Buenos Aires, Argentina – November 13, 2012 – Charlie Jacobs of Deeridge Farm had a very successful return trip to the Buenos Aires’ CSIO-W at Haras El Capricho. He piloted Leap of Joy to two clear efforts during the Nations Cup competition to help the United States capture the victory, and then defended his title in the International Speed Derby with Flaming Star. The weekend concluded with Jacobs and Leap of Joy picking up the fifth place award in the World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix after producing a clear first round effort.
On Saturday, November 10, Jacobs was alongside teammates Quentin Judge, Catherine Pasmore, and Alison Robitaille for Nations Cup competition. Chef d’Equipe Norman Dello Joio chose Jacobs as the leadoff rider, with the U.S. drawing the first position in the team jumping order. Jacobs was up to the challenge, producing a faultless effort with Leap of Joy and returning for the second round to post another clear round. Jacobs’ teammates were also on point, and the team finished on four faults to earn the team victory, while Canada and Argentina tied for second.
“We talked the night before about the line-up in regards to who Norman wanted to jump and when,” explained Jacobs. “When he mentioned that he wanted me to jump first I thought that was very flattering. Being first meant I had an opportunity to walk the course and keep our plan without watching other riders do different numbers. We set our plan in motion and went after it and it paid off.”
Jacobs continued, “Leap of Joy covers a lot of ground and he was jumping really well. He’s had some time off, so he came out very fresh. The weather was cooler for the Nations Cup on Saturday, so that really helped because he’s a bigger horse. He jumped great. He was really bold and jumped really high over all the fences; he didn’t want to touch a thing.”
That same day, Jacobs entered the ring with his second mount Flaming Star, to defend their 2011 win in the International Speed Derby. Once again the pair was the fastest of the fast, clocking in at a clear 81.69 seconds, two seconds ahead of the runner-up. Flaming Star’s quick effort put Jacobs in the winner’s circle for the second year in a row.
“Flaming Star was fantastic,” noted Jacobs. “He is one of those horses that has almost catlike reflexes when it comes to running and jumping. He was super fast. He really likes that field, so we went out there and got a really good lick to start the class. We went very early in the draw and there were about 40 horses that jumped in it and our time fortunately, held up. It was a pretty competitive class. At that height you’ve really need to go fast and Flaming Star really excels at that that.”
The weekend wrapped up with the World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix on Sunday. Leap of Joy was able to produce his third clear effort in a row with Jacobs in the irons. When they returned for the jump-off, the pair had an unlucky rail early in the round, but after finishing with just four-faults they captured the fifth place award.
“I am thrilled I had the opportunity to represent the United States again in Buenos Aires,” stated Jacobs. “Even though I had a good show last year, there was some unfinished business after we didn’t win the Nations Cup. I wanted to go down there and had something to prove. With myself, Quentin, Catherine, and Allison, we all went out there as close team and it meant the world to us to go out there and win the Nations Cup.”
Jacobs and his family’s Deeridge Farm will return to the competition ring later this year during the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.
Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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