Paso Finos, Viva Florida and Red Hills Horse Trials are closely linked
March 1, 2013 – TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Red Hills International Horse Trials on March 8-10 will showcase Viva Florida 500 and the Paso Fino. For the sixth year as the only invited breed organization, members of the North Florida Paso Fino Horse Association (NFPFHA) and their horses will be at Red Hills Horse Trials on Sunday, March 10, to demonstrate the versatility of this historic breed, as they gear up for their annual show in Marianna, Florida at the end of April.
Spectators will have the chance to see a Paso Fino Grand National Champion stallion in the Red Hills Horse Trials Viva Florida Parade of Breeds, ridden by nationally recognized horsewoman Robin Ratliff. Ratliff has won more than 150 Grand National Championships, and her numerous awards and honors include the national Paso Fino Horse Association “Trainer of the Year” as well as the United States Equestrian Federation “Equestrian of Honor.”
Megan Altavilla and Muchacho
“If you’ve never seen a Paso Fino, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss,” says NFPFHA President Leatha Flowers. “The Paso Fino movement is completely unique to the breed, and they are known for being the smoothest riding horse in the world – you have to ride one to believe it.”
Today’s Paso Finos trace their origins to the horses brought over in ships on the rough sea voyages to the New World nearly 500 years ago. Viva Florida 500, which commemorates the anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s east coast landing in 1513, not only celebrates the state of Florida, but it also is a pivotal point in the rich history of the Paso Fino.
According to Flowers, when the Spanish set out for the New World, they took careful consideration about what kinds of horses could endure the voyage. These horses needed to be small, sure-footed, strong, versatile and beautiful. Most importantly, the horses had to have a smooth stride – or gait – because the conquistadors wore heavy armor and weapons, and they did not want to bounce or “post” while they rode for hours or days. “The Paso Fino was the obvious choice,” says Flowers.
Nearly 450 years after those ships landed, Colin Phipps of Tallahassee brought the first Paso Finos to North Florida, to where the Red Hills Horse Trials are held today.
Sally Bek and Revelacion
Red Hills spectators desiring to see more Paso Finos in action can attend the NFPFHA competition on April 27, at the Jackson County Agricultural Center in Marianna. Pasos from across north and central Florida – as well as Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana – will be competing in the annual “Gait-way to Fun Paso Show,” a qualifying event for the Grand National Show later this year.
“Recognition of the historic Paso Fino through Viva Florida 500, Red Hills Horse Trials and regional events will provide many opportunities for education and entertainment,” says Flowers.
Mario Deslauriers and Ardeche van de Zelm Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic; ASPCA Maclay Awards Two Sections
Wellington, FL, March 3, 2013 – Week eight of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by G&C Farm, concluded on Sunday afternoon with an exciting victory for Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel in the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). In an 11-horse jump-off, Farrington and Blue Angel were 1/100th of a second faster than Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ who finished second. Conor Swail (IRL) and Lansdowne, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, placed third.
Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, was the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for the week. In Sunday’s feature class, 53 entries showed and eleven went clear to advance to the jump-off. In the second round, six cleared the short course without fault, and it was a race to the finish as the times got faster and faster.
Charlie Jayne (USA) and Chill RZ, owned by Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher, showed the way to a clear round in the jump-off and eventually placed sixth with their time of 41.02 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Antares F went next and improved on that time in 38.83 seconds to place fourth. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer and Cellagon Lambrasco, owned by Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie, were just 2/100ths of a second slower in 38.85 seconds to take the fifth place prize.
Conor Swail and Lansdowne went next and put on quite a show as they stopped the clock in 38.57 seconds to eventually place third. Beezie Madden and Cortes ‘C’ upped the ante once more as they completed their round in 38.25 seconds. Just when it seemed like Madden might not be beat, Kent Farrington and Blue Angel raced through the timers in 38.24 seconds, just 1/100th of a second faster, to grab the top spot.
Watch an interview with winning rider Kent Farrington
Farrington’s winning mount, Blue Angel, is an eleven-year-old Anglo European mare by Luidam x Ascendant. Farrington just started riding her in Wellington this winter and as he put it, the pair “sort of jumped into the deep end of the pool,” going for the big classes right away.
“We did the 1.30m, 1.40m, and then we were off and running,” Farrington stated. “Winning with her gives me confidence in what I’ve been doing. I want to continue to try to grow with the horse and really get her into my system and get to know her better.”
“She is a special horse that’s actually the type of horse I grew up riding, more Thoroughbred-type,” Farrington described. “We had a lot of horses off the racetrack and I used to race ponies as a kid, so I’m used to riding really hot, small horses like that. That’s sort of right up my alley.”
In their short time together, Farrington and Blue Angel have had several top finishes, including a second place in this week’s $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8.
“I haven’t ridden it that long, but it’s naturally a fast horse,” Farrington point out. “I have actually practiced a few jump-offs in here. We have come close to winning a few classes – the WEF on Thursday was a speed round and she was second. McLain (Ward) won with a spectacular round that was unbeatable. Today was our day and we got a little redemption.”
Commenting on Sunday’s course, Farrington remarked, “I didn’t think there would be as many clear as there were, but I think that shows the strength of the field today.”
Farrington and second place finisher Beezie Madden are fresh off a win for Team USA in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Madden and her mount Cortes ‘C’ have had a great season, also including a win in the $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm during week six.
Madden agreed with Farrington’s comment on Sunday’s class. “I thought it was a good course,” she stated. “In a class like this I would prefer a few less clean, but I thought it tested carefulness and scope and a little bravery at the end with the [brush] box going into the triple [combination]. I think he had a really good feel for the horses. A lot of the riders had their top horses in today, so it makes for some very good jumping.”
Madden commented on her round in the jump-off, explaining, “I saw Conor go before me, so I knew it was very, very fast. I was just trying to use my horse’s big stride. I could set off right through the timers fast; I could trust him to jump the first fence clean and just gallop to that, and hope to be really fast to the second fence. I think I eased up a bit to the fifth fence, the oxer. I think I pretty much matched Kent everywhere else. It’s hard to say where you lost a hundredth of a second.”
Third place finisher, Conor Swail, had a great round with Lansdowne but knew he had some fast riders still to come.
“I certainly didn’t think I had it, but I was very happy to go into the lead,” he noted. “Lansdowne is a fantastic horse. He’s now 10 years old and he has jumped a few of these bigger classes. He knows what to do with himself now. I was delighted. I think the top four riders, those rounds would win most grand prixs. It was crazy.”
With a world-class line-up, Sunday’s class certainly proved the talent of the horses and riders in the jump-off. Swail was happy to be a part of the action.
“It’s nice to ride with these guys and be competitive with them,” he acknowledged. “You learn a lot by being in this company. By riding with the best, it’s how we get better. We all enjoy the competition. Any one of us could win each particular day. We never think we cannot win. We want to be on the top.”
Mario Deslauriers and Ardeche van de Zelm Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
Earlier in the day on Sunday, Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Ardeche van de Zelm, owned by Mario’s wife Lisa Deslauriers, topped the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. In a class of 41 entries, seven cleared the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and Deslauriers and ‘Ardeche’ completed the only double clear round in a time of 34.87 seconds to earn the victory.
Ardeche is a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Gran Corrado x Darco. After his win on Sunday, Deslauriers explained, “Ardeche is a horse that my wife Lisa rides also, that we have had for several years. It is a great horse. We were having some bad luck with his health for a little while, but we always try to bring him back because we know he is so good and he proved it today. He just had a couple of classes for practice and then he can just go in here and do what he does. He is exceptional.”
“He has won the Queen’s Cup; he has won several grand prixs. We just had a lot of bad luck with him, but touch wood, we keep hoping,” Deslauriers added. “With a horse like that it makes it easy for the rider because you just have to be in range. He is so special and he is just a show horse. He gets in the arena and he hears the bell and he has already picked up the canter. He is very smart and it is just a real joy to ride him.”
Laura Kraut (USA) and A. Lebon’s Jubilee d’Ouilly finished second with four faults in 33.43 seconds. Alonso Valdez Prado (PER) and Quick du Pottier were third with four faults in 34.90 seconds. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables’ Evita van de Veldbalie had four faults in 34.93 seconds. Kraut also took fifth place honors with the Evita Group’s Nouvelle with four faults in 35.51 seconds.
Victoria Colvin and Charlotte Jacobs Put In Blue Ribbon Performances in ASPCA Maclay Sections
The ASPCA Maclay class was split into two sections after entries swelled to over sixty riders during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Victoria Colvin finished first in Section A, presented by Sidelines Magazine, aboard Asparagus, a 19-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Missy Clark. Caitlin Boyle and her horse Loredo were second followed by Jack Morgan’s third place finish aboard Allison Haupt’s Vangoch.
Charlotte Jacobs rode Catherine Tyree’s Patrick to first place in Section B, presented by Alessandro Albanese. Gabrielle Bausano was second to Jacobs with her own Calito 7. The top three was rounded out by Lucille Green and her horse Accord.
Colvin, of Loxahatchee, FL, barely had time to prepare for her winning round after quickly hopping on Asparagus following her rounds that morning in the jumper ring. “I didn’t even have the chance to walk,” Colvin admitted. “I just got here and went in and rode the course, and it went pretty well,” she smiled.
Not surprisingly, the ever-humble Colvin gave the credit to her experienced mount, Asparagus. “I’ve shown him only a few times at WEF and he’s just perfect!” Colvin described. “He’s done everything so he never sets a foot wrong. He just keeps his head still and has a nice jump that won’t pop you out of the tack.”
A challenging combination that riders were asked to do was a figure-eight through jumps set up with hay bales and it proved too daunting for many riders, however Colvin welcomed the challenge. “I liked the ‘hay bale’ combination because it had so much turning, which I always enjoy,” Colvin commented.
Jacobs, of East Aurora, NY, and Patrick also had no problem navigating the challenging course, designed by Skip Bailey. “The course was fun. I like that there were a lot of natural obstacles included. It’s a different experience,” Jacobs described.
“All of the horses were a little fresh with the weather being a little cold and windy, and Patrick had two weeks off before this,” Jacobs continued. “He was a little bit fresh, but I like that.”
Jacobs is leasing Patrick from barn mate Catherine Tyree, who aged out of junior divisions last year. “He’s been amazing. He’s a lot like my other equitation horse, Stallone VDL, so we clicked pretty much right away. We work really well together,” Jacobs explained.
“Patrick is just perfect. I love him and he’s so much fun to ride. He has the best canter and is just a very nice horse,” Jacobs concluded.
Both Jacobs and Colvin have their eye on ASPCA Maclay Finals in November. Jacobs and Colvin have already accumulated enough points to qualify and look forward to competing in one of the country’s most prestigious equitation competitions.
Sunday’s class concluded hunter and equitation competition for week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm. Week nine of competition will run March 6-10, 2013, and is sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. 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.
THERMAL, CA (March 2, 2013) – Fifty-three horse-and-rider combinations took the field, but it was the reigning World Cup winners who ruled the day Friday, when Rich Fellers and Flexible rode to victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis.
The rider from Wilsonville, Oregon and the chestnut stallion owned by Harry and Mollie Chapman, laid down a pair of sizzling rounds, although they were chased to the finish by Lane Clarke of Laguna Niguel, California and Horsemanship Unlimited’s Kiss the Sky, who finished second. Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Windward Farm’s Unbelievable 5 placed third.
“He’s coming back into the zone,” said Fellers of Flexible, who finished in the money for all three HITS Desert Circuit CSI-W2* World Cup qualifier grand prix last month, scoring as high as third.
The duo presented one blazing round after another on a course well-suited to Flexible’s ability to shave time off the turns, turning in six strides where others were putting in eight. Brazilian designer Marina Azevedo’s track of 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts was set at up to 1.50m. It included three twisting loops, which was just technical enough to make, “Oh! Just that one rail,” a recurring theme from the announcer’s booth. Seventeen finished the first round with a single knock-down and eleven were clear.
In all, eleven combinations returned for the jump-off, including Tomba Mercedes Benz and Calavda, ridden by their owner Eduardo Menezes, who lives in Carlsbad, California, but rides for Brazil. Menezes was one of two jump-off riders to return on multiple horses; the other was Mexico’s John Perez, riding Zeidler Farm Canada, LTD’s Ranville and his own Utopia.
Menezes, who is sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Mexico, is known to be quite a speed demon. As the first in the ring for the jump-off, he established a formidable Great American Time to Beat of 35.65 seconds against a time-allowed of 45. He was followed by Perez on Ranville, who went clear, but was about a single second slower at 36.51, good for fourth.
Fellers and Flexible went next and when they broke the beam at 32.91 seconds, the audience was breathless. Clarke and Kiss the Sky, however, came close to catching them. With the clock at 33 seconds as they cleared the final jump the crowd let out a collective shriek, but it would be fractions of a second before they crossed the timers in 33.43, and Fellers and Flexible retained their lead.
“My horse was amazing,” Clarke said afterwards of his 15-year-old French mare. “I tried to pull out all the stops – I took the inside slice to the last fence, and I did a lead up to the in-and-out, a five stride for six after the skinny, but Rich and Flexible are amazingly fast.” By the time Menezes and Calavda entered the ring as the last pair in the jump-off, tension was at a fever pitch. They tried, but a time of 39.59 seconds and two rails put them in ninth.
“That’s Flexible!” added Fellers. “He had a nice little run for fun there. I let him open up and gallop a little, and he loved it.” Fellers and Flexible have set their sights on the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, sponsored by Lamborghini Newport Beach, on March 17.
Earlier in the day, Jill Blunt of Lake Stevens, Washington, won the Level 6 Rocky Mountain Show Jumping class on her own Shannondale and was awarded a $600 prize. Vinton Karrasch of Rancho Santa Fe, California, and Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Carmel Z took second, for $400, and Jenni Martin-McAllister of Sun Valley, California, earned $280 for third place on LEGISequine.com’s LEGIS Rockstar.
In the Level 5 FarmVet Jumper at 1.20m, it was Peter Breakwell of Menlo Park, California, and Hillstreet, owned by Connacht Sport Horse, who took the blue and pocketed the top prize. Helen McNaught of San Ramon, California and Carnutelabryere placed second, while Becky Warner of Scottsdale, Arizona rode Ashley Kaplan’s Aquilles to third.
Brazil Sweeps Children’s and Junior Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup Classes; McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness Win $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic; Katie Dinan and Glory Days Victorious in $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic; Nolan Wein and Aaron Pick Up Victory in THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17
Wellington, FL – March 2, 2013 – The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups were featured at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Saturday, March 2, at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) in Wellington, FL. With the first round for each age group held during the day session and all three second rounds held at night under the lights, the team from USA won in the young rider’s class and the teams from Brazil won in the junior’s and children’s classes.
Week eight CSIO competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, runs February 27 – March 3, 2013. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be held on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup classes were a huge success thanks to the vision, innovation and support of the Andrade Family. Equestrian Sport Productions’ CEO Mark Bellissimo recognized Hollow Creek Farm for their dedication to the advancement of the sport.
“Thank you to the Andrade Family for their support of these fantastic classes,” Bellissimo stated. “The event exceeded expectations in its first year and we were thrilled with the enthusiasm and passion of everyone involved. We look forward to making this even bigger and better next year.”
Saturday’s Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds for each division shown over courses set by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all eligible teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.
The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Young Rider Nations Cup was a very close class with teams USA and Canada coming into round two tied at the top and the American riders taking the win. Colombia and Brazil also showed in the final round and finished third and fourth respectively.
The U.S. team, represented by Catherine Pasmore and Pasmore Stables’ Z Canta, Mattias Tromp and Beyaert Farm, Inc.’s Casey, Abigail McArdle and David McArdle’s Cosma 20, and Liza Finsness and Ormsby Hilll, was coached by Chef d’Equipe Michelle Grubb.
Grubb was thrilled with the way her team performed and stressed upon them the honor of competing for their country. “They were terrific,” Grubb smiled. “This has been a fantastic week. Our juniors and young riders really came through tonight. The only rider who has competed for the USA is Catherine, but all the other riders really stepped up. I told them that there is no greater honor then being able to represent your country in the sport that you love. I’m proud that they won, but more proud of their performance this week.”
Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 put in the only double clear rounds for Team USA. Catherine Pasmore was the drop score of eight in round one, but came back strong to jump clear in the second round. Mattias Tromp had one time fault in the first round and five faults in round two. Liza Finsness had four faults in round one and then did not have to return in round two after it was determined that their team could not be beat. Team USA finished on ten faults total.
