Canada’s Tiffany Foster guided Victor to victory in the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round III – Section B. Photo by Sportfot.
Wellington, Florida – Canada’s Tiffany Foster emerged victorious in the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round III – Section B held Thursday, January 23, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.
A total of 92 horses attempted the first round track set by course designer Guilherme Jorge with 25 posting clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. Returning for the jump-off mid-way through the order, Foster guided Victor to a blazing fast round in a time of 40.50 seconds to take over the lead from her 2012 London Olympic teammate, Ian Millar, who had stopped the clock in 40.84 seconds riding Dixson. Only one rider, Todd Minikus, was able to better her time, crossing the timers in 40.34 seconds riding Quality Girl to take the win in Section A while Foster was crowned the victor of Section B.
“He felt awesome; he was perfect!” said Foster, 29, of her 2012 Olympic mount. “The jump-off course was really wide open; there was a lot of open galloping, so you had to carry a lot of ground speed which can get a little hairy sometimes, but not for Victor! He loves it!”
Now in their fourth season together, Foster and Victor, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Elmshorn x Grandeur) owned by Torrey Pines Stable and Artisan Farms LLC, are no strangers to the International Arena at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. They were members of Canada’s Nations’ Cup team in Wellington in both 2012 and 2013, posting clear rounds on both occasions.
“He knows this ring really well, so I know I can take a lot of risks with him here and he’s really confident and comfortable,” explained Foster of Vancouver, BC. “When he’s jumping like he was today, I knew I could go really fast!”
Foster even out-raced her coach, 2008 Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, who placed third riding Zigali P S in only their third competitive appearance together.
Foster competes at the grand prix level with Victor as well as Verdi III, a new mount acquired in June of 2013 by her owners, Andy and Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms LLC. In addition, she has several young prospects she is developing for Artisan Farms of Wellington, Florida, and Vrasene, Belgium.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Havens Schatt and Bacardi Triumph in Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Working Hunters
Wellington, FL – January 23, 2014 – Week three of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Fidelity Investments, continued on Thursday afternoon with a shared victory for Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl and Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Victor in the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3. Held in a “California Split” due to the large number of entries, the competition awarded two sets of placings, each with $34,000 distributed.
Week three of FTI WEF competition continues through Sunday, January 26. The week will feature the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m on Friday, the highlight $125,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday night, and the $34,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. 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.
Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge set the course for the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 on Thursday in the International Arena at PBIEC. The class saw a total of 92 entries with 24 clear rounds advancing to the jump-off. Twelve jumped clear over the short course, and Todd Minikus and the Quality Group’s Quality Girl had the fastest time of 40.34 seconds overall for the win in Section A of the class. Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines Stable’s Victor finished in 40.50 seconds for the win in Section B.
The top three finishers in Section A included Minikus and Quality Girl, Ian Millar (CAN) and Dixson, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, with their time of 40.84 seconds, and Eric Lamaze (CAN) with Artisan Farms LLC’s Zigali P S in 43 seconds flat.
Section B saw a top finish for Foster and Victor, with Kent Farrington (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Willow in second in 41.80 seconds, and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Octavia Farms’ Checkmate 4 in third in 43.52 seconds.
After his win aboard Quality Girl, Todd Minikus remarked on the star-studded line-up of horses and riders in Thursday’s jump-off. “That was pretty spectacular really, if you looked at the list and how that was playing out,” Minikus acknowledged. “We had everybody from Meredith to Kent to Ian to McLain. Beezie had the lead for a while. That was pretty fun. It got a little faster and a little faster and a little faster.”
“Things kind of just came up nice for me in the turns, and it all worked out,” Minikus said of his jump-off round on Quality Girl. He also had a second chance in the jump-off with Legacy Stables’ Uraguay and did his best to get both top spots, but had an unfortunate stop in the short course.
“I was really trying hard to be second with Uraguay,” he said. “I think I was faster from fence one to two and back to the combination on him and then I kind of got in the same rut that everybody else turned in and he slipped bad going to that vertical. That kind of stunk, but that horse was really on his game too.”
Minikus acknowledged the effort of course designer Guilherme Jorge in Thursday’s class, stating, “I tell you, that’s gotta be a tough job trying to design for that many horses. I guess if you go with percentage of the class, he had 26% clear. That was probably the right percentage. It sounds like a lot, but 24 out of 92, that’s probably a good number. It was a nice course. Some of the younger horses jumped it well, and it was nice that the show management did the California Split. That was the right thing to do with that many entries.”
