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Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Conor Swail and Lansdowne Triumph in $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix

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Conor Swail and Lansdowne. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Reed Kessler Tops $25,000 G&C Farm Riders’ Cup Series; Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Excel in $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Parcours de Chasse

Calgary, AB – July 14, 2013 – Five weeks of world-class competition wrapped up at Spruce Meadows on Sunday afternoon with a fantastic win for Ireland’s Conor Swail and Lansdowne in the $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix. The final event of the summer featured a five-horse jump-off with a win for the Irish, Colombia’s Daniel Bluman and Sancha LS in second and fellow Irishman Cameron Hanley and Antello in third.

Canada’s Peter Grant set the track on Sunday with 33 entries contesting the first round course. Five combinations jumped clear to advance to the jump-off and the tight time allowed kept three others out of the running with just one time fault. It was a great demonstration of skill, power, and speed as the top competitors raced against the clock in the second round, but no one jumped clean. In the end, the four-fault round of Conor Swail and Lansdowne earned top prize with a time of 42.18 seconds.

All but one of the riders in the jump-off had the same red skinny jump down – the one that also got the best of Swail and Lansdowne. Daniel Bluman and Sancha LS had four faults at the skinny and finished second with their time of 46.80 seconds. Cameron Hanley and Antello were clear until the last fence and finished on four faults in 47.59 seconds to place third. Both Brianne Goutal and Tiffany Foster had two rails down, including the red skinny and the last fence. Goutal and Remarkable Farms’ Onira finished on eight faults in 41.46 seconds to place fourth. Foster and Artisan Farms’ Verdi III incurred eight faults in 41.99 seconds to place fifth.

Owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, the ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Lansdowne (Guidam x Wolfganag) has had a fantastic circuit showing at Spruce Meadows this summer. In last week’s ‘North American’ Tournament alone, Lansdowne was second in the $200,000 ATCO POWER Queen Elizabeth II Cup, finished fourth in the $35,000 Progress Energy Canada Cup 1.50m and placed sixth in the $33,000 AON Cup 1.50m. He also jumped double clear for the Irish team in the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup during June’s ‘Continental’ Tournament. Rider Conor Swail could not be happier with the horse’s progress and ultimate victory to wrap up the circuit.

“It is wonderful,” he smiled. “Already I have had an amazing show. All of my horses have been amazing, but to top it off with Lansdowne winning is just fantastic.”

“He is a real cool horse,” Swail described. “He is very laid back and he has a real swagger. He definitely works off of confidence. He has had a fabulous tournament here and I think it has really helped him grow. To me, he is a much better horse the last week than he was the first week. He has put in some fabulous rounds throughout and there is so much confidence there and scope and carefulness. He is a joy to ride. It was easy for me to have such good quality.”

Swail and Lansdowne went third in the jump-off and did not get to watch the first two rounds of Goutal and Foster. He knew they did not go clear, but he stuck to his plan knowing that Bluman and Hanley were still to follow.

“I knew Brianne and Tiffany both had faults and I knew there were two good riders behind me too, so it was sort of immaterial to be honest,” Swail stated. “I think I had to go in and put in a good round and hopefully it was going to be enough. Thankfully, even though we had a mistake, it still was enough.”

Swail and Lansdowne have known each other for quite some time and have started to form a great partnership after being reunited last year.

“I bought him as a seven-year-old and then rode him for his eight-year-old year and he was absolutely exceptional,” Swail explained. “I sold him to Sue and he was away for three or four months and then I got him back just in the beginning of last year. It is really starting to come together. Honestly, it looks like he is a world-class horse now, which is what I had always hoped he would be, so it is very exciting.”

“I think it is important also to mention my owners,” he added. “Without them this isn’t possible, so it is great to have Sue and Ariel and their family there supporting me and enjoying the sport as much as I do. Without it I would be standing there watching like everyone else. These classes don’t come so often, so it is nice to be able to enjoy it whenever we get the chance.”

Lansdowne now has a busy schedule coming up as he flies to Europe on Monday night and will compete on the Irish team for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Dublin, followed by the European Championships and then back to Spruce Meadows for the ‘Masters’ Tournament in September.

“He is still busy and there are some big events coming up, so it could not have worked out any better the way he has finished up here,” Swail acknowledged. “I am really happy with him and I am looking forward to September, especially with him and the way he is going. Hopefully he will have a nice chance there for the $1 million.”

In addition to the grand prix festivities on Sunday, the 2013 G&C Farm Riders’ Cup Series concluded and awarded $25,000 in bonus money to the top competitors of the summer. The bonus is presented to the top three FEI riders who showed in the 1.50m and 1.60m divisions held during the Spruce Meadows Sumer Series. The athlete accruing the most points at the ‘National’, ‘Continental’, ‘Canada One’, ‘North American’, and ‘Pan American’ Tournaments was awarded the championship bonus.

Following a very consistent circuit with top placings throughout all of the tournaments, 19-year-old U.S. rider Reed Kessler was awarded the championship prize of $15,000. In second place, Beezie Madden (USA) earned a $7,000 bonus, and in third, McLain Ward was awarded $3,000.

On winning the series, Kessler smiled, “I am thrilled. I was thinking when I had that rail down today that I had blown it and I knew I was leading the bonus, but I got a little lucky. I have had a pretty consistent Spruce and all of the horses have jumped great. My whole team has worked really hard for me, so it’s great to walk away as the most consistent rider. Spruce is always on our map every year, whether it is the summer series or the ‘Masters’. It’s a fantastic destination, so it is a big honor to be the leading rider here.”

Kessler acknowledged how her top horses have developed throughout the series and learned from their experiences this summer. She has a big European tour planned for the remainder of the summer and feels confident moving ahead.

“Cylana is pretty seasoned now but she has always loved it here,” the rider stated. “It is huge and she loves to work hard. I also had a new, greener horse in Wolf and I am very fortunate to have brought him here. I think he has come out of the circuit like a totally new horse.”

Kessler was aiming for the G&C Farm bonus all summer and was quite happy to walk away with the win.

“I had an eye on it,” she admitted. “I had been in the lead for most of the time, but I didn’t do either of the derbies because I didn’t really have a horse for it, so the other riders started to gain ground on me. I thought maybe I wasn’t going to win it, but it was nice to bring it home in the end. It’s a nice thank you to my whole team and my horses who have been working so hard this whole series.”

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Excel in $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Parcours de Chasse

Sunday’s competition began in the All Canada Ring with a win for Irish rider Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 in the $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Parcours de Chasse 1.45m. Jumping a course set by Cristina Larangeiro (POR), 26 entries jumped the track in a faults converted, one-round speed format. Twelve combinations jumped the course without fault, but in the Parcours de Chasse, knock-downs are converted into seconds, making it possible for a very fast horse that has a rail to still finish in the top 12. The top five today were all clear and fast.

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083
Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083

Shane Sweetnam had two mounts in the day’s competition, going first with Sweet Oak Farm’s Fineman and clearing the course in 88.573 seconds to eventually place fourth. Sweetnam changed his plan slightly for his second mount, Cyklon 1083, and the strategy worked with a clear round in 84.866 seconds for the win.

“Lucky enough, I had gone earlier with Fineman and I thought I had gone very fast with him,” Sweetnam explained after his round of honor. “There was an option between the skinny and the black vertical and I had done the black vertical with him, which I think lost me two seconds. I knew with Cyklon, if I was to win, I had to do that skinny and it paid off.”

Fellow Irishman Cameron Hanley also had two horses in the top five today. Hanley and Newton du Haut Bois cleared the course in 87.445 seconds to place second. He also guided Player du Quesnoy to fifth place honors with a clear round in 88.668 seconds. Both horses are owned by Eleonore Paschoude & Yves Bouvier.

USA’s Rich Fellers and Colgan Cruise, owned by Fellers and Harry Chapman, placed third after jumping clear in 88.499 seconds. Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Elatrice, owned by Arao Enterprises LLC, were extremely fast and finished sixth despite a rail on course and four seconds added to their time to finish on 90.558 seconds.

Cyklon 1083, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Cortus, seems to be getting the hang of the natural obstacles and open grass fields at Spruce Meadows. Sweetnam explained that both he and the horse enjoy the fun courses and space to gallop.

“He has gotten better,” Sweetnam noted. “He used to jump a little bit too high at times, like last year at the start, but he has definitely improved a lot and he really likes going fast. He has become a bit of a professional at this I think.”

“I also like doing classes like this,” Sweetnam acknowledged. “You can let loose. You have a plan, but you can really sort of take a free shot at it. There are always chances that if you get away with them, that they will win you the class, so I do enjoy it.”

Commenting on Cristina Larangeiro’s course, Sweetnam described, “It is a good course and it is really good for the spectators because everyone can go really fast. It is not overly big, but there were a few tricky things with the grob and the water jump and the double of ditches. There are a lot of fun things in it that make it fun for the spectators.”

Sweetnam has had a great summer competing at Spruce Meadows and looks forward to his next return. “Spruce is great,” he smiled. “The Southern Family and the people here really look after you. There are different types of jumping here from big to fast to the derbies, which you don’t get everywhere anymore. I have to say, I really enjoy it myself. It is a great place.”

Sunday’s competition concluded the 2013 ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows following five weeks of fantastic summer events. The competition will return in September when the best horses and riders from around the world compete for top prize money and international acclaim during the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. Running September 4-8, 2013, Friday’s Mercedes-Benz Evening of the Horse kicks off the weekend with spectacular sport and entertainment. The weekend continues with the BMO Nations’ Cup on Saturday and the $1 Million CN International Grand Prix as the exciting finale on Sunday evening. For more information and full results from the summer tournaments, please visit www.sprucemeadows.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.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI

Hat-trick for von Danwitz as Germans Grab All Junior Gold

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(L to R) Claire Louise Averkorn, Anna Christina Abbelen, Jessica Krieg, and Johanne Pauline von Danwitz. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

Denmark’s Dufour repeats Young Rider double but Dutch take Young Rider team title

Compiegne (FRA), 14 July 2013 – Johanne Pauline von Danwitz more than lived up to expectations when leading Germany to triple gold in the Junior competitions at the FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 in Compiegne, France.  And Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour showed that her 2012 Young Rider double of individual medals was no fluke when repeating the success she enjoyed at Balve, Switzerland twelve months ago by winning both the Individual Final Freestyle. The Dutch beat their old rivals from Germany to take the Young Rider team title, and, after a ten-year absence from the podium, Belgium claimed Young Rider team bronze.

The Stade Equestre du Grand Parc in Compiegne, northern France, was bathed in sunshine throughout the five-day fixture which attracted competitors from 21 nations.  Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine all fielded representatives, and the performances at the top end of the scoreboards were of exceptional quality.

There were six sets of medals up for grabs, with Team, Individual and Freestyle titles to be decided in both divisions.

Junior Team Championship

Her march to triple-glory began when von Danwitz produced the highest score of the Junior team competition with Habitus whose own record is a story in itself.  With owner Louisa Luttgen in the saddle, this great horse won four European gold medals in a row including Young Rider team last summer.  Von Danwitz got the ride at the end of 2012, and with Luttgens’ assistance quickly established a tremendous new partnership. Together the 17-year-old rider, and the horse who is only one year younger, have been showing fantastic form throughout the 2013 season both nationally and internationally, and their star continued to shine brightly at Compiegne.

Just one of the Ground Jury, Judge at C Anette Iacobeus from Sweden, did not place them first in the team competition in which they scored 74.081 to set their country on the road to victory.  Claire-Louise Averkorn and Condio B produced the second-best score of the class when posting 72.703, so when Anna-Christina Abbelen and Fuerst on Tour racked up a mark of 70.459 then the 70.027 collected by Jessica Krieg and Florence was the discard and the Germans were clear winners.

Their final team tally was 72.414, leaving Germany less than two full marks ahead of the silver medallists from The Netherlands – Jeanine Nekeman (Vlingh), Jeanine Nieuwenhuis (Hexagon’s Baldacci), Jasmien de Koever (TC Take it Easy) and last year’s triple gold medallist Dana van Lierop with a new horse (Sting).  Nekeman’s excellent mark of 72.405 saw her take third place in the individual rankings.

Team bronze went to Denmark’s Alexandra Sorensen (Camiro Mandoe), Emilie Holm Toft (Ramia Lox), Caroline Smidt (Donna Charian) and Amanda Overgaard (Horsebo Smarties) with a final score of 68.865.  Norway finished just outside the medal placings in fourth, team pathfinder Alexandra Andresen, who was a double gold-medallist at the recent Nordic Baltic Championships in Flyinge, Sweden secured fourth place individually with the nine-year-old stallion Belamour when scoring 71.054.

The Germans were silver medallists at these Championships in 2012, so Chef d’Equipe Maria Schierhölter-Otte, was delighted to get back on top again this time around. She described the victory as “a nice surprise. Of the four riders of the team, three had already performed in the Pony Riders championships, so they were a little accustomed to this type of test,” she explained, adding that there was ”great team spirit” in her side.  Team trainer, Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Ströhen, added that “A team is gradually built with the parents and coaching techniques… it’s a long process, but it is always easier to work with young riders because of their age; all they want is to do well.”

A total of 14 nations competed.

Junior Individual and Freestyle

Von Danwitz and Habitus never looked back, racking up a strong 75.789 to take Junior Individual gold by a significant margin and earning the top score of all five judges – Raphael Saleh (FRA) at E, Katrina Wuest (GER) at H, Wojtek Markowski (POL) at C, Kjell Myrhe (NOR) at M and Sandy Phillips (GBR) at B.  Wuest gave the winning combination the highest mark of all, 77.763, as Habitus cruised through another lovely performance that included spectacular trot extensions.

Norway’s Andresen and the chestnut stallion Belamour really rose to the occasion to take Individual silver with a mark of 72.974 while bronze went to Dutch newcomers Jeanine Niekman and the extravagant mover Vlingh who put in a great performance to earn a mark of 72.921.  Germany’s Anna-Christina Abbelen and Fuerst on Tour just missed out on the medals when fourth with 72.500 and next down the line was Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry with Remming who created a very pleasing picture to post 72.368.

And von Danwitz and Habitus were in a league of their own again in the Freestyle as Germany grabbed both gold and silver.  Judge Katrina Wuest put Habitus in second place here, instead preferring the performance of second-placed Anna-Christina Abbelen and Fuerst on Tour.  But the remaining four Ground Jury members opted for the Individual titleholder so von Danwitz clinched it by a margin of 1.75 points while Abbelen was awarded silver. Andresen was most impressive once again, earning bronze for Norway when posting 78.400, and fourth place went to Spain’s Juan Matute Guimon and Don Diego with 76.175.

Dutch team silver medallists Jasmien de Koeyer (TC Take It Easy) and Jeanine Nieuwehuis (Hexagon’s Baldacci) slotted into fifth and sixth.

Young Riders Team Championship

Denmark’s Dufour had to bide her time before rising to prominence in the Young Riders Championship, placing seventh individually in the team contest in which her country filled fifth place from the 11 starting nations.

It was the Dutch who dominated here, led by the experienced Stephanie Kooyman and her powerful 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Winston. Kooyman was ranked first by three of the judging panel and second by the other two to register a score of 75.158 which proved unbeatable in this competition.

That was backed up by 71.421 from team-mate Anne Meulenduks riding President’s MDH Avanti who finished fifth individually and when Debora Pijpers and Besterly’s Now I’m Here posted 70.816 for eighth place, then the 68.316 collected by Rosalie Mol and Legend was discarded for a winning team tally of 72.465.

The Dutch only managed team bronze at last year’s Championships so this was a very pleasing result for Chef d’Equipe Tineke Bartels who said afterwards “it’s always difficult to guess the results because each country sends their best teams.  We are very happy and proud of this medal!”

Last year’s champions from Germany had to settle for silver this time around when their team score of 71.228 left them just 1.23 points behind.  German pathfinders Juliette Piotrowski and Sir Diamond were awarded first place by Norway’s Myhre Kjell, second by Poland’s Wojtek Markowski and third by The Netherlands’ Mariette Sanders, but were marked into fourth and sixth places by Isabelle Judet from France and Great Britain’s Sandy Phillips.  Their individual score of 73.079 left them second-best on the day and gave an indication of what was coming down the line for this pair as the Championships progressed.

With 71.105 from team-mate Charlott-Maria Schurmann (Edward 28), and 69.500 for Florine Kienbaum (Don Windsor) they could drop the 67.684 from Vivien Niemann (Wirsol’s Cipollini) for a final team tally of 71.228 and that was plenty good enough for silver while Belgium claimed the bronze with 69.711.

An excellent mark of 73.953 from Jorinde Verwimp and Tiano seriously boosted the Belgian position, so when Alexa Fairchild and Timor added 68.447 and then Eline de Conninck and Don Warohn EDC posted 67.642 and Kirsten Adriaenssens and Roycroft were awarded the discard of 66.158 they would find themselves on the podium.  It was quite an achievement for Chef d’Equipe Laurence van Doorslaer whose side would bring home Young Rider team medals to Belgium for the first time since 2003.

Winning team manager Bartels reflected on the day. “I know the gap with Germany (silver medallists) was very small at the end, but as usual we didn’t check the scores of the other riders to avoid any pressure. My riders know what to do; I try to explain to them that they should not seek to be even better. They are young but mentally strong and it is a very important quality in the competition. The tests to come will be difficult because after the team event, they will have to compete against each other. But I think we can also get a medal in the individual,” the Dutch team manager said.

Young Riders Individual and Freestyle

She was right about that, but it would not be gold because Denmark’s Dufour took command in the Individual Championship and then followed through with another super performance in the Freestyle.

The Danish rider got into her stride to clinch the Individual title with a score of 77.789, pinning Germany’s Juliette Piotrowski and Sir Diamond into silver medal position when they earned a mark of 76.421 while bronze went to The Netherlands’ Stephanie Kooyman and Winston with 76.395.

With two silver medals already stashed away Piotrowski was delighted with her results so far. “Sir Diamond is only 8 years old, and I did not think he could do that; I’m really happy with him especially as this is my first European Championship. It’s great to be here!” she said.  Kooyman felt her horse, Winston, was a little tired – “but he did fine,” she pointed out.  “He was great the first day… now we will see what will happen tomorrow!”  The Netherlands’ Anne Meulenduks and President’s MDH Avanti finished fourth (74.789), and Sweden’s Marina Mattsson and Cassio lined up fifth (74.684).

And in fact Winston upped his game to push Piotrowski’s Sir Diamond into bronze position and provide Kooyman with the coveted Freestyle silver medal.

Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy were streets ahead when topping the Freestyle podium with a mark of 83.600, all five judges in complete agreement about who their champion should be.  Kooyman held the lead before Dufour entered the arena, but her mark of 79.225 would only be good enough for silver spot while Piotrowski’s 76.425 slotted her into third and bronze medal position.

Fourth place went to Great Britain’s Pippa Hutton and Duela (73.200) and fifth to Germany’s Charlott-Maria Schurmann and Edward (73.075).

The breathtaking standard of competition throughout these Championships bodes well for the sport of Dressage which continues to go from strength to strength. As Russian international judge, Igor Kogan, said, “These are the best young riders in Europe… they are really the hopes for the future of the discipline.”

Results:

FEI European Young Riders Team Dressage Championship 2013:  GOLD – The Netherlands 72.465: Winston (Stephanie Kooyman) 75.158, President’s MDH Avanti (Anne Meulenduks) 71.421, Besterly’s Now I’m Here (Debora Pijpers) 70.816, Legend (Rosalie Mol) 68.316; SILVER – Germany 71.228: Sir Diamond (Juliette Piotrowski) 73.079, Edward 28 (Charlott-Maria Schurmann) 71.105, Don Windsor (Florine Kienbaum) 69.500, Wirsol’s Cipollini (Vivien Niemann) 67.684; BRONZE – Belgium 69.711: Tiano (Jorinde Verwimp) 73.053, Timor (Alexa Fairchild) 68.447, Don Warohn EDC (Eline de Coninck) 67.632, Roycroft (Kirsten Adriaenssens) 66.158.

FEI European Young Riders Individual Dressage Championship 2013:  GOLD – Atterupgaards Cassidy (Cathrine Dufour) DEN 77.789; SILVER – Sir Diamond (Juliette Piotrowski) GER 76.421; BRONZE – Winston (Stephanie Kooyman) NED 76.395.

FEI European Young Riders Freestyle Championship 2013:  GOLD – Atterupgaards Cassidy (Cathrine Dufour) DEN 83.600; SILVER – Winston (Stephanie Kooyman) NED 79.225; BRONZE – Sir Diamond (Juliette Piotrowski) GER 76.425.

FEI European Junior Team Dressage Championship 2013:  GOLD – Germany 72.414: Habitus 10 (Johanne Pauline Von Danwitz) 74.081, Condio B (Claire-Louise Averkorn) 72.703, Fuerst on Tour (Anna-Christina Abbelen) 70.459, Florence (Jessica Krieg) 70.027; SILVER – Netherlands 70.712: Vlingh (Jeanine Nekeman) 72.405, Hexagon’s Baldacci (Jeanine Nieuwenhuis) 70.676, TC Take it Easy (Jasmien de Koeyer) 69.054, Sting (Dana van Lierop) 66.486; BRONZE – Denmark 68.865: Camiro Mandoe (Alexandra Sorensen) 70.243, Ramia Lox (Emilie Holm Toft) 68.451, Donna Charian (Caroline B Smidt) 67.811, Horsebo Smarties (Amanda Overgaard) 65.405.

FEI European Junior Individual Dressage Championship 2013:  GOLD -Habitus 10 (Johanne Pauline Von Danwitz) GER 75.789; SILVER – Belamour (Alexandra Gamlemshau Andresen) NOR 72.974; BRONZE – Vlingh (Jeanine Nekeman) NED 72.921.

FEI European Junior Freestyle Championship 2013:  GOLD – Habitus 10 (Johanne Pauline Von Danwitz) GER 81.125; SILVER – Fuerst on Tour (Anna-Christina Abbelen) GER 79.375; BRONZE – Belamour (Alexandra Andresen) NOR 78.400.

By Louise Parkes

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

Triompf and Holly Shepherd Win the $25,000 Juan Hernandez Grand Prix

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Holly Shepherd and Loretta Patterson’s Triompf make it look easy on their way to the winner’s circle Saturday night. Flashpoint Photography.

Grand prix action is back in Charleston!  After a lengthy absence, Classic Company President Bob Bell decided to reintroduce grand prix action to the boutique-style Charleston Summer Classic and dedicated the first grand prix in memory of Juan Hernandez.

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson’s Triompf celebrated the return of the grand prix Saturday night with a win in the $25,000 Juan Hernandez Grand Prix and bested 15 other horse and rider teams over a course designed by Allen Rheinheimer.

Christopher Schroeder from Andersonville, Tennessee was the first to go aboard GK Performance Horses, LLC’s Enrique Van Het Vennehof and while he beat the time allowed of 90 seconds, four faults at 4B would land him in eighth place overall.  Holly Shepherd of Great Bay, Alabama was next to go on Loretta Patterson’s Skymiles.  The pair won the open welcome Thursday and was looking for another win when they went clean in a time of 85.148 seconds.

Romeo, owned by the Romeo Group and ridden by Victor Segovia of Wellington, Florida, was next to go and also turned in a clear round in a time of 83.681 seconds, insuring a jump-off to the delight of the crowd.

Whitney Owens of San Antonio, Texas followed in the irons of DS Holdings, LLC’s S & L Shoe Guru and joined the jump-off after posting a clean round in a time of 87.864 seconds.

Amanda Wise of New Fairfield, Connecticut and Positive-ism Inc.’s Collin were next to go.  The pair dropped a rail at fence 4B and their time of 88.517 would keep them out of the ribbons.

Christopher Schroeder of Andersonville, Tennessee followed Wise with his own Catungee and looked to go clean, but had a heartbreak rail at the last fence.  Their time of 86.047 would leave them in ninth place overall.

Danielle Grice of Northfield, Minnesota was next to go aboard Loretta Patterson’s Rapid Rewards.  A rail at fence 6B and a time of 84.716 left the pair in seventh overall.

Frank Owens of San Antonio, Texas riding DS Holdings, LLC’s Capricello 2 had a rail at fence 3B and with a time of 85.443 seconds would finish in eleventh place overall.

Josh Dolan of Bluffton, South Carolina was next up on his own SLF Annie Lennox.  This was his mount’s first grand prix and the pair turned in an impressive clean round in a time of 86.889 seconds earning them a spot in the jump-off.

Angel Karolyi of Aiken, South Carolina was next to go with Hollow Creek Farm’s Amigo.  The pair accumulated twelve jump faults with a time of 85.109 seconds which would keep them out of the ribbons.

Schroeder returned to the ring with his next mount, Una Bella, owned by GK Performance Horses, LLC.  The pair dropped a rail at fence seven and posted a time of 86.581 seconds which would finish them in twelfth overall.

Shepherd returned to the field, this time aboard Loretta Patterson’s Triompf, and went clean with a time of 87.806 seconds, joining the jump-off.

Lissa TSP, owned and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, was next to go and after accumulating eight jump faults in a time of 83.457 seconds, would not place.  The next clean round to go was Grice in the irons on her own Boysterous. The pair posted the fastest first-round time in 82.724 seconds and joined the jump off line-up.

Last to go was Schroeder this time in the irons of GK Performance Horses LLC’s Diamant De Ravel. The pair earned four jump faults in a time of 86.057 seconds which would place them in tenth overall.

The jump-off had a time allowed of 41 seconds and Shepherd was first to go with her first mount, Skymiles, owned by Loretta Patterson.  The pair was clean and set the time to beat at 38.789. Segovia and Romeo, owned by the Romeo group, was next to go and although they went clean, couldn’t beat Shepherd’s time and posted a 40.573 second round which would finish the in fourth overall.  Whitney Owens was next up with S & L Shoe Guru, going clean and beating Shepherd’s time with her own 36.755 seconds.  Dolan and his own SLF Annie Lennox were next to go but their time of 42.650 seconds earned them two time faults which placed them in fifth overall.

Shepherd was next to go, this time aboard Triompf, and the pair turned in a clear effort and set the new time to beat at 35.106 seconds.  But there was still one ride left.  Grice was next to go on her own Boysterous and looked to take the lead, but a refusal and time faults would find her in sixth overall, putting Triompf and Shepherd in the winner’s circle.

“The course was pretty straight forward and fair,” said Shepherd.  “I think it gave everyone a fair shot at the prize money.  It was a great course for young horses,” she added.

“I haven’t been here in years,” she continued. “I told Bob [Bell] that I would come back when he started his grand prix again.  He did and I brought 22 horses for two weeks,” she smiled.  “It’s so great to be back. This is where I won my very first grand prix and where I met my husband.  This is a very special place.”

On Deck!

The $25,000 Grand Prix is scheduled for 5 pm Friday night.  This will be the final grand prix offered at the Charleston Summer Classic, so don’t miss it!  This is the only vacation and horse show destination and the only venue where you can jump the fences and the waves!  Monday looks to be the day where exhibitors rent boats, go fishing, swim with dolphins and lay on the beach – does it get any better than this?

More of What You Want!

Due to popular demand, Classic Company has added a 1.20m Training Jumper to the schedule for both weeks along with a Walk-Trot Division.  There really is SOMETHING for EVERYONE at the Charleston Summer Classic!

Social Calendar!

There’s a party most every day next week too, so don’t miss any of them!

Don’t Hoof It!

With all the action at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, you may consider renting a golf cart from the Official Golf Cart Company, Garrett Golf Carts, or call them at 843-881-8894. Weekly rentals for two-seaters are only $225 and only $275 for the four-seaters.

Got Rooms?

Get a jump on it and book today!  This location is beautiful and a vacation destination.  So make sure to book your rooms and condos now! Classic Company’s Official Lodging Partner is the pet-friendly Land’s Inn at 2545 Savannah Highway in Charleston.  The Land’s Inn is approximately 18 miles from the show grounds and looks forward to welcoming you, your families and your four legged friends.  You can call them at 843-763-8885 or visit them on the web at creeksidelandsinn.com.  Make sure to mention you will be attending the Charleston Summer Classic shows.

If condo is the way you like to go and the phrase “seven miles from the show grounds” sounds good to you, the Classic Company recommends several and they are listed in the prize list. Most are located on Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island and all offer close proximity to the show and the beach. Classic’s newest lodging partner is Coastal Getaways of South Carolina and can be reached via web or at 843-789-4438. Make sure to book now for the show and vacation experience you will never forget!

Make sure to book now for the show and vacation experience you will never forget.

If you haven’t reserved your stalls or sent in your entries yet, please contact Classic Company immediately at 843.768.5503 or send them an email at info@classiccompany.com.

For those looking save the cost of postage, paper and personal time, make sure to go to Equestrian Connect, Classic Company’s Official Service Provider, to submit your entries today!

Equestrian Connect is Classic Company’s Official Service Provider and allows exhibitors to store their data one time, on the web, and then use that data to automatically fill out hunter/jumper entry forms across the country.  The service offers a free 45 day trial period for new members.  At the conclusion of the trial period, Equestrian Connect offers an annual subscription, or a “pay as you go” service. The service allows exhibitors to save both time and money.  This is the one-minute online entry service that will help you get your entries in on time and you to the show!

Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest:  Classic Shows are FUN!  Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best.  Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office fee added for credit card payments.

So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta this summer.  The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States.  For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at classicsponsorship@gmail.com.  All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.com.

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

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation

Kelsey Thatcher’s New Tactics Pay Off with Victories in 3’6″ A-O Hunters at Summer in the Rockies V

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Kelsey Thatcher and Fredrick.

Parker, CO – July 13, 2013 – Kelsey Thatcher and Pony Lane Farm’s Fredrick coasted through beautiful rounds in the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunters on Saturday at Summer in the Rockies V to win two blue ribbons and the trophy in the $2,500 Amateur Owner Hunter Classic. Thatcher rode with poise and confidence to post the high scores in each class.

Fredrick paired with Thatcher’s trainer, Maggie Jayne, to earn the championship in the High Performance/Second Year Green Hunters earlier in the week. Thatcher said she benefited from Jayne’s advice to improve her performances with Fredrick.

“Maggie and I had a talk from last week to this week about how to ride him better, and I think he came out better and he went around great,” Thatcher explained. “He’s a very low horse – he isn’t a very big horse – and I ride uphill, fiery ones better, so we had a good talk about it and we are much more consistent this week.”

She said part of her new strategy involved working to adjust her riding to the horse’s way of going. “With him, it’s just staying really light and understanding that he goes low,” she described. “You’ve got to go with the flow and let him cruise right around.”

And cruise they did, putting in steady, flowing rounds over the Skip Bailey-designed courses. “The courses are absolutely beautiful out here,” Thatcher said. “They do a great job of making it feel like a very special horse show.”

“It’s a pretty special horse show for me personally,” she added. “I showed in the short stirrups here – I actually fell off in that ring right down there! We love coming out to Colorado.”

Thatcher also rode Pony Lane Farm’s Starina B in the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunters. Starina B and Haylie Jayne won the championship in the First Year Green Hunters earlier in the week.

Kelsey Thatcher and Starina B
Kelsey Thatcher and Starina B

“Starina came out ready to play, but I didn’t get her down one line quite early enough, so she hit a back rail pretty hard,” Thatcher said. “That mare likes to be perfect, so she was a little upset with me. But we did a bridle change for the last classic round, and she was much better and ready to go.”

Thatcher also trains with Haylie Jayne and looks to her for advice on the horses she rides. “We’re all a very tight-knit group,” Thatcher said. Her sister, Madeline Thatcher, has also been successful in the hunters at Summer in the Rockies V, collecting top ribbons in the Junior Hunter divisions. And both Thatcher sisters competed in the $40,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.

“I have to say, I’m Maddie’s biggest fan and her harshest critic,” Kelsey Thatcher said. “It’s been fun – we have a little fun, healthy competition. My dad and mom love watching us both get fired up about that. I’m proud of her for how much she’s improved her riding.”

Thatcher will enter her senior year at the University of Georgia this fall, and she will continue to juggle academics and her busy show schedule as she works toward two goals: graduating with her degree in early childhood education and bringing home a championship on the indoor circuit. She believes her horses have what it takes to win and is grateful to the Jaynes for keeping them ready for her. “I’m aiming for an indoors champion cooler for sure,” she said.

While Thatcher looks to be tough to beat for the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter championship, the 3’3″ division could be a toss-up between several strong competitors. Saturday’s classes shaped up as a contest between an up-and-coming young horse and a seasoned campaigner returning to the show ring after time off. Anna Corley and 6-year-old Ddominicc picked up a win and a third place over fences, and Candace Cavanaugh and 16-year-old Irish Storm collected a win and a second. Irish Storm is easing back into competition after colic surgery last year, while Ddominicc just stepped up to the 3’3″ Amateur Owner Hunters after competing at 3′ for the first weeks of Summer in the Rockies.

“He felt great,” Corley said after her rounds on Ddominicc. “He’s young, so it’s always a little bit of a challenge. It was his second time doing the 3’3″s. My first course was one of the best I’ve had on him. The jumps were all really nice, we had a good pace and he jumped them all really well.”

According to Corley, Ddominicc’s favorite treat is peppermints – he’s allergic to carrots. He certainly earned a sweet reward for his efforts in the hunter ring. Corley purchased Ddominicc two years ago and has been working to bring him up the ranks with guidance from trainer Matt Cyphert of Dallas, TX.

“I’ve done most of his training myself and he’s done really well,” she said. “He’s been very easy. He’s has taken it all in stride, and Matt has helped me a lot in getting him going right. It’s been fun.”

Corley, who lives in Austin, TX, trains with Stacie Bird when she’s at home. She will ride Ddominicc in the USHJA National Hunter Derby on Sunday and eventually hopes to move up to the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunters with him, though she plans to give him plenty of time to adjust to the 3’3″ height before stepping up again.

“He’s such a pretty horse,” Corley said. “He’s got a pretty head and his color’s very striking. When he walks in the ring, he just turns it on. He always has his ears up and he’s happy. I think he’s really eye-catching for the judges.”

Cavanaugh has had a long relationship with Irish Storm, whom she bought when he was 6 years old. She started him in the Pre-Green Hunters and moved up from there. Ten years later, their partnership is still going strong, and Irish Storm is back in good form after taking a hiatus to recuperate from his colic surgery.

“My first round was really, really nice,” Cavanaugh said. “I was very happy and my horse was jumping great. The lines seemed to run a little long, so we really had to flow down each one. It’s a nice course and the jumps are very inviting.”

“He enjoys his job very much and he’s responsive to me,” she added. “He is very level-headed. He’s got a really good brain and he really likes to jump, so he makes my job so much easier.”

Cavanaugh trains with Meredith Houx-Remiger of Sandia Farm in Albuquerque, NM, and she is spending four weeks competing at the Colorado Horse Park this summer along with her barn. “I love the facility,” she said. “It’s just gorgeous and they put on really nice horse shows, so I like coming up here. I lived here for many years and actually boarded here at the Horse Park, so I love coming back. And I like the new footing!”

The Amateur Owner Hunters continue Sunday. The Large and Small Junior Hunters wrapped up on Saturday with the final two classes over fences for each division. Hunter Holloway and Chianti’s Dream won both of Saturday’s Small Junior Hunter classes to clinch the championship, while Amanda Hauser and Calido’s Son notched second and fourth place finishes for the reserve.

The Large Junior Hunter championship went to Emily Sutherland and Phineas, owned by Lisa Sutherland. The pair started off the division on a high note with two wins on Friday and had the best overall placings over the two days. Kai DeVoglaer and Colleen McKenzie’s Castello added a third place over fences to their strong results from Friday to earn the reserve championship.

The Junior Hunter riders also faced off in the $2,500 Junior Hunter Classic. Hunter Holloway took three of the top two spots: she rode Cascina to the win, finished second with Chianti’s Dream, and took fourth with Lyons Creek Bellini. All three horses are owned by Hays Investment Corp. DeVoglaer and Castello were third.

Summer in the Rockies V comes to a close on Sunday with a major highlight for competitors and spectators alike: the hunter derbies. The $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the $5,000 USHJA National Derby, and the $2,500 CHP Pony Derby begin at 8 a.m. in the Olson Family Hunter Arena.

Full results available at http://www.showplaceproductions.com/chp/resultsDivisionList.php?competition=22.

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

What: Summer in the Rockies AA-Rated Hunter Jumper Show Series

Event Dates:

Summer in the Rockies I June 5-9, 2013
Summer in the Rockies II June 12-16, 2013
Summer in the Rockies III June 19-23, 2013
Summer in the Rockies IV July 3-7, 2013
Summer in the Rockies V July 10-14, 2013
Summer in the Rockies VI July 17-21, 2013

Prize List:

Click here for an online version of the prize list. For a hard copy of the prize list, please e-mail prizelist@cohorsepark.com with your name, address and phone number and specify which prize list you would like (spring/fall or summer).

Entries:

Mail to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 South Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134 or fax to (303) 841-7879. Opening date for Stall Reservations: April 1, 2013. Closing date May 20, 2013.

Contact Information:

Pat Boyle, Show Manager                          (847) 274-6834
Brian Curry, Show Manager                        (303) 918-2908
Show Office                                                 (303) 841-7461
Show Office Fax                                          (303) 841-1419
Colorado Horse Park Main Office                (303) 841-5550
Colorado Horse Park Main Office Fax         (303) 841-7879

Tentative Schedule:
Wed – Sun: Show starts daily at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado.  The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Kristen VanderVeen Wins $40,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix at Summer in the Rockies V

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Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Eternal.

Parker, CO – July 13, 2013 – Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima built what appeared to be a straightforward course for the $40,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix for Summer in the Rockies V, considered the peak week of the summer series at the Colorado Horse Park. But the course was tougher than appearances let on.

“I decided to do a more technical course than a really big course, which meant they had their work cut out for them,” said Lima. “The time was quite a challenge, too. John Pearce was the first to ride the course on one of his young horses (Son of a Gun) and he rode very forward with a really good rhythm.”

The time allowed was tight. Some of the first few horse and rider combinations fell victim to time faults, like Alex Grenato and Page Tredennick’s Mullaghdrin Rado, who were second in the order. The pair was clean but one second over the time allowed. The riders later in the order learned that it was necessary to be forward.

“We stuck with the time allowed,” said Lima. “It is a tough decision when you have the second horse with the time fault. You need to present some challenge and sometimes time makes the challenge better, not just big jumps, tough distances. I used that in the Welcome on Thursday and I did that today.”

“I was glad they didn’t adjust the time allowed,” said Steve Schaefer, who finished second. “It was great that the judge did that early on. It was definitely the right move. It made the class more challenging and it was the right thing to do.”

Caitlin Hope and Total Touch
Caitlin Hope and Total Touch

“Time allowed was tight, but it is always something I think about, so it ended up being not so much of a factor for us,” said Caitlin Hope, who earned the third place prize with Kathleen Hope’s Total Touch. “Going to the last two jumps, Diane (Carney, Hope’s trainer) said, ‘Time.’ But it ended up being not too bad for me because I was thinking about it from jump one to jump two, rather than waiting until the end of the course to try to make up time.”

“I really enjoyed his courses this week,” said Kristen VanderVeen, who earned the victory gallop aboard Bull Run’s Eternal. “They’re set a little on the forward step, which has been great, because I try not to ride backwards. They come across simple but it’s almost the simple that people complicate, like you take it for granted a little bit. I thought he did a really great job. There were enough clean to make it interesting but never so many that it was a foot race. It is great that they are setting to standards here.”

A total of 34 horse and rider combinations took on Lima’s course with the goal to return for the jump-off round. Karen Cudmore and Blair Cudmore’s Ceonto were the first to have a clear round within the time allowed, immediately followed by Chris Killiam and AEM Enterprise’s Black Diamond.

Eight rounds later, John Pearce and Johnny B Good, owned by Forest View Farms, were fault-free, followed by Schaefer and his own Caribe and then amateur Hope and Total Touch. Bryn Sadler and Bon Giorno, owned by Showcase 81 LLC were next to go clear, and Welcome Stake winners Granato and Page Tredennick’s Zenith Dance were clear as well. The third to last in the order, VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Eternal, and the last to go, Cudmore and Shea, joined the group headed to the short course.

Schaefer and Caribe delivered the first double clear effort with their jump-off round timing in at 37.518 to give them the lead. Next, Hope and Total Touch produced another clear round over the short track in 38.728 to claim second place. Sadler and Bon Giorno also were double clear with a slower time of 41.608. VanderVeen then piloted Bull Run’s Eternal flawlessly through the jump-off, stopping the timer at 36.812 to win the class. Schaefer moved to second place and Hope to third.

“I am really happy with the number we got in the end,” said Lima. “I’m really happy with Kristen (VanderVeen). The first time I was here three years ago, she won the grand prix.”

“I was very proud of my horse,” said Hope.  “We had a really consistent week so I was really glad that I was second and third in the two big classes at the show.”

“I thought she did a super job,” said Hope’s trainer, Diane Carney. “Obviously to jump around the first track clean was excellent, as easily and rub-free as she did. And in the jump-off I thought she was exceptional. The mark of a really good match in a good horse and a really good rider is, when things aren’t going great, it still works out great. I think that speaks to Caitie Hope and this horse, Total Touch. Even when it is not great, they know how to get out of trouble and the two of them figured it out. She did a great job and we love the results.”

Steve Schaefer and Caribe
Steve Schaefer and Caribe

“The course was good, appropriately challenging in a lot of ways,” said Schaefer. “There was a bogey jump but riders started to figure it out near the end of the class, so we ended up with a fantastic jump-off – fast riders all. It was a good class and a great course. It was fun that the crowd was into it – they were cheering for everybody.”

Schaefer imported Caribe from Argentina as a 4-year-old and brought him along.

“Years ago I showed at the Colorado Horse Park, when I was coaching the VanderVeens,” said Schaefer, who is from Maple Park, near Chicago. “We came a couple of years in a row when Kristen was doing the low junior jumpers. We had a great time and always enjoyed it but just haven’t been able to make it back. But I came here with my clients and we’re having a great time. It is fantastic- the footing is fabulous, the management is great. We couldn’t be happier with the whole experience.”

“I started riding with Steve Schaefer when I was 8 years old until I was 15 or 16,” said VanderVeen, who is now 24 and a professional. “He taught us a lot.”

Bull Run’s Eternal has been a consistent winner for VanderVeen.

“He has been such a blessing,” she said. “When I got him in the fall, he was a completely different ride for me. I am used to smaller, hot horses, with not as much scope. He is very conventional, very scopey and very careful. There’s nothing tricky about him. So now that I have it together with him, it is like a different sport. He’s jumped every grand prix clean. He’s been first twice and second and I had two time faults in the other one. The other two Welcomes he also jumped double clean in both of those and was first and third.”

VanderVeen rides with the Christian symbol of the fish embroidered on her show coat sleeves and Romans 8 and Psalms 139 embroidered on the back hem.

“For me faith has been a big part of my life and you just don’t get a lot of it in the horse show world,” she said. “I have always been a little quiet about it. I realized that there are people who share in my beliefs. So I put it on my jacket. It has been what has shaped my life since I grew up, and it is how I live my life and how I do my horse business. I want to keep it honest, do honest deals. As a person, I’d like to live that way. That is how we name the horses – Eternal is a Christian reference.”

“I actually did not have a great week,” VanderVeen shared. “The Welcome went terrible- I didn’t get past jump three. In the Speed Derby I had a blip at jump two and I thought, ‘I don’t know where this is going.’ Before I went in the ring for the Grand Prix, my warm-up was not fantastic. I prayed as I went into the ring, ‘Lord, if this goes well, it is all you today, because we are not on our A-game.’ It was so cute when I came out and I told Chelsea (Babcock, VanderVeen’s student). She laughed and said, ‘When you were walking in the ring, I did the exact same thing.’ It is so great that we can share that together.”

Although VanderVeen had a tough week, it ended on a high note with the victory in the $40,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix. In addition, horses she has sold are performing well.

“I had a horse win the Child/Adults that I sold,” she said. “I had one that was second in the Low Child/Adults, one that won the WIHS another one earlier in the week – it has just been great. I feel we have been blessed here. It is fun to see the business growing. We try to represent the horses fairly so they work out.”

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

What: Summer in the Rockies AA-Rated Hunter Jumper Show Series

Event Dates:

Summer in the Rockies I June 5-9, 2013
Summer in the Rockies II June 12-16, 2013
Summer in the Rockies III June 19-23, 2013
Summer in the Rockies IV July 3-7, 2013
Summer in the Rockies V July 10-14, 2013
Summer in the Rockies VI July 17-21, 2013

Prize List:

Click here for an online version of the prize list. For a hard copy of the prize list, please e-mail prizelist@cohorsepark.com with your name, address and phone number and specify which prize list you would like (spring/fall or summer).

Entries:

Mail to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 South Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134 or fax to (303) 841-7879. Opening date for Stall Reservations: April 1, 2013. Closing date May 20, 2013.

Contact Information:

Pat Boyle, Show Manager                          (847) 274-6834
Brian Curry, Show Manager                        (303) 918-2908
Show Office                                                 (303) 841-7461
Show Office Fax                                          (303) 841-1419
Colorado Horse Park Main Office                (303) 841-5550
Colorado Horse Park Main Office Fax         (303) 841-7879

Tentative Schedule:
Wed – Sun: Show starts daily at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado.  The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Ashlee Bond and Agrostar Ace the Test in $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup at Spruce Meadows

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Ashlee Bond and Agrostar shined in round one and braved the rain in round two for their win in Saturday’s $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB – July 13, 2013 – Ashlee Bond (USA) and Agrostar earned an exciting victory in the $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup 1.50m competition on Saturday during day three of the ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows. The pair led a five-horse jump-off out of 37 competitors to win over Canada’s Kara Chad and Alberto II with Reed Kessler (USA) and Ligist finishing third.

The $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup Parcourse de Chasse originally scheduled for Saturday was cancelled due to inclement weather and will now be held on Sunday morning. The ‘Pan American’ Tournament will conclude on Sunday afternoon with the $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix to wrap up the summer’s five weeks of competition.

In Saturday’s $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup, course designer Peter Grant (CAN) set a large and technical track for the 1.50m competition. Held in the Meadows on the Green, 37 competitors attempted the course and just five were able to clear the first round without fault. For the jump-off, riders weighed their options on speed and risk as the rain started to fall and in the end, three jumped double clear.

Reed Kessler and Ligist were first to go and cleared the short course in 44.72 seconds to eventually finish third. Ashlee Bond and Agrostar cleared the course in 42.88 seconds for the win, and last to go, Kara Chad and Alberto II, cleared the course in 44.33 second to finish in reserve. Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Amadora had four faults in 42.96 seconds to place fourth and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Eregast Van’t Kiezelhof incurred four faults in 43.28 seconds to earn the fifth place prize.

California native Ashlee Bond purchased Agrostar, a nine-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Argentinus x Lupine), when he was seven. She is a half owner in partnership with his German owners Klatte KF, H.u.H. The stallion began showing with grand prix rider Richard Spooner two years ago and Bond took over the reins in 2012, quickly advancing from 1.25m on up. The pair did their first 1.30m in November last year, moved up to 1.40m over the 2013 winter and then jumped their first 1.50m competition this spring. Agrostar stepped up fast and traveled to this year’s FEI World Cup Finals as Bond’s second horse in April. She is now keeping him at the 1.50m height and has had a great experience showing the stallion this summer at Spruce Meadows.

“The whole series he has been amazing,” Bond stated. “I had to start in the 1.45m. He was ready, but I baby him a little bit because he is green and young and really careful. He stepped right up and he has done really great things here. I could not be happier. I came with an inexperienced horse at the 1.50m and I am leaving with a very experienced 1.50m horse. It is exciting and I am looking forward to the future.”

BondAgrostarJumpoffGoing into the jump-off, Bond explained that she was hoping for a positive experience in their last competition of the tournament before returning to California.

“I wasn’t really thinking, ‘Let’s go out and win it’ because my horse is really green,” the rider stated. “I have done maybe a handful of jump-offs at this level with him, so I was just thinking, ‘Get a nice, comfortable rhythm and just try to stick with that.’ He is good at turning, which helps me out a bit and he is really good off that forward pace, but people here are really fast. Even his forward rhythm is still not going to cut it every day, but it is my last class this week, so I just wanted to put in a positive round and leave going home on a good experience.”

“The first round was tough,” Bond said of the afternoon’s track. “I thought it was really big. That is one of the toughest 1.50m tracks that I think they have built this circuit. You had to have rideability, you had to have scope, and you had to have carefulness. Everything was in there; it was not easy.”

“I went early and he handled it really well,” she continued. “He was actually a lot better in the jump-off I thought. He jumps so high in the first round sometimes that he actually tends to come down a little bit in the jump-off and jump more relaxed, which is kind of the goal for the first round. I was really happy with both rounds today; he was super.”

Seventeen-year-old Kara Chad also had a great experience today, finishing second with her ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding Alberto II (Acorado x Cassini I). The gelding showed with Great Britain’s Nick Skelton as a seven-year-old and has been moving up the ranks from Junior Jumpers all the way to 1.50m with Chad in the last two and a half years.

“That horse is amazing and he has always been so good to me,” Chad smiled after today’s performance. “He has a bunch of scope and a lot of personality. I know he can do this; it is just me coming up next to him and trying to meet him at this level. He takes care of me and he is an incredible horse.”

The pair showed in a derby a few weeks ago and is working on their consistency at the 1.50m level. Just this summer they have made giant leaps in their partnership.

“He is so versatile and so brave as well,” Chad praised. “I thought it was a hard track and big out there today, but he handles himself so well. I am very lucky and very happy with my result.”

The 2013 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Tournament concludes on Sunday with the $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup Parcourse de Chasse in the morning and the $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix to be held as the finale event in the afternoon. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.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.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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

Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Peter Wylde Clinches Back-to-Back Grand Prix Victories at Vermont Summer Festival

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Peter Wylde guided Lewin 5 to victory in the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde and Lewin 5 sped to their second Grand Prix victory in a row at the Vermont Summer Festival, winning the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, during week two of the six-week show jumping competition.  The Vermont Summer Festival continues through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Wylde edged out student Agatha D’Ambra and Udiana for the first place finish with just over a second to spare.  D’Ambra and Wylde were the only riders to advance to the jump-off out of the 22 entries that contested the Grand Prix.  Wylde also qualified on his second mount, Wiesielotte, but settled for third place after incurring 12 faults in the jump-off.

“The course was careful; I think you had to have a very careful jumper,” Wylde commented of the course designed by Canadian Chris Brandt.  “There were very technical and tight distances, but our horses seemed to handle that really well.  I was really pleased. Agatha and I had five horses between us and they all did five really nice rounds.  We’re very happy.”

D’Ambra was thrilled with her mare Udiana’s performance and was more than content to finish second to her new trainer.

“Coming in second place at all is incredible.  I’m very happy with it.  My horse was brilliant today.  I couldn’t be happier with her.  Peter Wylde is the best, so just the fact that I came in front of his other horse and presented a challenge for him, I’m pretty proud of myself,” D’Ambra beamed.

D’Ambra was first to return in the jump-off and Wylde admitted to doubting whether he would be able to catch her after a perfectly executed second round.

“She nailed the jump-off and I thought, ‘I’m going to have to really go if I’m going to get it.’  I think the only place I caught her was to the last fence.  I really raced to the last fence.  I think I was probably a little bit behind her going into the last fence but I made up some ground there.  She was pretty much perfect in her jump-off,” Wylde revealed.

Wylde described how Lewin 5, an 11-year-old gelding owned by Société Civile de l’Ecurie Meautry, has come into his own the last several months of competition.

“Lewin’s been consistently right at the top the last grand prix and the last few months I’ve been riding him.  The horse is fantastic and this is now the third grand prix he’s won in the last two months,” Wylde explained.

“I’ve ridden him for a year and a half now and he’s really developed into being a superstar.  It’s exciting!  He’s fun and he’s also learned to go fast.  He’s got a lot of self-confidence now and I can pretty much ask him to do anything and he’ll do it for me.  He really is there for you,” Wylde continued.

Wylde and D’Ambra’s partnership is newly formed, yet the pair is clearly well-matched.  D’Ambra of Saratoga, NY, contacted Wylde when she heard he was moving his training business to New York.

“I sent him a message saying I needed a trainer and I needed some help and he said he’d love to help me.  I shipped in for a lesson two weeks before HITS Saugerties and it was just an immediate click.  I think it’s pretty obvious in the results that we share the same philosophy with the horses and that we get along really well.  I see really good things coming,” D’Ambra shared.

Both riders were extremely grateful for the support of their sponsors, whose invaluable support enables them to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

“I want to thank my sponsor John Cooley at Elite Equine Veterinary,” D’Ambra said.

“I would also like to thank my sponsors Cavalor, Dover Saddlery, Tredstep and of course Tad Coffin Performance Saddles, which are the saddles I’m using on my horses now which I just love and my horses love, too!” Wylde added.

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall Of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation

First Dance and Liza Boyd Win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

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Liza Boyd gracefully pilots Sarah Orberson’s First Dance over a fence on their way to the win in the National Hunter Derby last night. Flashpoint Photography.

Liza Boyd of Camden, South Carolina and First Dance, owned by Sarah Orberson, took first place last night in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by FarmVet, outscoring 42 other horse and rider teams.  The competition was steep, but Boyd and First Dance rose to the occasion earning them a first round score of 89, and a handy score of 91, totaling 180 points, securing the win.

In second place, Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama rode Belvedere, owned by Ellen Herrington, to a first round score of 88.5, a handy score of 89, and a combined total of 177.5.  Caracas, owned by Mary Claire Ray and also ridden by Shepherd, secured the third position with a first round score of 86, a handy score of 90 and combined total of 176.  Shepherd also locked in fourth place, this time in the irons aboard Kleiner Ralli, owned by Suzan Larson.  The pair earned a first round score of 87.75, a handy score of 87 and combined total of 174.75.

Fifth place was awarded to Sarona, LLC’s Fabrege, ridden by Julie Curtin of Roswell, Georgia.  The pair earned a first round score of 88.25, a handy score of 86 and combined total of 174.25.  Sixth place was awarded to Madison Maners of Matthews, North Carolina and her own Blue Steel.  The pair earned a first round score of 83, a second round score of 89.5 and combined total of 172.50.  Kissme, owned and ridden by Anna Well-Sharp of Bluffton, South Carolina, received seventh place honors after turning in a first round effort of 87 and a handy score of 85 for a combined total of 172.  Eighth place was awarded to Elevenstar Farm’s MacDaddy, ridden by Lucie Johnston of Nashville, Tennessee.  The pair earned 83.5 in the first round, followed by a score of 87 in the handy round for a combined total of 170.5.  Ninth place was awarded to Versace, owned and ridden by Lynn Seithel of Johns Island, South Carolina.  The pair earned a first round score of 88, a handy score of 80 and combined score of 167.

Taboo, owned by Churchill McMurrain and ridden by Rebekah Livingston of Peachtree City, Georgia, earned a tenth place after receiving a score of 90 in the first round, followed by a 76 in the handy round for a combined total of 166.  Eleventh place went to Be My Date, owned and ridden by Kate Duke of Collierville, Tennessee. The pair earned a first round score of 82.5, a handy score of 79 for a combined total of 161.50.  Wrapping up the class, Mackenzie McGehee of Jacksonville, Florida rode her own And Then Some to a first round score of 88.75, a handy score of 49 for a combined total of 137.75, locking in her twelfth place finish.

On Deck!

The $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix is scheduled for 5 pm tonight. The VIP tent will be serving cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the class, so make sure to reserve your table in the show office.  This is the first of two grand prix that will be offered this year.  If you are still considering Week II, make sure to contact the office immediately to reserve your stall.  This is the vacation and horse show destination — and the only venue where you can jump the fences and the waves!

Charleston Classic sponsor, Cenegenics of the Carolinas, will be on hand this evening to meet with those interested in living well longer and maximizing their potential.

In other news:

Social Calendar!

The fun continues!  Tonight VIP patrons will enjoy cocktails and appetizers during the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix.  Tomorrow, don’t miss the ringside Mimosas served up by Classic Company President Bob Bell himself.

There’s a party most every day next week too, so don’t miss any of them!

Something for Everyone!

Due to popular demand, Classic Company has added a 1.20m Training Jumper to the schedule for both weeks along with a Walk-Trot Division.

Don’t Hoof It!

With all the action at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, you may consider renting a golf cart from the Official Golf Cart Company, Garrett Golf Carts, or call them at 843-881-8894. Weekly rentals for two-seaters are only $225 and only $275 for the four-seaters. Make sure to contact them and reserve your cart now – your barn and trainer will thank you!

Got Rooms?

Get a jump on it and book today!  This location is beautiful and a vacation destination.  So make sure to book your rooms and condos now! Classic Company’s Official Lodging Partner is the pet-friendly Land’s Inn at 2545 Savannah Highway in Charleston.  The Land’s Inn is approximately 18 miles from the show grounds and looks forward to welcoming you, your families and your four legged friends.  You can call them at 843-763-8885 or visit them on the web at creeksidelandsinn.com.  Make sure to mention you will be attending the Charleston Summer Classic shows.

If condo is the way you like to go and the phrase “seven miles from the show grounds” sounds good to you, the Classic Company recommends several and they are listed in the prize list. Most are located on Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island and all offer close proximity to the show and the beach. Classic’s newest lodging partner is Coastal Getaways of South Carolina and can be reached via web or at 843-789-4438. Make sure to book now for the show and vacation experience you will never forget!

Make sure to book now for the show and vacation experience you will never forget.

If you haven’t reserved your stalls or sent in your entries yet, please contact Classic Company immediately at 843.768.5503 or send them an email at info@classiccompany.com.

For those looking save the cost of postage, paper and personal time, make sure to go to Equestrian Connect, Classic Company’s Official Service Provider, to submit your entries today!

Equestrian Connect is Classic Company’s Official Service Provider and allows exhibitors to store their data one time, on the web, and then use that data to automatically fill out hunter/jumper entry forms across the country.  The service offers a free 45 day trial period for new members.  At the conclusion of the trial period, Equestrian Connect offers an annual subscription, or a “pay as you go” service. The service allows exhibitors to save both time and money.  This is the one-minute online entry service that will help you get your entries in on time and you to the show!

Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest:  Classic Shows are FUN!  Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best.  Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office fee added for credit card payments.

So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta this summer.  The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States.  For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at classicsponsorship@gmail.com.  All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.com.

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

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Katie Prudent and V Take Top Prize in $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.60m

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Katie Prudent and V. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius Dominate in $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m

Calgary, AB – July 12, 2013 –Two exciting feature competitions were held on Friday under beautiful blue skies for day two of the ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows. In the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.60m, Katie Prudent (USA) and V led the victory gallop, while Meagan Nusz (USA) and Vesuvius took top honors in the $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m.

The ‘Pan American’ Tournament continues through Sunday, July 14, featuring CSI 5* competition and $625,000 in total prize money. The weekend will highlight the $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup Parcourse de Chasse and $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup on Saturday, followed by the $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex to wrap up competition on Sunday.

The highlight competition on Friday afternoon was the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.60m with 28 entries jumping a course set by Peter Grant of Vancouver, BC. Jumping in the beautiful Meadows on the Green, six entries went clear to advance to the jump-off and five of those were able to also clear the short course without fault. Last to go in the jump-off, Katie Prudent and Michael Smith’s V had the fast time of 45.16 seconds for the win.

Second place honors went to Canada’s Ian Millar and Dixson, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, with a double clear round in 46.94 seconds. Belgium’s Francois Mathy and Polinska des Isles, owned by Mathy and Team Harmony, finished third in 47.10 seconds. USA’s Charlie Jayne and Alex Jayne’s Chill R Z finished fourth in 47.76 seconds. Fifth place honors went to the double clear efforts of Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Southwind VDL with a time of 51.09 seconds.

The afternoon’s 1.60m competition was actually the second win of the day for veteran rider Katie Prudent. Earlier in the day, Prudent guided Reed Kessler’s Onisha to victory in the $1,000 Jayman Jumper 1.40m. The win with V, an eleven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Landstreicher x Lennard, topped off a banner day.

Prudent describes her partnership with V as “a work in progress”, explaining that his high-spirited nature and boundless energy can sometimes make things difficult.

“I have had some great wins with him this year, but still I am not as consistent as I would like to be,” she admitted. “I think he is a very good horse. There is nothing he can’t jump and he is very careful, but I still get too much fighting from him and I am constantly working on that.”

Peter Grant’s course was big and difficult today, but V successfully cleared all of the obstacles to advance to the jump-off, which is where Prudent feels most confident in her horse’s abilities.

“He is the happiest when I can just let him go,” she detailed. “I always breathe a sigh of relief if I make it to the jump-off because usually my jump-off is better than my first round. The first round where I have to hold him back is a chore, but when I can let him go he is great. Everything came up well; it was just out of stride. When it’s a day like today where he listens to me the jump-off is always just fun.”

Prudent and V will compete in Sunday’s $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex and then head back to Europe to compete for the rest of the summer.

“I have a nice little tour with him,” she stated. “I am going to show at Dinard and then Valkenswaard and then a few other shows. I am trying to keep up with some of my students. I have Reed Kessler and Brianne Goutal and they are doing some of the five-stars, so I tag along to do the two-stars behind them. It is fun for me. My main job now is teaching, but I still just love to ride. I like to get out there and try. Once in a while I do it well and once in a while I don’t do it well, but I still feel like it keeps me sharp for teaching to be in there doing it.”

Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius Dominate in $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m

Friday’s competition concluded with the $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m, also held on the Meadows on the Green over a course set by Peter Grant. Out of 48 entries, Grant saw 18 clear the first round course without fault to advance to the jump-off. One entry chose not to return, so 17 combinations went head to head over the short course with eight double clear rounds. First to go, Meagan Nusz and Amalaya Investments’ Vesuvius set an unbeatable pace that would hold on for the win in 39.32 seconds.

Mexico’s Beatriz Franco Sol and La Guayaba finished second in 40.55 seconds. Clementine Goutal (USA) and Cloverleaf Farm’s Kelline Fonroy were third with a time of 40.56 seconds, and Canada’s Kelly Soleau and Itty Bitty finished fourth in 41.24 seconds.

Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius
Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius

Meagan Nusz, who trains with top show jumper Kent Farrington, has owned Vesuvius for three years now and has an unmistakable bond with the eleven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x Expert). The duo has many wins to their name and proved their trust in each other with today’s blazing fast round.

“He is the best,” Nusz praised after their win. “It is funny – I bought a group of horses with my trainer Kent and I didn’t try any of them. I just watched the videos and we bought them and trusted Kent’s opinion. When I saw the video of this horse, out of every horse that we bought, I knew he was the horse for me. I knew he was going to be something special for me and he has turned out to be just that. He is amazing.”

Going first in the large jump-off, Nusz knew that she had to set the bar high to challenge the other competitors, and that is exactly what she did. Only one other combination, USA’s Frances Land and her horse Merlin, were able to beat Nusz’s time in 38.89 seconds. The pair had an unfortunate rail at the last fence, however, to finish ninth.

Nusz noted, “It is always hard when you have to go first in anything and then to have a group of 16 top riders behind you. They are all my friends and we go back and forth every weekend. I knew that I had to go in and trust my plan and just put in a round that made everyone else chase me. That is what helped me out with Frances because she actually had my time but she got a little frazzled at the end. You have to put in a fast round and make people make little mistakes.”

Vesuvius and his skill and careful nature also helped Nusz get the winning time.

“He is a little bit spooky, which is good and bad,” the rider described. “I can’t take all the risks that other people can with horses that don’t look at this or that, but it is also good because it really keeps him off of the jumps. As long as you are consistent and you tell him what you want, he is there for you every step of the way.”

“Having a horse like that makes doing this really fun,” Nusz smiled. “He goes in the ring every time, every class, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 1.20m schooling class, and he wants to be a winner and that is a nice feeling. I think I have a stronger bond with him than any of my other horses. I just trust him so much and I feel like we have a really solid partnership.”

Nusz will show in tomorrow’s 1.50m competition and then heads to Europe where she will compete for the United States in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competition in Bratislava, Slovakia. On winning tonight at Spruce Meadows, she smiled, “It is always special to win here. Even showing here is special. Winning is amazing, but just getting to ride in these rings with the top amateurs, juniors and top professionals is amazing. It is a great feeling, and then to be in the ribbons and then to win is unbelievable.”

“They make it so special,” she continued. “To have a $15,000 class for the juniors and amateurs and last week they had a $20,000 – it is really nice. They do a really good job of trying to promote what we are trying to do. I’m sure all of us would love to be professionals one day and do this for real, so it is nice to go in and be competitive and get nice coolers and have a nice ceremony and win a little bit of money. We love showing here. We come every year, and winning here is unlike winning anywhere else. It just makes you feel really special and you feel like you’ve earned it.”

The ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows will continue on Saturday with the $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup Parcourse de Chasse 1.45m competition in the All Canada Ring as well as the $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup 1.50m to be held in the Meadows on the Green. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.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.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Katie Robinson Leads Amateur Hunters at I Love New York Horse Show

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Katie Robinson and Sutton Place scored the Adult Amateur 36-49 Hunter Championship at the I Love New York Horse Show. Photo By: Parker/Russell – The Book LLC.

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – June 12, 2013 – Katie Robinson of Deeridge Farms and her newest mount Sutton Place have continued their winning ways in the Adult Amateur Hunter division, this time capturing the championship tricolor at the I Love New York Horse Show in Lake Placid, NY. The pair won three over fences classes to capture the top honor in the 36-49 age group. Robinson also took home the reserve championship award in the Amateur-Owner 35 and Over Hunters with her longtime partner Rock Steady.

Just coming off of their Grand Adult Hunter Championship at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show, Robinson and Sutton Place once again had the winning ticket. Although Robinson has only been riding the five-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Valentino for a few short months, they are showcasing their instant chemistry in the ring. After earning good ribbons in the Pre-Green Hunters with trainer Brady Mitchell of Heritage Farm, Sutton Place was ready to win in the Adult Amateur Hunters.

On the first day, Robinson and Sutton Place claimed a blue ribbon over fences, and then returned to the ring on Saturday for two more victories to claim the Adult Amateur 36-49 Hunter Championship. “Sutton Place was a super star,” expressed Robinson. “He has really figured out his job, and it’s very exciting to have such a nice young horse. Every time he goes in the ring he wants to win. He’s so smart and he really gets it, so it’s very fun to take him to the shows.”

Robinson also competed in the Amateur-Owner 35 and Over Hunters with her second mount Rock Steady. The pair earned two second place ribbons over fences on Wednesday, and then won the under saddle and an over fences class on Thursday. Their beautiful rounds helped clinch the division’s reserve championship.

“I can always depend on Rock Steady,” noted Robinson. “He has a great rhythm and he loves to show. I always feel confident when I go in the ring with him because I know he is going to be perfect.”

Now Robinson will compete at Horse Shows by the Bay in Traverse City, MI, with Deeridge Farms before wrapping up the summer at the Hampton Classic and beginning to prepare for Indoors.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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