Carly Anthony and Cornetiero. Photo credit to Equinium Sports Marketing/The Ridge at Wellington.
Wellington, FL (January 5, 2019) – The 2019 Turf Tour is officially underway, and has already seen some spectacular horses and riders galloping out over its springy grass courses. Organized and hosted by US Olympian Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the first week of the 2019 Turf Tour was featured on WPTV/ESPN Sports’ Friday evening broadcast, where its hosts discussed their vision for equine-centered horse shows offered on all-natural jumping surfaces.
The first 1.30m Rising Star Classic and first 1.40m Turf Tour Welcome Grand Prix were won by Washington state wunderkind Carly Anthony, who took both first and second in both classes aboard Neil Jones Equestrian’s Cornetiero and Jana Van D’abdijhoeve. Anthony has been a frequent sight on the Turf Tour since 2018, and began her riding career under the tutelage of her mother, Redmond, Washington hunter jumper trainer Cara Anthony, and later Canadian Olympian Eric Lamaze. Anthony waltzed over both Wednesday’s and Friday’s courses with double clears, and noted that her twice 2019 Turf Tour champion mount, Cornetiero, prefers to jump higher.
Anthony was joined by a selection of riders in both the 1.30m Rising Star and 1.40m Welcome Grand Prix, in addition to groups of .80m, .90m, and 1.10m riders who took advantage of the Turf Tour’s relaxed atmosphere, open in gate, and complimentary hospitality tent. Turf Tour Week 2 continues with USEF Equitation Tuesday January 8, Turf Tour classes January 9-11 at Mida Farm, and Hunter Derby Days January 12 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, featuring a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
The 2019 Wellington Turf Tour features 13 weeks of jumper equitation competition, including all heights and prize money classes including weekly $10,000 1.40-1.45m Grand Prix and $3,000 1.30m Rising Star Classics, all held at beautiful and unique venues. This year’s destinations include The Ridge’s home farm, Santa Rita Polo Farm, Mida Farm, Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, and final locations to be announced for March.
Hunter Derby Days will be held January 12, January 26, and March 9 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center (about 10 minutes from the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center). Each day will feature a $5,000 USHJA National Derby and a $10,000 USHJA International Derby, and the facility features top notch permanent stabling, spacious warm ups, ample parking, a large covered arena, and full amenities.
USEF Equitation Tuesday runs each Tuesday afternoon at The Ridge’s home farm (14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd). The Ridge will also host a Schooling Show February 2 & 3, catering to all levels.
The Turf Tour and its hunter/jumper/equitation events are a unique addition to Wellington’s winter circuit, offering riders top-tier competition, generous prize money, and an unparalleled atmosphere. Young horses and advancing riders are able to test their mettle in classes ranging from junior and amateur jumpers to the Grand Prix, and at a variety of venues reminiscent of the large European tours. Organized by US Olympic show jumper Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the vision that inspired the tour’s conception was bringing back old world flair to over fences classes, staging competitions on springy, natural turf surfaces away from the intensity of other show grounds. But the laid-back atmosphere, which includes open ended show times and concurrently running divisions, doesn’t fail to attract some of the sport’s biggest names, keeping the competition up to par.
For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.
Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992