WELLINGTON, FL – March 27, 2013 — Audi and Piaget, both based at Grand Champions Polo Club, will begin play this week in the prestigious 109th annual Maserati U.S. Open at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Audi opens the tournament on Thursday at 2 p.m. against longtime rival Coca-Cola. Piaget plays Lechuza Caracas on Saturday, also at 2 p.m.
Piaget, one of only two teams with two 10-goal rated players, is coming off a championship victory in the Butler Handicap on Sunday.
Piaget won the title for the second consecutive year with a thrilling 9-8 victory over ERG.
After a lineup adjustment, Piaget has put together two impressive back-to-back wins over Orchard Hill and ERG and look to be among the favorites in the 11-team U.S. Open tournament.
Piaget is led by 10-goalers Sapo Caset and Miguel Astrada and will be joined by 23-year-old 6-goaler Nacho Badiola, making his IPC 26-goal debut this season, and team captain Melissa Ganzi, one of only two women players competing in the high goal tournament.
“The U.S. Open is the highest level and the best level of polo that we have in America,” Piaget team captain Melissa Ganzi said. “It’s really special to be able to participate in that and even more amazing to win it. It’s the American Dream.
“The best eight teams should make it to the quarterfinals,” Ganzi said. “I think we are playing well and the timing is perfect. I love playing with two 10-goalers. It’s like playing with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.”
Sapo Caset, coming off his Most Valuable Player, eight-goal performance in the Butler Handicap, is confident about his team’s chances in the U.S. Open. Caset has competed in the finals the past two years.
“We are playing well now and that is important going into the Open focused,” Caset said. “We have a lot of confidence. Our attitude is changed, the horses are going good and we are playing hard.”
Previous Audi vs Coca Cola match up
Audi, winners of the 2009 U.S. Open with brothers Gonzalito, Facundo and Nico Pieres with Ganzi, has advanced into two finals this season and hope to find its winning form return in the Open.
This year’s Audi team features 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres, younger brother and 8-goaler Nico Pieres, 7-goaler Jeff Hall, one of the highest-rated American players, and Ganzi, who has gutted out the season and played well despite a broken thumb and knee injury.
“We have one tournament left and that is the U.S. Open,” Gonzalito Pieres said. “We hope to be ready. We know we have to play better than we have been playing.”
There are three brackets. Audi is in bracket one with Coca-Cola, Zorzal, ERG and Valiente, the only other team with two 10-goalers Adolfo Cambiaso and Pelon Stirling. Piaget is in bracket two with Faraway and Orchard Hill. The third bracket is Lechuza Caracas, Alegria and Zacara.
The teams in bracket one will play within the bracket with the best four teams, by record, advancing to the quarterfinals. The teams in bracket two and three will play cross-bracket, with the best four out of all six teams, by record, also advancing into the quarters.
Zacara, led by 10-goaler Facundo Pieres and coming off its USPA Gold Cup loss to Valiente, is the defending U.S. Open champion.
The U.S. Open Polo Championship, first played in 1904 at Van Courtland Park, celebrated 100 years in 2004. It is one of three major polo tournaments worldwide along with the British and Argentine Opens. It is also the third jewel of U.S. polo’s 26-goal Triple Crown that includes the C. V. Whitney Cup and USPA Piaget Gold Cup.
For the first half of the 20th century the U.S. Open Polo Championship was hosted in the northeast, primarily at Meadowbrook Polo Club. In 1954, the U.S. Open moved to Oakbrook Polo Club, outside of Chicago, where it stayed until 1978.
The next eight U.S. Opens were hosted by Retama Polo Club in San Antonio where Memo Gracida won the first of his record 16 wins.
In 1987, the U.S. Open was played at El Dorado Polo Club in Palm Springs. The next four were played at Horsepark in Lexington, Ky.
Since 1996, the U.S. Open has been held in South Florida. In 2005, Julio Gracida added to the Gracida family’s combined record of 36 U.S. Open Polo Championship wins.
AUDI/PIAGET U.S. OPEN SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 28, Audi vs. Coca-Cola, 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 30, Piaget vs. Lechuza Caracas, 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 31, Audi vs. Zorzal, noon.
Thursday, April 4, Audi vs. Valiente, 2 p.m.
Friday, April 5, Piaget vs. Alegria, 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 7, Audi vs. ERG, noon.
Thursday, April 11, Piaget vs. Zacara, 10 a.m.
Sunday, April 14, Quarterfinals
Wednesday, April 17, Hall of Fame Cup, semifinal; U.S. Open Semifinals, 2 and 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, Hall of Fame Cup final, 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 21, Maserati U.S. Open final, 3 p.m.
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 during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League Tournament.
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Emanuel Andrade captured his second High Junior Jumper Championship title with his newest mount, ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z. Mancini Photos.
Wellington, Florida – Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela dominated the junior jumper divisions during week 11 of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The 16-year-old phenom captured Championship titles in the Low, Medium and High Junior Jumper divisions.
With the impressive triple win, Andrade brought the total number of championship titles he’s won since the start of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival to an even dozen. He has also earned eight Reserve Championship titles so far at what is widely considered to be the most competitive show jumping circuit in the world.
Only one month into their partnership, Andrade and his newest mount, ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z, took home their second High Junior Jumper Championship title after placing second in the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic on March 23 and the $1,500 High Junior Jumper class on March 21. Andrade also finished fourth and 10th in the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic with Walter 61 and Crossfire 10, respectively.
The next day, Sunday, March 24, Andrade claimed the Medium Junior Jumper Championship aboard Costa, having won the $10,000 Medium Junior Jumper Classic. In addition to his win with the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Hollow Creek Farm, Andrade also finished seventh with La Fe Forli, an 11-year-old Silla Argentina gelding, in the $10,000 Medium Junior Jumper Classic.
Making it three for three in the Junior divisions, Andrade earned the Low Junior Jumper Championship title riding Casanova Junior, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Hollow Creek Farm. The pair won the $1,500 Low Junior Jumper class on Friday, March 22, and placed sixth in the $10,000 Low Junior Jumper Classic on Sunday, March 24. The pair currently leads the 2013 Low Junior Jumper Circuit Standings at the Winter Equestrian Festival with just one week of competition left to go.
