Aachen, Germany – Competition was in full swing at CHIO Aachen Wednesday with dressage, driving and jumping competitions all taking place. The U.S. had representation in all three disciplines and did not disappoint as American combinations notched solid results.
Driving
Leading the U.S. effort on Wednesday was veteran driver Chester Weber, who dominated the start of CAIO-4 competition. For the second consecutive year, Weber (Ocala, FL) claimed victory in the Preis der Fa. Horsch in a world-class field. Driving his own Para and Senate along with Jane Clark’s Splash and Uniek, the nine-time USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion drove a lovely test to score 31.2 to earn victory by more than a three-point margin over reigning World Champion Boyd Exell.
Weber now leads the individual competition in Aachen as he looks to secure his second European victory in a month after topping the Four-in-Hand field at the Saumur CAI-A4.
Also representing the U.S. in the Preis der Fa. Horsch was Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, NJ), who drove a leased team from Koos de Ronde to a score of 63.24 for 25th place.
The Aachen CAIO-4 continues Thursday with the Prize of Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG, where drivers will perform a second dressage test as the first phase of team competition.
Laura Kraut and Woodstock O (StockImageServices.com)
Jumping
In CSIO5* competition the U.S. was represented on Wednesday by Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden. In the final jumping competition of the day the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen, Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) scorched to a third place finish with Le Bon’s Jubilee D’Ouilly. Earlier in the day, the Olympic Games veteran piloted Joan Kalman and the Freedom Group’s Woodstock O to a fifth place finish in the Prize of Handwerk. Kraut also contested the Warsteiner Prize with longtime partner Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric, producing an eight-fault round.
Madden (Cazenovia, NY) completed her first class of the 2013 Aachen CSIO5*, the Warsteiner Prize, riding Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ to a four-fault effort. She rounded out Wednesday in the Prize of StädteRegion Aachen producing a four-fault trip with Wexner’s Vanilla.
Dressage
Three U.S. dressage riders began the CDI4* competition in Aachen today. Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O and Shelly Francis and Danilo contested the Prix St. Georges Test as part of the Small Tour competition, while Susan Dutta rode Currency DC in the Grand Prix Test for the Big Tour.
Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O (Shannon Brinkman)
Roffman (Wellington, FL) was the first rider to enter the ring in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with her own Her Highness O. She and the 10-year-old Hanoverian mare executed a lovely, flowing test, scoring a 71.026% and earning a seventh place finish in the Preis der VUV class. Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Patricia Stempel’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Danilo, put forth a respectable effort to score 67.500% for 11th place. In the HAVENS Pferdefutter-Preis class, Dutta (Wellington, FL) and Tim Dutta Inc.’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding scored a 64.766% in the Grand Prix Test to finish in 19th place.
Lexington, KY – The U.S. will be represented by a veteran team in Wednesday’s Lambertz FEI Nations Cup, one of the feature competitions of the 2013 Aachen CDIO5*. All three members of the U.S. Team from the 2012 London Olympic Games will be competing at the prestigious German competition, along with a 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games veteran. The Aachen CDIO5* will run June 26-30 as part of the CHIO Aachen.
Jan Ebeling, Shelly Francis, Tina Konyot and Steffen Peters were all awarded training and competition grants for European CDIs. They will use these grants to test themselves against many of best European combinations this week in Aachen. The funding for these grants was made possible by the USET Foundation.
Ebeling, Konyot and Peters join forces once again for the U.S. a year after competing together in London. Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) once again will ride Ann Romney, Amy Ebeling, and Beth Meyers’ Rafalca, who he has represented the U.S. three times with at the FEI World Cup Finals in addition to their Olympic appearance.
Konyot (Royal Palm Beach, FL) brings her 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and 2012 London Olympic Games veteran Calecto V to Aachen. The 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Grand Prix National Dressage Champions look to showcase the form that earned them two second place finishes at the Schloss Achleiten CDI3* two weeks ago.
Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)
Peters (San Diego, CA) enjoyed an epic sweep of all three tests at the Aachen CDIO5* in 2009 with longtime partner Ravel. In 2013, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games dual Bronze medalist brings Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92. The pair has been together little over a year but has already earned the 2012 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Champion title as well as top finishes both in the U.S. and abroad.
Rounding out the U.S. Team for the Aachen CDIO5* is Francis and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor. Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) has used her vast experience, including representing the U.S. at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games in Rome, to develop the talented gelding into a future American star. In March, they helped the U.S. earn victory in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm.
Francis will be the first competitor in the ring at 9:00am CEST, Ebeling will follow 10:03am CEST, with Konyot first after the lunch break at 1:15pm CEST. Peters will ride in his familiar role as team anchor at 3:15pm CEST.
Rotterdam, Netherlands – June 26, 2013 – It was a showdown of the top caliber riders on Friday, June 21, as the 13th leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, presented by Longines, took center stage at the 65th CHIO Rotterdam. Dutch course designer Louis Konickx challenged eight international teams with his course, but the impressive all-female team from the United States did not back down from the challenge. Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric helped secure a team total of five faults alongside teammates Beezie Madden, Lauren Hough and Lucy Davis. The U.S. took the second place position behind Germany, with only one point separating the two teams.
The U.S. Team had only four faults to their name after Lucy Davis riding Old Oak Farm’s Barron and Beezie Madden riding Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ produced fault free efforts; Kraut incurred four faults at the open water the first round, and was able to discard a previously earned eight-fault score from Hough, who was the first to traverse the track.
“We had a little bit of a spook on the line going to the water,” explained Kraut. “Cedric wasn’t spooking at the water; he didn’t even know it was there; he was spooking at these watches that had a shine on them from the light. It scared him and he actually bolted away. I didn’t think I would get him to the water because he was running away, but once he saw the water, he actually aimed back at it. Unfortunately we were at an awkward angle, and it was near impossible to get across.”
With four faults carrying into the second round, the United States fell two points behind Germany and one point ahead of Spain, Switzerland and France. As it happens all too often, the competition began to thin as the rails fell during the second round. The young Lucy Davis rode to two double-clear efforts, pushing the U.S. Team into the top three as they were in final contention with Germany and France.
Hough recovered nicely in the second round with Quick Study, only earning one time fault, and then Kraut was the next to enter the ring. She was able to lay down a beautiful clear effort, even though the display once again caught Cedric off guard. Kraut’s ride to the water was superlative as she expected his unease. The team was guaranteed the score of five or lower, pushing them into the second place position, and possibly the victory.
“Cedric jumped fantastic out there,” Kraut said. “The second round he still spooked again at the watches, but he knew the water was there, so he allowed me to steer him back to it. That time I knew it was coming, the first time he took me completely off guard. He hasn’t done something like that in a really long time; he was extra fresh this week at the horse show, and he was really jumping out there.”
The finish turned into a nail-biting moment for the sport of show jumping. Madden was the final U.S. rider to take on the course, but an eight-fault total secured the team with a total of five faults for the day’s efforts. If Ludger Beerbaum was able to complete the second round course without a rail, Germany would take the win.
Beerbaum took his time around the track, and although his conservancy left all rails in place, it proved suspenseful as the U.S. looked on at the possibility of a jump-off. Beerbaum rode to the final total of two time faults, avoiding a jump-off, and sealing Germany’s win.
“I was very optimistic coming to Rotterdam because I thought we had a great team,” Kraut explained. “Beezie and Lauren looked great, and Lucy is a phenomenal rider. I didn’t know her horse very well, but everyone spoke very highly of it, and they did fantastic. I thought we had a very solid team. We were darn close to winning it – it was tight, but a lot of fun. It was crazy how close it was.”
Later in the week, Kraut jumped to two double-clear rounds during the Grand Prix of Rotterdam. The course, also designed by the Netherland’s Louis Konickx, utilized 16 efforts, and opted for a very tight time allowed of 84 seconds. In the jump off, 10 clear riders were faced with seven obstacles, hoping to find the quickest track and score the win.
Kraut was able to jump clear during the first round course in 82.83 seconds with Cedric, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc., and soon faced the task of the second round track. Although Kraut was able to leave all of the rails in place and navigate quickly through the course by cutting turns and slicing fences, her time of 34.85 seconds earned the pair the fourth place position.
Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt and Monte Bellini took the victory with their untouchable time of 33.72 seconds, while Roger Yves Bost (FRA) and Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois earned the second place in 34.11 seconds. Kevin Staut (FRA) and Silvana HDC rounded out the top three.
“It was just one of those jump offs, one of the ones where you keep galloping, but the place to leave one out never showed,” Kraut described. “In that company of horses and riders, that just isn’t good enough. I was pleased that he went double clear and earned fourth, but I was hoping to win it since I was second last year. He jumped great though, and I feel very good going into Aachen.”
From Rotterdam, the dynamic duo is heading to the CHIO Aachen 2013 World Equestrian Festival. For more information on the Longines Global Champions Tour where Kraut currently ranks first, please visit http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/. To keep up to date with the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, please visit http://www.fei.org/.
Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Showing at HITS Culpeper is right around the corner and horse health is top priority! Exhibitors, be sure your horses are vaccinated in accordance with the NEW HITS Culpeper Equine Health Entry Requirements.
Before receiving a back number, HITS exhibitors must present the following at each show:
Complete Event Participation Declaration
Negative Coggins within 1 year
Proof of Equine Influenza vaccination within 6 months
Proof of EHV 1 and EHV 4 vaccinations within 3 months
For complete Health Requirements and to download the Event Participation Declaration Form, click here.
HITS wishes all competitors a happy and healthy show season!
The 2013 HITS Culpeper Prize List is available here. To request a mailed prize list, click here.
HITS Culpeper:
Showday National
July 3-7
Cavalier Classic
July 10-14
Winston National
August 14-18
– Featuring the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals
(L to R) silver medallist Siengsaw Lertratanachai (THA), gold medallist Isabel Sanchez (DOM), bronze medallist Philippe Burckel (MRI) and Janine Khoo (SIN) who finished just outside the medals in fourth place.
Caracas (VEN), 25 June 2013 – The 12th annual FEI World Jumping Challenge Final 2013 came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday 23 June at the Caracas Country Club in Venezuela where Isabel Sanchez from the Dominican Republic emerged victorious. This year’s event attracted 21 competitors from 10 different regional zones, and 16 federations were represented. The flags of Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Libya, Mauritius, New Zealand, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Venezuela and Zimbabwe flew high at this truly international event, and the action-packed five-day fixture saw a very close finish, with Thailand’s Siengsaw Lertratanachi just pipped for gold while Philippe Burckel from Mauritius claimed bronze.
It was the perfect birthday celebration for gold medallist Sanchez who turned 20 last Thursday. The FEI World Jumping Challenge series is open to riders of all ages, and the oldest competitor at this year’s event was 40-year-old Alt Lounis Brahim from Algeria while the youngest was Tunisian 16-year-old, Amel Meziane.
Regional Events
Category A riders qualify at their own regional events, and the Final is always staged outdoors and using borrowed horses. It begins with a warm-up class and then moves on through two qualifying rounds before the Consolation Competition and Semi-Final on the penultimate afternoon.
The result is decided on the last day in a challenging four-way change-horse competition. The format provides a true test of horsemanship as each rider must quickly form a good relationship with an unknown mount, and must then demonstrate further flexibility on the final day when horses are exchanged.
The series and Final are designed to provide top-quality competition for less experienced competitors from remote regions, helping them to develop their skills and guiding them towards positive future involvement in equestrian sport. Its success is highlighted by the results achieved by graduates such as 2012 bronze medallist Emanuel Andrade from Venezuela who enjoyed another tremendous season at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida (USA) over the past winter.
Qualifiers
Partnered with Carnida Z, Sanchez lined up seventh in this year’s first qualifier which was won by 2010 FEI World Jumping Challenge champion Santiago Diaz Ortega from Colombia who also won the opening competition on his road to success three years ago. Riding Cachafaz, the 24-year-old pipped Philippe Burkel from Mauritius by almost three seconds while New Zealand’s Rebekah Van Tiel slotted into third ahead of Singapore’s Janine Khoo. There were three eliminations at this early stage while Venezuela’s Gustavo Machado withdrew, but 19 lined out in the second qualifier in which Khoo came out on top with After Eight Z.
There were only six clear rounds in this competition, and Algeria’s Alt Lounis Brahim made a superb recovery from elimination the previous day to produce a foot-perfect performance with Rotterdam Z. The consistent Burckel lined up second with Benala while Van Tiel was once again third ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Bader Mohamed Alfard with Oscar du Pin. Sanchez slotted into eighth place with another four-fault result.
Semi-Final
A win in the Semi-Final however gave the eventual champion the chance she had been waiting for. With growing confidence she steered Carnida Z home in the fast time of 68.07 seconds to snatch pole position while, yet again, Burckel was runner-up and when Khoo finished third ahead of Lertratanachai it would be these four who would go through to the four-horse ride-off on the final day. Paraguay’s Sofia Chaparro just missed out on a place in the ride-off when clear with Lendell but almost three seconds slower than Lertratanachai. However the 17-year-old was rightly pleased with her own performance and that of the horse allocated to her. “Although lots of people thought my horse was difficult, I improved each day and I just fell in love with him!” Chaparro said.
The Farewell Consolation class went to a three-way jump-off against the clock with a super-fast clear round clinching it for Saudi Arabia’s Bandar Sami Binmahfouz and La Fe Falke ahead of Libya’s Georges Bittar (Too Much) in second and Argentina’s Victoria Jiminez (T Star) in third place.
There was also a National Final for Venezuelan riders in which Leopoldo Paoli and Country Boy were convincing winners ahead of Noel Vanososte (Ida) in second and Juan Andres Sauce (Tampa Graff) in third.
Change-Horse Final
Back at the sharp end, the change-horse Final began with clear rounds for all four riders on their own horses. And Burckel was the only one to make a mistake in the second round when swopping his own Benala for Khoo’s ride, After Eight Z.
But with the tension mounting, Khoo was eliminated in round three when partnered with Templario who had earned a place in the closing stages for Lertratanachai and who had previously jumped clear for both the Thai rider and Sanchez. Burckel began to slip with just a single fence down with Sanchez’s Carnida Z, but Lertratanachai stood firm with another clear, this time partnering Khoo’s After Eight Z. So the Thai rider and Sanchez were on level pegging going into the fourth and last round carrying zero scores.
And in the end it was so very close, a jump-off between these two only prevented by the single time fault collected by Lertratanachi on her final tour of the track with Sanchez’s week-long partner, Carnida Z. This time Sanchez rode Khoo’s After Eight Z and, again, breezed home with another fault-free effort to seal it, her time of 53.48 seconds almost two seconds quicker than that of her Thai rival. Burckel picked up eight faults with Templario, but this was still good enough for bronze as his finishing total was 16 while, despite a superb recovery when steering Benala home clear at her last attempt, Khoo finished outside the medals due to her earlier elimination.
The Best Horse award went to the brilliant Benala who stayed clear for all four riders on the final day.
Amazing Final
Jacqueline Braissant, FEI Solidarity Director, attended the event and said, “It’s been another amazing FEI World Jumping Challenge Final. The Caracas Country Club, so filled with greenery and surrounded by magnificent trees, contributed a lot to the nice atmosphere. Everything was convenient on site, the catering, the OC secretariat, Judges’ office, the show arena and the warm-up. For the first time in the history of the six Finals that have been staged, half of the participants were juniors, between 16 and 20 years of age, and among them were 11 girls.
“Most of these young riders are very active. Some of them are on their way to qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games 2014, some are aiming at the Bolivarian Games in Peru 2013 or the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2014. They showed a very high quality of riding. It is also to be noted that many of the coaches accompanying these riders went through the FEI Coach Education Programme.
“The Organising Committee did a wonderful job. They really aimed to please the riders and they reached their goal. Entertainment was organised during the rest day, and the highlight was a wonderful lunch in a typical restaurant outside Caracas. The Course Designer from Iran, Mr Hossein Shafiee, did a fantastic job in creating friendly courses asking different questions for this Final. He received lots of compliments from the riders. The Ground Jury were excellent, working really well together and in a very friendly atmosphere,” she concluded.
The event wasn’t all about the winners, it was about everyone taking part and El Salvador’s Stacey Sutton described it as “a great experience even though I did not make it to the Final. I made lots of new friends and I was able to spend time with them and that was great!” Tunisia’s Amel Meziane was awarded the prize for the most popular rider by her fellow competitors and said it was “a wonderful surprise – I am really happy!”
Result:
FEI World Jumping Challenge Final 2013: GOLD – Isabel Sanchez (DOM); SILVER – Siengsaw Lertratanachi (THA); BRONZE – Philippe Burckel (MRI).
Frances Robinson and Geoffery’s Mon win the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Division. Flashpoint Photography.
June 24, 2013 – The second week of the Atlanta Summer Classic wrapped up yesterday as thousands enjoyed beautiful weather, great competitions and clinics at the Georgia International Horse Park. “We had a great two weeks. Even though our numbers were bigger than ever, the rings ran just as well and we all had a great time!” commented Classic Company President, Bob Bell.
The TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Divisions kicked off the week of competition on Wednesday and saw Frances Robinson of Ocala, Florida and her horse, Geoffery’s Mon, win the championship in the Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Division. Robinson was thrilled with her win and the program. “This [Take2] is the greatest program ever – I have been in the Thoroughbred business as long as I’ve been alive. Geoffery has done more for me than any other horse in both racing and riding,” commented Robinson. “Back in the day, Thoroughbreds were it. It’s so nice that this program offers them another chance. There’s so much that we can still do. Thoroughbreds want to work, want to please and want to do. I work with Aaron Vale and he has done a remarkable job with this horse and helping me to get to the point where we are. He’s a wonderful horse.”
Alex Granato and Mullaghdrin Rado win the $15,000 Welcome Class
Twenty-three tackled the $15,000 Welcome Class designed by Olympic Course Designer, Steve Stephens. It was last Sunday’s grand prix winner, Alex Granato of Elizabeth, Colorado who won the class, this time aboard Mullaghdrin Rado, owned by Page Tredennick, with double clear rounds in 71.867 seconds and 32.693 seconds, respectively. Jared Peterson of Archer, Florida took the second place spot in the irons of Titus 2:11, owned by Derek Peterson, after a clean first round time of 70.864 seconds and a second round of 32.875 seconds. Third place was awarded to Samantha Senft of Wellington, Florida and her own Early Morning. The pair went clean in the first round with a time of 69.256 seconds and turned in a clear second round in a time of 34.235 seconds. For more results, click here: http://horseshowsonline.com/ClassResults.aspx.
Friday featured the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by FarmVet, which saw Julie Curtin of Roswell, Georgia take the top three spots riding Madison Golinski’s Rainbow Row to the win, Caroline Hargreaves’ At First Glance to second place, and Davis Equine LLC’s Blackmail to the third finish, besting more than forty horse and rider combinations. For complete results, click here: http://horseshowsonline.com/ClassResults.aspx.
The $35,000 Adequan Grand Prix Saturday night saw twenty-one horse and rider combinations take to the course designed by legendary Steve Stephens. Only two in the class went clean. Samantha Senft of Wellington, Florida riding her own Early Morning was the second to go in the class and rode her first round in a time of 86.118, well within the 90 seconds time allowed. Kyle Timm of Apex, North Carolina was next to go aboard Apex Equestrian Center’s Platinum, but with four jump faults, despite a time of 86.237 seconds, would have to settle for fifth place overall. Derek Peterson of Archer, Florida was next to take the course with his own Via Dolorosa and finished with a total of eight faults and a time of 85.326 seconds, which would give them the ninth place overall. Alex Granato of Elizabeth, Colorado, winner of last week’s $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix took to the course aboard his own Mad Season, but with eight faults despite a time of 86.538 seconds, the pair would finish in tenth overall.
Liza Finsness and her own Ormsby Hill tackle the $35,000 Adequan Grand Prix course designed by legendary Steve Stephens
Three rounds later, Denise Wilson of Dousman, Wisconsin, riding Blue Gate Farm’s Bahrain 8, finished the course with eight jump faults in a time of 90.477 seconds resulting in an additional time fault, which placed the pair in twelfth overall. Up and coming Grand Prix rider, Jordan Coyne of New Port Ritchey, Florida riding her own Lazaro, finished the course with 8 jump faults in a time of 90.007 seconds, resulting in one time fault which would place the pair in eleventh overall. Granato returned for another go at the course, this time aboard Mullaghidren Rado, owned by Page Tredennick, and finished with 4 jump faults and one time fault with a time of 90.954 which landed the pair in eighth overall. Just two trips later, Liza Finsness of Wellington, Florida, riding her own Ormsby Hill, went clean in a time of 89.423 seconds and ensured a jump-off round.
Two trips later, Paulo Santo of Wellington, Florida and Rafael Jose Contreras’ Florence A took to the course, but with four jump faults and one time fault in 90.858 seconds, the pair would finish in seventh. Three trips later, Wilson returned to the ring, this time in the irons of her own Winter. Despite their time in 86. 983 seconds, their four jump faults would place them sixth overall. Granato returned to the Olympic Stadium, this time with his own Gangsta and looked to join the jump-off, but with four jump faults despite a fast time of 79.330, the pair would have to settle for fourth. Jared Peterson of Archer, Florida was last to go, aboard Derek Peterson’s Titus: 211. Although the pair went clean, their time of 90.361 seconds would cost them one time fault and land them in third overall.
Senft and Early Morning were first to go in the jump-off and set the time to beat at 38.462 seconds. Finsness and Hornsby Hill took to the ring and looked to beat Senft’s time and did so in 38.247 seconds, securing the win. “This was a very tough course,” commented Bell. “These riders and horses had to really ride for the money and they all did a great job,” he added.
Stay tuned for the Classic Company’s Atlanta Summer Classics Highlights article reviewing the inaugural USHJA Child Adult Regional Jumper Championships, the Equitation Freestyle, the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Winners, the Junior Hunter Grand Poobah Award, the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby and the Leading Adult and Child Jumper Rider Awards.
In the meantime, the Classic Company is moving to the beach! That’s right, surf and standards are the perfect combination for your family vacation. Jump in the ring or jump the waves – you can do it both at the Charleston Summer Classics that kick off July 10. And this year the Classic Company celebrates with back to back $25,000 grand prix classes. Make sure to get your entries in now because this is the horse show and vacation destination the entire barn will enjoy.
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best. Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office fee added for credit card payments. For those who have not yet entered, go to the prize list or simply click on Equestrian Connect to fill out your entry form and stabling requests.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta this summer. The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at classicsponsorship@gmail.com. All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.com.
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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Lexington, KY – The U.S. sends a strong group of athletes to Germany to compete across five disciplines at the prestigious CHIO Aachen. The host of the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, Aachen draws many of the best in the game for world class competition held over ten days. In 2013, the competition runs June 21-30 and will feature 20 talented American athletes.
Dressage
In dressage competition the United States will have representation in each division with six athletes competing on eight horses. The U.S. sends four talented pairs to the CDIO5* which will run June 27-30. Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) will ride his 2012 Olympic veteran Ann Romney, Beth Meyers, and Amy Ebeling’s Rafalca. Tina Konyot (Palm City, FL) also brings her Olympic Games partner Calecto V. They will be joined by rising stars Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor. Rounding out the U.S.’s CDIO5* team is Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games Team medalist Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA), who will ride Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92.
In 2013, the United States will be represented in CDI-U25 competition for the first time; Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) will vie for top honors with Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF. The pair was awarded a Dutta Corp. flight to train and compete in Europe and look to make a splash at the prestigious European CDI.
CDI-U25 competition will run June 28-29 and features 15 competitors from eight nations.
The United States will send three combinations down center line in the CDI4*, which will be held June 26-29. In Big Tour competition, Grand Prix, Susie Dutta (Wellington, FL) will fly the flag for the U.S. with Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC. While in the Prix St. Georges division, Small Tour, Francis brings Stempel’s Danilo and Roffman will ride her own Her Highness O.
A total of 57 competitors from 16 different nations are set to contest the CDIO5* and CDI4*.
Vaulting
The first weekend of competition at CHIO Aachen wrapped up on Sunday with six U.S. vaulters putting forth great efforts and gaining valuable experience. Four individuals and one Pas de Deux team represented the U.S. in CVIO3* competition with Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer and Alicen Divita leading the way.
The Palmer Sisters (Half Moon Bay, CA), vaulting on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, earned scores of 6.658 and 7.302 on their way to a fourth place finish in the Pas de Deux competition.
In the three-phase individual female competition Alicen Divita (Redwood City, CA), vaulting on her mother Julie Divita’s Pino del Rio and lunged by Elke Lensing, was the U.S.’s top representative. With a tenth place finish in the compulsory competition, an impressive fourth in the technical competition, and eighth in Saturday’s freestyle competition, Divita earned a sixth place overall finish with an average score of 7.465.
Also competing for the U.S. were Elizabeth Ioannou (Saratoga, CA), who finished in twelfth place overall and Mary Garrett (Seal Beach, CA), who finished fourteenth.
In the individual male competition, Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, CA) was the U.S.’s sole representative. Vaulting on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, Roberts finished in fourteenth place overall.
Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)
Driving
The U.S. sends two of its most experienced drivers into CAIO-4 competition this week in Aachen. The driving portion of CHIO Aachen will run June 25-30 and hosts 25 competitors from 10 nations. Chester Weber (Ocala, FL) is no stranger to success in international competition, having won four FEI World Championship medals. Recently, he won at the Saumur CAI-A4 with his own and Jane Clark’s team; he looks to win his second competition in the month of June in Aachen. Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) has represented the U.S. at numerous championships and has more than five National Titles to his name. He will look to utilize that experience as he drives a leased team from Koos de Ronde.
Jumping
Always a destination competition for the top jumpers in the world, the Aachen CSIO5* once again hosts the very best in the game June 25-30 as 62 riders from 17 nations line up. The U.S. will be represented by two of its most experienced and accomplished competitors. Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games Team medalist, Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) brings four horses to Aachen; Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric, Le Bon’s Jubilee D’Ouilly, Joan Kalman and the Freedom Group’s Woodstock O, and Stars and Stripes’ Bonito R. Reigning Rolex/FEI World Cup Final champion, Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) has two entries for Aachen’s prestigious classes; Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ and Vanilla.
Eventing
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Mike McNally)
The 2013 Aachen CICO3* represents a new challenge for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team as they contest the highly regarded competition for the first time. A team of four experienced riders are set to try and help the United States secure CICO3* victory in their inaugural effort. Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) brings Jatial, Inc.’s Ringwood Magister to Aachen. Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) makes a return to the venue of the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games having represented the U.S. at those championships; in 2013 he rides Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow. Marilyn Little (Fredrick, MD) will ride her Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water. Rounding out the American effort is Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s Universe.
The Aachen CICO3* runs June 27-29 and features 40 competitors from 10 nations.
Harry de Leyer jumps Snowman without reins. Photo by LIFE magazine.
West Palm Beach, FL – February 6, 2013 – The story of Harry de Leyer and Snowman is one that will be forever remembered in the hearts and minds of those who knew the “eighty-dollar champion.”
“Man O’ War? Secretariat?
Great they were, and are. But my heart belongs to Snowman…” –CHICAGO TRIBUNE on June 18th, 1973
De Leyer & Snowman were the Cinderella story of late 1950s and 1960s. Snowman was an old Amish plow horse that Harry rescued off a truck that was bound for the meat and glue factory for $80. In less than two years after his rescue, they were the national show jumping champions and had become national celebrities.
Now, thanks to Docutainment Films, director Ron Davis and producer Karin Offield, de Leyer and Snowman’s remarkable saga will be forever commemorated in the documentary, Harry & Snowman.
In the documentary, scheduled to be complete in late 2013, de Leyer and Snowman’s heartfelt story will unfold through the fitting combination of present-day footage of Harry and archival footage from back in the day.
“Harry & Snowman is not a niche movie about the world of show-jumping. It’s a movie about a wonderful human-interest story that will appeal to the masses the way that both Seabiscuit and Secretariat have in the past,” Davis said.
“Horses are fascinating creatures, beautiful and entertaining,” Offield commented. “When the story of Snowman and Harry de Leyer is told on film, the viewers will be amazed. It’s a perfect story.”
In order to create the archival aspect of the film, Docutainment Films is seeking help from the equestrian world to help locate old film footage, stills and newspaper or magazine articles from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, which will be included in the film. Please visit www.harryandsnowman.com for a complete list of what information the filmmakers are seeking and how you can help, as well as a trailer for the film.
Harry & Snowman caught the attention of Documentary Educational Resources, a 501(c)3 organization devoted to furthering the development of documentaries. The organization has stepped up to sponsor the film by allowing interested individuals to make tax-deductible donations toward its creation. Davis encourages those who love de Leyer, Snowman or the story to get involved and be a part of its development. All donors and contributors will be listed in the closing credits of the film and on the movie website.
Ron Davis is an award winning documentary Director and Producer who assembles Emmy and OSCAR nominated teams to develop and produce his films. His first feature documentary, PAGEANT, went on to garner 10 major film festival awards before premiering on The Sundance Channel in 2010. Davis recently completed his first HBO Documentary Film, MISS YOU CAN DO IT, which he directed and produced. MISS YOU CAN DO IT premiers Monday June 24, on HBO 9PM/8C.
Danielle Goldstein competing in the Outdoor Gelderland/Arnhem Grand Prix 3*. (Photo courtesy of Ilfat Zohar Photography)
Wellington, FL (June 21, 2013) – Show jumper Danielle Goldstein of Starwyn Farms, LLC, has ignited her first European tour. Less than a month after wowing audiences in Tel Aviv with a clinic for young adults interested in riding and horse care at the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association, the red-hot Wellington, FL rider made the top ten – finishing eighth overall – in the Outdoor Gelderland/Arnhem Grand Prix 3*.
Logging miles and experience as she continues her quest to become the first female Israeli citizen to represent the nation in Olympic show jumping, Goldstein sees her Holland performance as clinching her confidence in her horses and in gaining recognition for Israeli riders.
“We were not only clear in the Grand Prix, but also in the Grand Prix qualifier, so we were clear in two world-ranking classes at one show. We are going for consistency, so it is a solid first showing for a European tour, and is helping raise awareness that we have Israeli riders capable of competing at this level and ready and willing to form a team,” Goldstein said.
Of even greater significance is Goldstein’s announcement that she has been invited to ride with the Israeli team at this summer’s largest sporting event of the year, the 19th annual Maccabiah Games, July 18-30, in Israel.
“I am thrilled to be in the Maccabiah Games. I have been working to get on the team since last year so it was wonderful news to hear that I will be eligible to compete. This will be the first time I get to represent Israel – in Israel — so that is a major accomplishment and hopefully, the first of many times.
“The Maccabiah have great significance in Israel and within the Jewish world because it brings together people from the diaspora back to the homeland. Sports help to unify not only people within in Israel but Jewish people around the world — it is a wonderful event that my family and I have supported. My uncle once competed in Squash, so it’s nice to continue the family tradition.“
For Goldstein, the Games will prove the ultimate catch-ride: “The Israeli riders get to ride one of their own horses, and provide a ‘loaner horse’ to team members from other countries. I will be loaned both, from two very generous girls in Israel who have offered me their horses.”
She’s also got a team to meet. “I know a few riders on other Maccabiah teams: Darren Finkleman, Alexa Perkiel from the US and Alberto Michan from Mexico, but none for the Israeli team so I am looking forward to meeting my teammates!”
The Games, the entrepreneurial equestrian continues, “will act as a wonderful platform to help further my goals for Equestrian sports in and out of Israel. It will help create awareness about the growing sport and hopefully attract new members and supporters.”
The star of Starwyn Farms plans to return to Isreal in mid-July, and remain there through the duration of the Maccabiah Games. “Although Holland wasn’t a first-place, it was a really great result, which got a huge amount of awareness for me and Israel. It has opened opportunities at even higher-level shows and has a lot of people interested in the team.” She is determined this year to build Israel’s first Nations Cup team.
While founding and managing Starwyn Farms, Goldstein has also developed the International Equestrian Education series (IEE) for young riders, adult amateurs, and others seeking to increase their skills by learning from top professionals, and offers scholarships to high school students to encourage enrollment.
For more information about Starwyn Farm or Danielle Goldstein, please call 917-544-3349 or email dani.goldstein@gmail.com.
Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer performing a Pas de Deux freestyle test (barnysphotoshop.eu)
Lexington, KY – The first weekend of competition at CHIO Aachen in Aachen, Germany wrapped up Sunday with a day of CVIO3* vaulting competition. Representing the U.S. were sisters Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer (Half Moon Bay, CA) performing their second freestyle test in the Prize of Sparkasse Pas de Duex competition.
On Saturday the pair, vaulting on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and lunged by Wolfgang Renz, finished their first freestyle test with a score of 6.658. That score was good for a fifth place finish. On Sunday the Palmer’s improved upon that score, earning a 7.302, and finished one place better in fourth.
Those two efforts earned them a fourth place overall finish.* Winning the Pas de Deux were Austria’s Stefan Csandl and Theresa Thiel.
*Pas de Deux total scores are an average of two freestyles scores.
Individual Competition
While the Pas de Deux teams were just getting started Saturday, individual vaulters were wrapping up their efforts.
Alicen Divita finished sixth overall in the Individual Female competition (barnysphotoshop.eu)
Leading those individual efforts for the U.S. was Redwood City, California’s Alicen Divita. The 24-year-old earned a sixth place overall finish in the Prize of Sparkasse Individual Female Competition. Thanks to top ten placings in all three phases of competition*, Divita, vaulting on Julie Divita’s Pino del Rio and lunged by Elke Lensing, improved upon her tenth place finish at the Aachen CVIO3* in 2012. Divita was tenth in the compulsory competition, an impressive fourth in the technical competition, and eighth in Saturday’s freestyle competition.
The U.S.’s top freestyle effort came from Elizabeth Ioannou (Saratoga, CA). On Emma Seely’s Jarl, lunged by Lasse Kristensen, Ioannou earned a 7.961 and took seventh place. She finished in twelfth place overall. Mary Garrett, the third and final U.S. individual female competitor, finished in fourteenth place overall. Garrett (Seal Beach, CA) vaulted on Wolfgang Renz’s Leon 364 and was lunged by Wolfgang Renz.
Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, CA), the sole U.S. individual male vaulter in Aachen, also vaulted on Leon 364 and was lunged by Wolfgang Renz. Roberts finished fourteenth with a three round average score of 5.586.
Great Britain’s Joanne Eccles won the individual female competition and Erik Oese of Germany was the top placed individual male.
