June 17, 2015

USEF Communications Department

Germany – The U.S. will be well represented this week with teams and individuals competing at both CDIO5*/CDI3*/CDIU25  Rotterdam in The Netherlands and CDIO-Y Hagen in Germany. In Rotterdam, the U.S. will field a senior team in the CDIO5*, three individuals in the CDI3* and two U25 combinations.

Competing concurrently in Germany, a team of two young riders will contest the CDIO-Y Hagen as part of the USEF Young Rider European Tour.

Horse inspections were held today for the CDIO teams and U-25 competitors, all U.S. horses passed. The horse inspection for the CDI3* Rotterdam horses will be held tomorrow.

CDIO5*/CDI3*/CDIU25 Rotterdam
Representing the U.S. in CDIO competition will be Shelly Francis and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, Charlotte Jorst and Kastel Denmark’s Kastel’s Nintendo, Arlene Page and her own Woodstock, and Kathleen Raine and Jennifer Mason, David Wightman, and her own Breanna. The team will be under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig as USEF Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Dover readies for the 2015 Pan American Games back home in the U.S.

“I have been thrilled with the success of our U.S. dressage athletes in Europe this summer,” said Dover. “As we head toward the Nations Cups in Rotterdam, Hagen, Falsterbo, and Hickstead, with three different groups of athletes and horses, our main goal is to be well represented by some combinations new to the scene and some veterans showing them the way. I would hope for top placings at each of these hotly contested CDIOs and know our two and four-legged athletes will do America proud! Many thanks to our amazing support crew who will be helping our athletes achieve personal bests in the upcoming competitions.”

CDIO competition gets underway Thursday with the Grand Prix and continues on Saturday with the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. All three tests will be used to determine the team results.

In addition, U.S. athletes will contest CDI3* competition with Shelly Francis on Patricia Stempel’s Danilo, Brian Hafner on Rebecca Hafner and his own Lombardo LHF, and Tuny Page on her own Alina. These pairs present for inspection on Thursday and begin competition on Friday.

Also competing for the stars and stripes, as part of the USEF Developing Dressage Program are CDIU25 combinations of Chase Hickok and Hyperion Farm’s Sagacious HF and Genay Vaughn and Starr Vaughn Equestrian’s Donarweiss GGF. USEF Dressage Developing Coach Debbie McDonald will be on hand to coach these combinations.

Rotterdam Start Times and Results

CDIO-Y Hagen
Rising stars Catherine Chamberlain and Kimberly Pribble’s Avesto Van Weltevreden and Ayden Uhlir on her own Sjapoer will compete for both team and individual accolades beginning with the team test on Thursday. Chamberlain and Uhlir have experienced great success as juniors and young riders, each earning Individual Gold medals at the FEI/Adequan North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. USEF Dressage Youth Coach, George Williams will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

“I strongly believe the overall goal of the USEF youth program is an investment in our future,” said Williams. “For the long term international success of the U.S., it is crucial that we are able to bring Young Riders to competitions like Future Champions at Hagen. I am grateful for the sponsorship and support that allows us to introduce our Young Riders and their horses to the European dressage world. For us, first and foremost, it is about the experience. I’m excited as this is the first time ever we have brought a Young Rider team to Europe. I would be happy with our two riders being in the top ten.”

Hagen Start Times and Results

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to provide such support to the athletes competing abroad. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.

By Kate Green

Ingrid Klimke (GER), who is enjoying a great run of form, has an obvious chance to extend her lead in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 if she can produce a good result at her home CCI4* at Luhmühlen, presented by DHL, this weekend (18-21 June).

Klimke, who won Pau (FRA) last year and recently finished second at Badminton (GBR) on Horseware Hale Bob, rides FRH Escada JS, the good mare on which she won European team gold and individual silver medals in 2013.

No German has won the FEI Classics™ since its inception in 2008, but, going into the fifth leg, the supremely talented rider already has a four-point lead over three-time series winner and world number one William Fox-Pitt (GBR) who does not have a ride at Luhmühlen.

Klimke’s team mate Michael Jung is also expected to climb the leaderboard, on which he is currently lying third. The reigning Olympic and European champion has entered fisherRocana FST and La Biosthetique Sam FBW, the horses on which he finished first and third at Kentucky (USA) in April.

Established German riders Andreas Dibowski, Peter Thomsen and Dirk Schrade plus young talents Niklas Bschorer and Claas Herman Romeike all have rides and their team chef d’equipe Hans Melzer said that he wants to see as many combinations as possible qualified for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio (BRA) where Germany will be defending their title.

New Zealand holds perhaps the strongest entry of all the 13 nations represented at Luhmühlen. Last year’s winner Tim Price, a runner-up to Jung at Kentucky, rides the promising CCI4* debutant Bango, and the 2013 victor, Andrew Nicholson, has the lovely Spanish-bred mare Qwanza back in action.

Surprisingly, neither of New Zealand’s Olympic champions, Sir Mark Todd and Blyth Tait, can boast a CCI4* victory at Luhmühlen in their CVs, but both their respective mounts NZB Campino and Xanthus lll, recently first and third in the CIC3* at Tattersalls (IRL), could deliver exciting results.

The Kiwis also field the 2013 Boekelo CCI3* (NED) winner Lizzie Brown on Henton Attorney General plus world number five Jonelle Price, acknowledged as one of the world’s best female Cross Country riders, on the attractive grey mare Faerie Dianimo.

Event director Julia Otto has expressed her delight at the high-class entry and Cross Country Course Designer Mark Phillips (GBR) has revealed some radical changes made to his track, which runs in a reverse direction to last year.

“It is a completely new approach,” explains Capt Phillips, adding: “The DHL Water Complex doesn’t come up so early in the course, giving horses and riders a better chance to warm up.” He has also redesigned the famous Meβmer water complex, which is lighter and more open after trees have been cut back, and has increased the use of frangible devices in consultation with Technical Delegate Martin Plewa (GER).

The experienced German official commented: “Another safety aspect that is often overlooked is the ground, but, to my mind, the conditions here in Luhmühlen are fabulous. It’s like walking a golf course.”

The action starts with the first horse into the Dressage arena at 1.30pm local time on Thursday. Follow the competition with live coverage on FEI TV (www.feitv.org) and live results on www.luhmuehlen.de.

FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 Leaderboard (after 4 out of 6 events)

1 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 27 points

2 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 23

3 Michael Jung (GER) 15

4 Jessica Manson (AUS) 15

5 Tim Price (NZL) 12

6 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 12

7 Megan Jones (AUS) 12

8 Jock Paget (NZL) 10

9 Arnaud Boiteau (FRA) 10

10 Mark Todd (NZL) 8

Photo caption: Ingrid Klimke (GER) is pictured here with Horseware Hale Bob on Cross Country at last year’s FEI Classics™ in Luhmühlen (GER). Klimke is now heading back to her home CCI4* presented by DHL this weekend (18-21 June) with “Bobby”, and with an obvious chance to extend her lead of this year’s prestigious FEI Classics™ series. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

Wellington, FL (June 16, 2015)— A globe trotting life has been the norm for successful international dressage rider Jaime Amian, but now he’s ready to put down roots in Wellington, Florida, to allow the next fruits of his labor to blossom. He can think of no better South Florida home than the International Dressage Academy, known in Wellington as IDA Farm. This facility in Little Ranches boasts world-class amenities for horses and riders. Amian is grateful to IDA Farm for welcoming him to its beautiful grounds and presenting him with the opportunity to bring his expertise to Wellington.

Amian has a long history of show ring victories— more recently, this includes scoring consistently in the 70s for the past two years at multiple shows throughout Europe on several different horses. Amian has placed first in the Beaufort-Centre Equestre International in Luxemburg, Belgium, and the International Show CDI Biarritz in France, amongst several others.

For Amian, a USDF Gold and Silver Medalist, the move to Wellington will be beneficial for a number of reasons. Relocating from his most recent home on the West Coast to the East Coast allows for easier travel to Europe to help clients find horses, and to visit his family in his native Sevilla, Spain. This location will also successfully position Amian to compete in the three month 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

“I have some pretty nice young horses and hopefully, we will ride the international classes with them,” Amian plans. His passion is training young horses, as well as teaching— especially younger riders. “I like working with young people too,” he says. “I like to teach them because you can adjust them quickly and they listen really well.” The professional is grateful for the contributions of his investors, brothers Ignacio Metcalf and Fernando Metcalf of Richmond, Virginia, for helping to make his training business possible.

Through his students’ successes, Amian has proven himself a talented instructor. Under his direction, student Dana Beck from Luxembourg made her way to the Luxembourg Junior Rider Team. German student Lucas Alecco Roy is now a member of the German Young Rider Team after only a year in training with Amian.

Another specialty of Amian’s is in-hand work. “Piaffe and passage in-hand I think are very important. This helps the horses react better and come back on their hind legs more quickly,” he comments.

When Amian first became involved in the equine industry, he never planned on becoming a Grand Prix dressage rider. He was originally training to be a farrier in Spain. It was during this time that he met Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz, who now rides the PRE stallion Fuego. “He saw me riding my own horse there just for fun, and he was interested in me,” Amian explains. “He said, ‘Why don’t you just work for me?’”

Amian trained with Diaz for two years and graduated from the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol in Málaga, Spain. Diaz then sent him to Germany, where Amian worked for three years to earn his bereiter’s, or training, license. From there he went on to ride for Klaus Balkenhol for nearly three years.

Balkenhol selects only the best bereiters to work for him— those who have a great passion for training and handling horses. “In my opinion, Jamie is of extraordinary ability in the fields of dressage training, riding, and coaching,” states Balkenhol. “I wish Jaime much success at his position in the United States, and know that he will have an impact upon the sport.”

“I’m very good at choosing horses,” multilingual Amian explains. “I know what is needed for the American market. I love to go to Europe and select horses. I was in Germany for ten years, and I know many breeders and sales barns and I can help clients find their ideal horse.”

Amian is excited to become part of the vibrant equestrian community in South Florida, where he will pitch in by contributing his own talents and passion for dressage.

To learn more about Amian, including his philosophy and show results, log onto www.jaimeamian.com. Visit www.idafarm.com to see photos of the facilities at the International Dressage Academy in Wellington.

Photo: International dressage trainer Jamie Amian is now based out of IDA Farm in Wellington, Florida (Photo courtesy of Myriam Ranchon)

June 18, 2015

USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of USEF Land Rover Competition Grants for The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI3* taking place July 23-26, 2015 in Kalispell, Mont.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations have been awarded USEF Land Rover Competition Grants:

Jennie Brannigan* (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, a 2002 Thoroughbred Cross gelding

John Michael Durr (Castro Valley, Calif.) and Ruth Bley’s Esprit de la Danse, a 2004 Thoroughbred/Hanoverian mare

Kurt Martin (Middleburg, Va.) and his own Delux Z, a 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Michael Pollard* (Dalton, Ga.) and Carl, Nicolas and Stanislas Bouckaert’s Cyrano Z, a 2001 Zangersheide gelding

Kelly Prather (Kennett Square, Pa.) and her own Truly Wiley, a 2007 Thoroughbred gelding or Blackfoot Mystery Syndicate’s Blackfoot Mystery, a 2004 Thoroughbred gelding

*Potentially pending selection as Traveling Reserve for the 2015 U.S. Pan American Eventing Team.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to provide such support to the athletes named to these grants. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.

June 17, 2015

Cat Allen for Jennifer Wood Media

Bjorn Ikast and Chestina Z (c) Flying Horse Photograph

Parker, CO – June 15, 2015 – At the Colorado Horse Park (CHP) this past Sunday, beautiful weather brought grand competition in the $40,000 Kingsland Equestrian Grand Prix. Twenty-six horse and rider combinations contested the course, but ultimately it was Bjorn Ikast and his mount, Chestina Z, that claimed victory with an impressive jump-off time of 35.581 seconds. This was the second of seven consecutive weeks of hunter/jumper competition at the Colorado Horse Park. Summer in the Rockies III begins this week and runs from June 17-21.

Ikast said of his jump-off plan, “I was the last to go in the jump-off, so I already knew the time to beat. There was only one clear round, so I just went for it. When I came to the last fence, I knew I was ahead of the time [to beat], so I took my time (there).”

Ikast’s partner in his victory was a 10-year-old Argentinian-bred mare named Chestina Z. He has owned her for a year and a half and has competed with her in past grand prix classes. In last week’s grand prix (Summer in the Rockies I), the team nearly took a victory but unfortunately had a rail. Ikast currently has nine horses on-site at the CHP and looks forward to working toward more victories in the ring. “The sun was shining and the footing was fantastic.  We love to compete at the [Summer in the Rockies] series,” he noted.

Ikast has been a professional in the industry for approximately 35 years and has been competing at the CHP for 21 of those years. Originally from Denmark, but now based in Parker, Colorado, Ikast said, “We love Colorado [Horse Park]. It’s a great place to show, a good facility with good fences, good prize money and good service. We always have a good time.”

Ikast and Chestina Z in their winning presentation for the $40,000 Kingsland Equestrian Grand Prix. (c) Flying Horse Photography

Second place was claimed by Karen Cudmore and Blair Cudmore’s Southern Pride, the only other team to see double clear rounds, and with a jump-off time of 37.088 seconds. Susan Griffis rode to third place with a jump-off time of 36.659 seconds and four faults.

$40,000 Kingsland Grand Prix Results:
1.     116 – CHESTINA Z – OWNED BY BJORN IKAST – BJORN IKAST 0/0/35.581
2.     889 – SOUTHERN PRIDE – OWNED BY BLAIR CUDMORE – KAREN CUDMORE 0/0/37.088
3.     91 – CWESTORETO – OWNED BY PALMER DIVIDE RANCH – SUSAN GRIFFIS 0/4/36.659
4.     356 – QUITE QUICK – OWNED BY IRISH ROSE STABLES – DELANEY FLYNN 8/36.538
5.     194 – CUPIDO DE LAUBRY – OWNED BY CZECH MATE LLC – HANNAH HOLIK 1/87.601
6.     486 – CHIANTO – OWNED BY FOREST VIEW FARM – JOHN PEARCE 1/87.881
7.     600 – CEONTO – OWNED BY BLAIR CUDMORE – KAREN CUDMORE 4/81.656
8.     319 – DESTINY CAN DE NOORDHEUVEL – OWNED BY ANDREW KOCHER – ANDREW KOCHER 4/83.54
9.     323 – CIANA – OWNED BY EAGLE VALLEY PARTNERS LLC – ANDREW KOCHER 4/84.36
10.  317 – CASINO ROYAL – OWNED BY ANDREW KOCHER – ANDREW KOCHER 4/84.614
11.  488 – CHANTICO – OWNED BY KAREN BALL – JOHN PEARCE 4/84.649
12.  115 – COLORADO – OWNED BY BOVEE LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP – BJORN IKAST 5/87.057

Andrew Kocher and Destiny Can De Noordheuval (c) Flying Horse Photography

The $20,000 Open Welcome Stake, sponsored by Littleton Equine Medical Center, saw 28 competitors contest the course with 14 clear rounds that went head-to-head in the ring for the jump-off. It ultimately came down to the fastest time, as the class saw seven double-clear rounds.

Andrew Kocher dominated the ring taking an impressive first, second, third and fourth places. His first place mount, Destiny Can De Noordheuval, claimed victory with a jump-off time of 30.905 seconds. Kocher and Casino Royal claimed second with a close time of 31.115 seconds. Claiming third was Kocher aboard Aleece Jarman’s Cantori in 31.511 seconds, while he was fourth on Ora Del Te Di Ca San Giorgo.

$20,000 Open Welcome Stake Sponsored by Littleton Equine Medical Center Results:
1.    319 – DESTINY CAN DE NOORDHEUVAL – OWNED BY ANDREW KOCHER – ANDREW KOCHER 0/0/30.905
2.     317 – CASINO ROYAL – OWNED BY ANDREW KOCHER – ANDREW KOCHER – 0/0/31.115
3.     314 – CANTORI – OWNED BY ALEECE JARMAN – ANDREW KOCHER 0/0/31.511
4.     318 – ORA DEL TE DI CA SAN GIORGO – OWNED BY ORA DE TE LLC – ANDREW KOCHER
0/0/32.503
5.     92 – UDINE – OWNED BY SUSAN GRIFFIS – SUSAN GRIFFIS 0/0/33.444
6.     600 – CEONTO – OWNED BY CLAIR CUDMORE – KAREN CUDMORE 0/0/34.664
7.     412 – QUICKIE – OWNED BY NATASCHA GATES – NATASCHA GATES 0/0/39.061
8.     488 – CHANTICO – OWNED BY KAREN BALL – JOHN PEARCE 0/4/32.845
9.     889 – SOUTHERN PRIDE – OWNED BY BLAIR CUDMORE – KAREN CUDMORE 0/4/33.19
10.  351 – SAVEUR DE B’NEVILLE – OWNED BY MHJ SALES LLC – ARMANDO HASSEY 0/4/36.449
11.  260 – J.E.S. QUITO – OWNED BY NICKI WILCOX – NICKI WILCOX 0/4/36.606
12.  194 – CUPIDO DE LAUBRY – OWNED BY CZECH MATE LLC – HANNAH HOLIK 0/4/37.593

Hunter & Equitation Highlights

In the Low Working Hunter Division, Grace McReynolds and her own Estes Park claimed the championship. Riding to the reserve championship were both Daryl Ziegler Henning and Laura Love aboard Laura Love’s Quincy.

In a two-way tie for the championship for the Junior Hunter 3’3/3’6 Division Championship were Madelyn Porter aboard Dragonfly Farms’ Dragonfly’s Encore and Erin Heffernan aboard Tara Heffernan’s Cezanne. The reserve championship spot was also claimed by a two-way tie between Rylee Shufelt aboard her own Rock Star and Kendall Whitt riding KNW Farms LLC’s Callucci.

The Adult Amateur Hunter 18 – 35 Division, sponsored by Wells Bridge Farm, saw Leesa Carver and Laurie Jueneman aboard Christen Tuxworth’s Stylist claim the championship spot. In reserve champion was Erin Murphy and her mount, Top Spot.

Anna Lawrence and her mount, Sirius Black, were awarded champion in the Non-Thoroughbred Hunter Division. Reserve Champion was awarded to both Susan Varady and Karen Catov-Goodell aboard Susan Varady’s Atalanta.

The Maiden Junior Equitation Division saw Lora Lafon piloting her own Filane ride to the championship. Kaleigh Bayer and her own Eastern Alliance claimed the reserve championship.

June 16, 2015

June 15, 2015

USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – The USEF Eventing High Performance Committee has approved the following High Performance Summer/Fall Training Lists for 2015. The following athletes will participate in Training Sessions with U.S. Eventing Team Coach David O’Connor. Training Session dates and locations will be announced at a later date.

World Class List:
Athletes that currently possess the ability to be competitive anywhere in the world. Additions to the list denoted with an *.

Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.)*
Buck Davidson (Ocala, Fla.)
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.)
Will Faudree (Hoffman, N.C.)
Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, N.J.)
Lauren Kieffer (Ocala, Fla.)
Marilyn Little (Frederick, Md.)
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.)
Colleen Rutledge (Mt. Airy, Md.)*
Kim Severson (Charlottesville, Va.)
Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.)

National List:
Athletes that are currently competitive in domestic international-level competition, and who the USEF Selection Committee feel have the future potential to be competitive anywhere in the world. Additions to the list denoted with an *.

Maya Black (Clinton, Wa.)
Jennie Brannigan (Kennett Square, Pa.)*
Matt Brown (Sebastopol, Calif.)
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, UK)
Lillian Heard (Poolesville, Md.)
Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Fla.)
Kurt Martin (Middleburg, Va.)
Michael Pollard (Dalton, Ga.)*
Kelly Prather (Unionville, Pa.)*
Julie Richards (Newnan, Ga.)
Tamie Smith (Temecula, Calif.)
Elisa Wallace (Jasper, Ga.)*

The Eventing High Performance Training Lists will be reviewed quarterly by the USEF Eventing Selection Committee and the USEF Eventing High Performance Committee.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to support the training of the athletes named to these lists. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.