Tag Archives: Georgina Bloomberg

Community/Charity, Equestrian Aid Found., Show Jumping

Georgina Bloomberg to Compete for Equestrian Aid Foundation at Hampton Classic Horse Show

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Georgina Bloomberg and Crown 5. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Wellington, Fla. – July 22, 2017 – Equestrian Aid Foundation announced that Georgina Bloomberg will represent the organization as captain of their team in the Jump for Charity, presented by Sea Shore Stables. The event takes place during the $86,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier presented by LONGINES at the 42nd annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, Friday, Sept.1.

Jump for Charity is a fun way for the audience to enjoy a world-class show jumping event with the opportunity to raise funds for a worthy cause. The format for the event includes 12 riders (eight individuals and two teams of two) paired randomly with 10 charities. The individual riders will serve as team captains. The drawing to match the riders and charities was held live on the Hampton Classic’s Facebook page. Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Cohen randomly drew Bloomberg as the team captain for Equestrian Aid Foundation.

Funds will be raised for Jump for Charity through the sale of 30 uniquely designed caps for each charity/rider team. The caps will feature the Hampton Classic logo, the charity name, the team captain name and the team captain’s autograph. The caps sell for $100 each (80 percent tax deductible) and may be pre-purchased on the Hampton Classic website or on-site at the Hampton Classic, while supplies last. Pick up your hat at the Hampton Classic or have it shipped.

Click here to purchase your ball cap and select: “Captain Georgina Bloomberg riding for Equestrian Aid Foundation” to support the team.

“We are honored to have Georgina lead our Jump for Charity team,” said Equestrian Aid Foundation executive director, Louise Smith. “She is not only an incredible show jumping athlete, but she also understands our mission. Georgina served on the Equestrian Aid Foundation’s board of directors through 2016, and she gives back in so many ways to animals and the people who love them.”

All the proceeds from the sale of the caps will be distributed as follows: $1,000 to the third-place charity, $2,000 to the second-place charity and the remaining funds to the charity of the highest-placed rider. Only the top placed rider for each charity will qualify for the cash award for their charity. Last year, a win by McLain Ward earned $16,100 for Caring Hearts for Canines.

Other participating riders include Molly Ashe Cawley, Lucy and Mario Deslauriers, Ramiro Quintana, Callan Solem, Shane Sweetnam, Danielle and Jimmy Torano, Catherine Tyree, McLain Ward and Andrew Welles.

For more information about the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.

Equestrian Aid Foundation
11924 West Forest Hill Blvd
Suite 10A-377
Wellington, FL 33414
800-792-6068
EquestrianAidFoundation.org

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Hermès US Show Jumping Team Out to Take $150,000 FEI Nations Cup Win on Home Soil

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Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (RedBayStock.com)

Wellington, Fla. – Georgina Bloomberg will lead a group of rising stars when the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team takes on seven countries in the $150,000 FEI Nations Cup™ at CSIO4* Wellington Friday, March 3. Chloe Reid, Catherine Tyree, and Ali Wolff join Bloomberg as U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland looks to guide them to a strong finish in front of the home crowd. The U.S. has drawn fifth in the order and will compete in the following order:

Ali Wolff with Casall: Wolff (New Albany, Ohio) and Casall, Blacklick Bend Farm’s 2005 Holsteiner gelding, will compete at CSIO4* Wellington after serving as the reserve combination for the Silver medal-winning Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team last month at CSIO4* HITS Ocala. They are coming off a third-place finish in the $100,000 City of Ocala Grand Prix at HITS Ocala.

Catherine Tyree with Bokai: Tyree will make her Nations Cup debut with Bokai, Mary Tyree’s 2006 KWPN gelding. She took over the ride on Bokai from The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders last summer. Since then, the young partnership earned a third-place finish in the $380,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI5* during week five of the Winter Equestrian Festival last month.

Chloe Reid with Codarco: Reid (Washington, D.C.) will compete on her second Senior Nations Cup team at CSIO4* Wellington. She will team up with Codarco, Team Reid, LLC’s 2007 Irish Sport Horse stallion. The combination recently placed sixth in the $380,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI5*.

Georgina Bloomberg with Lilli: The 2015 Pan American Games Team Bronze-medalist combination, Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) and Lilli enter CSIO4* Wellington after three top-10 placings in 2016 FEI World Cup™ competitions. She and Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s 2004 Deutsches Sportpferd mare placed eighth in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, ninth in the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington presented by CP at the CP National Horse Show, and fourth in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento at the Sacramento International Horse Show.

Watch the live stream of the $150,000 FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Wellington on USEF Network beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 3.

By Dana Rossmeier, US Equestrian Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Equestrian Names Hermès US Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* Wellington

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Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athletes to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Wellington, March 1-5, in Wellington, Fla.:

Georgina Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.)

Chloe Reid (Washington, D.C.)

Catherine Tyree (Chicago, Ill.)

Ali Wolff (New Albany, Ohio)

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Hermès US Show Jumping Team Fights for Podium Finish at CSIO5* Dublin

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Laura Kraut and Cavalia (Laurence Dunne/Rockmountain Studios)

Dublin, Ireland – The United States overcame immense pressure to tie with Sweden for the Bronze medal at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by Longines at CSIO5* Dublin, Ireland. The Hermès Show Jumping Team of Georgina Bloomberg, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut, and Jessica Springsteen battled a tough field to extend its podium success in Nations Cup competition. In an intense jump-off, Italy went clear to snatch the Gold medal on zero faults from the home team of Ireland, who claimed Silver on six faults.

“Obviously, we always want to win, and be in the jump-off. The Irish and Italians were very strong, and we knew that going in. We had a couple nine year-old [horses]. To have a podium finish, I was very proud of them and their performance,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

The U.S. team put up an impressive first-round effort. Hough (Wellington, Fla.) and Ohlala, The Ohlala Group’s 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare, were the pathfinders for the U.S. team. The growing combination dug deep to finish with zero faults. Springsteen (Colts Neck, N.J.) and Cynar, Stone Hill Farm’s 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding, nearly matched Hough and Ohlala’s efforts. Unfortunately, they were eliminated due to two refusals at the water jump, obstacle 10.

Knowing there was little room for error, the seasoned combination of Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) and Lilli, Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s 2004 Deutsches Sportpferd mare, came up big for the U.S. and posted a clear round to keep the team on zero faults. Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), the 2016 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team alternate, and Cavalia, St. Bride’s Farm’s 2007 KWPN mare, executed their job perfectly as the anchor combination, posting zero faults.

Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (Laurence Dunne/Rockmountain Studios)
Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (Laurence Dunne/Rockmountain Studios)

The U.S. entered the second round tied for first place with Ireland and Italy. Sweden narrowly trailed with four faults. Every jump counted, and the U.S. needed clean performances in the second round to remain medal-worthy. Hough and Ohlala were unable to match their first-round performance and finished with eight faults. She and the mare had rails down at the Harp oxer, obstacle three, and the Furusiyya oxer, obstacle seven. Springsteen and Cynar did not jump a second round so it was up to Bloomberg and Kraut to carry the team through.

“To not have him [Cynar] go in the second round put huge pressure on the other three so that every fault was going to count from that point on. That’s Nations Cup pressure, in front of an absolutely packed house in Dublin, one of the most important Nations Cups of the calendar year,” said Ridland.

With Sweden right on the U.S. team’s tale with eight faults and Springsteen’s second round score dropped, the U.S. needed Bloomberg and Lilli to jump clear. They knocked one rail at the Furusiyya oxer for four faults, leaving them tied with Sweden going into Kraut and Cavalia’s final attempt on the course. The young combination delivered a perfect round to end the day with a double-clear and solidify a tying Bronze medal effort.

“I thought they did a great job. For us to end up in the medals and tied for third is a great finish. Laura’s double clear on Cavalia and it being her [Cavalia’s] first Nations Cup, and only being nine years old, it was just a tremendous finish,” said Ridland.

Complete Nations Cup Results

From the USEF Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Hermès US Show Jumping Team Takes Second in FEI Nations Cup at CSIO4* Wellington

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Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team.

Wellington, Fla. – The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team placed second in a highly competitive $150,000 FEI Nations Cup at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Competing in a seven-team field, the team of Georgina Bloomberg, Audrey Coulter, Laura Kraut, and Beezie Madden ended on a two-round total of eight faults.

Leading off for the U.S. was Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) with Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s Lilli, who set a positive tone for the evening, jumping clear over the Steve Stephens-designed track. Riding in only her third Nations Cup, Coulter (San Francisco, Calif.) followed suit with Copernicus Stables, LLC’s Capital Colnardo, and produced another score of zero for USA. Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) entered the arena next with Old Willow Farms, LLC’s Zeremonie and sealed round one with another clear round. The clear efforts of the first three U.S. combinations deemed it unnecessary for anchor rider Madden to jump.

The U.S. team was not able to breathe easy entering round two as Ireland sat tied on zero faults and Mexico was a close third on five faults. The round proved to be a close contest with the final result resting on the anchor riders. Bloomberg began round two with an eight-fault effort, but both Coulter and Kraut jumped clear.

Ireland’s first three riders jumped two four-fault rounds and a clear. As penultimate in the order, Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Abigail Wexner’s Simon had an uncharacteristic misstep at fence three that resulted in the pair’s retirement on course. With Ireland’s anchor rider going clear, the Irish won on a two-round total of four faults.

“We felt really confident coming in and felt good after the first round. We had a really good night; it was just a tough way to end. That’s show jumping though; that’s sport,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

The U.S. team showcased great up-and-coming talent this evening with Coulter marking the first double-clear performance of her career with her efforts.

“I have been on teams before, and this was the first time I’ve been able to come back for the second round. To jump double-clear was really special,” said Coulter. “He was a little nervous in the first round, and then in the second, he took a breath a really performed well.”

Kraut’s mount Zeremonie was contesting her first Nations Cup and performed beautifully under the electric atmosphere, producing the second double-clear effort for the U.S.

“I was really happy with my horse tonight. It was her first time doing anything like this – she’s never jumped at night and she’s never jumped two rounds. I am really happy with the way she performed,” said Kraut.

The U.S team will all move forward to compete in Sunday’s $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO4* Grand Prix.

Complete Results

From the USEF Communications Department

Central Park Horse Show, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Rolex Central Park Horse Show Kicks Off U.S. Open with Welcome Press Conference

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Georgina Bloomberg, Mark & Katherine Bellissimo, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Alicia Kershaw.

New York, NY – Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group (IEG), LLC, commenced the second-annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show in the foreground of New York City’s beloved Wollman Rink on Tuesday. Alongside inaugural Rolex Central Park Grand Prix winner and hometown hero Georgina Bloomberg, Olympic dressage rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén, and GallopNYC Executive Director Alicia Kershaw, Bellissimo christened Central Park as the host site for the inaugural U.S. Open competitions with a welcome press conference. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show runs Sept. 23-27 with Arabian, Hunter, Dressage, and Show Jumping disciplines being showcased.

Competition at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show begins Wednesday, September 23, with the U.S. Open Arabians, presented by Aljassimya Farm. Action continues throughout the week, highlighted by the U.S. Open $212,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix, presented by Rolex on Friday, and the U.S. Open Hunters $50,000 Duchossois Cup, presented by the Gochman Family and U.S. Open $75,000 Dressage Freestyle, presented by Axel Johnson Group on Saturday.

“Last year, the inaugural event was an incredible success,” stated Bellissimo. “We really would like to use this event to create a world stage for equestrian sport – there is a great opportunity for us to raise the awareness in this country and there is no better place to do that than in New York City. I think this will continue to grow as one of the top events in the sport over time.”

New York City native and last year’s grand prix winner at the first-ever Rolex Central Park Horse Show, Georgina Bloomberg, was eager to greet local, international, and equestrian media in her hometown while preparing to defend her title.

“As a rider, I’m really excited about this event. It’s a fantastic week not only for Show Jumping, but now also for Hunters, Dressage and Arabians and I’m so proud to be a part of it,” said Bloomberg. “As a New Yorker, I look at the skyline and really appreciate both the surroundings and being able to ride in such an incredible venue.”

Decorated dressage rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén of Sweden will compete at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show for the first time this year, and like Bloomberg, she is eager to participate in the second horse show held in Central Park since 1981.

“I’m incredibly excited to be here. As a kid I always loved New York City and enjoyed coming here, but I never imagined that one day I would have the opportunity to ride here,” she said.

While Silfvén admits she is in awe of the city, she maintains that the horses should handle the location with ease. “The atmosphere is exciting, but as all of the bigger shows have grown in size and scale many of the horses competing at this level are used to it,” she added.

The mounts of Bloomberg and Silfvén, who will arrive in New York City in the coming days, are in good company with the horses that call New York City home. Members of the NYPD Mounted Unit were on hand at Tuesday’s press conference to showcase a different kind of equine presence at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. The NYPD Mounted Unit is one of six charity beneficiaries of the event alongside the Central Park Conservancy, City Parks Foundation, GallopNYC, NYC Parks Enforcement Mounted Auxiliary Unit and The Police Athletic League.

Bellissimo has found success at his Florida-based horse show with an event called the Great Charity Challenge, which has raised more than $8 million in the past six years for charities within Palm Beach County. He has continued the charitable endeavors of IEG at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, giving a minimum of $30,000 in donations this year.

Alicia Kershaw, who is the Executive Director of Gallop NYC, a therapeutic riding program based in New York City, spoke to the presence of equestrian-based programs within the city and how pivotal donations are to organizations like GallopNYC.

“We help people with disabilities walk, talk, and learn so that they can live their lives as fully and independently as possible,” she said. “Two-thirds of our riders cannot afford to pay our fees. Disability can be a impoverishing circumstance for a family and so we very much welcome the financial support, but we also feel that we have a mission to show New Yorkers that horses are good for people. We are thrilled to be a part of an event that showcases horses in New York.”

As the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show gets underway this week, Bellissimo is already confident that the event has a bright future in New York City. “It costs several million dollars to host this event and it’s a long-term opportunity to make it a success,” he said. “We’re committed to doing just that over the next seven or eight years.”

Tickets for all events at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show can be purchased at http://bit.ly/1AV2imv.

About Rolex Central Park Horse Show

Launched in September 2014, Rolex Central Park Horse Show is the first-ever outdoor, multi-day equestrian sporting event in New York City, showcasing some of the best show jumpers and dressage riders in the world as they vie for top prizes against a backdrop of skyscrapers in one of the world’s most iconic venues. As the event founder, Mark Bellissimo is the CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and International Equestrian Group LLC; Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEF), Tryon Equestrian Partners and Colorado Equestrian Partners; and Publisher of The Chronicle of The Horse magazine. In its second year, Rolex Central Park Horse Show will make its triumphant return from September 23 to 27, 2015 and will feature five days of multi-discipline equestrian sport and performances, ranging from Arabians and Dressage to Hunters and Show Jumping. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will also host the inaugural U.S. Open in the following categories: Jumpers, Dressage, Hunters, U25 Jumpers, and Arabians. For more information, visit http://centralparkhorseshow.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CPhorseshow, and follow @cphorseshow on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Shin-Jung Hong
Nicholas & Lence Communications
ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Tel: 212.938.0005

Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Central Park Horse Show, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Stage Is Set for Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping Championship at Rolex Central Park Horse Show

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Georgina Bloomberg at the 2014 Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Photo ©Rolex/Kit Houghton.

Canadian Pacific Railway and Rolex sponsor the two-round competition where McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Georgina Bloomberg, Todd Minikus, and Conor Swail lead the list of top riders vying for the U.S. Open Title

New York, NY – From Olympians to up and coming talent, the Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping competition will highlight the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, running Sept. 23-27 in the heart of New York City’s Central Park. Founded in 2014, the second-annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show is dedicated to attracting the best in equestrian sport to compete at a once in a lifetime location.

U.S. Open Jumper events at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will welcome the world’s best to contest two rounds of competition over courses set by international designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. The $40,000 FEI Speed Class, presented by Canadian Pacific Railway, kicks off the schedule with an opening speed round on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 8 PM.

Faults from Thursday will be converted to points and carry over to the U.S. Open $212,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:00 PM. Riders will pilot the same horse in both rounds, and the highest ranked rider will not only be crowned the inaugural U.S. Open winner, but receive an exciting bonus. While cashing in on their share of the $212,000 purse, the winning rider will be presented with an additional $25,000 for the U.S. Open honor.

Hometown girl and accomplished international rider Georgina Bloomberg took top call in the 2014 Central Park Grand Prix and will return to her native city to defend her title this year in hopes of being crowned the first U.S. Open Jumper Champion. The world will be able to watch her efforts as the U.S. Open CSI 3* Grand Prix is scheduled to air on NBC Sports Network during prime time from 9-10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 27.

“Winning last year’s Rolex Central Park Grand Prix in front of a New York City crowd was one of the highlights of my career,” said Bloomberg. “New York is my home and to be able to compete in this city is an experience like no other. I am proud to see show jumping return to New York and I can’t wait to showcase the sport that I have dedicated my life to in the heart of Central Park again this year.”

In addition to Bloomberg, the prestige of show jumping in Central Park has attracted a star-studded cast of high-performance riders all vying for the U.S. Open title, including the likes of Kent Farrington, Todd Minikus, Conor Swail and McLain Ward, to name a few.

“New York City’s Central Park is a unique host and presents a change from the typical venue for both us as riders, but also our horses. However, it’s worth the effort to have a show in the center of the city and highlight the sport with many top riders,” said Ward, who most recently took home an individual gold medal for the USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Show jumping was last seen in New York City’s Central Park in 1981 and at Madison Square Garden in 2001, but the Rolex Central Park Horse Show found a home at Wollman Rink last year. “We all miss what showing at the Garden was, and this is bringing that back in a similar way,” added Ward.

“I was both overwhelmed and encouraged by the positive response from participants, spectators and media outlets to last year’s event in Central Park,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group, LLC (IEG). “There is no better place to showcase horse sport through the U.S. Open than in the iconic New York City. I have confidence that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show’s U.S. Open will become one of the premiere events on the show jumping calendar.”

Tickets can now be purchased at http://bit.ly/1AV2imv. To request table information in the Hospitality Tent, please e-mail Anne Caroline Valtin at vip@centralparkhorseshow.com or call 561-784-1133.

Additional information can be found at www.coth.com and www.centralparkhorseshow.com.

Media Contact:
Shin-Jung Hong
Nicholas & Lence Communications
ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Tel: 212.938.0005

Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Central Park Horse Show, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Rolex Central Park Horse Show Returns to New York

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Georgina Bloomberg Aims to Defend Her Title

New York, USA, 16 September 2015 – From 23-27 September, top equestrian athletes will gather at one of the most stunning venues worldwide for the second annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Attempting to defend her Rolex Grand Prix title will be Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

New York City’s Rolex Central Park Horse Show was a smash hit in its inaugural year in 2014. The enthusiastic New York audience was gripped by the spectacular performances of top-class horse and rider combinations in this unique setting – and this year’s expanded renewal is set to be even more impressive. Rolex’s longstanding relationship with horse sport is well-known, which made it the automatic first choice as title sponsor for 2015.

The showpiece class will be the Rolex Grand Prix on the Friday night of the event (25 September), where the world’s finest horsemen and women will battle it out in the heart of the city. Bloomberg was a highly popular champion last year in front of her home crowd, and will most likely be set on maintaining her champion status.

CENTRAL PARK VISIONARY

The Rolex Central Park Horse Show is the brainchild of Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner and the largest shareholder in Wellington Equestrian Partners LLC, which stages the annual three-month Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida.

Bellissimo wanted to bring the thrill of equestrian sport to a wider audience and conceived the daring idea of staging a show in Central Park – in the Trump Rink.

Mark Bellissimo said, “The Rolex Central Park Horse Show made a spectacular debut and is poised for an even greater year as we introduce the U.S. Open for Equestrian Sport. We will be welcoming more equestrian disciplines to the heart of New York City as a showcase for equestrian sport in the United States.” He added, “Showcasing the many facets of the horse world in the heart of New York City is an exciting endeavour for us and the equine industry in general. We are also very proud to continue our relationship with NBC Sports and we will be broadcasting the event to equestrian enthusiasts across the nation and the world.”

FIVE DAY SHOW

The five-day Rolex Central Park Horse Show will feature action from several equestrian disciplines, including Show Jumping, Dressage, Hunters and Arabians, and is the perfect showcase for equestrian sport in the United States.

The luxury Swiss watchmaking brand has been associated with the very best equestrian athletes, through its family of Testimonees and international shows for more than 60 years. The attributes of precision, performance, courage and sportsmanship for which equestrian sport is recognized resonate through Rolex’s approach and philosophy.

Rolex Show Jumping Testimonee Kent Farrington was among the winners of the inaugural show, and said, “I think this is one of the best venues we can have to showcase our sport. It is really exciting to be here and be a part of this event.”

DRESSAGE SUPREMO ISABELL WERTH

Rolex’s Dressage Testimonee, the incomparable Isabell Werth, travelled from her home country of Germany to take the show’s maiden Dressage challenge, and has recently confirmed that she will return to compete in 2015.

She said, “Central Park is such a nice show. There have been some great improvements for this year and horses are now allowed to stay in the park overnight. This will make it more of a real competition and adds excitement to the show and the sport.”

