Wellington, FL – February 3, 2014 – The fourth week of competition of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival concluded Sunday at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The AGDF 4 National saw competitors of all levels from around the globe for national dressage competition.
The AGDF 4 National served as an ideal venue for riders to show their young horses or trainers to work with less experienced students and give them exposure to a show setting outside of CDI competition.
Early in the week, Kyle McIver rode his six-year-old Westphalian gelding, Chocolate Chunk, to the top of the USEF Training Level 2 Adult Amateur Test. The pair scored a 71.786%. Lisa Giltner also broke 70% with her young horse, Lorelei. The six-year-old Hanoverian mare scored a 73.000% in the USEF Training Level 3 Open test.
Sean Sierra Keasler and her own De Lorean MF, a five-year-old Hanoverian stallion by Don Principe, rode to a 74.839% in the USEF Fourth Level Test for Junior and Young Riders later in the week. Up and coming riders and horses alike benefitted from the increased atmosphere at The Stadium with show jumping competition taking place alongside dressage throughout the week.
The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival hosted show jumping competition on Friday evening as well as the $50,000 Ariat CSI 2* Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon on the grass derby field adjacent to the dressage rings, which provided a unique competition setting for dressage competitors.
Professionals also enjoyed the chance to experience a higher level of activity than usual at the AGDF showgrounds for a national show. Dorie Addy-Crow rode Conrad to a 73.429% in the USEF Fourth Level Open test. Conrad is a seven-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Julia Jeschke.
The FEI Prix St. Georges saw another week of strong entries for the class, with 19 horse and rider pairs attempting the test. Sabine Schut-Kery topped the open test with Sanceo, a seven-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Alice Womble. The pair earned a score of 82.763%. Catherine Malone mastered the adult amateur FEI Prix St. Georges with Uno Diego. The pair rode to a score of 73.026%. Uno Don Diego is a Danish Warmblood stallion owned by Iron Spring Farm.
Lars Petersen and Willano
American-based Danish Olympic rider Lars Petersen was also seen at the AGDF 4 National with Willano, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Petersen. Willano and Petersen have been very successful at the Prix St. Georges level and are clearly off to a good start moving up to the grand prix level by scoring 71.300% for the win in the FEI Grand Prix Open class.
Competition wrapped up for the AGDF National 4 on Sunday, February 2. CDI competition will be back in force during the AGDF CDI 4*/3* and National show, presented by Dutta Corporation and Havensafe Farm. Competition will run from February 6-9 at The Stadium at PBIEC.
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.
Tim McQuay shows why he is a Gold Medal Olympic athlete. Photos by Meg McGuire.
Wellington, FL – February 3, 2014 – Top-notch dressage, jumper and hunter riders joined world-class reiners Friday night in an effort to learn “Who Reins Supreme.” The fourth annual “Who Reins Supreme?” featured dressage rider Susie Dutta, show jumpers Nick Dello Joio and Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, and hunter Louise Serio with reining superstars Tim McQuay and Mark Rafacz coaching and competing. The riders split into two teams and all six showed off their Western reining skills to an appreciative crowd in an effort to raise funds for the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF). Team McQuay/Dello Joio/Shahinian-Simpson edged out team Rafacz/Dutta/Serio by just half a point.
The Western-themed evening was also a chance to fete founders and past presidents of EAF, Mason Phelps Jr. and Robert Dover, as well as current president, R. Scot Evans. All three men were presented with the 2014 Luminary Award.
EAF Board member Kim Tudor presented the awards.
Nicole Shahinian-Simpson proves she can cowgirl up
“Tonight, we are here not only to support the Equestrian Aid Foundation, but also to celebrate the leadership of three amazing men who helped to found and guide the EAF into the organization we’ve become today,” she said. “Each of these gentlemen served as President of the Equestrian Aid Foundation during a time when their individual personalities and management style most benefited the growth of our charity. We have the Bold Eventer, Mason Phelps. The Precise and Determined Dressage Rider, Robert Dover. We have the forward thinking Hunter/Jumper Trainer & Rider, Scot Evans.”
“I am so proud to have been honored with the 2014 Luminary Award along with Robert and Scott,” Phelps said. “It’s amazing what our community can do when we all work together toward a common goal.”
Dover agreed. “I am honored to have been a part of this organization for so long and humbled by this award,” he said.
Phelps and Dover started the organization in 1996 to support those battling HIV/AIDS. As the EAF grew, it widened its reach to provide financial assistance to members of the equestrian community who need a helping hand because of catastrophic illnesses or injuries. The EAF helps with medical bills, rehabilitation and essential expenses.
Florida reiner Mark Rafacz shows how it’s done
“Outsiders often view the world of equestrian sports as a life of privilege,” Evans said. “That is not always the case, however, and many people in our midst are in need of assistance. ‘Who Reins Supreme?’ provides an opportunity for the community to come together for an enjoyable evening while also raising money for a worthy cause.”
