Tag Archives: featured

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Kentucky Three-Day

Spotlight on Andrew Nicholson at Kentucky

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Andrew Nicholson, pictured here en route to victory at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) with Nereo. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 23 April 2013 – All eyes will be on Andrew Nicholson (NZL) this weekend as he heads for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) on 25-28 April to try to extend his lead in the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series.

Nicholson enjoyed a remarkable run of success last autumn, winning Burghley CCI4* (GBR), Blenheim CIC3* (GBR), Boekelo CCI3* (NED) and Pau CCI4* (FRA) in quick succession to take the world number one slot in the HSBC Rankings.

He also capped a brilliant season by finishing second, behind William Fox-Pitt (GBR), in the HSBC FEI Classics 2011/12 and makes no secret of the fact that he would like to go one better this time and become the first New Zealander to head the leaderboard.

To add to the excitement, if Nicholson wins at Kentucky, he will set up the first ever head-to-head for the Rolex Grand Slam, with Fox-Pitt, the weekend after at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) on 3-6 May.

This tantalising scenario is eminently possible, as Nicholson has two useful rides at Kentucky: Calico Joe, placed in two CCI4* last year, and the striking black horse Quimbo, one of the many Spanish-bred horses he favours competing.

Nicholson has described the latter, winner of Boekelo in 2012, as one of the best horses he has ever sat on – some compliment from the man who has probably ridden a greater variety of event horses than anyone else.

However, he faces stiff competition in Kentucky. Phillip Dutton (USA), who has a great record at the premier US event and won in 2008, has two exciting up-and-coming horses, Fernhill Eagle, 12th last year, and Mighty Nice, a reserve for the London Olympic Games.

Other leading US riders in action include Buck Davidson, three-handed on Park Trader, Mar de Amor and Ballynoe Castle RM, Dutton’s Olympic team mate Boyd Martin on the nine-year-old Trading Aces and the experienced combination of Will Coleman and Twizzel.

Nicholson has three fellow travellers across the Atlantic: his compatriot Jonelle Richards (The Deputy), a member of New Zealand’s bronze medal team at the London Olympic Games, plus two former Kentucky winners, Fox-Pitt and Mary King (GBR).

King, who became the first rider to finish first and second at Kentucky, in 2011, and is the only woman to have won the HSBC FEI Classics, returns with the powerful jumper Fernhill Urco. The grey featured in that memorable 2011 result, in second place, and is returning from a year on the sidelines.

Fox-Pitt also has good ammunition: his two rides are the German-bred Seacookie TSF, the horse that gave him his record 50th CCI win last year, at Blenheim, and the chestnut stallion Chilli Morning, winner of Bramham CCI3* last year.

A total of 47 athletes from seven nations will be competing in Kentucky, with 14 candidates – 11 from the USA and three from Canada – for the $1,000 HSBC Training Bursary awarded to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star event.

The Ground Jury will be made up of Nick Burton (GBR), who judged at the London Olympic Games, as President, along with Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Brian Ross (USA). Tom Ryckewaert (BEL) will be Technical Delegate and Derek di Grazia (USA) is now in his third year as Course Designer.

The action kicks off at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on 25 April, with live results on www.rk3de.org.

FEI TV, the FEI’s official video website, will cover the action LIVE in Kentucky (see start times on www.feitv.org/live):

25 April – Dressage Day 1
26 April – Dressage Day 2
27 April – Cross Country
28 April – Jumping

Download the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 press kit: www.feipresskits.org.

HSBC’s Training Bursary

At the centre of HSBC’s sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level. As part of its support of the HSBC FEI Classics, HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary. This is a unique award which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of US $1,000 to be spent on sessions with a trainer of the athlete’s choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.

HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 calendar

1 Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) – 24-28 October 2012
2 Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) – 22-25 November 2012
3 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) – 25-28 April 2013
4 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) – 3-6 May 2013
5 Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL PAKET (GER) – 13-16 June 2013
6 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) – 5-8 September 2013

HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, since 2008.

In our HSBC FEI Hub, you can access the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series standings, HSBC Rankings and all news relating to the current and past series.

Prize money

The HSBC FEI Classics prize fund is the largest on offer in the sport of Eventing on an annual basis. At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six HSBC FEI Classics events will share a total prize fund of US$333,000 split as follows: 1st – US$150,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$75,000; 3rd – US$50,000; 4th – US$33,000; 5th – US$25,000.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Bauman
marty@classic-communications.com
+1 508 698 6810 ext. 10

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

US Jumpers Head to Gothenburg with Sights Set on 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final

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Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One (Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, KY – Eleven of the United States’ best jumping riders head to Gothenburg, Sweden aiming to be named the 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final champion. The United States is attempting to retain the title after a 25-year winless draught ended in spectacular fashion last year. The 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final will run from April 24-28 in conjunction with the annual Gothenburg Horse Show in the Scandinavum Arena.

“This is a particularly exciting year to be going back to Gothenburg since, for the first time in twenty-five years, an American rider will be returning as the defending World Cup Final Champion,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “Over the years, the Scandinavium Arena has been the site of many American triumphs.”

All eyes will be on reigning champion Rich Fellers (Sherwood, OR) as he looks to score a repeat victory with the indomitable Flexible. Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Irish stallion enjoyed a remarkable 2012 season that included victories in North America and Europe as well as an eighth place Individual finish at the Olympic Games in London.

Fellers will be joined in Gothenburg by his Olympic teammates Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Reed Kessler, and Charlie Jayne. Madden (Cazenovia, NY) is one the most decorated riders in America, with two Olympic Team Gold medals (2004 and 2008), Olympic Individual Bronze (2008), and Team and Individual Silver medals from the FEI World Equestrian Games (2006) to her name. At the 2013 Final she will ride Abigail Wexner’s talented geldings Simon and Cortes ‘C’. Ward (Brewster, NY) joined Madden on those medal winning teams and in addition to winning Grand Prixes throughout the world, was the runner-up at the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final. He will ride Grant Road Partners LLC’s Antares F, his 2012 Olympic Games partner, and Super Trooper De Ness as he looks to go one better in 2013. Kessler (Lexington, KY) was the youngest rider in history to be a member of a U.S. Equestrian Olympic team when she competed in London last year. She makes her Final debut with her Olympic partner Cylana and the versatile Ligist. Jayne (Elgin, IL), the reserve rider in London, is making his third consecutive Finals appearance. He will ride Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher’s Chill R Z in Sweden.

The entire Gold Medal winning team from the 2011 Pan American Games will also be in attendance at the 2013 Final. Christine McCrea (East Windsor, CT) outran teammates Madden and Ward as she added Individual Gold to her medal tally in Guadalajara, Mexico. She will ride her winner from those Games, Candy Tribble’s Romantovich Take One, and Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Wannick WH at the 2013 Final. Rounding out the U.S. effort in Mexico two years ago were Kent Farrington (Wellington, FL) and R.C.G. Farm’s Uceko. The pair makes their second appearance at the Final this year.

A trio of up-and-coming talent will travel to Sweden to make their Rolex/FEI World Cup Final debut. Katie Dinan (New York, NY), the Individual Gold medalist from the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, has spent the last 12 months earning top finishes both stateside and abroad. She will be looking to turn heads this week with Grant Road Partners LLC’s Nougat Du Vallet. Karl Cook (Woodside, CA) has also been making a name for himself jumping on the West Coast with Signe Ostby’s Jonkheer Z. Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, CA) and Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 will look to showcase the form that has consistently earned them top finishes in the U.S. and abroad.

Rounding out the U.S. entry is Ashlee Bond who will ride Little Valley Farms’ Wistful. Bond (Hidden Hills, CA) is making her third Finals start and will utilize the experience gained from jumping on many U.S. Nations Cup teams.

“This year’s contingent of American riders is the strongest in years, a group that includes the top-ranked U.S. riders, Olympians, and the 2011 Pan American Games Individual Gold Medalist,” said Ridland. “Equally as exciting, however, is the incredibly talented group of under-30 riders who will be representing the U.S., because through their performances on the world stage we will be getting an early glimpse of what the future holds for us.”

The first leg of the four round competition gets underway at 6:30pm local time on Thursday April 25th.

Learn more about the U.S. riders here.

For more information about the 2013 FEI World Cup Final, visit: http://www.gothenburghorseshow.com.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Jumping Team here.

By Helen Murray

*Featured/Spotlights, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Peg Seals and Surely Return Home to HITS Culpeper, Win $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

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©ESI Photography. Peg Seals and Surely led hunters in a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

Amy Zettler continues to dominate with Glad Rags on the road to the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final

CULPEPER, VA (April 22, 2013) – Virginia’s own Peg Seals and Surely, owned by Chelsea Ireland, returned to familiar territory at HITS Culpeper to capture the first $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix of the spring and summer season this weekend. Seals, who spent the winter riding at HITS Ocala, has turned her focus to qualifying for the third-annual Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, scheduled for September 6-8 at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

Saturday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix featured twenty-three horse-and-rider combinations that competed over a course designed by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York. Seals earned the top score of 87 in the first round and was poised for victory going into the final round.

“These classes are so much fun,” said Seals. “She’s [Surely] a great horse, we make a great team and I have so much fun riding and showing with her. We did the hunter prix classes in Ocala and did really well against some pretty tough competition. I look forward to a great summer ahead.”

In the second round, Seals returned last and again bested the field, earning an impressive score of 90 to guarantee the victory.

Second place was awarded to Virginia’s Paul Matthews and Carino, owned by Terry Morrison. The duo earned a first round score of 84.5 and a second round score of 87.5. Third was Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida and Linda Bammann’s Party Girl. Silitch had the second highest score of the first round with an 85.5 and earned an 86 in the second round.