In addition to the prize money in Thursday’s class, Minikus earned a special $3,000 bonus as part of the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion for wearing his SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves. Each week of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible.
Tiffany Foster and Victor
Tiffany Foster was also very happy with her win in Section B of Thursday’s class aboard Victor, her mount of nearly four years. Commenting on the top finish, Foster smiled, “Every win is exciting for me. He felt awesome, and he was perfect. He knows this ring really well, so I know I can take a lot of risks with him here and he is really confident and comfortable. When he is jumping like he was today, I knew I could go really fast.”
“The jump-off was really wide open,” Foster noted. “You had to carry a lot of ground speed and that gets a little hairy sometimes, but not for Victor. He loves that. There was a lot of open galloping, and we are good at that.”
“Because he is so careful, I could go really fast to the plank and really fast to the last jump,” Foster added. “I didn’t slow down at all to those two fences. Most horses, you need to give them a little balancing point so that they can get up and go clear, but I know when he is jumping like that he is never going to knock it down and I can just run as fast as I can. It’s a good feeling; you don’t get that on all of them, that’s for sure.”
An $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class was also held in the International Arena on Thursday morning with a win for McLain Ward and Alain van Campenhoudt’s Citizenguard Million Dreams. The $2,500 Amateur-Owner Jumpers, sponsored by Engel & Völkers, Sollak Carr, saw a win for Abigail McArdle and David McArdle’s Cosma 20.
Havens Schatt and Bacardi Triumph in Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Working Hunters
Havens Schatt and Bacardi are already off to a good start in 2014. In the seven-year-old KWPN gelding’s first show of his second green year, Bacardi and Schatt were champions of the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Working Hunter at FTI WEF on Thursday afternoon. Schatt piloted Bacardi to four blue ribbon rounds over fences and placed third in the under saddle class.
The reserve champion for the division was As Always, ridden by Jennifer Hannah and owned by Jennifer Smith. The pair were first in the under saddle and fifth, second, fourth, and second over fences.
Schatt and Bacardi had quite the year during 2013 in the First Year Green Working Hunter division. Together they picked up seven division championship titles, culminating with being crowned Grand Green Hunter Champion at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Caroline Moran, Bacardi’s owner, was thrilled to see her gelding off to an equally successful start in 2014. Bacardi and Schatt topped their final over fences round on Thursday with an astounding score of 97.
“I didn’t think he could beat himself when he was a First Year horse, but I think he’s jumping the Second Years even better. He is just an amazing horse,” Moran commented.
Bacardi’s steadfast attitude in the show ring is what Moran believes gives him his edge.
“He’s just so consistent. He can be a bit of a brat at home, but whenever he comes to the ring he’s all business and is just a consistently good horse. In my opinion, he’s getting better and better,” she continued.
Moran, an accomplished amateur rider, has gotten in the saddle a few times herself, but is happy to watch Bacardi flourish under a talented rider like Schatt.
“When Havens prepares him to go to the ring, he’s absolutely perfect, so my job is not difficult,” Moran laughed. “He’s just an all-around great horse and of course she rides beautifully. She makes everything look so smooth and every horse look so easy. I think she’s just a classic rider. I think she’s a smart rider. She picks and chooses where she wants to show the horses and only when they’re ready. I think she’s a good horseman.”
Schatt emphasized that slow and steady was the only suitable approach for Bacardi, although she never had any doubt that he would turn into the champion he has become.
“I had in my heart that he could be an amazing horse and I really felt that if you rushed him, you were just going to turn him the wrong way. He was a little bit tricky at first, but it was more just to let him go at his speed than push him to do something he wasn’t really ready for,” Schatt described.
From the start, Bacardi has been a favorite mount for Schatt, who enjoys the unique opportunity she has been afforded to have a mount of her own.
“My job is young horses and making sure they’re ready for their amateurs. He’s really the only horse that I’ve ever had that’s been really just for me. I’ve not really had an owner that let me have a horse and do [what I want],” Schatt explained.
She continued, “I love riding him. That’s why in the very beginning, even though he was a little bit of a pistol, I wanted to have him for myself. He just always seemed to suit my ride. He’s got an amazing rhythm and for a little horse, he has such a big stride. The way his jumping style is, and his front end is so correct, you don’t have to be perfect at every distance. If you’re a little tight or a little long, he’s going to take care of it for you as long as you tell him what you want. That’s always a nice feeling.”
Schatt is equally grateful for her long-standing friendship with Moran. Schatt has ridden horses for Moran for more than 10 years and is comforted knowing Bacardi will always have a loving home.
“She’s such a great person. She loves the horses as much as I do. If he didn’t want to do Second Years for some reason, with what he’s won and what he’s done with her, she would do adult [amateurs] or just play with him. He has a home forever and she’s a great, great person,” Schatt expressed.
Week three of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue on Friday with the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m in the International Arena and the presentation of championship honors to the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Section A in the Rost 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.
Kai Handt with his horse NTEC Richter Scale (ridden by Jonathan Wentz) preparing for the trot up at the 2012 London Paralympics. Photo (C) Lindsay Yosay McCall.
Wellington, FL – January 23, 2014 – As the 2014 Para-Dressage season kicks into gear, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. Handt’s new appointment will run through 2016 making him the United States Para-Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and the 2016 Paralympics. This new role is very familiar to Handt who has been a rider, trainer, and coach for nearly 40 years. Since relocating to the United States in 1985, Handt has built a large training program at his own North Texas Equestrian Center in Wylie, Texas. Handt not only trains multiple young riders in dressage but he also has earned his USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals as well as his silver and gold freestyle bars. Over the past six years, Handt has worked within the Para-Dressage world where he trained and sponsored the late Paralympian Jonathan Wentz. Handt helped Wentz ride to his full potential and reach his goals which included representing the U.S. Para-Dressage Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, winning the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship in 2011, and becoming the highest individual ranking U.S. rider that competed in London at the Paralympics. Handt will work closely with all current and potential para-dressage athletes preparing each rider and their horses for international competition. Kai Handt is an advocate for the para-dressage discipline and enjoys encouraging other sponsors, riders, and trainers to get involved with the sport. The ultimate goal of each high-performance discipline is to win medals. Kai Handt is excited for his future with the para-dressage program and looks forward to a medal winning 2014.
Kai Handt commented, “I am excited and honored by the decision of my peers to appoint me the Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor and Chef d’Equipe. I look forward to this exciting leadership position and will strive to make sure that our outstanding horses and riders will be a successful team on the national and international show circuit. With the help of our exceptional staff at the helm and a growing number of excellent supporters for our sport, I look forward to a fantastic future for all of our athletes.”
The United States Federation (USEF) has named Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. The Search Committee, chaired by Eric Straus, USEF Para-Equestrian Eligible Athlete Committee, and USEF Para-Equestrian High Performance Committee recommended Handt for this position.
On Saturday, January 25 at 7:00 am, the USEF will host a breakfast forum for all potential Para-Equestrian 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games applicants and their trainers to meet with Handt for a meet-and-greet session and to begin the strategic planning for 2014. The forum will take place at the Asador Patagonia restaurant, 675 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
This opportunity to meet with Handt follows the USET Foundation’s “Soirée du Cheval” on Friday, January 24, 2014, where 21 individuals from para-equestrian sport will represent the discipline at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games fundraiser.
Reservations for the forum to meet Handt are required through Laureen Johnson, USEF High Performance Director of Para-Equestrian and Vaulting, 908-326-1155, or via email at lkjohnson@usef.org.
The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.
The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.
Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.
In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).
For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.
Wellington, FL – January 23, 2014 – Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven continued her hot streak in Wellington on Thursday afternoon, winning the FEI Grand Prix with Divertimento during the third week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Vilhelmson-Silfven took home two first place prizes with Don Auriello during the first week of AGDF and started off week three with equal success.
Vilhelmson-Silfven and Lövsta Stuteri’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding topped the class with a score of 75.000%. The top three was rounded about by Danish riders Lars Petersen, who rode Mariett to second place with a 73.320%, and Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady, who were third with a 71.640%. Megan Lane of Canada was fourth with a score of 71.020% on Caravella. The top placing American rider was Adrienne Lyle, who finished fifth with Wizard on a score of 70.100%
The AGDF 3 Dressage CDI-W, presented by the US P.R.E. Association and Chesapeake Dressage Institute, runs January 23-26 at The Stadium at PBIEC. The feature event for the week is the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday evening from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Divertimento had a break from the show ring while traveling with other grand prix mount Don Auriello, and Vilhelmson-Silfven was thrilled with the gelding’s first outing in some time. Divertimento occasionally suffers from a bit of performance anxiety, so Vilhelmson-Silfven was happy to feel him relax during their test.
“The best feeling I had was in the canter. He relaxed a little bit more once I got going. It was a bit tense starting, but he felt better and better. I was very pleased with the canter work because that’s not always the easiest on him. I was happy with the pirouettes and the zig-zags, but overall I was happy he was so good in his mind and so relaxed,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.
Vilhelmson-Silfven opted out of any freestyle competitions with Divertimento to concentrate on helping the horse mature, a decision that has clearly paid off.
“He feels much more mature. I took a break from freestyles just to get him more focused and trained a bit instead. I think I felt today that it was the best thing to do to give him a little bit of a competition break and get more mature and more ready for what he should do,” Vilhelmson-Silfven remarked.
When asked if Wellington was a good luck charm for Vilhelmson-Silfven, who has had three CDI victories in her first three outings, she smiled, “It must be! It’s been a great thing for me these years, traveling here and being able to compete her in the wintertime, when everything actually stops a bit [in Europe]. It’s been good for these horses.”
Adrienne Lyle was the highest placed American rider after a fifth place finish with Peggy Thomas’ Wizard, another horse back in the show ring after some time off.
“It’s been a year since we’ve been in the ring. We did a national show in preparation for this and I thought today he felt much better, so hopefully we’re going in the right direction,” Lyle detailed.
“I worked just on my technical parts of the test today, making sure I get back in test-riding mode. Riding the corners, riding the preparations. We had a couple losses of balance coming into the piaffe, it was not so good, and then a couple little issues that I think we can get better, but really just trying to get back from training mode,” she continued.
Lyle looks forward to competing the rest of the season of AGDF to get Wizard, and herself, back in top form. With a whopping 30 entries in the FEI Grand Prix, she shouldn’t have any trouble getting the exposure she is looking for.
“It’s amazing. It’s so above and beyond any numbers of anything I’ve been in. It’s so exciting!” Lyle expressed.
Peterson, Munder Gundersen, and Vilhelmson-Silfven all agreed that a class as large as Thursday’s was quite similar to numbers seen in Europe, which provides riders with top tier competition.
“I think it’s great. This feeling that we could look a little bit in the morning and get ready and warm up. That’s kind of the way we can sometimes do it in Europe. I really liked that today, the possibility of seeing somebody else ride (in the Grand Prix class). And great rides this morning as well,” Vilhelmson-Silfven described.
“You don’t get many chances to watch Grand Prix all day, at least I don’t,” Lyle commented. “Not in Idaho!”
Vilhelmson-Silfven was also awarded with the Champion Equine Insurance Dressage Style Award for her winning ride with Divertimento. Gabriella Stumpf was awarded the Show Chic Turnout Award during the FEI Jog on Wednesday afternoon.
Competition for AGDF 3 continues Friday with the FEI Prix St. Georges presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute starting at 11:05 a.m., followed by the featured class for the week, the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle presented by US P.R.E. Association from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.
Wellington, FL – January 23, 2014 – Mark your calendars now for the Ridge at Wellington’s inaugural Hunter Derby Days! The Ridge at Wellington will give a new meaning to “TGIF” when their $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby take center stage at the Ridge at Wellington on Friday, February 7 and Friday, March 21, 2014. Entries will fill fast as the top hunter riders in the nation gather for a battle of the best on the turf. Part of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour, the International and National Hunter Derbies are the perfect fit into the Wellington Winter Circuit as riders prepare for the steadily approaching hunter derbies at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
“I am very excited to have some new options for the hunter derbies during the circuit,” professional hunter rider Louise Serio said. “I think it is a great opportunity for the horses and the riders to show at a new location. It gives us more options. There is only one derby during WEF, and it is at the end of the season. It is also one of the hardest events we do all year. Hopefully this will offer some courses that the young horses can gain some experience over and the more seasoned horses can compete, too.”
