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Sarah Segal and Tilghman Ride to Victory at the Ridge at Wellington’s 1.40 Grand Prix

Sarah Segal and Tilghman. Photos by: Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – February 8, 2014 – McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets returned to the Ridge at Wellington’s 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix to defend their turf, but they were met with a challenger as the fifth week of the series got underway. Sarah Segal and Tilghman rose to the test today, riding the jump off round with blazing speed. They rode to a double clear effort in 32.574 seconds, proving untouchable and taking the victory.

Roosje Brouwer took an early lead with Cisco’s Zidane as the sun rose over Wolfstone Stables. She guided the gelding around the Pierre Jolicouer designed course for a clear first round, then riding to the first of only four double clear rounds. Christine McCrea and Win For Life posted a conservative time of 38.703 seconds, but had one rail down. Karyn Foley and Falco also posted a four-fault round, but their time of 43.457 seconds proved too careful for a top three finish. It seemed as though Brouwer’s time would hold as the day continued; however, McLain Ward would soon challenge her time of 36.150 seconds.

Ward navigated the first round track with straightforwardness, riding new mount Dulien Van De Smeets to the top of the leader board with a jump off time of 34.031 seconds. Ward used a forward pace to move the mare through the turns, he negated an inside turn that left hope for competitors. His time was fast, but not entirely untouchable.

“It was a good course. I thought it was actually a little bit bigger than last week, but it was in a little easier ring, going in the sand. She went great out there and did great today,” Ward said. “We are going to keep moving her along, and hopefully jump her in some grand prix soon enough.”

McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets
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McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets

Ward continued, “It is nice to be able to compete for good prize money, not going up against 200 horses running around like maniacs. If you are trying to develop a horse in the 1.40m division, it is very hard at the Winter Equestrian Festival; you almost need a ringer in those classes now.”

Emmanuel Camilli took his turn at the track with Zacca Zoeloe, chasing Ward’s time. He was able to guide the bay gelding to a time of 33.617 seconds, but a rail fell at fence 7 to make him the fastest of the four-faulters. It wasn’t until Sarah Segal took the reins aboard Tilghman that defeat seemed plausible.

Segal posted a speedy first round course, and continued into the jump off. Using Tilghman quick foot speed, she covered the ground with seconds to spare, breaking the beam in 32.574 seconds. She was a full two seconds quicker than Ward’s leading time.

“I got him as a 6-year-old, and he is 10 now, so I have had him for a while. He won a bunch of these grand prix last year, and we came so close to winning the finale, but he had a rail down at the last fence of the jump off,” Segal explained. “He is a fantastic 1.40m horse. This is a niche for him. He can jump it really easily, and is really quick on his feet. Even if you go slow, he goes fast.”

Segal continued, “It is a little hard to get the context for if McLain would be able to hold the lead, but I tried to follow his track. My horse is just a little quicker. We made the inside turns, and although I added a stride to the last fence, my horse is so quick that I knew we had it. This is his game; he’s a great jumper and very quick in the air.”

Ben Meredith took the fourth place finish with Bernadien Van Westuur, jumping clear, but not quite fast enough with a time of 36.444 seconds. Ward finished in the second place position, while Brouwer completed the day with the third place award.

The stakes are increasing each week as top riders, amateur and professional, vie for their invitation to the $24,750 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix Series Finale on Saturday, March 22, 2014, as well as the coveted Leading Rider Bonus. The Wellington Turf Tour will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach next week for its Wednesday and Friday events.

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.

This approaching week The Wellington Turf Tour will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The Wednesday will return to the field with the 1.30m-1.35m Jumper divisions. The Grand Prix is set to happen this Friday, February 14, 2014. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching classes. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire. Show Net will provide the live scoring for the Ridge Winter Tour II, as well as video all rounds. All recorded rounds and results are available at: www.shownet.biz.

For more information about the Ridge at Wellington, please go to http://www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow the Ridge at Wellington on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264.

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 and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.

The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month 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:
Wolfstone Stables
3655 Middleburg Dr,
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

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