FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP
™
presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona
Photo by Jon Stroud | courtesy of FEI
Friday, February 13, 2015 | Ocala, Florida
OFFICIAL EVENT PROGRAM SIX TEAMS WILL BATTLE IT OUT FOR GLOBAL FAME
BUT ONLY ONE WILL GO HOME LUCKY HITS Post Time Farm
13710 NW US Highway 27, Ocala, FL 34482 352.876.0508 | HitsShows.com | info@HitsShows.com
#SupportYourNation #NationsCupOcala
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Schedule & Map
Page 5
Jump Preview
Page 7
Meet Team U.S.A.
Page 9
Team Profiles
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Elegance is an attitude Simon Baker
OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER
Conquest Classic Moonphase
Photo courtesy of FEI
Foreword by the Fédération Equestre Internationale President I am delighted to welcome all of you to Ocala for the
nation will be looking to impress and hone their skills
first Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping qualifier
on the eve of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
for the 2015 season. We are delighted to have Furusiyya on board for When we embarked on the journey to restructure
this flagship series. Their vision, belief and support
one of the sports oldest and most prestigious series
has been instrumental in the restructuring process,
– the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ – we did so in
providing a platform for the world’s many equestrian
order to make it more inclusive and truly global. It has
nations to compete at the highest level, capturing
been two years since we unveiled the new format of
the imagination of sports fans and enthusiasts
this century old series, which sees the world divided
around the world.
into six regions for qualification purposes leading to a star-studded final, and there is little doubt in
We are also very grateful to Longines, Top Partner of
anyone’s mind that the series has been transformed
the FEI and Official Timekeeper of the Furusiyya FEI
for the better and completely revitalised.
Nations Cup™ Jumping series, for their commitment to this series and horse sport generally.
Seeing new venues such as Ocala join the 2015 series calendar, which counts over twenty qualifiers
To all the athletes competing here, I wish you all
in as many countries, is testimony to the appeal of
every success and, on behalf of the Fédération
this new format and the inherent values of the team
Equestre Internationale (FEI), I send my best
vs team competition. Over the next eight months,
wishes to the event organisers, officials, media,
teams will battle it out in order to secure their spot
volunteers and spectators for a memorable and
at the Final which takes place at the wonderful Real
enjoyable event.
Club de Polo in Barcelona in September. Last year, the Dutch team reigned supreme adding the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ trophy to their individual and team world titles. But only time will tell if they
Ingmar De Vos
can maintain their Midas touch as I am sure many a
FEI President
Official Event Program | FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP™ | 3
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP™ JUMPING 2015
PURITY. NOBILITY. CHIVALRY.
Schedule of Events & Map of Show Grounds Table of Contents 3
Photo by Hervé Bonnaud | courtesy of FEI
5
Foreword by the Fédération Equestre Internationale President Schedule of Events & Map of Show Grounds
6
The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Finds a New Home at HITS Ocala
7
If You Build It, They Will Come
9
Meet the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team
Schedule of Events 11 am
International Village Opens: Shop for Nations Cup merchandise and grab a snack from Ocala’s best food trucks
12 pm
Opening Ceremony
1 pm
Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona (First Round)
3 pm
Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona (Final Round)
HITS Ocala is honored to partner with The Centers, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen lives with compassionate healing. Through their multiple inpatient and residential treatment programs, and an extensive range of outpatient services for mental health and substance abuse care, The Centers serves 13,000 people in our community each year including 4,100 children in 2014. HITS donated 75% of each VIP Table sale made by The Centers, to support the organization’s lifesaving impact. For more information on The Centers, please visit www.TheCenters.us.
Custom Jumps Premiere at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona
10 The Who’s Who of Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™
11 The Great American $1 Million Grand Prix Returns to HITS Ocala
Tickets General Admission tickets are $10* per person. Children 12 and under are free. Free parking. *Fee includes sales tax.
General Admission tickets can be purchased: • By phone at 352.867.0508 • Through OcalaTix.com ($2 processing fee applies) • At the gate on Friday, February 13
Official Event Program | FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP™ | 5
The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Finds a New Home at HITS Ocala From the Grandstand: Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Rules • The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ will take place over two rounds of competition. • The best three scores from each round will count for a Nation’s cumulative score. • The country finishing on the lowest cumulative two-round score will be declared the winner. • In the case of two or more teams standing tied on the least amount of faults at end of round two, a jumpoff against the clock will be held to determine the winning nation.
Photos by Hervé Bonnaud | courtesy of FEI
• A rail down or a hoof in the open water results in four faults. • A refusal results in four faults and two refusals results in elimination. • Every four seconds over the time allowed results in one time fault. • A fall of rider results in elimination.
For the last 105 years, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Nations Cup Jumping™ series has been a staple of international jumping competition. Sanctioned by and run under the rules of the FEI, the international governing body of equestrian sports, the FEI Nations CupTM is the ultimate test of horse and rider and one of the most prestigious jumping series for national teams in the world. Each country taking part in the unique two-round competition is represented by four horse-andathlete combinations who look to jump flawlessly over a championship-level track, leaving all the rails in place and finishing within the time allowed. After the first round, teams composed of the same combination of riders will return for the second round to try and best the same track from round one. In each round, the highest score per team will be dropped; meaning only three scores will count per round for each team. The country finishing with the lowest cumulative two-round score will be declared the winner. In the case of two or more teams standing tied on the least amount of faults at end of round two, an exciting jump-off against the clock will be held to determine the winning nation. “Hosting the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ is a privilege not only because of the event’s legacy, but the unique opportunities it gives competitors and the much-deserved attention it shines on the sport of show jumping,” said HITS CEO and President Thomas Struzzieri. In 2013, the FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series experienced a renaissance into a new and expanded global format as the Saudi Equestrian Fund became the sponsor of the now renamed Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Series. Under the revised rules, the world was split into six regions with qualifying FEI Nations CupTM competitions held throughout the year. The nations that garner the most qualifying points advance to the annual
6 | FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP™ | Official Event Program
by USEF
Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Series Final held each fall. HITS Ocala is hosting the prestigious $200,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ qualifier to be held Friday, February 13. This qualifier is of the utmost importance for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as it serves as the first of only three North American qualifying competitions for the 2015 Final. Only two of the North American nations will qualify to compete at this year’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona, Spain, so spectators can expect to see each country’s brightest stars compete. For the U.S. Team, Ocala’s Nations Cup will be doubly important as it looks to not only score valuable qualifying points, but also secure bragging rights as winners in the United States’ only Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and its U.S. Jumping Teams have a strong history of excelling in FEI Nations CupTM competition. In both 2013 and 2014, the United States qualified to contest the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final, winning the Challenge Cup on each occasion. Additionally, in 2014, U.S. teams found success in European FEI Nations CupTM competitions with wins in England, Spain, and Ireland, serving as the perfect preparation for the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team that would go on to earn Team and Individual Bronze medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in France. On February 13 the $200,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ will play a pivotal step for athletes as they prepare to earn Team and Individual medals at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and should not to be missed!
If You Build It, They Will Come
Learn the Lingo Show jumps come in all sizes and arrangements. Use these terms to identify the jumps at HITS Post Time Farm! VERTICAL A jump that consists of poles or planks placed directly above one another without any spread or width.
WALL Constructed of a lightweight material, these jumps are made to look like a brick wall and fall easily when knocked.
OXER Two verticals set close together to be jumped at the same time, making the jump wider. Also called a spread, there are several types, including a square oxer (both top poles are of equal height), a ramped oxer (the further pole is higher than the closer pole) and a Swedish oxer (the poles slant in opposite directions, so that they appear to form an “X” from head-on).
COMBINATION
Photo by Hervé Bonnaud | courtesy of FEI
Two or three jumps in a row (marked A, B and/or C), with no more than two strides between each. Two jumps in a row are called double combinations and three jumps in a row are called triple combinations.
Custom Jumps Premiere at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona by Emily Stoermer
The debut of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ in Ocala not only brings international show jumping stars for an exciting competition all are invited to watch – but a host of other accouterments that go along with a world-class show.
During the initial phases, the HITS Art Department created almost 40 different visuals and narrowed them down to 10 distinctive jumps, which the Jump Building Department will construct and have ready in time for their February 13th premiere.
Not the least of this are exciting new horse show jumps the HITS creative team designed to debut at this event.
The new HITS jumps include a bridge over the New York City skyline, old fashioned sailboats, and a jump that features two large heads of garlic. The garlic jump pays tribute to the annual Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, which draws tens of thousands of visitors to Saugerties, New York, home of HITS headquarters, each September, just weeks after the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Wells Fargo, and the Richest Weekend in Show Jumping.
Horse jumps are a chance to express creativity and add decoration to the show jumping ring. But most importantly, they are made to be functional for the horse and rider – challenging but not impossible. Good jumps create an obstacle the horse must surmount. In show jumping, typically, bars between the two sides of the obstacle fall away if struck by a hoof or other part of the horse. Each bar that falls down results in what is called a fault, which negatively affects a rider’s score, as the goal is to have the shortest time through the ring but with the fewest – and preferably no – faults. “It’s all about ideas. Of course, a priority is making them functional for the horses, particularly for this exciting new event,” said HITS Assistant Art Director Elizabeth McClain. “But the fun part is the inspiration.”
Other fun, innovative jumps feature balls of knitting yarn, a large abacus, and Grecian columns topped with flowers inspired by the myth of Pegasus, the flying horse. “In addition to the ‘Wow’ factor for spectators, we’re trying to challenge the horses and riders with different kinds of obstacles, and how they interact with the jumps,” said McClain. “It makes the event more special – that’s why we wait for these days to premier them. No one’s seen them before and the Nations Cup™ riders will be the first to jump over them.”
LIVERPOOL A large tray of water under a vertical or oxer jump.
JOKER A tricky jump comprising of a rustic rail and two wings. The lack of filler makes it difficult for a horse to judge their proximity to the fence as well as the fence’s height, making it difficult to clear.
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Meet the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team These decorated athletes will enter the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ show ring on Friday, February 13 as the U.S. Show Jumping Team, with hopes to exit as champions. From Olympic Medalists to World Cup titleholders, the American team is a force to be reckoned with. Georgina Bloomberg
New York, NY
Photos by Shannon Brinkman, Joaquin Bilbao & SusanJStickle.com | courtesy of FEI
For Georgina Bloomberg, the daughter of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, a love of horses has always run in her blood. After an extremely successful junior and young rider career, Bloomberg has continued to find success at the highest level of the sport of jumping. In 2014, her competition highlights included helping the United States to a Nations Cup win at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ in Gijon, Spain, and a win in the Central Park Grand Prix, presented by Rolex with the superstar mare, Juvina.
Todd Minikus
Loxahatchee, FL
After turning professional in 1980, Todd Minikus competed in his first grand prix in 1985 and across the last two-plus decades, he has forged an impressive career highlighted by more than 75 grand prix wins, five FEI World Cup Final appearances and multiple Nations Cup teams. In 2001, he was selected by the American Horse Show Association (now USEF) as the recipient of the Horseman of the Year Award, and two years later was a member of the American Bronze medal winning team at the 2007 Pan American Games with Pavarotti. In 2015, Minikus will look to further strong performances from his $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson winner Quality Girl. HITS HIGHLIGHTS: • 1st place in the 2014 Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties • 1st & 2nd place in the 2014 $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties • 1st place in the 2014 $50,000 Horze Equestrian Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties • 1st place in the 2014 $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties
Lauren Hough
Wellington, FL
The daughter of Olympic Bronze medalist, Champ, and acclaimed hunter and jumper trainer, Linda, Lauren Hough began riding before she could walk. Beginning her career competing in Northern California in the pony ring, the jumps did not stay small for long as she rose up the hunter and equitation ranks, ultimately winning the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search in 1994. In 2000, at the age of 23, Hough reached the pinnacle of the sport of jumping, making her Olympic debut in Sydney. Since that time she has continually represented the U.S. in national and international competitions including the 2010 World Championships, the Pan American Games where they won Gold in 2003 and Bronze in 2007, and annually in Nations Cup competitions throughout the world. HITS HIGHLIGHTS: • 10th in the 2014 Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Ocala
Laura Kraut
Royal Palm Beach, FL
For almost two decades Laura Kraut has represented the U.S. at Olympic Games, World Championships, and in numerous Nations Cup competitions. Kraut’s first big break came in 1992, when she was named as an alternate to the U.S. Olympic team for Barcelona after excelling in the Selection Trials and kick-off her Olympic career. Eight years later she made her Olympic debut in Sydney, and in 2008 Kraut’s Olympic dreams came true as she and Cedric, played a pivotal role in America claiming Team Gold. In 2003, Kraut was recognized for her positive outlook and sportsmanship when she was awarded the United States Olympic Committee’s Jack Kelly Fair Play Award.
Beezie Madden
Cazenovia, NY
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Beezie Madden has been riding since the age of three and made her debut at Grand Prix, jumping’s highest level, in 1985 at age 22. For nearly three decades, Madden has represented the United States in the world’s most prestigious competitions, including winning three medals at the Olympic Games: Team Gold in 2004 and 2008, as well as Individual Bronze in 2008. She has also won Team and Individual Silver at the 2006 World Championships and Team and Individual Bronze at the 2014 World Championships, in addition to becoming the Rolex/FEI World Cup Champion in 2013. HITS HIGHLIGHTS: • 1st place in the 2009 $125,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties • 4th place in the 2014 AIG $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Thermal • 12th place in the 2014 Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Ocala
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The Who’s Who of Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ A Note From Furusiyya For centuries the ancient term Furusiyya hats embraced the idea of horsemanship and equestrian knowledge, and now this same sense of purity, nobility and chivalry has been brought to the FEI Nations Cup™ – Jumping’s leading International team competition.
Photo by Jennifer Wood Media | courtesy of FEI
The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping has been created to make the sport more accessible to all nations, and enables teams from developing nations to compete on a level playing field with the traditional powerhouses of the sport. The competition now embraces more countries than ever before and its popularity has resulted in a huge increase in the number of FEI Nations Cup™ events being staged around the world. Increased rivalry for a place at the Final has ultimately led to even higher standards of the sport across the globe. Furusiyya is immensely proud to be the title sponsor of the FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping and to be the catalyst for the international expansion of this great equestrian competition. During 2014, 40 nations competed for 18 places at The Final, staged at the magnificent Real Club de Polo in Barcelona. The 2014 Final successfully built on the already exceptionally high standards set in 2013 and featured teams representing countries from all continents, a true reflection of the popularity of Show Jumping on the global stage. We wish all the horse and rider combinations the best of luck in the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, and we look forward to some world class international team Show Jumping throughout the year.
Six countries will compete at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona, but only one will go home victorious. Here’s a look at who’s in the hot seat… Canada
by Emily Glass
Ireland Ocala will be Ireland’s first FEI Nations CupTM competition of 2015. Chef d’Équipe, Robert Splaine, has a strong squad of horses and riders from which to choose his team. Splaine, a County Cork native, is himself a former Irish international show jumper who was part of many winning Irish FEI Nations CupTM teams during his show jumping career. In 2012, Splaine led the Irish team to Aga Khan Nations Cup victory at Dublin for the first time in eight years. 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series: A Year in Review • In Lummen, Belgium, Team Ireland came back in round 2, finishing third overall • In La Baule, France, the fighting Irish again took the third spot • Ireland took home sixth while on their home-turf in Dublin • In Wellington, Florida, Ireland took home fifth place out of 12 teams TM
The Canadian Equestrian Team is no stranger to the FEI Nations CupTM spotlight and in 2014 they proved to have what it takes to consistently remain at the top of the leaderboard. Lead by the distinguished Chef d’Équipe Mark Laskin, the Canadians will return to the Sunshine State with hopes of reclaiming their U.S. FEI Nations CupTM blue ribbon title. 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series: A Year in Review • Canada took home the blue ribbon at the CSIO4* in Wellington • Triumphant again, Canada placed first in Coapexpan, Mexico • At June competitions in Alberta, Canada, the home team placed fourth out of seven teams • Returning to Alberta in September, Canada placed first out of eight teams • Canada returned home from the Furusiyya Nations CupTM Final in Barcelona, Spain, with the second place spot TM
Colombia
In recent years, Mexico has anxiously awaited the opportunity for inclusion in the Furusiyya Nations CupTM Final, participating in the United States, Mexico and Canada´s qualifiers. In 2015, Ocala will be Mexico’s first try to obtain that golden ticket. Chef d’Equipe Henri Prudent is a world-renowned Olympic trainer known for preparing countless international show jumpers for triumph in the show ring. 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series: A Year in Review • Team Mexico heads home from Wellington after securing ninth place • Hosting the event in Coapexpan, Team Mexico placed third TM
Venezuela
In 2014, Chief d’Équipe Marcel Delestre led Team Colombia to a tenth place finish at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM in Normandy. Eying the top spot, Delestre plans to bring only his best competitors to Ocala with hopes to leave holding a blue ribbon and the big check. 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series: A Year in Review • Team Colombia placed seventh at Wellington
10 | FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP™ | Official Event Program
Mexico
TM
After placing 19th at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM, Team Venezuela is awaiting stateside arrival for a chance at international bragging rights and global qualifying opportunities. 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series: A Year in Review • Team Venezuela placed sixth at Wellington • In Arezzo, Italy, the Venezuelans jump their way to fifth place position TM
The Great American $1 Million Grand Prix Returns to HITS Ocala Although 10 weeks of show jumping competition began mid-January at HITS Post Time Farm, things will really heat up Monday, March 23 for the return of the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The jumps are big, the course is technical and the riders are hungry for their piece of the sport’s largest prize purse. This is one competition equine enthusiasts do not want to miss.
Monday, March 23 | 7 pm Be there as top equestrian athletes chase the clock and the nation’s largest prize purse! General Admission is $10. Children 12 and under are free. Free parking. Tickets available at the gate, in advance at the Horse Show Office or by phone at 352.867.0508. Order online at OcalaTix.com ($2 processing fee applies). Day VIP passes available by pre-order only for $100 per person. Includes ringside seating with a deluxe crudité table, international cheese display, assorted desserts and private cash bar. For Day VIP, call 352.867.0508.
Last year’s inaugural event attracted horse sports’ most well-known names including the likes of World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden and Olympic Gold Medalists McLain Ward and Peter Wylde. After a commanding performance in front of a sold-out crowd, the blue ribbon went to Andre Thieme, of Germany, who became the second rider ever to win two of HITS’ $1 Million Grand Prix classes when his 10-year-old mare, Contanga 3, carried him to the top of the Great American Million leaderboard. For Grand Prix hopefuls, the start of the 2015 winter show circuit at HITS Ocala meant one thing: the opportunity to qualify for the second crown jewel of the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping. Only the top riders will see their names on the order-of-go on March 23, as entry to the class is decided based on performance throughout the previous 10 weeks.
by Emily Glass
Whether you’re interested in family-friendly fun, an upscale VIP scene, or top-notch jumper competition that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Million Dollar Monday offers something for everyone. Prior to the start time, spectators can catch a glimpse of equestrian stars warming up, and throughout the evening, enjoy lite-bites from the snack bar, or opt for exclusive seating with ringside hors d’oeuvres in the Day VIP. At 7 pm, under the lights in the iconic Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, Round One will commence with over forty international competitors. The objective of each horse and rider duo is to clear the course in the shortest amount of time, without disrupting the jumps. The pairs who complete this task will move on to Round Two or the Jump-Off, where an abbreviated course is set and the quickest, clean round wins. As March 23 approaches there is one question on everyone’s mind – will Andre Thieme return to Ocala to defend his title or will a new champion be crowned? Be there as show jumping royalty battles it out and experience Million Dollar Monday at HITS Post Time Farm for yourself!
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