Category Archives: Pony

Competitions, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Pony, Royal Windsor Horse Show, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Livestream Timetable Announced for Three Days of Virtual Windsor Autumn Series

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Organisers of CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show are excited to announce the packed official programme for the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 Show!

The Virtual Show takes place via a daily streamed video from 25-27 September, starting at 1pm every day. Available worldwide via Facebook, YouTube, and the Virtual Windsor website, the Show will comprise the judging of the online Showing classes, plus The Omega Equine Pony Club Dressage Home International, The Riding for the Disabled Association Dressage Challenge, supported by Players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Wychanger, and The Omega Equine Equitation Jumping alongside regular Shopping Fixes, Horse Wellness, and an exclusive masterclass from international showjumper William Whitaker.

William Whitaker Brings Top Coaching to a Screen near You

Virtual Windsor teamed up with a loyal and hugely successful Windsor stalwart, William Whitaker, to deliver three fantastic Masterclasses covering a range of exercises which can be adopted by everyone.

The three sessions, which will be aired one per day on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Virtual Windsor, cover top tips on everything from walking a course, identifying and adjusting striding and lines, flatwork and polework exercises, and a range of improving exercises to suit different horses.

In the first, William talks viewers through his techniques for riding lines between fences and says, “I didn’t get them right every time, but then explained where I’d gone wrong and did it right. I think that’s good for people to see as they only usually see the end product – the 80 seconds in the ring – and think that’s how it is all the time but it’s not at all!”

For the third Masterclass, William did some gridwork with a seven-year-old who can rush his fences, and adapted some of the exercises for his eight-year-old daughter Bella and her pony, proving that you do not need to be jumping 1m40 to practice. He ended his Masterclasses with some wise words to remember in the lead up to any event be it Virtual or ‘real’: “Build up steadily so your horse knows exactly what’s being asked.”

Livestream Schedule for Autumn Series

With three days of international competition across three disciplines, the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series is gearing up for an exciting weekend.

Commentators Nick Brooks-Ward and Adam Cromarty lead the action, interviewing judges, competitors, and viewers to bring a whole show’s worth of competition online.

Far from ‘competition lite’, the format of the show has thrown entries open to riders around the world, bringing the very best of the best together and pitching professionals and amateurs side by side to find some real world champions.

FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

The first day of the Autumn Series kicks off with a superb round of showing classes, with a judging panel headed by Senior Judge Nigel Hollings, accompanied by Julian White, Mark Broadbent, Anne Leaver, and Patricia Pattinson. Nigel and the team cover a strong international entry from Hunters, Hacks, Riding Horses, Cobs, Private Driving supported by the Carriage Association of America, and the return of the Heavy Horse class by popular demand – guest judged by Steve Gregg, Vice President of the Clydesdale Horse Association of Canada.

One of the highlights of the Friday livestream is The Riding for the Disabled Association Dressage Challenge supported by Players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Wychanger. The video dressage competition, which has been encouraging RDA and para riders to #RideUnstoppable through challenges posed by this difficult year, is won by the rider with the highest percentage score across eleven sections available. Judged by John Robinson, one of only three British para judges qualified to judge at 5* level, the class has been an opportunity for riders to get back to competition – with several entries competing in their first ever dressage test at Virtual Windsor!

SCHEDULE

  • Class 1 ‐ Ridden Hunters (Small & Lightweight). Prize kindly provided by Brass Tacks
  • Class 2 ‐ Ridden Hunters (Middleweight & Heavyweight). Prize kindly provided by Latham & Taylor
  • Class 3 ‐ Ridden Hacks
  • Class 4 ‐ Ridden Riding Horse supported by High Weald Horse Hydro. Prize kindly provided by Mojo Europe
  • Class 5 ‐ Ridden Cobs (Lightweight, Heavyweight & Maxi) supported by Horses Inside Out
  • Show Horse Championship
  • Class 6 ‐ Private Driving supported by The Carriage Association of America
  • Class 7 ‐ Heavy Horses & Draught Horses of the World supported by The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto. Prize kindly supplied by Estribos
  • THE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION DRESSAGE CHALLENGE supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Prizes generously provided by Wychanger Equestrian & Country Store
  • Shopping Fix: Fashion & Jewellery
  • Horse Wellness with High Weald Horse Hydro
  • Masterclass Part 1 with William Whitaker

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

Saturday is a great day for young riders and jumping enthusiasts, with Show Pony, Show Hunter Pony, Plaited Mini Pony, and Working Hunter and Working Hunter Pony classes coming to the fore.

