Tag Archives: Spruce Meadows

Kent Farrington and Uceko Repeat Winning Performance in $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W

June 17, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Uceko. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo Top 1.50m

Calgary, AB – June 16, 2013 – The ‘Continental’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows finished with a fantastic day of competition, including another big victory for Kent Farrington and Uceko in the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W, the second week in a row that they have won the grand prix. Beezie Madden (USA) and Coral Reef Via Volo won the $60,000 Great-West Life Cup 1.50m. The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments will continue on June 25-30 with the ‘Canada One’ Tournament CSI-W 4*.

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela tested the riders today with a technical track, but six were able to find the clear path to the jump-off. First in was McLain Ward (USA) on Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farm. They were the fastest pair of the day in 44.327 seconds, but it came at the price of four faults at the second jump. They would finish in fifth place.

Reed Kessler (USA) and Cylana were clear in 46.810 seconds, but it wasn’t quite enough to pull out the win today. Kessler has had a string of second place finishes at this year’s Spruce Meadows, including one earlier in the morning in the 1.50m with Mika.

She laughed, “I’m living under some kind of a curse; I’ve been second about 25 times in a row now! I actually had a feeling he would beat me, going after me. I came in a little fast to that combination in the first round, and she was quite good to me. I wanted, out of that big gallop, to really make sure I gave her a better chance this round. He did the big 10 strides to (fence) 10c, which I could have done. But that’s kind of the way it goes early in the jump-off. It’s just making me hungrier I guess!”

Kessler praised Cylana, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Skippy II x Darco, and their teamwork. “She was fantastic. I thought I wasn’t totally spot-on in the first round. It’s part of being a team. She was definitely on today and she carried me through the first round. I’m happy with my second place finish. I wish I could have beaten him, but there are still a few weeks left,” she said with smile.

Farrington and Uceko were next in the jump-off, and they set out in a huge gallop before they even crossed the start timers. Everything came up smoothly for them, and they left out a stride to a wide oxer, the second to last fence in the jump-off. They stopped the timers in 44.469 seconds to take the lead, which no one would be able to catch.

Farrington said rather than trying to only catch Kessler’s time, he was also trying to think about the fast horses and riders who would follow him. “Beezie was on the horse that won the World Cup Finals and is one of the best riders in the world on a fast horse. Charlie Jayne has a very big gallop on that horse, similar to mine. I thought they were both real threats coming after me,” he acknowledged. “It was more about sticking to my own strategy (and) using my horse’s strengths, which are his bravery and his great gallop. I just let him open up right from the start and didn’t let up.”

Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Simon wouldn’t threaten Farrington’s time. They were clear, but their slower time of 48.197 seconds would leave them in fourth place.

Charlie Jayne and Alex R. Jayne’s Chill R Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion by Chellano Z x A Lucky One, had a dramatic start to their jump-off with a long gallop around the ring before the first jump, but it didn’t quite work out as planned. After drifting right after the first jump, they added in a stride from what Farrington did in the first line. Following that, Jayne let off the gas pedal a bit.

Jayne remarked, “I started galloping about 50 strides away and the wrong one happened to show up. The 16 foot rails are very impressive here. That was the one jump in the first round that he didn’t jump well, the CN oxer that was jump three in the first round. It was fence one in the jump-off, so I was a little worried that he was going to be backed off. He didn’t back off, but I got a little too deep and shifted right.”

He continued, “I just made a decision after I got 12 (strides) to fence two that I was going to try and go for a clear round. I was really happy with the way he went. He’d been knocking on the door the last two weeks. I’ve been making little rider errors, so I was happy that I fixed those for today.”

Jayne added, “I wanted to say thank you to CN for being such a long-time sponsor for the sport. They’ve done amazing things for this sport, along with Spruce Meadows, so thank you.”

The final horse in the jump-off was Ilan Ferder’s Baronez with Kirsten Coe. They had a rail at the second to last jump to finish with four faults in 47.821 seconds for sixth place.

Uceko, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Celano x Koriander owned by RCG Farm, is a horse that knows what he’s doing now and “doesn’t need experience,” Farrington said. Before the competition, “he felt wild; that’s how he’s at his best,” he added. “We keep him fresh and don’t over-show him. My job is to manage his career and make it last as long as I can,” Farrington commented.

By winning the first two grand prix competitions of the season, Farrington won a CN Bronze Spike and a $50,000 bonus through the CN $1,000,000 Precision Series. If Farrington and Uceko are victorious in the Atco Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup during the ‘North American’, they will receive a CN Silver Spike and $450,000. The million dollar series will conclude with the CN International Grand Prix during the ‘Masters’, where an additional $500,000 bonus will be on the line if Farrington can come up with the winning formula once again.

Regarding the Series, Farrington said, “It’s a great start, now we have to keep being great. We have to see if we’re up for the challenge, but we’ll give it our best shot.” When asked how he’ll spend his bonus money, he said, “I’ll put it away and forget about it for a little while and just stay focused on what’s still left to do here. I’ll buy a few rounds at the pub for everybody! It’s difficult to win anywhere, especially here in these classes with top competitors and big jumps. Two rounds of a serious course at Queen Elizabeth and the Masters, it’s certainly not going to be easy.”

Madden Shows How It’s Done in 1.50m

Of the 37 entries in the competition and nine in the jump-off, it was Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo, a 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Clinton x Heartbreaker, who rose to the top of the competition in the $60,000 Great-West Life Cup 1.50m. They put down a clear round in a time of 42.10 seconds for victory. Second place went to Reed Kessler and Mika, who were clear in 43.31 seconds. Katie Dinan (USA) and Glory Days were third with no faults in a time of 43.78 seconds.

Madden smoothly executed an inside turn after the fourth jump, which set her up for a good line to the next skinny vertical. “I thought it would be faster,” she said. “I went in and looked at it when I went in, so I could see it from a horse and it for sure gave you a better line after the skinny so you didn’t have to slow down so much, in order to make the turn after it. I know she turns left so well, that she would jump a little left after that and spin inside there, and I would end up being able to do that fast.”

Madden said that the first round course was hard for Via Volo “because a lot of the lines were steady,” but if she can “just keep hunting along, she’s usually pretty fast.” She explained, “She has a big stride and the less I can fight with her, the better. She really handled it well. When I asked her to do something, she responded.”

While Via Volo can be quirky about her surroundings, she was all business today. “She’s always looking around; she doesn’t miss much,” Madden agreed. “For sure, she gets looking at things other than the fences sometimes and you have to try and keep her focus on the fence. Today she felt great. She was a little funny from (fences) one to two in the first round, but then she was right down to business.”

The next week of competition is the ‘Canada One’ Tournament on June 25-30, which will include the $50,000 RBC Royal Bank Cup and the $100,000 Esso Imperial Oil Challenge CSI-W. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Andres Rodriguez Finds Clear Path to Win $33,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m at Spruce Meadows

June 16, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Ward and Wannahave Speed to Derby Victory, Dinan and Sandro Beat Large Jump-off Field in CN ‘Fast Track’ Derby

Calgary, AB – June 15, 2013 – There were three very different but all very exciting competitions today at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament today. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito captured the top prize as the only double clear in the $33,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m. McLain Ward won for two days in a row, this time with Wannahave in the $33,000 McDaniel & Associates 1.45m Derby. Katie Dinan and Sandro scored another big win in the $10,000 CN ‘Fast Track’ Junior/Amateur Derby.

The ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5* concludes tomorrow with the highlight competition of the weekend, the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W. There is complimentary admission and parking for spectators during the ‘Continental’ Tournament.

The $33,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m had 41 entries, and five went through to the jump-off. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Contendro x Argentinus, were the only double clear. They finished in 48.074 seconds for victory. Second place went to McLain Ward (USA) and Zander, who had four faults at the final jump and finished in 41.707 seconds. Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Wang Chung M2S were third with four faults in 48.882 seconds.

Rodriguez was able to keep Caballito together and clean in the jump-off despite his horse throwing a shoe after the fourth fence. “I totally felt that, and I was really aware in the turns after that, to help him not slip,” Rodriguez acknowledged. “I was trying to keep him as balanced as possible. I didn’t want him to slip in front of one of those tall jumps. I was being very cautious in the turns, even after he was clear.”

Rodriguez said he has been training with veteran rider Eddie Macken for sixth months, and it was advice from Macken that helped him win his first FEI-level competition at Spruce Meadows. “(Eddie) obviously has a lot of experience in those cases. If I would have been by myself, I would have tried to go fast. He told me in the gate, just try to go clear and hope that McLain has a rail,” he recalled. “I wasn’t so convinced, but I trusted him and he was right. I could have been third or fourth in that class, easy. It played out well.”

Having won the FEI World Cup qualifier in Thunderbird just a few weeks ago, Rodriguez felt that Caballito was ready for Spruce Meadows. After a day of practice, his horse felt more relaxed today and Rodriguez noted, “I really felt he jumped his best today.”

Having been competitive at the 1.45m level, Rodriguez felt comfortable with keeping him at that level. But, he related, “Since I’ve been training with Eddie, it looks like he may do a little bigger. He was fourth in a big four-star class in Wellington and it didn’t feel like a struggle at all. I changed my approach with him totally different. I trust him way more now. I have hopes for him to end up being a 1.60m horse.”

Ward and Wannahave Win with Speed

The $33,000 McDaniel & Associates 1.45m Derby had 24 entries, and six of those were able to clear the course without faults. The track, designed by Werner Deeg of Germany, featured 16 numbered obstacles and 19 jumping efforts, including the grob, open water, dry ditch combination, and jumping off a bank. Speeding around by six seconds faster than the next competitors were McLain Ward and Wannahave, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Manhattan x Ramiro Z owned by The Wannahave Group.

The early leaders were 17-year-old Kara Chad of Calgary, AB, and Stone Ridge Farms LLC’s Alberto II, who set the pace at 110.600 seconds, which would end up in second place. Third place went to Cameron Hanley (IRL) on Player du Quesnoy, who finished in 111.288 seconds.

Despite a fast pace through most of the course, including to and from the open water, Ward said, “I actually thought I slowed down in a couple places, to be honest with you. I’m a bit of a fast rider and I have to watch that I don’t overdo it. He’s pretty good on the naturals now after all of his experience last week in the derby. He has a big stride, so the beginning of the course suited him, where I could just set a gallop and go. That allowed me to slow down at the end with the grob and double ditches, which were really tight. It worked out well.”

Wannahave competed in his first derby last week in the Nexen 1.60m Derby. “The derby last week was quite big. He jumped a really good round but got confused at the bank and the grob,” Ward remembered. “This week there was no ‘A’ (element) at the grob, so I thought he handled that better. I think he’ll actually be really good at these classes with more mileage. He can do these naturals without a problem. If they jump the devil’s dyke and the bank, you’re halfway home.”

Ward got the ride on Wannahave through his friend Missy Clark, who trains Wannahave and Sandor de la Pomme, another new mount, with John Brennan at their farm, North Run. “I started riding the horses at the end of Florida (in April). Missy is a great friend of mine and we’ve done some great things over the years, going back to Sapphire and the Harrisons. It’s a pleasure for me to work with her,” he related.

Ward described Wannahave as a “big, scopey horse” with “a big jump.” He remarked, “He’s a little hard to sit to. But that’s a good thing too. He has a very easy stride; you just have to kind of keep it all together. If you let it unravel, that’s where you get a pole down.”

This was their first FEI-level win together, and Ward was happy to have it happen in a derby competition. “It takes a special character and a brave horse, but I think it’s good for the horses. I think it was a good course. It’s a good part of the sport,” he said.

Second place finisher Kara Chad was very happy in her best top level finish at Spruce Meadows. The talented young rider, who was a part of the Developing Rider Tour for Canada last year, said she was “a little surprised,” when she found out she was winning.

“I thought I was efficient, but I wasn’t running around like a speed class. Then there was McLain; it’s hard to beat him. He told me in the line-up (that) I have many years to come, so not to worry about it, and I took that advice,” she smiled. “It was my first derby with him. He has a very big personality and is cocky in some ways, which is what makes him good. Although he’s a big horse, he’s very controllable and adjustable. I’ve been working toward getting up to these results. I’m happy that I finally got in there.”

Katie Dinan and Sandro Continue Winning Ways

The $10,000 CN ‘Fast Track’ Junior/Amateur 1.40m Derby had 34 entries attempt a long derby course, and there were 18 that proceeded on to the jump-off. There were eight double clear in the lengthy jump-off course, but the fastest of those were Katie Dinan and Sandro, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Larino x Casimir owned by Grant Road Partners. They finished in 50.89 seconds.

Second place went to Wilton Porter (USA) on Neolisto van het Mierenhof, who stopped the timers in 51.38 seconds. Clementine Goutal (USA) and Kelline Fonroy were third in 51.86 seconds.

Dinan agreed that the “longer than normal” course for a derby along with a jump-off “played a factor.” She continued, “Sandro has a pretty good engine and is always ready to go, but even for him in the jump-off I felt like I wasn’t really at my fastest. You have to stay focused and ready to jump. It wasn’t that there was one difficult jump; it’s just that there were a lot of jumps and horses were getting a little tired at the end. I went seventh and I was really happy that my time held up.”

In her jump-off ride, she described, “He was so good in the first round to the grob that I knew I could make good time there. I turned very quickly down to that. I tried to be very prompt in the beginning. I did nine (strides) in the last line, but it worked out for me because Sandro has a very fast canter, so even if I’m not doing the most extreme leave-outs, I can be pretty fast.”

Dinan said that Sandro is very happy in his role as a 1.40m amateur horse, and he has helped her improve her riding on all of her horses. “He’s been a great horse for me. It’s great to have a horse in the barn that can come out on any given day and you know if you ride well, you have a good chance of winning. That’s great as a confidence builder,” she said. “In the last year and a half as I’ve moved up with other horses into bigger classes, (and) things get more difficult and your results aren’t as consistent as you’d like, it’s really nice to have a horse that maybe isn’t doing the biggest class at the horse show, but is always there.”

She added, “From a riding perspective, you try to learn how to go faster and be a more competitive speed rider. He’s been a great horse for me to learn that on. I feel comfortable on him and I feel like I can take risks on him that I might not necessarily take on other horses. He’s 14 and I want him to stay happy. I want to keep his energy level up. Maybe he could jump a little bit bigger, but he feels great at that height.”

The ‘Continental’ Tournament concludes tomorrow with the $60,000 Great-West Life Cup 1.50m the highlight competition of the week, the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W, at 2 pm in Meadows on the Green. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Ward and McCrea Notch Victories through the Weather at Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament

June 15, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

McCrea and Romantovich Take One. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB – June 14, 2013 – Riders at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament had to deal with incoming rain and storms today, but it didn’t dampen the level of competition. McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Super Trooper de Ness were fastest in a large field of 75 to win the $33,000 AltaGas Cup 1.45m. Christine McCrea (USA) and Romantovich Take One, owned by Candy Tribble, were best in the $33,000 Scotiabank Cup 1.50m.

The ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5* runs June 12-16. The highlight class of the weekend is the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W on Sunday, June 16. There will be complimentary admission and parking for spectators during the ‘Continental’ Tournament.

In the $33,000 Scotiabank Cup 1.50m competition, the format was changed from jump-off to speed in order to avoid more inclement conditions coming later in the evening. There were 27 entries in the class, and nine of those had no jumping or time faults.

The winner of the class, McCrea and Romantovich Take One, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Numero Uno x Karandasj, finished in 64.647 seconds. Francois Mathy (BEL) and Polinska des Isles finished second in 66.242 seconds. Third place went to Wilton Porter (USA) and Paloubet, who had a time of 66.323 seconds.

McCrea’s plan to attack the beginning of the course in order to set her up well for the rest worked perfectly. “When I did the first three jumps that fast, I knew I’d be ahead of it,” she recalled. “It meant I didn’t need to be in a hurry for the rest of the course. That was great that it worked out so well in the beginning. My plan was to go as hard as I could go for one, two, three, and then I could tone it down in the middle, then just bring it home clear in the last line. Everything came up great, so it’s nice when that happens!”

She praised the course set by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, and said there were a couple spots that were set to test horse and rider. “The double (combination) with the brown poles are always hard for the horses to see. Luckily my horse has a lot of experience so he handled it well. The skinny is always a bogey jump,” she noted.

Most of the fences at Spruce Meadows are wider than normal, which gives riders an opportunity to use them to set up turns or fit striding in better between jumps. McCrea explained, “You can pick a side and that can save you a lot of time, but it can also help you set up your bend in a line. (For the line to the combination), I came in on the left side and was able to bow into the double. I kept shape in the six (strides) so it wasn’t so choking short. You can play with the angles, for sure.”

With Romantovich Take One’s inherent speed, they were considerably faster than the rest of the field today. He also has a jumping style all his own, and McCrea said that his quirky attitude extends beyond the show ring. “He likes to buck when he’s wild, and he was really, really wild tonight,” she laughed. “He was very excited to show. Off the right lead in the schooling area, when he’s excited, he kicks out. Everyone was like, ‘Whoa. What’s going on?’ But it’s sort of normal for him when he’s feeling good.”

Ward Wins Again

In their second major victory at the 2013 Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments, Ward and Super Trooper de Ness, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion by Vigo D’Arsouilles x Polydor, beat 21 others in the jump-off of the $33,000 AltaGas Cup 1.45m. They finished clear in 41.11 seconds. Second place went to Conor Swail (IRL) and Martha Louise, who finished in 41.47 seconds. Brian Morton (CAN) and Spitfire recorded a time of 42.11 seconds for third place.

Ward said he “lucked out” with the weather on Super Trooper. “It kind of worked out alright for him. We were in the first phase and the weather was beautiful. Then the weather came in and went out again before our jump-off. It certainly helped,” he said.

Ward noted that he did not go as fast as possible with Super Trooper. “Last week I got trying too hard to go too fast and I wasn’t pleased with my performance. This week he felt really good both days,” he said. “You have to watch not to go too fast because he’s always looking and going to the jump, and he’s so quick with his legs. You have to watch that you’re not trying to win by five seconds.”

Believing that the double combination of verticals would be the tricky part of the jump-off course, since it was “off a blind turn” and Super Trooper is “very careful in combinations,” Ward was more aware there. But heading to the last two jumps, he was able to let him go more. “I knew rolling left to the second to last and last (fences), he’d be very quick. I didn’t have to check him too hard to the last (fence) on that long run. I went in thinking I was going to jump the round I want to jump and if it wins, that’s great, and if it’s second or third, I could live with it,” he explained.

Having found Super Trooper almost three years ago in England through Francois Mathy, Ward knew that he would be a top horse, but after a bout of colic and Ward’s injury last winter, it has taken more time than expected to get him to this level. The pair won grand prix competitions at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival this winter before traveling to Gothenburg and finishing fifth in the FEI World Cup Finals. This is their second major victory at Spruce Meadows.

“I always loved him,” Ward expressed. “He was always incredibly careful. I’d venture to say he’s the most careful horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s hot and he’s a little bit of an anxious horse. But his character is to fight and his quality is second to none, so if he’s confident and everything is going in the right direction, he’s a hard horse to beat.”

Competition continues tomorrow with the $33,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m in Meadows on the Green, as well as the $10,000 CN ‘Fast Track’ 1.40m Junior/Amateur Derby and the $33,000 McDaniel & Associates 1.45m Derby in the All Canada Ring. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Stripes Team Finishes Second in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, Stars Team Fourth

June 14, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

McLain Ward and Rothchild (StockImageServices.com)

U.S. Wins North America, Central America and Caribbean League of Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Series

Calgary, Canada – The United States sent two teams into competition Thursday afternoon in the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament. Not only was the U.S. eyeing top finishes but qualification for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final as well as a chance to win the North American, Central America and Caribbean League of Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Series were all on the line.

In its inaugural season the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Series has been a major focus for the U.S. and Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. Thursday’s competition marked the second and final Nations Cup competition for the North America, Central America and Caribbean League and a strong finish by the designated “point team” the Stars Team was vital to winning the League and Final’s qualification. Additionally, to demonstrate the strength and depth of the U.S. program the second American squad, the Stripes Team, was also looking for a podium finish.

The U.S. did just as they had set out to do as the Stripes Team of Brianne Goutal, Katie Dinan, Candice King and McLain Ward cruised to a second place finish. While the Stars Team of Kent Farrington, Reed Kessler, Charlie Jayne and Christine McCrea earned a fourth place finish and in doing so clinched the top spot in the League and Final’s qualification for the U.S.

“This really fit into our plan. It would have been nice to win but we had two good finishes,” said Ridland. “We’ve now qualified for the Finals and won the League to boot.”

Ridland also believes the strategy of having two equally powered teams helped the U.S. on Thursday and is an example of things to come.

“We did it a little differently than most by having two equal teams but I think it really worked out today. Each team had a mix of veterans and young riders or young horses with more experienced riders. I believe the future looks really good.”

Course Design Leopoldo Palacios built a demanding 12 obstacle track that tested not only rider’s ability to leave the rails in place but also ride efficiently to finish within the time allowed. It was made all the more difficult in the second round as high winds and pouring rain picked up.

Goutal (New York, NY) and Remarkable Farms LP’s Nice de Prissey were the pathfinders for the Stripes Team, collecting four faults after rolling the pole at fence three in the first round. In round two the 12-year-old Selle Francais stallion produced another four fault trip after dislodging the rail at the bicycle jump at eight.

Next up for the Stripes was Dinan (Wellington, FL) and Grant Road Partners LLC’s 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding Nougat Du Vallet. In round one the pair jumped an immaculate clear over Palacios’ challenging track. They returned later in the afternoon to repeat their faultless effort to be one four combinations to jump double clear.

“I was really pleased; Nougat felt great; I knew when we walked the course it was do-able but you still have to do it. There’s always more pressure when you’re on a team and it was only my second Nations Cup and I just wanted to rise to the occasion, stay calm and poised. I knew after the first round I was only halfway done and needed to make some adjustments for the second round. Which I was happy I was able to do. I’m just so happy and my horse jumped great,” said Dinan of her double clear effort on Thursday.

Jumping in the third spot, King (Wellington, FL) and Campbell VDL produced a 13 fault trip in round one after lowering the heights of three obstacles and collecting a single time fault. In their return effort the pair demonstrated improvement with Stateside Farm’s LLC’s nine-year-old Holsteiner stallion just faulting at two fences and again collecting a time fault for a second round score of nine.

Rounding out the Stripes Team effort was Ward (Brewster, NY) and Sagamore Farm’s 12-year-old Warmblood gelding Rothchild. The veteran pair produced a tidy and efficient effort as a clear never looked in doubt in the first round. Jumping in a deluge of rain in round two, the pair repeated their clear effort to join Dinan and Irish riders Conor Swail and Cameron Hanley on the double clear list.

The Stripes Team finished on a two round total of nine faults.

Leading off the Stars Team was 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold medalist Farrington (Wellington, FL) and Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel. In round one the 11-year-old Anglo-European mare lowered the heights of two fences for an eight fault effort. The pair returned with an improved trip in round two, just collecting four faults for a foot in the water at fence four.

Kessler (Lexington, KY) and Mika jumped in the second spot for the Stars producing a near foot perfect trip in the first round that was just marred by a mistake at the plank at fence five resulting in four faults. The 2012 Olympic Games veteran and her own 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding returned in round two producing their second four fault of the day after also putting a foot in the water at four.

Jayne (Elgin, IL) and Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher’s 10-year-old Zangerscheide stallion Chill R Z produced a four fault effort in the first round after knocking a block off the top of the wall at fence 10. In round two they again jumped a four fault trip, just rolling the front rail of the oxer at fence nine.

*Christine McCrea and Zerly (StockImageServices.com)*

Riding in the anchor position for the Stars Team was McCrea (East Windsor, CT) with Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Zerly. The pair jumped a stylish first round but after losing a shoe early in the course the nine-year-old KWPN mare rolled the poles at the final two efforts coming out of the triple at seven for eight faults. In round two the 2011 Pan American Games Team and Individual Gold medalist used all of her experience as she guided Zerly to an impressive fault free trip.

The Stars Team finished on an overall total of 24 faults.

The Stars Team’s fourth place finish resulting in 75 points paired with the 100 points the U.S. earned with a win at the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm at CSIO Wellington meant they finished with a total of 175 points to top the North American, Central America and Caribbean League. The U.S. and Canada (172 points) have now qualified for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final to be held in Barcelona, Spain September 26-29.

The team from Ireland finished on a score of four to earn victory in the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, with the Stripes Team finishing second and Team Canada One earning third place on a score of 14.

To learn more about the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament, visit: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/tournaments/view_tournament.jsp?id=25.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Jumping Team here.

By Helen Murray

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Ireland Wins Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament

June 14, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Conor Swail and Lansdowne. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Judge Tops Husky Energy Cup 1.50m, McArdle and Cosma 20 Win Two in a Row

Calgary, AB – June 13, 2013 – Spruce Meadows hosted the second leg of competition for the North American region in the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, and it was Ireland who took home the win after they logged six clear rounds. The Irish team consisted of Conor Swail and Lansdowne, Darragh Kerins and E Muze Yek, Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z, and Cameron Hanley and Antello. The Team USA Stripes finished second, while Team Canada One was third. Later in the day, it was Quentin Judge (USA) and Dark de la Hart who took the top placing in the $35,000 Husky Energy Cup 1.50m. Abigail McArdle (USA) and Cosma 20 led the victory gallop for the second day in a row, this time in the $33,000 RSA Cup 1.45m.

The ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5* runs June 12-16. The next highlight class of the week is the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W on Sunday, June 16. There will be complimentary admission and parking for spectators during the ‘Continental’ Tournament.

There were seven teams in today’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup. The United States, Canada, and Mexico all fielded two teams and nominated one team to earn points toward the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in September. The course was designed by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Six teams returned for the second round, and the young Team Mexico Maya finished in seventh place.

Ireland came out with a bang in today’s Nations Cup competition when all four riders went clear in the first round. Cameron Hanley, Richie Moloney, and Darragh Kerins were all riding horses that were in their first Nations Cup. They had four clear rounds in the first round and finished on four points in the second round for a winning total of four faults.

Conor Swail and Lansdowne, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Guidam x Wolfgang owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, were double clear for the Irish team. Swail noted that he had to be aware of the tight time allowed. “My horse in particular is a big, slow mover, so I have to try and take advantage of a few places. The course today was a nice track. Leo did a great job. Thankfully we jumped it the best,” he said. “I have only had one other Nations Cup round with him and that didn’t go so well, so today I’m very happy. I’m glad that first Nations Cup is in the past. Today he showed that he has gotten more educated and is learning his job very well. I’m delighted.”

Cameron Hanley and Antello, a 10-year-old Warmblood gelding by Animo Z x Continue, were the anchors of the Irish team and were also double clear. Hanley, who just returned to the show ring this year after a long layoff from injury, was excited to be back with Antello and on a Nations Cup team. Hanley had the ride on Antello as an eight-year-old, but when he was hurt, the horse went to British rider Michael Whitaker. When new sponsors Elonore Paschoude and Yves Bouvier were looking for a grand prix horse, Hanley knew Antello would be a great fit.

“He has a lot of blood and is a little tricky and is a real talented jumper,” Hanley described. “I knew I could ride him because I rode him when he was younger. I got him back and started doing well in some shows. Three weeks ago he won the Riders Tour Grand Prix in Wiesbaden, which was a five-star. Robert (Splaine) was good enough to let me come here and do a Nations Cup with him.”

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion by Canabis Z x Grannusso owned by Equinimity LLC, were clear in the first round and had just four faults in the second round. Moloney noted that Carrabis Z is a “very inexperienced 10-year-old” and that they were just doing 1.35m last year. “I’m very proud of him. He’s a very scopey horse, (and) he doesn’t get tired for the second round,” he said.

Darragh Kerins had the youngest horse on the team in nine-year-old E Muze Yek. Owned by Kerins and Maarten Huygens, the For Pleasure x Carthago gelding was also clear in the first round but had three fences down in the second round. Kerins noted, “The biggest classes he’s ever jumped were probably in these last two weeks. To jump two back to back rounds like today, he was a little inexperienced for it, but I’m proud of him.”

Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine was complimentary of Spruce Meadows and the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competition. “The arena is just wonderful. When I arrived this morning, there were people in there paying such close attention to the grounds. The whole ambiance of the day was truly special,” he said. “It’s a new Nations Cup for us. We have riders based all over the world, some in America, which makes it quite a great and extra opportunity for us to come and compete.”

He pointed out that this competition will help him in choosing teams for future events as well. “For me to come here and get the opportunity to see these guys in action in a venue that could hold the Olympics has given me a lot to consider. I have to continue to look forward and broaden the base of our team to help us in our mission to win medals. So it was great, the guys did a fantastic job, and thank you to the owners of these horses for giving these guys the opportunity to compete at the highest level. It was just a great day; it was great to win. Compliments to the other teams as well.”

Team USA Stripes, led by Chef d’Equipe Will Simpson, were not the team competing for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup points today, but two of their riders finished double clear. Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Scherif d’Elle owned by Grant Road Partners, were one of those combinations. For her great riding today, Dinan was named the Furusiyya Rider of the Day, which recognizes the rider that gives the most outstanding contribution to his or her team over the course of two rounds.

“I feel very honored,” Dinan said. “I feel honored to be on the U.S. Team and to be chosen as the Rider of the Day in this company. It’s great. This is only my second Nations Cup and I really wanted to show I belonged on the team. It’s a little more pressure being on a team, so I was happy with my performance today.”

The other double clear came from McLain Ward and Rothchild, a 12-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Artos x Elegant De L’Ile owned by Sagamore Farm. Rounding out the team were Brianne Goutal on Nice de Prissey, who had five and four faults in the two rounds, and Candice King on Campbell VDL, who finished with 12 and nine faults. The Team USA Stripes finished on nine total faults for second place.

Chef d’Equipe Will Simpson credited U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland for his vision and said they were both happy with the team’s performances. “The young kids got some good experience along with the older riders. It’s very important and it’s a stepping stone. This is where the riders get their experience. It’s a great competition that we need to keep going,” he said.

Ridland added, “In a perfect world, we would have loved to have beaten the Irish. But what we really came here to do was one, qualify for the final. Number two, was really giving some young horses and young riders some experience on competitive teams.”

He went on to say, “To me, the only way to do that is to do what we did, which was a little against the grain. There was no question that normally, as the Canadians did, you stack the deck on one team and that’s your point team. That’s the more conventional way of doing it. My feeling, the whole way along, is that it’s so important for the young riders to be able to experience Nations Cups on contending teams with veterans. We got huge experience today. We saw them perform well. I’m very excited.”

The Canada One team was led by Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin, and he was pleased to see his riders perform well with new horses. Eric Lamaze and Powerplay were clear in the second round (and had five faults in the first round), as were Ian Millar and Dixson (who had four faults in the first round). Joining them on the third place Canada One team were Tiffany Foster and Verdi II, who had four and five faults, and Mac Cone with Amor van de Rostal, who had five faults in the first round and just one time fault in the second round. The team had a total of 13 faults in round one and one faults in round two for a total of 14.

On the Canada Two team, Chris Sorensen and Bobby, in their first Nations Cup performance, improved to a clear trip in the second round.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for our developing riders. It was an invaluable experience that they’ll both draw on in the future,” he remarked. “We’re only going to get better and it bodes well for the future. We’re really excited to qualify for Barcelona and we’ll be there.”

This was the second and final qualifying event for the North American region for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup. The United States won the region with 175 points, while Canada was close behind with 172 points. Both teams will move on to the Final in Barcelona, Spain.

Irish Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine nicely concluded on today’s event, “Nations Cup competition is really what the sport’s all about. It makes great riders because of the special type of pressure it creates. I think the riders that come forward and compete and take the good days with the bad turn into very special competitors. They become the riders that can win at the Olympic level.”

Quentin Judge Tops Husky Energy Cup

In the $35,000 Husky Energy Cup 1.50m, it was Quentin Judge and HH Dark de la Hart who brought home the win. They were fastest in a jump-off of 10 competitors when they stopped the clock in 41.20 seconds and no faults. Christine McCrea (USA) and Wannick WH were second in 41.55 seconds, while Ashlee Bond (USA) rode Cadett 7 to third in 41.67 seconds.

Judge felt that he had to be fast in the beginning of the course in order to catch the early time set by Bond and Cadett 7. “After seeing Ashlee go, I knew I had to go fast. I knew that I needed to be fast from number one through three in the jump-off. After three, you kind of had to do the same strides, except for the last jump. I knew if I could be fast through the start timers and then to one, two, three, I could maybe shave a second off. My horse is really good at eyeing in on a jump and jumping at an angle, so I knew I could be quick there.”

The long gallop to the final oxer was an exciting part of the course as well. Heading down to it, Judge said he was thinking, “I hope I don’t get in trouble for going too fast and having the last jump down!” He added with a smile, “I steadied the last three strides. Ian (Millar) and Cayce (Harrison) told me to go quick to the last jump, but don’t blow it out of the water. He came back really well and jumped the last jump great.”

Judge and HH Dark de la Hart, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Kashmir van Schuttershof x Nonstop owned by Double H Farm, have been paired together for nine months. “We’ve really just started to click here in Calgary,” Judge revealed. “He was good all through Florida, but I was getting used to him and he was getting used to me. Being here, I think he really loves the venue and the jumps and the grass.”

This was Judge’s first FEI-level victory at any show, and his first victory in the main ring at Spruce Meadows. “This venue is amazing, and to win your first big class and have a presentation like that is really special,” he expressed. “I’ve seen people lead the victory gallop for years and I’ve always really wanted to be there. I’ve tried to work hard and get there, and now that it’s happened, it’s a great feeling.”

Abigail McArdle Wins Two in a Row

Abigail McArdle of Chicago, IL, won her second competition in a row at the ‘Continental’ Tournament with Cosma 20, a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare by Couleur Rubin x Stakkato owned by David McArdle. They won the $33,000 RSA Cup 1.45m Speed competition by going clear in a time of 71.945 seconds. There were 31 entries in the class. Wilton Porter (USA) and Radio City finished second in 72.204 seconds, and Conor Swail (IRL) was third with Martha Louise in 75.446 seconds.

McArdle felt that it was Cosma 20’s natural speed that helped her win today. “I had a plan with numbers and we did all the strides. She’s a naturally fast horse. She goes and she’s two seconds faster. Everywhere in the turns I was thinking of picking it up and staying on it. On those long gallops, I have her now that she can come back so easily, so I can really let her go and be able to get her back quick enough,” she said.

Regarding her win, McArdle expressed, “I’m excited because this one gets some world ranking points for me! That will hopefully qualify me for stuff I want to do, and there are plenty of opportunities here at Spruce. It was super; I couldn’t have asked for her to go any better.”

Competition continues tomorrow with the $33,000 Altagas Cup 1.45m and the $33,000 Scotiabank Cup 1.50m. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Hanley’s the Hero as Irish Victorious at Spruce Meadows Where USA and Canada Qualify for Furusiyya Final

June 14, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

A double-clear from anchorman Cameron Hanley and Antello secured victory for Ireland in the eleventh leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series. Photo: FEI/StockimageServices.com.

Spruce Meadows (CAN), 13 June 2013 – On a day when four double-clear performances were registered, it was the clean sheet maintained by Cameron Hanley that stood out above all others as he clinched victory for Ireland in the eleventh leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada. The anchorman of the Irish side has been to hell and back over the last two years, with his health, and his career, seriously compromised by a freak injury. But today he copper-fastened his return to the top of the sport as he, and his fellow-countrymen, flexed their not-inconsiderable muscle to keep crack sides from the USA and Canada in check.

A total of seven teams from four nations lined out in this competition, with Canada, the USA and Mexico taking the opportunity to field two sides apiece. And although the runner-up US selection was not the one nominated for points-gathering, both America and Canada have qualified for the Furusiyya Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September.

The USA Stripes team lined up second ahead of Canada One in third and USA Stars in fourth, while Canada Two finished fifth and Mexico’s Azteca and Maya slotted into sixth and seventh places respectively.

The fabulous Meadows on the Green Arena at Spruce Meadows was bathed in sunshine during the first half of the competition, but weather conditions deteriorated dramatically towards the closing stages to add further drama to the occasion. The Irish already had the whip hand by the halfway point, with four clear rounds that left them well clear of USA Stripes in second spot carrying five, Canada One in third with 13 faults on the board, the USA Stars in fourth with 16 while Canada Two’s 18 faults saw them lying fifth ahead of Mexico’s Azteca in sixth with 25. The Maya team from Mexico collected only one penalty more to finish on 26 at the end of round one, but didn’t return for round two.

It was tense finale however as, despite a second sparkling run from pathfinders Conor Swail and Lansdowne, both Darragh Kerins (E Muze Yek) and Richie Moloney (Carrabis Z) faulted on their second tour of the track and it was left to Hanley hold his nerve and win the day, which he did in style.

Course

The 12-fence course presented by Leopoldo Palacios included his now-infamous “bicycle” vertical which, when first designed by the Venezuelan maestro some years ago, used to strike fear into the hearts of the bravest due to its pencil-thin poles. But riders have learned how to deal with it over the intervening years, and only one, USA Stripes’ pathfinder Brianne Goutal, lowered it in the second round with Nice de Prissey.

The bogey fences of the day proved to be the wavy Canadian planks at fence five which were, in time-honoured fashion, located at the end of a three-fence line following the open water and therefore testing control and carefulness. The triple combination at fence seven was also influential but the Mount Rushmore Wall, an inheritance from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA) which has become another trademark of the Spruce Meadows arenas, claimed a surprising number of victims just three fences from home, while the penultimate double also took its toll.

Much-Improved Result

As round two unfolded, Mexico’s Azteca team produced a much-improved result with just 10 faults to add, Nicolas Pizarro recovering brilliantly from three fences down in the first round to go clear this time out with the lovely grey stallion, Crossing Jordan.

The Canada Two team included father-and-son Ben and Jonathan Asselin, but Ben’s elimination in round one when unseated from Makavoy, who put in a spooky jump over the open water, left them under pressure. And although the 19-year-old rider steered his 10-year-old steed home for just four faults in round two, a surprise refusal by his father’s mare, Showgirl, at the oxer at fence three proved costly. Despite a second-round clear from Christian Sorenson and Bobby, the final team total here was 30 faults.

US Chef d’Equipe, Robert Ridland, was spoiled for choice when deciding which of his two sides he would nominate for points-gathering purposes today. But as it turned out it wasn’t his chosen USA Stars side of Kent Farrington (Blue Angel), Reed Kessler (Mika), Charlie Jayne (Chill R Z) and Christine McCrea (Zerly) who finished best, the latter producing the only clear round of this team effort second time out as they completed on 24 faults.

It was double-clears from Katie Dinan (Nougat du Vallet) and McLain Ward (Rothchild) that ensured runner-up spot for USA Stripes, Candice King’s two-round total of 22 faults with Campbell VDL discarded to leave them on a final tally of nine faults and three points clear of Canada One in third. Second-round clears from pathfinder Eric Lamaze (Power Play) and legendary anchorman Ian Millar (Dixson) ensured only the single time fault picked up by Mac Cone had to be added to the Canada One scoreline to see them complete with 14 on the board for third place. But it wasn’t a completely smooth run for the eventual winners from Ireland.

Bolstered Their Position

Swail’s second classic clear initially bolstered their position at the top of the order but when Darragh Kerins’ E Muze Yek left the planks at five and both elements of the penultimate double at fence 11 on the ground second time out, then they looked a great deal less secure. And when Richie Moloney’s fiery stallion, Carrabis Z, hit the wall in an otherwise clean run then Hanley knew that any more than a single error would scupper Irish chances.

This is a man however who knows how to take his chances when he gets them. His hunger to return to the sport he loves has seen him overcome tremendous personal challenges since a simple accident, incurred at his home in Germany while playing with his children, shattered his career and his life two years ago. No less than 17 operations to repair his damaged leg and to deal with subsequent complications left his medical advisors in grave doubt about his ever riding again, let alone at top level. But he climbed back into the saddle last autumn and, just three weeks ago, he showed he was right back in business when winning the Grand Prix at Wiesbaden, Germany with Antello.

Last into the ring today the pair never put a foot wrong to seal the result with conviction.

Thrilled

Irish Chef d’Equipe, Robert Splaine, was thrilled for the team and for Hanley.

“Cameron made a fantastic comeback at Wiesbaden. He was always a stalwart of the team and one of our strongest team riders so it was a huge loss when we didn’t have him for the last couple of years.” Explaining the reason for Ireland’s participation at the Canadian event, he said, “Irish riders are based all over the world and many of our horses are not owned by Irish people. Conor (Swail), Darragh Kerins and Darragh Kenny, who was our fifth man today, and Richie (Moloney) all have owners in this part of the world so we had an opportunity to field a team with the future in mind – looking ahead to Dublin, Hickstead and hopefully Barcelona as well as the European Championships. It would be a huge mistake not to field a team here, and they were particularly well mounted. For three of the horses it was their first Nations Cup. Only Conor’s Lansdowne competed in a Nations Cup before – at Gijon (Spain) last year,” the Irish team manager pointed out.

Hanley’s brother, Carl, bought Antello at a local show as a seven-year-old and Cameron rode him a year later, but when he sustained his injury the horse went to fellow-Irishman Alex Duffy and then to Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker who competed him successfully. When he returned to fitness, Hanley’s new Swiss sponsors Eleonore Paschoud and Yves Bouv told him to find a Grand Prix horse, and there was no doubt in his mind which one he wanted. He bought Antello back and, together with the 10-year-old horse, the 40-year-old Irishman’s career is right back on track.

Rider of the Day Award

Katie Dinan, second-line rider for the runner-up USA Stripes team, was presented with the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award and the super-talented 19-year-old said, “I feel very honoured. This is only my second Nations Cup and I really wanted to show I belonged on the team. It’s a little more pressure being on a team, so I was happy with my performance today.”

Today’s competition brought the North America, Central America and Caribbean League of the Furusiyya series to a close, with the USA finishing first but with just three points of an advantage over the runners-up from Canada while Mexico in third place. The top two teams, USA and Canada, have qualified for the series Final in three months’ time.

Talking about today’s competition, US team manager, Robert Ridland, commented, “In a perfect world, we would have loved to have beaten the Irish. But what we really came here to do was one, qualify for the final. Number two, was really to give some young horses and young riders some experience on competitive teams. To me, the only way to do that is to do what we did, which was a little against the grain. There was no question that normally, as the Canadians did, you stack the deck on one team and that’s your point team. That’s the more conventional way of doing it. My feeling, the whole way along, is that it’s so important for the young riders to be able to experience Nations Cups on contending teams with veterans. We got huge experience today. We saw them perform well. I’m very excited.”

The globalisation of team Jumping through the new Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup format has already taken hold. Riders’ enthusiasm for the new concept was confirmed by Canadian Chef d’Equipe, Mark Laskin, who remarked, “We had a lot of interest in being a part of these two teams…. At the end of the day, I think the two groups that we chose were definitely the right picks. It was a fantastic opportunity for our developing riders. Our two least experienced riders, Chris Sorensen and Ben Asselin, really benefited from their experience today. They both were a little shaky in the first round, but they both came back and were able to redeem themselves. It was an invaluable experience that they’ll both draw on in the future. You need riders in the pipeline and on the right horses. We have a lot coming up. This was a tricky course today to be sitting on a horse you’re not really familiar with. Three of our riders on our points team were on newer mounts. Ian got his last Fall, but he hasn’t had him for a full season. Eric and Tiffany, last week was the first time. We’re only going to get better and it bodes well for the future. We’re really excited to qualify for Barcelona, and we’ll be there!” he pointed out.

The march to the inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final continues with the next leg at Sopot in Poland tomorrow afternoon where 13 teams will be in action and eight will be battling for those all-important qualifying points.

For information on the eleventh leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series at Spruce Meadows (CAN) check out website www.sprucemeadows.com or contact Press Officer Jennifer Wood, Email jennifer@jenniferwoodmedia.com, Tel +1 803 240 7488. The next leg takes place in Sopot, Poland tomorrow, Friday 14 June. For details of the Polish fixture go to website www.csi.sopot.pl or contact Press Officer Agnieszka Bilda at Email agnieszka.bilda@czerwonafurtka.pl, Tel +48 531 2080 50.

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 – Round 11 (Spruce Meadows CAN):

Result:

1. Ireland 4 faults: Lansdowne (Conor Swail) 0/0, E Muze Yek (Darragh Kerins) 0/12, Carrabis Z (Richie Moloney) 0/4, Antello (Cameron Hanley) 0/0.

2. USA Stripes 9 faults: Nice de Prissey (Brianne Goutal) 5/4, Nougat du Vallet (Katie Dinan) 0/0, Campbell VDL (Candice King) 13/9, Rothchild (McLain Ward) 0/0.

3. Canada One 14 faults: Power Play (Eric Lamaze) 5/0, Verdi llll (Tiffany Foster) 4/5, Amor van de Rostal (Mac Cone) 5/1, Dixson (Ian Millar) 4/0.

4. USA Stars 24 faults: Blue Angel (Kent Farrington) 8/4, Mika (Reed Kessler) 4/4, Chill RZ (Charlie Jayne) 4/4, Zerly (Christine McCrea) 8/0.

5. Canada Two 30 faults: La Boom (Lisa Carlson) 5/9, Bobby (Christian Sorenson) 9/0, Makavoy (Ben Asselin) Elim/4, Showgirl (Jonathan Asselin) 4/8.

6. Mexico Azteca 35 faults: Crossing Jordan (Nicolas Pizzaro Suarez) 12/0, Spirit Magic (Manuel Alvarez) 13/8, Gitano (Frdeico Fernandez) 13/5, Criptonite (Enrique Gonzalez) 0/5.

7. Mexico Maya 26 faults IN ROUND 1 : Careyes (Patricio Pasquel) 17, Valentina (Claudia Lorenza O Farrill) 13, Vicky van het Geinsteinde (Alejandro Plascencia) 4, Skylubet (Ricardo Nizri) 9.

Facts and Figures:

Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada presented the eleventh leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series.

7 teams from four nations started in today’s competition – Canada One, Canada Two, USA Stars, USA Stripes, Mexico Azteca, Mexico Maya and Ireland.

6 teams competed in the second round. Mexico Maya did not return for round two.

3 teams – Mexico Azteca, USA Stars and Canada One – were competing for points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September.

Third place for Canada One and fourth for USA Stars ensures that the USA and Canada have now qualified for the Final.

Anchorman on the winning Irish team was Cameron Hanley who produced one of 4 double-clears in today’s competition.

4 double-clear rounds – from Ireland’s Conor Swail (Lansdowne) and Cameron Hanley (Antello) and USA Stripes’ Katie Dinan (Nougat du Vallet) and McLain Ward (Rothchild).

The bogey fences on the 12-obstacle course were the wavy planks at fence five and the wall at fence 10.

Hanley only recently returned to the saddle after a career-threatening leg injury sustained while playing with his children two years ago.

The 40-year-old Irishman was seriously ill for some considerable time, and underwent 17 different operations on his long road to recovery.

Today’s competition was part of the two-leg North America, Central America and Caribbean league of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series.

The USA was heading the leaderboard going into this second competition following victory on home turf at the first leg in Wellington, Florida in March.

Today’s course designer at Spruce Meadows was Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios.

Quotes:

Katie Dinan, USA Stripes – “My horse, Nougat du Vallet, I’ve had him a little over two years and he’s been a fantastic horse for me. He’s been the first horse that I’ve been competitive at this level with. Two years ago, Spruce Meadows was our first horse show together and we were doing 1.40m in this ring. It’s a little bit of a step up. Last year I brought him here and he jumped really well in the Meadows on the Green Ring, so I had a good feeling about this week. I was really excited to be named to one of the Nations Cup teams for the U.S. I feel great that he performed at his best today. He’s a great guy because I know that if I ride well, he’s going to rise to the occasion.”

US Chef d’Equipe, Robert Ridland, talking about Katie Dinan’s brilliant double-clear and his other riders performances today – “I expected that. I was not at all surprised to see her (Katie) jump double clean. It was great. There were a couple rounds we could improve on. Some of the veteran riders, with the newer horses, they know what to work on. The two rounds Nations Cup, when it really counts like it does here, you can learn something about your horse more than in a one round jump-off grand prix.”

Irish Chef d’Equipe, Robert Splaine – “This was a competition of the highest quality. I had an abundance of hope coming here – I knew the riders but only a little about some of the horses but I reckoned we were in with a good chance.”

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series check out this link.

“Furusiyya” (Arabic: فروسيه) this single Arabic word conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Spruce Meadows:

Jennifer Wood
Press Officer
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
jennifer@jenniferwoodmedia.com
+1 803 240 74 88

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

Tim Welland
tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7787 780 036

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

U.S. Teams Ready for $100,000 FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament

June 13, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel (Sportfot)

Lexington, KY – All eyes will be on Calgary, Canada June 13-16 for the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament as many of the best jumpers from North America and abroad go head-to-head. The feature competition of the week, Thursday’s $100,000 Furusiyya Nations Cup, will host seven teams from four nations. Canada, Mexico and the United States will all be represented by two teams, with one team from each nation serving as the designated “point team”. These “point teams” will earn valuable points towards qualifying for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final in Barcelona, Spain, September 26-29, 2013. The United States currently carries 100 points after claiming victory in the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm at CSIO Wellington in March. They will look to book their ticket to Barcelona with a strong performance at Spruce Meadows on Thursday.

The Stars Team, composed of Reed Kessler, Kent Farrington, Charlie Jayne and Christine McCrea, has been chosen as the “point team” for the United States. Kessler (Lexington, KY) and Farrington (Wellington, FL) were teammates on the winning U.S. team in Wellington and look to secure their second Nations Cup victory of 2013. Kessler, who recently placed 10th in her first Rolex/FEI World Cup Final, will ride Mika, her second place finisher at the 2013 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G&C Farm. Farrington brings Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel into Nations Cup competition; the pair won the $150,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty in March as well as last week’s $33,000 ATB Financial Cup at Spruce Meadows.

Jayne (Elgin, IL) will ride Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher’s Chill R Z on the Stars Team. The reserve combination for the U.S. Team at the 2012 Olympic Games recently traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden and earned a top 20 finish at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final. McCrea (East Windsor, CT) brings her $25,000 Grand Prix of North Salem winner, Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Zerly, to Spruce Meadows’ Nation Cup competition. The pair spent the winter jumping at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival where they won the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup.

*Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey (Sean McMillen Photography)*

The U.S. will also be represented by a Stripes Team composed of Brianne Goutal, Katie Dinan, Candice King and McLain Ward. Goutal (New York, NY), who won many of the most prestigious equitation titles during her junior years, will ride Remarkable Farms LP’s talented Nice de Prissey in Nations Cup competition. The pair began their 2013 campaign with a third place finish in the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Riding in her first North American Nations Cup, Dinan (Wellington, FL) brings her veteran partner Grant Road Partners LLC’s Nougat Du Vallet into competition on Thursday. The pair won the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix presented by the Kincade Group at the Old Salem Spring Horse Show following a successful debut at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final.

King (Wellington, FL) will represent the U.S. on the Stripes Team with Stateside Farm LLC’s Campbell VDL. The pair closed out the month of May with a fourth place effort in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix presented by Zoetis. Rounding out the team is Ward (Brewster, NY) and his 2013 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G&C Farm and Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon winner, Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild.

To learn more about the horse-and-rider combinations on both U.S. Teams, click here.

The $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup gets underway at 12pm MT.

Live coverage of competition can be found on FEITV.org.

To learn more about the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament, visit: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/tournaments/view_tournament.jsp?id=25.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Jumping Team here.

By Helen Murray

FEI, FEI, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Teams from Four Nations to Compete at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Qualifier at Spruce Meadows

June 12, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 11 June 2013 – The 11th qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 takes place at the Spruce Meadows CSIO 5* in Calgary (CAN) this Thursday 13 June attracting a field of seven teams representing Canada, Ireland, Mexico and the United States.

Canada, Mexico, and the USA have entered two teams each, but only one team per nation is eligible for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping points. These teams are Canada One, Mexico Team 1 Azteca, and USA Stars Team. The standings after one event in the North America, Central America and Caribbean division are available here.

The starting order, which was determined by a draw held at Spruce Meadows today, will be as follows:

Canada Two
USA Stars*
Canada One*
USA Stripes
Mexico Team 1 Azteca*
Mexico Team 2 Maya
Ireland

* competing for Nations Cup points

Thursday’s competition will begin at 12.00 MDT (local time in Calgary, GMT-6 hours) and will be broadcast live on FEI TV, FEI’s official online video platform.

The FEI is providing a wide range of online information resources in connection with the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping.

Dedicated webpage

Our dedicated webpage gives you access to useful information, including the calendar, latest results, updated standings, rules and news from the series.

Social Media

The FEI is posting news, images and videos on YouTube www.youtube.com/feichannel, Facebook www.facebook.com/the.fei, and Twitter www.twitter.com/myfei_home. Please follow us and share our content.

Our signature Twitter hashtags are: #Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup #Jumping

Media contacts:

At Spruce Meadows:

Jennifer Wood
Press Officer
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
jennifer@jenniferwoodmedia.com
+1 803 240 74 88

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

Tim Welland
tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7787 780 036

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ to Host Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup & CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W

June 12, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Calgary, AB – June 11, 2013 – The second week of the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments begins tomorrow and there will be more top competition from June 12-16. The ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5* is host to the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup on Thursday, June 13, as well as the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W on Sunday, June 16. There will be complimentary admission and parking for spectators during the ‘Continental’ Tournament.

Spruce Meadows is host to one of only two Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup events in North America. The competition is a qualifier for North American countries hoping to attend the series final in Barcelona, Spain, in September. Since less than five teams were invited, Canada, the United States, and Mexico were able to field two teams each. The Chefs d’Equipe then chose which team would be competing for Nations Cup points.

The draw for the order of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup was held today and is as follows:

Canada Two
USA Stars*
Canada One*
USA Stripes
Mexico Team 1 Azteca*
Mexico Team 2 Maya
Ireland

* competing for Nations Cup points

“We look forward to hosting the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows,” said Spruce Meadows President Linda Southern-Heathcott. “It is a great opportunity for these countries to compete with developing horses and riders, and I believe we will have great sport this week.”

The Chef d’Equipe for the Canada One team, Mark Laskin, spoke about the opportunity to field two teams. “We’ve never had the ability to have two teams compete at the same time. It’s our ‘home court,’ so there is definitely a lot of excitement and interest from our riders in getting a spot on the team. We’re all very excited for the opportunity,” he remarked.

Dr. Geoff Vernon, who represented the United States at today’s draw, agreed. “It’s always a great honor to ride for your country, and any time you can afford that opportunity to double the number you would normally have is great for the riders. It brings enthusiasm to the sport.”

Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni, Chef d’Equipe for the Mexico Maya team, said that this was the first time that Mexico has had 15 riders who wanted to come to a Nations Cup. “We have very experienced riders who have been to Wellington and the Olympics, and then riders who were in the 1.30m rings last year,” she said. “We are very excited to see how they will be together in this new Nations Cup.”

Although Ireland will just have one team, the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows will be an important part of the schedule for them, said Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine. “To have the opportunity to compete in a Nations Cup at such high quality in Canada is vitally important to the overall Irish plan, which incorporates Hickstead, the European Championships, and our own show in Dublin,” he explained. “I’ll come see our riders in action and hopefully they will do well and represent their country well, and I’ll be able to select one or more of those to come to Europe later on in the season.”

For those who are interested in watching some of the best equestrian team competition in North America, the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup will be held on Thursday, June 13, at 12 pm in the Meadows on the Green Ring.

For a comprehensive press kit of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, please click here.

Along with the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup on Thursday, there will be the $35,000 Husky Energy Cup 1.50m in the Meadows on the Green and the $33,000 RSA 1.45m in the All Canada Ring. Friday’s competition includes the $33,000 Altagas Cup 1.45m and the $33,000 Scotiabank Cup 1.50m in the Meadows on the Green. The $33,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m will be held in the Meadows on the Green on Saturday, while the $33,000 McDaniel & Associates Derby 1.45m will run in the All Canada Ring.

Sunday’s highlight class is the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W at 2 pm in Meadows on the Green. Earlier in the day will be the $60,000 Great-West Life Cup 1.50m.

For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments to Host New CSIO Event, Record Entries Expected

May 29, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Calgary, AB, Canada – May 29, 2013 – Spruce Meadows, home to some of the most prestigious and popular show jumping events in the world, is excited to welcome the best riders to their summer tournaments, which begin on June 5 and continue with five tournaments through July 14, 2013. Along with an unparalleled venue, riders can look forward to fantastic prize money and the opportunity to gain world ranking points, Rolex FEI World Cup qualifying points, and the chance to help their country qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series Final.

Starting with the ‘National’ CSI 5* Tournament on June 5-9, competition features include the Spruce Meadows Canadian Show Jumping Championship, the $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix on Saturday, June 8, and the $175,000 Nexen Cup 1.60m derby on Sunday, June 9.

The ‘Continental’ CSIO-W 5* Tournament will run from June 13-16, with complimentary admission and parking for spectators. The ‘Continental’ Tournament will hold the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix, a Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier, on Sunday, June 16.

Spruce Meadows is host to one of only two Furusiyya Nations Cup events in North America, which will be a qualifier for countries hoping to attend the series final in Barcelona, Spain, in September. Following the first event for the region in Wellington at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the United States leads with 100 points, Canada is close behind at 90, and Mexico is in third with 65 points.

Spruce Meadows President, Linda Southern Heathcott, commented, “We added a CSIO event in June so that we could participate in the qualification process for teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series Final. Since we invited less than five teams, Canada, United States, and Mexico are allowed to field two teams each. My hope is that we can be instrumental in developing second teams for these nations and help their programs.”

Along with Canada, United States, and Mexico, there will be a team from Ireland participating in the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup on Thursday, June 13.

John Madden, Chairman of the FEI Jumping Committee, stated, “To have a Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows is really important because it’s the first year of the Furusiyya series, and I believe the series will be integral to the sport. For our region in the Americas, it gives us a competitive way to earn a spot and prepare for the final. The changes that were made to the Series this year were intended to create global opportunities to help develop the sport of show jumping. This is exactly what we are seeing here in the Americas, which is really exciting.”

For United States Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, the new Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series works better for North American riders. “I have long held that the former Top League was counterproductive to the healthy state of show jumping in North America, and to the rest of the world, for that matter. By limiting the highest level of the Nations Cup Series to Western Europe, the sport was not encouraged to expand to the other continents of the world, and as a result, the top non-European riders were forced to spend an inordinate amount of their efforts away from their home countries,” he explained. “With the advent of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Series, North American riders can now qualify for the Final at two venues (Wellington and Spruce Meadows) that are on their regular schedules.”

Having another Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup qualifying event in North America means a great deal to the Canadian Show Jumping Team as well. Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin stated, “It affects us in a number of ways. If we qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final every year, like we hope to, we will be able to send our top team on a yearly basis to compete against all of the best teams in the world. In the past, our competition was restricted in Europe because the main competitions were tied up in the Super League, it was a huge commitment to financially partake in that series, and it conflicted with the major portion of our show season. Now, even though they may be used as qualifiers for European teams, it will be possible for us to obtain invitations to compete at some of the most prestigious competitions in the world.”

In addition, Laskin points out that the revamped series has already produced a new Nations Cup during the ‘Continental’ tournament that didn’t exist before. “I think it’s going to lead to even more competitions for us to compete in, within our region, and it is generating a lot more interest in all of the regions of the world,” he remarked.

Madden also commented on the unique opportunity that the United States, Canada, and Mexico will have at the Furusiyya Nations Cup to send two teams, “It’s a really fantastic development for the sport in North America. Not only is it the best venue for these riders, it becomes a great training ground. It goes with Spruce Meadows’ mission to develop the sport. I think it will be fun for spectators and productive for the nations to see two of their own teams compete against each other.”

“The Furusiyya Nations Cup event at Spruce Meadows provides an opportunity for more of the younger American riders to get valuable international team experience,” Ridland added.

Laskin said he will use the ‘National’ Tournament to see which horses and riders are in top shape and their current form will be a ‘determining factor’ to choose the Canadian teams. He said, “If developing riders are firing on all cylinders, they’ll definitely get a chance.”

He also said that the ability for two teams has also led to increased interest from the riders to be on a team. “Having the Nations Cup on our home turf means a lot to our riders. We have a huge list to pick from,” Laskin pointed out. “It’s great for us to have two teams from a developing point of view. We’re doubling the experience for our riders and I think that’s extremely beneficial.”

Having the additional Nations Cup experience at the best show jumping venue in the world doesn’t hurt either. “Our riders can compete there year after year and improve their competitive level on an international basis,” Laskin said. “A lot of the reason why our riders are so comfortable (at international and championship venues) is if you can compete at Spruce Meadows, you can compete anywhere in the world. Knowing that gives us a lot of confidence when we walk into an arena anywhere else.”

Madden and his wife Beezie regularly attend the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments; Beezie is the number three all-time money winner at Spruce Meadows and the current Rolex FEI World Cup Champion.

“I believe that Spruce Meadows is the standard for our sport,” said Madden. “From the footing, the arenas, the fans, sponsors, media coverage, and more, it represents everything that is the best in equestrian sport.”

The other three tournaments during Spruce Meadows’ summer schedule include the ‘Canada One’ CSI-W 4* Tournament, June 25-30, ‘North American’ CSI 5* Tournament, July 3-7, and ‘Pan American’ CSI 5* Tournament, July 11-14.

Spruce Meadows is expecting record entries for the ‘National’ and ‘North American’ Tournaments, with riders from 11 nations represented.

As always, Spruce Meadows also offers a full schedule of events for junior and amateur jumper riders. Make your plans to visit Spruce Meadows this year and see the best show jumping action in the world!

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher

Tag Archives: Spruce Meadows

Kent Farrington and Uceko Repeat Winning Performance in $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W

Andres Rodriguez Finds Clear Path to Win $33,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m at Spruce Meadows

Ward and McCrea Notch Victories through the Weather at Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament

Stripes Team Finishes Second in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, Stars Team Fourth

Ireland Wins Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament

Hanley’s the Hero as Irish Victorious at Spruce Meadows Where USA and Canada Qualify for Furusiyya Final

U.S. Teams Ready for $100,000 FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament

Teams from Four Nations to Compete at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Qualifier at Spruce Meadows

Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ to Host Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup & CN Performance Grand Prix CSI-W

Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments to Host New CSIO Event, Record Entries Expected

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