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French on Fire as Delaveau Makes It a Double at Leipzig

Patrice Delaveau secured his second victory in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2013/2014 series with a great performance from the stallion Lacrimoso HDC. Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler.

Leipzig (GER), 19 January 2014 – The French were in fabulous form at Round 7 of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014 Western European League series in Leipzig, Germany today where Patrice Delaveau recorded his second win of the season and fellow-countryman and reigning European Champion, Roger Yves Bost, lined up second.

From the starting field of 40, there was a 14-strong German contingent also chasing those all-important maximum qualifying points, but host-nation riders Lars Nieberg and Markus Renzel had to settle for third and fourth placings ahead of Ukraine’s Katharina Offel in fifth as the French reigned supreme.  A total of 11 went into the jump-off, and Delaveau won through with a typically fiery performance when third-last to go with the 10-year-old stallion Lacrimoso HDC.

Another Frenchman, Kevin Staut, slotted into sixth ahead of Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson in seventh, while Billy Twomey finished eighth and best of the Irish duo who made the cut into the round against the clock.

Course designer, Frank Rothenberger, set them a stiff test of unmerciful oxers and strategically-placed verticals, but with a generous time-allowed of 72 seconds it proved well within the capability of all-comers, and it would be just the vital edge of accuracy that would make all the difference on the day.

Taking their toll

There was no real bogey fence in the first round, with even the oxer at fence two and the following vertical at three taking their toll.  Rothenberger set the triple combination at fence four followed by an oxer at five before a right-handed swing to the line from the vertical at six to the oxer at seven and another vertical at fence eight.  The first two clears came from Nieberg and Renzel who both attacked the course on a rhythm and made it look very easy indeed.

However the water-tray oxer at fence nine hit the floor on several occasions as did the following oxer at 10, and from the narrow black gate on the short side of the arena at fence 11 it was a sharp turn to the penultimate oxer at 12 which led to the final double of verticals.  Many horse-and-rider combinations made it safely all the way only to fault here when the last distance came up a little short.

Strong challenge

Nieberg threw down a strong challenge when setting the pace in the jump-off with the 11-year-old mare, Leonie W.  The new track required a long eight strides between the first two fences – the verticals at six and eight – while the water-tray oxer at nine was followed by a left-handed swing back to the vertical at three and then right-handed to the first two elements of the previous triple combination.  From there it was a strong gallop to the oxer at five before the most crucial turn of all – a circling run to what had been the very first fence followed by a strong gallop down to fence two which was now last on the course.

Leonie W was sharp and careful all the way to set a strong target in 42.58 seconds, and that would take some beating.

Renzel’s elegant and eye-catching grey, Cassydy, crossed the line in 43.15 seconds to present no threat to the leader, but it was clear this 11-year-old was not being put under pressure as he soared effortlessly through the course to post what would still be an important result.

Next in was the last of the host country riders, Carsten-Otto Nagel with Holiday by Solitour, but their chances disappeared at the first element of the former triple combination, while Ireland’s Billy Twomey was even more unlucky when his tough, loyal but self-opinionated 17-year-old mare, Tinka’s Serenade, hit the very last.

Set sail

Great Britain’s Daniel Neilson and Coco Bongo left two on the floor before Roger Yves Bost set sail with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois, and the latter pair had the packed stadium of spectators on the edges of their seats with a characteristically flamboyant run that saw them soaring ahead with a fantastic clear in 40.78 seconds.  Now that was the time to beat.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch decided to give it his best shot with Abbervail van het Dingeshof, but a very tight line to the vertical at fence three didn’t pay off when the 14-year-old horse slammed on the brakes, and when Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Casall Ask had a fence down it was still Bost who held the advantage.  Next man in would change all that however, Delaveau once again demonstrating that extraordinary ability to get his horses to jump at speed without the slightest hesitation and just about always on the perfect stride.

Taking the crucial turn to the vertical second-last, the man who will celebrate his 49th birthday in seven days’ time flapped the reins in encouragement, and Lacrimoso HDC responded with another burst of speed that saw them through the finish line in 40.13 seconds.  A fence down for French team-mate Kevin Staut and his much-loved mare, Silvana HDC, and a slow but clean tour of the track by Ukraine’s Katharina Offel and Lacontino ensured it would be another great day for Delaveau who also clinched maximum points at the second leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2013/2014 series at Helsinki in Finland in October.

Seven watches

“Since last year I’ve won seven Longines watches!” the winning French rider said with a laugh afterwards.  He has indeed been enjoying a great run of form of late, and with three Grand Prix horse in his stable looks very well-equipped as France prepares to host the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in his home region of Normandy later this summer.  He only started riding Lacrimoso HDC last March and immediately won the Longines Hong Kong Masters with the German-bred horse whose name, Italian for tearful or sad, was not reflected by the big grins being worn by both horse and rider during today’s prize-winner’s ceremony.

Delaveau is now well-qualified for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014 Final which will take place in Lyon, France from 17-21 April, and his fellow-countryman, Bost who finished second today, is determined to join him.  “We would love to have four French riders competing at Lyon,” Bost said today.  But with just 28 points to his credit in the series so far, the reigning European Champion has more work to do if he is to make the cut.

Today’s result re-confirms Delaveau as a key player in the 2014 French campaign. A prolific winner at Junior and Young Rider level, he helped win Team Bronze at the 1986 World Championships in Aachen, Germany at the tender age of just 21 and has been a highly successful member of the French senior squad ever since.  He helped claim team silver for France at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at Lexington (USA) in 2010 and was a member of the winning French team at the inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final in Barcelona, Spain last September.

Last year he became the first rider since 1971 to win both the Derby and Grand Prix at La Baule, France and it seems 2014 may well be another year to remember. He will definitely be one to watch when the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final gets underway in 12 weeks’ time.

For more information on the seventh leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2013/2014 series at Leipzig, Germany, go to website www.partner-pferd.de/de or contact Press Officer Andreas Kerstan, Email andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel +49 177 7532 624.

The next leg takes place in Zurich, Switzerland on Sunday 26 January.  For all information on the Swiss fixture, go to website http://www.mercedes-csi.ch or contact Press Officer Roman Gasser, Email roman.gasser@mercedes-csi.ch, Tel +41(0)79 635 5005.

Full result here.

Full standings here.

Facts and Figures:

Leipzig presented Round 7 of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014 Western European League series.

A total of 40 riders from 15 countries – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine – competed in today’s class.

The host nation of Germany was represented by 14 horse-and-rider combinations.

France was represented by five horse-and-rider partnerships.

11 went clear over the first course to qualify for the second-round jump-off against the clock.

Today’s winning rider, 48-year-old Patrice Delaveau, was a prolific winner at Junior and Young Rider level.  At the age of 21 he took Team Bronze at the 1986 World Championships in Aachen, Germany.

He has been a highly successful member of the French senior team for many years.  He helped claim team silver for France at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at Lexington (USA) IN 2010 and was a member of the winning French team at the inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final in Barcelona, Spain last September.

In 2013, Delaveau became the first rider since 1971 to win both the Derby and Grand Prix at La Baule, France.

In March 2013 he steered today’s winning ride, the mare Lacrimoso HDC, to victory in the inaugural Longines Hong Kong Masters Grand Prix.

Longines No 1 rider, Great Britain’s Scott Brash, maintains the lead at the top of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League table after today’s competition.

Today’s result has rocketed Patrice Delaveau up to fourth place in the league standings.  With 43 points he is now qualified for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final which will take place on his home turf at Lyon, France from 17-21 April 2014.

The next leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League will take place in Zurich, Switzerland next Sunday, 26 January.

A massive crowd of 63,700 spectators attended the Partner Pferd Leipzig annual fixture this year and today’s Longines FEI World Cup Jumping qualifier took place in front of a full house.

Quote:

Germany’s Lars Nieberg who finished third with Leonie W today: “I really like the French national anthem, it’s one of my favourite tunes, but I was hoping I wasn’t going to be listening to it at the end of today’s competition!”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/dKdgXaYjYl0

FEI TV: don’t miss a hoofbeat – www.feitv.org.

Longines Live Timing Jumping application: available free for download from The App Store (iPhone) & Android Markets. Combining precision and performance, this is a detailed and exclusive application designed especially for Jumping fans – follow live results, see latest Longines Rankings, view competition schedules, obtain exclusive information and alerts on your favorite riders and get all the latest FEI news.

Rider biographies: view online and download from http://fei.org/fei/your-role/media/biographies.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations.

Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when it produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and its mount. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1912, Longines was proud to partner with its first Jumping event, the Grande Concurso Hippico Internacional, in Portugal.

Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and flat racing.

Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Leipzig:

Andreas Kerstan
Email: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de
Tel: +49 177 7532 624

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

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

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

At Longines:

Longines International Public Relations
publicrelations@longines.com

Genn, Maddrix, and Shepherd All Winners

Wilhelm Genn aboard Bugatti. Photos: A&S 2014.

Genn Tops the $5,000 Open Welcome in Pensacola

Pensacola welcomed riders in the $5,000 Open Welcome from Texas, Minnesota, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio, but it was Ohio superstar Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio in the irons aboard Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti, which secured the win Thursday night after thirteen tackled the course set by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana.

Of the thirteen rounds, seven returned for the jump off. Although last week’s winner KT Cher looked to take the blue with clear first and second rounds in a jump off time of 31.715 seconds, Genn nailed the win when he jumped off as last to go with a clean round in a time of 31.322 seconds on Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti, landing KT Cher and Maddrix in second place.

And, in typical Genn style, a junior Genn was not far behind Wilhelm in the final placings. Theo Genn, also of Lebanon, Ohio, riding Winchester, owned by Bridlebourne Stables, LLC, turned in a double clean effort with a jump off time of 31.987 seconds finishing him in third place.  Wilhelm also placed directly behind Theo in fourth place, this time riding Welcome Cor, owned by Anna Anastasio, in a double clean effort and a jump off time of 32.660 seconds.

Marylisa Leffler of Brookville, Maryland finished in fifth place in a double clean effort and a second round time of 33.198 seconds riding Quastor Van De Helle Z in 33.198 seconds.  Sixth place was awarded to Akida, ridden by Wilhelm Genn and owned by Wilhelm Genn and Mark Atkins.

Tim Maddrix and Third Day win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Tim Maddrix and Third Day win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

$2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Crowns Third Day

Tim Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama returned to the winner’s circle in Pensacola yesterday to accept the win aboard Third Day, owned by Ken Stovel, in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.  Maddrix won last week’s $10,000 Open Jumper Class. “Paul [Jewel] did a really great job designing the courses. It was really fun,” he said.

A total of fourteen horse and rider combinations took to the derby course designed by Paul Jewel.  Mackenzie Christian of Germantown, Tennessee rode Janet McCarroll’s horse Ultaire to the second place position with a combined score of 173, which was just two points shy of Third Day’s winning combined score of 175.  Zivago, owned by Kiana Fiore and ridden by Patty Foster, took the third place ribbon with a combined score of 172.  Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana rode Christian Rogge’s Carrida to fourth place with a combined score of 157.  Fifth place was awarded to Maddrix, this time aboard Drambuie, owned by Alina Dumitrescu.  Sixth place went to Thomas Le Blanc of Folsom, Louisiana in the irons aboard Clementine, owned by Rebecca Hunter. The pair earned a combined score of 145.  Bernadette Coyle of Brookville, Maryland rode her own Lorca de Caryan to the seventh place finish with a combined score of 143 and in eighth place, with a combined score of 128 was Calgary, owned and ridden by Alliah Kassem of Fayetteville, Georgia.  Ninth place was awarded to Madison Barksdale of Franklin, Tennessee aboard Kathryn McFadden’s Bocelli, and Allison Bergmeyer of Lincoln, Nebraska wrapped up the top ten aboard Marion Lowry’s Dolce.

