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Michael Dorman and Zephyr Can’t Be Caught in $10,000 Vineyard Vines Welcome Stake

Michael Dorman rode Zephyr to victory in the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Welcome Stake. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Michael Dorman and Zephyr breezed into first place in the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, at the Vermont Summer Festival.  The six-week competition continues through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Nine horse and rider combinations advanced to the jump-off including week one’s Welcome Stake winners, Mark Bluman and G&C Lagran.  2004 Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde was the first double clear round of the day, setting the time to beat at 36.251 seconds with AK’s Clowney.

Dorman and Zephyr sliced two full seconds off of Wylde’s time by stopping the clock in 33.746 seconds.  Four more horse-rider pairs jumped-off, but none succeeded in catching the time set by Dorman.

“I have a very big stride (with Zephyr) and I think I won the class because I was able to leave out a stride,” Dorman revealed.  “Most people were doing eight.  I could get seven.  That’s one of his positive things, that he has a huge stride.”

Zephyr, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood that Dorman has brought along for the last two years, has only stepped up to the Grand Prix level this year.  The chestnut gelding has proven to be a quick study under Dorman’s guidance.

“He was third last week in the [Vermont Summer Special] Grand Prix, so he’s catching on.  The jump is easy for him.  He just has to concentrate more quickly since everything happens so much faster and the jumps are bigger.  That’s his learning curve,” Dorman explained.

Zephyr’s natural talent and mild-mannered personality make him a pleasure for Dorman to ride.  “He’s an easy going guy.  I think jumping is basically just pretty easy for him.  He really enjoys jumping and he’s a straight-forward, happy horse,” Dorman remarked.

Canadian Chris Brandt designed the course for the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Open Welcome Stake in the Grand Prix ring, beginning with an open-ended approach to the first fence which allowed riders to start from the left or right lead.  “I chose the left, there were less jumps in the way.  I thought you could get a better rhythm, especially in the jump-off,” Dorman explained.

Dorman’s decision paid off as the rest of the course was smooth sailing for Zephyr, even through a demanding triple combination.  “It was challenging because [Zephyr] has a very big stride and the combination was an oxer down the hill to two tight verticals, so I was concerned whether he could balance and shorten up enough.  Once he got through that I was pretty comfortable,” Dorman commented.

Dorman, who is based at Wyndmont Farm in Wellington, FL, spends his summer traveling back and forth between the Vermont Summer Festival and HITS Saugerties (NY).  He looks forward to the trip north each summer.  “I think the management [in Vermont] tries really hard to make everything friendly.  The footing in the ring is nice and they have beautiful jumps.  They make a big effort to have nice jumps,” Dorman concluded.

For his efforts, Dorman took home a $1,000 gift card to Vineyard Vines in addition to his share of the prize money.  Zephyr and Dorman will also contest Saturday’s $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, beginning at 1 p.m. at Harold Beebe Farm.

2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the Vermont Summer Festival in its current Manchester area location.  The Vermont Summer Festival 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

East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic Teams with Show by Appointment to Offer Finals Qualification Opportunity

Blair Bynum and Talk About Candy compete at a Florida SBA show. Photo by Toni Steed.

Murfreesboro, TN – July 11, 2013 – Show by Appointment (SBA) and the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic (ECRCHC) are teaming up to offer competitors another chance to qualify for SBA’s $100,000 Championship Finals. SBA will run a full set of classes concurrently with the classes at ECRCHC, which will be held July 17-21 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN.

By entering the SBA classes as well as their regular classes, riders can compete for two show associations, ECRCHC and SBA, and two sets of prize money with just one run. Part of SBA’s mission is to make reined cow horse showing more affordable, and the collaboration with ECRCHC serves this purpose by allowing riders to qualify for the Championship Finals without having to spend another weekend on the road traveling to a show.

“We’re teaming up with the other biggest cow horse show on the East Coast,” said Show by Appointment’s Rick Steed. “We’re partnering with them to run SBA classes concurrently with their classes and give riders another chance to qualify while they’re already at the show.”

Along with the opportunity to qualify for the $100,000 SBA Championship Finals, riders who enter the SBA classes have a shot at claiming a circuit championship. SBA circuits are typically comprised of four shows in a certain region. At ECRCHC, riders will compete on two days and be assessed by two judges each time. Each judge will be counted as a show for the purposes of calculating the championships, and circuit champions will be presented with awards at the show.

Haily Findeisen and Sparkinastar - Youth Boxing and Level Two Boxing Champions on the SBA Florida circuit. Photo by Toni Steed
Haily Findeisen and Sparkinastar – Youth Boxing and Level Two Boxing Champions on the SBA Florida circuit. Photo by Toni Steed

“We’re working together to build a stronger cow horse community,” Steed said. “This is a combined effort. We’d like to thank all of the East Coast trainers and competitors for their support.”

Riders should contact SBA show secretary Debbie Hall at debbie@firststringfarms.com or 321-863-0456 to pre-enter for the SBA classes at ECRCHC and claim their chance to compete in the $100,000 SBA Championship Finals, slated for October 10-13 in Sarasota, FL.

Keep up to date with SBA’s news by liking them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShowByAppointment, following them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ShowByAppt, and checking out their website at http://www.showbyappointment.com. See SBA videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/ShowByAppointment.

Sponsorship opportunities are available – for more information, visit http://www.showbyappointment.com/SBA-Sponsors.html.

Fast Facts: Show by Appointment Classes and Finals Qualification at the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic

Event: East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic

Location: Tennessee Miller Coliseum, Murfreesboro, TN

Dates: Wednesday, July 17 – Sunday, July 21

Entries: Contact Debbie Hall at debbie@firststringfarms.com/321-863-0456 to enter the SBA classes held concurrently with ECRCHC classes.

ECRCHC Contact: Paul Bailey, (931) 260-3909, http://www.ecrchc.com/

Josh Veal, SBA Open Hackamore Circuit Champion. Photo by Gayae Ghazaryan
Josh Veal, SBA Open Hackamore Circuit Champion. Photo by Gayae Ghazaryan

Upcoming SBA Shows:

Summer Reined Cow Horse Shows I, II, III, & IV
August 15-18, 2013 – Jackson, OH

$100,000 Championship Finals
October 10-13, 2013 – Sarasota, FL

About Show by Appointment

Show by Appointment’s fresh approach to reined cow horse competition has been an unprecedented success in its first season. SBA aims to make showing “Fun, Fair, and Affordable” for competitors.  To accommodate those traveling long distances to show and help busy riders fit showing in at their convenience, SBA allows riders to reserve their own ride times in advance. This cuts down on usual travel expenses such as stall rentals and hotels and encourages competitors to make the trip and join in the fun.

Each SBA series includes four shows. Riders who compete at three out of the four shows earn a place in the Championship Finals, slated for October 10-13, 2013, at Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL. The Finals offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors may also qualify for the Finals in absentia by simply sending in entries and payment to each of the four shows. This system is designed to allow riders a chance to compete in the Championship Finals without spending the season chasing points and incurring excessive competition expenses.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Equus Events Presents the 2013 Atlanta Summerfest Show Series

July 11th, 2013 Aiken, SC – Equus Events is gearing up for the third annual Atlanta Summerfest Show series taking place at beautiful Chattahoochee Hills (Bouckaert Farms) in Fairburn, GA. Due to the overwhelming success of the last couple of years a third week has now been added to make the series run August 8th-11th, 15th-18th, and 22nd-25th.  “We have been sold out the last two years so when the opportunity came up to add another week we decided that giving exhibitors three options of shows would hopefully ease the overflow,” said show organizer J. P. Godard.  “We are looking forward to returning this year with three great weeks of horse shows to offer.”  Well known in the eventing world, “Chatt Hills” has been host to the USEA American Eventing Championships the last three years.  The facility boasts an 8000 acre equestrian paradise filled with established pastures, lakes, and woodlands with ample room to ride, all located along the Chattahoochee River. The footing and stabling are both exceptional and the schedule allows for early days so exhibitors can enjoy the nearby lake, Six Flags, or the hustle and bustle of nearby downtown Atlanta which is only minutes away.

This year’s special features include a $5,000 Open Jumper Classic week I and $10,000 Open Jumper Classics weeks II and III, and a USHJA National Hunter Derby week I and III. As always, Equus Events will offer up some of the South’s finest hospitality hosting exhibitor’s parties each week as well as snacks and goodies at the ring daily.

Entries close for the Atlanta Summerfest July 29th and stalls are going very quickly.  Please contact Equus Events at 803-643-5698 or info@equusevents.com for more information.  Sponsorship opportunities are also still available. Please contact Megan Godard at 803-295-2094 or Megan@equusevents.com.

