Wellington, FL (March 12, 2021) – Australia’s Riley Mackillop rode a blazing double clear effort on Wednesday, piloting Ha’czelle JSF (Balta’czar x Melody Van Sint Marteen) to victory in The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour 10’s $3,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic. Mackillop and Hazel are known for their fleetness of hoof, having also won the $3,000 1.30m Speed Stake at the end of February.
Mackillop and the fleet Ha’czelle JSF owned by Glen Lake Farm put in a brilliant jump-off over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Making excellent use of the beautiful grass fields, Mackillop guided Ha’czelle JSF through a number of tight turns and long gallops in the jump off to finish on 35.626, overtaking the current leader Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Lisaniska Cool Quality (36.098). Coyle also rode Centriko Volo to third, finishing in 36.783.
“Hazel has been jumping really nicely and she has been really well suited to the courses [on the Turf Tour],” said Mackillop. “She loves jumping on the grass which makes the Turf Tour a great opportunity for us. Being able to come and jump around super courses on beautiful fields against top riders each week is really special.”
Wellington, FL (March 14, 2020) – The Wellington Turf Tour intends to continue holding its series of horse shows with elevated sanitation procedures and strict adherence to CDC and other recommended guidelines. The above proposed schedule will begin Turf Tour 11 (March 18-20) through the Turf Tour Finale (March 28), with approval from the USEF. Official schedules and information will be posted and distributed when they become available, with final decisions to be made early next week.
Statement from the 2020 Wellington Turf Tour managing directors, Nona Garson & George D’Ambrosio:
“We understand this is a time to be very careful with everyone’s health and we are taking the situation very seriously.
We will continue to inform you via emails and on our social media platforms as decisions are made and guidelines are released from health officials.
Please note, if we do host the horse show, we will follow the CDC, Federal, State, and Local guidelines at that time.
We have amped up our sanitization of all human areas of the farm, and we have been assured by numerous veterinarians that horses cannot carry nor can they transmit the current Corona threat.
This is an evolving situation and we would like to reserve the right to make our final decision on hosting the horse show closer to the start of the horse show.
Thank you for your continued support of our horse shows.”
Visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com or follow the Turf Tour on Instagram (@ridgeshowjumping) and Facebook (@theridgeatwellington) for more information.
Christian Coyle & Dolman (Photo courtesy of Romeo Ghete)
West Palm Beach, FL (January 16, 2020) – More than 20 horses made Jim Brandon Equestrian Center the apex of their trajectories this Wednesday, with some top international riders competing in the second $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic of 2020. With more than 12 first round clears and 7 double clears over a course designed by Ecuador’s Jaime Morillo, Christian Coyle and Dolman ascended to the top of the roster, beating out a number of top competitors.
Wednesday’s jump-off was a tight race, with all three of the top riders within a second of each other. Coyle and Abigail Wald’s Dolman finished their jump-off in 38.225 seconds, edging out Daniel Bluman and Hyperion Z, who finished in 38.340 seconds. Third went to Jenni’s Chance and Matthew Sassmannshausen, finishing in 38.854 seconds. The Bluman family of riders and talented students made an impressive showing in the 1.30m, with the second, third, fourth, and fifth finishing horse and rider pairs coming from their barn.
Wellington, FL (January 13, 2020) – Starting of 2020 on the right hoof: it was a week of firsts on the Wellington Turf Tour. The first official week of competition in the winter equestrian capital welcomed riders to The Ridge’s home farm for .80m-1.40m show jumping, and laid the foundation for marking milestones. From Grand Prix debuts to half a century in horse sport, the Turf Tour’s competitors and staff set the tone for a fantastic New Year.
Gusty winds and sporadic showers interspersed with sunshine, tenets of a fine Irish summer, set the stage for Friday’s $10,000 1.40m Welcome Grand Prix, held on The Ridge’s newly upgraded and expanded 325′ x 285′ grass field. Irishman Michael Kearins was unfazed by the weather, putting in the only double clear effort aboard his own Sligo Balou Boy. Costly rails for Jordan Coyle aboard Dundaik and Stella Manship aboard Colorado put them in second and third. All of the Turf Tours subsequent weekly Grand Prix classes, excluding even higher valued Finale, boast $15,000 in prize money.
