Gwendolen Fer (FRA) and Romantic Love scored the fastest time on Cross Country, helping France to win the first leg of FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015 at Fontainebleau, France (Eric Knoll/FEI).
Lausanne (SUI), 23 March 2015 – France’s Eventing riders produced an emphatic win in the first FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition of the 2015 season at the weekend in Fontainebleau (FRA).
The French team repeated their 2014 victory when they also won on home soil, and they enjoyed a comfortable winning margin of nearly 30 penalties over Australia, who finished second.
Gwendolen Fer (FRA), riding Romantic Love, was best of the team in individual second place and she had an excellent Cross Country round for just 1.2 time penalties, which was easily the fastest time of the day. Arnaud Boiteau, riding Quoriano ‘ENE HN’, was fourth and newcomer Helen Vattier on Quito de Baliere was ninth.
An all-male Australian trio opted for steadier Cross Country speeds in their first international competition of the year. Christopher Burton was the fastest, clocking 8.8 time penalties on TS Jamaimo, to finish fifth.
Last year, Burton had to withdraw the horse before Cross Country due to colic at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, so he will no doubt be delighted with TS Jamaimo’s sparkling performance to start the season.
Great Britain, who maintain a policy of fielding younger, up-and-coming riders who have yet to ride on a championship team, also fielded three riders and finished just 0.3 penalties behind Australia. Izzy Taylor, a regular on FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing teams, was the highest placed in sixth on the mare KBIS Briarlands Matilda.
Four teams contested this first of eight competitions in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing and the Netherlands finished fourth, having dropped from third place after Dressage due to Cross Country time penalties.
One remarkable result from the weekend was that all 14 team members jumped clear across country, although none of them achieved the optimum time of 6 minutes 19 seconds around Fontainebleau’s twisting forest tracks. Fer and Burton were also penalty free in the Jumping stadium.
Germany, winners of two out of the last three series, could not field a team at Fontainebleau, but their leading rider Michael Jung still led from the start to collect individual honours on his wonderful horse La Biosthetique Sam. No doubt the Germans will be out, all guns blazing, before long.
The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing next crosses the Irish Sea, to the Fell family’s hospitable event at Ballindenisk in County Cork (IRL) next month, which last year produced a win for the British team.
The FEI’s team Eventing series, the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, is open to all nations fielding one team composed of 3 or 4 riders at each leg, and runs under FEI Eventing rules at CICO and CCIO 3* level with riders accumulating points under a dedicated system. Visit the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing series hub here for rules, results and Organiser details.
Lucy Deslauriers riding Hester. Photo by Starting Gate Communications.
Wellington, Florida – Lucy Deslauriers, 15, of New York, NY, emerged victorious in the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, following the final event held Sunday, March 22, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.
It was a race to the very end as, in the seventh and final event in the Series, Deslauriers surpassed Nicole Bellissimo in the point standings to be named the overall winner of this year’s Series. Riding Hester, Deslauriers was one of eight riders to post a clear round in the $50,000 CSI-U25 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, giving her enough points to take over the lead.
“It’s amazing!” said Deslauriers who, at 15, is the youngest champion in the five-year history of the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series. “Hester is ten now, and I’ve had him since the beginning of his eight-year-old year, so we’ve really grown together and formed a strong partnership. I knew going into today that he would give me everything I asked and more, and he really did. He jumped incredible. He’s been super consistent and done everything I could have asked of him.”
As the overall winning rider, Deslauriers receives a Bruno Delgrange saddle valued at $6,000, and an invitation to compete at the CSI2* Chantilly Horse Show, part of the Global Champions Tour, from July 16-19, 2015, in France. Traveling in style, Deslauriers also receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.
“I am really excited to win!” continued Deslauriers. “I think it’s amazing that people have stepped up and been so generous to provide such an incredible Series for us.”
Now in its fifth year, the popular Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series is open to competitors of all nationalities under the age of 25 and gives up and coming riders the opportunity to compete under FEI rules while also gaining valuable grand prix experience against their peers. With varying conditions offered for each class, riders have the opportunity to compete at a height of 1.45m on grass, all-weather footing, under the lights at night, and in team competition, all of which are important elements that they will face as their international careers progress. Past winners include Reed Kessler of the United States (2011), Nayel Nasser of Egypt (2012), Chloe D. Reid of the United States (2013) and Victoria Colvin of the United States (2014).
“It’s a fantastic opportunity that they’ve given us,” said Bellissimo, 21, who finished as the 2015 Series runner-up. “We can take different horses in different events if we want to give one horse the opportunity to go in the smaller ring, or go under the lights, or go in the main International ring, or go out on the field. If you want to get to know one horse more, it gives you the opportunity to test them out in every single venue during one circuit.
“As a young rider, before you head to different venues for the summer, it’s great to see what you need to improve, or where you’re going to excel,” continued the Harvard sophomore who appreciated the various conditions offered throughout the Series’ seven events. “It is fantastic!”
“I could not be more grateful for the opportunities that the Ziegler family of Artisan Farms have given us as young riders,” said Catherine Tyree, 21, who placed second in the $50,000 CSI-U25 Final riding Don’t Go and third overall in the Series. “It is great to have a Series where you can experiment with different types of classes and different venues. The team competition, going out on the field, having speed classes; it’s really something that there aren’t many chances for us to practice. It has been a great stepping stone from the junior and amateur ranks and bridging into the international jumper level. I am very thankful for being able to participate in these classes.”
Adrienne Sternlicht posted the only double clear performance on the Stadium Derby Field riding Quidam MB to win the $50,000 CSI-U25 Final. For the 21-year-old sophomore at Brown, the camaraderie that developed throughout the Series this year was one of the highlights.
“It’s amazing what the Series has done to create a niche community among the Under 25 riders that I didn’t really feel was present until now,” said Sternlicht. “Last summer, I had the opportunity to be on the U.S. Young Rider team at Hagen (Germany), and we felt this kinship among all the different competitors. They see each other all the time, know each other, and it’s really competitive. What this circuit has really done, which is incredible, is start to establish that niche community in America. For that, I’m incredibly grateful.”
Andy and Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms identified the need for a bridge from the junior and amateur divisions to the top grand prix ranks as being an imperative part of a young rider’s development. For the past five years, their commitment to providing the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series has resulted in a unique educational experience for the next generation of show jumping athletes.
“Every year has grown bigger and bigger; we had a lot of prize money going into this year, and a lot of opportunities with various classes offered,” said Carlene Ziegler. “It has been exciting to see the consistency and to see so many good rounds put in by these riders. I am so impressed with what they’ve been able to do and wish them all the best as they move up the senior grand prix ranks. We would like to congratulate all of them, and are especially excited to have Lucy come to Europe. It’s a special opportunity, and really fun, to compete at Chantilly.”
In 2015, Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, EnTrust Capital, the McNerney family, and Kingsland Equestrian stepped forward to be presenting sponsors of individual classes within the Series, strengthening the efforts of title sponsor Artisan Farms and presenting sponsor, The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte. A total of $170,000 in prize money was offered throughout the seven events comprising the 2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series.
Leading by example, Artisan Farms is committed to the continued improvement and promotion of competitive show jumping. Based in Wellington, FL and Vrasene, Belgium, Artisan Farms is home to rising amateur Andy Ziegler, young professional Caitlin Ziegler, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster.
Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439 www.startinggate.ca
Matias Gonzalez of Casablanca attempts the hook on Wes Finlayson of GJ Racing. Photo by Alex Pacheco.
Wellington, FL, March 22, 2015 – From a Published Press Release – Casablanca scored the winning goal in the final two minutes to defeat Grand Champions, 3-2, to capture the Polo Training Foundation March Challenge on Monday at Everglades Polo Club.
Three teams of highly-skilled junior polo players competed in the two-hour event.
The teams were GJ Racing (Blake Ashcroft, Justin Daniels, Wes Finlayson, John Hand), Grand Champions (Juancito Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Liam Lott, Guillerhme Maia), and Casablanca (Agustin Arellano, Matias Gonzalez, Ian MacTaggart, Jack McLean).
Trailing 2-0 going after two Bollini goals, into the final chukker, Gonzalez opened the chukker with a 50-yard goal. A minute later, McLean scored to tie the game at 2-2.
After Bollini defended Gonzalez’ scoring attempt, MacTaggart came back to score the game-winner with two minutes left in regulation.
Casablanca and Grand Champions players have competed with and against each other in past tournaments.
“Our team had great chemistry on the field,” Arellano said. “It meshed really well together. We never all played together on the same team before but we all played really well together.
“Matias is a great back and crushes the ball. Jack and Ian were great with the ball pulling the team forward. I tried to help in the middle.
“We all knew everyone else who was playing and we all watch each other so we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Arellano said.
Grand Champions’ Juancito Bollini, a sophomore at Florida Atlantic University, was named Most Valuable Player.
Arellano’s 8-year-old gray thoroughbred mare Milkshake was awarded Best Playing Pony.
“My dad had bought her as a 4-year-old and didn’t get along with her at all,” Arellano said of his father, Julio, a top American player and member of Coca-Cola’s pro team. “He let me play her a little bit and I loved her. I ended up buying her from him. She’s turned out to be my best horse.”
Arellano enjoyed playing with and against his friends.
“It’s so much fun to play against other players your age and to challenge yourself at this level,” Arellano said. “This is so fast; everyone is just running and having fun. It’s great.
“The PTF is awesome; this is what has brought me to the level I am today,” Arellano said. “It’s just amazing. They do such a good job getting all the kids out here to play.”
McLean, 14, an out-of-state player, enjoys playing against the best junior players to hone his polo skills. McLean competed in both the PTF March Challenge and Buzz Welker Memorial.
About the Polo Training Foundation
Since 1967, the Polo Training Foundation has been committed to excellence in the great sport of polo. The PTF supports polo training at all levels by providing funds for the development of current and future generations of players and umpires. The Foundation’s many programs include beginner clinics designed to teach young people the principles of polo and international player exchanges. Through its activities, the PTF seeks to encourage the highest standards of sportsmanship and to promote international good will through polo competition. For more information the website at: www.polotraining.org.
Gonzalito Pieres and Polito Pieres. Photos: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.
Wellington, FL – March 22, 2015 – Audi triumphed over Orchard Hill 16-15 in overtime Sunday to win the 2015 USPA Piaget Gold Cup in the featured match on Engel & Völkers field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC). It marked the second time Audi has clinched the Gold Cup, having won in 2011, also at IPC.
Gonzalito Pieres and his mount, Rosparita, were recognized for their stellar play in the 2015 final. Pieres, who made the winning goal aboard the mare, was named MVP. Rosparita, who Pieres also played in the second and sixth chukkers, received the Best-Playing Pony award for the match. The Horse of the Tournament award went to Jackie, Polito Pieres’ mount in the fourth chukker.
Earlier in the day, Coca-Cola won the Engel & Völkers Tesoro Cup, defeating Lechuza Caracas 14-11.
It all came down to a penalty shot – and the dead-eye aim of Gonzalito Pieres – to seal the deal for Audi. In an overtime fraught with more anxiety than the stands seemed able to contain, Pieres slammed in his tenth goal, taking the win with authority.
It was a déjà vu moment for Audi, which had also won the 2011 Gold Cup in overtime on a penalty shot by a Pieres. That time it was Nico Pieres, whose slot was filled this year by Freddie Mannix. Other than that, Audi’s lineup was the same Sunday as it had been in its 2011 win.
With just four seconds left in regulation play, Facundo Pieres stole the ball and tied the game at 15-all. Then came the clincher. Audi won the throw-in, but Andrade lost control of the ball. Ganzi snagged it and shot an immediate pass to Mannix, who played a very effective and aggressive number 4 throughout the match. Polito Pieres stole the ball from Mannix. The whistle sounded, with a penalty three awarded to Audi. Orchard Hill challenged the call, and officials reviewed the play on instant replay (provided by horseplay.tv, which live-streamed the game) for what felt to spectators like an eternity. Then came the ruling, which everyone knew in all likelihood would dictate the outcome of the tournament: The foul stood. Game over.
