May 17, 2012
Reed Kessler and Ligist Earn 1.45m Open Jumper Blue at Kentucky Spring Classic
Lexington, KY
Sunny skies greeted the exhibitors as they kicked-off the Kentucky Spring Classic in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park. Once again it was Reed Kessler at the top of the leader board as she piloted Ligist to the only double clear effort in today's 1.45m Open Jumper class to earn the blue ribbon prize. Earlier in the day, Andre Rodriguez and Remonta Eden sped to victory in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, just topping Kessler and Onisha, who placed second during the speed class.
Germany's Olaf Petersen Jr. built a technical track for the 1.45m Open Jumper class that snaked through the Rolex Stadium and included a triple bar, two double combinations, and an open water option. Only two horse and rider combinations were able to master the first round and advance to the jump-off, which featured three new fences and a double combination. More info...
May 17, 2012
Beyond Road to the Horse
The winners of the 2011 colt-starting challenge are still riding together.
What happens when you take a kid off his remote ranch home, send him to school for a few days – taught in front of a packed crowd – then send him on out of the limelight? Does he retain that education? Is he helped or hindered by the “speed learning”?
The kid we’re talking about is the now-4-year-old colt, Perfect Performance, who was started under saddle during the 2011 Road to the Horse colt-starting competition in Murfreesboro, Tennessee More info...
May 17, 2012
Hunt Tosh and Lone Star Make a Sweeping Comeback at Kentucky Spring Classic
Lexington, KY
Today marked the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic as horse and rider combinations gathered at the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The professional divisions started out the morning, seeing some of the nation's most talented riders vie for the top honors in their respective divisions. Riders who rode to the blue today included Victoria Colvin, Scott Stewart, Havens Schatt and Hunt Tosh. The competition was fierce, but it was Tosh who came out on top in three of his divisions, including with the infamous Lone Star, who made a clean sweep during his comeback in the Performance 3'6" Hunter division. More info...
May 17, 2012
Wingman is Perfection at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows
North Salem, NY
Wingman ridden by Jennifer Bauersachs, Frenchtown, NJ, was Champion for the second week in a row in the Green Conformation Hunter Division at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.
Wingman, a beautiful bay gelding owned by Lee Kellogg Sadrian, grabbed the tricolor after dominating the division. Wingman currently sits eighth in the nation in the USEF Green Conformation standings.
Following his impressive victory, Wingman was also was named Grand Hunter Champion, a title that he narrowly missed during Old Salem’s first week. More info...
May 16, 2012
McLain Ward Returns to His Winning Ways
North Salem, NY
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward was back in the saddle and back in the winner’s circle as he rode Emma to win the 7 & 8 Year Old 1.40m Young Jumper class at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows in North Salem, NY.
Ward, Brewster, NY, returning to the horse show circuit for the first time since fracturing his kneecap in January, showed no ill effects from the long layoff that put him out of action for more than 3 months and caused him to miss the Olympic trials. The Selection Committee chose to give Ward a bye for the Olympic trials and included him on the list of finalists who will ride in two observation events in May-June which will determine the final team. He is riding daily at Old Salem and will compete in all four of the shows’ Grand Prix events including the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix in which he is defending champion. More info...
May 16, 2012
Show jumping superstar Sapphire retired at age 17
The great mare was long listed for the U.S. Olympic team, but will instead retire to motherhood.
With two Olympic team gold medals and a World Equestrian Games silver to her name, Sapphire has been one of the most formidable competitors on the international show jumping circuit in recent history. The chestnut Belgian Warmblood mare, known around the barn as Sara, carried her longtime rider and co-owner McLain Ward to numerous victories, making every jump look effortless and winning a loyal fan base over the years. On Monday, May 14, Sapphire was officially retired at age 17.
Ward and co-owners Blue Chip Bloodstock have suggested that Sapphire will be bred, although no official plans or sire have been announced. More info...
May 14, 2012
ESP Spring 5 Wrap-Up, May 12-13, 2012
Wellington, FL
Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) concluded the fifth and final week of its 2012 spring horse show series this weekend with great success. The ESP Spring 5 competition was held on May 12-13 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
The PBIEC will host more exciting competition throughout the upcoming months with the ESP Summer Show Series. The series will begin with the June I and June II horse shows, running June 1-3 and June 8-10, and featuring 'A' rated hunter and 3* jumper competition.
The June I horse show will kick the series off with a $10,000 Open Jumper Stake on Friday, June 1, and a $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 2. More info...
May 14, 2012
Mario Deslauriers and Urico Ride to Win in $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Lexington, KY
Rain plagued the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, but it did not stop the country's top competitors as they entered the Rolex Stadium for the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. As the second U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Event during the show, today's grand prix event featured a challenging scope test, which only three Olympic hopefuls were able to master. Mario Deslauriers piloted Urico to the fastest clear jump-off to claim the victory, while 17-year-old Reed Kessler placed second aboard Mika with the other fault free round. Beezie Madden also advanced to the short course with both Simon and Cortes 'C', but placed third and fourth, respectively, after earning four faults with each. More info...
May 14, 2012
Cassidy Zimmerman and Portafina Take Top Honors In NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic At Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Lexington, KY
The NAL/WIHS Children's Classic welcomed the final day of the Kentucky Spring Horse show today. Although the riders were greeted with sheets of rain throughout the duration of the morning and afternoon, this did not lessen the competition as horse and rider combinations vied for the top honors in their respective divisions . It was Cassidy Zimmerman who not only picked up the reserve championship honors in the Children's 15-17 Hunters, but also triumphed in the NAL/WIHS Children's Classic with Portafina, riding to the overall total of 159 points.
The early afternoon promised talent for the last class of the day, the NAL/WIHS Children's Classic, with several high scores and promising hunter rounds. The champion of the Children's 14 and Under Hunter division, Avery Hinson of Plain City, OH, and Galiano, posted the high score of the division with their second round score of an 81 to carry over into the Classic as their first round total. The duo picked up the first and third place ribbons over fences today, and combined with their honors from yesterday, they picked up the division's championship honors. Jane Brooks of Cincinnati, OH, and Lifeline, rode to the reserve championship title with their consistent second place ribbons throughout the over fences and under saddle. More info...
May 14, 2012
Reserve Your Spot Today! Smart Social Media for Horse Professionals 2012Date: Today, May 14, 2012
Time: 6:00 pm Pacific - 8:00 Central - 9:00 Eastern
Place: Simulcast - attend via your phone or computer
Speakers: Elisabeth McMillan and Chad Mendell
May 14, 2012 - More than 55% of horse professionals said in a recent EquestrianProfessional.com survey that they gained new customers through social media during the past year. Social media has also helped spawn several new online equestrian business models, improved communication channels for associations and horse councils and created more opportunities for horse professionals to expand their offerings and develop additional income streams. More info...
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