Tag Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

Richard Spooner and Lady Like Race to Finish in $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races

Richard Spooner and Lady Like won the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races. Photo © Sportfot

Ali Wolff and Lanoo Lap the Pros in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic

Wellington, FL – March 19, 2011 – It was a fun night of competition with a highlight event, the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Advancing through five rounds of races, it was Richard Spooner (USA) and Lady Like, owned by the C&S Partnership LLC who finished as the winners. In the final round, they topped Daniela Cordero of the Dominican Republic and T Cavalier.

The FTI WEF’s tenth week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, continues through Sunday, March 20. Sunday will conclude week ten at The Stadium with the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix at 10 a.m. and the $78,000 Pennfield Feeds FEI CSI 2* Grand Prix at 2 p.m., each held on the grass field at The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

There were 32 combinations in tonight’s Match Races. The course was set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, and it featured a race down the middle of the ring over the final line on the mirror-image courses. The class was held in bracket format with head-to-head competition.

Continue reading Richard Spooner and Lady Like Race to Finish in $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races

Brazilian Grand Prix Icon Paulo Santana Wins Step by Step Foundation’s All In for Charity Poker Tournament Championship

Step by Step Founder Liliane Stransky & Grand Prix rider Paulo Santana, who was the evening's Poker Champion, by Mancini Photos

International Equestrians Unite to Raise Funds & Awareness for Children in Need at Dinner Benefit at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – Olympic show jumping legend Margie Engle and international children’s charity founder Liliane Stransky joined forces for the Step by Step Foundation’s second annual All In for Charity Poker Tournament and dinner benefit on Sunday, March 13 in Wellington, FL.  After Richard Spooner rode to victory in the $25,000 Suncast Jumper Classic, the action shifted to the tents for some fast paced, high stakes gaming in the Grand Prix Pavilion at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Engle, who was the Event Chair, was on hand with Stransky to welcome guests to the fun filled evening that featured fine food and good times for a great cause. Guests enjoyed a lovely buffet dinner as DJ Mario kept the music pumping, but it was the poker action that drew in the serious players and international teams.  Stransky had assembled a strong lineup of lovely ladies on her team including Engle, event organizer Kathy Andersen, Junior Jumper champion Daniela Stransky, and grand prix veteran Hillary Dobbs.  After donning their bright orange team Polos, the girls sat down to take on all challengers and raise funds for the children.

Continue reading Brazilian Grand Prix Icon Paulo Santana Wins Step by Step Foundation’s All In for Charity Poker Tournament Championship

McLain Ward and Rothchild Speed to Victory in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

McLain Ward and Rothchild won the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic during week ten at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2011 – McLain Ward (USA) took the win today in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic with Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms. The class was the feature event on Friday at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which is in its tenth week of competition.

The G&C Farm 1.45m Classic is part of an initiative to increase FEI ROLEX ranking classes at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Thanks to the support of G&C Farm, owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, the FTI WEF was able to add eight new FEI ROLEX ranking classes to the schedule. There are now 27 ranking classes during the FTI WEF. G&C Farm has kindly sponsored the 1.45m Jumper division, which adds five of the additional FEI ROLEX ranking classes.

The FTI WEF’s tenth week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, continues through Sunday, March 20. On Saturday, the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic will run at 1 p.m. followed by the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races at 7 p.m. Sunday will conclude week ten at The Stadium with the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix at 10 a.m. and the $78,000 Pennfield Feeds FEI CSI 2* Grand Prix at 2 p.m., each held on the grass field at The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Continue reading McLain Ward and Rothchild Speed to Victory in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Rodrigo Pessoa and Let's Fly won the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 4* Presented by Bainbridge Companies during week nine at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – Saturday Night Lights at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival brought a crowd of over 4,200 spectators out to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this weekend to watch Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and Let’s Fly jump to victory in the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W Presented by Bainbridge Companies. Pessoa earned the winning cut of prize money after an exciting jump-off of many of the top horses and riders in the world.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s ninth week of competition, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, will conclude with the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed tonight’s course for a field of 42 starters. Eight jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those eight were the top women riding for the United States followed up by two of the world’s best men from Great Britain and Brazil. The men were able to best the ladies tonight, taking the top two places with the only clear rounds over the short course.

Continue reading Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Kent Farrington and Valhalla Speed to Victory in $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Kent Farrington and Valhalla won the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during week nine at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2011 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Valhalla were the fastest today in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. The class was the feature event on Friday at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which is in its ninth week of competition.

The G&C Farm 1.45m Classic is part of an initiative to increase FEI ROLEX ranking classes at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Thanks to the support of G&C Farm, owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, the FTI WEF was able to add eight new FEI ROLEX ranking classes to the schedule. There are now 27 ranking classes during the FTI WEF. G&C Farm has kindly sponsored the 1.45m Jumper division, which adds five of the additional FEI ROLEX ranking classes.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s ninth week of competition continues through Sunday, March 13. Sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, the week will feature the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix presented by Bainbridge Companies on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Continue reading Kent Farrington and Valhalla Speed to Victory in $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Callan Solem Pilots Two Mounts to Top Twelve Placings in $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

Callan Solem showed Magic Cruise to an eighth place finish in the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. Photo By: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.

Wellington FL – March 8, 2011 – Aiming for the HITS Million Dollar event in Saugerties, NY, Callan Solem finished in the top twelve with her two mounts, during Sunday’s difficult $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala, Week IV. Showing in her first ever Sunday Grand Prix, Magic Cruise had a great inaugural round, guided by Solem!

The rider also competed aboard her more experienced partner VDL Torlando. Placing in the top twelve was no easy task during the event, with only two horses advancing to the jump-off.

Callan and Magic Cruise finished in eighth place, after earning a fast four fault score, while VDL Torlando took home the ribbon for eleventh, after incurring four faults as well.

“Magic Cruise was so good,” commented Solem. “I love her! She is such a good girl! She really likes the ring in Ocala and she really enjoyed herself. I am excited for having taken that step forward with her and also really excited about the rest of the year!”

Solem added, “VDL Torlando is so fit and he is so ready to show. That horse loves showing more than any horse I have ever met. He feels like King Kong! It’s like he can jump anything.”

Continue reading Callan Solem Pilots Two Mounts to Top Twelve Placings in $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

Charlie Jacobs Named Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for February

Charlie Jacobs and Leap of Joy during the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Photo Credit: The Book LLC

Lexington, KY – March 7, 2011 – Charlie Jacobs has been named the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for February.

Jacobs competes in the East Conference Amateur-Owner division of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series aboard Leap of Joy. The month of February was a huge success for the pair, as they earned first place honors in Series classes held during the fourth and sixth weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, earning 320 points.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series honors one rider each month as the Rider of the Month. The honor goes to the one rider who earns the most points on one horse in Series competition that month.

“Charlie is a dedicated competitor in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series,” said George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. “We are very excited to recognize his hard work and success with our Rider of the Month Award, and wish him the best of luck as the Series continues.”

Continue reading Charlie Jacobs Named Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for February

Come Prepared to Ride at the Fete Cheval to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

Rodrigo Pessoa at the 2010 Fete Cheval to benefit The EQUUS Foundation. Photo courtesy of The EQUUS Foundation.

WELLINGTON, FL – March 7, 2011 – It’s a sell out for dinner, but performance seating is still available for the Fete Cheval to benefit The EQUUS Foundation and presented by Foundation Farm, which will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. Performance seats are $100 per person and include an open bar and great entertainment!

One lucky winner of the Fete Cheval Rider Raffle will have the opportunity to ride with professional riders, Max Amaya, Pablo Barrios, Derek Braun, Molly Ashe Cawley, Nick Dellojoio, Mario Deslauriers, Hillary Dobbs, Sandy Ferrell, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Charlie Jayne, Darragh Kenny, Laura Kraut, Kate Oliver, Rodrigo Pessoa, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano and McLain Ward. Raffle tickets at $100 per ticket will be on sale at the event. The winner must be a guest at the event, and wear appropriate riding attire for the games, including a riding helmet.

The International Club will be closed for the evening to focus all the festivities in the Special Events Tent, where, prior to the games, a cocktail reception, auction, and dinner will be held starting at 6:00 p.m.

Continue reading Come Prepared to Ride at the Fete Cheval to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

Team USA Tops $75,000 FEI Nations Cup Presented by G&C Farm at 2011 FTI WEF

Margie Engle and Indigo. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 4, 2011 – The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival hosted its 10th annual $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday evening, presented by G&C Farm, with an exciting victory for Team USA. Made up of Mario Deslauriers riding Urico, owned by Jane F. Clark, Margie Engle riding Indigo, owned by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek and Gladewinds, Beezie Madden riding Coral Reef Via Volo, owned by Coral Reef Ranch, and McLain Ward riding Sapphire, owned by Ward and Bluechip Bloodstock, and led by Chef d’Equipe George Morris, the United States came out on top in the unique team competition.

After round one competition, the United States was in the lead with just four faults for their total. McLain Ward and Sapphire and Margie Engle and Indigo each delivered clear rounds. Mario Deslauriers and Urico and Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo each had four faults. Deslauriers’ score was dropped to leave the team with a four fault total.

Coming back for the second round, Ward and Sapphire jumped clear again to keep their team at the top. Engle had an unfortunate rail at the last fence with Indigo, but Madden and Via Volo pulled it out in the end to also jump clear and leave the team with just eight faults in total.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13397

Pablo Barrios and G&C Quivola Clear Seven Feet, Three Inches to Win $35,000 Hermès Puissance

Pablo Barrios and G&C Quivola clear the imposing wall. All photos © Sportfot

Rodrigo Pessoa Claims Blue in Two Classes

Wellington, FL – March 5, 2011 – The $35,000 Hermès Puissance was the highlight event on Saturday night, and it was an exciting show of power and scope. Pablo Barrios (VEN) was the winner after he cleared the 7’3″ puissance wall with G&C Quivola, owned by Gustavo Mirabal.

The FTI WEF’s eighth week of competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, concludes on Sunday, March 6. The Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic will be held on Sunday followed by the $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSIO 4* at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

The class started with seven entries, and all were clear in the first round. Seventh place went to Andre Thieme (GER) and Aragon Rouet, owned by Stal Hendrix when they faulted in the first jump-off with the wall at 6 feet (1.83 meters).

Three riders knocked the blocks off the top of the wall, which was set at 6’6″ (1.95m), in the second jump-off. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Traffic Boy, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, Aaron Vale (USA) and KAP LLC’s Charmer, and Benjamin Meredith (AUS) with Raylyn Farms Inc.’s Charme Z all tied for fourth place.

Continue reading Pablo Barrios and G&C Quivola Clear Seven Feet, Three Inches to Win $35,000 Hermès Puissance