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.”

Stewart rode Beholden to the Green Conformation Hunter Championship, Enjoy to the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship and Dedication to the Second Year Green Working Hunter Championship. Farmer rode Straight Talk to the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunter.

McDuffee said The Sanctuary is a world-class rehab and conditioning facility located on a beautiful 30-acre, state-of-the-art campus in Ocala that has built a tremendous reputation on their ability to condition and rehabilitate equines of all disciplines. “The Sanctuary in Ocala is our main facility and we have also opened a facility in Wellington, The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a rehab and conditioning facility located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Having a satellite facility at the show grounds gives riders and trainers a taste of our full facility in Ocala,” McDuffee said.

In addition to The Sanctuary’s main location and their Wellington facility, The Sanctuary also has a mobile state-of-the-art therapy unit that travels to shows. “Our Ocala facility has had so much success over the years with helping to either rehab horses and get them back in the show ring or help condition horses so that they are competing at their very best,” McDuffee said. “The great thing about all of our therapies for horses is that they are based on methods used for human rehabilitation. Just like human athletes who work hard to condition their bodies, are horses deserve to be in the best condition so that they can compete at the top of their game.”

McDuffee added, “At The Sanctuary in Ocala we believe in adequately preparing the horse for the show ring, which includes building muscle and stamina. We have owners and trainers who routinely use our equine swimming pool and our treadmills. Our goal is to send every horse home in the best condition possible.”

For more information on The Sanctuary, visit their website at www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com.

For more information contact:
Tom Grabe
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center
www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com
1-352-369-HEAL (4325)

Jennifer Alfano & Jersey Boy - USHJA International Hunter Derby ©Flashpoint Photography

February 3, 2012 – Green Cove Springs, FL – The Jacksonville Winter Series wrapped up its three week run on January 29th with the naming of Circuit Champions and a lot of fond memories for those attending.

Alexis Newman of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association summed up the series: “We enjoyed a fantastic three weeks of shows that were marked with great exhibitor parties, superb competition, wonderful camaraderie, near perfect weather, plus a touching and successful benefit dinner.” The support of attendees raised in excess of $14,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and local 4-H clubs. Show manager Bob Bell echoed Newman’s sentiment: “The number of exhibitors may not have been what we hoped for, but the competition was nothing less than fierce! I really feel this was one the best Jacksonville series yet – like Alexis said, we just had the best of everything come together and make for a great three weeks.”

Each weekend featured $25,000 up for the taking during Saturday evenings’ main events – spotlighting show jumpers from around the country. International course designer Dave Ballard watched intently as victory for the opening week went to Robert Lee of Old Saybrook, CT, riding the 12-year-old Hanoverian, El Greeco, to the top spot in both the Welcome Stake and the $25,000 Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club/Hodges Boulevard Development Grand Prix. Week two’s $25,000 Brumos Motor Cars, Inc Grand Prix, which benefited the Wound Warriors Project, found local legend Aaron Vale of Morriston, FL and the Thinks Like A Horse entry, 8-year-old KWPN Warmblood Wodka L, galloping the victory lap after conquering J. P. Godard’s course work. And wrapping up the winter series, Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC piloted Sympa, the 12-year-old Rheinland Pfalz Saar mare owned by Mrs. Charles Bostwick, to the win in the $25,000 Clay County Grand Prix. The course layout was done by Tim Hott.

Hunter horses saw their fair share of tough competition each week thanks in part to the technical design work of Joe Carnicom, especially during each of the USHJA National Derby classes that without a doubt provided many a rider the opportunity to prepare for the finale event, the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.  Week one’s USHJA National Derby winner was local favorite Kathryn Mittauer partnered with Allawishus. Jeffrey Ayers and Abercrombie took the second week victory, and South Carolina’s favorite lady rider Liza Boyd hit the bull’s-eye with Marksmann for owner Mailla Van Beuren in the third USHJA National Derby.

The $5,000 NFHJA Equitation Challenge had some of the nation’s top young hunter riders going head to head during week two’s spotlighted competition. “This was one of the best classes to watch because of the incredible talent in it,” Bob Bell commented.

Top Five Results:
1st – Meg O’Mara of Rumson, NJ
2nd – Hasbrouck Donovan of Ocala, FL
3rd – Ashton Alexander of Ocala, FL
4th – Nikki Diamantis of Tallahassee, FL
5th – Reily Rieker of Oviedo, FL

One of the most anticipated events took place during week three with the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, bringing several of the leading horses and riders of the USHJA series looking to move up in the overall national standings.  At the conclusion of round one it was Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA aboard the AM Free, Inc owned Red Sky in the top spot, followed closely by Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY in the second and third positions with Jersey Boy (owner SBS Stables) and Miss Lucy (owner Helen Lenahan). Fourth was held by Liza Boyd of Camden, SC with Brunello, co-owned with Janet Peterson, and the fifth spot found Farmer with Bases Loaded for owner AM Free, Inc.  The Handy round found few changes in the players just the positioning, with Jersey Boy and Alfano moving to the top, Farmer and Bases Loaded second, Brunello and Boyd in third, Miss Lucy and Alfano in fourth, and a new face in the fifth spot: Majestic with Amanda Steege riding for owner Tony arena.

Excitement and cheering grew louder among the spectators as the judging panels calculated all the scores to officially crown the champion. When the pencils went down and the scores came up it was Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy taking the overall victory in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Top Ten Final Results:
1st – Jersey Boy with Jennifer Alfano for owner SBS Stables
2nd – Bases Loaded with Kelley Farmer for owner AM Free, Inc
3rd – Brunello with Liza Boyd for owners Boyd and Janet Peterson
4th – Miss Lucy with Jennifer Alfano for owner Helen Lenahan
5th – Red Sky with Kelley Farmer for owner AM Free, Inc
6th – Majestic with Amanda Steege for owner Tony Arena
7th – Taken with Kelley Farmer for owner Nancy Amling
8th – Sting with Jennifer Alfano for owner Helen Lenahan
9th – Henry Hill with Kelley Farmer for owners Larry Glefke & Bibby Hill
10th – Casallo with Liza Boyd for owner Erin McGuire

The crescendo of the three week winter series was the announcement of this year’s Circuit Champions. “Green Cove has been a wonderful kick off to our winter season and judging by the level of competitiveness, it’s clearly going to be a great year full of talent!” Bob Bell said.

2012 Jacksonville Winter Series Circuit Champions:

Adult Amateur Hunter – Cezanne and Carrie Ettinger
Adult Amateur Jumper – Leroy Brown 17 and Kelly Maloney
Amateur Owner Jumper – Thoughtful and Keri Guanciale
Children’s Hunter – Unlimited and Madison Maners
Children’s Jumper – 2 The Nines and Sophia Berot
Green Pony Hunter – Blur Ridge Sweet Dreams and Devin Seek
High Performance Hunter – MJ and Mary Eufemia
Junior Hunter – Felicci and Caroline Kellog
Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper – Tanimara and Anne Bingler
Pony Hunter – Tuscany and Ashton Alexander
Pre Children’s/Pre Adult Hunter – Summer Daze and Patricia Simpson Zeh
Pre Green Hunter – Summer Daze and Patricia Simpson Zeh
Short/Long Stirrup Hunter – Barrington’s Brew of Magic and Samantha Palmero

For complete results of the 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.horseshowsonline.com or www.nfhja.com. The Classic Company is a USHJA Members Choice Award winner, known for producing quality, exhibitor friendly, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows throughout the Southeast US. For additional information on any of the 2012 events, please call the office at 843-768-5503 or visit them on the web at www.classiccompany.com, and for great hotel or condo rates contact www.equestriantravel.com.

©ESI Photography. Charlene Graham boasted top-five finishes in three out of the four legs of the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling League Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship. HITS’ Lisa Engel presents her and Capricette with winning honors after earning the $5,000 Bonus and finishing in first place overall.

OCALA, FL (February 1, 2012) – Charlene Graham of Fairport, New York proved this week that consistency pays off as she and her own Capricette collected three top-five finishes to clinch the Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship at HITS Ocala. After four legs of competition and a Bonus award, $20,500 in prize money was awarded to Children’s/Adult jumpers.

Graham sat in second place overall after the first two legs held during the first pre-circuit week of competition, then rode to fourth place in the Friday’s third leg and second place in Sunday’s  final leg to secure the overall championship. She edged Wendy Libert of Hughesville, Maryland and Mr. & Mrs. John Bartko’s Papillion Peanut by just one point for the win with 112 total points.

“This was the first time I’ve seriously competed in the jumper ring,” said Graham. “I got this horse back in July and it’s been so much fun competing with her – she’s been fantastic. The entire series was a blast. I really enjoyed the format and the amount of prize money offered was great.”

To conclude the multi-phase class, an additional $5,000 Bonus was awarded to the eight competitors who accumulated the most points throughout all four legs of competition with top honors being given to Graham and second to Libert. Stephanie Novas of Lake Forest, Illinois aboard Lance Williamson’s FastBreak rounded out the top three overall with 109 total points. Ashley Reed of Winnetka, Illinois, who led in the standings after the first two legs finished in fourth place with her own Madonna with 103 points. Sunny Drescher of Hinesburg, Vermont and Banner Farm’s Barolo capped the top five overall standings with 95 points.

“This couldn’t have been any more fun,” said Graham. “This is only our fourth or fifth show together, so I’m really excited to see what we can do. I’d like to thank Ashmeadow Farm for all their support. This is the only jumper we have in our barn right now so it’s great to see everyone from the barn who came out to support me.”

To view complete results from each leg of the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship, visit HitsShows.com.

$4,000 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship – 3rd leg

©ESI Photography. Ashley Reed and her own Madonna ride toward a blue ribbon in the third leg.

To kick off the weekend Reed put on a repeat performance of her first leg victory and earned the blue ribbon in Friday’s third leg of competition. Out of the 30 riders that challenged the 10-effort course, Reed was one of 17 to enter the jump-off.

“My horse is all about speed, so these courses are perfect for her,” she said.

Reed posted a time of 38.028 seconds in the jump-off and was one of only eight to go double clear. Following close behind Reed was Novas and Lance Williamson’s Little Wayne in second place with a time of 40.022 seconds.

Rounding out the top five in the third leg was Libert aboard Papillion Peanut in third, Graham and Capricette in fourth, and Kristin Latimer of Riverton, New Jersey with her own The Icon in fifth, respectively.

$5,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Championship – 4th leg

The fourth and final leg of the Championship capped the second week of pre-circuit competition at HITS Ocala. Novas sealed her top-three overall finish with a win in the final leg in the irons of FastBreak. The first round offered 12 jumping efforts to 29 total competitors and a seven-effort jump-off round to 12 clear pairs. Novas was one of eight to go double clear with a time of 34.235 seconds.

©ESI Photography. Stephanie Novas and FastBreak on course before winning the fourth and final leg.

Novas and FastBreak challenged the course with two competitors remaining. Libert and Papillion Peanut followed Novas, but couldn’t deliver the speed. The pair finished the second round course in 34.663 seconds for the red ribbon, followed by Graham and Capricette who delivered a clean round in 38.385 seconds to finish third.

Rounding out the top five was Katlynn Butler of Mechanicsville, Virginia aboard her own LaBonne in fourth place and Morgan Bailey of West Palm Beach, Florida in the irons of her own Donald in fifth place.

About the Marshall & Sterling League
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 21st year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

The Marshall & Sterling League is proudly sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc. Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling is recognized throughout the nation as a leader in providing exceptional service and support. The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Joe Norick at 800-333-3766, extension 270, 805-338-0099 or JNorick@MarshallSterling.com.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Kessler Goes Clear for $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Victory

Michael Murphy and Ultrafox. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 28, 2012 – It was a packed house at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this evening as the women earned their fourth consecutive victory in the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The ladies swept the three phase competition with 29 points over the men’s score of 17 to win. Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, was the only clear round to win the $25,000 Suncast Championship Jumper Classic with Pacha de Nantuel. In the hunter ring, Heather Hooker took the championship in the Bainbridge Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter with Castlekeep.

Week three of the FTI WEF runs Wednesday, January 25, through Sunday, January 29, and is sponsored by Horseware Ireland. The $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, January 29. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

The women’s team was captained by Katie Prudent, and included riders Tatiana Dzavik, Margie Engle, Brianne Goutal, Maggie Jayne, Reed Kessler, Candice King, Laura Kraut, Marilyn Little Meredith, Catherine Pasmore, and Jessica Springsteen.

Henri Prudent led the men’s team, which included riders Daniel Bluman, Steven Bluman, Charlie Jayne, Ben Meredith, Todd Minikus, Richie Moloney, Michael Murphy, Andres Rodriguez, Nick Skelton, and Shane Sweetnam.

Tatiana Dzavik and Daniel Bluman competed against each other in the match race

The first round of competition in tonight’s Nespresso Battle of the Sexes was the speed round, with a six to four win for the ladies. Catherine Pasmore and Pacific Beach H.C. had the fastest round for the women (59.010 seconds) and Michael Murphy and Ultrafox were the fastest of all the rounds for the men (58.424 seconds).

The match races followed, with the men and women competing side by side over identical courses. The women dominated, winning seven to three and bringing the total points to 13 over seven.

Although Catherine Pasmore did not do the six-bar tonight despite winning the round last year, she was happy to help the team with her speed rounds. “I definitely believe that my horse was the fastest out here. She is just wicked fast. She turns tighter than I want to and sometimes I have a hard time staying on!” Pasmore laughed. “I have actually never shown her in a night class before and she was amazing, so I think I might go for some bigger night classes with her now.”

“I love this class,” the rider added with a smile. “It is just so much fun to go against the guys. Everyone tries the little cheating maneuvers for fun. It is fun being paired up and it really gets your adrenaline going.”

Margie Engle and Hidden Creek's Pamina L

The six-bar competition completed the evening with four men and four women returning, each earning two points per clear round. The six-bar went just two rounds before only two men remained and the women were deemed the winners, scoring 16 points to the men’s ten. The final tally for all three rounds was 29 to 17 – a clear victory for the women.

Another young rider who excelled in tonight’s class was Reed Kessler, who showed her horse Flight in the speed rounds and Ligist in the six-bar. Kessler also did last year’s class and admitted that it was a team effort. “It is a great experience,” she said of the competition. “It is really fun to just tear around and I feel like I know everybody on my team better from doing it. It is just a blast. It is a great class and I think it is great for the crowd. I love doing it every year. I hope I get to do it again and thanks to Nespresso.”

Laura Kraut was a veteran competitor on the team, having shown all four years. Kraut noted that it is great to have a team of young, talented riders to compete with. “I remember when I was the younger rider on certain teams and I think it is important to feel the support of those that are older,” she said. “I enjoy it and plus we have some great young riders. Catherine Pasmore, Reed Kessler, Jessie Springsteen, the list goes on. You would be happy to ride with them anywhere.”

Kraut has shown in the Battle of the Sexes every year and enjoys the competition.  “The first couple of years it was right down to the wire. It has only been the last couple of years that it has been kind of a runaway, which is great,” she recalled with a smile. “I am just super competitive at everything, so it is good. I enjoy the night. Once you get here and you get going it is really fun.”

Kessler Shows How It’s Done

Reed Kessler and Pacha de Nantuel

Reed Kessler, who is just 17 years old, was the only rider to master today’s Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic course. She and Pacha de Nantuel, nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Papillon Rouge, SF x Calypso D’Herbiers, were the sole clear round in a class of 30 entries. They posted a time of 75.609 seconds. Second place went to Yann Candele (CAN) on Ariana, owned by Susan Grange, who finished with one time fault in 78.427 seconds. Karen Cudmore (CAN) and Blair Cudmore’s Shea were the fastest four faulters in 70.530 seconds for third place.

Kessler started showing “Pacha” last year in the 1.40m Jumpers, and they stepped up to the 1.50m Jumpers this past fall. This was their first win in the 1.50m classics. “I’d say this is the biggest course he’s jumped so far,” Kessler pointed out. “He was great. I think it was his ideal course. He has so much natural impulsion and he adjusts so well that all of the short distances would work really well for him, and it did. I’m so proud of him.”

Kessler said of the challenging course, “I thought that there were a lot of hard options. I thought the last line was really the trick though (with) the really airy skinny. For another of my horses, it would have worried me, but for him, he’s so adjustable and has so much natural power that even when I’m crawling in the five, it’s so easy for him. It really worked out for us today.”

She added, “I was surprised I was the only clean. I walked it and I thought it looked difficult. Especially sitting on him, I thought it was pretty difficult for Pacha. But it was really easy for him. It should be hard though, right? We’re in one of the best places in the world; it should be difficult.”

By being the only clear round, Kessler avoided a jump-off with many of the top riders in the world competing in the class. She laughed, “It’s a relief because there are so many good riders here. You don’t want to be against Nick Skelton or Cian O’Connor or Beezie in the jump-off. That’s quite a run. I guess I got off a little lucky!”

Amateur-Owners Hunt for the Blue

Heather Hooker and her mount Castlekeep out-performed stiff competition in this week’s Bainbridge Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division. The pair scored two seconds and two thirds over fences and finished up first in the under saddle to bring home the championship tricolor with a total of 30 points. A close reserve championship went to Alex Paradysz and Late Entry who scored a first, second and third over fences and a third in the hack for a total of 24 points.

Heather Hooker and Castlekeep

After two days of showing over fences, Hooker and Paradyysz were tied with 20 points each going into the under saddle. Castlekeep’s blue ribbon victory in the hack was the deciding factor that carried the pair to the top.

Following her win, Hooker commented, “I was really happy with our performance yesterday. I liked that they had a two-stride out of a short turn in the handy because it reminded me of my jumper rides. You kind of had to sit down and ride up out of the turn, which was perfect because he likes a little ride forward. Today, I think our rides were even smoother and he was perfect in the hack. I love how he goes around with his nose poked out – he’s got the cute factor.”

Castlekeep is a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding who was imported from Germany by Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley. Describing the gelding’s past, Hooker recalled, “He was only six years old when Scott and Ken bought him and Ken showed him for a year before I took the reins. Now that we are both Amateurs, we have finally figured each other out and it has been going great.”

This season marks Hooker’s first year moving up from a Junior to an Amateur. “It’s a whole different kind of competition out there in the Amateurs,” Hooker explained. “I do miss being at the Junior ring with all of my friends but it’s kind of nice to see new faces. You know, it’s such a big horse show that it’s nice to be exposed to a different crowd every once in a while.”

Among the new crowd remains one consistent face: Hooker’s grandfather, Richard Prant. “My grandfather comes every single day to watch me ride,” Hooker said with a smile. “He parks himself on the chair at the barn and just watches all day. He loves it. We love having him around, and his nickname is ‘Grumpy’ but we call him that out of love.”

For Hooker, the rest of the 2012 show season appears promising. With two championship coolers already under her belt, she will continue to show Castlekeep in the Bainbridge Amateur-Owner Hunter division and begin competing with her mount Perle in the SSG Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper division and the Surpass High Amateur-Owner Jumper division in the coming weeks.

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival week three will conclude with the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix, CSI 2* in the International Arena at 2 p.m. The hunter highlight will be the Gotham North Small Pony Hunters. For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Sambalino and Becky Gochman Top Elite Shavings Amateur-Owner Over 35 Championship

Scott Brash and Intertoy Z. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2012 – A great crowd came out to watch the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Topping a full field of competitors and winning in front of more than 4,000 spectators was Great Britain’s Scott Brash on Stan Brash’s Intertoy Z. Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) was second on Torrey Pines & Ashland Stables’ Derly Chin de Muze. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Dinan (USA) was third on Grant Road Partners’ Vancouver.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Luc Musette of Belgium. The class had 50 entries, and 12 of those were clear to advance to the jump-off. Brash noted, “The course was good. It wasn’t overly big, but it is nice to not have to jump big every single weekend. Although it wasn’t too big there were still not too many clear. Twelve clear was good, and the jump-off was good. It caught a lot of people. It was a good class.”

