Tag Archives: featured

Community/Charity, National Horse Show, Show Jumping

2013 Alltech National Horse Show Welcomes Harry deLeyer

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Photo by LIFE magazine.

Lexington, KY – October 11, 2013 – Harry deLeyer rose to stardom on the back of Snowman, an $80 horse bound for slaughter, in whom deLeyer recognized incredible potential. From a Pennsylvania horse auction to Madison Square Garden, the talented pair made history, winning many of show jumping’s top accolades. Now, the Alltech National Horse Show is thrilled to welcome deLeyer to the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2013 Alltech National Horse Show, to be held Oct. 29 – Nov. 3.

DeLeyer will be present at the show from Thurs., Oct. 29 until Sat., Nov. 2. Throughout his visit, deLeyer will take time to chat with tour groups, including groups from local equestrian programs, schools and Future Farmers of America who will all be touring the Alltech National Horse Show. He will also be available for autographs at a designated time during the show.

On Friday afternoon, DeLeyer will be present at the show’s cocktail reception, to be held at the USHJA building as part of The Kentucky Experience, which gives participants an exciting behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Alltech National Horse Show and the equestrian-rich area surrounding the Kentucky Horse Park.

DeLeyer and Snowman’s “Cinderella story” has been immortalized in countless articles and the acclaimed book, The Eighty-Dollar Champion, and now a movie on DeLeyer’s life is in the works. DeLeyer and the grey gelding claimed their spot in the history books when Snowman was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1992, so on the afternoon of Sat., Nov. 2, deLeyer will present the awards to the winners of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Grand Prix.

deLeyer011230DeLeyer, known affectionately as “the Galloping Grandfather,” will also be honored prior to the start of the Alltech $250,000 Grand Prix on Saturday evening.

To learn more about this year’s Alltech National Horse Show, visit www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com.

The Alltech National Horse Show returns to the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 29 through November 3, 2013.

About Alltech:
Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 31 years’ experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2650 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia. For further information, visit www.alltech.com. For media assets, visit www.alltech.com/press.

Alltech is the proud title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. For more information about these prestigious global championships, visit www.alltechfeiweg2014-normandy.com.

2013 Alltech National Horse Show Fast Facts

What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 29 – November 3, 2013, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Tickets:

20% off on tickets as compared to night of event purchase! Available now at Ticketleap.com at: http://alltechnationalhorseshow.ticketleap.com/anhs2013/.

Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Carolyn Vincent
National Horse Show
PO Box 386
Greenvale, NY 11548

Telephone:
Phone: (516) 484-1865
Fax: (516) 484-1982

Email:
NationalHS@aol.com

Website:
www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located in the Alltech Arena.

Additional Contacts:
Vendors – Matt Morrissey at Mmorri4398@aol.com or 941 915-3457
VIP Table Sales – Karen Lucca at kll@phelpsmediagroup.com or (561) 753-3389
Advertising – Deborah Darwin at needlepointfarm@aol.com or (561) 313-0384
Sponsorship:
Mason Phelps at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com or 561-753-3389
Susie Webb at webb_susie@yahoo.com or 301-520-6162
Christian Palmer at Christian@phelpsmediagroup.com or (612) 618-8216

Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles

For further information on housing in the Lexington area, we invite you to visit www.visitlex.com and www.georgetownky.com.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Horse Show Secretary:
Cindy Bozan
859-233-0492
Email: secretary.nhs@aol.com

ALLTECH MEDIA CONTACT:

Elizabeth Adams
North America PR, Alltech
Alltech Corporate Headquarters
3031 Catnip Hill Pike
Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356
eadams@alltech.com
(859) 401-2964

ALLTECH NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:

Re: News and Information:

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

Re: Media Credentialing:

Classic Communications
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Foxboro, MA 02035
508-698-6810 (phone)
508-698-6811 (fax)
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www.classic-communications.com

Competitions, Western/Reining

Show by Appointment Kicks Off Championship Finals with Bridle Spectacular

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Robert J. Smith III and Fletchs Shorty Lena.

Sarasota, FL – October 10, 2013 – Show by Appointment opened its inaugural Championship Finals with a day packed full of reined cow horse action. Held at the Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL, on Oct. 10-13, the Finals have brought horses and riders from across the country together to test their skills and compete for championship titles and generous prizes.

The morning began with herd work for competitors in the Open and Non Pro divisions of the Greatest Caballero Competition and Bridle Spectacular, as well as the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular. Riders in those classes then moved on to the reining and fence work for their respective divisions.

Robert J Smith III and Fletchs Shorty Lena came away with the title in the Open Bridle Spectacular, earning $1679.33, while Morgan Holmes and Dun It Big claimed first place and $1007.60 in prize money in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular. Jen Frame and Thats Stylin won the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular.

Holmes and Smith credited their horses with putting in strong performances. Dun It Big, owned by Jay Holmes, and Fletchs Shorty Lena, owned by Ora Diehl, are both seasoned competitors with world championship titles to their names.

Morgan Holmes and Dun It Big
Morgan Holmes and Dun It Big

“My horse is awesome,” Holmes said. “He hasn’t been shown in three years, so he was ready to be shown. He was not going to lose today! He was in the zone. He’s a three-time world champion, and he gets pretty excited about going in the show ring.”

“He’s a pretty consistent horse,” Smith said of Fletchs Shorty Lena. “He’s also won three world championships. He’s won $30,000 in the cutting and close to $20,000 in the cow horse.”

Smith said he’s ridden several different disciplines, but enjoys riding reined cow horses most of all. “I showed English horses and pleasure horses and rope horses, and cow horses are just more fun, so I stuck with them,” he explained.

Smith and Holmes both have a full weekend ahead of them, with several more rides to come. Holmes is excited to partner with Dun It Big again to finish out the Non Pro Bridle championship, while Smith is looking forward to showing in the Two Rein division.

“I really like my two rein horse,” Smith said. “I’ve owned him since he was a 2-year-old, and he’s become very consistent.”

Jen Frame, the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular winner aboard Thats Stylin, will also be back in the arena throughout the weekend. She said Thats Stylin, whom she’s owned since the mare was 2 years old, showed her usual work ethic today.

“She was really strong on the cow,” Frame said. “She did great in herd work this morning too, so it felt good. She’s my Old Faithful. She comes to work every day to get the job done – she’s really dependable and really fun to ride.”

Frame, who lives in Kentucky, got her first taste of the unique format and atmosphere of Show by Appointment at SBA’s summer shows in Unadilla, TN.

Jen Frame and Thats Stylin
Jen Frame and Thats Stylin

“It looked like a neat new idea, a different way of doing things, and I enjoy trying new things,” she noted. “I went and showed at Tennessee, and it was a lot of fun and a good group of people. So I decided to come back!”

Alongside the Bridle Spectacular classes, several divisions had their first go of the Championship Finals. Open and Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Bridle, and 2K Bridle competitors were given their first chances to impress the judge and earn a top placing. The championships in those classes will be determined later in the weekend.

Day one of the Championship Finals concluded with a barbecue sponsored by the Ohio Reined Cow Horse Association and a preview of the Horse Sales Class, scheduled for Saturday evening. The Finals resume Friday morning, when riders in the remaining divisions will have their first go. Friday evening features Down the Hairy Fence, a highlight of the Finals that brings out top riders for a fast-paced test of horsemanship.

About Show by Appointment

Show by Appointment’s fresh approach to reined cow horse competition has been an unprecedented success in its first season. SBA aims to make showing “Fun, Fair, and Affordable” for competitors.  To accommodate those traveling long distances to show and help busy riders fit showing in at their convenience, SBA allows riders to reserve their own ride times in advance. This cuts down on usual travel expenses such as stall rentals and hotels and encourages competitors to make the trip and join in the fun.

Each SBA series includes four shows. Riders who compete at three out of the four shows earn a place in the Championship Finals, slated for October 10-13, 2013, at Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL. The Finals offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors may also qualify for the Finals in absentia by simply sending in entries and payment to each of the four shows. This system is designed to allow riders a chance to compete in the Championship Finals without spending the season chasing points and incurring excessive competition expenses.

Keep up to date with SBA’s news by liking them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShowByAppointment, following them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ShowByAppt, and checking out their website at http://www.showbyappointment.com. See SBA videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/ShowByAppointment.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
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Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
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www.phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, USEF

Herslow Maintains Lead as Uhlir and Davis Surge to the Head of Their Fields at US Dressage Festival of Champions

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Kim Herslow and Rosmarin (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – Two divisions kicked off competition on Thursday at the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp, while Intermediaire I competitors completed their second tests of the weekend. Kim Herslow and Rosmarin continue to hold the lead in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship following a solid effort in the afternoon. In the first test of the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer powered to top honors. Earlier in the morning, Bebe Davis and Rotano began their National Title quest with a win in the first of two performances of the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

The 12 Small Tour competitors returned to the Rolex Stadium on Thursday afternoon to complete the FEI Intermediaire I Test and earn a further 45% of their championships score.

Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) and Kiroli Enterprises Inc.’s Hanoverian gelding were the winners of Wednesday’s FEI Prix St. Georges and continued to impress in their second test of the weekend. Rosmarin once again demonstrated stunning ground-covering gaits to score 75.789% to win the FEI Intermediaire I test and continue to lead The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship.

“I’m thrilled with my horse. I had a couple bobbles, but overall I’m thrilled,” said Herslow of her performance on Thursday. “There is so much more horse there; we’re just scratching the surface.”

Despite only being eight years old, Rosmarin is already quite experienced in the competitive arena, including being part of the winning U.S. team at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm. Herslow believes the gelding continues to improve with each competition and thoroughly enjoys his job.

“I feel like he gets into the groove each show; he gets better and better. He studies his work,” said Herslow. “He lets you enjoy the ride. I’m lucky to have him.”

Caroline Roffman rode the 2012 USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp and Performance Sales International winner, Her Highness O, to a second-place finish for the second consecutive day. The pair, which competed in Small Tour competition at the Aachen CDIO5* this summer, performed a solid test that was just marred by too many two-time changes to score 73.053%.

“Yesterday I had mistakes in the changes. Today I had great changes; I just did too many,” said a pragmatic Roffman of her test with her own 10-year-old Hanoverian mare. “There were a lot of highlights for me. I was really happy.”

Roffman and Her Highness O stand second in the championship with one test remaining.

Sarah Lockman (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.) and Pamela Munson’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding Vinterpol have risen to third place in the championship after earning a 70.553% and third-place finish on Thursday.

The Intermediaire I Championships comes to a conclusion on Saturday as the Small Tour combinations perform their Freestyle Tests and earn the remaining 15% of the championship score.

AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship

Uhlir (Kirkland, Wash.) stormed into the top spot of the Young Rider Championship with Sjapoer, scoring 68.237% in the FEI Young Rider Team Test. She rode her own 14-year-old KWPN gelding to a 2.763-point lead heading into Friday’s FEI Young Rider Individual Test.

Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer (SusanJStickle.com)
Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer (SusanJStickle.com)

“Today, since it’s our first day of competition, I was trying to be more reserved in my riding,” Uhlir said. “I didn’t want to push him too hard. I was testing some of his buttons in the warm-up to see if he was listening to my aids and he seemed to be listening quite well. My test was very nice. I think I messed up on one of my tempis, but I recovered and I got the rest of them, so it wasn’t too big of a deal. Overall, it was a pretty solid test for the first day.  I’m really excited for tomorrow.”

Uhlir won the USEF Junior Dressage National Championship last year. She and her trainer, Jeremy Steinberg, have been working on some specific details since winning the FEI North American Young Rider Individual and Freestyle Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC).

“We’ve been working on getting some passage steps and he seems to be clicking into them more.  We’re just fully building him up to the next level. I would love to do “Brentina Cup” on him.”

Standing second in the division are Rachel Chowanec and Embrujado XI. Chowanec (Columbia, Conn.) utilized the 15-year-old PRE gelding’s impressive gaits to score 65.474%.

“Overall he felt pretty solid and we went for it with a lot of things,” said Chowanec. “With the tempis, we pushed them a little bit to get them all bigger and it felt very good.”

Chowanec competed in the 2012 USEF Young Rider National Championship and finished in fourth place. This year she is focusing on how to manage Embrujado XI when he is easily spooked.

“Over the years it’s kind of been what works with that day,” Chowanec explained. “Some days I really have to slow him down and get him thinking about me and rely on my aids. Other days, like today, he was really behind me so I had to push him forward and push him through the spookiness, not go around it.”

Kaitlin Blythe rode Daverden into third place. Blythe (Rougemon, N.C.) and the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding produced a solid effort scoring 65.053%.

The AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship competition continues Friday, with riders performing the FEI Young Rider Individual Test, which will count for the remaining 50% of the overall average.

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

Barbara Davis and Rotano (SusanJStickle.com)
Barbara Davis and Rotano (SusanJStickle.com)

Experience led the way in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship as Davis (Bedminster, N.J.) and Rotano jumped out to an early lead after earning a 68.541%. Davis was the 2012 National Champion in the Pony division and looks to add another Championship title to her resume with the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Michael and Sarah Davis. The pair displayed an accurate and forward test highlighted by an accurate canter tour.

“I had a really super ride,” Davis said. “This is my first year in the Juniors, so I kind of came into this as it’s my first year just to learn, so I am really excited to be doing this. I was very, very pleased with my test. It had some really nice moments.”

Davis was able to utilize her experience from previous competitions to produce one of her best performances when it really mattered today.

“I would like to say my canter work was definitely a highlight. He was super, just really willing today. I could feel it that he was really with me and really paying attention.”

Cassie Schmidt rode Leslie Schmidt’s Velasquer into second position in the Team Test. The impressive 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding put forth an expressive performance to score 66.703%. Schmidt and Velasquer have bonded over the past year and are quickly building an affinity for each other.

“I was super happy with my test today,” Schmidt commented. “Everything felt really good. He was so easy, he was so willing; he just did such a good job. This is my first year to come to the Festival of Champions. I have been in the Juniors for four years now and I was just so happy with everything. He was just so super.”

Lindsey Holleger (Whigham, Ga.) trotted into third place riding her own Friedensfurst, an 11-year-old Trakehner gelding, to a score of 66.568%.

The AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship competition continues Saturday, with riders performing the FEI Junior Individual Test, which will count for the remaining 50% of the overall average.

The day concluded with all 11 entries in the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship being accepted at the Horse Inspection.

USEF Network will be streaming Friday and Saturday’s competition live at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013FestivalOfChampions/. Retired FEI 5* judge Axel Steiner will provide commentary during the broadcast.

Find out everything you need to know about the championships at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray and Eileen Schnettler

Competitions, Polo

USPA Kay Colee Memorial Begins Friday at Palm City, Grand Champions Polo Clubs

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Audi’s Juancito Bollini (4) goes to help teammates Brandon Phillips (2) and his father Juan Bollini (3) against a swarming. Photo credit Scott Fisher.

