Tag Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Louise Serio and Castle Rock Sweep Performance Working Hunters at WEF I

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Louise Serio and Castle Rock Swept the Performance Working 3'6" Hunter division at WEF I. Photo By: SportFot

Wellington, FL – January 14, 2012 – The prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival got underway with its first week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Derbydown owner and trainer Louise Serio started off right, claiming the Performance Working 3’6″ Hunter Championship after sweeping the division aboard Bryan Baldwin’s Castle Rock. Serio also took home the reserve championship honors in the Pre-Green Level 2 Hunters with Aate’, owned by Bright Star 158, LLC.

Over the years, Serio and Castle Rock have won many coveted titles, including WEF’s 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Classic and 2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby. This week they returned the arena and were unstoppable. The duo claimed the first place prize in all of the Performance Working 3’6″ Hunter classes, and were eventually honored with the championship tricolor.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Round 1 of $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series Goes to McLain Ward and Oh’ D Eole at WEF

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Castle Rock and Louise Serio Sweep CWD Performance Working Hunter 3’6″ Championship

McLain Ward with Oh D'Eole. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 12, 2012 – Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) was able to beat a field of 39 competitors to take the first round victory in the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. He and Oh’ D Eole triumphed in the jump-off over Charlie Jayne (USA) on Chill R Z and Darragh Kerins (IRL) with Hot Wheels. Today’s grand prix marked the start of an exciting show jumping season, where riders will compete over 12 weeks to win bonus money in the $100,000 FTI Consulting Rider Challenge.

The first week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 15, and is sponsored by Surpass. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week one is the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Competition Begins with Great Expectations

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Cian O’Connor and Everything Capture First G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Victory

Cian O'Connor (IRL) and Everything won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on the opening day of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 11, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off competition today with hunter/jumper classes in 10 rings. In the International Arena, Olympian Cian O’Connor (IRL) scored the first win of the season with Everything, owned by Abdulla Humaid Al Muhairi, in the G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers.

The first week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 15, and is sponsored by Surpass. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week one is the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. The G&C Farm 1.45m class was a time first round format and welcomed 19 entries. O’Connor and his first mount, Blue Loyd owned by Ashkirk Ltd and O’Connor, were neat around the course to finish in sixth place.

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Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance, Phelps Media Group

Equine Law 101 Appeals to All Levels of the Equestrian Industry

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Krysia Carmel Nelson, a nationally recognized expert in equine law and a lifelong equestrian, will teach Equine Law 101: Business Essentials for Horsemen on Monday afternoons during circuit. Photo By: The Book LLC

Wellington, FL – January 11, 2012 – Noted equine attorney, Krysia Carmel Nelson, will teach a 10-week introductory business law course on Monday afternoons during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. “Equine Law 101 – Business Essentials for Horsemen” has been approved for college credit and promises to attract the best and brightest college and high school equestrians, as well aspiring and emerging industry professionals.

“I came up with the idea for this course because I was excited by the prospect of bringing together bright students who have some background in the horse industry and teaching them basic business law concepts,” says Nelson. “Equestrians get a lot more exposure to the ‘real’ world of business than they might think – in my experience, even more than the average law student. This kind of exposure gives them a real world context for learning things about business that are generally thought to be difficult and complex.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Hosts Opening Press Conference

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The panel of Michael Stone, Mark Bellissimo, Louise Serio, Christine McCrea, Rodrigo Pessoa and Hunter Harrison spoke about the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the opening press conference. Photos © ManciniPhotos.

Wellington, FL – January 10, 2012 – The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) hosted its opening press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the White Horse Tavern in Wellington, FL. A large crowd of local, national, and international media were in attendance to hear the latest news on the 12-week competition, which begins tomorrow. The FTI WEF will host thousands of the world’s best horses and riders on January 11 – April 1 at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in what has become the world’s largest and longest running horse show.

This afternoon’s press conference was hosted by Equestrian Sport Productions’ (ESP) CEO Mark Bellissimo and President Michael Stone, with additional commentary from top hunter rider and trainer Louise Serio, Pan American Games Show Jumping Individual and U.S. Team Gold Medalist Christine McCrea, Wellington Equestrian Partner Hunter Harrison, and Olympic Show Jumping Gold Medalist Rodrigo Pessoa.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Events, Seminars

College Preparatory Invitational Competition and Seminars to Be Held at the 2012 WEF

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Wellington, FL – December 22, 2011 – The College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) will be a feature event on January 13-15 during the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The second annual CPI Horse Show will be larger, allowing more riders to compete, and will include dressage classes and more educational opportunities for participants. Equestrian Sport Productions is proud to be a sponsor of the College Preparatory Invitational and looks forward to welcoming new and returning riders to this year’s event.

In addition to increasing the number of riders accepted at the CPI, organizers are also pleased to announce that the number of scholarships for the 2012 horse show has increased. A total of five scholarships will be awarded this year, rewarding the young riders on their social conduct and academic success, as well as competitive success. In total, there will be five scholarships awarded to eligible CPI participants, including: CPI Horsemanship Test Award, CPI High Point Hunt Seat Equitation Rider, CPI Essay Contest, CPI Champion of Service Award, and CPI High Point Dressage Rider.

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Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Equestrian Sport Productions Announces 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Schedule Highlights and Prize List Available Online

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Wellington, FL – November 18, 2011 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to announce the schedule highlights of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), including the USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games along with the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Prize List availability online. The prize list is online at their website, www.equestriansport.com, under the “Horse Show” tab and “Prize List” link. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is the world’s largest and longest-running horse show, combining hunter, jumper, and equitation competition for 12 weeks from January 11 to April 1.

There will be some changes to the upcoming year’s schedule, and all of the exciting classes from last year will return. Management company Equestrian Sport Productions welcomes equestrians to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida for the biggest and best FTI WEF yet.

Once again the show leads the country in prize money with over $6 million awarded, with the highlight class, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5*, moving to week 12 and running on Saturday, March 31.

Continue reading Equestrian Sport Productions Announces 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Schedule Highlights and Prize List Available Online →

Awards, Championships, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Experienced Great Success, Awards Circuit Championships

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Wellington, FL – April 14, 2011 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to congratulate all of the Circuit Champions for the 2011 season. ESP is also thrilled with the many accomplishments that were made throughout the 2011 season and look forward to continued improvements during the summer months to make the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival one of the best horse shows in the world.

Throughout the twelve weeks of competition, more than $6 million was awarded in prize money, and over $1 million was raised for 32 charities in the FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments.

The 2011 FTI WEF also saw increased numbers of horses, riders, owners, and trainers from last year. Almost 5,000 horses and more than 3,000 riders competed over the twelve weeks of competition. It is no surprise that these numbers increased this year, due to the world-class events that were offered throughout the circuit.

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Champion Awards were presented to the top finishers in every division, based on prize money and points won.

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Richard Spooner & Lady Like Prove Victorious in $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race at FTI WEF

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Richard Spooner and Lady Like won the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race and the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award during the tenth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of SportFot)

Wellington, FL (April 12, 2011) – During an exciting night under the lights in the International Arena at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, Richard Spooner and Lady Like cleared the Vita Flex oxer in winning time during the final phase of the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race to take home the winning ribbon as well as the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award. The $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race featured five rounds of races with riders competing head-to-head in competition over mirror-image courses.

Spooner was thrilled with his victory and said he always enjoys competing in match races. There were 32 combinations in the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race, and Spooner won against Karina Aziz, Todd Minikus, Paul O’Shea and Jonathan McCrea.  He praised Lady Like, a 1999 Holsteiner mare, and said she was quick and careful over the five rounds which included beating out Daniela Cordero and T Cavalier in the final round.

Spooner’s $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race victory also helped him take home the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award. Spooner was pleased with both wins and thrilled to win a competition that offered such a large monetary prize. Spooner compared the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Race to horse racing and said that the crowd was really behind the event.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Light Up the Night in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 2, 2011 – Jennifer Alfano and SBS Farms’ Jersey Boy have led the USHJA International Hunter Derby program since its inception, winning classes all over the country in the last few years and proving their expertise in the handy rounds and finesse over the jumps. Tonight was no different, as the pair jumped their way to victory in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the twelfth and final “Saturday Night Lights” event at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.

Competition for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby began on Friday afternoon in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring where sixty of the nation’s most talented horses and riders jumped the first round course. The top twenty five were invited back to compete under the lights in the International Arena this evening, coming back in reverse order from lowest to highest returning scores.

Presented by Dietrich Insurance and Hosted by Tailored Sportsman, the class was held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The series is also generously supported by Charles Owen & Co., Dover Saddlery, The Clothes Horse, and Essex Classics.

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