Tag Archives: Kalvin Dobbs

Kalvin Dobbs and Woodstock O Dominate $10,000 High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at Kentucky Spring Classic

Kalvin Dobbs and Woodstock O.

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2014 – The Amateur-Owner and Junior riders took over the Rolex Stadium during the final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic, showcasing their speed and accuracy. Kalvin Dobbs mastered the short course during the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic sponsored by Audi of Lexington with Woodstock O. In the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, it was Alec Bozorgi and Navy Blue Tarroy’s double clear effort winning the blue ribbon prize.

For both events, Michel Vaillancourt challenged riders with a course similar to last night’s $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, and the jump-off once again featured the difficult rollbacks, as well as multiple options to open up stride and gallop home for the win.

In the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, nine of the 24 entries advanced to the tiebreaker, where five double clears set a blistering pace. Hayley Gassel set the target with Werner 61, posting a clear round in 44.739 seconds that held up for fifth place. Erin Haas also finished over the 40-second mark with As Di Chupito, which would only be good enough for fourth place.

Dobbs took over the lead with his first mount Tea Party early in the jump-off, breaking the beam in a clear 40.913 seconds, but he still had his faster mount yet to go. Hayley Gassel bested Dobbs’ time with her second mount Quite Dark 2 with a faultless round in 38.842 seconds, but she would not hold on to the top spot for long.

Dobbs knew Woodstock O would be faster than Tea Party, and he used the talented mounts speed and accuracy to his advantage. They sliced the turn to the final line and galloped through the timers in 38.592 seconds, three-tenths of a second faster to take home the victory and relegate Gassel to second place. However, Gassel’s top placings throughout the week earned her the division championship, while Dobbs took home the reserve championship.

“I was thinking that I had a fast time with Tea Party, but I knew it was reachable. I knew Hayley beat me so I was just thinking about where I could be quicker,” explained Dobbs about his jump-off. “I wanted to be tidier in my turns and then just let Woodstock go because he’s very quick on his own. I just turn him and let him run. I was tighter to the last line, and he has a huge stride so he was able to leave out a stride to the last fence. His jump is not as high and lofty as Tea Party, so we probably shaved off some time there too.”

Dobbs took over the ride on Woodstock O from Olympian Laura Kraut last fall and has been working hard to develop a partnership with the talented mount. “I’ve had to change my riding style on him because I sit back on my horses and drive them, and I am learning to sit up and be forward with my seat, while still keeping leg and being very soft,” he commented. “Woodstock has made me a much better rider, and it’s transitioned to my other horses. Laura is a very forward rider, so that is what he likes.”

During the year, Dobbs usually trains with Abigail Blankenship at his family’s Treesdale Farms in Carmel, IN, but after graduating from high school in two weeks he will travel to Europe to train with Laura Kraut through the summer. In the fall, Dobbs will return to the United States and attend the University of Miami, where he will be studying Business Management.

Alec Bozorgi and Navy Blue Tarroy
Alec Bozorgi and Navy Blue Tarroy

The Junior Jumper Classic was next at the Kentucky Horse Park, and while seven showed over the short course only three were able to produce another clear round. The first came from Virginia Ingram and Urban, but they chose to be more conservative to leave the fences up and clocked in at 48.336 seconds, which would hold up for third place. When Alec Bozorgi and Navy Blue Tarroy stepped into the arena they pushed the clock while still leaving all the rails intact in 43.900 seconds. Victoria Colvin and Don Juan were the last to go, and they tried to take over the lead, but fell just shy as they crossed the finish line in 43.991 seconds, just 9/100ths of a second behind Bozorgi.

“I watched a few, and there was only one double clean so I decided to cut back and play it a little conservative,” said Bozorgi after his win. “Tori [Colvin] and Don Juan are very fast, so I didn’t really think I would come away with the blue. I could have shaved it a little tighter in the turns, but he jumped great. He’s a naturally fast horse, so I don’t usually need to worry about speed.”

Bozorgi began leasing Navy Blue Tarroy from Kevin Babington at the beginning of the winter season and knows he’s a very special mount. “He’s a very hot horse, very gamey and goes at the jumps,” he explained. “I try to hold my body over the jumps and slow his jump down, get there shortening the step so he doesn’t jump at it. He’s really experienced though, super careful and super scopey. I am really lucky to have him.”

Later this summer, Bozorgi will return to the Kentucky Horse Park for the North American Junior and Young Riders Championship. “We’re going to start preparing for Young Riders,” he commented. “Kentucky is a great place. I grew up showing around here, and I was happy to come back here with Nancy Whitehead this spring. I love the Rolex ring. It’s a high quality show, and I think they do a great job of making sure the riders have a good experience.”

Today marked the conclusion of the Kentucky Spring Classic, but in July competition will continue at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Kentucky Summer Series. Throughout July and August, riders will have the opportunity to compete in top-notch hunter/jumper events, and also try to earn valuable points toward the $50,000 Hagyard Challenge Series’ Leading Rider Bonus, and the $15,000 Leading Rider Bonuses available during the Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series.

