Tag Archives: featured

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Summerfest Series Wrap Up

August 29, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Timothy Maddrix and Boysterous. Holly Ridge Photography.

August 28, 2013 – The 2013 version of the Atlanta Summerfest Horse Show series wrapped up this past Sunday. The event again took place at beautiful Chatt Hills (Bouckaert Farms) in Fairburn, GA, August 8-25. “We were extremely pleased with this year’s show,” said show organizer J. P. Godard. “We were sold out again and it always a pleasure putting on an event at such an incredible facility.” The facility is an exhibitor favorite that boasts an over 8000 acre equestrian paradise filled with established pastures, lakes, and woodlands with ample room to ride all located along the Chattahoochee River. The footing and stabling are both exceptional and the schedule allots for early days so exhibitors can enjoy the nearby lake, Six Flags, or the hustle and bustle of nearby downtown Atlanta which is only minutes away.

Highlights of the week included a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby that took place Friday evening along with exhibitor’s party sponsored by The Atlanta Hunt Club. Alyssa Mansfield took home the blue ribbon honors in the derby on Stone Lane Farm’s Calice De Fuyssieu Z. Julie Curtain took home second through fourth place honors respectively; second place went to Jeffery Sutton’s Visible, third place to Helen Brown’s Tybee, and fourth place to Mimi Washburn’s Confetti.

The $10,000 Chattahoochee Hills Jumper Classic took place Saturday in the jumper ring. The hospitality sponsor’s provided the party hillside. This year’s sponsor’s included: Dr. Juan Gamboa, Hillford Farm, The Curtis Family, New Vintage Farm, Sidelines Magazine, Stevehaven Stables, The Barn Book, The Tack Room, and Eurimports. Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, AL and Daniel Grice’s Boysterous came home the victors taking home the blue rosette and custom cooler donated by Integrity Fine Equestrian Linens. The pair was the only clean round in the jump off marking the timers at 42.463. Maddrix also took home second place on Claudia Styslinger’s Uluxion, and Danielle Grice rounded out the top three spots with Loretta Patterson’s Rapid Rewards.

Equus Events would like to thank to all of the exhibitors, sponsors, staff, and spectators for a very successful Atlanta Summerfest Series. For more information and complete results, please visit www.equusevents.com.

Equus Events continues its schedule with the Aiken Fall Festival September 5-8 and 12-15. Features include a $15,000 Mini Prix each week, a $5,000 Open Welcome Stake each week, a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, Take 2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper classes, the First Tee Bridles, and Birdies Relay Challenge, and Zone 4 Finals.

Contact:
803-643-5698

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Sun Smiles on Horses and Riders at Malmö

August 28, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Defending European Champion and German anchorman Michael Jung trots up Halunke FBW at the first horse inspection for the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in Malmö (SWE). (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 28 August 2013 – The stage is set for a memorable HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships as some of the greatest talents in the sport gather in the unique seaside setting of Malmö, Sweden.

This is the first time since the biennial Championships began 60 years ago that it has been held in Sweden, a nation with a proud Eventing heritage, and clearly a superb effort has been made to produce a relaxed yet beautifully presented event.

A total of 61 combinations representing 15 nations will start the competition; 10 nations are fielding teams and, as host nation, Sweden will have six individual riders in addition to a team of four.

Competitors range from veterans such as William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Kristina Cook (GBR), who both made their European Championship debuts 20 years ago in 1993, to 21-year-old Althea Bleekman, who competes for the Netherlands for the first time, having switched from British to Dutch nationality.

Four former individual champions are competing: Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell (1999 and 2001), France’s Nicholas Touzaint (2003 and 2007), Kristina Cook (2009) and Germany’s defending champion, Michael Jung (2011), who will ride fourth for his team on the nine-year-old Halunke FBW.

Kristina Cook’s Miners Frolic, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, has the distinction of being easily the most medalled horse in the field. The son of Miners Lamp holds dual Olympic bronze medals (from 2008) as well as dual European gold (2009), World team gold (2010) and Olympic team silver (2012).

The first horse inspection was held this afternoon in bright sunshine in front of the Ground Jury: President Marilyn Payne (USA), Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Christian Landolt (SUI).

The only cloud on proceedings was the disappointment for young Tom McEwen (GBR), due to make his senior championship debut but whose horse, Diesel, did not pass the horse inspection.

Three other horses were sent to the holding box but were accepted: Nemetis de Laiou, ridden by Lionel Guyon for France; Tubber Rebel (Dag Albert, SWE) and Nodin d’Orval (Stefano Fioravanti, ITA).

The Germans, drawn first to go in the team competition, announced their team order as Dirk Schrade on Hop and Skip, followed by Ingrid Klimke on the nine-year-old FRH Escada JS, Andreas Dibowski (FRH Butts Avedon) and reigning Olympic, World and European Champion Michael Jung as anchorman on Halunke FBW.

All four horses are new to championship level, but this is unlikely to be a handicap to the reigning Olympic and European Champions – Hop and Skip has CCI4* form and Escada and Halunke have both won CIC3*s.

France, silver medallists on German soil in 2011, has named Karim Florent Laghouag as pathfinder with Punch de l’Esques. Astier Nicolas goes second with Piaf de b’Neville, followed by Donatien Schauly on Seculaire, and finally Nicolas Touzaint with Lesbos.

Great Britain, which won eight consecutive European team gold medals between 1995 and 2009, and took bronze in Luhmühlen two years ago, fields a mix of old and new. Their pathfinder is Pippa Funnell, making her first British team appearance since the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and selected with team newcomer Mirage d’Elle.

She is reunited with her old friends Kristina Cook and William Fox-Pitt – the three have been team mates since Junior days – plus Lucy Wiegersma, who makes her senior team debut on Simon Porloe, fourth in the CIC3* at Malmö in 2011.

Sweden, which won European team gold 20 years ago in Achselschwang (GER), fields Frida Andersen (Herta), Nicholas Lindback (Mister Pooh), Olympic silver medallist Sara Algotsson-Ostholt on Reality 39 and Ludwig Svennerstal on Shamwari 4.

The HSBC FEI European Championships take place, like the London Olympic Games last year, in a public park, and the amount of work that has been done on the Cross Country footing cannot be underestimated.

“The organisers deserve huge credit for the amount of work they have achieved in such a short time,” comments Technical Delegate Patricia Clifton (GBR). “The going is perfect. In fact the whole event is so well-presented, which is a remarkable effort when you consider that they’ve really only had about two weeks’ access to the site, much of which is still open to the public.”

A thrilling contest is assured and it all begins at 10.02am tomorrow (CEST) when Dirk Schrade and Hop and Skip open proceedings in the Dressage arena.

Follow the action on http://malmoeventing.com.

Download the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships press kit: www.feipresskits.org.

Watch the action LIVE on FEI TV: www.feitv.org/live:
29 August – Dressage Part 1: start time 09:55
29 August – Dressage Part 2: start time 13:25
30 August – Dressage Part 3: start time 09.55
30 August – Dressage Part 4: start time 13.25
31 August – Cross Country: start time 09:55
1 September – Jumping Part: 1 start time 10:55
1 September – Jumping Part: 2 start time 13:25

HSBC & Equestrian Sport

HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the world’s largest events on the international Eventing circuit since 2008. These events include the:

HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2011 (Luhmühlen, Germany)
HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2013 (Malmö, Sweden)
HSBC FEI Classics Series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, and offers the biggest prize pot in the sport of Eventing on an annual basis.

For more information on HSBC and equestrian sport, go to the HSBC FEI hub here, where you can also access information on:

HSBC Rankings

The HSBC Rankings – the global Eventing rankings – were launched in 2008, when HSBC became the global sponsor of FEI Eventing. The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2012/2013 Eventing season receives a 50,000 USD bonus. The current leader of the HSBC Rankings is Andrew Nicholson (NZ).

HSBC Training Bursary

As part of HSBC’s support of the HSBC FEI Classics Series, a Training Bursary is presented to the highest placed rider at each event never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The training voucher is to the value of $1,000 and goes towards performance development with a trainer of the rider’s choice, approved by the FEI and National Federation. Winners of the HSBC Training Bursary are profiled in the HSBC FEI hub.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

At Malmö:

Lotta Amnestal
+46 709 795635
lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament CSIO5* to Host the World’s Best Show Jumpers

August 28, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Olympic champion Steve Guerdat, shown here on Tresor V at Spruce Meadows, will compete with Nasa and Carpalo at this year’s ‘Masters.’ Photo © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Skelton and Big Star to Contest Next Leg of Rolex Grand Slam of Jumping

Calgary, AB, Canada – August 27, 2013 – Spruce Meadows will host the world’s best show jumpers at the prestigious ‘Masters’ Tournament, held September 4-8, 2013, in Calgary. The ‘Masters’ is a CSIO 5* event and will award $2.115 million in prize money. Seven of the top 10 ranked show jumpers in the world plan to attend, including newly named European Champion, France’s Roger Yves Bost (ranked #9 in the world). Rolex Grand Slam of Jumping leaders Nick Skelton (ranked #11 in the world) and Big Star will compete as well, and competition at this year’s tournament will be electric. Along with top individuals, there are eight teams that will compete in the BMO Nations’ Cup.

The top 10 ranked riders (as of July 31, 2013) that plan to show at the ‘Masters’ include World Number One rider Christian Ahlmann (GER), Beezie Madden (2-USA), Kevin Staut (3-FRA), who is showing for the first time at Spruce Meadows, Gerco Schroeder (4-NED), Steve Guerdat (7-SUI), Kent Farrington (8-USA), and Bost.

Rolex Testimonee and current Olympic champion, Steve Guerdat, looks forward to competing at the ‘Masters.’ He pointed out, “The show itself is just a huge highlight. It’s very exciting to go to the ‘Masters,’ and we all look forward to the $1 Million International Grand Prix on Sunday, especially with the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”

Ranked #11 in the world is Great Britain’s Nick Skelton, who has set the circuit on fire this summer with his top horse, Big Star. The pair won the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, the first leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Jumping. The ‘Masters’ CSIO 5* hosts the second leg of the competition, while the final leg is at the CHI Geneva in December.

Spruce Meadows President Linda Southern-Heathcott noted, “We are very excited to have such a strong line-up of riders competing at this year’s ‘Masters.’ With over two million dollars in prize money over five days, we are pleased to be able to attract the top names in the sport, and even more money is on the line with the $1 Million International Grand Prix and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Every year we increase prize money and opportunities for riders, and every year they give us the best competition in the world.”

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the Grand Prix at each tournament in succession. Any rider that wins the Grand Prix at each of the three tournaments consecutively will receive €1 million bonus on top of the prize money for each tournament’s Grand Prix. Moreover, any rider that wins two out of the three tournaments’ Grands Prix will also receive a bonus of €500,000 in succession or €250,000 for winning two out of three.

Skelton and Big Star will attempt to make history when they compete in the highlight event of the season, the $1 Million International Grand Prix, on Sunday, September 8. They will have tough competition from some of the best in the sport, along with last year’s winners, Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and Cabrio van de Heffinck.

Last year's $1 Million International Grand Prix winners, Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and Cabrio van de Heffinck. Photo © Cealy Tetley. — *Last year’s $1 Million International Grand Prix winners, Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and Cabrio van de Heffinck. Photo © Cealy Tetley.*

“Winning the prestigious $1 Million International Grand Prix last year was something incredible for me,” Philippaerts expressed, “because I didn’t expect to win it. People remember me from winning that Grand Prix, and it gave myself a boost for the future!”

He added, “I think the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ is one of the world’s best show jumping events, and it is an honour just to compete there. The ‘Masters’ is so unique because of the crowd. They love the sport. That makes us European riders come over to Calgary.”

National pride will be on the line when eight countries line up teams to compete in the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup. In addition to teams from Canada and the USA, there will be squads from Germany (winners in 2012), France, Belgium, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Ireland.

Guerdat will be a member of the Swiss team in the BMO Nations Cup as well. 2013 European Champions Great Britain will have a team, including Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist, Ben Maher, and Team Gold medalist Michael Whitaker.

There is fantastic prize money on the line each day of the ‘Masters’ Tournament. Spruce Meadows increased the FEI prize money awarded from 2012 by $300,000, making it a total of $2,115,000 in prize money given in the five-day event (not including special prizes or series). Eight of the 10 major events have also increased their world ranking point level, giving riders even more opportunity to raise their ranking in the world.

The schedule includes these major classes:

Wednesday, September 4: $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m and $85,000 Finning Cup 1.60m
Thursday, September 5: $50,000 ATCO Structures and Logistics Cup 1.50m and $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m
Friday, September 6: The Mercedes-Benz “Evening of the Horse” featuring the $205,000 Encana Cup 1.60m and $75,000 ATCO Electric ‘Circuit’ Six Bar under the lights and concluding with the Band of the Irish Guards playing live music to the fireworks display
Saturday, September 7: $125,000 Suncor Winning Round 1.50m and $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup
Sunday, September 8: $50,000 Telus Cup 1.50m and $1 Million International Grand Prix

Saturday’s BMO Nations’ Cup and Sunday’s $1 Million International Grand Prix will be televised live on the CBC.

Spruce Meadows looks forward to welcoming the world’s best to the ‘Masters’ Tournament next week and invites everyone to come and see the sport of show jumping at its best. For a full schedule and list of riders attending, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com/tournaments.

For further information on the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, please visit www.rolexgrandslam.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

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

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation

Tracy Fenney Picks Up Zoetis Million Momentum with a Win in $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

August 27, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano jump their way to a win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (August 27, 2013) – Top prize in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix presented by Zoetis at HITS Culpeper came down to a speed duel on Sunday afternoon. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas topped a five-horse jump-off with MTM Farms’ MTM Centano by fractions of a second. She returned first over the short course and crossed the timers clear in 42.60 seconds, eventually landing her the blue ribbon.

Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida set the track for the grand prix, which included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts. Three double combinations tested riders with an oxer-oxer at fence five, a vertical-oxer at fence seven and an oxer-vertical at fence 12. “The footing dried out perfectly after some rain earlier in the week and the course was difficult, but was a really nice way to get ready for Saugerties and the [Zoetis] Million,” said Fenney. “There were a couple of tall verticals that did a good job of getting the horses ready for what they will see in Saugerties.”

From a field of 23, Fenney was joined in the jump-off by Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida on two different self-owned mounts – Lazaro and Cordovo, as well as Henrick Gunderson of Wellington, Florida with his own Krake Ask and Jared Petersen aboard Derek Petersen’s Titus 2:11.

After finishing one-two in last week’s Culpeper grand prix, Petersen and Coyne were primed for a repeat. “I knew that those kids can be fast, and anyone in the jump-off could have come away with the win,” said Fenney. “Going first in the jump-off, I didn’t have much of a choice but to go as fast as I could and try and put as much pressure on them as possible.”

Coyne went second and chased Fenney’s Great American Time to Beat, piloting Cordova to a clear round in 48.43 seconds. Petersen took to the course next but had a bit of bad luck as he and Titus 2:11 clipped two rails for eight faults in a time of 44.50 seconds. Coyne returned fourth with a second chance at besting Fenney and was well on her way, but landed from the last jump two tenths of a second slower, finishing clear in 42.83 seconds. Gunderson and Krake Ask wrapped up the jump-off with four faults in a time of 47.87 seconds.

