Category Archives: Wellington Turf Tour

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Beerbower & Dana Top Turf Tour 5

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Payton Beerbower and Alfie Z. Photo property of Equinium Sports Marketing/The Ridge at Wellington.

Wellington, FL (February 8, 2022) – Turf Tour 5 at The Ridge at Wellington delivered new winners in both the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic and $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix. Designed as a steppingstone show to help riders and horses develop to their greatest potential, the Turf Tour’s weekly series features .80-1.40m show jumping, two Hunter Derby Days weekends, USEF Equitation Tuesdays, and more than $400,000 in prize money in 2022.

Jad Dana and Hoar Hound topped the week’s anchor class, the $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix. The pair jumped to a double clear effort in a time of 33.785 seconds to win over the course set on The Ridge’s home grass Grand Prix field. On Wednesday Payton Beerbower and Alfie Z jumped to victory in the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic, finishing on a jump-off time of 54.890 seconds.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Ashlee Bond and Ionesco Sitte Deliver Iconic Performance for Victory in Turf Tour 3 Grand Prix

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Ashlee Bond and Ionesco Sitte. Photo property of Equinium Sports Marketing/The Ridge at Wellington.

Wellington, FL (January 25, 2022) – The story of success behind Ashlee Bond and Ionesco Sitte is the embodiment of all that the Turf Tour stands for, both in their vision and in a dedication to the development of horse sport. During the third week of competition on the 2022 Turf Tour, presented by The Ridge at Wellington, Bond and the 8-year-old Belgian Sport Horse (Hunter’s Scendro x Argentinus) gelding delivered a win in the $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix, over a course set on the beautiful fields of To-Kalon Farm. While she is no stranger to the winner’s circle, her victory with Ionesco Sitte, especially on the Turf Tour, is an encapsulation and milestone for the sporty show jumper. His Grand Prix career did not get off to the smoothest of starts, and time on the Turf Tour has allowed him the breathing room to develop confidence and skill to match his athletic ability with nowhere to go but up!

“We took him to the main Wellington show grounds in 2021 and he was literally jumping over the standards, and not in a good way,” said Bond. “He had some success as a young horse but was really struggling to settle and focus. He’s naturally very talented but seemed overwhelmed. So that season we took him out to the Turf Tour, where the atmosphere is more laid back and he still had the option to jump in the 1.40m Grand Prix. He really settled, and finished second in the final Turf Tour Grand Prix of 2021, his first big class ever! We have been loyally attending the Turf Tours since, including all of the events so far this 2022 season. I’m super happy to be able to bring him here, train and show, and even win prize money before we show in the big ring.”

Bond and Ionesco finished on a time of 38.319, with Alex Granato and Indio, winners of Wednesday’s $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic during week 3, had to settle for second on a time of 39.142. Luis F. Larrazabal and Sonsoles Ls La Silla rounded out the top 3 with a time of 39.649.

“I love how you can go to a show at a different location weekly, and compete in different arenas,” said Bond of her Turf Tour experience. “The beautiful and relaxed environment and multiple venue options is really important and beneficial to both horses and riders. It’s great for the horses’ minds, to ride with less pressure and in various locations. A training environment is not something you see often in a show, like you do in Europe, and it’s great to have such a series here in Wellington.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Jordan Coyle Captures $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix

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Jordan Coyle and Lisaniska Cool Quality (Photo by Romeo Ghete Photography)

Wellington, FL (January 17, 2022) – The Irish are always a force to be reckoned with on the Turf Tour, with their talent in the ring highlighted appropriately over the emerald fields for which the show series is known. 2022’s second week of competition was no exception, with Irishman Jordan Coyle flying through the jump-off as the final ride of the day to clinch Friday’s $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix. Set on the green polo fields at Polo West Estates, Coyle’s ultimate jump-off time barely edged out the previous record holder, shaving off precious hundredths of a second with tight turns and stride omissions to cross the timers and best a class of 18 riders.

Coyle, as the final ride of the day, was aiming to beat leader Francis Derwin’s jump-off time. Piloting Vlock Show Stables’ Scarlett Du Sart Z, Derwin jumped-off to finish in 30.378 seconds, beating out Coyle’s time of 32.132 seconds with Ballyoskill Big Bucks. The Grand Prix course set by Eric Hasbrouck featured a jump-off offering riders a number of options to slice off precious seconds as well as challenges that could cost rails, including multiple one- and two-stride combinations and rollbacks to test agility and staying power. Coyle tackled every challenge, showcasing a combination of speed and scope with Lisaniska Cool Quality to win the class with a jump-off time of 29.294 seconds.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Farrington Fantastic in Turf Tour 2021 Finale

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Kent Farrington and Kaprice.