Wednesdays on the Turf Tour are headlined by the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic, a perfect early week warm up for the bigger classes held later in the week. Week one’s Rising Star was won by Venezuela’s Luis F. Larrazabal and San Francisco Stables’ Caristina, jumping off in 39.397 seconds. Second went to Sloan Coles and Pembrey Condors Diamond, owned by Spring Ledge LLC, also double clear with a jump off time of 41.834 seconds. Camille Maddrix and m & m Sporthorses’ Jack Straw rounded off the top 3, finishing the jump off in 42.636.
Both days of competition during Turf Tour Week 1 featured courses by Olympic designer Leopoldo Palacios.
Carly Anthony and Cornetiero. Photo credit to Equinium Sports Marketing/The Ridge at Wellington.
Wellington, FL (January 5, 2019) – The 2019 Turf Tour is officially underway, and has already seen some spectacular horses and riders galloping out over its springy grass courses. Organized and hosted by US Olympian Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the first week of the 2019 Turf Tour was featured on WPTV/ESPN Sports’ Friday evening broadcast, where its hosts discussed their vision for equine-centered horse shows offered on all-natural jumping surfaces.
The first 1.30m Rising Star Classic and first 1.40m Turf Tour Welcome Grand Prix were won by Washington state wunderkind Carly Anthony, who took both first and second in both classes aboard Neil Jones Equestrian’s Cornetiero and Jana Van D’abdijhoeve. Anthony has been a frequent sight on the Turf Tour since 2018, and began her riding career under the tutelage of her mother, Redmond, Washington hunter jumper trainer Cara Anthony, and later Canadian Olympian Eric Lamaze. Anthony waltzed over both Wednesday’s and Friday’s courses with double clears, and noted that her twice 2019 Turf Tour champion mount, Cornetiero, prefers to jump higher.
Anthony was joined by a selection of riders in both the 1.30m Rising Star and 1.40m Welcome Grand Prix, in addition to groups of .80m, .90m, and 1.10m riders who took advantage of the Turf Tour’s relaxed atmosphere, open in gate, and complimentary hospitality tent. Turf Tour Week 2 continues with USEF Equitation Tuesday January 8, Turf Tour classes January 9-11 at Mida Farm, and Hunter Derby Days January 12 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, featuring a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
The 2019 Wellington Turf Tour features 13 weeks of jumper equitation competition, including all heights and prize money classes including weekly $10,000 1.40-1.45m Grand Prix and $3,000 1.30m Rising Star Classics, all held at beautiful and unique venues. This year’s destinations include The Ridge’s home farm, Santa Rita Polo Farm, Mida Farm, Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, and final locations to be announced for March.
Hunter Derby Days will be held January 12, January 26, and March 9 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center (about 10 minutes from the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center). Each day will feature a $5,000 USHJA National Derby and a $10,000 USHJA International Derby, and the facility features top notch permanent stabling, spacious warm ups, ample parking, a large covered arena, and full amenities.
USEF Equitation Tuesday runs each Tuesday afternoon at The Ridge’s home farm (14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd). The Ridge will also host a Schooling Show February 2 & 3, catering to all levels.
The Turf Tour and its hunter/jumper/equitation events are a unique addition to Wellington’s winter circuit, offering riders top-tier competition, generous prize money, and an unparalleled atmosphere. Young horses and advancing riders are able to test their mettle in classes ranging from junior and amateur jumpers to the Grand Prix, and at a variety of venues reminiscent of the large European tours. Organized by US Olympic show jumper Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the vision that inspired the tour’s conception was bringing back old world flair to over fences classes, staging competitions on springy, natural turf surfaces away from the intensity of other show grounds. But the laid-back atmosphere, which includes open ended show times and concurrently running divisions, doesn’t fail to attract some of the sport’s biggest names, keeping the competition up to par.
