Tag Archives: featured

Atlanta Summerfest II Wrap Up

Holly Ridge Photography.

August 20th, 2013 – Fairburn, GA – Week II of the 2013 Atlanta Summerfest show series came to a close on Sunday.  Friday evening featured the $1,000 Atlanta Summerfest 2’6-3’ hunter derby along with the popular cookout sponsored by Dr. Juan and Jennifer Gamboa.  Tim Sweat of Alpharetta, GA took home the top two prizes in the class.  The blue ribbon honors went to Laura Michelson’s Fritz with Playoff, owned by Howe Equine, LLC, taking the reserve spot.

The $10,000 Atlanta Summerfest Jumper Classic sponsored by The Barn Book and Sidelines Magazine took place Saturday evening along with a special retirement ceremony for The Water Boy.  Exhibitors and spectators alike were also treated to a VIP dinner on the hill sponsored by the Curtis Family in honor of the retirement of their special pony.  Chase Boggio of Alpharetta, GA and his Hennessey came home the victors turning in an impressive clear jump off round with a time of 34.490.  The Ellen Walker owned entry of Blackstone took second place honors with J. Michael Halbleib in the irons breaking the timers in 38.439; Albrecht with owner rider Kathleen Feeley rounded out the top three bringing home a time of 38.785.  The Barn Book and Sidelines Magazine representative Jyoti Parry was on hand to present the trophy and custom cooler by Integrity Linens to the winners of the class and also hand out free Sidelines Magazine subscriptions to a few lucky exhibitors.

The final week of competition at the 2013 Atlanta Summerfest kicks off on Thursday featuring a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and the $10,000 Chattahoochee Hills Jumper Classic.  For complete results and more information, please visit www.equusevents.com.

Contact:
803-643-5698

First Horse Inspection for JYSK Para-Dressage Horses

The British squad pictured today at the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark: (L to R) team members Anne Dunham, Sophie Christiansen, Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells, and Individual competitor Ricky Balshaw. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Herning (DEN), 20 August 2013 – The excitement is building ahead of the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships at Herning in Denmark, where horses were presented at this afternoon’s first veterinary inspection. Just one horse was held over for re-inspection tomorrow – the bay mare Bo VB, competed by Vladimir Vinchon for France.

A total of 60 competitors from 19 nations will battle it out for the medals over the coming days, with the team action kicking off at 10.00 tomorrow (Wednesday).

Ones to Beat

The British continue to be the ones to beat in this sport that has enjoyed increased popularity and visibility in recent years, and particularly in the aftermath of last summer’s Paralympic Games on their home turf in London.  Today the British line-up was confirmed, with the hugely experienced Anne Dunham joined by triple Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christensen, Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells. Ricky Balshaw will compete individually.

Baker is unbeaten in Grade II for the last two years and is making her team debut.

Under Their Belt

At the FEI European Para-Dressage Championships 2011 in Moorsele (BEL), the British already had the team and three individual titles under their belt before adding four more on the final afternoon. The question this time around is whether the other countries that put pressure on them at the Paralympic Games in London last summer will continue to gain ground.  Germany, Dutch and Danish riders upped their game while the Irish pulled a major surprise taking home team bronze at their first Paralympics.

Horse inspections for all three disciplines taking place in Herning are conducted in exactly the same way, with passports handed over to officials who then check each animal’s micro-chip before the horse is walked and then trotted before the Ground Jury.

Stinna Tange Kaastrup, who secured Freestyle Grade Ib gold and Individual Grade Ib silver in Moorsele, carries the high hopes of Danish supporters as the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships get underway.

Facts and Figures:

This is the first time for Para-Dressage to take place alongside other disciplines at the FEI European Championships.

Competitors from 19 nations will participate.

11 countries have entered teams: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Russia.

7 nations will be represented by individual riders: Belarus, Finland, Israel, Latvia, Poland, Portugal and Slovakia.

Great Britain topped the medal table with eight golds at the last FEI Para-Dressage Championships staged in Moorsele, Belgium in 2011.

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

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

Jared Petersen and Titus 2:11 Take Home $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

©ESI Photography. Jared Petersen and Titus 2:11 on their way to a win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (August 20, 2013) – Twenty-one-year-old Jared Petersen of Archer, Florida and fellow Legacy Farm rider Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida went one-two in Sunday’s $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Culpeper, posting the only double clear rounds of the day. In a field that included grand prix veterans such as Laura Linback, Tracy Fenney and Ian Silitch, Petersen and Coyne topped a field of 20 over a course set by Ken Krome of Westminster, Maryland.

“This is as good as it gets,” said Derek Petersen, who trains both Coyne and his son Jared. “They braved the elements and rode really well over a fair course.”

The track included 12 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts with a double combination at fence three and a triple combination at the final effort. Faults were evenly spread throughout the course, but the final fences seemed to pose the most difficulty. Fence 11 preceded a rollback to the right to fence 12, which was followed by a bending line to the triple.

In the third trip of the class, Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida posted the first clear round with Gaston Family Investments, LLC’s Vanita. He was followed by Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas on MTM Timon and Petersen on Derek Petersen’s Titus 2:11. Coyne on her own Lazaro and Fenney on MTM Farm’s MTM Centano rounded out a five-horse jump-off.

Silitch and Fenney both had rails early in the jump-off before Petersen returned to post a fault-free round in 35.70 seconds and the Great American Time to Beat.

“I saw Tracy had a rail with Timon, which took a lot of pressure off, but I knew she had Centano coming back and wasn’t going to underestimate them. They certainly have the speed to beat us,” said Petersen. “My main goal was to be as quick as I could without having a rail in the process.”

Coyne followed Petersen and the winning time came down to thousandths of a second. She and Lazaro were clear in 35.77 seconds.

“I couldn’t have been happier with the results – Jared and I joked earlier in the week about being first and second in the grand prix and it happened!” said Coyne with a laugh. “[Lazaro] is a machine. He doesn’t care what’s going on around him – he’s a pro and he always does his job.”

Fenney and MTM Centano were last to go in the jump-off, but picked up four faults at the third fence to finish fifth. Silitch was fourth with Vanita and Fenney was third aboard MTM Timon.

Petersen and Titus 2:11 experienced a wildly successful circuit at HITS Ocala this winter with four grand prix wins. “He can do anything I want on him,” said Petersen of his nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding.  “If I want to leave out a stride or add two, he’s always in my hand.”

After their success in Ocala, Petersen has aimed Titus 2:11 towards their very first Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix appearance and currently sits in the top 10 of the Preliminary Rider Rankings. Coyne is also considering joining Petersen with Lazaro, who was fourth in the 2012 Pfizer Million with Derek Petersen aboard. “He has the mileage and if we keep consistent, it’s a definite goal,” she said.

Sunday capped the first of two weeks of showing at HITS Culpeper, before all attention turns east for HITS Championship weekend and HITS Saugerties September 6-8, 2013.

©ESI Photography. Manuel Torres and Fidelina on course in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
©ESI Photography. Manuel Torres and Fidelina on course in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
Manuel Torres of Leesburg, Virginia piloted Fidelina, owned by Andrea Torres Guerriero to a win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday. Tracy Fenney swept second and third with MTM Timon and MTM Centano, respectively. Jared Petersen was fourth with Titus 2:11 and Andrea Torres Guerreiro of Waterford, Virginia rode Santa Catalina Farm’s Emme Du Chateau.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation presents weekly jumper classes at HITS Culpeper. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Jumper riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus. The award, given at the conclusion of the circuit, includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Culpeper circuit.

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, with a focus on both farm and companion animals. The company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion in 2012. It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information on the company, visit www.zoetis.com.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Green Light for All Horses in Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships

Reigning Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage title-holders Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill from Germany. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Herning (DEN), 20 August 2013 – It’s all systems go for the Blu Hors FEI European Dressage Championship in Herning after all horses passed this morning’s first veterinary inspection. A total of 65 came before the veterinary panel at the Danish venue, and only one was sent to the holding box.  However, the grey stallion, Norte Lovera, passed on re-inspection so will compete for Spain’s Jose Garcia Mena when the event gets underway tomorrow afternoon.

A total of 18 nations will be represented over the next five days, while 14 countries will battle it out in the team competition.  The Germans are defending champions and are chasing their 22nd team title, while The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen will be hoping to record her third consecutive victory in the Grand Prix Special, and a back-to-back win in the Freestyle.

Headline-catchers

The British have been the headline-catchers in recent times.  They followed their rise to prominence when scooping their very first team title at the last FEI European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 2011 by taking Olympic team and individual gold in London (GBR) last summer. And although they arrived in Herning without key team-members Laura Tomlinson and Mistral Hojris they are expected to keep the opposition on their toes.

Gareth Hughes was called up with DV Stenkjers Nadonna at the last minute when Mistral Hojris sustained a slight injury.  Tomlinson was not prepared to take any risk with the 18-year-old horse that has achieved so much for her during his sparkling career.  Michael Eilberg, son of Ferdi Eilberg who has been so instrumental in putting British dressage on its road to recent success, completes the British foursome alongside Hester and Dujardin.

But Hester has only ridden his Olympic horse Uthopia occasionally since last year’s golden summer and relatively little has been seen of Olympic individual and team champions Dujardin and Valegro either.  Whether the British can return another European team success remains to be seen.  And it’s wide open for the Individual medals too.

