Wellington, Fla. – Clear rounds were the order of the night on Friday evening as 12 teams went to task over Steve Stephen’s 12-obstacle track in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, the feature competition of CSIO4* Wellington. The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team headed into the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s International Arena for the two-round competition, held in conjunction with the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, looking to secure a top finish in America’s only Nations Cup. The team of McLain Ward, Brianne Goutal, Laura Kraut, and Beezie Madden jumped to a third-place finish on a score of 12 faults.
While the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team was looking to start their 2013 campaign with a win on home soil, Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland was pleased with his team and their resilience.
“We felt that we were in it until the very end; it was just a rail here and a rub there,” said Ridland. “This is a Nations Cup we can be proud of that was a tough competition between 12 very good teams.”
Jumping in his customary lead-off position, Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild produced an immaculate clear in round one to start the night for the United States. In round two, the two-time Olympic Team Gold medalist and 13-year-old Warmblood gelding returned with an eight-fault trip after lowering the heights of the bicycle at six and the final oxer, fence 12.
Goutal (New York, N.Y.) jumped in the second spot for the U.S. with Remarkable Farms’ 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Nice de Prissey. In the first round, the pair jumped a four-fault trip after rolling a pole jumping out of the double at nine. In their return trip to the International Arena, they appeared to be on track for a clear round but again were plagued by a rail at fence nine, faulting at the A element in round two.
Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and her Team Gold medal-winning partner from the 2008 Olympic Games, Cedric, were the third combination to head into the International Arena for the U.S., completing a faultless round in their first trip. Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding was poised to join the double clear list but barely dipped a foot in the open water at 10, resulting in a four fault effort for the second round.
Anchoring the U.S. effort on Friday night were reigning FEI World Cup Final champions, Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Simon. Abigail Wexner’s 15-year-old gelding looked on track to jump a clear, tidy round until coming a bit strong to 11 and lowering the oxer at the A element, resulting in a four-fault effort. The veteran pair returned to the International Arena for a second time and never looked in doubt of a clear round as they cruised faultlessly over Stephen’s track.
“I was happy with my horse,” said Madden. “I wish I had been clear in the first round because I thought he went fantastic, and then he was clear in the second round and went even better.”
On Friday, the U.S. also earned vital points in qualifications for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final. Among countries from the North and Central America and the Caribbean Islands regions, the U.S. earned 90 vital points towards qualifying for the Series Final in October.
Nations Cup competition continues Saturday with the top Young Riders, Juniors, and Child Riders contesting FEI Nations Cups presented by Hollow Creek Farm. The first round of Young Rider competition kick-off the youth showcase at 1pm ET.
Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey (Shawn McMillen Photography)
Wellington, Fla. – The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team heads into the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm looking to repeat its victory from last year and secure its sixth win in its home Nations Cup. A total of 12 teams are set to go head-to-head on Friday evening at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the feature of CSIO4* Wellington, held in conjunction with the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Two members of the last year’s winning team, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden, return in 2014 with rising star, Brianne Goutal, and two-time Olympic Gold medalist, McLain Ward, rounding out the U.S. effort. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland will lead the U.S. in its quest for victory on home soil.
The U.S. has drawn sixth in the order for Friday’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm; the first round of team competition gets underway at 7pm ET.
Brianne Goutal (New York, N.Y.) will ride Remarkable Farms’ Nice de Prissey.
Nice de Prissey is a 2001 Selle Francais stallion.
Goutal made a name for herself when she was still in the junior ranks by completing a sweep of the four major U.S. equitation titles, which included the 2004 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, the 2004 Washington International Equitation Classic Finals, the 2005 USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal Finals, and the 2005 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. She has continued to demonstrate winning form in the jumper ring and was honored with the 2007 Maxine Beard Award, in addition to jumping on multiple U.S. Nations Cup teams. She heads into Friday’s Nations Cup competition on strong form, having placed fourth in Adequan Grand Prix CSI4* a week ago.
Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) will ride Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s Cedric.
Cedric is a 1998 Holsteiner gelding.
Kraut brings a wealth of experience to the U.S. effort after jumping on numerous Nations Cup teams, including representing the United States at the 2000 Olympic Games and winning Team Silver at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. With Cedric, she helped the U.S. to the Team Gold at the 2008 Olympic Games, in addition to representing the United States at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The two-time Olympian will look to showcase the form that earned a third place in the overall standings of the 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour after winning in Wiesbaden with the diminutive grey gelding. The pair also helped the U.S. to jump to a second-place finish in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Rotterdam.
Beezie Madden and Simon (Kit Houghton)
Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) will ride Abigail Wexmer’s Simon.
Simon is a 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding.
Madden enters the 2014 season as the reigning USEF Equestrian of the Year and FEI World Cup Final champion. The three-time Olympic medalist (Team Gold in 2004 and 2008 and Individual Bronze in 2008) and Team and Individual Silver medalist from the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games was a major contributor to the United States’ success in 2013. In addition to helping the U.S. team win in Wellington, she aided in an American Consolation Round victory at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final at CSIO5* Barcelona with her World Cup champion, Simon. With Cortes ‘C’, she contributed to second-place Nations Cup efforts in Rotterdam and Hickstead and a third-place U.S. finish in Dublin.
McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) will ride Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild.
Rothchild is a 2001 Warmblood gelding.
Ward also brings a wealth of experience to the U.S. effort in Wellington as he joins his Gold medal-winning teammates from the 2008 Olympic Games, Kraut and Madden. Additionally, his resume boasts earning Olympic Team Gold in 2004, Team Silver at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, and a second-place finish at the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas. Ward and Rothchild were vital members for the U.S in the Consolation Round victory at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final, second-place efforts in Spruce Meadows and Hickstead, and a third-place finish in Dublin. They head into Friday’s Nations Cup competition on strong form after earning a fourth-place finish in the Fidelity Investment Grand Prix and a seventh-place finish in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W5* presented by Rolex this year in Wellington.
The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm is doubly important for the U.S., as not only will the team look to secure victory in the only Nations Cup held in America, but also a strong result will be vital in qualifying for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final in October.
Spectators and fans in attendance at the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm are invited to a Team USA Nations Cup Pep Rally Reception hosted by the USET Foundation and the USEF from 6-7pm on Friday evening. To learn more about this event, visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/10923/2014/2/11/junior_and_pony_riders_invited_to_g.aspx.
Watch the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm on FEITV.org.
Sarah Segal and Tilghman. Photos by: Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group.
Wellington, FL – February 8, 2014 – McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets returned to the Ridge at Wellington’s 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix to defend their turf, but they were met with a challenger as the fifth week of the series got underway. Sarah Segal and Tilghman rose to the test today, riding the jump off round with blazing speed. They rode to a double clear effort in 32.574 seconds, proving untouchable and taking the victory.
Roosje Brouwer took an early lead with Cisco’s Zidane as the sun rose over Wolfstone Stables. She guided the gelding around the Pierre Jolicouer designed course for a clear first round, then riding to the first of only four double clear rounds. Christine McCrea and Win For Life posted a conservative time of 38.703 seconds, but had one rail down. Karyn Foley and Falco also posted a four-fault round, but their time of 43.457 seconds proved too careful for a top three finish. It seemed as though Brouwer’s time would hold as the day continued; however, McLain Ward would soon challenge her time of 36.150 seconds.
Ward navigated the first round track with straightforwardness, riding new mount Dulien Van De Smeets to the top of the leader board with a jump off time of 34.031 seconds. Ward used a forward pace to move the mare through the turns, he negated an inside turn that left hope for competitors. His time was fast, but not entirely untouchable.
“It was a good course. I thought it was actually a little bit bigger than last week, but it was in a little easier ring, going in the sand. She went great out there and did great today,” Ward said. “We are going to keep moving her along, and hopefully jump her in some grand prix soon enough.”
McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets
Ward continued, “It is nice to be able to compete for good prize money, not going up against 200 horses running around like maniacs. If you are trying to develop a horse in the 1.40m division, it is very hard at the Winter Equestrian Festival; you almost need a ringer in those classes now.”
Emmanuel Camilli took his turn at the track with Zacca Zoeloe, chasing Ward’s time. He was able to guide the bay gelding to a time of 33.617 seconds, but a rail fell at fence 7 to make him the fastest of the four-faulters. It wasn’t until Sarah Segal took the reins aboard Tilghman that defeat seemed plausible.
Segal posted a speedy first round course, and continued into the jump off. Using Tilghman quick foot speed, she covered the ground with seconds to spare, breaking the beam in 32.574 seconds. She was a full two seconds quicker than Ward’s leading time.
“I got him as a 6-year-old, and he is 10 now, so I have had him for a while. He won a bunch of these grand prix last year, and we came so close to winning the finale, but he had a rail down at the last fence of the jump off,” Segal explained. “He is a fantastic 1.40m horse. This is a niche for him. He can jump it really easily, and is really quick on his feet. Even if you go slow, he goes fast.”
Segal continued, “It is a little hard to get the context for if McLain would be able to hold the lead, but I tried to follow his track. My horse is just a little quicker. We made the inside turns, and although I added a stride to the last fence, my horse is so quick that I knew we had it. This is his game; he’s a great jumper and very quick in the air.”
Ben Meredith took the fourth place finish with Bernadien Van Westuur, jumping clear, but not quite fast enough with a time of 36.444 seconds. Ward finished in the second place position, while Brouwer completed the day with the third place award.
The stakes are increasing each week as top riders, amateur and professional, vie for their invitation to the $24,750 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix Series Finale on Saturday, March 22, 2014, as well as the coveted Leading Rider Bonus. The Wellington Turf Tour will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach next week for its Wednesday and Friday events.
Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times, 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.
This approaching week The Wellington Turf Tour will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The Wednesday will return to the field with the 1.30m-1.35m Jumper divisions. The Grand Prix is set to happen this Friday, February 14, 2014. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching classes. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire. Show Net will provide the live scoring for the Ridge Winter Tour II, as well as video all rounds. All recorded rounds and results are available at: www.shownet.biz.
The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its second year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 22, 2014.
The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 8, 2014 and running until March 19, 2014.
Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January – March 2013. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.
Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 7, 2014 and March 21, 2014.
What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Senior Classics, and two hunter derbies.
Barn & Show Phone 561-791-1471 | Barn Fax 561-791-1543
When:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, January 10, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hours:
8:30am-5pm daily
Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike: Take the exit for LakeWorth Road West. Continue on Lake Worth Road approximately 6 miles to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Continue to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
From Route 95: Take the exit for Forest Hill Blvd West. Continue on Forest Hill Blvd to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Once on South Shore Blvd, continue straight at light at Pierson Road and again straight through the intersection at Lake Worth Road, to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Wellington, FL – February 5, 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began its fifth week of competition on Wednesday with a win for two-time U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward and his mount, Wings, in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 led the way through a large part of the class, but were bested by Ward and Wings at the very end and finished in second place.
Week five of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Rolex, runs February 5-9, 2014. The week will feature CSI-W 5* competition, including the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday afternoon, the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $370,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix FEI CSI-W 5* presented by Rolex on Saturday night, and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.
Great Britain’s Robert Ellis is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week five. Ellis set the track for 67 entries in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class with 17 clear rounds on course. McLain Ward and Wings got the win with a time of 58.82 seconds.
Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 finished second in 59.04 seconds. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Postage Stamp Farm LLC’s Prof de la Roque placed third in 59.26 seconds, and Peter Wylde (USA) finished fourth in 60.52 seconds aboard Winley Farm’s Wiesielottie.
Ward had an extra token of good luck in his pocket for Wednesday’s class in the form of a small crystal that he had been given by Canada’s Tiffany Foster. He has had some top finishes over the last few weeks, but kept having an unlucky rail that kept him out of the winner’s circle. As Ward left the arena after his win, he pulled the crystal out of his pocket, stopping for a photo with Foster. The crystal just may have had a positive effect.
“We had a little inside joke,” Ward laughed. “Tiffany says I never smile, so she gave me a crystal the other day and she said it would bring happiness. I have won two out of three classes since I have had it, so we are all giving the credit to the crystal.”
Ward has had some great rounds with his veteran mount Wings, a 16-year-old KWPN gelding by Lexicon x Columbus, and was happy to finally get the win with him on Wednesday.
“He has just been a little unlucky,” Ward acknowledged. “He has had a little ‘four-fault-itis,’ but he has been jumping really well. He has had the fastest time in two other big classes with some cheap four faults. He is a good old horse. He knows the job. He’s careful, and he is always fun to ride.”
It seemed like the time of Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 might not be beat as the class went on, but Ward and Wings put their experience together and did it with ease.
“He is a very fast horse,” Ward described. “He has a big stride, and he is quite quick. I just tried to be really neat everywhere. I was fast from jump one to two, and he just covers the ground very easily. He doesn’t waste much time.”
“He is a funny horse,” Ward said of Wings. “He is what they call ‘ever green’ if you ever saw it. He is afraid of everything, and he is 16 years old now.”
“I bought him actually last year for my wife and he ended up being a little too careful for her, and I kind of took over the ride. The first two shows didn’t go very well and since then he has won a class at almost every show he has gone to, so I am not giving him back,” Ward laughed. “He is a little quirky, a little spooky, he is a little bit his own character, but he has quality, which always pays off.”
Ward commented on Bob Ellis’s course, noting, “I like Bob’s courses. They typically can be a little twisty, so you need a very rideable horse, but he is very good and this is a big week. It was right on height, which is what you would expect. We are trying to make a plan with these bigger shows and have the horses come in fresh and ready to compete, so it was a nice start.”
A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was also held on Wednesday with a win for Yann Candele (CAN) and Carolla Z, owned by Liz Currie.
Week five of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue on Thursday with the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
About FTI Consulting, Inc.
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.
McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets. Photos by: Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group.
Wellington, FL – February 1, 2014 – Speed was the name of the game today at the International Polo Club Palm Beach as McLain Ward set the time to beat during the Wellington Turf Tour’s 1.40m Grand Prix. Riding Dulien Van De Smeets, owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock, he guided the mare to a double clear effort in 38.802 seconds, leaving 42 contenders to chase his time.
Sarah Segal took an early lead with Zelda as the fog lifted from the field. She guided the mare around the Pierre Jolicouer designed course for a clear first round, then riding to the first of 12 double clear rounds. However, her time of 40.680 seconds would not hold.
“We have brought horses to the Ridge at Wellington nearly every week since they began the series,” Segal said. “It is such a wonderful series, and the field today was definitely bigger. It was a well-designed course that used a lot of single fences, and not so many related distances. It felt much more challenging, and it is much more complicated than the other courses, which is right because we are getting later in the series. It is really a Grand Prix-style course.”
Ward traversed the first round track with ease, riding new mount Dulien Van De Smeets to the top of the leaderboard. The mare is a new mount for Ward, who only began riding her in December. Although she does not have as much experience as some of the other horses on the field, the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour was designed for horses to develop and grow. Ward began the jump-off going easy through the first three obstacles, but he opened her stride through the second half, shaving the seconds while still maintaining accuracy. They tripped the timers in 38.802 seconds.
Ward stated, “The mare is very careful, she doesn’t have a lot of experience going very fast, so she is still learning to look for her jumps. I thought that 1-2-4 was a little bit of a challenge, but at the end of the jump-off, the wide-open gallop really suited her; she could gallop and stay very careful. At the beginning she wasn’t sure, but in the end it was in her box.”
Ward continued, “It is a huge field, and for some of the horses it is a little eye opening because they have been in sandbox rings for several weeks, or at indoor shows. It is a little bit like you are out in space. I think it is very relaxing for the horses. The footing is obviously incredible, and it is a very nice change of venue. There are a lot of very good things about WEF, but there is too much WEF. There are too many shows over the same fences and the same rings. I think there are a lot of good parts to it, but it is just over used. This is great for the horse’s interest level, and for the riders to even have a change of venue, it is a breath of fresh air.”
Young rider Brittni Raflowtiz took her turn at the track with Elios, owned by ESI Show Jumpers, chasing Ward’s time. She was able to guide the bay gelding to a time of 40.366 seconds to slide into the second place. Although her time proved fast, with 21 riders remaining, it would only hold solid enough for the eventual fourth place, just ahead of Segal.
Hector Florentino and Anemone’s Vicky
Hector Florentino and Anemone’s Vicky, owned by Stransky’s Mission Farms, gave Ward a run for his money as he blazed around the shortened course. Although he sliced the turns and covered the ground with quick foot speed, their time of 39.156 seconds still fell shy of the top rank. They were awarded the second place for their efforts, while Wednesday’s 1.35m Jumper winner, Ali Wolff and Brianda, rode to the third place finish in 40.135 seconds.
The stakes are increasing each week as top riders, amateur and professional, vie for their invitation to the $24,750 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix Series Finale on Saturday, March 22, 2014, as well as the coveted Leading Rider Bonus. The Wellington Turf Tour will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach next week for its Wednesday and Friday events.
Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times: 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.
This approaching week The Wellington Turf Tour will return to Schuyler Riley’s Wolfstone Stables in Southfields. The Wednesday classes will include the Young Jumpers Championship Qualifiers and the two 1.30m-1.35m Jumper divisions. The Grand Prix is set to happen this Saturday, February 8, 2014. The USHJA International and National Hunter Derbies will take place Friday, February 7 at the Ridge at Wellington. The Wednesday and Friday events will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching classes. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire. Show Net will provide the live scoring for the Ridge Winter Tour II, as well as video all rounds. All recorded rounds and results are available at: www.shownet.biz.
The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its second year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 22, 2014.
The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 8, 2014 and running until March 19, 2014.
Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January – March 2013. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.
Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 7, 2014 and March 21, 2014.
What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Senior Classics, and two hunter derbies.
Barn & Show Phone 561-791-1471 | Barn Fax 561-791-1543
When:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, January 10, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hours:
8:30am-5pm daily
Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike: Take the exit for LakeWorth Road West. Continue on Lake Worth Road approximately 6 miles to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Continue to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
From Route 95: Take the exit for Forest Hill Blvd West. Continue on Forest Hill Blvd to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Once on South Shore Blvd, continue straight at light at Pierson Road and again straight through the intersection at Lake Worth Road, to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Francois Mathy and Polinska Des Isles. Photos by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Lexington, KY – October 31, 2013 – Sometimes it is a rail, sometimes it is an inside turn and sometimes it is just one-tenth of a second separating the winner from the losers. That is exactly what happened during the Double H Farm $100,000 International Open Jumpers at the Alltech National Horse Show. Todd Minikus was aiming for his second win in a row with Quality Girl, completing a clear jump-off effort, when Belgium’s Francois Mathy was faultless during the 14-horse jump-off aboard Polinska Des Isles, crossing the finish line a fraction of a second faster to capture the winning honors.
Forty of the world’s top riders gathered at the Alltech Arena to compete during tonight’s feature class. Conrad Homfeld offered challenging questions for the first round, but 14 horse and rider combinations managed to clear the course and advance to the jump-off.
“I think Conrad was probably surprised that he got a couple extra clear, but he truly is a world class course designer,” noted Minikus. “I think he was trying to make it comfortable to get people’s horses going well. A good course designer gets the horses going well during the week and then tests them on the weekend. I think that’s quite a good job.”
Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, was the second to return for the tiebreaker with Abigail Wexner’s Amadora, and she wore a target on her back when she made tidy work of the course and left each rail in place to finish in 44.22 seconds, which would hold up for third place.
After Madden produced a faultless round, Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, left nothing to chance with his winner from last night’s Taylor Harris $50,000 Open Jumper Welcome Speed, Quality Girl, owned by Chris Brems. The pair was quick over the top of each fence, and they shaved off valuable seconds in each turn to best the clock with a time of 41.51 seconds.
Great Britain’s Tim Gredley was up next with Unex Chamberlain Z, but they would have the most conservative of the double clear efforts in 45.06 seconds for fifth place. Kirsten Coe of Royal Palm Beach, FL, was narrowly faster than Gredley aboard Baronez, owned by Ilan Ferder and Lousta Stuteri. While also leaving each fence in place, the pair broke the beam at 45.01 seconds for fourth place.
The final double clear round in the jump-off proved to be the best of the night. Traveling all the way from Belgium, Francois Mathy’s focus is on Saturday night’s World Cup Qualifier, but tonight he proved that he and Polinska Des Isles, owned by Team Harmony, will be ready for the challenge. They stayed right on Minikus’ track and managed to finish just slightly ahead of his time, dashing across the finish line in 41.42 seconds to capture the victory by just 1/10th of a second.
“To be honest, my mare is really fast, but I really came here in order to get some World Cup points,” admitted Mathy. “I went quite neat; I didn’t think I could beat the time from Todd. It was quite a good surprise when I passed the timer. I didn’t see his round, but I saw yesterday he won by three seconds. He was fast so I didn’t really calculate on beating him and watching his round.”
“It’s all good sport, you know,” stated Minikus. “I live by the theory if you’re not the winner, you’re the loser, but it’s all good sport. Francois gave his horse a heck of a ride and second place is second place.”
Mathy had top placings throughout Spruce Meadows with his 10-year-old mare Polinska Des Isles, including a double clear during the Nations Cup, and they also helped the Belgian team place fifth during the 2013 FEI Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona, Spain. After success in North America during the summer and fall, Mathy decided to spend the indoor season in the United States.
“In Europe, it’s quite difficult to get in to the World Cups,” stated Mathy. “I quite enjoyed my tour in North America, and I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to try and get a few more points. It’s my first time actually doing Indoors in North America so this is quite a nice beginning. I was quite impressed to see the facility here and all of the organization. Everybody’s very welcoming, and I’m really happy I came.”
McLain Ward and Zander Zip to $50,000 International Open Speed Victory
The National Horse Show Association of America $50,000 International Open Speed, presented by Copernicus and the Coulter Family tested the foot speed of the top mounts over a faults converted track designed by Conrad Homfeld. About midway through the field it looked like young rider Catherine Pasmore had the win in her sights with Vandavid after carefully navigating each obstacle and breaking the beam at a speedy 65.73 seconds.
McLain Ward and Zander
Unfortunately, Olympian McLain Ward went a few rounds later with his consistent partner Zander. The pair easily left all the rails intact and galloped efficiently through a bending line early in the course, as well as taking the direct route after one of the double combinations. The plan paid off, and they finished in 63.09 seconds to take a commanding lead.
Ward could not breathe a sigh of relief just yet though. The last rider to tackle the course was Meagan Nusz with Vesuvius, and they stayed right on Ward’s tracks. Taking sharp turns and leaving strides out they were on the money and it looked like they could take the win, but Nusz and Vesuvius stopped the clock at 63.95, just tenths of a second away from the lead for the second place prize, while Ward led the victory gallop.
