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 guided Sting to his comeback in the $5,000 Devoucoux 3'3" Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala I. Photo By: ESI The Digital Place

Ocala, FL – February 8, 2012 – The first week of SBS Farms’ six-week stay at HITS Ocala was filled with nothing but success as professional rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano guided Sting to his comeback. The talented team executed the $5,000 Devoucoux 3’3″ Hunter Prix with consistency and precision, riding to the coveted championship spot. Alfano also rode numerous mounts to the top awards in the hunter divisions, while student Grace Weidner exhibited Castell in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, leaving the ring with high scores across the board.

It seems as though Sting, after taking some time to recuperate, is finally hitting his stride in the new 2012 year. Alfano and Sting took control of the $5,000 Devoucoux 3’3″ Hunter Prix, taking the course with a smooth ease. “He was really good, the courses were nice and he jumped great,” Alfano described. “It was so nice to have Sting back after having him out for a while. He was really smooth going around, everything matched, he’s such a fun horse and I am so happy to have him back.”

Alfano also showed Danny Robertshaw’s Lions Paw to the Conformation Hunter Reserve Championship title. Early in the division, Lions Paw made his mark winning the blue in the model class. His success continued with Alfano in the irons, guiding him to the top score in the handy, as well as earning the third place ribbon over fences and an additional blue ribbon for their efforts in the under saddle.

In the Low Pre-Green Hunter division, Alfano and Samba Sensation, owned by Christina Major, received the reserve championship. Together, the pair earned the first, second and third place ribbons over fences, falling shortly behind Erin McCabe and Mojito. “This was the first time I have shown both of them and they did really great. I have to get to know them better, but they are both super fun to ride. They are both for sale at the moment, so I am going to continue to ride them throughout the Ocala shows as well,” Alfano explained.

Although Rose Hill, Miss Lucy and Jersey Boy took a break this week, Alfano did not skip a single beat aboard Maggie May, earning the second place over fences and the blue ribbon for the under saddle in the High Pre-Green Hunter division. She also had the opportunity to ride Michigan Avenue, an exciting reunion since the gelding was sold shortly after Capital Challenge in 2011. Together, they proved that they are still a team to be reckoned with. Their consistency throughout the Second Year Green Hunters earned the duo the reserve tricolor.

“I sold Michigan Avenue at Capital Challenge, and the owners asked me to ride him here this week,” Alfano elaborated. “I was so excited to have the opportunity again since he is such a fun horse to ride and compete.”

Recently, both Alfano and student Grace Weidner began showing SBS Farms’ Castell in separate hunter divisions, both catching the judges’ eyes and raising the bar aboard the nine-year-old Danish Warmblood. Alfano rode to the reserve championship in the High Performance Working Hunters, winning the first place ribbon and two third place ribbons over fences along with the second place honors in the under saddle. Weidner earned the second place ribbon and the fourth place ribbon over fences in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, also riding Castell to the second place ribbon in the under saddle. In the jumper ring, Luke Olsen rode Mick O’ Angelo to great success, earning the second and fourth place ribbons in the Low Children’s Jumpers.

“We had a great first week at Ocala,” Alfano concluded. “I feel as though everyone is really falling into a rhythm and we have a lot to look forward to.”

Based out of Buffalo, NY, SBS Farms’ Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation’s most prestigious horse shows. SBS Farms, Inc. continues the proud tradition of the Saddle and Bridle Club as one of the top show stables in the northeast. Schoellkopf is also the Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which houses both The Buffalo Equestrian Center as well as SBS Farms. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and gothic style architecture. For more information on SBS Farms and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

© ESI Photography. Jennifer Alfano and Helen Lenahan’s Sting earned the top score in Sunday's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala

OCALA, FL (February 7, 2012) – As the Ocala Premier celebrated its first full week of rated show jumping at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida, hunter riders were treated with another gorgeous day to showcase the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, New York, one of the nation’s top hunter riders, enjoyed a successful day after she captured the blue ribbon in Sunday’s main hunter event aboard Helen Lenahan’s Sting.

Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida designed a first round course for 35 competitors and welcomed the top 12 scores to return for a second round to determine the overall winner. Alfano and Sting posted the best first round score of 87 to lead the way and followed it with a second round high-score of 89 to earn her the decisive victory.

Alfano is no stranger to the winner’s circle, and throughout her illustrious career has won many top place finishes at nearly every major horse show and year-end finals in the country.

“It was a nice course,” said Alfano. “I think a lot of the horses rode nicely and it was a fun class to do. This class has become very popular, especially with the [Diamond Mills Hunter Prix] Finals and they’ve done a great job at making it feel special.”

Second place was awarded to Chris Nelson of Northlake, Texas aboard Playboy Des Plants of le Bocage, owned by The Stables at le Bocage.

Kate Conover and Redfield Farm’s Peron captured the third place ribbon. Conover, of Califon, New Jersey earned several top finishes last year at HITS Ocala and HITS-on-the-Hudson to qualify for the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. She and Balios Z ultimately finished third in the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final in Saugerties. A professional rider at Redfield Farm for head trainer Emil Spadone, Conover, alongside hundreds of juniors and amateurs, will be on the hunt to qualify for the 2012 return of the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final.

Rounding out the top five in Sunday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix were Amanda Steege of Bedminster, New Jersey and Tony Arena’s Majestic in fourth, while Patty Stovel aboard Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya, another Diamond Mills duo who finished in 11th place last year at the Final, finished in fifth place spot on Sunday.

$1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix

© ESI Photography. Michelle Stopford of Reddick, Florida and Mark Stopford’s Agassi finished first in Saturday's $2,500 HITS 3'3" Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala

The $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix took place on Saturday as junior and amateur riders embarked on the road to the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, which will take place alongside the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix September 7-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson. Michelle Stopford of Reddick, Florida aboard Mark Stopford’s Agassi topped the field of 19 competitors to take home the blue. Last week’s winner Jodi Czaplick of Morriston, Florida and her own Untold finished in second place, while Shannon Valley of Kildeer, Illinois finished in third aboard Donna Struve’s Insight.

The Ocala Winter Classic begins on Tuesday and will feature a full lineup of classes from grassroots to High-Performance competition. The road to the America’s richest weekend of show jumping – the HITS Championship Weekend, which will take place September 7-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York – continues this week in Ocala with two more qualifiers for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, one more for the $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final and one more for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the second-annual Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 8-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

About Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern
Just 100 miles outside of New York City, nestled in the Village of Saugerties, Diamond Mills is a 30-room luxury hotel featuring stellar accommodations, fine-dining at The Tavern and full-service events at a state-of-the art Special Events Center. Diamond Mills is a proud member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassed collection of over 520 luxury hotels around the world. Saugerties’ newest luxury hotel is also the proud sponsor of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson as part of the HITS Championship Weekend. For more information about Diamond Mills or the special VIP packages available to HITS-on-the-Hudson exhibitors, please visit DiamondMillsHotel.com or call 845.247.0700.

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

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.”

Flanagan added that technology played an important role in audience participation during the Masters, including the ability to stream the rides to a smart phone. “This year we featured a live video stream which was so inundated by viewers it actually crashed the USEF website. We also featured high definition monitors at various locations in the area to provide each viewer with optimal angles of each movement and to replay clips from each ride.”

An added highlight of the World Dressage Masters was an up-close-and-personal moment of each rider being interviewed after their ride. “The crowd really enjoyed hearing the excitement in each rider’s voice as they spoke about their ride, and I think it brought them even closer to the action of an international dressage competition,” said Flanagan.

The 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach is the only North American leg in the Masters series and was presented by the International Polo Club of Wellington, which hosted a spectacular competitors’ party during the event. Held poolside at the Mallet Grill on the Polo Club grounds, the Competitors party featured an exquisite ice sculpture of the WDM logo, Venetian cuisine, mermaids, showgirls and fire dancers. The ambiance and excitement of the Competitors party set the tone for the entire weekend, which culminated with the Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s Ravel beat out Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro by the narrowest of margins, only .05%, to capture the win for the second year in a row. During the Grand Prix Special on Saturday afternoon Adrienne Lyle and Wizard easily captured the win, with Heather Blitz and Paragon placing second and showing off some impressive movements for a young Grand Prix horse.

The World Dressage Master highlights came on the heels of the exciting Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Opener CDIW in which Adrienne Lyle and Wizard, owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas, captured the win in the Grand Prix class in the National Division with a 73.652%. Konyot rode away with a 71.596%, just ahead of Canada’s Ashley Holzer on Pop Art who scored 71.525%.

The Gold Coast Opener also proved to be a festive occasion, with the GCDA Opener Competitor’s party hosted by Stanley and Janne Rumbough and the Second Annual Stick Horse Quadrille, which featured great prizes from Sho Clothes Dressage boutique in Wellington. The show also featured para-equestrian dressage riders from Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Bermuda, the United States, Finland and Japan. The United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, coached by Missy Ransehousen, was in the ribbons with Jonathan Wentz taking home the blue aboard NTEC Richter Scale. The para riders also took part in the qualifier at the Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge, which ran in conjunction with the Masters. “It was a great weekend for the riders who competed in the Sunshine Challenge CDI 3*, as they were able to ride among some of the top Olympic riders and in an environment unparalleled in the United States,” said Flanagan.

The World Dressage Masters is proving to be a major steppingstone for the South Florida dressage market and the United States dressage scene, becoming a true mecca for Olympic level dressage. “Having the Masters here in Wellington is great for both the riders, who get to enjoy the beautiful weather and top class competition, and for the audiences and dressage enthusiasts who get to have the top echelons of the sport right in their backyard. The stands were full all throughout the weekend, and I think we were pushing 3500 people during the Grand Prix Freestyle and over 10,000 for the weekend. Dressage is quickly becoming a major spectator sport,” Flanagan said.

For more information on Gold Coast Dressage Association shows, visit their website at www.gcdafl.org.

For more information on Wellington Classic Dressage shows, visit their website at www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com.

For more information contact:
Johnny Robb – JRPR, Inc.
561-753-4608
jrpr@mac.com

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.

Parra said Lindner was imported two years ago from Germany as a stallion. “He was a champion stallion in Germany,” Parra said. “He is now a fantastic gelding and I feel very blessed to be riding and competing Lindner. He is unbelievably special, never a dull moment.  He is so intelligent and always ready to do his best for me.”

Parra added that he believes Lindner’s potential is unlimited, although they are not rushing his career. “Even though he is capable of doing so much more, and soon he will be able to represent our nation, we are taking it slow with him. We want to make sure that Lindner is happy, confident and able to develop the harmony that our sport is looking for,” he said.

As the winners of the High Score Award, Parra and Lindner were presented with a beautiful cooler from The Horse of Course. “I want to congratulate Cesar on his fabulous ride. Lindner is an amazing horse and will certainly prove to be one of our country’s most talented horses in the future,” said Beth Haist, CEO of The Horse of Course. “I am sure that Lindner will look great in his winning cooler from The Horse of Course. I can’t wait to see him wearing it around the show grounds.”

Haist said The Horse of Course is pleased to be part of the Wellington show scene. “We love our clients and so many of them have come to rely on our fashions and tack. We are a one-stop dressage specialty mobile store at the horse shows in Wellington this winter and we invite everyone to stop by and meet us,” she said.

The Horse of Course offers top proven brands, innovative new products, complete customized saddle fitting and customized bit fitting. The Horse of Course also carries saddles, including the Sommer Flextra Eq and the new Sommer Spezial, the most advanced dressage saddles on the market. Haist’s husband, Marty Haist, is a saddler who attends the shows to assist customers with their saddle fitting needs.

