International dressage rider Cesar Parra and Olympia. (Photo by Susan J. Stickle)
Whitehouse Station, NJ (July 5, 2010) – International dressage rider Dr. Cesar Parra and Olympia, the 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned Dr. Lori Washton, are currently ranked number one for the FEI small tour heading into the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National I-1 Dressage Championships.
Parra has been riding Olympia for over a year and recently returned from a very successful winter season in Florida. Parra and Olympia returned to New Jersey and made their debut at the ESDCTA Memorial Day Show. The pair won the Prix St. Georges with a score of 71.789 and also the Intermediaire I with a score of 71.000 percent. In total, this pair has shown at this level just over a dozen times and has consistently scored over 70%. Parra started showing Olympia a year ago at the Centerline Events Westbrook Hunt Club show and won the Prix St George with 75%. Last year the pair won 8 out 9 CDI classes and Parra won the coveted High Score FEI Rider Award at Dressage at Devon aboard Olympia. This year, at the New Jersey Horse Park CDI on Memorial Day they continued their victory streak winning both classes. “Olympia has developed into such an ideal horse to show. He is always trying his best,” said Parra.
Long List for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Announced
Wayne, IL – June 28, 2010 – The final day of intense competition for the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games concluded Sunday. Earning both the championship rosette and cooler and the reserve championship rosette and cooler was Rebecca Hart. Hart rode both of her mounts to top honors over the last three days. Hart and Kazan earned the National Championship and Hart and Norteassa earned the reserve championship. Hart was surrounded by top coaches including her trainer and Chef d’Equipe of the USEF Para-Dressage team, Missy Ransehousen; top judges Chris Porterfield (GBR), Lillian Iannone (ARG), and Carlos Lopes (POR); and top competition.
The weekend’s competition was a chance for the riders to not only compete among their peers, but to gain experience in front of international judges. The three days of Para-Dressage competition included the team test, individual test and freestyle competition. On Sunday, the freestyle test added the music element to the test where riders showcased their artistic abilities on horseback.
May 10, 2010 – LEXINGTON, KY – Champion rider and equine competitor Stacy Westfall will entertain audiences as she performs without a saddle or bridle on her champion horse, Roxy, in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Westfall, who has appeared on Ellen and is a YouTube sensation, will bring her champion reining horse, Whizards Baby Doll (“Roxy”), out of retirement to participate in the Opening Ceremonies for the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition.
Tickets to the 2010 Games Opening Ceremonies, held on the evening of September 25, are still available and can be purchased at www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets.
We take a look at the final test events including the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. How did it all go, who placed on top and is the Kentucky Horse Park ready for the Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games…
2010 Radio Show Episode 88 – Show Notes and Links:
William Fox-Pitt maintained his lead to win the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Listen in as NBC Color Commentator Donna Barton Brothers co-hosts this final show from Rolex. ..
Eventing Radio Show Episode 77 – Rolex Final Report, William Fox-Pitt Wins:
Picture: They started the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in the lead and finished it that way. Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt jumped a double-clear show jumping round with Cool Mountain on Sunday to clench his first Rolex Kentucky victory. Phillip Dutton and Woodburn jumped into second place after a faultless trip, while Becky Holder caught only one rail with Courageous Comet to finish in third place. Photo by Josh Walker from useventing.com.
Co-Host: NBC Color Commentator Donna Barton Brothers
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) aboard Cool Mountain winning HSBC FEI Classics™ Rolex 3-Day Event (Click for larger image)
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) today, 25th April 2010, went clear in the Show Jumping on the final day at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to crown his first win at ‘The Rolex’ with his starting dressage score of 42.8.
Audio interviews with William Fox-Pitt, Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, the press conference after Day Three with the riders, Rupert Bell ‘s live commentary on William Fox-Pitt’s Show Jumping round, plus an interview with Oliver Townend reflecting on his cross country day and attempt to win the Rolex Grand Slam, are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) aboard Cool Mountain on their way to victory in the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Lexington,KY (USA). Click on image for larger view.
25 April 2010 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) said he did not come to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event with the expectation of winning, but, once in the driving seat, he was clearly not going to relinquish the golden opportunity without a fight and he now has his first Rolex watch to complement his seven other 4-star wins.
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) aboard Cool Mountain on their way to victory in the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Lexington,KY (USA). Click on image for larger view.
And, with the choice of three good rides – Idalgo, Macchiato and Sea Cookie – at next weekend’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, he could gain a commanding advantage in the HSBC FEI Classics™, an award he won in its inaugural year in 2008.
Cool Mountain, his winning ride at Kentucky, is a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by the prolific Eventing sire Primitive Rising. This was his 4-star debut, having won at 3-star level, at Blair Castle (GBR) last year and been consistent throughout his career.
“He is a pleasure to train,” said Fox-Pitt. “He is very straightforward and genuine, and I have always felt there was more to come. I am absolutely thrilled with him, though – to win is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Fox-Pitt’s nearest rival, Kimberley Severson (USA) had a most unfortunate Jumping round – a total of 32 faults (24 jumping, 12 time) and plummeted to 25th, and it was the 2008 winner, Phillip Dutton (USA), who rose three places to 2nd on Woodburn with a clear round.
Becky Holder (USA) retained 3rd place on Courageous Comet with just one rail, but Boyd Martin’s meteoric rise continued, up another four places to 4th on Neville Bardos, and Canadian Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority continued upwards, to eventual 5th place with a clean sheet. In addition, she won the HSBC Training Bursary for the best-placed first-time 4-star competitor.
Oliver Townend (GBR) was discharged from hospital in the morning, but having sustained minor injuries, could not jump his ODT Master Rose and so withdrew.
37 horses completed the competition with 9 clear Jumping rounds.
Prize Money
HSBC will contribute US$ 1million to the series over the next three years. Prize-money is awarded, as follows, to the top five riders on the leaderboard after the fifth and final event:
WINNERS OF THE 2009 SEASON
1. Oliver Townend (GBR) – US$ 150,000 (Series champion);
2. Dirk Schrade (GER) – US$ 75,000;
3. Andreas Dibowski – (GER) US$ 50,000;
4. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) – US$ 33,000;
5. Sam Griffiths (AUS) – US$ 25,000
Notes to Editors
HSBC, the world’s local bank, is a platinum partner of FEI and global sponsor of the eventing discipline.
As part of this partnership, HSBC is title sponsor of the HSBC FEI Classics™ and HSBC FEI World Cup™.
At the centre of all HSBC’s sponsorships is a commitment to youth, education and community. The Pony Club and HSBC have teamed up to create the HSBC Pony Club Eventing Training Programme.
For further information, including Rules and Standings, visit www.fei.org. Previews, reports, results and photographs for each event will be available from the FEI throughout the season.
Cross Country ends at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event as William Fox-Pitt maintains the lead on Cool Mounting. Lucinda Green joins us to review the rides of the day and look forward to stadium on Sunday. Listen in….
Eventing Radio Show Episode 76 – Rolex 2010 Cross Country Day Review:
Picture: William Fox-Pitt aboard Cool Mountain put in a clear and fast cross-country round today to defend their position as overnight leaders. Fox-Pitt does not have a rail in hand as he heads into tomorrow’s show jumping phase with a 42.8. Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan who are sitting on a 44.8 moved up from fourth to second place with a double clear round. Becky Holder and Courageous Comet round out the top three with a 45.2. Photo by Josh Walker from useventing.com.
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) today, 24th April 2010, is currently lying 1st after Day Two (Cross Country) at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington. Rolex Grand Slam contender Oliver Townend (GBR) is 7th with ODT Master Rose, but had a fall on his second ride, Ashdale Cruise Master, and has been taken to hospital.
Audio interviews with William Fox-Pitt, Phillip Dutton, the post cross country press conference with the leading three riders and the official statement from the event on Oliver Townend’s fall are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
Having won both the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in 2009, Townend’s wins have set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.
The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, 22-25 April 2010.
Oliver Townend (GBR) currently lying 6th & 9th after Day 1 (Dressage) at Rolex KY Three-Day Event
(Click on images to open into a larger view)
April 23, 2010, Lexington, KY – Riding Ashdale Cruise Master (6th with a score of 46.2) and ODT Master Rose (9th with a score of 49.8), Townend is in a good position for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. William Fox-Pitt is currently lying 1st on Cool Mountain with a dressage score of 42.8.
Audio interviews with Oliver Townend and other key figures are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
Having won both the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in 2009, Townend’s wins have set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.
The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, 22-25 April 2010.
Oliver Townend (GBR) currently lying 6th & 9th after Day 1 (Dressage) at Rolex KY Three-Day Event
April 23, 2010, Lexington, KY – Riding Ashdale Cruise Master (6th with a score of 46.2) and ODT Master Rose (9th with a score of 49.8), Townend is in a good position for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. William Fox-Pitt is currently lying 1st on Cool Mountain with a dressage score of 42.8.
Copyright free hi-res photography of Oliver Townend from Day One is now available to download and overnight leader – William Fox-Pitt. This is a complimentary service provided by Rolex. Please find the photographs below:
Audio interviews with Oliver Townend and other key figures are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
Having won both the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in 2009, Townend’s wins have set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.
The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, 22-25 April 2010.
