Lexington, Ky. – Three entries will vie for the USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship title this week at Live Oak International in Ocala, Fla. Held March 19-23, the drivers will perform in the dressage, marathon, and cones phases and hope to come out on top by the competition’s end.
Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) aims for his eleventh USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship title. After winning his tenth National title just five months ago at the Kentucky Classic CDE, Weber has remained in top form, winning the Advanced Horse Team division at the Kingdom of the Sun CDE. He began the competition with a personal-best dressage score of 30.89 and maintained his lead throughout the marathon and cones phases to finish on a score of 124.81.
Misdee Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) aided the U.S. team to a fourth-place finish at the 2013 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs last September in Topolcianky, Slovakia, but this year she has changed her focus to the Four-in-Hand division. She is off to a great start in 2014, winning at Sunshine State CDE and coming in third in the Kingdom of the Sun CDE in the Advanced Horse Team divisions.
Casey Zubek (Manhattan, Ill.) rounds out the championship field in Ocala. In September 2013, he and his team won the Advanced Horse Team division at the Hermitage Classic CDE. Zubek kicked off 2014 with a second-place finish at the Kingdom of the Sun CDE in the Advanced Horse Team division.
Competition begins Thursday at 9:00am ET with dressage, while the marathon phase kicks off on Saturday at 9:00am ET. The championship title will be decided Sunday following the cones phase beginning at 9:00am ET.
Anyone interested can watch the marathon and cones phases live on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak. USEFNetwork.com will be live streaming the driving marathon and cones phases on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00am ET and 8:00am ET respectively. Live Oak International also hosts a CSI 2* jumping competition and USEF Network coverage will include jumper classes on Saturday at 2:00pm ET and Sunday at 2:30pm ET.
Super Bowl commercial stars and heralds of American equestrian tradition, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be performing at the 2014 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of Budweiser)
Ocala, FL (March 13, 2014) – The ‘biggest’ TV commercial celebrities horse lovers have ever known – the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales – will make public guest appearances during the Live Oak International CDE/CSI2*W, March 19-23, at Live Oak Plantation, the 5,000-acre Ocala, Florida equestrian estate of Charlotte Weber and home of 10-time National Four-in-Hand Driving Champion Chester Weber.
Tri-Eagle Sales, the local Anheuser-Busch distributor, has arranged for the mighty feathered team to visit Ocala in conjunction with their sponsorship of Live Oak International.
The Budweiser Clydesdales will appear at the Live Oak International on Thursday, March 20 and Saturday March 22. Following a 45 minute hitching session where fans are welcome to watch, ask questions and take photos, the 8 horse hitch team will put on a driving demonstration. On Saturday they will be positioned with the stunning back drop of Live Oak Plantation for photo ops and beer tasting from the wagon.
This year’s NFL Super Bowl marked the second consecutive year – and 12th time in 14 years – that Anheuser-Busch earned one of the most coveted honors in American advertising, USA TODAY’s consumer-judged Ad Meter for Super Bowl Commercials, with the spot, ‘Puppy Love,’ featuring a feisty, round-bellied puppy smitten by a friendly Clydesdale draft horse.
Producing the award-winning ad, whose popularity ignited a viral frenzy on YouTube, involved 17 Clydesdale horses and eight Golden Labrador puppies, and was created by ad agency, Anomaly. Horse and dog owners avidly shared both the Puppy Love commercial and its behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video. See both links here:
Today’s Budweiser Clydesdales belong to an historic breed whose19th century origins trace to Scotland’s valley or “dale” of Lanarkshire along the River Clyde. A wealthy landowner, the Duke of Hamilton, imported six Great Flemish Horses. Known as war horses and for farm work, the Great Horses were crossed with Scottish mares and soon people outside Lanarkshire were referring to the powerful giants with graceful feathered legs as Clydesman’s horses or simply, Clydesdales.
In the early days of American beermaking, a brewer’s success hinged on how far his horses could pull a load in a day. Clydesdales, capable of pulling loads heavier than a ton at a walking speed of five miles per hour, became the unrivalled harness horse of choice for the brewing industry.
To qualify for a place on today’s world-famous eight-horse hitch, a Budweiser Clydesdale must meet size, color, and disposition requirements including standing 18 hands (about six feet) at the shoulder when mature and weighing approximately 2,000 pounds.
All Budweiser Clydesdales are geldings and must be true bay in color, with a black mane and tail, four white stockings and a blaze. A “gentle giant” temperament is also essential to each hitch horse’s role as an equine ambassador meeting millions of horse-loving fans annually.
Harnessing 16 tons of horseflesh usually takes 45 minutes. The wheel horses, the team’s strongest, are harnessed first and closest to the wagon, followed by the body, swing, and lead teams. Each Clydesdale is then individually hitched to their iconic red, white and gold 1903 Studebaker-built beer wagon. After all eight horses are hitched, their driver will adjust lines (reins), weighing 40 pounds and that, once taut, can top out at well over 75 pounds.
Chester Weber, the 2013 Four-in-Hand National Champion, got his start driving Clydesdales when he was only ten years old at Live Oak. In decades past, his family hosted and organized one of the largest draft horse shows in Ocala, and the gentle giants will always have a place in his heart. Coincidentally the last Clydesdale sold by Weber went to Budweiser’s St. Louis hitch, and Live Oak Plantation has a long history of success and championships with Clydesdales.
