Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111. Photos © Sportfot.
Victoria Colvin Scores Major Win with New Mount in $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Classic; McKayla Langmeier and Castelli Dominate the Equestrian Sotheby’s International Reality Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under
Wellington, FL – February 28, 2015 – Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Arao Enterprises LLC’s Fifty Fifty 111 (Action-Breaker x Major de La Cour) have had a tremendous week at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), taking home two major career wins. The duo took home Thursday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 and continued their hot streak with a first in Saturday’s $34,000 Nutrena CSIO 1.45m Classic. Victoria Colvin also had a win on Saturday with her new mount Cafino in the $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.
Due to intense rainfall in the area this afternoon, equestrian competition and special events for Saturday evening at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center were cancelled.
The current schedule for Sunday, March 1, at the Winter Equestrian Festival is available online – CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT SUNDAY SCHEDULE.
The Winter Equestrian Festival’s eighth week will conclude with the Hollow Creek Farm Children’s, Junior and Young Rider Grand Prix classes as well as the conclusion of their Nations Cup team events, followed by the $150,000 Grand Prix CSIO 4* presented by Lugano Diamonds, which will be live streamed here: http://bit.ly/1wrDbZB.
Anthony D’Ambrosio’s track for the $34,000 Nutrena CSIO 1.45m Classic on Saturday morning saw 14 clear rounds out of 39 trips. Laura Kraut (USA) and Constable II finished just behind Rodriguez in 59.61 seconds. “I saw Laura’s round, and I knew that it was six strides between Fences 7 & 8, but my horse has a big step and if I could do it in five I would take the class, so I went for it,” commented Rodriguez. Meagan Nusz (USA) aboard Vesuvius rounded out the top three finishing fault-free in 60.12 seconds.
“Winning the WEF Cup Challenge on Thursday and then winning the class today, I’m so happy. This horse is really important to me, and I couldn’t be happier. She used to be pretty difficult, but she’s coming along very nicely. When you have a young horse and give them a fair chance, they’ll do well. She’s been so fast, so my expectations with her are very high because she’s getting consistent,” said Rodriguez, who finished the course in 59.55 seconds for the win.
The two will look to improve upon their fantastic performances throughout the remainder of season and for the rest of the year. Rodriguez, who rode for the fourth placed Venezuelan Team in Friday night’s $100,000 Nation’s Cup presented by Kingsland Equestrian, said he believes the future is bright. “I’m really looking forward to the future with Team Venezuela. We have great veteran anchor riders and some extremely talented young riders coming up. It’s taken us a while to get here, but I think we’re moving into the top tier of teams in the sport,” he remarked.
Victoria Colvin Scores Major Win with New Mount in $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Classic
Seventeen-year-old Victoria Colvin (USA) and newly acquired mount Cafino, owned by Take The High Road LLC, topped the $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Classic today, riding clear through the jump-off in 35.57 seconds to take the win. Laura Kraut (USA) and Nouvelle were close behind completing the jump-off course in 36.085 seconds for second and Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Winn Winn crossed the timers in 36.101 seconds to take third.
Colvin, coming off a record-breaking performance at WEF 6 $100,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s Ovation, has recently started riding Cafino, who was purchased from Alexander Zetterman to help jump-start her show jumping career. Even though the two have not been partnered for long, Colvin’s skills in the ring come naturally, as she piloted the 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding to a win in the large class full of veteran pairs.
“I’m so happy with the win today. It was just amazing. I haven’t been riding him for a very long time; it’s really only my second week! He was great last week in the High Classic and I went fast there too, so it was good preparation for today,” smiled Colvin.
The switch from the hunters to the jumpers has come easily for Colvin, who enjoys the excitement of the jumper ring. “It’s nice to be able to go into the hunter ring and be slow and soft and then be able to flip a switch to the jumper ring which is just faster and spicier,” she laughed. “It really does help with the handy classes and the equitation too though, so it all balances out for me.”
The pair will contest the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Semi-Final, presented by Kingsland Equestrian, in Week 9 of WEF and will continue to map their plans from there. “I’m really excited to have the ride on this horse, and he’s just great. He’s perfect on the ground and when you bring him next to the ring he understands it’s time to go and get the job done, which I love,” commented Colvin.
McKayla Langmeier and Castelli Dominate the Equestrian Sotheby’s International Reality Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under
Before the rain cancelled the end of classes on Saturday, McKayla Langmeier, from East Granby, CT, piloted Khaki Run LLC’s horse, Castelli, to championship honors in the Equestrian Sotheby’s International Reality Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under. Castelli won both over fences classes the first day and was second in both over fences classes on Saturday. “He [Castelli] is so much fun to catch ride! I’m thankful that I get to ride him,” Langmeier exclaimed.
Finishing the day as reserve champions was Eloise, ridden and owned by Stella Styslinger. The duo finished first and third over fences, combined with a second place finish in the under saddle. Styslinger was also awarded the owner/rider championship in the division.
Langmeier started riding Castelli during WEF 4 and has enjoyed getting to show him in the Small Junior Hunters. When talking about Castelli, Langmeier commented, “He [Castelli] has a really big stride and is really brave.”
A highlight for Castelli this week was his winning handy round. “He [Castelli} is a blast in the handy. I can do any inside turn I want, and I know he will stay with me,” Langmeier explained.
When Langmeier is not competing with Castelli in the hunters, she also shows in the Junior Jumpers and 3’6″ equitation. “Showing in the hunters helps me stay smooth when I’m showing in other divisions,” Langmeier noted.
Looking forward to the rest of the 2015 show season, Langmeier is hoping to qualify for the FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships held in Kentucky, as well as earn top ribbons again at the four national equitation finals in the fall.
The Autism Speaks Small/Medium Children’s Pony Hunters will conclude hunter competition for WEF 8 tomorrow in ring 11. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Carly Weilminster and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
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