Jeffery Welles and Antaris S.
Wellington, FL – February 14, 2014 – The International Polo Club Palm Beach was alive with exhilarating jumper action today as riders gathered to compete on the turf for the sixth week of the Wellington Turf Tour Grand Prix Series. Jeffery Welles and Antaris S were today’s pathfinders, riding to a double clear effort in an amazing 35. 590 seconds.
Beth Underhill was the first to attempt the course this morning. Eric Hasbrouck was the sixth week’s course designer. He utilized a liver pool, in-and-out, standalone oxers, a triple combination set on the outside, and a triple bar. Faults fell throughout the course, but Underhill was the first to navigate the track, as well as the first to post a double-clear effort. Her time of 40.520 seconds aboard Viggio would prove good enough for the fifth place finish, with a field of 34 competitors fighting in a battle of the best.
Jeffery Welles was only the second rider of the class, but his 9-year-old mount Antaris S was on fire as they traversed the turf. They cleared the first round with ease, and had their sights on the prize as they picked up a blazing speed for the jump off. Welles left a stride out of the first line, doing seven strides from the oxer to the vertical. To shave the time he made quick and tidy turns, with Antaris S siding in on the triple bar, slicing the seconds. They tripped the timers in an astounding 35.590 seconds.
“I am riding Antaris S for a good friend of mine, Natalie Gizzi,” Welles explained. “I showed him a little bit last summer in two shows, and then down here I have been riding him since the beginning of the circuit. He has been coming to George and Nona’s shows for the last three weeks, and has also shown at the Winter Equestrian Festival.”
This was not the pair’s first time winning the blue ribbon for The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour, having captured the victory in the 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers at Wolfstone Stables during Week V. “The horse was great today. This has been really nice jumping on the grass at these venues. Everything that George [D’Ambrosio] and Nona [Garson] are doing with the help of these facilities is really nice, and allows us to jump on the grass.”
Each consecutive rider attempted to catch Welles’ time, but none would avail today. Samuel Parot and Thea were the first to get within a second, but a rail at the final oxer would cost them. It was Ramiro Quintana, winner of Wednesday’s 1.30m-1.35m Jumper class, aboard Caramello Z who would take the second place. Their double clear effort was completed in 37.251 seconds. Debbie Stephens and Dryden captured the third place finish with a time of 39.684 seconds, leaving all rails intact.
Welles concluded, “I think that different venues each week is great for them. It breaks up the monotony and boredom of showing in the same facility every week. The show is great, but this is something different. This gives you an opportunity to jump 1.30m-1.40m on grass at different facilities, and it has been great for all of the young horses I have been riding.”
Chris Ewanouski and Carlos 455 were awarded the fourth place for their clean round completed in 39.987 seconds, while Underhill claimed fifth. Sarah Wayda and Spargel were the last of the double-clear efforts, completing the course in a conservative 42.517 seconds.
Riders should get their entries in to avoid post-entry fees. The stakes are increasing each week as top riders, amateur and professional, vie for their invitation into the $24,750 Invitational Grand Prix Series Finale Saturday, March 22, 2014, and the newly announced Leading Rider Bonus.
Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times, 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.
The Wednesday and Friday events will run from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching events. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire.
Show Net is onsite for all Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour events, capturing footage and providing live results for each class. For full results and videos, please visit: www.shownet.biz.
The Ridge still has available sponsorships for the Invitational Series. For more information, call (908) 500-0996 or download information at www.theridgefarm.com.
Sponsorships are available for the $25,000 Finale, $15,000 Weekly Grand Prix, $2,000 Weekly Hospitality Text, $3,500 Show Jump Sponsor for series, $750 Ring Banner for the series and $500 Weekly Class Presenter.
All checks should be made payable to the Ridge Farm LLC.
The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Series
C/O Eda Tordiff
110 Edwards Rd.
Parsippany, NJ, 07054
For more information about the Ridge at Wellington, please go to http://www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow the Ridge at Wellington on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264.
The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its second year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 22, 2014.
The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 8, 2014 and running until March 19, 2014.
Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour.
The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January – March 2013. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.
Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 7, 2014 and March 21, 2014.
What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Senior Classics, and two hunter derbies.
Where:
Wolfstone Stables
3655 Middleburg Dr,
Wellington, FL 33414
Barn & Show Phone 561-791-1471 | Barn Fax 561-791-1543
When:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, January 10, 2014 – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hours:
8:30am-5pm daily
Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike: Take the exit for LakeWorth Road West. Continue on Lake Worth Road approximately 6 miles to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Continue to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
From Route 95: Take the exit for Forest Hill Blvd West. Continue on Forest Hill Blvd to South Shore Blvd. Make a left on South Shore Blvd. Once on South Shore Blvd, continue straight at light at Pierson Road and again straight through the intersection at Lake Worth Road, to the stop sign at 50th Street. Make a Right on 50th Street. Continue to Stables Way and make a right. Continue to the end of Stables Way and make a right on Palm Beach Point Blvd. Driveway to farm is 50 feet on the left.
Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Text: (908) 500-0996
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264?ref=ts&fref=ts.
Management:
Nona Garson
14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd. East
Wellington, FL, 33414
(561) 791-1471 (show office)
(908) 839-3859 (show cell)
(561) 791-1543 (show fax)
Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com