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Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane Win $34,000 1.45m Speed at WEF

Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off its fifth week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday with a win for Ireland’s Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane in the $34,000 1.45m FEI speed class. McGuigan topped his trainer and fellow Irishman, Conor Swail, who finished second aboard Ariana. Meagan Nusz (USA) and Vesuvius finished third.

Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to welcome Ariat® International, Inc. as the title sponsor of week five CSI 3* competition on February 4-8, 2015. The week will feature the $127,000 Ariat® Grand Prix CSI 3* on the grass jumping field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, February 8. The weekend also highlights the 6th Annual Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments®, which will be the main event on Saturday, February 7, under the lights of the International Arena at PBIEC.

The course designer in the International Arena for week five is Robert Ellis of Great Britain. Ellis began the week with 57 to show in Wednesday’s 1.45m speed competition with 19 clear rounds.

Lillie Keenan (USA) and Chansonette Farm LLC’s Balance were first to go and set the pace at 65.71 seconds to hold the lead through 25 rounds, but were eventually pushed to fifth place. Meagan Nusz and Amalaya Investment’s Vesuvius upped the pace in 63.79 seconds and ended in third. Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane soon came along to take the lead in 63.54 seconds. Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Shalanno Farms LLC’s Welfare jumped into fourth with their time of 64.64 seconds. In the end, Conor Swail and Susan Grange’s Ariana were just of the mark in 63.67 seconds to finish in second.

McGuigan and Capall Zidane had a great 2014 season, including most recent wins in ESP’s Holiday Series in November and December. After a little time off, Capall Zidane was back in action in week two of WEF and jumped to his first win of 2015 in week three’s $8,000 1.45m jump-off class. The 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Concorde x Baloubet du Rouet) had last week off and came back fresh and ready to go to kick off week five with a win.

“He felt good today. He was very fresh, and he was going forward,” McGuigan noted. “The course ideally did not suit me. There were a lot of turn backs and stuff. He prefers more of a gallop, but I’ll take it. Usually I give him quite a bit of room on the turn backs, but he is very fast over the ground, so once I get over the jump I am able to get away fast.”

The win feels greater for McGuigan after winning over his friend and trainer, Conor Swail.

“I got to beat my trainer, which is even better,” McGuigan smiled. “He helps me a lot. We are best buddies, but that made the win even sweeter. I’ll have lots of bragging rights now!”

With great prize money and FEI world ranking points on the line, the classes are very competitive, and riders have to do everything they can to finish on top.

“When you go in there you have to go for it from start to finish,” McGuigan professed. “There is no steadying up at all or you’re further down the line.”

Meagan Nusz held the lead before McGuigan entered the ring, and he detailed the difference between their rounds.

“Meagan went inside to number five, the in and out. I went around. She had also done five strides after the double and I had actually done six, but that helped me better in the next turn back. I think the five maybe threw you too far away.”

“I didn’t see Conor go, but he said he lost it on the second to last jump,” McGuigan added. “He came around the corner and got a bad stride and he had to get a little deep to that jump, so he lost a bit of speed on her. It was close.”

McGuigan and Capall Zidane will show again in Thursday’s $34,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 and hope to qualify for Sunday’s $127,000 Ariat® Grand Prix CSI 3* on the grass derby field. They were third in that class last year.

Also showing on Wednesday, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was held in a California Split with wins for Laura Chapot (USA) with Mary Chapot’s Zealous as well as Ramiro Quintana (ARG) with St. Bride’s Farm’s Bialda. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class concluded the day with a win for Conor Swail (IRL) and Blue Hill Farm LLC’s Tahiti Island.

Competition continues on Thursday with the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 featured in the International Arena and the presentation of championship honors to the Equine Tack Second Year Green Hunters in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

The Derby at the Genesee Country Village & Museum Returns June 6-7, 2015

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy at The Derby in 2014. Photo by Vicci Valenti for The Book LLC.

$35,000 International Hunter Derby in Upstate New York

Mumford, NY – February 3, 2015 – After rave reviews following its inaugural year, The Derby at the Genesee Country Village & Museum (GCV&M) returns to Mumford, New York on June 6-7, 2015.

The standalone United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) event features both a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, to be held on Saturday, and a $35,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, to be held on Sunday.

Last year’s derbies attracted more than 1,000 spectators and some of the sport’s top hunter riders, including Kelley Farmer, Jennifer Alfano, and the International Derby winner Evan Coluccio, all of whom had nothing but rave reviews for the show.

“This is going to become huge. I think this is going to be one of these places that they’re going to have to turn people away because that field is unbelievable,” Alfano said. “It’s beautiful. It rode great. With the museum here you have kind of a built in spectator base. Usually it’s difficult to get this many people to come to a hunter derby.”

All proceeds from the 2015 Derby at the Genesee Country Village & Museum will benefit Make-A-Wish®.

The Derby at the Genesee Country Village & Museum Fast Facts

What:
The Derby at the Genesee Country Village & Museum:
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
$35,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Where:
The Genesee Country Village & Museum
1410 Flint Hill Road
Mumford, NY 14511

When:
June 6 & 7, 2015

Online:
www.facebook.com/thederbyatgcvm

Beneficiary:
Make-A-Wish®
www.wish.org

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Supporting The Derby is the perfect way to enjoy a fabulous day with friends, clients or colleagues, all while helping others and gaining valuable marketing and exposure!

To learn more about the numerous available sponsorship opportunities, contact Brian at browndawgroger@hotmail.com.

The Derby Producers & Management:
Brian Brown – browndawgroger@hotmail.com
Craig Brown – cmbrown@rochester.rr.com
Liz Keller – lkeller6@rochester.rr.com

TSG Equine Events, LLC
http://www.tsgequineevents.com/

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Amanda Steege Wins Second $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Zidane

(c) ESI Photography. Amanda Steege and Zidane jump in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

Steege’s Student Kimberly Maloomian Takes $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix on Urlala

Ocala, Florida (January 31, 2015): Saturday was a great day for Amanda Steege and Zidane, owned by Susan Darragh, who took home a $1,500 prize for first place in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, and chalked up two in a row after their win last week. They scored an 85.5 in the first round and an 87 in the second, propelling them to the top of the leaderboard. Steege’s student, Kimberly Maloomian, of Needham, Massachusetts, also won Saturday in the $1500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.

Hunters were the focus of Saturday afternoon’s Outside Course at HITS Ocala with the two special classes: the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix and the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. These classes are qualifiers for the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final and the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final held at HITS Saugerties in September during the HITS Championship.

