Categories
English Events Horse Happenings

Don’t Miss Out! Last Call for Entries for The Ridge at Wellington Hunter Derby Days

Wellington, FL – February 3, 2015 – Riders will want to get their entries in quickly for the second annual Hunter Derby Days at The Ridge at Wellington. On Friday, February 6, 2015, The Ridge at Wellington will offer their first-class $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Entries are filling fast as the top hunter riders in the nation gather for a battle of the best on the turf. Part of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour, the International and National Hunter Derbies are the perfect fit into the Wellington Winter Circuit as riders prepare for the steadily approaching hunter derbies at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

On February 6 and March 20, 2015, the hunters will take over The Ridge at Wellington. Both the sand ring and the open derby field will be reminiscent of the traditional hunt field with natural obstacles and tasteful adornment. The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby kicks off the day at 8:30 a.m in the sand ring and the second annual $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will begin on the grass at 1 p.m.

On Thursday February 5, there will be a ticketed hunter warmup offered from 8 am until 4:30 pm, open to everyone. International Derby horses must be on the grounds by 1 pm for check in for Friday’s event, per USHJA rules.

 

This year, the derby courses will be designed by Kenneth Krome. A host of highly esteemed judges will be evaluating the top hunter derby horses in Wellington, including Linda Andrisani, R. Scott Fitton, Mindy Minetto and Dee Thomas.

 

Last year professional hunter rider Jennifer Alfano rode 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Champion, Jersey Boy, to the first place finish in the 2014 $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Peter Wylde and Smoking Gun claimed the second International Hunter Derby with a phenomenal two rounds on The Ridge at Wellington’s derby field.

 

The prize list for the hunter derby is available here. <<http://www.theridgefarm.com/documents/2015-HUNTER-DERBY-PL-jan12.pdf>>

 

The Ridge at Wellington Hunter Derbies are the epitome o

f what the show world strives to accomplish. With unparalleled hospitality, and the careful and knowledgeable minds of Olympian Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the Hunter Derby Days are a horse show run by horsemen for horsemen.

 

In the world of hunter derbies, The Ridge at Wellington provides an exhilarating opportunity for riders of all levels. As a stand-alone derby day, the national and international classes are fully dedicated to showcasing and perfecting the derby classes with ideal turf that rivals the traditional fox hunting fields, reveling in the sport and athleticism of the horse.

 

The Ridge at Wellington is a premiere state-of-the-art facility that offers the best of the equestrian sports with varying competition levels. Their shows offer a wide array of classes, as well as generous prize money and sponsorship opportunities. Located only two miles from the prestigious Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the Ridge at Wellington offers one of the most centrally located horse shows in Wellington.

 For more information about the Ridge at Wellington please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information please follow the Ridge at Wellington on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264. For more information please e-mail  info@TheRidgeFarm.com.

Stalls are limited, please submit entries no later than February 2, 2015 to ensure stall reservations.

Website: www.TheRidgeFarm.com

 

Categories
English Fashion Horse Happenings

6th Annual “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Continues with a Chapeau Inspired by Williamstown

GEORGETOWN, KY – FEBRUARY 3, 2015

The online fashion auction, “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”, continues today with a fifth handcrafted Derby chapeau on the virtual auction block to raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

 This new hat was inspired by Old Friends retiree Williamstown­, the 25-year-old son of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew who has been pensioned at Old Friends since 2007. A graded stakes winner, Williamstown captured the Withers Stakes at Belmont Park in 1993 and marked one of the fastest miles in the history of the oval.

For the Old Friends campaign, the beautiful chapeau is modeled in accompanying photos and behind-the-scenes video by leading jockey Rosie Napravnik along with her husband, trainer Joe Sharp.
This is the sixth consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six exclusive Derby hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 150 retired racehorses.
Bidding on “The Williamstown” ends at 8 pm on February 11th.  Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.
A wide-brim hat made of rich dupioni silk and various layers of organza, The Williamstown is adorned with the colors of his former racing stable: three yellow rose curls spill down along the hat’s 22-inch brim, each nesting in a medley of textured plum organza leaves.
For a final touch, eight long and curvaceous silk “feathers” are set behind each rose in such a way as to gently frame the wearer’s face.

 

As always, strand of the stallion’s tail hair have been braided and woven into the trim for a physical remembrance.
For more information and additional photos of the hat please visithttp://www.maggiemae.com/OldFriendsAuction-Hat-Williamstown.htm.   For a behind-the-scenes video of Napravnik’s and Sharp’s photo shoot please visit  http://vimeo.com/117009595

For additional information contact Maggie Mae Designs® at sally@maggiemae.com

For more information about Old Friends see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can been seen on her website atwww.maggiemaedesigns.com

 PHOTO CAPTIONS Rosie Napravnik and Joe Sharp with Williamstown.  Rosie models the Williamstown hat. Dress by Bella Rose Boutique, photo © and courtesy of EquiSport Photos

Categories
Equestrian Destinations Horse Happenings Travel

Top50 Ranches Launches Ranch Vacation Travel Series ‘Discover Ranches’! February 2015!

Discover Ranches Promo

Discover Ranches, a first-of-its-kind international travel series, takes the viewer to the heart of ranches and ranch vacations.  Join us as we uncover the unexpected and fascinating culture, cuisine, architecture, history, and ecology of ranches around the world.

Preserve . Educate . Inspire


The underlying purpose of Discover Ranches Travel Series is to preserve the ranching heritage and shed light on how ranches are making greater contributions to the land and people around them.

Ranches featured in 2015

Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort

The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch

Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge

Red Horse Mountain Ranch

Brush Creek Ranch

Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Deep Canyon Ranch

Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch

Texas Ranch Life

Learn More Discover Ranches 2015 Travel Series

Discover Promo

Discover Ranches Promo shot at Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, California!

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is A secluded jewel tucked into California’s famed Santa Ynez Valley, our 10,000-acre ranch melds the spirit of the Old West with the seductive charms of today’s most relaxing resorts. Drive 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara and you’ll find Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort’s 50 miles of riding trails, 100-acre spring-fed lake, two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, pool, spa, western-themed accommodations, fine dining, and endless ways to unplug and unwind.

Book your Vacation to Alisal today: (800) 4-ALISAL

Categories
Charities Horse Happenings

Top Grand Prix Riders Compete for Horse Welfare on February 20th – An Evening of Firsts!

 

Blackburn Architects, P.C., will join Animal Planet, Ariat, Fairfield Equine Associates and the Split Rock Jumping Tour as team sponsors of the first Best Performance Team Invitational on Friday evening, February 20, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.

Categories
English Events Horse Happenings

The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour Continues This Week at the International Polo Club

THE RIDGE AT WELLINGTON HORSE SHOW SERIES FAST FACTS

Events:

The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its third year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 27, 2015.

The Turf Tour also will host 1.30
m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2015 and running until March 18, 2015.

Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour, running concurrently with the 1.30-1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers.

The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January 6 – March 23, 2015. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.

Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 6, 2015 and March 20, 2015.

Categories
English Events Horse Happenings

The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour Heads Back to The International Polo Club For Fourth Week of Competition

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2015 -The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour is travelling back to the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) for its fourth week of competition. This week’s events will take place on Wednesday, January 28 and Friday, January 30. The wide variety of classes, including Children/Adult, Masters, Junior/Amateur-Owner and Schooling Jumper classes in addition to the Grand Prix on Friday is sure to be popular with riders and horses of all levels of experience.

Categories
English Events Horse Happenings

PURE TACTICS UP TO WIN $75,000 CLOCKERS’ CORNER STAKES BY HALF LENGTH WITH SMITH ABOARD

RCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2015)—Texas-bred Pure Tactics rallied from off the pace to take Sunday’s $75,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes by a half length under Mike Smith, negotiating 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12.28. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Pure Tactics shortened up out of a sixth place run in the Grade II, 1 1/16 miles turf Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar Nov. 28 and notched his second win from five tries down the hill.

Categories
English Events Horse Happenings

VERSATILE ALERT BAY SEEKS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE WIN IN SATURDAY’S $250,000 CALIFORNIA CUP TURF CLASSIC

 ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2015)—Fresh off his most prestigious career win and in search of his fifth consecutive victory, trainer Blaine Wright’s Alert Bay heads a field of 12 older horses bred or sired in California in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Categories
English Events Horse Happenings

Villa del Lago Squeezes Past Enigma 11-10 in Joe Barry Cup Semifinals

Wellington. FL – January 21, 2015 – One point made all the difference Wednesday, earning Villa del Lago a seat at the dinner table next Sunday in the Joe Barry Cup Finals at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Villa del Lago beat Enigma in the semifinals, maintaining a razor-thin lead in the last two chukkers to win 11-10.
              ( Photo below: Jerome Wirth, Polito Pieres, Matias MacDonough, Jeff Hall, Julian de Lusarreta, Carlucho Arellano and Agustin Obregon. Photo: Liz Lamont/Phelps Media Group.)

Villa Del Lago                      Enigma
Jim Zenni   A                        Jerome Wirth   1
Agustin Obregon   5             Jeff Hall   7
Polito Pieres   9                    Matias MacDonough   7
Julian de Lusarreta   6          Carlucho Arellano   5

Even legendary sports oddsmaker Jimmy the Greek couldn’t have predicted this one. Enigma owned the field from the get-go all the way until the fifth chukker, smacking in one goal after another and foiling its opponent at nearly every turn. Patron Jerome Wirth and his posse seemed unstoppable, charging ahead of Villa del Lago and keeping them on the run for the first two-thirds of the game – not an easy thing to do to a team powered by 9-goaler Polito Pieres.

Pieres made the first goal of the day but then seem off his stride for a while. In the first half some of his shots on goal went uncharacteristically wide, and he was repeatedly ridden off the ball by the Enigma machine. Jeff Hall, Matias MacDonough and Carlucho Arellano each scored a goal from the field in quick succession, with the first chukker ending 3-1 for Enigma. 

 

Pieres popped in a couple of penalty shots in the second chukker, as did MacDonough and Arellano. A MacDonough-Pieres sword fight spiced things up for a while, and then

(Jerome Wirth. Photo: Liz Lamont/Phelps Media Group.)

MacDonough ran off with the ball. It ended up ping-ponging between Pieres and Hall as they thundered down the field. Pieres swiped it and headed downfield, where he made one of his trademark neckshots, but it went wide of goal. Villa del Lago’s patron, Jim Zenni, scored from the field, tightening Engima’s lead to one point.
The third chukker began 5-4 for Enigma, which promptly reasserted itself, putting two more points on the scoreboard courtesy of MacDonough and Arellano. Enigma displayed some quick and crafty moves, almost toying with Villa del Lago – which remained scoreless in the chukker – like a cat with a mouse. Villa del Lago managed to rally in the fourth chukker, with Pieres and Agustin Obregon each scoring. But Enigma puts its foot down pronto with goals from the field by Hall, MacDonough and Arellano. Going into the fifth chukker, Enigma held a commanding four-point lead (10-6). 

Just when it looked like the final scene had been written, the plot changed as fast as in a Fellini movie. Inexplicably (to anyone other than himself), Pieres suddenly sprang into life and stopped Enigma in its tracks. Before the end of the chukker, Pieres and company had scored five goals – five. Enigma, no doubt as stunned as the crowd of spectators, was scoreless.

The fifth chukker ended with Villa del Lago in the driver’s seat, 11-10. And that’s how the game ended, with neither team scoring in the last chukker.

 

Pieres conceded that Ville del Lago’s game was sub-par for the first half. “At the beginning we played really bad. The worst three chukkers we played,” he said.

Matias MacDonough. Photo: Liz Lamont/Phelps Media Group.

How did they turn things around? “We kept on playing, and we said, ‘We’re going to win; we’re going to win.’  We trusted ourselves. I think we made a hell of a comeback in the fifth chukker. And we’re happy that we won playing bad.” 

The Joe Barry Cup semifinals resume Thursday, with Orchard Hill playing Lucchese at IPC at 11 a.m. The Bobby Barry Semifinals take place in the afternoon, with Tonkawa playing Lechuza Caracas at 1 p.m. at Everglades Polo Club and FlexJet opposing Audi at 3 p.m. at IPC.

(photo: Julian de Lusarreta and Jeff Hall. Photo: Liz Lamont/Phelps Media Group.)

#IPCsundaypolo #EVfield
International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts:

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion. Designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1 – 4, 2015

 

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4 – 25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C.V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4 – March 22, 2015

111th U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:
From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290
Categories
English Events Horse Happenings Western

Cortes ‘C’ and Elis GV Earn 2014 Horse of the Year Titles

             Lexington, Ky. – On a night dedicated to the horse, two special athletes were recognized for their excellence in 2014 during the USEF’s Year End Awards Gala. In a year that witnessed equestrian athletes excel, Cortes ‘C’ and Ellis GV reached the pinnacle of their sports and for their achievements were named International and National Horse of the Year, respectively. Voting was open to the public through January and both horses, already fan favorites, were rewarded for their tremendous results throughout 2014 with support from voters.