Category Archives: Competitions

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

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

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© 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 →

Art/Photography, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, HITS

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

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'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.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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 →

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

Kelley Farmer and Rosalynn Win $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby

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Kelley Farmer & Rosalynn ©Flashpoint Photography

Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Take $25,000 National Grand Prix

Green Cove Springs, FL – January 23, 2010 — Kelley Farmer, who hails from Keswick, VA, partnered with Rosalynn to capture the top spot of North Florida’s Inaugural $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance, Great American Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, held Saturday under the lights of the covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL.

The evening was kicked off in the “Marques at Green Cove Springs”, the stylish and inviting VIP tent adjacent to the arena, with a delicious dinner provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and a very special Live Auction to benefit HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center. “While we raised a lot of money for HOPE, the generous bidders were big winners too. They got some outstanding deals on an array of items- like the Sea World Aquatic package and the Golf World getaway,” Tony Weight, President of North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, said.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13035

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

Nick Skelton and Big Star Light Up Saturday Night with Victory in $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2*

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Nick Skelton and Big Star won the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 22, 2011 – Nick Skelton (GBR) notched his third major victory of the circuit tonight with Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, in the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI2*. Tonight’s class was the first of 11 events in the “Saturday Night Lights” series at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). A crowd of 3,800 spectators were there to enjoy world-class show jumping and all that the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center has to offer.

The second week of the FTI WEF concludes with tomorrow’s competition. 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.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Luc Musette of Belgium. There were 37 entries in tonight’s grand prix, but only three were able to go clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off.

Skelton noted, “It wasn’t overly big, but it was quite tricky. He did a very good job; he is a very good course builder.”

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Big Star Light Up Saturday Night with Victory in $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2010/2011 – Round 7, Amsterdam

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Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival on their way to securing their third victory in the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Amsterdam today. Photo: Leanjo de Koster, Digishots/FEI.

CORNELISSEN PIPS WERTH IN A THRILLER AT AMSTERDAM by Louise Parkes

Amsterdam (NED), 22 January 2011 – In one of the toughest battles so far this season, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival held on to win the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today.  Winner of yesterday’s Grand Prix, the Dutch star was firm favourite going into the competition.  But Germany’s Isabell Werth pushed her all the way with a great performance from Warum Nicht while Sweden’s Patrick Kittel and Watermill Scandic finished a close third.

Underlining the quality of today’s competition, just over six points separated the top seven riders and it is clearly now shaping up to a classic finale in Leipzig, Germany in three months time.  Kittel showed however that the result may not necessarily be decided between the traditional protagonists from Holland and Germany.  On today’s form, he will be chasing the Swedish dream of measuring up to the third-place finish of Jan Brink and Briar at the 2006 final in Amsterdam and even pushing for the ultimate accolade achieved by Louise Nathhorst and LRF Walk on Top on her home turf in Gothenburg back in 1998.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13029

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

Sheila Motley Rides Lansing to the Championship in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters

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Sheila Motley and Lansing were the Amateur Adult 3'3" Hunter champions during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2011 – The Rost Arena got to an early start this morning with the many hunter divisions it saw today. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, awarded another of its championships today, this time in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters to Sheila Motley aboard Lansing.

Motley only just began riding Lansing, a Holsteiner gelding, for owner Richard Schechter. However, that did not stop the newly paired duo from taking top honors during week two at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. “He is so much fun to ride,” Motley said about her mount Lansing.

Motley clinched the championship honors this week by winning two classes, placing second in one class, and fifth in another class.

Reserve champion in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters went to Leah Schwendeman aboard the Woodland Way Inc. entry, Frankly Speaking. Schwendeman and Frankly Speaking won one class, placed second in two classes, and placed third in another class.

Continue reading Sheila Motley Rides Lansing to the Championship in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Charles Owen, Inc. Announces 100th Anniversary Sponsorships at FTI WEF

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Charles Owen Inc. Managing Director Roy Burek presents a Charles Owen helmet to 1.35m Jumper winner Laura Chapot. Photo copyright Sportfot

January 22, 2011 – WELLINGTON, FL — Charles Owen, Inc. announced this week the company will kick off its 100th Anniversary extravaganza at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida, WEF annually attracts world-class competition, showcasing the best in show jumping and show hunters.

During the 12 weeks of competition, eight new promotional posters featuring top Charles Owen sponsored riders will be featured throughout the WEF show grounds. In addition to sponsoring the International Riders’ Lounge, conveniently located outside the International Ring adjacent to the warm up area, Charles Owen is sponsoring the $2,500 1.35m Charles Owen Jumper Series, held throughout the winter circuit. On February 5, 2011 the company will serve as presenting sponsor of the International Club Cocktail Party, held prior to the Battle of the Sexes, where top jumper riders compete against each other in match race and 6 bar contests.

Tack shops at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival that are regular stockists of Charles Owen products will be participating in the much-anticipated Bring A Friend promotion. Customers who purchase a Charles Owen riding helmet can take a friend back to that store and, when that friend purchases a Charles Owen riding helmet of their own, both will receive a free Charles Owen hat bag.

Continue reading Charles Owen, Inc. Announces 100th Anniversary Sponsorships at FTI WEF →

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

Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Best All-Star Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2

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Catherine Pasmore and My Boy won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 20, 2011 – The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, continued on Thursday afternoon with the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. The second of 11 weekly WEF Challenge Cup grand prix, this afternoon’s class saw a victory for 18-year-old Catherine Pasmore (USA) and My Boy, owned by Pasmore Stables. 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, just eight of the original 45 Challenge Cup entries were able to jump clear in the first round of competition to advance to the jump-off. Catherine Pasmore, of Charlottesville, VA, was first to qualify for the jump-off in round one and also first to return for the shortened course with her 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding My Boy. The pair set the standard with a super fast, clean round in 35.02 seconds which would hold up for the win through seven more trips.

Eric Lamaze (CAN) earned second and third place honors for the day, riding Artisan Farms’ Sidoline Van De Cantaur to second place with a jump-off time of 35.66 seconds and Derly Chin De Muze, owned by Ashland Stables, to third place in 36.03 seconds.

Continue reading Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Best All-Star Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 →