Halifax, MA – July 15, 2014 – – With the 2014 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament just a month away, some of the top stars of the sport have already booked a ticket to Massachusetts for this year’s debut at the Fieldstone Show Park in Halifax. The venue at Fieldstone is just 34 miles south of Boston, and an hour south of Hampton Falls, site of last year’s tournament. This year’s show will run from August 13 – 17, 2014.
According to Show Chairman, Jeff Papows, everyone is excited about the move and the excitement and anticipation for this year’s show is really beginning to hit crescendo.
Much of the same team that brought great success in New Hampshire will be in place for the move to Halifax, led by show manager Michael Belisle. “He is a show manager we all know and trust, with experience at Anglestone, WEF, Ox Ridge and other important venues, not to mention the kind of gracious people skills that complement our mission,” said Papows. Popular Course Designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. returns this year, after rave reviews at the show last year. And, once again, Steve Stephens will provide the jump inventories. “Exhibitors love Steve’s jumps. We love the quality and creativity of what he provides to us and we’re looking forward to a new and expanded jump inventory in 2014.” Papows added.
The quality and quantity of the sport’s top horses and riders are lining up for the 2014 edition of the much heralded Silver Oak Jumper Tournament.
With a month to go, defending champion Paul O’Shea is locked in for this year’s show. O’Shea, since his victory in the Silver Oak Grand Prix, has been on fire with major wins throughout the Northeast including a big win at Lake Placid last season. A repeat win for O’Shea won’t come easy, as the list of those lined up to challenge him is impressive.
Argentinean equestrian Ramiro Quintana will be on hand, as will Georgia Bloomberg, who with a beautiful clear round, was a major factor in the United States’ impressive third place finish in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Falsterbo, Sweden, just this past week.
Also scheduled to compete are US Olympians, Peter Leone, Norman Dello Joio, Leslie Burr Howard, Peter Wylde and Margie Goldstein Engle, the winningest rider in U.S Show Jumping history.
Ireland’s Kevin Babington, winner of the Grand Prix of Devon and the Derby at Spruce Meadows last week, Nick Dello Joio, Candice King, Charlie Jacobs, Darren Graziano, Amy Momrow, Ireland’s Kevin McCarthy and American Invitational Champion, Jeffery Welles also add to the competition roster.
Additional riders from the foreign contingent include German born rider Niko von Gumpenberg, Ireland’s Greg Mangan and German Camargo, a native from Colombia, South America.
“Look at that notable list,” said Papows, “We are delighted to be able to host some of the sport’s best and brightest stars. That is a very impressive group of riders.”
Entries are coming in strongly every day. “In addition to the growing and impressive list of our Sunday riders and top international participation, we are seeing much larger participation from the amateur ranks as well,” added Papows.
While stalls at the show are still available, hotel rooms in the area, a hugely popular summer destination, are selling out fast. “We are strongly recommending that our competitors make their hotel reservations now as many of the official hotels have sold out already,” noted Papows.
Rooms are available at the Best Western Cold Spring 508-746-2222, Comfort Inn 508-746-2800, Hilton Garden Inn 508-830-0200, Radisson Hotel 508-747-4900, and Holiday Inn Express 1-888-holiday. “Online research may reveal more choices, but the point is,” Papows said, “with the popularity we have the high class problem of ensuring proximate accommodations are there for everybody.”
Show grounds preparations are right on schedule, including the huge Jumper II CMJ Sport Horses LLC Ring. This ring, now adjacent to the alternative side of the VIP tent berm, is 280 X 180 feet in size. All of the latest drainage, the stone under layers and the GGT felt mix has been prepared and landscaping is being put in place. Scott Clawson of Fieldstone and East West Arena Construction along with GGT have worked sixteen hour days to ensure a totally utopian jumping surface. “Last week on the heels of the big storm that came up the east coast, Fieldstone Show Park got three plus inches of rain in just a couple hours and the new rings were dry and ready. I could have tromped around in my stocking feet,” smiled Scott Clawson, the President of Fieldstone Show Park. “Likewise hydraulic deep aeration, fertilizing and the chemistry set of advanced high tech soil samples and lotions and potions are being managed and applied to the Unicorn Farm Grand Prix field by Progressive Growers President Mike Canning,” he added.
Our TV partners at NESN have captured some creative and stunning promotional footage that will begin airing during Red Sox games, making the TV public aware of the spectacular family event available on Sunday, August 17th, just south of Boston in beautiful Halifax. Boston and local radio stations are also involved and more than 10,000 general admission tickets have gone to radio stations, media outlets, retailers, restaurants, and hotels all aimed at ensuring our riders have a big and enthusiastic audience.
Preparations are also under way for the Equestrian Estate Planning Grandstands, in order to elevate and shade the general admission crowds. VIP tables, which sold out quickly, have seen more needed expansion and a small number of VIP tables complete with world class food and beverages are still available atwww.silveroakjumpertournament.com. “I’m really pleased Mayflower Brewing company and Plymouth Winery, our official beer and wine partners respectively, are involved. It’s great to see this kind of support from the local community,” Papows said.
The Saturday Meet and Greet Autograph and Q&A panel is shaping up to be really special. Sponsored by Dover Saddlery, every child in attendance at 4:30 p.m. will receive a free copy of the popular book “Unbridled Passion”, and there is a large and exciting array of prizes, posters and memorabilia for all in attendance. Refreshments will be available and we expect as always a lively 90 minute session.
And finally, we haven’t forgotten the safety of the horses.
We are pleased to welcome MSPCA’s Sport Horse Ambulance Service to Silver Oak. They have protected horses competing in events all across North America. For all types of accidents and injuries, they help on-site veterinarians provide the most effective, humane treatment possible.
Approved by the FEI, their ambulances are equipped with state-of-the-art rescue and medical equipment. Their highly trained staff has played a key role in safety operations at major competitions worldwide, including the Pan American Games, Rolex Kentucky, and Fairhill International. Because of our expertise, the MSPCA was chosen as the official Equine Safety & Ambulance Service provider for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Karen and David O’Connor, U.S. Olympic Equestrian Medalists, said of the service, “The MSPCA has set the standard for rescuing and protecting equine athletes at sport horse competitions across North America. We simply feel safer competing at events with personnel trained in their FEI-approved techniques and specialized equipment”
With its specially equipped ambulances and the innovative rescue Glide, the MSPCA Equine Ambulance has helped rescue over 400 horses since its inception. We have pulled horses from muddy bogs and icy ponds, removed horses from trailer accidents, drawn them from ravines, and even coordinated an aerial rescue from a steep mountainside.
So, with all preparations coming together, we look forward to seeing you in Halifax on August 13 – 17, 2014.
Fast Facts for The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament
Date: August 13 – August 17, 2014
Website and Facebook:
www.SilverOakJumperTournament.com www.facebook.com/SilverOakJumperTournament.
2014 Prize List:
http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=202874
Directions:
Silver Oak Jumper Tournament at Fieldstone Show Park
21 Plymouth Street
Halifax, MA
From Route 3: Heading south or north, take Exit 9 (Rte. 3A, Kingston, Plymouth). Top of the ramp turn right on Rte 3A (towards Kingston). Through two sets of lights to a blinking light, bear left on to Rte 27-106. Travel about one mile to set of lights and fork. Take left at fork onto Rte 106. Fieldstone Farm is approximately 5 miles on the right in Halifax, MA.
From the West: Rte 495 to Rte 24 North. First exit Rte 104 and head east. Rte 104 merges with Rte 106. Cross over Rte 58 in Halifax Center. Fieldstone Farm is 1.2 miles on the left.
Sponsorship Contact:
jeff@silveroakjumpertournament.com
Vendor Contact:
sharon@silveroakjumpertournament.com
VIP Table Sales and Ticket Information:
sharon@silveroakjumpertournament.com
Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
Hotel Information:
*The Official Riders’ Hotel:*
Hampton Inn & Suites
10 Plaza Way
Plymouth MA 02360
Telephone: (508) 747-5000
www.plymouthsuites.hamptoninn.com
www.facebook.com/hamptonplymouth
Best Western Plus Cold Spring
180 Court Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Telephone: (508) 746-2222
http://www.bestwestern.com
Hilton Garden Inn
4 Home Depot Drive
Plymouth, MA 02360
Telephone: (508) 591-1029
http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en_US/gi/search/findhotels/index.htm