Fully Focused

Helen Langehanenberg said today that the German side is fully focused as they set off in pursuit of that 22nd team success – “We will all do our very best and we will fight to the very end.  We are all in great shape,” she pointed out. And, when asked if she personally felt under a lot of pressure following her victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in April, she replied, “I’m freeing myself from expectations, I will go and do my best, and once my test is done I cannot change anything.  The last decision is with the judges,” she said.

The expectation is that the battle for the Individual medals will be played out between Langehanenberg, Dujardin and defending champion Adelinde Cornelissen. But Langehanenberg will be very much within her comfort zone in Herning’s impressive MCH Arena.  Her stallion, Damon Hill, thrives in the spotlight and really enjoys the big moments.

“Dami (her stallion Damon Hill) likes a big stadium,” Langehanenberg said this afternoon.  “Yesterday he gave me a good feeling in there; I think he really likes it.  It’s a bit like London (Greenwich Park, venue for the equestrian events of the London 2012 Olympic Games) – he goes in and he says ‘oh, this is pretty nice in here!’ and he stands even taller and feels proud and good about it,” she explained.

Unpredictable

She said the sport of Dressage has become much less predictable, and that this is a good thing. “It’s so important that people can no longer look at the starting order and say ‘well that will be first, and that will be second and that third’ and so on. There was a time when you knew what to expect, provided the rider didn’t fall off or something you could tell how it would work out! But it’s not like that anymore, it’s very different  these days and it’s great for the audience, and for the sport, because we have real competition and you can’t possibly know what the outcome will be,” she said.

She has come to Herning with a fresh horse and in good form. “At the German Championships we won all three tests and it was the same in Aachen (in June).  Dami had a three-week break after that but he’s in really great shape and we are all ready for action!” she pointed out.

The Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships begins tomorrow (Wednesday 21 August) at 14.30 with the first part of the Team competition which concludes on Thursday with the awards ceremony at 14.25.  The Grand Prix Special takes place on Friday and the Championships draw to a close following Sunday’s Freestyle.

President of the Ground Jury for the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships is Denmark’s Leif Tornblad.  Foreign Judge is Sweden’s Magnus Ringmark, Foreign Technical Delegate is Germany’s Gotthilf Riexinger and the Ground Jury Members are Susan Hoevenaars (AUS), Dietrich Plewa (GER), Gustav Svalling (SWE), Isabelle Judet (FRA), Francis Verbeek (NED) and Andrew Gardner (GBR).  There is also a Judges Supervisory Panel consisting of Eric Lette (SWE), Henk van Bergen (NED) and Dieter Schule (GER).

Facts and Figures:

18 nations represented: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, Spain.

14 nations fielding teams: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland and Sweden.

65 competitors.

4 nations represented by individual riders: Ireland, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.

This is the 26th edition of the FEI Dressage Championships and the fifth time for the event to take place in Denmark.

The Danish capital city of Copenhagen hosted the first two Championships in 1963 and 1965.

Germany has won the FEI European Dressage Team title on 21 occasions, undefeated between 1965 and 2005.

The defending team champions are the British who made history with their very first victory in these Championships at Rotterdam (NED) in 2011.

This year The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival will be chasing their third consecutive title in the Grand Prix Special and a back-to-back win in the Freestyle competition.

The British team includes Charlotte Dujardin who took team and individual gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Carl Hester who was also on the gold medal winning side.

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

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

Tickets for Sale Online for the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W

North Salem, NY – August 17, 2013 – Tickets are now for sale online for the Saturday and Sunday events of the 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W to be held at scenic Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 years of age and under (children under 3 get in free) and $10 for seniors (over 65). Wednesday through Friday the American Gold Cup competition is free to the public.

For tickets, go to: www.theamericangoldcup.com.

On Saturday, the gates open at 8 a.m. for events that begin at 8 a.m. sharp. The Saturday featured event is the $50,000 Hermes Jumper Classic at 2 p.m. in the Grand Prix Ring.

The gates open at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Many family activities are planned on Sunday, including face painting and pony rides. The hugely popular JustWorld Horseless Horse Show begins at noon.

On Saturday and Sunday, the work of Roberto Dutesco will be on exhibit at the American Gold Cup. Dutesco’s collection, The Wild Horses of Sable Island, is one of the longest running photography exhibitions in New York City. The haunting and beautiful photographs chronicle the lives of 400 feral horses on an island over 100 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Click here for more information about Robert Dutesco and The Wild Horses of Sable Island.

Not to be missed is the main event which gets underway on Sunday at 2 p.m., the $200,000 American Gold Cup Grand Prix CSI4*-W presented by Suncast. Find your seat early for some of our country’s very best in exciting outdoor international show jumping competition.

To enjoy the American Gold Cup in grand style, book your VIP table in the Jockey Club today. Take pleasure in full-service catered gourmet cuisine and beverages with the best view of the Grand Prix Ring.

Click here to reserve your table in the Jockey Club.

New this year – reserve a luxury suite for parties of 10 or more and enjoy the American Gold Cup in grand style. Contact Matt Morrissey for details and reservations at matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com.

About the American Gold Cup
The American Gold Cup show will feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus Young Jumpers and Open Jumpers. New this year, the Zone 2 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships will be held on Saturday in the Old Salem Farm indoor arena. The featured event, the coveted $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013, and broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, an historic pristine grass Grand Prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world’s most quaint and picturesque competition venue settings. For the past two years, the Old Salem Farm competitions have been recognized by the North American Riders Group (NARG) on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.

For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com or www.theamericangoldcup.com.

43rd Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts

What: The $200,000 American Gold Cup FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W

When: September 11-15, 2013

Where: Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY

Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday night.

Prize List and Entries: Click here to download your copy of the prize list. Go to www.stadiumjumping.com and www.theamericangoldcup.com for the schedule, entry form and Region 2 East ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championship information and entry form.

Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.

Stabling:
Stalls are 10 x 10 and housed under canvas. The FEI stalls are 10 x 12 and stabling area will be secured by fencing with 24/7 security. FEI horses will be scheduled to school separately from non-FEI horses. Schedules will be posted and riders will be given notification of times during the horse inspection.

Parking:
Available on the grounds

Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.

Information:
Before Show – before 9/7/12 941-744-5465 800-237-8924
During Show – 914-669-5610  ext 201
Stable office – 941-744-5465
Prize List Advertising – 941-744-5465
Vendors – Matt Morrissey 941-915-3457

Website – www.theamericangoldcup.com

Televised Broadcast: The 2013 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Tickets:

Weekdays: Admission is free to the public
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $15 per person, $10 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.

Gates open at:
Wednesday – Saturday: 8 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.

Tickets are available at the gate and online at www.theamericangoldcup.com.

Jockey Club:

The Jockey Club offers full service gourmet cuisine and beverages for tables of six and eight. Click here to reserve your Jockey Club table. New this year, The American Gold Cup is adding luxury suites for parties of 10 or more on the second floor of the Jockey Club. For more information and to reserve your American Gold Cup luxury suite, contact Matt Morrissey at: matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com.

Charity Partners:

JustWorld International
http://www.justworldinternational.org/

ASPCA
http://aspca.org/

Sponsorship Opportunities:

April Wehle
561.459.9259
aprilw@stadiumjumping.com

Connie Sawyer
518.461.6288
sawyer.equestrianevents@gmail.com

Advertising Opportunities:

Mary Silcox 800-237-8924
mary.silcox@stadiumjumping.com

Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350′x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200′x250′, Schooling 130′x170′. Jumper Annex 146′x307′, Schooling 155′x173′. Indoor 115′x195′, Schooling 74′x135′. Hunter 138′x243′, Schooling 108′x158′. Footing in all arenas is all weather German-designed fiber and sand.

Hotels:

Official Hotel of the American Gold Cup
Danbury Crown Plaza
http://danburyplaza-px.trvlclick.com/
(877) 270 1393

Ridgefield, NY
West Lane Inn (203) 438-7323

Brewster, NY 5-10 min
Heidi’s Motel (845) 279-8011

Mt. Kisco, NY 5-10 min
Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600

Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds
Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000
Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800
Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600
Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776
Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333
Residence Inn (203) 797-1256

Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561.753.3389  Fax: 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Parade of Breeds to Benefit the US Equine Rescue League

Sunday September 29, 2013
12 noon – 4 p.m.
Rosehill Stables
6623 Prospect Road
Monroe, NC

20-plus breeds of horses on display and parade!

12 noon – GATES OPEN
12-1 – tours of the brand new Inn at Rosehill
12-2 – LUNCH
– Concessions available. Come hungry – 100% of the proceeds from lunch benefit our horse rescue (vegetarian lunches available)
– Carriage Rides by Southern Breezes Carriages
– Great shopping from our amazing vendors
– Meet and greet with the horses and their owners, trainers and riders
1:30 p.m. – Stick horse races for the kids
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – THE PARADE of BREEDS (bring your own chairs!)
4:00 p.m. Silent Auction Ends and Raffle Items Awarded (must be present to win)
– No dogs please
– No umbrellas

We are requesting a $5 donation per group* and in return you will receive 5 raffle tickets.
(* group can be a family, group of friends or an individual) Additional raffle tickets will be available for $1 each

This event benefits the US Equine Rescue League – Central Piedmont Region. 100% of the money raised at this event goes directly toward the care of abandoned, neglected, starved, and abused horses right here in our community.

Akhal-Teke, Andalusian, Arabian, Belgian Draft Horse, Cleveland Bay, Fresian, Haflinger, Hanovarian, Lipizzaner, Mangalarga Marchador, Paso Fino, Quarter Horse, Rocky Mountain Horse, Shetland Pony, Tennessee Walker

For more information about the US Equine Rescue League, Central Piedmont Region, go to http://www.userl-nccp.org/.

All Horses Pass First Horse Inspection for PSI FEI European Jumping Championships at Herning

It was “thumbs up” for Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Casall Ask in the First Horse Inspection for Jumping horses at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark today. Photo: FEI/Jacob Melissen.

Herning (DEN), 19 August 2013 – All horses passed the first veterinary inspection ahead of tomorrow’s opening competition in the PSI FEI European Jumping Championships at Herning in Denmark.  However if this afternoon was anything to go by, then there is plenty of excitement ahead as both Olympic champion, Steve Guerdat, and Dutch star Jeroen Dubbeldam had to endure a tense wait when their horses were amongst the few sent to the holding box for re-examination.

Guerdat’s London 2012 Olympic gold medal winning ride, Nino des Buissonnets, and Dubbeldam’s mare Utascha SFN each got the green light from the veterinary commission led by Hans Schougaard on re-inspection however.  A total of 92 athletes from 22 countries will contest the Jumping medals at this week’s ECCO FEI European Championships which, for the first time, bring together the three disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Para-Dressage.

On Springs

As usual, some of the Jumping horses were on springs today, and the Italians had extra encouragement from an enthusiastic terrier who accompanied them as they trotted up in front of the veterinary panel.  It was a cool and windy afternoon, and Norway’s Victoria Gulliksen found herself being towed by her chestnut gelding, Urval, while Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger also had some difficulty pulling up a very fresh Palloubet d’Halong.  Some of the mares were in particularly sharp form, and a very bossy Gotha FRH proved more than a handful for Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, but she passed the inspection with flying colours and, no doubt, her rider will be back in charge tomorrow.

Fellow-Swede and defending Individual champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, was his usual cool self of course, and his bay stallion Casall Ask powered his way to approval.  As the first-ever Swedish winner of the European title when coming out on top in Madrid, Spain two years ago he has the weight of expectation sitting on his shoulders as the action gets underway this week.  But the unassuming rider said today, “It’s nice to come back as defending European champion and I want to do as well as possible. I’ve had a long preparation with Casall and I’m really looking forward to the week ahead.”  He said he’s put a lot of thought into getting the balance right for his 14-year-old stallion in the lead-up to the event.  “It’s important not to do too little, and not to do too much – we finished our plan three weeks ago and he is feeling really good,” Bengtsson pointed out.

Germany defends the team title, and despite the fact that the squad has undergone several late changes they have such strength in depth that they are still likely to be the ones to beat.  The withdrawal of Philipp Weishaupt and Monte Bellini brought Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Bella Donna into the side but the American-born German rider suffered a back injury while competing in the Grand Prix at Dublin Horse Show last week so Marcus Ehning and Plot Blue have been called in to replace them.  German riders will be chasing their eighth team gold in the 54-year history of the FEI European Jumping Championships.

Dressage Drama

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel withdrew his top ride, Watermill Scandic, from the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championship this evening due to injury. The horse with which he won bronze in Rotterdam two years ago was exercised happily this morning but was later found to be unsound in his right foreleg. Following an ultra-sound scan it was decided the stallion should not compete and as a result, Toy Story is travelling by road tonight to replace him.

It is a big blow to the Swedish side, but Chef d’Equipe, Bo Jena, said this evening, “I immediately thought about Toy Story as our reserve and the decision was taken to transport him from Germany as soon as possible.”  The horse is expected to arrive in good time for the First Horse Inspection which will take place at 9.30am tomorrow. “Patrick took the situation professionally,” Jena said. “These things happen with horses, there is never any guarantee but now he needs to rethink his strategy on how to work with Toy Story,” he added.

Para-Dressage

Tomorrow also brings the First Horse Inspection for the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championship.  While the Jumping and Dressage action will be played out in the 10,000-seater MCH Arena, which is normally home to Danish Superleague soccer team FC Midtjylland, the Para-Dressage competitors will compete in the nearby JYSK Arena.  Danish Para-Dressage star Stinne Kaastrup was the centre of attention this afternoon, and the 18-year-old who took team and individual silver along with Freestyle gold in Grade 1b at the 2011 Europeans in Moorsele, Belgium talked about her prospects with her new horse, Steffi Graf.  She lost her brilliant little New Forest pony, Labbenhus Snovs, last summer and struggled with a replacement horse that was 1.60cms tall.

But her new ride, Steffi Graf, is “about 157cms and she’s lovely because she just wants to please me,” Kaastrup explained.  “When I ride her I get the same feeling that I had with Snovs. She’s not the most flashy but she has a good walk and she really wants to learn.”  Kaastrup knows that after just four months together there may be some unrealistic expectations of what they can achieve this week. “But I don’t feel under pressure, I feel people will take that into account.  We’ll do what we can do for now, and that will be good enough,” said the consummate professional.

The Para-Dressage First Horse Inspection will take place tomorrow at 13.00 while the opening Speed leg of the PSI FEI European Jumping Championship gets the real business underway at 16.45 local time.

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

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

Hugh Graham Captures $50,000 Grand Prix at CSI2* Orangeville International

Hugh Graham and Distant Star 3E won the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix. Photos by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Orangeville, Ontario – Canadian Olympian Hugh Graham saved the best for last, winning the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment, on Sunday, August 18, at the CSI2* Orangeville International Show Jumping Tournament in Orangeville, ON.  Held for the second year at the Orangeville Agricultural Society (OAS) Event Centre, the CSI2* Orangeville International is produced by Hayes Co.

Graham of Schomberg, ON, was the last to go, mastering the first round track set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela to make it seven for the jump-off.  As the final rider to return for the jump-off, Graham knew exactly what he had to do to win, and the 64-year-old veteran rose to the challenge, shaving almost three seconds off the leading time.

“I thought it was a nice course,” said Graham of the track set in a large grass field.  “Leopoldo got seven clean, which was more than I thought he would get as it was technical enough.  The jump-off track was nice; it had some different options in it.  I was very efficient, and it worked out well for me.  It didn’t hurt that I went last, too.”

Fresh off her recent appearance at the North American Young Riders’ Championship where she was Canada’s top finisher placing eighth overall, Jacqueline Steffens of Harriston, ON, was the first rider to post a clear round over the shortened jump-off track.  Riding Quercus Van Generhese, a 13-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by her family’s Double C Farm, the 19-year-old set the early time to beat at 48.19 seconds.

Two horses later, Roberto Teran and Woklahoma, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, took over top spot after crossing the timers in 46.51 seconds.  As the final challenger, Graham had the final say, taking the win in 43.64 seconds with Distant Star 3E, a horse formerly campaigned by Teran when he rode for KingRidge Stables.

“I knew what I had to do, and I knew what my horse could do,” said Graham of the 14-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare owned and bred by KingRidge Stables of King, ON.  “It’s a great horse, it’s been in the ribbons every class this year, and this is its third or fourth win.  I’ve been riding it the last couple of years.  We bred it, Roberto showed it for the first few years when he worked for us, and then I took over.  It’s always proved that it wants to be a winner.  It’s quick enough, nice stride, well-broke, handy.  It’s very competitive.”

For Graham, it was especially nice to compete so close to home.

“It’s a dream for me,” he smiled.  “All of these shows are right in our neighbourhood.”

The Orangeville Agricultural Society (OAS) Event Centre boasts a grass field, which is becoming rare in show jumping sport as many competition venues are opting for the more easily maintained and weather-friendly all-weather footing.

“It’s nice to have a change for sure, and we don’t see grass very often,” noted Graham, who made his Olympic debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.  “It’s nice to compete on grass; it gets you prepared for when you have to jump on grass at venues like Spruce Meadows, and that’s important.  Orangeville is now the only place we have to jump on grass in Ontario.”

Two-time Olympian Jay Hayes, who Co-Chairs the Orangeville International alongside his wife, Shawn, noted, “People enjoyed jumping on this huge surface, the size of the ring is 400’ x 300’, which is the biggest in eastern Canada.  All of the exhibitors really loved Leopoldo’s open courses; galloping on the grass in the huge open field is what it’s all about.  That’s where our sport came from, and that where it has to go.”

Hayes was especially pleased with the final day of competition, noting, “Leopoldo set a very nice track, the sun was shining, our sponsor tent was full, and it was beautiful weather.  Special thanks to Kubota Canada and Stewart’s Equipment, special thanks to Trish Crang and Highland Meadows, and special thanks to the Aziz family and Iron Horse Farm.  Without our sponsors, we couldn’t have sport.”

John Gilliland, General Manager, Sales and Marketing for Kubota Canada, and Rob Allison, National Marketing Manager for Kubota Canada, were on-hand to make the presentation to Graham, joined by Ed Stewart of Stewart’s Equipment, a local Kubota dealership based in Erin, ON.  The $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment, is named in memory of the legendary show jumping horse Zucarlos, Hayes’ mount at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Roberto Teran guided Woklahoma to victory in the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix
Roberto Teran guided Woklahoma to victory in the $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix

Earlier in the week, Teran of Colombia took the top two places in the $25,000 Hayes Co. Open Welcome held Friday, August 16, following a 12-horse jump-off.  Teran guided Woklahoma to victory for the ARK Partners LLC and also finished second riding ADC Chef Z for owner Bob Suriwka.  Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, settled for third with Cantera and fourth with Brooklyn Blues while 2008 Olympic team silver medalist of King City, ON, rounded out the top five riding Vannety B for Silver Bay Holdings.

Karina Aziz of Hamilton, ON, topped a three-horse jump-off to win Saturday’s $10,000 1.40m Highland Meadows Modified Grand Prix riding Fleur Rooster van Betz for Iron Horse Farm.  Ryan Roy of King City, ON, took second with Limbo 124 while Hayes rounded out the top three riding Leondias for owner and class sponsor, Trish Crang.  Graham and In The Money 3E took fourth while Aziz and a second mount, Chacco’s Goldy, placed fifth.

Building on the success of its inaugural event in 2012, the CSI2* Orangeville International attracted top competitors, including numerous Olympians, to the 84-acre OAS Event Center.  Spectators enjoyed the excitement from the ringside ‘Champions Pub’ where Pommies Dry Cider was flowing.

Having formerly organized show jumping tournaments in Sutton, Collingwood and Ottawa, the Hayes family’s Hayes Co. celebrated its 29th year by mounting the international show jumping event in its hometown of Orangeville.  Two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes, his wife Shawn, and their three daughters, Lauren, Ainsley and Regan, and son-in-law Johan Letimonier, all call Orangeville home.

Hayes Co. would like to thank all of the sponsors who make the Orangeville International possible through their generous support: Antarés, Best Western Inn & Suites Orangeville, Blackbird, Casillero del Diablo, Cavalier Transportation Services, Champion Shavings, Dutch Masters, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equitex, Friends of the Tournaments, Glen Echo Nurseries, Hearn Veterinary Services, Henry Equestrian Insurance, Highland Meadows, Highlands National Leasing, Horse Sport, Iron Horse Farm, Kubota Canada, Luke Proulx Farrier Services, Martha W. Jolicoeur/Illustrated Properties, McKee-Pownall, Mill Street, NationWide Auto Warranty, Nobelton Feed Mill, Olive Media, Omega Alpha, Orangeville Citizen, Patrón XO Café, Pommies Dry Cider, Premier Marine, Rock Garden Farms, Rogers TV, Sarkis Equine Design, St. Remy, Stewart’s Equipment, Stonewood Construction Management, the Mitton/Lewtas Family, Thompson, Tooze, McLean &Elkin, and Wentworth Stables.

The CSI2* Orangeville International is pleased to offer a portion of proceeds to the Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville, its charity partner for 2013.

For more information on the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournaments, including full results, please visit www.hayesco.ca, or e-mail info@hayesco.ca.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Darst Finishes One-Two in USHJA National Hunter Derby at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

Meredith Darst and Lightning Z. Photo by Emily Riden.

Lexington, KY – August 18, 2013 – A week of the nation’s best hunter derby competition came to a close today at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show with the final hunter highlight event, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Today’s USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Horse Park marked the fifth event in the seven-part Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, throughout which Meredith Darst has been extremely successful. She currently stands as the leading junior in the series, and she widened that lead today. Darst finished first in the 42-horse class aboard Lightning Z and second in the class aboard last week’s second place finisher, Capstone. Finishing in third place were Kelli Cruciotti and Premonition, owned by Serenity Farm of Elizabeth, CO.

Following the completion of the first hunter round, Darst sat in the fourth place position aboard Capstone, owned by Norgan, Inc. of Wellington, FL, and in first place aboard Lightning Z, owned by her family’s Lochmoor Stables of Lebanon, OH.

She and Capstone came into the second round with a score of 86 prepared to demonstrate their abilities over the handy course. The course utilized a trot jump, provided a number of opportunities for tight inside turns and set the high option fences in such a way that they were separate from the low options, requiring different tracks.

Again electing to take all four of the high options, Darst and Capstone moved into the lead with a handy round score of 89, for a 175 overall.

Kelli Cruciotti returned for the handy round in third place aboard rookie derby mount Premonition.

“This was his first time ever doing a hunter derby,” Cruciotti said of the 8-year-old gelding. “He’s rather green so I was very, very thrilled with how he jumped and handled all of the brush and the jumps.”

Cruciotti continued: “For the handy I obviously wanted to try to win and step up, but at the same time, I wanted to give my horse a positive ride that will teach him how to do it right. It was more about giving him a positive experience so that I can build a great derby horse.”

Cruciotti proved was able to give Premonition a confidence-building ride while also impressing the judges. The pair earned a score of 86.5, including the four high option points, to put them into position just behind Darst and Capstone in the rankings with an overall score of 174.5.

As the first round winners, Darst and Lightning Z were the last to return, and they pulled out all of the stops.

“Lightning lives with us so I know him really well,” Darst said. “I know I can do all of the turns with him. I was pretty tight to the first jump of the handy, and everywhere else that I could I took the inside turn options.”

Their expert handiness and high fence options resulted in a second round score of 91 and an overall total of 182, earning them the final victory gallop of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

Following the completion of the Hallway Feeds Series, the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Awards will present a $10,000 cash prize to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the seven classes that make up the Series. The amateur rider and junior rider accumulating the most points will each receive a $2,500 cash prize. Riders will receive points only on their highest placed horse in each of the classes. The awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Hallway Feeds class at the Kentucky National Horse Show on September 21, 2013.

Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success. For more information on Hallway Feeds, please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.

The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Central Equipment, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, KER Sport Horse Nutrition, The Tack Shop of Lexington, Turf Town Properties, Trouw Nutrition and PNC Bank.

While the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show has come to a close, competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows continues on Wednesday, August 21, with the KHJA Horse Show. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra Leap to Victory in $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra.

Lexington, KY – August 18, 2013 – Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra returned to the Rolex Stadium with a vengeance after a close second place finish in Friday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. They edged out Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Eternal by less than .2 seconds in the jump-off to claim the title in today’s $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.

Eight riders from the field of 31 starters advanced to the jump-off after clear trips over the first round course set by Allen Rheinheimer. The time allowed for the first course was 92 seconds, with most competitors finishing well within that. The course included a liverpool-liverpool combination, an oxer-oxer combination, and an oxer-vertical combination.

“The course was very fair for the group of riders,” Barrios said. “Again, like Thursday, it was a mixed group – amateurs, juniors, and professionals. I think [Rheinheimer] did a great job.”

For the jump-off, riders began over the same first fence, rolled back to an oxer, returned to the first fence of the liverpool combination, jumped the oxer-vertical combination and continued down the line to the final oxer of the first round course. They finished over two new fences, a vertical and an oxer heading back toward the in-gate.

VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Eternal, owned by Bull Run Jumpers One LLC of St. Charles, IL, were the first to tackle the jump-off course, putting them in a challenging position with several quick riders coming after them. They executed the course cleanly in a time of 37.175 seconds.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Eternal

“I actually enjoy going at the beginning, though not necessarily first,” VanderVeen said. “I like to have my own plan and stick to it. I find that if I watch too many, I start to change my plan, and it always gets me at the end. So I don’t mind going first, but it was a bit of a hard jump-off. There were some really fast ones behind me. I knew that I needed to definitely lay down a fast round. I tried to take as many comfortable risks as I felt I could without compromising and having one down.”

Like Barrios, VanderVeen had been in the running for a top placing in Friday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but she and Bull Run’s Eternal fell a few seconds short of the leaders and wound up in ninth. Today, she was determined to put herself in contention for the win.

“I thought I was quick in the jump-off on Friday, and it was shocking to me that they were three seconds faster,” she said. “That did have a bit of an effect on how aggressive I wanted to be in the jump-off today. I didn’t want to be double clean and slow and in fifth or sixth place. I really wanted to be in the top three. So I definitely pushed it.”

Following a four-fault effort from Ali Wolff and Zidane, the third place finishers in the Hagyard Lexington Classic on Friday, Barrios and Zara Leandra entered the ring. Barrios had watched VanderVeen’s round to see where he might be able to make up some ground. Although he took a similar track most of the way around the course, he was able to leave out a stride between two jumps to shave off a little time.

He and Zara Leandra completed the course in 37.024 seconds to take over the lead, and none of the final five riders were able to match his time. Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W made the best attempt, finishing in 37.543 seconds to take third.

Barrios said he enjoyed the jump-off course. “It had more options than Friday’s class for galloping and turning,” he explained. “I think it was a great course.”

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra
Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra

He and Zara Leandra, owned by ZL Group, Inc., of Wellington, FL, have had a very successful run on the Kentucky circuit, racking up wins throughout the summer. Their strong results have helped Barrios lead the Hagyard Challenge Series standings by an impressive margin.

“She’s going to have a little rest and then we’re going to do some indoors,” Barrios said. “Then she’s going to rest in December and January. I think I’m going to start her in the middle of WEF, maybe Week 5 or 6. She has done a lot this year, and she still has a little more to do this year.”

“She’s only 9,” he added. “She’s really fast now in the jump-off, and she’s looking for the next jump, which she just learned to do not too long ago. Now she’s just right on it in the jump-off. I think that’s a big difference. To be honest, her jump is always much better in the jump-off – she likes to go a little fast.”

“I want to thank all my team for all they have done this summer,” Barrios concluded. “They are a big part of all the success that we have.”

While the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show has come to a close, competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows continues on Wednesday, August 21, with the KHJA Horse Show. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Phelps Media Group, Inc.
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