WELLINGTON, FL – Oct. 10, 2013 — A star-studded lineup will compete in the two-day USPA Kay Colee Memorial Tournament presented by The Tackeria Friday and Sunday.

Eight-goal Hall of Famer Mike Azzaro leads the pro lineup that also includes 8-goaler Nic Roldan, 7-goaler Michel Dorignac, 6-goalers Kris Kampsen and Luis Escobar and 5-goalers Juan Bollini and Brandon Phillips.

Azzaro, raised to 8-goals in June, is coming off an outstanding 2013 high goal winter season that included a U.S. Open title with Zacara.

Azzaro and Roldan recently represented the U.S. and Dorignac for Argentina in the Oct. 1-5 Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup in China.

The five-team tournament begins Friday at 10 a.m. at Palm City Polo Club in Boca Raton. Newport, Beluga and ELG will compete in a round robin. At 5 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Palm House plays Casablanca.

The championship final is Sunday at 10 a.m. followed by the consolation at noon, both at Grand Champions Polo Club.

The team lineups are:

Beluga (14 goals): Misha Rodzianko, Leo Mandelbaum, Joey Casey, Brandon Phillips

Casablanca (12 goals): Juancito Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Wes Finlayson, Mike Azzaro

ELG Polo (12 goals): Avery Chapman, Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Kris Kampsen

Newport (14 goals): Kaisser Maakar, Gene Goldstein, Michel Dorignac, Luis Escobar

Palm House (12 goals): Marc Ganzi, Glenn Straub, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan.

Dorignac, 27, will make his fall debut at Grand Champions. Dorignac was a member of the Argentine team at the Super Nations Cup.

Familiar faces making their fall season debut are Glenn Straub of Palm House and newly-elected USPA Board of Governors members Melissa Ganzi and Avery Chapman.

For Casey, a longtime player and coach, the tournament is bittersweet. Kay Colee was his grandfather. The tournament was named for a teammate and friend of polo legend John T. Oxley. The tournament started at the former Royal Palm Polo Sports Club and played there for more than twenty years.

“We have been playing the tournament since 1964,” Casey said. “It’s fun to play and in the family. We played it in Boca forever and now we are playing at Grand Champions. It is one of the oldest polo tournaments around here.”

After two weeks of players shaking the rust off and working green horses, Casey said the competition is expected to heat up beginning with this weekend’s tournament.

“Each week it gets a little more competitive; after a while it gets really competitive,” Casey said.

In last year’s Kay Colee Memorial, Flat Out/Equine Law won the title with an 11-9 victory over Newport Polo and Audi won the round robin consolation.

This is the third of six medium-goal tournaments of the fall season which looks to be the most competitive in Grand Champion’s history. Two additional 20-goal tournaments are scheduled for November.

The remaining fall tournaments are the Oct. 18-20 US Trust Cup, Oct. 25-27 USPA Fall Plates; and Nov.1-3 Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The two 20-goal tournaments are the Oct. 30 – Nov. 9 USPA North America Cup and Nov.13-24 The National 20-Goal Championship.

During the 2012 fall season, Audi dominated the season winning back-to-back USPA North America Cup and USPA National 20-Goal Tournament titles with Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida. In the national 20-goal final, Audi edged Piaget, 10-9.

The fall season is also great preparation for the 20- and 26-goal seasons for 2014 in Wellington.

The fall season is fun and competitive. Rosters and lineups change from tournament to tournament. Evenly-matched teams are put together to help improve players skills and performance.

All tournaments are USPA-sanctioned and have grown in stature since their start in the mid-1990s.

Casablanca, one of Grand Champions’ fall season’s main sponsors, has been a pioneer in polo, recognized as the world’s foremost producer of cutting-edge polo equipment and apparel, used and worn by polo players and followers of the sport.

The Tackeria in Wellington is the local distributor of Casablanca merchandise which can also be found online at www.casablancapolo.com.

The Tackeria, located at 13501 South Shore Boulevard in Wellington, is a complete equestrian shop catering to all horse sports including polo.

The store carries a full range of polo gear, saddles and apparel. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE

Oct. 13-15, USPA Kay Colee Memorial
Oct. 18-20, US Trust Cup
Oct. 25-27, USPA Fall Plates
Oct. 30 – Nov. 9, USPA North America Cup
Nov. 1-3, Pedro Morrison Memorial
Nov. 8-10, Palm Restaurant Invitational
Nov. 13-24, The National 20-Goal Championship

PALM CITY POLO CLUB

WHERE: 18000 Jog Road, Boca Raton, 561-289-9099 (Club entrance is the first flashing light north of Clint Moore Road).

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

Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Showgirl Acquired for Yann Candele

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Showgirl, pictured here with Jonathan Asselin. Photo Credit – Cealy Tetley.

October 10, 2013 – Schomberg, Ontario – A group of owners committed to Canadian show jumping sport have acquired Showgirl for Yann Candele of Caledon, ON.