Wellington, Florida (February 1, 2016) – Early February is a busy week for sports and the south Florida equestrian circuit is no exception. The Ridge at Wellington’s diverse winter show circuit expands this week into the upper echelons of American hunter competition, with two Fridays showcasing the elegance and agility of the performance hunters. Set to debut in 2016 on February 5th and continue March 18th at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, both Hunter Derby Days will feature a $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA National Derby, totaling over $40,000 in prize money.
As a unique and dynamic way to qualify for national and international caliber championships, Hunter Derby Days serve as a true test for the finest jumping hunter horses and riders in the US, as well as a lead in for the International Hunter Derby Finals to be held in Lexington, Kentucky at the USEF Headquarters. As part of The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour, the popular derby circuit is celebrating its third consecutive year in 2016, and has attracted a strong following of top riders. Past winners include champions Kelly Farmer and Peter Wilde, who will return to the competition on February 5th to defend their titles; the event continues to attract the best riders and exceptional horses as they hone their skills.
Judges George Wallace, Diana Carney, Spencer Chatham, and Carol Hoffman will be tasked with evaluating and awarding the best rides in each of the USHJA events, and Kevin Giblin’s course designs will set the stage as the fantastic covered arena at Jim Brandon swaps the brilliant show jumping fences for the natural obstacles and elaborate courses of the hunter ring.
Organized by Olympian Nona Garson, George D’Ambrosio, and Craig Bergman, The Turf Tour’s competitive, utopian show atmosphere is matched only by its hospitality, which includes free breakfast and lunch for all competitors, spectators, and owners, riders’ lounges, competitor parties, and an equine shuttle organized through Meadowbrook Horse Transport. For only $75, riders can schedule pick up and drop off at the Turf Tour’s weekly venue, including both of the Hunter Derby Days competitions, as well as a trip back to their farm anywhere in Wellington after their rides. With the inclusion the pageantry and athletic prowess of performance hunters through the Hunter Derby Days, 2016’s Turf Tour is setting a new standard for national and international competition.
The Ridge will also host a USEF Rated Equitation show each Tuesday during the winter show season, and its Palm Beach Series hunter and equitation show occurs one weekend each month at the farm. For more information, including a full prize list, please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow The Ridge at Wellington on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC holly@equinium.com
954 205 7992
The winner of Friday’s $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix, Gianni Gabrielli and HH Roachambeau. Photos courtesy of The Ridge at Wellington/Equinium Sports marketing.
Wellington, Florida (January 30, 2016) – Following a quick change of plans that allowed exhibitors to compete while other horse shows in the area were forced to cancel, The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour relocated to Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach for its fourth week of competition on January 27-29, 2016. The 13-week circuit wrapped up 3 days of showing and schooling that showcased everything from Olympic riders and High Jumper divisions to amateurs, young horses, and juniors. The diverse class offerings and world-class competition were accented by a relaxed, utopian show atmosphere and exceptional hospitality including an organized horse shuttle and complimentary breakfast and lunch.
The week’s headline class, the $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix, kicked off 31 rides on Friday with 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medalist Ben Maher and the 10-year-old Selle Français mare Sarena putting in a double clear round under the oversized covered at Jim Brandon. Maher was followed by a slew of international, World Cup, and Olympic competition, with Gianni Gabrielli aboard Emanuel Andrade’s HH Roachambeau topping the field with the smokingly fast jump-off time of 35.475 seconds. Kathy Kitterman, trainer of Gabrielli and HH Roachambeau, stated, “It was a very nice class; we’ve been at the Turf Tour the past three days, and plan to attend the series for the whole season. We’d like to thank Emmanuel Andrade for allowing Gianni to compete this week. HH Roachambeau is a very powerful horse, and has been learning how to keep a steady pace.” It would seem that the 8-year-old Dutchbred gelding by Quasimodo Z found his stride in the Turf Tour’s Grand Prix, as he and Gabrielli went early and held the lead through to the end.
With the footing in the outdoor rings drained from the deluge of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, the Low, Medium and Schooling jumpers ran throughout the day Friday in the sunny, crisp weather. The Low Schooling Jumper divisions were clinched by Claire Stevenson & Perugina and Amanda R. Cole & Jericho; Bertrand Legriffon’s Barok and Juan Pablo Betancourt & Dynastie Up Wis ruled in the Medium Schooling Jumpers, while Mary Kate Olsen topped the Children’s/Adult Jumpers and $2,000 Child/Adult Jumper Classic with Virginia and Hertog Van’t Merodehof. Wednesday’s two $2,400 1.30-1.35m Jumper divisions were both dominated by Miguel Ventura and his two mounts, Swagger and Quan. Thursday also hosted a day of unrecognized Low, Medium, and High Schooling Jumper divisions in Jim Brandon’s covered arena, with over 200 rounds being ridden throughout the day.
Designed by Nick Granat, the Turf Tour’s Grand Prix, 1.30-1.35m, and various courses are intended to act as a catalyst for the growth and development of horses and riders. The straightforward, 1.40m Grand Prix reflected the need for solid basics and resulted in a number of double clears, while the lower schooling classes and divisions gave the opportunity for horses and riders in a variety of levels to experience and compete in different venues and atmospheres. “Our goal is giving competitors the chance to experience everything, from riding on the turf polo fields at the International Polo Club to showing under the lights in an indoor arena,” said George D’Ambrosio, co-organizer of the Turf Tour with US Olympian Nona Garson and Craig Bergman.
Beth Underhill on course during Turf Tour Week 3
Canadian Equestrian Team rider Beth Underhill is a familiar face on the Turf Tour, has been competing on the circuit for 3 years. She cites the convenience for her and the experience for her young horses as the reason she returns week after week, year after year. “I think what Nona and George are offering to the sport is fantastic,” Underhill said. “We have the ability to develop our young horses at a variety of fabulous venues, and it’s so convenient to walk the course when you want and have more latitude in your day to get things done. The jumps are lovely, the venues are fabulous, and it’s a change of pace for some of the more experienced horses. The excellent food, friendly treatment, and other perks don’t hurt either!”
The decision to move the Turf Tour’s fourth week, which was originally scheduled to take place at the International Polo Club, was made by show management after a forecast of heavy rain and wind threatened to force cancellation of the competition. For week 5, plans are in the works to confirm Jim Brandon Equestrian Center for Wednesday, when the weather is scheduled to deteriorate. The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center will also host The Ridge at Wellington’s Hunter Derby Days, an expansion of the Turf Tour series featuring two Fridays of competition showcasing the elegance and agility of the hunter ring. Set to be held February 5th and March 18th, Hunter Derby Days will each feature a $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA National Derby, totaling over $40,000 in prize money. As part of The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour, the popular derby circuit is celebrating its third consecutive year in 2016, and has attracted a strong following of the top riders in the country who winter in Florida and compete at H.I.T.S. Ocala and The Winter Equestrian Festival. The fantastic covered arena at Jim Brandon will swap the brightly colored fences of show jumping for the natural obstacles and elaborate courses of top tier hunter competition.
The Ridge At Wellington also hosts a USEF Rated Equitation show each Tuesday during the winter show season, and its Palm Beach Series hunter/jumper show occurs the second weekend of each month at the farm. For more information on the Turf Tour, including a full prize list, please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow The Ridge at Wellington on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC holly@equinium.com
954 205 7992
Photos courtesy of The Ridge at Wellington/Equinium Sports Marketing.
Wellington, Florida (January 15, 2016) – An unseasonably wet winter has not made it easy to organize or participate in the equestrian events in Wellington, Florida. Due to a forecast of rain, lighting, wind, and possible tornadoes on Friday, January 15, The Ridge at Wellington has decided to postpone the second day of competition during the second week of the 2016 Turf Tour for the safety of its competitors. An identical class schedule will commence at 8am on Saturday, January 16, which currently has a significantly milder forecast.
The first day of Turf Tour Week 2, January 13, was crisp and sunny. With the elegant International Polo Club as a backdrop, top international riders, including Jessica Springsteen, Conor Swail, and Quentin Judge, vied for a slew of prize money in classes ranging from the 1.30-1.35 Jumpers to 5- and 7-Year-Old Jumper classes. The unique competition venue and natural grass footing offer a way to condition green horses and riders to large competitions, while providing a change of scenery and the chance to hone specific skills to the more experienced competitors. Saturday’s class schedule will feature the $15,000 Grand Prix, as well as Schooling Jumpers, Child/Adult & Low Junior/Amateur Jumper divisions.
The 13-week show series is a unique addition to Wellington’s growing winter circuit, offering riders top-tier competition, generous prize money, and an unparalleled atmosphere. Young horses and advancing riders are able to test their mettle in classes ranging from junior and amateur jumpers to the Grand Prix, and in a variety of venues reminiscent of the large European tours. Organized by Olympic show jumper Nona Garson, George D’Ambrosio, and Craig Bergman, the vision that inspired the tour’s conception was bringing back the old world flair to over fences classes, staging competitions on springy, natural turf surfaces away from the chaotic intensity of other show grounds. But the laid back atmosphere, which includes open ended show times and concurrently running divisions, doesn’t fail to attract some of the sport’s biggest names, keeping the competition up to par.
In the event that the USEF does not approve the revised schedule, The Ridge at Wellington will host the event as an unrecognized show.
For more information about The Ridge at Wellington, please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow The Ridge at Wellington on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC holly@equinium.com
954 205 7992
Andrew Kocher and Coconut (Photos courtesy of The Ridge at Wellington)
Wellington, Florida (January 10, 2016) – An unusually rainy and misty day greeted competitors, owners, and spectators at Schulyer Riley’s Wolfstone Farm, but did not dampen spirits as they lined up to show and watch the first installment of the 2016 Turf Tour series presented by The Ridge at Wellington. The season’s inaugural competition welcomed a substantial turnout of professional, junior, and amateur riders to its adjacent rings, with the grass and sand arenas running concurrently and hosting everything from Low Schooling Jumpers to various top-level jumper classes on the derby field.
Andrew Kocher, a newcomer to the turf tour, put in efficient rides aboard a group of three horses and won impressively with double clear rounds aboard Coconut, an entry of Eagle Valley Partners, LLC. Katie Dinan aboard Grant Road Partners’ Checkpoint U, Dougie Douglas and Galan S finished second, third and fourth. Kocher followed Ms. Dinan’s performances placing 5th and 6th with his own Red Lady and Eagle Valley’s Ciana. The derby field course, designed Nick Granat, presented riders with a modest yet technical and straightforward challenge that stressed accuracy and timing.
The courses for the sand arena followed in the same vein, presenting the opportunity for horses and riders to gain experience and skill. The Low Schooling Jumper divisions saw Daniella McCormick and Anne Veeder victorious with their mounts, Nash and VDL Viktor, while Joseph Comunale and BTW took the win in the Medium Schooling Jumper and the Junior Amateur Classic. Anne Veeder and Carbonari 3 ruled supreme in the series’ largest class of the day, the $2,000 Children’s Adult Jumper, and the second Children’s Adult Jumper class saw Kristen Landino and Wirco Polo victorious.
With the goal of developing young horses and advancing riders, the Turf Tour is a 13-week show series and a unique addition to Wellington’s growing winter circuit, offering riders top-tier competition, over $400,000 in prize money, and an unparalleled atmosphere. The ‘show when you like,’ open-ended schedule offers convenience and a more distilled competitive environment, without sacrificing the challenge and competition found at nationally recognized shows. Organized by Olympic show jumper Nona Garson, George D’Ambrosio, and Craig Bergman, the vision that inspired the tour’s conception was bringing back the old world flair to jumper classes by staging competitions on springy, natural turf surfaces away from the chaotic intensity of other show grounds. Running every Wednesday and Friday during the winter season, with the exception of two Saturdays (February 6 and March 19) to accommodate for The Ridge at Wellington’s National and International Hunter Derbies, the Turf Tour offers classes ranging from junior and amateur jumpers to the Grand Prix, and in a variety of venues reminiscent of the large European tours.
Katie Dinan
The Turf Tour’s competitive, utopian show atmosphere is matched only by its hospitality, which includes free breakfast and lunch for all competitors, spectators, and owners, riders’ lounges, competitor parties, and an equine shuttle organized through Meadowbrook Horse Transport. For only $75, riders can schedule pick up and drop off at the Turf Tour’s weekly venue, as well as a trip back to their farm anywhere in Wellington after their rides. By removing the hassle of transport and offering numerous perks in addition to prize money, competition, and a unique atmosphere, the Turf Tour is setting a new standard for show experiences in Wellington.
Turf Tour Week 2 will be held at the prestigious International Polo Club on January 13 and 15, 2016.
The Ridge will also host a USEF Rated Equitation show each Tuesday during season, and its Palm Beach Series hunter and equitation show occurs one weekend each month, at The Ridge at Wellington. The equitation competitions are envisioned as a way for riders to qualify for the national championship finals in a relaxed, quiet environment. February 5th and 18th, 2016, The Ridge at Wellington will play host to two USEF/USHJA National and International Hunter Derbies, which offer over $40,000 in prize money and showcase the athletic prowess of performance hunters over natural obstacles.
For more information about The Ridge at Wellington, please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information, please follow The Ridge at Wellington on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC holly@equinium.com
954 205 7992
Wellington, FL – March 27, 2015 – The picturesque polo fields of the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) are accustomed to a vibrant social scene, the traditional bottles of champagne while stomping divots and the fast-paced game of polo. This week, as the 111th U.S. Open Championship 26-goal is about to commence, The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour Finale highlighted the kick-off of the weekend with an astonishing race to the finish during the $24,990 1.40m Grand Prix Finale event. It was the 2015 Leading Rider, Conor Swail, who narrowly held onto the lead with Dillinger.
The talented Irishman has dominated the series this winter, cruising to six of the 12 Grand Prix victories aboard a talented string of mounts. Riding for Susan and Ariel Grange, Swail has continually supported the series from its first week until the last. The IPC generously sponsored the 2015 Leading Rider Award, donating an exclusive Equestrian Membership, valued at $6,000 for the winningest rider. Beginning January 2016, Swail will be able to enjoy all of the private accommodations of the world famous venue.
“It’s a great prize,” Swail smiled. “It is fantastic to have won such a wonderful prize, and very generous of IPC. I train Vanessa Mannix, and her brothers play a bit of polo here, so I come over to watch and sometimes have dinner. I am excited to be able to use the membership. It is perfect for an equestrian like me; I am looking forward to it.”
As only the eleventh rider of the day, Swail did not think that his time of 35.200 seconds would hold for the first place finish. He narrowly beat out Alex Granato and Zenith Dance, the first pair to go double clear in the jump off in a time of 36.378 seconds.
“Dillinger is a fantastic horse. He is only 8 years old, and he is only just starting to jump at the 1.40m and higher levels,” Swail said. “He has been extremely consistent down here in Florida. He has jumped a lot of double clears here at The Ridge. Today, he had a great round, but we have a lot of riders behind us.”
Swail was able to surpass Granato by leaving out a stride down the first line from the opening oxer to the vertical, as well as navigate the rollbacks to clear the bogey obstacle of Nick Granat and Eric Hasbrouck’s short track, the oxer-oxer double combination.
“The course seems to be a little more difficult today, and it takes a bit of jumping. There were faults everywhere,” Swail described. “The jump off for me was more suited toward a smaller and faster horse today, whereas my guy is a big mover with a slower step. I had to really take a lot of risk today to go as quick as I could. I get a really fast distance over to the skinny, and he was really good to leave it up for me. I think it puts pressure on the people behind me, but I think there is a little room left there for anyone who wants to take it.”
