Tag Archives: Show Jumping

All Horses Pass First Horse Inspection for PSI FEI European Jumping Championships at Herning

It was “thumbs up” for Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Casall Ask in the First Horse Inspection for Jumping horses at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark today. Photo: FEI/Jacob Melissen.

Herning (DEN), 19 August 2013 – All horses passed the first veterinary inspection ahead of tomorrow’s opening competition in the PSI FEI European Jumping Championships at Herning in Denmark.  However if this afternoon was anything to go by, then there is plenty of excitement ahead as both Olympic champion, Steve Guerdat, and Dutch star Jeroen Dubbeldam had to endure a tense wait when their horses were amongst the few sent to the holding box for re-examination.

Guerdat’s London 2012 Olympic gold medal winning ride, Nino des Buissonnets, and Dubbeldam’s mare Utascha SFN each got the green light from the veterinary commission led by Hans Schougaard on re-inspection however.  A total of 92 athletes from 22 countries will contest the Jumping medals at this week’s ECCO FEI European Championships which, for the first time, bring together the three disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Para-Dressage.

On Springs

As usual, some of the Jumping horses were on springs today, and the Italians had extra encouragement from an enthusiastic terrier who accompanied them as they trotted up in front of the veterinary panel.  It was a cool and windy afternoon, and Norway’s Victoria Gulliksen found herself being towed by her chestnut gelding, Urval, while Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger also had some difficulty pulling up a very fresh Palloubet d’Halong.  Some of the mares were in particularly sharp form, and a very bossy Gotha FRH proved more than a handful for Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, but she passed the inspection with flying colours and, no doubt, her rider will be back in charge tomorrow.

Fellow-Swede and defending Individual champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, was his usual cool self of course, and his bay stallion Casall Ask powered his way to approval.  As the first-ever Swedish winner of the European title when coming out on top in Madrid, Spain two years ago he has the weight of expectation sitting on his shoulders as the action gets underway this week.  But the unassuming rider said today, “It’s nice to come back as defending European champion and I want to do as well as possible. I’ve had a long preparation with Casall and I’m really looking forward to the week ahead.”  He said he’s put a lot of thought into getting the balance right for his 14-year-old stallion in the lead-up to the event.  “It’s important not to do too little, and not to do too much – we finished our plan three weeks ago and he is feeling really good,” Bengtsson pointed out.

Germany defends the team title, and despite the fact that the squad has undergone several late changes they have such strength in depth that they are still likely to be the ones to beat.  The withdrawal of Philipp Weishaupt and Monte Bellini brought Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Bella Donna into the side but the American-born German rider suffered a back injury while competing in the Grand Prix at Dublin Horse Show last week so Marcus Ehning and Plot Blue have been called in to replace them.  German riders will be chasing their eighth team gold in the 54-year history of the FEI European Jumping Championships.

Dressage Drama

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel withdrew his top ride, Watermill Scandic, from the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championship this evening due to injury. The horse with which he won bronze in Rotterdam two years ago was exercised happily this morning but was later found to be unsound in his right foreleg. Following an ultra-sound scan it was decided the stallion should not compete and as a result, Toy Story is travelling by road tonight to replace him.

It is a big blow to the Swedish side, but Chef d’Equipe, Bo Jena, said this evening, “I immediately thought about Toy Story as our reserve and the decision was taken to transport him from Germany as soon as possible.”  The horse is expected to arrive in good time for the First Horse Inspection which will take place at 9.30am tomorrow. “Patrick took the situation professionally,” Jena said. “These things happen with horses, there is never any guarantee but now he needs to rethink his strategy on how to work with Toy Story,” he added.

Para-Dressage

Tomorrow also brings the First Horse Inspection for the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championship.  While the Jumping and Dressage action will be played out in the 10,000-seater MCH Arena, which is normally home to Danish Superleague soccer team FC Midtjylland, the Para-Dressage competitors will compete in the nearby JYSK Arena.  Danish Para-Dressage star Stinne Kaastrup was the centre of attention this afternoon, and the 18-year-old who took team and individual silver along with Freestyle gold in Grade 1b at the 2011 Europeans in Moorsele, Belgium talked about her prospects with her new horse, Steffi Graf.  She lost her brilliant little New Forest pony, Labbenhus Snovs, last summer and struggled with a replacement horse that was 1.60cms tall.

But her new ride, Steffi Graf, is “about 157cms and she’s lovely because she just wants to please me,” Kaastrup explained.  “When I ride her I get the same feeling that I had with Snovs. She’s not the most flashy but she has a good walk and she really wants to learn.”  Kaastrup knows that after just four months together there may be some unrealistic expectations of what they can achieve this week. “But I don’t feel under pressure, I feel people will take that into account.  We’ll do what we can do for now, and that will be good enough,” said the consummate professional.

The Para-Dressage First Horse Inspection will take place tomorrow at 13.00 while the opening Speed leg of the PSI FEI European Jumping Championship gets the real business underway at 16.45 local time.

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Hugh Graham Captures $50,000 Grand Prix at CSI2* Orangeville International

Hugh Graham and Distant Star 3E won the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Orangeville, Ontario – Canadian Olympian Hugh Graham saved the best for last, winning the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment, on Sunday, August 18, at the CSI2* Orangeville International Show Jumping Tournament in Orangeville, ON.  Held for the second year at the Orangeville Agricultural Society (OAS) Event Centre, the CSI2* Orangeville International is produced by Hayes Co.

