Wellington, FL – April 22, 2021 – The third week of the 2021 ESP Spring Series opened with a brilliant victory for Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Oaks Redwood, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC, as they flew to the top of the podium with a speedy clear round in the $37,000 Perfect Products 1.45m Jumpers CSI3*.
Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) set a challenging speed track for a field of 39 horse-and-rider combinations during the opening day of competition on the grass Derby Field. It was Nassar and the 16-year-old gelding by ASB Conquistador x Verdi to answer all the questions in the quickest time, stopping the clock in 60.52 seconds to claim the victory.
In the first class of the day, Peter Leone (USA) and Donner, owned by Lionshare Farm, captured the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumpers. Leone and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Thunder VD Auuthoeve x Heartbreaker put forth a double-clear effort in the two-phase format, crossing the finish line in 29.44 seconds in the speed portion to take the win. Margie Engle (USA) and Cesna M, owned by Virginia Bartholomay, rode to second place in a fault-free time of 29.84 seconds, followed by Eduardo Menezes (BRA) on his own H Big Action in third place with a clear time of 31.88 seconds.
For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Samuel Parot Wins $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic; Erika Luter Victorious in THIS Children’s Medal 15-17
Wellington, FL – February 26, 2017 – Peter Leone (USA) and Wayfarer concluded week seven of the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a win in the $50,000 Grand Prix CSI 2* on Sunday, February 26, in Wellington, FL. Also competing on Sunday, Samuel Parot (CHI) and Quick du Pottier topped the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.
Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) concluded week seven with 44 entries in the $50,000 Grand Prix CSI 2* in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Eleven entries qualified for the jump-off, where Olympic silver medalist Peter Leone completed the fastest of seven double clear rounds in 35.49 seconds aboard Lionshare Farm’s Wayfarer.
Jonathon Millar (CAN) and Millar Brooke Farm’s Daveau finished second in 35.63 seconds. Abigail McArdle (USA) placed third riding David McArdle’s Cade in a time of 35.96 seconds.
Wayfarer, an 11-year-old gelding (Languster x Lancer II), was born and raised at Leone’s Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, CT. In 2012, the gelding won the Six-Year-Old Young Jumper Final at WEF and has since developed into a top horse for the rider.
“He is a big-strided horse,” Leone described. “In the jump-off, I tried to take advantage of my horse’s big stride. I kept him a little fresh coming into today. That is when he jumps his best. He really felt in good form.”
Leone continued, “The first round, I only got to watch a little bit because one of the wonderful things, but also challenging things about being at the Winter Equestrian Festival, is that many of us have students that are jumping in other rings. Right after the course walk, I went and put a wonderful rider in the Low Junior Jumpers. Then I came back and watched a couple and did my first round. Then I ran back to go do another great student of mine that went into the lead in the High Children’s Jumpers. Then I came back just in time to jump on and give it a go in the jump-off.”
Commenting on the course, Leone added, “I was glad that Anthony set (the course). It is hard to set a challenging two-star track for 45 horses because you are limited to how big the jumps can be. It is hard to get the right number clear, but I think he set a really good course today and had a good number for the jump-off. I love that that they are having these two-star classes, because I would not have been jumping this week if there was not a two-star along with the five-star. I think it is one of the best things that this show management has done.”
Second place finisher Jonathon Millar was also pleased with the opportunity to jump in the two-star division this week with his young mount Daveau, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zento x Glennridge).
“We bought him as a seven-year-old,” Millar detailed. “He is a quick horse. For being a big horse, he is pretty handy. He is very smooth, and I think that is what makes him quite quick. Plus, he is smart. If I ask him to turn, or I ask him to go on an angle, he knows where we are going.
“I am taking advantage of the two-star classes with him this year just to develop him and give him this experience and every week try to be a little faster,” Millar added. “He was fifth two weeks ago in the two-star grand prix as well. He has had a great winter here. He is just a fun horse to ride, and he is a real competitor. I am looking forward to a bright future with him.”
McArdle was aboard a veteran mount in her horse Cade, a 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Heartbreaker x Darco) that she has owned for five years.
“We retired him last year, and then we brought him back this year,” McArdle noted. “He had a little over a year off. Our philosophy is if they are sound, they keep going. There is nothing like nature and time that gives a horse its way back into the ring.
“This format has been great,” she said of the two-star division. “I have been kind of easing him in to see what he is ready to go back and do again. It is special because this is the only horse I have that is not a sales horse; it is mine. I finally have one of my own back to do the big classes, and he is incredible.”
Samuel Parot Wins Suncast® 1.50m
Sunday’s $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured 50 starters over another Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) designed course, with a ten-horse jump-off. Chile’s Samuel Parot raced through the short course in 38 seconds flat for the win aboard his own Quick du Pottier.
Canada’s Tiffany Foster jumped into second place riding Artisan Farms’ Brighton in 38.96 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) rode his own and Susan Heller’s Tina la Boheme to the third place time of 39.02 seconds. New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley took both fourth and fifth place honors, crossing the timers in 40.12 seconds riding the Sky Group’s Casper, and 40.50 seconds with the Sky Group’s Barnetta.
Samuel Parot and Quick du Pottier
Parot and his 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Hurlevent De Breka x Cuba) have been partnered since 2014 and share a mutual appreciation for speed.
“This horse is really fast. He jumped a very good first round, and in the jump-off I tried to win,” Parot stated. “I went very fast, and I took a lot of risk at the last jump. He is very careful. He jumps a lot of clear rounds, and he did not touch anything today.”
Parot continued, “He won a few classes last season, and it feels very good to be having such a great circuit. For him to make the jump-off is not difficult. He is always very fast.”
While Quick du Pottier’s ability and enthusiasm make him a winning horse in the show ring, the gelding needs to be well-managed at home and in the warm-up ring.
“He is very hot,” Parot explained. “I do not jump him much at home, and it is not possible to jump him here in the warm-up. I do one jump and then go. He is a really special horse.”
Also competing in the International Arena on Sunday, Emma Kurtz and Chagrin Saddlery’s Carisma topped the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic.
Erika Luter Victorious in THIS Children’s Medal 15-17
A field of 31 riders competed for the top honors in the THIS Children’s Medal 15-17 on Sunday morning, but it was Erika Luter of Palm Beach, FL who rode her own Cris Van De Helle to the win. The medal consisted of a first round and a final test that brought back the top four riders in reverse order. The test consisted of a hand gallop, which proved to be the most difficult portion of the test, a halt, a counter canter, and a rollback to an in-and-out.
Speaking of her test and first round, Luter said, “I haven’t really practiced that many hand gallop jumps, so that part was a little risky. I was nervous about it, but he took care of me there and the rest went really well! The first round course was nice. The bending line was a long seven strides, which was challenging, but once I got my pace going it ended up really nicely.”
Luter purchased the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cristo two months ago and recently started showing him in the 3’6″ equitation classes.
“He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever had,” Luter explained. “He makes my job very easy and is so loveable and kind. I just started competing in the big equitation classes, so my main goal for the winter circuit is to be successful and consistent in those rounds.”
Melanie Dunton of Warrington, PA and her own Antero moved up from the fourth place position after the test to finish in second place. Antero is a 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Abke. The third place ribbon went to Samantha Weinerman of Chester, NJ and her own Encantada. Weinerman also shows her eight-year-old mare in the Children’s Hunter 15-17 division. Hailey Link, of Irvine, CA and her Barolo W placed fourth.
The Winter Equestrian Festival continues in its eighth week of competition on March 1-5, 2017. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
SAUGERTIES, NY (May 24, 2014) – Peter Leone put the antics of nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, My Pleasure, to good use on Friday when he jumped to win the first of 16 grand prix offered during the 2014 HITS Saugerties Spring Circuit – the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis.
“My Pleasure is a character,” said Leone. “He preserves his energy and when it’s time for him to do his job, he is full of it.”
My Pleasure, sired by For Pleasure – the mount of Germany’s Lars Nieberg in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics – came alive at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, according to Leone. While still an inexperienced jumper, Leone introduced My Pleasure to the top tier of the sport this winter, competing him in the debut of the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. Despite being out of the money, Leone recognized the foreshadowing of a bright future.
“I jumped against For Pleasure in the 1996 games and this horse’s technique is just like his father’s,” said Leone. “This is his first year jumping consistently at the grand prix level and he’s turned many impressive corners lately, winning two of the last three grand prix he jumped in.”
Leone was eighth in the order of 32, and returned fourth in a 14-horse jump-off. Marina Azevedo of Campinas, Brazil set a technical track of 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, including a one-stride double combination, long triple combination line across the center of the ring and vertical-oxer bending line for the last two fences.
Ten double-clear rounds left the final results to the clock. Darragh Kenny of Wellington, Florida pocketed a clear round as the first go in the original order and was first to return on Hyperion Stud, LLC’s Imothep. The pair set an early Great American Time to Beat at 40.44 seconds.
Two trips later, Leone was the first, and eventually last, to best his time with 38.73 seconds on the clock in a clear effort. Ten more tried to best Leone and My Pleasure, but couldn’t touch their time.
Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida was second and third after piloting Quality Group’s Quality Girl to 38.88 seconds and Arino Du Rouet, owned by Two Swans Farm, to 39.13 seconds. Adam Prudent of Middleburg, Virginia rode to fourth aboard Patrick Flin & Plain Bay’s Vasco with a time of 39.80 seconds, while Kenny and Imothep capped the top five.
The SmartPak Grand Prix kicked off qualifying for the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix, which will return to the HITS Championship September 3-7 alongside a host of year-end finals.
“The success of the Winter Circuits is certainly carrying over to HITS Saugerties, coupled with the popularity of our Championship classes,” said President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “As a result, HITS-on-the-Hudson II is already close to being sold out.”
Qualifying for the HITS Championship will continue throughout the HITS Saugerties Circuit and grand prix action continues Sunday with the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, in the Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix Stadium.
$10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome Ronan McGuigan and his own Capall Zidane started to appear in top grand prix placings this winter before kicking HITS Saugerties off to an exciting start with a win in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday. They topped a field of 24 and returned to familiar territory.
“Capall Zidane always jumps great here and he started his grand prix career here [in Saugerties],” said McGuigan who hails from Far Hills, New Jersey. “Nice to start the week off with a win and we are now focused on working up to Sunday’s grand prix.”
Prudent finished second in the irons of Henri Prudent’s Si Bella, and Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, New Jersey capped the top three with Mary Chapot’s Umberto. Chapot dominated the rest of the top five, finishing fourth with Mary Chapot’s Zealous and fifth on Quointreau Un Prince, owned by herself and McLain Ward.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout HITS Saugerties. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Saugerties circuit.
About SmartPak SmartPak powers healthy horses and happy riders. The patented SmartPak Supplement Feeding System makes it easy for riders across the country to take the best care of their horses. Founded in 1999, with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses, the system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly. For more information, visit SmartPak.com.
About Zoetis Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
On Friday Leone and Gino were third in the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier. Photo by Julien Lecomte
Wellington, FL – September 24, 2012 – Peter Leone and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino received a huge ovation from the spectators as the only horse and rider team to go double clear around Steve Stephen’s challenging long and short tracks around the rolling terrain of the Old Salem Grand Prix field in the American Gold Cup. It was Leone’s second American Gold Cup win; in 1988 he won the prize aboard the amazing American Quarter Horse, Threes and Sevens.
Leone’s clean jump-off round (44.050 seconds) placed him ahead of Kent Farrington, who came in second riding Voyeur with a time of 41.630 seconds with four faults in the second round. McLain Ward, riding Antares F, claimed third place with a time of 42.00 seconds with four faults in round two, while Beezie Madden, riding Cortes C, earned the fourth place ribbon with a time of 43.140 seconds, also with four faults in the jump-off.
“It felt good to be in the jump-off with three of the best riders in America, three of the best riders in the world,” said Leone.
Peter Leone and Lincourt Gino claimed the $200,000 American Gold Cup. Photos by Parker/Russell the Book LLC
North Salem, NY — September 22, 2012 — Peter Leone, aboard Lincourt Gino, sailed to the win as the only double clear horse and rider combination in the starting field of 29 at the $200,000 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Leone’s clean round (44.050 seconds) placed him ahead of Kent Farrington, who came in second riding Voyeur with a time of 41.630 seconds with four faults in the second round. McLain Ward, riding Antares F, claimed third place with a time of 42.00 seconds with four faults in round two, while Beezie Madden, riding Cortes C, earned the fourth place ribbon with a time of 43.140 seconds, also with four faults in the jump-off.
Leone, an Olympic silver medalist, rode third in the jump-off and said his strategy was to see how it unfolded as Madden and Farrington took to the course before him and how he would use that information to keep Ward, the fourth rider, at bay.
Peter Leone and Lincourt Gino fly into The American Gold Cup Winner's Circle. Photos by Parker/Russell the Book LLC
North Salem, NY – September 16, 2012 – Peter Leone, aboard Lincourt Gino, sailed to the win as the only double clear horse and rider combination in the starting field of 29 at the $200,000 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, on Sunday.
The day dawned cool with fluffy clouds dotting the sky, while the wind billowed the tents dotting the show grounds. The weather throughout the week in North Salem has been ideal for riders and spectators alike.
Leone’s clean round (44.050 seconds) placed him ahead of Kent Farrington, who came in second riding Voyeur with a time of 41.630 seconds with four faults in the second round. McLain Ward, riding Antares F, claimed third place with a time of 42.00 seconds with four faults in round two, while Beezie Madden, riding Cortes C, earned the fourth place ribbon with a time of 43.140 seconds, also with four faults in the jump-off.
Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One win The American Gold Cup Qualifier. Photos by Parker/Russell the Book LLC
North Salem, NY – September 14, 2012 – Christine McCrea jumped ahead of the competition Friday to place first in the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier at the picturesque Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The day was clear and warm to welcome the 50 entrants to the final class of the day on the spectacular grass Grand Prix field.
Six entries went clear and headed to the jump-off. McCrea had the winning time with 40.830 seconds aboard Romantovich Take One owned by Candy Tribble. “He’s really fast,” McCrea said. “He’s always been really fast.”
She added that the course was challenging for the qualifier to Sunday’s $200,000 American Gold Cup. She found the naturally hilly landscape added an extra level of difficulty to the course designed by Steve Stephens.
“The course was tricky because I think the terrain here adds a lot of spice,” she said. “You know, if you don’t ride on a terrain like this very often, you can really struggle with the hill, either working for you or against you.”
Leone Kicks Off the American Gold Cup with a Win aboard Tiffany
Peter Leone and Tiffany at the American Gold Cup. Photo by Parker/Russell the Book LLC
Wellington, FL – September 14, 2012 – In one of the most justifiably difficult courses of the fall season, Olympian Peter Leone and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino delivered an enormous effort at HITS Saugerties for the coveted Pfizer Million on Sunday, September 9th. A large crowd of spectators silently followed Leone as he skillfully piloted Gino around the course, leaving all the rails in place until the final fence, where the pair had an unfortunate rail. In the end, only three riders went clear in the first round to return for the jump off.
“This course was his biggest yet and he met the challenge,” said Leone proudly of the big bay Irish Sporthorse gelding. Gino is a favorite of the Lionshare Farm staff for his kind and affectionate disposition.
In an interview for PhelpsSports.com, course designer Olaf Peterson Jr. shared the high degree of difficulty he planned into the Pfizer Million course. “I designed this course with the scopey horse in mind as well as a rider who could solve a lot,” he said.
McLain Ward and Esplanade sail away with the win in the Hallmark Feeds 1.40m. Photos: Parker/Russell-The Book LLC
North Salem, NY − September 12, 2012 – The first day of The American Gold Cup FEI CSI 4* dawned clear and cool with a cloudless sky in North Salem, NY. The magnificent Old Salem Farm is the new home of the 2012 show after an off-and-on hiatus and it’s back and better than ever. The American Gold Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious show jumping events, now celebrating its forty-second year.
The highlight of Wednesday’s action was the $7,500 Hallway Feed & KER Sport Horse Nutrition Open Jumpers held in the meticulously groomed grass Grand Prix field.
McLain Ward came away with the win aboard Esplanade 7.
“Esplanade is a nice seasoned horse, has a lot of experience on grass fields like this,” he said. “I went pretty early in the order but I knew what my plan was and I was lucky enough she performed great and then held up for the whole afternoon.” Ward said he has been riding the 14-year-old chestnut mare for the owners, Louisburg Farm, off and on for about two years. “I don’t show her too often because she’s a Iittle bit in her sunset years but when she comes out, she’s normally in the prizes.”
Wellington, FL – September 6, 2012 – Olympic Silver Medalist Peter Leone piloted Graffiti van den Bisschop, shown as Palio, to the win in the second class of the Split Rock Farm 6 Year Old Young Jumpers at The Hampton Classic.
Palio, a bay Belgian Warmblood stallion by Darco, will be offered at the upcoming OnlyJumpers Sale during the American Gold Cup on Saturday, September 15 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. “Palio is certain to be a top international horse who is an approved stallion with great bloodlines,” shared Leone.
Leone also placed in the Split Rock Farm 6 Year Old Young Jumpers aboard the Lionshare Farm homebred, Wayfarer
Leone and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino were fourth in the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge and had top-ten placings in the $7,500 Prudential Douglas 1.45m Jumpers and the $30,000 Pilatus Cup Open.