Highlights of Saturday include The Omega Equine Equitation Jumping – an all-new discipline designed with virtual competition in mind, which enables riders to compete in jumping classes from home. Loosely based on Prix Caprilli, entrants film a short test which include three jumps arranged according to a specific stride pattern and then judged on the horse’s way of going and the rider’s skill and technique. The height and style of fence were entirely at the rider’s discretion. Two classes, divided into U16s and Open sections, were hotly contested with entries coming in from Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.

SCHEDULE

  • Class 9 ‐ The Equisafety Show Pony
  • Class 10 ‐ The Equisafety Intermediate
  • Class 11 ‐ The Equisafety Show Hunter Pony
  • Class 12 ‐ Plaited Mini Pony (Show Pony, Lead Rein, First Ridden, Lead Rein Hunter) Prize kindly provided by Crafty Ponies
  • Pony and Intermediate Championship
  • Class 14 ‐ Working Hunter & Working Show Horse Supported by Mr and Mrs Swallow Prize kindly provided by Finer Equine
  • Class 15 ‐ Working Hunter Pony & M&M Working Hunter Pony Supported by Mr and Mrs Swallow Working Championship
  • THE OMEGA EQUINE U16s EQUITATION JUMPING
  • THE OMEGA EQUINE OPEN EQUITATION JUMPING
  • Shopping Fix: Horse and Rider
  • Horse Wellness with Voltaire Design
  • Masterclass Part 2 with William Whitaker

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

The Autumn Series reaches a climax on the Sunday with The Omega Equine Pony Club Home International Dressage. A competition usually held at Royal Windsor Horse Show, this time the event has gone virtual – with a new qualification system which threw open Team places. The riders representing each nation have won their spots through getting a top placing in an initial qualifying round, with the highest scores going on to the team.

The Sunday will also feature the highlight of the showing, as Nigel Hollings and his team judge the Side Saddle, Coloured, and ROR classes, before The Voltaire Design Virtual Windsor Supreme Showing Championships take place. It caps a veritable feast of Showing across three days which would not have been possible without the generosity of our Sponsors and donors.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, commented: “The organising team has done a tremendous job to put on what we believe will be another spectacular Virtual Show Week building on the excitement and fun of the Virtual Show in May.  We hope as many people get involved as possible and continue to enjoy their sport – even if it is from the sofa.”

The free-to-view content will begin at 1pm each day and be available on Facebook, YouTube, and on the Virtual Windsor 2020 website.

SCHEDULE

  • Class 18 ‐ Side Saddle (including Best Costume) Prize kindly provided by Welligogs
  • Class 19A ‐ Coloured Ridden (Plaited Horse or Pony) Prize kindly supplied by Country Frog
  • Class 19B ‐ Coloured Ridden (Traditional & Native Horse or Pony) Prize kindly supplied by Country Frog
  • Class 20A ‐ Coloured In Hand (Traditional & Native Horse or Pony) Prize kindly supplied by Country Frog
  • Class 20B ‐ Coloured In Hand (Plaited Horse or Pony) Prize kindly supplied by Country Frog
  • Coloured Championship
  • Class 22 ‐ The Saracen Horse Feeds RoR Ridden
  • Class 23 ‐ The Saracen Horse Feeds RoR In Hand
  • RoR Championship
  • The Voltaire Design Supreme Championship
  • THE OMEGA EQUINE PONY CLUB HOME INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE
  • Shopping Fix: Country Lifestyle and Living
  • Horse Wellness with Saracen Horse Feeds
  • Masterclass Part 3 with William Whitaker

Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 can be found at https://virtual.rwhs.co.uk/ — the site will be constantly updated and will remain in place throughout the year.

For more information, please contact:
Nicholas Clarke / rEvolution / nclarke@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)7423 799 776

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Pony, Strzegom

European Youth Eventing Masters

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Strzegom is starting a brand-new project in the European equestrian events calendar – European Youth Eventing Masters. The first edition will be played out during Strzegom October Festival, from the 8th until the 11th of October in Morawa.

