Madden and Judgement Take Center Stage at Fourth Week of Winter
Equestrian Festival
Wellington,
FL—February 17, 2003—The Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular,
February 12-16, which was the fourth week of competition at the
2003 Winter Equestrian Festival, held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian
Club in Wellington, FL, culminated with the weekend’s highlighted
event, the $50,000 Idle Dice Classic. Beezie Madden of Cazenovia,
NY, and her 2002 World Equestrian Games mount, Judgement, owned
by Iron Spring Farm, topped the field of 29 entries in the first
World Cup Qualifier of the Florida season.
Six horses went clear in the first round to qualify for the jump-off,
where it was Madden who prevailed with the fastest time of 39.56
seconds. Finishing second with a time of 40.03 seconds was Margie
Engle of Wellington, FL, and her mount Hidden Creek’s Jones.
Lauren Hough, of Wellington, FL, who has already posted a win and
a second place finish in 2003 grand prix events in Wellington, rode
her Sydney Olympic mount Clasiko, owned by the Clasiko Group, to
a third place finish in a time of 40.15 seconds.
McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, and his mount, Galant, topped a field
of 33 horse-and-rider combinations to win the $25,000 WEF Challenge
Cup Series IV. Eleven horse-and-rider combinations qualified for
the jump-off round but could not catch Ward’s time of 62.68
seconds. Laura Kraut rode Allegiance, owned by the Pin Oak Farm,
to a second place finish with a time of 64.01 seconds. Joe Fargis
riding Edgar for Mary B. Schwab/O.E.J.I Farm captured third place
in a time of 65.24 seconds.
Children’s and Young Rider classes were featured in a big way
during the Florida Classic. Taking the $5,000 FEI Individual Young
Rider Championship was Cody Baird of Greenwich, CT, aboard October
Farm’s Poleander. Paige Johnson of Middleburg, VA, finished
in second place riding Lancier 4, owned by Salamander Farm.
In the FEI Children’s World Jumping Competition, Carolyn Kelly
piloted Chagall 115, owned by Pala Mostoller, to the win over the
21 horse-and-rider combinations. Finishing in second place was Maggie
McAlary aboard her Mid-Accord.
Kent Farrington rode Madison, owned by Alexa Weeks, to victory in
the $1,500 Young Jumper 7-Year-Old Class. Finishing in second was
Laurie Bucci aboard Tomboy Major, owned by Marc Sabbah.
The Solaray Junior Jumper Gambler’s Choice provided excitement
for exhibitors and spectators alike. Many enjoyed watching top junior
jumper riders compete in the special class while attending the Solaray
Exhibitor Party in the Jockey Club. Ultimately, it was Jennifer
Urioste aboard her Casanova, who topped the nineteen horse-and-rider
combinations entered in the class. Second place went to Melissa
Orlick aboard Intersat Floyd, owned by Lynn Zbierski. Laura Gay
rode Cannon Boy, owned by RCG Farm, to a third place finish.
Emily Williams and Strapless, owned by the All Season Farm, captured
the weekend’s highlighted hunter event, the AHJF Hunter Classic
Spectacular, which took place on Saturday night. Strapless qualified
for the Classic after capturing the Championship in the Regular
Working Hunter division. Strapless was also the Reserve Champion
in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 with owner/rider Clara Linder.
Scott Stewart rode Chopard, owned by Krista Weisman, to a second
place finish in the Classic. Chopard and Stewart finished as Reserve
Champion in the Regular Conformation Hunter division earlier in
the week to be eligible to compete in the Classic.
At
the Florida Dressage Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival,
George Williams and Rocher won the FEI Freestyle with a score of
73.042%. Finishing in second place was Jan Brons aboard Fernando
with a score of 67.208%. Brons also won the FEI Freestyle Intermediaire
with Josien earning a score of 73.667%.
Nicole Levy captured the FEI Young Riders Freestyle aboard Korrado
with a score of 68.667%.
Admission
to the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington is free every Wednesday,
and children under 12 are always admitted free. Adult admission
is $5.00 on Thursdays and Fridays, $10.00 on Saturdays, and $15.00
on Sundays. Senior citizens are $5.00 every Thursday through Sunday.
All adults who attend the Festival any Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday
will receive a coupon entitling them to a two-for-one admission
on that weekend.
For
more information on the Winter Equestrian Festival and all its exciting
events and activities, please call Stadium Jumping, Inc. in Wellington
at (561) 793-JUMP or visit www.stadiumjumping.com.
Winter
Equestrian Festival Dates:
(Each
week runs Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM)
Zada
Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters – February 19 – 23
Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open – February 26 – March 2
Cosequin Wellington Finale – March 5 – 9
Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic – March 13 –
16
After
March 9, competitors move to Tampa to continue the Winter Equestrian
Festival.
Dates
for Tampa Winter Equestrian Festival
(Each
week of competition runs Wed - Sun beginning at 8:00 AM)
Suncoast
Internationale March 13-16
Tampa Bay Classic March 19-23 CSI***/W
Tournament of Champions March 25-29 CSI**/W
Budweiser American Invitational March 29 in Raymond James Stadium
Tickets
for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday
through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and
Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days.
For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com
Tickets
for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James
Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium
Jumping (877) 909-9436.
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