Tag Archives: Nations Cup

Julio Mendoza Loor Has ‘Feeling of a Lifetime’ en Route to Nations Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Win

Julio Mendoza Loor. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Ecuador’s Julio Mendoza Loor capped an epic week of personal bests to close out the Stillpoint Farm CDIO3* Nations Cup™ during Week 7 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL. Mendoza Loor claimed the gold medal in the CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle with an almost 80% test on his own 12-year-old gelding, Jewel’s Goldstrike. The son of Bretton Woods x Watermill Scandic scored three nines for his halts on the way to 79.325%, with three of the five judges awarding the pair over 80%.

The 26-year-old Anna-Cristina Abbelen (GER) continued her sparkling form at her first ever Wellington show season. She recorded another career high score, of 77.16%, on her own and Silke Abbelen-Mooren’s 16-year-old Samarant gelding Sam Donnerhall to finish in silver. Caroline Darcourt (SWE) snuck into third with Lord Django, just 0.28 percentage points ahead of compatriot Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (Devanto).

Mendoza Loor, who is 43, also won the CDIO3* Grand Prix Special on a new personal best earlier in the week. The pair had tremendous small tour success at the Bolivarian Games in 2022 — winning all three tests and leading Ecuador to team gold — but this is only the horse’s fourth big tour CDI.

He said of his AGDF 7 freestyle, “It was the feeling of a lifetime; the ride was unbelievable. He is a horse who wants to perform; he wants to be there and to always try harder. He is willing to do everything and more than what I’m asking. I’m so proud of him for how young he is — he’s an unbelievable horse. Last year was the first time I competed him here in Wellington, and he won the CDI, and this time he really showed me what he can do and made me so proud.”

He’s a hot tamale to ride

The gold and silver medalists — both from the USA — in the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup™ Intermediate I Freestyle laid down new personal bests. The 20-year-old Christian Simonson, who is based in Wellington and trains with Adrienne Lyle, took top honors riding Son of a Lady to a stonking 78.445%, with a high score from judge at H Christof Umbach of 80.775%.

Simonson rode to a freestyle composed for another of his small tour horses, Zeaball Diawind. He has had Son of a Lady for a year after buying him from Severo Jurado Lopez and competed him very successfully in Young Riders, and this was their second senior small tour international show.

“‘Sonny’ truly felt amazing for the whole test,” he said. “The trot work was so elastic and he really carried himself throughout the whole test, so I could not be more proud of him. He is a hot tamale to ride, and it amazes me how much energy he has.”

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Ireland Takes Home Victory in $150k Nations Cup CSIO4*

Max Wachman led the Irish team aboard Berlux Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – Eleven nations brought forth teams to compete in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by Premier Equestrian, the highlight event of the eighth week of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. The flag for Ireland was raised at the end of the night as the team, consisting of Andrew Bourns, Cian O’Connor, Eoin McMahon, and Max Wachman, led by Chef d’Equipe Michael Blake, won the fourth Nations Cup for Ireland in the 21-year history of the class at WEF.

Teams from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela competed in Round One, and the top eight returned for Round Two under the lights in the International Arena.

Heading into Round Two, Ireland was tied with Canada at zero faults after three clear rounds from McMahon and Beerbaum Stables’s Chakra 9, Wachman and Berlux Z, owned by Coolmore Show Jumping, and Bourns on Sea TopBlue, owned by QBS Equestrian LLC. With three clear rounds, O’Connor did not have to compete with Cerruti Van Ter Hulst Z, owned by Ronnoco Jump Ltd.

Just one rail behind and tied for second were Great Britain, Australia, and Mexico. Belgium and the USA sat on eight faults, while Argentina had 10 faults. There were 16 clear trips in the first round over the course designed by Nick Granat (USA) and Steve Stephens (USA).

Fortunes changed dramatically in the second round as more rails fell, but with solid performances from the Irish team, they came away with the win.

Karl Cook and Ircos IV Unconventional in $50,000 1.50m National Grand Prix

Forty-three horse-and-rider pairs tackled a course of 16 obstacles on Saturday in the $50,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m National Grand Prix which took place in the International Arena. The course was set with an allowed time of 76 seconds over a challenging track which included a triple combination.

First in the ring was Francis Derwin (IRL) who would go clear aboard Vlock Show Stables LLC’s Ricore Courcelle. The pair would ultimately come in third after being only one of 13 to post no faults in the first round. In the jump-off, they recorded a time of 34.292 seconds as one of five double clears.

Riding second to last in the jump-off, Karl Cook (USA) and Ircos IV, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Helen Signe Ostby. Cook and Ircos IV finished their jump-off round in a time of 33.234 seconds, edging out second-place rider Shane Sweetnam (IRL) with Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, owned by The Blue Buckle Group, who clocked in at 33.339 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Team Poland in the Lead in the Eventing Nations Cup at LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials

Photo: Leszek Wójcik.

The home team kept its leading position after a demanding cross-country trial in the Nations Cup class at the hippodrome in Morawa. Second position belongs to Germany and third to Sweden.

Poland is represented by Wiktoria Knap with Quintus, Jan Kamiński with Jard, Michał Hycki with Moonshine, and Mateusz Kiempa with Lassban Radovix. The best result in the team belongs to Kiempa, who went through the XC clear on the fences, but with quite a few points for time which cost him his third position after dressage and knocked him down to 9th. Jan Kamiński presented the fastest round in the team. “The round felt fantastic. The cross-country was very demanding. I decided to bet on accuracy, so I didn’t go very fast, but I wanted to be very precise, because there were a lot of technical challenges. I think I could have easily made up for the time, but it was not the most important thing today. The XC was hard because you had to constantly analyze what’s going on the course and adjust your riding to the coming fences. We needed a lot of attack on the last water, but at the same time it had to be calm to precisely guide the horse to the narrow fences,” said Kamiński.

The leaderboard has changed significantly in the individual classification. The new leader after a clear round two seconds over the optimum time is Jule Wewer from Germany with Ruling Spirit. Second place belongs to India’s Fouaad Mirza with Dajara 4, who went up from the 12th after dressage. Jonna Britse (SWE) sits in third with Quattrino. The dressage leader Tim Lips from the Netherlands with TMX Herby had some faults on the course and is currently 29th.

Saturday’s cross-country changed a lot in the CCI4*-L as well. The new best result belongs to Malin Josefsson from Sweden with Maggan V. Heidi Bratlie Larsen with Lonestar My Hunter is currently second, and Małgorzata Korycka (POL) with Canvalencia are placed third.

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier kept her lead in the CCI2*-L riding Formidable 62 after a clear XC round. In the junior class the best result still belongs to Agata Piskadło (POL) with Brodway, which still makes her the leader in the Polish National Championships in this category.

Germany’s Sandra Auffarth with Rosveel is now the best in the CC3*-S, and the pole position in the young riders’ class and in the Polish National Championships for this category belongs to Julia Gillmaier with Red Dream Princes.

Saturday was also showjumping day for the short-format 2* and 3* classes. In the CCI2*-S the leader is Sweden’s Louise Romeike with Caspian 15, and Nadine Marzahl (GER) with Vally K leads the CCI3*-S.

The CCIP2*-L for ponies ended with the win of Antonia Fulst from Germany riding Fernet. The winner of the Intro class is Ricarda Berkenheide (GER) with Belle Jour.

Online results: http://results.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/event.php?event=8.

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

Germany Wins First FEI Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3* at AGDF

Michael Klimke and Domino 957 ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2021 – It was the second day of competition for the FEI Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup™ CDIO3* at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), and the team from Germany took home their first ever gold medal at the Wellington Nations Cup with 448.568% on Thursday, March 18. A hairsbreadth behind for the silver medal was the team from the United States, who earned 448.381%. Canada was awarded the bronze medal with 437.071%.

First in the ring for the Germans was Michael Klimke piloting Domino 957, Uwe Kappel’s 2012 Westphalian mare by Den Haag, to a score of 68.000% in the FEI Intermediaire I CDIO3*, which ultimately became the drop score for the team.

“First I want to say thank you to the organizers,” said Klimke. “It’s a very difficult time with the pandemic and the outbreaks, and the show has gone on perfectly organized. We all come from Germany and there is [no competition] going on there, so a big thanks from the German riders, the German team, and the German federation to the organizers. We are very, very happy to be sitting here.”

Klimke, who was also serving as the team’s Chef d’Equipe, noted the strength of the other three riders he was leading. “We have three top riders here. My mare was a little tired but the other three did a super, super job, and it was so close and we are more than happy that Germany won. Christoph and I have been here for eight years, and Germany has never won. Normally the Germans are only winning in Germany, so it makes us more happy and more proud.”

Kevin Kohmann rode Equitas LLC’s 2010 KWPN stallion by Amazing Star, Five Star, to two solid finishes in the Nations Cup classes on Wednesday and Thursday, concluding the FEI Intermediaire I CDIO3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm with a score of 74.206%.

“I’m super proud to represent Germany once again,” he explained. “Five Star just hasn’t let me down all season. Yesterday was his high score in the Prix St. Georges, so it felt especially good to do that with the team here with me. Super proud, super happy.”

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.

Team Canada Conquers CDIO-U25 Nations Cup

Beatrice Boucher and Baldacci ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 17, 2021 – The 10th week of the 2021 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) commenced on Wednesday, March 17, featuring the Nations Cup CDIO-U25 presented by Diamante Farms, and welcoming the first win for a Canadian U25 Team in five years of the Under 25 Nations Cup at AGDF.

First in the ring for Team Canada was Beatrice Boucher, who rode Camille and Gilles Bergeron’s 2006 KWPN gelding by Havidoff, Baldacci, to a score of 65.323%.

She began, “I just went in and tried my best to get through the test. It’s the first CDI that I’ve done with this horse, and I’ve only ridden him in two shows to qualify for this show, so I don’t know him very well in the show ring.”

It is the 23-year-old’s first season competing in the U25 division, and she noted that she wants to spend a bit more time perfecting her performance before heading the Grand Prix in a year or two. Of her first Nations Cup experience, Boucher said, “It’s really special to be on a team with these two riders, so it feels very exciting. They’re great teammates, and the whole experience has been fun.”

Second in for the Canadians was 21-year-old Vanessa Creech-Terauds riding Fleur De Lis L, Diane Creech and Louise Leatherdale’s 2009 Hanoverian mare by First Dance, earning a 66.529%.

The senior team CDIO contest is at the half-way mark, with four teams — the USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia — fighting for the spot atop the podium. Team Germany, consisting of Michael Klimke, Kevin Kohmann, Christoph Koschel, and Frederic Wandres, is in the lead with a score of 223.333.

The United States of America team of Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Benjamin Ebeling, Adrienne Lyle, and Jennifer Williams sits just behind in second with 222.370. Canada (Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, Lindsay Kellock, Naima Moreira Laliberte, Chris Von Martels) waits in third with 217.848, while Australia trails behind on 192.239.

In the FEI Grand Prix for Special CDI3*, presented by Iron Spring Farm, the USA’s Sabine Schut-Kery won her third consecutive AGDF class with Alice Womble’s 2006 Hanoverian stallion by San Remo, Sanceo, earning a personal best score of 75.978%. Nick Wagman (USA) and Don John, Beverly Jean Gepfer’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Johnson TN, earned second place with a 73.196%. Third went to Anna Buffini (USA) on her own 2008 Hanoverian mare by Don Frederico, FRH Davinia la Douce, scoring a personal best of 71.348%.

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.

Jessica Springsteen Presented with M. Michael Meller Style Award

Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve after the CSIO4* $150,000 FEI Nations Cup.

Wellington, Fla. – Mar. 8, 2021 – Top athletes from around the world visit the Winter Equestrian Festival each year to represent their countries during the famed CSIO4* Nations Cup week. Jessica Springsteen, one of the United States’ top young athletes, was presented the M. Michael Meller Style Award in honor of Kate Nash Boone on Sunday, March 7 after her winning performance with the U.S. Show Jumping team during the $150,000 FEI Nations Cup CSIO4*.

The award is given to the international equestrian who exemplifies the best riding style and maintains a sportsmanlike composure while competing in the CSIO4* at WEF during Nations Cup week. Presented in memory of Kate Nash Boone, the award is a way to honor the memory of Boone’s support and love of ‘all things equestrian.’ This award was the first of the iconic M. Michael Meller Style Awards, and was created after Boone battled cancer so that Meller could continue to hear her voice each year. Meller, of MMM Horseman, awarded the trophy to Springsteen following Sunday’s grand prix competition.

Springsteen represented the United States during the Nations Cup competition and proved to be a strong anchor for the team after her clear effort during the second round. After being a dominant force in the equitation and jumper ring as a junior, Springsteen has risen through the international ranks to become one of the top athletes for the United States. She has represented her country in several Nations’ Cup finals and has become one of the most decorated riders in the sport.

“I am so honored to win this award. It means so much to me, and it has been such a great week competing here. This is just an end to a very great week, and I am so grateful. We had so much fun Friday night. It is always such an honor to represent your country, and I have never done the Nations Cup here before, so I was excited to be named to the team, and it was really just a great night.”

Meller commented, “I believe that Jessica is one of the world’s most talented young riders. She works incredibly hard and is extremely dedicated to the horses and the sport. Jessica takes the time to really develop a partnership with each of her horses. As the anchor of Friday night’s winning team, she helped lead an aspiring group of riders on their home turf. It’s an honor to present her with the award; she truly deserves it.”

Founded by Michael Meller, MMM Horseman’s mission is to find and produce some of the world’s top young show jumping mounts. For more information, please visit www.mmm-horseman.com.

US Team Crowned Hometown Heroes in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* at WEF 8

Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 5, 2021 – The hometown squad stepped up to shine under the lights during the week eight CSIO4* as the team from the United States of America claimed victory in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by Premier Equestrian, in the International Arena on Friday, March 5, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

In an adjusted format, the opening round was held at 4:30 pm EST while the second round was held under the lights in the International Arena getting underway at 7:30 pm EST, with both phases over a course designed by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA). After the first round, each team dropped their highest score, with all eight teams from the opening phase qualifying to return for the second round under the lights.

Ireland held the lead after the first round of competition as all four team members, Shane Sweetnam, Bertram Allen, Michael Duffy, and Cian O’Connor, jumped fault-free rounds. The home team United States came in just behind the Irish, carrying one fault total while Israel returned in third position, on a four-fault score.

In the second round, the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team, consisting of Lillie Keenan aboard Fasther, Brian Moggre with Balou De Reventon, Bliss Heers on Antidote De Mars, and Jessica Springsteen riding Don Juan Van Donkhoeve, and coached by Chef d’Équipe Robert Ridland, jumped into the lead carrying a score of zero down the home stretch.

Alexander Alston and Campreoll Take Top Honors in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 3*

Competition in the DeNemethy Ring began on Saturday morning with the Platinum Performance/USEF Show jumping Talent Search 3*. Twenty-seven riders entered the class hoping to earn the blue ribbon and, in the end, it was Alexander Alston aboard Missy Clark and North Run’s Campreoll who were named the winners.

The class tested riders over a technical first round course, designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), of 11 fences, including an open water jump. The top 12 riders returned for a flat test where competitors were asked to show a sitting trot, lengthening of stride, and counter canter. Alston, of Gahanna, OH, and Campreoll impressed the judges during both phases of the class to take home the top prize.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Great Britain Double Clear to Win $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4*

The winning team from Great Britain, including Ben Maher, Emily Mason, Emily Moffitt, Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard, and Amanda Derbyshire. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2018 – Finishing on a final score of zero, the team from Great Britain consisting of Amanda Derbyshire, Ben Maher, Emily Mason, Emily Moffitt, and Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard won the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by U.S. Trust & Bank of America Merrill Lynch on Saturday, March 3, during week eight of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Saturday’s Nations Cup consisted of two rounds shown over a course set by Ken Krome (USA). Teams of four represented the nations of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, United States, and Venezuela. The six teams that returned for the second round in order from most faults to least were Chile, Venezuela, Ireland, Brazil, Mexico, and Great Britain.

The winning nation was represented by Derbyshire on Luibanta BH, owned by Gochman Sport Horses LLC, Maher on Jane Forbes Clark’s Tic Tac, Mason riding Explosion W for Poden Farms, and Moffitt on another Poden Farms-owned mount, Hilfiger van de Olmenhoeve.

Ireland finished second with five faults after double clear rounds from Shane Sweetnam and Paul O’Shea, and a second round clear from Denis Lynch. Their three clear performances in round two led to anchor Cian O’Connor not having to return.

Third place went to Mexico on ten faults for team members Eugenio Garza, Mario Onate, Andres Azcarraga, and Nicolas Pizarro.

Natalie Jayne and Cracker Jack Claim Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under Championship

Cracker Jack, piloted and owned by 14-year-old Natalie Jayne, earned the champion title in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division to highlight hunter competition on Saturday.

Jayne, of Elgin, IL, won the under saddle and jumped to two firsts and a second-place ribbon aboard Cracker Jack, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding. She has had the ride since June of 2017 and the pair recently competed under lights in the International Arena at WEF for the first time in the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular two weeks ago.

Equestrian Sport Productions | 561-793-JUMP | news@equestriansport.com | www.PBIEC.com

Attention All Dressage Riders Interested in Competing in $35,000 WEF Wellington Dressage Nations’ Cup CDIO3*!

Wellington, FL – March 7, 2012 – The deadline for riders to participate in the $35,000 WEF Wellington Dressage Nations’ Cup CDIO3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm, is fast approaching.  This prestigious event takes place April 12-15 at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival.

The CDIO3* features world-class teams of dressage riders and horses from the United States and foreign nations competing in the FEI Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I and Intermediare Freestyle classes.

US riders that would like to be considered for the team need to complete a declaration form and return it no later than March 9, 2012 to Jenny Van Wieren-Page, USEF Director of Dressage High Performance.

Continue reading Attention All Dressage Riders Interested in Competing in $35,000 WEF Wellington Dressage Nations’ Cup CDIO3*!

American Ricky Neal and Transmission Finish European Young Rider Tour with CSIOY Hagen Grand Prix Victory

Hagen, Germany – Ricky Neal saved his best performance of the U.S. Show Jumping Young Rider European Tour for the CSIOY Hagen Grand Prix. And the 19-year-old was rewarded with a major victory on Transmission. He topped a strong field of 48 competitors to take the top spot over Stephanie van den Brink and Wapper from the Netherlands and Germany’s Andreas Kreuzer on Kanazia.

The top eight from the first round went forward to the jump-off and Neal flew to victory over the short course with a time of 44.62 on his 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. He was more than a second faster than van den Brink.

The U.S. Young Rider team tied for third with Germany in the CSIYO Nations Cup. Catherine Pasmore on My Boy 18, Karen Polle on What Ever 11, Reed Kessler on Onisha and Jessica Springsteen on Vornado van den Hoendrik put in a solid effort in Saturday’s challenging Nations Cup to finish on 24 faults. Pasmore jumped a clear first round, and then had one rail in the second. Polle picked up 12 faults in each leg. Kessler had four faults in round one and bounced back with a clear round in the second and Springsteen added eight in each leg. The Netherlands won on an impressive score of four and Great Britain finished close behind on eight.

Michele Grubb served as Chef d’Equipe.

The U.S. riders picked up ribbons throughout the week, all the results are available here:
http://www.equi-score.de/index.php?mod=mod_hagena.t.w.2011.