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Margie Engle and Indigo Triumph in $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Margie Engle and Indigo.

Lexington, KY – May 11, 2014 – Reigning USEF National Show Jumping Co-Champions Margie Engle and Indigo may not have been making headlines this winter, but today they proved they are still a force to be reckoned with when they outpaced a 16-horse jump-off to win the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. Although Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra consistently top the leader board at the Kentucky Horse Shows, their two second lead over the other competitors was not enough to take home the win when Engle and Indigo produced a faultless effort, just fractions of a second faster.

“Indigo really felt back to his old self today,” smiled Engle after the victory gallop. “In Florida this year, he was clean in one of the classes earlier in the year, but he bruised his foot a little bit. He was a little uncomfortable, so I didn’t get to do very much with him there. He just wasn’t on his game. We gave him some time off, and since then he’s felt right back to himself.”

Thirty-nine riders showed over Richard Jeffery’s opening course, which ended up yielding 16 clears for the tiebreaker. With multiple top combinations to return, the short course became a horse race, which included a vertical-oxer double combination, a large brush vertical by the open water, and multiple bending lines, as well as opportunities to pick up a big gallop. Seven of the return combinations produced a faultless second round, but it was Engle who produced the fastest time.

Paige Johnson set the pace to beat as the first to return with Cambito, owned by Salamander Farm. The pair easily cleared all the fences and broke the beam at 41.540 seconds, which would hold up for the third place award.  Young rider Ali Wolff was the first to come close to catching Johnson’s time with John Wolff’s Casall IV, but their clear round would be just shy in 41.723 seconds for the fourth place award.

When Pablo Barrios entered the arena with the ZL Group’s Zara Leandra, the crowd expected Thursday’s victor to be quick, and when he galloped through the timers 38.697 seconds, almost three seconds ahead of Johnson, it looked like he was the clear winner.

Margie Engle can never be counted out though, and as the last to return she had luck on her side. Engle and Indigo, owned by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek and Gladewinds, easily made it over the first obstacles. They picked up a quick gallop to the combination, taking a huge risk and Indigo gave it his all over the large fences. As they galloped towards the final line the time was tight, but they edged out Barrios by stopping the clock at 38.113 seconds with all the fences intact.

“I knew that Margie would try to beat mine time, and I knew that if she could leave all of the rails up like she did she could definitely have the victory,” admitted Barrios. “I’m very happy. The other day I was after Margie in the jump-off, and I beat her time. Today, I was before her and she beat me. That’s the sport. The draw now has a lot to do with the winners. The horses are fast. The riders are fast. Whoever has a better draw has a better opportunity to win, and that’s what happened.”

Although Engle did not get to watch Barrios’ round, Donald Cheska gave her the winning tip. “Donald Cheska was very nice and had watched some of the rounds,” she explained. “He told me to take my time at the brush vertical by the water because a lot of horses were getting confused there, and he said everyone was slowing down and to take a shot at the in-and-out, so I followed what he said. He gave me a really good hint and it worked out. I took a very big shot going into the in-and-out and Indigo helped me out a lot there.”

Engle continued, “Indigo is a funny horse. I don’t go fast with him that often because he wants to go fast all the time. I felt like there were so many clean today I had to take a little bit of a shot, but he’s very good with turning. He’ll turn back to something and keep his impulsion really easily. I wasn’t in love with the long gallop to the in-and-out, but I came in at enough of an angle that it helped set him up a little bit. He tends to get a little flat if I leave out too many, but he jumped really well today.”

Over the years, Engle has won many major events at the Kentucky Horse Shows, and she loves returning to the Kentucky Horse Park. “It’s such a beautiful facility, and no matter what the weather does, the footing stays fantastic,” she commented. “The horses seem to really like the footing here. The footing couldn’t be better. It’s probably some of the best footing I show on anywhere in the world. It’s also nice to have open space to ride in. We’re able to ride the horses in the field, and it’s good for their brains and good for their muscles.”

Engle will be heading to Europe to compete at Aachen and Hickstead this year as one of the short listed riders for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and while she is away, Indigo will take some time to rest, focusing on the Lake Placid and HITS Saugerties Horse Shows for his next events.

