Beezie Madden and Simon. Photo courtesy of Noelle Floyd.
The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce that Ariat has signed on for the third year as a corporate partner and has taken on an expanded role as a team sponsor of the EQUUS Foundation Fete Cheval Etoile which will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Wellington, Florida.
Ariat will be sharing the spotlight with Animal Planet during the evening of February 20th in recognition of their mutual commitment to horse welfare. Beezie Madden will captain the Ariat/Animal Planet team of Georgina Bloomberg and Nicole Shahanian-Simpson. George Morris and Katie Prudent will judge Madden, Bloomberg and Simpson in the Best Performance Team Invitational, a first of its kind competition where teams of grand prix riders will compete over a 1.35m jumper course judged on style and performance.
Tables and Individual Seating are available. Click here to RSVP online!
“EQUUS Foundation does such amazing work for both people and horses. We are thrilled to continue our partnership and look forward to an incredible year ahead,” said Susan Alcala, vice president of partnership marketing at Ariat International.
Ariat will continue to support a variety of initiatives including the Champions program, one of the Foundation’s main initiatives, an incentive-based equine service program created to stimulate volunteerism within the equine community.
“Thanks to Ariat’s partnership, dedicated volunteers participating in the Champions program are eligible to eligible to win a grant for their favorite equine charity, apply for academic and riding scholarships and receive gift certificates for Ariat products,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.
Ariat will be also be one of the sponsors for the Foundation’s Benefit Luncheon on June 20, 2015, held in association with the Fairfield Grand Prix, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, Connecticut.
Fete Cheval Etoile Fast Facts
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2015, 6 pm
WHERE: International Club, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
3401 Equestrian Club Drive (Pierson Rd), Wellington, FL 33414
The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.
About Ariat International
Ariat International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear, apparel and belts. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.
Wellington, FL – January 27, 2015 – New York City’s Georgina Bloomberg notched her first ‘Saturday Night Lights’ victory of the Florida tour on Saturday night in Wellington, as she piloted her partner Lilli to a scintillating win in the $127,000 Adequan CSI 3* Grand Prix at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival.
Getting by a star-studded field of 45 starters, Bloomberg then raced past four other riders in the jump-off to nail down her 11th career grand prix win, crossing the finish line a full second ahead of runner-up Laura Chapot and her mount, ISHD Dual Star. Bloomberg clocked in at 46.91 seconds while Chapot was just behind in 48.06 seconds. Wilton Porter took home third place honors, 4/10ths of a second behind Chapot in 48.43 seconds on Diamonte Darco.
Olympic Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela set a tough track with 14 numbered obstacles and17 jumping efforts accompanied by a tight time allowed. Only five horse and rider combinations from a starting field of 45 were able to master the track, with Bloomberg going last in the tie-breaker.
“I thought it was super. Of course, when you win you always like the course,” laughed Bloomberg. “I think it was very fair – the time was tight, as it should be. Five was a good number to have clear for a night class and it makes for an exciting jump-off.”
The list of riders that fell by the wayside tonight was a veritable who’s who of show jumping. Madden, Ward, Pessoa, Engle, Lamaze, Maher, Michaels-Beerbaum, Springsteen, Hough, Goutal, Swail, Kraut and Farrington, many with just a single rail down, couldn’t punch a ticket for tonight’s dash for cash.
Chapot and ISHD Dual Star were the trailblazers for the short course, putting in an impressive, speedy round. Ripping around the four tight turns and galloping boldly to the verticals, Chapot put up an imposing time of 48.06 seconds.
Revved up and ready to go, Todd Minikus and Babalou 41 gave chase as the next to go. And he was fast, very fast. He posted the speediest time of the night, but it came at the expense of a rail down at the vertical going into the #5ab combination. Racing home in 44.77 seconds, the added four fault penalty would relegate the pair to fifth place on the night.
Schuyler Riley challenged next with Dobra de Porceyo, and while she posted her second clear round of the night, her time was a full second and a half off of Chapot’s top pace in 49.66 seconds.
Wilton Porter clocked in at 48.43 seconds with Diamonte Darco as the next to go, just missing Chapot’s mark by a narrow 4/10ths of a second.
That set the stage for Bloomberg’s dramatic win.
She easily was up to the challenge with Lilli, making all of the well planned turns look effortless, and somewhere, somehow, slicing a full second off of Chapot’s time. Bloomberg’s winning time was 46.98 seconds. “I watched Laura go on the screen, but I didn’t get to watch the whole round,” Bloomberg said following the trophy presentation. “I didn’t actually pay that much attention because I thought that, whatever I did, she would be faster than me anyway, so there was no point in watching her go. I think my horse has a big stride and even though her horse is quicker, I tried to make up for the fact that I’m on a bigger, slower horse and I was able to leave strides out between the jumps,” she said.
It was Bloomberg’s first prime-time win under the lights on Saturday night. “I have never won a Saturday night class here before. This is my first big class of the season, so it’s nice to start out on a good note and get that first win,” she smiled. “Going under lights is very good for her. It piques the interest of most horses and sometimes being a little too relaxed during the day can change when you’re jumping under the lights, they’ll pay more attention and be more careful.”
“Lilli is an 11-year-old mare that I’ve been riding for two and half years now,” Bloomberg said of her winning partner. “She’s been serving as a second horse to my good mare Juvina. Our goal is to give Juvina some rest and have Lilli fill in little bit. I felt confident with her and she’s been jumping well over bigger jumps, so I felt like tonight was a good opportunity for her to step up. I was very happy with her. She’s had a good rest. She’s fresh and hopefully will be a good fill in for Juvina.”
But, as Bloomberg explained, the ride on Lilli can be a lot of work too. “She can be a little bit too relaxed. She’s very happy sitting in the field getting fat. So sometimes to get her motivated to show and pay attention to the jumps is difficult. I find that most times I’m a bit winded by the end of the ride, “she laughed.
Allyn Mann of Adequan, tonight’s sponsor, said, “First of all, Georgina, congratulations on your first Saturday Night Lights win. These jump-offs make the sport so exciting. Georgina you were up against having to go clean and beating the clock and somehow you found a way to do it and that’s what it’s all about. It’s the competition, the athleticism and it’s the love which we all have and that’s the horse.”
Bloomberg will represent the United States on the team competing at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup on February 13, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Kenneth Kraus for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Graffito and Emma Kurtz Finish the Day as the Charleigh’s Cookies Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under Champion
Wellington, FL – January 24, 2015 – USA’s Georgina Bloomberg guided Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s 11-year-old Brandenburg mare, Lilli (Lefevre x Diamir), to the big win in Saturday night’s $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. In a five-horse, all-American jump-off, Bloomberg topped the class over Laura Chapot and ISHD Dual Star (2nd), Wilton Porter with Diamonte Darco (3rd), Schuyler Riley and Dobra de Porceyo (4th), and Todd Minikus with Babalou 41 (5th).
With a class of 45 entries and 13 different countries represented, the five riders from the USA were the only contestants able to make it through to the jump-off over Leopoldo Palacios’ (VEN) Saturday night course. The competition was the highlight event of week three at the 2015 WEF, sponsored by Adequan®. The 12-week circuit continues through March 29, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.
First to go in the grand prix jump-off, Laura Chapot raced through the short course with Mary Chapot’s ISHD Dual Star and set a very fast pace in 48.06 seconds. Todd Minikus followed with Two Swans Farm’s Babalou 41, finishing almost four seconds faster in 44.77 seconds, but had a rail going into the double combination. Schuyler Riley and Wolfstone Stables’ Dobra de Porceyo were next to go with a clear round in 49.66 seconds. Wilton Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Diamonte Darco crossed the timers clear in 48.43 seconds. Last in the ring, Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli galloped to victory in 46.98 seconds.
Bloomberg has ridden Lilli for about two and a half years and stepped the mare up to the grand prix level last year. Lilli has served as a second horse to Bloomberg’s top mount, Juvina, but is now moving up to even out the workload.
“This was one of my first big grand prixs with her and my first time jumping her under the lights,” Bloomberg explained after her win. “I have felt more confidence with her, and she has been jumping well over bigger jumps. I felt like tonight was a good opportunity for her to step up, and I was very happy with her.”
Describing the mare’s character, Bloomberg noted, “She can be a little bit too relaxed. She will be a very good broodmare one day. She is very happy sitting in the field getting fat, so sometimes to get her motivated to show and pay attention to the jumps is difficult, but she is a naturally careful horse and has all the scope. She is very reliable. Going under lights is very good for her because it piques the interest of most horses. Sometimes being a little too relaxed during the day can change when you are jumping under the lights. They will pay more attention and be more careful.”
Bloomberg admitted that although she watched some of Laura Chapot’s opening round in the jump-off, she did not pay close attention to it because she did not think she would be able to catch the speedy rider.
“I thought that whatever I did, she would be faster, so there was no point in watching her go,” Bloomberg laughed. “I didn’t get to watch her round carefully enough to see the route she took, but my horse has a big stride. Even though her horse is quicker, I tried to make up for the fact that I’m on a big, slow horse and leave strides out between the jumps.”
This was Bloomberg’s first win in a major Saturday night grand prix at WEF as well as a great start to her 2015 season.
“I have never won a Saturday night class here before. This is my first, and my first big class of the season, so it is nice to start out on a good note and get that first win here,” the rider acknowledged. “I have to add that I think all of the riders are appreciative of Adequan’s support for the sport. I think Adequan’s involvement in the sport is greatly underappreciated for the amount that they do, and I know that we all really appreciate it. I also have to say that it is a huge honor to beat every rider in this class, but especially to beat Laura Chapot. I think anybody that competes the rest of the week in the other rings knows how much she wins and how difficult it is to beat her. Laura – I mean this with the utmost respect, but beating you tonight tastes so good!”
With her second place round, Laura Chapot’s mount ISHD Dual Star marked a great start to her season as well, and Chapot was very happy with the performance. The mare jumped well in her first Saturday night grand prix just last week and continues to excel under the lights.
“This is probably the most difficult course I have shown with her,” Chapot noted. “I was very, very pleased with the way she went. My plan in the jump-off was really to just put in a clear and prompt round. I think there were a couple of places I definitely could have been a lot faster, but I really just wanted a good, solid round, and to try and make everyone else try and beat that. She is a naturally careful horse, so I had to take a few little chances. She tries hard, and she was jumping great. She is a good Irish horse.”
Wilton Porter’s horse, Diamonte Darco, was jumping in her very first Saturday night class, and Porter was focused on giving his mare the best experience possible.
“This was my first time competing in a Saturday night WEF grand prix with her, so I am really happy with her,” Porter stated. “My plan was the same as Laura. I wanted to have a nice, prompt round in the jump-off and have a positive experience for my hose. She was really good, so I am pretty pleased. I went as quick as we were comfortable with. I think we were probably a little bit wide turning back to the second to third jump in the jump-off and maybe lost some time there, but I think as we keep going along with her, I will get better at doing that. It will become quicker and quicker as we get tighter.”
Grand prix and week three title sponsor, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), is a registered trademark of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company committed to advancing the healthy equine joint and supporting the equine industry. Allyn Mann, Director of the Animal Health Division at Luitpold, was on hand to witness the fantastic competition on Saturday night and spoke to the top three competitors following the class.
“First of all, Georgina, congratulations on your first Saturday Night Lights win. Wilton, congratulations on your first Saturday Night Lights competition with your horse and Laura, you are just awesome and keep doing what you are doing and you will end up back here in the winner’s circle for sure!” Mann praised.
“We are just really blessed to have the opportunity to be involved with Mark (Bellissimo) and the Winter Equestrian Festival as well as the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival,” Mann stated. “It is two completely different environments, but the people are so special and that is really what the journey is all about. It is not the places that you go; it is the people that you meet. It is just amazing to see these athletic animals and these riders compete in such a way. These jump-offs make the sport so exciting. It is about the competition, the athleticism, and the love that we all have for the horse. We are honored to be a part of it and Mark, thank you for making this such a special place.”
Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo concluded the evening, stating, “I just want to mention that Allyn has been spectacular. There were great athletes here tonight, and it takes great sponsors to make this work. Allyn has been such a great support the last several years and we are excited about that relationship and hope we will be working more and more together in Wellington. I really appreciate it and thank you.”
Graffito and Emma Kurtz Finish the Day as the Charleigh’s Cookies Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under Champion
This morning in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter ring, Emma Kurtz and Graffito kicked off hunter action on a positive note. The pair earned scores of 84 and 80 to finish first and second in the final two over fences classes of the Charleigh’s Cookies Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division. After two stellar jumping rounds, Graffito went on to win the under saddle and finish the day as champion.
Giavanna Rinaldi and Bella Luna, owned by Golden Oaks Farm, ended the day as reserve champions of the Charleigh’s Cookies Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under Champion. Bella Luna won two over fences classes and was second in the under saddle.
Emma Kurtz and Graffito
In both over fences classes Graffito and Kurtz were in sync, despite yesterday being their debut in the Junior Hunters. Even with little practice time, Kurtz, from Hudson, OH, guided Graffito to top ribbons. “The first day I was getting to know him [Graffito] a little bit, and the second day he was amazing!” Kurtz smiled.
Graffito is a 10-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by the Hidden Creek Farm. Competing earlier in the week with Chrystal Knight in the CWD Saddlery Performance Working Hunter 3’6″, Graffito was ready for Junior Hunter competition. Describing Graffito, Kurtz said, “He just has such a huge stride and it took me a day to get used to it, but he was great both days!”
With the new combination off to a winning start, Kurtz looks forward to showing Graffito in upcoming weeks at WEF. Along with competing in the Large Junior Hunters, Kurtz also shows in the Small Junior Hunters, Green Pony Hunter divisions and the 3’6″ Equitation.
Enjoying success in the hunter ring, Kurtz is also focused on the progressing in the equitation. Currently Kurtz’s goal is to qualify and compete in the George Morris Excellence in Equitation class held during WEF 11.
Kurtz started her riding career at the age of five and has been competing seriously for the past five years. During the WEF circuit, Kurtz lives in Wellington full time to keep up with the demanding show schedule. Looking ahead Kurtz plans to continue her riding career in college.
Week three of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival concludes on Sunday with the $34,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured in the International Arena. Hunter coverage will conclude with the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal in Ring 8. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Georgina Bloomberg and Juvina. Photo: Stefano Grasso.
Trade in Existing Boots for a Credit towards a Custom Pair of Der Dau Dream Boots and Make Someone Else’s Dreams Come True!
New York, NY – November 13, 2014 – Two of New York’s iconic equestrian figures, Georgina Bloomberg and Joseph Der, Jr., have combined efforts to provide high quality riding boots to equestrians in need. Der Dau Custom Riding Boots has initiated a program to accept trade-ins of existing riding boots in exchange for a credit applied towards a future order of the company’s exclusive Dream Boots. Each used pair will then be refurbished as needed by Der Dau’s expert craftsman and donated to The Rider’s Closet.
Georgina Bloomberg explains, “I started the Rider’s Closet 8 years ago to be able to help riders afford the proper equipment and clothing for this sport. I have hopefully made a difference in many riders’ lives and made it easier for them to pursue their riding, whether they do it for pleasure or have the opportunity to compete. I have known Joseph Der for years now and always respected his work and his involvement in the horse show community. I am thrilled to be able to work with him and his company as well as humbled and overwhelmed by his generosity towards my program.”
Der Dau accepts all brands of boots that are in acceptable working condition. To determine the value of your trade-in, bring your boots in to one of Der Dau’s booths/showrooms, excluding third party dealers, at equestrian events across the U.S. and Europe.
Bloomberg, one of the nation’s finest young equestrian stars, just recently won the inaugural Central Park Grand Prix in her hometown of New York City and has since had top finishes in the LA Masters, Washington and the National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky. She also competed successfully this summer at the Global Champions Tour and with the United States Equestrian Team.
About Der Dau Inc.
Established over 50 years ago in New York, Der Dau is passionately dedicated to its legacy of producing the finest riding boots. This pinnacle of quality is achieved by building each boot by expert craftsman and hand selecting only the finest quality materials. Culminating on their rich foundation of traditional artisanship, Der Dau has incorporated sophisticated innovation to create boots that consistently meet the functional and design needs of modern equestrians. Each Der Dau boot remains handmade in the United States and is custom built to the exact standards specified by each customer. The company’s overriding commitment for excellence has made its boots the choice for the most discriminating riders, from dedicated equestrian enthusiasts to Olympic medal winners. For more information, visit www.derdau.com or call 1.718.336.4513.
About the Rider’s Closet
The Rider’s Closet is a program started by Georgina Bloomberg in August 2006. The program aims to make riding clothes more accessible to therapeutic riding programs, pony clubs, intercollegiate riding programs and individual riders who are in need. The Rider’s Closet accepts all lightly used riding gear then donates them to anyone who requests the items (U.S. only).
Kenneth Kraus for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
22 September 2014 – New York, USA – The first annual Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex and produced by The Chronicle of the Horse, yesterday concluded four days of top horse sport featuring the world’s best horses and riders in Show Jumping and Dressage, in New York City’s Trump Rink.
Georgina Bloomberg Wins Inaugural $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*
Twenty-three of the world’s best horses and riders jumped in the inaugural $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, with an exciting victory for New York’s own Georgina Bloomberg riding Juvina on Thursday 18 September. The Central Park Grand Prix was televised live on NBC Sports Network as the first live primetime broadcast of equestrian sport on a major sports network. Later in the evening, New York native Lucy Deslauriers rode her horse Hester to victory in the $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by PwC.
Thursday’s competition was just the beginning of an exciting four days of equestrian sport in New York City’s beloved Central Park. The Central Park Horse Show continued with its second day of show jumping competition on Friday 19 September under the beautiful New York City skyline. The evening featured a $50,000 “NYC vs. The World” Team Speed Challenge, presented by Donald J. Trump, with a win for Suncast® Corporation’s World Team. Representing his home nation of Ireland, Conor Swail won the competition overall with the leading round aboard Lansdowne.
A $5,000 Junior/Amateur Speed Challenge was held later in the evening with a win for 22-year-old New York based rider Hilary McNerney and Oscar. Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington, the number 3 ranked rider in the world, guided the winning efforts in both competitions serving as captain of the victorious Suncast World Team as well as training McNerney to her win.
Farrington commented on the event following another great evening of competition representing his winning team. “I think this is one of the best venues we can have to showcase our sport,” he stated. “It is really exciting to be here and be a part of this event, getting it off the ground. A special thank you to everybody that has put big efforts into making this happen – Mark Bellissimo, Donald Trump, Rolex being our sponsor here, all the staff of the park, and everybody that has helped. I think for the first year, it’s a success, and I know there will be big efforts into making it better. I think that this could turn into a major stop on our tour and turn into a world-class event.”
Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW Win First Ever Central Park Dressage Challenge
Five-time Olympic Gold Medallist Isabell Werth of Germany won the inaugural $40,000 Central Park Dressage Challenge, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, riding El Santo NRW on Saturday 20 September. The United States’ Steffen Peters brought his superstar mount Ravel out of retirement for one special freestyle, and Jan Ebeling retired his famous mare Rafalca after the duo had their final performance together. It was an incredible night celebrating the beauty, grace, and power of dressage.
Performing their freestyle in Trump Rink with an incredible backdrop of skyscrapers in the New York City skyline, Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW received a score of 82.042% from the judges to take top honors in the dressage challenge. Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud showed his mount Glock’s Flirt to a score of 78.833% to finish second, and Canada’s Karen Pavicic and Don Daiquiri scored a 73.500% to place third. El Santo NRW is a 13-year-old Rheinlander gelding by Ehrentusch x Rythmus owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Isabell Werth. The rider has had great success with the talented horse in Europe and decided to bring him to the United States for the first time for this very special evening.
“I have to say thank you in the name of all riders for the great idea for this event,” Werth stated. “In the beginning when I heard it, I couldn’t believe, but I was waiting to see if it was really coming true, and it really came true. I say a big thank you. It is a special event. If you go here through Central Park and if you arrive in New York, you can’t imagine that you will compete here in this arena. It was a lot of fun and a pleasure to be here.”
Along with the evening’s freestyle competition, dressage star Steffen Peters brought his famous Olympic and World Equestrian Games partner Ravel out of retirement for one special performance. The 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding last competed with Peters in 2012 after a career that launched them to the front of the world dressage stage, including an individual fourth at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, wins in the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Las Vegas) and the 2009 Aachen CDIO (GER), two bronze medals at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (KY), and two U.S. Equestrian Federation National Grand Prix Championship titles. The exciting evening at Trump Rink showcased the world-renowned duo for one final performance of their award-winning freestyle.
U.S. Pony Club Games and The Shetland Pony Steeplechase
Saturday also featured two matinee performances with various exhibitions representing different disciplines of equestrian sport. The United States Pony Club Games highlighted New York’s top young Pony Club riders in a series of entertaining and competitive games. The inaugural Central Park Grand National Shetland Pony Steeplechase races, part of the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Series presented by Charles Owen, saw jockeys age seven to 16 riding atop one of the world’s most adorable pony breeds.
U.S. Vaulting Team & Polo
The 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games’ U.S. Vaulting Team showcased their world-class horseback gymnastics thanks to sponsor Akiko Yamazaki. Polo’s rising stars also took to the ring thanks to support from Wellington’s Grand Champions Polo Club. The U.S. Polo Association Central Park Polo Challenge concluded a fantastic weekend on Sunday afternoon.
For more information on the inaugural Central Park Horse Show and full results on all the competitions held over the four days, please visit www.centralparkhorseshow.com.
Lucy Deslauriers Victorious in $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
New York, NY – September 18, 2014 – The first annual Central Park Horse Show (CPHS), presented by Rolex and produced by The Chronicle of the Horse, hosted its opening night in New York City’s Trump Rink on Thursday with show jumping wins for hometown riders Georgina Bloomberg and Lucy Deslauriers.
Twenty-three of the world’s best horses and riders jumped in the inaugural $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, with an exciting victory for New York’s own Georgina Bloomberg riding Juvina. The Central Park Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, was televised live on NBC Sports Network as the first live primetime broadcast of equestrian sport on a major sports network. Later in the evening, New York native Lucy Deslauriers rode her horse Hester to victory in the $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by PwC. The Central Park Horse Show continues through Sunday, September 21.
Trump Rink in Central Park played host to Thursday night’s first ever $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, featuring a course set by renowned international course designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. With twenty-three entries, the evening’s grand prix was held in a format where the top six entries returned for a jump-off. The winner was then determined by combined faults from both rounds with ties broken by the second round time.
Charlie Jayne, of Elgin, IL, was the only rider to clear the first round course without fault aboard Pony Lane Farm’s Valeska while Bloomberg and Gotham Enterprizes’ Juvina returned for round two carrying four faults. When Bloomberg jumped the second round course clear in 38.28 seconds, the pressure was on Jayne to stay on zero as the last entry to go, but an unlucky rail at the final fence tied up the faults. Jayne’s time of 38.81 seconds left him in second place as the victory, along with the winner’s share of prize money and a beautiful new Rolex watch, landed in the hands of Georgina Bloomberg. The daughter of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg jumped Juvina to a momentous victory in front of a sold-out hometown crowd.
Also completing two great rounds over the course of the evening were Paige Johnson of The Plains, VA, and Salamander Farm’s Dakota. The pair had one rail and a time fault in round one, but returned to jump clear in round two and finished third overall on a five-fault total.
Winning this unprecedented event on home turf was a dream come true for Bloomberg, riding a very special horse in Juvina. She bought the 13-year-old Austrian Warmblood mare (Cassini I x Grannus) a couple months before she stopped riding for back surgery and her pregnancy and never skipped a beat as she quickly returned to the show ring.
“I have had a long road back,” Bloomberg noted. “For the last three years I haven’t really been competing at the top level, so for me this is my first win back. It is proof that I have really worked hard and accomplished a lot to be able to get back to the top level. I got her at a time when I knew I was going to be taking a little time off and the timing wasn’t ideal, but I knew she was a horse that I could come back very quickly on.”
“She is absolutely the most talented horse I have ever sat on,” the rider declared. “She is a dream come true, and I was so lucky to find her. She sort of makes it easy; you really just point to the jumps. She throws her head a lot, but I have always gotten along with horses that have a little bit of a quirk. I like her style. I like a horse with a little bit of a fight, and I like that she knows she is good and makes you work for it.”
After a disappointing finish in a grand prix a few weeks ago, Bloomberg was determined to make her round in Central Park count.
“Our last hometown show at the Hampton Classic I didn’t have a very good round in the grand prix,” she admitted. “I wasn’t happy with the way I performed or the way my horse performed. In the car on the way home I told my son that not every day can be good. You have to get back up and try again when you have a bad day, and I remember turning around and saying to him, ‘I’m gonna win Central Park.’ I think I have proved to myself now that you need to set a goal for yourself and work hard in accomplishing that, and sometimes it actually does pay off.”
“This is obviously my hometown and the most special place on the planet to me,” Bloomberg acknowledged. “I competed at the National Horse Show when it was here in Madison Square Garden its final year, and I remember walking into the arena for the last time there and knowing that it was the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to compete in this city. To have it come back here – I really did take a minute to enjoy the moment and look around. To win is absolutely amazing to me.”
With a fantastic first night in the books, Mark Bellissimo of International Equestrian Group (IEG) thanked Bloomberg and supporters such as Mr. Donald Trump and Rolex for their help in making his dream of a Central Park Horse Show a reality.
“We are very excited about our inaugural Central Park Horse Show,” Bellissimo stated. “I would like to thank Donald Trump, who envisioned this with me about two years ago. He said we would make it happen. To his word, we did it, and very quickly. I am very thankful because I think this was just an amazingly transformational event for this sport, and I am very proud.”
“After my conversation with Donald, the next conversation was with Georgina,” Bellissimo added. “I called Georgina and said that we were going to do an event in Central Park and she said, ‘Good luck.’ She said, ‘Every year someone calls me. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but if it does, I will be there.’ What I think was spectacular is that once we got some trajectory, she has been absolutely supportive. She has a very busy schedule as a new mother and has come back with what is an amazing horse in Juvina. That is a great partnership, and I am proud to be presenting her with the winning check tonight.”
“I would also like to thank Chris Welton, the CEO of USEF. With the help of USEF we got approval to do this, and they were very supportive in making this happen,” Bellissimo continued. “Sheila Johnson has been phenomenal, a big supporter and partner, and it was so fitting that Paige was in third place today. We have a great partnership with Rolex. They have sponsored us in Wellington and other venues, but this is something that is rare for them, to put their reputation and brand on an event that was unproven and that was a very difficult event to create. We only had five days to transform Trump Rink into something that I think is one of the most spectacular show jumping destinations in the world.”
Bloomberg praised Bellissimo for putting on a great event despite her initial doubts. “One lesson I always learned from my father was that the more somebody says you can’t do something, the harder you have to try to get it done and the sweeter it is going to taste when you do it, so hats off to Mark. He has done amazing things for equestrian sport all over the country and especially here, so I have to thank him and of course Mr. Trump. Without him becoming a fan of our sport and hosting us here, this dream would not have come true.”
Sponsors of the event, including Trump and Salamander Hotels & Resorts’ Sheila Johnson, were on hand to speak to the incredible success of its first evening in Central Park.
“I just want to congratulate everybody, especially our three great champions,” Trump stated. “Georgina and I spoke a year ago at Mar-a-Lago and I said, ‘What do you think?’ It was not an easy situation and we never thought this was going to happen, but it has, and we are very proud of it. The rink is spectacular, and the location is second to none. I would imagine with Mark and his great team that this will be a very special event over a period of years. It has been a really special night. It’s a beautiful sport, and now that people see it, they are all talking about it. I just think it is amazing.”
Johnson was thrilled with her daughter’s third place finish and congratulated the riders and the producers of the event as well.
“I want to congratulate all three of the riders. They have grown up together, and I have watched them since they were young,” Johnson remembered. “Most importantly, I want to congratulate Mark. His vision to put this show on is just remarkable. He has been able to do something with the help of Mr. Trump to bring something to New York City that is so unique and so unbelievable. To look at the backdrop, to see a show ring here with all of the buildings in the background, is just amazing. I think we have been able to put horse shows on the map. Mark is really a leader and a game changer.”
Chris Welton, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation, added, “I want to congratulate the great athletes that we have here and the remarkable performance on this stage. The background tonight was spectacular. We have a lot of responsibilities at USEF, but one of the things we are putting renewed emphasis on is growing the sport – building awareness of the sport, building the visibility of the sport, building participation and building viewership. The cooperation (here) was tremendous, and one of the things I hope comes out of this is that this show continues to prosper and grow. It should become an iconic event in one of the most iconic locations in America.”
Charlie Jayne and Valeska
With a clear first round and a great second place finish, Charlie Jayne had a wonderful experience in the first Central Park Grand Prix with his mount Valeska and thanked the sponsors for putting on an amazing event.
“It was a packed house, and when you ride in a packed house, it feels a little bit like home pride when you are riding in the United States,” Jayne stated. “Clearing that last fence definitely gives you goosebumps every time you jump a clear round, and I really felt the crowd riding the last three fences when I was jumping.”
“I want to emphasize how important it is that this is here in New York,” Jayne added. “I compete all over the world. When you think about a country like Ireland you think Dublin, when you think about a country like Italy you think Rome, and most people that haven’t even been to the States, when they think about the United States, they think about New York. I think it is so important that it is here in the forefront where everybody knows. I think it is the best exposure we could have.”
Finishing third, Paige Johnson was very happy with her mare Dakota and also loved the incredible backdrop of New York City.
“The atmosphere was incredible. I get excited just thinking about it,” Johnson smiled. “The crowd was so into it, and I think it makes you want to do better when you have people cheering you on. I think the sport needs more recognition, and I think this is the exact show that will do it. It was fantastic, and my mare was really good tonight. I can’t wait to come back next year and spread the word about how wonderful this venue was.”
Lucy Deslauriers Victorious in $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix Presented by PwC
A $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by PwC, followed on Thursday evening featuring some of the nation’s top riders under the age of 25 with a win for 15-year-old Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY, riding Lisa Deslauriers’ Hester. Twelve entries showed with three riders advancing to the jump-off, where Deslauriers completed the only double clear round with Hester in 32.47 seconds for her victory. Katherine Strauss and All In had four faults in the jump-off in 32.71 seconds to finish second. Sydney Shulman and Back Country Farm’s Quidam 13 placed third with four faults in 33.36 seconds.
Lucy Deslauriers and Hester
“It was very exciting. I didn’t really know what to expect,” Deslauriers said of her first Central Park Horse Show. “I have never ridden this close to home, for sure, but I’m very excited to be here, and it was a great class.”
Deslauriers went to school as usual on Thursday before jumping to victory later in the evening just minutes from home. “I went to a full day of school, got home, and walked over here,” she detailed. “I did some homework in between. Before I went, when we walked the grand prix, I kept saying to my friends, ‘This is so weird. We’re in the middle of the city!’ None of us have ever done anything like this before, so it was really amazing.”
The plan in the jump-off was just to go clear. “I wasn’t really going to let everyone else get to me or pay attention too much to what everyone else was doing,” she stated. “I had my plan, so I was just going to stick to that.”
She knew she could count on Hester, who she has been riding all year and has even started competing at the grand prix level. “My dad rode him, but I kind of took over the ride in spring last year. He definitely is a show horse. He lights up in the ring and has a lot of personality. I knew he would be as excited as I was to be here, but I had confidence in him coming in here,” she described.
Along with the wonderful competition for the evening, VIP guests enjoyed beautiful seating and dining thanks to VERANDA magazine. VERANDA magazine is the sponsor of the interior design of the VIP tent including crystal chandeliers from Troy Lighting and carpets from New Moon.
Thursday’s competition was just the beginning of an exciting weekend of equestrian sport in New York City’s beloved Central Park continuing through Sunday, September 21. The Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex will continue on Friday evening featuring the $50,000 “NYC vs. The World” Pro-Am Speed Challenge, presented by Donald J. Trump, where Bloomberg hopes to take another round of honor as captain of the “Land Rover NYC Team,” against Kent Farrington’s “Suncast World Team.”
Saturday evening will host The Central Park Dressage Challenge, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, showcasing some of the world’s top dressage horses and riders, featuring Olympic gold medalist Isabell Werth and American superstars Steffen Peters and Ravel. The U.S. Polo Assn. Central Park Polo Challenge will conclude the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Incredible matinee performances will also be held on Saturday and Sunday at 9 am and 12 pm.
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Wellington, FL – January 11, 2013 – The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued with its first week of competition on Friday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with a win for New York’s Georgina Bloomberg and South Street in the $1,500 Adequan 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Qualifier and a championship win for Lansing and Jeanine Cash in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 division.
Week one of FTI WEF runs January 9-13, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club. The week will feature a full schedule of exciting hunter/jumper competition, including the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes exhibition class as the start of the “Saturday Night Lights” series and fun events like the Jump for HomeSafe fundraiser. Highlights of week one include the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Saturday afternoon and the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix on Sunday in the International Arena at PBIEC. The 2013 FTI WEF runs through March 31 featuring 12 weeks of world-class competition.
A Fast-Paced Ride through a World of Privilege and Glamour Inspired by Real Life and Equestrian Experiences of Mayor’s Daughter
Georgina Bloomberg's new book, OFF COURSE, co-written with Catherine Hapka, will be available on November 13th
In Georgina Bloomberg’s debut novel, The A Circuit (May 2011), readers fell in love with three spunky teenage elite riders competing in the privileged equestrian world: Zara, the wild child of a famous rock star, Kate, a working student serious about riding, and Tommi, a billionaire heiress. The series continued with My Favorite Mistake (February 2012) where we saw the characters bring more drama and controversy to the A Circuit than ever before.
Now, in Off Course (Bloomsbury; November 13, 2012; original paperback; $9.99), the highly anticipated third novel in Bloomberg’s teen book series co-written with Catherine Hapka, we watch Zara, Kate and Tommi continue their struggle to strike a balance between grueling competition schedules and barn responsibilities at Pelham Lane Stables with their desire to lead social lives like normal teenagers.
Wellington, FL – July 10, 2012 – Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP), is pleased to announce that show jumper Georgina Bloomberg has joined the Wellington Equestrian Partners. With over 60 career grand prix placings, Georgina Bloomberg is one of the nation’s top riders and has represented the United States in international competition. She is known for her philanthropic ventures and is also the author of a teen book series based on the equestrian world.
Bellissimo stated, “Georgina has a great background, interest, and enthusiasm for equestrian sport. I am confident she will make contributions throughout our business and the industry. We are actively evaluating a number of initiatives, including a jobs program that will focus on increasing the awareness, training, and access to equestrian jobs within the community; increasing our involvement with Wellington schools; and broadening the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge which has raised over $2.7 million dollars for Palm Beach County over the last three years. We are excited to have her as part of our team.”
Gladstone, NJ – February 6, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce the election of new Trustees Georgina Bloomberg, George Davis, Elizabeth Juliano, Murray Kessler, Lyle Lovett, Misdee Wrigley Miller, MK Pritzker and Philip Richter. The new Trustees were elected to the Board on January 28, 2012 during the USET Foundation’s Annual Meeting. They will aid and assist the USET Foundation in its mission to support the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
Georgina Bloomberg of North Salem, NY and Wellington, FL has been competing in Show Jumping at the international level for many years. She has represented the United States at the World Cup Finals and also in Nations Cup competitions. Bloomberg won the Maxine Beard Award in 2004 and she also founded The Rider’s Closet to distribute used clothing and equipment to college equestrian teams and pony clubs.
Wellington, FL – July 10, 2012 – Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP), is pleased to announce that show jumper Georgina Bloomberg has joined the Wellington Equestrian Partners. With over 60 career grand prix placings, Georgina Bloomberg is one of the nation’s top riders and has represented the United States in international competition. She is known for her philanthropic ventures and is also the author of a teen book series based on the equestrian world.
Gladstone, NJ – February 6, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce the election of new Trustees Georgina Bloomberg, George Davis, Elizabeth Juliano, Murray Kessler, Lyle Lovett, Misdee Wrigley Miller, MK Pritzker and Philip Richter. The new Trustees were elected to the Board on January 28, 2012 during the USET Foundation’s Annual Meeting. They will aid and assist the USET Foundation in its mission to support the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.