Tag Archives: Paige Johnson

Paige Johnson Triumphs in the $127,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI 3* aboard Luke Skywalker 46

Paige Johnson and Luke Skywalker 46. Photos ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 17, 2015 – Paige Johnson (USA) and Luke Skywalker 46 made a fast move to the top of the leaderboard in the first FEI sanctioned grand prix of the fall season at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in the $127,000 Suncast® Grand Prix FEI CSI 3*. Johnson bested the class of 31 international entries with a blazing time of 40.24 seconds in the jump-off to cap their night with a win. Ali Wolff (USA) followed in second place aboard Brianda completing their jump-off round in 42.02 seconds, while Sharn Wordley (NZL) piloted Casper to a third place finish with a time of 42.96 seconds.

Johnson went early in the first round, drawing fourth in the order of go, earning the first clean effort around a tough track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). Consulting with coach Kent Farrington throughout the night, Johnson commented that “Luke” jumped beautifully in the first round giving her confidence moving forward into the jump-off, where they would finish as only one of four double clear trips.

“I went in early in both rounds and wanted to stick with my plan. I just wanted to do the best I could and it worked out. I know him really well now. We got him when he was eight and now he’s ten so we’ve grown up together and I trust him completely,” she remarked. “Once we went clear I made sure to go over my plan with Ryan and Kent, who work together, and they talked before I went in. Kent called me and he had watched my first round. They both told me to do the seven in the last line and I just tried to execute. I have a great team around me.”

In an electric moment that excited the crowd and lit the atmosphere in the George Morris Arena at TIEC, Johnson went for the very forward seven strides in the last line, proving to be a difficult feat to beat as she maintained her lead through the jump-off, which was contested by ten combinations.

“It was a long seven, but I always knew that I was going to do seven. I just didn’t let up. I knew that if I wanted to win, I needed to do seven and sometimes you have to take a gamble and it’s nice when the gamble works out. You have to trust your team, your horse, and your ability. At the end of the day, that’s all you can ask for and hope it’s your day or your night,” she explained with a smile.

Luke Skywalker 46 (Lord Pezi x Shakira) has recently become Johnson’s top mount and has shown strength in his ability to accumulate quick and careful rounds in his first year at the grand prix level. Johnson elaborated on the gelding’s natural talent, “Everything about him is special. This is his first year doing grand prix and there have been some ups and downs, nothing crazy, but a couple of rails here and there. He’s a very careful horse and when you have a horse like that you have to take your time with them because they can get scared easily.”

Ali Wolff and Brianda
Ali Wolff and Brianda

Eager to improve on mistakes she felt had previously kept the duo out of the winner’s circle, Johnson decided early in the night that she wanted to focus on correcting the small errors and capitalize on the opportunity to compete under the lights.

“Each jump-off we’ve had there’s been a little bit of a mistake here or there and I went in wanting to fix those mistakes but also wanted to try to win the class,” she noted. “All of the pieces came together tonight and I feel like we finally finished the puzzle.”

The duo’s next appearance will be at the National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, where they will look to tackle an indoor atmosphere before beginning preparations for the winter circuit in Wellington, FL at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“I think it will be a good test for him in Kentucky in the indoor there and then in Florida we’ll have him do some of the big classes during the Saturday Night Lights series,” she noted.

Bringing two new horses with her to TIEC, Johnson commented on the layout of the facility and felt that the experience for all of her horses during the week was beneficial before looking towards the 2016 season.

“The stabling here is just incredible. For the horses that is the most important thing. Having stalls with built in fans and rubber mats is amazing because you can’t expect them to perform to the best of their ability if they’re not comfortable. I just think it’s fantastic,” she explained. “The arenas are so nice and there are so many places to flat your horses. When people are jumping all the time it’s hard to flat your horses and do it properly. I just think the layout of the space is really nice and Mark [Bellissimo] has done an incredible job.”

Johnson’s groom, Sergio Molina, was awarded with the Groom’s Initiative Award, which is presented to the winning duo’s groom for each grand prix class hosted at TIEC. The Groom’s Initiative Award has been implemented to honor those who continue to provide their dedicated services to top horse and rider combinations.

For more information and a full list of results from this week’s FEI competition please visit www.tryon.com.

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About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

Paige Johnson and Dakota Win $127,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4*

Paige Johnson and Dakota. Photos © Sportfot.

Alliy Moyer and Carlson Finish on Top in The Bainbridge Companies Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35

Wellington, FL – March 21, 2015 – USA’s Paige Johnson and Dakota were the big winners in the $127,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* at “Saturday Night Lights” in week 11 at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Competing in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Johnson won a four-horse jump-off, beating out trainer Kent Farrington (USA) with Gazelle in second. Ramiro Quintana (ARG) and Whitney placed third; Lisa Goldman (USA) and Centurion B were fourth.

Forty-three horse and rider combinations showed over Saturday night’s course, set by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany. Four made it through to the jump-off, where Johnson and Farrington were the only two to clear the second round course.

Goldman was first to jump-off with Mary Goldman’s Centurion B with one rail in 49.06 seconds. Quintana returned next aboard St. Bride’s Farm’s Whitney and also brought down one rail in a faster time of 45.41 seconds. Johnson and Salamander Farm’s Dakota followed with the winning clear round in 47.47 seconds. Last to go, Farrington and Robin Parksy’s Gazelle were clear, just shy of Johnson’s time in 47.95 seconds.

Watch Paige Johnson and Dakota in their winning round!

Johnson and Dakota began their 2015 season with great results, including a win in the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup in week six of the circuit. That win was in a speed class in daylight, but the pair stepped up to the plate showing in a major grand prix under the lights as well. Competing in the impressive atmosphere of a night class with an arena full of cheering fans, Johnson and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Calvados Ex Sable Rose x Cash) thrived.

“I came into this circuit hoping to win a WEF (Challenge Cup), and I did that week six. My next goal was to win a grand prix. I had no idea it would happen (in) the same season,” Johnson remarked. “You can imagine that I am super excited and happy. Kent is my trainer, so it feels like the hard work and the team and everything around us is really paying off, and that is a great feeling.”

Commenting on her round, Johnson detailed, “I was not as fast as Ramiro. I thought I would go what speed I was comfortable. For me it was not all out, but I did not want to be too slow because if I had a late rail, I would be third or fourth. I thought I needed to go fast enough to have Kent try to chase me. No, I did not think I was probably fast enough to beat him, but I knew he had a young horse, so that played in my favor tonight.”

“I think at night horses tend to be a little sharper, in a good way,” Johnson said, comparing her win under the lights to her week six victory. “It is definitely a different feeling and obviously the grand prix is bigger. The WEF I won was a speed, so it was a true 1.45m. This is scopier, and it rides differently under the lights. The horse usually needs more leg across the oxers because you have shine on the jump and what not. It is a different feeling, but a great feeling. I love showing under the lights.”

Farrington was aboard a young, less experienced horse in his mount Gazelle, and was proud of the way the mare performed on the bigger stage as well.

“She is a young horse, so my plan for the circuit was to build her up here. I started in the 1.45m and I was hoping by the end of the season to have another grand prix horse, and I think I have done that,” Farrington stated. “I thought she jumped fantastic tonight. I watched Paige go, and I wanted to give the horse a nice experience and try to compete at the same time without taking any huge risk. I knew it would be close and I was hoping it would be enough, but it was just a little off the mark.”

Farrington was also proud to see his student get an exciting win. Johnson has trained with him for almost three years.

“This is a huge moment,” Farrington smiled. “I am really excited for her tonight. She and a lot of my students have all had a great season. To see Paige have the biggest win of her career tonight was huge. We started a couple years ago and set out on some goals, and we are slowly checking them off one at a time. This was a big one tonight.”

Third place finisher, Ramiro Quintana, has ridden his horse for three years and knows the mare well. The pair had consistent results throughout the circuit and earned one of their top placings Saturday night. Despite a case of pneumonia that set the rider back for two weeks, Quintana returned rested, and Whitney was ready to go.

“She is a seasoned mare, and she knows the ring really well,” Quintana noted. “Unfortunately, I have been sick, but I am really happy to be back in the show ring feeling 100%.”

Quintana spoke of the evening’s course and his round, stating, “I thought it was a pretty fair track. Olaf knows what he is doing. He is one of the top course designers, so it is good to come to Saturday night knowing what to expect. All the horses jumped well and I was happy with my mare; she jumped the first round really well. The jump-off, I tried to go really fast to try and put the pressure on. I had Paige and Kent behind me, so I was really trying to lay it down and close all the doors. Unfortunately, it did not work out for me in the rollback to the second to last jump.”

Sponsors Amy Carr and Carol Sollak of Engel & Völkers were on hand for the class and were thrilled with the competition and the exciting evening.

“Our main office is here in Wellington. The majority of our clientele are equestrians, and we certainly love the sport,” Carr stated. “We like to give back to the sport because we enjoy it, and it means a lot. It is a really fun thing to be able to sponsor this.”

“We are very excited to be a sponsor of this class and be a part of the whole horse show,” Sollak added. “To have this group that won tonight that are our friends is great for us. We look forward to a great season next year too.”

Two special awards were also presented during Saturday night’s competition. For her success throughout the week, Paige Johnson was named Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider, an award presented by Martha Jolicoeur in memory of Dale Lawler. The Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsmanship Trophy was presented to Lucy Deslauriers in memory of Candida C. Forsmann.

Also competing in the International Arena on Saturday, Kelsey Thatcher earned a one-two finish in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic with Pony Lane Farm’s Athena and Everything. Daisy Farish and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Triviant won the $10,000 Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper Classic. Mariana Savage and Harthill Farm’s Carrera van het Westleven Z won the $1,500 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class.

Alliy Moyer and Carlson Finish on Top in The Bainbridge Companies Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35

Despite the heat, Alliy Moyer from Carmel, IN was able to ride her own horse, Carlson, to the tricolor ribbon in The Bainbridge Companies Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35. On their way to championship honors, the pair earned a first, a second, and third over fences, along with a third in the under saddle. “He [Carlson] was really good this week! He is a seasoned veteran, and he knows when to make mom happy,” Moyer laughed.

Reserve champion honors were awarded to Kerry McCahill and O’Ryan. The combination stepped up the second day of competition to finish first and third in the final two over fences classes.

Alliy Moyer and Carlson
Alliy Moyer and Carlson

Carlson is an 11-year-old Warmblood and has been Moyer’s partner for the past six years. Moyer originally competed with Carlson in the Small Junior Hunters before becoming an amateur two years ago. Having had Carlson for such a long time, Moyer commented, “He [Carlson] is pretty much my pet at this point.”

“It took us a while to get to know each other,” Moyer started, “but he [Carlson] has been amazing, and I love him to death!”

While Carlson shines in the show ring, he enjoys taking it easy when he is at home in between shows. “At home he [Carlson] is super simple and sweet. I usually only jump him once every few weeks because at this point he knows his job and when he has to be a good boy,” Moyer explained.

Moyer is currently a full-time student at the University of Indianapolis where she is majoring in Communications and Public Relations. In order to keep up with school, Moyer comes down to Wellington on weekends to compete with Carlson, as well as with her two jumpers.

WEF 11 concludes on Sunday featuring the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC. Both classes will be live streamed, beginning at 8 a.m. at http://bit.ly/1xjhKKK. WEF 11 hunter coverage concludes tomorrow with the Visse Wedell Small Pony Hunters in Ring 11. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Professional Hunters Crowned as World Champion Hunter Rider Week Gets Underway at WEF

Scott Stewart and Remarkable. Photo © Sportfot.

Paige Johnson and Dakota Win $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 6

Wellington, FL – February 12, 2015 – Hunter competition moved into the spotlight during week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, as braids and shadbellies took their turn in the International Arena at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

As the week continues through February 15, hunter riders will set their sights on clinching a spot in the featured $100,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular Saturday night. The event will be available worldwide via live stream. Tune in Saturday at 6:30pm ET: http://bit.ly/1Fwrqkr.