Saturday’s courses, designed by Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida, included jumps up and down a hill, bending lines, and an option on the approach to the first jump in round two.

Steege, of Bedminster, New Jersey, said she wants to be among the top 20 riders in the year-end standings so she can ride two horses in the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final at HITS Saugerties in New York in September. So far, she has won two out of three HITS Ocala $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this season after placing second in week one.

“I’m really excited about the changes HITS made for the specs for 2015 that are allowing for the top 20 for to ride two horses in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Final for a few reasons: First of all, I think making that change is going to encourage riders to show in that class more, but also will encourage hunter riders to ride their best horses,” Steege said. “The possibility of riding two will really motivate people to be more successful on a weekly basis, and I think it will make it a more exciting competitive class.”

A close second in the Hunter Prix on Saturday went to Patty Stovel of Georgetown, Kentucky, riding Winner HS, owned by Peggy Jones of Culpeper, Virginia, and trained by Sandra Ruiz. Stovel and Winner HS scored an 86 in the first round and an 85 in the second to earn $1,000. She said after the class, “We are getting closer. Last week he was ninth. He was a jumper and just started doing the hunters.”

Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, Maryland, placed both third and fourth. Schaefer was third riding her own Stallone, with scores of 87 and 82 — moving up from last week’s fifth place finish, and fourth with her horse Classified, with scores of 84 and 83.

$1500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

Kimberly Maloomian, riding her mother Terry Maloomian’s horse, Urlala, had a triumphant return to the winner’s circle in her first Hunter Prix since winning the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final last September. Maloomian and Urlala won $1500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Saturday with scores of 82 and 84 to top the leaderboard. Riders in the top 20 in the year-end standings for the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix can also ride two horses in the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final.

(c) ESI Photography. Kimberly Maloomian and Urlala jump to win the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.
(c) ESI Photography. Kimberly Maloomian and Urlala jump to win the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.

Maloomian, who trains with Steege, said, “Urlala was originally purchased for my Mom to do the 2-foot division. She may not be the fanciest horse that I have, but she’s the nicest one. You always know when you are standing at the in-gate that you are going to jump all the jumps — she’s not going to spook at anything and it’s such a nice feeling.”

Steege said of her student’s win, “It was a thrill for team Ashmeadow (Steege’s farm) to have dominated the Hunter Prix in week three of HITS Ocala.”

Casey Zuraitis of Sutton, Massachusetts, riding her own KT Four Seasons, scored a first round of 85 and a second round score of 80 to finish just one point behind and take home second place and a check for $300. Third place with an 83 and a 78 went to Alexa Riccio of Ogunquit, Maine, riding Captain Millet, owned by Kevin Davis of Lincoln, Nebraska.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Don’t Miss Driving Derby Hoedown to Support Pony Team USA

The Driving Derby Hoedown will support pony drivers representing the USA at the 2015 Pony World Championships. Photo By: Pics of You Photography.

Weirsdale, FL – February 2, 2015 – Mark your calendars today to help support the U.S. Pony Team! Saturday, February 28, and Sunday March 1, 2015, Katie Whaley and Jennifer Matheson, in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, will be hosting a special fundraiser at the Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, Florida. This exciting event will help raise funds for pony drivers representing the USA at the 2015 Pony World Championships September 2-6, 2015, in The Netherlands.

On Saturday, February 28, there will be a fun hoedown for guests, which will include a silent auction as well as team auction tied into Sunday’s Driving Derby. The main event will be held on Sunday, March 1, when drivers will participate in the Driving Derby competition. This is a new form of competition that was recently recognized by the American Driving Society.

The derby competition will feature two levels for drivers: Training (no cantering) and Preliminary (open to all above training level). The entry fee of $50 is a tax deductible donation to the USET Foundation, earmarked Pony Driving. Four-in-hand pony driver Boots Wright and driving event organizer Ellen Ettenger will be donating their time to officiate at this event. The Grand Oaks Resort is donating the use of their facility, and Nupafeed USA will be sponsoring all of the obstacles for the event.

All drivers are encouraged to participate and be a part of this special benefit. For more details, please visit: http://www.americandrivingsociety.org/06_omnilistings/03USET_DD.asp.

Tickets for the Hoedown will be $50 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the USET Foundation and the U.S. Pony Team. Registration for the Driving Derby is also $50, with registration opening on January 15th.

For questions regarding the driving derby, please contact Jennifer Matheson at jennifermatheson@bellsouth.net. If you’d like to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact Katie Whaley at hatsbykatie@gmail.com.

For more information regarding the USET Foundation and its mission, please contact Sara Ike at sara.ike@uset.org.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Star Stable – A Virtual 3D Horse Adventure You Must Experience

February 2, 2015 – One of the goals of gaming today is to provide that alternate experience where the scenery is ideal and the experiences are endless! Today, we are approaching one of the most technologically advanced stages ever and it’s become apparent as games like the visually stunning and entertaining “Star Stable” take us to the next level! So what is it about Star Stable that has fellow gamers taking notice and caught the attention of horse enthusiasts alike in this virtual 3D horse adventure? Let’s take a look.

As the game begins, you’re taken over by beautiful graphics and enchanting music. Gamers know that one of the perks about the virtual world is the ability to make choices and control their alternate surroundings in ways that are easy, accessible and rewarding. Avatar choices and clothing options get you excited about the exploration that you and your horse will encounter. And just in case you thought it didn’t get any better by “suiting up” for yourself, the choices of horse and colors are exceptional as well. Although you should note that you only have access to particular horses as you reach certain levels. There’s also the option to play and chat online with multiple players as you explore the island of Jorvik.

Captivating missions are sure to keep the game interesting as you and your horse try to solve problems like the company on Jorvik Island that’s trying to mine for metals and minerals. The more missions that you and your “maned” friend become successful at, the more money and experience you gain as well. So as your confidence and reputation builds from completing missions in Jorvik, so can your wardrobe and equipment when you use your rewards to purchase them. You only need to continue advancing to the next level to enjoy all that Star Stable has to offer!

You have up to four levels that can be played for free. Then there’s the option to become a Star Rider for a monthly fee or just go all the way since you know the game is only going to get better and pay one time for a Lifetime membership! With constant updates to the game and new adventures being added frequently, one is sure to be lulled into a virtual world filled with the latest fashions in riding gear, unbelievably enchanting forests and ranges to view and exciting experiences that will leave you waiting eagerly for the next virtual journey for you and your four-legged friend.

