Tag Archives: Lucy Deslauriers

USET Foundation Awards 2016 Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy to Lucy Deslauriers

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester.

Wellington, Fla. – January 26, 2016 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2016 Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy is the talented show jumping rider Lucy Deslauriers of New York, New York.

Each year this award is presented to a young rider in one of the Olympic disciplines who exemplifies both sportsmanship and horsemanship. In 2015, Deslauriers’ career took off when she captured the “Grand Slam” of show jumping for a young rider, winning Individual Gold and Team Silver at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, Individual and Team Gold at the Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, and Individual Gold at the 2015 USEF Under 25 National Championships.

Sixteen-year-old Deslauriers was presented with this prestigious award at the USET Foundation’s Olympic and Paralympic Games benefit, Rockin’ Rio, on Jan. 22, in Wellington, Florida.

“It’s a huge honor that I wasn’t expecting,” expressed Deslauriers. “I’ve received this thanks to the incredible team I have behind me and my group of horses. I’m very thankful that I’ve been recognized and have received this honor.”

“I think that is part of the reason that I was able to accomplish these goals, because I didn’t get caught up in how I had done previously or how much I had ahead of me, but took it step-by-step,” she said. Deslauriers quickly added, “I also think that it’s important that I don’t get too caught up in how successful this year was. I’m definitely very lucky to have the results that I did. I am looking forward to competing next year and continuing my partnership with Hester. Hopefully we’ll continue to do well as we bond and move up and forward into next year.”

Lucy’s father, former Olympian Mario Deslauriers, originally rode Hester, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, but when Lucy took over the reins, it was an even better match. “He’s really incredible in a number of ways, but I think that something that really stands out about him in particular is his fight,” noted Lucy. “I always know that he’s going to be there for me trying his best 200 percent of the time. It’s really important to have a dependable partner like he has proved to be for me.”

In 2015, Lucy’s success was not only related to the show jumping arena, as she also took top honors in the 2015 George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship and placed second in the 2015 ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championships.

“The equitation division has provided a great base for my jumper riding and doing the jumpers with my father has also helped a lot in the equitation ring,” she commented. “I think that the courses are often very similar.”

This year, Deslauriers’ goal is to move into the 1.50m division with Hester, where she already had success competing against the best in the world during the Bromont CSI3* over the summer. Deslauriers concluded, “In the more extended future, being able to represent the United States is something that I have dreamed of for a very long time, so that would be an amazing goal for me to accomplish.”

Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy Winners
Patrick Guerrand-Hermès established the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Memorial Award in 1983 in memory of his son, Lionel, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1981 at the age of 18. Lionel trained with the United States Equestrian Team and was talented enough to be considered an Olympic hopeful. A perpetual trophy designed by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès is inscribed annually with the winner’s name and permanently displayed at the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Previous winners are:

1983 – Mark Leone
1984 – Jeffery Welles
1985 – Holly Mitten
1986 – Gregory A Best
1987 – Susanne Owen
1988 – Christopher Kappler
1989 – Mollie Bliss
1990 – Kim Keenan
1991 – McLain Ward
1992 – Abigail Lufkin
1993 – Mark Combs
1994 – Gabriella Salick
1995 – Megan Johnstone
1996 – Jonathan Elliot
1997 – Alison Firestone
1998 – Bruce Davidson Jr.
1999 – Chad Geeter
2000 – Elise Haas
2001 – Marilyn Little
2002 – Clark Montgomery
2003 – Will Faudree
2004 – Kristin Schmolze
2005 – Brianne Goutal
2006 – Katie Hamilton
2007 – Carolyn Kelly
2008 – Hillary Dobbs
2009 – Laura Noyes
2010 – Jennifer Waxman
2011 – Tiana Coudray
2012 – Lucy Davis
2013 – Reed Kessler
2014 – Katie Dinan
2015 – Lillie Keenan
2016 – Lucy Deslauriers

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Deslauriers Captures Gold in Inaugural USEF U25 National Championship

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The future stars of United States Show Jumping were tested during three days of tough competition for the 2015 USEF U25 National Championship presented by the Porter Family, the Jacobs Family, the Jobs Family and the Keenan Family. Following two clear rounds during last night’s $30,000 Final Competition, Lucy Deslauriers stood on top of the podium as the winner of the inaugural USEF U25 National Championship.

Deslauriers (New York, N.Y.) and her partner Hester, Lisa Deslauriers’ 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding, mastered the courses brilliantly throughout the entire competition. They kicked off Wednesday’s $15,000 Faults Converted competition on a high note with no faults and a time of 77.69. They came out more aggressive during the $20,000 Jump-Off competition on Thursday, had a faultless first round, and cruised to victory in the jump-off with a time of 30.74. These performances put Deslauriers and Hester on top of the cumulative standings leading into Saturday night’s final competition. They maintained this lead as the only pair to put in two clear rounds in the Final, securing the win in the $30,000 Two Round Final Competition and the Gold medal in the $35,000 Championship.

“It was a really great week. My horse jumped incredibly in all the rounds. The first round I didn’t ride my best, so I really tried to put in strong efforts the rest of the week, and he really helped me out there,” said Deslauriers.

This performance added to an incredible year for Deslauriers and Hester, who won the Young Rider Individual Gold and Team Silver at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, and Individual and Team Gold in the 2015 Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship.

Designed to mimic the difficulty encountered during international competition, Course Designer Guilherme Jorge, architect for 2016 Olympic Games, developed courses for this championship with the intent of challenging a horse’s focus and a rider’s intellect. Twenty-six riders started in the first round of the Final Competition after which only the top twelve in the overall standings qualified for the second round. Jorge’s second round track, which included a triple combination, proved to be the most challenging of the Championship rounds and as only two clear rounds were produced.

Trailing Deslauriers, going into the second round of the $30,000 competition were Katherine Strauss (Southampton, N.Y.) and Catherine Tyree (Chicago, Ill.), who took Silver and Bronze in the Championship respectively. Each finished the Saturday’s first round with cumulative scores of six faults. During the first round, Katherine Strauss, LLC’s All In, a 2005 KWPN gelding had trouble with the double-combination at 10b and knocked a rail down. They then put in a fault-free finish in the second round to place second to Deslauriers in both the Final Competition and the Championship.

“I had a really great first day. My horse jumped amazingly. In the second round I had a little bit of an error so coming into today I was a little behind Lucy and Cat so I knew I had to ride my best and keep working to climb up the ranks,” said Strauss.

After an unexpected refusal in the first round of the Final Competition, Tyree and Enjoy Louis, Mary and Joseph Tyree’s 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding, returned to the second round tied with Strauss and All In. They were penalized four faults for a knock down and picked up one time fault to finish on a total of 11 faults to earn the Bronze Medal.

“My horse jumped incredibly all week. Today, I made a mistake that was nowhere his fault, and I just thought in the first round I would try and be as fast as possible. I knew in the end that it would come down to time faults so I was so lucky to have a horse that was so with me throughout the entire competition,” said Tyree.

Visit nhs.org for the complete results of the USEF U25 National Championship.

From the USEF Communications Department

Deslauriers Secures Win at 2015 USEF National Junior Jumper Championship

Lucy Deslauriers (Al Cook)

Harrisburg, Pa. – The 2015 Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship concluded this afternoon at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show with Phase III welcoming back 13 combinations to jump for the national championship title. Lucy Deslauriers was the ultimate victor, adding nothing to her three-phase total of one fault to secure the Gold medal. In a jump-off for the Silver medal, Victoria Colvin secured the second spot on the podium with a clear jump-off round ahead of Vivian Yowan who took Bronze.

Deslauriers (New York, N.Y.) and Lisa Deslauriers’ Hester entered Phase III on just a single fault, having jumped two double-clear rounds in Phase II’s Prix des States, where she contributed to the Zone 2 Gold medal win. As the penultimate to go in the order, the seasoned combination put in a beautiful effort over the Michael Vaillancourt-designed course. Last to go and leading coming into the day on zero faults, Colvin (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Take the High Road LLC’s Cafino had a rail down at fence 11, sealing the win for Deslauriers.

