Competitions

Young U.S. team finished second in the Nations Cup in Portugal

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November 23, 2022

By Staff Writers

QUARTEIRA, Portugal--The U.S. Jumping Team  finished second at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Vilamoura CSIO3* in Portugal,on Sunday, Nov. 20.

U..S team at Vilamoura Nations CupUnder the direction of Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski, the team of Kelly Arani on Impossible Dream, Cathleen Driscoll and Arome, Mimi Gochman on Celina BH, and Mavis Spencer on Carissimo 25, edged out 13 other teams to finish second behind the gold-medal team from France.

Driscoll, riding Arome, a 2010 Selle Français gelding owned by Plain Bay Farm, was first to go for the U.S. team in the first round of Sunday’s competition with a clean round.

Arani on Impossible Dream had a rail down over the final oxer and a single time fault to add 5 faults to the team’s score.

Spencer on Carissimo 25, third to go for the U.S. team, turned in another clear round.

Gochman riding Celina BH had one rail down at the second element of the triple combination, so the team, with 4 faults, was in a tie for first place with Brazil and France at the end of the first round.

In the second round of Sunday’s competition, both Spencer and Gochman turned in clear rounds.

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Darragh Kerins on Lissino won the $137,000 Grand Prix in Wellington

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November 21, 2022

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Ireland’s Darragh Kerins on Lissino won the $137,000 Grand Prix CSI3* in the International Arena at the ESP Pre-Charity CSI3* on Sunday, Nov. 20.

Darragh Kerins on Lissino (photo by Sportfot)“I’ve been riding him on and off for the last two years," said Kerins. "He actually had a small injury around this time last year and pretty much missed the whole year. We started bringing him back to jumping at the end of August. He has come back feeling better than ever; he feels unbelievable. He jumped great in the qualifier the other day with a fast jump-off, and I was really excited to do the grand prix with him today. I didn’t know what to expect after watching everyone else go in the first round, but he gave me everything today. He’s an unbelievable horse.”

Thirty-three had qualified for the Grand Prix, but over Andy Christiansen’s challenging course only Peter Lutz had been able to go clean within the time allowed until Kerins on Lissino eventually forced a jump-off by going clean as the last to go.

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Jessie Springsteen won a speed class in Wellington

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November 20, 2022

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, N.J., on Naomi Van Het Keizershof won the $37,000 1.45m CSI3* at ESP Pre-Charity CSI3* on Saturday, Nov.19.

Jessica Springsteen (Photo by Sportfot)“I’ve had this mare since she was 6 years old, and she’s 9 now," said Springsteen. "I think she is really special. She has taken a little bit more time but is super careful and is very competitive. I’m hoping to step her up and put her in a couple of the smaller Grand Prix classes this season.”

The speed class had 37 competitors, with 18 of those going clean.

Twenty-sixth in the order of go, Springsteen on Naomi Van Het Keizershof stopped the clock at 62.69 seconds to edge the early leaders, Jad Dana and Fleur-De-Lis’ Cherie, out of the lead and to be ultimately the winning time.

“It was a very fast class,” said Springsteen. “The first few were all fast, so I knew that we had to go a little bit more forward today. Naomi Van Het Keizershof jumped well on Thursday, so I knew I could really rely on her. A lot of people were leaving out a stride in the first line, and I thought about it for a second but then changed my mind. I ended up doing an eight and was able to make up for the time in other places.”

Just off the pace, Dana on Fleur-De-Lis’ Cherie placed second in a time of 63.19, and Michael Hughes on Calisto Blue was third with a clear time of 64.3 seconds.

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Daniel Coyle won the $250,000 World Cup in Toronto

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November 14, 2022

By Staff Writers

TORONTO, Canada--Ireland’s Daniel Coyle had a resounding victory in a three horse jump-off in the $250,000 Jumping World Cup on Saturday night, Nov. 12, in front of a sold-out crowd to close out the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

Daniel Coyle on Legacy (Photo by Sarah Miller)Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt set a challenging track that had rails falling all around the course.

Two-time Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster deligted the home crowd with a clear round on Northern Light, and six rounds later, Coyle made it a jump-off by producing the second clean round on Legacy.

As the penultimate rider, Israel’s Daniel Bluman made it a three-horse race when he rode Gemma W to the final clear first-round.

Foster was the first to return in the jump-off, and she had eight faults and exceeded the time allowed of 44-seconds for an additional time fault.

Next to go, Coyle on Legacy threw down the gauntlet, stopping the clock with a clear round in 37.02 seconds, and then when Bluman had a rail down, leaving him in the runner-up spot, Coyle, with the only clear round, was the winner..

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Alison Robitaille won the Grand Prix Qualifier in Wellington

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November 20, 2022

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Alison Robitaille on Oakingham Lir won the $37,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* over a field of 44 competitors on Friday, Nov, 18 ESP Pre-Charity CSI3* show.

Alison Robitaille on Oakingham Lira (Photo by Sportfot)“My goal early last year was to be jumping the three-stars by the end of this year, so this is really great," said Robitaille. "I’m just so happy with how my horse feels; we’ve been building our partnership all year long. After walking in today, we really feel like a team.”

Robitaille won with a clear round in 41.66 seconds.

David O’Brien of Ireland was second on El Balou Old, also clean in the jump-off  but just two tenths of a second behind Robitaille, stopping the clock at 41.8 seconds, and fellow Irishman Darragh Kerins on Lissino was third in a jump-off time of 42.91 seconds.

Robitaille on Oakingham Lira will return to the International Arena on Sunday to compete in the competition’s featured event, the $137,000 Grand Prix CSI3*.

The top 29 riders from the Friday class qualified to compete on Sunday.

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Nick Dello Joio wins the Big Ben, McLain Ward second in the Centennial Cup at the Royal Winter Fair

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November 13, 2022

By Staff Writers

TORONTO, Canada--Nicholas Dello Joio, in his debut at the Royal Horse Show, won the $138,000 Big Ben Challenge on Thursday night, Nov. 10.

Nick Dello Joio on Comets Cambridge (Photo by Sarah Miller)It was a battle from start to finish as U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington on Landon was the first go clean over Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt’s challenging track.

Colombia’s Roberto Teran Tafur ensured the packed house a jump-off by also going clean before Canadian Olympians Mario Deslauriers and Amy Millar added their names to the list.

Three-time World Cup champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and Dello Joio, as last to go, made it a six-horse jump-off.

As the first rider back in the jump-off, Farrington put the pressure on those still to come with a clean round in 34.15 seconds.

No one could match his time until the last to go, when Dello Joio on Cornet’s Cambridge was clean in 32.53 seconds.

Farrington had to settle for second, while Deslauriers produced the fastest four-fault round on Bardolina 2 to place third.

“This is probably my favorite show that I’ve done so far, and I’ve only been here for two days!” said Dello Joio. “It’s just next level; it’s a real show. All 24 riders that are here in the international division can win on any given night. Everybody has earned their right to be here.

“The last time I came here was when I was a kid and my dad was showing, and my only memory is the cinnamon rolls,” said Dello Joio, 33, who is the son of U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Norman Dello Joio. “That was the highlight of my trip here last time, and this win tops it!”

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Augusta Iwasaki won the Maclay Championship at the National

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November 8, 2022

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Augusta Iwasaki won the Maclay National Championship over Medal winner Luke Jensen at the National Horse Show on Nov. 6.

Augusta Iwasaki (Photo by Jessica Brighenti)Since 1933, the Maclay  has crowned junior champions, many of whom have gone on to international stardom, and this year 221 young riders competed for the win and ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay trophy.

Course designer Bobby Murphy set the first round course that included forward, accurate riding, and this year marked Murphy’s ninth time building the ASPCA Maclay National Championship course.

After the first round and the flat work, the judges had 24 riders return in reverse order of preference for the third phase of competition, a second over fences trip.

The track, once again laid by Murphy, featured a number of obstacles from round one, but with a new pattern that posed new challenges.

Then, five were called back for a final test that featured a series of technical variations; a hand gallop to fence two, a canter to fence nine, a walk transition followed by a turn on the haunches, and a reverse counter canter to fence eight.

The test required riders to keep their horses between their hands and their legs.

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Daniel Bluman on Ladriano Z won the $215,900 World Cup at the National

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November 7, 2022

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Daniel Bluman of Israel on Ladriano Z won the $215,900 Show Jumping World Cup Lexington CSI4*-W at the National Horse Show on Saturday evening, Nov. 5.

Daniel Bluman on Ladriano (Photo by Bailey Beal)Only seven from the starting field of 36 were clean in the first round.

Bluman won over a group of riders, including most of the few top riders showing at the National, that competed on their second best or younger, up-and-coming  mounts

Quite a few spectators were in the seats at the Alltech Arena for the first time during the National's run.

Devin Ryan  on Eddie Blue, coming off his win from Thursday evening’s international speed class,was the first to go clean and was the first back in the jump-off.

Ryan had also been first to go in the Speed class, and again he set the bar high, finishing clean in 37.84 to eventually finish fourth.

Bluman went a couple of trips later and secured the win with a jump-off time of 35.13 seconds.

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Daniel Coyle on Carlyle won the $37,000 International Two Phase at the National Horse Show

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November 5, 2022

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Daniel Coyle of Ireland on Carlyle won the $37,000 International Two Phase CSI4* at the National Horse Show on Friday evening, Nov. 4.

Daniel Coyle on Carlyle (Photo by Jessica Brighenti)Guilherme Jorge of Brazil set the first-phase track of eight fences,  with the clean trips going on to the seven fence track against the clock.

Setting the pace with the first double-clear effort was Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen on Forever SFN, the second to go in the class of 30. who finished in 31.53 seconds and set the time to beat.

Cruciotti-Vanderveen held the lead for 10 trips until Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean finished a speedy second phase in 31.45 to go into the lead, which she held until until the very last entry.

Coyle on Carlyle won his second class in the  international jumper competition, finishing in 31.18 seconds to win the Cavcote Trophy, presented by past President Theodore and Mrs. Cushny and Mrs. H.L. Schwarz.

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Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue won the $73,800 Welcome Stake at the National Horse Show

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November 4, 2022

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, KY.--Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue won the $73,800 International Welcome Stake CSI4*, Thursday evening, Nov. 3 at the National Horse Show.

Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue (Photo by Bailey Beal)Ryan won despite the disadvantage of going first in the jump-off of eight from the starting field of 38 representing 11 nations, including Brazil, Belgium, Australia, Israel, and the United States.

Returning to the Alltech Arena in the order they went clear in the first round, Ryan went first, going clean in 41.48 seconds.

“When it came down to the jump-off, I know he’s not naturally the quickest horse, but he has a big stride and he is a very careful horse, ” said Ryan. “So I can turn back on a fence and maybe don’t have to give him as much room and know he can get it done.”

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Cannon Creek, National Grand Hunter Champion, Caroline Ingalls, Grand Amateur Owner Champion

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November 3, 2022

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Cannon Creek, ridden by Hunt Tosh was Grand Hunter Champion at the National Horse Show on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Cannon Creek ridden by Hunt Tosh (Photo by Shawn McMillen)Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J., followed up his Leading Hunter Rider titles at Harrisburg and Washington with yet another Leading Rider title.

The Grand Hunter Championship followed a clean sweep by Cannon Creek in the High Performance Hunter division.

Cannon Creek, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, is owned by the Wheeler Family, and did not score lower than 90 points over the course of two days to secure the leading position among the hunter competitors.

“Cannon Creek deserves this. He tries so hard and I give him all the credit,” said Tosh. “He went home from Harrisburg, and he hacked all week, so this is first show back. Basically, I just try to stay out of his way. He will always do his part.”

Cannon Creek and Tosh have had an incredibly successful year, winning classes in the best company, including the USHJA/Platinum Performance International Hunter Derby Championship.

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Jamie Auletto won the National Horse Show's first hunter class

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November 2, 2022

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Jamie Auletto on Idolize won the first over fences class of the Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 with a score of 86 points to lead in the division going into day two.

