Tracy Fenney and MTM Caepten. Photo by: ESI Photography.
Ocala, Fla. – Dec. 4, 2022 – Sunday marked the conclusion of the first week of the HITS Holiday Series, with Tracy Fenney capturing her second big victory of the week with MTM Caepten. After winning Friday’s $10,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, the pair was revved up and ready to go. They bested the seven-horse jump-off during the $25,000 Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau Grand Prix by over a full second to take home the lion’s share of the prize money.
Morgan Ward and Party Time Celebrate $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix
The HITS Ocala Holiday Series is in full swing at HITS Post Time Farm, with hunters highlighting the action on Saturday during the $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix. Morgan Ward was ready to celebrate after leading the two-round event from start to finish aboard Party Time. Saturday marked Party Time’s hunter prix debut with Ward, and with the new year underway for USEF, she was thrilled to kick off the season with a victory.
The Classic Company wrapped up its final two weeks at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. The Jacksonville Spring Classic is the only hunter/jumper competition offered at the Northern Florida facility and with $250,000 in cash and awards, the Jacksonville Spring Classic offers more prize money than any event produced at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s MTM Dolce Vita rode away with the win in the $35,000 Glen Kernan Golf and County Club Grand Prix, besting a field of twenty-three horse and rider teams over a course designed by Paul Jewell of Windsor, New Jersey.
The first round was set with a time allowed of 89 seconds and only seven would qualify for the jump off round.
Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts in the irons of Nina Moore’s MTM Cedrik was the first to tackle the jump off round with a time allowed of 49 seconds. The pair left all the rails up, but their time of 52.584 seconds earned them four time faults and a fifth place finish.
Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Apple, winner of the Week I $35,000 Sidelines Grand Prix, presented by EMO, followed in the jump off order and turned in a clear round in 44.772 seconds, setting the new time to beat.
Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey and Isabelle Lapierre’s Giana followed Fenney and MTM Apple. Twelve jump faults in a time of 44.975 seconds would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Brian Feigus of Colts Neck, New Jersey and MTM Farm’s Igor Van De Heibos followed in the order and with eight jump faults in a time of 45.381 seconds, finished in sixth place.
Jordan Peterson of High Springs, Florida and Derek Petersen’s Diamant’s Legacy followed Feigus and their fault-free jump off round in a time of 43.232 seconds would take the lead and set the new time to beat.
The lead was short lived, however, when Fenney and MTM Dolce Vita followed in the jump off order. Their fault free round in a time of 43.052 seconds took the lead and set the new time to beat.
Kaitlyn Williams of Paoili, Pennsylvania and her own Cassio Melloni sat in the enviable last to go position. Their time of 50.353 seconds earned them four time faults and the pair would finish in fourth place, leaving Fenney and MTM Dolce Vita victorious and Petersen and Diamont’s Legacy in second. Fenney also took home the third place ribbon with MTM Apple as well as a ninth with MTM Reve Du Paradis.
Matthias Holberg was awarded an eighth place ribbon with Jenny Vallner’s Kilmastulla Quality Touch.
Cassandra Kahl and Redfield Farm’s Pyrenes De Louzes finished in tenth place and Dominique Damico rode Olivia Brown’s Chakala to an eleventh place finish. Dorothy Douglas rode MTM Farm’s MTM Chelsea 98 to wrap up the class in twelfth place.
Twenty horse and rider teams competed for the blue in the Week I $35,000 Sidelines Grand Prix, presented by EMO over a course designed by Paul Jewell of Windsor, New Jersey.
The first round was set with a time allowed of 75 seconds and of the twenty horse and rider teams, only nine would qualify for a jump off round.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas in the irons of MTM Farm’s MTM Dolce Vita led the charge as the first to tackle the jump off round. The course was set with a time allowed of 48 seconds and Fenney and Dolce Vita beat that time with their own clear round in a time of 37.765 seconds, setting the new time to beat. “Dolce Vita was really good,” commented Fenney. “She’s come along way and she’s young. Obviously, she’s been showing outside the entire winter season and she just walked into the indoor and was amazing. Coming from an outdoor arena to an indoor is a significant change and you need to adjust how you ride that,” she added.
