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Sweetnam Soars to $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix Victory at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Shane Sweetnam and Fineman – Photo By: Shawn McMillen.

Lexington, KY – July 27, 2013 – The Rolex Stadium was full of excited spectators as they gathered on Hats Off Day to watch the country’s top horse and riders compete during the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. The international riders gave them exactly what they were looking for: an exciting tiebreaker between five-horse and rider combination dashing to the finish. In the end it was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman that led the victory gallop after besting Argentina’s Max Amaya and Cartier by two seconds, while New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley and Derly Chin De Muze claimed third place.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England set a technical track for tonight’s competitors which included an open water, a vertical-vertical double combination, and the most challenging test: a triple bar-oxer-vertical triple combination. Only five riders managed to leave all the fences intact and advance to the speed round. For the jump-off, they had to show over a wide oxer and roll-back to a vertical before turning to a new oxer and jumping the last two parts of the triple combination. Then they continued over a single oxer, rolling back to another vertical with a bending line to an oxer and finishing over a single vertical just passed the gate.

Angel Karolyi of Venezuela was the first to return for the short course with Amigo, owned by Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, SC. They tried to put the pressure on the riders following them, but Amigo lowered the height of the new oxer and finished in 48.159 seconds for fifth place. Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena, owned by Campos and Miranda Investments of Ocala, FL, were next, and although they had a faster time of 45.180 seconds, they had the same rail down for four-faults and fourth place.

The luck of the Irish proved to be with Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman, owned by Sweetnam and Sweet Oak Farm of Wellington, FL. The pair picked up a quick pace and never held back, finding each fence easily and leaving each rail in place as they sped across the finish line in 44.442 seconds. Their time could not be beat, and Sweetnam claimed the winning title.

“I think he was quick to the first few fences, as well as the in-and-out to the oxer,” explained Sweetnam. “I was also quick rolling back to the vertical, so I think that won it for me. Fineman is a quick horse in general. He won a good class up in Spruce Meadows, and he’s been very consistent, so I knew that if I could be clear I could be quick enough.”

Sharn Wordley attempted to best Sweetnam’s effort with Derly Chin De Muze, owned by Ashland Stables of Wellington, FL. He was able to leave all of the fences intact, but a clear time of 47.851 seconds was only good enough for the eventual third place.

Max Amaya and Cartier
Max Amaya and Cartier

The final rider to show was Max Amaya with Cartier, owned by Stonehenge Stables of Ocean, NJ. They put on the gas and cleared all the obstacles in their path, but fell two seconds short of Sweetnam with a time of 46.620 seconds to earn the second place honors.

“I think I was very quick at the beginning, but unfortunately I could not see a better distance to the double, and that kind of slowed me down a little bit,” noted Amaya. “For a little horse he has a big stride, and I ended up getting there a little bit slow in the seven so that put me a little bit behind Shane. He gave his best as always, and I did the best that I could. My horse was exceptional.”

Amaya began riding 12-year-old Cartier, previously owned by Alexa Lowe, in the fall of 2012. “Cartier had a very successful amateur and beginning of Grand Prix career,” he said. “He’s a very, very funny horse because he has a lot of personality. He’s very laid back and lazy in the barn, but when he goes in the ring he’s full game face and you have to be paying attention 100 percent.”

Winners Sweetnam and Fineman are a new match, as he just purchased the Swedish Warmblood in June from Maria Gretzer. “She had showed him wonderfully, and since I’ve got him he’s just been great,” smiled Sweetnam. “He’s a 10-year-old, but he doesn’t have all that much mileage. His first 1.50m was here in June, so he still has to get going, but I think he should jump some of the bigger grand prixs toward the end of the year.”

Sweetnam added, “He makes life easy. You just pick up a rhythm, and you stay with him. He wants to please, and I really enjoy him.”

Today’s event was a part of Hats Off Day, a special celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky hosted by the Kentucky Horse Park. A large crowd filled the Rolex Stadium to cheer ton Sweetnam during his winning round. “The crowd was brilliant and I really enjoyed it,” said Sweetnam. “It is one of the biggest crowds we get for a jumping class here in Kentucky so it’s neat to see, and I hope they come out to more weeks as well.”

The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are always on Sweetnam’s calendar during the year. “Hugh Kincannon and the Murphy Family do a great job,” he commented. “We’ve shown here the last eight years, and we always bring all of our clients. We really enjoy it, and the standard is very high. They really look after you here.”

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will conclude tomorrow with the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classics for the High Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions, as well as the Low Junior Jumper Classic and the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Riders will return next Tuesday for the kick-off of the Kentucky Summer Classic, featuring the fifth $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Laura Kraut and Constable Make International Debut at the Longines Global Champion Tour Jumping Chantilly

Laura Kraut and Constable won the Prix Equidia Life International Jumping Competition at the 2013 Jumping Chantilly. Photo Courtesy of Sport Fot.

Chantilly, France – July 27, 2013 – The Longines Global Champion Tour Jumping Chantilly saw a new star emerge last week: Cherry Knoll Farm’s Constable. The competition was fierce at the international horse show Jumping Chantilly France 2013. From July 18-21 the sport’s most renowned riders picked up the reins to compete for the top prizes. Kraut guided Constable to several top rankings in the 6-Year-Old Jumpers, riding to the win in the Prix Equidia Life International Jumping Competition.

The chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding rose to the top of the rankings from the start of the competition. Kraut expertly guided him to the seventh place position in the two-phase Prix Equidia Life International Jumping Competition on Friday, August 19. The gelding took the 1.30m course with ease, snatching the seventh place position with a final time of 38.50 seconds. It became apparent that the duo was only beginning to warm up for the Prix Equidia Life International 6-Year-Old Jumping Competition on Sunday.

“I think he is probably one of the most talented young horses I have ever had, and it probably won’t be until he is 8 or 9 that we try to go out and win a lot, but it was nice in this instance,” Kraut explained. “There were only a few clear and the clear ones in the jump-off each had a rail, so I was able to go around slow and win the final. I didn’t have to push him for time, and he jumped four rounds this week without a rub. I am very proud of him; he is very special.”

Kraut continued, “He is super sensitive, like all of the ones I have. I don’t use spurs or a stick; he is a very quiet ride and is very brave. He is brave about the jumps and he is very adjustable, but very sensitive. He doesn’t try to pull you around or do anything bad. He has the best intentions, he doesn’t try to pull you around, and I am just lucky to have him.”

Luc Musette and Erica Sportello designed Sunday’s course, using 15 efforts to challenge horse and rider alike. The course included an oxer-vertical double combination, vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, hard rollbacks, bending lines and an oxer-liverpool. It was the jump-off round that would prove to stand the test for the horse and rider combinations. The course began over a vertical set down the diagonal, and then headed to an oxer on the far side of the arena, where they then made a left turn over a second oxer where they then headed through a vertical-oxer double combination. A right turn over a vertical then led riders to the opening oxer of the outside double combination, where riders raced toward the finish line to seal their fate in the rankings.

Kraut navigated Constable to the first place finish in the class, surpassing 14 contenders for the win. She beat out Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden aboard Cassini’s Angel, as well as Abdelkebir Ouaddar and Bacarat de Sainte Hermelle who claimed the third place. Kraut took the win in 51.85 seconds leaving all rails in place, to claim Constable’s first victory internationally.

“It was very testy. I think the ring in Chantilly for the young horses is a difficult ring because it is on a hill with a little bit of a bowl, and is on grass,” Kraut explained. “The course was definitely sizeable, and they used a triple combination and a double on the end, which was a good test. I think it is good for July, for 6-Year-Olds, it is big enough, and it was difficult, but he handled it no problem. He is an experienced in his mind 6-year-old, so I don’t think he needs as much mileage as some of the other horses. I might show him locally in England, but he will have some time to relax before the Winter Equestrian Festival.”

Kraut will continue to show Constable for Cherry Knoll Farm, as she continues to compete among the top-ranked international riders in the Longines Global Champions Tour. For more information on the Longines Global Champions Tour where Kraut currently ranks first, please visit http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/.

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With Wings Flies Karen Polle to a Birthday Win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

©ESI Photography. With Wings delivered Karen Polle a belated birthday present when he carried her to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 26, 2013) – After turning 21 on Thursday, Karen Polle of New York, New York and With Wings celebrated with a blue ribbon in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. Under clear blue skies, Polle and With Wings were definitely sporting their wings, riding to an impressively quick jump-off round and ultimately topping an original field of 50 contenders.

A star-studded field, including the likes of Margie Engle, Peter Wylde and McLain Ward took to a course set by Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Paehl, Germany, with Polle among them on two mounts. The course was certainly not lacking in height and tested both horse and rider in the first round with a double combination at the fourth fence and a bending line to a triple combination at fence eight. In total, Petersen set 13 obstacles, which included 16 jumping efforts. Faults were spread evenly throughout the course, but a wide oxer at fence 13 proved to be the heartbreaker of the day, delivering rails to 15 pairs.

Polle got her introduction to the course early, as she and her own Bottom Line jumped first in the order. “It’s always so nerve racking to be first in the ring – I am not a fan of going first, but today I think it actually worked in my favor. I had plenty of time to think through my round on With Wings having already jumped the course once,” said Polle.

Friday’s win was the second grand prix victory for Polle, but her first in the irons of With Wings. “He is such an amazing jumper and he has a huge stride,” said Polle of her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. “He was really brave and careful out there today. Most of the time his biggest problem is getting in the ring, but once he’s in there he is always focused.”

In the first round, the order was only three deep when Lillie Keenan of New York, New York piloted Pumped Up Kicks to the first clear of the day. She was later joined by eight others, including Polle aboard With Wings for a nine-horse jump-off. Keenan returned first in the jump-off to set an immediate Great American Time to Beat with a clear round in 44.96 seconds on the horse she fondly calls “Kicks”. She stayed at the helm for three more trips until veteran Margie Engle of Wellington, Florida bested her time with a clear round in 44.76 seconds on Indigo, owned by Garber, Griese, Hidden Creek & Gladwinds.

Engle’s lead was short lived as Polle and With Wings entered the ring next and shaved a full two seconds off her time. Their turns were tight and their strides were huge as the pair clocked a final time of 42.73 seconds. “I was really nervous because I knew the ones behind me were going to be fast,” said Polle. Michael Dorman of Wellington, Florida, Sarah Segal of New York, New York and Ward of Brewster, New York were still left to ride. “With Wings has a huge stride, so I definitely took advantage of that and I tried to make my turns as tight as possible to leave strides out. He’s not always the fastest galloper, so I really pushed and I got lucky.”

Segal, aboard Robert Segal’s Ramses, laid down a clear round after Polle, but could not top her time, finishing in 44.11 seconds for second. Engle was third, while Keenan ended the day in fourth. Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania capped the top five with a four-fault jump-off round in 46.81 seconds.

Ward was sixth with Ilan Ferder’s Czardas 30 and ninth with his own Zander. Dorman finished seventh with his own Valinski S, and Todd Minikus was eighth aboard his own Quality Girl.

Grand prix competition will return to the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium on Sunday with the $75,000 AIG Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. Viewers will be able to catch Sunday’s action by tuning into a live webcast on HRTV.com. The class begins at 2pm. As anticipation climbs for September’s Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Championship Weekend, riders have set their sights on the race to qualify. Once eligible, the start order for the prestigious event will be determined by a rider’s money won on their leading horse. Keep tabs on all Zoetis Million qualifying action at HitsShows.com.

©ESI Photography. Todd Minikus and UDonnay Z jump to a win in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
©ESI Photography. Todd Minikus and UDonnay Z jump to a win in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome

$10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida is two-for-two this summer in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome. He and Polle’s UDonnay Z picked up their second win in a row on Wednesday, topping 46 pairs over the 1.4m course.  Ronan McGuigan of Fair Hills, New Jersey piloted his own Capall Z to second and Minikus answered back with a third-place finish on Kathryn Haefner, LLC’s Babalou 41.

Peter Wylde of Lake Worth, Florida was fourth on Winley Farm, LLC’s Wiesielottie and Laura Chapot rounded out the top five aboard Mary Chapot’s Shooting Star.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation presents the Brook Ledge Open Welcome every week, and will award a $1500 shipping credit to the Brook Ledge Leading Rider at the end of the circuit.  The Brook Ledge Leading Rider will be the rider who accumulates the most points in the Brook Ledge Open Welcome classes throughout the HITS Saugerties circuit.

About SmartPak
SmartPak Equine was founded in 1999 with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses. The patented SmartPak supplement feeding system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly. It has been embraced by riders from all disciplines and all levels, including seven Olympic medalists. In addition to the SmartPak supplement system, the company offers a broad line of horse health and rider items, dog supplies, and equine and canine pharmacy items sold through the company’s catalog and Web site.

SmartPak continues to find innovative ways to support and expand throughout the equestrian community. From their sponsorship of equine events at all levels of riding, their support of top riders through the Team SmartPak program, to the aid of equine nonprofits and organizations in need, SmartPak is committed to supporting the equine communities that it serves.

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

Molly Mcadow and Barina Claim $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Victory at Equifest I

Molly Mcadow and Barina captured the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby victory at Equifest I. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Wayne, IL – July 26, 2013 – It was a day to remember for Molly Mcadow as she laid down the winning rounds during the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Lamplight Equestrian Center was packed with exhibitors and spectators for the third day of Equifest I, and although the skies were gray and torrents of rain poured down from above, the derby contenders were not deterred. Mcadow led the victory gallop this afternoon with Barina, riding to scores of 89 and 94 to take the win. Stephen Foran and Bronizet were awarded the second place, while Amanda Thomas and Catani snatched the third place award.

Exhibitors took to the Hunter Ring early this morning as the Classic Hunter Round commenced; the anticipation was high as 40 entrants, navigated Allen Rheinheimer’s course. There were nine obstacles in the first round including bending lines, a tight four-stride vertical-oxer line set on the diagonal, wide turns and rollbacks. Rheinheimer utilized obstacles evocative of a traditional hunt field, beautifully set with natural foliage, logs and brush. Riders were scrutinized for their style throughout the round, but were also given the option to take higher fences set at 3’6″ for an additional point each.

Mcadow claimed an early lead with Barina, owned by Nina Donnelly of Evanston, IL, after scoring an 89 during the first round. The downpour did not stop them from riding to the top of the standings, taking the tricky parts of the course with ease, and opting for all of the high options. Mcadow also chose to take eight strides down the first line, which helped her to collect and take an edge over her competition.

“It didn’t seem like it was going to be a very hard course but there were a couple places like from 2 to 3 in the bending line, as well as the last bending line of the course. They were all had high options, which changed the steps and made them tricky,” Mcadow explained. “Barina likes to land left, and because the bending lines lead back right, we chose to do the eight strides down the opening line instead of having to gallop it in the seven, and risk a mistake.”

Thomas jumped up in the standings aboard Catani, owned by Samantha McCarty of Zionsville, IN. They completed a beautiful first round with fluidity and finesse, resulting in a score of 87 points. Catani is only a 6-year-old, but on the derby course he rode like a veteran. Thomas also rode Dallas, owned by Vyla Carter of Indianapolis, IN, to the impressive score of 84.

“This is the second time he has ever done one of these derbies, and he is actually very green, but he is huge, and sometimes we forget his age,” Thomas smiled. “He goes in a rubber snaffle and he is such a good boy, and so much fun to ride. He did great out there, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Foran guided Bronziet, owned by Liberty Equine Ventures of Lake Forest, IL, to a Classic score of 86 points. It was the handy round that would make all the difference for the competitors.

The Handy Round provided four key areas where riders had the opportunity to showcase their handiness and earn crucial bonus points. From start to finish, the Handy Course demanded excellence from horse and rider alike. It began with a single vertical set at the far end of the arena, and then required a left rollback over a gray gate. Following a serpentine pattern, riders had to make a right rollback and take the red oxer set on the outside, and then make a right turn to the only remaining line of the Handy, the four-stride. They then had to make a left rollback over the trot fence and then a hard right over the green oxer. Upon landing, they turned left and took a standalone vertical on the outside, utilizing a string hand gallop, and then landed to the left to complete a rollback over the final oxer.

Tackling the tricky handy hunter course was a feat all of its own. The scores from the Classic Hunter Round carried over into the second-round competition, factoring into the overall score for each pair. Mcadow earned a returning position for three of her mounts during today’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. She returned first, in the 12th place position, aboard Kenyan, owned by Donnelly, eventually riding to an overall score of 148 points to earn the 11th place award. She returned with Sea Smoke, owned by Marybeth Canfield of Chicago, IL, earning a final total of 151.5 points. Her star mount, Barina, would be the last to return to the ring.

Thomas returned on Dallas, ready to seal a position in the top 12 with her first-round score of 84 points. Although they put their best effort forward, they were awarded a score of 79.5, good enough for the fourth place award. Thomas also rode Bonfire, owned by Helen Gilbert of Saint Louis, MO, to the sixth place position with an overall score of 159 points. It wasn’t until she returned on Catani that victory seemed a possibility.

“I thought the courses were really nice,” she said. “It was pretty straightforward, but the handy round was a lot of fun with its layout. He is such a big horse that we can’t make the tight turns that many of the other horses can. We had to think on our feet a little bit.”

Knowing that she was up against stiff competition, Thomas opted to make an inside turn after fence 2 as a way of showcasing her handiness. That extra move was what gave her the Handy Round score of 85 points, granting her the lead in the second round. Thomas knew that she had to post a score that would be hard to beat, especially with USHJA Emerging Athletes Finals winner Stephen Foran hot on her heels.

Foran picked up a quick but tidy pace with Bronziet, riding through the turns adeptly and showing keen handiness before the trot jump. He was dually awarded for his solid effort with a score of 87 in the handy. Combined with his first round score of 86 points, Foran snatched the lead with an overall score of 173 points.

“I liked the handy course,” Foran said. “There was a lot of turning and flowing, a lot of single jumps, which you could find off your eye, which I really like to do. There weren’t a ton of options, so everyone had a pretty similar course. Whoever was the handiest and found the jumps the best was rewarded for it. My horse is just so easy that I can flow and let him do his thing. I am able to be very soft with him and have a great ride.”

Mcadow and Barina were the last to return to the Handy Round and, in this case, the best was saved for last. Barina exemplified a handy horse, taking all high options, and moving through the turns smoothly. Each jump was crisp, and it was clear that a muddy day would not stand in the pair’s way. The judges announced a score of 94 for the excellent performance, catapulting them to the top of the leader board to claim the winning honors.

“I’m looking forward to doing more derbies with her,” Mcadow smiled. “She’s just so fun and good all the time, and it’s a ton of fun to ride her around the course like that. The course was so nice, open and flowing, that it really makes it a pleasure to ride her. She has such a strong gallop, and the way she jumps each jump is amazing.”

Foran was pleased to claim the second place award with his overall score of 173 points. He only surpassed Thomas by one point, but he was very happy with his most recent mount.

“It’s a new horse; I haven’t had him very long,” Foran explained. “He has a great attitude; anything I am willing to do he is willing to do it. He has done the jumpers for the last several years, but we thought that he would be a great equitation prospect for my last junior year. He is so versatile that he can go into any ring and win. Not only does he win in the hunters and equitation, but I took him in the 1.15m Jumpers yesterday, and he was flawless in there, too. He is so much fun, and easy to ride. It is a blast to have a horse you can rely on.”

Silas Jaramillo of Sun Prairie, WI, rode The Advocate to the overall score of 162 points for the fifth place position. Thomas nabbed the sixth with Bonfire, while Tina Judge and Bond took the seventh place finish. Placing eighth was Shannon Kelly and Trust Me. On Tour with Kelsey Cerkieski in the irons took the ninth place finish, Josey Gentry and Insight finished tenth, and Molly Mcadow rounded out the top 12 with her two mounts Kenyan and Sea Smoke taking 11th and 12th, respectively.

“I’ve been showing here for 20 years,” Mcadow concluded. “I am impressed by the footing and the great consistency it has. The horses are jumping great off of it, and the facility is just beautiful. It was always nice here at Lamplight, but the changes they have made make it that much more special and professional.”

Tomorrow Equifest I will continue with the Amateur-Owner and Junior divisions taking their start. Riders will have the opportunity to compete in the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Classic and $1,000 Junior Classic with their top mounts. All of the hunter action for Equifest I will conclude this Sunday with the final championships for the remaining hunter divisions, but there is more in store at the Lamplight Equestrian Center when Equifest II returns next week for five days of competition.

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

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
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Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z Capture High Junior Jumper Win at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z.

Lexington, KY – July 26, 2013 – It was another picturesque day at the Kentucky Horse Park as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took center stage in the Rolex Stadium. Only two riders produced perfect rounds in the High Junior Jumpers, and it was Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z who had the time in the jump-off to capture the win. In the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers Haley Schaufeld aboard Harley 86 won a foot race between five riders.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England presented the same test for the High Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers, which included an open water option, an oxer-vertical double combination, and an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination. For the jump-off, riders began with bending line, followed by a tight rollback to a second bending line before showing over the double combination and finishing over a tall vertical.

The first rider to advance to the short course in the High Junior Jumpers was Sydney Shulman and HH Narcos Du Marais, owned by Back Country Farm of Greenwich, CT. In an attempt to lay down a quick time they had a rail coming into the combination. Their four-fault effort in 37.492 seconds would be good enough for third place.

Katherine Strauss was the next to show over the short course with her veteran partner Chellando Z. The duo had all of the answers, easily galloping through the turns and clearing each obstacle. They broke the beam at 33.125 seconds to post a fault-free time that could not be beat, winning the class.

The top rank became a battle between Strauss, the Individual Silver medal winner at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC) in the Junior Jumper division, and Individual Junior Jumper Gold medalist Eugenio Garza of Mexico. Garza tried to catch Strauss aboard Huapango, owned by El Milagro of Dallas, TX. The pair produced a clear round, but their time of 33.911 fell just short of the lead, putting them in second place.

Gabrielle Bausano of New York, NY and Zibon HC also qualified for the short course, but a four-fault round placed them fourth, while Adrian Berganza of Mexico and Corlando Van Koekshop placed fifth after incurring eight faults during the tiebreaker.

Strauss was thrilled with Chellando Z’s performance during the jump-off. “We did eight strides in the first line, even though we planned nine; it just lined up perfectly,” she smiled. “I feel really comfortable spinning him back to the jumps. I also felt comfortable flying into the double because I knew he would pat the ground and clear ‘B’.”

Chellando Z and Strauss have been partnered together for two years and have been successful all over the country. “I know Chellando Z like the back of my hand, and I really trust him,” she explained. “He likes a really connected ride coming up to the bit. Everything we do works together; we’ve always clicked.”

The NAJYRC Individual Silver medalist and Team Gold medalist added, “The courses at Young Riders were all really challenging; there was no place to make a mistake. You have to be riding your best everywhere. It was nice coming back today and being able to take a breather.”

In the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, seven riders made it to the final round and five were double clear, creating a race for the winning prize. Chelsea Moss of Medford, NJ, and Lorena 90 were the first in the ring and had a target on their back as they left all the fences intact and finished in a tidy 35.902 seconds, which held up for third place. Liz Atkins and L’Etoile, owned by Benchmark Stables of Hampshire, IL, followed them with a clear round, but their time of 36.727 seconds was only good enough for fourth. Whitney Lyon and Bugs Bunny V Overis Z, owned by Coniston Farm of Marengo, IL, had the slowest double clear in a close 36.905 seconds for fifth place.

Haley Schaufeld and Harley 86
Haley Schaufeld and Harley 86

Rogelio A Pellerano Heinsen of Miami, FL was the first to best Moss’ time, clearing all of the fences and breaking the beam at 34.642 seconds with Precieuse Platiere. Unfortunately, his leading time was short lived, and he had to take home second place when Haley Schaufeld of Leesburg, VA, entered the ring with Harley 86. The pair was on point and easily galloped over the winding course, leaving each fence in place and dashing through the finish in 33.765 seconds to capture the blue ribbon.

“I made up time in the line down the middle because the other people I saw did seven and my horse has such an open stride that I decided to do six,” explained Schaufeld. “Sometimes we have trouble with the sharp turns, but I feel like Harley was spot on today. We just really tried to go for it.”

Schaufeld has owned Harley 86 for about a year and has great chemistry with the talented mare. “Harley is really spectacular in the ring. She has a lot of blood, but when she sees the fence you feel totally confident because you know she’s going to try her best to go clear. She just loves her job,” said Schaufeld.

On Sunday, Schaufeld and Harley 86 will compete in the High Amateur-Owner Classic. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are one of her favorite stops on the circuit each year. “The facility is amazing, the footing is great, and the courses are really good,” she smiled. “This is one of my favorite shows.”

Earlier today, the Open Jumpers divisions were held in the Rolex Stadium. Sayre Happy and HC Woopy 14, owned by HC Sport Horses of Wellington, FL, showcased their talent with a double clear round in 35.107 seconds to win the 1.30m Open Jumpers. Callie Schott of Versailles, KY, and Shaamen posted the first faultless round during the jump-off, tripping the timers in 38.100 seconds for third place. The second place award went to Lucas Porter and Patriot, owned by Sleepy P Ranch of Bartonville, TX, who left all the fences standing in 36.245 seconds.

Jumper action will continue tomorrow with the week’s highlight event, the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix. The class will get underway at 7:30 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium, and is held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hat’s Off Day, a celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
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Pablo Barrios Jumps to Top of Hagyard Challenge Series Standings

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra won Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton.

Lexington, KY – July 27, 2013 – Following his win in Thursday night’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, Pablo Barrios has leapt to the top of the leader board for the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Barrios and his talented mare Zara Leandra were the winners of the first class in May, and with a speedy clear round during Thursday’s event they bested a 15-horse jump-off for another victory.

Richie Moloney maintains the second place position in the standings after placing fifth aboard Let’s Go and sixth with Call Me Number One, incurring just a single time fault with each mount in Thursday’s jump-off. Kent Farrington is currently ranked third after winning the Series’ second event in May with Venus.

The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long series of seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the series will receive a $50,000 Leading Rider Award, presented during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. The fourth event in the series will be next Thursday during the Kentucky Summer Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“I won the bonus three years ago, and I think it’s a nice opportunity for the riders to compete for more money,” said Barrios, who took home the title in 2010. “It’s a good incentive, and I am definitely trying to win this year.”

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and wellbeing of the horse for more than 130 years.

The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour emergency services, and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.

For more information on the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

To learn more about the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please go to www.hagyard.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Barrios Launches to Lead in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra.

Lexington, KY – July 25, 2013 – The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion’s share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The pair was two seconds faster than Kaitlin Campbell of Georgetown, KY, and her veteran partner Rocky W, who placed second, while Germany’s Christian Heineking picked up third place with NKH Selena.

The first round for tonight’s highlight event was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, and featured an open water with a scored pole and lath, an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, and a final vertical-oxer double combination. It eventually yielded fifteen clear rounds for the jump-off.

“When I walked I was expecting seven or eight clear. I didn’t think it was that easy, but the time allowed was very friendly,” noted Barrios. “The footing made the horses jump really well.”

For the speed round, riders began with an oxer-vertical rollback to the first two fences in the triple combination. They then galloped across the ring to two single oxers, before finishing over a skinny plank to the final oxer.

Ireland’s Richie Moloney was the first to leave all the fences intact over the short course with Let’s Go, owned by Equinimity LLC of Stoneybrook, NY, but finished a fraction over the time allowed. They incurred one time fault to net the fifth place award. Moloney had a repeat performance with his second mount, Call Me Number One, once again leaving the rails in place but going too slow and adding a time fault to his score for sixth place.

The first rider to finish the course without a single fault was Blythe Marano and Urban, owned by Riverview Farm of Franklin, TN. They easily cleared the obstacles, but broke the beam at a slow 51.246 seconds for fourth place. Christian Heineking made a statement when he entered the ring with NKH Selena, owned by NKH LLC of Dallas, TX, picking up a strong gallop and never holding back. The duo soared over each fence and stopped the clock at 47.676 seconds for an early lead that eventually claimed third.

The winners of the first $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic in May were ready for action today. Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra, owned by the ZL Group of Wellington, FL, had a blazing pace and as they wound their way over the track they were able to find each distance to create sharp angles and easily leave a stride out at the final oxer. They zipped through the timers in 43.662 seconds to lead the evening’s lap of honor.

“I came very fast to the Hagyard vertical, which made me catch the next vertical very quickly too,” explained Barrios. “I caught the perfect distance to the last line that even with a tight turn let me do six strides. I think that was the key.”

Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W
Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W

Twenty-one-year-old Kaitlin Campbell was not going to give away the win though when she had her chance next with Rocky W. She has owned the Dutch Warmblood for six years and knows him inside and out. Campbell quickly steered her mount over the fences and managed to cross the finish line in 45.662 seconds for the second place award.

“Pablo was really fast, and his horse is a little more careful than Rocky is, especially to the skinny jumps,” explained Campbell. “I just wanted to go in and jump a neat, fast clear round, but I wasn’t going to try and kill myself. Rocky is really good about all the tight turns back since he’s so experienced. The inside to the skinny is where I think I lost my two seconds. Rocky was a little bit fresher than I would have liked him tonight, but he figured it out in the jump-off.”

Zara Leandra and Barrios have just returned from five weeks in Spruce Meadows, which made the mare very ready for tonight’s class.

“I think it was a super jump-off for her,” he smiled. “This is the best horse I’ve ever had and she’s only 9 years old. She came with a huge stride from Calgary and she was leaving strides out. She was a little high over the fences, so I struggled a little bit the first round, but I think it helped in the jump-off. She had that big pace already from the last five weeks in Calgary. This is the fastest I have gone in jump-off with her. She has more confidence doing the angles and the tight rollbacks. She’s getting better and better.”

Tonight’s class was the third event in the seven-part Hagyard Challenge Series, which features a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus to the top rider at the end of the season. In 2010, the winner of the Series was Barrios, who has made it goal for this year as well.

“I won it three years ago and I think it’s a nice opportunity for the riders to compete for more money,” he commented. “It’s a good incentive and I am definitely trying to win this year.”

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse for more than 130 years.

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.

The next event for Barrios and Zara Leandra will be Saturday night’s $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix. The class will get underway at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium, and is held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hat’s Off Day, a celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Catherine Tyree and Sandor de la Pomme Win $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Welcome Stake

Catherine Tyree guided Sandor de la Pomme to victory in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake. David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Catherine Tyree and her newly acquired mount, Sandor de la Pomme, secured their first victory together in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 25, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.

Even more impressively, Tyree’s win came in only her third time competing with Sandor de la Pomme, an 11-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding.

“Everything clicked automatically when I went in the ring yesterday (in the 1.30m Jumpers),” Tyree explained.  “I was already feeling confident yesterday so going in the ring today I knew he would take care of me, no matter what.”

Tyree, 18, of Chicago, IL, follows in the footsteps of grand prix veterans Peter Wylde, Darragh Kenny, and McLain Ward, all of whom have formerly campaigned Sandor de la Pomme.

“It was very intimidating (showing him for the first time),” Tyree acknowledged.  “He’s shown with all these huge-name riders, and now I have him.  I was definitely nervous going into the ring the first time, but all of that has worked itself out.”

Despite their short relationship, Tyree can already feel their partnership forming.  The pair posted the only double clear round of in Thursday’s $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake after multiple riders ran into trouble throughout the course designed by 1984 Olympic team gold medalist Conrad Homfeld of Wellington, FL.

“The course was a lot more technical than I thought it would be,” said Tyree.  “I got to ride it when I did the low amateurs, so I had a feel for it.  But when the jumps went up, it was a little more difficult.”

Tyree first attempted the course with Don’t Go, but had a rail down to miss qualifying for the jump-off.  When the time came for Tyree to enter the ring with Sandor de la Pomme, she found herself at ease knowing she could trust her mount’s talent.

“He’s so game and he’s got a big heart.  He’s careful.  He’s correct.  He always wants to do the right thing.  With him, I just have to trust that he knows what he’s doing.  He’s jumped plenty of big classes, so I know I don’t have to worry about him.  It’s a nice feeling to have going into the ring,” Tyree remarked.

Going late in the order, Tyree knew she only had to go clear to win the class, which was especially reassuring since she didn’t want to push too hard with her new partner.  The best performance so far had been turned in by Hillary Simpson, who incurred four faults in the jump-off with Nopus du Gue Joubert.

“I knew there were no clears (jump-off rounds) and this was only my second jump-off with him, so I wasn’t planning on going too fast,” said Tyree of the immediate jump-off format.  “I just wanted to make sure I was neat with my turns and gave him a chance to leave the jumps up.”

Tyree is grateful for the opportunity to ride Sandor de la Pomme so early in her budding amateur career, describing him as the most talented horse she’s ever been fortunate enough to ride.

“I’m very happy I get to have a horse like him; I never thought it would happen,” smiled Tyree, who trains with Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run Stables in Warren, VT.  “Missy and John suggested it to my parents and I never thought they would go for it!”

She continued, “Missy and John knew right away that it would work well, so I just had to have faith in them that they know what they’re doing.”

Clark and Brennan were clearly on to something, as demonstrated by Tyree’s victory.  Tyree and Sandor de la Pomme will continue to compete at the Vermont Summer Festival for the next two weeks and plan to contest a few grand prix classes.

The Vermont Summer Festival hosts its fourth week of competition at Harold Beebe farm this week and will continue through August 11. The six-week circuit, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

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

Sommers Claims Overall Grand and Reserve Champion Titles at 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships – West

Overall Grand Champion Samantha Sommers and Small Affair at the 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships – West (Captured Moment Photography)

Lexington, KY – The top junior hunter riders on the west coast met at Showpark Facility in Del Mar, CA, July 22-23 for the 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships – West. The riders were separated into 15 & Under and 16-17 divisions, as well as Small Junior Hunter and Large Junior Hunter, and competed in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counted for 20% of the rider’s overall score while both the Classic Round and Handy Hunter counted for 40%.

After two days of tough competition, 18-year-old Samantha Sommers (Malibu, CA) dominated by claiming the Overall Grand Champion and Overall Reserve Champion titles. In her final year of eligibility, Sommers was looking to have a good experience and hoped for the best, possibly winning the elusive Overall Grand Champion title.

“I wanted to do well, but going into the competition I didn’t put pressure on myself to ultimately be Grand Champion. The second day I was a little anxious only because I was leading both Large Junior and Small Junior sections, but I channeled my energy and was able to finish strong. Realizing I was not only champion in both sections, but also Overall Grand and Reserve Grand Champion was one of the greatest feelings of my riding career. I feel so honored to have won those prestigious awards. It really meant a lot to have the support from John French, Tara Metzner, and Elizabeth Reilly. I would not have been able to accomplish any of this if it weren’t for them and all they do on a daily basis.”

The judging panel made up of William Ellis (Ocala, FL), Irving Evans (Fremont, NH), and Walter Timmy Kees (Nowalk, CT) named Sommers and Elizabeth Reilly and Chris Iwasaki’s Small Affair, a 10-year-old Selle Francias gelding, the Overall Grand Champions, winning the Overall Grand Champion Junior Hunter trophy. The pair also won the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 section, receiving The Magic Word Perpetual Trophy. With Oscany, Inc.’s Illusion, Sommers rode to Overall Reserve Champion honors. She and the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding were also the winners of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 section, claiming The River Edge Farm Perpetual Trophy.

“Both Illusion and Small Affair are two of the most incredible horses I have ever ridden and feel so blessed and lucky to have had the chance to show them at US Junior Hunter National Championships. They made me feel confident throughout all three phases of the competition, which helped to keep me focused.

“Illusion was on his game and lit up every time we entered the Grand Prix field. He is extremely trustworthy, which he showed as we hand galloped to the last fence in the Handy [Hunter phase]. Illusion has the most amazing canter, and I can feel him underneath me every stride to the next jump.

“Small Affair is a one-of-a-kind horse and amazing to ride; I felt confident with him every time I entered the arena where he jumped his heart out. I wanted to just stay smooth, and he worked with me throughout the competition over every course.”

Two other top junior riders claimed overall honors in the remaining sections. The Overall Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under title went to Kaitlyn Van Konynenburg (Pacific Palisades, CA) and Triton Z, her own eight-year-old Warmblood gelding. Mikayla Stuart (Ranco Santa Fe, CA) and her own eight-year-old Holsteiner mare Verdana were the Overall Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under title winners. A new award on the west coast for the highest scoring overall mare went to the eight-year-old Hanoverian mare Small Celebration, owned by Oscany Inc. and ridden by Lillie Keenan (New York, NY).

The competition now moves east to HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY, July 29-31. Jeff Ayers (Sellersville, PA), Scott Fitton (Royal Palm Beach, FL), and Hap Hansen (Encinitas, CA) will judge the east coast’s riders throughout the competition, with courses designed by Rian Beals (Saugerties, NY). The 2013 USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic will also be held during the US Junior National Hunter Championships – East.

To find out more information about the US Junior Hunter National Championships, visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allhunter/JuniorChampionships.aspx.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Chester Weber’s Formula for Turning Sweet 16 (Again)

Chester Weber competing at the CHIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Scheytt Photography)

Ocala, FL (July 24, 2013) – Since 1973, Life Data Labs, Inc. has funded and conducted equine research that has benefited the horse industry and since 1997, it has paired with one of the most celebrated and respected horsemen in the world. This season, Chester Weber and Life Data Labs  celebrate a remarkable sixteen years together using Farrier’s Formula to put the greatest hooves in the world on some of the world’s greatest horses, including 2008 USEF Horse of the Year, Jamaica.

Farrier’s Formula was developed and introduced in 1979 by J. Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS, launching the “feed the hoof” approach to supplementing the diet to build stronger hooves and connective tissues.  It has been the number one recommended product by farriers in the U.S. for twelve consecutive years.

It’s been number one for Weber even longer.  He first began to see its benefits in 1997, in his winning pairs teams, and Farriers Formula has stayed in his tack trunk ever since.  It has been there for all nine U.S. National Four-in-Hand Championships; for his first team Silver medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, an Individual Silver medal at the World Driving Championships in 2008, and for the second team Silver at WEG 2010.  In 2012, Weber took the Individual Silver and Team Bronze at the World Driving Championships at Reisenbeck.  At Aachen earlier this summer, he finished in the top three individually and at the CAIO Saumur, for the first time in his career, his team lead from wire-to-wire including the tyrannical terrain of marathon.  And most recently, Team Weber finished in top 3 at the CAI Beekbergen.

As a team develops, everything around them – from their equipment to their diet – must evolve with them.  For Weber, Farriers Formula has proven it can go the distance.

“A CDE is always full of challenges, with footing and terrain options that demand a high degree of focus, and I have never had to worry about my horses’ hooves letting them down. Farrier’s Formula has been a part of their daily program for sixteen years for a reason.  I can count on it.”

“Chester is honest, straightforward and uncommonly kind – the perfect spokesman for our products. In our view,” said Linda Gravlee of Life Data Labs. “He is a true celebrity and we will always be honored to be associated with him.”

That star power was evident when the U.S. team Silver medalist signed autograph after autograph at the Life Data Labs booth during the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

The winning formula to a lasting partnership isn’t that different from strong and lasting hooves.  It’s about making strong connections. Farriers Formula and Farrier’s Formula Double Strength provide nutrients, including omega fatty acids and and amino acid ‘protein building blocks’ that enable horses to generate strong structural and connective tissue proteins.

“Strong connective tissue,” Gravlee noted, “ is important for healthy hoof structure and growth as well as healthy joints and tendons. The internal benefits are harder to see than new, denser hoof growth, but stronger connective tissue reduces the incidence of injury to Chester’s horses and accelerates the recovery time if injury occurs.”

Follow Team Weber on their next medals quest, the 2014 World Equestrian Games, at www.chesterweber.com and via the link to Facebook.

For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
www.chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139