Tag Archives: Show Jumping

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour Ready to Jump in France

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U.S. Young Riders are Prepared for the 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour (USEF Archive)

Lexington, KY – The 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour continues this week in France. Michelle Grubb will serve as the chef d’equipe and guide the talented group of riders through their second stop on the 2012 tour this weekend at the CSIOYJ Reims, running May 31 – June 3. At the first stop of the tour in Bonheiden, Belgium, the U.S. Young Riders team tied for fourth in the Nations Cup.

The five U.S. riders contesting the CSIOY this weekend have already had success in Europe and look to continue the trend this weekend. The top performer in the Nations Cup at Bonheiden was Alise Oken & Hi Hopes Farm’s Kaid Du Ry. The pair produced two clear efforts over both rounds of competition, something that only one other pair was able to do. Oken will also ride Hi Hopes Farm’s Marcus Quintus at Reims this week.

Annie Cook and Lydia Ulrich both improved from round to round in the Bonheiden Nations Cup. At Reims, Cook will ride Signe Ostby’s Banba and Landkorn 5 and Ulrich will ride Beth Congel and Up The Creek Farm’s Santos Utopia. Jennifer Goddard won two classes in Bonheiden with Stateside Farm’s Ungaro de la Hot Couture. Goddard will also ride Stateside Farm’s Unique, her Nations Cup mount, in France on the second stop of the tour.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

London Bound Margie Engle Wins the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix to Finish Out Opening Week at HITS-on-the-Hudson

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©ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Royce on course in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (May 29, 2012) – U.S. Olympic hopeful Margie Engle didn’t waste any time settling in at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this year. On Sunday, riding Elm Rock Partners LLC’s Royce, she captured the victory in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

Engle, of West Palm Beach, Florida, piloted Royce to the win over a course designed by Marina Azevedo of Campinas, Brazil. Engle was one of seven who advanced to the jump-off where, as one of the most winning riders in the history of the sport, she is known to capitalize.

“This is the first time this horse has ever won a Grand Prix,” said Engle. “I just got him at the beginning of the season and he’s still young, only eight years old and he has all the raw talent in the world. This was a lot of fun today for this horse and I think he could become a really great horse in the years to come.”

Continue reading London Bound Margie Engle Wins the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix to Finish Out Opening Week at HITS-on-the-Hudson →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Convincing Win for Germany in Rome

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(from left to right): Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker, Marcus Ehning, Marco Kutscher and Ludger Beerbaum (back row), Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Giulio Terze, FEI President HRH Princess Haya and Mr Andreas Paulgross, President of FISE. Photo: FEI/Bruno de Lorenzo.

ROME (ITA), 25 May 2012 – A powerful German team breezed to victory in the second leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2012 series at the Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA) this afternoon.  On a day when FEI President, Princess Haya, visited the venue where she competed herself during her jumping career, and where all the talk was about the forthcoming Olympic Games in London and the proposed changes to the FEI Nations Cup format, the competition provided the excitement that has ensured its survival for over a century.

Switzerland finished a close second today, just four faults behind the winning side, while the first-leg winners from Belgium slotted into third.  The host nation of Italy, making a guest appearance since they no longer compete in the Top League, did themselves proud when galloping into fourth spot ahead of France, while The Netherlands and Great Britain shared sixth.  For Sweden and Ireland however it was a difficult day when both were left vulnerable due to rider eliminations and had to settle for eighth and ninth places respectively.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping, Sydney Masters-Durieux

Teens, Amateurs & Pro Riders Joined Forces to Champion Step by Step Charity

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Hector Florentino pilots Stransky's Mission Ultimo to win $35,000 Welcome at Kentucky Horse Park. Photo by Ingrid Sabater

Grand Prix veteran Hector Florentino was the first member of “team” of international riders who champion the Step by Step Foundation (www.stepbystepfoundation.com) in competition to put in fault-free and fast rounds at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. The talented Dominican Rider piloted Stransky’s Mission Farm’s Ultimo to the blue ribbon and trophy in the $35,000 Welcome Open on day one of the two weeks of competitions at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky in the beginning of May.

