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Expectations High for US Dressage Team at Hickstead CDIO3*

Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – The U.S. Dressage Team heads to the Hickstead CDIO3* with high expectations this week as they look to continue the momentum that has been building throughout the summer. Four talented riders, Shelly Francis, Arlene “Tuny” Page, Kathleen Raine and Guenter Seidel, compose the Nations Cup team, while David Blake will ride in Grand Prix competition as an individual. Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Francis will also ride exciting young horses in Small Tour competition.

The Hickstead CDIO3* will host many of the top combinations from throughout the world in Nations Cup competition and adding to the excitement the Team event will be held in a new format. Nations Cup results will be determined by Sunday’s Freestyle rather than the traditional Grand Prix test.

Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Seidel (Cardiff, CA) bring a wealth of experience to Hickstead and will look to use experience gained at FEI World Equestrian Games to help propel the U.S. to a top finish. Francis will ride Patricia Stempel’s Doktor in Nations Cup competition. The pair was awarded a USEF grant, funded by the USET Foundation, to compete in Europe in 2013 and have gained valuable experience throughout the summer. In June, Francis and the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding were part of the U.S. team that finished third at the Aachen CDIO5*. Seidel is no stranger to podium finishes, helping U.S. teams earn medals at Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games. In Hickstead, he will ride Coral Reef Ranch’s talented 13-year-old Westphalian mare Coral Reef Wylea. The pair, who also received a grant, collected two second place finishes two weeks ago at the Lingen CDI4*.

Kathleen Raine and Breanna (SusanJStickle.com)
Kathleen Raine and Breanna (SusanJStickle.com)

Rounding out the Nations Cup effort for the U.S. at Hickstead are Raine (Murrieta, CA) and Page (Wellington, FL). Raine, a member of the Bronze medal winning U.S. team at the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games, will ride the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program graduate Breanna this weekend in Nations Cup competition. Raine and Jennifer Mason, David Wightman and her own 13-year-old Hanoverian mare have also received a grant to compete in Europe and recently placed third in the Grand Special at the Lingen CDI4*. Page will ride her longtime partner Alina in Hickstead’s Nations Cup. She will utilize the experience garnered at the 2006 FEI World Cup Final as she looks to earn a top finish this week with the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare. The combinations also competed in Lingen two weeks ago earning a third place finish in the Grand Prix for the Kur.

Blake (Encinitas, CA) has also been gaining valuable experience in Europe after receiving a USEF grant. In Hickstead, he will be aiming for top results with Melanie Pai’s 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Ikaros.

Future stars of U.S. dressage will also be on display over the weekend as up-and-coming American horses contest Hickstead’s Small Tour competition. Bateson-Chandler (Wellington, FL) will ride Jane Clark’s eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Alcazar and Francis will ride another talented horse of Patricia Stempel’s, the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding Danilo.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Hickstead CDIO3*, visit: http://www.dressageathickstead.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

Prize List for Alltech National Horse Show CSI-W 5* Available Now Online

Lexington, KY – July 31, 2013 – The prize list for the Alltech National Horse Show CSI-W 5* is now posted online. The highly popular equestrian showcase returns to the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 29 through November 3, 2013.

The prize list can be downloaded at: www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com.

With over $850,000 in prize money offered, this year’s show has been designated a CSI-W 5* show by the FEI. The International Open Jumpers will compete for $530,000 in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $205,000. Meanwhile, $100,000 is offered to the Amateur/Owner and Junior Jumpers and the American Saddlebreds will compete for over $20,000.

The Alltech National Horse Show, for the second year in a row, received a top ranking from NARG, the North American Riders Group and was named the Show Hunter Hall of Fame Horse Show of the Year in back to back years.

The Alltech National Horse Show returns to the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 29 through November 3, 2013.

For tickets and more information, visit the website at: www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com.

About Alltech:
Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 31 years’ experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2650 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia. For further information, visit www.alltech.com. For media assets, visit www.alltech.com/press.

Alltech is the proud title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. For more information about these prestigious global championships, visit www.alltechfeiweg2014-normandy.com.

2013 Alltech National Horse Show Fast Facts

What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 29 – November 3, 2013, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Carolyn Vincent
National Horse Show
PO Box 386
Greenvale, NY 11548

Telephone:
Phone: (516) 484-1865
Fax: (516) 484-1982

Email:
NationalHS@aol.com

Website:
www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located in the Alltech Arena.

Additional Contacts:
Vendors – Matt Morrissey at Mmorri4398@aol.com or 941 915-3457
VIP Table Sales – Karen Lucca at kll@phelpsmediagroup.com or (561) 753-3389
Advertising – Deborah Darwin at needlepointfarm@aol.com or (561) 313-0384
Sponsorship:
Mason Phelps at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com or 561-753-3389
Susie Webb at webb_susie@yahoo.com or 301-520-6162
Christian Palmer at Christian@phelpsmediagroup.com or (612) 618-8216

Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles

For further information on housing in the Lexington area, we invite you to visit www.visitlex.com and www.georgetownky.com.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Horse Show Secretary:
Cindy Bozan
859-233-0492
Email: secretary.nhs@aol.com

ALLTECH MEDIA CONTACT:

Elizabeth Adams
North America PR, Alltech
Alltech Corporate Headquarters
3031 Catnip Hill Pike
Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356
eadams@alltech.com
(859) 401-2964

ALLTECH NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:

Re: News and Information:

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12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Re: Media Credentialing:

Classic Communications
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Foxboro, MA 02035
508-698-6810 (phone)
508-698-6811 (fax)
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History in the Making as Para-Dressage Joins Jumping and Dressage at Herning

Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup, pictured here with her former ride Labbenhus Snovs who sadly passed away last summer, will be determined to put the host nation on the medal podium at the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark next month. Photo: FEI/Liz Gregg.

Lausanne (SUI), 31 July 2013 – A new page in the history books of equestrian sport will be turned when, for the very first time at European level, Para-Dressage athletes compete alongside their Jumping and Dressage counterparts at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark in three weeks’ time.

These Championships will be Denmark’s biggest sporting fixture of 2013, and thousands of spectators are expected to enjoy a feast of equestrian excellence at the MCH and JYSK Arenas during the six-day fixture which begins on 20 August.

The home supporters will have plenty to cheer about, because their Para-Dressage riders are in flying form having enjoyed a tremendously successful team outing in Mannheim, Germany just two months ago. At the previous European championships in Moorsele, Belgium in 2011, the British were the dominant force, but Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup prevented them from making a clean sweep of the medals and Danish athletes will be sure to pressurise the rest once again this time around.

Battle Begins

A total of 62 competitors from 20 nations will line out, and the battle for the team medals in the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships begins on 21 August. Following their phenomenal success at the London 2012 Paralympic Games there is no doubting the extraordinary strength of the British contingent who achieved a record haul of 11 medals, while the German Paralympic squad also exceeded all their previous accomplishments when taking seven medals in total.

At the 2011 FEI European Championships in Moorsele, the British already had the team and three individual titles under their belt before adding four more on the final afternoon. While many of the British contingent were seasoned campaigners however, the 2011 fixture also saw the emergence of many new names including Helen Kearney, who put her name into the record books when clinching Ireland’s very first medal. Kearney went on to Olympic glory last summer, taking a further three medals there, and, flying in the face of a progressive degenerative disorder, the 24-year-old who also graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin in 2012, will be back in action at Herning with her horse, Mr Cool, under the watchful eye of trainer Heike Holstein.

Kearney is just one of the very many athletes whose spirit, courage, determination and skill has inspired colossal interest in the sport of Para-Dressage, which has continued to go from strength to strength in recent years. Britain’s Sophie Christiansen is another. A three-time Olympian, the 25-year-old received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) award following her fabulous hat-trick of Olympic gold medals won at Greenwich Park last summer.

Host-nation perspective

From the host-nation perspective, all eyes will be on Kaastrup, who took double-bronze and Freestyle gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 before going on to team and individual silver along with Freestyle gold in Grade 1b at the Europeans in Moorsele a year later. From there, her sights were then firmly set on Paralympic honours last summer only for tragedy to strike when her wonderful New Forest pony, Labbenhus Snovs, just 145cms tall and the perfect partner for his talented rider, died suddenly in the lead-up to the Games.

The 18-year-old athlete, who lives in Fyn, the third-largest of Denmark’s islands, was devastated. She had been riding Snovs since she was 13 years old and always described him as her “very best friend”. But, demonstrating the awe-inspiring resilience that places Para-Dressage athletes above all others, she has re-grouped and re-organised herself.

With her new horse, Steffi Graff, Kaastrup finished third in Grade 1b Freestyle and individual competitions at the British Festival of Dressage in Hartpury in early July. Kaastrup only got Steffi Graf four months earlier, but the partnership established itself almost immediately. “She is the most amazing horse I have ever met! From the first time I sat on her back she just accepted me and understood my signals. She gave me back the joy of riding, because every training session with her is a thrill!” the Danish rider enthused afterwards.

Looking forward to Herning she continued: “I missed riding for our amazing team last year (at the London 2012 Paralympic Games), and it is so impressive that the people behind the show have made it possible to combine three Championships (Dressage, Jumping and Para-Dressage) in one giant show on Danish ground. Also, of course, I want to show everyone that I’ve still got it. I can’t wait!” she said. She sees Herning as one more milestone on the road to yet another goal, the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but she knows there is a lot more work to do before she gets there.

And on the form they showed at Hartpury (GBR), the British squad is going to present formidable opposition to all others at the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning. They proved unbeatable at their home fixture and, with Christiansen, Natasha Baker, Ricky Balshaw, Sophie Wells and the evergreen Anne Dunham at their disposal, they will be the ones to beat.

However, as Kaastrup recently pointed out, “In riding and working with horses everything can happen. I think almost everybody on the (Danish) team has learned that lesson. So nothing is 100 percent certain until you are riding down the centre-line at these great events.”

The JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage team medals will be decided on Tuesday 22 August, the individual medals will be awarded on Saturday 24, and the Freestyle medals will be presented on the final day of the Championships, Sunday 25 August.

Facts and Figures:

The JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships 2013 will take place at Herning (DEN) from 21 to 25 August.

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

Competitors from 20 nations will participate.

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

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

A total of 62 horse-and-rider combinations are listed in the definite entries (19 July 2013).

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

The full list of entries for the FEI European Para-Dressage Championships 2013 is available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At FEI

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Herning

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

ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 – Dressage Preview

Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival will be chasing their third consecutive victory in the Grand Prix Special and a back-to-back double in the Freestyle at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning. Photo: FEI/Peter Nixon.

Lausanne (SUI), 30 July 2013 – In the final countdown to the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships, one of the three disciplines to be contested at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning (DEN), the stage is set for another intriguing encounter in the history of a sport that has undergone radical changes in recent years. It was at the last European Championships in Rotterdam (NED) in 2011 that the British bounced to prominence, claiming their very first team title and sending a warning shot across the bows of the other nations that had previously been so dominant.

Germany had long towered like a Colossus over the sport, taking the team title on 21 occasions since the first event took place in Copenhagen (DEN) back in 1963 and undefeated in the battle for the team honours right up until 2005 before the Dutch managed to break their spell at La Mandria (ITA) in 2007. Thanks to sparkling partnerships like Anky Van Grunsven and Salinero, Edward Gal and Totilas and Adelinde Cornelissen with Jerich Parzival, the Dutch then became the ones to beat, but another new era began with the British breakthrough two years ago that has set the template for everything that has followed ever since.

The fluid, forward-going, light-contact riding style demonstrated by Britain’s Carl Hester and his pupil, Charlotte Dujardin, has now become the desired objective, with judges clearly rewarding those who are prepared to follow suit.  Now many riders have effectively used the time since Rotterdam to put even more emphasis on lightness and harmony, and the tidal wave of change has been rewarded by renewed and expanded interest in the sport, which is thriving like never before.

Phenomenal

The interest in the British team and Dujardin’s individual triumph at the London 2012 Olympic Games has been little short of phenomenal, but yet another new order has been establishing itself over the intervening months. The 28-year-old rider and the lovely gelding Valegro displaced Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival as the superstars in the aftermath of their success in the British capital, but working quietly away in the background was Helen Langehanenberg, a member of the silver-medal-winning German team in 2011 who was just squeezed out of a medal placing in London last summer. Langehanenberg and the gorgeous stallion, Damon Hill had finished as runners-up to Cornelissen at the 2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final a few months before that, and the German was determined to take the top step of the podium at the Reem Acra Final this spring and did so in convincing style.  She comes to these FEI European Dressage Championships as a formidable threat, and with a powerful back-up team that includes Anabel Balkenhol (Dablino FRH), Kristina Sprehe (Desperados FRH) and Isabell Werth (Don Johnson FRH), putting Germany in a very strong position indeed.

The British aren’t intimated, however, despite a relatively modest performance from Dujardin and Valegro during the pilot FEI Nations Cup Dressage series in Rotterdam (NED) last month. The pair showed flashes of their usual brilliance as they helped their side to victory with the biggest score of the day, but the Olympic champion admitted: “There are a few things I have to sharpen up.” She will need to be at her very sharpest to keep Langehanenberg at bay this time, and the battle between Germany and the British, who send out three of their 2011 gold medal winning side, promises to be fascinating.

Dujardin’s mentor, trainer and friend, and the man she calls “Grandad”, Carl Hester, took individual silver in both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle in 2011, while Laura Tomlinson (formerly Bechtolsheimer) took Grand Prix Special bronze. The Olympic gold medal trio will be joined by Michael Eilberg with Half Moon Delphi in Herning.

They must know that expectations are great, with Dujardin awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) following her double Olympic gold medal victory, and Hester and Tomlinson each earning an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), for their contributions to last summer’s glorious Olympic result. Living up to those expectations will be no mean feat.

Regrouping

Meanwhile the Dutch have been regrouping despite a health scare for Cornelissen’s Parzival who had to be treated for arrhythmia last month. The big chestnut gelding missed the Dutch National Championships as a result, but he has recovered so well that he has been selected to join Glock’s Undercover with Edward Gal on board, Glock’s Romanov ridden by Hans Peter Minderhoud, and Kingsley Siro with Danielle Heijkoop in the saddle for the forthcoming Championships.

There was a real buzz about Gal and Undercover during the Dutch Championships, and with Minderhoud in flying form and Cornelissen and Parzival back in business, it seems there is a fascinating three-way contest for the team title in prospect, while it is also very open for the individual medals. Cornelissen of course will be on an additional personal mission in this context, as she will be hoping to top the Grand Prix Special for the third consecutive time and perhaps also make it a double of Freestyle titles.

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello will also be ones to watch, their recent results suggesting they will challenge strongly. They will be joined by team-mates Minna Telde with Santana, Patrik Kittel with Watermill Scandic HDC and Malin Hamilton with Fleetwood. The host nation of Denmark will be competitive with Andreas Helgstrand (Akeem Foldager), Anna Kasprzak (Donnperignon), Lone Bang Larsen (Fitou L) and the always-reliable Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein (Digby) flying the home flag.

A total of 15 countries have entered teams – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. And five nations will be represented by individual riders – Armenia, Ireland, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.

Competition Format

The action will begin on Wednesday 21 August with the first part of the Team Competition and the team medals will be decided the following day. The individual Grand Prix Special will take place on Friday 23 August and, following a rest day on Saturday, the Freestyle will bring the entire ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 to a close.

The task ahead of the Ground Jury will not be a simple one. Led by President Leif Tornblad (DEN), judges Susan Hoevenaars (AUS), Dietrich Plewa (GER), Gustav Svalling (SWE), Isabelle Judet (FRA), Francis Verbeek (NED) and Andrew Gardner (GBR) must choose their champions from a wide-ranging wealth of talent this discipline has never witnessed before. Testament to the level of excellence now almost commonplace in this ever-changing sport, they too will be tested to the limit before the new champions are crowned.

Facts and Figures:

The FEI European Dressage Championships 2013 will take place at Herning in Denmark from 20 to 25 August.

Competitors from 20 nations will participate.

15 countries have entered teams:  Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

5 nations will be represented by individual riders:  Armenia, Ireland, Russia, Poland and Ukraine.

A total of 69 horse-and-rider combinations are listed in the definite entries (17 July 2013).

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 full list of entries for the FEI European Dressage Championships 2013 is available HERE.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At FEI

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Herning

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

Christopher Payne and Take Time Take Lead at Kentucky Summer Classic

Christopher Payne and Take Time. Photos by Emily Riden.

Lexington, KY – July 30, 2013 – Christopher Payne always enjoys competing at the Kentucky Summer Classic, so not much will keep him away from the show ring – not even two broken ribs. Despite a recent injury, Payne ushered in the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic, running today through Sunday, August 4, in flawless, winning style. He and Take Time, owned by Sydney Reed of Leawood, KS, finished first and second in the day’s opening classes of the Performance 3’6″ Hunters. Molly Sewell also had an successful day at the Kentucky Horse Park, leading the field in both the Green Conformation Hunters and the High Performance Hunters with Satisfaction and Zin Zin, respectively.

“It definitely still hurts,” Payne said of his broken ribs, “but Take Time gave me great rides so that makes it easier. I imported him as a 4-year-old, and he’s about 11 now, so I’ve had him for some time. He did the Pre-Greens, the First Years, the Adult Amateurs and now the Juniors. He’s just the most steady, most fun horse to ride. He has a very light mouth so you just close your leg, and the distance really shows itself.”

Payne and Take Time, or “Brady”, navigated the day’s Bobby Murphy designed courses with ease to take the blue ribbon in the first class and the red second place behind Wish List, owned by Lori Snetsinger and ridden by Cody Lewis-Shultz, in the second class.

Based out of New Hope Farm LLC in nearby Cincinnati, OH, Payne is a Kentucky Summer Horse Shows regular, electing to spend much of the summer here.

“Out of all of the venues in the country that I’ve seen, this is the most horse friendly environment,” Payne commented. “With the fields to ride in you can really let your horse decompress by taking him out on a trail ride. The horses absolutely love it. It just keeps them so fresh-minded.”

Payne and Take Time will return tomorrow to vie for the Performance 3’6″ Hunter division championship, and Take Time’s owner, Sydney Reed will take over the ride in the Junior Hunters later in the week.

Molly Sewell and Zin Zin
Molly Sewell and Zin Zin

In the High Performance Hunters, Sewell and Zin Zin, owned by Travis Lingenfelter of Saginaw, MI, dominated the competitive field finishing first and second over fences and third in the under saddle.

Sewell first got the ride on the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Zin Zin, in May, and the pair meshed quickly.

“He’s my ride to the ‘T.’ He’s not lazy. He carries you, but yet he doesn’t pull. He’s really, really scopey. The 3’6″ feels like the 4. He’s just absolutely lovely,” praised Sewell. “This is probably about the fourth horse show I’ve done with him. He’s a beautiful jumper, and he’s really moving well too, so we’re really excited about him.”

Earlier in the morning Sewell rode to similar top honors aboard Satisfaction, owned by Peakewood Pharm, Inc. of Sanford, FL. The 7-year-old Hanoverian started the day with a blue ribbon in the Green Conformation Model, and he returned later to earn two additional blue ribbons, one under saddle and one over fences.

“The courses were great today. Satisfaction has such a big stride. It’s nice to just kind of lope around the course. He really, really went beautifully today. He’s really grown up,” shared Sewell.

Taking the win in the first Green Conformation Hunter over fences class were Sandy Ferrell and Mariano, owned by Stephanie Riggio of New York, NY, while Sewell and Satisfaction finished in a close second.

Competition resumes tomorrow at 8 a.m. with the First Year Green Hunters kicking things off in the Stonelea Ring. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Hong Kong’s Ho Takes Individual Gold at Inaugural FEI Asian Eventing Championships

Hong Kong’s Annie Ho was crowned the first-ever FEI Asian Eventing Individual Champion at Pattaya in Thailand last Sunday. Photo: FEI/Tor Chalermcharn.

Host nation Thailand claims team title

Pattaya (THA), 30 July 2013 – The host nation took team gold and Hong Kong’s Annie Ho claimed the individual title at the inaugural FEI Asian Eventing Championships at Pattaya in Thailand last weekend. Thai team members Thanaporn Chavatanont and Preecha Khunian also claimed individual silver and bronze.

The Championships were held at the fabulous Thai Polo and Equestrian Club, which has stabling for 120 horses and embraces almost 500 acres of countryside. Foreign Technical Delegate, Australian’s Geoff Sinclair, described the location as “world class” for Eventing. “The stabling, horse inspection area, dressage and jumping arenas, a true 1* Cross Country course design and veterinary facilities, including a new hospital, would be highly rated anywhere,” he commented.

Equestrian events were first included in the programme of the Asian Games back in 1998, and the development of Jumping in the region has blossomed ever since. However it has been a bit more of a struggle for the sport of Eventing, with the general competitive standard across Asia still at a fairly basic level in this discipline. These inaugural FEI Eventing Championships were therefore designed to help raise the standard of competition, and to increase the number of competitive opportunities for Asian athletes and their horses. Staged at CIC-CH 1* level, the Championships attracted 19 riders from five National Federations – Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand.

Strongest Contender

Ho always looked the strongest contender and it was clear that she had not flown her horse Super Combed all the way from England without a firm plan for success. Having established the lead in the Dressage phase with a mark of 46.1, she added only 1.2 time penalties on Cross Country day and a single time fault in the final Jumping phase for a clear victory with a final tally of 48.2.

Thailand’s Thanaporn Chavatanont and Painters Peer were close behind after the first phase when the Dressage Ground Jury – New Zealand’s William Phiskie, Japan’s Sumiko Suzuki and Australia’s Ronald Paterson – awarded them a mark of 48.8. Japan’s sole representative, Negishi Atsushi riding Rata, was lying third on a score of 51.9 as Cross Country day began, but the run across the solid timber was to prove very influential indeed.

Both the Indian and Indonesian teams ran into problems over the track designed by New Zealand’s John Nicholson, leaving the host side, coached by Thailand’s 2012 Olympic Eventing representative Nina Lamsam Ligon, with no opposition for the team title. Only eight of the 19 starters managed to complete the course.

Comfortable Winner

There were just seven individuals left to battle it out on the final day after the withdrawal of Thailand’s Korntawat Samran (Maximus F) in the second horse inspection. Ho’s single time fault over the coloured poles left her a very comfortable winner with more than a 23-point advantage over silver medallist Chavatanont who added 14.8 cross-country time penalties and four more for a fence down in the Jumping phase for a final total of 71.6.

With 14 Cross Country time penalties and 16 Jumping faults along with five for time, Japan’s Atsushi dropped to fourth, allowing Thailand’s Weerapat Pitakanonda (Monarchs Royal Touch), who completed on 72.9, to step onto the individual podium for bronze. Thailand’s Supanut Wannakol (O-Re-O) finished fifth ahead of Supap Khaw-Ngam (Ardbohill Lad) in sixth and the home side also filled seventh place when Naphatra Lerosilpjaroen (Adventurer) completed on a score of 106.9.

In the team event, Chavatanont was joined on the gold-medal winning side by Weerapat Pitakanonda (Monarchs Royal Touch), Supap Khaw-Ngam (Ardbohill Lad) who finished on 108.7, and Preecha Khunian (Miss Black Magic) who was one of the 11 eliminations from the starting field of 19.

Ho is already re-setting her targets, with the 2013 National Games, the 2014 Asian Games and even the 2016 Olympic Games now in her sights. Born in Hong Kong, she moved to Great Britain at the age of five and has a degree in Equine Business Management along with a British Horse Society instructor qualification. She was stable manager during the 2008 Olympic Test Event in Hong Kong, but lives in Surrey, England, and qualified for the FEI Asian Eventing Championships 2013 while competing on the British eventing circuit. She now returns to her British base as the first-ever FEI Asian Individual Eventing Champion.

Results:

FEI Asian Team Eventing Championship 2013:  GOLD – Thailand 253.2: Painters Peer (Thanaporn Chavatanont) 71.6, Monarchs Royal Touch (Weerapat Pitakanonda) 72.9, Ardbohill Lad (Supap Khaw-Ngam) 108.7, Miss Black Magic (Preecha Khunian) 1050.

FEI Asian Individual Eventing Championship 2013:  GOLD – Super Combed (Annie Ho) HKG 48.2; SILVER – Painters Peer (Thanaporn Chavatanont) 71.6; BRONZE – Monarchs Royal Touch (Weerapat Pitakanonda) 72.9.

By Louise Parkes

Peters Steals the Limelight as Brilliant British Take Four-Time Gold

(L to R) silver medallist Semmieke Rothenberger (GER), gold medallist Phoebe Peters (GBR) and bronze medallist Lisanne Zoutendijk (NED). Photo: FEI/Helen Revington.

Team Double for Germany While Ireland Clinches Individual Jumping Title

Lausanne (SUI), 29 July 2013 – British riders dominated the podium at the FEI European Pony Championships 2013 in Arezzo, Italy where Phoebe Peters created a sensation when storming to victory in both Individual and Freestyle Dressage, and Yasmin Ingham secured double-gold in Eventing.  Germany topped the team events in Dressage and Jumping, while Susan Fitzpatrick clinched the Individual Jumping title for Ireland.

A total of 159 competitors from 17 nations lined out, and the flags of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland adorned the showgrounds.  Temperatures soared throughout the week, but ponies and riders coped admirably under the Tuscan sun.

Arezzo Equestrian Centre has long been a favourite with senior jumping riders throughout the spring season as horses are prepared for their tough summer schedule during the hugely popular Toscana tournament.  In a literally ground-breaking move, however, the venue expanded its potential with the creation of a brand new cross-country course for this year’s European Pony fixture.  Designed by Italy’s Francesco Finocchiaro the 24-fence track stretched into the surrounding countryside before returning to a dramatic finish within the famous Boccaccio arena. Italy’s Pier Francesco Bazzocchi designed the tracks for the Jumping Championships, and the quality of competition in all three disciplines was nothing short of spectacular.

Dressage

Germany took the team title for the 23rd time in the 27-year history of the Dressage Championships which were first staged at San Remo, Italy in 1986.  The Netherlands claimed silver medal spot and the British stood on the third step of the podium. Britain’s Peters gave warning of what was to come when producing the highest score of the entire competition with SL Lucci who achieved a mark of 77.795.

Germany already held the lead at the halfway stage thanks to excellent rides for Nadine Krauss (Danilo) who scored 75.692 and Sophie Kampmann (Voyager) who earned a mark of 75.513 on the first day. And although Semmieke Rothenberger and the great Deinhard B didn’t show their usual brilliance when scoring 71.846 the following morning, the German side still had the gold in their grasp before last-line rider, Hannah Cichos, extended their margin of advantage over their Dutch rivals with 74.590 from Equestricons Lord Champion.

The German total came to 225.795, with the Dutch combined score 221.513 while the British posted 219.667. Fourth place went to Denmark (212.33) with France in fifth (204.000) and Belgium in sixth place (203.700).  A total of 13 teams competed, with the British returning to the medal podium for the first time in six years.

After the team medal ceremony, Ground Jury member, Freddy Leyman from Belgium, couldn’t disguise his delight with the level of sport.  “We are seeing all of the riders producing very high-quality performances.  The standard just gets better and better every year and there are so many top combinations.  It’s different for the judges than it was five years ago.  Now it is a bigger challenge for us because the difference between the riders is in every little detail,” he said.  And there was a great deal more excitement to come.

Peters sensationally clinched Individual gold two days later. She threw down the gauntlet with another fabulous test that oozed confidence, grace, lightness and accuracy for a score of 79.049. Four of the five judges put her in first place with a winning margin of just over half a percentage point ahead of Rothenberger in silver with 78.463, while The Netherlands‘ Lisanne Zoutendijk continued to impress when clinching bronze with Champ of Class scoring 77.317.

British Chef d’Equipe, Liz Mills, said, “We were all hoping for good things here because they (Peters and SL Lucci) have been so very, very consistent.  They won at Saumur and Compiegne – and at Vidauban they won six tests.  In total they have won 11 out of 15 competitions in the last while.  They are a fantastic partnership!” she pointed out.

Peters has been riding SL Lucci for two years and was on last year’s British team at the European Championships in Fontainebleau.  Under the tutelage of Peter Storr, her partnership with her gelding has gone from strength to strength.  When asked how she felt about her incredible victory, the 14-year-old rider said modestly, “I’m really pleased.  Every time I ask, Lucci gives me 110 percent, and he tries so hard for me.”  She was particularly pleased with “the simple changes; he’s very strong at that, and today they pulled the score up again.”  She says she is inspired by her trainer and by the stunning Olympic performances of the British senior team.  “Charlotte (Dujardin) and Carl (Hester) have paved the way for us all now!” she pointed out.

While she was waiting to go into the medal ceremony, her pony was standing sleepily, probably wondering if there might be a few extra carrots in his feed that night.  “He’s always like this,” Peters said, “but when he goes into the arena he really lights up, that’s one of the great things about him.  He’s the best, he amazes me, and there were things I could have done much better today so we can do even better again!” she added.

And she was right about that too.  When it came to the Freestyle the pair was in a class of their own, placing particular emphasis on their exceptional symmetry in canter-work.  The entire test had a sense of calm cooperation, and as they marched up the centre line it was clear they were about to create another sensation.  The spectators gasped when a score of 84.000 went up on the scoreboard – that was always going to be near-impossible to beat.

And so it proved.  With just four left to go, Germany’s Sophie Kampmann and Voyager earned a mark of 77.875 before Zoutendijk and Champ of Class took their turn.  And, as Dutch Chef d’Equipe Tineke Bartels commented afterwards, “Champ of Class was even more fit than yesterday.  His test was more fresh and he rode more uphill, and his attitude was very nice.”  The Dutch partnership was rewarded with a great mark of 80.775 for silver medal spot while Germany’s Rothenberger and Deinhard B posted 80.625 for bronze medal position.  Peters’ double gold was all the more remarkable for the fact that British riders had never previously taken any individual medal at the FEI European Pony Championships.

Ground Jury member, Susanne Baarup from Denmark, said the judges were all in agreement about the top three riders, and echoed the sentiments of so many of those who witnessed this amazing week of pony dressage. “The standard is getting so high, we just don’t know where it will end!” she said.

Jumping

In a spectacular battle that went right down to the wire, Germany emerged to claim the Jumping Team title ahead of Great Britain in silver and Ireland in bronze medal position.  At the halfway stage it seemed the defending champions from Britain had it all sewn up with the only zero score, but France, Ireland and Germany were all lying just a fence behind and, in the end, three second-round clears from Germany sealed it.

The French lost out in dramatic style when last-line rider, Megane Moissonnier’s stallion Jimmerdor de Florys, stopped twice for a heart-breaking elimination that opened the door for the Irish.  This was the sixth time for Germany to take Team Jumping gold.  Their last victory was at Bishop Burton in Great Britain in 2010 and their first was back in 1989 at Millstreet in Ireland where Marcus Ehning, now one of the most famous names in the sport, was a member of the winning side.

The British began to look vulnerable when pathfinders Amy Inglis and Lea du Genier hit the middle of the triple combination at fence eight, but Emily Ward steadied the ship when following with a concentrated clear from King Mac.  However when Faye Adams’ chestnut mare, the 14-year-old Some Like It Hot, put a foot in the water, the picture began to change again.  By then the Irish looked well out of it following a double-error from opener Tim McDonagh with Imagine If One and four faults apiece for Matt Garrigan (Future Interest) and Killian Norris (Javes Alun).

In contrast, only the opening German partnership of Philipp Schulze Tophoff (Mentos Junior 2) made a second-round error while team-mates Enno Klaphake (Pepper Ann), Justin Tebbel (Okehurst Little Bow Wow) and Lara Volmer (Carrick 13) jumped superb clear rounds to pile the pressure on the French and British in the battle for the gold.  Tressy Muhr had opened the French second-round effort with three fences down with Qredo des Islots, but Jean Zhemal (Nymphe du Sud) and Ninon Castex (Quabar des Monceaux) were foot-perfect so, if Moissonnier could follow suit, then they would be on level-pegging with the Germans and perhaps the British.  But there was a groan of horror when the French rider’s pony decided he had enough, first stopping at the vertical at fence three and then again at the oxer at fence five, to bring their day to an end.  France would now have to count those 12 faults from Muhr, and suddenly the Irish were back in the game because their final partnership of Susan Fitzpatrick and Rock Dee Jay produced a brilliant clear to leave them on a total of 12.

It was now all up to 2012 Individual Champion, Mille Allen from Great Britain.  If she could return without penalty then one of the two four-faults on her team’s score-sheet could be dropped and they would go into a jump-off for gold against Germany.  But, as Chef d’Equipe Katrina Moore said afterwards, ”The water played a big part in the British result,” and it wasn’t a good one as the judge’s flag was raised yet again.

There were a lot of wet Germans in the aftermath, Chef d’Equipe Peter Teeuwen first to be unceremoniously deposited in the lake in the Baccocchi Arena before his riders joined him.  They all arrived into the post-competition press conference looking a little less than pristine but with big smiles on their faces. “I’m very proud of my riders and my ponies,” the winning team manager said.  “We didn’t start so well in the first round but in the afternoon we were better and we really fought for the gold.”  British Chef d’Equipe, Katrina Moore, said, “We always knew the Germans would be hard to beat so we were not surprised by how strong they were.” Looking forward, she added, “Now we have four riders in the top 12 going into the Individual Final and we are very hopeful about that.”

And what a thriller the Individual final was, with Ireland’s Susan Fitzpatrick emerging to take the gold and a five-way jump-off for silver and bronze. Denmark’s Jessica Toelstang held the lead going into the final day with a zero score followed by Ninon Castex from France (Quaber des Monceaux) carrying just a single penalty, while the eventual gold and silver medallists were amongst the group of eight pony-and-rider combinations who had four penalty points each at this stage.  Castex took over the lead when clear in the opening round while Toelstang left a pole on the floor and so was sharing silver medal spot with Fitzpatrick and Allen as round two began, and another five riders were now tied for bronze on eight faults.

It was Fitzpatrick’s double-clear that clinched it for the 14-year-old from Country Kilkenny.  Allen hit the oxer at fence four second time out, while there was a gasp when Toelstang and her 16-year-old mare lowered the second fence moving both of these riders onto an eight-fault tally.  And there was heart-break for Castex who had already left a fence on the floor before her stallion got into a muddle in the triple combination and stopped at the last element.  She circled and finished, but with nine faults on the board all her dreams of Championship glory had slipped away.

With the Irish girl now confirmed in gold medal spot, the five-way jump-off for the remaining medals began with a four-fault round from German team gold medallist Lars Volmer and his fabulous grey stallion Carrick 13.  There were three of the British silver medal winning team still in contention, and Amy Inglis was first of these to go against the clock, but the middle part of the double fell for four faults.  Team-mate Emily Ward was next in with King Mac and produced the first clear in 33.52, but Allen and Song Girl shaved just under a second off that with a superb run in 32.91 that clinched silver while Toelstang and her mare, Nikolina, breezed home in 33.28 for the bronze.

Fitzpatrick, only the fifth Irish rider to take the coveted Individual Jumping title, thanked her trainer, Denis Flannelly, and all her back-up team.  She admitted she had gold in her sights coming to these championships with the 11-year-old gelding son of Arko lll, Rock Dee Jay, who twice earned team silver for Ireland with Max O’Reilly-Hyland in the saddle.  “I did hope for gold, but it’s hard to believe I actually got it!” the Irish girl said afterwards.

