Annual Paso Fino Horse Association Grand National Show

We are set up at the Annual Paso Fino Horse Association Grand National Show in Perry, Georgia. The horses are beautiful and the people are just amazing. We've met so many wonderful riders, trainers, owners and families. We set up by the warm up arena just behind the main show arena. There's a steady flow of visitors and we love it! If you're anywhere near Perry, stop by to visit us. We'll be here through the end of the horse show on Saturday evening.

Faudree and Mosing’s Pawlow On The Way To The United Kingdom

(Maurice, LA and Hoffman, NC – August 26, 2009 - Will Faudree and Pawlow who were named to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) high performance eventing training list earlier this year are preparing to leave for an international competition in the United Kingdom. Coach Mark Phillips and team members visited the pair while they were competing at a spring Jersey Fresh event.

All three Eventing High Performance Training Lists were updated following the spring competition season. Faudree and Pawlow were placed on the list to compete at the Blenheim Horse Trials in the United Kingdom.

Faudree and Pawlow fly out to the United Kingdom on August 31. Once there they will have eight days to prepare for the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials September 10 –13. Ernie's owner, Jennifer Mosing, is attending the event as well.

Will Faudree is based in Hoffman, North Carolina at his Gavilan Farm. Pawlow is a 10-year old Irish Thoroughbred gelding and is owned by Jennifer Mosing. Mosing and her family own Sterling Silver Stables in Maurice, Louisiana. This is Mosing’s first sponsorship in the equestrian world although she and her family have sponsored top-bred dogs through their Nottoway Kennels.

“It’s an exciting time for us,” said Will Faudree. “This horse is so amazing and he is just beginning to show us what he has to give. He’s an incredible athlete and we are both so lucky that Jennifer came into our lives.”

The pair did their first advanced horse trial in late February and moved up quickly to the 3-star level with the selectors taking a look at them in early May. The pair has been competitive at the advanced level throughout the competition season.

Blenheim Palace is the host venue for one of the best three-day horse trial events in the world. Attracting top international competitors and their up and coming horses who compete against one another in the three phases of dressage, cross country and show jumping, this event offers great days with much to see and do including a wide range of attractions and displays, fabulous shopping and of course the chance to get close to the best sportsmen and women from this sport in the world–with a new class for 2009 aimed at those horses who are being targeted at London 2012 the equine Olympian stars of the future too.

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials was awarded the opportunity to run a CIC3* competition alongside its established CCI3* event. “With the CIC cross country Sunday morning this will give spectators the opportunity to enjoy cross country on two days,” said Event Director Mandy Hervieu “as well as offering more riders and horses the opportunity to compete at this prestigious venue.”

The class will be positioned as an opportunity to spot the stars of the future and is very likely to be a target for those aiming for 2012 as it is similar to the CCI3*, but of less difficulty with a slightly shorter cross country course and not such a tight optimum time target.

Many riders will be keen to ride the anticlockwise course at Blenheim designed by Eric Winter but as yet never ridden, due to the cancellation of last year’s event due to adverse weather. Both the CCI 3*and CIC3* will incorporate some of the feature fences such as the lake crossings, dew pond and famous ‘Blenheim Flyer’ fence.
This new competition provides a much-awaited end of season target for the owners of talented young horses and will undoubtedly be an excellent showcase for those tipped for future success.

Faudree and Mosing teamed up earlier this year when Mosing purchased Pawlow, who they affectionately call Ernie P. Mosing. Mosing’s children ride and train with Faudree.

About Will Faudree
Will Faudree was born on October 4, 1981 in Midland Texas. He grew up on a cattle ranch, learning to ride at a very young age. When he was about thirteen he became interested in eventing, and started to compete. After graduating high school, Will moved to Pennsylvania to ride and train with Phillip Dutton. In 2003 Will set out on his own and moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina with his dog, Kemper, where Gavilan Farm is currently based. Will also competed in the Pan American Games that year. The team won a gold medal. The following year, Will was named the traveling reserve for the Athens Olympic Team. Unfortunately when Will returned home from the games, he found his house and barn had been struck by lightning and burnt down. Luckily no horses were on the property at the time, but the damage was too great. Will had to find a new farm and replace almost all of his personal belongings as well as his horse equipment. With the help of Will's family and close friends, Will was able to put things back together and moved into his current house and barn in January of 2005.

With the continued support of friends and family, Will's career as an Equestrian continues to grow. He represented the United States once again by riding on the US team at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and continues riding for the U.S. Team in future international competitions.

Will Faudree is driving back from the 2009 Richland Park Horse Trial
Richland, Michigan. Will Faudree and Pawlow (Ernie P. Mosing) finished ninth in the CIC Three Star division at 2009 Richland Park Horse Trial in Richland, Michigan. They are in an Equine Motorcoach. Will said the horses walked off the Coach after 14 hours just like they were walking out of their stalls.

Equine Motorcoach Goes To Jersey Fresh.

The Mosings sent their Equine Motorcoach north to Will Faudree, who rides and trains Jennifer's horse Pawlow aka Ernie P. Mosing. Will and crew texted and called the whole trip to Jersey Fresh saying "it's the only way to travel!" Will said the horses walked out of the Coach just like they were just leaving their stall. They loved the ride and were fresh for Jersey Fresh.

Jennifer joined the Gavilan Farm crew for the event and enjoyed her first 3-star experience along with all of Will's cuisine.

When asked how he was able to have an Equine Motorcoach, Will simply answered that it belonged to Ernie P. Ernie P. finished 10th in his first 3-star and we know that the team selectors came to see Ernie P. and Will.

Jennifer Alfano & Jersey Boy Win $50,000 USJA International Hunter Derby at Palm Beach Saturday Night

Photo: Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy on their winning ride at the USHJA International Hunter Derby at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Saturday. Photo: © 2009 Ken Braddick

WELLINGTON, Fla., Mar. 28--Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the richest ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Saturday night when they triumphed over a record number of entries to win the $50,000 class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Alfano of Buffalo, N.Y. held on to the lead she established in the first of two rounds of competition to return for the final to post her second straight victory in the multi-year nationwide series. The derby is a highlight of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival and caps 12 weeks of world class jumper, hunter, equitation and dressage competition at the world's largest and longest running horse show.
Kelley Farmer of Keswick, Va., and Early Applause--winners of the AHJF Hunter Spectacular Classic at PBIEC just six weeks earlier--moved up to finish second from their fifth place after the first round. It was their first International Hunter Derby.
Scott Stewart of Wellington, Fla. placed third on the veteran gray Grand Prix Carlos Boy after he retired on Castlewalk, on whom he had been in second place after the first round.
A record 66 combinations started the first round of the final under lights in the showcase International Arena before a crowd estimated at 3,000 that was broadcast live over the Internet and will be broadcast in high definition on WHDT in South Florida on Sunday at 9 p.m.
The class was preceded by the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Parade of Champions in which the circuit champions paraded in the International Arena for photos for posterity.
The riders in the derby complimented the course by designer Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Ky. for presentng challenges with a rock field with geese at the start of a course that laid out the different elements of the derby.
Alfano said of her round: "Jersey Boy is coming into his own. He is only seven years old and is starting to step up.
*There were a lot of challenges tonight. My horse is looky at things on the ground, like the rock field. Those things are more difficult than the jumping..."
Farmer said: *I knew I had to be bold."
She praised her horse as "amazing" who was "great under the lights and has proved himself."
Randy Mullins, a member of the judging panel, said it *so special to judge this class, it brings out the beauty, scope and elegance of the sport."



Ken Braddick - Director of Communications
Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-214-2672
kbraddick@equestriansport.com

2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Champions
Parade of Champions Saturday Night, Mar. 28

WELLINGTON, Fla., Mar. 27--The 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Parade of Champions will be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Saturday night, Mar. 28.
The parade will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.equestriansport.com beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern US time (2230 GMT) before the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby final round.
     
Ken Braddick - Director of Communications
Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-214-2672
kbraddick@equestriansport.com

Photos: McLain Ward and Sapphire, Nick Skelton and Nemo 119, Todd Minikus and FTI Rider Challenge winners McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Charlie Jayne with Dennis Shaughnessy, FTI Chief Executive Officer. All photos" © 2009 Ken Braddick

McLain Ward & Sapphire Win $400,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix CSI 5*
Todd Minikus Takes $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge at Palm Beach

WELLINGTON, Fla., Mar. 21--Olympic double gold medalist McLain Ward and Sapphire won the biggest purse in his career Saturday night by capturing the $400,000 FTI Consulting Finale CSI 5* Grand Prix Saturday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Todd Minikus of Wellington won the $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge in a double header event that made the total purse the largest pay day in U.S. jumping history.
The finale grand prix of the 12 weeks of the FTI Winter Equestrian at PBIEC that has undergone a multimillion dollar makeover was a dramatic highlight of the world's longest and largest horse show with prize money approaching $6 million in jumpers, hunters and dressage.
Lauren Hough of Wellington, Fla. who had dominated the circuit-long FTI Rider Challenge withdrew her horse, Quick Study, only hours before the competition due to a slight strain in the high suspensory on the left hind leg, an ailment that veterinarians said could have allowed her to ride. She withdrew "for the sake of the horse," an action that drew unanimous praise.
Despite heavy rain throughout much of the day that stopped just as the first of 35 horse and rider combinations went on the course designed by Guillherme Jorge of Brazil, about 5,000 spectators turned out for the event under lights.
Eight pairs made it to the jump off.
Ward of Brewster, N.Y. and the 14-yeard-old Belgian warmblood mare, owned by Ward and Tom Grossman's Blue Chip Bloodstock, were the fastest in the jump off, posting a time of 41.56 secs., earning them $120,000.
The win was the third in a row for Ward and Sapphire, earning the pair $320,000 at this winter circuit.
Great Britain's Nick Skelton and Nemo 119, owned by Beverly Widdowson, cleared the course in 42.55 secs., earning them second place and $88,000. Venezuela's Pablo Barrios and Lagran, owned by Pablo Barrios and Andres Olivares, rounded out the top three with a time of 43.64 secs., earning them $52,000.
The Finale Grand Prix was the concluding event of the $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge.
After Hough's withdrawal was announced, Ward said: "Lauren made a hard call today. A lesser horseman would have gone. By taking herself out tonight, she took herself out of the bonus."
The fifth place finish tonight by Pavarotti, owned by Todd Minikus LTD., the Wellington resident captured the top spot on the Rider Challenge rankings and $100,000.
Ward was second in the Challenge taking home another $50,000. Third place and $30,000 went to Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, N.Y., the 2008 winner, while fourth place and $20,000 went to Charlie Jayne of Elgin, Ill.
Minikus said of the Challenge: "There's no question you think about it. Tonight was a huge class. It's a high pressure situation."
"My stomach started to turn yesterday. It's a familiar feeling. I was excited for tonight and giddy this afternoon," Ward said of Saturday's class which he ranked as one of the top three victories of his career that includes gold medals on Sapphire at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Skelton, one of the most celebrated riders in show jumping history, said: "I knew McLain was going to take a bit to beat. I think it was a lack of experience on the horse and a trip up by the in-gate. I was going as fast as I could."
Dennis Shaughnessy, Chairman of FTI Consulting, the New York Stock Exchange company that sponsored both the grand prix and the challenge, described his company's involvement:
"At FTI we fix tough problems and people have to trust us.
"I have never seen a sport where you have to have that trust between the horse and rider. That's why this sport is such a good parallel to what we are trying to do."
Minikus said his jump off round was "not smooth enough" but that winning the FTI Rider Challenge is "outstanding."
Ward said the goal for Sapphire is the World Cup Final in Las Vegas April 15-19.
Meantime, he said, he has bought a new farm and home in Wellington for which Saturday night's winnings help to meet the mortgage.
                 
Ken Braddick - Director of Communications
Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-214-2672
kbraddick@equestriansport.com