Fun-Filled Evening Raised Funds to Support Equestrian Community Members in Need
WELLINGTON, FL. January 31, 2014 – The equestrian community and South Florida locals came together on Friday, January 31, 2014 for the fourth annual Equestrian Aid Foundation Who Reins Supreme?, supported by MeadowView Farm. The Old West themed event centered around a reining competition with hunter, jumper and dressage riders. Other highlights of the evening included a cocktail hour, delicious dinner, awards ceremony, and live and silent auctions, all to raise money for equestrians and equine-related professionals suffering from injury and chronic illness.
World-class riders Susie Dutta, Nick Dello Joio, Louise Serio and Nicole Shahinian Simpson showed off their newfound reining skills as they took the ring for the main event of the evening, a uniquely formatted reining competition. Accomplished reiner and trainer Mark Rafacz and one of the all-time leaders in the sport of reining, Tim McQuay, captained each team and joined their fellow riders in the competition. After fierce competition, Nick Dello Joio, Nicole Shahinian Simpson and Tim McQuay were the winning team.
The 2014 EAF Luminary Award was presented to three Equestrian Aid Foundation founders, past presidents Robert Dover and Mason Phelps, Jr. and the current president, R. Scot Evans.
“We founded this organization in 1996 to financially support those battling HIV/AIDS. As the EAF matured and grew stronger, we evolved into an organization providing financial help to those in the equestrian community suffering from any life-threatening illness or injury,” said Dover. “I am honored to have been a part of this organization for so long and humbled by this award.”
“I am so grateful to be honored with these two outstanding gentlemen who have done so much for the equestrian world,” said Phelps. “It is immensely rewarding to see a community where members support each other, and together our efforts have truly made a difference.”
Guests donned their best Western wear for the event, which kicked off with a cocktail hour featuring mixed drinks from Tito’s Homemade Vodka. A delicious dinner was provided by Aaron’s Catering for guests to enjoy while bidding on packages such as a week’s stay at a Tuscan villa and a cooking lesson with Top Chef Masters winner and world-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson. The top item was an ultimate New York experience donated by the Goutal family, which went for $5,200 and included dinner for four at Le Colonial and Saturday Night Live tickets.
“Outsiders often view the world of equestrian sports as a life of privilege. That is not always the case, however, and many people in our midst are in need of assistance,” said Evans. “Who Reins Supreme provides an opportunity for the community to come together for an enjoyable evening while also raising money for a worthy cause.”
About the Equestrian Aid Foundation: For 17 years, the Equestrian Aid Foundation has delivered financial assistance to equestrians, horsemen and equine-related professionals who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses or injuries throughout their time of need. Funding for medical, rehabilitation and essential expenses – such as food and housing – enables recipients to cope through crisis and get back on their feet. The EAF is dedicated to helping people from all riding disciplines, equine professions, backgrounds and ages. The EAF is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Learn more at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org, www.facebook.com/EAF.Ride4Hope or @ride4hope.
Sarit Schneider
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Sirota Public Relations
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Devon Kane and Destiny. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)
Wellington, FL (January 31, 2014) – Diamante Farms’ Devon Kane and Destiny, the 16.2-hand dark bay Danish warmblood trained personally by Kane, notched another win under their cutaway during Week Three of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, with a 67.843% finish in Saturday’s FEI Grand Prix Special 2014.
The win – and score — continue to cement Kane’s observation that her self-trained Danish-bred (by Diamond Hit, out of a Rubenstein mare) gelding has never yet delivered a performance earning below 65% from judges. Their career began together when Destiny was a green five-year-old and today, the 27-year-old Kane and her 11-year-old mount are standing foursquare on the threshold of Grand Prix greatness.
While establishing herself as one of American dressage’s rising stars, Kane worked for two years with Germany’s Hubertus Schmidt to transform the horse she once called her “dragon” into her Destiny. Since competing in three national Grand Prix in Florida, she has also received coaching from USEF Developing Coach Debbie McDonald and German trainer, Kevin Kohmann, while also overseeing her own training and lessons operation and riding up to a dozen horses daily at the family’s Diamante Farms in Wellington.
“I have a better relationship than ever with Destiny now. I know 110 percent that he’s going to do what I ask him,” Kane said. Prior to those summers with Schmidt, Destiny was “hot and a bit special. You didn’t always know that he would do what you wanted him to do.”
But Kane always knew she had a champion at her fingertips: “He knows he’s super special.”
Those around her think Kane is super special, too. “He (Schmidt) knows when to tell me to push. He understands a hot horse and the importance of compromise. At the same time, he makes us a hundred percent accountable. He expects a horse to be on the aids, working for me and with me, without negative tension. I understand where he’s coming from.”
Kane plans to keep tracking in the right direction, and is making it a priority to return to Germany again this summer. Until then, her plans for 2014 are to maintain that ideal of consistency in performance she and Destiny have established and qualify for the U.S. National Championships.
“Our next goal is to prove we can ride over 70 percent each time we get in the arena,” Kane said. “Gladstone is in our sights now.”
Diamante Farms of Wellington offers dressage training, board, sales and clinics for riders and horses of all levels. Learn more at DiamanteFarms.com or by calling 210-240-1614.
Contact Devon Kane
Diamante Farms devkane@mac.com
210-240-1614
THERMAL, CA (February 2, 2014) – As the dust settled from World Cup week at HITS Desert Horse Park, Josephina Nor Lantzman piloted her own Chello Z to the top of a 29-horse field in the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The highlight for Nor Lantzman was that it only took one round to get her the blue. With eleven four-fault rounds and only one clear, she was the lone rider to crack the code on Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s course.
Petersen set 13 obstacles with a triple and double combination. Faults were consistently scattered, but according to Nor Lantzman, the course rode fair. “When I walked it, I thought it was going to be easier that it actually rode, but he [Petersen] always builds great and he did a super job this time – it was a good size and equally technical.”
Nor Lantzman was also quick to thank SmartPak, a patented supplement feeding system and great supporter of show jumping, for sponsoring the class.
Spectators from the berms of the Strongid C 2X Grand prix Stadium looked on as nearly half the field rode to faults before Nor Lantzman and Chello Z were flawless to land the first clear.
“When the first ten or so had gone and no one was clear, I knew that there would only be two or maybe three in a jump-off,” admitted Nor Lantzman. “I warmed up for a jump-off anyway, but ended up being able to save my horse for another day.”
Chello Z has been the ride for Nor Lantzman since his five-year-old year and is now coming 14 with plenty to brag about. “We managed him really well and he has won ten grand prix,” said Nor Lantzman of her Zangersheide gelding. “He has been so good to me – he tries really hard every time, so I was actually happy that I didn’t have to ask him to go back in the ring today.”
When asked about her plans for the remainder of the HITS Thermal circuit, Nor Lantzman was excited to mention the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix. “We are of course pointing to the Million, but our day-to-day plan is to work really hard at getting back here to win again as many times as possible throughout the next few weeks,” she said.
Just fractions of a second from guaranteeing a jump-off, Jenni McAllister of Sun Valley, California rode LEGISequine.com’s Legis Venice to leave all the jumps up, but picked up one time fault to land in second. Third was awarded to the fastest four-faulter, Michelle Parker of San Marcos, California, in the irons of Cross Creek Farms, Inc.’s Socrates De Midos. Owner/rider Nayel Nassar was fourth aboard Dunsoghly Junior, while Peter Petschenig capped the top five with his own Saint Quentin.
As Week II comes to an end at HITS Desert Horse Park, grand prix competition returns to the spotlight on Friday. All grand prix at HITS Thermal continue to offer riders qualifying opportunities for the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, which will take place March 16 to kick off the first-ever HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping. West Coast grand prix will also serve as qualifiers for the Zoetis $ Million Grand Prix as part of the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York this September.
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.
Team Weber on their way to victory in the CAI-A4 Saumur. (Photo courtesy of PixelVisuel.com)
Ocala, FL (February 3, 2014) – For Chester Weber, the year of the horse is every year. At the 2014 USEF Annual Meeting in January at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, his contributions to his sport and equestrian community were recognized, including a televised celebration during Friday evening’s ceremonies on January 10 that saw Weber saluted by his peers as one of America’s Equestrians of Honor for 2013.
Weber was named an Equestrian of Honor and candidate for the USEF Pegasus Awards Equestrian of the Year title after recognition by the USEF with its 2013 Becky Grand Hart Award for international success in a non-Olympic discipline. The nomination stemmed from exceptional performance in the international arena and a dedication to community service and improving the equestrian industry.
The USEF ceremony noted: “Weber added to his legacy in 2013 with a campaign that saw him win at home and abroad. Always regarded for his skill on the first day, he proved his proficiency in Dressage by going undefeated in the phase throughout the year. He started off the season with victories at the Little Everglades CDE and Live Oak International CDE before traveling to Europe where he won the Saumur CAI-4A and Caen CAI-A4. Also in Europe, he produced third-place finishes at CHIO Aachen and CAI Beekbergen. He finished the season earning a tenth USEF Four-in-Hand National Championship at the Kentucky Classic CDE.”
Weber has also been appointed to the new 2014 USEF Board of Directors, following the streamlining of its membership from 54 to 19 individuals, in accordance with amendments to the Federation’s governance structure at the USEF Mid-Year Meeting to create a more agile and efficient organization.
He joins a core of equestrians including USEF president Chrystine Tauber, vice president Ellen Di Bella, and secretary/treasurer Bill Hughes in determining the forward motion of horse sports.
The 10-time USEF National Four-in-Hand Champion, 2012 World Driving Championships Individual Silver and Team Bronze Medalist and 2010 World Equestrian Games Silver medalist has always made time to play a role in the leadership of his sport and has served on numerous boards and committees, but it is his philanthropic side that is perhaps even better known.
