Tag Archives: Diego Vivero

Diego Vivero Wins on Opening Day of WEF 7 CSI 5*

Diego Vivero and Bijoux. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL — February 21, 2018 — The seventh week of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began on Wednesday, February 21, and opening up competition with a win was Diego Vivero of Ecuador on Bijoux in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Jumpers CSI 5*.

There were 67 entries in the final class of the day in the International Arena, and they competed over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. In the power and speed format, the fastest over the second phase of the course was Vivero on Bijoux, a 12-year-old KWPN mare by Cartani x Athletico owned by Javier Estrada, in 30.35 seconds.

Second place went to Andy Kocher (USA) and Kahlua, owned by Top Line Sporthorse International LLC, who were just behind in 30.74 seconds, while McLain Ward (USA) and Cerise, owned by Sagamore Farms, were third in 30.92 seconds.

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Diego Vivero and Bijoux Score Win in $25,000 Dover Saddlery Grand Prix at ESP Holiday III

Diego Vivero and Bijoux. Photo Credit ©AnneGittinsPhotography.

Wellington, FL – December 27, 2017 – The ESP Holiday III competition saw a win for Diego Vivero of Wellington, FL aboard Bijoux in the $25,000 Dover Saddlery Grand Prix. Second place was captured by Todd Minikus of Lake Worth, FL piloting Carlo, owned by North Face Farm, stopping jump-off timers in 40.753 seconds. Third place was awarded to Ian Millar and Future Adventures’ Vittorio 8 after completing their fast track round in 41.807 seconds.

Vivero and his mount raced around the day’s course designed by Andy Christianson, Jr. of Wellington, FL and completed the jump-off in 40.018 seconds. Four of the original 22 entries moved forward to contest the short course.

Jumper Highlights:

The $10,000 Dover Saddlery Open Welcome Stake marked another win for Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL, riding his own Garinco van de Lijnsaerd. The pair flew over the jump-off track in 42.397 seconds, ahead of Pablo Mejia of Loxahatchee, FL and his own RL Queen Mary, who stopped timers in 43.695 seconds to achieve second place. The jump-off welcomed back only three horse-and-rider combinations, with Alejandro Karolyi rounding out that top three aboard Bo Hopson’s VDL Elliot, finishing in 42.048 seconds with four faults.

Kelly Bauernschmindt of Bratenahl, OH rode to victory aboard Belle Bleu S, owned by Bauernschmindt, in the $1,500 NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic after stopping the jump-off timers in 39.595 seconds with four added faults. Robert Reyers of Wellington, FL and his own Ignore Van Orshof took second place with a time of 45.289 seconds and four faults. Mariana Herrera of Loxahatchee, FL and her own Da Vinci earned third place after a four-fault jump-off round and a time of 49.473 seconds.

The $1,500 Low Children/Adult Jumper Classic saw Joshua Baird of St. Charles, IL and Pony Lane Farm’s Licapo take first place with a jump-off time of 40.961 seconds, while Claire Sieuzac of New York, NY and her own Zandora De Shalimar finished in second place with a first round time of 70.956 seconds and one fault. Joshua Baird also collected third place with his own Lolipop S, after finishing with four faults and a time of 60.095 seconds in the first round.

Tracy Harris of Wellington, FL and Une Etoile de L’ Eclypse, owned by Harkopp Farm, championed the $2,500 Accuhorsemat M&S Child/Adult Classic after completing their jump-off round in 43.136 seconds to best the class. Lexi Maounis of Greenwich, CT and Roos, owned by Maounis, collected second place with a time of 45.427 seconds. Isabelle Wagener achieved third place aboard her own Balougris SL Z, rounding out the top three with a time of 46.665 seconds.

The $5,000 1.35m Stake was won by Pablo Mejia of Loxahatchee, FL and RL Monaco, owned by Mejia, after crossing through jump-off timers in 37.409 seconds. Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL and his own Anastasia Du Park earned second place with a time of 39.063 seconds. Andrade also finished in third place with Tupac Van de Vrombautshoeve Z after contesting the course in 39.468 seconds.

Hunter Highlights:

Sarah Sturges of Sunbury, OH was awarded champion of the USHJA 2’6″ Hunter Division. Her winning mount was Spot On, owned by Haylee Jerkins. Reserve champion was presented to Kelly Mullen of Franklin, TN and Valentino, owned by Warioto Farms, LLC.

Cecilia Perry of North Venice, FL and Misty, owned by Montoga, Inc., were champions of the Small Pony Hunter Division. Reserve champion was also awarded to Perry, riding Fielding Stichman’s Sparkle.

The Performance Hunter 3’3″ & 3’6″ Division champion was awarded to Kelly Mullen of Franklin, TN riding FortuNY, owned by Warioto Farms, LLC. Reserve champion was awarded to Melissadre Lincourt of Montreal, QB and Brigitte Leroux’s Sugar Ray.

The USHJA Hunter 2′, 2’3″ & 2′ Division was won by Kelly Mullen of Franklin, TN and Happy, owned by Warioto Farms Inc. David Laks of Bedford, NY and Saint Laurent, owned by Elite Equines LLC, captured reserve champion honors.

Laurie Stevens of Boca Raton, FL and her own Santiago finished atop the division in the Low Adult Hunter Division. Blythe Goguen of Lexington, KY collected reserve champion with Zjappoo Sow, owned by Kelly Goguen.

For more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Diego Vivero and Bijoux Win $50,000 National Grand Prix at WEF

Diego Vivero and Bijoux. Photos © Sportfot.

Daniel Coyle Tops $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix; Hooker, Ingram, and Arani Win WCHR Hunter Classics

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2017 – Ecuador’s Diego Vivero and Bijoux concluded week six of the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a win in the $50,000 National Grand Prix held on Sunday, February 19, on the derby field at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.

Also competing on Sunday, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Simba de la Roque were victorious in the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by EnTrust Capital.

Week six course designer Richard Jeffery (GBR) set the track for Sunday’s $50,000 National Grand Prix and had a four-horse jump-off. The winning time of 34.44 seconds belonged to Diego Vivero and Javier Estrada’s Bijoux, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Cartani x Athletico).

Taylor Land (USA) finished second riding Jay Land’s For Edition with a time of 36.56 seconds. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) cleared the short course in 36.62 seconds to place third riding Silver Raven Farms’ Akuna Mattata. Leslie Howard and Annie Phillips’ Street Legal were fast in 35.20 seconds, but incurred eight faults to finish fourth.

“I am very happy. I have had this mare for only ten months,” Vivero stated after his win. “She is very fast and very brave. We are a team now, and I think she going to do much more.

“She is fast, and I am very competitive,” Vivero detailed. “I just went fast and I trusted her today, and she was great.”

The pair earned two CSI 2* grand prix victories in Mexico last year, along with other national grand prix titles. In 2016, they also finished third in the $25,000 Nutrena Spring I Grand Prix competing post-WEF at PBIEC.

“I have been coming to Wellington for three years,” Vivero noted. “I am very happy to win because it is very competitive here and there are the most experienced and best riders in the world. It is very difficult, and it is good to win any class, but I am very proud to win here.”

Daniel Coyle Tops $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by EnTrust Capital

The $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by EnTrust Capital, was held on the derby field at PBIEC on Sunday morning with a win for Ireland’s Daniel Coyle riding Susan Grange’s Simba de la Roque.

Daniel Coyle and Simba de la Roque

Course designer Richard Jeffery (GBR) saw 41 starters over his first round course, followed by a 15-horse jump-off with four double clear rounds. Coyle and Simba de la Roque were in a league of their own with the winning time of 36.28 seconds.

Hayley Barnhill (USA) finished second in 43.88 seconds riding Barnhill LLC’s Zephire. Emma Butchard (USA) guided her horse Brasil to third place in 45.05 seconds. Ailish Cunniffe (USA) and Whipstick Farm’s Casper placed fourth with their time of 46.80 seconds.

Simba de la Roque, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Kannan x Allegreto) was previously guided to numerous victories with Ireland’s Conor Swail before changing reins to Coyle this winter, who has already recorded an international victory with him.

“I have only had Simba a couple of months now, but even with Conor, and even before Conor, he was always a fantastic horse,” Coyle stated. “I had planned for today, so it was good that it all went to plan. I would have liked to go a little bit later in the jump-off so I did not have to go as quick, but thankfully it worked out all right.”

Coyle was also the Under 25 Champion at the 2016 Royal Winter Fair and has the advantage of many new horses to ride for Susan and Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm this year.

“I have been given an amazing opportunity by Sue and Ariel Grange,” he acknowledged. “To all of a sudden have all of these horses that have done five-star level that I have not done, I have gotten very lucky. I really like the under 25 because it gives me a chance to get to the next level with whatever horses I am unsure about. It is a really good class for me to get to know my horses so I don’t have to jump in something that I am not ready to do or the horse is not ready to do.

“The series is very important for me with Simba, for example, because it gives me a chance to get him ready for the next level through this.,” Coyle continued. “Simba definitely loves the grass, so I chose him for this. It is brilliant that these classes are now FEI, because realistically, they are just as hard to win really. That is not a small 1.45m by any means. It is important that they are now FEI because the jumps are the same height, but it gives us more experience being in the FEI environment.”

Barnhill has ridden in the under 25 series for the last four years with the same mount, her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Zephire (Coriano x Animo).

Remarking on her second place finish, Barnhill stated, “I knew there was no way that I would go as fast as Daniel, so I just wanted to jump a clear round and be quick enough. It worked out in my favor I think because everybody was trying to catch him, so a nice, smooth, clear round worked out for me.”

Barnhill has stepped Zephire up to the 1.50m level and enjoys the opportunity to jump in the under 25 classes to gain experience and jump confident rounds.

“She is a little bit older this year, so it gives you a goal and some real classes to do without having to jump the Saturday nights or bigger grand prix,” Barnhill noted. “This series has definitely helped her build up to the that level. Down here, even the three-star night classes are a little bit bigger than they are anywhere else, so it is nice to have these classes that she is really strong in.”

Butchard jumped in the under 25 series for the first time in 2016, competing in two events to get her first 1.45m experience. This year, the rider has also moved up to the 1.50m level and has built her own confidence competing in the series.

Butchard feels secure with her mount, Brasil, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Tenerife VDL x Farrington) that she has owned for one year.

“He brought me from the 1.10m up to the 1.50m now,” Butchard stated. “We call him the professor because he teaches me everything. He is the horse of a lifetime for me.”

She continued, “Today was our first time doing a jump-off at the 1.45m, so we were just trying to go clear. This year we are hoping to make it to the final.”

The Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, was expanded to ten events in 2017, offering a total of $245,000 in prize money for the season. Developed as a bridge to the international level of grand prix competition, the Series gives athletes, both human and equine, an opportunity to compete under a myriad of conditions; all important elements that competitors will face as their international careers progress. The series concludes with a $50,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Final, which the top 30 riders in the point standings will be invited to contest on Sunday, April 2.

Hooker, Ingram, and Arani Win WCHR Hunter Classics

Amateur and junior hunter riders took their last turns in the International Arena on Sunday. The classic round winners were decided by taking the highest overall score over two rounds. The top 12 combinations of the first round were invited back for a second round. A field of 64 riders vied for the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic, but it was Nancy Hooker of Wellington, FL who was victorious.

After receiving the second highest score in the first round, an 87.00, Hooker came back and earned an 89.00. A combined score of 176.00 was enough for Hooker to take the win aboard Winter Stroll, an entry of Richard Prant. Consistency was key in the class as Lynn Rogers received similar scores of 86.50 and 88.00 in the first and second rounds, respectively, for an overall total of 174.50 and second place. Rogers rode her own Blue Point, a nine-year-old gelding that she’s been partnered with for five years. Rounding out the top three was Samantha Karp and Zentina B, with an overall score of 169.50.

Winter Stroll is a green six-year-old Warmblood gelding by Convento de Helle. “Week one of WEF was his first week of showing,” Hooker explained. “I bought him from my trainers, Ken Berkley and Scott Stewart. I was riding him a little bit this fall and fell in love with him. He’s got a funny personality and can get a little sassy. We’re still learning about each other. He lives in my backyard; I have my coffee and answer emails in the morning and watch him in the paddock.”