“It’s been an incredible week. I am so lucky to not only have Hestor, but to come up with this result. My horse was really amazing all week and I’m just really thankful.”

Yowan (Versailles, Ky.) and Stone Hill Farm’s Vornado Van Den Hoendrik began the day on three faults and were clear over the course, but added a single time fault to their total. Following Colvin’s knock-down, the two were tied on four-faults, forcing a jump-off for the Silver medal. This was a familiar position for Colvin, having jumped-off for the Silver medal against Deslauriers at the 2014 Championship. First to go over the shortened course, Yowan had a rail down at fence 12b. Determined to go one better over last year’s result, Colvin put in a clear effort to secure the Silver medal.

Prior to the class, Deslauriers was awarded the William C. Steinkraus Style Award, presented by Karen Healey, as the Prix des States Junior Jumper rider who best exemplified the American style of equitation, and the respectful, dignified, courteous, and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman.

Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship Results

All phases of competition will be available to watch on demand at USEFNetwork.com.

From the USEF Communications Department

Daniel Bluman Prevails over Lucy Deslauriers at International Bromont

Daniel Bluman and Conconcreto Believe. Photos By: Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – August 7, 2015 – Lucy Deslauriers looked to be on her way to a second win in the FEI Assante Open Jumper event tonight with Hester. However, Colombian rider Daniel Bluman stole the victory by a few tenths of a second with Conconcreto Believe, a nine-year-old KWPN mare.

The initial course, designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA), was comprised of 12 obstacles for 15 efforts: with its three double combinations and long lines, only eleven horse-rider pairs made it to the jump-off, including yesterday’s highlight event winner, Lucy Deslauriers (USA) and Hester.

By a Few Tenths of a Second

Jill Henselwood (CAN) and Quidam Blue, the third pair in the jump-off, posted the first clear round, marking the time to beat at 40.81 seconds. Young Deslauriers took over the lead two rounds later with Hester in a time of 39.68 seconds. However, Bluman, with Conconcreto Believe, scored the victory, beating Deslauriers by 0.31 seconds in a clear jump-off round, mastering the course in this Assante qualifier event.

The Park Is Outstanding

“The park is beautiful,” declared Bluman in an interview. In his first appearance at the Bromont show the rider was able to bask in the historical atmosphere of the Olympic site, and concluded, “It’s great to be here.”

Melissandre Lincourt and Just Stella L
Melissandre Lincourt and Just Stella L

Party Time in Bromont

Quebec rider Mélissandre Lincourt celebrated her birthday in style with Just Stella L, producing a clear jump-off round in 43.26 second to take home fifth place in the FEI Assante Open Jumper event.

It is her best finish to date, and she added, “The mare was exceptional and I hope we can do the same on Sunday.”

Competition Ends on Sunday

The 40th edition of the International Bromont will end this Sunday with the presentation of the very first qualifying event for the North-American League of the Longines FEI World Cup.

Starting at 2:30, equestrian sport fans will be able to view the event on FEITV.

About International Bromont
International Bromont presents its fortieth anniversary edition at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park August 5 to 9, 2015. International Bromont would like to thank the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, as well as the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec for their support. General admission: $ 10 per person, free for children younger than 12 years old. Preferred admission: $25 per ticket.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League
A total of 14 athletes from the new North American league will qualify for next year’s prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-28 March 2016.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US, and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico, will qualify for next year’s Final, alongside winners of 13 other leagues around the world.

Results – FEI Assante 1m50

  1. Daniel Bluman (COL) / Conconcreto Believe 0-0, 39.37
  2. Lucy Deslauriers (USA) / Hester 0-0, 39.68
  3. Jill Henselwood (CAN) / Quidam Blue 0-0, 40.81
  4. Katherine A. Dinan (USA) / Bijou de Balou 0-0, 41.59
  5. Melissandre Lincourt (CAN) / Just Stella L 0-0, 43.26
  6. Elizabeth Gingras (CAN) / Zilverspring 0-4, 41.23
  7. Mario Deslauriers (USA) / Scout de la Cense 0-4, 43.78
  8. Susan Horn (CAN) / Balintore 0-4, 45.02

Information:
Alexandra Hill, communications – International Bromont, T. 450-534-0787 | F. 450-525-2716
communications@internationalbromont.org

Lucy Deslauriers Takes 1.50m Welcome Victory at International Bromont

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester, Quebec Original FEI Open Welcome – Photo By: Tom von Kap-herr.

Bromont, Quebec – August 6, 2015 – Sixteen-year-old Lucy Deslauriers won the opening FEI event, the Québec Original 1.50, today with Hester, at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in the last week of the International Bromont.

Nine riders qualified their horses for the jump-off, including Daniel Bluman (COL), Leslie Howard (USA), Ali Ramsay (CAN), Elizabeth Gingras (CAN), Jill Henselwood (CAN), Quentin Judge (USA) with his two mounts, Susan Horn (CAN), and Lucy Deslauriers.

Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) put the athletes to the test in the jump-off, especially with a tight turn towards the second-to-last jump, a large oxer. First in the jump-off, Columbia Daniel Bluman went for the lead; however, a small slip by his mount Conconcreto Believe opened the door for his competitors. Quentin Judge on HH Copin van de Broy, second pair in the jump-off, established the time to beat at 37.25 seconds. Judge took the lead again a few rounds later, this time on HH Memphis, with a clear effort in 35.83 seconds. Eighth on the course, Coup de Chance, ridden by Elizabeth Gingras, took the lead with less than 0.26.

The Deslauriers rule in Bromont
Lucy Deslauriers and Hester were the last out for the jump-off: with nothing to lose, the pair went for the win. “I am extremely proud of Lucy,” said Roger Deslauriers, moved to see his grand-daughter win in Bromont. “With Hester, she has had a great season so far, and it is a pleasure to see her perform here, in Bromont.” With a clear round and a little more than one second difference with their closest competitor, Lucy Deslauriers and Hester won the first FEI event of this week.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League starts in Bromont
Riders will have another chance to chase Longines World Ranking points on August 7, 2015 in the FEI Assante 1m50 class in order to participate Sunday, in the last Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League.

LIVE – Bromont – Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping – FEI Welcome Qualifier
International Bromont invites you to see the Bromont – Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping – FEI Welcome Qualifierlive streaming. The webcast can be accessed through the International Bromont website (www.internationalbromont.org) and on FEI YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZZP254C80M.

The equestrian fans will be able to follow online the Bromont – Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League on Sunday August 9, starting at 2h30p.m. on FEITV.

About International Bromont
International Bromont presents its fortieth anniversary edition at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park August 5 to 9, 2015. International Bromont would like to thank the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, as well as the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec for their support. General admission: $ 10 per person, free for children younger than 12 years old. Preferred admission: $25 per ticket.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League
A total of 14 athletes from the new North American league will qualify for next year’s prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-28 March 2016.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US, and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico, will qualify for next year’s Final, alongside winners of 13 other leagues around the world.

Results – FEI Québéc Original 1m50

  1. Lucy Deslauriers (USA) / Hester 0-0, 34.49
  2. Elizabeth Gingras (CAN) / Coup de Chance 0-0, 35.57
  3. Quentin Judge (USA) / HH Memphis 0-0, 35.83
  4. Quentin Judge (USA) / HH Copin van de Broy 0-0, 37.25
  5. Leslie Howard (USA) / Gentille van Spieveld 0-0, 37.32
  6. Liubov Kochetova (RUS) / Urus 2 0-0, 40.45
  7. Susan Horn (CAN) / Lilly Fee 0-0, 40.72
  8. Jill Henselwood (CAN) / Quidam Blue 0-4, 36.13

Information:
Alexandra Hill, communications – International Bromont, T. 450-534-0787 | F. 450-525-2716
communications@internationalbromont.org

Yowan and Deslauriers Garner Gold in Individual Jumping at NAJYRC

Jumping Junior Individual Gold medalsit Vivian Yowan and Vornado Van Den Hoendrik (SusanJStickle.com)

Davis and Moreira Laliberte Win Freestyle Medals, and Team USA Golden in Para-Dressage

Lexington, Ky. – Show jumping competition at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North came to a close on Saturday with the awarding of the Individual medals. Riding away with Gold were Vivian Yowan in the Junior division and Lucy Deslauriers in the Young Rider division.

The USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships also concluded on Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park with the Dressage Freestyle competition. Bebe Davis earned the Gold medal score in the Junior division and Naima Moreira Laliberte took the top position atop the podium in the Young Riders.

Para-dressage awarded the first medals in the discipline’s inaugural year at NAJYRC with the presentation of Individual and Team medals. On Sunday the riders will vie for Freestyle medals. The final of the four disciplines competing on Saturday, eventing, completed the cross-country phase, and eventing riders will return on Sunday for their show jumping phase.

Vivian Yowan Victorious in Junior Individual Show Jumping Championship

During the USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championships at the NAJYRC, Individual show jumping riders compete over five total rounds. By the end of the final round, Vivian Yowan (17, Lexington, Ky.) had managed to complete all five courses without a single rail rolling out of the cups with Vornado Van Den Hoendrik, securing her the Junior Individual Gold medal.

Yowan, of Zone 5, crossed the timers on Saturday with one single time fault. This added with her 3.08 coefficient score from the first round gave her a final total of 4.08. Her consistency throughout the three days of competition is something that Yowan worked hard on following her first NAJYRC appearance last year.

“Last year maybe wasn’t my best year here; it was my first year, so this year I knew what it took,” Yowan said. “You have to be consistent to even medal, so coming into this, and even in today, I knew that I just had to keep being consistent to get here.”

Also showing great consistency throughout the week was Mexico’s Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez (17, Guadalajara, Mexico). Albanez kicked off the week by winning Wednesday’s opening round, and on Saturday he rode to a final score of 8.00 to win the Silver medal.

“This is good, but I think next year I’m going to do Juniors again,” joked Albanez. “I want to have that [Gold medal] around my neck. The first year I was 10th, and last year I was seventh, so I’m moving up. I hope next year to get the Gold.”

At 17 years old, Albanez will have another go at the Junior Gold next year, as will this year’s Bronze medal winner, Sophie Simpson (17, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.).

“I was close, but the luck wasn’t really in my favor today,” Simpson said. “My mare was incredible, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I’m happy standing next to good competition with a medal around my neck.”

Deslauriers Clinches Gold in Close Finish

In the Young Rider Individual Championship, the race for the Gold medal came down to less than one single time fault. Going into the fifth and final round of competition, Brittni Raflowitz (20, Palm City, Fla.) and Noel Fauntleroy (20, Manakin-Sabot, Va.) sat neck-and-neck with scores of 4.15 and 3.49, respectively. Sitting in third with a score of 8.04 was Lucy Deslauriers (16, New York, N.Y.) who had moved up from the fifth place position going into the day.

Jumping Young Rider Individual Gold medalist Lucy Deslauriers and Hester (SusanJStickle.com)
Jumping Young Rider Individual Gold medalist Lucy Deslauriers and Hester (SusanJStickle.com)

As the riders came back in reverse order of their standings, Deslauriers and her mount, Hester, delivered. They crossed the timers with just one time fault, giving them a total score of 9.04 and guaranteeing that they would finish no worse than Bronze.

After already turning in an impressive three clear rounds throughout the week, Raflowitz and Baloumina Du Ry finished the final round with five faults. Those faults positioned her nearly just one-tenth of a point behind Deslauriers, finishing on 9.15 and guaranteeing her a medal.

The 20-year-old was leading going into the final round, but she would have to settle for Bronze as two rails hit the ground, giving her a total score of 11.49. A Bronze at the NAJYRC is still an extremely impressive achievement, particularly as this year marks Fauntleroy’s first NAJYRC appearance.

“I honestly had no expectations coming into this,” Fauntleroy said. “This was my first time here so I’m just happy with yesterday, and having another clear round today was more than I could have asked, so I’m happy.”

Similarly, Raflowitz was thrilled with her and her mare’s incredible performances throughout the week that put her in the Silver position.

“My mare literally gave me everything she could today. I’m so happy with her,” Raflowitz said. “I never thought that I would jump three clean rounds this week with her. I could not have asked for any more of her.”

As for Deslauriers, the Gold medal makes the perfect addition to the Individual Silver medal she claimed last year, and she could not be happier.

“It’s really incredible. I really didn’t think going into this that this would be the end result. Especially going into this today I knew I was kind of the underdog coming back in fifth place,” Deslauriers said. “My horse jumped incredibly. He’s really a dream. He’s honestly the greatest horse that I’ve ever ridden for sure.”

Bebe Davis and Rotano Ride to Individual Junior Freestyle Gold

The top 18 Junior Individuals advanced to the Freestyle Championship on Saturday where they were judged by Brenda Minor at E, Marian Cunningham at H, Jayne Ayers at C, Anne Prain at M and Mercedes Campdera at B.

Bebe Davis (17, Wellington, Fla.) of Region 3 earned the highest Junior Freestyle score of the day with a 71.825% and secured the Gold medal.

“I had a previous [Freestyle] that I won Bronze with here in 2013. So I decided to change it,” Davis said. “I have all new music and all new choreography. I have a very difficult pattern in my canter tour. I have a half pass to the left and four changes on a 20-meter circle every seven strides. Then I have to half pass back to the right to the centerline. It went absolutely perfect today. So after that movement I was completely over the moon.”

Davis continued, “[Winning the Gold] is amazing. It’s been a long journey. This is my last year of juniors; I’m aging out this year. I’ve been working toward this moment for a very long time. It’s amazing to see that my hard work has finally paid off. All of the hours and all of the long days and early mornings have led to this. I’m extremely happy.”

Helen Claire McNulty (15, Holland, Mich.) of Region 2 and Checkmate earned the Silver medal with a score of 71.725%. McNulty turned in a solid freestyle test, despite admitting to a slight change of plans part way through.

“I picked up the counter canter, and when I asked him to do the changes on the quarter line he threw in a couple one-tempis. That sort of messed up what I was going to do with it, so I sort of had to just play along. The canter work that I wanted to use would have been harder than what I did use, but that was okay. It turned out pretty good.”

The Bronze medal went to Camille Carier Bergeron (15, Mascouche, Que.) of British Columbia-Quebec. She and her mount Delfiano rode to a score of 71.375% in their freestyle test set to upbeat African-style music.

Naima Moreira Laliberte Leaves with Second 2015 NAJYRC Medal

On Friday, Naima Moreira Laliberte (18, Montreal, Que.) earned the Young Rider Individual Bronze medal, and on Saturday she returned to claim the Young Rider Freestyle Gold medal.

Laliberte and her mount, Belafonte, earned a score of 71.825% in one of their first times performing their freestyle test together in full.

“I won’t lie. I only rode it once and qualified,” Laliberte said. “I just know the music and know the patterns. That’s kind of my style – just feel the groove, practice every day, and build up. You practice a little piece here and a little piece there. It’s much easier when you put the music together yourself because you know when you make the cues and the timing. You know your music.”

The judges for the Young Rider class were Gabriel Armando at E, Lorraine Stubbs at H, Janet Foy at C, Ulrike Nivelle at M, and Cesar Torrente at B.

The ground jury scored the combination of Hannah Bauer (16, Purcellville, Va.) and Trustful with a 70.000%, securing them the Silver medal.

“I’m super excited,” Bauer said. “My freestyle went pretty well. There are some things where you think, ‘oh if I just could have fixed that,’ but I’m super happy. My horse was in a good mood; I was in a good mood. I think I’m most happy with that feeling of it.”

The Bronze medal went to Kerrigan Gluch (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) who earned a score of 69.050% on Vacquero HGF.

Team USA Gets the Gold in Inaugural NAJYRC Para-Dressage Championship

While the Team Para-Dressage championship took place on Thursday, the winners received both their Team and Individual medals on Saturday after also completing their Individual tests. Topping the podium in team competition was Team USA, with Team Canada taking the Silver.

The U.S. team finished with a team cumulative score of 380.191. The team is composed of:

Kate Shoemaker (Glendale, Ariz.) on Pacifec M – Grade III
Cambry Kaylor (Lehi, Utah) on Markgard Donnewind – Grade 1b
Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) on Wentworth – Grade 1b

Beyond just being happy with their performances, all members of Team USA were excited to see para-dressage added to the disciplines offered at the NAJYRC.

“I’m just really excited to be here, since it’s the first time ever that [para-dressage] has been in the NAJYRC,” Kaylor said. “I’m just honored to be here, and we’re thrilled.”

Kaylor finished with the Individual Silver medal in the Grade 1b competition, earning scores of 62.65% in the Team test and 61.509% in the Individual test for a 124.16 total. Earning the Individual Gold medal in the 1b competition was Kaylor’s teammate, Collier. Collier received scores of 67.65% and 67.112% for a cumulative total of 134.76.

“I feel ecstatic about it,” Collier said. “I was here [at the Kentucky Horse Park] about three years ago with Jonathan Wentz, doing our demonstration of our freestyle, and it just really feels like Jonathan is right here with is. It’s such an honor to be here as a team, and I’m so impressed with my teammates and incredibly happy with our horses.”

The third member of Team USA, Shoemaker, received the Individual Gold in Grade III with scores of 66.02% and 68.079% for a 134.099 total.

“I just really wanted to thank the whole team that helped get us here,” Shoemaker said. “USEF, USET, Adequan; a whole bunch of people who are unnamed that made everything behind the scenes happen. It was huge, and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing sponsors, and not to mention our individual help from our families and everybody that helped with our horses.”

Riding for Team Canada are:

Nel Godin-Keating (Dartmouth, N.S.) on Mr. Itchy – Grade 1a
Sarah Cummings (Cranbrook, B.C.) on West Bay – Grade II
Madison Lawson (North Bay, Ont.) on Lawrence – Grade IV

Godin-Keating and Mr. Itchy earned the Gold in Grade 1a on scores of 63.315% and 61.902%, Cummings captured Gold in Grade II with West Bay on scores of 61.397% and 61.464%, and Lawson claimed the Gold in Grade IV on Lawrence, earning scores of 66.815% and 65.298%.

Para-dressage riders return on Sunday to complete their Freestyle tests and vie for Freestyle medals.

Area II Retains Team Lead after Cross-Country at 2015 USEA North American Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championship

Heavy rains the previous night made for wet conditions but did not cause problems. Riders uniformly said the course was fair, well designed and rode as they expected. In the CH-J 1* Team competition, Area II retained its lead after cross-country and will head into Sunday’s stadium phase with a total score of 129.0

The Area II team roster is:

Camilla Grover-Dodge (16, Lancaster, Pa.) on Remington XXV – 38.3
Morgan Booth (18, Charlottesville, Va.) on Twizzel – 41.8
Amanda Beale Clement (16, Phoenixville, Pa.) on Peter Pan – 48.9
Skyler Decker (16, Mount Airy, Md.) on Inoui Van Bost – 56.8

Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV (Brant Gamma Photos)
Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV (Brant Gamma Photos)

Grover-Dodge, who had only competed at the CCI1* level once before, said her horse, Remi, was “really good. He was a little excited. He felt so great, so rideable to everything. All the combinations and everything rode really well.”

Booth said that when she left the start box aboard Twizzel, Will Coleman’s former four-star mount, “I felt like I was riding a hurricane because he thought he was at Rolex. I just let him go through the first three because I knew that those were just galloping fences. He was amazing. It was probably the cross-country ride of my life, so I was really happy.”

In the Individual competition, Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV lead the field, followed by teammate Booth and Twizzel. Sitting is third is Madison Temkin (14, Sonoma, Calif.) of Area VI and Kingslee with a score of 45.2.

In the CCIYR2* division, Diane Portwood (19, Marrieta, Ga.) of Area III moved into the Individual lead Saturday on Cinerescent a double clear cross-country round, maintaining their dressage score of 60.5. Nicole Doolittle (17, Reddick, Fla.) and Tops, who led the after dressage, slipped into second individually after 20.8 time faults on cross-country, for a total of 68.5. Paige Pence (16, Louisville, Ky.) and Class Action, with 18.4 time faults, stand in third (78.0 total).

The show jumping phase of eventing takes place tomorrow, the final day of the competition, followed by the medal ceremonies.

For full results or to learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.

From Phelps Media Group, Inc./USEF

Lucy Deslauriers Tops 2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series

Lucy Deslauriers riding Hester. Photo by Starting Gate Communications.

Wellington, Florida – Lucy Deslauriers, 15, of New York, NY, emerged victorious in the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, following the final event held Sunday, March 22, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

It was a race to the very end as, in the seventh and final event in the Series, Deslauriers surpassed Nicole Bellissimo in the point standings to be named the overall winner of this year’s Series. Riding Hester, Deslauriers was one of eight riders to post a clear round in the $50,000 CSI-U25 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, giving her enough points to take over the lead.

“It’s amazing!” said Deslauriers who, at 15, is the youngest champion in the five-year history of the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series. “Hester is ten now, and I’ve had him since the beginning of his eight-year-old year, so we’ve really grown together and formed a strong partnership. I knew going into today that he would give me everything I asked and more, and he really did. He jumped incredible. He’s been super consistent and done everything I could have asked of him.”

As the overall winning rider, Deslauriers receives a Bruno Delgrange saddle valued at $6,000, and an invitation to compete at the CSI2* Chantilly Horse Show, part of the Global Champions Tour, from July 16-19, 2015, in France. Traveling in style, Deslauriers also receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.

“I am really excited to win!” continued Deslauriers. “I think it’s amazing that people have stepped up and been so generous to provide such an incredible Series for us.”

Now in its fifth year, the popular Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series is open to competitors of all nationalities under the age of 25 and gives up and coming riders the opportunity to compete under FEI rules while also gaining valuable grand prix experience against their peers. With varying conditions offered for each class, riders have the opportunity to compete at a height of 1.45m on grass, all-weather footing, under the lights at night, and in team competition, all of which are important elements that they will face as their international careers progress. Past winners include Reed Kessler of the United States (2011), Nayel Nasser of Egypt (2012), Chloe D. Reid of the United States (2013) and Victoria Colvin of the United States (2014).

“It’s a fantastic opportunity that they’ve given us,” said Bellissimo, 21, who finished as the 2015 Series runner-up. “We can take different horses in different events if we want to give one horse the opportunity to go in the smaller ring, or go under the lights, or go in the main International ring, or go out on the field. If you want to get to know one horse more, it gives you the opportunity to test them out in every single venue during one circuit.

“As a young rider, before you head to different venues for the summer, it’s great to see what you need to improve, or where you’re going to excel,” continued the Harvard sophomore who appreciated the various conditions offered throughout the Series’ seven events. “It is fantastic!”

“I could not be more grateful for the opportunities that the Ziegler family of Artisan Farms have given us as young riders,” said Catherine Tyree, 21, who placed second in the $50,000 CSI-U25 Final riding Don’t Go and third overall in the Series. “It is great to have a Series where you can experiment with different types of classes and different venues. The team competition, going out on the field, having speed classes; it’s really something that there aren’t many chances for us to practice. It has been a great stepping stone from the junior and amateur ranks and bridging into the international jumper level. I am very thankful for being able to participate in these classes.”

Adrienne Sternlicht posted the only double clear performance on the Stadium Derby Field riding Quidam MB to win the $50,000 CSI-U25 Final. For the 21-year-old sophomore at Brown, the camaraderie that developed throughout the Series this year was one of the highlights.

“It’s amazing what the Series has done to create a niche community among the Under 25 riders that I didn’t really feel was present until now,” said Sternlicht. “Last summer, I had the opportunity to be on the U.S. Young Rider team at Hagen (Germany), and we felt this kinship among all the different competitors. They see each other all the time, know each other, and it’s really competitive. What this circuit has really done, which is incredible, is start to establish that niche community in America. For that, I’m incredibly grateful.”

Andy and Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms identified the need for a bridge from the junior and amateur divisions to the top grand prix ranks as being an imperative part of a young rider’s development. For the past five years, their commitment to providing the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series has resulted in a unique educational experience for the next generation of show jumping athletes.

“Every year has grown bigger and bigger; we had a lot of prize money going into this year, and a lot of opportunities with various classes offered,” said Carlene Ziegler. “It has been exciting to see the consistency and to see so many good rounds put in by these riders. I am so impressed with what they’ve been able to do and wish them all the best as they move up the senior grand prix ranks. We would like to congratulate all of them, and are especially excited to have Lucy come to Europe. It’s a special opportunity, and really fun, to compete at Chantilly.”

In 2015, Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, EnTrust Capital, the McNerney family, and Kingsland Equestrian stepped forward to be presenting sponsors of individual classes within the Series, strengthening the efforts of title sponsor Artisan Farms and presenting sponsor, The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte. A total of $170,000 in prize money was offered throughout the seven events comprising the 2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series.

Leading by example, Artisan Farms is committed to the continued improvement and promotion of competitive show jumping. Based in Wellington, FL and Vrasene, Belgium, Artisan Farms is home to rising amateur Andy Ziegler, young professional Caitlin Ziegler, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB Top $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final

Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB. Photos © Sportfot.

Kent Farrington and Waomi Capture $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic; Sophie Gochman and Elation Finish Week 11 as the Visse Wedell, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Small Pony Hunter Champions

Wellington, FL – March 22, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded its eleventh week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms LLC, with jumper competition featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday. The $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, saw a win for Adrienne Sternlicht aboard Quidam MB and crowned Lucy Deslauriers the overall winner of the 2015 Series. The $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was held later in the day with a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Waomi.

Starting off Sunday’s competition on the derby field, 33 entries jumped in the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, with nine clear over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s course. In the jump-off, Sternlicht and Starlight Farms LLC’s Quidam MB were the winners with the only double clear round in 48.49 seconds. Catherine Tyree and Don’t Go had the fastest four-fault round in 44.49 seconds to finish in second place, and Kelli Cruciotti and Serenity Equestrian Ventures LLC’s Chamonix H placed third with four faults in 44.71 seconds.

Sternlicht (21), a sophomore at Brown University, trains with U.S. show jumper Laura Kraut. Her mount, Quidam MB, is a ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quidam’s Rubin x Argentinus).

“He is a horse that is incredibly special to me,” Sternlicht stated. “I bought him as a seven-year-old and started him at the 1.20m level and have moved him up. I think we have really grown together, and I think that is part of what makes our partnership so strong. He is definitely a little bit spunky, but I really know him like the back of my hand. I said to him, ‘Come on, we have to do this,’ and he really pulled through for me today, so I am incredibly happy with him.”

Second place finisher Catherine Tyree (21) is a sophomore at Northwestern University, and trains with North Run’s Missy Clark and John Brennan. Tyree was aboard her 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion Don’t Go (Come On x Raphel).

“I have aimed Don’t Go at these classes all circuit. He loves different venues,” Tyree noted. “He is amazing on the field, and he was great under the lights. He is one I can always count on; he always gives me 110%. I gave it a good shot in the jump-off today. He did everything I asked. I got a little bit unlucky. It was my fault, but I am thrilled with how he has been all circuit and could not have asked for any more.”

Kelli Cruciotti (17) has done well in the series all winter with her 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare Chamonix H, including a win in the speed class during week two. She was happy with her round to earn third place in Sunday’s Final.

“She (Chamonix H) has been unbelievable this whole circuit. I could not have asked her to jump any better for me,” Cruciotti praised. “Every class I have asked her to do, she has really tried her heart out. This is more her venue. She loves big, open fields and big jumps, so this class and this course really suited her style of jumping. I was a little unlucky to the last jump. I kind of took a chance. Unfortunately it did not work out for me today, but congratulations to Adrienne.”

Sunday’s class was the final event in the 2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, which also awarded top prizes for its overall standings after the competition. New York’s Lucy Deslauriers was the series winner for her performance throughout the winter. Nicole Bellissimo finished second overall and Catherine Tyree was third. Mavis Spencer placed fourth in the standings, and Eugenio Garza and Sophie Simpson completed the top six.

As the overall winning rider, Deslauriers received a Bruno Delgrange saddle valued at $6,000, and are invited to compete at the CSI2* Chantilly Horse Show, to be held from July 16-19, 2015, in France. In addition to their entry, the winner also receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.

Fifteen-year-old Deslauriers has had a fantastic week, including a win in Friday night’s George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship, presented by Alessandro Albanese. On Saturday night, she was then presented The Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsmanship Trophy.

Deslauriers rode Hester on Sunday, a mount that she has had for two years. She was thrilled to win the series and looks forward to her first time competing in Europe as her prize.

“It is really amazing. He has been super consistent, so I am really just excited to win,” Deslauriers smiled. “I have had him since the beginning of his eight-year-old year, so we have really developed a strong partnership. I knew going into today he would give me everything I asked and more, and he really did. He really jumped incredible, so I am really excited.”

Nicole Bellissimo (21), a Sophomore at Harvard University, was leading the series coming into Sunday’s competition with her mare VDL Bellefleur, and finished out the winter in second place overall. She was happy to see her young mare’s progression and consistency throughout the circuit.

“She is nine this year and I have had her since the end of her six-year-old year, so we have definitely developed a nice partnership,” Bellissimo stated. “Last year I showed her as an eight-year-old in these classes. Last year it was not so much to go in and win the classes. She did win the semi-final, but that was because she was the only double clear, we were not really trying to go fast. This year our plan was to try to go in and be competitive and she was absolutely fantastic the entire series. Today I could have helped her a little more, but she could not have done any more. We got a little unlucky, but Lucy rode fantastic the entire series.”

Now in its fifth year, the popular Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series was expanded to feature more classes, increased prize money, and new ‘Under 25’ sanctioning by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in 2015. Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the Series gives up and coming riders the opportunity to compete under FEI rules while also gaining valuable grand prix experience against their peers. With varying conditions offered for each class, riders have the opportunity to compete at a height of 1.45m on grass, all-weather footing, under the lights at night, and in team competition, all of which are important elements that competitors will face as their international careers progress. This year’s series, comprised of seven events, attracted riders from around the world competing for $170,000 in prize money.

Sponsor Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms was pleased to see the development of all the riders in the series this year and congratulated the top competitors on their success.

“It is really great. Every year has been bigger and bigger. We had a lot of prize money this year and a lot of opportunity for different classes, and it has been exciting to see the consistency and see so many good rounds put in by all these riders,” Ziegler stated. “I just want to congratulate all of them. I am so impressed with what they have been able to do, and I wish them all the best of luck as they move up to the senior grand prix ranks. I am excited to have Lucy come to Europe for the summer. We will put her up at Artisan if she wants to. It is really fun to (ride at) Chantilly, and it is a really special opportunity, so congratulations.”

All of the top riders spoke to the experiences that the series has given them, including the chance to compete in different venues with different horses as well as the opportunity to get to know their fellow competitors.

“I could not be more grateful for the opportunity that the Ziegler family and Artisan Farms has given the young riders,” Tyree stated. “It is great to have a series where you can experiment with different types of classes and different venues. It has been a great stepping-stone from the junior and amateur ranks, bridging into the international open jumper level, so I could not be more thankful for being able to participate in these classes.”

“It is also a fantastic opportunity to give the horses experience,” Bellissimo remarked. “You can take one horse to go in the smaller ring, or the main international ring, or jump on the field. If you want to get to know one horse more, it gives you the opportunity to test them out in every single venue during one circuit, or you can show a couple different horses if you know one is better in one situation. It is fantastic for anything that you really want to do. As a young rider also, as you head to different venues for the summer, it is great to see what you need to improve or where you are going to excel.”

For Sternlicht, the opportunity to get to know the other riders has been a great experience, and she has felt camaraderie with the other competitors in the series this year.

“I think what is really amazing that this series has done, is it has started to create a sort of niche community (in America) among the under 25 riders that I don’t think was present until now. Last summer I had the opportunity to compete on the U.S. Young Rider Team at Hagen, and you felt a sort of kinship among all of the different competitors,” Sternlicht noted. “They see each other all the time, and they know each other and it is very competitive. For that I am incredibly grateful.”

Deslauriers agreed, adding, “I think it really creates a separate group that was not really in place before. It is amazing that the Zieglers have stepped up and been so generous to provide such an amazing series for us.”

Farrington and Waomi Win $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Competing on the grass field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, USA’s Kent Farrington won the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic aboard Amalaya Investment’s Waomi. To conclude the eleventh week of WEF competition, 36 entries showed over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s course, with five clear rounds to jump-off. Farrington qualified two horses, first and last to go on the short course.

Kent Farrington and Waomi
Kent Farrington and Waomi

Farrington began the jump-off with what would prove to be the winning round aboard Waomi, clear in 38.18 seconds. Ben Asselin (CAN) and Attache Stables Doremi retuned with four faults in 42.20 seconds to place fifth. Darragh Kenny (IRL) jumped next with Caroline Lloyd’s Sans Soucis Z, clear in 40.15 seconds, to finish third. Harrie Smolders (NED) followed in 38.99 seconds aboard Axel Verlooy’s Enjoy Louis to move into second place. Last to go, Farrington returned aboard Amalaya Investment’s Willow with a clear round in 40.42 seconds to also earn fourth place honors.

“Today was a nice change of pace coming out to the field,” Farrington stated after his win. “I personally love riding on the grass. It is a more natural footing, and I think the horses like it. It was a great change of scenery, and I thought the footing here was excellent today. You could not have asked for a better setting than this.”

Farrington has had success with both Waomi and Willow in the 1.50m series this winter, among other top finishes throughout the circuit. Waomi won the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic during week seven, and two weeks later, Willow won the class in week nine. Farrington described the two horses, as well as his plan for each of their jump-off rounds. Waomi is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Lupicor x Boreas), and Willow is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Guidam x Little Rock).

“Willow is really a hot horse. He is on the attack all the time, and I kind of have to throttle him down and try to keep his brain calm so that he does not get ahead of himself,” Farrington noted. “That is sort of where his rail will come, when he does not slow down to jump the fence. He just gets too much in a hurry.”

“Waomi is a very careful mare that sort of has her own style,” he continued. “She is an opinionated lady, and she wants to go the way she wants to go.”

“To start with Waomi, I thought there were fast riders coming after me, and I would have to lay down a pretty good trip to be in contention to win today,” Farrington said of the jump-off. “I thought she went great. She did everything I asked her to do and luckily that was enough for today.”

“Having the fortune of going last on my second horse, I actually thought it was nice training for him to do a jump-off not at full speed,” Farrington explained. “I have run him in a lot of classes here and gone very fast, so today I could kind of glide around the course and set him up for the next class I am going to do with him.”

Farrington plans to rest Willow next week to show in Miami at the conclusion of the WEF circuit. Waomi will return to compete in week 12.

Sophie Gochman and Elation Finish Week 11 as the Visse Wedell, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Small Pony Hunter Champions

On the final day of hunter competition for WEF 11, Sophie Gochman rode Dr. Betsee Parker’s pony, Elation, to the tricolor ribbon in the Visse Wedell, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Small Pony Hunters. Elation and Gochman won two of the over fences classes on their way to the winner’s circle. “I’m thankful that Betsee [Parker] lets me ride her wonderful pony,” Gochman smiled after the championship presentation.

With Applause and Zayna Rizvi ended Sunday as reserve champions in the division. Rizvi piloted With Applause to a first and fifth over fences, paired with a win in the under saddle.

Gochman started riding Elation six months ago and started showing Elation at the beginning of WEF. “We have gotten to know each other over the past six months,” Gochman stated. “She [Elation] acts like a diva at the barn and is always looking for carrots, but around the ring she is always game, which makes her very fun to ride.”

Despite being a little fresh in the first class, Elation came back for the Handy round and turned in the top performance of the day. Gochman explained, “In the handy she was on it and overall she was great both days.”

“I’m lucky to have such great trainers, Scott [Stewart], Ken [Berkley], and Amanda [Derbyshire], to help coach me at the ring,” Gochman said.

Only 12 years old, Gochman enjoys the competitive environment at WEF. “I feel like I have a challenge going into the ring because the competition is so good,” Gochman commented.

Gochman lives in New York City and flies down to Wellington on weekends to compete, along with her mother and sister. While Gochman has competed in the pony hunters past years, she has recently started showing in the 3’3″ Junior Hunters and the Children’s Jumpers.

The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its twelfth and final week of competition, sponsored by Rolex, on March 25-29. The week features the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, March 28. Other highlights include $34,000 1.45m FEI world ranking classes on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 12 on Thursday. The $10,000 Holtgers 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, $15,000 Adequan® 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, and $20,000 Adequan® 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic will be featured on Friday. The $100,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final will be held on Saturday, and the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will host its first round on Saturday and its second round on the derby field Sunday. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Lucy Deslauriers Leads from Start to Finish in George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation

Lucy Deslauriers and Class Action. Photos © Sportfot.

Piergiorgio Bucci and Heartbreaker vd Achteroe Win $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m Speed

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2015 – Week eleven of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday with Lucy Deslauriers taking top honors in the George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship, presented by Alessandro Albanese, in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Ali Tritschler followed in second, T. J. O’Mara was third, and Virginia Ingram rounded out the top four. Earlier in the day, Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci saw his first WEF win in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed competition aboard Heartbreaker vd Achteroe. Laura Chapot (USA) and Quointreau un Prince finished second, and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Beluga were third.

WEF 11, sponsored by Artisan Farms, runs March 18-22. The highlight event of the week is the $127,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, March 21, which will be live streamed at 7:30 p.m. at: http://bit.ly/1C0ySF6.

Other features include the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Both classes will be held on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, March 22. They will be live streamed, beginning at 8 a.m. at http://bit.ly/1xjhKKK.

The 8th Annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation, presented by Alessandro Albanese, was held in three rounds with twenty-four riders competing in round one. The top 12 returned for round two, and the top four rode for additional testing in round three to determine the final placings. Course walk plans and schooling were the sole responsibility of the riders as competitors were allowed no contact with their trainers during the class, turned in their cell phones before the start of the class and were responsible for time management, warm up, and schooling of their own horses with the assistance of one groom.

The course was designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, in conjunction with the judges. The riders were judged by two panels, both chosen by Morris, and also received a score in the schooling area after the first and second rounds. Judging Panel 1 included Ralph Caristo and Chris Kappler; Panel 2 included Jimmy Torano and Anne Kursinski, with Eric Straus as the Schooling Ring Judge.

Fifteen-year-old Lucy Deslauriers handily led both rounds with scores of 90 and 93.75 in the irons of her mother Lisa Deslauriers’ Class Action. Joining her in the third-round test was Ali Tritschler, T. J. O’Mara, and Virginia Ingram.

Last year was Deslauriers’ first experience with the Excellence in Equitation event and admits both her and her horse stepped it up.

“Last year I did it more for the experience, and I was happy to have one year under my belt,” she said. “I felt confident going into this year, and my horse was a dream. I couldn’t have asked more out of him. He is really adjustable with a big stride, nice jump, and super sweet attitude in the barn. He’s really just amazing.”

The top three riders – Deslauriers, Tritschler, and O’Mara – agreed that the tracks were a true test of their ability to adjust.

“There were different options as far as the numbers go,” said Deslauriers. “In the original round, the striding in the second part of the first line and the line right after you could debate what numbers you chose. It took a lot of thought, and you had to do what was best for your horse.”

Watch Lucy Deslauriers and Class Action in their first round!

Tritschler, who approached the second round on a score of 85.75, took full advantage of the opportunities to showcase Walter Kees’ Helio Rouge’s talents. Coming off an innovative trot fence – triple bar – trot fence line, she executed a rollback on counter canter to the next fence and cued gasps from the sidelines.

“In the first round I wouldn’t have changed anything, but my scores were very different. I realized I had to keep one panel where they were, and I needed to change what mistakes the other panel saw,” she said. “One thing about my horse that’s amazing is the counter canter, and I knew I needed it to get in the top four. I really wanted to get to the top four, so I went for it.”

Torano spoke for his panel and said, “For a split second we almost thought she was going off course. But, she executed it beautifully and the horse stepped right up the line.”

The move did the trick and she left round two on a 91.5. “Last year was his first year and my first year on him, and it all took him by surprise – the ring, these lights,” added Tritschler. “This year he walked in and was unbelievable.”

After riding to eighth last year, T. J. O’Mara and the lone mare in the class – Kaskade, owned by Walstib Stables, LLC – made improvements for third this year. Aiming for consistency, O’Mara was pleased with each course. “Most of the lines walked pretty steady, but I really thought we had to switch up the numbers a bit by going forward and then the steady lines,” he said. “I didn’t want the course to be all steady when we were walking it. I and my entire barn focused on doing the forward strides and then collecting right after.”

Visibly pleased with the result, Morris offered a special perspective on the top riders, commenting on how fun it is for him to see the children of the children winning. “I raised her [Lucy’s] mother and when I looked over to her, she looked exactly like Lisa,” he said. “It’s very fun for me to see the descendants all ride beautifully. Thank God I’m not in this anymore having to ride against them.”

Torano added that the results were no surprise to the panels. “The cream rose to the top. We saw a lot of great riding, but the top four are the ones that belong where they are,” he said.

Ingram capped the top four and her mount Comanche was presented with the Best Turned Out Horse Award, while Deslauriers’ Class Action was honored as the Best Equitation Horse. Other special awards included Special Family Awards presented to the families of the Champion and Reserve Champion, as well as monetary Trainer Awards to the top eight and a Trophy and Jacket to Mario Deslauriers as the trainer of the Champion.

Piergiorgio Bucci and Heartbreaker vd Achteroe Win $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m Speed

Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany set the 1.45m speed course on Friday with 42 entries and 12 clear rounds. Bucci and SPCS’s Heartbreaker vd Achteroe had the winning time of 64.15 seconds. They beat out Laura Chapot and Quointreau un Prince, owned by Chapot and McLain Ward, who finished second in 65.19 seconds. Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Beluga clocked in at 66.54 seconds to place third. Eric Lamaze (CAN) guided Carol Sollak’s Brooklyn Blues to fourth in 67.50 seconds.

Piergiorgio Bucci and Heartbreaker vd Achteroe
Piergiorgio Bucci and Heartbreaker vd Achteroe

Class winner Heartbreaker vd Achteroe is an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bentley van de Heffinck x Catango Z) that Bucci has had for less than six months. Although they are still getting to know each other, they had a great round on Friday, and Bucci thinks that in time they will be even faster.

“I have not had him for so long. He is quite green, but he is a very good horse,” Bucci stated. “I am just getting to know him. He is really a sport horse. He is competitive. When I know him better and he is more experienced, I think I could do this course even two seconds less. I started at the beginning holding him a little bit, but still he was really fast.”

Chapot was leading with a very fast time before Bucci entered the ring, but he rode his own plan. “I didn’t see Laura, but I had my course in my mind and I didn’t want to change it because of her,” he explained. “I tried to do my best and it was enough today, luckily.”

Watch Piergiorgio Bucci and Heartbreaker vd Achteroe in their winning round!

Although he has been to Wellington to visit before, this year is Bucci’s first time showing at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“I have been here three or four times, but this is my first time with my horses competing,” Bucci explained. “Unfortunately, my best horse was injured after the first week, so I struggled a little bit with the others because they are young. It is tough classes to win here for anyone, but I am happy for this win, to get some confidence. It feels very good.”

Based in Holland, Bucci will return to Europe and plans to compete for Italy in the Nations Cup in Lummen, Belgium, at the end of April. He has other horses resting at home and will continue to develop the young ones that showed throughout WEF.

Also competing on Friday, Todd Minikus (USA) and Spring Girl won the morning’s 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier sponsored by the Holtgers Family. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge was held in a California Split with a win for Daniel Zetterman (SWE) and Gyllebo Farm LLC’s Chellana in Section A and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) with Stephex Stables’ Q Royal Palm Z in Section B.

WEF 11 continues on Saturday with the $127,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* in the International Arena in the evening. Highlighting hunter competition, the Bainbridge Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 Champion will be crowned. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Georgina Bloomberg Wins Inaugural $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*

Georgina Bloomberg and Juvina. Photos © Kit Houghton/Rolex.

Lucy Deslauriers Victorious in $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix

New York, NY – September 18, 2014 – The first annual Central Park Horse Show (CPHS), presented by Rolex and produced by The Chronicle of the Horse, hosted its opening night in New York City’s Trump Rink on Thursday with show jumping wins for hometown riders Georgina Bloomberg and Lucy Deslauriers.

Twenty-three of the world’s best horses and riders jumped in the inaugural $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, with an exciting victory for New York’s own Georgina Bloomberg riding Juvina. The Central Park Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, was televised live on NBC Sports Network as the first live primetime broadcast of equestrian sport on a major sports network. Later in the evening, New York native Lucy Deslauriers rode her horse Hester to victory in the $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by PwC. The Central Park Horse Show continues through Sunday, September 21.

Trump Rink in Central Park played host to Thursday night’s first ever $210,000 Central Park Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, featuring a course set by renowned international course designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. With twenty-three entries, the evening’s grand prix was held in a format where the top six entries returned for a jump-off. The winner was then determined by combined faults from both rounds with ties broken by the second round time.

Charlie Jayne, of Elgin, IL, was the only rider to clear the first round course without fault aboard Pony Lane Farm’s Valeska while Bloomberg and Gotham Enterprizes’ Juvina returned for round two carrying four faults. When Bloomberg jumped the second round course clear in 38.28 seconds, the pressure was on Jayne to stay on zero as the last entry to go, but an unlucky rail at the final fence tied up the faults. Jayne’s time of 38.81 seconds left him in second place as the victory, along with the winner’s share of prize money and a beautiful new Rolex watch, landed in the hands of Georgina Bloomberg. The daughter of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg jumped Juvina to a momentous victory in front of a sold-out hometown crowd.

Also completing two great rounds over the course of the evening were Paige Johnson of The Plains, VA, and Salamander Farm’s Dakota. The pair had one rail and a time fault in round one, but returned to jump clear in round two and finished third overall on a five-fault total.

Winning this unprecedented event on home turf was a dream come true for Bloomberg, riding a very special horse in Juvina. She bought the 13-year-old Austrian Warmblood mare (Cassini I x Grannus) a couple months before she stopped riding for back surgery and her pregnancy and never skipped a beat as she quickly returned to the show ring.

“I have had a long road back,” Bloomberg noted. “For the last three years I haven’t really been competing at the top level, so for me this is my first win back. It is proof that I have really worked hard and accomplished a lot to be able to get back to the top level. I got her at a time when I knew I was going to be taking a little time off and the timing wasn’t ideal, but I knew she was a horse that I could come back very quickly on.”

“She is absolutely the most talented horse I have ever sat on,” the rider declared. “She is a dream come true, and I was so lucky to find her. She sort of makes it easy; you really just point to the jumps. She throws her head a lot, but I have always gotten along with horses that have a little bit of a quirk. I like her style. I like a horse with a little bit of a fight, and I like that she knows she is good and makes you work for it.”

After a disappointing finish in a grand prix a few weeks ago, Bloomberg was determined to make her round in Central Park count.

“Our last hometown show at the Hampton Classic I didn’t have a very good round in the grand prix,” she admitted. “I wasn’t happy with the way I performed or the way my horse performed. In the car on the way home I told my son that not every day can be good. You have to get back up and try again when you have a bad day, and I remember turning around and saying to him, ‘I’m gonna win Central Park.’ I think I have proved to myself now that you need to set a goal for yourself and work hard in accomplishing that, and sometimes it actually does pay off.”

“This is obviously my hometown and the most special place on the planet to me,” Bloomberg acknowledged. “I competed at the National Horse Show when it was here in Madison Square Garden its final year, and I remember walking into the arena for the last time there and knowing that it was the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to compete in this city. To have it come back here – I really did take a minute to enjoy the moment and look around. To win is absolutely amazing to me.”

With a fantastic first night in the books, Mark Bellissimo of International Equestrian Group (IEG) thanked Bloomberg and supporters such as Mr. Donald Trump and Rolex for their help in making his dream of a Central Park Horse Show a reality.

