Tag Archives: hunter/jumper

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Champions Abound as Interscholastic Equestrian Association Celebrates 10 Years at the 2012 IEA Hunt Seat National Finals

Leave a comment
Rebekah "Becca" Chenelle IEA 2012 Leading Hunt Seat Rider of the Year

Syracuse, New York – April 27, 2012 – More than 330 of the nation’s leading middle school and high school equestrians competed at The New York State Fairgrounds April 20-22 for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals sponsored by Dover Saddlery and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA). The finalists represented over 100 teams from seven zones throughout the United States. Individuals and teams participated in multiple competitions during the 2011-2012 regular season shows, regional and zone finals to qualify for the IEA National Finals competition.

Riders competed in Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences classes and Equitation on-the-flat classes throughout the weekend. The IEA format requires that riders compete in unfamiliar tack on unfamiliar mounts; therefore, they draw their horses the day of competition and enter the arena after a brief, if any, warm-up.

In the individual competition Rebekah Chenelle, who rides for the Windcrest Equestrian Team of Hebron, Connecticut, was named the IEA Leading Hunt Seat Rider of the Year, winning the Varsity Open Championship class.

Continue reading Champions Abound as Interscholastic Equestrian Association Celebrates 10 Years at the 2012 IEA Hunt Seat National Finals →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Top Judges Named for the First-Ever Southeast Medal Finals in Jacksonville

Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – April 26, 2012 – The First Annual Southeast Medal Finals will take place on September 21-23 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Sponsors are lining up to support this great new show. Highlights include the Southeast Junior and Adult 3′ Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Regionals and much more.

Hunter and Equitation judges will include Kip Rosenthal, Brian Lenehan and John Roper. Allen Rheinheimer and Fred Brown will serve as jumper judges.

Kip Rosenthal is an accomplished equestrian, who has ridden and trained with such familiar names as George Morris, Victor Hugo-Vidal, Bert De’Nemethy and more. As a respected R-rated judge in both Hunter and Hunter Seat Equitation, Rosenthal has judged many of the most prestigious competitions in North America.

Continue reading Top Judges Named for the First-Ever Southeast Medal Finals in Jacksonville →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jeanne Hobbs Sails Southern River to Championship of Farm Vet Level Five Jumpers and Places Third in Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

Leave a comment
Jeanne Hobbs and Southern River in Wellington earlier this year. Photo by SportFot

Wellington, FL – April 24, 2012 – Jeanne Hobbs found her groove at HITS Culpeper winning the Farm Vet Level Five Championship with her own mount, Southern River. In the $40,000 Grand Prix, Hobbs piloted Nielsen B to third place honors.

The conditions were not ideal, with fifty-degree weather and rain. But Danny Foster’s courses rode well for Hobbs and her two horses and, despite the cold and rain, they delivered outstanding performances.

“Southern River is 100% Thoroughbred,” shared Hobbs about her twelve-year-old partner. “I’ve had him since he was about three and a half years old, and he’s a super-fast, careful and brave horse. He won the first day at Culpeper, and he went in and won the second day as well. That’s him. He’s a winner. He enjoys winning. The faster you go, the better he jumps.”

Continue reading Jeanne Hobbs Sails Southern River to Championship of Farm Vet Level Five Jumpers and Places Third in Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jill Henselwood and George Kick Off HITS Culpeper with a Triple Threat

Leave a comment
©ESI Photography. Capping a successful week, Jill Henselwood and George on their way to winning the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (April 24, 2012) – Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood aboard Juniper Farm’s George continued her journey towards the Pfizer Million and the 2012 Olympics with a big win at Commonwealth Park in Sunday’s $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. As she prepares for the Nations Cup Series in Belgium and Austria, Henselwood spent last week in Culpeper, Virginia where she also picked up wins in Friday’s $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and Thursday’s $2,000 Level 7 Jumper.

“I came to Virginia to make sure [George] is on his game and I knew we would be guaranteed good weather since there is snow at home,” said Henselwood. “The venue and the competition were super. These Virginia riders are always quick, so it was great preparation.”

Fellow Canadian Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario designed the course and presented riders an immediate jump-off option. Foster crafted a 14-obstacle track, which included three double combinations. Faults were scattered as his course proved to be challenging, but attainable. Ten were clear over the first round course, but only two managed to produce double clear efforts – Henselwood and Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois in the irons of Woodrun’s HH Dauphin.

Continue reading Jill Henselwood and George Kick Off HITS Culpeper with a Triple Threat →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Jane Gaston and Lumiere Win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper

Leave a comment
©ESI Photography. Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere on their way to victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix as they set their sights on the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final

CULPEPER, VA (April 23, 2012) – Accomplished duo Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere  came out on top in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to highlight the Commonwealth National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

Gaston, who was a ribbon winner in last year’s inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS-on-the-Hudson, is on track for a return visit to the year-end spectacular for hunter riders this September. After competing in three Devoucoux classes this winter at HITS Ocala, Gaston now has banked four qualifying classes and will look to the July shows at HITS Culpeper to seal her position in the starting field for the return of the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final.