“It was a great weekend; Emanuel is getting a lot of mileage and his riding is getting more mature,” noted his coach, Angel Karolyi, of Venezuela. “Little by little, as he matures, he’s starting to make the right decisions in the ring rather than the wrong ones. Before, he used to get too excited in the jump-off and now, with experience, he’s learning to control his mind in the right direction.
“It’s harder for us Latins to control our emotions!” laughed Karolyi.
The successful new partnership between Andrade and ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z is particularly rewarding for his coach. The 12-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding was formerly ridden by both Kevin Staut and Michel Robert of France before going to Marc Bettinger of Germany. In January, Bettinger and ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z enjoyed a top 10 finish in the €75,000 CSI4* Grand Prix of Amsterdam before being purchased for Andrade by Hollow Creek Farm.
“ZZ Top is a new ride for Emanuel,” explained Karolyi. “He was beautifully ridden in the past and has competed at the top level of the sport. Emanuel has figured out how to get along with him and learned how to ride him fairly quickly, and he has already achieved success in the short month that he’s had him.”
On March 2, Andrade and ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z were members of the team that placed third in the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series team competition. A student in his hometown of Caracas, Andrade divides his time between competing in the United States and in his home country. While in Venezuela, Andrade competes as time permits, and enjoyed a grand prix victory on March 17.
While Andrade was winning the High Junior Jumper Championship in Wellington, his coach earned a top 10 finish in the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix in Ocala, FL, on March 23. Having jumped clear over the track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios, Karolyi had an early rail down in the jump-off to place seventh in the final standings.
“I had an early rail in the jump-off so just decided to take it easy and go slow,” said Karolyi who was riding Indiana 127, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Hollow Creek Farm. “I was really happy. My horse performed well and jumped beautifully, and you can’t be upset with that.
“The horse has changed a lot since I got him,” continued Karolyi, who won the $30,000 Raleigh Grand Prix in North Carolina last November when he first took over the ride. “There were little things that I had to figure out along the way, but I have learned a lot about him over the Wellington circuit. I’m happy that I’m really getting to know him, and I’m looking forward to jumping some bigger classes with him this year.”
In addition to placing seventh in the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix, Karolyi also enjoyed a top 10 finish in the $5,000 Waldron Wealth Management 1.30m Power & Speed riding Amigo. Hollow Creek Farm was a sponsor of the new show jumping tournament, now in its second year, presenting the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday, March 24.
“It was a lovely show, Chester Weber and the Live Oak team did a great job,” said Karolyi, who operates Hollow Creek Farm in Aiken, SC, with business partner Andrea King. “The ring was in top condition, and I think it will continue to improve every year. Hopefully they will hold a World Cup qualifying grand prix next year.”
Andrade, Karolyi and the Hollow Creek team will continue to compete in Wellington, FL, before returning to their home base in South Carolina.
For more information on Hollow Creek Farm, a large training business focusing on both horses and riders, please visit www.hollowcreekfarms.com.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
WELLINGTON, FL – March 24, 2013 — Piaget captured the Butler Handicap for the second consecutive year on Sunday with a thrilling 9-8 victory over ERG at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Grand Champions Polo Club-based Piaget, led by 10-goalers Sapo Caset and Miguel Astrada, has put together impressive back-to-back wins and will begin this week’s 109th Maserati U.S. Open on Saturday against Lechuza Caracas brimming with confidence.
“Our team went really well today,” said a jubilant Piaget team captain Melissa Ganzi. “There was a natural flow. Sapo, Miguel and Nacho all made crucial plays.
“It was an excellent win for us. They have great players on that team. Our fourth chukker was unbelievable. We’re getting more confidence. We have momentum going and hope to bring that to the U.S. Open.”
After a close first half, Piaget came up big in the fourth chukker behind Caset’s five goals including three on penalty goals, to shut out ERG, 5-0.
Caset was named Most Valuable Player after finishing with a game-high eight goals. Caset’s fourth-chukker horse, 10-year-old Viparita, was named Best Playing Pony and called “amazing” by Caset.
Sapo Caset hooking Agustin Merlos
“We changed our attitude,” Caset said. “We wanted to play hard and the horses were doing good. But it was on us. We had to change our attitude, take a man and hit the ball and play the way we do. I think today we did that. In the first two chukkers we played really well, in the third we went down a little and in the fourth I think we killed them.”
Astrada, Caset, 23-year-old Nacho Badiola and Ganzi turned in another outstanding performance playing well as a team while getting more comfortable with its lineup adjustment Piaget coach Joey Casey and player-coach Juan Bollini instituted before its semifinal win against Orchard Hill.
Caset said he was fully recovered from the flu that forced him to miss last Sunday’s stadium game against ERG. With a makeshift lineup of two 5-goalers, Piaget nearly knocked off ERG, losing 7-6. Piaget avenged the loss in style on Sunday.
“We are really, really happy; we wanted to win this to be able to get focused on the Open,” Caset said. “The team played the best so far. We played our best today but I think we can get better and improve.
“With the Open starting this week, it gives us a lot of confidence,” Caset said.
After trailing 5-3 at the half, Piaget dominated the second half and built an 8-5 lead in the fourth chukker with its big 5-0 scoring burst.
“We did very well in the beginning,” said Astrada, who won the battle of the brothers competing against one of his brothers, Eduardo. “Then it happened the same as the other game. In the third chukker we played badly but we were able to come back in the fourth really strong.
“We played organized in the fifth chukker and tried to keep our defense in control,” Astrada said. “Now we have started to know each other and we know what each other is going to do. That’s what makes the team play so well.”
Nacho Badiola
Badiola, making his IPC 26-goal debut this season at age 23, had another confidence-building game playing at his new back position for the second straight game.
Badiola ended up scoring what turned out to be the winning goal in the sixth chukker with 4:43 left to give Piaget a 9-6 lead. ERG scored two quick goals before Piaget’s defense shut them down behind Badiola’s open back shot to stall Tincho Merlos’ scoring attempt in the final minute.
ERG team captain Scott Wood left the game at the start of the fifth chukker and was replaced by 16-year-old Wesley Bryan of Aiken, S.C. It was Bryan’s first 26-goal game.
Last year Piaget, then rated 23 goals with Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Astrada, Nic Roldan and Rodrigo Andrade, won the Butler Handicap with a 14-10 victory over Las Monjitas. Roldan was named Most Valuable Player after scoring eight goals and Roldan’s gray mare, Dona, was named Best Playing Pony.
In Sunday’s USPA Piaget Gold Cup final, defending champion Valiente defeated Zacara, 13-9. Santi Torres was named MVP and Pelon Stirling’s horse Silk won Best Playing Pony.
AUDI/PIAGET TOURNAMENT LINEUP
April 21: 109th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship
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 during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League Tournament.
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Greg Crolick and Carson. Photos By: ESI Photography.
Ocala, FL – March 25, 2013 – A one-two finish in the $10,000 USHJA Hunter Derby put the perfect final exclamation points on an extremely successful winter show season for Greg Crolick and Top Call Farm. The blue ribbon in the derby earned aboard Carson and the red ribbon won with Grey Street added to the impressive collection of tricolors and top honors that the Bloomfield Hills, MI based hunter/jumper farm has earned throughout HITS Ocala this circuit.
Crolick and Carson, owned by Orchard Lake Farms, LLC, bested a field of 41 top hunter horses over two rounds to claim the top honor in the USHJA Hunter Derby, with Grey Street, owned by Adrienne Marciano, coming in a close second.
Carson came to Crolick in July as a derby horse, but his accomplishments this season have been far from limited to the derby field. In the same week as their derby victory, Carson and Crolick also earned the High Performance Hunter championship. Their consistent success in the division netted them the High Performance Hunter circuit champion title.
“We’ve had a wonderful circuit, not just these past weeks, but the whole circuit with him has been great,” Crolick shared. “He really rose to the occasion.”
“The same thing with Grey Street,” Crolick continued. “He’s a new horse for me. We got him the third week of January this year. He was just imported, and he’s actually quite green as a hunter.”
Greg Crolick and Grey Street
With his second place finish in the USHJA Hunter Derby and two seamless rounds, one would never guess that it was Grey Street’s first derby appearance. Crolick took Grey Street into the First Year Green Hunters the first week of February, and every week since then he’s continually exceeded expectations. Crolick and Grey Street ended their Ocala run with a reserve championship and the First Year Green Hunter Circuit Championship.
Both horses also competed in the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge, conducted simultaneously at HITS Ocala and HITS Thermal. Carson and Grey Street were two of 39 horses competing in Ocala for a slot in the top 12 that would then face off against the top 12 finishers riding in Thermal. Crolick easily made his way into the top 12 with both horses, and he was a strong representative for the East, finally finishing in fifth aboard Carson.
Rounding out Top Call Farm’s success these past few weeks was Imagine, owned by Clover Lane Farm LLC. Imagine added another championship in the Second Year Green Hunters to tricolors in the division earned throughout the season, finishing the time at Ocala with another circuit championship award for Top Call.
From Ocala, Top Call Farm will return home to Michigan, but not before competing at the prestigious Tampa Equestrian Series.
“I’m never in a hurry to get back to Michigan until it’s warm,” Crolick joked. “We definitely had a good circuit in Ocala and a great season.”
About Top Call Farm:
Located at the beautiful Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, Top Call Farm is a full service riding and training program for horse and rider, owned by Greg and Jessica Crolick. Top Call Farm offers training of the show horse and rider as well as riding instruction for those just starting out. Top Call can also aid in the purchase or sales of your show horse. For more information, please visit Top Call Farm on Facebook.
Mary Lisa Leffler and Paulexi, LLC’s Quastor Van De Helle Z clear the CWD oxer on their way to the win in the $25,000 CWD Grand Prix.
March 25, 2013 – Conyers, Georgia – The Atlanta Spring Classic welcomed a record number of competitors to its opening week at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia which kicked off on March 20 and is set to run through March 30.
“We had to add rings and redo the schedule a bit in order for everything to run smoothly. We definitely accomplished that,” said Classic Company President Bob Bell. “And with the wet weather we had on Saturday, we had no choice but to move the CWD Grand Prix to the covered arena,” he added.
The move did not dampen the spirits of the exhibitors as eighteen tackled the course designed by International Course Designer Michel Vaillancourt, of Augusta, Georgia. Only four rounds went clean, but it was Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland aboard Quastor Van De Helle Z, owned by Paulexi, LLC, who took the win with a clean first round in a time of 67.544 seconds and a clean jump off round of 33.622 seconds.
Second place went to Adam Cramer of Pittstown, New Jersey in the irons aboard Equi Sport, LLC’s Luke 54. They duo turned in a clean first round effort in 71.553 seconds and a clean jump off round in 35.128 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey rode his own Calissandro to a third place finish after turning in a clean first-round effort in 68.336 seconds and a four fault jump-off round in 33.061 seconds. Frances Land of Alpharetta, Georgia, riding her own Vieanne, turned in a fault-free, first round effort in 64.714 seconds but with nine jump faults in the jump-off round, would settle for fourth.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey rode The Coverboy Group’s Newlight VDL to a fifth place finish with two jump faults and a time of 73.791 seconds in the first round, while fellow New Jersey rider Devin Ryan rode Barbara Rowland’s No Worries to a sixth place finish with four jump faults in the first round with a time of 64.723 seconds.
Seventh place went to Collin, owned by Positive-ism, Inc., and ridden by Amanda Wise of New Fairfield, Connecticut, after turning in a first-round effort in 67.624 seconds with four jump faults. Eighth place was awarded to Robert Lee of Oldsaybrook, Connecticut riding Brook Run Farm, LLC’s El Grecco in a first round time of 68.869 seconds and four jump faults. Ninth place was awarded to Neil Badcock of King City, Ontario, Canada and his own Campino after turning in a first round effort in 69.065 seconds with four jump faults. Tenth place went to Robbie Donaldson of Columbus, North Carolina, aboard his own Ruby Tuesday who jumped the first round in a time of 68.257 seconds with eight jump faults.
Welcome!
The $5,000 Open Welcome Class on Thursday saw some of the top riders in the country tackle the course designed by Michel Vaillancourt. The legendary Joe Fargis of Middleburg, Virginia bested the field and took first place honors aboard Sandron’s Lariat in a first round effort of 71.167 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 31.225 seconds.
Second place saw Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey, in the irons aboard her own and the Coverboy Group’s Superbad, with a first round effort in 75.018 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 33.143 seconds. Adam Cramer of Pittstown, New Jersey rode Equi Sport, LLC’s Luke 54 to the third placing with a first round time of 71.840 seconds and a clean second round effort in 35.797 seconds.
Fourth place was awarded to Amanda Flint and the Coverboy Group’s VDL Zedaldin who turned in a first round time of 76.459 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 35.944 seconds. Lanie Thomas of King City, Ontario, Canada earned a fifth place ribbon aboard Neil Badcock’s Albion with a clean first round effort in a time of 71.839 and a clean second round effort in a time of 36.002 seconds. Sixth place went to Mary Lisa Leffler and Paulexi, LLC’s Quastor Van De Helle who turned in a clear first round in 72.011 seconds and a second round in a time of 36.343 seconds. Ken Whelihan of Otis, Massachusetts rode Ursula Green’s James to seventh place with a first round time of 73.659 seconds and a clean second round effort with a time of 36.751 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey wrapped the class up with the eighth place ribbon riding Barbara Rowland’s No Worries in a first round effort of 70.642 seconds and a four fault second round in a time of 31.929 seconds.
Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classic continues this week starting tomorrow and will run through Saturday. The new TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Division will highlight the week along with the $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome and the $25,000 Grand Prix scheduled for Friday night.
The Atlanta Spring Classic Shows coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival at the park, so be prepared for the most beautiful display of blossoming cherry trees as a backdrop to the magnificently decorated show rings.
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! And, this year the fun continues at the Gulfport show with complimentary exhibitor parties, breakfasts, luncheons and office snacks to make your showing experience the best ever.
Classic Company never charges a scratch or add fee for those last minute adds and scratches, so if you haven’t entered yet, go to the prize list or simply click on Equestrian Connect to fill out your entry form and stabling requests.
Equestrian Connect is Classic Company’s Official Service Provider and allows exhibitors to store their data one time, on the web, and then use that data to automatically fill out hunter/jumper entry forms across the country. The service offers a free 45 day trial period for new members. At the conclusion of the trial period, Equestrian Connect offers an annual subscription, or a “pay as you go” service. The service allows exhibitors to save both time and money. This is the one-minute online entry service that will help you get your entries in on time and you to the show!
So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Gulf Coast Classic shows in Gulfport, and let the good times roll!
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 www.ClassicCompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at classicsponsorship@gmail.com. All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Misdee Wrigley Miller claimed her first USEF National Pair Driving Championship title at the 2013 Live Oak International. Photo by PicsOfYou.com.
Ocala, Florida – Misdee Wrigley Miller of Lakewood Ranch, FL, claimed her first United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Pair Driving Championship title on Sunday, March 24, at the 2013 Live Oak International in Ocala, FL.
Wrigley Miller staged a successful comeback in Sunday’s third and final phase of cones competition, earning a score of 5.61 penalty points with her horses, Beau and Snoopy. With an overall three-phase total of 139.85 penalty points, Wrigley Miller was awarded the USEF National Pair Driving Championship as the highest-placed U.S. competitor. Canada’s Rae Fischer of Listowel, ON, won the FEI Pair Horse division with a final score of 131.55 penalty points.
“Everyone kept saying ‘fight, keep fighting!’, and that’s what I had to do!” said Wrigley Miller, who had won the opening phase of dressage driving Beau and Rient W, but slipped to third position following a challenging day in Saturday’s marathon phase.
“Everything went great until the fourth hazard; I was a little too fast and got hung up on a post,” said Wrigley Miller of her trouble at the Morgan Stanley Bull Market hazard with her veteran Snoopy and the seven-year-old Beau, a new addition to her team. “I was going back and forth and back and forth and, at the end of the day, I had to put my groom down, and that’s 10 penalty points added. I wound up last in the marathon when I had been 12 points in the lead going into it, and ended up third in the overall standings. I really had to fight today. It’s been a roller coaster. People say to never give up; it’s a three day event, and it’s not over until the last person drives through the cones, and it’s true. And I won!”
Wrigley Miller was especially pleased to win the title at Live Oak, which has been hosting driving events for more than 20 years at Live Oak Plantation, the private 4,000-acre farm of the Weber family.
“I’ve been involved with Live Oak for almost since its conception,” said Wrigley Miller. “I’m just so thrilled for Chester and his mom and his family that it’s grown into such an incredible international event. It’s surely one of the top-ranked shows in the world.”
Offering the highest amount of prize money of any driving event in North America, Live Oak International is organized by nine-time winner of the USEF Four In Hand Driving Championship Chester C. Weber, his mother Charlotte C. Weber, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, who led the Washington International Horse Show as President of the Board for the past four years. Chester Weber was leading the FEI Four-in-Hand Team Horse division heading into Sunday’s final cones phase but, unfortunately, weather conditions prevented the competition from concluding. The FEI Pony Team division, which had been led by Allison Stroud, was also unable to finish.
Prior to the stormy weather, Suzy Stafford overtook Paul Maye to win the FEI Single Pony division with a perfect cones performance and a final score of 113.76 penalty points while Wendy O’Brien held on to win the FEI Pair Pony division with 113.76. Leslie Berndl won the FEI Single Horse division with 117.95 penalty points.
Bettina Scherer maintained her lead in the Intermediate Single Pony division with 114.55 while Boots Wright did the same in the Intermediate Pair Pony division, winning with 114.26. John Levy driving Sky moved ahead of Robin Groves to win the Intermediate Single Horse division, which attracted a total of 12 entries. Having won the dressage and marathon phases, Zenon Gal claimed the Intermediate Pair division with 134.86 penalty points.
While Misdee Wrigley Miller is a familiar face among the driving community, a newcomer to the international show jumping ranks won the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Winning Round competition on Sunday afternoon. The format sees the top 10 riders, regardless of faults, advance to a second ‘winning round’ where everyone starts with a clean slate. From the starting field of 29 entries, eight riders posted clear rounds and were joined in the winning round by Sharn Wordley of New Zealand and Kim Prince of the United States, both of whom had incurred one time fault in the opening round.
Rafael Jose Contreras flies to the finish riding Valencio R.A.G. in the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round. Photo by Mark Astrom
With the winning round underway, speed was the name of the game over the track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. The times grew progressively faster until Andre Thieme of Germany took over the lead with a time of 47.60 seconds riding Clitschko 4. With only one rider left to challenge, hopes were riding high on Rafael Jose Contreras of the Dominican Republic. The 20-year-old did not disappoint, treating the crowd to an exuberant performance riding Valencio R.A.G. and stopping the clock in 44.91 seconds, almost three seconds faster than Thieme.
“It’s my first FEI win!” said a thrilled Contreras. “I’ve had my horse for four years, and he’s a great horse. He’s really spooky, but a good spooky.”
A college student in Santo Domingo, Contreras has been traveling back and forth to the United States for the past five years to train with Paulo Santana. 2013 marked his first trip to the Live Oak International, but he’s already making plans to return.
“I’ve never been here before, but for sure I’m going to come back!” promised Contreras. “It was really, really nice, I enjoyed it here. The course design and the footing are really good. The owners are really nice people.”
Jerry Parks Insurance Group recognized Contreras as the Leading Amateur Rider, awarding him a $1,000 bonus, while Chloe Reid, daughter of Live Oak International Co-President Juliet W. Reid, was named the Leading Junior Rider and also received a $1,000 bonus.
Having won the $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power &Speed, the $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake, and Saturday’s $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix, it was no surprise that Todd Minikus of Wellington, FL, was awarded the $10,000 Leading Rider bonus, presented by G&C Farm.
For the first time, live coverage of the Live Oak International show jumping and driving competition was offered on the USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com. The Live Oak International is the only event in North America to feature both international show jumping and driving events.
Live Oak International wishes to recognize its generous sponsors for their support, including 14 Hands Vineyards, ABBA, Adequan, American Invitational, Michael Ayers, BB&T Chazel Insurance, Beloved Farm, Ned Bliss, Brandywine Tent, Camping World, Cannon Carriages, Cape Code Finished Wood Siding, Charles Owen, Cheney Brothers, Jane Forbes Clark, The Clothes Horse, Coast to Coast Truck & Trailer, Connollys Nursery, Dever, Don Stewart Stables, Dutta Corp, E2 Show Jumpers, Equine Journal, Fidelity Investments, Dr. Rae and Nancy Fischer, Florida Express, Freund, G&C Farm, Gloria Austin, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum, Great American Insurance Group, Hermitage International Training Center, Hillcroft Farm, Hilton, Hollow Creek Farm, Wayne Humphreys, Insight Credit Union, Iron Spring Farm, Jerry Parks Insurance Group, Joan Pletcher Realtor, John Deere, Johnson Horse Transportation, Pixie Keating, Kentucky Classic, Kentucky Equine Research, Mary Mott-Kocsis, John Levy, Louisburg Farm, Lugano Diamonds, Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Mark’s Steak House, Mid State Electric, Morgan Stanley, Ocala Star-Banner, Palm Chevrolet & Kia, Party Time Rentals, Pine Flakes, PlaneSense, Peterson & Smith, RBC, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, The Sanctuary, Seminole Wellness, Shepherd Kaplan LLC, Signature Brands ,Sleepy P Farm, SmartPak, Christine Smith-Byerly, Stella Artois, Stonecliff Farm, Tequestrian, Trout Walk Farm, Waldron Wealth Management, Harley Waller, Waterside Environmental Care, Woodside Stables, WR Ranch and Dave and Boots Wright.
For more information on the Live Oak International, including full results, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Left to right: Michael Jung on Leopin FST, Andreas Dibowski on Butts Leon, Team Coach Hans Melzer, Dirk Schrade on King Artus and Frank Ostholt on Little Paint. Photo: Hanna Broms/FEI.
Lausanne (SUI), 25 March, 2013 – The German team produced yet another excellent performance to score victory at Fontainebleau (FRA), the first leg of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing 2013, and seem to be carrying on their winning ways from last year, when they took four out of six competitions in the inaugural series.
Team manager, Hans Melzer, had again fielded an ‘A’ team, made up of Olympic, World and European Champion Michael Jung on his second string Leopin FST (they finished third individually), Olympic team gold medallists Dirk Schrade and King Artus, plus Andreas Dibowski (Butts Leon) and 2011 European bronze medallists Frank Ostholt and Little Paint.
The quartet scored an emphatic victory over the host nation, France, and were dominant from the start, even without Jung’s top horse, La Biosthetique Sam, on which he scored an individual victory in the CIC3*, and Olympic bronze medallists Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo, who finished second.
There were only five clear Cross Country rounds inside the optimum time on Pierre Michelet’s twisting, accuracy-testing course around the forest tracks, and two of them came from Jung. French team member Donatien Schauly riding Seculaire*Mili produced another, finishing on his Dressage score in individual fourth place.
Vittoria Panizzon, riding the little grey mare Borough Pennyz, was one of the fastest across country for two time penalties and, jumping clear for seventh place individually, she led the Italian team to third place, ahead of the Netherlands.
An all-female British team lay second after Dressage, with Kitty King and Zidante in individual fourth place behind the German trio. However, King and Izzy Taylor, riding KBIS Starchaser, both faulted at the influential fence 18c on the Cross Country, a narrow brush fence on a curving line in water. The team dropped to fifth and Emily Llewelyn and Pardon Me, who had started out as the discard score after Dressage, ended up best of the quartet in 17th place with a clear Jumping round.
Fence 18c was also the downfall of the New Zealand team, as both Mark Todd on Regent Lad and Megan Heath (St Daniel) faulted here, and the Kiwis were unable to finish any higher than sixth, ahead of Spain in seventh.
The next FEI Nations Cup Eventing leg is on British soil in May, at Houghton Hall, where it will be interesting to see if the home side can resurrect their fortunes once more. Further nations, such as Australia, Ireland and Belgium, will also be expected to make their seasonal débuts.
The FEI’s first team Eventing series, the FEI Nations Cup Eventing, has seven events and is open to all nations fielding one team composed of 3 or 4 riders at each leg. The series runs under FEI Eventing rules at CICO and CCIO 3* level and riders accumulate points under a dedicated system. Visit the FEI Nations Cup Eventing series hub here for rules, results and Organiser details.