European Youth Eventing Masters is a show for every youth age category – Ponies, Juniors, and Young Riders. The athletes will compete in CCIOP2*-L (ponies), CCIO2*-L (juniors), and CCIO3*-L (Young Riders).

The rivalry is designed similarly to Nations Cup classes – each competition will include teams of 3-4 riders.

“Our goal is to give young riders a chance to compete individually and as a team, apart from championship events. We hope that the riders will find the show interesting, because we would like to host it in Strzegom during the coming years,” explains Marcin Konarski, chair of the Organising Committee.

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Pony, Show Jumping

Shane Sweetnam and Hunters Conlypso II Dash for the Cash in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

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Lexington, Ky. – July 30, 2020 – It was a drizzly morning in the Rolex Stadium as 51 horse and rider pairs made their way around Bobby Murphy’s track for the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. For the first time in history, the second class of the Hagyard Challenge season tour was adjusted to a 2B format with riders remaining in the ring immediately after their first trip to perform their jump-off track to better fit the Kentucky Summer Classic’s show-and-go protocol. Unaffected by the weather or change in format, it would be Shane Sweetnam and Hunters Conlypso II who would dash for the cash Thursday morning.

Emma Brosius and Aramba Jolie Versace Are Best in USEF Large Pony Medal

Competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic continued Thursday, July 30, featuring another day of top sport at the Kentucky Horse Park. With primarily hunter competition taking place in the Claiborne ring, the USEF Large Pony Medal broke up the hunter judging at the end of the day, highlighting junior talent as they displayed skill and strength in a variety of equitation classes. Besting a competitive field was Emma Brosius and Aramba Jolie Versace, who claimed the top spot in the USEF Large Pony Medal.

For more information on Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Pony, Royal Windsor Horse Show

International Pony Club Dressage Comes to Virtual Windsor

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The Pony Club’s new virtual dressage competition is to be launched as part of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020. The competition will take pride of place on the Sunday of the online Show, which will be live-streamed from 25-27 September 2020.

Based on The Pony Club Home International Dressage which takes place annually at Royal Windsor Horse Show, the competition has been redesigned for a virtual platform. Teams of four will represent England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland in a first‐of‐its‐kind competition, with each team containing one Novice, one Intermediate, and two Open riders. Any current Pony Club member who fulfils the minimum requirements may enter a video to the Qualifying Competition, of which the highest scores in each country will form the teams. All entries to the Qualifying Competition will be judged and placed, with rosettes to 10th.

The highest placed riders from each country, in each section, will then go forward to film their Home International test. All tests will be judged by a panel of three British Dressage listed judges, one of whom will be completely independent of The Pony Club. The tests and results will be live-streamed as one programme as part of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020, on Sunday 27 September.

Marcus Capel, CEO of The Pony Club, said, “It is so exciting to have the opportunity to stage our Pony Club Home International Dressage virtually this year. The competition is usually a chance for riders to compete against the backdrop of Windsor Castle so, despite the disappointments that Covid‐19 has brought to 2020, our members will be able to ride at the virtual Royal Windsor Horse Show and to compete in this challenge online.”

Royal Windsor’s Show Director, Simon Brooks‐Ward, said, “We are delighted to be able to announce that The Pony Club Home International Dressage will take place on the Sunday of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020. The Pony Club is a stepping-stone for so many talented young riders, and during these times it is adapting and overcoming to continue providing education, inspiration, and competition to young riders all over the country. I look forward to seeing the high standard of equestrianism The Pony Club always produces.”

The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will run from 25-27 September 2020 with the show itself taking place as a free‐to‐view live-stream available on Facebook, YouTube, and the Virtual Windsor website across the Show Weekend.

VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 can be found at https://virtual.rwhs.co.uk/.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Pony, Wellington Classic Dressage

Wellington Classic Dressage in the Tropics I & II

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July 25-26, 2020

Level Three Competition

TWO GREAT AMERICAN/ USDF QUALIFYING COMPETITIONS

2020 USEF Qualifying Competition for the 2020 USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship; 2020 Children Dressage National Championships; 2020 USEF Junior &Young Rider Dressage National Championships; 2020 USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship

Official Qualifying Competition for the 2020 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage Championships (Five, Six, and Seven Year Olds); Official Qualifying Competition for the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses (Five, Six & Seven Year Olds)

2020 Great American/USDF Regional Championships

Hosted At: Palm Beach Equine Clinic
13125 South Wellington FL 33414

JUDGES: Lilo Fore (S); Charlotte Trentleman (S)

Tropics I USEF No. 327592/ Tropics II USEF No. 327593 ; WCD USEF Licensee No. 4894786

Official prize list posted at: www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Pony, Royal Windsor Horse Show, Show Jumping

Virtual Windsor Returns for Autumn and Winter Online Horse Show Series

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Following the success of Virtual Windsor in May, the organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show are delighted to announce that the online Show will be returning as a new series with two editions taking place in the Autumn and Winter. The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will be live-streamed on 25-27 September, and will feature three disciplines in which riders from all over the world can participate from their own homes.

The Show will comprise 22 Showing classes, alongside new additions in the form of International Pony Club Dressage, a Riding for the Disabled Association class and a specially designed ‘Equitation Jumping’ discipline open to all. In addition, the popular shopping section will be bringing visitors new products and offers, and there will be yard tours and masterclasses with first-class riders.

THE PONY CLUB HOME INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE

Leading the charge for Virtual Windsor in September will be the Pony Club Home International Dressage, featuring teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Previously held at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the competition pits up-and-coming riders against each other, and this year will be made even more special with live judging and commentary for the audience to enjoy.

The Pony Club Home International Dressage will be a precursor to a worldwide International Dressage competition, to feature in the Virtual Windsor Winter Series later in the year, where teams from all 18 Pony Club countries will be invited to compete in a never-seen-before worldwide Pony Club event.

Marcus Capel, Pony Club Chief Executive, said: “We are hugely pleased to be able to run our Home International Dressage competition on the Virtual Windsor platform this year. The competition highlights the hard work and talent of our young riders, and we hope that by holding it online we will enable many young riders to enjoy and be inspired by the competition from their own homes.”

VIRTUAL SHOWING CLASSES RETURN

Virtual Windsor’s Showing Series returns to your screens, with Chief Judge Nigel Hollings back by popular demand. The May edition of Virtual Windsor saw over 4,000 entries to the Showing coming from as far afield as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, included both amateur and professional riders and even Her Majesty The Queen. The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series in September will showcase 26 Showing classes, covering everything from Riding Horses and Hunters, to Show Ponies and Side Saddle, while the Winter Series – planned for later in the year – will have an international flavour including horse breeds from around the world such as Quarter Horses, Iberian Breeds, and Arabians. The classes remain free to enter for all.

Nigel Hollings will be joined on the judging panel for the Autumn Series by Julian White, Anne Leaver, and Pat Pattinson. “I am delighted to be returning as Virtual Windsor’s Chief Judge this September, having hugely enjoyed the May Show,” said Hollings. “The standard of entries was incredibly high at the last event and I really enjoy the Virtual format which gives me the opportunity to share feedback with the audience as I judge. I was particularly impressed with the number of international entries in the May edition. To be a winner at Virtual Windsor against entries from all over the world, you really do have to be the best.”

SHOW JUMPING MAKES ITS DEBUT

In addition to International Dressage and Showing, the organisers of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 have created a jumping discipline which allows riders from across the globe to compete. Based on Prix Caprilli, Equitation Jumping requires competitors to submit a video showing a short set test, which includes three fences of any kind with one stride between each at any height. Marks are awarded for the rider’s position, use of aids, and straightness and the technique, shape, and impulsion of the horse. Designed to be accessible to all levels of equestrian, the class is open to all and will have a Championship taking place on the Sunday of the Show.

The competition will be judged by professional judge, show jumper, and event rider Julian White, who said, “During these difficult times that we’re all facing I’ve just had the most amazing ray of light shone onto me by being asked to be a judge on the Virtual Windsor Horse Show Series which is just brilliant, I’m so excited. It is a real honour to be asked and I am looking forward to it hugely. So thank you so much, and I’m judging with Nigel Hollings who I was meant to be judging with in South Africa, so that’s also a joy and a double whammy!”

FURTHER ADDITIONS ADDED TO THE LINE-UP

In addition to the competition, a Masterclass will be streamed on each day of the three days of the Show, featuring world-class riders from around the world. Covering topics from Grand Prix Dressage to training tips, riding international courses and the thrills of top competition, the Masterclasses will be available to all through the live stream.

It has been a tough year for many exhibitors, and Virtual Windsor will continue to support tradestands and shops through its Virtual Shopping Village, where visitors will find a full list of shops selling everything equestrian, plus some “Show Week” discounts.

Royal Windsor’s Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said of Virtual Windsor: “We were so thrilled by the response to the first Virtual Windsor that it wasn’t a difficult decision to build a series of events.  Although 2020 has been a challenging year, Virtual Windsor has shown us that the equestrian community has a really positive outlook and will come together to enjoy competition and celebrate equestrianism. I cannot wait to see how the Series fares and to welcome all the international competitors and visitors to the event.”

The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will run from 25-27 September 2020, with entries for Showing and Equitation Jumping opening in August and closing in early September. Schedules and rules for each class will be available at virtual.rwhs.co.uk from Friday 10 July.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Pony

2020 National Dressage Pony Cup & Small Horse Championships Canceled Due to COVID-19

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Lake St. Louis, Mo. – May 7, 2020 – The organizers of the National Dressage Pony Cup (NDPC) and Small Horse Championship Show regret to announce the cancellation of the 2020 event, which was scheduled for July 17-19 at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, Mo., due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year’s NDPC show was a record-setting event, with 250 entries representing more than 25 U.S. states and Canadian provinces as well as 35 different breeds of ponies and small horses, all competing for top honors across 51 championship divisions from the Intro Level to Grand Prix.

Founded in 2007 by Jenny Carol in order to showcase and promote ponies competing in dressage, the NDPC has continued to grow in size and enthusiasm each year. With the addition of small horse championship divisions in 2018, the NDPC has become a destination event for pony and small horse dressage enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds from across North America. But that widespread appeal is also a big part of the reason why Carol has made the tough decision to cancel this year’s competition in light of the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

“I have agonized over this because I realize that the Pony Cup is something that so many people look forward to every year,” said Carol. “But as much as we want to see everyone this summer, we have come to the conclusion that in light of all that’s happening with the COVID-19 pandemic, cancelling the show is the most responsible thing to do.

“We realize that there is still so much uncertainty about COVID-19, and it is a very fluid situation. Travel restrictions may remain in place for some time, and on top of that we feel like we simply cannot in good conscience ask people to drive across the country and Canada to gather at a large horse show like ours and possibly endanger their health,” Carol continued. “Also, many people are impacted financially, and some haven’t even been able to go ride their ponies and prepare for competition due to stay-at-home orders and barn closures. And last but not least, the Pony Cup is about so much more than just riding tests in the arena – it’s a fun, social event for everyone. We feel like if we were to try to hold the show this year, it would have to be with so many precautions and restrictions that it just wouldn’t be the same experience our competitors have come to expect.”

Although heartbroken at the decision to cancel this year’s event, Carol encouraged competitors to look forward to coming back to the National Dressage Pony Cup & Small Horse Championship Show in Lake St. Louis, Mo. in 2021. Also, at this time, the Dressage Sport Horse Breeding divisions of the National Dressage Pony Cup Championships are still scheduled to run as originally planned at Dressage at Devon, from September 22-29, 2020 in Devon, Pa.

PS Dressage
info@psdressage.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Eventing/H.T., Pony, Strzegom

Strzegom Recruits Volunteers for Eventing Nations Cup and Pony European Championships

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Photo by Kamila Tworkowska.

Strzegom, Poland, February 3: Do you enjoy new challenges? Are you looking for inspiration and interesting experiences? Do you want to be a part of the adventure that is the organization of international equestrian events, and to see the backstage of it all? If so, join our organizing team in Strzegom and submit your application for the volunteer programme. The recruitment starts now!

In 2020, the hippodrome in Morawa will host five international equestrian events, including the most important ones: Nations Cup in eventing and Pony European Championships. A professional organization of equestrian competitions requires not only the involvement of licensed judges. Everyone can be a part of the team and help the event run smoothly.

“Everyone over the age of 18 can become a volunteer. We invite teenagers, adults, and seniors. You don’t need to have professional knowledge about equestrian sports; we will teach you everything you need to know! During the show we have a variety of jobs to do, where we’ll need many skills – everyone is welcome to come,” explains Marta Wójcik, the coordinator of the volunteer programme of Strzegom Horse Trials.

We will need help in the show office and press office, at information desks and maintenance, with technical support, during dressage, cross country, and showjumping tests, with poster hanging and handing around leaflets, with airport transportation, and many more tasks.

All you need to do to apply is to fill out a form available on our website. The organizers provide accommodation in tents at a campsite as well as meals for the volunteers.

“The volunteer programme is becoming more and more popular. Being a part of our team is a chance for development and gaining new experiences, worth mentioning in a CV. Moreover, it’s an opportunity to meet new friends, experience a great adventure, and have fun!” says Marta Wójcik.

The recruitment for Pony European Championships and Strzegom Horse Trials starts on the 3rd of February and will be open until the 15th of June.

The regulations, timetables, and application forms can be found at the official websites of the events: www.StrzegomHorseTrials.pl, www.StrzegomPonies.pl, www.Stragona.pl.

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Fuqua Wows at WEF 1

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Fuqua and Cornell 22 (Photo by Elegant Equus Photography)

Pony Champion, Big Eq, Juniors, and a Newly Arrived ‘Dream Girl’

Wellington, FL (January 14, 2020) – Starting off Winter Equestrian Festival Week 1 with a bang is the goal of every rider who descends on the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center show grounds. Tri-colored ribbons in the first week set the tone for a season of success, and Kat Fuqua jumped at every opportunity to ride into the spotlight. From the Juniors to the equitation, ponies to dressage, Fuqua is primely positioned for a banner year at WEF 2020.

Bringing her skills in the pony ring back to Palm Beach, Fuqua claimed Large and Medium Pony Championships, including the highest score she’s ever received. In the Larges Fuqua rode Upside, a pony owned by Rivers Edge and trained by Scott Stewart, to victory in 3 over fences classes and a tri-color in the Large Pony Classic. Under the tutelage of her trainer, Jimmy Torano of JET Show Stables, Fuqua and Upside were awarded a 90 and an 86 for a total of 176 in the Classic. While she was once before awarded a 90 aboard her own highly decorated Large Pony Prince, repeating such an impressive score was one of the week’s highlights.

In the Mediums, Fuqua rode another Champion catch ride for Nashville’s Alexa Karet, taking her pony mare Galianna to two firsts Over Fences and first Under Saddle. Galianna is trained by Tom Wright and Mitchell Robinson.

Fuqua changed rein from Ponies to Junior Hunters and Equitation, again riding for a prestigious name in the hunter ring. Riding I Love Lucy, a mare owned by John & Stephanie Ingram and trained by Tom Wright, she finished 3rd in the 3’3″ Under 15 Juniors. With her own Cornell 22, Fuqua began her official 2020 career in the Big Equitation with top finishes under the guidance of trainer Jimmy Torano.

Fuqua and Dream Girl (Photo by Sara Hellner)

While the Ponies, Hunters, and Equitation have been Fuqua’s forte for most of her life, her roots stem from a decidedly dressage family. Her home base of Collecting Gaits Farm recently welcomed a new FEI level dressage mare to their barn, the aptly named Dream Girl. A bay mare shown through the Intermediaire I in Holland, Dream Girl arrived in Miami in the first few days of 2020. Under the guidance of dressage trainer (and Dream Girl’s scout) Jason Canton, Fuqua has already ridden the bay a few times in quarantine with the goal of competing and qualifying in the Junior/Young Rider divisions down the road.

“This was an amazing WEF 1 and I’m really excited for everything happening this year,” said Fuqua. “Riding Upside to a 90 was definitely a highlight, as that is the highest score I’ve ever received at WEF in a pony class. I also was really lucky to be able to ride Tori [Colvin’s] International Hunter Derby horse I Love Lucy in the 3’3″ Juniors to an 84 and third in the class. Dream Girl is a whole different style of riding, but one I’ve grown up around and am excited to develop a relationship with her.”

Kat Fuqua’s passion for horses is reflected not only in her highly decorated Pony Hunter, Equitation, and Junior Hunter rider results, but also in the joy and dedication she shows each time she swings into the saddle. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia and under the guidance of trainer Jimmy Torano, every aspect of Fuqua’s riding, training, and show career reflects a unique ardor for equines and horse sport. She balances her equestrian lifestyle with attendance as a full time 6th grade student at Holy Innocence Episcopal School and takes pride in developing alongside her horses. In addition to riding, Kat enjoys spending time with her school friends and her favorite subject is French.

For more information, visit www.KatFuqua.com.

Competitions, FEI, Pony, Show Jumping

Williams Leads an Irish Whitewash in Thrilling Finale

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Rhys Williams (centre) in first, Alex Finney (left) in second, and John McEntee (right) in third. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Ireland claimed the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy for the third consecutive year and completely dominated the podium when Rhys Williams romped to victory ahead of compatriots Alex Finney and John McEntee at the 2019 Final at Mechelen in Belgium.

At Senior level there is often amazement at how this small island on the edge of Europe can so consistently produce so many athletes of the highest calibre. And the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy Final result suggests that trend will continue well into the future, as the next generation already look equally impressive.

Williams easily made the cut into the Final when finishing fifth at both the first leg of the qualifying series in Herning (DEN) in October and the third leg in Stuttgart (GER) in November.

There were three days of action at Mechelen to decide the eventual champion, and the 15-year-old schoolboy from Ennis in County Clare finished fourth in Friday’s opener which was won by brilliant 12-year-old Anna Szarzewski from France, and was third in Saturday’s class in which 16-year-old Amber Frederick came out on top for Belgium.

A total of 14 pony-and-rider combinations went into the first round of the deciding competition, and with previous results calculated into points Szarzewski and Williams were on level pegging as the action began, each on a zero score. And when they both left all the poles in place first time out then the pressure was even more intense as the top-ten second round got underway.

Fifth to go, Denmark’s Josefine Sandgaard Morup and her 13-year-old mare Rainbows Mocha added nothing to their six-point scoreline when posting a double-clear, and when John McEntee followed suit with Little Smithe then this Irish pair stayed just ahead of the Danish duo with five on the board.

Ireland’s Alex Finney came into the ring carrying just three points, and when she crossed the line clear with the eight-year-old Still Got Me that really put the squeeze on the last three. Emma Meric, a member of the French bronze-medal-winning team at the 2019 FEI European Pony Championships in Strzegom (POL), was also carrying just three as she set off, but when she lowered four fences this time out with her little grey, Venise des Islots, then Finney was already assured of a podium placing as compatriot Williams entered the ring, second-last to go.

Giving the nine-year-old K-Little Hero d’18 a brilliant ride, the Irish contender really put it up to co-leader Szarzewski with a foot-perfect run. And when the diminutive little French girl and her lovely 10-year-old grey pony Vaughann de Vuzit – one of two carrying the supremely successful and very beautiful French-bred Connemara stallion Dexter Leam Pondi bloodline to make it to the closing stages – hit the vertical on the tricky turn to fence five and then also lowered the penultimate fence, they dropped to fifth place just behind Sandgaard Morup in fourth while McEntee moved up to third.

“I’m delighted with the outcome today – Hero was jumping his heart out!” said newly-crowned champion Williams who, riding CES Cruson, took individual gold and team silver in Children on Horses at the 2018 Youth Championships in Fontaintainebleau (FRA). Talking about the Belgian-bred pony that carried him to victory, he explained, “Hero has a horse pedigree but he never grew and he’s all power!”

His father, Adrian Williams, is a specialist pony-producer at Parc Stables in Ennis and along with Ian Fearon and Marie Burke, both former Irish internationals, trains Rhys who has already enjoyed a lot of success in the sport. He coped admirably with the pressure.

“Going into the final round I just tried my best to keep my cool. I knew that was all I had to do and it’s a dream come true! To come to Mechelen this year and to be at the same show as the 5-Star riders and share the same arenas – it’s such a great experience and I’ll be back again, hopefully!” — Rhys Williams (IRL)

Mechelen Show Director, Peter Bollen, was more than pleased with the development of the series which is going from strength to strength and highlighting talent. Ireland’s Seamus Hughes-Kennedy won the inaugural Final in 2017, and in 2019 scooped European Junior team gold and the Seven-Year-Old Final title at the FEI WBFSH Championships in Lanaken (BEL).

The 2018 champion, Katie Power, has enjoyed a hugely successful 2019 season and the title returns to the Emerald Isle for the third time.

“I wanted to create a World Cup for pony riders and I’m very happy to see the concept is established now and getting more and more support. We have the contract signed for next year again and we will try to get one or two more qualifiers for the new season to make the series even stronger,” Mr Bollen said.

By Louise Parkes

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Shannon Gibbons
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shannon.gibbons@fei.org
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