On February 7 and March 21, 2014, the turf at the Ridge at Wellington will transform into a picturesque hunt field, reminiscent of the traditional hunt fields of the past. Shrubbery, flowers and natural obstacles will fill the open field as the inaugural $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will commence. Running concurrently in the sand arena will be the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Kenneth Krome will design the first derbies of 2014 at the Ridge of Wellington, testing both horse and rider alike as they take on the daunting obstacles. Robert Crandall, Nancy Hall, Leo Conroy and Holly Orlando will judge the first week of the Ridge at Wellington Hunter Derby Days. For the second event of the series Dee Thomas, Linda Andrisani, Gary Duffy and Daniel Robertshaw will scrutinize each round and name the winner.
The Ridge at Wellington Hunter Derbies are the epitome of what the show world strives to accomplish. With unparalleled hospitality, and the careful and knowledgeable minds of Olympian Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the Hunter Derby Days are a horse show run by horsemen for horsemen.
In the world of hunter derbies, The Ridge at Wellington provides an exhilarating opportunity for riders of all levels. As a stand-alone derby day, the national and international classes are fully dedicated to showcasing and perfecting the derby classes with ideal turf that rivals the traditional fox hunting fields, reveling in the sport and athleticism of the horse.
This premiere state-of-the-art facility offers the best of the equestrian sports with varying competition levels. Their shows offer a wide array of classes, as well as generous prize money and sponsorship opportunities. Located only two miles from the prestigious Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the Ridge at Wellington offers one of the most centrally located horse shows in Wellington.
The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its second year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 22, 2014.
The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 8, 2014 and running until March 19, 2014.
Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January – March 2013. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.
Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 7, 2014 and March 21, 2014.
What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Senior Classics, and two hunter derbies.
From the Florida Turnpike: Take the exit for LakeWorth Road West. Continue on Lake Worth Road approximately 6 miles to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Continue to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
From Route 95: Take the exit for Forest Hill Blvd West. Continue on Forest Hill Blvd to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Once on South Shore Blvd, continue straight at light at Pierson Road and again straight through the intersection at Lake Worth Road, to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Wellington, FL – January 22, 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began its third week of competition, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, on Wednesday, January 22, with a win for Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 in the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m FEI world ranking class.
Week three continues through Sunday, January 26. The week will feature the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 on Thursday, the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m on Friday, the highlight $125,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday night, and the $34,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. 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.
Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week three’s competition. Jorge set the course for 46 entries in Wednesday afternoon’s $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class and had 14 clear rounds. Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 went early in the order and completed the course in 57.10 seconds to earn top honors.
Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Annie, owned by Lord and Lady Harris and Lord and Lady Kirkham, finished second, exactly one second slower in 58.10 seconds. Third place honors went to Ian Millar (CAN) and Ariel and Susan Grange’s Dixson in 59.03 seconds. Quentin Judge (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Dark de la Hart earned the fourth place prize in 59.67 seconds.
Cyklon 1083, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion by Cardento x Cortus, had a great 2013 season under the guidance of rider Shane Sweetnam and looks to continue that success in 2014. The pair won a ranking class during week 12 of FTI WEF competition in March last year, topped a class in Göteborg, Sweden, in April, won in La Baule, France, in May, and earned another win at Spruce Meadows in July, among many other top finishes.
“Everywhere he goes, he is very competitive,” Sweetnam noted. “He had a great year. He placed at nearly every show. He has always been very competitive and he likes to go fast, so that is important.”
Commenting on Wednesday’s class, Sweetnam stated, “I thought Guilherme did a good job. It was a quick enough class and I was early to go, so I had my plan going in and I stuck to my plan. I thought it was a nice course, and it definitely suited my horse.”
“He is a good boy,” Sweetnam added. “He is not a difficult stallion. He enjoys attention, and he gets a lot of it. He is lovely to flat and then when he starts jumping he really wants to win, so he is a great horse.”
Cyklon will continue to be aimed at the FEI world ranking classes throughout the FTI WEF circuit, showing again this week in Friday’s $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m class.
Wednesday’s competition started in the International Arena in the morning with 123 entries jumping in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class. Only eleven combinations were able to clear the course without fault to jump-off, and seven double clear rounds were completed. With the large number of entries, the class was held as a “California Split” with two sets of prize money awarded.
Canada’s Eric Lamaze and Wang Chung M2S, owned by Morningside Stud and Torrey Pines Stable, had the fastest jump-off time of 31.977 seconds to earn top prize in Section A. Laura Chapot and Mary Chapot’s Zealous jumped off in 32.457 seconds to top Section B.
Week three of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue on Thursday with the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 in the International Arena and the presentation of championship honors to the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Working Hunters in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. 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.
The Palmer Sisters will be one of four pas de deux at the FEI World Cup Final in Bordeaux (Karl-Heinz Frieler/FEI)
Lexington, Ky. – The FEI World Cup Vaulting qualifying season ended on Sunday and U.S. pas de deux vaulters Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) have qualified for the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final in Bordeaux, France. Only the four best pas de deux pairs from qualifying go to the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final (six qualify in the male and female individual divisions), so the Palmers will be competing against two pas de deux teams from Austria and one from Germany. The Palmers’ qualification means that the U.S. will be represented at the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final for a second consecutive year, and for only the second time ever.*
The Palmers’ trip to the Final began in summer 2013 when good finishes earned them a chance to compete in the CVI-W competitions throughout the fall and winter. They really erupted onto the international vaulting scene in November, when they won the FEI World Cup Final qualifier at the Stuttgart German Masters. That win not only earned them a lot of valuable qualifying points, it put them into the record books as the first Americans to win an FEI World Cup Vaulting qualifier as a pas de deux.
Cassidy and Kimberly finished third overall in qualifying with 28 points. Fifteen of those points were earned in Stuttgart; 13 more were earned in Paris. The sisters also competed in the qualifier at Salzburg, but qualifying points can only be earned at two qualifiers, so they did not earn any at that competition.
Pas de deux is new to the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final in 2014 but, according to the FEI “has made such a successful FEI World Cup Vaulting début, with massive support from the vaulting community and audiences” and will be a permanent addition.
The FEI World Cup Vaulting Final will be held in Bordeaux, France on February 7th & 8th.
Cassidy and Kimberly are 20 and 18 years old, respectively. While in Europe they are lunged and coached by Wolfgang Renz. In the U.S. they are coached by Carolyn Bland as members of the Half Moon Bay Vaulters club. They were the U.S. Open Pas de Deux Champions in 2013.
*In 2013 Gabe Aniello qualified in the Male Individual division. He was the first ever American vaulter to qualify for the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final.
Diane Creech and Diana C at the Gold Coast Opener. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.
Wellington, FL – January 21, 2014 – Canadian Grand Prix dressage rider Diane Creech and Diana C, Leatherdale Farms’ young Hanoverian mare, are attracting attention not only for their style in the show ring, but also for their matching names.
“People ask me, ‘Did you name the horse after yourself? Are you that conceited?'” Creech laughed. “It’s the name she came with! It’s so funny that it’s not only Diana, but Diana C. She was meant to be, and I’m really excited about having her.”
Creech and Diana C showed they work well as a pair in the mare’s 2014 debut in the show ring on Jan. 18. They earned a score of 67.297 percent to take second place in Fourth Level Test 2 at the Gold Coast Opener national show, held at The Stadium at PBIEC in Wellington, FL.
“I’m ecstatic,” Creech said after her ride. “I just rode her quietly through. There’s a lot more power in there. She’s a very, very special mare. I really love her, and she’ll be something really good.”
Diana C, a bay Hanoverian mare by Leatherdale Farms’ stallion Damsey, will turn 7 this year. Doug and Louise Leatherdale purchased Diana C after seeing her in Germany in 2010 at the prestigious Herwart von der Decken-Show, where she was named champion dressage mare. Creech has been training the mare for about a year.
Diana C has competed lightly thus far, so the Gold Coast Opener was a good opportunity for her to gain some experience. Creech was impressed with how well the young mare handled the atmosphere and the challenge of shipping in to compete at an unfamiliar venue.
“I’m really glad that she stayed focused and with me,” Creech said. “That was my main goal. I know she can do all the movements – that is not a problem for her. So all I wanted was for her to come out here and be happy and relaxed, stay focused and stay with me. She was super. I’m very excited about her.”
“I know Doug and Louise [Leatherdale] will be too,” she added.
Creech plans to keep working at Fourth Level with Diana C and give her time to get completely comfortable before moving up.
“She’s still so young,” she said. “We’ll work on making her stronger and confirming where she’s at now. Once she’s really confirmed in that kind of work, going into the small tour is not going to be hard for her. It’s just taking her to shows and getting some experience.”
Diane Creech and Hallmark 3
Creech also rode Hallmark 3 in his Intermediaire II debut at the Gold Coast Opener. The pair earned a score of 66.382 percent and finished fourth in a large FEI Test of Choice class. Hallmark 3, who will turn 10 this year, is a black Hanoverian gelding by the Leatherdales’ late stallion, His Highness.
