World-class show jumping will return to the Silver Oak Equestrian Center in Hampton Falls, NH, when the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament takes center stage, August 7-11, 2013.
Focusing strictly on jumpers, the event will offer divisions for children, adults, juniors and amateurs in addition to an international open jumper division for North America’s leading Grand Prix riders. The horse show will benefit the Children’s Wish Foundation International and all classes will be USEF recognized. Silver Oak proprietor David Birdsall is President and CEO of the event and Dr. Jeff Papows is Honorary Chairman.
“We intend to put on a first-class event and to present the sport of show jumping in a way that will attract new interest,” said Birdsall. “We have already heard from many of the nation’s best riders who have told us that they intend to be here and we plan to add exciting entertainment attractions that will continue our tradition of attracting large crowds of enthusiastic supporters to Silver Oak.”
Mike Belisle, who has an extensive background in the management of hunter-jumper events, has agreed to serve as horse show manager. His experience includes serving as Operations Manager for the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Washington International Horse Show, in addition to managing the Ox Ridge Horse Show, the Boston Jumper Classic and the Angelstone Tournaments, a six-week series in Guelph, Ontario. He also serves as technical coordinator for Rush Management, Inc. which produces 18 shows throughout the southeast.
Olaf Petersen, Jr., one of the world’s most respected course designers, will serve as course designer at Silver Oak. He has served as a course designer at many of the world’s most prestigious events including the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Carol Coleman, who has been an “R” judge for the USEF and a Senior judge for the Canadian Equestrian Federation for more than 30 years in hunters, hunt seat equitation and jumpers, will head the Ground Jury.
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The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament is also pleased to announce the appointment of Caren A. Bayne as Director of Sponsor Services. Sponsorships for this summer’s horse show are available now and interested parties should contact Caren at cabayne@aol.com.
“These outstanding officials are another indication that the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament is going to be a first-class event in every regard,” said Jeff Papows, PhD. “We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received from officials, riders and virtually every segment of the show jumping world. We are thankful and also so excited that we can hardly wait for August to get here!”
To introduce these officials and plans for this summer’s horse show, the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament will host a welcome reception at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL on Friday afternoon, January 25. The reception will be held in the Wellington Club from 4:00-5:30 pm.
Silver Oak Equestrian Center, located right off Route 95 less than 50 miles from Boston, has built a reputation as one of the leading equestrian sports venues in New England. Its 150-acre facility is dedicated to providing a first-class experience for equestrian competitors and spectators alike. Silver Oak’s unique grounds offer one of the country’s largest grass Grand Prix and Derby fields along with four all-weather rings featuring world-class GGT footing.
“Today we have a lot of just horse shows, generic to say the least,” said two-time Pan American Games Bronze Medalist Debbie Stephens. “The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament’s goal is to take show jumping to the highest standard for ‘the horse’, ‘the rider’, ‘the grooms’, ‘the sponsors’ and ‘the owners’. Most events today focus on the bottom line. This show is different, it is run by riders for riders and for the love of the sport.”
Further information on the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament is available on line at www.SilverOakJumperTournament.com or www.facebook.com/SilverOakJumperTournament.
