WEEK EIGHT E-NEWSLETTERFebruary 23, 2015

Welcome to your 2015 WEF Newsletter for week eight. In this weekly newsletter, you'll find a variety of information, horse show updates, competition wrap-ups, sponsor offers, and more!

 

The eighth week of WEF runs February 25-29. The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that conclude on March 29, 2015, and awards more than $8 million in prize money through the circuit. 
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Equestrian Sport Productions would like to inform everyone entering the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that 
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PBIEC
Upcoming Events

 

 

Ride & Learn, presented by Palm Beach Riding Academy

The 2015 Ride & Learn Series will take place each Tuesday during WEF. Each week will feature a mounted riding clinic instructed by highly esteemed industry professionals and will be held in various venues and arenas in the PBIEC. The week eight Ride & Learn on Tuesday, February 24, will feature top hunter rider and trainer Tommy Serio. Participation is $100.00 per horse/rider per clinic, maximum 12 riders. Auditing is Free. Every Tuesday from 2:00-4:00pm. For more information please contact Sean Jones, General Manager, Palm Beach Riding Academy (561) 784-4275 or sean@equestriansport.com. 

WEF Sport Horse Auction 
The 2015 Sport Horse Auction will be held on February 26 at 7 pm at The Stadium at PBIEC. The auction will showcase some of the elite show jumpers and hunters from VDL Stud in the Netherlands and will also feature two young top-class dressage prospects from Dressurstall Sandbrink Stud in Germany. The fine VDL horses will be available for viewing at Ossian Ventures on February 16-25 from noon to 6 pm. The dressage horses will be available for viewing at The Stadium at PBIEC during the same time. On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, from 9 am- 5pm, the VDL horses will be available for trials by appointment at Ossian Ventures. Please contact Mr. Janko van de Lageweg at 561-324-0256 or +01131651815225 to set up an appointment.  The dressage horses are also available for trial by contacting Mrs. Rhegan White at 912-257-0064 or white@westfalenpferde.de. To register as a bidder for the auction, please contact Melanie Peterson at 561-870-6587 or melanie@horsemls.com. Horse photos, videos, and the registration information can be found at www.wefsporthorseauction.com.

 

Lunch & Learn
The 2015 Lunch & Learn weekly educational series will take place each Thursday during WEF from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in The Wellington Club at PBIEC. The WEF eight Lunch & Learn will be held on Thursday, February 26, featuring a presentation on Muscle Recovery in the Performance Horse sponsored by Nutrena and Progressive Nutrition Supplements. Admission is free for riders, trainers, and owners. All others $25.00. Register at the door for a chance to win exciting prizes. Season finale door prizes to include a custom trunk provided by Clever Jumps & Trunks and a TheraPlate. For more information please contact Laura Bostwick, Sponsorship Events Coordinator 561-784-1130 or laura@equestriansport.com.

 

$100,000 Nations Cup, presented by Kingsland Equestrian
Kingsland Equestrian is the presenting sponsor of one of WEF's highest profile equestrian events, the $100,000 Nations Cup, during CSIO 4* competition on Friday, February 27. Kingsland also presents the Official Nations Cup After Party at The Gallery following the competition. Come out to support your nation and get in the team spirit with some of the world's best horses and riders competing over two rounds under the lights. First horse is at 7 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. Need to show your team support? Get your official Nations Cup jackets and t-shirts from Kingsland Equestrian at the WEF Boutique!

Hollow Creek Farm CH/JR/YR Nations Cups
On Saturday, February 28, three separate Nations' Cup team events will be held at PBIEC. Following the same style as the senior Nations' Cup, teams of four riders each, with the best three scores counting, will represent their countries in the Nations' Cup events for Children, Junior, and Young Riders. The first round of each Nations' Cup competition will be held in the International Arena during Saturday afternoon, with the second round being held at night under the lights. In the evening session, the Children's Nations' Cup for riders aged 12 to 14 will be held first, followed by the Junior Nations' Cup for riders aged 14 to 18.  The Young Riders Nations' Cup will be Saturday's third and final team competition, featuring competitors aged 16 to 21.


$150,000 Grand Prix CSIO 4* presented by Lugano Diamonds

The $150,000 Grand Prix CSIO 4*, presented by Lugano Diamonds, will conclude week eight on Sunday, March 1, at approximately 2 pm in the International Arena at PBIEC. One of the most coveted grand prix classes of the circuit, the competition will feature the week's best combinations competing over a course set by USA's Anthony D'Ambrosio.
 

Ride & Learn, presented by Palm Beach Riding Academy

The 2015 Ride & Learn Series will take place each Tuesday during WEF. Each week will feature a mounted riding clinic instructed by highly esteemed industry professionals and will be held in various venues and arenas in the PBIEC. The week nine Ride & Learn on Tuesday, March 3, will feature Ken Smith highlighting the USEF Talent Search, sponsored by CM Hadfield's Saddlery Participation is $100.00 per horse/rider per clinic, maximum 12 riders. Auditing is Free. Every Tuesday from 2:00-4:00pm. For more information please contact Sean Jones, General Manager, Palm Beach Riding Academy (561) 784-4275 or sean@equestriansport.com.

American Equestrians Got Talent
 VIP tables and general admission tickets are now available for the American Equestrians Got Talent Finale, held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show grounds on the evening of March 15 (tentative start time6:30 pm)! The event is the third annual East Coast fundraiser to benefit USEF High Performance Dressage programs through the USET Foundation. Ten talented equestrians will be putting on a spectacular show and competing for the $5,000 grand prize donated by Robert Ross, P.A., Luxury Equestrian Realtor for Keller Williams. Catch a sneak peek of the competitors or sign up with Robert Dover (rdover2@aol.com) to audition on Wednesday evenings through March 4 at The Grille Fashion Cuisine. Tables and tickets for the Finale may be purchased online: http://www.uset.org/American-Equestrians-got-Talent.php

WEF Week 7 Wrap-Up

 

Hunter Highlights - Thursday through Sunday

 

Molly Sewell piloted David Matisz LLC's horse, Casparo, to championship honors in the Pre-Green Hunter Level 1 on Thursday. Casparo earned two firsts and two thirds over fences, along with a second place finish in the under saddle.

 

Remaining consistent over the two days of competition, Marksman and Christopher Payne finished the day as reserve champions. The pair earned a first and two seconds over fences.

 

Although this week was only Casparo's fourth horse show, the six-year-old Warmblood looked like a veteran in the ring. "He [Casparo] has been champion or first and second every time we have shown him. He always rises to the occasion," Sewell noted.

 

On Friday afternoon, Reilly Gogul riding Shaun Clark's pony, Neon Star, topped the USEF Pony Medal. Gogul gave Neon Star lots of her favorite treats, mints, after her winning round.

 

Second place honors went to Natalie Jayne riding Cleverist, owned by Daisy Farish. Tessa Brown and Land's End Lady Slipper finished in the third spot, and Gwyneth Babington and Maranatha Poet rounded out the top four.

 

Gogul, the nine-year-old equestrian from Chagrin Falls, OH, won first place her first time doing the pony equitation. Last year Gogul did the Short Stirrup once during WEF, but was ready to move up this year with Neon Star. "She's [Neon Star] perfect!" exclaimed Gogul.

 

Ring 8 competition started Saturday morning with the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) Children's Medal 14 and under. The class consists of a first round where each trip receives a score, followed by a test of the riders with the four highest scores. After 26 horse and rider combinations completed the first round, Chloe Doherty, Kathryn Hall, Sloan Hopson, and Catalina Peralta were called back to test.

 

Doherty, from Chester, NJ, and her own horse, Canada, returned to test with a score of 81, but after a smooth test emerged victorious. Finishing in second place, with a first round score of 84, was Hall riding Prosecco 24. Hopson ended the day in third, and Peralta rounded out the top four.

 

On the final day of competition for WEF 7, Natalie Jayne, from Elgin, IL, rode Daisy Farish's pony, Cleverist, to championship honors in the Medium Pony Hunters. The pair won the two over fences classes on Saturday, as well as the first over fences class on Sunday and the under saddle. "Cleverist has been going great, and today the courses rode really nicely," trainer Patricia Griffith explained.

 

Emma Kurtz piloted GC Ponies' entry, Elegance, to the reserve championship prize. Elegance earned two seconds and two thirds over fences over the two days of competition.

 

Jayne started riding Cleverist in September, but did not make their show ring debut until the beginning of the WEF circuit. "She [Jayne] is still getting to know him [Cleverist], and this week she was able to put all the rounds together," remarked Griffith after the championship presentation.

 

WEF Week 7 Wrap-Up

 

Jumper Highlights - Wednesday through Sunday

 

The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its seventh week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday with a win for Brazila's Alvaro 'Doda' de Miranda and AD Amigo B in the $34,000 1.45m FEI speed class. Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Welfare finished second; Samuel Parot (CHI) and Tailormade Anna Chacca placed third.
 

Steve Stephens (USA) was the course designer in the International Arena for week seven. He set the speed track for 69 competitors in the 1.45m class and saw an even thirty clear rounds. Third to go, Doda de Miranda and AD Amigo B set the leading pace at 55.16 seconds and held on to the end for victory. Ramsay and Welfare clocked in at 56.46 seconds to finish in second place. Parot and Tailormade Anna Chacca had a time of 57.82 seconds to place third.


Also showing on Wednesday, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was held in a California Split with wins for Lisa Goldman and her own Morocco as well as Ben Maher aboard Niko Detlef's Contigo. Goldman also won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class later in the day riding Mary Goldman's Centurion B.


The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Thursday with a win for 22-year-old Lucy Davis (USA) and Old Oak Farm's Barron in the $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7. Davis and Barron topped two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward (USA) and his ultra fast mount, Rothchild, in an exciting jump-off round to earn top prize. Wilton Porter (USA) and Diamonte Darco finished third.
 

Steve Stephens (USA) set the track for 69 entries in Thursday's WEF Challenge Cup, with 13 to advance to the jump-off and five double clear rounds. Davis and Barron raced through the course in 38.06 seconds for the win. They beat the leading time of Ward and Sagamore Farms' Rothchild in 39.29 seconds. Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC's Diamonte Darco stopped the clock in 40.48 seconds for third. Alise Oken (USA) and Hi Hopes Farm LLC's Teirra finished fourth in 40.92 seconds, and Lauren Tisbo (USA) clocked in at 41.56 seconds to take the fifth place prize aboard Tequestrian Farms LLC's Entre Nous.

Also showing in the International Arena on Thursday, Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC's Brighton won the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class.

Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm's Davendy S jumped to victory in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class on Friday afternoon. Jumping in the International Arena at PBIEC, Springsteen jumped the fastest clear round out of 73 entries to beat out Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Welfare (2nd) and Lillie Keenan (USA) with Balance (3rd).
 

 

Steve Stephens (USA) set the speed track for Friday's 1.45m competition with 23 clear rounds out of the 73 starters. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC's Cyklon 1083 set an early lead in 60.17 seconds, but eventually finished fifth. Springsteen and Davendy S pushed them out of the top spot with their time of 57.50 seconds. Ramsay and Shalanno Farms LLC's Welfare jumped into second place in 58.84 seconds. Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and Nokia de Brekka took fourth in 60.16 seconds, and Lillie Keenan completed the class in third with a time of 60.10 seconds aboard Chansonette Farm LLC's Balance.
 

Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, Georgina Bloomberg (USA) and Gotham Enterprizes LLC's South Street won Section A of the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge in a California Split, with Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot's Shooting Star on top in Section B.

In Saturday's $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic in the International Arena, Alexandra Crown and Von Cim jumped to victory.


Week seven of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Suncast�, concluded on Sunday with the $85,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). USA's Kent Farrington was the winner with Amalaya Investment's Waomi in a 17-horse jump-off over Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC's Tripple X III. Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner's Vanilla placed third.

 

Course designer Steve Stephens' (USA) finished out the week with 75 entries in the 1.50m competition. Out of 17 to advance to the jump-off, the short course only saw six double clear rounds. Farrington, Marie Hecart (FRA) and Charlie Jacobs (USA), all made it through to the tiebreaker with two horses.


Hecart jumped double clear rounds with both her mounts to finish fourth and fifth. She guided Rogelio Pellerano's Quatuor de B Neville to the first clear in 42.11 seconds to place fifth. She jumped later with Sarl Ecurie Sens O Riel's Vatson Sitte to place fourth in 41.25 seconds. Madden was third with Vanilla in 38.42 seconds. Foster and Tripple X III were second with their time of 37.67 seconds, and Farrington jumped to victory with Waomi in the fastest time of 36.47 seconds.  

 
Sponsor Feature:
Wellington Equestrian Realty
Sponsor Feature:
Hollow Creek Farm
Sponsor Feature:
Kingsland Equestrian
Sponsor Feature: Lugano Diamonds
Sponsor Feature: Loddon Stalls
Sponsor Feature: Autism Speaks
WEF Sport Horse Auction
Shapley's Groom's Class
WEF Week 7 Wrap-Up

 

 

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Fibonacci 17 Capture $372,000 Suncast� CSI 5* Grand Prix Victory 

 

Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Fibonacci 17 were the winners in Saturday night's $372,000 Suncast� CSI 5* Grand Prix in week seven of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Jumping under the lights of the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Michaels-Beerbaum and the 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (For Feeling x Corland) won a six-horse jump-off, with Danielle Goldstein (ISR) and Carisma in second, and Jessica Springsteen (USA) with Vindicat W third.

 

Forty-four entries showed over Steve Stephens' (USA) course Saturday night with six advancing to the jump-off and only two double clear rounds. First to go in the jump-off were Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and Hard Rock Z. Going for the slower clear round, they finished in 41.84 seconds, but had an unfortunate four faults for sixth place. Goldstein and Israeli Equestrian Partners' Carisma were the first pair to clear the short course in 37.86 seconds and eventually took second place honors. Michaels-Beerbaum went next with Fibonacci 17 and completed the only other double clear round in a faster time of 36.96 seconds, but had to wait three more rounds to settle the victory.

Georgina Bloomberg (USA) and Gotham Enterprizes LLC's Lilli took down the final fence to place fifth with four faults in 37.27 seconds. Springsteen and Stone Hill Farm's Vindicat W followed, and although they completed the fastest round of the night in 35.40 seconds, the pair finished third with one rail down. Last to go, Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner's Cortes 'C' were poised to win with their time of 35.65 seconds, but the pair also had a late rail at the final fence to place fourth.

A three-time FEI World Cup Finals champion and one of the best female riders in the world, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum has had many wins at the Winter Equestrian Festival throughout the years, but Saturday night marked one of her biggest. The rider has had great results with Fibonacci 17 all circuit and was thrilled to get a major victory with the talented gelding.

"He has been jumping brilliantly since he got here to Florida, but I have had the unlucky rail down in the two grand prixs that I have ridden him in," Michaels-Beerbaum stated. "I knew he was in great form, but he is a new horse for me. I have had him less than a year. At this time last year he was jumping 1.40m classes, so he has made a big step up into the big league. I was fine-tuning some small details with him and changed the bridle a little bit for tonight and that seemed to be perfection."


"The course itself was very difficult, so I was very pleased with how he handled everything today," Michaels-Beerbaum noted. "I have done very few jump-offs with him in fact, so I was also pleased with how he handled the speed and turns. In general he was a dream tonight."


Fibonacci has quickly risen to stardom for his incredible jumping ability and he showed that off under the lights with some impressive jumps.

"He is actually a Swedish-bred horse, although he has a German father and a Dutch mother," Michaels-Beerbaum detailed. "He was born in Sweden, so the Swedish take great pride in that fact. I got him in May last year. He has a different style than most horses. He jumps with his head up and a little bit straight in his back. That is something I have decided I cannot change and that is why I was trying to finesse the bridle a little so I could help him without interrupting his jump. I felt like I did that in the last grand prix, so I was very pleased with tonight."


"He is an amazing jumper," she continued. "I think he won the high jump award over most of the fences in the course tonight. It can often be difficult to sit on as a rider, but I have been practicing that as well. He is different, but he is wonderful."

 

Michaels-Beerbaum was at the in-gate watching as the final round of Beezie Madden and Cortes 'C' solidified her victory. She commented, "I have to say, I expected Beezie to beat me, particularly with Cortes. He is her best horse, and I was really surprised when he hit the last fence. Sometimes the luck goes your way, and it was with me tonight."


The rider was also very happy to get a win for Fibonacci's owners, Jim and Kristy Clark, at Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC. "They are absolutely delighted because they supported me," she acknowledged. "We had a discussion last year at this time and they said, 'Listen, we'll support you and go find some good horses.' Fibonacci was the first horse we purchased and to have him win here tonight is just phenomenal. It is a really exciting and emotional win tonight."


Danielle Goldstein was also very happy with her second place finish in the class aboard Carisma, a 16-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Cardento 933 x Maraton 600). Saturday night gave Goldstein the biggest finish of her career and a memorable moment in her partnership with the mare.

"I was thrilled actually," Goldstein stated. "To be honest, I have been watching a lot of video of Meredith recently. To be second was amazing. The horse really felt spectacular today. I have been working on going a bit faster, so to be able to be second was amazing."


"This is for sure my best finish," Goldstein added. "I have been riding here since I was a little kid and always wanted to be in the grand prixs and do well, and I think this was a huge second for me. I really could not be happier."


Although one rail came down for Jessica Springsteen in the jump-off, she was happy with a great night with Vindicat W.
 

"I was a little worried," Springsteen admitted after the class. "The last two grand prixs, we struggled a bit. He had a bit of time off and I feel like he is starting to get back into the groove of things, so I was really happy."


Detailing her jump-off round, Springsteen explained, "I was pretty neat back to fence two and then I thought I was quick over the double, but then I kind of hooked him right in anticipation of that turn. I should have given him a little more of a chance there. We were pretty quick to the last fence, and he was really good there. I was lucky."

 

For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com. 

WEF Week 7 Wrap-Up

 

Week 7 Jumper Classic winners:

$15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Alexandra Crown and Von Cim

 

$10,000 Sleepy P Ranch SJHOF High Junior Jumpers - Victoria Colvin and Cafino

 

$10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Alex Matz and Zwelgje

 

$10,000 Martha Jolicoeur, Illustrated Properties Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Christina Firestone and Zodiac

 

$10,000 Charles Owen Adult Jumpers 18-35 - Dean Dignelli and Redefin

 

$10,000 Classical South Florida Adult Jumpers 36-49 - Tessa Weise and Carzat

 

$10,000 Maria Mendelsohn, Illustrated Properties Low Junior Jumpers - Caelinn Leahy and Kaner 88

 

$10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumpers - Brianne Link and Zacca Zoeloe
 

$10,000 Horseware Ireland Don Little Masters - Christian Currey and Paramount

Week 7 Jumper Champions:

Children's Jumper 14 & Under - Sam Walker and Winnipeg Jet
 

Rosenbaum Mollengarden, PLLC Children's Jumper 15-17 - Isabel Ryan and Zilver Pomme VDL

 

FarmVet Adult Modified Jumpers - Rachel Boggus and Wiedam

 

Griffis Residential Children's Modified Jumpers - Delaney Hamill and Brisco

 

Equiline Low Adult Jumper 18-35 - Molly Newsome and Cobe van het Gonnehof
 

Pegasus Builders Low Adult Jumper 36 & Over - Alissa Kinsey and Qualifying


Crown Family Low Children's Jumper - Rosalie Biedron and Lady B Lucky; Brooke Giacin and Serendipity
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