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Coudray Finishes in Tenth, Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Is Seventh in Aachen CICO3*

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister on their way to a tenth place finish (Shannnon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – Cross country day proved to be influential at the Aachen CICO3* at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister tackled the final phase with determination and finished in tenth place in a field of world-class horses and riders. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team finished in seventh place after unfortunate results plagued them throughout the day. Though a disappointing end, the horses and riders come away with valuable experience that will serve them well when they next contest an international competition on such a grand stage.

Coudray (Ojai, CA) and Ringwood Magister had a stellar round over Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross country course with 35 jumping efforts. The pair made light work of the extensive, challenging course. Adding 14.8 time penalties to their dressage score, she and Jatial Inc.’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding finished in tenth place with a score of 57.8.

“I am over the moon,” exclaimed Coudray. “He was absolutely playing with the course today. It obviously caused so much trouble. It was very, very tough. Very experienced riders had trouble. I went later in the day and I had not seen a clear round all morning, but he gave me such a good feel out there on the challenging course.”

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Universe hit a rough patch at 10c, having two refusals at the skinny triple brush following the Normandy bank. However, he and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding finished strongly throughout the rest of the course. The pair collected 85.6 penalties to finish on a score of 152.2 in 35th place.

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Pawlow set out on course looking to have a top performance for the U.S. team, but after Jennifer Mosing’s 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding pulled both front shoes early on course, it wasn’t meant to be. The pair had refusals at 8b, the corner in the Rolex water complex, and 21a at the STAWAG double corners complex, and then had an unfortunate fall at the last fence when the gelding lost his footing on the landing. Both horse and rider were not hurt in the fall.

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and RF Smoke on the Water began the course on mission but lost her line to 8b, the corner in the Rolex water complex, resulting in rider fall for Little. Both she and Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ 8-year-old Wurttemburger gelding came away unharmed, with an unfortunate result marring an otherwise successful year for the pair.

Of the 41 starters, three horse-and-rider combinations retired on course and three were eliminated.

Australia’s Christopher Burton and Holstein Park Leilani claimed the win after having the only double clear round of the day, finishing on their dressage score of 35.6. Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Opgun Louvo added four time penalties to their dressage score to settle for second place with a 35.8. Germany’s London Olympic Games double Gold medalist Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW incurred six time penalties to finish in third place.

Germany held onto the lead to claim victory in the team competition with a score of 134.6. Great Britain finished in second with 182.6, while Sweden was third with 219.0.

Learn more about the Aachen CICO3* here.

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

By Kathleen Landwehr

Millar and Dixson Victorious in $33,000 Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m at ‘Canada One’ Tournament

Ian Millar and Dixson. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Crooks Has Inaugural International Win, Swail Continues with Consistency

Calgary, AB – June 28, 2013 – The ‘Canada One’ Tournament had three feature competitions in the Meadows on the Green today with winners from three different countries. Canada’s 10-time Olympian, Ian Millar, took the win in the $33,000 Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m with Dixson. In her first international win at Spruce Meadows, Lauren Crooks (USA) and Navare D’Oriolles were fastest in the $33,000 Westjet Cup 1.45m. Conor Swail of Ireland rode Game Ready to victory in the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45m.

The ‘Canada One’ Tournament wraps up on Sunday with the $100,000 Esso Challenge, the third FEI World Cup qualifier to be held at Spruce Meadows this summer. Admission and parking are complimentary for this week.

The $33,000 Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m had 44 entries, and they competed over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Canada. Five were clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. First up was Eric Navet (FRA) on Quanto Fino 2. They were clear in a conservative time of 47.420 seconds for third place.

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam brought the winning pace down to 46.701 seconds on Diktator van de Boslandhoeve, which would hold up for second place. Fourth place went to Leslie Howard (USA) on Utah after they had four faults in 43.447 seconds.

Millar and Dixson were next in and they started with speed to the first jump. They finished with no faults in a quick time of 42.999 seconds. Millar said afterward, “Dixson’s a naturally fast horse. My idea was to go along as quickly as I could without putting the jumps at too big a risk. It boiled down to a very efficient round. I didn’t need to go quite as fast, but you never know with one behind you. You hate to leave it. I wanted to make sure.”

The last horse in was Skylubet with Nicolas Pizarro of Mexico. They had eight faults in 47.801 seconds for fifth place.

Millar has been competing at Spruce Meadows since its inception and he was happy to win with yet another horse in the main ring. This is Dixson’s first year competing at Spruce Meadows and his first win. The 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding is by Vigo D’Arsouilles x Olisco and owned by Susan and Ariel Grange. “He seems to enjoy Spruce Meadows. He’s a grand horse and I have big hopes for him,” Millar said.

He continued, “What Spruce Meadows has done for our sport in Canada is unbelievable. It’s helped to make our teams competitive around the world. That’s a big deal. It continues to help with the development of the riders. We’d have to travel to Europe and all over the place to get the experience and exposure for our riders and horses. It wouldn’t be practical to do. Here we have it right in our own country. I’ve been a great believer and supporter of Spruce Meadows. It’s a real thrill for me to have continued success here.”

Millar said that the level of show jumping at the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments has “risen tremendously.” He recalled, “If you go way back, it used to be one week here, then two weeks, and now we have five weeks of jumping. It used to be national and some Americans would come, and now it truly is international with top riders from all over the world. It’s just as competitive in many ways as the ‘Masters’ would be. You’re only as good as those you compete against, so to have this opportunity to be pushed by these horse/rider combinations that are so fantastic is just nothing but good for us.”

Millar was complimentary of Dixson and even drew some parallels to his most famous partner, Big Ben, noting that in the maternal bloodlines, he believes Dixson’s grandmother is Big Ben’s full sister. “Talk about an interesting thing. Okay, am I imagining things to say there are certain similarities in the character? But there really are,” he expressed.

While Millar terms Dixson as “a very easygoing guy,” he still has a very strong character, and that it takes persuasion and not force to make him successful. “You have to get him to buy into the ideas. You have to sort of sell it to him and convince him as to why he should partner with you on a certain venture. Then he’s right with you all the way,” he described.

Millar believes that Dixson has this in common with all top horses. “I believe that if you have to take the wins from a horse, there is a finite number of wins you can take. If a horse gives you those wins, the number that you may receive is infinite,” he commented. “Dixson gives me his efforts. I didn’t take anything tonight; he was right in the game with me.”

