Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra won Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton.
Lexington, KY – July 27, 2013 – Following his win in Thursday night’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, Pablo Barrios has leapt to the top of the leader board for the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Barrios and his talented mare Zara Leandra were the winners of the first class in May, and with a speedy clear round during Thursday’s event they bested a 15-horse jump-off for another victory.
Richie Moloney maintains the second place position in the standings after placing fifth aboard Let’s Go and sixth with Call Me Number One, incurring just a single time fault with each mount in Thursday’s jump-off. Kent Farrington is currently ranked third after winning the Series’ second event in May with Venus.
The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long series of seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the series will receive a $50,000 Leading Rider Award, presented during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. The fourth event in the series will be next Thursday during the Kentucky Summer Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“I won the bonus three years ago, and I think it’s a nice opportunity for the riders to compete for more money,” said Barrios, who took home the title in 2010. “It’s a good incentive, and I am definitely trying to win this year.”
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and wellbeing of the horse for more than 130 years.
The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour emergency services, and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.
Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.
Lexington, KY – July 25, 2013 – The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion’s share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The pair was two seconds faster than Kaitlin Campbell of Georgetown, KY, and her veteran partner Rocky W, who placed second, while Germany’s Christian Heineking picked up third place with NKH Selena.
The first round for tonight’s highlight event was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, and featured an open water with a scored pole and lath, an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, and a final vertical-oxer double combination. It eventually yielded fifteen clear rounds for the jump-off.
“When I walked I was expecting seven or eight clear. I didn’t think it was that easy, but the time allowed was very friendly,” noted Barrios. “The footing made the horses jump really well.”
For the speed round, riders began with an oxer-vertical rollback to the first two fences in the triple combination. They then galloped across the ring to two single oxers, before finishing over a skinny plank to the final oxer.
Ireland’s Richie Moloney was the first to leave all the fences intact over the short course with Let’s Go, owned by Equinimity LLC of Stoneybrook, NY, but finished a fraction over the time allowed. They incurred one time fault to net the fifth place award. Moloney had a repeat performance with his second mount, Call Me Number One, once again leaving the rails in place but going too slow and adding a time fault to his score for sixth place.
The first rider to finish the course without a single fault was Blythe Marano and Urban, owned by Riverview Farm of Franklin, TN. They easily cleared the obstacles, but broke the beam at a slow 51.246 seconds for fourth place. Christian Heineking made a statement when he entered the ring with NKH Selena, owned by NKH LLC of Dallas, TX, picking up a strong gallop and never holding back. The duo soared over each fence and stopped the clock at 47.676 seconds for an early lead that eventually claimed third.
The winners of the first $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic in May were ready for action today. Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra, owned by the ZL Group of Wellington, FL, had a blazing pace and as they wound their way over the track they were able to find each distance to create sharp angles and easily leave a stride out at the final oxer. They zipped through the timers in 43.662 seconds to lead the evening’s lap of honor.
“I came very fast to the Hagyard vertical, which made me catch the next vertical very quickly too,” explained Barrios. “I caught the perfect distance to the last line that even with a tight turn let me do six strides. I think that was the key.”
Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W
Twenty-one-year-old Kaitlin Campbell was not going to give away the win though when she had her chance next with Rocky W. She has owned the Dutch Warmblood for six years and knows him inside and out. Campbell quickly steered her mount over the fences and managed to cross the finish line in 45.662 seconds for the second place award.
“Pablo was really fast, and his horse is a little more careful than Rocky is, especially to the skinny jumps,” explained Campbell. “I just wanted to go in and jump a neat, fast clear round, but I wasn’t going to try and kill myself. Rocky is really good about all the tight turns back since he’s so experienced. The inside to the skinny is where I think I lost my two seconds. Rocky was a little bit fresher than I would have liked him tonight, but he figured it out in the jump-off.”
Zara Leandra and Barrios have just returned from five weeks in Spruce Meadows, which made the mare very ready for tonight’s class.
“I think it was a super jump-off for her,” he smiled. “This is the best horse I’ve ever had and she’s only 9 years old. She came with a huge stride from Calgary and she was leaving strides out. She was a little high over the fences, so I struggled a little bit the first round, but I think it helped in the jump-off. She had that big pace already from the last five weeks in Calgary. This is the fastest I have gone in jump-off with her. She has more confidence doing the angles and the tight rollbacks. She’s getting better and better.”
Tonight’s class was the third event in the seven-part Hagyard Challenge Series, which features a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus to the top rider at the end of the season. In 2010, the winner of the Series was Barrios, who has made it goal for this year as well.
“I won it three years ago and I think it’s a nice opportunity for the riders to compete for more money,” he commented. “It’s a good incentive and I am definitely trying to win this year.”
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse for more than 130 years.
Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.
The next event for Barrios and Zara Leandra will be Saturday night’s $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix. The class will get underway at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium, and is held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hat’s Off Day, a celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky.
Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra Win $33,000 West Canadian Cup 1.50m
Calgary, AB – June 30, 2013 – The ‘Canada One’ Tournament came to a close today with two top competitions in the Meadows on the Green at Spruce Meadows. The highlight of the week, the $100,000 ESSO Challenge 1.60m CSI-W, was an exciting finish for Leslie Howard (USA) and Tic Tac, who took the top prize. Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Zara Leandra were victorious in the $33,000 West Canadian Cup 1.50m.
The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments continue next week with the ‘North American’ Tournament CSI 5* on July 3-7. It will feature the $140,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby and the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
There were 32 entries in the $100,000 ESSO Challenge 1.60m CSI-W, and they were jumping over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Canada. There were seven clears in the first round and it led to an exciting jump-off.
Conor Swail (IRL) and Martha Louise were the first to go in the competition and in the jump-off. They had eight faults in 45.44 seconds and finished in seventh place. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito had one rail down in 41.52 seconds and took sixth place.
Christine McCrea (USA) and Zerly were the first to go double clear. They stopped the timers in 40.70 seconds, which would hold up for second place.
McCrea was very pleased with how Zerly reacted to today’s competition. “She’s a little bit inexperienced at that level, so I was really happy with how she held her brain together,” she noted. “She just jumped the jumps and didn’t overreact about anything. She has a tendency to take over. She really wants to do her job and get to the next jump, so it was nice that she was so rideable.”
In a weird twist of timing, the next two riders barely made it into the jump-off. Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Southwind VDL and Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Powerplay went one after the other in the first round and both finished on exactly 82.00 seconds, which was the time allowed. Since the time is only recorded to the hundredth place, they both advanced.
Foster and Southwind VDL were clear as well in the jump-off, but a slower time of 45.26 seconds slotted them into fourth place. Lamaze and Powerplay were just faster in 41.19 seconds and they finished in third place.
Lamaze was very happy with how Powerplay has advanced in the three weeks of showing that they have been together. “I really feel that Spruce Meadows is a great venue to make up a horse,” he said. “A horse always leaves here a better horse. My horse did some big classes with Pius Schwizer before. This was for me to get used to the horse. I do believe that this horse has even gotten better just with competing here and jumping at this venue with these types of fences. My horse for sure has improved.”
Last year’s ESSO Challenge winners, Ashlee Bond (USA) and Cadett 7, were next in the jump-off, but it was not to be two in a row for them. They had four faults in 40.32 seconds and finished fifth.
Howard and Tic Tac, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Clinton x Darco owned by Jane Clark, had the prime position as last to go in the jump-off. They made a very quick turn back from fences two to three and from there, went on to stay smooth and quick. They finished clear in 39.22 seconds for the win.
Howard said this was the fastest she has ever gone with Tic Tac and that the course was nice for her. “You could keep one gallop, outside of the one turn after the in-and-out, which did get sloppy for me. But it was a nice course. There was no place where you had to really fly. Well, I sort of did to the last jump!” she laughed.
With more speed over the first three jumps on course, that’s where Howard felt she made up time. She pointed out, “I thought he was beautiful one to three. What was so nice was that he was so with me in the turn to the wall, and then over the wall, I just told him where the next jump was. He really locked into it like radar. There was never a question that he didn’t know where he was going.”
Howard and Tic Tac have not been paired together for long, and she has worked on his rideability and consistency. Agreeing with Lamaze, Howard felt that since Tic Tac has been showing at Spruce Meadows, it has “really been an upward path every day.”
She continued, “He’s scopey, careful, and getting nicer and nicer to ride all the time. He’s a great competitor. When he goes in the ring, he tries harder than he does outside the ring, which is the biggest quality of a show horse. It was just getting to know his moves and he had to know my moves. He has a little bit of a tricky mouth, and now it’s actually fine. The training was what was the little chink that was missing.”
Howard also mentioned that Tic Tac’s “biggest asset” is his soundness. She explained, “In our sport, the biggest problem we all have is that we’re asking these athletes to perform at the top of their level every time we walk in the ring and you need an incredibly strong animal, and he is that.”
With a win today, Howard gained points to qualify for the FEI World Cup Finals. “Obviously I’d love to go. I haven’t been in probably 10 years. I’m starting to pack my bags!” she said with a smile.
Barrios Takes Less Risk for the Reward
The $33,000 West Canadian Cup 1.50m had 42 entries, and 15 were clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Coming into the ring tenth in the jump-off order, Barrios knew there were no totally clear rounds. The best at that point was Jos Verlooy (BEL) on Farfelu de la Pomme, who had one time fault in 44.80 seconds, which would hold up for fourth place.
Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra
Barrios and Zara Leandra, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Metropole x Ahorn owned by ZL Group Inc., took the outside track to the final line, which had a double combination to a large oxer. They finished clear in 41.12 seconds for the win.
Barrios related, “I was pretty much at the end, so I really tried to go clean and not take too much risk to place in the top three, or for sure in the top five.”
Second place went to Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Everly Chin de la Pomme, who were clear and just slower in 41.32 seconds. Paolo Amilibia (ESP) and Notre Star de la Nutria were third with a clear round in 43.21 seconds.
Barrios was very happy with Zara Leandra’s performance today since she had not felt as comfortable for the past two weeks at Spruce Meadows. He explained, “The mare is really good and she really was struggling in the last two weeks. I think I made a mistake and put her in the big grand prix the first week. She’s only nine. She’s capable to do it, but she really got impressed. She didn’t jump bad, but she started to jump a little worried on the back rails. Finally today I got some tips from friends that helped me a lot. She jumped really different today.”
Barrios has ridden Zara Leandra just over a year and they have had top wins in Wellington and Kentucky. “I love her. She’s very simple. She’s quick and is a very smart horse,” he said.
Barrios said his position in the jump-off suited his plan, as he didn’t want to go all out. “I didn’t want to take too much risk,” he acknowledged. “There was an inside turn to the double, but I didn’t see it necessary to do it, especially with no clears before me. I’m happy and I told my groom that this was one of those times when it’s your time to win. That was a slow jump-off for me and we won. Sometimes you go so fast and you place fifth.”
The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments continue on July 3-7 with the ‘North American.’ For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
Pablo Barrios won Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic with Zara Leandra at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and currently leads the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Photo: Rebecca Walton/PMG.
Lexington, KY – May 11, 2013 – Pablo Barrios has taken an early lead in the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Barrios took home the top spot during Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. The Venezuelan native rode Zara Leandra to a dominating first place finish with a double clear effort in 38.258 seconds.
Richie Moloney is holding the second place position in the standings after claiming the second place award on Thursday aboard Slieveanorra. Olympian Margie Engle is currently ranked third in the standings after she went double clear with her veteran mount Indigo to earn the third place honors.
The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long series of seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the series will receive a $50,000 Leading Rider Award, presented during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. The second event in the series will be next Thursday during the Kentucky Spring Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse for more than 130 years.
The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour ambulance and emergency services, and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.
Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.
For more information about the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit http://hagyard.com.
Lexington, KY – May 9, 2013 – The 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series kicked off with a big win for Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra during the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Topping an 11-horse jump-off at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, the duo made a dash for the cash that was uncatchable with a double clear effort in 38.258 seconds. Ireland’s Richie Moloney was right on his heels with Slieveanorra to claim second, while Margie Engle and Indigo took home the third place award.
The first round of tonight’s event proved very difficult with a triple bar, an open water that scored the pole and the tape, a vertical-oxer double combination, a vertical-vertical double combination, and an oxer-oxer double combination. Only 11 of the original 46 entries were able to master the track without fault. Eventual winner Pablo Barrios stated, “I think it was a pretty tough course; it was tougher than I thought. I think the combinations that were clear were good combinations. The distance to the open water was difficult and the rail was very close to the take-off. That was a little difficult for the horses, because there was a lot of space between the rail and the tape. The double after the water was also difficult. You really needed your horse to be really careful.”
For the tiebreaker, riders had to start over a large oxer and then gallop to a single vertical, before making their way toward the line with the vertical-oxer double combination and making a sharp roll back to a wall fence. They finished over a single vertical coming towards the gate to a wide oxer.
Margie Engle and Indigo
Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, was the pathfinder over the short course with her veteran mount Indigo, owned by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek, and Gladewinds. They had a more conservative time going early in the order, leaving all the rails in place and breaking the beam at 42.273 seconds, which was good enough for third place.
“We still have Sunday to go, so I was just planning on going kind of neat, just smooth and try and go clear without getting too crazy,” explained Engle. “I just wanted to try and have a double clean round.”
Engle was bested by the next duo on course, Richie Moloney riding Slieveanorra for Equinimity LLC of Wellington, FL. Despite having a break between the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, the pair was right on the pace, slicing turns and galloping across the ring. The careful mount left all the fences intact and stopped the clock at 38.847 to earn the second place honors.
“Slieveanorra is a careful horse,” stated Moloney. “He’s quite sensitive so you kind of have to sit as quietly as you can. He’s had six weeks off now so he was looking at things a little bit because he hasn’t been in the ring that much lately. He felt good after his break though. I was planning to be as quick as I could, but to the last jump I think I could have done one less stride. I was happy him with him since he’s just back in the ring this week. He was in good form.”
Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra
Moloney’s lead over Engle was short lived when Barrios and Zara Leandra, owned by the ZL Group of Wellington, FL, entered the arena. Making a sharp turn after the combination, and opening his mount’s stride to the last oxer, Barrios jumped to the top of the leader board with a time 38.258 seconds to eventually claim the victory.
“The jump-off was great; it had everything: turns and space to gallop and go fast,” noted Barrios. “I think Richard was testing everything. I caught a very nice path from the double combination to the wall. I got there at a sharp angle to help win the class.”
Barrios continued, “Zara Leandra is a super horse. I’ve had her for exactly one year; last year she won the eight-year-old class the first week here. She’s shown that she has a lot of quality and scope. I think this is the best horse I have ever had. She’s only nine years old, but I think she is going to be very good. Yesterday she was a little heavy; she may have had too much rest, but with these two weeks she should get back in shape and ready for Spruce Meadows. I have very big hopes for her.”
“Zara Leandra is very easy,” added Barrios. “When the horses are good they have a lot of instincts, they are very smart. She knows what she is doing. I’ve never had a horse this smart or clever. She has good technique and scope; I think she has everything. I have big hopes to do the World Equestrian Games with her next year.”
Three other combinations had clear rounds but were unable to catch Barrios’ time. Angel Karolyi and Indiana 127, owned by Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, SC, placed fourth, followed by Schuyler Riley and Waterloo, owned by Michael Meller of Tiverton, RI in fifth, and Derek Braun was the slowest of the clear’s aboard Cyraneiky, owned by Split Rock Farm of Wellington, FL.
Kent Farrington had a single rail with each of his mounts, Zafira owned by Haity McNerney of Lake Forest, IL and Venus owned by Raylyn Farms of Frederick, MD, to finish seventh and ninth respectively. Blythe Marno took home the eighth place award after having a four fault score aboard Urban, owned by Riverwiew Farm of Franklin, TN. Engle and her second mount Celena Z, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, had eight faults for tenth, while a refusal and a rail saw Victor Segovia and Romeo, owned by The Romeo Group of Wellington, FL, round out the top eleven.
Tonight’s class marked the start of the Hagyard Challenge Series, which features seven grand prix events throughout the spring and summer where riders can compete for valuable points toward the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Barrios, who has previously won the award. “I love showing in Kentucky. I think the bonus is a good incentive for the riders. It’s always nice to finish the summer with a big check in your pocket.”
Barrios concluded, “I want to thank my team; I have a very good team. My grooms and the group that works with me have been very supportive this last year and I think I am getting back to where I was before.”
The jumper action at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show will continue tomorrow with the 1.45m Open Jumpers and the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers in the Rolex Stadium. This week’s highlight events also include Saturday morning’s $20,000 Bluegrass Classic and the $75, 000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Wellington, FL – July 26, 2011 – G&C Farm and rider Pablo Barrios have continued their summer tour with victory and strong performances at major CSI five star competitions across Europe, including a win at the Global Champions Tour event in Chantilly, France. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.
Barrios piloted G&C Quick Star 11 to the win in the Prix France Galop 1.50m speed class in Chantilly. The pair posted a time of 66.34 seconds for the win over Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) on AD Wilbert Z and Leopold van Asten (NED) with VDL Groep Amelie.
This was the second win for the pair on the Global Champions Tour circuit this summer. G&C Quick Star 11 is a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus. “Quick Star has been so solid and consistent this year,” Barrios said. “We are very happy with her and want to keep her strong and ready for the Pan American Games this fall.”
Barrios was very pleased to have posted another win at a five star show. “Winning never gets old,” he said with a smile. “Just being at these shows gives me a lot of knowledge and experience. I hope we can continue our success.”
Wellington, FL – June 16, 2011 – G&C Farm has started their summer tour with success at CSI 5* shows across Europe. Olympian Pablo Barrios, currently ranked 27th in the world, was a class winner at the Global Champions Tour in Cannes, France and has been in the ribbons at major competitions. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.
Gustavo Mirabal stated, “It has been a fantastic summer tour in Europe for G&C Farm. It is important for us to jump in five-star shows and in the Global Champions Tour. It is the first time ever that a rider from Venezuela has competed at these shows, and we are very proud to represent our country with the fantastic results that we have received so far. It was such a great feeling to hear the national anthem and see the Venezuelan flag raised in Cannes!”
In their most recent show in Cannes, G&C Farm posted a victory. Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11, a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus, won the Prix Generali (1.50m). The class was a qualifier for the grand prix. Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 returned in the jump-off to go double clear in a speedy time of 36.20 seconds, almost one second faster than the next three competitors.
Olympic show jumping veteran Pablo Barrios and junior jumper champion Daniela Stransky have more than their native Venezuela, their homes in Palm Beach, horses and riding in common. Hector Florentino of Stransky Mission Farm at Le Club Wellington has asked the duo to be Godparents for his and his wife Eve De Lengaigne’s first child, a daughter due this summer.
Wellington, FL – March 5, 2011 – The $35,000 Hermès Puissance was the highlight event on Saturday night, and it was an exciting show of power and scope. Pablo Barrios (VEN) was the winner after he cleared the 7’3″ puissance wall with G&C Quivola, owned by Gustavo Mirabal.
The FTI WEF’s eighth week of competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, concludes on Sunday, March 6. The Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic will be held on Sunday followed by the $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSIO 4* at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.
The class started with seven entries, and all were clear in the first round. Seventh place went to Andre Thieme (GER) and Aragon Rouet, owned by Stal Hendrix when they faulted in the first jump-off with the wall at 6 feet (1.83 meters).
Three riders knocked the blocks off the top of the wall, which was set at 6’6″ (1.95m), in the second jump-off. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Traffic Boy, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, Aaron Vale (USA) and KAP LLC’s Charmer, and Benjamin Meredith (AUS) with Raylyn Farms Inc.’s Charme Z all tied for fourth place.
G&C Farm Starts the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival with Success
Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – G&C Farm started out the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival with a variety of success, including victory in the $40,000 Surpass Grand Prix, CSI 2* during week 3 for Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.
Gustavo Mirabal said, “We were extremely pleased with the start of the WEF circuit. All of the horses have been extremely consistent, and we are happy with our younger horses that are stepping up and placing in these competitive classes. Pablo’s win in the grand prix last Saturday was fantastic!”
Mirabal added, “We look forward to competing in the upcoming weeks, especially in the CSIO week.”
G&C Farm is the title sponsor of week 8 of the FTI WEF, the CSIO week, and the presenting sponsor of the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday, March 4. Barrios, who is currently ranked number 26 in the FEI ROLEX world rankings, will be the anchor of the Venezuelan team in the Nations Cup.
