Eventing: FLAIR SPONSORS 2011 DUTTON EVENTING ACADEMY

WEG Central sponsors, Flair LLC is sponsoring this summers Phillip Dutton Eventing Academy...

 

Flair LLC, makers of the FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strip, is pleased to announce their sponsorship of Phillip Dutton’s 2011 Dutton Academy Eventing Camp. Phillip Dutton, a two-time Olympic Gold-Medalist and member of the US Equestrian Team, will hold this year’s annual Dutton Academy June 12-17, 2011 at Dutton’s True Prospect Farm in Pennsylvania. 

Flair LLC, maker of FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips is a sponsor of The Dutton Academy as well as Phillip Dutton Eventing and will provide FLAIR Strips to all attendees as well as educational information and a presentation on equine respiratory health and physiology.  

About FLAIR Nasal Strips:  FLAIR® Strips provide drug-free support and protection to the respiratory system of the hard-working equine athlete. FLAIR Strips are proven to:  reduce airway resistance, reduce lung stress and bleeding, reduce fatigue, and shorten post-exercise recovery time.

For more information about FLAIR Strips, please visit http://flairstrips.com

For more information about The Phillip Dutton Academy and Phillip Dutton Eventing, please visit http://phillipdutton.com

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Eventing: From Phillip Dutton and Everyone at True Prospect Farm...

We are taking the liberty of passing this along in its entirety ~ ed

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Jumping: Saugerties: Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties hands McLain Ward his third Grand Prix victory in a row

© ESI Photography.
McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 6, 2011) — McLain Ward, aboard Oh' D Eole, has taken HITS-on-the-Hudson by storm, capturing Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and earning his third consecutive Grand Prix victory. Ward also clinched the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I on his own Oh' D Eole last Sunday, and Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix aboard Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino.

The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist of Brewster, New York, outshined 28 starters on Sunday’s course designed by Danny Foster of Canada.

“It’s been incredible. [Oh' D Eole] is really gaining a lot of momentum in the Grand Prix ring and this circuit has been great for us so far” said Ward. “Danny [Foster] has always been consistent with building good courses and proved that again today with a really nice track.”

Foster’s first-round course proved difficult as nearly half the 28-entry class fell victim to his double and triple combinations. The course did not see a clear round until the eighth go, when Ward posted a time of 87.380 seconds – 4.619 seconds faster than the time allowed. Overall, the course only produced three clear rounds. Isabelle LaPierre of Breakeyville, Quebec, Canada in the irons of La Chaudiere Farm’s Vicki Vale joined Ward and posted the second clear round after 13 unsuccessful trips. Darragh Kerins of Wellington, Florida on Miranda Fischer’s Hot Wheels joined Ward and LaPierre in the jump-off after posting the third and final clear ride in the first round.

Foster’s short course consisted of eight efforts, including the A element from the double combination and the B and C elements of the triple. Ward rose to challenge and posted a time of 45.904 seconds with no faults in the jump-off, setting the Great American Time to Beat.

“This horse is very fast,” commented Ward. “I’m able to make a lot of nice, neat inside turns with her and she does it beautifully. She’s still a fairly young horse and she has a ton of scope. I’m just very pleased with how it all turned out today.”

The third fence of the jump-off spelled trouble for LaPierre and Vicki Vale. With one rail down, they finished with four jumping faults and eight time faults with a time of 57.064 seconds, placing them in third.

Kerins rode third in the jump-off with a chance to avenge Friday’s second-place ribbon under Ward. He came up short, however, knocking down one rail for four faults with a time of 47.505 seconds and, once again, finished behind Ward. As a pair, Kerins and Hot Wheels have been out of the Grand Prix spotlight for three years, but they have made a spectacular re-entry with two red ribbons in a row on the road to the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

Rounding out the top five was Germaine Edelmann of Rexford, New York aboard Blue River Farm Sales’ Carotino, who had just two time faults in the first round, leaving them in fourth place. Kate Levy of Wellington, on Kate Levy LLC & Christian Woshenko’s Lirving De Volsin, finished in fifth place after having a rail down at the third fence of the first round.

© ESI Photography.
HITS' Tony Hitchcock and Christine Pankratz presented the first-place ribbon and awards to McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole.

“This was an awesome class,” said course designer Danny Foster. “McLain is the best rider in the world. What he’s able to do is truly amazing and he makes it look simple. It is exciting to have three in the jump-off and it leaves no room for error.”

HITS-on-the-Hudson III begins this week and will conclude the Spring Series of horse shows in Saugerties, New York. The $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, will take place Friday, June 10, while the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, will provide the exclamation point to three weeks of competition and the last chance to earn huge prize money this spring. As the road to the Pfizer Million prepares to travel south to Culpeper, Virginia for the start of the summer circuit on July 6, all eyes will be set this week on the action in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

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Hunters: Saugerties: Jenny Fischer and Freedom's Storm beat out 70 starters to capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties

© ESI Photography.
Jenny Fischer and Freedom's Storm on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties.

                  
SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 5, 2011) — For the second week in a row the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix has been the top draw on the schedule at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, proving once again that the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final has ignited a new level of excitement in the sport of hunters. A record high of 70 starters competed in Saturday’s feature class for hunters with Jenny Fischer of Montgomery, New York taking top honors aboard Stormy Good’s Freedom's Storm.

“I still need a few more Devoucoux classes before I'm eligible to be on the point list,” said Fischer, who now has two of the five classes needed to become eligible for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final. “Winning today’s class with so many in it is a huge step in the right direction. HITS Saugerties is basically my home this spring and summer, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to qualify to compete for $500,000.”

© ESI Photography.
HITS’ Lisa Engel is joined by Guillaume Jullienne of Devoucoux to present the awards to Jenny Fischer and Freedom's Storm for their win in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties.

Ten show rings were in action yesterday, as picture-perfect weather had exhibitors out competing in full force. Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York set a stunning course for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix which, in addition to drawing record entries, also drew a large crowd of spectators.

In the first round, Fischer and Freedom's Storm posted a score of 87 which put them in third place heading into the second round. Heather Ann Cahill of Bedminster, New Jersey and Carly Fischer’s Donatello scored an 88 and sat in the number two spot, while the first round’s top spot belonged to Schaefer Raposa of Wellington, Florida who scored an 89 aboard Kimberly Jungherr’s Cassleton.

The top 15 pairs returned for the second round and that’s when Fischer and her ride stormed back with an outstanding effort that earned them a score of 89 for a total of 176, to take the lead. Raposa and Cassleton scored a 175.5 total to take the red ribbon. The third-place award went to David Oliynyk of Plainville, Massachusetts aboard Lori Gaudet’s Generous who scored a total score of 174.5.

“Cassleton was recently imported by Starlight Farm,” said owner Kimberly Jungherr, after the class. “He’s nine years old and just perfect. My husband Mark [Jungherr] has been showing him in the High Performance Hunters and Schaefer won both classes with him in the Junior Hunters today.”

“Taking third place in such a large class was incredible,” said Oliynyk. “If things go our way, we should qualify for the big class in September. I plan on returning all summer in order to earn points and I think I have the right horse for it.”

Rounding out the top five in the class were Amanda Starbuck of Ridgefield, Connecticut with Connecticut-based Stepping Stone Farm’s Rio Bronco in fourth place and David Wilbur of Simsbury, Connecticut with Marianne Huss’ Cameron in fifth.

Show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson II continues today with the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, as the main event in the majestic Strongid C 2X Stadium. Some of the top equestrians in the world including McLain Ward, Todd Minikus, Jeffrey Welles, and Peter Leone will shoot it out for the first place check.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to this year's phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 3'3" Hunter Prix Final. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the historic Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 10-11 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Jumping: Saugerties: McLain Ward captures second Grand Prix victory in a row at HITS Saugerties in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

© ESI Photography.
McLain Ward and Domino cruised to victory in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

McLain Ward captures second Grand Prix victory in a row at HITS Saugerties in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 4, 2011) — McLain Ward of Brewster, New York proved once again why he is considered one of the best riders in the world when he won his second Grand Prix in a row at HITS Saugerties. Just six days ago he captured the blue in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard his own Oh’D Eole. This time around Ward, riding Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino, edged out 35 other starters to take home the top prize in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Aside from being a coveted Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix qualifier, Friday’s class also benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Canadian Danny Foster set the course which featured 16 efforts in the first round, including a triple combination mid-way through the route that proved troublesome for 16 of the entries in the class. “This was a difficult course and the wind was definitely a factor,” explained Ward, a decorated U.S. Olympian. “But I am excited about how well we did.”

The first clear ride of the afternoon came 11 trips into the class when Jonathan McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut rode Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables, Inc.’s Colorado to a flawless first-round finish. The next two riders to show, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, Florida with South Beach Stables’ Lapacco, and Ward aboard Domino, also went clear, making it three for the jump-off with just about half of the class left to show.

When the first round was over, five riders advanced to the jump-off, including Ali Wolff of New Albany, Ohio with John Wolff and Blacklick Bend Farm’s Lanoo, and Darragh Kerins of Wellington, Florida aboard Miranda Fischer’s Hot Wheels. The jump-off proved to be an intense battle to the finish as each of the five riders went double-clear, making it truly a test of speed that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats right to the very end. McCrea and Colorado went first and set the Great American Time to Beat at 48.331 seconds.

Riley and Lapacco took over the lead next with a time of 46.455 seconds. Ward and Domino followed and shaved nearly two seconds off the pace with a time of 44.461 to take the lead away from Riley. “Despite the difficulty, we had a good, galloping jump-off,” said Ward. “[Domino] has a big stride and the jump-off suited him.”

Wolff and Lanoo posted a clear effort in 50.440 seconds, which earned them fifth place. Kerins and Hot Wheels had the last chance to catch Ward’s time and nearly captured the win, but came up a fraction of a second short with a time of 44.934, which was good enough to earn him the red ribbon.

© ESI Photography.
McLain Ward and Domino are joined in the winner's circle by Lisa Engel, Lindsay Yandon and Haley Hart of HITS, along with LLS volunteer Melissa Signor and her honored hero Ralph Finno and their three grandchildren.

“The combinations on this course were trouble,” said Kerins. “It’s been three years since I’ve shown [Hot Wheels] in a Grand Prix and Thursday was the first time I had ridden him in several months, but I am very happy with how he jumped. It was a speed jump-off and we went as fast as we could, but we couldn’t top McLain.”

Kerins and Hot Wheels will return on Sunday for the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, when they will have another chance to go head-to-head with McLain and Domino, as High-Performance riders continue to flock to Saugerties in the hopes of qualifying for this year’s Pfizer Million.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
For the second year in a row, HITS hosted a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Friday’s featured class helped to raise nearly $2,000 for the organization and their important work. Local LLS volunteer Melissa Signor was on hand to enlist support and personally thank the riders and donors who made such generous contributions. “Every little bit helps and I’m so grateful for the support of HITS and all the folks who donated to the cause today,” said Signor, who coordinated the event along with members of the HITS team.

Third-place finisher Schuyler Riley earned the most donations in her honor, followed by a tie for second place between Candice King, Callie Morgan Smith and Darragh Kenny. To learn more about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to make a donation, please visit: http://www.leukemia.org/hm_lls.

$10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome

© ESI Photography.
Jeffery Welles and Merlin took home the blue in Wednesday's $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome.

On Wednesday, Jeffery Welles dominated the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome when he finished in first, third and fourth in the class. Welles claimed the blue aboard Noel Love Gross’ Merlin and finished third and fourth aboard Noel Love Gross’ Aries and Abigail Wexner’s Zycarla Z, respectively. Darragh Kenny of Wellington, Florida took second place aboard Obelix, owned by North Run and Missy Clark, while Todd Minikus finished in fifth place with Oakwood Stables’ Urame.

About SmartPak Equine
Founded in 1999, SmartPak Equine is the country’s largest online and catalog retailer serving the needs of the active and engaged horse owner. The patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system has simplified the process of feeding horse supplements and medications, making it easier for thousands of riders to keep their horses healthier by ensuring their supplements are being fed correctly. SmartPak’s diverse and expansive product offering includes its own line of supplements, tack, and horse blankets as well as an extensive selection of leading brands of equine health, apparel, tack, and equipment. SmartPak is a six-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree and is the only equine company ever named to the Inc 500 list. SmartPak is backed by Waltham, Massachusetts-based North Bridge Growth Equity.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Jumping: Nations Cup: DUTCH DO THE DOUBLE AT ST. GALLEN by Louise Parkes

The Dutch team scored a back-to-back double when winning the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ at St Gallen, Switzerland today.  Pictured (L to R) Peter Stoessel, CSIO St-Gallen President; John Roche, FEI Director of Jumping and Dutch team-members Eric Van Der Vleuten, Maikel Van Der Vleuten, Chef d’equipe Rob Ehrens, Piet Raymakers Jr and Jur Vrieling. Photo: FEI/Katja Stuppia.

FEI NATIONS CUP™ 2011 - Round 3
St Gallen (SUI), 3 June 2011

The Dutch team recorded a back-to-back double when topping the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ series at St. Gallen, Switzerland today.  Just a week after sweeping to victory in Rome (ITA), they produced another stunning performance which promoted them to the top of the leaderboard going to the next leg of the series in Falsterbo (SWE) next month.

The unpredictability of Nations Cup Jumping has rarely been more graphically illustrated than by the swings of fortune in today's competition.  There were high expectations for the defending champions from France, but once again things did not go their way and pathfinder, Kevin Staut, was eliminated for the second time in the current series.  The German team withdrew when things fell apart for them in the second round and the Irish, heading the leaderboard, struggled to finish in front of the Danes who slotted into eighth place.

The Swiss were the surprise package of the day.  Relegated at the end of last season, they came out with all guns blazing to finish equal-second with the resilient British while the Americans started strongly, but faded in the second round to finish fourth. 

CHALLENGES
Rolf Ludi's 12-fence course presented plenty of challenges, but Staut's stop at the water-tray vertical at fence four came as an early surprise in the opening round.  This fence was followed by a triple bar and then a difficult distance to planks at fence six, while the triple combination two fences later also proved influential.  The open water at fence nine and the following dog-leg oxer at ten also claimed a number of victims, but the real bogey was the narrow - and wide - final oxer.  Ridden on a long seven or shorter eight strides from the previous double of verticals, it fell eight times in the first round and on 13 occasions in round two.  Again and again, horses and riders appeared to misjudge it and the white poles were sent scattering across the arena.

The Dutch already had the bit between their teeth when completing the first round with a zero score.  It was up to the rest to catch them from there, and the Swiss very nearly did it.

Carrying just four faults after clears from team-leader Steve Guerdat (Jalisca Solier) and anchorman Pius Schwizer (Carlina), the host nation was joint-second with the Americans at the half-way stage - Christine McCrea (Romantovich Take One) and Rich Fellers (Flexible) foot-perfect for the US.  The British and French were on level-pegging with eight faults each, while Germany and Belgium shared a score of 13 but the Irish were already clearly in trouble with 17, while Denmark was lying last with 27.

MARKED IMPROVEMENT
The Danes made a marked improvement in the second round, Emilie Martinsen's lovely clear with Caballero being particularly impressive, but with a total of 45 faults they were never going to feature.  And when the Irish added 18 more despite another great effort from anchorman Shane Sweetnam, their fate was also sealed.

The Germans had a bad start to round two when opener, Jorg Oppermannn, got into a muddle with his stallion, Che Guevara, and returned with 28 faults on the board. So when second-line rider Jan Sprehe (Paolini) was eliminated then Chef d'Equipe, Heinrich Hermann Engemann, decided to call it a day.  The Belgians meanwhile added nine more to prove no threat to the leading pack, and Staut's elimination with Kraque Boom piled the pressure on the remaining three from France who picked up four faults each.  There was a gasp of disbelief from the crowd when Staut's stallion slammed on the brakes at the second fence and again at the third - it was the last thing expected from the combination which took the Alltech FEI European Championship individual title at Windsor (GBR) two years ago.

But there was plenty more drama to come, as the British were put under massive pressure when Tim Stockdale's gelding, Fresh Direct Kalico Bay, drifted left on the approach to the penultimate double and finally completed with 15 faults.  Another clear from Brash Scott (Intertoy Z) and foot-perfect runs for both Robert Smith (Talan) and Nick Skelton (Carlo) this time out however bolstered the British position.

LOST THEIR GRIP
Despite a second clear from McCrea, the Americans lost their grip when Charlie Jayne (Athena) picked up 12, Rich Fellers (Flexible) faulted once and Margie Engle (Indigo) left two on the floor, but when Switzerland's Steve Guerdat's second clear round with Jalisca was followed by a similar performance from Werner Muff (Kiamon) the home team piled the pressure on the leading Dutch.

Eric van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Utascha SFN) was double-clear, but when Piet Raymakers Jr (Van Schijndel's Rascin) hit the triple bar then the Dutch were carrying five faults with two riders still left to go, while the Swiss were carrying just four.  Going third for Switzerland, Janika Sprunger (Uptown Boy) had two down this time out, but Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten was clear once again so it fell to anchorman, Pius Schwizer (Carlina), to keep the Swiss in the game.  A clear would ensure that Dutch anchorman Jur Vrieling could not afford a mistake.  But the bogey last fence claimed Schwizer as yet another victim, so Vrieling's nerve would not be tested.

The Swiss however were quite satisfied to line up in equal-second place with the British.  "Our main goal for the early part of this season was to do well here in St Gallen" said Guerdat afterwards.  "We are not in the Top League this year but we are planning to be back soon and this was great performance here today" he added.

Dutch Chef d'Equipe, Rob Ehrens, had the broadest smile.  "Our whole team was excellent today!" he said.  His plan for the year is working to perfection.  Before the first leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ at La Baule last month, he said he wanted the Dutch to be super-competitive in the early part of the series so that they would be under less pressure at the latter-end of the season, because the FEI European Championships in Madrid in September are a big target.  That has all fallen into place now as they now take over at the head of the FEI Nations Cup™ leaderboard.

And Eric van der Vleuten was a proud father this evening.  "To be on a team like this with my son is very special.  It has given me extra motivation - to be honest, I might have quit from the sport a long time ago but for the opportunity to have a great day like this!" he said.

For further information on the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ series in St Gallen (SUI) go to website www.csio.ch or contact Press Officer Peter Wyrsch, Email peter.wyrsch@sportinformation.ch, Tel +41 794065207.  The next leg takes place in Falsterbo, Sweden on Friday 8 July.  For information on the Swedish fixture visit website www.falsterbohorseshow.se

RESULT:
1. Netherlands 5 faults: VDL Groep Utascha SFN (Eric van der Vleuten) 0/0, Van Schijndel's Rascin (Piet Raymakers Jr) 9/4, VDL Groep Verdi (Maikel van der Vleuten) 0/0, VDL Bubalu (Jur Vrieling) 1/NS.
Equal 2. Great Britain 8 faults: Fresh Direct Kalico Bay (Tim Stockdale) 4/15, Talan (Robert Smith) 5/0, Intertoy Z (Scott Brash) 0/0, Carlo (Nick Skelton) 4/0.
Equal 2. Switzerland 8 faults: Jalisca Solier (Steve Guerdat) 0/0, Kiamon (Werner Muff) 4/0, Uptown Boy (Janike Sprunger) 5/8, Carlina 0/4.
4. USA faults 16 faults: Athena (Charlie Jayne) 4/12, Romantovich Take One (Christine McCrea) 0/0, Flexible (Rich Fellers) 0/4, Indigo (Margie Engle)4/8.
5. France 20 faults: Kraque Boom (Kevin Staut) 12/Elim, Napoli du Ry (Simon Delestre0 8/4, Topinambour (Penelope Leprevost) 0/4, Lord de Theize (Olivier Guillon) 0/4.
6. Belgium 22 faults: Vigo D'Arsouilles STX (Philippe Le Jeune) 0/4, Bufero VH Panishof (Dirk Demeersman) 12/12, Challenge V. Begijnakker (Rik Hemeryck) 5/4, Cavalor Valentina Van-T Heike (Jos Lansink) 8/1.
7. Ireland 35 faults: Will Wimble (Alexander Butler) 4/23, SF Uryadi (Jennifer Crooks) 8/4, API Largo (Jessica Kuerten) 8/13, Amaretto D'Arco (Shane Sweetnam) 5/1.
8. Denmark 45 faults: Uno's Safier (Andreas Schou) 9/13, Caballero (Emilie Martinsen) 21/0, Cartani (Charlotte Lund) 13/9, Amarone (Thomas Sandgaard) 5/9.
9. Germany - Retired in Second Round: Che Guevara 17 (Jorg Oppermann) 5/28, Pacini (Jan Sprehe) 5/Elim, Argelith Stakkato (Eva Bitter) 4/NS, Cefalo (Holger Wulschner) 4/NS.

FEI Nations Cup 2011 - Standings after Round 3 at St Gallen (SUI);
1.        Netherlands                -    23.5
2.        Ireland                    -    19.0
3.        Belgium                    -    18.0
4.        Great Britain                -    16.0
5.        USA                        -    11.5
6.        Germany                    -    11.0
7.        France                    -    11.0
8.        Denmark                    -      4.0

Facts and Figures:
This was a back-to-back win for the team from The Netherlands who also came out on top in the FEI Nations Cup™ in Rome, Italy seven days ago.
The winning Dutch team included father-and-son Eric and Maikel van der Vleuten who both jumped double-clear.
This was only the second Top League FEI Nations Cup™ appearance for Maikel van der Vleuten.  He previously rode alongside his father on the Dutch team in Rome in 2009.
Mirroring the result in Rome last Friday, the last Dutch rider, Jur Vrieling, did not have to jump in the second round.
This was the fourth Dutch victory in the history of the Swiss Nations Cup.  The Netherlands previously came out on top in 2008, 2004 and 1999.
The Swiss Nations Cup dates back to 1927.
The German team retired in the second round today.
The bogey fence of the competition was the final white oxer.  It fell 8 times in round one, and 13 times in round 2.
There were two eliminations - Kevin Staut and Kraque Boom for France in the second round and Jan Sprehe riding Paolini for Germany, also in round two.
There was a total of five double-clear performances in today's competition - they came from The Netherlands' Eric van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Utascha SFN) and Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Verdi), Great Britain's Scott Brash (Intertoy Z), Switzerland's Steve Guerdat (Jalisca Solier) and the USA's Christine McCrea (Romantovich Take One).
The oldest horse in today's competition was the 18 year old stallion Argelith Stakkato ridden by Eva Bitter from Germany.  He had a single fence down in the first round.

Quotes:
Maikel van der Vleuten, talking about his horse VDL Groep Verdi "He's a good horse who always likes to do his best in the ring, he's scopey and he wants to be careful.  We have a yard near Eindhoven in Holland and my father and I have about 20 show horses at a time and we usually ride our own horses and don't share them.  But we've had Verdi since he was five - he's now 9 - and my father rode him first and then I got him about 18 months ago".
Steve Guerdat, talking about the last fence on today's course which proved very influential -  "It was a really big, wide oxer and you were riding towards the ringside as you came down to it.  It was a little downhill, and some of the horses were a bit empty when they got there while others were a bit too forward coming down to it so they were running a bit"
Maikel van der Vleuten "It was very nice for me and my father to be on this team together and for both of us to jump double-clear rounds!"

The FEI Nations Cup™ is a five-star competition in which official teams representing nations compare their merit. At each event the teams gain points according to their placing. At the end of the 2011 season the team with the highest points wins the FEI Nations Cup™ and the two teams with the lowest points will be relegated to the FEI Nations Cup Promotional League. The highest placed team from the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final and the highest placed Team on the FEI European Nations Cup Promotional League standings immediately prior to the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final will join the FEI Nations Cup™ Top League for 2012.

FEI Nations Cup™ 2011 Calendar:
La Baule (FRA), Friday 13 May; Rome (ITA), Friday 27 May; St Gallen (SUI), Friday 3 June; Falsterbo (SWE), Friday 8 July; Aachen (GER), Thursday 14 July; Hickstead (GBR), Friday 29 July; Dublin (IRL); Friday 5 August.; Rotterdam (NED), Friday 26 August.

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Eventing: Win a Chance to Ride at the O’Connor Equestrian Camp and other goodies!

Want to ride with Olympic three-day Eventers David and Karen O’Connor? Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is proud to offer one winner a rider’s slot at the 2011 O’Connor Equestrian Camp, to be held at the Virginia Horse Center June 26-July 1.

In addition to the grand prize winner, second- and third-place winners will be drawn. The second-place winner will receive $250 in KER nutritional supplements, and the third-place winner will receive $150 in products. All winners will get an additional prize package that includes a nutrition consultation for one horse, an embroidered saddle pad, and a hat.

To enter the contest, just sign up for KER’s award-winning free weekly newsletters, The Weekly Feed and Equine Health Review. Already a subscriber? Just select the newsletter you already receive. Enter the contest at www.ker.com/oconnorcontest.

The winners will be selected June 15, 2011, and will be notified by e-mail. See official contest rules and frequently asked questions at www.ker.com/oconnorcontest.


David and Karen O’Connor have long been associated with KER, an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company that serves both the horse owner and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses.

Learn more about KER at www.ker.com.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Nations Cup: USA HEADS THE START-LIST FOR ROUND THREE AT ST GALLEN - by Louise Parkes

Pictured during the draw for the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ series at St Gallen, Switzerland today were : L to R - Peter Stossel, President CSIO St Gallen, John Roche, FEI Jumping Director and Henk Nooren, Chef d'Equipe for the French team.  Photo:  FEI/Katja Stuppia.

FEI NATIONS CUP™ 2011 - Draw Report, Round 3
St Gallen (SUI), 2 June 2011

FEI TV: enjoy LIVE programming, highlights, interviews and archive footage at www.feitv.org. (click on viewer on sidebar to view FEI TV LIVE)

The American team will be first into the ring for tomorrow's third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ at St Gallen, Switzerland.  A total of nine nations will compete, as the Swiss, who were relegated at the end of last season, join the eight Top League countries for a guest appearance on their home ground.

And the host nation looks strong, with Steve Guerdat (Jalisca Solier), Werner Muff (Kiamon), Jannike Sprunger (Uptown Boy) and Pius Schwizer (Carlina) ready to show that their country is still a force to be reckoned with.  The teams will start the first round of the competition in the following order:  1, USA; 2, Denmark; 3, Germany; 4, The Netherlands; 5, Ireland; 6, Belgium; 7, France; 8, Switzerland; 9, Great Britain.

BIG ATMOSPHERE
The generous dimensions of the St Gallen arena helps create a big atmosphere and tremendous competition at this popular annual fixture, and, as Dutch Chef d'Equipe, Rob Ehrens, said last week after leading his team to victory in Rome (ITA) "it will be great to be back jumping on grass again at St Gallen.  When the footing is good on grass, then there's nothing better!".

He has already named his side of Piet Raymakers Jr (Van Schijndel's Rascin), Leon Thijssen (Tyson) and father-and-son Eric and Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Utascha SFN and VDL Groep Verdi) who go into battle lying third on the leaderboard.

The French, defending series champions and winners at St Gallen in 2010, have had a surprisingly poor start this year, but Chef d'Equipe Henk Nooren's confidence should be bolstered by the knowledge that Kevin Staut's great horse, Kraque Boom, will be back in action tomorrow.  The remainder of the his team are Penelope Leprevost, Olivier Guillon and Simon Delestre.

TOUGH CHALLENGE
Denmark will be hoping to make some progress from the bottom of the league table, so it will be another tough challenge for newcomers Torben Frandsen, Charlotte Lund, Emilie Martinsen, Thomas Sandgaard and Andreas Schou, but the Americans will also be inspired to put in a big effort.  They are lying third-last, with just six points on the board after two rounds, so George Morris will be applying plenty of pressure on the four he selects from Ashlee Bond, Rich Fellers, Charlie Jayne, Christine McCrea and the on-form Margie Engle.  The USA last won the Nations Cup at St Gallen in 2009.

Great Britain's Rob Hoekstra has a massive amount of experience to rely on in the shape of Nick Skelton, Robert Smith and Tim Stockdale along with Ben Maher and Scott Brash.  The British are lying mid-field on the leaderboard, just one point behind Germany whose team for tomorrow will emerge from Eva Bitter, Jorg Oppermannn, Heiko Schmidt, Jan Sprehe and Holger Wulschner.

TRAILING THE IRISH
At the top end of the table, the Belgians are trailing the Irish by just two points, and tomorrow's competition could turn into a real tussle between these two sides.  The Belgians have really hit the ground running on their return to the Top League this season, and with two World Champions - Phiippe Le Jeune and Jos Lansink - lining out again alongside Dirk Demeersman and Rik Hemeryck they may well find themselves in pole position by tomorrow evening.

Irish team manager, Robert Splaine, has some less-experienced partnerships included in his squad.  For 23 year old Alexander Butler and his horse Will Wimble this will be a big step-up in class if selected, but Butler is one of the many talented young riders continuing to emerge from the vibrant national circuit in Ireland, and with a Grand Prix win at Lummen already under his belt he can be relied upon to give a good account of himself.  Splaine was still undecided about his final four earlier today - he also has American-based Jennifer Crooks and Shane Sweetnam to choose from along with Cameron Hanley and Jessica Kuerten.

It is the Swiss that Splaine is tipping for top-spot tomorrow.  "I'm very proud of my own team this season and I'm hoping for another good day tomorrow but it's always good when the home team wins and I think the Swiss will do well" he pointed out.  FEI Jumping Director, John Roche, agreed.  "I'm sure we will see a spirited and determined performance from the Swiss tomorrow in front of their home crowd" he pointed out, " and I'm sure we can look forward to another tremendous day of top sport and great horsemanship" he added.

The action gets underway at 13.30 local time and you can watch it all, LIVE on FEI TV

For further information on the third leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ series in St Gallen (SUI) go to website www.csio.ch or contact Press Officer Peter Wyrsch, Email peter.wyrsch@sportinformation.ch, Tel +41 794065207.

FEI Nations Cup 2011 - Standings after Round 2 in Rome (ITA);
1.    Ireland            -    16.0
2.    Belgium            -    14.0
3.    Netherlands        -    13.5
4.    Germany            -    10.0
5.    Great Britain        -      9.0
6.    France            -      6.0
7.    USA                -      5.5
8.    Denmark            -      2.0

The FEI Nations Cup™ is a five-star competition in which official teams representing nations compare their merit. At each event the teams gain points according to their placing. At the end of the 2011 season the team with the highest points wins the FEI Nations Cup™ and the two teams with the lowest points will be relegated to the FEI Nations Cup Promotional League. The highest placed team from the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final and the highest placed Team on the FEI European Nations Cup Promotional League standings immediately prior to the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final will join the FEI Nations Cup™ Top League for 2012.

FEI Nations Cup™ 2011 Calendar:
La Baule (FRA), Friday 13 May; Rome (ITA), Friday 27 May; St Gallen (SUI), Friday 3 June; Falsterbo (SWE), Friday 8 July; Aachen (GER), Thursday 14 July; Hickstead (GBR), Friday 29 July; Dublin (IRL); Friday 5 August.; Rotterdam (NED), Friday 26 August.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

IN MEMORIAM: HENRI CHAMMARTIN (SUI), 1918-2011

Henri Chammartin (SUI) and Woermann during their winning test at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 2 June 2010

Olympic and European Dressage champion Henri Chammartin (SUI) passed away this week at the age of 92. A legend in the Dressage world, he competed in five consecutive editions of the Olympic Games – Helsinki 1952, Stockholm 1956, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, and Mexico 1968 – winning a total of five medals.

During his first Olympic participation in 1952, Chammartin was a member of the Swiss team that claimed team silver. He received his second Olympic medal – a team bronze – in 1956.

Henri Chammartin became Olympic champion in 1964 and also won his second team silver that year. He rode the 13-year-old Swedish-bred Woermann which had travelled to Tokyo only as a reserve horse to his stablemate and reigning European champion Wolfdietrich, which was unfortunately lame.

Tokyo 1964 was the first Olympic Games to which horses were flown by aircraft. The Swiss team departed from Amsterdam on 28 September at noon and arrived, with a stop-over in Anchorage, Alaska, on 29 September at 3pm.

Henri Chammartin won his final Olympic medal – a team bronze – in 1968 when he finished ninth individually. That year, he and fellow equestrian Gustav Fischer both became only the second Swiss athletes to have competed at five Olympic Games. Chammartin retired from international competition after the Mexico Olympic Games.

As a young man Chammartin loved music and played the violin. Always the artist, he placed more importance on the expression of the horse’s movements, preferring it to technical precision.

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Henri Chammartin and to the Swiss equestrian community.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Weekly USEF International Disciplines Wrap Up

This Week in International Disciplines:
From the USEF Communications Department
 
Dressage
Dressage preparations for the Pan American Games continued as Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I competition took place at CDIs across the country. Jan Ebeling swept the small tour at CDI Flintridge with Rosenzauber 8, scoring 70.263% in the Prix St Georges, 70.702% in the Intermediaire I and 70.292% in the Freestyle.

For complete results please visit www.cornerstonedressage.com/results/2011_7.pdf.

At the CDI Lexington, Lisa Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU dominated the Small Tour. They scored 71.008% in the Prix St. Georges and 76.624% in the Intermediaire I. Claire Darnell won the Intermediaire I Freestyle with a score 73.458%.

For more information, please visit: http://www.kentuckydressageassociation.org/

In the small tour at CDI Allentown in New Jersey, Canadian Ashley Holzer took the top spot in the Prix St. Georges, but Cesar Parra, the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Champion, was second on Grandioso with a score of 70.395%. Holzer continued her winning ways in the Intermediaire I, where Endel Ots took second with Toscano on a score of 69.430%. Parra then went on to win the Freestyle with a score of 72.417% Holzer also won the Grand Prix on her veteran Pop Art, local rider Lauren Sammis was second with Sagacious HF with a score of 67.851%. They repeated the one-two placings in the Grand Prix Freestyle.  Melissa Taylor was third behind Sammis in the Grand Prix but led the victory celebration in the Grand Prix Special with Schumacker Solyst on a score of 65.792%.

Please visit: http://www.esdcta.org/Results/Results/Show_Results/2011/2011_results.html for complete results.

Eventing

Julian Stiller rode Chapel Amble to a place third finish in the CIC3*at the Subaru Houghton International Horse Trials in England. The Vermont native is now based in the UK. She added one rail in the show jumping and 4.8 time faults to her dressage score of 50.8. Australian Paul Tapner won with Stormhill Michael and Dirk Schrade was second on Hop and Skip for Germany. Information is available here:  http://www.houghtoninternational.co.uk/

Jumping

The FEI Nations Cup Series stopped in Italy this week and the U.S picked up ribbons at CSIO5* Rome. Ashlee Bond got the week rolling for the U.S. by placing second with Cadett 7 in the Trofeo Impresa Roma, less than a second off Rodrigo Pessoa's winning pace. Rich Fellers followed that up with a sixth place effort of his own in the Trofeo Mercedes Benz Roma on McGuinness. Both classes were on Thursday. The U.S. then put forth a seventh place effort in the Nations Cup on Friday, Margie Engle led the way with just one rail in the second round on Indigo.

On Saturday, Bond was fifth in the Trofeo Unicredit - a 1.40m Speed and Handiness competition with Chivas Z, Engle was also fifth in the Bis Unire, a Young Horse competition, with Starnato. This pair was 10th in another young horse class on Sunday and Engle rounded out the week with an eighth place effort on Indigo in the featured Grand Prix: G.P. Loro Piana Città di Roma.

Results and more information is available here: http://www.piazzadisiena.org/concorso_cavalieri_risultati.html

The next stop for the Nations Cup Series is in St. Gallen, Switzerland, June 2-5.

At the CSIYO Reims in France the Young Riders and Junior Riders represented the U.S. in winning fashion. Thursday was an extremely successful day for the U.S. riders in preparation for the Nations Cup. Catherine Pasmore won convincingly on Van David in CSIO YR PX Conseil General de la Marne over her two teammates, Karen Polle on With Wings, who was second, and Jessica Springsteen on Cincinatti La Silla who was third. Reed Kessler and Onisha finished seventh, Richard Neal on Transmission was ninth and Pasmore was 10th on her second horse My Boy. In the CSIO Juniors 1.25m Meg O'Mara was third with Smeagle.

The Young Riders were then second in Nations Cup, Catherine Pasmore led off the U.S. team, rebounding from a 13-fault first round on My Boy to improve to eight faults in round two. Karen Polle rode With Wings in the second position to a six-fault effort in the first round but only picked up one time fault in round two. Reed Kessler had the best result, jumping two double clear rounds on Onisha which kept the momentum going and then Jessica Springsteen picked up a time fault in each round - but also added a rail in the second round on Vornado van den Hoendrik. The 16-fault effort left the team second behind the Netherlands who finished on nine faults.

Kessler was fourth in Sunday's Young Rider Grand Prix on Onisha and Meg O'Mara ended the week in France on the highest of notes - not only did she place fourth in the Junior Grand Prix with Sinatra IV, she won the overall Leading Junior Rider Award for her performances throughout the week.

Read Catherine Pasmore's blog: http://www.catherineusa2011.blogspot.com/

Cody Auer had three top 10 placings in Belgium at CSI2* Neeroeteren riding Timo. He was eighth in the 1.40m qualifier for the Grand Prix, tenth in another 1.40 m class (out of 68 starters) and then 10th with in the Grand Prix on Sunday with a four fault effort. Results are available here:  http://www.dewarre.be/_ln/internationaal.php?deel=archief&id=51

Laura Kraut and Lauren Hough represented the U.S. at CSI3* Norten Hardenberg in Germany and Kraut kicked off the week with a ninth place finish on Dina Evita in the Preis des Göttinger Tageblattes Int. Springprüfung. Hough was then sixth with Arizona Pie in the Preis des Göttinger Tageblattes Int. Springprüfung  the following morning. Hough and her veteran mare Casadora finished third in the Preis der Hardenberg-Wilthen AG Int. Springprüfung mit Siegerrunde, also on Friday. On Saturday, Kraut had the second fastest four-fault effort in the 1.50m Speed Class to finish fifth on Teirra in the Gothaer Trophy Int. Springprüfung mit Siegerrunde and Hough rounded out the weekend with a ninth place finish on Sunday in the Finale im Tag der Südniedersächsischen Wirtschaft Int. Gruppen-Springprüfung mit Siegerrunde on Arizona Pie.

Bliss Heers was seventh in the European Youngster Cup with La Jolie with a clear effort in Thursday's class for Under 25 riders. 

More information is available here: http://www.escon-marketing.de/

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Jumping: FEI: Rolex Rankings: ERIC LAMAZE CELEBRATES ELEVATION TO ROLEX RANKINGS NUMBER ONE SLOT

Eric Lamaze (CAN) elevated to number one in Rolex Rankings.

 Watch Eric Lamaze's FEI interview on the FEI TV Viewer on the WEG Central right sidebar.


FEI PRESS RELEASE

Lausanne (SUI), 1 June 2011

ERIC LAMAZE CELEBRATES ELEVATION TO ROLEX RANKINGS NUMBER ONE SLOT

Olympic champion Eric Lamaze (CAN), 43, is celebrating after securing the world number one slot in the Rolex Rankings for the third time in his career.

The Canadian’s back-to-back Grand Prix wins at La Baule (FRA) and Rome (ITA) on his super-stallion Hickstead have put him 111 points ahead of 31-year-old Kevin Staut (FRA), who had topped the Rolex Rankings since 1 August 2010.

Lamaze first shot to the top of the Rolex Rankings on 1 January 2009 and stayed there for three months. He was back in the number one slot for a second time in July 2010, the month in which he famously won the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with a broken foot.

Lamaze, who took individual gold and team silver with Hickstead at the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, has represented Canada at five consecutive FEI World Equestrian Games™ - 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010 where he earned individual bronze with Hickstead - and at three Pan American Games, at which he earned team bronze in 1999 and team silver and individual bronze in 2007.

European Champion Kevin Staut is now in second place ahead of Billy Twomey (IRE), with Hong Kong individual silver medallist Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) in fourth and Twomey’s compatriot Denis Lynch in fifth.

View complete Rolex Rankings here

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FEI Awards: HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR MICHAEL DOUGLAS SUPPORTS FEI AWARDS

FEI PRESS RELEASE

1 June 2011

Multiple award-winning actor and producer and United Nations Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas has lent his support to the FEI Awards 2011 by highlighting their significance and calling on the worldwide equestrian community to make nominations.

Commenting on the FEI awards, which reward the horses, men, women and youngsters who have contributed to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport, Douglas said:

“The FEI Awards provide a platform for the global community to applaud riders and organisations for their outstanding achievements. I am delighted to offer my support and urge you to submit your nominations for the 2011 FEI Awards. At the end of the year, in Rio de Janeiro, we will pay tribute to equestrians who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and in doing so, celebrate the very best of equestrian sport.”

Over his hugely successful career, Douglas has walked the red carpet numerous times to receive prestigious awards. These include two Oscars (Best Picture for his production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1979) – a film that scooped Oscars in five categories – and Best Actor for his role in Wall Street (1987). 

Among the many other major box-office hits Douglas has starred are: The China Syndrome (1979), Romancing the Stone (1984), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Fatal Attraction (1987), Basic Instinct (1992), Falling Down (1993), The American President (1995) and Traffic (2001).

Douglas received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award at a tribute gala in Los Angles in 2009.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will be the venue of the glittering FEI Awards ceremony, where this year’s equestrian heroes will be rewarded and applauded.

Nominations for the five-category FEI Awards (Reem Acra Best Athlete, HSBC Rising Star, Against All Odds, Development and Best Groom) are open until 31 July at www.feiawards.org.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Hunters/Jumpers: Saugerties: HITS-on-the-Hudson Week I in Review

© ESI Photography.
McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

HITS-on-the-Hudson I in Review: McLain Ward takes first step to defending his crown, Ellen Toon wins her second Devoucoux Hunter Prix, Exhibitors Party at Puttin’ Plus and a look ahead to HITS-on-the-Hudson II

                  
SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 1, 2011) — Perfect weather and strong entries highlighted the first week of show jumping at HITS Saugerties as HITS-on-the-Hudson I drew rave reviews from exhibitors competing in the heart of the Hudson Valley.

Leading the way for High-Performance riders was the reigning Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. Picking up where he left off last year, the Brewster, New York native rode his own Oh' D Eole to the blue ribbon in Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, as he took his first step to reclaiming his crown as champion of the Pfizer Million this fall.

Finishing in Sunday’s top three alongside Ward were Olympian Peter Leone of Greenwich, Connecticut in second and Germaine Edelmann of Rexford, New York in third. Edelmann had a strong season at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and came to Saugerties with six of the eight Grand Prix needed to become eligible for the Pfizer Million. Edelmann was able to pick up two more Grand Prix as well as some great prize money and now enters the Pfizer Million Top 40 in the number 16 spot in the current Rider Rankings.

© ESI Photography.
Danielle Torano and Katina cruise to a victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

Earlier in the week, Danielle Torano of SW Ranches, Florida made her first step on the road to the Pfizer Million when she captured the win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard her own Katina.

“It’d be great to qualify for the Pfizer Million,” said Torano, after her win on Friday. “This was only my second Grand Prix ever on Katina and this was a great victory for us!"

Currently, HITS Thermal High-Performance rider Rich Fellers (Willsonville, Oregon) leads the way aboard Harry and Molly Chapman’s Flexible in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings. Teenage sensation Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, California) and Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 stands second, and the third spot belongs to HITS Ocala’s Tracy Magness (Baltimore, Maryland) and Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude. However, with four crucial qualifiers remaining at HITS Saugerties this spring, the entire landscape could change before the HITS Saugerties Summer Series of horse shows comes rolling into town.

© ESI Photography.
HITS' Lisa Engel and Marshall & Sterling Insurance's Joey Norick congratulate Brianne Link after winning the $10,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic aboard her own Black Diamond.

The professional riders weren’t the only group of riders to excel in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson I. Brianne Link (South Salem, New York) got the best of 56 starters in the $10,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic when she rode JT Farm’s Black Diamond to the triumph.

Tooning In! Ellen Toon leads the way for Hunters
As the top Grand Prix Riders from all over the world fight it out for a place in the starting field for the Pfizer Million, action in the hunter ring is becoming just as intense. With all eyes on the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, the stakes for hunters have never been higher, anywhere!

© ESI Photography.
Ellen Toon and Invincible on course in Saturday's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

Amateur rider Ellen Toon of South Salem, New York is on the right track for becoming a part of the richest hunter class in the history of the sport thanks to an exciting win aboard her own Invincible in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, where she beat out 64 other starters to take home the blue.

“We decided to come to these three weeks of shows with our entire barn,” said Toon. “This was my third [Devoucoux] Hunter Prix, so I should have my five classes by the end of the spring shows."

Toon and Invincible finished the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit strong with a second-place finish in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix during Week IV, followed by an exciting victory in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix during Week V when they beat out 70 other horse-and-rider combinations to take home the blue. Toon now has three of the five classes needed to qualify for the colossal Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final during Pfizer Million Weekend at HITS-on-the-Hudson. Currently, Mary Lisa Leffler and Zivago lead the way in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final Rider Rankings with Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere and Nick Haness and Carolyn Mittler’s Havana sitting second and third, respectively.

In other hunter action, Albany’s Stepping Stone Farm led the way during HITS-on-the-Hudson I. In the Low Hunter Division, professional rider Amy Momrow took the top prize aboard Hannah Patten’s Wolfgang as well as Reserve Champion honors in the irons of Jessica Pletka’s Blue Monday. In the Baby Green Hunters, fellow professional Shaine Brooks kept the winning streak alive for Stepping Stone Farm when she took Champion honors aboard Jerry Bilinski’s Close Encounter. Students Caroline Renker (USEF Medal), Mary Abbruzzese (USEF Talent Search Medal) and Tess Renker (Adult Equitation) each scored major triumphs in equitation action for the Albany, New York barn, as well.

Party Time!
Hundreds of people flocked to the first exhibitor party of the season at Puttin’ Plus and were treated to free go-kart rides, miniature golf, batting cages and laser tag! HITS-on-the-Hudson is sure to keep exhibitors quite busy as the social calendar is packed with plenty of out-of-the-ring fun! This Thursday evening, the HITS Sip and Sail will take place on The Teal, as exhibitors have a chance to watch the sunset aboard HITS’ Official Charter Yacht on the Hudson River. Then on Saturday, the annual Taste of HITS restaurant showcase will take place at the horse show from noon to 2pm in the Pavilion. This popular event is sure to be a crowd pleaser as area eateries will come to the show grounds with samples from their menus.

What’s on Tap?
Show jumping will continue this week with HITS-on-the-Hudson II, as High-Performance riders will have two more opportunities to qualify for the Pfizer Million with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Friday, June 3. Then on Sunday, June 5 the stakes get even higher with the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Hunters will have their next opportunity to qualify for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final on Saturday afternoon with the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

FLAIR® Strips Latest Contest!

Ever wanted to try a FLAIR Equine Nasal Strip on your horse?  FLAIR Strips is holding a contest!  They are giving away FIVE FLAIR Strips and a microfiber Strip Rag that cleans your horse's nose prior to applying the strip. For more information, visit FLAIR'S Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/FLAIRSTRIPS  and upload your favorite FLAIR Strip competition photo (you must own the rights to the photo).  For rules and more information, visit http://www.flairstrips.com/category/FLAIR-Contests/

From FLAIR:  We want to see your best FLAIR pictures! Post your competition shots on the FLAIR Facebook page. The image with the most “Likes” will receive 5 FREE strips and a FLAIR rag! Your photo will also be the FEATURE PHOTO on the FLAIR home page. Entries due by June 9 at 5pm (CT). Kick off the summer competition schedule by protecting your horse with FLAIR! Visit flairstrips.com for full rules and details.

Good Luck!

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!