Big Money = Big Sport: An Exciting Day at the Pfizer Million
Monday, September 12 2011
The scene by the ingate was tense. The crowd lining the hill grew with riders and their connections as the class went on and rider after rider came away with one rail, two rails, six rails. When Duncan McFarlane, 21st to go, finally notched the first clear round, the crowd was overjoyed. As Duncan is based in Northern California, On the Line was especially overjoyed to see a hometown rider shine on the other side of the country in this incredibly difficult class
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
Weltino’s Magic Sweeps USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championships
Monday, September 12 2011
Gladstone, NJ - The top three placings in the Intermediaire I National Dressage Championship never changed throughout the week at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm Dressage Festival of Championship and Steffen Peters dominated with Weltino’s Magic finishing on a three day average of 78.661%. Riding for Jen Hlavacek, Peters owned the Dick and Jane Brown Arena this morning, and to music by Seven and Five, he showed off the 9-year-old Westphalian gelding’s strengths and was rewarded with a freestyle score of 81.250%
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
No Raining on This Parade: The First-Ever HITS Hunter Prix Final
Sunday, September 11 2011
Proving Tom Struzzieri’s idiom that the Hunter Prix levels the playing field, a junior rider edged out a pro to win the first-ever half-million dollar hunter prix final this afternoon at HITS on the Hudson. Rounds three and Four were held under dark, and then rainy skies this morning, also proving that hunter riders don’t melt when the going gets tough
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
Escape from Florida – Hunter Prix style
Sunday, September 11 2011
Late summer in Florida has been lovely (no, really), but this weekend, On the Line is enjoying an escape north, to a little 75-degree sunshine sans the humidity. Naturally, I’m at a horse show to watch a grand prix. It’s Pfizer Million weekend! The United States’ only $1,000,000 grand prix show jumping class made big waves when it debuted last year.
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
Training Races: Part I
Thursday, September 01 2011
As the horses were being unloaded from the trailer, it became apparent that the Hispanic fellas had decided not to make the trip. A couple of years before, a Mexican groom had killed a black racetracker in a knife fight on the backside. At the Fair Grounds Racetrack in New Orleans, it was well known that Mexicans were not safe. I was immediately promoted from hotwalker to groom, leaving my former task vacant. As is customary at the racetrack, we hired the first person to walk in the door asking for a job. It’s an easy business decision: if the new guy doesn’t work out, not to worry.
- Published in Injecting Perspective, Z-Blogs
118 Years of History in the Making on Boston Common
Friday, August 26 2011
Boston, MA, August 25, 2011 : At the second annual Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic Preview Party, Bruins Principal, Charlie Jacobs made history aboard his mount Quidditch II after jumping the coveted 118-year-old Stanley Cup trophy on Boston Common today. It was a surprise to the enthusiastic and substantial crowd of spectators that had gathered to view this once-in-a-lifetime event. Mayor Menino and his staff were in attendance to support this historic occasion. The outdoor event was a preview to the main event taking place September 8 – 11, 2011 at the prestigious Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, MA. Charlie Jacobs, Principal of the Bruins aboard his mount Quidditch II, makes history by jumping the 118-year-old Stanley Cup to preview the Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic. Photo ©Glenn Kulbako of KulbakoPhoto.com Olympic Gold Medalist and native Bostonian, Peter Wylde flew in from a recent competition in Germany to add to the majesty of the show jumping component. “What an amazing event, the rain held off and Charlie surprised us all. Being home to jump on Boston Common was personally gratifying for me,” said Peter Wylde, Olympian. Other world-renowned equestrians that rode the course were two-time Olympic Medalist Leslie Burr Howard, international champion Schuyler Riley, up-and-coming talent Nick Della Joio and accomplished rider and trainer, Bill Lowry. The event benefited the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, the equestrian troop responsible for policing the nine parks throughout the city known as the Emerald Necklace. Despite threats of rain and thunder storms, the event went off without a hitch and concluded with a successful fundraiser reception on the elegant Roof of the Taj Boston hotel honoring the Park Rangers. ______________________________ About the Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic: The 2011 Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic is an Olympic-caliber show jumping event that will be held from Thursday, September 8, through Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts. For the second consecutive year, Putnam Investments will serve at the title sponsor for the event, which has a top prize of $50,000 for its showcase Grand Prix event, an increase from last year’s $30,000. The Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic is planning a 9/11 tribute with local firefighters, jousting, skydiving, cabaret singing, boutique shopping, ladies hat contest and the much anticipated, Patrons Luncheon
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Lillie Keenan and C Coast Z Win the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show
Sunday, August 21 2011
Lexington, KY – August 20, 2011 – It was an incredible night for the Final Round of the 2011 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Spectators gathered in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park to see who would take home tonight’s victory. Junior Rider Lillie Keenan rode to success with C Coast Z proving to be unbeatable throughout tonight’s competition.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Making Plans With Horses
Friday, August 19 2011
Rule number one don’t make plans with horses. Rule number two, definitely don’t make plans with chestnut mares
- Published in Onward, Upward, Z-Blogs
Grooms Unite!
Thursday, August 11 2011
I’ve shined boots that were not my own. I’ve cleaned the stalls of horses worth more money than I can ever hope to earn. I’ve swept the same aisle multiple times per day, and still suffered a disapproving stare for missing a single shaving along the way. Have you? If so you can relate to grooming. Being one, that is
- Published in On the Line, Z-Blogs
Magical Diamond and Kirklen Petersen Garner Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals
Thursday, August 11 2011
Lexington, KY – August 10, 2011 – The 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals continued today at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park with the conclusion of the Green Pony Hunter divisions. Ponies and riders from each division completed their over fences phases, competing for the top honors as well as the championship and reserve championship titles. At the end of the day, Kirklen Petersen and Magical Diamond claimed the Green Pony Hunter Grand Championship title after winning the Medium Green Pony Hunter Over Fences and the Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship. The first class of the day for the USEF National Hunter Pony Championships, presented by Sallee Horse Vans, was the Small Green Pony Over Fences. Emma Lemke and Chatterbox, owned by Frank Hernandez of Cordova, TN, jumped to the top of the leaderboard with scores of 85, 82, and 85, taking home the blue ribbon prize. Lindsay Levine and Bit of Laughter, owned by Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, followed in the second place position after earning an 83, an 83, and an 81. The third place ribbon went to Emma Kurtz and Quicksilver Butterfly, owned by Kate Taylor of Pittsford, NY, who received scores of 84, 79, and 80
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs