Category Archives: Show Jumping

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Fundraisers, Show Jumping

2011 FTI Great Charity Challenge Presented by Fidelity Investments Is Huge Success and Awards More Than $1 Million to 32 Palm Beach County Charities

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The Kessler family competed for Resource Depot. Photos © Anne Gittins Photography, Sportfot, and ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2011 – The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida transformed into a field of dreams for 32 Palm Beach charities in the second annual FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments where over a million dollars was raised in an exciting Pro-Am show jumping event on February 19. A signature event of the 12 week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the event featured 32 teams of three riders ranging in age from 11 to 70 where amateurs competed side by side with their professional heroes. Each team was randomly assigned to a charity to compete for $1,020,000 in prize money with the winning charity receiving $150,000 with a sliding scale to 32nd place of $10,000. A crowd of 6,000 came out to enjoy the family fun as part of the Saturday Night Lights series which continues through April 2nd.

Every team was generously sponsored by an equestrian family with additional monies coming from corporate and individual donors as well as all proceeds from ticket and VIP table sales for the evening’s event produced by Equestrian Sport Productions, which donates its staff and venue for the event.

The winning team, competing for Wheels for Kids, set a blazing fast time of 91.376 seconds. The riders were Olympian Pablo Barrios, 18-year-old Luis Fernando Larrazabal, and 14-year-old Emmanuel Andrade. All three riders are from Venezuela and competed for team sponsors, Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of G&C Farm. The Mirabals, Barrios, and Larrazabal live in Wellington, FL.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13288

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Beezie Madden Scores Second Win of the Week with Prima in $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby

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Beezie Madden and Prima jumping out of the Devils' Dyke. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2011 – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden scored her second win this week at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in the $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby. She and Prima, owned by Neapolitan Holding Co., LLC, were the fastest over a challenging derby course on the grass field at The Stadium.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s sixth week concluded today and was sponsored by Fidelity Investments. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

There were 22 entries in today’s derby, and the course was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England. It featured a step bank, open water, liverpools, Devil’s Dyke, and a triple option jump through a “maze” of hedges. The format was Table C, where rails down were converted into added seconds for a final time.

Madden and Prima, a 12-year-old KWPN mare by Kigali x Nimmerdor, went ninth in the order and were lightning fast through most of the course. With a huge, open stride, Madden barely pulled on the reins and made the trip look smooth and easy. They had no faults for a final time of 122.81 seconds for the win.

Continue reading Beezie Madden Scores Second Win of the Week with Prima in $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gulfport Winter Classic Offers “Lagniappe” for All!

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Holly Shepherd & Figaro B. ©Flashpoint Photography

Gulfport, MS — Feb 20, 2011 — A Cajun expression Lagniappe (lan-yap), “small extra gift”, describes best what Mother Nature left as a token on her visit to the Gulf Coast Winter Classics. Not only did temps continue to heat up, but so did the rivalry for supremacy in both the Hunter and Jumper divisions.

Beginning in the Hunter Divisions where for the second week several of the top horse-rider combinations turned in stellar performances. Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, AL rode Figaro B for owner Linda Bobrik to the Championship in the 1st Year Green Working and top place in the USHJA Hunter Classic, while Hillsboro, VA based Tom Brennan picked up the tri colors in the 2nd Year Green Working aboard Lynn Rice’s Purple Heart. And taking the Championship title in the High Performance Hunters for week two was Cincinnati, OH resident Sarah Mechlin paired with Olivia Weaver’s agreeable horse Yes Indeed.

Over in the jumper rings the theme was “Les Bon Temps Rouler”, let the good times roll, and in Friday afternoon’s Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH kept on enjoying the good times with his mount Copyright 3 taking the victory.

Continue reading Gulfport Winter Classic Offers “Lagniappe” for All! →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle Master the Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6

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Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2011 – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, rode Abigail Wexner’s Mademoiselle to victory in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 today at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The grand prix was held on the grass at The Stadium, and riders and spectators alike enjoyed the beautiful weather and change of scenery at the venue.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s sixth week of competition continues through Sunday, February 20. Week six, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, will feature the FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments, on Saturday at 7 p.m., the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Saturday afternoon, and the $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby on Sunday at 3 p.m. at The Stadium. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

There were 29 entries in today’s class, and the course was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England. The course was set on the grass field at The Stadium and had 14 numbered obstacles with a triple and a double combination. There were nine clear rounds, and they advanced to the jump-off to compete for time.

Continue reading Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle Master the Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, HITS, Show Jumping

Largest Grand Prix Ever at HITS Ocala Won by Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui

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© ESI Photography. Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui on course in Thursday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

OCALA, FL (February 18, 2011) — Yesterday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, was the largest Grand Prix starting field ever at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. One of today’s brightest stars in show jumping, Kent Farrington riding Up Chiqui, owned by Alex Boone, William Dobbs and Farrington, beat out 48 starters to take the top prize in the class.

Thursday’s course was designed by Jack Robson of Coronado, California and saw only five teams return for the jump-off. “It was an intelligent course,” said Farrington. “Since the class was so big, it really sorted us out and we didn’t have too many in the jump-off. The bending line to the triple combination posed somewhat of a challenge since it was going away from the gate.”

In the jump-off, Farrington overcame the Great American Time to Beat, held by second-place finishers Andres Rodriguez and Larkanaro, owned by Rodriguez and Andreas Olivares, by less than a second. “He’s a speed specialist,” said Farrington, of his horse. “Going fast in the jump-off is one of our strongest points and today it really mattered with everyone having such fast times.”

Continue reading Largest Grand Prix Ever at HITS Ocala Won by Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Show Jumping

Jumping Radio Show Episode 50 – Course Design & Sporthorse Auction

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International Course Designer Richard Jeffery joins Brianne Goutal and Chris this week from Wellington. Nona Garson tells us about her Intercontinental Sporthorse Auction. Join us right here…

Jumping Radio Episode 50 – Show Notes and Links:

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, HITS, Show Jumping

HITS Thermal Mid-Circuit Report: Kyle King’s Birthday Ride

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© Flying Horse Photography. Kyle King and Corrine Super's Capone I.

THERMAL, CA (February 17, 2011) — Kyle King (Ocala, Florida) celebrated his birthday with a bang when he rode Corrine Super’s Capone I to a triumph in Sunday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.

Winning Sunday’s feature class was extra remarkable for the birthday boy, who won the Grand Prix with the largest starting field to date at the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit. They were the top horse-and-rider combination out of the 49 horses that challenged International Course Designer Florencio Hernandez’ (Mexico City, Mexico) first-round course which featured 12 obstacles and 15 efforts, including a trio of double combinations in a time allowed of 79 seconds.

Thirteen riders took a shot at Hernandez’ first-round course and failed until accomplished equestrian Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Westlake Village, California) and Octavia Farms’ Lancaster 144 made it all the way home clear. Three trips later, Mexico’s John Perez (Cruz Manca, Coajimaipa, Mexico) and his own La Cantera Catrin wowed the crowd watching the action in the Strongid C 2X Stadium with a clear round of their own to force a jump-off.

Continue reading HITS Thermal Mid-Circuit Report: Kyle King’s Birthday Ride →

Awards, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, JRPR, Show Jumping

Laura Kraut and Cedric Do It Again and Win Grand Prix and Sanctuary Peak Performance Award during WEF

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Olympic stars Laura Kraut and Cedric won The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award for the second week in a row at the 2011 FTI WEF. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot)

Wellington, FL (February 15, 2011) – Gold Medal Olympian Laura Kraut and her Olympic partner Cedric turned on the speed and the power during the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, to ride away the victor in the class that featured six other Olympians. During the fifth week of the prestigious 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, Kraut and Cedric also rode away, for the second week in a row, as the winner of The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award.

Sponsored by The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, the Peak Performance Award is presented to the winner of the Grand Prix. “I heard Laura said that she and Cedric went as fast as they could go and turned as tight as possible, and I believe it,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary. “It was an amazing jump-off and Laura and Cedric certainly gave it their all and deserved to ride into the winner’s circle.”

McDuffee also congratulated Kraut on her second Sanctuary Peak Performance Award. “The competition was extremely tough in the Grand Prix, with 40 riders starting including seven Olympians and a field of world-class riders. For the second week in a row, Laura and Cedric were phenomenal and we look forward to seeing them at our new Sanctuary facility located on the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center show grounds.”

Continue reading Laura Kraut and Cedric Do It Again and Win Grand Prix and Sanctuary Peak Performance Award during WEF →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

London 2012 Olympic Equestrian Timetable Announced

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Lausanne (SUI), 15 February 2011 – The London 2012 Olympic equestrian timetable has been announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). London 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of equestrian sport in the Olympic movement.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony on 27 July will be followed by 12 days of equestrian competition, with the world’s best athletes competing for six gold medals in the Olympic disciplines of Eventing, Dressage and Jumping. The equestrian events all take place at the stunning Greenwich Park venue. Britain’s oldest Royal Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Greenwich Park is just 12 minutes from the main stadium.

Eventing opens the Olympic equestrian events on 28 July with two days of Dressage, followed by Cross-Country on 30 July and two rounds of Jumping on 31 July to decide the Team and Individual medals.

Dressage gets underway on 2 August with two days of Grand Prix competition, which forms the first qualifier for both the Team and Individual. The top seven Teams and 11 best-placed Individuals go forward to the Grand Prix Special on 7 August, which will decide the Team medals. The Freestyle to Music to decide the Individual medals takes place on 9 August.

Continue reading London 2012 Olympic Equestrian Timetable Announced →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Ben Maher and Oscar Score Week 5 Opening Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

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Ben Maher and Oscar won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during week five at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2011 – Ben Maher (GBR) scored a win this morning in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on the opening day of week 5 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Maher and Oscar put down a winning time of 60.806 seconds for the win over Peter Wylde (USA) on Lipton De L’Othain (62.987 seconds) and McLain Ward (USA) on Domino (64.050 seconds).

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s fifth week of competition continues through Sunday, February 13. Week five, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will feature the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday afternoon, the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, on Saturday at 7 p.m., the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix on Sunday morning, and the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Today’s $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper class had 41 entries, and they competed over a course designed by Alan Wade of Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Maher stated, “It’s good that they have different course designers here every week.”

Seventeen found the way to a clear round, but it was Maher and Oscar who had the most speed. “He’s naturally a fast horse, so if you’re clear, he’s always near the top end without even trying,” Maher pointed out.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13235