$1,500 HITS Hunter Prix
After a brilliantly successful winter circuit at HITS Ocala, Amy Zettler and Glad Rags got spring competition off to a promising start. Zettler won three $1,500 Hunter Prix classes in the irons of Glad Rags over the winter and picked up another blue this weekend in Culpeper.

After a month off, the Aldie, Virginia rider and her own mount, who she candidly calls “Primo”, didn’t miss a beat as they look making another appearance in the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final. Zettler, who trains with Peter Foley and Dale Crittenberger at Woodhall Farm in Northern Virginia, was second place at the inaugural HITS Hunter Prix Final in Saugerties, New York last year during HITS Championship Weekend.

After posting the top first-round score of 88 on Saturday, she coupled that with an 87, again the top score of the second round, to secure the win.

©ESI Photography. Amy Zettler and Glad Rags won the $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix
©ESI Photography. Amy Zettler and Glad Rags won the $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix

“He’s [Glad Rags] fantastic. We had a lot of success this past winter and this class couldn’t have gone any better,” said Zettler. “I haven’t shown him since the last class we did in Ocala, but he felt great this week. I really enjoy showing in Culpeper since it’s close to home. We’ll definitely be here all summer to qualify and I really can’t wait to get back to Saugerties this September. The HITS Hunter Prix Final is what I plan my whole year around now.”

Zettler and Glad Rags also picked up the victory in the $500 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Adult Hunter Classic to wrap up the first week of showing at HITS Culpeper.

Second place in the HITS Hunter Prix was awarded to Dudley Mac Farlane and her own Amarindo, who had scores of 83 and 78, while Marilyn Vaillancourt and her own Sweet King earned scores of 77 and 81 to take home the third-place ribbon.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the third-annual Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 7-8 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

About Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern
Just 100 miles outside of New York City, nestled in the Village of Saugerties, Diamond Mills is a 30-room luxury hotel featuring stellar accommodations, fine dining at The Tavern and full-service events at a state-of-the art Special Events Center. Diamond Mills is a proud member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassed collection of over 520 luxury hotels around the world. Saugerties’ newest luxury hotel is also the proud sponsor of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson as part of the HITS Championship Weekend. For more information about Diamond Mills or the special VIP packages available to HITS-on-the-Hudson exhibitors, please visit DiamondMillsHotel.com or call 845.247.0700.

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

Phelps Media Group, Polo

Piaget Ends 2013 High Goal Season with Overtime Loss to Faraway in Hall of Fame Cup Final

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Piaget’s Gonzalito Pieres drives downfield with Faraway defenders Nic Roldan and Matias Magrini in hot pursuit as teammate Nacho Badiola follows the play. Photos by Alex Pacheco.

WELLINGTON, FL – April 19, 2013 — Plagued with injuries the second half of the season, Piaget ended its 2013 high goal season with an 11-10 overtime loss to Faraway in the Hall of Fame Cup final Thursday at windswept International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Playing with its fourth makeshift lineup, Piaget came back take the lead in the fourth chukker after trailing in the first half.

Ten-goaler Gonzalito Pieres, coming off his season-ender with Audi, filled in for Miguel Novillo Astrada while Nacho Novillo Astrada played for Sapo Caset, still nursing a severe pulled muscle.

“We didn’t get a chance to play together before the game,” Nacho Novillo Astrada said. “It was a good game. We had the opportunities. I am pleased with the way we played for being the first time we played together. We just missed a little bit with the goals.

“I loved playing with Gonzalito; it was fun,” Astrada said. “I would rather play with him than against him. I really enjoyed playing with him.”

Team captain Melissa Ganzi and Nacho Badiola were the only Piaget regular starters to finish the season-finale. Ganzi had been sidelined with a pulled groin and hip pointer, but returned to the lineup last week.

Piaget had several scoring opportunities it couldn’t capitalize on throughout the game.

Melissa Ganzi fights off the hook going for the ball with 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres backing her up
Melissa Ganzi fights off the hook going for the ball with 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres backing her up

“We had a lot of shots on goals today that we missed,” Piaget coach Joey Casey said. “We had a lot more shots on goal than they did.

“Faraway has played together all season,” Casey said. “We played with a team today that had never played before. Faraway played all their best horses that they had been playing all season and we did not. So that was the difference in the game, plain and simple.”

Grand Champions Polo Club-based Piaget was hoping to win its second trophy of the season.

Piaget won last month’s Butler Handicap for the second consecutive year with a thrilling 9-8 victory over ERG.

“In overtime we all went out on the best horses that we had,” Casey said. “It could have gone either way, to be honest. We just got some bad luck; they got control of the ball and went down and scored.