Eventing

In bronze medal position going into the final jumping phase of the Eventing Championship, all four British team members went clear to finish on their dressage scores and snatch victory from the French who had to settle for silver, while the defending champions from Ireland rose from fourth place to clinch the bronze.

Yasmin Ingham was crowned Individual champion when, lying third going into the final day, the two riders ahead of her both faltered.  The Italian team slipped from the reckoning when two of their riders collected penalties, and eight faults proved particularly costly for Matteo Guidici (Mon Nantano de Florys) who dropped from silver medal position to finish ninth individually for the host nation.  It was also a desperately frustrating day for Victor Levecque from France whose stunning dressage and cross-country performances seemed to have set him up for the individual title, only to be denied by a stop and a fence down on the final afternoon.  However the strength of the lead he had established in the Dressage arena was underpinned by the fact that he was still able to finish in individual bronze medal spot.  Meanwhile a clear with Perle de Boisdelanouse clinched individual silver for his team-mate Marine Bolleret who was hovering just outside the medal zone in fourth as the final phase began.

On cross-country day, all four of the leading nations maintained their Dressage positions.  The French had just a 1.70 point advantage over Italy in second place with Great Britain just over four points further adrift being closely stalked by the Irish.  The Germans were lying fifth as the day began, but their chances were dashed when Anna Kamieth retired with Mr Harvey after a stop at the third element of the Roller Coaster combination at fence 11 and Julian Wipperman was eliminated for a fall from Chessy at the Steeplechase fence at eight.

The Roller Coaster, which followed the Water Splash at 10, produced some interesting moments as the slope on the landing side of the first element seemed to take some ponies by surprise, and the nearby Hill and Boat water complex also proved influential, with refusals for three different riders at the first element.  However it was the brush corner at 20, located in the Boccacci Arena and jumped on a bending line following the previous drop into water, that racked up the most penalties. From the starting field of 49, there were seven cross-country eliminations while a total of 41 completed, and 27 added nothing to their Dressage scores.

Just 1.80 faults separated the top two teams in the final analysis, while the Irish finished six points further adrift.  Ingham (Craig Mor Tom), Rose Nesbitt (Carrowmore Gemstone), Libby Seed (Mr Vick) and Charlotte Bacon (Three Wells Breeze) completed with a tally of 142.20 to take gold for Britain, while the French side of Bolleret and Levecque along with Yfke Bourget (Daijpour) and Marie Gagneux (Plume de Virey) posted 144.00 for silver.  Ireland’s Shannon Nelson (Millridge Buachaill Bui), Lucy Latta (Nono), Donnacha O’Brian (Ice Cool Bailey) and Nessa Briody (Rathnaleen Dark Secret) registered 150.90 to push the host nation off the medal podium by a margin of just 2.80 penalty points.  The relieved Irish Chef d’Equipe, Sue Shortt, said she was glad that her side had not lost out on the medals by such a narrow margin.  “I couldn’t have faced going home if we had been beaten by 0.7 percent!” she pointed out.  Ireland’s Nelson finished individually fourth.

British Chef d’Equipe Sarah Hancox said, “We brought a very talented squad of six girls who have bonded into a great team.  They all achieved personal bests in dressage and they all finished on their dressage scores”.  French Chef d’Equipe, Emmanuel Quittet, held a protective arm around Levecque during the final post-competition press conference.  “I’m feeling very sad for him,” Quittet said, “but I’m happy for the result in the end.”

Italy’s Katherine Lucheschi, a member of the Ground Jury for Eventing, praised the organisation of the entire FEI European Pony Championship fixture at Arezzo, and the flexibility and ingenuity shown by the team who made it all happen.  “When we came here on Tuesday we were amazed by the wonderful facilities.  They had never held a three-day-event here in Arezzo, but Francesco Finocchiaro and his assistant Gianni Gusci Renzetti have done an amazing job building the cross-country course from scratch, and the whole week has been a wonderful experience and a great success.”

Results:

FEI European Pony Team Dressage Championship:  GOLD – Germany 225.795: Danilo (Nadine Krauss) 75.692, Voyager (Sohie Kampmann) 75.513, Deinhard B (Semmieke Rothenberger) 71.846, Equestricons Lord Champion (Hannah Cichos) 74.590; SILVER – Netherlands 221.513: Hassendonck S Sultan (Joelie Peters) 71.487, Champ of Class (Lisanne Zoutendijk) 75.821, Kingsley Ciske (Demy Kurstjens) 71.974, Dr Watson (Febe van Zwambagt) 73.718; BRONZE – Great Britain 219.667: Valido’s Sunshine (Rebecca Bell) 66.128, Holsteins Derwisch (Rose Hugh-Smith) 67.795, Dynasty (Erin Williams) 74.077, SL Lucci (Phoebe Peters) 77.795.

FEI European Pony Individual Dressage Championship:  GOLD – SL Lucci (Phoebe Peters) GBR 79.049; SILVER – Deinhard B (Semmieke Rothenberger) GER 78.463; BRONZE – Champ of Class (Lisanne Zoutendijk) NED 77.317.

FEI European Pony Freestyle Championship:  GOLD – SL Lucci (Phoebe Peters) GBR 84.000; SILVER – Champ of Class (Lisanne Zoutendijk) NED 80.778; BRONZE – Deinhard B (Semmieke Rothenberger) GER 80.625.

FEI European Pony Team Jumping Championship:  GOLD – Germany 4 faults: Mentos Junior (Philipp Schulze Topphoff) 8/4, Pepper Ann (Enno Klaphake) 0/0, Okehurst Little Bow Wow (Justine Tebbel) 4/0, Carrick 13 (Lars Volmer) 0/0; SILVER – Great Britain 8 faults: Lea du Genier (Amy Inglis) 0/4, King Mac (Emily Ward) 4/0, Some Like it Hot (Faye Adams) 0/4, Song Girl (Millie Allen) 0/4; BRONZE – Ireland 12 faults: Imagine If One (Tim MacDonagh) 0/8, Future Interest (Matt Garrigan) 4/4, Javas Alun (Killian Norris) 0/4, Rock Dee Jay (Susan Fitzpatrick) 4/0.

FEI European Pony Individual Jumping Championship:  GOLD – Rock Dee Jay (Susan Fitzpatrick) IRL 4; SILVER – Song Girl (Millie Allen) GBR 8/0 32.91; BRONZE – Nikolina (Jessica Toelstang) DEN 8/0 33.28.

FEI European Pony Eventing Team Championship:  GOLD – Great Britain 142.20: Craig Mor Tom (Yasmin Ingham) 44, Carrowmore Gemstone (Rose Nesbitt) 48.00, Mr Vick (Libby Seed) 49.20, Three Wells Breeze (Charlotte Bacon) 60.80; SILVER – France 144.00: Perle du Boisdelanoue (Marine Bolleret) 45.20, Qualitat des Bourdons (Victor Levecque) 45.70, Djaipour (Yfke Bourget) 53.10, Plume de Virey (Marie Gagneux) 73.00; BRONZE – Ireland 150.90: Millridge Buachaill Bui (Shannon Nelson) 47.30, Nono (Lucy Latta) 47.50, Ice Cool Bailey (Donnacha O’Brian) 56.10, Rathnaleen Dark Secret (Nessa Briody) 77.80.