Ultimately, one of the biggest pluses for this game, alongside the graphics, online chatting with other gamers and great missions to solve, is that it is a game for the ENTIRE family! Parents can relax with calm knowing that this is a game which offers the mental comfort a parent needs when allowing kids to play online.

But don’t take our word for it; visit starstable.com and discover for yourself the countless possibilities and endless treasures that await you and the horse of your dreams!

McLain Ward & HH Carlos Z Top $85k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at WEF

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z. Photo © Sportfot.

Jim Anderson and Dominus Finish as the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over Section B Champions

Wellington, FL – February 1, 2015 – Week four of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, concluded on Sunday with the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The class saw a win for McLain Ward (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z in a very fast 20-horse jump-off over Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl. They were followed by Irish speedsters Darragh Kenny and Conor Swail in third and fourth places, respectively.

Course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) saw 62 starters on his final course for week four with 20 clear rounds to jump-off. Twelve were double clear over the short course, and the times were blazing. Ward and HH Carlos Z completed their course in 37.26 seconds, just ahead of second place finishers Todd Minikus and the Quality Group’s Quality Girl, who clocked in at 37.41 seconds. Darragh Kenny and Toffolon Partners LLC’s Gatsby finished third in 38.26 seconds. Kenny also tied for fourth place with Conor Swail in the same time of 38.47 seconds. Kenny’s second ride was aboard Oakland Ventures LLC’s Picolo. Swail rode Ariel and Susan Grange’s Martha Louise.

Ward and HH Carlos Z had a great start to their partnership beginning last season in Wellington and went on to an excellent year with top finishes throughout North America. The pair earned two wins and several top placings at Spruce Meadows over the summer. They won the prestigious $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W at the Washington International Horse Show in October, and they went on to a great win at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto to cap off their 2014 season. The 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z x Voltaire) is a jack-of-all-trades and has already inked a great start to this year’s winter circuit.

“He is a very fast little horse, and he is very careful,” Ward stated. “He was actually unlucky not to win the WEF (Challenge Cup) on Thursday. He jumped a hell of a round and had a bit of a cheap rail, which I could take responsibility for. In that jump-off, with that many fast riders, you knew it was all or nothing.”

“He had a pretty nice first season with me,” Ward said. “He is kind of what I would call a workman-like horse. There is not a job at the show he can’t do. He jumped the biggest grand prix in the world very well last year at the Masters, and he will win a Table C speed class on Wednesday at a horse show. He kind of does it all. He plugs into every role, and he has been a great asset to the Double H team and my string.”

“I really enjoy him. He is a trier and gives a lot,” Ward declared. “I thought he was a little unlucky on Thursday not to win the class, so it is nice that he came back just as strong, if not stronger, today.”

In the jump-off, Ward followed two very fast rounds already set by Darragh Kenny. He also had some very fast riders still to come, such as Todd Minikus and Conor Swail, but the time held on to win.

“I knew Darragh’s round was pretty phenomenal,” Ward detailed. “I felt like I had a good round, but for sure those guys on their best day could have caught me. That is always the way, but it was our luck and we needed it. We needed a little break. We had a bit of a slow January, so we needed something to turn.”

With a great win in hand, Ward and HH Carlos Z will jump a few more classes in the next few weeks as they prepare to represent the United States in the $100,000 FEI Nations Cup, presented by Kingsland Equestrian, during week eight’s CSIO competition. Ward also looks to jump Carlos in the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* to conclude the WEF circuit in week 12.

Jim Anderson and Dominus Finish WEF 4 as the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over Section B Champions

Over two days of competition Jim Anderson, from New York City, dominated the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over section B with Maria Takacs’ horse, Dominus. Anderson guided Dominus to a first, second and two thirds over fences to finish as division champions.

Laurie Stevens rode her own Santiago to reserve champion honors. Stevens and Santiago had a first and second over fences, paired with a third place in the under saddle.

Dominus and Anderson beat out 16 other competitors in just their third show together. “I showed him [Dominus] for the first time at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in August and was lucky enough to be able to lease him for the WEF circuit,” Anderson commented.

Although Anderson and Dominus are a new pair, Dominus is veteran in the hunter ring. In past seasons Dominus has competed with Takacs in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3, but Takacs is now busy with her daughter’s riding career and does not have time to compete on her own.

Along with Dominus, Anderson also has previous experience in the hunter ring. Anderson explained, “I came back to riding about five years ago after having an Amateur-Owner Hunter career in the 90s, and it’s been great!”

While Anderson is excited to continue to show Dominus in the Adult Hunters, he also has a younger horse coming to Florida later in the season. Anderson hopes that his trainer, Christopher Payne, will be able to get his other horse started in the Pre-Green Hunters.

With only one month of the WEF circuit complete, Anderson is looking forward to upcoming weeks. One of the weeks Anderson is most looking forward to is WEF 6, which is a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) sponsored week. Anderson is a co-founder of the WCHR program and still is active in it today.

When Anderson is not competing he lives in New York City where he owns his own marketing company.

The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues next week with Ariat® International, Inc. as the title sponsor of week five’s CSI 3* competition on February 4-8, 2015. The week will feature the $127,000 Ariat® Grand Prix CSI 3* on the grass jumping field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, February 8. The weekend also highlights the 6th Annual Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments®, which will be the main event on Saturday, February 7, under the lights of the International Arena at PBIEC. The pro-am team competition has distributed more than $6.2 million to Palm Beach County nonprofits over the past five years. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Audi Turns On the Cruise Control, Beats CT Energia 12-10 in Ylvisaker Cup

Nic Roldan, Kris Kampsen Lucas Lalor. Photo: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.

Orchard Hill Still Undefeated after 10-9 OT Win over Enigma; Lucchese Wins the Battle of the Cousins 16-12 over Villa del Lago

Wellington, FL – February 1, 2015 – The fields at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Sunday at times looked more like a Formula One racetrack than a polo grounds, as players ran each other ragged (or tried their hardest to) in three whiz-bang 20-goal games in the Ylvisaker Cup. Some of the highest-speed and most hotly contested polo so far this season played out before a sea of spectators in packed stands.

In the featured match on Engel & Völkers field, Audi went into overdrive in the second half to seal a 12-10 victory over CT Energia. Orchard Hill, fresh off its win in the Joe Barry Cup, beat Enigma 10-9 in overtime, and Lucchese triumphed over Villa del Lago 16-12.