“I think we did well this season,” Casey said. “We were injury-riddled. We lost Miguel a little bit; we lost Sapo the last two weeks of the Open. We lost Melissa for a while. So it was a tough season injury-wise and that makes a big difference at this level when you are changing players and bringing players in. It makes it difficult.”

Faraway’s Nic Roldan, who finished the game with five goals including two penalty shots, was named Most Valuable Player of the Hall of Fame Cup. Roldan’s horse ME was selected Best Playing Pony.

Santiago Chavanne added four goals and Matias Magrini had two goals including the game-winner in overtime.

Badiola, a six-goaler, played well in his final high goal game of the winter season. At 23, Badiola was making his IPC 26-goal debut.

Nacho Badiola of Piaget driving downfield away from Faraway defender Matias Magrini
Nacho Badiola of Piaget driving downfield away from Faraway defender Matias Magrini

Badiola and Pieres each finished with three goals. Astrada had two goals including a penalty shot and Ganzi scored a goal in the third chukker to tie the game at 5-5 with 5:33 remaining.

After Roldan scored a goal with a big hit in the final seconds of the third chukker for a 6-5 lead, the game continued to be a seesaw battle in the second half.

Pieres tied the game at 6-6 at the 6:48 mark when he dribbled downfield beating Roldan and two other defenders. At the 3:30 mark, Badiola took the ball at midfield and three hits later gave Piaget the lead, 7-6.

Piaget made it 8-6 early in the fifth chukker when Astrada converted a penalty shot. Faraway came roaring back on fast ponies enabling Chavanne and Magrini to score back-to-back goals and tie the game at 8-8.

Faraway took the lead (9-8) when Chavanne scored with 31 seconds left in the chukker in a crowd of defenders. Pieres weaved his way through a crowd to tie the game at 9-9 with 6:50 left in the game.

Astrada converted a 60-yard penalty goal with three minutes remaining to give Piaget the lead at 10-9. Pieres just missed an insurance goal opening the door for Faraway. Roldan broke free to dribble the ball into the goal with just seconds remaining sending the game into overtime.

In the sudden death period, Badiola won the throw-in and tapped it to Pieres who was hooked enabling Roldan and Chavanne to bring it downfield setting up Matias’ winning neck shot.

GRAND CHAMPIONS SPRING SCHEDULE

Friday, April 19: Palm City Open, 10 a.m. Jajalpa vs. PowerHorse vs. ELG, round robin, Field 1; 11:30 a.m., Merchant Hub vs. Elangani, Field 2

April 26-28: The Polo Gear Cup

May 3-5: USPA Spring Challenge

May 10-12: The USPA Sun Cup

May 17-19: USPA Eastern Challenge

May 24-27: The Memorial by Piaget

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.

INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.

Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, Western/Reining

Show by Appointment Reined Cow Horse Show April 20-21

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Photo: Rick Steed.

Wellington, FL – April 19, 2013 – Members of the media are welcome at Show by Appointment’s fourth South Florida reined cow horse competition. Show by Appointment (SBA), an innovative reined cow horse series experiencing unprecedented success, will host the show on April 20-21 at Bynum Farms in Indiantown, FL.

A major highlight will be the Fence Run Only from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. The Fence Run Only is a challenging, high-energy class that tests the skills of horse and rider, who run a cow through a designated pattern at high speed.

Other SBA offerings draw riders of all levels to compete in Open and Non-Pro Bridle, Hackamore, Two-Rein, and Boxing classes. Restricted divisions, such as the 2k division for riders who have won less than $2,000 in similar reined cow horse competitions, encourage riders who may be new to the show ring to participate and gain experience. There’s even a “Little Britches” Boxing class for those under the age of 11.

While this show is the last in SBA’s South Florida winter circuit, the action will continue nationwide. SBA has planned summer circuits for Unadilla, Georgia and Jackson, Ohio. A Virginia circuit is also in the works, and many other states have expressed interest in hosting SBA events. The year will conclude with the Championship Finals, slated for October 10-13, 2013, at Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL. The Finals offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

Show by Appointment Fast Facts

Event: Reined Cow Horse Show IV

Location: Bynum Farms, 501 SW Fox Brown Road, Indiantown, Florida 34956

Schedule: Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 21
Fence Run Only Event: Sunday, April 21, 1-3 p.m.

Entries: Entries may be emailed to Debbie Hall: debbie@firststringfarms.com. Call or text Debbie at 321-863-0456 with any questions about entries and ride times.

Entry forms available at: http://www.showbyappointment.com/Entry-Forms—Appointments.html

Class List: http://www.showbyappointment.com/SBA-Cow-Horse-Classes.html

Payouts and Awards: http://www.showbyappointment.com/Pay-Outs—Awards.html

Competition Rules: http://www.showbyappointment.com/Rules.html

Upcoming SBA Show Series:

Summer Reined Cow Horse Shows I & II:

May 18-19, 2013 – Unadilla, Georgia
Show I – Reined Cow Horse Pattern 8
Show II – Reined Cow Horse Pattern 9

Summer Reined Cow Horse Shows III & IV:

June 29-30, 2013 – Unadilla, Georgia

Summer Reined Cow Horse Shows I, II, III, & IV:

August 15-18, 2013 – Jackson, Ohio

Follow SBA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShowByAppointment?fref=ts

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Come to South Carolina for 3 Days of Fun

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So8ths/Nikon HOTC Three-Day Invites Spectators

Make Your Reservations Now: May 3-5

April 19 — CHESTERFIELD, SC — For a fun outdoor weekend, it’s hard to beat watching great horses and riders compete in a beautiful setting. Like the famous Carolina Cup, the So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas” offers spectators a chance to see top-notch horses in thrilling competition.

But Southern 8ths offers several things not available at The Cup:  spectators can get a lot closer to the horses, stroll around the beautiful grounds, mingle with the riders afterwards, and… it’s free!  The format is different too — since riders compete one after another, there’s very little down time. Competition is spread over three days — May 3, 4, and 5 — so folks can choose which day they want to come.

On Friday the riders will compete in Dressage, a classical form of riding that is akin to ballet on horseback.

Medlin-Watch-Me-NowSaturday will see the most action, with an endurance phase which tests the horses’ fitness, and then a series of challenging cross-country obstacles. One of the most beautiful — and exciting — is a series of jumps at the water obstacle.  Horses actually jump into a lovely pond, canter through the water, and jump out on the other side.  A series of banks and drop jumps are also thrilling to watch.

On Sunday the horses put in a round of Show Jumping, with the jumps varying in height depending on the division.  At the end of all three phases, the scores are tallied and the winners announced.

Farm owner Brad Turley is hosting the third annual So8ths/Nikon HOTC Three-Day at his Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, SC. Brad moved from Connecticut several years ago in search of warm winters, and he liked the area so much that he designed his farm around his love of competition. Specifically, he promotes the Long Format in Eventing.

“Few people compete in the Long Format anymore, because it requires a lot more preparation for horse and rider, it’s time consuming, and it’s tougher,” he said. The Long Format includes a Roads & Tracks portion that stresses endurance and fitness.  It adds miles and another phase to the already challenging cross-country day. The jumps are all different, all challenging, and all thrilling. Horses jump not at a sedate canter, but at a full gallop. Every second counts!

Blackmon-TullyCrossPrescottThe farm, located on the South Carolina/North Carolina border, is beautifully designed. The rolling hills offer a great view, and spectators can watch Dressage and the always exciting Show Jumping from a prime location. Strategically placed around the farm are a number of unusual wood carvings. Originally designed as jumps, they are stunning works of art.

This unique competition attracts top amateur riders from up and down the East coast.  Food is available on site, but spectators should bring chairs. There is still time to volunteer for behind the scenes action, too. For more information, visit www.So8ths.com or call 843-623-5005.

CONTACT:  Press Link/Diana De Rosa – 516-848-4867 – dderosa1@optonline.net
WEB SITE:  www.So8ths.com; PHOTOS:  www.tinyurl.com/presslink-so8ths;  FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/so8ths  (like us!)

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Parra and Van The Man Dance to the Top of FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3* for United States

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Dr. Cesar Parra and Van the Man during the Nations Cup CDI 3*. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL (April 18, 2013) – Dr. Cesar Parra, whose bridles have been known to sport red, white and blue brow bands, had patriotism riding high over the April 13-14 weekend during America’s only event of its kind, the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO/CDI3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm at The Stadium at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds.  On Saturday, Parra clinched the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3* with a 74.375% score on Van The Man from judges Evi Eisenhardt (E), Maribel Alonso (H), Anne Gribbons (C), Linda Zang (M), and Joan Macartney (B).

The former Colombian 2004 Olympic as well as 2002 and 2006 World Equestrian Games veteran, who became an American citizen in 2008 and represented the US on the Gold medal-winning 2011 Pan American Games dressage squad, was also a member of Friday evening’s Nations Cup reserve champion Team USA 2.

On the combined strength of their Grand Prix Freestyle and Sunday’s FEI Grand Prix Special (72.208%) scores,put Parra in runner-up position in the Individual Rider Standings and top USA Individual rider. Van The Man is an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Obelisk x Landjoker) acquired for Parra by sponsors Sarah and Michael Davis in 2011.

“I was very excited to take part in my first Nations Cup and to medal as a team and as an individual,” said Parra. “I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to represent my country. I’d like to thank my owners, wife, groom, and Katie Riley, my eyes on the ground, and also to the USEF for selecting me as a member of the team. This horse has improved so much. I love him.”

“I am so proud of my husband, so proud of all the Piaffe Performance riders, and all the members of our team. It has been an amazing weekend and season,” said Parra’s wife, Marcela Ortiz.

Tuny Page of Stillpoint Farm praised the Nations Cup format and its contributions:  “One crucial thing about this competition involves the opportunity to expose small tour horses to this kind of atmosphere and a patrons’ tent. That’s really important in the development of international sport. I hope that people in the world of dressage are paying attention to what’s happening here because it’s fantastic and will continue to improve.”

As stylish outside the ring as within it, Parra thanked Page and the pillars of the dressage world that made a week-long dressage event like this possible in Florida:  “Thank you so much [to Page].  She’s not only a great rider with wonderful horses, but she’s always trying to help the sport.  It means a lot to all of us to have this place and I hope we can continue to enjoy it because it’s really a pleasure to come and ride here.  We are so grateful.”

Parra reserved his best praise for last, for his four-legged partner, Van The Man.  “He was right on it, from the very first step.  He’s been, as most of my colleagues know, a ‘clown’ to say the least!  He’s humbled me more than a couple of times, so I just keep on working and today, he said ‘Okay, I’ll do it.’  It was amazing from that first step.  It’s exciting to do the best you can and have it work out.  I’m just so happy that I cannot describe it.  I’m really, really grateful.”

As the Piaffe Performance team leaves Florida for its Whitehouse Station, NJ, facility, all eyes are on the horizon line for Normandy and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

“My goal,” Parra concluded, “is to really make him my partner.  I believe in him.  I think he’s a world-class horse.  It’s just a matter of getting him to trust me, to follow me, to believe, to become a great horse.”

Follow Van The Man and Cesar Parra’s season together, and learn more about Piaffe Performance and its stellar stable of dressage prospects at www.piaffe-performance.com.

For more information contact:
Dr. Cesar Parra
drcesarparra@msn.com
www.piaffe-performance.com
410-977-8352

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Sparkling Line-Up of Jumping Super-Stars for Rolex Final

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America’s Rich Fellers (centre) is pictured on the podium after victory at last season’s Rolex Final alongside Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (left) who finished in runner-up spot and Pius Schwizer (right) who slotted into third place.

Lausanne (SUI), 19 April 2013 – With just days to go to the opening of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Final at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, there is already a sizzle of excitement. This most treasured series will end its 35th season in the place where it all began when Austria’s Hugo Simon was crowned the very first champion back in 1979 on Gladstone. And this year’s Final line-up is a spectacular one, including London 2012 individual Olympic gold medalist Steve Guerdat from Switzerland amongst a host of other stars.

A total of 39 riders from 17 countries will be chasing the crown of crowns that is the Rolex title, and they all start out on equal terms on the opening day. They have emerged from 16 qualifying leagues around the globe and represent a myriad of continents and cultures, but they all have one thing in common – their horsemanship has secured their place amongst the elite of the sport, providing them with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talent on the greatest indoor stage on the world circuit.

Exceptionally Powerful

All eyes will be on the exceptionally powerful US squad this time around. And the biggest question will be whether the extraordinary stallion Flexible, now 17 years young, can retain the crown he claimed in style last year at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) for Rich Fellers.

Repeat wins are nothing new to this prestigious annual tournament. America’s Conrad Homfeld was the first to achieve the distinction when, following his victory with Balbuco in 1980, he secured it again five years later riding Abdullah, while the legendary Canadian, Ian Millar, quickly followed with back-to-back titles in 1988 and 1989 partnering the wonderful Big Ben.

Everything in the history of the FEI World Cup Jumping series has a vintage quality. The roll of honour reads like a “who’s who” of the sport down the years, and victory is worn like a badge of pride by each successive generation. Who wouldn’t want to have their name engraved alongside those of back-to-back double champions John Whitaker and Milton from Great Britain, or the three-time winners Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil, Germany’s Marcus Ehning and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, and Hugo Simon who added two further titles to the one he clinched in that very first season. Pessoa holds a unique record, as his hat-trick was achieved over three consecutive years with the same super-stallion, Baloubet du Rouet.

Dominant Nations

In the early years, the series was dominated by Americans, who won seven times between 1979 and 1987. It took 25 years for Fellers to haul the trophy back to the USA, thanks in no small way to the courage and tenacity of his stallion who was written off more than once during his career but who always clawed his way back. Now that the drought has come to an end, the US squad will be loath to loosen their grip, and they are coming out next week with a formidable 11-strong crew that includes double Olympic team gold medalists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden, and their new shining star, 18-year-old Reed Kessler, who made history last year as the youngest rider ever to compete for the USA equestrian team at an Olympic Games, and is now on the crest of a wave having finished second at the Saut Hermes CSI5* in Paris last weekend.

Germany holds the record for most wins in the series, with nine in total. However, last year’s win for Fellers brought the US tally to eight, so there is plenty of pressure on the German contingent to keep their noses out in front. With Marcus Ehning, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, 2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping champion Christian Ahlmann and Hans-Dieter Dreher, the German effort won’t be lacking in experience or horse-power.

Quality Field

With Kevin Staut, Penelope Leprevost and Roger-Yves Bost lining out for France, Denis Lynch and Shane Sweetnam flying the Irish flag, and Marc Houtzager and Ludo Philippaerts competing for The Netherlands, the class of the field is in no doubt. Olympic champion, Guerdat, is accompanied by fellow-Swiss Pius Schwizer, whose impressive record over recent Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping seasons includes equal-second in 2010 and third place at the 2012 Finals, while Spain’s sole representative, Sergio Alvarez Moya, is a man to be reckoned with. He won the hotly-contested Western European League after a superb indoor season.

Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks, Poland’s Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski and Russia’s Anna Gromzina represent Central Europe, while the Arab League contenders are Qatar’s Ali bin Khalid Al Thani and Bassem Hassan Mohammed. Egypt’s Nayel Nasser qualified as winner of the North American series, while Santiago Medina will compete for Colombia. Raena Leung will compete for Hong Kong, and along with Portugal’s Luciana Diniz and Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, brings the number of female contenders to 12 this year. Just four lady riders have won the FEI World Cup Jumping title, and three of those – Melanie Smith (1982), Leslie Burr Lenehan (1986) and Katharine Burdsall (1987) – flew the flag for the USA. The fourth lady champion and three-time winner, Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, also has a significant link with the US as she was born in Los Angeles, California.

Swedish Sweetheart

But if it is time for another lady to take the spoils, then perhaps the moment has arrived for Malin Baryard-Johnsson. The 38-year-old sweetheart of the Swedish sporting public is always highly competitive and, on home turf, will be battling harder than ever. Team silver medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, she missed out on London 2012 due to a late injury to her horse, but she has been continually placed throughout the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series and is hungrier than ever for success.

The rest of the Swedish contingent are also an impressive bunch, including the consistent Jens Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann, who has been showing superb form with the mare Gotha, and reigning FEI European champion Rolf-Goran Bengtsson.

Sweden has never taken the FEI World Cup Jumping title. This could be the moment, and the story will unfurl as the Final gets underway next Thursday evening with the opening speed class, followed by Friday’s two-rounder and Sunday’s thrilling decider.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat – watch all the excitement on www.feitv.org:

Competition 1: Thursday, 25 April 18.25 CEST
Competition 2: Friday, 26 April 18.25 CEST
The Final: Sunday, 28 April 13.30 CEST

Facts and Figures

This is the 35th season of FEI World Cup Jumping, and the Final takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden for the 13th time.

Rolex took up title sponsorship of the FEI World Cup Jumping series in 2007.

A total of 479 riders from 50 nations have competed at the FEI World Cup Jumping Finals since the series started back in 1978.

The USA holds the record for the greatest number of competitors over the years, with 107 in total. Next in line is Germany with a relatively modest 47.

Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker holds the record for most participations at FEI World Cup Jumping Finals having competed on 22 occasions.

39 athletes from 17 countries will be in action.

Seven qualifying leagues will be represented – Western Europe, South America North, North America East, North America West, Chinese League, Central European League and Arab League. Riders from 16 leagues around the globe competed in the qualifying rounds.

Four riders have won the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping title on three occasions: Germany’s Marcus Ehning (2003, 2006, 2010), Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (2005, 2008, 2009), Austria’s Hugo Simon (1979, 1996, 1997) and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa (1998, 1999, 2000).

Only four lady riders have ever clinched the title, and three of those – Melanie Smith (1982), Leslie Burr Lenehan (1986) and Katharine Burdsall (1987) flew the flag for the USA.

The fourth lady champion and three-time winner, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, competes for Germany but originally hails from Los Angeles in California, USA.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2012/2013 in Gothenburg, Sweden (24-28 April), check out www.gothenburghorseshow.com.

By Louise Parkes

Gothenburg Media Contacts:

At Gothenburg

Mayvor Thorin
+46 31 368 43 49
mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se

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

FEI Media Contacts:

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

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 78 750 61 45

Competitions, Dressage

Endel Ots Debuts Cutler Farm’s Verida in Prix St Georges at the Dressage National 5

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Endel Ots and Verida during the Dressage National 5. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL (April 17, 2013) – “Endel has really brought her along in such a short time. It’s great to see her reach her potential at this level,” said an ebullient Donna Cameron of Cutler Farm Dressage in Medfield, Massachussetts about the Prix St Georges debut of her mare, Verida, under former USDF Prix St Georges Horse of the Year trainer, Endel Ots, during Dressage National 5 at the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

Verida’s inaugural FEI Prix St Georges test was Tuesday morning and she won the class with a 69.868%.  Ots and Cameron were very pleased with her performance and the win “was the icing on the cake”.  Little did they know the best was yet to come.  On Wednesday the pair returned to the arena for what was now Verida’s second  FEI Prix St Georges test, and again she won the class this time with an even more impressive score of 71.974%.

“She’s a lovely horse to ride,” Ots said.  “All her changes were big, clean, and consistent.  She has a great work ethic and really enjoys her job and the show ring.” For Cameron the win is a little bitter sweet as Verida, who is by the famous dressage sire Rosseau, 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.

Cameron and Cutler Farm have been keeping good dressage company, recently announcing that Olympian Heather Blitz, who hosted her first New England clinic at Cutler Farm earlier in the year, will base her training services from the Medfield Massachussetts farm beginning in May. Ots who also hosted clinics at Cutler Farm will be sceduling clinics there again before the end of the year as well.

Ots’s business partner Caroline Roffman is also scheduled to do clinics this year and is an old family friend of Cameron’s.  Roffman used to keep her horses at Cutler Farm Dressage when she lived in Massachussetts.  “Endel is such a successful FEI competitor, as is Caroline,” said Cameron.  “He has trained with so many prominent names, like Lars Petersen, and Hubertus Schmidt.”  Originally from De Pere, Wisconsin, Endel Ots began riding on the family’s Ots Sunrise Farm and worked for DYB Dressage before accepting an opportunity to train with Schmidt in Germany.  He had the 2007 USDF Prix St. Georges Horse of the Year and has scored above 75% in USDF Intermediaire I and Intermediaire I Freestyles. Ots operates Lionshare Dressage with rider and trainer Caroline Roffman, and for more information about their training programs and dressage sales prospects, visit www.lionsharedressage.com.

For more information contact:
Endel Ots, 1-920-562-5714
www.LionshareDressage.com
lionsharedressage@gmail.com

Dressage, Jennifer Ward

David Marcus Wraps Up Successful Winter Season

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David Marcus and Don Kontes led Team Canada 1 to a bronze medal at the CDIO3* Wellington Nations’ Cup. Photo by Sue Stickle.

Wellington, Florida – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, wrapped up a highly successful winter season with a bronze medal performance as part of Team Canada 1 in the CDIO3* Wellington Nations’ Cup held April 11 to 14 as part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

Riding Don Kontes, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic, Marcus put in an exciting performance in the Grand Prix on Friday, April 12 to help lead Canada to the podium.  His teammates included Christilot Boylen riding Dio Mio, Brittany Fraser aboard All In and Evi Strasser with Action Tyme.  Team USA 1 claimed the gold while Team USA 2 took home silver in the only Nations’ Cup competition held outside of Europe.

“It has been a tremendous season for both me and my students,” said Marcus.  “The five months we’ve spent in Florida have gone by so quickly.  I couldn’t be more pleased with how successful all of the horses were this winter.”

Marcus’s bronze medal performance was the latest in the long string of successes he has enjoyed over the winter competition season.  Riding Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding also owned by Kinzinger Miculinic, Marcus topped the North American World Cup League after dominating the CDI-W Wellington Dressage in February.  In the Grand Prix, he topped a starting field of 13 horses with a score of 70.34%, edging out Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson for the win.  In the Grand Prix Freestyle, he performed his new musical program for just the second time in competition, earning an impressive score of 74.45% from the five-member panel of international judges to claim the top spot once again during the World Cup qualifying event.

Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital also received an invitation to the prestigious CDI5* World Dressage Masters Palm Beach in January where they were the sole Canadian representatives to advance to the Grand Prix Freestyle, placing sixth overall.

Don Kontes also proved to be a reliable partner for Marcus, with the pair winning the Grand Prix Freestyle during the CDI3* Sunshine Challenge in January on their score of 70.825% and finishing second in the Grand Prix.

“Winning the World Cup qualifier with Capital was definitely one of the high points of the winter season for me, as was competing in the World Dressage Masters for the first time,” explained Marcus.  “I was also really excited about representing Canada with Don Kontes.  I gave both horses their time to shine and I think it worked out really well for us.”

Marcus’s students also proved successful during the winter season, earning tremendous results of their own.

“All of my students did very well during the winter circuit,” said Marcus.  “Ally Dunlop made her debut at the Young Riders level and finished her season with a win at the International Horse Sports Champion Cup in March.  Maya Markowsk represented Canada for the first time as part of Team Canada 2 at the Wellington Nations’ Cup with Lumiere, finishing sixth.  Lumiere is a great horse for Canada and I am really excited for their future together.”

Marcus credits his success in part to the amazing support he receives.

“Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic, who owns my horses, Robert Dover, who has been training me all winter, and Nicholas Fyffe, who is always a big help to me, helped make all of my success so far this season possible,” said Marcus.  “I want to give them all a huge ‘thank you’ for supporting me this winter.”

With the winter competition circuit now over, Marcus will head home to Canada to give the horses a bit of a break before focusing on preparing for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage in Campbellville, ON, just west of Toronto.  For more information, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

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