Winter
Equestrian Festival Week 3 Wrap-Up, February 11 - 15
WELLINGTON,
FL - February 16, 2004 - The third week of the 32nd Winter Equestrian
Festival entitled Kilkenny/ICH Internationale CSI*** was held February
11 through February 15 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in
Wellington, Florida. Frank Rothenberger of Germany was the course
designer in the Internationale Arena. Philip DeVita designed the
courses for the Grand Hunter Field.
The
Winter Equestrian Festival continues in Wellington through March
21, and then the action moves to Tampa for two weeks at the Bob
Thomas Equestrian Center, and caps off with the Budweiser American
Invitational on April 3 at the Raymond James Stadium. Total prize
money for the 2004 WEF is three-million-dollars. Produced by founder
Eugene R. Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc., the Winter Equestrian
Festival is the largest and longest consecutively running equestrian
sporting event in the world.
Alison
Firestone And Iceburg Win $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup
CSI***
Topping a field of 37 riders, Alison Firestone, 27, of Upperville,
Virginia, aboard Iceburg for Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone, won
the $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup CSI*** on Sunday, February
15. In the 10-horse jump-off, five horses went clean with Firestone
racing just splits in front of Anne Kursinski aboard Sun God who
placed second, and Kimberly Frey riding Marlou who placed third.
Firestone
described the 16-effort Round One track as 'technical' and that
the most difficult parts of it were the lines to the combinations.
"To have a triple combination that early in the course, and
a big triple bar coming in, it's always tough to get your horses
going for that," explained Firestone. "The blue in-and-out
(No. 12) was very tight inside, and either a very tight five to
another wide oxer or a really forward four."
Going
into the jump-off Eric Lamaze, 36, of Schomberg, Ontario, led off
aboard Tempete V/H Lindehof for owner Stacey Krembil and set the
pace with his clear trip in 41.040, which placed him fourth in the
final results. Kursinski riding Sun God for owners Ron and Cheryl
Krise immediately took over the lead with her clean trip in 39.23,
which held up for the next five riders, including two more clear
trips. Kate Levy clocked in clean at 44.13, which put her fifth,
and Kim Frey riding Marlou for owner Windmill Ranch LLC tripped
the timers at 39.66 for third place. But it was Alison Firestone
and Iceburg who edged Kursinski into second place and took the victory
with 39.17 seconds. Two more riders chased her but incurred faults
in slower time.
Though
she had the advantage of going last in the Jump-off, Firestone said
she did not see Kursinski's ride so did not strategize off that
trip. "I took a little shot to the second jump and then I slowed
down over to the outside line because in the first round my horse
got very surprised at how big the triple bar was," explained
Firestone. "When he got there he felt like he took a second
look at it, so I wanted to give him a really good ride down to the
triple bar the second time. As soon as I got through the combination,
then I just let him go. He's so careful I can take a shot at running
down to the jumps a little bit."
Firestone
is aiming for the Olympic Selection Trials this year, but not with
the 14-year-old Iceburg.
"If I make the team for the Olympics, Casanova is the horse
I want to take. He's jumped a lot of Championship courses and I
think I have the best shot with him at the Olympics," she said.
"Today, if I had both of them in the jump-off, Iceburg for
sure would have been faster, but for a really huge, scopey track,
Casanova is my horse for that."
Three-time
Olympian Kursinski noted that Sun God, a nine year-old chestnut
Hanoverian gelding by Drossel Klang II, will join her 1992 Barcelona
Olympic mount, Eros, in her quest for a fourth Olympics. "I'm
tickled that he's as good as he was. We haven't gone that fast together
over even a lot of smaller courses so I was delighted that he went
that fast and left the jumps up," she said. "He has all
the ability, now we need some mileage."
Frey
was also aboard a new Grand Prix mount that she is aiming for the
Olympic Selection Trials in May. "This is only my third big
class," she said of the 10-year-old Dutch mare by Jus de Pomme.
"She's relatively young. When I walked the course I said, well
let's see if she can jump this high. She's got a ton of ability
and I'm really thrilled with her. She really rises to the occasion
all the time, so although she hasn't done a lot of big courses I
feel very confident. She's very, very confident herself. If I put
that [Olympics] in front of her I'm sure she would give it her best
shot."
Highlights
Wednesday Through Saturday
McLain
Ward And Cinderella Win $7,500 1.45m
A starting field of 60 horses contested the $7,500 1.45 Meter Time
First Jump-Off, kicking off the week on February 11 in the Internationale
Arena. McLain Ward 28, of Brewster, NY, and the Double H Farm-owned
mare Cinderella went 29th in the order and was the sixth combination
to clear the 15-effort round one. The format calls for the rider
to immediately attack the eight-effort jump-off. Ward clocked in
clean over the short course in 33.596 seconds, topping the five
previous double clears. The last half of the class chased his time,
and though eight more combinations crossed the timers fault-free,
all were slower than Ward. Molly Ashe riding King Louie for Rosewood
Glen Ltd placed second with her time of 34.643. Anne Kursinski riding
Sun God for Ron and Cheryl Krise placed third in 34.717.