Dominique Damico of Berwyn, Pennsylvania and Seth Vallhonrat’s Chakalaka followed Fenney and Dolce Vita in the order. Although the pair went clear, their time of 39.829 seconds wouldn’t be fast enough to take the lead and the pair would finish in fourth overall.
Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts and Nina Moore’s MTM Cedrik followed Damico and Chakalaka in the order, but a heartache rail at the final fence in a time of 44.201 seconds would see them finish in eighth overall. “We’ve only had Cedrik for a short while and he’s come a long way and really doing amazingly well,” commented Fenney.
Fenney returned to the arena in the irons of MTM Farm’s MTM Apple. The pair flew through the course in a time of 35.063 seconds and set the new time to beat.
“Apple is amazing,” said Fenney. “She’s really a fast horse and it’s funny because she’s really big – over 17 hands and kind of fat. She looks kind of like a brood mare,” she laughed. “She’s the sweetest mare. She has this extra gear and leaves strides out where others don’t. Her turning isn’t so great, but overall, she’s quite perfect. A perfect apple,” she added.
Caroline Mawhinney of Woodside, California and her own Stella Levista were next to go but their four fault jump round in a time of 46.137 seconds would see the pair finish in ninth place overall.
Jordan Petersen of High Springs, Florida in the irons of Derek Petersen’s Diamant’s Legacy followed in the jump off order, but four jump faults in a time of 39.066 seconds would see them finish in seventh overall.
Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis took their turn at the jump off round and despite the fact that the pair would be the fastest jump off round, four jump faults in a time of 34.132 seconds would see them finish in fifth place.
Kaitlyn Williams of Paoli, Pennsylvania aboard her own Cassio Melloni followed Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis with their own fault-free round in 39.522 seconds, moving up to finish in third behind MTM Dolce Vita and Fenney.
Molly Dinapoli of Ocala, Florida and Infinity Farm’s Reason De Ganad sat in the enviable last to go position in the jump off round. Four jump faults in a time of 37.484 seconds would find them finishing in sixth place overall.
Mill Spring, NC – October 3, 2019 – Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Apple kicked off Tryon Fall 3 with two back-to-back FEI wins, claiming Thursday’s $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* on a jump-off time of 39.032 seconds. Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x Contender) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, earned second-place honors with a 40.401 second short-course performance, while Fenney also received third, this time aboard MTM Reve Du Paradis, the 2005 Selle Francais gelding (Crown Z x Adelfos) owned by MTM Farm, following their clear jump-off round in a time of 40.499 seconds.
Fenney shared that the 2011 Danish Warmblood mare (Favorit Ask x Willemoes) owned by MTM Farm has been improving with every round in the ring. “She was great, even better than yesterday. It was a hard 1.45m, but it was good to get her in the ring and get her in gear.”
Course designer Peter Grant (CAN) hosted 56 entries in the first round of competition, with 22 horse-and-rider pairs qualifying to attempt the short course. After being knocked out of the lead on her other mount, Fenney was determined to get back in the lead with MTM Apple. “She’s really fast and she’s super straightforward. I mean, from one to two she did that like a gem, and I was so impressed with her.”
Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple Float to $5,000 Power & Speed CSI 2* Win
Fenney and MTM Apple also dominated Wednesday’s $5,000 Power & Speed CSI 2* to start the week on a high note, stopping the speed phase timers in 30.76 seconds. Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Living, the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Quasimodo x Wolfgang) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, claimed second in a time of 32.306 seconds, while Lauren Tisbo (USA) rounded out the all-American, all-female podium aboard Tequestrian Farms LLC’s Casco 11, the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Caspar x Colman), putting in a speed phase time of 34.714 seconds.
“She’s fairly new, so that’s why I showed her today,” Fenney said of the 2011 Danish Warmblood mare (Favorit Ask x Willemoes) owned by MTM Farm. “She’s very straightforward and has a very good attitude about what she does. I was a little bit worried because it’s so hot this week, so I wasn’t sure if I should show her today, but because she’s so new we decided to show her in a class. I love her; she felt great.”
Fenney and the mare have been building their relationship over the past year, she explained. “We imported her last year and we have been doing little things and some Grands Prix. Every time we show her, she gets better and better.
