(c) ESI Photography. Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck jump clear in Sunday’s $50,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix.
Ocala, Florida (January 25, 2015): HITS regular Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida turned on the afterburners in the $50,000 Equine Couture/TuffRider Grand Prix jump-off Sunday to knock out the competition and win the class on Troy Glaus’ Quidam’s Good Luck.
Forty-five horses competed in the first round over a course designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico. Thirteen qualified for the jump-off. Going second in the jump-off, with the likes of Mclain Ward, Ian Millar and Candice King behind him, Vale rode clean and fast to win.
“I know if we leave the jumps up, he’s got a good chance,” Vale said of the 9-year-old bay gelding Quidam’s Good Luck. Vale said the horse has a jumping style that’s “fairly extravagant – the way he kicks his hind end up and flicks his tail at the same time.”
Vale and Quidam sped around the abbreviated course, setting the Great American Time to Beat at 38.330 seconds for others to chase, and ultimately earning the blue and a $15,000 prize check.
“We’ve had a great week here showing over Manuel’s courses,” Vale said. “Flowing across the ring with time alloweds being a little tight, it really encouraged you to go forward. He did a good job of making it technical but making you have to go forward at the same time.”
Five more riders were clean in the jump-off but none were able to match Vale’s time. Mclain Ward from Brewster, New York and Double H Farm’s HH Ashley came close with a time of 39.886, securing their second place spot.
Ward said, “I kind of lost sight of the last jump heading into the sun and took one extra pull, but she was good.” On a different horse, his and Susie Heller’s Dulien Van De Smeets, a fault put Ward in eighth place with a time of 41.040.
Ian Millar of Perth, Ontario, who rounded out the top three with a time of 40.289, said jokingly after the class, “Aaron (Vale) gave us all a riding lesson.”
Also clean in the jump-off were Jared Petersen on Derek Petersen’s Titus 2:11, coming in fourth, Juan Pablo Betancourt on his Troya Retiro, for fifth place, and Millar again, on Team Works’ Star Power, in sixth place.
Morgan Ward and Orberose du Gord take blue in $2,500 Junior Jumper Classic Low; Samantha Schaefer and Sugar Ray win $2,500 Pyranha Amateur Jumper Classic by nearly three seconds
Morgan Ward of Milford, New Jersey, riding Redfield Farm’s Orberose du Gord, topped the $2,500 Junior Jumper Classic Low at HITS Ocala.
Four had clean rounds and went on to the jump-off over a course designed by Manuel Esparza, of Mexico City, Mexico. Ward finished both first and second in the class with clean rounds each time. Orberose du Gord went last and finished with the winning time of 33.305. Vanessa McCarthy’s Halladay earned second place with a time of 33.501. Third place went to Mary Katherine Hargreaves of Alpharetta, Georgia, on her own Quartus, with a clean round and a jump-off time of 34.179.
(c) ESI Photography. Samantha Schaefer and Sugar Ray win the $2,500 Pyranha Amateur Jumper Classic.
$2,500 Pyranha Amateur Jumper Classic Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, Maryland topped the leaderboard in the $2,500 Pyranha Amateur Jumper Classic Low on her own Sugar Ray. Schaefer said of the Swedish Warmblood, “I’ve had him for six years. He’s 16 now and he’s probably my favorite horse ever. He always tries so hard to win. He has a huge heart.”
Schaefer’s time of 30.604 beat the other five horses in the jump-off by nearly three seconds. Second and third place went to Mallory Vale of Williston, Florida on Ashwey Calisto and Mi Phone with times of 33.128 for second and 33.440 for third, respectively. Both horses are owned by Thinkslikeahorse.
Laura Linback and Whittaker MVNZ Take Top Honors in $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O Jumper Classic High Laura Linback of Mundelein, Illinois rode to the only clean round in the jump-off on Whittaker MVNZ with a time of 31.331 seconds, to beat the other three who made it to the final round over the course also designed by Esparza in the $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O Jumper Classic High.
Linback said she’s had Whittaker MVNZ for four years. “He’s a wonderful horse. He’s game and happy, but a little lazy, too. He needs inspiring.”
Hayley Waters from Sparr, Florida, riding Qurint, owned by Chuck and Dana Waters, came in second with the final rail coming down for four faults in 29.831 seconds. Rounding out the jump-off in third was Nicole Bellissimo from Wellington, Florida, riding Bellissimo LLC’s Harley David, to a four fault round in 29.943, and Sima Morgello from the Bronx, New York, with Orientales, owned by the Double S Farm, with eight faults and the fastest time of 28.236 for fourth. Sima was the winner of the Medium Jr/Am Classic earlier in the day on her other horse Zopala.
SAUGERTIES, NY (September 8, 2014) – Don Stewart called Aaron Vale 18 days ago and told him he had a horse Vale could win the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with. Two weeks later Stewart’s premonition was spot on and his five-year-old gelding, in Vale’s steady hands, landed them a $150,000 check.
“When I got the call from Don and went to sit on the horse [Dress Balou], I wasn’t sure he was the ride for me. He’s young and still in the ‘when you pull right I drift left’ stage,” said Vale [Williston, Florida] of the mount Stewart purchased from Kyle Dewar in April.
After a week’s worth of preparatory rounds during HITS Saugerties VII, Vale and Dress Balou set foot in the Outside Course to take a chance on $500,000. “I knew the jump would be there – his jump is always beautiful – but wasn’t sure he had the experience,” added Vale.
After a poetic performance in Friday’s first round, both panels of judges awarded scores of 93. “They were breathtaking,” said Stewart. “For judges who have never seen this horse before, it was impressive to earn such scores.”
Saturday however, wasn’t all smooth sailing for Vale and Dress Balou. A stumble after the first fence visibly shook horse and rider. But scores in the 80s kept the pair alive and guaranteed an appearance in the top 25 on Championship Sunday.
After scores were cleared from the previous two rounds on Sunday, riders were welcomed to a clean slate. “When I saw the ring Sunday morning thought my little horse was in way over his head,” said Stewart. “But Aaron instills confidence in every horse he rides. No one else could have done what he did with this horse.”
When called upon, Dress Balou rose to the occasion and carried Vale to top scores in both the third and fourth rounds on Sunday. Their overall 555 sent them straight to the winner’s circle after scores in the 90s from all three panels. While now confident in the young horse, Stewart and Vale weren’t always so sure.
“Balou looked special but I didn’t commit to buying him right away,” said Stewart. “It was the most money I’ve spent on a horse at that level, but I took a chance and it paid off today.”
Remarkably, second behind Vale was Amanda Steege [Bedminster, New Jersey] and Dress Balou’s half-brother Balou. They returned to familiar territory in the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final and landed on a combined score of 544. “I was third two years ago and love the format of this class no matter where I sit coming into the final two rounds,” said Steege of the fresh start presented in the third and fourth rounds. “Balou’s track record is that something usually goes terrible wrong on Friday and I have to put up an amazing score to make it to Sunday. This year we were second going into Saturday.”
Steege and Balou have a storied history, and won the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala last winter. They reunited a month ago when Balou came to Steege from owner Lisa Arena Davis with the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix as their fall goal. “Lisa is pregnant, so Balou has been on maternity leave and we decided this would be his next big event,” she added.
Junior rider Hunter Holloway [Topeka, Kansas] was fourth in the 2013 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final and crept closer to the top this year riding Lyons Creek Bellini to third for owners Hays Investment Corp. Their final score was 536.
Patricia Griffith [New York, New York] has tasted big-money glory before after a win in 2012, but settled for fourth this year with new ride Black Label, owned by Maxwell Levy. “I think the horses jumped better this year than any year in the past – the courses were great, rings remarkable and the event impressive,” she said after finishing four points out of third on a 532.
With high-stakes hunter competition a clear favorite at the HITS Championship, HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri confirmed the classes are in Saugerties to stay. “If you don’t have hunters, it can’t be a true American Championship and what we saw this week was just that. I’m proud to host and say the riders at the top are some of our best clients,” he said. “This class is unique because riders only have one shot on one horse. The result was exciting competition all the way around.”
Kimberly Maloomian Wins One for Mom
“The horse belongs to my mom, the check to my mom – I’m just here for the ride,” said Kimberly Maloomian [Needham, Massachusetts] after she and Urlala jumped to the win in the Platinum Performance $250,0000 Hunter Prix Final.
Kimberly and Urlala, the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Terri Maloomian, have been to the HITS Championship before but this year they put all the pieces into place.
“When the word ‘Final’ is attached to anything I get instant nerves,” Kimberly said. “The last two years, problem lead changes have kept us from the top. But, we worked it out this time.”
Maloomian, who trains with Mitch and Amanda Steege, qualified for the Platinum Performance Final showing at HITS Ocala and HITS Saugerties. After finding success in Florida, she and Urlala traveled north to practice on the bank that makes the Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson a nod to the traditional hunt. “Urlala never has trouble, but I needed to be confident,” she said.
The pair certainly displayed confidence during the first two rounds of competition, finishing second in round one and third in two. “I just wanted to get to the final and have fun,” said Maloomian, after returning first in the fourth and final round. “Even if we aren’t in the lead, I like going first in the order. Then everybody has to catch me,” she added.
Catch her they could not, however. With only a half point separating the top four scores after the third round, competition promised to be rich in the final. But a 171 easily topped the leader board and handed Maloomian the blue, along with $75,000 in prize money.
Haleigh Landrigan [Marstons Mills, Massachusetts] experienced her fair share of success this winter at HITS Ocala, winning four $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix qualifiers. She quickly became a top contender at her first-ever HITS Championship. Five points off the lead in the final round, she and Tegan Elizabeth Treacy’s Winston finished second.
“I rehabbed this horse after an injury,” said Landrigan. “To see him come full circle like this is amazing – I’m lucky to have been able to spend so much time getting to know him. I think it helped.”
Kendall Fately [Basking Ridge, New Jersey] and her own Magnetic finished third, while Sara McCloskey [Pound Ridge, New York] was fourth aboard her own Austin.
A first-year sponsorship for Platinum Performance, representative Emily Smith admits she immediately embraced the opportunity. “I grew up showing in the hunters and we focus a lot on the jumpers at Platinum Performance, so I didn’t think twice about sponsoring something I am personally passionate about,” she said. “I was lucky enough to watch all the qualifiers in Ocala, Culpeper and Saugerties, so to see the culmination was an once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
CULPEPER, VA (August 25, 2014) – Of the four horses Aaron Vale entered in Sunday’s $40,000 Grand Prix presented by Zoetis at HITS Culpeper, his confidence was vested in an unlikely candidate. Eight-year-old Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus, was the youngest of Vale’s rides, but stood as a prime example that pure talent was enough for a win.
With speed, eagerness and tight knees, Quidam’s Good Luck makes it look easy. Vale has been his pilot for two years and the pair began moving up the ranks this winter at HITS Ocala, jumping consistently well in the 1.40m Brook Ledge and 1.45m Prix. Vale believes he’s barely scratched the surface of the horse’s potential.
“This is his first year doing the grand prix and got his first win earlier this season. Our plan is to keep moving him forward into bigger classes as he gains experience,” said Vale (Williston, Florida) of the strapping bay Holsteiner gelding. “He doesn’t have the mileage some of the other horses have, but makes up for it with natural quickness.”
That inherent speed was put to the test in the HITS Grand Prix with 10 horses advancing to Ken Krome’s [Westminster, Maryland] jump-off. Tall verticals and challenging square oxers tested a field of 27 in the first round, weeding out the top contenders for the short course. “I only watched a couple ride before me, but knew if it came down to leaving out strides we were going to have a shot,” said Vale.
He was proved correct by the bending approach to a double combination in the jump-off. “I watched most ride ten strides from a single fence to the combination and I thought we could do eight,” added Vale. “We pulled it off and it’s what made the difference.”
Crossing the timers in 39.48 seconds, Vale took the win with nearly three seconds to spare. Second-place was awarded to Filip De Wandel (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) and his own Gentley with a jump-off time of 42.25 seconds.
With only fractions of a second deciding second through fourth, Daniel Damen (Ocala, Florida) took third aboard Seth Vallhonrat’s Bahrain 8 in 43.22 seconds, while local girl Brooke Kemper (Culpeper, Virginia) piloted her own Classified to fourth in 43.56 seconds. Ian Silitch (Ocala, Florida) rounded out the top five double-clear efforts in the irons of Cordovo for Gaston Family Investments in 43.90 seconds.
Vale was back on the road first thing Monday morning with plenty of momentum driving him toward the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York. “I’ve got some promising young horses, but I’m deciding between Honeylands Douglason [owned by Doug’s Crew] and Spirit of Alena [owned by The Spirit Group] for the [Zoetis $1] Million Grand Prix,” he said.
Qualified Zoetis Million contenders from all corners of the U.S. and beyond, including Vale, will soon converge at HITS-on-the-Hudson for the Richest Week in Show Jumping September 3-7. Two more chances remain during Week VII as riders vie for a spot in the coveted high-stakes event.
$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix Tracy Fenney (Flower Mound, Texas) continues her reign over high-performance jumper action at HITS Culpeper. She and MTM Farm’s MTM Timon bested 23 contenders in Friday’s $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix to pocket a $4,350 winner’s check.
One of 14 pairs to advance to the jump-off, Fenney and her 14-year-old KWPN gelding are known for their speed, which propelled them to the win over five double-clear efforts.
Kama Godek (Fairfax Station, Virginia) is often at the top of the Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix finisher’s list, but this time she and her own Air Force One settled for second. Hayley Waters (Sparr, Florida) jumped to third with Fine Fleur, owned by Check and Dana Waters.
Mary Lisa Leffler (Brookeville, Maryland) and Carlot finished fourth for Rolling Acres, while Agatha D’Ambra (Rexford, New York) and Trade Winds Farm’s Vitaly settled for fifth.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation presents a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Culpeper summer and fall series. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the circuit.
Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck. Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography.
Lexington, KY – July 23, 2014 – The Kentucky Summer Series got underway today, with familiar names at the top of the leader board at the Rolex Stadium. The 1.40m Open Jumper classes were the feature events, with Aaron Vale and Pablo Barrios each taking home a win. Vale closed out the day with a victory aboard Quidam’s Good Luck in the jump-off class, while Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios sped to the lead earlier with Lascana. Molly Hale also took home a blue ribbon, riding Kahula to the fastest double clear effort in the 7 & 8-Year-Old Jumpers.
Steve Stephens designed the challenging tracks for today’s events in the Rolex, closing out the day with the 1.40m Open Jumper jump-off class. Seven riders were double clear over the course, making it a hoof race for the victory. Will Simpson set an early time to beat with The Dude as he broke the beam at 33.972 seconds, but it was not good enough to take over the win. Aaron Vale proved why his name is consistently in the headlines as he showed Quidam’s Good Luck to a fast and faultless round in 33.566 seconds for the victory. Matt Cyphert rounded out the top three riding Lochinvar to a clear jump-off in 34.263.
“I made up a little time everywhere, because I caught nice distances to the first two fences, had a good turn back in the middle, and went inside to the combination. It was just quick enough,” explained Vale of his jump-off. “Quidam’s Good Luck is an 8-year-old, and he won a $25,000 class during Country Heir. He’s just starting some grand prix classes, and he’s a real quality young horse. He was a little wiggly in the first round today, so I am not sure about tomorrow night. Hopefully by next week he’ll be comfortable and thinking about a grand prix.”
Vale continued, “You just get him to the jump, let go of his head and let him jump. He’s not really spooky; he’s not strong. You just have to get him to the jump at a decent distance. He’s not that complicated. He can cope with a little close or a little long; he’s got some range.”
Pablo Barrios and Lascana
The 1.40m Open Jumpers also competed in a speed event today, where Pablo Barrios showcased his winning ways aboard Lascana. Hannah Von Heidegger set the time to beat early in the class with E-Unanime De La Haie, leaving all the rails intact in a time of 59.995 seconds. Unfortunately she would need to settle for second when international speedster Barrios left strides out in the lines with Lascana, stopping the clock in a clear 58.317 seconds to take over the top spot on the leader board. At the end of the class, Von Heidegger made another bid for the top with her second mount Axl Rose, and although they were clear, their time of 61.450 seconds would only be good enough for third place.
“I left out strides in the first two lines, and I think that was the key to winning,” said Barrios. “I kept turning tight, and she did really well. She won a couple classes in the 1.40m in Spruce Meadows, so she is staying consistent at this level.”
Barrios added, “I am going to keep her in the 1.40m until she is more experienced. I tried to show her in one of the FEI 1.45m classes, but some of the decorations were a little spooky to her. She struggled a little bit. I decided to move her to another ring and she stayed very consistent in the 1.40m. She’s very easy. I think she will be a very nice amateur horse; she just needs some more mileage. She’s not complicated, and she’s very brave, fast, and honest.”
Earlier in the day, the 7 & 8-year-old Jumpers were moved from the Walnut Ring to the Rolex Stadium, which paid off for rider Molly Hay, who galloped to top honors aboard Kahula. Seven entries advanced to the jump-off, with five completing double clear efforts. Hay and Kahula set the time to beat as they left a stride out to the final jump to finish in 35.626 seconds. Aaron Vale tried to catch her with Selfie but was one second shy as he broke the beam in 36.746 seconds for second place. Colin Syquia took home the third place honors after stopping the clock at 37.385 seconds with Heidi D’Artevelde.
“Kahula covers the ground really nicely, and I am really pleased with how she went today,” smiled Hay. “She’s a 7-year-old that I got last year, and I have just been getting to know her. She loves the classic, American rider, light off the saddle. She doesn’t need a lot of contact, just free and open.”
Molly Hay and Kahula
Hay continued, “She can be a mare when she wants to be, but for the most part she is very sweet and a saint for a 7-year-old. Riding the young horses has been a great experience for me, especially when I have people like Kent Farrington and my boyfriend Claudio Baroni, who have a great program.”
The Kentucky Summer Series is a favorite stop for Hay, who concluded, “The Horse Park is one of the nicest faculties I have ever been to. It’s a paradise for horses, and I love coming here.”
The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic will be highlight event in the Rolex Stadium tomorrow evening, getting underway at 6:30 p.m. It will be the third event in the Hagyard Challenge Series, featuring the $50,000 Leading Riding Award. On Saturday, the Kentucky Horse Park will welcome Hat’s Off Day, a celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky, culminating with the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix at 7:00 p.m.
Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.
What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2014 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National Derby Series.
Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When:
NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 15-20, 2014
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 23-27, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 29 – August 3, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
2014 USEF PONY FINALS – August 5-10, 2014
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 12-17, 2014
USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event
KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 20-24, 2014
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, GGT Footing, Equestrian Services International, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, Sleepy P Ranch, and the Official Hotel The Clarion
Hours:
8am – 5pm daily
Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz
The Stonelea Ring, Murphy Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, the Alltech Arena and the Rolex Stadium have Otto Sport footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fiber on pvc mats. The Claiborne, Annex, and Covered Arena (old) rings’ footing consists of a sand cushion on limestone base. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.
CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.
OCALA, FL (February 14, 2014) – The $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, was the first grand prix held under the lights in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS Ocala. Not only were the lights on Thursday evening, but with the air crisp and the moon full, the horses were on as well. A large field of forty-two talented horses and riders came for an opportunity to qualify for the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, being offered for the first time this year in the new stadium on March 24.
Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Spirit of Alena, owned by Campos and Miranda Investments, jumped to their second win in a row at HITS Ocala with Thursday’s victory.
Grand prix Course Designer Martin Otto of Muenster, Germany set the course with 12 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts and a time allowed of 71 seconds for the first round. The course was technical and tight with little time to think, making instant decision paramount. After the first several horses jumped with no rails down but received time faults, the time allowed was adjusted to 73 seconds. “I felt the time allowed for this course was a little short. It was causing riders to be too cautious and causing time faults and rails down,” stated Vale. “It worked out better when it was adjusted to 73 seconds.”
Built at heights of up to 1.50m, some tricky turns and lines caused some challenges for the riders. The triple combination at 11, a vertical-oxer-vertical one stride to two-stride, proved to be difficult with the b element causing the most problems and standing between many hopefuls and the jump-off.
The jump-off course was seven fences, including 11b-c at the third effort, with a time allowed of 44 seconds. The first part of the course invited riders to gallop, going up the center of the ring, turning back to the two-stride, and then all the way across the ring to a wide oxer. The trick was then to balance for the last two verticals to finish the course. Three riders had the second to last fence down to end their hopes of appearing in the winner’s circle.
First to challenge the jump-off course with his first of two rides was Andre Thieme of Plau Am See, Germany, aboard his own Conthendrix, with a strong field of seven to follow. Thieme started the jump-off with an efficient round and quick time of 35.63 seconds, but a rail at the third fence, the original b element of the triple, meant a four-fault score.
My Weber of Ocala, Florida went next aboard AvailableJumpers.com’s Available Vogue and appeared to be on her way to a clean round with no faults until a rail came down at the second to the last vertical. She finished with a score of four faults in a time of 36.49 seconds.
Hunter Holloway of Topeka, Kansas was third to go and posted the Great American Time to Beat with a clean round in 33.46 seconds aboard the Hays Investment Corp. owned Yolo. Thieme then returned with his second horse Contanga 3, and while his time was almost good enough to catch Holloway, coming in at 33.85 seconds, a rail at the pesky second-to-last vertical resulted in a four-fault score.
David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio, on the speedster Ammeretto, for Equine Holdings LLC, gave a great effort, finishing in a blistering time of 31.43 seconds with four faults.
Tracy Fenny of Flower Mound, Texas, with two grand prix wins on the circuit this year, entered the ring next and had the crowd on her side as she zipped around the course clean in 31.28 seconds to take what appeared to be a commanding lead in the irons of MTM Farm’s MTM Timon.
Vale, winner of last Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, was looking for a repeat performance when he entered the stadium aboard the impressive chestnut stallion, Spirit of Alena. Vale executed his plan on the early part of the course perfectly, with a tidy turn from fence two to three that set a winning path. “My horse is a big horse and quick on his feet, but I wasn’t going to try for the win until I noticed we were way inside the tracks of the other horses. When I realized that, I figured with a good line to the last fence I’d go for it. It was a really last minute decision that paid off,” he said.
Vale shaved eight-tenths of a second off Fenney’s time to snatch the lead with a time of 30.43 seconds.
Charlie Jayne of Wellington, Florida, in the saddle of Top Top for Alex Jayne, was last to go, and galloped all-out over the first five fences, looking like he could be on the way to the win. Unfortunately, the second to last fence was again unlucky, as Top Top had a rail for four faults, finishing in a time of 31.90 seconds.
“It was a fun night and a great jump-off,” said Vale. “I am happy to be the first to win a grand prix under the lights in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.”
Behind the three double clears, Beisel landed in fourth and Jayne in fifth. Thieme took sixth and seventh with Contanga 3 and Conthendrix, respectively, and Webar capped the jump-off crowd in eighth.
Grand prix competition continues at HITS Ocala this Sunday with the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The class will again take place in the all-new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. Throughout the circuit, the Stadium will host select special classes, including the premiere of the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in March.
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.
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.
$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome Christina Kelly and Zulieka, owned by Faith Stewart, led the field on Wednesday as they once again returned in the top ranks as repeat winners of the Brook Ledge Open Welcome this week. Kelly faced fourteen clear in the jump-off round but her time of 28.84 proved a good enough effort to hold off a challenge by professional rider Aaron Vale, this time aboard Nicholas for Old Barrington LLC.
Third place finisher was Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois riding her very own Zancantos Z, who has past top-five finishes in the Brook Ledge. Liza is no stranger to ribbons this circuit, her most recent coming this past Sunday with a third place finish in the irons of the talented Centurion B for Mary Goldman, in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Erin Hass of Ann Arbor, Michigan took home fourth and fifth places respectively on As Di Chupito and Admiral Clover for North Face Farm.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.
OCALA, FL (February 10, 2014) – Thirty contenders showed up to challenge the difficult track set by course designer David Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario, Canada in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday at HITS Ocala. It was, however, Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Spirit of Alena that took the victory. The time allowed was set at 77 seconds, and the course included a triple combination at fence six, a double at fence eleven and several oxers for a total of thirteen obstacles.
The course proved to be formidable with consistent knock-downs and time faults as Ballard tested the competitors. Lisa Goldman was first to post a clear round and later have four join her for the jump-off.
Goldman rode 12-year-old Belgium Warmblood Centurion B to a double-clear performance for owner Mary Goldman, both of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, establishing the Great American Time To Beat at 35.75 seconds. They would ultimately finish third.
Next to jump off was Tracy Fenney and her 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding, MTM Centano. They completed the track in 35.52 seconds for second place. Grant Wilson of Palm Beach, Florida in the irons of Watch Me for owner Emmanuelle Mille posted a time of 43.30 seconds to take fourth place. Fenney piloted MTM Timon to fifth with a time of 34.74 seconds and four faults.
It was, in the end, impossible to catch the ‘Spirit’. Last to jump was professional rider Vale and Spirit of Alena, owned by Campos & Miranda Investments. They wowed the crowd and put the hammer down in an all-out effort with a time of 34.82 seconds for the win. It was grand prix jumping as it was meant to be.
When asked about the eye-catching big, red, sport horse stallion, Aaron commented, “He is one of those horses with a good mind, combined with an amazing stride. He has a great feel to him. For a big horse, he is very quick and has plenty of jump.”
Vale began riding the horse in 2013 and has been bringing him along slowly. “I am very happy with his performance today. Hopefully we will get to the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on March 24.”
There will be more grand prix action next Sunday as HITS V – the Ocala Winter Festival – kicks off with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, both presented by Zoetis. The excitement is starting to build for the first-ever Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The Great American Million will debut as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.
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.
OCALA, F.L. (January 31, 2014) – ‘This girl is on fire’, aptly describes Lisa Goldman and Centurion B as they beat a contentious field and jumped to the blue for their third grand prix win at HITS Ocala, in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis.
With 76 seconds, the allowed first-round time, course designer Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida challenged competitors by offering 12 obstacles with 14 jumping efforts. The competitors faced a combination of straight-forward verticals, oxers and tight turns, with a difficult left turn between fence seven, onward to eight. But, it was the triple combination at fence 10 a, b and c – a vertical-oxer-vertical that proved the trickiest part of the course. This combination produced the most faults with downed rails.
Five clean would return in the jump-off, taking on the clock and five fences, including a triple bar at number five with the jump-off time allowed set at 50 seconds.
MTM Timon, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding and a seasoned champion trained by Michael McCormick, owned by MTM Farm of Flower Mound, Texas and ridden by veteran two-time 2014 HITS Ocala grand prix winner, Tracy Fenney were the first to jump-off. They answered the call with a Great American Time to Beat of 39.56 seconds. Ultimately, their time proved good enough for the red ribbon.
Third place rider/trainer was hometown hero, Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida aboard Bromance, owned by his Thinkslikeahorse. Fourth place went to Moet Walk, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, with trainer/rider David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio in the irons. Rounding out the field of five was Leviticus, owned by MTM Farm of Flower Mound, Texas, also trained by McCormick and ridden by Fenney.
Make no mistake, this day belonged to the American-bred Belgian Warmblood Centurion B, bred by the ever-proud Allyn McCracken and partnered for ten years with the now, three-time HITS Ocala 2014 winning grand prix rider Lisa Goldman. Goldman is trained by her mother Mary Goldman, both of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois.
When asked about the course and the horse, Lisa beamed. “He is just the best. He was a little feisty with the weather, which is out of character for him – usually he shows with a laid-back attitude,” she said. “The course wasn’t set too big for today’s conditions and the footing was very good, considering the rain. My horse jumped well and dug in after the combination. I was really watching the clock at 33 seconds.”
Acknowledging the class sponsor, Goldman admits that her 85-horse farm in Illinois is fueled by SmartPak. “After winning a lot of product during last year’s winter circuit, we started using it on our horses and couldn’t be happier with the results,” she said.
There will be more great grand prix action on Sunday as HITS III, the Ocala Premiere continues with the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The excitement is starting to build for the first-ever Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The Great American Million will debut as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.
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.
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.
Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida put in an impressive performance aboard Gems Bond, owned by Thinkslikeahorse, taking the blue in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday. Vale was also sixth on Thinkslikeahorse’s Bromance.
Lisa Goldman and Zacantos Z finished second for trainer/owner Mary Goldman of Hawthorn Woods Illinois, while rider/trainer Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia in the irons of Terra Hornero finished third for owner Jessie Mazzoni of Reddick, Florida. Goldman also finished fourth on Aslan, owned by Charity Judge of Arborvitae. Rounding out the field in fifth place was trainer/rider Derek Peterson, of Archer, Florida and Eddy Money for owner Jenny Booth of Magnolia, Texas.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.
Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello sail over an oxer en route to the win in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Flashpoint Photography.
Miramax and Julie Curtin Win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby; Vale Is Victorious in the $15,000 Open Welcome
The Georgia International Horse Park is buzzing with activity as the Atlanta Summer Classics welcomes a record number of competitors to its opening week which kicked off Wednesday after the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program wrapped up.
Yesterday featured the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by FarmVet, as well as the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which saw twenty-five and twenty-six, respectively, tackle the courses designed by Joe Carnicum.
In the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the first round saw Triomph, owned by Loretta Patterson, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, take the lead with a score of 181, but Brunello, owned by Janet Peterson and Elizabeth Boyd, Fieono, owned by Kelley Maloney, and Quatrain, owned by Finally Farm and Janet Peterson, all ridden by Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, South Carolina, were on Shepherd’s heels with scores of 177.50, 177 and 164, respectively.
The handy round saw Boyd working a hat trick when she secured the top three spots on Brunello, Fieona and Quatrain, respectively. Brunello and Boyd received a handy score of 201 and a final score of 378.50, giving them the win. Fieono received a score of 186 in the second round and a final score of 363 which secured second place. Boyd and Quatrain scored a 195 in the handy round bringing the total to 359 and a third place finish.
Shepherd and Triomph received fourth place honors with a second round score of 171 and a total of 352.
Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, in the irons aboard Caramo, owned by Caroline Russell Howe, had a fifth place finish after scoring a 151 in the first round and 182 in the handy round, securing a total score of 333. Alexa Boggio of Canton, Georgia and her own SS Whisper had a final score of 308 which earned them a sixth. Wimberly Debono of Birmingham, Alabama and her own Tusker finished with a score of 299.50 and a seventh place. Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina guided Damocles, owned by Janet Peterson, to a final score of 271 and an eighth place finish. Kelci Crenshaw of Woodstock, Georgia rode Fit to Print Farm’s Headliner to a ninth place finish with a total score of 269.75. Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama and Stella Styslinger’s Trending finished in the tenth position with 269.50. Victoria Press of New York, New York and her own Charleston Z wrapped up the eleventh place with a combined score of 258 and Crenshaw and Fit to Print Farm’s Lead Story wrapped up the twelfth spot with a score of 243.
The USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by FarmVet, saw Miramax, owned by Donna Bassinger and ridden by Julie Curtin of Roswell, Georgia, take the win out of a field of twenty-five. In second place, Fairfax, owned by Liz Hudspeth and ridden by Curtin, wrapped up the second position, while Lyn Sythel of Johns Island, South Carolina rode her own Versace to the third place position.
Aaron Vale and 2VR Showjumpers’ Zenith UHS beat 35 others to win the $15,000 Open Welcome
In other news:
Week I of the Atlanta Summer Classics saw thirty-five tackle the $15,000 Welcome Class designed by Manuel Esparanza of Mexico. It was Aaron Vale of Ocala, Florida who stole the show and took home the $4,500 check aboard Zenith UHS, owned by 2VR Showjumpers. Jared Peterson of Archer, Florida took the second place spot in the irons of Titus 2:11, owned by Derek Peterson, and third place went to Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina and Calando Z, owned by Patty Ann Burns. Fourth was awarded to Liza Finsness of Wellington, Florida and her own Ormsby Hill. Lazaro, ridden and owned by Jordan Coyne of New Port Ritchey, Florida, earned a fifth place ribbon while Alex Grenato of Elizabeth, Colorado and his own Gangsta took sixth.
There are a handful of stalls left for next week, so make sure you get your entries in today because you don’t want to miss the fun at the world class Georgia International Horse Park, home to the 1996 Olympics, for these two weeks of non-stop show jumping action. The venue offers the one of a kind Olympic feel and offers excellent stabling, arenas, footing and of course, award winning service found only with the Classic Company. And make sure to catch the best of ringside action and reserve your VIP tables today. There is no better deal on any circuit and cost only $300.00 a week for a table of eight.
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best. Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office fee added for credit card payments.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta this summer. The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at classicsponsorship@gmail.com. All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.com.
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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Aaron Vale and Palm Sunday – Photo By: Rebecca Walton.
Lexington, KY – May 10, 2013 – Rain and wind proved to be the lucky charm for Kalvin Dobbs’ Winde in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers. The talented young rider took home top honors in the competitive class at the Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Earlier in the day, Aaron Vale also claimed a blue ribbon, piloting Palm Sunday to the fastest double clear effort in the 1.45m Open Jumpers.
A steady rain and chilly wind made for a challenging day at the Kentucky Horse Park. For the 1.45m Open Jumpers and the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Richard Jefferys produced a technical track that included an open water, a triple bar, an oxer-vertical double combination, and a vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination. The riders that were able to advance to the tiebreaker had to show over four new fences, as well as the open water option, making sharp turns and using long gallops to beat the clock.
During the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, ten riders managed to advance to the short course. Emanuel Andrade set the time to beat at a clear 33.036 seconds with La Fe Forli, owned by Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, SC, which would eventually place fourth. Frances Land of Alpharetta, GA slipped in behind him early in the class riding Vieanne to a time of 34.565 seconds that would earn sixth at the end of the day.
The next fault-free round came from Sophie Simpson, but she would be slowest of the double clears in 37.199 seconds aboard Chico’s Girl, owned by Katherine Gallagher of Medfield, MA. Andrade managed to best his own time aboard his second mount for Hollow Creek Farm, Tiny Tim, clocking in at 32.332 seconds for a speedy second place finish. Chloe Reid of Washington, DC, and Damascus claimed the fourth place honors in 34.246, while her second mount Victor E, owned by Candy Tribble of East Windsor, CT, place third in 33.036 seconds. Leah DeMartini and True Love, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, went just before Reid and were also double clear for seventh place in 36.268 seconds.
Kalvin Dobbs and Winde – Photo By: Rebecca Walton
The fastest of the double clear rounds went to Kalvin Dobbs and Winde, owned by Treesdale Farm of Carmel, IN. The pair picked up a quick gallop and never held back, making sharp turns and easily soaring over all the fences. They dashed through the timers in 31.516 seconds, almost a full second faster than Andrade and Tiny Tim, to earn the winning prize.
“It was a really good jump-off,” smiled Dobbs. “I was able to gallop the turns and think about numbers a little bit. It was a really smooth trip and I was able to find all the fences. Winde is a very high-strung horse and my trainer [Abigail Blankenship] and I work together with her. The hardest thing to do is the flatting. I have to be very calm around her. Over the past year and a half we have really been able to figure each other out. When we go in the ring we are able to make something good out of it. I hope we continue to grow together, and she has been a blast to work with.”
The high school junior just arrived last night after finishing his ACT exams, but is thrilled to be back in Kentucky. “I love Kentucky; it is so pretty here,” expressed Dobbs. “It is very competitive; you see a lot of great riders and horses. It’s just a great place to show and it’s close to home, so it’s great to come here and show each year.”
The 1.45m Open Jumpers competed earlier in the day, with four double clear efforts posted. Schuyler Riley was the trailblazer aboard Andretti, owned by Southbeach Stables of Wellington, FL, but in an effort to leave all the rails in place she posted a conservative time of 38.112 seconds that would place fourth. Ian Millar and Baranns, owned by The Baranns Group of Perth, Ontario, were the next to leave all the fences intact, and they took home the third place honors for a time of 36.735.
Aaron Vale and Palm Sunday, owned by Amen Corner Farm of Folsom, LA, were the next to show over the short course and they blew by Millar’s time. They easily maneuvered all the turns and had a nice, open gallop to dash across the finish line in a quick 33.611 seconds. Ireland’s Andrew Bourns and Carmina attempted to best Vale’s time. They were just a touch short of the winning time in 34.478 seconds to claim second place and seal Vale’s victory.
“Palm Sunday felt super,” noted Vale. “I didn’t show last night; I wanted to space his classes out a little bit to aim for Sunday’s grand prix. I was just trying to get home to go smooth and canter around nicely. He rode really well for me, stayed relax, and he’s a pretty quick horse, so it wasn’t a lot of work to get around in the pace. Hopefully I’ve got him set up well for Sunday.”
Vale added, “I just let him gallop a little and the turns were pretty good. I didn’t do anything crazy. If I have to I can whip and drive a little harder on him, so that wasn’t crazy for him, but I was really happy with the way he rode around the first round.”
The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows have been on Vale’s schedule for many years and he is happy to be back at the prestigious event. “The footing is great no matter the condition, wet or dry,” he commented. “They put a great course of jumps out there; we have super footing and a good course designer. It’s great showing and good mileage for the young horses.”
Leah DeMartini and Eurocommerce Tampa – Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography
The final event of the day was the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, where Leah DeMartini was the dominating rider for Elm Rock Partners LLC of Bronxville, NY. DeMartini showed Eurocommerce Tampa to the win with a blazing time of 29.687 seconds in the jump-off. She also picked up the third place award with Zubantos, and the fifth place honors with Pauly Du Breuil. Gabrielle Stern of Chicago, IL, piloted Anjelica to the second place honors in a double clear time of 29.963 seconds, while Sarah Bagworth of King City, Ontario, and Untouchable slipped into the fourth place position.
The weekend concludes with the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday at 4p.m., but the riders will return to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Spring Classic, scheduled for May 15-19, 2013.
Aaron Vale piloted Palm Sunday to the top of the leader board, scoring the quickest of only three double-clear efforts. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.
Tampa, FL – March 29, 2013 – In a speedy fashion, Aaron Vale piloted Palm Sunday to victory under the spotlights during the $25,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The anticipation was tangible as eight riders moved into the heated jump-off this evening. Riders fought a battle to the top as they tried to qualify for the steadily approaching $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational to be held at the Raymond James Stadium Saturday, April 6. With Vale’s win tonight, he has sealed his spot in the field of entries.
A field of 31 riders showed in the Covered Arena over Michel Vaillancourt’s first round course. It began with a large oxer with twin stone pillars leading to a vertical, where riders then had to make a left turn to move through the diagonal blue-and-white vertical. A right hand turn over the green and purple oxer on the far side of the ring prepared riders for the technical opening fence leading to the triple combination heading toward the out gate. Riders then had to take the outside double combination where they were faced with a vertical-oxer, and then make their way over the vertical set at the far end of the ring. It was fence 11 that saw the most rails fall with ten riders finding fault. After landing from the red-and-white skinny, they moved forward over the large final oxer.
Jordan Coyne and Lazaro
Jordan Coyne and Lazaro were the first to master the track with a fault-free round. She was the tenth in the order of go, but she certainly set the standard with only seven other pairs navigating the course leaving all rails in their place. Eight horses in total continued on to the jump-off, adding pressure as the riders attempted to break the beam, while still navigating the technical course with accuracy.
The jump-off course began with the first round’s opening oxer, and was followed by fence 14, which was fence four from the first round set backwards. With a hard rollback to the right, riders took fence two from the first round in the opposite direction, and made a hard right rollback to 7b of the triple combination. The wide red-and-white oxer forced riders to take a left turn to the double combination, where they then made a hard left to the dreaded skinny vertical. Upon landing, riders raced for home over the final liverpool obstacle.
“I thought he did a great course,” New Zealand rider Sharn Wordley described. “It was a really good jump-off. Eight clear out of 31 is about the number that you want. It was tough enough, and there were faults coming everywhere. Both combinations were tough, the last fence was tough, the skinny before the last fence was tough. A lot of these horses haven’t jumped indoors in a long time or haven’t jumped indoors at all so to jump that course for their first Grand Prix indoors was tough.”
Coyne and Lazaro were the first to compete over the final test, and with a number of riders coming in behind them, they knew they needed to provide a time and a challenge the other riders would be forced to chase. Coyne picked up a speedy pace to the first fence, and kept the solid pace and tight turns on target. The nerves were high as Coyne sped through the double combination, but all rails stayed in their cups as the horse and rider sliced the outside turn to the skinny, took the oxer with ease, and stopped the timers in 42.936 seconds posting the first of only three double-clear efforts.
“I wanted to go fast, and I planned on making an inside turn after the second jump of the jump-off, but I didn’t look in time so I didn’t get it done, and I think that’s what cost me the class,” eventual second place finisher Coyne explained. “I’m just super happy. I tried to step it up as much as I could after I missed that inside, and I thought I did a pretty good job of making up time. Any top three or even top five finish in a $25,000 is a big deal still. I was really fortunate to have a great season in Ocala, so it’s really nice to come here in a completely different ring and have him go just as well.”
Sharn Wordley and Quick Blue Z
Vaillancourt’s short course soon became the story as faults consistently knocked the teams out of the top rankings. It wasn’t until Wordley and Quick Blue Z took a go that riders began to see the light of a possible victory. Wordley was the first to pilot his mount through the intertwining obstacles, using a different method to succeed – speed and a slight amount of conservancy. Unlike Coyne, Wordley took a bit of time with the grey gelding, falling nearly four seconds behind Coyne.
“I bought him as a 7-year-old and he’s 11 now. He’s really maturing,” Wordley described. “He won a couple of Grand Prixs last year, and he’s been placing in a couple of big Grand Prix this year. He’s just a little bit quirky, and he’s extremely moody. He’s extremely careful, extremely scopey, but he’s just a moody bugger. He’s maturing into it now, which is good.”
Wordley continued, “The ground was a little slippery in the jump off, so I was a little conservative in a couple places. I didn’t go to fast because I didn’t want him to slip. He’s got some Grand Prix coming up, and I want to do him on Sunday. I’m actually mainly up here so that I qualify for the Invitational on my other horse, but I think we’ve qualified now. I’ve got a really good horse for it, and it will be my first time, so I am quite excited.”
Michael Hughes and Dromma, owned by Vanessa Mannix of Calgary, Alberta, gave the other riders a run for their money. Hughes used speed to his advantage, and as the crowd held its breath, the horse and rider made their way through the track. It was an unlucky rail at 9b that sealed their fate in the eventual fourth place spot. They finished with a four-fault score in 42.149 seconds.
Aaron Vale blasted out of the in gate with his eye on the prize. He spurred on Palm Sunday, owned by Amen Corner Farm of Folsom, LA, taking the tight turns necessary while maintaining accuracy over the impressive obstacles. Vale used the opportunity to open Palm Sunday’s stride after the double combination, clearing the skinny and breaking the beam in 41.122 seconds. Vale posted the fastest time of the night, proving that the race against the clock was no deterrence for the focused pair.
“I was hoping to get a good check so that I can ride again next Saturday night,” Vale stated. “It’s always a treat to get to go jump in Raymond James Stadium. I know these classes count toward qualifying, and I picked up three checks this evening so hopefully that’ll be close enough. Maybe I can get another check or two on Sunday to help get in. Right now Palmer is kind of my longest tenured horse. He’s experienced himself. I mean he’s 14 years old so he’s had mileage before I got him. I know what he can do and what he can’t do. If we get it right he’s pretty competitive. We kind of got it just right tonight.”
It was Callie Smith and Captain Krutzmann, owned by Smithfield Farms, LLC of Bedminster, NJ, who finished with the fifth place award. Although they took a more conservative route than their competitors, Smith and Captain Krutzmann found fault at the last obstacle of the short course, the liverpool. It was heartbreak for horse and rider alike.
Vale had also shown his other mount Zippo II, owned by 2VR Show Jumpers of Morriston, FL, at the beginning of the jump-off. They had tried to follow in Coyne’s path early in the order to return, but Vale accrued 8 faults with his more recent mount, ending with a time of 45.443 seconds to take the sixth place prize.
“I didn’t ride the first line very well on Zippo-he’s kind of a newer horse for me, He’s got a right drift, so where we wanted to do six, I did seven when he jumped way to the right,” Vale elaborated. I didn’t really get what I wanted on him, but Palm Sunday I’ve had him almost a year now.
Vale continued, “There were a couple things – I figured I could just be quick away from the fences; I made sure to really line up the first line and get down there in the six which he did well, and then boy he ducked in and just kind of cut like a barrel horse off of number two. He was super across there, and then as soon as I hit the ground I ran. I was just fast away from the jumps and tried to make sure I got a good enough approach to clear them. I just played to his strengths in the jump-off their tonight.
Tomorrow will welcome the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers to the Covered Arena for another day of competition, while the Adult and Children’s Jumpers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the race against the clock. Sunday afternoon will welcome top riders to compete in the long-awaited Grand Prix of Tampa where riders will compete in the battle of the best.
For more information about the 2012 Tampa Equestrian Series, please visit www.StadiumJumping.com.
Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