“Meagan gave me a good run, but it went our way tonight,” admitted Ward. “I was lucky to go late. Last night I had to go very early. Tonight I had a better draw. He has a really big stride, so I was able to leave out a couple of places, and he is a pretty quick horse.”
At just 9 years old with multiple wins to his name, Ward is excited about Zander’s future. “This is Zander’s first time Indoors,” he explained. “He jumped the Grand Prix in Washington last week, and he was good, but a little green. We have been kind of moving him up and down in the shows a little bit. This is a unique show because you have two very big speed classes, and one really big one. With the prize money being as good as it is, this probably wouldn’t be his normal class of the show, but the standards are high and it is good for the horse to learn to do that. I think he is going to be a big top, top horse, he’s almost there.”
Victoria Colvin and Adrienne Sternlicht Capture Junior and Amateur-Owner Victories
Earlier in the day, the jumper action kicked off with the Deeridge Farm $10,000 Junior Jumper Welcome Stake. Eight combinations traversed the track without fault, but it was Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, who proved to have the key to winning aboard her own Monsieur Du Reverdy. After competing in last week’s WIHS Equitation Classic, they transitioned back to the jumper ring, and Colvin utilized her mount’s improved rideability to best the track in 61.967 seconds and led the victory gallop.
Victoria Colvin and Monsieur Du Reverdy
“He was turning and not jumping as high as usual because we needed to make him ride like a hunter for the equitation,” explained Colvin. “I think he made up time by going forward over the jumps and he turned really fast. I’ve never won a jumper class here, so it’s pretty nice to have won the first one. After doing the equitation I wasn’t sure if he would clear the fences, but he did! It was amazing.”
Katherine Strauss was the last to show with her veteran partner Chellando Z, and although they carefully left strides out and left each rail in place, they fell two seconds short of Colvin’s time in 63.465 seconds for the second place honors. Kalvin Dobbs and Winde, owned by Treesdale Farms, were two seconds slower than Strauss, stopping the clock at 65.145 seconds for third place during the speed class. Charlotte Jacobs and Kachina, owned by Deeridge Farms, rounded out the top four with a clear round in 65.600 seconds.
The Chansonette Farm $10,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome Stake was up next, and the riders showed over the same speed course to determine the winning combination. Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB set the bar very high midway through the class, easily clearing all of the obstacles and tripping the timers at 66.597 seconds to go to the top of the leader board.
Melissa Rundershuasen entered the Alltech Arena next with Gunner, and while it looked like they might take the lead, 1/10th of a second separated them from Sternlicht as they stopped the clock at 66.656 seconds for the second place honors. Katie Dinan was the last to show with the Grant Road Partners’ Vancouver, but they also fell just shy of Stenlicht with a faultless round in 67.211 seconds to round out the top three and seal Sternlicht’s victory.
“Since there weren’t that many options in the course, I tried to shave off my turns and keep a galloping pace through the course and everything came up really nicely,” smiled Sternlicht. “I thought the course was technical for a speed, but it should be because this is a prestigious show. Quidam MB is only 8 years old, and this is his first show inside. I am a bit green to showing inside, as well, and I haven’t been to Kentucky since I did the ponies. Overall it was a really great experience and I am really proud of him.”
Tomorrow’s highlight events at the 2013 Alltech National Horse Show, 130th edition, will include each of the $15,000 Amateur-Owner and Junior Jumper classes, The Triumph Project $50,000 International Open Jumper Speed class, and the LIFEFORCE Elite $50,000 International Open Jumper Puissance. The weekend will wrap up with the Alltech $250,000 World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix presented by Lifeforce on Saturday night, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay National Championships on Sunday.
For more information or to view the competition live, please visit www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com. Coverage is provided by Shownet.biz, iHigh, HRTV, and USEF Network.
Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
McLain Ward and A Long Good Night Kiss. Photo By: Brooke Jacobs.
Lexington, KY – October 30, 2013 – It’s not every day that you see riders compete over their first hunter course during a national championship, but when four world champion American Saddlebred trainers take the reins of a hunter and grand prix and professional hunter riders take the reins of an American Saddlebred, it makes for a night of fun and excitement. It was a game-changing exhibition at the Alltech National Horse Show as riders traded places for their shot at the night’s championship. Professional hunter rider Jennifer Alfano teamed up with Stephanie Sedlacko to steal the night’s victory as the first place winners in the swap.
Six obstacles were set in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, while riders donned a different set of clothing. Paired up by disciplines, the English riders worked alongside their American Saddlebred counterparts to help direct them through the series of 2’6″ fences.
Hunter rider Hunt Tosh was teamed with Melissa Moore, and together they rode to the score of 156 points. Melissa posted a hunter score of 78 points after having a late lead change from the outside line, while Tosh mimicked her score in the pleasure portion of the class. Their dual 78s earned them the eventual fourth place award.
“We practiced last night in a little bit more of a controlled environment. It definitely felt different tonight,” Tosh laughed. “It was fun. We had a great time. I am always up for trying stuff, and my partner was great. I couldn’t believe how good they were; I thought they were really good. Everyone on the side was helping us out and giving us tips. It all made for a great night.”
Clark Clouse had never even jumped prior to this week’s competition, but he rode Trade Money through the course with only one chipped distance for a score of 75 points. Olympian Laura Kraut stood ringside as she rooted him on, only to have the favor returned as she mounted Don’t Stop, owned by Melinda Moore. Although Kraut did not have a chance to practice, she came to the exhibition with her game face. She earned the night’s highest pleasure score of 85 points for a cumulative score of 160 points and the third place.
Although they may not be veterans, it came down to a battle between the Devon Horse Show’s Five-Gaited Special victor, McLain Ward and Devon Horse Show third place finisher Jennifer Alfano.
Ward paired up with Melinda Moore for tonight’s American Saddlebred Hunter Challenge, with Moore riding to a score of 80 points during the hunter portion. She stood ringside as she guided Ward to the score of 82 during his ride aboard A Long Good Night Kiss.
“It was totally awesome. I had a great time,” Moore said. “I think they had a great time too. Everybody was smiling; everybody was having fun. I hope we can do it more often at these shows. I think that would be great.”
Melinda continued, “The hunters are a totally different ride. We work such different muscles. The first hunter lesson I took, the next day I had muscles aching that I didn’t even know I had. That made me want to do it more and to have fun doing it. I rode Echo tonight, and he is wonderful. Actually, I’ve leased him now so that I can continue to ride him once or twice a week.”
It was only five months ago that Ward racked to the top of the ranks during the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in Devon, PA. However, tonight Alfano proved victorious.
Ward and Moore’s final score of 162 points would prove good enough for the night’s second place, as Alfano and teammate Stephanie Sedlacko took home the championship with the overall score of 168 points. Alfano rode to the score of 80 points aboard The Blue’s Girl, while Sedlacko guided Special Edition to the high score of 88 points. Both riders were in shock as the announcers called their names for the championship presentation.
“I had a blast, but most importantly, thank God for my partner,” Alfano smiled. “She carried the show. She was awesome – an 88! She was unbelievable. I made some mistakes, but my horse was awesome. She’s young and green so I was a little nervous – well, I was a lot nervous actually. But she was awesome tonight. It’s so much fun, and it’s so nice of them to let us ride their horses. I can’t thank Stephanie enough for doing that.”
Alfano explained, “I had so much at Devon in May, and I just thought it was the greatest thing, so when they asked me to do it here I was so excited. Like I said, I was a little nervous because I had a green horse, but it was still so much fun.”
This was not Sedlacko’s first hunter course, but after 10 years of solely riding American Saddlebreds, it definitely proved to be a change. “I had done it in the past, but it’s been about 10 plus years,” Sedlacko explained. “So I hadn’t ridden a hunter until now. I thought Jen did great. I was so proud of her. The horse that she was riding was a 4-year-old. It’s only been shown six or seven times, and she’s been kind of tough. We were a little hesitant when we picked her to bring, but Jen handled her great. She rode her like a pro.”
The American Saddlebred and Hackney classes are one of the many highlights of the Alltech National Horse Show. With the Alltech National Horse Show finding its home in the heart of the American Saddlebred industry, there is not only tremendous talent but also excellent prize money and legendary trophies from the days of the National Horse Show’s past.
For more information or to view the competition live, please visit www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com. Coverage is provided by Shownet.biz, iHigh, HRTV, and USEF Network.
Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
McLain Ward and Cadence. Photo by The Book LLC 2013.
North Salem, NY – September 12, 2013 – Passing thunderstorms did not deter the exciting action during the second day of the 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W. The international jumping competition featured the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake, where McLain Ward of Brewster, NY bested 60 entries to capture the winning honors on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm. Earlier in the day, Michael Hughes and Dromma topped a 19-horse jump-off during the $3,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, presented by Gotham North.
Alan Wade of Ireland set a challenging track for the opening round of the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake, which utilized all of the Grand Prix Field and included three double combinations, as well as technical vertical-oxer-oxer line. Twenty-two of the original 60 staring entries qualified for the jump-off. For the short track, the competitors began with three fences set off of long distances, before galloping to an oxer off of a blind turn. They then made sharp rollback to a single vertical, before finishing over a vertical-oxer double combination to an airy vertical.
Yesterday’s winner in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, was the first to return for the tiebreaker, riding Cyklon 1083 for Spy Coast Farm of East Setauket, NY. They made it look easy, never touching a rail and breaking the beam at 34.90, setting the pace to beat.
Fellow Irishman Andrew Bourns had the next faultless round aboard New Boy De Logerie, but in an effort to leave the fences up their time of 39.68 would only be good enough for fourth. Although young rider Katie Dinan of New York, NY, had an untimely dismount from her first qualified jump-off mount, she returned with her second horse Couletto K James to complete the short course without error in 40.07 seconds for fifth place. Judy Garofalo Torres of Wellington, FL, was next with Quattro Queen, and they all left all the rails intact, tripping the timers at 41.33 seconds to round out the top six.
Quentin Judge and HH Wilco, owned by Double H Farm of Wellington, FL, added their names to the list of double clears with one of the faster rounds by making sharp inside turns with his experienced mount. They crossed the finish line in 37.82 seconds to take home the third place award.
Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083. Photo by Rebecca Walton
The only competitor that could top Sweetnam came from the final faultless jump-off round. McLain Ward was on his home turf and proved he could not be beat with his talented mount Cadence, owned by Procedures Inc of Agoura, CA. The duo picked up a quick pace to first fence and never held back, making sharp inside turns to both of the single oxers before galloping home over the final line. Ward and Cadence captured the victory, relegating Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 to second place.
“Cadence is a very fast horse to start out with,” explained Ward. “He’s very quick and he knows the job well. There was a very difficult inside turn to the fourth fence. He’s really honest and he tries really hard for you, so I knew I could take a little risk there. I was dealing cards a little coming down the last line, but the horse helped me out.”
Ward began riding Cadence this summer, and the pair has already been very successful, winning in Dublin, Ireland, and at the Spruce Meadows Tournament. “He’s been a great horse,” said Ward. “He’s really pretty easy and straightforward. He knows the game and he’s always trying to win for you.”
The American Gold Cup is an historical event that Ward is proud to be involved with, and thrilled that it has taken root at Old Salem Farm. “What the Hakim family has done with this venue is incredible,” he expressed. “The Gold Cup was looking for a home and I spoke with Michael Morrissey personally about coming here. This is a great match. This is a real horse community with good people. I am proud of the job that Stadium Jumping has done, that Old Salem has done, and I am proud to be a part of it with my community. I personally feel this is the best horse show in America.”
Earlier today, athletes had the opportunity to showcase their skills during the $3,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, presented by Gotham North. With 19 entries advancing to the jump-off, just fractions of a second separated the leaders. The first round course tested riders with two double combinations and many related distances as the fences wound their way through the spacious Grand Prix Field. For the short track, competitors began with an oxer-vertical line to a double combination and another oxer. Finally, they made a sharp rollback to a fourth oxer before finishing with a big gallop over a single vertical.
Brittni Raflowitz and Elios. Photo by The Book LLC 2013
Only the third athlete to enter the ring, Brittni Raflowitz wore a target on her back when she piloted Elios, owned by Maarten Huygens of Chester Springs, PA, to a faultless jump-off effort in 30.054 seconds after using a hard slice to the final fences.
Three riders came within tenths of a second to catching Raflowitz at the end of the class, causing the third place position to switch hands three times. Adrienne Sternlicht of Greenwich, CT, rounded out the top five aboard Quidam MB, posting a clear time of 30.988 seconds. She was eventually bested by Karen Polle of New York, NY, and What Ever who clocked in at 30.781 seconds with all the rails intact. Polle and What Ever had to settle for fourth, as Erin Haas entered the ring next riding As Di Chupito for the North Face Farm of Chesea, MI. After advancing to the jump-off, they also made their way across the shortened track without error, breaking the beam at 30.659 seconds for third place.
The only competitor to best Raflowitz was 17-year-old Michael Hughes of Allendale, NJ, riding the 11-year-old mare Dromma for owner Vanessa Mannix of Calgary, Alberta. Leaving strides out and using the inside turn after the second line, Hughes and Dromma galloped easily over the obstacles and were the only duo to break the 30 second mark, dashing across the finish line in 29.433 seconds. They took home the winning honors, while Raflowitz claimed the second place prize.
“I never pulled the reins to the in-and-out, and I left out a stride in the first line and after the combination so I could turn tighter back to the next oxer,” explained Hughes. “I never pulled the whole way around, which is the main thing.
Hughes added, “Dromma is a great horse and she knows how to go fast. Conor Swail rode her last year, so she knows about speed classes and she just loves to go fast. She has a really big stride, which really helps. I know I am covering a lot of ground even when I am not going very fast.”
Based out of New Jersey, Old Salem Farm is just around the corner for Hughes, who is excited to be participating in the 2013 American Gold Cup. “It’s such a great venue,” he noted. “It’s a lot of fun to show here and it’s such a prestigious event, so we are having a great time.”
The 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W will continue tomorrow with the $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier, presented by Double H Farm & Windsor Show Stables. Saturday’s highlight events will be the $50,000 Hermès Classic and Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships, while Sunday features the $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W World Cup Qualifier, presented by Suncast.
About the American Gold Cup
The American Gold Cup will feature world-class and Olympic athletes, such as current World Cup Show Jumping Champion Beezie Madden and Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. Also confirmed to compete are show jumping mega-stars Reed Kessler, Kent Farrington, Margie Engle, Pan American Games Gold Medalist Christine McCrea and many more, all vying to secure their position at the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals in Lyon, France.
Highlights of the schedule include the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake on Thursday, the $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier presented by Double H Farm and Windsor Show Stables on Friday and the $50,000 Hermes Classic on Saturday. The featured event, the coveted $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 and broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. EST.
The American Gold Cup will also feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus Young Jumpers and Open Jumpers. New this year, the Zone 2 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships will be held on Saturday in the Old Salem Farm indoor arena.
Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, an historic pristine grass Grand Prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world’s most quaint and picturesque competition venue settings. For the past two years, the Old Salem Farm competitions have been recognized by the North American Riders Group (NARG) on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.
What: The $200,000 American Gold Cup FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W
When: September 11-15, 2013
Where: Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY
Hours:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon
Sunday: Gates open at 11 a.m. with family activities with the $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W at 2 p.m.
Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.
Stabling:
Stalls are 10 x 10 and housed under canvas. The FEI stalls are 10 x 12 and stabling area will be secured by fencing with 24/7 security. FEI horses will be scheduled to school separately from non-FEI horses. Schedules will be posted and riders will be given notification of times during the horse inspection.
Parking:
Available on the grounds
Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.
Information:
Before Show – before 9/7/12 941-744-5465 800-237-8924
During Show – 914-669-5610 ext 201
Stable office – 941-744-5465
Prize List Advertising – 941-744-5465
Vendors – Matt Morrissey 941-915-3457
Televised Broadcast: The 2013 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Tickets:
Weekdays: Admission is free to the public
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $15 per person, $10 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.
The Jockey Club offers full service gourmet cuisine and beverages for tables of six and eight. Click here to reserve your Jockey Club table. New this year, The American Gold Cup is adding luxury suites for parties of 10 or more on the second floor of the Jockey Club. For more information and to reserve your American Gold Cup luxury suite, contact Matt Morrissey at: matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com.
Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350′x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200′x250′, Schooling 130′x170′. Jumper Annex 146′x307′, Schooling 155′x173′. Indoor 115′x195′, Schooling 74′x135′. Hunter 138′x243′, Schooling 108′x158′. Footing in all arenas is all weather German-designed fiber and sand.
Brewster, NY 5-10 min
Heidi’s Motel (845) 279-8011
Mt. Kisco, NY 5-10 min
Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600
Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds
Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000
Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800
Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600
Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776
Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333
Residence Inn (203) 797-1256
Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874
McLain Ward and Rothchild won the first leg of the THIS Triple Crown Challenge at the Devon Horse Show – photo by The Book LLC.
For the second consecutive year, two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, finds himself going into the $250,000 FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix with the potential of winning the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge. This unique challenge awards riders a $200,000 bonus should the same horse-and-rider combination win three of the country’s best grand prix events in the same year.
The first event was the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon held on May 30th. It was there that Ward won the first leg on Rothchild and now stands to take home the bonus should the pair win the remaining two events in the Challenge. The second event, the $250,000 FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix, will take place on September 1st at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY. Having won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix a record six times in his career it will be an exciting moment as Ward and Rothchild enter the grass arena.
Ward has been in this position before. Just last year, during the inaugural year of the Challenge, Ward had one leg of the challenge in the record books after collecting the blue at Devon on Antares F. But the pair couldn’t pull off the win at the Hampton Classic when Kent Farrington of Chicago, IL, came in on Voyeur and shut down Ward’s streak.
Although Ward didn’t lead the victory gallop in the $250,000 class he did win four major jumper classes in 2012.
If Ward can pull off a win and get another step closer to taking home the bonus, the final leg of the challenge will be the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix, held on November 2nd at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY.
“It’s exciting to watch someone like McLain Ward head into the second leg of the Challenge,” said Michael Taylor, the President of Taylor Harris Insurance Services. “Knowing he’s won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix six times in his career makes it all that much more possible to have him grab another leg of the Challenge. Taylor Harris Insurance is a proud supporter of equestrian sport and the excellence it requires to walk out with the blue ribbon. We are excited at the possibility of McLain emerging victorious in South Hampton and heading to the Alltech National Horse Show having won two legs of the Challenge.”
Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) was founded in 1987 to provide specialized insurance for all types of equine risk including property and casualty. Taylor Harris works with their clients to ensure they are equipped with the insurance coverage that’s right for each individual case. THIS places all policies with the highest rated and most secure insurance carriers, which are also selected for their prompt and reliable claims settlement. Their goal is providing insurance protection for all personal and professional equestrian related risk and delivering peace of mind for their clients.
SAUGERTIES, NY (July 22, 2013) – Love conquered all this weekend at HITS Saugerties. McLain Ward and his new mount Love beat a star-studded crowd to pick up the top prize in the $50,000 Horze-Equestrian Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. After only two days in the country, Love – a nine-year-old Selle Francais import from France – arrived at HITS-on-the-Hudson on Wednesday, jumped Thursday and Friday, and won Sunday in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium with Ward in irons.
“He had a nice record in France, but he is off to an even more impressive start in the U.S.,” said Ward, who hails from Brewster, New York. “I am most impressed with this horse’s character – he is willing, generous, careful and easy to ride. When he walks in the ring, he doesn’t want to knock the jumps down – he makes my job easy.”
Ward and Love jumped a course designed by Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico, which included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts. Three double combinations tested both horse and rider – the first a one-stride pair of verticals, the second was two strides between two oxers and the third a vertical two stride to an oxer. “I have always liked Florencio’s tracks and I thought it was a great course. There were plenty of technical elements and a lot of real distance questions.”
Twenty-three started the first round and seven advanced to the jump-off. Ward piloted two mounts, including Love and his own Wings. Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, New Jersey also rode two mounts – Mary Chapot’s Umberto, and Quointreau Un Prince, owned by herself and McLain Ward. Heather Caristo-Williams of Saugerties, New York moved on with Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Caristo’s Evening Star, Candice King of Wellington, Florida with Bellissimo, LLC’s VDL Dogan and Adrienne Iverson aboard her own Sweetheart.
Chapot and Quointreau un Prince set an early Great American Time to Beat as the first go in the jump-off in a time of 46.63 seconds. Her lead went untouched for two rounds until Ward entered the ring and navigated the short course in 43.91 seconds to steal the lead with two left to ride behind him, including Chapot’s second effort.
“I knew Laura was coming and she’s always a fast rider, so I wasn’t 100% confident. I was hoping for a little luck,” said Ward. In his first jump-off round with Wings, Ward left a stride out in the first line and brought down the top rail of the second fence. “It was probably a little fast, so I changed my plan with Love.”
Ward’s change of heart proved the right choice – he and Love galloped the seven strides and left all the rails up with an eventual three seconds to spare, bumping Chapot and Quointreau Un Prince to second. Despite her best efforts, Chapot’s second ride with Umberto ended with a rail in 45.18 seconds.
Third place went to Caristo-Williams and Evening Star, who jumped to a clear round in 47.32 seconds. King and VDL Dogan were also clear win a time of 48.91 seconds for fourth. Iverson capped the top five with Sweetheart. They posted a time of 45.18 seconds, but had a rail at the fourth fence for four faults. Chapot aboard Umberto and Ward in the irons of Wings were sixth and seventh respectively.
The second week of a three-week series begins Wednesday at HITS Saugerties and will boast the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and the $75,000 AIG Grand Prix, both presented by Zoetis. Grand prix riders are now in qualifying crunch time for the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix of HITS Championship Weekend and will have six more opportunities to pick up qualifying leverage to appear in September’s big-ticket event. Qualifying standings are available at HitsShows.com.
About Horze-Equestrian Horze is a global company in rapid growth. They are a Scandinavian, privately owned enterprise that supplies equestrian clothes and equipment for riders and their horses at every level. Their products include a variety of technical and leisure clothing ranges. From young beginners to competitive athletes, they’ve got it covered. Their products are sold today through numerous different channels. Horze stores and retailers have been established in countries across Europe, and they are developing rapidly in the American and Asian markets. Their web-shop is available in 11 languages. The work of their fantastic network of Sales Agents means that Horze is able to provide local and reliable service to retailers; they are proud of the strong relationships they have with large chains and suppliers of equestrian equipment. They make no secret of their intention to become the leading global market supplier of equestrian equipment and clothing. This is not merely an ambition; their sales figures for the past five years show rapid growth in every area of the company. They are driven by a pride and belief in what they do – providing some of the best quality products for the industry’s most affordable prices.
