Tag Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Kelly, Polle, and Cox Jump Double Clear to Lead Their Teams to Victory in $30,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Zone Team Competition Final

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Christina Kelly and Camirage. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 1, 2011 – Friday night during week twelve at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured the $30,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Zone Team Competition Final. The horses and riders were divided into sections of high, medium and low heights to jump, with each section awarding $10,000. In the highs, Charlie Jacobs, Gabrielle Bausano, Christina Kelly and Karen Polle jumped to victory. In the mediums, Katherine Steenberg, Madeline Cox, Cynthia McGrath, and Heather Irons earned top honors. The lows were the final level to compete, with a win for the team of Shannon Spencer, Erica Polle, Mahala Rummell, and Megan MacPherson.

Running through Sunday, April 3, this week’s remaining feature events include Round 2 of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and the Finals for the Adequan Young Jumpers on Sunday.

The $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will be webcast live on USEF Network and can be seen here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/WEFDerby2011/.

Continue reading Kelly, Polle, and Cox Jump Double Clear to Lead Their Teams to Victory in $30,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Zone Team Competition Final →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Stewart and Empire Wow the Crowd with Their High Scores in the Qualifying Round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

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Scott Stewart and Empire win the first round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the twelfth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 1, 2011 – It was an important day for hunters at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Sixty entries took their shot at a chance to compete in the $50,000 USHJA Hunter Derby, one of the biggest purses offered for hunter competitors in the world. The class began this afternoon in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. With a large number of spectators standing by, each horse and rider combination took their turn over a course of eleven jumps, with four high option fences.

There were two teams of judges – Danny Robertshaw and Jim Clapperton (Panel 1 – tiebreaker), John Barker and Scott Williamson (Panel 2) – one team on either side of the ring. Each team of judges awarded a numerical score plus a bonus point for each high option fence that was jumped. The sum of the scores was given as each rider’s final score for the first round of competition.

Scott Stewart wasted no time getting down to business on the first of his six mounts in the class. Going fourth in the order, Stewart led the Fashion Farm’s entry Dedication to a combined score of 186, which was good enough to leave the pair in fourth overall going into tomorrow night. “Dedication is a First Year horse, who has been champion a few times here. He’s very scopey and very easy, but he just turned six, so he’s still pretty green. I was very happy with him,” beamed Stewart.

Continue reading Stewart and Empire Wow the Crowd with Their High Scores in the Qualifying Round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, JRPR, Show Jumping

Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden Wins Vita Flex Victory Pass Award during the FTI WEF

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Beezie Madden rode away as the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award winner when she and Mademoiselle won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (March 31, 2011) – Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle, owned by Abigail Wexner, raced to victory in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup during the sixth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). As the winner of the class, Madden also rode away with the Vita Flex Victory Pass Award, sponsored by Vita Flex Nutrition.

“My horse was terrific,” Madden said, as she rode out of the winner’s circle. “She was out here last year so I had confidence that she would be good. She was fantastic, especially in the jump-off.”

The Grand Prix, which was held on the grass at The Stadium, featured 29 entries with nine riders going clean in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Madden commented that she liked the grass field venue and won the $75,000 Grand Prix last year in the same location aboard Coral Reef’s Via Volo. The Challenge Cup was Madden’s first Grand Prix victory of the 2011 WEF season.

Continue reading Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden Wins Vita Flex Victory Pass Award during the FTI WEF →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Pony Hunters Are a Force to Be Reckoned With during Week 11 of the FTI WEF

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Kate Ross and Won Up. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 27, 2011 – It is the last day of action for week 11 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which means that numerous championships were awarded throughout the day. One place where there was a particularly large amount of awards being given out was Pony Land. Rings 11 and 12 were packed with children and their ponies and family members. Competition was fierce as they vied for some last minute points in their divisions.

A busy rider that always has a presence at the pony rings is Meredith Darst. The second day of competition, Darst rode the KAR LLC entry, Won Up, to secure the championship in the Equisport Insurance Large Pony Hunters. Won Up is usually ridden by Kate Ross. Won Up was awarded three blue ribbons and a third place ribbon in the division.

Darst was also awarded the reserve championship on the Megan MacPherson entry, Mapleside Magic Dancer. Darst secured the reserve championship by winning two classes, placing second in two more classes, and also receiving a fifth place ribbon as well.

Continue reading Pony Hunters Are a Force to Be Reckoned With during Week 11 of the FTI WEF →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Mario Deslauriers and Cella Triumph in $30,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic Finale

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Mario Deslauriers and Cella won the $30,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic during week eleven at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Nick Skelton, Ashlee Bond, and McLain Ward Take Home Bonus Money for Consistent Performances

Wellington, FL – March 27, 2011 – Week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday afternoon with a victory for Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Cella in the $30,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic Finale. Deslauriers and Cella, owned by Jane F. Clark, was the only pair to master the course with double clear rounds for the win.

Guilherme Jorge of Brazil designed the courses in the International Arena this week and concluded the weekend with a challenging course for the 1.50m. Just three of the original 50 competitors were able to go clear in the first round to return for a jump-off.

Daniel Bluman (COL) was the first to return for the short course aboard his own Sancha La Silla. The pair had one rail down to earn four faults in 34.158 seconds, finishing in second place.

Deslauriers returned next with Cella and put down a fast, clear round in 35.853 seconds to take over the lead.

Ashlee Bond (USA) rode Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farm, through the course next, but retired from her round after a refusal to automatically finish in third place.

Continue reading Mario Deslauriers and Cella Triumph in $30,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic Finale →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Laura Kraut and Cedric Capture $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5*

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Laura Kraut and Cedric. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 26, 2011 – The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric race to victory in the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* during week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Kraut and Cedric won two grand prix classes in a row earlier in the circuit with victories in the $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 2* during week four and the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm during week five. Tonight was the pair’s third and biggest grand prix victory of the WEF circuit to conclude a fantastic winter season.

Guilherme Jorge of Brazil designed the courses in the International Arena this week. In tonight’s class, forty entries jumped the first round course and 15 were able to go clean to advance to the jump-off. Nine were able to jump double clear, and Kraut and Cedric finished in a blazing 35.86 seconds to finish in first place.

Andres Rodriguez (VEN) rode Secret to the first clear round of the jump-off and set the standard with his speedy round in 37.10 seconds. The pair’s time held onto the lead for ten rounds before Kraut and Cedric entered the ring, eventually finishing in third place.

Continue reading Laura Kraut and Cedric Capture $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5* →

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

Mary Katherine Shaughnessy and King Lear Bring the Championship Home in the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Section A

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Mary Katherine Shaughnessy and King Lear are the Camping World Adult Amateur 51 & Over, Section A champions during the eleventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2011 – The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continued today with 12 rings of competition. The featured division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring was the Camping World Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters Section A. Mary Katherine Shaughnessy of Wellington, FL, and King Lear, owned by Shamrock Ventures, rode to the championship.

Shaughnessy’s Shamrock Ventures purchased King Lear, a fifteen-year-old Trakehner gelding by Induc, last year. “He is really, really perfect! He never does anything wrong. I’d say that he has changed my life,” said Shaughnessy with a smile.

It has been a very special week for Shaughnessy. Not only was she champion during the same week that is sponsored by FTI Consulting, Inc. (her husband Dennis is the Chairman), but she also became a first-time grandmother two days ago. “I would like to add that I became a grandmother two days ago. My first grandchild! Her name is Avery. It’s been a big week!” beamed Shaughnessy.

Continue reading Mary Katherine Shaughnessy and King Lear Bring the Championship Home in the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over Section A →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui Specialize in Speed to Win $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

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Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui won the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic during week 11 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2011 – The highlight class today in the International Arena at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) was the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. Kent Farrington (USA) and Up Chiqui, owned by Farrington, Alex Boone, and William Dobbs, was the fastest through the timers for victory.

Week 11 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival is sponsored by FTI Consulting Inc., and the week’s remaining feature events include the final Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and the feature event of the circuit, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix on Saturday. Gates open at 6 p.m. The event will also be webcast live on the USEF Network, seen here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/FTIGrandPrix2011/.

Guilherme Jorge of Brazil is the course designer in the International Arena this week. The class was a speed format against the clock, and 41 of 13 entries were clear to lead the top of the ribbons. Farrington had the fastest time of the day in 61.38 seconds for the win. Ben Maher (GBR) and Lindsay Cook’s Oscar came the closest to that speedy time in 62.36 seconds for second place. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Little Emir crossed the timers in 63.21 seconds for third place.

Continue reading Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui Specialize in Speed to Win $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Beezie Madden and Danny Boy Dash to Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 11

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Beezie Madden and Danny Boy won the final $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup during week eleven at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 24, 2011 – The final round of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series was held on Thursday afternoon with a victory for Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Danny Boy at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.

Week 11 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival is sponsored by FTI Consulting Inc. The week’s feature events will include the final Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and the feature event of the circuit, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix on Saturday. Gates open at 6 p.m. The event will also be webcast live on the USEF Network, seen here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/FTIGrandPrix2011/.

Guilherme Jorge of Brazil is the course designer in the International Arena this week. A total of 41 competitors showed over the first round course and 11 qualified for the jump-off. With one competitor choosing not to return, ten jumped off against the clock.

Great Britain’s Nick Skelton and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, were first to attempt the short course and jumped clear in 40.48 seconds to blaze the leading time. Eight rounds followed but no one was able to jump without fault until the final competitors entered the ring.

Continue reading Beezie Madden and Danny Boy Dash to Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 11 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Nick Skelton and Big Star Continue to Shine in $78,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix, CSI 2*

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Nick Skelton and Big Star. All photos © Sportfot

Pasmore Wins Final Round; Kessler, Jacobs and Arcand Top the Standings to Compete at the EY Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2011 – Week 10 of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded with two great events at The Stadium, the grass field venue at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, notched another big win this circuit by taking the top prize in the $78,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix, CSI 2*.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s feature event, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* will be next week on Saturday, March 26. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and awards more than $6 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, was the designer for the classes at The Stadium today. There were 43 entries in the grand prix, and seven of those went clear to advance to the jump-off. The first entry in the class and the first to return was Hector Florentino (DOM) on Stransky’s Mission Farm’s Ultimo. They had a rail at 8b, the oxer out of the double combination, for four faults in 46.50 seconds. They finished in seventh place.

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Big Star Continue to Shine in $78,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix, CSI 2* →