“It was very exciting to ride him in his first Intermediaire II,” Creech said. “He did some beautiful work. He was a happy, good boy.”
She said the pirouettes and half-passes were highlights for Hallmark 3, and she was pleased with his positive effort in stepping up a level.
“I don’t want to push him too early to get into the Grand Prix,” Creech said. “I like the Intermediaire II test and it’s a good challenge for him. He’ll be a great Grand Prix horse.”
Creech will continue competing her lineup of top horses owned by Leatherdale Farms throughout the show season in Wellington.
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.
Germany’s Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs on Danny Boy, lunged by former world champion Patric Looser, notched up their second victory in this year’s FEI World Cup Vaulting in Leipzig, winning both rounds and guaranteeing their ticket to the Final in Bordeaux on 7-8 February. (Photo: Pascal Duran/FEI)
Lausanne (SUI), 21 January 2014 – Spectators were treated to dazzling performances at the last FEI World Cup Vaulting 2013/2014 qualifier at the famous Partner Pferde in Leipzig (GER) last weekend by victors Anna Cavallaro (ITA), Lukas Heppler (SUI) and Germany’s pas-de-deux powerhouse Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs.
Heppler’s first strike
Victory was sweet in Leipzig for Switzerland’s vaulting star Lukas Heppler, the only athlete to have competed at all four legs of this year’s series. His determination finally paid off, with a comfortable first FEI World Cup Vaulting win on Luk, lunged by Rita Blieske (8,323 points). “We set ourselves the goal of at least one podium finish in this series. I came closest in Salzburg with second place, and I’m proud of finishing fourth at last year’s Final – really this year we just dreamed of a victory,” said Heppler. “We owe this performance to Luk and his owner Simone Jäiser, and to the audience in Leipzig where you could really feel that vaulting passion”.
Heppler now leads the FEI World Cup Vaulting standings and will compete in the Final in Bordeaux on 7-8 February with Germany’s Jannik Heiland, who placed second in Leipzig on KCM Vaultinghorses Bram with lunger Maurits de Vries (8,117 points), and compatriot Torben Jacobs who secured third on Flash Back lunged by Alexandra Knauf (7,929 points).
World champion Nicolas Andreani (FRA) will also head to Bordeaux to defend his title alongside European champion Jacques Ferrari (FRA) and Lukas Klouda (CZE), who won the Munich and Salzburg legs of this year’s series.
Cavallaro’s control
Anna Cavallaro, the reigning FEI World Cup Vaulting champion, is now a firm favourite for the Bordeaux Final after her second victory in this year’s series on Harley with lunger Nelson Vidoni (8,377 points). “Leipzig was once again a brilliant location for a World Cup competition,” said the 28-year-old Cavallaro. “The arena and the audience were fantastic. I felt great and now we’re all focused on Bordeaux where I’ll be defending my title against very strong competition.”
Second-placed Simone Jäiser (SUI), the 27-year old businesswoman from Freudwil, is also fired up for Bordeaux after achieving the highest individual score in Leipzig – 8,636 points – in her second round with Luk, lunged by her mother Rita Blieske.
Germany’s Corinna Knauf, who kicked off this year’s FEI World Cup Vaulting series in style winning in Munich’s Olympic stadium, also secured her spot in Bordeaux placing third in Leipzig with Fabiola, lunged by her sister Alexandra Knauf (7,902 points).
Pascale Wagner (SUI), Lucy Phillips (GBR) and Elisabeth Bieri (SUI) complete the lineup for the Bordeaux Final.
Engelberty and Jacobs Bordeaux bound
Pas-de-deux, which made its first appearance in this year’s FEI World Cup Vaulting series, has been a huge draw for audiences, with the athletes pulling out all the stops to get to Bordeaux.
Germany’s Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs on Danny Boy, lunged by former world champion Patric Looser in Leipzig, notched up their second victory after Paris, winning both rounds and finishing on 8,454 points thanks to their expressive and complex choreography. Currently lying second in the series standings they have guaranteed their ticket to Bordeaux.
Austria’s Stefan Csandl and Theresa Thiel, vaulting on Crossino lunged by Karin Böhmer, celebrated their second place with 8,047 points, and hope to be at the series Final next year, when they plan to meet the minimum requirement of competing at two legs of the series.