Graham of Schomberg, ON, was the last to go, mastering the first round track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela to make it seven for the jump-off.  As the final rider to return for the jump-off, Graham knew exactly what he had to do to win, and the 64-year-old veteran rose to the challenge, shaving almost three seconds off the leading time.

“I thought it was a nice course,” said Graham of the track set in a large grass field.  “Leopoldo got seven clean, which was more than I thought he would get as it was technical enough.  The jump-off track was nice; it had some different options in it.  I was very efficient, and it worked out well for me.  It didn’t hurt that I went last, too.”

Fresh off her recent appearance at the North American Young Riders’ Championship where she was Canada’s top finisher placing eighth overall, Jacqueline Steffens of Harriston, ON, was the first rider to post a clear round over the shortened jump-off track.  Riding Quercus Van Generhese, a 13-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by her family’s Double C Farm, the 19-year-old set the early time to beat at 48.19 seconds.

Two horses later, Roberto Teran and Woklahoma, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, took over top spot after crossing the timers in 46.51 seconds.  As the final challenger, Graham had the final say, taking the win in 43.64 seconds with Distant Star 3E, a horse formerly campaigned by Teran when he rode for KingRidge Stables.

“I knew what I had to do, and I knew what my horse could do,” said Graham of the 14-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare owned and bred by KingRidge Stables of King, ON.  “It’s a great horse, it’s been in the ribbons every class this year, and this is its third or fourth win.  I’ve been riding it the last couple of years.  We bred it, Roberto showed it for the first few years when he worked for us, and then I took over.  It’s always proved that it wants to be a winner.  It’s quick enough, nice stride, well-broke, handy.  It’s very competitive.”

For Graham, it was especially nice to compete so close to home.

“It’s a dream for me,” he smiled.  “All of these shows are right in our neighbourhood.”

The Orangeville Agricultural Society (OAS) Event Centre boasts a grass field, which is becoming rare in show jumping sport as many competition venues are opting for the more easily maintained and weather-friendly all-weather footing.

“It’s nice to have a change for sure, and we don’t see grass very often,” noted Graham, who made his Olympic debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.  “It’s nice to compete on grass; it gets you prepared for when you have to jump on grass at venues like Spruce Meadows, and that’s important.  Orangeville is now the only place we have to jump on grass in Ontario.”

Two-time Olympian Jay Hayes, who Co-Chairs the Orangeville International alongside his wife, Shawn, noted, “People enjoyed jumping on this huge surface, the size of the ring is 400’ x 300’, which is the biggest in eastern Canada.  All of the exhibitors really loved Leopoldo’s open courses; galloping on the grass in the huge open field is what it’s all about.  That’s where our sport came from, and that where it has to go.”

Hayes was especially pleased with the final day of competition, noting, “Leopoldo set a very nice track, the sun was shining, our sponsor tent was full, and it was beautiful weather.  Special thanks to Kubota Canada and Stewart’s Equipment, special thanks to Trish Crang and Highland Meadows, and special thanks to the Aziz family and Iron Horse Farm.  Without our sponsors, we couldn’t have sport.”

John Gilliland, General Manager, Sales and Marketing for Kubota Canada, and Rob Allison, National Marketing Manager for Kubota Canada, were on-hand to make the presentation to Graham, joined by Ed Stewart of Stewart’s Equipment, a local Kubota dealership based in Erin, ON.  The $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment, is named in memory of the legendary show jumping horse Zucarlos, Hayes’ mount at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Roberto Teran guided Woklahoma to victory in the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix
Roberto Teran guided Woklahoma to victory in the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix

Earlier in the week, Teran of Colombia took the top two places in the $25,000 Hayes Co. Open Welcome held Friday, August 16, following a 12-horse jump-off.  Teran guided Woklahoma to victory for the ARK Partners LLC and also finished second riding ADC Chef Z for owner Bob Suriwka.  Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, settled for third with Cantera and fourth with Brooklyn Blues while 2008 Olympic team silver medalist of King City, ON, rounded out the top five riding Vannety B for Silver Bay Holdings.

Karina Aziz of Hamilton, ON, topped a three-horse jump-off to win Saturday’s $10,000 1.40m Highland Meadows Modified Grand Prix riding Fleur Rooster van Betz for Iron Horse Farm.  Ryan Roy of King City, ON, took second with Limbo 124 while Hayes rounded out the top three riding Leondias for owner and class sponsor, Trish Crang.  Graham and In The Money 3E took fourth while Aziz and a second mount, Chacco’s Goldy, placed fifth.

Building on the success of its inaugural event in 2012, the CSI2* Orangeville International attracted top competitors, including numerous Olympians, to the 84-acre OAS Event Center.  Spectators enjoyed the excitement from the ringside ‘Champions Pub’ where Pommies Dry Cider was flowing.

Having formerly organized show jumping tournaments in Sutton, Collingwood and Ottawa, the Hayes family’s Hayes Co. celebrated its 29th year by mounting the international show jumping event in its hometown of Orangeville.  Two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes, his wife Shawn, and their three daughters, Lauren, Ainsley and Regan, and son-in-law Johan Letimonier, all call Orangeville home.