FEI European Pony Eventing Individual Championship:  GOLD – Craig Mor Tom (Yasmin Ingham) GBR 44.00; SILVER – Perle du Boisdelanoue (Marine Bolleret) FRA 45.20; BRONZE – Qualitat des Bourdons (Victor Levecque) FRA 45.70.

By Louise Parkes

UAE Takes Individual Honours, and France Reigns Supreme in Teams on Home Soil

The French en route to team victory at the FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 on home soil in Tarbes (FRA) (Photo: Barbara Miller/FEI).

Tarbes (FRA), 29 July 2013 – Host nation France stormed to team gold at the FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 in Tarbes at the weekend (27 July), with 14-year-old Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE) and Niac Armor clinching the individual title.

Riders, horses and crews from 28 nations were tested in hot and humid conditions at the venue in the foothills of the Pyrenees, close to the world-famous pilgrimage site of Lourdes, where July temperatures are usually a moderate 24ºC. On the day of this year’s Championships, they peaked at 34ºC – just four degrees below the highest recorded temperature in Tarbes, but thanks to good horse management and sensible riding there was close to a 60% completion rate.

Combinations from all continents

With each continent of the world represented in the quality field, there was no knowing who would finally clinch the sought after podium positions, when the 86 combinations crossed the start line at 6.30 on Saturday morning.

The track was made up of four loops with a wide variety of terrain and many challenges, all made even tougher by the soaring temperatures and humidity. On the 36.6 kilometre first loop, riders took advantage of the rolling track and cooler conditions to cover it at a good speed. Less than 3.5 minutes separated the top 30 horses at Vet Gate 1, with all athletes arriving within 30 minutes of the leaders.

The UAE made their intentions for the day clear with their five riders in the top six, and the UAE’s Khalifa Ali Khalfan al Jahouri headed into the second 30.5km loop in the lead having covered the initial stage at 19.58kph. But with a much tougher stage ahead of him, it remained to be seen if he could hold onto the advantage.

As the temperatures continued to rise, and on a hilly, stony track, 11 combinations failed to qualify for the third stage. The UAE continued to dominate, looking equally strong in the team competition, but with a number of other nations hot on their heels the competition was far from over.

Loop 3 was considered the toughest of the day, measuring 32.1km, and in soaring temperatures (34ºC) and high humidity. The arrival into Vet Gate 3 saw a change in the leader. Quick presentation times were so influential throughout the day, and a speedy time here ensured that the sole Australian representatives, Erin Krahnen and Emily Jones TE, were first out on to the last loop, if only by a couple of seconds. The experienced 10-year-old grey mare, inched into the lead with just 21.1km to go on the final loop. Emily Jones TE is more often seen competing with Alexandra Toft (AUS) and the pair successfully completed last year’s Senior World Championships in Euston Park (GBR). Unfortunately for Toft, she had to withdraw her own mount from this year’s Championships prior to the event due to lameness and could only watch from the sidelines as her compatriot left on the final stage to battle for gold.

Final loop decider

The final loop was certainly competitive, with a front group of UAE horses setting a cracking pace. At this stage they still held top position in the team competition and, it seemed, were in line to take the individual honours too. Their dream however was not to be, however, when only one combination of the leading group passed the final vetting. Al Jahouri (UAE), who had been in the front running with Niac Armor from the very beginning, clinched the title, following in the footsteps of his father, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE), who took victory in the Open European Championships in Florac (FRA) in 2011. It must have felt like a home-coming for the winning horse, the talented grey mare Niac Armor, which started its international career in France some years ago.

The silver and bronze were still up for grabs and crowds waited excitedly at the finish line to see who would be claiming the next on the podium. The Dutch combination of Marijke Visser and her wonderfully consistent 10-year-old gelding Eomer took silver following a storming final loop at 23.4kph. This incredible pair finished 17th in the World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2011 and stepped up to fourth in last year’s European Championships in Mont-le-Soie (BEL). With the 2013 medal now in the bag, and with one year left as a Young Rider, she must be wondering if that elusive gold medal is on the cards next year when the European Championships moves to Italy.

The final step on the podium was taken by Krahnen (AUS), whose mount Emily Jones TE also took the coveted Best Condition title. The pair held onto third despite Oriana Ricca (URU) with Talita Kumi 50 and Kelsey Russell (USA) on My Wild Irish Gold closing in on the final stages but ultimately, Ricca and Russell had to settle for fourth and fifth.

Déjà-vu for teams

The team competition was, as always, hotly fought and in the end saw a replica of the 2010 European Championship podium, with France scooping team gold yet again, followed some distance behind by Belgium (silver) and Spain (bronze).

The 2013 edition of the FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors saw the initiation of a new formula for the team competition. All Nations can now enter five athletes without the need to declare a team. The top three positions from the five count for the team score – but now medals are only medals are awarded to the three athletes whose scores have contributed to the final result.

It was a family affair for the home squad, as Roman and Morgane Lafaure came across the line in sixth and seventh, followed closely in ninth by compatriot Robin Cornely, ensuring that France remained supreme, and now holds both the European and World titles. Their total time of just 19:44:49 put them almost one hour ahead of Belgians (Olivia Antoine, Louna Schuiten and Raphael Van Cauter), who finished just 10 minutes ahead of bronze medallists Spain (Agda Muixi Crusellas, Cristina Yebra Altimiras and Yvette Pi Masnou).

FEI Endurance Director Ian Williams praised the management of the horses throughout the day and was very pleased with the level of the competition: “This Championship was technically challenging, both in terms of the track and the weather conditions we were faced with, but it was a real privilege to see the youth of our sport caring for their horses so well and producing such great results.”

Results:

FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors  2013 – Teams: GOLD – France, 19:44:49 – Petra Cabirat (Roman Lafaure); Rhial Cabirat (Morgane Lafaure); Rusty James (Robin Cornely); SILVER – Belgium, 20:40:22 – Wigor ZA (Olivia Antoine), Nasrik de Rendpeine (Louna Schuiten), Okba de Chaussy (Raphael Van Cauter); BRONZE – Spain, 20:50:32 – Oursai de Oassa (Agda Muixi Crusellas), Calzadilla (Cristina Yebra Altimiras), Pink Floid (Yvette Pi Masnou).

FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 – Individuals: GOLD – Niac Armor (Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri) UAE, 06:00:34; SILVER – Eomer (Marijke Visser) NED, 06:13:05; BRONZE – Emily Jones TE (Erin Krahnen) AUS, 06:21:10.

Full Results here.

By Anna Williams

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Colin Syquia and Apropos Win USHJA National Hunter Derby at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Colin Syquia and Apropos.

Lexington, KY – July 28, 2013 – The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby is a hunter highlight during each week of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, and this week it was also a highlight for Colin Syquia and Apropos. Following two seamless rounds under beautiful, sunny skies, the pair earned the victory gallop around the golf-cart lined Stonelea Ring on the final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Today’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby was the fourth event in the seven-part Hallway Feeds Series. The series runs throughout both the Kentucky Spring and Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, culminating with the awarding of $15,000 in Leading Rider Awards at the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association Horse Show on August 25, 2013.

