Loxahatchee, FL – March 19, 2013 – Tina Konyot and Calecto V have competed lightly but successfully in South Florida this winter, and now their bid to compete in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final rests on their performance in the March 21-24 International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI-W.
The IHS Champions Cup, held at the IHS Champions Park at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, is the final World Cup qualifier for the North American League. Horse and rider combinations must post two scores in designated World Cup qualifying events to be eligible to compete. The two highest-scoring combinations earn a place at the Final, which is slated for April 25-28 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Konyot and Calecto V earned their first qualifying score in the Feb. 14-17 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. They were awarded 76.775% for their Grand Prix Freestyle performance, the highest North American League score recorded to date on the road to qualification for the 2013 World Cup.
After the most recent World Cup qualifier, the Feb. 28-March 3 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, Canadian duo David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital stood atop the leaderboard for the North American League with an average of 73.975% for their top two qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle scores. Fellow Canadians Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro were in second with an average of 72.600%.
To obtain the required second qualifying score and secure a spot in the World Cup Final, Konyot must compete in the IHS Champions Cup and post a score high enough to overtake Brooks in the standings. With two Canadians currently holding the top places, Konyot and Calecto V represent the last U.S. hopes for the World Cup Final.
The International Horse Sport competitions have proven to be essential stops for riders hoping to qualify for the World Cup Final. Several riders put themselves on the leaderboard with strong results at the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby. Jaimey Irwin and Lindor’s Finest took third and Diane Creech and Devon L claimed fourth after both pairs earned their second-highest qualifying scores of the season at the Dressage Derby. Brooks also collected a key score there on her way to her current second-place standing.
ina Konyot and Calecto V at the 2013 World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach
Brooks, Creech and Marcus all plan to return to Equestrian Estates for what is shaping up to be a competitive Grand Prix division. Along with his potential World Cup mount, Chrevi’s Capital, Marcus will ride Don Kontes, with whom he finished third in the Grand Prix at the Dressage Derby. The Grand Prix also features several competitors who have been successful on the winter circuit thus far, including Lars Petersen and Mariett, winners of the Grand Prix and Freestyle at the Dressage Derby, and Shelly Francis and Doktor, who were second in both classes.
Brooks is ready to compete in the World Cup Final if given the opportunity, but thinks Konyot stands a good chance of taking over her spot. “Once Tina gets another score, then it will be Tina, David, then me,” Brooks said. “I’m ready to go if one or the other decides not to, and I feel now that D Niro is ready to go. I’m very confident that he can go into big stadiums and actually enjoy it.”
David Marcus and Don Kontes at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W
Konyot has been planning for the World Cup for some time and thinks that her horse is ready to put forth his best performance. “I feel quite confident,” she said. “I planned my schedule many months out. I’m comfortable with my planning right now, and I think he’s in a good place.”
She added that the IHS Champions Cup has been a major goal for her on the road to the World Cup Final. “I consider every day important for me to prepare for something,” she said. “Next week [the Champions Cup] is even more important for me to prepare for, because I only have one qualifying score, of over 76%, and I need one more score for that.”
“I will probably put a little bit more pressure on him in this last competition,” Konyot continued. “We all have to peak at the right moment, so I’m headed in that direction at this present time.”
If Konyot and Calecto V deliver the performance Konyot is hoping for, spectators at the Champions Cup will have quite the show as she goes head-to-head with other top competitors and tries to earn her remaining qualifying score.
The Champions Cup will be held at IHS Champions Park, also known as the Derby Showgrounds, a beautiful property in White Fences owned by Mary Ann and Walter McPhail and managed by International Horse Sport Palm Beach. The IHS Palm Beach Managing Partners include FEI riders and trainers Ed Borresen and Lars Petersen, together with well-known show organizers Noreen O’Sullivan and John Flanagan.
To learn more about International Horse Sport and the IHS Champions Cup CDI-W, log onto www.ihspb.com.
Jacqueline Brooks and D Niro at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W
International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI-W/CDI1*/J/Y/P/U25
Fast Facts
USEF High Performance Qualifying Competition for the 2013 World Cup
Over $15,000 in Cash and Prizes
2013 USEF National Grand Prix & Intermediaire I Championship
2013 Massy Ferguson/USEF North American Junior & Young Rider’s Championship
USEF National Pony Rider Championships, USEF Developing Horse Championships
Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships, USEF National Brentina Cup Championships
USEF Level 5 Competition- USDF Musical Freestyles; USEF First thru Fourth Levels;
FEI PSG thru Grand Prix, including FEI Musical Freestyles, JY/YR, FEI Five & Six Year Old Tests.
IHS Blue Hors Invitational & Series Final Qualifier
Where:
IHS Champions Park-Equestrian Estates,
3700 Hanover Circle, Loxahatchee, FL
Directions: www.pbderby.com/directions.html
When:
March 21-24
Show organizer:
Noreen O’Sullivan
Managing Partner and Show Manager
nosullivan@wellingtonclassicdressage.com
John Flanagan
Advertising & Sponsorship Director
jflanagan@wellingtonclassicdressage.com
Lars Petersen
Managing Partner
lpetersen@ihspb.com
Ed Borresen
Managing Partner
ebborresen@ihspb.com
News and Information
Phelps Media Group
Sue Weakley
skw@phelpsmediagroup.com
(561) 753-3389
12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
www.PhelpsMediaGroup.com
For class schedules, results and information about International Horse Sport Palm Beach, log onto www.ihspb.com.
Follow IHS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/International-Horse-Sport-Palm-Beach/119102038188011?fref=t
