Category Archives: Jennifer Wood

Lauren Hough and Cornet 39 Victorious in $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4*

March 27, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lauren Hough and Cornet 39. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Kaely Tomeu and Gentille Win $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final; Kelli Cruciotti Tops 2016 Series Overall

Wellington, FL – March 26, 2016 – Competition on Saturday during week eleven of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) featured international show jumping on both sides of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* was featured in the International Ring on the main show grounds in the evening with a win for Lauren Hough (USA) aboard Paris Sellon’s Cornet 39. Laura Chapot (USA) and ISHD Dual Star finished second, and Carly Anthony (USA) riding Dublin placed third.

The $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, presented by Equiline, was held in the International Ring at The Stadium at PBIEC earlier in the day with a win for Kaely Tomeu and Gentille. The series also awarded its top competitors over all seven events with Kelli Cruciotti finishing on top of the standings.

WEF 11 concludes on Sunday, March 27, with the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic to be held on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC beginning at 11:30 a.m. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Forty-four entries contested Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s (GER) course on Saturday night, with ten clear rounds and seven double clear in the jump-off as times got faster and faster. Juan Ortiz (VEN) and Synchronicity Group’s d’Ulien van de Smeets set the pace with a clear round in 42.01 seconds to eventually finish seventh. Nick Dello Joio (USA) upped the pace with the Corlida Group’s Corlida in 39.56 seconds to finish sixth. Carly Anthony (USA) and Artisan Farms’ Dublin were next to go in a faster time of 37.67 seconds that ended in third place. Amy Millar (CAN) and AMMO Investments’ Heros jumped into fourth place with their time of 38.57.

Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot’s ISHD Dual Star briefly took the lead with their time of 36.29 seconds, but were soon bested by Lauren Hough and Cornet 39, who stole the show with a blazing round in a time of 35.98 seconds. Last to go, Laura Kraut (USA) and Old Willow Farms’ Zeremonie jumped into fifth place, crossing the timers in 39.49 seconds.

Cornet 39 is a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Caletto I) that Hough rides for owner Paris Sellon. Sellon rode him herself and then Hough took over the ride at the end of the winter last year. They have since been progressing slowly.

“He was part of the winning Nations’ Cup team in Ocala a few weeks ago, and then he had a little break and really felt fantastic tonight,” Hough detailed. “He was also very good in the WEF (Challenge Cup) the other day. He has sort of been knocking on the door, and I am very proud of him.”

Speaking of the tiebreaker, Hough stated, “There were ten in the jump-off with some of the best horses and riders, and they kept setting the bar higher and higher. Laura (Chapot) is always very fast, and my horse was fantastic tonight. He was really on my side. Sometimes he can go a little against me, and he was really trying hard for me. I think I was very fast back to the double and very fast to the second-to-last (jump), which actually put me out, and at the last minute I had to do one more stride to the last jump. I had a little bit of luck on my side, but I was really pleased with the horse’s performance tonight.”

Commenting on the course, Hough remarked, “I thought it was excellent. I thought Olaf Petersen did a fantastic job. He had a little bit of a mixed field tonight with some younger horses, but it was excellent. There were rails everywhere and the time was just tight enough. Ten in the jump-off was just fine for this week, and I really hope we get to see more of Olaf because he does a great job.”

Hough will continue to develop Cornet 39 this year and plans to compete him again in week twelve CSI 5* competition.

“I think he has a really bright future,” she stated. “I am going week by week, as I had a setback myself, and had knee surgery this winter. My original plans got a little off-kilter, but he will go next week and we will go from there. We head back to Europe the 15th of April and start back over there.

“I did come back very quickly,” Hough said of her surgery. “I have an amazing team of doctors and physios. I have been really lucky to have great people around me in this village of Wellington, so I am very grateful to all of them. Thank you to Engel & Völkers for their sponsorship tonight. This is the second time I have won their class, and I am really thankful for their support.”

Laura Chapot settled for second place with her round aboard ISHD Dual Star, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Quick Star x Concorde), but was pleased with her Saturday night.

“I could not be happier with my horse tonight. I think she jumped fantastic, and I think she had a fantastic jump-off,” Chapot stated. “I think Lauren was a little bit faster back to the combination. Even with my horse’s big stride leaving out, it got a little bit steady, so it did not allow her to run the whole way around. I have no regrets; I would not take back any strides. She was super. Lauren was just a little faster, and she deserved the win today.”

Carly Anthony had her best finish ever riding Dublin for Artisan Farms. Anthony brings along young horses for Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN), and has been slowly developing the nine-year-old German Warmblood gelding (Cobra x Calido).

“I am really excited,” Anthony said after the class. “Artisan has owned Dublin for the last two years, and it has been my job to bring him along for Eric. I am very fortunate that they have let me take that on and bring him along to this level. He is special. He is a little difficult to ride sometimes. I got eight strides in the first line in the jump-off, which I think is where I lost a bit of time. But the more you push him and the more competitive you feel, he comes right back with it and wants to win just as badly as you do.”

Anthony continued, “This is the biggest thing he has done ever. We did the WEF (Challenge Cup) this week, which was also a step up, and until then we had done three 1.50m classes. In two out of the three he was clear, so I felt like we had enough of a good chance to go today and see what we got, and I think he exceeded expectations. This is a top finish. I am very happy with it and happy with how he went today. It makes me proud, and I am glad I can represent Artisan Farms.”

Carol Sollak and Amy Carr of Engel & Völkers presented prizes to the top riders Saturday evening and were thrilled with the fantastic evening of competition.

“We are so excited to have this grand prix,” Sollak stated. “It is our third grand prix that we have sponsored, and it seems like it has been ladies day every one that we have done. We are very happy with the girls, and we love being a sponsor here. We think this show is the most amazing horse show in the world.”

Carr added, “I think a lot of our clientele are here and competing, and we feel it is something we can do to give back because we support the sport and we think so highly of all the competitors. Congratulations to all of them on the whole circuit and doing so well. Certainly we thank the Bellissimo family and the Wellington Equestrian Partners for everything they do for this sport. We are very happy and proud to be a part of the sport that we all love.”

Cornet 39’s groom, Sinead Anglin, received the Groom’s Initiative Award presented by Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, to reward her dedication and hard work as an integral member of the winning team.

Amy Millar (CAN) earned the Leading Lady Rider Award for week eleven, presented by Martha Jolicoeur of Douglas Elliman in memory of Dale Lawler.

The Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsmanship Trophy was awarded to McKayla Langmeier as the junior rider that consistently demonstrates outstanding conduct, horsemanship, attitude, and courtesy appropriate for a competitor at the highest levels of our sport. The trophy is presented in memory of Candida C. Fortsmann by Cara Anthony.

Also competing in the International Ring on Saturday, Emily Moffitt kicked off the morning with a win in the $10,000 Sleepy P Ranch SJHOF High Junior Jumper Classic aboard Hilfiger van de Olmenhoeve. Lucas Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s B Once Z won the $15,000 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and Olivia Chowdry and Cosma 20 topped the $1,500 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class.

Kaely Tomeu and Gentille Win $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, presented by Equiline; Kelli Cruciotti Tops 2016 Series Overall

Starting off Saturday’s competition in the International Ring at The Stadium at PBIEC, 30 entries jumped in the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, presented by Equiline, with eight clear rounds over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s course. In the jump-off, Kaely Tomeu (USA) and Siboney Ranch’s Gentille jumped to the fastest of four double clear rounds in the winning time of 36.34 seconds.

Victoria Colvin (USA) and Take the High Road LLC’s Echo van’t Spieveld finished second in 38.28 seconds. Stephen Moore (IRL) and Vlock Show Stables’ Team de Coquerie placed third in 39.20 seconds, and Rachel Reid (USA) and her own Huckleberry earned the fourth place honors with a time of 41.17.

Tomeu (20), of Wellington, FL, trains with Shane Sweetnam, Ali Sweetnam, and Michael Delfiandra at Sweet Oak Farm and just purchased Gentille in January. She and the ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Heartbreaker x Kannan) also won the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Semi-Final, presented by Seabrook LLC, during week nine.

“After winning the semi-final I was really excited, so I came in today with high hopes for this one,” Tomeu stated. “I never imagined I would win, especially two in a row, and especially the final. I just got this horse in January and she has been nothing but absolutely amazing. I did the team event and she was double clear, and then I won the semi-final and now this one, and those are the only Under 25 classes I have done this year with her. We did not make it overall in the series to get anything, but she was so perfect and I was happy enough with doing this. It was a dream come true.”

Commenting on her winning jump-off round, Tomeu detailed, “She is really fast naturally, so I do not have to try at all. You just sit there and it is her pace that she wants to go. I just sit there, try to hold on, and she is honestly so easy. She knows what she is doing, and she just looks for the next jump. I knew she was going to go fast no matter what, so as long as I participated and helped her out, I knew she was going to do her best.”

Tomeu has been competing in the U25 Series for the last few years and has learned a lot from riding in the different classes.

“I think this series is a great experience,” she noted. “I have done it a few years before, but always on a different horse. With her, I think great things are to come. I hope I get to have her for a long time and go to finals and everything. You never know, but she is a horse of a lifetime for me.”

Second place finisher, Victoria Colvin, was aboard Echo van’t Spieveld, a horse that she got six months ago and has not shown much. She explained that the horse bucking in her jump-off round lost the pair a little time.

“He is a little quirky in that he will try and buck you off,” Colvin explained. “In the jump-off, I landed off fence one and I was hoping he was not going to buck, but then he bucked twice and it takes a very long time for him because he is a big boy. He is really easy though, and he is like a big pony.”

Colvin previously won the U25 Series in 2014 and explained what a great thing the series has been for her career.

“I think it is really important,” she noted. “It is a middle step to the real grand prix level. It is great for us to be able to show in a series that is super important with classes at a very high level before moving all the way up to showing with the top Europeans and international riders. It is such a pleasure to be able to compete in this, and thank you to all of the sponsors for helping the series come true.”

Irish rider Stephen Moore finished third in the final aboard Vlock Show Stables’ Team de Coquerie in his second year competing in the U25 Series.

“I had two horses last year, and they were both really good, and I was placed in the final as well,” Moore explained. “This year I got a new horse in Team de Coquerie. I was a little late getting him, so I only got to do the last three classes, but he was brilliant in all of them. He was double clear on the grass, and then he had one down in the semi-final, and now he was double clear here again today. Thank you to the Vlock family – they own him, they got him for me. He is going really well, so we are delighted.”

Going first in the jump-off, Moore detailed, “I knew I had all of the very fast riders coming after me, so I did the best I could, but I could have been faster. I ended up doing one extra stride in a couple of places, but I do not know the horse that well, so I was not really sure. I could have been faster, but Kaely and Tori are always really fast, so I am not surprised that they beat me anyway.”

Kelli Cruciotti (18), of Elizabeth, CO, placed eighth in Saturday’s final with two rails down in the jump-off, but she and her 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare Chamonix H were the most consistent pair in the seven classes of the series overall. Saturday’s class was the final event in the 2016 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, which also awarded top prizes for its overall standings after the competition.

Cruciotti was the series winner for her exceptional performance throughout the winter. Madison Goetzmann finished second, and Tina Yates placed third. Lucas Porter (4th), Lucy Deslauriers (5th), and Brett Burlington (6th) rounded out the top six in the 2016 Series.

As the overall winning rider, Cruciotti will be invited to compete at the CSI 2* Chantilly Horse Show, part of the Global Champions Tour, from May 26-29, 2016, in France. In addition to her entry, Cruciotti receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium. She also received an Equiline saddle.

“I am so excited. I cannot even believe it. It feels unreal,” Cruciotti said of her win. “I have to thank the Ziegler family and everybody that put this series together. For us to be able to compete in so many different venues, it is invaluable experience for us as young riders. I also have to thank my team, my mom Cindy Cruciotti, Peter Lutz, and all of the horses that helped me.”

Speaking of her top mount, Chamonix H, Cruciotti acknowledged, “She is fantastic. She was actually my first high junior jumper. I have had her now for four years, and she has been nothing but the best teacher for me to move up and learn how to do things correctly. Today was not our day; we gave it a shot and sometimes it happens that way, but I could not be happier with her. She has jumped some incredible rounds this circuit, and I am excited for the rest of the year.”

Cruciotti has never competed in Europe before and is excited for her first trip to show abroad. After this circuit the horses will go home to Colorado in April for some rest and relaxation. At the end of April, Cruciotti will go to Europe for a couple of shows, and she is now lucky enough to qualify to go to the Global Champions Tour in Chantilly.

Colvin traveled to Europe for her first time two years ago through her win in the U25 series and told Cruciotti of the experience, stating, “It was so much fun. It was my first time ever in Europe or anywhere out of the country, so to be able to go and compete in Europe was completely different for me. Everything was different – the ribbon presentations, the courses, the people, the surroundings – it was all different, but it was a really fun experience. You are going to have a great time.”

Now in its sixth year at the Winter Equestrian Festival, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, has proven to be a launching pad for young show jumping talent. Offering a total of $170,000 in prize money, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series is open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under. Developed as a bridge to the international level of grand prix competition, the Series offers all of the components of international competition without the pressure of going head-to-head against seasoned professionals and Olympic athletes.

Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms spoke of the development of the series over the last six years, stating, “It has been so wonderful to watch the progression. When we started this, this division did not exist. It was not a USEF division; it was only something that we knew was being done in Europe. There was no series or group of classes during the year for these riders who had just graduated from the junior or even high amateur ranks, but were trying to make that bridge to the big grand prixs, to do that. It has been incredible to watch what has happened.

“This is the sixth year, and I still remember the first year there was a U25 championship that was going to happen in conjunction with the World Cup Finals, and the top six riders got invited to participate in that,” Ziegler continued. “It was names that you all know now. It was Reed Kessler, and the Coulters, and Lucy Davis, and my daughter Caitlin. It was an incredible first year, and since then it has just gotten better and better in the quality of riders. There are so many riders that are qualified to do this now that are riding at this very high level, so it has been very gratifying. Congratulations to everybody.”

Ziegler added, “I also want to say thank you to Kelli (Cruciotti) for competing today. The way the scoring works for the series, it rewards consistency, and Kelli had been very consistent throughout the whole series. She already had the points to win the series overall before today, but she chose to be here and participate in the final, and in the spirit of competition, it was really great to have her here.”

Part of the Ziegler family’s goal was to encourage other sponsors to come forward and augment support for the seven events comprising the Series. To that end, several sponsors stepped forward to strengthen the efforts of title sponsor Artisan Farms and presenting sponsor, The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte. Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, EnTrust Capital, Equiline, the McNerney family, and Seabrook, LLC all sponsored classes within the 2016 Series.

Kelli Molinari of Equiline was on hand for Saturday’s final and spoke of the wonderful experience that the series gives these young riders.

“Thank you to the Ziegler family for allowing us to sponsor the final,” Molinari stated. “It is a great opportunity for Equiline to be able to reward and encourage the young riders to take advantage of this opportunity to bridge the middle gap between the juniors and the grand prix. It is a tremendous learning experience for them, and for us it is rewarding to be able to help. We are really happy to support the future of our sport.”

Equiline awarded a custom show coat to Sarah Bagworth (CAN) for their Amateur Appreciation Award for the Series.

Tim Dutta of the Dutta Corp. was also present for Saturday’s final event and thanked the Ziegler family for putting on such an important series.

“Thank you to the Ziegler family. It is world-class what they do for the sport of show jumping,” Dutta stated. “We are very delighted to be part of this series. We think these riders are our next superstars and Olympians. Dutta Corp. gives horses wings, so we are looking forward to their journey and showing them how it is done in Europe. Of course we support these riders, and I hope this is one of many times that they will go to Europe and I hope they do us proud. We have had Olympians come out of this series and some of our superstar young riders started out here. It is a huge growth, and truly I think it is the finest U25 series that I know of anywhere in the world. To have it over a period of weeks, to have this kind of competition, to have this kind of venue, to have this much pressure, to deal with sponsors, media, veterinarians, stewards, rules, to be a lady and a gentleman, and after all of that to see the sport grow, it is just very gratifying for The Dutta Corp.”

WEF 11 concludes on Sunday with the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic to be held on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC beginning at 11:30 a.m. The FarmVet Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 Sec. B will award championship honors in Ring 8. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

T. J. O’Mara Wins Ninth Annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship

March 26, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

T. J. O’Mara and Kaskade. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Darragh Kenny Claims $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic with Chanel

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2016 – Week eleven of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday with a win for T. J. O’Mara riding Kaskade in the Ninth Annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship and victory for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Chanel in the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic.

WEF 11 features CSI 4* rated jumper and ‘AA’ rated hunter competition running March 23-27, 2016, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Saturday highlights the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, presented by Equiline, on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC beginning at 11:00 a.m. with a brunch hosted by Equiline in the Tiki Hut at The Stadium beginning at 10:30 a.m. The $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* will be the feature event in the International Ring on the main show grounds on Saturday evening beginning at 7:45 p.m.

Competition concludes on Sunday with the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic also held on the derby field at The Stadium beginning at 11:30 a.m. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

The Ninth Annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship was held in three rounds with 35 riders competing in round one. The top 15 returned for round two, and the top four rode for additional testing in round three to determine final placings. Course walk plans and schooling were the sole responsibility of the riders as competitors were allowed no contact with their trainers during the class, turned in their cell phones before the start of the class, and were responsible for time management, warm up, and schooling of their own horses with the assistance of one groom.

Bobby Murphy designed the course, in conjunction with the judges. The riders were judged by two panels and also received a score in the schooling area after the first and second rounds. Judging Panel 1 included Jimmy Torano and Candice King; Panel 2 included Bobby Braswell and Chris Kappler, with Karen Golding as the Schooling Ring Judge.

T. J. O’Mara led through both rounds to make it to the final four and come out on top riding Kaskade, a ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare. The rider earned the high score of 91.5 in round one and returned for round two to score a 92. His two round total of 183.5 combined with an excellent test in the final four put the rider in first place overall.

McKayla Langmeier finished second riding Eclipse with scores of 91 and 83.75 for a 174.75 heading into the final four, and a bold test that was rewarded in the work-off. Sophie Michaels rode Acortair to third place honors, and Ava Stearns finished fourth aboard Micah.

Judge Jimmy Torano spoke about the class and what went into the final decision on the top four placings.

“I think it is a great class. This is the ninth year, and I think I have judged it seven times,” Torano noted. “I love judging these championship classes, and I think the format really makes the kids think for themselves. It is at the end of the circuit, and you are seeing the top riders. Especially when you got to the second round, and then you saw the top four work off, it was really some top riding from the kids.

“Obviously T. J. and McKayla are outstanding,” Torano continued. “They are both going to ride on the team, and they are both going to go anywhere they want to go in the future. Unfortunately for McKayla, that horse clobbered one jump in the second round. In my mind I said 89, take off the four points for the rail and give her an 85. I think they [judged] her a little harder on the other judging panel. T. J.’s rounds were good, time and time again. He came in and nailed it in the first round. He led for both rounds, and to be honest, he would have had to really flub up in the test not to win it. McKayla came in and knew that the first two riders did not really hand gallop, so she really got our attention. She hooked the corner and turned and went for it, and that horse landed and was at a standstill. T. J. I would say did not gallop as strong as she did, but he did not really need to. He was far enough ahead.”

Commenting on his win, O’Mara stated, “It feels great. This is my third year doing the class and I have slowly moved up the ranks, so I am really happy. My horse felt great today, and I could not have asked for better rounds.

“The first round, me and my barnmates were not really sure what we should do,” O’Mara admitted. “We were originally planning on going around and just catching a nice second jump, but as the class went on, more and more people started doing the inside turn, so we thought that in order to stay with the competition we needed to step it up a little bit. I thought the gymnastic was very steady, and it really tested the rider’s ability to stay collected and maintain the position while keeping impulsion at the same time.”

O’Mara continued, “The second round was a little confusing for some riders on what to do in strides. The beginning of the class we saw some doing six strides in the one line, but with my horse I was worried about her swapping off to the left at that vertical, so I opted to go around and do a steady seven to get straight and soft to the inside. We were also thinking to go inside at that vertical after the triple bar, but we thought it looked better going around and catching a flow to the oxer.”

Without trainers to tell the riders what to do, they had to work together to come up with a solid plan.

“We really focused on teamwork in this,” O’Mara detailed. “As each person was going, one of us was at the in-gate telling them the new plan and giving them helpful hints. In the course walk, we really collaborated on what we should do for each line and what we should do as an entrance. I felt bad at the beginning of the class because the riders in my barn were a little unsure what to do and I was not really sure myself, so I really just told them to go with their gut and see what their horse was best at, and most of them did.”

Speaking of his mount, Kaskade, O’Mara stated, “I have had her since 2013. She has really just become my horse of a lifetime. We have really bonded together, and we have a great connection. She was amazing through all of these rounds. She listened to every single thing I asked her to do. She really was amazing and I could not have asked for her to be better.”

Langmeier also worked together with her barn mates, and although she had a rail in the second round, she finished out strong in the work-off and was happy with her mount, Eclipse.

“It is nice having a team to walk the course with you with all of the other juniors that qualified from your barn,” Langmeier noted. “It is like having multiple trainers with you.

“I liked my first round,” she said. “I really liked my second round besides the rail; I kind of let him shift in too much. I could have done the six strides there in the second round, and I probably should have to avoid the rail. Then in my test, my hand gallop jump was my favorite.”

Speaking of Eclipse, Langmeier detailed, “I have not ridden him that much. I [rode] him at Medal Finals and WIHS Finals. I showed him last week in one class and then this week. He is somewhat newer, but I have had multiple lessons on him.”

Along with the top prizes, several other awards were presented at the end of the evening. Sophie Michaels’ mount, Acortair, was named Best Turned Out Horse by the judges and her groom, Moses Hernandez, received a special prize to acknowledge his hard work. O’Mara’s mount, Kaskade, also received the award for Best Equitation Horse. Stacia Madden and Krista Freundlich received awards as the trainers of the winning rider. Special awards were also presented to the families of the champion and reserve champion, and the top eight trainers received prize money.

Darragh Kenny Claims $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic with Chanel

Darragh Kenny (IRL) continued his recent string of successes at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Friday with a win in the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic aboard Chanel for owner Kerry Ann, LLC.

The pair bested a field of 59 over a one-round speed track built by course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER). From the 48th position in the order, Kenny and Chanel, an eight-year-old Oldenburg mare (Challan x Lordanos) stopped the clock in 62.43 seconds for the win. Two trips later, Andrew Ramsay (USA) set out to take the lead, but came up nearly two seconds short with a time of 64.88 seconds to settle for second place in the irons of The Doodle Group’s Cocq A Doodle.

Abdel Said (EGY) and California took third in 65.39 seconds for owner American Equestrian Association II, LLC. Conor Swail (IRL) and Cita, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, claimed fourth in 54.50 seconds, while Margie Engle (USA) and Elm Rock, LLC’s Böchmann’s Lazio rounded out the top five in 65.60 seconds.

With two grand prix wins to his credit and coming off the heels of a victory in the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11 on Thursday, Kenny is pleased with how the 2016 season is shaping up for him and his horses.

“It’s been going really well, and the horses have been great,” he said. “I haven’t rushed at all this circuit, and I never tried to pressure the horses. I have been waiting until they feel like they are ready to do the classes that I want to do well in and it has worked out.”

Kenny got the ride on Chanel in September and has jumped the mare sparingly throughout the winter season with goals to produce it into a young rider mount for Kenny’s student and owner, Kerry McCahill.

“She jumped clear on Wednesday and today she felt like she could go fast, so we did,” said Kenny. “She felt great in the warm-up, and I knew she was jumping well. I was quick to fence one and two and then very tight back to three. I got there deep and she tried really hard, and then kept the pace and felt like she got better and better.”

Week 11 of WEF is the first time Chanel has competed at the FEI level, and while Kenny has worked to perfect the mare’s rideability, he feels she has what it takes to be competitive at the top level.

“She is still young, but she really wants to be careful,” he said. “We bought the mare with the intention of her jumping big classes, and I think she is going to be very good.”

Also competing in the International Ring on Friday, the $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m Speed Challenge saw a win for Lucas Porter (USA) and B Once Z, owned by Sleepy P Ranch, LLC.

WEF 11 continues on Saturday with the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, presented by Equiline, on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC beginning at 11:10 a.m. with a brunch hosted by Equiline in the Tiki Hut at The Stadium beginning at 10:30 a.m. The $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* will be the feature event in the International Ring on the main show grounds on Saturday evening beginning at 7:45 p.m. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Farrington and Creedance Win $35k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at WEF

March 21, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Creedance. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Mimi Gochman Claims Top Prize in the Large Pony Hunters aboard Storyteller

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2016 – Week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Horseware Ireland, concluded on Sunday, March 20, featuring the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBEC). The class saw a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance, with Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Picolo in second, and Abdel Said (EGY) aboard Luron S Z third. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the final track for this week’s 1.50m for 55 starters, with ten clear rounds, and six double clear entries in the jump-off. Abdel Said set a fast pace with Luron S Z, owned by AS Sport Horses and Philippe de Balanda BVBA, in a time of 31.05 seconds to eventually place third. Ben Maher (GBR) followed with the fifth place time of 33.20 aboard Stone Hill Farm’s Carolina 31. Kim Prince (USA) and Rushy Marsh Farm’s RMF Swinny du Parc jumped next with a clear round in 33.35 seconds to place sixth.

Farrington was next to clear the short course with RCG Farm’s Creedance, taking the lead in 30.32 seconds. Edward Levy (FRA) and Remarkable Farms’ Wirma jumped into fourth place with their time of 32.16 seconds. Last to go, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Oakland Ventures’ Picolo moved into second place with a time of 30.79 seconds.

Farrington got Creedance, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) one year ago and has been taking his time to bring the horse along and work on his rideability.

“He is still very green; he has not done a whole lot, but I think he could be a really special horse,” Farrington detailed. “He is extremely hot, so it has taken a little while to make him manageable, but he is a real jumper, and he is like a Jack Russell Terrier in the ring. He reminds me of an old horse I had called Up Chiqui, who was an exceptional horse. I think this horse has a lot of similar characteristics, and if I can teach him to harness his energy, I think he could be something special.”

Speaking of his winning jump-off, Farrington stated, “The horse is already fast all by himself, so that is a big advantage. Before, his steering was not so good, but we have really been working on that for a while without the speed. Today, I let him go a little bit quicker, but he has the advantage that both, he can turn really short to the fences, and he is very fast across the ground naturally.”

Creedance jumped week ten’s WEF Challenge Cup along with Sunday’s 1.50m. Farrington plans to show him in week eleven’s WEF Challenge Cup as well, and will then decide if the gelding is ready to try the grand prix.

“I am not sure yet. He is just nine years old, so I will see how that goes and decide what the next move is,” Farrington noted.

The rider also spoke of Sunday’s course and the tracks throughout the week set by Canada’s Michel Vaillancourt, who is also an Olympic individual silver medalist.

“I think Vaillancourt is one of the top designers, and I am always happy when he builds because I think it is a technical course without crazy size,” Farrington remarked. “He usually ends up with the right amount clear. I thought he did a great job with the grand prix on Saturday. It was a mixed field of horses, and he did not end up with a million clear, and we had a good class without it being impossible to jump. I think he is one of the best builders we have around here.”

Also competing in the International Ring on Sunday, Teddy Vlock and Vlock Show Stables’ Onyx du Haut Bois won the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic. The $10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic concluded the day with a win for Kelly Tropin and Libertas Farms LLC’s Adorose.

Mimi Gochman Claims Top Prize in the Large Pony Hunter Aboard Storyteller

The competitive Large Pony Hunter division came to a close Sunday morning in Ring 12 with Mimi Gochman and Storyteller crowned this week’s champions. Rain clouds gave way to the sunshine as Gochman and Storyteller rode to wins in both over fences classes on Sunday morning. The pair also earned a first and sixth place finishes over fences on Saturday, and took home second in the under saddle. Storyteller is a 13-year-old German Sport Pony gelding owned by Fair Play Farm.

Mimi’s sister Sophie Gochman and Scott Stewart’s Westside settled for the reserve title. Westside, a 13-year-old Warmblood gelding, placed second in the under saddle and earned two seconds, a third, and a sixth over fences.

While Sophie and Mimi often compete against each other in the Large Pony Hunter division, the siblings support each other more than they rival against each other. “We’re pretty civil about competing with each other,” Mimi Gochman explained.

Eleven-year-old Mimi Gochman trains with the teams at Baxter Hill and Rivers Edge. Her primary trainers are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, and Amanda Derbyshire, all of whom Gochman credits for her success. She is remarkably poised and well-spoken for such a young rider, likely due to the great deal of success she has already enjoyed during her young career.

“I’ve been riding since I was 18 months old,” Gochman proudly stated. Her mother Becky Gochman is a highly successful amateur rider, whose love of the sport influenced her daughters’ desire to show.

Mimi Gochman, who recently moved to Wellington, FL with her family full-time, has been riding Storyteller for two years. The pair has enjoyed a great deal of success during that time together, notably winning the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals at the Washington International Horse Show this past October.

“Storyteller is a very sweet pony. He’s very easy to ride and very adjustable,” Gochman remarked. “He’s strong and he’s sturdy, and I can always trust him to get me around the ring safely.

“Storyteller is just easy in general to steer and to get going” Gochman continued. “He’s a good listener; he listens to my hand and my leg which is really nice.”

Storyteller performs especially well in the handy hunter classes, which the pair earned a blue ribbon in this week. “His nickname is ‘Handy King’ because he’s very good at turning,” Gochman laughed. “That really comes in handy when we have to take the tight turns in the handy classes!”

Along with Storyteller, Gochman also competes with Lululemon, who is a green pony owned by Rivers Edge. They compete together in the Large/Medium Green Pony Hunter division.

Outside of the show ring Gochman enjoys playing tennis, counting it as one of her favorite hobbies. “I also like to read a lot,” she added.

Gochman and Storyteller will continue to show in the Large Pony Hunter division for the remainder of the WEF circuit.

The 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its eleventh week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, on March 23-27, 2016. The week highlights the $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, March 26. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange LXII Win $130k Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* at WEF

March 20, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange LXII. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Lilly Higgins and Shannon Eckel Are Champions in Alessandro Albanese Equitation 15-17

Wellington, FL – March 19, 2016 – It was a day of firsts for Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca as the 28-year-old rider guided Ensor de Litrange LXII to victory in the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday during week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). It was the rider’s first grand prix win at the Winter Equestrian Festival on a new horse that he was competing in its very first FEI competition. It was also only the pair’s second jump-off together, as they topped a seven-horse tiebreaker, with Emily Short (USA) and Coco II finishing second, and Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Barnetta placing third.

WEF 10, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, concludes on Sunday, March 20, featuring the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the grand prix course for 45 starters competing in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, with seven clear rounds to proceed to the jump-off, and five double clears.

Emily Short and her own Coco II were first to advance to the jump-off, setting the pace with a clear round in 42.75 seconds. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Starlight Farms’ Helios jumped next with one rail down in 42.57 seconds to eventually finish seventh. Blythe Marano and Riverview Farms’ Quabelle followed with a clear round in 44.18 seconds to earn fourth place honors. Vanessa Mannix (CAN) and her own Rubens LS La Silla also cleared the short course in 45.31 seconds to place fifth.

Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange LXII jumped next, clocking the winning round in 40.61 seconds. Sharn Wordley followed with the third place time of 43.85 seconds aboard the Sky Group’s Barnetta. Last to go, Eric Lamaze had the time in 40.00 seconds, but dropped one rail with his brand new mount Chacco Kid, owned by the Chacco Kid Group, to finish sixth.

Ensor de Litrange LXII is a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab de Reve x Mr. Blue) owned in partnership by Stephex Stables, Stal Lansink, and Lorenzo de Luca. The gelding was previously ridden by Belgium’s Jos Lansink and moved to de Luca in November.

“It is a new horse for me,” de Luca explained. “I started doing some small classes with him, and then in WEF 6 I started to do just national classes with him. This is the first FEI class that he has jumped with me, so I am really happy about that.

“He is a fantastic horse. He is very scopey and really careful,” de Luca continued. “He has a little bit of special technique in front, but you know that he really wants to do a good job. He has very good balance. I did not think that I could be fast in the jump-off because I did one jump-off in a national 1.45m class with him and that is it. This is my second jump-off with him, but he has a big stride, and the jump-off suited me and the horse really well, so everything worked.”

Saturday’s victory was de Luca’s first grand prix win at WEF, and it worked to the rider’s favor that the class was held in the morning instead of at night due to incoming weather.

“Finally!” de Luca said of getting the win. “I have to be honest – this is the first time that I rode the horse in FEI, so he has not done a night class with me. When I walked the course during the WEF (Challenge Cup), they said they moved the grand prix and I said that if he jumped well on Thursday then I would do the grand prix during the day, so it was good for me.”

Commenting on the track set by Vaillancourt, de Luca stated, “When I walked the course I really liked it. The height was good; there were really big verticals, and the oxers were wide enough. The triple combination was really delicate with the vertical in between two oxers. I liked the five-stride after the triple combination. There were a few options, and it was really technical at the end with the double of verticals that we have not had in the grand prixs for a long time. I thought it was a fair course, and I think the course designer did a very good job.”

The course also suited 23-year-old American rider Emily Short and her mount, Coco II, an 11-year-old AES gelding (La Poco x Calato). Short began training with Ireland’s Cian O’Connor at the end of 2014 and just bought Coco II in October, bringing the gelding to Wellington in January after competing in a few shows in Ireland and Belgium.

“I have had a really good season here with him,” Short detailed. “I started jumping some of the 1.40 and 1.45m classes here, and then I jumped on the grass field in the Artisan Farms Under 25 class and was fourth. Then I went up to Live Oak and had a really good weekend there. Then coming back to Wellington after not being here for five or six weeks, he was fresh, and like a new horse again jumping in the International Ring. He jumped really well today, so I was very happy with him.”

Short competed at WEF last winter and part of the winter before, and prior to that had shown in Ocala, FL during the winter. Saturday’s second place grand prix prize was her top finish at the Winter Equestrian Festival to date, and she completed a great jump-off on the way to that result.

“Going first in the first round, and then in the jump-off, this horse Coco was probably the best horse for that,” Short explained. “He has a monster stride, so when there is an option to leave a stride out, I am always going to leave it out pretty much. In the jump-off, I just had a really good plan going in, and rode it like I planned and just hoped nobody would catch me. Unfortunately Lorenzo did, but I am still happy with second.”

New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley was thrilled with his third place finish in the grand prix for the second week in a row. He also finished third in week nine’s $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5* with the Sky Group’s Casper. This week’s prize came aboard Barnetta, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding (Baloubet du Rouet x Polydor) also owned by the Sky Group. Commenting on two great finishes with two different horses, Wordley smiled, “I am having the best week of my life!”

The rider also had a second place finish with Barnetta in the $212,000 U.S. Open Rolex Grand Prix CSI 3* at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York City this fall.

“I got him just over a year ago,” Wordley said of his mount. “I did one small grand prix with him in Wellington last year and then he popped a splint, so I did not get to ride him or show again until the summer. I have only been competing him for just over six months, so I am still just getting to know him really, but he has been a really good horse for me. He has been really consistent. He is not the fastest, but he is always there and around about in the prizes, so he is a very nice horse.”

Tom MacGuinness of Horseware Ireland was on hand for Saturday’s grand prix and spoke of the long relationship that his company has had with the Winter Equestrian Festival, dating all the way back to 1980 with their brand, Triple Crown.

“The first time I came here was in 1989, and all that was here was a grass mound, and a grass field, and a tent,” MacGuinness noted. “Six years ago, Jessica Newman told me to come to Wellington for her gala for Just World International, and I came down and could not believe the changes that had been made here. I met Michael Stone, and Mark Bellissimo, and the whole crew here, and I said that this has really grown to be the place in the world for all equestrian activities. Nothing compares to Wellington in the whole world; no one even comes close. I have my polo team here, I have my jumper here, and to me, Wellington is my second home. It is a fantastic location, and I love it here.”

De Luca agreed with MacGuinness, adding, “There is no better place to be for the winter. This is the best show. You can improve your riding, and the horses get ready for the season. You can show everything from young horses up to the Nations’ Cup, and all of the facilities are very good, so it is fantastic to be here.”

Ensor de Litrange LXII’s groom, Heidi Barrett, received the Groom’s Initiative Award presented by Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, to reward her dedication and hard work as an integral member of the winning team.

Emily Short also earned the Leading Lady Rider Award for week ten, presented by Martha Jolicoeur of Douglas Elliman in memory of Dale Lawler.

Also competing in the International Ring on Saturday, Vanessa Mannix and Carolien v/h Scheefkasteel were victorious in the $15,000 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Classic. The $1,500 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class concluded the day with a win for Kelly Tropin and Libertas Farm LLC’s Adorose.

Lilly Higgins and Shannon Eckel Are Champions in Alessandro Albanese Equitation 15-17

The Alessandro Albanese Equitation 15-17 division was split this week, and two champions were named. The first championship was awarded to Shannon Eckel on Quantum Chanel, an eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Robert McNeel. They won both over fences classes.

Eckel is 17 years old and hails from Rockaway, NJ. She trains with Frank Madden at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY and has only been riding Quantum Chanel, known as “Charlie” around the barn, for three weeks. Their relationship has come together quickly.

“He’s helped me learn a lot. I’ve think we have both taught each other quite a bit. I know when I go in the ring he’ll have my back,” Eckel said.

Eckel had a good start with a solid trip in the first class, but was faced with a challenge when she returned for her second round.

“The first round, I was really happy with. I knew I did fairly well, (and) I read the lines well. The second round, it started to completely downpour, so that was a little interesting!” she recalled. “I don’t know Charlie too well, so I was a little unsure how he would handle the rain. He was really good, and it meant nothing to him. I love the rain; I always do my best in the rain. I guess that held true today!”

This is the first year that Eckel has competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and this was her first championship. “It’s really cool, considering this is my first WEF ever. When we started, I said that I [would] be happy if I got a few ribbons. To walk away with a champion made the whole circuit. It definitely made me really happy and gave me some confidence. I want to say thank you to everybody, Frank, Jen, Stella, and Robert for letting me ride Charlie. They believe in me.”

Lilly Higgins and Common Sense, a ten-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Contendro owned by Woodacres Stables LLC, won the second section championship. They placed first in both over fences classes and were fourth in the under saddle.

Higgins, 17, from Summit, NJ, has been riding Common Sense since December of 2015. Coming from a jumper background and recently gelded, he was sent to Beacon Hill and trainer Stacia Madden to become an equitation horse. Higgins got the ride on the talented horse.

“We worked a lot before coming down to WEF,” Higgins explained. “We have been trying to get him to slow his brain down by doing the 15-17 classes. I love working with him. He loves to learn and do the right thing. This is the fourth or fifth week showing him in this division. He’s really starting to understand what his job is and knowing what he’s supposed to do.”

Going into today’s over fences classes, Higgins was told by her trainers to attempt tight inside turns that most of the other riders had not tried, “to make it harder on myself and give him a challenge,” Higgins said. “He really rose to the challenge in both classes. I was really happy with how he did that. I’m really excited to keep working with him and see how he does in some of the tougher classes.”

There were three reserve champions named: Emma Seger and Cohiba won an under saddle, Emma Lynch and Anton placed second and third over fences, while Megan Hilton on Cantoblanco won the other under saddle class.

The tenth week of competition at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival concludes on Sunday featuring the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Ring at 10 a.m. The Large Pony Hunters will also present championship honors in Ring 12 in the morning. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Win $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic at WEF 10

March 19, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Allison Cederberg Moves Up to Win Ariat National Adult Medal

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2016 – Competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) continued on Friday during week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a win for Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S in the morning’s $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic. The pair bested Eduardo Menezes and Caruschka 2, who settled for second place, while Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Melody des Hayettes Z finished third.

WEF 10, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, features CSI 3* jumper and ‘AA” rated hunter competition through March 20, 2016. The weekend features the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday and the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the speed track for 67 starters in Friday’s 1.45m with 12 clear rounds. Springsteen finished two mounts in the top six for the day. She was first to go in the morning with Stone Hill Farm’s Tiger Lily, setting the pace in 68.66 seconds, and eventually placing sixth. Twelve rounds later, Lamaze and Artisan Farms LLC’s Melody des Hayettes Z took the lead in 65.42 seconds, but later settled for third place. Wednesday’s 1.45m winners, Menezes and Caruschka 2, briefly took over the top spot in a time of 64.98, but were soon pushed from the lead. Four rounds later, Springsteen and Davendy S finished in 63.42 seconds and held on for the win.

Conor Swail (IRL) and Ilan Ferder’s Cenzo finished fourth in 66.10 seconds, and Quentin Judge (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Memphis placed fifth in 68.15 seconds.

Springsteen went first with Tiger Lily, a nine-year-old Oldenburg mare (Balou du Rouet x Domino) that she purchased in November. As she is just getting to know the mare, she went a little easier in their round, but was happy with a great finish.

“She jumped really well,” Springsteen stated. “I was going to go kind of quick with her, but not as tight anywhere, so I think that is where I ended up a little slower. She is so careful, so it is good to start being a little bit more competitive in these classes with her.

“I got her in November, but she ended up just staying in Europe, so I did not ride her until she got down here for the winter,” Springsteen detailed. “She is only nine. I think she moved up a little bit before we got her and did a 1.50m, but she does not have as much experience as Davendy, so I am kind of just getting used to her. She is a little bit quirky and a little bit fresh, so I am figuring out how to prepare her the right way. She is great; she is super competitive, and she is really careful, so I am excited about her.”

With one successful round already completed, Springsteen knew what she had to do with Davendy S to get the win. She has had a great circuit with the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat II), also winning the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic during week five, and felt confident in her ride.

“I was going to jump her yesterday, but she is so good at these classes, so I thought today I had a better shot,” Springsteen noted. “I was just going for it today. She is so fast on her own, so I knew as long as I did the turns that I would be right up there.”

Springsteen did not see the leading round of Eduardo Menezes just before her, but she did get to see Lamaze’s early round and was able to judge her plan from that.

“Once I saw Eric go, I had an idea of what I needed to do,” she stated. “I was really fast after the double, then I knew I had to take a hold of her a bit for the triple, and then I added one down to the next oxer. In the middle part of the course that was kind of an ‘S’ shape, I was pretty on the gas, so that is probably where I made the time up.”

Springsteen began training with Edwina Tops Alexander and Jan Tops last year, but while she is in Wellington, she has had the help of British Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher.

On training with Maher this winter, Springsteen stated, “It has been great. He is so much fun to work with. He is so laid back, and he is really clear, and easygoing. You always feel confident when you go into the ring, and I think that is the most important thing. I love working with him.”

Also competing in the International Ring on Friday, the $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m Speed Challenge was held in a California Split with a win for Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Susan Grange’s Tienna in Section A, and victory for Hannah Selleck (USA) and Descanso Farm’s Callway do Cabo in Section B.

Allison Cederberg Moves Up to Win Ariat National Adult Medal

Twenty-year-old Allison Cederberg, of Billings, Montana, made a big move up to win the Ariat National Adult Medal on Friday. Coming into the test in fourth place, Cederberg and Zero Tolerance, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Roven owned by Dru Cederberg, put in a great effort to ascend to first place.

Of her rides today, Cederberg described, “My first round I was a little bit too conservative. I had a couple of jumps where I added one (stride) too many, but he was really good to me and covered it up. In the test, it was actually really good that I went first. I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it; I just had to go. The rollback is what really helped me. He was so good to me there. I haven’t done a lot of equitation classes on him, and we haven’t practiced it at all. I just went for it. He was really good after the fourth jump to come right back and halt.”

Brooke Taylor and Common Sense placed second, while Lindsey Tomeu and Cassius Clay were third. Fourth place went to Samantha Harris on Ludger.

Originally imported by the Cederbergs four years ago, it wasn’t a perfect match from the start for Allison and “Zero.” She recalled, “We brought him in as a hunter. We didn’t get along at all at first. He was for sale when he first came here. We had an awesome first weekend and were reserve (champion) in the Adult Amateurs, and we decided to keep him.”

The pair has learned from each other through the years as their partnership improved. “He used to kind of be my trouble horse, but now he’s one that I can count on to go in the ring and help me out,” she said.

Cederberg is a student at Colorado State University and makes time to compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival on the weekends. This is her second year competing at WEF, but this was her first win in the Ariat National Adult Medal.

“I’ve never won a medal, so this is really exciting,” she said.

The tenth week of competition at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Saturday with the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* to begin at 11 a.m. in the International Ring. The Alessandro Albanese Equitation 15-17 championship will be presented in Ring 8 in the afternoon. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Equine Assisted Therapy, Jennifer Wood

What’s My Favorite Time of the Week? Equine Assisted Therapy at Mane Stream

March 19, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

AJ, Blaze and Miss Gina working on life skills that enabled AJ to enroll in public school in Fall of 2015.

Therapies at Mane Stream is not only a favorite time of the week for many of our participants; it also happens to be the most beneficial activity for many individuals with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges.

Parents of children with special needs often struggle to find a breakthrough therapy or activity for their child. Those who find OT, PT, SLP equine assisted therapies at Mane Stream witness first-hand the progress that is made when traditional therapy techniques are coupled with equine movement. Progress is seen in several areas including balance, posture, confidence and most importantly in activities of daily living.

AJ’s story is just one example of a young, vibrant, life-loving child with an extensive medical history and a continuous fight to achieve success with the most basic life skills that most parents take for granted. Even before AJ was born his parents knew that his physical and developmental conditions would make doing things other kids do more challenging so they set forth two top goals for AJ:

#1 – attend public school #2 – walk on the beach

After several years of therapy sessions with a variety of therapists and countless doctor appointments, AJ is the first to tell you how much he loves his therapy sessions with Blaze, one of the hard-working horses in the Mane Stream herd. “Their personalities fit together so well,” says Mane Stream occupational therapist, Gina Taylor. “This really helps AJ’s comfort level and confidence as he takes on more challenging therapy tasks. His progress has been remarkable.”

AJ has made great strides towards those two top goals in the past six years. His parents attribute the weekly OT sessions at Mane Stream as the most beneficial in his physical and emotional development – so beneficial, in fact, that AJ started public school in the fall of 2015 and is now able to run on the beach.

Mane Stream, located in Oldwick, New Jersey, is one of a few of the Premier Accredited Centers in the state. Your help is needed today to help us continue to provide novel, engaging, and beneficial services to children like AJ. Please donate now to Mane Stream; all contributions are tax deductible.

If you know someone who could benefit from equine assisted therapy or adaptive riding, consider finding a PATH International Accredited Center nearest you.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Margie Engle and Abunola Top $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10

March 18, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Margie Engle and Abunola. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Kelley Farmer and So to Speak Are High Performance Hunter Champions

Wellington, FL – March 17, 2016 – Week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Thursday with a win for Margie Engle (USA) and Elm Rock LLC’s Abunola in the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10. Competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, Engle and Abunola bested a field of 83 horses and riders, with Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Houston finishing second, and Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) aboard Venturo 9 placing third.

Please note that the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* has been moved to Saturday morning due to expected heavy rainfall in the evening. The grand prix will begin at 11 a.m. in the International Ring at PBIEC.

WEF 10, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, features CSI 3* jumper and ‘AA” rated hunter competition running March 16-20, 2016. The week features the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic on Friday, the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, and the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the course for 83 starters in Thursday’s WEF Challenge Cup, with 14 entries going clear to advance to the jump-off. Vaillancourt’s tiebreaking short course then yielded six double clear rounds. Engle and Abunola clocked the winning time of 41.68 seconds, sixth to go in the jump-off order.

Eric Lamaze with Artisan Farms and Torrey Pines Stable’s Houston immediately followed in the second place time of 41.87 seconds. Lorcan Gallagher and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Venturo 9 completed their round in 43.78 seconds to finish third. Danielle Torano (USA) and Callas III earned fourth place honors in a time of 43.94. Ilan Bluman (COL) and Blue Star Investments’ Ladriano Z placed fifth in 43.98 seconds, and Chris Surbey (CAN) and Linda Southern Heathcott’s Doremi finished sixth in a time of 50.97.

Engle put together a partnership with Rich DeMartini and Lea Allen to purchase Abunola in September of 2015 and has been taking her time to get to know the horse over the last several months. She won her first class with the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Numero Uno x Voltaire) in November competing in a $50,000 HITS Welcome Stake in Thermal, CA. She has since had consistent results competing in Wellington throughout the winter.

“She is a lovely mare,” Engle detailed. “I watched her some last year and liked her. I was then fortunate enough to have Rich DeMartini help me put a partnership together to buy her, and they have been very patient as I have been getting to know her.

“She has a lot of blood,” Engle continued. “When I first went out to California she was great. I think here I maybe left her a little too fresh. Even though the heat is not great for everyone else, it is perfect for her. It just kind of settled her down, and it did not hurt her one bit. She has a lot of energy and nice blood. She is light on her feet and just lovely to ride.”

Speaking of the first round course, Engle stated, “I was thrilled with the way she went. She rode beautifully the first round. I thought the course was tough enough. It was very technical, and it was a tricky track. He actually got not that many clean for how many were in it. It is a hard class to build for, and I thought he did a fantastic job without making it crazy big.”

Engle also appreciated the short course, noting, “I liked the jump-off when I walked the course, which was nice. She is very easy to accelerate, so you just kind of think it, and she is ready to go. I ride her in smaller spurs than any horse I have ever ridden. She was really good in the rollbacks. Rolling back on the liverpool, I was very pleased with her there, and also the rollback on the Rolex jump, the second to last jump. I was very happy with her. She has been very consistent here; we just needed a little bit of luck to go our way.

“I was teasing Eric (Lamaze) that he was kind enough to share a class with me,” Engle laughed. “He has dominated, and when I knew he was going after me, I thought I would be happy with second place because he has been kind of unstoppable in these classes.”

Despite a case of mononucleosis, Engle battled through for a great win on Thursday. Always a fierce competitor, she was determined to compete and came out with a worthy result.

“This is good medicine,” Engle stated. “This win was very much needed.”

Engle will now prepare Abunola to jump in Saturday’s $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3*, which has been moved to the morning instead of being held at night under the lights due to expected rainfall.

Commenting on the change, Engle stated, “I hope it will suit her. I will have to see how much I undid her by going fast today because sometimes with a horse that is a little sensitive, if you go quick with them, sometimes they get a little buzzy. Those are things I will have to figure out with her, but if she goes even close to like she did today, I will be very happy.”

In addition to the winning prize money on Thursday, Engle picked up a $3,000 bonus for wearing SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves as part of the SSG Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.

Also competing in the International Ring on Thursday, Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Main Road, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC, won the $8,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m jump-off class.

Kelley Farmer and So to Speak Are High Performance Hunter Champions

In the early morning fog, Kelley Farmer and So to Speak, owned by Glefke & Kensel LLC, won the High Performance Hunter championship. They placed first, third, and third over fences, won the stake jumping class, and were second in the under saddle.

The reserve championship went to Autumn Rhythm, ridden by Sloane Coles for Nilani Trent. They won two over fences classes and placed third and fourth in the remaining two. In the under saddle, they were third.

Farmer and her veteran partner So to Speak, a past USEF Horse of the Year winner, have been consistently winning at the Winter Equestrian Festival this winter. With his experience, the eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Stakkato had no trouble with the foggy conditions.

“He’s pretty consistent,” Farmer said. “He’s shown enough everywhere that that kind of thing doesn’t bother him. He’s a pretty straightforward guy. It probably made him focus more.”

As one of Farmer’s favorites, So to Speak can get away with being “a little bit of a brat around the barn.” Farmer laughed, “He’s a little bit of his own character. He’s got an interesting personality, but I love that. I like my horses to have a little character. He wants to be careful and jumps in really good style. I love him. He’s one of my babies.”

Farmer and So to Speak will be back in action at WEF during week 12 for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

The tenth week of competition at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Friday with the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic featured in the International Ring in the morning.

The Ariat National Adult Medal will be the highlight class in the Rost Arena. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Dressage, Jennifer Wood

Graves and Verdades Rise to Top AGDF 10 FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*

March 17, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – March 16, 2016 – Victory in the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* presented by Havensafe Farm at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) went to Laura Graves (USA) and her own Verdades with a score of 76.28%, adding another excellent performance to their growing collection of top finishes so far this season. In a top three sweep for riders representing the United States, Allison Brock (USA) and her longtime partner Rosevelt earned second place with a 74.080%, while Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet finished in third place receiving a 72.660%. Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with the FEI Intermediaire I CDI 1*, presented by Mike and Roz Collins, as well as the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corporation.

Temperatures today in South Florida worked their way well past the 80-degree mark, but Graves and Verdades performed a smooth and relaxed test, which Graves was pleased with, noting, “He is not known to be a hot weather horse. He is such a big guy, but he really carried me through. We had a couple of mistakes in our changes, which is not typical for us, but I’m not really concerned. I was most excited with the fact that we’ve been training very regularly.”

“Every time we ride, we have eyes on us thanks to the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Grant that I was able to receive this year. I’m now feeling that more often than not, I’m riding my new training, not my old training. Feeling that in the ring and having the reflection in the test mirror your warm-up, or at least starting to, is really exciting for us,” she continued.

Allison Brock and “Rosie” also had a terrific day back in the CDI arena after taking a short training-focused hiatus from competition. Brock discussed her decision to take some time away from competition arena with the 2002 Hanoverian stallion (Rotspon x Lore) owned by Fritz and Claudine Kundrun. The pair focused on their communication together in hopes of bringing their performances to the next level, producing accurate and powerful tests.

“He was really good and I was a bit worried about the heat today, as I’m sure everyone was. I have not been out in about a month, and I really felt like after the last show, I thought he went better than ever, but I was taking a lot more risks which were turning into mistakes,” explained Brock. “I really decided to stay home and work on our communication and firm that up. A little bit, I’ve been in the same situation as Laura, in that we’re riding constantly with eyes on the ground and tightening things up. It’s hard to not be in the ring and then just come out, but I really felt like in this case, with this particular horse, it was in his best interest to do it like this.

“I took the risk of holding out, and it clearly paid off today. He was happy to go, he was happy to be here, and it was the first time that my warm-up carried through to my test. I’m really proud of him,” she noted.

Riding first down the centerline in today’s FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*, Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet set the tone for the large class, which had 18 entries, and led for majority of the afternoon with their score of 72.660%. While riding a bit more conservative today, Perry explained that the consistency she continues to see from “Dublet” is incredibly motivating for her, as the two are contesting only their fourth Large Tour CDI competition together.

“It feels good because I know that I can eventually push for more. This is only his fourth CDI at this level, and it’s about keeping his mind happy and healthy. I think once I feel like the right time to push for more, I can,” she said. “Today, I think our test was really consistent and very clean, but it was a bit more on the conservative side. I think that, personally, it had to do a bit with the heat and a little bit too long of a warm-up, but he felt great. I had rideability today, which is what I really strive for with him because he can be a bit looky and tense. He was with me and happy, and I just feel so honored to be sitting up here with these two.”

The camaraderie and positivity streaming through Team USA this season at AGDF has been evident and in testament to the confidence the riders have been giving each other throughout the season. Brock spoke to the stabling arrangements for this week’s competition, in which Graves, Perry-Glass, and Brock are all stabled in adjacent stalls in the same FEI barn, as a symbol of support and motivation for one another.

“It started with Lisa Wilcox, who we all love. She’s just the best person you can ever be in a barn aisle with. She’s so inspiring and has done everything, just gives a really positive energy. We all decided that after the 5* here, we needed to have a barn name to put on the entry forms. We couldn’t come up with one and Lisa said, ‘All for one and one for all,'” explained Brock. “We’re all barn mates under that name and I think that shows how we all feel about each other and what it means for us to be competing together. I think it’s an incredible atmosphere, and it’s pretty cool because it isn’t always that way. We are all about supporting each other.”

Leida Collins-Strijk (NED) and her own Don Tignanello, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding (Don Vino x Atlantica), have been nearly unbeatable in Small Tour classes this season at AGDF and capped today with another victory in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by Mike & Roz Collins, receiving a 72.982%. Collins-Strijk piloted her second mount, Zantros, to second place with a score of 71.623%. Kevin Kohmann (GER) and Fritz San Tino, owned by Melanie Pai, earned their first top three finish in CDI competition this season with a 70.833%.

Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with the FEI Intermediaire I CDI 1*, presented by Mike & Roz Collins, along with the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corporation. For more information on AGDF and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Allison Kavey and Carly Weilminster
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Championships, Dressage, Jennifer Wood

AGDF Hosts CDI 4/3/1* alongside Florida International Youth Dressage Championships

March 16, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Mikala Gundersen (DEN) and My Lady, winners of the 2015 FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4* at AGDF. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2016 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) welcomes back international competition this week to Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) as the facility prepares to host the AGDF 10 CDI 4* presented by Havensafe Farm, CDI 3* presented by The Dutta Corporation, and CDI 1* presented by Mike & Roz Collins. The 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, presented by the Davis family, Kim Boyer, Dressage 4 Kids, and the Kane Family, will run in conjunction with the CDI 4*/3*/1* competition throughout the week, allowing top young riders the opportunity to compete in a major international setting at AGDF. Competition will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16, and continue through Sunday, March 20. The AGDF 10 “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18.

The CDI 4* will begin Wednesday, March 16, as the FEI Grand Prix presented by Havensafe Farm will commence in The Stadium at PBIEC promptly at 3:00 p.m. The FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by Mike & Roz Collins, will begin at 8:00 a.m. prior to Grand Prix competition on March 16. The FEI CDI 3* presented by The Dutta Corporation will begin on Thursday, March 17, at 1:25 p.m. with the FEI Grand Prix, preceded by the FEI Intermediaire I, presented by Mike & Roz Collins.

Both FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*/3* classes are set to take place on Friday, March 18, with the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3* scheduled to finish just before the start of the popular “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the lights at 7:00 p.m. The FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4*/3* classes will highlight competition on Saturday, March 19, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1* concluding competition on Sunday, March 20.

In one of the largest international competitions ever hosted outside of Europe, more than 140 FEI entries jogged before the judging panel on Tuesday afternoon. The 2016 season at AGDF has developed into one of the most competitive dressage destinations in the world. The event this week will focus not only on the accomplishments of professionals and amateur riders, but also young competitors excelling in the sport, as the largest group of entries was submitted for the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships.

*Juan Matute, Jr. (ESP) and Dhannie Ymas at the 2015 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships*

Showcasing riders in the Under 25, Young Rider, Junior, and Pony divisions, the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships offer a growing platform for young riders wishing to compete at the international levels of the sport, bringing them to the forefront of one of the world’s largest dressage competitions. As the sport continues to expand as an equestrian discipline around the world and entry numbers for the competition continue to increase this year, a massive FEI Young Rider division will highlight the week, boasting 24 entries, the largest Young Rider division in the history of AGDF. Competitors from around the globe are set to take to The Stadium at PBIEC representing nations from North America, South America, and Europe.

“We’re very proud of the growth and expansion this show has seen over the past few years, and the representation this year in the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships attests to that,” said Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for AGDF. “This is the first step for many of these riders pursuing the FEI Grand Prix level, especially the individuals we will see in the Young Rider division. We’re honored to host this championship and are thankful to our sponsors Kim Boyer, the Davis family, the Kane family, and Lendon Gray for their continued efforts each year.”

In the four FEI divisions offered to riders competing in the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships this year, there are great numbers of competitors expected to compete, including: two competitors in the FEI Pony Rider division, eleven riders in the FEI Junior Rider division, 24 entries in the FEI Young Rider division, and eight combinations contesting the FEI Intermediaire II 16-25 division.

Top-ranked U.S. rider Barbara “Bebe” Davis, currently ranked 7th in the FEI Young Rider World Rankings list, will compete two mounts, Feivel Mousekewitz, owned by Michael Davis, in the FEI Young Rider division, and Equestricon’s Carrera, owned by Antonia Arl, in the FEI Intermediaire II 16-25 division. Juan Matute Jr. (ESP) who has dominated in both the Large Tour and Small Tour classes at AGDF this season, will compete Dhannie Ymas, owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., in the FEI Young Rider division as well, looking to add another win to his already successful campaign this season. Felicitas Hendrix (GER), currently ranked #3 in the world on the FEI Junior Rider list on Faible AS, will also compete, while Diana Porsche (AUT), ranked third on the Under 25 FEI World Rankings list, will compete in both the FEI Young Rider division and FEI Intermediaire 16-25 division aboard Porsche’s Eloy and Di Sandro.

This is the fourth year the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships will be hosted by AGDF and the competition is organized by Equestrian Sport Productions. For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, and competition this week, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z Capture $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5*

March 13, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Lexi Maounis Pilots Fetching to Victory in Osphos® Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2016 – Ireland’s Richie Moloney and Equinimity LLC’s Carrabis Z were the winners of Saturday night’s $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5* during week nine of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Competing under the lights of the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Moloney topped a field of 42 starters and an eight-horse jump-off, with Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper in second, and Lillie Keenan (USA) aboard Super Sox third.

WEF 9, sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, concludes on Sunday, March 13, with the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 12-week WEF circuit runs through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Alan Wade (IRL) set the track for Saturday night’s main event, with eight entries clear to advance to the jump-off, and three double clear rounds. Keenan and Chansonette Farm’s Super Sox set the pace over the short course with a time of 47.11 seconds to eventually earn third place honors. Wordley and the Sky Group’s Casper were next to go with a faster time of 46.69 seconds. Moloney and Carrabis Z then crossed the finish line in the winning time of 45.04 seconds.

Kent Farrington (USA) and RCG Farms’ Uceko, and Todd Minikus (USA) and Two Swans Farm’s Babalou 41 were both faster, but had four faults along the way. Farrington and Uceko finished fourth with a score of four in 42.65 seconds. Minikus and Babalou placed fifth with four faults in 42.67 seconds.

Moloney and Carrabis Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide stallion (Canabis Z x Grannusso), have been a team since 2012 and have many great wins together. Most recently, the duo was part of the winning Irish team in week eight’s Nations’ Cup.

Speaking of their victory on Saturday night, Moloney stated, “My horse jumped great tonight. He was a little looky into the double in the first round. It was a tough enough line. When I did the jump-off, he was jumping better than the first round. He was more relaxed and really jumping. It is a great win. I was happy enough being clear in the first round, and I could not be happier.

“When I jumped, the plan was just to try and beat who was ahead of me,” Moloney said of the jump-off. “I knew there were one or two after me that would probably be faster. I was lucky enough tonight we got the win in the end. My horse deserves it. He was very unlucky last week in the grand prix. We had one down and it was probably my fault, so it was nice to come back tonight and do him justice because he deserved to be clear last week. This is his third big grand prix win in the last six months. He is a great horse for me, and he has really stepped up in the last 12 months.”

Moloney thanked the sponsors of the night’s class, Douglas Elliman, and also praised his owners at Equinimity LLC, including Diana and Jenji Mercer, who were there to celebrate his win.

“The Mercer family are great owners and great people to work for,” he acknowledged. “I appreciate them very much, and it is nice to give them this win here tonight. I have been there five years, and you could not find better people to work for.”

For Sharn Wordley, the night’s second place finish was fantastic with his mount Casper, a ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Contender x Baloubet du Rouet).

“I have had him since end of circuit last year and this was his first five-star,” Wordley detailed. “I was really happy with him – he was double clear in the WEF (Challenge Cup) on Thursday and he got better as the week went through. He learned a lot here, and he is jumping fantastic. I am really excited about him.”

Wordley spoke of his strategy for the jump-off, stating, “Because it was his first really big class under the lights, my strategy was just to go clear and medium fast because I was hoping the end result was people would try to go a little faster and have some rails down. Then I would get results without actually having to use my horse up too much. I got lucky and he got second, which is pretty exciting in a five-star.”

Wordley also spoke of the night’s course, noting, “Alan Wade is one of my favorite course builders, and I think one of the best ones in the world. I have jumped quite a few of his courses recently, and I really enjoy them. Tonight’s course really used all facets of show jumping. The horse had to be really rideable and careful. There were a lot of tight lines with big verticals. It really tested the rider as well. If you had a hole in any one part of it, you were not going to do so well. He seems to get just the right amount of riders in the jump-off to make it interesting. It was a fair course and tough, like any five-star ever is.”

Lillie Keenan was excited to get a third place finish in the night’s class with her mount Super Sox, a ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Salito x Silvio I. Keenan (19) is currently in her freshman year at Harvard University and splitting time between Boston and Wellington throughout the winter. She attended classes Monday through Wednesday, and flew to Florida on Thursday to compete in the WEF Challenge Cup, which is the grand prix qualifier. Keenan also switched trainers this season and began riding with Ireland’s Cian O’Connor as she moves up to competing at the higher level. Saturday night was Keenan’s first five-star with Super Sox and a great finish.

“I have had him for almost two years now and I have to say, he is a special horse, but the program I have behind me makes all the difference,” Keenan stated. “The background team is on a level unlike any other I have ever seen. I was only jumping that horse over the summer in two-star and three-star grand prix, really trying to work on my rideability, my flatwork, and my position and effectiveness, and two months ago Cian told me, ‘When we get to Wellington, you are going to jump a five-star and you are going to jump double-clear’. I do not know if he has a crystal ball, but he certainly knows how to plan and aim for a class, so it is really exciting for me. It is my first five-star on the horse, it is the first time I have ever jumped clear in a five-star, and it is the best result I have ever had in Wellington in a night class, so it is a night of firsts.”

Keenan spoke of her plan going first in the jump-off, explaining, “My strategy was to keep the jumps up and be quick, but not take too many risks. I would say, looking back, hindsight is 20/20. There are a few places I could have gone quite a bit quicker, but I was overwhelmed with excitement just jumping clear in the first round. I am thrilled with my horse, so I really just wanted to stick to my plan, jump as many jumps as I could clear, and trust my horse.”

Don Langdon, Managing Broker at Douglas Elliman for Palm Beach and Wellington, was on hand for the competition and spoke of the great relationship Douglas Elliman has with equestrian sport.

“It is such an outstanding thing for me to come to an event like this in Wellington,” Langdon stated. “I have been here for 30 some years and worked on the development and the real estate side for many years. I played basketball in college, but I did not realize what great athletes these riders all are. Over the past ten years, I have started to realize that, and I compliment all of them on that. What we try to do at Douglas Elliman is align ourselves with high-end sports and the arts. Sponsoring WEF is fantastic because it is 12 weeks and we get to enjoy that. It is a perfect platform for our company and for me especially, it is a special thing to be a part of the sport and give back to all of the people in it.”

For their win, Moloney and Carrabis Z earned the Herman ‘Kappy’ Kaplan Perpetual Memorial Trophy. Carrabis Z’s grooms, Gabriel Barcena and Rodrigo Pimentel, also shared the Groom’s Initiative Award presented by Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, to reward their dedication and hard work as an integral member of the winning team.

Margie Engle was presented the award for Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider for week nine, an award sponsored by Martha Jolicoeur of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Also competing in the International Ring on Saturday, Brianne Link and Wednesday Mornin were victorious in the $1,500 Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper speed class, and Kelsey Thatcher and Pony Lane Farm’s Everything topped the $15,000 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. The $1,500 Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Low Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class was held in a California Split with a wins for Olivia Chowdry and Cosma 20 in Section A, and Madeline Thatcher with Pony Lane Farm’s Skilliane de Varnel in Section B.

Lexi Maounis Pilots Fetching to Victory in the Osphos® Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″

Lexi Maounis and her mount Fetching earned three blue ribbons on the way to the Osphos® Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ division championship this week. The pair won both over fences classes and the under saddle on Friday afternoon, and earned a sixth-place ribbon over fences on Saturday. Vivian Yowan settled for the reserve honors aboard Saddle Ridge LLC’s Anytime, earning fourth in the under saddle and a third and two second place ribbons over fences.

Maounis, of Greenwich, CT, was thrilled with her rounds this week. “Luke,” as he is affectionately called, is a seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding purchased by Maounis last summer. “I’m really excited because this is my first time getting a champion with Luke!” Maounis said. “He went so well yesterday. Winning all three classes was really exciting!”

Winning three classes on Friday took some pressure off of Maounis to win on Saturday, but she still wanted to give it her best. “We had an unfortunate rail in the first round today, so I was a little worried about the second round,” she revealed. “But Luke is such a good horse that he went back in and we had a great second trip.”

Patricia Griffith, who trains Maounis out of Heritage Farm, has been successfully competing with the young gelding since Maounis purchased him in August. “He’s a younger horse that needed some experience, and Patricia has given him that,” Maounis said. “She has been doing him in the Green Conformation at WEF, and it has been going really well.”

“It was really nice that once the horse got down to Florida, Patricia already knew him so well. Patricia showing him made the transition to me riding him that much easier,” she continued.

“He has a big stride for a tiny horse and has such a smooth jump,” she remarked. “He has the best personality, an amazing temperament, (and) is so sweet.”

Maounis and Luke have spent the last few weeks of competition getting comfortable and familiar with each other. This week, things finally came together for the pair. “I’m so excited to have won a championship. Luke and I are really getting to know each other well now,” she commented.

Maounis, a 21-year-old junior at the University of Miami, works hard to successfully juggle her pursuit of a degree in advertising with her competition schedule at WEF. “It’s convenient that I only have to commute from Miami. It makes it easy to come on the weekends, but it can still be hard to find that balance between school and riding,” she admitted.

Maounis, who also competes with her longtime mount Sienna in the 3’6″ Amateur-Owner Hunter division, will continue to show in the 3’3″ Amateur-Owner division with Luke for the remaining weeks of WEF. “I hope I keep doing well, and that I get to compete in the 3’6″ amateurs with Luke soon,” she said.

Competition for WEF 9 comes to a close on Sunday, featuring the crowning of the Autism Speaks Children’s Pony Hunter Small/Medium champion in ring 11. Also taking place on Sunday in the International Ring will be the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher

Category Archives: Jennifer Wood

Lauren Hough and Cornet 39 Victorious in $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4*

T. J. O’Mara Wins Ninth Annual George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship

Farrington and Creedance Win $35k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at WEF

Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange LXII Win $130k Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* at WEF

Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Win $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic at WEF 10

What’s My Favorite Time of the Week? Equine Assisted Therapy at Mane Stream

Margie Engle and Abunola Top $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10

Graves and Verdades Rise to Top AGDF 10 FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*

AGDF Hosts CDI 4/3/1* alongside Florida International Youth Dressage Championships

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z Capture $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5*

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