Category Archives: Competitions

Darragh Kenny and Gael Force Gallop to Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3

Darragh Kenny and Gael Force won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 27, 2011 – Irish rider Darragh Kenny and Gael Force, owned by Missy Clark and North Run, earned top honors in round three of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup on Thursday afternoon at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Sponsored by Nespresso, the WEF is in its third of 12 weeks of competition at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The circuit will continue through April 3, 2011.

Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Germany is designing the courses in the International Arena for week three and set a great course for the afternoon’s competition. Eight of the original 42 horse and rider combinations jumped clear to advance to the jump-off round.

Competitors were then asked to navigate a short course that displayed dynamic speed and power. Four were able to jump double clear, and it was the fastest round of Darragh Kenny and Gael Force in 43.31 seconds that earned top honors. The pair left out a stride in the last line that made the difference.

Continue reading Darragh Kenny and Gael Force Gallop to Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 3

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 9, Preview

STAUT CONTINUES TO LEAD STANDINGS AS ROLEX JUMPING SERIES RESUMES IN ZURICH by Louise Parkes

Zurich (SUI), 27 January 2011 – World No. 1, Kevin Staut, continues to lead the Western European League standings as the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series resumes this weekend in Zurich following a four-week break.  And, although he is already well-qualified for the final which will take place in Leipzig, Germany from 27 April to 1 May, the Frenchman is listed amongst the star-studded field of competitors at the popular Swiss fixture.

Riders from 19 countries will line out in the preliminary competition which will decide Sunday’s start-list, and the home contingent includes 2010 Zurich champion Steve Guerdat who, despite five outings so far this season, has collected only 15 qualifying points and has plenty more to do if he is to make the cut into the final.  Staut has collected a massive 87 points so far, thanks to good results at all but one of the qualifiers to date and to his victory in Geneva in December.  Riders are likely to need at least 40 points to have the chance of finishing within the top-18 qualifying group when the Western European league draws to a close at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands at the end of March.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13058

Jax Gulf Atlanta Spring Updates

Jacksonville Winter III has a new schedule; it is available in the office and on the Classic Company and NFHJA website. Click here for the update: http://www.classiccompany.com/zdocs/jax_sch.pdf.

Gulf Coast Winter Circuit — Feb 9 – Mar 13, 2011

Had a great trip to Gulfport yesterday and the grounds are looking great for our event.  Closing date is Tuesday February 1st.  Make sure we have your stall and camper reservations soon.  The tents are up for the stalls that have been ordered but to keep costs down this year, we are only putting up the number of stalls that are reserved.  Call 843 768 5503 for information or reservations.

Atlanta Spring Classic — Mar 23 – Apr 3

The prize list is being mailed this week.  Two weeks of AA shows with $25k Grand Prix classes.  The prize list is also online: http://www.classiccompany.com/showdocs.php#asp.

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

HH Palouchin and Rodrigo Pessoa Score Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

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

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2011 – The third week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began today. In the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper class, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and his always speedy HH Palouchin, owned by Double H Farm, brought home the win.

The third week of the FTI WEF continues through Sunday, January 30. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class is Saturday night’s $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* at 7 p.m.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Olaf Petersen of Germany. There were 31 entries in the class, and 10 of those were clear to lead the top ribbons.

Pessoa and HH Palouchin (formerly named Palouchin de Ligny, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Baloubet du Rouet x Chin Chin) have been a dynamic duo in the speed classes for many years, and this morning’s class was no different from their winning ways. They set the time to beat at 61.125 seconds.

Continue reading HH Palouchin and Rodrigo Pessoa Score Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

HITS-on-the-Hudson Will Host the 2011 National PHA Medal Finals at the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals

© Richard Killian. PHA President Mary Jane Mitchell, 2010 National PHA Junior Medal Champion Emma Schauder, and Ann Grenci.

SAUGERTIES, NY (January 26, 2011) — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce it will host the 2011 National PHA Medal Final on Saturday, September 17 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York as part of the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals. The joining of HITS and the National PHA Medal Finals is a perfect match since the HITS-on-the-Hudson venue is a show-jumping hub for the entire North East.

The Professional Horsemen’s Association of America, Inc., otherwise known as the PHA, is a self-contained benevolent organization and consists of 16 Chapters throughout the United States with over 900 Professional members. The PHA gives aid and sustenance to needy horsemen, and has a scholarship fund which provides financial assistance to further educate the children of professional members. The PHA also continues to promote and foster the care and protection of horses through education at the local, state and federal levels.

Originally, the National PHA Medal Class Champion was decided annually based on the number of points equitation riders accumulated throughout the year with awards going to the six highest scoring junior riders. Presentations were made at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Back in 1984, HITS’ own Francesca Mazella was the PHA Medal Champion, based on points won in PHA Medal classes throughout the year. Starting in 1995 the format was changed to a Medal Final, where the top 30 junior riders who accumulate the most points during the season compete in the National PHA Medal Final. The Final features a course of eight or more fences at 3’6” in height, with at least one combination including an oxer and two changes of lead after the first fence. The judge will insert two tests into the original course (USEF Tests 1-18). Further testing of the top riders is optional. The top eight placed finalists receive scholarship awards, in addition to their ribbons and trophies. In 2010, Emma Schauder of Greenwich, Connecticut was the winner of the National PHA Medal Final held at Old Salem Farm.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13051

Cesar Parra’s Piaffe-Performance Students Kick Off 2011 in the Winner’s Circle at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge

Cesar Parra with his students, left to right: Mike Davis, Bebe Davis, Katie Riley, Nadine Buberl, and Chase Hickok. (Photo courtesy of Performance Farms)

Wellington, FL (January 27, 2011) – International Dressage Rider and trainer Cesar Parra was all smiles during the recent Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge Show, as his students followed in Parra’s award-winning footsteps and rode into the winner’s circle numerous times. Parra, who owns Piaffe-Performance with locations in Florida and New Jersey, had a fantastic 2010 that included breaking in his status as a new American citizen by winning his first National Championship at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions.

“Looking back at 2010, it really was an amazing year,” Parra said. “But 2011 is already shaping up to be another fantastic experience and I am so proud of all of my students who really helped kick off the year in style at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge Show. I am so proud of each and every one of them.”

Parra’s student Michael Davis not only rode into the winner’s circle during the show, but also took home the High Point Award thanks to earning a 79.655% on Rotano in the USEF First Level Test of Choice. “I am thrilled for Michael and Rotano and they couldn’t have started off the year any better,” Parra said, adding that Michael’s wife, Sarah, and daughter, Bebe, also ride at Piaffe-Performance. “The Davis family is very special to me as they not only ride with me but I also show their horse Grandioso, who has a very bright future in the show ring. Our goal with Grandioso is to continue his training with our sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London.”

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The $25,000 HITS Grand Prix and $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Highlight Competition for Opening Week at HITS Ocala

© ESI Photography. Andres Rodriguez and Davinci in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

OCALA, FL (January 24, 2011) – The Ocala January Classic came to an end on Sunday and was highlighted by the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and the $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, the first qualifiers of 2011 for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and the Diamond Mills $500,000 3’3″ Hunter Prix Final, respectively.

Andres Rodriguez of Boca Raton, Florida, and Andres Olivares’ Davinci took home the victory in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The class saw 33 starters take the field on a course designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida, that produced six clear rounds for the jump-off.

The first clear round of the class came early, when Paul Halpern of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Amanda Weaver’s Sevastian K, second in the order, jumped clean. Two trips later, eventual winner Rodriguez and Davinci forced a jump-off with a clear effort of their own. The next 20 trips saw team after team fail to overcome the course with rails down across the field.

Continue reading The $25,000 HITS Grand Prix and $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Highlight Competition for Opening Week at HITS Ocala

Cynthia Mulvaney and Dory Tuohey Selected as Cover Artists for 2011 HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala Official Show Programs

'A League of Its Own’ oil on linen by Cynthia Mulvaney adorns the cover of the 2011 HITS Thermal Official Show Program.

SAUGERTIES, NY (January 24, 2011) — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that submissions from Cynthia Mulvaney and Dory Tuohey were selected to be the cover art for the 2011 HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala Official Show Programs.

Each year HITS issues an open call for artists to submit their equine-themed work to be considered for the program covers. This year’s submission produced lots of exceptional artwork to choose from, with Mulvaney’s and Tuohey’s work, winning out over 50 submissions.

Mulvaney’s ‘A League of Its Own’, an original oil painting on linen, was selected as the artwork for the HITS Thermal Official Show Program. This highly-detailed piece captures the power, energy and movement of a horse cantering while turned out, providing a beautifully realistic image for the cover of this year’s show program.

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Asta Torokvei Takes Top Honors in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal

Asta Torokvei and Riverdale are the winners of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal during the second week of the 2011 FTI WEF. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2011 – Week Two of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs from January 12 through April 3, came to a successful close today. While many hunter and jumper divisions finished the week, so did numerous equitation classes. The Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal was among those equitation classes awarding riders today.

Canadian rider Asta Torokvei, aboard Nancy Torokvei’s entry, Riverdale, was the winner of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal on Sunday during the second week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The pair topped a field of ten adult amateur riders for the equitation win.

Torokvei, who has been showing Riverdale for her mother, hopes to give Riverdale more experience in the ring before her mother begins showing him. “I’ve been showing him just one day a week in the equitation so that he can get in the ring and see the jumps,” said Torokvei.

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Ben Maher and Oscar Triumph in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

Ben Maher (GBR) and Oscar won the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic during week two at the 2011 FTI WEF. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2011 – The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, concluded on Sunday with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic. In a fantastic display of speed and power, Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Oscar, owned by Lindsay Cook, were able to top the field for an exciting victory. The class was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), which will host 12 consecutive weeks of competition for the 2011 FTI WEF running through April 3, 2011.

Showing over a course set by Luc Musette of Belgium, 13 of the original 31 entries were able to jump clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those horse and rider combinations finished double clear, and it was the fastest jump-off round of Ben Maher and Oscar in 38.723 seconds that earned the victory.

Continue reading Ben Maher and Oscar Triumph in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival