Tag Archives: Sinead Halpin

All the Lights in Sinead Halpin’s Chandelier Shown Brightly at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event

Photos by Mary Quarles

Having known Sinead Halpin since she was a preteen, riding and training here in South Carolina, I can object to a few of the comments made by Jimmy Wofford in his pre Rolex commentary, in reference to Sinead’s chances of placing in the top ten (which he felt she would accomplish).

I remember her first “Event Horse” quite well. He was a flea bitten gray Arabian named “Jazz”, better known as the “Energizer Bunny” for his unique jumping style. Sinead and about a half dozen young riders, such as Michael Pollard for one and my own daughter, were very determined to become Olympic 3-Day Eventers.

As young riders, they were extremely focused on gaining the skills necessary to ride and compete at the top levels of competition. They all have been successful, both in competition as well as in their personal lives as maturing young adults.

Parents of young riders who have the interest and determination to become successful equestrians should understand that beyond the apparent costs of participating in equestrian sports, the return on their monetary investment, is that these young people’s determination and drive for the sport gives them the tools to become successful adults in their future careers, if not as Olympic level equestrians, then in the business world, no matter what career path, they eventually choose.

Continue reading All the Lights in Sinead Halpin’s Chandelier Shown Brightly at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event

USET Foundation Presents Pinnacle Cup to Sinead Halpin

Sinead Halpin was awarded the USET Foundation's Pinnacle Cup Trophy as the highest placed American rider at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****. Photo © 2011 Amy Dragoo.

Lexington, KY – May 19, 2011 – The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Sinead Halpin of Gladstone, NJ. Halpin rode Manoir de Carneville to a third place finish at the top event and was the highest placed American rider, which earned her the trophy.

Manoir de Carneville is owned by Carrig, LLC. This was his first CCI****, and the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding showcased his skills in all three phases. They finished the difficult competition with a score of 53.1 after incurring just 4.4 time faults in the cross-country phase.

This was also Halpin’s first time competing at a CCI**** and she was thrilled with her mount’s performance. “He’s very good in all three phases, which is rare,” she explained. “I don’t think there is one that he excels at more than the others, he’s great across the page. He has an unusual jumping style, but he’s got the heart and the brains, and he’s very physically athletic. At Rolex he felt great; it didn’t feel like it was a push for him.”

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King Crowned Champion of 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4*

Halpin Takes USEF National CCI4* Championship on First Try

Mary King and Kings Temptress. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF.

Lexington, KY – Mary King was not going to be stopped in her quest to take a Rolex watch back to Great Britain. Lying first and second after the cross-country at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone –  with Kings Temptress and Fernhill Urco – she did not flinch in the final show jumping phase and jumped an immaculate double-clear round on both horses.

For the first time in history, the champion and reserve champion of America’s only CCI4* was the same rider. King was confident and excited coming into the show jumping, and she rode with a professionalism that was inspiring.

Kings Temptress added nothing to her fourth-placed dressage score of 47.7, they jumped immaculately around Saturday’s cross-country course and then sealed the win over today’s jumping track. King took home top honors with her 11-year-old homebred mare, who is now owned by Derek Rostron Baden. Her closest competition was her stablemate, Fernhill Urco, who emerged from his first CCI4* with second-place honors after only adding eight time faults to his dressage score. The Portuguese-bred grey gelding owned by Sue and Edwin Davies and Janette Chinn, jumped an immaculate clear round and really proved himself at the level. His clear round, jumped out of order due to the proximity of the placings, gave King great confidence to know that whatever happened with the second horse, the top honors were going home with the British veteran.

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Eventing Radio Episode 139 by Bit of Britain – Rolex Final, Mary King 1 and 2

Third Place Sinead Halpin joins Chris to recap the weekend, Mary King in first and second place. It was a great weekend with some real twists; tune in right here…

Eventing Radio Episode 139 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: Chronicle of the Horse
  • Guest: James Alliston
  • Guest: Sinead Halpin
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING show will be live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011 from 4-5:30pm Eastern.

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Mary King Takes 1st and 2nd at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Mary King, riding Kings Temptress. Photos credit Stock Image Services.com, provided by Rolex.

Mary King (GBR) today, Sunday 1st May 2011, held her nerve, and her overnight lead, to finish in first and second position after the final Show Jumping phase at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

William Fox-Pitt riding Neuf Des Coeurs finished in 4th position and Oliver Townend riding ODT Sonas Rovatio was 6th, with both riding clear rounds in the Show Jumping.

Quotes from Mary King/Kings Temptress: “I was much too excited to get much sleep last night – I ended up watching a film at 2am in the morning! I was fairly calm today, I always feel that with three day events that yesterday is the big day, you want to get through it and your horses to be well, and today whatever will be will be – you just have to go in there, try and keep calm, ride each fence and try and forget about all the crowds around, and you sort of feel whatever’s going to happen is going to happen and hope they are going to pick up their feet and that it all works out!”

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King Is Queen at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event; Halpin Leads American Effort

USA's Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Lexington, KY – Great Britain’s Mary King was unstoppable on cross-country day at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone. She guided two horses around Derek di Grazia’s course to claim the top two places on the leaderboard. Australia’s 2007 winner, Clayton Fredericks, sits third on Be My Guest and Sinead Halpin jumped up to fourth in her first CCI4* with Manoir de Carneville, to lead the assault on the USEF National CCI4* Championship.

King cruised around on Kings Temptress, her 11-year-old homebred mare. She was one of only three double-clear rounds all day and jumped her way from fourth after the dressage, to the top of the leaderboard on a score of 47.7. With her less experienced horse, Fernhill Urco, she used all of her expertise to guide the Portuguese-bred gelding home for owners Sue and Edwin Davies in his first try at this level. Second after the dressage behind American rider Tiana Coudray, Fernhill Urco kept his position even after he picked up eight time faults. His score of 49.7 means his stablemate doesn’t have a rail in hand.

“The mare was pretty fluid all the way around,” said King. “I was amazed, galloping along thinking how good the ground was. The mare had a fairly fault-free round and she was quite easy with the time.”

Continue reading King Is Queen at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event; Halpin Leads American Effort