Angel Karolyi rode Amigo to victory in the $75,000 Upperville Jumper Classic. Photo by Megan Brincks, The Chronicle of the Horse.
Upperville, Virginia – Venezuela’s Angel Karolyi braved the wet weather to claim victory aboard Amigo in the $75,000 Upperville Jumper Classic on Sunday, June 9, at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Upperville, Virginia.
Karolyi and Amigo, a nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding, topped a starting field of 27 horse and rider combinations to capture the win over a course that left many struggling. Not a single rider completed the first round fault-free, with 10 opting to retire. The track set by International Equestrian Federation (FEI) level 3 course designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil was the only one of the week built in the grass arena, as wet weather throughout the week precluded its earlier use.
When the first round failed to yield a clear effort, Karolyi, Kyle Timm of Canada, and Ramiro Quintana of Argentina, all of whom had incurred four faults, lined up for a truly international jump-off.
Timm again posted a four-fault effort riding Apex Equestrian’s Wadisson. Karolyi opted for a slower pace in the jump-off, focusing instead on a clear performance in a time of 47.88 seconds. His tactics paid off as the final jump-off challenger, Quintana aboard Ziedento, once again incurred four faults.
“It was difficult conditions, the ground was soft, and I wasn’t comfortable leaving strides out,” said Karolyi. “Having to slow down so much, yet try to maintain the energy to get across the oxers, cost me a rail in the first round.”
Returning for the jump-off, Karolyi had even more cause for concern.
“It had rained more since I had jumped the first round, and it kept raining,” explained Karolyi who, at 26, is already a Venezuelan show jumping team veteran. “The ground was getting softer, so I was a bit conservative in the jump-off. I wanted to give the horse a good experience. I just had to hope that Ramiro would make a mistake. He was having a nice round and was faster, but he ended up having a rail.”
In addition to their win in the $75,000 Upperville Jumper Classic, Karolyi and Amigo enjoyed success earlier in the week with a double-clear performance in Friday’s $25,000 Upperville Welcome Stake on June 7. Creating a large jump-off, 22 of the 34 starters were clear in the opening round to qualify for the tie-breaker. Karolyi was one of 13 riders to once again post a clear round, with his time of 39.39 seconds placing him ninth. Young American Victoria Colvin took the win with a time of 36.42 seconds aboard Monsieur du Reverdy while fellow American Devin Ryan rode No Worries to a second place finish in a time of 36.47 seconds.
Karolyi also finished ninth in the $10,000 1.40m Jumper competition on Thursday, June 6, riding Armani Z, an eight-year-old bay Zangersheide mare.
Karolyi has been partnered with Amigo since the end of March and enjoyed a third place finish in the $25,000 Grand Prix at the Aiken Spring Classic Finale in South Carolina in April. The pair competed at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows and the Pennsylvania’s Devon Horse Show in May where they placed fifth in the $50,000 Idle Dice Stake before coming to Upperville.
“I’m getting to know the horse and creating a partnership,” said Karolyi of Amigo. “It’s not a matter of scope or how big the jumps are. He’s very powerful, very correct, and jumps in beautiful form over every jump, every time. It’s a genuine horse. It’s very exciting to have one like that.”
Both Amigo and Armani Z are owned by Hollow Creek Farm, a large training business operated by Karolyi and business partner, renowned horsewoman Andrea King, in Aiken, South Carolina.
Hollow Creek Farm had the unique distinction of winning three prestigious titles at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. At only 16 years of age, star student Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela was named the Leading Jumper Rider, Andrea King was named the Leading Jumper Trainer, and Hollow Creek Farm was named the Leading Jumper Owner.
Chester Weber wins in Saumur (Photo Courtesy of Chester Weber)
Lexington, KY – Drivers from the United States put the world on notice over the weekend in France as they stormed to victory in both the Four-in-Hand and Pony Team divisions at the Saumur CAI-A4. Chester Weber cruised to victory in a world class Four-in-Hand division, finishing on a three-day total of 128.5, while in Pony Team competition Laurie Astegiano ended on an overall score of 145.93 to earn her first Saumur victory.
Weber (Ocala, FL) demonstrated why he is a nine-time USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion and two-time FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championship Silver medalist with his impressive performance in France. Driving a team he co-owns with Jane Clark, Weber scored 36.22 in the dressage to lead the field of 21 from the very start. He once again dominated on Saturday’s marathon, posting the best score of the Four-in-Hand division, 89.28, to head into the final cones phase the overnight leader. A single ball down in the cones for an additional three penalties meant Weber scored a wire-to-wire victory on a score of 128.5.
Weber will look to continue his success in Europe, as he next heads to Aachen, Germany for the Aachen CAIO-4.
Laurie Astegiano competes at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championship (Marie de Ronde)
Astegiano (Roussac, France) has a history of solid performances in Saumur, including a second place finish in 2012, but had not been able to earn top honors until this year. The two-time FEI World Pony Driving Championship Team Bronze medalist grabbed the early lead with her team of ponies winning the dressage phase on a score of 56.26. The following day she placed second on the marathon with a score of 85.56. In the cones phase, Astegiano added just 4.11 penalties to complete the prestigious competition on a score of 145.93 and claim first place honors.
Lexington, KY – The best young dressage horses on the East Coast delivered top performances at the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial in Leesburg, Virginia. Held in conjunction with the VADA/NOVA Summer June Dressage Show, these five- and six-year-old horses aimed for a spot to represent the U.S. at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses in Verden, Germany in August, as well as a spot on the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List.
Combinations needed to score 8.2 or higher to be eligible to represent the U.S. in Verden, while a score of 7.8 or higher would earn a place on the Markel/USEF Short List. Selection Trial competition had both five- and six-year-olds perform their respective FEI Preliminary Tests which accounted for 40% of the overall score. The remaining 60% of scores was earned in their respective FEI Final Tests.
Silva Martin (Unionville, PA) had an impressive weekend, claiming the top three places with her mounts in the five-year-old division. Fortissimo B (ES Fabuleux x EM Romai/Rubinstein I) took home the win after earning a 7.700 in the FEI Preliminary Test and an 8.120 in the FEI Final Test for a total score of 7.952 with Martin. With that score, Camilla Van Liew’s Hanoverian Stallion earned a place on the Markel/USEF Short List.
“Fortissimo B was great on both days,” said Martin. “He really tried for me and I think he is going to have an amazing future!”
Melinda Walton’s Hanoverian gelding Benefactor RRS (Bonheur x Heidekleid/Rubinstein I) earned a total score of 7.80 with Martin after receiving a 7.56 in the FEI Preliminary Test and a 7.96 in the FEI Final Test, also qualifying him for the Markel/USEF Short List. Martin also rode Anne Laver and Windurra USA, LLC’s Dutch Warmblood gelding Di Solitaire (unknown breeding) to receive a 7.52 and a 7.72 for a total score of 7.64.
Kim Gentry and Leonardo (Picsofyou.com)
In the six-year-old division, Kim Gentry (Germantown, TN) and Leonardo (Solos Landtinus x Rambala/Rambo) came out on top with a 7.32 in the FEI Preliminary Test and a 7.92 in the FEI Final Test for a total score of 7.68. The Danish Warmblood gelding performed well for rider/owner Gentry and showed much potential for the future.
“I am really excited about the outcome. The feedback from judges on Saturday’s test was that I needed more collection and more engagement, so I really worked on that and showing clearer transitions within the gaits on Sunday,” said Gentry. “I thought about where I could show him off, which is in his changes, so I asked him for a more uphill balance with his changes and he really delivered. Being so young, I can feel that there is more to come out of him which is really exciting.”
Alice Tarjan (Oldwick, NJ) rode her own Oldenburg mare Elfenfeuer (Florencio x Unknown/Sion) to a second place finish, earning a total score of 7.24 after receiving a 7.30 in the FEI Preliminary Test and a 7.20 in the FEI Final Test.
Eric Lamaze riding Wang Chung M2S scored victory in the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup. Photo – Spruce Meadows Media Services.
June 9, 2013 – Calgary, Alberta – 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze was in the winner’s circle after claiming the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup on Sunday, June 9, at the Spruce Meadows “National” Tournament in Calgary, AB.
While Lamaze has welcomed two new international mounts to his stable in recent weeks, it was his partner of almost two years, Wang Chung M2S, that carried him to Sunday’s victory. The pair had the advantage of going second to last in the starting order, knowing they had to better the time of 85.33 seconds set by Reed Kessler of the United States. Catch her time they did, cruising through Werner Deeg’s course in the International Ring in a time of 84.73 seconds. When the final rider, Brianne Goutal of the U.S., proved to be no threat, Lamaze claimed his first victory of the Spruce Meadows summer series.
“We’re out at Spruce Meadows with some young horses and new horses; this horse is the only one left of my old string, so I know him better than the others,” said Lamaze, 45. “This competition really suited him well and I am very happy with the outcome.”
The all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows with earnings in excess of $3.7 million at the Calgary venue alone, Lamaze is no stranger to hoisting the winner’s trophy in the International Ring. For his victory in the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup, Lamaze added another $13,200 to his overall winnings.
“I use him quite a bit in the speed competitions so I know him quite well,” said Lamaze of the 10-year-old Irish-bred Dutch Warmblood stallion (Royal Bravour x Ahorn) owned by Morningside Stud of Ireland and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable. “He’s very dependable in the short turns and he has a huge gallop so, on this field, it was advantage.”
In addition to Wang Chung M2S, Lamaze has recently added two new international mounts to his string. Owners Carlene and Andy Ziegler of Artisan Farms purchased Powerplay, the former mount of Swiss rider Pius Schwizer, and Quelmec de Gery, formerly under the saddle of France’s Penelope Leprovost, days before the Spruce Meadows “National” opened. Lamaze made his competition debut with both nine-year-old geldings this week at the Calgary venue.
“I was thrilled with both of the horses in our first week competing together,” said Lamaze who plans to ride one of his two new mounts for Canada in the Nations’ Cup competition on Thursday, June 13. “I didn’t have any sort of practice prior to coming to Spruce Meadows. It’s hard enough to ride any horse that’s never been in the International Ring, let alone a horse that is new to its rider, so I was super happy with how it went. I just took it easy, I’m just getting to know them, but I’m very happy with how everything felt.”
Hailing from Schomberg, ON, Lamaze now divides his time between training bases in Wellington, FL, and Vrasene, Belgium.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly won the Bromont CCI3*, the Todd Sandler Challenge. Photos by Cealy Tetley.
Bromont, Quebec – William Coleman III and Phillip Dutton both maintained their leads in the final show jumping phase to win the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions respectively at the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, held June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.
The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport, with the phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping taking place over three consecutive days. While the cross-country is considered the most thrilling phase, the show jumping at Bromont held plenty of excitement, as scores were very close among the top contenders in all four International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions.
William Coleman III of the United States became the winner of the CCI3* division and the Todd Sandler Challenge. Riding Obos O’Reilly, owned by Four-Star Eventing Group Syndicate, Coleman posted one of only two clear show jumping rounds in the CCI3* division. The challenging show jumping course was designed by Mauricio Garcia of Puerto Rico, who was assisted by Canada’s Jean Pierre Ayotte.
“I do love this event,” said Coleman, who was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympics. “I like the way it’s run and the people who run it. I always have a good time here. Some people have events where they tend to do well, and Bromont is one for me.”
Finishing second in the CCI3* was Canadian Olympian Selena O’Hanlon of Kingston, ON, who piloted Foxwood High to the only other clear round in the division, rising three spots from fifth place following Saturday’s cross-country phase. O’Hanlon also rode two other horses in the CCI3*, both of which finished in the placings. With Bellaney Rock she was fourth, while A First Romance placed 12th.
“This was the first CCI3* for all three of my horses,” said O’Hanlon. “I am thrilled with how all of them went this week, and I’m happy to be taking them home happy and sound. I’m looking forward to the future with all three of them.”
Phillip Dutton (left) riding Ben and William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly celebrate their respective victories in the CIC3* and CCI3* divisions
In the CIC3* division, Phillip Dutton maintained the lead he established after cross-country with Team Rebecca’s Ben. In the CIC3* division, competitors rode a shortened cross-country course compared to the CCI3*, but the final show jumping phase was over the same course as the CCI3*. Dutton had one fence down in the show jumping, but with a two rail lead, he still comfortably finished first with 72.1 penalties.
“I am overall pleased with Ben; he’s a very talented horse,” said Dutton, a two-time Olympic Team gold medalist for his native Australia who now competes for the U.S. “Ben’s work is getting better and higher quality.
Dutton, a frequent competitor at Bromont, was once again impressed with the calibre of competition.
“Bromont and Fair Hill CCI3* are the two hardest competitions of this level in North America in terms of terrain and course design,” he said in reference to the annual events held in Quebec and Maryland.
Moving up to second place with one of only two clear show jumping rounds in the CIC3* division was Canada’s Jessica Phoenix on Pavarotti, the horse with which she won individual gold and team silver at the 2011 Pan American Games.
“Pavarotti was awesome all weekend long, and he was so rideable on cross-country,” said Phoenix, who was the highest placed Canadian at the 2012 London Olympics. “He couldn’t have jumped any better.”
In the CCI2* division, Erin Sylvester of the United States managed to maintain her lead, despite a less than perfect show jumping round riding Mettraise. Her eight fault round and final score of 70.4 penalties stood up against the field of 14, after only four riders went clear in the show jumping.
“Overall I was really happy with my horse today; she got excited in the ring but she still tried really hard,” said Sylvester. “This is a big improvement over where she was even a few months ago.”
American Buck Davidson moved up five places in the CCI2* show jumping phase, vaulting from seventh after cross-country to second place after posting one of the division’s few clear rounds with Santa’s Keeper. Davidson was also third with Knight Lion.
In the CCI1* division, Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, was the only Canadian winner at the 2013 Volvo Bromont Three Day Event. It wasn’t an easy victory for Roberts, who went into the show jumping with Yarrow only 4.8 penalties ahead of Erin Sylvester on Paddy the Caddy, who had added a single time penalty to their score in the show jumping. That one time penalty turned out to be just enough to keep Roberts in the top spot. After taking one rail and adding four faults to his score, Roberts finished just 0.8 points ahead of Sylvester, with 49.7 penalties.
“I thought the course today was really well designed. It was challenging for the level,” said Roberts, who was excited to have had such a major success with Yarrow, a six-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding sired by Yavari and bred by his parents, Canadian Olympians Ian Roberts and Kelly Plitz. “I’m really excited about Yarrow. He’s also a part of our family.”
The success of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event relies on the support of many sponsors and volunteers each year. Volvo returned as title sponsor for the second year, and Bromont was included for the third time in the PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.
“We are delighted with Volvo’s involvement again this year,” said Sue Ockendon, Event Director of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event. “We are also grateful for the sponsorship we have received from SSG Gloves, and from Keith and Debbi Eaman. We greatly appreciate the support from all of our sponsors.”
While the weather didn’t cooperate for much of the weekend, Ockendon says it’s a tribute to the ongoing improvements to the footing and drainage at Bromont, and to the efforts of the cross-country jump crew that the event was a success in spite of the rain.
“Jay Hambly and his crew worked very hard to make it possible for the horses to run at every fence,” said Ockendon of Bromont’s resident course builder and his team. “They put gravel down at every fence throughout the day on Saturday. That’s what helped the footing stay solid.”
The cross-country courses at Bromont were designed by Derek Di Grazia of the United States. Riders agreed that Di Grazia, the resident course designer at Bromont since 2009, created tracks of world class quality at the 2013 event.
“Derek is arguably one of the best designers in the world,” said Dutton. “What you find with his courses is consistency, and his courses are bigger than what you see in most of North America. You can have confidence in the lines that the distances are going to work.”
The 2013 Bromont Three Day Event was host to an FEI Course for officials, technical delegates, stewards and course designers. The course drew people from around the world to Bromont, which is in the final stages of bidding for the right to host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.
“The FEI Course was very good,” said Ockendon. “It gave people from all around the world the opportunity to come to Bromont and see how it works.”
The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.
For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com. Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Eric Lamaze Notches Canadian Victory in $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup
Calgary, AB – June 9, 2013 – The final day of the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament had two exciting competitions that featured speed and stamina. Leslie Howard (USA) and Lennox Lewis 2 took their second victory in the $175,000 Nexen Cup 1.60m Derby, equaling their 2011 finish. Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze went into another gear to notch the week’s first Canadian victory in the International Ring in the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m.
Attendance during this ‘National’ week was 86,715, with 36,000 people coming to Spruce Meadows on Sunday. It was a great testament to the fans of show jumping and Spruce Meadows in that there was a 32,000 person increase from this week in 2012.
Since the course was re-designed by Leopoldo Palacios in 2007, there have only been three clear rounds in the history of the Nexen Cup Derby. Riders tackle the same course every year. Two of the clear rounds in the history of the class were tallied by Beezie Madden and Judgement, three-time winners of the competition. Pablo Barrios and G&C Sinatra were also clear in 2010. Last year’s winners, Richard Spooner and Cristallo, had just one time fault.
With a course distance of 1,100 meters and 25 obstacles including the large derby bank, table bank, open water, and grob, the Nexen Cup Derby is a challenge for anyone entering the ring. It’s a test of scope, stamina, and heart.
This year the heights and widths of the fences were made more inviting for competitors as part of Spruce Meadows’ commitment to helping develop a new generation of derby horses. In addition, all who completed the course from fifth to 17th place received $5,000 in prize money. There were no eliminations in today’s competition, so everyone took home prize money.
Today’s competition had 17 entries. Two horse and rider combinations were able to get through the course with the least amount of faults: Beezie Madden and Wrigley were the first to accumulate just four faults, which came at fence 3a of the table bank. Seven horses later, it was 2011 Nexen Cup Derby winners Leslie Howard and Lennox Lewis 2 who had one rail at fence 11, the dry ditch oxer.
The two riders could have jumped off for the winner’s share of prize money; however, it was announced that Wrigley could not come back for a jump-off. Howard and Lennox Lewis 2 returned and completed the jump-off with four faults in 54.27 seconds for the win.
When asked why she completed the entire jump-off, Howard replied, “Spruce Meadows does so much for us, and I know it was important for them to have somebody come back for the jump-off. It’s the least we can do to give back to Spruce.”
Madden said it was an easy decision not to return for the jump-off since Wrigley was “quite sore.” Madden explained, “She’ll be okay; her back foot stepped on her front foot. She had a pretty big gash and she was bleeding. At the end when I pulled up, I could tell it was bothering her, but I didn’t notice it during the course. It’s disappointing I didn’t get the chance to win, but I’m ecstatic about how she went. Second is still a good prize in the derby.”
The course stays the same every year, and that’s something that Howard says helps if you have a veteran horse like Lennox Lewis 2. “It gets easier if you’re riding a horse that you’ve ridden over that course before. I used to get sick to my stomach when I did the derbies,” she revealed. “When I walked the derby, I’d literally get ill. Now with ‘Lennie,’ you wake up on Sunday morning and go, ‘It’s Derby Day!’ If you have a horse that you don’t know, you wake up and go, ‘Oh dear, it’s Derby Day.’ It really depends on the horse you’re on. It’s a blast because I know he’s going to go through grob, he’s going to do the liverpools, I know he’s not going to do anything stupid. The worst that’s going to happen is we’re going to have some rails.”
Howard described Lennox Lewis as the quintessential derby horse. “He’s been in the top of the derbies every year since I’ve been doing them, probably four or five years,” she said. “He’s just a great derby horse. He’s easy to ride, he’s very brave. He’s not hard on himself. He never jumps too exuberantly; he doesn’t get too excited about anything. He’s just very steady Eddie. That’s a great attribute in a derby horse.”
Although Madden had never ridden Wrigley in the derby before, Wrigley’s former rider, Callie Schott, had, so Madden knew the grey mare could do it. “It’s like Leslie said – it’s nice to be out there with a horse you have confidence in and you know is going to go from start to finish without any big catastrophes. It gives you more confidence. It enables you to ride the course so that the horse can jump clean too, because otherwise you’re overriding everywhere,” she said. “She has good blood and stamina, for sure. That’s part of what makes her a good derby horse.”
Ashlee Bond had a solid day with her two horses in the competitions. She and Wistful had two rails at fences 19a and the final jump, 19, for eight faults in 155.05 seconds for third place. On Cadett 7, she had 12 faults in 148.23 seconds for fourth place.
This was Wistful’s first derby, and their finish today helped Bond win the CN Spruce Meadows Canadian Championship. “I’m so proud of her,” Bond said. “This whole week she has just risen to the occasion. Everything I’ve ever asked of her, she’s never questioned.”
The CN Spruce Meadows Canadian Championship was decided today after points were accumulated in four competitions: the Friends of the Meadows 1.60m, Spectra Energy Cup, CN Reliability Grand Prix, and Nexen Cup. For her top placings all week, Bond received $15,000 in bonus prize money, a championship cooler, and medal. Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star won the Silver Medal and $7,500 in prize money. The bronze medal and $2,500 went to Katie Prudent and V.
Bond expressed, “I’m very honored. It was a nice surprise. Before I did Cadett, I knew I had won that. It’s a really great accomplishment. To be able to do it twice now is great. Every time I come here, I’m really excited because I know the competition is going to be great and there’s a lot of prize money to be had. You’ve got to come with the right horses. Wistful decided to grow up a little bit this week. It worked out to be a consistent week. I’m savoring it for right now and on Tuesday it’s a clean slate all over again.”
Lamaze Victorious in Speed
The $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m featured 21 entries going for speed over a faults converted format course. Going second to last, it was Eric Lamaze and Wang Chung M2S who would be able to take the lead with a time of 84.74 seconds. Three horses earlier, it was Reed Kessler (USA) and Ligist who set a time of 85.33 seconds, which would eventually finish second. Cameron Hanley (IRL) and Newton du Haut Bois were third with a time of 85.58 seconds.
Eric Lamaze and Wang Chung M2S
Lamaze made the decision to watch most of the competition to see how he could be faster. Lamaze explained, “In these classes, it’s so important to watch more than warm-up. In the class there are so many fences to jump, so I only jump six fences (in the warm-up). The best are at the end, so I glued myself to the TV for as long as I could to watch, watch, watch. I had my strategy. I knew I could do nine (strides) to the double vertical with him. He’s very clever with that stuff.”
Wang Chung, a 10-year-old KWPN stallion by Royal Bravour x Ahorn owned by Morningside Stud & Torrey Pines Stable, is now Lamaze’s most experienced horse. As “a great 1.45m, 1.50m horse,” Lamaze noted that competitions of this type are exactly in his comfort zone.
“He’s really a competitive horse,” he noted. “When I had the other horses, that’s what he did for me, that I used in all those (speed) classes. It’s great to go in a competition like that, feeling maybe not that you’re the favorite, but I feel like I can play to win. It’s nice to have one during the week that you can really go on.”
While Wang Chung is a “very little horse,” Lamaze said his big stride is what helps him, along with the fact that “you can run him and he never gets flat or strong.” Lamaze added, “What makes him a great speed horse is that he’s very cold. He never gets hot, he never gets quick. You can always push him. He doesn’t go by himself, that’s why he’s able to do so many speed classes.”
Since revamping his string of horses, Wang Chung has had to step up in certain events, like Florida’s Nations Cup event. But Lamaze is excited to have two new nine-year-old horses that will move up to the big grand prix events in the coming weeks at Spruce Meadows.
Since stepping off the plane last week from Belgium, both Powerplay and Quelmec du Gery had a trial by fire in the International Ring. “If you’ve never competed on a horse here, even if you know it well, it’s always difficult,” Lamaze conceded. “So on horses that have never been here and you don’t know, it’s a difficult task, but they went extremely well. The most logical thing was to do 1.30m or 1.35m with them, but I was so excited to be in this ring that I was like, ‘Eh, I’ll try it!’ It’s really exciting for me. This season is going to be about learning everything about them and them learning about me.”
Additional Honors and Awards
PD Stables won the “Jump To It” contest and took home the prize of a full set of jumps for their farm.
Dr. John and Chris Wood “Pegasus” Memorial Award is given to a volunteer that has gone above and beyond the call of duty, and this year’s winner is Renee Richardson.
The RSA Scholarships were awarded today as well, with Maeve Scarborough on Oscar and Shelby Edwards on Renaissance taking home the honors.
The ‘National’ Tournament concluded with today’s competition. The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments continue next week on June 13-16 with the ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5*. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Ashlee Bond Speeds to Victory in $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse; Katie Dinan Tops ConocoPhillips Junior/Amateur Cup 1.40m
Calgary, AB – June 8, 2013 – The biggest prize money purse on offer at the ‘National’ Tournament was in today’s $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix, CSI-W 5*, and it was Kent Farrington (USA) who took home the winner’s share for the second year in a row with Uceko. Reed Kessler (USA) Cylana finished second, while Charlie Jacobs (USA) and Flaming Star were third. Earlier in the day, Ashlee Bond (USA) sped to victory in the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse 1.45m with Cadett 7. In the All Canada Ring, Katie Dinan and Sandro won the $10,000 ConocoPhillips Junior/Amateur Cup 1.40m.
The ‘National’ Tournament concludes on Sunday, June 9. Tomorrow’s highlight is the $175,000 Nexen Cup 1.60m Derby on Sunday, June 9, at 2:30 pm. The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments continue next week on June 13-16 with the ‘Continental’ Tournament CSIO-W 5*.
There were 36 entries in the grand prix, but only four were able to clear the first round course set by Werner Deeg of Germany. Fifth place went to Kirsten Coe (USA) and Baronez, who had two time faults.
First to return in the jump-off was Eric Navet of France on Quanto Fino 2, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quick Star x Stutbuch 1 owned by Signe Ostby. They had an unfortunate rail at fence 10b and finished with four faults in 54.99 seconds for fourth place.
The next three riders would all be clear and the winning time fell with each start. Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star, a 14-year-old Swiss Warmblood gelding by Fairman owned by CMJ Sporthorse LLC, would put in a neat clear round in 53.62 seconds, which slotted them in third place.
Jacobs was “extremely pleased” with his horse. “Flaming Star I thought was fantastic today,” he acknowledged. “For me, this is great for him to come and jump a 1.60m class. This is our second time ever in Spruce Meadows (together). We came briefly in 2011 and jumped in some amateur classes. He was great today. My hats off to these two to my right (Reed and Kent), but I think it was lights out for him. I could have pushed the gas a little more, frankly. With the times that these two put in, I could have gone a lot faster.”
Reed Kessler and her Olympic partner Cylana were next in, and they galloped through the timers in 50.05 seconds. They would have to wait and see what the final rider would do.
Kessler said she couldn’t rest easy knowing Farrington still had to go after her. “Definitely not – I knew Kent would come, he would be clean, and he would be really fast,” she agreed. “I just tried to go as fast as I could without making any silly mistakes. I’ve made that mistake of having the vertical down into the combination a couple times with her, like at World Cup Finals, so I maybe took an extra stride than he did there. I could have been sharper down the last line. Watching Kent in those two places, that’s definitely where I think he got me.”
Cylana and Kessler competed at the FEI World Cup Finals in April, and Cylana, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare by Skippy II x Darco, had not shown since then until earlier this week. “She was really begging to jump this week,” Kessler said with a smile. “She’s one of those horses that if she doesn’t jump frequently, she’s miserable. She was very happy that it was as massive as it was today; she likes to work hard. She couldn’t have gone much better.”
Entering the ring as reigning champions of the competition, Farrington and Uceko, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Celano x Koriander owned by RCG Farm, picked up a quick pace going to the first jump and never looked back. They had to stretch over a wide oxer halfway through the course, and then went flat out across the ring in the long run to the last two fences. Their speed paid off as they stopped the clock in 48.73 seconds for victory.
Farrington said that Uceko is at his best when he’s fresh and has a lot of energy. Although he stands under 16 hands, Farrington said he rides like a “very large horse.” He described, “He actually goes best in big venues like here. He has a massive stride and he’s probably the smallest horse in the class, but he has the biggest stride. He’s pretty unique like that. He has exceptionally long legs for his body. I think that’s why his gallop is so big.”
Farrington was very happy with his win on Uceko, a reliable, successful partner of his for years. “Right now in his career, he’s basically learned everything there is to learn. Now it’s my job as a rider and a horseman to manage his career, to pick the right venues and the right classes to aim him towards so I can make his career last as long as possible. With as much money as there is now in the sport, it’s a matter of managing horses so that they can be at their best when it counts,” he said.
Speed Is Key for Ashlee Bond
Ashlee Bond and her veteran partner Cadett 7, a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cor de la Bryere x Capitol I owned by Little Valley Farm, flew through the 16 numbered obstacles on today’s course for the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse 1.45m to take the top prize in 100.059 seconds. John Perez (COL) and Utopia set the early winning pace and finished second in 103.505 seconds. Third place went to Francois Mathy (BEL) on Elvis van de Vrunte in 103.962 seconds. There were 18 entries in today’s competition over a faults converted track that included the derby bank and grob.
Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7
Today’s competition was a perfect warm-up for Bond and Cadett 7, who will also take a shot at tomorrow’s $175,000 Nexen Cup 1.60m Derby. On today’s ride, Bond said, “It worked out. That is his forte. This is not as big as he normally jumps, so it was a little bit easier on him, which was kind of the idea. He could go in and have a not so tough day. He felt super and he was on it.”
Her plan was to establish pace before the first jump. She explained, “It’s better to just pick up a good gallop and stick with it, rather than running and whoa-ing. He was on the muscle. We tried to maintain that throughout. He’s game for everything.”
Bond said that Cadett 7 had a splint in his leg before this year’s FEI World Cup Finals in April, so she left him at home and took her newer horse Wistful. Since then, she has been slow in bringing him back to top form. “He’s 16, so a couple weeks is like a couple of months for him. It takes a while to build him back up,” she remarked. “This is his fifth class. He feels better and better each class. I’m building up to the bigger stuff in the second half (of circuit). (But) he’ll tell me if he doesn’t want to jump 1.50m, 1.60m anymore and I’ll keep him in 1.45m.”
Bond finished second in the Nexen Cup in 2010 and knew that she would have to let Cadett 7 practice the grob jump so that he is prepared for tomorrow. “That was my main concern today, but he was dragging me through it and didn’t care!” she said. “I’ve done that course before and he has too. He’s really smart. When he’s feeling strong and healthy, he’s really fast. We can’t go as fast because he’s got to jump bigger, but I think we’ll have a pretty good shot tomorrow, I’m hoping.”
Dinan Tops ConocoPhillips Junior/Amateur Cup
Katie Dinan (USA) brought home the win as the last horse in the jump-off in the $10,000 ConocoPhillips Junior/Amateur Cup 1.40m. They sped through and made a daring jump up the bank to save time in a rollback turn, which helped them stop the timers in 42.88 seconds. Second place went to Kara Chad (CAN) and Alberto II in 43.49 seconds. Meagan Nusz (USA) and Vesuvius were third in 44.42 seconds.
Katie Dinan and Sandro
Dinan explained her jump-off ride: “In the jump-off, after the skinny (jump), you went around the bank to jump the plank (fence). I couldn’t leave (a stride) out to the skinny because he doesn’t have a huge stride and I wanted to do the seven (strides) there instead of six. He’s so brave that we planned on just jumping up the bank, which wasn’t flagged or anything, to save time. That almost gets him more excited.”
She noted, “I think a lot of people think the All Canada Ring is one of the more difficult rings to ride in here because it’s so hilly and there are so many natural obstacles that they use in all the classes, but funnily enough, the three years I’ve had him here we’ve mostly shown in the All Canada Ring. Sandro and I are kind of used to it and I like showing him here.”
Dinan and Sandro, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Larino x Casimir, have been together for two and a half years, and this is their third Spruce Meadows. Although he has won classes here, they had never won this class. This was their second victory of the week.
Dinan said Sandro is “a lot of fun.” She went on to say, “He definitely has the most personality of any horse you’ve ever met. He’s a little bit of a troublemaker, but just in the most playful way possible. He always is the one kicking his stall door at the barn demanding 100% of everyone’s attention. But I think that that personality really shows in the ring.”
She added, “He goes with his head up a little bit; he’s fast. He looks a little bit like a pony in the ring, but he’s ready to go and he thrives on it. He’s competitive and wants to do the right thing. He’s a great horse to be in that situation, like when I went last in the jump-off. I knew there were some fast people before me. You always feel like you can win when you go in with him.”
The ‘National’ Tournament CSI-W 5* concludes tomorrow with the $175,000 Nexen Cup 1.60m Derby at 2:30 pm. Also in the International Ring will be the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Speed. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
What Can You Do at Spruce Meadows?
Spruce Meadows includes affordable fun for the whole family. With admission starting at only $5 per person, and children (12 & under) and seniors (65 & up) free, it is the perfect venue to unwind and enjoy a day of show jumping, activities, delicious food, and shopping.
From Friday through Sunday, there will be a number of activities for the whole family (all included in your admission to Spruce Meadows) such as Pony Rides, presented by Kozy Shack, the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, presented by RE/MAX, Wagon Rides, Face Painting, children’s games in the Garden Court Restaurant and more! Delicious food is offered throughout the grounds, featuring a healthy menu at the Garden Court Restaurant, a wide range of options at the Time Faults Public House, and International Fare in the Plaza.
Looking to test your luck? Spruce Meadows has several contest options for those wanting to win excellent prizes, including the Jump to It contest, with a chance to win a full set of jumps, the CN/Sun Media Name the Foal contest, and the Win a Year contest, with a chance to win a year of access to all Spruce Meadows events. If you are looking for some retail therapy, vendors in the Gallery on the Green and Vendor Village offer an excellent variety of gifts and services, both equine and non-equine in nature.
Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly leads the CCI3* division following cross-country at Bromont. Photos by Cealy Tetley.
Bromont, Quebec – William Coleman III and Phillip Dutton lead the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions, respectively, following the cross-country phase of the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, running June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.
The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport, with the phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping taking place over three consecutive days. The cross-country phase is the most thrilling of the three, and weather often plays a role, as it did on a wet cross-country day in Bromont. Intermittent rain over the past two days resulted in challenging conditions for competitors in all four International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions.
In the CCI3*, William Coleman III of the United States improved on his second place position after the opening phase of dressage to take over the lead following the cross-country. Coleman, of Gordonsville, VA, was a member of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympic Games. He piloted the relatively inexperienced Obos O’Reilly through a clear cross-country jumping round, adding eight time penalties to his dressage score for a cumulative score of 58.2 going into Sunday’s final show jumping phase.
“My horse was a little bit green all the way around, but he’s game and gutsy,” said Coleman of his cross-country experience. “His attitude and bravado were such that I did feel he would go around, and I thought he handled it all really well.”
Currently in second place in the CCI3* division is Sarah Cousins of the United States on Tsunami. Cousins was the only competitor in the division to jump clear cross-country and within the optimum time of ten minutes. She adds no penalties to her dressage score of 64.2 going into the final show jumping phase. Out of a starting field of 22 horses and riders, all but four completed the cross-country, 11 of them with no jumping penalties, including all of the riders currently placed in the top eight. Canada’s Kyle Carter, who has had an incredible comeback season with his 2008 Olympic and 2010 World Equestrian Games partner Madison Park, is in third place, hot on the heels of Cousins with 64.4 penalties.
“I definitely felt it was one of the tougher three star courses I’ve seen in the last couple of years,” said Carter, a native of Calgary, AB. “I thought it rode better than it walked, which is a testament to the course designer.”
All of the courses at Bromont were designed by resident course designer, Derek Di Grazia of the United States, who was assisted by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.
Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after cross-country
The CIC3* is at the same level of difficulty as the CCI3*, but a shorter course and fewer jumping efforts make it less taxing on the competitors. American Phillip Dutton of West Grove, PA, managed to hang onto the lead he established in the dressage phase of the CIC3* with Team Rebecca’s Ben, in spite of incurring 21.2 time penalties for a total score of 68.1 after cross-country. Dutton, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist for his native Australia, now competes for the U.S.
“It was a quite challenging course as we knew it would be, and the weather added a little bit to that,” said Dutton. “Overall, the footing at the jumps was very good. Ben actually galloped pretty well, and that part I was pleased with. He’s not bred to go really fast, but he doesn’t get strong getting to the jumps, so I could save time on the approach.”
Chasing Dutton into the show jumping phase is fellow American Lauren Kieffer, who is in second place after a clear cross-country round with R. F. Cosima, owned by Jacqueline Mars. Kieffer’s two-day score of 71.5 leaves less than a single rail between herself and Dutton. Just five of the nine entries in the CIC3* completed the cross-country course. All five had clear rounds, though none was within the optimum time of six minutes and 45 seconds.
In the CCI2* division, Erin Sylvester of the United States has taken over first place with Mettraise after a clear round, adding just 2.4 time penalties for a two-day score of 62.4 penalties. Sylvester is also in second place in the CCI1* division with Paddy the Caddy. Behind Sylvester in second place is fellow American Buck Davidson, who had the only time penalty-free round of the day in the CCI2* riding Knight Lion. Davidson is just one show jumping rail behind Sylvester with 66.4 penalties.
Erin Sylvester riding Mettraise leads the CCI2* division following cross-country
“I always feel cautiously good going into cross-country with this mare because she tries very hard,” said Sylvester of Mettraise. “It didn’t end up raining all that hard, but we went at the end of the day and the going had got a bit deep.”
In the CCI1* division, Canadian Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, moved up one placing from his second placed dressage standing after he and his homebred Yarrow enjoyed a clear round with no time penalties to finish the cross-country on their dressage score of 45.7 penalties. Roberts maintains only the narrowest of leads over Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy, who also jumped fault-free to remain on their dressage score of 49.1 penalties. Roberts, a member of Canada’s silver medalist eventing team at the 2007 Pan American Games, is also in sixth place in the CCI1* division with Orion 49.
“Yarrow is just six and this is his second one-star event,” said Roberts, 24. “He felt great right from the start. Being second after dressage, I went out there knowing what I had to do. There were some green moments, but Yarrow answered me really well. I’m very pleased with him. Both of my boys were great today.”
Despite the damp weather, spectators filled the stands around the water jump on cross-country, the complex that always draws the biggest crowd, and often the most dramatic action. Bromont, the only FEI three star sanctioned three day event in Canada, draws North America’s top eventers, who know they can count on high calibre competition in the beautiful setting of Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
The final horse inspection at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event will commence at 8 a.m. on Sunday, following by the third and final phase of show jumping. Scores among the top contenders are close in all four divisions, which will make for an exciting climax to the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event.
Waylon Roberts riding Yarrow leads the CCI1* division following cross-country
Volvo is the title sponsor of the Bromont Three Day Event for the second year. Bromont has also been included for a third year in the PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.
The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.
For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com. Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
2012 FEI Para-Equestrian Driving World Championships in Breda, the Netherlands. Driver is Diane Kastama, Horse is Ruby KWPN , Groom is Jody Cutler. Picture by Marie de Ronde.
Howell, NJ – June 7, 2013 – United States Driving for the Disabled, Inc. (USDFD) will host a free driving clinic at Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship in Howell, NJ on August 10-11, 2013. Sponsors for the Para-Equestrian Developing Driver Clinic include the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The Para-Driving clinic is held in conjunction with USDFD, USPEA, USEF, Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship, and Ann Miles of the Carriage Barn in New Hampshire. The no-cost clinic is for all levels of drivers including beginners and will include clinician Sara Schmitt. It will feature a “try-it-and-see-if-you-like-it” portion for anyone interested in testing out this unique sport. The clinic will provide instruction in driven dressage, hazards and cones. Lessons will be adapted to the skill level of each driver. Bring your own horse and carriage or let the USDFD know if you need to borrow a horse and equipment. The clinic will also have a Para-Equestrian classifier August 10th for those interested in competing in Para-Driving or Para-Dressage in the future. On the West Coast of the United States, Para-Equestrian Drivers competing at the CDE at Inavale Farm July 12, 13, and 14, in Oregon, will be treated to a Judge’s critique. Debbie Banfield, past President of USDFD and current board member; Boots Wright Chef d’Equipe at the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Championships in Breda; and Mike McLennan will discuss each competitor’s performance and ways to improve their driving. For more information on the Developing Drivers Clinic in Howell, NJ; the Judge’s Critique in Philomath, Oregon; or to make a donation to support USDFD’s efforts, please contact Diane Kastama at dkastama@verizon.net or call 805-343-6026.
2013 USDFD Para-Equestrian Developing Driver Clinic Fast Facts:
About the 2013 USDFD Para-Equestrian Developing Driver Clinic.
The 2013 USDFD Para-Equestrian Driving Clinic August 10 and 11 will be modeled after the successful March 2013 Para-Driving Clinic held in Moorpark, CA. In Howell, NJ, Sara Schmitt will be head clinician. Schmitt is a USEF ‘S’ Dressage judge and American Driving Society ‘r’ judge based in Bedminster, NJ. She is a United States Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist and has won numerous regional and national awards. Schmitt has represented the United States at three World Pony Driving Championships and is a two-time National Singles Pony Champion. She has trained horses, riders and drivers from the lower levels through the FEI levels.
Ann Miles is Executive Director of The Carriage Barn Equine Assisted Therapy Programs. The Carriage Barn seeks to promote the health and well-being of disabled individuals through equine activities. Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship is a non-profit organization that offers equine-assisted activities to individuals with disabilities and is currently developing its carriage driving program. It is very excited about hosting the USDFD clinic to further its own knowledge on carriage driving for the disabled.
A USEF classifier will be available on Saturday August 10th, to classify those Para-Equestrians who wish to compete in Para-Dressage or Para-Driving. These clinics are free to participants and auditors and we want to thank everyone donating their time and services to make these clinics happen. For more information on the clinics or to make a donation to support USDFD’s efforts, call or email Diane Kastama, dkastama@verizon.net 805-343-6026.
About the USDFD Clinics:
United States Driving for The Disabled (USDFD) is conducting a series of clinics for the 2013 calendar year. The clinics are open to current and future Para-Equestrians featuring a “try-it-and-see-if-you-like-it” section of the clinic. The first clinic was March 16 and17th in Moorpark, CA. Future clinic dates and clinicians will be announced including a clinic in Florida in the Fall. USDFD would like to share the pleasure of driving with more equestrians while building the skill level of currently competitive drivers. The clinics are free to those interested. Clinics will provide instruction in driven dressage, hazards and cones. Lessons will be adapted to the skill level of each driver. Equestrians may bring their own horse and carriage or contact USDFD to borrow a horse and equipment. If sponsors or donors would like to participate in this exciting series please contact United States Driving for the Disabled Vice President Diane Kastama at e-mail: dkastama@verizon.net or by Phone: 805-343-6026.
About the United States Driving for the Disabled, Inc.
United States Driving for the Disabled, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, seeks to improve the lives of physically challenged individuals throughout the United States and Canada by providing the experience of driving horses in a safe and challenging environment. Our mission is to provide the extraordinary benefit of therapeutic driving to as many people as possible through sharing knowledge, experience, and serving as a resource for innovations in adaptive equipment for drivers, trainers, and programs offering carriage driving. The Sybil Dukehart Memorial Fund seeks to provide financial assistance to equip and train disabled drivers through providing scholarship funds to applicants. USDFD fosters opportunities for drivers to compete in national and international amateur competitions by training and providing financial support for Team USA.
United States Driving for the Disabled, Inc.
32450 S. Wright Rd.
Molalla, OR 97038
Ph: 503-550-9384
The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.
The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.
Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.
In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).
For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.
Lucas Porter Captures Mercer Junior/Amateur 1.40m Win
Calgary, AB – June 7, 2013 – Beezie Madden led the victory gallop in both competitions in the International Ring today. In the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m, she and Amadora found the path to win. The $35,000 ATCO Energy Solutions Cup 1.45m had a field of 62 competitors, and it was Madden and Wrigley who were fastest in the jump-off. Fifteen-year-old Lucas Porter rode Phineas to victory in the $10,000 Mercer Junior/Amateur 1.40m.
The ‘National’ Tournament continues through Sunday, June 9. Weekend highlights include the $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix, CSI-W, on Saturday, June 8, at 2 pm and the $175,000 Nexen Cup 1.60m Derby on Sunday, June 9, at 2:30 pm.
The $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m was the feature event and was held in the winning round format. The top 25 placed horses from the Enbridge Cup on Wednesday qualified for today’s competition. From the top 25, the top eight returned to compete over a shortened course to determine the winner.
Madden and Amadora, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Chin Chin x Indoctro owned by Abigail Wexner, were clear in the jump-off and able to set the winning time at 42.18 seconds, despite adding a stride to the last jump.
“For sure to the last fence I got a little Edward Scissorhands-ish there!” Madden laughed. “I thought I was going pretty good until after the double combination. I could have been a little faster to the coin (jump) and for sure a lot faster to the last.”
Second place went to Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) on Quilebo D Tillard, who were also clear in 43.79 seconds. Meagan Nusz (USA) and Dynamo, owned by Amalaya Investments, were third in a time of 49.47 seconds.
Madden is second in the All-Time Money Won List at Spruce Meadows, and her two wins today have helped inch her toward first place, currently held by Canadian Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze. Madden won this class last year with another mount, Mademoiselle.
Amadora has been in the Maddens’ barn since she was five years old, and it has taken time to get the “sensitive” mare on a consistently winning track. “We knew she always had a lot of quality. She’s been a little bit of a project,” Madden described. “Although she’s very nice to ride, she actually has a lot of blood and a bit of a fight in her. When that fight went in the right direction, we knew we’d have a good horse. It’s been an up and down road, but she’s starting to get more consistent now. We can count on her.”
Enrique Gonzalez had an unfortunate fall outside the ring before the awards ceremony, so he was unable to attend the press conference.
Meagan Nusz was there and spoke about her plan going into the jump-off. “I knew the few before me had rails and I knew who was coming behind me. I thought if I could just put in a good, clean round, that would be good for me. This is only my second year to show in the International Ring. My main strategy was just to stay clean.”
Nusz has ridden Dynamo for almost three years and said when she brought him to Spruce Meadows last year for the first time, he “grew into himself.” She explained, “He was a completely different horse. He loves the grass, he loves Spruce Meadows, he loves the ribbon presentations, everything about it, which is great for me. He jumps awesome here and gives me a lot of confidence.”
Nusz will continue to show at Spruce Meadows before traveling to Europe, where she will represent the United States at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Beezie Madden and Wrigley
Madden’s First Win of the Day in ATCO Energy Solutions Cup
The $35,000 ATCO Energy Solutions Cup 1.45m had the largest starting field of the day with 62 entries, and 10 qualified for the jump-off. Leading the pack with a time of 38.72 seconds was Olympic gold medalist and 2013 FEI World Cup Finals winner Beezie Madden on Wrigley, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Padinus x Burggaaf owned by John Madden Sales, Inc.
Second place went to Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Twisther, owned by Candy Tribble, who had a jump-off time of 39.27 seconds. Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Glory Days were third in 39.61 seconds.
Madden said of the track, “It was a tough enough course with the time allowed factor. You needed a little speed in the first round. The jump-off, I didn’t see anybody go, but my husband told me it was quite fast. I just tried to go as fast as I could. I think I was pretty fast from the triple bar to the double (combination), and then I was really fast over to the coin jump.”
While Madden just got the ride on Wrigley this year, she knows the mare quite well; former student Callie Schott used to ride the grey mare for her and husband John Madden’s business, John Madden Sales. She described, “Wrigley started very late in her career. She’s had two foals, I think. She wasn’t even broke to ride until she was five years old. She is a little green for what she’s done, but she’s game.”
She went on to say, “She’s brave and careful. She’s a naturally fast horse too; she covers the ground pretty quick. You can run her and she stays careful. She has a funny mouth, but she’s not really strong. Like I can not be afraid to run her over to the coin jump and she’s going to slow down when I stop pushing. That’s always a nice feeling.”
Madden said it was nice to win already, and she feels good about showing Simon in tomorrow’s $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix CSI-W 5*. The ‘National’ is their first competition back after they won the FEI World Cup Finals in April.
Lucas Porter and Phineas
Lucas Porter and Phineas Race to Mercer Junior/Amateur-Owner Victory
In his biggest win yet at Spruce Meadows, 15-year-old Lucas Porter of Bartonville, TX, raced through the jump-off on Phineas, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Lamentos x Quattro B owned by Sleepy P Ranch LLC, to win the $10,000 Mercer Junior/Amateur-Owner 1.40m. He beat 27 entries in the competition and six others in the jump-off for victory in 38.943 seconds.
Beatriz Franco Sol (MEX) and Melody de la Fosse set the early pace in 39.085 seconds, which would hold up for second place. Third place went to Catherine Tyree (USA) and Don’t Go, who stopped the timers in 39.573 seconds.
Porter recounted, “I knew Beatriz who was leading did nine (strides) from (fences) one to two, which was a turn. With his stride, I could do a fast eight (strides). That’s where I made up my time. Other than that, I basically matched her. She was so fast.”
Porter “inherited” Phineas from his older brother Wilton, who rode him for two years. Porter and the bay gelding started together in the Low Junior Jumpers and moved up the 1.40m level. They were selected for the U.S. team at the FEI Junior Nations Cup in Wellington this past March.
“He’s just been awesome,” Porter described. “He’s extremely careful, really fast, and he has a little bit of a short stride, but that makes the lines quick. I can do quick adds. He sometimes gets a little spooky, but you just have to ride him through it and he gets over it. Once he’s in the ring, he goes into a different mindset and is all focus.”
Porter credited his trainer John Roche for his biggest win at Spruce Meadows in the three years he’s been coming here. “He’s been an amazing help. I’ve won a couple times, but not as big of a class as this one. It’s pretty amazing. I didn’t actually think I was quick enough in the jump-off, but I guess my kick through the last really did it.”
The ‘National’ Tournament CSI-W 5* continues tomorrow with the highlight event of the week, the $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix, CSI-W 5* at 2 pm. Also held in the International Ring will be the $60,000 Transcanada Parcours de Chasse 1.45m Speed. For more information on Spruce Meadows and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
What Can You Do at Spruce Meadows?
Spruce Meadows includes affordable fun for the whole family. With admission starting at only $5 per person, and children (12 & under) and seniors (65 & up) free, it is the perfect venue to unwind and enjoy a day of show jumping, activities, delicious food, and shopping.
From Friday through Sunday, there will be a number of activities for the whole family (all included in your admission to Spruce Meadows) such as Pony Rides, presented by Kozy Shack, the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, presented by RE/MAX, Wagon Rides, Face Painting, children’s games in the Garden Court Restaurant and more! Delicious food is offered throughout the grounds, featuring a healthy menu at the Garden Court Restaurant, a wide range of options at the Time Faults Public House, and International Fare in the Plaza.
Looking to test your luck? Spruce Meadows has several contest options for those wanting to win excellent prizes, including the Jump to It contest, with a chance to win a full set of jumps, the CN/Sun Media Name the Foal contest, and the Win a Year contest, with a chance to win a year of access to all Spruce Meadows events. If you are looking for some retail therapy, vendors in the Gallery on the Green and Vendor Village offer an excellent variety of gifts and services, both equine and non-equine in nature.
Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