Other upcoming horse show dates to remember:

Aiken Fall Festival I and II
September 5-8 and 12-15 2012
Highfields – Aiken, SC

Featuring:
$15,000 Open Jumper Classics each week
$2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (wk I)
SCHJA Governor’s Cup Finals (wk 1)
Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Classes (wk 2)
Bridles and Birdies Team Relay Challenge to benefit the First Tee of Aiken (wk2)
Zone 4 Finals (wk2)

Contact: Equus Events, Inc.
803-643-5698

Jennifer Hulkko and Kim Barone Notch Wins in 3’6″ Performance Hunters at Summer in the Rockies V

Jennifer Hulkko and Brego.

Parker, CO – July 10, 2013 – Jennifer Hulkko on Lisa Martinez-Bates’ Brego and Kim Barone on Hannah Pattermann’s Dolce Vita turned in stellar rounds to score wins in the 3’6″ Performance Hunters and kick off Summer in the Rockies V at the Colorado Horse Park. Hunter divisions drew many entries and competition was fierce, promising an exciting day on Thursday as riders return to settle the divisional championships.

Hulkko and Brego got the 3’6″ Performance division off to a strong start with a smooth, expressive round that earned them the win in the first over fences class. “I thought the course was great, a little different,” Hulkko said. “They had a bending line in there today. I thought the jumps were super inviting and the lines were flowing. It rode really nicely.”

Brego’s steadiness and consistency over fences make him a straightforward ride, according to Hulkko. “He’s really solid,” she noted. “He doesn’t look at the jumps. He’s got a big step through the lines, so it’s always nice and easy – if something is set long, you never have to worry about it.”

Hulkko rides for Randy Henry and Micca Henry-Sowder, and she began riding Brego two months ago to bring him back into the show ring. “I just started riding for them a few months ago, and they gave him to me to ride and get going,” she explained. “It’s been mostly just getting him fit, getting him in a program and getting in the show ring. He definitely knows his job, so I don’t have to work on details too much with him.”

Hulkko opted out of the handy round with Brego, who is for sale and had a prospective buyer coming to try him. The pair returned later to collect another blue ribbon in the under saddle class. Their absence in the handy round opened the door for another horse and rider to step up for the win, and Kim Barone and Dolce Vita laid down an impressive trip to claim the top spot.

Kim Barone and Dolce Vita
Kim Barone and Dolce Vita

When Dolce Vita came out with a lot of energy in the first class, Barone chose to use that trip as a learning experience for the mare. “My horse was really fresh and kind of naughty in the first round, so I circled and schooled her to get her focused,” Barone explained. “In the handy, she settled in and was more focused.”

Hannah Pattermann, Dolce Vita’s owner, competes in the Junior Hunters. “She’s getting ready to go to Junior Hunter Finals next month, so showing here at the Colorado Horse Park is really good preparation,” Barone said. “Her owner will show her in the Junior Hunters this week and also in the International Hunter Derby.”

“She’s a lovely mare,” Barone added. “She jumps great. She really wants to give a beautiful jump all the time.”

The 3’3″ Performance Hunters were similarly competitive, with many top combinations coming out to vie for a chance at the divisional championship. Sarah Young and Kara Kahn’s Maverick won in the first round over fences, Sally Parks and Rachel Wood’s Caillou scored in the handy, and Audrey Buck rode Patricia Murphy’s Edwina to first place in the hack.

Parks’ plan of attack for the handy course worked to perfection. Riders began over a fence that proved spooky for some horses, then tackled challenging turns and a trot fence with different options. A five-section fence gave riders three options for fence 2 and two options for fence 4, a trot jump.

“I thought the courses were really fun and forward,” Parks said. “In the handy, I thought I needed a lot to fence 1, because I saw a lot of horses peeking at it. So I got a really good canter to fence 1, and then just looked early and saw the straw (the five-section jump) – I thought that was awesome, with the options.”

“The left turn to the birch was great, and very tricky,” she continued. “You had to go straight into the trot, and then get a big powerful canter to the oxer, go inside to the two-stride, and bend to the last fence. It was really fun.”

Parks trains Caillou for owner Wood. Wood rides Caillou in the Adult Amateur Hunters, 18-35, and will be showing him later in the week.

“We’ve worked hard on this horse,” Parks said. “He’s really funny. His name is Caillou, like the cartoon. Sometimes he can be tricky – sometimes he gets on his own agenda. But he’s really sweet and he wants to do a good job.”