Colvin Wins $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix, Reid Takes Series Victory; Grand All Over and Emma Kurtz Excel in Visse Wedell Medium Pony Hunters
Wellington, FL – March 24, 2013 – Week eleven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Artisan Farms, concluded on Sunday, March 24, with a full day of jumper action on the derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Solerina won the highlight $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix in a five-horse jump-off over Marie Hecart (FRA) and Myself de Breve and Kirsten Coe (USA) and Baronez.
Victoria Colvin and Waminka were victorious in the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix, while Chloe Reid took the series win. Olivia Fry Weeks and Woica won the $10,000 Horseware Don Little Masters Classic. RichardJeffery of Bournemouth, England, set the courses on the derby field for all three classes.
In the $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix, 34 entries showed over Jeffery’s feature track with five clear rounds advancing to the jump-off. Two cleared the short course without fault, and Shane Sweetnam guided Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms’ Solerina to victory with the fastest clear round in 41.17 seconds.
Marie Hecart and Normandie Connections’ Myself de Breve cleared the jump-off course in 42.45 seconds to place second. In third, Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder’s Baronez had one time fault in 45.58 seconds. Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parksy’s Blue Angel had one rail down in 42.45 seconds to earn the fourth place honors, and Reed Kessler (USA) and Mika placed fifth with four faults in 43.87 seconds.
Sweetnam’s winning mount, Solerina, is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Cruising x Diamond Lad that he owns in collaboration with his sponsor, Spy Coast Farm. Believe it or not, Sunday’s win was Sweetnam’s first win in an international FEI grand prix as well as his horse’s first time ever showing in a grand prix at any level. The stars aligned for the pair on the field this weekend as they earned an exciting victory.
Watch an interview with winning rider Shane Sweetnam
“It is a great result, especially for myself,” Sweetnam admitted after the class. “It is my first WEF Sunday win and it is great for Spy Coast as well who own half of her with me. I am very, very happy. It was unexpected. She is a really competitive horse and her results have been great all circuit, but this is the first grand prix that I have done her in. She really surpassed herself; she gave everything she had. She is very fast, so I knew that if I could get in the jump-off that I would have a chance.”
Sweetnam has had Solerina since last summer and the pair has done very well together at the 1.45m and 1.50m level. “She has won a few classes; she has been second a lot. She has a very good strike rate,” Sweetnam noted. “She has been placed nearly 70%. She has been very, very good.”
“She has a bit of character, chestnut mare stuff,” Sweetnam said of Solerina. “If she is not fighting you, she is fighting with you, so I prefer if she’s fighting with me. Actually she was very relaxed here, so I was happy.”
The “chestnut mare stuff” may not be all that bad, as Sweetnam pointed out that three chestnut mares were first, second, and third in Sunday’s class. Second place finisher Myself de Breve is a feisty red headed mare as well, but has also proven herself many times in the arena with French rider Marie Hecart. Hecart got the 13-year-old mare as a two-year-old and has had some great results with her.
“She is very small, but she has all the scope,” Hecart declared. “When she was younger she was crazy, she was totally wild, but she really started to be good two or three years ago. She has really settled down and started working with me really well.”
“She always jumps really well on a big field like that,” Hecart said following the class. “She gets a lot of scope and she was great. I didn’t start the season really early; I started about five weeks ago. I didn’t want to do too much with her, so I wasn’t really ready for the first grand prix and this week she really started jumping like she does. She is 13, so she has all the experience and she doesn’t need to jump that much. I just try to do the big classes and the most important ones and she was really good.”
Third place finisher, Baronez, has had some great results showing on the grass field with rider Kirsten Coe, including a win in week seven’s $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup. She seems to like the different atmosphere.
“She really likes it out here,” Coe stated. “She is brave as a lion, so she really excels in this environment. I didn’t start showing that early in the season either; I didn’t start showing until week six, so it really feels like things are starting to come together now. She was double clear both times this week, so she has had a nice result.”
For Shane Sweetnam, there is no doubt that this year’s FTI WEF and Sunday’s class, especially, will be one to remember for a long time. Sweetnam praised the show after a fantastic day.
“WEF has done a great job this year,” he acknowledged. “Even last night they had such a great crowd and the standard of jumping has been fantastic every week. Personally, I have had a great circuit as well; I have been in the top three or four in the grand prix four times now, which I am very happy with. Every year I think WEF gets bigger and better and the standard is very high.”
Victoria Colvin and Waminka Win $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix; Chloe Reid Takes Series Victory
Starting off Sunday’s competition on the derby field, 15-year-old Victoria Colvin jumped to victory in the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix presented by the Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte. Thirty-one entries showed in the class with four clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. None of the competitors were able to clear the second round course without fault, and Colvin’s four-fault round was the best with a time of 43.21 seconds aboard Waminka, owned by Rivers Edge.
Dana Scott and Nod Hill Farm’s KM What Ever RV finished second with four faults in 43.65 seconds. Niclas Hofmann and Trelawny Farm LLC’s Babbe Van’t Roosakker placed third with four faults in 50.87 seconds. Fourth place honors went to Alexandra Thornton and Dunwalke Ltd.’s Blue Curacao with eight faults in 45.17 seconds.
Sunday’s class was only Colvin’s second time competing in the young rider events in Wellington and she was happy that it went so well. She has had previous experience showing on the grass field in the equitation, hunter and junior jumper divisions, but was excited to compete against some of her top peers in the series.
“It went pretty well,” Colvin smiled after the class. “It is so nice to be out on the field and she just went amazing.”
Waminka is one of Colvin’s top mounts and the pair has had a lot of success recently, including winning yesterday’s $10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior Jumper Classic. Riding on the grass field was a little different, but the pair handled it perfectly.
“With her, I feel like she doesn’t have to get as quiet, so that she just has a nice gallop,” Colvin explained of the different preparation. “We pretty much just walked her this morning and then she was just ready to go.”
“She is pretty straightforward,” the rider added. “You have to hold her mouth a little bit, but she goes to the jumps and you don’t really need much leg. She is one of my favorites except for my own, of course, but she is a lot of fun.”
Commenting on the jump-off, Colvin continued, “I was trying to just have a nice, clear round, but I think I just felt the wind and ran to that oxer. I was gonna go slow and clean, but it didn’t really work that way. I think the wind makes it more fun. It feels like you are on a beach galloping.”
