Peter Leone and Lincourt Gino Make History at the American Gold Cup

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.

Watch Leone and Gino’s rounds by clicking the links below:

First Round: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXx0UyzEKqk.

Jump Off: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLaVDGxyQAw&feature=relmfu.

Monica Carrera brought Gino and Tiffany to Leone in August of last year. After Carrera suffered an injury, she gave Leone the opportunity to see what Gino, the 9-year-old Irish Sporthorse, could do.

Leone started him in the 1.40m in Wellington, where the pair had great success. Then the duo was clear with a second place prize at the Live Oak International in Ocala, FL, Gino’s first 1.45m. The pair was third in the 1.50m in the World Cup in Bromont, where the ever-vigilant gelding was clear once again.

“When they’re careful like that, you don’t really know if they can jump the big tracks until you get there,” confided Leone. “Gino is one of the most careful horses I’ve ever ridden. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve gone into a competition and not gotten a ribbon. He had a great round at the Pfizer Million but had an unfortunate rail at the last fence. He is a typical Irish horse – huge heart, he loves the game of show jumping, but he does it his own way. He jumps every jump just a little bit different, but he loves going out there and doing everything he can to jump clean.”

And owner Monica Carrera added, “I’m just ecstatic. After the Million, I did not expect him to do that well; he’s jumping so well and has a great heart. It seems easier for him. He really likes his program. He is really happy.”

“I am so proud of this horse. He’s such a character. He really wants to jump clear and win. He is the most adorable horse to take care of,” said Valerie Huckstepp, who recently returned as a member of the Lionshare Farm team. Huckstepp was a handler and groom to Leone’s Olympic Silver Medal mount, Legato.

It was special and busy week at the American Gold Cup for Lionshare Farm with other important wins to their credit.

On Wednesday, Leone won the Fairfield Equine $1,500 1.30m on Monica Carrera’s Tiffany. On Thursday, Lionshare Farm sponsored the $1,000 Children’s Jumpers. Leone awarded his book, Peter Leone’s Show Jumping Clinic: Success Strategies of Equestrian Athletes to the winners.

Then, the excitement began to build when Leone and Gino were third in the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier on Friday.

Lionshare Farm clients Brittain Ezzes and her Empire were sixth with two faultless rounds in the $1,000 Mitchell-Innes Nash Adult Amateur Jumpers and Kiva Iscol and Alias went double clear in the $1,500 Low Junior/Amateur Jumpers.

On Saturday, Monica Carrera and put in two clear rounds in the NAL $10,000 Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic to finish 8th, and Brittain Ezzes piloted Empire to sixth place in the $10,000 Mitchell-Innes Nash Adult Amateur Classic.

Leone, a Samshield-sponsored rider, held a book signing hosted at the Samshield booth on Saturday and connected with old and new friends.

Peter Leone is an Olympic equestrian, trainer, producer of hunter/jumper instructional DVDs and author. He owns and operates Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, CT. His clients successfully compete in the pony, equitation, hunter and jumper divisions. He is one of three brothers, internationally known as Team Leone, for their success in the show ring. Leone was a member of the 1996 Silver Medal United States Olympic Show Jumping Team and winner of numerous national and international Grand Prix show jumping competitions.

For more information about Peter Leone and Lionshare Farm, go to: http://www.lionsharefarm.com.

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