Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Classic Company, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jacksonville Update 2011

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Just a reminder that the stalls/tents will start going up in Jacksonville on Friday so we need to get the best count we can.  If you are planning on attending the Jacksonville Winter Series (Jan 12 – Jan 30) this winter, please call and let us know your stall count.  In order to keep our expenses down and your costs down, we plan only to erect the number of stalls reserved this year.  You are welcome to email or call.  Email is info@nfhja.com and phone is 904 993 2053.

See you at the rings,

Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Products/Services, Show Jumping

SmartPak Expands Support for the 2011 HITS Show Season with Title Sponsorship of Crucial $25,000 Qualifying Grand Prix for Pfizer Million

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© ESI Photography. HITS Account Executive for Corporate Sponsorship Lisa Engel presents a Championship Ribbon and SmartPak Circuit Champion jacket to Rachel Perry and Major Fun.

SAUGERTIES, NY (December 15, 2010) — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that long-time sponsor SmartPak, makers of simplified solutions for equine supplements and medications, has expanded its sponsorship of HITS horse shows for the 2011 season.

In addition to having on-site SmartPak Delivery Place locations at both the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California and the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, Florida, they will also be the title sponsor of six $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at both locations. Each $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, will be a qualifier for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix that will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson on Sunday, September 11, making the SmartPak-sponsored classes in Thermal and Ocala vital stops on the road to this year’s Pfizer Million.

“We are thrilled to be renewing our relationship with HITS for the fourth consecutive year,” said Colby Balazs, Vice President of Marketing at SmartPak Equine LLC. “At SmartPak, the core of our business is promoting smarter horse care. Whether it’s through our revolutionary supplement feeding system or our unrivaled customer service, we are always striving to find new ways to help our customers get more out of the time they spend with their horses. As riders and competitors ourselves, we know just how much work goes into supporting an equine athlete. By sponsoring HITS, we are supporting world-class horse shows where our customers can show off the fruits of their labor, and enjoy the sense of camaraderie that can only come from a true partnership with your horse.”

Continue reading SmartPak Expands Support for the 2011 HITS Show Season with Title Sponsorship of Crucial $25,000 Qualifying Grand Prix for Pfizer Million →

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Products/Services, Show Jumping

BREYER Releases GG Valentine & Heartbreaker Model Horses

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GG Valentine and Heartbreaker. Photos: BREYER and Courtesy of the Client

Buffalo, NY – December 16, 2010 – Legendary mare GG Valentine has done it again.  This time not in the show ring, as she was retired from showing in 2007, but as a mother after having another legendary baby. Due to her incredible success both as a championship hunter and a fantastic broodmare, BREYER has released a new model horse of GG Valentine with the colt Heartbreaker. GG Valentine and her rider Jennifer Alfano were one of the leading hunter combinations in the nation from 2001 to 2007. In 2007 at the Devon Horse Show, GG Valentine was retired in a special ceremony, accompanied by Alfano, owner Barbara Kearney, and trainers Susie Schoellkopf, Emil Spadone and Sharon O’Neill.

GG Valentine’s third foal was born in February of 2010 and will be shown under the name Heartbreaker. The beautiful weanling is by Oh Star, a 2000 U.S. Olympic show jumping team alternate ridden by Todd Minikus. “The birth went perfectly,” noted Kearney. “GG was a perfect mother and he was full of himself for the first six months. He really enjoyed running around the field carrying his feed pale and learning to be a horse.” This is incredible mare and foal duo can now be yours by purchasing the replica BREYER horse and foal model at any local tack store or at www.breyerhorses.com.

Continue reading BREYER Releases GG Valentine & Heartbreaker Model Horses →

Classic Company, Contributors/Press, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Adequan Newest Grand Prix Sponsor at 2011 Gulf Coast Winter Classics

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Dr. Juan Gamboa & Partizan ©Flashpoint Photography

Gulfport, MS – December 16, 2010 – The Gulf Coast Classic Company is pleased to welcome Adequan (polysulfated glycosminoglycan) as the newest sponsor for the 2011 Winter Classics. “We are excited to continue our support of the Classic Company and the riders and horses that compete at these competitions,” stated Allyn Mann, Sr. Manager of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Our philosophy is simple: support those who are supporting you.”

“Given the sport our athletes compete in, pairing with Adequan seems the perfect fit for both parties,” Bob Bell, Co-Chair of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, began. “Arthritis is an inflammation in the joints which at some time will plague many of our beloved equine partners and even our canine friends can suffer the ill effects of Arthritis. Adequan has made such strides in providing relief from the pain associated with this ailment and provided a longer career as well as improved life span.”

Continue reading Adequan Newest Grand Prix Sponsor at 2011 Gulf Coast Winter Classics →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Holiday HorseFest Deemed a Great Success at the Meyer Amphitheatre

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Laura Kraut and Woodstock O in the four-bar class. All photos © ManciniPhotos.

West Palm Beach, FL – December 13, 2010 – The Holiday HorseFest, presented by Fidelity Investments and staged by Equestrian Sport Productions, was held on Sunday, December 12, at The Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL. The waterfront equestrian event was a great success, drawing over 4,000 spectators to see show jumping in a new venue, spreading the word about the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival and the 2011 FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments to a wider audience.

“We owe a big thank you to our sponsors and to the City of West Palm Beach for their support in making this event a reality and a huge success,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions. “We hope this will be the first of many events in Palm Beach County that will broaden the reach of equestrian sport here.”

Continue reading Holiday HorseFest Deemed a Great Success at the Meyer Amphitheatre →

Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

SBS Farms’ Susan Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano Honored at USHJA Convention

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy. Photo © 2010 PMG

Buffalo, NY – December 14, 2010 – Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in Buffalo, NY, was honored this past week at the USHJA Annual Meeting, which was held on December 6-9, 2011. Schoellkopf was given the President’s Distinguished Service Award at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner for the second year in a row.  SBS Farms’ Jennifer Alfano was also awarded at the dinner, as she earned The Rider Recognition Award for 2010.  This award is given for the most money won as a Hunter rider and her cash earnings were just above $400,000.

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards were developed in 2006 to acknowledge and honor the dedication and service of volunteer members to both the USHJA and the sport. 2010 marked the second year for Schoellkopf to win the USHJA’s President’s Distinguished Service Award, as she was also the recipient of this award in 2009. Schoellkopf is the chair of the Open Hunter Task Force and a member of the Hunter Restructure Committee, the Hunter Zone Council, the High Performance Hunter Committee, and the Junior Hunter Task Force. She is also on the USEF Drugs and Medication committee and serves as chair of the Zone 2 Hunter Committee.

Continue reading SBS Farms’ Susan Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano Honored at USHJA Convention →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Training/Clinics

Linda Andrisani to Lead Judging Clinic at Kentucky Horse Park

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Linda Andrisani will be conducting a judging clinic at the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Lexington, KY – December 14, 2010 – The Kentucky Hunter/Jumper Association, in conjunction with the USHJA and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, is conducting an educational judging clinic with Linda Andrisani on Saturday, January 22, 2011. This exciting event will take place in the New Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.  Linda Andrisani will give live commentary and scoring for a 3′ hunter division as well as 3′ equitation and 3’6″ medal classes.  This clinic is open to the public, with substantial discounts for early entries as well as KHJA members. ($50.00 KHJA members, $75.00 pre-entry, $100.00 at the door.)

The clinic will run on Saturday, January 22nd from 10:00am to 4:00pm (9:30 registration) and will include a lunch buffet.  Linda Andrisani will provide her perspective and technique of judging hunter and equitation rounds to professionals, clients and riders of all interest and skill levels.  The clinic will be conducted in a warm, elegant, comfortable, indoor horse show setting.  There will be an open question and answer session after each section.

Linda Andrisani is a legendary hunter judge with 25 years judging experience and the author of the DVD, “From the Judge’s Eye”.  She will provide insight and knowledge about showing horses, both broad in concept and trivial in the details. This is valuable information which will be helpful to all riders, professionals, and even children and amateurs. Come join some of the nicest people and horses in the Midwest and learn something!  Fabulous accommodations and dining in the Lexington area.  Contact Trena Kerr 859-250-5473 or Elaine Schott 859-489-0481; RMFHorses@aol.com for more information.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jacksonville Winter Series 2011

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December 14, 2010 – Time is flying by again…. If you are anything like me, I am running from one activity to another getting ready for the Christmas. This message is just to remind you that the Jacksonville Winter Series (Jan 12-30) is coming up soon. Please call for your stall reservations so we know how many stalls to erect.

This year the series will run three weeks with lots of exciting classes including the $100,000 FEI World Cup, $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby and Gamblers Choice.

If you need a prize list they are online on both the Classic Company (www.classiccompany.com) website and the North Florida Hunter Jumper website (www.nfhja.com).

One more thing – the FEI has changed the prize money for the Welcome Class during week one.  This is due to the exchange rate of the dollar.  The $25,000 class will now be $31,250 and the entry fee will go up from $450 to $475. The payout will now be $9375, $6875, $4062.50, $2500, $1875, $1562.50, $1250, $937, $937, $625, $625, and $625.

See you at the rings,

Bob Bell

The Classic Company, Ltd.

www.ClassicCompany.com

Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503

Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood

Molly Ashe-Cawley Is Back in the Game in $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

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Molly Ashe-Cawley and Back in the Game won the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Holiday & Horses Show. Photos © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Wellington, FL – December 5, 2010 – The Holiday & Horses Show, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, concluded competition today with the feature event for the hunters, the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Molly Ashe-Cawley of Newton, CT, rode Olivia Jack’s Back in the Game to the win in the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA, was second on Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare’s Rosalynn, while Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, rode Sanzibar for Barbara Ridder Irwin and Karen Long Dwight to third place.

The Holiday & Horses Show is the first competition in the Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) Holiday Series, which consists of seven shows through the beginning of January.

The course designer for today’s derby was Skip Bailey, who set a beautiful track with bright new jumps and interesting options. Farmer described, “They did a beautiful course. The jumps were gorgeous and it all looked great. Skip does a beautiful job. The horses jump well, you’re not in their mouths, they flow beautifully, and there’s not a lot of related distances. It’s never a trap to make the horses nervous. Even if it’s hard, they jump well. I thought it was great.”

Continue reading Molly Ashe-Cawley Is Back in the Game in $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Gene Mische – A Legend Passes

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Stadium Jumping CEO Eugene R. Mische passed away on Friday at the age of 79. ©Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

December 3, 2010 – Legendary horseman Eugene “Gene” Mische, the founder of Stadium Jumping, Inc., passed away on Friday evening, following a long, hard fought battle with cancer.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 26, 1931, Mische, more than any horseman in history, changed the face of horse sports in the United States.

He was 79 years old.

Mische recently celebrated over 60 years in the equestrian industry and over the course of his stellar career managed the most prestigious shows in America including the Budweiser American Invitational, American Grand Prix Association National Jumper Championship, New Albany Classic, Lake Placid and I Love New York Shows, Charlotte Jumper Classic, the American Gold Cup, USEF National Jumper Championships, and the National Horse Show. Other Stadium Jumping Inc. productions included the Olympic Games Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in 2000 and 2004, and the World Equestrian Games Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in 2002 and 2006.

Continue reading Gene Mische – A Legend Passes →