Lauren Crooks and Navare D'Oriolles
Lauren Crooks and Navare D’Oriolles

Crooks Takes First International Win at Spruce Meadows

The finish of the $33,000 Westjet Cup 1.45m could not have been any closer, with only one-thousandth of a second separating first and second place. With the slimmest margin of victory, Lauren Crooks (USA) and Navare D’Oriolles, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Derby Rouge x Le Gregol owned by Beatrice Mack, scored their first international victory at Spruce Meadows.

Crooks was one of eight combinations that made it to the jump-off. She and Navare D’Oriolles set the winning time at 39.833 seconds. Three horses later, Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Wang Chung M2S sped around the shortened course and finished a hair slower in 39.834 seconds. While the results are usually recorded to the hundredth of a second, it was necessary to go to the third decimal point to find the winner.

“The jump-off was a little tricky,” Crooks admitted. “There was a tight turn back inside to the wall. I honestly think that’s where I made up most of my time. My horse is so brave and he just found that exactly how I wanted it. I was then able to fly to the last jump on another inside turn. He really stepped up to the plate.”

Third place went to Jill Henselwood (CAN) and New Idol Z, who had one time fault in 46.62 seconds. Jordan MacPherson (CAN) and Piccobello du Val de Geer made a great bid for the win in 37.55 seconds, but had a heartbreaking rail at the last jump.

Going into the jump-off knowing she still had five coming after her, including Lamaze, Crooks knew she had to stick to her plan. “I didn’t try to think about how fast Eric would be and let it affect my riding,” she remembered. “I just had to go as fast as I could. My horse is so quick in the air and so efficient over the ground that I really just had to steer him and be as comfortable as I could with that pace. He was wonderful.”

Crooks has been riding Navare D’Oriolles since November. She and her brother Sean recently moved their business, Crooks Show Jumping, back to their hometown of Seattle, WA, from New York and Florida. Navare D’Oriolles was previously ridden by Francis Tress Roig, who competed with him at the Central American Games. More recently, he showed in the junior jumpers with owner Beatrice Mack. He is currently for sale and campaigning with Crooks, who started in the 1.40m division this winter in Florida and finished second in the CSI 2* Thursday event at Thunderbird before Spruce Meadows.

Crooks described him as “so honest and light on his feet.” She added, “He’s scopey and you can just sit there and let him do his job. It’s wonderful because he’s really straightforward.”

Having arrived at Spruce Meadows a week ago, Crooks has made the most of her time here having won a 1.40m competition yesterday and her first international competition today. She said with a smile, “I’ve won (at Spruce Meadows) in the past, but yesterday was my first ‘Spruce cooler.’ Today and yesterday, I’ve been checking off big milestones for me. I’ve always looked up to the riders who ride in the International Ring here. It’s one of the hardest venues in the world. It’s always been a dream of mine to win here and to win in the bigger divisions too. This is just one step that I’ve checked off.”

When asked if she has ever seen a victory of this margin before, she laughed, “No. I’m just grateful my horse has a long neck and I kicked as hard as I could, I guess!”

Conor Swail and Game Ready Continue Consistency

Conor Swail and Game Ready
Conor Swail and Game Ready

With so many entries in the 1.45m today, it was split into two $33,000 competitions. The first of those was the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45m and the winner was Conor Swail on Game Ready, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Andiamo x Polydox owned by Susan Grange. They were the fastest clear in 38.41 seconds out of seven in the jump-off and 40 total entries.

Second place went to Brianne Goutal (USA) on Zernike in 38.89 seconds, while Abigail McArdle (USA) and Cosma 20 were third with a time of 42.36 seconds.

Swail recounted, “In the jump-off, Brianne went in just in front of me and I was able to see her. She had a very good round, but he is also a very fast horse. It gave me a good idea of the speed that would be needed. Thankfully I beat her and no one beat me.”

While Game Ready has been showing in the 1.50m division, Swail decided to step him down to the 1.45m. “He obliged nicely and he enjoyed his easier day!” Swail commented.

Game Ready has a unique way of going, and Swail revealed that it took a while for their partnership to click. “I found him challenging,” he said. “The new relationship took a little while. He’s quite sensitive and he has his own way. I think it took him a while to get to know me also. It’s paying off now. He’s been unbelievably consistent since Florida. We’re both on the same page now.”

He continued, “He’s very careful. I never feel like I’m going to knock many jumps down. I think where he gets his speed (is that) he’s a little low. He’s good with his body and gets it high enough. It never feels unconventional even though sometimes it looks not so smooth. You have full confidence in him.”

While many find the path to victory in doing less strides than the horse in front of them, Swail thinks that Game Ready is faster because he doesn’t leave strides out. In turn, the horse stays confident. “He can do more steps and be faster. He’s shifty and very fast to turn. That’s where he gets a lot of his speed from,” he explained. “You can be quite safe with him and still be fast. I like my rounds to be repeatable. I like to be able to do that every time, not go and do something silly and hope you get away with it. I always try to keep the confidence high in my horses. We all want to win, but maybe sometimes it’s better to be second or third if you keep your horse happy and comfortable.”

Today’s win was yet another placing for Swail, who has had an incredible series having placed in 15 of the 19 FEI events offered so far. “It’s been unbelievable. It’s not normal,” he conceded. “The horses have just been amazing and I’m lucky to have Sue and Ariel Grange and her family giving me the opportunity. It’s a good relationship.”

The ‘Canada One’ Tournament continues tomorrow with the $25,000 Direct Energy Derby 1.45m in the All Canada Ring and the $50,000 RBC Financial Cup 1.60m in the Meadows on the Green. For full results and more information, 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.

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

Perfectly Winning Ways Continue as Ots and Cutler Farm’s Verida Win First Intermediaire-1

Endel Ots and Cutler Farm’s Verida. (Photo courtesy of Stacey Jenkins)

Wellington, FL (June 28, 2013) – What else can you possibly say but, “Wow.”  Endel Ots and Cutler Farm Dressage’s Rosseau-bred Verida have aced their every debut test this season.  So far their record at the FEI level is perfect: 3 for 3.

The winning streak began in Florida in April, with a 69.868% in the mare’s first-ever FEI Prix St. Georges, at Dressage National 5 during the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.  That was followed by an even higher score in their next Prix St. Georges together, and has continued smoothly down centerline to a 69.20% victory in her first Intermediaire I, at the Poplar Place Farm Dressage Show, June 15-16, in Hamilton, GA.

“The mare is very solid, and is a super tryer,” said Ots, following that first big win at I-1 level. “Verida loves her job and comes out of the stall with a can-do attitude. That always makes the training process go faster. She is very forgiving and would make a super horse for an Adult Amateur or Junior Young Rider.”

Not that much has to be forgiven with Ots.  “Endel is such a successful FEI competitor,” says Verida’s proud owner and owner of Cutler Farm Dressage, Donna Cameron.  “He has trained with so many prominent names, like Lars Petersen and Hubertus Schmidt.”

Originally from De Pere, Wisconsin, Endel Ots learned to ride on the Ots family’s Sunrise Farm and worked for DYB Dressage before accepting an invitation to to train with Schmidt in Germany.  Now operating Lionshare Dressage in Wellington, FL, with rider and trainer, Caroline Roffman, Ots trained the 2007 USDF Prix St. Georges Horse of the Year, was the Developing Horse Grand Prix Reserve Champion at the Young Horse Championships, and is no stranger to scoring above 75% in USDF Intermediaire I and Intermediaire I Freestyles.  Ots also has worked with Heather Blitz and is a sought after clinician who has been hosted by Cutler Farm and elsewhere.

“Verida has proven herself in the show ring,” Cameron said, and for her the win is a little bitter sweet as Verida was purchased as an investment prospect.  “She is really showing her ability at the FEI level and I may find myself having to compete against her in the future. She is proving she will be hard to beat,” laughed Cameron, who is also in pursuit of earning  her USDF Silver Medal. “ I know Verida is destined to become someone’s incredible dressage partner.” Verida will stay in training with Endel Ots at Lionshare Dressage in Wellington until she is sold.

Cutler Farm is dedicated to providing the very highest quality facility with top notch training and instruction, with an eye to including everyone in this educational space.  Cutler Farm emphasizes the mind-body connection through yoga, pilates, Feldenkreis Movement and Alexander Technique, and has now expanded to include biomechanics for horse and rider under Heather Blitz’s instruction.

For information on Cutler Farm Dressage, visit their website at www.cutlerfarmdressage.com.

For more information contact:
Donna Cameron
Cutler Farm Dressage
508 359 2192
info@cutlerfarmdressage.com

Friday Night at Alltech National Horse Show Honors Equestrian Aid Foundation

Charlie Weaver shown here competing at Upperville is memorialized with the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund.

Lexington, KY – June 28, 2013 – The 2013 Alltech National Horse Show announced today that Friday night at this year’s show will host Equestrian AID Foundation Night. During the Friday evening performance the horse show will share fifty percent of the night’s gate receipts with the Equestrian Aid Foundation.

The third edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is scheduled for October 29 – November 3, 2013. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. For the second year in a row, the Alltech National Horse Show was named the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame’s Horse Show of the Year and was again named as one of NARG’s (North American Riders Group) top rated North American events.

In addition to sharing in the gate receipts, the Equestrian Aid Foundation will be sponsoring the Friday night party at Gracie Street Garden in the Alltech Arena.

“Once again the tradition of the ANHS is carried forward in Lexington Kentucky, in a first class way and EAF is honored to be a part of Friday evening,” said R. Scot Evans, President of the Equestrian Aid Foundation.

“The Alltech National Horse Show is proud to give back to the equestrian community,” said Mason Phelps, Jr., the President of the National Horse Show Association. “One of the ways that we can do that is by helping first class organizations like the Equestrian Aid Foundation.”

Equestrian Aid Foundation’s mission is to build a membership based organization to assist anyone in the equestrian world suffering from life threatening illness, catastrophic accidents or injuries by providing direct financial support for their medical or other basic needs. Their pledge is to treat their clients with dignity and respect while promising their members and sponsors the highest level of fiduciary responsibility with their dues and donations.

EAF President Scot Evans and 2013 EAF Luminary Award winner Bruce Duchossois by Tom Tracy Photography
EAF President Scot Evans and 2013 EAF Luminary Award winner Bruce Duchossois by Tom Tracy Photography

The 501(c)3 Equestrian AIDS Foundation (EAF) was founded in 1996 by six time Olympic Dressage rider, Robert Dover, Olympian Mason Phelps, Jr. and Robert Ross. Shortly thereafter R. Scot Evans, Gene Mische and Kim Tudor joined the team.  Their first board directive stated that EAF would provide direct support to equestrians living with HIV/AIDS. And provide they did, helping equestrians in need for the past 17 years. Financial support from EAF is provided directly to the petitioning equestrian or their representative. Funds donated to EAF are used to provide various essentials that may include medical needs, health insurance, food and housing, transportation, physical therapy and more.

One of the focuses of the EAF is the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund, ‘Assisting Horsemen in Need – Today, Tomorrow and Always.’

“It only seems fitting to celebrate the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund and assisting equestrians for years to come,” Evans added. “Charlie loved riding the hunters at the Madison Square Garden back in the day and he will always be remembered as a consummate horseman who cared for everyone.”

The Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund is an investment in the equestrian community’s health and well-being for future generations. As an endowment fund for the Equestrian Aid Foundation and a commitment to its enduring mission, the Legacy Fund will ensure long-term benefits exist to help equestrians in dire need of assistance. Donations to the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund will create the financial safety net needed to ensure that the mission to help others lives on for many years to come. With support from caring people, EAF will continue to offer a helping hand, a kind word and a promise of hope during a difficult time.

To make your donation by mail, click here to download the donation form, print it out and mail it to:

Equestrian Aid Foundation
11924 W Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 22-377
Wellington, Florida 33414

The 2013 Alltech National Horse Show takes center stage on October 29 – November 3, 2013, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to the top rated hunters and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, the show features world-class international, open, junior and amateur-owner jumpers competing for the biggest prize money on the United States indoor tour.

Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.

For more information on the National Horse Show Association of America, Limited, please visit www.nhs.org.

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

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

2013 Alltech National Horse Show Fast Facts

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

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

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

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

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

Email:
NationalHS@aol.com

Website:
www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALLTECH MEDIA CONTACT:

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

ALLTECH NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:

Re: News and Information:

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

Re: Media Credentialing:

Classic Communications
38 Mechanic Street – Suite 101
Foxboro, MA 02035
508-698-6810 (phone)
508-698-6811 (fax)
info@classic-communications.com
www.classic-communications.com

Land Rover US Eventing Team Sits in Sixth with Coudray in Tenth Individually at Aachen CICO3*

Will Faudree and Pawlow (Shannon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – The fifth and final discipline hosted at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicked off Friday, with many of the top eventers from throughout the world going head-to-head. Two of the three phases of CICO3* competition were held as elite combinations performed their dressage tests and went to task over a demanding show jumping track.

