RRTP Selects 26 Trainers for Thoroughbred Makeover
Posted on: 05/23/2013
For additional information contact:
Steuart Pittman 410-507-3351
steuart@retiredracehorsetraining.org
The Board of Directors of the Retired Racehorse Training Projectannounced today its selection of the 26 horse trainers who will participate in the RRTP Thoroughbred Makeover.
Each trainer will chronicle online the training of a Thoroughbred that has raced but had no training for a second career. All will appear at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland on the first weekend of October to show what the horses have learned. The event is called the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium and will include seminars, demonstrations, entertainment, and vendors.
RRTP, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds off the track, received 142 applications from 29 states and Canada. The applicants were professionals, amateurs, and juniors and specialized in ten different equestrian disciplines.
"We were overwhelmed not only by the number of applicants, but also by the high quality, the diversity, and the passion of these trainers," said RRTP President Steuart Pittman. "These are the people who work hard every single day educating these magnificent animals to ensure that their futures are secure."
In alphabetical order the twenty-six participating trainers are as follows. The first step for each trainer is to acquire a horse. For a version of these trainer descriptions with links to their web sites,click here.
Marissa Bianchi (32) and Carlos Gonzalez of Potomac, MD. This is a joint training team that will demonstrate how racehorses become polo ponies. Carlos is a professional polo player and Marissa was on Cornell's 4 time champion women's polo team. Most of their polo ponies come from the racetrack. They train out of their own farm and the Capitol Polo Club facilities.
Patricia Hechter-Bosley (52) of St. Michaels, MD. Patricia is an amateur rider who grew up in the hunter/jumper world under the watch of her mother Sylvia Hechter, a well known trainer who regularly sold horses to the likes of Rodney Jenkins, Joe Fargis, and George Morris when Thoroughbreds dominated the show ring. As a young adult she rode young racehorses for Mikey Smithwick and showed at all the big venues. Today she ownsBosley Brangier Apparel. She recently acquired horses from Graham Motion's Herringswell Stables and plans to work with his staff to select a horse for the Makeover.
Rebecca Bowman (40) of Woodstock, GA. Rebecca is most famous for her work in the Extreme Mustang Makeover with four different mustangs, but she grew up in a racing family, worked for ten years training Thoroughbreds for second careers in Kentucky, and held a jockey's license. She has also evented through the intermediate level both in the US and Australia, and is the head trainer at Rose Equestrian.
Heather Carlson (45) of Milford, CT. Heather has been actively buying, training, and selling Thoroughbreds off the track since she was fifteen years old, putting them into careers as foxhunters, eventers, pleasure horses, and show horses. She rides for Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue and will select one of their many ex-racehorses for the Makeover.
Daniel Clasing (26) of White Hall, MD. Daniel is an up and coming star on the eventing scene who recently scorched around the Rolex CCI**** cross country course clean and inside the time on the same weekend that he served as a demo rider for RRTP and New Vocations at Thoroughbreds For All Kentucky. Daniel trains horses out of his Yardley Hill Farm, starts dozens of horses for racing every year, and works as an exercise rider at Laurel Park. He has galloped for both Michael Matz and Tom Voss and trains in eventing with Phillip Dutton.
Katie Cooper (32) of Owings Mills, MD. Katie is the head trainer and manager at Howie Wolfe's Caves Farm, a premiere hunter/jumper barn that travels the A-circuit and also hosts shows. Katie grew up showing nothing but Thoroughbreds but has also galloped for steeplechase trainers. She won the huge Thoroughbred Classic at the Maryland Horse and Pony Show and is committed to bringing Thoroughbreds back into fashion on the show circuit.
Billie Rae Croll (33) of Lexington, VA. Billie Rae is the granddaughter of Hall of Fame trainer Jimmie Croll. She grew up with racehorses and branched out into the hunter/jumper world. Her BRC Stables keeps an average of ten Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in training for clients and many are showing at both Thoroughbred and open shows. Her mother, Anne Russek, is the driving force behind the Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Showsat the Virginia Horse Center.
Nikki Egyed (22) of Paso Robles, CA. Nikki is young, but her list of accomplishments on her own Thoroughbreds off the track in barrel racing and gymkhana is long. She is a tireless advocate for Thoroughbreds in a part of the country and a sport where their reputation is poor. She runs her own Silver Shadow Trainingbusiness.
Patti Fiedler (47) of Pinellas Park, FL. Pattie coaches and teaches in the hunter/jumper world and was Florida state barrel champion seven times (five on ex-racehorses). Her passion, however, is training Thoroughbreds off the track to become police mounts. In her words, "After the hustle and bustle of track life, they fit right into police work." She trains out of Amber Glen Equestrian Center.
Robin Hannah (27) of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Robin trains out of Sherwood Farm, home of Thoroughly Thoroughbred Horse Shows. She was Adult Amateur Hunter Champion of HITS Thermal Desert Circuit in 2007, has shown jumpers on the A-circuit, and has moved 15 Thoroughbreds from racing to the show ring in recent years. She also groomed and galloped racehorses for trainer Bill Pearce. The racetrack closures in Ontario have inspired Robin to focus her work on transitioning racehorses herself and helping others to do so.
Jessica Bortner-Harris (32) of Thurmond, NC. Jessica is not only an advanced level three day event rider but also a popular writer for Eventing Nation. As a rider who owes her career to Thoroughbreds off the track, many of her articles focus on the dominant role played by Thoroughbreds in the sport of eventing. She operates Rocky Start Stables.
Dan James (30) of Lexington, KY. In Australia Dan used to start 300 Thoroughbreds for racing per year. In 2012 he won the prestigious American Road To The Horse colt starting competition. Dan's business is Double Dan Horsemanship, a collaboration with his partner Dan Steers that offers clinics and demonstrations for large audiences. We have no idea what Dan will train his Thoroughbred to do, but the photo on his web site of him standing on two horses with no bridles and not even a rope on their necks as they gallop down the homestretch of a racetrack suggests that we might be in for some surprises. Dan will be starting 40 Thoroughbreds for Winstar in the fall and has also been doing work for Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky.
Lara Borson Knight (35) of Whites Creek, TN. Lara was the head trainer for Makers Mark Secretariat Center in 2011 and 2012 where she oversaw the re-training of all of their new arrivals from racing. She shows through the advanced level in eventing on Thoroughbreds, but has also competed successfully in vaulting. To prove the versatility of the breed she trained one of her Thoroughbred ex-racehorses to carry for vaulting, a job normally done by the wide and heavy draught breeds. Her training business is based at Canterway Farm.
Alexandra Knowles (26) Paris, KY. Allie was the top placed American after the dressage phase of the Rolex CCI**** in 2013 and is hard at work on a plan to represent the United States in the next Olympics. As a Kentucky girl she has worked starting Thoroughbreds for racing and getting them fit to go to the track. Her training business includes clinics, lessons, and training and can be found online at akeventing.com.
Emily Kocubinski (33) of Philadelphia, PA. Emily was a child prodigy in the sport of eventing working her way up to a successful run around the Rolex cross country course at the age of 19 on a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse. She gave all that up for the city life as a graphic and web designer until 2010 when some Thoroughbreds off the track beckoned her to return to horses. She now runs a small business devoted exclusively to training and selling ex-racehorses called Big City Eventing.
David Loman (49) of Crofton, MD. David is a prominent fixture in the MidAtlantic hunter/jumper circuit but has shown throughout the east coast. He encourages his students, even the amateurs and juniors, to consider Thoroughbreds off the track and is passionate about returning them to prominence in the show ring. David is the hunter/jumper consultant to Thoroughbred Placement Resources and designed courses for their Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show. His business name is Cornerstone Show Stable.
Amber Lynn Longreen (12) of Hummelstown, PA. At the tender age of twelve, Amber has ridden and shown more Thoroughbreds off the track than she can count. Her mother, Cheryl Keller, is the head trainer at Bowcrest Farms, which is not only a large boarding and lesson barn but also a New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program facility. Amber and her mom ride the recent New Vocations arrivals from Penn National Racetrack all day every day, as do many of the local Pony Club members. Amber notes her age in her application, but promises that she is "responsible and works hard to achieve her goals."
Jessica Morthole (31) of Camden, DE. Jessica is the trainer forCANTER Mid-Atlantic's training facility in Delaware. She specializes in preparing horses that come in from local tracks for marketing as riding horses in 30-90 days. Jessica works a full time job off the farm while training both her CANTER horses, her own Thoroughbreds, and horses for clients. She also writes a popular blog that can be read here. Her business name is JLM Sport Horses.
Elissa Ogburn (14) of Crownsville, MD. Elissa is outgrowing her pony and starting to think about getting a horse. She had been lucky enough to ride some Thoroughbreds at the farm where she boards and was asked at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo to ride one of Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue's horses in a clinic titled "Kids and Their Ex-Racehorses." MAHR's Bev Strauss was so impressed with Elissa's riding and her passion that she offered to find her a horse for the Makeover, and Steuart Pittman has agreed to be her coach. Elissa is not ready to give up riding her pony but is over the moon with excitement about getting to train a new horse.
Mark Powers (55) of East Palestine, OH. Mark has worked as both a trainer and a farrier at Mountaineer Race Track for 35 years. He has also been a professional polo player for 20 years. He estimates that 80% of his polo ponies come from racing and that he has trained and sold over 100 racehorses into polo. Mark is one of two trainers in the Makeover that will show us how a racehorse becomes a polo pony.
Nuno Santos (43) of Reisterstown, MD. Nuno knows how it feels to retire from racing and start a career in dressage and eventing. He has done it himself. Nuno was assistant trainer to Robert Frankel for eight years and galloped Fusaichi Pegasus, Azeri, Ghostzapper, and Ginger Punch. Two years ago he left racing and now trains Thoroughbreds for dressage, eventing, and showing and teaches riders how to get along with their ex-racehorses.
Jennifer Selvig (32) of Savage, MN. Jennifer is an amateur trainer but a professional equine veterinarian whose practice includes racehorses and chiropractic. She has competed in eventing, dressage, polocrosse, and show jumping, and has worked grooming and galloping steeplechase horses. Her passion for Thoroughbred racehorses led her to found the Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project.
Dale Simanton (57) of Newell, SD. Dale operates Horse Creek Thoroughbreds, a 400 acre ranch that breeds, trains, and does sale preps. He also has a background in rodeo and works cattle. The farm's Gates to Great program trains Thoroughbred ex-racehorses to do ranch work, and Dale says that they are good at it. He requested that we bring a herd of cattle to Pimlico for him to work. We'll see about that.
Erin Sylvester (27) of Unionville, PA. Erin placed 13th at the Rolex CCI**** in 2012, making her a near miss for US Olympic Team Selectors. She completed the Burghley CCI**** last fall and Rolex again this year. She trains with Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, and David O'Connor and runs her own business under the name Lily Bridge Eventing. Most of her upper level horses are Thoroughbreds and she galloped racehorses for Jonathan Sheppard during college.
Suzanne Wepplo (31) of Minneapolis, MN. Suzanne won the USEF Rood and Riddle award for Ex-Racehorses in Dressage after her horse Puppylove was the USDF All Breeds Thoroughbred Champion at 3rd Level. Suzanne has trained extensively with Leslie Morse, Steffan Peters, and many other top dressage trainers, and is committed to finding and producing top dressage horses from America's racetracks. Suzanne operates Sisu Sporthorse Training out of the Pegasus Riding School in Medina, MN.
Cathy Wieschoff (54) of Lexington, KY. Cathy might have more experience training Thoroughbreds for eventing than the other trainers in the Makeover combined. She worked in the 70s starting yearlings and galloping at the track and more recently she has been the hometown girl that draws her local fans to Rolex every year. She has also competed at Burghley and other top British events as part of her long-time quest to represent the United States at the Olympics. Cathy's training methods fascinated the crowds at the RRTP/New Vocations Thoroughbreds For All Kentucky, particularly her integration of natural horsemanship methods from the ground to give jumping confidence to her horses. She trains out of Carriage Station Farm.
Sponsorship and Vendors
The National Symposium will include a vendor area where sponsors of the event can display their products or services. RRTP will be seeking funds from individuals, businesses, and organizations to cover the costs of this program, and will recognize those donors in its promotional materials. Contact Julie Magruder for sponsorship information: julie@retiredracehorsetraining.org
Land Rover Competition Grant Recipients Eye Top Placings at Saumur CCI3*
Posted on: 05/22/2013
Lexington, KY- The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team looks to close out the spring season on a high note as four talented combinations are set to contest the Saumur CCI3*. Now in its 27th year, the prestigious French competition runs May 23-26. A total of 46 combinations will start in the CCI3*, including American entries Hannah Sue Burnett, Buck Davidson, Will Faudree and Marilyn Little, who have all received Land Rover Competition Grants to contest the Saumur CCI3*.
Throughout the winter and spring the four combinations representing the U.S. in France have benefitted from Training Sessions with USEF Eventing Team Coach David O'Connor. Prior to leaving for Saumur, combinations had the opportunity to train with O'Connor at Jacqueline Mars' High Acre in The Plains, Virginia.
Burnett (The Plains, VA) brings her 2012 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Champion, Harbour Pilot, to Saumur for her
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| Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman) |
first European competition. The pair is no stranger to success on the international stage having earned Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Most recently, Jacqueline Mars' 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding earned third place in the CIC3* at the Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event.
Joining Burnett in France is her Gold medal-winning teammate from the 2011 Pan American Games, Davidson. The Ocala, Florida resident has a wealth of experience having represented the U.S. three times at international championships. He heads to France on top form having claimed the 2013 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. Davidson will ride Sherrie Martin's nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, The Apprentice, at the Saumur CCI3*. The pair completed its 2012 season with a fifth place finish in the CCI3* at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.
This week in France, Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing's talented Andromaque
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| Will Faudree and Andromaque (Stockimageservices.com) |
will look to showcase the form that has propelled them to numerous top finishes already this spring. Two weeks ago at the Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event, the 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare scored a wire-to-wire victory in the CIC3*. The pair began its 2013 campaign by earning wins in Advanced divisions at the Pine Top Spring Advanced Horse Trials and Southern Pines.
"It is really exciting to be here in France. Andromaque feels fantastic," said Faudree. "We got to walk the course this morning and it looks fun and challenging. I just hope this weekend goes well and all goes to plan."
Little (Frederick, MD) has a wealth of international experience in the jumper ring having represented the U.S. on numerous Nations Cup teams and in recent years has also ascended the eventing ranks. In Saumur she will ride Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders' RF Smoke on the Water. The pair finished its 2012 season earning Reserve Champion honors behind Burnett in the USEF National CCI3* Eventing Championship held at the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI. In March of 2013, the eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding earned second place honors in the CIC3* at the Red Hills International Horse Trials.
Competition officially gets underway Thursday with the first half of competitors performing their dressage tests. On Thursday Little will ride at her test at 3:58pm CEST and Burnett at 4:28pm CEST, while on Friday Faudree will go down centerline at 10:45am CEST and Davidson at 2:00pm CEST.
To learn more about the Saumur CCI3* visit; http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html
Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.
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Kieffer & Veronica win CHC International CIC3* Adequan USEA Gold Cup - PRO Tour Series
Posted on: 05/19/2013
Lauren Kieffer and Team Rebecca’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Veronica performed very well in all three phases in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* at CHC International in Fairburn, Georgia to claim their third consecutive FEI division win this year. The final phase of cross-country ran in reverse order of go, and Kieffer was still on course when it was announced that current leaders Phillip Dutton and William Penn had picked up a stop at the influential Cavalor Conundrum, fence 12AB in the main arena. All Kieffer had to do was hold her pace and cruise to a clear round.
“She was wonderful. I went out to have a steady clear. I certainly didn’t intend to be fast, but she gets into such a nice rhythm and she’s just such a quick little horse anyway,” Kieffer said. “She’s so balanced I don’t have to do a ton of work around the gallop fences.”
Veronica was started by Kieffer but competed up to Advanced by Karen O’Connor. “Karen did all the work on the mare, now I just get to hop on and have fun. I adore her, we get along really well. She’s always been my favorite of Karen’s,” Kieffer said. “She’s a rockstar, and the Broussards are amazing for letting me ride her.”
Significant rainfall had softened the ground somewhat the night prior. “It was a bit heavy in the galloping lanes, but certainly not muddy. You could just feel it was a bit heavier from the rain and all the horses running on it, but the footing in front of the fences was beautiful,” Kieffer said. Veronica’s petite 16.1-hand frame helped her to skim along the surface and not get bogged down where others picked up significant time penalties.
Kieffer and Veronica had an intense moment at the Water Complex when the mare left out an entire stride before the bank and took the long one. She managed to scramble to the top and put in a tidy stride to the D element, an offset narrow brush. “I definitely saw another [stride] coming up that bank!” Kieffer said. “She fought for it to get to that skinny. She’s just a genius like that. She’s amazing like that. She’s very competitive in her own mind.” Veronica was not the only horse to see the long spot out of the water. Lizzie Snow took a tumble off Coal Creek due to the same mistake. Both horse and rider were uninjured.
In an effort to bring the course closer to the barns, vendors, and spectators, an additional loop on Hugh Lochore’s course took the Preliminary through three-star competitors across the road and into the lower arena where they jumped a big technical question before jumping back out of the ring and having a long gallop down to the water. “It was lovely, big, and galloping course, which is Hugh’s type,” Kieffer said. “I think it made a huge difference adding this loop through the arena, it really changed the whole flow. And it worked really well. It had the technical questions where you needed them, and it asked questions that you needed, but at the same time I think it gave the horses a really good confident feel to finish on.”
Ellen Doughty and her own 11-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner gelding Sir Oberon were tied for ninth after dressage, and good jumping rounds moved them steadily up the leaderboard to ultimately finish second in their first three-star event. “He’s wonderful. I bought him as a 5-year-old. He had done some basic level dressage and the owner wanted to sell him. She said he was a little too high strung for dressage so I bought him, and we went up the levels together.”
Sir Oberon suffered a strained suspensory in 2010 during an event. Doughty gave him a year-and-a-half off to fully recover and began competing again at Intermediate last fall. Their first Advanced was this March at Texas Rose. “[This course] actually seemed smaller than Texas Rose. When I did Texas Rose, every question was big. Here it seemed like there’s a couple more letup fences,” Doughty said. “The combinations I thought were a little tougher. You had to hold your line, but he’s so adjustable…At the galloping fences, I just sit up and he does his thing.”
Doughty will compete in several more headlining three-stars this year, including The Event at Rebecca Farm, Richland Horse Trials in her homestate of Michigan, and Fair Hill this fall. She also has the Advanced at Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships on her calendar considering it is nearby her home in Texas. “I think he could possibly do Rolex next year. That’s the ultimate plan, but we’ll see where it takes us.”
The Friday night show jumping “under the lights” had everyone talking. It is a great concept and one to build and grow on. Overall, Marc Donovan’s course made horses and riders think in a different way about how to accomplish the job. Those that attacked every fence and focused on the questions, not the shadows, were most successful. “In the back of my mind I thought [the lights] might work to my advantage because [Veronica] needs a little more something to pay attention to, and when there’s a lot of atmosphere she gets better. She came in and jumped amazingly. On some horses it was a very difficult situation,” Kieffer said. “If they keep doing [show jumping under the lights] it will be a staple here and be something that people probably prepare for more. We’re fortunate in Middleburg they have Twilight Jumpers a couple times a month so we can practice.”
Doughty said she is working to ride Sir Oberon more forward as she has a tendency to over collect him, particularly in stadium. This method likely worked to her advantage in the show jumping. “When we jumped the first fence in warm-up he was kind of backed off at it, and then we got in the arena and he was good. He looked at the cross-country fence coming into one and our first couple fences were a little hairy,” Doughty said. “He’s a good show jumper. It he hits a rail he’s not going to hit any others. He’s just a good horse all around. He tries hard….with the lights he wanted to take an extra peek and see the fences which I think made him even more careful than he normally is.”
Buck Davidson won the CIC2* on Sharon Will's No More Rocks and was full of praise for the new ideas that the organizing team put forth this year for the inaugural CHC International, which included the Friday night show jumping under the lights, live music on stage and a lovely new Patron and Owner Hospitality Tent. Both Davidson and Kieffer pointed out that Hugh Lochore had really paid great attention to the quality of the footing on the cross country track and Davidson was full of praise for the flowing nature of the new cross-country course.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products;Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Authored by the USEA and Edited by PRO
Dutton and William Penn Lead CHC International CIC3* Before Final Phase of Cross-Country
Posted on: 05/17/2013
With cross-country still to come this afternoon, Phillip Dutton and William Penn lead the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* division at the CHC International at Bouckaert Farm, Fairburn, Georgia. They were the last dressage test of the day yesterday and flew into first with a 42.4. Last night, during show jumping under the lights, Dutton and William Penn jumped a clear round on a tough course with just two time penalties to add to maintain their lead before cross-country. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica moved up from fourth to second after show jumping with a lovely round, posting one of only two double-clears in the division. The atmosphere in the dressage yesterday, with the VIP tent situated just a few paces from the ring, flags flapping in the wind behind the judge's stand at C, and cross-country fences placed just outside of the arena rail had many horses struggling to hold it together. The show jumping also posed a unique challenge, with the ring illuminated from tall lights casting spooky shadows and the movements of unseen spectators outside the rail, not to mention the rain that began to fall at the start of the three-star division. Those riders that attacked every fence had the best rounds. The rain comes and goes sporadically today, and we're looking forward to an exciting finish to the CIC3* this afternoon at the inaugural CHC International.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products;Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Canada's Jessica Phoenix Captures the Win With Exponential at Jersey Fresh
Posted on: 05/13/2013
Jessica Phoenix has had tough times at Jersey Fresh in the past, but this year she mastered the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh aboard Exponential when Buck Davidson dropped two rails to give Jess the win. The win is especially sweet for the Canadian after a disappointing Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event that saw her having to make the very tough decision to withdraw Tucker before the cross country phase. Exponential is another talented off-the-track Thoroughbred who has been very successful in his new career with Jessica Phoenix. Buck Davidson and D.A. Adirmo finished in second, but Buck was very happy with the talented eight-year old who matured greatly this weekend and now just needs to build up more strength at this level. Courtney Cooper’s homebred Who’s A Star, looks well named and finished in third place in their first CCI3* outing.
Will Faudree has to be very pleased with his preparation for Saumur after taking home the win in the CIC3* division aboard Jennifer Mosing’s very talented Irish bred mare Andromaque. The pair head off to France as one of the riders having received a Land Rover Competition Grant and were using the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh as their last prep before the trip. Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda finished in second place, appearing no worse for the unfortunate setback suffered in Lexington, KY when Ping slipped while warming up the morning of their dressage test at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and had to be withdrawn from the competition. Jennie will be rerouting to the CCI4* in Luhmuhlen later this summer. Hannah Sue Burnett and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot finished in third and this pair will also be heading to Saumur on a Land Rover Competition Grant.
Caitlin Silliman and Densey and Ron Juvonen’s Remington XXV won the CCI2*, finishing on their dressage score of 41.0. Caitlin had a classy show jumping round, describing it as her smoothest round yet: “we were building off our cross country round which was very forward riding, and he is the type of horse who will help you out.” Caitlin was cheered on by the Juvonen’s who saw her capture her first FEI win, but admitted to really missing her mom at the finish line on Mother’s Day. Caitlin also thanked Seema Sonnad for supporting her and allowing her the opportunity to compete at this level. Will Faudree finished second on another of Jennifer Mosing’s string, Riesling De Busissy. Third place went to Colleen Rutledge aboard Covert Rights after a whirlwind trip back from Badminton.
Lauren Kieffer set out to capture the CIC2* with new partner Veronica, owned by Team Rebecca, and she did just that only dropping one rail in show jumping. Lauren, who has taken over the ride from Karen O’Connor, is fulfilling the new FEI qualification rules and looks forward to moving up the levels with her new partner. Sharon White finished in second place with Don Sheffield adding nothing to her cross country score, and Erin Sylvester finished in third with Mettraise with a double clear show jumping round.
Click this link for full final scores from Jersey Fresh
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series Intermediate/2-Star Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will receive a MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, the Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, the Official Laser Therapy of PRO; Tex Sutton Forwarding, the Official U.S. Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Midlantic Ltd and Mythic Landing Events.
Buck Davidson Dominates Cross Country at Jersey Fresh
Posted on: 05/12/2013
Caitlin Silliman Maintains Her Lead in the CCI2*
Buck Davidson showed the confidence and good form that he has had all spring, on a track that took big bite out of the CCI3* riders, with Debbie and John Adams' D.A. Adirmo. "Mo" is only eight, but Buck is very pleased with his form: "He did everything I asked him to do today and I am really excited about him." Buck also had clear jumping rounds in the CCI2* division with Wiley Post and Cool 'N Cavalier.
Caitlin Silliman was also thrilled with her ride on Densey and Ron Juvonen's Remington XXV, who was formerly campaigned by Boyd Martin: "Everytime I take him out, it's such a learning experience and I'm really starting to click on him." Caitlin was effussive in her thanks to the Juvonens for their support of a young professional by giving her the ride on Remington. Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing's Riesling De Buissy and Buck Davidson and Wiley Post are in second and third respectively each having had double clear rounds. As predicted the CCI2* course ran smoothly with few problems for the field.
Buck and Caitlin are both looking forward to Sunday's show jumping. Buck hopes to be competitive in the CCI3* show jumping, but cautioned that D.A. Adirmo is still building up strength and he doesn't want to put too much pressure on him yet. Caitlin, who has jumped both a clear round at the Advanced level and a round with jumping faults knows she carries the burden of a good show jumping round: "If I ride good, he'll jump good."
Mackenna Shea the leader of the CCI3* after dressage with Landioso was definitley on form on cross country with a very smooth round, but picked up 14 time penalties to drop the pair down to third. Canada's Jessica Phoenix and Exponential had a double clear round to move into second place.
Lauren Kieffer and Team Rebecca's Veronica remain in the lead in the CIC2* division, but having picked up some time penalties cannot afford a rail in Sunday's show jumping. Jordan McDonald and Prince Mayo will put the pressure on after a super double clear cross country round.
Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing's Andromaque have a rail in hand in the CIC3* division over Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner's Cambalda. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter are in third place on a score of 60.0.
Click this link for full scores
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series Intermediate/2-Star Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will receive a MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, the Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, the Official Laser Therapy of PRO; Tex Sutton Forwarding, the Official U.S. Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Midlantic Ltd and Mythic Landing Events.
Caitlin Silliman Shines at Jersey Fresh and Leads the CCI2*
Posted on: 05/11/2013
The sun finally made its presence known at Jersey Fresh on Friday and Caitlin Silliman, aboard Remington XXV, put in a sparkling test to score 41.0 and lead the division by nearly seven points. Caitlin who just finished the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on her own mare Catch A Star, continues to show that she is definitely a young up and coming star of the sport. The Under 25 Event Team continues to impress with Caitlin in the lead of the CCI2*, Lauren Kieffer leading the CIC2* and Mackenna Shea on top of the CCI3* leaderboard.
Caitlin said she missed a few halts in the test, but remains excited about her future with Remington: "There still a lot more points out there to get and I'm excited to know that we can still improve." Lauren Kieffer has a more established partnership with Czechmate and feels that he is a very special horse for the future. Both riders are quite happy with the cross-country tracks built by John Williams describing it as a very forward riding course with good gallops and not too techinical. Lauren and Caitlin will continue to battle it out on Saturday with both riders planning to have competitive rides. Lauren Kieffer also leads the CIC2* division aboard Team Rebecca's Veronica, a ride she recently took over from Karen O'Connor who was injured last fall.
Click the link for full results of the 2013 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series Intermediate/2-Star Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge Leader Board. The 2013 Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA; the Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, the Offical Laser Therapy of PRO; Tex Sutton Forwarding, the Official U.S. Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd and Mythic Landing Events.
Californian Mckenna Shea In The Lead at the Jersey Fresh CCI3*
Posted on: 05/09/2013
In a day absolutely plagued by a deluge of rain, leaving dressage rings looking like enormous kiddie pools, Under 25 Eventing Team member Mckenna Shea and Landioso shows that she can swim with the big fish. The pair put in a lovely test to score a 46.7 and lead the CCI3* by three points over Michael Pollard and former Jersey Fresh winner Mensa who are on a score of 49.6. Mckenna, who drove her horse from the west coast, appears none the worse from the long trip cross-country and was very pleased with how her horse performed in the soggy conditions and is looking forward to riding over the challenging cross-country track on Saturday describing it as a big change from the typically flat Californian tracks.
Buck Davidson continues his excellent spring season and is currently in third place aboard Debbie Adams' D.A. Admiro, while Jessica Phoenix and Exponential and Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive round out the top five going into Saturday's cross country phase at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing's lovely mare Andromaque lead the CIC3* division on a score of 47.1 with Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti and Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda in second and third respectively. Will Faudree, who is bound for Saumur is using this as a last tune up before he heads to France on a Land Rover Competition Grant for the Saumur CCI3* held May 22-26th.
Click this link for full scores from Thursday at Jersey Fresh.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series Intermediate/2-Star Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge Leader Board. The 2013 Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, the Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO; Tex Sutton Forwarding, the Offical U.S. Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd and Mythic Landing Events.
USEF Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team and Reserves for CHIO Aachen
Posted on: 05/08/2013
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USET Foundation Awards Pinnacle Cup to Buck Davidson, Jr.
Posted on: 05/08/2013
Lexington, KY - May 8, 2013 - The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that this year's recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Bruce O. Davidson, Jr. of Riegelsville, PA, and Ocala, FL. Davidson, known as "Buck," rode Ballynoe Castle RM to a fourth place finish at the prestigious event and was the highest placed American rider, which earned him the trophy.
This marks the third year that Davidson has earned the coveted award, taking home the Pinnacle Cup in 2009 and 2003. Ballynoe Castle RM, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood/Irish Thoroughbred cross-owned by Carl and Cassandra Segal, traveled to England as an alternate for the United States Eventing Olympic squad in 2008 and represented the U.S. at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. This year the pair finished with 45.2 penalties in the Dressage phase, and then moved up from eighth place after completing a clear cross country phase. They had eight faults over the technical stadium jumping track on the final day to finish with 53.2 faults in the fourth place position.
"This is my third year winning the award, which is really wonderful, although I'd really like to win the event," laughed Davidson. "It was a great weekend and all of my horses were fantastic. I just feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to win the Pinnacle Cup more than one time."
Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM are a veteran duo and Davidson felt very confident on his seasoned mount. "I had two other really nice horses that went before Ballynoe Castle that are just less experienced, so I was able to go around the cross country course twice before showing him," he explained. "He's maybe not the fastest horse, but he has a lot of experience. I started off quickly and jumped all the fences safely and it just worked out perfectly. I couldn't have had a better ride; he gave me everything he had."
Davidson added, "Ballynoe Castle is a once in a lifetime horse. I started him from the beginning. He's 13 now, and he's been competing at the advanced level since he was eight. I'm just so thankful and so lucky to be partnered with an unbelievable horse. It's been a dream ride and I don't really want to wake up from the dream. I want to have him for a long time, so whatever he tells me he is feeling is what we are going to do. This horse does not owe me anything."
Looking ahead, Davidson is aiming for the CIC at World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany. "CICs are really his thing because he's a little bit shorter, so that would be an exciting trip to go on. Then we'll see. Obviously I'd like to go to the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, whether it's with Ballynoe Castle or any of my other mounts."
Previous Pinnacle Cup Trophy Winners:
2012: Allison Springer and Arthur
2011: Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville
2010: Phillip Dutton and Woodburn
2009: Buck Davidson and My Boy Bobby
2008: Phillip Dutton and Connaught
2007: Phillip Dutton and Connaught
2006: Heidi White Carty and Northern Spy
2005: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante
2004: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante
2003: Bruce O. Davidson, Jr. and Mystic Mike
2002: Kim Vinoski (Severson) and Winsome Adante
2001: David O'Connor and Giltedge
2000: David O'Connor and Rattle N Hum
1999: Karen O'Connor and Prince Panache
1998: Dorothy Crowell and Molokai
Previous to this date, the top American finisher was awarded the Gladstone Challenge Trophy.
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Photo Credit: Buck Davidson was awarded the USET Foundation's Pinnacle Cup Trophy for the third time as the highest placed American rider at the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****. Photo by: Nancy Jaffer |
Sinead Halpin Eventing Introduces Rider Development Program
Posted on: 05/07/2013
Sinead Halpin Equestrian based out of Snowdon Farm in Annandale, NJ announced today plans to launch an exciting rider development program, emphasizing the establishment of riders for the future of Eventing.
The new program, which will be headed by Assistant Trainer Sarah Rupert, will focus on developing riders from a young age, with the goal of progressing them to the sports top level. “We here at S.H.E. see the need for younger riders to get into a program sooner. Our goal is to create an umbrella system at our farm, where kids can start riding with Sarah and as they progress through the levels, smoothly transition into a more advanced program under my direction,” stated CCI**** rider and head trainer Sinead Halpin.
In addition to working with up and coming riders, Sarah has experience helping nervous adults and Adult Amateurs of all levels, having been a working student and rider for Sinead Halpin Equestrian since the beginning of 2011. Sarah started her career in the hunter ring, winning the MSA 2010 Equitation Medal Final, and since making the transition to Eventing, has taken her OTTB successfully through preliminary. Sarah, who is currently becoming an ICP certified trainer, competed numerous horses for S.H.E while Sinead was in the UK last year, with great success.
Clients have already given Sarah Rupert endless praise. Brian Callanan, a Lacrosse coach in the area, whose daughter and wife take lessons with Sarah, had this to say, “Both my wife and 10 year old daughter have taken numerous lessons with Sarah, and have thoroughly enjoyed each of them. She is an extremely knowledgeable trainer who brings a high level of motivation and enthusiasm to each lesson. My daughter is not even off her horse before she starts talking about the next lesson!”
Sinead Halpin Equestrian offers horses available for lessons within this new program, in addition to offering board and full training at Snowdon Farm.
All interested individuals should contact Sinead Halpin via email atsinead@sineadhalpin.com or Barn Manager Meg Kep via email atmegkep@gmail.com for a complete list of pricing and information.
About Sinead Halpin
Sinead Halpin is one of the highest regarded equestrian athletes in the U.S. She has made a name for herself as a rider, trainer and coach, with consistent success at the sports top level. Sinead is highly respected by her peers, fans and students across the country, exemplifying what horsemanship, strong fundamentals, and passion for eventing should look like. Known for her professional image, and experience competing across the world, Sinead has been recognized by the Olympic Committee as well as by her peers as a top contender and sport trendsetter. She is considered by many to be an innovator, acting on the Executive Board for the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) as well as being a founder of the PRO DerbyCross series. To learn more about Sinead Halpin and Sinead Halpin Eventing, please visit www.sineadhalpin.com.
Nicholson Wins Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover; Davidson Wins Third Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship
Posted on: 04/28/2013
Lexington, KY - The final phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover provided an exciting finish to the Kentucky Horse Park's staple event. A sold-out Rolex Stadium crowd witnessed Andrew Nicholson (NZL) win North America's only CCI4* event for the first time. With Quimbo, he held onto the overnight lead, only adding three time penalties to their dressage score, finishing with a score of 41.0. Deborah Sellar's 10-year-old Spanish Sport Horse gelding sailed over the fences in Richard Jeffery's stadium jumping course, expertly guided by HSBC World Rankings Leader Nicholson.
"To go round and jump the last fence and you have gone clear is a little bit what you expect to do if you ride them half properly when they are that good," commented Nicholson of Quimbo's exceptional jumping style.
Nicholson won his second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing after winning the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and will be competing against William Fox-Pitt (GBR) at the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, an unprecedented situation. After winning the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is currently in the running to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. After the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was canceled due to excessive rain leading up to the event, a win next week at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials could win Fox-Pitt or Nicholson the coveted title.
"We both have a few more days of peace before it all kicks off. It will certainly be exciting," said Fox-Pitt. "I think this is Rolex's dream."
Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF finished second after having one of only four double clear rounds to finish on a score of 46.2. He made the course look easy with Catherine Witt's 14-year-old Trakehner gelding after rails had been falling all day.
"It is great to have him back on form again and we will how the autumn goes as to where he is," said Fox-Pitt of having his partner performing well after a rough go at Burghley last year.
Nicholson also finished third with Calico Joe after having three rails to end on a score of 52.8. Despite stadium jumping not being Twenty Twelve in Mind's 11-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding's strongest phase, the pair still managed to finish in the top three.
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| Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM (Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo) |
Buck Davidson (Unionville, PA) and Ballynoe Castle RM settled for fourth place after having two unfortunate rails at fences 11 and 13. While he moved down the leaderboard, Davidson won the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship with Cassandra Segal's 13-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding.
"He has been amazing this weekend as he has been his whole life," said Davidson of his beloved mount "Reggie." "Of course I am bummed to have two down, it sort of fell apart at the end but to be sitting up here with these two guys who are obviously unbelievable, I feel fortunate to be up here. If I have got to lose it is two good guys to lose to."
The second highest-placed American was Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, VA) with her own Donner who finished in fifth place with a score of 54.8. She rode the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with determination around the horse's first CCI4* event, having double clear cross country and stadium rounds to finish on their dressage score.
Another American with an impressive finish was Meghan O'Donoghue (Carbondale, IL). A 2013 Developing Riders/Eventing 25 listed rider, she rode her own 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding to a 12th place finish in her first CCI4*. O'Donoghue added only a handful of penalties to finish with a score of 69.0.
Watch on-demand video of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here:http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2013/
For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.
Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team athttp://usefnetwork.com/featured/2013Eventing.
Fox-Pitt Launches Bid For Third Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover
Posted on: 04/26/2013
William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain took a giant step toward winning his third Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover, by emphatically winning the dressage phase on Chilli Morning. With a score of 33.3 penalties, Fox-Pitt holds a commanding lead over Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand, who stands second on Quimbo (38.0) and third on Calico Joe (40.8).
Alexandra Knowles, of nearby Paris, Ky., is a close fourth on Last Call (43.3).
“He’s got a great presence, and so when you’re riding him you feel you’re capturing the ground jury’s attention,” said Fox-Pitt of Chilli Morning’s excellent score. “He paints a good picture throughout the test, and at this level you need to score well throughout the test. He’s a very consistent horse, and he’s very much with me in the ring. He’s a terrific horse to ride, and he did a lovely test.”
Fox-Pitt, the Rolex Kentucky winner in 2010 and 2012, also won $5,000 in SSG Gloves’ “Go Low For Dough” contest, a prize awarded to the rider who earns the best dressage score while wearing a pair of one of five types of their gloves.
Chilli Morning is a 13-year-old British-bred stallion whom Fox-Pitt has been riding for less than a year, after he’d competed successfully internationally with another British rider. “I’ve been very lucky to take on some horses later in their career, and I’ve gotten used to that. I quite enjoy it, actually,” said Fox-Pitt, 44. “When a horse comes to you at the age of 12, like he did, you can’t change them. You have to learn to get on with them. It’s good fun.”
Nicholson is in a fun position right now too, since he’s standing second and third. He said he was quite pleased with the test performed by Quimbo, a Spanish-bred gelding.
“I think he pretty much gave 100 percent today,” said Nicholson. “He’s only 10 years old, and, with these four-star tests, they have to be really strong to maintain the collection throughout the test.
“I mucked up the last flying change,” he added. “I could see my marks on the scoreboard, and I got a bit carried away trying to get the best marks I could at the end, trying to catch up to William.”
While Fox-Pitt has won 50 international events, and Nicholson is a six-time Olympian, Knowles, 26, is competing in her first four-star, on her first international horse. As the U.S. rider with the event’s best dressage score, Knowles won four Bridgestone tires as the winner of the Bridgestone Performance Moment of the Day.
“I’m a little bit overwhelmed and very, very excited. I just feel so lucky to be here and to have done so well in dressage,” said Knowles.
Knowles grew up in California and moved to Paris 1 ½ years ago. She bought Last Call, a 14-year-old Mecklenburg mare, in Florida as a green horse seven years ago.
“She performed incredibly well today. I didn’t know what to expect, because we’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Knowles of the cheering crowd in the Rolex Arena. “When we went down into the arena, I just focused on her and on keeping her attention on me, on not letting either one of us get distracted. I’m incredibly proud of her.”
Friday’s total attendance was 12,509. Thursday’s total attendance was 6,512.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, is the Western Hemisphere’s only Four-Star Three-Day Event. It is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four-Star Events in succession.
Rolex Kentucky draws more than 50,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts. This year’s event features Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalists from Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States and will crown the 16th Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion.
The event will be televised as the Rolex Equestrian Championships, presented by Land Rover, on NBC on Sunday, April 28, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT. Leading up to the NBC telecast, USEFNetwork.com, presented by SmartPak, is offering live, wall-to-wall coverage of the dressage, cross-country, and show jumping phases. This coverage can be seen on computers, tablets, and smart TV/Google TV devices in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Google TV users can go to http://www.usefnetwork.com/googletv for an enhanced experience.
Throughout the rest of the world, FEI TV will air LIVE coverage of Saturday's cross-country and Sunday's show jumping competitions. To sign up for FEI TV, please visitwww.feitv.org.
The full broadcast schedule is listed below and is available under the Live Broadcast Schedule tab at USEFNetwork.com. Times are subject to change.
April 25: LIVE Dressage on USEFNetwork.com, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
April 26: LIVE Dressage on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
April 27: LIVE Cross-Country on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
April 28: LIVE Show Jumping on USEFNetwork.com, 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. EDT
Awards Ceremony on USEFNetwork.com, 3:00 p.m. ET
Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover on
NBC, 4:00 to 5 p.m. EDT
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that quickly evolved into what is today the only four-star three-day event in the western hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. EEI started producing the Kentucky Reining Cup in 2011.
Full results and further information on the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover is available at the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.
Brannigan and Cambalda Suffer Set Back at Rolex
Posted on: 04/25/2013
For Immediate Release: April 25, 2013
Brannigan and Cambalda Suffer Set Back at Rolex
Cambalda (Ping), an eleven-year-old, Sport Horse Gelding owned by Nina Gardner, and ridden by Jennie Brannigan, sustained an injury after slipping on the concrete while out for a longe in the morning hours of April 25, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky.
The pair, who were set to make their CCI4* debut at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Thursday afternoon, were granted permission by the ground jury to push their ride to Friday following this morning’s events.
Brannigan Eventing remains optimistic that Cambalda will compete, with their top focus and priority being the welfare of their horse, and his wellbeing for the long-term.
Jennie issued the following statement regarding her long-term partner and hopes to ride her dressage test sometime Friday afternoon: “Ping had an unfortunate slip on the concrete this morning and will not be doing dressage today. We will be doing our best to care for Ping and, as always, will make a decision reflecting the best interests of this amazing horse. Thank you all for the support.”
For more information about Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, please visit: http://www.branniganeventing.com.
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Nicholson Rides To Early Lead at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover
Posted on: 04/25/2013
Lexington, KY, April 25, 2013 — Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand guided Calico Joe to the best score (40.8 penalties) on the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover. Becky Holder of the United States, on Can’t Fire Me (44.2), stands second, and Shandiss McDonald of Canada, on Rockfield Grant Juan (45.7), stands third.
(Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand rode Calico Joe to the lead in day 1 of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. Michelle Dunn photo)
William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, the Rolex Kentucky winner in 2010 and 2012, stands fourth on Seacookie TSF (46.2).
The second half of the 46-horse field performs their dressage tests on Friday.
Nicholson, 51, is a six-time Olympian and was a member of the bronze-medal team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. Nicholson needs to win this Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to continue his quest to win the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam, awarded to the rider who can win the world’s three oldest CCI4* events (Burghley in England, Badminton in England, and Rolex Kentucky) in succession. Nicholson won Burghley last September and, if victorious here, would need to then win Badminton next weekend.
“I’ve come out here with the Grand Slam in mind, certainly, but at the moment I’m just trying to win this one first. I’ll worry about it more next weekend at Badminton,” said Nicholson.
“It’s a great arena to ride in here,” he added. “When you go down that ramp into the ring, it gives you a buzz that you’re somewhere special, but [Calico Joe] stayed cool around the ring and gave me 100 percent in the whole test. I let him down a couple of times, but he came through for me.”
Unlike Nicholson, McDonald, 28, of Oakville, Ontario, is riding at Rolex Kentucky for the first time. “I was just so happy to be here, and I was just happy that my horse was so settled and willing and did his job in the ring. We were able to do what we’ve been working on at home in the ring,” she said.
Holder, 44, of Chattahoochee Hills, Ga., has placed several times at Rolex Kentucky, but she said that she always looks forward to dressage day. “It’s always an amazing feeling to ride down that ramp into the Rolex ring,” she said with a smile. “It was really nice to have [Can’t Fire Me] be calm and relaxed in the ring and do what he really can do today.”
Even though there’s still another day of dressage ahead, these riders are looking ahead to the cross-country test on Saturday. They gave a thumb’s up to Derek di Grazia’s imposing course.
“Derek has done an unbelievable job. It’s very big, but it’s very horse fair,” said Nicholson, who has a second horse to ride yet in dressage (Quimbo). “All the fences give the horse enough time to see what he has to do, and, to me, that’s very important. I think it’s a good test, and I’m looking forward to riding it.”
Holder and McDonald both said they were relieved to hear Nicholson say that di Grazia’s course was big. “I thought it was huge!” said Holder. “It’s a true four-star track. But it’s always a pleasure to walk and ride Derek’s courses—-if you ride them positively, you end up with a much more experienced and confident horse at the end.”
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, is the Western Hemisphere’s only Four-Star Three-Day Event. It is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four-Star Events in succession.
Rolex Kentucky draws more than 50,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts. This year’s event features Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalists from Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States and will crown the 16th Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion.
The event will be televised as the Rolex Equestrian Championships, presented by Land Rover, on NBC on Sunday, April 28, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT. Leading up to the NBC telecast, USEFNetwork.com, presented by SmartPak, is offering live, wall-to-wall coverage of the dressage, cross-country, and show jumping phases. This coverage can be seen on computers, tablets, and smart TV/Google TV devices in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Google TV users can go to http://www.usefnetwork.com/googletv for an enhanced experience.
Throughout the rest of the world, FEI TV will air LIVE coverage of Saturday's cross-country and Sunday's show jumping competitions. To sign up for FEI TV, please visitwww.feitv.org.
The full broadcast schedule is listed below and is available under the Live Broadcast Schedule tab at USEFNetwork.com. Times are subject to change.
April 25: LIVE Dressage on USEFNetwork.com, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
April 26: LIVE Dressage on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
April 27: LIVE Cross-Country on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
April 28: LIVE Show Jumping on USEFNetwork.com, 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. EDT
Awards Ceremony on USEFNetwork.com, 3:00 p.m. ET
Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover on
NBC, 4:00 to 5 p.m. EDT
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that quickly evolved into what is today the only four-star three-day event in the western hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. EEI started producing the Kentucky Reining Cup in 2011.
Full results and further information on the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover is available at the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.
TV Coverage of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event
Posted on: 04/24/2013
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Riders Ready to Tackle the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, by Kathleen Landwehr
Posted on: 04/24/2013
Lexington, KY - 04/24/2013 - The excitement of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover is about to begin at the Kentucky Horse Park. Forty-six horses were presented at the first horse inspection and all were accepted. Riders from seven nations will vie for top honors at America's only CCI4* event which also serves as the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship.|
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation® is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.
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Marilyn Little Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event Update
Posted on: 04/23/2013
Marilyn Little sustained an injury when a young horse fell during a weekend jump school session on April 21st in Ocala, Florida. Following a series of tests, an overnight stay in Ocala Regional Hospital, and a subsequent consultation with specialists at The Orthopedic Institute at Gainesville, she has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 separation of her right shoulder. Marilyn has been in close contact with USOC Medical Consultant Dr Mark Hart, who has arranged to meet with her on Thursday of this week in Lexington. Meanwhile, she remains optimistic about this weekend and reports she is feeling better by the day.
Marilyn will arrive at the Kentucky Horse Park with RF Demeter, her entry for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, in time for the horse to be presented to the Ground Jury for the first Veterinary Inspection.
RF Demeter will be accompanied by four other horses that will be present during the week of Rolex to continue their training programs as usual before departures for their own selected European competitions, including RF Smoke on the Water and Mr Medicott.
Marilyn's dressage time with RF Demeter is Friday 2:50pm.
For more information please contact Chris Stafford: (859) 552-5705 or chris@chrisestafford.com
Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Will Coleman & Hawley Bennett-Awad to Visit with Patients of the Kentucky Children's Hospital
Posted on: 04/22/2013
For the second consecutive year Rolex Riders will visit the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The riders are in Lexington, Kentucky to compete in the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Kentucky Reining Cup. The Following riders will visit the patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital on Tuesday March 23 at 1:00PM:
· Event riders who competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games:
o Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin and Will Coleman of the United States and
o Hawley Bennett-Awad of Canada
· And Lyndsey Jordan of Georgetown, KY, two-time National Reining Horse World Champion, who will be competing in the Kentucky Reining Cup.
Riders will bring Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Kentucky Reining Cup souvenirs.
The visit is sponsored by Equestrian Events, Inc., producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Kentucky Reining Cup, and by the Professional Riders Organization (PRO).
About the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day EventPresented by Bridgestone and the Kentucky Reining Cup
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover is the Western Hemisphere’s only Four Star Three-Day Event. It features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money and a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This year’s event, April 25-28 at the Kentucky Horse Park, features Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalists from Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States .
The Kentucky Reining Cup features an international Three Star Reining competition and the incredibly popular World Freestyle Championship on Friday and Saturday evenings, April 26-27, at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Further event information is available at www.rk3de.org and at www.KentuckyReining.com.
Further information on the Professional Riders Organization is available at www.professionalriders.org.
Land Rover Renews Support of the United States Equestrian Federation
Posted on: 04/11/2013
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USEF Announces Land Rover Competition Grants for Saumur CCI3*
Posted on: 04/09/2013
Lexington, KY -The following horse-and-rider combinations have been awarded Land Rover Competition Grants to compete at the Saumur CCI3* in France, May 22-26, 2013.
The following four combinations will receive Land Rover Competition Grants (listed in Alphabetical Order):
Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) on Jacqueline Mars' Harbour Pilot.
Harbour Pilot is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.
Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) on Sherrie Martin's The Apprentice.
The Apprentice is a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) on Jennifer Mosing's Andromaque.
Andromaque is a 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare.
Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) on Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders' RF Smoke on the Water.
RF Smoke on the Water is an eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding.
To learn more about the Saumur CCI3* visit; http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html
Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.
Lynn Symansky Locks in a Win at the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series CIC3* at The Fork
Posted on: 04/07/2013
An exciting day of cross-country in the final phase of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* at The Fork in Norwood, North Carolina ended with a race against the clock. Tremaine Cooper’s cross-country course was challenging enough, but the optimum time was very tight, and riders and spectators anxiously waited for each competitor’s results to be announced. Many riders in this division are on their way to the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* at the end of April and therefore were not galloping for time. Lynn Symansky exclaimed at the finish line that she did not mean to make time, but she and her 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Donner cruised around the course in style and finished with nine seconds to spare to take home their first international win as a pair.
“The course was riding a little harder than I had expected so you had to be pretty aggressive out there at some of the combinations,” Lynn said. “Donner is a spooky enough horse that he kind of backs himself off. You don’t really have to take a pull on the reins. I never pushed him once, but he was so great out there; It was a nice fitness run. I think it’s good to give them that kind of ride before you go into Kentucky and not canter around. Set the tone.”
Now on her way to Rolex, Lynn is feeling pretty confident despite riding with an injured hand. She said she felt a little rusty in the show jumping, however, and will do some schooling rounds back home in Virginia to prepare. Otherwise the plan is “keep doing what we’re doing and keep the bubble wrap on.”
Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Cambalda were clean and fast, with just 0.8 time penalties to move up from fourth to finish second. With a great overall performance this weekend, Jennie and “Ping” should be feeling very confident about tackling their first four-star at Rolex.
Marilyn Little, who set out in second in the three-star, had an unfortunate run out at the Cheese Wedge with Phoebe and Michael Manders and Raylyn Farms, Inc.’s 8-year-old Wurttemburg gelding RF Smoke on the Water. Marilyn said he had grabbed his shoe at the Trakehner the fence before and then did not have the right rhythm for the narrow wedge as a result. She knocked the flag down with her knee, and Smoke turned around and jumped the narrow wedge without flags. “He was trying to be good. He had already conquered all the hard stuff and made it look easy,” Marilyn said. “It doesn’t change my plans at all for the horse. As far as he thinks, he had a good run.” A double-clear with RF Demeter in both jumping phases rocketed the mare up from 22nd after dressage to finish fourth overall with Marilyn.
Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Ballynoecastle RM also benefited from a fast round, moving into third place from a tie for ninth. “He’s a treat to ride. Every time I sort of pinch myself and give him a pat partway around the course and think about how lucky I am to be doing this,” Buck said. “I’m really happy for Lynn though, my teammate [at the 2011 Pan American Games]. She’s an awesome girl and she rode fantastic this weekend. I’m really proud of her.”
Though time penalties were a huge factor in the final standings, a couple particular fences caught a number of three-star riders off guard. Many had stops or retired at the coffin, which Marilyn described as a scaled down version of what you would find at Rolex. The ditch was low in a valley and the third element was a very narrow triple brush. “A lot of them just didn’t register the out. They didn’t lock on to it,” Lynn said, having watched many rides in the morning before she tackled the course herself. “I came in pretty forward. The rail in was pretty forgiving so you could ride a little harder in and across the ditch. I just held my line and fought for it.” Two horses in the CIC3* slipped at the rollback from the Yellow Top Table at fence 18, and in the CIC2*, a few pairs were eliminated for jumping incorrect fences. Otherwise the course reported to ride well, the spectators enjoyed being able to see so many fences at a time from various locations, and announcer Brian O’Connor and guest commentator Sinead Halpin had everyone cheering and urging on the riders as the division neared its end.
The top six horses and riders in the CIC2* all finished on their dressage scores, and Lauren Kieffer and Courtney and Kylie Ramsay’s 7-year-old Warmblood Czechmate held onto their overnight lead with a bold, fast round today. “He’s a super classy horse,” Lauren said. “I was able to go out and attack it today since I was in the position to do so, and he really rose to the occasion. He was really class. It’s a forward course and it worked really well for him because he is quite a big striding horse. When he’s galloping he looks kind of slow but he’s covering a lot of ground. So it worked well that I could keep coming into my combinations and not worry about getting too tight.”
Marilyn picked up yet another good finish, putting in a great round with Raylyn Farm’s 8-year-old Holsteiner mare RF Black Pearl to finish second in the CIC2*. Marilyn feels as though this competitive horse could be an asset to the international U.S. team in the future. “I can’t say enough good things about her. I love her.”
In the Advanced, Leslie Chelstrom and her 10-year-old Thoroughbred mare Cecelia posted the only double-clear round in their division, finishing six seconds under the clock for first place. “Today I knew that I was sitting right there and time was a factor, but I just wanted to go out and have a clean round. If the speed was there to be had then I was happy for that, but I just wanted her to have a good confident run,” Leslie said. “She’s always willing to run but where she’s fast is she doesn’t have set up for the jumps. She can just cruise on down and keep on coming. That I think is where I have the time factor on my side. She’s not the fastest galloper in the world but she can run and jump at high speed, and I don’t have to do much in front of the jumps.
Leslie thinks many of the courses this spring ask whether a horse and rider can keep coming forward to fences, which she says is good because then she can’t pick. This pair will “skip around” the Intermediate at the Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring Horse Trials later this month before heading to Bromont for the CCI3* in June.
It was a glorious weekend of eventing at The Fork. Thank you to Jim and Bernadette Cogdell for hosting us at their world-class facility, and to organizer Shelley Spielman and the rest of the staff, officials, and excellent volunteers that kept everything running smoothly and often ahead of schedule.
The 37 horses and riders who completed the CIC3* are now qualified for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas. The next stop for the USEA Gold Cup Series is the Chattahoochee Hills CIC3* May 16-19 in Fairburn, Georgia. The PRO Tour Series will head to the Jersey Fresh CCI3* in Stone Tavern, New Jersey May 7-9 before also routing to Chattahoochee Hills.
For full results from The Fork, check Event Entries Live Scoring.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Lynn Symansky and Donner Jump into the Lead in The Fork Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series CIC3*
Posted on: 04/06/2013
The margin of error is slim in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* division at The Fork. Phillip Dutton and Bruce Duchossois’ 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse Mighty Nice, the leaders after dressage, plummeted to 19th place after dropping just two rails in show jumping. Chris Barnard's tough show jumping track significantly shuffled the standings, but with a polished double-clear, Lynn Symansky and her own 10-year-old Thoroughbred Donner moved into the lead.
With the new CIC format running show jumping before cross-country, horses were fresh and jumping out of their skins today, but Lynn thought she "rode it a little too much like a hunter. I think I went in there a little too quiet." Lynn has been riding with a broken pinky finger and says it only bothers her when she thinks too much about protecting it. With plans to compete at Rolex at the end of the month, Lynn wants to be sure she is prepared. She may be in first place, but she intends to play catch up tomorrow during the final phase.
“I’m going to go walk around [the cross-country] again and think more for the horse exactly what I need to be thinking about,” she said. “I skipped surgery in order to be able to run this horse because I’m not experienced enough to be able to just get on and go to Kentucky.”
Marilyn Little, who did not drop a single rail between all five of her rides today from Training level to three-star, currently sits in second place in the three-star with RF Smoke on the Water, and 8-year-old Wurttemburg gelding owned by Michael and Phoebe Manders and Raylyn Farms, Inc. “He’s getting the hang of a little more pace in the ring and he’s gained a lot of confidence from that.” Marilyn, an experienced show jumper, admits that show jumping is nerve-wracking for her. “I’m always panicking about accuracy in the dressage test or whether I know them well enough for cross-country.” Today, she said, was a really fun day.
Marilyn's CIC2* mounts, RF Black Pearl, Raylyn Farms Inc.’s 8-year-old Holsteiner mare, and Mr. Medicott, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Mr. Medicott Syndicate, are placed second and tied for sixth respectively. “Black Pearl is a lovely jumper with jumping bloodlines. She’s a natural jumper. That’s a real pleasure,” Marilyn said. Mr. Medicott, whose last eventing outing was the London Olympic Games last summer with Karen O’Connor “was really excited to be at the party today! He looked larger than life out there and he definitely is feeling larger than life.”
Lauren Kieffer put in a nice round with Czechmate, Courtney and Kylie Ramsay’s 7-year-old Warmblood imported from Czechoslovakia, to move from second to first in the CIC2*. “He’s such a trier with a ton of ability in all phases. He is new to the level. He just moved up this year and is really taking it on which is great fun,” Lauren said. “The cross-country is a proper track. I’ll go out to be competitive, but the main goal is a qualifying score for future. I’ll just read him as he goes.” With goals to have him be a team horse, Lauren says Czechmate has “all the ability in the world, it’s just nurturing it. We have every intention of doing everything right with him.”
Lillian Heard and her own 11-year-old gelding Share Option took over the lead in the Advanced with a double-clear round on a course that Lillian said required a calm ride to get around well. “The dressage was really good. That’s normally a weak point for us. I’ve been working really hard on sort of doing things differently, seeing what works, seeing what doesn’t work, playing around with my warm-up, riding him twice, and it all came together yesterday. It’s the lowest score I’ve gotten in the Advanced with him,” Lillian said.
The Fork is Share Option’s first Advanced competition since recovering from a tendon injury, so on cross-country Lillian intends to have a positive ride and not chase the time. “I’m not going to be grasping onto the lead. I don’t want this to be the last event we ever have. I just want him to jump nicely, take it easy around the turns, and be positive.”
Jan Byyny helped Lillian find “Whitey,” named for his four white socks and white eye. He was imported from England as a four-year-old and no one else has ever competed him besides Lillian. “He has never done me wrong. He is a really good boy. He’s not the fanciest and doesn’t look like much, but he takes care of me and always has.”
For full results from The Fork, check Event Entries Live Scoring.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Dutton Saves the Best for Last in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series CIC3* Division at The Fork
Posted on: 04/05/2013
Though the day remained mostly cloudy with the sun making brief appearances, today's weather was much more pleasant than yesterday, and the CIC3* division wrapped up dressage with close scores, many ties, and an exciting two days of jumping to come. Phillip Dutton, competing three horses in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* division, topped off a day packed with phenomenal performances when he and Bruce Duchossois’ 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Mighty Nice entered the ring as the last ride of the day, and left as leaders on a score of 44.7.
“I’m obviously very pleased. I rode him reasonably conservatively and erred on the side of softness and relaxation rather than if I gave him more movement, there is a little more tension there,” Phillip said. “The three-star level test is pretty standard and easy for him where a year ago he was working pretty hard.”
Michael Barisone and David O’Connor have both been helping Phillip this weekend and leading up to Rolex. “It’s great for me to have a horse like this. I know he’s going to be good so I’ve just got to train him well and ride him well.”
Phillip and Tom Tierney’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Atlas, currently tied for 14th, competed yesterday “during the pouring rain. He’s getting there. He’s not quite as established as Mighty Nice, but I think this time next year he will be a super horse.” Phillip is also 17th in the three-star with Thomas Tierney and Ann L. Jones’ 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Fernhill Fugitive, and 14th in Advanced riding Team Rebecca’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Fernhill Eagle.
The leaders after lunchtime were Lynn Symansky and her own 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Donner. It looked like they might hang on to the top spot throughout the afternoon before Phillip entered the ring with Mighty Nice. Ending up second with a 46.4, Lynn was thrilled with her horse. “He’s gotten a lot better this year. He’s getting stronger and he’s more mature. He’s just a tight horse that is very sound sensitive and can be a little spooky,” Lynn said.
Making matters more impressive, Lynn is riding with a spiral fracture to her pinky on her right hand. She is nevertheless aiming for Rolex at the end of the month. She laughed that maybe having a broken finger helps better her score. “I don’t think the horse noticed it. He’ll probably notice it tomorrow because I have a hard time holding onto the reins. It’s a stupid appendage to break because it seems like you don’t need it that much. The biggest thing I think will be going down drops just trying to get my reins back. I don’t think it will be as much of an issue here as it will in a few more weeks.”
Lying third in both the CIC3* and CIC2* is Marilyn Little with RF Smoke on the Water and RF Black Pearl, respectively. “Horses that went today really had an advantage. Yesterday was the worst possible conditions in a lot of ways, freezing rain for some. One of mine went yesterday and she was absolutely frozen. It was hard to get the same movement out of them that you might have been able to get today. Smoke was lucky enough to go today and quite fresh, but he is maturing nicely whereas a year ago that freshness we might not have been able to cope with. He handled it pretty well and he turned it into power in the ring instead of a loss of attention,” Marilyn said.
The Fork is only Marilyn’s second competition with RF Black Pearl, an 8-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Company Raylyn Farms. “I was much happier with this performance than at Red Hills. I was coming into that pretty new so the things that were most important to work on, we attacked those and hopefully will keep building from there. She’s a really special mover so I think the challenge is really to leave that alone and get the discipline and accuracy.”
Fresh from an Intermediate win at Southern Pines, Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV, a 17-year-old Hanoverian owned by Densey Juvonen, sit in first after dressage in the CIC2* division with a 42.8. “I’m very lucky to have him. It’s a pretty big learning curve. He’s obviously a very experienced horse; he’s been all over the world. It’s different to be able to go in the ring and really ride the test out of the horse. He knows what he’s doing and you can go in there and sort of go for it a little bit. It’s definitely training me to go in there and ride for every point out there,” Caitlin said.
In the CIC3* Caitlin was pleased with her and Bradford Johnson’s Holsteiner mare Catch a Star, whom she is aiming towards both her and the horse’s first four-star competition at Rolex. “We are both still so green in the three-star test, and I think this time next year we’ll be able to put in a really solid test. But it’s definitely the best one she’s done so far. So going into Rolex I was pretty pleased with that because she can be pretty hot, but she kept it together today. She was great.”
Although Caitlin and Remington are both qualified for a four-star individually, they are not qualified together and thus Remington will not come Rolex with Catch a Star. “It was a little disappointing at first,” Caitlin said. “But I think now it will be better getting to know him at the Intermediate level since I have to do a two-star on him, and then hopefully we’ll shoot for a three-star in the fall.”
The New CIC Format and The Fork as a Rolex Prep Run
One of the biggest topics of conversation this weekend is the new CIC format, which runs show jumping after dressage and cross-country in reverse order of go as the last phase. Opinions differ, often depending on the horse a rider is competing and its level of training.
“I don’t particularly like show jumping the horse after they’ve run cross-country,” Phillip said. “To me it’s a better show jumping experience if they haven’t galloped and aren’t stiff and sore. I like this—I think it’s a good way to train the horse. Obviously the ultimate test is a CCI and they have to jump after the cross-country, and as riders and trainers we have to learn how to ride a tired horse in the show jumping phase.”
Lynn prefers the CCI format for Donner. “He can be a tight horse and a bit spooky, and show jumping first can actually back him off a bit more on the cross-country.” To accommodate, she plans to gallop in the morning before the show jumping test.
According to Caitlin, both of her horses are easier to show jump when they are fresh and confident, “so training-wise at a CIC, it’s good to show jump first for a good experience.”
Though thoughts on the format vary, one thing most can agree on is the cross-country course, designed for the first time by Tremaine Cooper. “It’s changed considerably,” Phillip said. “It looks nice.”
Marilyn echoed the same sentiment more specifically: “The footing is great, and the course is beautifully designed. This is a great springboard for wherever you’re going to go for the rest of the summer. It’s a good time to know what you have. There are some questions that are obviously very pointed to Rolex. The water is hard enough, but if there was a mistake there is time for recovery, but it’s challenging. It’s ominous looking enough coming up to it you’ll know what you have in terms of boldness…and the coffin is accuracy, forward, it’s just a smaller version of what you have at Rolex. So it’s a great prep, and if this doesn’t go well you know you have some work to do before the end of the month.”
Though he is leading for now with show jumping still to come, Phillip does not intend to push for time on Sunday with Mighty Nice since his next stop is Rolex. “He will definitely get time faults Sunday. He can be a little bit arrogant on the cross-country and thinks he knows it all and can be strong,” Phillip said. “The best thing for the horse before Rolex will be to go around quietly and slow and respect the jumps and not get too aggressive.”
Lynn will utilize the hills and give Donner a good fitness run. Marilyn has the same idea with RF Smoke on the Water, an 8-year-old Wurttemburg gelding owned by Michael and Phoebe Manders and Raylyn Farms, Inc., but she will probably work a little harder to make time. The pair is entered at Rolex but Marilyn is hoping to receive a grant to compete at Saumur in France. “I want to really know what I have right now. So I expect him to gallop for the time. Same thing for RF Demeter—she’s going to Rolex,” Marilyn said.
Alexandra Knowles and Last Call are also aiming for Rolex, but the pair is already qualified and opted to have a final run in the Advanced division instead, which shares several cross-country questions with the three-star. “The difference mostly is that the Advanced has the option of taking the three-star line or the slightly easier line, and then obviously the three-star has to take that direct line. So I will take the direct lines and make sure what I feel like I have underneath me is as accurate as I think it is just as a final prep,” Alexandra said.
Last Call, a 13-year-old Mecklenburg mare owned by Alexandra and Christie Campbell, has returned to competition after having 2012 off due to an injury. “She came out guns blazing this winter. I think she is all around better, fitter, and more focused and quicker in her reaction times. I think that I’ve also improved in our time apart, so I think that we’ve come back as a stronger team.”
Putting in a lofty, relaxed test on Thursday, Alexandra and Last Call lead the Advanced division with a 29.4, but Alexandra is keeping Rolex in perspective as this weekend’s competition continues. “I know the task at hand and why I came here, and that was far more for cross-country than it was for show jumping and dressage.”
For full results from The Fork, check Event Entries Live Scoring.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two; Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series:Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series CIC3* Takes The Fork by Storm
Posted on: 04/04/2013
Announcer Brian O'Connor called it "difficult conditions." What started as a windy and slightly damp morning worsened as the day progressed, and by the time the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* division got under way this afternoon, a cold rain blew sideways. Nevertheless, the first full day of competition at The Fork CIC3*, 2*, and Horse Trials finished on time, thanks in part to an awesome group of volunteers that included a local Boy Scout troop, and concluded with a gathering at "The Ordinary," one of The Fork's shooting lodges, where the course builders and maintenance crew had been roasting a pig all day in a hickory pit. Beside a roaring fire, competitors, grooms, owners, and family members warmed their bones and caught up on the day's happenings.
Only 10 of 57 CIC3* competitors rode their dressage tests this afternoon. The rest of the star-studded field, many of whom are getting in a final run before Rolex, will ride Friday in what is predicted to be considerably better weather. Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Patras VR are the overnight leaders, having performed a flashy test for a 48.5. Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing's 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare Andromaque are not far behind with a 49.3.
Some three-star competitors are taking part in a team competition as well. The Shoot with the Stars Clay Sport Shooting Competition raises money for the CIC3* division, and the shooting portion of the event took place on Wednesday. After a welcome lunch and gun safety talk, the shooters met their riders, who explained the sport of eventing and gave a mini course walk. The team shooting score from Wednesday will be combined with the final scores of the CIC3* competitors on their team to determine the winning team. Now in its third year, Shoot with the Stars provides a way for non-riders to interact with riders and celebrate outdoor sports. This year there are 15 teams with four shooters and two riders to each team.
Many more fun activities are planned throughout the weekend. Visit The Fork website for details.
For full results from The Fork, check Event Entries Live Scoring.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products;Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
United States Equestrian Federation and The Dutta Corporation Enhance Partnership
Posted on: 04/01/2013
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Announcing the USEF and USEA Eventing 18/Advancing Athletes Program
Posted on: 03/28/2013
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Wonderful Weekend for Will Faudree in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Advanced Division at Southern Pines
Posted on: 03/24/2013
The old adage about the home field advantage held true this weekend in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Advanced Division at Southern Pines as North Carolina residents, Will Faudree and Susan Beebee pleased the local crowd with their top placings.
“It’s great being so close to home because we have a lot of local people and sponsors here,” said Will. “And it’s fun when you can deliver to the local sponsors; it makes it exciting.”
Will went into today’s show jumping phase with a pretty good chance of taking home the top prize, but with the pouring rain and tough course designed by Marc Donovan anything could of happened. After Will dropped only one rail aboard Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow, he was guaranteed the blue ribbon on at least one of his mounts, and when he came back into the ring with Andromaque her clear round was just icing on the cake.
“I am very, very excited for both of them,” said Will. “I had one down on Pawlow, which was totally my fault. I was really happy with him though – he jumped well.”
“Andromaque was amazing. She sounded a bit like Serena Williams over every jump, but I know when she grunts like that she is just going higher and wider. I couldn’t be happier for her, I am just really excited.”
“A huge congratulations and thank you to Jennifer Mosing who owns both of these two horses, it was really exciting to be able to call and say we were first and second.”
For his win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division, Will takes home $750 in prize money, a 7-dose Adequan Gift Certificate, $350 in Nunn Finer Products, a $200 Point Two Certificate, a SmartPak Wellfleet Bridle, and a pair of FITS Breeches.
Susan Beebee and Plan Bee Equestrian’s Wolf stayed securely in their overnight third-placed position with a double clear show jumping round. This is only the pair’s second Advanced, but they are sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.
The 22 horses and riders who completed the Advanced are now qualified for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas. The Gold Cup heads out West next weekend for the CIC3* at Galway Downs before heading back East for the CIC3* at The Fork.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two; Dubarry; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Will Faudree Leads the Way in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series Advanced Division at Southern Pines
Posted on: 03/23/2013
Will Faudree started out his cross-country day a bit rough as he hit the ground early in his run on his first horse, DHI Colour Candy. Luckily he still had two more opportunities to tackle the Hugh Lochore-designed course in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series Advanced division at Southern Pines. Will came back on his two remaining rides and laid down the two fastest ones of the day giving him the top two places heading into tomorrow’s show jumping finale.
There were quite a few pre-planned withdrawals as well as riders taking their time across the country, but Andromaque and Pawlow, both Irish Thoroughbreds owned by Jennifer Mosing, only added 6.8 and 2.8 time penalties to their overnight dressage scores to move into first and second respectively. Susan Beebee and Plan Bee Equestrian’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Wolf, added 9.6 time to move up into third.
“I am very frustrated with myself,” said Will. “[DHI Colour Candy] is a very green horse at this level. His last run was a month ago at Pine Top and he was just excited to be out there and a bit strong. I then went out on Pawlow, and I mentally put that in a bubble and threw it away.”
“I had a good go on Pawlow,” continued Will. “He is typically lazy, today he was wanting to go but also spooking at things so I was just like go. He was great, I took all the direct lines and he felt good so I was very proud of him. I always ride him a bit quick because I don’t want him to think that he can go slow.”
“Andromaque was a star. She was very excited to be going, and she jumped a really good round. I was mad at myself because she was quite strong I overdid the balancing to them, so I have to sort that it, but it is still early in the season and I really want her to be confident and she felt fantastic. So I am very, very pleased with them.”
This is the first competition at Southern Pines at which Hugh Lochore designed the courses, and the riders had great praise for his design. With only two falls and a few scattered stops the results speak for themselves.
“I thought it was a great fitness run,” said Will. “Hugh did a really good job with the flow of the course, and it was really fun to ride around the track in a different direction. He really used the terrain the best that we have seen here; hats off to him because it was a really fun course to ride around.”
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Advanced Division concludes tomorrow with the show jumping. Keep up with the live scoring here: http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/15227.html
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Andromaque is Queen of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Advanced Division at Southern Pines
Posted on: 03/22/2013
When judge Brian Ross put his hand out the window of his car after Will Faudree’s final salute and gave him a thumbs Will knew that he and Jennifer Mosing’s 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare, Andromaque, had put in a pretty good test in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Advanced Division at Southern Pines II.
“I was very happy with her,” said Will. “She is like going to work with Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada every time I get on her. She is all business, and I have got a great partnership with her.”
Will had a tough year in 2012 – hitting the deck a few too many times then he cares to remember, but 2013 is looking up so far for him and Andromaque especially. The pair started the year at Pine Top Intermediate and finished in second and then came out a few weeks later to win the Advanced division at Pine Top, scoring a 25 in the dressage and only adding a bit of time on the cross-country course.
Southern Pines is Will’s home event and as he is right down the road he is able to trailer his horses in for the day, so he they can go back home and go out in their paddocks.
“I rode her once this morning early - mainly because it was so cold, and I wanted to get them out of the trailer and moving around. When I warmed her up she felt really good so I didn’t do a whole lot and she went in and just put in a very business-like test.”
“I have been working with Sandy Phillips and between the stuff I have done with Sandy, I have had awesome training sessions with David [O’Connor]– he has just been brilliant. I have gotten so much out of those, and he has helped me so much with the quality of the work that I do with her. She is not the biggest moving horse and if I don’t work at her trot it is really quite ordinary. She is 15.3 and built a bit downhill, so we have to work to really bring her uphill. I watched the video and I was really pleased with her frame through the whole test – she is tries her heart up and does everything I ask her.”
Will’s longtime partner, Pawlow, a 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred also owned by Jennifer Mosing isn’t too far behind his barn mate as he lies in third on a 32.7.
Sandwiched between Will’s top placing mounts is Emily Beshear with her own Thoroughbred gelding, Here’s to You. The pair held the lead for most of the morning on an even 32.
The 35 competitors in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Advanced Division will head across the road to the cross-country course tomorrow starting at 12:19. The course is newly redesigned this year by Hugh Lochore, the course designer at the prestigious Red Hills event as well as several others. Overnight leader, Will Faudree, says that it looks to be a good test with plenty to do, and he is looking forward to riding it tomorrow.
In addition to tomorrow’s cross-country competition, there are several other activities planned throughout the day culminating in the Saturday Night Britches & Bling Party where the winning team of the “Go Low with the PROs” Golf Tournament held at Mid Pines Golf Club will be announced. Area golfers are played an 18-hole modified Texas Scramble. Their scores will be combined with the riding scores of some of the Eventing stars in the Advanced Division. The Britches & Bling Party will also include Piñatas with the PROs. Custom themed piñatas representing event rider’s Allison Springer, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Jan Byyny, Doug Payne and Will Coleman will be in a silent auction. The winning bidder of each piñata will win a course walk and warm up from their rider at a future event. All proceeds will benefit the Carolina Horse Park Foundation.
The Professional Riders Organization has also planned a Stabling Tour & Rider-Horse Meet and Greet for Ft, Bragg and Operation Homefront North Carolina families on Saturday, March 23rd at 3:30PM.
This is the fourth year that the Southern Pines II Horse Trials is part of the PRO Tour Series and the first year it is a qualifying event for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
SOUTHERN PINES II HORSE TRIALS UPS ITS GAME
Posted on: 03/21/2013
Full Weekend of Activities for All
Raeford, NC: Southern Pines II Horse Trials, the feature eventing competition in the Carolina Horse Park calendar, kicks off Friday morning at 8AM featuring some of the stars of the sport: Boyd Martin, William Coleman and Phillip Dutton, three members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team who competed at the London Olympics, have come to sharpen their horses as the spring season gets underway. Joining them are international rider’s Allison Springer and Hoffman, NC local Will Faudree, who were both short-listed for the Olympics, as well as many other top eventers.
This is the fourth year that the Southern Pines II Horse Trials is part of the PRO Tour Series and it also has become a qualifying event for the prestigious Adequan USEA Gold Cup. New this year is the “Go Low With The PROs” Golf Tournament being held at Mid Pines Golf Club this afternoon. Area golfers are playing an 18-hole modified Texas Scramble. Their scores will be combined with the riding scores of some of the Eventing stars in the Advanced Division. The Winning team will be announced at Saturday night’s Britches & Bling Party.
The Britches & Bling Party will also include Piñatas With The PROs. Custom themed piñatas representing event rider’s Allison Springer, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Jan Byyny, Doug Payne and Will Coleman will be in a silent auction. The winning bidder of each piñata will win a course walk and warm up from their rider at a future event. All proceeds will benefit the Carolina Horse Park Foundation.
Saturday’s cross country phase will give riders and spectators a look at the course newly redesigned this year by Scotsman Hugh Lochore, who recently designed courses at the prestigious Red Hills International Three Day Event and the upcoming CHC International in Fairburn, GA.
Spectators are encouraged to show their creative side and wear rider colors, show team spirit or a Mountain Khakis look by signing up to participate in the PRO Tour Fan of The Day Contest on Saturday. The Sign up area will be announced at the event and participants will have their photo taken and posted on the Professional Riders Organization’s Facebook page. The photo with the most likes wins a $75 gift card from Mountain Khakis of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The Professional Riders Organization has also planned a Stabling Tour & Rider-Horse Meet and Greet for Ft, Bragg and Operation Homefront North Carolina families on Saturday, March 23rd at 3:30PM.
Sunday’s schedule includes show jumping and a luncheon for sponsors and patrons at the ringside Patrons’ Tent. Lunchtime special activities include the PRO Race & Ride Relay. Professional riders will race on foot with stick horses and tag jumps and then relay to a junior who will jump a short course. The youngest spectators will also be able to take part in the Kids On Foot Show Jumping.
Spectators are welcome throughout the weekend. Admission to the event is free.
For more information, please call the Carolina Horse Park 910 875-2074.
Phillip Dutton Defends His Title in Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour CIC3* at Red Hills
Posted on: 03/10/2013
Phillip Dutton kept his crown as the king of Red Hills with another win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series CIC3* after an exciting cross-country finish. Last year Phillip drove home from Red Hills in a brand new Mercedes thanks to his win aboard Jim and Arden Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper. This year he gets to trade the car in for another new one after winning today’s competition with Bruce Duchossois’ Mighty Nice, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (ARD Ohio x Sarazen). Phillip and ‘Happy’ are no strangers to the Tallahassee, Florida event having won the CIC2* in 2011 as well.
“I know Mighty Nice very well, but to tell you the truth a horse like Mystery Whisper is much more suited to a course like this then Mighty Nice,” said Phillip. “I didn’t actually set out thinking I was going to win although I did have it in the back of my mind when Marilyn had some time on [RF Smoke on the Water] I knew that I could win.”
Phillip finished the Hugh Lochore-designed course in six minutes and 34 seconds, eight seconds over the time allowed. Luckily the 3.2 penalties added to his dressage mark of 43 weren’t too many to grab the top spot as overnight leader, Marilyn Little garnered six penalties with RF Smoke on the Water to drop down to a score of 50.7.
“He can get pretty strong, “ said Phillip. “So I thought I would set out quick-ish and then if everything was going alright I would keep going like that. It wasn’t a perfect round, but I don’t think it was a crazy round for him either.”
“He is a pretty cool horse. He is so confident in himself- bordering on being arrogant on the cross-country. He has a great sense of what he can do, and he is a huge horse, but very, very clever. He can pat the ground very easily and sort of grows an extra leg if I misjudge things a bit.”
Mighty Nice heads to The Fork H.T. in North Carolina next, and Phillip assures that he will have a nice quiet round there before heading to Kentucky. For his win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division, Phillip takes home $500 in prize money, a 7-dose Adequan Gift Certificate, $350 in Nunn Finer Products, a $200 Point Two Certificate, a SmartPak Wellfleet Bridle, and a pair of FITS Breeches.
Marilyn Little headed into today’s finale of cross-country sitting in the top two spots, but time proved tough to make and cost her the win with Phoebe and Ray Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water, while a run-in with a tree aboard RF Demeter dropped them out of contention.
“Red Hills is notoriously hard to make the time on,” said Marilyn. “And I was a little bit behind coming up to the first water. I went to make it up a bit on the backside and he didn’t feel quite like himself, so I gave him a pat and said take a minute on the way to the steeplechase, so I couldn’t take advantage of that.”
“I was really pleased with the way that he went; I wish the result had been better, but it is what it is and I am really pleased with the horse.”
According to Marilyn, RF Demeter felt great on the first part of the course, but landed from fence six and locked onto a tree in her path. Despite Marilyn’s best efforts Demeter was determined to head towards the tree, and she tripped over the landscaping and sent Marilyn flying into the tree. Luckily both walked away unharmed from their foray into “Tree-Day Eventing.”
Rounding out the top three was the final pair of the CIC3*, Buck Davidson with Carl and Cassandra Segal’s Ballynoe Castle RM. When they left the start box, Buck and ‘Reggie’ still had a chance to win the division if they went clear inside the time. It wasn’t meant to be though and the pair earned 4.8 time penalties to settle for the yellow ribbon.
“I made so many mistakes throughout this event this weekend, I can’t even believe it,” said Buck. “I was on the best horse, and I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”
“I think it was an exciting day for the crowd, with Reggie having a chance to win and being the last horse to go. I know the Segals loved it. I tried, but he obviously isn’t a Thoroughbred horse and isn’t the fastest horse, but he is honest as they come. I always feel that he is the best horse every single weekend, so I always feel like I let him down, but I got beat by two really good riders and two really good horses and you can’t win them all. I am very proud of Reggie and the other two that I rode.”
The only rider to make it home inside the time on the CIC3* course was Canadian, Selena O’Hanlon, who did so on two of her three mounts, A First Romance and Foxwood High.
The 33 horses and riders who completed the CIC3* are now qualified for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas.
The CIC2* also concluded today with the cross-country phase and time proved a bit easier to make as the top three pairs all crossed the finish line without any additional penalties. Jennie Brannigan, who also finished fourth in the CIC3*, rode Nina Gardner’s Indie to the win after overnight leader, Clayton Fredericks took a ducking in the Appalachia Water complex.
“I didn’t even look at my watch until I was crossing the finish line,” said Jennie. “And then I was like oh my god I made time at Red Hills. I had no idea.”
Jennie gave a lot of praise to her coach and boss Phillip Dutton and was thrilled with the successful finishes for both her horses and his. Both of the Gardners’ horses are aiming for spring three-days with Indie headed to Bromont CCI2* and Cambalda to the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*.
Marilyn continued her successful streak in the CIC2* by finishing second and third on Raylan Farms’ duo of 8-year-old mares, RF Azarah and RF Black Pearl. RF Azarah finished on her dressage score of 56.4 while RF Black Pearl added only a rail down yesterday – an impressive feat considering Marilyn only rode the horse for the first time last week and had never jumped a cross-country fence with her before.
Julie Richards won the CIC* with Linda Crabtree’s Hanoverian stallion, San City, while Kyle Carter and Elizabeth New rounded out the top three with their mounts, FR's Trust Fund and Uppercrust D.
The Advanced, Intermediate, and Preliminary divisions conclude with show jumping tomorrow to finish out another great year at Red Hills Horse Trials.
About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two; and FITS.
The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2013 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.
The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2013 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.
Authored by: Leslie Mintz
U.S. Olympian on Road to Recovery Following Serious Riding Accident
Posted on: 02/13/2013
U.S. Multi Olympian, Karen O'Connor is still recovering from a serious riding accident that resulted in a broken back which has sidelined her for the spring eventing season. Her team of horses are currently being ridden by Lauren Kieffer and Marilyn Little to keep them fit for competition. The 11 year old Dutch Warmblood mare Veronica owned by Team Rebecca LLC is now ridden by her new regular partner Kieffer and the partnership began the season this weekend with a second place finish in the Ocala Horse Trials Open Preliminary.
Laura VanderVliet Eventing Returns to Aiken, South Carolina, in Partnership with Nilson Moreira da Silva
Posted on: 02/13/2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Laura VanderVliet Eventing Returns to Aiken, South Carolina in Partnership with Nilson Moreira da Silva
Aiken, South Carolina - February 5, 2013 – Laura VanderVliet Eventing has returned to Aiken, South Carolina with Nilson Moreira da Silva to offer training for the horse and rider at all levels of instruction. With more than twenty five years experience in starting, developing, and competing horses through the advanced levels of eventing, Laura is an international event rider who has earned national recognition for her talents. A familiar presence in the local equestrian community, Laura is looking forward to reestablishing Laura VanderVliet Eventing in Aiken and spending time in the surrounding communities.
