Tag Archives: USHJA

Kelley Farmer and Taken Win $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Holiday and Horses

Kelley Farmer and Taken won the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Photo © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – December 4, 2011 – The 2011 edition of Equestrian Sport Productions’ Holiday and Horses show concluded today with the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby as the highlight class in the International Arena. Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA, rode Nancy Amling’s Taken to the win.

There were 18 entries in the derby, and the top 12 returned for a second handy round. Farmer and Taken held the lead through the first round, which they set by scoring a 180. They returned as last to go in the handy round and with handy bonus points of 8 and 9, they bettered their score with a 188. Their total of 368 gave them the win by three points.

Second place went to Kristy McCormack and Sundance, who received scores of 175 and 189.5 from the judges – they had a spectacular handy round – for a total of 365. Elizabeth Kenny and Bravo van de Kwaakelhoek finished on a total of 363 for third place, while Farmer placed fourth with AM Free’s Bases Loaded at 350 points. Generous and David Olinyk also had 350 points for fifth place.

Continue reading Kelley Farmer and Taken Win $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Holiday and Horses

2012 Jacksonville Winter Series

We are excited to announce the 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series and are fortunate to have Bob Bell and the Classic Company returning to manage the three week circuit.  You will be pleased to see many familiar faces in the office, at the rings and on the tractors.  The prize list is complete and is available on both the NFHJA <http://www.nfhja.com/schedule.htm> and the Classic Company <http://www.classiccompany.com/showinfo.html> websites.  It will be in the mail at the end of the week.

There will be many notable changes in 2012 and we expect that you will be as excited about them as we are.  Jumper Exhibitors will be pleased to find that each of the three weeks will feature a $5,000 Welcome Class in addition to a $25,000 Grand Prix.  Hunter Exhibitors will be equally excited to find that each week also features a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic, in addition to the usual division classics.  The $5,000 Equitation Classic will be an additional highlight of week 2, and should be a distinctive complement to the circuit’s standard classes.  Week 3 will not be outdone with special class offerings, but the spotlight will likely be stolen by the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.  We are delighted to be the host of this distinctive class for the second year in a row. Additional offerings of week 3 include the $5,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, $500 Circuit High Point Hunter & $500 Circuit High Point Jumper.  You might also take note that the World Cup Qualifier is missing this year; however, we strongly feel, and expect that you will agree, that this change will allow us to switch the focus back to our main exhibitors and provide a smooth schedule jam packed with special offerings and prize money galore!

Continue reading 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series

2012 Jacksonville Winter Series

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series. There are many notable changes this year and we expect that you will be as excited about them as we are. Jumper Exhibitors will be pleased to find that each of the three weeks will feature a $5,000 Welcome Class in addition to a $25,000 Grand Prix. Hunter Exhibitors will be equally excited to find that each week also features a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic, in addition to the usual division classics. The Wounded Warrior Project, a national organization that helps injured service members, will be the beneficiary of Week 2. We are thrilled to partner up with such a worthy cause. The $5,000 Equitation Classic will be an additional highlight of week 2, and should be a distinctive complement to the circuit’s standard classes. Week 3 will not be outdone with special class offerings, but the spotlight will likely be stolen by the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. We are delighted to be the host of this distinctive class for the second year in a row. Additional offerings of week 3 include the $5,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, $500 Circuit High Point Hunter & $500 Circuit High Point Jumper. You might also take note that the World Cup Qualifier is missing this year; however, we strongly feel, and expect that you will agree, that this change will allow us to switch the focus back to our main exhibitors and provide a smooth schedule jam packed with special offerings and prize money galore! We truly hope that you, our exhibitors, will appreciate and enjoy the changes and special offerings we have arranged for 2012. As always, we look forward to seeing familiar faces and to making new friends.

Continue reading 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series

2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session Presented by USHJA and Adequan: Promoting the Importance of Excellent Horsemastership

2011 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session. Photo: USEF Archives

Lexington, KY – Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and Adequan. The sixth annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session will be held on January 3-7, 2012, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

The following 12 riders will be invited to participate:

  • The North American Young Riders Individual Champion from the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North
  • The North American Junior Rider Individual Champion from the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North
  • The 2011 Randolph College/USEF National Jr. Jumper Individual Champion
  • The champion and reserve champion of the 2011 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals-East
  • The champion and reserve champion of the 2011 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals-West
  • Two riders from the USHJA Emerging Athlete Program
  • Three Wild Card riders chosen by George Morris.

