Tag Archives: Matt Williams

Kent Farrington and Orafina Win $37k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

Kent Farrington and Orafina ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 3, 2021 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Orafina scored a win in the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) at the start of Tryon Spring 5 competition, stopping the jump-off timers at 36.926 for the win. In reserve, Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo D Arsouilles STX x Farmer) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, cleared the short course in 37.994 seconds, while Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Gakhir, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Spartacus x Indorado) owned in partnership by Esperanza Imports, LLC and Ilan Ferder, scored the yellow rosette with a time of 38.888 over the jump-off track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA).

After 59 entries challenged the first round of the competition, seven pairs were invited to test the jump-off track. Farrington and his own 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (For Fashion x Canturo) have been partnered for less than a year, and have been starting small, he reported: “We started very small, and she’d only shown up to 1.35m. She’s come on strong in the last eight or nine months, and she has a lot of potential,” he said. “She’s unbelievably careful, so we’ll have to determine how big she wants to jump, but whatever level she does I think she’s going to be very competitive.”

With several smooth rounds produced in the jump-off contest, Farrington chose to ride the course in a way that would help her grow as an athlete, he shared about his jump-off strategy. “She has a very big stride, and I’ve been working on her turns and her rollbacks. I thought she did that very well today. It’s been a struggle for her in the past to rollback right, [quickly] to a vertical, which was jumps two to three in this jump-off. She’s coming on strong, so I’m very happy with her progress.”

Erynn Ballard and Bettina des Celtes Keep the Streak Going with $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* Win

Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Bettina des Celtes dominated Wednesday’s $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* at TIEC, navigating the speed phase of the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) course design in a time of 24.373 seconds. In reserve, Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Boheme de Fleyres, the 2011 Selle Francais mare (Vargas de STE Hermelle x Easy Boy) she owns in partnership with Little Valley Farms, cleared the course in 25.879 seconds, while third place went to Rowan Willis (AUS) and Wellington Grey Goose, his own 2011 British-bred mare, after their 25.893-second performance over the speed test.

Ballard and the 2011 Selle Francais mare (New Boy de Logerie x Cumano) owned by Ilan Ferder were one of 36 entries to challenge the power component of the course, with 22 pairs continuing on to the speed phase. Ballard, who now has six wins under her belt and one podium finish in her last seven outings at TIEC, was able to watch most of the class and noticed that the course offered minimal opportunities to trim the number of strides between fences, but that by taking a longer route in one turn, she could set herself up to be tighter to the liverpool.

“Today was a really interesting class,” she recapped. “I actually got to sit and watch a lot. There wasn’t a huge opportunity to do more or fewer strides than everybody else. It stayed very close. The first jump in the speed portion was the green vertical at the end of the combination and everybody was going inside [to the liverpool] afterwards. I really felt that the inside turn put you on the outside [track] to get back to the liverpool.

“They were doing seven or eight [strides] and I said to Ilan [Ferder], ‘I really believe I can still do eight to the end jump, but get there in a better way, and I can be much faster to the liverpool.’ So I did seven to the Liverpool.” Ballard revealed that her later position in the order of go was helpful in securing the win, as well. “I was lucky enough that I went late, so nobody really picked up on that. Today I think it was a class that the strides really played a big role, because it was so close. To be able to leave out a stride like that to that particular jump, I think gave me an edge.”

Matt Williams and FR Yandoo Pennsylvania Win $2,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

Matt Williams (AUS) competed in the irons with FR Yandoo Pennsylvania, his own 2012 Australian-bred mare owned in partnership with Brigio Williams, winning the $2,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* with a speed phase time of 29.744 seconds. In reserve, Daniel Pedraza (MEX) and Santa Rosa Yalta, the 2012 Mexican Sport Horse mare owned by Proyectos Agricolas sa de CV, stopped the timers in 30.648 seconds, while Rachel Lindsey (USA) claimed third on a speed phase time of 32.28 with Comander 16, her own 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Coup de Coeur x Lupicor). Thirty entries navigated the power phase of the track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) with 17 horse-and-rider pairs continuing on to the speed phase of the course.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Matt Williams and Valinski S Stamp Their Tickets to 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

Matt Williams and Valinski S. Photo Courtesy of FEI.

Wellington, Fla. – June 28, 2016 – Every four years, fans and competitors prepare for the highly anticipated Olympic Games. While fans eagerly await the chance to wave their countries’ flags and cheer on their favorites, athletes train rigorously for the chance to wear their countries’ colors and compete against the best in the world for a gold medal.

For Matt Williams and the Wyndmont, Inc. team, the training has officially paid off.

It was about a month ago, when Williams got word that he had been named to the short list to represent his native country of Australia during the Games. However, Williams can now rest assured that his spot on the Australian Show Jumping Team is secure.

“I’m very grateful to be selected for a third time,” Williams said. “This Olympic selection probably means the most to me as it has taken a lot to get to this point. The last four years since London have had a lot of ups and downs.”

He will proudly wear his country’s green and gold colors aboard Wyndmont’s top-performing Dutch Warmblood, Valinski S, co-owned by Mark and Carolyn Alter as well as Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman. The pair has been successful, producing top results at some of the most distinguished competitions, most notably winning the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix at HITS Ocala.

Valinski S was originally trained and ridden by Wyndmont’s Michael Dorman. After meeting Williams during a horse show in 2015, Dorman decided to hand the reins over to him, recognizing their incredible potential together. Dorman continues to ride Valinski S regularly, and assists Williams at the ring with Ronnie Beard when they are competing.

“We are very excited to see all of the hard work by the entire team at Wyndmont, including co-owners Mark and Carolyn Alter, pay off,” said Beard. “At Wyndmont, we believe in achieving excellence in the sport, and thanks everyone behind Matt and Valinski S we were able to make this dream a reality. Wyndmont has helped numerous athletes represent their country on the world stage, and we are very excited to be traveling to Rio next month.”

Williams and the 14-year-old bay gelding also secured third-place finishes in the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO4* Grand Prix during the Winter Equestrian Festival and in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix during the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

This will be Williams’ third appearance in the Olympic Games, but his first aboard Valinski S.

“Each Olympics I’ve had different horses, but the most important thing I think is to know how to get your horse to peak at the right time for such a big event,” Williams said. “I only got the ride on Valinski about eight months ago. When I first rode him, I immediately had a bond with him, but never knew he would be as good as he’s turning out to be. He’s really risen to all his challenges so far and keeps fighting for me every time I ask for a bit more.”

Williams made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, along with Edwina Tops-Alexander. The two riders competed in London in 2012, and will be making their third consecutive trip to the Games again this summer.

The two other spots on the team have been filled by Scott Keach and James Paterson-Robinson This will not be the first trip to the Games for either of these riders. It will be their second. Keach last competed for a gold medal 28 years ago, riding on the Australian Eventing Team in the Seoul 1988 Olympics. Paterson-Robinson is riding for his second consecutive Games, last competing in London in 2012.

“I think I have a great horse, and we have a very good team this year,” Williams said. “In our sport it’s very hard to predict these things, because anything can happen with horses. If we can get three good team scores each day, we have a good chance of doing well.”

While legendary horseman, Ronnie Beard, travels with Williams to Brazil, Michael Dorman will remain stateside working with the team’s young horses and training clients. Founded by Beard with Dorman, Wyndmont Inc. provides classical horsemanship to annual and seasonal equestrian clientele. For more information, visit Wyndmont.com.

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

Matt Williams and Valinski S Named to Australian Show Jumping Team Short List

Matt Williams and Valinski S.

Wellington, Fla. – May 16, 2016 – It is an exciting time for athlete Matt Williams and the team at Wyndmont, Inc., as they count down the last few months before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Williams has recently been named to the short list to represent his native country of Australia during the Games.

Before the trek to Brazil, Williams will travel and compete aboard top mount Valinski S in the FEI CSIO5* Sopot Nations Cup June 9-12. It will be a first for Williams, who has never competed in Poland before.

“I’ve ridden horses in Poland, but this would be the first time I compete there,” said Williams, who last represented Australia as part of the Nations Cup Team at HITS Ocala. “We’ll have a good team of riders there. It’ll be nice team bonding.”

Williams and Valinski S seized their first victory together in the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. The two took a short break at the end of the winter show season, but are back on form and ready to compete again this spring.

In order to prepare for Europe, Williams and the Wyndmont team will participate during the first week of the HITS Saugerties Series with Valinski S. Williams and trainer Ronnie Beard will then travel to the Nations Cup in Poland, while Michael Dorman stays stateside with the rest of the Wyndmont team.

Valinski S and Williams will also compete at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in preparation for the Games, and hope to return to Saugerties for the HITS Million Grand Prix in the fall.

“We’re going there to get good results, but the main focus will be on having Valinski ready to go after Europe for Tryon and then Rio,” Williams said about the upcoming competition. “It’ll be great to have him jump nice and confident, and to get a couple bigger tracks under his belt again. He’s going to be nice and fresh.”

The next few weeks are busy for Williams, Valinski S and the Wyndmont team, but the preparation for Rio has been in motion since the beginning of the year.

Founded by Beard with Michael Dorman, Wyndmont Inc. provides classical horsemanship to annual and seasonal equestrian clientele. For more information, visit Wyndmont.com.

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

Matt Williams and Valinski S Capture $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix Victory at HITS Ocala

Matt Williams and Valinski S. Photo By: ESI.

Ocala, Fla. – March 21, 2016 – With top finishes in major grand prix events across the country, Australia’s Matt Williams and Valinski S, owned by Wyndmont Inc., have been showcasing their partnership and knocking on the door for a win. On Sunday afternoon at HIST Ocala, the duo topped a seven-horse jump-off to capture their first victory together during the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix.

Williams and Valinski S was the final pair to clear the first round track and the last to return for the tiebreaker. With the opportunity to see the first two athletes compete, Williams made a plan to leave out a stride in the first line and make up time over the first four obstacles, so that he could be extra careful to the final double combination. The decision paid off when they dashed across the finish line with all the rails intact and fastest time of the day to claim the victory.

“It was nice for a change to not have to go first in the jump-off,” laughed Williams. “Valinski has been third in so many good classes now; it’s nice to get a win under our belts. I am just really happy. Every time he goes in the ring, he’s been great. I think the last six grand prix he’s been in the top five, so he’s been really consistent.”

Those top finishes include a third in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Las Vegas and the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO4* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Williams commented, “The first time I rode Valinski, we clicked, and it’s just grown from there. I have so much confidence in the horse, and he can feel that I believe him. He just goes out and does it. Every time he goes out he gives 100 percent. I am lucky to have a horse like him.”

Wyndmont founder and trainer Ronnie Beard was thrilled with the pair’s performance stating, “Matt has gotten to know the horse very well, and he’s starting to trust the horse’s stride and scope. I think the best is yet to come.”

Beard was also pleased with the performance of the other Wyndmont mounts, Cuchica and Zephyr, who also competed in the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix with Williams.

“It was Cuchica’s first major grand prix,” noted Beard. “He had an unlucky four faults, but he jumped brilliantly. To see him break through to the next level was really exciting.”

Next week, Williams and Valinski S will compete in the Great American Million, before taking a long rest to gear up for their summer schedule. Cuchica and Zephyr will also continue to compete with the Wyndmont team during HITS Ocala.

Founded by Beard and Dorman, Wyndmont Inc. is known for producing highly competitive hunter and jumper riders and horses under Beard and Dorman’s guidance, developing programs that benefit both human and equine athletes. For more information, please visit Wyndmont.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Matt Williams Steals Spotlight at HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

Matt Williams and Valinski S. Photo By: ESI.

Ocala, Fla – Feb. 17, 2016 – With the 2016 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at HITS Ocala just a week away, Australia’s Matt Williams traveled with Wyndmont, Inc. to Post Time Farm to prepare his mounts for the world-class competition.

Williams navigated his way to the top of the leaderboard in two of the highlight events. Riding Zephyr, a Dutch Warmblood gelding, Williams placed third in Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, and he also placed fifth aboard Valinski S. Earlier in the week, Valinski S and Williams placed third in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

“Zephyr really came together on the day,” noted Williams. “It was our first grand prix together for a while and he tried really hard, so I was really happy with him. The course was pretty strong for a $50,000 Grand Prix. I was really happy with Valinski S when we jumped clear. He is jumping better and better with every class that we go in.”

Williams and Cuchica continued to build their partnership, showing in the $10,000 1.45m Open Prix where they placed fifth, and the $2,500 1.40m Brook Ledge Open Welcome where they placed sixth.

“Cuchina jumped great all week,” noted Williams. “I started showing him at Del Mar. He’s taken a little more time to build a consistent partnership with, but I really feel like I know him now and it’s all come together.”

Rounding out his successful week at HITS, Williams competed in two of the $1,500 1.40m Enviro Equine Jumper events aboard Cas, for fifth place finish in both.

“This was the first time that Cas has done two 1.40m classes back-to-back, so it was a step up for him, but he seems to jump the bigger jumps a lot better,” explained Williams. “He’s very careful and very quick, so he’s a nice horse to have on the team for the future.”

Williams and the team at Wyndmont, Inc. will now be focused on the CSIO Nations Cup Week at HITS Ocala, representing Australia during the international event.

Founded by Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman, Wyndmont, Inc. is known for producing highly competitive hunter and jumper riders and horses under Beard and Dorman’s guidance, developing programs that benefit both human and equine athletes. To find out more about Wyndmont Inc., please visit Wyndmont.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Matt Williams and NLF Favorite Win $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix

Matt Williams and NLF Favorite. Photo By: Sharon Packer.

Tryon, NC – August 24, 2015 – The partnership between Wyndmont, Inc. and Nordic Lights Farm proved to be a winning one this weekend at the Tryon Finale as Australia’s Matt Williams piloted NLF Favorite to victory in the $25,000 Grand Prix. The only pair to produce a double clear effort, the talented mare owned by Nordic Lights Farm showcased her scope and style over the technical track under the guidance of trainers Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman of Wyndmont, Inc.

Twenty-three horse and rider combinations competed during Sunday’s highlight event, but only four were able to traverse the first round track without error. Only one pair was able to duplicate their first round effort and complete the jump-off without error. Williams and NLF Favorite were foot-perfect, taking home the winning honors for Nordic Lights Farm and Wyndmont, Inc.

“This is our second show together, and she was jumping really well in the 1.40m on Friday so we put her in the grand prix,” explained Williams. “I had a really good feeling during the first round, and there were no clears in the jump-off, so I didn’t need to race around. She got better and better as the show went on, and it’s really exciting to ride a horse like that.”

Williams continued, “We’ve jumped NLF Favorite two weeks, and she’s had one rail down, which was a little bit of a mistake on my behalf. She’s a horse you have to trust and leave to her own way of going, but at the end of the day she is a horse that jumps the fences clean and is easy to ride. I have to say a big thank you to the Bruheims for letting me ride the horses and to Ronnie and Michael for all their help.”

Owner Eirin Bruheim of Norway added, “My horses seem happy and are performing superbly, and I’m so excited they’re going well.”

The third and fourth place ribbons also went to Wyndmont riders. Kyle Timm and Cornet’s Gold 2 captured the third place award, while amateur Christi Israel and Cracky Z were fourth. Williams picked up the ninth and tenth place ribbons with his other mounts Valinski S and Zephyr, respectively.

In the hunter ring, Nicole Loochtan had the dominating performance with Memory Lane. Capturing two first place ribbons and a second place ribbon, Loochtan and Memory Lane took home the Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship.

The reserve championship in the Children’s Jumpers went to Hailey Tyler and Out for Justice, who place second in two of the division’s classes and seventh in the Classic.

Beard concluded, “I am very proud of all our horses and riders, and I am looking forward to our remaining weeks in Tryon.”

Founded by legendary horseman Ronnie Beard with Michael Dorman, Wyndmont Farm provides classical horsemanship to annual and seasonal equestrian clientele. To find out more about Wyndmont Inc., please visit http://wyndmont.com.

Rebecca Walton 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)
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com