Coyne was both second and third on Lazaro and Cordova, respectively, while Gunderson finished fourth and Petersen fifth.

“Centano is a really big horse, so most people look at him and assume he is slow,” said Fenney of the gelding who has proved to be anything but slow. “His stride is deceiving and he covers so much ground. We turned really tight at the 5 A-B in-and-out in the jump-off and I think that is where we won it.”

With the wrap of the August HITS Culpeper shows, Fenney is heading north for HITS Saugerties Weeks VII and VIII. At this point, she is still unsure which mount – Centano or MTM Timon – she will pilot in the coveted Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix on September 8. Grand prix riders still have two qualifying opportunities, plus the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on September 6 before the fourth annual Zoetis Million takes the stage at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
With some unknown foreshadowing, Fenney and Gunderson went to battle on Friday in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix. Fenney and Centano finished on top, while Gundersen and his own Sly were second over the 1.45m course.

Coyne rounded out the top three with Cordova and Gundersen was also fourth with his own Adlanteur.Andrea Torres Guerreiro capped the top five with Santa Catalina Farm’s Emma Du Chateau.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation presents weekly jumper classes at HITS Culpeper. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Jumper riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus. The award, given at the conclusion of the circuit, includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Culpeper circuit.

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, with a focus on both farm and companion animals. The company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion in 2012. It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information on the company, visit www.zoetis.com.

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

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

Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Pablo Barrios Eyes Hagyard Challenge Series Leading Rider Bonus

August 27, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Pablo Barrios leads the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series Standings with Zara Leandra. Photo By: Rebecca Walton.

Lexington, KY – August 27, 2013 – With another top placing at the KHJA Horse Show last week, Venezuelan rider Pablo Barrios has furthered his lead in the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. He and his talented mount Zara Leandra kicked off the Series by winning the first Hagyard Lexington Classic in May, and they then garnered wins in both the third and fourth events. Most recently, Barrios and Zara Leandra finished second in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, further increasing their lead in the hunt for the $50,000 Hagyard Leading Rider Award.

The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long series of seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the series will receive a $50,000 Leading Rider Award, presented during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. The sixth event in the series was held last week at the KHJA Horse Show, running August 21-25. The final event at the Kentucky National Horse Show is just around the corner, and Barrios leads with 1090 points over Ireland’s Richie Moloney, who maintains the second place position with 660 points.

Moloney placed third aboard Alsvid and sixth with Carrabis Z during the Kentucky Summer Classic. He also earned multiple other placings throughout the five series grand prixs held thus far. Junior rider Wilton Porter is currently ranked third after riding to the blue ribbon with Paloubet during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

“It’s a nice opportunity for the riders to compete for more money,” said Barrios, who took home the title in 2010. “It’s a good incentive, and I am definitely trying to win this year.”

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse for more than 130 years.

The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour emergency services, and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

To learn more about the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please go to www.hagyard.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, Driving, FEI

Record Participation at FEI World Pair Driving Championships at Topoľčianky

August 27, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Slovakian driver Miroslav Matuska is one of the leading contestants at the upcoming FEI World Pair Driving Championships on home ground at Topoľčianky.

Lausanne (SUI), 27 August 2013 – The FEI World Pair Driving Championships at Topoľčianky, Slovakia, which begin tomorrow 28 August and will end on Sunday 1 September, are set to break the participation record having attracted no less than 73 competitors from 23 nations. There will be 21 teams consisting of either two or three drivers each.

The wonderful site of the national stud farm at Topoľčianky will welcome top drivers from Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the USA.

Defending world champion Carola Diener (GER) and 2011 bronze medallist Tom Engbers (NED) have confirmed their attendance. The reigning team gold medallists from the Netherlands can expect strong competition for the top honours from such leading Driving nations as Hungary and Germany.

