Jeffery Welles and Bilion.
Wellington, FL – March 13, 2014 – Jeffery Welles is leaving nothing to chance as he continues to capture the top wins with each passing week during the Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour. Although he took a break with his top mounts for Week 9 of the series, he returned for the tenth week of competition with his eyes set firmly on the win. Welles rode to the top of the 1.30m-1.35m leader board for both the red and green classes held at Valiente Farms yesterday, keeping the stronghold on the Leading Rider Bonus.
Molly Ashe Cawley was the first rider of the day to lay down the time to beat in the red class with Cocq A Doodle, a young bay mare who has sat at the top of the ranks consistently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour. Her impressive double clear in 44.960 seconds vaulted the duo to the top of the ranks, but their reign was short lived as fellow Norfield trainer, Emanuel Camilli rode Emma Peel 40 to a speedy clear round in 43.704 seconds. Karina Aziz and Chacco’s Goldie slid just behind Camilli with a clean jump off in 44.518 seconds.
Week 10 saw over 40 entries, but Jeffery Welles took over the lead in the red course with Bilion, becoming the day’s trailblazer as he rode the talented horse to a time of 39.747 seconds, pushing Camilli into second place.
“Bilion was a little frisky after having a week off, but he jumped very well,” Welles said. “I didn’t watch anyone else jump off, but I picked up a nice gallop on him, and kept the pace throughout. We were able to do sweeping turns, and Eric Hasbrouck did a great job designing the courses. Pretty much, my plan was to pick up a gallop and stayed on. It worked.”
Welles continued his hot streak into the second class of the day with Gummi Van Oz.
They tackled the shortened track in a speedy 39.685 seconds, more than four seconds ahead of his fellow contenders.
“I started riding him in early summer of last year, and we have really been working on building him up throughout the season,” Welles explained. “He has been quite good, and before WEF he was placed in the finals in South Hampton. He is a smaller horse for me, but he has a very big stride. He is not spooky, very straightforward. He goes fast with a nice gallop that suits me well.”
Candice King and Balous Day Date rode to the second place finish with a clear round in 44.153 seconds. Kevin Babington and Borindy took the third place, while Monica Carrera and Lincourt Gino finished fourth. Emily D’Alessandro and Tarantel’la took home fifth, while Derek Braun and Cojack rounded out the top six.
Welles continues to lead the Wellington Turf Tour Leading Rider Bonus standings with $17,705 earned throughout the series. Ireland’s David Blake sits in second place with $10,825. Although Welles has what appears to be an insurmountable lead, this Friday’s 1.40m Grand Prix and the following week’s finale event will tell all. The winner of the finale event will walk away with $8,000, possibly also claiming the coveted Leading Rider Bonus.
“In the beginning of the series I wondered what they were going to do for the leading rider, but then when IPC stepped up with the membership, it was something that I definitely wanted to go for,” Welles concluded. “It has been a great series for all of my horses, and has really helped to get some good miles in. The footing was absolutely amazing. Good footing is a key factor.”
Tomorrow the 1.40m Grand Prix will return to Valiente Farms for the final week of competition before the finale event at Deeridge Farms on March 22, 2014. The course will open at 8 a.m. and remain open until 4:30 p.m., allowing competitors ample time to come at their convenience to ride and enjoy the ambiance of Valiente. The 11-week series will culminate with the $24,750 Wellington Turf Tour Invitational Grand Prix Finale next Saturday at Deeridge Farms. Attendees of Week 10 of the 11-week series can look forward to a show filled with top-tier competitors and horses, and nearly $200,000 in prize money.
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 2014. 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:
Valiente Polo
11506 Wellington Preserve Blvd, 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