For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows LLC, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Kalvin Dobbs Dominates High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers with Winde at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Aaron Vale and Palm Sunday – Photo By: Rebecca Walton.

Lexington, KY – May 10, 2013 – Rain and wind proved to be the lucky charm for Kalvin Dobbs’ Winde in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers. The talented young rider took home top honors in the competitive class at the Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Earlier in the day, Aaron Vale also claimed a blue ribbon, piloting Palm Sunday to the fastest double clear effort in the 1.45m Open Jumpers.

A steady rain and chilly wind made for a challenging day at the Kentucky Horse Park. For the 1.45m Open Jumpers and the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Richard Jefferys produced a technical track that included an open water, a triple bar, an oxer-vertical double combination, and a vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination. The riders that were able to advance to the tiebreaker had to show over four new fences, as well as the open water option, making sharp turns and using long gallops to beat the clock.

During the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, ten riders managed to advance to the short course. Emanuel Andrade set the time to beat at a clear 33.036 seconds with La Fe Forli, owned by Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, SC, which would eventually place fourth. Frances Land of Alpharetta, GA slipped in behind him early in the class riding Vieanne to a time of 34.565 seconds that would earn sixth at the end of the day.

The next fault-free round came from Sophie Simpson, but she would be slowest of the double clears in 37.199 seconds aboard Chico’s Girl, owned by Katherine Gallagher of Medfield, MA. Andrade managed to best his own time aboard his second mount for Hollow Creek Farm, Tiny Tim, clocking in at 32.332 seconds for a speedy second place finish. Chloe Reid of Washington, DC, and Damascus claimed the fourth place honors in 34.246, while her second mount Victor E, owned by Candy Tribble of East Windsor, CT, place third in 33.036 seconds. Leah DeMartini and True Love, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, went just before Reid and were also double clear for seventh place in 36.268 seconds.

Kalvin Dobbs and Winde - Photo By: Rebecca Walton
Kalvin Dobbs and Winde – Photo By: Rebecca Walton

The fastest of the double clear rounds went to Kalvin Dobbs and Winde, owned by Treesdale Farm of Carmel, IN. The pair picked up a quick gallop and never held back, making sharp turns and easily soaring over all the fences. They dashed through the timers in 31.516 seconds, almost a full second faster than Andrade and Tiny Tim, to earn the winning prize.

“It was a really good jump-off,” smiled Dobbs. “I was able to gallop the turns and think about numbers a little bit. It was a really smooth trip and I was able to find all the fences. Winde is a very high-strung horse and my trainer [Abigail Blankenship] and I work together with her. The hardest thing to do is the flatting. I have to be very calm around her. Over the past year and a half we have really been able to figure each other out. When we go in the ring we are able to make something good out of it. I hope we continue to grow together, and she has been a blast to work with.”

The high school junior just arrived last night after finishing his ACT exams, but is thrilled to be back in Kentucky. “I love Kentucky; it is so pretty here,” expressed Dobbs. “It is very competitive; you see a lot of great riders and horses. It’s just a great place to show and it’s close to home, so it’s great to come here and show each year.”

The 1.45m Open Jumpers competed earlier in the day, with four double clear efforts posted. Schuyler Riley was the trailblazer aboard Andretti, owned by Southbeach Stables of Wellington, FL, but in an effort to leave all the rails in place she posted a conservative time of 38.112 seconds that would place fourth. Ian Millar and Baranns, owned by The Baranns Group of Perth, Ontario, were the next to leave all the fences intact, and they took home the third place honors for a time of 36.735.

Aaron Vale and Palm Sunday, owned by Amen Corner Farm of Folsom, LA, were the next to show over the short course and they blew by Millar’s time. They easily maneuvered all the turns and had a nice, open gallop to dash across the finish line in a quick 33.611 seconds. Ireland’s Andrew Bourns and Carmina attempted to best Vale’s time. They were just a touch short of the winning time in 34.478 seconds to claim second place and seal Vale’s victory.

“Palm Sunday felt super,” noted Vale. “I didn’t show last night; I wanted to space his classes out a little bit to aim for Sunday’s grand prix. I was just trying to get home to go smooth and canter around nicely. He rode really well for me, stayed relax, and he’s a pretty quick horse, so it wasn’t a lot of work to get around in the pace. Hopefully I’ve got him set up well for Sunday.”

Vale added, “I just let him gallop a little and the turns were pretty good. I didn’t do anything crazy. If I have to I can whip and drive a little harder on him, so that wasn’t crazy for him, but I was really happy with the way he rode around the first round.”

The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows have been on Vale’s schedule for many years and he is happy to be back at the prestigious event. “The footing is great no matter the condition, wet or dry,” he commented. “They put a great course of jumps out there; we have super footing and a good course designer. It’s great showing and good mileage for the young horses.”

Leah DeMartini and Eurocommerce Tampa - Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography
Leah DeMartini and Eurocommerce Tampa – Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography

The final event of the day was the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, where Leah DeMartini was the dominating rider for Elm Rock Partners LLC of Bronxville, NY. DeMartini showed Eurocommerce Tampa to the win with a blazing time of 29.687 seconds in the jump-off. She also picked up the third place award with Zubantos, and the fifth place honors with Pauly Du Breuil. Gabrielle Stern of Chicago, IL, piloted Anjelica to the second place honors in a double clear time of 29.963 seconds, while Sarah Bagworth of King City, Ontario, and Untouchable slipped into the fourth place position.

The weekend concludes with the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday at 4p.m., but the riders will return to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Spring Classic, scheduled for May 15-19, 2013.

For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Swail, Dobbs and Cook Claim Bonus Money in SSG Riding Gloves Promotion

SSG Gloves presents Conor Swail with a $3,000 bonus after winning the $33,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round X. Photos – Sportfot.

Wellington, Florida – Conor Swail, Kalvin Dobbs and Annie Cook were all winners in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion during Week 10 of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Ireland’s Conor Swail was the first winner of the week, topping a 64-horse starting field in the $33,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 riding Martha Louise on Thursday, March 14.  For wearing SSG ‘Digitals’ on his way to victory, the Irishman picked up a $3,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves.

“I think it’s very good; it certainly gets people wearing them,” said Swail of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.  “It gets good coverage and gets a lot of mentions as well, so it’s a very good idea.  All of the SSG gloves are very good; I also like the ‘All Weather’ style.  The gloves are great quality, and I’ll definitely stay wearing them.”

Kalvin Dobbs, mounted on Winde, won $2,000 in bonus money after winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic
Kalvin Dobbs won $2,000 in bonus money after winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic

On Saturday morning, 17-year-old Kalvin Dobbs picked up $2,000 in bonus money after winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic.  All three riders that advanced to the jump-off round were wearing SSG ‘Digitals’, ensuring that the bonus money would be awarded.  Dobbs of Carmel, Indiana, guided Winde to the only double clear effort to take the win, the overall High Junior Jumper Championship title, and the $2,000 bonus which had doubled, having not been awarded during week nine.

“I love it; it’s really nice,” said Dobbs of the SSG promotion.  “It gives us something to aim towards, it’s really fun, and it jazzes up these classes for us.  It’s awesome!”

Dobbs, who also competes in the equitation divisions, was already a fan of SSG Riding Gloves, noting, “I also love the SSG ‘Technical’ gloves and I ride in those at home.  I like to wear the ‘Digitals’ for the jumpers; they have really good grip.”

Annie Cook was the third winner of the week, also picking up a $2,000 bonus after winning the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic.  Hailing from Woodside, California, Cook posted the winning jump-off time of 37.36 seconds riding her partner of three years, the grey mare Banba.  Like Dobbs, Cook was already wearing SSG Gloves before she learned of the promotion.

Annie Cook won $2,000 in bonus money after winning the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic
Annie Cook won $2,000 in bonus money after winning the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

“I think the promotion is awesome, and it’s a great way to get people to buy the gloves,” said Cook, a student at Yale who is showing at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival for the first time.  “I love my gloves.  They breathe and keep your hands cool, and have nice grip.”

SSG Riding Gloves offers a $3,000 bonus in each of the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series events, as well as a $1,000 bonus in the Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic and the Junior Jumper High Classic competitions.  If the winning rider in any of these three competitions is wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style gloves with the SSG horse head logo clearly visible, they will be presented with a cash bonus during the awards presentation.  If not awarded, the bonus money carries forward to the next event in the series.  A total of $60,000 in bonus money is on offer from SSG Riding Gloves at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves are available for purchase at numerous Wellington locations, including Tackeria, as well as on-site at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds at various retailers including Beval Saddlery, Hadfield’s Saddlery, Jods and Running Fox.

Please refer to the 2013 WEF Prize List for complete details.  For further information, contact Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications, at cell: 613 292-5439 or jward@startinggate.ca.

Maher and Quiet Easy 4 Top $25k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at FTI WEF 5

Kalvin Dobbs and Winde Win Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix; Blueberry Hill and Coco Fath Jump to Second Championship in Florida Community Bank Small Pony Hunters

Ben Maher and Quiet Easy 4. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 10, 2013 – Week five of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Adequan, concluded on Sunday afternoon with a win for Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain aboard his young mount Quiet Easy 4 in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Maher has been a dominant force in Wellington over the last two weeks with back to back grand prix wins, including last night’s $82,000 Adequan CSI 2* Grand Prix. He can now add a 1.50m victory to his tally for the winter.

Olympic course designer from Great Britain, Bob Ellis, set the track for forty-two entries to show in Sunday’s 1.50m classic with just four entries advancing to the jump-off. Alongside Maher, U.S. Olympic gold medalists Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut joined the jump-off roster as well as Argentinean rider Max Amaya.

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