“I got a good start on qualifying at Ocala,” said Gaston of The Plains, Virginia. “My only regret is that I didn’t spend more time there. We were there for three weeks and it was such a pleasant place to show. Next winter, I plan on spending a lot more time there.”

Continue reading Jane Gaston and Lumiere Win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper →

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Summer Classics – Something for Every Rider

Leave a comment

Nearly $300,000 in Prize Money Up for Grabs

JOHNS ISLAND, SC — April 15, 2012 — Still undecided on summer plans? Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, would like to tempt you: “Our summer events are bursting at the seams with great offerings! We’ve taken exhibitors’ horse show wish list and made them a reality!”

The Atlanta Summer Classics, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA, is a USEF AA rated two-week event from June 13 through June 24. This year’s event will play host to the inaugural $25,000 Pony Hunter Derby Classic.

“This will be the first of two $25,000 pony events for the summer. We have some of the country’s best talent in our pony sections and I think it’s time they get rewarded for their efforts,” Bell said.

The second Pony Hunter Classic will be held in July at the Charleston Summer Classic. Both events will be open to all ponies, even nonmembers; however, they will need a valid USEF measurement card.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics – Something for Every Rider →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Join the List of Sponsors for the Southeast Medal Finals at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center

Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – April 17, 2012 – The First Annual Southeast Medal Finals will take place on September 21-23 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Sponsors are lining up to support this great new show. Highlights include the Southeast Junior and Adult 3′ Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Regionals and much more.

Current sponsors include Phelps Media Group International, Horse Shows Online, Classic Company, Geddaway Farm, Equestrian Travel, Jerry Parks Insurance Group – representing Great American Insurance Group – Land Rover Jacksonville and more.

Phelps Media Group International has committed to sponsor the First Annual Southeast Medal Finals. According to President, Mason Phelps Jr., “Some years back, I founded and created the New England Horsemen’s Association Hunt Seat Medal, and served as president of the New England Horseman’s Council. Now that I’m a Floridian, I feel it is important to support the Southeast Medal Finals.”

Continue reading Join the List of Sponsors for the Southeast Medal Finals at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center →

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

EquestrianCoach.com’s Bernie Traurig to Present Educational System at IEA Hunt Seat Finals in Syracuse

Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – April 19, 2012 – Legendary, world-class equestrian, Bernie Traurig, will present his popular EquestrianCoach.com discounted educational programs at the National Finals for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). The event will be held on April 20-22 at the Coliseum at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. Traurig recently formed a relationship with the IEA as an educational partner.

“EquestrianCoach.com is such an educational gift to all of us! As a promoter of equestrian education and horsemanship, the IEA is honored to partner with EquestrianCoach.com, and to tap into the wisdom and experience of Bernie Traurig and so many great horsemen that generously share their knowledge through this exceptional program,” said Roxane Lawrence, Executive Director and Founder of the IEA.

Continue reading EquestrianCoach.com’s Bernie Traurig to Present Educational System at IEA Hunt Seat Finals in Syracuse →

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Summer Classics – Something for Every Rider

Leave a comment

Nearly $300,000 in Prize Money Up for Grabs

Pony Power ©Flashpoint Photography

April 15, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Still undecided on summer plans? Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, would like to tempt you. “Our summer events are bursting at the seams with great offerings! We’ve taken exhibitors’ horse show wish lists and made them a reality!”

The Atlanta Summer Classics, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA, is a USEF AA rated two week event beginning June 13 through June 24. This year’s event will play host to the inaugural $25,000 Pony Hunter Derby Classic. “This will be the first of two $25,000 Pony events for the summer. We have some of the country’s best talent in our pony sections and I think it’s time they get rewarded for their efforts,” Bell said. The second Pony Hunter Classic will be held in July at the Charleston Summer Classic.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics – Something for Every Rider →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Long Listed Show Jumping Riders Prepare for Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Observation Events

Leave a comment
2012 Olympic Trials for Show Jumping Winner Reed Kessler has had great success with Mika at the Kentucky Horse Shows for many years. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – April 13, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are just around the corner and some of the nation’s top riders are gearing up for the two-week event. The first week of competition, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show CSI3*, May 9-13, 2012, has been designated by the USEF as a 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event. Long Listed riders such as Reed Kessler, Margie Engle, Beezie Madden, Mario Deslauriers, and Christine McCrea will all be at the event to showcase their talent to the Selection Committee.

The jumper highlights in the Rolex Stadium during the first week will include the $35,000 Welcome Cup on May 9th. This will be followed on Friday, May 11th by the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and on Sunday, May 13th by the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. These two major competitions are Observation Events for the US Show Jumping Team.

Seventeen-year-old Reed Kessler was the winner of the 2012 USEF Selection Trials for the US Show Jumping Team, and has been competing at the Kentucky Horse Shows for many years. “I am really excited,” she expressed. “I think it’s a terrific venue. It’s a perfect test and a great observation site to prepare for London because it’s another big, impressive ring, so that’s why we decided to show there.”

Continue reading Long Listed Show Jumping Riders Prepare for Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Observation Events →