The Global Champions Tour of Hamburg started of very early mornings with the first 5* competition of the day.

A total of 40 combinations decided to set their alarm clocks  in order  to compete in this accumulator jumping competition. [...]]]>

Simon Delestre and Quiness de Mezel (Elan de la Cour) take the Accumulator Round in Hamburg. Sportfot/GCT.

The Global Champions Tour of Hamburg started of very early mornings with the first 5* competition of the day.

A total of 40 combinations decided to set their alarm clocks  in order  to compete in this accumulator jumping competition. In this kind of competition every fence that is jumped without faults counts for points. The last fence was the “Joker” which could count for 20 additional points incase the rider decided to jump the fence.

Nine combinations completed the course designed by Frank Rothenberger, without faults among which the winner of the GCT Grand Prix of Hamburg 2011 Rolf Goran Bengtson, Swiss power house Pius Schwizer and his fellow countrymen Steve Guerdat and Michael Whitaker, who recently was second in the GCT Grand Prix of Valencia.

Simon Delestre and Quiness du Mezel were the fastest combination to jump all fences clear in a time of 55.04 seconds. Second place was for Michael Whitacker and Ingliston Twister in 55.32 seconds. Third place went to Pius Schwizer on Powerplay finishing in 56.85 seconds.

CSI 5* Accumulator Jumping Global Champions Tour, Hamburg, GER

1 QUINESS DU MEZEL 8 yr SF Elan de la Cour x
SIMON DELESTRE

2 INGLISTON TWISTER Tornado x Voltaire
MICHAEL WHITAKER

3 POWERPLAY 8yr HOL Casall x Limbus
PIUS SCHWIZER

4 WARRIOR 9yr KWPN Lupicor x Burggraaf
RENE TEBBEL

5 MATADOR 10 yr KWPN Indoctro x Corland
JAIME AZCARRAGA

6 BILLY BIANCA 22 yr KWPN Vechta x Iroko
RICHARD SPOONER

7 CARUSSO LS LA SILLA 10 yr SLS Montebello La Silla x Joost
ROLF-GORAN BENGTSSON

8 CHINTAN 10 yr OS Centon x Quattro B
ANDREAS KREUZER

10 CARLSON 11 yr RHEI Casco x Calvados
KATRIN ECKERMANN

11 CARINJO 11 yr HOL Cascavelle x Landgraf I
THOMAS VOSS

12 CANDY 665 9 yr HOL Quantum x Laurin
MATHILDA KARLSSON

Lexington, KY – May 11, 2012 -Tonight marked the first of two Observation Events during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, where the victory went to long listed rider Beezie Madden [...]]]>

Beezie Madden and Simon (Mr Blue x Polydox) won the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 11, 2012 -Tonight marked the first of two Observation Events during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, where the victory went to long listed rider Beezie Madden aboard Simon during the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Only two horse and rider combinations were able to complete the course without jumping or time faults, but after a long winter, second place finisher Margie Engle withdrew from the jump-off with Indigo to save him for another day. Six entries left all the fences intact during today’s class, but were just over the time allowed to add a time fault to their score. The fastest of the group was Charlie Jayne with YJC Graduate Chill R Z, who took home the third place honors.

Tonight’s course was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, and featured a triple bar-oxer double combination, an oxer-vertical double combination, and a vertical-oxer liverpool double combination. A number of faults came at the second jump, a tall vertical near the gate, and the first and last double combinations. The biggest factor was time though, with only five riders completing the course without additional infractions due to time, and only two were able to do so while leaving all the rails in place.

The first to complete the opening round without any faults at all was Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, riding Indigo, owned by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek, and Gladewinds. The veteran pair barely made it, crossing the finish line in 87.99 seconds, with a time allowed of 88 seconds. The only other duo that would match the effort was Beezie Madden with Simon, owned by Abigail Wexner of New Albany, OH. When it was the for the tie-breaker though, Engle chose to save Indigo’s jumping efforts for another day, withdrawing and making Madden the automatic winner of tonight’s class.

“My horse felt great the first round, and I was very pleased with the way he went,” said Engle. “We did just go to the World Cup Finals and we had to fly all the way to Europe and back. I was hoping to save him for Sunday. There will probably be more in the jump-off on Sunday; we have a lot of jumping ahead, so I just wanted to save him.”

Madden was also very pleased with Simon’s performance tonight during the first round. “I thought Simon was fantastic today,” she expressed. “It was hard to make the time allowed. I think he is very handy at turning on the end of the ring and after the fences. I think that was where I was able to make up some time. I thought Cortes ‘C’ also went around and cantered smoothly, but he had a rub and four faults. I am very happy with both of my horses, I thought it was a great course and great competition.”

Simon and Madden are a new combination, and only began showing together at the Winter Equestrian Festival. They competed during the Olympic Trials, but had some unfortunate errors and are currently ranked 21st, so they have a long way to climb to make the squad.

“I think we have a tough road, but today didn’t hurt,” admitted Madden. “Despite being low on the rankings, I think Simon is one of the best horses in the world. I got him kind of late in the season to be ready for the Trials, so I am hoping that if I can show that I am coming on and in good form with him, then I still have a chance.

At the very bottom of the list is the third place finisher, Charlie Jayne with Pony Lane Farm’s Chill R Z of Bluffdale, UT. “I had a bit of an unfortunate event with my horse in the tent the day before the Trials started,” he explained. “He had to get stitches and be in his stall for two weeks to worry about infection. This is his first show back, and it didn’t seem to put him out of anything. He did fabulous; we’ll see where it goes from here.”

Engle is ranked second on the list after tying for the USEF National Championship during the Olympic Trials with young rider Reed Kessler of Lexington, KY. She had a disappointing performance with Indigo at the 2012 World Cup Finals in the Netherlands, but she is focused on the path ahead.

“I probably shouldn’t have even been riding at the World Cup, I had a concussion and some other things,” noted Engle. “Indigo still was trying hard. I don’t think I gave him a good ride there. He feels as though he jumped easier today, as easily as he did in Palm Beach, he feels in good form. I don’t think he did terrible there, I just kind of over rode in a few places. He feels good now.”

All eyes were certainly on the leading Long List rider, Reed Kessler, who also had a solid performance with both of her mounts. She picked up fifth place aboard Mika after only having one time fault, but placed 11th with her leading mount Cylana after lowering the height of a tall plank vertical near the end of the course.

The fourth place award went to Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric, who had a bye for the Selection Trials. They produced a clear round just over the time allowed. The other combinations with just a single time fault included Mario Deslauriers with Jane Clark’s Cella, Chirstine McCrea riding Romatovich Take One, and Brianne Goutal aboard Nice De Prissey.

In addition to being an Observation Event, tonight was also the first class in the Hagyard Challenge Series, where riders compete in seven grand prix events throughout the spring and summer for a chance to win the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus.

The $50,000 Hagyard Challenge was also the first event in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, offering $30,000 in bonus money, for the 2012 spring and summer horse shows. Riders wearing the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the SSG horse head logo clearly visible during all rounds of competition in designated events are eligible for the bonus. Unfortunately, Madden was not wearing the gloves, but the bonus will carry forward to the next grand prix event, bringing the total bonus offered to $4,000.

The $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix will be the final Observation Event for the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium on Sunday, May 13, 2012. Riders will compete for the lucrative prize money, as well as the attention of the Selection Committee as we near the 2012 London Olympics.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows please visit to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

RESULTS: $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1   369 SIMON 1999 KWPN g. Mr Blue x Polydox
BEEZIE MADDEN     USA               85.98                 RT

2   150 INDIGO 2000 KWPN g. Indoctro x Dutchman
MARGIE ENGLE     USA               87.99                  WD

3   1075 CHILL R Z 2003 ZANG s. Chellano Z x A Lucky One
CHARLIE JAYNE     USA       1     88.35

4   284 CEDRIC 1998 HOL g. Chambertin x Carolus I
LAURA KRAUT       USA       1     88.46

5   140 MIKA 2000 SF g. Nidor Platiere x Rubis Rouge
REED KESSLER     USA       1     88.96

6   117 CELLA 2002 BWP m. Cento x Chin Chin
MARIO DESLAURIERS USA       1     90.02

7   393 ROMANTOVICH TAKE ONE 2000 KWPN g. Numero Uno x Karandasj
CHRISTINE MCCREA USA       1     90.41

8   227 NICE DE PRISSEY 2001 SF s. Rosire x Amarpour xx
BRIANNE GOUTAL   USA       1     91.89

9   367 CORTES ‘C’ 2002 BWP g. Randel Z x Darco
BEEZIE MADDEN     USA       4     85.23

10 817 G & C SINATRA 1999 KWPN g. Epilot x Libero H
PABLO BARRIOS     VEN       4     87.18

11 141 CYLANA 2002 BWP m. Skippy II x Darco
REED KESSLER     USA       4     87.44

12 154 UCEKO 2001 KWPN g. Celano x Koriander
KENT FARRINGTON   USA       5     90.44

Robert Splaine, Team Ireland Equestrian’s show jumping manager, has selected his team to compete in [...]]]> (10 May 2012) CORK’s Shane Sweetnam will lead out the Irish team at the French Superleague Nations’ Cup in La Baule today (Friday), where Ireland has this evening been drawn second to jump of the world’s top eight teams.

Robert Splaine, Team Ireland Equestrian’s show jumping manager, has selected his team to compete in the following order:
Shane Sweetnam/Amaretto d’Arco (Darco x Tenor Manciais)
Jessica Kurten/Vincente (Oklund x Ufarno)
Cian O’Connor/Blue Loyd (Landor S x Hadja x)
Denis Lynch/Lantinus (Landkoenig x Argentinus)

Ireland won at La Baule in 2011 after being drawn sixth to jump, with Sweetnam and Amaretto d’Aarco also opening the scoring for Ireland.

The French western seaside venue is the first of the top eight venues where the 2012 Nations’ Cup Superleague will be decided, and the remaining seven competitions will take place at Rome (ITA), St Gallen (SUI), Rotterdam (NED), Falsterbo (SWE), Aachen (GER), Hickstead (GBR) and Dublin (IRL), where the series concludes on August 17 with the Aga Khan Trophy competition.

The La Baule Nations’ Cup begins on Friday shortly after 1pm Irish time.

A livestream of the Nations’ Cup will be available from 1pm at www.feitv.org

A coursewalk of the Nations’ Cup course is now available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4piW2SZKHc&feature=youtu.be

Lexington, KY – May 9, 2011- Speed was the name of the game during the first day of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and the Dominican Republic’s Hector Florentino had it [...]]]>

Hector Florentino and Ultimo (Marlon x Laroche) won the $35,000 Welcome Cup at the 2012 Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 9, 2011- Speed was the name of the game during the first day of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and the Dominican Republic’s Hector Florentino had it with Ultimo. The pair dominated the $35,000 Welcome Cup, clocking in at a speedy 67.530 seconds, which earned the blue ribbon prize during the speed event. Ashlee Bond stepped up to place second with her veteran mount Cadett 7, while the lead-off rider Kent Farrington, placed third with Voyeur.

Today’s class was the first major event during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, which will be hosting two Observation Events for the U.S. Show Jumping Team later in the week. To welcome the riders, course designer Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, built a speed track in the Rolex Stadium that included a double combination, a triple combination, and open water with a pole, and multiple inside options. Seven of today’s 24 entries completed their rounds without fault, but it was Hector Florentino and Stransky’s Mission Farm’s Ultimo that took home the lion’s share of the prize money.

Kent Farrington was the first to tackle the course aboard Voyeur, owned by Amalaya Investments, and they did not hold back. They jumped each fence easily, leaving each rail intact with a speedy time of 69.640 to set the pace for the rest of the class.

“Today I was thinking more about the right course for the horse I am riding,” explained Farrington. “We tried a new bridle and worked on Voyeur’s rideability. I think he is going to be a good horse, but he needs some training to make him ride the way that I want. I think he went great today. I did what I had planned when we walked it. I didn’t even think that I had a chance of winning or being in the top three, so that was nice.”

The next two riders in the class were also clear, with Franklin, TN’s Bylthe Marano and Riverview Farm’s Urban placing seventh and Mario Deslauriers placing fifth aboard Vicomte D, owned by Jane Clark of New York, NY. The next fault-free effort came later in the class by Christine McCrea, who piloted Avenir, owned by Candy Tribble of East Windsor, CT, to the sixth place honors. Andres Rodriguez of Venezuela rounded out the top four aboard Beaufort Van Het Lindenhof, owned by Arao Enterprises of Wellington, FL.

Ashlee Bond was the first to challenge Farrington’s time, riding her expert mount Cadett 7, owned by Little Valley Farms of Hidden Hills, CA. Although the talented gelding is coming back from an injury, he proved that he is still a top challenger by leaving each fence in place and breaking the beam at 68.94 seconds, which would be good enough for second.

“Today was just kind of the test to see how the rest of the week is going to go,” commented Bond. “Cadett 7 likes to gallop around anyway, so I put some pressure on him, and he really rose to the occasion. I would say that he is fitness wise and mentally about 95% back to his old self, and fitness wise he is 100%. I am excited for the rest of the week.”

Hector Florentino and Ultimo were the best of the day, speeding through the course in a quick time of 67.530 seconds. The pair left out a stride to the triple combination, the open water, and the final oxer, to make up the time and jump to the top of the leaderboard.

“My horse felt really good in the warm-up,” stated Florentino. “Ultimo has been feeling really good; he had some time off after Wellington. I saw a few go fast today and leave out some strides in some lines. I know Ultimo has a big stride, so I was going to take on that same plan and leave out some strides here or there-it worked.”

Florentino continued, “I think it was a good speed course because you had a couple of options to make turns and go fast. Even though Ultimo isn’t so big, he has a big stride. He adjusts really well when you leave out a stride. He likes Kentucky, every time he comes here he does well. The weather is great, the footing is great, the course are really nice and well-designed, and the prize money is great.”

“I just want to say that I am really thankful to my sponsor, Lilly Stransky and her daughter, for giving me this opportunity to ride their horses and train with them,” concluded Florentino, who represents the Step-By-Step Foundation for the family of Wellington, FL.

The highlight events of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show will be Friday’s $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and Sunday’s $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. These events will be part of the U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Events, where Long Listed riders such as Reed Kessler, Margie Engle, Beezie Madden, Mario Deslauriers, and Christine McCrea will showcase their talent to the Selection Committee.

During today’s $35,000 Welcome Cup, Deslauriers and Kessler each competed aboard their Long Listed mounts and left all the rails in place. Kessler, now of Lexington, KY, had two time faults with both Mika and Cylana, and Deslauriers had three time faults with Urico, owned by Jane Clark.

Jumper action will continue tomorrow morning in the Rolex Stadium with the Open Jumper Divisions, and riders will to prepare for this week’s Show Jumping Team Observation Events at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows or to download the prize list, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

$35,000 Welcome Cup
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1 ULTIMO 2001 KWPN g. Marlon x Laroche
HECTOR FLORENTINO 0-0/67.530

2 CADETT 7 1997 HOL g. Cor de la Bryere x Capitol I
ASHLEE BOND 0-0/68.940

3 VOYEUR 2002 KWPN g. Tolano van’t Riethof x Goodwill
KENT FARRINGTON 0-0/69.640

4 BEAUFORT VAN HET LINDENHOF 2001 BWP s. Quick Star x Calido I
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ 0-0/69.740

5 VICOMTE D 1998 BWP g. Flamenco de Semilly x Randel Z
MARIO DESLAURIERS 0-0/70.920

6 AVENIR 2000 BWP g. Phin Phin x Flamingo
CHRISTINE MC CREA 0-0/72.240

7 URBAN 2000 KWPN g. Goodtimex x Indoctro
BLYTHE MARANO 0-0/75.580

8 CELLA 2002 BWP m. Cento x Chin Chin
MARIO DESLAURIERS 2

9 MIKA 2000 SF g. Nidor Platiere x Rubis Rouge
REED KESSLER 2

10 CYLANA 2002 BWP m. Skippy II x Darco
REED KESSLER 2

11 URICO 2001 KWPN g. Zandor Z x Fedor
MARIO DESLAURIERS 3

12 CABALLITO 2002 OLD g. Contendro I x Argentinus
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ 4

Rich Fellers and Flexible (Cruising x Safari xx) Go Two-For-Two (Rick Osteen Photography)

Del Mar, CA - For a second night Marina Azevedo built a demanding course at the Del Mar National Horse Show for the 20 entries to jump in the $100,000 Hermes Grand Prix of Del Mar presented by Intuit. Six of [...]]]>

Rich Fellers and Flexible (Cruising x Safari xx) Go Two-For-Two (Rick Osteen Photography)

Del Mar, CA - For a second night Marina Azevedo built a demanding course at the Del Mar National Horse Show for the 20 entries to jump in the $100,000 Hermes Grand Prix of Del Mar presented by Intuit. Six of the entries contesting the 13 obstacle course were members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. These combinations were contesting the first of four 2012 US Show Jumping Team

Observation Events. And in the second and final class of the Del Mar Observation Event long listed riders once again jumped into top placings.

In the first round, only two combinations were able to produce fault-free efforts. Two members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games, Rich Fellers and Flexible and Lauren Hough with Blue Angel, would need to return and jump-off to decide the winner of Saturday’s class. Neither Fellers nor Hough were able to reproduce their clear efforts from round one with both collecting four faults. However, Fellers (Sherwood, OR) produced the quickest jump-off time for the second night in a row, to claim his second Grand Prix victory of the Observation Event.

The 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Champions looked well on their way to jumping another fault-free effort in the jump-off until they lowered the height of the penultimate fence. However, Fellers had ridden a well-executed, efficient round over the jump-off track to finish in a time of 39.76 seconds and secure another win.

Fellers was very impressed with the course Azevedo built Saturday night and believed it was a good test for the long listed combinations.

“It was a legitimate international course; right in there with the caliber of the (Selection) Trials courses.”

Fellers and Flexible will next head to Spruce Meadows to compete in the final 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event. Harry and Mollie Chapman’s 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion will spend the next month preparing for the classes at the prestigious Canadian competition.

“He might jump in the Grand Prix next Sunday on the grass, that’s the first time he will have jumped on the grass.” Said Fellers, “He’ll then go home and get some turn-out and get ready to go to Spruce Meadows next month.”

Hough (Wellington, FL) and Robyn Parsky’s Blue Angel were the 17^th combinations to attempt the first round and produced the first fault-free round of the night. Four-faults as result of having the back rail of the third to last oxer in the jump-off meant the 10-year-old Anglo-European mare would collect second-place honors after stopping the timers at 41.81 seconds.

Collecting third place honors on Saturday night was long listed combination Saer Coulter and Copernicus Stables’ Springtime. Coulter (San Francisco, CA) and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding jumped a methodical round to leave all the rails in place but two time faults meant they would not return for the jump-off.

Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, CA) and Old Oak Farm’s Nemo, ranked 15^th on the long list, put in a determined effort, which was only marred by faults at the first and final jumps on course resulting in eight faults.

Karl Cook (Woodside, CA) brought Signe Ostby’s two horses from the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games to the feature class. JonKheer Z jumped to an eight fault total after dislodging rails at fences 10 and 12. With ASB Conquistador, Cook was the first long listed rider of the night to compete; they faulted at fences three, 5A and 10 and had one time fault for a 13 fault total.

Long listed riders head to Lexington, KY next week for the second of 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Events held at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

For video, news, photos and to follow the 2012 U.S. Show Jumping Team visit;
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Jumping/
For more information about the Del Mar National Horse Show including Order of Go and Results visit;http://delmarnational.com/hunter_jumper.php

Per the USEF Selection Procedures, in order to remain in consideration for the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team, athlete/horse combinations are required to compete at two of the following Observation Events listed below:

The Del Mar National Horse Show
Del Mar, California May 1-6, 2012
www.delmarnational.com

Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Lexington, Kentucky May 8-13, 2012
www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

The Devon Horse Show
Devon, Pennsylvania May 29-June 2, 2012
www.devonhorseshow.com

Spruce Meadows
Calgary, Alberta Canada June 13-17, 2012
www.sprucemeadows.com

Following the completion of these observation events, FEI Nominated Entries will be submitted to the FEI on June 17. Twelve athlete/horse combinations can be named to the FEI Nominated Entries. The USOC Final Entries will be submitted no later than July 6, 2012.

The 2012 Olympic Games will take place July 27 – August 12.

Del Mar, CA – by Helen Murray – An international field contested the $50,000 Surfside Grand Prix presented by ShowBiz Magazine Friday evening at the Del Mar National Horse Show. Of the 26 entries in the class, six combinations were members of the USEF [...]]]>

Rich Fellers & Flexible (Cruising x Safari xx) (Rick Osteen Photography)

Del Mar, CA – by Helen Murray – An international field contested the $50,000 Surfside Grand Prix presented by ShowBiz Magazine Friday evening at the Del Mar National Horse Show. Of the 26 entries in the class, six combinations were members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. The prestigious California horse show, held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, serves as the first of four 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Events. Leading the victory lap tonight were Rich Fellers and Flexible, having bested the five horse jump-off, which included three long listed combinations.

Lauren Hough was the first member of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games to produce a fault-free effort over the first round. Riding Robyn Parsky’s Blue Angel, the Wellington, FL resident jumped a tidy, efficient round over the initial course. In the jump-off the 10-year-old Anglo-European mare looked on her way to producing a second clear round but slicing the turn to the penultimate jump resulted in four faults. They finished in fourth place.

Three rides after Hough in the first round, 19-year-old Lucy Davis demonstrated how she earned a 15^th place standing on the long list guiding Nemo 119 to a clear round. In the first round Old Oak Farm’s 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding produced an immaculate clear. Returning for the jump-off Davis (Los Angeles, CA) executed all the inside turns to stop the timers at 31.75 seconds; resulting in a second place finish.

Fellers and Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible were the third combination from the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games to qualify for the jump-off. Fellers (Sherwood, OR) and the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion are fresh off a win at the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. Flexible and Fellers bounded to a clear first round over Marina Azevedo’s 13 obstacle track.

The pair of 10 years were the final to go in the jump-off and the only ones that could best Davis’ time. And they did just that jumping another fault-free effort in 30.26 seconds.

Fellers was extremely pleased with Flexible’s first show back from his huge win in Holland.

“He was super and couldn’t have gone any better. This is the first time he’s jumped since the World Cup.” Looking towards the remainder of the 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event classes, Fellers stated. “He’ll jump tomorrow night and then do two more at Spruce Meadows.”

Karl Cook (Woodside, CA) led things off tonight with Signey Ostby’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, ASB Conquistador. The pair finished with four fault total after having the top-rail of the narrow vertical at fence three. Cook returned to the Del Mar Arena later in the class riding Ostby’s other long listed horse, JonKheer Z. He piloted the 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion to a 13 fault round; lowering the heights of fence thee and 8B and C.

Saer Coulter (San Francisco, CA) and Copernicus Stables’ Springtime were the final members of the long list to contest the first round. Coulter and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding faulted at fence three and collected one time fault in an otherwise polished effort.

The second class of the 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event held at the Del Mar National Horse Show, the $100,000 Hermes Grand Prix of Del Mar presented by Intuit, begins Saturday, May, 5 at 6:45pm PST in the Del Mar Arena. This class will be live streamed on the USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak.

For live streaming, news, photos and to follow the 2012 U.S. Show Jumping Team visit;
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Jumping/

For more information about the Del Mar National Horse Show including Order of Go and Results visit;http://delmarnational.com/hunter_jumper.php

Per the USEF Selection Procedures, in order to remain in consideration for the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team, athlete/horse combinations are required to compete at two of the following Observation Events listed below:

The Del Mar National Horse Show
Del Mar, California May 1-6, 2012
www.delmarnational.com

Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Lexington, Kentucky May 8-13, 2012
www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

The Devon Horse Show
Devon, Pennsylvania May 29-June 2, 2012
www.devonhorseshow.com

Spruce Meadows
Calgary, Alberta Canada June 13-17, 2012
www.sprucemeadows.com

Following the completion of these observation events, FEI Nominated Entries will be submitted to the FEI on June 17. Twelve athlete/horse combinations can be named to the FEI Nominated Entries. The USOC Final Entries will be submitted no later than July 6, 2012.

The 2012 Olympic Games will take place July 27 – August 12.

Cassio rode a deceptively quick round on his 12-year-old bay stallion Böckmanns Lazio finishing in a winning time of 57.19. The stallion’s big stride paid dividends on the course [...]]]> Ukranian rider Cassio Rivetti clinched victory in the opening CSI 5*competition today despite a fast challenge from current GCT champion Edwina Tops-Alexander.

Cassio rode a deceptively quick round on his 12-year-old bay stallion Böckmanns Lazio finishing in a winning time of 57.19. The stallion’s big stride paid dividends on the course designed by Frank Rothenberger and after the prize giving Cassio said: “He jumped a really good round. He has had some experience here before and I believe that helped as he really liked this speed class.”

World No 1 female rider Edwina sped into second place on her consistently high performing mare Mel d’Argences in a time of 57.48 just a fraction behind Cassio. Edwina, the first GCT euro millionaire, had an impressive start to the 2012 GCT series by winning the opening Grand Prix of 2012 in Doha, Qatar, last month.

The great names in show jumping from around the world were out in force for the first 5* international class.

The Tour, with the richest prize money in the sport of show jumping, kicked off in bright sunshine at the Oliva Nova Equestrian Centre on the southern tip of the province of Valencia.

The immaculate sand arena was described as “impressive” by riders as they walked the course.

The venue, new to the GCT circuit this year, is sandwiched between the wide sandy beaches on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and rugged mountains in the southern tip of the province of Valencia.

American rider Richard Spooner on Billy Bianca was fast into the Banco Sabadell double combination and finished in 57.63 clinching third place.

Eric Lamaze shifted into high gear from the start on his chestnut mare Coriana van Kapscheut. The Canadian rider, who recently moved to a new base in Belgium, finished in fourth place on 58.45.

There was a strong turnout of Spanish riders, including show jumping star Sergio Alvarez Moya. Sergio started fast but his horse Kisby added a stride at one of the early verticals landing him four faults.

Marta Ortega Perez, riding in her home country, executed a fluent clear round with one time penalty on Cerrano von Hof CH.

And Alberto Marquez Galobardes put in a strong early clear on 63.63 on Quintonine du Pas and coming in 10^th position.

Some of the leading riders, like Kevin Staut, Alvaro de Miranda and Marcus Ehning, took advantage of the early class to test out their newer and younger horses. As the GCT series progresses regular viewers and followers of the Tour’s livestreaming will see these horses develop and pick up top-level experience throughout the year.

Other riders like Christian Ahlmann and Marco Kutscher took the opportunity to warm up their top Grand Prix horses ahead of the main Grand Prix competition on Saturday evening.

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CULPEPER, VA (April 24, 2012) – Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood aboard Juniper Farm’s George continued her journey towards the Pfizer [...]]]>

Capping a successful week, Jill Henselwood and YJC graduate, George (Garant x Don Juan) on their way to winning the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper on Sunday. ©ESI Photography.

CULPEPER, VA (April 24, 2012) – Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood aboard Juniper Farm’s George continued her journey towards the Pfizer Million and the 2012 Olympics with a big win at Commonwealth Park in Sunday’s $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. As she prepares for the Nations Cup Series in Belgium and Austria, Henselwood spent last week in Culpeper, Virginia where she also picked up wins in Friday’s $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and Thursda y’s $2,000 Level 7 Jumper.

“I came to Virginia to make sure [George] is on his game and I knew we would be guaranteed good weather since there is snow at home,” said Henselwood. “The venue and the competition were super. These Virginia riders are always quick, so it was great preparation.”

Fellow Canadian Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario designed the course and presented riders an immediate jump-off option. Foster crafted a 14-obstacle track, which included three double combinations. Faults were scattered as his course proved to be challenging, but attainable. Ten were clear over the first round course, but only two managed to produce double clear efforts – Henselwood and Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois in the irons of Woodrun’s HH Dauphin.

“I thought this class turned out really well,” said Foster. “The weather always makes it a little uncomfortable, but the footing was just as good as ever. There was a lot of great talent here at this show. Jill [Henselwood] is just fantastic and I thought a lot of the horses jumped extremely well today.”

Despite storms that stretched throughout the day on Sunday, the footing reacted well and horses jumped without trouble.

“Even saturated with rain, this footing can withstand anything,” said Henselwood. “The horses weren’t sinking, they weren’t slipping and it was still a nice class. George jumped incredibly and it was a great way to start the season.”

Henselwood and George, owned by Brian Gingras, set the Great American Time to Beat at 44.954 seconds late in the class and chose the immediate jump-off to ultimately capture the win. After a successful winter season at HITS Thermal, Henselwood gained valuable qualifying leverage for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in September at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

Admittedly, Henselwood has not yet chosen a horse for the Pfizer Million, but has plenty of talent to choose from between George and Henselwood’s other top-performing mount, IV Ever, also owned by Brian Gingras.

Second place in Sunday’s Grand Prix went to HITS Ocala veteran Linback and HH Dauphin. The pairreturned first for a jump-off at the end of the first round and crossed the timers in 47.661 seconds. Linback and HH Dauphin competed all winter at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and earned several top prizes before heading north.

Third place went to Jeanne Hobbs of Southern Pines, North Carolina and her own Nielson B. They posted the fasted jump-off time of 42.159 seconds, but one rail down earned them the yellow ribbon. Hobbs and Nielson B have a few years of experience together and also look to make their third appearance at the 2012 Pfizer Million.

Rounding out the top five were longtime HITS veterans and accomplished riders Patty Stovel and Michael Kirby. Stovel, of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and her own Carigor Z finished in fourth place and Kirby of Madison, Connecticut finished in fifth on his own KT Undercover.

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
Sunday’s $40,000 Grand Prix looked a lot like Friday’s $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix as Jill Henselwood and Laura Linback captured the first and second place ribbons. As twenty-five competitors got an early taste of Foster’s expectations on the field, Henselwood earned her first of two big wins on George, while Linback took the red ribbon aboard Woodrun’s Whittaker MVNZ. Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia earned the third place ribbon with his own Indy.

As HITS Culpeper enjoyed an outstanding start to the spring and summer circuits, show jumping action prepares to head north to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York for three consecutive weeks of hunter/jumper action starting May 23 before returning to Culpeper July 4. Qualifiers for the Pfizer Million, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final will be held at HITS-on-the-Hudson and HITS Culpeper all summer long as the road to HITS Championship Weekend continues on.

