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Alex Granato and Sharn Wordley Triumph at Third Week of Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour

Alex Granato and Gangsta.

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2015 – The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour returned home to The Ridge at Wellington for its third week of competition. Michel Ismalun, a member of the course design team from World Equestrian Games 2014 and a world-renowned course designer, built the young jumper course on the grand prix field. The course proved to be very inviting and educational for each of the divisions, allowing the younger horses to go forward and gallop while on the turf. The two 1.30-1.35m classes saw the largest entries, with close to 20 trips taking place in each.

Alex Granato posted a very fast time of 30.504 seconds aboard his own Gangsta to win the first $2400 1.30-1.35m class. The gelding has certainly lived up to his name, proving to have a bit of a spark when under saddle. “I got him from a friend of mine, Charlie Jayne. He’s very aptly named! He loves carrying on bucking; I think he’s bucked me off twice in the four years I’ve had him. He’s a sweet personality on the ground, but he’s a character when you ride him.”

Quick Latinus was speedy around the course, piloted by his owner Miranda Scott, but was not quite quick enough to catch the first place time. Although Sharn Wordley tried to catch Granato, he fell shy of the top prize in the first class, but had the win in sight for the first 1.30m-1.35m class. Wordley rode Popstar Lozonais, owned by Ashland Stables, to a time of 29.371 seconds opting to take all inside turns to claim the victory.

“He’s a 12-year-old stallion by Quickstar and he’s a real winner at 1.40m and 1.45m classes,” Wordley explained. “He wins a class at most shows he goes to because he’s a real speed demon. I’ve had the ride on him for a year. He’s a fun horse, because you can pull him out for any class, any ring, and just go.”

Themes from yesterday’s Young Jumper Symposium continued today on a track designed by Michel Ismalun. “Well it was just like how I explained during the symposium. Young horses need special courses. What I put here had a lot of air, time to breathe between the jumps, progressive and never a place where they had to put forth too much effort. Today we started a system, and the footing was fantastic; I am very happy with the results. I think people are really enjoying it; it is something new out here.”

Sharn Wordley and Popstar Lozonais
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Sharn Wordley and Popstar Lozonais

Cynthia Hampton, founder of Classic Champions, Inc., spoke of her passion to develop a system for the young jumpers that would give them the best chance for success. “I approached Nona [Garson] and George [D’Ambrosio], and we feel as though 5 and 6 year olds should show on grass first so that they move forward and have room to breathe. They were very open to the idea, so we are very fortunate to be able to begin with The Ridge.”

Ismalun will be setting the courses for all of the Young Jumper series. There are six separate weeks, and the final week will have a two-day championship format. The purpose of the series is to educate young horses and create long-lasting athletes.

The course presented to the young horses presented very fair questions and provided an optional last obstacle, the choice between a liverpool or a small open water option. Josh Dolan rode Genevieve Edwards’ Baloumerang Sv to a successful first place in the 5-year-old jumpers. Diamiro, ridden by Denise Wilson for Blue Gate Farm LLC, claimed the top prize in the first class of the 6-year-old jumpers. Kaitlyn Campbell aboard Geoffrey Sutton’s Summer Time won the Young Jumper Championship 6-year-old Qualifier class.

Tina Di Landri dominated the 7 & 8-year-old jumper division. She rode Highpoint Farm LLC’s Diorado VDL to a first place ribbon in the first class and finished third in the $2000 class. She also rode Dakar VDL for Eva Castegren to a third and second place finish. Darragh Kerins rode Holsteins Eastwood, owned by M & M Show Stables, to a second place ribbon in the first class and a fifth place finish in the second class.

Friday’s events promise to be exciting, with the $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix running in the arena from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The turf will see low and medium schooling jumpers with two classes running concurrently offered at each height. The schooling jumper classes will continue to be offered on Friday throughout the remainder of the Turf Tour.

The event is approaching quickly, so riders should get their entries in to avoid post-entry fees. Week three of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour will take place at The Ridge. The physical address is 14415 Palm Beach Pt. Blvd Wellington.

Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times, 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.

For more information on the Classic Championship, Inc., please visit: http://equinemedi3.wix.com/classicchampionsinc.

The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its third year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 27, 2015.

The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2015 and running until March 18, 2015.

Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour, running concurrently with the 1.30-1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers.

The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January 6 – March 23, 2015. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.

Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 6, 2015 and March 20, 2015.

What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Adult Classics, Masters Jumpers, Junior/Amateur Classics, two hunter derbies and the Pre-Green Incentive Stake.

Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Text: (908) 500-0996

Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/359668144211383/

Management:
Nona Garson
14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd. East
Wellington, FL, 33414
(561) 791-1471 (show office)
(908) 839-3859 (show cell)
(561) 791-1543 (show fax)
Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

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