Wellington, FL (March 3, 2021) – USA’s Kent Farrington proved once again that he is the cream of the crop, besting a field of top horses and riders to win the final $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix of 2021. A modern master of the jump-off, Farrington and the sporty 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Kaprice (Echo Van T Spieveld x Electra Van T Roosakker) blazed across the green grass of Polo West to beat out rounds by USA’s Ashlee Bond, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny, Germany’s Wilhelm Genn, and other international Grand Prix riders to win the day on the Turf Tour.

Farrington and Kaprice were regular winners on the 2021 Turf Tour, taking blues in the weekly $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classics and $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix multiple times. The exceptionally speedy Kaprice made quick work of the first round, and then flew around the jump-off late in the class to finish on 37.298 seconds, edging out the previous leaders, Darragh Kenny and GK Casper, by almost 2 seconds. Kenny and Casper, who have won the most Turf Tour classes of any combination this season, jumped off in 38.909 seconds. Third place went to the final ride of the day, Ryan Genn and VDL Genius T, in 40.424 seconds.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Natalie Jayne and Charisma Shine in the WEF Equitation Championship

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Natalie Jayne and Charisma © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 26, 2021 – Equitation riders took their turn in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Friday, March 26, in the WEF Equitation Championship during the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). After three technical rounds of competition, Natalie Jayne and Heritage Farm, Inc.’s Charisma took home the blue ribbon.

Zayna Rizvi and Jordyn Rose Freedman’s Finnick earned second place. Third place honors went to Dominic Gibbs aboard Mountain King Ranch LLC’s Cent 15, and fourth place went to Alexander Alston riding Waldo, owned by Missy Clark and North Run.

Shane Sweetnam and Indra van de Oude Heihoef Are Swift in $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m Classic CSI5*

Galloping swiftly across the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village, Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Indra van de Oude Heihoef, owned by The Blue Buckle Group, won the $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m Classic CSI5* on Friday.

Out of 46 entries in the class, 19 were clear over the speed course designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA). Starting the class off with a bang, Olympic individual gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Chacco Kid, a 15-year-old Oldenburg by Chacco Blue x Come On owned by Chacco Kid Group, raced to set the leading time of 62.24 seconds, which would hold up for second place after the remaining 45 entries.

Riding early in the class as well in the fifth spot in the order, Sweetnam and Indra van de Oude Heihoef shaved almost a full second off the winning time, taking it down to 61.26 seconds.

No one else was able to catch Sweetnam’s time, but Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Hungry Heart, a nine-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Baltimore 1178 x Loucaibo owned by Stone Hill Farm, came closest in 63.10 seconds for third place.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Wilhelm Genn & Van Gogh Paint the Rising Star

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Wilhelm Genn and Van Gogh.

Wellington, FL (March 26, 2021) – Germany’s Wilhelm Genn closed out the 2021 $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic series with a win aboard the scopey Van Gogh. As his namesake once painted stars in the night sky, Van Gogh’s massive stride and brilliant bascule painted his course over the jumps and resulted in a blazingly fast second round clear to secure the pair their second win of the season in the class.

Genn and Van Gogh were the final combination to tackle the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. The track, which began with a vertical rollback to an oxer, also featured a number of one and two strides, bending line oxer to verticals, and a triple combination oxer-vertical-vertical to close out the first round. Catherine Pasmore and Nestor were the first double clear, setting the standard at 34.282 seconds in the jump-off. Kim Farlinger was the next to top the leaderboard, piloting Ibalius SMH to a final time of 32.533. The Genns then swept in late in the afternoon to post numerous double clear efforts, with student Natalie Thornell aboard Snow White finishing in 34.210 seconds to end fourth. Ryan Genn and Coco Chanel m jumped to third in 32.842, and Wilhelm Genn and Van Gogh split the second close to its origin on 32.082, leaving Farlinger and Ibalius SMH in second.

“It was a good day. I didn’t fall off and the horse jumped really well,” said Wilhelm Genn. “The Turf Tour reminds me of showing in Europe when I was younger; it’s a great experience and so nice to get the horses out on the grass at different venues. Our barn and students really enjoy this event during our time in Wellington.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Coyle Cousins Capture Turf Tour 11 Grand Prix

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Wellington, FL (March 21, 2021) – Two Irish cousins made impressive work of Friday’s $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix jump-off, executing a number of tight rollback turns and angled jumps in an attempt to get through the timers before the clock read 30 seconds. Jordan Coyle and Centriko Volo were the ultimate winners, delivering in 29.587 seconds. His cousin from the Emerald Isle, Daniel Coyle, was hot on his heels aboard Lisaniska Cool Quality, finishing on 30.315. As the final event of the year set on Black Watch’s beautiful grass field, Turf Tour 11’s St. Patrick’s week proved to be a fantastic event for show jumpers of all levels.

Black Watch’s Grand Prix course on Friday included a triple bar, blue arched wall, oxer to skinny combination, triple combination, and a few bending lines and rollbacks that encouraged riders to turn quick and shave off seconds at the risk of dropping rails. The jump-off was similar, with the triple bar to oxer line to start, followed by a roll back to the prestige vertical, long gallops to another few oxer vertical combinations, and a final roll back and gallop to the final vertical. The first double clear by Alex Granato and Disco Superfly ended at 32.986, Jordan Coyle’s 29.587 second jump-off was hotly contested, with his cousin Daniel, Ashlee Bond, Mark Reid, Chloe Reid, Kim Farlinger, and Wednesday’s Rising Star winner, Kayla Savard, all attempting to catch him. However, Jordan’s time prevailed, and as a long-time rider on the Turf Tour, he regularly brings multiple horses to show and train at The Ridge’s various beautiful weekly venues.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Kayla Savard and Bogota Nantuel Luck Out in St. Patrick’s Day $5,000 1.30m Rising Star

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Kayla Savard and Bogota Nantuel.

Wellington, FL (March 19, 2021) – What better way to spend St. Patrick’s Day than jumping on a field of green! Channeling the vibes of the Emerald Isle on Wednesday’s Turf Tour 11 competition at Black Watch Farm, all levels of show jumpers from .80m to 1.30m rode on the beautiful grass fields, and Kayla Savard channeled the luck of the Irish (although she’s American) to win the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic on Bogota Nantuel against a field of 37 entries.

With nine double clears and a field of quick horses it turned into a race to get below 40 seconds in the jump-off. An early and rather quick double clear by Catherine Kubiak and Somerset set the tone at 44.682 seconds. But increasingly faster rounds whittled the time down with rides by Stephanie Gallucci, Filippo Pignatti, Natalie Thornell, and Alex Granato, who finished on 39.834. However, the day was won by Kayla Savard and Bogota Nantuel with a 38.095, with the second and third closely contesting: Victoria Gulliksen and Fergie finished on 38.376 for second, while Jordan Coyle and Centriko Volo galloped to third with 38.518. The course, designed by Mauricio Garcia, included a number of in-and-outs (double vertical, vertical-oxer, and oxer-verticals) to bending lines, long gallops to some of the larger oxers, and a jump off that tempted with the option for very tight turns and dramatic gallops between fences that made excellent use of Black Watch’s beautiful grass fields.

“This was my first time showing at The Ridge Turf Tour and I had a wonderful experience,” said Savard. “The staff was so welcoming and made everything so easy. The course was technical enough but very inviting for less experienced horses and riders. My mare Bogota was fantastic! The footing on the grass felt great; I felt comfortable to let her out and make the inside turns. She is naturally fast and careful, so I just try to stay out of her way. I’m very excited to go back on Friday to jump again.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Kenny and GK Casper Ghost the Turf Tour Competition

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Darragh Kenny and GK Casper.

Wellington, FL (March 16, 2021) – Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and GK Casper “ghosted” the competition during Turf Tour 9 at Polo West, adding to his already impressive tally of 2021 wins on the circuit. Once again topping the weekly $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix, Kenny and Casper topped a field of thirty over a course designed by Leopoldo Palacios.

Kenny and GK Casper once again closed out the class with an exceptionally quick double clear effort, opting to take a tight turn after the one stride instead of going around the triple combination. A master of the seemingly effortless yet ambitiously navigated jump-off, Kenny’s latest victorious ride logged a time of 35.943 seconds.

GK Casper’s stablemate, Billy Manjaro, galloped to second on 37.190 with Kevin Mealiff in the irons. With only a few tenths of second separation, third place went to Kent Farrington and Caprice with 37.363.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Riley Mackillop and Ha’czelle JSF Top $3,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic

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Riley Mackillop and Ha’czelle JSF.

Wellington, FL (March 12, 2021) – Australia’s Riley Mackillop rode a blazing double clear effort on Wednesday, piloting Ha’czelle JSF (Balta’czar x Melody Van Sint Marteen) to victory in The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour 10’s $3,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic. Mackillop and Hazel are known for their fleetness of hoof, having also won the $3,000 1.30m Speed Stake at the end of February.

Mackillop and the fleet Ha’czelle JSF owned by Glen Lake Farm put in a brilliant jump-off over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Making excellent use of the beautiful grass fields, Mackillop guided Ha’czelle JSF through a number of tight turns and long gallops in the jump off to finish on 35.626, overtaking the current leader Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Lisaniska Cool Quality (36.098). Coyle also rode Centriko Volo to third, finishing in 36.783.

“Hazel has been jumping really nicely and she has been really well suited to the courses [on the Turf Tour],” said Mackillop. “She loves jumping on the grass which makes the Turf Tour a great opportunity for us. Being able to come and jump around super courses on beautiful fields against top riders each week is really special.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.