We would like to thank everyone who attended our inaugural Tournament in 2011, our entire team is humbled and appreciative of the tremendous support from trainers, riders, spectators and sponsors.
We have built this Tournament from the perspective of the rider. Having represented Canada on the International stage many times, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a multitude of venues from around the world. Looking outwards at the very best of what was being offered, we’ve taken the steps to bring the best ideas home and incorporate them into Angelstone Tournaments.
I didn’t always plan to run a Tournament, but a few years ago, I felt there was need for both a unique venue, and a different perspective from show management. The founding of Angelstone Tournaments materialized from an approach to competitive show jumping through the lens of the rider, hence our motto, “For Riders – By Riders”. This is the prevailing philosophy that guides everything we do at Angelstone.
Angelstone is committed to continual improvement of our venue, and you can be sure that with each year there will be a new feature in place as we continue along our long-term goal of creating one of the top equestrian parks in the world. For 2012, we are pleased to announce our latest feature to the venue, our all new Otto Sport Ring, modelled after the footing used at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. The ring will offer one of the best footing bases for show jumping in North America and contribute to the long term health of the horses competing at the venue. Recognizing that Hunters should also have equal access to the marquee ring, we have built our schedule around a rotating ring system, giving our Hunters a great opportunity to compete in a variety of different settings.
In addition to our new Otto Sport Ring, Angelstone will be expanding to offer four rings in 2012, including a new Annex Competition Ring, as well as Grand Prix Grass and Hunter Derby Rings. Through continued development we have also implemented stabling upgrades and the introduction of the Angelstone Pavilion, providing the best view of the action for spectators and sponsors.
In 2011 we had tremendous corporate support, and in 2012 we are pleased to announce that we have even better support. The team at Angelstone has been working long, hard hours to get corporations involved in supporting our sport. As exhibitors, we are a very attractive demographic, and there is tremendous value for corporations becoming involved in our sport. It is through gracious corporate sponsorships that has allowed us to offer over $550,000 in prize money during the 2012 Tournament.
From a competitor’s perspective, we have strived to offer a number of Feature Classes for all levels of riders. We believe that a show should be more than a repetitive series of classes, which is why we have worked towards implementing numerous high exposure events into the schedule. Some of the Feature Classes and Divisions of the 2012 Tournament include: The $164,000 FEI Division, a $135,000 1.40m Jumper Division, $33,500 Hunter Derby Series, $15,000 Child / Adult Jumper Series, $11,000 Child / Adult Hunter Classic Series, $5,500 Pony Classic Series, as well as the $4,500 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic Series. We are also pleased to announce Angelstone’s participation in the $72,000 Young Jumper Series, where we will be hosting three Qualifying Events, as well as the Series Final. We can also look forward to some very entertaining formats such as a Six Bar and Double Slalom competition, sure to a big hit with our spectators.
Angelstone also realizes that a show is more than just the competition. It is a place to develop business, make new friends and celebrate our passion for the sport. Each Thursday and Saturday evenings throughout the Tournament schedule we will open up the Angelstone Pavilion to the area’s most exhilarating live music acts and give our riders and spectators a chance to kick back and have a little fun.
It is a great honour for us at Angelstone to host this tremendous event, and we look forward to the opportunity to host each and every one of you this coming season!
Sincerely,
Keean White
On behalf of the Angelstone Tournaments Team
Keean White, Elliott Stone, Morgan Seal, Elizabeth Rhodes, Trella White, Ryan Clermont, Victoria Clermont