“We are very excited about our inaugural Central Park Horse Show,” Bellissimo stated. “I would like to thank Donald Trump, who envisioned this with me about two years ago. He said we would make it happen. To his word, we did it, and very quickly. I am very thankful because I think this was just an amazingly transformational event for this sport, and I am very proud.”

“After my conversation with Donald, the next conversation was with Georgina,” Bellissimo added. “I called Georgina and said that we were going to do an event in Central Park and she said, ‘Good luck.’ She said, ‘Every year someone calls me. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but if it does, I will be there.’ What I think was spectacular is that once we got some trajectory, she has been absolutely supportive. She has a very busy schedule as a new mother and has come back with what is an amazing horse in Juvina. That is a great partnership, and I am proud to be presenting her with the winning check tonight.”

“I would also like to thank Chris Welton, the CEO of USEF. With the help of USEF we got approval to do this, and they were very supportive in making this happen,” Bellissimo continued. “Sheila Johnson has been phenomenal, a big supporter and partner, and it was so fitting that Paige was in third place today. We have a great partnership with Rolex. They have sponsored us in Wellington and other venues, but this is something that is rare for them, to put their reputation and brand on an event that was unproven and that was a very difficult event to create. We only had five days to transform Trump Rink into something that I think is one of the most spectacular show jumping destinations in the world.”

Bloomberg praised Bellissimo for putting on a great event despite her initial doubts. “One lesson I always learned from my father was that the more somebody says you can’t do something, the harder you have to try to get it done and the sweeter it is going to taste when you do it, so hats off to Mark. He has done amazing things for equestrian sport all over the country and especially here, so I have to thank him and of course Mr. Trump. Without him becoming a fan of our sport and hosting us here, this dream would not have come true.”

Sponsors of the event, including Trump and Salamander Hotels & Resorts’ Sheila Johnson, were on hand to speak to the incredible success of its first evening in Central Park.

“I just want to congratulate everybody, especially our three great champions,” Trump stated. “Georgina and I spoke a year ago at Mar-a-Lago and I said, ‘What do you think?’ It was not an easy situation and we never thought this was going to happen, but it has, and we are very proud of it. The rink is spectacular, and the location is second to none. I would imagine with Mark and his great team that this will be a very special event over a period of years. It has been a really special night. It’s a beautiful sport, and now that people see it, they are all talking about it. I just think it is amazing.”

Johnson was thrilled with her daughter’s third place finish and congratulated the riders and the producers of the event as well.

“I want to congratulate all three of the riders. They have grown up together, and I have watched them since they were young,” Johnson remembered. “Most importantly, I want to congratulate Mark. His vision to put this show on is just remarkable. He has been able to do something with the help of Mr. Trump to bring something to New York City that is so unique and so unbelievable. To look at the backdrop, to see a show ring here with all of the buildings in the background, is just amazing. I think we have been able to put horse shows on the map. Mark is really a leader and a game changer.”

Chris Welton, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation, added, “I want to congratulate the great athletes that we have here and the remarkable performance on this stage. The background tonight was spectacular. We have a lot of responsibilities at USEF, but one of the things we are putting renewed emphasis on is growing the sport – building awareness of the sport, building the visibility of the sport, building participation and building viewership. The cooperation (here) was tremendous, and one of the things I hope comes out of this is that this show continues to prosper and grow. It should become an iconic event in one of the most iconic locations in America.”

Charlie Jayne and Valeska
Charlie Jayne and Valeska

With a clear first round and a great second place finish, Charlie Jayne had a wonderful experience in the first Central Park Grand Prix with his mount Valeska and thanked the sponsors for putting on an amazing event.

“It was a packed house, and when you ride in a packed house, it feels a little bit like home pride when you are riding in the United States,” Jayne stated. “Clearing that last fence definitely gives you goosebumps every time you jump a clear round, and I really felt the crowd riding the last three fences when I was jumping.”

“I want to emphasize how important it is that this is here in New York,” Jayne added. “I compete all over the world. When you think about a country like Ireland you think Dublin, when you think about a country like Italy you think Rome, and most people that haven’t even been to the States, when they think about the United States, they think about New York. I think it is so important that it is here in the forefront where everybody knows. I think it is the best exposure we could have.”

Finishing third, Paige Johnson was very happy with her mare Dakota and also loved the incredible backdrop of New York City.

“The atmosphere was incredible. I get excited just thinking about it,” Johnson smiled. “The crowd was so into it, and I think it makes you want to do better when you have people cheering you on. I think the sport needs more recognition, and I think this is the exact show that will do it. It was fantastic, and my mare was really good tonight. I can’t wait to come back next year and spread the word about how wonderful this venue was.”

Lucy Deslauriers Victorious in $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix Presented by PwC

A $20,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by PwC, followed on Thursday evening featuring some of the nation’s top riders under the age of 25 with a win for 15-year-old Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY, riding Lisa Deslauriers’ Hester. Twelve entries showed with three riders advancing to the jump-off, where Deslauriers completed the only double clear round with Hester in 32.47 seconds for her victory. Katherine Strauss and All In had four faults in the jump-off in 32.71 seconds to finish second. Sydney Shulman and Back Country Farm’s Quidam 13 placed third with four faults in 33.36 seconds.

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester
Lucy Deslauriers and Hester

“It was very exciting. I didn’t really know what to expect,” Deslauriers said of her first Central Park Horse Show. “I have never ridden this close to home, for sure, but I’m very excited to be here, and it was a great class.”

Deslauriers went to school as usual on Thursday before jumping to victory later in the evening just minutes from home. “I went to a full day of school, got home, and walked over here,” she detailed. “I did some homework in between. Before I went, when we walked the grand prix, I kept saying to my friends, ‘This is so weird. We’re in the middle of the city!’ None of us have ever done anything like this before, so it was really amazing.”

The plan in the jump-off was just to go clear. “I wasn’t really going to let everyone else get to me or pay attention too much to what everyone else was doing,” she stated. “I had my plan, so I was just going to stick to that.”

She knew she could count on Hester, who she has been riding all year and has even started competing at the grand prix level. “My dad rode him, but I kind of took over the ride in spring last year. He definitely is a show horse. He lights up in the ring and has a lot of personality. I knew he would be as excited as I was to be here, but I had confidence in him coming in here,” she described.

Along with the wonderful competition for the evening, VIP guests enjoyed beautiful seating and dining thanks to VERANDA magazine. VERANDA magazine is the sponsor of the interior design of the VIP tent including crystal chandeliers from Troy Lighting and carpets from New Moon.

Thursday’s competition was just the beginning of an exciting weekend of equestrian sport in New York City’s beloved Central Park continuing through Sunday, September 21. The Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex will continue on Friday evening featuring the $50,000 “NYC vs. The World” Pro-Am Speed Challenge, presented by Donald J. Trump, where Bloomberg hopes to take another round of honor as captain of the “Land Rover NYC Team,” against Kent Farrington’s “Suncast World Team.”

Saturday evening will host The Central Park Dressage Challenge, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, showcasing some of the world’s top dressage horses and riders, featuring Olympic gold medalist Isabell Werth and American superstars Steffen Peters and Ravel. The U.S. Polo Assn. Central Park Polo Challenge will conclude the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Incredible matinee performances will also be held on Saturday and Sunday at 9 am and 12 pm.

For more information, please go to www.centralparkhorseshow.com. For tickets, please go to centralparkhorseshow.tix.com.

Discounted Hotel rooms are available at the JW Marriott Essex House at the following link: http://bit.ly/1nRumC6.

“Like” the new Central Park Horse Show Facebook page and follow them on Twitter at @CPHorseShow, and on Instagram at @CPHorseShow!

About Rolex

Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. A pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities as well as philanthropic programmes.

About The Chronicle of the Horse

For 76 years, The Chronicle of the Horse has been the industry leader in providing news coverage of national and international sport horse competitions. Through our award-winning weekly magazine and web coverage we offer everything from competition results to compelling features and thought-provoking commentary. The Chronicle Untacked quarterly lifestyle publication launched in 2013 to rave review. Read more at www.chronofhorse.com.

Media Contact:
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Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood, Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com