Tag Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

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

Asta Torokvei Takes Top Honors in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal

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Asta Torokvei and Riverdale are the winners of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal during the second week of the 2011 FTI WEF. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2011 – Week Two of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs from January 12 through April 3, came to a successful close today. While many hunter and jumper divisions finished the week, so did numerous equitation classes. The Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal was among those equitation classes awarding riders today.

Canadian rider Asta Torokvei, aboard Nancy Torokvei’s entry, Riverdale, was the winner of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal on Sunday during the second week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The pair topped a field of ten adult amateur riders for the equitation win.

Torokvei, who has been showing Riverdale for her mother, hopes to give Riverdale more experience in the ring before her mother begins showing him. “I’ve been showing him just one day a week in the equitation so that he can get in the ring and see the jumps,” said Torokvei.

Continue reading Asta Torokvei Takes Top Honors in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal →

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

Ben Maher and Oscar Triumph in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

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Ben Maher (GBR) and Oscar won the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic during week two at the 2011 FTI WEF. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2011 – The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, concluded on Sunday with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic. In a fantastic display of speed and power, Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Oscar, owned by Lindsay Cook, were able to top the field for an exciting victory. The class was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), which will host 12 consecutive weeks of competition for the 2011 FTI WEF running through April 3, 2011.

Showing over a course set by Luc Musette of Belgium, 13 of the original 31 entries were able to jump clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those horse and rider combinations finished double clear, and it was the fastest jump-off round of Ben Maher and Oscar in 38.723 seconds that earned the victory.

Continue reading Ben Maher and Oscar Triumph in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival →

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

Nick Skelton and Big Star Light Up Saturday Night with Victory in $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2*

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Nick Skelton and Big Star won the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 22, 2011 – Nick Skelton (GBR) notched his third major victory of the circuit tonight with Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, in the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI2*. Tonight’s class was the first of 11 events in the “Saturday Night Lights” series at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). A crowd of 3,800 spectators were there to enjoy world-class show jumping and all that the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center has to offer.

The second week of the FTI WEF concludes with tomorrow’s competition. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Luc Musette of Belgium. There were 37 entries in tonight’s grand prix, but only three were able to go clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off.

Skelton noted, “It wasn’t overly big, but it was quite tricky. He did a very good job; he is a very good course builder.”

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Big Star Light Up Saturday Night with Victory in $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* →

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

Sheila Motley Rides Lansing to the Championship in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters

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Sheila Motley and Lansing were the Amateur Adult 3'3" Hunter champions during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2011 – The Rost Arena got to an early start this morning with the many hunter divisions it saw today. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, awarded another of its championships today, this time in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters to Sheila Motley aboard Lansing.

Motley only just began riding Lansing, a Holsteiner gelding, for owner Richard Schechter. However, that did not stop the newly paired duo from taking top honors during week two at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. “He is so much fun to ride,” Motley said about her mount Lansing.

Motley clinched the championship honors this week by winning two classes, placing second in one class, and fifth in another class.

Reserve champion in the Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunters went to Leah Schwendeman aboard the Woodland Way Inc. entry, Frankly Speaking. Schwendeman and Frankly Speaking won one class, placed second in two classes, and placed third in another class.

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

Charles Owen, Inc. Announces 100th Anniversary Sponsorships at FTI WEF

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Charles Owen Inc. Managing Director Roy Burek presents a Charles Owen helmet to 1.35m Jumper winner Laura Chapot. Photo copyright Sportfot

January 22, 2011 – WELLINGTON, FL — Charles Owen, Inc. announced this week the company will kick off its 100th Anniversary extravaganza at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida, WEF annually attracts world-class competition, showcasing the best in show jumping and show hunters.

During the 12 weeks of competition, eight new promotional posters featuring top Charles Owen sponsored riders will be featured throughout the WEF show grounds. In addition to sponsoring the International Riders’ Lounge, conveniently located outside the International Ring adjacent to the warm up area, Charles Owen is sponsoring the $2,500 1.35m Charles Owen Jumper Series, held throughout the winter circuit. On February 5, 2011 the company will serve as presenting sponsor of the International Club Cocktail Party, held prior to the Battle of the Sexes, where top jumper riders compete against each other in match race and 6 bar contests.

Tack shops at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival that are regular stockists of Charles Owen products will be participating in the much-anticipated Bring A Friend promotion. Customers who purchase a Charles Owen riding helmet can take a friend back to that store and, when that friend purchases a Charles Owen riding helmet of their own, both will receive a free Charles Owen hat bag.

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

Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Best All-Star Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2

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Catherine Pasmore and My Boy won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 20, 2011 – The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, continued on Thursday afternoon with the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. The second of 11 weekly WEF Challenge Cup grand prix, this afternoon’s class saw a victory for 18-year-old Catherine Pasmore (USA) and My Boy, owned by Pasmore Stables. The class was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), which will host 12 consecutive weeks of competition for the 2011 FTI WEF running through April 3, 2011.

Showing over a course set by Luc Musette of Belgium, just eight of the original 45 Challenge Cup entries were able to jump clear in the first round of competition to advance to the jump-off. Catherine Pasmore, of Charlottesville, VA, was first to qualify for the jump-off in round one and also first to return for the shortened course with her 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding My Boy. The pair set the standard with a super fast, clean round in 35.02 seconds which would hold up for the win through seven more trips.

Eric Lamaze (CAN) earned second and third place honors for the day, riding Artisan Farms’ Sidoline Van De Cantaur to second place with a jump-off time of 35.66 seconds and Derly Chin De Muze, owned by Ashland Stables, to third place in 36.03 seconds.

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

Charlie Jayne and Manneken du Coty Speed to $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Victory

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Charlie Jayne and Manneken du Coty won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 19, 2011 – The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) started its second of 12 weeks of competition today. In the main International Arena, Charlie Jayne of Elgin, IL, rode Manneken du Coty for Pony Lane Farm to victory in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper class.

The second week of the FTI WEF continues through Sunday, January 23. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class is Saturday night’s $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* at 7 p.m.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Luc Musette of Belgium. Nineteen entries contested the Time First Round course, and six were able to find the path to a clear round. Going third in the order were Jayne and Manneken du Coty. They were clear in 58.858 seconds to take the lead, and couldn’t be caught through the rest of the class.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Charlotte Jacobs Sweeps Major Equitation Classes at WEF I

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Charlotte Jacobs aboard Cortes 7. Photo Credit: The Book LLC

Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – January 18, 2011 – Charlotte Jacobs, of East Aurora, NY, was unstoppable in the equitation ring to kick off the first week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.  Jacobs and her mount for the equitation ring, Cortes 7, won the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Class, after winning the Jumper Phase and placing fourth in the Hunter Phase.  Jacobs also won the USEF/Pessoa Medal and were awarded another blue ribbon for the excellent efforts in the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Class.

“Cortes was so amazing this week,” noted 15-year-old junior rider Charlotte Jacobs.  “It was so cold earlier in the week and I was afraid he was going to be a bit fresh.  He was absolutely perfect, and we both felt extremely prepared.  I think in the past year he has really grown up and his performance this week really showed that.  I am so proud of him and excited to continue to compete with him in the equitation for the rest of the season.”

Jacobs also competed aboard Karonda V. Schl’hof Ch and Promised Land, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables, in the High Junior Jumpers. Jacobs and Promised Land were third in the High Junior Jumper Classic after laying down a beautiful round against the field of several other horse and rider combinations.

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Awards, Contributors/Press, JRPR

The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center to Sponsor Peak Performance Award at 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

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The Sanctuary is opening a new Sanctuary Conditioning and Performance Center on the show grounds in Wellington. The new center will include advanced conditioning and rehabilitation equipment such as the above ground water treadmill. (Photo courtesy of Equine Chronicle)

Wellington, FL (January 12, 2011)  – The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, one of the most comprehensive facilities of its kind in the world, will be sponsoring the Peak Performance Award at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington. The Sanctuary, dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes, has a world-class facility in Ocala and is opening a new Sanctuary Conditioning and Performance Center on the grounds of WEF, in conjunction with Wellington Equestrian Partners.

“The Sanctuary is proud to sponsor the Peak Performance Award at six of the shows during WEF. The award is in line with The Sanctuary’s goals, which is to contribute to the successful performance of horses through our conditioning and rehabilitation equipment,” said Tom Grabe, The Sanctuary’s Managing Partner. “Our goal at The Sanctuary is to help horses perform at their peak through safe and effective conditioning.”

The Peak Performance Award will be presented to horses with successful performances due to their conditioning and fitness levels. The Sanctuary will also be sponsoring the weekly High Performance Hunter Division Award throughout the prestigious show circuit.

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

Paul O’Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z Triumph in $30,000 Speed Derby at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

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Paul O'Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z won the $30,000 Speed Derby during week one at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2011 – The first week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday afternoon with an exciting $30,000 Speed Derby held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The class was won by an extremely fast round from Irish rider Paul O’Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z, owned by Paul Clarke and Michael Walsh. Both competing for the first time in the United States this winter, horse and rider had a fantastic class and were awarded the top prize.

Twenty-six entries started the $30,000 Speed Derby class, showing over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. In a Table III, faults converted format, the challenging course saw many rails come down, but it was the horses and riders that jumped clear that finished in the top standings.

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Palouchin, owned by Double H Farm, set a blazing fast time right from the start going second in the order and finishing in 77.783 seconds. Although that time held through most of the class, the last few rounds were even faster and Pessoa finished the class in fourth place.

Continue reading Paul O’Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z Triumph in $30,000 Speed Derby at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival →