©Flying Horse Photography. Rich Fellers and Flexible were on top of their game Friday in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.
THERMAL, CA (March 8, 2014) – Rich Fellers of Wilsonville, Oregon and the famed Flexible climbed the ranks at HITS Thermal on Friday to win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, over a field of 58 starters.
Earlier this year, the fate of 2012 USEF International Horse of the Year Flexible was an uncertain one. The 18-year-old gelding was diagnosed with blood clots in his right hind leg in June and his showing career was put on hold.
“His future is a mystery right now,” said Fellers of the chestnut stallion owned by Harry and Mollie Chapman. “The vets say that he shouldn’t be able to handle full work, let alone jump – there is no real explanation as to how he is happy and able to still perform.”
Fellers admits that he is listening closely to Flexible and is taking every day class by class. “If he’s not right, he won’t jump,” said Fellers confidently. “I love him too much to take any risks.”
On Friday, there was no indication that Flexible was anything other than at the top of his game. He carried Fellers to join 11 other clear contenders, setting the stage for a 12-horse jump-off.
The SmartPak Grand Prix course was designed by Bernardo Cabral of Carnaxide, Portugal and faults were mostly isolated to the second half of the 13-obstacle track. “This guy is top class,” said Fellers of Cabral. “Today was super, fair and nobody had any real problems on course. The jump-off was certainly entertaining.”
Richard Spooner of Agua Dulce, California proved early that the course could be jumped, piloting Chivas Z for SN Stables, LLC to a clear round from the second spot in the original order. In the jump-off, Spooner set a challenging standard with a clear effort in 39.52 seconds.
Fellers returned one trip later and mirrored Spooner’s approach, taking inside-turn options and letting Flexible gallop every line. “Richard [Spooner] is a brilliant rider and it’s helpful to watch a top rider lay down an efficient, quick round,” said Fellers. “I was standing at the gate watching everything he did and my plan was to copy that.”
The difference, according to Fellers, was Flexible’s speed. Arguably one of the fastest horses in the field, Flexible shaved more than a full second off the Great American Time to Beat, crossing the timers in 38.27 seconds. “He’s faster than most horses and when we follow the same track, he usually ends up ahead,” said Fellers.
The two international stars stayed at the top with Spooner finishing in second. Mandy Porter of Encinitas, California jumped the stallion Con Capilot, owned by Plum Creek Hollow Farm, to third with a clear jump-off round in 40.18 seconds. Eric Navet of Panileuse, France piloted Signe Ostby’s Tembla to fourth in 41.43 seconds. Spooner capped the top five on his second ride – Cristallo, owned by Show Jumping Syndications – with a clear effort in 43.15 seconds.
With the second annual AIG Million on the horizon, grand prix action returns to the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium on Sunday with the $50,000 CardFlex Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. A live stream of Sunday’s event will be available at iEquine.com.
About SmartPak
SmartPak powers healthy horses and happy riders. The patented SmartPak Supplement Feeding System makes it easy for riders across the country to take the best care of their horses. Founded in 1999, with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses, the system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly. For more information, visit SmartPak.com.
About Zoetis
Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!
HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com