Nic Roldan was a scoring machine, making seven of Audi’s 12 goals and smacking in one or two in every chukker except the sixth (by which time Audi already had the win pretty much sewed up). He moved like a speed demon – usually of his own accord, but at other times forced to by Kris Kampsen, who chased him down on dozens of plays and scored two goals for CT Energia in the process. It was a rough-and-tumble game, played for the most part in unusually tight quarters.

“We got it over with – that’s all I can say,” said a laughing Roldan afterward. “It wasn’t pretty, and that’s a scrappy team to play against, so we knew it was going to be choppy.”

And that it was, from the first horn to the last. One particular span of controlled chaos was best described by the announcer Tony Copolla: “Wow, they’re going in about seven different directions!”

CT Energia’s ability to mix it up and still manage to score became evident when Joao Ganon kicked off the game with two goals in rapid-fire succession. Under heavy pressure by Kampsen on a racehorse, Roldan snuck one in for Audi on a nearside neck shot. Then the scoring force of Ganon and Nic Manifold kicked into gear, bringing CT Energia into a 4-1 lead at the end of the first chukker.

Roldan continued to ride it like he stole it, slamming two in more goals at the top of the second chukker. Not long afterward, Marc Ganzi suddenly emerged from the pack and slammed the ball downfield, tying the game at 4-all. Manifold and Freddie Mannix quickly brought it to 5-5. The third chukker opened with Roldan propelling the ball so high and fast that it went through the goalposts like a guided missile, breaking the tie and bringing Audi into the lead for the first time. The score stood at 6-5 at the end of the first half.

Ganon didn’t let that stand for long, though. He reinstituted a tie in the opening moments of the fourth chukker, which turned out to be a pivotal one for Audi (the team started the chukker tied 6-6 and ended it with a three-point lead). The score ping-ponged back and forth between a tie and a tight Audi lead. Roldan swooped in, scoring twice in a row to make it 8-7 for Audi. Working both sides of the pony, Mannix widened Audi’s lead to two points.

Audi was in the fast lane and clearly determined to stay there. In a slick display of passing and shooting, Mannix sent the ball on a backshot to Roldan (who was yelling “Open! Open!”). Roldan picked it up and scored on a neckshot. Audi, which had been trailing or tied for most of the game, now held a commanding 12-7 lead at the end of the fifth chukker.

CT Energia amped it up mightily, keeping Audi from scoring in the final chukker and, through great teamwork, put in three goals of its own. Had the clock not run out before CT Energia could keep on the move like the runaway train it had become, the scoreboard may have shown a different result. The game ended 12-10 for Audi.

How did Audi manage to turn the game around? “We were a little excited to play the first game of the Ylvisaker, and we want to win this tournament,” said Mannix.” We’ve really been focusing on today, and I think we were a little too nervous at the start, with too much energy. Then we settled down, and some of our team play showed through. Poor start, good ending.”

Ganzi gave an interesting take on his opponents. “You’ve gotta play 42 minutes of polo against those guys!” he said. “They’re very physical; they try to the end. You see the way they played the last two minutes – hey, they’re dying and dying, but they keep going. You have to respect a team that puts as much into it as they do into the game. They’re four good players, and we knew it was not going to be a pretty game. But I think when we had the moments to impose our will on them and open the ball up and spread the field out and make the game a little more open, that’s when we excel.”

Added Ganzi: “We have really good moments to learn from today. We’ll clean up a few things and get ready for Thursday; we’ve got a tough Enigma team coming at us.”

Orchard Hill Still Undefeated after 10-9 OT Win over Enigma

Orchard Hill narrowly defeated Enigma 10-9 in overtime in its first game in the Ylvisaker Cup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The first chukker started off with a bang as Jeff Hall maneuvered through traffic to score in the first 30 seconds of the match. Remy Muller picked the ball up at the north end of the field and drove it in to score shortly afterward to tie the match up 1-1. Lucas Criado received a pass from Facundo Pieres and took off out of the pack to score, moving Orchard Hill into the lead. Enigma caught right back up as Carlucho Arellano converted to make the score 2-all at the end of the first chukker.

Criado started out the second chukker by showing off his pickpocket skills, repeatedly stealing the ball from Enigma players in pursuit of goals. Pieres scored on a 30-yard undefended penalty shot to put one up on the board for Orchard Hill. Matias MacDonough tied the score 3-3, racing down the field and weaving in and out of the pack until he found a window and made a deft neck shot that no one anticipated. (The announcer called it “all Matias, all the way!”) Pieres responded with an incredible last-second flip shot as he was running out of field to score. Criado took off on a breakaway, but his shot went wide due to intense defensive pressure from Hall. Enigma poured the pressure on Orchard Hill, repeatedly forcing Criado – and once, even Pieres – to hit wide and miss just yards from goal. In one play Pieres stole the ball from Hall, but Wirth laid a stealth hook on him, causing Pieres to miss the shot.

“He’s not 10 goals, and one of the best of them in the world, for nothing,” Wirth said, paying homage to Pieres after the match.

The third chukker started off with more speed from Criado, who announcer Gus Whitelaw compared to “a Jack Russell chasing a tennis ball.” MacDonough picked up a backshot from Remy Muller and sent the ball downfield. Before Pieres could steal it, Wirth swooped in, took control and handed the ball off to MacDonough, who quickly tapped it into goal. MacDonough followed up that impressive play by sending a pass downfield to Hall, who dueled it out in a horse race with Pieres to score, putting Enigma ahead 5-4. Pieres took one of his signature neck shots, but it sailed wide under immense pressure from Hall once again.

Hall continued his stellar performance in the fourth chukker, flipping the ball into the goalmouth in heavy traffic to make the score 6-4. After a foul in the goal mouth caused Orchard Hill not to score, a penalty one was applied in favor of Orchard Hill. The throw-in to begin play was within yards of the goal, and Pieres quickly took it in to tie up the game again 6-6. An appeal foul was applied on a later call, and Pieres made a neckshot to put one up on the board. A series of two penalty calls in favor of Enigma and converted by Arellano put Enigma back in the lead 8-7. A penalty number three and an appeal foul allowed Pieres to tie the score back up 8-8 at the end of the fifth chukker.

The sixth chukker started with an Enigma knock-in, and Hall took a neck shot that went wide. Pieres stunned the crowd with his ability to place the ball exactly where he wanted it with a lofted neckshot to bring to score to 9-8. MacDonough stole the ball from Pieres at midfield, took it 150 yards and scored, tying the game at 9-all.

That’s when things got really interesting. An umbrella of suspense hung over the field as the umpires reviewed the sidelines footage to determine whether the sixth chukker had ended on a safety. Once it was determined that was not the case, the ball was thrown in on the south end. Four seconds into play, a reaching penalty was called in favor of Orchard Hill. Pieres took the shot, clinching the game 10-9 and cementing his team’s undefeated streak. (Just a week ago Orchard Hill won the 20-goal Joe Barry Cup.)

Criado credited Enigma for its tough play. “I think Enigma is one of the best teams in the tournament,” he said. “I think we played well, but we missed a lot of goals. The horses went well after playing in the (Joe Barry) finals. We’re happy that we won.”

Pieres voiced similar opinions. “It was a difficult game. It was tough for us, and after the final it’s difficult to get on it again,” said Pieres. “This was a very tough team (to play against). We missed a lot of goals, and we’re lucky that we won it. I think that this is really good for us, and hopefully we can win another game and qualify for the quarter-finals.”

Lucchese Wins the Battle of the Cousins 16-12 over Villa del Lago in Ylvisaker Cup
New Lineup Successful for the Team from Texas

The only thing certain in the first round Ylvisaker Cup game at International Polo Club between the high-octane Lucchese and Villa del Lago teams was that a Pieres and an Obregon would be on the winning team. Lucchese’s Nico Pieres and Geronimo Obregon lined up across from Polito Pieres and Augustine Obregon, their respective cousins on the Villa del Lago side. Lucchese triumphed 16-12 and won family bragging rights while adapting well to their new lineup of Geronimo Obregon starting in place of the injured Andres Weisz.

Lucchese team owner John Muse was very satisfied after the game. Muse had missed the Joe Barry Cup semifinals due to illness.

“It was really nice to be back in the lineup with Nico and Magoo,” said Muse. “Geronimo is a great kid and doing the job well, and Nico and Magoo really know how to use me on setting picks and working with the team, we know each other well on the field.”

Geronimo Obregon was elbow to elbow with his cousin Augustine for most of the match as the two cousins were marking each other closely.

“It was good to play against him (Augustine),” said Geronimo. “I have to go a little harder when I play against him!”

The match kicked off with Nico and Polito Pieres going head to head. Polito drew first blood with a quick run to goal, but Nico countered with three field goals in the first chukker, including an athletic nearside flip shot under the mallet of cousin Polito. Julian de Lusarreta on Villa del Lago achieved the first non-Pieres field goal with a quick run down the field under pressure.

The teams stayed relatively even through the first two chukkers. Lucchese began to pull away in the third chukker as Nico scored a flashy goal out of the air on an equally flashy bald faced chestnut gelding named Cuenta, which was quickly followed by a Geronimo Obregon goal. Lucchese headed into halftime leading 8 to 6, and added to that lead at the start of the fourth chukker with a Magoo Laprida goal.

Down three goals, Villa del Lago now found a sense of urgency. De Lusarreta scored a tricky goal when the Lucchese defenders double-teamed Polito, leaving de Lusarreta alone to hit a cutaway backshot and run to goal. That freed up Polito for two high speed goals and all of the sudden the score was tied 9-all at the end of the fourth.

The fifth chukker started off with a Lucchese knock-in. Nico hit the ball to a fast moving Magoo Laprida on a speedy black mare. Magoo turned on the afterburners and went downfield to goal through the Villa del Lago defenders like they were not even there. Another goal by Nico and Laprida had Lucchese up by three goals, and a frustrated Polito had words with the umpire which led to his ejection from the game for the remainder of the 5th chukker. Lucchese added two more penalty goals in the 5th to close out the chukker with an impressive 14-9 lead.

“We knew we had to turn it on when Polito returned to the match and not relax,” said Nico Pieres after the match.

Lucchese did just that to start the sixth chukker. Nico added one more tally to maintain the momentum, and Geronimo put the nail in the coffin with a final field goal for Lucchese and 16 goals total for the boys in blue. Villa del Lago tried to rally, but the deficit was too large and Lucchese rode away with the victory, final score 16-12. Nico Pieres led all scorers with 10 goals in the match.

The action continues Wednesday at 10 a.m. with FlexJet playing Palm Beach Illustrated at IPC.

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

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

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

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Boyd Martin & Trading Aces Take Home the Win in $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase

Boyd Martin and Trading Aces landing from the final cross-country jump for victory. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – January 31, 2015 – Boyd Martin (USA) and Trading Aces proved to be unbeatable this weekend at the first-ever $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase presented by Asheville Regional Airport. Martin and Trading Aces led the competition from start to finish, completing the weekend on their original dressage score of 24.80. Michael Pollard (USA) and Cyrano Z finished in second place on a 25.7 with Laine Ashker (USA) and her own Anthony Patch in third, ending the weekend with their original score, 29.1.

The Derby Field at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center was packed with more than 2,000 spectators on a beautiful Saturday afternoon as visitors from around the country came to see the first-ever eventing competition in Wellington unfold. Martin commented that the entire competition was first-class, and it was a privilege to be a part of such a unique competition. “I’ve been lucky enough; I’m 35 and I’ve competed in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Holland, U.S., France, England, and this is by far the best competition I have ever been to,” he expressed. “The organizers have put on something I have never seen before, and I am just so proud to be here.”

From the incredible footing of both the dressage and show jumping arena and out on the cross-country course, the riders were all very pleased with the event as many of them used it to begin their spring season and prepare for the Rolex CCI4* in Lexington, Kentucky later in the spring. “I think this was the right test for this time in the year and certainly for those who haven’t seen this type of atmosphere before. It is always great to get some experience in a place like this because it is similar to Kentucky,” commented Pollard.

Martin concluded a wonderful weekend aboard Trading Aces, piloting the 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding, to his first big win of the 2015 season. The two performed a lovely dressage test yesterday late in the afternoon to take the lead in the large class on a 24.80, the score on which they would finish. Martin was ecstatic to take home the win this weekend and felt the course was perfectly suited for Trading Aces. “For me, at this time in the year, my horses are not that fit yet, so it was perfect. It was right around the three and a half, four-minute mark, and it was a well-designed course with a few galloping questions and then double corners to test for accuracy and Mt. Wellington down to the narrow (jump) is probably a 3 or 4 star question,” he said. “It was spot on for this time in the year.”

