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JRPRScott Stewart Dominates The Sanctuary’s Sponsored Hunter Classes during First Week of FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Scott Stewart dominated the hunter ring during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot.com) Wellington, FL (February 8, 2012) – Hunter trainer and rider Scott Stewart dominated the hunter ring during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, riding away with the Championship in the Green Working Hunter, the First Year Green Working Hunter and the Second Year Green Working Hunter divisions. Kelly Farmer won the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunter division, also sponsored by The Sanctuary at PBIEC. “Scott’s a very accomplished hunter trainer and rider and he showed off his skill during the first week of WEF by riding into the winner’s circle countless times,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of the Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “We are thrilled that Scott won so many of the classes we sponsored and we congratulate him on his victories. We also want to congratulate Kelley. She is also an accomplished hunter rider who is also well known for being in the winner’s circle.” Florida Dressage Season Kicks Off with an International Flair at CDI Competitions Steffen Peters and Ravel during the awards ceremony following the 2012 World Dressage Masters Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle, which they won with a score of 83.70%. (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle) Wellington, FL (February 7, 2012) – Thanks to the efforts of the show management team from the Gold Coast Dressage Association and the Wellington Dressage Classic Association, the 2012 Dressage season kicked off with three amazing CDI events in January and 2 Paralympic Qualifiers. With world-class dressage riders providing an air of European competition, the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Opener CDI W/CDEDI3* January 19-22, 2012, the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*/CPEDI3* January 25-29, 2012 and the 2012 Palm Beach leg of the prestigious World Dressage Masters presented by the Axel Johnson Group set the tone for a fantastic Wellington dressage season. Wellington Classic Dressage once again hosted the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach with International Polo Club as Presenting Sponsor. The Masters proved to be a record setting event for the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, with dressage star Steffen Peters setting the dressage ring on fire with record breaking scores, while the number of spectators also proved to be at an all-time high. “This year’s Masters was one for the record books,” said John Flanagan of Wellington Classic Dressage, Gold Coast Dressage, International Horse Sport, and one of the organizers of the WDM Palm Beach. “The competition was amazing and a record number of people were able to watch this event live, which is a great testament to the strength of our sport in South Florida and the United States.” Lusitano Stallion Zairo Interagro Represents the Breed in 2012 USDF Trainer’s Conference Zairo Interagro and rider Heather Bender receive coaching during the USDF Trainer’s Conference at High Meadow Farm. (Photo courtesy of JRPR) Wellington, FL (February 7, 2012) – Zairo Interagro, a beautiful grey Lusitano stallion bred by Interagro Lusitanos, participated as a demonstration horse the during the USDF FEI-Level Trainer’s Conference with trainer Heather Bender. The USDF Trainer’s Conference was held at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida, and featured Christoph Hess, an FEI “I” judge in both dressage and eventing. “I am so pleased that Zairo Interagro had the opportunity to represent the Lusitano breed during the Trainer’s Conference,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, the Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil. “Trainers from around the United States attended the conference, and this event was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the breed.” Zairo and Bender took part in the Third level demonstration, working on flying changes and stretching over the back under the tutelage of Hess. “Zairo is a talented horse and a good representation of the Lusitano breed, which are known for their generous temperament and trainability,” Gonzaga said. Dr. Cesar Parra and Lindner Win The Horse of Course High Score Award at Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge Dr. Cesar Parra rode Lindner, owned by Michael Davis and his family, to the highest score at the Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge. (Photo courtesy of JRPR) Wellington, FL (February 7, 2012) – Dr. Cesar Parra turned in another stunning ride aboard Lindner, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, when the duo rode away with the Overall High Score at the Wellington Dressage Classic Sunshine Challenge, held in conjunction with the World Dressage Masters. Lindner, a six-year-old Westfalen gelding, showed off his brilliance to earn a winning score of 80.676% in the First Level Test 2. Thanks to their high score, Parra and Lindner also captured The Horse of Course High Score Award, sponsored by The Horse of Course, Inc, one of the nation’s premier tack shops specializing in dressage tack, clothing and supplies. Parra was thrilled with Lindner’s performance and compared the young horse to a racecar. “Lindner is half Thoroughbred and very typey. If you compared him to a racecar he would be a Formula One. He’s very fast, modern and sporty,” Parra said. Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during First Week of Winter Equestrian Festival Ljubov Kochetova. (Photo courtesy of JRPR) Wellington, FL (January 26, 2012) – Russian Olympian Ljubov Kochetova showed off her upbeat attitude while competing a five-year-old Westphalian gelding named Corrado during the first week of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival, and her positive attitude helped her take home the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Sponsored by Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, the Premier Sportsmanship Award is presented to a barn or rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show and the winner receives a gift certificate for $100 worth of Premier products. Kochetova, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, competed in the 2008 Olympics aboard Ilion Kilen. She said she currently has her sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London. “We are still in the middle of the race to see who will compete in the Olympics,” she said. Kochetova was pleased to win the Premier Sportsmanship Award. “I am very grateful to Premier,” she said. “Corrado is a very young and inexperienced horse so if he wins anything I am thrilled.” Lisa Hyslop’s Award Winning Arabian “Fleet” Passes Away at Age 27 Fleet Halaaniz. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Hyslop) Wellington, FL (January 25, 2012) – Fleet Halaaniz, a purebred Arabian who proved to be a dressage star during his lifetime as well as a wonderful ambassador for the Arabian breed, passed away recently at the age of 27. Owned by Lisa Hyslop of Oak Hammock Farms, in Loxahatchee, Florida, Fleet was a special horse that will be missed by his many fans. “My parents bought Fleet when he was four years old and after I graduated from college he became ‘my’ horse,” Hyslop said. “Fleet excelled in the dressage ring and as a rider I accomplished the required scores for my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals on him. Although Fleet won many championships in his lifetime, his greatest achievement was probably being an ambassador for the Arabian breed. He also introduced many riders to the more difficult movements in dressage as a lesson horse at my farm.” Combined Driver Chester Weber Drives Away with Becky Grand Hart Trophy, Equestrian of Honor and USEF Four-In-Hand Horse of the YearJane Forbes Clark’s Splash Named USEF Four-in-Hand Driving Champion  USEF President David O’Connor (left) and Chester Weber. (Photo courtesy of Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF) Ocala, FL (January 23, 2012) — Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, had a stellar 2011 on both the national and international field, ending the year with the highlight of being named a 2011 USEF Equestrian of Honor. As America’s most decorated combined driver, Weber also won the Becky Grand Hart Trophy, an award presented to international-level non-Olympic athletes. Weber was presented the Becky Grand Hart Trophy during the United States Equestrian Federation’s Annual Pegasus Awards ceremony. The prior evening, Weber’s team of horses made a clean sweep of the National Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horse of the Year category. Splash, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, took home the Championship with Weber’s horse Reno W earning the Reserve Championship. Uniek, also owned by Clark, along with Weber’s horses Rolex W, Para and Boy W rounded out the Four in Hand Horse of the Year honors. Interagro Lusitanos to Host the 2012 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction in Brazil in June Photo courtesy of Interagro Lusitanos Itapira, Brazil (January 19, 2012) – Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world, is inviting fans to mark their calendars for June 23rd, 2012, the date of the 2012 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction. The esteemed auction, which features a world-class selection of Lusitano horses, has been held in the United States for the past four years. The success of the auction in the United States and the blossoming popularity of the Interagro Lusitano prompted the organizers to host the prestigious auction at Interagro Lusitanos outside of Sao Paulo. Interagro’s unique equestrian culture and dedication to preserving the pure Lusitano lineages offers visitors an unparalleled equestrian experience. The 1200-acre ranch is set among lush tropical landscape and Interagro’s selection of Lusitanos at auction have been bred and selected for their movement, trainability, and talent for competitive endeavors. Dressage Rider Lauren Sammis Wears “Role Model” Hat at Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium and Young Rider Graduate Program Lauren Sammis, who always wears her helmet while riding and competing, recently took part in the Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium and the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program in Wellington. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle) Wellington, FL (January 18, 2012) – International Dressage rider and Pan Am Gold Medalist Lauren Sammis is well known for wearing her helmet in the Grand Prix ring, and thanks to that important life decision Sammis put on her “role model” hat recently and took part in the Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium in Wellington. Sammis, who competes Sagacious HF, a KWPN gelding owned by Al Guden and Hyperion Farm, sat on a panel at the Riders4Helmets Symposium entitled “We Are All Role Models.” In addition to being a role model for wearing her helmet while riding and competing, Sammis is also a role model for young dressage riders aspiring to have a successful dressage career. On the same weekend that Sammis appeared on the Riders4Helmet panel, she also took part in the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program. “It was a very busy weekend but I had a great time,” Sammis said. “Both programs were very important and it was an honor to be asked to participate. I am in Wellington for the winter dressage season competing Sagacious in the Grand Prix’s, but anytime I can do something that puts me in a position where I am helping other riders, I am glad to do it.” World Equestrian Brands, LLC’s Endorsed Riders Honored by United States Eventing Association Buck Davidson was named the 2011 USEA Rider of the Year. (Photo courtesy of the USEA) Buena Vista, VA (January 18, 2012) – Eventing riders endorsed by World Equestrian Brands, LLC, an equestrian company dedicated to providing equestrians with the finest products on the market, rode away with top honors from the United States Eventing Association (USEA) in 2011. From winning the coveted USEA Rider of the Year title to taking home the prestigious International Developing Rider Grant, World Equestrian Brands riders showed off their successful competitive year in style – not only winning multiple awards but also doing it in tack from World Equestrian Brands. “These riders work really hard and are dedicated to the sport, and it is great to see them honored for their efforts. They have accomplished so much this year and we are grateful to be part of their winning team,” said Robin Moore, President of World Equestrian Brands. “It is awesome to see the trickledown effect of the riders’ talents, as their students also had milestone accomplishments throughout the year and took home some pretty impressive awards from the USEA.” |