To learn more about The Horse of Course, visit their website at www.thehorseofcourse.com.

For more information contact:
The Horse of Course, Inc.
Beth Haist, CEO
888-49-HORSE (46773)
www.thehorseofcourse.com
beth@thehorseofcourse.com

February 1, 2012 – The Alltech National Horse Show, following its debut at the Kentucky Horse Park last November, on Tuesday evening was awarded the North American Riders Group’s highest ranking for any American horse show.

The North American Riders Group (NARG), representing the riders and owners in North America, is comprised of the top horsemen from the United States, Canada and Mexico and was formed with the goal of improving the sport of show jumping. In their presentation of the NARG Top 25 Horse Shows of 2011, they stated, “The North American Riders Group remains steadfast in achieving an essential goal-improving our sport so that once again show jumping in North America will rank among the greatest in the world.”

Their report said, “After overwhelmingly positive results from our 2010 Top 25 report, NARG and a host of volunteers once again spent hundreds of hours to numerically evaluate 50 of the top horse shows in North America.”

Finishing third in the overall rankings behind legendary Spruce Meadows in Canada, and Canadian newcomer to the rankings, Thunderbird, the Alltech National Horse Show, attained the highest score of any show in the United States at 83%. “The successful re-birth of the National Horse Show is important for our sport and crucial to the resurgence of this nation’s traditionally outstanding Indoor shows,” the NARG report stated. “Congratulations on year one’s score of 83%. NARG believes this event has a bright future.”

The report continued, “Once one of the nation’s most esteemed and celebrated indoor events, The National Horse Show is making a comeback. With the support of Alltech, as well as other sponsors, this year the renowned event relocated to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. It appears the show will remain at this home of the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) indefinitely, with great efforts to return it to its bygone excellence.”

“While it is challenging to establish a show steeped in tradition at a new venue, NARG commends the management team of ANHS for a job well done in year one. Three essential aspects came together to bring about a high score and a solid event. First, a committed management team and Board, with a vision for bringing back what once was. Second, the Kentucky Horse Park has a fabulous new indoor arena. And third Alltech is a strong title sponsor; unlocking possibilities that show managements yearn for. However to truly be a marquee event, it is a priority to get people in the seats. We know management understands this,” NARG stated.

“We are honored and very proud with this top ranking from the North American Riders Group,” said Mason Phelps, Jr., the President of the National Horse Show Association. “It’s rewarding that our team’s tremendous efforts in year one were recognized by this outstanding group of professional horsemen.”

More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries attended in 2011 and the show’s debut this past season will go down in the record books as one of the most successful in the history of equestrian events in the United States.

“The team at the Alltech National Horse Show takes the NARG rankings very seriously and will keep a laser focus on those items that kept the show from the very top of the charts this year,” Phelps added. “In fact, we’ve already addressed and plan to fix a number of those issues mentioned in the NARG rankings, including bigger and better scoreboards, the location of the Taylor Harris Club, access to the main arena floor and much improved and exciting nighttime entertainment. Our number one concern next year,” Phelps said, “will be to get, as NARG put it, people in the seats.”

Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons agreed. “This inaugural event was a good beginning, but it was only the beginning. This show will continue to grow and next time around the city of Lexington will embrace this show more and we, in fact, will go all out to create a super experience for all who attend.”

The second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is set for October 31 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kathryn Haefner and Columbus Find Victory in the Hunter Ring

Scott Brash and Whisky Mac. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2012 – Week four of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Adequan, concluded on Sunday with a win for Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Whisky Mac in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.

Week four of the FTI WEF was sponsored by Adequan. Week five, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will run February 8-12. The 2012 FTI Consulting 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.

Forty-four entries showed in the 1.50m class over a track set by 2012 Olympic course designer Bob Ellis of Great Britain. Six went clear to jump-off and five completed double clear rounds. Scott Brash and Whisky Mac, owned by Stan Brash, finished with the fastest time of 44.670 seconds taking the top prize.

Following Brash, Ben Maher (GBR) guided Rowan, owned by Mrs. Louise Flower, to the second fastest time in 45.608 seconds. Andrew Welles (USA) rode Boo Van Het Kastanjehof, owned by Peter Welles, into third in 46.121 seconds. Great Britain’s Tina Fletcher and Unique IX stopped the clock in 47.365 seconds to finish fourth. Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Sinead and Oonagh Kennedy’ KEC Alligator Alley finish fifth in 47.650 seconds, and Nick Skelton (GBR) rode Unique, owned by Beverly Widdowson, to eight faults in 48.016 seconds to take the sixth position.

Class winner Whisky Mac, a nine-year-old Scottish Sporthorse gelding by Emilion x Burggraaf, is a new horse for Brash since August. Brash started Whisky Mac when the horse was a four-year-old in Scotland and the gelding then showed with his owner for several years. When it came up that Whisky Mac was for sale last year, Brash bought him.

“He had not done a whole lot; he was really an inexperienced horse, so I thought that I would bring him to this circuit for good experience,” Brash explained. “This was one of the first big classes that he has done and I can’t talk highly enough of the horse. He is a really, really good horse. Hopefully this tour is going to bring him forward in the education that he has missed in the last couple of years. I am really excited about his future.”

Brash acknowledged course designer Bob Ellis on a great effort throughout this week’s competition and praised today’s course. “I thought it was a really good course. I must say, I think the course builder got it right all week,” Brash said. “He has gotten the right number of clears in every class. Course builders don’t really get credited enough when they do a good job and I think Bob did a fantastic job this weekend.”

“It was really good to ride those sort of courses,” Brash continued. “You have to think, you have to be able to ride, and your horses have to be good horses at the end of the day. It’s the quality horses at the end of the day that are winning the classes. For me, in the grand prix last night, Big Star was the best horse in the class and he won. It was a really good course and he has done a good job.”

On his ride in the jump-off today, Brash detailed Whisky Mac’s success in one of his biggest starts. “He is dead easy and he is the nicest horse to work with, but he is actually still very green,” Brash noted. “I went against the clock with him today, but even when I’m turning him he still doesn’t really know where he is going and he is just not totally with me at the moment. It can make it a little bit hard work at the fence. At fence number two, I turned him back and because he fought with me a little bit on the turn we were quite far off the fence, but when he gets there he tries his best for you. I think he is a great horse and when I get his rideability a bit better, I think he is going to be really good.”

Riding to the Tricolor in the Adult Hunters

Kathryn Haefner and Columbus

Kathryn Haefner and her mount, Columbus, captured the championship tricolor in this week’s Voltaire Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division. The pair scored two firsts and a second over fences and finished at the top of the under saddle to earn a total of 36 points. In a race for the reserve tricolor, Music Street and Alexa Weisman finished just one point ahead of Pacifico and Moira Corcoran. Weisman was fourth, second and third over fences and finished third under saddle, earning 16 points.

The victorious bay gelding, Columbus, is a six-year-old Westphalian imported from Germany by Stewart Moran. Owned by Kathryn Haefner LLC, Columbus is new to the FTI WEF circuit and recently began showing in the Pre-Green Level 2 Hunters with rider Jimmy Torano.

Following her win, Haefner commented on her performance in the ring. “I was a little more relaxed today,” Haefner explained. “I do get very nervous so I try to just take a deep breath before I go in the ring and let Columbus do his thing. Jimmy and Stewart are great about helping me focus and just being supportive of my rides. Today, we were super consistent and he jumps fantastic, so I was glad I could let him go and cruise around.”

