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| News & Announcements |
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As we begin the holiday season we look back with pride as well as look forward with resolve to the year ahead.
The world of hunters and jumpers was superb on many levels over these last couple of months. In late October, the United States earned gold at the Pan American Games and an invitation to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. And we all breathed a sigh of relief. As McLain Ward commented, the pressure was intense. "I have to be honest, it was a lot of stress, this Olympic qualification," said Ward. "I felt a little more pressure today and yesterday than I have in past Olympic Games." Clearly able to rise to the occasion, Christine McCrea, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Kent Farrington were fantastic down in Guadalajara. EquestriSol interviews with both Kent and Beezie will come to life soon...
Coming off that United States high note for a moment, the entire world of show jumping was shocked and deeply saddened with the loss of an awesome Canadian equine competitor, Hickstead. His sudden passing after jumping a round in Verona caused a tidal wave of sympathy. The competitors at the event gathered for a moment of silence in the arena while the news spread like wildfire through media channels. Hickstead's partner, Canadian Eric Lamaze, chose to attend The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto right after the incident where he received a warm and sympathetic welcome from the crowd. He answered a number of questions in a press conference there.
The Wild, Wild West
Heading north from Guadalajara, the 2011 Las Vegas National in early November was a hit with both exhibitors and spectators. Each year the excitement builds and the event gains momentum. Exciting evenings of competition mixed with the PCHA Adult Medal Finals and a successful NAL Sunday meant there was truly a highlight event for everyone. More on Vegas and all its trimmings below.
The Sacramento International was a sellout and as a result all involved saw some solid show jumping. Congratulations go out to all the winners, especially the little but mighty stallion, Flexible with Rich Fellers. They galloped on from that victory to the Los Angeles National Horse Show to clinch the win once again. Chalk that up to a double whammy for that indomitable duo.
To round out the west coast wrap up, the LA National also crowned some other top riders, including Sophie Simpson who took the win in the Onondarka Medal Finals and Demi Stiegler completing a solid end to her junior years with another medal win, this time the WCE Jr/Am Medal Finals.
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John French and Small Affair
Photo by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. |
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Western Tracks Left on the East Coast
Travel back to the east coast for some continued west coast wins. From fourteen-year-old Pilar Flournoy to John French and Small Affair, the well-earned victories made the trip east worthwhile. We'll let the words and lens of Jennifer Wood Media below provide some more east coast highlights from two top capital shows.
Other east coast feats include solid placings to some of the west coast equitation elite in the USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals – including 3rd Alison Fithian (Benson Carroll and Stacia Madden), 7th Alexa Anthony (Cara Anthony and Andre Dignelli) and 8th Morgan Geller (Jim Hagman, Katie Gardner and Don Stewart).
The 2011 National Horse Show made its mark in Lexington, Kentucky and Richard Spooner galloped away with the big win in the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix. Leading a jump off of five riders, he masterfully maneuvered a fault free ride on Cristallo that no one could beat. Olivia Esse ended her junior career with impressive results, including Champion on and Reserve in the Small Junior Hunters and Grand Junior Hunter Champion on Illusion. A grand exit from her junior years to her college years.
Of course we would love to mention all who showed their moxie on the east coast but we can't possibly include everyone. Helmets off to all for a job well done.
 EqSol News
Happily living in both California and Kentucky, we have a wide range of cool projects in development. We are pleased to announce some of our latest releases from ads to web. Nighthorse Farms went through several changes in 2011, including a new ad campaign and a facelift to their web site. The Facebook feed in their new News section allows them to keep a fresh web site while updating their Facebook page. Something to consider if your web site needs an update but your latest news is on your Facebook page. We are happy to help implement some fresh new innovations to your current site...
Lauren Hester had a fabulous finish to the 2011 season, including a Grand Prix win at Sacramento earlier this month. Her new web site at Hester Equestrian is live.
We've already started work for Blenheim EquiSports 2012, from Holiday Gift Certificates to new season sensations, so keep an eye out.
Before 2012 kicks in with a big bang we will be releasing several more web sites that are underway.
We are looking forward to a stellar 2012, as we enter into some new strategic partnerships, develop new ways to do what we do best and enjoy the journey. What can we do for you?
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| 2011 Las Vegas National Horse Show |
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PHOTOS BY CAPTUREDMOMENTPHOTO.COM
Truly terrific this year – the turn out at The Las Vegas National was super, competition fierce and in Vegas there is certainly no lack of extracurricular activities. At the South Point alone you can go to the movies, bowl, visit the spa, dine in one of nine restaurants and of course gamble. And your horse is on the premises!
Featuring several savory equestrian evenings, the event served up some great show jumping, exciting until the last rider.
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Francie Steinwedell-Carvin
and Taunus |
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Steinwedell-Carvin Gives Up Control
When twenty-nine horse and rider combinations competed in a one round competition against the clock in the $31,000 Las Vegas National Welcome Jumper Classic, presented by Summit General Insurance Agency, Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Taunus were top notch. Eleventh to go, Steinwedell-Carvin and Prentiss Partner's Taunus set a solid time, clean in 60.25, and held their lead through the next eighteen attempts.
Steinwedell-Carvin shared how her relationship with Taunus has blossomed of late, as she had an experience that taught her to "'give up control to get control.' He likes to go around on the flat with his head up and I would work so hard to get him to get round." After working with a horse in a western saddle in a round pen with a cowboy, Francie learned about giving up control.
"A light came on without me realizing it, I had a transition of trust that I could let go. I relaxed so he relaxed and it worked."
A difficult aspect to give up while negotiating a course of big jumps and tight turns – control – finding that synchronicity is a constant challenge. How an experienced rider learns new ways to communicate is an interesting question. Ask someone you admire about an unexpected experience that led to success in the show ring... View full results and press release here.
Good to the Last Draw
On a chilly evening in the Vegas desert the South Point Equestrian arena was on fire as twenty-nine horse and rider combinations hailing from all over the world raced for the win in the $20,000 1.35m Speed Classic, presented by CardFlex. Previous to this fast and furious event, the kids had a ton of fun at the JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show and the precious leadliners stole the crowd's heart.
The track created by course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio offered several options for speed, and riders picked a variety of tracks for success. First to go American Karl Cook set the pace aboard Signe Ostby's Notories Utopia. The ride was smooth and slick in a time of 61.44. D'Ambrosio commented, "Karl is going to be tough to beat. There are two places where you could do one less stride than he did, that may be the only way to win."
Per his prediction, try as they might, rider after rider nipped at Karl's heels but none could catch him. The ultimate thrill of the evening came with the final ride, Argentinean Eduardo Braun on H.J. El Magnifico. Just when the crowd figured Cook had it in the bag, Braun sped his way through the track with style and stopped the clock in 61.10, just over three tenths of a second faster than Cook for the win. The crowd went crazy as Braun raised his fist in victory. View results and press release here.
Saturday Night Lights & Heights
Saturday was super at the Las Vegas National. The evening began by crowning a champion in the PCHA Victor Hugo-Vidal Adult Medal Finals. In its first year at this indoor location, three riders finished the first two rounds within three percentage points of each other and returned for a work-off. Called in second, Lorri Quiett on Abigail performed well and ultimately earned the top spot.
Next Karl Cook illustrated that speed pays off in the exciting $10,000 Winning Round Classic, presented by Royal Champion. Twenty-seven couples gave it a go and nine completed the course fault free. Unique to the Winning Round Format, riders return according to their score and time in the first round.
Since all were clean, time determined the order of go in the second round. It was no surprise that Karl Cook and Jonkheer Z (Signe Ostby, owner) were the last to come back in the second round. Shaving almost two seconds off Kirsten Coe and Vernon G's leading time, Cook took the win at the last second.
Commencing with a rockin' light show, followed by a Parade of Nations with an introduction of each grand prix rider, the crowd was ready for some superb show jumping. Before the four-hooved types galloped in, kids large and small leaped up to 1.20m in the JustWorld International High Jump competition.
The twenty-four entries in the $50,000 Last Vegas National Grand Prix, presented by Summit General Insurance Agency, were a balance of eleven male and ten female competitors representing six nations. Course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio set an 'up to standard' 1.60m track with spreads up to 1.65m, a triple bar at 1.90m, a triple combination with two oxers and a delicate 1.60m skinny vertical. Over half the class rose to the occasion, with eight moving on to the jump-off round and five scored just four faults.
Double clears included American John McConnell aboard Rancho Corazon's Katie Riddle, who sailed smoothly around the shortened course clean in 40.57, taking the lead. A short-lived lead however, as the young and quick Karl Cook on ASB Conquistador (Signe Ostby, owner) followed with another double clean effort in 38.56. The petite Danish rider Emilie Martinsen rode the powerful Toscane well (J.a.j Van Rijiswijk, owner), finishing double clean in 45.16 earning a respectable fourth place. Last but certainly not least, Brazilian Eduardo Menezes entered on Francisco Pasquel's Calavda. He had this envious position in 2010 as well and won. On a horse he'd only been riding a few months, Menezes was double clean, stopping the clock in 38.15, four tenths of a second faster than Cook for another sweet Vegas victory. The crowd went crazy as Menezes crossed the finish line. Once again the final ride clinched the top prize.
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Eduardo Menezes and Calavda |
The Brazilian professional who resides in Mexico and California was especially pleased with his win, since this was his first grand prix on Calavda. When asked about the Vegas vibe, Menezes smiled and said, "I love this show, this venue. Vegas is like Disneyland for adults." View full results and press release here.
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| North American League |
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PHOTOS BY CAPTUREDMOMENTPHOTO.COM
NAL Sunday in Vegas
Competitors hit the jackpot at the inaugural North American League (NAL) West Coast Finals and none of the nearly one hundred exhibitors went home empty-handed. Every NAL member who competed in one of the five classics on "NAL Sunday" at the Las Vegas National Horse Show received a gift bag and an NAL embroidered saddle pad.
The group who earned a trip to the victory circle garnered an array of awards. In addition to a ribbon and prize money, winners of each NAL class took home a silver trophy, a coolerette, a pendant, plus an NAL backpack filled with other goodies including a necklace designed exclusively for the NAL by Herschel Bonchek, a prize package from Equine Matrix, and a Clothes Horse Certificate for an NAL scrim sheet.
"The riders were thrilled with our inaugural event," said President of Ryegate Show Services, Lloyd Longenecker, who was present to handout the gifts and awards to each competitor. He heard one young member exclaim, "There's a saddle pad in this bag... I am so excited!"
Five Divisions of Glory on NAL Sunday
Five champions in five divisions found the experience worth the trip. "I love doing big classes indoors and thought it would be fun to enter the NAL Finals here at the Las Vegas National. It was also a good prep for the upcoming medal finals - it is a special place," said 13-year-old Melanie Selleck after winning the NAL Children's Hunter Classic aboard her Foreign Escape.
Chelsea Samuels, 21, of La Canada, CA won the NAL Adult Amateur Classic on Brooklyn, a 12-year-old chestnut warmblood, with scores of 81 in the first round and 85 in the second. "If I dreamed a horse into life, it would be Brooklyn. He is like a wind-up toy... He always rises to the occasion and was jumping out of his skin here," she explained.
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Melanie Selleck and Foreign Escape (left), Chelsea Samuels and Brooklyn |
A student at U.C. Santa Barbara, Chelsea rides with Archie Cox and Teddi Mellencamp. "It is difficult to balance school with riding and I haven't jumped or shown since September. It is really nice to have a big finals for amateurs and not have to go east to compete."
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Jaclyn Jarrell and Barthez |
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Barthez and Calgary University student Jaclyn Jarrell won the NAL Low Junior-Amateur Jumper Classic, topping a 20-horse field and a seven-hocrse jump-off in 30.42 seconds.
"We have done lots of shows in Calgary, but decided to come to Las Vegas to skip the snow—it is below zero there now and this is my first time here. I love this venue!"
Caroline Underwood of Bonsall, CA, and her 12-year-old Holsteiner mare, Reina, are on a winning streak. Prior to the NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Classic, they won the $25,000 PCHA Adult Amateur Jumper Championship at Del Mar, and the week before that they won a $5,000 Classic in Del Mar. So she wasn't surprised when her clean jump-off in 34.44 was a second and a half faster than anyone in the 10-horse jump-off.
Dinnia Digennaro, 16, didn't know much about the North American League before winning the NAL Children's Jumper Classic. But after collecting a wealth of prizes, it is a victory she will remember. Digennaro rode her Volturi, to the win in a 23-horse field with only four clean rounds. She went first in the jump-off clocking a clean 36.294 round that couldn't be beat. "He's my three-ring horse. We bought him as a hunter and he also does equitation as well as the jumpers. This is my first year in the children's jumpers."
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Caroline Underwood and Reina (left), Dinnia Digennaro and Volturi |
For more information regarding the NAL series, including series specifications, membership information and a list of upcoming events, please call (717) 867-5643, email NAL@Ryegate.com or visit www.ryegate.com.
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| West Coast Riders Impressive on the East Coast |
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BY JENNIFER WOOD & JACKIE MCFARLAND; PHOTOS BY JENNIFER WOOD MEDIA, INC.
It's a long trip east for those who set their sights on competing indoors in the fall. Each season the riders from the left coast have a chance to shine in this competitive setting. Of course many top horses and riders share the glory, but the west coast is not second to the east and often steps into the limelight as illustrated below.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show: October 1-9, 2011
Eq-cellence
On the opening Equitation Weekend presented by Bigeq.com, Morgan Geller and Fabricio topped the North American Flat Equitation Championship, were champions in the 16-year-old Equitation, and second in the North American Equitation Championship. Geller trains with Katie Gardner and Jim Hagman of Elvenstar. Conor Perrin was fourth, Alicia Gasser fifth, Olivia Esse sixth and Demi Stiegler ninth in the North American Equitation Championships. Alison Fithian and Julia Nagler both earned wins in their respective equitation divisions.
Pilar Flournoy, 14, from Topanga, CA, made her first trip east a worthwhile one, as she laid down two solid rounds to win the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals. Flournoy, who trains with Huntover, has that keen ability to stay focused under pressure. She also won the CPHA Foundation Eq Championships earlier this year. Destry Spielberg finished fourth and Alexandra Ladove seventh.
Yet another Californian to dominate the Show Place Arena was Adrienne Dixon. Dixon, of Hillsborough, California, piloted Conor Perrin’s Nat King Cole to top honors in the North American Amateur Equitation Championships. Solid in the irons for many years, Dixon now rides with Hunterbrook.
Third time at Capital Challenge was a charm for Kristi Siam of Chatsworth, CA and her horse Krosus. She was third in the North American Amateur Equitation Championships. And after a three-round battle with Mahala Rummel, Siam came away with the win in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals. She trains with Karen Healey Stables.
On the Hunt to Win
Heidi Kane of Newport Beach, CA, rode Sin City to the championship in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunter 3'3” division. She trains with her daughter Nicole Kane. Jenny Karazissis competed on Sin City in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge earning eighth. With the hopes of just simply having a good round, Chelsea Samuels traveled from her home in La Canada, CA with trainer Archie Cox to compete in the 18-35 Adult Amateur Hunter division. She had several ‘good’ rounds on her 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding Brooklyn, taking the championship.
In her final junior year, Olivia Esse of Pasadena, CA, swept the championships in the Junior Hunter 16-17 divisions. Training with Makoto Farm, she rode Clooney, a seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Carpaccio, for Oscany Inc. to the championship in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters. On Small Affair, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly, she was champion in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters and earned the EMO Junior Trip of the Show. They were also named the High Point Junior Hunter 16-17 sponsored by The Clothes Horse.
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Heidi Kane and Sin City (left); Olivia Esse and Small Affair |
Proficient Pros
Canadian-born now Rancho Santa Fe, CA resident Christa Endicott rode Come Monday, an eight-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Davlyn Farms, to the tri-color in the First Year Green Hunters Section B. The pair was also fifth in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge class.
Another Canadian-born California resident Tara Metzner won the $5,000 WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge. She had the enviable task of competing on Destry Spielberg's Rumba, the winner of the inaugural USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Also champion in the 3’6” Performance Hunter Division, this was Metzner’s inaugural year competing at the Capital Challenge. Actually west coast emerging pros picked up second through fourth as well as sixth in the WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge. Jamie Taylor rode Erin Bland’s Weatherly to second, Hope Glynn picked up fourth on Helen McEvoy’s Chance of Flurries and Teddi Jo Mellancamp was sixth on Woodvale Inc’s Brooklyn.
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Patricia Griffith and Tara Metzner (left); John French |
No stranger to winning on either coast, John French picked up the championship in the Future Hunter 6 & over division on Gail Morey’s new hunter, Safe Haven and on Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Celebration in the Future Hunter, Mare Division. He went on to claim the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge class for the second year in a row on Iwasaki & Reilly's Small Affair. The win was bittersweet for French who choked up when he admitted that the ride might be his last on this talented hunter. Continuing his winning rides, French was the picture of consistency in the WCHR Professional Finals and again took the top prize. Jenny Karazissis was sixth in this prestigious class.
Interview: John French after the WCHR Pro Challenge
Interview: John French after the WCHR Professional Finals win
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Jenny Karazissis, Scott Stewart, John French, Liza Boyd, Kelley Farmer and Hunt Tosh |
The 53rd Washington International Horse Show: October 25-30, 2011
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Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 |
The well-known event in Washington DC gained a huge audience online this year - over 130,000 people tuned into the new live webcast from the Verizon Center. The largest online and in-person crowd was for the $100,000 President's Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier. Nick Skelton of Great Britain rode Beverley Widdowson's Carlo 273 to victory.
Skelton and Carlo 273, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Contender, were the last to go clear in the opening round of 24 entries over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey were second, while California phenom Lucy Davis rode Nemo 119 to third. Margie Engle and Indigo were fourth to round out the jump-off.
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Saer Coulter as a Na'vi
from Avatar |
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Sarah Tredennick of Denver, CO, rode Vigaro to the win in the $31,000 International Open Jumper Jump-off class. Stanford student Saer Coulter went as a character from the movie Avatar in the $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler's Choice Costume class. Although she looked blue, she earned second place behind top rider Todd Minikus dressed as Uncle Sam. Holding her own among the best, Saer earned several more respectable ribbons in the open jumper division.
John French won the inaugural High Point West Coast Rider Trophy, and won the Regular Conformation Hunter Stake aboard Laura Wasserman's Overseas. Wasserman won an Amateur/Owner class on Overseas.
Continuing her indoors hunter dominance, the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division awarded championship honors to Olivia Esse and Oscany Inc.’s Clooney.
Please note that if we missed anyone it is completely unintentional and we are happy to hear from you.
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