The Canadian team finished in second on a 15 point total. Their riders included Bretton Chad aboard Santa Catarina LS, owned by Stone Ridge Farms LLC, Nicole Walker riding High Yummy, Amelia Vernon on Jaime Auletto’s Udolente, and Kara Chad riding Alberto II, owned by Stone Ridge Farms, LLC.
In round one, Bretton Chad and Walker jumped clear and Vernon and Amelia Chad each had five faults with one of those scores dropped. In round two, Vernon’s score of nine was dropped, Bretton Chad had five, Walker had four, and Kara Chad incurred one time fault.
After watching their senior team jump to victory in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, the young U.S. riders were encouraged to bring their country a win and all agreed that it was a great experience.
“I’m honored to be able to represent the USA on a team for the first time,” Abigail McArdle stated. “Being on a team is a little bit of added extra pressure since you aren’t just jumping clean for yourself, but for a team. It is a great feeling to have the added pressure, especially when it pays off.”
Catherine Pasmore is the only rider on the team that has had Nations Cup experience. She jumped double clear in Hagen and jumped clear for a U.S. win in Buenos Aires. She had a rough start to the day, but had a great show in the end.
“We definitely turned it around tonight,” Pasmore proclaimed. “I’m really happy with it. It is an amazing feeling to represent your country. Whether it’s young riders or a senior team, it is an honor every time they play the National Anthem. I was happy to be a part of this great team and Michelle does a great job bringing everyone together.”
U.S. Chef d’Equipe Michelle Grubb added a thank you to Hollow Creek Farm for their support. “Thank you to the Andrade Family for this week. It has been a fabulous experience for everyone,” she acknowledged. “It has been an honor to lead these riders, be there for them, and enjoy their progress and enthusiasm. The South Americans, especially the Brazilians, are so enthusiastic and they really gained our respect with their really great performances. We applaud them.”
The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Junior Nations Cup had six teams make it to the second round of competition with a win for Brazil. The teams of Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, USA, and Argentina all showed under the lights on Saturday night.
It was another very close class as Teams USA and Mexico each went into round two with four faults, Brazil with six and Venezuela with eight. Brazil scored the victory as three of their riders cleared the second round course and they were able to drop one four fault score to stay on six faults.
Mexico had two riders with four faults in the second round along with two clear rounds, so they added four to their first round faults to finish in second place on eight. Venezuela had two clear rounds, one time fault and one four fault score in round two. They dropped the four to add one point and finish on nine for third place honors.
The winning junior Brazilian team consisted of Carolina Drummond riding LaLa de la Hurie, owned by Madame Catherine Potin, Sofia Scheer riding Levin Z, Stoeterij Zangersheide, Giulia Scampini riding Constantino Scampini’s Keep On Fighting, and Fernando Penteado riding Petit Paul de Beaufou, owned by M. Eric Levallois Et S.A.R.L Pilou. They were coached by Chef d’Equipe Caio Sergio de Carvalho.
Giulia Scampini was the only rider from Brazil’s junior team to jump two clear rounds in the class. Drummond had four and four, Scheer had two time faults and then a clear round, and Penteado had eight and zero.
All of the riders were thrilled with the result and agreed that it was a fantastic opportunity to compete. Sixteen-year-old Penteado has had his horse, a Selle Francais gelding, for two years. “My horse is a young horse at only 8 years old,” he stated. “I bought him in Europe. He’s good, but inexperienced.”
On riding in the class, Penteado smiled, “It is great to represent our country. I feel really happy.”
Eighteen-year-old Carolina Drummond was very happy with her mare and said a special thanks to the sponsor. “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to ride here,” she stated. “We don’t get this all the time. I think we did a great job to win for our country. It’s mind blowing. Thank you to Hollow Creek for the opportunity.”
The riders spoke about what it was like showing in the impressive International Arena at PBIEC in an important night class. Drummond summed it up, noting, “Showing under the lights is very different for us as we don’t have this in Brazil, so it was very shocking when we arrived. We were really excited to be a part of this.”
Scampini, who is fifteen years old, acknowledged all of the hard work that went into making this event happen. “It’s really good to be here and win,” she said. “All of the effort to make this possible is incredible.”
Chef d’Equipe Caio Sergio de Carvalho was very proud of his team and how they pulled through the competition strongly. “Today was a very difficult day,” he admitted. “After the first round the teams were very close and the riders had to do clear rounds. Concentration was very difficult in this time and I am very pleased with the result.”
Carvalho also coached Brazil’s children’s team to a victory in the Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s Nations Cup where four teams were eligible to return for the second round. The teams from the United States, Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina were represented. In the end, it was extremely close between Brazil and Argentina, and Brazil took top prize.
The team from Brazil had only three riders compete in the two rounds of competition after one of their riders had to withdraw from the competition, so all of their scores counted. Their competitors included Siew Chiang Cheng riding Up to You, owned by Yuri M. Guerios, Laura Ramos Rait riding LF Ponderosa, owned by Lincon Goncalves Fernandes, and Vittorio Burger riding Yves Sportiello’s Cheese Z.
In their first round, Chiang and Burger each had one time fault and Rait jumped a clear round. The team went into the second round on two faults and all cleared the course, keeping their score at two for the win.
The children’s team from Argentina was represented by Candela Oyarzabal riding La Pasion Arkansas Z, owned by Omar Gonzalez, Melina Vernengo riding Luis Vernengo’s Nero, Manuel Chechic riding Hector Chechic’s Margarita J I A, and Iara Veron riding Norit Larino, owned by Marcelo Luis Brandolino.
In round one, Oyarzabal, Vernengo and Chechic all cleared the course and Veron was the drop score of six. They went into round two on zero. The second round saw four faults for Oyarzabal, two clear rounds from Vernengo and Chechic, and a drop score of five from Veron. With just the four faults from round two for their score, the team finished in second.
The team from Venezuela had nine faults total to place third. Team USA finished on 13 faults to place fourth.
Fourteen-year-old Laura Ramos Rait and LF Ponderosa were the only pair to jump two clear rounds for team Brazil on their way to a win in the children’s class. Ponderosa is an eight-year-old Finnish mare whom Rait deemed “the best mare in the world.”
Thirteen-year-old Burger rode Cheese Z, an eight-year-old Argentinian bred gelding. Chiang’s horse Up to You is a nine-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding. All three riders were very happy to win for their country and get the opportunity to show in these classes.
“I am very happy because this is a big opportunity to represent my country, Brazil,” Rait stated. “It made a good reputation of us because we did well.”
Burger noted, “It was very interesting because we got to compete against many countries and get to see how they ride and what their strategy is.”
Chiang added, “This was my first nations cup in my life and it was really exciting. It was really hard because it was against many countries and it was a lot of pressure for our team because we had to go zero and fast.”
Although he was not able to compete today, team member Rodrigo Jadin da Rosa was happy to take part in the win with his fellow riders. “I liked it very much because it was a very good experience. I got to jump in another country and know how they do it here. Even if my horse wasn’t able to jump today, I found it very good to be here because I got to meet other people from the U.S. and other countries.”
Leading rider awards were also presented for each division for the overall performance of the riders throughout the week’s competition, including their Welcome Stakes, Classics and first round Nations Cup performance. In the children’s division, the top rider was Venezuela’s Constanza Romer. In the juniors, USA’s Katherine Strauss was the champion. Manuel Fernandez Hache of Dominican Republic topped the young rider division.
Second Win of the Week for McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness
Also showing on Saturday, McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Super Trooper de Ness were on a roll with their second big win of the week. In a class of 37 entries in the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic, ten jumped clear rounds over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s speed track and Ward and Super Trooper were fastest yet again with their time of 61.81 seconds.
Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Vornado Van Den Hoendrik held the lead for most of the class with their time of 61.98 seconds to eventually finish second. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables’ Mouse placed third in 62.03 seconds. Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) and RD Jumping Higher Ltda.’s Show Show were fourth in 62.98 seconds, and Reed Kessler (USA) stopped the clock in 65.02 second aboard Ligist to place fifth.
Ward and Super Trooper, an eleven-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Polydor, have been building their partnership since the start of the circuit and have had progressed quickly with several big wins. During week two they won a $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class and a $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. They also topped this week’s modified $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8, which was held as a speed class. Ward is gearing the horse toward the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.
Katie Dinan and Glory Days Victorious in $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic
In the $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic later in the morning, Ward’s student Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partners Glory Days jumped to victory in the $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic. Sixty-one entries showed in the class and 13 advanced to the jump-off. Dinan and Glory Days won it in 36.66 seconds over Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farm’s HH Let’s Fly with their time of 37.15 seconds. Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder’s Calypso placed third in 38.78 seconds.
This was Dinan’s second big win of the circuit aboard Glory Days, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento 933 x Diamond Serpent, that her family recently purchased from rider Daniel Zetterman. Dinan and ‘Glory’ won the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix during week six and are working their way up to the bigger classes as they get to know each other.
“He felt great today. It was very exciting,” Dinan smiled after her win. “We are trying to take it slowly, but not too slowly. After the last win we decided that it would be good to do the two national 1.45m and 1.50m classes this weekend to get two more rounds under our belt that are a little bit bigger with the hope that maybe we can step up to some FEI classes by the last few weeks of WEF.”
“I couldn’t be happier with him; he felt fantastic,” Dinan said. “It was a 13-horse jump-off with some very fast riders and I went fifth, so I knew that there were going to be people going fast behind me and I tried to really set down a good pace. I felt like I was really fast in the beginning and the last few jumps felt really good.”
Dinan was rocking her pink gear this week to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society and this weekend’s Pink Party in Wellington. Glory also wore his pink saddle pad and boots for a good cause. The new pair is doing quite well together and will show again in Sunday’s 1.50m class.
“He had a pretty light beginning of the year, so we are just getting back into the groove,” Dinan noted. “I am thrilled. So far he has been great and I feel like I am really getting to know him. There have been things that we have been working on that I have been able to do in the ring. It is so nice to have these two classes here over the weekend and this is such a fun weekend.”
Nolan Wein and Aaron Pick Up Victory in THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17 at FTI WEF
Nolan Wein and her own Aaron bested a class of twenty-four aspiring equitation champions in the Taylor Harris Insurance Service (THIS) National Children’s Medal 15-17 class during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Wein, of Gladwyne, PA, and her eight-year-old Warmblood gelding topped the class with a score of 89. The top four was rounded out by Kelsey Brown and Califernia with a score of 88, Isabella McCary and Balou Grand with a score of 87, and Adam Rittenberg aboard Alchemy with a score of 86.
Wein imported Aaron from Europe six months ago and is more than pleased with her quick progress with him. “This is his first season in Florida, but so far he’s been great,” Wein commented. “He’s really sweet, very straight-forward and super nice. We love him!”
Wein has found an ideal partner in the big bay gelding and was delighted with their performance in Saturday’s class. “The course rode really well. I played to our strengths and just tried to go in there and ride very naturally. I can get him in a good rhythm and he’s very straight-forward and easy to the jumps. He’s not spooky at all,” Wein described.
“I thought the test was pretty challenging,” Wein continued. “There were definitely some decisions that had to be made [when deciding what track to take], but I made my plan and stuck to it.”
Wein’s plan clearly paid off, securing her first victory in the class with Aaron. Nolan’s trainer, Rebecca Conway, viewed today’s win as indicative of their path to qualifying for the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, held in October at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. “Every week she’s shown in the Taylor Harris she’s gotten better and better. We’ve gone from fourth to third and now she’s won it. I hope this means good things for finals and that she’ll keep improving,” Conway stated.
“Nolan has the fundamentals of being a great rider,” Conway continued. “She has a good eye and the horses like her. She’s a hard worker and [Aaron] is a good horse.”
Taylor will continue to compete in the THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17 class during the upcoming weeks of the FTI WEF to hopefully accrue more points towards her goal of qualifying for finals. She enjoys migrating south to the FTI WEF for more than just the Florida weather. “The horse show is really nice. Everything is beautiful here and obviously it’s warm, but we love the show in general because it’s run so well,” Wein concluded.
Week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm, will conclude on Sunday with the ASPCA Maclay, presented by Sidelines and Alessandro Albanese, hosted in Ring 9 of the PBIEC. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be featured in the International Arena to complete the week. 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.
Wellington, FL – March 3, 2013 – Five talented participants of the 2013 College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) were recognized for their entries to the CPI Journalistic Photography contest. Katherine Martin, Margaret Bresee, Talula Alascio, Kendall Clarkson, and Kate Eagleton were awarded $100 in scholarship money per winning entry along with a Dover Saddlery gift certificate, and will each see their winning photographs published in the 2014 College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) Program. Scholarship prize money was increased this year thanks to the generosity of annual sponsor Charles Owen.
Entrants submitted photographs, taken over the three days of the 2013 CPI, in eight categories: CPI Horse Athlete, CPI Sponsor, CPI Spectators, CPI Event Seminar, CPI Riders, Friends (candid), CPI Riders in Action, and Miscellaneous. All entrants were participants in the 2013 CPI.
In addition to announcing the 2013 contest winners, the CPI also recognized its top performing equine athletes. Bella, owned by Kelly Goodman, was the Best Performance Dressage Horse recipient and Leo, owned by Michelle Alvarez of Act 2 Acres Farm, was awarded Best Performance Hunt Seat Horse honors. Both horses received coolers donated by The Clothes Horse for their exceptional performance during the CPI.
CPI Event Seminar Category of Pierre Jolicoeur – Katherine Martin
Katherine Martin, class of 2014 of El Paso, TX, won both the CPI Horse Athlete and CPI Event Seminar categories of the photo contest. Martin captured presenter Pierre Jolicoeur’s animated discussion of how to ride a course and enjoyed his thorough and educational play-by-play of the best way to approach foreign courses. Martin also snapped a winning image of Bella, this year’s top performing dressage horse.
Martin plans to pursue a career in photography and communications and was excited to further develop connections she made last year at the 2012 CPI. “When I came back this year, the trainers and colleges were excited to see me back. Figuring out which colleges have the best communications programs as well as great riding programs is very important to me, and the trainers [at CPI] were able to help me out,” Martin stated.
“I was also able to really experience what it will be like in college equestrian competitions. It opened my eyes to a different showing experience, which I think every rider needs,” Martin continued.
CPI Rider Receiving Ribbon or Prize Category – Talula Alascio
Talula Alascio, class of 2014 of Annapolis, MD, came in first place in the CPI Spectator and CPI Rider categories.
Alascio captured one rider’s joy after receiving a blue ribbon. “It was a really big deal to her to win. It was one of the few shows that her mom had been able to attend and she was really happy about winning,” Alascio described.
Photography has been a hobby of Alascio’s that developed from classes she takes at school. “I was so happy to win two categories. I didn’t expect to win at all! I was so excited,” Alascio smiled.
2013 was Alascio’s first year at the CPI and the junior in high school welcomed the learning experience. “I’m starting to look into equine studies programs. The coaches and schools I spoke with at the College Expo gave me lots of information and told me what I would need to know and how to decide what things I can go into with horses,” Alascio commented.
CPI Spectators Category – Talula Alascio
Alascio was more than satisfied with her overall experience with CPI after a successful day of riding and learning. “I met some really neat people and it was nice to get a feel for what college I want to attend and what the riding program would be like. I did well showing too and it was just a really fun experience!” Alascio concluded.
Kendall Clarkson, class of 2015 of San Diego, CA, earned first place in the Friends category after capturing several of her friends enjoying the competition at the CPI. “Photography is something I’ve done as a hobby, just for fun. When I heard about the scholarship program, I thought ‘Why not?!’” Clarkson commented. “I looked at the other winning pictures and it made me so grateful to win because there were a lot of other great photographers,” she continued.
Clarkson enjoyed her first year of the CPI, which provided her plenty of food for thought on her future in equestrian competition as well as her education. Clarkson attended the College Expo, where she had the chance to talk to coaches and explore her equine higher education options. “I want to do something with horses, but I want to make sure it’s something I can support myself with. [An equine studies program] is something I’m looking into. It would be an added bonus to be able to ride in college as well,” Clarkson stated.
Friends Together at CPI Category – Kendall Clarkson
Kate Eagleton, class of 2015 of Miami, FL, was awarded first place in the CPI Rider in Action category with her photo “Rain or Shine.” Eagleton had planned on taking pictures throughout the day, but due to inclement weather, kept her camera tucked away. She quickly snapped just five pictures while trying to stay dry after showing―one of them turned out to be her winning shot.
“It was a lucky shot! I was thrilled to win,” Eagleton explained. “It made me realize I could pursue photography as well if I wanted to.”
Eagleton is another first-year participant, and was eager to soak up the incredible experience offered to aspiring collegiate riders at the CPI. “It’s so cool to be in an atmosphere with all the college riding teams, meet coaches, and experience what [collegiate competition] would actually be like,” Eagleton stated.
CPI Rider in Action category – Kate Eagleton – “Rain or Shine”
“I definitely want to do equine studies or equine business management. The CPI helped me learn about a lot of new colleges that I’ve never heard of and it was great to talk to coaches as well,” Eagleton concluded.
Meggie Bresee, class of 2014 of San Diego, CA, topped the CPI Sponsor category as well as the Miscellaneous category.
For her sponsor photograph, she explained, “Going to CPI really helped me to realize not only all of the various options that I personally have for continuing the equestrian aspect of my life through college, but also that there are many different opportunities for every involvement level that each individual wants to continue in the next four years after high school. That is why I wanted to represent each of the sponsors and colleges that attended the CPI horse show. Because each of them is different and all of them will conform to an individual in a different way, making it possible for everyone to know their options and decide which road will lead to the most opportunities for their future.”
CPI Sponsor Signage or Presence Category – Meggie Bresee
About her experience at the CPI, Bresee said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and I am so happy that I was one in the handful of people from all over the country that was blessed with the opportunity to attend. Before I went to the show and talked to so many colleges and universities, I hadn’t a clue about what I truly wanted my future to be like in college. Now I am so much more confident that I have an idea of how I want the next few years to play out.”
Honorable mention photographer Caroline Johnson, class of 2013 of Julian, NC, will receive a $50 gift certificate to Dover Saddlery.
The College Preparatory Invitational Scholarship Fund would like to congratulate these winners and thank everyone for participating!
About the College Preparatory Invitational
The mission of the CPI is to prepare and educate student riders in grades 8-12 about the format of college equestrian competition, encourage academics and horsemanship, and to provide the riders with resources to create their desired college equestrian experience. The show is specifically geared to promote college recruitment of equestrians by providing the opportunity for coaches and potential students to meet in person. The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show is rooted in the belief that equestrian talent, not finances, should dictate a rider’s opportunity to be a part of a collegiate team.
CPI Miscellaneous Category – Meggie Bresee
Along with the competition, the CPI offers seminars and question & answer sessions during the show. Riders and their families heard about the college equestrian experience and familiarized themselves with the different associations that govern collegiate riding. There were also a number or College and Universities present at the CPI to distribute literature and introduce the academic and riding opportunities, including scholarships, offered at their respective institutions.
Loxahatchee, FL – March 2, 2013 – Mette Rosencrantz, of Topanga, CA, and Finally, a 12-year-old chestnut Hanoverian gelding, snared the win in the Grand Prix Special on a blustery Saturday at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W.
The pair placed 14th in the Grand Prix Friday afternoon, and Rosencrantz was pleased with today’s winning ride down centerline at the International Horse Sport (IHS) Champions Park at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, FL. She and Finally, owned by Finally Partners, LLC, scored a 67.875% for the win.
“I think I did a helluva good job!” she exclaimed. “Just one mistake in the ones. Otherwise, I could take anything else. The other day I had a problem from the warm-up to the ring, but today I thought ‘I’ve got nothing to lose.’ I think there’s a lot of things I could do better, but it was a good test and I was really proud of him.”
Evi Strasser, who came in second on Action Tyme with a 67.750%, exited the arena chuckling that she had trouble remembering the test but was pleased with her horse’s performance. “He was amazing, like always, and he gave it his all,” she said.
Strasser, from Ste-Adele, Quebec, and Action Tyme, a 13-year-old chestnut Oldenburg stallion, were seventh in Friday’s Grand Prix.
Cheryl Meisner, also from Canada, came in third with a 65.000% aboard Tango, a 13-year-old bay KWPN gelding. The pair placed eighth in the Grand Prix on Friday. “There were a couple little mistakes in there,” she said of today’s test. “He was a little bit tired but I was happy.”
Fellow countryman Lee Tubman of Dunnville, Ontario, was also happier with his ride on Delight. He placed fourth in the Special with a 64.313% after a disappointing 15th in Friday’s Grand Prix. “It went better than yesterday,” he said. “There were a couple small problems, but it definitely went better than yesterday.” When asked why he thought there was improvement he answered, “Motivation. Mine and his.”
USA’s Barbara Strawson finished fifth aboard Amicelli, a 17-year-old chestnut Holsteiner gelding, scoring a 61.875%. The pair placed eighth in Friday’s Grand Prix. Strawson smiled as she left the arena. “It’s getting better every day and every time,” she said.
Tanya Strasser-Shostak and Dancing Tyme, Mattie Zepernick and Wencenza, and Paula Matute and Gasper take their victory lap
In the FEI Young Rider Individual Test, Evi Strasser’s daughter Tanya Strasser-Shostak came out the winner on Dancing Tyme, a 10-year old black Oldenburg gelding, with a 65.447%.
“He was really trying hard,” she said. “He was better overall, I think, in the frame and in the rhythm. I think if we can keep going at this pace, I can hopefully get into the 67s and that would be nice to have as a result.”
Mattie Zepernick from the U.S. cinched first place in the FEI Junior Individual Rider Test with a 65.553% aboard Wencenza. She smiled as she arranged the cooler she won emblazoned with the words “Palm Beach Dressage Derby” before the presentation ceremony.
“We are slowly and surely getting better,” she explained. “I’m getting a better feel for having more expression in all my gaits and it comes from taking risks.”
Sunday features crowd-pleasing freestyle dressage to wrap up the 30th anniversary of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W. Classes include FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle, Young Rider Freestyle, Junior Rider Freestyle and the Grand Prix Freestyle. As always, parking and admission are free at the beautiful showgrounds in Loxahatchee.
Results
FEI Grand Prix Special 1. Mette Rosencrantz (USA) – Finally – 67.875%
2. Evi Strasser (CAN) – Action Tyme – 67.750%
3. Cheryl Meisner (CAN) – Tango – 65.000%
4. William Lee Tubman (CAN) – Delight – 64.313%
5. Barbara Strawson (USA) – Amicelli – 61.875%
FEI Intermediaire I 1. Caroline V. Roffman (USA) – Her Highness O – 71.211
2. Kimberly Herslow (USA) – Rosmarin – 70.868%
3. Silva Martin (USA) – Rosa Cha W – 69.158%
4. Justin Hardin (USA) – Wyatt Star – 68.158%
5. William Lee Tubman (CAN) – De Las Rosa – 68.132%
6. Susan Dutta (USA) – Lumberjack – 67.579%
7. George Williams (USA) – Cleopatra – 66.053%
8. Evi Strasser (CAN) – Rigaudon Tyme – 65.737%
9. Melissa Taylor (USA) – Chicco Roslev – 65.026%
10. Pamela Goodrich (USA) – Wyvern – 64.447%
FEI Junior Rider Individual Test 1. Mattie Zepernick – Wencenza – 65.553%
2. Paula Matute (ESP) – Gasper – 64.974%
FEI Young Rider Grand Prix (16-25) 1. Ali Potasky (USA) – Lamborghini – 65.465%
2. Cassandra Hummert-Johnson (USA) – Plato Carlos – 63.628%
FEI Pony Individual Test 1. Hanna Benne (USA) – Helluva Dream Maker – 57.537%
2. Melanie Doughty (USA) – Command Performance – 55.122%
Palm Beach Dressage Derby Presented By Blue Hors of Denmark 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
Where:
IHS Champions Park – Equestrian Estates
3700 Hanover Circle
Loxahatchee, FL
Directions: www.pbderby.com/directions.html
$10,000 G&C Speed Stake Victory Goes to Darragh Kenny and Delilah; LDM Dramatik and Amy Smith Secure Championship Title in Low Adult 2’6″ Hunters Section A
Wellington, FL – March 1, 2013 – The powerhouse U.S. show jumping team of Kent Farrington, Reed Kessler, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden earned victory in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Teams representing seven different countries participated in the evening’s competition with a win for Team USA over Canada in second and Germany in third.
Week eight CSIO competition runs February 27 – March 3, 2013. The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups will be featured on Saturday, March 2. The $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be held on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
Friday’s nights Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds shown over a challenging course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. Teams of four represented the countries of Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, USA, Colombia and Venezuela.
After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all seven teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.
Watch an interview with U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland
The winning team from the United States was represented by Kent Farrington and RCG Farm’s Uceko, Reed Kessler and her Cylana, Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s Cedric, and Beezie Madden riding Abigail Wexner’s Simon under the guidance of new Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.
In round one, Farrington had four faults aboard Uceko and Kessler, Kraut and Madden all jumped clear rounds to lead the way into the second phase of competition. In round two, Farrington and Kessler each jumped clear rounds, Kraut and Cedric had four faults, and when it was determined that the USA could not be beat, the team decided that Madden and Simon did not have to jump. They finished on a two round total of four faults for the victory.
Beezie Madden had a little trouble at the water in round one but still jumped clear for her team. She noted, “I probably had the most interesting round. Other than the water jump, he felt great. He was fantastic. I looked at the scoreboard afterwards; I thought he was clear of it. I knew he hit the box, but that was probably putting it mildly. I was just happy he recovered from that and he finished off with a clear.”
Eighteen-year-old Reed Kessler had her first win as well as her first double clear in a Nations Cup class and was very excited.
“To ride on the home team in front of the home crowd is a really big honor so I’m thrilled that it went the way it did,” Kessler smiled. “Cylana was awesome. She has shown pretty lightly all of circuit to prepare for this. It’s my favorite thing when I ride her to hear the crowd scream and she gets so animated and so wild. When she heads to the first jump, she has total focus. She could not have done better.”
Kent Farrington had a rail in round one but came back strong for the second round. He commented, “I’ve known that horse a little while and our first ride wasn’t our best. Towards the end of the round he just got too strong and he took over at the last oxer. I was actually pleased with how he came back in the second round. He performed more like himself and was more relaxed.”
Laura Kraut had a great night with Cedric and enjoyed winning on home turf.
“I was thrilled with Cedric tonight,” Kraut smiled. “Both rounds he was fantastic. The second round I was maybe a little overly cautious down the last line and he had such a light rub. I think he thinks he was double clear. I think he’s pleased right now. As Reed said, it was very comforting to ride tonight. Normally, I would be very tense about riding in front of the home crowd, but when you have three horse/rider combinations going with you, I felt pretty comfortable that if I did something really stupid they’d be there to back me up. I’m thrilled that we won and I’m really happy for Robert because he was really nervous. He just sort of listened to what we thought we wanted to do and supported us. We’re all getting to know each other and our new system. But I think it worked quite well.”
Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland was very happy with his team and admits to being a little nervous.
“I was told I was pacing a lot,” Ridland laughed. “What do you do? For me, this has been a long journey and great to get here. It was about a year ago that I was named coach and we went through the Olympic trials and all that. At the same time, Furusiyya and the FEI changed the Nations Cup and there are a lot of us that feel this is one of the best things that will have happened to the sport in a long time. It will revive the Nations Cup. We knew this was going to be a really big deal coming in being a qualifier for the Final and we made it a huge priority before the beginning of the year, not only to try to win this, but to be in a good position for the Final.”
Friday night’s Canadian team consisted of Eric Lamaze and Morningside Stud & Torrey Pines Stables’ Wang Chung M2S, Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farm LLC’s Victor, Mac Cone and Chadburn Holdings, Inc.’s Amor van de Rostal as well as Ian Millar and Ariel and Susan Grange’s Dixson with Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin.
In round one, Lamaze had five faults for a rail and one time fault, Foster and Millar jumped clear, and Mac Cone was eliminated for the drop score. All four riders continued on into round two where Lamaze, Foster and Millar all jumped clear. Mac Cone’s score was once again dropped to leave the team on five faults total for their second place finish.
Third place finisher, Team Germany, included Janne Friederike Meyer aboard Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie’s Cellagon Lambrasco, Johannes Ehning and Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG’s Salvador V, Andre Thieme and his Contanga 3, and Daniel Deusser aboard Stephex Stables & Pedro Veniss’s Cornet d’Amour headed by Chef d’Equipe Dietmar Gugler.
In round one, Germany dropped Ehning’s score of eight and kept Meyer’s four fault score and Theime’s one time fault with a clear round from Daniel Deusser. In round two, Deusser once again jumped clear, Meyer was clear, and Ehning and Theime each had four faults, one of which was dropped. The team finished on five faults from round one and four faults from round two for a nine point total.
The fourth place team from Ireland finished with eleven faults. Other teams included Colombia, who finished on a score of 41 to place fifth, Venezuela, who had a two round total of 48 to finish sixth, and Mexico, who finished on a score of 59 to place seventh.
All in all, there were five double clear rounds for the night, including Reed Kessler, Tiffany Foster, Ian Millar, Daniel Deusser and Cian O’Connor on Splendor. Foster was especially enthusiastic about her performance aboard Victor.
The 2013 season has seen the introduction of a new formula for the FEI Nations Cup. Following a new sponsorship deal with the Saudi Equestrian Fund, this historic series will now be known as the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup. Under the new rules, the world has been divided into six regions for the purpose of qualifying teams for a World Final. The six regions are Europe 1 and 2, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa.
On behalf of Furusiyya, HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan was present for the class and commented on the evening. “First of all we are very happy for the American team for their win today,” he stated. “They were amazing and they had really good horses coming in. The other teams also performed really well and it was very close.”
“To start off, Furusiyya is a single Arabic word and it is based on embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry and equestrian knowledge in general,” he added. “The term is a derivation of ‘faris,’ the horseman and the horse, so it’s a combination of both. In time, Furusiyya will become the brand name under which Saudi Arabian equestrian products will be licensed and marketed. To date, there is a perfume called Furusiyya which is a product for sale in Saudi Arabia. It is our duty in Saudi equestrian to sponsor Saudi equestrian activities for the nobility. Not only in the narrow sense of their history and heritage, but rather in the cultural and behavioral aspects that surround the sport in celebration of the horse. It has instilled chivalry, honor, value and virtue. This is the essence of our mission in the Saudi Equestrian Fund-the connection between horse and rider is universal and we are fortunate that the horse is so noble that they allow us to share their strength and passion.”
Class and weekly sponsor Gustavo Mirabal of G&C Farm also spoke about the evening. “I am very proud to again be the Nations Cup sponsor as well as many FEI classes,” Mirabal stated. “I think we have to do this in America-more FEI classes and more FEI points so we can have more riders in the top of the world. I recognize all of the American riders as amazing riders and people, and I am proud to be the sponsor.”
Also commenting on the class, John Madden, representing the FEI, noted, “I think we witnessed a little bit of history tonight. This is the first Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup here in North America. Last week we witnessed it in Abu Dhabi and we think it’s a really bright future for our sport.”
“I would like to, on behalf of the FEI, thank the USEF as our host federation and ESP, Michael (Stone) and everybody for a great job this evening,” Madden acknowledged. “I think we really have to thank Gustavo and G&C. They really bring the hemisphere together. They bring the Americas together like a family and we really have to thank His Highness Prince Faisal and Furusiyya. Thank you, on behalf of the FEI for bringing the world together.”
Equestrian Sport Productions’ CEO Mark Bellissimo added, “I’d also like to thank the sponsors and His Highness. This is an amazing start of a tradition in the United States and it is great that the U.S. team was able to prevail here. Canada and Germany also did very well and I think we’re just pleased to have top sport in Wellington.”
“I’d like to thank my friend Gustavo Mirabal, who stepped up very early in our ownership of this and has just been an amazing sponsor and supporter through all dimensions of the sport,” Bellissimo said. “It takes great sponsors to elevate the sport in the United States and we hope this is a relationship for many years to come. Again, we thank the FEI and USEF for creating the platform for this great demonstration.”
Darragh Kenny and Delilah Dash to Victory in $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake
G&C Farm’s $10,000 Speed Stake was also held on Friday with a win for Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Delilah, owned by Derbypie, LLC. In a field of 35 international starters, Kenny and Delilah completed the fastest of 9 clear rounds in 59.07 seconds. Germany’s Johannes Ehning and Cayenne 162, owned by Winley Farm LLC, finished second in 59.63 seconds. USA’s Reed Kessler and Ligist were third with a time of 61.54 seconds.
Delilah is a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Lancelot x Gracio owned by young American rider Hasbrouck Donovan, who has shown successfully in the junior jumpers. Kenny explained that he has been keeping the mare fit for her rider over the winter and asked if he could use her as a speed horse this week.