“I guess we’ll see what our plans are this week; I’m doing the welcome stake with three horses and I’ll kind of pick and choose what I’ll do Saturday night from there. Whatever horse doesn’t go Saturday, I’ll do on Sunday,” Fenney concluded.
For full results from the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2*, click here.
For full results from the $5,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 2*, click here.
Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby [Photos: Alison Hartwell Photography]
Week III of the Jacksonville Spring Classics was one for the books when fifteen year old Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, Texas and Major Wager, LLC’s MTM Flutterby won the $35,000 Sidelines Grand Prix against a field of twenty-three seasoned, professional riders.
“I’ve won a couple of grand prix before this but I would say it was a pretty tough crowd to compete against,” commented Moggre. MTM Flutterby is only 15.3 hands and Moggre has been riding her for about two years. “I went in and wanted to do my best and it feels pretty good to come out beating your trainers,” he laughed.
“When we [Moggre, McCormick and Fenney] walked the course, we knew in the first round you could do a bending 6 or 5 or direct 4. We talked about what would be best and decided that smooth and fast, executing the smoothest route with the least amount of strides was the plan,” he said.
Eleven advanced to the jump off round over a course designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana and Moggre had two in the jump off, MTM Flutterby and DDM Equestrian LLC’s Condero 3.
First to go was David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee and KM Farms’ KM Corfina. While their time of 35.421 seconds beat the time allowed of 43 seconds, eight jump faults would see them finish in tenth place overall. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s Igor Van De Heibos followed Jennings and KM Corfina with four jump faults in a time of 34.979 seconds which would see them finish in fifth place overall.
Moggre, in the irons Condero 3, followed Fenney in the order and earned eight jump faults in a time of 32.694 seconds which would find them placing eighth overall.
Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts and MTM Farm’s MTM Malfoy followed Moggre and Condero 3 and with four jump faults in a time of 39.153 seconds finished seventh overall.
Diamant’s Legacy, owned and ridden by Derek Petersen of Williston, Florida, followed and the pair turned in the first double clear jump off round in a time of 33.873 seconds and set the new time to beat.
Moggre followed Petersen, this time in the irons of Major Wager, LLC’s MTM Flutterby with their own clear round in a time of 30.638 seconds and took the lead, setting the new time to beat.
Sitting in the last to go position, Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Como No earned 16 jump faults and two jump faults in a time of 44.860 seconds and finished in eleventh place overall. The fastest of the first-round four-faulters was Dorothy Douglas and MTM Farm’s S & L Elite in a time of 85.716 seconds and they wrapped up the class in twelfth place.
“MTM Farm had a lot in the jump off and we were all going after each other and it was really fun,” he said. “My win made everyone on the MTM team really happy,” he added.
MTM Farm’s Mike McCormick commented, “We think Brian is going to be really famous. I try to not treat him like a ‘prima donna’ here. I make him tack all of his horses and help with lunging and school them,” he said. “The home team and on the road team is doing great. We must have 30 at home and 30 on the road and everyone has really been team players to get us where we are. Everyone has to work hard, because if you don’t, you’re going to have problems,” he said. “Heck, even Tracy helps!” he laughed.
“We’ve been doing great and we’re winning in the hunters and the jumpers. We’re qualified for Devon and things look great for MTM,” McCormick added.
Moggre has been buying horses from MTM Farm since 2012 and toward the end of 2015 started training with Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney, moving his three horses to MTM Farm. “For the most part, I live on the road with them. I do online school and am a sophomore. My family has an RV and either my Mom or Dad will be at the shows with me,” commented Moggre. “I have a brother and a sister and it gets pretty hectic at times, but it’s easy to stay at the horse shows and not have to travel to and from home,” he added. “I have a very supportive family and I’m thankful for that,” Moggre said.
“I definitely want to make a career out of this like Mike. And of course, my dream since I was a kid was to be on the Olympic team. I love the sport and just want to be successful,” he added.