The popular series attracts horses and riders from across the country, and today 39 horses competed over the classic first round course, designed by Joseph Carnicom with the top 12 horse and rider combinations returning for the handy round. Both rounds featured an in-and-out, a number of bending lines, tight turns and four high-point fence options. For the handy round, Carnicom added a trot jump and switched the direction from which riders took all of the oxers, allowing for some additional tight turn options.

Syquia and Apropos, owned by Chiddingstone Farms LLC of New York, NY, maneuvered the first round course with ease, earning a judges score of 86, plus four points for electing to take each of the high options for a first round total score of 90. Syquia was one of the last to go over the first round course and jumped straight to the top of the leader board, but just two rounds later Meredith Darst and Lightning Z took over the top position with a first round total score of 91. After their beautiful first round course, including each of the four high options, she and Lightning Z, owned by Lochmoor Stables of Lebanon, OH, would hold their position to return for the handy round as the leaders.

Working backward from the twelfth placed rider to Darst in the first place position, Shawn Casady and Stars Go Blue, owned by Marigot Bay Farm LLC of Dover, MA, were the seventh to return, as they finished the first round in the sixth place position with a score of 86. A second round score from the judges of 85 plus all four of the high option points would earn them a total second round score 89, moving them up from sixth to a final fourth place position with a grand total score of 178.

Returning in fourth place were Molly Sewell and Zin Zin, owned by Travis Lingenfelter of Saginaw, MI. They too were able to work their way slightly up the leader board, moving from fourth into the final third place slot by earning a second round total score of 90 and a grand total of 178 points.

Coming down to the final two riders of the afternoon, Syquia returned second to last, just before Darst. He and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Apropos, pulled out all the stops, delivering a round that would be tough to beat with a total score of 92 and with his grand total from the two rounds coming in at 182.

“I was in second by one point going back into the handy round, so I figured I was really going to take a shot and turn as tight as I could and keep galloping,” shared Syquia.

Meredith Darst and Lightning Z
Meredith Darst and Lightning Z

Darst and Lightning Z returned to defend their position at the top, and they delivered a seamless round that definitely gave Syquia and Apropos a run for their money. Following a brief deliberation from the judges, Darst’s second round score was announced as an 86 plus the four point high options for a second round total of 90 and grand total of 181, just one point behind Syquia, cementing her second place finish and his win.

“We went quick and tight to the last jump, and I think that probably was the difference for us. That and a real tight roll-back to the oxer. Apropos really a traditional hunter. You just put a loop in the reins, use a little bit of leg and just keep pushing him right up to the jumps. He loves to get deep, and he really uses his front end well when he gets down to the base,” Syquia explained. “He was great; I was really happy with him.”

Darst was also extremely happy with her horse’s performance, particularly because today marked Lightning Z’s first time ever competing in a derby.

“This is the first time that he’s done anything like this before so we were just kind of going for fun, and it ended up going really well,” smiled Darst.

Both riders hope to return for next week’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby as competition continues on Tuesday, July 30 with the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic, running through August 4. To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Series, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Margaret O’Meara Wraps Up Equifest I with Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Championships

Margaret O’Meara rode Voice of Reason to the top of the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Championship, also capturing the reserve championship with Casino. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG.

Wayne, IL – July 28, 2013 – It was the perfect weather at Lamplight Equestrian Center to welcome champions into the winner’s circle for the conclusion of Equifest I. The Amateur-Owner Hunters and Junior Hunter divisions wrapped up the weeklong competition. Samantha Hall and Beyond Time took home the Junior Hunter Championship, while Sonya Svaty and Pick A Color earned a moment in the limelight for their Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter Championship. It was Margaret O’Meara who excelled today with top-notch performances aboard Voice of Reason and Casino, riding to both championship titles in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters.

Exhibitors gathered around the hunter ring early this morning as the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions got underway, and riders prepared to navigate the Allen Rheinheimer designed course. There were nine obstacles to test horse and rider alike including bending lines, a vertical-oxer line set on the diagonal and wide turns. Rheinheimer utilized obstacles evocative of a traditional hunt field, skillfully set with lush plant life and forest-like color. Riders were judged for their style throughout the round as they guided their mounts over the courses.

The first of O’Meara’s elite team to make his mark was Voice of Reason in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter division. O’Meara and Voice of Reason rode to first place ranks in both over-fence classes today to earn the division championship. Casino, O’Meara’s other well-praised mount who earned two blues in over fences yesterday, came back placing right under his barn mate for the reserve championship ribbon with a brilliant performance. The O’Meara team trains with Heidi Fish at Woodland Way, Inc., in Kirkland, WA, and has a strong belief that they should show for the love of it.

“The two horses have completely different rides,” O’Meara explained. “Casino is an 11-year-old past jumper and now that we’ve changed that mentality, he is a total hunter horse. He’s lazy, but he jumps great. Both are great horses, and that’s the best part. I’m old and if they didn’t make it so easy on me, I could have quit but as long as it’s fun, I’ll keep going.”

O’Meara continued, “The course rode great today, very straight forward. It’s Voice of Reason’s first year back in the competition ring; he was recovering from a bruise he got during the Winter Equestrian Festival. He’s very excited about being back and, it’s funny, he thinks he’s very cool. He was jumping out of his skin; I think I may need a seatbelt. Everybody was laughing when I came out of the ring wondering how I stayed on, but the good news is that I am getting used to him. I couldn’t be more proud.”

The Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunters saw a clear leader emerge as Sonya Svaty and Pick A Color, of Lake Bluff, IL, swept the first day of competition. Then on the second day, Pick A Color stole the show with a first place in the under-saddle, and the second and third over-fences, shutting out the competition and taking the division’s championship title. Trust Me with Shannon Kelly in the irons emerged victorious for their showmanship, receiving the reserve championship honors.

“He felt fantastic,” Svaty said. “I made some mistakes, but he came to the party. He was all there for me, and really made up for it. We have been working on our riding so I am very pleased, but there is always more work to do.”

“I’ve loved being here at Equifest. The weather has been wonderful, and the footing is amazing. I’m really impressed with the facilities. It has been really great to be here, and we would love to come back,” shared Svaty.

Later in the afternoon, in the Junior Hunter division, Samantha Hall and Beyond Time worked their way to the top of the ranks. Receiving a blue ribbon in the under saddle class, the pair pressed forward with outstanding efforts to claim first and third places in the over fences. Their overall combined marks earned them the championship award tricolor. Fellow competitor, Madison Edwards aboard Last Wish, rode with competitive results to the reserve championship.

“My favorite thing about him is his personality and his jump,” explained Hall. “He is funny, and he always thinks everything is a treat. He’s a big puppy dog that stares at you for treats. Back when we got him, when I saw him in the stall, I knew I had found him; I just fell in love.”

Today wrapped up the first week of Equifest at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Competitors will have the chance to ride again during Equifest II, scheduled to run July 31 – Aug. 4, 2013. Hunter riders can look forward to an array of exciting division, competition and highlight classes such as the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, division classics and equitation classes.

To find out more about Lamplight Equestrian Center, go to: http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/.

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