When asked which of her top horses she will take to New York, the former Olympic gold medallist said, “I will probably take El Santo; he is very experienced with large arenas and flying to events. It is a very special atmosphere, heightened by the great crowd.”

Many more of the world’s most illustrious equestrian athletes have already announced their intention to compete in this special venue. There is no doubt that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show will join the select list of the most desirable equestrian events for both spectators and competitors.

Media Contacts:

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 22 302 2761

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7770 647 662

Competitions, Pan American Games, Show Jumping

US Jumping Team Earns Bronze at 2015 Pan American Games

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McLain Ward and Rothchild (StockImageServices.com)

Caledon, Ont. – The final team medals in equestrian competition at the 2015 Pan American Games were decided this afternoon with the U.S. team taking the Team Bronze medal. The Nations Cup proved extremely competitive over both rounds of competition with clear rounds coming at a premium. The team comprised of Georgina Bloomberg, Kent Farrington, Lauren Hough, and McLain Ward finished on a total of 12 faults. The home nation of Canada won Team Gold on seven faults and Argentina took home their first team Pan American Medal in decades – a Team Silver on eight faults.

The U.S. Team got off to an unlucky start in round one, with each combination having one rail down on-course to go into round two sitting in sixth on 12 faults. The team entered the arena for round two determined and performed an impressive four clears, a feat not matched in either round.

“Coming back and having four clears in the second round was a great testament to all four of them, we are all proud of the effort, and it has been a great event,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “Each [U.S.] round of round one had one extremely minor error, not one single major error. It was pretty simple what the team needed to do [in round two]: duplicate everything from the first round and fix that one problem, and that’s exactly what happened. They were brilliant in the second round.”

Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild served once again as pathfinders for the U.S. Coming into the first double combination on course at 4A, Rothchild had a light touch behind to knock the rail, resulting in four faults. The veteran pair jumped an otherwise excellent round and adjusted in the second round to turn into the first of four clear rounds for the U.S. in round two.

“I actually thought he jumped as well in the first round, if not better, than the second round,” said Ward. Speaking to the rail down in round one, Ward said, “[Rothchild] lightly touched it behind; he didn’t make a big mistake. I could have set it up slightly better, but again, it was not a big mistake. Unfortunately, the rest of the day went like that: all four horses and riders went well with just a little thing here or there, but in Nations Cup format, four faults can be deadly. You have to have perspective though; all the horses went well, all the riders rode well, and there weren’t any big mistakes or problems.”

Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (StockImageServices.com)
Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (StockImageServices.com)

Competing in her first championship, Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) handled the pressure and proved her mettle. With a block down off the wall at fence six in round one, Bloomberg and Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s Lilli, jumped an otherwise perfect two rounds. The Michel Vaillancourt-designed course had a tight time of 83 seconds allowed, leaving no room for error. Bloomberg and Lilli came through the finish times in a neat 83 seconds, to post zero faults in round two.

“The first round I was really concerned about the time allowed; she’s usually a bit of a slow horse so I am always concerned with the time allowed, even when it’s not incredibly short like it is today,” said Bloomberg. “I think that watching a lot of people have time faults, I really had that in mind and think that’s why I had the wall down; I was really moving, came around the turn, and went.” Going into round two Bloomberg explained her mindset. “In the second round I was thinking: I still have to be somewhat quick, but I really wanted her to take a deep breath in every corner. If I had a time fault, I had a time fault, but at least I don’t make the same mistake as I did in round one. I had 83 seconds to do it, and I used every bit of it.”

A veteran of Olympic and Pan American Games, Hough (Wellington, Fla.) piloted The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala in the mare’s first championship competition. Picking up four faults at the entry to the triple-combination at fence 9A, the combination returned in round two to turn in one of the fastest clear rounds of the day.

“We were all a bit disappointed with the first round, little margins of error,” said Hough “[Ohlala] put in two fabulous efforts and I corrected my mistake in the second round; she couldn’t have jumped any better.” Hough’s clear marked three clear rounds in round two, assuring the U.S. of a 12-fault finish. “We all really dug in; it was a good experience for all of [the horses] and hopefully we will come back strong for the individual round. We are all quite experienced riders and knew we had to come back and be just that much better and we did it.”