The Topoľčianky stud farm has a long tradition in carriage driving. It has hosted numerous international and national competitions since 2003, including the Slovak national championships on several occasions. Slovak top drivers Pavol Gaspar and Miroslav Matuska, who are based there, have successfully represented their country at FEI World Four-in-hand, Pair and Single Driving Championships.

Slovakia’s national horse breeding centre at Topoľčianky is one of Europe’s best renowned and important stud farms. It has been approved for keeping registries for the Lipizzaner, Hucul, Shagya Arab and Arab breeds. It maintains the central records for horses in Slovakia and is the only institution allowed to issue certificates on the origin of all accepted horse breeds in the country. The national stud farm is an active member of all major European and international breeding organisations.

The site offers excellent conditions for successful world championships. The Dressage and obstacle driving competitions will take place in the main stadium on a grass arena. The eight spectacular marathon obstacles are located near one another at the centre of the racecourse so that the spectators can fully enjoy the spectacular event.

The FEI World Pair Driving Championships start on Wednesday, 28 August with the horse inspection. The dressage will take place on Thursday, 29 August and Friday, 30 August. The marathon will follow on Saturday 31 August. The design of the marathon obstacles is in the capable and experienced hands of international O-course designer Gábor Fintha (HUN). The final obstacle driving competition and medal ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 1 September.

The Ground Jury is chaired by Andrew Counsell (GBR) and has Klaus Peppersack (GER), Hanspeter Rüschlin (SUI), Attila Kelemen (ROU), Martha Hanks-Nicoll (USA) and Mia Allo (BEL) as members.

The biographies of the athletes taking part in the FEI World Pair Driving Championships at Topoľčianky (SVK) are available on the FEI website here.

For more information on the event, please check the official website here.

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

At Topoľčianky:

Cindy Timmer
Press Officer
+31 654 674396
h2t@xs4all.nl

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

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

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI

Successful FEI European Youth Driving Championships at Szilvásvárad

August 26, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

The winners in the young drivers category at the FEI European Youth Driving Championships 2013 at Szilvásvárad, Hungary. (Photo: Krisztina Horváth/FEI)

Szilvásvárad (HUN), 26 August 2013 – The well-known Lipizzaner Stud Farm at Szilvásvárad, Hungary hosted the successful second edition of the FEI European Youth Driving Championships last weekend. No less than 43 talented young drivers from eight nations competed in the event. Anett Érsek (HUN, Children), Monika Swiecicka (POL, Juniors) and Filip Nowacki (POL, Young Drivers) were crowned the new individual European champions in their respective categories. Austria took the team gold.

Children

Anett Érsek (14), representing the host nation, drove her 12-year-old Hungarian sport pony Suti to victory in the dressage and remained in the lead throughout the event. Érsek has been driving since she was eight years old and has also competed in Eventing. Two highly experienced trainers, the Hungarian drivers Laszlo Juhasz and Jozsef Dobrovitz, helped her prepare for the championships.

Anett Érsek finished third in the marathon and could afford one knockdown after runner-up Marie Therese Höllmüller (AUT) had three balls down in the final obstacle driving competition, which saw her drop to fourth place. Érsek’s compatriot, the 11-year-old Ábel Tabajdi, won the marathon with his eight-year-old gelding Eger and, with only one knockdown in the cones, took home the silver medal. Pierre-Manuel Brasseur (12) of Belgium, son of double world four-in-hand champion Félix-Marie Brasseur drove his pony Mastwood Robin Hood, previously owned by the famous Belgian pony four-in-hand driver Mia Allo, to individual bronze. Brasseur was fifth after the dressage and marathon and moved up to bronze thanks to his double clear in the cones, the only one in his class.

Juniors

Monika Swiecicka (18) became the new European champion in the juniors class, competing with her pony Erdyl Celebration, also aged 18. Swiecicka started riding at the age of six and followed in the footsteps of her mother, Malgorzata Swiecicka, a famous Polish dressage rider. The family owns a stable and Monika is trained by her father, himself a former driver.

