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Christina Firestone Goes Full Throttle to Win Wellington Turf Tour 1.30-1.35m Jumper Class

Christina Firestone and Wilhelmus S.

Wellington, FL – March 4, 2015 – The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour visited Tonkawa Farms to kick off the ninth week of competition. The sun shined all day over the gorgeous polo fields on the private estate. Manicured hedges bordered the property and created a tranquil setting for the horses and riders to enjoy beautiful courses designed by Nick Granat in the main ring and Michel Ismalum in the second ring. Many of the riders took advantage of the incredibly close proximity to the show grounds and nearby farms and hacked over.

Conor Swail rode several horses today in the 1.30-1.35m classes and set the time to beat on his winner from earlier weeks of the Tour. Susan Grange’s Fortis Fortuna blazed around the course, stopping the clock at 31.708 seconds. This pair’s time held up for the majority of the day.

Just before 2:30 p.m., Christina Firestone entered the ring aboard Graham Fletcher’s Wilhelmus S. She flew around the track, giving Swail a run for his money. When the clock stopped, there was a new leader for the $2400 1.30-1.35 m class- the time read 29.917 seconds.

Wilhelmus S is a new mount for Firestone, having just acquired the ride about a week ago. “It’s really exciting to come out here and go this well. The course rode great! I love jumping on the turf; I think the horses go better on it. They were really friendly courses, the striding was right on, and I didn’t have to question any of it.”

Firestone was happy to be supporting the Turf Tour. “We’ve been doing the same classes every week over at the other horse show, and I wanted to change it up. It’s great that they have two rounds back to back, so that if you make a mistake in the first round you can go back and fix it in the next one. I think it’s really nice that they have the friendly 1.40 Grand Prix on Friday. I’ll for sure be back for it!”

The second $2400 1.30-1.35m class was won by McLain Ward on HH Eli Cash for Double H Farm. The world-class athlete piloted the 8-year-old to an unbeatable time of 30.291 seconds. Ward made his jump off round look effortless, leaving out strides and wasting no time in the turns on his way to the victory.

McLain Ward and HH Eli Cash
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McLain Ward and HH Eli Cash

Ward spoke about his mount that he has brought to many of the stops during the Turf Tour. “He’s an eight year old, owned by Double H Farm. I’ve just been developing him here in this series and he’s coming along quite nicely. He’ll continue to compete in this series; he’ll do the 1.40 on Friday and probably do one more before the end of the season. He’s an exciting talent.”

He continued, “The course rode beautifully. Nick Granat’s done an unbelievable job this whole season for the young horses. The venues are spectacular. Really for the young horses it’s a far better, more tranquil and more productive experience than the back rings at the other show. It really gives them some great experience for the future so it’s really nice to have.”

Second went to Dafnina, ridden by Diego Gonzalez Cremer for Claudia Licousi. As the last rider of the day, Diego did his best to catch Ward’s time, but fell short finishing in 31.096 seconds. Third went to Miranda Scott riding her longtime partner Quick Latinus, posting a time of 32.062 seconds.

The Young Horse series, in partnership with Classic Champions, Inc., was highly successful today, with an abundance of entries into the 5, 6 and 7-year-old divisions. The 5-year-old division was dominated by Baloumerang SV, owned by Genevieve Edwards and ridden by Josh Dolan. McKayla Langmeier piloted Laney in the 6-year-old Young Jumper class to rack up another win for owner Linda Langmeier. In the 6-year-old Young Jumper Championship qualifier class, Everton, owned by Wolver Hollow and ridden by Matthew M. Matell, triumphed. The highlight of the day in Ring 2 was the $2000 7-year-old Young Jumper class. Skara Glen’s Prescence cashed in during that class, winning for owner Skara Glen Stables with Paul O’Shea in the irons.

The Schooling Jumper divisions were also a popular option that had many riders hacking to Tonkawa Farms, which is conveniently located near the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. In the Low Schooling Jumpers, Linda Sheridan won the first class aboard her own Royal Diamond. Kandice, owned and ridden by Olivia Rathgeb, came out on top in the second class. Catherine Sullivan rode Kandel to first place in the first Medium Schooling Jumper class for Iron Horse Farm. Robert McNeel rode his own Zuidam to the top of the leaderboard in the second Medium class.

Friday’s events promise to be exciting, with the $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix running from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Beginning at 8 a.m., the second ring will have Low Schooling Jumpers, with two classes running simultaneously with open cards until noon. Medium Schooling Jumpers will kick off at 11 a.m. with two classes running with open cards and will run until 1:30 p.m.

Week nine of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour is taking place at Tonkawa Farms, 4150 South Road in Wellington, FL 33414. From Pierson Rd. or Lake Worth Rd, head south on South Shore Blvd. Make a right on 50th Street, and then a right on South Road. The entrance to the farm is on the right.

The Ridge would like to thank Dover Saddlery for their support of the 12-week series as the cooler and banner sponsor, and they would also like to announce their most recent jump sponsor, Panthera, the leaders in wild cat conservation. Panthera joins Hollow Brook Wealth Management and PJ Saddles as the series’ jump sponsors.

Show Net will be onsite for both Wednesday and Friday events posting live results, as well as videoing rounds in both rings. For results and videos, please visit www.shownet.biz.

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.

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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