Tag Archives: Grand Prix

Patrik Kittel Triumphs in Grand Prix at World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach

Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandil H B C take the win in the Grand Prix

Wellington, FL – January 25, 2013 – Sweden’s No. 1 rider Patrik Kittel scored his personal best to win the FEI World Dressage Masters (WDM) Exquis Grand Prix CDI5* on Watermill Scandic H B C. The duo’s powerful and consistent ride featured buttery-smooth transitions, earning them a 77.681% against a field of 15 competitors at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.

Kittel broke into a wide grin at the completion of his test, and his confidence was rewarded when the scores flashed on the board. The judge at “H,” Isabelle Judet of France, awarded Kittel and Scandic, a 14-year-old chestnut KWPN stallion, an 80.745%. A member of the Swedish team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games as well as the 2010 World Equestrian Games, he rode Scandic to victories at Falsterbo CDI5*, Rotterdam CDIO3* and Lingen CDI4* last summer.

“It was my personal best score, and I’m very, very happy with that,” Kittel said. He emphasized his horse’s improvement, explaining that Scandic is “in much better shape” now after their hard work over the past months. “After the Olympics, I thought a bit, and I changed a bit, and I worked a bit more on getting my horse more uphill in the canter, and that was much better,” he added.

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Let the Good Times Roll! Next Stop: Gulfport!

Holly Shepherd pilots Streetwise over an oxer in a 2012 Gulf Coast Classic Grand Prix. Photos by Flashpoint Photography

As the temperatures drop, the fun will be heating up at the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Gulfport Series. The well-loved Gulf Coast Winter Classics in Gulfport, Mississippi are staged and ready to welcome thousands of equestrians from all over the country.

“The new grass grand prix field is absolutely perfect,” commented Classic Company President, Bob Bell.  “The tents are being put up as we speak and the finishing touches on the stalls are moving along. We’ve got a great response to our shows this year and we’re excited to welcome everyone back to the Gulf Coast,” he added.

Keeping with the festive atmosphere of the town, the Gulf Coast Classic Company will offer a VIP Club with complimentary food and drinks for all of the VIP patrons. Tables are only $250 a week and can be purchased in the show office. Featuring top restaurants each week, as well as breakfast and bar service, this will be the place to be to refuel yourself while watching top show jumping action and socializing with friends.

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$175,000 Invitational Grand Prix Series Continues at The Ridge at Wellington

Kevin Babbington and Mark Q contesting The Ridge's first class

Wellington, FL – January 17, 2013 – The second session of the 11-week $175,000 Invitational Grand Prix Series at the Ridge at Wellington takes place on Friday, January 18, 2013. The 1.40m Grand Prix is the highlight of the season for Level 2 Jumpers, with $15,000 offered in prize money each Friday throughout the series.

Any members of the media that require special interviews of any special assistance, or wish to cover this event, please contact Phelps Media Group, Inc. International.

Mason Phelps – (561) 371-0118
Kendall Bierer – (561) 309-9873

The 1.40m Invitational Series allows riders the chance to compete on a horse they would not normally ride at the Wellington Equestrian Festival (WEF), or reserve a time to show their favorite mount after their simultaneous activities at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. With the additional higher stakes, this series is sure to become a hit for the winter season.

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Katie Dinan Victorious in $50,000 Holiday & Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier

Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – December 1, 2012 – Nineteen-year-old Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Nougat Du Vallet earned an exciting victory in Saturday night’s $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. American riders took top four honors in the eleven horse jump-off. Dinan beat Todd Minikus and Macoemba and Margie Engle and Royce, who finished second and third respectively.

More than 4,000 spectators were at PBIEC tonight to partake in an evening full of activities, including watching the FEI World Cup Qualifier and the drawings of charities for the 2013 FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge, as well as the Wellington Chamber of Commerce WinterFest sponsored by International Polo Club Palm Beach, The Wellness Experience, Equestrian Sport Productions/PBIEC and LED Source.

Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, set the course for the 41 entries in Saturday night’s class with eleven returning for the jump-off and four of those entries completing double clear rounds.

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The Race to Qualify for the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix Underway

Rusty Stewart and Bristol on their way to one of three wins during early qualifying in the $50,000 Showpark World Cup Grand Prix. Amy McCool Photography

THERMAL, CA (November 30, 2012) – It’s on! Now that the preliminary AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix qualifiers at Blenheim EquiSports, Jump Del Mar, Sacramento International and Langer Equestrian Group shows have concluded, it is clear that the HITS Desert Circuit is in for an exciting and competitive season as final qualifying continues. After ten qualifying grand prix, which took place between August and November, Rusty Stewart and his 10-year-old gelding Bristol, owned by Grey Fox Farm, produced three wins and sit atop the preliminary AIG Thermal Million Rider Rankings with $37,000 in accumulated prize money.

Stewart pinned the AIG Thermal Million as a definite on his 2013 winter schedule with Bristol, who is Stewart’s first homebred colt and a testament to the Grey Fox Farm breeding program.

“He has been amazing during these last few shows,” said Stewart of his mount. “We brought him along from a baby with great success and he’s a great horse with a terrific personality. He was fifth in the FEI World Cup Standings for the West Coast, and I’m looking forward to continued success with him this season, right up to the [AIG] Thermal Million!”

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Lauren Hough and Ohlala Win $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix

Lauren Hough and Ohlala. © ManciniPhotos

Wellington, FL – November 29, 2012 – The Holiday and Horses CSI 2*-W show continued today with another big class for show jumpers, the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The grand prix is a FEI ROLEX ranking class, and the winning amount of points today went to Lauren Hough and Ohlala. They were the only double clear round to capture victory.

The Holiday and Horses show continues through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and “AA”. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class is featured on Friday, and the $50,000 Holiday and Horses Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier, will be held on Saturday evening. Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s highlight classes count toward ROLEX FEI World Ranking points. The feature class on Sunday is the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

There were 49 entries in today’s grand prix, and five of them were able to find the clear path over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course to continue on to the jump-off.

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Angel Karolyi Begins New Partnership with $30,000 Raleigh Grand Prix Win

Angel Karolyi guided Indiana 127 to victory in the $30,000 Raleigh Grand Prix at the RMI Raleigh Benefit Horse Show. Bob Branam, Branam’s Photography

November 20, 2012 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Competing in their first show together, Venezuela’s Angel Karolyi and Indiana 127 scored victory in the $30,000 Raleigh Grand Prix at the RMI Raleigh Benefit Horse Show held November 14 to 19 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

2008 Olympic course designer Steve Stephens whittled a large starting field of 26 entries down to four jump-off contenders in the Saturday night feature event.  Karolyi had the advantage of being the last to go, having watched Sloan Coles post a clear round riding Chantilly while Tracy Magness and Regan Roberts both faulted.

“I was able to watch Sloan go with her very quick, careful mare,” said Karolyi.  “She was the only one clear in the jump-off; however, she chose to go around one of the inside options.  I thought if I had a chance to beat her, that would be my opportunity to do so.”

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Caroline Roffman and Sagacious Win Young Rider Grand Prix at GCDA Fall Fling

Caroline Roffman on Sagacious HF at the GCDA Fall Fling. (Photo courtesy of Al Guden)

Wellington, FL (November 15, 2012) – Dressage rider and trainer Caroline Roffman of Lionshare Dressage put in an impressive ride on Sagacious HF in the Young Rider Grand Prix at the Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) Fall Fling. She and Sagacious scored 72.442 percent and received 8s on the piaffe, quite an accomplishment for their first show together.

Roffman said she was really pleased with the horse’s performance and was thrilled to receive such excellent scores.  “Though we are just getting to know each other, I feel like he is already trying to please me,” Roffman said about the 13-year-old KWPN gelding.  A big group of fans were on hand to support Roffman and Sagacious, including her mother Andrea Nason, Sagacious’ owner Al Guden, her business partner at Lionshare, Endel Ots, her fiancé Travis Laas, her grandparents and all of her working students.  They were able to cheer the new team on to an amazing success.

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A Golden Week for Goldman!

Sold out Week One sets the tone for an even bigger Week Two!

Lisa Goldman and Morocco sail over a jump on course in the $65,000 EMO Grand Prix

The Classic Company saw record entries for its opening week of the Atlanta Fall Classic Show at the International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia, selling out all stabling as the wait list for stabling grew.

Lisa Goldman of Red Coat Farm not only excelled in much of the jumper competition during opening week, but also claimed title to the coveted $65,000 EMO Grand Prix, riding her own Morocco, posting double clear rounds and winning with a jump off time of 37.452 seconds.  In second place, Schuyler Riley in the irons aboard Michael Meller’s Waterloo finished with a jump off time of 39.590 seconds.  Goldman was back to claim the third place ribbon with Centurion B, owned by Mary Goldman.  Emily Short, riding her own Grand Finale 3E, finished in fourth place. Sarah Scheiring riding Wec Quidam Quidam, owned by William Upton, placed fifth. Patty Stovel rode her own Carigor Z to finish in sixth. Jack Hardin Towell rode his own Nolde to a seventh place finish. Thaisa Irwin rode her own Matilda to an eighth place ribbon. Bryn Sadler rode Bon Giorno, owned by Showcase 81 LLC, to ninth place honors. Taloubet, owned by Paulo Fihlo Santana, finished in tenth. Schuyler Riley rode Andretti, owned by Southbeach Stables, to finish in 11th.  David Beisel rounded out the top twelve riding Equine Holdings LLC’s Amaretto to the twelfth placing.

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Emotional Victory for McLain Ward and Antares F in $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix

McLain Ward and Antares F. Photos By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 3, 2012 – It was a very emotional night at Alltech National Horse Show as McLain Ward piloted his top mount Antares F to victory during the Alltech $250,000 Grand Prix, benefitting the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The win comes just days after the passing of his father, Barney Ward, who had been Ward’s most important supporter. Ward rode through his grief to beat six others in the jump-off, as the first to compete on his speedy partner.

Christine McCrea followed in second place aboard Romantovich Take One with the only other double clear effort, while the third place award went to Candice King and Whistler with a single time fault over the speed track.

“This has been the hardest week of my life,” admitted Ward. “My dad was my world. If I was right with my father, I was right with the world. My dad certainly had some flaws in his life, but he sacrificed an unbelievable amount for my family and me to live our dreams, and this is our dream. We shared the same dream,” he said with tears welling. “I owe a career and a life to what he provided for me and taught me to do. I didn’t know we would win today, but I knew we would go on and do well, that’s what he taught us to do in life. I think everyone knows how much I loved my father, and how much I am going to miss him. I loved him very, very much. I rode with a heavy heart today, but we forge on and do his dream.”

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