Tag Archives: Saer Coulter

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Saer Coulter and Springtime Own the Clock, Win $50,000 Strongid C 2X CSI-W2* Grand Prix at HITS Thermal

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©Flying Horse Photography. Saer Coulter and Springtime have their sights firmly set on the 2014 World Cup Finals and got one step closer to their goal Saturday night in the $50,000 Strongid C 2X CSI-W2* Grand Prix.

THERMAL, CA (February 2, 2014) – In their first grand prix of the 2014 season, Saer Coulter and Springtime kicked off their year on the highest of notes. They topped a field of 31 in the $50,000 Strongid C 2X CSI-W2*, presented by Zoetis, to highlight World Cup week at HITS Thermal. The class was a qualifier for the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals in Lyon, France this April.

The jumps were big, the time was tight and the field was competitive with six of the original 31 advancing to the jump-off. Course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Muenchen, Germany, kept the promise he made after Thursday’s grand prix and built big. “Olaf does a great job setting according to the field that he has,” said Coulter, who rides for the U.S. and hails from San Francisco, California. “With six clear, the jump-off was both fun and fair.”

Petersen’s course included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, including a double combination and an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination. A clear round didn’t come until the eighth ride of the order, and most of the faults arose later in the course with the triple at fence seven and a technical outside line that included fence eight, nine and 10.

Lucy Davis of Los Angeles, California, who also trains alongside Coulter under the direction of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Markus Beerbaum, proved the course could be jumped as the first to ride clear in the irons of Old Oak farm’s Barron. She was later joined by Justin Resnik of Glendale, California, Mexico’s Enrique Gonzalez, Eduardo Menezes for Brazil, Michelle Parker of San Marcos, California and eventually Coulter.

Coulter rode 21st in the original order and she admits it was advantageous to go late. “I was really lucky to go late in both rounds and watch a lot of the trips,” she said.

Riders agreed that the jump-off left little room for improvising and didn’t present many options, but begged for speed. “The first round was more technical, where the jump-off was all about the gallop,” said Menezes, who was aboard Quintol Mercedes Benz for owner Santiago Hank in the jump-off. “It’s key to know the riders you are setting for and Olaf [Petersen] gets the perfect number every time.”

In the jump-off, riders rode against the time, with five of the six who returned riding double clear. The lead would change three times and first landed with Davis and Barron, who set an early Great American Time to Beat at 43.57 seconds. Resnik and Carismo Z, owned by The Carismo Z Group, LLC, finished with eight faults before Gonzalez and his own Quilebo Du Tillard stole the lead from Davis in 42.49 seconds. It didn’t sit for long, however, as Menezes rode the course in 41.46 seconds. Parker challenged on Cross Creek Farms, Inc.’s Clintord, but was one second off the pace in 42.17 seconds.

Coulter returned last and left out a stride between the second and third fences of the course, riding it in seven steps to guide Springtime to the win. Menezes was second and Parker third. Gonzalez finished fourth and Davis fifth, while Resnik was the only contender with faults, landing him in sixth.

Springtime’s career came full circle on Saturday. “He has done everything with me – from the highs, all the way to the international level,” said Coulter of Springtime.

The now 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was found as a 10-year-old for Coulter in Holland by Paul and Emile Hendricks where he was jumping at the World Cup level. Coulter was riding in Holland at the time and maintains that she was simply lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. “Paul and Emile [Hendricks] were in the crowd here tonight and it was really special to have them here watching him. He [Springtime] has been incredible and I am really lucky to have him.”

Coulter, 22, recently graduated from Stanford University and now focuses her full attention on riding. “My goal is to qualify for the World Cup Finals and we were here this week to hopefully get it done early and be able to focus on doing well in France.”

As World Cup week comes to an end, grand prix competition at HITS Desert Horse Park continues today with the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. World Cup qualifying will return during Week IV with the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on the evening of February 22. All grand prix at HITS Thermal continue to offer riders qualifying opportunities for the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, which will take place March 16 to kick off the first-ever HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping.

About Zoetis
Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives.

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Awards, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Saer Coulter Honored with 2013 Maxine Beard Award by USET Foundation

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Wyeth, Jim and Penny Coulter with George H. Morris, Saer Coulter and Ronnie Beard at the Maxine Beard Award Presentation. Photo By: V. Valenti – The Book LLC.

Tampa, FL – April 7, 2013 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that 21-year-old Saer Coulter of San Francisco, CA, has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Coulter was presented with the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the American Invitational on April 6, 2013, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

The selection was based on Coulter’s competitive record and potential to represent the United States in international competition. In 2012, Coulter advanced to the highest levels of the sport, competing in the 2012 Olympic Selection Trials and also in multiple World Cup Qualifiers and Global Champions Tour events. The award provides Coulter the opportunity to be credentialed and travel with the U.S. delegation to the 2013 FEI World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden, from April 24 – April 28. She will observe the operations of an international championship, including the stabling area, veterinary inspections and schooling, and will walk the courses with the U.S. Show Jumping Coach, Robert Ridland.

“It’s a really big honor to receive this award,” expressed Coulter. “Looking at the people that have won it in the past, it encourages you to keep continuing jumping at a high level and try and make the upper levels of the computer list and the senior teams. I tried to qualify for World Cup Finals and I just missed it, so it’s really exciting to be able to go and be a part of the team.”

