Wellington, FL – March 1, 2012 – Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone piloted Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino (Gino) to the win to kick off CSIO Week during the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Leone and Gino topped a starting field of 28 horse and rider combinations on opening day during the speed class with a quick and clear effort over the challenging course.
“The course, designed by one of our country’s best course designers, Anthony D’Ambrosio, and it was excellent,” noted Leone. “It included water and had a very difficult line by the in-gate and provided the opportunity to work out of a gallop.”
Leone, who is a very methodical and plan-oriented competitor, found the course to ride exactly as anticipated. Gino and Leone were able to answer the course’s questions effortlessly, stopping the clock at 61.23 seconds, a full second a head of the second place finisher. Recently, Leone and Gino were fifth in the $50,000 G & C Farms Jumping Derby, laying down the fastest time of the field.
“This was the Gino’s first class since the Jumping Derby. I wanted him to get loose because our target this week is the 1.50m Classic on Sunday. I didn’t call on him to win today; he was just in the mood. He’s jumping easier and easier and he couldn’t feel better,” shared Leone.
Owner Monica Carrera was thrilled by the win, and Leone is clearly impressed with the nine-year-old, bay Irish Sport Horse by Gino II. Leone commented, “Gino has his own way. He’s careful and game and has a huge stride, but he can also be short catty. He is enjoying the International Ring and he really liked the Derby course. He takes advantage of the big gallops. This is only my seventh class on him, but we’re not wondering about each other. We’re working like a team focused on the competition; it’s exciting! Who knows what he can accomplish,” concluded Leone. “I’m glad Gino enjoys life with Lionshare Farm!”
Peter Leone is an Olympic equestrian, trainer, producer of hunter/jumper instructional DVDs and author. He owns and operates Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, CT. His clients successfully compete in the pony, equitation, hunter and jumper divisions. He is one of three brothers, internationally known as Team Leone, for their success in the show ring. Leone was a member of the 1996 Silver Medal United States Olympic Show Jumping Team and winner of numerous national and international Grand-Prix show jumping competitions.
For more information about Peter Leone and Lionshare Farm go to: http://www.lionsharefarm.com/index.html.
To purchase Peter Leone’s Ride the Body: Select Insights of Peter Leone DVD go to: http://www.lionsharefarm.com/store/page2.html.
To be notified when the book, Peter Leone’s Jumping Clinic: Success Strategies for Equestrian Athletes by Peter Leone and Kimberly S. Jaussi, PhD, will be available, contact: cw@phelpsmediagroup.com.
Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com