Live streaming continues throughout the week and includes Friday night’s $85,000 Salamander Hotels and Resorts Grand Prix CSI 3* at The Stadium. For a complete streaming schedule for events during WEF 6, click here: http://bit.ly/1CmvccN.

Scott Stewart captured the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter championship in the irons of David Gochman’s Remarkable to earn championship prizes, including the Music Row Perpetual Trophy, donated by Susan Stanley. Remarkable was first, third, and sixth over fences, along with a second in the under saddle.

Another one of Gochman’s horses, Catch Me, was named reserve champion in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter. Catch Me was first and sixth over fences, combined with a win in the under saddle.

With the hunters taking center stage during WCHR week, Stewart commented on the change in atmosphere. “There is definitely a lot of pressure,” Stewart explained, “I think everyone brings their best horses and looks forward to peaking this week. Going out in the International Arena creates a whole different show environment, and it is something that requires extra preparation,” he said.

Continuing his winning ways, Stewart and Dr. Betsee Parker’s A Million Reasons swept the Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunters to kick off Thursday’s competition by taking first in all classes and earning the Peterbilt Special Perpetual Trophy, donated by Leslie Clarke. No stranger to the winner’s circle, Stewart also piloted A Million Reasons to the championship prize in the High Performance Working Hunters during week two of WEF.

Stewart also finished the day as reserve champion with Fashion Farm’s Loyalty. Loyalty ended with two seconds and third over fences and fourth place in the under saddle.

Only half way through the day, Stewart was excited with how this week’s preparation at home had paid off in the show ring. “We set up a hard course at home to get ready. In our ring there are coops and other similar jumps to what is in the International Arena, so we have been able to have a little bit of a dress rehearsal,” Stewart noted.

Stewart’s domination of the hunter rings continued with champion honors in the Shapley’s Regular Conformation Hunter division aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s seven-year old Oldenburg gelding Lucador. With a successful first half of the circuit already behind them, Stewart and Lucador have been champion each of the four weeks they have jumped together so far. Continuing their streak, the duo swept this week’s division winning the model, under saddle and all three over fences classes for champion. They were also presented with the Montoga Perpetual Trophy for their division victory.

“He’s been great – he was really good in the International Arena yesterday, so I wasn’t sure how impressed he would be today, but he really tried hard,” said Stewart of Lucador’s effort. “He’s naturally laid back, never spooks, and is pretty consistent everywhere. He doesn’t get bothered by a new ring.”

Stewart has piloted the gelding for Parker since the end of his pre-green year and has been blessed with success in all aspects of competition. “I don’t think he’s ever lost an under saddle,” said Stewart. “He couldn’t have been much better today.”

Reserve champion for the Regular Conformation Hunters was presented to Kelley Farmer and As Promised owned by Glefke, Farrington & Kensel, LLC. Farmer picked up fourth in the model, two thirds and a second over fences, and placed second to Stewart in the under saddle.

Brady Mitchell is hoping for his first-ever appearance in the $100,000 Hunter Spectacular this week and is well on his way after riding Cassanto to champion in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green division for owner Emily Perez. “If I get the opportunity, it would be like a dream come true,” said the young professional from Andre Dignelli’s Heritage Farm. “I’m a hunter lover, and I’ve always wanted to do it. It’s nice just to know that we are qualified.”

Cassanto also competes in the Junior Hunters with Perez. Mitchell was third under saddle and clinched two seconds and a first over fences for the title and the Pin Oak Farm Perpetual Trophy.

“There’s no tricks to this one – he walked right into that [International] Arena yesterday and was all business,” said Mitchell of the eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He didn’t make any mistakes yesterday and jumped nice and sharp again today. He’s a very brave horse, but rarely touches a jump. I was a little nervous when I saw the ring after how impressive the International Arena was yesterday, but he stayed focused and had a nice day.”

Stewart claimed reserve champion with Cameo owned by Dr. Betsee Parker with a first, second and fifth over fences, and second under saddle.

Stephanie Danhakl’s First Light is recently destined for the 3’3″ Amateur Hunters after she purchased him last week, but carried Scott Stewart to champion in the Shapley’s Green Conformation division on Thursday. The coming six-year-old Hanoverian stallion only left quarantine a month ago before shining in the hunter ring during WEF weeks four and five.

“I bought him off a video and didn’t know he was a stallion until it was too late,” laughed Stewart. “I thought he would be a pre-green horse, but he’s so brave I moved him into the 3’6″. He doesn’t really know exactly what he’s doing yet, but he does it so well.”

Stewart and First Light were fourth in the model, third under saddle, and earned two wins and a third over fences to claim the Wrenwood Farm Perpetual Trophy.

With wins in the model, under saddle and stake, Holly Orlando and Dominik, owned by Cathy Zicherman, claimed reserve champion for Green Conformation Hunters.

Highlighting additional champion presentations in the International Arena, Scott Stewart and Patricia Griffith were named champions in the CWD Saddlery Performance Working Hunter 3’6″ with David Gochman’s Fredrick and Brooke Banks’ Brodeur, respectively. Christopher Payne and Maria Takacs’ Dominus split champion honors with Havens Schatt aboard Deborah Perkins’ High Time in the Amberway Equine Solutions Performance Hunter 3’3″ division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.

WCHR competition will continue on Friday with championships for the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter divisions, the ECHO Junior Hunter 3’3″ division, and the start of the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunters and 3’6″ junior hunter divisions.

Paige Johnson and Dakota Win $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 6

Competing in the sixth week of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by her family’s Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Paige Johnson (USA) jumped to an exciting win in Thursday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 riding Salamander Farm’s Dakota. Johnson and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Calvados Ex Sable Rose x Cash) completed the fastest of 16 clear rounds out of 50 entries in the class over a speed track set by Richard Jeffery (GBR).

Paige Johnson and Dakota
Paige Johnson and Dakota

With hunter action taking center stage on the main show grounds during WEF six, the jumpers are competing in the beautiful International Ring at The Stadium at PBIEC for their highlight classes this week. The day’s competition came down to the final three rounds with Johnson and Dakota 48th to go out of 50 competitors. The pair raced through the timers in 69.69 seconds for the win. They stole the lead from Harrie Smolders (NED) and Axel Verlooy’s Emerald, whose time of 70.02 seconds finished in second place. Brianne Goutal (USA) and Remarkable Farm LP’s Wirma placed third in 70.15 seconds.

Thursday’s win marked Johnson’s first victory in the competitive WEF Challenge Cup Series and a great moment in her partnership with Dakota.

“I have never won a WEF (Challenge Cup) here, so this is exciting,” Johnson smiled. “It is hard to win the WEF classes. It is hard to win in general down here. It is so competitive, and there are so many good riders. You have to ride well and have a little luck that day.”

“She has been really great lately,” Johnson said of Dakota. “I got her at the end of her nine-year-old year. She is 12 now. The lady I bought her from had her since was five, so they had a real bond and I think it took us a little time to get to know each other. Mares are very particular and she is a great horse, but I think we had to create a partnership. We seem to understand each other now. I know what buttons to push, and what buttons not to push, and she has been great this circuit. We have had several double clear rounds and lots of placings. I am really happy with her consistency and now this win is just icing on the cake.”

Johnson’s trainer of three years, Kent Farrington, was the winner of this class last year and was there watching from the sidelines as his student galloped to victory.

“I didn’t get to see Harrie go. I was already on, but I have a great trainer and he just told me what the plan was and I tried to execute it,” Johnson said of her round. “The plan was just to be really smooth. We didn’t do any leave outs. Everyone did the same numbers basically, so it was just being as neat as possible and keeping an even pace throughout the course.”

“What I have learned from Kent is the focus,” Johnson said of her trainer. “He is super focused and I always have been, but when you have a trainer that is that way too, you seem to pick up on those habits even more. When he sets his mind to a plan, he goes for it. He believes that he can win every class. I think that is a great mentality to have, and I am learning that.”

“Sometimes you might go in and think it is not your horse’s course and you want to go for a double clean and be neat because you don’t know if you can win it,” Johnson continued. “Kent tells me, ‘No, you can win this, and you need to go in there and believe that you can win it.’ I am learning that part of it. Don’t sell yourself short. You are capable of it, and your horses are capable of it, so you need to do it.”

Johnson explained that she has spent some time building up her string of horses and is happy to see the hard work coming to fruition.

“We have a good string of horses. I have had a couple of years where I was trying to build up the string again, so it takes a lot of patience,” she said. “It is a tough sport and there are a lot of ups and downs, so you just have to be persistent and stick with it. You put in the hard work and hope that it pays off, and it is paying off. I have a great team of people around me. I am putting the time in, and they are putting their time into me, and it is working out nicely so far.”

WEF 6 continues on Friday featuring the $85,000 Salamander Hotels & Resorts Grand Prix CSI 3* in the International Ring at The Stadium at 7 p.m. In the International Arena on the main show grounds, the Shamrock Ventures Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ 18-35, FarmVet Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ Over 35, and ECHO Junior Hunter 3’3″ divisions will award championship honors. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Paige Johnson and Chiron S Secure $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 19, 2012 – It was the final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, and the excitement was high as the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix got underway in the Rolex Stadium. It was a bittersweet finale to the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, with 41 entrants competing for the top prize. Paige Johnson and Chiron S were one of only four to move into the short course, stealing the show and riding to a double-clear effort with a blazing jump-off speed of 38.371 seconds. Although trailblazer Andrew Welles piloted Boo Van Het Kastanjehof to a clean short track, they fell a nick shy of the winning title to collect the second place award.

Allen Rheinheimer created a course that took on a life of its own this afternoon. He included an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, a vertical-liverpool double combination, an open water jump, a triple bar opening to a vertical, as well as numerous turns, rollbacks and technicalities that could challenge horse and rider.

Each rider entered the Rolex Stadium with the hopes of securing the winning title on the final day; however, it was not until the eighteenth in the order, Andrew Welles and Boo Van Het Kastanjehof, that anyone was able to tackle the track. The only other rider to come close was Shane Sweetnam and Siri, owned by Spy Coast Farm. The pair had made it through the course with a clear effort, but a tick over the time earned them two time faults, and the eventual fifth place honors.

Continue reading Paige Johnson and Chiron S Secure $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

Paige Johnson Continues to Dominate High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Summer Classic

Paige Johnson and Amagedon 3 won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 3, 2012 – Although storm clouds hung sullenly over the Kentucky Horse Park this afternoon, the amateur and junior jumper riders were not deterred as they tackled their respective courses to vie for the top honors in the Rolex Stadium. Paige Johnson topped today’s High Amateur-Owner Jumpers with Amagedon 3. Megan Nusz slid into the second place finish with Vesuvius, and Mallory Vale guided MI Phone to the third place award. In the High Junior Jumpers, Emanuel Andrade claimed the blue ribbon with his quick and clean effort aboard Tiny Tim, while Elizabeth Patz picked up the second place just ahead of Gabrielle Bausano.

The United States’ very own Anthony D’Ambrosio designed today’s tracks in the Rolex Stadium. For the High Jumpers, riders were faced with an opening oxer-oxer line, a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, an oxer-vertical double combination, a triple bar and several standalone obstacles. To shave the seconds off their time over the shortened track, riders had to use an open gallop and utilize tight turns. The jump-off opened with the first oxer, and then continued with a right turn over a second large oxer and forward across the ring to the triple bar. They then had to move forward over a skinny vertical and progress through the technical double combination and take another oxer only a few short strides upon landing. Riders then raced to the final obstacle, a standalone vertical, to break the beam.

Continue reading Paige Johnson Continues to Dominate High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Summer Classic

Paige Johnson Wins $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – July 26, 2012 – Thunderstorms plagued the Kentucky Horse Park as riders gathered beneath the lights of the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Paige Johnson proved to be the best of the best, controlling the jump-off with one of only seven double-clear efforts aboard Chiron S to lead the victory gallop. Shane Sweetnam and Danielle Goldstein also tackled the short course, but their times could not catch Johnson’s speed, each placed third and fourth, respectively.

Marin Zevedo designed tonight’s course, using obstacles such as a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, bending lines, an oxer-oxer double combination, a triple bar, roll backs and tight turns. The jump-off allowed 47 seconds for horse and rider to break the beam, using a serpentine path to guide them to the finish. Starting over the first oxer and making a right to a vertical, riders then took a standalone red-and-white vertical to the oxer-oxer double combination. Upon landing, they were in full gear, racing against the seconds as they maneuvered over the SSG Digital Riding Gloves vertical and finished over the final oxer.

Continue reading Paige Johnson Wins $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Paige Johnson and Monopoly Roll to Victory in Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Spring Classic

Paige Johnson and Monopoly won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2012 – Today, the amateur and junior jumper riders had the opportunity to showcase their skills in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Spring Classic. Topping the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Paige Johnson piloted Monopoly to a double-clear victory, and also claimed third with her second mount Amagedon 3. Meagan Nusz slid into third aboard Banana D’Ive Z, also completing a fault-free short course. In the High Junior Jumpers, Abigail McArdle claimed the blue ribbon with her quick and clear round aboard Cosma 20, while Emanuel Andrade placed second and third with Costa and Tiny Tim, respectively.

There was not a cloud in the sky as riders prepared for the High Jumper events. Today, Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s first round track included a vertical-oxer double combination and an oxer-vertical double combination, each causing errors for some of the entries. For the jump-off riders had to use an open gallop across large parts of the ring to shave seconds off their time, while also leaving the delicate fences in place.

Continue reading Paige Johnson and Monopoly Roll to Victory in Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Spring Classic

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 Conquer $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSIO 4*

Paige Johnson and Chiron S Top Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, Holiday and Carson Gibson Are Champions in Marley Goodman Small Junior 16-17 Hunters

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 4, 2012 – Nick Skelton of Great Britain continued his winning ways at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a victory in Sunday afternoon’s $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSIO 4* riding Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273. The pair beat out Laura Kraut (USA) and Cherry Knoll Farm Inc.’s Cedric and Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Ahorn Van De Zuuthoeve, who finished second and third respectively.

Today’s competition concluded the FTI WEF’s CSIO week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm. Week nine, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, will run March 7-11. The week will feature the $200,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by The Bainbridge Companies as well as the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Team Event. The 2012 FTI WEF has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

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Jumping Radio Episode 60 – Paige Johnson, Jane Wallace and Dr Jenny Johnson


Jane Wallace, Eventing European Championship Silver Medalist and author of several books on jumping, Dr Jenny Johnson on Fore Limb Flight and returning
to co host this week, Paige Johnson – tune in right here.

Jumping Radio Episode 60 – Show Notes and Links:

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Kentucky Spring Classic Wrap Up May 18-22

Lexington, KY – May 23, 2011 – As the Kentucky Spring Classic hosted another night of show jumping, the incredible duo of Kent Farrington and Uceko continued their complete domination of the last two weeks by securing the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix victory. Tonight’s event was sponsored by Audi of Lexington and honored Mary Rena Murphy, a horsewoman whose dedication to equestrian sport was unmatched. Once again, speed proved to be the determining factor during the thirteen horse jump-off, and that is something Farrington and Uceko are proving to master. The duo was a full two seconds ahead of second place finishers Ali Wolff and Lanoo, while Christian Heineking and River of Dreams took home third for the second time this week.

“During the first round, there were more clear than I expected,” admitted Farrington. “The outside line started with a wall and then an awkward distance to an oxer-oxer combination, and then a very steady distance to a liverpool. I thought that would catch more horses than it did. I think the footing here is excellent, and these horses have been here for two weeks now, so I think they are really comfortable in the ring. I think that’s why there were more clear rounds than Richard expected. It’s under the lights, so they are a bit impressed, and I think the horses were just really going well on the ground.”

For the final test, Jeffery had riders start over a single oxer to the liverpool and make a bending line to a single oxer. They then made a sharp roll back to a vertical-oxer double combination and galloped across the ring to a wide oxer. Finally, riders made another sharp turn to a tall vertical before they galloped towards the timers over the last oxer. Of the thirteen qualifiers, seven were able to make it a perfect night and finish without any faults added to their score.

Continue reading Kentucky Spring Classic Wrap Up May 18-22