Coulter’s international success began in 2010 when she and Chalan were on the team that represented the United States bringing home a victory at the CSIO Buenos Aires in Argentina. In 2011, Coulter placed second in the $50,000 HITS World Cup Qualifier in California aboard her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Springtime, and also placed second in the $40,000 Blenheim Spring Classic II Grand Prix.

After finishing 10th in the Olympic Selection Trials and being named to the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Coulter and Springtime finished third in the $100,000 Hermes Grand Prix of Del Mar. Throughout the summer she traveled to Europe to compete in the Global Champions Tour (GCT).

Coulter continued, “The Trials were an unbelievable experience. I think being able to jump a championship format against those riders was a great opportunity. It taught me a lot about riding my horse through different rounds, and how he starts and how he feels by the last day. I also got a lot of experience this summer getting to jump in the GCT events.”

The Stanford University senior rides out of her family’s Copernicus Stables, while training with Markus and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum. Coulter recently added new mounts to her string including Don V.H.P. Z, Carmena Z and Graciella 50.

“Last year, the focus was on gaining experience at the 1.60m level, and now I am focused on staying more consistent at that level,” explained Coulter. “One of my main goals is to get my new horses jumping consistently at the 1.60m level. I’ll do the GCT this summer, and I hope to make a few more second rounds and get a few good ribbons. I’d love to be a part of the World Equestrian Games process next year, whatever that may be, and maybe the 2016 process for Rio a few years from now. I just hope to continue getting the right experience in order to be a part of those events.”

“Saer is a talented and hardworking rider who truly deserves this honor as she was a top placer in the World Cup West Coast League, just narrowly missing out on competing herself at the Championship this year. I fully expect we will see Saer on more United States teams and at international championships. She has a very bright future in this sport”, commented George H. Morris.

With the talent, drive, and determination to be a top-notch competitor, Coulter has proven that she will be a part of the future for show jumping in the United States.

Previous Recipients of the Maxine Beard Award:

2012 – Katie Dinan
2011 – Ali Wolff
2010 – Nick Dello Joio
2009 – Ashlee Bond and Michelle Spadone
2008 – Hillary Dobbs
2007 – Brianne Goutal
2006 – Charlie Jayne
2005 – Cayce Harrison
2004 – Georgina Bloomberg
2003 – Michael Morrissey and Paige Johnson
2002 – Molly Warmington
2001 – Kent Farrington and Richard Rinehart
2000 – Kate Levy and Marilyn Little
1999 – Kate Levy and Emily Williams
1998 – Jamie Schmidt and Heather Caristo

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

The Rolex One to Watch – November 2012

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Saer Coulter with Springtime during the Double H Farm $75,000 Open Jumper class at the 2012 Alltech National Horse Show. Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography/Rolex

9 November 2012 – The Rolex One to Watch for November 2012 is awarded to Saer Coulter (USA), who trains at Copernicus Stables LLC, California (USA).  During the month of September, the 21-year-old jumped from 294th to 209th – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 85 places.

Coulter was born in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA), although she was brought up in San Francisco, CA where she lives. She is currently enrolled at Stanford University, CA (USA) where she is Majoring in Art History. Riding is a family affair with Coulter’s younger sister, Audrey, also actively competing in the Jumper ring. The sisters are currently trained by Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and her husband, Markus Beerbaum.

Rolex Testimonee, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, commented, “Markus and I have trained Saer since January 2011, and her progress has been phenomenal. She has become very consistent at the top level, which was evident this year on the Global Champions Tour circuit. She has had a lot of clear rounds and nice ribbons, and with her current string of horses I have no doubt that there is a lot more to come from her.”

Continue reading The Rolex One to Watch – November 2012 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

FEI Nations Cup Jumping Gets Back Underway at CSIO5* Falsterbo

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Charlie Jayne and Athena. Photo by Sophie Durieux.

Lexington, KY – FEI Nations Cup Jumping gets back underway tomorrow at CSIO5* Falsterbo. After a month’s hiatus, the world’s top show jumping teams will return to the ring in Sweden. The U.S. has drawn the first position of the nine teams for their Chef d’Equipe George Morris.

Charlie Jayne will lead things off for the U.S. with The London Group’s Athena. This pair has jumped in the Nations Cups in La Baule, Rome, and St. Gallen making this their fourth consecutive appearance.

Two Young Riders will jump in the second and third positions. Saer Coulter and Copernicus Stables’ Springtime will follow Jayne into the ring and Lucy Davis will ride Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 in the third position. Both Team Gold medalists at the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, they contested their first Nations Cup at CSIO4* Buenos Aires last fall. They are now also taking their first step into the top level of CSIO5* jumping together.

Christine McCrea will jump in the anchor spot on Romantovich Take One for Candy Tribble. This pair has been brilliant in Europe so far, jumping two clear rounds over a tough track in St. Gallen’s Nations Cup and then jumping to third in the Grand Prix two days later.

For more information about these riders, please visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011FEINationsCup/ which will also feature footage of the American competitors once the competition is over. Live coverage is available at www.feitv.org.