“It is a super horse,” Kenny stated. “She is so easy and brave and uncomplicated and careful. She has a huge stride and you can really gallop with her. She wants to win, so it makes my life really easy.”
Commenting on Friday’s class, Kenny noted, “It was a really nice result. I thought it was a really good course for a speed class. There were enough questions and tight turns, but also a lot of galloping. It was really interesting because in a really good speed class you have to be careful about leaving the jumps up too and a good few people at the start had faults. You just had to be a little bit careful and then you had to go pretty quick.”
Kenny is frequently one of the fastest riders in any class and explained that confidence in his horses is key. “I am lucky; I just know how to go fast,” he smiled. “At this stage I have had a lot of practice. It is a simple thing. If you can trust your horses to jump the jumps clear, then speed comes a lot easier. Delilah is so careful and she tries so hard that when I turn back to anything, even if I am not at the perfect distance or even if I am going too fast, I know she is going to try. That makes it easier; it gives you more room to go faster.”
Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, McLain Ward and Tequestrian Farm’s Coco 135 earned a victory in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge. Johannes Ehning and Appearance 2, owned by Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG, triumphed in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class.
LDM Dramatik and Amy Smith Secure Championship Title in Low Adult 2’6″ Hunters Section A
Amy Smith and her newly acquired mount, LDM Dramatik, topped the Low Adult 2’6″ Hunter Section A division during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Smith and her fourteen-year-old Westphalian mare were fifth and fourth over fences on day one of competition for the division. The pair was second, fourth and first over fences on day two.
Reserve championship honors went to Elizabeth Reed and her own Serenade. Reed and Serenade were third over fences day one and earned a blue ribbon over fences on day two.
Smith bought LDM Dramatik from Lynn Berg only two weeks ago, who was competing the mare in Adult Amateur divisions at the FTI WEF. While their relationship may be new, the pair is clearly a winning match.
“She’s been awesome. Last week, [during World Championship Hunter Rider Week], we were fifth in the classic out of 73 and ninth and eleventh out of 73 in the other two over fences classes,” Smith recalled.
Smith has enjoyed getting to know her new mount as the two continue their success at the FTI WEF. “My horse that I had for six years was totally different from her – it’s like night and day. She stays consistent, while he would change at every jump. If you saw a long one on him, he might go for it or you might chip. I’m adjusting to her well. She makes it easy,” Smith described.
“She’s such a good girl, she’s really right there for you,” Smith continued. “She helps you out and she never changes unless she needs to.”
Smith also praised LDM Dramatik’s way of going for making her so competitive at a high-caliber competition like the FTI WEF. “A lot of it is the way she goes across the ground. She’s just so smooth and she jumps the same style from any distance. She doesn’t stay in the air too long over jumps and she’s got just the right amount of arc. She can cover up your mistakes, also. If you get a little too deep to a fence, she’ll still jump it very well,” Smith explained.
Smith has been competing at the FTI WEF since 1990. She looks forward to her annual trip south from Nashville for more than just the Florida sunshine. “The facilities are beautiful, first of all. The competition is the toughest in the country which makes me ride better. It makes me more competitive,” Smith commented.
“And of course, who couldn’t love being in Palm Beach in the winter?” Smith added with a smile.
Week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm, will continue Saturday, March 2, 2013, with the THIS National Children’s Medal 15-17 class in Ring 8 of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups will be held in the International Arena. 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.
Loxahatchee, FL – March 1, 2013 – Lars Petersen of Denmark and Mariett captured the win in the Grand Prix on opening day of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W at the International Horse Sport (IHS) Champions Park at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, FL. The pair scored a 72.745%, besting the second place rider by more than three percentage points.
Petersen and Mariett, owned by Marcia Pepper and Petersen, tallied up first place wins in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at the February 7-10 Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI3*. They also took on top riders from around the world at the World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach, earning fifth place in both the January 25 Grand Prix and the January 26 Grand Prix Freestyle.
Petersen has represented Denmark at the top levels of competitive dressage for more than 10 years including at the Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games, two World Cup Finals, and three Continental Championships. He was also named Danish National Champion five times. He was pleased with the outcome of the Grand Prix test.
“I was pretty happy,” he said. “Overall, I was happy with her.”
Pepper was thrilled with today’s win. She originally competed Mariett, a 15-year-old dark bay Danish Warmblood mare, but after Pepper broke her ankle, Petersen started training the horse. Pepper said plans for the horse are hatched day-to-day. “We’ll see how it develops,” she said. “There has never been a plan. Ever. We’re just taking it slowly.”
Shelly Francis and Doktor
Coming in second with a 69.391% was Shelly Francis of the United States, riding Doktor. The pair placed fifth in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Florida Classic Dressage CDI-W February 14-17 and they placed sixth in the Grand Prix and second in the Grand Prix Special at the Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Classic CDI3* January 23-27.
Francis, a six-year resident of Loxahatchee, said she was very pleased with her ride and with Doktor, a 10-year-old gelding. “He’s getting better and better,” she said. “It’s his third time for this and his scores just keep getting higher and higher.”
Placing third was Olympian David Marcus from Canada riding Don Kontes with a 68.277%.The pair won the Grand Prix Freestyle and took second at the WCD Sunshine Classic CDI3* January 23-27. They placed sixth in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W February 14-17, and earned second place in the Grand Prix Special at the Gold Coast Opener CDI-W January 17-20.
“It was a clean, mistake-free test,” Marcus said. “He was relaxed out here and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Another Canadian, Jaimey Irwin aboard Lindor’s Finest, scored a 67.532% for the fourth place spot. The pair went from a win in the Grand Prix Freestyle and a fourth place in the Grand Prix at the WCD Spring Challenge CDI3* February 7-10 to drop to a 12th place finish in the Grand Prix and an eighth place in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Florida Classic Dressage CDI-W the following weekend.
“I thought he was much better,” Irwin said. “He felt a lot more energetic and I was very happy. He was a super boy.”
Rounding out the top six finishers were Mikala Gundersen from Denmark and My Lady with a 67.489% to place fifth and another Canadian Olympic athlete, Jacqueline Brooks on D Niro, with a 67.128%.
Kimberly Herslow and Rosmarin
Another big winner today in a field of tough competitors was Kim Herslow, who scored 70.789% in the FEI Prix St. Georges test. After riding her own Rosmarin, whom she calls Reno, she was thrilled with the results.
“This is our third Prix St. Georges ever,” she said. “We showed a couple weeks ago and he was a little tense, but now I think we’re finding our groove. He was with me today and I’m really proud of him.”
Before the Grand Prix competition, a flash mob was staged to honor Judge Axel Steiner. A group of competitors, owners and well-wishers encircled Steiner as they danced the “Macarena” all the while changing the words to “Hey, Axel Steiner.” This year marks the final year as an FEI judge for the legendary Steiner, who has judged the Palm Beach Dressage Derby for many years.
“It was my first exposure to judging with European judges,” Steiner said. “This year is very important for me.”
The dressage action continues all weekend with the Grand Prix Special on Saturday and the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday as well as a host of FEI and USEF classes.
Palm Beach Dressage Derby Presented By Blue Hors of Denmark 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
Where:
IHS Champions Park – Equestrian Estates
3700 Hanover Circle
Loxahatchee, FL
Directions: www.pbderby.com/directions.html
Lexington, KY – The Florida Department of Agriculture has confirmed that a second horse associated with the Ocala Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) has presented with neurological signs. To date, there have been a total of 7 horses linked to the Ocala outbreak (two neurological cases, and five having tested positive with no evidence of neurologic disease being seen). All positive tests have been reported as Equine Herpes Virus Type 1, the wild strain.
An additional horse (Wellington area and no identified direct or indirect connection to the Ocala show grounds) has been tested and found to be EHV-1 (wild strain) positive. There have been no neurologic symptoms associated with this animal.
All horses on the HITS Showgrounds, Ocala are under quarantine. Additionally, horses believed to have had increased opportunity of exposure or other risk have been traced to 11 different farms/training facilities. Quarantines have been put in place and the animals are being monitored for evidence of illness.
The Florida Department of Agriculture has posted a detailed report regarding this situation and is updating the report regularly. These updates include links to additional resources and are available at: www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/pdf/EHVWebsiteUpdate.pdf.
Please check this source regularly for the most current and reliable information regarding the status of the disease.
The equestrian community is being advised of the importance of horsemen implementing good biosecurity protocols that should be routine when attending competitions or visiting other venues where horses of different origin and disease status are congregating. If planning to travel to such venues, make certain you contact the venue prior to travel to understand what biosecurity measures have been imposed. Additionally, it is advised that you consult with your veterinarian in evaluating your horse’s current vaccination and immunity status and to review or develop an individual biosecurity plan. The California Department of Food & Agriculture has published a bio-security tool kit at this link: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_biosecurity.html. Dr. Stephen Schumacher, Chief Administrator for the USEF Drugs & Medication Program, describes this as a “good comprehensive resource compiled from a number of sources.”
Holly Shepherd and Belvedere clear an oxer in the $2,500 USHJA Hunter Derby yesterday. Flashpoint Photography.
Gulfport, Mississippi (March 2, 2013) – Fun is in full bloom during Magnolia Week at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic!
Twenty eight hunters from all over the country tackled the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby yesterday while spectators enjoyed the complimentary brunch in the exhibitor tent complete with fried chicken, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, salads, mimosas, tea, orange juice and coffee! But none could dethrone Derby Queen Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Belvedere, owned by Ellen Herrington, from their winning Derby streak!
This was the second consecutive Derby win for Belvedere at the Gulf Coast Classic. Courtney Calcagnini of Lantana, Texas rode Blue Moon, owned by Anne Hormel, to a second place finish, while Maria Rasmussen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin rode Use the Ring LLC’s Castlewellan to the yellow ribbon. Fourth place honors went to Carino, owned by Linda Viens and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, while fifth was awarded to Priority, owned by Eileen Fontaine and ridden by Belynda Bond of Pilot Point, Texas. Six place went to Blue Grass, owned by Ruth Hawk and ridden by Jazz Hawk of Houston, Texas, and seventh was awarded to Happenstance, owned and ridden by Lauren Takata of Athens, Texas. Eighth place was awarded to Caves Farm LLC’s Outsider, ridden by Katie Cooper of Owings Hill, Maryland, and ninth place went to State Hill, owned by Joan Violin and ridden by David Wright of Murfresboro, Tennessee. Tenth position went to Kim Segal’s Iceberg, ridden by Jordan Siegel of Flower Mound, Texas, and eleventh place went to Barbara Risius’ Longstreet, ridden by Sarah Young of Belleville, Illinois. Sally Carrera, owned and ridden by David Wright, rounded out the class in twelfth place.
Devin Ryan and No Worries sail over the Johnson Horse Transportation jump on their way to the winner’s circle. Flashpoint Photography
No Worries and Devin Ryan Snag Friday’s Welcome Cash!
Friday afternoon it was the jumpers’ turn to celebrate TGIF in Gulfport when twenty eight took to the course designed by legendary designer Steve Stephens. But it was CWD sponsored rider Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey riding No Worries owned by Barbara Rowland who took the win in Friday’s $10,000 Open Welcome Classic.
Stephens is considered to be the world’s most accomplished course designer as a USEF R licensed hunter course designer, 4* FEI course designer, R jumper course designer, judge and the show jumping course designer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “I designed this course pretty straightforward. There are a lot of competitors out there who are trying it out and taking it for a spin. This is a good opportunity to get a sense of what I’ll be designing for Sunday,” said Stephens.
“I have been designing here for a few years. I designed the course last year and this year and — wow! What a difference! This field is unbelievable. I thought it was Week One when I got here it’s so green and it’s already Week Four! Nowhere have I seen one in this sort of shape. It has held up unbelievably well,” commented Stephens on the new grass grand prix field.
The field continued to hold up under many thundering hooves under sunny skies, but only seven went clean. The first to go clean was the fifth to go, Carrington, owned by Helen Gilbert and ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, in a clear first round effort in 80.888 seconds. They accumulated eight jump faults in a time of 49.689 seconds in their second round which would finish them in seventh place overall. Devin Ryan rode his second mount, Zosja, owned by Eagle Valley Partners, LLC, to the second clear round of the class in a time of 75.499 seconds. But with four faults in his second round and a time of 43.241 seconds, the pair would finish in fourth. The next clear round to go was not until the thirteenth pair entered the ring. Eduard Braun of Bend, Oregon and his own H.J. El Magnifico went clean in a time of 81.297 seconds and set the second round time to beat at 42.063 seconds which would eventually land them in second place. Next to go was Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas aboard his own Lissa TSP who looked to challenge Braun, going clean in a first round time of 78.413 seconds. But with four faults in his second round and a time of 44.044 seconds, he would settle for fifth place overall. Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio, riding his own Cookie Monster, was the next to go clean in a time of 80.942 seconds. The pair would accumulate eight jumping faults in a time of 47.232 seconds in their second round which would land them in sixth place overall. The next clean round came right after Genn, as Lillie Ross of Wheaton, Illinois rode Pako, owned by Allison Ross, to a clean first round time in 79.172 seconds. Despite a clean second round effort, their time of 46.691 seconds would not beat out Braun and Magnifico’s time and would land them in third place overall. Ryan and No Worries were the last clean round of the class and the second to last competitor to take the field. After going clean in a first round time of 76.167 seconds, the pair would beat Braun’s second round time by about a second in 41.271 seconds and secure the win.
Bon Giorno owned by Showcase 81, LLC and ridden by Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, New Mexico would finish in eighth place in a first round time of 76.846 seconds and four faults. Ninth place was awarded to Zine Dine, owned and ridden by Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana, in a first round time of 77.662 seconds and four faults, and Vorione Fortuna, owned by Marieke Slik and ridden by Trapp O’Neal of Magnolia, Texas, finished in tenth place with a first round time of 77.665 seconds and four jump faults.
“I think Sunday might be a hole bigger,” said Stephens. “We’ll see some 5′ fences and everything will be pretty square. I would like to see about five or six go clean this Sunday – that’s what they did last Sunday so I’d like to continue that,” he added.
The Harrison County Party was in full swing last night at the Hurricane Shelter and provided exhibitors with complimentary shrimp, crawfish and Cajun delights, drinks and live music by a special Pop Swamp Band – that’s ‘N’Orleans’ music with a “kick”. “My customers and staff really love the parties here,” said trainer Tom Brennan of Charles Town, Virginia. “They make them feel appreciated,” he added.
Merial, makers of ULCERGARD, are on site this week with a special promotion. So, stop by their booth located next to Flashpoint Photography and see what it’s all about!
Sponsor CWD, makers of fine French custom saddles, will be sponsoring this week’s $35,000 CWD Grand Prix on Sunday. And CWD plans to celebrate! Stop by the CWD booth on your way back from the ringside action for the CWD Post Prix party at the CWD booth. Have a beer, grab some snacks, play some games and enjoy your Sunday. Robin from CWD looks forward to seeing you!
Have you seen the news? Sidelines Magazine and the Gulf Coast Classic Company have partnered on a special contest to walk the $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix scheduled for March 10 with a top grand prix rider. It’s easy to enter: send in a picture of you and your horse on the sidelines. Sidelines will post the picture on their Facebook page and Classic Company will too. Sidelines will select and announce the winner prior to the March 10 grand prix. Good luck to all!
Make sure to book your VIP table for this weekend. For only $275 patrons are treated to a table seating eight with lunch for Friday’s $10,000 Welcome Class and for Sunday’s $35,000 CWD Grand Prix with a table seating eight, complimentary champagne and a first-class catered meal from one of the area’s fine restaurants. This week’s VIP restaurant is local favorite, Back Bay Restaurant, known for their seafood and creole cuisine. They will be serving lunch from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. Individual tickets are also available, so be sure to stop in the office today and reserve your spot for the best ringside seats, food and champagne on the show grounds!
The Gulf Coast Winter Classic in Gulfport is where the fun will be this winter, so don’t miss it! Mardi Gras in neighboring New Orleans ended a couple of weeks ago, but that festive atmosphere spills onto the show grounds. With its close proximity to the Gulf Coast beaches, class offerings, prize money, and social scene, the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Gulfport shows are a must on everyone’s show list. The show will feature weekly $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derbies, the $10,000 International Hunter Derby Week V and a weekly Grand Prix to name a few highlights. The grand prix schedule continues this Sunday with the $35,000 CWD Grand Prix on March 3 and the circuit grand finale, the $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix, scheduled for March 10.
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.
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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
