Jeffery Welles and Bilion.
Wellington, FL – February 26, 2014 – Jeffery Welles and Bilion soared through the timers in 30.010 seconds to capture the victory in the first 1.30m-1.35m Jumper class at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC). Their skill through the short track allowed them to surpass 27 contenders and affirm their lead in the Leading Rider Bonus standings. Peter Leone and Alias rode to the first place finish in the second 1.30m-1.35m class, riding to the superior time of 31.488 seconds.
Leslie Howard had set an early lead this morning as the fog lifted from the turf. As the first rider of the day, she left nothing to chance as she guided Whistler to the jump off time of 30.984 seconds. Her time held strong as each consecutive competitor attempted to catch her without avail. It seemed that she had the win in the palm of her hand until Welles traversed the track.
Welles is no stranger to The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour, claiming top placings already throughout the 11-week series. Welles was able to navigate Bilion to a quick and tidy jump off, besting 12 contenders to claim the blue in a time of 30.010 seconds, shaving the seconds with tight turns and utilizing speed.
“Bilion is a great horse. We have had him since he was 4 years old, and he is now an 8-year-old. We have had him for quite a while, and it is really nice to see him come into his own and start to jump some bigger fences,” Welles explained. “It is nice to be able to jump him on the grass, and today had some spooky jumps and technical lines. It has been really good for him to go to different venues and fields to jump around. He is coming along really well, and I hope he has a bright future.”
Welles continued, “He is really sensitive. I have known him since he was a young horse, so we know each other well. He is really careful. Horses like that need to be well managed on the flat, and I don’t really jump him in between the shows at all. He is naturally a good jumper. This is all about giving him the experience. He’s got what it takes. He is just a really good competitor and always has been.”
Howard’s time would prove good enough for the second place, with Monica Carrera and Lincourt Gino capturing third. Jennifer Gates and Cadence rode to the fourth place finish, while Eirin Bruheim and NLF Favorite took fifth. Amanda Hart and Precious Metal 3E rounded out the top six.
It was Peter Leone who rode to the first place finish in the second class of the day. He entered into a 13-horse jump off to ride away with the win aboard Alias. He jumped to a double clear effort in 31.480 seconds. His student Kiva Iscol secured the second place aboard Casino Van De Helle in 31.667 with another clean jump off. Andrew Bournes and Casper rode to the third place with a clean effort in 32.502 seconds.
The course opened at 8 a.m. and remained open until 4:30 p.m., allowing competitors ample time to come at their convenience to ride and enjoy the ambiance of the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The $175,000 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix event will return to IPC tomorrow for the eighth week of competition. The 11-week series will culminate with the $24,750 Wellington Turf Tour Invitational Grand Prix Finale on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Deeridge Farms.
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.
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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 second 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 22, 2014. The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 8, 2014 and running until March 19, 2014.
Young Jumper Classes, Junior/Amateur-Owner, Child/Adult and Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers rated Equitation Shows every Tuesday from January – March 2013. 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 7, 2014 and March 21, 2014.
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/Senior Classics, and two hunter derbies.
Where:
International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, FL 33414
Barn & Show Phone 561-791-1471 | Barn Fax 561-791-1543
When:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, January 10, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hours:
8:30am-5pm daily
Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike: Take the exit for LakeWorth Road West. Continue on Lake Worth Road approximately 6 miles to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Continue to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
From Route 95: Take the exit for Forest Hill Blvd West. Continue on Forest Hill Blvd to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Once on South Shore Blvd, continue straight at light at Pierson Road and again straight through the intersection at Lake Worth Road, to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
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: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264?ref=ts&fref=ts.
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