Hungary’s Reka Gadolla and Agnes Kiraly on Zakarias, lunged by Natalia Sandor, took third place in Leipzig with 7,148 points, and will compete in Bordeaux against the American sisters Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer and two of Austria’s best pas-de-deux Evelyn Freund and Stefanie Millinger and double world and European champions Jasmin Lindner and Lukas Wacha.
“The determination of all 18 vaulters who represented eight nations at the last leg in Leipzig to secure coveted spots at the series Final in Bordeaux was palpable in every routine,” said Bettina de Rham, FEI Director of Vaulting, Driving and Reining.
“We’re also thrilled that the pas-de-deux has made such a successful FEI World Cup Vaulting début, with massive support from the vaulting community and audiences – the pas-de-deux will now be a permanent fixture.
“We’ve seen some exceptional vaulting talent in this third series, catching some exciting glimpses of what we can expect to see at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy this summer, the next world stage for these athletes. But first we have the Final in Bordeaux in just two weeks, which will be extraordinary!”
The FEI World Cup Vaulting Final will take place on 7-8 February in Bordeaux.
Follow the action live on FEI TV on 8 February from 16.55 local time: www.feitv.org/home.
OCALA, F.L (January 20, 2014) – Hunter Holloway and Hay’s Investment Corp.’s Lyons Creek Bellini highlighted hunter action at HITS Ocala off with a blue ribbon this week. They rode to the top of the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and got an early start on 2014 qualifying for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. The final will take place during the HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this September.
“We are very excited about how the circuit started,” said Holloway, who hails from Topeka, Kansas.
“I just kept thinking about how I wanted to make it to that last fence,” she added candidly.
Holloway topped both rounds, scoring a 90 in the first round and an 86 in the second to lead all contenders with a total of 176. She piloted Lyons Creek Bellini, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding, who carried her to an impressive fourth-place finish in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final last year. “Our goal is definitely to qualify again and make it to Saugerties,” said Holloway.
The 16-year-old rider also has big plans outside the hunter ring and will be pointing Yolo, her grand prix mount, toward the inaugural Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at the conclusion of the winter circuit.
Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida set the courses for the Devoucoux Hunter Prix in the Outside Course at HITS Ocala, which was a traditional concept of hunter courses introduced last year at all HITS Horse Shows to rave reviews. “He [Bellini] loves the banks in that ring and he is really good at them,” said Holloway of her gelding’s performance on the terrain inside the innovative ring.
Riding to an 87 in the first round, Donald Sheehan of Merryville, Tennessee picked up an 84 in the second round to finish behind Holloway with a final score of 171. He collected the red ribbon in the irons of Elizabeth McKim’s Quintessential. Greg Prince of Sherborn, Massachusetts was one point off Holloway in the second round with an 85, and combined that with an 84 to finish third aboard Linda Langmeier’s Marschino. Their total score was 169.
Jennifer Tate of Bourne, Massachusetts swept the rest of the top five, riding to fourth on Florestan and fifth on Cavallino, both owned by Barbara Kravetz. Her fourth-place finish was with a 166.5 and fifth posted a 166.
Devoucoux Hunter competition continues throughout the duration of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit as the race to qualify for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final heats up.
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 that reflect their obsession with quality and lovingly finished work. For more information on Devoucoux, visit devoucoux.com.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Now boasting a new title sponsor, the first qualifier for the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final qualifier took the main stage at HITS Ocala on Sunday and crowned Haleigh Landrigan of Marshfield, Massachusetts the winner. She rode Acavibo, owned by Nancy Vinal. Leading both rounds by considerable margins, Landrigan posted a final score of 165 after earning and 84 and an 81, respectively.
In second, Kylie Harvil of Orlando, Florida rode her own Something To Be Proud Of to a 73 and a 72 for a final total of 145. Capping the top three was Jennifer Jones and Linda LaLonde’s September. Their 69 and 71 delivered them a final score of 140.
Larsen Muruin of Ocala, Florida finished fourth in the irons of self-owned Derby after earning scores of 71 and 67.5. Samantha Kramig of Castle Rock, Colorado rounded out the top five on Kramig, LLC’s Snuggle Zocks with scores of 70 and 68.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix qualifiers will be offered weekly coast to coast this winter and throughout the Saugerties and Culpeper summer circuits before the 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.
