Wednesday, August 10, 2011

USEF: Magical Diamond and Kirklen Peterson Garner Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

Magical Diamond and Kirklen Peterson Garner Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Final
August 10, 2011

By Rebeccah Walton/Phelps Media Group

Lexington, KY -  The 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals continued today at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park with the conclusion of the Green Pony Hunter divisions. Ponies and riders from each division completed their over fences phases, competing for the top honors, as well as the championship and reserve championship titles. At the end of the day, Kirklen Petersen and Magical Diamond claimed the Green Pony Hunter Grand Championship title after winning the Medium Green Pony Hunter Over Fences and the Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship.

The first class of the day for the USEF National Hunter Pony Championships, presented by Sallee Horse Vans, was the Small Green Pony Over Fences. Emma Lemke and Chatterbox, owned by Frank Hernandez of Cordova, TN, jumped to the top of the leaderboard with scores of 85, 82, and 85, taking home the blue ribbon prize. Lindsay Levine and Bit of Laughter, owned by Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, followed in the second-place position after earning an 83, an 83, and an 81. The third-place ribbon went to Emma Kurtz and Quicksilver Butterfly, owned by Kate Taylor of Pittsford, NY, who received scores of 84, 79, and 80. At the end of the class, the overall points were tabulated and Levine was named with Overall Small Green Pony Hunter Champion aboard Bit of Laughter. The reserve championship honors were presented to Kurtz and Quicksilver Butterfly.

"This is Bit of Laughter's first time at Pony Finals," commented Levine. "He is still very young and very green, so you have to stay in the middle and keep him going because if you fall out he falls off his lead. The course today was good. I thought he was going to spook on the out of the diagonal line because he isn't as experienced as my other ponies, but he was really good."


Bit of Laughter and Lindsay Levine. Photo by Shawn McMillen.
The Medium Green Pony Hunters were next, and it was Magical Diamond's stunning performance over fences that helped him win all the top awards with Kirklen Petersen in the irons. The duo took home the blue ribbon prize in the over fences class with scores of 85, 88, and 83.75, which would be good enough to claim the Overall Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship. Elizabeth Foster and Born Free Farm of Dover, MA own Magical Diamond.

"I started showing Magical Diamond at WEF and he was great, he was circuit champion," explained Petersen. "He needs a loose ride, you just help him find the jumps, but he's not green at all for the most part. The course was pretty good, I hate bending lines, but the rest was good. I am really happy and I really like Pony Finals because it's the biggest show of the year and I get to spend time with my friends."

The pair's excellent performance over the last two days was good enough to earn them the Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship, as well. Magical Diamond's owner Elizabeth Foster said, "It's hard to describe riding him. When I am trotting on him I feel like I am floating on air. He is really easy to see distances on. Once you click with him it is indescribable. I have been so excited and nervous for them, my heart is still pounding!"

The Overall Medium Green Pony Hunter Reserve Championship went to Meredith Darst and Easter Monday, owned by Carol Dornish of Delaware, OH, who were ranked third going into the final phase and placed fifth over fences. The second-place prize in the over fences was presented to Isabella Hendrickson of Shaker Heights, OH, and Woodland's Stevie Ray, who had scores of 86, 82, and 83.5. Sierra Lesny of New Cumberland, PA, and Gidget picked up the third-place honors after receiving scores of 82, 83, and 84.

Meredith Darst and Faunti. Photo by Shawn McMillen.

"Easter Monday is fun; she has a big stride and jumps really well," noted Darst. "She was really good this weekend. She is still really green, so it's really good that she was able to go in and do such a good job."

In the Large Green Pony Hunter division, Darst stepped up to win the Overall Large Green Pony Hunter Championship aboard Faunti, owned by Meredith Maroonie of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, after placing second in the over fences with scores of 84.5, 81, and 83.75. The duo also received the Overall Green Grand Pony Reserve Championship title.

"I started riding Faunti during WEF," commented Darst. "He is really smooth and his lead changes are really easy. He's green, but he's not spooky or too green. We practiced in the horse show here last week, and we were able to remember each other a little bit since he doesn't live in Florida with me. I really enjoy showing at Pony Finals because the ring is big, so it gives you time and room to think."

The Large Green Pony Hunter Reserve Championship went to today's Large Green Over Fences winner, Savannah Talcott and Someday Came, owned by Madelyn Porter of St. Louis, MO. The duo received scores of 82, 86, and 86 to earn the class's blue ribbon prize. Morgan Ward of Milford, NJ, and Romeo took home the third-place honors after earning scores of 79, 79, and 84.5.

The next presentation was for the Welsh High Score Green Pony, and the winning prize was awarded to Darst for her ride aboard Easter Monday. Taking home the reserve title was Madeline Schaefer and Bieber, owned by Bibby Farmer Hill of Reddick, FL.

The Regular Medium Pony Hunter Under Saddle took place next in the Walnut Ring. The top call went to Meredith Darst and Enchanted Forest, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, while Kirklen Petersen and Heart's Desire, owned by Stone Ridge of Calgary, Canada, followed in second. Carly Alder and Nemo, owned by Tammy Provost and Wind Haven Farm of Zionsville, IN, took home the day's third-place honors.

The final activity of the day at the USEF Pony Finals was the Lip Sync Show, benefiting Danny and Ron's Rescue. Each team had a wonderful performance during the event, which was held in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The 2011 USEF Pony Finals will continue tomorrow with the Medium Pony Hunters' over fences phase, as well as the Small Pony Hunters' model and under saddle phases. In the Covered Arena, the Pony Jumper competition will be getting underway in the evening as they compete for top prizes.

For more information about the 2011 USEF Pony Finals, visit http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PonyFinals/.

USEF News: This week in International Disciplines

August 10, 2011 

From the USEF Communications Department

Dressage   
CDI Verden in Germany hosted the 2011 FEI World Breeding Championships and the U.S. was represented in this prestigious event by dressage rider Jennifer Hoffman.  Hoffmann and Florentinus V were eighth in the first qualifying competition for 5-year old horses with a score of 8.42, with Ratzinger Z, Hoffmann was tied for eighth in the 1st qualifying competition 6-year old horses with a score of 8.36.

Hoffman qualified for the Finals in both the 5-and 6-year-old divisions, which was a major achievement given the quality of young horses competing in Verden. Hoffman's own Florentinus V (Florestan x Londonderry) ended up the ninth best 5-year-old in the competition.  Ratzinger V (Riccione x Pablo) finished 14th in the 6-year-old final.

Hoffmann had two sixth place finishes in the 4-year-old classes as well.  Marshal V and Hofmarschall V both impressed the judges in these non-championship classes.
For complete results, please visit http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/614/614zeitplanENG.htm.

Driving
At the CAI-2 Sachwaiganger in Germany, Misdee Wrigley-Miller and her pair of horses, Riant W and Sarasko, won the dressage phase with a score of 48.90. Fellow American Joe Yoder placed third with a score of 49.79. Both Wrigley-Miller and Yoder retired on the marathon phase but Yoder rebounded in the obstacle phase, guiding Randro and Veron to a fifth place finish with 8.67 total penalties.
Please visit http://www.turnierdienst-brinkmann.de/115.html for complete results.

Jumping

Lauren Hough and Quick Study (Beatrice Scudo Photo)
The U.S. show jumpers dominated the final day of the Royal Dublin Horse Show by picking up three wins, the highlight of which was Lauren Hough's major score in the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland with Quick Study. Quick Study and Hough dominated the star-studded field of 40, and they were one of only two pairs to jump two clear rounds. Her second round time was three seconds faster than French rider Michel Robert, who ended up second on Kellemoi De Pepit. Hough's teammate Beezie Madden ended up ninth in the Grand Prix on Cortes 'C'.

Madden scored her own victory earlier in the day on Prima. She flew to victory in the Speed Championship by more than three seconds. Laura Kraut scored the third U.S. win of the day in the International 7 & 8-year-old Championship with Woodstock O. Woodstock O jumped two immaculate rounds and the pair was more than a second faster than Madden, who was runner-up on Zhivago.

Kraut also won two classes earlier in the week on Dona Evita, winning the The Failte Stakes and the Power & Speed class where Madden and Cortes 'C' were third. Hough also won on Blue Angel in the Irish Sports Council Classic.

More information and a list of results is available here: http://www.longinestiming.com/sports/equestrian/racearchives/dublin2011/index.htm

Complete coverage is available here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011FEINationsCup/

The US was also well represented at the CSI Valkenswaard in the Netherlands. Navona Gallegos and Vatricia finished sixth in the Big Tour 1.45m CSI2* Table A with one jump-off, while Jessica Springsteen and Cincinatti La Silla finished ninth. Cara Raether and Lyonell finished fifth in the Big Tour CSI2* Table A against the clock. In the Medium Tour 1.40m CSI2* Table A with one jump-off, Gallegos and No Fear came in eighth. Cortright Wetherill and Carlos were fourth in the 1.35m CSI1* against the clock, and came in sixth later in the week in the 1.35m CSI1* Table A with one jump-off. Wetherill and Whoops came in third in the 1.25m CSI1* Table A against the clock.

Finishing up the weekend, in the Grand Prix Horse Festival Valkenswaard, Raether and Lyonell were the top-placed Americans, coming in fourth place. Quentin Judge and HH Calvano finished seventh.
For complete results, please visit http://results.scgvisual.com/2011/vw-grass-arena/ .

Lucy Davis and Hannah had a winning week at the CSI Verden in Germany. Davis and Hannah finished on top in the 1.40m 1st qualifier against the clock of the Big Tour with a clean, fast round, while the pair also finished second in the 1.40m 1st qualifier against the clock of the Medium Tour. Davis finished off the weekend by taking home the top prize in the 1.45m Big Tour Finale with yet another fast, clean round.

Christi Israel and Cracky Z came in fourth in the 1.40m competition against the clock of the CSIAm-A - Large Tour on Thursday and finished eighth in the same class on Friday. In the 1.40m competition in two phases of the CSIAm-A - Large Tour, Israel and Cracky Z finished third while Theodore Boris and La Ina finished fifth. In the CSIAm -B-Medium Tour, Israel finished eighth with Olli in the 1.25m competition against the clock, and then seventh later in the week in the 1.25m competition in two phases of the. On Friday, Theodore Boris and La Ina came in fifth in the 1.25m competition against the clock of the CSIAm-B - Medium Tour.

Please visit http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/614/614zeitplanENG.htm for complete results.

Maggie McAlary had a successful weekend representing the US at the CSI Leudelange in Luxembourg. McAlary finished on top in the competition against the clock (1.35 m) CSI2* with Quidam van de Kapel with a clean, fast round. With Caliana, McAlary had another first place finish in the CSI2* 1.30m accumulator competition, and also tied for ninth in the CSI2* six bar competition. McAlary and Valeriane FM finished ninth in the CSIYH competition in two phases (1.25 m/1.30 m). The pair also finished second in the CSIYH competition against the clock (1.25/1.30 m) later in the week.

For complete results, please visit http://www.hippo-results.com/index.php?mod=mod_csileudelange2011  

Jumping: FEI: Young Riders: DOUBLE-GOLD FOR VENEZUELA AND ECUADOR - by Louise Parkes

Pictured at the FEI Americas Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors and Children 2011 in Guayquil, Ecuador - On podium Pre-Junior Gold Medallist Emanuel Andrade (VEN), Silver Medallist Sofia Ribandeneira (ECU) and Bronze Medallist Javier Lopez (CHI).  In front, Chief Steward Cesar Hirsch (VEN), Gloria de Cuesta, Show Director and President Ecuador NF and Pablo Mayorga (ARG), FEI Second Vice-President.  Photo: Guayquil Press.


FEI AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR YOUNG RIDERS, JUNIORS, PRE-JUNIORS AND CHILDREN 2011


Lausanne (SUI), 10 August 2011

Host nation competitors claimed the Junior and Children's titles, while Venezuela scooped gold in Young Riders and Pre-Juniors at the FEI Americas Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors and Children 2011 in Guayquil, Ecuador.  Staged at the Guayquil Country Club, which is home to an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a soccer pitch, an Olympic swimming pool and an equestrian centre with its own veterinary clinic, the event attracted 75 competitors from eight countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.

Guayquil is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador, and the nerve-centre for the country's business and manufacturing industries.  Ecuador has produced a number of successful riders down the years including 2004 South American Young Riders Jumping Champion, Jose Penafiel.  And the home squad snatched three of the 12 medals on offer during the six-day fixture.

SWEPT ALL BEFORE THEM

The Venezuelans swept all before them in the Young Rider Championships with Luis Fernando Larrazabal steering Sacramento to gold, Martin Jeri claiming silver with Olympe du Fouquet and Luis Muro taking bronze.  Larrazabal is based at G&C Farms in Wellington, Florida, USA along with his brother Juan Andres and is coached by Venezuelan Olympian Pablo Barrios.

Luis Fernando already has an impressive career record, finishing seventh in the Children's Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005, fifth in the Pre-Juniors in Caracas, Venezuela in 2006 and taking the silver medal in the Junior Championship at last year's FEI Americas Championships which re-visited Caracas.  And he went one better than his brother, Juan, who was silver medallist in the 2010 Young Riders Championship behind Martin Jeri who took gold on that occasion.  This year Jeri who had to settle for silver with his nine year old chestnut Selle Francais..

PRIME POSITION

It was Ecuador in prime position in the Junior Championship when Priscilla Simpson and Talisman pinned Chile's Paola Labbe and Garrinche into silver medal spot and Colombia's Diero Umana took bronze.  And in the Children's division the host country reigned supreme once again.  Juan Fernando Camacho and Baruk came out on top while Venezuela's Victoria Karam claimed silver for the second successive year, this time riding Vanidosa. Bronze went to yet another of the strong Venezuelan contingent, Clarisa Chumacero riding Medium Plateire.

Pre-Junior competition is fairly unique to the Americas, and Venezuela's Emanuel Andrade and Costa took gold here ahead of Ecuador's Sofia Ribadeneira riding Pedro Navaja while Chile's Thomas Munoz and Barrabas, who finished sixth in this section in 2010, improved their performance to seal the bronze. 

SUPPORTED

FEI Officials from Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador supported the riders during the Championships which were open to young people aged between 12 and 21.  Brazil's Marina Azevedo Moraes Santos was course-designer and provided a range of challenging tests that brought the cream of the crop to the top of their game.

Organised by the National Federation of Ecuador, the event was a great success, and Gloria de Cuesta, President of the Ecuador NF and Show Director for the Championships was delighted with the result. "After all the hard work, it was a wonderful reward to have 75 riders and horses from eight countries here in Guayaquil!" she said.

Results:

Young Rider: GOLD - Sacramento (Luis Fernando Larrazabal) VEN; SILVER - Olympe du Fouquet (Martin Jeri) VEN; BRONZE - GM Laroche (Luis Muro) VEN.

Junior: GOLD - Talisman (Priscilla Simpson) ECU; SILVER - Garrinche (Paola Labbe) CHI; BRONZE - Palmorose (Diego Umana) COL.

Pre-Junior: GOLD - Costa (Emanuel Andrade) VEN; SILVER - Pedro Navaja (Sofia Ribadeneira) ECU; BRONZE - Barrabas (Thomas Munoz) CHI.

Children: GOLD - Baruk (Juan Fernando Camacho) ECU; SILVER - Vanidosa (Victoria Karam) VEN; BRONZE - Medium Plateire (Clarisa Chumacero) VEN.