Tag Archives: Kelley Farmer

Kelley Farmer and Mindful Victorious in $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Kelley Farmer and Mindful.

Christopher Payne and Churchill Capture $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Lexington, KY – May 10, 2014 – When Larry Glefke and Kensel LLC purchased Mindful just a few weeks ago they did so with one intention – providing a top hunter derby contender for Kelley Farmer. Mindful proved tonight that he definitely fits that bill, as he and Farmer earned the victory in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

Finishing in second place in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park were Hayley Barnhill and John and Stephanie Ingram’s Airport 48; third place went to So To Speak, another talented Larry Glefke and Kensel LLC owned entry ridden by Farmer.

Six-year-old So To Speak also proved to be a strong contender, leading at the end of the first round with scores from the two judging panels of 84 and 90. Those scores coupled with the bonus points awarded for Farmer’s decision to take all four high option fences gave the pair a combined first round total of 182.

Mindful advanced to the second handy round just behind So To Speak with a combined score of 180. Rounding out the top three after the opening round over the Bobby Murphy designed course were Barnhill and Airport 48.

Entries returned in reverse order of their standings for the handy round, but, as Farmer was juggling three entries in the second round, she and Mindful moved up in the order and were the first of the top three to return.

From the opening vertical to the final high option fence, Farmer and Mindful laid down a seamless trip, and the judges agreed.  The two judging panels awarded them base scores of 89 and 88; with handy bonus and high option points added they would finish on a second round total of 199 and a 379 grand total, shooting them straight to the lead.

Barnhill and Airport 48 looked like they were going to give Farmer and Mindful a real run for their money, but judges’ scores of 88.5 and 80 left them short of the lead with a second round total of 189.5 and a final score of 363.5. While it would not give them the win, it would hold up for second place.

Hayley Barnhill and Airport 48
Hayley Barnhill and Airport 48

“I don’t know the horse that well yet; he’s very new to us,” Barnhill said of Airport 48, who was a grand prix horse with Courtney Boyd prior to being purchased by the Ingrams. “We got him at the end of Florida, and we showed him one week after circuit in the 3’3″ Performance Hunters. This is our first real week showing him. He’s never done a derby or anything. I was really happy with the results.”

Barnhill continued, “He’s so fun to ride. He’s easy; he’s pretty much point and shoot to the jumps.  He’s so scopey and careful. I just had to steer and find the jumps.”

Before Barnhill and Airport 48 took officially claim the second place honor, Farmer had to turn in her final ride of the night aboard So To Speak. The second place award or even the victory seemed to be very much in reach for the pair, but an unfortunate lead swap before the final fence would relegate them to the third place position.

“He’s only 6 years old. He’s got a big future,” owner and trainer Glefke said of So To Speak.

“That baby is so brave. He is not scared of anything,” added Farmer. “I am so excited for him.”

Farmer is equally excited about Mindful, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding purchased from Callie Schott less than three weeks ago. She has her sights set on this year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals with the new gelding, but until tonight, she had no idea how he would even perform in a hunter derby format.

“I was thrilled with him. I know a lot more about him now,” Farmer said. “It’s so easy for him. In both rounds, after a jump or two he settled in. Or rather, I settled, so he settled. It was our first derby. He was great at the show this week, but until you do it, you don’t know what you are going to get.”

Doing well with Mindful at this year’s Derby Finals is a big target on Farmer’s radar this year, so Farmer was appreciative of the opportunity to not only see how Mindful would perform in a hunter derby, but in a hunter derby in the same venue and setting as the Derby Finals.

“It’s the only time we get to get in the ring before Derby Finals, and it’s the same time of night when you have all of the shadows, and it’s really dark,” Farmer said.

“I thought Bobby Murphy built a nice course tonight. You had to ride a little at the wall, but at some point you are going to have to ride them at the first jump. It wasn’t too trappy. You had room to canter. Riding to the oxers you had to have ability and a little scope, but there was nothing to scare them. The ones that made a mistake, I think it was more from shadows than the course.”

With a win in the Rolex Stadium under her belt, Farmer can continue to look toward the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in August during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

Christopher Payne and Churchill
Christopher Payne and Churchill

Chris Payne and Churchill Capture $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

The night kicked off with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, the first of seven events culminating with the $15,000 Leading Rider Bonuses. Chris Payne earned the early lead in the year-end standings by leading the first event from start to finish aboard Susan Moriconi’s Churchill. A smooth opening round resulted in a score of 89, and as the last to return for the handy round the pair expertly handled the inside turns and high options to earn a 94 for a 183 total.

Although Churchill is only 7 years old and eligible for the Pre-Green Hunter division, he has proven that he is ready for anything. “We decided do him in the First Years and see how it goes because he’s so brave and has a great mind,” explained Payne. “He got some ribbons so we thought, let’s see if maybe he’s a derby horse because he’s so brave and so easy. This is his first time doing anything like this at all. We just wanted to see how it would go.”

Bobby Murphy built a 10 obstacle course for the first round of tonight’s event set at 3′ with four 3’6″ option fences. There was a two-stride line as well as bending lines and multiple rollbacks. The fences were decorated to imitate natural obstacles a rider would experience when hunting. The top 12 scoring horse and rider combinations were invited to return for the handy round, which also had four options as well as a trot fence and multiple inside turns to showcase handiness.

Hayley Barnhill was ranked fifth going into the handy round after earning a score of 84 aboard Walker, owned by Danielle Leach. They picked up a smooth canter and were able to execute an excellent trot fence, as well as taking the inside and high options. The judges awarded their efforts with a score of 87 for a 171 total.

“We were in fifth place before the handy round, so we thought we might as well try and move up,” explained Barnhill of Walker, who she rode for the first time today. “He is a Pre-Green horse, so he’s still new to this kind of thing, but he’s big strided, scopey and easy. He was right there for everything I wanted to do.”

Adrienne Iverson returned next riding Cenerife for Eight Oaks, having received a score of 85 in the first round. The pair also had an excellent round, galloping easily to the final oxer and jumping easily over the high options. The judges announced a score 86, creating a tie of 171 with Barnhill. In the end, Barnhill’s handy round score would earn her the second place honors, while Iverson settled for third place.

With two good scores already on the leader board, the pressure was on Payne to produce another flawless round with Churchill. The handy was a breeze for the brave horse though; who navigated the inside turns smoothly and accurately. The judges turned in score of 94, for a 183, total making Payne and Churchill the clear winners.

“Churchill is so peaceful and so solid minded that he doesn’t get flustered about anything,” smiled Payne. “He tries to do whatever he asks you to do, and he has this beautiful big, rangy, lopey step. It’s just really enjoyable to ride.

Payne added, “We thought maybe showing tonight would help in the First Years because he takes everything so easily. We thought the bigger jump would help him in the First Years. He was good in the First Years so thought maybe he could be a Derby contender.

Next week, Payne will continue competing during the Kentucky Spring Classic with Churchill.  He commented, “We’ll probably do the same Hallway Feeds National Derby next week and then see where he is and aim for the international derbies. That will be our goal.”

Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success.

For more information on Hallway Feeds, please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.

The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, Trouw Nutrition, EquiVision, Sallee Horse Transport, Tack Shop of Lexington, Tex Sutton, Turf Town Properties and PNC Bank.

Tomorrow’s hunter events will include championship and reserve championship awards in the Junior Hunter and Children’s Hunter divisions. Next week, riders will return to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Spring Classic, with the second $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby scheduled for Saturday evening.

To learn more about the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden and Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Mindful and Kelley Farmer at Home at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Kelley Farmer and Mindful.

Lexington, KY – May 7, 2014 – Mindful is a brand new mount for Kelley Farmer, but the gelding looked right at home with Farmer in the irons during today’s opening classes of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The pair kicked off the two weeks of acclaimed hunter competition at the Kentucky Horse Park with wins in both the High Performance and Regular Conformation Hunters.

Farmer dominated the leader board in the Stonelea Ring throughout much of the day, earning wins not only on Mindful, but also aboard So to Speak, Scripted, Point Being and veteran champion Quotable.

“They are a great group,” Farmer said of the string of mounts that she is competing this week. “Mindful is brand new. We have had him for less than 10 days, but he’s very cool. He’s got tons and tons and tons of ability. He’s careful; he’s simple, and he’s brave.”

Now owned by Kensel, LLC and Larry Glefke, the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding was just purchased from Callie Schott with the intention of becoming a top hunter derby contender for Farmer. If today’s performances were any indication, Glefke and Farmer have picked a good one. Mindful claimed top spots in the High Performance and Regular Conformation Hunters and is positioned as a top contender for both of the division championships.

“I’ve got a lot of really nice horses, but right now they’re all still a little young,” Farmer said. “We wanted one for this division and for the [USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals] that had a little bit of seasoning under his belt.”

Kelley Farmer and Quotable
Kelley Farmer and Quotable

While Mindful may be a bit more seasoned than her other mounts competing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, they all are filled to the gills with talent.

Farmer started her day’s winning streak with a first place finish in the First Year Green Hunters aboard So To Speak, another mount owned by Larry Glefke and Kensel, LLC. In the Green Conformation Hunters, she rode to back-to-back blue ribbons aboard Scripted, and in the first class of the Regular Conformation Hunters, she found the top of the leader board with Quotable.

Finishing just behind her winning mounts in the Regular Conformation Hunters and taking a blue ribbon in the High Performance Hunters was Larry Glefke and Kensel, LLC’s So to Speak.

One of the few to break through Farmer’s streak of wins today was Christopher Payne. Payne took top calls in the First Year Green Hunters aboard Maypine Farm’s Truman and in the Second Year Green Hunters aboard Channing.

“Channing was happy to be in this ring,” Payne said of the 9-year-old Holsteiner stallion, owned by Susan Moriconi. “For a stallion he’s very, very easy and quite focused.”

That focus helped them earn both a first and second place finish today, positioning them at the top of the Second Year Green Hunter division going into tomorrow.

Christopher Payne and Channing
Christopher Payne and Channing

“It’s nice to be back to this venue. The horses love it here,” Payne added. “The weather has been beautiful, and there’s nothing better than a beautiful spring day in Kentucky.”

Riders will have the opportunity to continue to enjoy the beautiful weather, as the Kentucky Spring Horse Show runs through Sunday, May 11. The professional hunter divisions conclude tomorrow in the Stonelea Ring, beginning at 8 a.m.

In addition to offering a full range of competitive hunter divisions, this week’s hunter highlight classes include the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday night in the Rolex Stadium.

To learn more about the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
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PhelpsMediaGroup.com

$125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 Will Conclude Friday at 8 a.m.

Kelley Farmer and Quotable. Photo © Sportfot.

Kelley Farmer and Quotable Clinch Another Shapley’s Grooming Products Regular Conformation Hunter Championship

Wellington, FL – March 6, 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) hosted its $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 on Thursday with 89 entries and 23 jumping clear to advance to the jump-off. Unfortunately, only ten of the jump-off entries were able to complete their rounds before a severe storm blew through the show grounds. The remaining 13 entries will compete at 8 a.m. Friday morning to determine the winner. Please visit http://showgroundslive.com/esp/showschedule/List/showid/15715/date/2014-03-07 for an updated schedule for all rings on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, an $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m jump-off class was held with another win for USA’s Laura Chapot. She won the class on Quointreau un Prince, owned by Chapot and McLain Ward. Beezie Madden (USA) finished second with Abigail Wexner’s Breitling LS.

FTI WEF week nine, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, continues through Sunday, March 9. Friday will feature the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m in the afternoon as well as the $25,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Semi-Final Friday night. The $280,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 4*, presented by The Bainbridge Companies, will be the highlight on Saturday night and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic will be held on Sunday. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Kelley Farmer and Quotable Clinch Another Shapley’s Grooming Products Regular Conformation Hunter Championship

Kelley Farmer and Quotable continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the hunter ring after winning yet another Regular Conformation Hunter division champions at the FTI WEF. Farmer and Quotable swept the division, presented by Shapley’s Grooming Products, after winning all six classes. Farmer was also reserve champion with Point Being, who was third in the model, fifth over fences, and second to Quotable in all four over fences classes.

Point Being is a new mount for Farmer that she is aiming at the High Performance Working Hunter divisions as well as the derby ring.

“I’m really excited about him. I think his niche is really going to be the four-foot [division]. He won the High Performance stake today, and I’m just doing him in this [division] so he gets a little more comfortable walking in the ring and jumping the bigger jumps. That’s sort of where we’re going to aim at, is High Performance and derbies for him, so I’m really excited about that,” Farmer smiled.

Farmer and Quotable have won many division titles up and down the East Coast over their last year together, and while the handsome bay gelding certainly had the potential to be great, Farmer noted that a horse has to prove themselves in the ring before she assumes they’ll go on to be winners.

“He had the parts to be [great],” Farmer said. “Until they go in the ring and do it, [you never really know]. Some horses have the parts and it never really comes together, and some horses walk in the ring and try harder than anything. It’s just whether it’s channeled correctly and whether they have the desire. They have to have the desire to win, and [Quotable] does.”

As he left the ring after jogging Quotable, trainer and part-owner Larry Glefke declared that Thursday was the best the horse had gone during the entire FTI WEF circuit. Farmer agreed that Quotable laid down two spectacular rounds on Thursday, but with a horse that wins as much as Quotable, there’s never a day that he isn’t on point.

“He had two beautiful rounds today. He tries to go well all the time; he really does. He’s a professional show horse, and he really tries to go well every time,” Farmer described.

She continued, “He’s a year older; he’s more mature. He knows his job, and he’s a winner. He wants to win. I can’t discount all the other times he’s gone well, but I was thrilled with him [today].”

That will to win is part of what makes the gelding so unbeatable, according to Farmer.

“He walks in the ring and he’s winning. He has to do something wrong not to, you know? He’s done enough at enough places that he knows what to do to win. If he makes a mistake, it’s not because he’s trying to do something wrong. Some horses help you and some horses don’t, and he’s definitely one that helps you,” Farmer explained.

Quotable also possesses the air of a champion, which combined with his good looks, has helped him move up to first place on the rare occasion he wasn’t already placed there before the jog.

“He’s beautifully put together. He shows himself. He walks in the ring, and he knows he’s a pretty horse. Not only is he very correct, but he also has a presence about himself,” Farmer remarked.

Hunter competition for Week 9 of the FTI continues on Friday in the $5,000 Jump for the Children Pony Hunter Derby Classics on the grass field at The Stadium at PBIEC starting at 10 am. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Farmer and Stewart Professional Hunter All-Stars at Alltech National Horse Show

Kelley Farmer and Skorekeeper.

Lexington, KY – October 29, 2013 – The Kentucky Horse Park hosts numerous, top-of-the-line horse shows throughout the year, but only once a year is the Alltech Arena transformed into the beautiful home of the prestigious Alltech National Horse Show. The final destination on the indoor horse show circuit, the Alltech National Horse Show welcomes the nation’s top hunter and jumper riders. Among them are Kelley Farmer and Scott Stewart.

Both riders are bringing to a close a remarkable show year, so it is only fitting that they would continue their winning ways straight through to the end. Farmer kicked off the first day of the Alltech National Horse Show with wins in both the Regular Conformation Hunter Model and the Green Conformation Hunter Model, both with Quotable, owned by Kenneth and Selma Garber. From there, Farmer and Stewart alternated turns atop the leader board, as Stewart next took the win in the first Regular Conformation Hunter class aboard Everly, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker.

“I was really happy with her today,” said Stewart of Everly, who just recently made her transition from the jumper to the hunter ring. “At the [Washington International Horse Show], she was a little bit spooky in the small ring, so this was more like she goes when she is outside. She was much more relaxed.”

Following Everly and Stewart’s win, it was again Farmer’s turn to ride away with the blue, this time in the Regular Conformation Hunter Handy, again with Quotable – as their back and forth winning continued for much of the day.

Farmer earned two more victories with Quotable in the Green Conformation Hunter division, sponsored by Dr. Kenneth Garber. Their success gave them a clean sweep of the division thus far and an overwhelming lead in the point standings going into tomorrow’s day of championships.

In the First Year Green Hunters, it was again the Farmer and Stewart show as Stewart earned the first over fences victory of the division, sponsored by Goshen Hill, aboard Rose Hill Farm’s Starmont. Farmer took the top call in the handy round aboard Larry Glefke and Quail Run Partnership’s Skorekeeper.

Starmont has enjoyed a relatively light show schedule throughout the year, but has seen success every time he has stepped into the ring.  “He’s really easy and straightforward,” Stewart said. “He has a really big stride. He also has a tendency, when he goes in the ring, to act like he’s going to spook, but then he doesn’t at all. I’m happy with him today.”

Starmont has definitely proved his success, as has Skorekeeper who has shot up quickly through the ranks with Farmer. “Skorekeeper really jumped right up to the head of the class,” said owner Glefke. “He’s really an incredible horse, and he just keeps getting better.”

While Farmer has seen great success throughout the year with all of her mounts, there is something special about the National Horse Show.

“At [Madison Square Gardens] it was really, really special, but they’ve done a good job of trying to bring that prestige here to Kentucky,” Farmer said. “It’s a really special horse show, and I think it has finally found a home again.”

Stewart shares slightly similar sentiments. “This is the best indoor ring to show in, so it’s nice to end the year here. You have more space outside to ride you horses, so it’s much more horse friendly.”

Scott Stewart and Dedication
Scott Stewart and Dedication

Stewart continued his winning streak in the High Performance Hunters, sponsored by Mr. Richard L. Duchossois, and the Performance 3’6″ Hunters, sponsored by SBS Farm, this time with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Dedication. They earned the win in the first class of each division.

“Dedication’s first course was the best he’s ever done,” said Stewart. “He’s only 8 years old. It seems like he should be older. He shows enough, but not all the time. He’s great to ride. When he goes his best, he’s really fun.”

In the handy round of the High Performance Hunters, a new name topped the leader board as Peter Lombardo upped the ante for the win with Ante Up, owned by Janie Andrew. In the handy round of the Performance 3’6″ Hunters, the victory went to another Dr. Betsee Parker owned mount, Way Cool, ridden by Victoria Colvin.

In the Second Year Green Hunters, sponsored by Oare & Adikes-Hill, it was Hunt Tosh who dominated with Queen Latiffa – a mare that has now led the Second Year Green Hunter division throughout major horse shows all year, including the Devon Horse Show and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Tosh and Latiffa earned back-to-back blue ribbons in today’s classes, to lead heading into tomorrow.

In the Performance 3’3″ Hunters, sponsored by PhelpsSports.com, Hunt Tosh and Designated captured the blue ribbon prize during the first class. During the handy round, it was Peter Lombardo and Typecast earning the top call to wrap up the day.

Today’s hunter competition set up a fantastic six-day competition for the top horse and rider combinations from across the country. The Alltech National Horse Show, 130th Edition will continue tomorrow with the start of the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter divisions, and the professional hunter divisions will award championship and reserve championship honors to the top finishers.

For more information or to view the competition live, please visit www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com. Coverage is provided by Shownet.biz, iHigh, HRTV, and USEF Network.

About Alltech:
Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 31 years’ experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2650 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia. For further information, visit www.alltech.com. For media assets, visit www.alltech.com/press.

Alltech is the proud title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. For more information about these prestigious global championships, visit www.alltechfeiweg2014-normandy.com.

2013 Alltech National Horse Show Fast Facts

What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 29 – November 3, 2013, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Carolyn Vincent
National Horse Show
PO Box 386
Greenvale, NY 11548

Telephone:
Phone: (516) 484-1865
Fax: (516) 484-1982

Email:
NationalHS@aol.com

Website:
www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located in the Alltech Arena.

Additional Contacts:
Vendors – Matt Morrissey at Mmorri4398@aol.com or 941 915-3457
VIP Table Sales – Karen Lucca at kll@phelpsmediagroup.com or (561) 753-3389
Advertising – Deborah Darwin at needlepointfarm@aol.com or (561) 313-0384
Sponsorship:
Mason Phelps at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com or 561-753-3389
Susie Webb at webb_susie@yahoo.com or 301-520-6162
Christian Palmer at Christian@phelpsmediagroup.com or (612) 618-8216

Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles

For further information on housing in the Lexington area, we invite you to visit www.visitlex.com and www.georgetownky.com.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Horse Show Secretary:
Cindy Bozan
859-233-0492
Email: secretary.nhs@aol.com

ALLTECH MEDIA CONTACT:

Elizabeth Adams
North America PR, Alltech
Alltech Corporate Headquarters
3031 Catnip Hill Pike
Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356
eadams@alltech.com
(859) 401-2964

ALLTECH NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:

Re: News and Information:

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561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Re: Media Credentialing:

Classic Communications
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508-698-6811 (fax)
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Kelley Farmer Wins 2013 WIHS Grand Hunter Championship and Leading Hunter Rider Award

Kelley Farmer and Quotable. Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Gochman and Portela Are Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions; Knox and Duarte Victorious in Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships

Washington, D.C. – October 23, 2013 – Day two of the 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) featured the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Kelley Farmer was named Leading Hunter Rider after earning the overall Grand Hunter Championship with Quotable. Romance won the Grand Green Hunter Championship with Peter Pletcher in the irons, and Becky Gochman and Sambalino and Daryl Portela and Winner each earned Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championships. The $10,000 Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships and the first $10,000 Open Jumper speed class were featured during the evening session. The show will continue through Sunday, October 27.

Wednesday’s competition saw tricolor wins for four of the nation’s very best hunter riders from coast to coast with professionals Kelley Farmer (Keswick, VA), Scott Stewart (Wellington, FL), Peter Pletcher (Magnolia, TX), and John French (Woodside, CA) all taking trips to the winner’s circle.

In the Green Conformation Hunter championship, Kelley Farmer and Quotable shined with a clean sweep of the model, under saddle, and all three classes over fences. They were awarded The Valiant Hark Memorial Challenge Trophy, donated by Mrs. Stephen J. Clark. Farmer also rode her mount Skorekeeper, owned by D. Larry Glefke and Quail Run Partnerships, to the division’s reserve honors. Skorekeeper was second in all three classes over fences and placed third under saddle and fourth in the model.

Following an exceptional two days of competition, Quotable was awarded The Rave Review Challenge Trophy, donated by Stoney Hill, as the overall Grand Hunter Champion, and Farmer earned the Leading Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker. For the win, Farmer was presented with The Robert Coluccio Leading Hunter Rider Perpetual Trophy as well as a beautiful Rolex Luxury Timepiece, courtesy of Tiny Jewel Box. In addition to the grand championship, Quotable’s owners, D. Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber, were presented with the Leading Hunter Owner Award sponsored by The Reid Family. Farmer was WIHS Leading Hunter Rider in 2010 as well and was happy to receive the honor once again with the ride on a fantastic young horse.

“It’s very special,” she stated. “My horses are the most important thing. It’s an honor, and I have to say it was an absolutely beautiful trophy that Betsee got. It’s special that it is in Robbie’s name. He is a good friend, and I’m honored to have won that.”

Quotable, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding, has been no stranger to the spotlight this year. In fact, this was his third grand hunter championship in a row this month after also taking top honors at the Capital Challenge Horse Show and the PA National Horse Show.

“Every indoors he has just gotten better and better,” Farmer stated. “For these kinds of horse shows, especially this one, they have to be quiet horses, not hard to prepare. That played a lot into my decision of which ones we wanted to bring. They have to ride well, they have to be perfect lead changers, they have to brave, and they have to be easy to get to the ring for this horse show. Good horses know when it matters and step up. Good horses know how to win, I believe.”

Describing Quotable’s style and the special quality that keeps placing him in the winner’s circle, Farmer described, “He’s so smooth. He’s such a beautiful picture and he has such a beautiful canter. It all matches. He walks in the ring and it looks right. You never have to pick up the reins. There’s mistakes, he has a rail or something, but in general he tries to win. He knows when you take him in the ring for the conformation; he kind of has this air about him. He knows he’s the real deal and he’s not wrong!”

In addition to her success with Quotable, Farmer also topped the first championship of the day with her mount Mythical, owned by D. Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber, in the High Performance Working Hunters sponsored by The Wasserman Foundation. Farmer and Mythical placed first, second and third over fences and second under saddle to earn The “NOT ALWAYS” Challenge Trophy, donated by Miss Peggy Steinman. The High Performance reserve championship was presented to Dr. Betsee Parker’s Everly, ridden by Scott Stewart, with a win under saddle and second, second and third place ribbons over fences.

Mythical and Farmer were also presented with the very special Protocol Trophy, sponsored by Platinum Performance, as the overall High Point High Performance Working Hunter from the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and Washington International Horse Show.

Farmer has a special connection with Mythical, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding, and was very happy to receive the significant award. “That, to me, is really special,” she smiled. “Rosalynn won that with me a couple years ago, and I think that’s really special, especially because it goes over the three horse shows. I love a conformation horse, but in my heart and soul, my favorite is still a real four-foot horse, and especially when my First Year horse won it. I love Quotable, and I love all my horses, but Mythical, he’s my horse. He is appropriately named. I think it defines him.”

In the Regular Conformation Hunters, Scott Stewart guided Krista & Alexa Weisman’s Showman to championship honors and was presented with The Mary Farren Perpetual Trophy. Stewart and Showman placed sixth in both jumping classes on Tuesday and won the stake and under saddle classes on Wednesday to top the division. They also won in the model. Farmer and Quotable finished in reserve, placing second in the model, first and third over fences, and fourth under saddle.

Also competing on Wednesday, the First Year Green Working Hunter division concluded with a championship win for Scott Stewart, this time aboard Fashion Farm’s Loyalty. Stewart and Loyalty placed third, second and third over fences and finished second under saddle. Farmer and Skorekeeper earned another reserve tricolor after placing first and second over fences and sixth under saddle.

The Second Year Green Working Hunter championship was presented as well with an exciting win for Peter Pletcher aboard David Gochman’s Romance. Pletcher and Romance placed third, third and first over fences and second under saddle. John French and Oscany, Inc.’s Small Celebration finished in reserve with a win under saddle and second, second and fourth place ribbons in the three classes over fences.

The Windy Acres Challenge Trophy was presented earlier in the morning. The trophy, donated by Mr. James O. Pease, is awarded to the overall winner of classes 24 and 34 for the best Green Working Hunter stake round. Pletcher’s high score of 87 in the Second Year Green Working Hunter Stake with Romance was best.

After a very successful morning, Pletcher and the nine-year-old gelding, Romance, were honored with The Claire Lang Miller Challenge Trophy as the show’s Grand Green Working Hunter Champions. This was Romance’s first time competing at WIHS and an exciting victory for owners and rider.

Gochman and Portela Named Leading Riders and Amateur-Owner Hunter Grand Champions

The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions concluded their second day of competition on Wednesday and awarded championship honors as well. The Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” championship was awarded to Becky Gochman of New York, NY, riding David Gochman’s Sambalino. The pair earned the Frank Counselman Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Frank Counselman. Gochman was also presented with the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider Award for the 3’6” level for her success in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” Over 35 division.

Becky Gochman and Sambalino
Becky Gochman and Sambalino

Winning the division championship, Gochman and Sambalino placed sixth over fences and second under saddle on Tuesday and then dominated the competition on Wednesday with back to back wins and scores of 90 and 92 in the handy and stake classes. Ace of Spades and Emily Morin finished in reserve after placing second, second, and fourth over fences and first under saddle.

Gochman was also presented with The Shari Hollis Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Late Col. J. B. Hollis and Ms. Jeannie Hollis, which is presented to the overall winner of classes 54 and 64 in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” stake rounds for Sambalino’s high score of 92. This was the third year in a row that the pair earned the award.

After her winning presentation, Gochman explained that Sambalino, an 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit, tends to excel on the second day of competition at WIHS each year.

“The first day has always been kind of so-so, but he seems to pick it up in the handy class,” she noted. “He’s a horse who likes to pay attention, so I think he especially enjoys the handy classes because he just waits for your direction, and he can really show off then. His stride is so adjustable that he really can make anything work. All I have to do is look where I’m going and make sure he knows where he’s going, and he will do his job for sure.”

“I love this show so much, being the last city show left,” Gochman detailed. “I have such a good time here with my husband. This is the show we go to without the girls in the beginning of the week and we have a fun time. We enjoy the town a lot.”

After four years together, Gochman and ‘Samba’ have formed a great partnership, and they stay in top form thanks to help from trainers Peter Pletcher and Steve Weiss. Gochman is very careful to keep Samba in good shape and hopes that someday her daughters will be able to show him as well.

“We know he is a very special, one of a kind guy,” Gochman stated. “We take the best care of him, and he gives us everything back. God willing, my kids will be able to ride him in a few years if we take good care of him, and I would love to see that.”

“He is just so pretty and sweet and easy on the eyes,” Gochman described. “He’s like a stuffed animal, and he just goes out there and poses. He is kind of crabby in the warm-up areas, but once he gets out under saddle, he couldn’t put his ears more forward than he does. He’s a ham. When he wants to win, he does it by himself. All I have to do is look and let him know where he is, and he is into it. He is a real show horse.”

In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35 division, the championship was awarded to Darwin and Kelly Tropin for their three second place finishes over fences. Winnetoe and owner/rider Montana Coady finished in reserve with first and fourth place ribbons over fences and a second under saddle.

In the Amateur-Owner Working Hunter 3’3” 18-35 championship, Stephanie Danhakl of Pacific Palisades, CA, guided Lifetime to victory with a win under saddle and second, third, and third place ribbons over fences. Melissa Jacobs and Deeridge Farms’ So You Say finished in reserve after placing first, second and fourth over fences.

As the day continued, it was a clean sweep for Daryl Portela and Isalou, Inc.’s Winner in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 division for the second year in a row at WIHS. In the championship, sponsored by The Linden Group at Morgan Stanley, the pair won all three jumping classes and the under saddle. They were then awarded the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Championship, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Earnest M. Oare, and Portela was named the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider for the 3’3” division overall.

On the way to their championship win, the pair also earned the Best Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Stake Round, an award presented to the overall winner of class 74 and 84 with their high score of 88. The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 reserve champion was Fashion Farms’ Declaration, ridden by Glen Senk, with second and third place ribbons over fences and a fifth in the under saddle.

Portela, of Southwest Ranches, FL, won all four classes in the division with Winner last year as well. That was just the 10-year-old Warmblood gelding’s second time competing at the venue, and she noted that he seems to like it. “I told (my trainer) Jimmy (Torano), ‘He loves Washington,’” Portela smiled.

“I think I put more pressure on myself than Jimmy or anybody does,” Portela said of the desire to win. “Yesterday, I went and got the 92. He was incredible yesterday and then I wanted to go in and win the first class today, the handy, so I knew it could be done. Then Jimmy said for the stake round, ‘Go in there, canter down to the first jump, (and) I don’t care if you miss. I can’t stand when people go in there and pick, pick, pick and they’re slow. It’s a stake round and that’s what it’s supposed to be about.’ He said, ‘Get a lick,’ and that’s what I did and it was great.”

After riding as a junior, Portela showed on and off as an adult between work and kids and then took almost ten years off before she got back into the show ring with Winner. Her husband saw the horse with Torano and after sitting on Winner one time, Portela knew she had to have him. She is now having the ride of a lifetime with wins at some of the nation’s top competitions.

Jumpers Complete Their First Day at WIHS

The jumpers took to the arena for the first time on Wednesday with children’s, adult and open jumper classes. Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela is the course designer this week. The $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship was the first class to be held with an exciting win for 14-year-old Grace Knox of North Barrington, IL, riding Rapidash. For the win, the pair was presented with The H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Fen.

Twenty-nine entries showed over the first round course with 13 competitors jumping clear to advance to the jump-off. Only four were able to clear the second round course in a race against the clock, and Knox and Rapidash had the fastest time in 28.93 seconds, last to go for the win. Wimberly Debono and Tusker finished second in 30.97 seconds. Adeline Rohrbach was third with Snow White in 31.38 seconds, and Lili Hymowitz placed fourth aboard Siboney Ranch’s Belle Bleu S in 31.64 seconds.

Class winner, Rapidash, is an 11-year-old Appendix gelding that Knox has had for two years. This was Knox’s first time showing at WIHS and a great night for the rider, who is trained by Mary and Lisa Goldman in Illinois.

“I didn’t really know what it was going to be like, but I really like showing in the stadium,” Knox stated after her win. “He was great. I’m not sure if he has ever been here before, but before this he was at Harrisburg. He takes big rings really well and never really looks at the jumps. I always expect him to spook at jumps, but he just puts his ears forward and goes to the jump even more.”

The pair blazed through the jump-off course over two seconds faster than the second place finishers. Commenting on her strategy, Knox explained, “What I think before I go in there is, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ I didn’t want to go as fast as I could because with him, I can go really fast, but that is when I get rails. I just wanted to make sure to hold on to him and not drop him to any of the jumps and turn him in the air. I have to make sure he doesn’t fall in during any of the turns.”

The $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship was held next in the evening session and the win went to Kristyn Duarte of South Russell, OH, riding Victoria Jolie V, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Manhattan. Thirty-one entries jumped in the class and ten qualified for the jump-off. Again, only four went double clear over the short course and it was Duarte’s time of 31.443 seconds that took top honors. For the win, Duarte was presented with The Dorothy Foote “Goodie” Taylor Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

Second place went to Hope Batchelor and Orlando with a time of 31.823 seconds. Tammy Kelly and Belvedere finished third in 32.008 seconds, and Jessica Matelis and Chador were fourth in 33.311 seconds.

Duarte purchased Victoria Jolie V about a year ago from Colombian rider Daniel Bluman and the pair clicked quickly. “She’s opposite of anything you would hear about a chestnut mare,” the rider noted. “She’s extremely heavy on the flat and she may look hot, but she is only 15.2 hands, so she has to go for the striding. She is not hot at all. She is really a push ride.”

“I think once I got a partnership with her, she trusted me and she never says no to me, which is really special,” Duarte stated. “The course tonight rode very smoothly. I was worried about some of the jumps coming up a little bit quick because it’s a more narrow ring, but she handled it really well. I always have a problem with over thinking and I don’t go fast enough, so I just kind of turned my brain off and kicked.”

It was a goal for Duarte all season to qualify for these championships and she was excited to see the progress that she has made this year. Although she has ridden for nine years, she just started doing the jumpers two years ago.

“My goal was to qualify. I’ve never been here or to Pennsylvania (Harrisburg),” she stated. “To win, I didn’t even imagine. I just wanted to get here, and I was very proud just to make that goal. Harrisburg was good, we finished fourth. This time, I went in knowing I had already made the jump-off. My goal was not to win it, but I’ll take it!

The day’s competition concluded with a $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m speed class, sponsored by Oasis Petroleum, with 39 competitors and eight clear rounds. The win went to Ireland’s Conor Swail aboard Susan Grange’s Ariana with the fastest clear round in 46.21 seconds. Fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny cleared the course in 46.54 seconds with Oakland Ventures’ Top Gun IV to finish second. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and Carlito C, owned by Franz Lens, placed third with their time of 47.55 seconds. USA’s Lillie Keenan and Chansonette Farm LLC’s Pumped Up Kicks finished fourth in 48.57 seconds.

The Washington International Horse Show continues on Thursday with the beginning of Junior Hunter competition in the morning and Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner and Open Jumper competition in the afternoon. A new $33,000 Welcome Stake will complete the day session. The evening session will welcome local horse lovers, riders, trainers, and their families for Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery, beginning at 6 p.m. The $20,000 Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice costume class will be the highlight event of the evening.

For those who cannot make it to the show, it will be live streamed in its entirety at www.wihs.org, and is also available on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com.

The Washington International Horse Show Silent Auction is now available online with an easy-to-use bidding website. Don’t miss your chance to win special items that range from a private riding lesson with Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden to a Private Decorating Party at Georgetown Cupcake Lab. Other incredible items include two tickets to Saturday Night Live’s live show, a diamond horseshoe pin from Tiny Jewel Box, full show attire from The Saddlery, and much, much more. Bid from your computer or smart phone at home, at the barn, at work, or anywhere you have Internet – just go to http://wihs.maestroweb.com.

The Acela Club on the Sky Box level of Verizon Center is the perfect place to socialize with friends and a wonderful vantage point for watching the action in the ring. WIHS is hosting three special social events and we hope you’ll join us! Have fun, watch great sport and support worthy local organizations. Party tickets include dinner and an open bar. $150/per person. Order by phone at 202-525-3679 or visit http://www.wihs.org/social-events/.

The Buck Breast Cancer event will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday evening. Show your pink to benefit the Capital Breast Care Center and honor Laura Pickett, a well-loved local equestrian and trainer, who touched the lives of many in the horse world, and who lost her battle with breast cancer last year.

The Armed Forces Cup Reception will be featured from 7-10 p.m. on Friday featuring the launch of “Healthy Stables by Design” by John Blackburn to benefit five local therapeutic riding centers assisting military veterans: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Riding and Recreation Center, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding and Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Therapy Program.

The President’s Cup Party, presented by Washington Life, will run from 6:30-10 p.m. on Saturday night. Wear your best equestrian chic and honor Washington’s diplomatic community with presenting partner, Washington Life.

To purchase tickets to these three parties, please visit http://www.wihs.org/social-events/.

Along with six days of world-class competition, WIHS features a unique boutique shopping experience for exhibitors and spectators alike. The main concourse at Verizon Center brings together a diverse group of vendors for everyone’s shopping enjoyment. Shoppers can find everything from equestrian tack and apparel to fine art and jewelry. This year’s show features over 50 vendor stands and boutiques for all of your shopping needs throughout the week.

For full results, please visit www.wihs.org.

To view an online version of this press release with more photos, click here.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

About the Washington International Horse Show
An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show and the pinnacle of the equestrian year with leading riders, including Olympic medalists, and fabulous horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show. Highlights include the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, the Puissance high-jump competition; and WIHS Equitation Classic Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders. Special exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities will round out this family-friendly event.

Since its debut, the Washington International has been a Washington, DC, institution attended by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders, as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages. Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Kelley Farmer Takes Top Spots in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Kelley Farmer and Mythical rode to the top of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Jersey Boy and Jennifer Alfano in the Top Ribbons in Chicago Again

Antioch, IL – September 8, 2013 – The beautiful Annali Farm, owned by Rush and Caroline Weeden of Antioch, IL, was the setting for the 2013 Chicago Hunter Derby presented by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause. The event featured the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by ABBA Vet Supply and the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and generously sponsored by Canadian Pacific (CP). The proceeds from this unique stand-alone event benefit three charities:  Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, The United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation, and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation.

The event is always meticulously prepared with beautiful landscape, amazing jumps, great judges, and excellent hospitality for both riders and spectators. Opening ceremonies built anticipation with the Mill Creek Hunt Club galloping across the field with the hounds howling and the hunting horn blaring.

The grassy field was in tiptop shape and the course was classic. Designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, KY and the legendary George H. Morris of Wellington, Florida, the course consisted of classic, “back in the day” type jumps such as rock walls, logs, rustic coops and fence lines.

“I’ve learned a lot about the history of the sport while designing this course with George,” commented Murphy. “It’s much more difficult to design with George because he has specific specs in mind for the jumps. He makes you really think. You want him to step out and look at the course and say, ‘It’s good’”.

Morris wanted a variety of jumps reminiscent of the field hunting days and specifically, four jumps with minimal ground lines, not exceeding 18″ from the base of the standard, and were noted as such on the course sheet.

“There really was some history to the course,” added Murphy.  “For example, the snake fence was built like farmers used to build them. They started with a split rail, zig zag fence, then collected all the rocks from the field before plowing and piled them up along the fence. Eventually the wood rails deteriorated and the stones remained.”
“This is what the sport should look like,” said Morris. “There should be more venues like this one.”

Morris not only designed the course but judged as well. Geoff Teall, Steve Wall and Scott Williamson made up the rest of the panel, scoring the horses as they navigated the field and the vintage obstacles.  For the handy round, panel 1 was Wall and Teall, panel 2 was Morris and Williamson.

Twenty six horses took on the course for Saturday’s classic round and twenty horses returned for Sunday’s handy round. The course for the handy round started in the woods jumping out over the stone wall, then to a coop, across the field on a diagonal to a bending four stride line, rolling back over a beautiful log jump bending through the woods again and out over the stones, continuing up and down the hill, finishing on a white coop or the high option of the white fence line.  The last jump proved to be the trouble spot, being a tall vertical at the bottom of a hill, it took its toll on a few of the riders.

It was definitely a great venue for Kelley Farmer as she took first on Mythical, second on Skorekeeper, fourth on On Q and sixth on Taken.

“We’ve been showing at this event since it began,” said trainer Larry Glefke of Keswick, VA. “We love it here.”

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy have won the Chicago Derby three times
Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy have won the Chicago Derby three times

Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY and Jersey Boy have also been attending the event since it began in 2009. The pair took the third place overall ribbon home this year but also won on this field in 2009, 2010, and 2012.

“The thing I love about the derbies is it challenges us all to be better riders and George brings out the best in all of us,” said Alfano. “When I walked the course I thought it was hard but it was actually fun to ride. Yesterday’s course, especially, allowed good horses to get great scores.”

Farmer agreed, saying, “The course allowed you to show off a good horse but you really needed a good horse. George wanted you to show brilliance but it wasn’t easy. The course asked a lot early on – you needed to be prompt right off the bat. It was difficult to keep up the pace up and down the hills but I loved it.”

“The pace and the undulation of the field is what got riders today and George knew that,” added Glefke. “You never have to worry about a horse like Mythical. He’s truly a mythical horse. I’ve trained a lot of horses to a lot of blue ribbons but you can’t train horses to do what Mythical does. He can win in all the hunter divisions and then go out in the field and do what he does. That’s rare.”

Glefke got the horse a year ago at Lamplight just off the airplane.  He knew then he finally had a horse that could do it all. Farmer won both the classic round and the handy round with the mythical horse. Entering the handy round with a seven point lead, they galloped to an 88 plus 7 handy points from panel 1 and a 93 plus 8 handy points from panel 2, with 4 high option points for a handy total of 204 and an overall total of 398 for the win.

“This horse show is the epitome of what the classes were meant to be,” Farmer added. “They really go above and beyond with two days of beautiful courses. Who better to put on this event than Rush and Carl who were in on the start of these classes?”

The Mill Creek Hunt Club was part of the opening ceremonies
The Mill Creek Hunt Club was part of the opening ceremonies

The event not only featured top-notch horses, but also had something for everyone. Fabulous food and drinks added to the weekend festivities. Activities included a horseless horse show and petting zoo for the kids, shopping at great boutiques for the ladies, and Land Rovers and an RV to peruse for the gentlemen.

Fantastic raffle prizes and a Calcutta helped to raise money for the charities. Generous sponsors such as Ann K. Hubbards Tack Shop matched the proceeds raised from the raffle and Le Fash donated $500, which was earned since Alliy Moyer was wearing a Le Fash shirt in their “Wear It and Win It Challenge” during the National Hunter Derby.

The event also featured a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Topping the field of 39 entries was Alliy Moyer, 19, and her horse, Carlson. Second went to five-year-old In Print, owned by David Glefke and ridden by Taylor Adams.

The 2013 Chicago Hunter Derby is one of the most prestigious single events of its kind in the country, raising over $300,000 net for their charities so far, thanks to the generosity of their sponsors. The Derby is presented by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause. The Mission of the group is to showcase high-level equestrian events with the express purpose of raising funds for selected charitable institutions in the Chicago area.

For more information, please visit www.chicagohunterderby.com.

The 2013 Chicago Hunter Derby Fast Facts:

WHAT:
The Chicago Hunter Derby rated Hunter Special Competition by USEF

WEBSITE:
www.chicagohunterderby.com

WHEN:
September 7-8, 2013

WHERE:
Annali Farm, 18752 Edwards Road, Antioch, IL 60002

TIME:

Saturday’s schedule:
10:00am The National Derby will begin
12:00pm lunch served
2:00pm The International Hunter Derby Round 1
5:00pm Cocktail party

Sunday’s schedule:
10:30am Gates open and ticket holders welcome
11:00am International Derby course walk, brunch and bar open, children’s horseless derby
12:00pm Calcutta
1:00pm First horse on course
3:30pm Awards ceremony (all times are TENTATIVE)

FEATURES:
$50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

JUDGES:
George H. Morris, Geoff Teal, Scott Williamson, Steve Wall

TICKETS:
Prices for VIP tables on Sunday:
$10,000 – Grand Champion Table (Front row, center) VIP parking
$5,000 – Champion table (front row)
$2,500 – Blue ribbon table
$250 – individual seat
$75 – children’s seating

Visit www.chicagohunterderby.com to purchase tables for Sunday.

Attend Saturday’s events with a $25 donation at the door.

DIRECTIONS:
From Chicago and Suburbs: The drive will take 60-70 Minutes. Take the Edens (94 West) to the Toll Way (94 North) toward Milwaukee. Follow 94 West/North approximately 6 miles beyond Great America. Exit at 173/Rosecrans Road. At the stop sign on the off-ramp, turn left onto Rosecrans Road. Go 1/2 Mile to the first intersecting Street, Hunt Club Road. Turn right onto Hunt Club Road. Go approx 1 mile to Edwards Road and turn left onto Edwards. Once you are on Edwards Road, go past the first stop sign, the entrance will be on your right (2nd driveway).

CONTACT INFORMATION:
www.chicagohunterderby.com
sterling@michelleduprettievents.com

Brenda Mueller 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

Traders Point USHJA International Hunter Derby Win Makes Kelley Farmer First Million-Dollar Hunter Rider

Kelley Farmer and Mythical make history in the Traders Point USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Zionsville, IL – August 11, 2013 – The Traders Point Hunt Charity Show grounds were abuzz with activity anticipating the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby held in the Grand Prix field of the gorgeous Wild Acres Farm. The horse show did not disappoint spectators with activities for the whole family including pony rides, bouncy houses, shopping and plenty of food. Spectator and VIP tents were adorned with flowers and filled with both local and out of town spectators to watch the big event. What spectators didn’t know was that they were witnessing history being made.

Phil J. Devita designed the thirteen jump derby course, making use of the hills in a serpentine type course with jumps donated by Diane Carney. Jumps included coops and split rails, a sod roll top, a snake jump, some rustic gates and a special Trader’s Point natural jump on top the small hill in the middle of the field.  Nineteen horses took on the challenge to catch a score from the four judge panel that would get them into the top 12 for the handy round. The judges were Linda Andrisani, Sue Ashe, Scott Hoffstetter, and Jimmy “Walter” Lee.

A few rails and refusals narrowed the field to the top 12 with Kelley Farm, Keswick, VA, leading the way with Mythical, owned by Kenneth Garber and Larry Glefke, with a smooth round and a score of 190. Close behind was Holly Shepherd with her Grand Prix mount Triompf, owned by Loretta Patterson. Shepherd was very smooth and consistent, galloping to a score of 185. Taking the third spot in the first round was Aaron Vale and Zenith UHS owned by 2VR Showjumpers.  Vale piloted the handsome bay to a 181.

Finishing fourth were the Caroline Weeden of Antioch, IL and The Spy, followed by two more Farmer mounts, On Q and Skorekeeper.  Seventh went to Corvine ridden by Piper Benjamin and eighth to Relevant and Kalvin Dobbs.  Taking the ninth spot was Belle Fulmer’s All That ridden by Emily Williams and Ferrari with Russell Frey, filled the tenth place. Finishing off the top twelve was Crack On with Caroline Weeden and Tory Burch, another ride for Emily Williams.

After a small course adjustment changing the direction of the oxer oxer two stride and the final green and white oxer, riders battled out the handy round for the top handy scores. Returning in reverse order, low score to high score, the top horses in the handy round galloped the first four jumps then had to roll back to a trot jump placed next to the open water jump in the field. When walking the course, several riders made mention that the water might possibly spook their horses. But the water didn’t seem to shake this field.  Many in the second round chose not to do some of the higher options. Riders tried to make handy turns to the Traders Point jump on the hill, then tidy to the two stride and finish with a gallop to the single oxer.

Returning in the tenth spot, Frey and Alexis Cohen’s Ferrari galloped a smooth round and moved up the ladder with a 186 to finish second in the handy round. A few horses later, Farmer and her mount On Q were the first and only pair to make a tight inside turn from the Traders Point hill to the two-stride combination, earning them generous handy points and clinching the third spot in the second round with a 182.5.  Vale and Zenith UHS, returning in the third slot from the first round, galloped a beautiful track in usual Vale style, but had a heart wrenching stop at the trot jump, knocking them to the lower slots.

Left to battle out the second round was Shepherd with Triompf and Farmer with Mythical.  Shepherd kept a good gallop, as her Grand Prix mount is no stranger to a speedy second round. But it was Farmer and Mythical who galloped to the smoothest handy round and a score of 202. After doing the inside turn on On Q, Farmer opted to take the longer approach to the combination on Mythical, earning high scores for smoothness and form.

Farmer commented, “We love the derby on the grass here. The jumps are big and tough. It definitely helps get ready for the finals.”

Kelley Farmer is the first hunter rider to earn $1 million in prize money, thanks to the Hunter Derby program
Kelley Farmer is the first hunter rider to earn $1 million in prize money, thanks to the Hunter Derby program

When the dust settled, it was Farmer taking the top two awards and the prize money to go with them, putting her total hunter rider earnings over the $1 million dollar mark.  Farmer is the first hunter rider in history to join the Million Dollar Club and currently, 9 other U.S. jumper riders, including Aaron Vale, who have won over a million dollars in prize money.

“I wasn’t sure it was going to happen, especially before finals,” said Farmer regarding the earnings. “I owe it to the derbies; otherwise it would still be a difficult thing to do. As much as Larry won in his career, it just wasn’t possible before to win that kind of money. It’s an amazing accomplishment and it’s not only mine but everyone’s. I owe it to USHJA, the sponsors, the owners, the great horses we have and Larry. It’s a milestone for everyone.”

The USHJA (United States Hunter Jumper Association) began tracking earnings in 2005 and awards riders for their achievements. The first USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals was held in 2009. The popularity of the USHJA International Hunter Derby continues, now offering 61 Member Event classes throughout the country. The 2013 Derby Championship is scheduled for August 16 and 17, 2013, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.  The Derby Championship offers over $100,000 in prize money. The program was designed to bring interest back to the hunters and improve basic riding principles.

The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show, now in its 36th year, continues with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and the $75,000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Proceeds from the event benefit the Riley Children’s Foundation.

For more information on the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show, please visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair Fast Facts:

What:

The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair is pleased to announce their 36th benefit horse show and country fair in Zionsville, IN. The location makes for a relaxing and fun show experience. Competitors are welcome to enjoy the horse trails on the property.

Highlights:

The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show has a Jumper 5 star rating, is Hunter rated AA and is a WCHR member event. 2013 highlight events include:

  • $75,000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
  • $35,000 Mr. and Mrs. Russell Fortune Jr. Memorial Grand Prix
  • $15,000 PNC Bank Junior/Amateur-Owner SHF Jumper Classic
  • $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
  • $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic
  • $2,500 Adult Jumper Classic
  • $1,000 Adult Hunter Classic
  • $1,000 Children’s Hunter Classic
  • $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic
  • Garden Party benefitting Riley Hospital for Children
  • A Taste for the Cure
  • Paws to Applause Dog Show
  • The Riley Children’s Foundation Kids’ Day and Country Fair

Where: Zionsville, Indiana

When:
August 6-11, 2013

Prize lists available online at: http://server1.charityadvantageservers.com/client/TPHCHS_Co_KD7M0YWE3/Prize%20List%202013.pdf.

