Category Archives: Wellington Turf Tour

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Stella Manship & Bold Prinz Feel the Love in $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix

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Stella Manship & Bold Prinz.

Wellington, FL (February 18, 2020) – The midway point in Florida’s winter equestrian season was marked by roses, show jumping, and hospitality on the Turf Tour. Roses were presented to each exhibitor as Week 6 wrapped on Valentine’s Day. Stella Manship and Bold Prinz took top honors in The Ridge’s $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix held at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Determined to win the Turf Tour’s Leading Rider prize, a souped up golf cart presented by Iron Horse Transit, Manship’s late-in-the-day double clear over Olympic designer Leopoldo Palacios’ course clocked in at 32.160 for the win. Turf Tour Weeks 7 & 8 will both be held at The Ridge’s home farm on a newly expanded turf Grand Prix field, before returning to Black Watch and To-Kalon Farms for the remaining weeks and season Finale.

Week 6’s $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic victor, Alvaro Tejada, set the pace in the Grand Prix with an early double clear and jump-off time of 33.377. A field of nearly 30 international riders put pressure on Tejada throughout the day, including Luis Larrazabal, Kim Farlinger, Jordan Coyle, Steven Bluman, Diego Vivero, Michael Janson, Riley Mackillop, and Michael Kearins, but only Manship was able to top his time.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Rising Star Classic Champions at Turf Tour Week 5 & 6

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Alvaro Tejada and Clark Palo Blanco.

Wellington, FL (February 13, 2020) – Turf Tour Week 5 and the first day of Week 6’s competition crowned two Rising Star Classic champions and hosted exceptional show jumping and hospitality at venues To-Kalon Farm and Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Welcoming horses and riders at all levels from the .80m to the Grand Prix, the back-to-back Wednesday shows drew competitors and spectators to enjoy Wellington’s utopian equestrian settings, rare wines, and the horse-centric show experience The Ridge Turf Tour is known for.

Napa Valley inspired To-Kalon Farm, owned by second generation vinter Jeremy Nickel, transformed its sweeping polo field into two rings of show jumping during Turf Tour Week 5. Dotted by brightly colored jumps in courses designed by Argentina’s Jaime Morillo, the exceptional grass footing at To-Kalon and other venues has become the trademark of the Turf Tour, one of the only shows in the world where all levels can experience jumping on the grass. February 5th’s $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic saw Ireland’s Willie Tynan and KEC City Limits best the field, galloping across the grass and through the timers to victory. Tynan, riding for Red Barn Farm out of Boston, has been one of the Turf Tour’s most decorated riders, and for his Rising Star win at To-Kalon Farm was awarded a magnum bottle of The Vineyard House’s rare Cabernet Sauvignon. Second in the To-Kalon Rising Star went to Luis Larrazabal riding for San Francisco Stables aboard Alonzo Z, and third to Kim Farlinger and Stanley Stone of Sher-Al Farm.

Kicking off Week 6, Wednesday’s $5,000 Rising Star Classic saw more than 25 horses and riders jumping over a course designed by Olympic and FEI designer Leopoldo Palacios. Jim Brandon Equestrian Center’s spacious warmups, exceptional all weather arenas, and hassle free trailer parking are a welcome change of pace for competitors on Wellington’s winter circuit. A busy day marked by warm breezes brought victory in the Rising Star for Alvaro Tejada and Clark Palo Blanco, whose exceptionally fast jump-off time was hotly contested but never beaten. A first round double clear by Richard Neil and Electra set the mark at an already fast jump-off time of 30.851 seconds. Not long after, Tejada and Clark Palo Blanco swept through the timers in 29.963. Multiple combinations powered through Palacios’s jump-off, whipping around turns and galloping down bending lines, gradually bumping Neil and Electra into 6th place but unable to match Tejada’s time. With the top 6 horses all within a second of each other’s times, the tight jump-off put Gianni Gabrielli with Chaco 34 into second on 30.035 and Tegan Elizabeth Tracy with Colorado into third on 30.362.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Kachelhoffer, Bluman, and Manship Top Turf Tour Week 2 Grand Prix

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Johan Kachelhoffer & And Action.

Wellington, FL (January 21, 2020) – Turf Tour Week 2 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center wrapped up Friday, where constant activity in both Ring 1 and Ring 2 gave proof of a diversity of levels competing. The day’s highlight event, the $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix saw 20 horses and riders race the timers over a course designed by Jaime Marillo of Ecuador. With great turn out the first few weeks, the Turf Tour is expecting a record number of riders and spectator attendance at week 3’s stunning venue Black Watch Farm.

An early ride from Israel’s Mark Bluman and Ferrari set the pace for the Grand Prix, and sat at the top of the leader board most of the day. Late in the class, rides from Johan Kachelhoffer and Stella Manship, however, bumped the standings. Bluman and Ferrari’s early double clear with a jump off time of 37.580 ended up being one of only 3 double clears for the day. Stella Manship and Colorado put in an impressive effort to trail behind Bluman, jumping off in 38.329. But Johan Kachelhoffer and And Action, as the last ride in the day, had the final say in the Grand Prix: the pair jumped off in 35.329 seconds, taking the win.

Another addition to Week 2’s roster of top riders was Olympic Medalist Phillip Dutton. With double Olympic Gold Medals to his name, along with multiple World Championship and International titles, the eventing icon brought a number of young and just back to competition horses to the Turf Tour as a first show of 2020. “We bring the young horses and horses going back into training after a rest to the Turf Tour because it is a nice alternative for them,” said Dutton. “The show is more focused on the horses, and allows myself and my riders to create the best training experience for them. It’s less stress and a fantastic first time back.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Christian Coyle and Dolman Ascend in Turf Tour 1.30m Rising Star Classic

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Christian Coyle & Dolman (Photo courtesy of Romeo Ghete)

West Palm Beach, FL (January 16, 2020) – More than 20 horses made Jim Brandon Equestrian Center the apex of their trajectories this Wednesday, with some top international riders competing in the second $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic of 2020. With more than 12 first round clears and 7 double clears over a course designed by Ecuador’s Jaime Morillo, Christian Coyle and Dolman ascended to the top of the roster, beating out a number of top competitors.

Wednesday’s jump-off was a tight race, with all three of the top riders within a second of each other. Coyle and Abigail Wald’s Dolman finished their jump-off in 38.225 seconds, edging out Daniel Bluman and Hyperion Z, who finished in 38.340 seconds. Third went to Jenni’s Chance and Matthew Sassmannshausen, finishing in 38.854 seconds. The Bluman family of riders and talented students made an impressive showing in the 1.30m, with the second, third, fourth, and fifth finishing horse and rider pairs coming from their barn.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Larrazabal & Kearins Start 2020 Turf Tour Week 1 Victoriously

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Michael Kearins and Sligo Balou Boy.

Wellington, FL (January 13, 2020) – Starting of 2020 on the right hoof: it was a week of firsts on the Wellington Turf Tour. The first official week of competition in the winter equestrian capital welcomed riders to The Ridge’s home farm for .80m-1.40m show jumping, and laid the foundation for marking milestones. From Grand Prix debuts to half a century in horse sport, the Turf Tour’s competitors and staff set the tone for a fantastic New Year.

Gusty winds and sporadic showers interspersed with sunshine, tenets of a fine Irish summer, set the stage for Friday’s $10,000 1.40m Welcome Grand Prix, held on The Ridge’s newly upgraded and expanded 325′ x 285′ grass field. Irishman Michael Kearins was unfazed by the weather, putting in the only double clear effort aboard his own Sligo Balou Boy. Costly rails for Jordan Coyle aboard Dundaik and Stella Manship aboard Colorado put them in second and third. All of the Turf Tours subsequent weekly Grand Prix classes, excluding even higher valued Finale, boast $15,000 in prize money.

Wednesdays on the Turf Tour are headlined by the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic, a perfect early week warm up for the bigger classes held later in the week. Week one’s Rising Star was won by Venezuela’s Luis F. Larrazabal and San Francisco Stables’ Caristina, jumping off in 39.397 seconds. Second went to Sloan Coles and Pembrey Condors Diamond, owned by Spring Ledge LLC, also double clear with a jump off time of 41.834 seconds. Camille Maddrix and m & m Sporthorses’ Jack Straw rounded off the top 3, finishing the jump off in 42.636.

Both days of competition during Turf Tour Week 1 featured courses by Olympic designer Leopoldo Palacios.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Turf Tour Crowns Kenny & Tynan in Final Show of 2019

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Darragh Kenny and Sweet Tricia (Photo courtesy of Equinium)

Wellington, FL (April 1, 2019) – Friday at Black Watch Farm wrapped up one of the most successful seasons of Turf Tour competition yet, with more than 50 horses competing in the $18,000 Turf Tour Finale Grand Prix and the Leading Open Rider driving away in a new custom golf cart courtesy of Iron Horse Transit. The day’s competition featured two arenas and full divisions, including .80m – 1.40m, Junior/Amateur Owner/Amateur, High Child/Adult, and Low Child Adult classes, in addition to the weekly Turf Tour Grand Prix and Rising Star Classic. Founded and designed by Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the Turf Tour’s vision to provide picturesque show jumping for all levels of riders was epitomized in the 2019 Finale. For those looking for one more event during the 2019 Florida season, The Ridge at Wellington will host a final Schooling Show at their home farm April 6-7.

The Finale Grand Prix was a fitting testament to the Turf Tour’s goals of preparing horses and riders for the next level of competition. Designed by Jamie Morillo of Ecuador, the 17-obstacle course featured a number of questions to test both horse and rider, including S bending lines, a triple combination, a triple bar to a skinny vertical, and tight turns to long gallops in the jump-off. The Finale’s roster included such international and Olympic stars as Martin Fuchs, Laura Kraut, Hardin Towell, Sam Walker, Molly Ashe-Cawley, Ilan Bluman, and Conor Swail, with 11 first round clears and three double clear efforts. International Irish show jumper Darragh Kenny and SHL Sweet Tricia were the ultimate victors, with an early in the class jump off time of 45.270 that couldn’t be touched. Hardin Towell and Dubai held second for the majority of the class on 46.574 seconds, but eventually relinquished the runner up spot to Jenn Serek and Wicked, whose quick jump-off resulted in a time of 45.965. Serek was also awarded the Leading Lady Rider, and was presented with a selection of equestrian skincare products from Equestria Pro Sportif.

With multiple 2019 Turf Tour victories to his name, including back to back wins in the Grand Prix and Rising Star, Willie Tynan was crowned the 2019 Turf Tour Leading Open Rider for his accumulated points. His prize: a custom golf cart outfitted with his new title and presented by Iron Horse Transit, the official horse carrier of the 2019 Turf Tour. Tynan, who had a fantastic year with his two main horses, KEC Kris Kringle and KEC City Limits, said the Iron Horse golf cart was just the icing on the cake: “It really has been a wonderful season, and this prize is just an added bonus. I couldn’t be more impressed with my horses and the effort they put in this year, and thankful to my team, Nona and George, and Iron Horse Transit for their tremendous support of our sport and offering to provide such wonderful options for riders and horses during our time in Florida.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Daniel Bluman and Cartouche Top 70+ Competitors in 1.30m Class at Turf Tour Finale

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Daniel Bluman and Cartouche (Photo courtesy of RG Photo)

Wellington, FL (March 28, 2019) – It was a record-breaking day on the Turf Tour. Against the beautiful backdrop of Black Watch Farm, the first day of Finale competition welcomed more than 70 horses for the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic, the highest entries ever in a single class for the circuit.

Daniel Bluman, along with Stephen Bluman, Ilan Bluman, Marky Bluman, and their group of Bluman Equestrian riders, are familiar faces at the Turf Tour. Daniel was on top once again on Wednesday, winning the heavily attended Rising Star Classic with Cartouche, jumping off in 41.202 seconds. Second went to Adam Prudent and Vasco, racing through the timers less than a second behind Bluman’s time in 41.856. Bluman took third as well aboard Gemma W with a jump off time of 41.864.

With 22 horses jumping off and a range of riders from students to Olympians enjoying the spectacular field at Black Watch, the class epitomized the vision behind The Ridge’s Rising Star Classic series: “We wanted a class where horses and riders aspiring to the Grand Prix can really get a good idea of what to expect,” said George D’Ambrosio, co-founder of The Ridge at Wellington. “Obviously riders like Daniel Bluman, Laura Kraut, etc. already know, but maybe they have horses they’d like to develop toward goals like Spruce Meadows or Aachen. Similarly, maybe an amateur rider with a seasoned Grand Prix mount can learn the ropes without breaking the bank or over-facing themselves, or show on grass for the first time. That was the inspiration behind the Rising Star Classic, and the Turf Tour as a whole. Frequent entries from international and adult amateur riders at the Turf Tour over the years speak towards the need for stepping stone horse shows like the Turf Tour. And it doesn’t hurt when we have a stunning venue like Black Watch.”

To enter online and for full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Tynan Continues Domination in Sidelines Turf Tour Grand Prix

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Willie Tynan and Dominique. RG Photography.

James Chawke Flies to Victory in Pegasus Laser Therapy Rising Star Classic

Wellington, FL (March 25, 2019) – The 2019 Turf Tour has been dominated by one rider this year: Ireland’s Willie Tynan. For the second week in a row, Tynan jumped to victory this time aboard Shannon Hughes’ speedy mare Dominique in Friday’s $15,000 Sidelines 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix, held on the gorgeous grass fields of Black Watch Farm. With his most recent Grand Prix win, Tynan snatches the cumulative points lead in the Turf Tour’s Grand Prix, 1.30m Rising Star, and 1.20-1.25m divisions and is poised to win the prize of a custom golf cart presented by Iron Horse Transit, the official horse carrier of the 2019 Turf Tour.

Due to a rainy forecast for Wednesday, the Turf Tour’s $5,000 Pegasus Laser Therapy 1.30m Rising Star Classic and the day’s full divisions of show jumping were shifted to Wednesday, where James Chawke and Chalan flew to victory over the course designed by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios. Second went to Ilan Bluman and F. Brightwood Lynz, while Katherine Benard and Cap Diamond D’hof Ten Bos rounded out the top three. Designed to be a platform for young horses to build their skills towards the Grand Prix, the Rising Star was sponsored this week by Pegasus Laser Therapy, which provides pain reduction, encourages healing, and helps maintain peak condition in equine athletes.

Tynan and Dominique are known for their blazingly fast jump-offs, and Friday’s Sidelines Turf Tour Grand Prix proved no variation from their modus operandi. The second to last Turf Tour Grand Prix of the year featured 33 riders, which included iconic show jumping names as Ben Maher and Tic Tac. With a final time of 36.657, Tynan and Dominique edged out this week’s Rising Star champion, Ilan Bluman and F. Brightwood Lynz, by exactly one second; the pair finished on 37.657. Third went to Tynan again, this time aboard Fancy Girl, double clear in 37.703. Tynan now stands as the cumulative points leader in the Rising Star, Grand Prix, and 1.20-1.25m divisions going into the Turf Tour Finale March 27-29 at Black Watch, where all classes are worth double points towards the Iron Horse Transit custom golf cart.

To enter online and for full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Tynan and KEC City Limits Top Out Turf Tour Grand Prix

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Willie Tynan and KEC City Limits (Photo courtesy of Romeo Ghete)

Wellington, FL (March 17, 2019) – Turf Tour Week 10 goes to Ireland’s Willie Tynan: after winning Wednesday’s $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic with KEC Kris Kringle, he went on to win Friday’s $15,000 1.40 Turf Tour Grand with KEC City Limits. Tynan certainly seemed to be channeling the luck of the Irish leading into St. Patrick’s Day. With only two weeks to go, the Turf Tour is closing out strong in 2019 with back to back weeks at Black Watch Farm, which will include double points towards season prizes (which include a custom golf cart from Iron Horse Transit) and bumped up money in the Grand Prix during Finale week.

Tynan and KEC City Limits, who are known for their quick jump-offs, certainly proved their reputation against the class of 36 Friday afternoon at Carben Farms. Whisking into the lead on 34. 732, they overtook previous leader Alison Robitalle and Ginger Pop, who finished in second. Third went to Molly Ashe-Cawley and Adamo against a roster of jumpers such as Samuel Perot, Darragh Kenny, Ilan Bluman, and Hardin Towell. “Another great day for me and my horses on the Turf Tour,” said Tynan. “Happy to have such a placement in such a big class; my horses have been jumping exceptionally this year on the Turf Tour.”

To enter online and for full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping, Wellington Turf Tour

Tynan Triumphs in Third Rising Star Classic

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Willie Tynan and KEC Kris Kringle (photo courtesy of Romeo Ghete)

Wellington, FL (March 14, 2019) – For the third time this year, Ireland’s Willie Tynan topped the Turf Tour’s $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic. Kicking off the third to last week of the thirteen-week series, Wednesday’s competition at the beautiful Carben Farms saw an amazing 47 horses try their hand over the Rising Star course designed by Leopoldo Palacios.

Tynan’s third to last trip with KEC Kris Kringle proved to be unbeatable, finishing on 36.843 seconds in the jump-off. Second went to March 22’s Turf Tour Grand Prix winner Taylor St. Jaques and Qantar Des Etisses with a 38.294 and third to Illan Ferder and Fascination with 41.987 seconds. “Kris Kringle and City Limits both have been jumping fantastic this year,” said Willie Tynan of the two horses he has been campaigning on the 2019 Turf Tour. “Jumping on the grass in always a nice change and gives the horses a break from one sand arena after another. Both are very fast, and Kris Kringle proved his skill over this course.”

To enter online and for full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992