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CompetitionsWorld Dressage Masters Palm Beach Declared a Resounding Success Steffen Peters, joyful winner of the WDM Palm Beach Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. Photos: Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb for Phelps Media Group Wellington, FL (January 31, 2012) – The 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach exceeded all expectations, from the first horse on center line in Friday’s Grand Prix to the victory lap following Saturday’s Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. Top sport was represented by the world’s most exciting horse and rider combinations, some of them veterans, others rising stars. When the 2012 WDM Palm Beach Champion was named on Saturday evening, it was the experienced team of Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s 14 year old Ravel of the US who succeeded in defending their title against 26 year old Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain and the super-talented ten year old Valegro. “I must say I have seen some wonderful sport tonight,” said WDM Managing Director John van de Laar following the Freestyle competition. “I would like to congratulate Steffen.” With the Olympics just six months away, van de Laar noted that the WDM Palm Beach gave a hint to the rivalries that can be expected in London. “I am very anxious to see what happens in London. To show a horse like Valegro here at the Masters in an Olympic year, I must say ‘two thumbs up’.” Classic Company Is Making Pony Hunter History, Offering a Total of $50,000 in Prize Money Pony Power ©Flashpoint Photography February 2, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, has officially announced the formation of two $25,000 Hunter Pony Derby Classics that will premiere this summer, the first at the Atlanta Summer Classic, Week II (June 20-24) and the next at the Charleston Summer Classic, Week II (July 17-21). Bob Bell’s explanation for the development of the big money classes for the youngest set of competitors was an easy one: “I like the pony hunters. I like the trainers. I love the enthusiasm of both the children and their parents for this sport, because in most cases the pony hunter is their first introduction to the equestrian world. I simply wanted to create an event that appreciates this group and I don’t think this type of classic has been done before.” Aside from the large cash pay outs, Bell believes these classics provide an added benefit. “There is so much talent in our pony riders and I feel they should be rewarded, not only with the money but these classics will give them two opportunities to go head to head with the best for those preparing to compete at Pony Finals later in the summer.” Yann Candele and Carlotta Singular La Magnifica Win $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4Humor Me and Haylie Jayne Top the Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunters  Yann Candele (CAN) and Carlotta Singular La Magnifica. Photo © Sportfot Wellington, FL – February 2, 2012 – The $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 had an imposing field of 84 entries today, but it was Yann Candele (CAN) and Carlotta Singular La Magnifica, owned by Susan Grange, who were able to beat the strong contenders for victory. Today’s grand prix was the highlight class in the International Arena at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Beezie Madden (USA) and Cortes C, owned by Abigail Wexner finished second, while Laura Kraut (USA) and Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric were third. Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be making two appearances at the FTI WEF this week. The first will be before the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, February 4, and again on Sunday, February 5 before the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. 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. After Three Top-Five Finishes, Charlene Graham Wins the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship at HITS Ocala ©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.” Equestrian Aid Foundation Ready for Second Annual Sidelines TetrathlonJane Forbes Clark to Receive Inaugural Luminary Award; Sarah B. Willeman Also to Be Honored
R. Bruce Duchossois, renowned equestrian and member of the board of directors, oversee the festivities with event co-chair R. Scot Evans, the EAF’s president. Defending Team FarmVet will take on sponsored teams MeadowView, Palm Beach Equine Clinic and newcomer Flintfields Horse Park. Success Equestrian has outfitted the dressage, show jumping and reining horses in the competition with new no-slip saddle pads. Hot Wheels Rolls to Victory with Darragh Kerins in $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers Darragh Kerins (IRL) and Hot Wheels won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. Photo © Sportfot Wellington, FL – February 1, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival welcomed exhibitors for the fourth week of competition, which starts today and goes through Sunday, February 5. In the opening class in the International Arena, Darragh Kerins (IRL) guided Hot Wheels to victory in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be making two appearances at the FTI WEF this week. The first will be before the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, February 4, and again on Sunday, February 5 before the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. 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. Live Oak International 2012, Host of the USEF Four-In-Hand Driving Championship, Will Celebrate 20 Years of Competition and Include Jumping Events
The multigenerational love for equestrian sports shared by the Weber family will take another logical step in 2012, with the addition of a Jumping Speed Class following Dressage on Friday and a Jumping Grand Prix following the Marathon on Saturday. We look forward to providing our spectators with some of the best Jumping competition with some of the best Driving competition at the same venue on the same afternoons. A world class Driving event and a world class Jumping competition will be together at a world class farm. Alltech National Horse Show Announces 2012 Dates and Locations for ASPCA Maclay Regionals Sarah Milliren of Sapula, OK, won the 2011 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Photo Credit: Rebecca Walton/PMG Lexington, KY – February 1, 2012 – The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition is pleased to announce the dates and locations for this year’s ASPCA Maclay Regional competitions. The horse shows’ qualifying classes determine which riders will compete in this year’s ASPCA Maclay National Championship, which will be held at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on November 4, 2012. The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Hayley Barnhill, and in 2011 Sarah Milliren was named the winner. Top Class Lineup for FEI World Cup Driving Final in Bordeaux
Six drivers – Boyd Exell (AUS); IJsbrand Chardon (NED); Koos De Ronde (NED); Tomas Eriksson (SWE); Jozsef Dobrovitz (HUN) and Zoltan Lázár (HUN) – qualified for the Final at the end of an exciting season that ran over seven events held in five European countries. They will be joined by home driver Thibault Coudry, who has received the wild card. In Bordeaux the seven drivers all start from scratch and it will not be until the very last second of the Final on the evening of Saturday 4 February that the new FEI World Cup Driving champion will be crowned. Team Orian Conquered the Bull in the Second Preliminary “Buck Off” and Teams Gear Up for This Week’s Competition at New Equestrian Village Megan Martin was a member of Team Orian, the winners of the Second Preliminary "Buck Off" held at the White Horse Tavern January 26, 2012. Photo Courtesy of Kerri Salter Loxahatchee, FL – January 31, 2012 – The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) held its second preliminary “Buck Off” last Thursday at the White Horse Tavern’s Patio. The fundraiser benefits the VTRC, an organization that witnesses countless miracles on a daily basis and truly lives up to its meaning, “to overcome.” The “Buck Off” consists of three preliminary rounds in which teams of four compete on a mechanical bull to earn the highest score. The winning team will move on to the final event held on February 10, 2012. The buzz about the event has been nothing but positive. “The conversations about the ‘Buck Off’ have been simply amazing,” said Bobbi Rottman, with Equine Solutions. “The energy here is about double what it was last year, and that’s impressive considering that the winners from last year said it was the talk of the town all year.” As Rottman’s “brain-child,” its success means the world to her. She had wanted to help the VTRC reach out to the younger generations and hold an event where everyone could come together and have a great time. The first time the event was held was at the annual dinner and auction three years ago. The response was so immense that the committee had to turn people away. Soon after, it was decided to make the “Buck Off” its own fundraising event for the VTRC leading up to the annual benefit. They have received overwhelming support from sponsors throughout the years, and this year Floridian Community Bank, Palm Beach Equine Clinic and White Horse Tavern Catering are to thank. |
WELLINGTON, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2012) – The second-annual Sidelines Equestrian Tetrathlon Presented by MeadowView & The Riggio Family to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation will be Sunday, February 5, 2012, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The wild, wild west-themed evening will feature the best of Palm Beach’s restaurant fare and signature cocktails with guest chefs to tempt your palette; and silent auction items to entice your sense of adventure; with the headline of the night being world-class horsemen and women in the greatest discipline switch ever imagined.
The Live Oak International Driving Event will celebrate its 20th year in 2012. Over this 20 year period it has been the industry standard for Combined Driving Competition welcoming leading drivers, trainers, coaches and owners from Europe and North America and drawing thousands of people to the area as we again serve the dual purposes of giving the public a chance to enjoy world class combined driving competition while also supporting many non-profit and charity goals. The 2012 Event will host the USEF National Championships for Four In Hand Horses.
Lausanne (SUI), 31 January 2012 – Driving fans will be treated to a thrilling finale of the FEI World Cup Driving 11th season in Bordeaux (FRA) on 3 and 4 February.
