Designers to the Stars! Course Builders a Vital Ingredient to Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Success

Halifax, MA – July 1, 2015 – The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, presented by the Davis McCullough Foundation, scheduled for August 12 -16, 2015 at the Fieldstone Show facility in Halifax, MA, has again been recognized the North American Rider’s Group (NARG) as one of their top rated American shows. Last year was the inaugural event at the Fieldstone facility following a successful debut in New Hampshire in 2013. This ye

Olaf Petersen Jr returns for a third year at the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament in Halifax

ar’s show is stacking up to be the best ever, with an impressive roster of top riders and horses, and of course, the remarkable hospitality that has become one of the trademarks of the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament.One of the items that

makes Silver Oak the popular show that it is, and helps contribute to a yearly appearance in the NARG rankings, is the use of world-class course designers. And this year is no exception.

Returning for a third year is famed German builder Olaf Petersen, Jr. This year, he will be joined by designer Michel Ismalun, who will build specifically for the all new Classic Champions Young Jumper series, debuting at Silver Oak for the first time in 2015.

 

Petersen is one of the most popular builders anywhere, with some of the world’s most important events to his credit. In addition to being the co-designer at three Olympic Games (Atlanta, Sydney, Athens), his challenging tracks have decided national championships at the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games, the Syrian, Mexican, Saudi Arabian and Hungarian Championships and three times he has built the tracks for the North American Young Riders and Juniors Championships and for the HITS Million Dollar class in Saugerties in 2012 and 2013.

Petersen has designed courses at American shows in Los Angeles, Wellington, Del Mar, Thermal, Lake Placid, Las Vegas and many more.

Accolades abound for Petersen from events across the nation. He has received excellent reviews from Olympic veterans, fellow course designers, show managers and from most riders that have had the chance to compete over one of his well thought out courses.

Top finishers from the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament have always had high praise as well, including Paul O’Shea, who rode to victory in the main event 2013. “The course was brilliant, but then again, Olaf always builds a great course.”

Mario Deslauriers speaking of last year’s track, said, “The course was very nice. I think he (Olaf) set a great track. I think for the horses and for the crowd, he hit it perfectly.”

And last year’s winner Kevin Babington stated, “I thought today’s course was good, well built and was certainly plenty challenging.”

Petersen will design the tests in the Unicorn Landing Farm Grand Prix Field. One of the top grass Grand Prix fields in this country.

Cynthia Hampton has agreed to join forces with Silver Oak and bring the Classic Champions Tour Halifax, a special series for Young Jumpers ages 6, 7 and 8-years-old to this year’s show. Michel Ismalun, a former winner of the 5 year-old championship in Fontainebleau will take center stage as the course designer for this important series.  Ismalun’s specialty is course design specific to young jumpers, including his work at WEG Normandy

Michel Ismalun comes on board as course designer for the Classic Champions Tour Halifax Young Jumpers

2014 as a three star international course designer. His wife, Damaris, a three star level international jumper judge, will be responsible for the style judging in the young jumper classes.  Ismalun will also be designing the tests in the CMJ Sport Horse Jumper II Annex ring.

So irrespective of which of the two competition rings our athletes are in at any point, the very best in world-class talent will have been carefully presented for our horses and riders.

The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, presented by the Davis McCullough Foundation is scheduled for August 12 -16, 2015 at the Fieldstone Show facility in Halifax, MA.

One of the great ways to watch the $75,000 Agero Grand Prix on Sunday is from the comfort of your own table in the beautiful Silver Oak Jumper Tournament VIP Tent, conveniently located ringside with a perfect view of the competition arena. The VIP tables have become a very popular part of family and client entertainment experiences at the SOJT in beautiful Halifax every year. The D&G Ventures Mini Prix which precedes our main event Sunday has also become a fan and rider favorite.

Kevin Babington, last year's GP winnner, atop the podium, with Mario Deslauriers, left and Paul O'Shea, right with the  event sponsors 8-17-14

This year is no different except that the popularity of the event year after year, continued accolades and the top show jumping, it now clearly makes the limited white linen VIP ringside extravaganza a hot ticket. So, now is the time to make your reservation. Thrill to the majesty, beauty, and power that is world class show Jumping.  Do it all, seated in a covered tent, ringside, on an elevated berm with a delicious first class luncheon, beer, wine and all the amenities one might imagine associated with the world’s most beautiful sport.

Farms, corporations, families or groups of friends can reserve tables of ten, available for only $1,000.00 for the day, but again, reserve your table now to avoid being shut out. Last year, the VIP tent was a quick sell-out and space is limited. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. The luncheon menu will again be a delectable delight; the tableside service will be superb and nonstop as will the action during the Agero $75,000.00 Grand Prix and D&G Ventures $15,000.00 Mini Prix.