Continue reading 2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session Presented by USHJA and Adequan: Promoting the Importance of Excellent Horsemastership

NFHJA Year End Awards Update

Hi Everyone!
We know you are enjoying this beautiful Fall Weather as much as we are and are very excited for our final show of the season on November 6th <http://www.nfhja.com/schedule.htm> and hope that everyone will be able to come out to secure those points for year-end awards.

The USHJA Affiliate Equitation Awards Program Medal Finals will be held for the Children’s Medal, Adult Medal, Pony Medal & Pre-Children’s Adult Medal. Anyone who has shows in these classes over the course of the year is invited to participate.  Medal Champions will receive a special reward and recognition from USHJA.

Mandarin Equine Veterinary Services has sponsored two special classes:
$250 Handy Hunter
$250 Jumper Classic
Please see the Prize List for additional details!

Continue reading NFHJA Year End Awards Update

USEF Open Forum for Jumping to Be Broadcast LIVE on Monday, November 7, 2011

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will host an open forum for the jumping community on Monday, November 7, 2011, at the Kentucky Horse Park Visitor’s Center’s South Theater.

The forum will take place from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live on the USEFNetwork.com. Howard Pike will moderate the open forum which is designed to provide a sounding board for members interested in the sport of show jumping. Forum participants will tackle issues in the sport today. Primary goals are to explore opportunities to grow the sport and to build strong and internationally competitive teams to represent the U.S. on the world stage. Anyone invested in the sport is welcome and encouraged to attend and to be heard.

This Forum will be the first in a series of gatherings scheduled in coming months. The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) will host the next forum at the USHJA Annual Meeting on Monday, December 5, 2011, from 1:30-3:00 pm in New Orleans, LA.

Please make time to participate in this most important discussion regarding the future of the sport. You may log into the Forum at http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/JOF2011/.

For more information, contact Sally Ike at sally.ike@usef.org or (908) 326-1156.

Victoria Colvin Wins the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive

Bridgehampton, NY — Victoria Colvin, 13, of Loxahatchee, FL, took top honors on Inclusive, owned by Scott Stewart, in the Inaugural $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY, on Saturday.

Colvin finished third in Round One and first in the Handy Hunter for an overall score of 398.500 points. Colvin’s trainer, Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, finished second, third, and fourth, receiving an overall score of 396.00 on Dedication, owned by Fashion Farm, third on Garfield with an overall score of 378.500 points, owned by Steeplechase Farm, Inc., and fourth on Declaration, also owned by Fashion Farm.

The Handy Hunter course included several options for bonus points and Colvin took them all with “Captain,” as he is affectionately called.

“I wanted to take all the options in the Handy,” said Colvin. “They had really tight turns, so it was a little tough, but I wanted to take all of them.”
Colvin was surprised that she finished ahead of her trainer. “Scott had five in the class and he had three left after I went, so I was surprised that I won,” said Colvin. “Scott is always amazing.”

Stewart was not surprised. “She and Captain are always hard to beat,” said Stewart. “I was really happy for them.”

Continue reading Victoria Colvin Wins the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

Jennie Edwards Captures the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals at HITS Culpeper

© ESI Photography. Jennie Edwards and her own Welcome on course during the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals at HITS Culpeper.

CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (August 22, 2011) — Jennie Edwards and her own Welcome rose to the top when she won the blue in the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals on Saturday night at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

Edwards of Jacksonville, Florida is a seasoned equitation rider and trains under the tutelage of her aunt, Ginny Edwards at Hidden Hollow Farm. In all, 33 riders navigated course designer Jerry Dougherty’s route, and 12 of the top riders were invited back to show on the flat. After the flat phase, the top four were brought back for additional testing over fences, after which, Edwards emerged as the winner.

“I got this horse back in March and he’s been such a great ride,” said Jennie Edwards. “I’ve learned so much on him already. This is one of the most important events I look forward to each year, so winning it was just great. I couldn’t believe when it happened.”

For her efforts, Jennie Edwards won a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle, and a cooler donated by Gary Baker, while Ginny Edwards won a $300 trainer award for helping to guide her student to the crown.

“My goals this year were to qualify for the USEF Pessoa Medal Finals, the regional ASPCA Maclay Finals and this Final,” added Edwards. “I’ve been able to do all of that so far, so this year has been really successful for me. I’m very lucky to have my aunt as my trainer – she is so caring and hardworking, and it made the win a lot more special with her there.”

Continue reading Jennie Edwards Captures the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals at HITS Culpeper

Lillie Keenan Wins the $100k USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

Lillie Keenan and C Coast Z earned the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Championship at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo: Heather Bellock/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 20, 2011 – It was an incredible night for the Final Round of the 2011 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Spectators gathered in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park to see who would take home tonight’s victory. Junior Rider Lillie Keenan rode to success with C Coast Z proving to be unbeatable throughout tonight’s competition. Scott Stewart and Declaration took home the second place honors while Tammy Provost and Carlson earned the third place award.

After a 12-month qualifying period, the top 75 horses were invited to compete for championship honors. Yesterday the qualifying round was held in the Rolex Stadium, and the top 25 horse and rider combinations returned to show during tonight’s Second Round competition. Riders were tested over a Classic Hunter Course with the top 12 scoring combinations advancing to the Handy Hunter Course. Scores from yesterday’s qualifying round did not carry over and riders began with had a fresh start to impress the judges. However, the scores earned in the Classic Hunter Round did carry over in the Handy Hunter Round and was a factor in determining tonight’s results.

Scott Hofstetter, Otis Brown, Russell Frey, Julie Winkel, Carleton Brooks, Jimmy Torano, Jim Clapperton, and Mike Rosser had the pleasure of judging each of tonight’s rounds. The courses were designed by Bobby Murphy and Patrick Rhodes and were created to replicate traditional hunt country. The course was beautifully set, mimicking a picturesque hunt field and barnyard with a winding stream and fence separating the barnyard from the open fields. The courses included hedges, stonewalls, oxers, coops, hay bales, gates, logs, and an in-and-out. During the Handy Round there were several elements to test both horse and rider and plenty of opportunities to show off handiness and earn bonus points as well as four higher options that would add an additional point per fence to their base score due to their added heights and elevated difficulty.

Continue reading Lillie Keenan Wins the $100k USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

Scott Stewart Takes Top Three Spots in 3rd Annual $100k USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals

Scott Stewart and Carlos Boy took top honors during Round One of the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Heather Bellock/PMG.

Lexington, KY – August 19, 2011 – The day that riders, trainers, owners and spectators have been waiting for throughout the Kentucky Horse Shows Series has finally arrived. The 2011 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals commenced this morning in the Rolex Stadium. Attendees could not have ordered a more perfect day with sunny skies and moderate temperatures to kick off the long anticipated event. This is the third annual USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and it has returned to the Kentucky Horse Park. Scott Stewart and Carlos Boy won today’s class and Stewart placed in the top six with all of his mounts and is one of the top 25 horse and rider combinations to advance to tomorrow evening’s final event. Lillie Keenan took home the fourth and fifth place finish with Madison and C Coast Z, respectively.

This event was created to bring show hunters to the world stage, to increase spectators, media and sponsorship interest, and bring tradition and basic riding principles back to the sport of show hunters. It is an event that involves a 12-month qualifying period and only the top 75 horses are invited to compete for the championship title. Opening ceremonies began at eight this morning, and soon after the competition got underway with the qualifying round for all 59 horse and rider combinations in the Rolex Stadium. The judges panels were comprised of Scott Hofstetter and Otis Brown for panel one, Russell Frey and Julie Winkel for panel two, Carleton Brooks and Jimmy Torano for panel three, and Jim Clapperton and Mike Rosser for panel four.

Bobby Murphy and Patrick Rhodes designed the qualifying round course, the first of three courses in the finals. This Hunter Derby style course challenged riders over 12 fences ranging from 3’6″ to 4’0″. The course offered four optional obstacles that would add an additional point per fence to their base score due to their added heights and elevated difficulty. The fences being used throughout the weekend are reminiscent of those that would be found out on a hunting field. Obstacles on the course included oxers made up of natural posts, rails and white board fences, gates, hedges, hay bales, a brush, logs, and natural foliage.

Continue reading Scott Stewart Takes Top Three Spots in 3rd Annual $100k USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals