A total of five weeks of International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned competition will be produced by Equestrian Management Group (EMG) at the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park in 2014. As the venue prepares to host the equestrian events of the 2015 Pan American Games, increased prize money and opportunities to earn valuable FEI World Ranking points will attract show jumping athletes from around the globe to Palgrave, ON.
The first two competitions of the 2014 show schedule, the CSI2* Classic @ Palgrave Phase I and the CSI2* Caledon National, held back-to-back in May, will act as qualifiers for the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties on September 7. The only non-HITS venue to offer qualifying classes, riders will have the opportunity to earn qualifying points in the $35,000 CSI* Phase 1 Challenge on Sunday, May 18, and the $35,000 CSI2* Caledon National Cup on Saturday, May 24.
In addition, the CSI2* Summer Festival scheduled for August 5 to 10 will welcome Synoil as the new sponsor of its $100,000 CSI2* Synoil Challenge. Headquartered in Calgary, AB, Synoil is a supplier of base commodity fluid products and production solvents to the Western Canadian Oilfield as well as to parts of the United States.
“We are very pleased to have received approval for a large number of additional FEI classes this year,” said Craig Collins, Managing Partner of Equestrian Management Group (EMG). “At the request of the riders, we will offer two $35,000 CSI2* classes each week of FEI-approved competition, essentially doubling the number of opportunities to earn FEI World Ranking points. Combined with the other show jumping events taking place in southern Ontario, specifically in the Hills of Headwaters region, the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park provides an attractive tour of FEI-sanctioned events.”
In addition to competing for increased prize money, FEI World Ranking points, and qualifying for the Zoetis $1 million Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties, competitors will have the opportunity to ride in the recently completed grand prix arena, which will be the heart of equestrian action during next year’s Pan American Games.
“The build for the Pan American Games has been progressing incredibly well,” said Collins, who also acts as Sport Organizing Chair – Equestrian for the 2015 Pan American Games. “The judges’ tower is ready to go, the new pavilion is up; it’s amazing to see it all coming together. Our contractors have been unbelievable, and we’re ready to open our doors for the first horse show of the year on May 13. I can think of no better opportunity for those with a view to attending the 2015 Pan American Games, or simply any future international competition, than to come to the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park this year.”
In addition to international show jumping competition, junior and amateur competitors can look forward to qualifying for this year’s Pan Am Challenges. All junior and amateur classes on the schedule will count towards qualifying for either the $20,000 High Junior/Amateur Pan Am Challenge, Presented by MVS Solutions, or the $10,000 Low Junior/Amateur Pan Am Challenge, Presented by Horseware Ireland. First introduced in 2013 and extremely popular with exhibitors, both the High and Low Pan Am Challenges will be held during the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament from September 24-28.
Hunters will be in the spotlight throughout the 2014 season with the Canadian Hunter Derby Series, special 3’ Junior/Amateur Derby classes, Thoroughbred Hunter classes, the Handy Hunter Challenge, and a Pony Hunter Classic. A ‘hunter highlight’ comes during the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament when the $10,000 OHJA Ultimate Hunter Challenge takes center stage.
With the increase of FEI-sanctioned competition from two weeks to five and a full range of options for hunter, jumper and equitation competitors alike, Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park has set the stage for top international sport in 2014. For more information on the 2014 Equestrian Management Group competition schedule, including a full listing of hunter, jumper and equitation divisions, please visit www.equiman.com.
2014 Equestrian Management Group Competition Schedule
Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park, Palgrave, ON
CSI2* Classic @ Palgrave Phase 1* May 13-18
CSI2* Caledon National* May 20-25
CSI2* Classic @ Palgrave Phase 2 June 10-15
Summer Classic June 17-22
Caledon Premier 1 June 25-29
Caledon Premier 2 July 2-6
Equestrian Festival July 29-August 3
CSI2* Summer Festival August 5-10
Autumn Classic September 18-21
CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament September 24-28
* denotes HITS Million qualifying class
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