July 11th, 2013 Aiken, SC – Equus Events is gearing up for the third annual Atlanta Summerfest Show series taking place at beautiful Chattahoochee Hills (Bouckaert Farms) in Fairburn, GA. Due to the overwhelming success of the last couple of years a third week has now been added to make the series run August 8th-11th, 15th-18th, and 22nd-25th. “We have been sold out the last two years so when the opportunity came up to add another week we decided that giving exhibitors three options of shows would hopefully ease the overflow,” said show organizer J. P. Godard. “We are looking forward to returning this year with three great weeks of horse shows to offer.” Well known in the eventing world, “Chatt Hills” has been host to the USEA American Eventing Championships the last three years. The facility boasts an 8000 acre equestrian paradise filled with established pastures, lakes, and woodlands with ample room to ride, all located along the Chattahoochee River. The footing and stabling are both exceptional and the schedule allows for early days so exhibitors can enjoy the nearby lake, Six Flags, or the hustle and bustle of nearby downtown Atlanta which is only minutes away.
This year’s special features include a $5,000 Open Jumper Classic week I and $10,000 Open Jumper Classics weeks II and III, and a USHJA National Hunter Derby week I and III. As always, Equus Events will offer up some of the South’s finest hospitality hosting exhibitor’s parties each week as well as snacks and goodies at the ring daily.
Entries close for the Atlanta Summerfest July 29th and stalls are going very quickly. Please contact Equus Events at 803-643-5698 or info@equusevents.com for more information. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available. Please contact Megan Godard at 803-295-2094 or Megan@equusevents.com.
Other upcoming horse show dates to remember:
Aiken Fall Festival I and II
September 5-8 and 12-15 2012
Highfields – Aiken, SC
Featuring:
$15,000 Open Jumper Classics each week
$2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (wk I)
SCHJA Governor’s Cup Finals (wk 1)
Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Classes (wk 2)
Bridles and Birdies Team Relay Challenge to benefit the First Tee of Aiken (wk2)
Zone 4 Finals (wk2)
Parker, CO – July 10, 2013 – Jennifer Hulkko on Lisa Martinez-Bates’ Brego and Kim Barone on Hannah Pattermann’s Dolce Vita turned in stellar rounds to score wins in the 3’6″ Performance Hunters and kick off Summer in the Rockies V at the Colorado Horse Park. Hunter divisions drew many entries and competition was fierce, promising an exciting day on Thursday as riders return to settle the divisional championships.
Hulkko and Brego got the 3’6″ Performance division off to a strong start with a smooth, expressive round that earned them the win in the first over fences class. “I thought the course was great, a little different,” Hulkko said. “They had a bending line in there today. I thought the jumps were super inviting and the lines were flowing. It rode really nicely.”
Brego’s steadiness and consistency over fences make him a straightforward ride, according to Hulkko. “He’s really solid,” she noted. “He doesn’t look at the jumps. He’s got a big step through the lines, so it’s always nice and easy – if something is set long, you never have to worry about it.”
Hulkko rides for Randy Henry and Micca Henry-Sowder, and she began riding Brego two months ago to bring him back into the show ring. “I just started riding for them a few months ago, and they gave him to me to ride and get going,” she explained. “It’s been mostly just getting him fit, getting him in a program and getting in the show ring. He definitely knows his job, so I don’t have to work on details too much with him.”
Hulkko opted out of the handy round with Brego, who is for sale and had a prospective buyer coming to try him. The pair returned later to collect another blue ribbon in the under saddle class. Their absence in the handy round opened the door for another horse and rider to step up for the win, and Kim Barone and Dolce Vita laid down an impressive trip to claim the top spot.
Kim Barone and Dolce Vita
When Dolce Vita came out with a lot of energy in the first class, Barone chose to use that trip as a learning experience for the mare. “My horse was really fresh and kind of naughty in the first round, so I circled and schooled her to get her focused,” Barone explained. “In the handy, she settled in and was more focused.”
Hannah Pattermann, Dolce Vita’s owner, competes in the Junior Hunters. “She’s getting ready to go to Junior Hunter Finals next month, so showing here at the Colorado Horse Park is really good preparation,” Barone said. “Her owner will show her in the Junior Hunters this week and also in the International Hunter Derby.”
“She’s a lovely mare,” Barone added. “She jumps great. She really wants to give a beautiful jump all the time.”
The 3’3″ Performance Hunters were similarly competitive, with many top combinations coming out to vie for a chance at the divisional championship. Sarah Young and Kara Kahn’s Maverick won in the first round over fences, Sally Parks and Rachel Wood’s Caillou scored in the handy, and Audrey Buck rode Patricia Murphy’s Edwina to first place in the hack.
Parks’ plan of attack for the handy course worked to perfection. Riders began over a fence that proved spooky for some horses, then tackled challenging turns and a trot fence with different options. A five-section fence gave riders three options for fence 2 and two options for fence 4, a trot jump.
“I thought the courses were really fun and forward,” Parks said. “In the handy, I thought I needed a lot to fence 1, because I saw a lot of horses peeking at it. So I got a really good canter to fence 1, and then just looked early and saw the straw (the five-section jump) – I thought that was awesome, with the options.”
“The left turn to the birch was great, and very tricky,” she continued. “You had to go straight into the trot, and then get a big powerful canter to the oxer, go inside to the two-stride, and bend to the last fence. It was really fun.”
Parks trains Caillou for owner Wood. Wood rides Caillou in the Adult Amateur Hunters, 18-35, and will be showing him later in the week.
“We’ve worked hard on this horse,” Parks said. “He’s really funny. His name is Caillou, like the cartoon. Sometimes he can be tricky – sometimes he gets on his own agenda. But he’s really sweet and he wants to do a good job.”
She said his expression is one of his strengths. “He always has great ears,” she smiled. “He’s happy to do his job. He loves his job.”
In the Second Year Green/High Performance Hunters, Maggie Jayne and Pony Lane Farm’s Fredrick put in the most consistent performances. Jayne and Fredrick were first over fences, second in the handy and first in the hack. Their eye-catching first round was one of the highlights of the day’s action in the Olson Family Hunter Arena.
“It went beautifully!” Jayne said. “I thought the courses were great and the jumps were very appealing and pretty. We had a good time.”
She said her goal was to showcase the horse and his movement. “He has such a pretty gait and I always try to keep it smooth and relaxed and just have the jumps come and go,” she said. “He’s a good mover and a good jumper, and has a great attitude – calm and relaxed. So I’ve got the total package. I’m very lucky.”
Jayne’s younger sister, Haylie Jayne, also had a successful day, sweeping all three classes in the First Year Green Hunters aboard Starina B.
Laurie Jueneman and Rio’s Firefly
Laurie Jueneman and Rio’s Firefly edged out Maggie Jayne and Fredrick in the Second Year Green/High Performance handy class. Jueneman said she was pleased with the horse’s rapid improvement and felt the courses suited him well.
“I love the courses this week,” she said. “Everything’s flowing and really open, and that’s fun for us. This horse is super brave and a good turner.”
“I was particularly proud of the way he jumped the in-and-out today in both trips, particularly in the handy,” Jueneman added. “He hadn’t shown since last September – June was his first show – so this is only his third time doing the Second Years. I felt like he totally stepped up to the plate today. Every day he’s better and better and it’s just really fun.”
The Second Year Green/High Performance Hunter championship, along with the 3’6″ and 3’3″ Performance Hunter championships, will be determined Thursday as riders return to the Olson Family Hunter Arena for another full day of hunter competition.
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
Team Weber competing in the cones phase at the CAIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Scheytt Photography)
Aachen, Germany (July 11, 2013) – Chester Weber, the nine-time USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion, drove his way to stand on the coveted international podium in Aachen by taking a third place overall in the individual CAIO-4 competition. Proving himself worthy of his well-earned nickname, Mr. Dressage, Weber started things off by winning the Preis der Fa. Horsch – the dressage competition for four-in-hand drivers of the CHIO. During this first phase of the competition, Weber drove his team to a personal international record score of 31.2 , and dominated this world-class field by beating out reigning FEI World Champion, Boyd Exell for the win.
Weber followed things up the next day with a win in the team dressage and a fifth place finish in the cones phase; then he and his team successfully navigated the Wohnwelt Pallen Marathon course to take 14th place on the final phase, which earned him a third place overall finish. Standing on the podium in this prestigious world-wide competition, was certainly a proud moment for Weber and his amazing team of horses. “We will compete at Beekburgen and Caen to hone our skills,” said Weber, “then will return to the US in September to prepare for the National Championships in Kentucky.” Weber also added that all of the horses are training well, and that the 2013 summer tour is an important stepping stone for them on the way to the end goal of the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.
Weber’s winning team for this European season is made up of his own Para, Senate, Horus du Bois, and Boris W, as well as Splash and Uniek, owned by Jane Clark. Together, these horses showed their amazing power, grace and synergy both in Aachen and at the Saumur CAI-A4 in June, where Team Weber and Clark maintained a wire-to-wire lead to take the win.
As one of America’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber continues to be a driving force behind American four-in-hand combined driving, and promotes the sport wherever he goes by bringing in the ribbons. For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com.
Greg Crolick and Adrienne Marciano’s Grey Street. Photo by Diana Hadsall.
Williamsburg, MI – July 10, 2013 – Greg Crolick and Top Call Farm returned to Michigan to make their home state proud this past weekend. After an extremely successful spring season on the road, Crolick kicked off the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival by winning the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby on Sunday, July 7 with Grey Street, owned by Adrienne Marciano.
Crolick and the 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding delivered a seamless trip over the classic first round course, designed by Evie Frisque (Ontario, Canada), earning them an initial score of 90. That score put them in the second place position to come back for the handy round just behind Kelley Farmer and Praise who had earned a score of 91.
“The courses were great. I liked both rounds, and they weren’t too difficult. I had a few options for the second round,” Crolick explained. “There were three different tracks that you could take so that you were either really tight and really handy, a happy medium track or one that had you moving out a little wider and around.”
Out of a field of 31 horses, Crolick also made the top 12 cut off to return for the second handy round with his other two mounts, Beyond Belief, owned by Cloverlane Farm LLC, and Borencio, owned by Orchard Lake Farms LLC.
“Having the other horses go before Grey Street in the second round gave me a chance to change the ride with each horse,” shared Crolick.
Once he returned with Grey Street, Crolick seemed to have the course perfected, earning the highest score of the class, a 94, and successfully clinching the blue ribbon honors. Earlier in the week, Crolick also consistently rode Grey Street to high placings in the First Year Green Hunters.
“Grey Street was wonderful for the derby. We left him a little bit fresh since it’s week one, and now he’ll be even more prepared for this week and next week’s derby,” said Crolick.
Grey Street’s win was not the first derby success for Crolick and Top Call Farm this summer. Prior to returning to Michigan for the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival, Crolick earned a sensational second place with Carson, owned by Orchard Lakes Farm LLC, in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Country Heir II Horse Show in Lexington, KY. While in Lexington, Crolick and Carson were also named champions in the High Performance Hunter division.
Crolick will return for week two of Horse Shows by the Bay today, this week joined by several other members of the Top Call Farm.
About Top Call Farm:
Located at the beautiful Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, Top Call Farm is a full service riding and training program for horse and rider, owned by Greg and Jessica Crolick. Top Call Farm offers training of the show horse and rider as well as riding instruction for those just starting out. Top Call can also aid in the purchase or sales of your show horse. For more information, please visit Top Call Farm on Facebook.
Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Uzbekistan’s Umit Kamilov claimed Individual gold at the FEI Central Asia Jumping Championships 2013 in Astana, Kazakhstan last weekend.
Lausanne (SUI), 10 July 2013 – In a close-fought battle, the host nation of Kazakhstan clinched team gold at the FEI Central Asia Jumping Championships 2013 in Astana last weekend where Uzbekistan’s Umit Kamilov came out on top in a two-way tussle for the Individual title.
Horse-and-rider combinations from Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan lined out during the three-day fixture which took place at the Kazanat racetrack in Kazakhstan’s capital city.
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth largest country in the world. With over one million square miles of territory it is bigger than Western Europe, and it is neighboured, clockwise from the north, by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, also bordering the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan has been hosting FEI events since 1993.
Perfect Start
Victory for Erjan Magzhaev and Privat in the opening 1.20m Speed class was the perfect start for the host country. There were eight clear rounds from 38 starters, and Uzbekistan’s Okil Sabirzhanov and Tayson were more than seven seconds slower when slotting into runner-up spot ahead of Russia’s Juliya Seredova and Irbit who were a further second off the pace in third.
Sabirzhanov topped the following day’s Two-Phase competition in which the second-round fences stood at 1.30m. There were 22 starters in this class and three were eliminated in the opening round while there was a total of seven first-round clears. Only the eventual winner and Russia’s Alexander Tishkov recorded double-clear performances however, Tishkov and Calipso having to settle for second place when Sabirzhanov’s Tayson broke the beam fractionally quicker.
And the strength of the Kazakh squad was underlined when home riders filled six of the top nine placings in this class including Magzhaev with Camelot in third and Iriina Sverchkova with Kholidey in fourth.
Team Competition
The team medal-decider also took place on the second day with four nations, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia, each represented by full teams of four horse-and-rider combinations.
Kyrgyzstan held a significant five-point lead at the halfway stage when Valentina Dubolazova’s 12 faults with Zemfira was discounted and only the eight collected by both Azim Kermaliev (Landame) and Renat Galimov (Arman) had to be added to the four picked up by anchorman Sadyr Mamytov (Tuintendro) bringing the total to 20.
The Kazakhs lay second with 25 faults ahead of Russia in third with 28 and Uzbekistan close behind in fourth with 29.
It all fell apart for Kyrgyzstan in round two however when they had to add another 40 faults to bring their final tally to 60, sending them plummeting from first to last place.
Meanwhile the Kazakhs improved with just 20 to add this time out after both pathfinder Peter Solovyov (Luzie) and second-line rider Asset Tolkumbekov (Aronia), returned with eight faults apiece while anchorman Alexander Tishkov left just one on the floor with Quattro. Oleg Popelyaev’s performance with the French-bred It’s Me du Mesnil deteriorated dramatically as this combination, who returned with just five faults first time out, picked up a hefty 25 at their second attempt to provide the discard score.
None of that mattered however when things didn’t quite go to plan for the Russians either despite an opening second-round clear, the only fault-free run of the day, from pathfinders Olga Giss and Gledis. They looked like overtaking the Kazakhs when Karin Ruslan and Eliza followed with an eight-fault effort, but 12 from Juliya Seredova and Irbit and a further 17 from Sergey Shepelin and Cambridge ensured that they too must add a further 20 to their scoreline, leaving them just three faults short of the Kazakhs and in silver medal position.
Uzbekistan’s Feruz Abdulayev (Dorango), Umit Kamilov (Eloise), Vladimir Shmelyov (Lou Leveret) and Gairat Nazarov (Quattro Junior) claimed the bronze, with particularly creditable performances from Kamilov who improved from an eight-fault first-round total to lower just one fence second time out, and Gairat who picked up just a single time fault in round two.
Final Day
Kazakhstan’s Magzhaev and Privat headed up the AEF President’s Cup 135m class on the final day when coming out best in a two-way showdown with Kyrgyzstan’s Renat Galimov and Arman who faulted once in a slower time while Magzhaev jumped fast, clean and clear to take the honours.
The individual medals were decided in the Grand Prix, which was also an FEI World Cup Jumping qualifier for the region, and therefore strongly contested.
Just 12 lined out over the considerably bigger 140m-160m course, and there were two first-round eliminations including that of 2011 FEI Central Asia individual gold medallist Peter Soloyov. There were no clears in round one, but when both Uzbekistan’s Kamilov and Ukraine’s Konstantin Iaroshenko finished with eight faults each they went through to a second-round jump-off against the clock, with Uzbekistan’s Okil Sabirzhnov already assured of the bronze after posting the fastest 12-fault total with Tayson.
Despite picking up another seven faults, Kamilov won through to take the gold when Iaroshenko returned with 13 more to add to his scoreline. It was an impressive conclusion to the Championships from an Uzbeki perspective, as they claimed individual gold and bronze while Vladimir Shmelyov finished just outside the medals in fourth place.
FEI Courses
Alongside all the action and excitement in the arena, the Equestrian Federation of Kazakhstan staged two FEI training courses, for Endurance Level 1 national judges and FEI veterinarians. Mr Hallvard Sommerseth from Norway was the main speaker on the topic of Endurance while both FEI 1st Vice-President and Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee, Mr John McEwen, and Director of the FEI Veterinary Department, Graeme Cooke, addressed the veterinary delegates from Asian countries.
During the course of discussions on veterinary matters, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture, and the Chief Veterinary Officer of Kazakhstan, expressed the desire to improve the practicality of government requirements for the movement for international competition horses and for them to lead the way in this regard for other countries in the Central Asia region. This could include the establishment of disease-free zones for competition horses.
Results:
FEI Central Asia Jumping Team Championship: GOLD – Kazakhstan 45 faults: Luzie (Peter Solovyov) 12/8, Aronia (Asset Tolkumbekov) 12/8, It’s Me du Mesnil (Oleg Popelyaev) 5/25, Quattro (Alexander Tishkov) 8/1; SILVER – Russia 48 faults: Gledis (Olga Giss) 8/0, Eliza (Karen Ruslin) 16/8, Irbit (Juliya Seredova) 16/17, Cambridge (Sergey Shepelin) 4/17; BRONZE – Uzbekistan 50 faults: Dorango (Feruz (Abdeulayev) 26/29, Eloise (Umit Kamilov) 8/1, Lou Leveret (Vladimir Shmelyov) 12/16, Quattro Junior (Gairat Nazarov) 9/1.
Lausanne (SUI), 9 July 2013 – Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and her 11-year-old Olympic partner Valegro have reclaimed the world number one spot in this month’s FEI World Dressage Rankings.
The London 2012 double gold medallists, who won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle to Music at the recent CDIO 5* Rotterdam (NED), top the rankings with 2,912 points to give them a 13-point lead over Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) and the 16-year-old Jerich Parzival. The Dutch rider’s chestnut KWPN gelding was successfully treated for cardiac arrhythmia but has been out of action for the last few weeks.
Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions 2013 Helen Langehanenberg (GER) and Damon Hill NRW are in third place with 2,802 points.
There are few other changes in the Top 10, with Edward Gal (NED) and Glock’s Undercover up one place to fourth on 2,518 points and Germany’s Kristina Sprehe and Desperados in fifth on 2,517, just one point behind Gal.
The biggest mover in latest rankings is that of Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer and August Old who have moved from 49th to 12th place thanks to their victory in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special on home ground at CDI3* Achleiten and their good performances in Aachen (GER).
The complete FEI World Dressage Rankings are here.
Unbridled Warriors Inc.’s mission is to provide equine assisted personal growth, equine experiential growth and services to military personnel and veterans.
Jacksonville, FL – July 9, 2013 – The Southeast Medal Finals brings some of the country’s top competitors and trainers to Jacksonville, FL, and this year the show is also bringing support of a new nonprofit, Unbridled Warriors Inc. All proceeds from live and silent auctions held during the show, September 19-22, 2013, will be donated to support the worthy organization.
Based in Green Cove Springs, FL, Unbridled Warriors Inc. provides equine assisted programs and equine interactive learning to military personnel, veterans, first responders and the families of these service men and women.
“Unbridled Warriors is a nonprofit created because we were seeing more and more military and first responders as participants in equine assisted programs, and most of them are limited in their ability to access that type of programming,” Unbridled Warriors founder StarrLee Heady shared. “This programming provides equine interactive learning or equine assisted programs that can help them deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, combat stress, relationship problems, intimacy issues – just about anything that comes up.”
Heady has worked with military personnel in similar programming pro-bono since July 2011, but as the need for the equine assisted services continued to grow, Unbridled Warriors came to fruition and received its 501(c)3 nonprofit status in January 2013. Now, Heady is thrilled with the opportunity that the Southeast Medal Finals has presented the growing organization.
“It just means so much,” she said. “It’s good exposure to the rest of the horse world. There are so many people in the horse industry who understand how much of a difference it’s made in their own lives to work with horses, but they aren’t aware that horses are being utilized to do this sort of service in our community. It’s just tremendous that another horse industry group would support us in this way.”
Southeast Medal Finals features the ASPCA Maclay Regionals, the Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals, the $25,000 Land Rover of Jacksonville Grand Prix, the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Southeast Championship and more. The four-day show is held at one of the premier equestrian facilities on the east coast, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, centrally located for USHJA Zone 4 and Region 3 competitors. The complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. With excellent footing and some of the top junior riders in the country, Southeast Medal Finals is the perfect preparation for the fall indoor circuit. To learn more about Southeast Medal Finals, check out www.southeastmedalfinals.com.
Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:
WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is an A-Rated indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders from USHJA Zone 4 and beyond.
WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and 500 permanent stalls.
FEATURES:
Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals
Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals
$25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix
ASPCA Maclay Regionals
CULPEPER, VA (July 8, 2013) – After piloting Caroline Russell Howe’s Caramo to the blue in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix the previous day, Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina rode to a win in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday with Paddy Ann Burns’ Calando Z.
Chopping and Calando Z led off in both rounds and topped 14 contenders over a course designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. The 13-jump track presented 17 jumping efforts, including a double combination at fence six and a triple combination as the second-to-last obstacle.
“Winning against these guys in Virginia is never a given – they are quick,” said Chopping of the competition. “The track was fair, but consistently difficult all the way around. The approaches to the combinations were technical – there was a half stride to the double and a tricky approach to the triple. Honestly, the hardest part was going first in both rounds – I was just lucky that the rounds that were faster than mine ended up with faults.”
After posting the first clear round of the day, Chopping was joined by five others, presenting a six-horse jump-off. Chopping quickly put the Great American Time to Beat on the clock at 45.80 seconds as the first to go in the jump-off.
“He [Calando Z] is very good in the combination, so despite me making a plan and then changing once I was in the ring – he judged those approaches well,” said Chopping.
In pursuit, Dr. Fernando Cardenas of New Hill, North Carolina and his own Quincy Car were second to ride, but picked up four faults in 44.61 seconds. Kyle Timm of Apex, North Carolina and Apex Equestrian Center’s Platinum were third to go and had the speed with a final time of 44.05 seconds, but had two rails for eight faults.
Patty Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and her own Carigor Z posted a clear round in 47.52 seconds, while Manuel Torres of Leesburg, Virginia followed close behind with the final double-clear effort of the day in 46.13 seconds. Capping the jump-off was Kama Godek of Farifax Station, Virginia and her own Air Force One. They finished in 50.35 seconds with four faults at the final jump of the course.
Behind Chopping, Torres finished second, Stovel third and Cardenas fourth. Godek capped the top five and Timm was sixth.
Chopping’s winning mount, a 13-year-old chestnut gelding, is an enjoyable ride. “He’s a very correct jumper – it is never difficult to get a good jump out of him,” said Chopping. “I always know that he is going to walk into the ring and do his job.” Grand prix competition will continue at HITS Culpeper with the $40,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday July 14 and returns to HITS Saugerties for three weeks, July 17 – August 4. Throughout the summer circuits in New York and Virginia, jumper riders will continue to ride for qualifying leverage in the preliminary Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings for a chance to compete in the historic class this fall.
$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix Torres got high-performance jumper competition started on Friday with a win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix aboard Fidelina. He bested all comers over the 1.45m course before moving on to second-place honors in Sunday’s grand prix.
Ragan Roberts of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania was second in the irons of Weslands Farm’s Vertigo. Third went to Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia and his own Remonta Habano. Rounding out the top five was Kyle Timm of Apex, North Carolina with Apex Equestrian Center’s Platinum in fourth, and Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida with Vanita, owned by Gaston Family Investments, LLC, in fifth.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation presents weekly jumper classes at HITS Culpeper. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Jumper riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus. The award, given at the conclusion of the circuit, includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Culpeper circuit.
About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, with a focus on both farm and companion animals. The company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion in 2012. It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information on the company, visit www.zoetis.com.
Amy Zettler and Glad Rags are two-for-two in Virginia
CULPEPER, VA (July 8, 2013) – Harold Chopping celebrated Fourth of July weekend at HITS Culpeper with two big wins, first in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Saturday, then in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday.
Chopping, of Southern Pines, North Carolina led the way to victory in the hunter ring, piloting the 16.3, Danish-bred bay gelding Caramo, owned by Caroline Russell Howe, to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Saturday.
Chopping and Caramo bested a field of 17 over a course designed by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York. The pair led the first round with a score of 87 and returned in the second round to post an 85 for a total score of 172.
“This was his [Caramo] first time in the ring this week, but he is one of the most consistent, reliable horses I have ridden,” said Chopping, who has been riding Caramo for two years. “He’s just a great guy to ride. He can walk in any ring for the first time and jump fair.”
Nipping at the heels of Chopping and Caramo in the second round, Paul Mathews of Somerset, Virginia and Terry Morrison’s Carino combined a high score of 89 with a first-round score of 79.5 for a total of 168.5, to finish in second.
Third went to Katherine Newman of Wellington, Florida and Mimi Abel Smith’s Lofty. They rode to a pair of 84s for a final score of 168. Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida rode Party Girl, also owned by Mimi Abel Smith, to fourth with a total score of 164. Silitch finished the first round one point behind Chopping with an 86 and pocketed a 78 in the second round. Denice Perry of The Plains, Virginia and Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare’s Tryonite rounded out the top five, posting scores of 81 and 79 for a final score of 160.
Before this weekend’s blue, Chopping and Caramo sat comfortably in the eighth spot in the preliminary Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final Rider Rankings. As qualifying for HITS Championship weekend and the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final kicks into high gear during the coming weeks, Chopping is confident that Caramo will make a respectable showing in the exciting year-end event.
”Some horses don’t do 3’3” well after being successful at 4’, but Caramo can come down and be great – he’s definitely headed for the final in September,” concluded Chopping.
$1,500 HITS Hunter Prix After three HITS Hunter Prix wins during the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, a win at HITS Culpeper in April and another at HITS Culpeper this weekend, Amy Zettler and Glad Rags are officially on a roll in the $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix classes.
The Aldie, Virginia rider and her 10-year-old gelding, whom she affectionately calls “Primo”, currently lead the preliminary HITS Hunter Prix Rider Rankings by a sizable margin and are eager to make another appearance in the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final this fall. Zettler, who trains with Peter Foley and Dale Crittenberger at Woodhall Farm in Northern Virginia, placed second in the inaugural HITS Hunter Prix Final in Saugerties, New York last year during HITS Championship Weekend.
Zettler and Glad Rags earned the top score of 83 in the first round and bested herself with a score of 87 in the second for a final score of 170 and the win.
“This horse is just fantastic and today was no different,” said Zettler after the class. “I love showing in Culpeper since it is so close to home for me. Our priority while we are here this summer is to qualify for the HITS Hunter Prix Final again – I plan my whole year around that class.”
Second place was awarded to Emma Fass of Newport News, Virginia and her own Son of a Soldier. They rode to scores of 74 and 77 for a two-round total of 151. Shelby Trible of McLean, Virginia and her own Costar were third after a 66 and an 84 for a final score of 150. Fourth place went to Dudley MacFarlane of Darien, Connecticut and her own Asante’ with a final score of 145, after earning a 65 and an 80. Allison May of Haymarket, Virginia and JLA May’s Milestone rode to fifth with a 76 and a 68 for a total of 144.
Riders in both the Devoucoux and HITS Hunter Prix with their sights set on qualifying for the Diamond Mills and HITS Hunter Prix Finals will have weekly opportunities to earn points as HITS Horse Shows continue in Culpeper, Virginia and return to Saugerties, New York July 17. Both finals will be highlighted during HITS Championship Weekend, September 4-8, in Saugerties. To stay current on all qualifying, visit HitsShows.com.
About Devoucoux Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the third-annual Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 7-8 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
About Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern Just 100 miles outside of New York City, nestled in the Village of Saugerties, Diamond Mills is a 30-room luxury hotel featuring stellar accommodations, fine dining at The Tavern and full-service events at a state-of-the art Special Events Center. Diamond Mills is a proud member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassed collection of over 520 luxury hotels around the world. Saugerties’ newest luxury hotel is also the proud sponsor of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson as part of the HITS Championship Weekend. For more information about Diamond Mills or the special VIP packages available to HITS-on-the-Hudson exhibitors, please visit DiamondMillsHotel.com or call 845.247.0700.
McLain Ward and Cadence Capture $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m
Calgary, AB – July 7, 2013 – The ‘North American’ Tournament finished today with two fantastic competitions in the International Ring. The highlight of the day was the $140,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby 1.60m, and Olympian Jonathan Asselin recorded a victory for Canada as the winner with Showgirl. In the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m, McLain Ward (USA) rode to victory with Cadence.
The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments continue next week with the ‘Pan American’ CSI 5* on July 11-14 and features the $400,000 Pan American Cup presented by Rolex on Sunday, July 14.
The 23 entries in the derby had a tough task ahead of them today. While the course was designed by Pamela Carruthers (GBR) in 1990 and is the same every year, it is a challenging, long track that asks a lot of horses and riders. They must do their best over 16 numbered obstacles that include two triple combinations – the derby bank and the grob – as well as three double combinations – a liverpool oxer to vertical, the table bank, and the vertical to oxer double liverpools.
Clear rounds are a rarity in this event. In the 565 attempts on course from 1990-2012, there have only been 17 clear rounds and Asselin was so close to recording one. He finished with just one time fault in 148.31 seconds, just .31 of a second over the time allowed. But it would be enough at the end of the competition to take home the win.
“I wanted to jump clean today,” Asselin acknowledged. “I ended up slowing down quite a bit going up the bank. I saw a deep one at the top and then I was very slow down the bank. I think at the beginning of the course I was fast enough to make the time and after the devil’s dyke I got a little careful. I really wanted to jump the rest clean and I slowed down a little bit at 14 and 15, the hedge and the double.”
Second place went to McLain Ward (USA) and Wannahave, who were on track to have a clear round until the final jump, when Wannahave slipped on take-off and went through the fence. They finished on four faults and stopped the clock in 144.13 seconds.
Ward explained that Wannahave lost his right front shoe after fence 14 and he saw it go flying by his head. “I know what happens when you lose a shoe on turf. It’s difficult,” he said. “I got a bit slow to the liverpool double so he was able to keep his feet, but I think when he had to set at the last (jump), he just lost that right foot and kind of slid into it and lost the ability to really push off. Maybe if I had kept going in seven (strides), he would have been a little lighter off the floor, but that’s a woulda, coulda, shoulda.”
With just a rail at the third element of the grob, Darragh Kerins (IRL) and E Muze Yek would pick up third place when they stopped the clock in 147.42 seconds.
Kerins said that the decision to enter the derby was last minute and this was E Muze Yek’s first derby. “I didn’t know what to expect today, but it looked like a fun class the first week and I really wanted to do it myself, so I just took one jump at a time and he handled it great,” he said. “He just got a bit green there in the devil’s dyke, but we’ll come back next year and try again and he will be more confident the next time.”
Kerins added, “This is the first time he’s ever been down a bank. We didn’t even school it before we came here or anything like that. The first week the devil’s dyke was an option in a 1.50m class and he jumped it fine that day so that is the reason why I went today.”
Wannahave competed in his first derby during the ‘National’ and since has been a winner in the 1.45m derbies in the All Canada Ring. “I think it has helped him,” Ward said of the 1.45m derby classes. “I am thrilled. He came here the first week never having jumped a derby and jumped the course well, but struggled with the naturals. Today he jumped the naturals like nothing.”
Ward also pointed out, “It was nice to see 23 in today. It really has to be said that Spruce Meadows has encouraged not only those smaller derbies, but also helping us practice the naturals a little bit because some of us don’t have those (at home).”
Asselin was “really excited” with his horse and his ride today. “I didn’t think I would win it and I really got a little lucky to win it, to tell you the truth. McLain was in time, very fast, and really got unlucky. But I’ll take it and what a treat!” he said with a smile.
Asselin felt that the derby would be a good fit for Attache Stables’ Showgirl, a 13-year-old Selle Francais mare by Gold de Becourt x Elf III, after a strong performance in her first derby last year. “This year I thought I better get ready and practice the devil’s dyke a little more. She has always been good with the natural stuff, but the devil’s dyke does take a little practice and she was as bold as could be and jumped it beautifully today,” he related.
Showgirl has “a lot of blood,” Asselin described. “She is very bold and she has a little character. She is French blood and a woman, so she is a little opinionated sometimes, but she is a really talented mare. We have had her for two years now and I have had a lot of fun with her. I think we still have some work to do, but the relationship is getting better and that’s a nice thing. At our age you don’t really expect that. She is 13 and I’m getting on and she is just trying her heart out more and more all the time.”
Winning in his hometown and for Canada meant a lot to Asselin. He expressed, “It sure is a real treat to win here at home with the crowd behind you. It is a big win for me and one I won’t forget.”
McLain Ward Scores Another Win with New Mount
Despite having first ridden Cadence last week, McLain Ward had confidence in his new mount. They have had a string of top finishes at the ‘Canada One’ and ‘North American’ Tournaments, and today was their first victory.
Ward was one of three that made it into the jump-off in the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m out of 36 entries. He was the first to go and put in an efficient round in 36.52 seconds with no faults.
McLain Ward and Cadence
Ward explained of his jump-off plan: “I was trying to be efficient everywhere without knocking a jump down. I knew if I knocked a fence down I was giving them a much better opportunity. They’re both young and hungry kids. They’re not just going to give it away. Wilton I know particularly well was going to try. It’s his nature. I thought if I put enough pressure, I could make them make a little mistake. I thought if I could be neat and slick, it certainly would be difficult.”
Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Domino came in next and were also clear, but their slower time of 38.72 seconds left them in second place. Wilton Porter (USA) and Radio City were the final combination, and while they made a great effort in 38.04 seconds, a rail at the final jump gave them third place.
Ward was pleased with Cadence, a horse that he had seen compete before. Cadence is a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Irco Marco owned by Procedures Inc. “I had seen him quite a bit,” he agreed. “I’m thrilled to ride him and thankful to Megan (Wexler) for giving me the opportunity to ride him. He’s been doing the big grand prix with her for a number of years now and I had seen him jump the first round of the World Cup Finals with Michelle Spadone. I knew the horse well. He was a little under the radar. I was nicely surprised when she asked me to take him and show him while she was pregnant. It’s worked out to be a really good thing.”
Ward said that Cadence has been “trying really hard,” and has fit in well. “He’s a wonderful horse and he’s a real gentleman. He’s so rideable that the time allowed is not a huge factor with him. He’s always trying to help you,” he described. “He’s a great competitor and knows his job. I had hoped, and he’s even better than what I had hoped for.”
Ward broke the $1 million mark in earnings at Spruce Meadows this week and noted that his win with Sapphire in the $1 Million CN International Grand Prix “helps a lot,” and that he hopes to keep attending Spruce Meadows for many years and increasing that number.
He added, “It’s great to see the prize money in our sport growing the way it is. It’s affording the opportunity for those of us who would really like to be professional riders to be able to do that in the way we would like to, and not have to cover as many job titles.”
Beezie Madden was rewarded for her consistency in the 1.60m division and won her first CN North American Championship this week with Simon when she finished on 362 points. She was awarded a $15,000 bonus as well as one year’s supply of gasoline up to $5,000 compliments of ESSO Imperial Oil. Reed Kessler and Cylana were second with 296 points for a $7,500 bonus, and Eric Lamaze was third with 272 points on Powerplay and picked up a $2,500 bonus.
Competition returns on July 11-14 in the ‘Pan American’ Tournament. 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.
