Tag Archives: Show Jumping

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Dream Start for Young Laura Collett at Badminton – Opener for HSBC FEI Classics

Leave a comment

Laura Collett (GBR) on Rayef in the lead after Day 1 of Dressage at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2011 - opener for the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 22 April 2011 – Laura Collett (GBR) made a dream start to her debut at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, when heading several more experienced riders at the end of the first day of Dressage.

Collett, 21, is renowned for having a cool head and a tidy style – she was a successful rider of show ponies as a child – and she presented a neat and pleasing picture on the 12-year-old Dutch-bred Rayef, the horse on which she won Junior and Young Rider European titles in 2007 and 2009.

“That’s his best test ever,” said a delighted Collett on learning of her score of 36.5 penalties, which gives her a 3.3 lead over Germany’s Marina Köhncke. “Yogi Briesner (trainer) told me to ride as if I was at home. Rayef didn’t make any mistakes and he was soft and attentive. It was nice to sit on.

“My whole life has been about getting to Badminton, so to be here for the first time on such a good horse feels amazing.”

Continue reading Dream Start for Young Laura Collett at Badminton – Opener for HSBC FEI Classics →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Land Rover US Eventing Team Ready for CCI4* Challenge at the 2011 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – All 84 horses presented at the first Horse Inspection at the 2011 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials were accepted by the Ground Jury without incident. This includes three American horses: Mandiba, BallyNoe Castle RM, and The Good Witch.

With their riders, Karen O’Connor, who contested her first Badminton in 1979, Buck Davidson, whose father Bruce was the first U.S. winner in 1995, and Jennifer Wooten-DaFoe, who looks to cross Badminton off the list of CCI4*s to complete with her diminutive mare, these horses are trying to do something that has only been done twice before by Americans:

Win.

Karen O’Connor and Mandiba are the most experienced combination having represented the U.S. at both the 2008 Olympic Games and as part of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. O’Connor’s husband David was the second U.S. rider to win the prestigious event, when he took the honor with Custom Made in 1997.

“Mandiba is in great form,” said O’Connor of the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse. “He has never had a better run up to a CCI4*. He’s fit, he’s well, he’s sound and he is ready and I am really excited about the weekend. It’s all out there for me to give this horse the chance he deserves.”

Continue reading Land Rover US Eventing Team Ready for CCI4* Challenge at the 2011 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, Show Jumping, USEF

This Week in USEF International Disciplines – April 21

Leave a comment

Driving

At the Southern Pines CDE in North Carolina, six advanced divisions gave the U.S. drivers plenty of opportunity to hone their skills for some o f the 2011 FEI World Driving Championships. In the Advanced Single Pony Divisions, Australia’s Janelle Marshall won but USA’s Maggie Sullivan was second and Doris Leacy was third.

In the Advanced Pair Pony division, Wendy O’Brien scored a victory over Jennifer Matheson which came down to a close competition in the cones. O’Brien ended up in front on the strength of her marathon performance.

Allison Stroud continues her domination of the team pony division in the United States with her team of grey mostly Welsh ponies.

The Advanced Single Horse division proved successful for Kate Shields, she bested young driver Jacob Arnold by less than a point for the win. Robin Groves was less than four points off the winning score in the most competitive division of the weekend.

Continue reading This Week in USEF International Disciplines – April 21 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

HITS Culpeper Kicks Off with Commonwealth National

Leave a comment

© ESI Photography. Sarah Scheiring and Landino on course in the Level 7 Jumpers.

CULPEPER, VA (April 21, 2011) — It’s official! The grass is freshly cut, the flags are flying high and the sponsor banners are lining the grounds, as show jumping is underway with the Commonwealth National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

“We have been here every week for as long as I can remember,” said trainer Peter Foley. “With the diverse schedule of classes and its convenient location in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, HITS Culpeper is a ‘can’t miss’ for us.”

When the action kicked off yesterday in the hunter ring, it was Winn Alden (Bristow, Virginia) who got the party started when she took the blue ribbon aboard Stacey McFadden’s Catalyst in the first over fences class of the First Year Green Hunter division. In the second class, she piloted Cassandra Gergeley’s Davinci to the victory, which puts her on the inside track for a division championship when it gets crowned later today!

“It’s great to be back in Culpeper,” said Alden. “I was in Ocala all winter and we had a great time. I will be showing at Culpeper every week, trying to qualify for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.”

Continue reading HITS Culpeper Kicks Off with Commonwealth National →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

HSBC FEI Classics Opener Attracts Lucky Seven Line-Up for Badminton

Leave a comment

Paul Tapner (AUS), winner of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in 2010 with Inonothing, rides Kilfinnie in this year’s event and opener for the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 21 April 2011 – The HSBC FEI Classics 2011, an exciting series linking five of the world’s top level events, begins in style today (Thursday 21 April – Monday 25 April) at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR).

The first crucial qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games has attracted arguably the strongest international field for many years with representatives from 11 nations and seven former winners entered.

Oliver Townend (GBR), 28, the 2009 victor, wasn’t even born when the double Olympic champion Mark Todd (NZL), 55, made his Badminton debut – and won – 31 years ago. Both riders have been in dominant form on the British national circuit this spring. Townend rides the grey Ashdale Cruise Master, fifth at Luhmühlen last year, while Todd has Major Milestone, 11th at Burghley last time, and is last to go on the former Townend ride NZB Land Vision, guaranteeing a gripping end to Cross-Country day on Sunday.

