Hailey Royce and Goldbreaker. Photo © Sportfot.
Wellington, FL – February 2, 2020 – It was a blue-ribbon breakfast for 15-year-old Hailey Royce (USA) riding Goldbreaker in the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior Jumper Classic, presented by Griffis Residential, on Sunday, February 2, to close out Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).
Hailey Royce and Goldbreaker, a horse she calls Charlie around the barn, were the only pair of the 16 horse-and-rider field to advance to an immediate jump-off. Posting the only double-clear of the day in 39.722 seconds, Royce noted, “My goal was to go double-clean and it feels great to have the only double-clear since I’ve worked so hard to create a partnership with Charlie. We’ve been together almost a year, starting with showing in the lows last year at WEF and it’s very gratifying to receive this.
“For the first round, I had to focus him when we went over the skinny jump near the in-gate; he does get funny near the in-gate so I had to give him more of a gap,” added Royce about the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Heartbreaker) owned by Castlewood Farm. “It was a hard course today and he was jumping out of his skin.”
Martha Ingram Crowned Champion and Reserve in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35
Hunter competition for Week 4 of WEF came to a close on Sunday with Martha Ingram piloting Fonteyn to champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35, presented by Adequan. Ingram, who had two rides in the division, claimed both champion and reserve titles. Ingram and Fonteyn received two firsts, two seconds, and a seventh in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.
Fonteyn, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC, has been part of the Ingram family for six years. Ingram took over the ride from her father, John Ingram, a couple years ago to show in the amateur hunter divisions. After being out of the show ring for two years, Fonteyn returned to competition at Capital Challenge in 2019 with Ingram to claim the Grand Champion title in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35. “When it’s game time, she’s always there. She wants to win!” Ingram said of her mount.
Ingram, of Nashville, TN, and Fonteyn impressed the judges and received a high score of 88 on the second day of the division. “She has a presence about her,” Ingram described. “She’s also extremely smart and I love her personality.”
For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.