LPF Woodward wins the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Holly Shepherd and LPF Woodward clear an oxer on their way to the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby win
Holly Shepherd and LPF Woodward clear an oxer on their way to the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby win

High performance rider Holly Shepherd, paired with LPF Woodward, owned by LPF, LLC, bested twenty horse and rider combinations and won the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby yesterday with a combined overall score of 357.  Maddrix and Eloise, owned by Claudia Styslinger, finished in second position with a score of 353.  Maddrix returned for thirds aboard Quite Ruffy 840, owned by Ann Anastasio, with a combined score of 347.50.  A combined overall score of 346 earned Marylisa Leffler from Brookville, Maryland, riding Quintessential, owned by RAF, LLC, fourth place.  Fifth place went to Maddrix, riding Special, owned by Missy Nolen, with 342 points and sixth place was awarded to Shepherd, this time aboard Kleiner Ralli, owned by Suzan Larson.  The pair earned a combined score of 338.  Seventh place went to Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas aboard Carino, owned by Linda Viens; the pair earned a total score of 337 points.  Eighth place went to Matt Martin from Petersburg, Tennessee riding City of Angels, owned by Alliah Kassem.  Ninth place was awarded to Maddrix, riding Aragorn, owned by Anna Hymer, and tenth place went to Maria Rassmussen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin aboard Castlewellan.

Coming up next is the $25,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Grand Prix which kicks off tonight at 6!

Let’s Go!

Only one week more to go, so when looking to book your accommodations for the Pensacola shows, please book with the Official Gulf Coast Classic Company lodging partners.

Just minutes from the Escambia Equestrian Center, beach, airport and quaint Gulf side restaurants and shops, Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Official Lodging Partners are ready to offer you award winning service and accommodations.  The Best Western Plus Blue Angel Inn, located at 2390 West Detroit Boulevard, offers its customer friendly service along with complimentary high-speed Internet access, microwaves, refrigerators and cable satellite televisions.  An outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, free parking and complimentary daily hot breakfast will give you a leg up on your busy show day.  Make sure to call them directly to ensure the horse show rate.

The Red Roof Inn Pensacola West, located at 2591 Wilde Lake Boulevard welcomes you and your pets to the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola shows.  Conveniently located in close proximity to the show grounds, this pet-friendly hotel offers complimentary Internet access, breakfasts and parking.  Select rooms offer microwaves and mini-fridges.  Coin laundry is also available.  Call directly to secure your horse show rate!

On Deck

The Gulf Coast Classic is set to take to the turf starting February 5. That’s right – the most beautiful turf field in the country is located right in Gulfport, Mississippi and will be welcoming thousands of horses to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic this year.  What does the Gulf Coast have to offer? Click here for some great video footage!

The Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola shows are considered to be the most exhibitor-friendly and ideal show to earn valuable AA hunter points early in the year. The Pensacola shows act as a perfect proving ground for the more novice horses and riders, and if that wasn’t enough, the Gulf Coast location and weather simply complete the entire ideal horse show experience.

The Gulf Coast Classic Company and the Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States.  Together, they offer the best exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events each winter.  Please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com and classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.  All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

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

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

Smashing Second Victory for Schneiders on Home Soil

Daniel Schneiders (GER) and his four-in-hand team on their way to victory in the last qualifier of the FEI World Cup Driving 2013/2014. Photo Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Leipzig (GER), 19 January 2014 – German driver Daniel Schneiders won his second FEI World Cup Driving qualifiers of the season on home soil in Leipzig this afternoon. He drove two impeccable clear rounds and beat his experienced Dutch opponents IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde.

Following his first FEI World Cup Driving start in October 2012 in Hannover (GER), where he competed on a wildcard, Schneider had set himself the goal for the summer of 2013 to qualify for the upcoming indoor season. After Christoph Sandmann (GER) and Chester Weber (USA) decided not to compete in the series’ 13th season, the German became the 10th driver qualified for the FEI World Cup Driving 2013/2014. After his win in Stuttgart, where he beat four-time FEI World Cup Driving Champion Boyd Exell (AUS), the 32-year old driver was the best again in Leipzig.

Dr Wolfgang Asendorf (GER) had designed a very good course, which was appreciated by the spectators and the competitors alike.

Schneiders, who recently sold his outdoor four-in-hand team in the USA, used the 13-year old KWPN Hermes as his wheeler horse for the second time this season. After his somewhat disappointing results at London Olympia where he had driven the gelding for the first time, Schneiders was now able to make full use of the horses’ potential, which resulted in two fabulous clear and fast rounds. Being the second man in the arena in the winning round, Schneiders decided to see how fast his team would go. The former pony four-in-hand driver crossed the finishing line in an incredibly fast time and the spectators in the sold-out Messehalle in Leipzig rewarded his phenomenal performance with a deserved standing ovation.

Last man in, IJsbrand Chardon, could afford one ball down, but after a second knockdown, he knew his chances for victory were lost. Chardon had to make a change in his team after one of his wheeler horses was slightly injured before he left for Leipzig. His relatively new trump Feles replaced the Lipizzaner gelding Fegyenc and Chardon was very pleased with him.

Reigning FEI World Cup Driving champion Koos de Ronde had a setback at the horse inspection where his most experienced wheeler horse Mario was found not fit to compete. The 20-year-old piebald gelding was the horse which De Ronde could not afford to lose. He had however to settle for Palero in the right wheel instead, a position to which the 10-year old gelding is not used. De Ronde was however to make the most of this change. In the first round, the Dutch driver experienced slight miscommunication with his horses in one of the marathon obstacles, which cost him precious seconds and a ball down. Luckily for him, last starter Michael Brauchle (GER) was unable to match his good performance in the warm-up competition, which he had won, and finished in sixth place, allowing Koos de Ronde to move up to third.

Tomas Eriksson (SWE) knocked one ball too many down and finished in fourth place, just ahead of wildcard driver Georg von Stein (GER), who had two knockdowns as well.

Quotes:
Daniel Schneiders (GER): “I always perform better under pressure. In London Olympia I started off too quickly whereas today I was really able to focus. My tactics were to drive safely on the first night when I placed second. Today I decided to go for it in the winning round to see how fast my horses could go. If I’d had one knockdown, I would’ve slowed down, but it went so well that I just kept going. Qualifying for the Final in my first FEI World Cup Driving season is a dream come true.”

IJsbrand Chardon (NED): “I knew I was a few seconds ahead of Daniel Schneiders when I entered the winning round and I had to take some risks. After the second knockdown I knew I could not win but I decided to keep driving at high speed to see how my horses would go and they did a great job. I am very pleased with them. Hopefully my injured horse Fegyenc will be fit again for Bordeaux but I will keep training Feles just to be sure.”

Koos de Ronde (NED): “I had a slight miscommunication with my horses in the first round where I nearly took the wrong gate in an obstacle. If I had continued, it would have cost me 20 penalty seconds, so I quickly decided to put them back. This cost me around 10 seconds and a knockdown and I was lucky to make it to the winning round at all. I then knew third place was the highest place achievable for me this year in Leipzig, so I am pleased. I still have some homework to do before the Final in Bordeaux, but I know my horses have the speed we need.”

Results in detail can be viewed here.

The 2013/2014 FEI World Cup Driving series now moves on to the Final in Bordeaux (FRA) on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 February 2014.

For information on Bordeaux, go to www.jumping-bordeaux.com or contact Press Officer Pascal Renauldon, p.renauldon@rbpresse.com, +33 608759407.

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

FEI:
Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

At Leipzig:
Andreas Kerstan
andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de
+49 4307 827970

Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane Race to Victory in $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2*

Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane. Photos © Sportfot.

Becky Gochman and Sambalino Clinch Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Division

Wellington, FL – January 18, 2014 – Ireland’s Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane were double clear and blazing fast for the win in Saturday night’s $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2*, the highlight event of week two at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Riders representing nine different countries showed under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with top finishes for McGuigan, along with Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl and Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) aboard Carlos V.H.P. Z.

FTI WEF week two, sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty, concludes on Sunday with the $10,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Speed Class, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $34,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Luc Musette of Belgium set the course for Saturday night’s competition with 44 entries, nine clear rounds to advance to the jump-off, and seven clear rounds over the short course. The fantastic crowd that braved the unusually cold Florida weather was treated to a thrilling show in the jump-off as the horses and riders raced against the clock.

Fifth to go in the second round, Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane completed the fastest track in 39.92 seconds, edging out Todd Minikus and Quality Girl’s time of 40.15 seconds. A few rounds later, Nicholas Dello Joio and Carlos V.H.P. Z completed the third fastest time in 40.33 seconds. It was a very close race, as Sweden’s Alexander Zetterman and Cafino finished fourth in 40.50 seconds, and Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Rocky W stopped the clock in 40.52 seconds to place fifth.

Ronan McGuigan already has an early lead in the $100,000 FTI Consulting Rider Challenge standings after a very successful start to the circuit, and he added a few more points to that lead with Saturday night’s win. Capall Zidane, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Concorde x Baloubet du Rouet, has been incredibly consistent for the rider and continues to prove himself.

“I came down here for the holiday horse show, and he was second in the two 1.45m classes, and then he had a rail in the World Cup and came thirteenth,” McGuigan explained. “Last week was his first week back and he was third in the WEF and fourth in the grand prix, and this week he was third in the WEF again and topped it off tonight, so he can have a rest now.”

Commenting on his jump-off round, McGuigan noted, “I was usually fighting most of the year here with Todd, so I knew I had to try and beat him. The turn back to the third jump I had to give him a little bit of time, it was tricky, but after that everything else you could gallop up to the jumps. He’s very careful, so the jump-off course kind of suited me.”

McGuigan, originally from Ireland, came to America 12 years ago and now has a farm in New Jersey. He is enjoying the opportunity to jump at a higher level and acknowledged that Saturday’s win was the biggest of his career.

“This is the first time I’ve really had a chance to jump at this level,” McGuigan detailed. “Mostly I have been training clients, so I’m just having fun with him. I’ve got a few new, young horses coming up behind him, so hopefully next year they can help me out a little and take the pressure off him.”

“I’ve had him since he was a five-year-old,” he added. “I bought him at the Hendrix auction, and I actually never went to try him. I just bought him off a DVD. When I bought him, all of my Irish pals called him the ‘internet horse,’ but I had the last laugh tonight. He has been very consistent since I’ve had him.”

Of course Todd Minikus would have liked to win on Saturday night, but he was very happy with his rounds on Quality Girl and also celebrated McGuigan’s top finish.

“I’d like to congratulate Ronan; he has really done a great job with that horse,” Minikus stated. “I have watched that horse, his career since Ronan started with him, and Ronan has done a hell of a job with him.”

“Going early in the jump-off, I was mostly worried about Ronan because last year, during the summer, Ronan really started clicking with that horse and it is lightning fast,” Minikus acknowledged. “Going in early you gotta be a little conservative and I kind of got stuck in the corner rolling back to the black vertical. I did one or two extra strides there that I didn’t need to, but going early, that’s what you have to do sometimes. Luck of the Irish was clearly there tonight.”

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl
Todd Minikus and Quality Girl

Minikus explained that this was Quality Girl’s first week back to showing after a well-deserved two months off. The mare won nine grand prix classes in the 2013 season and is back for more.

“She’s right back on track where she left off,” he affirmed. “I was a little bit concerned about how she would come back after that long break because she has proven that she does well when she’s in a continuation of showing, but it was all good. I’m pretty excited for the circuit.”