Jamie Auletto on Idolize ( Photo by Jessica Brighenti)Callie Seaman on Silver Lining leads in the Amateur-Owner Hunter Under 35 division going into the second day of A/O competition.

Seaman won the first over fences round with a score of 88 points, the highest score of the entire Amateur-Owner division.

Seaman also was third place in the under saddle on Silver Lining.

Chris Brown on  Newport won the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35.

Brown was the first to go, and held the lead through the entire class with a score of 86 points in the over fences round

Brown also placed fourth place in the under saddle to lead going into day two..

Samantha Sommers on Seaside won the final over fences class of the day with a score of 85 points in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3 ‘3” 18-25 division and was fifth on the flat to wrap up day one of hunter competition.

Conor Swail won the World Cup in Washington while Catoki was Jumper Champion

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October 30, 2022

By SARA CAVANAGH

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Ireland's Conor Swail on Count Me In had to go fourth, relatively early,in the nine horse jump-off for the $406,000 World Cup class at the Washington International Horse Show on Saturday evening, Oct. 29.

Leading Lady rider Laura Kraut on Confu (file photo)But despite that disadvantage, Swail's clean round in the quick time of 35.76 held up for the win over Daniel Bluman of Israel on Gemma W, also clean, but in 36.00.

Bluman's second place gave him enough points to make him the Leading International Jumper Rider.

Brian Moggre on MTM Vivre La Rose place third in 36.74, followed by Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue, 36.67, Beat Mandl on Chartraine Pre Noir, 39.24, Mario Deslauriers on Bardolina, 40.17,Kent Farrington on Landon, the faster of the two four faulters in 36.99, and Daniel Coyle on Legacy, 4 faults in 38.55 was eighth, while Laura Kraut on Confu, who retired on course, was ninth.

Catoki, ridden by McLain Ward, who was the hero of Friday's evening's jumper classes with a tie for the win in the Puissance and a second in the Speed class, was International Jumper Champion, and Kraut was the Leading International Lady Rider.

The World Cup class was the final jumper class, and Washington concluded with pony competitions on Sunday.

Catoki, ridden by McLain Ward, is both a Speed specialist and a Puissance winner

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October 29, 2022

By SARA CAVANAGH

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Catoki , who is ridden by McLain Ward, had quite a night at the Washington International Horse Show on Oct. 28.

McLain Ward on Catoki (File photo)First he finished second to Calgary Tonic, ridden by Laura Kraut in the $75,000 Faults Converted, Speed Final, and then he tied for the win in the $25,000 Puissance class.

Catoki is a speed specialist for Ward, but he also has the power and nerve to jump the huge Puissance wall.

And this wasn't the first time he has completed this amazing double.

He also competed successfully in both classes at Washington last year.

In the first class of the evening, Kraut on Calgary Tonic finished in 57.13 seconds to win over Ward on Catoki, who crossed the timers in 59.4.

Shane Sweetnam on Out Of The Blue was third in 59.85, and Rodrigo Pessoa on Venice Beach was fourth in 61.42.

In the Puissance, three tied for the win.

Ward on Catoki and Irish brothers, Jordan Coyle on Eriston and Daniel Coyle on Oak Grove's Carlyle, all jumped the same height but were unable to go higher and so tied for the win.

Devin Ryan on Hangover was fourth.

Daniel Coyle and Daniel Bluman win first jumper classes at Washington

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October 28, 2022

By Staff Writers

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Ireland's Daniel Coyle on Legacy won the $75,000 Welcome Stake, followed by Daniel Bluman of Israel on Ubiluc winning the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator class at the Washington International Horse Show on Oct.27..

Daniel Coyle on Legacy (Photo by Shawn McMillen)“The first class is usually a smaller class, which makes it a little easier for everybody to get introduced to the ring and the crowd, obviously,” said Coyle, referring to the size of the fences. “Sometimes it can be daunting going straight into a big class like that, but it worked out for me tonight.”

There were 28 starters from10 countries, and nine were clean over Bernardo Cabral’s first round track to advance to the jump-off.

Katie Dinan was the first double clear on Atika des Hauts Vents in 30.80 seconds., but next in the ring, Coyle shaved more than three seconds off the time, blazing through the timers in 27.42 seconds.

Hunter Holloway on Pepita con Spita was clean in 30.32 seconds, but in the end it was Coyle and Legacy who finished on top with Holloway second,and Dinan third.

“Actually, the jump-off was only six fences, and an indoor arena is usually quite short,” said Coyle. “I would say probably the turn back to the double combination and the second to last fence is where it came up good for me.”

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Stephanie Danhakl and Melissa Jacobs A.O. Grand Champions in Washington

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October 27, 2022

By Staff Writers

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Melissa Jacobs riding On Ice and Stephanie Danhakl on Quest were grand champions in the Amateur Owner Hunter division at the Washington International Horse Show on Oct. 26.

Melisssa Jacobs on On Ice (Photo by Shawn McMillen)Melissa Jacobs and On Ice won the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 3’6” championship and overall Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” as well as Leading Amateur-Owner Rider.

Stephanie Danhakl on Quest was the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 3’3” champion and the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” champion, also winning the Leading Amateur-Owner 3’3” Rider championship.

Jacobs, of Buffalo, N. Y., purchased On Ice after trainers Chris Payne and David Belford of New Hope Farm LLC in Batavia, Ohio, discovered the 9-year-old Warmblood stallion by Legion in Europe just over a year ago.

At the time he was competing in the jumper ring, but Payne and Belford saw his potential to become a top hunter.

“He was definitely a little bit jumpery for a while, but he’s picked up on the hunters very quickly,” said Jacobs. “He’s just very game to do whatever we want, so he’s great to work with.

“He is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” said Jacobs of her horse who goes by “Noble” in the barn. “He’s just perfect for me. He’s beautiful, and as long as I do my homework and put him in the right spot, he always gives me a fantastic jump. I love him so much.”

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Scott Stewart Leading Hunter Rider, Laurie Barna and Hannah Blaisdell win Adult and Children's Hunter championships

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October 26, 2022

By Staff Writers

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J., rode the champions of every professional division for the second time at the Washington International Horse Show and won the Grand Hunter Champion title for the 12th time, this year a tie on Casanova Royal and Nottingham, and was Leading Hunter Rider on Oct. 25.

Scott Stewart on Casanova Royal (Photo by Shawn McMillen)“All the horses were really great,” said Stewart who rode seven horses in this year’s professional divisions. “I really couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m really excited. I’m really fortunate for every horse in my string, and they’re all really top.”

 In the Green Hunter 3’6” division, Stewart had almost a clean sweep with Casanova Royal, scoring 90 in the handy class and 92 in the stake class to win the Grand Green Hunter Championship on the way to the Grand Hunter Championship,

“He was an experienced jumper in Europe, so he has quite a bit of mileage in the jumper ring,” said Stewart of the flashy bay that arrived in the U.S. in April 2022. “I thought he was going to take a little more time to get the hang of the hunters, but he’s really straightforward. His owner Stephanie Danhakl is a really good rider, so she can also handle him even though he’s not quite used to doing this job. They’re a great combination too.”

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Scott Stewart dominated the first day of hunter competition in Washington

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October 25, 2022

By SARA CAVANAGH

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Scott Stewart dominated the first day of hunter competition at the Washington International Horse Show on Oct. 24.

Scott Stewart on Jordon in Harrisburg (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Riding Jordon, who was Green Conformation Hunter Champion and Hunter Grand Champion at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg last week, Stewart won all three classes in the Green Conformation Hunter in Washington, winning the model, the first over fences class and the handy hunter.

With those three wins, Jordon is virtually assured of also winning the Green Conformation championship in Washington.

In Green Hunter, 3'6", Stewart rode Casanova Royal to win both classes, the open over fences and the handy hunter.

In the High Performance Conformation Hunters, For Always was second in the model and, ridden by Stewart, placed first in the over fences and third in the Handy Hunter.

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Kent Farrington on Orafina won the $139,000 Grand Prix at Tryon

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October 25, 2022

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Kent Farrington on Orafina won the $139,000 Grand Prix CSI 3* with a time of 39.06 seconds at the Tryon International Equestrian Center on Oct. 22.

Kent Farrington on Orafina (Photo by Lisa Thomas Dufresne)Luiz Francisco De Azevedo of Brazil on Nashville was second in a time of 39.39 seconds, and Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso of the Dominican Republic on J’Adore Flamencowas third in a time of 41.69 seconds.

Thirty-three entries contested Michel Vaillancourt’s course, with seven advancing to the jump-off.

Farrington on Orafina was able to produce a round that couldn’t be beaten, despite some communication issues in the first round.

“I tried a new bridle today,"said Farrington. "It felt great in the practice class, and then as soon as I went over number one, I knew that I was in trouble and it was going to be a long way around the ring. We managed to get through the first round, and then I changed the equipment a little bit for the jump off, and it was so much better.”

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McLain Ward on First Lady won the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National

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October 24, 2022

By SARA CAVANAGH

HARRISBURG, Pa.--McLain Ward on First Lady won the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National after an exciting jump-off  in the last class of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Oct. 15.

McLain Ward on First Lady (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Thirty-four entries took on the challenging track designed by Andersen Lima, with the crowd erupting enthusiastically as, one-by-one, seven riders made it to the jump-off.

Ward on First Lady was the final rider in the jump-off, and the time to beat had been set at 34.883 seconds by Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa on Quality FZ.

Ward took advantage of going last and knowing the time to beat.

As Ward crossed the timers, spectators held their breath before breaking into applause when his final time appeared on the scoreboard as 34.638 seconds, just two-tenths of a second faster than Pessoa’s time.

With Ward winning and Pessoa finishing second, both third and fourth places went to Beat Mandli, third on Dijon Terdoorn Z, in the time of 35.288, and fourth on Chartraine Pre Noir, in the time of 36.375.

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Christian Coyle won the 1.30m Grand Prix and the championship

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October 22, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--For the second year in a row, Ireland's Christian Coyle riding Locato van het Kapelho won the $30,000, 1.30m Grand Prix, held on Oct. 2 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Christian Coyle on Locato (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Coyle was one of 14 from the 30-horse field to advance to the Anderson Lima-designed jump-off course.

Coyle went 10th in the jump-off, and Alex Granato on Indio had set the time to beat 35.52 seconds, but Coyle stopped the clock in a lightning fast 33.75 seconds that would hold up for the win.

Granato placed second on Indio, and Laura Chapot on Gideon was third in 35.75 seconds.

“I just got Locato van het Kapelhof back off lease two or three weeks ago,” said Coyle. “He's a lovely horse; he’s naturally fast if you can stay out of the way and not make too many mistakes.”

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McLain Ward beat Laura Chapot to win the $30,000 1.45m Grand Prix in Harrisburg

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October 21, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Olympic gold medalist and Pennsylvania National Horse Show crowd-favorite McLain Ward beat Laura Chapot to win the $30,000, 1.45m Grand Prix on Thursday, October 20, in Harrisburg, PA.

McLain Ward on Lezaro (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Ward on Lezaro, fresh off a victory in the CSI3* Grand Prix of Greenwich in Connecticut two weeks ago, replicated the win to top the 33-horse field on Thursday night in Harrisburg.

Following the first round, Ward and Lezaro were one of 13 entries qualified to come back for the jump-off over a course set by Anderson Lima.

Chapot on Calafornia was the first in the jump-off, and despite the disadvantage of going first set a very fast 38.781 time to beat.

Ward, fifth to go in the jump-off, stopped the clock in 37.778 seconds to beat Chapot by a full second.

Mattias Tromp on Infuria P&P finished third in 38.786, just five one-hundreds of a second behind Chapot.

“I think the course designer, Anderson Lima, did a nice job here. It was a nice strong 1.45m with a couple 1.50ms, I thought it rode well, so that's a good sign for the class on Saturday,” said Ward, referring to Saturday night’s $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National.

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Rodrigo Pessoa won 1.45m Speed Challenge at Harrisburg

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October 20, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa on Venice Beach won the $10,000 1.45m Speed Challenge on Wednesday, Oct.19, the first open jumper competition at the 2022 Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Rodrigo Pessoa on Venice Beach (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Pessoa was one of 36 entries to take on the speed track set by course designer Anderson Lima.

As the third to enter the ring at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pessoa on Venice Beach laid down a lightning-quick time of 54.583 seconds that would go untouched through the remainder of the class.

Coming the closest – but still nearly two seconds off of Pessoa’s time – was Adam Sklansky who stopped the clock in 56.49 seconds on his own Hakini, and in third with a time of 57.03 seconds was Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward on First Lady.

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Scott Stewart rode Jordon to win the Grand Hunter Championship in Harrisburg and was the Leading Hunter Rider

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October 19, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Scott Stewart on Jordan, owned by Sophie Gochman, won the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Grand Hunter Championship on Tuesday, Oct.18.

Scott Stewart on Jordon (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Stewart on the 9-year-old Selle Français gelding had two wins and a third place over fences, a win under saddle and a second-place finish in the model to win the Green Conformation Hunter division championship. 

Finishing as the Green Conformation Hunter reserve champion was another of Stewart’s mounts, Whimsical, owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC.

In addition to the Grand Hunter Championship, Stewart and Jordan also earned the Grand Green Hunter Championship.

“It means a lot because we work all year long to come here and compete against the best riders and horses,” said Stewart, of Flemington, N.J. “I've come here every year since 1980. It's a very special place for tradition and all of the trophies.”

 Stewart was the Leading Hunter Rider.

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Keswick Hunt Club wins Hunt Night Championship with Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds Reserve in Harrisburg

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October 18, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Mr. Stewart''s Cheshire Hunt won the Hunt Teams and was Reserve Champion to Keswick Hunt on Hunt Night on Monday, Oct. 17, at the 76th Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Keswick Hunt (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Cheshire triumphed over 18 different hunt team combinations from across Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

"Last night, representatives of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds attended Hunt Night at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and had a fantastic showing," said joint Master of Foxhounds Sanna Neilson. "It was a very competitive night with many nice horses."

Throughout the evening, more than 100 riders participated in the Field Hunter, Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Team classes.

At the end of the evening, it was the team from the Keswick Hunt Club One that accumulated the most points.

Representing the Keswick Hunt Club as two different teams on Monday evening were Sandy Rives, Joel Merle-Smith, Nicolette Merle-Smith, Catherine Wheeler, Jill Wilson Anderson, Shelly Payne and Carly Mayer.

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Luke Jensen won the Hunter Seat Medal Championship in Harrisburg

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October 17, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Luke Jensen of Denton, Texas topped a field of 230 of the nation’s best junior riders to win the Hunter Seat Medal Championship after three rounds of competition at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Luke Jensen on Jamaica (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)Skylar Wireman of Bonsall, Calif., was second and Kate Egan of Glen Gardner, N.J., was third.

“The prestige of this horse show is incredible, so I'm very grateful to be able to compete here, and to be here and show at the highest level,” said Jensen, who trains as a working student with John Brennan and Missy Clark of North Run. “The competition is incredible. Every rider here earned their spot, and they're all incredibly talented – all the horses, all the riders. To be able to win it is very special to me and the prestige just makes me all the more grateful to be here.”

The opening round of competition got underway at 7 a.m. with a challenging course set by designer Thomas Hern, Jr., with input from judges Karen Healey and Mark Jungherr.

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Tim Price wins the Maryland Five Star over Tamra Smith and OliverTownend

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October 17, 2022

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILLS, Md.--World # 1 Tim Price on Coup de Coeur Dudevin held on to his razor thin lead over Tamra Smith on Danito to win the Maryland Five Star, with World # 3 Oliver Townend  on As Is finishing third.

Tammie Smith,Tim Price and Oliver Townend celebrate with champagne (Photo by Allen MacMillan)The top five were separated by less than one rail going into show jumping, and the top four made it exciting for the large crowd of spectators, as all four, going in reverse order of faults, went clean, forcing the ones coming after each of them to jump clean to maintain their position.

To add to the pressure on the top three riders, the top three horses were all competing in their first five star, so they couldn't be sure about how they would perform.

Price added .8 time faults show jumping to finish on 28.2 and win $100,000, with Smith adding .4 time faults to finish on 29.8 and win $45,000, while Townend was double clear to finish on his dressage score of 29.9 and win $35,000.

Phillip Dutton on Z was fourth after going double clear show jumping to finish on his dressage score of 30.5 and win $25,000, and Jennie Brannigan on FE Lifestyle finished on her dressage score of 31.5 to place fifth and win $20,000.

"It's an amazing feeling,"said Price."This is a fantastic horse. He tried so hard, and what a stage to do it on. His owner, Jean-Louis Stauffer, bred him, and he was so positive about coming here.

"This is my last event of the year, so this is a nice way to finish the season," said Price. "This place has so much potential as it keeps its place on the calendar."

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Ansgar Holtgers won the Individual National Championship in Harrisburg

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October 17, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Ansgar Holtgers, Jr. of Wellington,,Fla., on Chaploon won the gold medal Ansgar Holtgers on Chaploon (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)in the $10,000 Junior Jumper Individual National Championship on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the 76th Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Holtgers. “It means a lot to be here. It’s a prestigious show; a lot of people set their goals to come here to show at this time. It’s a big deal because there are 36 of the best juniors in the country here with the best horses, the best teams, the best trainers – everything. It’s a big deal to come here and then to win is even bigger.”

Holtgers was one of 23 entries that contested Saturday’s Phase III class, with each rider that qualified for the final phase of the three-day Individual Championship coming into the evening carrying penalties based on their results from Phases I and II.

All of the top six riders coming into the evening sat within 3.05 points of one another, so the pressure was on to perform over the Alan Wade-designed course.

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Tim Price moved into the lead over Tamie Smith and Oliver Townend after cross country at the Maryland 5 star

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October 16, 2022

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--World #1 ranked rider Tim Price of New Zealand on Coup De Coeur Dudevin leads on his dressage score of 27.4 following the cross-country phase that greatly re-figured the leaderboard at the Maryland 5 Star on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Tim Price on Coup de Coeur de Dudevin  (Photo by Kim MacMillan)The top three are all riding horses that are competing in a 5 star for the first time and finished on their dressage scores.

Tamie Smith, U.S. team silver medalist at the Eventing World Championships, moved from sixth to second place on Danito on 29.4, and World #3 Oliver Townend of Great Britain moved from 10th to third on 29.9 riding As Is.

Phillip Dutton on Z moved from 11th to fourth on 30.5, and Buck Davidson on Carlevo added .8 time faults to finish on 30.6 and move from eighth to fifth.

The top three are separated by less than a rail going into Sunday's show jumping, and the top 10 are separated by only two rails.

Course designer Ian Stark revamped his courses after getting a better feel for the terrain at last year’s inaugural event.

The CCI5*-L featured 45 total jumping efforts over a 6,555-meter track and presented many technically difficult questions to the competitors, but 13 entries were able to finish clear within the 11.5-minute optimum time.

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Zone 2 third by less than a second in the Prix des States at Pa. National H.S.

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October 15, 2022

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--The Zone 7 team of Sofia Cady on Deleyn, Tessa Downey on Isabelle, Lola Head on Adelita and Carlee McCutcheon on MTM Unexpected won the $15,000 Prix des States Team Championships on Friday, October 14, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.

Prix des States Podium (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)While the Texas-based riders earned a clear-cut win with a total of 8 faults in the two-round, modified Nations Cup format competition, the silver and bronze medal positions came down to a tight race between Zone 2 and Zone 10.

Both teams finished on a total of 12 faults, but Zone 10’s second-round total time proved to be less than a second faster than Zone 2’s time.

That meant the silver medal spot went to the Zone 10 team of Stella Wasserman aboard Eldorado WP Z, Leila Diab riding Matahari HI, Andrew Lopez on George Zg, Skylar Wireman with Karen and Chef d’Equipe Alec Lawler.

Taking the bronze was the Zone 2 team of Baylee Mckeever on Formidable, Hunter Champey on Escada, Corinne Sweeney on Tara M and Alexa Elle Lignelli on Billy Kiara, led by Chef d’Equipe Krista Freundlich.

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