Wellington, FL, March 13, 2013 – Week ten of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Horseware Ireland, featured the $33,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45 speed class on Wednesday with a win for Germany’s Johannes Ehning and Cayenne 162. Earning points on the Longines FEI world ranking list, the pair won over Alise Oken (USA) riding Kaid Du Ry and Beezie Madden (USA) aboard Mademoiselle, with a lightning fast round.
Week ten’s FTI WEF competition will run March 13-17 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) featuring CSI 3* competition. Highlights include the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 on Thursday, the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $82,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 3* Grand Prix on Saturday, and the $33,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. The $35,000 G&C Farm Puissance will be on Friday night at 6 p.m. at The Stadium at PBIEC. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week ten. Petersen set the speed track for 39 entries in Wednesday’s highlight FEI 1.45m class sponsored by Spy Coast Farm. The challenging course saw nine clear rounds.
Third in the order, Alise Oken was the first rider to clear the course aboard Hi Hopes Farm LLC’s Marcus Quintus and held the lead through a large part of the class with her time of 61.51 seconds. Nineteen rounds later, Beezie Madden and Abigail Wexner’s Mademoiselle stole the lead in 59.35 seconds. Two rounds after that, Oken returned aboard her second mount, Hi Hopes Farm LLC’s Kaid Du Ry, to reclaim her top spot with an even faster 58.92 seconds. They would both be beat a few rounds later when Johannes Ehning and Winley Farm LLC’s Cayenne 162 breezed through the timers in 58.87 seconds for the win.
Oken and Kaid Du Ry eventually finished second with Madden and Mademoiselle third. Japan’s Eiken Sato and Stephex Stables’ Viva jumped into the fourth position in 60.12 seconds, and Oken’s time with Markus Quintus placed fifth.
Cayenne 162, a ten-year-old Westphalian mare by Cornet Obolensky x Gonfaron, is a top speed horse for Ehning. The pair has had several good finishes in the last few weeks in Wellington and today was finally their day for a win.
“I think I am really lucky; I have a really fast horse and I had a few classes already where she was second and third,” Ehning noted. “We went today and we were really lucky to win it. I think you could not do so much in the course; you just needed a really fast horse, so it was a good round me and for my horse. We were successful.”
“I have brought her with me three years now to America and I think she really likes it here,” Ehning stated. “In the end of last year I was in Abu Dhabi with her on the Global Champions Tour and she placed in all three classes. She was second in a big class and the first day she won a class. She feels really good outside in big arenas.”
Commenting on Cayenne’s style, Ehning detailed, “She is crazy, but she is easy in the course. That is the easiest thing, to ride her in the course. With dressage work and warm-up it is difficult, but in the course she is doing her job all of the time. She likes to go fast and she is super careful. The quality is unbelievable from her.”
This will be Ehning’s last week in Wellington as he leaves on Monday, but he has enjoyed his time and was happy to get a win to kick off the final few days.
“I really like it here,” he smiled. “This year we only did three weeks here. Normally we do four or five weeks. We always want to come, but we are normally only able to do it every second year, but in the beginning of this year we decided to come for three weeks because it is really lovely.”
Ehning was also happy to get the win in the final class on Wednesday as he finished second in both of the classes held earlier in the day. In the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off, Sarah Segal and Horatio St. Ventures’ Tilghman and Cian O’Connor and Mary Chapot’s Zealous were both winners in a split class. Ehning and Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG’s Appearance 2 and Todd Minikus aboard Karen Polle’s Udonnay Z were each second. In the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m jump-off, Alexandra Paillot guided Carol Sollak’s Brooklyn Blues to the win. Ehning and Appearance 2 were once again second.
Week ten of the FTI WEF will continue on Thursday with the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 in the International Arena at 1 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm earned the High Performance Working Hunter Reserve Championship during WEF IX. Photo By: Emily Riden/PMG.
Wellington, FL – March 13, 2013 – Nordic Lights Farm was once again at the top of the standings during the ninth week of the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival. Peter Pletcher kicked things off with the reserve championship award during the High Performance Working Hunters aboard NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm. Eirin Bruheim then showcased her new mounts NLF Newsflash and NLF Billy On Show in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Lauren Hough concluded the week by qualifying for the jump-off during the $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Jumper Classic with Tackeray, and eventually placed eighth.
Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm have earned leading hunter awards at the nation’s top events, and Week Nine of the Winter Equestrian Festival proved to be no exception. Competing in the Gold Coast Feed High Performance Working Hunters, they picked up a second and third place ribbon over fences, as well as second place ribbon in the stake class and a fourth place ribbon in the handy class. Their efforts in the ring were honored with the division’s reserve championship tricolor.
“NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythym was really good,” noted Pletcher. “He hadn’t done the High Performance in almost as year because I was just showing him in the 3’6″ Performance Hunters, but he seemed to be getting a bit bored. I thought it might be a good strategic plan for the up-and-coming derbies. We’re in Houston now, gearing up for the USHJA International Hunter Derby events during Pin Oak and Spring Gathering.”
Eirin Bruheim and NLF Newsflash competed in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers during WEF IX. Photo By: SportFot
Eirin Bruheim and her newest mount NLF Newsflash made their competition debut this week in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Competing in the speed class, they jumped each fence without fault and raced through the timers in 67.317 seconds to claim the third place award. Bruheim also competed with NLF Billy on Show in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers. The pair produced a double clear effort, completing the jump-off in 37.349 seconds for the sixth place honors. Bruheim and her veteran ride NLF Trans Atlantic represented Nordic Lights Farm in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers, where they were also double clear for the seventh place ribbon.
“It was an excellent week for me and my horses,” expressed Bruheim. “I finally started showing NLF Newsflash. He ended up third in the Medium AO Jumpers, which I though was great for our first week together. I showed NLF Billy on Show in the Medium AOs as well, and we were double clear in the first class and made it to the jump-off in the Classic. Next week he’ll be ready to do the Highs! NLF Trans Atlantic was also very good and he gets the next week off to bathe in the Florida sun. Overall, I am so happy with the way my string of horses is shaping up. I have some amazing mounts and it is always a joy to show them!”
Olympian Lauren Hough wrapped up the weekend for Nordic Lights Farm riding Tackeray in the $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Jumper Classic. The pair was clear over Steve Stephen’s technical first round track to advance to the tiebreaker. They incurred eight faults during the speed round, which was good enough for the eighth place prize.
Nordic Lights Farm will continue showing at the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Bruheim and Hough will compete in the jumper divisions with their talented mounts, and Pletcher will return to the derby ring with NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm later in the season.
