We had a great first week in Gulfport. Today the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix presented by Johnson Horse Transport was won by Nepal with the owner and rider Jay Land.
2. Happy Z, Wilhelm Genn
3. Merlin, Frances Land
4. Triompf, Sarah Patterson
5. Lord Byron, Michael Tokaruk
6. Paradox, Thomas Bruinsma
7. Roman Saluut, Devin Ryan
8. HJ El Magnifico, Eduardo Braun
9. Winchester, Bridlebourne Stables
10. L Etoile, L Etoile Group
11. Ultaire, Janet McCarroll
12. MTM Got Game, Steel Horse Investments
Wellington, FL (February 10, 2012) – Renowned hunter trainer and rider Scott Stewart is known for his ability to spot talented horses and turn them into first-class hunters. Stewart has found new talent in Dedication, the hunter he rode in the Second Year Green Working Hunter division during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. Stewart’s skill, along with his great rides on Dedication, helped him take home the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award, sponsored by Vita Flex Nutrition, makers of animal health supplements, antioxidants, electrolytes, joint supplements, performance products, topicals and vitamins and minerals.
Stewart said he was pleased with Dedication, owned by Fashion Farm in Philadelphia. “He was really great. He had two perfect rounds the first day. The second day he was a little tired, but I was still really happy with him. It was his first time showing since November,” Stewart said.
Elizabeth Faraci Sweeps FarmVet Amateur-Owner 18-35 3’3″ Hunters
Wellington, FL – February 11, 2012 – Margie Engle (USA) and Indigo emerged victorious in the $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farm under the lights in front of a crowd of 5,200 spectators at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night. Engle and Indigo, owned by Gladewinds, Griese, Garber, and Hidden Creek, were the fastest of two clear rounds in an eleven horse jump-off over Darragh Kerins (IRL) and Lisona, owned by Kevin Babington. Pablo Barrios (VEN) and G&C Quick Star 11, owned by Gustavo Mirabal, were third.
Week five of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will conclude tomorrow. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
Continue reading Margie Engle and Indigo Win $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix
THERMAL, CA (February 10, 2012) – Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist Jill Henselwood came to the HITS Desert Circuit laser focused on punching her ticket to the London 2012 Olympic Games and it showed. In Thursday’s $32,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Henselwood teamed up with Brian Gingras’ IV Ever and beat all other starters to take the top prize, a check for $10,560.
Thursday’s 16-obstacle course was set by Florencio Hernandez of Mexico and was thought to be one of the more challenging courses riders have faced so far this season at the HITS Desert Circuit. Six starters found trouble at a vertical mid-way through the course, while several others had their fate decided by the trickery of Hernandez’ 10ab combination. But like she often does, Henselwood found a way.
“This was the most technical course that we have had yet,” explained Henselwood after the class. “It was really big and the triple combination heading towards the in-gate was tough. To be successful on this course you had to have a horse with great scope.”
Laura Chapot and Bradberry Victorious in $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge, Bruce Duchossois and Just Fred Capture the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Championship
Wellington, FL – February 10, 2012 – The third annual FTI WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge was held on Friday evening in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Riders representing 16 National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) varsity teams from around the country gathered to compete in a bracket-style format. The championship trophy, presented by the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association, was awarded to University of South Carolina junior Kimberly McCormack. Laura Chapot was the fastest to win the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge with Bradberry. In the Camping World Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters, R. Bruce Duchossois and Just Fred earned the championship ribbon.
Week five of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will run February 8-12. The highlight class of the week is Saturday night’s $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
Continue reading McCormack Takes Over Fences, Brown Wins Flat at WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge
Likely V and Nina Zollo Top Smartpak’s Low Hunter 2’6” Division
Wellington, FL – February 9, 2012 – It was a great afternoon for grand prix riders Kent Farrington (USA) and Richie Moloney (IRL) at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) as each took home the top share of prize money in a split class for round five of the WEF Challenge Cup Series. Held in a ‘California Split’, the class awarded two sets of placings, each with $32,000 distributed due to the large number of entries.
Week five of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will run February 8-12. The highlight class of the week is Saturday night’s $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
THERMAL, CA (February 9, 2012) – Josephina Nor Lantzman put an exclamation point on Desert Circuit II when she rode her own Chello Z to the blue ribbon in Sunday’s $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
In Sunday’s $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Nor Lantzman and Chello Z were the top horse-and-rider team out of a group of 34 starters that challenged the first-round track set by International Course Designer Bernard Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way I finished my two weeks at HITS Thermal,” said Nor Lantzman. “I will be back for the second half of the circuit where I look forward to competing against some of the top riders in the world. I am riding for Brazil and my ultimate goal is to make the 2016 Olympics.”
The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. is pleased to announce the following dates and locations of the 2012 National Hunter Championships:
U.S. Junior Hunter Championship – West Coast: July 23-24, 2012; Showpark Facility, Del Mar, CA
U.S. Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast: July 24-25, 2012; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
United States Pony Finals: August 7-12, 2012; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. National Hunter Breeding Championship – West: August 29, 2012; Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament, Del Mar, CA
Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. National Hunter Breeding Championship – East: September 1, 2012; Warrenton Horse Show, Warrenton, VA
For sponsorship opportunities or questions about these events, please contact Lauren Fahey lfahey@usef.org or 859-225-6977.
Wellington, FL (February 8, 2012) – Hunter trainer and rider Scott Stewart dominated the hunter ring during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, riding away with the Championship in the Green Working Hunter, the First Year Green Working Hunter and the Second Year Green Working Hunter divisions. Kelly Farmer won the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunter division, also sponsored by The Sanctuary at PBIEC.
“Scott’s a very accomplished hunter trainer and rider and he showed off his skill during the first week of WEF by riding into the winner’s circle countless times,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of the Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “We are thrilled that Scott won so many of the classes we sponsored and we congratulate him on his victories. We also want to congratulate Kelley. She is also an accomplished hunter rider who is also well known for being in the winner’s circle.”
Ocala, FL – February 8, 2012 – The first week of SBS Farms’ six-week stay at HITS Ocala was filled with nothing but success as professional rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano guided Sting to his comeback. The talented team executed the $5,000 Devoucoux 3’3″ Hunter Prix with consistency and precision, riding to the coveted championship spot. Alfano also rode numerous mounts to the top awards in the hunter divisions, while student Grace Weidner exhibited Castell in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, leaving the ring with high scores across the board.
It seems as though Sting, after taking some time to recuperate, is finally hitting his stride in the new 2012 year. Alfano and Sting took control of the $5,000 Devoucoux 3’3″ Hunter Prix, taking the course with a smooth ease. “He was really good, the courses were nice and he jumped great,” Alfano described. “It was so nice to have Sting back after having him out for a while. He was really smooth going around, everything matched, he’s such a fun horse and I am so happy to have him back.”
Continue reading Jennifer Alfano Guides Sting to Comeback during HITS Ocala I