Nicholas Dello Joio was showing Carlos V.H.P. Z for his previous owner, Emilie Martinsen, during last year’s FTI WEF circuit and is excited to now have control of the talented gelding’s career through his new Carlos Group ownership.

“We’re really excited to do what we want with the horse, pick and choose what’s best for our schedule and what we want to aim at,” Dello Joio stated. “We know the kind of quality he has. He has already previously won a 5* grand prix back in Europe, so he has quite a record. He’s an unbelievably careful horse and when he’s confident, I think there’s nothing he won’t jump. Tonight he was super, so I’m really excited.”

Matt Varney of Wellington Equestrian Realty had a great time watching Saturday night’s class and congratulated the top competitors.

“It’s a great class,” Varney stated. “This is the third time we’ve done this class and the third year it hasn’t felt like Florida, so I’m just happy it turned out and we still had a great crowd out there and a full international tent. I really enjoy that. I am happy with the turnout every year at this time of year, and we are looking forward to our other class in a number of weeks.”

Becky Gochman and Sambalino Clinch Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Division

Becky Gochman and Sambalino added another division champion title to their already long list of accolades on Saturday afternoon of the FTI WEF. Gochman and Sambalino, an 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit, were crowned champions after winning two over fences rounds and placing second in another in addition to winning the under saddle class.

The reserve champion for the division was Amarillo with Katie Jacobs-Robinson. The pair were third in all six classes.

Gochman, of New York, NY, and Sambalino are no stranger to the winner’s circle, but their high score of 94 in the final over fences round came as a pleasant surprise.

“I just went in and did my best. I knew he did a very good job and I was very pleased with him, but to get a 94 is icing on the cake. I never expect a score like that and when it happens, it’s an amazing feeling,” Gochman expressed.

Gochman, who trains with Peter Pletcher, had an equally enthusiastic fan base; her daughters Mimi and Sophie were at the in-gate and loudly cheered when her score was announced. Gochman hopes someday Sambalino can show them the ropes in the junior hunter divisions, but values every day she can spend in the saddle with her daughters.

“It’s really fun to hack [at home] with my kids and go on trail rides. It’s really fun to do riding as a family sport. What more can you ask for when you see your kids doing something that you believe in so much? To be good to your animals, have fun with animals, to be outside. That’s a real treat for me,” Gochman detailed.

Gochman’s husband has also been known to get in the saddle every once in a while, but is most comfortable with both feet on the ground.

“He enjoys sitting in the golf cart and watching the kids. He’s learned a lot over the years! He can tell a distance and leads, so I’m pretty proud of him. We make him owner to make him part of it. That keeps David the boss! I think he gets a kick out of that. He’s a good sport about everything, and I so appreciate him and Sambalino!” Gochman smiled.

Sambalino is a “once in a lifetime horse” for Gochman, who believes the secret to his success is his love for the show ring.

“I think he has a lot of fun with it. I can tell by his little antics and actions that he enjoys his job. That’s what I think makes a special horse,” Gochman explained.

“He’s a fun guy. He’s got a little bit of a sense of humor and he always wants his peppermints for sure; he’ll dive-bomb any groom that is nearby,” she continued. “He makes me smile every day when I see him, and I just feel so much gratitude for being able to sit on a horse like that.”

Hunter competition for week two of the FTI WEF will continue Sunday morning with the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter 18-35 division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena. The $10,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Speed Class, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $34,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic will conclude the week in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

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

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

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

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

Alex Zetterman and Canora Set Untouchable Time at Friday’s 1.40m Wellington Turf Tour Grand Prix at IPC

Alex Zetterman and Canora posted a blazing time of 31.198 seconds to hold first place from start to finish at the Wellington Turf Tour. Photos by: Kendall Bierer.

Wellington, FL – January 18, 2014 – Alex Zetterman blazed the trail early Friday morning as the Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour’s 1.40m Grand Prix welcomed competitors to the polo fields at the International Polo Club (IPC) Palm Beach. Aboard his own Canora, Zetterman set an unbeatable time as the first rider of the morning, tripping the timers at 31.198 seconds.

“I have had her for a few years now, and she is mainly doing the 1.40m and 1.45m speed classes,” Zetterman explained. “It was a very nice course. It was great ground, and the course was good. Eric always builds a solid course. It is probably a little bit difficult to go out first in the morning here, and the field is very open. It is good to have an experienced horse; I think with an inexperienced horse it is very tricky.”

Zetterman’s time was untouchable as each consecutive rider attempted to best the pair as they balanced speed and accuracy. It was Zetterman’s fluid turns and open pace that won the race to the top.

“What you need to have in mind when you come here is that you don’t have the same idea of what other people are doing. You aren’t watching every round or hearing how someone went or their plan,” Zetterman continued. “When you come here, you have to imagine how quick everyone else is going to go so you have to put a bit of pressure on yourself. I have to say that I am very happy with the round. I didn’t feel like I left too much open for anyone else.”

And he didn’t, until Sarah Segal and Zelda gave him a run for his money.

As the 30th in the order to go, Segal laid down a fantastic first round, and she continued into the jump off with her eye set on the prize. Zelda turned easily over the fences, navigating the serpentine of the jump off course. They landed from the final oxer to break the beam in 31.533 seconds, only a little over three-tenths of a second off of Zetterman’s pace.

“I didn’t get to see him [Zetterman] go, but just from looking at the times on the board it was obvious his time was five or six seconds faster than anybody else. So it was pretty clear just looking at the times that he must have really gone fast,” Segal explained. “The jump off was really twisty, turny which is good for [Zelda]. You can turn her as short as you want. No matter how short you turn her or how close to the fence you are, she’s always going to try and jump. She’s really good at figuring that out. I have a lot of faith in her that you can just spin her back, which is what you have to do for this jump off.”

Sarah Segal and Zelda
Sarah Segal and Zelda

Segal continued, “The first round was pretty smooth. There were a lot of related lines. I think the line to the triple was maybe a little bit difficult just because it’s kind of a long, direct seven. That seemed a little bit tricky, but she jumped it well. In the jump off I think maybe I took a little extra time to the double. If I had to guess where I was maybe a little bit slower than him that’d be it. She’s not exactly green, but this is one of the bigger classes that she’s done. So we were hoping that these classes would be something that she would get to, and we got here pretty quickly! She’s just great.”

Candice King and Antigone Quality, owned by Quality Stud, took the third place spot with a speedy double-clear effort in 33.516 seconds. The gray mare is a 9-year-old who has been building for the season. King used the mare’s quick pace to lay down a solid and fast round.

“I was trying a new bridle out on her, and I wanted to make sure everything was working,” King said. “I thought it would be a good venue to bring her to, and we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. He [Eric Hasbrouck] built last week, and you always know that you will get a solid course from him that is good for young horses. I was pleased with today’s outcome.”

The course opened at 8 a.m. and remained open until 4:30 p.m., allowing competitors ample time to come at their convenience to ride and enjoy the environment of IPC. The $175,000 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix series will find its home at the Ridge at Wellington next week, along with Wednesday’s 1.30-1.35m Jumper Classes, and the first Young Jumper Class of the series. The 10-week Wellington Turf Tour series will culminate with the $24,750 Invitational Grand Prix Finale on Saturday, March 22, 2014.

“It is great for the horses to be able to show here,” Zetterman stated. “It is a super series. Being here in Wellington is very good, but you are in the same place all the time. Horses, like humans, need variation. This series has good prize money, fantastic locations; I like the fact that you can come down here whenever you want. It is nice for horses during circuit to get away from the pressure of the International Arena.”

Show Net captured all of Friday’s action at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, while also providing live scoring for the Ridge Winter Tour II. All recorded rounds and results are available at: www.shownet.biz.

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

For more information about the Ridge at Wellington, please go to http://www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow the Ridge at Wellington on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264.

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.

Where:
Wolfstone Stables
3655 Middleburg Dr,
Wellington, FL 33414

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

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

Hours:
8:30am – 5pm daily

Directions:

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

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

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

Text: (908) 500-0996

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

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

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

Laura Chapot and Bradberry Victorious in $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge

Laura Chapot and Bradberry. Photos © Sportfot.

Visse Wedell and Bona Fide Claim Triple Crown Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 Section A Championship at FTI WEF

Wellington, FL – January 17, 2014 – Friday’s competition at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) featured two classes for the 1.40m Jumpers in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with a win for Laura Chapot (USA) and Bradberry in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge and a top finish for Todd Minikus (USA) and Babalou 41 in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Jump-Off.

FTI WEF week two, sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty, continues through Sunday, January 19. The week will feature the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday night, and the $10,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Speed Class, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $34,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, during the day on Sunday. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Luc Musette of Belgium set the tracks for Friday’s classes in the International Arena at PBIEC. In the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge he saw 57 entries with 23 clear rounds. Laura Chapot and her consistent veteran partner, Bradberry, went early in the order and put down what would prove to be an unbeatable time of 59.731 seconds.

Nick Novak earned second and third place honors with his two mounts. Novak finished second aboard YB Blue in a time of 60.46 seconds and earned the third place prize with Springfield Tennessee in 62.931 seconds.

Chapot was happy with her win today with Bradberry, a 16-year-old Selle Francais gelding, and remarked that he was ready to come out and play. “It is really great for him to come out and be fresh and be as enthusiastic as he is,” Chapot stated. “He loves his job and I think he is very happy to be down here.”

The fiery chestnut gelding is always fast and could prove a difficult ride for some, but he is Chapot’s perfect type. “He really fits me perfectly,” she acknowledged. “I know he wouldn’t be a horse for everyone, but I feel very comfortable on him and he suits my style. We just mesh very well. He is like a second skin.”

The pair went very early in the class and was able to maintain their lead through the end. Commenting on her hold of the leading time, Chapot noted, “Sometimes it is nice to go early because you have your plan and you execute it without thinking about what everyone else did. It makes it hard to wait through the rest of the class, but I felt like he jumped very well today and the whole thing was very smooth.”

She added, “It is nice to win. He has been second twice and we have had like nine seconds (with all of the horses so far at WEF) and this is our first blue. Not that we’re complaining about seconds, but it is hard to get a ribbon here, so it is nice to win one too.”

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class was also held earlier in the day with a win for Todd Minikus and Kathryn Haefner LLC’s Babalou 41. The class saw 85 entries with 34 in the jump-off and 23 double clear rounds. Minikus and Babalou 41 had the fastest time of 29.775 seconds. Laura Chapot and Quointreau un Prince, owned by Chapot and McLain Ward, finished second in 30.765 seconds.

Visse Wedell and Bona Fide Claim Triple Crown Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 Section A Championship at FTI WEF

Visse Wedell and Bona Fide emerged victorious from the Triple Crown Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 Section A division at the FTI WEF on Friday. Wedell and Bona Fide, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Anne Mullally, were third under saddle and third and fifth over fences on the first day of competition before winning both over fences classes on day two to clinch the division champion title.

The reserve champion was Valobra, owned and ridden by Eva Bisso. Bisso and Valobra were second, first, third and second over fences.

Visse Wedell and Bona Fide
Visse Wedell and Bona Fide

Bona Fide and Wedell have not been together for long, but the loveable gelding has quickly secured a special place in Wedell’s heart. After leasing him for the Hampton Classic Horse Show (N.Y.) last August, Wedell was more than eager to extend her lease through the FTI WEF circuit.

“He walks in every ring and doesn’t look at the jumps. He is such a confidence builder. I cannot say enough nice things about him!” Wedell beamed. “I don’t even really get nervous on him, and I am such a nervous rider. He is the easiest horse to walk in the ring and gives you such a good feeling – you know you’re getting to the other side [of all the jumps]. As an adult [amateur], that’s the best feeling ever!”

A young horse and nervous adult amateur doesn’t sound like a match made in heaven, but Wedell believes Bona Fide is an old soul who simply loves his job.

“That’s why he’s so good at such a young age! He loves his job. He thinks this is fun! So it’s not like you have to prep him a lot to get to the ring. It’s nothing; you can just go,” Wedell described.

A “get on and go” ride is helpful for Wedell, who balances riding with her job as a realtor with Engel & Völkers. The temptation to spend all day at the horse show is strong, but Wedell knows her work is waiting for her at home when she’s done showing.

“It’s awesome to be here, and you feel like you’re going to miss something [if you leave or don’t show for a week], but there’s life outside of the show you’ve got to focus on. It’s like being in Disney World; you get wrapped up in it and then you realize you have 73 emails and 16 new voicemails – I’ve got a job!” Wedell laughed. “I’m trying to balance that better this year. You’ve got to get on a schedule. I’m trying to give everything the right amount of time.”

Wedell trains with Bill Schaub of Over the Hill Farm as well as at RC Stables, where Bona Fide lives, with Richard Cunkle and Lee Flick. Wedell enjoys having several different pairs of eyes to give her input when she comes out of the ring.

“It’s like I have my crew at the horse show! I have three trainers at the ring, which is great, because they all have different input. They’re great, every single one of them,” Wedell commented.

What Wedell values the most is the entire team’s ability to prioritize having fun at the horse show.

“We’re all a happy group. Even though it’s two or three trainers, everyone gets along and everyone has a common goal – having fun. That’s the biggest thing, is walking away with a smile. The ribbons are just extra. And to have a horse [like Bona Fide] that makes you feel that good in the ring is priceless,” Wedell remarked.

Competition for week two of the FTI WEF continues Saturday morning in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring with the Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter 35+ division. The $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2* will be the highlight class on Saturday night. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

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

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

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

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

Diane Creech Makes Strong Debut in Wellington Season Opener

Diane Creech and Devon L in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 1 CDI-W. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – January 17, 2014 – Canadian Grand Prix dressage rider Diane Creech was pleased with the two horses she brought out at the start of the 2014 show season for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 1 CDI-W, sponsored by MTICA Farm and Everglades Dressage.

Devon L, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De Niro X Wilbranda X Wolkenstein II), placed fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday night with a 72.300 percent and earned a 65.880 percent in the Grand Prix on Thursday.

Chrevis Christo, a 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Lavallo X Chrevi’s La Vi X Natador), earned the blue ribbon and a red ribbon in his entrée to the Intermediaire II level at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 1 National Show. Both horses are owned by Doug and Louise Leatherdale of Leatherdale Farms.

Creech and Devon L unveiled a technically difficult freestyle Friday night with new music and choreography created by Karen Robinson.

“He was quite spectacular,” Creech said. “It was a beautiful, big atmosphere. Devon is starting to like the freestyle. He really gets into it now. I took very calculated risks on the movement and it all paid out. He was really with me and, with the difficulty built into the pattern, it was very well executed.”

She was pleased with the electric atmosphere and the large crowd at the first Friday night freestyle. She was especially grateful to her local friends who came to support her.

“After x/halt/salute, they were yelling and screaming and so happy for me,” she said. “It’s really cool to have friends here. I don’t see them all year, but they all come.”

Diane Creech and Devon L. Photo by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge
Diane Creech and Devon L. Photo by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge

Her fan club will be there en force when she rides Devon L in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 3 CDI-W later this month. She has mapped out a training strategy for the show including studying the video of her freestyle, focusing on where she can make things better and visualizing the test.

“It’s a very good training tool to visualize,” she said. “You can’t keep riding the horse through the freestyle, so you visualize it. Then, you ride it and improve it.”

She was also pleased with Chrevis Christo’s debut in his first Intermediaire II.

“It was his first show since last summer,” she said. “He’s ready to be at the level. He just needs a bit more mileage and a bit more experience, but he’s the real thing!”

Creech and her trainer, Lars Petersen, brought the horse up through the levels and they are looking forward to watching him develop. Petersen intently watches her competition and rides every stride from the ground.

“He is an incredible trainer and person,” she said. “It is wonderful to work with him because he’s engaged and enthusiastic.”

Essential to the team are the horse owners, Doug and Louise Leatherdale of Leatherdale Farms. Creech said she sent them the videos of her rides and they were ecstatic over the outcome and the progress the horses have made.

“Without them I wouldn’t be anywhere,” she said. “They are the first ones after the show to congratulate me.”

Creech plans to show two other Leatherdale Farms horses this weekend at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener Festival CDI*: Hallmark 3, a 10-year-old Hanoverian by the Leatherdales’ late stallion, His Highness, and Diana C, a 7-year-old mare by the Leatherdales’ top Hanoverian stallion, Damsey. She finds the frequent shows in the Wellington area make it ideal for her to compete her horses and then give them a rest before they begin again.

‘They all get to have their turns and have the experience and then get a break and then go out and do it again,” she said.

“The horses always come first,” she said about Team Leatherdale/Creech/Petersen. “It’s really teamwork and I’m so fortunate to be part of the partnership between all of us.”

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

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

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

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

Contacts:

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

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

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Lisa Goldman Retraces Familiar Steps at HITS Ocala, Wins $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

©ESI Photography. Lisa Goldman and Centurion B returned to familiar territory this week at HITS Ocala.

OCALA, F.L. (January 17, 2014) – Lisa Goldman won three grand prix during her first appearance at the Ocala Winter Circuit last year, and hasn’t skipped a beat since. She returned with a bang this week, winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, to kick off grand prix competition at this year’s circuit.

Riding for her family-owned Red Coat Farm in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, Goldman piloted Centurion B to the win. Last year, Goldman and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding had a break-out season at HITS Ocala, which carried them to HITS-on-the-Hudson where they competed in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix. “It was a lot of pressure – that was the biggest track I have ever jumped – and I survived,” joked Goldman about her million-dollar debut. “The Million was probably the biggest thrill since my first grand prix as an 11-year-old.”

Goldman and her trusted mount topped a field of 33 competitors over a course designed by Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida this week. “I haven’t seen a lot of big tracks since October, so everything seemed huge to me,” said Goldman. “My horses were outstanding – I thought they would be tired with a triple combination at the end of the course, but they held up beautifully.”

Russell set a course with 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, including a double combination at the eighth fence and triple at the second-to-last fence.

Evident not only by their wins together, but also by their relationship, Goldman admits that Centurion B is special. “We have owned him since he was about two, and I jumped his first cross rail with him,” said Goldman of the horse her mother purchased from Bannockburn Farm in Indiana a decade ago.

Goldman and Centurion B were first in the order and set an early time of 83.30 seconds, well under a time allowed of 85 seconds. Eleven trips later, she did it again, this time aboard her own Zacantos Z, hinting at a one-woman jump-off. Goldman purchased Zacantos Z during the 2013 winter circuit from Tammy McConnell and the big, gray gelding is one of 19 horses representing Red Coast Farm at HITS Ocala this year. “We are really starting to click, said Goldman of the horse who stands about 17.2 hands tall. “We have won some top ribbons together, but this winter should be really exciting.”

Scott Keach was quick to respond to Goldman’s two clean trips with a clear round in the next go aboard Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC’s Coco. Jenna Friedman of Alpharetta, Georgia was clear next on her own Zidoctro to set the stage for a four-horse jump-off.

Returning first again, Goldman and Centurion B posted the only double-clear effort of the day with an early Great American Time to Beat at 41.805 seconds. Keach and Friedman both picked up four faults apiece at the fourth fence of the jump-off, settling them in second and third, respectively. Goldman finished fourth with Zacantos Z with eight faults, while Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida piloted her own Lazaro to cap the top five with the fastest four-fault ride of the first round.

With a nod to the class sponsor, Goldman admits that her 85-horse farm in Illinois is fueled by SmartPak. “After winning a lot of product during last year’s winter circuit, we started using it on our horses and couldn’t be happier with the results,” she said.

Grand Prix competition continues at HITS Ocala this Sunday with the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, as excitement already begins to build for the first-ever Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The Great American Million will debut as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.

©ESI Photography. Derek Petersen and Eddy Money kicked the 2014 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit off in style with a win in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome.
©ESI Photography. Derek Petersen and Eddy Money kicked the 2014 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit off in style with a win in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome.

$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Derek Petersen of Archer, Florida started the 2013 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit off on a high note when he piloted Eddy Money, owned by Jenny Booth, to the blue in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday. Petersen was also sixth with his own Catchafire. Friedman and Zidoctro finished second, while David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio finished third in the irons of Call me Hannes, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC. Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey and The Cover Boy Group’s Superbad were fourth, and Christina Kelly of Keene, Kentucky rounded out the top five with her own Ushuaia van de Wolfsakker.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.

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.

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

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

Live Stream for $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty, Jan. 18, 6:45 pm

Photo copyright Sportfot.

The first “Saturday Night Lights” grand prix of the season kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Watch 44 of the world’s best show jumpers compete in the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2*.

Watch live here starting at 6:45 pm EST!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH:
http://bit.ly/1jbZES9

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

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

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

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

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

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

High Performance Riders Participate in 2014’s First USEF Dressage Observation & Strategic Planning Session

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard during a training session with USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Dover (USEF Archive)

Lexington, Ky. – The first USEF Dressage Observation & Strategic Planning Session of 2014 took place earlier this week at Havensafe Farm South in Wellington, Fla. Lead by Robert Dover, USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, the session provided training and strategic guidance for athletes as they look toward international competition and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The session featured 18 athlete/horse combinations over three days.

Dover was able to work individually with each athlete/horse combination, striving to enhance training practices and assist athletes in achieving their competition goals. Athletes’ personal trainers/coaches were also invited and participated in the sessions.

Day one of the session included:

  • Katherine Bateson-Chandler with Jane Clark’s Alcazar
  • Elaine Cordia-Van Reesma with her own Jewel’s Adelante
  • Catherine Haddad-Staller with her own Montrachet
  • Shawna Harding with Tonya Rowe’s Rigo
  • Chris Hickey with Cecelia Stewart’s Ronaldo
  • Jami Kment with her own Zania
  • Leslie Morse with her own King’s Excalibur
  • JJ Tate with Elizabeth Guarisco’s Faberge

Days two and three of the session included:

  • Susie Dutta with Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC
  • Shelly Francis with Patricia Stempel’s Doktor and Danilo
  • Catherine Haddad-Staller with her own Mane Stream Hotmail
  • Chris Hickey with Hilltop Farm Inc.’s Douglas Hilltop
  • Adrienne Lyle with Peggy Thomas’ Wizard
  • Sharon McCusker with her own Wrigley
  • Cesar Parra with Michael and Sarah Davis’ Van the Man
  • Caroline Roffman with Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF and her own Her Highness O

“I thought the training session was fantastic,” said Lyle. “Robert was able to take what everyone had been working on with their own coaches, build on that, and really motivate riders to raise their bar and bring out even more brilliance in their performances.”

“The three-day USEF High Performance Observation and Strategic Planning Session at Havensafe Farm produced excellent results,” said Dover. “Thanks to Betsy Juliano and her great staff as well as Jenny Van Wieren-Page for a beautiful and well-organized clinic and to the athletes who truly rose to the occasion and proved that America is most certainly producing more depth of world-class horses and top riders.”

For more information about the High Performance Dressage Observation and Strategic Planning Sessions, visit: http://usef.org/documents/highPerformance/dressage/USEFDressageTrainingSessions2013_2014.pdf.

Questions should be addressed to Jenny Van Wieren-Page, Managing Director of Dressage, by phoning (859) 225-6949 or via email to jvanwieren@usef.org.