Sunday’s class was the final event in the 2013 Artisan Farms Young Rider Series, presented by the Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte, which also awarded the top prizes on Sunday for its overall standings. Sixteen-year-old Chloe Reid was named the top rider under 21 and will get a spot on the USEF European Young Rider Tour this summer as her prize, with transportation provided by the Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte. Along with that, as the overall winner she takes home a Bruno delGrange saddle. Wilton Porter and Niclas Hofmann were second and third in the overall standings.
“I am really excited. This was definitely one of my goals for the year,” Reid said of the honor. “Every year we sit down with my trainer (Kim Prince) and my parents and they say ‘Chloe, what would you like to have as your accomplishment for this year?’ Last year it was to make the European Tour and this year I said that I would love to finish in the top for this class and I was able to make that achievement.”
Reid went on the European tour last year and enjoyed her time competing abroad. “That was an amazing experience last year,” she stated. “I have never really ridden on a team before and it is a completely different atmosphere over there. It is a great learning experience and I learned so much more than if I just stayed here. I was really happy with everything over there.”
Reid is developing a great partnership with her horse, Damascus, and felt that this year’s young rider series was very helpful to their development.
“This series is great with all of the different kinds of rounds they give us,” Reid acknowledged. “We had a night class, we had a Nations Cup theme, we had on the grass today and just all of the different experiences for helping you succeed. I have had Damascus since last spring and she has really learned to become my horse and I have learned our strengths and weaknesses together. Every round I am just getting to know her more and try to exceed even more.”
A full schedule of competition was also held at the main show grounds at PBIEC on Sunday in the International Arena. In the $10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, Daisy Johnson and Atlanta 447 jumped to victory. In the $10,000 Maria Mendelsohn Low Junior Jumpers, Eugenio Garza and Marbella were victorious.
Grand All Over and Emma Kurtz Excel in Visse Wedell Medium Pony Hunters
Grand All Over lived up to his name during week eleven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The fifteen-year-old Welsh Pony gelding owned by David Gochman was champion of the Visse Wedell Medium Pony Hunter division with Emma Kurtz. Kurtz, of Cleveland, OH, piloted Grand All Over to second place under saddle and finished first, third, and third over fences.
Reserve champion was Sassafras Creek, ridden by Daisy Farish and owned by Redfield Farm. Farish and Sassafras Creek were eighth under saddle and were first, second, sixth, and first over fences.
Owner-rider champion for the division was Roxbury and Yasmin Rizvi. Reserve owner-rider honors went to Francesca Dildabanian and her pony Laugh Out Loud.
Grand All Over, known as “Toby” in the barn, is one of twelve-year-old Kurtz’s many successful pony mounts, but she will admit to him being her favorite by far. While Kurtz says his irresistible cuteness is what puts him at the top of her list, trainer Amanda Lyerly knows their bond is more than just skin-deep. “They really trust each other,” Lyerly commented. “He’s really brave and she’s confident on him. They’re such a good match.”
Lyerly does admit Toby’s looks certainly don’t hurt him in the ring. “He has an amazing look through the bridle and he has a great neck. He always goes with his ears pricked and he pretty much always jumps well no matter how you get to the jump. He just has a lot of presence,” Lyerly described.
Toby has been so successful with Kurtz that the pair is currently in second place in the FTI WEF circuit standings despite a relatively light show schedule. “Emma won the pony classic World Champion Hunter Rider week. She was champion another week and reserve one week. He really hasn’t done a lot since he already has so many points. He gets to have an easy circuit,” Lyerly explained.
Kurtz and her winning partner will continue to show together through the FTI WEF’s final week, after which the duo look forward to showing at the Devon Horse Show in May. Following Devon, their show career together is a little more uncertain. Kurtz has had Toby on lease from the Gochman family until their girls grow into him.
“He belongs to the Gochmans, and their kids were actually a little bit too small for him when they got him, so they’ve let Emma ride him for a little bit until they’re ready for him. It’s very, very generous of them to give her that opportunity,” Lyerly acknowledged.
Kurtz and Toby’s championship finish concluded hunter competition for week eleven of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Artisan Farms. The final week of the FTI WEF, presented by title sponsor FTI Consulting, will run March 27-21, 2013, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
CDI-W’s Sunday class offerings attracted a number of promising young horses whose riders hoped to give them experience in preparation for a move up the ranks. Local and international competitors alike persevered through windy weather to put in strong performances at Equestrian Estates’ IHS Champions Park in Loxahatchee.
Evi Strasser and daughter Tanya Strasser-Shostak both rode 9-year-old horses to wins in the Freestyle classes. Strasser started the day off by scoring 69.042% aboard Rigaudon Tyme to take the honors in the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI1*, and Strasser-Shostak followed up on her mother’s effort with a score of 64.208% on Deluxe Tyme in the Young Rider Freestyle.
“I was very happy with it,” Strasser said of her ride. “He was trying very hard. It’s getting better and better.”
“We’re going to do a couple more small tour events in the middle of the season and continue training him to the Grand Prix level,” she added. “This is just a way to go out in the ring and get confident. Once we know that he’s not worried about the ring any more, that he’s consistent in it, then we’ll go up. That’s the plan.”
Strasser-Shostak was pleased with Deluxe Tyme’s effort in his first freestyle competition. “I was happy that he dealt with the music well,” she commented. “I was disappointed that I missed the changes, but I hope I can get them better by the next show.”
Strasser-Shostak just recently took over the ride on Deluxe Tyme from her mother. “I’ve only ridden him for probably three and a half weeks, so it’s kind of a really big rush!” she said. “I want to continue getting him used to the ring. Two shows ago, he was just terrified of everything, so I’d say he came a long way already. I just want to get some mileage on him and then see how things go from there!”
Several other riders mentioned their hopes for the future with their talented young horses. “We are going all the way,” said Hans Werner Dressler, who scored 60.500% with Lotario to win the USEF Fourth Level Test of Choice. “This was his second show – we just had one show at First Level before this.” Lotario has already more than paid back on his owner’s investment: Dressler purchased the stunning gray gelding from Shelly Francis for just one dollar.
The USEF Third Level Test 3 pitted Maya Markowski on Diego against Chris Sanders on Lyric, and the two combinations battled it out for the win, each earning high scores from the judges. Sanders edged Markowski to take first, scoring 70.577% to Markowski’s 69.167%.
