Saturday, March 5, 2011

Hunters: Wellington: WEF: Jane Gaston and Lumiere Shine in the Elite Equine Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunters


For Immediate Release
Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - March 5, 2011 - The Amateur Owner Hunters started off the morning in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena on Saturday during the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3. The Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters, sponsored by Elite Equine, ran today with a strong field.

Jane Gaston from The Plains, Virginia, was awarded the prestigious tricolor honor in the competitive group of amateurs. Gaston was aboard Lumiere, her ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

"I do have another horse, but he's not quite ready, so Lou is doing more than I planned for him to do, but he's cheerful, and he's been great," said Gaston.

Gaston has had Lumiere, or Lou as he is called in the barn, since he was a four-year-old. She has brought him up through the ranks to the competitive horse he is today. The pair has a brilliant partnership that has resulted in numerous championships and awards over the past seasons. This week was no different, and they secured the championship by winning two classes, placing second in another class, and securing third in the division's remaining two classes.


Jane Gaston and Lumiere

Gaston has many goals for the future with Lumiere. When asked about her plans for indoor competition in the fall, Gaston explained, "God willing, we'll be there. As long as he's healthy and happy, we plan to go."

The reserve championship in the division was awarded to Bridget Hallman riding her own mount, Do Tell, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The duo clinched the reserve tricolor honor by winning one class and placing second in two classes.

Tomorrow the competition will come to a close for the eighth week at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Adults will compete in numerous divisions tomorrow and be awarded championships in their respective divisions. Many of those adults will also vie for the blue ribbon in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal. Stay tuned for the wrap up of week eight of competition.

For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com or for more information, visit www.equestriansport.com.

Photo Credit: Jane Gaston and Lumiere are the Elite Equine Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunter champions during the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.sportfot.com.

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: U.S. Show Jumpers Storm to Victory in $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm

McClain Ward and Sapphire went double clear.
March 4, 2011

By Joanie Morris  
Wellington, FL - Four of the United States' classiest veterans represented the United States in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm and did not disappoint a packed house of fans. They dominated the field of eight teams to win on a score of eight faults over Canada on 16. Three teams tied for third: Great Britain, Australia and Ireland, all on 37 faults.  

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Team USA Tops $75,000 FEI Nation's Cup Presented by G&C Farm at 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

See full results at bottom of page ~ ed

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

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.

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Reed Kessler Wins Two Classes in Her First CSIO 4* Competition



Reed Kessler and Ligist


Sixteen-year-old Reed Kessler, of Armonk, NY, had the best showing of her young career today, riding in her first CSIO 4* competition and winning two classes in one day. Kessler began the morning by riding her top mount Flight to victory in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge with the fastest of eight clear rounds in a class of 33 entries. The young rider then went on to ride Ligist to a win in the $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake CSIO with the fastest of seven clear rounds out of 24 entries. Competing against many of the world's best riders, Kessler was thrilled this afternoon as she took in the magnitude of her accomplishments.

"I wasn't even going to show this week because it is always a little difficult figuring out what classes I can do and can't do since I am younger, but my dad of course went through all of the rules and made sure that it was okay," Kessler laughed. "Just the fact that I am even showing this week is so exciting to me, so to even win a class is amazing. I have been trying to move up into the open jumpers and get the hang of it. I have been doing well; I have been placing, but I haven't won a bunch of classes, so to win two in a row today was amazing."

Speaking about her horses, Kessler smiled, "Flight is a professional; he just takes you by the hand and goes right around. Goose (Ligist) has huge scope, but the speed does not usually come as easily with him as it does with Flight, so to win a CSIO 4* at the speed with him, I can't believe it. I still don't think it's real. He has been great and it has definitely been a work in progress."

In addition to her Open Jumper success, Kessler also currently leads the Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix standings, which will provide the opportunity to compete at the EY Cup Finals at this year's FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany. The next competition is a team competition on Thursday, March 10.