Tag Archives: Ali Wolff

Ali Wolff and Karl Cook Share Victory in $37k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round VI CSI3*

Ali Wolff and Casall. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2022 – The 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday, February 18, with international show jumping on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village. Out of a field of 102 entries and in a California split, Ali Wolff (USA) with Blacklick Bend Farm’s Casall and Karl Cook (USA) riding Fecybelle, owned by Helen Signe Ostby, came away with victory in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI CSI3*.

As the only class on the Derby Field on Friday, the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI featured a challenging course from designer Ana Catalina Cruz Harris (MEX), who was able to narrow the field down to 16 for the jump-off with nine countries represented. Of those, three chose not to return.

In the fifth spot of 13 in the returning order, Cook and Fecybelle took to the field for their jump-off round. They were chasing a time of 40.52 with a clear round set by Samuel Hutton (GBR) on H&C Kirlo van den Bosrand, owned by Abdel Saïd. They finished second in Section B.

Cook was able to lower the leading time to 39.22 seconds, which would hold up for the Section B victory.

It was a welcome return to the show ring for Cook and Fecybelle, a horse he has ridden since May 2019. After the mare’s injury at her first show in the winter of 2021, Cook brought her back slowly and only competed in one 1.45m class in December 2021.

Second to last to go in the jump-off, Wolff guided her veteran partner Casall through the jump-off to record the fastest time of 39.15 seconds for the Section A victory.

John Ingram and Koala Capture Victory in the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic

Thirty-six top combinations of the Amateur-Owner 3’3” division decided to try their luck under the lights as the day concluded with the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic. The event ran as a two-round format as all competitors were asked to contest the first round, and the top 12 entries with the highest scores were invited to return. Andy Christiansen, Jr. set a flowing track to challenge the mounts.

As the first into the arena, Kelly Sims took no chances setting the tone early and went straight to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 90 aboard her own Private I. Nearing the class’s first-round end, many had tried but none were able to rise to the bar that Sims had set. John Ingram and Koala put forth the closest effort and produced a round earning a score of 89, but as the second track was set it was Sims that remained on top.

The lineup changed throughout the second round and Nashville, TN native John Ingram emerged as the victor aboard the 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Koala (Carmargue x Falma Hastak). Ingram paired his original score of 89 with an almost identical 88.5 for a total of 177.5.

The partnership of Callie Seaman, of New York City, NY, and her own 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding Prolific (Cassini II x Alette) earned the runner-up title with a second-round score of 90 and a combined overall score of 177, just half a point shy of the winning combination. Division champion of the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 36 and Over, Brad Wolf, of Memphis, TN, and his 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Sebastian (Cancara x Luna XVII) rose to the third position on a total score of 167.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Ali Wolff Wins $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*

Ali Wolff and Casall. Photo: The Book LLC.

Devon, Pa. – May 29, 2018 – The Dixon Oval welcomed its first international show jumping competition at the 2018 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on Tuesday evening with the $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*, sponsored by 5R Farms LLC – Helen Rich. Thirty-two horses and athletes went head-to-head for the first place prize, but it was USA’s Ali Wolff who risked it all to come away with her first Devon jumper win aboard Blacklick Bend Farm’s Casall.

Hunt Tosh and Bastogne Bring Home Green 3’6″ Hunter Championship

The championship tricolors for the professional hunter divisions were awarded on Tuesday in the Dixon Oval at the iconic Devon Horse Show, and in the Green 3’6″ Hunters, it was Hunt Tosh and Douglas Wheeler’s Bastogne who took home top honors.

P. J. Crowley Takes the Tricolor in Single Horse Driving Championship

To finish out the evening in the Dixon Oval, the Single Horse Driving division took place with nine entries. The Devon blue was stolen by P. J. Crowley after accumulating the most points in the Single Horse Pleasure Driving Turnout and the Single Horse Scurry. Reserve champion was captured by Steve Wilson in his Brewster County Gig carriage.

For more information, please visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.

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Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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Wolff and Casall Blaze through Jump-Off to Place Third in $216,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix

Ali Wolff and Casall (Sportfot)

Wellington, Fla. – Ali Wolff made the most out of showing her mount Casall in his first week of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival. They helped the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team earn a Silver medal during Friday’s Nation Cup competition and finished the week by placing third in the $216,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix presented by Lugano Diamonds on Sunday. As on Friday, the Irish had luck on their side as Shane Sweetnam and Conor Swail placed first and second, respectively. As a result of Wolff’s efforts over the week, she earned the Leading Lady Rider Award.

“I’ve had him [Casall] since he was seven, and I have been moving him up the ranks. He has a bright future ahead of him, and he has been phenomenal for me and my career,” said Wolff.

A group of 43 combinations attempted the Ken Krome-designed course. Wolff (New Albany, Ohio) and Casall, Blacklick Bend Farm’s 2005 Holsteiner gelding, made it through the first round comfortably, joining 17 combinations, including seven other Americans, in a tricky jump-off.

A troublesome turn around a palm tree leading into the Hermès oxer, fence five, caused problems for several combinations early in the jump-off. Through five combinations, Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza and Toy Boy had the early lead with a time of 43.21. Wolff and Casall followed Mendoza. With caution, the pair tackled the Hermès oxer. Once past this difficult spot, they picked up the speed and crossed the finish two-tenths of a second ahead of Mendoza.

“Going early on [in the jump-off] is a little hard because I had 10 people behind me. I just had to go in knowing my speed and try and push a little faster than that. I started off with the pace I wanted and was able to finish on the same pace. Everything came up naturally. He was really good for me,” said Wolff.

Going 10th, Sweetnam and Chaqui Z jetted through the course to overtake the top spot with a time of 41.79. Four-time Olympian Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Coach, Abigail Wexner’s 2008 Holsteiner gelding, moved Mendoza and Toy Boy to fourth place on a time of 43.11 seconds to sit in third place after 15 combinations. Swail and Rubens Ls La Silla knocked Madden and Coach to fourth with a time of 41.82. As the final combination to go, Olympian Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.) and Waterford, Laura and Meredith Mateo’s 2003 KWPN gelding, had a rail, ensuring Wolff a podium position.

Complete Results

By Dana Rossmeier, US Equestrian Communications Department

Hermès US Show Jumping Team Out to Take $150,000 FEI Nations Cup Win on Home Soil

Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (RedBayStock.com)

Wellington, Fla. – Georgina Bloomberg will lead a group of rising stars when the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team takes on seven countries in the $150,000 FEI Nations Cup™ at CSIO4* Wellington Friday, March 3. Chloe Reid, Catherine Tyree, and Ali Wolff join Bloomberg as U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland looks to guide them to a strong finish in front of the home crowd. The U.S. has drawn fifth in the order and will compete in the following order:

Ali Wolff with Casall: Wolff (New Albany, Ohio) and Casall, Blacklick Bend Farm’s 2005 Holsteiner gelding, will compete at CSIO4* Wellington after serving as the reserve combination for the Silver medal-winning Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team last month at CSIO4* HITS Ocala. They are coming off a third-place finish in the $100,000 City of Ocala Grand Prix at HITS Ocala.

Catherine Tyree with Bokai: Tyree will make her Nations Cup debut with Bokai, Mary Tyree’s 2006 KWPN gelding. She took over the ride on Bokai from The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders last summer. Since then, the young partnership earned a third-place finish in the $380,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI5* during week five of the Winter Equestrian Festival last month.

Chloe Reid with Codarco: Reid (Washington, D.C.) will compete on her second Senior Nations Cup team at CSIO4* Wellington. She will team up with Codarco, Team Reid, LLC’s 2007 Irish Sport Horse stallion. The combination recently placed sixth in the $380,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI5*.

Georgina Bloomberg with Lilli: The 2015 Pan American Games Team Bronze-medalist combination, Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) and Lilli enter CSIO4* Wellington after three top-10 placings in 2016 FEI World Cup™ competitions. She and Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s 2004 Deutsches Sportpferd mare placed eighth in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, ninth in the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington presented by CP at the CP National Horse Show, and fourth in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento at the Sacramento International Horse Show.

Watch the live stream of the $150,000 FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Wellington on USEF Network beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 3.

By Dana Rossmeier, US Equestrian Communications Department

US Equestrian Names Hermès US Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* Wellington

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athletes to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Wellington, March 1-5, in Wellington, Fla.:

Georgina Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.)

Chloe Reid (Washington, D.C.)

Catherine Tyree (Chicago, Ill.)

Ali Wolff (New Albany, Ohio)

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Ali Wolff and Caya Gallop to Glory in $35,000 1.45m Horseware Ireland Speed Stake CSI 4*

Ali Wolff and Caya. Photos ©LizCrawleyPhotography.

Steve Heinecke and Hercules VD Vromboutshoeve Take First Place Honors in $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Mill Spring, NC – July 15, 2016 – Ali Wolff (USA) and Caya dominated in the $35,000 1.45m Horseware® Ireland Speed Stake CSI4* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), exemplifying speed and agility with a remarkable time of 61.42 seconds. Trailing not far behind Wolff and earning second place honors was Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Famoso D Ive Z with a time of 62.81 seconds, also winners this week in the  $35,000 Horseware® Ireland Opener CSI 4* earlier in the week. Third place was awarded to Todd Minikus (USA) and his mount, I Am Nala, with a time of 63.95 seconds.

Wolff and Caya (Carolous I x Lancer II) have been partners for almost four years, growing together as a team since she took over the ride. Wolff consistently showed Caya in the high amateur classes and brought home multiple wins. During their campaign, the numerous and accumulating wins led Wolff and her team to the decision to step Caya up to the FEI level.

Wolff was determined to secure yet another victory, stating, “I was going for it. I did not care if I had a rail or not; I was tired of being third, fourth, and fifth. I was either going to go for it or I was going to have a rail trying.”

Wolff went on to elaborate about the specific track she chose set by Manuel Esparza (MEX) that ultimately granted her the victory. She commented, “What helped the most was going inside the double combination towards the end of the course. I also snuck inside after the Horseware® Ireland oxer, where many competitors went around to approach the double verticals. I think that shaved off a significant amount of time.”

Along with impressive inside turns, Wolff touched on her horse’s athletic abilities. Wolff believes that Caya’s talent shines in the speed classes as the mare is quick off of her feet and very adjustable around courses, especially those that offer multiple tracks and opportunities.

“Caya is a speed demon. She is so naturally speedy and fast across the ground that I can rely on this a little bit to decrease our time,” said Wolff. “Caya goes the same every day. She is one of my most reliable horses and she is always game for anything.”

This is Wolff’s first victory at TIEC this season and it came at the right time, as the rising star for the United States has found herself in every position but the winner’s so far during her time at the venue. Wolff and team will stay to contest the remainder of competition this week, as well as for the CSI 4* to be hosted next week.

“I love it here! It is a great show. It seems as though it is well put together, and planned out from the beginning,” noted Wolff. “There is incredible competition here and it is located in a very horse-friendly area. Tryon also offers great money, so how could you not want to come here?”

Steve Heinecke and Hercules VD Vromboutshoeve Take First Place Honors in $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Steve Heinecke of Charlotte, NC and Hercules VD Vromboutshoeve, owned by Freedom Group, rose to the top of the class in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, earning a two round score of 181. Madison Johnson of Matthews, NC and her own Ferrari earned second place receiving a 172, while Josh Dolan of Wellington, FL and Hidden Lane, owned by Page Tredennick, collected third place, finishing just behind Johnson with a score of 171.

Steve Heinecke and Hercules VD Vromboutshoeve
Steve Heinecke and Hercules VD Vromboutshoeve

Heinecke and “Hercules” took the class by storm, collecting a score of 91 in the first round to then return for the handy to earn a 90. Hercules recently transitioned from the jumper ring to the hunter ring and Heinecke has been impressed with his willingness and attitude, which has helped him to excel in the derby classes.

“I’ve only had him for a month and a half or two months. He came out of the jumper ring and came over to the U.S. in January,” said Heinecke. “Geoff Teal had him first and said he would be a great derby horse. He said I should take the ride and show him, so I did.”

“Each week he just keeps getting better and better. He came in third in the last derby and you know, he’s never had to trot a jump in the ring before and has handled it all so well. He’s just been so nice to ride,” he added.

Hercules VD Vromboutshoeve is co-owned in partnership by Heinecke and good friend Laura Kraut, as the pair typically invests in two horses a year together. While the gelding may be new to the discipline, he’s shown that he’s willing and able to score well against some of the best combinations in the country, and Heinecke is hopeful that he will turn into something very special.

“He has an enormous stride and is very easy. You can see where you are ten strides away and if you need to adjust, you can,” he commented. “We’ll do the derby again next week and then we’ll bump it up into the Performance Hunters. Then, if we still have him in the fall, we may try to do an International Derby.”

Heinecke, who is based in Charlotte, NC during the spring, summer, and fall months, is thrilled with the opportunity to compete at TIEC, which has drastically impacted the growth of his business, as horses of all ages and experience levels benefit from the competition.

“We love it here. We’re actually staying at The Lodge on Lake Lure this week and have had an incredible time. I love this show and I’m a big fan and advocate,” commented Heinecke. “I bring my more experienced horses and also the younger ones too. There’s something for everyone here and I think they treat this show like every ring is FEI or international competition. It’s really just spectacular.”

Competition continues Saturday, July 16, featuring the third week of the third installment of the “Saturday Night Lights” Series of the 2016 Tryon Summer Series presenting the $216,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI 4* with gates opening to the public at 6:00 p.m. and entertainment beginning at 7:15 p.m. Competition will commence at 8:00 p.m. For more information on TIEC and to see a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com.

USEF Names Hermès US Show Jumping Team for CSIO4* Coapexpan

From left to right: Richard Spooner, Jonathan McCrea, Ali Wolff, and Christine McCrea.

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the athlete-and-horse combinations who will represent the United States on the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competition at CSIO4* Coapexpan, in Coapexpan, Mexico, April 28 through May 1, 2016.

The following athletes and horses will represent the United States (listed alphabetically):

Christine McCrea (East Windsor, Conn.) with Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Dynamo, a 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding

Jonathan McCrea (East Windsor, Conn.) with Candy Tribble’s Special Lux, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Richard Spooner (Agua Dulce, Calif.) with Gerardo and Alfonso Pasquel’s Big Red, a 2005 Warmblood gelding

Ali Wolff (New Albany, Ohio) with her and John Wolff’s Quirie 2, a 2007 German Warmblood gelding

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Ali Wolff and Artemis Win $34,000 FEI Tryon 1.50m Challenge

Ali Wolff and Artemis. Photos ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 7, 2015 – On the final day of the successful Tryon Spring Series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), Ali Wolff (USA) and John Wolff’s Artemis secured a win in the $34,000 FEI Tryon 1.50m Challenge, finishing the jump-off in 42.012 seconds. Scott Keach (AUS) and Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC’s Viriato followed in second, crossing the timers in 43.984 seconds. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run Inc.’s Bull Run’s Eternal rounded out the top three, completing the jump-off in 44.025 seconds. The Tryon Spring Series hosted two weeks of FEI competition, the first two occasions on which international competition had been hosted at the facility. The Tryon Summer Series will begin on Wednesday, June 24, and will host four consecutive weeks of FEI competition at TIEC.

Artemis jumped beautifully throughout the class, adding another top place finish for Wolff, who has been incredibly consistent during her time at TIEC. A second place finish in last night’s $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix for the Governor’s Cup presented by Rolex was a true highlight for the 25-year-old Columbus, OH native, as was her growing consistency in the international ring.

“Last night was just amazing. He really came together for me and it was too bad we missed out on that last fence, but today was just a little bit of redemption I think,” smiled Wolff. “I was pretty tired this morning and was having a hard time waking myself up, but the second I got on her she felt amazing and she really inspired me.”

The 2005 Anglo European mare (Chamberlain Z x Odette) has not been an easy ride for Wolff, but has taught her to be patient and careful in the ring. The pair has been together for nearly eight years, and Artemis is beginning to shine for Wolff.

“With her, you have to stay consistent and smooth. She gets very nervous and the more nervous you get; she feeds off that and gets a shorter stride and before you know it you’re chasing her,” she explained. “I always tell myself to just stay smooth with her. I had a time fault on my first ride in the class, and she’s fast, but I wanted to stay careful.”

Artemis joined the Wolff family like most of the other horses in her string, young and talented. The enjoyment of producing younger horses and bringing them up the ranks herself is something that she always looks for when adding to her team.

“We got her as a seven-year-old and have really built and grown from there. She can be difficult because she’ll throw you for a loop. Some days she’s really calm, and other days she’s incredibly nervous,” remarked Wolff. “Like I said, consistency is so important with her and if we keep going in and giving her the opportunity to jump a clear round, it is incredible for her confidence. I really like to buy them young and develop them a lot. We get most of them as six or seven year olds, and I think that’s the fun part.”

Scott Keach and Viriato
Scott Keach and Viriato

Wolff plans to travel to Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada, and Artemis will be a key component in her competition plans for the next several months. They will then head to Europe to contest Hickstead and Gijon before returning to the States later in the summer.

“She has the ability, the scope, the carefulness, really everything you look for. It’s just about getting both of our minds together and on the same page now,” she said. “I have a second horse to take with me to Europe, which is a great feeling. It’s really a toss-up now! I was going to take Brianda but Artemis also has what it takes, and I’m going to have a tough decision to make! This horse show, they just love it across the board. All of my horses have done so well here. We’re definitely coming back.”

As for Wolff herself, the goal remains the same, representing the United States in team competition. Her performances throughout the week have served as a testament to her continued and growing talent. Gaining international experience will be a key piece of Wolff’s future success, and her competition schedule for the rest of the year was created with that in mind.

“My goal is to starting getting to the top and staying there. I feel like consistency is really my word right now. I’ve come in second the past couple of days, and I’m thrilled with those results because that is the definition of consistency,” she said. “Right now, I’m focused on building up my points in FEI and trying to get higher on the leaderboard and in the rankings so that I can be in contention for a team, while still building up my young horses and string at the same time.”

For more information and a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

Americans Win Furusiyya Leg in Coapexpan

Ali Wolff and Casall produced the only double-clear of the competition to help clinch victory, and a qualifying spot at the Furusiyya 2015 Final, for Team USA at the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series at Coapexpan, Mexico. (FEI/Anwar Esquivel)

Coapexpan (MEX), 24 April 2015 – Team USA won the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series at the Coapexpan Equestrian Club in Xalapa, Mexico today, where Team Mexico I put up a brilliant performance to finish a close second and Mexico II lined up third ahead of Canada in fourth place.

There were two qualification spots for the Furusiyya 2015 Final on offer to countries in the North America, Central America and Caribbean League. Following today’s thrilling competition, the leaderboard for the region shows USA in pole position on 200 points with Mexico and Canada tied on 170 points each. According to the rules, the tie is broken by taking clear rounds into account. Mexico has produced four clears over the two legs in this League, while Canada has posted three. As the CSIO Alberta (CAN) has been cancelled, the final standings show that Mexico will now join the USA in Barcelona, Spain in September.

And a new young American star emerged this afternoon, with a brilliant performance from 25-year-old Ali Wolff and her 10-year-old gelding Casall who produced the only double-clear performance of the day.

Fascinating contest

Great course design by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge provided a fascinating contest. Wolff said this evening, “Gui did such an amazing job; he allowed the horses to get comfortable over the early fences, then the water rode longer than it looked, and after that it got more technical. There were oxers going uphill, and there was an awkward angle to the last,” she explained.

The open water at fence five was 3.8m wide, but the majority of faults were racked up on the later part of the track, with the 1.60m-wide oxer at fence nine proving one of the main bogeys of the day. “It was uphill and wide, and horses had just landed off a short triple combination so you had to open them up again. It was a long nine (strides), and it was easy to get either too far off and get the back bar, or too deep and catch it in front,” Wolff said. Riders then swung left-handed to the final line that began with pale green planks followed by a double – oxer to vertical – before bending left again for the final oxer at fence 12 with its green poles and a bright blue water-try underneath. Several made it all the way without incident only to fault here.

Never recovered

The Canadians collected 17 faults in the first round and never recovered, adding 20 more second time out to complete on a total of 37.

The two Mexican teams, however, were sharing runner-up spot and were just one fence off the leading Americans at the halfway stage with eight on the board. Clears from both Wolff and her 10-year-old gelding who jumped like a cat, and anchor partnership Brianne Goutal with Nice de Prissey, ensured Team USA had to count only one of the single errors made by pathfinder Candice King (Kismet) and second-line rider Callan Solem (VDL Wizard) to hold the lead on a four-fault tally.

Mexico II, under the stewardship of Mauricio Guerra, started well again second time out with Salvador Onate (Cartier) and Alejandro Mills (Bartender) mirroring their first tour of the track with just four faults each. But when Gonzalo Azcarraga (Luminoso LS), son of Olympian Jaime Azcarraga, followed a first-round clear with 19 faults for a round that included a foot in the water and a stop at the first element of the triple combination, then Patricio Pasquel’s anchor ride with Careyes was critical. And with five fences on the floor, the team’s finishing score of 35 left them only just ahead of the Canadians.

Qualifying points

Mexico I, however, was the host nation team chosen to battle for qualifying points, and when Nicolas Pizarro Suarez followed his opening clear with just four faults from Colasko at the very last fence, and Sofia Larrea and the adorable grey stallion Jumex Sport Archimedes followed their single error at the final oxer with a clear this time out, then the team guided by Antonio Maurer was still very much in the race. And when Manuel Rodriguez and Wick improved from a 12-fault first effort to just put a foot in the water this time out then things were looking very good indeed.

But the Americans never lost their grip on the lead, and although King collected five faults for a mistake at the tricky oxer at nine along with a time fault, they couldn’t be beaten once Solem and Wolff were both footperfect. Mexico 1’s Antonio Chedraui (Aristotelis) did a great job to leave the course intact at his second attempt, but his side’s finishing score of 12 would still leave them behind the Americans.

Goutal improved the winning margin when replacing King’s five faults by just four to round it down to a final total of eight faults.

Credit to course designer

“This was a fabulous course – great credit to the course designer,” said US Chef d’Equipe, Robert Ridland. “Walking the course out there it was obvious that it was not a level field in the arena; there are places that are higher than others so the course designer was clever enough to play around with that. Having said that, the footing is the best I have seen in the world and the horses would definitely second that. It really was a true Nations Cup course out there; it ticked all the boxes,” he said.

He said his was a “special” team. “We had a great dinner last night and underlined the importance of winning today. Qualifying for the Nations Cup Final was absolutely key for us, and definitely extremely high up our priority list for this calendar year. We wanted to win our division. I couldn’t be prouder; that was an amazing performance!” he declared.

For further information on the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series at Coapexpan, Mexico, contact Press Officer Anwar Esquivel, Email anwaresquivel85@gmail.com Tel +521 555 101 3898.

The fourth leg of the series will take place at Lummen, Belgium on Friday 1 May. For details of the Belgian fixture, visit www.csiolummen.be or contact Press Officer Edith de Reys, Email edr.press.service@gmail.com or Tel +32 475 659281.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

4 teams lined out at the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series which took place at Coapexpan Equestrian Club in Xalapa, Mexico.

Today’s competition was the second and final qualifying leg for the North and Central America and Caribbean region.

3 countries – Canada, Mexico and USA – were battling for the two qualifying spots available for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September.

The host nation of Mexico was represented by two teams, but only Mexico I was in the hunt for qualifying points.

Course designer was Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge.

The time-allowed was 81 seconds.

4 clears in the first round and US team members claimed 2 of them.

4 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the second round.

Just one double-clear in the competition, from America’s Ali Wolff and Casall.

The next leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series will take place at Lummen in Belgium on Friday 1 May.

FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping celebrates 106 years this season.

A total of 45 nations are expected to compete over the 20 legs of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 series.

Quotes:

Robert Ridland, USA Chef d’Equipe: “It’s always special for a rider when one jumps a double-clear. It was great to see that our youngest, Ali, was the one to achieve that today – to make it happen and win it for us!”

Ali Wolff USA: “My aim with him (Casall) this year is the last three weeks at Spruce Meadows and I have applied for some teams in Europe. Right now I’ll go home and work on some young ones!”

Guilherme Jorge BRA, course designer: “It’s always tricky when there are only three or four teams competing, as you need to ensure the competition is kept interesting – that’s always quite a challenge.”

Ali Wolff USA, talking about her horse Casall: “He’s only young and this is the first Nations Cup I’ve done with him. To go in confident and jump well in the first round was great, but to come back and do the repeat was even more impressive! I bought Casall when he was seven and brought him along slowly. At the end of his eight-year-old year he did some Grand Prix classes and last year we took him to Spruce Meadows and it really started from there. We bought him as a Junior/Amateur sales horse but he’s turned into a lot more than that!”

Guilherme Jorge, course designer: “This facility (at Coapexpan) is absolutely fantastic. There is no better place to have an outdoor jumping event that at Xalapa.”

Ali Wolff USA: “I spend six months each year in Wellington, Florida and the rest in Columbus, Ohio.”

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 North America, Central America and Caribbean League – Final Standings here.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series, check out this link.

By Louise Parkes

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Darragh Kerins and Ali Wolff Capture the Wellington Turf Tour 1.30m-1.35m Victories

Darragh Kerins and Decia Van Het Molenhof. Photos by: Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – January 29, 2013 – Although the clouds hung dauntingly overhead, a field of 38 competitors warmed up for the fourth week of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour. Held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, the 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers saw top international riders contend for the top spot in today’s two classes. Ireland’s Darragh Kerins rode to the pinnacle of the ranks during the first class, while Ali Wolff took the victory in the second class of the day.

Jeffery Welles claimed the early lead as the first rider of the day. He navigated Pierre Jolicouer’s course with finesse aboard Bilion, riding to a double clear effort in 40.870 seconds. Ireland’s Kevin Babington and Baloucat soon bested the pair with a faultless jump off in 39.051 seconds. The speed only continued as each consecutive rider outdid the next.

Kerins entered the ring and set a time that none could catch.

Decia Van Het Molenhof is a new mare for Kerins, but that did not put a hinge in his plans. He took the inside turn between fences 1 and 2 to shave the seconds, and then used her quick pace across the ground slide into the lead in a time of 34.267 seconds. The 11-year-old mare kept her focus inside the arena, and tackled the track with ease.

“We have only had her for about three weeks, so I am just trying to get to know her,” Kerins explained. “I competed last year at The Ridge events, and I know it is difficult to make a plan when you haven’t necessarily seen the other people go, but I was just trying to get to know her, so I gave it a good shot. I think from 1 to 2 in the jump off was where I shaved the most time. I gave that inside turn a go, and it went great.”

Last week’s winner, Samuel Parot, took the second place position, but was still three seconds shy of Kerins speedy round. Jeffery Welles and Antaris S captured the third place in 38.132 seconds.

Kerins continued, “I heard about IPC from the last time it was held there, and it got great reviews, so I wanted to put her into a new environment and know what she was like. She is quite sensitive, and that is another reason why I wanted to see what she was like on the grass. She can sometimes be spooky, but she handled the venue well. Nona [Garson], George [D’Ambrosio] and The Ridge do a great job, and I hope to see it grow.”

Molly Ashe Cawley and Cocq A Doodle were the first to tackle the second track of the day. They took an early lead in the class with a double clear effort in 37.134 seconds. Parot returned to the ring aboard Option D’auge to set the pace at 36.041 seconds to take over the lead. Speed was the name of the game as riders traversed the turf, with seven of the 11 horse and rider combinations going quick and fast. Babington and Baloucat took over the lead in 33.536 seconds, but Ali Wolff had her sights set on the win.

Ali Wolff and Brianda
Ali Wolff and Brianda

Wolff piloted Brianda, her most recent mount, to the top of the leader board with an untouchable time of 32.949 seconds. The 9-year-old mare was able to turn with nimbleness as they navigated the serpentine of the jump off.

“Brianda is the newest member of our family, and funny enough, I sat on her about a year and a half ago, but she was too much horse for me at that time,” Wolff laughed. “This time around she was a great match, and this was our third or fourth class with her so far. She bruised her foot a little bit early on, so this is her first real class; everything else has been schooling classes.”

Wolff continued, “She is fast in terms of her strides and turning, and she has so much scope that I know I can turn back and she will make it over, no matter how much striding or pace I have behind me. I tried to go for a fast clear with tight turns, but not racing. I also wanted to test out her rideability, and how we will fare in the future. I think we are really going to get along. She has such natural ability.”

Babington and Baloucat were awarded the second place, while he also guided Cord 11 to the third place finish. Jonathan McCrea and Brugal VDL rode to the fourth place, and Sarah Wayda and Spargel captured fifth. Parot and Option D’auge rounded out the top six.

“I came out last year for the Friday classes,” Wolff concluded. “The venues are always so nice, and the atmosphere is so pleasant – everyone is happy. It gets so repetitive for 12 weeks in a row at the horse show. It is a great change for both the horses and the riders. I love having the opportunity to go on the grass. We just changed our schedule, so we will be returning on Friday, as well. We love the series so much that we are definitely going to return.”

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 Schuyler Riley’s Wolfstone Stables next week for the Wednesday and Friday events, but will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach on a date to be announced soon.

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.

The Friday event will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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.

The Ridge still has available sponsorships for the Invitational Series. For more information, call (908) 500-0996 or download information at http://www.theridgefarm.com.

Sponsorships are available for the $25,000 Finale, $15,000 Weekly Grand Prix, $2,000 Weekly Hospitality Text, $3,500 Show Jump Sponsor for series, $750 Ring Banner for the series and $500 Weekly Class Presenter.

All checks should be made payable to the Ridge Farm LLC.
The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Series
C/O Eda Tordiff
110 Edwards Rd.
Parsippany, NJ, 07054

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
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