Tag Archives: Katie Prudent

Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Welcomes 2016 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Induction

Budweiser Clydesdales at the Dixon Oval.

Devon, PA – April 11, 2016 – The improvements to the Devon Horse Show grounds continue with the new ringside building next to the famed Dixon Oval and the all-new Anniversary Square project is rapidly coming together. The finishing touches are being applied to over 200 additional refurbished stalls as the 120th anniversary edition of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair gets ready for lift-off on May 26th and continuing through June 5th, 2016.

There is so much that’s new for 2016, including the governing body of world-wide equestrian sport, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), now ranking the Devon Horse Show as a premier CSI 4* rated competition, the second highest possible ranking.

Adding to the list of exciting new additions, it was announced earlier this year that the Board of Directors of the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SHJHOF) has chosen the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair as the location for their popular Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. For decades, the induction was part of the American Invitational’s half-time ceremonies in Florida.

“With the American Invitational’s move to be part of the Global Champions Tour, we were worried that the new inductees might not get the full recognition they deserve in the afternoon production on Miami Beach,” said famed horseman George Morris, the President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. “Bringing the inductions to Devon, one of America’s greatest shows for so long, and to feature them under the lights at the great old Dixon Oval in front of that huge knowledgeable crowd, makes complete sense. We thank the Devon Horse Show for making the Show Jumping Hall of Fame part of their exciting Thursday night line-up.”

As Devon continues to lead the way into the future of the sport, this year’s induction ceremony offers a unique chance to take a look back to the formative days of big-time show jumping in America when the Devon main event became the Budweiser Grand Prix of Devon, thanks to the determination of Elizabeth Busch Burke, who will be one of the inductees into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame this year.

Not only did Burke bring the Budweiser title sponsorship to Devon, but in addition, her far sighted thinking brought the professional TV production team from Bud Sports to Devon. Long before it became a reality for many other equestrian events, show jumping from the Dixon Oval was broadcast world-wide on the networks of ESPN.

Peter Doubleday, co-manager of the Devon Horse Show and the voice of the Sapphire Grand Prix, had these comments about Elizabeth Busch Burke. “Her relentless enthusiasm for the Devon Horse Show was the key factor for sponsorship and television coverage. Devon was always at the top of her list of favorites and when asked to help out, she never wavered,” he said and added, “She was one of the best!”

David Distler, who co-manages the Devon Horse Show with Doubleday, echoed his sentiments, saying, “Elizabeth was a great supporter of Devon. Thanks to her, Devon enjoyed Budweiser as the title sponsor of our Grand Prix for years, along with the Budweiser Clydesdales. Her enthusiasm for the sport was unmatched.”

Burke is the daughter of 1988 Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee August A. Busch, Jr., the President of Anheuser-Busch.

Also being inducted this year are two of the nation’s finest female riders of all time. California’s all-time leading lady rider, Susan Hutchison, will be inducted, as will Katie Monahan Prudent of Virginia. Hutchison has won over 70 grand prix events, while Monahan-Prudent is close behind with 64 all-time wins.

Following her junior years, where she won the ASPCA Maclay Finals and the AHSA National Hunt Seat Medal Finals, Prudent’s career skyrocketed. In the first-ever FEI World Cup Final, in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1979, she finished second and went on to ride in five more Finals in the 1980s.

Prudent dominated that decade of the ’80s as few other riders have been able to do. She was selected to the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, but because of the U.S. boycott, she rode on the U.S. Team at the Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. She won the American Invitational three times aboard three different horses – Noren in 1983, The Governor in 1985, and Special Envoy in 1988. Prudent was also part of the United States’ Gold Medal team with Amadia at the 1986 World Championships in Aachen, Germany.

“It’s exciting that riders the caliber of Katie and Susie are being inducted,” Distler pointed out. “They are among the first of their peers to enter the Hall of Fame, and the fact that Katie is from the East Coast and Susie is from the West Coast makes it all the better.”

“An extremely dedicated rider and now a top trainer, Katie always gave 100 percent and her riding resume shows worldwide success in our sport,” said Doubleday.

Prudent was named the American Grandprix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year three times in the ’80s (1982, 1986, and 1988) and in 1987 was awarded the Whitney Stone Cup for her superior record in international competition and for serving as an ambassador for the USET and equestrian sports.

Prudent also achieved great success training and preparing young riders for top competition. In addition to her son, Adam, she has helped develop such top riders as Alison Firestone, USEF veteran Elise Haas and Reed Kessler, who became the youngest show jumping rider to compete in the Olympic Games when she rode in the 2012 Olympics in London. In 2000, Prudent was named Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Susie Hutchison’s career in show jumping has been highlighted by nearly four dozen Grand Prix wins. She has represented the United States at six FEI World Cup Finals and the FEI World Equestrian Games. She finished fourth in the 1993 World Cup Final in Gothenburg and topped the World Cup’s USA West Coast League standings three times.

Hutchison has earned victories at some of the nation’s most prestigious horse shows, winning such events as the Los Angeles National Grand Prix and the Grand Prix of New York at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. She also won the Mercedes Challenge Series in 1989.

In 1992, Hutchison was named American Grandprix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year and was voted Rider of the Year by The Chronicle of the Horse. In 1993, she was the first recipient of the Mark Muller Perpetual Sportsmanship Award of the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association and was Leading Rider of the Desert Circuit Series in Indio, CA.

In 1994, she was selected to ride for the U.S. in the Show Jumping World Championships at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague. Riding her longtime partner Woodstock, on whom she had earned more than 20 top three Grand Prix placings, she helped the U.S. to a fifth place finish.

In 1995, Hutch, as she is known, was nominated for the AHSA Equestrian of the Year Award. She was also voted California Horsewoman of the Year by the California Professional Horsemen’s Association (CPHA).

Doubleday had these thoughts of Hutchison’s election to the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. “I will always remember how great of a horseperson she was and still is. She got the most out of her horses and it was a treat when she would travel east to compete and win against the major players out here,” he said.

Hutchison began riding at the Flintridge Riding Club with Hall of Famer Jimmy Williams when she was five years old. Hutchison has served on the U.S.’s Active Rider Committee and was selected to judge the USET Medal Finals in Gladstone, New Jersey.

The trio will be honored at the Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony, which will be held for the first time at the Devon Horse Show on Thursday evening, June 2, before the start of the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon, which is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.

For a complete schedule of this year’s show, visit the website at: http://www.devonhorseshow.net/.

For exhibitor information, visit: http://www.devonhorseshow.net/exhibitors/.

Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Fast Facts

What:
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the longest running and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States. With the grandeur of Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line setting the stage, the event features a world-class field that annually ranks among the most prominent internationally. The event also includes the Country Fair that office world class shopping, rides and games for kids, multiple dining options and special entertainment events.

When:
May 26th through June 5th, 2016

Where:
Devon Horse Show Grounds
23 Dorset Road
Devon, PA

Prize List and Exhibitor Information:
http://www.devonhorseshow.net/exhibitors/exhibitors-info/

New This Year – FEI CSI4* Designation
*$50,000 Devon Welcome Stake (Time first jump-off) on Tuesday night, May 31.
*$40,000 Devon International Speed Stake (Time first round) on Wednesday night, June 1.
*$225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix on Thursday night, June 2nd
*Plus National Jumper classes

Stabling:
Approximately 900 permanent stalls Many barns renovated within the last 5 years
Restroom facilities with showers

Parking:
Limited parking is available for spectators at the Main Lot on Dorset Road across from the Main Entrance.

Directions:

From Philadelphia International Airport
Follow signs to I-95 South and follow I-95 South approximately 5 miles. Merge onto I-476 North via exit 7 toward Plymouth Meeting. Follow I-476 North for approximately 13 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.

From the Northeast
Follow I-95 South. Look for I-476 approximately 5 miles South of the Philadelphia
International Airport. Merge onto I-476 North via exit 7 toward Plymouth Meeting.
Follow I-476 North for approximately 13 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.

From the South
Follow I-95 North toward Philadelphia. Once you’ve crossed into Delaware, keep right and take I-495 North via exit 5D toward Port of Wilmington / Philadelphia. Follow for I-495 North and merge onto I-95 North (Crossing into Pennsylvania). Follow I-95 North to I-476 North. Take I-476 N via exit 7 toward Plymouth Meeting. Follow I-476 North for approximately 13 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.

From the East
Follow the Schuylkill Expressway / I-76 West to I-476 South. Merge onto I-476 South via exit 331A on the left toward Chester. Follow I-476 South for approximately 2 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.

From the West
Follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike / I-76 E toward Philadelphia. Take exit 326 toward Valley Forge. Stay in right lane after the tolls. Merge onto US-202 South via exit 328A toward West Chester. Follow US-202 South for approximately 2 miles. Take the PA-252 North exit toward Devon. Make a left onto Valley Forge Road / PA-252. Continue to follow Valley Forge Road for approximately .5 miles and make a slight right turn onto Devon State Road. Follow Devon State road for approximately 1 mile until you reach a dead end. Make a left onto Old Lancaster Road and then an immediate right onto Waterloo Road. Turn left on to Lancaster Avenue / US-30 East and the Devon Horse Show will be on your right within .2 miles.

Mail:

Devon Horse Show Office
PO Box 865, Devon, PA 19333

Devon Horse Show Office
(GPS and UPS & FedEx Deliveries, not for US Postal Service) 23 Dorset Road, Devon, PA 19333

Devon Horse Show Entries
PO Box 158, Devon, PA 19333

Devon Country Fair Office
PO Box 925, Southeastern, PA 19399

Box Seating & Ticket Office
PO Box 742, Devon, PA 19333

Information:

Advertising – (610) 964-0550 x 222
Box Holders – (610) 688-2554
Devon Country Fair – (610) 525-2533
Devon Fall Classic – (610) 964-0550
Entries – (610) 964-2723
Fax – (610) 964-1608
Feed Orders – (610) 964-8407
Facility Rental – (610) 964-0550
Horse Show Office – (610) 964-0550

Information Booth:
Lost & Found – (610) 688-1312 (during show only)
Sponsorship – (610) 964-0550 x 211
Stable Office – (610) 688-2665
Tickets and Tables – (610) 688-2554

Vendors:
Horse Show – (610) 964-0550 x 222
Country Fair – (610) 525-2533

Website:
www.Devonhorseshow.org

Charity Partner:
To date, volunteers have raised over $14,000,000 for Bryn Mawr Hospital

Ring dimensions and footing:
Dixon Oval: 325′ x 150′
Gold Ring: 300′ x 130′
The Dixon Oval, Gold Ring, and the Schooling Area all have state of the art all weather footing by Equestrian Services International.

Management:
David Distler
Peter Doubleday

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

22 Grand Prix Riders Face George Morris & Katie Prudent on February 20th

Come support the EQUUS Foundation on February 20th when George Morris and Katie Prudent judge teams of grand prix riders on their style and performance. Just three weeks away, horses are being selected and teams are being finalized for a first of its kind competition to support the EQUUS Foundation. 100% of the event proceeds benefit horse welfare.

Nicole Bellisimo, Candice King and Catherine Pasmore are the latest riders joining Max Amaya, Molly Ashe-Cawley, Hayley Barnhill, Georgina Bloomberg, Derek Braun, Kirsten Coe, Kent Farrington, Brianne Goutal, Lillie Keenan, Darragh Kenny, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden, Rodrigo Pessoa, Nicki Simpson, Jessica Springsteen, Jimmy Torano, Hardin Towell, McLain Ward and Denise Wilson.

CallariCars.com is the latest to sign on as a team sponsor joining Animal Planet, Ariat International, Blackburn Architects, Fairfield Equine Associates and Split Rock Jumping Tour.

Click here to reserve your table online.

Fete Cheval Etoile Fast Facts

WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2015, 6 pm

WHERE: International Club, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
3401 Equestrian Club Drive (Pierson Rd), Wellington, FL 33414

RSVP ONLINE: www.equusfoundation.org/fete

CONTACT: Shannon Coakley | shannon@equusfoundation.org | 203-259-1550

About EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

The Best Performance Team Invitational is a special event of the Best Performance Competition (BPC), the joint program of the United States Equestrian Federation and the EQUUS Foundation that rewards competitive excellence at recognized events and provides on-going support for horse welfare. Learn more about the BPC here.

Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Katie Prudent and V Take Top Prize in $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.60m

Katie Prudent and V. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius Dominate in $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m

Calgary, AB – July 12, 2013 –Two exciting feature competitions were held on Friday under beautiful blue skies for day two of the ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows. In the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.60m, Katie Prudent (USA) and V led the victory gallop, while Meagan Nusz (USA) and Vesuvius took top honors in the $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m.

The ‘Pan American’ Tournament continues through Sunday, July 14, featuring CSI 5* competition and $625,000 in total prize money. The weekend will highlight the $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup Parcourse de Chasse and $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup on Saturday, followed by the $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex to wrap up competition on Sunday.

The highlight competition on Friday afternoon was the $33,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.60m with 28 entries jumping a course set by Peter Grant of Vancouver, BC. Jumping in the beautiful Meadows on the Green, six entries went clear to advance to the jump-off and five of those were able to also clear the short course without fault. Last to go in the jump-off, Katie Prudent and Michael Smith’s V had the fast time of 45.16 seconds for the win.

Second place honors went to Canada’s Ian Millar and Dixson, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, with a double clear round in 46.94 seconds. Belgium’s Francois Mathy and Polinska des Isles, owned by Mathy and Team Harmony, finished third in 47.10 seconds. USA’s Charlie Jayne and Alex Jayne’s Chill R Z finished fourth in 47.76 seconds. Fifth place honors went to the double clear efforts of Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Southwind VDL with a time of 51.09 seconds.

The afternoon’s 1.60m competition was actually the second win of the day for veteran rider Katie Prudent. Earlier in the day, Prudent guided Reed Kessler’s Onisha to victory in the $1,000 Jayman Jumper 1.40m. The win with V, an eleven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Landstreicher x Lennard, topped off a banner day.

Prudent describes her partnership with V as “a work in progress”, explaining that his high-spirited nature and boundless energy can sometimes make things difficult.

“I have had some great wins with him this year, but still I am not as consistent as I would like to be,” she admitted. “I think he is a very good horse. There is nothing he can’t jump and he is very careful, but I still get too much fighting from him and I am constantly working on that.”

Peter Grant’s course was big and difficult today, but V successfully cleared all of the obstacles to advance to the jump-off, which is where Prudent feels most confident in her horse’s abilities.

“He is the happiest when I can just let him go,” she detailed. “I always breathe a sigh of relief if I make it to the jump-off because usually my jump-off is better than my first round. The first round where I have to hold him back is a chore, but when I can let him go he is great. Everything came up well; it was just out of stride. When it’s a day like today where he listens to me the jump-off is always just fun.”

Prudent and V will compete in Sunday’s $400,000 Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex and then head back to Europe to compete for the rest of the summer.

“I have a nice little tour with him,” she stated. “I am going to show at Dinard and then Valkenswaard and then a few other shows. I am trying to keep up with some of my students. I have Reed Kessler and Brianne Goutal and they are doing some of the five-stars, so I tag along to do the two-stars behind them. It is fun for me. My main job now is teaching, but I still just love to ride. I like to get out there and try. Once in a while I do it well and once in a while I don’t do it well, but I still feel like it keeps me sharp for teaching to be in there doing it.”

Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius Dominate in $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m

Friday’s competition concluded with the $15,000 CIBC Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m, also held on the Meadows on the Green over a course set by Peter Grant. Out of 48 entries, Grant saw 18 clear the first round course without fault to advance to the jump-off. One entry chose not to return, so 17 combinations went head to head over the short course with eight double clear rounds. First to go, Meagan Nusz and Amalaya Investments’ Vesuvius set an unbeatable pace that would hold on for the win in 39.32 seconds.

Mexico’s Beatriz Franco Sol and La Guayaba finished second in 40.55 seconds. Clementine Goutal (USA) and Cloverleaf Farm’s Kelline Fonroy were third with a time of 40.56 seconds, and Canada’s Kelly Soleau and Itty Bitty finished fourth in 41.24 seconds.

Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius
Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius

Meagan Nusz, who trains with top show jumper Kent Farrington, has owned Vesuvius for three years now and has an unmistakable bond with the eleven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x Expert). The duo has many wins to their name and proved their trust in each other with today’s blazing fast round.

“He is the best,” Nusz praised after their win. “It is funny – I bought a group of horses with my trainer Kent and I didn’t try any of them. I just watched the videos and we bought them and trusted Kent’s opinion. When I saw the video of this horse, out of every horse that we bought, I knew he was the horse for me. I knew he was going to be something special for me and he has turned out to be just that. He is amazing.”

Going first in the large jump-off, Nusz knew that she had to set the bar high to challenge the other competitors, and that is exactly what she did. Only one other combination, USA’s Frances Land and her horse Merlin, were able to beat Nusz’s time in 38.89 seconds. The pair had an unfortunate rail at the last fence, however, to finish ninth.

Nusz noted, “It is always hard when you have to go first in anything and then to have a group of 16 top riders behind you. They are all my friends and we go back and forth every weekend. I knew that I had to go in and trust my plan and just put in a round that made everyone else chase me. That is what helped me out with Frances because she actually had my time but she got a little frazzled at the end. You have to put in a fast round and make people make little mistakes.”

Vesuvius and his skill and careful nature also helped Nusz get the winning time.

“He is a little bit spooky, which is good and bad,” the rider described. “I can’t take all the risks that other people can with horses that don’t look at this or that, but it is also good because it really keeps him off of the jumps. As long as you are consistent and you tell him what you want, he is there for you every step of the way.”

“Having a horse like that makes doing this really fun,” Nusz smiled. “He goes in the ring every time, every class, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 1.20m schooling class, and he wants to be a winner and that is a nice feeling. I think I have a stronger bond with him than any of my other horses. I just trust him so much and I feel like we have a really solid partnership.”

Nusz will show in tomorrow’s 1.50m competition and then heads to Europe where she will compete for the United States in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competition in Bratislava, Slovakia. On winning tonight at Spruce Meadows, she smiled, “It is always special to win here. Even showing here is special. Winning is amazing, but just getting to ride in these rings with the top amateurs, juniors and top professionals is amazing. It is a great feeling, and then to be in the ribbons and then to win is unbelievable.”

“They make it so special,” she continued. “To have a $15,000 class for the juniors and amateurs and last week they had a $20,000 – it is really nice. They do a really good job of trying to promote what we are trying to do. I’m sure all of us would love to be professionals one day and do this for real, so it is nice to go in and be competitive and get nice coolers and have a nice ceremony and win a little bit of money. We love showing here. We come every year, and winning here is unlike winning anywhere else. It just makes you feel really special and you feel like you’ve earned it.”

The ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows will continue on Saturday with the $40,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup Parcourse de Chasse 1.45m competition in the All Canada Ring as well as the $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup 1.50m to be held in the Meadows on the Green. For more information 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.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

U.S. Young Rider Success Continues at CSIOJY Bonheiden

Bonheiden, Belgium – The U.S. Young Rider Show Jumping Team was second Saturday in the Nations Cup at CSIOJY Bonheiden – the first Young Rider Nations Cup of the USEF European Young Rider Tour.

In the first round, Catherine Pasmore was clear on My Boy, Richard Neal on Transmission had 14 faults, Jessica Springsteen had a clear round on Vornado Van Den Hoendrik and Reed Kessler on Onisha ended the round with 13 faults. The foursome was tied for third after the first round.

In the second round, the U.S. riders fought back to second place with an improved overall effort. Pasmore, Neal, and Kessler each had 4 faults, while Springsteen had a clear round. The U.S. Young Riders finished on a total of 21 faults behind Great Britain, who ended on 13.

Katie Prudent served as the Chef d’Equipe.

Continue reading U.S. Young Rider Success Continues at CSIOJY Bonheiden