Tag Archives: hunter/jumper

French Dazzles in $100k WCHR Peter Weatherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

John French & Milagro. Photo © Sportfot.

World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week, sponsored by KASK, at the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) came to a peak on Saturday night. The country’s best hunter combinations went head-to-head in the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. For John French, it was a night of firsts as he finally captured the Spectacular win, one that has been eluding him throughout his career.

From a 42-horse field at 3’6”, 3’9”, and 4’ heights, 12 returned for a handy round. French guided Milagro, a 2015 Hanoverian gelding owned by Kent Farrington, LLC, to a high score of 94 in the opening round and returned for the handy with a few points in his pocket. They impressed the judges again and scored 93.5, finishing with a score of 187.5 and the victory.

“I think riding in this kind of atmosphere brings out the best in all horses,” said French of the impressive International Ring environment at WEF. “They were all jumping so well tonight, and I think the lights, the crowds, and the jumps really showcased the hunters. There aren’t a lot of these classes left, so we get excited for nights like this and so do our horses.”

Kenny Comes Back in CaptiveOne Advisors CIS3* 1.50m Classic

After a win in the CSi3* 1.45m slipped from his grasp on the opening day of WEF 6, Darragh Kenny (IRL) was determined to check the win column in Saturday’s CHF37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors CSI3* 1.50m Classic. He and Vancouver Dreams did just that from a stacked 15-horse jump-off over courses designed by Ana Catalina Cruz Harris (MEX) on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village.

Kenny is making quick work of finding success with a new partnership after recently acquiring Vancouver Dreams from Austria’s Max Kühner.

“I’ve actually never done a jump-off on her before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Kenny of the 13-year-old Hanoverian mare (Valentino 240 x Stakkato). “She’s unbelievably careful, so I knew I could take a bit of a risk at the double, and I did and it paid off and she was brilliant.”

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Haness and Stewart Dominate Rein Family 3’6″ Performance Hunter Division at WEF

Nick Haness & Queen Celeste. Photo © Sportfot.

From across North America, the top horses and riders in the hunter discipline flocked to Wellington, FL this week for World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The sixth week of competition shines a spotlight on all divisions of the discipline and gives amateurs, juniors, and professionals alike the chance to qualify for Saturday night’s $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

Over one hundred of the country’s best performance hunter horses took center stage in Wellington International’s International Ring. Two champions were crowned in the California Split Rein Family 3’6” Performance Hunter division. The two tricolor awards were presented to Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL and Nick Haness of Temecula, CA for their top placings.

Mitchell and Stewart Claim Tricolors in Equine Tack & Nutritionals 3’6” Green Hunter Division

Canada’s Brady Mitchell riding Epic Style and Scott Stewart aboard Spirit D’Intro Z shared the Equine Tack & Nutritionals 3’6” Green Hunter title in the International Ring. Thirty-six entries stepped into the ring, but it was Mitchell and Epic Style, a Warmblood gelding by Cloney owned by Rein Family LLC, as well as Stewart and Spirit D’Intro Z, a Zangersheide gelding by Stakkato owned by Gochman Sporthorses, who were crowned champions of the division.

Mitchell was thrilled after his winning round and said, “My horse was very good yesterday; he was Section A winner of the jumping class yesterday and he won the hack. In one way the pressure was off because I knew I would probably have the tricolor, but of course you want him to keep winning. He’s a horse that really seems to rise to the occasion, so I feel really lucky to be able to ride him.”

With consistent top ribbons, Stewart was similarly pleased after taking home the tricolor with Spirit D’Intro Z. “Spirit is actually a new ride for me. He’s a really talented jumper, and before circuit we decided to play with him in the hunters because he’s a lovely mover,” said Stewart. “We are all very pleased. It’s always great riding in the International Arena here at WEF. He was brave and it rode great out there today.”

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McLain Ward Two-for-Two at Wellington International

McLain Ward & Alanine De Vains. Photo © Sportfot.

As Week 5 of the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) came to a close on Sunday, McLain Ward (USA) continued his winning streak from the previous night into the final five-star event of the week. Ward topped a field of 67 in the CHF75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors CSI5* 1.50m Classic to be the first rider to win the grand prix and 1.50m classic back-to-back at WEF since 2014. Frank Rothenburger (GER) built a track worthy of its contestants which included some of the world’s best from 13 individual nations. Fifteen of the original starting lineup advanced to the short track, while heartbreaking time faults kept an additional six riders out of contention.

Hot off his win in Saturday night’s CHF406,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix, Ward delivered again, this time aboard Alanine De Vains. Germany’s Richard Vogel appeared to have the win in the bag as he took the early lead, but Ward knocked a little over a second off his posted time with Sportpferde Herbert’s 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Codex 28 (Contendros 2 x Espri).

“I didn’t think Richie went full out today,” explained Ward. “He took a notch off, and I was aware of that. It allowed me to take a breath and ride my round, and it was just good enough.”

The ride on the 13-year-old Selle Français mare (Allegreto x Adelfos) is a recent acquisition for Ward, who has a long-standing relationship with the mare’s owners. Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses asked for his help in campaigning the horse for sale – a task that Ward has kicked off to a good start.

Parker Peacock’s Jumper Turned Hunter Takes Tricolor in Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 and Under

Parker Peacock checked off a milestone in her young hunter career this weekend as the 14-year-old North Carolina native was awarded the champion honors in the Kask Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 and Under division.

The win marked a career milestone for Peacock’s mount, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Acclaim (Heartbreaker x Calanda Z) as he transitions into the hunter ring after a successful upper-level jumping career.

“Acclaim was originally being shown by Luiz Francisco de Azevedo in the jumper ring when we found him,” Peacock detailed. “My trainer – Victoria Colvin – saw him competing one day and convinced me that I needed to try him for the hunter ring. I fell in love with him the moment I sat on him.”

With the help of the Colvin family, Peacock has spent the past few years guiding Acclaim in his transition and feels they have found a firm footing in their partnership.

Jacqueline Ruyle Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop in CHF50,000 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix

After winning the qualifier on Friday, Texas native Jacqueline Ruyle raced to the top of the leaderboard in the CHF50,000 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix. With a first-round field of 44, the lucky number of the day seemed to be 15 as again 15 competitors advanced to the jump-off. Of those that advanced to the next course, nine exhibitors produced double-clear efforts. The lap of honor, however, was dominated by American female athletes as Ruyle led the charge, followed by Mimi Gochman, and rounded out by Molly Ashe Cawley.

The phrase ‘tiny but mighty’ was practically made for Ruyle’s partner, the 12-year-old Zangersheide mare Cyramo Z (Clarimo x Vigo D Arsouilles Stx). Standing not significantly taller than a pony, and looking even smaller with the backdrop of large fences in Wellington International’s expansive International Arena, the mare proved that heart counts more than size.

“She is by far the smallest, hottest, fastest horse I have,” Ruyle laughed. Her time of 34.93 seconds, a full two seconds ahead of runner-up Mimi Gochman, proved as testament to the statement. “I bought her as a seven-year-old and she was competing in the 1.20m classes and we thought she would be an awesome Medium Amateur horse.”

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Richard Vogel Strikes Again during WEF 5

Richard Vogel & Accoton PS. Photo © Sportfot.

Germany’s Richard Vogel picked up another win at Wellington International during week five at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). This time, the win came in the CHF37,000 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.45m Speed on Friday in the International Arena aboard Accoton PS.

Sixty-six entries tackled a large and technical one-round speed track designed by Frank Rothenberger (GER). Vogel set an early time to beat at 59.16 seconds from the 18th position in the original order. A pair of Irishmen tried their best to top him but came up just shy of his winning time. Bertram Allen and Over Lux finished second by only fractions of a second in a time of 59.31 seconds for owner Ballywalter Stables. Third place went to Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Amalia, owned by Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm, after crossing the timers in 59.49 seconds.

Vogel described his strategies and thoughts, saying, “I had a good feeling from the beginning, and I got the first distance everywhere. I did one less stride into the double; I had a good rollback and then also to the plank, and after the plank was good. The five-stride got short but that was a good setup for the turn. Then in the last line I was a bit lucky; I didn’t get there with one less, so I had to add a stride at the end. He saved me so I think it was a good team effort.”

Jodi Lennox Looks Better in Blue

The Karina Brez Jewelry Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 division kicked off the day in the Rost Arena of Friday at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The one to beat was Jodi Lennox and her aptly named partner, Better in Blue, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding by Cassus, owned by First Blue LLC.

Lennox earned a pair of wins and second-place finishes during the two days of adult amateur competition. Their high score of 88 helped them to victory on Friday and clinched the division tri-color.

Lennox was all smiles after her ride and could not have been more pleased with her horse. “My first trip, I was under the pace a little bit, but he was really good,” she said. “The second trip I was better with my pace and he is always there for me. Any mistake is going to be mine.”

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Sweet Victory for Conor Swail in MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix

Conor Swail & Count Me In. Photo © Sportfot.

Victory was sweet for Count Me In and Ireland’s Conor Swail in the CHF216,000 MARS Equestrian™ CSI4* Grand Prix, the featured event on the expansive grass derby field at Equestrian Village during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Week 4 on Saturday in Wellington, FL.

The pressure was on for Swail riding Count Me In, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Count Grannus x Sherlock Holmes) owned by Sandy Lupton & Mannon Farm. The first to crack the code on the opening round track designed by Anderson Lima (BRA), Swail was the trailblazer again in a five-horse jump-off.

“I’m lucky to have Crosby,” said Swail, currently ranked fifth in the world on the FEI rankings. “He’s a very fast horse. I was trying to give it a good go and put the other riders under enough pressure and hope that they would make mistakes. It was a tough track but fair I thought. I have an amazing horse and I hope his good form continues. This was our first time out this year and I must say I thought he felt fabulous.”

Ruyle, Langmeier Score Wins in Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2*

WEF 4 has welcomed the return of Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* competition on the derby field at Equestrian Village. The CHF37,000 Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier highlighted the action on Friday with a win for Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) riding Cyramo. She piloted the 2011 Zangersheide mare (Clarimo x Vigo D Arsouilles Stx) to victory from a competitive 15-horse jump-off.

Ruyle was thrilled with her mare’s massive efforts, saying, “Everything was very spread out: a gallop to two, the combination off a tight turn which we are pretty good at, and a long gallop to three and four. It rode great and she tried so hard. I’ve had her a while – since she was seven and she’s thirteen now – so we’ve had a long time to build a strong partnership.” They bumped Ireland’s Francis Derwin, riding Intuitive for owner Eve Jobs, to second.

After a third-place finish on Friday with Chadina for Rafferty Farm, Mckayla Langmeier (USA) came back on top in Saturday’s CHF10,000 Helgstrand Jewellery CIS2* 1.40m Speed. In another jump-off that mandated impressive speed from seventeen qualifiers, Langmeier and Jiselle NS, a 2014 Dutch Warmblood mare (Balou du Rouet x Voltaire) flew to the win for owner Linda Langmeier.

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John French and Milagro Master $25k USHJA International Hunter Derby Hunt-N-Go

John French & Milagro. Photo © Sportfot.

Competition in the International Ring at Wellington International drew to a close Friday afternoon with a total of 47 top hunter combinations taking to the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Perfect Products. Over a course designed by Andy Christiansen as an efficient hunt-and-go format, the lead changed hands several times throughout the one-round challenge, but ultimately the top honors were awarded to John French and eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding Milagro.

“He stands out in the hunter derbies because he has a lot of scope; he is slow in the air so I can make the tight turns on landing easily; he is very brave, and I never have to worry he’s going to look at anything,” French gushed of the gelding.

As no stranger to the victory gallop, once French got through the first half of the course, which he expressed had a few tests for himself, he knew that Milagro’s exceptional form and athleticism would take care of the rest.

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First Hunter Derby of ‘23 and Irish Grand Prix Victory at The Ridge at Wellington Groves Week 4

Jordan Coyle and Picador (Photo by Romeo Ghete)

Loxahatchee Groves, FL (February 1, 2023) – The Ridge at Wellington Groves wrapped up its third week of competition with an Irish victory in the $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix, their first $1,000 2’6″ National Hunter Derby, and two extra days of classes for hunters, jumpers, and equitation riders, both recognized and unrecognized. On Friday Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Picador fought their way to victory in The Ridge’s Week 3 $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix, besting a field of 30 over a course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Second went to Week 3’s $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic winner, Israel’s Daniel Bluman riding Corbie V.V.Z Et, while third went to Coyle as well, this time aboard Ariso. The competition included some of the world’s top riders, including Adrienne Sternlicht, Beat Mandli, and Cian O’Connor, mixed in with freshly minted Grand Prix riders and horses over a dynamic course intended to challenge while allowing for growth and development.

Saturday’s Hunter Derby was the inaugural Derby event of the 2023 Ridge season, offering $1,000 in prize money and a course designed by Nona Garson with high options up to 2’6″. Julie Hogan riding Gigi Stetler’s Imagine That bested the three rounds, which included an optional Warm Up, first round, and handy round. Second went to Samantha Carp and Conchita 128, while Sara Kate Long and Delivered by Hand finished in third.

For more, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Sharn Wordley and Mick Jagger Win $50k Voltaire Design Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley set an unbeatable target with Mick Jagger on Sunday during the $50,000 Voltaire Design Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. He was the first to return during the jump-off, and with a quick and clear effort that left the remaining riders trying to chase him, he took home the winning title. The only other fault-free effort belonged to Australia’s Scott Keach and Wild Thing for second place. Keach also placed third aboard his second mount, Noble De La Chapelle.

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Comissario and Morgan Ward Cash In to Win $5,000 HITS Hunter Prix

Morgan Ward once again returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday, this time aboard Comissario after garnering the top score during the $5,000 HITS Hunter Prix. Turning in impressive scores of 85 and 86, the pair jumped to victory just ahead of Alexa Bayko, who claimed two of the top three spots with All of Me and MTM Dixon, respectively.

“Comissario is my solid citizen that I’ve had for a few years, and we’ve accomplished a lot of big wins,” said Ward. “He is my main man – the spoiled rotten king of the barn! I don’t ever ride him with a bridle at home. He would jump around this derby with no bridle if it were allowed. He’s the sweetest horse in the world!”

Read more.

For more results and information, visit HitsShows.com.

Luciana Lossio Scores Victory in Beerbaum Stables CSI2* Grand Prix

Luciana Lossio & Lady Louise Jmen. Photo © Sportfot.

Action during the NetJets sponsored Week 3 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded at Wellington International on Sunday with the CHF50,000 Beerbaum Stables CSI2* Grand Prix. Peter Grant (CAN) designed a substantial and tricky first round for 46 horses and riders. Brazil’s Luciana Lossio emerged victorious from a five-horse jump-off riding Lady Louise Jmen.

A former Minister of the Superior Electoral Court of Brazil, Lossio was all business out of the courtroom and in the show ring this weekend to take the featured class in the Beerbaum Stables CSI2* division. Lady Louise Jmen, a 2010 Brazilian-bred mare Lossio owns herself, clocked a jump-off time of 35.01 seconds. It was less than a second faster than second-place finisher Hardin Towell (USA), but enough to drop him to the runner-up position on his own Boheme du Moulin. Third place went to Wesley Newlands (CAN) and Maestro van het Binnenveld for owner Wesland Farms.

Lossio was beaming when she came out of the ring on Lady Louise Jmen, and with an ecstatic smile, said, “I very concentrated on my plan in the jump-off, and I went jump by jump in my mind. I took care of each jump and she was fantastic today. I’m so happy that we got it!”

The magic witnessed in the arena didn’t happen overnight for Lossio and her mare. “I’ve been with Lady Louise Jmen for six years now and I know her very well. She’s very calm, and a very intelligent mare. She has a lot of strengths; she can jump whatever you put I front of her. We have a really good relationship. She trusts me and I trust her like no other horse.”

Junior Hunters Shine During Closing Weekend of WEF 3

The T & R Development Large Junior Hunter 3’6″ 15 & Under division kicked off weekend activities in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring with Infinity G taking the champion tricolor under the direction of Clara Propp.

Propp guided the 2013 Warmblood gelding by Carthino Z and owned by Aquitaine Equine to consistent top-three finishes over fences and a second-place ribbon under saddle to seal the high-point title.

“Going into today, I just wanted to stay consistent because he was so good yesterday,” said Propp. “I didn’t want to have any major mistakes and I think we accomplished that.”

The Snaks 5th Avenchew Junior Hunter 3’3″ 15 & Under division capped WEF 3 for junior hunters in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Sunday. The pair to shine the brightest was Agatha Lignelli and Pritchard Hill, a 2012 Warmblood gelding owned by Lignelli and her family.

“The course was simple, but the jumps were on the bigger side,” recalled Lignelli. “There were a couple spooks, but I thought he was jumping amazing.”

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Farrington Clinches CHF140,000 Florida Coast Equipment CIS3* Grand Prix

Kent Farrington & Landon. Photo © Sportfot.

The Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) Week 2 finished with a fantastic display of sport on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village on Sunday afternoon. U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington and Landon stormed to a win in the CHF140,000 Florida Coast Equipment CIS3* Grand Prix over runner-up Daniel Coyle (IRL).

A sweeping course designed by Oscar Soberon (USA) welcomed an all-out foot race in the jump-off. The five who advanced were led off by Coyle and Ariel Grange’s Gisborne VDL, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion. They set the pace at 40.05 seconds.

Returning immediately after, Farrington and Landon, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Haity McNerney, quickly took over the lead by only fractions in 39.30 seconds. In the end, Landon could not be caught.

“Landon is a big-strided horse, but Daniel’s horse is also a big-strided horse, and I thought he had an incredible round,” said Farrington. “I probably have a little quicker foot speed than him, but it took a lot to beat that round today because he was dropping strides everywhere on a huge gallop the whole way around.”

Landon’s speed across the group proved enough to take top honors, the gelding’s first grand prix win to date. “He’s very careful and a competitive horse,” said Farrington. “I have a great team coming up and he’s one of that group, so it was an exciting day for the horse and our team.”

Audrey Schulze Dominates CHF25,000 Hermes U25 Grand Prix

The final day of international competition during WEF 2 saw a stacked field of 75 up-and-coming show jumping combinations. The CHF25,000 Hermes Under 25 Grand Prix launched a full day of sport on the derby field. Audrey Schulze (USA) eventually emerged victorious aboard Darquito.

Darquito is the former ride of Ireland’s Andrew Bourns, and Bourns was the first to congratulate the pair as they left the ring.

“There were a lot of places without numbers where you just had to get on an open gallop, and luckily my horse has a huge stride where he just eats up the ground,” detailed Schulze. “His stride is definitely an advantage in the jump-off because it’s much bigger than any other horse I’ve ever ridden, so it’s much easier to do one less stride everywhere.”

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