Category Archives: Competitions

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Aid Found., Equestrian Assistance, Events, Fundraisers, Polo, Show Jumping, Western/Reining

EAF Tetrathlon Raises More Than $100,000 for Equestrians in Need

1 Comment
Winning Team FarmVet: Christian Currey, Ashley Holzer, Candice King, Whistle Uys. All photos (c) Phelps Photos

WELLINGTON, Fla. – Presenting sponsor FarmVet edged out Team MeadowView to win the 2011 Sidelines Tetrathlon Presented by FarmVet on Jan. 30, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. More than 500 people came together for an evening of friendly competition, great food and exceptional auction items, to raise more than $100,000 to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF). The EAF helps equestrians, horsemen and equine professionals who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses or injuries during their time of need. The event was managed by Sean O’Keefe Events, which specializes in developing signature events for nonprofit organizations.

“It’s been more than three years since the last Sidelines Triathlon and we’ve successfully brought it back to a higher level of competition by adding the all-American sport of reining,” said R. Scot Evans, president of the EAF. “With the overwhelming support from the community for the vision of Sean O’Keefe of Sean O’Keefe Events, we were given the resources to create a fun-filled evening that also successfully raised necessary funds for those in the horse world who need our help.”

Tetrathlon Competition

Master of Ceremonies Brian Lookabill added commentary to the competition, which included dressage, show jumping, polo, and reining. Riders showed world-class talent as they performed in disciplines not their own.

Continue reading EAF Tetrathlon Raises More Than $100,000 for Equestrians in Need →

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

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 10, Bordeaux

Leave a comment
Philipp Weishaupt and the stallion Catoki secured Germany's sixth victory in the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series at Bordeaux, France tonight. Photo: Cecile Grand/FEI.

WILY WEISHAUPT IS BEST IN BORDEAUX – by Louise Parkes

Bordeaux (FRA), 5 February 2011 – Philipp Weishaupt and the stallion Catoki brought the German tally of wins in the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League qualifying series to a sensational six this evening at Bordeaux in France.  The 25 year old rider from Munich was one of 12 in the thrilling second-round jump-off, and he steered a line against the clock that proved too good for the rest and brought him through the finish more than a half-second quicker than French runner-up Simon Delestre.  Third place went to Beijing Olympic silver medallist Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden while Ireland’s latest super-star, Billy Twomey, was less than a second off the winning time when slotting into fourth.

Weishaupt was more than happy at the end of the day.  “Those 20 points were very important to me,” he said.  “I really wanted to get to the final in Leipzig, but I needed more points and now I think it’s possible so I’m very pleased!” he added.  The Germans look a formidable force going to the final on their home turf.  With six victories in the ten qualifying competitions staged to date, they will surely be the ones to beat when the action gets underway on April 27.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13190

Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Lusitano Trainer Wins Premier Sportsmanship Award at International Horse Sport Palm Beach Dressage Show

1 Comment
Lusitano trainer and competitor Cherri Reiber, shown aboard her Lusitano Sargon Interagro, won the Premier Sportsmanship Award at the International Horse Sport Palm Beach Dressage Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (February 4, 2011) – Dressage rider and trainer Cherri Reiber, who represented the United States at the 2000 World Cup, proved that she is not only a world-class athlete but also a good sport when she won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at the International Horse Sport Palm Beach Dressage Premier Show. Sponsored by Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, the Premier Sportsmanship Award is awarded to a rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show.

Reiber, who is well known for training and competing Lusitanos, has proven she is unflappable under pressure while at a horse show, which helped Reiber clinch the sportsmanship award. Thanks to being a great sport, Reiber, who twice made it to the Olympic selection trials, rode away with a pair of German-designed Roeckl gloves from Premier Equestrian.

“Sportsmanship is very important in the show world and I am definitely honored to have been awarded the Premier Sportsmanship Award,” Reiber said, adding that she is also looking forward to presenting a Lusitano demonstration on February 19th for The Lusitano Collection at the Winter Equestrian Festival. “I was also pleased with how my new Lusitano, Sargon Interagro, did at the show. I just got him in June so we are still getting to know each other.”

Continue reading Lusitano Trainer Wins Premier Sportsmanship Award at International Horse Sport Palm Beach Dressage Show →

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

Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs at the Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit

1 Comment
Colleen Acosta on Posse, winner of last year's USHJA Hunter Derby during the Colorado Summer Circuit. Photo credit: Horse and Ryder

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park will be highlighted with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8-July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands to six weeks.

Riders will find more than just bigger paychecks. Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions will offer exhibitors their trademarked five-star hospitality, while CHP is busy creating an exciting slate of new amenities. The Grand Prix ring is currently under construction and brand new footing is being installed. New jumps, new gardens, a competitor’s lounge and other facility improvements are just a few of the items receiving a makeover.

“This year riders will see a whole new Colorado Horse Park,” explains Brian Curry, General Manager of CHP. “We are working closely with Pat and his team to deliver a summer that every rider will remember.”

Continue reading Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs at the Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit →

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

Jumping Jayne! Charlie Jayne and The London Group’s Athena Capture the $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic at HITS Thermal

Leave a comment
© Flying Horse Photography. Charlie Jayne and The London Group's Athena on course in Thursday's $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic.

THERMAL, CA (February 4, 2011) — Charlie Jayne and The London Group’s Athena showed exactly why they finished second in last year’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix when they took top honors in Thursday’s $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.

Jayne (Elgin, Illinois) and Athena are newcomers to the HITS Desert Circuit. They were the best of the 41 horse-and-rider pairs that challenged International Course Designer Bernardo Cabral’s (Lisbon, Portugal) first-round track and the nine pairs that advanced to the seven-obstacle jump-off. The atmosphere in the indoor arena was electric as an enthusiastic crowd lined the tent on all sides, including a raucous group that watched from the beautiful Charles Owen VIP Club.

“I came to Thermal for a couple of reasons,” said Jayne. “I was so grateful to HITS and the sponsors for last year’s Pfizer Million that I wanted to come here and try to get a head start on qualifying for this year’s class. I really loved being in Saugerties. The hotels and restaurants were great and the facility was very horse friendly. There isn’t much not to like about Saugerties.”

Continue reading Jumping Jayne! Charlie Jayne and The London Group’s Athena Capture the $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic at HITS Thermal →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, JRPR

Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Win The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division during Third Week of WEF

Leave a comment
Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm won The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter division during the third week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot)

Wellington, FL (February 3, 2011)  – Professional rider Peter Pletcher has proven that he and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm are a winning team, as the duo has captured impressive hunter titles across the country. During the third week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm, owned by Nordic Lights Farm and Elisabeth Bruheim, added another championship to their resume when they won The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter division.

The new USEF division, with fences ranging in height from 4’ to 4’6”, is sponsored at WEF by The Sanctuary at PBIEC.  A new world-class full horse therapy and conditioning center located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), The Sanctuary at PBIEC features some of the most advanced conditioning and therapy equipment in the world. Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm were awarded a gift certificate for services at the new world-class Wellington facility.

Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm earned two firsts, two seconds and a third place ribbon in the High Performance Working Hunter division to ride away with the championship. Pletcher was thrilled with NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm’s success in the new division and said the horse also excels at hunter derbies.

Continue reading Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Win The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division during Third Week of WEF →

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

Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 Victorious in $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2*

Leave a comment
Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 won the $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* during week 3 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

G&C Farm Starts the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival with Success

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – G&C Farm started out the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival with a variety of success, including victory in the $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* during week 3 for Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.

Gustavo Mirabal said, “We were extremely pleased with the start of the WEF circuit. All of the horses have been extremely consistent, and we are happy with our younger horses that are stepping up and placing in these competitive classes. Pablo’s win in the grand prix last Saturday was fantastic!”

Mirabal added, “We look forward to competing in the upcoming weeks, especially in the CSIO week.”

G&C Farm is the title sponsor of week 8 of the FTI WEF, the CSIO week, and the presenting sponsor of the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday, March 4. Barrios, who is currently ranked number 26 in the FEI ROLEX world rankings, will be the anchor of the Venezuelan team in the Nations Cup.

Continue reading Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 Victorious in $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* →

Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Racing, Racing Sources

Party Girl Stakes to Be Run Saturday

Leave a comment

Zingleman Girls Ready for Party

The Michael Zingleman-trained and co-owned entry of Zoobilee and First Down Patriot could grab favoritism in the $40,000 Party Girl Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares over 350 yards on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

Zingleman, with Shelly Zingleman, owns First Down Patriot and they are the co-owners of Zoobilee with Curtis Crenwelge.

Zoobilee (Dashin Bye-Our Precious Secret by Streakin La Jolla) is the strong half of the entry with three wins in her latest three starts and stakes victories in her two previous starts.

The 4-year-old mare won the AQHA Members Plus Stakes over open distaffers two starts ago and then came back to defeat Louisiana-bred males and females in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG2) at Fair Grounds on December 11.

While competing primarily in high-level allowance and stakes races for the majority of her career, Zoobilee has amassed sevens wins, two seconds and a third-place effort from 14 starts.

Continue reading Party Girl Stakes to Be Run Saturday →

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

Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin Dominate Again in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

Leave a comment
Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during the fourth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its fourth week of competition on Wednesday morning with another win going to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Palouchin in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. This was the pair’s third win in a row, also winning both of week three’s 1.45m classes.

The fourth week of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Adequan, continues through Sunday, February 6. The highlight jumper classes this week are Thursday’s $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 at 1 p.m., Saturday’s $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at 2 p.m. and the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s $75,000 Adequan CSI 2* Grand Prix at 2 p.m. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Richard Jeffery of Great Britain. Beginning the week, there were 36 entries in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class, and ten of those were clear to lead the standings. Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farms’ HH Palouchin were the fastest of those clear rounds with an unbeatable time of 55.552 seconds to take the top prize.

Continue reading Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin Dominate Again in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Dressage under the Stars Returns to Wellington Tonight to Kick Off Third Season

Leave a comment
Dressage under the Stars Logo. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – Tonight marks the opening night for Dressage under the Stars, sponsored this evening by Quantum Saddle Ltd. Held at The world famous Players Club Bar & Grille, which is the premiere venue for International caliber competition, riders will allow their equine partners to shine under the stars. The high energy and hugely popular “musical freestyles” shall take place patio-side where an audience of over 400 will sip cocktails and dine both ring side and on the second story patio.

Each Wednesday during the winter equestrian season in Palm Beach, the elegance of dressage is showcased under the magic of starlight. In only its third season, DRESSAGE UNDER THE STARS has become one of The Winter Equestrian calendar’s most anticipated events. Five horse and rider combinations perform weekly for cash prizes and the opportunity to return to for the eighth week’s Champion round where the winner takes away a grand prize consisting of lavish gifts and a very large check. This event consistently attracts the BEST international caliber riders in south Florida.

Continue reading Dressage under the Stars Returns to Wellington Tonight to Kick Off Third Season →