Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde has developed many young jumpers in European competition, including Lipton L’Othain who he began working with as a 6-year-old. Photo by Carrie Wirth.
Jacksonville, FL – August 7, 2013 – The Southeast Medal Finals management is pleased to announce the addition of a new and exciting young jumper division – the Developing Sport Horse. The competition is based on European-style classes where the horses are judged on their athletic potential to be top contenders in the future of the sport.
At the popular Jacksonville show, to be held on September 19-22, the Developing Sport Horse Division was added to showcase young jumper talent. Developing Sport Horses will be judged on style, presentation, rideability, and their potential to eventually compete at the grand prix level and represent the U.S. in international competition.
“I saw these young jumper classes in Europe and I thought they made a lot of sense,” said James Lala, who partners with Bob Bell and Classic Company to produce the Southeast Medal Finals. “It is an opportunity to compete a young jumper while nurturing their development.”
Here’s how the division will work:
All competitors begin each class with 60 points. The judge and course designer will designate the course’s optimal time. The time allowance will be set at eight seconds below and eight seconds above the optimal time.
The judge will award points:
1-10 points for Style – Jumping technique
1-10 points for Presentation – Fitness, condition and expression
1-10 points for Rideability – Smoothness, leads and appropriate striding
1-10 points for Potential – Talent to one day compete at grand prix level or to represent the U.S. in International competition
The judge will subtract points for the following faults:
-5 points per knock down
-20 points for first refusal
-2 points for each second above and below the time allowance
Developing Sport Horse courses may offer options which provide competitors the opportunity to showcase their horses’ strengths.
The Developing Sport Horse format will encourage good horsemanship for young jumpers. The horses in the division should demonstrate talent, potential, be in good health and be both physically and mentally ready for the competition.
The entries with the highest points will be named champion and reserve champion of each section. The Developing Sport Horse with the most points in all four sections will awarded Best Developing Sport Horse.
SECTIONS:
4 yr old, Fence height 1.0
5 yr old, Fence height 1.10
6 yr old, Fence height 1.20
Horses in their First or Second Year of Showing, Fence height 1.10
To compete in the Developing Sport Horse Division, competitors must show proof of age, bloodlines, country of origin and breeder, and a brief bio.
For questions about the Developing Sport Horse Division, contact James Lala at: (561) 906-6668 – jdlala@aol.com.
The Southeast Medal Finals is held at one of the premier equestrian facilities on the east coast, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. The centrally located complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. With some of the top junior riders in the country competing, Southeast Medal Finals is the perfect preparation for the fall indoor circuit. To learn more about Southeast Medal Finals, check out www.southeastmedalfinals.com.
Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:
WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is a USEF A-Rated indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show. USEF Rated Jumper Level 3
WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com
WHEN: September 19-22, 2013
WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and 500 permanent stalls.
13611 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221
FEATURES:
Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior Medal Finals
Southeast Adult Medal Finals
ASPCA Maclay Regionals
$25,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Jacksonville
$5,000 Welcome Stake
$7,500 Child/Adult Jumper Final
New European Style Developing Sport Horse Division
Southeast Children’s Hunter Finals
Southeast Adult Hunter Finals
Southeast 2’6″ Child/Adult Hunters
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Susan Rindal – 904-655-5497 – rindal@bellsouth.net
James Lala – 561-906-6668 – jdlala@aol.com
Bob Bell – 843-768-5503 – bbell@earthlink.net
DIRECTIONS: For map and address information, visit http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/Location.aspx.
Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com