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British Pony Team for the European Championships 2015

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From British Dressage

June 30, 2015 09:33

British Pony Team for the European Championships 2015The British Dressage Pony Selectors have unveiled their team of four for this year’s Pony European Championships, 05 – 09 August in Malmo, Sweden.

There will be a pre- Europeans training camp at Kilbees Farm in Berkshire 29 – 30 July before the squad make the journey to Sweden. The selectors, riders, team staff and all at British Dressage are extremely grateful to Tony and Sarah Pidgley for their kind hospitality once again.

Team (alphabetical order)

Rebecca Bell (15) from Faringdon, Oxfordshire with Caroline Bell’s Valido’s Sunshine(bay, mare, 14.1hh, 12yrs, s. Valido) with Caroline Bell’s Valido’s Starlight (bay, gelding, 14.2hh, 11yrs, s. Valido) as a direct reserve.

Isobel Berrington (15) from Welwyn, Hertfordshire with Penelope Berrington’s DHI Langar(dark brown, gelding, 14.2hh, s. Lukas)

Clare Hole (13) from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk with Maisie Scruton’s Rembrandt DDH(black, stallion, 14.1hh, 14yrs, s. Renoir)

Phoebe Peters (16) from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire with Tracy Peters’ SL Lucci(brown, gelding, 14.2hh, s. Lukas)

Reserves (non-travelling)

First reserve

Angus Corrie-Deane (15) from Salisbury, Wiltshire with his own Grayswood Orlando(chestnut, gelding, 14.2hh, 14yrs, s. Grayswood Magic Buccaneer)

Second reserve

Ottilie Bardsley (15) from Somerford Booths, Cheshire with Sharon Bardsley’s Kingsley Ciske (chestnut, gelding, 14.2hh, 11yrs, s. Composer)

Reserves not attending camp

Third reserve

Ruth Hole (16) from Bury St Edmumds, Suffolk with Sarah Jane Steggall’s Bernwode Brokat (chestnut, stallion, 14hh, 18yrs, s. Brilliant)

Fourth reserve

Ottilie Bardsley with Sharon Bardsley’s Dublin (liver chestnut, gelding, 14hh, 15yrs, s. De Vito II)
Chef d’Equipe will be Liz Mills and Team Trainer Peter Storr.

 

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Wilton Porter Captures Top Place Finishes in $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at Conclusion of Tryon Summer 1

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June 30, 2015
Tryon International Equestrian Center

Wilton Porter and Delinquent JX Photos ©ManciniPhotos
Wilton Porter and Delinquent JX Photos ©ManciniPhotos

Mill Spring, NC – June 28, 2015 - Wilton Porter of Bartonville, TX, dominated the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) today, piloting both of his mounts to finishes in the top three. Porter collected first place aboard Delinquent JX and third aboard Patriot, both owned by Sleepy P Ranch, LLC. Alise Oken of Charlotte, NC, and Kaid Du Ry placed second between both of Porter’s rides. The $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix marked the last day of competition at the first week of the Tryon Summer Series. Tryon Summer 2 will begin on Wednesday, July 1, with another week of FEI CSI 3* competition.

Porter and Delinquent JX, a 2007 Scottish Sport Horse gelding, bested the class of 21 entries, capping the four-horse jump-off with a time of 40.394 seconds. As the last pair to return in the jump-off, Porter felt the pressure of riding a fast clear round after Oken blazed around the track aboard Kaid Du Ry, stopping the timers in 42.75 seconds.

“I’m feeling really good about today. Both of my horses were very solid in their rounds and I felt like I needed this after last night. It was, in a way, redemption for me because I didn’t have the best rounds and wanted to prove to myself that I could get it done,” said Porter.

Both horses take a similar ride according to Porter, who said both Delinquent JX and Patriot are very straightforward and two of the best in his string of upper level mounts.

“The plan didn’t really change that much between the two of them on course and when I walked it, I thought it was a really fair test but there weren’t that many clear trips, which surprised me,” said Porter. “My strategy with Patriot in the jump-off, after seeing some of the rails come down, was to just go neat and clear and see if that would put the pressure on Alise, which she totally took in stride and answered, so I knew I needed to go for it on Delinquent.”

Deliquent JX and Porter are a relatively new pair, partnered before the most recent 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. The pair has been consistent at the 1.40m and 1.50m level, but today was a real step forward in the pair’s partnership for the future.

“This is our first major win together. He’s eight years old and we got him in late 2014 from England from Simon Buckley and he’s up and coming. We’ve tried to figure out where he would be most comfortable and he’s really stepping up,” said Porter. “We’re hoping that he’ll be a really solid Grand Prix horse or a great FEI speed horse.”

As Porter continues to make his mark in the young rider standings, he will focus on improving and becoming more consistent with each ride. Showing a natural ability to perform and compete, the sky is the limit for one of the United State’s up-and-coming talents.

“One of the most important things for me this summer is developing my team and maintaining consistency throughout the season,” he commented. “I really want to work to move up in the new Under 25 ranking list that we have. I think I’m sixth right now, but I want to focus on that consistency and keep winning prize money to move up. That is definitely a huge goal right now.”

The Sleepy P Ranch team will be based at TIEC for a majority of the summer season, where they have been since the Spring Series, which concluded on June 7. Porter has thoroughly enjoyed his time at TIEC and believes that the venue will bring great things to the sport in the near future.

“We’ve gotten to spend a lot of time (here), and I really love it. The ring space is incredible and really allows us to work our horses properly. The stabling is just amazing, and anything you could ever need is here,” said Porter. “They’ve thought of everything, and it is really an amazing facility.”

Final Results for $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix:
1. DELINQUENT JX, 2007 Scottish Sport Horse gelding by Darco x Summer Love
WILTON PORTER, Sleepy P Ranch, LLC: 0/0/40.394

2. KAID DU RY, 1998 Selle Francais gelding by Brettt Saint Clair x Candy Des Champs
ALISE OKEN, Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/42.75

3. PATRIOT, 2003 Holsteiner gelding by Colman x Harmonie XIV
WILTON PORTER, Sleepy P Ranch, LLC: 0/0/46.436

4. BETTERTIMES, 2006 Dutch Warmblood mare by Londontimes
VICTORIA COLVIN, Heritage Farm, Inc: 0/8/45.392

5. CABRAS, 2004 Holsteiner mare by Colman x Ostia IV
NOEL FAUNTLEROY, Noel Fauntleroy: 4/77.129

6. PARK LANE, 2005 Scottish Sport Horse gelding by Pall Mall x Nistrea
DAVID BLAKE, Pine Hollow Farm: 4/77.589

7. LUMIERE, 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Clay x Feodora
VICTORIA COLVIN, Peacock Ridge, LLC: 4/78.213

8. ANABELLE 28, 2006 Belgian Sporthorse mare by Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Tabelle
MEGHAN SHADER, Shader Sporthorses, LLC: 4/78.976

 

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Nathalie Manning and Con Spirit Sail Away with a Grand Prix Win Markel Insurance Grand Prix Series Continues to Award Rising Stars

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June 30, 2015
Blenheim EquiSports

June 28, 2015 – San Juan Capistrano, CA - The $30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix at  the Blenheim Red, White, & Blue Classic finished in style as Nathalie Manning won her first grand prix blue aboard her own Con Spirit.  The pair were the only double clean of the day.

Nathalie Manning and Con Spirit (c)Photos by McCool
Nathalie Manning and Con Spirit (c)Photos by McCool

The class included future show jumping stars such as sixteen-year-old Sophia Mossman and seventeen-year-old Morgan Dickerson, both alternates for the North American Junior and Young Riders Championships this July, as well as riders with impressive miles like Mexico’s Eduardo Sanchez Navarro and American Michelle Rodal. A strong local contingent also competed, including last week’s Markel Insurance Grand Prix winner, Marc Grock, and the 1.40m event once again offered another solid yet not overwhelming grand prix opportunity.

In 2014, the wildly successful Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix Series hosted classes with up to 96 entries and a competitive final at the Las Vegas National.  Returning as the sponsor for a second year, Brandon Seger, Director of Equine Operations for Markel, is pleased with the response to these events.   “We wanted to do a sponsorship with Blenheim EquiSports, and they had the brilliant idea to do this ‘meter forty’ series. They explained that it would be a class where up-and-coming riders, as well as amateur riders, could compete with some of the pros,” he commented.  “And I thought what a cool opportunity to get involved in a class that brings everyone together, and gives them a chance to rise to the occasion.”

International course designer Jack Robson’s track handled the mix of experience well.  With a tight time allowed, two riders finished with only time faults, Rodal on Morgan Hill Partners’ Albert II and Jamie Barge on Kyelico’s Luebbo.

In a winning round format, faults accrued for the top six scoring riders in the first round carried over to the jump-off.  The two riders with time faults returned first, followed by the four who were clean in round one.  The first of the four were Manning and Con Spirit who rode fault free in 45.85.  The next three attempts, Misti Cassar on Gavin Brodin’s Allstar 5, Eduardo Sanchez Navarro on his Pacifico and Jamie Barge aboard Kylieco’s Lasse each had rails.  Manning galloped away with a double clean victory.

Grinning from ear to ear, the California professional was ecstatic as she came out of the ring.  She had huge praise for her nine-year-old mount. “He’s perfect,” she says of Con Spirit, a horse she got when he was six years old. “I’ve never had a grand prix horse. And this is our first grand prix win!”

Bringing along another young horse, Manning also won the Six Year Old Jumper Classic on the same day aboard Helium.  A pro since 2009, Manning is coached by Michelle Parker and runs Acorn Farm at the nearby Oaks Facility.  “I just want to thank Michelle Parker and Salvador Alvarado, Alex Alvarado, and all of Acorn Farm and Guillermo Flores for all their help. I couldn’t do it without my team!”

Manning and Con Spirit plan to continue in the grand prix classes at Showpark this summer.  The shows head south to Del Mar in just over two weeks with the Showpark Summer Festival, Racing Festival and August Festival.

RESULTS

$30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 367 – Con Spirit – Nathalie Manning – Nathalie Manning – 0/0/45.857
2. 406 – Pacifico – Eduardo Sanchez Navarro – Eduardo Sanchez Navarro – 0/4/44.962
3. 512 – Lasse – Jamie Barge – Kylieco – 0/4/48.187
4. 494 – Allstar 5 – Misti Cassar – Gavin Brodin – 0/4/48.277
5. 513 – Luebbo – Jamie Barge – Kyleico – 2/4/45.484
6. 607 – Albert II – Michelle Rodal – Morgan Hill Partners – 1/8/54.150
7. 158 – Caretol – Marc Grock – Moonlite Beach, LLC – 4/76.390
8. 164 – Churchill – Nicole Haunert – Paul Haunert – 4/77.881
9. 311 – Grand Chance – Mattias Ekeroth – Mattias Ekeroth – 4/78.052
10. 257 – Colin – Michelle Kerivan – Michelle Kerivan – 4/78.565
11. 230 – Zola – Sophia Mossman – Sophia Mossman – 5/79.845
12. 242 – Conejito – Carol Wright – Carol Wright – 6/80.957

 

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US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan Returning to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2016

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The US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan will be returning to the Kentucky Horse Park November 10-13, 2016, for a fourth year.

While the goal is to rotate the finals west, the USDF Executive Board, after evaluating current options, has decided that more research and time is needed. This additional year will allow for further evaluation in regard to venue, the timeline for regional championships which serve as qualifiers, and the impact of location on competitor attendance.

“The US Dressage Finals needs to be at a practical location for competitors and at a facility that can provide international standards, while maintaining financial viability for USDF,” stated USDF President George Williams. The Executive Board feels more lead time is needed and has voted to delay the move west, from the Kentucky Horse Park, until after 2016.
Copyright © United States Dressage Federation.
Photos courtesy of USDF. All rights reserved.
4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: (859) 971-2277 Fax: (859) 971-7722
Email: usdressage@usdf.org

 

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EOI to conduct the 2016 Australian Dressage Championships

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Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi at the 2014 Dressage Championships
Franz Venhaus

June 29, 2015

The Australian Dressage Championships are one of the most significant Dressage events on the Australian Dressage Calendar. Besides conducting classes from Novice to Grand Prix and GP Freestyle in order to determine Australian Champions, an FEI CDI-W is also conducted as part of the “Big Tour” program. The Australian Dressage Committee invites all Dressage event organisers to apply to host the 2016 Australian Dressage Championships.

Interested Organising Committees are required to complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form below, and return to Equestrian Australia by the close of business on Friday 21th August 2015.

Please send completed EOI and all enquiries to sue.hartog@equestrian.org.au and Equestrian Australia, PO Box 673, Sydney Markets, NSW 2129

 

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Masterclass & Clinic with Maree Tomkinson for a Privileged Number of Riders at Warringah

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From Dressage Australia

World Equestrian Games (WEG) representative and international Dressage rider Maree Tomkinson was at The Warringah Dressage Association, based at St Ives Showground on Sydney’s North Shore, this weekend. Saturday, Maree had been invited to share her WEG experiences and discuss what being an elite rider means for her. In the afternoon, she held a Masterclass with 4 very different combinations: for young horses in Dressage and Eventing, ponies and  advanced horses. Additionally, on Sunday, the club organised a Day-Clinic in Scribbly Park for a number of club members who got the opportunity to have one on one lessons with the top international rider.

Melissa Gough, President of The Warringah Dressage Association tells us more about this incredible weekend with Maree Tomkinson.

“After a mid morning coffee on Saturday we sat down with Maree so she could tell us her story. She spoke about starting as a youngster at pony club, the ups and downs on her road as a professional rider, and finally her World Equestrian Games experience last year in 2014. Everyone was excited and a little star struck to meet someone considered one of the dressage elite. She lives our dream, rides Diamantina, and went to WEG !! We all quickly realised that Maree is just “normal”. She works through the same issues that everyone goes through; finding the perfect horse, affording the perfect horse, learning how to train the horse and at the same time balancing her goals amongst the rest of her life without sacrificing who she is.  Maree was incredibly open with us, discussing everything from her new foals to Ringo and Diamantina, and the heartbreak of trying to achieve her goals whilst dealing with the incredibly painful loss of her brother.  She was happy to answer questions openly and honestly, even when this involved discussing some of the hardest times in her life. For this we thank her as many people took a lot away from her story. After lunch, Maree hosted a Masterclass with 4 very different horse and rider combinations. Despite how different the horses and riders were, the theme was the same; tempo and rhythm! Keep them in front of the leg, make them adjustable in the frame and within the gaits, and train them how you mean to proceed from the start.

We snuck in 3 lessons after the Master Class on Saturday afternoon and then Sunday followed with a 10 rider clinic. Maree worked with riders and horses of all levels and easily adjusted the level of work as required. There was no template being adhered to.  I won’t give away all her tricks but she did have a great way of encouraging the riders and asking the horses to take more weight behind. Her clear and somewhat different way of explaining how to create the energy from behind and then capture it in front meant many riders were able to achieve a feel on their horses they weren’t previously used to. At the same time, they needed to maintain the same rhythm with a nice energetic tempo. There were plenty of tired horses and riders leaving the arena but all had smiles on their dials! Across the weekend there was much positive feedback and the question “when is Maree coming back” has been asked more than once. Thank you to EA for making the Saturday event possible and thank you to Maree for coming and sharing so much with us across two massive days! We can’t wait to host you next time.”

Some comments from attendees…

Eve Allen -

“I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson with Maree on the weekend, she was fantastic. Her coaching style is very straight forward, clear and concise. Instruction that resonates easily and I will definitely be taking with me in all my rides moving forward”

Vanessa Traynor –

“What a SUPER weekend !! Thank you so much Maree for your amazing knowledge and guidance in my lesson today !! Thank you also for sharing your journey with us, you are an inspiration!!!!!”

Dee McVicker-

“Fantastically entertaining , candid and educational.”

The Warringah Dressage Association were the winners of Equestrian Australia’s Club fundraising competition leading into the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy to support the athletes riding to WEG. Equestrian clubs could register, and when people bought tickets they received a ‘horseshoe’ which they could allocate to the registered club of their choice. The Warringah Dressage Association received the most horseshoes and for this were successful in winning a visit with World Equestrian Games representative Maree Tomkinson.

 

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