Ali Wolff and Brianda
Ali Wolff and Brianda

Earlier today, the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner and Junior Jumper Classics sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch and Audi of Lexington were held in the Rolex Stadium. The Amateur-Owner competitors showed first, and while seven advanced to the jump-off, only Ali Wolff was able to clear the short course aboard Brianda for the winning honors. Christina Firestone and Arewen were the fastest four-faulters to take home the second place honors, while Haley Gassel and Quite Dark 2 picked up the third place prize.

The High Junior Jumper Classic was next where it was Eugenio Garza claiming the top honors with Huapango, as well as the division’s championship title. The duo was almost four seconds faster than second place finishers Emanuel Andrade and AD Vangelys in the jump-off, and as Garza crossed the finish line he yelled “Happy Mother’s Day” to his mother, who was watching from the stands. Kelli Cruciotti was very close to catching Andrade’s time with Chamonix H and earned the third place award.

The jumper action at the Kentucky Horse Park will continue next week with the Kentucky Spring Classic, scheduled for May 14-18, 2014. Highlight events include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Thursday, the $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington on Saturday, and Sunday’s $20,000 Bluegrass Classic.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Margie Engle and Eckham Van Het Steentje Earn 1.45m Open Jumper Victory at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Margie Engle and Eckham Van Het Steentje.

Lexington, KY – May 9, 2014 – It can take time for new partnerships to come together in the sport of show jumping, but today that happened for Olympian Margie Engle and her new mount Eckham Van Het Steentje. The pair captured their first victory together with a double clear effort in the 1.45 Open Jumpers at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Engle only began riding Eckham Van Het Steentje for owners Elm Rock LLC in December, but today they proved they have been developing a winning partnership.

“He’s starting to ride better and better all the time,” smiled Engle. “I am really happy with Eeckem. He really felt like he put everything together today. He’s really elastic; he’s got a lot of talent, and I am really excited about him.”

Six riders advanced to the short course by completing Richard Jeffery’s first round track without fault, but only three managed to go faultless a second time. Pablo Barrios and Antares were the pathfinders, setting the time to beat at 33.201 seconds, which would eventually earn second place. Blythe Marano came very close to his time on Askarielle P, breaking the beam in 33.209 seconds for third place. Engle was one of the last to compete, and a sharp rollback early in the course had her finishing in a time of 32.963 seconds to capture the victory.

“He turned so nicely,” smiled Engle. “Before, he was rooting around the turns, so it was hard for me to get to the distances I wanted out of the turns. Today he turned really nicely and kept going. It was the nicest he’s felt. I was getting bits and pieces of it. He’s always been careful and scopey, but he really put it together today.”

Elm Rock LLC purchased Eckham Van Het Steentje in England last November, where the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood was being ridden by David MacPherson. “David is such a good rider, but he rides in a different style,” explained Engle. “He keeps them more collected, and Eckham needed to learn when I soften a little to back up. I was really happy with how he rode today. He’s really learning to back himself up in the combinations. I jumped into the triple, and now I am able to soften; he backs himself off.”

Engle continued, “I’ve been bringing him along kind of slowly during WEF. We just started moving him up to the 1.45m, and I am hoping to show him a grand prix in the coming weeks. It’s just a matter of us working together as a team and building a rapport. It felt like it was really starting to come together toward the end of WEF. It was nice to have a month at home because I was able to work him continuously and play over little jumps and really start putting everything together and not just be at the show all the time.”

Engle plans to show at HITS Saugerties and Lake Placid this summer, and she will also be traveling to Europe to compete at Aachen and Hickstead, having been named to the short list for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. She will be showing in the main events with Elm Rock Partner’s Royce, and Eckham Van Het Steentje might also make the trip to compete in some of the secondary classes.

Harrison Shure and No Fear
Harrison Shure and No Fear

The next event in the Rolex Stadium today was the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, where Harrison Shure took home the winning honors with No Fear. Only two riders were able to produce double clear efforts, but Shure was a second faster than Alexa Lowe-Wiseman and Ami Du Houssoit, who scored the second place award. Whitney Lyon had the fastest four-fault jump-off with Bugs Bunny V Overis Z to take home the third place honors.

“I’ve ridden [No Fear] for about a year now,” said Shure. “He’s a fairly spooky horse, but once you go in the ring he knows his job and goes around nicely. This is the first time we’ve jumped in Highs in a few months, so he’s stepped it up a little bit. I thought we were pretty neat after the in and out during the jump-off, so we made up some time there. I got a late start in Florida because of a wrist injury, but it’s nice to be back in the groove now.”

Shure will be staying for the full two weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. He commented, “The horses are all really happy here. They love jumping on the footing, and it’s nice to be able to go out and ride in the field after showing.”

In the High Junior Jumpers, there were also only two clear rounds, but this time it was Chloe Reid with the fastest time, earning the winning honors aboard Victor E. Emanuel Andrade’s slower clear time with Tiny Tim was good enough for second, and Kelli Cruciotti’s quick four-fault effort aboard Chamonix H captured third place.

Chloe Reid and Victor E
Chloe Reid and Victor E

Tomorrow’s jumper action in the Rolex Stadium will kick off with the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic, beginning at 8 a.m. The weekend concludes with the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday at 4 p.m., but the riders will return to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Spring Classic, scheduled for May 14-18, 2014.

To learn more about the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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American Invitational, a Special Event for Miami’s Own Margie Goldstein-Engle

Margie Engle, flying the Dolphins colors aboard the Griese’s horse Indigo. Photos by Kenneth Kraus.

Miami, FL – March 28, 2014 – Born and raised in Miami, Florida, America’s winningest grand prix rider, Margie Goldstein-Engle, is especially excited that the $200,000 American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm, has found a new home at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. After all, Engle attended South Miami High School and graduated from Florida International University with a degree in Business. Despite the business degree, her love since the third grade has always been horses.

Tickets for this year’s $200,000 American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm, are on sale now as well! Order tickets early for the best seating as one of the world’s most exciting and challenging show jumping classic comes to Miami, Florida, for the first time. You can avoid online ticket fees by calling the stadium box office now at (305) 943-6311.

Engle, whose family had little money to pay for her riding lessons, cleaned stalls in exchange for instruction at an early age and parlayed that experience into a career that has her ticketed for the Show Jumping Hall of Fame as one America’s most successful riders of all time. She is the only rider to win more than 200 grand prix classes and over the years Engle has amassed over $5 million dollars in prize money. She competed for the United States at the Olympic Games in Sidney, Australia, won the Team Gold medal at the Pan American Games and the Team Silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Engle, who has competed in the American Invitational more times than any other rider, would love to post her first win in Miami. “It would be a thrill for me to win such a great class anytime,” she noted. “The American Invitational is one of the premiere events anywhere in the world. I think all of the riders really look forward to this event. But for me to win the inaugural event here in Miami would be just a super bonus for me.”

Margie Engle and Dolphins Hall of Famer Bob Griese, right, with Jimmy Torano and Olympic Gold medalist Beezie Madden at Sun Life Stadium
Margie Engle and Dolphins Hall of Famer Bob Griese, right, with Jimmy Torano and Olympic Gold medalist Beezie Madden at Sun Life Stadium

The Invitational, for forty plus years was held in Tampa, first at the old Tampa Stadium and more recently at Raymond James, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, with the class moving to Miami Dolphins country and its new home at Sun Life Stadium, it’s the perfect fit for Engle and especially for her owners, Bob and Shay Griese. Bob Griese is the legendary, Hall of Fame quarterback of the Miami Dolphins and a longtime supporter of Engle. “I’m excited for the people of South Florida to have this event come to Sun Life Stadium.” said Griese. “If you’ve never seen this before, it’s really amazing.  I look forward to going to these shows and watching all these horses jump and compete. These horses are the finest horses in the world.  Fast, quick and very graceful.  They are powerful and athletic as they go over these jumps.”

“It’s really special for me. I grew up in Miami. I remember coming to the stadium with my family as a little kid to watch the Dolphins play football,” Engle recalled. “It’s really neat to be able to come back here and compete. I’m so grateful for the support of Bob and Shay Griese, they have been with me a long time and they’ve been great supporters over the years.”

“He’s very excited about being involved in Show Jumping coming to Sun Life Stadium,” Engle reported.  He’s just a down to earth, super nice guy; you’d never know what he’s accomplished by the way he acts. He studies the horses. He really looks at them from a different angle. He considers them athletes and really admires them for what they do as athletes. And he knows the difference between a good horse and a not so good horse. He’s gotten into counting the strides between jumps. He’s very intellectual and analytical, just the way you’d expect a hall of fame quarterback to be, but he studies them and knows what makes them jump better and go faster and be more competitive. He’s more knowledgeable than most owners,” she smiled.

Speaking of the American Invitational, America’s most prestigious event, Engle said, “It’s fantastic the way it’s grown. As I kid, even when I was grooming, I always wanted to go watch the American Invitational. Even if I had to hitch a ride and work all week for free, I always made sure I got to watch the American Invitational. It was always more exciting being in a football stadium. You know, it’s funny; I always thought, when we were competing over in Tampa, I thought, ‘This really has to go to the Dolphins Stadium.’ It’s such a great horse area and so good for equestrian sport. But I always thought that was just a dream that it would ever come down here,” she said. “And now, here it is. I remember once we did an event at American Airlines Arena and that was a huge success. So I think this event, given a year or two to build an audience will be just as successful if not more. It’s great for the industry for this event to come to South Florida.”

Tickets for the American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm are on sale now. Also, special up close tables in the Wells Fargo Private Bank Club, ringside at Sun Life Stadium, are on sale as well. The club offers the perfect location to watch America’s most challenging and exciting show jumping event. In addition to the great location, the club will feature sensational catering, your favorite beverages and first class service. The Wells Fargo Private Bank Club will be available for use during both the Hollow Creek $25,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Amateur Classic, as well as the main event, the $200,000 American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm.

To assure yourself of the best seats available, buy your tickets now. You can avoid online ticket fee by calling the stadium box office at (305) 943-6311.

Visit the official charity for the American Invitational, Just World International, at: www.justworldinternational.org.

The prize list for the American Invitational can be found here: http://www.stadiumjumping.com/#!athlete-information/cr6r.

Ringside VIP tables available at Sun Life Stadium. Please email: Matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com for more information.

For Sponsorship information please contact:
Connie Sawyer 518-461-6288 or sawyer.equestrianevents.@gmail.com
April Wehle 561-459-9259 or aprilw@stadiumjumping.com

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
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Margie Engle and Indigo Top an Intense Jump-off to Win $100,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix

©ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Indigo jump their way to a win in the $100,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 4, 2013) – Margie Engle of Wellington, Florida and Indigo, owned by Garber, Griese, Hidden Creek & Gladewinds, share a storied career together, most recently highlighted by a win in Sunday’s $100,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties. The duo topped 35 on their way to the blue, piecing together the puzzle that was Bernardo Cabral’s jump-off track.

“Indigo felt great today,” said Engle of the 12-year-old Dutch gelding.  “We have been resting him while waiting for this class and he felt nice and fresh – maybe a little too fresh in the first round!  But he settled and came back just right for the jump-off.”

Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal set a 13-obstacle course with 16 jumping efforts in the first round, which produced nine clear trips overall. Two combinations appeared late in the track – a triple at fence nine and a double at the final effort – but it was the skinny vertical at fence five that proved the most difficult of the day, and appeared in both rounds. “It proved to be a very careful fence,” said Engle. “We played it very safe coming to that one in the jump-off.”

Christine McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut spared no time in proving that the original course could be jumped, posting a clear round in the first go aboard Candy Tribble’s Romantovich Take One. Of the 34 that followed, eight more would go clear before the rails moved up in the jump-off. “As with any big-money class, the fences got bigger and it got a bit more difficult to go clean and fast,” commented Engle on the jump-off course. “Indigo handled it super – on any given day he is as good as any horse out there.”

McCrea returned to lead off the shorter track, posting a time of 48.31 seconds with four faults. Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida followed her with his own Quality Girl. With momentum from Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix win, the pair was on their way to the first clear round before a heartbreak rail came down at the final jump, landing them with four faults and the fastest time of the day – 48.04 seconds. Four rounds followed, each with faults, making a four-fault winner in the jump-off a real possibility.

Engle, however, entered the ring in the seventh spot and posted a clear round, setting the Great American Time to Beat at 52.31 seconds. Two followed her, including Christine McCrea on her second horse. She piloted Candy Tribble’s Wannick WH to a clear effort in 55.85 seconds. Darragh Kenny of Wellington, Florida was last to return with Oakland Ventures, LLC’s Picolo. They chased down Engle and posted a clear round, but were just shy of the win in 53.23 seconds.

“Margie was quick, but I knew my horse was going to be very fast as well,” said Kenny. “I don’t know this horse that well and I feel like I went as quick as we were comfortable with – I wanted to make sure I was clear and I am very happy with this result.”

Kenny finished second with McCrea and Wannick WH landed in third. Minikus finished fourth and McCrea capped the top five with Romantovich Take One.

Lillie Keenan of New York, New York piloted Chansonette Farm, LLC’s Pumped Up Kicks to sixth with four faults in a time of 54.14 seconds. Seventh went to Callan Solem of Glenmore, Pennsylvania on Torlando Group’s VDL Torlando after a four-fault round in 59.49 seconds. Candice King of Wellington, Florida was eighth on Bellissimo, LLC’s Kismet 50 with eight faults in a time of 57.72 seconds. Laura Chapot rounded out the jump-off field in ninth with Quointreau Un Prince, owned by herself and McLain Ward. They finished with 12 faults in a time of 52.77 seconds.

Sunday’s grand prix marked the conclusion of three weeks of summer showing at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Week VII will return August 28 and run through September 1 before HITS Championship Week rolls into town. Highlighting the festivities during the final week of competition will be the coveted return of the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix on September 8. Riders will have three more opportunities to secure their spot in the finale with one grand prix upcoming at HITS Culpeper and two during Week VII at HITS Saugerties. Once eligible, the start order for the prestigious event will be determined by a rider’s money won on their leading horse. Keep tabs on all Zoetis Million qualifying action at HitsShows.com.

About Strongid C 2X
Keeping parasite levels under control helps your horse perform at his best. Parasites steal nutrition, energy and good health from your horse. Left unchecked, parasites can cause damage to vital organs, impair growth and performance, and may cause colic. A daily dose of STRONGID C or C 2X helps break the cycle of parasite infection with the power of prevention* and control. The STRONGID C or C 2X result: Your horse is ready to perform.

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Margie Engle and Royce Race to Win $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Classic

Margie Engle and Royce.

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2013 – Scope and stride proved to be the key to the win for Margie Engle and Royce during the $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, presented by Audi of Lexington, during the Kentucky Spring Classic. The pair out jumped 12 other horse and rider combinations during the tiebreaker to claim the winning prize with a double clear effort. Charlie Jayne captured the second place award with Chill R Z, while Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios galloped into third aboard Zara Leandra.

Forty-four entries showed over Conrad Homfeld’s opening course, which featured multiple bending lines, an open water with a scored pole, a steady vertical-oxer double combination, and an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination that proved to be the bogey. It yielded 13 clear rounds, which eventual winner Margie Engle attributed to the footing. “He built a good course,” she commented. “The jumps were a good height and he had some tricky lines and some technical lines, but the horses give you a little extra on this footing.”

For the jump-off, riders had to begin with a rollback from a new vertical to a new oxer, before then slicing across the ring to the double combination. Then they galloped to a single vertical before making another rollback over a skinny vertical to a wide oxer, and then galloping home over a single oxer in the middle of the Rolex Stadium.

Captain Canada showed the way over the short course with his top mount Star Power, owned by Team Works of Perth, Ontario. The duo left all the rails intact, but had a conservative gallop going early in the field to finish sixth with a time of 44.786 seconds. The next to go was Pablo Barrios and Zara Leanrda, owned by ZL Group of Wellington, FL. The speedy duo was clear over the course and broke the beam at 41.834 second, which was good enough for third.

Katie Prudent raced to catch Barrios’ time with her winner from yesterday, V, owned by Michael Smith of Winchester, VA. They came just 1/10th of a second with their fault-free effort for fourth.

The next to tackle the short course was Margie Engle aboard Royce, owned by Elm Rock Partners LLC of Bronxville, NY. They had their eye on the prize and picked up a quick gallop to the first fence. The duo sliced through the double combinations and made a short turn to the skinny before leaving a stride out to the final oxer. The final time of 40.757 seconds would be good enough for the win.

Charlie Jayne and Chill R Z
Charlie Jayne and Chill R Z

Charlie Jayne attempted to catch Engle’s time with Chill R Z, owned by Alex Jayne of Elgin, IL. He and his World Cup mount were just a touch too slow, galloping through the timers in 40.905 seconds to take over second, sealing the victory for Engle.

“Last year, I practiced jumping clear rounds with Chill, and this year I’ve been trying to practice speed in the jump-off,” noted Jayne. “This was actually the first class that he jumped since World Cup finals that I just did two weeks ago. I jumped him a little bit this morning just to practice the Nations Cup format of jumping twice in one day, because I’m going to do the Nation’s Cup team coming up next month in Spruce Meadows. I was really happy that I could jump him this morning and then come back again this afternoon, and he just jumped to rounds like it was nothing.”

Jayne added, “He’s ready to win. He’s got a big, lofty stride, and I have to make it up in the turns and by leaving out strides. A bigger ring is easier for him because I can just pick up that nice forward gallop that I like. Today, I was really happy that he’s so adjustable. That’s one of his greatest assets.”

Young rider Reed Kessler of Lexington, KY, had the time with Mika, but a heartbreaking rail at the last oxer gave them four faults for sixth. Emanuel Andrade had a rail with each of his mounts from Hollow Creek Farm, Walter 61 and ZZ-Top VH Schaarbroek Z, to place seventh and eighth, respectively.

Mario Gamboa and the Stansky’s Mission Farm’s Unico, and Sharn Wordley with Ashland Stables’ Derly Chin De Muze each had four faults as well for the ninth and tenth place positions. The eight-faulters included Aaron Vale riding Zippo II for 2VR Showjumpers, Schuyler Riley aboard M. Michael Meller’s Waterloo, and Ramiro Quintana with St. Bride’s Farm’s Whitney.

This evening’s victory on Royce marks an improvement from second place in the event for Engle. “I was really pleased with him both rounds,” she smiled. “Royce is riding better and better. He’s always had all the ability in the world. He’s got unbelievable talent, and it’s just taken me a little bit of time to get the rideability in between the jumps. I was just starting to get it before I got hurt last year, so then he had some time off. He’s a horse that you really need to develop a rapport with. I lost half the year, so I was almost starting from scratch again. He jumped a lot of clear rounds in Florida, but I was just going medium because I still didn’t have the rideability where I wanted it. I am starting to get him back to where I had him last year.”

Engle continued, “Royce is not a quick horse by any means. He jumps very high and spends a lot of time in the air. He’s only eight years old, so he really over jumps the fences, and he’s very good behind. He is a little bit of a slower going horse. Since he has so much scope and ability you can turn back to things really quickly and he’s got the ability to get across easily. He’s so scopey he just gets higher where a lot of horses get flat.”

The next stop for Engle and Royce will be the Devon Horse Show, followed by HITS Saugerties and the Lake Placid Horse Shows, before heading to Europe for the end of the summer. She has very high hopes for the young mount and sees a very bright future.

“He’s not a speed horse and you’re not going to be able to go fast with him every time, but we’re working on his rideability and getting quicker,” she admitted. “I think his main qualities are going to shine through when the courses get really big. I really feel like he’s a championship horse and he can do big round after big round and it doesn’t take much out of him. I know he’s got all the ability and the talent. I really think he’s a horse for the big, big stuff.”

Engle has always enjoyed competing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and this year was no exception. “It’s a big open area and you’ve got plenty of room to ride here,” she said. “Weather is always unpredictable, and no matter what the weather does the footing is always perfect. It’s nice to have permanent stabling, and there are always good courses. Kentucky is horse area!”

The Kentucky Spring Classic will conclude tomorrow with the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic, which gets underway at 8a.m. The High Junior and Amateur-Owner Classics, as well as the Low Amateur-Owner Classic will wrap-up the competition in the Rolex Stadium.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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
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Step by Step Foundation to Benefit from Poker Gives’ Cupids for Charity NL Tag Team Tourney

Liliane Stransky & Olympic Veteran Margie Engle Planning to Host Charity Game during This Year’s Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida

Liliane Stransky and Margie Engle to co-host ‘All In for Charity’ Poker Tournament during WEF 2013

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2013 – Top poker professionals, veteran players, and amateur supporters have all reserved seats for Poker Gives’ 2nd annual Cupids for Charity NL Tag Team Tourney at the Binion’s on February 17, 2013.  The international children’s charity Step by Step Foundation will be one of the 5 beneficiaries for this year’s tournament at the popular casino at 128 Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We are very excited to be one of the non-profits chosen by Poker Gives this year,” said Step by Step founder Liliane Stransky of Miami and Wellington, Florida, who is planning on sitting down to take on all challengers at this fun filled game.  “The funds that come with each winning hand will help of our programs, like our Backpacks for Kids campaign.  We have been able to bring backpacks and much needed supplies to children both nationally and abroad, but this support will allow us to expand and help others.”

Getting involved with Poker Gives is a natural for Stransky, who along with the help of Olympic show jumping veteran Margie Engle is planning her third “All In for Charity Poker Tournament.”  They are looking to host the benefit tournament during this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

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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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Margie Engle and Royce Win $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson

Margie Engle and Royce won the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. Photo By: ESI Photography.

Saugerties, NY – June 11, 2012 – Olympian Margie Engle and Elm Rock Partners LLC’s Royce continued their domination of HITS-on-the-Hudson this weekend when they claimed their biggest victory to do date during the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix on Sunday. The pair posted a double clear effort to top the 27-horse field, racing to the top of the leader board by almost three seconds during the jump-off.

“Royce is still young, but he just keeps getting better and better,” commented Engle of the eight-year-old Oldenburg stallion. “He’s a very smart horse, and he’s got all the quality and all the jump in the world. The rideability in between the jumps has gotten a lot better in the last month, so I am thrilled with the way he is coming along.”

For the first round of the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, Engle and Royce showed over a very technical track that included an open water and a difficult triple combination to a tall, skinny vertical. Only five horse and rider combinations advanced to the jump-off, with Engle in the final slot.  She went for broke with the talented stallion, slicing turns and easily leaving each rail intact as the duo broke the beam in 44.717 to earn the winning prize and lead the victory gallop.

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London Bound Margie Engle Wins the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix to Finish Out Opening Week at HITS-on-the-Hudson

©ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Royce on course in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (May 29, 2012) – U.S. Olympic hopeful Margie Engle didn’t waste any time settling in at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this year. On Sunday, riding Elm Rock Partners LLC’s Royce, she captured the victory in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

Engle, of West Palm Beach, Florida, piloted Royce to the win over a course designed by Marina Azevedo of Campinas, Brazil. Engle was one of seven who advanced to the jump-off where, as one of the most winning riders in the history of the sport, she is known to capitalize.

“This is the first time this horse has ever won a Grand Prix,” said Engle. “I just got him at the beginning of the season and he’s still young, only eight years old and he has all the raw talent in the world. This was a lot of fun today for this horse and I think he could become a really great horse in the years to come.”

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Engle, Fellers, and Kessler Share the Lead after Three Rounds in USEF Selection Trials

Skelton Continues Winning Streak in $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 11 with Big Star, Farmer and Taken Win High Performance Working Hunters

Reed Kessler and Cylana. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 22, 2012 – Margie Engle and Indigo, Rich Fellers and Flexible, and Reed Kessler and Cylana are all tied at the top of the standings after round #3 of the USEF Selection Trials, which are being held to determine the riders that will represent the United States Show Jumping Team in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Riders showed in round #1 on Wednesday afternoon and round #2 earlier in the day on Thursday. The scores from all three rounds will carry over to Saturday evening when competitors will compete in a fourth and final round. This event also serves as the USEF National Show Jumping Championships, a return to the event that was last held in 2008.

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