Haefner is a sophomore at the University of Miami where she majors in Aerospace Engineering. With hopes of working for NASA and designing cutting-edge exploratory space crafts, Haefner considers school her top priority. “I refuse to miss school,” Haefner said, “so during circuit, I don’t get to ride very often. Usually Friday afternoons I’ll get here in time to ride one and if I’m not showing too early on Saturday morning, I’ll ride before I go show. I get most of my practice in on the weekends.”

Describing her routine before competing, Haefner commented, “I’ll come up to the ring a class before or at the beginning of my class because I really like to watch. That way, I can see the lines to different jumps or, you know, see if there is a funny distance off the corner that’s giving people trouble. I like to come and prepare myself and know when I go in the ring if I have to be careful in certain parts of the course.”

For Haefner, a balance between school and competition has been a challenge met with attention to detail and strict time management. She is especially thankful for the support of her father, Bob Haefner, who makes a concerted effort to watch her ride as often as possible. For Haefner and Columbus, the coming weeks promise several more chances to achieve success in the Voltaire Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division.

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.

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2012 – The inaugural event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) was a great success featuring the $50,000 Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, and National Show, which took place February 2-5.

The GDF continues with the Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W and National Show, presented by the United States PRE Association, February 16-19 at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.

Opening day of the Wellington Dressage CDI-W and National Show featured nine levels of national competition on Thursday.  All of the participants seemed pleased with the venue, especially local resident Laurie Moore, who had the honor of riding as the first competitor in the show.  Moore was pleased with the distinction and her performance on her horse Rolero.  As she exited the arena Moore beamed with excitement and exclaimed, “It’s fabulous! The facility has the ambiance of a very significant event with all of the international flags flying over the arena. I felt so important!”

On Friday, the international riders were showcased, with seven countries represented in the FEI Grand Prix and the FEI Prix St. Georges classes. The panel of judges for the CDI-W was Leif Torblad (DEN), Gustaf Svalling (SWE), Stephen Clarke (GBR), Gary Rockwell (USA) and Janet Foy (USA).

Mica Mabragana of Argentina was the first to take top honors winning the FEI Prix St. Georges on Cuatrero IV, owned by Hampton Green Farm, with a score of 64.526%.

The FEI Grand Prix was won by Ashley Holzer and Pop Art with a personal best score of 73.596%. Holzer was pleased with their test.  “Pop Art is like a young horse again,” said Holzer. “The footing and the venue is great. I think it’s wonderful what Mark Bellissimo has done here. For dressage to grow, we need a facility like this. They have done a great job in a short amount of time.”

Shawna Harding was second out of the fifteen entries in the Grand Prix, riding Come On III, and scoring 68.596%.  “My horse is getting stronger,” said Harding. “We had three unfortunate mistakes, a bobble in the one tempis, but I know we can improve on that. The passage and his confidence are getting better. The new venue overwhelmed him a bit because it is enclosed by the large row of bleachers, but he has to get used to it.”

On Saturday in the Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, James Koford, of Wellington, FL, was all smiles as he won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle.  Riding Pharaoh, owned by Hannah Holland Shook, Koford won the featured event on Saturday with a score of 73.300%.  Shawna Harding was second with Come On III scoring 70.575%.  Koford’s winning attitude did not go unnoticed by Janet Foy, who served as president of the ground jury for the freestyle.

“What I really so enjoyed was Jim’s smile during the pirouettes and the piaffe/passage parts of the test,” said Foy. “You can tell he enjoys this horse and was really nice to see.”

The test was also nice for Holland Shook to see. The 20-year-old was Koford’s groom on Saturday, but shortly before coming to Florida she had a successful outing on Pharaoh at the Intermediaire I level.

“She’s a super rider and she will ride him again when he has a bit more confidence at the Grand Prix Level,” said Koford of his student. “This is all good for Pharaoh.  I want to prepare him for Hannah to ride in the Grand Prix classes for riders under 25-years-old.  It’s nice to be doing so well with him.”

Harding did not have the test that she was hoping for in the Freestyle. “We had a flying change disaster this weekend, but now we know where his strengths and weaknesses are,” said Harding of Come On III.  “I’m looking forward to working next week with Steffen Peters and Anne Gribbons to make him a bit sharper, more serious in the ring.  He’s a special horse with a huge heart, so I can’t fault him.”

Mica Mabragana and Cuatrero IV won again at the GDF, this time in the FEI Intermediaire I class with a score of 64.474%. Mabragana was pleased with the performance of her horse, “The trot had a bit more power today and I was pleased with his pirouettes.” Mabragana is from Argentina, but is currently based in the United States.  She trained as a working student with Lendon Gray before working for Hampton Green Farm.

Ashley Holzer won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special on Sunday, the final day of the GDF inaugural event. Holzer and Pop Art scored an impressive 71.867% in spite of Holzer’s mistake.  “My horse was great, his jockey today was not stellar,” said Holzer. “Because this Olympic Special is a bit different from the Grand Prix Special I normally do, I had a moment of confusion on the centerline after the first pirouette, and made a mistake on the one tempis. I am happy with my horse though, he feels like a young horse again.”

Koford finished second on Rhett with a score of 68.133%. Dong Seon Kim of Korea was third on Bukowski scoring 66.089%.

Maria Florencia Manfredi of Argentina took top honors in the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle on her Argentine-bred palomino LM Chey-Chey with a score of 66.175.

In the national show, Dorie Addy-Crow of Lancaster, PA, rode all three horses owned by Pam Liddell to blue ribbon winning performances on Sunday. Zaphire scored a 68.571% in Fourth Level Test 1, Rachael won the Third Level Test 1 scoring 63.092%, and Usher won the Prix St George with 67.368%.

“I think the footing and the barns are awesome,” said Addy-Crow. “The horses all did great and the ring has such a large atmosphere. We’ll be back.”

About the Global Dressage Festival

The Global Dressage Festival (GDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring five CDIs, including a 5*, the first non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and nine U.S. national events.

The GDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions making it one of the richest circuits in the world. In addition to the CDIs with national competitions, the GDF will feature four separate national shows to be held at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.

The GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The facility includes four outdoor arenas with world class footing. Future planned improvements include a covered arena, permanent covered spectator seating for the central outdoor arena and a permanent Patrons Club and 200 permanent stalls.

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

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2012 – The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (formerly Varsity Equestrian) is pleased to announce the 3nd Annual Collegiate Equitation Challenge to be held at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The first round of the event will take place on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. in Ring 8 and the finals will be at 7 p.m. in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Volunteers and donated horses are still needed for the event. Those interested in donating a horse for the competition can visit http://winterheavenfarm.com/invitational/donation_form.html to sign up.

The donated horses will do a warm-up with the owner/trainer/rider and then jump a round with two different Collegiate riders. If it is a sale horse, it will be announced to the audience of the warm-up and the class. For junior riders doing the warm-up, it is an opportunity to be seen by the NCAA coaches that are watching. It is also a great opportunity for a horse to get good mileage in the International Arena under the lights.

The afternoon horses need to jump 3′ – 3’3″ and can be Hunters, Jumpers (quiet), or Equitation type horses. The night class horses need to jump 3’3″ to 3’6″ under the lights.  They need to be horses that are Equitation type horses that have scope and range.

The tournament will be run in the NCEA head to head, bracketed format with sixteen top collegiate riders from all over the country. Riders will compete over an equitation course with heights up to 3’6″. Competition will start at 2 p.m. with all sixteen riders in the Preliminary Round. The eight winners will qualify for the finals in the evening, and the remaining eight will compete in a consolation bracket immediately following the Preliminary Round. The horses will be on loan from local professionals and unfamiliar to the riders.

The winner of the Consolation Bracket will receive a trophy donated by Pierre and Martha Jolicoeur and the Champion will be presented a trophy sponsored by the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association. The competition will also expand this year to include a four rider equitation on the flat tournament that will be run during the finals.

Special thanks go to Jill Townsend, Marion Maybank, Bobby Murphy, Patrick Duncan, David Burton, Michael Stone, Martha Jolicoeur, South Florida Hunter Jumper Association and Katherine Bellissimo.

More information can be found at www.collegiateequestrian.com (also directed from varsityequestrian.com) and www.wellington-wef.com.

For more information, to volunteer, to offer a horse or to be part of Professionals for NCAA Equestrian, contact Jill Townsend at 561-818-0049 or jill@winterheavenfarm.com.

Participating Schools and Riders:
Auburn University – Jennifer Waxman
Baylor University – Taylor Brown
California State University, Fresno – Hillary West
Delaware State University – Caroline Foltz
Florida State University (alternate)
Kansas State University – Sarah Mershon
New Mexico State University – Amy Lang
Oklahoma State University – Samantha Elser
Sacred Heart University – Abbie Britton
South Dakota State University – Santana Wright
Southern Methodist University – Julianna Fischer
Texas A&M University – Maggie Earle
Texas Christian University – Haley Jacobi
University of Georgia – Carly Anthony
University of Miami
University of South Carolina – Kimberly McCormack
University of Tennessee Martin – Caroline Cramer

In 1998, equestrian was classified as an NCAA emerging sport. Currently 23 colleges and universities offer equestrian as a varsity sport and more continue to add each year. Schools compete in a head to head format, where each team is required to ride the same set of horses. The host school provides the horses and tack at each competition. The format includes hunter seat equitation on the flat and over fences, western horsemanship, and reining. The United States Equestrian Federation, the national governing body for equestrian sports, in conjunction with the American Quarter Horse Association, have been influential in the development of the sport and its rules. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary organization through which the nation’s colleges and universities govern their athletics programs. It comprises more than 1,250 institutions, conferences, organizations, and individuals committed to the best interests, education, and athletics.

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.

Ashley Holzer and Pop Art

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2012 – Ashley Holzer of Canada won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special in the $50,000 Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, on Sunday, the final day of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival’s (GDF) inaugural event.

Holzer was aboard Pop Art, the horse that she rode in the 2008 Olympic Games.  The pair scored an impressive 71.867% in spite of Holzer’s mistake.

“My horse was great, his jockey today was not stellar,” said Holzer. “Because this Olympic Special is a bit different from the Grand Prix Special I normally do, I had a moment of confusion on the centerline after the first pirouette, and made a mistake on the one tempis. I am happy with my horse though, he feels like a young horse again.”

This FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special is a shortened version on the traditional Grand Prix Special test. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the governing body for international equestrian competitions, created the shorter test to help with the time constraints during the Olympics.  For some nations, the test is a requirement for those seeking to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  Canada is one of those nations as well as the United States.

James Koford, of Wellington, FL, finished second in the Special on Rhett with a score of 68.133%. Dong Seon Kim of Korea was third on Bukowski scoring 66.089%.

In the national show, Dorie Addy-Crow of Lancaster, PA, rode all three horses owned by Pam Liddell to blue ribbon winning performances on Sunday. Zaphire scored a 68.571% in Fourth Level Test 1, Rachael won the Third Level Test 1 scoring 63.092%, and Usher won the Prix St George with 67.368%.

“I think the footing and the barns are awesome,” said Addy-Crow. “The horses all did great. The ring has such a large atmosphere. We’ll be back.”

For a complete set of results, please visit the GDF website at www.globaldressagefestival.com under the link for dressage show information on the main homepage.

About the Global Dressage Festival

The Global Dressage Festival (GDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring five CDIs, including a 5*, the first non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and nine U.S. national events.

The GDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions making it one of the richest circuits in the world. In addition to the CDIs with national competitions, the GDF will feature four separate national shows to be held at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.

The GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The facility includes four outdoor arenas with world class footing. Future planned improvements include a covered arena, permanent covered spectator seating for the central outdoor arena and a permanent Patrons Club and 200 permanent stalls.

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