The U.S. will head out onto Saturday’s cross country in sixth place with all to play for. The four Land Rover Competition Grant recipients represented the U.S. admirably on Friday in Aachen’s electric atmosphere.

Dressage

Competition in the Aachen CICO3* began early Friday morning in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with 42 combinations completing their dressage tests. At the conclusion of the dressage, the U.S. stood in sixth place in the team standings but within striking distance on a score of 133.4. Germany held the early lead with a team total of 109.4, Australia stood second with a score of 120.2, and third place was occupied by the Swedish team on a score 123.60.

Leading the effort in the first phase for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team was 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games veteran Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow. The 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred has completed many of the world’s most prestigious CCIs and demonstrated his experience with one of his best tests to date on Friday. The talented combination scored 40.6 and stood 13th following the dressage.

“I was very happy with him in dressage. He was very rideable,” said Faudree of his experienced mount. “I made a mistake in the beginning but we were able to patch it together. I was pleased with his mark but I know there is still more to come so I am looking forward to getting there.”

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) rode in the second spot for the U.S. with Jatial Inc.’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ringwood Magister. The 2012 Olympic Games veterans performed their trademark accurate dressage test which was only marred by a mistake in the first half pass. They headed into the evening’s show jumping on a score of 43 in 20th place.

“I was really, really happy,” said Coudray about her dressage test. “It’s amazing when you have a 43 in dressage and are well down on the scoreboard. I couldn’t be happier with my horse.”

Riding Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water, Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) slotted into 28th place with a score of 49.8. The 8-year-old Wurttemburger gelding continues to mature each time down centerline and showed great potential for the future on Friday morning.

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Universe had the unenviable task of being the first competitors in the ring but were undeterred in their effort. Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was rewarded with high marks for his trot work to finish the first phase on a score of 50.6 to stand 31st.

Following the completion of the dressage, Germany’s London Olympic Games Individual Bronze medalists Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo led the individual standings on a score of 31.8.

Jumping

The jumping phase of the competition was held Friday evening in the Main Stadium. Many horses seemed to be affected by the noisy atmosphere as rails were routinely coming down over Frank Rothenberger’s 12-obstacle course. The U.S. team remained in sixth place with a two-phase total of 141.4 going into Saturday’s cross country. When the phase was over, the U.S. team remained in sixth place with a score of 141.4 going into tomorrow’s final phase. Germany maintained their lead on a score of 113.4 while Great Britain moved into second place on the strength of tidy jumping on a total of 132.6 and Australia fell to third with a 133.2.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Shannon Brinkman)
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Shannon Brinkman)

Coudray and Ringwood Magister were the top U.S. performers and had one of 15 clear rounds. While the Irish Sport Horse gelding was quite strong, Coudray kept him organized and on task to remain on their dressage score of 43.0, moving them up to 10th place.

“I am thrilled,” proclaimed Coudray about her jumping round. “We have been playing with bits and I was trying new bit today since the large stadium encourages the horses to get strong. He jumped fantastic and handled the atmosphere great.”

Faudree rode Pawlow masterfully as the gelding took in his surroundings in the expansive arena. Unfortunately the pair had one rail at the penultimate fence, 11C, moving them down to 18th place with a score of 44.6.

“I was happy. He jumped fantastic,” said Faudree. “I was anxious to jump clear through the triple and tipped too much with my body and he just tapped the back rail [of the oxer]. Overall, it went well and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

RF Smoke on the Water was also feeling fresh in the Main Stadium. Little used her show jumping expertise to keep the gelding rideable, having one rail at fence three. The pair sits in 29th place with a score of 53.8.

Montgomery and Universe were the first combination in the arena and unfortunately had four rails over the course. The pair, regarded for their tidy jumping, experienced a disrupted warm-up before the show jumping following the completion of the Tank & Rast-Preis – Jump & Drive. They look to return to form on Saturday. They sit on a score 66.6 in 39th place heading into tomorrow’s cross country.

Germany’s Auffarth and Opgun Louvo remained in the lead with a double clear round to stay on their dressage score of 31.8.

Montgomery will be the first rider out on cross country at 10:00am CEST followed by Little at 11:20am CEST. Faudree will leave the start box at 11:44am CEST followed by Coudray at 12:16pm CEST.

Learn more about the Aachen CICO3* here.

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

Another Successful Day at CHIO Aachen for US

Caroline Roffman and Sagacious HF (Stockimageservices.com)

Weber Maintains Lead Following Cones Phase, Roffman Is Second in CDI-U25

Aachen, Germany – Strong performances continue from the U.S. competitors at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. In the CAIO-4 competition, Chester Weber maintained his Individual lead following the cones phase. Caroline Roffman rode Sagacious HF to a second place finish in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix Test, while Laura Kraut had a second place finish of her own with longtime partner Cedric.

Dressage

Caroline Roffman made quite a statement in Aachen’s Deutsche Bank Stadium with Sagacious HF in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix. With the Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s 14-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, Roffman (Wellington, FL) rode a lovely, flowing test with quality piaffe and passage movements. The pair earned a score of 68.953% as the first combination to come down centerline in the Preis der Liselott und Klaus Rheinberger Stiftung class to finish in second place.

In the CDI4* Big Tour competition, Susan Dutta and Currency DC performed the Grand Prix Special in the Lindt-Preis class. She and Tim Dutta Inc.’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding moved well between the challenging sequences of movements in the test, earning a 67.042% to finish in sixth place.

Roffman withdrew her own Her Highness O from Aachen CDI4* Intermediaire I competition for veterinary reasons. Roffman, Team Veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell, and Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover had the welfare of the horse as top priority.

Driving

CAIO-4 competition continued Friday in Aachen with the Prize of Soers cones phase, which counted towards Individual standings, and following its completion Chester Weber remains atop the leaderboard.

Weber (Ocala, FL), driving a team he co-owns with Jane Clark, left all the balls in place but collected 1.19 points for just exceeding the time. The four-time FEI World Championship medalist was the winner of both Wednesday and Thursday’s driven dressage phases and looks to continue his domination in Aachen.

Weber leads the individual standings on a score of 32.39, two points ahead of reigning FEI World Champion Boyd Exell of Australia.

Also competing for the U.S. is Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) with a leased team from Koos de Ronde. He stands in 25th place after collecting 22.09 points in the cones on Friday.

Competition continues Saturday with the marathon, which will be the final phase in Individual competition and the second portion of Team competition.

Following Thursday’s driven dressage, the U.S. lies second on a score of 98.5 behind the Dutch Team who lead on 87.29.

Laura Kraut and Cedric (Shannon Brinkman)
Laura Kraut and Cedric (Shannon Brinkman)

Jumping

Laura Kraut continued her streak of success this summer with a second place finish in Friday’s RWE-Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen. On Cherry Knoll Farm Inc.’s Holsteiner gelding Cedric, Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) cleared the lengthy sixteen-obstacle course of German course designer Frank Rothenberger with a clean, efficient first round.

She carried that success into an exciting jump-off and put together an aggressive, nimble round, but wasn’t quite able to catch Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum. On Chaman, Beerbaum’s 38.12s effort was almost a half second faster than Kraut and Cedric’s 39.77s round.

Also representing the U.S. were Beezie Madden and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’. They had a couple of unfortunate rails down and finished in 27th place (from a field of forty-eight) with eight faults.

Eventing

The fifth and final discipline hosted at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicked off Friday, with many of the top eventers from throughout the world going head-to-head. Two of the three phases of CICO3*competition were held as elite combinations performed their dressage tests and went to task over a demanding show jumping track.

The U.S. will head out onto Saturday’s cross country in sixth place with all to play for. The four Land Rover Competition Grant recipients represented the U.S. admirably on Friday in Aachen’s electric atmosphere.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Teams here.

Chester Weber Takes the Lead at Aachen with Record Score in Dressage

Chester Weber and his team during the dressage phase of the CHIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Scheytt Photography)

Aachen, Germany (June 28, 2013) – American combined driver Chester Weber proved himself worthy of his well-earned nickname, Mr. Dressage, by winning the Preis der Fa. Horsch – the dressage phase of the four-in-hand combined driving at CHIO Aachen in Germany.  Driving his team to a personal international record score of 31.2, Weber dominated this world-class field and beat out current World Champion, Boyd Exell, for the win. “The team was fabulous to drive,” Weber described about taking the early lead in Aachen, “and it is humbling to sit behind them as they are like poetry in motion.”  Following this record score in the individual dressage, Weber also won the Team dressage Pries der Montello Immobilenmanagement GMbH & Co. with a 38.21 on Thursday, putting Team USA in second place overall behind the Dutch.

Weber’s winning team is made up of his own Para and Senate, as well as Splash and Uniek, owned by Jane Clark.  Together, these four horses showed their amazing power, grace and synergy to easily take two dominate the first two phases.  Proudly representing the US, Weber now leads the individual competition in Aachen.  “I truly believe they are the best dressage team in the world,” Weber added about the horses with a chuckle, “but I guess I am partial to them.”

This early victory will help drive momentum as Weber continues with the marathon and cones phases of the prestigious Aachen competition.  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.

For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
www.chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139

Ward Victorious Twice in One Day at Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament

McLain Ward and Zander. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB – June 27, 2013 – The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments are in their third week and the competition is as tough as ever. Two FEI-level events were held today at the ‘Canada One’ Tournament, which runs through Sunday, June 30. Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward and Wannahave sped to their second win in the summer series in the $33,000 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m. Ward won his sixth FEI competition of the Summer Tournaments in the $33,000 Cargill Cup 1.50m with Zander.

The tournament wraps up on Sunday with the $100,000 Esso Challenge, the third FEI World Cup qualifier to be held at Spruce Meadows this summer. Admission and parking are complimentary for the ‘Canada One’ Tournament.

The $33,000 Cargill Cup 1.50m had 55 entries, and 19 of those were clear rounds, but in the speed format of the competition, it was all about who was fastest over the course set by Michel Vaillancourt of Canada. Today, that was McLain Ward on Zander, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Cantos x Saygon that Ward owns with Grand Road Partners. They finished in 66.114 seconds. Reed Kessler (USA) and Ligist were just behind in second place in a time of 66.790 seconds. Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Victor placed third after they stopped the timers in 67.559 seconds.

Ward said of his ride, “Zander’s really coming along well. I didn’t want to run him off his feet today. He has a really big stride and it was a course where a big stride could come in handy in a lot of the lines. He’s getting so seasoned now at this level of jumping that you can take some nice cuts. Early on, with the wall being a bit funny, and the line to the skinny (fence), I could take a hard cut on it and I knew he was going to respond well. I was actually a little surprised the time held up, but sometimes you get lucky.”

Ward also placed seventh with Cadence, a new ride for him, owned by Procedures Inc. Cadence was previously ridden by Megan Wexler in the grand prix ring. Ward rode Cadence for the first time yesterday and this was their first competition together. “His owner is pregnant, so she asked me to show him. He’s a seasoned grand prix horse and he’s a nice addition to the string,” he said.

With his two victories today, Ward will gain FEI World ranking points. Many FEI competitions are on the schedule at Spruce Meadows, and it gives riders a great opportunity to increase their standing. While Ward said that the world ranking system is suited to the European style of show jumping, it is great to have as many FEI competitions as there are in the Summer Tournaments, “particularly here in North America where we’re a little bit isolated from the European scene.”

He added, “I’m a professional who just can’t pick up my business and spend the year in Europe. I try to find a balance and I want to stay current in the sport. I try to go to Europe enough to know where I’m at against the best in the world. If I do go to Europe, I usually can only take two horses, and if one gets a little tired or injured, you don’t have the luxuries that they have while showing on the continent or we do when competing here at Spruce Meadows or Florida. To have this opportunity, to do this in the same fashion as the Europeans do, it’s a great asset.”

With the devastating flooding in Calgary and the local communities, Ward commented, “It’s a tragedy, and you hear about things more and more with mass media. It was lucky that the weather didn’t affect Spruce Meadows. I’m a big believer that it’s great for things to go forward. It’s terrible when you have a tragedy, whether it be a natural disaster or a death, but you have to continue forward with life the best you can. Whether it’s Spruce Meadows or other public events, I think it’s good for morale to feel like life is normal, as much as possible.”