“This year I want to test the waters with the bigger jumps and the Nations Cup team is something I have my eye on this year,” he shared. “My next big show is Devon and that’s one I’m looking forward to,” Moggre said.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s Reve Du Paris
The $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome kicked off the jumper action at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center and MTM Farm’s Tracy Fenney took the win in the irons of MTM Farm’s Reve Du Paris with their double clear rounds of 83.239 seconds and 29.310 seconds, well within the 43 seconds time allowed. No one would beat that fast second round and leave the rails up. Brian Moggre and MTM Farm’s Condero 3 came close with their clear second round in a time of 30.013 seconds, but they would settle into a second place overall finish.
Third place was awarded to KM Farm’s Corfina, ridden by David Jennings, for their clear second round in a time of 30.724 seconds. Fenney picked up a fourth place with MTM Farm’s Igor Van De Heibos for their clear second round in a time of 32.205 seconds and Jennings returned for a fifth place ribbon with Full Circle Farm’s Harvest Moon for their clear second round effort in a time of 32.472 seconds.
Moggre and Major Wager, LLC’s MTM Flutterby earned a sixth place ribbon and Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Como No placed seventh. Another MTM Farm rider, Dorothy Douglas, and Erika Guthinger’s Tiger Lion placed eighth, and Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey and Redfield Farm’s Wall Street earned a ninth place ribbon. Haley Gassel and Westwind Equine Trail’s Werner 61 came in tenth. Douglas returned for an eleventh place ribbon with MTM Farm’s S & L Elite, and Mark Jungherr of Williston, Florida and Susan Banta’s Conte Couleur wrapped up the class with a twelfth place.
(C) ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis
Ocala, FL (January 28, 2017): The second week of horse shows at HITS Post Time farm is in full swing and riders and horses are hunting for the win in all of the classes the Ocala Winter Circuit has to offer. On Wednesday and Thursday, riders tested their skills in the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, but only one pair could go home with the win in each class.
$5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome
David Jennings and Carmina, owned by Woodrun, took home the first, featured win of Week II with a victory in the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome. It was a competitive jump-off, with 12 exhibitors scoring double-clear rounds, leaving the winning round all up to speed.
Jennings and Carmina captured the win with a clear jump-off in 41.157. Following behind in second place was Emanuel Andrade aboard Inne Van De Plantaan. They clocked in exactly .01 seconds behind Jennings in 41.167. Andrade would also garner fifth place aboard U.
Harold Chopping and Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington, were third in the ribbons with a clear round in 42.392 seconds. Fourth place was Francois Lamontagne piloting Chanel Du Calvaire with a clear round in 42.958 seconds.
Tracy Fenney Wins $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
The popular SmartPak Grand Prix proved to be a very challenging class for the 36 horses and riders that were in attendance, and everyone was hunting for a slice of the prize.
Course designer Tim Hott of Cummings, Iowa designed a terrific course of 15 jumping efforts for Thursday’s Grand Prix, but only one would go home victorious – and that was Flower Mound, Texas equestrian Tracy Fenney aboard her winning mount MTM Reve Du Paradis, owned by MTM Farm.
In a 10-horse jump-off, they powered to the finish to win the class with a 39.621-second jump-off round to follow their successful showing in last Sunday’s $50,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix where they placed third.
Manuel Torres and Christofolini H, owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro, placed second among their peers, stopping the clock in 41.886 with all of the rails up. Third place was Kyle Timm riding Can Fly 12, owned by Apex Equestrian Center. They flew passed the timers in 43.031.
Isabelle Lapierre captured fourth place in the standings with her mare, Cesha M, and rounding out the top five was Juan Manuel Gallego riding Coulash Van De Broy Z.
Eugenio Garza and Lawfull Z Take $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
Mill Spring, NC – October 23, 2016 – Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Reve Du Paradis bested a large and competitive class in the $86,000 1.50m Suncast® Classic CSI 5* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), concluding competition of Tryon Fall V. Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis dashed through the track set in George H. Morris Arena to complete their jump-off round in 43.011 seconds. Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Brighton captured second place with a time of 43.565 seconds, while Ali Wolff (USA) and Quirie 2 were presented with third place honors after crossing through the timers in 44.163 seconds.
Fenney guided MTM Reve Du Paradis, a 2005 Selle Francais gelding (Crown Z x Adelfos) owned by MTM Farm, around the track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) to capture top honors in the final class of the CSI 5* week at TIEC. Hosting 41 original entries, only ten combinations advanced to contest the short course on a beautiful fall day in the Carolina Foothills.
“I felt like it was good that I got to watch a few people go before me today. I went early in the class last night and I wished I had the chance to go a bit later to see how the rest of the course was playing out. I think the whole week was built great and very fair,” elaborated Fenney. “There was always a good turnout for the jump-off rounds and it’s always fun for the crowd to watch a good jump-off.”
The win highlighted the duo’s first victory together at TIEC and Fenney felt the course suited MTM Reve Du Paradis, providing an element of added confidence heading into FEI CSI 3* competition next week.
“He has a lot of blood and doing two to three classes a week is not so difficult for him,” she elaborated, as she discussed her competition routine with MTM Reve Du Paradis. “I felt like I could enter him in the class today and he would still jump well, which he did.”
Fenney is motivated by good competition and always sets her sights on success in the ring. Entering the final day of competition this week, Fenney noted that MTM Reve Du Paradis has continued to progress throughout the week and felt the pair had the opportunity to place well in the class.
“I always try to go for it. I think that this is probably the most prestigious win that I’ve had on him. I’ve had him for maybe a year and a half. He’s a funny horse that has a lot of personality. He is always ready to go and has never had a dull day. He’s always exuberant and is a great horse to have around the barn. We’re already looking forward to next week and hopefully can continue with this success,” she added.
Eugenio Garza and Lawfull Z Take $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix on The Grass Complex
Eugenio Garza of Wellington, FL and Lawfull Z, owned by El Milagro, claimed top honors in the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix hosted on The Grass Complex at TIEC, as the pair narrowly edged reigning champions Taylor Alexander of Castle Rock, CO and Gipsy King, who finished in second place. Garza and Lawfull Z rode a quick and efficient jump-off round, tripping the timers in 39.054 seconds to secure the win. Alexander and Gipsy King collected second place honors with a time of 39.46 seconds, while Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL guided Bon Jovi to third place after completing the jump-off track in 39.57 seconds.
Eugenio Garza and Lawfull Z
Garza and Lawfull Z have steadily gained experience together this season, as the talented young rider who represents the nation of Mexico in international competition, obtained the ride on the 2007 Zangersheide gelding (Lawito x Carefull) this past year. Garza also competed aboard Armani SL Z in the class and the pair took home fifth place.
“We had our two up-and-coming horses entered in the class today with Lawfull and Armani. Lawfull is nine and they’re both very talented horses,” commented Garza. “Basically, we loved the fact that this class was out here on the grass today. This is an amazing facility and we wanted to give them both some experience on the grass. They both jumped very well and Lawfull is a bit more experienced, so my trainer, Eddie Macken, told me to have a go for it. He’s an amazing horse and just continues to get better.”
It was a tight race between Garza and Taylor Alexander, who has dominated the series to this point. Garza was aware of Alexander’s leading time and found an approach that he felt could shave valuable time off of the clock to take the win.
“I think my turn from jump two to three was very tight and everything came up very nicely after that. Taylor was very fast and the difference between the two of us wasn’t very much,” he explained.
Garza has been very successful in the Under 25 classes across the country, always finishing well with numerous mounts and it was no different on The Grass Complex at TIEC. He explained his appreciation for the classes, stating, “The U25 classes here are amazing. It’s a great opportunity for the horses who are a bit younger, maybe eight or nine, who aren’t quite ready to do the larger FEI classes and be competitive. They give you the ability to jump a strong 1.45m class and it’s one of the best divisions out there. It gives us a lot of flexibility with the horses and we love it.”
With mounts in both the Under 25 classes, as well as in international FEI competition, Garza continues to fine-tune his own riding skills and is enthusiastic about the variety of opportunities TIEC offers to exhibitors.
“I love the stadium here too. Under the lights or during the day, it’s always one of my favorite places to compete, but this complex gives you a completely different feeling. It’s almost like you’re at a different show and it is pretty much brand new. It’s unbelievable how well done the field is. It feels amazing. It’s safe to ride on and the horses are jumping off of it very well.”
At the conclusion of his win, Garza is expecting to maintain the same consistency heading into the last week of the 2016 Tryon Fall Series, which features another week of Under 25 competition, as well as the final FEI CSI 3*.
“We’re going to stay next week to do the FEI CSI 3* and then may go to Kentucky to do the Under 25 Championships. We’ll head to Florida to do the Holiday & Horses CSI 4* after Thanksgiving as the final show of the year for us.”
Tryon Fall V Hunter Highlights
Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC and Curuba, owned by Amy Nolan, took top honors in the $1,000 Pre-Green Classic, earning a total score of 169 for the win. Caroline Weeden of Lake Forest, IL and In Time, owned by Glory Days Farm, LLC, were presented with the red rosette after securing a total two round score of 168. Taylor Ann Adams of Ocala, FL and Lusso, owned by Lee Cesery, earned third place with a final score of 162.
Alexandra Maracic of Syosset, NY piloted her own Lucky Times to the win in the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic 3’3″/3’6″ receiving a 164 from the judging panel. Madeline Thatcher of West Bluffdale, UT guided Sterling, owned by Pony Lane Farm, to second place with a final score of 155. Thatcher returned to collect third place aboard Summer Place, also owned by Pony Lane Farm, as the pair earned a 153.
The $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic 3’3″/3’6″ was championed by Elly Ficca of Charlotte, NC and her own Quatrain, as the duo picked up a two round score of 163. Matilda von Guttenberg of Greenwich, CT guided Photo Shoot, owned by Laurie Elsass, to second place with a final score of 155, while C. Blair Spencer of Pinehurst, NC captured third place aboard her own Crowd Pleazarr after securing a score of 154.
Chloe Watrous of Evanston, IL dominated the $500 Pony Hunter Classic taking home the top two placings in the class. First, Watrous guided her own Page 6 to first place after receiving a 161 for the pair’s efforts before earning second place aboard Crystal Acres Chocolatier, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, with a two round score of 159. Isabella Cheers of Shallotte, NC and her own Prince Harry took home third place on a 155.
The 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District offers six weeks of hunter and jumper competition, including three weeks of internationally recognized FEI show jumping featuring two FEI CSI 3* weeks and an FEI CSI 5*. For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and surrounding amenities, please visit www.tryon.com.
(C) ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis.
Culpeper, VA (October 1, 2016): Exhibitors turned out for the final week of the Culpeper Show Series at HITS Commonwealth Park and the weekend kicked off with the $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix on Friday afternoon. Everyone was hungry for the winner’s share and the top five contenders would be separated by only fractions of a second for an exciting race against the clock.
It was a good day for MTM Farm. Tracy Fenney not only walked away with the victory, but with the third-place prize as well. Her winning mount, MTM Reve Du Paradis, brought home the blue over the course set by Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City. Fenney garnered third with MTM Como No.
The Flower Mound, Texas equestrian was the first to enter the ring and put down a clear round to set the tone for the remaining order right off the bat with third-place mount, MTM Como No. They stopped the clock in 33.707.
Following Fenney was Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland aboard Bling Bling, owned by Rolling Acres. They put down a solid round right behind Fenney, and edged her ride by mere fractions with her 33.175-second round. Leffler would take home the second place prize when the class was finished.
Dorothy Douglas, also of Flower Mound, Texas, went ninth in the order, laying down a fault-free trip with S&L Elite in 33.817. Their round would earn them fourth place, sealing the third top-five finish for MTM Farm.
Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis followed Douglas to put down the quickest of the eight that went clear to contest the immediate jump-off. Their speedy time of 32.212 with no faults conquered the rest of the field to take home the blue.
The top five rounded out with Ocala, Florida rider Ian Silitch and Cordovo, owned by Gaston Family Investments. They passed the timers in 37.571 with all of the rails up to seal the final spot in the top five.
Fenny and Douglas have had a successful fall competing with HITS. Both Douglas and Fenney finished in the prestigious top four at the HITS Championship recently in Saugerties, New York. In the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix, Fenney captured third place and Douglas finished fourth.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s MTM Reve Du Paradis, winners of the Week II $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, returned to win Saturday’s $35,000 Sidelines Grand Prix, besting a field of 24 horse and rider teams.
Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, Technical Coordinator for the 2015 World Cup Finals and the Classic Company show jumping events, designed the course with a first time allowed of 92 seconds. Several had rails and according to Fenney, “The most challenging jumps in the first round were the skinny, the CWD and 7 B was awkward. Jump 11 came down the most because it looked like a simple vertical and the riders thought it was no big deal. They would cut the corner and the fence was on an awkward angle,” she added. “A lot of horses hit that one,” she said. Of the twenty-four horse-and-rider teams, nine advanced to the jump off round.
The jump off round was set with a time allowed of 49 seconds and Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Full House were the first to go in the lineup, going clear and setting the new time to beat at 40.218 seconds, putting the pressure on the eight left to go. “He’s a winner,” commented Mike McCormick. “We haven’t had him long. He’s only seven and we got him last December. He jumps long in the leg and you wouldn’t think he jumps well, but he jumps very high and he’ll never rub a rail,” he said. “He’s an outstanding horse,” he said. Fenney commented, “I just jumped him nice and easy, looking to go clear.”
Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey in the irons of Redfield Farm’s Wall Street looked to beat Fenney’s time, but four faults in a time of 37.713 would see them finish in fourth overall.
Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts and MTM Farm’s S & L Elite followed Kahle and pulled the same rail, earning four faults in a time of 38.758 seconds. The pair would finish in sixth overall.
Fenney returned to the arena, this time in the irons of MTM Farm’s MTM Reve Du Paradis. Known for their speed, the pair went clear in a time of 37.387 seconds and took the lead, putting the pressure on the next four to go.
David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee and Masie Mcswain’s and Full Circle Farm’s Blue Moon 22 followed, but four faults in a time of 38.758 seconds would have them finish in fifth place.
Francois Lamontagne of Saint Eustache, Quebec, Canada and his own Chanel Du Calvaire, winners of the Week I $35,000 Crescent Grove Advisors Grand Prix, followed Jennings. The pair had a heartbreak rail at the last fence and with four jump faults in a time of 38.801 seconds, would finish in seventh place overall.
Douglas and MTM Farm’s MTM Axel followed Lamontagne in the order and also had a rail at the last fence and with four jump faults in a time of 38.885 seconds, would finish in eighth place.
Kahle and Redfield Farm’s Tequilla Girl followed in the order. Four jump faults in a time of 37.636 seconds would make them the fastest four fault round in the jump off and place them third overall.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey and the Coverboy Group, LLC’s Eldorado VDL sat in the enviable last to go spot, but four jump faults and four time faults in a time of 50.372 seconds would find them finish in ninth place overall, securing the win for Fenney.
Fenney commented, “I don’t know why the horses had jumps down in the jump off round. The 7 A B combination was kind of hard and you did need to have a horse with a lot of scope getting in and getting out of that,” she said. “And I saw some of the riders get a little lost to the last fence,” she said. “They would take the blind turn to it and it would come down,” she added.
“I just rode the course to go clean, like I did with Full House, but Hans [MTM Reve Du Paradis] is eleven and just has so much more mileage, that he is just quicker and sharper at everything he does,” said Fenney. “He turns tighter and everything he does, he just does it faster,” she continued. “Mileage really factored into it,” she said.
MTM Reve Du Paradis won two grand prix in Venice, one in Ocala and also competed in the Million. “He’s been really good,” said Fenney.
“I think the footing in the indoor was nice,” commented Fenney. “As a matter of fact, right before the jump off, we realized that Full House pulled a shoe. It was too late to put one on, so we just did the jump off with the shoe off. The footing was that good,” she said. “One of the reasons we did the show here was to jump in the indoor since we’re heading to Omaha in a couple of weeks,” she said.
With Fenney’s top two placings on MTM Farm’s MTM Reve Du Paradis and MTM Full House, McCormick commented, “It was a great evening for MTM Farm. That facility is really nice,” he said. “The footing in the jumper rings was really good and the hunter rings were super,” he continued. “And the show management staff is excellent,” he added.
What’s next for MTM Farm’s Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney? “We’ve been gone since the first of January. We are excited to get home!” said Fenney. “I was so ready to go home yesterday and I was trying not to think about it so I could stay focused. Mike says you can’t pack the trailer, ride and drive and do it all,” she laughed.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Week II of the Jacksonville Spring Classic is underway and the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome kicked off the jumper action yesterday afternoon and saw a field of 30 horse and rider teams compete in the indoor stadium at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, Florida.
Course Designer Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana designed the course and set a first round time allowed of 88 seconds and second round time allowed of 45 seconds.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey in the irons of the Coverboy Group’s Cairo was the first to go in the order and the first horse and rider team to go clear in a time of 87.867 seconds. Their second round course incurred two time faults in a time of 46.086 seconds.
Last week’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome winner, David Jennings, in the irons of Masie Mcswain and Full Circle Farm’s Blue Moon 22, followed Flint and turned in double clear rounds in times of 82.875 and 40.463 seconds, setting the second round time to beat.
Flint returned to the arena with the next clear first round, this time in the irons of J and J Imperatore, LLC’s Daisy Chain Vt. They turned in a first round time of 81.957 seconds and their clear second round took the lead from Jennings with their time of 40.089 seconds.
Jenna Friedman of Morriston, Florida and her own Glorix Van De Mispelaere followed with a clear first round in a time of 83.886 seconds and clear second round in a time of 40.892 seconds.
Aida Sanchez Long of Ooltewah, Tennessee followed with the next clear first round in the irons of Katie Barnette’s Catalyst in a time of 83.886 seconds. Their clear second round in a time of 38.426 seconds would set the new time to beat and take the lead from Flint and Daisy Chain Vt.
Mary Katherine Hargraves of Alpharetta, Georgia and her own Quartus followed with the next clear round in a time of 83.982 seconds. Although their second round was also clear, their time of 44.053 seconds would see them finish in ninth place overall.
Dorothy Douglas of West Bridewater, MA rode MTM Farm’s MTM Axel in clear first round in a time of 80.603 seconds. Four faults in their second round in a time of 38.862 seconds would find them out of the ribbons.
Tracey Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s MTM Reve Du Paradis was next up and turned in double clear rounds in times of 78.919 and 36.734 seconds which took the lead and set the new time to beat.
Bella Equestrian’s Aventador, ridden by Jennings, were next to go and although they turned in double clear rounds in times of 83.680 and 39.116 seconds, their time would not catch Fenney’s and they would settle for fourth place overall.
Derek Peterson of Archer, Florida and his own Diamant’s Legacy turned in a clear first round in a time of 80.539 seconds and although they turned in a fast second round in a time of 38.317 seconds, four jump faults would see them finish in tenth place overall.
Hargraves returned to the arena, this time in the irons of her own Benedetto for a clear first round in a time of 85.673 seconds, but their second round earned eight jump faults with a time of 44.635 seconds which would keep them out of the ribbons.
Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Como No followed with the next set of double clear rounds in times of 82.297 seconds and 40.287 seconds which would see them finish in sixth place overall.
Douglas and MTM Farm’s S & L Elite followed Fenney and posted double clear rounds in times of 81.029 seconds and 38.543 seconds which put them in third place overall.
Mackenzie McGehee of Jacksonville, Florida and her own Fiona V T Paradijs followed with a clear first round in a time of 82.789 seconds; however, eight jump faults in their second round in a time of 43.721 seconds would keep them out of the ribbons.
Hayley Waters of Sparr, Florida and Double H Farm’s HB Eli Cash followed with a clear first round in a time of 82.465 seconds, but their second round saw four jump faults in a time of 38.784 seconds which put them in twelfth place overall.
Francois Lamontagne of Saint Eustache, Quebec, Canada, winner of Week I’s $35,000 Crescent Grove Advisor’s Grand Prix, was last to go and turned in a clear first round in a time of 86.120 seconds. Their second round had four jump faults in a time of 38.255 seconds and would find them finishing in eleventh place overall.
Fenney won the class with MTM Reve Du Paradis and Sanchez Long finished in second with Catalyst. For full results, click here.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
