January 7, 2021 – Wellington, FL – In the first week of the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), competition continued on Thursday, January 7, 2021, with the $35,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Premiere Round at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), and Erynn Ballard (CAN) riding Ilan Ferder’s Walter White sped to victory.
Thirty-seven entries went to the post in the $35,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Premiere Round over a course designed by Eric Hasbrouck (USA). There were 14 clear rounds to advance to the jump-off.
Riding out of the third spot in the jump-off, Ballard was chasing fast times set by the first two in the ring. U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward and Poden Farms’ Kasper van het Hellehof were clear in 37.062 seconds, which would hold up for third place. Just tipping Ward was Shane Sweetnam (IRL) riding Ideal, owned by Sweet Oak Farm & Seabrook. They posted a time of 36.901 seconds, which would hold up for second place.
Holly Orlando and Fable Claim the 3’6” Green Hunter Championship
Competition in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring began on Thursday morning with Holly Orlando and Fable taking home top honors in the 3’6” Green Hunters, presented by Equine Tack and Nutritionals. The duo received a high score of 89 for a blue ribbon on the first day of the division, as well as a second-place finish in the under-saddle. They added another two second places as well as a third to their total tally.
Orlando, of Wellington, FL, is going into her third year showing James Anderson’s nine-year-old Warmblood gelding by Coupe De Alb. Anderson also takes over the reins on Fable in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunters.
For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Holly Orlando and William Hill. Photos by The Book LLC.
Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence Win $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
North Salem, New York – Holly Orlando won every class in the Green Conformation Hunter Division aboard catch ride, William Hill, to earn the Grand Hunter Championship at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Highlighting jumper action on the Grand Prix Field on Wednesday, Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Skara Glen’s Presence won the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m.
Orlando, who hails from Wellington, FL, had not sat on William Hill before Monday, but got the ride for his owners, the Hymowitz Family of Rose Hill Farm. The six-year-old Warmblood gelding is regularly piloted by Scott Stewart in the Green Conformation division, as well as owner Lilli Hymowitz in the Small Junior Hunter division.
“I was really lucky to get to ride him, without knowing much about him. All I know for sure is what a nice horse he is,” said Orlando. “He is a blast to ride, tries hard, and was perfectly prepared. He’s one of those horses that, as soon as you get on, you know you’re going to like.”
After only one school earlier in the week, Orlando kicked off the division by winning the model and under saddle on Tuesday before earning the top spot in all four classes over fences, including Wednesday’s handy round.
“Winning the model is always a nice place to start,” smiled Orlando. “Over fences, I loved that I could gallop along on him. I didn’t know that much about him for the handy, but I took a little bit of a shot at it and he sliced the trot jump and was scopey and game.”
Stewart imported William Hill during the summer of 2014 before the Hymowitz Family purchased him in Florida this February under the direction of trainer Jane Ehrhart.
“Scott brought him up and developed him before we purchased him, and he’s always been a calm cucumber,” said Ehrhart. “He’s a little bit of a shy horse, but he’s never scared of the ring and has always been really consistent for us. We are excited about him, and we were very lucky to have Holly take over the reins for the week.”
After leaving Old Salem Farm, Ehrhart plans for William Hill to head to Devon and then focus on qualifying for indoors this fall with both Scott and Lilli in the irons.
Patricia Griffith and Fetching, owned by Lexi Maounis, were reserve champions in the Green Conformation division. They picked up second place finishes behind Orlando in every class.
Wednesday’s hunter competition wrapped the divisions counting towards the $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award, which was presented to Louise Serio after her consistent performances throughout the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. This week alone, she collected 13 blue ribbons, all contributing to the 235 points that crowned her leading rider.
Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence Take a Chance on $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
Paul O’Shea (IRL) had not taken the opportunity to test the speed of Skara Glen’s Presence before Wednesday’s 1.40m, but the stallion was quick to prove he has what it takes to win in the jumper ring. O’Shea and the eight-year-old Holsteiner he owns with Skara Glen bested 49 horses in the immediate jump-off class over courses by Alan Wade (IRL).
Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence
“I normally don’t go fast on him, but today he felt good, so we went for it,” said O’Shea. “There is no harm for them to go fast sometimes to learn how to do it, and he really responded well. He listened and did it like it was easy.”
O’Shea has plans for Skara Glen’s Presence to be a top contender for ribbons at the grand prix level and is off to a great start.
“He’s got such a huge stride and is always thinking about where the fences are,” said O’Shea. “He has everything that’s needed; he’s very brave, very scopey, and very careful. That all makes my job a little easier.”
While Skara Glen’s Presence’s big stride gave O’Shea a significant advantage, they were also fast, stopping the clock double clear in 35.999 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) and Gentille van Spieveld, owned by GJ Stables & Peter Howard, claimed second in 37.441 seconds, while Jeffery Welles (USA) and Calais took third in 37.441 seconds for owners Sharon Gunthel and Triton Ventures. Lauren Tisbo (USA) was fourth in the irons of Coriandolo di Ribano for Tequestrian Farms, LLC in 38.896 seconds, and Maggie McAlary (USA) capped the top five for Double H Farm aboard HH Ciske van Overis with a time of 40.376 seconds.
O’Shea, who is based out of Whipstick Farm in South Salem, NY, brought Skara Glen’s Presence to the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows to gain valuable experience on the grass Grand Prix Field. But, this venue also serves as an anniversary of sorts for O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence. The stallion first caught O’Shea’s eye as a six-year-old while competing at the American Gold Cup with previous owner, Derek Braun.
“This is a great place to show for any horse, but the young ones really do well here,” said O’Shea. “The ground is really good, and the horses are able to learn a lot.”
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows continue through Sunday, May 22, highlighted by the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development, and the $35,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by TownVibe. Thursday’s competition will see a $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m and $5,000 Under 25 Jump 1.45m for jumpers, and the crowning of Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion.
About the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group. Host of the FEI 2* and 3* Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.
Fierce Competition Kicks Off World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the FTI WEF
Wellington, FL – February 21, 2013 – Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Hermès, continued on Thursday in Wellington, FL, with the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). American duo Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder’s Baronez were the winners of the class with the only double clear round in a jump-off of five starters. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Hays Investment Corporation’s Any Given Sunday finished second; Meagan Nusz (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Dynamo were third.
Week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival runs February 20-24, 2013. The week will feature World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition in the International Arena at PBIEC all week.
The highlight USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular will be featured as the “Saturday Night Lights” main event. Also on Saturday is the Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games.
Additional show jumping competition, including the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic (Saturday, 1 p.m.) and the $50,000 Hermès Jumper Derby (Sunday, 3 p.m.), will also be held on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC.
Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, is the course designer on the derby field for the week. On Thursday afternoon, Jeffery set the track for 44 entries in the seventh edition of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series. Five jumped the first round course without fault to advance to the jump-off, and Kirsten Coe and Baronez were the only pair to also clear the short course. Their faultless jump-off round in 43.303 seconds was the winning round.
Darragh Kenny and Any Given Sunday finished second with their four-fault round in 40.469 seconds. Meagan Nusz and Dynamo had four faults in 41.658 seconds to place third. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm, LLC’s Diktator van de Boslandhoeve had one rail down in 43.648 seconds to finish fourth. Mario Gamboa (COL) placed fifth aboard Stansky’s Mission Farms, Inc.’s Unico with four faults in 44.963 seconds.
In addition to winning $9,000 in prize money for her win in Thursday’s class, Kirsten Coe was also awarded an impressive $18,000 in extra bonus money for the SSG “Go Clean for the Green” promotion. A $3,000 bonus is offered each week if the winning rider of the Challenge Cup class is wearing the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. The bonus went unclaimed for five weeks straight until Thursday, when Coe was presented with six-$3,000 checks following her win. The rider, originally from California but now a Florida resident, had not originally planned to show this week but definitely made the ride worth it.
She was very pleased with the performance of Baronez, a twelve-year-old chestnut Belgian Warmblood mare by Heartbreaker, who she has had for two years.
“She was great today,” Coe smiled. “It wasn’t my original plan to show this week, but last week she was great in the WEF and then she jumped her first night class and I thought she was a little nervous and tense. She didn’t really jump that great, so I decided to change my plan and jump again today and it worked out well.”
“I knew she is really good on the grass; that’s why it kind of benefitted me,” Coe continued. “She jumps really well at Spruce Meadows and any of the venues with grass, so I knew it would be fine for her to walk right out here and show. She is really happy on the grass and I think it is a nice change of venue. The field is wonderful and it is nice that they use it; they should use it more.”
Describing Baronez, Coe stated, “She is very sensitive for such a big mare. She is your typical chestnut mare. She is quite opinionated, she tries to kick you, but she is a real fighter and she is really talented.”
Nusz, Gamboa and Kenny went before Coe in the jump-off and all had rails down, so the strategy was obviously to jump clear, but she knew that Sweetnam was last to go and time was still a factor.
“I knew Meagan’s horse is fast,” Coe detailed. “It has a very big stride and I have seen it show a lot at Spruce, so when I went in and I saw Darragh have one rail before me, I thought, ‘Just be prompt and clean.’ At least if I went clean or Shane went clean, I was first or second.”
On the question of where this win ranks in her career, she smiled, “It’s a good one. It was a nice win and the bonus was nice. I think the promotion is amazing and I think I was lucky that no one has won it in the last six weeks.”
Also showing on Thursday, Paul Halpern and Hermine 44, owned by Kamine and Fisher Families, LLC, won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Classic in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC.
Fierce Competition Kicks Off World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the FTI WEF
The hunters have officially taken over the International Arena during week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Week seven showcases hunter competition at its finest as riders and horses go head-to-head as they battle to qualify for Saturday night’s USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.
Holly Orlando and Kelley Farmer took home an astounding majority of championship titles awarded for the first half of the week. Three of the four titles among them were mounts from Larry Glefke’s Lane Change Farm. Not surprisingly, the unstoppable pairing of Quotable and Holly Orlando took home tricolor honors in both Regular Conformation and Green Conformation Hunter divisions, which are sponsored by the Sanctuary.
Quotable and Holly Orlando. Anne Gittins Photography
Orlando and Quotable, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Glefke and Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Garber, were first and second over fences and first under saddle to earn Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunter division championship honors. Reserve champion went to another Lane Change Farm pairing, Kelley Farmer and Jessica Stitt’s Taken. Farmer and Taken were second, first and first over fences and fifth under saddle.
Quotable and Orlando won every over fences round in the Sanctuary Green Conformation Hunter division before placing second under saddle. Green Conformation reserve champion was Bacardi and Havens Schatt, who placed fourth under saddle in addition to two second place finishes and a fourth place over fences.
Quotable and Orlando are no stranger to the winner’s circle at the FTI WEF, but Orlando described this week’s victory as especially significant. “It’s always nice to know you didn’t peak too early. When World Hunter Rider week comes around, you want to know you’ve still got it,” Orlando stated.
“Quotable is so consistent and we’re thrilled with him,” Orlando continued. “I get in trouble daily for spoiling him with treats, but he deserves it! He tries to win every time he goes in the ring, and it’s so nice to have a horse like that.”
Orlando also expressed excitement for Farmer’s success aboard several other Lane Change Farm horses. “Kelley and I are not competitive with each other; we’re a team,” Orlando emphasized.
Mythical and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography
Farmer, an integral part of the Lane Change team, brought home two championship titles of her own in addition to the reserve with Taken. Farmer took the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter division with Mythical, also owned by Glefke and the Garbers. Farmer and the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding were fourth, second and first over fences. Reserve champion honors went to Danielle Baran’s Say When, ridden by Christopher Payne. The pair was fifth and first over fences.
“Mythical is easily one of my favorite horses,” Glefke stated. “He jumps in perfect style. He’s got a wonderful attitude about life. He stays on one rhythm and he has a brilliant jump.”
Farmer also had nothing but praise for Mythical. “He’s not afraid of anything. The bigger, the harder, the scarier the course, the better he is. He just wants to win. He’s a fantastic animal and he was perfect today,” Farmer commented.
“This is a big, prestigious week. To be on a First Year champion this week means a lot. You have to not only have a good horse, but all the chips have to fall into place. Everything has to work,” Farmer continued.
Farmer’s victory on Mythical was her third horse to qualify for Saturday’s Hunter Spectacular competition, leaving her with the tough decision of which horse to leave in the barn Saturday night. Ultimately, she decided on her veteran ride, Taken, and Mythical.
“It’s a great class and it’s an honor to qualify. It’s a hard decision to make, but I’m lucky enough to make it. There’s a barn full of animals that we are lucky to have,” Farmer explained.
Farmer chose Taken based on his experience under the lights during previous years competing in Hunter Spectacular classes. When asked what stood out about Mythical, Farmer deadpanned: “Everything. He’s a special horse and he deserves to be in it.”
Selma Garber, part owner of both Quotable and Mythical, declared the 2013 FTI WEF the “circuit of a lifetime” thanks to her wildly successful geldings. “It’s a dream come true to have them both qualified for Saturday night. I’ve got quite a team that worked with these animals – riders, trainers, grooms, and of the course the animals themselves. It’s a very lucky formula,” Garber continued.
“Seldom does a plan come together quite like this,” Glefke echoed. “At the beginning of the week, I told [Orlando and Farmer], ‘Girls if you could get Quotable, Taken and Mythical in there [on Saturday night], it would make my week.”
At One’s Word and Kelley Farmer. Anne Gittins Photography
Farmer’s second championship ride was with At One’s Word in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Second Year Green Hunter division. Farmer and the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Woodland Way, Inc., were first and fourth over fences and third under saddle for the division. Reserve championship honors went to Lapis, also ridden by Orlando and owned by Missy Luczak-Smith. Lapis and Orlando were fourth under saddle and second in two over fences rounds.
At One’s Word is another Lane Change Farm alumni, and Farmer is pleased to be able to continue to ride such a competitive horse. “I’ve gotten the pleasure of still getting to ride him since he was sold. He’s lovely. He’s got a big stride, he’s scopey, and he’s a brave horse. He’s not spooky at all. He walked right into the International Ring and won his first class,” Farmer stated.
Scott Stewart also enjoyed a championship victory aboard Dedication in the Gold Coast Feeds High Performance Working Hunter division. The eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was first, sixth and second place over fences in addition to winning the under saddle class with Stewart in the irons. Liza Boyd and her own Brunello were reserve champions for the division, finishing fourth, first and first over fences.
Stewart describes Dedication as one of his most talented rides. “He’s an amazing jumper. He’s probably one of the best hunters I’ve ever had. He’s one of the few horses that is a beautiful mover and really athletic. He’s the most athletic hunter I’ve seen in a long time,” Stewart commented.
Parker echoed Stewart’s sentiments about Dedication in addition to describing Stewart as the horse’s perfect match. “You can feel that Scott genuinely loves this horse from the bottom of his heart. Dedication is as much of a perfectionist and an athlete as Scott, and we all know Scott is the consummate perfectionist,” Parker stated.
Scott Stewart and Dedication. Anne Gittins Photography
Thursday’s competition concluded with the Performance Hunter divisions, which will be included in tomorrow’s press release.
WCHR Week at the FTI WEF will continue on Friday in the International Arena with the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3’3″ divisions. Both age groups, 18-35 and Over 35, will be seen in the International Arena. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge will be featured in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.
Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 9 through March 31. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.
About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
Wellington, FL – January 31, 2013 – Week four of the2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday with a win for Charlie Jacobs and CMJ Sporthorse, LLC’s Flaming Star in the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4. In a 23-horse jump-off, Jacobs and Flaming Star topped an all-star field with second place honors going to Conor Swail (IRL) riding Lansdowne and third place awarded to Brianne Goutal (USA) aboard Nice de Prissey.
Week four of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, will continue through February 3. The week will feature the $100,000 Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Grand Prix on Saturday evening and the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running from January 9 – March 31, 2013, and will be awarding almost $7 million in prize money throughout the circuit.
Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela set the course for an impressive field of 81 starters in Thursday afternoon’s $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4. A total of 24 entries jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off, and 23 of those returned to jump the short course. Out of 23, ten jumped double clear, and the times got faster and faster as the race for the top prize progressed. The final three competitors earned the top three spots.
Wellington, FL – January 10, 2013 – Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Let’s Fly galloped to victory in the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 on the second day of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) on Thursday. After kicking the year off with a second place finish in last weekend’s inaugural $100,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix, the duo is off to the races with a win to start their winter circuit.
Week one of FTI WEF runs January 9-13, sponsored by The Mar-a-Lago Club. The week will feature a full schedule of exciting hunter/jumper competition, including the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes exhibition class as the start of the “Saturday Night Lights” series and fun events like the Jump for HomeSafe fundraiser. Highlights of week one include the $25,000 Suncast 1.50M Championship Jumper Classic on Saturday afternoon and the $30,000 Mar-a-Lago Club Grand Prix on Sunday. The 2013 FTI WEF runs through March 31 featuring 12 weeks of world-class competition.
Wellington, FL – April 2, 2011 – Jennifer Alfano and SBS Farms’ Jersey Boy have led the USHJA International Hunter Derby program since its inception, winning classes all over the country in the last few years and proving their expertise in the handy rounds and finesse over the jumps. Tonight was no different, as the pair jumped their way to victory in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the twelfth and final “Saturday Night Lights” event at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.
Competition for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby began on Friday afternoon in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring where sixty of the nation’s most talented horses and riders jumped the first round course. The top twenty five were invited back to compete under the lights in the International Arena this evening, coming back in reverse order from lowest to highest returning scores.
Presented by Dietrich Insurance and Hosted by Tailored Sportsman, the class was held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The series is also generously supported by Charles Owen & Co., Dover Saddlery, The Clothes Horse, and Essex Classics.