Continue reading HSBC FEI Classics Opener Attracts Lucky Seven Line-Up for Badminton →

Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Publications/Media, Show Jumping, Western/Reining

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Presents “A Celebration of the Arabian Horse”, April 23, 2011 at 6:30 PM

Leave a comment

6:30 pm – Performance by Hall of Fame Kristin Hardin jumping, National Champion Kit Hall western roping and reining, National Champion dressage, and performances by the Gold Coast Arabian HC horses and riders

7:00 pm – Cocktail Reception

7:30 pm – Film Premiere – “A Gift from the Desert: The Arabian Horse”

A soaring panorama of the horse that began in Arabia and went on to create Empires and champions today in every category.

Filmed on location in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Great Britain, Kentucky, California with the Saudi Equestrian riders, the Royal Oman Cavalry, National Jumping Champion, National Dressage Champion, National Working Cowhorse Champion

Written and Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jo Franklin. Named “One of the Top 100 Film Producers” in the US by Millimeter Magazine. Ms. Franklin is a rider and breeder of Arabian horses and a member of the Arabian Horse Association, the Pyramid Society and the World Arabian Horse Organization.

Order tickets online at www.celebratearabianhorse.com.

Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-5867 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Eric L. Straus Named to National Horse Show Association Board of Directors to Fill Term of the Late Eugene R. Mische

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – April 19, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America Ltd. announced today that Eric L. Straus has been appointed to the Board of Directors to fill out the term held by the late Eugene R. Mische.

Straus brings a wealth of talent and experience to the National Horse Show Board of Directors.

Straus is a recognized USEF judge, steward and FEI show jumping steward. Recently, at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Straus served as the FEI Honorary Chief Steward General for Reining and previously officiated at the World Equestrian Games in 2002 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and again in 2006 in Aachen Germany. He was Chief Judge for Modern Pentathlon at the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1987 Pan American Games.

Straus is a Trustee and Executive Committee member of the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C., and is Secretary and Executive Committee member of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. He also served as Executive Director of the United States Equestrian Federation in 1996-1997.

Continue reading Eric L. Straus Named to National Horse Show Association Board of Directors to Fill Term of the Late Eugene R. Mische →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, JRPR, Products/Services, Show Jumping

Grand Prix Show Jumper Aaron Vale Rides His Way into The Winner’s Circle in Amerigo Saddles from World Equestrian Brands

Leave a comment

Award-winning Grand Prix show jumper Aaron Vale rides in an Amerigo Saddle and is an endorsed rider with World Equestrian Brands. (Photo courtesy of Mallory Norton)

Buena Vista, VA (April 20, 2011) – Grand Prix rider Aaron Vale has solidified his position as one of America’s greatest show jumpers, riding into the history books with over 165 Grand Prix wins and more than three million dollars in prize money. Vale rode in his first Grand Prix at the tender age of 14 and said he is always looking for an advantage when competing — and that riding in an Amerigo Saddle gives him that advantage.

“Aaron is an extremely talented rider and definitely one of the best in the sport,” said Robin Moore, President of World Equestrian Brands, LLC, the United States distributor of Amerigo saddles and strap goods, Amerigo Vega saddles, Vespucci, E. A. Mattes and Equilibrium products. “Aaron has been one of World Equestrian Brand’s endorsed riders for quite some time and we are so pleased that he finds benefit from the Amerigo Saddles.”

Vale, who holds the records for the most Grand Prix wins in one year, the most money won in one year and the most double clear rounds in one year, has been riding in an Amerigo Saddle for three show seasons. “At the top levels of every sort, everyone is looking for an advantage. I discovered the Amerigo Saddles when my good friend Buck Davidson had me help him with one of his three-day mounts. Buck rides in the Amerigo and I was very impressed with the balance of the saddle and how great it felt on the horse’s back,” Vale said. “Some of today’s brands don’t focus on the true fit of a saddle regarding the horse’s back and I love the way Amerigo does. The horse is an athlete and has to be comfortable to perform well. Amerigo Saddles gets this done.”

Continue reading Grand Prix Show Jumper Aaron Vale Rides His Way into The Winner’s Circle in Amerigo Saddles from World Equestrian Brands →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Hunter/Equitation, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Show Jumping

Jumping Radio Show Episode 58 – Jennifer Alfano

Leave a comment


Jennifer Alfano fresh from another win with Jersey Boy in the Hunter Derby Series, Dr. Tania Cubitt with another nutritional tip for the spring season, and journalist Pippa Cookson joins Chris in the co-host chair for a update on British Show Jumping. Listen in…

Jumping Radio Episode 58 – Show Notes and Links:

______________________________

Listen, Download or Subscribe:

iTunes Subscribe
Subscribe in Reader

Rider Ambassador for Just World

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Welcomes Adelaide to HSBC FEI Classics 2012 Season

Leave a comment

Wendy Schaeffer on Koyuna Sun Shine - winner of the 2010 Australia International 3 Day Event 2010 © Jim Hillman InMotion Photography

Lausanne (SUI), 15 April 2011 – The FEI is delighted to welcome the Australian International 3 Day Event to the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 season.

The Adelaide-based event, which in 2002 became the first CCI 4* in the southern hemisphere, will host the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 season against the stunning city centre backdrop of Adelaide Park Lands on 18-20 November 2011.

“The Australian International 3 Day Event is the country’s premier equestrian competition and one of only six 4* events held around the world,” explained Event Director and dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton (AUS). “For the last 10 years, Adelaide has been the chosen host city of this hallmark equestrian event. We are now extremely proud to take our place in the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 season and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and competitors to an action-packed event in our unique City of Adelaide Parkland setting.”

Continue reading FEI Welcomes Adelaide to HSBC FEI Classics 2012 Season →