McLain
Ward And LaBelle Win $5,000 1.40m Faults Converted, Section A
Later in the day on Wednesday, Ward notched another win to his streak,
upping it to nine victories at this point for the 2004 WEF. With
127 entries on the order of go for the $5,000 1.40m Faults Converted
class, Stadium Jumping, Inc. management split the class into two
sections. Ward had three horses in the first section and won the
class on Labelle for owner Turnabout Farm, topping 68 horses. He
had a look at the course early on when he went sixth in the order
aboard Prins for owner Meghan Moran and set the pace witha clear
in 53.402. Ward maintained his lead for most of the class, until
he topped himself as the 40th rider on course with LaBelle who ate
up the course in a phenomenal 50.581. Three rides later, Margie
Engle on Hidden Creek's Charlie Brown took a shot and posted a clear
in 52.235, which proved to be good enough for third place. Joe Fargis
directly followed Engle on the roster aboard Carousel owned by Mary
B Schwab and came close to Ward with his clear trip in 51.820, but
had to settle for second place.
Joe
Fargis And Maria Bonita Win $5,000 Faults Converted, Section B
In the second section of the $5,000 1.40m Faults Converted class,
Joe Fargis riding Maria Bonita for owner Mary B. Schwab topped the
roster of 59 horses. Laura Chapot aboard Copper Twist for owner
Mary Chapot set the pace early on - the duo went third in the order
and clocked in clear at 54.622, but they ended up in second place.
Emily Williams aboard her own Abracadabra took aim at the leader,
but fell short by almost two seconds and had to settle for third
place. Fargis was the 24th rider to take the test and burned up
the grass with his clear in 53.465, which proved to be unbeatable
for the remaining 34 riders. Fargis also rode Caucalis for owner
Frederick Graham and placed sixth with a fault-free trip in 57.145.
McLain
Ward And Hurricane Win $25,000 Challenge Cup
Starting off his day on Thursday, February 12, McLain Ward chalked
up his 10th win at this year's WEF, claiming victory over 56 horses
in the $25,000 WEF Kilkenny/ICH Challenge Cup Series Round III,
CSI*** riding Hurricane I for owner Sarah Willeman and Turnabout
Farm. "The problem with having such a good run is that you
get fearful when it's going to end, because you know at some point
it's going to end," Ward said. "But we'll keep riding
and enjoying it while it goes on." Fifteen horses cleared the
15-effort Round One track. The lead changed hands several times
in the Jump-Off, but going ninth in the order Norman Dello Joio
jumped to the lead when he laid down a trip with Quriel owned by
Eleanor Belknap and Anthony Weight that would be hard to beat -
33.64 seconds. However, going last in the line-up aboard Hurricane
I, Ward produced a clear trip in 32.71 for the win, and edged Dello
Joio into second place. Seven horses put in double clear performances
today. Kim Frey rode Couletto K. James for owner McLain Ward and
clocked in at 35.08 for third. "That was also very exciting
for me," said Ward. "He's only eight years old and it
was his first grand prix this season. It was a great day all the
way around."
Ken
Smith And Carmen Win Regular Working Hunter Championship
After two days of competition in the Regular Working Hunter division
sponsored by First Savings Mortgage Company, Ken Smith riding Carmen
emerged as the champion on Thursday afternoon, February 12. Millridge,
LLC owns Carmen, a 10-year old, 15.3-hand Oldenburg mare. Smith
has had the ride since October 2003. Louise Serio riding Gray Slipper
for owner Bridget Hallman earned the Reserve. Smith, 36, of Wellington,
Florida, rode Carmen in four over fences classes and took the victory
in three of them. He picked up a third place ribbon in one jumping
class. The division competed in one Under Saddle class, in which
Smith and Carmen placed fourth. "She was really good. Yesterday
especially because she had last week off so she was fresh and jumped
real, real high," said Smith. "She showed great expression
over the jumps, real smooth, and she's a beautiful mover, so between
the jumps it worked out real nice." He attributed today's third
place in the first over fences classes to an unlucky rub when she
jumped lower than her norm, but then she went on to win the final
class today and clinch the championship. Smith, who is over six
feet tall, attributes his height to the lower score in the Under
Saddle class where she was fourth. "She was good. I'm a little
tall for her for the Under Saddle. Over the jumps they're watching
the horse more, but Under Saddle I like to put a shorter rider on
her." Smith noted that the most special aspect of Carmen's
personality is her attitude. "She goes in to win the classes.
She has all the talent, but she really wants to win the classes
and you can't teach them how to do that. They're born to do it or
not. She's a really consistent horse."
Jeffery
Welles And Ursa Major Win 1.40 Meter Acorn Hill Farm Challenge,
Section B
The featured class on Friday, February 13, was the $5,000 1.40 Meter
Acorn Hill Farm Challenge Time First Round. With 114 horses entered,
management split the class into two sections, A and B. Jeffery Welles
aboard Ursa Major clinched the win in Section B, out-jumping a field
of 58 horses. "I tried to base my ride off of McLain's ride
on LaBelle," said Welles, 41, of Pound Ridge, NY. "He
didn't leave much room for anyone. I just had to go for it."
McLain Ward had gone as the ninth rider in the class and posted
a comet-like time of 52.705 seconds with LaBelle owned by Sarah
Willeman and Turnabout Farm, putting himself at the head of the
class. Welles and Ursa Major, an 11-year-old, bay 17-hand, Belgian
gelding owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Croft, took to the field 14 rides
later and edged Ward into second place when he zapped the course
in 51.425 seconds. Welles maintained his lead as 35 more riders
tried to catch him, but with no success. Chris Pratt going 54th
in the order riding Ishan for owner Sue Grange placed third with
a time of 52.907. "I left out one more stride than McLain did
in the last line," said Welles. "His time looked unbeatable
because his horse is so fast. After watching him go, I knew I couldn't
hold anything back."
Fabio
Leivas De Costa Wins 1.40 Meter Acorn Hill Farm Challenge, Section
A
In earlier competition in the Internationale Arena on Friday the
13th, Fabio Leivas De Costa of Brazil riding his own Tijuana Domar
won Section A, besting a field of 56 horses. Nineteen horses went
clean, but it took a dozen trips over the test designed by Frank
Rothenberger before Cara Cheska on her November Rain logged the
first clear in 61.572 seconds. Cheska ended up in sixth place. Then
it was rider after rider besting the previous leader's time. Knocking
Cheska out of the lead was Joe Fargis aboard Maria Bonita for owner
Mary B. Schwab who blazed the course of 13-efforts in 57.891. Fargis
stayed at the top against the next 18 contenders, but ended up fourth.
Anne Kursinski snatched the lead from Fargis with her time of 57.195
aboard Faldo for Robin Hill Farm, clocking in at 57.195, but Kursinski
finished in third place. Kim Barone just barely edged Kursinski
out of the lead with her time of 57.184 aboard her own Kid Rock.
Barone's lead was short-lived and she ended up second as De Costa
took over the course four rides later and was more than a second
faster aboard Tijuana Domar, rocketing around the course in 55.959.
The time was unbeatable for the next 13 horses, and De Costa claimed
his victory.
Rob
Bielefeld And C.C. Bloom Win First Year Green Hunter Championship,
Section A
In the Grand Hunter Field on Friday, Rob Bielefeld, 39, of Ithaca,
New York, and Wellington, Florida, riding C.C. Bloom for owner Samantha
Hallman won the First Year Green Hunter Championship, Section A.
The duo competed in four over fences classes held over two days
and chalked up one win, two third-place ribbons, and a fourth place
ribbon. They did not compete in the Under Saddle class, but still
accumulated enough points to claim the Championship. Heather Caristo
rode Indian Summer for Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo and earned the
Section A Reserve. C.C. Bloom is an eight-year-old, 16.1-hand chestnut
Dutch mare by the French Olympic Team stallion Joue de Pomme. Hallman
imported her from Joey Norick two years ago. Bielefeld and C.C.
Bloom are commencing their second season together. "She's a
good jumper," stated Bielefeld. "Her consistency really
paid off. She always tries hard but the first day she just gave
that extra effort. She jumped so high over all the jumps and stayed
in the air." Forty-one horses competed in Section A yesterday
and 42 competed today. Competition in the division was tough, Bielefeld
acknowledged. "Ten years ago First Year horses used to make
a few errors and be okay because they were First Year horses and
green," he said. "But nowadays there's no room for error.
You have to be right on. The horse has to be right on. If you don't
get above a score of 80, you're not getting a ribbon. It's very,
very competitive this year."
Ken
Smith And Noir Win First Year Green Hunter Championship, Section
B
Later in the day on Friday, Ken Smith of Wellington, Florida, riding
Noir for owner Mrs. Quentin Alexander won the First Year Green Hunter
Championship, Section B. Thirty-nine horses competed in two over
fences in this section of the division yesterday, and 42 contested
the final three classes today, including an Under Saddle class and
two jumping classes. Tim Goguen riding George for Janet Read was
the Reserve.
Marley
Goodman And Jumper Win $10,000 Adequan Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic
High
Kicking off the action in the Internationale Arena on Saturday,
February 14, Marley Goodman, 23, of Wellington, Florida, aboard
Jumper won the $10,000 Adequan Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High,
besting a field of 56 entries. Thirteen horses went clear over the
14-effort Round One course and qualified for the Jump-off. Goodman
was the second rider to go over the eight-effort course and set
the pace with her clear round in 41.508 seconds. The dozen riders
who chased her time could not catch her, though four more riders
produced clear performances. Cara Raether riding Zypria for Trelawny
Farm Inc. placed second, tripping the timers in 41.807. Paige Johnson
riding Landria W for Salamander Farm took the third place ribbon,
covering the short course in 41.947. "It's always difficult
going early in a jump-off because you don't know how fast to go,"
said Goodman. "I decided to use this as practice and go as
fast as I could. I was lucky enough to keep the lead. You have to
have luck with you as well. I don't think there was any place where
I could have been faster." The aptly named Jumper is a 12-year-old,
16.2-hand, bay Dutch warmblood gelding with one blue eye. Goodman
and her family's Turtle Lane Farm have owned him for three years.
"He's just a fantastic horse. He always wants to win for you,
every time," Goodman said. At last year's WEF, Jumper was the
second leading money winner in the amateur division. "I know
how he rises to the occasion. He's the perfect fit for me."
Today's win marked Goodman's first victory in this year's WEF. "It
feels very good," she said. "We were second last week
in this class and it was nice to win it, very nice. It's always
good to win a class here because the competition is very difficult
with many competitors with good horses and good riders."
Chris
Pratt And Rivendell Win $20,000 1.50 Meter Classic, Time First Jump-Off
It was a happy Valentine's Day on Saturday, February 14, for 34-year-old
Chris Pratt of Toronto, Canada. Riding Rivendell for owner Sue Grange,
Pratt bested a field of 53 riders to win the $20,000 1.50 Meter
Classic, Time First Jump-Off at the 32nd Winter Equestrian Festival
in Wellington, Florida, today. Pratt was the fastest of five double
clear performances. Going last in the 17-horse jump-off, Pratt shifted
the leaders down a notch from what looked like a cinched one-two-three
finish for Norman Dello Joio, McLain Ward, and Markus Beerbaum.
"I've got a superb horse," said Pratt. "He's fast
and I trust him." Canadian Ainsley Vince, the second rider
on course in the tiebreaker aboard her own Uno, set the pace at
43.873, but she finished in fifth place. Markus Beerbaum riding
Le Mans 8 for Hyperion Farm was seventh in the order and snatched
the lead in 39.342, but ended up fourth. Five riders later, McLain
Ward put the pedal to the metal and took over the top spot riding
one of his own, Furioso Du Parc - the duo tripped the timers at
39.273, but finished third. Norman Dello Joio went immediately after
Ward, riding Leonardo for owner Anthony Weight, and took over the
lead with his blazing time of 38.990. Four more riders chased Dello
Joio, but none were clear or fast enough, except the last to go
- Pratt galloped the course in 38.078 for the win. "I knew
how fast I had to go," said Pratt who noted that he watched
the riders before him. "Those were top international competitors
ahead of me. This is the biggest win to date in my career."
Pratt has been riding Rivendell, an eight-year-old, 16.3-hand chestnut
Westfalen by Piano for just over a year. He explained that he beat
the leaders' time by turning back to the combination faster and
leaving a stride out going to the sixth fence on course. He said
his mental strategy going into the pressure-cooker jump-off was
to "stay positive. I was worried about one turn, but it was
no problem. I have 100% confidence in my horse." He said the
key to his relationship to Rivendell is, "Patience. This is
a super quality horse that in other hands might have been pushed
before he was ready."
For
full results of today's classes, visit www.stadiumjumping.com
NEXT
SHOWS: February 18 - 22, Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular CSI-W/Y
CSI-Ch
February 19 - 22, Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
2004
WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday
through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays
are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every
day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through
Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and
$15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on
Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information,
visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.
2004
WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS
February 18 - 22 Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular CSI-W/Y CSI-Ch
February 19 - 22 Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
February 25 - 29 PDP Capital Wellington Masters CSI***
March 3 - 7 CN Wellington Open CSI-W
March 10 - 14 CSIO United States Cosequin Finale CSIO***
March 18 - 21 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y
(Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)
March 24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
March 30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian
Center)
April 3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)
WEF
2004 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES
February 22 $60,000 Idle Dice Classic, presented by Palm Beach Post,
CSI-W
February 29 $75,000 PDP Capital Masters Cup, CSI***
March 7 $75,000 CN Wellington Open presented by Estates of Wellington
Green, CDI-W
March 12 $50,000 Samsung Nations' Cup, presented by CN, CSIO****
March 14 $100,000 Cosequin U.S. Open Jumper Championship, CSIO****
March 28 $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH,
CSI-W
April 3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, presented by The
Tampa Tribune
.
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