Tag Archives: Washington Int’l Horse Show

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Ward and Vale Clear Seven Feet to Tie for Victory in $25,000 International Jumper Puissance

Leave a comment

McLain Ward and ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z. Photos by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Amanda Derbyshire and Luibanta BH Take $50,000 GE International Jumper Speed Final; Eve Jobs and Beth Von Brecht Victorious in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers; Annabel Revers Earns Grand Junior Hunter Championship and Best Child Rider Title

Washington, D.C – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) featured a wide range of equestrian sport on Friday showcasing the grace, power, and speed of some of the world’s finest horses and riders. Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire was victorious with Luibanta BH in the $50,000 GE International Jumper Speed Final. Eve Jobs riding Calizz and Beth Von Brecht aboard Melody earned wins in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers. The Junior Hunters concluded their competition for the week, presenting their Grand Junior Hunter Championship to MTM Hands Down and the award for Best Child Rider on a Horse to Annabel Revers.

A fantastic day of competition concluded with the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance, presented by The Boeing Company, where six horses and riders attempted the impressive wall, and USA’s McLain Ward and Aaron Vale tied for first place with clear rounds jumping seven feet.

Reaching Great Heights in the Puissance

The Puissance began with the wall set at 1.72m (5’8”) in height and moved all the way up to 2.13m (7’) through five rounds of competition. All six horse and rider combinations cleared the first round at 5’8”. Danielle Torano (USA) jumped the Puissance for the first time riding her own and Jimmy Torano’s Cash and faulted in round two to finish sixth. Kama Godek (USA) and her own De Grande, and Andrew Kocher (USA) riding Eagle Valley Partners’ C’Havinia, each cleared 1.85m (6’1”) and knocked the wall down in round three to finish in a tie for fourth place. Lauren Tisbo (USA) and Tequestrian Farms’ Mr. Visto cleared three rounds up to 1.97m (6’6”) and dropped a block in round four to place third.

Aaron Vale riding Thinks Like a Horse and Don Stewart’s Finou 4, and McLain Ward aboard his own ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z, cleared round four at 2.00m (6’9”) and continued on to a fifth and final round at 2.13m (7’). Two veterans of Puissance competition, with Ward having won this class seven times and Vale twice. Each rider guided their mount easily over the imposing height, ending in a tie.

Remarking on the excitement and great competition of the night, Vale stated, “Puissance at Washington on Friday night is always a big night. There are lots of people in the stands, and they always cheer a lot. It is good to have a class where two horses went pretty far. It was a good class.”

Ward agreed, “This has always been a special night at Washington. Both Aaron and I have a good history in this class and we enjoy it and the crowd enjoys it. It is nice when it works out well.”

Ward and ZZ Top, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Zandor Z x Latus), also tied for a win in the Puissance in Central Park in September, clearing 6’9”.

Commenting on his horse’s effort Friday night, Ward noted, “This is only the second time I’ve shown him, so as far as I know this is the biggest he has jumped. He is a wonderful horse. I have bought and sold him a couple of times now. He has been a great horse for many people and after this he will probably go and be a great teacher for somebody else next year.”

Vale plans to jump Finou 4, a ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding (For Pleasure x Concetto), in Saturday night’s $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, and used the Puissance as preparation to jump the big fences.

Aaron Vale and Finou 4
Aaron Vale and Finou 4

He explained, “He is a very fresh, energetic horse, so my plan was to jump him tonight to hopefully take the edge off him and give him some focus for tomorrow. He has a lot of power and he is pretty limber, so I had an idea he could maybe jump a big fence pretty well. The class was great fun and hopefully it sets me up pretty well for tomorrow night.”

Ward and Vale were awarded The Sweet ‘N Low Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Tober, as well as The Armed Forces Cup, presented by The Boeing Company. They were also presented The Congressman’s Challenge Trophy, donated by the Late Honorable Rogers C. B. Morton and the Late Honorable F. Robert Watkins, for the owners of the winning horses.

Derbyshire Dashes to Victory in International Speed Final

Prior to the Puissance, the $50,000 GE International Jumper Speed Final was held in a faults converted format with a win for Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire riding David Gochman’s Luibanta BH. The pair was first to go, and cleared Alan Wade’s (IRL) speed course in a time of 54.72 seconds that held on through 21 rounds for the win.

McLain Ward (USA) and his own Malou were faster, but added two seconds to their time with one rail down, finishing close behind in 54.87 seconds. Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S also dropped one rail, but with a very fast time, to place third on 55.19 seconds.

Derbyshire has been to WIHS six times helping with the Gochman Family’s Baxter Hill horses and riders, but this is the first time that she has competed herself. She just started showing Luibanta BH, an eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Luidam x Abantos), at the end of August and this is their fourth show together.

“I am very proud of her. She is eight years old, and she has never been to a venue like this before,” Derbyshire detailed. “She is fazed by nothing so far that we have ever put her to, so I am thrilled. She just tries her heart out every time. She really is so special.”

Commenting on her round and going first to set the challenge, Derbyshire explained, “I saw the order online this afternoon, and I said, ‘Well, I just have to give it all I’ve got.’ So I did. I did the right strides everywhere and then I did leave one stride out in the last line. I was trying to go as fast as I could. I thought at the end they were all going to beat me, but thankfully they didn’t. Last time McLain and I were in a speed class together, he was first and I was second, so it was kind of nice for it to be the other way around for once. For sure it won’t happen very often, but it was nice tonight.”

Remarking on her first experience competing at WIHS, and one of the biggest wins of her career, Derbyshire stated, “This is pretty special. It has been so much fun. It has been tiring; we haven’t had much sleep, but it has been better than I ever expected.

“We have a show like this in England called the Horse of the Year Show, and I would say this is comparable to that,” Derbyshire added. “The ring is small, the crowds are big, and it is really special. I have watched the competition here for the last few years, the international classes at night, and this year I thought that I would like to do it. This year I got two horses good enough to do it, so I am lucky for that.”

Luibanta BH will now have a few weeks off before picking up again at the Holiday & Horses competition in Wellington, FL at the end of November. Derbyshire then plans to show the mare in Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival.

In the “Jump for TAPS” Challenge, 21 riders were clear over the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) jump in the speed class, raising $21,000 for the WIHS Official Military Charity.

Revers Leads Junior Hunters

The Junior Hunter divisions concluded their second day of competition at WIHS on Friday morning with the presentation of their championship awards. The Grand Junior Hunter Championship, sponsored by Shamrock Ventures, was awarded to Beechwood Stables’ MTM Hands Down ridden by Annabel Revers of Weston, MA. The pair was presented with the Ides of March Perpetual Trophy, donated by Linda Lee and Lee Reynolds. Revers then earned the award for Best Child Rider on a Horse, sponsored by Gotham North, and received the special DiVecchia Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick DiVecchia.

On the way to earning the grand championship, Revers took championship honors in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, sponsored by Sheila and Britton Sanderford, with MTM Hands Down. The pair placed first, first, and second over fences. David Gochman’s Papyrus ridden earned the reserve championship with a win under saddle ridden by Taylor St. Jacques and third, third, and sixth place ribbons over fences with Mimi Gochman in the irons.

Revers also took home the reserve championship in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, sponsored by the Wasserman Foundation, with Beechwood Stables’ Kingpin. The pair won two classes and placed fourth in one class over fences. Emma Kurtz guided David Gochman’s Wisdom to that championship with a win under saddle and over fences, as well as two fourth-place ribbons over fences.

Grand champion, MTM Hands Down, is a 13-year-old Warmblood gelding that Revers has had for almost three years. “Cody,” as he is known in the barn, lives at Revers’ farm in Massachusetts and has a special bond with his young rider since she gets to see and ride him almost every day.

“He doesn’t live with my trainer, so I know him really well and I have a really strong bond with him since he does live at home,” Revers stated. “I think that is a really special thing for me since I have had him for so long. I feel like he has been knocking on the door and coming really close to having a major championship a couple of times, but this is the first really big thing that he has won in a while, so it is really exciting.

“He might not be your traditional hunter,” Revers detailed. “He goes in a little bit more of a frame than my horse Kingpin, but he is a really soft ride and I was happy that he was so brave with the atmosphere here today. He just has a great jump and a really comfortable canter, so he is a really fun ride for me.”

Revers and Kingpin had a fantastic year that included a Grand Championship at the Hampton Classic Horse Show and Best Child Rider titles at the Hampton Classic and Upperville Horse Shows.

“Kingpin is more of your traditional hunter,” the rider explained. “I can really get a good gallop with him and just find the distances. They come out of stride really nicely with his pace. I try to keep a very consistent pace around, which he is really good at, and I think his jump is just awesome. He is really fun and soft, and it is so fun to have confidence in him and be able to gallop and show off a good pace.”

For their winning stake round with a high score of 93 on Friday, Revers and Kingpin earned the award for best Junior Hunter stake to earn the Lyrik Challenge Trophy, donated by Ashley and Courtney Kennedy. Revers was also presented with the Georgetown Trophy as the high score Junior Hunter Rider on a Horse.

“That was probably my favorite round that I have ever had with him,” said Revers, who has owned Kingpin for almost two years. “I think that it was so good because I was able to keep the same pace all the way around and all of the distances just came up right out of stride. He jumped amazing, so I was really happy with it.”

Commenting on winning the Best Child Rider on a Horse award, Revers added, “It is really exciting. I was just excited to show that I could consistently ride well over the course of the show, which is something that I have really been working on over the last couple of years.”

Revers has trained with Olympian Peter Wylde for two years and had her trainer by her side throughout the week’s competition. Commenting on her success, Wylde stated, “Annabel is incredibly talented. She has a great eye. She rides forward to the jumps, which a lot of kids don’t, and she has a beautiful position. Horses jump well for her. She is harmonious with the horse, which promotes good jumping. She rode absolutely beautifully this week in every jumping round. Through her riding, these horses have gotten better and better. Cody (MTM Hands Down), I think went the best he has ever jumped for us this week.”

Revers’ next stop is the CP National Horse Show in Kentucky next week. She then plans to work on moving up to the High Junior Jumpers in the coming year.

The Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, sponsored by Rose Hill Farm, also presented championship honors on Friday. The championship tricolor went to Laura Wasserman’s Boss, ridden by Katherine Dash, with a win over fences and under saddle. Hunter Holloway showed Vlock Show Stables’ Boris to reserve honors, with first, fourth, and sixth place ribbons over fences and a third place finish under saddle.

Mountain Home Stables’ As Always and Hunter Siebel earned the championship in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, sponsored by the ALTEC/Styslinger Foundation, to conclude hunter competition for the day. The pair earned a win and two second-place finishes over fences and capped their week off with a third place ribbon under saddle. They were awarded the Chance Step Perpetual Trophy, donated by Brooke Carmichael McMurray-Fowler and Pam Carmichael Keenan. Hunter Holloway and Hays Investment Corp.’s The Governor won two classes over fences to take reserve honors.

Also competing earlier on Friday, the hunter phase of the WIHS Equitation Finals saw matching scores of 96 at the top for Hunter Holloway riding Any Given Sunday and Lucy Deslauriers with Class Action.  Kendra Gierkink, Taylor St. Jacques, Madison Goetzmann, and Maya Nayyar round out the top six riders heading into Saturday’s jumper phase. Holloway placed first in the WIHS Equitation Final Hunter Phase based on her higher score from the Judge 1 panel.

The hunter and jumper scores will then be averaged out to determine the top ten riders who will participate in the final work-off. The riders change horses by determination of a random draw by lot and then compete over the jumper course for final scores.

Jobs and Von Brecht Top Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers

WIHS hosted the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers in their first jump-off classes of the week on Friday afternoon with wins for Eve Jobs and Beth Von Brecht.

The $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper time first jump-off class, sponsored by Staysail Farm, saw 21 entries, with seven clear rounds to advance to the jump-off and three double clears. Eve Jobs of Palo Alto, CA, won for the second day in a row. She topped Thursday’s speed class with Sandor de le Pomme and won Friday’s jump-off with another mount named Calizz. The pair clocked the winning time of 28.66 seconds and was presented with the Cover Story Perpetual Trophy, donated by Rolling Acres Farm.

Katherine Strauss and All In were the runners up for the second day in a row with their time of 29.30 seconds. Brian Moggre and Major Wager LLC’s MTM Flutterby stopped the clock in 29.75 seconds to place third. Madison Goetzmann and her own Wrigley were fastest in the jump-off in 27.46 seconds, but dropped one rail to finish fourth.

The $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper time first jump-off was held earlier in the afternoon, sponsored by The Strauss Family, with 23 entries and six advancing to the jump-off. Only one combination was able to clear the short course without fault. Beth Von Brecht and her own Melody jumped double clear in 34.41 seconds for the win. The pair was awarded the Eleanor White O’Leary Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

Madison Dehaven and her own Chanel finished second with four faults in 32.61 seconds. Louisa Brackett and her own Memphis Belle placed third with four faults in 33.41 seconds.

Competition continues on Saturday with the opening classes for the pony hunters followed by the $7,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by The Strauss Family, and the $15,000 Ambassador’s Cup SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Staysail Farm. The jumper phase for the WIHS Equitation Finals will close out the afternoon session.

The evening session begins at 7 p.m. with the WIHS Equitation Finals work-off with the top ten riders. The $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, will conclude the night. For full results, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
Jump Media
lauren@jumpmediallc.com
www.jumpmediallc.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Lauren Hough and Ohlala Top $35,000 Welcome Stake at WIHS

Leave a comment

Lauren Hough and Ohlala. Photos by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Laura Kraut and Andretti S Victorious in $35,000 Accumulator Costume Class; Isabel Ryan and Eve Jobs Win Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Speed Rounds

Washington, D.C. – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted its third day of equestrian competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on Thursday. USA’s Lauren Hough and Ohlala were the winners in the $35,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake, presented by CMJ Sporthorse LLC. Another win for the USA went to Laura Kraut riding Andretti S in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class, presented by the Gochman Family.

The Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers also competed on Thursday with a win for Eve Jobs and Sandor de la Pomme in the $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by Staysail Farm, and a one-two finish for Isabel Ryan with Levistano 2 and Abilitydance in the $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by The Strauss Family.

In Thursday’s $35,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake, presented by CMJ Sporthorse LLC, course designer Alan Wade (IRL) set for 29 entries with seven clear rounds over his first round track. Callan Solem (USA) and Horseshoe Trail Farm LLC’s VDL Wizard chose not to return for the jump-off and finished in seventh place. David Will (GER) and Centin Güngor’s Cento du Rouet were first to go over the short course, finishing fifth with four faults in 34.67 seconds. Alison Robitaille (USA) and Bertram and Diana Firestone’s Ace were next to go, jumping a double clear round in 38.00 seconds to eventually finish third. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and his own and the Blue Buckle Group’s Cobolt dropped two rails in 36.94 seconds to end in sixth place. Next to go, Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman’s Lady Maria BH were double clear in 37.92 seconds to take a brief lead. Laura Kraut (USA) jumped into fourth place with her time of 38.54 seconds riding St. Bride’s Farm’s Confu. Last to go, Lauren Hough (USA) and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala clocked the winning round in 35.27 seconds.

Hough first partnered with Ohlala, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Orlando x Cardento), five years ago and last competed at WIHS in 2012 when the pair won the $32,000 International Open Jumper faults converted class. At that time, Hough had been riding Ohlala for just one year and was stepping the mare up to the grand prix level with high hopes. Ohlala has since lived up to great expectations and won major classes all over the world.

Explaining her decision to return to WIHS after a three-year hiatus, Hough said, “I am really trying to concentrate on the World Cup qualifiers. I would like to go to the World Cup Finals with her this year, and so I decided to do a tour here. I did Tryon last week. I will go back to Europe to go to Doha next week and then carry on to Toronto.”

“She is wonderful. She loves to win,” Hough said of Ohlala. “I think her favorite part was the prize giving today. Indoors obviously suits her, being a small horse. I felt in the jump-off I did what I needed to do without taking too much risk, and still keeping Saturday night in the back of my mind and having a good prep for that. I feel like I have left enough in the tank to try to win again on Saturday as well.”

The pair will compete in Saturday night’s $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, so Hough did not want to take too much risk in the jump-off.

“She is naturally very quick, so I just rode my round and kept the turns a little bit short,” Hough detailed. “I made quite a short turn into the double and she did that great. Then I still took my time to the last. I didn’t leave out, but just her natural rhythm and the pace she carries over the ground made my job very easy.”

Hough added, “We bought her the end of her seven-year-old year and she has won her whole life. She jumps at a very high level, and I have been concentrating a lot on Nations’ Cups, so it is nice to let her go enjoy it a little bit and be able to go fast.”

Hough is based part of the year in the United States and part of the year in Europe. Being back at WIHS after several years, she has enjoyed the competition.

“I love America, and I love riding here. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to compete all over the world and be based in both places, but it is always really special to be back in America in front of a home crowd,” Hough acknowledged. “This is a great horse show. In the nighttime they get great crowds, and to be in the middle of D.C. is something special. I know they try really hard, and I like to support good American shows.

Laura Kraut Wins $35,0000 Accumulator Costume Class

The $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class, presented by the Gochman Family, was held on Thursday evening during the show’s always-popular Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery with the generous support of The Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor. Local young riders and horse enthusiasts attended in groups and had the chance to enter contests, win big prizes, and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening that included the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Races, presented by Charles Owen, and internet sensations Dally & Spanky.

Laura "Little Red Riding Hood" Kraut and Andretti S
Laura “Little Red Riding Hood” Kraut and Andretti S

For the win, Kraut and her mount, Stars and Stripes’ Andretti S, cleared the course and the high side of the joker fence for a 65-point total in the fastest time of 44.47 seconds. Kraut was awarded the Crown Royal Trophy, donated by Crown Royal, as the winning rider, and Andretti S earned the Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Washington International Horse Show, as the winning horse.

Dressed as Little Red Riding Hood for the costume class, Kraut had a great time competing in front of the Barn Night crowd and was proud of Andretti S for his great performance. The 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Corland x Animo) has shown at WIHS three times and thrives in the atmosphere at Verizon Center.

“He has been really good. He started out the year fantastic in Florida,” Kraut detailed. “Then we had an accident; he fell at a water jump, and it took him a little while just to get his confidence back. He never did anything bad, but he just was nervous. Sort of starting at the Gold Cup he has gotten better. He always seems to like that show, and he has been going well again, and he has been very consistent.

“For some reason he loves Washington,” Kraut added. “He is a claustrophobic-type horse. He doesn’t like other horses coming towards him, but I think this is the third year I have brought him here and he always does well, so it is fun. I am happy with him.”

Second place honors went to Catherine Tyree (USA) riding Mary Tyree’s Bokai with a score of 65 in 45.15 seconds. Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman’s Luibanta BH finished third with 65 points in 45.50 seconds. Andrew Kocher (USA) earned a perfect score of 65 as well riding Eagle Valley Partners LLC’s Ciana, and finished fourth with his time of 51.63 seconds. Kocher and Ciana then earned the Best Costume Award, presented by Equestrian Sport Productions, for their impressive clown attire.

Barn Night was a huge success as some of the region’s top groups came out Thursday night to participate in special contests and enjoy the unique competition. Memory Hill earned the award for Best Group Video, Harmony Ridge won Best Group Banner, Meadowbrook won Overall Largest Group, and Serene Acres took home the award for Best Group Spirit.

Isabel Ryan and Eve Jobs Triumph in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers

The $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by The Strauss Family, was held on Thursday afternoon with a one-two finish for 17-year-old Isabel Ryan of Locust Valley, NY. Ryan rode Heritage Farm, Inc.’s Levistano 2 to victory and finished second riding her own Abilitydance.

Twenty-two entries started over Alan Wade’s (IRL) one-round speed course, which saw eight clear trips. Ryan and Levistano 2 cleared the course in 48.52 seconds. Abilitydance stopped the clock in 49.21 seconds, and Quinn Larimer and Nestledown Equine Services LLC’s Bronson CR finished the track in 49.40 seconds to place third.

For the win, Ryan was awarded the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy. This was her first time winning at WIHS since riding ponies, and her first trip back to the show in three years. In 2014, she started riding with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm and just started doing the jumpers last year.

“It was a good return (to WIHS),” Ryan admitted. “My horses were so good. I was really happy because Billy (Abilitydance) is younger, and he was perfect. He really listened to me, which I was worried about. Levi (Levistano 2) was amazing. He was fast, but I was able to get him back really easily, and that was the goal going in. They were both amazing.”

Ryan first started showing Levistano 2 in the jumpers last year and learned quickly with an experienced partner in the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (by Levisto). Abilitydance is a newer partnership, but the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Orame) has also given the young rider great experience.

“I’m fairly new to the jumpers, and I first got Levi because he is older and very experienced,” Ryan detailed. “He was my first real jumper. I started with him at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) this year in the Low Junior Jumpers and then I slowly moved up. Billy was actually my equitation horse last year and then we switched him to the jumpers in week two of WEF this year. He has been getting used to this job, and he was amazing.”

It was a different experience competing on a horse in the jumpers compared to Ryan’s last experience at WIHS on ponies, but her horses gave her two great rounds.

“It was a little nerve-wracking, especially because the last time I was here I was jumping 2’3”, so that was a big difference,” Ryan acknowledged. “It was really nice to have Levi because I have a lot of confidence in him, and I knew that even if it wasn’t the most competitive round, at least he was going to help me have a nice, good experience at Washington. With Billy, my main goal was just to have a nice round and be clean because this is a big step up from anything that he has done before, so it was a great experience showing here.”

WIHS was Ryan’s last show before heading down to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL for the winter show season. She is a senior in high school and recently submitted applications to colleges. She plans to continue riding as much as possible.

The $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by Staysail Farm, was held during the evening session with a win for 18-year-old Eve Jobs of Palo Alto, CA riding her own Sandor de la Pomme. The pair was awarded The “Footloose” Perpetual Trophy in remembrance of Ruth Ellen Wilmot, donated by The Curtin Family in honor of 1990 winner “Footloose.”

Twenty-four entries showed in the speed competition with just eight clear rounds. Katherine Strauss and All In led with a time of 52.88 seconds, but were pushed to second place in the end as Jobs crossed the finish line in a time of 50.16 seconds. Alexandra Pielet and Co-Pielet LLC’s Helene Ve finished third in 54.62 seconds.

Jobs was competing at the Washington International Horse Show for the first time on Thursday and had great confidence in her mount, a 14-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Darco) that she has ridden for two years. The pair also won the Junior Jumper Championship at the Devon Horse Show earlier in the year. Jobs has trained with Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run in Warren, VT for the last six years and will take a gap year to continue her riding in 2017 before heading to college at UCLA in September. For now, the rider will enjoy a hard-won victory in the challenging competition on Thursday.

“These are my really good friends, and I know that a lot of them are very fast riders. I did not get to watch much, so I was a little intimated walking in there of course,” Jobs admitted. “I think because my horse had such a big stride I was able to do the nine strides down the second to last line, and then the six coming home, which I don’t think many people did. That is probably where I picked up the most time.”

Speaking further of her mount, Jobs said, “This horse is so special. Everything that I have done has been because of this horse. He has taught me an exponential amount. He is truly one of the best horses I have ever ridden.”

Jobs’ main goal this year was to compete in the major equitation finals, and she will also show in the WIHS Equitation Finals this week, starting with the hunter phase on Friday. She then heads to the CP National Horse Show in Kentucky to conclude the season. She will begin competing as an amateur at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL starting in January.

Commenting on her first experience at WIHS, Jobs stated, “All of the horses were wonderful. I think the show is a lot of fun. I think the atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever been to. It is a small ring, but the track rode really nice, and I am very happy with my first day.”

The Washington International Horse Show continues on Friday with the championships for the Junior Hunter divisions as well as the hunter phase of the WIHS Equitation Finals. The Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers will have jump-off classes in the afternoon session. The evening session begins with a $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, followed by the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance, presented by The Boeing Company. For full results, visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
Jump Media
lauren@jumpmediallc.com
www.jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Catch Me and Scott Stewart Sweep WIHS Grand Hunter Championship and Leading Rider Titles

Leave a comment

Scott Stewart and Catch Me. Photos by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Shaw Johnson Price and Custom Made, Virginia Fout and Carma Win Amateur-Owner Grand Championships

October 26, 2016 – Washington, D.C. – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued with its second day of competition featuring the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions on Wednesday at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. For the ninth time, Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL earned the WIHS Leading Hunter Rider title after winning both the WIHS Grand Hunter Championship and WIHS Grand Green Working Hunter Championship aboard David Gochman’s Catch Me.

Stewart guided Catch Me to the division championship in the Second Year Green Working Hunters on their way to top honors on Wednesday. The pair won the under saddle and finished first, second, and second over fences. John French and Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Gesture earned reserve honors with two wins over fences, as well as a third place under saddle.

For the Grand Green Working Hunter Championship, Stewart and Catch Me were awarded the Claire Lang Miller Challenge Trophy. For the overall WIHS Grand Hunter Championship, they accepted the Rave Review Challenge Trophy, donated by Stoney Hill. Catch Me’s owner, David Gochman, was also presented with an award as the Leading Hunter Owner.

Catch Me is a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (sired by Casiro) that Stewart began riding in 2015. The pair started off the year strong with a win in the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular in Florida, but Catch Me then spent several months off due to illness, and just started back in competition at the end of the summer. The gelding returned to the show ring without missing a beat, however, and Stewart explained that he has matured a lot in 2016 and has been winning ever since. The pair recently won the Grand Hunter Championship at the Capital Challenge Horse Show and the Grand Green Hunter Championship at Pennsylvania National Horse Show, as well as taking a major win in the $25,000 WCHR Pro Challenge at Capital Challenge.

Describing the beautiful gray gelding, Stewart detailed, “He used to be really spooky, and this year we have been able to do more. I don’t think he showed that much as a Pre-Green horse and we got him as a First Year. He hasn’t shown a lot, but he shows enough now that we just know how to get him ready and he is in the groove. He has been so consistent this year. He has won every big class I have gone in, and he is just really on right now. I think we both know each other 100% now, so it just clicks.”

Speaking of his rounds with Catch Me this week, Stewart added, “He was awesome in every round. He didn’t touch a jump. He went perfect. He got beat twice, but I’m not sure how. I don’t think he could go any better. He has just been so great.”

Stewart also earned the division championship in the Green Conformation Hunters, sponsored by The Ingram Family. He rode David Gochman’s Fun to two wins over fences and a third place under saddle to earn the Valiant Hawk Memorial Challenge Trophy, donated by Mrs. Stephen J. Clark. Fifi Schmidt and Elizabeth Phillips’ No Doubt took the reserve championship with three second-place ribbons and one third place.

“Fun was awesome,” Stewart noted. “He got a little green today, but I didn’t expect him to be this good in these environments yet because he is only six years old. I am thrilled with him. I didn’t think he would be this consistent.”

Stewart continued, “I’m fortunate that all of my horses are pretty quiet, and my staff does an amazing job preparing them. They do everything. I don’t even ride in the ring in the morning. I get here before the class and show. It just works out for me better mentally, but these horses are not very difficult fortunately.”

Stewart also took reserve honors in both the High Performance and Regular Conformation divisions to secure the Leading Rider title. He earned a $5,000 bonus for the Leading Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker. It was fittingly renamed this year as The Scott Stewart Leading Hunter Rider Award, for Stewart who has earned the title nine times now in his great career.

Also showing on Wednesday, John French and Laura Wasserman’s Boss earned the Mary Farren Perpetual Trophy for the Regular Conformation Hunter championship with first and second place ribbons over fences and a win under saddle. The pair earned an impressive high score of 94 in the stake class. Stewart and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Lucador finished in reserve with a win under saddle, as well as second and third place ribbons over fences.

John Bragg and Ann Thornton’s Early August took home two championship tricolors this week. In the High Performance Working Hunter division, sponsored by Jacqueline B. Mars, the pair placed first, first, and fifth over fences, and second under saddle to earn the “NOT ALWAYS” Challenge Trophy, donated by Miss Peggy Steinman. Stewart earned those reserve honors aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s Cameo with a win and sixth place ribbon over fences, as well as a win under saddle.

Stewart and Cameo were then presented the special Protocol Trophy, sponsored by Platinum Performance. The trophy is awarded to the overall High Point High Performance Working Hunter from the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and Washington International Horse Show.

Stewart will continue on to the National Horse Show in Kentucky and then give his horses a break in Florida before the start of the winter season. Commenting on his years of success at WIHS, the rider acknowledged, “This is one of my favorite shows. I love D.C. and I love being here. It is a really special show.”

Concluding the professional divisions, John Bragg and Early August earned their second championship of the day in the First Year Green Working Hunter division to top off a fantastic two days at WIHS. They earned second, second, and fifth place ribbons over fences and won the under saddle. Nick Haness finished in reserve with Lindsay Maxwell’s Technicolor after earning first and second place ribbons over fences. Hillary Johnson and Copper Fox LLC’s Voyager were awarded the Windy Acres Challenge Trophy for the best Green Working Hunter stake round. They earned a high score of 90 in the First Year division.

Shaw Johnson Price and Custom Made, Virginia Fout and Carma Win Amateur-Owner Grand Championships

The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions concluded their second day of competition at WIHS on Wednesday and awarded championship honors as well.

The Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” championship and the Frank Counselman Memorial Perpetual Trophy were awarded to Shaw Johnson Price, of Chestertown, MD, and her own Custom Made, an 11-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (sired by Chambertin). The pair earned the championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” Over 35 division, sponsored by Cembell Industries, with a win under saddle and second, second, and fourth place ribbons over fences. Virginia Fout and her own Cristiano finished in reserve with first, third, and sixth place ribbons over fences.

Shaw Johnson Price and Custom Made
Shaw Johnson Price and Custom Made

Price was then presented the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider Award for the 3’6” level. The rider was joined at WIHS by her trainer, Havens Schatt, who also showed Custom Made in professional classes this week. Price started showing the gelding at the beginning of 2015 and had great results at the 3’3” level, including a championship win at the 2015 Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg. This year, they moved up to the 3’6” height and have continued to excel. They recently earned champion and grand champion honors at Harrisburg, and decided that the gelding was ready to face the impressive atmosphere at Verizon Center for the first time.

“We were not quite sure he was ready for the atmosphere here last year, but now he really knows his job,” Price stated. “He is sweet, and I think he really likes going in the ring. He seems to know when it’s a big deal. He is always pleasant and happy and looks for the jumps. His ears are forward, and he is very consistent.”

The partnership with Custom Made took a little while to develop, as Price explained, but with the help of Schatt and her team, the horse has come a long way.

“We thought we would get on him and go right into the 3’6”, but he turned out to be a bit more of a project,” Price detailed. “Havens worked with him, and he has just slowly progressed and gotten better and better. I have a wonderful horse and a great trainer. Wayne Robinson is our groom, and he is fantastic. We have a really good team right now, so it has been great.”

Price earned grand hunter and leading rider titles at WIHS once before, but took some time off from showing and was back for the first time in many years. She has two teenage daughters that keep her busy and also loves to sail with her husband. Price competes next at the National Horse Show in Kentucky. Custom Made will return home to Schatt’s Milestone Farm in Lexington before heading to Florida for the winter.

In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35 division, the championship was awarded to Samantha Schaefer aboard her own Classified. The pair earned first, third, and fourth place ribbons over fences and a third place under saddle. Kelly Tropin and Libertas Farm LLC’s Chablis finished in reserve with three second-place ribbons and one fourth-place finish. Schaefer and Classified also earned the award for best 3’6” stake round with their high score of 91. Sponsored by Lynn Ellen Rice, the award presents the Shari Hollis Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Late Col. J. B. Hollis and Ms. Jeannie Hollis.

Continuing the day, the Amateur-Owner Working Hunter 3’3” 18-35 division presented both championship and reserve championship honors to Margot Peroni of Califon, NJ. Peroni rode her own Encore B to the championship with a win under saddle and second and fifth place ribbons over fences. She also rode her own Orlon to first, second, and sixth place ribbons over fences.

At the conclusion of the afternoon, Virginia Fout of Los Angeles, CA rode her 12-year-old Warmblood gelding Carma (sired by Rhodium) to the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 division championship. The pair won two classes over fences, as well as the under saddle. Daryl Portela and Isalou, Inc.’s Argentus finished as reserve champions with first and second place finishes over fences. They also earned a special award for the Best Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Stake Round with a score of 87.

For their consistency, Carma and Fout were named Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Champions, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Earnest M. Oare, and Fout earned the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider title for the 3’3” division overall.

Fout is originally from Middleburg, VA and moved to California 20 years ago. She grew up in a family of equestrians and lived on the family farm where her father was a racehorse trainer and her mother fox hunted. Fout’s sister became a three-day eventer, and her brother is a jockey. For Fout, it has always been horses. She went to college in California, got married and had a baby, but she continued to ride while also juggling a busy career. She owns her own event production company that does major events such as Elton John’s famous Oscar party.

Traveling across the country to compete while she also has an event going on in California this week was demanding, but for Fout, it paid off.

“Days like this make it all worth it,” she smiled. “It’s funny; the only time I have ever won a blue ribbon at Washington was in 1984 at Hunt Night with my mom and my sister at the old US Air Arena. So this is pretty big and pretty amazing.”

Speaking of Carma, Fout detailed, “He is magic. I’m so fortunate. He is a horse I got from one of my stable mates, Montana Coady. He came back from a long injury a couple years prior. I was lucky enough to get to buy him last fall and we have formed a great partnership. He’s tricky, but when he’s good, he’s magic. I just love him, and he’s so special, and I’m so lucky. It is sort of a dream come true with him. We call him a movie star because that is what he feels like.

“He likes a very quiet ride,” Fout continued. “If you’re quiet, he’s quiet. If you’re not quiet, hold on. I have learned how to ride him. He is sensitive, but I have learned to stay quiet. In the first class today, he had a rail down at the first jump and then it was a disaster after that. But when he’s good, he is phenomenal.”

Fout had Jenny Ross helping her at WIHS this week. She will go to her family’s farm in The Plains, VA until the end of the week before flying back to California to spend Halloween with her daughter. She then heads up to Kentucky for her final horse show of the year.

Hunter competition at the 2016 Washington International Horse Show continues on Thursday with the beginning of Junior Hunter competition in the morning. In the jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner competition will be featured in the afternoon, along with a $35,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake. The evening session will welcome local horse lovers, riders, trainers, and their families for Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery with the generous support of The Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor, beginning at 6 p.m. The $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator costume class will be the highlight competition of the evening. For full results, visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
Jump Media
lauren@jumpmediallc.com
www.jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Andrew Kocher and Uppie de Lis Win Opening Speed Class at WIHS

Leave a comment

Andrew Kocher and Uppie de Lis. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Sarah Boston and Dean Dignelli Victorious in WIHS Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships

October 26, 2016 – Washington, D.C. – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted its first day of jumper competition at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday with a win for Andrew Kocher (USA) aboard Uppie des Lis in the feature $10,000 International Jumper speed class. The $10,000 WIHS Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships were also highlighted with a win for Sarah Boston and Herminas in the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, presented by The Klein Family & Lance Williamson Stables, and victory for Dean Dignelli riding Redefin in the $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Championship, presented by The Treacy Family.

Ireland’s Alan Wade is the course designer for jumper competition at WIHS this week. He opened the week with 45 starters in the $10,000 international speed class and 21 clear rounds. Kocher and Uppie des Lis, a 15-year-old NRPS gelding (Andiamo x Landsieger) owned by BTS Entertainment and Sales, clocked the winning round in 50.20 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Main Road, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC, finished second in 50.26 seconds. Catherine Tyree (USA) and Mary and Joseph Tyree’s Enjoy Louis finished third in 51.30 seconds.

Wednesday’s class marked Kocher’s first win at WIHS. He has shown at the competition in the junior jumpers and hunters, as well as jumping in the Puissance class twice, but explained that he never did the bigger open classes. This week he came to WIHS to jump Saturday’s $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, as he hopes to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup Finals in March with Uppie de Lis.

“He is my most consistent horse, and I came to do the World Cup class, so I’m excited,” Kocher detailed. “I have been resting him for three or four weeks now just to have him fresh for this, and then we’ll go to Kentucky. He jumped really nice in Omaha in the spring, which is a ring like this. He is actually good in every ring. He is a very solid horse.

“He has a little bit of a choppy stride, so he is good at adding one in here or there,” Kocher continued. “I’m better off to add a stride and make a short turn than leave one out and gallop around. Today, my plan was just to go as fast as I can and not knock anything down. I used to just try to win every class on him, and then I just tried to aim him for bigger classes and he jumped less clear rounds that way, so I’m just going to try to win every class on him again no matter what the table (format) is.”

In addition to Uppie de Lis, Kocher has a young mare named Ciana that will jump in the speed class on Saturday, as well as a mare named C’Havinia that will jump Friday night’s Puissance. She recently tied for first place in the $50,000 Puissance at the Central Park Horse Show, so Kocher hopes that the experience will help their attempt at the wall this week. Uppie de Lis will jump again Thursday and then rest for Saturday night’s big event.

Sarah Boston and Herminas Top $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship

Jumper competition got underway early Wednesday evening with a win for 16-year-old Sarah Boston of Owings Mills, MD riding Herminas in the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, presented by The Klein Family & Lance Williamson Stables. The competition saw 31 entries, with 17 advancing to the jump-off and four double clear rounds. With the fastest second round in 30.51 seconds, Boston and the 13-year-old Trakehner gelding (by Viskis) earned the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Fen.

Emma Seving and Easy Money finished second with a time of 31.54 seconds. Ava Ellis and Diederique van der Knapp’s Clive placed third in 31.55 seconds, and Caroline Ellis guided Starlight Farms’ Catalyst to fourth place honors in 34.98 seconds.

Sarah Boston and Herminas
Sarah Boston and Herminas

Boston leased Herminas from trainer Don Stewart in February this year and has had a great season with the gelding leading up to her qualification to compete at WIHS.

“It is really awesome just to know that all of the hard work paid off finally,” Boston said of her win. “My horse was really good. He’s perfect. He is just willing to do anything.

“He is pretty go with the flow,” Boston detailed of the ride on Herminas. “He is sassy sometimes, but he will literally do whatever I ask him. He has the heart of a mare, which is nice. He really wants to win, and he really likes his job. He cares about me, and he always tries his best.”

Boston has shown at WIHS before in the ponies, but this was her first time in a few years and a different experience doing the jumpers on a horse.

“It is one of my favorite shows,” Boston stated. “I just love being in the city. I think it is really cool because it is different from all of them, but this is definitely different from doing the little ponies in the ring.”

Speaking of her jump-off, the rider detailed, “The plan was to not go too fast because there were only three or four clear ahead of me. But I still had to just continue and be smooth and try to be clear, but still a little bit forward.”

Boston heads back to school in Baltimore Thursday. Along with training with Stewart in the winter and summer, she also rides on the varsity equestrian team at McDonogh School training with Streett and Amy Moore. She plans to move up to the Low Junior Jumpers this winter.

Dean Dignelli Wins $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship

The $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Championship, presented by The Treacy Family, was held in the evening session with a win for Dean Dignelli of Katonah, NY riding Heritage Farm Inc.’s Redefin. Thirty-nine entries started over the first round course, with a five-horse jump-off and two double clear rounds. Dignelli and Redefin, an 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Larino), were the winners in 25.85 seconds. Elizabeth Porath and Redfield Farm’s Tequila Girl placed second in 27.76 seconds. Whitney Lind and Whish LLC’s Wanant placed third with four faults in 27.96 seconds.

Dignelli began riding three and a half years ago and showed at WIHS for the first time in 2015, finishing a close second in the same class with Redefin. This year, he was determined to get his win. He earned the top prize and will have his name added to the Dorothy Foote “Goodie” Taylor Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

“Last year I was second. I lost my stirrups after the second jump and completed the whole course,” Dignelli laughed. “I think I was a crowd favorite, and unfortunately I got bumped into second after that, but it was really good.”

Speaking of Redefin, Dignelli detailed, “He is an unbelievable horse. He was Ian Millar’s grand prix horse, and I have created a great bond with him. He really takes care of me, and he wants to win just as bad as I do. As long as I stay out of his way, he shows me the way usually.”

Dignelli (27) is part of a well-known equestrian family, but only recently started riding and joined the family business at Heritage Farm. His uncle, Andre, is one of the top trainers in the country and his father, Michael, is a business partner and important part of the Heritage team. Dignelli chose to pursue his interest in baseball at a younger age, but he eventually came around to equestrian sport and now has his sights set on a grand prix career.

Dignelli has moved up quickly from his first lesson on a lunge line with good friend Matt Metell, to showing at some of the nation’s top competitions in the Adult Jumpers. He has won at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Spruce Meadows, and the Hampton Classic Horse Show, among others. Last week he also won at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg.

“It has really been a journey. A lot of hard work has been put into it, but I think that what you put in is what you get,” Dignelli said of his motivation. “For how athletic and driven and competitive I am, I really just wanted to prove that I could do this. My whole purpose from that first lesson until now was just to show that I am a Dignelli; it is in my blood, and I can do it. I have tried to get as many lessons as possible. You could come into the indoor in the winter and there would be five ponies and then me and Redefin in a flat lesson with no stirrups. I just really wanted it. My goal was to go up a class every year. That has been sidetracked a little bit, but my goal is to be in the grand prix by 30.”

Though some people might have trouble training with family members, Dignelli appreciates his uncle’s great knowledge and tries to learn as much as he can from the world-class equestrian.

“I think that from playing baseball at a high level, I know what it is like to be coachable,” Dignelli noted. “At first it was a little difficult when Andre was training me, not because he is family, but because he was speaking to me as if I knew what he was talking about! He needed to slow it down for me a little bit, but now it’s good. It was so special to win Harrisburg with Andre there and to win this one with him. He is unbelievable, and his program is unbelievable. I always say that he is like the Derek Jeter of the equestrian world. He is the captain; he is always cool, calm, and collected. He is the man, so I try to be him.”

Along with his riding, Dignelli works for the farm doing logistics and transportation. He started a shipping company called Iron Horse Transport and has a golf cart company for sales and rentals called Dean’s Iron Horses. After his win on Wednesday night, he immediately left to drive a truck of horses back to New York. Dignelli is getting to know a new horse and will keep working to move up the ranks.

Jumper competition at the 2016 Washington International Horse Show continues on Thursday with Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner classes featured in the afternoon, along with a $35,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake. The evening session will welcome local horse lovers, riders, trainers, and their families for Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery with the generous support of The Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor, beginning at 6 p.m. The $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator costume class will be the highlight competition of the evening. For full results, visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
Jump Media
lauren@jumpmediallc.com
www.jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Crenshaw and Maggiore Win $10k WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships

Leave a comment

Kathryn Crenshaw and Chapman. Photos copyright Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington, D.C. – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) began on Tuesday, October 25, with hunter competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. The day featured professional and amateur hunters competing in the first classes of their divisions, as well as year-end championships for child and adult hunter competitors. WIHS features six days of competition through Sunday, October 30, showcasing the best of the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines. The entire competition at WIHS is live streamed, so don’t miss a minute – go to www.wihs.org to watch!

Tuesday’s highlights included the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship. Thirty-one entries showed over a first-round course set by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, IN and the top 12 returned for a second round to determine final results. Kathryn Crenshaw and her own Chapman took the win with scores of 86 and 87 for a 173-point total. Cece Siegfried and her own Finally Found earned scores of 87 and 84 to finish second with a total of 171. Trinity Hammerschmidt and ES Equine Broker LLC’s Spirit scored 170 with a pair of 85-point rounds to finish third. Nicole Dorwart and Lori Dorwart’s Rittani earned the high score of 88 in round one and scored an 81 in round two to finish fourth on 169 points overall.

For the win, Crenshaw and Chapman were presented the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Fen. Crenshaw, a 17-year-old high school senior from York, PA, trains with Chris Gemmill at Woodberry Farm. Her mount is a six-year-old Warmblood gelding (by Contenaro) that she purchased in June 2015.

“This is my first year on Chapman. He is six years old, so he is a baby,” Crenshaw noted. “Winning this is amazing; I can’t even express it. This was my goal for the year. I really wanted to go to this horse show, and just getting here was an honor, much less winning.”

Starting a five-year-old was a big challenge to take on for a young rider, but with the help of her trainer, along with Woodberry Farm’s professional rider Jennifer Marshall, Crenshaw has developed a great young horse.

“I tried a few horses before him, and when I got on, I knew immediately that he was the one,” she stated. “He has grown up so much since he has been in a program. I lesson twice a week with my trainer and he gets a professional ride once a week. The whole journey has been amazing. He walked in here today never even being in that ring before, and he was perfect. I could not ask for anything else.”

Describing Chapman, Crenshaw detailed, “I think he loves this job. He always goes around with his ears up and he is very sweet. He is smooth, point and shoot, but he is also very young. I have to be very direct and set him up for his lead changes. He is really fun to ride; I love him so much. He has been a once in a lifetime horse and I would not take anything for granted.”

Crenshaw and Chapman showed at Zone 2 Hunter Finals last week and competed in the NAL Children’s Hunter Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show for an eighth place finish the week before. After a wonderful year together, Crenshaw will give Chapman a break before heading into her last year showing as a junior. She plans to head off to college next fall and is not sure what the future holds for her young mount, but hopes that they can continue to compete together.

Third Time Is the Charm for Contina and Jacquelyn Maggiore

The $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Championship concluded day one at the 2016 WIHS with 31 entries showing over the first-round course and the top 12 returning. The win went to Jacquelyn Maggiore of Boston, MA riding her own Contina. Maggiore and the 13-year-old Westphalian mare (by Contini) earned scores of 84 and 82 for the win with a 166-point total. Kendall Meijer and Copper Fox LLC’s Moonwalk finished second with a two-round total of 157.50 (76.5 and 81). Taylor Martinz placed third with scores of 80 and 77 riding Freedom’s Clover, and Dana Nifosi earned scores of 74 and 79 to finish fourth aboard her own Knob Creek.

Contina and Jacquelyn Maggiore
Contina and Jacquelyn Maggiore

Maggiore has ridden the winning mare, Contina, for six years and made her third trip into the arena at Verizon Center this year for their first victory at WIHS. They finished second their first year in the championship, placed third last year, and Maggiore was determined to come back and get the win in 2016. She trains with Greg Prince and Cookie DeSimone of Woodbridge Farm in Sherborn, MA and also works full-time in her family’s real estate development business.

Speaking of Contina, Maggiore stated, “There is just no horse like her. She is my soul mate. I have never been successful on another horse and I have ridden my whole life. She is just a super amazing horse and we have a great bond.

“This is our first final we have ever won, so it is very exciting,” Maggiore continued. “It is the most exciting horse show. I love the entire environment and she thrives in this type of environment because she doesn’t need to go in the ring before. We didn’t bring her over until an hour before the class. She is a very special horse and I am a lucky girl.”

Maggiore worked all day and flew into Washington, D.C. from Boston just hours before the competition.

“I took a flight tonight from Boston, landed here at 6 o’clock, grabbed an Uber from the airport and hopped on the horse right before the class,” she laughed. “It was a little bit of a chaotic day, but it paid off.”

WIHS concluded Maggiore and Contina’s 2016 show season. The mare will have a rest until they travel to Ocala, FL to compete for the winter.

Also showing on Tuesday, the professional hunter divisions completed their first day of competition at Verizon Center. The Robotyping Challenge Trophy was presented to Scott Stewart and David Gochman’s Catch Me for their high score of 90 as the best Green Working Hunter round of the day in the Second Year division. The Fairfax Hunt Race Association Challenge Trophy for the best Green Working Hunter handy round was presented to Nick Haness and Lindsay Maxwell’s Technicolor for their high score of 92 in their First Year class.

The 58th annual Washington International Horse Show continues on Wednesday with championships for the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions, as well as the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, presented by The Klein Family & Lance Williamson Stables, during the day. The evening session, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship, presented by The Treacy Family, as well as the $10,000 International Jumper speed class. For full results, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
Jump Media
lauren@jumpmediallc.com
www.jumpmediallc.com

Community/Charity, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Washington International Horse Show Announces First Responders Ticket Program

Leave a comment

WIHS Junior Committee members host Breakfast with the Mounted Police each October during show week. Photo © Jump Media.

Washington, D.C. – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in North America, announces the launch of its First Responders Ticket Program, an initiative created to thank first responders in the nation’s capital.

In its inaugural year, the WIHS First Responders Ticket Program, presented by AT&T, will honor local Fire, EMS, Police and other first responders, offering them a complimentary night with their families at the Washington International Horse Show and special recognition throughout the 6-day event, which stages from October 25-30, 2016 at Verizon Center.

WIHS’ relationship with first responders is most visible with its annual Mounted Police Breakfast, a long-honored and fan-favorite tradition. The breakfast, which honors Washington D.C.’s Mounted Police force units across the region, takes place in front of Hotel Monaco, formerly a 19th century post office whose 8th Street restaurant entrance was once a carriageway passage for horses and buggies. An outdoor buffet — including one for horses — will be offered at Hotel Monaco on Wednesday, October 26 from 8AM – 10AM.

WIHS Junior Committee members host Breakfast with the Mounted Police each October during show week.

The WIHS First Responders Ticket Program complements the popular WIHS Military Ticket Program presented by Fidelity Investments, which has provided over 21,500 tickets to military families since its inception and culminates at WIHS Military Night on Friday, October 28 from 7PM – 10:30PM. The events, competition and exhibitions on this evening are about speed and power as the WIHS honors the U.S. Armed Forces. Events include the $50,000 GE Speed Final, a high-test race over a challenging course with jumps close to five feet, the thrilling Puissance high jump competition, presented by The Boeing Company, and the Jump for TAPS program raising funds and awareness for WIHS military partner, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

WIHS is pleased to welcome inaugural ticket distribution partners Chinatown DCFD-Engine 2, Penn Quarter Fire, Police and EMS employees, DC Police Union and District of Columbia Nurses Association to the program and is currently seeking additional interested organizations. For more information, please contact WIHS at 202-525-3679 or info@wihs.org.

Tickets for the general public are available at Verizon Center box office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. The show runs Tuesday, October 25th through Sunday, October 30th with day and evening performances except Sunday (daytime only). Daytime tickets (general admission only) are $15 (plus applicable service charge) with children 12 and under admitted free. For evening performances, VIP, reserved and general admission tickets are available starting as low as $20. For group discounts, contact Verizon Center Group Sales at 202-661-5061. For more information on tickets and discounts for military, seniors and students, please visit www.wihs.org/tickets.

Special entertainment designed for children includes WIHS Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery, The Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor, featuring contests, scavenger hunts and the entertaining $35,000 Accumulator Top Score Costume Show (Friday, October 28th), and WIHS Kids’ Day, presented by Animal Planet and Equus Foundation, a popular street festival with free, fun and educational horse-based activities for the local D.C. community (Saturday, October 29th). Highlighted events support community organizations and charities providing services including military family support.

About WIHS, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup, presented by Events DC (Saturday night), the Puissance high jump presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
lauren@jumpmediallc.com

Jump Media, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Star-Studded Lineup Brings High Octane Fun to Washington International Horse Show

Leave a comment

The ponies and jockeys have been training all season to be ready to race at WIHS! Photos © Alden Corrigan Media.

Olympic Team Medalists, Guy McLean, Shetland Pony Steeplechase Races, Terrier Races, Dally and Spanky, and Much More

Washington, D.C. – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is quickly approaching, and the lineup of exhibitions for this year’s event promises to be one of the best yet!

Featuring members of the U. S. Olympic silver medal show jumping team fresh from Rio, and many of the nation’s best horses and riders, WIHS is the pinnacle of the show season for many equestrians. Along with important year-end competition, the event also features entertaining performances from multi-discipline equine stars. The 58th annual Washington International Horse Show runs October 25-30, 2016, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

“Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are especially hot at WIHS, with thrilling competition and the best in equestrian entertainment. This year crowd favorites return like the Shetland Pony Steeplechase, and two of the internet’s most talented stars, Dally and Spanky, are making the long trip from Spokane, Washington to celebrate horses in the capital city!” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell.

WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Races

Thursday, October 27, and Saturday, October 29, will feature the popular WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Races presented by Charles Owen and U.S. Pony Racing.

Introduced in 2013, the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase races, dubbed “D.C.’s newest — and cutest — sport” by the Washington Post, are run like professional racing events with a bugler, race caller and photo finish, but in miniature. The jockeys are youngsters from ages eight to 13 mounted on traditional Shetland Ponies racing over a course of mini-hurdles.

Dally and Spanky

Special performances by Dally and Spanky will be held on Thursday, along with additional performances on Friday and Saturday nights at this year’s WIHS. Dally is a Jack Russell terrier and Spanky – her best friend – is a rescue miniature horse. They are internet sensations with more than five million views on YouTube and seven million on Facebook, and have appeared on the David Letterman Show, won the Hot Dog award at the World Dog Awards in Hollywood, and appeared on the National Geographic Channel. This dynamic duo will make its first appearance at WIHS to the thrill of fans big and small!

Jessica Springsteen goes Western to ride the barrels for Navy
Jessica Springsteen goes Western to ride the barrels for Navy

Army vs. Navy Barrel Racing

Friday night, October 28, is Military Night at WIHS and the fun Army vs. Navy Barrel Racing Exhibition presented by Washington Area Chevy Dealers, will be a highlight of the evening featuring teams of professional Barrel Racers, top show jumpers, plus Army and Navy representatives competing together.

Horsemanship Master Guy McLean

Renowned Australian horsemanship master Guy McLean is scheduled to perform his one-of-a-kind demonstrations on Friday evening, bringing his unbelievable horsemanship and showmanship to WIHS. McLean works as an equine performer traveling internationally with his well-known horses.

The power of McLean’s performances hinge on the deeply personal and loving relationships he forms with his horses. All of his performances, as well as his horsemanship methods, are self-taught and are of an unprecedented depth. McLean believes that the best tools in horsemanship are “Knowledge, Compassion, Patience, and Imagination,” and these principles have led him to numerous awards and honors.

Terrier Races, and more!

The WIHS Mounted Color Guard, represented by the Maryland National Capital Park Police, the U.S. Park Police and the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police, will open the show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Friday night will also feature a performance from the U.S. Army’s Brass Quintet.

Back by popular demand on Saturday, October 29, the Jack Russell Terrier Races, presented by Nutro, will be held during President’s Cup Night at WIHS! This fan favorite thrills the WIHS crowd as Jack Russell Terriers soar through the air in pursuit of that elusive foxtail. Jumping tiny hurdles, these cute, energetic, and spirited pups bring great laughter and applause from the enthusiastic WIHS crowd, while putting a smile on everyone’s face.

Schedule of Special Exhibitions at WIHS 2016:

Thursday, October 27, 2016: Barn Night
* WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Races
* Dally and Spanky

Friday, October 28, 2016: Military Night
* Army vs. Navy Barrel Racing Exhibition
* Guy McLean
* U.S. Army’s Brass Quintet
* Dally and Spanky

Saturday, October 29, 2016: President’s Cup Night
* WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Races
* Jack Russell Terrier Races
* Dally and Spanky

WIHS tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Verizon Center Box Office. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more through Verizon Center Group Sales. Call 202-661-5061 for details.

About WIHS, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup, presented by Events DC (Saturday night), the Puissance high jump presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
lauren@jumpmediallc.com

 

Community/Charity, Washington Int'l Horse Show

USET Foundation Named Beneficiary of Washington Int’l Horse Show President’s Cup Party

Leave a comment

Gladstone, N.J. – Sept. 27, 2016 – The capital of the United States will once again be filled with more than 500 of the world’s top horses and riders vying for half a million dollars in prize money as the 58th installment of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) gets underway Oct. 25-30. The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is honored to once again be the beneficiary of the President’s Cup Party at the WIHS on Saturday.

The highlight event of the week will be the prestigious and highly-anticipated $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, for the President’s Cup on Saturday evening, Oct. 29. During Saturday’s world-class show jumping competition will also be the President’s Cup Party at 7 p.m. in the Acela Club on the Sky Box level of the Verizon Center.

WIHS invites guests to wear their best equestrian chic and join Washington D.C.’s elite business, diplomatic and community leaders, as well as a number of 2016 Rio Olympic equestrian athletes, for a night of socializing, sophistication and show jumping to benefit the USET Foundation.

The USET Foundation is a vital part of equestrian sport in the United States. For more than 65 years, equestrian athletes have represented the United States in international competition, bringing home medals that have clearly established the United States as among the world’s equestrian elite. However, the costs of fielding international teams are enormous. Training, coaching and transporting of human and equine athletes around the world in order to compete against the sport’s best athletes is made possible thanks to contributions made to the USET Foundation.

Tickets to the President’s Cup Party include dinner and an open bar and provide a wonderful vantage point for watching the action in the ring – combining the excitement of top-level equestrian sport with exemplary hospitality.

The USET Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international and high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

To purchase tickets for the WIHS President’s Cup Party, click here. For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Prize List for 2016 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship Now Available Online

Leave a comment

Devan Graham and Sandro Sky, winners of the 2015 MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals. © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Top Local Show Offers Chance to Qualify for WIHS at Verizon Center

Washington, D.C. – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is pleased to announce the prize list is now available online for the 2016 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship, presented by The Linden Group at Morgan Stanley, which will be held Oct. 21-23 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md.

A popular stop on the local horse show circuit, the WIHS Regional competition offers riders an enjoyable showing experience and the opportunity to qualify to compete at Verizon Center in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals, presented by The Linden Group at Morgan Stanley, on Oct. 30, as well as qualification for the WIHS Championship Finals for Children’s and Adult Hunters and Jumpers on Oct. 25 and 26.

> Link to WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship Prize List

“I’ve always treasured my time with horses,” said Sue van der Linden of The Linden Group at Morgan Stanley, a longtime supporter of the WIHS Regional Horse Show and presenting sponsor of this year’s event. “This is a great opportunity to encourage others to make the most of their rides, too. Best of luck and congratulations to our horses and riders, and a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the parents, spouses, coaches, and friends who support us in our equestrian dreams.”

The WIHS Regional Horse Show is proud to host the USHJA Zone 3 Championship again this year on Sunday, Oct. 23. Approximately the top 18 horses in each division, based on total USHJA points, will be invited, with additional horses to be invited if invitations are not accepted.

“We are excited to welcome The Linden Group at Morgan Stanley as our presenting sponsor and look forward to another terrific weekend of competition and fun for locally based riders and their families,” said Bridget Love Meehan, WIHS Executive Director.

This year’s highlights include:

  • The MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals featured on Friday at 6:00 p.m.
  • New equitation classes: NCEA 3’3” Junior Hunt Seat Medal and USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal
  • The fifth annual Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship, presented by Victoria Lowell
  • Ice Cream Social on Friday night and Pizza Party on Saturday afternoon for all exhibitors
  • Grand Championships awarded for Children’s and Adult Hunter and Children’s Hunter Ponies
  • Watch the qualifying event for the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Finals, presented by Charles Owen, on Friday evening.

Entries will be accepted electronically through www.HorseShowing.com.

About WIHS, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup, presented by Events DC (Saturday night), the Puissance high jump presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
lauren@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

WIHS Tickets Now on Sale at Ticketmaster.com

Leave a comment

Harrie Smolders and Emerald, winners of the 2015 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington. Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington International Horse Show Returns to Verizon Center October 25-30

WASHINGTON – Tickets are now on sale for the 58th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America, which will take place Oct. 25-30 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

More than 500 of the best horses and riders in the world, including Olympic veterans, will arrive in the nation’s capital for six days of world-class international show jumping and top national hunter and equitation competition plus entertaining exhibitions, boutique shopping and community and charity events.

Tickets now on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com.

Excitement is building for Saturday night’s $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, where the winning rider will be presented with the show’s most prestigious prize, the President of the United States Perpetual Cup, a trophy given to the show in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Other popular events include the $25,000 Puissance, presented by The Boeing Company, a thrilling high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and the prestigious WIHS Equitation Finals for the country’s top junior riders (Saturday).

Special events designed for children include WIHS Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery and Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor, with contests, a scavenger hunt and the entertaining Top Score Costume Class, where riders jump in costume (Thursday), and WIHS Kids’ Day, the popular street festival with free, fun and educational horse-based activities for the local D.C. community (Saturday).

Not to be missed are this year’s entertaining exhibitions, including the adorable WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase races, presented by Charles Owen (Thursday and Saturday nights), with junior jockeys in the saddle racing the cutest Shetland Ponies to the enjoyment of spectators of all ages.

Highlighted events support community organizations and charities including TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the WIHS Official Military charity, the Capital Breast Care Center at Georgetown Hospital and the U. S. Equestrian Team Foundation.

Tickets are available at the Verizon Center box office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. The show runs Tuesday through Sunday with day and evening performances except Sunday (daytime only). Daytime tickets (general admission only) are $15 (plus applicable service charge) with children 12 and under admitted free. For evening performances, VIP, reserved and general admission tickets are available starting as low as $20. For group discounts, contact Verizon Center Group Sales at 202-661-5061. For more information on tickets and discounts for military, seniors and students, visit www.wihs.org/tickets.

For event details, visit WIHS Event Schedule.

About WIHS, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup, presented by Events DC (Saturday night), the Puissance high jump presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.

Contact: Lauren Fisher
lauren@jumpmediallc.com