$40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1 GEORGE 2002 HAN g. Garant x Don Juan
JILL HENSELWOOD / JUNIPER FARMS 0-0/44.94 $12,000

2 HH DAUPHIN 2002 KWPN s. Larino x Polydor
LAURA LINBACK / WOODRUN 0-0/47.66 $8,800

3 NIELSON B 1995 KWPN g. Hinault x Voltaire
JEANNE HOBBS / PATTY STOVEL 0-4 $5,200

4 CARIGOR Z 2001 ZANG g. Caridor Z x Alnok Z
PATTY STOVEL / MICHAEL KIRBY 0-4 $3,200

5 KT UNDERCOVER 2001 KWPN g. Colino x Voltaire
MICHAEL KIRBY / HAYS INVESTMENT CORP 0-4 $2,400

6 WENNOUS 2003 KWPN m. Orame x Peter Pan
ERYNN BALLARD / LOOKING GOOD GROUP 0-4 $2,000

7 VDL VIPER H 2002 CWB Corland x Ahorn
MICHELLE VANDAL / MICHELLE VANDAL 0-4 $1,600

8 WADISSON 2003 KWPN g. Radisson x Holland
KYLE TIMM / APEX EQUESTRIAN CENTER 0-8 $1,200

9 DIVINE DIVA 2000 CSH m. Vice Chancellor x unknown
MICHELLE VANDAL / MICHELLE VANDAL 0-8 $1,200

10 CHEVALIER 1994 HOL g. Carthago x Calypso II
LINDA RADIGAN / LINDA RADIGAN 0-RET $800

11 VANITA 2002 CWB m. Nassau x Inspekteur
MATTHIAS HOLLBERG / GASTON FAMILY INVESTMENTS LLC 4 $800

12 TIMO 2000 KWPN g. Mantovani x Theoloog
KATE GERHART / CATHY GERHART 4 $800



by Louise Parkes

America’s Rich Fellers and the amazing Irish-bred stallion Flexible stormed to victory in a thrilling third-round jump-off at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping  Final in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today. [...]]]>

Rich Fellers (USA) riding Flexible (Cruising x Safari xx) winner of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final 2012. Kit Houghton/FEI photo.

by Louise Parkes

America’s Rich Fellers and the amazing Irish-bred stallion Flexible stormed to victory in a thrilling third-round jump-off at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping  Final in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today. Only Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and his 11-year-old gelding, Nino des Buissonnets, were left to challenge the US partnership against the clock in the closing stages, but despite a superb effort, they had to yield to the pure determination of a horse and rider who, quite simply, never give up.

Flexible was all but written off twice during his career due to severe injury, but overcame the odds to return to the top of the sport each time. For the legion of fans who have followed the 16-year-old son of Cruising and his rider from Oregon (USA) who bought the chestnut stallion in Cavan, Ireland 10 years ago, today was a dream come true. Unorthodox in his movement and jumping style, and the oldest in the competition at 16 years of age, Flexible showed the same kind of spirit as his sire, Cruising, who was runner-up at the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final 13 years ago in Gothenburg (SWE). Flexible was second at the same venue himself in 2008, and has competed at all of the last five Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals, but today it was his turn to stand under the spotlight. And the courageous stallion and his rider fought every inch of the way, bringing the packed stadium at the Brabanthalle in ’s-Hertogenbosch to their feet in an emotional tribute after their incredible round in the jump-off, while it was Guerdat who stood second on the podium ahead of fellow-countryman Pius Schwizer in third.

STRONGEST JUMPERS

Louis Konickx’s 12-fence first-round track really pulled the strongest jumpers out of the pack of 24 final-day starters, with the home crowd unable to conceal their delight when local man, Maikel van der Vleuten, produced the first zero score when 12th into the ring with VDL Groep Verdi. The questions were clear but the time-allowed, even when extended from 65 seconds to 68, was tight, and it took strong riding from the very best of them to return a clean sheet. Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson showed exactly why he is currently No. 1 on the Rolex Rankings as well as reigning European Champion when following suit with Casall la Silla.

The final triple combination quickly became the bogey, and Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt and his winner of Friday’s second competition Monte Bellini looked set for a fault-free effort only to lose momentum on the approach, and without enough power the stallion was unable to leave the final element up. It came down to the last four riders before another fault-free effort was recorded, Kevin Staut’s grey mare, Silvana HDC, giving it everything she had to leave the course intact before Guerdat (Nino des Buissonnets) and Fellers (Flexible) did likewise.

Ahead by just a single point going into the final day, Schwizer was obliged to carry a single penalty into round two however, after falling foul of the clock in his first round with Carlina, so there was nothing separating him from Guerdat and Fellers, while Staut stalked the leading pack in fourth position carrying three points, as they set off over the second-round course.

TESTING

Staut’s chances disintegrated with two fences down this time out. The distances were ultra-testing, while the 1.62m vertical at fence seven asked a serious question and the double, three from home, claimed a large number of victims. But Guerdat’s gelding was still on fire and Fellers’ stallion likewise, so, to the delight of the packed stadium, it would come down to a two-way third-round race against time.  And what a thriller it was…

Konickx left them with just six fences and seven jumping efforts to decide the winner, and Guerdat set the target with one more fabulous clear, crossing the line in 26.61 seconds with his horse which appears to have unlimited scope.

The American was waiting in the wings and saw the Swiss rider go. “I hopped off and watched Steve through the curtains – I thought it was seven (strides) from the triple bar (second-last on the jump-off course) to the Rolex vertical (last fence) but he did eight. I know Flexible very well and he’s quick across the ground. I don’t know Steve’s horse but I just trusted that I could do eight to the last and be faster and be lucky.” And so he was, breaking the beam in 25.97 seconds.

Guerdat said afterwards, “my horse is very fast and I thought without taking too much risk it would be enough, but afterwards I realised I lost time turning  back to the triple bar. I can only blame myself and I’ll have to do better next time,” he said.

WORLD-CLASS JOB

Fellers sang the praise of course designer Konickx. “He did a world-class job from the first day until the end. I think the week was quite safe, I don’t think any horses lost their heart or their courage, but at the same time it was very difficult and top level jumping.”  Asked about how it felt to be the first American rider to take the coveted FEI World Cup™ Jumping title in 25 years, he said, “we were due – that’s a long time with all the red coats that come to this final!”

And he talked about his wonder-horse whose resilience is something of a phenomenon. “He was, as a younger horse, extremely excitable. He’s very quick and twitchy. He’s kind of a wild character, but he’s gradually mellowed as he’s matured. He’s like a pet, I love him and he loves me, we have a great relationship and we know each other very well,” he explained. Flexible now has “a week, or maybe nine or 10 days” before he returns to the US to compete in the US Olympic Trials in Del Mar, California. Not much time to rest on his laurels, but somehow it seems that this relatively old horse, and his 52-year-old rider, are on an upward trajectory that will take them to this summer’s Olympic Games and all the possibilities that that can bring.

CROWN OF CROWNS

Asked if he really believed he could clinch the crown of crowns when following Guerdat into the ring for the final time today, having come so close to victory before, Fellers said, “I just thought I HAVE to do it this time – you don’t get too many chances!” And what about Flexible? At 16 years of age, is he coming toward the end of his career? “Well he’s not telling me that if he is! He feels more like a 12-year-old!”

The 2011/2012 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final could hardly have come to a more exciting conclusion. The win today brings the US tally of FEI World Cup™ Jumping victories to eight in the 34-year history of a series that identifies, without doubt, the greatest horses of their era. And in the lead-up to an Olympic summer, the Rolex title is the greatest boost to confidence and belief that any horse-and-rider combination could wish for.

FINAL STANDINGS : (First two riders went into third-round jump-off against the clock today) 1. Rich Fellers (Flexible) USA 0/0/0 5.97; 2, Steve Guerdat (Nino des Buissonnets) SUI 0/0/0 26.61.  Remaining riders finished with the following penalty points: 3, Pius Schwizer (SUI) 5; 4, Philipp Weishaupt (GER) 10; 5, Kevin Staut (FRA) 11; 6, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE) 12; 7, Marcus Ehning (GER) 15; 7, Marcus Ehning (GER) 15; 9, Rik Hemeryck (BEL) 16; 10, Harrie Smolders (NED) 17.  Full final standings here http://results.scgvisual.com/2012/denbosch/worldcup.html

TODAY’S COMPETITION RESULT here http://results.scgvisual.com/2012/denbosch/r3.html

Facts and Figures

This is the 34th Final in the history of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping series.
Today’s track, built by Dutch course designer Louise Konickx, had 12 fences.
Fence 5 was another innovatively designed obstacle consisting of a spread of three poles but not a tradition triple-bar – instead the front and back rails were crossed.
4 fences stood at 1.60m – all verticals, at 3, 6, 7 (wall) and 9.
The bogey fence on the first-round track was the final obstacle, the triple combination.
On Day 1 (Thursday), a total of 37 horse-and-rider combinations started, on Day 2 (Friday) there were 32 in the competition and today the field was reduced to 24 for the deciding competition.
5 clears in round 1 – Maikel van der Vleuten/VDL Groep Verdi (NED), Rolf-Goran Bengtsson/Casall La Silla (SWE), Kevin Staut/Silvana HDC (FRA), Steve Guerdat/Nino des Buissonnets (SUI), Rich Fellers/Flexible (USA).
19 horse-and-rider combinations started in Round 2.
12 fences on second-round course
Vertical at fence 7 was 1.62m high and penultimate vertical stood at 1.61m.
Riders from 12 nations competed on the final day – USA, Qatar, Germany, Egypt, Ireland, Australia, Portugal, The Netherlands, France, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland.
Just two in third-round jump-off against the clock.
6 fences, 7 jumping efforts in jump-off course.
Fellers and Flexible’s victory today is the first for the USA in 25 years. The last American winner was Katharine Burdsall with The Natural back in 1987.

Quotes:

Rich Fellers, talking about the US team trials in which he has participated with Flexible in recent weeks: “The Trials were good for him (Flexible) to get him going again this season. We take a fairly long winter break with our horses being in the North West. I didn’t feel like he was quite at this peak at the Trials, but I felt like he was improving from the few classes we did before. It felt like he was really coming into top form this week.”

Rich Fellers, talking about the absence of Flexible’s owners, Mollie and Harry Chapman: “I’ve been in touch with them and I’ve been texting them and so on. Unfortunately, Harry Chapman had an injury just a week ago, a nerve in his lower back was bothering him and he was possibly going to have surgery, so they decided not to make the trip. But I got him a Rolex!”

AUDIO CLIPS:
Rich Fellers – Commentary on winning round.
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Fellers_comm.MP3

Rich Fellers – Winning Interview
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/fellers_end.MP3

Steve Guerdat (German)
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Guerdat_ger_end.MP3

Rolf-Goran Bengtsson  (English)
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Bengtsson_end_eng.MP3

Rolf Goran Bengtsson (Swedish)
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Bengtsson_swe_end.MP3