WCHR week is a big focus for Hooker’s trainers, Berkley and Stewart. “It’s a lot of fun because we all get behind each other and have a good time,” Hooker stated. “I love showing in the International [Arena] because they build it up, and the jumps are so fabulous. I had moments where I could take a breath out there, enjoy the jump, and how pretty it all was. It’s a real treat.”

Martha Ingram of Nashville, TN captured the win in the WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Classic aboard Fonteyn, an entry of John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC. The pair’s score of 88.00 was the highest in the first round. A second round score of 87.25 brought their total to 175.25 and clinched the win.

Speaking of her 2004 German Sporthorse mare, Ingram said, “She’s so sweet and really tries hard to do everything right. She was staring at some of the things to the side of jump one, but she jumped it really clean and beautiful. I had a great flow on her throughout both rounds.”

Ingram splits her time between competing at WEF with her family and Greenville, SC where she attends Furman University. Martha Ingram and her father, John Ingram, both qualified and participated in the highlight event of the week, the Peter Wetherill WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, on Saturday evening.

“It’s amazing to show here with my mom and dad,” Martha Ingram exclaimed. “It’s a great time to do what I love and also be able to spend time with my family.”

Second place honors went to Kaitlin Porath of Charlotte, NC and her own Breaux. Porath guided the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Verdi to scores of 85.00 and 87.00 for an overall total of 172.00. Margot Peroni and her 2009 gelding, Orlon, earned the third place ribbon with a total score of 167.00.

Reid Arani of Lexington, KY made her first class in the International Arena one to remember. Riding Molly Laughlin’s Solo, Arani won the WCHR Junior 3’3 Hunter Classic. The pair received first and second round scores of 80.00 and 84.00, respectively, for an overall total of 164.

“I’ve only been riding him the past two weeks,” Arani said of the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Argentinus. “He felt really good. It’s nice to know he can show this late [in the day] in the International and be that good. He’s very sweet and playful and always kisses my hand.”

Narrowly missing out on the first place prize was Jordan Allen of West Bloomfield, MI. Allen and her own Empress finished just two points behind Arani with an overall score of 162. Stella Propp of New York, NY and Morocco, an entry of Joe Currais, finished in third with a combined score of 159.

The final day of WCHR week at WEF saw many other classic winners. Libbie Gordon of Statesville, NC and Casino topped the Children’s Hunter 14 & Under Classic. Their combined score of 168 bested a field of 33 first round trips. The Children’s Hunter 15-17 Classic found a winner in Caroline Passarelli and Firatostha R, an entry of Rosemont Farm, LLC.

Emma Callanan rode Sir Harvey to win the Florida Large Pony Hunter Classic with first and second round scores of 80 and 88, respectively, for an overall total of 168. Zayna Rizvi guided Smallwood Mystic to the top spot in the Florida Medium Pony Hunter Classic. The winner of the Florida Small Pony Hunter Classic was Alexa Elle Lignelli aboard Rollingwoods Knee Deep.

Nicholas Lopes piloted his own Salty to win the Large Children’s Hunter Pony Classic with final score of 165.00. The blue ribbon in the Small/Medium Children’s Hunter Pony Classic went to Taylor Cawley of Wellington, FL and Ju-Ju B.

The Winter Equestrian Festival continues in its seventh week on February 22-26, 2017. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Vivero and Momrow Leap to Victory in Palm Beach Series’ Week 2 Double Grand Prix

Diego Vivero and Bijoux (Photos courtesy of Equinium Sports Marketing)

West Palm Beach, FL (January 17, 2017) – Back to back Grand Prix classes headlined Week 2 of the 2017 Palm Beach Series, where challenging but practical courses in a relaxed atmosphere welcomed competitors from January 11-15 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Weekly champions were also named in the Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers, Children’s Jumper, Adult Jumper, and Pony Hunter divisions, and accepted a variety of prizes from the EQUO Stylish Rider Award to horse bonnets and customized Palm Beach Series belts. Presented by The Ridge at Wellington, the Palm Beach Series features exceptional prize money, world class footing and jump materials, and a utopian ambiance, all intended to nurture developing horses and riders.

Competition kicked off Wednesday in the multiple all-weather arenas at Jim Brandon with Rings 1 & 2 hosting everything from .65m to the Grand Prix, and ran through Friday and continued all USEF Level 2 Jumpers and Outreach. Ecuador’s Diego Vivero and Bijoux came out on top in the first $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix on Friday. A speedy, precise round with the talented Bijoux gave him a double clear and the winning jump off time of 31.003, while Week 1’s Grand Prix winner, Luis Fernando Larrazabal, piloted G&C Close Up to second on a 32.563. Vivero also placed third with his second mount, Reglisse Top, with a 34.578.

For Saturday’s 1.45m Grand Prix, presented by Dave Corbin and Jim Corbin of Illustrated Properties, the jumps were set a bit higher, and the course a little more technical. At midday, international Grand Prix rider Debbie Stephens and Everest held the lead with an exceptionally quick jump off time of 29.311. Fast as the pair was, they weren’t fast enough as another highly decorated rider, Amy Momrow, romped around the course with Baldino du’ Rovet, riding a double clear effort and slipping in just under Stephens’ time with a 27.525.

Amy Momrow and Baldino du’ Rovet

“I’ve been riding Baldino for four years, and coming to show on the Palm Beach Series was a nice break from my schedule of training,” said Momrow. “It was a very inviting course, excellent footing, and a super warm up. The quiet, relaxed atmosphere allowed me to focus on myself, which doesn’t happen often! Planning to show him here more this winter here and continue to build our partnership at the Grand Prix level.”

Stephens, whose ride was impressive on its own, was also awarded the EQUO Stylish Rider Award for her efficient round and elegant turn out with Everest. Presented by the sport and fashion equestrian line EQUO, Stephens was presented with a “Champagne and Horses” show shirt and a bottle of Vueve Cliquot by The Ridge’s founder, Palm Beach Series organizer and US Olympian Nona Garson. Of her mount, Everest, Stephens noted that she purchased Everest as a 7-year-old, and felt it was time to move him to the next level.

“It was fantastic to take him to a new venue, one that he is not as accustomed to, and I was really pleased with him. The facility is beautiful, and the course designer did a fabulous job. Everest is 18.1 hands, and because of his size we are constantly improving his agility and speed. I selected to leave out strides in the first and last lines, and while he can be slower in the air because he is so careful, I think we made an important step towards a successful Grand Prix career. Overall I’m thrilled with his performance and our experience here at the Palm Beach Series.”

During Friday’s Grand Prix, another international show jumper, Christine McCrea, chose the Palm Beach Series’ laid back atmosphere to fine tune her relationship with Jarcobond Van Den Oude Elk, a scopey dark bay owned by Candy Tribble that is a new and promising ride for McCrea. “I didn’t have very high expectations for Jarcobond as this is only our second time in the show ring,” she stated. “But I was very happy that the course was technical enough to present a challenge but also simple enough that we could build a rapport. Our jump off was conservative as this is a new horse for me, but it was great to ride in a $15,000 1.40m class where I could develop more of a partnership with him and even win some prize money.”

McCrea’s experience epitomizes the vision of The Ridge in presenting the Palm Beach Series and its related events. “All of our shows are targeted to riders such as Christine,” said Garson. “We want to offer a world class show jumping experience to act as a catalyst for riders and horses to develop their skills. As a stepping stone towards bigger classes and more electric atmospheres, our goal is to act as a catalyst for growth and development in the sport.”

The 2017 Palm Beach Series includes 13 weeks of hunter, jumper, dressage, and equitation competition, including a diverse offering of divisions and classes, National, International, and Pony USHJA Hunter Derbies, weekly 1.40-1.45m Grand Prix classes, USEF Equitation Tuesdays hosted at The Ridge at Wellington, and the exceptional venues and all natural surfaces on the Turf Tour. Hosted at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, just two miles from Wellington’s center, the Palm Beach Series will also offer seasonal stabling packages on the show grounds, which include a covered arena, multiple all weather arenas, permanent barns, and a variety of amenities for horses and riders.

For more information on the 2017 Palm Beach Series, including full schedules, prizelists, and entry blanks, visit www.TheRidgeFarm.com.