Tag Archives: Tampa Equestrian Series

Hasbrouck Donovan Garners Large and Small Junior Hunter Championships in Tampa

Lyle and Hasbrouck Donovan. Photos By: Carrie Wirth/PMG

Tampa, FL – April 6, 2012 – The country’s most skilled junior riders competed in the Main Hunter Ring today, concluding the Tournament of Champions at the Tampa Equestrian Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds. High-level sportsmanship and good humor characterized the mood of the day’s divisions as families, trainers and spectators supported the young athletes. In the Small Junior Hunter Division, Hasbrouck Donovan piloted veteran hunter Lyle to the championship, winning both over fences classes. Entourage, skillfully ridden by Donovan over fences, was awarded the reserve championship. In the Large Junior Hunter Division, Fidelia, also ridden by Donovan, demonstrated her consistency by putting in another day of solid performances and was honored with the Large Junior Hunter Championship. Hanna Marco guided CR Moet to the Reserve Championship.

The high quality of the participants in the Small Junior Hunter under saddle class appeared a challenging match-up to judge. Entourage, owned by Redfield Farm and skillfully ridden by under saddle by Reily Rieker, demonstrated the attributes that caught judges’ eyes and resulted in the blue ribbon. Southern Belle and Landry Folsom were awarded the red.

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ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Win Goes to Hanna Marco at Tournament of Champions

Hanna Marco and Careman. Photo By: Carrie Wirth/PMG

Tampa, FL – April 5, 2012 – Riders demonstrated their proficiency in the equitation classes at the Tampa Equestrian Festival’s Tournament of Champions today. Earning the top accolade in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class was Hanna Marco on Careman. Testing Jose Gamarra’s equitation course to first place in the Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal was Morgan Ward riding Blitz DU Maris. In the Amateur-Owner Hunters Robin Swinderman earned two blues for her efforts aboard INXS.

The ASPCA Maclay course, by Bolivian designer Jose Gamarra, tested the skill and ability of both horse and rider. The course began with a sharp turn to an oxer on the outside line. It continued on the far side of the arena to a tight rollback presenting fence two, and a left lead to a vertical-oxer combination on the outside line. Another turn to the left introduced a long diagonal bending line, and continued into a right turn leading to a vertical. With a right turn and a strong gallop, riders took a single vertical and finished over the final oxer.

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Beezie Madden Secures World Cup Spot with Final Qualifier Victory at Tampa Bay Classic

Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle were the winners of the $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 2*-W after completing a jump-off round with blazing fast speed, beating Margie Engle by only a fraction of a second. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Tampa, FL – Sunday, April 1, 2012 – It was the concluding day of the Tampa Bay Classic today at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, and competition was fierce as the nation’s top competitors strived to pave their way to the 2012 World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. The $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 2*-W was the last opportunity for riders to qualify for the impending World Cup Finals, and the battle came down to two as Beezie Madden and Margie Engle fought to the finish. Madden and Mademoiselle emerged the victors, beating Engle’s jump-off time by only six-tenths of a second.

This afternoon, riders gathered beneath the Covered Arena to compete over courses designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Canada. The first round featured an imposing opening oxer-vertical line, followed by an oxer leading to another vertical-oxer line. Riders were also challenged by a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, an oxer-vertical double combination and a daunting grey wall. The course tested horse and rider alike, with combinations finding fault in multiple places, including the triple combination, double combination and the final oxer.

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Hasbrouck Donovan Dominates the Small and Large Junior Hunters on the Final Day of Tampa Bay Classic

Hasbrouck Donovan and Lyle jogged for two winning ribbons in the over fences, ultimately setting a high standard for Sunday's remaining competitors. Photo By: Elizabeth Vieira/PMG

Tampa, FL – Sunday, April 1, 2012 – The final day of the Tampa Bay Classic has arrived, and riders worked diligently today to put in their concluding efforts for division championships. The week has seen substantial talent, and the success of the show and its exhibitors is drawing an increasingly large crowd of spectators to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Hasbrouck Donovan was the talk of the show, securing two championships on this concluding day. Donovan and Lyle took the Small Junior Hunter Championship, while Caroline Kellogg and Felicci followed closely behind, taking the reserve honors. Donovan continued her winning streak aboard Fidelia, gliding to the top of the Large Junior Hunters; while Amber Henter rode Kudos! to a well-deserved reserve championship win.

The Small Junior Hunters started off the day for the main arena, bringing forth a group of talented athletes. Donovan has been the junior to keep an eye on, as she dominated the Large and Small Junior Hunters, in both Saturday’s preliminary classes and Sunday’s championship wrap-up. Guiding Stephanie Keen’s Lyle to the Small Junior win, Donovan was thrilled to end her week on a positive note.

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Elizabeth Bates Wins Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics on Last Day of Tampa Bay Classic

Elizabeth Bates rode Monsieur Taloubet to the championship with their speedy and accurate double-clear effort in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Tampa, FL – Sunday, April 1, 2012 – The Covered Arena was alive with an energetic buzz as riders gathered to compete for the top honors on the concluding day of the Tampa Bay Classic held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL. Juniors and Amateurs alike gathered for the chance to compete for the championship title of the afternoon’s divisions. It was Elizabeth Bates and Monsieur Taloubet who came out triumphant in the $2,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

A field of 17 riders showed over the challenging course designed by Canada’s Michel Vaillancourt. The imposing labyrinth of obstacles tested riders with a liverpool, vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination and an oxer-vertical double combination. The course was set in almost a serpentine, with riders having to pilot their mounts through tight turns, sharp rollbacks and varying distances. Only four were able to master the first course and continue into the grueling jump-off.

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Ashley Prusak Pilots Rabin to Top of Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Tampa Bay Classic

Ashley Prusak and Rabin take home the blue with their speedy and accurate double-clear effort in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Tampa, FL – Friday, March 31, 2012 – The Bob Thomas Equestrian Center was filled with riders as the fourth day of competition commenced. After last night’s Tampa Bay Welcome Stake CSI 2*, it became apparent that the jumper divisions were feeling a competitive edge as the Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner classes got underway in the Covered Arena. Blue ribbons were awarded to Ashley Prusak and Rabin for their amazingly accurate and speedy double-clear effort during the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, and to Alexa Adelson who rode Padie Blu Cardu in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers Power and Speed class. Later in the afternoon, it was Heather Villemaire and Ca Va who took control of the course, mastering the track and riding to the top of the leaderboard in the Adult Amateur Jumpers.

Course designer Michel Vaillancourt challenged horse and rider alike as the jumpers faced his demanding design. He implemented an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination, liverpool, vertical-oxer double combination and tight rollbacks, testing the riders as they attempted to defeat his intricate course with fast and clear results.

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Hasbrouck Donovan and Fidelia Soar to the Top of the Large Junior Hunters on Day Four of Tampa Bay Classic

Hasbrouck Donovan and Fidelia jogged for two winning ribbons in the over fences, ultimately setting a high standard for Sunday's remaining competitors. Photo By: Elizabeth Vieira/PMG

Tampa, FL – Mach 31, 2012 – Week One of the Tampa Equestrian Series is in its last couple of days with the Tampa Bay Classic, but nothing can hinder the resilience of the hunter exhibitors as they strive for the remainder of championship titles. It was a bright and early Saturday morning as the Juniors and Amateur-Owners flocked to the Main Hunter Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center for their chance to compete. Hasbrouck Donovan and Fidelia jogged for two winning ribbons in the over fences, ultimately setting a high standard for Sunday’s remaining competitors. Robin Swinderman and Inxs came back from yesterday’s results in full swing, adding the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter Championship to their season.

The main ring opened with exceptional rides by the Large Junior Hunters, each with a flowing first round. The handy course was slightly more complex, involving a bending line, a rollback to a two-stride combination, and a trot fence. The course forced riders to make decisions and acquire a forward canter. While the majority of the division had clean and careful rounds, it was the dauntless riding of Donovan that impressed the judges. The accomplished junior showed Redfield Farm’s Fidelia, under the direction of Emil Spadone, and gained two well-deserved wins. The most impressive aspect of the win was that Donovan was riding the mare for the first time.

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Alexa Adelson and Reeva II Champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunters in Tampa Bay Classic

Adelson anchors the Amateur-Owner Championship with Reeva II for Week One of Tampa Bay Classic. Photo By: Elizabeth Vieira/PMG

Tampa, FL – Friday, March 30, 2012 – Week one of the Tampa Bay Classic is in full swing, and with only two days of showing behind them, the hunter riders have indisputably set steep standards for their competitors. Mary Eufemia and MJ continued an exceptional week by receiving the tri-color in the 35 and Over Amateur Hunters, and Lynn Seithel took top ribbons in the 3’3 Amateur Owner division. Competition was fierce, but Alex Adelson and Reeva II couldn’t be stopped, as they captured the 18-35 Amateur Hunter division championship.

The morning’s classes began with the first of the amateur hunter divisions, for those 35 and over. Eufemia generated a third place hunter round and a winning handy course, sealing her championship with another first place in the under saddle. While Eufemia and MJ are seasoned veterans, she certainly had some deep competition. Taking the winning ribbon in the mornings first class would be Danielle Bartoletta and Speranza, while Bartoletta’s trainer, Lauren Barth, followed close behind aboard Chinchino. Rider and trainer were more than pleased with the outcome of the morning division and the reserve champion win.

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Molly Ashe-Cawley and Carissimo Pave the Way to Victory in $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake

Molly Ashe-Cawley raced across the finish line with Carissimo after scoring the quickest of only three double-clear rounds during the $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Tampa, FL – Friday, March 30, 2012 – The crowd was alive with anticipation as 10 riders moved into the Tampa Bay Welcome Stake jump-off this evening. The nation’s top riders joined the series tonight, attempting to garner the championship prize in the $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake CSI 2* at the Tampa Equestrian Series. Molly Ashe-Cawley and Carissimo were the top finishers, leading the way as only one of three double-clear efforts. Today marked the third day of competition during the Tampa Bay Classic, held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL, and riders are only beginning to gear up as the intensity of the competition progresses.

A field of 18 riders showed in the Covered Arena over Michel Vaillancourt’s first round course. It began with a large oxer to a vertical and a sharp right turn to a triple bar leading to a vertical, followed by an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination. Riders then bended over the oxer-liverpool before making another right turn to the inside vertical-oxer line and continuing over a skinny vertical set on the outside. The course came to a close after a vertical to a vertical-oxer double combination, followed by a large final oxer.

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Hunt Tosh Pilots Say Again to Multiple Hunter Wins on Day One of Tampa Bay Classic

Hunt Tosh and Say Again earned top honors in the Green Conformation Hunters at the Tampa Bay Classic. Photo By: Elsie Vieira/PMG

Tampa, FL – March 28, 2012 – The Tampa Equestrian Series, held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL, is off to a great start in its first day of competition. The hunter ring was especially prominent today with a consistent string of winning horse and rider combinations. It was Hunt Tosh who stole the show today, he swept the over fences in multiple divisions aboard his talented mounts, and caught the judges’ eyes with consistency, pace and execution.

The day began with the Green Conformation Hunters, taking on their hunter and handy courses with nothing short of confidence and skill. The well-crafted pattern of the course, designed by Keith Bollotte, was evident as Tosh directed Say Again, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, to each fence with perfect striding. The handy round included a trot fence that steadily led to a bending line, followed by an ending roll back. Tosh has had numerous wins with Say Again in their short amount of time together, and he was quick to acknowledge his mounts tenacity.

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