In Partnership with Nilson Moreira da Silva—International Event Rider for Team Brazil
Laura VanderVliet Eventing is tremendously excited to announce the new partnership with international Brazilian Team event rider Nilson Moreira da Silva. Nilson brings a wealth of horsemanship and show jumping experience to Laura VanderVliet Eventing. A member of the Brazilian Training Team, Nilson's enthusiasm for the sport of eventing is contagious and inspiring.
This partnership will allow Laura VanderVliet Eventing to offer a whole new level of training opportunities for the horse and rider. With a greater depth of combined experience, Laura VanderVliet Eventing will now offer training for all stages of the horse’s development—from starting the young horse to schooling the advanced level eventer. Laura VanderVliet Eventing will also offer instruction for the rider in dressage, cross country training, and show jumping.
Nilson and Laura are accepting horses for training and students for instruction—from novice through advanced. They are both available for group lessons and clinics.
About Laura VanderVliet
Laura started riding as a young child and over the years has garnered a wealth of experience in different areas of horsemanship. She has started many yearlings for the racing industry, including horses for two-time Breeder’s Cup winner Michael Dickinson. She was the assistant trainer and barn manager for US Olympic rider Philip Dutton at True Prospect Farm and, before that, assistant trainer for dressage rider Scott Hassler at Hilltop Farm in Maryland. Throughout her career, she has trained with some of the best instructors in their disciplines, including Philip Dutton, Jack Le Goff, and Jimmy Wofford in eventing as well as Betsy Steiner and Scott Hassler in dressage. Today, Laura is a top-level event rider, successfully competing at the advanced level with many top placings in international competitions. A member of the US Training Squad at different times throughout her career, Laura has been a long-listed rider for the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
About Nilson Moreira da Silva
Nilson’s equestrian career began at age 11, when he started grooming and taking care of 12 polo ponies a day. By age 14 he had switched to eventing and groomed for the Brazilian National Team which included travel to the 1995 Pan American Games and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After graduating high school, Nilson's career turned to show jumping. At age 20, he began riding and teaching at a private facility in Atibaia, Brazil. His career has included national show jumping wins as well as work and travel with Alvaro Miranda (Doda) and Athina Onasis—two of the world's leading show jumping riders.
Based in the US since 2011, Nilson has returned to the world of eventing and has successfully competed through the two-star level earning top placings with his different horses. As a member of the Brazilian Training Team, Nilson continues to train in the US with the goal of representing Brazil at the World Equestrian Games and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Contact
To learn more about the training, sales and services offered at Laura VanderVliet Eventing, contact:
Laura at 717-682-8042 or ljvv2000@yahoo.com
Nilson at 717-435-0920or nilson.moreira.silva@hotmail.com
Or visit www.LauraVanderVlietEventing.com
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Clayton Fredericks Presented With Keys To Ocala
Posted on: 02/06/2013
Australian Olympic Silver Medalist and Canadian Eventing Team Coach, Clayton Fredericks, 45, has been awarded the Keys of the City of Ocala, Florida in a ceremony at the City Hall today. The Mayor of Ocala, Kent Guinn, made the presentation at a meeting with City Council members. The presentation of the Keys of the City is made at the Mayor's discretion to recognize Ocala citizens who are making a notable contribution to the community.
"I feel very honored as a new resident of Marion County to be presented with the Keys of the City," said Fredericks. "I would like to thank the Mayor of Ocala and city council members for this privilege and what will always be a memorable occasion. I chose to relocate from the UK to this area of Florida for many reasons and a chance meeting with Chuck and Anne Koch at Oak Lane Farm has already proved to be fortuitous in enabling me to establish my business in an ideal location. The people of Ocala have been extremely welcoming to me and my team as we begin the process of settling in and we have some exciting plans to build Fredericks Equestrian International in different sectors of the sport. Ocala has a reputation for its dynamic horse industry and together with its ancillary trades and ideal climate for horse sports it has undoubtedly been the right move for me."
Fredericks was named as the new Canadian Eventing International Technical Advisor and Coach this year and has already begun team training sessions at Oak Lane Farm., Citra. Fredericks is also showing a string of horses at the Ocala Horse Park and Rocking Horse events this season.
For Clayton's full biography, please visit www.teamfredericks.us.
Allison Springer Eventing Announces the Acquisition of Copycat Chloe
Posted on: 01/29/2013
Allison Springer of Upperville, VA announced today her decision to purchase the 11-year-old Thoroughbred Trakehner mare Copycat Chloe from 3* rider Kelly Pugh. This decision comes as a part of Springer’s goal to grow her group of upper level horses looking towards the next Olympic Cycle.
“After last summer, I evaluated myself and what I needed to be successful moving forward. Above all else, I need a talented group of horses to help fulfill my goals ” stated Springer. “Chloe is a very special horse, with a fantastic jump and everything it takes to go to the top. I am thrilled to add a horse of this caliber to my program and grateful to Kelly for giving me this opportunity.”
Californian Kelly Pugh started Copycat Chloe and rode her successfully through the 3* level. Together the pair who also trained under the instruction of Allison Springer for over a year, won individual gold and team silver in the 2* division at the 2010 NAJYRC. They additionally earned themselves the Markham Trophy at the Fair Hill 3* in 2011 and finished atop the standings multiple times for Trakehner of the year.
When Pugh made the decision to sell her lovely mare, Allison was a natural choice as a friend and mentor whom she respects and trusts. “I know how much Allison loves her horses. I have seen first hand what a terrific program she has, and do not think there is anyone better to continue Chloe’s career than Allison. I am very excited to watch the two of them compete together, and will be rooting them on every step of the way” said Kelly.
Allison plans to initially run a few events at the Intermediate level with long-term goals for the year involving a possible 3* run at Bromont. However, her top priority will be “spending the 2013 season taking the time to build a strong relationship with Copycat Chloe.”
Syndication shares of Copycat Chloe are now available. Those interested in being a part of this opportunity are urged to contact Allison directly via email at Allisoncspringer@gmail.com.
For information about Allison Springer Eventing please visit http://allisonspringer.com.
For more information about Kelly Pugh please visit http://www.flyingtailfarm.com or http://kellypugh.blogspot.com.
The USEA and PRO Form Partnership to Promote Eventing
Posted on: 01/23/2013
THE U.S. EVENTING ASSOCIATION AND THE PROFESSIONAL RIDERS ORGANIZATION FORM PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE EVENTING
The USEA and PRO are delighted to announce the two organizations are forming a partnership to create greater promotion of the sport by focusing on a joint promotional effort of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and the PRO Tour Series. During the past few years the two series have been run on separate divisions at the Advanced and CIC3* levels at selected events with PRO including some CCI3* competitions in its series. In 2013, the programs will both run on the same division which will eliminate the need for riders to make a decision as to which division to enter.
USEA and PRO will closely collaborate on cross-marketing and cross-promotion of the two programs sharing the responsibilities of providing high quality media coverage at each of the competitions. USEA will feature videos of the competitions on its newly launched USEventing.tv and publish in-depth articles in Eventing USA. PRO will continue to provide its very popular color commentary by the riders and other special events that have become a highlight of the PRO Tour Series. Each organization will continue to maintain their own leaderboards and promote their respective sponsors.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup will now consist of 11 qualifying competitions at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels, with the Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, September 26-29 in Tyler, Texas. The $40,000 AEC Advanced division will serve as the designated division and the winner of the division will be named the 2013 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion. The horse and rider pair must complete at least one Gold Cup qualifier to be eligible to compete in the AEC Advanced division and earn the chance to be the keeper of the cup and take home a major chunk of the $40,000.
The PRO Tour Series has expanded its schedule of competitions in 2013 to include 13 events with the addition of Jersey Fresh, Chattahoochee Hills and Aspen Farms and will continue to incorporate CCI3*s in its schedule. Many of the venues include exciting mini competitions and demonstrations provided by the PRO riders such as the popular PRO Bareback Jumping competitions, “Meet the Riders” sessions, course walks and kids on foot show jumping and rider Q & A’s photo and autograph opportunities among the other features.
“The USEA is delighted to be working so closely with PRO to promote our sport,” said Jo Whitehouse, USEA CEO. “Each organization brings very special strengths to the table and it only makes sense to combine our promotional expertise using these two high profile programs in our efforts to increase public interest in Eventing. Our goal is that everyone, owners, organizers, and riders alike can benefit from these programs. ”
“We’ve been talking for some time about both organizations working together in a way that would make sense for the sport and add to the competitive and spectator experience at each event,” said Samantha Lendl, PRO Executive Director. “Each organization has unique strengths that complement each other. Our partnership will allow us to promote the Eventing at a much higher level and offer a consistent world class sporting experience to competitors, organizers, owners, sponsors, patrons and spectators.”
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EVENT |
ADEQUAN USEA GOLD CUP QUALIFIER |
PRO TOUR SERIES |
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Red Hills CIC3* |
X |
X |
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Southern Pines II Advanced |
X |
X |
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Galway Downs CIC3* |
X |
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The Fork CIC3* |
X |
X |
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Jersey Fresh CCI3* |
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X |
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Chattahoochee Hills CIC3* |
X |
X |
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Bromont CCI3* |
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X |
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Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* |
X |
X |
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Millbrook H.T. Advanced |
X |
X |
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Richland Park CIC3* |
X |
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Aspen Farms Advanced |
X |
X |
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Plantation Field CIC3* |
X |
X |
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Woodside International CIC3* |
X |
X |
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Dansko Fair Hill CCI3* |
|
X |
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Galway Downs CCI3* |
|
X |
TRIPLE CROWN NUTRITION BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF PRO JUNIOR YOUNG RIDER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Posted on: 01/03/2013
TRIPLE CROWN NUTRITION BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF PRO JUNIOR YOUNG RIDER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
USEF Names 2013 Eventing High Performance Spring Training Lists
Posted on: 12/21/2012
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Sinead Halpin Announces First of Its Kind Syndication Opportunity
Posted on: 12/14/2012
Sinead Halpin of Long Valley, NJ announced today her plans to syndicate Manoir de Carneville in conjunction with Sinead Halpin Eventing’s newly acquired mare, On Cue.
This syndication opportunity, which is unlike any offered before in Three-Day Eventing, gives ten shareholders a chance to own not one, but two world-class horses at an affordable price together.
Manoir de Carneville is an established Four Star horse, with career highlights that include a 2010 Silver Medal at the Boekelo CCI***, the 2011 title of USET National Champion, finishing third overall at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, and most recently a second place finish at the Burghley CCI**** in 2012 after being named as first alternate to the US Olympic Team.
Halpin is excited about creating new opportunities for potential owners saying, “Our goal is to provide the owners in this syndicate a chance to get involved in the excitement of our sports top level, in addition to being involved in the journey of a youngster who we are confident will thrive in TEAM USA’s new vision!”
On Cue is a promising young mare that was recently imported from Europe and has outstanding potential. After finishing first and second in her first two events in America last fall, Cue looks to be in top form to move up to the preliminary level in 2013. Sinead stated “Our goal with Cue would be to have her competing advanced by the end of 2014, aiming for the two 2015 Nations Cup events. Although these plans are set in pencil, I believe you have to write down your goals in order to make them a reality.”
To learn more about this unique syndication opportunity and about syndication, interested owners should visit Experience Eventing or contact Sinead directly via email at sinead@sineadhalpin.com.
About Sinead Halpin
Sinead Halpin is one of the highest regarded equestrian athletes in the U.S. She has made a name for herself as a rider, trainer and coach, with consistent success at the sports top level. Sinead is highly respected by her peers, fans and students across the country, exemplifying what horsemanship, strong fundamentals, and passion for eventing should look like. Known for her professional image, and experience competing across the world, Sinead has been recognized by the Olympic Committee as well as by her peers as a top contender and sport trendsetter. She is considered by many to be an innovator, acting on the Executive Board for the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) as well as being a founder of the PRO DerbyCross series. To learn more about Sinead Halpin and Sinead Halpin Eventing, please visitwww.sineadhalpin.com.
USEF Announces 2013 Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program and Combinations for California and Florida Training Sessions
Posted on: 12/14/2012
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Performance Department is proud to announce a redesigned Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program beginning in 2013. In 2013, a Developing Rider will be defined as a rider (maximum age of 25) who has achieved a qualifying result at the CCI2* level. Chef d'Equipe David O'Connor will lead the Developing Riders/Eventing 25 program and coach the accepted athletes. In addition to lessons under saddle, there will be a classroom component to this program. Topics will include theory, training and course design. There will also be presentations by guest speakers on subjects including veterinary care and stable management.Pollard Eventing's Katie Thornton Wins USEA Groom of The Year Award
Posted on: 12/11/2012
Michael Pollard's Manager Recognized With National Honor
Katie Thornton (l) receiving the USEA Groom of the Year Award
(Photo: Anthony Trollope: www.stockimageservices.com)
Katie Thornton, Manager of Pollard Eventing, was awarded the USEA Groom of the Year Trophy at the 2012 United States Eventing Association's Annual Convention in Colorado Springs on December 7, 2012. The award recognizes the vital role played by the groom who works countless hours behind the scenes to make sure their charges are healthy, happy and poised for success.
Katie, who joined Pollard Eventing in February 2010, has become in an invaluable member of the team and demonstrated her professionalism and dedication throughout this year which presented the most challenging experiences for a groom with the trailer accident that claimed the lives of three horses in her care.
"Katie's contribution and help to me personally as a rider makes her an exceptional groom by any standards, and we are enormously proud, given the year that she has had, to watch her being recognized with this award in the sport," commented Michael. "I can think of no-one more deserving to be the USEA Groom of the Year than Katie and we all look forward to the season ahead knowing we are in her capable hands."
"Thank you first and foremost to Michael and Nathalie for their nomination," said Katie. "I am fortunate to work for some of the kindest people in the sport; we have such a close knit team and I feel like a member of their family. I'd also like to thank my friend Chris Stafford for developing this award in the first place. This position is a part of the industry that can sometimes be overlooked despite it's importance, so to be recognized by the USEA is a great honor. Thank you to my parents and family for supporting my move to Georgia to take on this position that takes me so far from home. And maybe most of all, thank you to these wonderful four-legged creatures that continue to amaze me every day with their dignity and charm. I am so so lucky."
You can hear Katie's reaction to winning the award in an exclusive interview athttp://usea.podbean.com/2012/12/07/katie-thornton-usea-groom-of-the-year/
For more information and images please contact Chris Stafford:chris@chrisestafford.com
For more information about Pollard Eventing, please visitwww.pollardeventing.com
Clayton Fredericks Launches U.S. Website
Posted on: 12/10/2012
Australian Olympian Presents Dedicated Site for
North American Training Center
Ocala, Florida, USA. December 10, 2012
Australian Olympian Clayton Fredericks has today announced the launch of a U.S. website to support his North American training center in Ocala, Florida. The site -www.teamfredericks.us - will carry content specific to North America. Fredericks has established his U.S. business, which will host clinics and training camps as well as other international riders so it was important to have a destination for this market.
"The internet has become a very powerful tool as well as a resource for my business so it was important to have a website that focused on my activities here in the U.S.," said Fredericks. "I want visitors to immediately get an impression of what we have to offer in the sport of eventing, and with pages for each aspect of the business, they can get more information as they need it."
The website has details of the training center at Oak Lane Farm as well as the clinic schedule, the horses and sponsors. News will be posted regularly and there are links to all the Social Media platforms.
Fredericks begins his role as the Canadian Eventing Team Technical Advisor on January 1, 2013 and will return to his Ocala Training Center at Oak Lane Farm with five horses early in the New Year.
Please visit the website at www.teamfredericks.us.
For media inquiries, images and requests for interviews, please contact Chris Stafford, Publicist; chris@chrisestafford.com.
DUTTON WINS PRO TOUR SERIES RIDER LEADERBOARD, AND KRISTIN & JANET SCHMOLZE'S BALLYLAFFIN BRACKEN TOPS THE HAYGAIN HORSE LEADERBOARD
Posted on: 12/04/2012
EMMA FORD TO BE HONORED AT PRO AWARDS RECEPTION
Posted on: 12/03/2012
Emma Ford to Be Honored at PRO Awards Reception
PRO TO HONOR DENSEY JUVONEN AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 AS YOU LIKE IT OWNERS AWARD
Posted on: 12/03/2012
PRO to Honor Densey Juvonen as the Recipient of the 2012 As You Like It Award
The Eventing Radio Show Merges with The Professional Riders Organization - Production to Begin December 1st
Posted on: 11/30/2012
Alliston Triumphs Again At Galway Downs International Three-Day Event
Posted on: 11/04/2012
Pollard Takes Early Lead At Galway Downs International Three-Day Event
Posted on: 11/02/2012
PRO Expands Its Popular Accident and Disability Insurance
Posted on: 10/29/2012
PRO Expands Its Popular Accident and Disability Insurance
Coverage for riders in all disciplines, grooms, course designers, farriers & equine professionals
October 29, 2012 - Vero Beach, FL: Samantha Lendl, Executive Director of the Professional Riders Organization announced today that, as a result of the many requests it has received over the course of the past year, PRO has expanded its Accident and Disability Insurance Program that is provided to its professional membership. The PRO Accident and Disability Insurance Policy was custom designed with the assistance of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, AmWINS Group Benefits, and underwriter Zurich Insurance and is offered to professional riders, grooms, course designers, farriers and equestrian professionals who work with horse on a full-time basis. ... (read more) ...
CLAYTON FREDERICKS NAMED CANADIAN EVENTING COACH Australian Olympian Has New Role as International Technical Advisor
Posted on: 10/26/2012
Australian Olympian Clayton Fredericks, 44, has been named as the new Canadian Eventing International Technical Advisor effectively becoming the team coach and will assume the role on January 1, 2013. The new position became available at the right time in his highly successful international career as a competitor and Australian team member.
"This opportunity has come at the perfect time for me as I transition from competing to coaching," noted Fredericks, who has recently opened a new training center on the 750 acre Oak Lane Farm in Ocala, Florida. "While the Canadian Eventing Team has been generally successful with a sound foundation having been laid in many areas, I believe there are some key areas that are ready for a new perspective and I look forward to the challenge of taking Canadian Eventing to the next level. David O'Connor has already propelled the team to a higher standing in the sport with more consistent international performances and it will be my goal to enhance this record and make Canadian riders not only more competitive at major championships but consistently winning medals too."
"As a rider I know that the one aspect of a successful coach is how they convey their message and I am confident that my style combined with extensive knowledge, skills and international experience creates a very comfortable environment for riders of all levels."
Fredericks won Olympic team silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games and competed at this year's London Olympic Games. He won an individual silver and team bronze medal at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and won the 2007 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* event as well as being the FEI World Cup Champion in 2005 and 2008.
Fredericks was the Hong Kong Chef d'Equipe at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, he served as a member of the FEI Eventing Committee from 2008-2012 and is a former Chairman of the Event Riders Association. Since 2003 he has been a Director of Southern Stars Saddlery.
For media inquiries and requests for interviews, please contact Chris Stafford, Publicist;chris@chrisestafford.com
For images and biography of Clayton Fredericks please visithttp://www.teamfredericks.com/about/the-riders/clayton/
Toklat Partners with Will Coleman Equestrian
Posted on: 10/24/2012
Gordonsville, VA - Toklat, the leading manufacturer and distributor of high quality performance equestrian products, has teamed up with 2012 Olympic Eventing Team member Will Coleman to ensure that his string of horses have the best equipment available on the market today. Coleman, who was a decorated young rider and has now made a smooth transition to the senior ranks, is known for his horsemanship and attention to detail. With that in mind, Coleman was keen to partner with Toklat, a company known for distributing a variety of quality, affordable products for more than 30 years.
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| Will Coleman and Zipp |
"Toklat's products were already in my barn, so it seemed like a great fit for my horses and my program. Their equipment is top of the line, but it is also affordable - making it an attractive option for everyone who owns horses," said Coleman. "I am excited about this partnership and I look forward to working closely with Toklat."
Coleman's resume includes fifth place finishes at both the 2012 Rolex Kentucky CCI4*and the 2009 Luhmuhlen CCI4* in Germany, a win at the 2010 Bromont CCI3* in Canada and a win as a Young Rider at the 2003 Bramham Under-25 CCI3* in England.
He trains his horses and a small group of students out of his family's Tivoli Farm in Gordonsville, VA.
Rick Mreen, Toklat's Vice President, says that Coleman's competitive drive and compassionate demeanor are a great fit for their company. "We are very excited to be working with Will. He is really committed and provides the necessary feedback and testing we require to innov
ate and update our products not only for top level athletes, but the everyday rider as
well. He is helping us achieve our most important goal: to provide the highest quality, equestrian performance products at an affordable price."
About Toklat Originals, Inc.
Toklat Originals, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and distributor of high quality performance equestrian products, which includes brands such as Myler Bits, Irideon, Matrix, Woof Wear, Bucas, Classics III and many more. Toklat products are sold in a network of retail stores throughout the world. For more information or to find the Toklat retailer nearest you, visit www.toklat.com.
More information about Will Coleman is available at: www.willcolemanequestrian.com.
Burnett and Husain Win National Titles at Dansko Fair Hill International on the Strength of Clear Jumping Rounds
Posted on: 10/22/2012
Elkton, MD - The Dansko Fair Hill International CCI wrapped up Sunday as National Titles were awarded in both two and three-star competition. Competitors tackled Sally Ike's challenging show jumping courses under uncharacteristically sunny, beautiful skies. Hannah Sue Burnett held her nerve to win the CCI3* National Title with Harbour Pilot to win her third Fair Hill crown (the 26-year-old has two CCI3* victories and one win in the CCI2*). In the USEF National Two-Star Eventing Championship, Connor Husain jumped a beautiful clear round on Piece of Hope to rise from second and earn his first Fair Hill victory.
USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship
Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars' nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding entered the arena the picture of poise and determination. Harbour Pilot jumped
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| Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman) |
effortlessly around Ike's 12 obstacle track to produce an immaculate clear round and finish on his dressage score. The pair finished on a three-day total of 43, to secure Burnett's second CCI3* title.
"Basically, I wanted to give him a really good ride, I've been working on show jumping all year," said Burnett. "I wanted to go forward and find a rythym, find good distances. I was really impressed with him today."
It is nearly a year to the day that Burnett and Harbour Pilot won Team Gold and Individual Silver for the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games. However, Burnett has worked all year to continue to improve Harbour Pilot in all three phases, particularly in the show jumping.
"I did a lot more jumping than I usually do. William needs to jump a lot and I needed to practice," said Burnett of her summer training. "I went to a lot of jumper shows to practice."
Burnett finished well clear of the field winning by more than a nine point margin.
This weekend and winning her third Fair Hill title was particular meaningful for Burnett as it was the first time she has competed at the annual CCI since the death of Dick Thompson in June of this year. Thompson had been a loyal supporter of eventing in the U.S. and Fair Hill for many years. Additionally, he owned St. Barths, the horse Burnett claimed the CCI2* victory with in 2009 and returned to Fair Hill the following year with to claim the CCI3* National Title.
"It's kind of unreal," said Burnett. "The first day I walked up to the main ring and it reminded me a lot of Dick Thompson and I saw his sons earlier today; that was really special."
Finishing second behind Burnett in the CCI3* and USEF National Championship was Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farms' seven-year-old Wurrtemberg gelding RF Smoke on the Water. The pair produced a nearly flawless effort just rolling the top rail at the vertical at fence four.
"I was really pleased," said Little. "Smoke was quite tired, he's just seven, I was pleased to have him try so hard today."
They finished on a score of 52.4 to also claim the USEF National Owner Rider Eventing Championship, Little also finished fourth with Raylin Farms' RF Demeter.
Completing in third place was Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Team Rebecca LLC's Fernhill Eagle. Dutton, a five-time Olympian and Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team member, and the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding finished the competition on their dressage score of 53.2 after adding no faults in the jumping phases.
The USEF National Under 25 Eventing Championship went to Lindsey Solorzano (Versailles, KY) and David Oaks' Enchantez.
Husain (Great Falls, VA) defied his 19-years and jumped a brilliant clear round with his own and his parents Leslie and Najaf Husain's Piece of Hope to clinch his first USEF
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ConorHusain and Piece of Hope
(Shannon Brinkman)
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National Title and his second CCI2* victory of 2012. The 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding never looked in doubt of jumping a clear round over Ike's 11 obstacle two-star course.
"It's unreal, I'm so lucky. I've been working for this for a longtime time; so it's amazing," said Husain. The James Madison University student has spent much of the year towards the top of the leaderboard and has learned how to handle the pressure. "I just try to put the nerves aside. I know my plan."
The 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) Individual Gold medalists finished on a three-day total of 44.7.
Heading towards Fair Hill, Husain knew that the annual fall championship is always a fitness test but did not change anything in his preparation from NAJYRC.
"Young Riders was a good gauge of fitness and where I wanted to be. So I just stuck with that."
Husain was also crowned the USEF National Young Rider Eventing Champion.
Earning the Reserve Champion honors in the USEF National Championship was Brannigan (West Grove, PA) and Nina Gardner's seven-year-old Anglo-European gelding Indie. The pair headed into the show jumping as the overnight leaders but a costly rail jumping into the double at fence six would add four faults to their score and move them down the order.
They completed the weekend in third place in the CCI2* with a score of 47.9. Additionally, the pair earned the USEF National Young Horse Eventing Championship.
"To be honest I just wanted the horse to go in and have a good round. He is quite spooky and still a bit green," said Brannigan who has just returned from Holland after competing at the Military Boekelo CCIO3* as part of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team. "If you told me he was going to be third in this field I would have been happy."
Earning second place in the CCI2* was Clayton Fredericks of Australia with Hayley and Pat Parker's Pigrela Des Cabanes, who jumped a double clear round to finish his first CCI2* on U.S. soil on a score of 46.4.
For more information about the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI visit;http://www.fairhillinternational.com/.
By Helen Murray USEF Communications Department
Burnett and Brannigan Produce Faultless Rounds at Dansko Fair Hill International, Lead National Championships After Influential Cross Country Day
Posted on: 10/20/2012
Elkton, MD - As expected, Derek Di Grazia's challenging cross country courses were extremely influential Saturday at the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI. The leaderboards in both the two and three-stars saw great fluctuation in the second phase of the USEF National Eventing Championships. Hannah Sue Burnett was able to maintain her lead following the dressage with the classy Harbour Pilot, she will head into the show jumping on Sunday looking to secure her second CCI3* National Title. In the two-star Jennie Brannigan and Indie vaulted themselves into the lead on the strength of a double clear effort.
USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship
Di Grazia's 27 obstacle CCI3* course saw only four combinations finish within the time allowed of ten minutes and a total of 17 riders completed without jumping penalties. Of the 32 entries that started the course three were eliminated and six retired and two competitors withdrew prior to cross country.
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| Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman/USEF) |
Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars' Harbour Pilot cruised effortlessly around Di Grazia's grueling track as one of the few double clears in the three-star. The nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding displayed the scopey jump and ground-covering gallop that helped him claim Team Gold and Individual Silver with his 26-year-old rider last year at the Pan American Games.
Today was the first day that she has asked her horses (she also produced a double clear in the CCI2* with Neaopolitan Holding Co. LLC's Danio) to make the time but felt that Harbour Pilot answered all the questions.
"My goal was to go out and get a rhythm and not pick in front of the fences," said Burnett. "William has a very lofty gallop, so I don't feel like I'm going very fast but he's solid in the reins and everything you look for in an event horse."
Burnett began riding the gelding as a young horse and is thrilled with his progression over the years.
"He came through really well today. I was really impressed with how he really stepped up. Every time you move him up he just keeps answering the questions, which is pretty impressive."
The pair will head into the show jumping with a rail in hand on a score of 43.
Maintaining her second-place after the dressage was Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) who expertly piloted Raylyn Farms' seven-year-old Wurrtemberg gelding RF Smoke on the Water to a clear jumping round. The pair was the penultimate combination to go Saturday adding just 3.6 time faults to stand on a two-day score of 48.4.
"Going second-to-last the ground did get torn up but they did have plenty of purchase," said Little, who also sits second in National Championship competition. "I think they (the horses) came out of this more confidently. It's great at this time of year to have them challenged but confident."
Little also is in fourth place with her first ride of the day Raylyn Farms' RF Demeter on a score of 56.6.
Lying third in both the CCI3* and the National Title hunt is Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) with Team Rebecca LLC's Fernhill Eagle. The five-time Olympian and Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team member heads into the show jumping on a score of 46.2 after producing a double clear round with the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. They rose from 11th place after the dressage.
USEF National Two-Star Eventing Championship
In the CCI2* four competitors produced double-clear rounds, with a total of 40 combinations adding no jumping penalties. A total of 61 set out on the 22 obstacle course with a time allowed of eight minutes and eleven seconds; two were eliminated and two more elected to retire. Only one combination chose to withdraw after the dressage.
Brannigan (West Grove, PA) and Nina Gardner's seven-year-old Anglo-European gelding were the second pair of the day to produce a faultless round. The pair rose from equal fifth-place in the dressage by utilizing Indie's natural speed.
"He moved up to Intermediate late last year. He felt more confident as the year went on," said Brannigan. "He's quite a quick horse so the time felt easy."
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| Jennie Brannigan and Indie (Shonnon Brinkman/USEF) |
Brannigan spent last week competing on the U.S. Nations Cup Team at the Military Boekelo CCIO3* with Gardner's Cambalda thanks to a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant. She competed alongside Dutton, who also serves as her coach, at Boekelo and applied lessons learned in Holland this weekend.
"The last two weeks has been a huge education for me. Phillip said to me at Boekelo to ride like it was the last cross country course of my career," said Brannigan. "Indie needs that ride as well. He needs a little more encouragement and that kind of ride."
Brannigan heads into the show jumping on a score of 43.9.
In second place after the dressage are the Individual Gold medalists from the summer's Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, Connor Husain and Piece of Hope. Husain (Great Falls, VA) and the 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding he owns in conjunction with his parents Leslie and Najaf Husain finished just two seconds over the time allowed adding .8 time faults to their dressage score.
Husain stood tied with Brannigan in fifth after the first phase.
"I really wanted this to be a good end to this season," said the James Madison University student. "And it's been great."
Dutton also heads into the CCI2* show jumping in third place with Tom Tierney and Ann Jones' Fernhill Fugitive. The 7-year-old Warmblood gelding added just two time faults to rise from seventh place, they have a two-day total of 46.2.
Sunday's Horse Inspection will take place at 8am ET tomorrow and the CCI2* will jump first beginning at 10am.
For results visit; http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/15135.html
For more information about the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI visit;http://www.fairhillinternational.com/
By Helen Murray USEF Communications
Burnett and Beebee Lead National Championship Fields Following the Dressage at Dansko Fair Hill International
Posted on: 10/19/2012
Elkton, MD- The second day of dressage at the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI got off to a late start on Friday after lightning storms caused an hour delay. Rain continued to threaten throughout the day and struck during the first rides of the final afternoon session as competitors completed the first phase the USEF National Two and Three-Star Eventing Championships. In the CCI3* Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot hold the lead going into the cross country with a score of 43. No one was able to catch Thursday's CCI2* leader Susan Beebee and Wolf as their score of 40.8 proved to be unassailable.
USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship
Three-star competition got underway Friday with all 34 entries contesting their dressage tests in front of the Ground Jury of Angela Tucker, Janine Rohr and Wayne Quarles.
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| Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman) |
Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars' Harbour Pilot were the first combination following the lunch break and presented a steady, rhythmic effort to hold the lead after the dressage. The classy nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding flowed easily through the three-star test demonstrating three lovely gaits.
"I was quite nervous, it's been a bumpy year trying to figure it out in all three phases. But he's such a showman. He's so rideable; he doesn't get tense or nervous. He knows what to do in the little white box," said Burnett. "It's very exciting for Miss Mars, who bred him and has known him his whole life, so that's cool."
The pair is no stranger to success having claimed Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at last year's Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Burnett will look to claim her second USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship after having claimed the National Title in 2010 with St. Barths. The 26-year-old always looks forward to coming to Fair Hill, but is leading after the first phase for the first time.
"I'm really excited to be back here; I love this event. The course looks great," said Burnett. "I've never won the dressage here before; so that's exciting. I'm happy to be here on Harbour Pilot, he's a cool horse."
Cruising into second place in both the CCI3* and National Championship was Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and RF Smoke on the Water. Raylyn Farms' seven-year-old Wurrtemberg gelding scored 44.8 for his accurate, forward effort.
"He's very brave and very confident. He's in his element tomorrow," said Little. "Today is my hardest phase. So I get to enjoy the rest of the weekend."
Lying third is Heather Gillette (Califon, NJ) and Kathleen McDermott's 16-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred Our Questionnaire with a score of 48.6.
USEF National Two-Star Eventing Championship
The second half of the CCI2* completed their dressage tests today but the 30 horse and rider combinations that went down centerline in front of the Ground Jury of Ulrich Schmitz and Gretchen Butts were unable to crack the top two placings. Beebee (Southern Pines, NC) and her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding will set-out on tomorrow's cross country with the CCI2* and National Championship lead. Danielle Ditching (Roswell, GA) and The Graduate were able to maintain their second place standing. The 14-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner scored 41.4 on Thursday.
Read more about Thursday's dressage here.
Doug Payne (Pottersville, NJ) and his own and Amelia and Larry Ross' Crown Talisman slotted themselves into third place at the end of the day. The nine-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner gelding scored 41.7.
For results visit; http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/15135.html
For more information about the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI visit;http://www.fairhillinternational.com/.
By Helen Murray USEF Communications Department
Beebee and Wolf Cruise To Early Lead in Dansko Fair Hill International CCI2*and Hold Edge in National Title Hunt
Posted on: 10/18/2012
Beebee (Southern Pines, NC) presented a lovely, accurate test with her own nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The pair were rewarded for expressive and ground
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| Susan Beebee and Wolf (Shannon Brinkman) |
covering trotwork and a particularly beautiful medium. Their impressive effort was only slightly marred by a mistake in the second turn on the haunches and a small amount of tension in the walk.
"Anything with Wolf is a great day," said a pleased Beebee. "In this ring they always pick-up and he's always great here."
The pair is widely known for its proficiency in the first phase and was the leader following the dressage in last year's CCI2* Championship at Fair Hill. Beebee was happy with the way the gelding has improved in the last 12 months but believes there is still more to come.
"Certainly he's more confirmed (than last year), he's just in the phase that he's improving the strength and compression part and he's not always so sure about that. But he's tons of fun and tries so hard," said Beebee. "He's still only at 80% but it's a step-up for sure."
Lying second in both the CCI2* and in National Championship competition is Danielle Ditching (Roswell, GA) and her own The Graduate.The 14-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner gelding produced a flowing, forward test to score 41.14.
The Graduate is the first horse Ditching has not produced herself from the beginning and still feels as though they are still getting to know one another despite having completed some Advanced Horse Trials this year.
"He's still a relatively new horse to me. I'm still learning the buttons and what makes him tick," said Ditching. "He came out feeling great and the wind lifted him up a bit."
Currently in third place in CCI2* competition is Clayton Fredericks of Australia with Hayley and Pat Parker's Pigrela Des Cabanes with a score of 43.6.
For results visit; http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/15135.html
Competition continues Friday; Canada's Dasha Ivandaeva and Autorytet will be the first CCI2* competitor in the ring at 9:15am ET. CCI3* competition also gets underway at 9:15am with Marilyn Little and RF Demeter.
For more information about the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI visit;http://www.fairhillinternational.com/.
By Helen Murray USEF Communications Department
Eighty-Five to Vie for National Titles at 2012 Dansko Fair Hill International CCI
Posted on: 10/17/2012
USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship
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| Will Faudree and DHI Colour Candy (Shannon Brinkman) |
A total of 34 horses were presented and accepted without incident at the First Horse Inspection Wednesday and 30 of those are in the running for the USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship.
In an ultra-competitive CCI3* field, Will Faudree is among four competitors with multiple horses entered in the division. He will ride Jennifer Mosing's DHI Colour Candy and Pawlow. DHI Colour Candy makes his first start at a CCI3* but is on familiar turf at Fair Hill after having placed fourth in last year's CCI2*. Faudree and Pawlow come to Elkton in top form having led the victory gallop for the CIC3* at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials a month ago.
Faudree spent this summer training and competing in England thanks to a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant.
Two members of the Gold medal winning U.S. Team at last year's Pan American Games will vie for the National Title. Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) will ride her Pan American Games Individual Silver medal winning partner Jacqueline Mar's Harbour Pilot. Burnett is no stranger to success at Fair Hill having claimed the CCI2* National Title in 2009 and the CCI3* Championship in 2010 with St. Barths. The 26-year-old will look to add to her already extensive resume this weekend. She is also contesting the USEF National Two-Star Eventing Championship with Neaopolitan Holding Co. LLC's Danio.
"Danio is just here to get the experience. He's done a full year of Intermediate but this is his first CCI2*. William (Harbour Pilot) has been prepping all year for this, it's his first CCI3* but we're ready to pull the trigger on him," said Burnett. "We're hoping for a good showing this week."
Buck Davidson competed alongside Burnett on the U.S. Team in Mexico, earning Team Gold and Individual Bronze. The Ocala, FL resident will ride Carl and Cassandra Segal's Park Trader and Leigh Mesher's Mar de Amor in the USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship. He will also ride Debbie Adams' D.A. Adirmo and Sharon Will's No More Rocks in the CCI2*.
USEF National Two-Star Eventing Championship
A field of 55 line up to compete for a Two-Star National Title and a total of 62 horse-and-rider combinations will head down centerline in CCI2*. Four horses were held at this afternoon's Horse Inspection; Jessica Bortner-Harris and Beth Perkins, both from the U.S., chose to withdraw Win the War and Fernhill Cove respectively in hold. Canadian Callie Evan's ride Glendening Avis and American Natalia Gurmankin's Tequesteris were not accepted upon re-inspection.
Three members of the U.S. Eventing Team from the London Olympic Games will look to claim top honors in the CCI2*. Will Coleman (Charlottesville, VA) has had numerous top finishes at Fair Hill and looks to score another strong placing in 2012 with Jim Fitzgerald's Zipp. Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) will utilize the skill that has propelled him to five Olympic Games (three as an Australian and two as a member of U.S. Teams) with Tom Tierney and Ann Jones' Fernhill Fugitive. Dutton will also ride Team Rebecca LLC's Fernhill Eagle in the CCI3*.
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| Boyd Martin and Master Frisky (Shannon Brinkman) |
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) was the first competitor down centerline and on the cross-country in Greenwich Park this summer. He will once again be among the first group of riders on course at Fair Hill Saturday as he has drawn tenth with Charlotte Hogg's Master Frisky. He is also be looking for his second CCI2* victory of the season as he brings his Jersey Fresh winner Lucy Boynton's Crackerjack to Elkton.
Jennie Brannigan and Clark Montgomery have recently returned from overseas, where alongside Dutton, they competed at the Military Boekelo CCIO3* as members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team. Brannigan (West Grove, PA) will demonstrate the experience earned over the last week as she rides Nina Gardner's Indie in the USEF National Two-Star Eventing Championship. Brannigan also has a chance to claim the CCI3* crown with Gardner's No Objection.
Montgomery (Kennett Square, PA) claimed Champion and Reserve Champion honors in the CCI2*in 2010 with his two Boekelo rides on Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's Loughan Glen and Jessica Montgomery's Universe. In 2012 he will ride Joan Nichol's Garrison Flash in his quest to re-capture two-star bragging rights.
"It's always nice to compete at home," said Montgomery of returning to compete in the U.S. after competing in Holland last week. "After having been at a big competition overseas, you're always a little more confident coming home and competing."
Competition officially gets underway Thursday with CCI2* dressage; Darrah Alexander will ride South Park as the first combination at 9:15am ET on Thursday.
For more information about the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI visit;http://www.fairhillinternational.com/.
By Helen Murray USEF Communications Department
Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Jumps Two Places and Finishes Sixth at Boekelo
Posted on: 10/14/2012
Boekelo, The Netherlands - Every member of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team that entered the show jumping arena at the Military Boekelo CCIO3* Sunday leapt up the leaderboard and helped the U.S. team improve to 6th place in the final Nations Cup standings. Leading the way for the Americans were Jonathan Holling and Downtown Harrison.
Holling (Ocala, FL) and Constance Ann Holling's Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding were just shy of a double clear round. They jumped flawlessly, but came in just over time and ended with 1 fault. "I was really thrilled with [Downtown Harrison]," said Holling, "other than possibly shaving a second off a turn, he was pretty exceptional out there today." Downtown Harrison's performance helped Holling jump up the leaderboard twenty-five places and finish the Event in 31st position overall.
The other two U.S. horse and rider combinations also helped themselves and the team with good show jumping performances. Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, PA) and Nina Gardner's Cambalda ended up with an eight fault round Sunday and finished 46th overall. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen bounced back from a setback on the cross country course Saturday with a four fault round in the show jumping ring. Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse Gelding improved by sixteen spots in the final standings and finished 55th overall.
On his second horse, his wife Jessica's Universe, Montgomery (Kennett Square, PA) was the highest placing American. He and Universe knocked down a lone rail Sunday and with those four faults finished on a total score of 61.00 in 22nd place overall.
The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team finished with a total score of 212.40. Germany, New Zealand, and France remained 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. Germany's total score was 149.
For complete Nations Cup standings click here.
"It's kind of a funny situation," said Jon Holling, regarding his finish, and the team's, "we come over here, and we're pleased with the performance, but we want to be competitive." Holling, and all four members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing team were competing at Boekelo as part of the Land Rover Competition and Training Grants program. FEI Nations Cup eventing is relatively new and the team experience, one made possible by the Land Rover grants, was an invaluable one. "I hope it sticks around," continued Holling, referring to the Nations Cup format, "and becomes and even bigger deal."
The fourth member of the U.S. team, Phillip Dutton, was eliminated after a fall on the cross country course Saturday.
No U.S. athletes were involved, but there was drama atop the individual leaderboard Sunday. Germany's Michael Jung entered the day with a rail to spare over New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson, but the resilient Kiwi, riding Quimbo, put the pressure on with a clear round. It turned out to be a little too much for Jung and Halunke FBW. They looked unbeatable heading into the day, but an eight fault round dropped them to 2nd and gave Nicholosn and Quimbo the win.
For full show jumping results and the final individual leaderboard go tohttp://janssen.sportcg.net/2012/boekelo/leaderboard01.html
USEF Communications Department
After Cross Country at Boekelo, Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Remains in Eighth Place
Posted on: 10/13/2012
Boekelo, The Netherlands - They had some adverse conditions to deal with Saturday, but the members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team were able to maintain their place in the standings after navigating a soggy cross country course at the Military Boekelo CCIO3*. Leading the Nations Cup team were Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner's Cambalda. The pair jumped clean over the course while adding 10 time faults and rising in the standings to 52nd overall.
"It was quite muddy and heavy by the time I went," said Brannigan of her ride, and though it was good day for her, she says it was better than it looked. "The scoreboard does not reflect it, but [Cambalda] was super and had a lovely ride. I'm very excited about both of our futures and appreciate the funding to be here."
All four U.S. team members are competing at Boekelo as part of the Land Rover Competition and Training Grants program. The experience that they, and their horses, are gaining through the program is invaluable.
Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team member Jon Holling (Ocala, FL) also jumped a clear round Saturday. With Constance Ann Holling's Downtown Harrison he added 14.8 time penalties and sits on an overall score of 64.40, good for 56th place.
Entering the day Clark Montgomery was leading the team with Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's Loughan Glen, but after losing a shoe at fence 10 Loughan Glen ran into a trouble at fence 22. The slip led to a 26.40 fault round, 20 jumping and 6.4 time, and left the pair in 71st place. Clark (Kennett Square, PA) fared better on his second mount. He and Wife Jessica Montgomery's Universe took only 7.6 time faults and are currently in 33rd. They are the highest placing American pair going into Sunday's Show Jumping.
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) was the first American on the course today, but the veteran rider and Tom Tierney's Atlas were eliminated after a fall at fence 15. Neither Phillip nor Atlas was hurt.
111 international competitors took to the course Saturday and only 12 managed double clear rounds, but at the end of the day there was little change atop the leaderboards. Germany, New Zealand, and France remained in that order to lead the Nations Cup standings and Germany's Michael Jung held onto the top individual placing. Jung managed one of those 12 double clear rounds Saturday with Halunke FBW and goes into Sunday with a 32.00 score. That gives him more than a rail to spare over 2nd place pair Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo.
For full cross country results and live scoring go tohttp://janssen.sportcg.net/2012/boekelo/leaderboard01.html
USEF Communications Department
Montgomery Leads Land Rover U.S. Eventing on First Day of Dressage at the Military Boekelo CCIO3*
Posted on: 10/11/2012
Boekelo, The Netherlands- The United States sent two Land Rover Competition and Training Grant recipients down the centerline Thursday at the Military Boekelo CCIO3* in front of the Ground Jury composed of Sue Stewart, Eric Lieby, and Helen Christie. Leading the U.S. effort in FEI Nations Cup Eventing competition are Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. The pair performed a pleasing test to score 46.2 and stand in 11th place following the first day of dressage.
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| Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen (Stockimageservices.com) |
"He was good, a little nervous at the beginning. It took a few movements to get him settled but as the test went on he got more and more rideable," said Montgomery of Loughan Glen.
"The first few movements didn't score as well as I would have liked but he was great at the end."
Montgomery (Kennett Square, PA) and Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding have benefitted greatly from Land Rover Competition and Training Grants in the last year. After winning the 2011 Bromont CCI3* in Canada, they traveled to England and placed fifth at the 2011 Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials as part of the grant program. The pair also spent the summer training and competing in England thanks to Land Rover Competition and Training Grants.
Looking towards Saturday's cross country, Montgomery anticipates Boekelo's large crowds and terrain will be a factor.
"It's got some tight turns, narrow galloping lanes. It's not a walk in the park by any stretch. I think the combination of the galloping lanes, the amount of people, and they're saying there could be a little bit of rain, will mean it rides much differently than it walks."
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Tom Tierney's Atlas were the first American combination in the ring this morning scoring 54.8. The eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding stands equal 32nd at the halfway point of the first phase.
Dutton, who represented the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic Games, and the scopey gelding were fourth at the 2012 Volvo Bromont CCI3* Three Day Event in June and most recently placed fifth in CIC3* competition at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials.
Leading the field after day one is reigning European, World, and Olympic Champion Michael Jung of Germany. With Halunke FBW, Jung scored a 32 to lead fellow German countryman Dirk Schrade and Edino by nine points.
The remaining two Nations Cup team members for the U.S., Jon Holling and Jennie Brannigan, perform their dressage tests on Friday, as will Montgomery with his second horse. Brannigan will ride Nina Gardner's Cambalda at 10:36am local time, with Montgomery and wife Jessica's Universe entering the ring at 1:15pm. Holling will be the final U.S. competitor at 3:28pm with Constance Ann Holling's Downtown Harrison.
For live scoring and results visit;http://janssen.sportcg.net/2012/boekelo/leaderboard01.html
For more information about the Boekelo CCIO3* visit; http://www.military-boekelo.nl/
Follow the 2012 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.
From USEF Communications Department
PRO Bareback Show Jumping Challenge to be Featured at Dansko
Posted on: 10/11/2012
PRO Bareback Show Jumping Challenge to be Featured at Dansko
James Alliston Captures the Win and the Dough at Woodside International
Posted on: 10/10/2012
James Alliston Captures the Win and the Dough at Woodside International
Alliston Swaps The Lead And Wins At Woodside International Horse Trials
Posted on: 10/06/2012
Three Juniors Awarded PRO Junior Scholarship
Posted on: 10/03/2012
Three Juniors Awarded PRO Junior Scholarship
Alliston Jumps To Top of Galway Downs International Three-Day Event
Posted on: 10/03/2012
Champions Crowned at 2012 Plantation Field Horse Trials
Posted on: 09/24/2012
Press Release:
Champions Crowned at 2012 Plantation Field Horse Trials
2012 Event Comes to a Close with Wonderful Day of Jumping
USEF to Offer Frangible Technology Grants
Posted on: 09/20/2012
Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is proud to announce the debut of the Frangible Technology Grant Program. The Program will allow organizers of USEF licensed eventing competitions to apply for assistance in the implementation of frangible devices.
In June of 2008 the USEF began supplying frangible pins at no cost to organizers of USEF licensed eventing competitions. Over the past four years, at the encouragement of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), a number of new frangible technologies have entered the marketplace. The development of these new products prompted the USEF Eventing Technical Committee to revisit the program. The Committee now feels that organizers should have access to these new technologies and encourages their usage.
Organizers of USEF Eventing competitions offering divisions at the Preliminary level and above, and taking place before November 30th, 2012, may request a grant by completing a Frangible Technology Grant Program Request. Grants of up to $500.00 or the equivalent in frangible devices will be awarded. The deadline to apply for the 2012 competition season is November 1, 2012.
For more information about the USEF Eventing Frangible Technology Grant Programplease contact Shealagh Costello, USEF Director of Eventing, National Programs, atscostello@usef.org or (859) 225-6923.
Clayton Fredericks Opens New Training Center In Florida
Posted on: 09/17/2012
Australian Olympian to be Based at Oak Lane Farm in Ocala
Ocala, Florida, USA. September 17, 2012
Australian Olympic Team Silver Medalist Clayton Fredericks has announced today that he will open his new training facility in Ocala, Florida next month. The property at Oak Lane Farm owned by Charles (Chuck) & Anne Koch will offer Fredericks 36 stalls plus 150 acres of paddocks and schooling pastures with a further 600 acres of idyllic grassland for cross country schooling and hacking.
"I'm extremely fortunate to have found this perfect setting on which to establish my U.S. training operation here in Ocala," commented Fredericks. "I have been exploring several options for expansion of my eventing program along with Southern Stars Saddlery into the U.S. market and this location will enable me to fully explore the potential of both businesses. Chuck and Anne Koch have been most gracious in supporting me with this move as we build the business. The property also affords the prospect to host competitions making it the ideal destination for eventers all year round."
Fredericks will bring four horses to Ocala following Fair Hill International CCI3* in Maryland where he will competing from October 19-21, 2012. The plan is to have ten horses in training at Oak Lane Farm by January 2013. Among Fredericks international clients relocating to Ocala will be South African, Hayley Parker with her Advanced horse Pigrela des Cabanes.
"It's a very exciting opportunity for me at a time when I am shifting my focus to coaching to be able to offer clients the perfect environment in which to prepare for competitions at all levels here in the States," added Fredericks. "I thrive on challenges and exploring new horizons in eventing and there is clearly enormous potential here in Ocala to develop the sport with the landscape that Oak Lane Farm presents."
Oak Lane Farm is located on County Road 441 in Ocala just five minutes east of Interstate 75.
...ends...
For more information, please contact Chris Stafford; chris@chrisestafford.com.
For more information about Team Fredericks, please visit the website at www.teamfredericks.com
USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship Honors Go to Holder and Courageous Comet
Posted on: 09/08/2012
Fairburn, GA - The Merial Advanced division at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain wrapped up today with the show jumping phase at Chattahoochee Hills. Mark Donovan's tough course had riders incurring numerous jump and time penalties with just five double clear rounds in the division. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and Courageous Comet had one rail down but held onto their lead to win the Merial Advanced division held in conjunction with the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship with a score of 27.7. Holder had a stellar weekend with her and husband Tom Holder's 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, taking top honors at this year's Championship as they did in 2010 Land Rover USEA American Eventing Championships.
It was a fitting way to end Courageous Comet's illustrious career as Holder confirmed this was his last upper-level competition. The crowd went wild as Holder and "Comet" crossed the finish line winning the Championship and bringing a very special partnership to a close.
"He (Comet) deserves this. I believe now and have believed for a long time he is the best in his sport," Holder said. "I appreciate the grooms, vets, trainers, selectors, USEF High Performance Committee, and everyone who has been part of shaping his career. Thanks to all the fans and to those at the Kentucky Horse Park, many of our most memorable moments were on that course and in that stadium."
Finishing in second place were Laine Ashker (Richmond, VA) and Anthony Patch, her 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. The pair was able to finish on their dressage score of 32.4, the only pair to do so in the division, after having one of the few double clear stadium rounds of the day.
Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) rode her 2011 Pan American Games mount Harbour Pilot to a third place finish. She had a great weekend with Jacqueline Mars' nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding moving up from seventh after cross country with a double clear stadium round to take third place honors with their final score of 38.8.
USEF Press Release by Kathleen Landwehr
Holder and Courageous Comet Lead the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship after the First Day of Competition at the AECs
Posted on: 09/06/2012
Fairburn, GA - Competition at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain (AEC) got underway today. With the Advanced division at the AEC also playing host to the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship, stakes were running high. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and her longtime partner Courageous Comet lead the field after scoring an impressive 23.7 on their dressage test, 5.6 points ahead of the rest of the field. "Comet," a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Becky & her husband Tom Holder, is nearing the end of his upper level career so a top performance here would be a wonderful way to cap off his outstanding record. Holder is also in fifth place in the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship on Can't Fire Me, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Phil & Melissa Town & Tom Holder, with a score of 30.7.
Sitting in second place are Jonathan Holling (Ocala, FL) and Downtown Harrison, an 8-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding owned by Constance Holling. The pair earned a 29.3 for their nice, flowing dressage test. Holling won the Bromont CCI3* earlier this summer with Downtown Harrison and hopes to find that top form again here. The pair will head to the Boekelo CCI3* this fall with the help of a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant.
Michael Pollard (Dalton, GA) is in third place with Schoensgreen Hanni, a 9-year-old German Sporthorse mare owned by his wife Nathalie Pollard. The pair performed a solid test earning a 29.5. Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni are coming off of an Advanced win at Richland Park and are looking to continue their winning ways this weekend.
The competition continues tomorrow with the Cross Country phase. The first horse will be on course at 11:08am ET. Hugh Lochore's championship Advanced course, with 38 jumping efforts, requires riders to be bold and attack several fences while also being careful at the combinations.
Halpin and Springer Produce Top Ten Finishes at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
Posted on: 09/02/2012
Stamford, England - The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team showed that the future is bright claiming two spots within the top ten at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Sunday proved to be an influential day of Show Jumping as the leaderboard saw a huge shake-up from top to bottom. Sinead Halpin and Allison Springer put a summer's worth of training in England, thanks to Land Rover Competition and Training Grants, to the test producing classy efforts throughout the week to claim second and sixth places respectively.
Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) entered Burghley's main arena as the overnight leader with Carriag
Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville (Shannon Brinkman)
LLC's Manoir De Carneville but three unfortunate rails left them in runner-up position. The 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding collected twelve faults after lowering the oxer at three, the third element of the triple and the out of the double to finish on a score of 48.3.
"He warmed-up beautifully and certainly was a bit tired but I feel like we were as prepared as we could have been going into that situation," said Halpin following her round. "So it was disappointing but I'm still proud of him."
Despite the day not ending the way she had envisioned, Halpin is still pleased her performance over the last four days.
"I feel like this has been a fantastic experience, this has been a brilliant event and I'm so lucky to have this horse. And we'll be back again and again and again."
Halpin's second place finish is the best U.S. result at the prestigious competition since Stephen Bradley's win with Sassy Reason in 1993.
In the past the Show Jumping phase has proven heartbreaking for Springer (Upperville, VA) and Arthur but not on Sunday. The pair rose one place from seventh following the cross country despite two rails finishing on a score of 57.2. This is the second top ten CCI4* placing in 2012 for Springer and Carole and William Springer's 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cross gelding after having come second at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Bridgestone in April.
Springer also claimed third place in the HSBC Classics™ series after her top finishes in Kentucky and Stamford.
California's Kristi Nunnick finished just outside the top 25 in 26th place with her 11-year-old Holsteiner mare R-Star. The pair had a single rail on Sunday to complete their first Burghley on a score of 83.9.
Kate Hicks and Erin Sylvester were also competing for the first time at the British fixture. They finished in 50th and 52nd riding Belmont and No Boundaries respectively.
New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson collected his third Burghley title after a four fault effort with Avebury.
From the USEF Communication Department
Pollard Eventing Launches Campaign For Trailer Safety Research
Posted on: 08/29/2012
Road to Recovery to Benefit Equine Emergency Response
Dalton, GA, USA. August 29, 2012 - Pan American Team Gold Medalist Michael Pollard has announced today that Pollard Eventing is launching a campaign to raise awareness for the safe transport of horses and to research improved safety measures for trailers. This initiative follows overwhelming response to the fatal traffic accident in May in which Pollard lost three international event horses when his trailer turned over.
"So many people offered to help when we lost three of my top horses on a county road this spring so I have been considering the best way to utilize this support in a way that will benefit all horses as we continue down our Road to Recovery. It will also serve to honor the memory of Jude's Law, Icarus and VDL Ulando H," said Pollard.
The campaign will focus on researching new measures to improve horse transportation, specifically for trailers being towed, and offer advice in the event of an accident. A bumper sticker will be used to raise awareness to motorists to drive with extra caution when they see a horse trailer in transit.
The Pollard Eventing website has a donate button and will accept donations for the fund that will be targeted exclusively for this campaign. Each donor will be sent a bumper sticker: Look Before You Turn for their trailer.
"Several lessons were learned from the accident by the staff that were present and in the ensuing aftermath," continued Pollard. There are simple steps that can be taken and also more involved research that I will be working on with my associates in Europe."
The Pollard Eventing website will feature advice on trailer safety and also be included on the upcoming Pollard Eventing Podcasts.
For more information please contact Chris Stafford: chris@chrisestafford.com or visit the website to donate at www.pollardeventing.com.
Join Pollard Eventing on Facebook - and Twitter @pollardeventing - for regular updates.
Three Land Rover Competition & Training Grant Recipients Lead U.S. Contingent at The Land Rover Burghley Horse
Posted on: 08/28/2012
Stamford, England - The United States will be represented by six talented combinations at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, August 30-September 2. A total of 85 riders from 10 nations are slated to contest one of the toughest CCI4*s in the world. Three of the U.S. entries have benefitted from Land Rover Competition and Training Grants, spending the summer training and competing in England. Will Faudree, Sinead Halpin, and Allison Springer were all named to USEF Short List for the U.S. Eventing Team in June and have spent the last three months honing their skills in England.
Faudree (Hoffman, NC) heads to Burghley with Jennifer Mosing's talented 11-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare Andromaque. The pair collected second-place honors in the CIC3* at the Volvo Bromont Three-Day Event before travelling to England. They then went head-to-head with many of the best in Europe at the Barbury Castle International CIC3* cruising to another top ten finish.
Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) and Carraig, LLC's 12-year-old Selle Francais Manoir de Carneville make a return trip to The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after completing Captain Mark Phillips' demanding track in 2011 and earning a top 15 result. In August, the pair put their summer of English training to the test at the Hartpury International CCI3* notching an eighth place finish.
The third Land Rover grant recipient, Springer (Upperville, VA) will be eyeing another top CCI4* result in 2012 with Arthur after placing second at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone in April. Carole and William Springer's 13-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding is renowned for his proficiency in the first phase and will look to head to the cross country amongst the leaders.
The U.S. will also be represented by three Burghley first timers. Erin Sylvester and Kate Hicks have travelled together from the Unionville, PA area and will be looking to reproduce the clear cross country rounds from the Rolex CCI4*. Sylvester will ride her own No Boundaries and Hicks again pilots her own Belmont.
Rounding-out the U.S. entries is Kristi Nunnick and her talented mare R-Star who have travelled from the California-base to train with the legendary Bruce Davidson in 2012.
USEF Announces Land Rover Grants for Boekelo CCIO3*
Posted on: 08/17/2012
Lexington, KY- The following horse-and-rider combinations have been awarded Land Rover Grants to compete on the U.S. Nations Cup team at the Boekelo CCIO3* in The Netherlands, October 11-14, 2012.
The United States will be represented by the following four riders (listed in Alphabetical Order):
Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, PA) on Nina Gardner's Cambalda.
Cambalda is a 10-year-old Thoroughbred cross gelding.
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) on Tom Tierney's Atlas.
Atlas is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.
Jon Holling (Ocala, FL) on Constance Ann Holling's Downtown Harrison.
Downtown Harrison is an 8-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding.
Clark Montgomery (Kennett Square, PA) on Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's Loughan Glen.
Loughan Glen is a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.
The following two combinations have been named as alternates (listed in Alphabetical Order):
Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) on Sherrie Martin's The Apprentice.
The Apprentice is an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) on Jennifer Mosing's Pawlow.
Pawlow is a 13-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding.
Each Nations Cup team member will receive a $15,000 Land Rover Grant to help offset expenses directly related to the event. Captain Mark Phillips will serve as Chef d'Equipe and in-coming Technical Adviser for the U.S. eventing team, David O'Connor, will serve as coach at the Boekelo CCIO3*. It is anticipated, that prior to departure a brief training camp is tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5th.
Millbrook Horse Trials Next Stop for PRO Tour Series
Posted on: 07/17/2012
Olympic Team Members Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin Flying in from London
July 17, 2012 - Vero Beach, FL - Millbrook Horse Trials at Coole Park Farm in Millbrook, New York has the distinction this year of being the first competition immediately after the Olympics in London. The Millbrook Horse Trials, held August 2-5, benefits the Dutchess Land Conservancy and is one of only a few Advanced Level competitions left in the New England region. United States Olympic Team Members, Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin are both planning on flying directly back to the U.S. to join 2011 winner Buck Davidson and many other distinguished riders who plan to compete horses at the event. Millbrook, New York has distinguished connections for both riders as each has several horses owned by members of this community.
The Millbrook Horse Trials has partnered with the Professional Riders Organization for the last three years and the Advanced Division is part of the 2012 PRO Tour Series. PRO has planned several activities spectators throughout the weekend, including: color commentary provided by riders on both Saturday and Sunday and the popular PRO Kids' Horseless Show Jumping on Saturday evening at 6:30PM at the Go For The Gold Party. In addition Skip Barber Racing will have two racecars at the party demonstrations. Tickets are available for general admission to the party for $40. Ticket and Patron Information can be found online: http://www.millbrookhorsetrials.com/store.html
Millbrook Horse Trials is a wonderful opportunity to come out and see top-level competition for the whole family, general admission is free throughout the weekend. The Millbrook Trade Fair features many top equestrian vendors as well as vendors selling jewelry and outdoor clothing. The new water view tent on the cross-country course will also provide patrons with a lovely place for viewing the action at the water complex.
The PRO Tour's SSG "Go Low For The Dough" promotion, offering a total of $27,000 in Contingency Bonus Award money to riders wearing SSG Digital or SSG Eventer gloves will be featured in both the Advanced and Intermediate Divisions at Millbrook Horse Trials. In addition, the Multi Radiance Challenge will also be running at the intermediate level. The year-end Multi Radiance Challenge leader board champion will receive a MR4 ACTIVet Portable Laser System ($4,895 value).
The 2012 PRO Tour Series schedule includes:
- Southern Pines II Advanced ~ Raeford, NC ~ March 23-25
- The Fork CIC3* ~ Norwood, NC ~ April 4-8
- Bromont CCI3* ~ Bromont, Quebec ~ June 7-10
- Event At Rebecca Farm Advanced ~ July 11-15
- The Millbrook Horse Trials Advanced ~ Millbrook, NY ~ August 2-5
- Plantation Field International CIC3* ~ Unionville, PA ~ September 21-23
- Woodside International CIC3* ~ October 5-7
- Dansko Fair Hill International CCI3* ~ Elkton, MD ~ October 17-21
- Galway Downs CCI3* ~ Temecula, CA ~ November 1-4
PRO Tour Series Swings West with Rebecca Farm
Posted on: 07/11/2012
Advanced Division Next Stop for Riders
July 11, 2012 - Vero Beach, FL - The 2012 PRO Tour Series picks up again this week with the first competition of the year west of the Mississippi River at The Event At Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana. For the last two years, the Professional Riders Organization has worked with the Broussard family to bring riders from all over the country to Kalispell. The field is expected to be smaller this year due to the large numbers of U.S. and Canadian riders currently based in England for the upcoming Olympics in London. However, as usual, the Montana Equestrian Events and the Broussard family have focused on every detail of the competition, earning it a reputation of being one of the premiere competitive venues in the United States.
The PRO Tour's SSG "Go Low For The Dough" promotion, offering a total of $27,000 in Contingency Bonus Award money to riders wearing SSG Digital or SSG Eventer gloves, will be featured in both the Advanced and CIC2* Divisions at Rebecca Farm for the first time. In addition, the Multi Radiance Challenge will also being running at the Intermediate level. The year-end Multi Radiance Challenge leader board champion will receive a MR4 ACTIVet Portable Laser System ($4,895 value).
The USEA's Adequan Gold Cup Series takes place concurrently in the CIC3* Division at Rebecca Farm, allowing for top-notch viewing opportunities for spectators throughout the weekend.
The 2012 PRO Tour Series schedule includes:
- Southern Pines II Advanced ~ Raeford, NC ~ March 23-25
- The Fork CIC3* ~ Norwood, NC ~ April 4-8
- Bromont CCI3* ~ Bromont, Quebec ~ June 7-10
- Event At Rebecca Farm Advanced ~ July 11-15
- The Millbrook Horse Trials Advanced ~ Millbrook, NY ~ August 2-5
- Plantation Field International CIC3* ~ Unionville, PA ~ September 21-23
- Woodside International CIC3* ~ October 5-7
- Dansko Fair Hill International CCI3* ~ Elkton, MD ~ October 17-21
- Galway Downs CCI3* ~ Temecula, CA ~ November 1-4
PRO Partners with Equestrian Events, Inc.
Posted on: 04/18/2012
Rider Activities Add to the Fun at Rolex
April 18, 2012 - Lexington, KY - The Professional Riders Organization and Equestrian Events, Inc., the producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, have expanded their three year partnership to include a greater number of activities to promote the event; allowing for more opportunities for spectators to meet riders who will be competing at the Kentucky Horse Park April 26-29th, in the only CCI**** in the Northern Hemisphere.
On Tuesday, April 24th riders will be visiting the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital. Pan Am Team Gold Medalist Michael Pollard, and competitor Clark Montgomery and his wife Jessica Montgomery will join teammate Buck Davidson, Pan Am Team Individual Bronze Medalist. Riders will be bringing medals along for the visit and Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event posters and souvenir pins.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event booth at Thursday Night Live in Downtown Lexington will also feature competitors Jessica Hampf and Doug Payne hosting PRO's popular kids on foot show jumping at 5:30 PM on April 26th.
Friday, April 27th is U.S. Military Day at The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. All U.S. Service Members with a valid ID will receive free admission to the event, and PRO will offer a private meeting with riders at 4:00PM. Operation Homefront Kentucky is helping to promote U.S. Military Day within the military community. Operation Homefront is PRO's Official Charitable Beneficiary.
Saturday, April 28th spectators are invited to meet riders following the Cross-Country phase at 4:30 PM in the High Hope Horse Inspection Area for a Question & Answer Session featuring both U.S. and International riders.
Southern Pines Horse Trials Kicks Off 2012 PRO Tour Series
Posted on: 03/20/2012
SSG Gloves and Multi Radiance Medical Offer Fantastic Opportunities to All Riders
March 20, 2012 - Vero Beach, FL - The PRO Tour Series starts up this week at the Southern Pines Horse Trials in Raeford, NC. This is the third year that the advanced division of the horse trials has led off the PRO Tour Series. "We are very proud of our association with The Carolina Horse Park, which has done so much to improve the venue over the last few years," said Samantha Lendl, PRO Executive Director. "We are also thrilled to announce that we will add both The Event at Rebecca Farm and Woodside International Horse Trials to the 2012 PRO Tour Schedule."
Phillip Dutton, President of PRO, said that addition of two new competitions to the PRO Tour Series was in response to PRO's West Coast members asking for more competitions to be included in the schedule in the western half of the country. "Our members are from all over the United States and Canada and it's important that we grow the series where there is demand by riders." PRO has had a great relationship with the Event at Rebecca Farm and has organized the H.E. Sutton Forwarding "Air Horse One" charter for the last two years with the support of the Broussard family. This has allowed many more riders from the East Coast make their way out to Kalispell, Montana and experience the quality of the competition. "Rebecca Farm is very excited to become part of the PRO Tour Series," said Sarah Broussard Kelly, Organizer of the Event at Rebecca Farm "We feel that this relationship will benefit both parties and we are looking forward to being partners in the future."
The SSG "Go Low For The Dough" promotion will return to the PRO Tour Series again this year with $27,000 in contingency Bonus Award money available to riders wearing SSG Digital or SSG Eventer gloves who produce the lowest score in each of the three phases of competition. In addition, the Multi Radiance Challenge will also be running at the Intermediate/two-star level at PRO Tour competitions. The year-end Multi Radiance Challenge leader board champion will receive a MR4 ACTIVet Portable Laser System ($4,895 value).
Robert Kellerhouse, organizer of Galway Downs and Woodside International has been supportive of PRO's efforts: "The most important thing PRO does is to show up with their energy and vision for the sport, and they bring with them some really fun and unique new programs."
The 2012 PRO Tour Series schedule includes:
- Southern Pines II Advanced ~ Raeford, NC ~ March 23-25
- The Fork CIC3* ~ Norwood, NC ~ April 4-8
- Bromont CCI3* ~ Bromont, Quebec ~ June 7-10
- Event At Rebecca Farm Advanced ~ July 11-15
- The Millbrook Horse Trials Advanced ~ Millbrook, NY ~ August 2-5
- Plantation Field International CIC3* ~ Unionville, PA ~ September 21-23
- Woodside International CIC3* ~ October 5-7
- Dansko Fair Hill International CCI3* ~ Elkton, MD ~ October 17-21
- Galway Downs CCI3* ~ Temecula, CA ~ November 1-4
PRO would like to thank all of the following sponsors for their support of the 2012 PRO Tour Series: HAYGAIN, SSG Gloves, Multi Radiance Medical, Martin Collins USA, Finish Line Horse Products, SmartPak, H.E. Sutton Forwarding, Midlantic Ltd, Mythic Landing Enterprises and B.W. Furlong & Associates.
Multi Radiance Challenge
Posted on: 02/14/2012
Multi Radiance Medical is Official Laser Therapy of PRO
February 14, 2012, Vero Beach, FL: Multi Radiance Medical and the Professional Riders Organization announced the start of the Multi Radiance Challenge, which will run concurrent to the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate and 2-star level. Points will be accrued based on final results at each competition. Points will be tracked on the Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board. At year-end, the top-placed rider will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVet Laser system with additional Trigger Point Photo Probes (a $4,895 value). The winning rider will also receive company training and follow-up support for use of the therapy system. The Multi Radiance Challenge is open to all riders competing at the Intermediate or 2-star level at PRO Tour Series competitions.
Multi Radiance Medical was the exclusive Laser Therapy provider for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Kent Allen, DVM Veterinary Services Director, and Mimi Porter, Director of the Equine Therapy Team at WEG, used Multi Radiance Medical Laser systems exclusively on the equine athletes and humans. The portable Super Pulsed Laser Therapy system relieves pain and accelerates healing.
Multi Radiance Medical is the Official Laser Therapy of the Professional Riders Organization. Multi Radiance Team members will be highlighting their experiences monthly on the PRO Blog along with a monthly "Ask the Vet" series of Laser Therapy case studies with Equine Veterinarians Chad and Stephanie Davis.
"Multi Radiance Medical Lasers have been used very successfully by professional athletes and sports teams for over 20 years in now 30 countries", said J. Mark Strong, Manager of Veterinary Products for Multi Radiance Medical. "We are pleased to work with PRO to bring this beneficial technology to more athletes and educate them on its therapeutic capabilities for equine and human competitors along with their companion animals."
Laura VanderVliet Eventing Returns to Aiken, South Carolina, in Partnership with Nilson Moreira da Silva
Posted on: 02/13/2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Laura VanderVliet Eventing Returns to Aiken, South Carolina
in Partnership with Nilson Moreira da Silva
Aiken, South Carolina - February 5, 2013 – Laura VanderVliet Eventing has returned to Aiken, South Carolina with Nilson Moreira da Silva to offer training for the horse and rider at all levels of instruction. With more than twenty five years experience in starting, developing, and competing horses through the advanced levels of eventing, Laura is an international event rider who has earned national recognition for her talents. A familiar presence in the local equestrian community, Laura is looking forward to reestablishing Laura VanderVliet Eventing in Aiken and spending time in the surrounding communities.
In Partnership with Nilson Moreira da Silva—International Event Rider for Team Brazil
Laura VanderVliet Eventing is tremendously excited to announce the new partnership with international Brazilian Team event rider Nilson Moreira da Silva. Nilson brings a wealth of horsemanship and show jumping experience to Laura VanderVliet Eventing. A member of the Brazilian Training Team, Nilson's enthusiasm for the sport of eventing is contagious and inspiring.
This partnership will allow Laura VanderVliet Eventing to offer a whole new level of training opportunities for the horse and rider. With a greater depth of combined experience, Laura VanderVliet Eventing will now offer training for all stages of the horse’s development—from starting the young horse to schooling the advanced level eventer. Laura VanderVliet Eventing will also offer instruction for the rider in dressage, cross country training, and show jumping.
Nilson and Laura are accepting horses for training and students for instruction—from novice through advanced. They are both available for group lessons and clinics.
About Laura VanderVliet
Laura started riding as a young child and over the years has garnered a wealth of experience in different areas of horsemanship. She has started many yearlings for the racing industry, including horses for two-time Breeder’s Cup winner Michael Dickinson. She was the assistant trainer and barn manager for US Olympic rider Philip Dutton at True Prospect Farm and, before that, assistant trainer for dressage rider Scott Hassler at Hilltop Farm in Maryland. Throughout her career, she has trained with some of the best instructors in their disciplines, including Philip Dutton, Jack Le Goff, and Jimmy Wofford in eventing as well as Betsy Steiner and Scott Hassler in dressage. Today, Laura is a top-level event rider, successfully competing at the advanced level with many top placings in international competitions. A member of the US Training Squad at different times throughout her career, Laura has been a long-listed rider for the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
About Nilson Moreira da Silva
Nilson’s equestrian career began at age 11, when he started grooming and taking care of 12 polo ponies a day. By age 14 he had switched to eventing and groomed for the Brazilian National Team which included travel to the 1995 Pan American Games and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After graduating high school, Nilson's career turned to show jumping. At age 20, he began riding and teaching at a private facility in Atibaia, Brazil. His career has included national show jumping wins as well as work and travel with Alvaro Miranda (Doda) and Athina Onasis—two of the world's leading show jumping riders.
Based in the US since 2011, Nilson has returned to the world of eventing and has successfully competed through the two-star level earning top placings with his different horses. As a member of the Brazilian Training Team, Nilson continues to train in the US with the goal of representing Brazil at the World Equestrian Games and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Contact
To learn more about the training, sales and services offered at Laura VanderVliet Eventing, contact:
Laura at 717-682-8042 or ljvv2000@yahoo.com
Nilson at 717-435-0920or nilson.moreira.silva@hotmail.com
Or visit www.LauraVanderVlietEventing.com
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2012 PRO Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Award
Posted on: 02/07/2012
February 7, 2012, Vero Beach, FL: The PRO Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Program returns with a few new faces for it's second year. The 2012 mentorship team consists of program founder Marcia Kulak of Scotia, NY; Will Faudree of Southern Pines, NC; Shannon Lilley of Gilroy, CA; and Amy Tryon of Duvall, WA.
Kulak, who spearheaded the effort to put together the PRO Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Program, is a strong advocate of the role that experienced riders can play in mentoring the next generation of young riders: "At some stage in our lives, high performance riders have been mentored by someone who not only educated them as horsemen, but also challenged them to bring their riding up to a new level. It's very important to offer Juniors and Young Riders that same opportunity."
The focus of the PRO Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Program is to spot upcoming talent based on set criteria. The goal of the program is to encourage Training level Junior and Young Riders to strive to become more competent earlier in their careers by offering them an attainable and very attractive goal with no financial burden. Ultimately, PRO would like it to help feed talent into the broader picture of future USET riders.
In 2011, four Junior Young riders were awarded the scholarship. Patience O'Neal and Natalie Kuhny were the West Coast scholarship winners. Patience will be training with Hawley Bennett-Awad in March, and Natalie will be working with Amy Tryon during the summer. Sarah Nelson and Jacqueline Larouche were awarded the scholarship for riders on the East Coast. Sarah will work with Marcia Kulak, and Jacqueline will train with Jan Byyny. Due to their school commitments, both girls elected to use their scholarship award weeks this summer.
"I am so proud to be a part of PRO's Junior Scholarship program," said Shannon Lilley. "As a judge last year, I was able to get to know so many Juniors from the West Coast that I wouldn't have otherwise. It allowed me to see where the level of riding and horsemanship is at the 'grass roots' level of our sport and, hopefully, give one of them an opportunity to further her education."
The program takes place at designated events on both the East and West Coasts. PRO professional members observe and score participating PRO Junior/Young riders in the training level divisions. The top two point-earning riders from the Eastern half of the country will each earn a scholarship award with Marcia Kulak or Will Faudree. Two top point-earning riders from the Western half of the country will each earn the same scholarship award with Shannon Lilley or Amy Tyron. The award includes a week of training and the boarding of both horse and rider at no cost to the scholarship awardees.
Detailed information about the PRO Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Program can be found on the PRO website.
PRO Offers Accident and Disability Insurance for Professional Riders and Grooms
Posted on: 01/25/2012
January 25, 2012, Vero Beach, FL: Samantha Lendl, Executive Director of the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) announced today that they will be provide their Professional Membership with Accident & Disability Insurance. The A&D Insurance is a new policy that PRO has designed, with the assistance of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, AmWINS Group Benefits, and underwriter Zurich Insurance, to cover professional event riders and grooms.
"Being able to provide Accident and Disability Insurance is critically important for the well-being of our membership," said Mark Hart MD, a member of PRO's board of directors. "We are very pleased to have been successful in building an association policy that covers professional riders and grooms for all horse-related accidents, whether they are working or training at home, travelling to or at a competition, or even competing abroad."
All Professional Members of PRO will be covered under the base plan, which includes $100,000 in excess medical coverage and $200 per week disability payments with a 30-day waiting period for a very reasonable annual premium. We have also been able to develop an additional buy-up plan to provide $1,000,000 excess medical and a $600 per week disability payment. This gives PRO flexibility to keep membership dues reasonable with the base plan, but provides greater flexibility to those members who need additional coverage at very affordable premiums.
"I would like to thank the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Team led by Jeanne Brandon, Senior Vice President and leader of the Integrated Benefit Solutions Practice, as well as Lou Madonna, Vice-President of AmWINS Group Benefits, for working with PRO to create this unique insurance policy," said Samantha Lendl. "The Wells Fargo team has definitely exceeded our expectations in every way and they have been extremely conscientious and thorough in building an accident and disability insurance offering that is tailored to the needs of professional event riders and grooms. We strongly believe that this is a huge step forward in ensuring that our members are taken care of both medically and financially in times when they need the most help."
The enrollment period will take place in February and is open to all professional event riders and grooms who are PRO Professional Members, or wish to become a member. For more information, please email Samantha Lendl: Samantha@professionalriders.org.
Team Guardian Tops the Field at PRO DerbyCross Wellington
Posted on: 01/23/2012
January 23, 2012, Wellington, FL: It was an epic night for Team Guardian who dominated PRO DerbyCross at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
The PRO DerbyCross is a team event with teams of five made up of three eventing riders, a show jumper and a polo player. The teams jumped a hybrid cross-country and show jumping course, with the fastest combined score to win.
Captain Karen O'Connor's squad was so impressive that she didn't have to jump for a score (one eventing score gets dropped) but she led her team to a dominating effort on Team Rebecca's Veronica, impressing the crowds as the final competitor.
Clark Montgomery and Carl Bouckaert's Reignman led the way for this team and led for much of the class until his teammate Marilyn Little-Meredith outran him with Raylyn Farm's Ammy V. John Gobin then put in a confident effort for the polo side on Graceland (another Raylyn Farm entry) and Little-Meredith's husband Ben Meredith scored the Salinas Save Award after a disagreement with Stephanie Barns' Violet as to where to leave the ground in four stride line. He salvaged the effort and galloped home strongly. Listen to the Team Guardian riders talk about their night.
The individual honors went to three members of the 2011 winning team, Team FarmVet/Cavalor, who dominated, taking top honors in all three categories.
Captain Buck Davidson stormed home on Sharon Will's Team Gold and Individual Bronze medal-winning Pan American Games mare, Absolute Liberty. They were fastest by six seconds over Sharon White (Team Windsor) on Merloch. Aaron Vale topped the show jumping category on Thinks Like A Horse's Miphone with an insanely brave round. And Kris Kampsen stormed around in 38 seconds to lead the polo players effort. He rode a serious catch ride of Andrew Kocher's Tennessee Jed - who was a last minute substitution. Listen to these three talk about their rides.
The FarmVet/Cavalor Team chased the Guardian Team all the way home, but came up 16 seconds short. Team Devoucoux came in third.
Complete results are posted here ... click on the Orders of Go and Results Link at the top of the page.
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| Team Guardian Horse Bedding - L to R: John Gobin, Clark Montgomery, Karen O'Connor,
Marilyn Little-Meredith, Ben Meredith photo credit: StockImageServices.com |
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MVPs - L to R: Kris Kampsen, Aaron Vale, Buck Davidson
photo credit: StockImageServices.com |
Martin Collins USA Teams Up with The Professional Riders Organization as the Official Footing of PRO
Posted on: 01/11/2012
January 11, 2012, Vero Beach, FL: We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Martin Collins USA as the Official Footing of The Professional Riders Organization. With over 2,000 stadium and private installations in Europe, Martin Collins premium synthetic surfaces are synonymous with quality. Martin Collins CLOPF and MC Ecotracksets the standard for premium synthetic surfaces and Martin Collins Equine Surfaces are the United Kingdom's market-leader of premium footing.
"The quality of footing has really become an important area of focus for U.S. riders," said Phillip Dutton, President of PRO. "Training and competing over good, consistent footing helps to keep horses sound and confident as they move up the levels, which is really important for owners and riders who invest so much time and money into producing a horse to the top level."
"Martin Collins USA recognized in partnering with the Professional Riders Organization, a terrific opportunity to work with people who mirror our objectives in pioneering safe surfaces on which to both train and compete the equine athlete," said Glynnie Walford, CEO of Martin Collins USA. "As a long established provider of quality footing, we are excited to embark on what we know will be a long and successful association with PRO, which we trust will be of benefit to all. It is the Martin Collins pledge to continue to produce surfaces, which allow the horse to work to its optimum performance level with the least amount of stress and strain to the musculoskeletal system."
"We look forward to working with Martin Collins USA and Glynnie Walford in offering opportunities to demonstrate why using quality footing products can help make a positive impact on the overall health and soundness of our equine athletes." said Samantha Lendl, Executive Director of PRO. "Once you see how these surfaces perform and listen to the sound or lack thereof of horses' hooves as they train, you will be impressed with the incredible quality of Martin Collins products."
For more information on Martin Collins premium footing surfaces, please visit http://www.MartinCollinsUSA.com
Dutton Tops 2011 PRO Tour Voltaire Design Riders Leader Board and Nina & Tim Gardner's William Penn Captures the Haygain Horse Leader Board
Posted on: 12/06/2011
Awards to be presented at the PRO Awards Reception on December 9th
Vero Beach, FL - December 6, 2011: Phillip Dutton's consistency in competing in six of the seven competitions on the 2011 PRO Tour Series paid off as he capped off the season by finishing in first place on the PRO Tour Voltaire Design Rider's Leader Board with 77 points. Buck Davidson, who topped the leader board for the 2011 USEA Adequan Gold Cup Series, finished in second place with 56 points. The PRO Tour Series includes: Southern Pines II Horse Trials Advanced Division, The Fork CIC***, Bromont Three Day Event CCI***, The Millbrook Horse Trial Advanced Division, Plantation Field International CIC***, Dankso Fair Hill International CCI*** and The Galway Downs International Three Day Event CCI***.
Phillip will be presented with the Welcome Here Farm Award for the second consecutive year. "I'm very happy to win this award," said Phillip Dutton, "I would like to thank all the PRO Tour sponsors for their support of the PRO Tour. It's been a great addition to the sport in this country."
Voltaire Design, sponsor of the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board, combines a long tradition of French Saddle making with unparalleled service and products that are individually crafted to help each rider improve their riding.
Nina and Tim Gardner's nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse, William Penn, topped the 2011 PRO Tour HAYGAIN Horse Leader Board with 52 points, edging out Holly Becker's Loughan Glen, ridden by Clark Montgomery. This is the second straight year that Nina and Tim Gardner have won the Cassandra Segal - My Boy Bobby Award, winning it in 2010 with Cambalda, ridden by Jennie Brannigan.
Phillip expressed his enthusiasm for William Penn, who is a relatively new ride for him: "This year has been a big learning curve for William Penn and myself, and I'm really pleased for the Gardners who look like they have another really exciting up-and-coming horse."
HAYGAIN, sponsor of the PRO Tour Horse Leader Board and Official Hay Steamer of PRO, has created revolutionary hay steamer solutions that enhance, protect and care for your horse's overall health and wellbeing.
Phillip Dutton and Nina & Tim Gardner will be presented with their awards on December 9th at 6:00 PM at the PRO Award's Reception at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee site of the 2011 USEA Annual Convention.
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photo courtesy of Amy Dragoo
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