Live Oak International’s biggest equestrian celebrities will be joined during the event by some of today’s brightest equestrian athletes, including 2012 British Olympic team Gold medalist Ben Maher, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Cian O’Connor, and Olympian McLain Ward. With over 40 entries representing 12 countries, this year’s Live Oak International CSI-W 2* is also a qualifying event for the American Invitational on April 5, being held for the first time in Miami. Two-time Olympic show jumping course designer Leopoldo Palacios will again design the course for Live Oak International’s John Deere grand prix grass field.
True to its roots, the Live Oak International will host world-class combined driving, including the 2014 National Four-in-Hand Championship where 10-time National Champion Chester Weber will defend his title. Driving fans can still count on the most precise, most beautifully turned-out, and most bold pony and horse teams competing here.
Live Oak International is America’s first event to bring world-class show jumping together with world-class combined driving at one venue at one time. Elegant marathon tailgating, trend-setting boutiques at the Vendor Village, a Kids Zone featuring a bounce house, and Charles Owen Competitors Club will further assure that every LOI attendee will find an event and experience sure to please.
Admission is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12, with proceeds benefiting the Marion County Therapeutic Riding Association. For more information on the Live Oak International, including VIP Hospitality seating and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com.
Chester Weber and his team during the 2013 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)
Ocala, FL (March 7, 2014) – Never has an international-level equestrian competition in the Sunshine State offered so much for so many. The Live Oak International CAI/CSI-W 2*, March 19-23, at Live Oak Plantation, will provide spectators the chance to watch some of the sport’s most celebrated equestrian athletes. Top athletes entered to compete include 2012 British Olympic Team Gold Medalist Ben Maher, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Cian O’Connor, Olympian McLain Ward, and 10-time National Four-in-Hand Champion Chester Weber. And if all that is not enough horse power, the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be on display as well.
Live Oak International was selected by United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to host Ocala’s only Showjumping World Cup qualifier of the year. New in 2014, Live Oak International and sponsor Brook Ledge Horse Transportation are promising to deliver first class treatment for competitors; equine athletes with busy schedules don’t have to miss a stride or class as Live Oak International and Brook Ledge will be providing complementary transportation for the horses between Ocala, Wellington and Miami throughout the event.
The Monday following Live Oak International, Ocala horse country will also host a $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm. Ensuring that riders can compete in both competitions was paramount to the planning committee at Live Oak International. That consideration for competitors was certainly among the factors that prompted the North American Riders Group (NARG) to name Live Oak International as one of its Top Four specialty events of 2013.
The producers and hosts of Live Oak International, 10-time US National Four-in-Hand Driving Champion and USEF Board Member, Chester Weber, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Washington International Horse Show, are committed to the growth of top international horse sport in Ocala. “We want to encourage participation and make it as easy as possible for Florida’s horse industry to benefit from the world class horses and riders that are so much a part of our community and way of life,” Weber explained.
Todd Minikus and Quality Girl on their way to the win in the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix during the 2013 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of Mark Astrom)
“Being selected as Ocala’s only World Cup qualifier is also an enormous honor,” Reid added. Showjumping was added to the event’s traditional combined driving program in 2012, and last March Live Oak International hosted a $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix, won by Todd Minikus and Quality Girl.
With over 40 entries representing 12 countries, this year’s Live Oak International CSI-W 2* is also a qualifying event for the American Invitational on April 5, being held for the first time in Miami. Two-time Olympic show jumping course designer Leopoldo Palacios will again design the course for Live Oak International’s John Deere grand prix grass field. In addition to the CSI-W 2*, the Live Oak International will also host a number of other jumping classes, including the $5,000 1.30m Joan Pletcher Realtor Power & Speed class, the $10,000 Waldron Wealth Management Welcome Stake, and the $34,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Winning Round.
Should the grass rumble beneath your feet on Thursday, March 20th or Saturday March 22nd, it’s not a Florida thunderstorm but the thunder of America’s favorite driving team: the Budweiser Clydesdales, who will make two special appearances during Live Oak International. Spectators can get up close and personal with their favorite Super Bowl commercial TV stars!
True to its roots, Live Oak International was the first to bring world-class show jumping together with world-class combined driving at one venue at one time and driving fans can still count on the most precise, most beautifully turned-out, and most bold pony and horse teams competing here. Classes include the Yellowframe Farm Driven Dressage and Driving Obstacles, and competitors will be vying for position on the Florida Triple Crown Driving rankings.
Among the event’s leading whips last year was Florida horsewoman Misdee Wrigley-Miller, who won her first USEF National Pairs Championship title at Live Oak International. Now, the Lakewood Ranch driver will return to Ocala to challenge 10-time National Champion Chester Weber in in the Four-in-Hand division.
Elegant marathon tailgating, trend-setting boutiques at the Vendor Village, a Kids Zone featuring a bounce house, and the Charles Owen Competitors Club assure that every Live Oak International guest – outside and inside the competition arena – finds an event and experience sure to please.
“As the Live Oak International is a family-owned and family-managed tournament on our own property, we have the ability to tailor our event to meet the needs of our competitors, spectators and sponsors. Chester and I both play several roles within the equestrian community, and we try to use our experiences in the sport to ensure that every detail is scrutinized to make the Live Oak International an event Ocala and the horse world can be proud of,” added Reid. That’s Florida hospitality, Live Oak International style.
Admission is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12, with proceeds benefiting the Marion County Therapeutic Riding Association. For more information on the Live Oak International, including VIP Hospitality seating and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com. For tailgating spaces, call 352-207-3615.
Team Weber wrested a turbulent win away from the weather at the Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)
Ocala, FL (March 29, 2013) – As the adage goes, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Chester Weber opted for the same KWPN team that helped him clinch an earlier Dressage Test 11 world record and win at Little Everglades Ranch and it proved a winning decision as Team Weber wrested a turbulent win away from the weather at the Live Oak International, March 20-24, in Ocala, Florida.
It wasn’t easy. Every mythological comparison that could be made between horses and the furies of wind and weather was appropriate as gusts and lashing rain led to ceding the FEI Horse Team Cones Phase to Mother Nature. With the decision of judges always final, Weber and his team were awarded first place on the strength of their Dressage and Marathon scores.
Weber had a 37.22 in the opening Dressage phase to put him soundly ahead in the FEI Horse Teams division ahead of fellow American whip, Casey Zubek (53.98) and Canadian contender, Darryl Billing (71.84). Weber and his team maintained their lead over Zubek in Marathon, collecting a lean 90.20 points to Zubek’s 115.51. Following the conclusion of the first two phases, Weber’s overall score of 127.84, to Zubek’s 169.49 or Billing’s 234.83, was determined significant enough to spare challenge in the best interests of the horses and safety to the event.
“The team worked very well,” said Weber. “Under the guidance of our US team coach, Michael Freund, he suggested that I use the same group as at Little Everglades, as they went well and you should always second-guess splitting a winning team.” And rightly so: the team bested its own Test 11 world record score set at Little Everglades Ranch earlier this season.
Speaking of superb relationships, fans of Weber’s Boris will be happy to hear the seven-year-old KWPN gelding was on this record-setting team. “Yet again,” Weber grinned, “Boris did a fantastic job in the left wheel.” The next goal is to keep things rolling for CHIO Aachen.
As for the international ambience to Live Oak’s rich roster of driving and show jumping, Weber could not be more pleased: “The synergy of the jumping and driving proves to be a winning concept for participants, spectators and sponsors.” Must be something about that ‘Outside of a horse being good for the inside of a man (or woman).’ Find full results from both disciplines at www.liveoakinternational.com, or follow Team Weber at www.chesterweber.com and via the link to Facebook.
Misdee Wrigley Miller claimed her first USEF National Pair Driving Championship title at the 2013 Live Oak International. Photo by PicsOfYou.com.
Ocala, Florida – Misdee Wrigley Miller of Lakewood Ranch, FL, claimed her first United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Pair Driving Championship title on Sunday, March 24, at the 2013 Live Oak International in Ocala, FL.
Wrigley Miller staged a successful comeback in Sunday’s third and final phase of cones competition, earning a score of 5.61 penalty points with her horses, Beau and Snoopy. With an overall three-phase total of 139.85 penalty points, Wrigley Miller was awarded the USEF National Pair Driving Championship as the highest-placed U.S. competitor. Canada’s Rae Fischer of Listowel, ON, won the FEI Pair Horse division with a final score of 131.55 penalty points.
“Everyone kept saying ‘fight, keep fighting!’, and that’s what I had to do!” said Wrigley Miller, who had won the opening phase of dressage driving Beau and Rient W, but slipped to third position following a challenging day in Saturday’s marathon phase.
“Everything went great until the fourth hazard; I was a little too fast and got hung up on a post,” said Wrigley Miller of her trouble at the Morgan Stanley Bull Market hazard with her veteran Snoopy and the seven-year-old Beau, a new addition to her team. “I was going back and forth and back and forth and, at the end of the day, I had to put my groom down, and that’s 10 penalty points added. I wound up last in the marathon when I had been 12 points in the lead going into it, and ended up third in the overall standings. I really had to fight today. It’s been a roller coaster. People say to never give up; it’s a three day event, and it’s not over until the last person drives through the cones, and it’s true. And I won!”
Wrigley Miller was especially pleased to win the title at Live Oak, which has been hosting driving events for more than 20 years at Live Oak Plantation, the private 4,000-acre farm of the Weber family.
“I’ve been involved with Live Oak for almost since its conception,” said Wrigley Miller. “I’m just so thrilled for Chester and his mom and his family that it’s grown into such an incredible international event. It’s surely one of the top-ranked shows in the world.”
Offering the highest amount of prize money of any driving event in North America, Live Oak International is organized by nine-time winner of the USEF Four In Hand Driving Championship Chester C. Weber, his mother Charlotte C. Weber, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, who led the Washington International Horse Show as President of the Board for the past four years. Chester Weber was leading the FEI Four-in-Hand Team Horse division heading into Sunday’s final cones phase but, unfortunately, weather conditions prevented the competition from concluding. The FEI Pony Team division, which had been led by Allison Stroud, was also unable to finish.
