Rolex in Retrospect: Beverly Equestrian Toasts Allison Springer, Karen O’Connor & Marilyn Little-Meredith
Tuesday, May 08 2012
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event provided the first major step in the US team selection process for the 2012 Olympics. Several riders made incredible bids for their ticket to London and on May 6 Beverly Equestrian Center (The Plains, VA) celebrated the three eventers for their rides ’round Rolex. Marilyn Little-Meredith, Allison Springer and Karen O'Connor celebrate Rolex and their quest to make the US 3-day team for the London Olympics this August with a congenial crowd at Beverly Equestrian Center. © Lauren R Giannini Allison Springer & Arthur – they broke through several years of bad luck and misfortune to finish second overall and the best of the Americans to win the USEF National Four-Star championship. In the event that Allison & Arthur make the team, this will be their first Olympics.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
FOURTEEN TEAM HOPEFULS TO COMPETE AT DEVON
Monday, May 07 2012
DEVON, Pa.— The always exciting Open Jumping at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will have an extra fillip of tension thrown in this year as 14 of the competitors who are long-listed for the show jumping team at the London Olympics will be competing in two of the Observation Events that will decide the eventual team. Devon, which runs May 24 to June 3, benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital, to which it has donated over $14 million during the 10 decades of their association. Among the 14 long-listed competitors are four Olympic or World Championships medal winners. Leading the list are McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., and Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, N.Y., both with two Olympic team gold medals and a World Championships team silver, and Laura Kraut of Wellington, Fla., with one Olympic team gold medal. Margie Engle, also of Wellington, has a World Championships team silver medal, and another of the long-listed riders, Mario Deslauriers of New York, N.Y., is an Olympic and World Championships veteran. In all, 31 riders have qualified to show at Devon, including Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., who has been Leading Open Jumper Rider at Devon for four of the past six years, always battling it out for that honor with Ward, who has won the Grand Prix at Devon six times. This will be a particularly tension filled event for Ward, as he had to skip the selection trials in Wellington in March because he had fractured his kneecap when a horse fell with him in January at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
ROLEX KENTUCKY – AM Cross-Country CH-CH-CH-CHANGES!!!
Saturday, April 28 2012
Wowie zowie – what a morning – we’re still reeling from the changes in the leaderboard. Even before the XC began, there were three withdrawals: Buck Davidson pulled out with Absolute Liberty, who would have been first out of the start box this morning, & his Pan Titanium, Jolie Wentworth & Killian O’Connor. Then, only two completed the cross-country out of the first seven horses to start this morning! Two retired on course: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) took out a frangible pin at 9abc – Bridgestone Park Question (coffin combination), picking up 21 penalties, and James Alliston (GBR) and Jumbo’s Jake after they accumulated 20 penalties at 9abc – and 17abcde, the Sunken Road. Three were eliminated – Karen O’Connor had a splash crash at the HSBC Water Park (5abcd) – no injuries to horse or rider, just dampened spirits, but Karen has another chance with Mr. Medicott this afternoon. Becky Holder and Courageous Comet got to #22abc, the HSBC FEI Classic Series Normandy Bank, but parted company and Becky bought a cheap piece of real estate that cost dearly in terms of her goals with her wonderful ex-racehorse
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky: Where The Action Is!
Saturday, April 28 2012
Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik, exuding class at Manny's first ever four-star in spite of boogie moments during their waltz... © Lauren R Giannini Okay, so we’re only one person and we can’t be everywhere & do everything, but on Friday, we made a point of getting to the dressage arena to watch our friend Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik who was ready and eager for the cross-country, but a day early. Their score put them well down on the leaderboard standings, but ya wanna know something? That test might have been a disappointment to Sara and Brian Murphy and Lara, who’s grooming her first Rolex – understandable after all the years of preparation to get here, but we felt very proud of Manny for not leaping out of the ring and thundering off to the XC. It’s his first four-star and he’s a bit of a sensitive, complex creature under the best of circumstances and the horse gods know what an electric atmosphere Rolex tends to be
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
ROLEX 3-Day: Dubarry Style Awards, Cross-Country Course Walks, Things To Do, ETC
Thursday, April 26 2012
Welcome to Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone – and the first day of dressage. We had just enough time to get to the stadium where we took a few pix of Sinead Halpin and “Tate” – Manoir de Carneville, who performed the test ride. Last year they finished third at Rolex, winning the USET Foundation Pinnacle Cup as the highest-placed US rider/horse combination as well as Best Conditioned Horse.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
UVA polo dominates the USPA Intercollegiate National Tournaments
Wednesday, April 25 2012
UVA Men (left to right): Felipe Viana, Lou Lopez, Todd Thurston, Eduardo Lopez, Mauricio Lopez, CB Scherer, LJ Lopez UVA polo dominated the USPA Intercollegiate National Tournaments this past weekend in Ithaca, N.Y., taking home titles in both the men’s and women’s events. The Cavalier squads faced strong competition throughout the tournaments, which featured top college programs and some of the best young players in the United States. The UVA men’s team defeated Cornell in the semifinal and went on to win the championship with a 23-17 victory against Westmont in the final. UVA Women (left to right): Lou Lopez, Isabella Wolf, Kylie Sheehan, Julia Steiner, Vicky Friedrichs, LJ Lopez In the women’s tournament, UVA took down a solid Texas A&M team before meeting rival Cornell in the final and winning in a close 17-13 contest The National Intercollegiate Championship is part of the USPA’s Intercollegiate/Interscholastic polo program, which is committed to growing the sport of polo with players and fans. Several players from the winning UVA teams are part of the premier Team USPA development program as well, which is also highly involved in training and teaching young polo players. With the help of programs like these, polo is experiencing a resurgence in the U.S.as depicted in the recent in-depth feature on “60 Minutes” surrounding the sport. All Star Honorees Men Women Felipe Viana – UVA Julia Steiner – UVA CB Scherer – UVA Kailey Eldredge – Cornell Patrick Uretz –Westmont Kylie Sheehan – UVA Wiley Uretz -Westmont Isabella Wolf – UVA
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION’S RENEE ISLER FUND PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TWO YOUNG RIDERS
Tuesday, April 24 2012
Katrina Hiller April 24, 2012 – The Dressage Foundation’s Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund recently provided two scholarships to young riders to support their participation in educational clinics. Katrina Hiller (WI) was accepted by the United States Dressage Federation to participate in the Junior/Young Rider Clinic with Jeremy Steinberg on March 17-18, 2012. However, she needed some financial help to make the trip from Wisconsin to Maryland with her horse, Toy Soldier. Katrina received an $800 scholarship from Renee’s Fund, which enabled her to attend the clinic. “The clinic with Jeremy Steinberg was an incredible experience,” said Katrina. “His methods were effective yet respectful to the horse, and overall made Toy much more supple, active, and rideable. I can’t thank The Dressage Foundation enough for giving me the opportunity to ride for Jeremy!” Annie Adamcyzk Renee’s Fund, which also provides support to young riders and professionals who participate in other educational events, awarded a $325 scholarship to Annie Adamczyk (IL). Annie was selected to participate in the Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic with Lendon Gray. The event will be held April 28-29 at Legacy USA Equestrian inBurr Ridge,IL. “Receiving this scholarship to ride with Lendon Gray is such an honor. I cannot thank Renee Isler and The Dressage Foundation more for giving me this great opportunity. I am so excited to see how well Storm, my new mare owned by Marilyn Black, and I improve because of this clinic,” said Annie. Since 2008, the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund has provided nearly $40,000 in grants/scholarships to support young riders, the USDF Jr/YR Clinic Series, and dressage professionals. For more information about this Fund, go to www.dressagefoundation.org/Renee_Isler_Dressage_Support_Fund.htm or contact Jenny Johnson at (402)434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Armed Robbery
Monday, April 23 2012
Armadillo at my window So I realize that this is my first blog and I am supposed to be writing on polo related topics and/or introducing myself by being all, “I am a member of Team USPA and I was the 2009 National Women’s Intercollegiate Polo Champion.” But first, I have to tell you about what just happened to me. If I was doubting whether or not to take this blogging job. I think fate is giving me a definitive YES by throwing this ridiculous/traumatizing story right in my lap! Ok. So here’s the deal. I live on a farm in Aiken, South Carolina. Which is by no means the middle of nowhere, but let’s just say there are more than a handful of sketchy characters in “these here parts.”And this week I am alone, since my mom is in Wellington (Yes, I am currently living with my mom, I’m 24, and it’s only seasonally…free rent! Do. Not.
- Published in General, The Offside, Z-Blogs
English Riding Supply To Sponsor Ovation Leading Rider Awards at Horse Shows by the Bay
Tuesday, April 17 2012
Horse Sports by the Bay Inc., is pleased to announce that English Riding Supply is returning this year as a Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival Platinum Sponsor and as the sponsor of the Ovation Leading Rider Awards. The Ovation Leading Rider Awards Program has been part of the Hunter/Jumper awards program at Horse Shows by the Bay since 2007. The circuit awards are given to the top winning rider in each of the 12 categories recognized – from Pony Hunter to Open Jumper. Riders who accumulate the most points at the end of the four week circuit win a $500 gift certificate to redeem from the comprehensive English Riding Supply catalog. Winners will receive their awards during Horse Shows by the Bay Series IV. Says Alex Rheinheimer, Horse Sports by the Bay Inc., owner and show manager, “The Ovation Leading Rider Awards are among the highlights for our participants each year. For them, choosing from such noted brands like Ovation, Pessoa, Centaur, and Veredus guarantees that they’ll find something of value and that is useful. For me, I especially like this type of award as it rewards consistency. I can’t thank English Riding Supply enough for their continued support of our horse show and of this wonderful awards program”. English Riding Supply’s Centaur is also the show’s Official Horse Clothier and will dress the show’s Grand Hunter Champions in style with Centaur Wool Coolers plus provide beautiful Turbo Dry Show Sheets for the Hunter and Jumper Classic winners. Series II and Series IV Champions will also receive an embroidered Centaur Dress Scrim Sheet for their accomplishments. English Riding Supply’s Peggy Murray will be onsite during Horse Shows by the Bay and will be providing additional prizes and gift certificates.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Nordic Lights Farm Earns Winning Awards at Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show
Wednesday, April 11 2012
Katy, TX – April 4, 2012 – The horses and riders at Nordic Lights Farm had another stellar performance at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center during the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show. Eirin Bruheim piloted NLF Transatlantic to a victory in the $5,000 Spring Gathering Classic, while her sister Lene Bruheim took home the blue in the High Children’s Jumpers with Jessika. After earning the High Performance Working Hunter Reserve Championship, Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm were presented with the Houston Spring Series Circuit Championship.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs