Tag Archives: Peter Wylde

Training/Clinics

Peter Wylde Jumping Clinic Benefiting Horses Healing Hearts Concludes with Rave Reviews

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Patricia Minter follows Wylde’s instructions as she maneuvers through the gymnastics.

Wellington, FL – January 29, 2014 – Riders and equestrian enthusiasts from all over South Florida gathered at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village this weekend to learn from one of the country’s greatest riders, while also supporting a worthwhile cause. Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde generously donated his time in support of Horses Healing Hearts, offering a clinic for riders of varying levels on Sunday, January 26, 2014.

Presenting Sponsor, Cavalor, hosted a luncheon with the Gold Medalist prior to the start of the clinic. Riders and auditors were able to ask questions of the expert, while enjoying the food at the Sunshine Stallion Grille. The restaurant was filled to capacity, and the hour flew by as Wylde discussed his secrets to a winning program.

“I always walk my horses for at least five minutes,” Wylde said as he began the advanced session. “Depending on what I am doing, whether I am flatting or jumping, I adjust my stirrups. Remember that everything we do during this clinic is for the betterment of the rider and the horse. The horse is an athlete, and we must treat it as one.”

Each session consisted of four horse and rider combinations, and Wylde made sure to approach each one with an adept perception of their needs. He worked with them extensively on the flat and then used different gymnastics, including a bounce, to help them collect and balance their horses. By the end of the clinic session, the change in each of the pairs was undeniable.

“He’s a fabulous instructor, but also he really fed into the needs of each individual so beautifully and he is so insightful. It made the whole clinic incredibly worthwhile,” clinic participant Patricia Minter said. “In everyone there was an amazing improvement. To me, he just saw into each person, and he formulated exercises that played to each one of our needs. If I could, I would do this again tomorrow.”

Another advanced session rider, Hannah Bentz, added, “This clinic was amazing. He did such a good job helping both me and my horse move ahead. I got so much out of the hour and a half. It was such a privilege to be able to do this clinic with him. The difference in my horse in the time of the session is just incredible; I never could have asked for that much. I am so thankful to Peter for being an Ambassador to Horses Healing Hearts, as well as to HHH for hosting the clinic.”

Wylde addressed issues with each rider from positioning to tack and techniques to use at home. His approach was very individualized, and riders could not have been more grateful for his support.

Cynthia Brewster-Keating
Cynthia Brewster-Keating

GGT Footing’s Cynthia Brewster-Keating raved, “I thought the Peter Wylde Clinic was wonderful. His professional demeanor was fantastic, and his ability to read all of the different horses and offer suggestions for each one of us was particularly interesting for me to hear. I thought all of his exercises were challenging. He was able to keep the group moving, and we got a lot of jumping in, which was why I came. I think he was able to utilize each of the horses’ weaknesses and make them better in the end. I really had a wonderful time. It was one of the best clinics I have ever attended.”

Wylde only became an Ambassador to Horses Healing Hearts about six months ago, and during that time he has not only volunteered with the children and raised awareness about the organization, but also donated his time as the clinician for the Sunshine Series Clinic to help raise funds for the non-profit organization.

“Clinics can be taken two ways: they can be theory, which I try to talk about as much as I can for the auditors and other riders, but one of the reasons why I really only like to do four people in a group is because I can connect with the rider and the horse and improve on the product the rider is producing,” Wylde explained. “I don’t want it to get too watered down. You don’t get that individual one-on-one experience. You can really connect, work with the rider, and show them how to fix it.”

Wylde continued, “I feel like I try to incorporate in my teachings: always simplify. You have to put the one most important idea in a person’s head; you need to have that simplification. I am happy that it all went as well as it did. There were great jumpers and riders today. I think I help to dissipate nervousness in people. I think nerves are 60 percent of the problem. I try to break it up for the horse and the rider to make it more comfortable.”

The Sunshine Series Peter Wylde Jumping Clinic was nothing short of a success with sold out riding sessions and over 40 auditors in attendance. Horses Healing Hearts would like to thank all sponsors for the clinic including Cavalor, Tredstep Ireland, Dover Saddles and Sunshine Meadows.

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

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

Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Peter Wylde to Host Clinic Luncheon This Sunday before Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic

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Peter Wylde. Photo By: Isabel Kurek.

Wellington, FL – January 20, 2014 – This Sunday the inaugural Horses Healing Hearts Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic with Peter Wylde will take place at Sunshine Meadows. The world leader in equine nutrition, Cavalor, will sponsor a luncheon: ‘Secrets of a Winning Program’. The luncheon is open to all clinic riders and auditors, as well as interested parties. It will run from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. where Olympian Peter Wylde will give a pre-clinic talk and conduct a question and answer session. Wylde will expand on the specific feeding and training programs he has developed at Mullenders & Wylde Horses, Inc., which has been extraordinarily successful over the past 20 years.

After the ‘Secrets of a Winning Program’ Luncheon, The Sunshine Series Circuit will kick off with the jumping clinic by Peter Wylde. The clinic this Sunday, January 26, will offer three, 90-minute sessions with four riders in each. Levels are as follows: beginner (2’3 – 2’6″), intermediate (2’9″ – 3′) and advanced (3’3″ – 3’6″). Spots are filling fast, and now is the time to register before you lose this opportunity to train with the industry’s best.

One hundred percent of the net proceeds of the clinic are benefiting Horses Healing Hearts; fees are as follows: $200 per rider and $25 per auditor. Please contact Liz Olszewski to reserve a spot today by e-mailing liz@hhhusa.org.

The jumping clinic is set to take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Sunshine Meadows in Delray Beach, FL. The sessions will each run for an hour and a half. Beverages and food will be available for all attendees. For inquiries about trailers or stabling, please contact Liz Olszewski liz@hhhusa.org or text 561-713-6133. All proceeds will benefit Horses Healing Hearts.

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, go to www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org.

Horses Healing Hearts Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic with Peter Wylde Fast Facts

What: Three 90-minute sessions of four riders each:
Beginner session: 2’3″ – 2’6″
Intermediate session: 2’9″ – 3’0″
Advanced session: 3’3″ – 3’6″

Where: Sunshine Meadows
16668 Winners Cir.
Delray Beach, FL

When: January 26, 2014, 1-5:30pm

Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike:
Merge onto Florida’s Turnpike S toward Miami (Portions toll). Take the SR-806/Atlantic Ave exit, EXIT 81. Turn right onto W Atlantic Ave/SR-806 W. If you are on W Atlantic Ave E and reach E Tranquility Lake Drive you’ve gone about 0.2 miles too far. Turn left onto US-441 S/SR-7 S. In 1.6 miles turn right onto Winners Circle. 16668 WINNERS CIR is on the left.

From I-95:
Take the SR-806 W/Atlantic Av exit, EXIT 52. Keep right at the fork to go on W Atlantic Ave/SR-806 W. Turn left onto US-441 S/SR-7 S. US-441 S is 0.5 miles past Half Mile Rd. If you reach 105th Drive S you’ve gone about 0.5 miles too far. Turn right onto Winners Cir. Turn left to stay on Winners Cir. 16668 WINNERS CIR is on the left.

Information: Contact Liz Olszewski to reserve a spot, first come, first served.
Liz@HHHUSA.org
Website: www.HHHUSA.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHHUSA

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

Equine Assisted Therapy, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Olympian Peter Wylde Announced as Clinician for Horses Healing Hearts Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic

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Peter Wylde attended a Horses Healing Hearts session where he interacted with the children and experienced the program first-hand.

Wellington, FL – January 14, 2014 – It was only four months ago that Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde joined Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) as their first Show Jumping Ambassador. After attending an HHH Saturday Session last month, Wylde made the decision to step forward as a clinician for the all-new Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic to be held Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sunshine Meadows in Delray Beach, Fla. It was a direct result of his time spent with the children during that Saturday afternoon that led him to step forward for the first clinic of the series.

“I was impressed with the honesty of the children and their ability to talk about things that were troubling them,” Wylde stated. “All the kids present made it clear how important this program was to them and how much joy it brought to their lives. This was priceless. The program confirms to me the value of a relationship between a horse and a person.”

The Sunshine Series Circuit will kick off with the jumping clinic by Wylde and will be followed by three show dates to be announced in the near future. Peter Wylde’s clinic on Sunday will offer three, 90 minute sessions with four riders in each. Levels are as follows: beginner (2’3 – 2’6″), intermediate (2’9″ – 3′) and advanced (3’3″ – 3’6″).

One hundred percent of the net proceeds of the clinic are benefitting Horses Healing Hearts; fees are as follows: $200 per rider and $25 per auditor. Please contact Liz Olszewski to reserve a spot today by e-mailing liz@hhhusa.org.

“My biggest goal is to simplify riding and get people to think calmly and methodically,” Wylde described. “I also like to humanize myself and get my students to feel comfortable in having a conversation about riding. Adapting to each horse is the most important part of the clinic. Every horse is different and needs to be addressed as such. A clever horseman is capable of reading a horse, and helping the student understand how to work and relate to their partner.”

There are more than 28 million children of alcoholics living among us, but HHH is the first non-profit of its kind, helping to ease the pain of kids growing up in a home with substance abuse. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts.  These gentle giants help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parent’s addiction to substance abuse.

Wylde continued, “In the short time period of a clinic I think it’s important to simplify. The flat work is simple and not gimmicky. Depending on the level of the group, there will be jumping exercises related to and directed towards riding a course.”

Wylde first made his national mark in the equestrian world when he was 17 years old. He rode to the United States’ highest junior honor when he captured the Rolex-Maclay National Equitation Championship at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. His nationally acclaimed win was only the beginning to a long list of accolades ahead.

Since then, he has won some of the most prestigious titles in the world of show jumping including the President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show, the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, the $50,000 FedEx Gold Coast Grand Prix and a Grand Prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian.

During the 1990s he was chosen to represent the United States in World Cup competition and at the Pan American Games, where he won both team and individual silver medals in 1999. That year he was named the United States Olympic Committee’s Male Equestrian of the Year.

In 2002, Wylde and Fein Cera represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, where they won the individual bronze medal and Fein Cera earned the coveted “Best Horse” honor. In 2004, the pair was again chosen to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, where they won the team gold.

Wylde is the Head Clinician and Vice President of the United States Hunter Jumper Associations’ Emerging Athletes Program, which seeks to identify and cultivate equestrian talent and reward horsemanship skills to aspiring young professionals.

Together with Eduard Mullenders, Wylde runs Mullenders & Wylde Horses LLC, a Millbrook, New York-based training operation for top level horses and riders with a concentration on providing the highest level of care and training for the horse.

“The EAP is an incredible program which brings some of the best trainers in our industry together with talented and inspired young riders. It also strives to enlighten young riders about the importance of horsemanship, with the hope that these kids will become better professionals in the future,” Wylde said. “Many of us feel that there needs to be more education in our country, teaching our future professionals all the different aspects of horse care, training and management. Programs like the EAP and HHH’s clinic series is a great way to educate and enlighten future horsemen and women. And holding a clinic to benefit such an admirable cause as HHH is a double win.”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Peter’s caliber donating his time and talent to benefit our cause,” shared HHH Founder Liz Olszewski. “He does a lot for the youth in our equestrian community, and this is one more example. He’s a true leader in his sport.”

The jumping clinic is set to take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sunshine Meadows in Delray Beach, Fla. The sessions will each run for an hour and a half. Beverages and food will be available for all attendees. For inquiries about trailers or stabling, please contact Liz Olszewski liz@hhhusa.org or text 561-713-6133. All proceeds will benefit Horses Healing Hearts.

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

Horses Healing Hearts Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic with Peter Wylde Fast Facts

What: Three 90-minute sessions of four riders each:
Beginner session: 2’3″ – 2’6″
Intermediate session: 2’9″ – 3’0″
Advanced session: 3’3″ – 3’6″

Where: Sunshine Meadows
16668 Winners Cir.
Delray Beach, FL

When: January 26, 2014, 1-5:30pm

Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike:
Merge onto Florida’s Turnpike S toward Miami (Portions toll). Take the SR-806/Atlantic Ave exit, EXIT 81. Turn right onto W Atlantic Ave/SR-806 W. If you are on W Atlantic Ave E and reach E Tranquility Lake Drive you’ve gone about 0.2 miles too far. Turn left onto US-441 S/SR-7 S. In 1.6 miles turn right onto Winners Circle. 16668 WINNERS CIR is on the left.

From I-95:
Take the SR-806 W/Atlantic Av exit, EXIT 52. Keep right at the fork to go on W Atlantic Ave/SR-806 W. Turn left onto US-441 S/SR-7 S. US-441 S is 0.5 miles past Half Mile Rd. If you reach 105th Drive S you’ve gone about 0.5 miles too far. Turn right onto Winners Cir. Turn left to stay on Winners Cir. 16668 WINNERS CIR is on the left.

Information: Contact Liz Olszewski to reserve a spot, first come, first served.
Liz@HHHUSA.org
Website: www.HHHUSA.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHHUSA

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

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy

Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde Joins Horses Healing Hearts as First Show Jumping Ambassador

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Peter Wylde at the 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival aboard Lipton L’Othian. Photo By: Carrie Wirth/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – September 4, 2013 – There are more than 28 million children of alcoholics living among us, but there is only one organization that brings smiles to their faces weekly by joining them with horses and mentors: Horses Healing Hearts (HHH). The inspirational national non-profit organization is proud to announce that Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde has joined Horses Healing Hearts as their first Show Jumping Ambassador.

The first of its kind, HHH was founded in September 2009 by Liz Olszewski of Wellington, FL, and helps ease the pain of kids growing up in a home with substance abuse. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts. These gentle giants help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parents’ addiction to substance abuse.

“Horses can have a very transformative effect, particularly on children,” Wylde explained. “Horses Healing Hearts is an organization that helps children of families dealing with substance abuse issues to change their lives through riding and horsemanship.  I am honored to be chosen as an Ambassador and I’m excited to be part of the amazing work they do with these children and families.”

Wylde first made his national mark in the equestrian world when he was 17 years old. He rode to the United States’ highest junior honor when he captured the Rolex-Maclay National Equitation Championship at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. His nationally acclaimed win was only the beginning to a long list of accolades ahead.

Since then, he has won some of the most prestigious titles in the world of show jumping including the President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show, the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, the $50,000 FedEx Gold Coast Grand Prix, and a Grand Prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian.

During the 1990s he was chosen to represent the United States in World Cup competition and at the Pan American Games, where he won both team and individual silver medals in 1999. That year he was named the United States Olympic Committee’s Male Equestrian of the Year.

In 2002, Wylde and Fein Cera represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, where they won the individual bronze medal and Fein Cera earned the coveted “Best Horse” honor. In 2004 the pair was again chosen to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, where they won the team gold.

Wylde is the Head Clinician and Vice President of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program, which seeks to identify and cultivate equestrian talent and reward horsemanship skills to aspiring young professionals.

Together with his partner Eduard Mullenders, Wylde runs Mullenders & Wylde Horses LLC, a Millbrook, New York-based training operation for top level horses and riders with a concentration on providing the highest level of care and training for the horse.

“HHH could not be more proud to have a leader in the industry like Mr. Wylde on board. With his history of already giving back to youth, his involvement seemed like a natural fit. We’re looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership helping these kids understand they are a product of their decisions and actions, not of their circumstances,” commented Liz Olszewski, Founder of Horses Healing Hearts.

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, go to http://www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

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

Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Peter Wylde Clinches Back-to-Back Grand Prix Victories at Vermont Summer Festival

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Peter Wylde guided Lewin 5 to victory in the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde and Lewin 5 sped to their second Grand Prix victory in a row at the Vermont Summer Festival, winning the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, during week two of the six-week show jumping competition.  The Vermont Summer Festival continues through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Wylde edged out student Agatha D’Ambra and Udiana for the first place finish with just over a second to spare.  D’Ambra and Wylde were the only riders to advance to the jump-off out of the 22 entries that contested the Grand Prix.  Wylde also qualified on his second mount, Wiesielotte, but settled for third place after incurring 12 faults in the jump-off.

“The course was careful; I think you had to have a very careful jumper,” Wylde commented of the course designed by Canadian Chris Brandt.  “There were very technical and tight distances, but our horses seemed to handle that really well.  I was really pleased. Agatha and I had five horses between us and they all did five really nice rounds.  We’re very happy.”

D’Ambra was thrilled with her mare Udiana’s performance and was more than content to finish second to her new trainer.

“Coming in second place at all is incredible.  I’m very happy with it.  My horse was brilliant today.  I couldn’t be happier with her.  Peter Wylde is the best, so just the fact that I came in front of his other horse and presented a challenge for him, I’m pretty proud of myself,” D’Ambra beamed.

D’Ambra was first to return in the jump-off and Wylde admitted to doubting whether he would be able to catch her after a perfectly executed second round.

“She nailed the jump-off and I thought, ‘I’m going to have to really go if I’m going to get it.’  I think the only place I caught her was to the last fence.  I really raced to the last fence.  I think I was probably a little bit behind her going into the last fence but I made up some ground there.  She was pretty much perfect in her jump-off,” Wylde revealed.

Wylde described how Lewin 5, an 11-year-old gelding owned by Société Civile de l’Ecurie Meautry, has come into his own the last several months of competition.

“Lewin’s been consistently right at the top the last grand prix and the last few months I’ve been riding him.  The horse is fantastic and this is now the third grand prix he’s won in the last two months,” Wylde explained.

“I’ve ridden him for a year and a half now and he’s really developed into being a superstar.  It’s exciting!  He’s fun and he’s also learned to go fast.  He’s got a lot of self-confidence now and I can pretty much ask him to do anything and he’ll do it for me.  He really is there for you,” Wylde continued.

Wylde and D’Ambra’s partnership is newly formed, yet the pair is clearly well-matched.  D’Ambra of Saratoga, NY, contacted Wylde when she heard he was moving his training business to New York.

“I sent him a message saying I needed a trainer and I needed some help and he said he’d love to help me.  I shipped in for a lesson two weeks before HITS Saugerties and it was just an immediate click.  I think it’s pretty obvious in the results that we share the same philosophy with the horses and that we get along really well.  I see really good things coming,” D’Ambra shared.

Both riders were extremely grateful for the support of their sponsors, whose invaluable support enables them to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

“I want to thank my sponsor John Cooley at Elite Equine Veterinary,” D’Ambra said.

“I would also like to thank my sponsors Cavalor, Dover Saddlery, Tredstep and of course Tad Coffin Performance Saddles, which are the saddles I’m using on my horses now which I just love and my horses love, too!” Wylde added.

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall Of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Show Jumping

Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde Wins $30,000 Vermont Grand Prix

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Peter Wylde guided Lewin 5 to victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix. David Mullinix Photography.

July 6, 2013 – East Dorset, Vermont – Peter Wylde made his first trip to Manchester, VT, a winning one by claiming victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix on July 6.  The six-week Vermont Summer Festival is running July 2 through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

A veteran of the United States Equestrian Team, Wylde was the individual bronze medalist at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, before claiming team gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics.  Having been based in Germany for the past 12 years, Wylde recently relocated his business to Millbrook, NY, and is back competing on the U.S. show jumping circuit.

Wylde included the Vermont Summer Festival on his 2013 tour schedule.  The decision proved to be a wise one, as he was one of three competitors to advance to the jump-off over the track set by course designer Alan Wade of Ireland.  Agatha D’Ambra also jumped clear with Quivola, but incurred two time faults for exceeding the 86-second time allowed.

Returning first for the jump-off, Michael Dorman posted a clear round in a time of 40.31 seconds riding Zephyr to put the pressure on those who followed.  Mark Bluman, the winner of Thursday’s $10,000 Open Welcome Stake with G&C Lagran, was next up, this time riding G&C Carla.  Bluman only began riding the grey mare two weeks ago, having been given the ride by his brother, Ilan.  In their first grand prix together, the pair posted a clear round in 36.16, despite a big stumble upon landing after the second fence, taking more than four seconds off of Dorman’s time to move into the lead.

Wylde was the third and final challenger, and the seasoned veteran made short work of the jump-off course, smoothly guiding Lewin 5 over the fences, around the turns and through the timers in 34.39 seconds for the victory.

“Alan Wade, in my opinion, is one of the best course designers in the world,” complimented Wylde.  “I am always happy to go to a show where he’s building because his courses are consistently excellent.  I never have a worry.  I thought that the course was well-set, and was a good challenge.”

The win in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix marked the second recent victory for Wylde and Lewin 5, an 11-year-old bay German-bred gelding by Lewinski owned by Baron Eduard de Rothschild of Société Civile de l’Ecurie Meautry in Deauville, France.  The pair also won the $35,000 Garden State Grand Prix in Augusta, NJ, on May 4.

“I thought it was a really nice class,” said Wylde of the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix.  In addition to taking the win, Wylde also placed tenth after having a rail down at 12‘c’ of the triple combination with AK’s Clowney, also owned by Société Civile de l’Ecurie Meautry.  “Clowney had a beautiful round and just lightly touched the rail coming out of the triple.  I was a bit surprised by that.  I sort of expected him to go clear so I didn’t go too fast.  That was my fault.  My student Agatha D’Ambra was fourth.  She rode well and her horse jumped well.”

Of Lewin 5, Wylde noted, “He’s been building up to this level and is now consistently in the ribbons, both indoors and out.  He’s a lamb.  He’s the sweetest horse, very kind.  He’s a little lazy, but picks up just enough in the ring, and is very careful.  It was a fast enough jump-off today, and he was excellent.  I imagine he’s going to be sold pretty soon.”

The grand prix was the first class of the week for Wylde, who arrived in Vermont the night before.

“I spent the 4th of July with my dad on the beach in Massachusetts,” said Wylde, 47.  “There were a lot of reasons why I wanted to come back to the States and spending more time with family was a main one.  I have a great support team in my stable.  I was able to sneak away on vacation for four days and met my horses here last night.  I’m always a little anxious when I go away, but I have a great team.”

Wylde will remain in Vermont for the second week of the Vermont Summer Festival, and is already making plans to return next year, saying, “I haven’t been here before and this was the plan that I devised.  Next year, I’ll be tailoring my plan based on experience, and I’m already having a great experience here.  I love the grounds and the layout.

“It’s only been a few months, but I’m basically up to speed with where I want to be,” said Wylde, who is now basing his business, Mullenders & Wylde Horses LLC, out of Winley Farm in Millbrook, NY.  “I’m really happy with the way things have fallen into place for me since Florida.  Winley Farm, in my opinion, is the best training facility I’ve ever been to.  It’s an old thoroughbred breeding farm on 190 acres with paddocks and riding trails.  Built in the middle is a high-tech show jumping training facility with 40 box stalls.  I’ve never seen this combination of high-tech stable with so much turn-out and grass.  I’m so happy and my horses are so happy, which is obvious because they have been performing so well.

“I would like to say thank you to my sponsors, Dover, Cavalor, Tredstep and Tad Coffin Performance Saddles,” concluded Wylde.

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Peter Wylde and Zidane Kick Off WEF 5 with Second Win in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers

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Peter Wylde and Zidane. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2013 – The fifth week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began on Wednesday, February 6, with a win for Peter Wylde and Zidane in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class. The pair also topped the class during week three and Wylde hopes to continue their success in the Rolex FEI World ranking classes coming up in the remaining weeks.

Week five of the FTI WEF circuit, sponsored by Adequan, will run February 6-10. The week will feature the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday afternoon, the $82,000 Adequan CSI 2* Grand Prix on Saturday evening, and the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.

Olympic course designer Bob Ellis set the track for Wednesday’s $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Thirty-seven entries competed and 13 cleared the course without fault. The fastest round in 56.335 seconds earned top prize for Peter Wylde and Zidane, owned by Windward Farm and Jessica Suida.

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