Tag Archives: dressage

Tami Hoag Donates Westfalian Gelding Fhilosopher to Become a Professor at University of Findlay’s Equestrian Studies Program

Tami Hoag aboard Fhilosopher who will soon be at the head of the class at the University of Findlay Equestrian Studies Program in Ohio. (Photo courtesy of Tami Hoag)

Wellington, FL (July 6, 2010) – Fifteen-time New York Times bestselling mystery writer and professional Grand Prix dressage rider Tami Hoag has donated Fhilosopher, her 11-year-old Westfalian gelding by Fidermark, to take midterm tests instead of dressage tests at the University of Findlay in Ohio. Hoag describes him as a “wonderful horse with an incredible character and a lot of quality.”

While Fhilosopher will be an asset to the college, Hoag explained he has limitations that will not allow him to be a top FEI horse. Therefore, her loss will be the gain of Findlay students. In fact, instead of the judge’s bell Fhil will start his day to the school bell. Hoag said, “with Fhilosopher the students will learn what it feels like to ride a truly world class mover, and how to maintain a soft consistent contact with the bridle with a horse that sometimes like to play hide-and-seek with the bit! He will make any student who mounts him a better rider with a greater awareness for quality of gaits.”

Continue reading Tami Hoag Donates Westfalian Gelding Fhilosopher to Become a Professor at University of Findlay’s Equestrian Studies Program

FEI Balkan Dressage Championships, Katerini, Greece

Pictured after winning team gold at the 2010 FEI Balkan Dressage Championships in Katerini, Greece are the Greek team of (left to right) Kelly Sklavounos, Katerina Los, Eleni Myrat and Hara Pouli. Photo: Alexis Vassilopoulos.

Greek Riders Dominate, but Romania’s Alexandrescou Takes Senior Individual Gold

5 July 2010 – Greek riders claimed a colossal medal-haul at the 2010 FEI Balkan Dressage Championships in Katerini, Greece over the weekend including three sets of team gold and two individual titles. However yesterday (Sunday) it was Romania’s Sorin Alexandrescou who was crowned Senior Individual champion with a great performance from Mercur Casino as his Greek opponents had to settle for silver and bronze.

The Balkan Championships, which first took place in Istanbul, Turkey in 1968, have embraced a varying number of disciplines down the years and Dressage first featured in 1992.  The region covers Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Moldovia, and, from the outset, the Championships have succeeded in promoting and improving the standard of equestrian sport in south-east Europe.  This year the Jumping and Dressage disciplines have been scheduled for separate locations and from 2 to 4 July, the Pieria Riding Club in Katerini, which hosted the Balkan Jumping Championships in September 2009, opened its gates once again for the 2010 Dressage equivalent.

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Cesar Parra and Olympia Ranked Number One Heading to 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Championships

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.

Continue reading Cesar Parra and Olympia Ranked Number One Heading to 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Championships

Motivation from Moshi no. 25, by Jane Savoie

A new horse came to the barn today. She is very young. I was in the arena with Jane when she arrived. She saw us practicing some upper level movements, and it embarrassed her. She told a friend of mine that she was ashamed that she didn’t know very much, and was afraid to talk to me since I obviously know a great deal.

That surprised me, and made me sad. She is young and hasn’t had much training. Why should she be shy about what she can or can’t do? I’ve been around awhile and have lots of experience. She’s just starting out. I don’t like it that she’s intimidated by me.

I heard Jane tell someone that you don’t have to be an advanced rider to be a really GOOD rider. Just be the best at what you’re doing now! My friends who are working at their training level foundations are just as hard working and dedicated as I am at Grand Prix. I’ve just been at it longer.

Continue reading Motivation from Moshi no. 25, by Jane Savoie

USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships Awarded

Rebecca Hart Tops USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships with Kazan (pictured) and Norteassa. Photos © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

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.

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Day Two of USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Concludes

Robin Brueckmann and Raison d'Etre. Photos © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Wayne, IL – June 27, 2010 – It was another beautiful day at the Lamplight Equestrian Center where the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials are occurring for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  Riders and their top mounts entered the arena in front of spectators, their peers and international judges.  The three judges included Chris Porterfield (GBR), Lillian Iannone (ARG), and Carlos Lopes (POR).  Saturday was the individual competition, which will be counted alongside Friday’s team tests, and Sunday’s freestyle tests.  Consistency has been the weekend’s theme with Rebecca Hart earning the blue ribbon and the second place ribbon in the short course test, and Robin Brueckmann earning first place honors in the long course test.  Both riders earned the top ribbons in Friday’s competitions as well.

In Saturday’s long course individual test Robin Brueckmann and Raison d’Etre earned the top honors with a combined score of 66.667%. Most of the competitors Saturday had an increase in their score percentages as Brueckmann did going from Friday’s 65% to Saturday’s 66.667%.

Continue reading Day Two of USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Concludes

Day One of USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Concludes

Robin Brueckmann and Raison D"Etre. Photos © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Wayne, IL – June 26, 2010 – Sunshine covered the splendid Lamplight Equestrian Center on Friday as the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games commenced.  The day began at 12:30 PM with top Para-Equestrians competing for the ten spots on the USEF Para-Dressage Team.  This was the first of three days that the qualified riders were able to showcase their top skills, great horses, and a chance to be in front of international judges.  The three judges were Chris Porterfield (GBR), Lillian Iannone (ARG), and Carlos Lopes (POR).  Over the three days of competition each day will count towards their total score to qualify for the World Equestrian Games.

In today’s short course team test, Rebecca Hart earned both the first place and second place ribbons.  Hart rode her trusty gelding Norteassa to the blue earning a 69.048 % overall.  Hart also earned the second place ribbon with Kazan earning a 68.889% overall.

Continue reading Day One of USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Concludes

Jung and Townend Go Head to Head at Strzegom

24 June 2010 – Germany’s Michael Jung and Britain’s Oliver Townend, both winners of HSBC World Cup Eventing competitions this season, go head to head at Strzegom (POL) this weekend (June 24-27) as they both bid to take over the lead in the 2010 rankings from Australian Megan Jones, who has scored a win and a second place in the series so far.

Jung, who had an incredible season in 2009, winning Luhmühlen and a European bronze medal on La Biosthetique Sam, is already a winner at this Polish venue having scored at the HSBC World Cup Eventing Final here last year.

In contrast, Townend made an early exit at Strzegom last year; having led the Dressage phase, he suffered an unlucky fall on the flat across country when Flint Curtis lost a shoe.

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Motivation from Moshi #23, by Jane Savoie

Photo credit: Liz Ritz Photography

Dressage riders tend to be a very driven group of folks. It’s such a demanding sport, it’s natural that it attracts Type A personalities. It takes a real work ethic to be good at something this challenging, so those who get into the competitive part of the sport tend to over do much more than under do. Jane and most of her friends and students work very hard and have a difficult time taking time to just RELAX!

I’m not like that at all. Being a Friesian, it is natural for me to be fairly laid back. Sure, I get excited sometimes, but for the most part being quiet and easy going is natural for me. My gift to Jane is reminding her that someone can be relaxed and go with the flow of life, and still be very successful.

There is a time for work, and there is a time for play. There is a time to be driven and give it all you have, and, there is the time for rest and recharging.

Continue reading Motivation from Moshi #23, by Jane Savoie

Safety Helmets Strongly Recommended by Dressage Committee

21 June 2010 – Following the accident in which Courtney King-Dye (USA) sustained serious head injuries in a schooling fall in Florida earlier this year, the FEI Dressage Committee has today issued a recommendation regarding the wearing of protective headgear.

The FEI Dressage Committee strongly recommends that all riders should wear properly fastened safety helmets when training and in pre-competition warm-ups at all international Dressage shows.

Riders still have the choice of wearing protective headgear in the competition arena.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org