Jordan Coyne and Lazaro. Photos by Randi Muster.
Jacksonville, FL – September 19, 2013 – Southeast Medal Finals got underway with entries doubled over last year’s attendance. The Jacksonville Equestrian Center was abuzz with activity, with equitation and jumper classes featured in the indoor arena.
For the Southeast Medal Finals $5,000 Welcome Stake, 26 horse and rider combinations tried their hand at course designer Allen Rheinheimer’s course. Ten completed the course with faultless rounds to return for the jump-off.
First in the order, Daniel Damen and Quintus 66, owned by Chuck Waters, had a clear opening round and progressed to the short course. He finished clean with a time of 30.659, establishing the time to beat. Then, Kaely Tomeu and Kalle, owned by Siboney Ranch, also left all the rails in their cups in the jump-off round and broke the beam at 30.858. The effort would eventually earn the pair fifth place.
Jordan Coyne and her own Lazaro produced the next faultless first round. Coyne and her big Belgian Warmblood Lazaro sped through the short track, made tidy inside turns and saved time throughout the course, laying down a time of 27.692.
Silvio Mazzoni and Terra Honero, owned by Jessie Mazzoni, were the next to progress to the jump-off round. The pair successfully performed inside turns, were fast, but not fast enough to beat Coyne and Lazaro. Mazzoni completed the jump-off in 27.94.
Liza Finsness and her second mount in the class, Ormsby Hill, and Christy Israel and Cracky Z both were double clear but posted jump-off times of 32.674 and 34.134 respectively, eventually earning them sixth and seventh place.
Coyne returned on a second mount, Cordovo, and attempted to beat her own time. The duo was clean, but came in at 28.898 putting them behind Mazzoni in third. Coyne and Lazaro’s time would stand as the speediest and the pair captured the win.
“Lazaro is 13. I’ve had him for six years and he is the best horse I could ever ask for,” said Coyne, a 22-year-old from New Port Richey, FL, who has trained with Derek Peterson since she was about 15. “He wants to win. He knows his job and he knows when he goes in the ring that it’s time to work and he’s all business. It doesn’t matter if you’re in an indoor or out in a big field; he jumps the same every time.”
“I think this is a great show,” she said. “I rode in this ring several years ago. I think this is a great facility and I’m really excited that there’s a show here because it is close to home.”
The Developing Sport Horse division, presented by Team Rakowsky, kicked off today. The first class of 4- and 5-year-olds competed over a 1.10m and 1.15m course. The division was inspired by European-style classes in which young jumpers are judged on their athletic potential. Horses are judged on style, presentation, rideability and their potential to represent the United States in future international competitions.
For scoring, all horses start with 60 points. The judges and course designer determined the course’s optimal time with a time allowance of 8 seconds below and above the optimal time.
Then, the judges awarded 1-10 points for style – jumping technique, presentation – fitness, condition and expression, rideability – smoothness, leads and appropriate striding.
Then points are taken away for faults: 5 points per knock down, 20 points for a refusal and 2 points for each second above and below the time allotment.
In the first leg of the division, Little Zegg, a Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Jessie Mazzoni and ridden by Silvio Mazzoni, was awarded 88 points from the judges to win the class.
“She belongs to my wife, but I am riding her,” said Silvio Mazzoni whose wife, Jessie Mazzoni, is pregnant. The Mazzonis hail from Reddick, FL. “We owned her mother, Zegg, who was by Indoctro and this mare’s sire is Coconut Grove. I think the Developing Sport Horse division is a really good idea. I don’t want to ride my young horses in a speed class. This is so much better for bringing them along.”
Additional horse and rider pairs had the opportunity to qualify for the Phelps Media Group Junior Medal Finals and the Southeast Adult Medal Finals. Molly Dinapoli earned the blue ribbon aboard Vasco, owned by Michael Kirby. Meghan Flanagan and Fairfield Farm’s Let’s Dance were second and Bailey Brasington was third aboard William, owned by Donald Stewart. All three train with Bibby Hill and Don Stewart. Emily Jones and Don Stewart’s Califernia and Megan Sullivan and Tanks a Million were first and second in the Adult qualifier.
Southeast Medal Finals returns on Friday with more show jumping action including the final two classes of the Developing Sport Horse division in the morning, jumper and equitation classes in the indoor arena and hunters in Ring 1. The not-to-be-missed highlight Friday evening will be the $25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix.
To learn more about Southeast Medal Finals, visit www.southeastmedalfinals.com.
Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:
WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is a USEF A-Rated indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show. USEF Rated Jumper Level 3
WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com
WHEN: September 19-22, 2013
WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and 500 permanent stalls.
13611 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221
FEATURES:
- Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior Medal Finals
- Southeast Adult Medal Finals
- ASPCA Maclay Regionals
- $25,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Jacksonville
- $5,000 Welcome Stake
- $7,500 Child/Adult Jumper Finals
- New European Style Developing Sport Horse Division
- New Southeast Children’s Hunter Final
- New Southeast Adult Hunter Final
- EMO Cup Championship
Click here for the prize list, entry forms, schedules and more.
HUNTER & EQUITATION JUDGES: Linda Andrisani & Molly Flaherty (Hunter, Maclay & SEMF), Tony Sgarlatta (Hunter, Equitation & SEMF), Jennifer Drahan (SEMF)
JUMPER JUDGES: Allen Rheinheimer & Fred Brown
STEWARD: Janet McCarroll
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Susan Rindal – 904-655-5497 – rindal@bellsouth.net
James Lala – 561-906-6668 – jdlala@aol.com
Bob Bell – 843-768-5503 – bbell@earthlink.net
DIRECTIONS: For map and address information, visit http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/Location.aspx.
Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com