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Conor Swail Shows It’s More Than Luck, Riding to 1.40m Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour Victory

Conor Swail and Fortis Fortuna win Week 9 Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour 1.40m Grand Prix.

Wellington, FL – March 6, 2015 – Ireland’s Conor Swail rode Fortis Fortuna to a blazing time of 33.669 seconds in the Ridge at Wellington’s 1.40m Grand Prix at Tonkawa Farms to snatch up the win today. Not only did Swail secure the first place, but he also guided his other mount, Tahiti Island, to the third place finish, proving that his winning streak is more than just the luck of the Irish. It was Olympian Laura Kraut and Zeremonie that followed close behind, breaking the beam in 33.819 seconds to take the second place finish, just narrowly missing Swail’s time.

Swail set an early lead this morning at Tonkawa Farms, riding to the top finishes with his two mounts. He left nothing to chance as he guided Fortis Fortuna, owned by Susan Grange, to the jump off time of 33.669 seconds. He followed only three trips later with Tahiti Island, owned by Blue Hill Farm, to rank second with an equally impressive, but more conservative round in 36.720 seconds.

“It is another different venue, and the footing is fantastic. It is a beautiful, beautiful setting. It is the same each week at the shows; it is nice to have a place like The Ridge,” Swail said. “At The Ridge, your horses can get a great education, enjoy beautiful courses and compete at a different venue every week. Each venue has its own unique style, so it is really beneficial to bring your horses here and compete for some nice prize money, too.”

Swail continued, “Fortis Fortuna is a very nice horse who has done a few of these classes now, and today she had a very fast round. I think it would be hard to beat our time. We got a little lucky today, which is never bad. Hopefully I posted a score that will stand. It’s there to beat, but she jumped great and did everything I asked her to do. Wherever that gets me, I’m happy with that.”

Their time held strong as consecutive competitors attempted to catch it without avail. Only eight horse and rider combinations were able to jump double clear, but Olympian Laura Kraut was prepared to add some heat to the competition, showing Zeremonie to the last clear jump-off round of the day. For the first time since Swail posted the path finding time, it seemed as though defeat was a possibility.

Kraut took all the inside turns, keeping a tight track as she navigated Nick Granat’s course. She even left out strides; however, the clock would stop .15 seconds off Swail’s pace.

Laura Kraut and Zeremonie
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Laura Kraut and Zeremonie

“This is the second time that I have jumped Zeremonie at The Ridge,” Kraut said of the grey mare. “She did really well the first time we jumped on the turf at the Wanderer’s Club, and she seems to really love the grass. She jumped great out there today; she was super. I am so happy that we came here. We heard rumors that the footing was amazing, and they were right – it is. It is so nice for the horses; it feels like they are jumping on a trampoline.”

Darrin Dilin and Carlotta Singular would capture the fourth place just behind Swail and Tahiti Island. They rode to the time of 37.671 seconds without fault. Sarah Wayda and Faroukh finished fifth, while the first rider of the day, Sayre Happy, rounded out the top six with Big Star.

Week 10 of the Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour is taking place at The International Polo Club, located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington, FL, 33414. The show entrance will be off 120th Street between Lake Worth Road and Pierson Road.

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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