She said his expression is one of his strengths. “He always has great ears,” she smiled. “He’s happy to do his job. He loves his job.”

In the Second Year Green/High Performance Hunters, Maggie Jayne and Pony Lane Farm’s Fredrick put in the most consistent performances. Jayne and Fredrick were first over fences, second in the handy and first in the hack. Their eye-catching first round was one of the highlights of the day’s action in the Olson Family Hunter Arena.

“It went beautifully!” Jayne said. “I thought the courses were great and the jumps were very appealing and pretty. We had a good time.”

She said her goal was to showcase the horse and his movement. “He has such a pretty gait and I always try to keep it smooth and relaxed and just have the jumps come and go,” she said. “He’s a good mover and a good jumper, and has a great attitude – calm and relaxed. So I’ve got the total package. I’m very lucky.”

Jayne’s younger sister, Haylie Jayne, also had a successful day, sweeping all three classes in the First Year Green Hunters aboard Starina B.

Laurie Jueneman and Rio's Firefly
Laurie Jueneman and Rio’s Firefly

Laurie Jueneman and Rio’s Firefly edged out Maggie Jayne and Fredrick in the Second Year Green/High Performance handy class. Jueneman said she was pleased with the horse’s rapid improvement and felt the courses suited him well.

“I love the courses this week,” she said. “Everything’s flowing and really open, and that’s fun for us. This horse is super brave and a good turner.”

“I was particularly proud of the way he jumped the in-and-out today in both trips, particularly in the handy,” Jueneman added. “He hadn’t shown since last September – June was his first show – so this is only his third time doing the Second Years. I felt like he totally stepped up to the plate today. Every day he’s better and better and it’s just really fun.”

The Second Year Green/High Performance Hunter championship, along with the 3’6″ and 3’3″ Performance Hunter championships, will be determined Thursday as riders return to the Olson Family Hunter Arena for another full day of hunter competition.

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

What: Summer in the Rockies AA-Rated Hunter Jumper Show Series

Event Dates:

Summer in the Rockies I June 5-9, 2013
Summer in the Rockies II June 12-16, 2013
Summer in the Rockies III June 19-23, 2013
Summer in the Rockies IV July 3-7, 2013
Summer in the Rockies V July 10-14, 2013
Summer in the Rockies VI July 17-21, 2013

Prize List:

Click here for an online version of the prize list. For a hard copy of the prize list, please e-mail prizelist@cohorsepark.com with your name, address and phone number and specify which prize list you would like (spring/fall or summer).

Entries:

Mail to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 South Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134 or fax to (303) 841-7879. Opening date for Stall Reservations: April 1, 2013. Closing date May 20, 2013.

Contact Information:

Pat Boyle, Show Manager                          (847) 274-6834
Brian Curry, Show Manager                        (303) 918-2908
Show Office                                                 (303) 841-7461
Show Office Fax                                          (303) 841-1419
Colorado Horse Park Main Office                (303) 841-5550
Colorado Horse Park Main Office Fax         (303) 841-7879

Tentative Schedule:
Wed – Sun: Show starts daily at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado.  The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Chester Weber Scores Top 3 Finish at Aachen, Looks to 2014 World Equestrian Games

Team Weber competing in the cones phase at the CAIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Scheytt Photography)

Aachen, Germany (July 11, 2013) – Chester Weber, the nine-time USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion, drove his way to stand on the coveted international podium in Aachen by taking a third place overall in the individual CAIO-4 competition. Proving himself worthy of his well-earned nickname, Mr. Dressage, Weber started things off by winning the Preis der Fa. Horsch – the dressage competition for four-in-hand drivers of the CHIO. During this first phase of the competition, Weber drove his team to a personal international record score of 31.2 , and dominated this world-class field by beating out reigning FEI World Champion, Boyd Exell for the win.

Weber followed things up the next day with a win in the team dressage and a fifth place finish in the cones phase; then he and his team successfully navigated the Wohnwelt Pallen Marathon course to take 14th place on the final phase, which earned him a third place overall finish.  Standing on the podium in this prestigious world-wide competition, was certainly a proud moment for Weber and his amazing team of horses.  “We will compete at Beekburgen and Caen to hone our skills,” said Weber, “then will return to the US in September to prepare for the National Championships in Kentucky.”  Weber also added that all of the horses are training well, and that the 2013 summer tour is an important stepping stone for them on the way to the end goal of the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

Weber’s winning team for this European season is made up of his own Para, Senate, Horus du Bois, and Boris W, as well as Splash and Uniek, owned by Jane Clark.  Together, these horses showed their amazing power, grace and synergy both in Aachen and at the Saumur CAI-A4 in June, where Team Weber and Clark maintained a wire-to-wire lead to take the win.