In 2001 he purchased Jamaica, a partbred Hackney rescued from slaughter in Holland. When he failed as a Bruges carriage horse, he was purchased by Weber and with the plucky rescue horse in harness, Team Weber went on to collect national titles and a Silver Medal at the 2008 World FEI Championships. Jamaica was named Farnam Platform Horse of the Year by the USEF and, in keeping with his dedication to the equine industry and his horse’s history as a rescue, the Florida horseman donated Jamaica’s Horse of the Year prize — a year’s worth of feed – to local horse rescues in Ocala.
“My commitment has always been to present American horses and horse sport in the best possible light and to lead by example that great horses are everywhere. Their greatness can be reached through training and care. Jamaica’s story, from slaughterhouse to medals podium, raised awareness about rescues, which play a big role at our grassroots level.
“I was humbled to have been nominated as an Equestrian of Honor and to be appointed to serve on the Federation’s Board of Directors. It’s a new year and a new chapter, and I am ready,” Weber says, because every year, for him, is a year of the horse.
Follow Team Weber on their road to the 2014 World Equestrian Games at www.chesterweber.com and via Facebook.
The 2013 Seley Parker Group/Merrill Lynch Team International, winners of the Challenge of the Americas. Photo by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge.
The Challenge of the Americas Presented by SSG Gloves Fast Facts
What: The Challenge of the Americas (COTA), presented by SSG Gloves, is a spectacular event where teams of high-performance dressage riders compete in intricate quadrilles set to world-class music and choreography. New to 2014, teams will also include elite showjumpers riding a course while choosing to tackle the most difficult jumps and shaving seconds off their time in an effort to rack up more points for their teams.
This annual fundraiser is a one-of-a-kind affair where competing riders include the “Who’s Who” of top equestrian competitors in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. The 12th annual Challenge will once again raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer by benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Play for P.I.N.K.
When:
Fri., March 7, 2014
5:30 p.m. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
6:00 p.m. Challenge of the Americas Competition – Dressage and Show Jumping
7:30 p.m. Award Presentation
7:45 p.m. The Challenge Gala: Dinner and Dancing
Where:
International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South
Wellington, FL 33414 www.internationalpoloclub.com
Ticket Information:
Mary Ross
8067 Montserrat Place
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 433-0988 Anglot@aol.com
Ticket prices:
VIP Tables of 10: price includes competition and gala dinner and dancing
Gold Patron $6,500 per table
Silver Patron $4,500 per table
Bronze Patron $2,500 per table
Individual Seating: $250 per person
General Admission seating $20 per person at the gate
Children 12 and under admitted free (General Admission)
The Challenge of The Americas Beneficiary: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Play for P.I.N.K
Play for P.I.N.K.
Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer, by creating and promoting awareness of breast cancer through sporting and lifestyle events including men’s and women’s golf tournaments, tennis, swimming, card games, equestrian events, and shopping benefits. Our commitment is to contribute 100% of all funds raised to our beneficiary, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In 2013, PFP donated $4.25 million to BCRF for a cumulative total of $34 million. For more information about PFP, visit playforpink.org.
Victoria Colvin and Dedication Are Champions in Large Junior 16-17 Hunters at FTI WEF
Wellington, FL – February 2, 2014 – Week four of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded with the exciting $50,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 2* on Sunday afternoon held on the grass derby field at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). An exciting eight-horse jump-off finished with a win for Hardin Towell (USA) and Man in Black, with Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito in second and Lauren Hough (USA) aboard Ohlala finishing third.
The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue with its fifth week of competition, sponsored by Rolex, on February 5-9, 2014. 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.
Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela was the course designer for week four’s finale event. There were 45 competitors on the beautiful grass derby field with eight clear trips in round one to advance to the tie-breaking jump-off. In the second round, four entries cleared the short course without fault.
Lauren Hough set the pace with her clear round in the jump-off aboard The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala in 43.24 seconds to eventually finish third. Andres Rodriguez and Arao Enterprises LLC’s Caballito upped the ante with their time of 42.94 seconds to end up in second place. Roosje Brouwer (NED) and Stal Heijligers and A. Vogels’ SRI Aladdin also completed a clear round over the short course in a slower time of 49.56 seconds to earn fourth place honors. Last to go in the second round, Hardin Towell and Jennifer Gates’ Man in Black got the winning edge, completing the course in 42.47 seconds.
Man in Black is a 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Gentleman x Calvados that Towell has been riding for one year. Gates showed the gelding in the Junior Jumpers last year and then handed him over to compete at the higher level with Towell. Sunday’s win was the biggest of Towell’s career – his second grand prix victory, and his first major win at the FTI WEF. The rider is 26 years old and from Camden, South Carolina.
“With him in the past year, probably starting last year in Thunderbird, I was really close in a lot of classes and I would go too fast,” Towell said of his partnership with Man in Black. “On Thursday I was quite close to winning and I knew I should slow down, and I just kept running down the last line. I’m just glad I beat Andres, because in L.A. in November I was winning the World Cup class and was really fast, and everybody was like ‘Congratulations you won!’ and I said, ‘No, Andres still has to go,’ and he beat me by about one-tenth of a second. I think today was really close again, so I’m glad I could repay him the favor!”
“It feels very good (to win), and especially since I just started showing him,” Towell noted. “He’s a little bit strong. I have had a lot of trouble the last six months finding the right bit. I have changed a lot of bits and probably made a lot of mistakes using the wrong bits, but I think we have kind of figured it out. He’s a really sweet horse. He is very brave, very scopey, and this is a great venue out in this grass field. He is always good at places like that. He is so brave that he is a little bit impressed out here sometimes, so today he jumped unbelievably. I could not ask for any more; he was fantastic.”
Commenting on his winning round in the jump-off, Towell detailed, “I thought in the jump-off I was a little bit smarter. I thought about running and being crazy, and then I remembered, ‘You know what, let’s just try to be clean,’ and I thought I was close enough. I landed and I actually saw a leave out to the last jump, which maybe six months ago or Thursday I would have done and knocked it down, but I decided to try to cut it close and win by just a little bit.”
Towell got to compete at some different venues around North America this past year and explained that the experience has helped him grow as a rider.
“It helps a lot,” he stated. “I went to different places and competed against different people. My whole life I have kind of stayed in the Southeast. I have never had that opportunity, so I met a lot of new people, and it was nice showing at Spruce Meadows and everywhere we went. I have had a great last year; it has been very lucky. Jennifer has been great the whole year and I want to thank Chris, my barn manager, and my mom and dad, and my sister. We just have a very good team.”
Andres Rodriguez was happy for Towell’s success this week and had a great round with his horse, Caballito. He acknowledged the beautiful venue at The Stadium at PBIEC, which has hosted classes throughout the week.
“I really enjoy this venue,” Rodriguez stated. “The ring where they had the young riders grand prix the other day and this open field are a great change from the main stage. I think the horses appreciate the change and not jumping the same jumps in the same ring all the time. Leopoldo had a great course out there and I think with the time allowed, we had the right amount of people in the jump-off.”
“When we went to the jump-off there were a lot of really fast horses,” Rodriguez pointed out. “I think five horses in the jump-off have won international classes, so I knew it was going to be fast. It started with the first two having two jumps down, so that started to make me think, but then Lauren went and had a fast round so I went back to the first plan. From Hardin I knew he was going to get back at me at some point. I was hoping it wasn’t going to be today, but it was! I only saw the last line of his round. I thought he was going to take the six strides, which I was kind of hoping he would, and he didn’t. It was his turn to win, and I am happy for him. He’s been too close too many times, and this was his day.”
Third place finisher, Lauren Hough, had a great week with Ohlala, including a win in Friday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4. Hough was very happy with Sunday’s conclusion to the week and in addition to the third place prize, was named the Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider for week four. The award is sponsored by Martha Jolicoeur of Illustrated Properties in memory of Dale Lawler.
Commenting on her jump-off round with Ohlala, Hough explained, “I have to stick to my plan with that mare. She doesn’t have a huge stride, but she jumped fantastic and I think Leopoldo did a super job today. He had just the right amount of clear, the time was short but not impossible, and I knew the first two had two jumps down, but I went with what I could do. This is a huge field, so I just had to hope that maybe I would get a little lucky today, but unfortunately these two young men with big horses and big canters went just a little bit faster than me.”
“I went as fast as I thought I could go,” Hough acknowledged. “I don’t know if I could have gotten them, to be honest. She is who she is, and she wins a lot of classes, but they got me today. She was fantastic the whole week and one of her owners is here today, so I’m thrilled that she was able to see her.”
Victoria Colvin and Dedication
Victoria Colvin and Dedication Are Champions in Large Junior 16-17 Hunters at FTI WEF
Victoria Colvin added yet another accolade to her name when she topped the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, presented by Antarés, during week four of the FTI WEF. Colvin and the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Dr. Betsee Parker were third under saddle and third, second, first, and second over fences before being crowned division champion Sunday morning.
The reserve champion for the division was Vida Blue, ridden by Meredith Darst and owned by Elm Rock, LLC. Darst piloted Vida Blue to two blue ribbons over fences and jumped to second and fifth place on the second day of competition for the division.
Owner-rider championship honors were also awarded for the division. Cloe Hymowitz and her horse Perfectionist were announced as division champion owner-rider. There was a tie for reserve champion owner-rider between Piper Benjamin and Corvine and Vivian Yowan and Gretsky.
Parker was determined to have sixteen-year-old Colvin finish out her junior years on Dedication and is happy to see Colvin gel with the sometimes difficult gelding.
“Dedication is a very complicated horse to ride, and he’s very opinionated and strong. When Tori rides him, he has a very wonderful relaxation that occurs. I think it’s what I’ve spoken of [before] that she does to all the horses [she rides]; you can almost see the stream of confidence going from her into the horse,” Parker described.
She continued, “We saw this at the Hampton Classic. I said to Scott, ‘Let’s let Tori ride him and see what happens,’ because I want her to go out of her junior years on this horse. We tried, and she won with the highest score in history. She had a 98. So we thought we had a real good match.”
Parker went on to explain that like the rest of her horses, Dedication adores Colvin. The gelding transforms into a quieter, more settled animal with Colvin in the saddle. The feeling is mutual, and Colvin actually considers Dedication one of the easiest horses she rides.
“He is difficult,” Colvin admitted. “But [for example], Inclusive is really easy but he has a short stride and he’s like a little pony. But Dedication is so big, and he has the biggest stride. He’ll just lope down [the lines]. He could do like Olympic height, so for [the junior hunters] he just lopes over everything.”
Having the support of an owner like Parker means the world to Colvin, who acknowledged she wouldn’t be where she is today without Parker’s help.
“She’s amazing. If she wasn’t, I’d probably be doing small ponies still! Yeah, I’d still be doing small green [ponies],” Colvin joked.
Colvin’s victory wrapped up another week of competition at the FTI WEF. 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.
THERMAL, CA (February 2, 2014) – In their first grand prix of the 2014 season, Saer Coulter and Springtime kicked off their year on the highest of notes. They topped a field of 31 in the $50,000 Strongid C 2X CSI-W2*, presented by Zoetis, to highlight World Cup week at HITS Thermal. The class was a qualifier for the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals in Lyon, France this April.
The jumps were big, the time was tight and the field was competitive with six of the original 31 advancing to the jump-off. Course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Muenchen, Germany, kept the promise he made after Thursday’s grand prix and built big. “Olaf does a great job setting according to the field that he has,” said Coulter, who rides for the U.S. and hails from San Francisco, California. “With six clear, the jump-off was both fun and fair.”
Petersen’s course included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, including a double combination and an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination. A clear round didn’t come until the eighth ride of the order, and most of the faults arose later in the course with the triple at fence seven and a technical outside line that included fence eight, nine and 10.
Lucy Davis of Los Angeles, California, who also trains alongside Coulter under the direction of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Markus Beerbaum, proved the course could be jumped as the first to ride clear in the irons of Old Oak farm’s Barron. She was later joined by Justin Resnik of Glendale, California, Mexico’s Enrique Gonzalez, Eduardo Menezes for Brazil, Michelle Parker of San Marcos, California and eventually Coulter.
Coulter rode 21st in the original order and she admits it was advantageous to go late. “I was really lucky to go late in both rounds and watch a lot of the trips,” she said.
Riders agreed that the jump-off left little room for improvising and didn’t present many options, but begged for speed. “The first round was more technical, where the jump-off was all about the gallop,” said Menezes, who was aboard Quintol Mercedes Benz for owner Santiago Hank in the jump-off. “It’s key to know the riders you are setting for and Olaf [Petersen] gets the perfect number every time.”
In the jump-off, riders rode against the time, with five of the six who returned riding double clear. The lead would change three times and first landed with Davis and Barron, who set an early Great American Time to Beat at 43.57 seconds. Resnik and Carismo Z, owned by The Carismo Z Group, LLC, finished with eight faults before Gonzalez and his own Quilebo Du Tillard stole the lead from Davis in 42.49 seconds. It didn’t sit for long, however, as Menezes rode the course in 41.46 seconds. Parker challenged on Cross Creek Farms, Inc.’s Clintord, but was one second off the pace in 42.17 seconds.
Coulter returned last and left out a stride between the second and third fences of the course, riding it in seven steps to guide Springtime to the win. Menezes was second and Parker third. Gonzalez finished fourth and Davis fifth, while Resnik was the only contender with faults, landing him in sixth.
Springtime’s career came full circle on Saturday. “He has done everything with me – from the highs, all the way to the international level,” said Coulter of Springtime.
The now 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was found as a 10-year-old for Coulter in Holland by Paul and Emile Hendricks where he was jumping at the World Cup level. Coulter was riding in Holland at the time and maintains that she was simply lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. “Paul and Emile [Hendricks] were in the crowd here tonight and it was really special to have them here watching him. He [Springtime] has been incredible and I am really lucky to have him.”
Coulter, 22, recently graduated from Stanford University and now focuses her full attention on riding. “My goal is to qualify for the World Cup Finals and we were here this week to hopefully get it done early and be able to focus on doing well in France.”
As World Cup week comes to an end, grand prix competition at HITS Desert Horse Park continues today with the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. World Cup qualifying will return during Week IV with the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on the evening of February 22. All grand prix at HITS Thermal continue to offer riders qualifying opportunities for the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, which will take place March 16 to kick off the first-ever HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping.
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.
Melissa Groher and Logan Best the Ariat National Adult Medal at FTI WEF
Wellington, FL – February 1, 2014 – Canada’s Ian Millar, Kelly Soleau and Emily Kinch were the winning team in the fifth annual FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments (FTI GCC) on behalf of their charity, Speak Up for Kids, on Saturday evening at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Sponsored by Lothlorien and corporate sponsors Bass, Bolfo, Newlands and Rowland, the three riders made up the top team of the night out of 35 pro-am combinations paired with Palm Beach County charities.
A signature event of the twelve-week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, this year’s FTI GCC will distribute approximately $2 million to the lucky Palm Beach County charities that were chosen at random to be represented in the pro-am team relay competition. Each team was made up of junior and amateur riders competing side by side with top professionals.
In addition to the FTI GCC competition, the evening featured a concert by four-time Grammy Nominee Hunter Hayes. The fans flooded the stadium to enjoy the family fun event and amazing entertainment as part of the “Saturday Night Lights” series at the FTI WEF.
The winning charity, Speak Up for Kids, raises needed funds to support the efforts of the Palm Beach County Guardian ad Litem Program to recruit and train GAL volunteers, train volunteers and staff, and provide needed program and family support, so that all abused, abandoned, and neglected children will have a voice in court – someone who will speak for them, stand up for them, and follow through on the case until it is permanently resolved.
Gregg Weiss, treasurer and founding member of Speak Up For Kids, spoke about the exciting win for his charity on Saturday night, a win that will double the organization’s fundraising efforts this year.
“We are very, very pleased that we had the opportunity to participate in this event, and we are very pleased that our team came in first place,” Weiss remarked to his winning team of riders. “Speak Up for Kids supports a guardian ad litem program. In Palm Beach County we support over 1,700 children, and we raise money to make sure every child has a voice, and every child is heard. For the work that you all did tonight, it is going to make a big difference in their lives. It is life changing for so many people, so thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you to Kristin Solomon and Diana Reese for all of their hard work for Speak Up for Kids. It was a team effort from not only your team, but from ours.”
Kristin Solomon detailed the Speak Up for Kids program, explaining, “The guardian ad litem program is a state agency that represents abused, abandoned and neglected children that are in an open court case, and we are appointed by a judge to help their best interests throughout the whole process. This is a volunteer organization. In Palm Beach County alone there are over 500 volunteer child advocates that give children a voice in the court system. I only have 30 employees, the rest are all volunteers that do all of the work. Statewide we have almost 10,000 volunteer child advocates, so this money goes directly to support the volunteers right in this community.”
Ten-time Olympian, Ian Millar, captained the winning team with riders Kelly Soleau and Emily Kinch. All three riders jumped clear over their courses and had the fastest combined time of the night in 93.107 seconds to win the top prize of $150,000 for their charity. There is a sliding scale for the balance of the proceeds down to 35th place, which wins $15,000, ensuring that everyone is a winner.
Coming in second place was the team for Wellington PTO/PTA/PTSA, sponsored by EnTrust Capital and Rose Hill Farm as well as corporate sponsor Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC. The team consisted of Ken Berkley, Cloe Hymowitz, and Lilli Hymowitz, who all cleared the course with a combined time of 95.056 seconds to earn $125,000 for their charity.
Hunter Hayes’s charity, Musicares, finished third and won $112,500. The team was made up of Alvaro ‘Doda’ de Miranda, Paige Bellissimo and Alex Crown, sponsored by Dressage Team and the Rizvi Family and corporate sponsors Carol Cohen, Diamante Farms, Michael Collins, Mike Davis, Rose Peslar (Everglades Dressage), Tim Dutta, Tuny Paige, and the Van Kampen Foundation. All three riders cleared the course without fault and finished with a time of 96.117 seconds overall.
Ian Millar was aboard his mount Baranus this evening, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding. This was Millar’s first time competing in the FTI GCC and he was proud to represent team sponsor Lothlorien for his owners, Susan and Ariel Grange. Millar was also very happy to ride for such a great cause.
“It was a great pleasure to do it, and when we finished our round, I can’t tell you the pleasure I had,” Millar smiled. “It is a very enjoyable and rewarding class just because of the situation. I mean, winning Grand Prix is great, but this is different. This is special. To do this for a group like Speak Up for Kids, where they look after 1700 children in Palm Beach County and to hear that this doubles their annual revenue, it’s a big deal. This will be life changing for this charity. It is really a very nice thing to be able to help this charity, and we are very proud to do it.”
“I believe this is the biggest charity competition in this sport,” Millar added. “This is the premier winter equestrian sport in the world right now, this is the best jumping anywhere in the world. They’re jumping all over the United States, they’re jumping in Italy, in Spain, they’re jumping everywhere, and this is the best in the world, and to do a competition like this is just such a great credit to them.”
Soleau rode a horse named Hoolie Hoo, and was very happy with her round aboard the speedy mare. “She was actually a borrowed horse for this event,” Soleau stated. “A lovely family that owns the horse very kindly let me borrow her. I’ve only shown her a handful of times, and she was just fantastic. To ride for this charity was such an honor. I’m just beyond thrilled for everybody.”
Soleau has competed in the FTI GCC before and was excited to be back in the competition this year and to win for her charity.
“It’s just fantastic,” she smiled. “I was in it a few years ago. I believe I was involved in one of the first ones they did, and I get excited every year. It is just fantastic for all of these charities. It was really an honor to be able to ride and compete and win tonight.”
Emily Kinch and New Boy de Logerie
Twenty-year-old Emily Kinch led things off for her team this evening and set a very fast pace aboard her horse, New Boy de Logerie. Kinch, originally from Barbados, trains with the Millar family and now resides in Canada.
“I was on my new horse that I got over Christmas holidays, and he was pretty spectacular tonight,” Kinch praised. “Every question I asked, he did it. He was perfect.”
Kinch rode in last year’s FTI GCC riding a mare named Victoria and “had a ball.” She was happy to return to the competition this year and get a win for Speak Up for Kids.
“It meant a lot because when I think of a charity, the first thing that comes to mind is helping children,” Kinch stated. “To have Speak Up for Kids as our charity tonight, that was first thing in my mind.”
Everyone was thrilled with this year’s fantastic event, including presenting sponsor, Fidelity Investments.
“Fidelity Investments is pleased to be a part of the Great Charity Challenge, and to bring much needed support to so many worthy Palm Beach County charities,” said Bill Marazzi, VP and Branch Manager of the Fidelity Investments investor center in Palm Beach.
Equestrian Sport Productions’ CEO Mark Bellissimo congratulated everyone on an exciting event.
“I just want to thank this team and the dedication of everyone for giving their time and energy,” Bellissimo stated. “This is a big gesture. The owner doesn’t get the money and the rider doesn’t get the money; the charity gets the money, and it will touch 1700 lives. It is rare that you get that opportunity. I think if you add up the impact of all of the charities and you look at all of the lives we touched tonight, we are going to touch 10,000, maybe 12,000 lives based on the selflessness of some riders and I am so excited about that. This event was created to find heroes in the community, and I think we found some here. I can’t think of a better group to pull it off, and I am thrilled with what happened here tonight. It is very exciting for us.”
More information on the competition and winning charities of the 2014 FTI GCC will be available soon. For more information on the FTI GCC, visit www.ftigreatcharitychallenge.com.
Logan and Melissa Groher
Melissa Groher and Logan Best the Ariat National Adult Medal at FTI WEF
Melissa Groher of South Glastonbury, CT, may have only been at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) for the weekend, but she certainly made it count. Groher finished first in the Ariat National Adult Medal on Saturday afternoon during the fourth week of competition at the FTI WEF.
The top four riders were called back into the ring for the test. Groher and Logan, a six-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, had a first round high score of 86 before riding to the top of the class. Second place went to Rachel Boggus, who qualified with a first round score of 81.5 aboard Papillon 134. Elizabeth Kirby and Validation finished third after scoring 83 in the first round and Groher’s sister, Amanda Groher, was fourth with Castelano and a score of 82.
The test called for riders to approach a trot jump directly from the in-gate and canter a single oxer before coming back to the skinny vertical that plagued many first round riders thanks to a short approach in the original course. From there, riders cantered to the judge’s stand, where they were asked to halt and back four steps before exiting the ring at the sitting trot.
Groher wasn’t nervous going into the ring with Logan, despite never contesting the Ariat National Adult Medal at a show of the FTI WEF’s caliber.
“We’re just here to have fun and Logan’s awesome, so I knew it would be fun going in there,” she smiled.
Logan may be young at only six years of age, but 24-year-old Groher has been thrilled with her borrowed mount.
“Logan is my trainer, Kyla [Makhloghi’s] horse. He’s so much fun. He’s always right under my leg and there for me, so he’s a good boy. For a six-year-old, he’s amazing. He does all the hard stuff easily,” Groher explained.
When asked what made Logan particularly apt for the equitation ring, Groher continued, “He’s so adjustable. He turns on a dime and he’s really in tune to my leg, so it’s really easy to just look where I’m going and he can feel it out himself.”
Groher saved up her vacation days and took the week off from her job as an advertising sales assistant at House Beautiful Magazine in New York City to compete at the FTI WEF with her sister. The two made the most of their trip to Wellington and were happy to have the opportunity to fly south to the Florida sunshine.
“My sister and I ride together, and now that we’re adults we don’t have our own horses. Linda Langmeier is amazing and lets us have really great opportunities [by giving us horses to ride] when we don’t have a horse, so it’s really fun and exciting to come down here for a weekend,” Groher remarked.
Of sharing riding with her sister, Groher detailed, “It’s amazing. We’ve both been riding since we were babies. My mom grew up riding, so she taught us in the beginning. It’s a passion we share, and we both get along so well. We work hard together, and it’s really awesome that we can do it together.”
Hunter competition for Week 4 concludes on Sunday with the Antares Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. Jumper competition concludes with the $50,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 2*, which will be held at 2 p.m. on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC. 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.
“I am so grateful to be honored with these two outstanding gentlemen who have done so much for the equestrian world,” said Phelps. “It is immensely rewarding to see a community where members support each other, and together our efforts have truly made a difference.”
About the Equestrian Aid Foundation: For 17 years, the Equestrian Aid Foundation has delivered financial assistance to equestrians, horsemen and equine-related professionals who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses or injuries throughout their time of need. Funding for medical, rehabilitation and essential expenses – such as food and housing – enables recipients to cope through crisis and get back on their feet. The EAF is dedicated to helping people from all riding disciplines, equine professions, backgrounds and ages. The EAF is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Learn more at 