Albro Creek Farm, Andy and Carlene Ziegler’s Artisan Farms, John Edwards, Eric Lamaze, and Uplands Farm have joined forces to buy the 13-year-old chestnut selle francais mare (Gold de Becourt x Vedette Normande – Elf III) from Attaché Stables of Calgary, AB.  Lamaze, the 2008 Olympic Champion and individual bronze medalist at the last FEI World Equestrian Games held in 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky, orchestrated the purchase of Showgirl.

“I’ve always been impressed with Yann’s riding and watching him in Barcelona confirmed that he’s a world-class competitor; we need people like him on the team,” said Lamaze, 45, of Schomberg, ON.  “When I approached this group of people about helping me to support Yann, they all said ‘yes’ without hesitation.  It is extraordinary to see everyone coming together, and I thank them all for joining me.  We hope that together, Yann and Showgirl will be able to do great things for Canada.”

“Our primary sponsorship commitments are to Eric and Tiffany Foster, but Yann is a terrific rider and a dear friend, and we are delighted to be part of the group supporting him with the purchase of this outstanding horse,” said Andy Ziegler of Artisan Farms.

Margie Gayford of Sharon, ON, first campaigned Showgirl for then owner Wingberry Farms of King City, ON, before the mare found her way to Canadian Olympian Jonathan Asselin of Calgary, AB, in 2011.  Together, Showgirl and Asselin were Canada’s top placed combination at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and this year won the $140,000 1.60m Cenovus Energy Derby Classic at the Spruce Meadows “North American” tournament.  The pair most recently represented Canada in the €1,500,000 Furusiyya Nations’ Cup Final at CSIO5* Barcelona, Spain, where the team placed sixth overall among 18 countries vying for the inaugural title.

“We love Showgirl and we’re very happy that she’s going to a great team,” said Asselin who owns Attaché Stables with his wife, Nancy Southern.  “It’s a tribute to Eric that he’s supplying another rider with a top mount, and we wish everyone involved a hearty best of luck and congratulations on the purchase.  We want the best for her, and we’re very proud that we’ll see Showgirl continue to compete for Canada.”

While the ownership group’s primary goal is to support Candele with an international calibre mount, the purchase also strengthens Candele’s prospects of representing Canada at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

“It is very exciting,” said Candele, 42, the reigning three-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion.  “I want to thank everyone for their support and for giving me this opportunity.  We’re very pleased that the owners are coming together to try to put the best team possible together for Canada at the World Championships next summer.”

A native of Normandy, Candele noted, “Competing at the World Championships would be a special moment because I am from there, and also because the group of owners would be able to see their dream come true.  It would be doubly enjoyable if we get there, for both reasons.  There is still a lot of work to be done, and we’re excited to be working together towards such a major event.”

Candele is Head Trainer of Wingberry Farms, overseeing the training of all Wingberry Farms horses and clients.  Candele’s own mounts are stabled at Mill Creek Stables in Cambridge, ON, where he also maintains his own horse sales business.  Candele previously worked for Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable from 1999 through 2007.

Candele first made his senior Nations’ Cup debut in 2001 and competed at the 2004 World Cup Final in Milan, Italy, for his native France.  Since gaining his Canadian citizenship, Candele has ridden for Canada in eight Nations’ Cup competitions in addition to being a member of Canada’s fifth placed team at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.  He was also the traveling alternate for the 2012 London Olympic Games and represented Canada in CSIO5* Barcelona, Spain, held from September 26 to 29, 2013.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Halliday-Sharp Kicks Off Competition for Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at Military Boekelo CCIO3*

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Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night (Libby Law Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The first U.S. horse-and-rider combination performed their dressage test Thursday for the FEI Nations Cup competition at the Military Boekelo CCIO3*. Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night took to the dressage arena in front of the judging panel of David Lee (IRL), Andrew Bennie (NZL), and Ciska Van Meggelen-Peek (NED) at the historic venue in Boekelo, The Netherlands.

Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, United Kingdom) rode a lovely test with her own 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, scoring a 51.8 and putting them in 28th place. The pair had a minor error coming down the centerline at the beginning when Fernhill By Night swapped leads, but otherwise they had a flowing test. Even though Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill by Night are representing the U.S. for the first time in an international team competition, they handled the pressure well, especially in the large atmosphere at Boekelo. This also marks the pair’s first attempt at the CCI3* level.

“I was quite pleased with him today. He is very green at the three-star level, but he tried really hard,” said Halliday-Sharp of Fernhill By Night, who looks to have a bright future. “Unfortunately he threw in flying change on centerline which didn’t put us off to a great start but I was quite pleased overall. We have some tidying up to do but he did some of the best trot work he’s ever done today.”

Following the first day of dressage, Kenki Sato (JPN) and Chippieh lead the field with a 38.2. Michael Jung (GER) and fischerRocana FST sit in second place with a 39.0, while Geoffroy Soullez (FRA) and Madiran du Liot*HN lie in third place on a score of 39.2.

Dressage continues tomorrow for the remaining 50 combinations of the total 104 that are contesting the event, which serves as the final leg of the 2013 FEI Nations Cup Eventing series. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica will perform their dressage test on Friday at 11:55am local time, followed by Boyd Martin and Trading Aces at 4:18pm local time.

By Kathleen Landwehr

For more information on the Military Boekelo CCIO3*, visit http://www.rechenstelle.de/2013/boekelo/.

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

Phelps Media Group, Polo

Unity Pictures Kicks Off Its First Kickstarter Campaign to Fund the Gay Polo League Documentary

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France’s top woman polo player and GPL member on the Cedar Crest Stables Team, Caroline Anier, is pressured with a hook by Nacho Badiola on the Wellington Preservation Coalition Team at the 2013 International Gay Polo Tournament. Photo by Alex Pacheco.

Wellington, FL – October 10, 2013 – Unity Pictures is proud to announce the launch of its first Kickstarter campaign to fund The Gay Polo League Documentary.

The Gay Polo League has an interesting and timely story about gay athletes building a community around a sport where every player is welcome. This documentary is less about polo and more about why there’s a need for a Gay Polo League, and what its presence represents for LGBT and straight athletes.

Worldwide, there is a slowly emerging trend in mainstream sports. Professional athletes are coming out of the closet challenging the age-old belief that there is no place in team sports for gay and lesbian athletes. This is a documentary about playing polo as an openly LGBT athlete, free from the fear of being excluded. It’s a story of unexpected support and acceptance from outside the LGBT community.

Funds from the Kickstarter campaign are slated to cover the first official video shoot in Palm Beach, Florida in late November. That’s when Florida’s polo season begins and the GPL is hosting a three-day polo clinic with polo luminaries Joey Casey (former 7 goals), Charlie Muldoon (5 goals), Misha (3 goals) and Mike Harris. Unity Pictures will capture footage of the serious training it takes to be a competitive player in the dangerous sport of polo, and record interviews with long-time supporters of the GPL.

The Kickstarter campaign will help Unity Pictures attain its goal of finishing the film debt-free. That will allow them to make the film available through as many inexpensive online distribution points as possible, in the United States and around the world.

Part of the mission for this film is to expand the GPL mission:

To bring new players onto the polo field who might not otherwise feel welcome, to share their love of horses and polo, and to have the courage to play “out”.

This documentary will encourage other LGBT athletes, in all sports, to compete as open LGBT community members.

For more information go to:
www.unitypictures.org
www.kickstarter.com
www.gaypolo.com

Contact:
Melissa Ress
Melissa@unitypictures.org
781-648-8100

About the Gay Polo League

GPL is a community that shares a love for adventure, fun and the challenging sport of polo. GPL is committed to providing members with an enjoyable, supportive and competitive experience.

GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels. GPL trains and competes in mainstream matches and GPL events to share enthusiasm for the sport and change perceptions about the LGBT community.

For more information about GPL, visit www.gaypolo.com.

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

FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Longines in the Limelight as New FEI World Cup Jumping Season Gets Underway

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Beezie Madden and Simon are pictured here at the last series Final at Gothenburg in April, where they scored a back-to-back win for the USA, after Rich Fellers and Flexible ended the 25-year FEI World Cup Jumping drought in 2012 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The question on everyone’s lips now is will Beezie – now the top-ranked female athlete in the Longines Rankings, lying in second place – score a USA hat-track in this year’s Longines FEI World Cup Jumping. (Image: Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 9 October 2013 – The Swiss watch brand Longines places great value on history and tradition, so title partnership of the FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League series fits like an elegant glove. This is a company with a connection to equestrian sport that dates back over 130 years and which, in December 2012, committed to a long-term, record-breaking deal as Top Partner, and Official Timekeeping Partner, to the international governing body, the FEI.

The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping series is a core component of the international equestrian sports calendar and is hugely popular with competitors and public alike. Riders from 16 leagues around the globe battle it out for a place at the annual final, which this season takes place in Lyon, France from 20 to 24 March 2014. And across Western Europe in particular, the series is followed with intense interest as the best riders chase down one of the limited number of qualifying spots.

Excitement Already Building

The 2013/2014 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League gets underway at Oslo in Norway in four days’ time on Sunday, 13 October and visits 11 prestigious venues before culminating at the thrilling French final. After the first round in Norway it moves to Helsinki (FIN), then on to Verona (ITA) and Stuttgart (GER) during the month of November. The Christmas shows at London (GBR) and Mechelen (BEL) lead into the new year with just five more legs left to run.

In January, there are events at Leipzig (GER) and Zurich (SUI), while Bordeaux (FRA) and Gothenburg (SWE) will play host in February. By the time horses and riders arrive at the final qualifier in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in March it will be right down to the wire.

List of Legends

One of the reasons the series is so highly rated is because its list of champions is like a “Who’s Who” of Jumping. From the very first season back in 1978/1979, when Austria’s Hugo Simon and Gladstone emerged to steal the limelight, to last April’s victory for America’s Beezie Madden, the trophy has been held aloft by a glittering array of stars. The Roll of Honour is a list of legends – horse-and-rider combinations that made their mark during spectacular careers and who will never be forgotten.

Extraordinary riders like the first champion, Hugo Simon, who returned to produce another double of wins 17 years after his first one. And extraordinary horses whose personal popularity raised the sport to a whole new level – like Ian Millar’s Big Ben who was recognised as a Canadian icon when pictured on a stamp and whose statue stands in a park close to Millar’s home in Perth, Canada. Together they were first to claim back-to-back victories when clinching the title in Gothenburg in 1988 and again in Tampa, USA the following year.

John Whitaker and Milton are another of those partnerships whose names will always be linked with glorious moments of FEI World Cup Jumping history. Milton’s fan-club was enormous, and the excitement created by their double in 1990 and 1991 at Dortmund in Germany, and then in Gothenburg, which has always been home to this great event, secured a whole new generation of sports fans from outside the horse world who couldn’t resist the undeniable charm of the Yorkshireman and his lovely grey horse who simply loved to show off in front of the crowds.

Three riders have secured the trophy three times – Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning, and Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil. Pessoa has the distinction of being the only rider to win in three consecutive years, and his success is all the more remarkable for the fact that he did so with the same stallion, the brilliant Baloubet du Rouet, between 1998 and 2000.

Prolific Winners

For many years, German riders were the most prolific winners with nine victories to their credit, but the USA drew level with them when Madden won through in Gothenburg at the end of the 2012/2013 series. Americans were hugely successful during the early history of the event, with seven wins over the first nine seasons, but there was a 25-year wait before Rich Fellers and the feisty stallion, Flexible, put them back on the podium in 2012 in Leipzig.

There will be much interest in whether they can follow through on Madden’s success and make it three-in-a-row this time around, therefore pulling ahead in the league of winning nations. Madden meanwhile looks well set to defend her title, currently lying second in the Longines Rankings behind Olympic team gold medallist Britain’s Ben Maher whose spectacular form, when adding both team gold and individual silver at the PSI FEI European Championships in Denmark in August, saw him shoot to the top of the world Jumping rankings in September and now retain this lead heading into the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2013/2014.

The Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam was the first winner of the 2012/2013 season at Oslo last October, but as so often happens, he had to work very hard indeed to achieve the maximum number of points required in order to qualify for the Final. Points are hard-won and the battle intensifies as the season progresses, with the pressure mounting with every round.

Very Proud

Talking about Longines’ partnership, President of Longines, Walter von Känel, says, “Longines is very proud to be the Title Partner of the Longines FEI World Cup, which is the biggest and the most prestigious indoor jumping series in the world. This partnership underlines Longines’ passion and support for equestrian sports which dates back to 1878 when it produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Since 1912, the brand has been partnered with equestrian competitions and is today involved in the most famous events in jumping, racing and endurance. Elegance, tradition and performance – these are the values which unite Longines and equestrian sports.”

The first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League is set to begin at 12.25 local time on Sunday 13 October, and in time-honoured tradition, it is bound to be a thriller.

FEI TV: don’t miss a hoofbeat – follow it all on 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 FEI World Cup Jumping Facts & Figures:

  • Swiss watchmaking experts, Longines, take up title partnership of the FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League series and world Final in the 2013/2014 season.
  • Longines became first Top Partner to the international governing body, the Swiss-based Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), in a new long-term partnership agreement signed in December 2012.
  • The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping series is in its 36th season.
  • A total of 11 qualifying rounds will take place before the Final is held in Lyon, France from 20-23 March 2014.
  • Defending champion is America’s Beezie Madden who came out on top at the 2013 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • The very first series Final took place in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1979.
  • Austria’s Hugo Simon was the first champion. Riding Gladstone he finished ahead of America’s Katie Monaghan and The Jones Boy in second place, while America’s Norman dell Joio with Allegro and Ireland’s Eddie Macken with Carroll’s of Dundalk shared third.
  • US riders claimed the trophy seven times over the first nine years, but there was a 25-year gap before Rich Fellers re-claimed it in 2012 with the brilliant stallion Flexible.
  • American riders will be going for a back-to-back hat-trick of wins when the Final gets underway in Lyon, France next March.
  • Three riders have claimed the FEI World Cup Jumping title on three occasions, Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning, and Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil.
  • Pessoa has the distinction of being the only rider to secure three back-to-back wins, and he did so with the same stallion, Baloubet du Rouet, between 1998 and 2000.
  • Other FEI World Cup Jumping Leagues also take place around the globe.
  • Riders from the Arab, Australian, Caucasian, Central Asian, Central European, Chinese, South East Asian, Japanese, New Zealand, South African, South American South, South America North, Central America and Caribbean and North American Leagues are all eligible for a place at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final.

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 Oslo:

Line Moen
Email: press@oslohorseshow.com
Tel: +47 95 92 63 47

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

Awards, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping, USHJA

Shawn Casady Takes Home $10,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Professional Rider Award

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Shawn Casady. Photo By: Emily Riden/PMG.

Lexington, KY – October 9, 2013 – After winning this year’s very first Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, Shawn Casady took over the top of the Leading Rider standings and never relinquished it. The talented professional went on to capture multiple top placings throughout the spring and summer. At the end of the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, Casady had accumulated 1175 points to take home the coveted $10,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Professional Rider Award.

The Hallway Feeds Series consists of seven national hunter derby events held throughout the 2013 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. During the final event at the Kentucky National Horse Show, Casady’s achievements throughout the year were recognized with the $10,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Professional Rider Award, which went to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the seven classes that make up the series.

“It is awesome to have this bonus available to the riders, and I am honored to have won it this year,” stated Casady. “This award recognizes consistency from the riders throughout the seven classes. I am very grateful to Hallway Feeds for their sponsorship of these events and to Marigot Bay Farm for always making sure I had a horse to compete with this year.”

In addition to the $10,000 Hallway Feeds Professional Rider Award, there were also awards for the amateur rider and junior rider accumulating the most points. Meredith Darst scored the $2,500 Hallway Feeds Junior Rider Award after winning the event during the Bluegrass Classic Horse Show with Lightning Z and placing second with Capstone. The winner of the $2,500 Hallway Feeds Amateur Rider Award was Didi Mackenzie for her consistent performances with MTM Inside Scoop.

With both a first and second place finish in the Bluegrass Festival’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, Meredith Darst sat second overall with 800 points. Darst’s points also positioned her as the leading junior rider in the series.

“We were extremely pleased with the second year of the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby,” expressed Morgan McQuerry of Hallway Feeds. “Hugh [Kincannon] and Robbie [Murphy] put on beautiful shows and we saw a tremendous increase in participation of the series.  We would like to thank all of the competitors, supporters and especially our supporting sponsors, without them this would not be possible.  We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!”

Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success.

For more information on Hallway Feeds, please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.

The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Central Equipment, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, KER Sport Horse Nutrition, The Tack Shop of Lexington, Turf Town Properties, Trouw Nutrition and PNC Bank.

For more information about the Kentucky Summer Series, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, USEF

US Dressage Festival of Champions Presented by The Dutta Corp Ready to Begin

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Kimberly Herslow and Rosemarin (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – Top riders from across the country will contend for six USEF Dressage National Championships at the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. This year the championships are being held for the first time at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., taking place October 8-12. Veteran competitors as well as newcomers to the championships make up the field of 59 who will ride down the centerline in the Rolex Stadium.

An elite field of eight riders will vie for the 2013 The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship title. The 2012 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Champion Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) looks to defend his title with Legolas 92, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Four Winds Farm. The pair has had top performances on both the East and West Coast this year, as well as abroad. A win here would mark Peters’ seventh USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship title. However, he will face stiff competition from the country’s top riders.

Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) will ride Coral Reef Wylea, after having several excellent performances with the 13-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Coral Reef Ranch this year. The pair claimed second-place finishes in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the Lingen CDI4*. Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) will also aim for a first-class showing with Breanna, a 13-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Jennifer Mason, David Wightman, and herself. Raine and Breanna, along with Seidel and Coral Reef Wylea, helped the U.S. score a second-place finish in the Hickstead CDIO3*.

Kimberly Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) leads the field of 12 riders contesting the 2013 The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. She and Rosmarin, an 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Kiroli Enterprises Inc., recently swept the Intermediaire classes at Dressage at Devon and plan to maintain their winning form. Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Danilo will pose a threat as they have had a stellar year. The 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Patricia Stempel has gained valuable experience competing in Europe over the summer. Twenty-five-year-old Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) won the championship last year but brings a different mount this year. She will ride her own Her Highness O, a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare, with whom she earned two second-place finishes at the Compiegne CDI3* this summer.

The USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship has six entries in what will be a tight race for the national title. The USEF ‘Brentina Cup’ Program was developed to assist and encourage U.S. Young Riders in making the transition to Senior Grand Prix competitor. Kristen Becker (Athens, Ga.) brings her own Ramses, a 15-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, with whom she has won numerous USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Tests this year.

Eleven riders will compete in the AGCO/USEF National Young Rider Dressage Championship, with Ayden Uhlir (Kirkland, Wash.) leading the field. She and her own Sjapoer, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding, return to the Kentucky Horse Park after winning Individual and Freestyle Gold medals and the Team Silver medal at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC).

Lindsey Holleger (Whigham, Ga.) leads the field of 11 that makes up the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship. She and her own Friedensfürst, an 11-year-old Trakehner gelding, also found success here during NAJYRC, winning a Junior Individual Gold medal.

The USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship’s 11 entries rounds out the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Emma Patterson (Houston, Texas) and her own Wynshire’s Valiant, a 14-year-old Welsh Cob gelding, will be aiming for their first national title after having solid performances all year.

In addition to exceptional competition, the Dressage Celebrity Mounted Games will be held prior to the start of the Grand Prix Freestyles on Saturday, October 12, featuring competitors participating in pony relay races as a fundraiser for the U.S. High Performance Dressage programs. To find out more about this added excitement, click here.

USEF Network will be streaming Friday and Saturday’s competition live at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013FestivalOfChampions/. Retired FEI 5* judge Axel Steiner will provide commentary during the broadcast.

Find out everything you need to know about the championships at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Kathleen Landwehr