As one of America’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber continues to be a driving force behind American four-in-hand combined driving, and promotes the sport wherever he goes by bringing in the ribbons. For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com.

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

Greg Crolick and Grey Street Win $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Horse Shows by the Bay

Greg Crolick and Adrienne Marciano’s Grey Street. Photo by Diana Hadsall.

Williamsburg, MI – July 10, 2013 – Greg Crolick and Top Call Farm returned to Michigan to make their home state proud this past weekend. After an extremely successful spring season on the road, Crolick kicked off the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival by winning the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby on Sunday, July 7 with Grey Street, owned by Adrienne Marciano.

Crolick and the 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding delivered a seamless trip over the classic first round course, designed by Evie Frisque (Ontario, Canada), earning them an initial score of 90. That score put them in the second place position to come back for the handy round just behind Kelley Farmer and Praise who had earned a score of 91.

“The courses were great. I liked both rounds, and they weren’t too difficult. I had a few options for the second round,” Crolick explained. “There were three different tracks that you could take so that you were either really tight and really handy, a happy medium track or one that had you moving out a little wider and around.”

Out of a field of 31 horses, Crolick also made the top 12 cut off to return for the second handy round with his other two mounts, Beyond Belief, owned by Cloverlane Farm LLC, and Borencio, owned by Orchard Lake Farms LLC.

“Having the other horses go before Grey Street in the second round gave me a chance to change the ride with each horse,” shared Crolick.

Once he returned with Grey Street, Crolick seemed to have the course perfected, earning the highest score of the class, a 94, and successfully clinching the blue ribbon honors. Earlier in the week, Crolick also consistently rode Grey Street to high placings in the First Year Green Hunters.

“Grey Street was wonderful for the derby. We left him a little bit fresh since it’s week one, and now he’ll be even more prepared for this week and next week’s derby,” said Crolick.

Grey Street’s win was not the first derby success for Crolick and Top Call Farm this summer. Prior to returning to Michigan for the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival, Crolick earned a sensational second place with Carson, owned by Orchard Lakes Farm LLC, in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Country Heir II Horse Show in Lexington, KY. While in Lexington, Crolick and Carson were also named champions in the High Performance Hunter division.

Crolick will return for week two of Horse Shows by the Bay today, this week joined by several other members of the Top Call Farm.

About Top Call Farm:

Located at the beautiful Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, Top Call Farm is a full service riding and training program for horse and rider, owned by Greg and Jessica Crolick. Top Call Farm offers training of the show horse and rider as well as riding instruction for those just starting out. Top Call can also aid in the purchase or sales of your show horse. For more information, please visit Top Call Farm on Facebook.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Uzbekistan’s Kamilov Takes Individual Gold While Kazakhstan Takes Team Title on Home Ground

Uzbekistan’s Umit Kamilov claimed Individual gold at the FEI Central Asia Jumping Championships 2013 in Astana, Kazakhstan last weekend.

Lausanne (SUI), 10 July 2013 – In a close-fought battle, the host nation of Kazakhstan clinched team gold at the FEI Central Asia Jumping Championships 2013 in Astana last weekend where Uzbekistan’s Umit Kamilov came out on top in a two-way tussle for the Individual title.

Horse-and-rider combinations from Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan lined out during the three-day fixture which took place at the Kazanat racetrack in Kazakhstan’s capital city.

Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth largest country in the world.  With over one million square miles of territory it is bigger than Western Europe, and it is neighboured, clockwise from the north, by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, also bordering the Caspian Sea.  Kazakhstan has been hosting FEI events since 1993.

Perfect Start

Victory for Erjan Magzhaev and Privat in the opening 1.20m Speed class was the perfect start for the host country.  There were eight clear rounds from 38 starters, and Uzbekistan’s Okil Sabirzhanov and Tayson were more than seven seconds slower when slotting into runner-up spot ahead of Russia’s Juliya Seredova and Irbit who were a further second off the pace in third.

