Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hunters: Wellington: WEF: Casallo and Hayley Barnhill Are Victorious in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters

For Immediate Release
Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - February 13, 2011 - Today's competition was the wrap-up of week 5 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3. Numbers were soaring today as competitors and spectators alike came to enjoy the sunshine and the horses. Among those competitors were the older section of Large Junior Hunters.

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Big Star Wins Again with Skelton; Kelly and Camirage Win Young Riders GP

Big Star Wins Again with Skelton in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic
 

Christina Kelly and Camirage Capture $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix

For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood and Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Wellington, FL - February 13, 2011 - The fifth week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday with the $25,00 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic, and it was Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, who proved victorious over a field of 65 entries.

Alan Wade of Co. Tipperary, Ireland, designed today's courses and set a first-round track that 11 combinations would clear. Skelton and Big Star, an eight-year-old KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Nimmerdor, cleared the jump-off in 40.985 seconds, a blazing time that beat second place finisher McLain Ward (USA) and Louisburg Farm's Esplanade 7, by more than two seconds. Ward and Esplanade were clear in 43.131 seconds. Marie Hecart (FRA) and Babbe Van't Roosakker, owned by Haras De La Rogue, were third in 43.314 seconds.

Skelton did not see Ward's jump-off ride. "He told me he wasn't very fast, but knowing him I didn't believe him," Skelton joked. "I've never seen him not go fast! I thought I'd go nice, but every time I turned I had a good distance. He's a fast horse anyway. I think I got it into that double (combination). I had an unbelievable shot to it and I think it got sent from above. It was perfect. I didn't think I was almost three seconds faster."
Nick Skelton and Big Star
This is the second big win for Big Star, who also claimed victory the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix in week two. Skelton won another Suncast 1.50m classic in week one.

"He's a freak of a horse for eight years old," Skelton said of his mount. "You have to remember how old he is and not get carried away. He's still got to get the experience, but he's a great jumper. He has everything: scope, the mind, unbelievable talent. I'm very lucky to have him."
Nick Skelton and Big Star with ringmaster Cliff Haines
and Lauren Tisbo of Suncast

The $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix was the morning feature in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Today's class was the first of four qualifiers for the EY Cup Finals, held at the FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany. The top three riders at the conclusion of the series will have the opportunity to travel to Germany to compete. The second qualifier will run under the lights in the International Arena on Friday, February 25. The third event, which is a Team Event, will be held on Thursday, March 10 in the International Arena. The final $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix will be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium on Sunday, March 20, 2011.

Through their sponsorship, The Dutta Corporation & International Horse Transport will provide round-trip shipping for the winning horse to the EY Cup Finals.

Speaking on behalf of The Dutta Corporation, Tim Dutta stated, "Guido Klatte and I are delighted to join the Zeigler family in supporting the Young Rider program, as these riders are our future. We are excited to be part of the process that gets our best and brightest to Leipzig along with our senior squad. We wish this series much success and hope that the young riders have a great experience in the journey and may the best represent us. Guido and I, along with the rest of The Dutta Corporation team, are looking forward to giving the winning horse 'wings' to the World Cup Final."

Fifty-five riders started in today's qualifier and nine jumped clear to return for a jump-off. Four horse and rider combinations jumped double clear, and Christina Kelly and Camirage, owned by Diamond Edge Farm, had the fastest time in 35.432 seconds for the win. Reed Kessler and Onisha clocked in just 4/10ths of a second shy of that time to finish in second place in 35.829 seconds. Katie Dinan and Vancouver finished in 37.864 seconds to place in third. Navona Gallegos and No Fear had the only other double clear round in 38.640 seconds to take home fourth place.
Christina Kelly and Camirage gallop through
the timers in a fast jump-off

Seventeen-year-old Christina Kelly has had an outstanding circuit so far, winning the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic four weeks in a row prior to today's victory. From Oxford, England, Kelly trains with show jumper Margie Engle and has had her winning mount Camirage, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare by Charisma, for three years.

Jumping: HITS: Thermal: Mexico’s Eduardo Menezes and Tomba Take Home the Win in the $50,000 HITS CSI-W Grand Prix, Presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Thermal

© Flying Horse Photography.
Eduardo Menezes and Tomba on course in the $50,000 HITS CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2011

    
THERMAL, CA (February 13, 2011)—Eduardo Menezes rode his own Tomba to a triumph over some of the top equestrians in the world during Saturday's $50,000 HITS CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, in the indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.

Dressage: Dortmund: CDI: Scores for 9-13 February

Grand Prix - CDI
  • 1. El Santo NRW - Werth, Isabell  - 76.170 % (Germany)
  • 2. Augustin OLD - Max-Theurer, Victoria - 74.170 % (Austria)
  • 3. Herzruf's Erbe - Salzgeber, Ulla - 72.766 % (Germany)

Dressage: West Palm Beach: CDI-W Scores for 11-13 February


Prix St Georges
  • 1. Heather Blitz - Paragon 70.614 (USA)
  • 2. Shawna Harding - Rigo - 70.044 (USA)
  • 3. Tom Dvorak - Key West - 69.079 (Canada)
  • 4. Tom Noone - Delphino - 68.509 (USA)

Dressage: Thermal CDN: Scores

USEF Developing Horse Test - Warm Up
  • 1. Kennedy, Heather - Don Dior - 55.000%
Prix St Georges
  • 1. Wolff, Stephan - Ludwig - 73.947% 
  • 2. Ahl-Eckhaus, Jackie - Something Else  - 66.842%
  • 3. Clemons, Christina - Destino - 66.842%
  • 4. Kennedy, Heather - Escada Magica - 66.316% 
  • 5. Reilly, Michelle - Wysteria Giana  -  64.211% 
  • 6. Stroh, Lindsey - Fadora - 62.368%
  • 7. Vetsch, Cherie - Sandro Gold - 62.368%
  • 8. Cannerelli, Jennifer - Mc Lean - 55.263%

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Two for Two! Laura Kraut and Cedric Top $150,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI 3*-W Presented by Spy Coast Farm

Laura Kraut and Cedric won the $150,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI 3*-W, presented by Spy Coast Farm, during week five of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.sportfot.com.
For Immediate Release
Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Wellington, FL - February 12, 2011 - An exciting jump-off topped off a fantastic class this evening in the $150,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm, as Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric added another grand prix victory to their tally at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Following their win in the $78,000 Adequan CSI2* Grand Prix last Sunday, Kraut and Cedric bested an all-star field tonight with a picture perfect round for the win.