Nordic Lights Farm is a 70-acre establishment located in Tomball, TX, that was founded in 2007 by the Bruheim family to help further the equestrian goals of 20-year-old Eirin Bruheim and 18-year-old Lene Bruheim. Both girls have worked their way up through the ranks and are currently competing at the top levels in the hunter and jumper divisions aboard their incredible string of horses.
Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Without Question and Madison Arani Leave No Doubt in Pine Hollow Low Children’s Hunter 2’6″ Division
Wellington, FL, March 10, 2013 – Twenty-one-year-old Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, guided Stone Hill Farm’s Vindicat W to the winning round in Sunday’s $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic to conclude week nine of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies. Showing on a beautiful afternoon at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, Springsteen topped a field of great riders, including her trainer, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut.
Fifty-two entries jumped Sunday’s 1.50m course set by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, with ten advancing to the jump-off. First to go in the second round, Jessica Springsteen and Vindicat W were unbeatable. They cleared the course in 41.36 seconds. Two entries were faster but had rails down. Only two others were clear over the short course.
Kent Farrington (USA) and Haity McNerney’s Zafira cleared the course in 41.53 seconds to finish in second. Third place went to Darragh Kerins (IRL) and E-Muze Yek, owned by Kerins and Maarten Huygens, with a time of 44.80 seconds. The fastest four-fault round belonged to Japan’s Eiken Sato aboard Stephex Stables’ Norlam des Estisses in 41.04 seconds.
Springsteen purchased Vindicat W, an eleven-year-old KWPN gelding by Guidam x Libero H, just after this summer’s Olympic Games in London where he was the mount for Peter Charles in the British team’s gold medal win. Springsteen tried Vindicat in August and the pair immediately clicked and showed for the first time together at the Washington International Horse Show in October.
“He has been amazing,” Springsteen smiled. “He is the only horse that I have ever gotten and clicked with right away. He is strong; he has a lot of blood and a lot of energy, so I thought we might have a little trouble in the ring keeping under control, but he is so nice to ride and he listens so well. He is so easy to jump a clear round on. You just have to get him to the fence and let him do his thing. He has been unbelievable and I am so happy.”
The pair got their first win together in the $15,000 RCG Farm SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic during week six in Wellington and Sunday’s class, a Longines FEI world ranking event with an $82,000 purse, was their best performance to date.
“It is definitely one of the biggest wins for me,” Springsteen stated. “It is hard because there are always so many people in the class and so many amazing riders that are so fast. Even after I went today I was like, ‘Okay, I was fast, but there is still McLain and Lauren (Hough) and Kent who are like lightning,’ so I thought I definitely would get beaten, but he was amazing and I was lucky today.”
Currently in her junior year at Duke University in North Carolina, Springsteen is juggling school with riding and has not been able to show quite as much, but feels that she is balancing things well.
“I really wanted to go to college and get that experience, so I am happy,” she acknowledged. “I am lucky that I have horses that I can really trust and that are so amazing and so brave, so it’s not really too difficult. I’ll get frustrated with myself if I make a mistake or don’t go clear, but then I have to remember that everyone else is here riding every day and I’m not. I love school, so I wouldn’t have done it any other way.”
Without Question and Madison Arani Leave No Doubt in Pine Hollow Low Children’s Hunter 2’6″ Division
Madison Arani, of Dover, MA, piloted Without Question to tricolor honors during the final day of competition for week nine of the FTI WEF. The pair was champion of the Pine Hollow Low Children’s Hunter 2’6″ Division after placing first over fences on day one followed by second place finishes under saddle and over fences day two. Reserve honors went to Sweet Addiction, owned by Sarah Sturges and ridden by Haylee Jerkins. Jerkins and Sweet Addiction were sixth over fences on day one followed by a third place finish under saddle and a blue ribbon over fences on day two.
Without Question, a 17-year-old Bayerisches mare owned by Ponies & Palms Show Stables, LLC, has been Arani’s beloved partner for the last three years. “She was a big time show horse [before I leased her] but then she was hurt. We decided it would be worth a shot to try her [for less demanding divisions] and it worked out! It’s our third year leasing her and she’s just the best,” Arani explained.
Without Question happily settled in to her new career path with Arani, who has competed her in 3′ divisions until recently. “As she’s gotten older, it got to be a little too much for her so we stick to the 2’6″ divisions. But she’s always happy to go in the ring,” Arani commented.
Arani appreciates Without Question’s forgiving and constantly happy nature, which is one of many attributes to which she credits their show ring success. “You can go around and chip every jump and she’ll still go around ears forward and happy. She’s so easy to find the jumps on and she always jumps each jump the same,” Arani described.
At age 12, Arani successfully juggles a full schedule of showing at FTI WEF and going to school. “It’s definitely hard. We come down here on the weekends and sometimes do homework while we show. Then we leave Sunday night to go back to school, so it can be very hard getting up on Monday!” Arani smiled.
Arani’s commute from New England to Wellington doesn’t leave her with much prep time before she heads in the ring. “Since we’re only down here for the weekends, I’m lucky to have such a great horse that I can just get on and she’s perfect,” Arani stated.
Without Question stays in Wellington year-round with Arani’s other horses and her trainer, Leslie Emerson. Arani eagerly awaits the FTI WEF each year to reunite with her horses and fellow competitors. “I love coming to Florida to see my horses and enjoy the weather,” Arani continued. “It’s so nice to be here and exciting to down and see my friends I horse show with and to see my horses. It makes it even more fun!”
Arani’s victory aboard Without Question marked the end of hunter competition for week nine of the FTI WEF, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies. Week ten, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, runs March 13-17, 2013 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Lillie Keenan Tops Sam Edelman Equitation Championship Riding Levistano 2; Lauren Henry Triumphs in Equitation 15-17 Division aboard Esteban La Paz
Wellington, FL, March 9, 2013 – Saturday night’s $300,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 5*, presented by The Bainbridge Companies, was an incredible display of world-class talent as Germany’s Daniel Deusser, Brazil’s Alvaro de Miranda, and Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Nick Skelton topped an all-star cast during the highlight event for week nine of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF).
Forty-five entries showed in the prestigious World Cup qualifier jumping a course set by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. Representatives from 14 different countries competed, including an impressive 20 riders that have appeared in Olympic Games for their home nations. In a thrilling race against the clock, eight of the world’s best made it to the jump-off and four jumped double clear.
Ben Maher and Jane Clark’s Cella were the first pair to clear the jump-off course and set the leading time at a lightning fast 40.12 seconds. Nick Skelton was up next with his great mount Big Star, owned by Beverly Widdowson. They cleared the course in 41.01 seconds. Alvaro de Miranda and AD Rahmannshof’s Bogeno, owned by Miranda and Victory Equestrian BV, went next and stopped the clock in 40.46 seconds. Their round was followed by a stellar performance from Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour, owned by Stephex Stables and Pedro Veniss. They flew through the course in 38.94 seconds to earn top prize. Maher and Cella finished second, de Miranda and AD Rahmannshof’s Bogeno were third, and Skelton and Big Star placed fourth.
Watch an interview with winning rider, Daniel Deusser
Daniel Deusser has ridden Cornet d’Amour, a ten-year-old Westphalian gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Damiani, for ten months since he began riding for Stephex Stables in Belgium last May. After a couple of months off and a 1.40m class at a national show in Germany, the pair traveled to Wellington this winter and jumped right in with week eight’s Nations Cup.
“I was doubting that it was maybe a little too quick to start with the Nations Cup last week, but he came in that ring and he felt fantastic,” Deusser stated. “He jumped double clear in the Nations Cup and was third in the class Thursday and he wins now, so I think he did a really good job.”
Commenting on the class, Deusser noted, “The beginning of the class we didn’t have too many clear rounds, but at the end we had very good riders and very good horses. The quality of the horses and riders in the jump-off was really good and they started very fast. For me there was no choice; I had to try it and we were a little bit lucky and it worked out today.”
“I saw that the jump-off was really fast,” Deusser detailed. “I saw Nick just before I went in and he did eight strides to the last fence. I thought that it was really long, but at the beginning I already had a really good turn from one to two and really kept the triple bar on the inside. Then also to the double vertical I had a really good turn. I had already a really long distance to the second to last fence and I thought ‘Okay, I’m going to do the eight.’ It was risky and my horse helped me a lot; I think that was the reason I was actually faster.”
The packed house of over 6,000 spectators at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) went wild when Deusser galloped through the timers, but he was very focused.
“When I went to the last fence I was actually a little bit scared that I couldn’t make it, so I didn’t actually listen to the crowd, but it was a nice feeling afterwards,” Deusser laughed. “It’s one of the best competitions I’ve won so far. It was very good money and in the moment; it is one of my best results.”
Along with prize money, Deusser was also awarded the Herman ‘Kappy’ Kaplan Perpetual Memorial Trophy, established for Kappy with fondness by the Farriers of the 1995 WEF.
Finishing second, Ben Maher did everything he could in his round and was pleased with the results. He spoke about the quality of the class and the excitement of the competition.
“Every week the jump-offs get faster and faster,” Maher noted. “It looked for a long time like there wouldn’t be many clear rounds tonight and then there were a lot at the end of the class. I think probably some of the fastest horses there are anywhere right now are all here in the same jump-off. For me, I was third in the jump-off, so I had to do everything possible to make the others chase us, which is what we did. We held on for as long as we could and in the end one managed to catch us. All the horses jumped great and it was an exciting round.”
“The jump-off was not too many options, again. It always tends to be a little like that in Florida,” Maher remarked. “There’s a lot of galloping. I don’t know where I could have gone any faster unless I left a jump out. Daniel was amazing. He was in a great position and he had nothing to lose. There were three or four of us all within the same second, so if he didn’t do what he did, he was only going to be fifth anyway. Congratulations to him; he pulled off an amazing jump-off tonight.”
Alvaro de Miranda had his best result of the circuit this evening and was happy with his horse as well.
“I was very happy to be in the jump-off,” he acknowledged. “We have been trying every week and I’ve had one down and down and down and finally today I was really happy because I think I had a good round and my horse was jumping super. We had the fastest horses in the jump-off and when I came out and I saw that I was quicker than Big Star but slower than Ben, I was happy.”
Lillie Keenan Tops Sam Edelman Equitation Championship Riding Levistano 2
The Sam Edelman Equitation Championship was held over two rounds on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC earlier on Saturday. Twenty-eight entries showed over the first round course set by Skip Bailey of Wellington, FL. The top 15 then returned for a second round. Performances were judged by Tucker Ericson and Ken Smith.
Top young rider Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, rode Heritage Farm Inc.’s Levistano 2, an eleven-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Levisto x Lord, to the Sam Edelman victory. The pair topped both rounds of competition with back to back scores of 89 for an unbeatable 178 point total.
Keenan has been showing ‘Levi’ since the beginning of the FTI WEF circuit and has had several wins with him in the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, ASPCA Maclay and Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal classes. Keenan explained that they have meshed well from the beginning and that although she had never ridden him on the grass until Saturday’s class, she was never worried.
“He had been schooled on the grass before with one of the trainers at Heritage, so I knew that he had already done it,” Keenan noted. “He doesn’t care about natural obstacles and really is brave so that is very helpful going into that ring, knowing your horse wants to go around.”
“I really like those classes,” Keenan added. “I like the galloping and I think that is a really fun type of class for the equitation because it still is testing your ability with the adjustments and it is kind of a stepping stone towards the jumpers, but it is in a really big ring, galloping around a field.”
Keenan and Levi won well over second place finishers Allison Toffolon and Class Action’s total of 170 from an 84 in round one and an 86 in round two. Third place went to Sydney Shulman and Back Country Farm’s Eli, who scored 85 and 83 for a 168 point total. Anna Cardelfe and Ulrich, owned by Gray Horse Farm Hamptons LLC, finished fourth on 167.5 with scores of 83 and 84.5.
Heritage Farm’s head trainer Andre Dignelli coached the top two finishers, Keenan and Toffolon. For the win, he was presented with a special $10,000 Trainer’s Award. Keenan credited Dignelli and the rest of the team at Heritage for the parts they played in her victory.
“Andre rode my horse this morning, so he gets all the credit for the preparation,” she smiled. “I could not ask for a better team. There is Andre and it is also everyone else at Heritage. Without them I would not have won. Going in there and knowing that everything has been done to make sure that you have the opportunity to win and now it is just your job to pull it through, it puts on the pressure, but also it is a really good feeling. I give all the credit to Andre and everyone at Heritage – and the horse.”
Lauren Henry Triumphs in Equitation 15-17 Division aboard Esteban La Paz
Lauren Henry, of North Kingstown, RI, rode her own Esteban La Paz to championship honors in the Equitation 15-17 during week nine of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Henry and Esteban La Paz, a fourteen-year-old Hanoverian gelding, were third under saddle and jumped to first and fourth place over fences. Reserve honors went to Maggie Savoie and her own Ksenyio. The pair won the under saddle class before placing third and seventh over fences.
Esteban La Paz stepped up to the plate for Henry last year when she was in search of a horse she could compete in 3’6″ equitation classes. The gelding was already Henry’s trusted mount for hunters and happily adjusted to the equitation ring.
“The first time we rode him, we just clicked,” Henry described. “Last year, I was doing hunters with him but when we changed him to equitation, he just loved it.”
“He can still do the hunters, too, but he’s too slow for the jumper ring,” Henry smiled. “He’s better at equitation because he likes to get in a frame more and he’s easier to ride that way as well.”
Henry credits her equitation success to Esteban La Paz’s striking markings and exceptional show ring attitude. “He’s got a big spot on his belly, which helps us stand out!” Henry smiled. “He jumps really well and when he’s on, he’s on! He and I just get along so well and he’s so much fun to ride.”
Henry was more than pleased with her gelding’s performance on Saturday and enjoyed the challenge of the courses laid out before her. “I thought both courses rode very well. Our first round went perfectly. The second round, he took a peek at the scoreboard which hurt our score, but he was still great. The bending line at the end of round two was a little challenging. We probably could have gotten five instead of six,” Henry commented.
2013 will mark Henry’s fifth year making the journey south for the FTI WEF, which she eagerly attends in search of high-caliber competition and, like many other competitors from the North, the Florida sunshine.
Hunter competition during week nine of the FTI WEF, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, will conclude Sunday with the Pine Hollow Low Children’s Hunter 2’6″ division hosted in Ring 8 of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic will be featured in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Sizzle and Lissa Brazeal Scorch the Competition in Adult Amateur 36-50 Section A Hunters
Wellington, FL, March 8, 2013 – Week nine’s CSI-W 5* competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Friday with a win for Lauren Hough (USA) and Ohlala in the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class, a Longines FEI world ranking event.
Week nine, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, runs March 6-10, 2013. The week will feature the $300,000 FEI World Cup CSI-W 5* presented by The Bainbridge Companies on Saturday evening, and the $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
In the feature G&C Farm 1.45m class on Friday, 63 entries showed over course designer Steve Stephens’ speed track with just nine clear rounds. The fastest time of 68.03 seconds for Lauren Hough and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala was the winner. The pair edged out McLain Ward (USA) and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild with their time of 68.51 seconds. Eiken Sato (JPN) and Stephex Stables’ Cita B finished third in 69.60 seconds.
Lauren Hough first began showing Ohlala, a nine-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare by Orlando x Cardento, in the young jumpers during last year’s FTI WEF. The pair went on to an astounding year and amassed wins all over the world.
“She is amazing,” Hough smiled. “I think last year I counted that she won over 15 ranking classes and she was best young horse at Aachen and best young horse in Hamburg. I gave her a long break after Holiday and Horses and this is her second show back and she feels great.”
Commenting on her lightning-fast round, Hough detailed, “With her, you don’t really count strides to be honest. She has her own rhythm. You’re not going to win by leaving strides out. Once you just set her on her pace, she is allergic to wood and she makes my job really easy. She is just naturally a fast horse and she doesn’t spend a lot of time in the air. I am very privileged to have a horse that I think has a really bright future.”
“She enjoys winning,” Hough added. “She absolutely knows now what it’s about. She is a winner. She likes competing.”
Ohlala will have next week off and then Hough plans to show her in the grand prix during week eleven. On future plans, Hough explained, “I am not going to put any pressure on her. I believe she can jump the biggest classes, but I am going to let her tell me when she’s ready for that. She can sort of win at any level at this point. I am lucky to have such a great horse.”
Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, Christine McCrea added another victory to her week with a win in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class aboard Candy Tribble’s Ronaldo de la Pomme. In the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class, the win went to Alexandra Paillot and her horse Regina de Chamant.
Sizzle and Lissa Brazeal Scorch the Competition in Adult Amateur 36-50 Section A Hunters
Lissa Brazeal and her eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding Sizzle took home championship honors in the Adult Amateur 36-50 Section A Hunter division during week nine of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Brazeal, of Delray Beach, FL, and Sizzle were leading the division after day one of competition when the pair placed third under saddle and second and first over fences. Day two, the pair secured victory with a second place finish in the final over fences round. Reserve champion was Quintas, owned and ridden by Dawn Kelly.
Brazeal had a bumpy start to the second day of the division before making an incredible turn around in round two over fences. “Because we did well [Thursday], I walked into the ring thinking, ‘Oh, we could win this and be champion!’ Most of this is mental. You can’t psych yourself out like that and I did,” Brazeal stated matter-of-factly.
Brazeal’s well-grounded attitude made it easy for her to shrug off the minor setback before putting in a stellar second round performance with Sizzle. Brazeal credits the positive atmosphere her trainer, Amber Harte, maintains at the ring.
“I came out of the ring and Amber just said, ‘Let it go. I’m still proud of you. Just let it go and go do your next trip.’ With her, there’s nothing negative. She has a ‘this is how you fix it’ approach and is very positive,” Brazeal commented.
“It’s such a treat working with Amber and everyone at the barn because it’s such a team effort. I just recently started riding with her and I’ve never had anything like that before. Everything is so positive and happy. They set you up to be successful,” Brazeal continued.
Even more remarkable than Brazeal’s second round turn-around is her trusted mount, Sizzle. “He’s a seeing eye dog, literally. I’m legally blind. I see out of the ride side of my right eye a little bit, so he really is my eyes in the ring,” Brazeal revealed.
“He wants to do everything right and he wants to make you happy. He’s a very rare horse that truly aims to please. He always tries his best and wants to be perfect,” Brazeal described.
Sizzle’s intuition and forgiving nature make it easy for Brazeal to put her complete trust in him. “He knows what I’m going to do before I ask him to do it. He knows exactly what to do and he’s just really good. If I change my mind or make a mistake, he doesn’t punish me for it,” Brazeal explained.
Correction: Thursday’s hunter coverage of the Fumero Law Pre-Green Level 2 Hunters mistakenly identified Sophie and Brian Baldwin as the owners of division champion Lucador. Lucador is owned by Sophie Walker and Susan Gordon’s Sagamore Farm, Inc., and is trained by Brian Walker.
Week nine of the FTI WEF, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, continues Saturday with the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Over 35 Hunter division, hosted in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena of the PBIEC. The Sam Edelman Equitation Classic will be featured at The Stadium at PBIEC at 2 p.m. The International Arena will feature the $300,000 FEI World Cup CSI-W 5* presented by The Bainbridge Companies at 7 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Team of Porter, Pasmore, Garza and Reid Wins $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Team Event; Lucador and Peter Pletcher Victorious in Fumero Law Pre-Green Level 2 Hunters
Wellington, FL, March 7, 2013 – Christine McCrea (USA) and Candy Tribble’s Zerly beat an all-star international field in Thursday’s $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 during the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival’s (FTI WEF) CSI-W 5* week sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies. McCrea and Zerly won the largest portion of prize money in the richest purse ever offered in the 24-year history of the WEF Challenge Cup series over Olympic Gold Medalists Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star. Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour finished third.
Week nine runs March 6-10, 2013. The week will feature the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $300,000 FEI World Cup CSI-W 5* presented by The Bainbridge Companies on Saturday evening, and the $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week nine. In Thursday’s Challenge Cup competition, Stephens saw 84 entries jump his first round course and 31 competitors make it through to the jump-off. Twenty-eight riders representing six different countries returned for the tiebreaker after three entries opted out of the final round.
The USA’s Christine McCrea and Zerly raced to the win in 31.10 seconds, the fastest of 14 double clear rounds. The top five places were all separated by hundredths of a second.
Placing second, Nick Skelton and Beverly Widdowson’s Big Star finished in 31.25 seconds. Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour, owned by Stephex Stables and Pedro Veniss, clocked in at 31.43 seconds to place third. Daniel Bluman (COL) and Sancha LS completed the course in 31.44 seconds for fourth place honors and Laura Kraut (USA) and Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s Cedric were right behind them in 31.46 seconds to finish fifth.
Class winner, Zerly, is a nine-year-old KPWN mare by Querlybet Hero x Carthago. McCrea got Zerly last August and explained that she had watched the mare show a lot in Europe with her previous rider, American Andrew Ramsay. When Zerly came up for sale, McCrea jumped at the chance to buy her.
“Honestly, she is like a dreamboat,” McCrea praised. “She has a big stride, but she can make it very small. She can jump a really careful jump and she can jump the hugest jump. For me, she is everything.”
Commenting on this afternoon’s class, McCrea noted, “I never thought there would be 31 clear, but I think this is a big week and people have geared up for it. Everybody knows that this is the biggest money of the circuit this week, so I think everybody is coming here with their ‘A’ game. There are so many good horses and riders; you can’t underestimate anybody.”
“The course didn’t ride easy,” McCrea added. “I didn’t think it was small. I think the horses just jumped really well and the footing is good and there are really good horse and rider combinations here.”
Nick Skelton and Big Star were holding on to the lead in the jump-off when McCrea and Zerly entered the ring and just edged out their time. “I saw Nick go in the jump-off and I thought there was no way I could beat him, but she is very fast,” McCrea acknowledged. “I have no idea how I made the time. I flew from one to two. That is the only thing. The rest I am not really sure.”
McCrea was excited to get her first big win with Zerly, especially in Thursday’s big money class. “It is fantastic that they had this much prize money, especially when you have so many in the class,” she stated. “It is inspiring and we appreciate it.”
“I am thrilled,” she concluded. “She is only nine and this was my first big win with her. I just started in the grand prixs (with her) down here, so I am really excited.”
In addition to the winning check for $37,500 for the class, McCrea was also presented with $6,000 for the SSG “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. A $3,000 bonus is offered each week if the winning rider of the Challenge Cup class is wearing the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. The bonus went unclaimed during week eight, so McCrea won two weeks’ worth of bonus money. Zerly was also honored with the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award.
Team of Porter, Pasmore, Garza and Reid Wins $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Team Event
Thursday’s competition concluded in the International Arena at PBIEC with the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Team Event, held in a Nations Cup format shown over two rounds of competition. With five teams of four competing, Team 5 was the winner. The team, made up of Wilton Porter riding Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Paloubet, Catherine Pasmore riding Freddy Star, Eugenio Garza riding El Milagro’s Bariano, and Chloe Reid riding Damascus, was coached by Kim Prince.
After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all five teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team’s top three riders from each round.
Watch an interview with young rider Wilton Porter
For the winning team, Wilton Porter and Paloubet had the drop score of 19 faults in round one, but redeemed themselves with the only clear trip of the competition in the second round. Catherine Pasmore and Freddy Star had eight faults in round one and four faults in round two. Eugenio Garza and Bariano had four faults in round one and the drop score of 12 in round two, and Chloe Reid and Damascus had 15 faults in round one and eight faults in round two. The team finished on 39 faults total for the win.
From the winning team, Catherine Pasmore has the most team experience with senior Nations Cup performances. Pasmore rode her horse Freddy Star, an eleven-year-old Westphalian gelding by Lancer III x Polydor. Commenting on her rounds, Pasmore noted, “I went in fairly early and I had a foot in the water and four time faults, so a total of eight. I was a little disappointed, but as the class went on, the course definitely got the better of all of us today, so I was actually pleased with my round at the end.”
“For the second round they did make a few things slightly easier and they lengthened the time allowed, but I still wanted to make sure that I did not have time fault; that’s one of the worst things you can have in a Nations Cup, so I really jumped one, got right over to two, got right over to three. I really tried to make the time up a little bit early so that by the end when they got a little bit careful, I could take my time.”
“Freddy Star is a fairly new ride for me,” Pasmore said. “I jumped him a little bit early on and he did really well and I brought him out today basically to see what he would do with two rounds. He was really good, so I am pleased with that. I hope that he’ll come along and be a nice second horse for me to some of my other horses.”
Although Pasmore has had top Nations Cup experience, she counts all team experience equally. “Any Nations Cup to me is important,” she declared. “It doesn’t matter if its young riders or a senior team, you just really have to go in and give it 100%. Even if you have one down, you just can’t let your guard down and you can’t have another one.”
Although Wilton Porter had a little trouble in round one, he came back to jump a clear round even with an equipment malfunction.
“After the first round we decided to change the bridle to a hackamore so that he had less interference with his mouth jumping and then the hackamore actually ended up breaking in the second round about six jumps in,” Porter explained. “I did the second half of the course with a broken bridle. He is already pretty strong as it is, and I pretty much had no brakes, but I almost never have brakes anyway, so I just sort of steered him and he jumped great in the second round. It all worked out in the end.”
His horse Paloubet is a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Baloubet du Rouet x Voltaire. “I’ve had him for a little over a year now. Katie and Henri Prudent helped find him for me,” Porter detailed. “He is a great horse and we have done some big classes. I have a great team helping me with him. John Roche is training me and I am extremely grateful to my parents and the sponsors of this class for helping me and providing us with the opportunity to do this.”
“It is a great experience,” Porter said of the series. “The team event helps get us ready for the young rider championships in Kentucky and the individual competition really tries to enforce consistency so that you can be right up there at the top at the end. It is a big class and an important class, so anytime you get the chance to do a class that is more important than a normal class, it helps you practice and gives you experience. I try to use those opportunities for my horses and then there is good prize money too. It is a lot of fun.”
Eugenio Garza rides for Mexico and was aboard his twelve-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Bariano (Jetset-D x Skippy).
“He is a great horse,” Garza expressed. “This is maybe my fifth month riding him. He has all the scope in the world and he is really careful. He has personality, everything. I just love him.”
Garza commented on the course, stating, “When we walked the course I thought it was good, but as people started going it was obvious that it was hard and we were going to have to work to get a good score. It was a hard course actually.”
Chloe Reid and her horse Damascus, an eleven-year-old KWPN mare by Cardento x Corland, have been working on their partnership since joining up last spring. Reid noted, “Right from the beginning we had a really strong connection and I really learned how to ride her well. Recently she has been really learning to become my horse and really listening. Today in the first round, the time was really tight and my trainer told me to go in and just try as best as I could. By the second round I already knew that we were going to win, but I still wanted to go in for the individual. I am happy with my round. I am disappointed that I had a few down, but I am happy.”
Reid also appreciated the team experience. “Being on a team is a lot of fun,” she smiled. “It is mostly an individual sport where you don’t have a lot of opportunities to compete on a team. This is my second week now; I did the junior Nations Cup last week and every time it is just a lot of fun rooting with other people and just the excitement of it all.”
Team 3 from Zone 2 finished second on a 47 fault total. The team included Charlotte Jacobs and Candy Tribble’s Promised Land, Gabrielle Bausano and Ubico H, Mattias Tromp and Beyaert Farm, Inc.’s Casey, and Lillie Keenan riding Chansonette Farm LLC’s Londinium.
Team 1 with riders from Colombia and Venezuela had 50 faults to place third. The team included Mario Gamboa and Stransky’s Mission Farms’ Unico, Emanuel Andrade riding Hollow Creek Farm’s ZZ Top VH Schaarbroek Z, Nicolas Herrera and Concorde, and Luis Fernando Larrazabal riding Anabel Simon’s G&C Sacramento.
Lucador and Peter Pletcher Victorious in Fumero Law Pre-Green Level 2 Hunters
Peter Pletcher and Lucador claimed victory for the second week in a row in the Fumero Law Pre-Green Level 2 Hunter division during week nine of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The five-year-old Oldenburg gelding, owned by Brian and Sophie Baldwin of Sagamore Farm, dominated day one of competition, winning the under saddle and both over fences classes. Pletcher and Lucador wrapped up the division on day two with a second place finish over fences. Reserve champion honors went to 21-Gun Salute, ridden by Christina Serio and owned by Kendall Sharkey. Serio and 21-Gun Salute were fourth under saddle and sixth and second over fences on day one before finishing day two with first and fifth place ribbons over fences.
Lucador began his show career at the 2013 FTI WEF with Pletcher and has proven his potential as a top competitor. “He’s come into his own these last few weeks. He’s been champion the last two weeks he’s shown in the Pre-Greens,” Pletcher commented. “He’s a super horse and a talented athlete with a beautiful jump.”
Pletcher has helped the gelding settle in to life at the showgrounds, which is no small feat when starting out at the massive grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). “At first, he was a little ADD and looked around a bit. Now that he’s been here a few weeks, he’s really gotten it. He can be looking around but then focus in on the jump and give you an amazing jump, seemingly out of nowhere,” Pletcher described.
Lucador’s inexperience showed briefly when he jumped a shadow on day two of competition for the division, but overall Pletcher couldn’t be happier with the young horse’s performance. “He was really good today. The second round he went around really nicely so we were happy,” Pletcher smiled.
Pletcher looks forward to continuing to ride Lucador this year.
“He’s amazing. He’s such a good horse and very, very talented. He jumps as well as any horse at [the FTI WEF]. He has a wonderful jump and is lovely across the ground. He’s a gorgeous mover and is beautiful to look at too,” he remarked.
Sophie Baldwin was also thrilled with Lucador’s early success and is happy to have Pletcher in the irons. “They’re two peas in a pod! Peter does such a good job with him. Peter is very smooth and just lets [Lucador] do his thing. He’s so fancy and special; he just shines. Peter is the perfect match for him, so we’re really happy with the both of them!” Baldwin stated.
The Fumero Law Pre-Green Level 2 Hunter division kicked off week nine of competition of the FTI WEF, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies. Week nine will continue Friday with Section A of the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 division, hosted in the Rost Arenaof the PBIEC. The $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m will be featured in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Avery Kelley and Farnley Romeo. Photo By: Parker/Russell – The Book LLC.
Wellington, FL – March 7, 2013 – Mark Leone trotted his way to impressive placings in the Short Stirrup division during week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Now just three short weeks later, under the tutelage of Linda Smith-Faver at Happy Endings Farm, Leone has quickly jumped his way up the divisions to be a top contender in the Medium Children’s Hunters and the Equitation 11 & Under.
During week eight, Leone and his mount Care Bear, owned by Hannah Patten, finished in the ribbons in the Medium Children’s Hunters besting many of the 16 talented young riders competing in the division. Leone’s successes come after a few months away from riding; now back in the saddle and under Smith-Faver’s careful instruction, the sky is the limit for the gifted up-and-comer.
Parker Wright is another rising star taking the reins for Happy Endings Farm as a catch rider. This past week, Wright rode Barbara Milanese’s Miss Ticket to Ride to ribbons in each one of the over fences class in the Children’s 14 & Under Hunter division. Wright trains with Elizabeth Pandich out of Lionshare Farm. Miss Ticket to Ride was bred and raised at Happy Endings, only make her debut at the Winter Equestrian Festival this 2013 season.
Parker Wright and Miss Ticket to Ride
Not to be outdone by the boys, Avery Kelley and Farnley Romeo, owned by Jimmy Torano, gave it their all in the Cross Rail Hunter division, earning them a blue ribbon and the reserve championship in the division. Kelley is proving to be a small, but mighty force to be reckoned with over the cross rails. With multiple championships and reserve championships under her tiny belt, Kelley is leading the division circuit standings by more than 60 points.
Happy Endings Farm will show at the Winter Equestrian Festival throughout the 12-week series, and then will travel north for the summer shows. To stay up-to-date with Linda Smith-Faver and Happy Endings Farm, follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/HappyEndingsFarm?ref=ts&fref=ts. You can also visit their Web site at http://www.happyendingsfarm.com/.
Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Wellington, FL, March 6, 2013 – Week nine of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), featuring CSIW-5* competition sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, began on Wednesday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with a win for Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Mouse in the highlight $33,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m, a Longines FEI world ranking class.
Week nine of FTI WEF competition, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, runs March 6-10, 2013. The week will feature the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 and $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Team Event on Thursday, the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $300,000 FEI World Cup CSIW-5* presented by The Bainbridge Companies on Saturday evening, and the $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon.
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week nine. In Wednesday’s $33,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m, 59 entries competed in a one round speed class with 15 clear rounds. The winning track belonged to Daniel Deusser and Mouse in a time of 55.69 seconds.
Mouse, a fifteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Limbus x Grundyman, is owned by Stephex Stables. Commenting on the ride, Deusser noted, “Mouse is already fifteen years old. He has a lot of experience with a lot of riders and I took over last year when I came to Stephex. There is not too much to tell really. Mouse is a speed horse. He knows what to do in the ring, so I just have to steer and show him the fences and then normally he tries to do everything right.”
Detailing his plan for the course, Deusser explained, “I know the horse is really quick over the fence, in the turns, everywhere, so I didn’t really go full speed. I tried to get a good turn from one to two; I think there I was already faster than most of the other ones. Also the rollback turn after the double to the Liverpool, I had a really good turn there. For the rest I think I did the same strides as everyone else. My advantage is that the horse is really quick naturally, so even if I have the same distance as all the other ones I am normally a little bit faster.”
Behind Deusser and Mouse, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Solerina, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, cleared the course in 56.63 seconds. Coming in third, Brianne Goutal (USA) and Remarkable Farms’ Onira stopped the clock in 58.07 seconds. Germany’s Johannes Ehning and Cayenne 162, owned by Winley Farm LLC, finished in 58.25 seconds to place fourth. Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Simon were fifth with their time of 58.60 seconds.
Earlier in the day, Deusser also won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m jump-off class riding Stephex Stables’ Domingo. The pair also won last week’s $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class.
Deusser is enjoying his time in Wellington and will continue to show through week nine. He then plans to go home for a week off and return for the end of the circuit.
“Of course I am enjoying it here,” he smiled. “It is totally different from Europe this time of year. You cannot ride outside there; it’s impossible. The ring is really big here and everything is really nice for the horses. I expected it a little bit warmer to be honest, it is quite cold now, but overall I have had a really good experience so far. The horses feel really good. They are fresh and they have jumped well. I think it is also really good preparation for the outdoor season for our horses.”
Also showing on Wednesday, Laura Kraut (USA) and the Evita Group’s Nouvelle were the best out of 120 competitors in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class.
Week nine of the FTI WEF will continue on Thursday with the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 at 11 a.m. and the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Team Event at 3 p.m. featured in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Venezuelan Junior Team riders Emmanuel Andrade, Daniela Stransky, Victoria Karam and Gustavo Machado.
Wellington, FL – March 3, 2013 – Top show jumping riders representing Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Sweden and the United States vied for top honors during Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider Nations Cups at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival on March 2, 2013. But many of the talented team members not only rode for their country, but also championed the international charity Step by Step Foundation during the exciting show jumping competitions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
While many of the riders, including teen talents Daniela Stransky, Emanuel Andrade, Jose Fernando Bonetti, Victoria Karam, Gustavo Machado, Maria Gabriela Brugal and Maria Jose De La Torre, along with adult showjumpers Mario Gamboa and Juan Ortiz competing in the Grand Prix, were putting their best efforts for their individual countries, they were also riding as members of “Team Step by Step,” a group of riders of all ages and levels who help raise awareness for the international children’s charity.
The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup classes consisted of two rounds for each division shown over courses set by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. The first round for each age group was held during the day session in the International Arena and all three second rounds were held at night under the lights. The team from USA won in the young rider’s class and the teams from Brazil won in the junior and children’s classes.
Step by Step founder Liliane Stransky and her daughter Daniela Stransky, member of the Team Step by Step and Venezuelan Junior Bronze Winning Team
“Our children, junior, young riders and of course our Grand Prix veterans, were amazing,” continued Step by Step founder Liliane Stransky, the owner of Stransky’s Mission Farm. “I am so proud to have such a wonderful group representing Step by Step! The kids have all worked so hard to secure a spot on their team, but they are also part of a larger ‘Team’ all year round, one that helps spread the word and raise funds for the non-profit at competitions around the globe!”
Each Team Step by Step member was thrilled to be able to make their nation’s team; they also agreed that Nations Cup competitions offered a wonderful opportunity to draw more attention to the charity and the children who are less fortunate.
“It was such an honor to be able to represent Venezuela and Step by Step at the same time,” stated Daniela Stransky, who piloted her 12 year old WB gelding Twister to double clean rounds to help the Venezuelan Junior Team secure the Bronze Medal. “This gave us a chance to be on two different teams; one for our own country and the other for a charity that is working to change the world. Either way, we were all winners!”
“This was my first opportunity to show in the International Arena and the first time I jumped the water, which we cleared!” explained Jose F. Bonetti, who rode his bay gelding Umare competing for the DR in the Juniors. “When you are a part of a team you feel a great deal of responsibility to not only do well for yourself, but for them too!”
The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Junior Nations Cup had six teams make it to the second round of competition with a win for Brazil. The teams of Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, USA, and Argentina all showed under the lights on Saturday night. “It has wonderful to lead these young riders,” stated Venezuela Chef d’Equipe Leo Godoy. “Each of the teams showed such promise and I see a bright future for them all!”
All of the riders from every one of the teams were thrilled with the result and agreed that it was a fantastic opportunity to compete.
The Step by Step Foundation works to enhance the lives of underprivileged children by creating and supporting, health, nutrition, water, education and other programs that substantially impact the human rights and development of children worldwide (www.stepbystepfoundation.com).
Mario Deslauriers and Ardeche van de Zelm Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic; ASPCA Maclay Awards Two Sections
Wellington, FL, March 3, 2013 – Week eight of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by G&C Farm, concluded on Sunday afternoon with an exciting victory for Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel in the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). In an 11-horse jump-off, Farrington and Blue Angel were 1/100th of a second faster than Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ who finished second. Conor Swail (IRL) and Lansdowne, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, placed third.
Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, was the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for the week. In Sunday’s feature class, 53 entries showed and eleven went clear to advance to the jump-off. In the second round, six cleared the short course without fault, and it was a race to the finish as the times got faster and faster.
Charlie Jayne (USA) and Chill RZ, owned by Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher, showed the way to a clear round in the jump-off and eventually placed sixth with their time of 41.02 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners’ Antares F went next and improved on that time in 38.83 seconds to place fourth. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer and Cellagon Lambrasco, owned by Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie, were just 2/100ths of a second slower in 38.85 seconds to take the fifth place prize.
Conor Swail and Lansdowne went next and put on quite a show as they stopped the clock in 38.57 seconds to eventually place third. Beezie Madden and Cortes ‘C’ upped the ante once more as they completed their round in 38.25 seconds. Just when it seemed like Madden might not be beat, Kent Farrington and Blue Angel raced through the timers in 38.24 seconds, just 1/100th of a second faster, to grab the top spot.
Watch an interview with winning rider Kent Farrington
Farrington’s winning mount, Blue Angel, is an eleven-year-old Anglo European mare by Luidam x Ascendant. Farrington just started riding her in Wellington this winter and as he put it, the pair “sort of jumped into the deep end of the pool,” going for the big classes right away.
“We did the 1.30m, 1.40m, and then we were off and running,” Farrington stated. “Winning with her gives me confidence in what I’ve been doing. I want to continue to try to grow with the horse and really get her into my system and get to know her better.”
“She is a special horse that’s actually the type of horse I grew up riding, more Thoroughbred-type,” Farrington described. “We had a lot of horses off the racetrack and I used to race ponies as a kid, so I’m used to riding really hot, small horses like that. That’s sort of right up my alley.”
In their short time together, Farrington and Blue Angel have had several top finishes, including a second place in this week’s $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8.
“I haven’t ridden it that long, but it’s naturally a fast horse,” Farrington point out. “I have actually practiced a few jump-offs in here. We have come close to winning a few classes – the WEF on Thursday was a speed round and she was second. McLain (Ward) won with a spectacular round that was unbeatable. Today was our day and we got a little redemption.”
Commenting on Sunday’s course, Farrington remarked, “I didn’t think there would be as many clear as there were, but I think that shows the strength of the field today.”
Farrington and second place finisher Beezie Madden are fresh off a win for Team USA in Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Madden and her mount Cortes ‘C’ have had a great season, also including a win in the $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm during week six.
Madden agreed with Farrington’s comment on Sunday’s class. “I thought it was a good course,” she stated. “In a class like this I would prefer a few less clean, but I thought it tested carefulness and scope and a little bravery at the end with the [brush] box going into the triple [combination]. I think he had a really good feel for the horses. A lot of the riders had their top horses in today, so it makes for some very good jumping.”
Madden commented on her round in the jump-off, explaining, “I saw Conor go before me, so I knew it was very, very fast. I was just trying to use my horse’s big stride. I could set off right through the timers fast; I could trust him to jump the first fence clean and just gallop to that, and hope to be really fast to the second fence. I think I eased up a bit to the fifth fence, the oxer. I think I pretty much matched Kent everywhere else. It’s hard to say where you lost a hundredth of a second.”
Third place finisher, Conor Swail, had a great round with Lansdowne but knew he had some fast riders still to come.
“I certainly didn’t think I had it, but I was very happy to go into the lead,” he noted. “Lansdowne is a fantastic horse. He’s now 10 years old and he has jumped a few of these bigger classes. He knows what to do with himself now. I was delighted. I think the top four riders, those rounds would win most grand prixs. It was crazy.”
With a world-class line-up, Sunday’s class certainly proved the talent of the horses and riders in the jump-off. Swail was happy to be a part of the action.
“It’s nice to ride with these guys and be competitive with them,” he acknowledged. “You learn a lot by being in this company. By riding with the best, it’s how we get better. We all enjoy the competition. Any one of us could win each particular day. We never think we cannot win. We want to be on the top.”
Mario Deslauriers and Ardeche van de Zelm Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
Earlier in the day on Sunday, Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Ardeche van de Zelm, owned by Mario’s wife Lisa Deslauriers, topped the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. In a class of 41 entries, seven cleared the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and Deslauriers and ‘Ardeche’ completed the only double clear round in a time of 34.87 seconds to earn the victory.
Ardeche is a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Gran Corrado x Darco. After his win on Sunday, Deslauriers explained, “Ardeche is a horse that my wife Lisa rides also, that we have had for several years. It is a great horse. We were having some bad luck with his health for a little while, but we always try to bring him back because we know he is so good and he proved it today. He just had a couple of classes for practice and then he can just go in here and do what he does. He is exceptional.”
“He has won the Queen’s Cup; he has won several grand prixs. We just had a lot of bad luck with him, but touch wood, we keep hoping,” Deslauriers added. “With a horse like that it makes it easy for the rider because you just have to be in range. He is so special and he is just a show horse. He gets in the arena and he hears the bell and he has already picked up the canter. He is very smart and it is just a real joy to ride him.”
Laura Kraut (USA) and A. Lebon’s Jubilee d’Ouilly finished second with four faults in 33.43 seconds. Alonso Valdez Prado (PER) and Quick du Pottier were third with four faults in 34.90 seconds. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables’ Evita van de Veldbalie had four faults in 34.93 seconds. Kraut also took fifth place honors with the Evita Group’s Nouvelle with four faults in 35.51 seconds.
Victoria Colvin and Charlotte Jacobs Put In Blue Ribbon Performances in ASPCA Maclay Sections
The ASPCA Maclay class was split into two sections after entries swelled to over sixty riders during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Victoria Colvin finished first in Section A, presented by Sidelines Magazine, aboard Asparagus, a 19-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Missy Clark. Caitlin Boyle and her horse Loredo were second followed by Jack Morgan’s third place finish aboard Allison Haupt’s Vangoch.
Charlotte Jacobs rode Catherine Tyree’s Patrick to first place in Section B, presented by Alessandro Albanese. Gabrielle Bausano was second to Jacobs with her own Calito 7. The top three was rounded out by Lucille Green and her horse Accord.
Colvin, of Loxahatchee, FL, barely had time to prepare for her winning round after quickly hopping on Asparagus following her rounds that morning in the jumper ring. “I didn’t even have the chance to walk,” Colvin admitted. “I just got here and went in and rode the course, and it went pretty well,” she smiled.
Not surprisingly, the ever-humble Colvin gave the credit to her experienced mount, Asparagus. “I’ve shown him only a few times at WEF and he’s just perfect!” Colvin described. “He’s done everything so he never sets a foot wrong. He just keeps his head still and has a nice jump that won’t pop you out of the tack.”
A challenging combination that riders were asked to do was a figure-eight through jumps set up with hay bales and it proved too daunting for many riders, however Colvin welcomed the challenge. “I liked the ‘hay bale’ combination because it had so much turning, which I always enjoy,” Colvin commented.
Jacobs, of East Aurora, NY, and Patrick also had no problem navigating the challenging course, designed by Skip Bailey. “The course was fun. I like that there were a lot of natural obstacles included. It’s a different experience,” Jacobs described.
“All of the horses were a little fresh with the weather being a little cold and windy, and Patrick had two weeks off before this,” Jacobs continued. “He was a little bit fresh, but I like that.”
Jacobs is leasing Patrick from barn mate Catherine Tyree, who aged out of junior divisions last year. “He’s been amazing. He’s a lot like my other equitation horse, Stallone VDL, so we clicked pretty much right away. We work really well together,” Jacobs explained.
“Patrick is just perfect. I love him and he’s so much fun to ride. He has the best canter and is just a very nice horse,” Jacobs concluded.
Both Jacobs and Colvin have their eye on ASPCA Maclay Finals in November. Jacobs and Colvin have already accumulated enough points to qualify and look forward to competing in one of the country’s most prestigious equitation competitions.
Sunday’s class concluded hunter and equitation competition for week eight of the FTI WEF, sponsored by G&C Farm. Week nine of competition will run March 6-10, 2013, and is sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. 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. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting 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 3,800 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 $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