“He’s really sweet to ride and tries so hard,” Sanders said of the 7-year-old Lyric. “Last year we did First Level, when he was 6. I did my first Third Level a month ago. He doesn’t have that much show experience yet – we’re just trying to get him out and see what he’s like.”
Markowski was happy with her performance with Diego, although disappointed that she went off course at one point. “He was good! Except for my Alzheimer’s,” she laughed. She plans to compete Diego at the Prix St. Georges level in Canada this year.
Gabriel Meyer and Clapton JP
USEF First Level Test 3 winner Gabriel Meyer was thrilled with the 6-year-old Drum Major, who earned a 10 for his walk en route to a score of 76.774%. “He’s just a young boy – he just turned 6, and this is his first real season,” Meyer said. “He’s a wonderful, wonderful horse and it’s all about the miles at this point.”
Also scoring high were Holger Bechtloff and Clapton JP, who achieved an impressive 82.600% in the Young Horse Test for 6-Year-Olds.
“My ride was great,” Bechtloff said. “The horse always performs very, very well. He is so smart, intelligent and willing.”
“We are hopefully going to the 6-year-old championship,” he added.
The FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice class capped the day, providing a preview of several horses ready to make their marks in CDI competition. United States Dressage Federation President George Williams had the highest score of the class, riding Betsy Juliano’s Riccidoff to earn 66.118%. Riccidoff was the sales topper at the 2010 Performance Sales International (PSI) Auction in Ankum, Germany.
“I was pleased with him and with the things we’ve been working on,” Williams said. “He was very good and obedient with the wind. Overall I was very pleased with his attitude and how he tried in there. Right now we’ll continue with the Prix St. Georges and possibly do the Developing Horse later in the season.”
Megan Glynn put in a strong effort in her first Intermediaire 1 test to place second, earning 64.539% with Tyto. “The test went very well,” Glynn said. “This was my first I-1. I remembered it! Thank God!” she laughed. “We’ve been doing St. Georges all season, and we’re going into our first CDI in two weeks. Ramping it up – I’m really excited!”
Louisa-Marcelle Eadie finished third with Odin on 62.961% and sixth with Roseview’s Donna Classica on 61.649%. “We had a windswept ride!” she said after Odin’s test. “So we had to get his concentration back a little bit.” She noted that Odin is just turning 8 and was competing in only his second Prix St. Georges.
“I’m happy with him,” she added. “He’s schooling a lot of the Grand Prix now, but obviously he needs a lot more show experience. We’ll work on a lot of the small tour things for now and continue to work on his Grand Prix at home.”
Fourth-placed Carmen Elisa Franco was bringing Top Gun back to the show ring after a short hiatus. “We haven’t been to a show in a couple of months and it was really good coming back with him,” Franco said. “We are going to keep showing small tour this season and then go from there. He’s doing really well.”
Marta Renilla and Wec’s Mistico
Marta Renilla, who traveled from Texas to compete in the Champions Cup Grand Prix classes with Presumido, rode Wec’s Mistico to fifth place with 61.842%. Renilla has trained the 7-year-old Wec’s Mistico since he was 5. “I’m very pleased with him,” she said. “He’s still very green but he listened to me and he was responsive.” Renilla added that she thinks the young horse has a bright future.
Sunday’s classes closed out a successful weekend of Champions Cup competition, highlighted by double wins by Lars Petersen and Mariett in Friday’s Grand Prix and Saturday’s Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W.
To learn more about International Horse Sport and the IHS Champions Cup CDI-W, go to www.ihspb.com.
International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI-W/CDI1*/J/Y/P/U25 Fast Facts
USEF High Performance Qualifying Competition for the 2013 World Cup
Over $20,000 in Cash and Prizes
2013 USEF National Grand Prix & Intermediaire I Championship
2013 Massy Ferguson/USEF North American Junior & Young Riders’ Championship
USEF National Pony Rider Championships, USEF Developing Horse Championships
Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships, USEF National Brentina Cup Championships
USEF Level 5 Competition – USDF Musical Freestyles; USEF First thru Fourth Levels; FEI PSG thru Grand Prix, including FEI Musical Freestyles, JY/YR, FEI Five & Six Year Old Tests
IHS Blue Hors Invitational & Series Final Qualifier
Where:
IHS Champions Park – Equestrian Estates
3700 Hanover Circle
Loxahatchee, FL
Directions: www.pbderby.com/directions.html
Ocala, FL – The 2013 USEF National Pairs Championship concluded Sunday afternoon at the Live Oak International with the influential cones phase. Under blustery conditions and the threat of severe storms, the field of four went to task in the John Deere Arena.
Misdee Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, FL) travelled to Live Oak with her sights set on securing her first USEF National Pairs Championship. The 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship veteran did just that driving a near faultless round to add a National Title to her growing list of accomplishments.
“I’m over the moon,” said an ecstatic Wrigley-Miller. “I’ve broken my demon.”
A single ball down for three points and an additional 2.61 time faults meant Wrigley-Miller finished on a three day total of 139.85.
The cones phase hosted an additional challenge for drivers as show jumps were set within the cones course, to be used later in the afternoon for the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round. However, due to the weather many of the jumps had to be moved or changed, therefore the cones course looked very different when drivers entered the arena than it had when they walked in the morning.
“I was really, really happy. The course was extremely difficult,” said Wrigley-Miller. “The course I walked this morning wasn’t there.”
Collecting Reserve Champion honors was Lisa Singer (Chadds Ford, PA); the eight-time National Champion incurred nine points for three balls down and 9.05 time faults. Singer finished on an overall score of 151.12.
Canada’s Rae Fischer was the winner of the Live Oak International’s FEI Pair Horse division which was sponsored by Scott and Kathi Dancer on a score of 131.55.
In addition to the USEF National Championship, Live Oak International also hosts Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles, and Pony driving competition at both the FEI and Intermediate levels. For a second year, it will host world class jumping competition in conjunction with the driving. The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage of the marathon on Saturday and Sunday’s cones, in addition to Saturday’s $50,000 Live Oak International CSI 2* Grand Prix and the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday. The live stream, video-on-demand, photos and news can be found here.
