Tag Archives: Show Jumping

Griffis Group Joins The Colorado Horse Park for a Summer of Equestrian Sport

Mark Your Calendar for the $40,000 Griffis Apartment Funds Grand Prix on July 16

Show jumping showcases the athleticism of horse and rider, like Georgia Griffis riding "Welcome". The $40,000 Griffis Apartment Funds Grand Prix is July 16 at The Colorado Horse Park.

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) will be highlighted with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs during Summer Circuit, June 8 – July 24, 2011.

Griffis Group, a Denver-based real estate investment group, joins CHP as title sponsor for the $40,000 Griffis Apartment Funds Grand Prix on July 16. This international show jumping event is expected to attract top equestrians from around North America, and is part of a six-week circuit that brings millions of dollars into the local economy in Parker and Douglas County.

“Grand Prix show jumping is an exciting sport that we feel has a lot of potential in this area,” explains Ian Griffis, managing director of Griffis Group. “With Colorado’s central location between the coasts, Mexico and Canada, we feel the location has the potential for strong growth as a major show venue in the future.”

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JustWorld Ambassador Kevin Staut Named to FEI Executive Board

JustWorld Rider Ambassador Kevin Staut is the first athlete representative named to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Executive Board. Photo credit – Sportfot

Lausanne, Switzerland – JustWorld International Ambassador and number one show jumping rider in the world, Kevin Staut of France, was named the first athlete representative to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Executive Board.

Staut, who is the reigning European Champion, will serve on the FEI Executive Board.  Other members include FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein (JOR), First Vice-President John McEwen (GBR), Second Vice-President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), Chair of Group VII Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), Chair of the Driving Committee Richard Nicoll (USA) and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos (BEL).

“We are very proud that the FEI has recognized the valuable contributions that Kevin can make to the sport by advocating for the athletes in his new role on the FEI Executive Board,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of JustWorld International.  “Since becoming a JustWorld Rider Ambassador, Kevin has been an exemplary model for equestrian youth, demonstrating how an athlete competing at the highest levels can still make giving back to others one of his highest priorities.  Kevin is a true leader, not only in the world rankings, but also by inspiring countless young equestrians to become socially responsible citizens.”

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Elections and Allocation of FEI Championships and Finals

Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011 – Carmen Barrera (ESA) and Roberto Luiz Giugni (BRA) were elected chairs of regional groups V and VI respectively by the FEI Extraordinary General Assembly which was held on 6 May 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

The following FEI Championships and Finals were allocated by the FEI Bureau during its meeting on 5 May:

2012

JUMPING

FEI European Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children, Ebreichsdorf-Magna Racino (AUT), August (exact dates TBC)

DRESSAGE

FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, Bern (SUI), 8-15 July

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The Super-Eight Line Up for the FEI Nations Cup 2011 Season

Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011 – The FEI Nations Cup Top League series this year reverts to the eight-leg, eight-team format that was originally established in 2003, and next Friday the 2011 season is set to kick off at La Baule in France.

The most enduring of all FEI disciplines, Nations Cup jumping has stirred the hearts and souls of competitors and spectators alike for more than a century now, and the air of excitement and expectation ahead of the new season is tangible.

Visiting many of the most prestigious venues on the international equestrian circuit, the FEI Nations Cup has a cachet all of its own. It is always an honour to be selected to represent your country, and riders proudly fly their national flags in this annual battle for supremacy. But it’s not just about which country fields the strongest sides, this series is also a test of the leadership skills of the all-important Chefs d’Equipe, and a test of the character, courage and determination of the competitors who must ride the waves of the fluctuating fortunes that always accompany competitions of this calibre.

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Johnstone Sets the Target with Double Down Under

Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express wins again in Sydney at the second leg of the FEI World Cup Eventing 2011. Photo: Rachel Smith/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2011 – As anticipated, Antipodean riders seized the chance to steal a march on their northern hemisphere colleagues in the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing series by targeting the second leg, at Sydney’s Weekend of Equestrian World Cups (AUS).

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone followed up his victory at Kihikihi (NZL) last month by travelling across the Tasman Sea to pick up another win aboard Orient Express, his team bronze medal-winning mount at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

Only three riders have won two FEI World Cup events in a season: Michael Jung (GER) last year, Megan Jones (AUS) in 2009, and Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) in 2007. Johnstone’s two wins, plus a third at Kihikihi, gives him an impressive tally of 119 points.

With riders’ three best results counting towards the final rankings, which carry a first prize of €28,000 the New Zealander could prove hard to beat. He has further chances to improve his tally as he sets off for Britain this month to further his ambition of selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

George H. Morris with his Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland. Photo courtesy of EFF.

Ypäjä, Finland – U.S. show jumping legend George H. Morris received a Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland (EFF) on May 5, for his work with the Finnish show jumping athletes. Morris, who is the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team, has globally impacted the sport of show jumping.

Tom Gardin, a representative of the Scandinavian country’s Federation, awarded the Badge to Morris at the conclusion of a three-day clinic. The presentation took place in Ypäjä, a small village 80 miles northwest of Helsinki best known for horses and its equine college that hosts Finnderby, an international competition that takes place annually.

Morris has been making almost annual trips to Finland since 1984. He has been highly appreciated by the hundreds of riders and trainers, including participants from the Baltic countries, who he has taught and inspired throughout his years of training and conducting clinics.

“I like coming to Finland… I value this badge highly and feel honored,” said Morris.

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Jumping Radio Episode 61 – Rolex FEI World Cup Final Winners


Louise Parkes reports on the Rolex FEI Jumping Final which took place in Leipzig, Germany and produced a home win for the German jumping camp. Tune in right here.

Jumping Radio Episode 61 – Show Notes and Links:

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Kevin Staut Becomes First Athlete Representative on FEI Executive Board

Kevin Staut (FRA)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 May 2011 – Kevin Staut, one of France’s most successful Jumping riders, has become the first athlete to be appointed to the FEI Executive Board. His appointment was ratified at today’s Extraordinary General Assembly at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI).

Staut (31), who has held the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings for Jumping since July 2010, has ridden on numerous Nations Cup teams for France and claimed individual gold at the Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships in 2009.

Staut will serve a three-year term on the Executive Board alongside First Vice President John McEwen (GBR), Second Vice President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN) Chair of Group VII, Richard Nicoll (USA) Chair of the Driving Committee and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos (BEL).

“Sports governance can so often be about politics, and the appointment of an athlete representative on the Executive Board is an historic event for the FEI. It will give us a constant reminder that sport should always be at the heart of everything we do,” explained FEI President HRH Princess Haya. “Kevin is a consummate horseman who will represent the best interests of athletes across all of our disciplines. He is widely admired by all of us and we are delighted that he joins the Executive Board.”

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Luncheon at Port Mayaca’s Driving Trial to Benefit New Handicap Driving Program at VTRC

VTRC's Skippy. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Loxahatchee, FL – May 4, 2011 – The Spring Horse Driving Trial at Port Mayaca Polo Club, Saturday and Sunday May 14th and 15th, will include a charity luncheon to benefit the new driving program at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. The Luncheon will be held Saturday the May 14th during the Dressage and Cones portion of the competition in Okeechobee, FL. The competition will begin at 9 am and the luncheon will be served from 12 until 2pm. The competition is similar to 3 day eventing, including dressage, cones which is similar to the stadium jumping portion, and a cross country portion, including obstacles that will be driven on Sunday starting at 9am.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the start up of VTRC’s new handicap driving program. The addition of a driving program will allow the center to meet the needs of people who may not be able to ride but will enjoy the camaraderie of the barn and the excitement of competition. VTRC Director of Development Susan Guinan has been committed to starting a driving program at VTRC for sometime. She began driving in the 1980s, and has competed at Gladstone and Devon and many other shows along the east coast. She continued her driving while living in England and was involved with the RDA driving program. She is pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to VTRC.

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2011 ANRC National Intercollegiate Championship

Award presentations for ANRC National Championship (Flashpoint Photography).

Hardeeville, SC – The weather gods smiled on the American National Riding Commission (ANRC) the weekend of April 14-17 at their 34th annual National Intercollegiate Equitation Championships hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). While other areas experienced tornados and downpours, the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center just outside Savannah, GA, in Hardeeville, SC, was spared. Fifty-two riders from 10 colleges were able to enjoy the beautiful facility, meticulously groomed arenas, challenging medal courses, and imposing new hunter trials fences.

The ANRC National Championship is a member event of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Affiliate Equitation Awards Program. The championship showcases the American Forward Riding System and the sporting horse. Judged on equitation, it rewards diversified skills in a three-phase competition. Competitors complete a dressage sportif ride, an outdoor hunter trials course and a USEF Medal-type hunter seat equitation course. Riders ride the same horse throughout the competition, and jumps do not exceed 3 feet in height. They also sit for a written test on riding theory and equine science. Teams may consist of two or three riders (with the lowest of the three scores dropped in each phase). Individuals also may compete.

For the first time this year, a Novice Division with fences at 2’6” was offered in addition to the 3’ Nationals Division. Seven colleges fielded Novice teams or individuals: Goucher College, Midway College, SCAD, St. Andrews Presbyterian College (SAPC), University of Georgia (UGA), The University of the South (Sewanee), and Virginia Intermont College (VIC). Midway, competing at their first Nationals, swept the Novice Division winning the team Championship over VIC. Midway’s twin sisters, Alison and Erinn Born, were Novice Individual Champion and Reserve.

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