Show Jumping and Driving Coverage on USEF Network

2004 Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil competed in the inaugural CSI2* Live Oak International, recognized as a top three ‘Specialty Event’ by the North American Riders Group (www.PicsOfYou.com)

Ocala, FL – Live Oak International, the only equestrian event in North America to feature both world-class driving and show jumping, takes place from March 20 to 24 at Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, FL.  For the first time, live coverage of Saturday and Sunday’s events from the Live Oak International will be available for viewing on the USEF Network, www.usefnetwork.com.

A total of 14 nations will be represented in the show jumping competition, including 2004 Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, and 1996 Olympic team silver medalists Leslie Howard of the United States.  Newly crowned 2012 Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain will also be in attendance, as will Andres Rodriguez of Venezuela, a winner at last year’s Live Oak International.

Featured show jumping events include Friday’s $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power &Speed competition at 2 p.m. and the $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake at 4 p.m., Saturday’s $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix at 2 p.m., and Sunday’s $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round at 2:30 p.m.  As an added incentive for competitors, G&C Farm will offer a $10,000 Leading Rider bonus while Jerry Parks Insurance Group will reward the Leading Junior Rider and the Leading Amateur Rider.

Two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios will be setting the tracks in the John Deere Arena, one of the few grass show jumping venues in the United States, while Damian Guthrie will manage the show jumping competition with assistance from Spruce Meadows personnel.

While show jumping is being offered for the second year, Live Oak International has hosted international driving competition for more than 20 years.  This year, it will offer the highest amount of prize money of any driving event in North America in addition to hosting the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Championship for Pairs.  Sanctioned as a CAI-B driving event by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and offering single, pair and four-in-hand divisions for horses and ponies, Live Oak International attracts the top driving competitors from across North America.  In the four-in-hand division, four entries will vie for top honors, including last year’s winner Chester C. Weber, who is also the Co-President of the Live Oak International.

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support that this year’s event has received from both the show jumping and driving communities,” said Weber, a two-time World Championship individual silver medalist.  “We are in a unique position of having more entries in both disciplines than we can accommodate.  With the best athletes in the sport and the addition of live coverage on the USEF Network, those watching in person and from afar will be treated to world-class competition at this year’s Live Oak International.”

Driving will be held in three phases, beginning with Dressage on Thursday and Friday morning, Saturday’s Driving Marathon phase is especially thrilling as carriages negotiate complex obstacles, each individually sponsored.  Sunday’s driving events feature the all-deciding cones competition.  In 2012, over 5,000 spectators turned out to enjoy Saturday’s Driving Marathon competition followed by the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix for show jumping.
Held at Live Oak Plantation, the private 4,000-acre farm of the Weber family, the Live Oak International is produced by nine-time winner of the USEF Four In Hand Driving Championship Chester C. Weber of Ocala, FL, and his sister, Juliet W. Reid, who led the Washington International Horse Show as President of the Board for the past four years.  Offering unparalleled hospitality, competitors will enjoy the fun and excitement of Saturday night’s Denim & Lugano Diamonds Exhibitor’s Party.

Given the recent concerns over the spread of EHV-1 in the state of Florida, Live Oak International is working diligently with the organizing committees of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, and the Stadium Jumping competitions in Tampa, FL, to establish protocols and enact biosecurity measures to ensure a seamless transfer of horses between the three venues. Live Oak International also acts as a qualifying event for the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G&C Farm in Tampa, FL, on April 6.

2013 Live Oak International Schedule

Tuesday, March 19
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 5pm
    
Wednesday, March 20
  FEI Horse Inspection – Driving 3pm
  Kentucky Equine Research 25th Anniversary Sport Horse Forum 6pm
  Sponsor’s Tent, sporthorseforum.eventbrite.com to register 
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 5pm
    
Thursday, March 21 FEI
  Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum
  Driven Dressage 9am
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 9am
  FEI Horse Inspection – Jumping 2pm
  Stella Artois Driving Marathon Course Inspection 4pm
  Insight Credit Union Competitor’s Welcome and Briefing 6pm
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 7pm
    
Friday, March 22 Intermediate
  Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum Driven Dressage 9am
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 9am
  Jumping Riders Meeting 12:45pm
  $5,000 Waldron Wealth Management 1.30m Power & Speed 2pm
  $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake 4pm
    
Saturday, March 23
  Driving Marathon 9am
  (Marathon Tailgating Reservations Required, 352-207-3615) 
  Signature Brands’ Kids’ Zone 10am-4pm
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 12pm – 6pm
  $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix 2pm
  Denim & Lugano Diamonds Competitor Party (Tickets Required) 6pm
    
Sunday, March 24
  Gloria Austin Driving Obstacle Competition 9am
  Charles Owen Competitor’s Club Open 8am
  Palm Chevrolet Kia Classic Car Show 9am
  Signature Brands’ Kid’s Zone 11am-4pm
  Coaching Presentation 1:15pm
  Sleepy P Ranch Leadline Class 1:30pm
  $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round 2:30pm