Ashker agreed with Martin’s comments, adding that the course had every type of question you need to be asked when going out at the Advanced level. “I was nervous before we left the start box. It had all of the questions you need: water, a ditch, corners, and skinnies. I definitely respected it and felt like I had a horse who was super happy and healthy coming off when we finished. This was pretty much my cross-country school for the Carolina International 3* in March, and it was tough but fair at the same time.”

Captain Mark Phillips, the designer of the cross-country course, was also pleased with the way the course rode for the riders this early in the season. “A lot of the infrastructure was already here. We tried to put together a 3* test that was appropriate for the time of year and the fitness of the horses. When we talk about the future of the sport in this sense, I think we will see a lot more of these types of events as build-ups to Rolex and other large international competitions,” he continued to explain. “It is a huge benefit to the riders, the horses and in particular the owners and the sponsors. When everyone is happy we have a good sport to look forward too.”

Pollard and Cyrano on the stadium jumping course
Pollard and Cyrano on the stadium jumping course

Earlier in the day, all of the riders tested themselves on Richard Jeffery’s show jumping course in The Stadium Arena. The course was very technical and proved to be challenging for many of the pairs as numerous rails fell throughout the morning. “I think there are a couple of designers who do a good job at testing event horses, and Mr. Jeffery is one of them,” stated Pollard. “I thought it was tough. You had to have some sort of plan coming to many of the lines and needed to ride well for them to work.”

Ashker agreed that Jeffery’s course was more technical than what she expected when she walked it, as this arena is smaller than what most are used to competing in. “They are always very technical. You had to use a lot of leg, which made it a bit deceiving in that way. You had to really ride forward, but that is exactly what you need before going out on cross-country and it kind of set the precedent for what to expect out there.”

Cyrano Z arrived in Pollard’s barn only a few weeks ago from his father-in-law Carl Bouckaert, who rode the horse in the 2012 London Olympics. The pair, who has only had a few weeks to familiarize with each other, had a stellar performance across the board, and Pollard was thrilled. “He was perfect today. I don’t know him that well, but it couldn’t have gone a whole lot better. Carl has had a lot of clear rounds on this horse and I thought I’d better do a good job so I just held on and let the horse do his job, which he did quite well,” he said.

As for the future, all three riders have different plans for their mounts. Ashker plans on heading Anthony Patch towards the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in April while Pollard and Martin are still trying to figure out where their partnerships will go with Cyrano Z and Trading Aces. “To be honest, this may or may not be the last time I ride Trading Aces. We’ve had some massive highs and lows, and we will just have to see,” said Martin. He also piloted Pancho Villa to a 7th place finish this weekend. According to Pollard, the plan was to just give Cyrano Z a leg up to prepare him for sale, but those plans could be changing after their finish this weekend. “We’ll take it one day at a time and if someone with the right situation comes around we will figure that out, but I wouldn’t mind keeping him around for a while,” he stated.

Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, was excited and grateful to the competitors, sponsors, and owners for coming together to be a part of such a unique opportunity for the sport. Equestrian Sport Productions and the Bellissimo family, who now own both the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina, as well as the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, are looking to help grow and elevate the stature of eventing in the United States.

“We had been contemplating doing this event for probably three or four years, trying to figure out something interesting we could do with eventing,” Bellissimo stated. “When we threw out the idea of doing an event, we talked about what it would take to get people to come down here and my colleague, Jim Wolf, said maybe $25,000 (in prize money). So we decided to double it, and I didn’t realize that it would turn into the second largest event in terms of prize money in the country, which really is a shame. The athletes are spectacular and the owners are amazing in this sport. It is a great group of people, and we are encouraged and inspired to take this sport to the next level.”

As for the fantastic turnout for a first-time event, Bellissimo said this is just the beginning of the vision to bring the sport to the forefront of equestrian competition. “We want to make eventing a major force at all of our venues. We’re talking to a number of different sponsors and we really want to elevate the sport. We’re fired up to take this sport to the next level and are excited to work with other organizers and organizations so that we can make something really interesting here,” continued Bellissimo. “There is a great trajectory, and we’ve already been approached by new sponsors and owners wanting to get involved. This event will only get better and we are anticipating that the prize money will double, as well as the charitable gifts we were able to give. I am very excited about this sport and this group of people. I was honored to see this incredible group of athletes perform at such a high level in an experimental venue.”

Bellissimo was proud to award the owners of the top three placed horses large charitable donations. Aside from their earned prize money, they will be able to donate to any 501c3 charity of their choice. “We are so thankful to the sponsors for giving us an opportunity to host an event like this. Asheville Regional Airport stepped up in a very big way very quickly, and Land Rover is always a great partner of ours. Allyn Mann and Adequan® have been spectacular, as has our longtime partner Rolex,” Bellissimo said. As for the future, there are big plans on the horizon to host fully recognized FEI events, with a CCI3* being held in Tryon in August and the hopes of hosting the country’s second CCI4* event, aside from Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, at Tryon International Equestrian Center as well.

For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions and the $50,000 Eventing Showcase presented by Asheville Regional Airport, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Carly Weilminster for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Marie Hecart and Myself de Breve Win $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*

Marie Hecart and Myself de Breve. Photo © Sportfot.

Kate Eagleton and My Mr. Darcy Take Home the Blue Ribbon in the THIS Children’s Medal 15-17

Wellington, FL – January 31, 2015 – France’s Marie Hecart and Myself de Breve were the winners in Saturday night’s $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Fidelity Investments®, at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival. Earning her first five-star victory as well as her first major Saturday night win in Wellington, Hecart topped a roster of major competition, including Olympic gold medalists Ben Maher (GBR) and Eric Lamaze (CAN). Maher was second with Diva II; Lamaze finished third aboard Fine Lady 5.

Held under the bright lights of the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Saturday’s class featured 45 starters with 10 clear rounds over the course set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. In the jump-off, only two were able to clear the short course without fault.

Sixth to go in the second round, Marie Hecart and Myself de Breve produced the first double clear in the winning time of 38.61 seconds. Kent Farrington (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Willow immediately followed with a faster time of 36.79 seconds, but had a defeating rail at the last fence to finish fourth. Ben Maher and Tatiana Korsakova’s Diva II came one round later to produce the second clear in a time of 40.55 seconds. Last to go, Eric Lamaze and Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5 completed the fastest round of the night in 36.54 seconds, but dropped one rail to finish third.

Myself de Breve is a 15-year-old Selle Francais mare by Quidam de Revel x Grand Veneur. One of the smallest horses in the class at just over 15 hands, what “Myself” (or “Mini Me” in the barn) lacks in height, she makes up for in heart. Hecart has had the mare since she was four years old and has developed a great partnership over the years.

“We know each other really, really well and she has been more and more consistent,” Hecart stated after her win. “The older she gets, the better she gets, and it is really nice to have her in good shape and competitive.”

“I was always really close with Myself,” Hecart said of winning the big classes. “We were always clear and really consistent, but there was always one down in the jump-off or we were not fast enough. Today, I don’t know why, but it happened and she was amazing. It is always a really nice atmosphere and a good crowd here on Saturday, so it is always really exciting to ride here. She loves it. She likes the noise, the crowd, and the night. She even jumped better at night.”

“I was really excited (to win),” Hecart smiled. “It has been a lot of work with my team, my grooms, and all of the people around me. We have always been so close, but couldn’t win, so today is really important.”

Of her jump-off round, the rider detailed, “I cannot go over my speed because she can get really excited and have a rail down. I wasn’t fast in the beginning, and I just took a chance at the last jump. I wasn’t really that fast, so it was good that Eric had a rail.”

With his second place finish, Ben Maher was happy with a great result aboard his mount Diva II and was pleased to see the mare in good form for the night’s class after a good end to the 2014 season.

“She’s fantastic. She has a little bit her own style,” Maher admitted. “She was great in Olympia in London; she won there. I jumped her last week when she came out of quarantine and she was really fresh and crazy, but tonight she was back to herself.”

“I think the first round was a long course actually. It was a difficult course,” Maher noted. “Some of the horses coming back in the jump-off were not necessarily tired, but they didn’t jump quite as well. It was big money, a lot of people making mistakes. I decided to play it a bit safe and take a check home. It is not in my nature to not have a try and go to win to be honest, but I went around to the second fence and I thought I would be a bit closer to Marie than I was actually. I was way off the pace, but I’m happy for her and it is nice to get a good result early on in the circuit.”

Eric Lamaze has been on excellent form with numerous wins in the beginning of the WEF circuit, including wins in all four rounds of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series. The last two wins were back-to-back with Fine Lady 5.

“She felt the same,” Lamaze said of Fine Lady’s performance tonight. “I rode her last Saturday night, and I was pleasantly surprised. She had no reaction and was the same under the lights. With the atmosphere, she jumped an incredible first round. Marie was very fast in the jump-off, so she didn’t leave much on the table and we had to try. For my horse, going last in the first round and then into the jump-off right away, there wasn’t a lot of recovery time. She barely touched that fence. She’s a great mare and I’m very happy to be riding her in these 1.60m grand prix because she wasn’t really bought to do this. For me, it is exciting to have another horse to do it.”

With all of his latest wins, Lamaze was not disappointed with a third place finish.

“Not when you’re third to Marie and Ben,” he stated. “It’s great competition. When you go at this speed, you need a little luck and that’s the way it goes sometimes. My horse jumped very well, and there is no shame in being third on this circuit.”

The Winter Equestrian Festival has some of the toughest competition in the world with many of the top horses and riders competing, and Lamaze and Maher each spoke to the addition of four five-star weeks this year.

“We used to be in Florida to prepare our horses to go compete in Europe or somewhere else in the U.S., but now with the five-stars and the increase in prize money, it becomes a serious competition. It is a serious circuit,” Lamaze acknowledged. “I think a lot of riders are preparing their horses to be here and not train them, but really compete. That is the difference. Florida used to be a training circuit for the rest of the year, but now it is a real competition: a real show with real riders and great horses.”

“It is a long season, so you have to be careful, but it is definitely always great to ride here on a Saturday night and the increase in prize money brings all the best horses out and the best riders,” Maher added. “I think it was a great competition and it is always good to see the amount of horses in the jump-off and not everybody going totally crazy. It was good jumping tonight. They were big jumps, and it was good sport.”

Kate Eagleton and My Mr. Darcy Take Home the Blue Ribbon in the Taylor Harris Insurance THIS Children’s Medal 15-17

On Saturday morning Kate Eagleton, from Miami, FL, took home first place in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) Children’s Medal 15-17. Eagleton earned a score of 85 in the first round with Catherine Cech’s horse, My Mr. Darcy, on her way to topping the field of 20 competitors.

After the first round was complete the riders with the top four scores came back for a work-off. Eagleton went into the work-off with the top score and remained consistent to finish as the winner. Second place honors went to Raleigh Hiler, who received a first round score of 82. Isabella Usenza ended the day in third place and Phoebe Alwine rounded out the top four.

“This is my first time winning a Taylor Harris [Children’s Medal] so I was really excited!” Eagleton exclaimed after the final results were announced.

At the beginning of the WEF circuit Eagleton was unsure if she was going to be able to show after her own horse was injured. Eagleton is thankful that My Mr. Darcy was available as a two-week substitute. “He [My Mr. Darcy] is very simple. He helps me out when I don’t know what to do,” Eagleton said about her new horse.

Despite little practice time, Eagleton was still able to master the first course. Eagleton commented, “My first round was really good. The first jump was a little deep. I didn’t see the distance, but I stayed calm and it worked out. The other jumps in the course just came up.”

Even with the success that Eagleton has had with My Mr. Darcy, she is excited to have her own horse back in the show ring. When Eagleton’s horse is ready they will compete in the 3’6″ equitation medals as well as the THIS Children’s Medal. Eagleton hopes to qualify for THIS National Children’s Medal Finals, held at Capital Challenge Horse Show in the fall, as well as qualify for their ASPCA Maclay Regional.

Eagleton is currently a senior in high school and makes the commute to Wellington to compete on weekends. Along with balancing a busy riding and commuting schedule, Eagleton is a part of her high school’s yearbook staff.

Week four of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, concludes on Sunday with the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Classic featured in the International Arena at PBIEC. The Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 50 & Over Section B will award championship honors in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Valiente Zooms Past FlexJet 9-7 in 2015 Ylvisaker Cup Opener

Melissa Ganzi, Miguel Novillo Astrada and Tommy Beresford. Photo: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.

Coca-Cola Effervescent after 12-8 Win over Tonkawa

Wellington, FL – January 31, 2015 – Maintaining consistent leads over their opponents, Valiente took FlexJet 9-7 and Coca-Cola beat Tonkawa 12-8 in Saturday’s 20-goal Ylvisaker Cup opener at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida.

If the teams weren’t wearing different colors, you’d almost have thought you were having déjà vu in the second match. In an unusually balanced day of play, both games played out in similar fashion (with the exception of the astonishingly electric pace Valiente set in the first game). Neither team was dominated by an individual goal-maker. All 16 players scored, each making between one and three goals.

But that’s not to say there was no suspense. For a time, the final results could have gone either way. Although FlexJet and Tonkawa were never able to take the lead, both managed to give their opponents a few grey hairs, briefly tying the score (FlexJet in the sixth chukker and Tonkawa in the third).

In the first match Valiente moved at warp speed, with watertight team play. Its performance was particularly impressive, given that three of its four players were subbed in at the eleventh hour. Late Friday afternoon a revised roster showed a swap of 10-goalers for Valiente. Sapo Caset moved into the number 3 position, replacing Adolfo Cambiaso, the number one ranked player in the world (who, word has it, is not expected to start playing until the 26-goal tournaments begin at IPC in mid-February). As for the other two changes to Valiente’s lineup, no one knew for sure until Saturday morning – including the players who subbed in – that Peke Gonzales and Tommy Beresford would replace Bob and Rob Jornayvaz. Rob had a fall in practice Friday, which prompted Bob, his father, to re-evaluate the roster.

With its original lineup intact, FlexJet made the first goal of the game. It came courtesy of Cody Ellis, the only FlexJet player to score in the first chukker. Caset and Santi Torres, a strong 7-goaler, each scored in quick succession, giving Valiente a 2-1 lead at the top of the second chukker. All three goals were made from the field, as were the rest of the points until Miguel Astrada scored on a penalty shot at the very end of the third chukker. The first half was punctuated with numerous shots by both teams that went wide.

FlexJet hit the throttle in the second half. Astrada continued his scoring streak, with superb ball handling for goals in each of the fourth and fifth chukkers. One of his strongest plays was a nearside necks hot in the first minute of play during the fifth. FlexJet also mounted a strong defense, keeping Valiente from scoring in the fourth.

In a show of sportsmanship during the fourth chukker, Melissa Ganzi didn’t hesitate to pick up Torres’ dropped mallet and hand it back to him. She got in a lot of plays throughout the game, many of them on passes from Astrada and Ellis amidst fast-paced pressure by Valiente.

Valiente maintained a three-point lead in both the fourth and fifth chukkers, ending the fifth with a 7-4 lead. The final chukker took a few tense turns as FlexJet made three goals to tie the game at 7-all. Valiente didn’t let that stand for long, though, smacking in two goals in quick succession to clinch a 9-7 victory.

“I know we could have played better, but it was the first game of the season,” said Caset. “We did okay, I think. We played much better in the first half than the second half. But a win is a win, and to start like this is good.”

For Gonzales, “It was my first time here playing with Sapo. It was amazing!”

As for being subbed in, Beresford said, “I knew I was subbed, but I didn’t actually know I was playing until 8:00 this morning. Obviously, you’ve always got to be prepared.”

Torres was beaming after the game. “The team was put together at last minute. When that happens, you have to (get to) know each other quick – and we did. It worked. I had fun!”

Coca-Cola Effervescent after 12-8 Win over Tonkawa

Coca-Cola defeated Tonkawa on its home turf of Everglades Polo Club 12-8 to win its first game of bracket play in the Ylvisaker Cup.

Julio Arellano scored the first goal of the match on a penalty shot for Coca-Cola. After some wide-open play in typical Coca-Cola fashion, Inaki Laprida put the first goal on the board for Tonkawa in a penalty conversion. Sugar Erskine maneuvered through traffic to bring the ball to the goalmouth for Mason Wroe, who swept the ball in to take the lead 2-1 at the end of the first chukker. Gonzalo Deltour started out the second chukker with a penalty shot to even out the score 2-2. In a series of penalty shots, Arellano converted to once again put Coca-Cola in a narrow lead. Inaki Laprida answered with a goal on a breakaway to end the second chukker 3-3.

Inaki Laprida and Gonzalo Deltour
Inaki Laprida and Gonzalo Deltour

Coca-Cola took the bit in its teeth in the third chukker as Arellano scored yet another penalty conversion for Coca-Cola. In a turning point in the game, Erskine powered the ball up-field to Gillian Johnston, who scored off of a powerful offside shot to make the score 5-3. Arellano built off of the momentum of his teammates as he scored the next two goals in quick succession, ending the chukker with Coca-Cola firmly in the lead 7-3. Tonkawa looked to turn the tide at the start of the fourth chukker with a goal by Deltour. Coca-Cola used outstanding team play to position Wroe for a near side neck shot that cemented Coca-Cola’s lead. Arellano made a penalty conversion to put one on the board and end the fourth chukker 9-4 in Coca-Cola’s favor.

Erskine and Johnston teamed up for another effective play to score 10-4 at the beginning of the fifth chukker. Arellano followed up with a near side neck shot to make the score 11-4. Deltour demonstrated his significant ball-handling ability, bringing the ball in for a goal for Tonkawa. Tonkawa gathered momentum going into the sixth chukker, starting off with a goal by Jeff Blake to narrow the gap and make the score 11-6. Deltour continued his hot streak with a goal of his own to deepen Tonkawa’s resurgence. In one of her signature speed plays, Johnston scored off of a breakaway to make the score 12-7. Deltour scored the final goal of the game with a lofted shot to convert and finalize the score at 12-8.

Erskine pointed to the third chukker as the turning point for Coca-Cola when it took charge of the match.

“I think we got super lucky in the third (chukker) because the game was backwards and forwards, maybe a little penalty-orientated for a bit,” said Erskine. “Those last two minutes of the third kind of gave us that little jump, but it wasn’t an actual reflection of what the game was like at that time – it could have gone both ways.”

When asked about his superior ability to place himself at the right place at the right time, Wroe said, “It’s the team and the captain, Julio. I give him the credit. He positions me really well so I know where to be and just be patient with the plays and let it come through us. It all goes back to your preparation and organization.”

And when it all comes down to it, polo is about fun for Arellano. “If you don’t have fun, it doesn’t work,” he said.

The Ylvisaker Cup continues Sunday at IPC, starting with Enigma vs. Orchard Hill at 10 a.m. Villa del Lago plays Lucchese at noon, followed by the featured 3 p.m. match between CT Energia and Audi.

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

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

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

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com