Hayes Co. would like to thank all of the sponsors who make the Orangeville International possible through their generous support: Antarés, Best Western Inn & Suites Orangeville, Blackbird, Casillero del Diablo, Cavalier Transportation Services, Champion Shavings, Dutch Masters, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equitex, Friends of the Tournaments, Glen Echo Nurseries, Hearn Veterinary Services, Henry Equestrian Insurance, Highland Meadows, Highlands National Leasing, Horse Sport, Iron Horse Farm, Kubota Canada, Luke Proulx Farrier Services, Martha W. Jolicoeur/Illustrated Properties, McKee-Pownall, Mill Street, NationWide Auto Warranty, Nobelton Feed Mill, Olive Media, Omega Alpha, Orangeville Citizen, Patrón XO Café, Pommies Dry Cider, Premier Marine, Rock Garden Farms, Rogers TV, Sarkis Equine Design, St. Remy, Stewart’s Equipment, Stonewood Construction Management, the Mitton/Lewtas Family, Thompson, Tooze, McLean &Elkin, and Wentworth Stables.

The CSI2* Orangeville International is pleased to offer a portion of proceeds to the Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville, its charity partner for 2013.

For more information on the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournaments, including full results, please visit www.hayesco.ca, or e-mail info@hayesco.ca.

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

Online Media Resources: ECCO FEI European Championships 2013

Lausanne (SUI), 19 August 2013 – A new page in the history books of equestrian sport will be turned on 20-25 August 2013, when for the very first time at European level, Para-Dressage athletes will compete alongside their Jumping and Dressage counterparts at Denmark’s biggest sporting fixture of 2013 – the ECCO FEI European Championships.

Bookmark ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 links

Details of the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, which are taking place within the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, can be found here:

– Dedicated website (including timetable, start lists and live results): http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx

– Facebook: www.facebook.com/EuropeanChampionships2013

– Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMChampionships

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

FEI on social media

Join the FEI on Facebook and twitter for exciting images, videos and daily news, and connect with thousands of equestrian fans around the world:

www.facebook.com/the.fei

www.twitter.com/myfei_home

Hashtags: ECCO FEI European Championships #Dressage #Jumping

Handles: @myfei­_home, @EMChampionships, @ECCOshoes, @JYSKBedBathHome

Media contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Two Victories in Valkenswaard for Eric Lamaze

Eric Lamaze, pictured here with Cristalina, scored two victories in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, on August 16. Photo – Global Champions Tour.

August 16, 2013 – Valkenswaard, The Netherlands – 2008 Canadian Olympic champion Eric Lamaze made two trips to the winner’s circle on opening day of competition at CSI Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, running August 16 to 18.

A marquee event on the Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT), the three-day show jumping event is staged at the home stable of GCT founder, Jan Tops, and attracts the best horse-rider combinations in the sport.

On opening day, August 16, Lamaze scored back-to-back victories for Canada, winning the 1.35m Young Horse competition with Check Piccobello Z before taking the 1.40m competition with Cristalina.

In the Young Horse class which attracted 50 entries, Lamaze stopped the clock in 60.54 seconds to hold off Holland’s Maikel van der Vleuten who crossed the timers in 62.08 riding VDL Groep Ouatro and current world number one Christian Ahlmann of Germany who clocked in at 62.34 with Barco 6.

“I think the experience he gained at Spruce Meadows this summer got him ready to be competitive on the opening day of this big show in the main grass arena,” said Lamaze of Check Picobello Z, a seven-year-old grey Zangersheide gelding (Cardento x Orlando) owned by Carlene and Andy Ziegler’s Artisan Farms and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.  “I liked him from the very beginning.  I took my time with him in Florida this winter making him up, and now it’s paying off, as today proves.  It’s a horse for the future.”

In the 1.40m competition, Lamaze faced stiff competition from 78 challengers.  Undaunted, Lamaze put the pressure on by posting what would prove to be an unbeatable time of 61.70 seconds to celebrate his second victory of the day with Cristalina.

“It’s a horse that I love,” said Lamaze of Cristalina, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Carolus x Contender) that he owns in partnership with Gilbert de Roock of Belgium.  “It’s a horse that we bought to resell.  She is very much my type.”

Lamaze will contest Saturday afternoon’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix with his top horse, Powerplay.  While the partnership is new, having only been formed in June when Artisan Farms purchased the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Limbus) from Swiss rider Pius Schwizer, Lamaze and Powerplay gained experience together at the Spruce Meadows summer tournaments in Calgary, AB.  In preparation for Saturday’s main event, Lamaze opted for a confidence-building round in Friday’s CSI5* 1.45m event, jumping clear over the course set by Italy’s Uliano Vezzani with two time faults.

Following Valkenswaard, Lamaze will return to Canada for the Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament held September 4 to 8.  Lamaze will ride as a member of the Canadian Team in the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup on Saturday, September 7, alongside Tiffany Foster who is also competing at CSI Valkenswaard and placed 12th in Friday’s CSI5* 1.50m competition with Verdi III.  Lamaze is the all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows with earnings in excess of $3.7 million at the Calgary venue alone.

Hailing from Schomberg, ON, Lamaze now divides his time between training bases in Wellington, FL, and Vrasene, Belgium.

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

Applications Now Being Accepted for US Show Jumping Young Rider Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor

Lexington, KY – The Search Committee formed by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to assist in hiring the U.S. Show Jumping Young Rider Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor has approved the job description for the position.

The Search Committee is composed of the following individuals:

Eric Straus, Chairman
Laura Kraut
Beezie Madden
Katie Prudent
Robert Ridland

The job description and application can be found at: http://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/ShowJumping/ApplicationJumpingYoungRiderChefFINAL.pdf.

Individuals interested in serving as the U.S. Show Jumping Young Rider Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor must submit applications no later than September 23, 2013.

For more information regarding the process of hiring the U.S. Show Jumping Young Rider Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, contact Lizzy Chesson at (908) 326-1166 or by email lchesson@usef.org.

Paul O’Shea Captures $75,000 Equestrian Estates Planning Group Grand Prix at Silver Oak Jumper Tournament

Paul O’Shea and Primo de Revel Win$75,000 Equestrian Estates Planning Group Grand Prix at Silver Oak. Photos By: Tammy Hardy.

Hampton Falls, NH – August 11, 2013 – The inaugural edition of the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament drew to a close on Sunday, under gorgeous sunny skies, low humidity and perfect temperatures in mid 70s. The fantastic weather put an exclamation point on what can only be described as an extraordinary debut for what certainly will become one of the nation’s premier show jumping extravaganzas. A huge Sunday crowd documented the success of the local promotion that went into this first year event. From the three deep folks that lined every available spot along the rail, to many sold out luncheon tables in the numerous VIP tents surrounding the grand prix ring, the throng on hand enjoyed a great Sunday of big-time show jumping in the Granite State of New Hampshire.

“A lot of work went into this event. Seeing this great crowd on Sunday is very rewarding to me and those of us that love the sport of show jumping,” said Show Chairman Jeff Papows. “Although this first year was everything we expected and more, we’re already looking ahead to next year and the different improvements we can make. I’m confident that there will be more money offered next year and a few changes will make this wonderful event even better. I am confident my good friend David Birdsall would be proud.”

The first round course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Munich, Germany, proved to be king today, yielding only one clear round. Twenty-six riders showed over the track, and only Charlie Jacobs of Boston, MA, left all the fences intact aboard Flaming Star, but 10 would return for the winning round format. The course featured an open water and a vertical-oxer double combination, but the most daunting task was the oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination coming off a tight turn for home, which caused 22 horses to lower 28 rails.

“It was a big, long and wide opening galloping course, but then at the end, it was a short turn to home for a tight triple combination, so you really had to get your horse back and under control,” said Course Designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. “But I was surprised that so many people had trouble through there, to be honest.”

The lone clear rider, Jacobs, stated, “The combination was quite difficult. I had seen a number of riders get stuck in there. The footing was pretty deep in there, so when I went in I looked at the jump and saw how deep it was and I tried to stay as far left as I could through the turn so my horse could have the best footing possible. I came in real quiet, sat up, and kicked real hard to get out in two.”

The format for today’s class invited the top 10 finishers from the first round to return for the jump-off in reverse order of faults and time, with only Jacobs returning on a score of zero. The shortened track began over an oxer-vertical line to a new vertical oxer line, before bending to a third oxer. Riders then rolled back and galloped over the first two fences in the triple combination and finished over a vertical towards the gate.

Kevin Babington and Mark Q
Kevin Babington and Mark Q

Irish rider Darragh Kenny set the original score to beat in the jump-off, clearing the course in 48.590 seconds with Quiz. His total of four faults from the first round would hold up for fourth place. Fellow Irishman Kevin Babington and Mark Q soon bested him, shaving off valuable time through the rollbacks and clearing the course in 46.276 seconds, which would earn the second place award, also with four faults from the first round. Ramiro Quintana of Argentina followed aboard Whitney. The pair was right on Babington’s heels, but fell just shy of the time breaking the beam at 46.972 seconds to take home the third place award.

When Paul O’Shea entered the ring he had his eye on the prize with his experienced mount Primo De Revel. The luck of the Irish was on his side, as he quickly made his way around the arena, never wasting a second in the air and leaving each rail in place in a time of 45.112 seconds, and just his first round four faults.

“My plan was just to be a little bit faster than Kevin,” explained O’Shea. Between the third and fourth fences I did one less stride, and then to the last fence I also left a stride out. I had the advantage of watching him and everyone else go, so that was a big help.”

All of the pressure fell on Jacobs and Flaming Star, because with less than four fault they would claim the win. Unfortunately, that would not be the case. They lowered the height of two fences, bringing their grand total to eight faults, finishing in eighth place to seal O’Shea’s victory.

“Hats off to Paul O’Shea; he had a great week,” stated Jacobs. “Olaf had built a very similarly difficult course last year. One horse jumped clean and won the class. I was hoping to win the class as the one clean, but I came back and had a couple rails, and those are the breaks. It was fun; it was a good class. We’ll keep going and jump next week at Fieldstone before the Masters at Spruce Meadows.”

“The first round did not walk as hard as it rode,” admitted O’Shea after his win.” The triple combination walked a little short, and with my horse, when I jumped in, I really supported him up front. He was good in front, but knocked it behind. In the jump-off I just kept my hand really soft and he jumped it really well in front and behind.”

O’Shea continued, “We have this format a lot in Europe, and sometimes it has worked to my advantage and sometimes it has not, but today it really did, so I was very happy about that.”

O’Shea has been riding Primo De Revel, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, for six years. “We’ve had a lot of fun,” he noted. “He hasn’t jumped since Lake Placid when he won the grand prix, and before that he won the grand prix in April during the spring series in Wellington. I am over the moon with him. He’s a really fantastic horse. He’s a real trier. He’s very easy to ride, very straight forward; I just have to get him to the jump. He does everything else.”

The Silver Oak Tournament already resulted in one win for O’Shea, who has had a wonderful week in New Hampshire. “I love this show; everything has just been fantastic,” he expressed. “The ground was fantastic today, there was a super crowd, they had a band, there was great food, they thought of everything for the horses and the riders. The stalls are actually a stall and a half. They are huge stalls. I’ve never been at a show where the stalls are so big, which is very nice for the horses. I think the horses really enjoyed it!”

The $15,000 Agero Speed Stake was held earlier this morning with 26 entrants competing over a technical track that included a liverpool fence, two vertical-oxer double combinations, and multiple rollbacks. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny was fourth in the order aboard Manta, owned by Oakland Ventures of Ocala, FL, setting the early time to beat with a clear effort in 63.824 seconds. His lead was short lived, though, when Greek rider Myrto Iliadis-Koutsikos and Voila HE sped through the timers three rounds later in 63.736 seconds, just 1/10th of a second faster, which would hold up for third place, while Kenny settled for fourth place.

At the end of the class, Peter Wylde broke through to the top of the leader board with Wiesielotti, owned by Winley Farm of Millbrook, CT. The duo sped through each turn, dashing through the times in 60.776 seconds with all the rails in place.

Ramiro Quintana and Ollywood Des Horts
Ramiro Quintana and Ollywood Des Horts

Ramiro Quintana was a not about to let Wylde capture the win though. He and his experienced mount Ollywood Des Horts picked up a fast gallop and never held back. They rolled back very short to both of the double combinations and sped easily through the last line, never touching a fence and crossing the finish line in 59.191 to claim the victory while Wylde placed second.

“Luckily I went after Peter and he took the lead right before me,” admitted Quintana. “My horse is very experienced and naturally fast. I got him right after Florida to be sold, and he’s been moving up and getting really consistent results.  He can do the speeds really well, but he can also jump bigger tracks. He’ll go to the Hampton Classic after this to do the 1.50m classes.

So, for many, it’s on to the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, the Hampton Classic and beyond. For the organizers here, preparations begin for the 2014 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament. We’ll see you next year in Hampton Falls!

For more information about the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, please visit www.SilverOakJumperTournament.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Brilliant British Win at Dublin as Europe Division 1 Furusiyya Final Line-up Is Decided

(L to R) Mr Fonsie Mealy President of the Royal Dublin Society, The President of Ireland His Excellency Michael D Higgins, British team members Ben Maher, Nick Skelton, Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra, Robert Smith and Scott Brash, Mr Ali Al Kahtani, Charge d’Affaires, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ms Severine Charmillot of Longines and FEI Bureau Member Mr Brian Mangan. Photo: FEI/Tony Parkes.

Dublin (IRL), 9 August 2013 – The British put in a storming performance to win the last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division 1 league in Dublin, Ireland today and earn a qualifying spot for the inaugural series Final in Barcelona, Spain next month.  Lying second-last on the league table as the competition began, they needed to finish fourth or better if they were to make the cut. And in a thrilling class that was undecided right to the very end, they did it in style, pinning The Netherlands into second while the USA and the host nation shared third.

A powerful German team lined out at the Irish fixture, but they had to settle for joint-fifth with France while Ukraine and Spain filled seventh and eighth places respectively.  Germany will not compete at the Furusiyya Final as the six nations that have qualified from Europe Division 1 were confirmed today as Switzerland, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Ireland and Ukraine.

The Track

Course designer Alan Wade, son of legendary rider and former Irish Chef d’Equipe Tommy Wade, really put it up to them with his track. Initially it seemed it might just not be testing enough, with five of the first-line riders going clear, but as it turned out that was simply evidence of the quality of the field.  First into the ring, Germany’s Marcus Ehning and Plot Blue made a single mistake at the vertical that followed the most influential fence on the course – the Post Office double of verticals that had a water-tray under the second element.  Even the most experienced of horses tended to do a double-take at this one, and if they didn’t hit it, then the following vertical often fell instead.

Britain’s Nick Skelton said the pencil-shaped green and gold poles used in the double “are a bit of an optical illusion, and the liverpool going out, lots of horses had a look at that so the four strides were a bit flat going to fence seven – the rest was pretty straightforward.”  Not everyone found it quite so uncomplicated, however.

Fences fell all around the lovely Royal Dublin Society arena, including the Tara Brooch oxer at fence two and the following vertical at three, but the RDS Library wall at fence four was only disturbed twice during the afternoon.  It was after the oxer at fence five that things really began to heat up, with the tricky Post Office double leading to the 1.62m high vertical at fence seven where the black poles were an added distraction.  From there it was a gallop on a bending line to the 4.20m wide open water and the following 1.60m vertical, before a roll-back to another water-tray vertical and then the triple combination which led to the final oxer.

Just four of the eight competing nations were battling for points today – Ukraine, France, Ireland and Britain – and Ukrainian chances were badly shaken when Cassio Rivetti’s opening clear with Vivant was followed by elimination for Oleg Kraysuk whose 12-year-old gelding, SIEC Ledgepoint, fell when they got into a serious muddle at the troublesome Post Office double.  And when team-mates Ulrich Kirchhoff and Katherina Offel collected 28 faults between them, they were already trailing the rest of the field at the halfway stage. Despite a superb double-clear from Rivetti the Ukrainians would never recover but, fortunately, they had previously garnered enough qualifying points to make the series Final.

Led the Way

It was the Dutch who led the way into round two this afternoon with just four faults on the board followed by the British and Irish with eight while Germany, USA and France were tied on 12 and the Spanish were carrying 20.

A fall for Sergio Alvarez Moya when Zipper refused at fence seven did nothing to help Spanish prospects, and although Ehning went clear second time out and Janne Frederike Meyer (Cellagon Lambrasco), Rolf Moormann (Acorte) and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Bella Donna) made only single mistakes, the German final total of 20 would leave them well down the order.  The American result was anchored by a fabulous double-clear from Beezie Madden and Cortes C, one of four fault-free performances on the day, and when Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet left all the timber intact at their second attempt the USA completed with 16.

An uncharacteristic 16 faults for Michel Robert, whose 11-year-old mare Oh D’Eole was unnerved by the Post Office double in both rounds, saw the French having to add eight more faults to their tally. And when Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou-Lou produced the only Irish clear in the second round, the home side had to add eight also to finish alongside the Americans with 16 at the end of the day.

Clears from Skelton and Big Star and Ben Maher with Cella boosted British chances however, and although Robert Smith and Voila left two fences on the floor second time out, a wonderful double-clear from Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos really piled the pressure on the last rider into the ring. Albert Voorn had underpinned the Dutch advantage when foot-perfect for a second time with Tobalio, but two down for Hendrik-Jan Schuttert and Cerona and a last-fence mistake from Michel Hendrix and Wait and See left them much more vulnerable.  As Gert-Jan Bruggink entered the ring he knew a clear would force a jump-off with the British, but when his nine-year-old gelding Primeval Dejavu hit the second element of the triple combination it was all over, and the British had secured their 27th victory in the long history of the coveted Aga Khan Cup.

Rider of the Day

Brash’s two rounds of pure magic earned him the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award. “My horse has been unbelievable for the last six or seven shows,” he said.  “He’s been jumping clear since London; we’re in the groove in this partnership since the Olympic Games,” he pointed out.

British Chef d’Equipe, Rob Hoekstra, was delighted: “My team were fantastic under pressure today.  We haven’t had the best Nations Cup season but it came right in the end, and I’m very proud of them. Now we’re really looking forward to the Final in Barcelona,” he said.  Although Maher was part of Great Britain’s team gold medal winning team at the London 2012 Olympic Games along with Brash and Skelton, this was his very first Nations Cup win.  “It was a great day here in Dublin and what a crowd; they were very sporting!” Maher said.

The Dublin spectators came in for a lot of praise from the winning riders.  The traditional British/Irish rivalry is always guaranteed to draw huge crowds and this year was no exception.  Despite the fact that they had been hoping for a repeat home-side victory, the spectators roared their approval during the prize-giving ceremony and victory gallop.  “We love this show, we love this trophy and we love this crowd!” said Chef d’Equipe Hoekstra.  Nick Skelton agreed: “I love to come to Dublin – it’s one of my favourite shows. I think the first time I came here was in 1973 as a Young Rider!  It’s always great to win here – the people here love horses and they love the sport and that’s what makes it so special” he said.

All sights are now set on Barcelona and the inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final in seven weeks’ time.  A total of 18 nations will battle it out for the trophy at the Spanish fixture, and apart from the Europe Division 1 countries named today, the other nations already qualified are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and USA, while Spain will also compete as host country.

Just two further rounds of the Europe Division 2 series have yet to take place, at Gijon, Spain on 30 August and Arezzo, Italy on 6 September.

For further information on the Irish fixture, go to website www.dublinhorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Niamh Kelly, Tel + 353 86 3828531, Email niamh@rds.ie.

The next leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series is the penultimate round of the Europe Division 2 league and takes place at Gijon, Spain on Friday, 30 August.  For information on the Spanish fixture, check out website www.gijon.es/hipico or Email chipico@gijon.es.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Dublin, Ireland presented the last leg of the Europe Division 1 series of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series.

4 of the eight competing nations were battling for qualifying points towards the inaugural Final which will take place at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain from 26 to 29 September.

The four nations were Ireland, Great Britain, France and Ukraine.

The six nations that have qualified from Europe Division 1 are Switzerland, France, Great Britain, Netherlands, Ukraine and Ireland.

Course designer was Alan Wade, son of legendary Irish rider and former Irish Chef d’Equipe Tommy Wade.

4 double-clear performances in today’s competition – from Great Britain’s Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos), The Netherlands’ Albert Voorn (Tobalio), America’s Beezie Madden (Cortes C) and Ukraine’s Cassio Rivetti (Vivant).

9 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the first round, 10 jumped clear in round 2.

2 eliminations – Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya for a fall from Zipper at the vertical fence 7 in the second round and Ukraine’s Oleg Kraysuk and SIEC Ledgepoint for a fall at the second element of the preceding double.

Quotes:

FEI Jumping Director John Roche – “Congratulations to the British team for their fantastic performance. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Royal Dublin Society for organising a great event at one of the most wonderful venues in the world, and to thank Furusiyya and Longines without whose help and support none of this would happen.”

British Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra – “Congratulations to Alan Wade (course designer).  When we walked the course I thought it was big.  There were a strange number of clears early on (in the competition) but as the second riders came along it levelled out.”

Robert Smith (GBR) – “For me this is the best place in the world to win!”

Shane Breen (IRL), talking about the host nation performance – “We are disappointed naturally that we didn’t win here today, but we all tried our best and it wasn’t our day.  We’re really looking forward to the Finals now in Barcelona – I don’t know what the team will be there as we have the Europeans first, but we’ll keep trying!”

Michel Hendrix (NED) – “This is only the second time that I’ve been doing a Nations Cup. Two times I had the rail down at the end of the course, but still a great feeling to just come away with four faults in each round.”

Nick Skelton (GBR), when asked if it was another special moment in his extraordinary career to be on this winning team today – “Yes it was.  It looked like we were heading for a jump-off but we got a break with them [NED] hitting one rail so all good in the end!”

McLain Ward (USA), talking about his team’s performance today – “I think for the most part we are feeling good – we would have liked to have had a little better finish. Today, my student Katie (Dinan) was a little green in the first round but made a great comeback in the second round with a clear.  I lost a shoe in the second round early which was a little bit troublesome – but because we were already qualified for the finals in Barcelona we tried a few different combinations and I think we are showing a few solid horses and now we are going to try and pick the best ones and do the best we can in Barcelona!”

Standings:

The full standings for Europe Division 1 of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series can be found at this link.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series check out this link.

“Furusiyya” (Arabic: فروسيه) this single Arabic word conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.

Longines is the Official Timekeeper of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations.

Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a horse and jockey engraved on the watch face. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and flat racing.

Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Dublin:

Niamh Kelly
Email niamh@rds.ie
+353 86 3828531

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

Tim Welland
tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7787 780 036

US Jumps to Third Place in CSIO5* Dublin’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

Dublin, Ireland – The United States produced a hard fought effort in CSIO5* Dublin’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines to finish in a tie for third place on a score of 16 faults. Eight teams went to task over Alan Wade’s scopey track, with the team from Great Britain finishing on eight faults to lift the Aga Khan Trophy. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland led the U.S. effort in Dublin which was bookended by two-time Olympic gold medal winning teammates McLain Ward and Beezie Madden; they were joined on Friday by Katie Dinan and Kent Farrington.

Ridland believed all his riders gained valuable experience jumping on Dublin’s historic grass stadium and believes it is important to compete on all types of surfaces.

“Jumping on the grass here I think is a great experience,” said Ridland. “And all of our riders will have learned a lot today.”

Jumping in his familiar position as pathfinder for the U.S., Ward (Brewster, NY) led-off the American effort in Dublin with an immaculate clear trip in round one with Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild. In the second round the pair looked on form to jump faultlessly again until the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding tripped in the turn before the double at fence six, resulting in the back rail of the oxer at B coming down. They finished round two with four faults.

Dinan (Wellington, FL) was next up for the United States with Grant Road Partners, LLC’s Nougat du Vallet. In round one the pair faulted at both elements of the double at six and 11B to finish on a 12 fault total. The pair rebounded in the second round to jump an impressive penalty-free round, where the 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding never looked in doubt of a clear.

Jumping in the third spot was Farrington (Wellington, FL) and Robin Parsky’s 11-year-old Anglo European mare Blue Angel. The pair collected 20 faults in the first round for lowering the heights of four fences and a foot in the open water. They produced an improved effort in the second round to finish with eight faults following a foot in the water again and rolling the pole at 11C.

Madden (Cazenovia, NY) entered the ring with Cortes ‘C’ needing to produce a clear in the first round to keep the U.S. in contention heading into round two. For a second week in a row, the pair rose to the occasion and jumped faultlessly. Abigail Wexner’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding returned in round two and duplicated his immaculate effort to again keep the score sheet clear.

Madden was one of only four riders to jump double clear on Friday.

Throughout the year Ridland has been assembling teams of team veterans and up-and-coming riders to try and allow a broader base of U.S. jumpers gain international experience. He believes the importance of this model was on display today in Dublin.

“We’ve been mixing it up all year with different riders,” said Ridland. “To see what Katie did and to come back in the second round and jump clear was really gratifying. And Beezie’s double clear was great and very important to the team.”

Placing second in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines behind the British team was The Netherlands on a score of 12 with the Irish team tying with the U.S. for third on 16 faults.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the CSIO5* Dublin, visit: http://www.dublinhorseshow.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Jumping Team here.

Scott Brash, Furusiyya Rider of the Day, Dublin

Scott Brash. Photo: Tony Parkes/FEI.

9 August 2013, Ireland – Scott Brash (GBR) has been judged as the winner of the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award at The Dublin Horse Show.

Brash, riding Hello Sanctos, was last to go for Great Britain, but held his nerve under huge pressure and rode two brilliant clear rounds, helping Great Britain win the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping in Dublin and also qualify for the Finals in Barcelona in September.

The Furusiyya Rider of the Day award is presented to the horse & rider combination that is judged to have best displayed qualities such as harmony, partnership, balance and skill throughout their two rounds; values represented and embodied by Furusiyya. The award was judged by Lt. Col. Gerry Mullins from The Dublin Horse Show.

– At the 2012 FEI General Assembly in Istanbul, it was announced that Furusiyya would become sponsor of the FEI Nations Cup until 2016.

– “Furusiyya” is a single Arabic word and conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.

– The new structure of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping has come about through intense consultation between the Saudi Equestrian Fund and the FEI with the sport’s stakeholders around the world.

– 39 countries have signed up to take part in the 2013 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping and 21 Nations will host qualifiers.

– The Saudi Equestrian Fund was created by HM King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz by Royal Decree in November 2009 to give the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a lasting legacy in equestrianism through sport and cultural events.

– The Saudi Equestrian Fund supports the Kingdom’s national show jumping team, Saudi Equestrian, which won a team bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

– The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping is now a genuinely international competition which gives all nations – whether from developed or developing countries – the opportunity to compete on a level playing field and qualify for a highly prestigious Final.

– The Final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping will be staged at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain from 26-29 September 2013.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Zone Four Faultless to Earn 2013 Team Championship at the US National Pony Jumper Championships

Team Medalists (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – Clear rounds were the order of the day in the Alltech Arena on Thursday evening as 11 teams went to task over Marc Donovan’s 12-obstacle track. Team medals in the US National Pony Jumper Championship were at stake as competition was held in the two-round Nations Cup format. Following the first round the top six teams came back to jump the same course in round two, in addition to 12 combinations that were jumping for individual classification.

For a second consecutive year, the team from Zone Four proved unbeatable as they cruised to the Gold medal on a score of zero faults. All four riders, Morgan Gravely, Micaela Smith, Cooper Dean, and Heather Vaxer, jumped double clear for Zone Four on Thursday.

“Our whole team rode it really well and it worked out great,” said Gravely (High Springs, FL) of the course, of which her own and Celia Evan’s Dragon’s Lair Banner made light work in the lead-off position for the team. “Last year, Zone Four won too, and it was all new riders this year and to come and win is awesome.”

Echoing her teammate’s thoughts on how meaningful it was to win, Smith (Clover, SC) was ecstatic with her pony Blue Me Away’s performance and that of the Zone Four spirit.

“I’ve never won anything this big before in my life,” said Smith. “We were pretty pumped up when one of us went clear.”

Dean (Fayette, AL) has only been riding his pony American Hero for a year, but has quickly forged a relationship with the gelding.

“He’s the best pony I could ever have.  I’ve only had him a year but it has been the best year of my life and to come and do this (win), it’s just unbelievable.”

Riding in the anchor position for Zone Four, Vaxer (Del Ray Beach, FL) did not have to jump her own Cha Cha Cha in the second round as her team had already clinched Gold, but did so to maintain her Individual standing. She also felt it was important to continue to contribute alongside her teammates.

“I’m really excited; there’s a lot of adrenaline. We have a really strong team; they’re all so supportive. We all knew how we wanted to plan this. It was a lot of pressure but it all worked out.”

Collecting the Silver medal was the Zone Five Combined Team with eight total faults. Jumping in the anchor position, Caitlyn Conors (Glen Mills, PA) added her name to the double-clear list with two immaculate trips on her own Break Away. Carson Ruff (Maple Park, IL) was the lead-off rider for her team, producing four- and zero-fault rounds with Sarah Ruff’s Jet Pilot, while Emma Ellis (Annapolis, MD) was clear in round one and had a single rail in round two to collect four faults with her own Tangled Up in Blue. Rounding out the Zone Five Combined Team was Emma Bach (Cincinnati, OH) and Maria Kneipp’s Lucky Charm.

Zone Seven earned the Bronze medal after completing the two rounds of jumping on a score of 27. Their team was composed of Caroline Zaunbrecher (Lafayette, LA) with her own Fire Van Battenbroek, Madison Massey (Pelham , AL) and Picasso, Sedona Chamblee (Keller, TX) with her own Lucky Star and double-clear combination Elizabeth McDougald (Lawton, OK), and her own Knock My Sox Off.

A total of nine combinations jumped double clear on Thursday night including Zone Four’s Gravely, Smith, Dean and Vaxer, along with Zone Five Combined Team’s Connors, Zone Seven’s McDougald and Christina Rodriguez (Dade City, FL) and her own A Lotta Moxie of Team Blue as well as Camilla Siekmann (Washington Crossing, PA) with her own Mist of a Champion from Zone Two and Team Red’s Elena Stoltzfus (Gap, PA) with Hugh Cann’s Swears Like a Sailor.

In Individual standings, Gravely, Dean, Vaxer, Connors, McDougald, Rodriguez, Siekmann, and Stoltzfus all lead on a three round total of zero faults.

The Individual Champion for the 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship will crowned following the conclusion of Friday’s Individual Final.

By Helen Murray

To follow all the action from the US National Pony Jumper Championship and the 2013 US Pony Finals, visit: http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.