“It’s great to come back to Kentucky and start off with a win,” said Florentino. “Last year, Ultimo and I put in 8 consecutive clean rounds in 4 grand prixs in Kentucky.   We placed 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.  Ultimo really likes this weather, this footing, the Kentucky Horse Park as an overall venue and horse show.   It would have been nice to have a little more sunshine the first week, but we will keep coming back to Kentucky.  For me, it is double the honor when I cannot only put in clean, fast rounds, but also represent Step by Step at the same time.   Every time we win, I know we are contributing to those kids with little or nothing, really making a difference in the life of someone who has nothing.”

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Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

League Leaders from Belgium First into the Ring in Rome

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At the Draw Press Conference for the second leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2012 in Rome (ITA) today: Rob Ehrens (Dutch Chef d’Equipe), Henk Nooren (French Chef d’Equipe), Otto Becker (German Chef d’Equipe), Rob Hoekstra (Chef d’Equipe Great Britain), Sophie Ruiz-Leimer (FEI Nations Cup Representative), Antonio Giovanonni (Rome CSIO Event Director), Robert Splaine (Irish Chef d’Equipe) and Stefano Scaccabarozzi (Italian Chef d’Equipe).

ROME (ITA), 24 May 2012 – The Belgian team, winners at La Baule, France two weeks ago, will be pathfinders as the second leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2012 series gets underway tomorrow at the Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA).  Italian summer-time has definitely arrived, with temperatures reaching 24 degrees this afternoon.  And the heat is expected to rise even further tomorrow when the eight Top League Jumping nations battle for supremacy at the world-famous and much-loved CSIO which is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Also in action will be the host nation which no longer competes in the Top League, but which is likely to put in a big effort when making a guest appearance in front of the home crowd.

The complete draw for the order-of-go is as follows:  1, Belgium; 2, Italy; 3, The Netherlands; 4, Switzerland; 5, Ireland; 6, Sweden; 7, Great Britain; 8, Germany; 9, France.

THE SAME TEAM

Italian Chef d’Equipe, Stefano Scaccabarozzi, confirmed today that he will be sending out the same team that won the FEI Nations Cup Promotional League leg in Lummen, Belgium earlier this month.

That was a tough 14-nation contest, but Juan Carlos Garcia (Bonzai van de Warande), Francesca Capponi (Stallone), Natale Chiaudani (Almero 12) and Luca Marziani (Wivina) proved toughest of all and, on form, could put plenty of pressure on the Top League sides tomorrow.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Abigail McArdle Dominates High Junior Jumpers at Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

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Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the High Junior Jumper Championship during both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 22, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows proved to be hugely successful for young rider Abigail McArdle of Barrington Hills, IL, who dominated the High Junior Jumper division with her eight-year-old mare Cosma 20. The unstoppable duo captured the division’s championship award during the competition’s two consecutive weeks, and also won each of the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classics.

McArdle was thrilled with her new mount’s performance and commented, “It’s one thing to win a Junior Jumper class, but I think it takes it to a whole new level to be that consistent at that level on a new horse. I am really lucky; Cosma 20 is so talented and went clear in every first round that we jumped. She’s only eight, and I have really big hopes for her in the future.”

During the first week of the horse show, McArdle and Cosma 20 placed third during the first High Junior Jumper class with a four-fault effort in the jump-off. They then went on to a double clear victory during the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic, which netted them the division’s championship tricolor. The talented pair continued their winning ways the following week, with a victory in the first High Junior Jumper class, and another blue ribbon effort during the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic as the lone clear effort over Olaf Petersen Jr.’s challenging course. With two championship awards to their name, McArdle and Cosma 20 will now travel to the prestigious Devon Horse Show to compete against the country’s top horses and riders.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Eirin Bruheim and Tackeray Jump to Top Honors at Show Jumping Classic

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Eirin Bruheim and Tackeray won in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Show Jumper Classic. Photo By: Morgan German

Tomball, TX – May 22, 2012 – Eirin Bruheim of Nordic Lights Farm was very successful during her first competition aboard her newest mount, Tackeray. Purchased from Great Britain’s Ben Maher just a short time ago, Bruheim and Tackeray are already proving to be a great match, showing in their first competition during the Show Jumper Classic in Tyler, TX. The pair took winning honors in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, and later went on to place second during the $5,000 EMO Jumper Classic.

Bruheim and Tackeray began the week in the 1.25m Open Jumpers, where they placed third with a double clear effort. Proving that they were ready for a challenged they moved up to the High Junior/Amateur-Owner division, where a fault free round earned them a blue ribbon prize, as well as the third place honors. They concluded on a high note in the $5,000 EMO Jumper Classic, where they finished in the second place position.

“This was my first show on Tackeray and he was amazing,” smiled Bruheim. “He was fast and double clean in our first class, so we decided to the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers together I could not be happier! He amazed me again on the last day with his excellent finish in the $5,000 EMO Jumper Classic.”

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Competitions, Events, Show Jumping

US Young Rider Team Ties for Fourth at Nations Cup in Belgium

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Bonheiden, Belgium – A team of four American riders took to the course in Young Rider Nations Cup competition at the CSIOYJ Bonheiden Saturday afternoon and jumped their way into a tie for fourth place. The U.S. Team’s top performer of the day was Alise Oken (Charlotte, NC) & Hi Hopes Farm’s Kaid Du Ry. They offered one of the strongest showings of the day and jumped two clear efforts over both rounds of competition. Oken & Kaid Du Ry was one of only two pairs to produce double clear rounds Saturday.

Annie Cook & Signe Ostby’s Banba and Lydia Ulrich & Beth Congel and Up The Creek Farm’s Santos Utopia both improved from round to round. Cook (Woodside, CA) had 12 faults in the first round and 8 in the second. Ulrich (Rochester, NY) improved on 8 faults in round one to score a 4 fault total in round two.

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Awards, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

2012 Hagyard Challenge Series to Feature Thoroughbred Award

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Beezie Madden and Simon lead the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2012 – Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, is pleased to announce that the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series will feature a high point Thoroughbred Award. The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a $10,000 prize will be presented to the high point Thoroughbred participating in the Series. To be eligible for the Thoroughbred award, horses must be registered with the Jockey Club or have a verifiable lip tattoo.

Dr. Stuart Brown, President of Hagyard, commented, “This award is in keeping with Hagyard’s commitment to Thoroughbreds. Since we were founded in 1876, we have had a vested interest in the Thoroughbred industry through the relationships with our traditional clients in the Bluegrass. We want to encourage and reward those who seek opportunities for second careers for these horses in athletic endeavors beyond flat racing.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

Junior and Young Riders Set to Jump in Europe

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U.S. Young Riders are prepared for the 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour (USEF Archive)

Lexington, KY – The 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour gets underway this week in Belgium. Five up-and-coming Young Riders and one Junior Rider from the U.S. will compete alongside some of the best rising talent in Europe at three prestigious competitions over the next month. The first stop on the 2012 tour is this weekend’s CSIOYJ Bonheiden, which runs May 17-20.

To learn more about the 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour, and for competition dates, click here.

The five U.S. riders contesting the CSIOY this weekend have already made an impact on the American jumping scene and look to add to their resumes in Europe. Annie Cook (Woodside, CA) was the winner of the 2005 Adequan/USEF Pony Jumper Individual Championship and in 2008 she was a member of the Gold medal winning Zone 10 team at the 2008 CN FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Cook will ride Signe Ostby’s Banba and Landkorn 5 in Europe. Jennifer Goddard also brings two horses on the 2012 Show Jumping European Young Rider Tour: Stateside Farm’s Unique and Ungaro de la Hot Couture. Goddard (Fort Solanga, NY) enjoyed a successful 2011 season collecting victories at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival and the Lake Placid Horse Show.

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