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Jose Roberto Reynoso and Tanita de Saleste Win $15k 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix

Wellington, FL (February 26, 2018) – Polo West once again set the stage for two days of utopian show jumping of all levels on exceptional grass footing February 23-25, as well as an exciting night of child/adult and open rides under the lights in the Polo West arena. From Olympians to pony riders, the Wellington Turf Tour and Palm Beach Series has divisions for all levels including the weekly $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix, $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic, Friday Night Lights for Child/Adult and Open riders, monthly M&S/SEMF/Colonial Classic qualifier Schooling Shows, USEF Equitation Tuesdays, and all the amenities and relaxed atmosphere The Ridge’s events are known for.

Olympian Jose Roberto Reynoso of Sao Paulo, Brazil piloted Tanita de Saleste to a double clear effort and a jump-off time of 39.012 seconds. The athletic 10-year-old bay KWPN mare is a ride owned by Franck Henouda and she and Reynoso recently rode to a top 3 placing in the 1.45m division before coming to the Turf Tour for a breath of fresh air and to jump on the grass in the Florida sunshine. Their effort bested a field consisting of an interesting mix of fellow Olympians, ambitious adult amateurs, and new partnerships testing their skills at the 1.40m level. Reynoso and Tanita, in fact, have only been a pair for about a month. Olympian Ramiro Quintana of Argentina and Cody Quintana’s Ceitasi put in an early double clear effort to lead the class on a jump-off time of 42.025 seconds, while Hardin Towell of Wellington, Florida rode Concept to third, with a jump-off time less than half a second off Quintana’s time at 42.662.

“On the Turf Tour, and at all of our events and shows, we try to present a very dynamic environment for riders and trainers to achieve their goals,” said US Olympian and co-founder of The Ridge, Nona Garson. “Whether you have a horse coming back after a rest, a student moving up to the next height, a new horse that needs miles, or just want to enjoy a new venue or turf footing, the inspiration behind the Turf Tour & Palm Beach Series is to fill these needs and drive the development of show jumping as a sport.”

Friday Night Lights Illuminates Child/Adult and Open Talent

From the beauty of the Turf Tour to the excitement of an under the lights class with an avid audience, The Ridge’s Friday Night Lights wrapped up the week’s competition at Polo West. With a variety of classes at the .90m and 1.10m level, generous prizes and the thrill of evening competition with an audience have made Friday Night Lights a popular option for juniors, adult amateurs, and professionals.

The evening’s headline class, the $1,500 M&S/NAL/WIHS 1.10m Child/Adult Jumper Classic, was topped for the second time this season by Lisa Butzer and Evan Coluccio’s hunter derby mare turned jumper, Burlesque. “She absolutely lit up when we came to compete tonight, and I really liked the course,” said Butzer of Boca Raton, Florida. “The turns were the most challenging aspect, as you had to be fast but also careful not to put your horse off balance. We plan to come back every week to get qualifying points and because of the excellent prizes!”

And the prizes don’t just go to the highs: the leading Low .90m Child/Adult Jumper Classic rider at the end of the season will receive a pair of custom riding boots from LA Mundial. This week’s Low Classic winner, Betta Wittbeck and Serendipity, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare, are in their first season of showing together and have their sights on the High Children’s. “This was our first time showing under the lights and we both really enjoyed the experience,” said Wittbeck, of Pittsford, New York. “I haven’t been riding her long but she’s a darling and really took to the course tonight.”

For a full schedule of events hosted by The Ridge at Wellington, visit www.TheRidgeFarm.com.

Media contact:
PR and Marketing
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992

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