Swiecicka made a strong start driving a successful dressage. She finished sixth in the marathon but was able to keep her leading position. After runner-up Viktoria Gössweiner (AUT) had one knockdown in the cones, all Monika had to do was drive safely since she had a 12-point advantage going into the last phase of the competition. Monika Swiecicka proved she was a true sportswoman and fought to the end driving the only double clear in her category. Gössweiner, who drove her 14-year old pony For Pleasure to fifth place in the dressage, was second after the marathon. Dávid Lehöcz (HUN), who celebrated his 15th birthday last week, was in fifth position after the dressage and marathon and moved up to bronze after German drivers Karolin Romahn and Miriam Kampmann had too many mistakes in the cones.

Young Drivers

There was plenty of drama for 17-year-old Anika Geiger (GER), who had won the dressage in her class. She missed on the medals after knocking three balls down with her 10-year-old gelding Power Prince 4. She took fourth place in the final standings. Young Polish driver Filip Nowacki (18) was in silver medal position after his victory in the marathon and drove a clear cones course with his 11-year old pony Lalka. After Geiger’s mistakes, Novacki took individual gold which made him and his team very proud. Jacqueline Pirhofer (AUT) took silver and Jens Chladek (GER) won the individual bronze.

Teams

The Team competition was won by Austria after a close battle with Germany, who took silver. The home side was in bronze and the Belgian team finished fourth.

In this year’s championships, there were 20% more entries compared to the first edition in 2012. The young drivers demonstrated great sportsmanship and fair play throughout the competition. International O-course designer Barry Hunter (GBR) had laid out a nice marathon course with smooth but fast obstacles presenting the competitors with challenging questions. The children competed over four obstacles from A to D, the juniors over six from A to E as well as the young drivers who also competed over six obstacles from A to F. The weather was hot, but the wind made it agreeable for both the horses and the drivers. The numerous spectators enjoyed wonderful sport and the friendly atmosphere contributed to the popularity of the discipline amongst the young athletes.

Quotes:

Anett Érsek (HUN): “We had to drive FEI Test 1 which was a bit difficult for me. During the dressage Suti did her best and was very good. I was really pleased with her performance. The marathon went well too. The first obstacle was a little slippery, but my pony was very fast and she turned very well in the corners.”

Monika Swiecicka (POL): “I was very happy and satisfied with my dressage test and very proud of my pony because she was working very hard at this important competition. The pony showed very good movements during the entire test, especially the extended trot in the dressage. I am really happy with my gold medal after winning silver last year.”

Filip Nowacki (POL): “I had prepared really well and I have been working hard with my pony before these championships. Last year in Wiener Neustadt I won the marathon and I was a bit nervous about the way I would perform this year. But we were successful and I am very happy with my pony and the entire team.”

Full results

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

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

Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Ward Heads to Hampton Classic – $200,000 Triple Crown Challenge within Reach

August 26, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

McLain Ward and Rothchild won the first leg of the THIS Triple Crown Challenge at the Devon Horse Show – photo by The Book LLC.

For the second consecutive year, two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, finds himself going into the $250,000 FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix with the potential of winning the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge. This unique challenge awards riders a $200,000 bonus should the same horse-and-rider combination win three of the country’s best grand prix events in the same year.

The first event was the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon held on May 30th. It was there that Ward won the first leg on Rothchild and now stands to take home the bonus should the pair win the remaining two events in the Challenge. The second event, the $250,000 FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix, will take place on September 1st at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY. Having won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix a record six times in his career it will be an exciting moment as Ward and Rothchild enter the grass arena.

Ward has been in this position before. Just last year, during the inaugural year of the Challenge, Ward had one leg of the challenge in the record books after collecting the blue at Devon on Antares F. But the pair couldn’t pull off the win at the Hampton Classic when Kent Farrington of Chicago, IL, came in on Voyeur and shut down Ward’s streak.

Although Ward didn’t lead the victory gallop in the $250,000 class he did win four major jumper classes in 2012.

If Ward can pull off a win and get another step closer to taking home the bonus, the final leg of the challenge will be the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix, held on November 2nd at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY.

“It’s exciting to watch someone like McLain Ward head into the second leg of the Challenge,” said Michael Taylor, the President of Taylor Harris Insurance Services. “Knowing he’s won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix six times in his career makes it all that much more possible to have him grab another leg of the Challenge. Taylor Harris Insurance is a proud supporter of equestrian sport and the excellence it requires to walk out with the blue ribbon. We are excited at the possibility of McLain emerging victorious in South Hampton and heading to the Alltech National Horse Show having won two legs of the Challenge.”

Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) was founded in 1987 to provide specialized insurance for all types of equine risk including property and casualty. Taylor Harris works with their clients to ensure they are equipped with the insurance coverage that’s right for each individual case. THIS places all policies with the highest rated and most secure insurance carriers, which are also selected for their prompt and reliable claims settlement. Their goal is providing insurance protection for all personal and professional equestrian related risk and delivering peace of mind for their clients.

For further details, visit www.taylorharris.com, like the Taylor Harris Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TaylorHarrisInsuranceServices), or call 1.800.291.4774

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*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, FEI, World Equestrian Games

Driving Brings This Year’s Test Events for World Equestrian Games 2014 to Successful Close

August 26, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Chester Weber (USA) en route to victory in the Driving test event for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. © F. Durand/Attelages magazine.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 August 2013 – Chester Weber (USA) came out on top at the Driving test event for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, the third of the FEI disciplines to be tested this month. The American driver, who made a strong start with an impressive Dressage mark of 34.63 points, finished the three days on 108.24, over 17 points clear of runner-up Ludwig Weinmayr of Germany (125.54). Great Britain’s Georgina Hunt finished third with 132.76.

Weber drove a team made up of three of his own horses, the seven-year-old KWPN gelding Boris W, 13-year-old KWPN gelding Boy W, and 16-year-old KWPN gelding Para, along with Jane Clark’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Splash, and Koos de Ronde’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Ultra.

A total of 12 drivers and 60 horses representing seven countries – Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Uruguay, the USA and host nation France – took part in the CAI-A4 event, which was run over three days at the Caen racecourse in Calvados, France, venue for next year’s Driving competition at the Games.

The test event, which was supported by around 200 volunteers, received widespread praise from all the competitors.

“This is one amazing venue,” the winner Chester Weber said. “I’m impressed with all the work the organisers have put in it and with how horse-friendly they made it. It is positive for the sport and for the future and actually shows the way to go for other organisers.”

Fellow British driver Georgina Hunt fully agreed. “It was very much focused on horse welfare,” she commented.

The marathon footing, made of very fine red gravel, earned special praise. “The carriage rolled by itself and the horses felt very good at the end of the marathon,” Chester Weber said. “They finished in great shape and very fit and only light contact was required.”

Bettina de Rham, FEI Director of Driving, Vaulting, and Reining, expressed her satisfaction with the event. “Holding a test event in view of next year’s Games was essential, particularly at a venue which is new to Driving,” she said. “It has been very successful and horse-friendly which is key for any FEI event. The Organising Committee have made a great effort and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the numerous volunteers whose contribution to today’s success is very sincerely appreciated. We have of course identified details which will need fine-tuning but the overall impression is very positive indeed,” she concluded.

The Driving test event, which follows successful tests in Endurance and Eventing, is the third and last to be held this year in the build-up to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. Test events in Jumping and Dressage will be held in the main stadium at Stade d’Ornano in June 2014. No discipline specific test events will be held in Reining, Vaulting and Para-Equestrian, but all technical aspects will be trialled to ensure that the competitions in all the disciplines meet the same level of excellence.

The full results of the Driving test event are available here.

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

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

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