Artisan Farms and Tiffany Foster Honored at 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival

Tiffany Foster riding Victor for owner Artisan Farms at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Photo by Starting Gate Communications.

Wellington, Florida – For the second year in a row, Carlene and Andy Ziegler’s Artisan Farms was the recipient of the Harrison Cup Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the owners whose horses won the most money in all open jumper classes at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival held January 13 through April 3, in Wellington, FL.  Artisan Farms rider Tiffany Foster of North Vancouver, BC was named the Overall Leading Lady Rider of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival.  Both award presentations took place during the $500,000 CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix on Saturday evening, April 2.

Artisan Farms enjoyed another incredibly successful season on the winter circuit with five different horses winning Thursday’s feature event, the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup, a total of six times between Foster and fellow Artisan Farms rider Eric Lamaze.  Lamaze, the 2008 Olympic Champion, also scored victory in the $216,000 CSI4* Ariat Grand Prix during WEF week four riding Check Picobello Z as well as the $86,000 1.50m Suncast Classic during WEF week nine with Rosana du Park.

In addition to picking up two wins in the WEF Challenge Cup Series, one in WEF week eight riding Brighton and again in the final week of competition riding veteran campaigner Victor, Foster was recognized as the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider a total of three times, in WEF weeks four, seven and eight.  Presented to the top female grand prix competitor each week, the award recognizes consistency in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup and Grand Prix classes.  At the end of the 12-week circuit, Foster was honored as the Overall WEF Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider Award, presented by Martha Jolicoeur of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in memory of Dale Lawler.

“I think it’s wonderful that Martha Jolicoeur presents this award throughout the circuit,” said Foster, 31, who received a set of custom jumps as her prize.  “One of the great things about our sport is that men and women compete against each other as equals, but I think it’s nice to recognize the leading ladies individually.  There are so many strong female riders on this circuit that it makes winning this award something to be very proud of.”

Speaking to her success as the top female rider of the Winter Equestrian Festival, Foster said, “The main secret to having such a consistent circuit is the incredible team of horses that Andy and Carlene Ziegler have put underneath both me and Eric.  We were able to compete in every important class and never have to overuse our horses because we have so many at the top level.”

Success in any sport is the result of teamwork, and Artisan Farms has an incredible group of people who all play a role in its success.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Andy and Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms,” said Foster of the support she receives.  “Their continued support and enthusiasm is unparalleled, and I am eternally grateful to them.  I would also like to thank Eric Lamaze for all of his help with all of my horses.  He is an incredible trainer and I feel very lucky to have him with me every step of the way.  I also want to recognize all of my grooms, the people on the ground, our farriers, our vets and everyone on our staff.  Everyone works incredibly hard and it would be impossible to do this without them.  I also want to thank all of my sponsors for their generous support and, of course, I want to give an enormous thank you to all of my horses that I love so much!”

“Tiffany is not only a great rider but a terrific trainer and friend,” said Andy Ziegler.  “Carlene and I have enjoyed watching her develop into one of the top riders in the world, and look forward to her future success.”

With the winter season now concluded, the Artisan Farms horses move back to their European base in Vrasene, Belgium.  Foster and Lamaze will next compete as members of the Canadian Team in Nations’ Cup events at CSIO4* Coapexpan, Mexico from April 28 to May 1 and CSIO5* Rome, Italy from May 26 to 29 before heading home to Canada to compete at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC and Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB in June.

Media Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca