An exceptional end to this sixth edition of the Longines Athina Onassis Horse Show, the 17th leg of the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour and the Global Champions League. A stone’s throw from the mythical Pampelonne Beach, in front of a thrilled crowd, America’s Jessica Springsteen won her first LGCT 5* Grand Prix in an exceptional jump-off. Earlier in the day, the provisional ranking of the Global Champions League, the team circuit, underwent some major changes.
Jessica Springsteen and Volage du Val Henry. Photo by Jump Media.
Wellington, FL – U.S. rider Jessica Springsteen was named the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award winner on Saturday, February 23, during CSI5* week, the seventh week of competition at the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
“It’s really exciting to be named Leading Lady!” said Springsteen, who competed two different horses during Week 7, one in the Thursday qualifier and another in the “Saturday Night Lights” grand prix. “My horses jumped great all week, and winning this award is a great finish to a lovely weekend.”
Springsteen, 27, piloted Volage du Val Henry, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Stone Hill Farm, to sixth place in the $134,000 CSI5* Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 qualifier earlier in the week, sealing her fate for an appearance in Saturday evening’s big ticket event. She again earned a top-10 placing in the $391,000 CSI5* Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix, this time riding RMF Zecilie, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Rushy Marsh Farm.
In recognition of her Leading Lady title, Springsteen was presented with a bottle of champagne, bouquet of flowers, and gift certificate for a shopping spree at Hunt, Ltd.
The Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, now in its second half of the season. So far this year, Erynn Ballard, Laura Chapot, Margie Engle, Tiffany Foster, Lauren Hough, and Beezie Madden have earned the weekly honor and have set their sights on claiming the overall title.
Wellington, FL – November 30, 2017 – Competition continued with the ESP Holiday & Horses CSI 4* at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and awarded a win to Jessica Springsteen (USA) and RMF Swinny Du Parc in the $35,000 Ultima Fitness 1.50m Qualifier CSI 4*.
Second place honors in the class were awarded to Margie Engle (USA) and Royce, a 2004 Oldenburg stallion (Cafe Au Lait x Grandilot) owned by Gladewinds Partners LLC, after completing the jump-off in 40.721 seconds. Third place was captured by Ali Wolff (USA) and Blacklick Bend Farm’s Casall, a 2005 Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Capitol I), completing the short track in 40.755 seconds.
Springsteen and the 2006 Selle Francais mare (Berlin x Laudanum), owned by Rushy Marsh Farm, were one of nine returning to the jump-off, stopping timers in 39.173 speedy seconds, a full second ahead of Engle and Wolff. Of the course designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), Springsteen said, “It was a good course today. I thought the ending was a little tricky with the triple-bar and triple combination. I think that that really caught a lot of people. She [RMF Swinny Du Parc] really kept it together and she jumped it amazingly. It was really good effort on her part!”
Springsteen recently picked up the ride on the mare, competing her for the first time this past fall at Tryon International Equestrian Center. The duo earned several top 12 finishes at TIEC, before moving on to compete in Kentucky.
Springsteen explained, “I showed her in Tryon and that was my first time showing her. We just clicked right away. She’s my kind of ride. She’s a big girl but it doesn’t feel like it when you’re riding her. She’s also very competitive. I took her to Kentucky and showed her there, and then she had a little time off after arriving here in Florida. This was her first time back out today and I couldn’t have asked for her to be any better.”
Looking ahead, Springsteen plans to compete the mare either in Saturday night’s $216,000 Holiday & Horses Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by Palm Beach County Sports Commission, or in Sunday’s $25,000 Grand Prix presented by Omega Alpha.
“Moving forward after that I think that we are going to start a little slow this winter because it is such a long season. We are definitely looking forward to competing in the future SNL Grand Prix classes,” she said. “It’s nice to have these pre-Winter Equestrian Festival shows to get the horses seasoned and comfortable with their surroundings once again.”
Complimenting her mount on a job well done once again, Springsteen concluded, “I’m just so thankful to have been given the ride on this mare. She’s so much fun and I’m very excited for the future with her.”
Wellington, FL – March 22, 2017 – Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Davendy S topped the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m CSI 5* on March 22 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. The pair outraced Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Lady Maria BH, who finished in second place, and Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino, who settled for third place.
Guilherme Jorge (BRA) is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for WEF 11. Jorge set the track filled with related distances for 54 starters over the 1.45m course, held in a two-phase competition, and saw 22 double clear rounds. With the exception of Springsteen, the top six competitors finished the second phase within one second of each other.
Springsteen and Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S sprinted around the second phase of the course, crossing the timers in 24.609 seconds, over a second and a half ahead of Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH, who left a stride out in the final line to take over the leading time just four trips earlier in 26.302 seconds. Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino recorded a third-place time of 26.532 seconds.
“I knew if I jumped the water, it would give me a better line to start the second phase,” explained Springsteen. “The other area I focused on was taking my time back to the last line because it was a really tight turn and a lot of people ran into problems there. I wanted to make sure she got her eye on it.”
Out of her current mounts, Springsteen has owned Davendy S for the longest. Over their three years together, the pair has gained a reputation for being strong contenders in the speed classes and won the same class during week seven of the 2017 winter circuit.
Praising her mare, Springsteen said, “She was so good! She always shines in these speed classes, so I was definitely planning on going for it. She was really with me in every turn and at every fence, so I’m really happy with her. Every time she goes in the ring she wants to win and loves to go fast. I just try to keep her confidence up and make her happy!”
The International Arena had three other classes on Wednesday. The first class of the day, the $8,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m CSI 2*, found a winner in Lucy Davis (USA) and Old Oak Farm’s Boucherom. The $1,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m CSI 5* followed with Ben Maher (GBR) taking the top honors aboard It’s Real Love Vd Smis Z, owned by Poden Farms. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Important de Muze, an entry owned by Kerry Anne LLC, concluded the day with a win in the $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m.
Week eleven of the Winter Equestrian Festival continues in the International Arena on Thursday featuring the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11. The Antares High Performance Working Hunters will determine championship and reserve honors in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena. For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Take $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m; Heather Caristo-Williams and Summer Song Triumph in Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′
Wellington, FL – February 23, 2017 – Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington (USA) and RCG Farm’s Creedance were victorious in the $130,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday, February 23, at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) saw 56 starters on his first round course, with 14 advancing to the jump-off and six clear over the short track. Farrington and Creedance took the win with a time of 33.92 seconds.
Ireland’s Conor Swail guided Finca Horses’ Flower to second place in 34.14 seconds. Japan’s Karen Polle jumped With Wings into third place with a time of 34.24 seconds. USA’s Lauren Hough was aboard Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Waterford to finish fourth in 34.52 seconds. Marilyn Little (USA) and Karen O’Connor’s Clearwater placed fifth in 34.66 seconds, and Margie Engle (USA) rounded out the top six with a time of 37.96 seconds riding Gladewinds Partners’ Royce.
For his win on Thursday, Farrington stuck to his own strategy with the speedy mount and made time with quick, tight turns.
“I watched a couple go early in the jump-off just to be sure about my plan, but he is very fast by himself, so I have to stick to his routine,” Farrington noted. “I can’t try to do stride numbers that other horses do. I have to win on short turns and using his foot speed.”
Farrington continued, “I think the horse is naturally quick, and I naturally ride pretty quick. I did one extra stride to the oxer before the rollback turn. That probably made it easier to rollback shorter, and he is fast enough to do that. A slower horse, if they add a stride there, they are going to be two seconds behind, so I think a smaller, quicker horse has the advantage on a rollback like that.”
“It is a big week here; a five-star week in Florida,” Farrington said after his win. “I have been bringing Creedance up slow, and this is his first five-star show here. We are off to a great start. He jumped last week under the lights in the small ring, and I thought he was a bit rusty. He came out in much better form today, so I am happy with his progress, if nothing else.”
The ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) won two five-star grand prixs in St. Moritz and Geneva, Switzerland, in 2016, among other top finishes at a young age. He will next contest Saturday night’s $380,000 Suncast® Grand Prix CSI 5*.
Along with the winning prize, Creedance was presented the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award for week seven, presented by Laura Fetterman.
Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S Take $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m
Jessica Springsteen (USA) was the winner of the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m speed class with Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S during WEF 7. Beginning on Wednesday, the class was stopped halfway through due to inclement weather and resumed with its remaining entries on Thursday morning.
Fifty entries showed over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course, which yielded 16 clear rounds. Springsteen showed in the first half of the class on Wednesday afternoon, piloting Davendy S to the winning time of 56.41 seconds. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili finished second in 57.61 seconds. Samuel Parot (CHI) and Couscous van Orti placed third in 58.99 seconds. Cian O’Connor (IRL) finished fourth riding Ronnoco Jump Ltd.’s Callisto through the timers in 59.21 seconds.
Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S
“She was amazing,” Springsteen said of her 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat II). “I saw Kristen go, and I saw that she was really fast. I knew that I definitely needed to take a couple of risks, but that is where she is just such a fast horse across the ground and over the fences. She is so much fun in those classes.
“I really wanted to win,” Springsteen continued. “I just tried to do the tightest turns that I could, but she is just one of the fastest horses I have ever ridden on her own, so if I stick to my plan normally I am able to have a good place. I knew there was still half the class to go, but after we went, I was pretty sure that we had it. There was no place I could have gone faster.”
Davendy S lights up in the show ring, but generally has a very calm demeanor.
“I know she looks like a really hot horse when she is in the ring, but actually to ride, she takes a lot of leg,” Springsteen explained. “If you see her just walking around, she does not look like a speed horse. She is so big and sleepy, but when she gets in the ring she gets so excited. She just loves it.”
Also competing in the International Arena on Thursday, Emma Heise (USA) and Old Willow Farms’ Viper Vrombautshoeve Z won the $8,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m CSI 2* speed class.
The $2,500 Engel & Völkers High Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class concluded the day with a win for Jorge Matte Capdevila and C’Est Beau.
Heather Caristo-Williams and Summer Song Triumph in Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′
Heather Caristo-Williams of Wellington, FL and Summer Song were named champions of the Bainbridge Green Hunter 3′ division. The pair dominated the over fences portion, winning two classes and placing second in another, while also collecting the sixth place ribbon under saddle.
Summer Song is a family horse for the Caristos. Heather’s mother, Holly Caristo, picked the mare out to buy and Heather’s father, Ralph Caristo, helped train Summer Song. The family shares a passion for horses and operates Glenview Stables out of Saugerties, NY.
Speaking about why the coming seven-year-old Zangersheide mare by Clintissimo Z stood out to her mother, Heather said, “She just has such a beautiful canter, a lovely rhythm, and an endless jump to her.”
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Caristo purchased the mare at the end of the 2016 WEF circuit and Caristo-Williams campaigned her in the Baby Greens throughout the summer. The pair stepped up to the 3′ Green Hunters at the start of the 2017 winter season.
“She is a diva and likes to be doted on,” Caristo-Williams detailed. “In the future, she’s going to be an amazing high performance and derby horse, which would be really exciting if I still have her. She’s really not afraid of anything and has so much scope.”
Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL settled for reserve honors aboard For Ever, an entry of Victoria Colvin, LLC. Colvin rode the 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Diarado to first, second, and third place finishes over fences.
The Green Incentive Class Level One found a winner in Kristy Herrera of Wellington, FL and Gabriel, owned by JT Farm. The Green Incentive Class Level Two awarded the blue ribbon to Holly Orlando and True Story, an entry of Cathy Zicherman. The USHJA founded the Green Hunter Incentive Program promote the development of green horses and offers an annual Championship during the same week as the USHJA International Hunter Derby finals.
Competition continues on Friday featuring the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m speed class in the International Arena. The Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Section A will award championship honors in the Rost Arena. For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Wellington, FL – February 8, 2017 – USA’s Jessica Springsteen and Tiger Lily opened week five of the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with victory in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m speed class on Wednesday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
2012 Olympic course designer Robert Ellis (GBR) began the week with 76 entries in Wednesday’s 1.45m speed class, and had 25 clear rounds. Last to go, Springsteen guided Stone Hill Farm’s Tiger Lily to the win in 57.27 seconds. She bested the lead previously held by Leslie Howard (USA) riding Laure Sudreau’s Donna Speciale in 58.36 seconds. Brazil’s Luiz Francisco de Azevedo and Collin placed third in 59.42 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and The Blue Buckle Group’s Cobolt finished fourth in 59.65 seconds.
“I saw a lot of rounds before I went today,” Springsteen said of her winning track. “I knew what I had to do, which is always a nice advantage of going last. I actually added strides in places where other people left out, but she is just so fast on her own. I don’t even have to kick; I just loosen the reins and she goes.”
Springsteen purchased Tiger Lily, a ten-year-old Oldenburg mare (Balou du Rouet x Domino), at the end of 2015. The pair showed in Wellington for the first time last winter and spent the 2016 season traveling around the world.
“She is very feisty,” Springsteen described. “She always wants to go, so I have to do my best to keep her stride short and together. She is jumping again tomorrow, so I was not sure if I should go forward today, but she has so much energy that it was a good course for her. She felt great.”
While previously training with Edwina Tops-Alexander and Jan Tops in Europe, Springsteen found Tiger Lily showing under Massimo Grossato of Italy.
“I actually was not even supposed to try her,” Springsteen detailed. “When Edwina and Jan were going to see her, I just decided last minute to go with them. I immediately loved her.”
Also competing in the International Arena on Wednesday, Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Gochman Sport Horses’ Sibell BH won the $8,000 Douglas Elliman CSI 2* 1.40m speed.
The $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m speed concluded the day with a win for Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Capall Zidane.
The 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its fifth week of competition on Thursday featuring the $130,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5. For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Wellington, FL – November 30, 2016 – Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Davendy S rose to the top of the class in the $35,000 Noble Outfitters Holiday & Horses Opener CSI 4* at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), taking the class with a time of 58.95 seconds. Richie Moloney (IRL) and Alsvid took second place in the class after crossing through the timers in 59.05 seconds. Eugenio Garza (MEX) piloted Bariano to third after the pair completed the track in 59.28 seconds.
Springsteen and Davendy S, owned by Stone Hill Farm, made a quick move to the top of the leaderboard and held their winning position for most of the class, which welcomed the first day of FEI competition of the 2016 Holiday & Horses competition. The pair made easy work of the track designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA), which saw 64 entries.
Davendy S, a 2003 Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat II), is one of the quicker mounts in Springsteen’s growing string and excels in speed format classes. The pair amassed an impressive record during their time on the indoor circuit this year, taking four top five finishes in FEI competition, including a win at the CSI 4* in Lexington, KY at the beginning of November.
Garza set a blazing pace as the eighth rider to go in the class, which was not overcome until ten rounds later when Springsteen catapulted ahead. A total of sixteen combinations finished inside of the time allowed with no faults, as the class served as good experience for the days of competition ahead.
Springsteen is back in Wellington, FL after a strong campaign throughout the summer and fall seasons, which took her throughout Europe and the United States. The talented rider will look to continue her success during the winter in Wellington and the competitive Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season set to begin in January 2017.
With three horses entered in FEI competition this week, the rising star will guide Davendy S, Tiger Lily, and Cynar VA in the first week of FEI competition back at PBIEC since the conclusion of WEF last April, with high hopes for a top finish in the $216,000 Holiday & Horses Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Competition at PBIEC continues throughout the week and will be highlighted by the $216,000 Holiday & Horses Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Saturday, December 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The evening will also host the first round of charity drawings for the 2017 Great Charity Challenge (GCC) presented by Fidelity Investments® to be hosted on February 4, 2017.
To learn more about Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), please visit www.pbiec.com.
(C) ESI Photography. Jessica Springsteen and Cynar Va.
Saugerties, NY (September 12, 2016): As the sun set on the 2016 HITS Championship, horse sport royalty descended on the Hudson Valley for the nation’s highest ranked class of the year, the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix FEI-CSI 5*. Only one would be so lucky to return home with the big check and blue ribbon, and that one was none other than Jessica Springsteen aboard Cynar Va, owned by Stone Hill Farm. The victory marked the Wellington, Florida equestrian’s first CSI-5* win.
“It feels amazing to win this class. I’m really happy; this is my first five-star Grand Prix win,” said Springsteen. “My horse was feeling fresh this morning and was jumping around the course nicely, so I’m very pleased with the result today.”
Thousands of spectators filled the grandstand and hundreds more watched from the Legend VIP Club to get a glimpse of the historic event before them. The seventh annual $1 Million Grand Prix held in Saugerties attracted top riders from across the globe.
A top-notch field of riders and horses gave it a go over the course set by German course designer, Werner Deeg. It was evident as soon as the class began that the track demanded a high level of athletic ability and mental stamina, but it was true to Deeg’s plan: suit the movement of the horse.
“I have to thank Tom for inviting me and for putting the confidence in me to do this class, as well as the team I work with. All of the riders rode spectacularly,” said Deeg. “I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do for this class after watching the horses go throughout the week. This is a major class and I wanted to build something appropriate to that. For me it’s more important to implement the nature and movement of the horses in our courses.”
Six conquered the first round to advance to the jump-off, the greatest number of horses in the jump-off in the class’s history.
“It was a super class today with great sport. The top finishers all did an excellent job which certainly made for an exciting day, so my hat’s off to them,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “We’d like to see them come back again and compete in the Million next year. This was our first time working with Werner, and he came with the absolute highest credentials and lived up to all of them.”
First to re-enter for the high-intensity jump-off was Brandie Holloway of Topeka, Kansas piloting Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corp. An unfortunate rail would leave them with four faults as they crossed the finish in 52.18, which would claim the fastest time of the four-fault rounds for the ultimate third place prize.
“Lucky Strike started off as an equitation horse, and after purchasing him and owning him for a year, we learned that he was truly a jumper, so he hasn’t been doing the upper level jumpers for a terribly long time,” said Holloway. “I thought the course was one of the best courses I’ve jumped, and it wasn’t just for one horse’s style. Everybody all around had a level playing field.”
Following Holloway was Lauren Tisbo of Wellington, Florida and MR Visto, owned Tequestrian Farms, LLC. They powered through the course but would also be thwarted by a rail, turning in a 52.84-second round with four faults, giving them fourth place when the class was finished.
Four more competitors remained in the order, and it was anyone’s game. Next to contend was Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar riding Lordan, winner of the 2013 edition of the Saugerties Million. They too would have a rail as they stopped the clock in 52.97 for fifth place.
Catherine Tyree of Chicago, Illinois gave the crowd the first clear round of the jump-off aboard Enjoy Louis, owned by Joseph and Mary Tyree. They took to the course with power and precision, clearing each fence as they went. They cleared the last fence in 53.29 as the crowd erupted into applause, a round that would garner them the second place prize.
“I know this horse so well. I’ve had him for a year and a half now,” said Tyree. “I jumped him here on Wednesday so that he could go around and get into the ring, and he jumped great today. He’s such a fighter and has a huge heart, so I have full confidence in my finish today.”
Eugenio Garza Perez, riding out of Wellington, Florida, was next to contest the shortened course aboard Bariano, owned by El Milagro. He laid down a trip in 52.55, but eight faults would ultimately settle him into sixth place.
The final trip of the jump-off belonged to Jessica Springsteen, and the atmosphere was electric as the young equestrian entered the ring. A clear round was crucial, but she would have to be quicker than Tyree to take home a sweet slice of the million-dollar purse.
“This was my third jump-off with [Cynar Va], so I haven’t had that much experience going quick,” said Springsteen. “Today I just tried to keep it together when we stepped up to go a bit faster, but he was jumping unbelievable, so I knew I could take a little risk. It all worked out and I am thrilled to win this class.”
Springsteen and Cynar Va went all in. They took each turn with aggression and skill, then galloped home to cross the timers in 52.55 to capture the lead. The crowd stood and cheered in excitement as a new rider sealed her spot in the HITS $1 Million Grand Prix hall of fame.
“All of us at HITS are certainly happy with the result today; it was a terrific class and a great turn out of people who came out to watch the riders here,” said Struzzieri.
The HITS Championship marks the close of the eight week HITS Saugerties Series. The next event on the HITS competition schedule is the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals on September 14-18 at HITS-on-the-Hudson. The Marshall & Sterling Insurance League is a grassroots organization dedicated to providing competition for up-and-coming Children’s and Adult Hunter, Jumper and Equitation riders.
Laura Kraut and Cavalia (Laurence Dunne/Rockmountain Studios)
Dublin, Ireland – The United States overcame immense pressure to tie with Sweden for the Bronze medal at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by Longines at CSIO5* Dublin, Ireland. The Hermès Show Jumping Team of Georgina Bloomberg, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut, and Jessica Springsteen battled a tough field to extend its podium success in Nations Cup competition. In an intense jump-off, Italy went clear to snatch the Gold medal on zero faults from the home team of Ireland, who claimed Silver on six faults.
“Obviously, we always want to win, and be in the jump-off. The Irish and Italians were very strong, and we knew that going in. We had a couple nine year-old [horses]. To have a podium finish, I was very proud of them and their performance,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.
The U.S. team put up an impressive first-round effort. Hough (Wellington, Fla.) and Ohlala, The Ohlala Group’s 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare, were the pathfinders for the U.S. team. The growing combination dug deep to finish with zero faults. Springsteen (Colts Neck, N.J.) and Cynar, Stone Hill Farm’s 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding, nearly matched Hough and Ohlala’s efforts. Unfortunately, they were eliminated due to two refusals at the water jump, obstacle 10.
Knowing there was little room for error, the seasoned combination of Bloomberg (New York, N.Y.) and Lilli, Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s 2004 Deutsches Sportpferd mare, came up big for the U.S. and posted a clear round to keep the team on zero faults. Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), the 2016 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team alternate, and Cavalia, St. Bride’s Farm’s 2007 KWPN mare, executed their job perfectly as the anchor combination, posting zero faults.
Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli (Laurence Dunne/Rockmountain Studios)
The U.S. entered the second round tied for first place with Ireland and Italy. Sweden narrowly trailed with four faults. Every jump counted, and the U.S. needed clean performances in the second round to remain medal-worthy. Hough and Ohlala were unable to match their first-round performance and finished with eight faults. She and the mare had rails down at the Harp oxer, obstacle three, and the Furusiyya oxer, obstacle seven. Springsteen and Cynar did not jump a second round so it was up to Bloomberg and Kraut to carry the team through.
“To not have him [Cynar] go in the second round put huge pressure on the other three so that every fault was going to count from that point on. That’s Nations Cup pressure, in front of an absolutely packed house in Dublin, one of the most important Nations Cups of the calendar year,” said Ridland.
With Sweden right on the U.S. team’s tale with eight faults and Springsteen’s second round score dropped, the U.S. needed Bloomberg and Lilli to jump clear. They knocked one rail at the Furusiyya oxer for four faults, leaving them tied with Sweden going into Kraut and Cavalia’s final attempt on the course. The young combination delivered a perfect round to end the day with a double-clear and solidify a tying Bronze medal effort.
“I thought they did a great job. For us to end up in the medals and tied for third is a great finish. Laura’s double clear on Cavalia and it being her [Cavalia’s] first Nations Cup, and only being nine years old, it was just a tremendous finish,” said Ridland.
Wednesday 13th January 2016 marked the start of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), which runs until Sunday 3rd April 2016. The Festival, supported by Rolex since 2014, brings together many of the world’s finest horse and rider combinations, as they compete in the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, in both show jumping and dressage.
A few notable performances were seen in the fifth week of the competition. On Sunday 14th February, Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Davendy S won the 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Competing in the International Ring, Springsteen topped an 18-horse jump-off to win, with Rolex Testimonee Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Rosana du Park in second, and fellow Testimonee Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Unbelievable 5 in third.
In the seventh week the Thursday saw Eric Lamaze win aboard Fine Lady 5, in the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7. This victory marked the fourth win in the series this year so far, following on from wins in week two, three and four.
This year WEF has been lived streamed by on NBC, across the United States.