Prior to the stormy weather, Suzy Stafford overtook Paul Maye to win the FEI Single Pony division with a perfect cones performance and a final score of 113.76 penalty points while Wendy O’Brien held on to win the FEI Pair Pony division with 113.76. Leslie Berndl won the FEI Single Horse division with 117.95 penalty points.
Bettina Scherer maintained her lead in the Intermediate Single Pony division with 114.55 while Boots Wright did the same in the Intermediate Pair Pony division, winning with 114.26. John Levy driving Sky moved ahead of Robin Groves to win the Intermediate Single Horse division, which attracted a total of 12 entries. Having won the dressage and marathon phases, Zenon Gal claimed the Intermediate Pair division with 134.86 penalty points.
While Misdee Wrigley Miller is a familiar face among the driving community, a newcomer to the international show jumping ranks won the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Winning Round competition on Sunday afternoon. The format sees the top 10 riders, regardless of faults, advance to a second ‘winning round’ where everyone starts with a clean slate. From the starting field of 29 entries, eight riders posted clear rounds and were joined in the winning round by Sharn Wordley of New Zealand and Kim Prince of the United States, both of whom had incurred one time fault in the opening round.
Rafael Jose Contreras flies to the finish riding Valencio R.A.G. in the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round. Photo by Mark Astrom
With the winning round underway, speed was the name of the game over the track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. The times grew progressively faster until Andre Thieme of Germany took over the lead with a time of 47.60 seconds riding Clitschko 4. With only one rider left to challenge, hopes were riding high on Rafael Jose Contreras of the Dominican Republic. The 20-year-old did not disappoint, treating the crowd to an exuberant performance riding Valencio R.A.G. and stopping the clock in 44.91 seconds, almost three seconds faster than Thieme.
“It’s my first FEI win!” said a thrilled Contreras. “I’ve had my horse for four years, and he’s a great horse. He’s really spooky, but a good spooky.”
A college student in Santo Domingo, Contreras has been traveling back and forth to the United States for the past five years to train with Paulo Santana. 2013 marked his first trip to the Live Oak International, but he’s already making plans to return.
“I’ve never been here before, but for sure I’m going to come back!” promised Contreras. “It was really, really nice, I enjoyed it here. The course design and the footing are really good. The owners are really nice people.”
Jerry Parks Insurance Group recognized Contreras as the Leading Amateur Rider, awarding him a $1,000 bonus, while Chloe Reid, daughter of Live Oak International Co-President Juliet W. Reid, was named the Leading Junior Rider and also received a $1,000 bonus.
Having won the $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power &Speed, the $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake, and Saturday’s $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix, it was no surprise that Todd Minikus of Wellington, FL, was awarded the $10,000 Leading Rider bonus, presented by G&C Farm.
For the first time, live coverage of the Live Oak International show jumping and driving competition was offered on the USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com. The Live Oak International is the only event in North America to feature both international show jumping and driving events.
Live Oak International wishes to recognize its generous sponsors for their support, including 14 Hands Vineyards, ABBA, Adequan, American Invitational, Michael Ayers, BB&T Chazel Insurance, Beloved Farm, Ned Bliss, Brandywine Tent, Camping World, Cannon Carriages, Cape Code Finished Wood Siding, Charles Owen, Cheney Brothers, Jane Forbes Clark, The Clothes Horse, Coast to Coast Truck & Trailer, Connollys Nursery, Dever, Don Stewart Stables, Dutta Corp, E2 Show Jumpers, Equine Journal, Fidelity Investments, Dr. Rae and Nancy Fischer, Florida Express, Freund, G&C Farm, Gloria Austin, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum, Great American Insurance Group, Hermitage International Training Center, Hillcroft Farm, Hilton, Hollow Creek Farm, Wayne Humphreys, Insight Credit Union, Iron Spring Farm, Jerry Parks Insurance Group, Joan Pletcher Realtor, John Deere, Johnson Horse Transportation, Pixie Keating, Kentucky Classic, Kentucky Equine Research, Mary Mott-Kocsis, John Levy, Louisburg Farm, Lugano Diamonds, Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Mark’s Steak House, Mid State Electric, Morgan Stanley, Ocala Star-Banner, Palm Chevrolet & Kia, Party Time Rentals, Pine Flakes, PlaneSense, Peterson & Smith, RBC, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, The Sanctuary, Seminole Wellness, Shepherd Kaplan LLC, Signature Brands ,Sleepy P Farm, SmartPak, Christine Smith-Byerly, Stella Artois, Stonecliff Farm, Tequestrian, Trout Walk Farm, Waldron Wealth Management, Harley Waller, Waterside Environmental Care, Woodside Stables, WR Ranch and Dave and Boots Wright.
For more information on the Live Oak International, including full results, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Ocala, FL – The 2013 USEF National Pairs Championship concluded Sunday afternoon at the Live Oak International with the influential cones phase. Under blustery conditions and the threat of severe storms, the field of four went to task in the John Deere Arena.
Misdee Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, FL) travelled to Live Oak with her sights set on securing her first USEF National Pairs Championship. The 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship veteran did just that driving a near faultless round to add a National Title to her growing list of accomplishments.
“I’m over the moon,” said an ecstatic Wrigley-Miller. “I’ve broken my demon.”
A single ball down for three points and an additional 2.61 time faults meant Wrigley-Miller finished on a three day total of 139.85.
The cones phase hosted an additional challenge for drivers as show jumps were set within the cones course, to be used later in the afternoon for the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round. However, due to the weather many of the jumps had to be moved or changed, therefore the cones course looked very different when drivers entered the arena than it had when they walked in the morning.
“I was really, really happy. The course was extremely difficult,” said Wrigley-Miller. “The course I walked this morning wasn’t there.”
Collecting Reserve Champion honors was Lisa Singer (Chadds Ford, PA); the eight-time National Champion incurred nine points for three balls down and 9.05 time faults. Singer finished on an overall score of 151.12.
Canada’s Rae Fischer was the winner of the Live Oak International’s FEI Pair Horse division which was sponsored by Scott and Kathi Dancer on a score of 131.55.
In addition to the USEF National Championship, Live Oak International also hosts Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles, and Pony driving competition at both the FEI and Intermediate levels. For a second year, it will host world class jumping competition in conjunction with the driving. The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage of the marathon on Saturday and Sunday’s cones, in addition to Saturday’s $50,000 Live Oak International CSI 2* Grand Prix and the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday. The live stream, video-on-demand, photos and news can be found here.
Todd Minikus and Quality Girl won the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International. Photo by Mark Astrom.
Ocala, Florida – Todd Minikus of Wellington, FL, made it three for three, winning the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix on Saturday, March 23, in Ocala, FL. The only equestrian event in North America to feature both world-class driving and show jumping, the Live Oak International takes place at Live Oak Plantation from March 20 to 24.
Live coverage of the Live Oak International on the USEF Network will continue on Sunday at www.usefnetwork.com.
Having won both the $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power &Speed competition and the $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake on Friday, Minikus returned to the John Deere Arena on Saturday to win the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix.
A total of 31 entries attempted the track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela with seven jumping clear to add their names to the jump-off list. In a thrilling and truly international finale, Minikus and Quality Girl set the pace by blazing to a clear round in a time of 39.47 seconds. Andre Thieme of Germany gave it his best shot, leaving all of the rails intact and crossing the timers in 41.03 seconds, which would prove to be good enough for second place. 2004 Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil was right behind him in time of 41.07 seconds riding G&C Lagran to take third.
Callan Solem of the United States also jumped double clear in 43.76 seconds for fourth place with VDL Wizard while Sharn Wordley scored a top five finish for New Zealand with a clear jump-off performance in 44.21 seconds with Derly Chin de Muze.
New York’s Brianne Goutal had the fastest time of the jump-off, 39.45 seconds, but a heartbreaking rail at the final fence would leave her sixth in the final line-up with Onira. Angel Karolyi representing Venezuela rounded out the jump-off contenders with a four fault performance in 43.91 seconds with Indiana 127, owned by Hollow Creek Farm.
In the end, it was Minikus who stood in the winner’s circle yet again with Quality Girl, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Chris Brems of Belgium.
“Being second in the order and with Rodrigo and Brianne behind you, you can approach it two ways,” said Minikus of his jump-off strategy. “You can try to shut the door right from the beginning, or go clear conservatively and hope they make mistakes. Quality Girl won the speed yesterday, so I decided to go for it, but I did chicken out down the last line and did six strides instead of the five they were planning to do.
“It’s not my first day at the rodeo,” he concluded with a wink, before adding, “In fact, I’m probably the oldest one in the class!”
After winning all three of show jumping competitions held so far, it is no surprise that Minikus sits atop the leaderboard for the $10,000 Leading Rider bonus, presented by G&C Farm, with one competition remaining. Jerry Parks Insurance Group will also be recognizing the Leading Junior Rider and the Leading Amateur Rider. All will be decided in Sunday’s $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round at 2:30 p.m.
“I’d like to thank the entire family at Live Oak for the wonderful production they do here,” said Minikus, who is competing at Live Oak for the first time. “It has been a great weekend here at Live Oak. The footing held up nicely for everyone; you could turn well and go fast on it, so that was great. I love Live Oak!”
The Live Oak International is unique in that it is the only event in North America to feature both international show jumping and driving events. As the driving marathon phase was held in the morning before the start of show jumping competition, Minikus was able to join the approximately 5,000 spectators that turned out for a great day of world-class equestrian sport.
“When I was a kid, the shows I went to always had saddlebreds along with the hunter jumpers, and I like it when there is one than one discipline at the show; I think it makes it fun for everybody,” said Minikus, 50. “I enjoy the other disciplines. I rode on the back of a carriage one time and that was enough to scare the daylights out of me! I appreciate what they are doing, and I can watch anything when the people are skilled at it. On the marathon today, there was some speed there and some excellent driving, so that was fun.”
Chester Weber and his FEI Four-In-Hand team powers through The Sanctuary Water Hazard. Photo by PicsOfYou.com
Local favorite Chester C. Weber of Ocala, FL, did not disappoint his fans, with loud cheering resonating throughout the showgrounds as the two-time World Championship individual silver medalist negotiated the seven hazards conceptualized by course designer Hartmut Kaufmann of Germany. Having set a new world record with his score of 37.22 in test number 11 in Thursday’s opening dressage phase, Weber continues to lead the FEI Horse Four-in-Hand Team division with a combined score of 127.42 penalty points.
Paul Maye of the United States took over the lead in the FEI Single Pony division with a score of 112.48 penalty points while Wendy O’Brien held on to top spot in the FEI Pair Pony division with 112.04. Allison Stroud stayed atop the FEI Pony Team division with a combined total of 142.40.
Leslie Berndl continues to lead the FEI Single Horse division with 111.95 penalty points while Rae Fischer moved into first place in the FEI Pair Horse division standings with a two-phase total of 126.67 penalty points.
Offering the highest amount of prize money of any driving event in North America, Live Oak International is also hosting the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Championship for Pairs. Zenon Gal is one phase closer to claiming the title, having posted a two-phase total of 124.87 penalty points following marathon.
Bettina Scherer held onto her lead in the Intermediate Single Pony division with 111.55 while Boots Wright is still out in front in the Intermediate Pair Pony division with 111.26. Robin Groves moved into the lead in the Intermediate Single Horse division, which attracted a total of 12 entries.
The final day of competition begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday with the third and final cones phase for driving competitors. Following the driving competition, the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round will begin at 2:30 p.m.
While show jumping is being offered for the second year, Live Oak International has hosted an annual driving competition for more than 20 years. Held at Live Oak Plantation, the private 4,000-acre farm of the Weber family, the Live Oak International is produced by nine-time winner of the USEF Four In Hand Driving Championship Chester C. Weber of Ocala, FL, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, who led the Washington International Horse Show as President of the Board for the past four years.
In addition to the competition, spectators can enjoy the Classic Car Show, sponsored by Palm Chevrolet & Kia, as well as a vendor village and the Signature Brands Kids Zone featuring pony rides and a bounce house. Admission is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12, with proceeds benefiting the Marion County Therapeutic Riding Association.
Live Oak International wishes to recognize its generous sponsors for their support, including 14 Hands Vineyards, ABBA, Adequan, American Invitational, Michael Ayers, BB&T Chazel Insurance, Beloved Farm, Ned Bliss, Brandywine Tent, Camping World, Cannon Carriages, Cape Code Finished Wood Siding, Charles Owen, Cheney Brothers, Jane Forbes Clark, The Clothes Horse, Coast to Coast Truck & Trailer, Connollys Nursery, Dever, Don Stewart Stables, Dutta Corp, E2 Show Jumpers, Equine Journal, Fidelity Investments, Dr. Rae and Nancy Fischer, Florida Express, Freund, G&C Farm, Gloria Austin, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum, Great American Insurance Group, Hermitage International Training Center, Hillcroft Farm, Hilton, Hollow Creek Farm, Wayne Humphreys, Insight Credit Union, Iron Spring Farm, Jerry Parks Insurance Group, Joan Pletcher Realtor, John Deere, Johnson Horse Transportation, Pixie Keating, Kentucky Classic, Kentucky Equine Research, Mary Mott-Kocsis, John Levy, Louisburg Farm, Lugano Diamonds, Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Mark’s Steak House, Mid State Electric, Morgan Stanley, Ocala Star-Banner, Palm Chevrolet & Kia, Party Time Rentals, Pine Flakes, PlaneSense, Peterson & Smith, RBC, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, The Sanctuary, Seminole Wellness, Shepherd Kaplan LLC, Signature Brands ,Sleepy P Farm, SmartPak, Christine Smith-Byerly, Stella Artois, Stonecliff Farm, Tequestrian, Trout Walk Farm, Waldron Wealth Management, Harley Waller, Waterside Environmental Care, Woodside Stables, WR Ranch and Dave and Boots Wright.
For more information on the Live Oak International, including VIP Hospitality seating and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Ocala, FL – Following an exciting marathon day at the Live Oak International, Lisa Singer has grabbed the lead in the 2013 USEF National Pairs Championship with a score of 133.07. Drivers had near perfect weather as they contested the second phase of competition held on the picturesque Live Oak Plantation.
Singer (Chadds Ford, PA) drove consistently over the championship level course which hosted seven intricate obstacles. Using the experienced gained representing the U.S. in World Championship competition seven times, she posted the fastest time in the Morgan Stanley sponsored fourth obstacle in FEI Pair Horse competition.
“One of them is pretty new to me; I’ve only been driving him three and a half months and he got pretty tired at the end in the second to last hazard,” said Singer. “But I was really happy with both of them they both really tried for me. I’m really happy.”
If Singer can maintain her lead in Sunday’s cone phase she will earn her ninth USEF National Pairs Championship.
Lying second in National Championship competition is the driven dressage winner Misdee Wrigley-Miller. The 2012 Reserve National Champion drove a confident marathon but incurred penalties for having a groom down in the fourth obstacle and therefore relinquished her day one lead. She heads into the cones phase less than two points behind Singer on 134.24.
Leading the Live Oak International’s FEI Pair Horse division which is being sponsored by Scott and Kathi Dancer is Canada’s Rae Fischer on a score of 126.67.
Driving competition concludes in the John Deere Arena on Sunday with the cones phase.
In addition to the USEF National Championship, Live Oak International also hosts Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles, and Pony driving competition at both the FEI and Intermediate levels. For a second year, it will host world class jumping competition in conjunction with the driving. The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage of the marathon on Saturday and Sunday’s cones, in addition to Saturday’s $50,000 Live Oak International CSI 2* Grand Prix and the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday. The live stream, video-on-demand, photos and news can be found here.
A driving competitor enjoys the scenic competition venue of Live Oak International. Photos by Mark Astrom.
Ocala, Florida – Competition is underway at the Live Oak International in Ocala, FL. The only equestrian event in North America to feature both world-class driving and show jumping, the Live Oak International takes place at Live Oak Plantation from March 20 to 24.
For the first time, live coverage of Saturday and Sunday’s events from the Live Oak International will be available to view on the USEF Network, www.usefnetwork.com.
In show jumping, Todd Minikus got the weekend off to a strong start by winning both featured show jumping events on Friday, March 22. In the $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power & Speed competition, Minikus was clear through the power phase to immediately advance to the speed phase. Riding Edulcee d’Hulst, a mare he’s only had the ride on for a couple of weeks, he was again clear in a time of 22.53 seconds to easily overtake the lead from Colombia’s Daniel Bluman, who finished second with Cantando Lyngriis in a time of 24.97 seconds.
Of his mount, the nine-year-old Belgian-bred mare Edulcee d’Hulst, Minikus noted, “Friends of mine in Belgium sent her to me to be sold. I’ve had her for a couple of weeks, and she won two classes in Wellington before coming here. She’s pure winner, so that’s good news!”
Todd Minikus guided Edulcee d’Hulst to victory in the $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power & Speed competition
While Edulcee d’Hulst was a winner, Quality Girl also lived up to her name by carrying Minikus to victory in the $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake. Two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios set a track in the John Deere Arena that saw nine of the 26 entries jump clear. With time being the deciding factor, Minikus was once again untouchable, posting a time of 56.60 seconds that no one else could catch. Fellow American Brianne Goutal came closest, stopping the clock in 60.10 for second place, while Daniel Bluman settled for third this time out, again riding Cantando Lyngriis.
With two wins to his credit, Minikus is enjoying his Live Oak International debut.
“I have not been here, this is my first time, and I didn’t realize what I was missing,” said Minikus of Wellington, FL. “It’s fantastic. It’s nice to get away. We’re in one spot for six months, really, and that’s a long time, especially when you have a little gypsy in you. The family here at Live Oak, and all of the people behind the scenes that I don’t even know about, are doing a great job. It’s beautiful, and has excellent footing.”
In driving, the FEI divisions competed in the opening phase of dressage with U.S. drivers sweeping the top spots. Tracey Morgan currently leads the field of seven entries in the FEI Single Pony division with a score of 49.28 penalty points while Wendy O’Brien is out in front in the FEI Pair Pony division with 39.94. Allison Stroud with her FEI Pony Team is at the top of the leaderboard after posting 55.87.
Leslie Berndl topped six other competitors to take the lead in the FEI Single Horse division with 43.39 penalty points while Misdee Wrigley Miller is leading the FEI Pair Horse division with an impressive 41.41. Two-time World Championship individual silver medalist Chester C. Weber came out on top in the FEI Horse Four-in-Hand Team with the best score of the day, a 37.22, to place ahead of Casey Zubek with 53.98% and Canada’s Darryl Billing with 71.84 penalty points.
“The team was fantastic, we set a new world record with test number 11,” said Weber in reference to the new driving dressage test released by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) at the beginning of 2013. “It was great because we have a jury comprised of officials that have all judged at World Championship events. It was a real international jury, and a real world record. It’s always a pleasure to do it at home in front of our local fans and sponsors.”
Offering the highest amount of prize money of any driving event in North America, Live Oak International is also hosting the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Championship for Pairs. Zenon Gal is currently eying the honor, having earned a dressage score of 47.58 over Peter Harding, who lies second with 62.47. Bettina Scherer leads the Intermediate Single Pony division while Boots Wright is out in front in the Intermediate Pair Pony division. Attracting a total of 12 entries, the Intermediate Single Horse division is led by Canadian Tina Sully with 52.66 penalty points.
In addition to being one of the world’s foremost four-in-hand driving competitors, Weber is one of the driving forces behind the Live Oak International, acting as Co-President alongside his mother, Charlotte C. Weber, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid.
“It’s fantastic,” said Weber of this year’s event. “The horses all seem to be doing well, and it’s so much fun to see the jumper horses standing outside the ring with their heads down, eating grass. It was a special view. You don’t see that in many places. I think this is paradise for horses, and my mom had a lot of vision many years ago in creating Live Oak.”
Saturday brings the thrills of marathon driving, beginning at 9 a.m. Competitors will negotiate seven obstacles conceptualized by course designer Hartmut Kaufmann of Germany. Following the driving marathon competition, the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix will begin at 2 p.m.
A total of 14 nations are represented in the show jumping competition. Featured show jumping events include Saturday’s $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix at 2 p.m., and Sunday’s $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round at 2:30 p.m. As an added incentive for competitors, G&C Farm will offer a $10,000 Leading Rider bonus while Jerry Parks Insurance Group will reward the Leading Junior Rider and the Leading Amateur Rider.
While show jumping is being offered for the second year, Live Oak International has hosted international driving competition for more than 20 years. Sanctioned as a CAI-B driving event by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and offering single, pair and four-in-hand divisions for horses and ponies, Live Oak International attracts the top driving competitors from across North America.
Held at Live Oak Plantation, the private 4,000-acre farm of the Weber family, the Live Oak International is produced by nine-time winner of the USEF Four In Hand Driving Championship Chester C. Weber of Ocala, FL, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, who led the Washington International Horse Show as President of the Board for the past four years. Offering unparalleled hospitality, competitors will enjoy the fun and excitement of Saturday night’s Denim & Lugano Diamonds Exhibitor’s Party.
In addition to the competition, spectators can enjoy the Classic Car Show, sponsored by Palm Chevrolet & Kia, as well as a vendor village and the Signature Brands Kids Zone featuring pony rides and a bounce house. Admission is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12, with proceeds benefiting the Marion County Therapeutic Riding Association.
Live Oak International wishes to recognize its generous sponsors for their support, including 14 Hands Vineyards, ABBA, Adequan, American Invitational, Michael Ayers, BB&T Chazel Insurance, Beloved Farm, Ned Bliss, Brandywine Tent, Camping World, Cannon Carriages, Cape Code Finished Wood Siding, Charles Owen, Cheney Brothers, Jane Forbes Clark, The Clothes Horse, Coast to Coast Truck & Trailer, Connollys Nursery, Dever, Don Stewart Stables, Dutta Corp, E2 Show Jumpers, Equine Journal, Fidelity Investments, Dr. Rae and Nancy Fischer, Florida Express, Freund, G&C Farm, Gloria Austin, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum, Great American Insurance Group, Hermitage International Training Center, Hillcroft Farm, Hilton, Hollow Creek Farm, Wayne Humphreys, Insight Credit Union, Iron Spring Farm, Jerry Parks Insurance Group, Joan Pletcher Realtor, John Deere, Johnson Horse Transportation, Pixie Keating, Kentucky Classic, Kentucky Equine Research, Mary Mott-Kocsis, John Levy, Louisburg Farm, Lugano Diamonds, Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Mark’s Steak House, Mid State Electric, Morgan Stanley, Ocala Star-Banner, Palm Chevrolet & Kia, Party Time Rentals, Pine Flakes, PlaneSense, Peterson & Smith, RBC, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, The Sanctuary, Seminole Wellness, Shepherd Kaplan LLC, Signature Brands ,Sleepy P Farm, SmartPak, Christine Smith-Byerly, Stella Artois, Stonecliff Farm, Tequestrian, Trout Walk Farm, Waldron Wealth Management, Harley Waller, Waterside Environmental Care, Woodside Stables, WR Ranch and Dave and Boots Wright.
For more information on the Live Oak International, including VIP Hospitality seating and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Ocala, FL – The USEF National Pairs Championship got underway Thursday morning at Live Oak International, as the first phase competition was held in conjunction with the FEI Grand Oaks Resort and Carriage Museum Driven Dressage. Misdee Wrigley-Miller has kicked off her bid to claim her first National Title by gaining the early lead following the dressage on a score of 41.41.
Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, FL) drove with extreme confidence and poise to set herself apart from the rest of the National Championship competition. The 2012 Reserve USEF National Pair Champion and 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship veteran executed an accurate and expressive test with her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding Riant W and seven-year-old KWPN gelding Beau.
“Overall I was very pleased because my warm-up was a little difficult,” said Wrigley-Miller. “With this pair I love their extension. They’re really there and explosive and then they come immediately back and are flexible.”
Wrigley-Miller has had a great lead-up to these National Championships, collecting wins at Sunshine State and Little Everglades. She is especially looking forward to Saturday’s marathon as she has been diligently working to improve her technique.
“Having seen all the hazards, I’m really looking forward to the marathon. We’ve been training really hard this spring. It’s the part of my competition I need to work on. I’ve won the marathon at my last two competitions, so hopefully all the training pays off.”
Lying second in National Championship competition and third overall is Steve Wilson on a score of 55.49. Wilson (Louisville, KY) drove his veteran pair of Lipizzaner’s Favory Nori and Napoly in steady and consistent effort Thursday morning.
Canada’s Rae Fischer stands second in Live Oak International’s FEI Pair Horse division, which is being sponsored by Scott and Kathi Dancer, on score of 54.53.
National Championship competition continues Saturday with the marathon phase.
In addition to the USEF National Championship, Live Oak International also hosts Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles, and Pony driving competition at both the FEI and Intermediate levels. For a second year, it will host world class jumping competition in conjunction with the driving. The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage of the marathon on Saturday and Sunday’s cones, in addition to Saturday’s $50,000 Live Oak International CSI 2* Grand Prix and the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday. The live stream, video-on-demand, photos and news can be found here.