The match had begun 1-0 for Audi because of its handicap in the 26-goal tournament. For the first few chukkers both teams played very tight, almost on top of each other, to keep the opposing team from getting the line. At the end of the first chukker Audi was leading 3-1, with all the goals on the board Pieres points (Gonzalito and Facundo). The two brothers peppered the scoreboard with more points in the second. Gonzolito Pieres pulled off two equally amazing consecutive plays. In the first he jumped on a bouncing ball, bought himself some time on the outside of the pack and made a single slick shot straight into goal. In the next play he stole the ball from his cousin, Polito Pieres, and worked it on both sides of his pony. Going full tilt boogie, it looked like he was on the verge of losing the ball, but in a flash he reached back and made a pinpoint pass to Mannix, who ran it into goal.
Both teams seemed apprehensive and remained heavy on the defense until about three-quarters of the way into the third chukker, when things started to loosen up. The first half ended 8-6 for Audi. Facundo Pieres went on a scoring frenzy in the fourth, racking up four points and bringing Orchard Hill into a slim lead for the first and only time in the game. Andrade made a neckshot, and Mannix jumped on the line. Riding a gray speed stick, he poured it on, passing three, then four, then five players and running the ball straight into goal. From that point on, the score swapped back and forth between a tie and a one-point lead, which Audi stretched to two in the fifth and sixth chukkers. Gonzalito Pieres promptly did it again for Audi, but Polito and Facundo Pieres came right back with three goals – the last of which, courtesy of Facundo Pieres, tied the game at 15-all with just four seconds left in regulation play.
How did it feel going into overtime?
“Our hands were around our own neck,” said Mannix with a laugh as he pretended to choke himself. “It would have been hard to not win this game being up by two with a minute and 40 to go, but Polito’s an amazing player and he made a great play, and Facundo made an incredible goal there at the end.” He gave a nod toward Gonzolito Pieres. “We’re just lucky that we have a great player here – Gonzolito made it look easy at the end. What a game!”
Gonzolito Pieres said he found it “a bit frustrating the way that we had the game nearly won with a penalty five, and I had possession of the ball and Polito took it and they tied the game. It was important that we won the last throw-in and came back. We believe in the team. We tried to open up the game, and we did it well.”
Ganzi was thrilled with the outcome. “It feels amazing!” he said. “We’ve worked so hard for the last three years to get back to this place.” He attributed Audi’s win to “the whole organization, from Melissa (his wife), to the horses, to the fields, to the players, to making the plan with Gonzolito and Freddie back in August. It’s a dream. We fought really hard to get back here, and it means a lot to the whole organization. It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work and keeping to our dream.
“This team showed a lot of heart today. We stayed really disciplined and compact in our defense. We didn’t give them a lot. You really have to play every minute of the game against Facundo and Polito.”
Ganzi had awoken Sunday morning not knowing whether he would be playing in the final. Four days ago he injured his shoulder in the semifinals, and his son, Grant Ganzi, subbed in. The 16-year-old remained on deck Sunday in case he was needed again.
“I hit a few balls at 9:30 this morning to see how my arm was, and it felt OK,” said Marc Ganzi. He periodically reassessed his condition, not making the final decision to play until about 15 minutes before the game.
Both Audi and Orchard Hill came into the final undefeated. “That’s a great team,” said Ganzi of his opponents. “They played amazing. They’re champions. They’re the team to beat here, still. The U.S. Open’s going to go through them; we know it.”
Coca-Cola Runs the Field Defeats Lechuza Caracas 14-11
Coca-Cola defeated Lechuza Caracas 14-11 in the final of the Engel & Völkers Tesoro Cup. Gillian Johnston was awarded Most Valuable Player and Pelon Stirling’s sixth chukker mount Renato was presented with Best Playing Pony.
Pelon Stirling and Nico Pieres
Coca-Cola took control of the game from the very first throw-in, immediately making a run to goal and playing their signature passing game to score the first goal of the game. Gillian Johnston made the first of several blazing fast runs to drive a goal in from a pass from Sugar Erskine and make the score 2-0. A penalty conversion from Pelon Stirling and an amazing pick from Johnston ended the first chukker with Coca-Cola firmly in the lead.
Two more unanswered goals had Coca-Cola leading 6-0 in the beginning of the second chukker. A penalty shot by Julio Arellano was blocked by Nico Pieres who shot a pass to Juan Martin Nero. Nero went on the run and put the first goal up on the board for Lechuza Caracas.
A penalty conversion by Arellano made the score 7-1. In what was the play of the game, Arellano had possession of the ball in traffic and Erskine made a perfectly timed hook on the defending Lechuza Caracas player to allow Arellano to drive the ball through the uprights. At that point Lechuza Caracas took off on a scoring spree, making four unanswered goals to end the half 8-5.
Two penalty conversions by Lechuza Caracas put them within one goal of Coca-Cola at the beginning of the fourth chukker. Arellano thought otherwise, and scored two goals in rapid succession. To start off the fifth chukker, Erskine picked Agustin Garcia Grossi and flipped the ball into the goal to make the score 11-7.
Coca-Cola’s passing game came into play. Arellano sent Stirling a pass. Stirling drove the ball to Johnston, who sealed the deal. Lechuza Caracas took a page from Coca-Cola’s book. Nero passed to Victor Vargas. Vargas took the ball through traffic, flipped it to Pieres who finished the job to end the fifth chukker 12-8.
A breakaway by Johnston increased Coca-Cola’s lead to five goals, but Lechuza Caracas turned on the heat to bring them within two goals. A final goal by Stirling with a minute left in the match created an insurmountable lead, and Coca-Cola ended the game 14-11.
Arellano credited Johnston’s speed and accuracy for their win.
“Our MVP put us in the lead today and we just had to maintain it,” said Arellano with a smile. “She (Johnston) was on fire today.”
Stirling felt that this game was a good warm-up for the U.S. Open, which begins on Saturday, March 28.
“We were a little bit unlucky in the [USPA Piaget] Gold Cup. We lost the penalty shootout with Lechuza Caracas and Valiente,” said Stirling. “Our last game was quite a while ago, so it was good for us to get a good run in before next weekend when the Open starts to kind of wake up again and get into a game rhythm.”
International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts
What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.
Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.
Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.
Featured Highlights:
Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015
Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015
Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015
Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015
USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015
Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015
111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015
Directions:
From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)
From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left
Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290
Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles
Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
Wellington, FL (March 20, 2015) – Katherine Bateson-Chandler snared the blue ribbon in the Grand Prix Special at the recent Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CDI-W against a strong field of competitors. She her longtime partner Alcazar, Jane Forbes Clark’s ten-year-old KWPN gelding (Cantango-Polin, Ferro), earned a 71.255 percent as the sun set on the international dressage series’ show grounds.
The victory was their first in the 2015 CDI season — following several Grand Prix wins in the national division — and she was thrilled with their results.
“I just can’t believe we won the Grand Prix Special!” Bateson-Chandler exclaimed. “I’m so, so proud of baby ‘Lonzie’ all grown up. He was brave under the lights and trusted me. I’m thankful to all our amazing supporters. For sure we couldn’t have done close to this without you.”
Bateson-Chandler explains that the gelding is a tricky horse, and his show anxiety causes him to appear lazy instead of nervous. She and her coach in the U.S., Debbie McDonald, have been working on improving his confidence — and as he showed in the Grand Prix Special, he is truly coming to trust his rider as they head down centerline.
“I’m overwhelmingly happy with my win,” Bateson-Chandler smiled. “My goal had been to go in and give my horse some confidence under the lights and he so beyond exceeded my expectations. I still can’t quite believe it! It’s so special to me that he could go in at night and pull off that test. It shows me how far we’ve come.”
The 39-year-old rider was born in the U.K., and moved to the U.S. in 1986 to be Robert Dover’s groom and assistant trainer. In 2008, she struck out on her own to begin her own training business.
In 2010, Bateson-Chandler represented the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, aboard Nartan, also owned by Clark. As part of Team USA, the pair earned a fourth-place team finish and individually qualified for the Grand Prix Special. After Nartan’s retirement, she took over Alcazar’s ride from Dover. In 2014, they claimed the 2014 Adequan USDF Horse of the Year title for the Intermediaire II.
The horse and rider began their big tour this winter show season. The pair will be heading to the U.K. in April to work with Carl Hester and to compete in Europe.
Bateson-Chandler owns KBC Dressage in Wellington, where she offers training, coaching, lessons and clinics for horses and riders from the United States and Europe. She also offers scouting and prospect selection for clients seeking exceptional horses. Her experience at the international Grand Prix level offers riders a competitive edge — whether through coaching as an eye on the ground, bringing young horses up the levels, or campaigning seasoned FEI competitors. Learn more at www.kbcdressage.com.
Ocala, Florida (March 22, 2015) — For four American horse and pony drivers, years of training and dedication to their sport were justly rewarded as Live Oak International proudly congratulated their efforts with 2015 USEF National Championships, sponsored by Hillcroft Farm.
“This is the first big win I’ve ever had,” said Steve Wilson of Louisville, Kentucky, after accepting the USEF National Pair Horse Driving Championship from U.S. Equestrian Federation president Chrystine Tauber after the final cones test. “I’m the oldest here and the least experienced at the sport but I’ve continued to work at it. Germany is next for the summer, so I can gain more experience in Europe.” Reserve went to Casey Zubek (176.45) of Manhattan, Illinois.
Wilson piloted his grey Lipizzan pair to an early lead in dressage (47.72) on Friday, maintained position near the top of the leaderboards for marathon, and delivered the strongest cones (6.33) performance of his division to earn his first national driving title on a final cumulative score of 164.92. “I wasn’t shopping for this breed when I started looking for a team, but I love them. They’re the horse Napoleon rode and have such a deep history serving the military as well as dressage. They’re athletic, with great action.” Wilson also received the Horse Gym USA Top Equine Athlete Award for his team’s superb fitness.
USEF Pair Pony Driving Champion Amy Cross, of Aiken, South Carolina, confessed she was nervous going into the dressage phase with Welsh Cob brothers, Braakmoor Clownieclark and Braakmoor Common: “I knew I needed a good dressage score. We had a few bobbles in marathon, then came back and had a nice cones test. I just kept reminding myself we were prepared and we knew what we had to do.”
Cross’s high anxiety never translated through her reins as her ponies delivered in dressage (42.82), led through much of the marathon (save for the “bobble” that briefly dropped them mid-phase into second-place), and had a flawless cones performance. She accepted the USEF title on a 134.40 final score ahead of reserve champion, Katie Whaley (138.30).
Former pairs driving champion Tracey Morgan of Beallsville, Maryland was quick to give credit for her USEF Single Pony Championship title where credit was due: with Fuego 88. “Singles have to do every bit of the work, every step of the way and be both calm and cooperative, yet aggressive in their marathon. This pony and I are on the third year of our relationship together.”
The harmony between Morgan and her German Riding Pony stayed consistently evident as they topped dressage (43.84), stayed near or at the top of their marathon sections, and only added three additional points to their final 130.17 winning score after cones. “I believe I’ve found my perfect partner,” she said with a broad grin.
Heather Schneider
USEF National Four-in-Hand Pony champion Heather Schneider of Palm City, Florida went with the “practice makes perfect” approach to becoming a champion. “Chester Weber said it would take six years to get a team to come together and he was right! But,” she added, referring to her match Welsh grey, “I’ve also been really blessed with good ponies.”
Seizing Florida’s Triple Crown Award after posting the lowest combined scores from the Sunshine State CDE, The Kingdom of the Sun CDE, and Live Oak International with her German Riding Pony — Katydid Baroness — was Intermediate Single Pony driver Doris Leacy of Oro Valley, Arizona.
Ocala host and competitor Chester Weber was credited as an inspiration to these drivers more than once, and continued to live up to those expectations with an FEI Four-in-Hand Horse victory. Weber took his KWPN team to the lead through all three phases of the division. He proved once again why he has earned the moniker “Mr. Dressage” by posting one of the best (33.45) dressage scores of his career before continuing his lead through marathon and cones to result in a 147.49 win. Fellow Floridian Misdee Wrigley-Miller of Sarasota was reserve (212.26).
Wrapping up the FEI division, the FEI Single Horse honors went to Suzy Stafford of Wilmington, Delaware and her Morgan, PVF Peace of Mind, who lived up to her name by turning in first-place after first-place for its whip across the phases to the final 139.46 score.
In keeping with the Live Oak International mission to encourage and promote horse sport, the driving program also offered a number of Intermediate wins, including a second consecutive Intermediate Pair Horse title for Georgian Grandes whip Max Montoya of Hebron, Kentucky (159.68); an Intermediate Four-in-Hand Horse win for Craig Grange (238.39) of Morriston, Florida; and an Intermediate Single Horse title for local favorite Ellen Epstein of Ocala and her bay KWPN, Alex.
“Every win feels as good as the first,” concluded Intermediate Pair Pony champion, Boots Wright, of Ocala, who has been competing faithfully at Live Oak International since the show started 23 years ago. “It’s a world class venue that as done so much to better our sport.”
While Wright has every intention of continuing that tradition herself, the combined driving program concluded on Sunday afternoon with a touching retirement ceremony for another Germany Riding Pony, Danny Lou, owned by Jennifer Matheson of Aiken. Friday’s dressage phase was the grand old equine veteran’s last trip around a competitive arena, and he took his whip for one last trip into the ribbons, to finish third in their test on a 56.58 final score. “He’ll get to enjoy just being a pony,” Matheson lovingly said.
Also presented, and sponsored by Michael Freund, were the Jean Keathley Memorial Award to Chester Weber, as the FEI driver with the lowest dressage score; Anne Bliss Memorial Award to Misdee Wrigley-Miller, as the most elegant lady driver; the Katie Williams Memorial Award (donated by friends of Katie Williams) to the best-conditioned entry; and the Hanzi Award (donated by Chester Weber) to Ellen Epstein and Alex V, determined the best horse or pony of the competition in the opinion of the judge. Two other awards honored equine health — the Omega Alpha Healthy Horse Award, donated by Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc., went to G. Wilson Groves; and the HORSE GYM USA® Top Equine Athlete Award was won by Alison Stroud for the admirable fitness of her team.
In 2016, Live Oak International will be nearing a quarter century as the only event of its kind in America to bring horse lovers and families alike to a world-class schedule of combined driving and Grand Prix show jumping competition. For complete results and to learn more, see www.liveoakinternational.com.
Kent Farrington and Waomi Capture $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic; Sophie Gochman and Elation Finish Week 11 as the Visse Wedell, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Small Pony Hunter Champions
Wellington, FL – March 22, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded its eleventh week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms LLC, with jumper competition featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday. The $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, saw a win for Adrienne Sternlicht aboard Quidam MB and crowned Lucy Deslauriers the overall winner of the 2015 Series. The $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was held later in the day with a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Waomi.
Starting off Sunday’s competition on the derby field, 33 entries jumped in the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, with nine clear over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s course. In the jump-off, Sternlicht and Starlight Farms LLC’s Quidam MB were the winners with the only double clear round in 48.49 seconds. Catherine Tyree and Don’t Go had the fastest four-fault round in 44.49 seconds to finish in second place, and Kelli Cruciotti and Serenity Equestrian Ventures LLC’s Chamonix H placed third with four faults in 44.71 seconds.
Sternlicht (21), a sophomore at Brown University, trains with U.S. show jumper Laura Kraut. Her mount, Quidam MB, is a ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quidam’s Rubin x Argentinus).
“He is a horse that is incredibly special to me,” Sternlicht stated. “I bought him as a seven-year-old and started him at the 1.20m level and have moved him up. I think we have really grown together, and I think that is part of what makes our partnership so strong. He is definitely a little bit spunky, but I really know him like the back of my hand. I said to him, ‘Come on, we have to do this,’ and he really pulled through for me today, so I am incredibly happy with him.”
Second place finisher Catherine Tyree (21) is a sophomore at Northwestern University, and trains with North Run’s Missy Clark and John Brennan. Tyree was aboard her 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion Don’t Go (Come On x Raphel).
“I have aimed Don’t Go at these classes all circuit. He loves different venues,” Tyree noted. “He is amazing on the field, and he was great under the lights. He is one I can always count on; he always gives me 110%. I gave it a good shot in the jump-off today. He did everything I asked. I got a little bit unlucky. It was my fault, but I am thrilled with how he has been all circuit and could not have asked for any more.”
Kelli Cruciotti (17) has done well in the series all winter with her 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare Chamonix H, including a win in the speed class during week two. She was happy with her round to earn third place in Sunday’s Final.
“She (Chamonix H) has been unbelievable this whole circuit. I could not have asked her to jump any better for me,” Cruciotti praised. “Every class I have asked her to do, she has really tried her heart out. This is more her venue. She loves big, open fields and big jumps, so this class and this course really suited her style of jumping. I was a little unlucky to the last jump. I kind of took a chance. Unfortunately it did not work out for me today, but congratulations to Adrienne.”
Sunday’s class was the final event in the 2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, which also awarded top prizes for its overall standings after the competition. New York’s Lucy Deslauriers was the series winner for her performance throughout the winter. Nicole Bellissimo finished second overall and Catherine Tyree was third. Mavis Spencer placed fourth in the standings, and Eugenio Garza and Sophie Simpson completed the top six.
As the overall winning rider, Deslauriers received a Bruno Delgrange saddle valued at $6,000, and are invited to compete at the CSI2* Chantilly Horse Show, to be held from July 16-19, 2015, in France. In addition to their entry, the winner also receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.
Fifteen-year-old Deslauriers has had a fantastic week, including a win in Friday night’s George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship, presented by Alessandro Albanese. On Saturday night, she was then presented The Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsmanship Trophy.
Deslauriers rode Hester on Sunday, a mount that she has had for two years. She was thrilled to win the series and looks forward to her first time competing in Europe as her prize.
“It is really amazing. He has been super consistent, so I am really just excited to win,” Deslauriers smiled. “I have had him since the beginning of his eight-year-old year, so we have really developed a strong partnership. I knew going into today he would give me everything I asked and more, and he really did. He really jumped incredible, so I am really excited.”
Nicole Bellissimo (21), a Sophomore at Harvard University, was leading the series coming into Sunday’s competition with her mare VDL Bellefleur, and finished out the winter in second place overall. She was happy to see her young mare’s progression and consistency throughout the circuit.
“She is nine this year and I have had her since the end of her six-year-old year, so we have definitely developed a nice partnership,” Bellissimo stated. “Last year I showed her as an eight-year-old in these classes. Last year it was not so much to go in and win the classes. She did win the semi-final, but that was because she was the only double clear, we were not really trying to go fast. This year our plan was to try to go in and be competitive and she was absolutely fantastic the entire series. Today I could have helped her a little more, but she could not have done any more. We got a little unlucky, but Lucy rode fantastic the entire series.”
Now in its fifth year, the popular Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series was expanded to feature more classes, increased prize money, and new ‘Under 25’ sanctioning by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in 2015. Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the Series gives up and coming riders the opportunity to compete under FEI rules while also gaining valuable grand prix experience against their peers. With varying conditions offered for each class, riders have the opportunity to compete at a height of 1.45m on grass, all-weather footing, under the lights at night, and in team competition, all of which are important elements that competitors will face as their international careers progress. This year’s series, comprised of seven events, attracted riders from around the world competing for $170,000 in prize money.
Sponsor Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms was pleased to see the development of all the riders in the series this year and congratulated the top competitors on their success.
“It is really great. Every year has been bigger and bigger. We had a lot of prize money this year and a lot of opportunity for different classes, and it has been exciting to see the consistency and see so many good rounds put in by all these riders,” Ziegler stated. “I just want to congratulate all of them. I am so impressed with what they have been able to do, and I wish them all the best of luck as they move up to the senior grand prix ranks. I am excited to have Lucy come to Europe for the summer. We will put her up at Artisan if she wants to. It is really fun to (ride at) Chantilly, and it is a really special opportunity, so congratulations.”
All of the top riders spoke to the experiences that the series has given them, including the chance to compete in different venues with different horses as well as the opportunity to get to know their fellow competitors.
“I could not be more grateful for the opportunity that the Ziegler family and Artisan Farms has given the young riders,” Tyree stated. “It is great to have a series where you can experiment with different types of classes and different venues. It has been a great stepping-stone from the junior and amateur ranks, bridging into the international open jumper level, so I could not be more thankful for being able to participate in these classes.”
“It is also a fantastic opportunity to give the horses experience,” Bellissimo remarked. “You can take one horse to go in the smaller ring, or the main international ring, or jump on the field. If you want to get to know one horse more, it gives you the opportunity to test them out in every single venue during one circuit, or you can show a couple different horses if you know one is better in one situation. It is fantastic for anything that you really want to do. As a young rider also, as you head to different venues for the summer, it is great to see what you need to improve or where you are going to excel.”
For Sternlicht, the opportunity to get to know the other riders has been a great experience, and she has felt camaraderie with the other competitors in the series this year.
“I think what is really amazing that this series has done, is it has started to create a sort of niche community (in America) among the under 25 riders that I don’t think was present until now. Last summer I had the opportunity to compete on the U.S. Young Rider Team at Hagen, and you felt a sort of kinship among all of the different competitors,” Sternlicht noted. “They see each other all the time, and they know each other and it is very competitive. For that I am incredibly grateful.”
Deslauriers agreed, adding, “I think it really creates a separate group that was not really in place before. It is amazing that the Zieglers have stepped up and been so generous to provide such an amazing series for us.”
Farrington and Waomi Win $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
Competing on the grass field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, USA’s Kent Farrington won the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic aboard Amalaya Investment’s Waomi. To conclude the eleventh week of WEF competition, 36 entries showed over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s course, with five clear rounds to jump-off. Farrington qualified two horses, first and last to go on the short course.
Kent Farrington and Waomi
Farrington began the jump-off with what would prove to be the winning round aboard Waomi, clear in 38.18 seconds. Ben Asselin (CAN) and Attache Stables Doremi retuned with four faults in 42.20 seconds to place fifth. Darragh Kenny (IRL) jumped next with Caroline Lloyd’s Sans Soucis Z, clear in 40.15 seconds, to finish third. Harrie Smolders (NED) followed in 38.99 seconds aboard Axel Verlooy’s Enjoy Louis to move into second place. Last to go, Farrington returned aboard Amalaya Investment’s Willow with a clear round in 40.42 seconds to also earn fourth place honors.
“Today was a nice change of pace coming out to the field,” Farrington stated after his win. “I personally love riding on the grass. It is a more natural footing, and I think the horses like it. It was a great change of scenery, and I thought the footing here was excellent today. You could not have asked for a better setting than this.”
Farrington has had success with both Waomi and Willow in the 1.50m series this winter, among other top finishes throughout the circuit. Waomi won the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic during week seven, and two weeks later, Willow won the class in week nine. Farrington described the two horses, as well as his plan for each of their jump-off rounds. Waomi is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Lupicor x Boreas), and Willow is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Guidam x Little Rock).
“Willow is really a hot horse. He is on the attack all the time, and I kind of have to throttle him down and try to keep his brain calm so that he does not get ahead of himself,” Farrington noted. “That is sort of where his rail will come, when he does not slow down to jump the fence. He just gets too much in a hurry.”
“Waomi is a very careful mare that sort of has her own style,” he continued. “She is an opinionated lady, and she wants to go the way she wants to go.”
“To start with Waomi, I thought there were fast riders coming after me, and I would have to lay down a pretty good trip to be in contention to win today,” Farrington said of the jump-off. “I thought she went great. She did everything I asked her to do and luckily that was enough for today.”
“Having the fortune of going last on my second horse, I actually thought it was nice training for him to do a jump-off not at full speed,” Farrington explained. “I have run him in a lot of classes here and gone very fast, so today I could kind of glide around the course and set him up for the next class I am going to do with him.”
Farrington plans to rest Willow next week to show in Miami at the conclusion of the WEF circuit. Waomi will return to compete in week 12.
Sophie Gochman and Elation Finish Week 11 as the Visse Wedell, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Small Pony Hunter Champions
On the final day of hunter competition for WEF 11, Sophie Gochman rode Dr. Betsee Parker’s pony, Elation, to the tricolor ribbon in the Visse Wedell, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Small Pony Hunters. Elation and Gochman won two of the over fences classes on their way to the winner’s circle. “I’m thankful that Betsee [Parker] lets me ride her wonderful pony,” Gochman smiled after the championship presentation.
With Applause and Zayna Rizvi ended Sunday as reserve champions in the division. Rizvi piloted With Applause to a first and fifth over fences, paired with a win in the under saddle.
Gochman started riding Elation six months ago and started showing Elation at the beginning of WEF. “We have gotten to know each other over the past six months,” Gochman stated. “She [Elation] acts like a diva at the barn and is always looking for carrots, but around the ring she is always game, which makes her very fun to ride.”
Despite being a little fresh in the first class, Elation came back for the Handy round and turned in the top performance of the day. Gochman explained, “In the handy she was on it and overall she was great both days.”
“I’m lucky to have such great trainers, Scott [Stewart], Ken [Berkley], and Amanda [Derbyshire], to help coach me at the ring,” Gochman said.
Only 12 years old, Gochman enjoys the competitive environment at WEF. “I feel like I have a challenge going into the ring because the competition is so good,” Gochman commented.
Gochman lives in New York City and flies down to Wellington on weekends to compete, along with her mother and sister. While Gochman has competed in the pony hunters past years, she has recently started showing in the 3’3″ Junior Hunters and the Children’s Jumpers.
The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its twelfth and final week of competition, sponsored by Rolex, on March 25-29. The week features the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, March 28. Other highlights include $34,000 1.45m FEI world ranking classes on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 12 on Thursday. The $10,000 Holtgers 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, $15,000 Adequan® 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, and $20,000 Adequan® 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic will be featured on Friday. The $100,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final will be held on Saturday, and the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will host its first round on Saturday and its second round on the derby field Sunday. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Ocala, Fla. – The first United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Driving National Championship titles of the year were decided today at Live Oak International CDE in the Single Pony, Pair Pony, Pony Team and Pair Horse divisions. Drivers navigated the 20-obstacle course on the final day of the championships as the leaders coming into the cones phase faced stiff competition from a talented field of challengers.
USEF Single Pony Driving National Championship
Tracey Morgan went into the ring with a substantial 17 point lead and with just one ball down secured her ninth USEF National Championship title with a score of 130.17.
“Fuego is just as powerful as a pair; he’s my Ferrari. This is my third year competing him and we’re really finding a partnership,” said Morgan of her 14-year-old German Riding Pony gelding. “We will be heading to Europe later this summer to prepare for the World Championships and this weekend has given us a great confidence boost.”
Miranda Cadwell (Southern Pines, N.C.), who moved up to second from fifth place after winning yesterday’s marathon, had two balls down to finish on an overall score of 144.77. The score was enough to take Reserve National Championship honors for Cadwell and Leslie Brendl’s Cannon’s Majestic Leyla, a 12-year-old Welsh Pony cross mare.
Paul Maye added 10.44 penalty points through the cones track to finish in third with 151.20.
USEF Pair Pony Driving National Championship
With less than one ball between the two, Amy Cross (Aiken, S.C.) and Katie Whaley (Paris, Ky.) went into the cones phase with steel determination. Cross stuck to her plan to drive an on-point course and expertly guided Wendy O’Brien’s Welsh pony pair to a double-clear, winning the National Championship for the second consecutive year on a score of 134.40.
Amy Cross (PicsofYou)
“I was nervous coming into today with less than a point separating Katie and me. We knew we had to go in there and perform, and luckily they are great in the cones and make it so easy for me,” said Cross. “The start of the weekend went according to plan as we had a strong dressage test. Our marathon could have been better, but we really nailed the cones and that was exciting for us.”
Whaley and her handsome pair of Welsh cross geldings finished the course within the time allowed, but had a costly ball down at obstacle six to add three points, finishing in second with an overall 138.30.
Jennifer Matheson was the only other driver in the division to go double-clear, but it was not enough to catch the leaders. She finished in third on an overall score of 150.49.
USEF Pony Teams Driving National Championship
Heather Schneider (Palm City, Fla.) secured the National Championship title as the sole competitor in the division on an overall score of 233.44.
“I drove a pair for a long time, and in fact my two leaders are my former pair. It’s been a long time in the making and I am very happy with their performance here this weekend.”
USEF Pair Horse Driving National Championship
In the two driver field, Steve Wilson (Louisville, Ky.) put the pressure on Casey Zubek (Manhattan, Ill.) all weekend, finishing a close second in both the dressage and marathon phases. Wilson, driving in his first USEF National Championship, took a decisive win in the cones phase with just one ball down and 3.33 in time penalties, overtaking Zubek for the National Championship title with a final score of 164.92.
“I am the oldest and the least experienced in this sport,” joked Wilson. “I have worked for the last five years to become a serious competitor and have always hoped to win an event of this magnitude. I am really happy to have finally accomplished that goal.”
Zubek had a little more than a ball in-hand going into Sunday, but succumbed to the technical challenges of the course, having a single ball down at obstacles four and six and two balls down at obstacle 11 in addition to time penalties. On an overall score of 176.71, Zubek took home Reserve National Championship honors.
Chester Weber drives out of the marathon as clear leader of the FEI Four-in-Hand division (Photo courtesy of www.PicsOfYou.com)
Ocala, FL (March 22, 2015) — The most anticipated day of driving at the 2015 Live Oak International arrived in full Live Oak International Marathon style. March 21, the third day of the celebrated driving competition, brought more sunshine, bigger crowds, and several top drivers vying to take the leading spot in the four-day competition. Chester Weber, one of the world’s top-ranked four-in-hand driver and a gracious host of Live Oak International, lived up to the equestrian world’s expectations once more as he held on to his first-place stance in the FEI Four-In-Hand division. Ellen Epstein, Boots Wright, Craig Grange, Suzy Stafford, and Casey Zubek were just some of the other competitors who drove out of the marathon phase still in the lead of their divisions.
The excitement was palpable throughout the beautifully green grounds of Live Oak Plantation, owned by Live Oak International presidents Chester Weber, Charlotte Weber, and Juliet W Reid, as the competitors took to the marathon course designed by Gabor Finta. “This is my first opportunity to work with Gabor Finta,” comments Ed Young, an FEI Official whose notable driving background includes serving as chef d’Equipe for the United States World Equestrian Games Four-in-Hand in 2006 and as the vice-chairman of the USEF International High-Performance Committee for Driving. “I was very impressed with Gabor Finta’s course design — it was so creative, and provided a safe yet challenging course for the competitors.” Young added, “The competitors all drove extremely well today.”
Chester Weber started his morning live on the air with NBC Sports Radio Horse Talk radio show, and ended his day with another marathon notch in four-in-hand. “The horses were fantastic,” Weber smiled after driving his team through the hazards to a score of 104.79 — leading over his new closest contender, Allison Stroud, by nearly 40 points. Like Weber, his KWPN team of Ultra, Splash, Dancer, and Boris commanded the crowd’s attention with their powerful presence as they seemed to move through the obstacles with one mind. True to his nickname of “Mr. Dressage,” Weber’s winning dressage phase score on Friday brings his overall score to a 138.24 — making him very hard to catch in Sunday’s cones phase (March 22).
Although Weber is one to beat in today’s cones phase, the close margins going into the cones phase for other divisions are already putting competitors and spectators at the edge of their seats. Two-time NFL Super Bowl linebacker Max Montoya placed second today to Scott Adcox in the Intermediate Pair Horse marathon — but still retained his overall division lead. In the FEI Single Pony division, Tracey Morgan and her German Riding Pony also held on to their overall lead even after coming in second to Miranda Cadwell in the marathon phase. FEI Pair Pony division leader Amy Cross followed suit, and, after her second place marathon, will enter the cones phase only .9 points ahead of yesterday’s marathon winner Katie Whaley.
Uncontested winners of the week include Casey Zubek of Manhattan, IL in the FEI Pair Horse division, Doris Leacy — driving Katydid Baroness — in Intermediate Single Pony, Craig Grange in Intermediate Four-in-Hand, and Ocala’s own Ellen Epstein with her KWPN in Intermediate Single Horse. Suzy Stafford of Wilmington, DE and her Morgan, PVF Peace of Mind, pulled even further ahead of competition yesterday by retaining her lead in the FEI Single Horse division with a marathon score of 91.97.
As the tailgating soirees around the intense day of competition began to break up, competitors and supporters departed to get ready for the pirate-themed Competitors Party, held on the show grounds and sponsored by Hermitage Farm and Lugano Diamonds. Today will bring even more excitement at Live Oak International as drivers take their last chance at claiming a winning title, or fighting to keep their current leads.
Ireland’s Cian O’ Connor and Good Luck win the 2015 Live Oak International CSI2*W Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier (Photos courtesy of www.PicsOfYou.com)
Ocala, Florida (March 22, 2015) — It wasn’t luck but extraordinary riding that brought Cian O’Connor to the top of the leader boards in the Live Oak International CSI2*W Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier on Saturday afternoon. The two-time Irish Olympian confessed that Adena Springs’ nine year-old Belgian Warmblood, Good Luck, not only lived up to his name but did so while jumping “like a stag.”
“He’s never jumped on grass before. We got him in November with the aim of getting to the Olympics and wanted to bring him to Live Oak because we wanted to get him jumping on grass, like in Europe. We’ll stay in Germany for the summer and compete in France, Belgium, Holland, then Dublin and Canada in August before — hopefully — the European Championships,” O’Connor explained after his victory.
“I’m grateful to my entire team this weekend for always going the extra mile. This has been his biggest performance and best result so far,” added the 35-year-old Dublin Horse Show Aga Khan Trophy winner and member of 96 Irish Nations Cup teams. O’Connor and the Canturo-bred bay gelding, who were the last go of the day, earned their victory gallop on a flawless 56-second round in the jump-off.
The only rider from the international field of 42 out of 46 to also complete course designer Leopoldo Palacios’ first round fault-free and under time was four-time U.S. Equestrian Federation Equestrian of the Year Elizabeth ‘Beezie’ Madden, who finished reserve in the jump-off with Abigail Wexner’s 13-year-old Dutch (Nabab de Reve x Via Volo van de Moldendreef) Warmblood mare, Vanilla, posting four faults during their 48.32-second effort.
“We went in and focused on riding our round,” said Madden, 51, who in 2014 became the first equestrian in history to win Hickstead’s prestigious King George Gold Cup and is the first female show jumper ever to pass the $1 million mark in earnings.
“And,” she added with a grin, “put the pressure on Cian.”
Pressure was in ample abundance as the 14-element first round challenged horses and riders to rise to the occasion. After the first six were unable to meet an original time allowed (85 seconds), show jumping event director Damian Guthrie made an adjustment to 90 seconds. It was still more than a dozen entries into the Grand Prix before Australia’s Scott Keach, riding Viriato for Southern Cross Equestrian, would deliver the first effort that left all the rails in their cups (yet still incurred two time faults), followed by Manuel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic, who had the time but at the cost of two rails.
American entry Kirsten Coe, riding Lovsta Tuteri’s Hanoverian (Contendro x Grannina) stallion, Czardas 30, cleared the rails but at a scant one fault over the time allowed for a 92.36 finish — which still earned the duo third place honors and a stride closer to the World Cup.
“The course was difficult but I’ve been waiting four long days for this class,” Coe said. “Our league isn’t over yet!”
“It was difficult to go clean, yes,” added O’Connor, “but that’s what a World Cup qualifier is supposed to do. Good horses, like good cream, will rise to the top.”
Rounding out the top 12 respectively from the first round were Australia’s fourth-placed Keach and Viriato (4/95.42), followed by an all-American cast to complete the ribbons: Brianne Goutal and Ballade van het Indihof (4/86.58); Charlie Jayne and Chill RZ (4/86.79); Richard Fellers and Flexible (4/88.65); Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star (4/88.80); Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S (4/89.49); Springsteen’s coach, Laura Kraut and Nouvelle (4/90.01); Callan Solem and VDL Wizard (4/90.81); and Vinton Karrasch and Coral Reef Follow Me II (5/92.37).
O’Connor’s victory keeps him at the top of the standings in the Live Oak International $10,000 E2 Leading Rider Award and sets the stage for an exciting conclusion on Sunday with the $34,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round at 2:00 p.m.