For general inquiries please contact:
Debra Jaramillo at 317-205-5827 or TPHCHS@aol.com

For more information, please contact:
Stabling Office 317-873-5552 (During Show Dates)
Show office 317-873-3418 (During Show Dates)

Address: P.O. Box 402 Zionsville, In 46077

Beneficiary:
By supporting the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show, you are helping to bring hope and healing to children from every county in Indiana. The Riley Children’s Foundation honors its mission – to improve the health and well-being of Indiana’s children – through Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities, and the historic James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. To learn how you can do more to help Indiana’s most seriously ill and injured children, visit RileyKids.org.

For more information please visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Brenda Mueller for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Kelley Farmer Kicks Off Kentucky Spring Classic with Clean Sweep of Conformation Hunters

Kelley Farmer and Skorekeeper.

Lexington, KY – May 15, 2013 – Clear, sunny skies and lush Kentucky bluegrass welcomed riders back to the Kentucky Horse Park for week two of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. The Kentucky Spring Classic runs today through May 19 and attracts the best of the best for five days of ‘AA’ rated hunter competition. Among those leading riders are Kelley Farmer and Shawn Casady, both of whom topped the leaderboard today.

After a successful first week in Kentucky, Farmer returned to the Stonelea Ring to kick things off by sweeping all four of the day’s Conformation Hunter classes with Skorekeeper, owned by Larry Glefke and Quail Run Partnership of Keswick, VA.

The seven-year-old gelding is a relatively new mount for Farmer, having just been purchased following the winter circuit in Florida. The pair made their debut in Lexington, VA before traveling to Lexington, KY to finish in the ribbons in last week’s Kentucky Spring Horse Show. After traveling to Tennessee this past weekend to finish sixth in the Memphis in May USHJA International Hunter Derby, Skorekeeper came back to Kentucky ready to win.

“That was his first derby ever, and then he came back here today like he was an old, made horse,” Farmer shared. “When I showed him at Lexington, VA, he was still making very green mistakes. It’s funny what a couple weeks of showing and a derby will do. He came back today like he really knew what he was doing. I couldn’t be happier with him. I was thrilled.”

And with good reason. Skorekeeper started the morning with a blue ribbon in the Conformation Hunter model class and then delivered two back-to-back polished rounds over the Bobby Murphy designed Conformation Hunter courses to take first place in both classes.

“Bobby does a great job,” Farmer commented. “He builds so that the horse jumps really well. He builds them fences out, and he builds them beautifully. Today rode really smoothly and really comfortably, and the horses all jumped well.”

Farmer and Skorekeeper finished the day with another blue ribbon, this time in the Conformation Hunter under saddle class, leaving the pair well ahead of the pack going into the awarding of the division championship tomorrow.

Farmer also saw success in the same division aboard her second mount Dancing Solo, owned by Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber of Keswick, VA. The duo finished second over the first course as well as second in the under saddle.

“We’re just doing Dancing Solo once before we go to Devon. With Skorekeeper, he needs to get a little more showing under his belt because he doesn’t have as much. She just needed to get out and do a horse show before Devon,” Farmer explained. “I’m lucky to be in the position I’m in right now with so many great horses.”

In the combined Second Year and High Performance Hunters, it was Shawn Casady who led the jog following the second course. Casady finished high in the ribbons in both of the over fences classes and the hack aboard Ascot, owned by the HJ Group LLC of Sewickley, PA.

Today marked only the second time Casady has shown Ascot, with the first time being last week in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby where they finished sixth.

“He’s awesome. He’s slow and big strided, and he spends his time in the air over the fence,” Casady stated. “I liked the courses today. It wasn’t just your average diagonal seven or five stride; there was a four stride that was kind of sharp out of the corner. They were nice courses and decorated beautifully too.”

Winning the first class of the Second Year and High Performance Hunter division were Caroline Weeden and Lucky Times, owned by Old Willow Farms LLC of Northfield, IL.

Weeden, Casady and Farmer will be among those returning tomorrow to vie for the hunter division championships as competition continues at the Kentucky Horse Park. Among the highlight events of the week is the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, the second in the $50,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, a seven event series that culminates with the $15,000 Leading Hunter Rider Awards.

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

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Kelley Farmer Leads Professional Hunter Divisions at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Kelley Farmer and Taken jumping to back-to-back blue ribbons in today’s High Performance Hunter division of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Emily Riden.

Lexington, KY – May 8, 2013 – Fresh off wins in Lexington, Virginia, Kelley Farmer made the trip to Lexington, Kentucky and once again topped the leader board during the first day of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. Farmer swept the field of top hunter riders in both of today’s High Performance Hunter classes aboard Taken, kicking off the five days of top-notch hunter competition held throughout the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, May 8-12, 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“I love it out here. We rent a farm here in Kentucky for the spring and summer, so it’s nice to come out and enjoy it,” Farmer stated. “The horses were all great this morning.”

Farmer and Taken’s back-to-back scores of 85 secured them the top call over both of the day’s Skip Bailey designed High Performance courses in the Stonelea Ring.

“It’s a lovely ring to ride in. You can really canter and then when you build big, full jumps in there the horses jump so nice. Skip [Bailey] always builds them so that the horses jump well and have to try hard,” Farmer shared. “Taken jumped great today. He’s always a good boy for me.”

Finishing just behind the experienced Taken in the first class of the High Performance division it was again Farmer, this time aboard green mount Adelmo, owned by Jay Golding of Gordonsville, VA. Farmer and Adelmo earned a score of 84 to take second in the eight-year-old’s High Performance debut. The High Performance divisions provided the ideal opportunity for Farmer to prepare both horses for this weekend’s USHJA Hunter Derbies, which will be held this Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Also earning a score of 84, were Scott Stewart and Dedication, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA. The pair finished with the red ribbon in the second class of the High Performance division.

Stewart continuously proved to be another dominating force in today’s professional hunter divisions in the Stonelea Ring, as he swept the Regular Conformation over fences classes aboard Beholden, owned by Fashion Farm of New York, NY. Scores of 87 and 85 had the pair jogging in the first place position just ahead of Jennifer Alfano riding Timber Ridge and Hunt Tosh aboard Cold Harbor who each took the second place position in the first and second classes respectively.

“Beholden was great. I was really happy with him because I only showed him a few times in Florida, and it hasn’t been since week three or four there, so he was really good. He was maybe the best he’s been this year,” Scott commented. “The hardest part about him is he has such a big stride you have to go a bit slow. If you go at a normal pace you’d be leaving out strides, so it’s a little hard to go that slow and jump the bigger jumps, but he’s figuring that out. Today was the best he’s done that.”

Adding to Stewart’s high placings for the day was Concept, owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman of Sherborn, MA, whom Stewart rode to a first and third place finish in the morning’s Green Conformation Hunter classes.

In the Second Year Green Hunters, the blue ribbon over the first course went to Farmer and On the Hour, owned by Jessica Stitt of Elburn, IL.

“He’s a lot like Taken and Mythical in that he’s a little horse with a lot of jump and a lot of stride and he tries hard,” Farmer said regarding On the Hour. “He’s a blast to ride. You can pick up a gallop and go.”

Finishing with the top award over the second course of the Second Year Green Hunters were Caroline Weeden and Lucky Times, owned by Old Willow Farms LLC of Northfield, IL.

All of the professional hunter divisions will conclude tomorrow in the Stonelea Ring with championship and reserve championship awards. This week’s highlight events include the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday evening, as well as the first $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The $50,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series features seven events that culminate with the $15,000 Leading Hunter Rider Awards.

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

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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12012 South Shore Blvd #105
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561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
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Kirsten Coe and Baronez Beat the Field in $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7

Fierce Competition Kicks Off World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the FTI WEF

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2013 – Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Hermès, continued on Thursday in Wellington, FL, with the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). American duo Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder’s Baronez were the winners of the class with the only double clear round in a jump-off of five starters. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Hays Investment Corporation’s Any Given Sunday finished second; Meagan Nusz (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Dynamo were third.

Week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival runs February 20-24, 2013. The week will feature World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition in the International Arena at PBIEC all week.

The highlight USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular will be featured as the “Saturday Night Lights” main event. Also on Saturday is the Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games.

Additional show jumping competition, including the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic (Saturday, 1 p.m.) and the $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby (Sunday, 3 p.m.), will also be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC.

Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, is the course designer on the derby field for the week. On Thursday afternoon, Jeffery set the track for 44 entries in the seventh edition of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series. Five jumped the first round course without fault to advance to the jump-off, and Kirsten Coe and Baronez were the only pair to also clear the short course. Their faultless jump-off round in 43.303 seconds was the winning round.

Darragh Kenny and Any Given Sunday finished second with their four-fault round in 40.469 seconds. Meagan Nusz and Dynamo had four faults in 41.658 seconds to place third. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm, LLC’s Diktator van de Boslandhoeve had one rail down in 43.648 seconds to finish fourth. Mario Gamboa (COL) placed fifth aboard Stansky’s Mission Farms, Inc.’s Unico with four faults in 44.963 seconds.

In addition to winning $9,000 in prize money for her win in Thursday’s class, Kirsten Coe was also awarded an impressive $18,000 in extra bonus money for the SSG “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. A $3,000 bonus is offered each week if the winning rider of the Challenge Cup class is wearing the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. The bonus went unclaimed for five weeks straight until Thursday, when Coe was presented with six-$3,000 checks following her win. The rider, originally from California but now a Florida resident, had not originally planned to show this week but definitely made the ride worth it.

She was very pleased with the performance of Baronez, a twelve-year-old chestnut Belgian Warmblood mare by Heartbreaker, who she has had for two years.

“She was great today,” Coe smiled. “It wasn’t my original plan to show this week, but last week she was great in the WEF and then she jumped her first night class and I thought she was a little nervous and tense. She didn’t really jump that great, so I decided to change my plan and jump again today and it worked out well.”

“I knew she is really good on the grass; that’s why it kind of benefitted me,” Coe continued. “She jumps really well at Spruce Meadows and any of the venues with grass, so I knew it would be fine for her to walk right out here and show. She is really happy on the grass and I think it is a nice change of venue. The field is wonderful and it is nice that they use it; they should use it more.”

Describing Baronez, Coe stated, “She is very sensitive for such a big mare. She is your typical chestnut mare. She is quite opinionated, she tries to kick you, but she is a real fighter and she is really talented.”

Nusz, Gamboa and Kenny went before Coe in the jump-off and all had rails down, so the strategy was obviously to jump clear, but she knew that Sweetnam was last to go and time was still a factor.

“I knew Meagan’s horse is fast,” Coe detailed. “It has a very big stride and I have seen it show a lot at Spruce, so when I went in and I saw Darragh have one rail before me, I thought, ‘Just be prompt and clean.’ At least if I went clean or Shane went clean, I was first or second.”

On the question of where this win ranks in her career, she smiled, “It’s a good one. It was a nice win and the bonus was nice. I think the promotion is amazing and I think I was lucky that no one has won it in the last six weeks.”

Also showing on Thursday, Paul Halpern and Hermine 44, owned by Kamine and Fisher Families, LLC, won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Classic in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC.

Fierce Competition Kicks Off World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the FTI WEF

The hunters have officially taken over the International Arena during week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Week seven showcases hunter competition at its finest as riders and horses go head-to-head as they battle to qualify for Saturday night’s USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

Holly Orlando and Kelley Farmer took home an astounding majority of championship titles awarded for the first half of the week. Three of the four titles among them were mounts from Larry Glefke’s Lane Change Farm. Not surprisingly, the unstoppable pairing of Quotable and Holly Orlando took home tricolor honors in both Regular Conformation and Green Conformation Hunter divisions, which are sponsored by the Sanctuary.

Quotable and Holly Orlando. Anne Gittins Photography
Quotable and Holly Orlando. Anne Gittins Photography

Orlando and Quotable, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Glefke and Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Garber, were first and second over fences and first under saddle to earn Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunter division championship honors. Reserve champion went to another Lane Change Farm pairing, Kelley Farmer and Jessica Stitt’s Taken. Farmer and Taken were second, first and first over fences and fifth under saddle.

Quotable and Orlando won every over fences round in the Sanctuary Green Conformation Hunter division before placing second under saddle. Green Conformation reserve champion was Bacardi and Havens Schatt, who placed fourth under saddle in addition to two second place finishes and a fourth place over fences.

Quotable and Orlando are no stranger to the winner’s circle at the FTI WEF, but Orlando described this week’s victory as especially significant. “It’s always nice to know you didn’t peak too early. When World Hunter Rider week comes around, you want to know you’ve still got it,” Orlando stated.

“Quotable is so consistent and we’re thrilled with him,” Orlando continued. “I get in trouble daily for spoiling him with treats, but he deserves it! He tries to win every time he goes in the ring, and it’s so nice to have a horse like that.”

Orlando also expressed excitement for Farmer’s success aboard several other Lane Change Farm horses. “Kelley and I are not competitive with each other; we’re a team,” Orlando emphasized.

Mythical and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography
Mythical and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography

Farmer, an integral part of the Lane Change team, brought home two championship titles of her own in addition to the reserve with Taken. Farmer took the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter division with Mythical, also owned by Glefke and the Garbers. Farmer and the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding were fourth, second and first over fences. Reserve champion honors went to Danielle Baran’s Say When, ridden by Christopher Payne. The pair was fifth and first over fences.

“Mythical is easily one of my favorite horses,” Glefke stated. “He jumps in perfect style. He’s got a wonderful attitude about life. He stays on one rhythm and he has a brilliant jump.”

Farmer also had nothing but praise for Mythical. “He’s not afraid of anything. The bigger, the harder, the scarier the course, the better he is. He just wants to win. He’s a fantastic animal and he was perfect today,” Farmer commented.

“This is a big, prestigious week. To be on a First Year champion this week means a lot. You have to not only have a good horse, but all the chips have to fall into place. Everything has to work,” Farmer continued.

Farmer’s victory on Mythical was her third horse to qualify for Saturday’s Hunter Spectacular competition, leaving her with the tough decision of which horse to leave in the barn Saturday night. Ultimately, she decided on her veteran ride, Taken, and Mythical.

“It’s a great class and it’s an honor to qualify. It’s a hard decision to make, but I’m lucky enough to make it. There’s a barn full of animals that we are lucky to have,” Farmer explained.

Farmer chose Taken based on his experience under the lights during previous years competing in Hunter Spectacular classes. When asked what stood out about Mythical, Farmer deadpanned: “Everything. He’s a special horse and he deserves to be in it.”

Selma Garber, part owner of both Quotable and Mythical, declared the 2013 FTI WEF the “circuit of a lifetime” thanks to her wildly successful geldings. “It’s a dream come true to have them both qualified for Saturday night. I’ve got quite a team that worked with these animals – riders, trainers, grooms, and of the course the animals themselves. It’s a very lucky formula,” Garber continued.

“Seldom does a plan come together quite like this,” Glefke echoed. “At the beginning of the week, I told [Orlando and Farmer], ‘Girls if you could get Quotable, Taken and Mythical in there [on Saturday night], it would make my week.”

At One's Word and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography
At One’s Word and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography

Farmer’s second championship ride was with At One’s Word in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Hunter division. Farmer and the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Woodland Way, Inc., were first and fourth over fences and third under saddle for the division. Reserve championship honors went to Lapis, also ridden by Orlando and owned by Missy Luczak-Smith. Lapis and Orlando were fourth under saddle and second in two over fences rounds.

At One’s Word is another Lane Change Farm alumni, and Farmer is pleased to be able to continue to ride such a competitive horse. “I’ve gotten the pleasure of still getting to ride him since he was sold. He’s lovely. He’s got a big stride, he’s scopey, and he’s a brave horse. He’s not spooky at all. He walked right into the International Ring and won his first class,” Farmer stated.

Scott Stewart also enjoyed a championship victory aboard Dedication in the Gold Coast Feeds High Performance Working Hunter division. The eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was first, sixth and second place over fences in addition to winning the under saddle class with Stewart in the irons. Liza Boyd and her own Brunello were reserve champions for the division, finishing fourth, first and first over fences.

Stewart describes Dedication as one of his most talented rides. “He’s an amazing jumper. He’s probably one of the best hunters I’ve ever had. He’s one of the few horses that is a beautiful mover and really athletic. He’s the most athletic hunter I’ve seen in a long time,” Stewart commented.

Parker echoed Stewart’s sentiments about Dedication in addition to describing Stewart as the horse’s perfect match. “You can feel that Scott genuinely loves this horse from the bottom of his heart. Dedication is as much of a perfectionist and an athlete as Scott, and we all know Scott is the consummate perfectionist,” Parker stated.

Scott Stewart and Dedication. Anne Gittins Photography
Scott Stewart and Dedication. Anne Gittins Photography

Thursday’s competition concluded with the Performance Hunter divisions, which will be included in tomorrow’s press release.

WCHR Week at the FTI WEF will continue on Friday in the International Arena with the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3’3″ divisions. Both age groups, 18-35 and Over 35, will be seen in the International Arena. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge will be featured in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com