Farrington, currently ranked third in the world, brought his and Robin Parsky’s young, talented mare Gazelle to gain valuable experience in the mare’s first Nations Cup. The pair had the same rail down as Hough at 9A and also added one time penalty to their total in round one. The mare built on her experience and produced a confident, faultless effort in round two.

Speaking to the success for the U.S. team at the Games, Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) noted, “[Gazelle] is nine years old and this is the biggest course she’s ever seen in this kind of setting. Additionally, Georgina is here doing her first championship, so I think it was great experience for an inexperienced horse and for a rider moving up to compete in her first championship. Obviously we came here to be competitive and have a very strong team. We all had an unlucky rail in the first round, but all came back and jumped clear in the second round. A little bit of bad luck today, but overall a good experience.”

Saturday’s individual final will see the 35 best-placed combinations according to the cumulative penalties over the first and second competition. Nations with four combinations in the top 35 will send forward their three best-placed combinations. For the U.S., Bloomberg, Hough, and Ward will compete. Competition gets underway at 11:00 a.m. ET and will be broadcast and streamed live on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.

Complete Results

Behind the Scenes with the U.S. Teams: USEF Sport Director Will Connell’s Blog

From the USEF Communications Department

Pan American Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Stellar US Jumping Team Set to Shine in Pan American Games

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All U.S. horses passed inspection Sunday (StockImageServices.com)

Caledon, Ont. – The United States will be represented by some of the best in U.S. jumping in the final week of competition at the 2015 Pan American Games. The U.S. team of Georgina Bloomberg, Kent Farrington, Lauren Hough, and McLain Ward will take on 16 nations, including 10 teams, over three days of team and individual competition. The first individual qualifier will take place Tuesday, the results of which will be used to establish the starting order of the team competition, taking place Thursday. The U.S. has drawn last in the order-of-go and will ride in the following order on Tuesday:

  1. McLain Ward
  2. Georgina Bloomberg
  3. Lauren Hough
  4. Kent Farrington

“The Pan American Games is one of the key events for the U.S. as we look toward the Olympic Games in Rio next year,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “We are steadfast in our goal of providing experience to a host of combinations while continuing to send teams that are in contention to medal at each Nations Cup event. We are coming off a win at CSIO5* Mannheim last week and have a completely different, very capable team here at the games. This is a true testament to the depth we have in the U.S. and is a part of the overall, long-range process of preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Farrington, of Wellington, Fla., will ride Robin Parsky and his own Gazelle, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. This pair has competed successfully since 2014, with top placings in major classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival, CSI5* Rome, and CSI5* Spruce Meadows. Farrington has been a significant contributor to U.S. team success, including as a member of the Bronze medal-winning team at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the Gold medal-winning team at the 2011 Pan American Games.

Hough will compete on the Ohlala Group’s Ohlala, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare, with which she has had much success both at home and abroad. The pair has garnered top placings in Nations Cup competition, including as members of the winning U.S. team in the 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final Challenge Cup and Silver medal-winning U.S. team at CSIO4* Ocala in February. Hough represented the United States at the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games, and at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Bloomberg, of New York, N.Y., and Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s 2004 Deutsches Sportpfred mare, Lilli, will also represent the United States in the Games. Bloomberg is a seasoned competitor, both nationally and internationally, with successful outings in top level competition. In 2015, Bloomberg and Lilli have had top-ten finishes this year at CSI5* Wellington and CSI5* Spruce Meadows.

Ward brings a wealth of experience to the U.S. Pan American Jumping Team. Ward has represented his country in three Olympic Games, including as a member of the Gold medal-winning teams in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008 aboard the legendary Sapphire. Ward has also been a part of three FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. teams: 2006, 2010, and 2014. No stranger to Pan American competition, Ward helped to secure a Team Gold medal win in the 2011 Games. At the 2015 Pan American Games, Ward will pilot Sagamore Farm’s 14-year-old gelding Rothchild. The pair has forged their successful partnership since 2009, garnering top prizes at elite shows at home and abroad. Ward and Rothchild combined to win a Team Bronze medal and a fifth place finish individually at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2015, Ward and Rothchild achieved top placings in CSI5* Grand Prix classes in Wellington, Fla. and at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada.

The athletes and their horses will be supported by veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, physiotherapist Janus Marquis, and farrier Ken Bark.

Complete order-of-go and results

Behind the Scenes with the U.S. Teams: USEF Sport Director Will Connell’s Blog

From the USEF Communications Department