Wellington, FL – January 30, 2022 – The final day of top-level action during week three of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) started bright and early on Sunday, January 30. WEF 3, sponsored by NetJets, featured two-star and four-star international events as well as all levels of national hunter, equitation, and jumper competition. Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) took the final victory of the day in the $50,000 Helgstrand Jewellery Grand Prix CSI2*.
Forty-six pairs made it over Peter Grant’s (CAN) final test of the week including representatives of 13 different nations, but only seven entries advanced to the short course. The returning field was made up of riders from Ireland, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. Gavin Harley (IRL) led off the pack with Kavalli di Magico but suffered one unfortunate rail to finish with a four-fault score for fourth place. The USA’s Heather Caristo-Williams was the first and only of the challengers to put forth a double-clean effort and still clock in at an efficient 38.32 seconds.
Ireland’s Darragh Kerins slid into the second place position with Eve Jobs’s 11-year-old Irish Sport horse gelding Intuitive (Beach Ball x Sandiamo) after beating Caristo-Williams’ time by over a second but faulting a single fence in the process. Thomas Yofre put Argentina on the podium as he and the Stellium Sport Horses LLC’s 12-year-old Holsteiner mare Cardora (Caretino 2 x Clearway) delivered the second fastest time of the jump-off class but also with a downed rail to earn third place.
Jordan Coyle Steals the Show in the $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Jumper Championship Classic CSI4*
Just shy of 50 combinations set out to contest the track in the final four-star event of the week on a brisk south Florida morning with 12 of those entries proving good enough to earn themselves a spot in the jump-off. The short track was filled with some of the sport’s best, including McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, and Nicola Philippaerts.
Mark McAuley (IRL), who secured the second place position in the previous night’s $216,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI4*, looked like he would be the class victor until Olympian Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) managed to shave just under a second off of his time. Philippaerts’s time would hold until Irishman Jordan Coyle contested the course with the Elan Farm’s 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion Ariso (Casall x Contender). The pair are no strangers to the victory gallop after having won several five-star and four-star events.
For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Take $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m; Heather Caristo-Williams and Summer Song Triumph in Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′
Wellington, FL – February 23, 2017 – Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington (USA) and RCG Farm’s Creedance were victorious in the $130,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday, February 23, at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) saw 56 starters on his first round course, with 14 advancing to the jump-off and six clear over the short track. Farrington and Creedance took the win with a time of 33.92 seconds.
Ireland’s Conor Swail guided Finca Horses’ Flower to second place in 34.14 seconds. Japan’s Karen Polle jumped With Wings into third place with a time of 34.24 seconds. USA’s Lauren Hough was aboard Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Waterford to finish fourth in 34.52 seconds. Marilyn Little (USA) and Karen O’Connor’s Clearwater placed fifth in 34.66 seconds, and Margie Engle (USA) rounded out the top six with a time of 37.96 seconds riding Gladewinds Partners’ Royce.
For his win on Thursday, Farrington stuck to his own strategy with the speedy mount and made time with quick, tight turns.
“I watched a couple go early in the jump-off just to be sure about my plan, but he is very fast by himself, so I have to stick to his routine,” Farrington noted. “I can’t try to do stride numbers that other horses do. I have to win on short turns and using his foot speed.”
Farrington continued, “I think the horse is naturally quick, and I naturally ride pretty quick. I did one extra stride to the oxer before the rollback turn. That probably made it easier to rollback shorter, and he is fast enough to do that. A slower horse, if they add a stride there, they are going to be two seconds behind, so I think a smaller, quicker horse has the advantage on a rollback like that.”
“It is a big week here; a five-star week in Florida,” Farrington said after his win. “I have been bringing Creedance up slow, and this is his first five-star show here. We are off to a great start. He jumped last week under the lights in the small ring, and I thought he was a bit rusty. He came out in much better form today, so I am happy with his progress, if nothing else.”
The ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) won two five-star grand prixs in St. Moritz and Geneva, Switzerland, in 2016, among other top finishes at a young age. He will next contest Saturday night’s $380,000 Suncast® Grand Prix CSI 5*.
Along with the winning prize, Creedance was presented the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award for week seven, presented by Laura Fetterman.
Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Take $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m
Jessica Springsteen (USA) was the winner of the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m speed class with Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S during WEF 7. Beginning on Wednesday, the class was stopped halfway through due to inclement weather and resumed with its remaining entries on Thursday morning.
Fifty entries showed over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course, which yielded 16 clear rounds. Springsteen showed in the first half of the class on Wednesday afternoon, piloting Davendy S to the winning time of 56.41 seconds. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili finished second in 57.61 seconds. Samuel Parot (CHI) and Couscous van Orti placed third in 58.99 seconds. Cian O’Connor (IRL) finished fourth riding Ronnoco Jump Ltd.’s Callisto through the timers in 59.21 seconds.
Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S
“She was amazing,” Springsteen said of her 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat II). “I saw Kristen go, and I saw that she was really fast. I knew that I definitely needed to take a couple of risks, but that is where she is just such a fast horse across the ground and over the fences. She is so much fun in those classes.
“I really wanted to win,” Springsteen continued. “I just tried to do the tightest turns that I could, but she is just one of the fastest horses I have ever ridden on her own, so if I stick to my plan normally I am able to have a good place. I knew there was still half the class to go, but after we went, I was pretty sure that we had it. There was no place I could have gone faster.”
Davendy S lights up in the show ring, but generally has a very calm demeanor.
“I know she looks like a really hot horse when she is in the ring, but actually to ride, she takes a lot of leg,” Springsteen explained. “If you see her just walking around, she does not look like a speed horse. She is so big and sleepy, but when she gets in the ring she gets so excited. She just loves it.”
Also competing in the International Arena on Thursday, Emma Heise (USA) and Old Willow Farms’ Viper Vrombautshoeve Z won the $8,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m CSI 2* speed class.
The $2,500 Engel & Völkers High Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class concluded the day with a win for Jorge Matte Capdevila and C’Est Beau.
Heather Caristo-Williams and Summer Song Triumph in Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′
Heather Caristo-Williams of Wellington, FL and Summer Song were named champions of the Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′ division. The pair dominated the over fences portion, winning two classes and placing second in another, while also collecting the sixth place ribbon under saddle.
Summer Song is a family horse for the Caristos. Heather’s mother, Holly Caristo, picked the mare out to buy and Heather’s father, Ralph Caristo, helped train Summer Song. The family shares a passion for horses and operates Glenview Stables out of Saugerties, NY.
Speaking about why the coming seven-year-old Zangersheide mare by Clintissimo Z stood out to her mother, Heather said, “She just has such a beautiful canter, a lovely rhythm, and an endless jump to her.”
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Caristo purchased the mare at the end of the 2016 WEF circuit and Caristo-Williams campaigned her in the Baby Greens throughout the summer. The pair stepped up to the 3′ Green Hunters at the start of the 2017 winter season.
“She is a diva and likes to be doted on,” Caristo-Williams detailed. “In the future, she’s going to be an amazing high performance and derby horse, which would be really exciting if I still have her. She’s really not afraid of anything and has so much scope.”
Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL settled for reserve honors aboard For Ever, an entry of Victoria Colvin, LLC. Colvin rode the 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Diarado to first, second, and third place finishes over fences.
The Green Incentive Class Level One found a winner in Kristy Herrera of Wellington, FL and Gabriel, owned by JT Farm. The Green Incentive Class Level Two awarded the blue ribbon to Holly Orlando and True Story, an entry of Cathy Zicherman. The USHJA founded the Green Hunter Incentive Program promote the development of green horses and offers an annual Championship during the same week as the USHJA International Hunter Derby finals.
Competition continues on Friday featuring the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m speed class in the International Arena. The Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Section A will award championship honors in the Rost Arena. For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Mill Spring, NC – October 18, 2015 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) hosted the first of two back-to-back weeks of internationally recognized FEI CSI 3* competition this past week, spanning four days in the George Morris Arena, and marking the eighth FEI competition hosted at the facility during the 2015 season. The finale of the six-week Tryon Fall Series will begin on Wednesday, October 20, and conclude on Sunday, October 24, with another strong week of CSI 3* competition ahead.
Recording the highest number of FEI horses presented at an international competition hosted at TIEC this year, Tryon Fall 5 saw 78 horses jog before the FEI ground jury. An impressive 62 entries tested the $34,000 FEI 1.50m Suncast® Welcome designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). Andres Rodriguez (VEN) piloted longtime mount Caballito (Contendro x Arabesque) owned by ARAO Enterprises LLC and stopped the jump-off timers in 37.07 seconds for the win. Andrew Kocher (USA) and Uppie De Lis (Andiamo x Lorraine) owned by BTS Entertainment & Sales followed in second with a double clear effort and a time of 37.95 seconds. Rodriguez also finished in third place aboard S.F. Ariantha (Corland x Uriantha) owned by Robert and Sofia Castro with a time of 39.63 seconds.
“Riding two horses in this class is definitely a luxury and either one of them has the chance to win any class in the world. They’ve both been at the CSI 5* level before and really can compete at any level. It’s just a big luxury and I’m very happy to be here,” said Rodriguez.
“This is my second day here in Tryon and I’ve heard great things. I was very impressed with the facility and this place has a great future for the sport of show jumping. Everything here, the lifestyle around the grand prix arena, people staying in cabins, five or six different options for restaurants and everything – I just think the future for Tryon is great and I’m looking forward to coming more often,” he commented.
Besting a class of talented entries, Rodriguez, who has had a phenomenal 2015 season thus far, remains fully aware of the importance of winning and how it impacts an individual’s confidence heading into the bigger ranking classes.
“When you win a class it’s supposed to be what we do. I don’t think people ride for second place and everyone wants to win, which makes for great rides. There were a lot of top riders in the class and there was a horse that I love, one of Ronan McGuigan’s, and he was in the jump-off with us and that always makes it very exciting,” he continued. “When you have a horse that you like so much and it’s in the jump-off with you it makes it pretty fun and good competition.”
Caballito is Rodriguez’s longtime partner who has been a mainstay in his top string for a number of years. Detailing their partnership, Rodriguez explained the importance of Caballito in his barn. “He is my old time partner. I won my first ever FEI ranking class on him five years ago and he’s been winning ever since. He won a great class this year in Barcelona and it was such a fast class. He’s a really awesome horse and he’s very consistent.”
While continuing to amass wins throughout year, Rodriguez has earned several top place finishes at some of the biggest competitions and venues around the globe including Spruce Meadows and the Furusiyya Nations Cup™ in Barcelona, Spain, this past September.
“We’ve been having a great year and I’ve been showing almost every week. I’m looking forward to a little bit of a rest in December, but still I have this coming week here in Tryon and then I go to HITS Thermal and Vegas. After that the year is over for us,” explained Rodriguez. “Next year is huge because of the Olympics and I think they’re going to come up so fast after Wellington in April and we’ll only have three more months until they start and the horses will need to be rested. I also need to be in a good mindset to be able to perform too.”
With the 2016 Olympic Games to be hosted next July in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rodriguez already has an idea of which lucky mount will be aimed towards the historic event next summer. S.F. Ariantha has steadily improved throughout the season and has a talent that is unmatched according to Rodriguez. The duo also placed in finished fifth in the $127,000 Suncast® Grand Prix FEI CSI 3* hosted on Saturday, October 17, during Tryon Fall 5.
“I’ve never had a horse with that type of quality. She’s truly special. Everything she does is unique and she jumps her heart out. She was born to jump and she does it in such a way that we’re definitely preparing her for the Olympics next year and she’s going to try her first main CSI 5* class in a few weeks. Next year we’ll do a few of the big grand prix classes in Wellington and maybe Hamburg and Aachen, some of the big shows in Europe,” stated Rodriguez as he continued to praise the talented mare. “The Olympics are a dream for everyone and that’s a horse to dream with. She’s the first horse who has made me feel that I can actually dream like that.”
With another week of international competition ahead, Rodriguez will look to continue riding with the same winning prowess and determination he possessed throughout Tryon Fall 5, while simultaneously preparing for the conclusion of the 2015 season. Commenting on the hopes of returning to TIEC in the near future, Rodriguez elaborated, “I think the more and more Tryon has good riders and good levels I only see it improving. I think a lot of riders are going to come here and like it and I think the location of this place is in the middle of where we do most of our jumping which is in Florida and New York. I’m very happy that I made the choice to come here,” he noted.
Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) and Wistful, owned by Ralph Caristo, captured a major win in the first FEI class of the week during Tryon Fall 5, hosted on Wednesday, October 14, in the $34,000 Horseware Ireland FEI 1.45m Speed Stake. The duo stopped the timers in 63.86 seconds after finishing a quick and efficient round, which would be unmatched by any other combination in the class boasting 42 entries. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito, owned by ARAO Enterprises LLC finished just behind Caristo-Williams in second place with a time of 65.15 seconds. Fellow Venezuelan rider Emanuel Andrade rounded out the top three aboard his own Bon Jovi, crossing through the finish in 65.29 seconds.
Heather Caristo-Williams and Wistful
“I was really happy with my round today. She did absolutely everything I asked and I really don’t think I could have asked for any more from her. She was just so fast and careful. I had seen a couple of people go before me and they went quite fast and I wasn’t sure where I would be able to make up the time,” said Caristo-Williams. “When I walked the course before the class I thought it looked great. There were a lot of tight turn backs and I was pleased because my mare just handled them beautifully. It was a fantastic track. When we got to the last jump I was just holding my breath and you always want to go clear but the last jump was tricky and you weren’t done until you were all the way through the timers.”
Caristo-Williams took the ride on Wistful at the beginning of the winter circuit in 2015 and took an ample amount of time to get to know the 2003 Dutch Warmblood mare (Be A Grand Star x Power Lady) before testing her on the international stage.
“This is one of the biggest tracks that we’ve done together and I just feel very privileged to work with a mare as talented as she is. We’re going to head to Florida a little bit early this year and do some nice trail riding and give her some downtime before the start of next season,” explained Caristo-Williams. “I’d love to have her as my speed horse. She seems to love to go fast and she’s so careful. I also just love to go fast on her too. I’m very happy to just keep competing her in speed classes and you know if we get to go bigger then we do but if we’re very happy and competitive right here than I’m really happy here too.”
Caristo-Williams represented the United States in equestrian competition during the Furusiyya FEI Nation’s Cup series throughout the summer in Europe, including an appearance for Team USA at the CSIO 3* in Lisbon, Portugal. Continuing to work towards her goal of competing for the United States in major international competition, Caristo-Williams described her surreal summer and the impact it has had on her goals moving forward in the sport.
“My summer has been unbelievable. I keep thinking if I’m dreaming please don’t wake me up because all of my horses have really stepped up and the highlight has been being able to compete for the U.S. on Nations Cup teams in Europe this summer. That was really amazing for me and honestly just a dream come true.”
Caristo-Williams added comments about her team’s experience at TIEC in their first visit to the venue this year. “The show grounds are beautiful and with the barns, where the stalls are, everything is just so well thought out. The complex is incredible and I really think it is just amazing. We’re so happy to be here and I’m only sad that it took us this long to get here this year. We’re very excited to come back in the future.”
Hunter Competitors Continue to Shine at TIEC
Hunter competition continued throughout the week at TIEC, offering a variety of classes and divisions for riders of all ages and experience levels. Liza Boyd, a name well-known on the AA-circuit and based in nearby Camden, SC, took home top honors in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby aboard 2004 Oldenburg mare Fieona owned by Kelly Maloney and Jack Towell. The duo also picked up a blue ribbon in the Performance Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ presented by Bruno Delgrange before their impressive performance in the only hunter derby of the week.
The duo earned a score of 87 in the first round of competition and returned to receive a 91 in the second round to finish the class with a total score of 178. Amy Nunnally of Charlottesville, VA and Cailler, owned by Carilynn Peyton, finished in second place after earning an 84 and 88 respectively for a final score of 172 while Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, PA piloted Look Again, owned by Rebecca Baker, to a total score of 167, which earned them a third place finish.
Amy Nolan of Wilmington, NC and Extra Credit, a 2006 Warmblood gelding owned by Missy Luczak-Smith, earned the tricolor in the Adult Amateur Hunter 3’6″ & Over division after collecting two first and two second place finishes in the over fences portion of the division. The duo also won the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic 3′ with a two-round total score of 161.
For more information and to see a full list of results from Tryon Fall 5, please visit www.tryon.com.
The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.
(C) ESI Photography. Heather Caristo-Williams and Evening Star.
SAUGERTIES, NY (September 5, 2015): Internationally ranked competition continued at HITS Saugerties Friday with the $34,000 FEI HITS Jumper Classic, the only qualifying class of the week for Sunday’s Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*. Spectators were on the edge of their seats down to the end when Pablo Barrios of Wellington, Florida, and his own Antares, and Saugerties’ own Heather Caristo-Williams and Evening Star, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo, tied for the top spot.
A field of 71 attempted the round one course set by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida, with 23 going clean within the 80 second time allowed. Seventeen would opt to return for the jump off which proved to be a test for even the most seasoned riders.
The first three in the order had four faults, followed by 13 faults for the fourth entry. That was until Conor Swail, of County Down, Ireland, aboard CITA, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, swooped in to give fans the first clear in a time of 40.040.
“My horse is a new mare to me; this is only my second show with her, so I was very pleased with her,” said Swail. “I thought the track was tough today, first round included. It’s the first time I’ve ridden a jump-off with her. She probably didn’t know what hit her when I landed and started kicking after fence 1. She was great.”
Fifth in the order, Caristo followed in Swail’s footsteps and sailed to a quick, clean round clocking in at 39.90 for the lead.
“I thought the track was fun,” said Caristo after class. “I had a great time and my horse jumped really well.”
Next in the order, and the next to go clear, Christine McCrea rode Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables Inc.’s Win for Life to a time of 43.670 to place her just behind Swail. Katie Dinan, tenth in the order, was clean with Amaretto D’arco, owned by Grant Road Partners LLC in a time of 43.830.
(C) ESI Photography. Pablo Barrios and Antares
A known speedster, Barrios reentered the ring twelfth and it was no surprise that he was ready to race the clock. With a clear course behind him, his time of 39.90 secured a tie for first with Caristo, bumping Swail to third, McCrea to fourth and Dinan to fifth.
“For my horse, this ring fits him very well,” said Barrios. “He’s a big horse with a big stride. I just did what I saw other people doing. He’s fast in this type of thing.”
“To be honest, I wanted to be in the top three. I wasn’t expecting the best time with Heather. I’m hoping to sit here on Sunday too,” added Barrios who has his eyes set on the CP Million.
Swail agreed. “It’s nice to get into the ribbons early on in the week. And hopefully we can continue the same in the Million.”
Friday wasn’t just a day of competition at HITS; it was a day of horse sport education for 600 Saugerties School Children, grades 4 through 8. McLain Ward showed off his recent Pan American Games Gold Medal as he commentated on the Jumper Classic competition happening in front of them. HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri also explained the significance of the FEI CSI-5* week happening right in their own community while the students enjoyed a complimentary ringside lunch courtesy of HITS.
FEI competition continues Saturday with the $100,000 FEI Hudson Valley Jumper Classic and Sunday for the CP $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo. Both classes will be available via live webcast at HitsShows.com.
SAUGERTIES, NY (May 26, 2014) – Heather Caristo-Williams has her sight firmly on redemption in this year’s $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final after an unlucky rail in the first round of the 2013 Final. A Saugerties local, Caristo-Williams and Cornetto Royal are back in top contention after winning the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifier this weekend.
“Cornetto Royal’s first experience in the hunter ring was during last year’s hunter prix qualifiers,” said Caristo-Williams of the eight-year-old Westphalian gelding she owns with her parents Ralph and Holly Caristo.
After an early career in the jumper ring, Cornetto Royal was Performance Hunter 3’3” Circuit Champion this winter in Florida and is living up to his Cornetto Obelinsky breeding. “He was a brilliant jumper, but so beautiful over the fences – we had to try him in the hunter ring,” she said. The young horse’s bloodlines run deep as his half-brother Cornet d’Amour carried Daniel Deusser to a 2014 World Cup Final win for Germany.
The Devoucoux Hunter Prix was hosted on the Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson. Caristo-Williams led both rounds with an 89 in the first and 90 in the second. “I look forward to getting back in this ring and competing each season and elated it all came together here.”
2013 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final Champion Jimmy Torano of SW Ranches, Florida showcased Double H Farm’s HH Himself on the Outside Course and jumped to second with scores of 87 and 85. David Wilbur of Simsbury, Connecticut rounded out the top three on Sara O’Connell’s Silvio Song after posting an 86 and 84.
Natalie D’Elia of Middletown, Connecticut was fourth with her own Fanfare after scores of 81 and 82, while Tricia O’Connor of Williston, Florida and Cloverleaf Farm, Inc.’s Inferno capped rounded out the top five on with an 84 and 78.5.
This weekend’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix kicked off northern qualifying at HITS Saugerties and Culpeper for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Qualifiers will be offered weekly during the two circuits.
With her win, Caristo-Williams has bright hopes for the HITS Championship this year. “Over the past year [Cornetto Royal] learned how to be a perfect hunter, and became consistent in the ring,” she noted. “He’s the perfect hunter ride – soft, correct, and lovely in the air. He’s a special one.”
About Devoucoux Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Devoucoux offers a wide range of saddles in many colors and sizes and matching accessories. Devoucoux craftsmen are devoted to creating beautiful products that reflect their obsession with quality and lovingly finished work. For more information on Devoucoux, visit devoucoux.com.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Kimberly Maloomian of Needham Massachusetts competed in four qualifiers for the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final during the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and pocketed her fifth with a bang this weekend. She and Terry S. Maloomian’s Urlala dominated both rounds with scores of 86 and 84 to win by more than ten points.
“We came to Saugerties to get more experience on the Outside Course – it’s not something we get to see anywhere else,” said Maloomian. “Urlala jumped off the bank perfectly both times and that was a big accomplishment for us – winning was icing on the cake.”
Maloomian has been in the irons of Urlala for three years and will return to HITS-on-the-Hudson this September to compete in the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final during the HITS Championship. “It’s great to have something this prestigious for children’s and adult riders to shoot for at the 3’ level,” she said. “The qualifiers are always very competitive because we are all here for one purpose – to make it to the Championship.”
Lena Reeb of Danbury, Connecticut rode Jamie Ringel’s Private Ryan to second with consistent scores of 76 and 77. Meghan Keegan posted scores of 80 and 72 with Meghan Ringel’s Umberto III for third, while Jessica Connor and Dawn Beckman’s Santana rode to 75 and 75.5 for fourth. Hannah Mueller and Montreal, owned by Cazenovia College, received scores of 69 and 81 to cap the top five.
About Platinum Performance Platinum Performance provides more than 10 supplements essential to your horse’s health and conditioning in just one scoop. Platinum Performance Equine addresses a horse’s total body health from joint and hoof care to athletic performance and coat health, and is the 2014 sponsor of the $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and all qualifiers. For more information on Platinum Performance, visit platinumperformance.com.