McLain Ward and Wannahave
McLain Ward and Wannahave

Ward and Wannahave Are Tops Again

Showing that the derby obstacles are no match for them, McLain Ward and Wannahave, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Manhattan x G. Ramiro Z owned by The Wannahave Group, sped to victory in the $33,000 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m over 61 other entries. Ward and Wannahave took all of the natural obstacles in galloping stride to finish clear in 61.490 seconds for the win.

The course in the All Canada Ring was designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio of the United States. There were 25 clear rounds in the competition. Second place went to Wilton Porter (USA) on Radio City in 61.568 seconds, while Leslie Howard was third with a time of 62.465 seconds on Lennox Lewis 2.

The AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m was another in a series of competitions at the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments that offered the natural derby obstacles in an effort to promote the derby style. Ward appreciates these opportunities.

“They have a series of these derbies, which are nice. Wannahave started out the Spruce Meadows tour a little bit not understanding the derby, and he’s gotten progressively better,” Ward noted. “He won in the second week and then today, so he’s really comfortable with the natural obstacles. That right there makes you faster because you can take a little bit more of a risk to them, as far as angles and leaving out strides. Now that I trust him with that stuff, I can just let his stride carry him and in these big fields, it makes him quite quick.”

Ward said that Wannahave is “jumping better and better” and they plan to show in Saturday’s $25,000 Direct Energy Derby 1.45m and is aiming toward the $140,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby during the ‘North American’ Tournament.

Having been a regular competitor at the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournament in the past and for the last three years, Ward has had a lot of success. “Last year didn’t win as much, trying to make the Olympic team and being injured; there was a lot on our plate. We have a good string of horses and it’s nice to pick up a few classes,” Ward acknowledged. “The horses across the board are handling it well, and my student Katie Dinan is doing great, which is exciting.”

With more entries than ever, the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments are extremely competitive, Ward said. “I think the level in the last three years has gone up a lot. There were always some good people here and it was always hard to win a class in the summer. But to get good ribbons, you could have a normal round and get a piece. That’s not the case right now,” he pointed out. “These classes are fast, there are lots of clear rounds, and they’re difficult. I think the level is quite good and for the next group down, for horses or riders, I think it’s a great education. You definitely have to be on your game to win here.”

The ‘Canada One’ Tournament continues tomorrow with the $33,000 WestJet Cup 1.45m and the $33,000 Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m in Meadows on the Green. For full results and more information, 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.

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

Dutch Win at Aachen and Soar Up the Furusiyya Rankings

Gerco Schroder produced the only double-clear performance of the competition to help The Netherlands to victory in the Mercedes Benz Prize. Photo: FEI/Kate Houghton.

Aachen (GER), 27 June 2013 – The Netherlands won the Mercedes Benz Prize, part of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series at Aachen, Germany tonight. In yet another thrilling leg of this inaugural season, the result lay in the hands of the final few riders.  And it was Gerco Schroder’s double-clear with the fabulous stallion London, the only one recorded on the day, that proved pivotal for the winning side when a last to go mistake from Ludo Philippaerts saw it slip from Belgium’s grasp.

This was always going to be an almighty clash, with the home team determined to rack up as many points as possible in their quest to qualify for the series final at Barcelona, Spain in September.  The Dutch had a terrible day on their home turf in Rotterdam just a week ago where Germany reigned supreme, but tonight revenge was sweet as the host nation had to settle for third place behind Belgium and it was the flag of The Netherlands that was flying high over the hallowed Soers Arena.

Eight Nations

A total of eight nations lined out, and France slotted into fourth ahead of Ireland in fifth, Switzerland in sixth, Great Britain in seventh and Saudi Arabia in eighth place.  There were only three team members in the Saudi Arabian side so they were always going to be under pressure, and they were already lying bottom of the order after the opening round as Frank Rothenberger’s imposing 12-fence track took its toll.

Even the opening vertical claimed a significant number of victims, while the rustic-coloured oxer at fence four also proved influential.  However, it was the line from the oxer at fence six to the following open water and on to two further verticals that posed one of the biggest questions of the day.  Time and again horses seemed a little startled at the open water which had an unusual looking turreted take-off board, and Belgian chances took a heavy blow when pathfinder, Gregory Wathelet, returned with 20 faults on the board after Desteny van het Dennehof seemed to give himself a fright here.  The last vertical in this line also fell regularly when the distance didn’t come up comfortably while the penultimate triple combination, with its opening planks and long stretch to the final oxer, played a significant role.

Halfway Stage

Despite Wathalet’s big opening score however it was the Belgians who were out in front at the halfway stage, counting just the single time fault from Dirk Demeersman and Bufero van het Panishof after both Nicola Phillipaerts (Cortez) and his father Ludo (Challenge V Begijnakker) went clear.  They had a significant six-fault lead over the French who were lying second even though Olivier Guillon and Lord de Theize were eliminated at the triple combination, both Patrice Delaveau (Orient Express HDC) and Eugenie Angot (Old Chap Tame) collecting just a single time fault while anchorman Kevin Staut (Quismy des Vaux HDC) returned with five faults on his first tour of the track.

Germany lay third carrying eight faults, Christian Ahlmann and Codex One providing the only clear as Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Bella Donna put a foot in the water and collected a time fault for the discard score while Daniel Deusser (Cornet d’Amour) and Ludger Beerbaum (Chiara) each made a single mistake.

The Dutch were in fourth and seemed to be already consigned to a minor placing with 14 on the board after nine-fault efforts from both opener Marc Houtzager (Sterrehof’s Tamino) and third-line rider Harrie Smolders (Emerald), a five-fault effort from Leon Thijssen (Tyson) and their only clear from anchorman Schroder. Ireland were in fifth with 21 faults, the British were in sixth with 22, the Swiss were next in line with 23 while Saudi Arabia were already burdened with 34 faults as the second round got underway.

Under the Lights

But how fortunes would change as the second round evolved under the lights.  The Belgian lead looked vulnerable when Wathelet didn’t appear this time.  “My horse was maybe a bit injured after the jump at the water.  We tried him over a few fences in the warm-up and he wasn’t happy so we decided he wouldn’t jump again,” the rider explained afterwards.  So when Nicola Philippaerts left the two verticals following the open water on the floor they would now be obliged to add those eight faults to their tally.  Demeersman steadied the ship with a great clear from Bufero however, and by now the French had disappeared from reckoning with an additional 16 faults, Guillon bravely returning to the ring but unable to assist his side when collecting 18 faults with Lord de Theize this time out.

The Germans meanwhile could not produce a single clear at their second attempt, Ahlmann picking up five faults, Deusser collecting four at the bogey vertical at fence nine, Michaels-Beerbaum’s Bella Donna again putting a foot in the water while her brother-in-law Ludger, hero of the day in Rotterdam a week earlier with Chiara, lowered the oxer three fences from the finish line.

Rallied

The Dutch however really rallied with brilliant clears from Houtzager and Thijssen.  Smolders nine-year-old stallion went into the water and lowered the first element of the triple combination but when Schroder and London produced the second of their spectacular fault-free performances then all the pressure was transferred to Belgian anchorman Ludo Philippaerts.

As he entered the ring for a second time the Dutch tally stood at just those 14 first-round faults while the Belgians had victory in their sights with only nine on the board.  Ludo could even afford a fence down and they would still come out ahead by a single point, and that’s how it seemed it would end as he rode down to the last with just the poles from the oxer at fence four on the ground.  But in his haste to get to the finish he saw a very long stride to the final vertical and the packed stadium of spectators gasped as he struck the fence.  “I rode for the time after the triple combination and went forward, but the horse backed off the last and it was too far; we had no chance,” a disappointed Philippaerts said afterwards.

Plenty to Celebrate

There was plenty to celebrate in the Dutch camp however.  Tonight’s success has earned the valuable 100 maximum points and moved them up two places to third spot  on the Europe Division 1 leaderboard which continues to be headed by the Swiss followed by France in second place. It was “mission accomplished” for Dutch Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens, who said, “We had mistakes in the first round but we fought back and the team did a marvellous job in the second round.  I’m very happy about that!”

It was a particularly great day for Schroder who took the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award for his classic double-clear with the very handsome 11-year-old stallion London with which he claimed double-silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games.  “I had two fantastic rounds.  London was in great shape yesterday; I was going to jump him in a small class but I decided to go in the bigger one and he was brilliant.  I’m really happy with him,” he said tonight.

His team-mate, Harrie Smolders, said, “It was fantastic how we came back in the second round.  This morning we had some problems with our horses and my nine-year-old had to compete in his first Nations Cup of his life, so to win in Aachen is fantastic.”

Talking about the course, Smolders said, “It was great, but not a typical Aachen course because the fences came up very quickly and the course was not so long.  For us though it was a great day!”  Schroder agreed with Smolders’ assessment of Frank Rothenberger’s test.  “It was a nice course; maybe everything came a little faster than we are used to; the time was quite short and if you lost time it was expensive – that made it more difficult,” he explained.

French team anchorman, Kevin Staut, said, “When we come to Aachen everyone is expecting a place on the podium, so we are down a bit. We had some good rounds from Patrice, and Eugenie jumped really well. My horse didn’t have any Nations Cup experience at all, and a big foot in the water jump in the first round coupled with Olivier’s horse not being completely in the competition meant that we finished where we did.”

“It’s an amazing atmosphere, and it’s always nice to ride in a Nations Cup in Aachen. I thought that this year was especially difficult, although it was two fair rounds with strong teams, and it was great that there was suspense right until the end.”

It was certainly another great day in the history of the sport of Nations Cup Jumping and, with the Europe Division 1 series now really hotting up with only three further legs to go, the next round will take place in Falsterbo, Sweden in two weeks’ time.  There will also be a leg of Europe Division 2 taking place on the same afternoon at Budapest in Hungary so there is another feast of equestrian action in prospect on Friday 12 July.

For information on the fourteenth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series at Aachen (GER), check out website www.chioaachen.de or contact Press Officer Niels Knippertz at Email niels.knippertz@chioaachen.de, Tel +49 241 9171 182.   The next two legs take place on Friday 12 July – at Falsterbo, Sweden, Europe Division 1 continues and for all information on the Swedish fixture go to website www.falsterbohorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Elisabeth von Schrowe, Email elisabeth@falsterbohorseshow.com.  Budapest, Hungary hosts the next leg of Europe Division 2.  Check out website www.csiobudapest.hu or contact Press Officer Dorottya Strobi, Email strobi.dorottya@lovasszovetseg.hu.

Facts and Figures:

The World Equestrian Festival at CHIO Aachen presents Germany’s largest and most prestigious sporting event.

During the 10-day fixture, organisers are expecting over 350,000 visitors and 112,000 had already attended by Wednesday evening.

The event has attracted 557 horses and 375 athletes from 30 nations who are competing for 2.67million euros in prize-money.

CHIO Aachen presents Nations Cups in five disciplines since 2008 – Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving and Vaulting.

The main stadium where the Jumping events takes place has a seating capacity for 40,000 spectators.

8 teams competed in today’s Europe Division 1 leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series at Aachen.

4 teams were chasing qualification points for the Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September – The Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and France.

Sweden won the first-ever Nations Cup at Aachen staged in 1929.

France claimed the FEI Nations Cup honours in 2012.

Today’s team from Saudi Arabia consisted of just three riders while all the other nations fielded teams of four.

The oldest horse in today’s class was the 16-year-old mare Tinka’s Serenade ridden by Ireland’s Billy Twomey.

The youngest horses were both nine-year-olds: Never Last ridden by Switzerlands’ Werner Muff and Quismy des Vaux HDC competed by Kevin Staut for France.

1 double-clear performance in tonight’s competition – from The Netherlands’ Gerco Schroder and London.

2 eliminations – Olivier Guillon and Lord de Theize (FRA) in round one and Great Britain’s Tina Fletcher who had a fall at the water with Unique IX in the second round.

Quotes:

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) – “I went into the water in both rounds.  After the first round we analysed it – I had been too deep, so I tried not to be too deep the next time and I came too big!  It’s Bella’s first Nations Cup at Aachen and her first under lights.  I’m hoping to improve her water jumping for sure.”

German Chef d’Equipe, Otto Becker, talking about his team’s performance – “We didn’t have enough clear rounds.  You need clear rounds, especially in the second round; we were not good enough today.”

Standings – Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping, Europe Division 1 after today’s competition HERE.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series, check out this link.

“Furusiyya” (Arabic: فروسيه) this single Arabic word conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At FEI:

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

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

At Aachen:

Niels Knippertz
Niels.Knippertz@chioaachen.de
press@chioaachen.de
+49 241 9171 182

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

Tim Welland
tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7787 780 036

Horse Radio Network Features Para-Driver Diane Kastama, Driver Keady Cadwell, and Evin Rattner

Diane Kastama.

Thousand Oaks, CA – June 27, 2013 – Horse Radio Network’s once-a-month Para-Equestrian Show featured both Para-Dressage and Para-Driving on Thursday, June 27. Lindsay McCall from the USPEA co-hosted the show with Para-Equestrian Driver Diane Kastama. Evin Rattner, who helped run the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Selection Trials and has worked multiple Para-Dressage shows, spoke with Kastama and McCall about his experiences with Para-Dressage and what we may expect in the future.  Internationally known driver Keady Cadwell visited the show to talk about the 2012 Para-Equestrian Driving World Championships. Cadwell was the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team and has been working with the Para-Drivers since 1998. To view episode #213, visit http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/06/27/dressage-radio-episode-213-para-week-goes-driving/.

Co-Host Diane Kastama of Arroyo Grande, CA:  In 1991 a car crash left Kastama paralyzed from the waist down. Although a lifelong horse person and dressage enthusiast, riding without the use of her legs was not much fun and she soon turned to driven dressage and then the exciting sport of combined driving. Her relatives and friends thought she was crazy for taking on a sport that involves sitting atop a tall carriage, pulled by a horse going “hell-bent” for speed.

Kastama, Grade I, started competing with her home bred Appaloosas but now Diane competes with a pair of Section D Welsh Cobs, Rupert and George. She drives them single, pair and tandem. She competes against able-bodied drivers all over the Western United States and occasionally on the East Coast at the Intermediate and Advanced level. Kastama has also demonstrated her skills at Rolex, KY, Horse Expo in Sacramento, the “Night of the Horse” in Del Mar, and the Equine Affair and various therapeutic horse programs throughout California. She has also participated in the closing ceremonies at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Kastama is always willing to share her skills and knowledge and bring driving to the forefront of equine sports.  Diane has been very successful in international Para-Equestrian competition, coming home with an Individual Silver and Team Bronze driving a borrowed Welsh Cob Stallion in 2002 Greven, Germany.  In 2004 she place 5th with a borrowed Welsh cob in Edinburg, Scotland.  In 2006 she came home with Individual Gold driving her own Welsh cob gelding Jasper.  In 2008 Kastama and Jasper earned Individual Bronze and Team Silver.

When she is isn’t competing or driving, Kastama is very involved with the United States Driving for the Disabled (USDFD) organization which helps to foster and grow the sport of Para-Driving. To learn more about the USDFD, please go to www.usdfd.org or contact President Bev White at usdfdpresident@gmail.com.

Guest Evin Rattner: Evin Rattner is the Strategic Officer for DevonWood Equestrian Centre in Sherwood, Oregon. He’s responsible for the company’s technical development, including network operations and show services. Evin is also co-director of DevonWood Competition Services, the show management and scoring service that is a product of the facility’s premium show services group that started in 2000. To date, Evin has served as secretary for the USEF Paralympic Selection Trials & National Championships at the 2012 Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey, as well as a long-running involvement with popular CDI 3*s, The Dressage Affaire and the Del Mar Classic in San Diego. Today, Evin joins us from Portland, Oregon where is he currently preparing DevonWood for its 14th annual running of the popular Dressage at DevonWood show. To learn more about DevonWood Equestrian Center, please go to http://devonwoodec.com/.

Keady Cadwell
Keady Cadwell

Guest Keady Cadwell of Southern Pines, North Carolina started her riding career as an eventer, and began driving competitively in 1990. Cadwell has represented the U.S. at three World Championships in the pairs; she was part of the U.S. teams in 1993 and 2007. In 2007, she also competed at Windsor (England), Riesenbeck (Germany) and Beekbergen (The Netherlands). At Riesenbeck, Cadwell had a tremendous dressage test, where they placed third out of 50 pairs in dressage.

Cadwell and her pairs team had a remarkable year in 2008, taking home wins at the Sunshine State CAI, Live Oak CAI, Southern Pines and the Kentucky Horse Park CDE.

In 2009, Cadwell took home the blue ribbon at the Sunshine State CAI in February, and placed second at the Live Oak CAI in March.

Since 1998, Cadwell has been involved with the U.S. Para-Equestrian Driving Team. She has participated primarily as a coach or chef d’equipe at nearly every World Championship for Para-Driving in the last 10 years. Cadwell assists fellow World Championship driver and sister, Miranda Cadwell, running the family’s Tremont Farm in Southern Pines, NC. To learn more about Keady, please go to www.tremontfarm.com.

Once a month the Dressage Radio Show becomes the Para-Equestrian Show Hosted by Lindsay McCall, of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, focusing on international FEI discipline Para-Dressage. Although Para-Dressage is the main event, listeners have the opportunity to learn more about the skillful U.S. Para-Driving Team, the Para-Reining discipline, Para-Vaulting, and the future of Para-Jumping. The para-equestrian dressage show will feature a line-up of guests including Olympians, Paralympians, trainers, coaches, professionals, amateur riders, young riders, and equine enthusiasts. The intention of the radio show is to educate, inform, and entertain listeners on the para-equestrian Dressage discipline.

To learn more about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or e-mail President Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org. You may also e-mail the host of the para-equestrian segment Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org.

To learn more about the Horse Radio Network, visit www.horseradionetwork.com; to contact Glenn the Geek, go to http://www.horseradionetwork.com/contact/ or leave a voicemail at 270-803-0025.

About the Horse Radio Network:

The Horse Radio Network is the voice of the horse world with listeners in over 40 countries. Eight different entertaining shows cover all aspects of the horse world and you can listen any time on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone.

We believe that people own horses for fun and entertainment. Why else would you put up with the early morning feedings, stall cleaning, vet bills, long trips to shows, empty bank accounts and everything else that goes with being a horse owner?

Our goal with these shows is to help your chores go a little faster and to put a smile on your face!  Learn more at www.horseradionetwork.com.

HORSES IN THE MORNING live M-F at 9am Eastern at www.horsesinthemorning.com.

Fantastic weekly shows:

Driving Radio Show at www.drivingradioshow.com
Equestrian Legends at www.equestrianlegends.com
Stable Scoop Radio Show at www.stablescoop.com
Eventing Radio Show at www.eventingradio.com
Dressage Radio Show at www.Dressageradio.com
Horse Tip Daily at www.horsetipdaily.com
Western Radio Show at www.westernradioshow.com

Written by: Lindsay Y McCall

To view an online version of this press release with more photos, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts.  The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport.  This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline.  From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved.  From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed.  The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.