Sabirzhanov topped the following day’s Two-Phase competition in which the second-round fences stood at 1.30m.  There were 22 starters in this class and three were eliminated in the opening round while there was a total of seven first-round clears.  Only the eventual winner and Russia’s Alexander Tishkov recorded double-clear performances however, Tishkov and Calipso having to settle for second place when Sabirzhanov’s Tayson broke the beam fractionally quicker.

And the strength of the Kazakh squad was underlined when home riders filled six of the top nine placings in this class including Magzhaev with Camelot in third and Iriina Sverchkova with Kholidey in fourth.

Team Competition

The team medal-decider also took place on the second day with four nations, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia, each represented by full teams of four horse-and-rider combinations.

Kyrgyzstan held a significant five-point lead at the halfway stage when Valentina Dubolazova’s 12 faults with Zemfira was discounted and only the eight collected by both Azim Kermaliev (Landame) and Renat Galimov (Arman) had to be added to the four picked up by anchorman Sadyr Mamytov (Tuintendro) bringing the total to 20.

The Kazakhs lay second with 25 faults ahead of Russia in third with 28 and Uzbekistan close behind in fourth with 29.

It all fell apart for Kyrgyzstan in round two however when they had to add another 40 faults to bring their final tally to 60, sending them plummeting from first to last place.

Meanwhile the Kazakhs improved with just 20 to add this time out after both pathfinder Peter Solovyov (Luzie) and second-line rider Asset Tolkumbekov (Aronia), returned with eight faults apiece while anchorman Alexander Tishkov left just one on the floor with Quattro.  Oleg Popelyaev’s performance with the French-bred It’s Me du Mesnil deteriorated dramatically as this combination, who returned with just five faults first time out, picked up a hefty 25 at their second attempt to provide the discard score.

None of that mattered however when things didn’t quite go to plan for the Russians either despite an opening second-round clear, the only fault-free run of the day, from pathfinders Olga Giss and Gledis.  They looked like overtaking the Kazakhs when Karin Ruslan and Eliza followed with an eight-fault effort, but 12 from Juliya Seredova and Irbit and a further 17 from Sergey Shepelin and Cambridge ensured that they too must add a further 20 to their scoreline, leaving them just three faults short of the Kazakhs and in silver medal position.

Uzbekistan’s Feruz Abdulayev (Dorango), Umit Kamilov (Eloise), Vladimir Shmelyov (Lou Leveret) and Gairat Nazarov (Quattro Junior) claimed the bronze, with particularly creditable performances from Kamilov who improved from an eight-fault first-round total to lower just one fence second time out, and Gairat who picked up just a single time fault in round two.

Final Day

Kazakhstan’s Magzhaev and Privat headed up the AEF President’s Cup 135m class on the final day when coming out best in a two-way showdown with Kyrgyzstan’s Renat Galimov and Arman who faulted once in a slower time while Magzhaev jumped fast, clean and clear to take the honours.

The individual medals were decided in the Grand Prix, which was also an FEI World Cup Jumping qualifier for the region, and therefore strongly contested.

Just 12 lined out over the considerably bigger 140m-160m course, and there were two first-round eliminations including that of 2011 FEI Central Asia individual gold medallist Peter Soloyov.  There were no clears in round one, but when both Uzbekistan’s Kamilov and Ukraine’s Konstantin Iaroshenko finished with eight faults each they went through to a second-round jump-off against the clock, with Uzbekistan’s Okil Sabirzhnov already assured of the bronze after posting the fastest 12-fault total with Tayson.

Despite picking up another seven faults, Kamilov won through to take the gold when Iaroshenko returned with 13 more to add to his scoreline.  It was an impressive conclusion to the Championships from an Uzbeki perspective, as they claimed individual gold and bronze while Vladimir Shmelyov finished just outside the medals in fourth place.

FEI Courses

Alongside all the action and excitement in the arena, the Equestrian Federation of Kazakhstan staged two FEI training courses, for Endurance Level 1 national judges and FEI veterinarians.  Mr Hallvard Sommerseth from Norway was the main speaker on the topic of Endurance while both FEI 1st Vice-President and Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee, Mr John McEwen, and Director of the FEI Veterinary Department, Graeme Cooke, addressed the veterinary delegates from Asian countries.

During the course of discussions on veterinary matters, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture, and the Chief Veterinary Officer of Kazakhstan, expressed the desire to improve the practicality of government requirements for the movement for international competition horses and for them to lead the way in this regard for other countries in the Central Asia region.  This could include the establishment of disease-free zones for competition horses.

Results:

FEI Central Asia Jumping Team Championship:  GOLD – Kazakhstan 45 faults: Luzie (Peter Solovyov) 12/8, Aronia (Asset Tolkumbekov) 12/8, It’s Me du Mesnil (Oleg Popelyaev) 5/25, Quattro (Alexander Tishkov) 8/1; SILVER – Russia 48 faults: Gledis (Olga Giss) 8/0, Eliza (Karen Ruslin) 16/8, Irbit (Juliya Seredova) 16/17, Cambridge (Sergey Shepelin) 4/17; BRONZE – Uzbekistan 50 faults: Dorango (Feruz (Abdeulayev) 26/29, Eloise (Umit Kamilov) 8/1, Lou Leveret (Vladimir Shmelyov) 12/16, Quattro Junior (Gairat Nazarov) 9/1.

FEI Central Asia Jumping Individual Championship: GOLD – Eloise (Umit Kamilov) UZB; SILVER – Liebestraum (Konstantin Iaroshenko) UKR; BRONZE – Tayson (Okil Sabirzhanov) UZB.

By Louise Parkes

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro Are Back at World Number One

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro competing in the Grand Prix at CDIO 5* Rotterdam © Dirk Caremans/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 9 July 2013 – Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and her 11-year-old Olympic partner Valegro have reclaimed the world number one spot in this month’s FEI World Dressage Rankings.

The London 2012 double gold medallists, who won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle to Music at the recent CDIO 5* Rotterdam (NED), top the rankings with 2,912 points to give them a 13-point lead over Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) and the 16-year-old Jerich Parzival. The Dutch rider’s chestnut KWPN gelding was successfully treated for cardiac arrhythmia but has been out of action for the last few weeks.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions 2013 Helen Langehanenberg (GER) and Damon Hill NRW are in third place with 2,802 points.

There are few other changes in the Top 10, with Edward Gal (NED) and Glock’s Undercover up one place to fourth on 2,518 points and Germany’s Kristina Sprehe and Desperados in fifth on 2,517, just one point behind Gal.

The biggest mover in latest rankings is that of Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer and August Old who have moved from 49th to 12th place thanks to their victory in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special on home ground at CDI3* Achleiten and their good performances in Aachen (GER).

The complete FEI World Dressage Rankings are here.

FEI Media contacts:

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

Southeast Medal Finals Aids Unbridled Warriors Inc.

Unbridled Warriors Inc.’s mission is to provide equine assisted personal growth, equine experiential growth and services to military personnel and veterans.

Jacksonville, FL – July 9, 2013 – The Southeast Medal Finals brings some of the country’s top competitors and trainers to Jacksonville, FL, and this year the show is also bringing support of a new nonprofit, Unbridled Warriors Inc. All proceeds from live and silent auctions held during the show, September 19-22, 2013, will be donated to support the worthy organization.

Based in Green Cove Springs, FL, Unbridled Warriors Inc. provides equine assisted programs and equine interactive learning to military personnel, veterans, first responders and the families of these service men and women.

“Unbridled Warriors is a nonprofit created because we were seeing more and more military and first responders as participants in equine assisted programs, and most of them are limited in their ability to access that type of programming,” Unbridled Warriors founder StarrLee Heady shared. “This programming provides equine interactive learning or equine assisted programs that can help them deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, combat stress, relationship problems, intimacy issues – just about anything that comes up.”

Heady has worked with military personnel in similar programming pro-bono since July 2011, but as the need for the equine assisted services continued to grow, Unbridled Warriors came to fruition and received its 501(c)3 nonprofit status in January 2013. Now, Heady is thrilled with the opportunity that the Southeast Medal Finals has presented the growing organization.

“It just means so much,” she said. “It’s good exposure to the rest of the horse world. There are so many people in the horse industry who understand how much of a difference it’s made in their own lives to work with horses, but they aren’t aware that horses are being utilized to do this sort of service in our community. It’s just tremendous that another horse industry group would support us in this way.”

Southeast Medal Finals features the ASPCA Maclay Regionals, the Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals, the $25,000 Land Rover of Jacksonville Grand Prix, the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Southeast Championship and more. The four-day show is held at one of the premier equestrian facilities on the east coast, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, centrally located for USHJA Zone 4 and Region 3 competitors. The complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. With excellent footing and some of the top junior riders in the country, Southeast Medal Finals is the perfect preparation for the fall indoor circuit. To learn more about Southeast Medal Finals, check out www.southeastmedalfinals.com.

Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:

WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is an A-Rated indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders from USHJA Zone 4 and beyond.

WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com

WHEN: September 19-23, 2013

WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and 500 permanent stalls.

FEATURES:
Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals
Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals
$25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix
ASPCA Maclay Regionals

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Susan Rindal – 904-655-5497 – rindal@bellsouth.net
James Lala – 561-906-6668 – jdlala@aol.com
Bob Bell – 843-768-5503 – bbell@earthlink.net

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Banners: 20 Eight Foot Banners to Hang in Ring
  • Parties: Welcome Party, Jumper Cocktail Party, Maclay Breakfast
  • Program Ads: Full Color, Full Page – Business Card Size
  • Tables: 20 VP Tables for Six with full service
  • Prize Money: Hunter and Jumper Divisions
  • Cooler Sponsors: 10 Coolers Awarded to Championship Winners
  • Grooms Award

DIRECTIONS: For map and address information, visit http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/Location.aspx.

Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Harold Chopping Dominates in Both Hunter and Grand Prix Rings at HITS Culpeper

©ESI Photography. Harold Chopping and Calando Z jump their way to a win in the $40,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix.

CULPEPER, VA (July 8, 2013) – After piloting Caroline Russell Howe’s Caramo to the blue in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix the previous day, Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina rode to a win in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday with Paddy Ann Burns’ Calando Z.

Chopping and Calando Z led off in both rounds and topped 14 contenders over a course designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. The 13-jump track presented 17 jumping efforts, including a double combination at fence six and a triple combination as the second-to-last obstacle.

“Winning against these guys in Virginia is never a given – they are quick,” said Chopping of the competition. “The track was fair, but consistently difficult all the way around. The approaches to the combinations were technical – there was a half stride to the double and a tricky approach to the triple. Honestly, the hardest part was going first in both rounds – I was just lucky that the rounds that were faster than mine ended up with faults.”

After posting the first clear round of the day, Chopping was joined by five others, presenting a six-horse jump-off. Chopping quickly put the Great American Time to Beat on the clock at 45.80 seconds as the first to go in the jump-off.

“He [Calando Z] is very good in the combination, so despite me making a plan and then changing once I was in the ring – he judged those approaches well,” said Chopping.

In pursuit, Dr. Fernando Cardenas of New Hill, North Carolina and his own Quincy Car were second to ride, but picked up four faults in 44.61 seconds. Kyle Timm of Apex, North Carolina and Apex Equestrian Center’s Platinum were third to go and had the speed with a final time of 44.05 seconds, but had two rails for eight faults.

Patty Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and her own Carigor Z posted a clear round in 47.52 seconds, while Manuel Torres of Leesburg, Virginia followed close behind with the final double-clear effort of the day in 46.13 seconds. Capping the jump-off was Kama Godek of Farifax Station, Virginia and her own Air Force One. They finished in 50.35 seconds with four faults at the final jump of the course.

Behind Chopping, Torres finished second, Stovel third and Cardenas fourth. Godek capped the top five and Timm was sixth.

Chopping’s winning mount, a 13-year-old chestnut gelding, is an enjoyable ride. “He’s a very correct jumper – it is never difficult to get a good jump out of him,” said Chopping. “I always know that he is going to walk into the ring and do his job.” Grand prix competition will continue at HITS Culpeper with the $40,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday July 14 and returns to HITS Saugerties for three weeks, July 17 – August 4.  Throughout the summer circuits in New York and Virginia, jumper riders will continue to ride for qualifying leverage in the preliminary Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings for a chance to compete in the historic class this fall.

©ESI Photography. Manuel Torres and Fidelina on their way to a win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
©ESI Photography. Manuel Torres and Fidelina on their way to a win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
Torres got high-performance jumper competition started on Friday with a win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix aboard Fidelina. He bested all comers over the 1.45m course before moving on to second-place honors in Sunday’s grand prix.

Ragan Roberts of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania was second in the irons of Weslands Farm’s Vertigo. Third went to Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia and his own Remonta Habano. Rounding out the top five was Kyle Timm of Apex, North Carolina with Apex Equestrian Center’s Platinum in fourth, and Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida with Vanita, owned by Gaston Family Investments, LLC, in fifth.

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

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

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

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