Danielle Goldstein and Carisma. (Photo courtesy of Jack Mancini)

Wellington, FL (January 13, 2014) – Danielle Goldstein and Israeli Equestrian Partners have a winner on their hands. On Saturday, January 2, the 15-year-old Swedish (Cardento x Maratonia) Warmblood mare delivered a decisive season-opening win in a flawless 37.618 seconds over a Tony D’Ambrosio course that whittled an opening field of 31 entries at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) down to five double clear efforts by the final round of the jump-off.

“I chose to jump off right away because I think it’s healthier for the horse not to have to warm up twice,” said Goldstein, whose strategy worked perfectly. When her rider asked, the mare delivered, joining 14 clear rounds to make the jump-off and setting a final effort that remained unchallenged for the win. Lorenzo De Luca and Neil Jones Equestrian’s Utopias were unable to stop the clock any faster than 38.172 seconds to finish in reserve.

“The competition was a 2 A or B option. I had a choice of jumping off right away or waiting to do it at the end of the class after everyone did the first round. The downside is you don’t see everyone else do the track but I was using this as a warm-up. It was an unexpected, but always welcome, surprise to win.

“Carisma jumped beautifully. I’ve spent the last few months really working on her condition and fitness, so this was nice confirmation of my efforts. It is a great way to begin our partnership,” said Goldstein, whose Starwyn Farms, LLC has been no stranger lately to great equestrian partnerships.

Last June, her top ten finish on Starwyn Farms’ 13-year-old bay Darco-bred BWP gelding, Adamo van’t Steenputje in the Outdoor Gelderland/Arnhem Grand Prix 3* in Holland qualified Goldstein for the ECCO FEI European Show Jumping Championships in Denmark and subsequently the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. She was also handpicked by Israel’s Equestrian Federation as chef d’equipe for its show jumping team, in conjunction with the historic addition of Equestrian to the Maccabiah Games, coaching the squad to team Gold, and individual Silver and Bronze medals.

Thanks to Carisma’s shining opening performance, the ‘Year of the Horse’ looks equally bright for all involved. “I’m looking forward to a good year,” said Goldstein.  “She won’t really get started until February or so. I hope to jump some of the bigger 4* and 5* competitions later on in the circuit but as always, we will play it class by class.”

For more information about Danielle Goldstein and Carisma, or the services available for horses and their riders at Starwyn Farms, LLC, please call 917-544-3349 or email dani@starwynfarms.com.

Contact: Danielle Goldstein
Starwyn Farms, LLC
Dani.goldstein@gmail.com
(917) 544 3349