Tag Archives: featured

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Compete to Qualify for the 2014 Washington International Horse Show!

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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
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.

To find out more, please visit www.wihs.org, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Victoria Jolie V and Kristyn Duarte won the Adult Jumper Championship at the 2013 WIHS
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.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, FEI, Show Jumping, Vaulting

Battle in Bordeaux: FEI World Cup Vaulting and Driving Finals & FEI World Cup Jumping Penultimate Leg

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World vaulting champion Nicolas Andreani (FRA) wowed the FEI World Cup Vaulting judges in Salzburg (AUT) with his impressive Einstein performance on Le Grand Chevalier, lunged by Eva Maria Kreiner – now he will be defending his title with a vengeance at the series Final at the Jumping International de Bordeaux (FRA) 7-8 February 2014. (Daniel Kaiser/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 February 2014 – The renowned Jumping International de Bordeaux (FRA) will host the battle for medals at the FEI World Cup Vaulting and Driving Finals and penultimate leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping this weekend.

FEI World Cup Vaulting Final

World champions Nicolas Andreani (FRA) and Anna Cavallaro (ITA) will be pulling out all the stops to defend their titles in Bordeaux against tremendous competition, while double world and European pas-de-deux champions Jasmin Lindner and Lukas Wacha (AUT) will aim to make history by clinching the first FEI World Cup Vaulting pas-de-deux title in the history of the series.

Longines FEI World Cup Jumping

A total of 38 athletes, including Longines FEI World Cup Jumping standings leader Patrice Delaveau (FRA) and Longines Rankings number three and four Ludger Beerbaum (GER) and Marcus Ehning (GER), will be chasing valuable points this Saturday before Gothenburg (SWE) on 2 March, the last chance to qualify for the Final in Lyon (FRA) 17-21 April.

FEI World Cup Driving Final

The long-awaited FEI World Cup Driving Final will round off a breathtaking Bordeaux weekend on Sunday afternoon, when the four-time FEI World Cup Driving champion from Australia, Boyd Exell, will be going all out to win his fifth Final against a highly competitive field of drivers, who have equal chances to take the coveted FEI World Cup Driving title.

Don’t miss a live hoof beat

Live action on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starts with FEI World Cup Vaulting on Saturday, 8 February at 16.55 local time, followed by Longines FEI World Cup Jumping at 20.25. Live coverage of the FEI World Cup Driving starts on Sunday, 9 February at 16.55.

On the move this weekend? Download the FEI’s free FEI TV on the Go app and watch the live action on your iPhone or iPad.

Looking for rider interviews and behind-the-scenes footage? Head to the FEI’s official YouTube channel.

Media room

Download the FEI’s detailed press kits at www.feipresskits.org, and check out the dedicated online hubs for Longines FEI World Cup Jumping, FEI World Cup Driving and FEI World Cup Vaulting.

Social media

Join the FEI and Jumping International de Bordeaux on Facebook and Twitter:
www.facebook.com/the.fei and www.facebook.com/jumpingbordeaux
@myfei_home @JumpingBordeaux @Longines #longinesjumping #driving #vaulting

Longines Live Timing Jumping

Download the free Longines Live Timing Jumping application from The App Store (iPhone) & Android Markets: www.longines.com/events/equestrian-sports/jumping/live-timing-jumping-application – follow live results, see latest Longines Rankings, view competition schedules and get exclusive information and alerts on your favourite riders along with all the latest FEI news.

Bordeaux Media Contact:

Pascal Renauldon
p.renauldon@rbpress.com
+33 3 44 62 06 21

FEI Media Contacts:

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

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

McLain Ward and Wings Soar to Victory in $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m Speed Class at FTI WEF 5

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McLain Ward and Wings. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began its fifth week of competition on Wednesday with a win for two-time U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward and his mount, Wings, in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 led the way through a large part of the class, but were bested by Ward and Wings at the very end and finished in second place.

Week five of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Rolex, runs February 5-9, 2014. The week will feature CSI-W 5* competition, including the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday afternoon, the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $370,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix FEI 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 is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week five. Ellis set the track for 67 entries in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class with 17 clear rounds on course. McLain Ward and Wings got the win with a time of 58.82 seconds.

Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 finished second in 59.04 seconds. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Postage Stamp Farm LLC’s Prof de la Roque placed third in 59.26 seconds, and Peter Wylde (USA) finished fourth in 60.52 seconds aboard Winley Farm’s Wiesielottie.

Ward had an extra token of good luck in his pocket for Wednesday’s class in the form of a small crystal that he had been given by Canada’s Tiffany Foster. He has had some top finishes over the last few weeks, but kept having an unlucky rail that kept him out of the winner’s circle. As Ward left the arena after his win, he pulled the crystal out of his pocket, stopping for a photo with Foster. The crystal just may have had a positive effect.

“We had a little inside joke,” Ward laughed. “Tiffany says I never smile, so she gave me a crystal the other day and she said it would bring happiness. I have won two out of three classes since I have had it, so we are all giving the credit to the crystal.”

Ward has had some great rounds with his veteran mount Wings, a 16-year-old KWPN gelding by Lexicon x Columbus, and was happy to finally get the win with him on Wednesday.

“He has just been a little unlucky,” Ward acknowledged. “He has had a little ‘four-fault-itis,’ but he has been jumping really well. He has had the fastest time in two other big classes with some cheap four faults. He is a good old horse. He knows the job. He’s careful, and he is always fun to ride.”

It seemed like the time of Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 might not be beat as the class went on, but Ward and Wings put their experience together and did it with ease.

“He is a very fast horse,” Ward described. “He has a big stride, and he is quite quick. I just tried to be really neat everywhere. I was fast from jump one to two, and he just covers the ground very easily. He doesn’t waste much time.”

“He is a funny horse,” Ward said of Wings. “He is what they call ‘ever green’ if you ever saw it. He is afraid of everything, and he is 16 years old now.”

“I bought him actually last year for my wife and he ended up being a little too careful for her, and I kind of took over the ride. The first two shows didn’t go very well and since then he has won a class at almost every show he has gone to, so I am not giving him back,” Ward laughed. “He is a little quirky, a little spooky, he is a little bit his own character, but he has quality, which always pays off.”

Ward commented on Bob Ellis’s course, noting, “I like Bob’s courses. They typically can be a little twisty, so you need a very rideable horse, but he is very good and this is a big week. It was right on height, which is what you would expect. We are trying to make a plan with these bigger shows and have the horses come in fresh and ready to compete, so it was a nice start.”

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was also held on Wednesday with a win for Yann Candele (CAN) and Carolla Z, owned by Liz Currie.

Week five of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue on Thursday with the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 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.

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

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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

Dressage, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group

Group Effort Nets New Horse for Para-Equestrian Rebecca Hart

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Romani and Rebecca Hart. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Hart.

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2014 – Rebecca Hart, a two-time Para-Olympic athlete, has a new horse, thanks to a group of people who believe in her.

Hart’s new horse, Romani, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, was purchased with the help of Margaret Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm, Hart’s family, William and Sandy Kimmel and Sycamore Station Equine Division.

“It was a massively joint effort and I am honored to be a part of it,” the equestrian said. “I have a huge support system. It’s as much their victory as mine.”

She hails from Unionville, PA, and trains with Missy and Jessica Ransehousen.

In 2012, she won the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship title aboard Lord Ludger. Her former mount, owned by the Ransehousens, was retired to a life of eating grass, hacking and light riding at the age of 21 after the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Rebecca Hart and Norteassa at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Chicago, IL, in June of 2010. Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall
Rebecca Hart and Norteassa at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Chicago, IL, in June of 2010. Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

Hart and Lord Ludger placed just out of the medals at the both the 2008 and the 2012 Para-Olympic Games and she hopes Romani is the key to future success. The pair will arrive in Wellington in February and will be based out of Duprey’s Cherry Knoll Farm. They will compete in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI3* Para-Equestrian Dressage show in Wellington in March and then fly out of Miami for CPEDI3* competitions in Belgium and France.

Hart plans to qualify for the June 2014 Para-Equestrian National Championship and Selection Trials in Gladstone, NJ, with the ultimate goal of participating in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Beyond that, she wants to go for the gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Hart thinks Romani could be the perfect partner. She said the 16.2 hand mare arrived from Denmark at the end of November and is athletic, supple and fun to ride. She had a comfortable connection with the horse the first time she rode her.

“A para horse has to have something special to make it as an international horse, but at the same time, it also has to understand the disability and have a fantastic brain and personality to go along with that,” she explained. “It was funny. She sized me up when I met her. She looked me up and down – it was the most bizarre experience I’ve ever had with a horse. She’s like, ‘I understand that your legs don’t work. I hear what you’re saying.’ And off we went.”

She said that when she mounted Romani in Denmark, it was the first time in 18 years of riding that sitting in the saddle did not hurt her hip.

Rebecca Hart and Kazan won the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and topped USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall
Rebecca Hart and Kazan won the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and topped USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

Hart has birth-onset hereditary spastic paraplegia, a degenerative disease that causes muscle wasting and paralysis, and credits riding with her continued mobility and ability to walk. She said that the more people understand para-equestrian riding, the better it will be for the sport.

“Para-equestrian actually means that it’s parallel to able-bodied sports,” she said. “It just happens to be with riders who have disabilities. We compete at all the same venues as the able-bodied riders, and we’re held to the same FEI standards. There are just different aides and compensations.”

Hart added that she’s thankful for her support team who has recognized that she competes in a legitimate high-performance sport.

“I can’t thank them enough for helping me fulfill my lifelong dream and for allowing me to share my adventure with them,” she said. “Every time we succeed, it’s as much their victory as it is my own.”

Sue Weakley 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, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Tracy Fenney Makes It Three at HITS Ocala

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©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Timon picked up their second grand prix win of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

OCALA, FL (February 4, 2014) – Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas again jumped to a win with MTM Farm’s MTM Timon on Sunday in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, picking up her third grand prix victory of the 2014 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

MTM Timon, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, has been partner to Fenney for countless grand prix wins, as well as jumping at the highest tier of the sport. The pair has had three top-twenty finishes in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida designed a technical course that presented 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts to a field of 29. Scott Keach of Reddick, Florida proved early that the course could be conquered when he rode clear in the first trip of the order aboard Southern Cross’ Fedor. He was later joined by eight pairs, including Fenney, to stage a nine-horse jump-off.

The jump-off course proved to be a challenge with the first six riders picking up faults. Hugh Graham of Reddick, Florida was first to ride clear, setting the Great American Time to Beat at 44.99 seconds with Julie Firestone’s Airborne. Fenney returned next with only one pair to ride behind her. She and MTM Timon shaved over one second off Graham’s time, stopping the clock in 43.01 seconds to move into the top spot and drop Graham to second. Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida did her best to challenge and went clean in the irons of her own Lazaro with a time of 45.57 seconds, which was good enough for third.

Jared Petersen of Archer, Florida piloted Derek Petersen’s Titus 2:11 to four faults and a time of 45.10 seconds in the jump-off to finish fourth. Keach and Fedor capped the top five with a four-fault jump-off round in 45.29 seconds.

Known for being notoriously hard to beat in the jump-off, Fenney is gearing up for the Great American $1 Million Grand Prixat the conclusion of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit before heading north to jump at HITS-on-the-Hudson and make her fourth appearance in the coveted Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix in September.

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.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance, Show Jumping

The Second Annual NARG Riders’ Grant — Congratulations to…

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Anita Mont and Fly Light – by Alison Hartwell.

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2014 – Now in its third year, the NARG Riders’ Grant is designed to afford an emerging rider, dedicated to the sport of show jumping, an opportunity to achieve levels they would otherwise not be able to attain without a boost. The grant provides the winner with $15,000 USD for expenses within North America approved by the NARG Board.

The North American Riders Group congratulates 21-year-old Anita Mont of Wisconsin as the recipient of the 2014 NARG Riders’ Grant.

Mont’s history began like many young girls. “Even though no one in my family rode, I have always had a love for horses. As a child, I didn’t play with dolls. I preferred horses. I constantly begged my parents for riding lessons. When I was 5 years old, my mother found a coupon in the newspaper for lessons at a local stable. I was hooked at the first lesson and I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to jump…”

Among her accomplishments over the years, Mont took a three-year-old pony with 30 days under saddle all the way to Pony Finals as well as tenaciously working with a difficult mare and qualifying her for Junior Hunter Finals. Now as a professional, Mont is training and campaigning a young jumper and bringing along two homebred yearlings.

Developing horses, catch riding and working with a variety of experts to hone her skills from care to training and sales to competing, Mont is ceaseless in her desire to learn. Branching out from her Wisconsin roots, she has worked with and for trainers in Minnesota, Kentucky, New Jersey and Illinois, including six months as a working student for Chris Kappler Inc. from October 2011 to April 2012.

Anita Mont and Blizzerd - by Shawn McMillen
Anita Mont and Blizzerd – by Shawn McMillen

After years of devotion to every aspect of being an equestrian, Mont’s parents were well aware that their daughter had an enduring passion and was willing to put in the work to achieve her goals. With this in mind, they purchased a 20-stall barn in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, to help her establish a breeding and training business. Mont took on a lion’s share of the responsibilities of farm management, while continuing to further her education in the saddle. When Mont decided to turn professional, her parents offered her full ownership of the training business, aptly named Dare to Dream Farm, LLC.

When asked how she would utilize the grant money, Mont explained the essence of a young professional’s path, one that indicates the pursuit of the dream. “While showing is important, I feel training is the key to success. The grant money will allow me to obtain much more valuable training than I could otherwise afford. Since coming to Florida this winter, I have already reached out to some trainers and recently started working with Anne Kursinski. I will also be able to compete at WEF more than my original tight budget would’ve allowed. There is no doubt that I will work hard to make the most of the NARG Riders’ Grant.”

NARG, and the grant recipients, are extremely grateful to the Southern-Heathcott family who make this grant possible.

About the North American Riders Group – NARG
The North American Riders Group, NARG, remains steadfast in achieving an essential goal – improving our sport so that once again show jumping in North America will rank among the greatest in the world. It takes teamwork to achieve a goal of this magnitude. Representing the riders, trainers and owners in North America, NARG takes the necessary steps to work openly with show organizers, governing bodies and associations, as collectively we all make up the team that must evolve with the times to see this come to fruition.

With your participation, NARG’s voice becomes incrementally stronger and clearer. To bring change we must be able to speak with a singular voice. Join us. Visit www.narg.org or call 561.386.4525 for more details.

Dressage, Phelps Media Group

Diane Creech and Diana C Continue Winning Ways in Wellington

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Diane Creech and Diana C. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2014 – Diane Creech and Diana C showed their hard work at home is paying off as they put in another standout performance in competition. The pair earned a score of 72.838 percent to take first place in Fourth Level Test 2 on Saturday at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 4 National show, held at The Stadium at PBIEC in Wellington, FL.

Creech and Diana C scored in the high 60s in their first show of the season on Jan. 21, and the experience paid off with the impressive results in their second outing.  Diana C, a 7-year-old Hanoverian mare (Damsey-Belinda, Brentano II), is owned by Leatherdale Farms.

“Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale and I could not be any happier with Diana C,” Creech said. “She is getting such great experience and mileage in the show ring.”

Creech has been working with Lars Petersen while in Florida and said Diana C has benefited from the additional guidance.

“Thanks to Lars Petersen, we’ve been getting super training at home,” she said. “Lars is not only great with the more advanced horses, but also with the young, up-and-coming ones. He knows how to develop them from the basic to Grand Prix, and that is what makes him such a great trainer.”

Creech is excited about the potential of the promising young mare and looks forward to seeing what her future holds.

“Mr. and Mrs. Leatherdale are very much enjoying watching Diana C coming more and more into herself,” she said. “We all agree that she is a very special lady!”

Next up for Creech and the Leatherdale Farms horses will be the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 5 CDI4* and National show Feb. 6-9. Creech said Devon L has been training well and will be ready to go for the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the CDI4*, while Chrevis Christo will come out for the Intermediaire II at the National show.

About Leatherdale Farms
Situated 20 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, Leatherdale Farms is a privately owned farm owned and managed by Louise and Doug Leatherdale and dedicated to Hanoverian, Trakehner and Oldenburg breeding. The Leatherdale family owns several licensed stallions based in Germany at Hengstation Jens Meyer: Hanoverians Dorum, the premium elite, Damsey (Dressage Royal), First Dance (Florestan II), Rob Roy (Rubin Royale), Hampton (His Highness), Beltano (Belissimo M); the premium elite Trakehner, Herzensdieb (Tambour); and the Oldenburg Fairbanks (Flemmingh). Frozen semen is available in North America and Europe. Leatherdale Farms was also the owner of the Licensing Hanoverian stallion His Highness, who died in 2007 and whose progeny is much appreciated all over the world.

To learn about Leatherdale Farms stallions in Europe, go to www.jens-meyer.com.

For more information, go to www.leatherdalefarms.com.

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leatherdalefarmsworld.

Contacts:

Carrie Wirth – North America
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Phone: +1 561.753.3389 / Fax: +1 561.753.3386
Email: pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Xavier Boudon – Europe
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Phone: +33 608 82 94 86
Email: pmg-europe@pixizone.com

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge 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

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lyons Creek Bellini & Hunter Holloway Do It Again in $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

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©ESI Photography. Hunter Holloway appears to be the one to beat in the hunter ring at HITS Ocala. She rode to her third win in a row aboard Lyons Creek Bellini this weekend in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

OCALA, FL (February 4, 2014) – The $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at the Ocala Premiere is in the books with another win for Lyons Creek Bellini, owned by Hays Investment Corp. with Hunter Holloway of Topeka, Kansas in the irons. Jumping in the recently unveiled Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, the pair added another win for team Holloway bringing the total to three wins in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix at this circuit. The pair challenged a course of verticals, oxers and tight turns designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida with scores of 85 and 86.25 for a total of 171.25 to take the blue ribbon.

Knocking at the door and taking the red ribbon for owner Susan Darragh was Zidane with rider/trainer Amanda Steege of Bedminster, New Jersey. They posted an 84.5 and 86.5 for a total of 171.

Third was rider/trainer Greg Crolick of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, aboard Carson with scores of 84.25 and 83.75 for a total of 168.5 for owner, Orchard Lake farms, LLC. Fourth place was awarded to MTM Hands Down with Tracy Fenney riding for MTM Farm of Flower Mound, Texas scoring 84.25 and 84, for a total of 168.25.  Ashton Alexander of Ocala, Florida rode Fieona, owned by Jack Towell, to cap the top five with a total of 165.25.

Brandie Holloway – mother of Hunter and accomplished rider herself – commented that the elegant Warmblood Lyons Creek Bellini was originally purchased as a personal horse for herself and with a smile she added, “Hunter just took him over and they clicked from the start.”

Hunter was equally excited about three wins in a row. “Baby B, as she calls Lyons Creek Bellini, was just wonderful today. He’s so cooperative and he maintained a soft, consistent rhythm throughout the course,” she said. “He was like a machine throughout, galloping the long lines and multiple direction changes like the pro he is.”

Devoucoux Hunter Prix competition continues throughout the duration of the HITS Ocala Circuit as the race to qualify for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final begins.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Devoucoux offers a wide range of saddles in many colors and sizes and matching accessories. Devoucoux craftsmen are devoted to creating beautiful products.

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Riding the course set by course designer Tom Carlson of Windham, Connecticut, Sophia Lothrop of Shelburne, Vermont and her own Castell could not be caught today as they posted a 74 and 84 respectively, for a final score of 158, to take the win in the  $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.

©ESI Photography. Sophia Lothrop and Castell jump to a win in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
©ESI Photography. Sophia Lothrop and Castell jump to a win in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

“It has taken me longer to learn how to ride Castel,” remarked fifteen-year-old Sophia, speaking of the grey 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood. “After a three month lay-off from showing because of my school, he felt very steady and made me so proud today.”

Not only did this pair win the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix today but they took multiple ribbons in the Child Hunter Horse 15-17 division during the week.

Cookie DeSimone, who trains Lothrop, also guided Jacquelyn Maggiore and her own Contina to the red ribbon. The pair posted scores of 79 and 78.5 for a 157.5 total. Taking third was Larsen Murvin of Ocala, Florida, riding his own horse Derby, trained by Edward Sexton, earning scores of 81 and 76, for a 157. Fourth place was awarded to Madison Albano of Beverly, Massachusetts and Anucci, for owner Monica Hunt. Their scores of 77 and 78 combined for a 155.

Owner/rider Corinne Milbury, of Boston, Massachusetts rode to a 72 and 82 on Kavalier to round out the top five with a 154.

Platinum Performance Hunter Prix qualifiers will be offered weekly coast to coast this winter and throughout the HITS Saugerties and HITS Culpeper summer circuits before the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final returns to the HITS Championship this fall and offers junior and amateur hunter riders the opportunity to show for exciting prize money over thrilling courses.

About Platinum Performance
Platinum Performance provides more than 10 supplements essential to your horse’s health and conditioning in just one scoop. Platinum Performance Equine addresses a horse’s total body health from joint and hoof care to athletic performance and coat health, and is the 2014 sponsor of the $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and all qualifiers. For more information on Platinum Performance, visit platinumperformance.com.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Training/Clinics, Vaulting

Vaulting & Trick Riding Clinic

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All horses and equipment are provided!

An amazing opportunity to learn the disciplines of trick riding and vaulting.

Originally used as war tactics of Russian Cossacks, trick riding involves all types of stunts and drags at a fast pace.

The classical and beautiful circus art of bareback involves acrobatics on a moving horse.

Contact Mahan Farm: MahanFarm@gmail.com

Competitions, Polo

Grand Champions Defeats The Polo School, Heads to VA for Girls Southeastern Interscholastic Regional Championship

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Grand Champions’ Mia Astrada (1) on a fast break. Photos by Scott Fisher.

WELLINGTON, FL – Feb. 3, 2014 — Grand Champions Polo Club’s girls’ team qualified for the Feb. 14-16 USPA Girls Southeastern Interscholastic Regional at the Virginia Polo Center in Charlottesville, Va.

On a sun-drenched Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club Arena, the talented team of Mia Astrada, Riley Ganzi and Chase Schwartz was impressive in the Girls Southeast Interscholastic Preliminary II tournament qualifier.

Grand Champions won 12-4 over The Polo School team of Jacqui Casey, Alyssa Tranchilla and Rachel Kelly in the championship final.

Astrada and Schwartz each scored five goals and were named to the All-Star team along with Casey and Kelly. Hope Arellano of Palm Beach Polo earned the Sportsmanship Award. Casey’s gelding Darren was named Best Playing Pony. Grand Champions “B” string was selected as the best playing string of ponies.

The future of women’s polo is in good hands based on the caliber of play during the two-day tournament. John Gobin coached Grand Champions and Charles Muldoon coached The Polo School.

The girls also got some great advice between chukkers from their fathers including polo players Miguel Novillo Astrada, Joey Casey, Marc Ganzi, Julio Arellano and Horton Schwartz.

The chemistry among the Grand Champions players was evident.

“It was great playing on the team; everybody was playing great together,” said Schwartz, 17, who will make her debut in the southeastern regional tournament. “We’re starting to work really well as a team now; it’s really exciting.”

Despite pressure from Jacqui Casey of The Polo School, Riley Ganzi of Grand Champions reaches for the ball before scoring
Despite pressure from Jacqui Casey of The Polo School, Riley Ganzi of Grand Champions reaches for the ball before scoring

Trailing 4-3 late in the second chukker, Grand Champions turned it on with goals from Schwartz and Ganzi to regain the lead (5-4) and penalty shot by Schwartz to lead 6-4 at the half. Grand Champions pulled away and never relinquished the lead while shutting out The Polo School in the second half.

“We started getting really aggressive; we just said we couldn’t lose this and started picking up the pace,” Schwartz said. “We had a lot of great coaching at halftime from my dad about mentality.”

Gobin encouraged his players while pacing along the boards throughout the four-chukker final.

“I didn’t expect our team to be as strong as this” Gobin said. “I think we played really well the last two chukkers where we came together. I don’t think we played that well in the first half. We got lucky with a penalty – one call and we just didn’t look back.

“They really wanted to win,” said Gobin, who worked with the team for two weeks before the tournament. “It’s nice to see them going to Charlottesville. The quality of all the teams has improved a lot. We need to get more arena polo in South Florida. The Ganzis are pushing it forward with all the polo and it’s only going to benefit all of us.”

Riley Ganzi competed in her third consecutive southeastern regional.

“It feels amazing to win; we worked really hard for this,” Ganzi said. “We put in a lot of team work. I have a lot of trust and faith in my teammates so I thought we would do pretty well. The other team was tough competition.

“I am very excited; I love girls’ polo, especially I/I; it’s my favorite,” Ganzi said.

Even though she is the youngest member of the team, Astrada has played in three preliminary southeastern tournaments and practices arena polo when her family comes to Wellington for the winter season.

“I am very happy to win; we are going to travel,” Astrada said. “We are the youngest ones in this tournament; we didn’t know how we would do but we wanted to win.”

Women’s and girls’ polo is the fastest growing sector in polo today. Collegiate programs are growing and the Women’s Championship Tournament events are now held throughout the world including Dubai. Grand Champions will host the WCT championship women’s and junior tournaments April 8-12.

“I was really proud of all the girls and certainly my daughter,” Grand Champions Polo Club owner and Flight Options player Melissa Ganzi said. “I’ve seen the girls make a lot of progress and that’s really nice.

“It’s a great team sport and some of these girls will have an opportunity to play in college and be recruited by different coaches and teams.”

It was the first time the prestigious tournament was hosted by a South Florida polo club.

Jacqui Casey of The Polo School goes for the back shot with Mia Astrada of Grand Champions defends
Jacqui Casey of The Polo School goes for the back shot with Mia Astrada of Grand Champions defends

“This is the future of polo,” said Ganzi, host of the tournament. “It’s great to start with the kids. For the last two years our kids had to travel to Virginia to do this. Florida is one of the strongest regions. This is the home of winter polo. We have the best polo in the world in America but Florida is really lagging behind in the interscholastic and intercollegiate divisions so it was important to us to have it here.”

Grand Champions sponsored all three teams. The club provided the arena venue and all the horses except for three.

If Grand Champions wins in Virginia, the team will advance to the March 6-9 National Interscholastic Championship at the University of Connecticut.

This weekend Grand Champions will host four boys’ teams (Grand Champions, The Polo School, Palm Beach Polo and Port Mayaca) in the Southeastern Open Interscholastic Preliminary II Tournament at Polo West. The opening game is Friday at 6:30 p.m. and final is Saturday at 11 a.m.

For game recaps, news, features and photos of Grand Champions Polo Club-related events, go to www.grandchampionspoloclub.org.

2014 HIGH GOAL SEASON

JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 23: Ylvisaker Cup – Tuesday, Audi vs. Las Monjitas, 11:30 a.m..; Thursday, Flight Options vs. Orchard Hill, 1 p.m.; Friday, Audi vs. CT Energia, 3 p.m.; Feb. 9, Flight Options vs. Villa del Lago/Casablanca, noon; Feb. 12, Audi vs. Los Machitos/Heathcote, 4 p.m.; Feb. 13, Flight Options vs. Lechuza Caracas, 1 p.m.; Feb 16, Quarterfinals; Feb. 19, Semifinals; Feb. 23, George Haas Cup Final, noon; Ylvisaker Cup Finals.

FEBRUARY 14: National Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

FEBRUARY 15: Outback 40-Goal Challenge, 3 p.m.

FEBRUARY 16 – MARCH 2: C. V. Whitney Cup

FEBRUARY 22 – MARCH 8: Iglehart Cup

MARCH 5-23: USPA Piaget Gold Cup

MARCH 26 – APRIL 20: 110th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championships

GRAND CHAMPIONS @ PALM BEACH POLO 2014 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (HOTLINE 561-373-0073)

FEBRUARY: USPA Cyril R. Harrison Trophy; USPA Sieber Memorial Trophy; Friday Night Under The Lights Arena Polo.

MARCH: Madelon Bourdieu Memorial (5 goals); The Limited Edition 8-Goal Series; USPA Regional President’s Cup (8 goals); $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament; The Top Pony 12-Goal Series; Santa Rita Abierto (16 goals).

APRIL: Las Acacias (5 goals); USPA Association Cup (8 goals); Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame Challenge Cup (12-goals); John T. Oxley Memorial Trophy (16 goals).

THIS WEEK’S GRAND CHAMPIONS @ PB POLO GAMES

Tuesday, 3 p.m., Aspen Valley Cup 8-Goal Final (La Casa Hermosa vs. KIG), at Polo West.

Wednesday, 4 p.m., Metropolitan 5-Goal Cup Final (Pony Express vs. Elegante Polo, at Pony Express Field

Thursday, 4 p.m., Metropolitan 5-Goal Cup Handicap Final (Santa Clara vs. Grand Champions), Field 9.

Thursday, 4 p.m., Limited Edition 12-Goal Series Final (Las Monjitas vs. Casablanca), Field 2.

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB SCHEDULE (561-644-5050)

FEBRUARY 7-8: USPA Southeast Boys Interscholastic Preliminary Arena Polo Tournament, 6:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.

FEBRUARY 18: USA vs. United Kingdom Juniors Game, 4 p.m.

MARCH 9: Great Futures Celebrity Polo Match, 10 a.m., benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington.

MARCH 17: Buzz Welker Memorial Tournament

APRIL 4-5: Fifth annual Gay Polo League International Tournament

APRIL 8-12: Women’s Championship Tournament

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.

INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Flight Options. Everyone is welcome to watch high, medium and low goal polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the winter, spring and fall tournament season and other special events including International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, ProKidz Tournaments in the spring and fall, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.

Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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