The jump-off started slowly with the first four riders having faults, but then Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) recorded a clear round on Cantano, owned by Octavia Farms LLC. She crossed the timers in 42.16 seconds, which would hold up for fourth place. The next clear round came from Andrew Bourns (IRL) on Roundthorn Madious. They stopped the clock in 42.50 seconds for fifth place.

Brash was the next in, and he brought the winning pace down to 40.02 seconds. “He is a big, slow jumper but he was fast tonight. The big ring suits him,” Brash said.

Eric Lamaze went for the victory with Derly Chin de Muze, but they were just off the pace in 40.23 seconds.

“I saw Scott go and he was very fast,” Lamaze remarked. “I did one less to the double, but she is a big horse and she is fairly inexperienced, so I was very happy with the result. I think I went as fast as I could go, it just wasn’t fast enough tonight. It was close, but I am really happy.”

He said of Derly Chin de Muze, “It is a horse that the Fleischhackers own. She was purchased for Ashley but she was nice enough to lend her back to me. I started the horse as a seven-year-old and then did a little bit with her last year. I am very happy to have her and she is a really good horse. It is a horse that is going to for sure have a great career. We are going to aim at the highest standard with her.”

The final horse on course was Vancouver and Katherine Dinan. They were quick and clean in 41.20 seconds for third place. Dinan was also named the Leading Lady Jumper Rider, an award sponsored by Martha Jolicoeur of Illustrated Properties in memory of Dale Lawler.

“I am just excited to be consistent in the classes here. Last year I did a few grand prixs here but this is really the first year where I am trying to do them consistently every weekend in bigger classes,” Dinan said. “I am lucky to have Vancouver who is perfect. He is a brave soul and he will try anything for me, so that made me feel a lot of confidence going into these big classes under the lights. I am just thrilled to be in the jump-off and to go clear and try to go as fast as I can while staying composed. That is a big thing for me.”

Dinan trains with McLain Ward, who was injured last week and still recovering at home this week. “This week has been a little different because my trainer is at home, so I have been kind of having to figure a few things out for myself a little more, but for the most part I just try to figure what I am going to do walking the course, and then try to execute it as well as I can,” Dinan pointed out. “I was glad to be able to do something to put a smile on his face while he is at home.”

The 26-year-old Brash already has a wealth of international experience, and has had his own business for seven years. Brash has owned Intertoy Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Interadel x Centauer, since he was five years old, and they have grown up together to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the European Championships.. Brash has come to the FTI WEF for the entire circuit this winter and brought four horses. He hopes to get his top horses ready for an Olympic Games bid.

“It is great to win here. Hopefully I can continue to do as well. It is quite important. You want to come here and get up and running for the season and get your horses going early and then hopefully just tick along really, but you have to prove a bit of form,” Brash explained. “When it comes down to championships there are only so many horses that can do them to be honest and you just have get your horse in good form and then keep it sound really and then keep things right until the championships. That is the main idea.”

For sponsors Wellington Equestrian Realty, tonight’s class was a a great event in a successful week at the FTI WEF. “I think for a couple of weeks now we have had a great crowd,” said Matt Varney. “It is Wellington coming out to support the sport. It is just something that we as a company are proud to be a part of.”

Amateur-Owner Hunters Garner Tricolors

Becky Gochman and Sambalino

Sambalino and Becky Gochman, of New York, NY, scored the championship tricolor for week two in the Elite Shavings Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The pair placed first, second and second over fences and finished second under saddle. Katie Robinson and Deeridge Farm’s Lady O received the reserve tricolor, placing first, second, third and fifth over fences and earning sixth place under saddle.

Sambalino is a ten-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit. Scott Stewart imported the horse from Germany as a four-year-old and he has been winning classes throughout the country ever since. On the way to earning the division championship this afternoon Sambalino scored an impressive 92 in the stake class. High scores of 86 and 89 also kept the gelding in the top ribbons.

Following her win, Gochman commented on the tough competition in the Amateur-Owner division this year and praised her fellow competitors. “I feel like this older group of amateurs are amazing riders with spectacular horses and we are all riding up to each other,” she stated. “It feels really good to be part of this group and I feel like we are all having a blast. It was so competitive out there. I think we are all good friends and it is a neat group of people, so when everyone has such nice horses and we are all out there doing our best, it makes the show a happy place.”

Gochman was very happy with her rounds over the two days of competition and commended Sambalino on his efforts, stating, “Sambalino was amazing these past two days. The courses were more difficult, but they were a lot of fun. Sambalino is a special horse in general and he just really wanted to do it this week; he definitely gave me all he had.”

Describing Sambalino’s style, Gochman noted, “He loves when I just sit there and try to do nothing – which is, of course, the hardest thing to do. He responds that way; he loves to show off his jump and he doesn’t want anybody to interfere with him. I think when you have a horse as careful as he is any interference with the rider scares him. He wants to be able to do it himself, which is a cool feeling.”

Gochman has owned Sambalino for three years now and this is her second year showing him. She explained that she has gotten to know the gelding very well now and feels lucky to have him. “We are getting to know each other more and more and I’m getting to feel more comfortable with him and understanding his little quirks,” she smiled. “It’s really a blast and he’s just a once in a lifetime horse. I know I will never see another horse like him; there’s nothing compared to Sambalino.”

The highlight jumper class tomorrow is the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Arena at 1 p.m. Hunter competition at the 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will conclude for week two tomorrow with the presentation of championship awards in the Children’s Hunter 14 & Under. Week three of the FTI WEF runs from January 25-29 and is sponsored by Horseware Ireland. For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Ken Berkley and Prestige Win Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunter Championship

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 won the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 19, 2012 – Nick Skelton (GBR) accumulated another win at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) today in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup 2, this time taking the top prize with Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273. The Irish took the next two places, with Richie Moloney on Slieveanorra, owned by Equinimity LLC/Richie Moloney in second and Cian O’Connor on Ashkirk Ltd. & Cian O’Connor’s Blue Loyd 12 in third.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week two is the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, January 21, at 7 p.m.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Luc Musette of Belgium. Skelton commented, “Luc is one of the best course builders. He’s very underestimated and he’s one of the best course builders in the world for me. For the amount of people in it today, it was a good course and a good jump-off. It wasn’t crazy big. You don’t have to go in there every time and jump massive courses. The horses will last longer doing what we’re doing instead of keep testing them every day to the maximum.”

The $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series had 59 entries, and there were 18 first round clears. The best in the jump-off round was Skelton on Carlo 273, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Contender x Cascavelle, who were able to clear the shortened course in 38.39 seconds for victory. The final line, which included a double combination in eight strides to the last oxer, was where Skelton considered he could make up time, but changed his mind on course.

“They said you could do seven (strides) there and I went for it, but then I thought, ‘No, that’s too far away.’ I think if it had been in 10 weeks’ time, I might have gone a bit harder at it. For now I have to leave a bit in the tank. He was happy coming out of the ring,” Skelton said.

Moloney and Slieveanorra, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond, were just behind in 39.16 seconds. O’Connor and Blue Loyd 12, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Landor S x Hadj Ax, had a time of 39.76 seconds.

Fourth place in the class went to Ben Maher (GBR) on Emma Phillips’ Tackeray, who finished in 39.87 seconds, while Andrew Bourns (IRL) and his Roundthorn Madios were fifth in 40.40 seconds.

Skelton noted that he was pleased with Carlo’s performance since he hadn’t jumped since the Holiday and Horses show on December 3. He went on to say, “He likes to jump. I know that the money is coming later in the circuit, but for him, he’s not a horse who can just sit there and not do anything and then just bring him out. Once you’ve got him up and running, you can put him away for a couple of weeks and he can come back. But you’ve got to get him going and jumping first. He gets bored in the stable. He’s a happy horse; he likes to jump.”

Skelton has a solid string of winners with Unique, who won last week’s Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, and Big Star, a multiple winner at last year’s FTI WEF. “I still have Big Star to come out,” Skelton noted. “He gets out of quarantine in two weeks. Then he can start jumping.”

Skelton, who won the individual and team bronze medals at last year’s European Championships with Carlo, is part of a British contingent at the FTI WEF training for this summer’s Olympic Games in London.

When asked his thoughts on the British team, he said, “We’ve come here because there’s not a lot on at home, and they can’t all go to the indoor shows. The indoor shows, you don’t get the same build up as being outside. Here, the weather’s always good, the rings are always good, the courses are good. You can try and put a team together.”

Skelton will likely be a part of the British squad at the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm on March 2.

Prestige Shows His Class in First Year Hunters

Ken Berkley and Prestige were the Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunter championship.

Ken Berkley and Gina Day’s six-year-old Zangersheide gelding Prestige took home a championship tricolor and Horseware Ireland cooler in the Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunters for week two of the FTI WEF. Prestige and Berkley won two classes over fences today and earned two fourth place ribbons yesterday. Scott Stewart rode his own Caldwell to the reserve championship, finishing first over yesterday’s handy course and second under saddle, and placing sixth in today’s stake class.

Prestige was circuit champion in the Pre-Green 3′ Hunters during last year’s FTI WEF and this was his first time showing in the First Year division. “Prestige is just a baby; he just turned six years old,” Berkley stated. “He was four and then turned five when we started him last year. He is so simple that we gave him the summer off. He has not shown since Kentucky last spring in May and this is his first week doing the First Years.”

Commenting on the horse’s demeanor, Berkley declared, “He is bomb proof; he doesn’t look at a thing left or right. The spookier the fence, the higher he jumps. He has a big stride and he lands on every lead. I never had to do a flying change in two days over four courses.”

“He is a great horse,” Berkley praised. “He is going to be a great, fun First Year horse. He is going to be fun to do derbies with because he is perfect in that kind of environment. He would jump in and out of a circle of hay bales like they had last year; he doesn’t care about a thing.”

Berkley detailed the ease of Prestige’s show routine, explaining that he takes very little preparation. “He requires no lunge; he just gets a fifteen minute ride in the morning. It is rare for First Year horses to be that simple,” he emphasized. “Usually they need to do a warm-up, but I did a warm-up with him last week and I jumped two jumps with him this week, and now I don’t think I will ever need to do one.”

Berkley plans to show Prestige through the first few weeks in Wellington to make sure that he is qualified for the Devon Horse Show, and will then give him a couple of weeks off before World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week (week 6). Prestige’s owner, Gina Day, hopes to show the gelding herself this year as well. She plans to show in the Adult Amateurs later in the season.

Week two of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival continues tomorrow with many classes, including the USEF Talent Search equitation class for junior riders and the World Development Group 1.35 Jumpers.

For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Debbie Kelly and Sheldon Cooper Win Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51+ Championship

Nick Skelton and Unique. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 15, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded competition for week one today. In the International Arena, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was the main event. Nick Skelton (GBR) continued his solid week of success and capped it with a win on Unique, owned by Beverley Widdowson. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Wannahave, owned by The Wannahave Group, finished second, while Alexa Pessoa (USA) on Madison was third.

The first week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Surpass. The second week of the FTI WEF runs from Wednesday, January 18, through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Today’s class was the first in the in the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series. The Series will return this year with the $50,000 Leading Horse/Rider Combination Award. Skelton won last year’s first prize of $25,000.

Six riders were clear in the first round and returned for the jump-off. Katherine Dinan (USA) came back first on Nougat du Vallet, owned by Grant Road Partners, and set a solid clear round in 40.067 seconds, which would hold up for fifth place. Olympic gold medalist Leslie Howard (USA) and Lennox Lewis 2 were next, but they had four faults in 38.190 seconds for sixth place.

The lead changed hands when Alexa Pessoa and her mare Madison lowered the winning time to 38.533 seconds with no faults. They would finish in third place. Cian O’Connor (IRL) and Wednesday’s winner Everything (owned by Abdulla Humaid Al Muhairi) were also clear, but with a slightly slower time in 38.634 seconds for fourth place.

Fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny and The Wannahave Group’s Wannahave took the lead next with a speedy 38.375 second jump-off time, and they would finish in second place. As the last in the ring, Skelton and Unique had the prime position to know the time to beat with no competitors left. Skelton took advantage of this and pressed Unique around the shortened course. They won handily by almost two seconds in 36.537 seconds.

It was a good weekend for the pair who also placed second in last night’s $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix. “He felt good. He’s fresh,” Skelton commented. “This is the fourth time he’s jumped this week, but he’s in a good swing now and he’s going well. I thought after last night that I might as well jump him today. There weren’t too many in it. I’ll rest him now this week. I might jump him next Sunday and see how he goes. I’ll start Carlo next week.”

Unique competed in December’s Holiday and Horses show at the PBIEC and didn’t jump until the the FTI WEF started this week. “He had a good bit of time off, and he didn’t do much all summer really. I’m pleased enough with him,” Skelton said.

Regarding the jump-off, Skelton said, “I did watch Darragh go, and I thought, ‘Just keep it tight.’ He’s a fast horse, and he’d been around this last night so he knew where he was going!”

Skelton said that Unique, a 2001 KWPN gelding by Indoctro x Voltaire, is “in his prime.” He went on to describe, “He’s a good horse to do anything with. If he really put his mind to it, he could do everything. He’s well above his station in the 1.50s really. Luckily I’ve got the other two horses so he doesn’t have to do the top classes.”

On his successful week, Skelton said with a smile, “It’s always nice to get off to a good start. It’s keeping it up that’s the hardest thing. We’ve got 11 weeks to go.”

Adult Amateur Hunter Riders Receive Tricolors

Debbie Kelly and Sheldon Cooper

Completing their second day of classes, the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Older Section B awarded championship honors to Debbie Kelly and Sheldon Cooper for the week. Quality Control and Margaret Taylor earned the championship in Section A yesterday.
Sheldon Cooper is a nine-year-old gelding owned by David Glefke, of Keswick, VA. Rider Debbie Kelly, of White Hall, MD, trains with Larry Glefke and Kelley Farmer. Kelly rode when she was a child and decided to get back into the sport after a long hiatus about five or six years ago. She had never ridden Sheldon Cooper before this week.

“I just met Sheldon yesterday!” Kelly laughed. “Larry has only had him a few weeks, and that is really all I know, but he was awesome. He is amazing and just as sweet and smooth as can be. He took care of me and he was great.”

Commenting on her jumping rounds, Kelly stated, “Yesterday he was just about perfect. He just went in there and carried me around, and today he was pretty close. I was a little worse today than yesterday because probably I was nervous. Yesterday I just wanted to get around, because I did not have any expectations, but he was just great every time. It was really fun.”

Kelly explained that she enjoys riding and showing again and tries to get down to Florida a few times each winter. “I showed three times last winter and that is the only time I have been here except for when I was a kid in the ‘70s,” she said. “I always wanted to get back into riding and I felt like I was running out of time; that’s what made me come back.”

“I would like to show maybe three or four times this year,” Kelly noted. “I just like showing and I like getting away from the cold weather up north for a few days. I just get to come a few times during the season and then it’s back to work on Monday morning.”

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue with its second week of competition, the Wellington Equestrian Realty CSI 2* “AA” show on January 18-22, with the highlight class of the week, the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix on Saturday evening.

For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Spandau and Schaefer Raposa Garner Marley Goodman Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Championship

Beezie Madden and Simon. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 14, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) hosted its first “Saturday Night Lights” event this evening with the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix. Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden (USA) and new mount Simon, owned by Abigail Wexner, took home the blue ribbon. Nick Skelton (GBR) and Beverley Widdowson’s Unique finished second, while Cian O’Connor (IRL) rode Blue Loyd, owned by Ashkirk Ltd and Cian O’Connor, to third place.

In the first round of the grand prix, Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward fell with Oh D’ Eole at the 8b obstacle. Ward was taken out of the ring to an ambulance and transported to Wellington Regional Medical Center, where he is being attended by specialists for a fractured kneecap. Oh D’ Eole was examined by veterinarians and is unhurt.

The first week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 15, and is sponsored by Surpass. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Tonight’s class was sponsored by Surpass, a product of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI). Amanda McAvoy, Sr. Brand Manager of the Equine Division at BIVI, was on hand to present awards for tonight’s class, and spoke on behalf of her company. “We are ecstatic to be a part of this and feel very fortunate to be able to be the sponsor of the first week of the event,” McAvoy said. “It is pretty neat to sit here with these riders. We really appreciate the partnership that we have with the FTI WEF and we are very thankful that we are able to be here.”

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. There were 36 entries in tonight’s class, and seven were clear in the first round. The first to return for the jump-off was Cian O’Connor on Blue Loyd. They set a clear quick round in 42.642 seconds to start the second round. Their time held up for third place.

Nick Skelton and Unique put down a speedy time next in 40.880 seconds and with no faults, they jumped to the top. They would eventually finish in second place.

Reed Kessler (USA) and Ligist were next and had a rail for four faults in 41.490 seconds. She would finish in sixth place. Charlie Jayne (USA) and Uraya, owned by Pony Lane Farm, finished with four faults as well in 41.029 seconds for fourth place. Andrew Bourns (IRL) and Gowran Park had eight faults in 42.532 seconds for seventh place.

Madden and Simon were next to contest, and although they do not have fast jump-off experience together, they were able to speed easily around the course and set the winning time at 40.764 seconds for the win.

Margie Engle (USA) was the last to go on Ashland Farms’ Lord Spezi. They were quick in 41.340 seconds, but four faults left them in fifth place.

Beezie Madden earned the victory in tonight’s class aboard Simon, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Mr. Blue x Polydox), owned by Abigail Wexner. Simon is a new horse for Madden, previously ridden by Jeroen Dubbeldam, and purchased just over a month ago.

“We just got Simon six or eight weeks ago,” Madden stated. “He has been very successful with Jeroen. He was third in the World Cup Finals last year and he won the CN Grand Prix in Calgary the year before. He has been very good in Nations Cups for the Dutch team and this is actually the first grand prix that I have done with him.”

Madden explained that she hopes to aim Simon towards the Selection Trials for the Olympics Games, and wanted to start early to get to know him. “This is the first time that I have ridden him under the lights,” she said. “I had him at some indoor shows in the fall, but only three, so this is only my fourth show with him. I need to get to know him a little bit and then maybe back off a little bit before the trials.”

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Madden said of going into the jump-off tonight. “That was the first time that I have tried to go fast with him. He has a history of being a fast horse, so I tried to just give him a good look and take a shot. I didn’t get to see these guys go, but they are fast riders, so I didn’t really need to ask how fast they were. I am just getting to know the horse, so I had to just take a shot and see what happens, and I was really happy with him. I didn’t know how strong he would get, but he wasn’t strong at all. Everything has gone pretty smoothly so far, knock on wood. I am happy with the progression.”

Second place finisher Nick Skelton was pleased with the performance of his mount Unique as well. Skelton stated, “I was happy with my horse; he jumped good. I was going to jump him this week and then maybe jump Carlo next week just to start jumping him a little bit too, because he has been off. The last show he did was the beginning of December and he is not a horse that likes to sit around. He likes to jump, so he will probably do that next week.”

“He is a good horse. He is a good user,” Skelton said of Unique. “He can do anything, and if you really wanted to he could do even more. He can go quick. He wins a lot of classes through the year. Whatever show you take him to he will win a class somewhere.”

Third place finisher, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, spoke about his horse Blue Loyd after the class. “He has been good this week. The first day in the 1.45m he was sixth, and the second day he was second. Today he was third, so he is earning his keep!” he said with a laugh.

“I was happy to have all of the experience my horse had and I am just getting to know him,” O’Connor added. “I have just done three shows in the fall as well, like Beezie has, and I wanted to build my horse up and try to get the hang of him early in the year, so that is why I am here. It is a wonderful show and I am delighted to be here.”

Earlier in the day, Alexandra Vanderrest piloted Oxsona M to the win in the $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Nathalie Mathers and Windline captured the win in the $1,500 Surpass Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Licapo and Madeline Schaefer won the $1,500 Griffis Group High Junior Jumper class.

The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. The highlight class in the International Arena is the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at 1 p.m., which marks the first class in the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series. The Series will return this year with the $50,000 Leading Horse/Rider Combination Award.

Schaefer Raposa and Spandau

Schaefer Raposa and Spandau earned a championship tricolor and Horseware Ireland cooler this morning in the Marley Goodman Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. The pair finished first in both classes yesterday, and placed first and fourth over fences and third under saddle today. Spandau is a seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Quidam de Revel, owned by Visse Wedell of North Salem, NY, and trained by Lyman T. Whitehead.

Also finishing with top ribbons this week, Huntington, shown by Kristen Lutz and owned by Stratford Stables, earned the reserve championship. The pair finished first, fourth, fifth and fifth over fences and won the under saddle.

Division winner Schaefer Raposa, of Clinton, NY, showed Spandau for the first time this week for owner Visse Wedell. Raposa rode Spandau at his farm once last year and then got on the gelding on Thursday to prepare for this week’s competition.

“He is awesome, he really is,” the rider smiled. “He is one of the coolest hunters I have ever ridden. His rhythm is amazing; he has that great canter where the distance is never too far and you just kind of go with it. He has the jump where he uses every part of his body and he is so brave. He is just really cool.”

Describing her jumping rounds, which included a high score of 90 on Friday’s handy course, Raposa stated, “Yesterday I thought I did well in the first round. I just wanted to go in and be consistent everywhere and he jumped great. The handy was really fun. He has an awesome mouth, so you can just turn right back to everything.”

“Today I thought he was great too,” she continued. “I wished there was another handy to do because it was really fun, but he was great both days. I was thinking because it was colder today that he might wake up a little bit, but he was no problem.”

Spandau also showed in the Second Year Green Working Hunters with Lyman T. Whitehead this week. Raposa hopes to get more opportunities to show the gelding in the Junior Hunters throughout the circuit.

In addition to her hunter success, 18-year-old Raposa has excelled in the equitation and jumper divisions. She won Section A of the USEF/Platinum Performance Show Jumping Talent Search on Friday and will show in the jumpers throughout the winter as well.

Raposa enjoys showing at the FTI WEF and appreciates the comforts of home when she stays at her family’s farm in Wellington. “I stay down here the whole winter once we get here,” she said. “I know it can seem boring doing the same thing every week, but I like not having to travel; I like just being home.”

Week one of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Surpass, will conclude on Sunday with the completion of the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunters 51 & Over in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 11 through April 1. The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $6 million in prize money will be awarded.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 23 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

VASCONCELLOS SCOOPS DOUBLE-GOLD FOR BRAZIL by Louise Parkes

Brazil's Sarah Vasconcellos claimed Team and Individual gold riding Cornwall Chief at the FEI Children's International Classics Final 2011 in Hong Kong. Photo: FEI/Kenneth Chan.

Hong Kong (CHN), 14 January 2012 – Brazil’s Sarah Vasconcellos clinched her second gold medal of the Championships when taking the Individual title on the final day of the FEI Children’s International Classics Final in Hong Kong today.  Silver went to the host nation’s Arianna Ladd, while South Africa’s Cameron Dawson was the well-deserved recipient of the bronze.  Vasconcellos also helped the Happy Diamonds side to gold in the Team competition, ably supported by Russia’s Nikita Pomogalova, Venezuela’s Victoria Karm and Hong Kong’s Michelle Li.

The youthful enthusiasm and sporting spirit of the competitors, all aged between 12 and 14 years, permeated the event which took place at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Beas River Country Club – venue for the eventing discipline during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.  The 20 competitors representing 15 National Federations – Brazil, Hong Kong, South Africa, France, Germany, Ecuador, Paraguay, Venezuela, China, Syria, New Zealand, Guatemala, Russia, Mexico and Canada – rode horses belonging to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, many of which are leased to individuals who generously permitted their mounts to take part in this important challenge.

DISCUSSIONS
Competitions for children riding horses initially emerged from discussions that took place during the FEI General Assembly in London in 1986, and the first international event was held in Cali, Colombia in 1988.  Between 1993 and 1997, Alfonso Romo and his company (Pulsar) organised the Intercontinental Youth Championships at the Club Hipico La Silla in Mexico, including classes for Children, Juniors and Young Riders.  The Children’s International Jumping Championship was introduced by the Children’s Committee in 1995 and has moved around the globe in subsequent years.  It was last held in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2009 when Syria’s Mohammed Jabri came out on top in the battle for the Individual title.

Initially divided into two sections – Category A for experienced riders and Category B for children with less experience – the concept was further developed with the introduction of a third category in 2011.  Riders now compete at Gold, Silver and Bronze level, and the FEI Children’s International Classics Final staged over the last five days in Hong Kong was open to Gold Tour competitors only.

ACTION
Course designer was Iran’s Hossein Shafiee, and the action got underway with a warm-up class on Wednesday during which riders got the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their mounts.  Thursday’s first competition was won by South Africa’s Cameron Dawson riding Golden Goblet who recorded the quickest time around the track to pip Syria’s Fares Al Khouli and Call Me Handsome by a margin of almost two seconds.  Vasconcellos showed early promise when slotting Cornwall Chief into third ahead of South Africa’s Taryn Rault and Gagnant in fourth.  Impressively, 12 of the 20 starters jumped clear in their opening effort.

The second competition on Friday decided the team medals, and it was a close-fought affair with the top three teams all finishing on a four-fault total, but Pomogalova (Noble Boss), Karam (Magical Lot), Li (Phoenix Fortune) and Casconcellos (Cornwall Chief) clinched gold with fastest combined time.  The Happy Sport foursome of Camille Conde-Ferreira (Spare a Dime) from France, Joao Victor Lima (Fame and Fortune) from Brazil, South Africa’s Cameron Dawson (Golden Goblet) and Hong Kong’s Arianna Ladd (Mountain Treasure) finished just over two seconds in arrears to clinch silver while Team Chopardissimo’s Lily Tootill (Wafer King) from New Zealand, Ashley Keary (Hot Pot) from Canada, South Africa’s Taryn Rault (Gagnant) and Ecuador’s Simon Fernandez-Salvador Fallet (Tennessee) were almost 18 seconds further adrift when taking the bronze.

Individually, Dawson came out on top once again, and the South Africans were dominant when Taryn Rault and Gagnant slotted into second ahead of Kiwi rider Tootill who steered Wafer King into third. Vasconcellos was stalking the leaders yet again however when claiming fourth, and it was her turn to shine on the final day.

PRESSURE INCREASED
With the fences raised to 1.10m the pressure was increased, and when Vasconcellos produced one of just two first-round clears this morning – the other delighting the home-side supporters when coming from Hong Kong’s Arianna Ladd – then these two went into a 10-way jump-off to decide the fate of the Individual gold medal.  It seemed South Africa might well be in line for the main honours, but although Rault had the quickest time when breaking the beam in 47.60 seconds he left two on the floor while Dawson’s Golden Goblet picked up four faults in the fast time of 47.89 seconds.

Ladd thrilled the Hong Kong supporters club when bringing Mountain Treasure home clear once again, but her time of 53.11 seconds was cautious and when Vasconcellos galloped through the finish in 48.47 seconds she sealed the result.

The Brazilian rider is about to start her Secondary School education in the USA and has four horses in her string.  Vasconcellos earned her place at the final when winning her home qualifier with a seven-year-old mare she bought from Holland last July.  “I prepared for the Children’s Final by riding my four horses which are all very different – that was good experience for me,” Vasconcellos explained today.  She admitted that she was “not completely at home” with her allocated ride, Cornwall Chief, on the first day, “but it got better and better and I was told my riding style was similar to the horse’s own rider so people were confident we would get along and do well,” she explained.

NERVOUS
“I was nervous going into the jump-off today, but after the first jump I knew my horse was in good form and that I had a chance!” she pointed out.  By sheer coincidence she met Cornwall Chief’s owner while on a trip to Germany last summer, and everyone concerned was delighted with the end result.  Very much in keeping with the spirit of these Championships, Vasconcellos said her trip to Hong Kong was a great all-round experience.  “It’s been awesome making so many new friends and connections – I’ve already teamed up with the South Africans and we have become great friends!” she said.

New Zealand’s Lily Tootill took the prize for Most Stylish rider, while Ecuador’s Simon Fernandez-Salvador Fallet took the Sportsmanship Award which was also presented by sponsors, Chopard.  FEI Jumping Director, John Roche, said, “The Hong Kong Equestrian Federation did an amazing job in organising this event, and I would like to say a special thanks to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for providing us with a great venue, and tremendous sport.”

Results:

Individual: GOLD – Cornwall Chief (Sarah Vasconcellos) BRA; SILVER – Mountain Treasure (Arianna Ladd) HKG; BRONZE – Golden Goblet (Cameron Dawson) RSA.

Team: GOLD – Team Happy Diamonds – Noble Boss (Nikita Pomogalova) RUS, Magical Lot (Victoria Karam) VEN, Phoenix Fortune (Michele Li) HKG, Cornwall Chief (Sarah Vasconcellos) BRA; SILVER – Team Happy Sport – Spare a Dime (Camille Conde-Ferreira) FRA, Fame and Fortune (Joao Victor Lima) BRA, Golden Goblet (Cameron Dawson) RSA, Mountain Treasure (Arianna Ladd) HKG; BRONZE – Team Chopardissimo – Wafer King (Lily Tootill) NZL, Hot Pot (Ashley Keary) CAN, Gagnant (Taryn Rault) RSA, Tennessee (Simon Fernandez-Salvador Fallet) ECU.

Phillip DeVita. Photos © Kenneth Kraus

Lexington, Kentucky – January 2, 2012 – The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition, scheduled for the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on October 31 through November 4, 2012, today announced the line-up of judges for the Hunter divisions and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship for this year’s event.

The debut of the Alltech National Horse Show last November closed with great excitement, receiving unanimous and rave reviews from the equestrian community. More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans competed in 2011 and this year’s event should prove to be even more successful.

Invited to judge the highly competitive hunter divisions for the 2012 edition are Phillip J. DeVita, Jr. from Apopka, Florida and Jimmy Torano, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Both DeVita and Torano are two of the most popular and highly rated hunter judges in the United States, having officiated at most of the top ranked shows in the nation.

Devita has marked the card at all of the fall shows over the years, including the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the Washington International and the Capital Challenge Horse Show. DeVita also officiated at the National Horse Show during its heyday at Madison Square Garden in New York. He has also designed the course and judged the ASPCA Maclay Finals on two occasions.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be invited to judge at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington,” De Vita said. “Having been a judge at the old National Horse Show, one of the greatest shows in the world when it was held at Madison Square Garden, it’s really special to be asked to return and be a part of this exciting rebirth under the direction of Mason Phelps and under the great sponsorship provided by Alltech. They have done an amazing job in reestablishing this show to the classic it once was.”

Jimmy Torano

Torano, one of the nation’s most respected and sought after judges, has also officiated in the hunter divisions at all of the top shows. In addition, he has judged all of the national finals including the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, the USET Finals, the USEF Pony Medal and the ASPCA Maclay Finals. “When they asked me to judge the Alltech National Horse Show this year, I jumped at the chance,” Torano stated. “The National Horse Show has been a top, top, top show for years and years and I am honored that they asked me to be a part of the 2012 production.”

For the all-important ASPCA Maclay National Championship, the Alltech National Horse Show has secured two of the country’s most respected horsemen, California’s Hap Hansen and the legendary George Morris.

Mason Phelps, Jr, the President of the National Horse Show Association, commented on Hansen and Morris. “You know, the terms all-star and legendary are sometimes tossed around too often and too easily. But, when you speak of George Morris and Hap Hansen, you truly have two of the nation’s legendary equestrians,” he said. “George Morris is the authority on equitation in America and Hap Hansen, in addition to being one of the most successful grand prix riders and trainers of all time, is a great judge. We’re thrilled to have them on board for 2012.”

Hansen, from Encinitas, California, is one of the nation’s winningest grand prix riders of all time with nearly $2,000,000 in prize money won. He was named the AGA Rider of the Year in 1990, the AHSA Rider of the Year in 1994 and was awarded the prestigious CPHA Lifetime Achievement in 2006.  As a trainer, Hansen’s students have won the West Coast Junior Hunter Finals twice and the CPHA Adult Medal Finals and have competed at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. He is also one of the country’s most requested judges.

George Morris, the Chef d’ Equipe of the United States Equestrian Team that won Gold medals at back to back Olympic Games in Athens and Hong Kong attended last year’s debut of the show and noted at the time, “The Alltech Arena is an ideal location for the National Horse Show, it is perfect for all the horsemen and horses, and it really captured the feel of Madison Square Garden. The Alltech National Horse Show has brought back class, something that has been lacking in horse shows today.”

The 2012 Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition, takes center stage on October 31 through November 4, 2012 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.  In addition to the top rated hunters and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, the show features world-class international, open, junior and amateur-owner jumpers competing for the biggest prize money on the United States indoor tour.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
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