Tag Archives: Split Rock Jumping Tour

Awards, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Molly Ashe and Balou’s Day Date Receive Equis “Best Presented Horse Award”

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Molly Ashe and Balou’s Day Date

Lexington, KY – Equis Boutique, a luxury shopping experience for the discerning equestrian, awarded coveted “Best Presented Horse” honors to Molly Ashe and Balou’s Day Date this weekend after Thursday’s FEI Horse Inspection at Split Rock Jumping Tour’s Bourbon International CSI 3* in Lexington, KY.

Ashe and Balou’s Day Date, owned by Louisburg Farm, took part in FEI competition at Split Rock Jumping Tour’s second 3* event this year after its premiere show, the Lexington International CSI 3*, kicked off in May. In addition to the Equis Boutique “Best Presented Horse Award”, Ashe and her 10-year-old Oldenburg Mare (Balou Du Rouet x Linda-Dolores) placed fifth in Sunday’s $100,000 CSI3* Grand Prix against a starting field of 36.

Equis Boutique is the most convenient and luxurious choice for top equestrian brands to dress the horse and rider, including Parlanti, Anna Scarpati, Kingsland Equestrian, Kentucky Horsewear, Dy’on, specialty imported bits, as well as Official FEI and Just World International merchandise. Continuing their dedication to excellence in all areas of horse sport, Equis Boutique has devoted their presence at North American horse shows to enhancing the importance and prestige of the FEI Horse Inspection.

Ashe’s award commended the overall turnout of both her and her horse after evaluation by the Split Rock Jumping Tour FEI Ground Jury, made up of Jenny Ross-Koning (USA), Bobby Murphy (USA), Leslie Brown (USA), and led by President Jonathan Taylor (CAN).

She and Balou’s Day Date were presented with a commemorative silver plate, as well as assorted products from Equis partner brands for the honor.

“This is a cool award because it’s really a shout-out to the caretakers of the horses,” said Ashe. “They don’t always get the appreciation or thanks that they deserve, so this is huge fun for the grooms.”

Balou’s Day Date is meticulously cared for by Louisburg Farm groom Ezequiel Remigio, who took her over at the end of the 2015 season in Florida. “You could see how proud he was to earn the award – she [Balou’s Day Date] can do no wrong in his eyes,” added Ashe.

Ashe and Balou’s Day Date picked up their fifth-place ribbon on Sunday over a big, difficult course from designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). “She’s a feisty little horse with a huge heart and I’m proud of her,” said Ashe. “She gives it her all every time out and she tried hard.”

The Bourbon International was the final horse show of 2015 for Ashe and Balou’s Day Date. The mare now gets a well-deserved break before Ashe’s string spends the winter competing in Florida. “We have done a lot this year and I think this winter Balou’s Day Date will do the 1.50m and 1.45m FEI classes at WEF – that seems to be her niche.”

Equis Boutique was founded in 2014 by FEI judges Elena Couttenye and Cesar Hirsch, and in addition to creating a mobile, one-stop shopping opportunity for high-end international riding apparel within the American market, they wanted Equis to elevate FEI Horse Inspections with a little friendly competition among owners, riders and grooms. From that idea, the Equis Boutique “Best Presented Horse Award” was born and has been given at nearly ten horse shows across the U.S. so far this year. These shows include both weeks of the Split Rock Jumping Tour, as well as the 2015 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas, NV and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“We started presenting this award in the spring of 2015 and each horse inspection gets more and more impressive,” said Hirsch. “It’s rewarding to see riders take pride in their mounts and for the caretakers of these horses to get recognition for the hard work to keep them competition-ready and looking their best.”

Hirsch is excited to see the success of the Equis Boutique award spread and looks forward to presenting it again throughout the 2016 season beginning at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) this January. “Split Rock Jumping Tour is a creative new addition to the horse sport calendar and we were proud to be involved as sponsors,” said Hirsch. “It’s events like these that offer top competition, as well as a true quality experience for athletes and spectators, that fit perfectly with the mission of Equis Boutique.”

Equis Boutique made a successful debut season at WEF in Wellington, FL and HITS Horse Shows in Ocala, FL this winter, and has had a busy summer season at horse shows around the U.S. For a complete schedule of Equis Boutique locations, visit equisboutique.com/find-us.

Contact: Lindsay Brock
Jump Media
Cell: (518) 586-6258
Lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Split Rock Jumping Tour Ready to Host Second CSI3* after Outstanding Spring Debut

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Kevin Babington and Shorapur win $100,000 CSI3* Grand Prix (Sel Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The Split Rock Jumping Tour, a new international show jumping series that is revolutionizing the horse show experience for riders, sponsors and spectators, is ready to host some of the world’s top riders and horses for its second international event which is just two weeks away. The Bourbon International CSI3*, the second leg of the 2015 Split Rock Jumping Tour, will take place October 9-11 at Split Rock Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Created by international show jumper Derek Braun, who owns Split Rock Farm, the shows offer a world-class venue with a boutique-style flair. As an FEI recognized 3* event, the Split Rock Jumping Tour allows riders to earn FEI points without having to travel to Europe. Split Rock’s inaugural May event, the Lexington International CSI3*, received rave reviews from competitors, sponsors and spectators, and the up-coming Bourbon International CSI3* is set to be even better.

Braun spares no detail and made big improvements for the October show including new top of the line footing created especially for Split Rock Farm by Equestrian Services International (ESI). ESI has installed footing at some of the nation’s leading horse shows including the Devon Horse Show, Lake Placid Horse Shows and the Winter Equestrian Festival.

The Split Rock experience is five-star all the way for riders, horses, sponsors, grooms and spectators. It’s all about the details at Split Rock such as all-inclusive entry packages, extravagant awards, trophies by LV Harkness & Co., numerous first-class amenities, and five-star VIP treatment. There is even a concierge service to assist grooms with the unloading process of horses and equipment upon arrival.

“We hosted some of the world’s top competitors representing 14 countries at our first show and the feedback has been amazing,” said Braun. “We truly are revolutionizing the sport of show jumping in this country which has been our mission. Over 3,000 spectators came to enjoy our first world-class competition, and we promise that the Bourbon International is going to be even better!”

Braun has chosen a roster of top officials to oversee the competition. The Ground Jury President is Jonathan Taylor (CAN), while Ground Jury Members include Jenny Ross-Koning (USA), Bobby Murphy (USA) and Leslie Brown (USA). Jose Gamarra (BOL) is the Foreign Judge, while Eric Straus (USA) is the FEI Chief Steward. Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) is the official Course Designer and he will be using beautifully created jumps by Stephens Equestrian Designs.

USEF President Chrystine Tauber praised Split Rock’s first event and the foresight it took to bring it to fruition. “It was a great experience. We’re really thrilled to have an event of this caliber on the calendar, and we’re looking forward to having more events like this. We’re very grateful to Derek Braun and Split Rock for doing this and for having the vision to create something this unique and special.”

Olympic veteran Kevin Babington of Ireland, winner of Split Rock’s Lexington International $100,000 CSI3* Grand Prix, was very impressed with their inaugural spring event. “The whole experience – for me, the grooms, and my customers – was outstanding. They’ve set the bar here, and the other shows are going to have to follow.”

Brook Ledge High JA winner Tara Corr Boy Blue (Sel Photography)
Brook Ledge High JA winner Tara Corr Boy Blue (Sel Photography)

New classes have been added for the Bourbon International. These include the $9,500 Kingsland Equestrian Children’s/Adult 1.10m Jumper Section and the $10,000 Split Rock Youngster Bowl for 7- and 8-year-old horses sponsored by Blue Gate Farm.

Hospitality sponsor Crowinshield Consulting is the official sponsor of the Crowinshield VIP lounge. The Split Rock “Hospitality Experience” includes private ringside tables, gourmet catered meals, Gala tickets, lounge seating, music, dancing, access to the VIP Spa Indulge Zone, and exclusive boutique shopping.

In addition to the chance to see many of the sport’s top horses and riders competing in world-class show jumping competition, spectators will also have the chance to enjoy a variety of boutique shops and food vendors, a Children & Family Festival, a Beer and Wine Garden with live music, as well as free raffles.

The Split Rock Jumping Tour has partnered with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation in which a portion of proceeds from all sales of Split Rock Jumping Tour Hospitality packages will go directly to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation to support their programs. Split Rock will also provide staff and patients of the Center with free tickets to attend. For more information, please visit: https://ukmarkey.org.

Further information on the Split Rock Jumping Tour, including a detailed schedule and how to order tickets, is available on line at the Tour’s website at www.SplitRockJumpingTour.com or by emailing info@SplitRockJumpingTour.com.

From Classic Communications