Although riders attempted to catch his pace, it turned out that nobody could.
Faults were found throughout the course, with the triple combination and the final double combination seeing the most rails fall. However, there was one jump that mattered the most – the final fence, the Panthera Vertical. For every time the jump was cleared, friends of the Panthera Conservation donated $50 to the organization, furthering their mission to ensure the future of wild cats through scientific leadership and global conservation action.
Granato continued to hold the second place position, just behind Swail as the competition continued. He has seen his name at the top of the jumper leader board throughout the 12-week series, and he knew that he would have to be efficient and quick to keep the consecutive competitors chasing his time.
“It is a very good course, and it is a bit tough. There were a lot of related lines and bending lines, as it should be for the final,” Granato said. “They have really been doing a great job here all circuit really building up to this. I thought they did a really nice job with the course today. I know both of my horses fairly well, so I think it was a bit to my advantage to see how I could work it to my best interest.”
Granato continued, “We have tried to bring a horse every week, whether it is a young horse or for the grand prix. They are putting on a great event, and we really want to support it. It is nice to be able to jump this much on grass. For young green horses it is good experience. You can bring young kids, young horses and really develop them outside of the limitations of the other horse shows.”
Lisa Goldman and Morocco
As the day was coming to an end, Chicago’s speed demons, Lisa Goldman and Morocco, laid down an astonishing round, but one additional stride in the opening line would separate them from Swail’s time, finishing in 36.104 seconds, but pushing Granato into the third place.
“Morocco was so good all circuit,” Goldman smiled. “He won a couple of the big classes with me at WEF, and I thought we would come over here and have a nice hoorah. He likes it out here, and it is a lot of fun. I thought it was a really good course; it wasn’t all short or all long. There were places you had to gallop and places you had to be steady. He doesn’t have the biggest stride, so it generally works to my advantage that we can run right up to the jumps.”
Goldman continued, “For once, I didn’t have to improvise at all. I knew I couldn’t do the five up the line in the jump off. I knew I could be fast and do the six. I definitely added a couple steps to the two-stride and went a little wider. From the rounds I saw, the double combination was the bogey.”
Fourth place was awarded to McLain Ward and Best Buy, while fifth place went to Amy Millar and Heros. Quentin Judge and Ciske Van Overis took the sixth place, with Karina Ulenberg and Umbra 34 in seventh place. Laura Kraut and Constable broke the beams for the eighth place. Swail and Game Ready took the ninth place, with McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets finished in tenth.
The exhibitors and guests of The Ridge at Wellington Finale event were treated to an array of food during the champagne lunch, sponsored by IPC. Throughout the series, the hospitality has been unparalleled, with complimentary breakfast and lunch for attendees of the event. Whether exhibitors stayed for their round of competition, an hour, an afternoon or the whole day, rave reviews resounded throughout the equestrian community about how Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio brought the tradition of show jumping back to the discipline.
Swail concluded, “You will indeed see me back here next year. We had seven here today. We definitely support it and thought it was very beneficial for our horses. Nona and George do such a nice job, when you believe in something so strongly and the benefits that accompany it, you want to come back every week and look forward to next year.”
The Ridge would like to thank the cooler and banner sponsor throughout the series, Dover Saddlery. They are very grateful to their jump sponsors Panthera, Hollow Brook Wealth Management and PJ Saddles.
For videos of the competition, please visit www.shownet.biz.
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 third 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 27, 2015.
The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2015 and running until March 18, 2015.
Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour, running concurrently with the 1.30-1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers.
The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January 6 – March 23, 2015. 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 6, 2015 and March 20, 2015.
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/Adult Classics, Masters Jumpers, Junior/Amateur Classics, two hunter derbies and the Pre-Green Incentive Stake.
Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Text: (908) 500-0996
