News & Horses:
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News Articles
HGF & Kerrigan part ways after 15 years
Kerrigan Gluch is leaving Hampton Green Farm in Ocala, Florida after 15 years competing the stable’s P.R.E. horses. Kerrigan, aged 29 and originally from Michigan, has competed HGF horses on both sides of the Atlantic. Kimberly van Kampen, the owner of the stable, said Saturday: “Kerrigan is a wonderful person who has been a part of Hampton Green Farm for 15 years. She has treated my horses like they were her own, and she has always been a most trusted friend and accomplished rider. “We support her in any decision she makes for this next chapter in life and look forward to her successes. It’s been a real joy to have been her sponsor all these years.” Kerrigan became the first American to be selected on a pure Spanish horse, Mejorano, for an official USA team for Europe that paid off with a personal best score in the CDIO4* Nations Cup of the Netherlands Grand Prix Freestyle in 2024. She told DRESSAGE-NEWS.com: “The past 15 years with HGF have been truly special. I’ve had the opportunity to grow through the levels, developing not only as a rider but as a professional, while working with some incredible horses and people who have shaped me along the way. I am especially grateful for the unique experiences and travels this journey has given me. I will always value these opportunities. “I am deeply thankful for all the support Kim has given me and will always recognize the significant role she has played in my career. “As I look ahead, I’m excited to take some time to be with family and explore new opportunities. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.” Hampton Green hired Jose Daniel Martin Dockx of Spain as the in-house trainer, and he moved to Ocala. The rider competed Hampton Green’s Grandioso, the sire of Mejorano, at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as well as the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2013 and 2015 European Championships. Credit: Dressage News
HGF keeps bringing excellence at the WEC during the CDI3*
May1st. A phenomenal week of International equestrian competition concluded on Sunday, April 16th at WEC. Emotions had run high last weekend for HGF TEAM , we are still on a cloud nine. Justine and Campanero HGF started the week closing the podium on CDI Juniors Team Test with a personal best of 66.313. On Sunday , she collected the title of Freestyle Winner with an overall score of 73.067%. She chose her signature Moana’s music with an exciting choreography to make her freestyle stand out. We are over the moon with these results. In a space of three/four months, Justine and Campanero have climbed and in their five international outings, three of them have been victories. Last but not least, Kerrigan and Mejorano HGF have been unstoppable this winter season. The Kick-Off of the CDI3* Ocala was excellent with third place of Kerrigan Gluch and Mejorano HGF on THE GP Qual. for GPFS (67.913%). The icing on the cake came on Friday Under The Lights during the Freestyles. This duo danced to the Spanish melodies of “La Mancha” and after the first extended trot, the shouts and ovations sprung from the bleachers. “We did that on purpose for the Freestyle to start strong, and I think it helped us,” revealed Gluch. “In a way, [the crowd support] takes the stress away a little bit. Not that you want to be distracted, but the crowd likes this, so I get to enjoy it even more than I already am. It makes me relax a bit. I like the feedback.”“I really wanted to go show him off,” said Kerrigan of the 12-year-old PRE gelding by Grandioso x Galan XVI owned by Hampton Green Farm. “I always put a little pressure on myself to do the best I can, but I try not to put that on him. I think I was able to do that tonight, which led to a good score and good test. I think I rode well, and he performed really well.” As the crowd favorite of the night, Kerrigan Gluch Mejorano HGF closed the podium with a personal best score of 74.755% HGF keeps bringing excellence in Dressage. Special thank you to all the team, but most of all to Maria Lithander for being our backbone and outstanding trainer.
Grandioso III and Daniel Martin Dockx 2014 Champions of Spain
For the second time in their career, Grandioso and Daniel Martin Dockx have taken the National Title for Dressage in Spain. It’s been three years since the last time they’ve attended the National Championships for Dressage-- when they won the title in 2011, not long after Grandioso returned to Spain to be trained by Dani. This year, the Championship was required for all pairs aspiring for the Spanish Team for the World Equestrian Games, and the competition level was very high. As there was no clear favorite going into the show, the final results were a toss-up, only to be determined in the end by the sum of scores over three days. Everyone knew from the start that it would be a horse race between Dani with Grandioso, and his good friend Jose Mena with Norte, who has been enjoying a second career with Norte since his return last year to the show ring after a long period off. In the end, it was Dani and Grandioso that garnered slightly more points to win the Championship, but that’s not the whole story... In the Grand Prix, Grandioso was the clear favorite, topping the class with 73.9 and far in front of the other competitors. Dani rode a clean test with the expression, power, and confidence of a seasoned pair at this level. The Grand Prix Special was more of a challenge. Dani and Grandioso have only performed this test once before, in Herning last summer for the European Championships. (Prior to that, the Olympic GP Special was the official test.) Dani was very pleased with Grandioso who navigated the test with ease, with the exception of one miscommunication between horse and rider in which the horse cantered just before the trot half-pass. The score reflected their good ride—73.725—but was not enough to overtake last year's Champions, Jose and Norte, who dominated with a stronger, more confident ride, earning a spectacular 75.08%. In Spain, all three tests have equal weight toward the final point tally (unlike the US, where the Freestyle counts for only 15% of the overall totals), so the scores on the last day, and not necessarily the placement, would determine the outcome of the weekend. Jose and Norte had the ride of their career and posted a high score of 77.464. Dani and Grandioso, however, have achieved higher scores regularly in the international shows outside of Spain and so went into the Kur with confidence of a win. But it wasn’t their day. Grandioso was a little too fresh, cantering twice in the trot tour--errors that were very costly, and the pair took home the lowest score they’ve ever had with this Freestyle—75.179. A disappointing way to finish a weekend of top riding, but all part of the game. In the end, Dani and Grandioso’s totals edged out Jose and Norte by .05%--the strength of their Grand Prix carrying them to overall victory for the Championship. Jose and Norte took the Silver, with Morgan Barnbancon and her warmblood mare Vitana taking home the Bronze. Jose, displaying the very best of Spanish sportsmanship and graciousness, was the first to congratulate Dani and both friends rode the victory lap with smiles. Looking back on the weekend, one can only say that Spain has 2 National Champions this year—both high-level Spanish-bred PREs, ridden by riders who exemplify the top-quality horsemanship that Spain produces, with scores that will make them highly competitive on the world stage. Now that this is behind them, all of the Spanish riders and horses can focus on working together to represent Spain in the World Championship, coming up in two months. The next challenge for Dani and Jose is Aachen in July, one step further on the road to Normandy! Our thanks to the photographers: Ecuestreonline.com, TopIberian.com, Celeste Ribo
Wellington Show Season Wrap-Up 2015
The Global Dressage Festival 2015 is now a memory. It’s been one month since the Nation’s Cup ended—the final of 7 International Shows in Wellington, highlighted by 3 CDI-Ws, a 4*, 5* and the CDIO. This season exceeded all expectations for participation by both riders and spectators. The VIP Pavilion was sold out in September and word has it that there are more than 40 names on a waiting list for tables for 2016. Friday night freestyles were performed to a packed house, week after week, regardless of weather. The Grand Prix and Small Tour classes were filled to capacity, with show management needing to move the start earlier in the week to accommodate all the rides during the last month of the Festival. Numbers of national rides also increased, and the shows held in between the CDIs were as full as the big weeks. The Youth Festival, held in mid-March, was a highlight as four top youth riders from Europe flew in with their horses to bring a taste of European competition to our Junior and Young Rider classes. The international classes for the youth were the biggest on record for the Festival, bringing riders from many other countries including Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. In addition to having Dani in Wellington with Grandioso and Bolero, HGF sponsored three riders in the youth divisions this past winter. A quick summary of our season is below: Daniel Martin Dockx and Bolero—Bolero traveled with Grandioso to begin his Grand Prix career in Wellington. They started out strong with a score of close to 71% in a large national class judged by international judges, but were disqualified as our rider was wearing a top hat instead of a helmet. The new rule (since 2014) requiring helmets in the national Grand Prix is unique to America, but the mistake was ours in failing to be aware of the change. They went on, however, in the CDI 3* the following week, to do a green and somewhat insecure first international Grand Prix, finishing in the middle of the class, but placing fourth in a more confident Freestyle the next day. Bolero benefitted from the pressure of the electric Wellington environment and we are confident that with more experience, he will be the next PRE to watch. Chelsea Reed and Faralay II—Chelsea is a longtime HGF working student who has spent most of her time working with our young horses, however she got the chance to compete at higher levels this winter with one of the United States’ most well-known PRE breeding stallions, Faralay II owned by Betsy Ketcham of Ketcham Ranch. Faralay was sent to HGF to expose him to more challenging competition venues and with Chelsea he proved that he could handle the additional distractions and pressure, bringing home scores in the mid-60s at Prix St. George and Young Riders Tests in the national classes. Faralay will return to Ketcham Ranch this Spring to fulfill his busy breeding schedule. Ayden Uhlir—We also had the pleasure of hosting Ayden Uhlir and her wonderful Sjaepoor for the winter. Sjaepoor is a Dutch warmblood and together they have several national youth championships under their belt. This winter they showed in both the CDI Small Tour and later in the CDI Young Riders, where they were often the highest scoring American pair. Ayden's other talents include singing, and she was a finalist in Robert Dover’s American Equestrian’s Got Talent. Ayden’s immediate plans are to qualify for the USEF European Tour this summer. Kerrigan Gluch with Vaquero HGF and HGF Brio—Kerrigan and Vaquero made big strides this winter, a season of growth for both of them. Now 18, Kerrigan has moved up from Juniors to Young Riders, with the help of trainers Robert Dover and Daniel Martin. Vaquero HGF (Cuatrero x Encina/Idilio), newly returned from Spain last fall, is also new to this level. He had just begun to compete in the Small Tour with Dani in Spain, after a successful Young Horse career in that country. At 7 ½ years old, Vaquero was the youngest horse in the Young Rider classes this winter, often by 7 or 8 years. Yet the pair made a name for themselves this first season together—maintaining an international average of 66-67% and swapping places several times with Ayden and Sjaepoor. Kerrigan and Vaquerowere regulars in the ribbon ceremonies and hope to continue to grow together into an even stronger team for summer competitions. Kerrigan also received the ride on HGF Brio—a 10 year old black Spanish stallion who is new to HGF. Brio has been introduced to all the Grand Prix exercises by his first owner in Spain, and now Kerrigan is taking her time figuring out this dynamic and talented prospect for an eventual go at U25 in the next year or so. This winter they competed twice at national Prix St. George scoring close to 67%. The next competition in Europe for Grandioso and Bolero will be the CDI in Madrid in May, which kicks off the summer schedule that we hope will lead to the European Championships in August. Both horses have been named to the A Team long list for Spain, and we will keep you posted on their results. Kerrigan plans to stay in Florida to train with her two horses. She hopes to qualify for the North Americans in July and the Festival of Champions in August.
Nation's Cup at Global Dressage Festival
Mica Mabragana and Cuatrero IV were part of Team Latin America II at the first North American Nation's Cup (CDIO), held this past weekend as the final show of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival. Team Latin America II finished 5th of 8 teams, and Mica and Cuatrero did their first Freestyle together, also their first time under the lights in the International Arena. The pair performed a clean test in front of close to 800 spectators on a night that was characterized by team camaraderie and the excitement of the close competition. We are proud of this young combination for representing both HGF and Argentina with a beautiful, clean and expressive ride to the music of Ravel's Bolero. Mica's scores of 63.6 and 64.5 contributed to the Team's totals for Fifth Place, along with team members Jessica McTaggart of the Cayman Islands on Ray of Light, and Luis Reteguiz-Denizard of Puerto Rico on Nalando. This show marks the end of the 2012 Florida winter season for HGF, where Cuatrero returned to the show ring with a new rider, after four years of no competing. He and Mica showed consistent improvement throughout the season and handled the pressures of new situations extremely well. We expect that Cuatrero will continue to improve as the routine of competition becomes more familiar, and that Mica and Cuatrero continue to develop their partnership into a very competitive combination for the future. For the summer, however, Cuatrero will take a break and return to HGF Michigan, where he will stand to HGF mares.
Spain´s Dani Dockx & Grandioso Win Glock CDI3* Freestyle With Personal Best Score
By KENNETH J. BRADDICK A mixup in the music led to the winning Grand Prix Freestyle for Spain’s José Daniel Martín Dockx and the American-owned Grandioso that was the ride of their career so far with a score near 80 per cent and by far a personal best at the Glock Horse Performance Center CDI3* in Treffen, Austria Saturday. The score of 79.650 per cent for the ride to music from the movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn” gave the partnership their eighth straight win in eight starts since returning to the show ring in January after competing on the Spanish team at the Olympic Games in London last summer. Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands and Glock’s Lord of Loxley scored 73.200 per cent to place second behind “Dani” and Grandioso, as they did in the Grand Prix Friday . Denmark’s Allan Skov on Volstrupgaards Cassiopeia were third on 72.600 per cent. Dani, 44th on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) world rankings, began riding the 14-year-old PRE (Pura Raza Español) stallion owned by Hampton Green Farm of Wellington, Florida at international competitions two years ago and recorded several high placings but no victories before the London Games. Two versions of the Freestyle using music from the movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn”–the story of journalist Martha Gellhorn and her husband, writer Ernest Hemingway, much of it centered on the Spanish Civil War that they reported–was created by Marlene Whitaker of Columbus, North Carolina. One version was lighter in a more popular modern style, the other contained full orchestral treatment. The choreography was the same for both. Dani planned to ride Grandioso (Adelante x Grandiosa x Sevillano IX) to the lighter track, but the other version was packed by mistake. “Their flying changes every second stride on the circle, piaffes on the spot, passages with classic Spanish leg action, extended trot with great forward thrust, one-handed final piaffe exuded a passion that the spectators also felt,” according to the report from Treffen. “His gift to the audience was rewarded with 79.650 per cent, which meant the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle win. After he saluted at the end, there was no holding back for the Spaniard–he hugged Grandioso and left the ring amid loud cheers.” Valentina Truppa of Italy on her Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno were awarded 77.521 per cent to win the CDI4* Grand Prix Special. France’s Marc Boblet and Noble Dream Concept Sol were second on 73.625 per cent with Belgium’s Claudia Fassaert and Donnerfee scoring 72.104 per cent for third. http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=21321 Spain’s José Daniel Martin Dockx and Grandioso in the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle. © 2013 Michael Rzepa Dani and Grandioso's win in the Kur followed their Grand Prix 3* win on Thursday, edging out Glock's Lord of Loxley, for a final score of 71.681%.
Wanted: Freestyles for Charity
This summer at the Michigan location, HGF will be hosting a number of events for charitable organizations and we need horses and riders who are willing to do a "fun freestyle" for the attendees. Most of the events are held on the weekends on an afternoon, with anywhere from 60 to 400 people in attendance. Organizations such as Love, Inc., Catholic Charities, United Way, the Muskegon Museum of Art, Child Abuse Council, Every Woman's Place, and many more have come to Hampton Green for a day in the country, a tour of the barns, a picnic lunch and a short program about dressage. With our performance horses out of town for the summer, HGF is asking dressage riders in the Western Michigan area to help us present a program for these events. A stipend to offset travel expenses is offered, and your participation will be greatly appreciated by the many families, children and donors in attendance. For more information and a calendar of events, please contact Joan in the office at 231-865-6000 or 616-402-2238.
HGF's Grandioso and Daniel Martin Dockx are Champions of Spain!
Last weekend at Club SEK in Madrid, Spain, Daniel Martin Dockx and Grandioso proved beyond doubt that they are ready for world-class competition--by becoming the 2011 Champions of Spain! The factors that brought horse and rider together involved a certain amount of risk and trust, but the risk has paid off as the pair demonstrated the beauty of their partnership in technically strong and expressive tests, and the resulting scores. The pair received scores of 68.2 in the Grand Prix, 68.79 in the Grand Prix Special, and 74.3 in the Freestyle. In this first year at Grand Prix, and only six months together, Grandioso and Martin Dockx have demonstrated that they have a bright future as both mature in the ring. Congratulations, Dani and GR!! Links: http://www.topiberian.com/es/noticias/doma-clasica-nacional/3770-ya-tenemos-campeones-de-espana-absolutos-de-doma-clasica-2011-qgrandiosoq-a-daniel-martin-docks-medalla-de-oro http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/10/10/martin-dockx-captures-first-grand-prix-title-2011-spanish-championships http://www.ecuestreonline.com/jose-daniel-martin-dockx-y-“grandioso”-campeones-de-espana/ http://www.topiberian.com/es/galeria-de-videos?task=videodirectlink[&]id=5436
Courtney King-Dye Introduces Grandioso to International Competition
At the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge on Februrary 6-8, Courtney King-Dye rode HGF's Grandioso in his first international show and instantly put themselves on the map in the national rankings. The prior weekend, at the ESP Wellington Dressage Open Show, the pair did warm-up classes of Prix St. George and their first Intermediare 1, with scores above 68% in both classes. At the CDI in the Prix St. George, Grandioso's test had a few mistakes and he finished 6th in the class of 17 with a 66.2. He was more confident in the Intermediare 1 and the pair finished 2nd with a 68.2%. On Sunday, Courtney rode Grandioso to a compilation of classic Spanish orchestral pieces in his first Freestyle, and the pair won the class with over 72%, with artistic marks to 80%. Congratulations Courtney and Grandioso! National Intermediare 1 rankings have them for the moment in third place. We look forward now to the Palm Beach Derby, for Courtney and Grandioso as well as HGF's other riders and horses.
The End of Summer 2010
Summer is winding down--and in Michigan it seems to wind down faster than elsewhere. Right now the temps are in the 80s but the leaves have started to fall, and soon the glorious cool weather of autumn will be with us-- and all the wonderful fall activities of this area. The breeding farm is much quieter than a month ago--11 horses left the property last week for their new homes, with more scheduled to leave in the next few weeks. What a summer it has been for young horse sales! We've been encouraged and excited about the interest in our young horses, and we are committed to continuing to maintain our breeding program and standards. The Stallion Barn is still busy as Maria prepares the horses for upcoming Regional Championships, September 9-12, in Traverse City. We have three horses qualified and will also be involved in hosting the Freestyle and fundraiser for Dressage 4 Kids. Check back next week for full information about Regionals! A final thank you to our summer staff--many of whom are heading back to school this week. It was great having you all with us this summer! We appreciated your help tremendously and we hope you learned a lot from us as well!
Join HGF in Traverse City at the Region Two Championship Freestyles Fundraiser for Dressage4Kids!
Horse Sports by the Bay is pleased to announce that Hampton Green Farm, known nation-wide for their dedication to dressage and to the the development of the PRE Horse for dressage in America, will be hosting a Dressage 4 Kids Fundraiser and exhibitor party during the Great American Insurance Group/Region 2 Dressage Championships on Saturday, September 11. The Regional Championships are being held from September 9 - 12 at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, MI which is home to the prestigious Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival.The fundraiser features a silent auction which will include riding helmets donated from English Riding Supply and other retail pieces donated by Sporthorse Saddlery and Equine Source among others. Funds collected from the auction and from ticket sales to the exhibitor party will go directly back to Dressage 4 Kid's extensive education campaign. Donations are still being taken for the Auction; please email here for more information. Bidding starts @ 1pm and closes @ 7pm. Dressage 4 Kid's mission is to encourage riders under 21 to become true horseman with correct position, competitive skills and knowledge of all aspects of riding and horse care; to offer scholarship to enable competitors to further their education; to have fun and to develop good sportmanship throughout.Dressage 4 Kids is the dream of dressage Olympian Lendon Gray, who's passion for the sport of dressage and for teaching youths to ride is limitless. Dressage 4 Kids hosts a yearly young person festival, pony-only clinics, and weekend seminars. Lendon Gray will be on-grounds September 11th and will be part of a special demonstration with Hampton Green Farm horses and riders; all of which will immediately preceed the Musical Freestyle Championships being held at 5:30pm. The Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships are recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation and are being held in conjunction with the Dressage by the Bay Fall Classic. The very best dressage riders and horses from the Mid-West region will be in attendance to win prestigious year-end awards and acknowledgements.The general public is encouranged to attend. For more information please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com and www.dressage4kids.com or call 231 - 267 - 3700.