Star World Cup in Dubai. I had never jumped him at 5-Star level before, and I have him for a year now.”
Event Director, Taleb Dhaher Muahiri: “I am happy to have had most of the nations compete here and I look forward to seeing even more teams compete with us next year. I am happy for my Ukrainian brothers!”
For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series, check out this link.
“Furusiyya” (Arabic: فروسيه) this single Arabic word conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a horse and jockey engraved on the watch face. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva.
Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and flat racing. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.
Silvia Rizzo and her Lusitano stallion Sal half-pass in the Grand Prix. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – February 6, 2014 – Italy’s Silvia Rizzo and her new horse, Sal, are steadily solidifying their budding partnership while continuing to compete in Florida this winter show season.
The pair, who have been working together for only four weeks, scored a 69.100 percent to win Sunday’s Grand Prix Open at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 4 National show, an improvement over the previous week’s Grand Prix score. Sal is a 15-year-old bay Lusitano stallion (Mississipe-Maia, Golegã) Rizzo imported from Portugal.
Rizzo said she is pleased with the results and with how quickly they have improved, adding that her partner and trainer, Michele Betti, the former chef d’equipe of the Italian eventing team, has been helping her prepare technically and mentally for the show.
“I slept a little bit in the first competition,” she said. “I just wanted to do a clean test. This time, I entered and said, ‘OK. Now I ask.’ He was absolutely with me all the time.”
Betti was also pleased with the results.
“As a trainer, with a horse like Sal, my job is much easier because he understands really quickly and Silvia is much more relaxed on the horse,” he said. “I am happy with the way Silvia rode the competition because this was the first time she really rode it movement by movement. She really focused on showing the judges the correct exercise while also showing power.”
They also worked on the rhythm and cadence in the canter.
“We worked a lot on the piaffe too because one thing I have to learn is to stay in the piaffe without worrying about having to go out of it,” Rizzo said. “He is able to do it and I am learning to trust him to do it.”
“I want to practice, practice and practice,” she added. “I practice every day, but it’s good that at the end of the week, I can compete in a test so I can understand better where I am. We still have to improve a lot, but I’m really happy. It’s good that I have this chance.”
The next competition for Rizzo and Sal is the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 5 CDI3*, where they will ride the Grand Prix on Thursday, Feb. 6, and the Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday, Feb. 7. They also plan to show in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 6 National show Feb. 15-16.
Lexington, Ky. – The United States’ Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer are set to make history over the weekend as they compete in the pas de deux competition at the 2014 FEI World Cup Vaulting Final in Bordeaux, France. This is the first year the division will be held at the annual FEI championship as it joins the Individual Male and Female competition and will run February 7-8.
The Palmer sisters head to Bordeaux in strong form after earning top finishes during the World Cup qualifying season. They began their quest to the Finals with a win in Stuttgart, Germany in November before collecting a third-place finish two weeks later at the CVI-W Paris to close out the month. Their last prep for the inaugural Final came in Austria at CVI-W Salzburg where they once again placed third among a strong field.
Pas de deux competition at the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final will host four entries from three countries including Austria, Germany, and the United States.
The two-round competition, consisting of two Freestyle performances, begins Friday at 11:45am local time.
The second round of competition can be seen live on FEI TV here.
Wellington, FL – February 5, 2014 – Jeffery Welles rode to the top of the leader board during today’s Wellington Turf Tour 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers at Wolfstone Stables. Not only did he take the early lead in the first class aboard Gummi Van Oz, but he also rode to the top rank during the second class with Antaris S. Today also marked the second week of the five-week Young Jumper Championship Series, where Kevin Babington piloted KEC Pineapple Swirl to the first place finish in the 6 and 7/8 Year Old Jumper division.
Week V saw over 25 entries, but Jeffery Welles set the pace from the beginning, becoming the day’s trailblazer as he consistently rode his mounts to the pinnacle of the standings. As only the second to take on the Pierre Jolicouer designed course, Welles laid down the first of only four clear rounds, moving into the jump off with Gummi Van Oz. They tackled the shortened track in a speedy 39.044 seconds. Wendy Ritter Peralta and Cruz Z took the second place, while Josh Dolan and Dynamo rode to the third place finish. Stal Thyssen and Cisco’s Zidane were the last of the four to post a double-clear effort.
On a hot streak, Welles continued into the second class of the day with Antaris S. Although Emanuel Camilli and Zacca Zoeloe posted a speedy round in 29.931 seconds, Welles proved that he could shave the seconds with ease. He sliced the turns and took an inside turn to the final obstacle, allowing him to trip the timers in 28.919 seconds to take over the lead. Although others tried, no one could match his pace. Sandra Dalman and Brightside took over the third place position with a conservative, but clean effort in 32.848 seconds.
In the Young Jumper Championship divisions it came down to a three-horse jump off during the 6 and 7/8 Year Olds. Josh Dolan and Cora were the first to complete the opening round free of fault, then posting a speedy and clean jump off round in 37.300 seconds. Peter Lutz and Coberlina challenged the duo, moving into the jump off with their sights set on the top finish. They completed the course in 36.790 seconds, but Kevin Babington and KEC Pineapple Swirl were not about to go down without a fight.
Kevin Babington and KEC Pineapple Swirl
With a blazing speed, Babington pushed the young horse forward, and turned her quickly through the serpentine of fences. He was able to cut the time, setting an untouchable pace of 32.420 seconds to take the win.
“I think for a 7- or 8-year-old, it is very good. The jumps were very basic, and the course was straightforward. My horse needed that for her first show back. It is very convenient for us because we can just hack down here and jump around, instead of going through the rigmarole of going to the main show,” Babington said.
He continued, “As a qualifier, I think it is fantastic. You can come out for the one day, on the day, without having to jump anything else all week-I really like that.”
Babington showed Pineapple Swirl in the 6-Year-Old YJC division last year, qualifying for the Hamptons, and on the final day they proudly took fourth. After taking several months to recuperate, Babington admitted that he was pleased with her performance today at the Wellington Turf Tour.
“This was her first qualifier back,” Babington described. “She was fresh, which was good, and she turns really quickly. The footing is great, and the facility is wonderful. I will return on Friday to jump on the grass in the Grand Prix.”
Attendees of Week V of the 11-week series can look forward to a show filled with top-tier competitors and horses, and nearly $200,000 in prize money.
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour was designed to develop young riders and young horses and provide a change of venue for all riders. The 2013 event was hailed as a highlight of the season with top riders, amateurs and juniors alike choosing to ride in the invitational series, challenging their young horses to a new experience during the Winter Equestrian Festival. The 2014 series returned to the Wellington show scene bigger and better than ever.
The event is approaching quickly, so 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, as well as the Leading Rider Bonus.
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 events run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching $15,000 Friday Grand Prix. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire.
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 and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January – March 2013. 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.
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
Meredith Darst won the 2013 WIHS Equitation Finals riding Soldier.
Washington, D.C. – February 5, 2014 – Riders are working hard at their chance to earn qualifying points for this year’s Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). The nation’s leading metropolitan horse show, the WIHS offers championships for junior and pony equitation riders as well as adult and children’s hunter and jumper competitors. The 56th Annual Washington International Horse Show, held at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C., will run October 21-26, 2014.
The qualifying period for this year’s competition has already begun, and riders are earning points early at the top winter show circuits throughout the country with hopes of competing at one of the most coveted horse shows in the country. Horses and riders compete all year in order to qualify for the WIHS Finals, including the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship, WIHS Equitation Finals, and WIHS Pony Equitation Finals.
Although you do not have to be a WIHS member to compete in the qualifying classes, competitors must be WIHS members in order for their points to count towards the finals. Sign up today at www.wihs.org/membership to become a WIHS member and start earning points for qualification in the WIHS Equitation Finals and the WIHS Hunter and Jumper Championship Finals. The qualifying period is September 1, 2013, through August 31, 2014.
Here are some of the top competitors in WIHS qualifiers as of January 31, 2014:
Spencer Smith of Wellington, FL, currently leads the WIHS Equitation East Coast standings with 1,112 points. Morgan Ward of Milford, NJ, sits second with 904 points, and Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, has 740 points.
The top rider on the West Coast standings is Sophie Simpson of Royal Palm Beach, FL, with 640 points. Kai Arielle Devoglaer of Austin, TX, stands second with 580 points. Brianna Peddicord of Wamego, KS, is third with 458 points.
In the WIHS Pony Equitation standings, Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, VA, has 266 points to lead off the year. Theresa Tolar of Mooresville, NC, is close behind with 238 points, and Jordan Cobb of Austin, TX, is third with 228 points.
The Adult Hunter Championship standings are currently led by Overseas and Mindy Wurzburg of Memphis, TN, with 800 points. Cast in Silver and Jessica Pandocchi of Sarver, PA, have 740 points in second place, and Poetic Justis and Brooke Cole of Rockville, VA, sit third with 708 points.
Ivanhoe and Abigail Kaufman won the 2013 Children’s Hunter Championship
In the Children’s Hunter Championship, Moon River and Alyssa Scholefield of Atlanta, GA, have the lead with 892 points. Blueprint and Emily Curling of Chesapeake, VA, have 568 points for second place in the standings, and Carson and Carilynn Peyton of Great Falls, VA, have 552 points in third.
The Adult Jumpers are also earning points to qualify for their championship finals in October. Secret Agent and Casey Millis of Carton, GA, have 1,590 points to lead the division. Belladonna and Katherine Pontone of Red Bank, NJ, sit second with 1,300 points. Skys Burnin Blue and Phoenix Cooke of Chardon, OH, have 1,245 points in the third position.
In the Children’s Jumper division, Utility and Anna Elghanayan of Chesterland, OH, are well on their way to qualifying for the championship with 1,188 points in the lead. Kolette and Kimberle Paige Burton of Huntersville, NC, have 890 points in second place. Lone Star and Micki Reisman of Mooreland Hills, OH, are currently third with 855 points.
Don’t miss your chance to qualify for the championships at this year’s Washington International Horse Show. WIHS looks forward to hosting the best horses and riders from around the nation in 2014 and encourages all riders to continue their drive to qualify.
Victoria Jolie V and Kristyn Duarte won the Adult Jumper Championship at the 2013 WIHS
About the Washington International Horse Show An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show and the pinnacle of the equestrian year with leading riders, including Olympic medalists, and fabulous horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show. Highlights include the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, the Puissance high-jump competition, and WIHS Equitation Classic Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders. Special exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities will round out this family-friendly event.
Since its debut, the Washington International has been a Washington, DC, institution attended by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders, as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages. Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
