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)

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 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.

Katherine Johnson Victorious in THIS Children’s Medal 14 & Under

Nick Skelton and Big Star. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2012 – Great Britain’s Nick Skelton and Big Star triumphed in Saturday night’s $80,000 Adequan CSI 2* Grand Prix during the fourth week of competition at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Nineteen countries were represented in the world-class event with a record 81 starters, the largest recorded weekend grand prix field. Riders from Canada, Venezuela, Great Britain, the United States, Ireland, Germany, and Sweden made it to the jump-off with Skelton leading the way.

Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. 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. This week will conclude with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.

This year’s Olympic Games course designer, Bob Ellis of Great Britain, set the track for tonight’s 81 entries and skillfully narrowed the field down to ten for the jump-off. Skelton and Big Star, owned by Beverley Widdowson, were the clear winners with their faultless round over the short course in 45.93 seconds. Charlie Jayne (USA) and Alex Jayne’s Urbanus were the only other pair to clear the jump-off course without fault, stopping the clock in 51.70 seconds for the second place prize.

Class winner Big Star is a nine-year-old KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Nimmerdor. Following the win Skelton spoke about his ride aboard the talented young horse in tonight’s class, stating, “He jumped fantastic. I’m really pleased. He had one down in the WEF on Thursday, but I think he was a little bit rusty. He hadn’t jumped for a while. Today he was really very good. I’m very lucky to be riding him. I don’t know what more to say really.”

Skelton praised Bob Ellis on his course for the evening. “I’ll be a bit biased really because he’s from my country, but Bob’s a great course builder,” he smiled. “With 81 starters and he got 10 clear rounds, I think that was an amazing job. Fair play to him; he did a very good job. I thought there would have been 20. It was a good course.”

Second place finisher Charlie Jayne agreed, stating, “Eighty-one in a class is a big number, I do agree. But I think if you look at the class tonight, I think everyone in there should have been in there. I think they all had a great shot and I think Bob Ellis did a fantastic job with the course. To only have 10 clear out of 81 with two star specs is great. Fences fell down from fence one to the skinny at the last fence. He did a fantastic job of not over-facing the younger horses but still causing errors at the right places.”

On his ride aboard Urbanus, Jayne noted, “My horse is more of a Nations Cup horse. I’ve never really gone fast with him. Before I walked in the ring, my dad said, ‘You know, double clear is going to get you a good check.’ It’s his horse, so I listened! When you have someone like Nick Skelton and Big Star, who are two amazing athletes, and when they’re on, you’re the first loser no matter what. I was very happy with my result today.”

Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Caballito, owned by Arao Enterprises LLC, finished with one rail in 46.06 seconds to place third behind the two double clears.

Rodriguez detailed his jump-off round, explaining, “I knew I needed to take a chance. With the riders I had behind, I needed to risk a little bit. I was a little bit too tight for the double and I had the back rail. Otherwise I would have gone clear. I’m happy I took the chance and ended up third than not taking a chance.”

Rodriguez is still getting to know his mount Caballito, but was pleased with the horse’s efforts tonight. “Caballito I haven’t had for a long time. He was supposed to be my ride in the Pan American Games and then at the last moment he couldn’t make it. I’ve had him now for six months. I am really pleased with him. I think I’ve never had a horse like that. It’s a horse that whenever you get to the jump-off, you know you have a real chance. I’m really looking forward to having him for a long time.”

Rodriguez had the fastest of several four fault rounds in the top ten. Finishing close behind, Daniel Zetterman put Sweden in the top of the class riding Glory Days, owned by Springfield Jumpers, to four faults in 46.22 seconds to earn the fourth place prize. Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ also earned four faults and finished fifth with their time of 46.34 seconds. Ireland took sixth and seventh place with Cian O’Connor and Blue Loyd 12, owned by O’Connor and Ashkirk Ltd., and Richie Moloney and his own and Equinimity LLC’s Ahorn Van De Zuuthoeve each incurring four faults.

As the sponsor of the class, Adequan’s Allyn Mann was thrilled with the result. “It was exciting to learn that this was the largest grand prix ever on a weekend. For it to be Adequan’s week and to host something like this was very exciting,” Mann stated. “Just to see the level of competition was great. As far as being a sponsor at the Winter Equestrian Festival, it’s a great venue. I think it’s a testament to Mark Bellissimo and all that he’s done to make this a world-class operation. I think it’s only going to get better. We’re honored to be a part of it and look forward to many years of continued success. Thank you to all of the horses and riders that support us. Hopefully we’ll continue to try and support you in many ways. For those going to London this year, best of luck. I hope some dreams can come true.”

Close Competition in the Equitation Ring

Katherine Johnson and Millthyme Lambrini

Katherine Johnson of Holliston, MA surpassed a field of 27 competitors to claim victory in this week’s Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) Children’s Medal 14 & Under atop her mount Millthyme Lambrini. Johnson reserved the lead spot after testing against the top four riders and finishing with a score of 86. Competition in the equitation ring was fierce with a spread of just half a point between the first and third place winners. Hannah Pattin and her mount Agostino were just shy of the win with a second place score of 85.75, while Maria Moore and Kashmir finished third with an 85.5.

Millthyme Lambrini, affectionately known as Larry in the barn, is a twelve-year-old Holsteiner by Millthyme Luksus. According to Johnson, the bay gelding’s perfect temperament has made him a barn favorite.

Following their win, Johnson commented on her experience in the show ring. “We really connected today,” Jonson said. “Larry is one of those horses who gives you a lot of confidence and today everything came up as if there was no question whether it was going to work out. He likes ring seven too. We were really in sync and felt like a team.”

This year marks Johnson’s second season moving up from ponies to horses and only her second month riding Millthyme Lambrini. “Last year was my first year doing horses,” Johnson explained. “I showed mostly in the hunters but I did the Taylor Harris as well. Larry’s just starting me in the Medal and Maclay equitation this season.”

Describing her strategy when testing in the equitation ring, Johnson explained, “I just think about what my trainers tell me beforehand. They encourage me to listen to my instincts and not to freak out if anything goes wrong. Larry does his part by listening to everything I tell him. He’s so great.”

In the coming weeks, Johnson will continue to show Millthyme Lambrini along with her Children’s Jumper, Lucio 13. The junior rider recognizes the challenges of competition and has high hopes for future success in the equitation and jumper divisions.

The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will conclude its fourth week of competition tomorrow with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Arena. The hunters will wrap-up their competition for the weekend with the presentation of championship honors in the Voltaire Design Adult Amateur 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.

Samantha Senft Secures the Ariat National Adult Medal Victory

Andres Rodriguez and Aberdeen. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 3, 2012 – Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez had a great morning at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Friday, earning the top two prizes in the $1,500 Adequan Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier.

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.

Showing over a course set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, Rodriguez jumped his horses Aberdeen and Fifty-Fifty to first and second place in the class of 35 entries. Ten went clear over the first round course to jump-off, and Rodriguez captured the two fastest times out of six double clear rounds.

Rodriguez showed first aboard Fifty-Fifty, a seven-year-old mare by Action Breaker x Darco, who he owns in partnership with Stephex Stables. The pair cleared the jump-off course in 37.775 seconds to take the lead. Several rounds later Rodriguez returned with Aberdeen, a seven-year-old stallion by Heartbreaker x Indorado. With Aberdeen, he was able to beat his own leading time in 36.997 seconds to take over the top spot, placing Fifty-Fifty in second.

Fifty Fifty and Andres Rodriguez

Rodriguez was pleased with the success of his young horses and explained that he has high hopes for Aberdeen and Fifty-Fifty to become future grand prix mounts. Following the class he stated, “I am really happy that these two horses won first and second today because I sold some of my bigger horses and I replaced them with these younger ones, so the fact that they are winning classes already makes me feel that I did the right thing.”

“I got Aberdeen last summer as a six-year-old in Europe and he has been great,” Rodriguez detailed. “Fifty I have had a little bit longer, I have had her since last circuit. She was doing the six year olds but a little bit slower and taking more time. I really think that she has all the potential to go to the biggest level. I think they are both really good.”

Describing how the class played out, Rodriguez noted, “I was pretty fast with Fifty, but I knew that I had a lot of good riders behind me, so I thought that if I had a chance I was going to try to be a little bit faster with Aberdeen and then just make sure that I was going to win. The plan went great and both horses jumped really well.”

Following Rodriguez in the class, Carlos Ribas rode Campos & Miranda Investments’ Spirit Of Alena to third, jumping double clear with a time of 38.025 seconds. Matt Williams and Samantha Tuerk’s Ayla were fourth in 38.354 seconds, and Freestyle De Muze, owned by Equinimity LLC and ridden by Richie Moloney, placed fifth in 38.427 seconds.

Rodriguez plans to continue both horses in the Young Jumper division throughout the circuit and also hopes to step up to the 1.40m classes in the International Arena in a week or two to get them each more experience.

Ariat National Adult Medal Finds a Winner

Samantha Senft and her mount, L. Alta Vida, claimed victory in the Ariat National Adult Medal during week four. With a high score of 86, Senft and L. Alta Vida were the last pair to test and successfully maintained their lead position to bring home the blue. Second went to Charity Durgin and her ride, Lead Story, who finished with a score of 79.

Samantha Senft and L. Alta Vida

L. Alta Vida is a sixteen-year-old warmblood owned by Anders Keitz. According to Senft, the bay gelding has been a veteran of the show circuit for years. “This is my first WEF with him,” Senft explained, “but he’s been in our farm for a while. It worked out well because Anders needed a rider and I needed a horse to do the Ariat and he has been great.”

Following her ride, Senft commented on her performance in the ring. “The course rode very nicely,” Senft said. “I didn’t get a chance to take him around the ring this morning because it was so dark but he was perfect anyway. He always walks right in and does his job so it’s really just getting from point A to point B with him. As far as the test, I’ve been doing the eq for so long that it has become second nature to me to treat it as just another round. You just ride each jump as its own and hopefully it falls into place.”

Senft has been competing in equitation classes since she was eleven years old and finished tenth at the ASPCA Maclay Finals during her last year as a junior. Describing the difference between equitation as an adult versus a junior, Senft commented, “A lot of the same people I competed against in the past aged out just as I did. So, the competition is still there but there’s less pressure to be perfect because the jumps aren’t as big. I also feel like expectations are lower because we are adults; it’s more laid back. At the same time, though, they still test us, which is nice. Honestly, I enjoy the equitation a lot more now.”

In addition to the adult equitation division, Senft competes in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers on her mount, Early Morning. In the coming weeks, Senft hopes to claim further victory in both the jumper and equitation rings.

The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, including the THIS Children’s 14 & Under Medal. The highlight class of the week, the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2*, will be held in the International Arena at 7 p.m.

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.

Humor 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.

This year’s Olympic Games course designer, Bob Ellis of Great Britain, set a course that would whittle down the 84 entries to 15 for the jump-off. There were seven double clear efforts. Candele noted, “I think he did unbelievable to get 15 clear. We saw a few jump-offs before with more clear and less starters. I think he managed it well. Nobody crashed anywhere; there were rails here and there. I think he did a magnificent job.”

Candele and “Carlotta” went 11th in the jump-off and brought the winning time down to 47.51 seconds. The earlier leading time was set by Beezie Madden and Cortes C in 47.81 seconds. Madden was also fourth on Simon, who went first in the jump-off and set a solid time in 48.15 seconds.

Candele said of his jump-off ride, “Actually I got lucky. In the beginning I was efficient and I was lucky to get a good turn to the double. The last line, I did one more stride than everybody else, so I could have lost there. I think it was the draw of luck. It just happened.”

Laura Kraut and Cedric jumped into third with a quick time of 47.90 seconds. Fifth place went to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Let’s Fly, owned by Double H Farm, who crossed the timers in 48.66 seconds. Jeffrey Welles (USA) and Noel Love Gross’ Aries notched a clear round in 48.69 seconds for sixth place, while David McPherson (GBR) rode Chamberlain Z, owned by McPherson and Ellen Holtgers, to a seventh place clear round in 49.77 seconds.

Candele has been working with Carlotta since she was eight years old, with a plan from the beginning on preparing her for championships. “We’ve had her in development for a year and a half. The idea is to get on the Nations Cup team in Wellington and get on the Canadian national team for the Olympic Games,” he explained. “She’s been starting nicely and today is a good win.”

While the pair has won grand prix events in Canada, this is their first win together at the FTI WEF. Candele wants to make sure they continue this success throughout the circuit. “The key of the circuit is to be competitive and develop the horses, but mostly to get on the Nations Cup team,” he agreed. “This is a good opening but we still have to confirm and be consistent, be sure everything is running well.”

Candele described Carlotta Singular la Magnifica, a 2002 Hanoverian mare by Chasseur x Singular Joter, as “really careful.” He added, “She’s not too worried. She’s got a lot of blood and you have to control the balance. I got some help from Eric Lamaze on starting to figure her out, so today is a good step in the right direction.”

Earlier in the day, Quentin Judge and HH Sandor finished on top of the standings in the G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers, while young rider phenom Katie Dinan won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers with Sandro.

Conformation Hunters Show Their Stuff

Humor Me and Haylie Jayne of Elgin, IL, rose to the championship position in week four of the Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunter division. Jayne kept the eight-year-old grey Holsteiner in the top ribbons all week with scores of 84, 82, 82 and 78 over fences. The pair was also second in both the model and the under saddle, topping the division with 46 points. Smoking Gun and Cynthia Williams brought home the reserve tricolor, winning both the model and under saddle and finishing with a first and two seconds over fences for a total of 38 points.

Humor Me, affectionately known as “Happy” in the barn, is one of Jayne’s favorite rides. Although this year marks Happy’s first FTI WEF season competing in the Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunter division, the gelding was recognized as the 2011 FTI WEF Circuit Champion of the Second Year Green Hunter division with Havens Schatt in the irons.

Following today’s win, Jayne commented on Happy’s performance in the arena. “He was actually great all weekend,” Jayne said. “He’s really fun to ride. He’s never spooky and he kind of has no vices. He has this big, slow canter so he always gets down the lines nicely. I think he jumped beautifully both days.”

Happy spends his days at Pony Lane Farm where owner Madeline Thatcher keeps him fit during the week and competes in the Antarés Large Junior Hunter division on the weekend. According to Jayne, Thatcher is just getting to know Happy as the pair’s relationship is relatively new. Describing Happy’s plan for the winter, Jayne commented, “I’ll continue to do the Regular Conformations on him and Maddie will show him in the Large Juniors, but he’s not one we have to show too often because he stays pretty dialed in. He knows his job really well and he wants to win.”

Additional FTI WEF Hunter division champions this week include Calvert and Tommy Serio who topped the Pre-Green 3 & 4 Year Old Hunter Division with a total of 36 points and Elizabeth Boyd atop her mount Casallo who won this week’s High Performance Working Hunter division with a total of 42 points.

The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of hunter and jumper competition. The highlight class in the International Arena is the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm Speed Challenge, while adult riders compete in the Ariat National Adult Medal class.

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.

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.

There were 38 entries in the class and they competed over a track designed by Bob Ellis of Great Britain, who will design the courses at this summer’s Olympic Games in London. Eleven were able to go clear over the course, and the fastest was Hot Wheels, ridden by Darragh Kerins, who completed his round in 73.883 seconds. Ben Maher (GBR) and Quite Easy 4, owned by Mrs. Phillips, were second in 76.743 seconds, while Debbie Stephens and Centennial Farm’s Swagger were third in 80.985 seconds.

Kerins and Hot Wheels, a 1997 Silla Argentino gelding by Liliputiense, have had “quite a long partnership,” Kerins said, “for seven or eight years now. He was bred in Argentina and imported by his other owner Miranda Fischer. Since he’s been imported he’s been with us. He’s like part of the family at this stage.”

With a laugh, Kerins noted, “He hasn’t grown up a whole lot. He’s still very difficult in the barn; he’s quite a quirky horse. It’s not everybody who can look after him. The same guy has looked after him since we got him, from the beginning.”

While he has his quirks, Hot Wheels has been a solid performer in the show ring. “He’s been great,” Kerins agreed. “He was ridden by Miranda in the amateur-owners and she actually won a few grand prix classes on him. Then I took back the ride in the middle of last summer and he’s been great. He’s won a couple of grand prixs and was third here in the WEF (Challenge Grand Prix) in week one.”

Kerins described, “He fights and he always tries 100%. He’s ultra-careful. It doesn’t matter how fast you run at the jumps, his aim is to leave them up. Then it’s easy to ride him.”

After a week off to “freshen up a bit,” Kerins entered Hot Wheels in today’s class to “see where he was at, and he feels good,” he said. Kerins decided to go for the speed over the course. “I’d watched a good few go and I thought it was quite beatable. He’s very careful and it doesn’t bother him to go fast and come out and be the same the next day. I thought I’d give it a shot and it worked out well.”

Kerins plans to show Hot Wheels again in Sunday’s Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.

The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of hunter and jumper competition. The highlight class in the International Arena is the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 at 1 p.m. 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.

A young horse in the jump chute

Do you know how to set up a jump chute?

Have you ever wondered about the effect of collecting your stallion or getting embryos off your mare while they are competing?

Do you have questions about breeding with frozen semen?

Want the latest update on cartilage and tendon repair?

Then you’ll want to pay attention to the many offerings during Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week at the FTI WEF!

Jan Olof Wannius (director Falsterbo Horse Show) and leading researchers from The University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation will be on hand to answer these questions and more during a week packed with clinics, lectures and presentations during the Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week will be held from Monday, February 6, through Sunday, February 12, with many amazing educational opportunities for riders, owners, and trainers and their young horses.

As a part of the Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week 5 schedule of events, there will be several exciting educational events planned that are open to all and free to attend:

Monday, February 6: Jump Chute Clinic for the Young Horse: Monday, February 6, from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Rings 7/8. This hands-on clinic will discuss the Jump Chute Dos and Don’ts. Learn from Handler Klaus Schengber and Judge Jana Olof Wannius about tricks and tips for schooling a young horse over the jump chute at home, including where to position an in-gate, ideal distances between fences and how to create positive experiences to maximize the horse’s performance in the competition chute. The clinic is open to all, free to audit, and will be followed by a cocktail reception.

Tuesday, February 7: How does reproductive technology fit into the daily life of the performance horse? Informal educational luncheon at noon in the Ring 7/8 viewing structure with Ed Squires, Director, University of Kentucky Equine Initiative. All welcome, lunch complimentary. Discussion to follow.

Wednesday, February 8: Arthritis – Understanding this degenerative disease. From 3:30-4:30 in the Sanctuary at PBIEC join the University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center in a presentation and discussion. All welcome, beverages complimentary.

Thursday, February 9: Buying Frozen Semen from Europe and Collecting and Competing. Spy Coast Farm presents the WEF 5 Lunch & Learn, with speaker Ed Squires, Director, University of Kentucky Equine Initiative. 11:30-1:00pm in the Wellington Club. All welcome, lunch complimentary.

The Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series (YHS) returns to the FTI WEF in 2012 following an extremely successful inaugural year. In cooperation with The North American Studbook and Spy Coast Farm LLC, the YHS will host two events during this year’s FTI WEF. The first of two shows will be held on Tuesday, February 7. A second show will be held on February 28.

A young horse showing on the line

The Young Horse Show Series is an exciting addition to the sport for American breeders. The series is designed to provide breeders, owners, trainers and riders of young sport horses an affordable show venue to introduce sport horses of all disciplines to the show environment and “put on necessary mileage” with new and special classes suitable to the proper development of young horses. It is also intended to create a sales environment where numerous young horses are in a single location and their talents displayed in front of a buying audience.

The YHS is a show for all horses and ponies, yearlings to five year olds, who are being prepared to compete in Jumpers, Dressage, Eventing or Hunters. Divisions include Suitability for Sport In-Hand, Jump Chute, Suitability for Sport Under Saddle, Style Jumping Under Saddle, and Schooling Dressage. Horses can compete in more than one division appropriate to their age group.

A conclusion to the events is the $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farm on Saturday, February 11, at 7 p.m. As part of the “Saturday Night Lights” series at the FTI WEF, the event will feature top show jumpers showing under the lights for points to qualify for the FEI World Cup Finals in April. A party for the public will follow the conclusion of the grand prix and be held in the Special Events Tent.

The University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center is the only scientific institute in the United States with nearly all faculty conducting full-time research in equine health and diseases.  The mission of the Gluck Center is scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the health and well-being of horses.

Today, the Gluck Center faculty conducts equine research in six targeted areas: genetics and genomics, infectious diseases and immunology, musculoskeletal science, parasitology, pharmacology/toxicology and reproductive health.

Information about the Spy Coast Young Horse Show Series can be located at www.younghorseshow.com or visit the Chronicle Connection/Exhibitor Services building at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

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

Wellington, FL – January 30, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival finished its third week of competition with success for hunter, jumpers, and equitation riders. The third week of the FTI WEF was sponsored by Horseware Ireland. The fourth week, sponsored by Adequan, is on February 1-5. 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.

Upcoming Events for Week Four – Don’t Miss These Exciting and Fun Activities!

The Lunch & Learn Series, presented by World Development Group, will continue this week on Thursday, February 2, at The Wellington Club. Admission is free and lunch is provided. No prior equestrian knowledge is required to attend the events. This week’s class, “Degenerative Joint Disease in the Equine Athlete,” features speaker Dr. Victoria Maxwell and is sponsored by Adequan. Every attendee at the Lunch & Learn Series will be entered to win a grand prize.

The Global Dressage Festival opens its doors for the first time this week to host the inaugural CDI and national level event on February 2-5. The show will feature top dressage riders competing for $50,000 in prize money at the brand new facility.

The Pony Island Family Center will open this week by Ring 11. It will be open for families to enjoy on Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. The Pony Island Family Center has pool tables, Wii and Xbox, movies, TVs, cards, board games and more. Have some downtime? Hang out at the Pony Island Family Center and enjoy your time at PBIEC.

The 2nd Annual Vinceremos “Buck Off” mechanical bull riding contest will take place on Thursday, February 2, at 6 p.m. at a location to be announced. The event benefits the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, is hosted by Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, and is sponsored by Palm Beach Equine Clinic and the Floridian Community Bank. Admission is free, practice rides are $10, and there is a $100 fee per team of four riders. The winners of each event will challenge the 2011 champions on February 10 at the Vinceremos Dinner and Aunction.

The Der Dau Dream Boot Party 2012, a launch party for their new Dream Boot, will be on Friday, February 3, at 4 p.m. at Der Dau’s booth in Vendor Row. There will be refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, and a hookah bar. Guest DJ Gabrielle will be spinning house and club music.

The Bank of America Family Festival will kick off festivities on Saturday, February 4 at 6 p.m. inside the spectator entrance. Families are invited to come and watch the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix and spend time having fun with a bounce house, petting zoo, pony rides, face painters, balloon artist, street performers, and more. The Synchronicity Police Tribute Band will be playing live music too, so bring your dancing shoes!

The $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 7 p.m. Come out and support your favorite show jumper, get dinner at Tito’s Tacos or the Tiki Hut, and cheer on the riders!

A charity golf cart wash will be held on Sunday from 12-2 p.m. at the Spectator Entrance. Proceeds will benefit the Binks Forest Elementary School, which is a part of the Equestrian Sport Productions public school initiative. Support the school and get your golf cart sparkling!

On Super Bowl Sunday, the big question is – Giants or Patriots? Show your team pride and support your favorite team! Wear your jersey or hat – we expect to see NFL teams from around the country supported by our nationwide exhibitors and spectators!

Week Three Wrap-Up: Katie Dinan and Nougat Du Vallet Capture $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI2* Grand Prix

Eighteen-year-old Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partner’s Nougat Du Vallet led the victory gallop in the $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix. Thirty-seven entries showed in the grand prix over a course set by Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Germany. Fifteen were able to clear the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and seven finished the class double clear. The lead changed hands several times throughout the jump-off as riders chased the clock, but it was Katie Dinan and Nougat Du Vallet, second to last in the order, who captured the win. The pair blazed through the course in 37.36 seconds for their first major grand prix victory.

“It was just exciting for me to be in the jump-off,” Dinan beamed after her win. “This is the first grand prix that I have done with Nougat. He has been fantastic the last two weeks of WEF, so we all decided that it would be a great week to move up with the grand prix on Sunday afternoon. I was thrilled with how he went in the first round. In the jump-off we decided it was a great place to try to go fast and see what happened and it could not have gone better. He helped me out a lot.”

It was a great day for the American women as they took the top three places in the class. The second place round belonged to Christine McCrea (USA) and Candy Tribble’s Avenir, who completed the track in 37.54 seconds. Lauren Hough (USA) and Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel followed with their time of 38.12 seconds. In addition to her third place prize, Hough was also named the Leading Lady Jumper Rider for the third week of competition, an award sponsored by Martha Jolicoeur of Illustrated Properties in memory of Dale Lawler.

Sponsor Horseware Ireland was thrilled with the class and representative Lorraine MacGuinness praised the riders on a great class. “It’s our first year sponsoring a big class here and we were absolutely delighted,” MacGuinness stated. “We think the course today was brilliant, as were the riders. It was a great competition out there. Obviously we were kind of hoping for an Irish victory, but these Americans proved too tough for us today! We’re more than happy to be beat. They put on a great show here, and we are delighted to be sponsors. We hope to come back next year and do the same. This is heaven for horse lovers.”

Following the U.S. ladies, Irish rider Cian O’Connor and Blue Lloyd 12, owned by O’Connor and Ashkirk Ltd., earned the fourth award with their time of 38.61 seconds. French rider Marie Hecart and Myself De Breve, owned by Haras De La Rogue, finished fifth in 38.81 seconds. Sixth place was awarded to USA’s Catherine Pasmore and Pasmore Stables’ Vandavid in 39.99 seconds, and the final clear round in the seventh position belonged to Dominican rider Hector Florentino and Ultimo, owned by Stransky’s Mission Farm, in 40.19 seconds. Nick Skelton and Beverly Widdowson’s Carlo 273 had the fastest four-fault round in the jump-off in 37.60 seconds to finish eighth.

Dinan was up against some tough competition in the class, but as one of the last to go in the jump-off, she knew she had to go for it, and her speed paid off. “(My trainer) McLain (Ward) said that we might as well try to go fast because we have to learn how to go fast eventually,” Dinan smiled. “He said I could really make up a lot of time from fence one to two, so he told me to just canter as fast as possible and I somehow pulled it off. It could have gone either way, but Nougat was fantastic. It could not have gone any better.”

Jumper Results: Wednesday through Sunday

In the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on Wednesday, Debbie Stephens of Palmetto, FL, was victorious on Swagger, owned by Centennial Farm. The G&C Farm 1.45m class was a time first round format and had 26 entries. There were nine clear rounds, and the fastest of those was Stephens (USA) and Swagger, who posted a winning time of 70.049 seconds. Angel Karolyi (VEN) and Artifice L.S., owned by Hollow Creek Farm, were second in 72.670 seconds. Third place went to Bon Ami, ridden by Scott Brash for Liz MacTaggert. They had a time of 73.053 seconds.

For the second week in a row, Nick Skelton and Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273 led the victory gallop in the Thursday afternoon $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Grand Prix. The WEF Challenge Cup saw 50 entries in the first round of competition showing over a course set by Olaf Petersen Sr. of Germany. Seventeen jumped clear to return for the short course, and Great Britain’s Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 had the fastest double clear time of 38.76 seconds to beat out the competition. Kent Farrington (USA) and RCG Farm’s Uceko came close as the next competitors in the ring with their time of 38.97 seconds, but had to settle for second place.

An earlier round from Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Octavia Farm’s Cantano finished third in a time of 39.43 seconds. Quentin Judge (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Carotino stopped the clock in 39.79 seconds to finish in fourth, and Jeffery Welles (USA) and Merlin, owned by Noel Love Gross, finished in 39.97 seconds to grab the fifth place position. Ian Millar (CAN) and Team Works’ Star Power went first in the jump-off and set the standard in 40.34 seconds, which eventually earned the sixth place prize. Charlie Jayne (USA) and Pony Lane Farm’s Chill RZ had the only other clear round over the short course and landed in seventh with their time of 41.13 seconds.

The Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge had a class full of competitors going against the clock on Friday, but the fastest by almost six seconds was Alejandro Karolyi (VEN) on Vichy, owned by Torrey Pines Stable. Forty-five entries showed in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge over a course set by Olaf Petersen Sr. of Germany. Karolyi and Vichy went midway through the class and set a time of 63.926 seconds, which no one would come close to with a clear round. The next fastest pair was Caribe and Steve Schaefer, who posted a time of 69.044 seconds. Third place went to Lauren Hough on Clip Z, who was clear in 69.623 seconds. Alejandro Karolyi said that Vichy, a 10-year-old KWPN mare by Hors La Loi II x Indoctro, “is a really, really great speed horse.”

It was a packed house at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday 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. 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.

Reed Kessler, who is just 17 years old, was the only rider to master Saturday’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.

Hunter Results: Thursday through Sunday

Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, scored the championship tricolor in the Pre-Green Hunter Level One Division atop eight-year-old warmblood, Bentley. The pair scored two firsts and a fifth over fences and totaled 21 points for the championship win. Bridgitte Laroux and Sugar Ray received the reserve tricolor with 11.5 points, placing second, third, fifth and seventh over fences and finishing sixth under saddle. Bentley, owned by Kathryn Haefner of Stellar Equestrian in Hamburg, NY, triumphed over 24 competitors in the Pre-Green Level One division this week. Rider Jimmy Torano collaborated with trainer Stewart Moran to help bring the bay gelding to a win.

Additional show champions for this week’s hunter divisions include Kelley Farmer and her mount Not Tonight who topped the The Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunter division and Christopher Payne atop Big Time who won this week’s WEF Open Hunter 3’3″ division.

Christel Weller of Keswick, Ontario, Canada, cruised to the top of the Horseware Ireland Adult Amateur 3’3″ Hunter division atop her mount, Kallaway. After entering only three of the division’s five classes, Weller and Kallaway brought home the championship tricolor with a first and second over fences and a first under saddle for a total of 26 points. Elizabeth Frankel and Utopia received the reserve tricolor with a first and third over fences and a fifth under saddle for a total of 15 points. Kallaway, an eight-year-old Warmblood mare by Popeye K, was purchased by Weller this past July.

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. 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.

Lili Hymowitz of New York, NY, concluded her third week of showing at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival with a clean sweep of the Gotham Small Pony Hunter division atop her mounts Bit of Love and Love Me Tender. Hymowitz and Bit of Love brought home the championship tricolor with a first over fences and a second in the under saddle for a total of 16 points. Her second mount, Love Me Tender, was close behind, scoring 13 total points and finishing fourth and fifth over fences after winning the under saddle. Today’s division victories were made even sweeter by falling on Hymowitz’s thirteenth birthday. The victorious small pony, Bit of Love, is a six-year-old Welsh Pony Cross owned by Scott Stewart.

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.

McLain Ward and Louise Serio at the 2011 Fete Cheval. Photo courtesy of Phelps Media Group.

WESTPORT, CT – January 30, 2012 – With equestrians representing the dressage, eventing, hunter, jumper, and polo communities, the EQUUS Foundation’s signature event at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Fete Cheval, promises to be the most entertaining event for horse enthusiasts this season in Wellington, Florida.

The Fete Cheval presented by Spy Coast Farm will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012, and feature cocktails, an auction, dinner in the exclusive International Club with a ringside view of the evening’s entertainment in the International Arena.

“What makes the Fete Cheval so unique is that it is all about fun, and lets very serious riders demonstrate their natural competitive spirit in games that they all recall from their youth,” said Elizabeth Press, co-chairing the event with Hillary Dobbs and Patricia Keenan, ” – games like Musical Stalls, Sit a Buck, and others.”

The riders so far include Max Amaya, Derek Braun, Saer Coulter, Gabriel Crespo, Nick Dello Joio, Hillary Dobbs, Jimmy Fairclough, Sandy Ferrell, Weston Gracida, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Ashley Holzer, Charlie Jayne, Paige Johnson, Laura Kraut, Marcia Kulak, Anne Kursinkski, Peter Leone, Robert Orthwein, Alexa Pessoa, Rodrigo Pessoa, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Jessica Springsteen, Scott Stewart, Shane Sweetnam and Jimmy Torano.

Sadly missing from the action this year will be McLain Ward, who has supported this event every year. “We extend our best wishes to McLain for a speedy recovery. We will miss him at our 2012 Fete Cheval, but look forward to his return at our 2013 event,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.

Ralph Caristo, David Distler and Susie Schoellkopf will be on hand serving as Officials for the evening, and the talented and knowledgeable horse show announcer, Brian Lookabill, will serve as Emcee.

Coakley continued, “We are so grateful to Wall Street Farm and Heidi and Steve Lengyel for donating the horses for this year’s event.” Wall Street Farm’s IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) team of riders will be serving as volunteers, along with juniors from the Gleneayre Equestrian Program, an EQUUS Foundation grant recipient, and juniors competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“It’s not often that young riders have the opportunity to meet all these great equestrians at one time. It’s a thrill for them, and so incredibly helpful to us to have their youthful energy available,” added Coakley.

With experienced horses and the enthusiastic support of Wendy Coren and Dave Lundquist of Equalign who will be coordinating the riders, this year’s Fete games will be new, refreshing and utilize a larger portion of the International Arena. The EQUUS Foundation and Equestrian Sport Productions welcome the general public to come watch the games, free of charge.

However, the EQUUS Foundation raises its funds almost entirely from event attendance, and is seeking the support of individuals and organizations to help fulfill its mission to improve the quality of life of horses, foster the use of horses to serve those in need, and educate the general public on the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. The EQUUS Foundation is the national organization solely focused on both horse welfare and the bond between horses and people in the sport, recreational and therapeutic communities.

Tables of six for the Fete Cheval are available as follows: Gold Medal Front Row $5,000; Silver Medal $3,000 and Bronze Medal $2,000; individual seating starts at $200 per person. To RSVP online, visit www.equusfoundation.org/fete or contact us by phone at 203-259-1550 or email at equus@equusfoundation.org.

About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.
The EQUUS Foundation, a national charitable foundation established in Connecticut in 2002, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, promoting the use of horses to enrich the lives of people in need and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. The goal is to transform the way horses are treated and perceived and build a more compassionate America that values the magical and powerful bond we have with horses.

The Foundation accomplishes its mission by providing financial support through the award of grants to horse-related charities across the United States; operating a network of equine organizations and equine enthusiasts; providing scholarships to award volunteer service on behalf of horses, offering insight on the management and financial practices of horse-related charities through a thorough review of their operations; and conducting information outreach to educate the public about horses.

Horses have a way of making us feel everything from excitement to joy to tranquility. Age is not a limitation – horses are aiding children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. By bonding with these gentle giants, we learn to take control of our lives and become more capable of facing life’s challenges. No other animal can make us feel the breadth of emotions that our equine partners do.

The Foundation awarded its first grants in 2003 to seven local horse charities. Recognizing that horses are enriching the lives of millions of people of all ages every day, in 2008, the Board of Directors made a commitment to expand nationally, and also adopted the name, “Horse Charities of America”, to more clearly convey its commitment to all equine charities.

The Foundation funds a broad range of programs, most of which are directly involved with horse rescue and welfare, or are providing equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) to the public. The Foundation also funds programs with its Alliance partners that educate the public about horses, provide services that benefit the equine community, and help stimulate advocacy and volunteerism.

Thanks to the generous support of individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations who share our vision, participation at our signature events, and our Horse Whisperers named grant program, the Foundation has grown exponentially. Since then, the Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in grants and has achieved national recognition as the primary organization solely focused on both horse welfare and fostering the horse-human connection in the sport and therapeutic communities.

Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

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