Saturday, March 5, 2011

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.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Hunters: Wellington: WEF: Julia McNerney Takes the Blue Ribbon in the Ariat National Adult Medal

Julia McNerney and Micenas are the winners of the Ariat National Adult Medal 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.

For Immediate Release
Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - March 4, 2011 - Crowds of spectators were out today to enjoy the sunshine, compete, and watch the competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, now in its eighth of 12 weeks. Among the competition today was the group of adult riders competing for the top award in the Ariat National Adult Medal.

ALERT: Watch CSIO Nation's Cup Live From Palm Beach Florida!

Watch Live USEF Television of the CSIO Nation's Cup From Palm Beach.  Follow this link: http://www.usefnetwork.com/WEFCSIO2011/

Jumping: Ocala: HITS: HITS Ocala Veteran Tracy Fenney Wins the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, as Germaine Edelmann Scores the Highest Grand Prix Finish of Her Career

© ESI Photography.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano cruise through the course to capture their first Grand Prix win of the season in Thursday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.
HITS Ocala Veteran Tracy Fenney Wins the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, as Germaine Edelmann Scores the Highest Grand Prix Finish of Her Care   
OCALA, FL (March 4, 2011)—Texas native Tracy Fenney made her return to the HITS Ocala Grand Prix winner’s circle after capturing her first victory of the season aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Centano in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. As the legendary competitor rose to the top of the class, Germaine Edelmann, a relative newcomer at the Grand Prix level, made an impact of her own with a nail-biting, second-place finish.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Mario Deslauriers and Vicomte D Earn Victory in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8

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

Wellington, FL - March 3, 2011 - USA's Mario Deslauriers and Vicomte D were victorious in Thursday afternoon's $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 following a competitive class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during international CSIO week at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).


Mario Deslauriers talks about his win with Vicomte D in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8

Hunters: Wellington: Ferrell and Moshi Make a Lasting Impression in the Green Conformation Hunters

Sandy Ferrell and Moshi are the Green Conformation 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.

For Immediate Release
Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - March 3, 2011 - The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, is well into its second day of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The sun was shinning along with strong gusts of wind as the Green Conformation Hunters made their way into the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Thursday morning.

Eventing: USEF: Law and O'Connor Named to 2013 Eventing Chef d'Equipe/Technical Advisor Short List By Joanie Morris


David O'Connor WEG 2010
Leslie Law and Shear L'Eau


Lexington, KY - Leslie Law and David O'Connor have been named to the 2013 Eventing Chef d'Equipe/Technical Advisor Short List. USEF received nine applications from six different nations. The Search Committee interviewed six applicants over the last two weeks. The applicant group is extremely qualified with over thirty Olympic, Pan American, European Championship, and World Equestrian Games medals between them.

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Ireland's Paul O'Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z Victorious in $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake

For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Wellington, FL - March 2, 2011 - The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has begun, and this week is the CSIO "international" week of competition. The opening international class was the $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake. Paul O'Shea of Ireland had the fastest speed round for victory with Daydream St. Ghyvan Z, owned by Harry Gill.

Paul O'Shea talks about his win in the $5,000 CSIO Open Welcome Stake with Daydream St. Ghyvan Z.


The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's eighth week of competition continues through Sunday, March 6. Week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm, will feature the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 on Thursday at 2 p.m., the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers and the $25,000 ESP Jumper Stake on Saturday afternoon, and the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday afternoon.

PRO Derby Cross Debuts at the FTI WEF


This weekend at the FTI WEF, one of the Saturday night features will be the PRO DerbyCross. Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor will host a course walk at 5 p.m. followed by the PRO DerbyCross Team Competition at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Hunters: Ladies Reign in Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal, Ocala, and Arizona as Winter Show Season Heads into Final Weeks

© Flying Horse Photography.
Hope Glynn and Sabrina Hellman's Woodstock in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.
SAUGERTIES, NY (March 2, 2011)--The Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final is the talk of the town this season and its key to qualifying, the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, continues to be one of the most popular offerings at the HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, Florida, Thermal, California, and Tucson, Arizona. Never before has a purse of this magnitude been offered for hunters, and never before have so many talented riders at all levels of their careers had the opportunity to aspire to such a lofty goal.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Jumping: Ocala: Natalya Jarczyk Brings Home the Blue in the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic at HITS Ocala


© ESI Photography.
Natalya Jarczyk and Frivole Des Pres on course in the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic.

OCALA, FL (March 1, 2011)--The crowd was red hot on Saturday night at HITS Post Time Farm as Natalya Jarczyk and her own Frivole Des Pres captured the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Exhibitors, family and friends filled the stands and The Overlook VIP Club to support one of HITS Ocala's most coveted events.

Jumping: Sunday Special! HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, Arizona and Thermal Produce Grand Prix Champs from Coast to Coast

© ESI Photography.
Manuel Torres and Chambacunero on course in the $50,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
Ocala, Florida - $50,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
On Sunday, daybreak in Ocala saw a dense fog lift to reveal another glorious day with bright sunshine and temperatures in the 80s at HITS Post Time Farm for the $50,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix,

What's Coming Up In Wellington Next Week

What You Should Know for Week 8 of the FTI WEF

$75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm - Friday, March 4 at 6:00 PM in the International Arena. This is a must-see event in which countries compete against each other over two thrilling rounds of show jumping. Teams will consist of four riders of the same nationality, and only the top teams from round one are allowed to return for the final round. This is an exciting opportunity

Jumping: Wellington: CSIO: USEF Names Nations Cup Team for CSIO Wellington

By Joanie Morris  
Lexington, KY - The following horse/rider combinations have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in America's only Nations Cup which will be held in Wellington, FL on March 4, as part of CSIO Wellington. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Club's International Arena will host some of the best horse/rider combinations from across the globe as they vie for top honors in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Hunters: Wellington: WEF: Victoria Colvin and Ariel Win Four of Five Classes for Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship

Victoria Colvin and Ariel are the Martha Jolicoeur & Illustrated Properties Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under champions during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.sportfot.com.

For Immediate Release
Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - February 27, 2011 - As week 7 comes to a close here at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, looks back on another successful week of competition. The younger section of Small Junior Hunters, presented by Martha Jolicoeur and Illustrated Properties, awarded their championship early this morning in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.

Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, rode Ariel to the championship honor this weekend. Neither her, nor her mount, Ariel, are new to the championship winner's circle. Scott Stewart, who also trains Colvin, owns Ariel, a six-year-old Brandenburg mare by Lancado.

The winning pair secured the tricolor honor this morning by winning a stunning four out of five classes in their division of nine entries. They placed fifth in the division's remaining class.

Colvin, arguably one of the best and busiest young riders here in Wellington, keeps very busy showing everything from pony hunters to the junior equitation classes. Furthermore, she does it all successfully and stays focused throughout. Colvin will remain busy throughout the rest of circuit showing numerous horses and ponies as the weeks continue.

The reserve champion today in the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, presented by Martha Jolicoeur and Illustrated Properties, was awarded to Bold Venture. Bold Venture is a thirteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by the Zeidler Farm, all the way from Canada. Michael Hughes was aboard Bold Venture for the reserve championship honor. The pair secured the award by placing second in three classes and fourth in another class.

Stay tuned next week as the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival moves on to Week 8 of the winter circuit on March 2-6.

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

Jumping: Wellington: WEFPeter Wylde and Lipton De L'Othain Win $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic

 Peter Wylde and Lipton De L'Othain won the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic during week seven 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 27, 2011 - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded its seventh week of competition on Sunday afternoon with an exciting victory for Peter Wylde and Lipton D'Lothain in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic. Wylde and his mount of six years, owned by Windward Farm and Jessica Siuda, mastered the jump-off course and galloped to the win.

This week's course designer in the International Arena was Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany. Petersen built a fitting course for today's competitors and saw seven of the 49 entries jump clear in the first round. A fall kept one competitor from returning for the short course, but the remaining six riders jumped off to determine top honors.

Peter Wylde and Lipton De L'Othain were the fastest of four double clear rounds and stopped the clock in 36.013 seconds for the win.

Pablo Barrios and Nathalie Mathers' Costa cleared the course in 37.384 seconds to finish in second place. Nick Skelton and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, finished in 37.844 seconds to earn third place, and Sergio Niento Del Rio galloped Fabiana Banco Del Bajio through the timers in 39.124 seconds to place fourth.

Enrique Gonzalez and Obelix 148 finished with eight faults to earn fifth place honors and Richard Spooner and Molly Ohrstrom's Billy Bianca incurred eight jumping and four time faults after a refusal to finish in sixth.

Commenting on what made the difference in his time, Wylde smiled after the class, stating, "That horse makes the difference; he's like a Ferrari. He is so fast and careful and competitive. He wins many, many classes. I saw Nick go and he was really fast and left strides out and I thought, 'Oh boy, in order to win you've really got to take every risk.' I tried. That's his nature, to win. It makes it fun and easy. He's a brilliant animal and I was lucky he was on form today."
Peter Wylde and Lipton de L'Othain with ringmaster
Cliff Haines and Lauren Tisbo of Suncast
Lipton De L'Othain is a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Prince Du Logis. "We bought him as a six-year-old," Wylde explained. "We have had him for many years and he's been a winner all of his life. We had a little bit of a slow start at the beginning of circuit, but he is incredibly careful and will almost never knock a jump down. That's why I don't ride him in the biggest grand prix (classes). This level for him is good. Last year he did 18 ROLEX ranking competitions and was in the first three in 15 of them. He has an impressive record. It is not a surprise that he can win a class like this; it's right up his alley."

Commenting on the course, Wylde noted, "I thought it was one of the hardest 1.50m tracks we've jumped here. It was quite big and there were some difficult distances. It wasn't far off from an international grand prix."

"It's great to win here," he added. "No matter what the class is, to win in Palm Beach is brilliant."

Wylde has been based in Germany for seven years, but enjoys the opportunity to compete in Wellington each year. "I hope to be able to come here every winter," he said. "The sport is very exciting here. I have two very good American owners - Jessica Siuda and Windward Farm and Beth Johnson and Louisburg Farm. We all like to be here in the wintertime. As long as it is financially possible and we have good enough horses to come here, we'll make the effort to be here. It is an incredible circuit."
 Peter Wylde and Lipton De L'Othain won the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic during week seven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival,
www.sportfot.com.
Earlier in the day the International Arena held week seven's $10,000 EquiFit High Junior Jumper Classic. With the only clear round in the class, Katie Dinan and Belle Dame D were the winners.

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will continue with its eighth week of competition beginning on Wednesday, March 2. Sponsored by G&C Farm, week eight will feature many exciting classes and is a CSIO rated competition.

A $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake will be held on Wednesday and the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 will run on Thursday. Friday will feature a $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic and the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Saturday's schedule includes a $10,000 Speed Stake and a $25,000 ESP Jumper Stake during the day, with the Eventing Pro Cross Derby at 5:30 p.m. and the $35,000 Hermès Puissance. On Sunday the week will conclude with a $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic followed by the $150,000 Trump Grand Prix CSIO 4*.

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

Final Results: $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic

1 LIPTON DE L'OTHAIN PETER WYDLE WINDWARD FARM & JESSICA SIUDA: 0/0/36.013
2 COSTA PABLO BARRIOS NATHALIE MATHERS: 0/0/37.384
3 BIG STAR NICK SKELTON BEVERLY & GARY WIDDOWSON: 0/0/37.844
4 FABIANA BANCO DEL BAJIO SERGIO NIENTO DEL RIO SERGIO NIENTO DEL RIO: 0/0/39.124
5 OBELIX 148 ENRIQUE GONZALEZ ENRIQUE GONZALEZ: 0/8/37.568
6 BILLY BIANCA RICHARD SPOONER MOLLY OHRSTROM: 0/12/50.977
7 ES CARANDO Z OTAVIO PENEDO OTAVIO PENEDO: 0/WD
8 VAILLANT S LAUREN TISBO TEQUESTRIAN FARMS LLC: 4/64.796
9 KATINA ENRIQUE GONZALEZ ENRIQUE GONZALEZ: 4/64.905
10 G&C FLASH PABLO BARRIOS PABLO BARRIOS & GUSTAVO MIRABAL: 4/65.858
11 LITTLE TINKA HOLGER HETZEL HOLGER HETZEL: 4/67.241
12 CELESTA RODRIGO DIAZ RODRIGO DIAZ: 4/67.578

Eventing: Herdade Vale Sabroso: Clayton Fredericks (AUS) Wins the Portugese Harly-Davidson CIC** Horse Trials; Patricia Ryan (IRE) Wins the CIC*




Jumping: World Cup: Gothenburg: A STAR IS BORN ON A SPECIAL DAY IN GOTHENBURG - AND HER NAME IS ANGELICA - by Louise Parkes

Sweden's Angelica Augustsson, winner of the 12th leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping series at Gothenburg, Sweden today is presented with her prize by Magali Dubois Vaucher, Rolex.  Photo: Roland Thunholm/FEI

Swedish hearts were bursting with pride as a bright young super-star was born in the Scandinavium Arena at Gothenburg, Sweden this afternoon where local girl Angelica Augustsson galloped to victory in the penultimate qualifying round of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping seres.  There was an outpouring of emotion in the aftermath, and even hardened veteran Ludger Beerbaum, who slotted into third behind runner-up Edwina Alexander from Australia, expressed his amazement at having taken part in one of the most thrilling competitions seen on the international circuit in recent history.

Jumping: Thermal: HITS: Purina Power! Mark Watring and Green Sleeps Vioco Capture the $50,000 Purina Mills CSI-W Grand Prix, Presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Thermal

© Flying Horse Photography.
Mark Watring and Green Sleeps Vioco capture the $50,000 Purina Mills CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Thermal.
THERMAL, CA (February 28, 2011)--Puerto Rico’s Mark Watring and Horseworks Etc. Inc’s Green Sleeps Vioco secured their first Grand Prix triumph of the circuit when they scored the top prize in Saturday’s $50,000 Purina Mills CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, in the indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park, in Thermal, California.

Last night’s triumph by Watring continued an impressive streak by the men competing at HITS Thermal as each Grand Prix has been won by a male Grand Prix rider thus far. The talented horse-and-rider combination was the top team out of the 31 starters to challenge International Course Designer Marina Azevedo’s (Sao Paulo, Brazil) first-round course and the four that advanced to the jump-off.

“He is a new horse for me,,” said Watring, of his horse. “We have been a great team so far. We are going to the Pan Am Games together and hopefully to the next Olympics in London.”

It took ten trips before the first round would produce a clear effort. Susan Hutchison (Temecula, California) broke the string when she made it all the way home without dropping any rails riding El Dorado 29’s Cantano. And for a time, it seemed like the enthusiastic crowd that watched the class, including the sold out Charles Owen VIP Club, would not get to see a jump-off. Watring (Thousand Oaks, California) and Green Sleeps Vioco quickly changed that outlook when they jumped clear in the 19th spot of the first round, bringing the crowd to its feet.

At the end of the first round, four horse-and-rider combinations would shoot it out for the blue ribbon and a first-place check for $15,000. “I thought four horses in the jump-off was a perfect number,” said Azevedo. “The course was challenging. I had some spots in there that needed to be ridden very steady and other places where the rider really needed to go for it.”

The jump-off featured two American riders, a Canadian and one from Puerto Rico giving the horse race over fences an International taste. First to go was Hutchison and Cantano 29 and they had a rail down in 36.38 seconds and finished the class in third place.

Watring was the next rider to attempt to go clean but failed to navigate the track successfully, crossing the timers with four faults in 35.32 seconds. Canada’s Michelle Vandal (Sanichton, British Columbia, Canada) and Divine Diva carefully tackled the course next, knowing a clear round would assure them no worse than a red ribbon. The talented team was clear heading to the last jump but dropped a rail in 40.77 seconds to eventually place fourth.

Rich Fellers and Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible entered the ring in the last-to-ride spot as the clear-cut favorites to secure the blue ribbon. The pair already has three Grand Prix wins in their pocket this circuit, including a victory in Thursday’s $31,000 Strongid C 2X Welcome Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and are sitting in third place in the U.S. West Coast League’s Standings for the FEI World Cup. It looked like lighting would strike one more time as they had the time but pulled the very last rail in a time of 35.68 seconds to finish in second place.

With his victory, Watring earned some valuable points in the race for the Platinum Performance Leading World Cup Rider Award. The top rider in the combined four FEI World Cup Qualifiers at HITS Thermal will receive a one-year supply of product, courtesy of Platinum Performance.

Action for the High-Performance riders at HITS Thermal continues today with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to cap off Desert Circuit IV as Grand Prix riders continue to shoot it out for a spot in the second-annual Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix that will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York on Sunday September 11.

"I would love to be there if I qualify," added Watring. "I think I have the perfect horse for it."
© Flying Horse Photography.
HITS' Senior Vice President Tony Hitchcock, Rebecca Nunes Accounts Manager for Purina Mills, and Desert Feed Bag's Amber Knight and Gretchen Richards congratulate Mark Watring with a Jeroboam from Sonoma Cutrer, after winning the $50,000 Purina Mills CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Thermal.

Video Alert: Reining: Horse Life Reining Video

For the Love of Horses - Silver Spurs:  Equestrian Life offers a well-produced video about Reining with the Miolas  and Brett Stone of  Silver Spurs Equine in Scottsdale Arizona...