WELLINGTON, FL – October 15, 2012 – Daniela Stransky (15) may have been the youngest rider in the $10,000 Open Jumper Stakes at the ESP October Horse Show, but that didn’t stop the talented teen from being in the top of the class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.
Aboard her chestnut mare Anemone’s Vicky, the Miami Country Day School student was one of only 3 clean rounds to advance to the jump. The first to go clean, she was also the first in the jump off where she put in a speedy, 4 fault round. Her effort secured her the 3rd place ribbon and $1,200 in prize money that she added to her ever-growing donations to the charity Step by Step Foundation (www.stepbystepfoundation.com). The class was won by seasoned veteran Sharon Wordley aboard Quick Blue Z, followed by Irishman Scott Keach riding Anne Quanbeck’s Coco to the second place ribbon.
Although Daniela is relatively new to the Open Jumpers, having made her debut in a Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park only two months ago, she was ready for the challenge and held nothing back. “The course was nice and technical,” stated her trainer Hector Florentino, who placed 6th in the same class aboard Stransky’s Mission Farm’s jumper Waow. “Her first round was flawless. She had to go first in the jump off and yet she posted a good time with only 4 faults. The other two riders had the advantage of seeing her go, and knowing the time to beat. We are all really pleased; to put in this type of an effort at a venue like PBIEC really bodes well for Daniela’s future in the jumpers.”
In addition to her efforts in the show ring, Daniela has been putting in a lot of effort into helping children in need around the world. She is the founding rider for “Team Step by Step,” a group of diverse show jumping veterans of all ages and levels who are working to help raise awareness and funds for the international children’s charity. “It is always great for me to see Daniela compete,” beamed her mother, Liliane Stransky, who is the charity founder and owner of Stransky’s Mission Farm in Wellington, Florida. “It is not just because she is my daughter though that is a big part of it! Every time Daniela puts in a clean round, with every victory no matter how big or small, she helps Step by Step. It makes winning that much more important to us all.”
The many riders who are members of “Team Step by Step” will join forces once again at the upcoming FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. The “team” includes professional, amateur and junior equestrians competing in the jumper, hunter and equitation divisions. To make donations or to become involved please email info@stepbystepfoundation.com.