Stephen Barcha and Ad Jacpote rode to the top of the Wellington Turf Tour $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix leader board. Photo by Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group.
Wellington, FL – March 7, 2014 – Sometimes it can be hard for young riders to find backers, but famed equestrian Nelson Pessoa was happy to step up to the plate with 23-year-old Stephen Barcha. The talented Brazilian rode Ad Jacpote to the first place finish in the Wellington Turf Tour 1.40m Grand Prix at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. They swept away the competition with a brilliant jump off in 34.115 seconds.
Out of a field of 50 riders, only 12 were able to traverse the short course and ride to a double clear effort. Brazil was heating up throughout the day with Rodrigo Pessoa paving the trail in 38.258 seconds with Tinkabell. Judy Garafalo Torres and Qualtro Queen slid ahead for a moment with their time of 38.103 seconds, but their reign was short lived as Darrin Dilin set time to beat with Martha Louise, owned by Susan Grange. Dilin rode to the speedy time of 37.168 seconds, while also riding second mount Ariana to a double clear time of 38.890.
It was Joao Castro, a rider for Nelson Pessoa, who took over the pinnacle of the rankings with Quarelly. They finessed the track in a speedy 37.040 seconds-but it wouldn’t hold with over 30 riders remaining.
Charlie Jacobs and Leap of Joy cleared the first round and entered into the jump off with their eye on the prize. They navigated the serpentine of obstacles in a timely 35.697 seconds, more than a second ahead of Castro. It seemed as though they grasped the victory, but Nelson Pessoa had a secret weapon waiting at the in gate.
Stephen Barcha tore around the short track at an unbelievable pace, guiding Ad Jacpote, owned by Nelson Pessoa, through each turn and shaving the seconds. Jacobs had made the mistake of adding a stride to the final combination of the jump off, and Barcha used it to his advantage. With a large stride Barcha and Ad Jacpote consumed the turf and crossed the timers in 34.115 seconds. Their time would stand as no other contender could catch them.
“We came here to come and compete in a small class to jump fast, since he is not a very fast horse through the turns. It was a very good course, a very good place, and amazing grass,” Barcha said. “It was great to jump here. I appreciate this type of show where you can go and warm up, and utilize a large space.”
Barcha has been riding the 10-year-old stallion for the last year, and together that have worked to try to accomplish his dream of competing at the World Equestrian Games.
“Ad Jacpote is a good stallion; he is not too much in his head. He is brave, and is totally different stallion than any I have ever ridden in my life. Sometimes he is a little slow, and I think this type of class is very good for him so I can work with him on short turns. These types of shows also help me to prepare for the big classes,” Barcha commented.
Barcha continued, “We will come back next week with him, and another horse. The dream is to go to the World Equestrian Games. I think I have to work a lot to train. After Wellington I am going to Europe to train and compete in larger classes. It is a big dream, but I am willing to work to make it happen. All dreams require work.”
Nelson stood proudly ringside as he discussed the round with Barcha.
“He is a young rider from Brazil, and about six months ago we decided to come here and continue to train for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy. We are constantly working to move to a higher level,” Nelson explained. “This is a super class. I didn’t know about it before, it is wonderful. It is nice to come and jump on the grass, it is better for the horses, and it helps to prepare them for other shows where they will compete on the grass.”
Week X of The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will be held at the spectacular Valiente Polo facility in the Wellington Preserve. This Wednesday and Friday will mark the first time the prestigious venue will open its gates for show jumping. Get your entries in now for the 1.30m-1.35m Jumper classes to be held on Wednesday, March 12, as well as the $15,000 Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix on Friday, March 14.
Riders should get their entries in to avoid post-entry fees. The stakes are increasing each week as top riders, amateur and professional, vie for their invitation into the $24,750 Invitational Grand Prix Series Finale Saturday, March 22, 2014.
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.
The Wednesday and Friday events will run from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching events. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire.
For more information, call (908) 500-0996 or download information at www.theridgefarm.com.
Show Net is onsite for all Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour events, capturing footage and providing live results for each class. For full results and videos, please visit: 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, Junior/Amateur-Owner, Child/Adult and Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers rated Equitation Shows every Tuesday from January – March 2014. 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.
Where:
Valiente Polo
11506 Wellington Preserve Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414
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
Text: (908) 500-0996
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264?ref=ts&fref=ts.
Management:
Nona Garson
14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd. East
Wellington, FL, 33414
(561) 791-1471 (show office)
(908) 839-3859 (show cell)
(561) 791-1543 (show fax)
Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com