On the final day of ESP Spring II, a new partnership continued to blossom as Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, took top prize in the Sunday afternoon feature class, winning the $137,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3* on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village.
A total of 44 horse-and-rider combinations set out over the opening-round track designed by Catsy Cruz (MEX) and Andy Christiansen (ECU) that featured 16 jumping efforts. The field was narrowed down to just 11 pairs qualifying to return for the jump-off over a shortened track.

Sharn Wordley (NZL) was the trailblazer as the first to return aboard Verdini D’Houtveld Z, owned by Lauren Balcomb, posting a double-clear effort and the time to beat of 41.90 seconds. His time in the lead was short but sweet as the next entry moved up to the top of the leaderboard as Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) rode Chacna, the horse he co-owns with Alice Lawaetz, to a clear round in a quicker time of 40.05 seconds.
The lead changes continued from there as Paris Sellon (USA) produced a clear round aboard Anna Jo, owned by Willow Grace Farm, in 40.95 seconds, but it was Olympic champion Laura Kraut riding Baloutinue to answer all the questions asked in the quickest time of the day. The Olympic team gold-medalist guided her new mount, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Landor S, across the finish line with a double-clear effort in an impressive 40 seconds flat.
It was a great way to end the first week of their partnership together as Kraut and the talented gelding also finished fourth in the $37,000 JTWG Qualifier CSI3* on Friday.

Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue with Richard Schechter, Chairman and CEO of the Bainbridge Companies, in their winning presentation. © Sportfot

“I’m just absolutely thrilled,” exclaimed Kraut. “What I always loved about him is that he reminds me of a Thoroughbred. He’s got a lot of blood, he is brave, scopey, and has all the best qualities that a Thoroughbred has. He’s just a fast horse. That’s the Thoroughbred type of quality because I didn’t ride a fast round. I did more strides than other people, but he’s just that quick. He lands and he gets away from the jump very, very fast, so I think that was where I got the edge.”

Watch the winning jump-off round HERE

Fellow Olympic team gold medallist Beezie Madden (USA) came closest with her veteran partner Breitling LS, owned by Abigail Wexner. Madden and the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quintero x Accord II made easy work of the jump-off track, stopping the timers just off the mark in 40.27 seconds.
“He’s fast and careful,” said Madden of the horse she won the FEI World Cup Finals on in 2018. “Usually if he goes well the first round, he’s going to be good the second round, as well. He gets better and better as he goes, so that’s always good, especially in the heat here. I know him so well that I know how to go fast with him, and he knows my moves. I was really happy with how he went, and he had a nice end to his circuit here.”
Madden also went on to credit Equestrian Sport Productions for the opportunity to jump at the FEI level during the ESP Spring Series, as well as the luxury of competing on the pristine turf track.
“I think it’s really nice to go out on the grass,” she said. “Some of the horses didn’t do as much as others during the circuit so some horses are maybe just starting to step up now. There were a lot of great horse-and-rider combinations, so I think it’s really nice to have the extra shows this time of year.”
In the end, Sellon and her 12-year-old Oldenburg mare by Acodetto 2 x For Pleasure would finish the day in third place, rounding out an all-American and all-female podium.
“I’ve had my horse for almost two years now,” she said. “This past year things have really clicked with her. I really know her well and she’s a bit special, but I think that’s what makes her competitive. I think with any horse it really just takes time with some trial and error, but patience and discipline, especially with mares, is what you need to get to a point where they want to fight for you. We go really well together; she tries for me and I was really pleased with her today. She jumped great.”
Before Kraut took the reins, the talented gelding was campaigned by Adam Prudent (USA), who wrapped up the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival with a win in the $214,000 Wellington Agricultural Services Grand Prix CSI4*on April 3. Prior to that victory, the Prudents approached Kraut to say that they would finally consider selling him.
“I’m fortunate enough to be very good friends with the Prudents [who previously owned the horse],” said Kraut. “Everyone in the world has asked to buy him, including me many years ago. It was a great horse for Adam to have to go to the highest level, which he did and did very well, so when the opportunity presented itself, I was very fortunate to have an owner who was ready to step in and buy him for me. Katie and Henri [Prudent] have the utmost faith in him and think he’s one of the best horses in the world, and so do I. I can’t even believe it; I feel like the luckiest person to have him.”
Final Results: $137,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3*
1. BALOUTINUE: 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Landor S
LAURA KRAUT (USA), St. Bride’s Farm: 0/0/40.00
2. BREITLING LS: 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quintero x Accord II
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/40.27
3. ANNA JO: 2009 Oldenburg mare by Acodetto 2 x For Pleasure
PARIS SELLON (USA), Willow Grace Farm: 0/0/40.95
4. CHACNA: 2007 Hanoverian mare by Chacco-Blue x Narew XX
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ (MEX), Enrique Gonzalez: 0/0/41.05
5. VERDINI D’HOUTVELD Z: 2011 KWPN gelding by VDL Groep Verdi TN x Caretino 2
SHARN WORDLEY (NZL), Lauren Balcomb: 0/0/41.90
6. DSARIE: 2008 KWPN mare by Veron x Ahorn
BEAT MÄNDLI (SUI), Grand Road Partners LLC: 0/0/42.53
7. JACK VAN’T KATTENHEYE: 2009 Belgian Warmblood by Diabeau x Canadian River
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses: 0/4/39.02
8. EASY GIRL: 2011 Oldenburg mare by Conthargos x Nintender
RODRIGO LAMBRE (BRA), Mario Onate: 0/4/43.53
9. DARRY LOU: 2008 KWPN stallion by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Nabab de Reve
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables, LLC: 0/4/44.24
10. SKARA GLEN’S CHANCELLORESS: 2009 KWPN mare by Chacco Blue x Balou du Rouet
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Skara Glen Stables: 0/4/51.14
11. ARMIK: 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Armitage x Justinian xx
CAPT. BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Brian Cournane and M/M Bob Stiller: 0/8/40.98
12. TULARA COLMINE: 2010 Warmblood stallion by Colman x Quinar
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprizes, LLC: 1/77.59

The 2021 ESP Spring Series features a total of five weeks of competition until Sunday, May 15, and will roll on with the Spring III three-star competition beginning on Wednesday, April 21. Hunters will once again campaign at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) while jumpers will be showcased at Equestrian Village. Jumper competition begins on April 22 with the $37,000 Perfect Products 1.45m Jumpers CSI3* followed by the $37,000 Equine Tack and Nutritionals Qualifier CSI3* and $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby on Friday. Saturday’s schedule is highlighted by the $37,000 Nutrena 1.50m Classic CSI3*. The week wraps up with the $137,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission Grand Prix CSI3* and the $35,000 Wellington Agricultural Services Spring III Grand Prix on Sunday, April 25. Feature classes will be available live and on-demand for free on the livestream.

Press Release by Kate Pettersen for Equestrian Sport Productions

Extending an astonishing winning streak at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival, World Number Three rider Daniel Deusser (GER) showed once again why he’s one of the best, riding to the top of the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, owned by Stephex Stables and Scuderia 1918.
Forty of the best riders in the world took to the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village on a picture-perfect day for the feature class of the circuit. Eight pairs were clear in the first round to continue to the jump-off.

FEI Extends Shutdown of International Events in Mainland Europe Due to EHV-1 Outbreak

The shutdown will mean the cancellation of the FEI World Cup™ Finals for the second consecutive year following the loss of the 2020 Finals in Las Vegas (USA) to the Covid-19 pandemic.The FEI has imposed a further two-week extension of the shutdown of all international events in mainland Europe until 11 April 2021 due to the ongoing outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). The FEI had previously announced a 28-day shutdown on 1 March 2021.
The move, which aims to minimise the further spread of the very aggressive strain of the virus, was unanimously approved at an emergency FEI Executive Board meeting today. The extended lockdown applies to all FEI disciplines.

U.S. Team Crowned Hometown Heroes in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* Presented by Premier Equestrian at WEF 8
The hometown squad stepped up to shine under the lights during the week eight CSIO4* as the team from the United States of America claimed victory in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by Premier Equestrian in the International Arena on Friday, March 5, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). In an adjusted format, the opening round was held at 4:30 pm EST while the second round was held under the lights in the International Arena getting underway at 7:30 pm EST, with both phases over a course designed by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA). After the first round, each team dropped their highest score, with all eight teams from the opening phase qualifying to return for the second round under the lights.

Fieracavalli has planned online webinars and programs on-demand for its 200,000-member strong online community.

The Prime Minister’s Decree issued on Sunday October 25th to address the health emergency linked to Covid-19, establishes that all national and international fairs in the country must be cancelled until November 24th, 2020. The previous Decree had already forbidden regional and local conferences and large meetings.
Veronafiere has therefore announced the cancellation of Fieracavalli’s 122nd edition, planned for November 5th – 8th and November 13th -15th.
Italy’s important equestrian event is therefore being transformed thanks to its website and official social network, becoming the location at which the Fieracavalli community will still be able to experience the excitement of this event. Part of the fair’s contents will therefore be revealed live on-line from November 5th to November 8th.

“In spite of our determination to host the event, precisely because it is a reference point for the entire equestrian sector that is greatly in need of a recovery, we have been obliged to respect a new Decree issued by the Prime Minister, which has instead obliged us to make this difficult decision. We have had to cancel not only the fair but also all the equestrian events planned, starting with Jumping Verona, the only Italian leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™, programmed for Sunday November 8th as well as all events organized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE). We have done our very best and are still persuaded that it is possible to attend fairs such as Verona in a safe manner, thanks to prevention and health protocols we had put in place and that had been approved by the authorities. This is yet another harsh blow for us as well as for all the sectors present and the entire equestrian industry, but we have responsibly decided not to give up by continuing, to the extent that this is possible, with online activities and initiatives. We wish to thank all our partners, exhibitors, breeders, riders and spectators who have placed their trust in us and still do,” said Giovanni Mantovani, director general of Veronafiere.
 
“Veronafiere and the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation have worked together until the very last minute,” said Marco Di Paola, President of the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation, “trying to save the 2020 edition of this event. The pandemic affecting our country and additional measures introduced by the government to reduce the spreading of Covid-19 would, however, have made things extremely complicated in organizational terms and would also have excluded the public. The new rules introduced would have prevented us from objectively ensuring that all participants could have competed on equal terms, also due to problems involving travel during these difficult times. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and those of the whole Italian equestrian world to Veronafiere, to its managers and all those who with great passion and dedication continue to give life to this event that I am certain will be even more important next year. My thoughts are with the entire equestrian world that has always shown great love for Fieracavalli and that this year has been deprived of the pleasure of attending this wonderful event. I look forward to seeing you all in 2021”.

Steve Guerdat Jumping Verona 2020 - Phot © Simona Diale/International Horse Press
 
The heart of our Fair continues to beat and does so through its website fieracavalli.it, which, from November 5th to November 8th, will become a real equestrian hub with events shown in streaming as well as on demand, constantly updated for our social community’s over 200,000 users, fans and all those interested.
During these four days of digital events addressing equestrian subjects, we have planned seven live streaming events addressing an in-depth analysis of issues that have always been central ones at our event, such as slow tourism, with open debates with the institutions, with those responsible for pathways and the directors of our national Parks, equine wellbeing with the participation of ethological experts and also social issues, thanks to projects for the reintegration of detainees, art therapy and all the work done with horses to help children on the Autism spectrum.
In the Horse Friendly Arena section, it will also be possible to watch instruction videos in which the best training centers will share their secrets, advice and anecdotes as well as practical guidance, promoting the principles of training undertaken in the name of ‘natural’ rather than coercive communication with horses.
Also on demand, there will be video-stories by the architect Federica Crestani, giving a voice to artists - including foreign ones – who play a significant role in the contemporary art exhibition entitled Art&Horses, as well as presenting works of art in which the horse’s importance is enhanced, elected as one of “nature’s real masterpieces’. Finally, there will also be a series of interviews with actors and directors of famous TV series that involve cowboys, riders and those with a passion for trekking, all from the USA and Canada.

By FieraCavalli Press Release

In close finish, Kent Farrington (USA) and Kaprice secured victory in the $137,000 EquiSafe Global Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 39.477 seconds. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) and Akuna Mattata, a 2008 Holsteiner mare (Quinar x Landwind II) owned by Carol Rosenstein and Silver Raven Farms, claimed second place with a clear jump-off score of 40.345 seconds, while Karen Polle (JPN) and her own With Wings, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Larino x L.Ronald), sailed to third-place just milliseconds behind with a time of 40.695 seconds.

The event was eagerly awaited! The HUBSIDE JUMPING de Grimaud played host to the crème de la crème of international horses and riders for the first CSI 5* in the world since they started competing again. Judge for yourself: two thirds of the World Top 30 were present at the show organised on the initiative of Sadri Fegaier. The world hierarchy was respected on the track of the French course designer Cédric Longis, who was officiating for the first time at CSI 5*-level: Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, the World number one, triumphed with Victorio des Frotards.  Three cheers for him! He finished ahead of the young French rider Edward Levy, and Sweden’s Peder Fredricson, the current World no.6.

As very high-level sport gets underway again in Europe, Maikel van der Vleuten dominates in Grimaud, Saint-Tropez

This afternoon the HUBSIDE JUMPING in Grimaud’s CSI 4* Grand Prix played host to what could be called the cream of the discipline: 45 competitors, among the best riders in the world, Olympic champions, European champions, show jumping legends and the two best riders in the current World rankings. It’s true that after three months of sport being at a complete standstill, the riders were keen to go back to the showgrounds, and all of them are aware that there will not be many shows to go to this year.  The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten riding Dana Blue was victorious on the course designed by Andrea Colombo, the Italian course designer, ahead of Belgium’s Jos Verlooy and Italy’s Emilio Biocchi.  Simon Delestre, the best French rider was fourth with Berlux Z.

Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Magnolia Mystic Rose put in a speedy 35.115 second jump-off round to take the win in Thursday’s $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Jenni McAllister (USA) piloted Escada V S, a 2007 Swedish Warmblood mare (Escudo 19 x For Feeling) owned by Viksberg Sateri AB, to second on a time of 36.743 seconds, while Beezie Madden (USA) and Chic Hin D Hyrencourt, the Abigail Wexner-owned 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Taran de la Pomme x Elanville), rounded out the podium on a time of 38.674 seconds.

Show jumping at its best international level is finally getting underway again! And although the Gulf of Saint-Tropez has long been the place where the jet set of the film world meets up in the summer, it will unquestionably be the HQ of the world elite of show jumping this summer. The HUBSIDE JUMPING will be settling in Grimaud, at the Haras des Grillons, for four weekends of great sport, on the initiative of Sadri Fegaier, the president-founder of the Haras, successful businessman and international rider. We look forward to seeing you on 18 June for a first CSI 4*show. Two other CSI 4* shows will follow and a CSI 5* from now until 12 July. The second season of the HUBSIDE JUMPING will bring the best riders together more than ever, if the number of influential calls that the organiser has received in the last few days is anything to go by! Located in the renovated Ecuries du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, which are now the Haras des Grillons de Grimaud, the HUBSIDE JUMPING boasts a very attractive calendar: . From 18 to 21 June, a CSI 4*, a CSI 2* and a CSI 1*, . From 25 to 28 June, a CSI 4*, a CSI 2* and a CSI 1*, . From 2 to 5 July, a CSI 5*, a CSI 2* and a CSI 1*, . From 9 to 12 July, a CSI 4*, a CSI 2* and a CSI 1*.