Tag Archives: featured

Eventing/H.T., USEF

Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program Riders Shine in 2013

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Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man at the California winter training session (USEF Archives)

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and its Eventing High Performance Department introduced a redesigned Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program for 2013, and the participants had impressive performances throughout the season. Selected by application, 17 riders from across the country benefitted from regular access, coaching, and guidance from U.S. Team Coach, David O’Connor. The year began with intensive USEF Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program Training Sessions in January and February in Gilroy, Calif., and Ocala, Fla., respectively. The sessions consisted of both mounted lessons as well as lectures covering riding theory and technique, stable management, and course design. Riders came away with a clear understanding of the expectations for the future.

The Developing Riders/Eventing 25 riders put their newfound knowledge to good use and had great accomplishments during the spring season. Nora Battig (Granite Bay, Calif.) and Steppin’ Out finished second in the Poplar Place CIC2*, while Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and RF Cosima came in fourth. In North Carolina at the beginning of April, Kieffer partnered with Czechmate to win The Fork International Horse Trials CIC2*. Katy Groesbeck (Temecula, Calif.) rode Oz Proof of Purchase to the win in the Twin Rivers CCI2* by finishing on her dressage score. In the Twin Rivers CIC3*, Mackenna Shea (Tacoma, Wash.) and Landioso won the division while Zachary Brandt (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Cavallino Cocktail finished a close second. On the East Coast, Kieffer rode Veronica to the top spot by adding nothing to her dressage score in the Ocala Horse Properties International CCI2*.

“I think first off what David has done in general whether it had been sending horses and riders to Europe or developing younger generation is really going to turn things around and it already has,” commented Brandt. “He has helped me an unbelievable amount with my flat work, as well as my jumping, but my dressage has improved immensely. I don’t think I would have been able to move up as well as I did this year without his help. I did my first Advanced in March and my first CCI3* in May. He’s really laid the foundation down for all the Developing Riders on how to make it to the upper levels, how to conduct yourself at the upper levels, and what it takes to represent the U.S. in a team competition.”

Meghan O'Donoghue and Pirate at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (Shannon Brinkman)
Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (Shannon Brinkman)

Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) and Pirate had a spectacular showing at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover in their first appearance at the CCI4* level, finishing in 12th place and also earning the $1,000 HSBC FEI Classics Training Bursary. Caitlin Silliman (Chestertown, Md.) also tackled her first CCI4* at Kentucky, gaining valuable experience and finishing 24th with Catch A Star.

The hard work continued to show at international competitions across the country. At Jersey Fresh, Silliman won the CCI2* with Remington XXV and Kieffer and Veronica won the CIC2*. Kieffer and Veronica competed at the CIC3* level for the first time at the CHC International Horse Trials, winning the division, with Jacob Fletcher (North Little Rock, Ark.) and The Prof finishing fifth. In the CIC2*, Jenny Caras (Marietta, Ga.) had two top ten finishes with her horses, placing fifth with Fernhill Fortitude and eighth with Fernhill Stowaway. At the Bromont Three-Day Event, Kieffer finished third in the CIC3* with RF Cosima.

Two Developing Riders/Eventing 25 riders had great results at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. Caras and Fernhill Stowaway helped Area III win the Team Gold medal, earning the Individual Bronze medal themselves. Lizzie Snow (Milwaukie, Ore.) rode Ringfort Tinkaturk to seventh place individually, aiding the combined team of Areas VII, VIII, & IX to a Team Silver medal.

The up-and-coming riders made quite a showing at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Montana at the end of July. In the CIC3*, Groesbeck finished third and eighth with Oz The Tin Man and Oz Proof of Purchase, respectively, while Brandt and Cavallino Cocktail came in fifth. Jordan Linstedt (Redmond, Wash.) earned second-place honors in the CCI2* with Revitavet Capato.

Two riders from the program attended their first international competitions abroad in the late summer and early fall. In the beginning of September, O’Donoghue and Pirate traveled to the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials with the help of a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant from the USET Foundation. The pair did not disappoint in its first competition overseas, holding its own with some of Europe’s top riders and finishing in 11th place. Kieffer and Veronica were selected for the Military Boekelo CCIO3* Nations Cup Team in October.

“The opportunities that this program provided me this year have been amazing,” stated O’Donoghue. “The camp David put on for us this winter was focused on producing young horsemen in this country. The inspiration the camp produced certainly contributed to me success throughout the year. The Under 25 program is part of a pipeline for the future of U.S. eventing. There have been numerous opportunities that I have taken advantage of because of this program. It was an honor to be selected as part of the program’s first year!”

The final three-day events of the year took place in October and the Developing Riders/Eventing 25 riders had top performances yet again. At The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International, Danielle Dichting (Roswell, Ga.) added just a few time penalties to her dressage score to finish fifth in the CCI2* with The Graduate. Caras claimed the USEF National Young Riders Championship title for being the top U.S. competitor aged 16-21 in the CCI2* after coming in 12th with Fernhill Fortitude.

“For a new program for the under 25 riders, it was brand new this year and nobody really knew what to expect and I think it exceeded all of our expectations,” said O’Connor. “The weeks that we did training sessions and the clinics that we did afterwards that followed up all went really well. All of those riders really went on to compete in a better way than I think they had before. Two riders going to Europe, other ones winning two-stars, and others doing well in three-stars. To me it was a very successful program for this year.”

The redesigned Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program enabled several talented riders to reach new heights this year. The success that the program riders had with their horses throughout the year bodes well for the future of the sport.

By Kathleen Landwehr

For more information about the 2013 USEF Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program, please click here: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alleventing/hpeventing.aspx.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jordan Coyne Wins the $65,000 EMO Grand Prix

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Jordan Coyne pilots Lazaro over an oxer in the $65,000 EMO Grand Prix. Flashpoint Photography.

A beautiful seventy degree, sunny fall day showcased the grandeur of the Olympic Arena and welcomed thirty three entries to the Georgia International Horse Park for the Atlanta Fall Classic’s opening week $65,000 EMO Grand Prix.  The course was designed by international course designer Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico who was an Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

Esparza challenged competitors by setting the first round time allowed at 72 seconds.  Only four horse and rider teams beat that time in fault free rounds, but it was Jordan Coyne from New Port Ritchey, Florida riding her own Lazaro who posted the only double clear effort in 68.159 seconds and 40.167 seconds, respectively.  “The time was short, but not impossible,” commented Esparza.  “I always prefer to have the time factor instead of higher fences or wider spreads,” he added.  “I think it’s safer for the young horses and riders and it’s important that they don’t leave the ring with a bad experience, but with a good lesson,” he continued.  “That was my plan looking at the list of competitors and I’m very happy with the results,” he said.  “The winner was one of the young prospects in our sport,” Esparza said.  “I think this is the way to develop these horses and with the amount of prize money at stake, it was, in my opinion, a good course and a good result,” he said.

Kristen Vanderveen of St. Charles, Illinois was clean in her first round with a time of 69.251 seconds and was the first to go in the jump off aboard Bull Run’s Eternal, owned by Bull Run Jumpers, LLC.  She posted the fastest time in 39.736 seconds, but with eight jump faults she finished in fourth overall.  Coyne was next to go and finished clean in 40.167 seconds.  Jared Peterson of Archer, Florida riding Derek Peterson’s Titus 2:11 went clean in the first round after posting a time of 71.079 seconds in his first round.  He followed Coyne in the jump off order.  After dropping a rail at the fourth obstacle, the pair would finish in third place overall with a time of 43.755 seconds and four faults.

Quentin Judge of Wellington, Florida in the irons aboard HH Whiskey Royale, owned by Double H Farm, posted a first round clean effort in 71.857 seconds looked to give Coyne a run for the money. As the last to go in the jump off, HH Whiskey Royale and Judge looked as if he may steal the win, but with four faults at the second to last fence in the jump off, the pair would settle for second with a time of 41.418 seconds.

Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, New Mexico riding Showcase 81, LLC’s Bon Giorno turned in a first round effort in 73.326 seconds with two time faults which landed them in fifth position.  Paulo Santana of Wellington, Florida rode Atanja, owned by Santana Stables, LLC, in a first round time of 74.539 seconds which earned them three time faults and a sixth place overall.  Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida finished in seventh overall riding Vanita, owned by Gaston Family Investments, LLC, with four jump faults and a time of 67.016 seconds.  Bull Run Jumpers, LLC’s Bull Run’s Holy Smoke, ridden by Kristen Vanderveen, finished in eighth place overall after posting a time of 69.313 seconds and four jump faults. David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee, aboard Emily Short’s Grand Finale 3E, finished in ninth overall with a time of 69.321 seconds and four jump faults.  David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio rode Moet Walk, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC, to a tenth place finish in 70.070 seconds with four jump faults.  Patty Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania rode her own Carigor Z to the eleventh place finish in 70.389 seconds and four jump faults while Frances Land of Alpharetta, Georgia rode her own Vieanne to the twelfth place spot in a time of 70.504 seconds and four jump faults.

“We’re so pleased with our sponsorship of the Classic Company,” said Martha Hall, Vice President of EMO.  “Bob [Bell] and the Classic Company team does such a great job promoting us and adding value to our sponsorship; we are just thrilled!” she said.

Show jumping action continues this week with the Adequan Pre-Green Hunter Finals, the National Classic Equitation Finals, the Take2 Thoroughbred Division, the $10,000 Child Adult Jumper Classic, the $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome Class, the $45,000 EMO Grand Prix and the International Hunter Derby.  The crowning of the Circuit Champions will wrap up the week’s events.

There is always something for everyone at Classic Company shows and the Classic Atlanta Fall Shows are no exception.  So make sure to bring everyone to the International Horse Park this week and enjoy Classic Company’s world class customer service, beautifully decorated rings, big prize money, great events and fun for all!  Email Jonathan at jonathan@classiccompany.com or call the office at 843.768.5503.  Remember, you can also sign up for the Atlanta Fall Classic by visiting the Classic Company’s Official Service Partner, Equestrian Connect.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them at the Atlanta Fall Classic starting November 7th. Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best. Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office surcharge added for credit card payments.

The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on the Classic Company, the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, the Southeast Medal Finals and their exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at 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.

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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

Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Gulf Coast Winter Classics Prize List Now Available Online

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Gulfport, MS – November 12, 2013 – For six weeks every February and March, the Gulf Coast Winter Classics welcome horses and riders to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast. The 16th annual edition of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics will be held February 5 to March 16, 2014 and will offer competitors more than $1,000,000 in prize money, classes for all skill levels and a big dose of southern hospitality!

The USHJA Member’s Choice award-recipient horse shows will feature weekly grand prix classes, a USHJA International Hunter Derby, Pre-Green Incentive Classes, jumper classics, a jumper derby, USHJA National Hunter Derbies and much, much more.

The complete prize list of all that the Gulf Coast Winter Classics have to offer is now available online here!

Outside of the show ring, competitors are invited to enjoy the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s legendary exhibitor parties, an indoor riders’ lounge, pizza Saturdays, happy hour Mondays and all of the fabulous amenities of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Come for the show; stay for the fun! For more information, go to: www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

Gulf Coast Winter Classics Fast Facts:

What:
Gulf Coast Winter Classics USEF AA-Rated/Jumper Levels Four and Five

Where:
Harrison County Fairgrounds and Equestrian Center
15321 County Farm Rd.
Gulfport, MS 39503

When:
February 5 – March 16, 2014

Highlights include:
Weekly USHJA National Hunter Derby & Classics, Week 5 International Hunter Derby
Week 1  $ 5,000 Welcome – $25,000 Grand Prix
Week 2  $25,000 Welcome – $35,000 Grand Prix
Week 3  $25,000 Welcome – $50,000 Grand Prix
Week 4  $25,000 Welcome – $50,000 Grand Prix
Week 5  $25,000 Welcome – $77,000 Grand Prix, $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Week 6  $ 5,000 Welcome – $25,000 Grand Prix, Plus Rodeo

Contacts:
President Bob Bell                             bob@classiccompany.com                  843.768.5503
Coordinator Janet McCarroll          janet@gulfcoastclassiccompany.com 228.669.2687
Office Manager Jonathan Rabon    jonathan@classiccompany.com          843.729.2818
Advertising Drew Coster                  drew@classiccompany.com                843.754.2266
Stabling Tissy Principe                    info@gulfcoastclassiccompany.com  843.768.5503
Sponsorship Lisa Enge                   llisa@classiccompany.com                 908.310.6248

Book your lodging for Gulf Coast Winter Classics:
Equestrian Travel               (800) GOGALLUP (855-464-2556)

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Dramatic Countdown to Adelaide

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Craig Barrett (AUS) and Sandhills Brillaire, winners of the Australian International 3-Day Event in Adelaide in November 2012 (Jenny Barnes/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 12 November 2013 – The countdown to this weekend’s Australian International 3-Day Event in Adelaide, the second of the FEI Classics 2013/2014 series, has been nothing short of dramatic. Atlanta Olympic gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer (AUS) returned to Adelaide to try for a third victory, but broke her leg in two places in a training fall and will not be on the start list.

Schaeffer is no stranger to injury, as she won her Atlanta Olympic gold medal just nine weeks after breaking her leg, but there will be no such Lazarus moment in time for Adelaide 2013. A pragmatic Schaeffer, who now lives in Britain with her husband, Nigel Macdonald, commented in a recent interview: “It’s all part of the lifestyle; you have to take the good with the bad.”

Another Australian international rider, Christopher Burton, has actually benefitted from a similar mishap. Now based in the UK, Burton was intending to be a guest and enjoy the Adelaide four-star festivities on foot, but the opportunity for a last-minute catch ride sees him taking over the ride on TS Jamaimo from the injured Will Enzinger, who broke his leg falling from a novice horse last week. Stephanie Pearce’s Thoroughbred gelding, by Urgent Request, will be making his four-star debut at Adelaide. Enzinger was third at the Goulburn CIC *** in October aboard Jamaimo and was looking forward to riding the horse at Adelaide. The owner was keen to have the horse start and Enzinger, in hospital awaiting surgery, organised for Burton to ride the horse. Burton is no stranger to Thoroughbreds and won the Adelaide CCI**** in 2010 riding Newsprint.

However, the most dramatic incident was Course Designer Wayne Copping being rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack a week before the event. Wayne has undergone heart bypass surgery and fully intends to be at the event in the centre of Adelaide. “I’m sure Wayne will make it, even if he has to be driven around in a golf cart,” Event Director Gill Rolton says.

“We have been very fortunate, because Mike Etherington-Smith flew in to Adelaide on Wednesday to essentially walk the course with Wayne and me as part of his role working with Australian High Performance. Mike stayed over until Friday night and helped the course-builders with the last minute fine-tuning that Wayne would normally do. Mike was able to take up the reins a bit and help out and will be back at the event as Course Director for the FEI Seminar.

“We have had good rain all season,” continues Gill, “and they are doing a lot with irrigation and will be aerating the course and dumping more water on it on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so we should have super footing. For the first time this year the course goes in to the south part of Victoria Park which means on the first part of the course the horses are able to get into a good rhythm and gallop before the more intricate tests in Rymill Park. Considering that many of our elite riders are now based overseas we have a good four-star field including two Kiwis, Donna Smith and Monica Oakley.”

Twenty-six horses have been listed for the FEI Classics CCI**** – a substantial improvement on the 14 starters in 2012. Australian spectators are at the mercy of international competition with Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games selection depleting the fields at home. There is also the opposite effect during selection years and many in the CCI**** field have selection for the Alltech World Equestrian Games foremost in their minds.

Sydney Olympic team gold medallist Stuart Tinney has two entered. He will be hoping for third time lucky with the Daley K gelding, Pluto Mio, and also brings the four-star debutante Sydney. Craig Barrett is looking to make it back-to-back four-star wins with the home-bred Staccato mare Sandhills Brillaire that he rides for the Osbornes.

Sonja Johnson is over from Western Australia and keen to impress the selectors, especially with her former racehorse, Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, that was a little unlucky not to be selected on the team for London last year. Johnson also has another Australian Stock Horse, Belfast Mojito, in the four-star. Although promising, only time will tell whether he matches up to her Beijing Team Silver mount, Ringwould Jaguar. But there is no doubt that Johnson is in it to win it.

Shane Rose is back at Adelaide with Jonnie Walker’s Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross, Taurus, that was selected for the London 2012 Olympic Games only to go lame about five days out. No doubt Rose is hoping that fate will deal him a kinder hand in his pursuit to make the Normandy team with a winning performance at Adelaide. He also has the four-star debutante, CP Qualified, a Warmblood by Quite Capitol that was imported by Jumping international George Sanna. Natalie Blundell was also in contention for London 2012 with Julia McLean’s Algebra, another former racehorse that has shown good form, with top-four finishes in the HSBC FEI Classics at Adelaide for the past two years.

There is a lot of interest in Christine Bates having another crack at Adelaide with her own Adelaide Hill. A run out in 2011 kept them out of the money, but professional rider and trainer Bates, despite a badly broken finger, is determined to add her name to the Adelaide four-star winners list. Melbourne 2013 CCI*** winner, Katja Weimann is keen to step her home-bred, BP Flamboyant, up to four-star level and will be one of the interesting debutantes to watch this year. Other first timers include team selector turned to possible team selectee, Seumas Marwood, with his highly regarded Contango II mare, Wild Oats.

Sadly for Megan Jones and for the event promoters, she has withdrawn her Thoroughbred, Kirby Park Allofasudden, that was momentarily on the team for London 2012 until lameness sidelined him as well. The 2008 Olympic team silver medallist is not 100 percent happy with the horse and the popular rider will be a pedestrian this year.

Although Adelaide has lost both its “golden girls” from the start list, they will be on hand to promote the event and the sport. Despite the drama in the build-up, Adelaide’s unique city location, its festive atmosphere and great weather has made it the pre-Christmas outing of choice for the broader equestrian community for the past 13 years.

“We have expanded the programme this year,” explains Gill Rolton, “to embrace more of the city people coming to the event, with the Twilight Polo on Friday evening a sellout. The grandstand is sold out, the VIP area is packed to the rafters and the trade village is bigger than it has ever been.” It’s clearly going to be a great weekend of sport!”

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter

Our signature twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Anna Sharpley

Media contacts:

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

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

Community/Charity, Publications/Media

Tobbe Larsson Joins Talent Line-Up at Horse & Country TV

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Photo: La Valetto.

11 November 2013 – Horse & Country TV, the specialist international equestrian sports and lifestyle network, is pleased to announce it will produce a number of exclusive shows with the renowned Swedish horse artiste, Tobbe Larsson.

Tobbe will feature in his own episodes of H&C TV’s Yard Talk and Masterclass series, which will premiere in early December.  Later, H&C TV will follow Tobbe to Dubai, where he will be filmed working with local riders and their horses, both at the races and in the showjumping arena.

Tobbe Larsson is a household name in Sweden and many parts of the world through his tours with the show Apassionata, his hugely popular TV shows as well as his clinics. The last clinic was held in Borås, Sweden, with a sold-out show and an audience of 2,000 guests.

Tobbe is the latest equestrian star to join the line-up of talent on H&C TV that includes Monty Roberts, Pat and Linda Parelli and Carl Hester.

Speaking of the new relationship, Tobbe Larsson said: “It’s exciting to work with a new equestrian channel, which is exactly what Sweden has been waiting for. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to have access to H&C TV’s established international network, in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, to promote our way of working with horses here in Sweden to the wider world.”

Head of Programming for H&C TV, Jonathan Rippon, said: “It’s an honour for H&C TV to work with an established TV star such as Tobbe. Tobbe represents an exceptional talent, not only in his way with horses, but also by virtue of his natural and engaging on-screen persona. We hope to be able to bring our audience more of Tobbe’s tips and insights as our channel develops.”

Horse & Country TV began service in Com Hem’s new Tivo Large and Tivo Extra Large packages, and à la carte, on October 31.

About Horse & Country TV

Horse & Country TV lives on-air on cable and satellite and online at www.horseandcountry.tv and www.horseandcountrytv.nl. The Channel broadcasts exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living. At the UK’s Broadcast Digital Awards, H&C won “Best Specialist Channel” in 2011 and was shortlisted in two categories this year. Online H&C publishes blogs and commentary provided by a range of experts and personalities, an extensive range of equestrian video, a calendar of events, as well as programme support material for all of the Channel’s featured shows. H&C’s role as a community hub for the horse and countryside loving community is reflected in the Channel’s 500,000+ viewers each month, 90,000+ Facebook fans and 20,000+ followers on Twitter.

For further media information, please contact:
Tim Welland
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
T: +44 (0)207 592 1207

Competitions, Polo

Grand Champions Wins Palm Restaurant Invitational in Medium-Goal Season Finale

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Newport’s Wes Finlayson (2) battles Grand Champions’ Julio Ezcurra (3) for the ball. Photos by Scott Fisher.

Bellissimo Named MVP

WELLINGTON, FL – Nov. 11, 2013 — It was only fitting that Grand Champions win the medium goal season-ending tournament Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Julio Ezcurra, making his season debut, scored a game-high seven goals including the game-winner, to lead Grand Champions to an exciting 11-10 victory over Newport in the championship final of the Palm Restaurant Invitational.

It was the seventh and final medium-goal polo tournament of the fall season.

With eleven teams competing throughout the season, it was most competitive in Grand Champions’ eight-year history. Casablanca won three tournaments; Paladin, Audi, Palm House and Grand Champions each captured one tournament title.

Ezcurra competed in Grand Champions’ inaugural medium goal season.

“It has improved a lot since that first year,” Ezcurra said. “It is amazing. What Grand Champions is doing for polo is really important for polo – it’s building polo.”

Added Melissa Ganzi: “Every year it’s getting more and more competitive; the teams are getting stronger and the caliber of the pros has improved as has the level of the horses that people bring to play now.”

Ezcurra finished his season in New York at the end of September. He said he was rusty after not playing for seven weeks, but quickly shook off the rust in the opening chukker.

“I have two to three months easy until the winter season,” Ezcurra said. “I was kind of rough playing. It was fun and I had a great team. It was a fun team and we just played hard. I think everyone played well because of teamwork.”

Grand Champions (Melissa Ganzi, Glenn Straub, Julio Ezcurra, Juan Bollini) and Newport (Michael Bellissimo, Wes Finlayson, Gene Goldstein, Michel Dorignac) battled evenly throughout the game.

Grand Champions trailed at halftime (5-4) but mounted a comeback in the second half behind Ezcurra, who scored five of his goals in the fourth and fifth chukkers enabling Grand Champions to regain the lead, 8-5, in the fourth chukker and maintain the lead, 11-9, after five chukkers.

Grand Champions was shut out in the final chukker but played well defensively allowing only one goal in the final seconds of the game.

“It was a really exciting team win,” Ganzi said. “It was a fun day.”

Most Valuable Player Michael Bellissimo (1) defends as Grand Champions' Glenn Straub (2) leans into his shot
Most Valuable Player Michael Bellissimo (1) defends as Grand Champions’ Glenn Straub (2) leans into his shot

Bellissimo, 17, a senior at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, was named Most Valuable Player. Bellissimo was coming off a six-month layoff from polo.

“I am really happy; this was really an exciting game to play,” Bellissimo said. “It’s fun playing with all these players. It’s really a different type of polo, really open, nice and not too many fouls like a lot of games.

“When it worked, we were all playing as a team, getting the ball to each other and being in the right position,” Bellissimo said. “When it didn’t work we were just disorganized.”

In addition to Ezcurra’s scoring barrage, Bollini scored four goals. Finlayson led Newport with four goals, Goldstein had three, Dorignac added two and Bellissimo had one.

Seven-year-old Quarzo, played by Straub in two chukkers, and owned by Halo Polo, was named Best Playing Polo.

Grand Champions (Juan Forero, Juancito Bollini, Hector Galindo, Tommy Biddle) made it a clean sweep, winning the subsidiary with a 9-6 victory over Berlin Polo (Moritz Gaedeke, Ricky Marshad, Sugar Erskine, Martin Estrada).

Biddle scored a game-high six goals and was named Most Valuable Player. Galindo scored two goals and Bollini added one. Gaedeke led Berlin Polo with four goals and Estrada and Marshad each had one goal.

Bosh, an 8-year-old bay mare, and owned by Halo Polo, was selected Best Playing Pony.

Before and during the action on Sunday, spectators and polo fans were treated to “Cars & Coffee” featuring an array of cars sponsored by Braman Motor Cars and Palm Beach Super Cars. The first-time event benefitted the Polo School at Grand Champions.

Newport's Wes Finlayson (2) tries to avoid the hook of Juan Bollini (4) of Grand Champions
Newport’s Wes Finlayson (2) tries to avoid the hook of Juan Bollini (4) of Grand Champions

After the doubleheader, there was a fun get together and barbecue provided by Cilantro’s Herman Moreira for players, sponsors and fans to celebrate the successful 2013 fall season.

GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE

Nov. 13-23, USPA National 20-Goal Championship
Nov. 24, Juniors Tournament
Nov. 30, The Legends of Polo, 1 p.m. and International Cup, Team USA vs. Chile, 3 p.m.

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 561-644-5050.

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

Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
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*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Celebrations Conclude on Final Day of Inaugural US Dressage Finals

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California’s Akiko Yamazaki celebrated her success aboard “Matrix” in the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship on the final day of the US Dressage Finals. Photo: SusanJStickle.com.

Emotions ran high as the final six champions were crowned Sunday at the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan in Lexington, KY. Riders who traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park from coast to coast celebrated their championship experience with memorable rides and victory laps while cheered on by friends and family.

Adult Amateurs at the Prix St. Georges level were the stars of the day in the Alltech Arena, and one of the riders who traveled the farthest to compete was rewarded with a national title. Akiko Yamazaki of Woodside, CA (Region 7) is widely known as the owner of U.S. Dressage Team horses “Ravel” and “Legolas” for Steffen Peters, but this weekend was her turn to be in the saddle. Yamazaki became the first recipient of the Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy for winning the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship with a score of 67.895% earned aboard her Danish Warmblood gelding “Matrix”, a horse she successfully returned to competition after being out of action for two years due to injury. “Here is a horse I thought at one point I might have to retire,” she said. “But he rose to the occasion, and I was really happy with how my ride went today.” Attending the Finals with her entire family, Yamazaki was pleased with her experience. “I think this show exceeded all of my expectations, right from the get-go,” she noted. “All the information was provided in such a timely and organized manner, so I already felt well taken care of before I even arrived. And then once I was here, everything ran so smoothly and was just great. Congratulations to the show organizers – I think this has exceeded everyone’s expectations and I’ll be returning home and spreading the word in California that we have to come back en masse.”

Journeying to the Finals from the opposite corner of the country, Krista Nordgren of South Portland, ME (Region 8) earned the Reserve Championship with “Schando”, her 17-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (by Schwadroneur) on a score of 66.228% “I was so proud of my horse – I had tears in my eyes from happiness when cantering down centerline for my final salute,” said Nordgren, who also had loved ones in attendance to cheer her on, including her five-year-old son. “There’s a certain magic to this place,” she explained with emotion in her voice. “The thrill of competing on this stage was a strong pull for me to come all this way, and it exceeded my wildest dreams. I loved the fact that here, the amateur competitor has been embraced; we’ve never had this sort of stage for us other than our Regional Championships. We’ve all been treated like true champions just for making it here to the Finals, and because of that there’s a sense of pride and tremendous camaraderie.”

Building upon the success she found in yesterday’s Fourth Level Open Championship, Heather McCarthy (Prairie Grove, IL, Region 2) claimed another victory in today’s Prix St. Georges Open Championship, once again aboard Dr. Marilyn Johnson and John McGuire’s elegant Oldenburg mare “Saphira” (Florencio x Roxina by Chairman). McCarthy was thrilled with her mount’s performance, which earned a top score of 69.868%. “I had a wonderful ride. I was concerned that I might not have enough horse left today because I thought she gave me everything yesterday, but she went right out there and did her job,” said McCarthy. “I’m on cloud nine. I don’t think I could have asked for anything more than I’ve achieved here this weekend. It’s been a wonderful experience.” Finishing second by only two-tenths of a point with an overall score of 69.605% was Heather Mason of Tewksbury, NJ (qualified in Region 8) and her Dutch Warmblood gelding “Zar” (Iroko x Inga by Actueel, bred in the U.S. by Carol Collyer). Mason and “Zar” conclude their championship week with top-two finishes in each of the three small tour championship classes they contested during the Finals (Reserve Intermediate I Open Champion, Intermediate I Freestyle Champion, and Reserve Prix St. Georges Open Champion). “I was thrilled with him,” Mason said of her partner. “He’s been very brave, just super for me all week, and it’s been a great show all around.”

In the largest division of these inaugural finals, 27 adult amateur riders fought for bragging rights at Training Level under bright morning sun in the Murphy Ring. Ultimately emerging victorious (and claiming her second championship title of the weekend) was Lucy Tidd of Germantown, MD (Region 1) and her four-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding “Ellert HB” with a score of 73.200%. “I was afraid my horse might be a little tired, but he was great, super focused, and he seemed to really enjoy himself,” said Tidd, who was thrilled with her unexpected success at the Finals. “It’s surreal,” she said. “I was just hoping to place – never in a million years did I anticipate doing so well.” Finishing in Reserve (71.333%) was another talented four-year-old, the U.S.-bred RPSI mare “DeLovely” (Don Principe x Sky Spirit by Johns Line, bred and owned by Janet Stone), ridden by Lisa Seegar Brown of Travelers Rest, SC (Region 3).

Returning to the Alltech Arena after narrowly missing the Second Level Freestyle title yesterday, Fie Andersen of Hamilton, MA (Region 8) would not be denied top honors today in the Second Level Open Championship. Once again aboard her Oldenburg stallion “Rocazino” (Rosentanz x Escarda by Silvio I), Andersen earned the win with a score of 74.921%. “I’m a little emotional right now,” she said. “My horse is amazing! He was tired but gave me everything he had. It’s been such an amazing experience to come here and compete head-to-head with riders from around the country, and I think it’s great preparation for bigger and better things for us.” Saturday’s First Level Open Champions Debbie Hill of Gurley, AL (Region 3) with “Boccaccio IOF” (Hanoverian gelding [Bugatti Hilltop x Roxette by Rubinstein I], bred in the U.S. by Hilltop Farm, Inc. and owned by Marchella Richardson) easily moved up a level today to earn a score of 73.968% and earn the Reserve Championship trophy in the Second Level Open division.

Wrapping up the day in both the indoor Alltech Arena and outdoor rings were the Intermediate II Championship classes for adult amateur and open riders. Wellington, FL’s Kristy Truebenbach Lund (Region 3) topped the field in the adult amateur division with 61.447% aboard her flashy chestnut “Reel Adventure” (Hanoverian gelding [Rotspon x Lanthess by Lanthan], owned by Blue Marlin Farms, Inc.). Ironically, the pair earned their win by returning to the same Stonelea Arena where seven years ago her then five-year-old jumped out of the ring during the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships. “I’m a true believer in bringing them up through the levels yourself,” said Truebenbach Lund. “I think it gives you such a true partnership, and I’m very proud that I’ve trained him and we’ve come this far together.” Less than a point behind was Region 1’s Alexa Briscoe of Poolesville, MD riding her own Bavarian gelding “Wildfeuer” (Welt As x Investa by Inschallah X, bred in the U.S. by Monika Levay) with 61.228% for the Reserve Championship.

Another Region 3 competitor, Laura Graves of Geneva, FL, rode her own Dutch Warmblood gelding “Verdades” to her first national title in the Intermediate II Open Championship on a strong score of 71.140% from FEI judges Gary Rockwell, Sandra Hotz, and Charlotte Bredahl over second-place finisher Heather Mason with her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding “Warsteiner” (Riverman-ISF x Welona by Roemer) who scored 69.035%. “We had a good go today, thanks to a little bit of luck and a whole lot of practice. I’m so proud of my horse,” said Graves. “We knew we’d have tough competition here, and that’s why we came. We were really looking forward to it, and are so glad to finally have a national championship like this to look forward to.” When asked if she would return next year, Graves replied without hesitation. “Oh yeah,” she said emphatically. “If we get invited, we’ll be here.”

Final results, photo galleries, and news archives from the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan are available on the official event website www.usdressagefinals.com. Video on demand from select championship performances is also available on the USEF Network (www.usefnetwork.com).

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer M. Keeler, Yellow Horse Marketing, jennifer@yellowhorsemarketing.com

Phelps Media Group, Polo

Defending Champion Audi Wins USPA North American Cup

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Audi MVP Michel Dorignac (4) pursuing Casablanca’s Brandon Phillips (2). Photos by Scott Fisher.

Audi’s Michel Dorignac Named MVP

WELLINGTON, FL – Nov. 10, 2013 — Audi, steeped in winning tradition, opened the 20-goal season at Grand Champions Polo Club with a thrilling 11-10 victory over Casablanca to capture the USPA North American Cup presented by Beluga in front of a packed house.

It was the second consecutive title for the defending champions who came from behind in the sixth chukker to knock off the hottest team of the fall season.

“It’s great to win two years in a row,” said Audi’s Marc Ganzi. “What was impressive to me is that it was a really tough game, two good teams, very evenly-matched, good horses.

“The level has come so far here,” Ganzi said. “The real winner today honestly was Wellington. Wellington now gets to see really high quality 20-goal polo in the fall and that was a vision that Melissa and I felt was really important for the club.”

Audi’s newest player, Michel Dorignac, made his debut for the 20-goal team and played well with veteran teammates Nic Roldan, Carlitos Gracida and Ganzi.

Dorignac, outstanding defensively throughout the game, was named Most Valuable Player.

“I knew it would be a close game,” Dorignac said. “I thought our semifinal game was really tough, but this one was going to be even tougher with players like Mike Azzaro and Jeff Hall with a lot of experience; Brandon Phillips, a really solid player; and Grant Ganzi who is growing up and improving every single game, so I knew it would be really tough.”

Audi defeated Berlin Polo with a hardfought 12-9 victory in the semifinals.

The highly-anticipated championship final lived up to expectations. After a seesaw battle in the first two chukkers, Dorignac’s only goal of the game tied the score at 4-4.

Roldan scored two of his game-high six goals on a well-hit shot in a crowd at the 4:36 mark and 60-yard penalty shot in the final seconds of the chukker for a 6-4 halftime advantage. Three of Casablanca’s first-half goals were penalty shots.

Casablanca came roaring back early in the fourth chukker when Grant Ganzi converted a penalty-two and then backhanded a pass to Azzaro, who scored from the field at 5:38 to tie the game at 6-6.

The lead changed hands five more times before Casablanca took a 9-8 lead on another Azzaro goal.

Casablanca's Brandon Phillips (2) avoids the foul as Audi's Nic Roldan (3) goes for the ball
Casablanca’s Brandon Phillips (2) avoids the foul as Audi’s Nic Roldan (3) goes for the ball

Audi regained its composure and the lead after Roldan’s rifle shot tied the game (9-9) and Marc Ganzi put Audi ahead (10-9) on a penalty goal. Roldan added an insurance goal (11-9) by maintaining possession and driving the length of the field for his final goal of the game.

“We had some issues fouling a bit,” Ganzi said. “We knew if we could cut down our mistakes we could beat them on the field. Once we did, the game turned.”

Casablanca tried to mount a late rally with 1:29 left when Azzaro scored a quick goal cutting his team’s deficit to one goal. Casablanca took possession after the throw-in but Audi’s swarming defense led by Gracida, who played pressure defense the entire game and stopped two goal attempts, turned back Casablanca as time ran out.

“We started up really well, then they got their momentum, tied the game and then took the lead,” Dorignac said. “I think the key to the game was we remained patient. We tried to calm down and focused on getting back into the game. We played hard and got tough. We were patient with cool heads in the end.”

Dorignac was a last-minute replacement for Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, who was competing in a tournament in Mexico. It was Dorignac’s first MVP award in his first season at Grand Champions.

“When Marc called me I said yes right away because it is a great opportunity just to play,” Dorignac said. “I went for it and I enjoyed it. I tried to do well, of course. I think every player in the game deserved MVP, any of the eight players because they all played great out there.”

Roldan finished with 14 goals in two games during the tournament.

“That was fun, wasn’t it?” Roldan said with a smile. “We just had good chemistry luckily especially with Michel coming in late. The whole team played well. The other team played really well, too and honestly it could have gone either way. Today was just our day.

“We are a disciplined team that sticks to its plan,” Roldan said when asked what makes Audi so good year-in and year-out. “We try to have as much fun as possible but the moment we get on the field we are all business. We have played together for a long time and have the experience.”

In addition to Roldan’s six goals in the final, Marc Ganzi scored three goals, all on penalty shots and Dorignac had one goal. For Casablanca, Azzaro led with four goals and Grant Ganzi and Hall each had three goals.

Azzaro’s 3-year-old black mare, Gypsy Girl, was named Best Playing Pony.

It was Casablanca’s fourth appearance in a championship final this season at Grand Champions.

“I guess it was about time we lose a final,” Azzaro said. “We had our chances, we had our opportunities. The ball didn’t bounce our way today. We had the game controlled, they just had a better break at the end. Unfortunately, for us that’s the way it rolled.”

The final pitted father/son Marc and Grant Ganzi against each other.

“It’s never fun to win against your son, but that’s polo,” Ganzi said. “I’ve been on that other side of that equation losing to Melissa. Grant’s maturation as a player has really surprised me. It’s not just his ability to hit the ball and to ride. His field intelligence is so far beyond his years. His ability to read the play and to anticipate is really uncanny for a kid his age.”

At 15, Ganzi, a sophomore at St. Andrew’s School, was the youngest player in the 20-goal tournament.

“I think I played well,” Ganzi said. “It was a lot of fun and a great opportunity. I really don’t have anything to lose, win or lose. If I play well, I play well, but if I play poorly it’s still a great opportunity. I am playing with great players, Mike, Brandon and Jeff.”

In the opening game, ELG took control early and led from start-to-finish to defeat Beluga, 15-8, to win the Beluga Cup.

ELG's Kris Kampsen (3) leans into his shot with Beluga's Luis Escobar (2) looking on
ELG’s Kris Kampsen (3) leans into his shot with Beluga’s Luis Escobar (2) looking on

ELG (Avery Chapman, Guille Aguero, Kris Kampsen, Carlucho Arellano) was too quick for Beluga (Misha Rodzianko, Luis Escobar, Jeff Blake and Joey Casey).

After two chukkers, ELG (Equine Law Group) led 6-2 and shut down Beluga defensively. Beluga tried to dig itself out of a hole, cutting its deficit to two, but ELG had too much chemistry and poise for Beluga.

Aguero led with five goals, Arellano had four and Chapman, who played defensively, and Kampsen each had three goals. Escobar led Beluga with three goals.

Bungalow 8, a 6-year-old bay mare, owned by Halo Polo, was named Best Playing Pony.

The three-day, six-team USPA North American Cup presented by Beluga was the first of two 20-goal fall tournaments at Grand Champions. The other 20-goal tournament, USPA National 20-Goal Championship, begins on Wednesday. Audi won the 2012 tournament with Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Carlos Gracida and Carlitos Gracida.

During and after Saturday’s game, polo fans were treated to Beluga Noble Russian Vodka and great food in the lavish Beluga VIP tent while listening to play-by-play announcer Tony Coppola, the voice of polo.

Beluga Noble Vodka is produced in the heart of Siberia, one of the most ecologically clean in Russia. Beluga Noble is refined in every way. Thanks to its unique production technology, including both innovations and centuries-old traditions, the flavor of Beluga Noble has an irreproducible smoothness.

All the ingredients of Beluga Noble pass through a strict system of purification and filtration, which guarantees the maximum level of purity and quality in the final product. Beluga Noble “rests” for 30 days. The refined design of the bottle with hand-made elements perfectly reflects the nobility of Beluga Noble. On every one of the bottles there is one important feature, a small Beluga fish, traditionally fitted by hand, making every bottle unique.

GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE

Nov. 13-23, USPA National 20-Goal Championship
Nov. 24, Juniors Tournament
Nov. 30, The Legends of Polo, 1 p.m. and International Cup, Team USA vs. Chile, 3 p.m.

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 561-644-5050.

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

Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Ahlmann and Aragon Are Victorious in Verona

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Elisa Gasparini, Brand Manager Longines Italy, presents Christian Ahlmann with his winner’s watch. Photo: FEI/Stefano Secchi.

Verona (ITA), 10 November 2013 – Germany’s Christian Ahlmann was a very happy man after winning today’s third leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League series at Verona in Italy.  The 2011 FEI World Cup Jumping champion borrowed a horse from his partner, Judy-Ann Melchior, at the last moment, and he could hardly believe how well the 12-year-old gelding, Aragon Z, performed for him in front of the packed house of wildly enthusiastic spectators this afternoon.

“Judy has loaned me her horse for two shows – Verona and Doha – because my top horse had a rest and just before Verona was not ready to come here.  With Aragon it has been working really well from our very first moment together, so I’m delighted!” said the 38-year-old rider who fended off some fearsome opposition in a thrilling 12-horse jump-off against the clock.

Great Britain’s Scott Brash lined up second with Ursula Xll while Italy’s Luca Moneta pleased the home crowd when slotting into third with Neptune Brecourt.  It was a ferocious battle for maximum points today, but Ahlmann looked completely in control and looks well set for another strong campaign on the winter-long Longines FEI World Cup Jumping circuit.  Brash, meanwhile, moves to the top of the Western European League leaderboard having already accumulated 41 points after his opening leg win in Oslo and his prominent finish today.

Plenty to think about

Course designer, Italy’s Uliano Vezzani, gave them plenty to think about this afternoon with a track that required a clear understanding of each horse’s stride-capacity and attention at every turn.  Ahlmann said, “There were faults everywhere but, when I walked the course, I thought the most difficult part of the track was the triple (combination).  It was big enough, and the white planks (fence 12) were really big.  The last fence was a big oxer into the corner, and the black fence (vertical at four) didn’t jump so well yesterday or again today, but it was a good course and really fair and we had a really great jump-off,” he pointed out.

It was the triple-bar at fence five that provided the early drama however, when, second to go, three-time FEI World Cup Jumping champion, Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, ended up on the ground after her lovely mare, Bella Donna, uncharacteristically jammed on the brakes after an attempted take-off.  But the biggest surprise was the number of horse-and-rider combinations who made it all the way to the final oxer, fence 13, only to leave that one on the floor.  Its high-profile victims included Germany’s Marco Kutscher with Cornet’s Cristallo, Canada’s Eric Lamaze with Powerplay, Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson with H&M Tornesch, last year’s Verona winner Sergio Moya from Spain, this time riding Carlo, German super-star Ludger Beerbaum with Chiara and Brazil’s Doda de Miranda with AD Uutje.  It was like the “who’s who” of the sport all faulting at exactly the same point.

Another whose luck was out today was the promising young Italian, Lorenzo de Luca who won a class earlier at the show.  He seemed en route to record just the third clear round of the competition until the 11-year-old Vignet Cooper suddenly switched off on the turn to the narrow oxer at fence 11.  Once the lines of communication opened up again the chestnut horse jumped on effortlessly, but six faults would leave the 26-year-old rider well down the order in the final analysis.

Red-hot bunch

The 12 who made it through to the jump-off however were a red-hot bunch and Moneta instantly threw down the gauntlet with one of his trademark caution-to-the-wind rides.  The 45-year-old and his top horse, Neptune Brecourt, have enjoyed a superb year and finished 10th individually at the PSI FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark this summer.  Skilled against the clock, they posted a tremendous target time of 44.93 seconds, and now it was up to the rest to catch them if they could.  And it wouldn’t be easy.

Vezzani this time set them turn upon turn around the ring, and then asked for a strong gallop down to the infamous black vertical that Ahlmann earlier described.  Second to go, Athina Onassis de Miranda chose a cautionary approach with her lovely mare AD Camille Z, jumping clear but collecting three time penalties, and when Portugal’s Luciana Diniz and Winningmood hit the first of the two remaining parts of the former triple combination and Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander and Ego van Orti picked up one time fault it was definitely not going to be a lady’s day today.

A real threat

Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour looked a real threat as they scorched home more than a second up on the clock, but the top pole on the last fence rolled in the cups and then hit the floor for four tiresome faults.  Ireland’s Denis Lynch has often spoken of his childhood dream of riding on a racetrack and, putting All Star into over-drive even before the start-line, he was well in contention until hitting the oxer at fence two, now the penultimate obstacle on the jump-off track. Simon Delestre and Valentino Velvet were next to go, and they guaranteed themselves some valuable qualifying points when clear, but not quite fast enough, in 46.78 seconds.

Ahlmann would reset the target however when next in with Aragon Z who didn’t seem to be under any pressure at all when cruising home in 44.38 seconds.  Now they were the ones to beat, and when The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi were clear in 47.12 seconds it was down to the final three to upset the German rider’s celebration party.  The formidable Swiss, Pius Schwizer, didn’t succeed when stopping the clock on 45.09 with Picsou du Chene, but Ahlmann’s fellow-countryman, Marcus Ehning, was well ahead on time with Plot Blue only to hit the bogey black vertical at the end of the course. Now only Olympic team champion, Great Britain’s Scott Brash, stood between the 2011 FEI World Cup Jumping champion and his first win of the new season.  Setting off at a cracking pace, it seemed he might just do it, but, as he later explained, he took a cautionary pull going to the last with the 12-year-old mare Ursula, and when he broke the beam in 44.47 seconds he would have to settle for runner-up spot.

Brash is attempting to curb the acute competitiveness which has brought him so much success but which, he believes, needs to be kept in check.  Today, for him, was all about self-control.  “It was important for me because in the past I have been inclined to go as fast as I could to try to win but I’ve matured a bit more and now I try to only do what the horse is capable of at that moment in time, so today we weren’t quite right and I took an extra stride to the last which cost me time,” he explained.

More than pleased

Ahlmann, meanwhile, was more than pleased to stand at the head of the line-up. The last German winner at Verona was Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst with Lord Luis in 2008 and Ahlmann said, “It was really time we had another German winner here!” He complimented his horse who, he said, “helped me a lot!” and explained, “We got Aragon 18 months ago and from the very start he was fantastic.  He won the Grand Prix at Spangenberg and the championship at Estoril and produced many good results in a very short time.  Judy then bought him and won a Grand Prix with him; he’s a really nice horse and he’s fast.  You can win without taking all the risks with him. I’m really happy to get him back for a few very important show and he allows me to be competitive – I didn’t expect we would come together so well so quickly – I’m really delighted!” he said.

Brash was quite satisfied with his second placing.  At the post-competition press conference, it was announced that a record crowd of 160,000 spectators attended the gigantic Fieracavalli horse fair this year, and Brash said, “This is my first time in Verona and I’ve really enjoyed the show – the public here are fantastic, and I think all 160,000 of them were shouting for Luca in the jump-off, but they were really nice and got behind everyone else too!”  He said he fully intends to compete at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Lyon, France next April.  “Yes, this year is it my aim to go to the Final.  In the Olympic year (2012) I was qualified but I didn’t go, but I do plan to do it this time,” he said.

Moneta was his usual modest self, declaring his amazement at finding himself at the press conference table with riders of such a high calibre.  But this is a man who has clearly demonstrated, over the past 12 months and more, than they are indeed his peers.  “I’m very excited because it is a very great pleasure to be again double-clear.  I was under a lot of pressure because the public really needed me to do a good job today.  Yesterday was a very bad day for me, but I talked to my trainer (Italian team manager Hans Hoorn) and he told me I have nothing to prove – he said, ‘Just ride your horse and do your best,’ and that was what I did today,” he said. “I’m very proud to be here,” he added.

He is now lying 12th on the Western European League table as the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014 series moves on to Stuttgart, Germany next weekend.

For more information on the third leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2013/2014 series at Verona, Italy, go to www.jumpingverona.it or contact Press Officer Caterina Vagnozzi, c.vagnozzi@gmail.com, Tel: M +39 3356107070.

The next leg of the series takes place at Stuttgart, Germany on Sunday 17 November.  Details of the German fixture at http://stuttgart-german-masters.de/aktuell/ or contact Press Officer Joerg Klopfer, Email joerg.klopfer@in.stuttgart.de, Tel: +49 (0)7 11 / 95 54 – 31 28.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

Jumping Verona is the highlight of the world-famous Fieracavalli, an annual equestrian extravaganza that includes competitions, demonstrations and a massive trade fair and which has been running since 1898.

40 riders competed in today’s third leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014 Western European League.

19 nations were represented – Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

12 qualified for the second-round jump-off against the clock.

6 horse-and-rider combinations jumped double-clear.

Today’s winner was Germany’s Christian Ahlmann who claimed the FEI World Cup Jumping title in 2011.

The winners of the first two rounds of the current series also competed in today’s third leg – Great Britain’s Scott Brash who came out on top at the opening fixture in Oslo, Norway with Hello Sanctos, and Patrice Delaveau who topped the line-up for France at the second leg in Helsinki, Finland partnering Orient Express HDC.

After taking runner-up spot today, Olympic team gold medallist, Great Britain’s Scott Brash, takes over from individual Olympic champion Steve Guerdat from Switzerland at the head of the leaderboard ahead of the fourth round of the series at Stuttgart, Germany next weekend.

Marcus Ehning rode the oldest horse in today’s competition, the 16-year-old stallion Plot Blue which helped the German rider secure his third FEI World Cup Jumping title in 2010.

Course designer for today’s third leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping series was Italy’s Uliano Vezzani who also designed the courses for the last season’s Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014 Final will take place in Lyon, France from 17 to 21 April 2014.

Quotes:

Luca Moneta (ITA) talking about Connery, the horse he rode in the previous qualifiers at Oslo and Helsinki – “I was riding in a bad way but I need to improve my relationship with him – it is not the horse’s fault; it is my fault if I cannot ride him.  I must work to do better with him.”

FEI Jumping Director, John Roche – “Congratulations to the riders and also to Uliano Vezzani for a fantastic course and top-class sport.  And congratulations to FiereVerona and FISE and all the sponsors, in particularly Longines who do so much for our sport – it’s been another great day!”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/Fb402ioMSUw

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.

Longines FEI World Cup Jumping press kit: download from www.feipresskits.org (contains series calendar, competition schedule, online media tools and history).

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 Verona:

Caterina Vagnozzi
Email: c.vagnozzi@gmail.com
Tel: +39 335 610 7070

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, FEI

Boyd Exell Wins First Edition of the FEI World Cup Driving in Verona

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Boyd Exell on his way to win the first edition of the FEI World Cup Driving in Verona (Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI).

Verona (ITA), 10 November 2013 – Four-time FEI World Cup Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) claimed the inaugural edition of the FEI World Cup Driving at the popular Fieracavalli equestrian event in Verona (ITA). Exell finished ahead of European four-in-hand Champion and wild card competitor Theo Timmerman (NED), and József Dobrovitz jnr (HUN), driving his first FEI World Cup event of the new season.

Fieracavalli, which this year celebrated its 115th anniversary, has been host to FEI World Cup Jumping for many years, but it is the first time Verona has hosted an FEI World Cup Driving qualifier. The Driving was scheduled after the popular Gala evening and, despite the late night hour, many spectators stayed to watch spectacular driving sport offered by the seven top drivers.

POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR
Following the death of Boyd Exell’s top horse Bill last summer; the Australian has found a potential successor in the 13-year-old trotter gelding Knight Templar. Exell drove a very fast clear round and had already set an advantage of over 12 penalty seconds. He wanted to try something more technical in the winning round and took tighter turns in the obstacles. Although that resulted in two knockdowns, his lead was strong enough to hold onto victory.

Theo Timmerman received a wild card from the organising committee and proved to be more than worth it. Timmerman lived and worked in Italy for many years and knew the Fieracavalli as a visitor. He set the goal for himself to use the competitions in Hannover and Verona to get his four-in-hand ready for the other four competitions in which he is competing. He knocked two balls of the last two cones in the first round and was very pleased to still qualify for the Winning Round, in which he set a fast time.

ALL ROUND HORSEMAN
Less than a week earlier, József Dobrovitz jnr won the individual silver medal in the pony four-in-hand class at the FEI World Championships for Combined Ponies in Pau (FRA), and the 21-year-old proved to be a true all round horseman by putting down two wonderful rounds with his horse team in Verona. Like Exell and Timmerman and József Dobrovitz senior, who were in Pau as trainers, József jnr did not have a chance to practise with his horses as he was focusing on his pony team over the last two weeks.

Dobrovitz jnr deliberately drove long but fast routes in the course, designed by O-course designer Johan Jacobs, who is also responsible for the indoor courses at Olympia and Mechelen. Junior’s left leader horse Aba Sam, which is part of his outdoor team as well, caused some problems on the first night and was not in his usual mood, but after a change of bit, the seven-year-old Lipizzaner performed well again. Junior’s right leader Janko has only been in Dobrovitz’ stables for the past three weeks and was a pairs horse before.

FAMOUS NAVIGATOR
For Georg von Stein (GER), Verona was his first FEI World Cup competition of the season. Von Stein drove his team of mixed breed geldings to fourth place, assisted by two German four-in-hand colleagues. The well-known and successful driver Christoph Sandmann acted as navigator for Von Stein, while Sascha Utz was on the back-step.

József Dobrovitz senior came sixth, driving a new horse in the left lead for the first time. Von Stein’s compatriot Michael Brauchle experienced some problems with his four-in-hand, which became a bit too strong to handle during the course, resulting in several knockdowns for sixth place.

The famous and popular Italian driver Carlo Mascheroni was delighted to compete in Verona after receiving the second wild card. The 73-year-old pair and four-in-hand driver conquered the course with his team of German and Dutch bred horses to finish in seventh.

Quotes:
Boyd Exell: “The potential in Verona is very good; just the timing needs to be different to make it better for the spectators, sponsors, our horses and ourselves. The course was good; it was flowing and fast. I am very pleased with my new horse Knight; he can be a universal horse but he just needs more experience.”

Theo Timmerman: “I haven’t had time to train my indoor team in the past two weeks so I am very happy that it went well for me. I put these horses out in the field last summer and I noticed that it takes a lot of time to get them back in form, so I won’t do that again next season. I enjoy indoor driving; it makes me quicker during the outdoor events as well.”

József Dobrovitz jnr.: “This is my first season as a World Cup driver. I drove with a wild card before in Budapest, but indoor driving is definitely a different game. I just have to learn to drive the cones and the obstacles without mistakes. My father was very happy for me that I did well. He is happier when I do better than him!”

Results in detail can be viewed here: Official results.

The FEI World Cup Driving 2013/2014 series now moves on to Stuttgart (GER) on Saturday, 16 November. For information on the next leg, go to www.stuttgart-german-masters.de or contact Press Officer Hartmut Binder, hartmut.binder@mps-agentur.de, +49 172 972 2848.

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

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

At Verona:
Caterina Vagnozzi
c.vagnozzi@gmail.com
+39 335 610 7070